WSN040213

NYU’s Daily Student Newspaper

WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS TUESDAY, APRIL 2, 2013

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Factory fire coalition honors victims

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Vol. 41, No. 31

Students take demands to Washington, D.C.

By EMILY BELL

COURTESY OF SLATE PR

ANG LEE SPEAKS TO WSN: Having won another “Best Director” Oscar in February, Ang Lee discusses his career, his time at NYU and the craft of filmmaking. Visit nyunews. com for the full, exclusive interview.

INSIDE THIS ISSUE:

MARIA MICHALOS FOR WSN

D.C. Day gave students an opportunity to bring their concerns to national representatives.

COURTESY OF ODD FUTURE RECORDS

TYLER, THE CREATOR RELEASES NEW SOLO ALBUM Despite strong beats and production, the rapper’s third album “Wolf” suffers from lyrical discrepancy between impressive vulnerability and offensive terminology.

TYLER on PG. 5

By MARIA MICHALOS A group of twenty-five NYU students took concerns about education funding to Capitol Hill for D.C. Day last week.

Sponsored by NYU’s Office of Government and Community Affairs and the Brademas Center, which focuses on programming that allows NYU community members

to better understand the workings of Congress, D.C. Day maintains a dual role of advocating in support of student aid programs and providing students the opportunity to remind their representatives of the importance of federal student aid.

“We were thrilled that 25 NYU students were willing to spend the day on the bus to communicate with Congress about how

cuts to student aid programs will affect them personally,” said Steve Heuer, director of government relations for NYU. In recent months, media outlets have heard the term sequestration, the automatic spending cuts taking place as a result of Congress’ inability to reach a

DC continued on PG. 3

A new contest sponsored by the Remember the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire Coalition will create a commemorative piece of art as decoration for the building where the second deadliest disaster in New York City history occurred.

In 1911, the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire claimed the lives of 146 garment workers after a scrap bin on the eighth floor caught fire. The building, now known as the Brown Building, is owned by NYU. “A very unique opportunity for anyone with a creative mind, the hope is that this Vertical Urban Memorial will not only honor the victims of this tragedy, but also educate and inspire all who see it up close or [approach] it from a distance down the various streets that surround the building in [New York City’s] urban setting,” memorial design competition director Ernesto Martinez said.

The coalition previously held a centennial remembrance for the fire. Mary Anne Trasciatti, a member of the executive board for the coalition, said they have already received designs from over 20 countries. The competition will

FACTORY continued on PG. 3

Yankees plan to counteract bleak start to season

By SAMUEL BARDER

GAY MARRIAGE TRIALS REVEAL EXTENT OF DISCRIMINATION: As court arguments unveil real costs of prejudiced laws, the American people must stand up for marriage rights.

OPS on PG. 7

To say the New York Yankees’ opening day roster lacked the star power fans have become used to would be an understatement. With Kevin Youkilis at third base for Alex Rodriguez and Eduardo Núñez at shortstop for team captain Derek Jeter, fans missed the Rodriguez, Jeter and outfielder Curtis Granderson combination.

The Yankees began the 2013 campaign with a loss to the Red Sox 8-2 and without four of their stars. Jeter is out indefinitely with an ankle injury. Mark Teixera, the team’s first baseman, is sidelined with a wrist injury and expected to return May 1.

The aging Rodriguez is injured as well. He has not been with the team since last year’s playoffs and is currently recovering from hip

surgery. Earliest estimates for his return are the mid-July All-Star Break.

This left the Yankees with one of its more depleted lineups in recent memory and prompted General Manager Brian Cashman to begin seeking replacements, like veteran first baseman Derrek Lee from the Pittsburgh Pirates. Although the search didn’t pan out, Cashman acquired Youkilis, a former Red Sox third baseman, to replace Rodriguez.

Regardless, there is hope in the Bronx. The pitching staff will be the Yankees’ greatest strength this year. Their starting rotation is led by C.C. Sabathia and veteran Andy Pettitte. Phil Hughes, who will enter the rotation when he, too, returns from an injury, will also prove helpful to the team. However,

YANKEES continued on PG. 8

VIA FACEBOOK.COM

The Yankees face a tough season after a disappointg loss against the Red Sox.

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WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS | TUESDAY, APRIL 2, 2013 | NYUNEWS.COM

ON THE SIDE STAFF PLAYLIST

By JOSH JOHNSON In celebration of April Fool’s Day, Chicago festival behemoth Lollapalooza released its lineup for their 2013 incarnation. If you’re planning on attending, here are some can’t-miss artists.

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COMPILED BY THE

WSN STAFF

IN AND OF

THE CITY

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WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS Editor-in-Chief JONATHON DORNBUSH Managing Editor

AMY ZHANG Web Managing Editor

HANQING CHEN

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.

Deputy Managing Editor

JORDAN MELENDREZ Assistant Managing Editor

NICOLA PRING Creative Director

KALEEL MUNROE SENIOR STAFF

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,

“I’M DESIGNER” — Queens of the Stone Age

WICY WANG foreign correspondent JULIE DEVITO senior editors GENTRY BROWN, DAN

HINTON, CHARLES MAHONEY, CLIO MCCONNELL, STEFAN MELNYK, LAVYA YALAMANCHI

DEPUTY STAFF

university KEVIN BURNS, NEELA QADIR city/state EMILY BELL,

RACHEL KAPLAN/WSN

“GREAT SALT LAKE” — Band of Horses

“FAKE EMPIRE” — The National

“SUN HANDS” — Local Natives

OPINION PAGE opinion editor

“RITUAL” — Ghost B.C.

SAMEER JAYWANT deputy opinion editors

EDWARD RADZIVILOVSKIY, RAQUEL WOODRUFF

“KEEP YOU” — Wild Belle “HURRICANE” — MS MR “NANCY FROM NOW ON” — Father John Misty “O’ BE JOYFUL” — Shovels & Rope “SUCH GREAT HEIGHTS” — Postal Service

SNAPSHOT

ANDREW KARPAN 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, JOON LEE

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ADVERTISING

AFFORDABLE ART FAIR RETURNS TO CHELSEA The Affordable Art Fair comes to Chelsea on April 3 at the Metropolitan Pavilion. The fair will last four days and feature paintings, prints and sculptures for less than $10,000, with over half the works pricing at under $5,000.

— DNAINFO

BUSINESS MANAGER

BIKE LANE TO CONNECT UNION SQUARE AND HUDSON RIVER PARK The Department of Transportation is planning to add shared bike lanes on West 15th and 16th streets. The bike lanes will connect the recreational hubs of Union Square and Hudson River Park. The DOT hopes to install the lanes by summer.

— DNAINFO

SALES REPRESENTATIVE

HOW NOT TO FAKE A KIDNAPPING After looking into a possible kidnapping that allegedly happened on Friday, police say that the kidnapping was a hoax. Surveillance videos showed victims being chased by two men with a dark minivan following. Police now say it was a prank to scare friends.

— NY1

GRAPHIC DESIGNER

REBECCA RIBEIRO CIRCULATION MANAGER

CHLOE COFFMAN

UNIVERSITY SALES COORDINATOR

KAITLYN O’BRIEN ELLEN MCQUEEN SALES ASSOCIATES

ARIANA DIVALENTINO, ALISON LIZZIO, SAM WANDER CIRCULATION ASSISTANT

BENJAMIN SWINEHART

KALEEL MUNROE

ADVISING DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS

NANCI HEALY EDITORIAL ADVISER

BRONX ZOO RESIDENT PATTYCAKE DIES Pattycake, the 40-year-old gorilla that called New York City home her whole life, died Sunday. She was born at the Central Park Zoo and moved to the Bronx Zoo where she had 10 babies.

She had been treated for chronic cardiac issues before her death.

— NY1

Always bursting with energy, this adorable peppy Pomeranian is WSN’s unofficial mascot.

PHOTO BY RACHEL KAPLAN

MOVING OUT OF THE 212 The 212 area code may soon not be an exclusive, coveted area code for New York residents. The Communications Commission is looking to give phone company Vonage direct access to numbers once they are made available. The move would allow these numbers to not be restricted to any geographic location.

— NEWSDAY

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KEITH LEIGHTY EDITORS-AT-LARGE

MAXIMILÍANO DURÓN, JAEWON KANG, FRANCIS POON, MERYLL PREPOSI, AMANDA RANDONE, EMILY YANG About WSN: Washington Square News (ISSN 15499389) is the student newspaper of New York University. WSN is published Monday through Thursday during NYU’s academic year, except for university holidays, vacations and exam periods.

Corrections: WSN is committed to accurate reporting. When we make errors, we do our best to correct them as quickly as possible. If you believe we have erred, contact managing editor Amy Zhang at managing@nyunews.com or at 212.998.4302.

NYUNEWS.COM

NYUNEWS.COM | TUESDAY, APRIL 2, 2013 | WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS

Bloomberg launches $12 million gun control campaign

By LESLEY GREENBERG

New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg has come under scrutiny for sponsoring a number of anti-gun ads — pundits are accusing him of politicizing the gun debate for his own gain. The ads feature a bearded young man recalling his family tradition of hunting, turning around a common motif used by the pro-gun movement.

The ad reads, “Tell Congress — don’t protect criminals, vote to protect gun rights and our families with comprehensive background checks.”

The ad campaign was sponsored by Mayors Against Illegal Guns, an organization co-chaired by Bloomberg. The ads explain the necessity of background checks and encourage viewers to demand action from their congressmen.

These television ads, which will air this week, target specific states such as Arizona, North Carolina and Pennsylvania during the congressional holiday recess. Bloomberg has donated $12 million to finance the campaign.

“These ads bring the voices of Americans, who overwhelmingly support com-

prehensive and enforceable background checks, into the discussion to move senators to immediately take action to prevent gun violence,” Bloomberg said in a statement issued by the organization. “We demanded a plan and we got one. We demanded a vote and we’ll get one. Now we’re doing what we can to pass a bill that will save lives.”

In addition to ads, Mayors Against Illegal Guns led a National Day to Demand Action on Thursday, March 28.

This included more than 100 events across the country designed to generate calls to members of Congress.

The group’s website has called it the largest gun violence prevention advocacy event in history and has generated thousands of calls.

Despite these successes, some argue that Bloomberg is trying to buy votes with a bad political strategy.

“I am not sure having the liberal mayor from New York coming in some of these states is going to do anyone any good,” said Jim Manley, a former top adviser and spokesman for Sen.

Harry Reid, who is also the majority leader.

Bloomberg defended his actions, saying he is acting with public support. According to a March 2013 Quinnipiac University poll, 88 percent of American voters support universal background checks for gun purchases.

“Nobody’s buying votes,” Bloomberg told CBS News on March 25. “What you are doing is you’re getting access with this money to tell the public the facts.”

As Bloomberg prepares to end his three-term run as mayor, insiders like Howard Wolfson, a top aide to Bloomberg who ran the Independence USA super PAC, hint that he appears to be shifting his focus to national politics.

“This is just the beginning,” Wolfson told The Washington Post in November. “On issues like guns and education, Mike Bloomberg is poised to play an even bigger role in advancing a mainstream agenda and influencing elections.”

Lesley Greenberg is a staff writer. Email her at cstate@nyunews.com.

COURTESY OF MAYORS AGAINST ILLEGAL GUNS

Mayor Bloomberg is leading a campaign to require background checks for gun owners.

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DC continued from PG. 1

Students visiting capital lobbied for greater educational opportunities

long-term deficit reduction agreement.

With all programs affected by sequestration being subjected to 5 percent cuts, students receiving federal workstudy and Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants will see some reductions in the coming fall.

“It is absolutely necessary for Congress to continue their focus on education because … not giving [students] the opportunity to go to colleges of their caliber will not only put our country at a disadvantage but will put our future in jeopardy,” LSP sophomore Justin Ahn said.

Meeting with a variety of legislative assistants for New York representatives including Reps. Michael Grimm, R-N.Y., Paul Tonko, D-N.Y. and Joseph Crowley D-N.Y., students spent the day on the Hill and in Cannon, Longworth and Rayburn House office buildings. While most participants were becoming acquainted with the city, a few had spent the previous semester studying away at the newly opened NYU Washington, D.C. campus. “[Congress] needs to do a better job of providing assistance. How we will compete?” said Jeff Morgan, legal assistant for Congressman Paul Tonko, D-N.Y. “As a student who interned on the Hill

last semester, it was a great feeling to be able to direct peers and answer their questions about the basics of how congressional office or senate offices worked,” said CAS junior Tanzila Ahad. “Many students like me are worried about what will happen [with education] in the future and how we will afford this basic need in our society ... and more importantly, pay it off.”

Students appreciated the time legislative assistants took to meet with them, and said they were empowered by the experience.

“Getting to share my story with the staffers gave me pride in not only NYU but also the fact that we as citizens of the United States have the opportunity to voice our opinions without any criticism or fear of consequences,” Ahn said.

A critical function of our democracy is to communicate constituent concerns and be heard by our representatives.

“If we persistently bring this issue to the attention of the government, they will have to notice and something must be done,” said Ahad.

Maria Michalos is a contributing writer. Email her at university@nyunews.com.

FACTORY continued from PG. 1

Art competition hosted by Triangle Fire Coalition commemorates tragedy

be decided by a jury that is still being compiled but currently includes members from various fields, including architecture, labor history and fashion.

Although the final selection will be made by the jury, a community board, NYU affiliates and members of a landmark committee will also be able to give feedback.

“We wanted to make sure that when the ideas are being evaluated there are people there who can take an idea in its early form and have the ability to imagine and see the promise and potential of an idea in its early stages,” Trasciatti said.

Since NYU owns the building where the art will be displayed, the designs must meet a set of requirements that allow the premises to be accessible and functional to students and still uphold the requirements of the Landmarks Preservation Commission in terms of building structure.

“NYU students were among the first responders to the blaze,” NYU director of public affairs Philip Lentz said.

The university later acquired the build-

ing, and it is now part of NYU’s campus and used for academic purposes.

One of the requirements of the design competition is that the commemorative art must include the names of all 146 victims.

“There aren’t a lot of memorials that pay respect to working people and there aren’t a lot of memorials that honor women,” Trasciatti said. “There’s still a fight to be fought, and we can make a difference.”

Designs are being accepted until April 12 and a decision will be made in the summer.

“I think the fact that the memorial is going to be on an NYU building is absolutely fitting because many of the victims were young women and men the same age as students walking by,” Sergel said. “The opportunity to make this living history in our midst is extremely rare and extremely wonderful and only possible because NYU is being such a great partner in this endeavor.”

Emily Bell is a deputy city/state editor.

Email her at ebell@nyunews.com.

CHUCK KUAN/WSN

Seniors behind the BOBSTer Egg Hunt reveal goals The first annual BOBSTer Egg Hunt may have been a hit, but few participants know how it began. For an interview with the anonymous organizers, turn to WSN’s Under the Arch at nyunews.com.

RACHEL LIQUINDOLI FOR WSN

The Brown Building was the site of the 1911 Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire.

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WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS | TUESDAY, APRIL 2, 2013 | NYUNEWS.COM

BEAUTY AND STYLE

EDITED BY MICHELLE LIM BSTYLE@NYUNEWS.COM

Hazardous chemicals found in beauty products

By TANAY HUDSON

Makeup plays an essential role in most women’s lives and is a major part of their daily routine.

However, women are not aware of the hazardous chemicals in makeup that can cause significant skin and health issues.

Cosmetics are the least regulated products under the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act. In fact, the FFDCA does not require pre-market safety testing, review or approval for cosmetics.

In 2008, the Environmental Working Group tested 7,500 beauty products and found that 80 percent of them contained 146 chemicals linked to cancer — known as carcinogens — which can also be found in smog

and car exhaust.

“There are many synthetic chemicals used in makeup,” said NYU Langone Medical Center’s Leonardo Trasande, M.D., who is a professor in the department of environmental medicine. “The federal regulation in place for screening chemicals before widespread use dates to 1976 [the Toxic Substances Control Act] and provides weak power to the Environmental Protection Agency to require testing for potential toxicity.”

Dermatologist Jennifer Wong adds that she has seen patients who encountered skin problems from expired products as well as new products.

“Many people come in for contact dermatitis. The irritation of the skin can range

anywhere from mild redness, bumps and itching to urticaria or hives,” said Wong.

Wong cites acne, rosacea, atopic dermatitis and psoriasis as skin conditions that can occur due to several ingredients in makeup.

Wong also advises avoiding additives and other chemicals in beauty products which can be potentially dangerous.

“Stay away from fragrances, dyes and alcohol-based products especially for atopic skin.

From my experience, Nair hairremoval seems to create a lot of problems with my patients’ skin,” said Wong.

Wong recommends products that are “non-comedogenic” — or those that do not clog skin

pores, drinking more water and incorporating a well-balanced diet filled with fruits and vegetables to help maintain a healthy lifestyle.

Although problems remain, Steven Hall, a makeup artist at LiSi Cosmetics, said that makeup has come a long way over the years.

“A lot of formaldehyde used to be used, but they have cleaned that up,” said Hall. “Makeup and hair products tend to have a lot of different chemicals that I can barely pronounce, but now everyone is so conscious and aware that nearly everything has changed back to being free of all of those things, even our line here.”

Hall also warns that makeup

has a shelf life of about a year and advises researching the ingredients in makeup products before using them.

Gallatin sophomore Deanna Cohen, who wears makeup daily, said that even being aware of the dangers of makeup will not keep her from her daily routine.

“I wish I could say that it could change my makeup-wearing [habits], but I’ll just find brands that are better now,” said Cohen. “It’s just hard because it’s so expensive. I would try to research more, but there might be a downside to every kind of makeup.”

Tanay Hudson is a contributing writer. Email her at bstyle@nyunews.com.

Products for caution: When shopping for new beauty products, be extra cautious for these harmful chemicals.

PHOTOS: VIA ULTA.COM | VIA AMAZON.COM

KERATIN: Brazilian keratin hair treatment and straightening.

NAIL POLISH: All nail polish have formaldehyde, except for those strictly stated.

SHAMPOOS: Look for DMDMHydantoin.

FACIAL MOISTURIZER: Look for Diazolidinyl urea

FACIAL POWDER AND EYE SHADOW: Look for Quaternium 15

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P TO

BABY LOTION: Look for Imidazolidinyl urea

EYE PENCILS: Look for butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT)

Fresh prints for spring season

By BRYNA SHUMAN

Warmer weather and sunnier days call for sprucing up your wardrobe. Spring is the perfect time to experiment with crisp colors and loud prints. While florals may seem like the typical goto print for the weather change, try some twists to traditional patterns for a fresh start this spring.

ETHNIC: Embrace ethnic prints without having to go abroad.

Collections like Vera Wang, Altuzarra and Marc by Marc Jacobs have been hinting at this rising fad for sunnier days. Add a splash of print to a classic T-shirt and jeans combo with a colorful ethnic backpack (American Eagle, $39.95). Showcase the print with a colorful sundress for a Bohemian look.

POLKA DOTS: This is a versatile trend that can add a whimsical and fun or professional with a classic twist. Dots have been seen on many runways this spring, from Chanel to Armani.

Add a pop of color to your outfit with a bright and flirty polka dot dress — perfect for a day at the park. Or incorporate dots into your internship wardrobe with a classic black-and-white dot print on a Peter Pan collar shirt (Forever 21, $17.80).

CHECKERBOARD: The bold checkerboard prints that are reminiscent of iconic 1960s London are back this spring, dominating the Louis Vuitton and Balmain runways. Incorporate the print into your wardrobe with a sassy checkerboard mini dress (Asos, $63.18). With all the walking that comes with kinder weather, treat yourself to a colorful new pair of sneakers with checkerboard print.

BOLD STRIPES: Thick striped pieces dominated the runways in New York and Paris this spring, from the collections of Oscar de la Renta to Michael Kors to Dolce & Gabbana.

Create a nautical look by pairing a striped, red slouched shirt (Urban Outfitters, $34) with a pair of navy cut-offs. Feeling more eccentric?

Ditch the colors and opt for a daring black-and-white striped dress.

DIP-DYE: Ombré isn’t just a trend for hair. Dip-dyed pieces can easily add a sweet transitional touch of color to your spring wardrobe. Incorporate this print with a denim vest and a flowing maxi skirt (Urban Outfitters, $115) for a daytime relaxed vibe. For a night out, rock a leather jacket and daring cut-out ombré dress.

Bryna Shuman is a staff writer. Email her at bstyle@nyunews.com.

NYUNEWS.COM | TUESDAY, APRIL 2, 2013 | WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS

ARTS

EDITED BY JOSH JOHNSON ARTS@NYUNEWS.COM

‘BioShock Infinite’ held back by shooter tropes

By DEVON HERSCH

As the sequel to the beloved “BioShock,” the expectations for “BioShock Infinite” reached unprecedented heights.

Overall, the game and its immersive world do not disappoint. However, while many feel this game is both a climax and conclusion to the Xbox 360-Playstation 3 generation, “Infinite” nonetheless shares many problems common to this era.

“Infinite” takes place in Columbia, a city above the clouds claimed by its inhabitants as “heaven, or as close as you can get.” Entry into this steampunk metropolis necessitates a procession through a monolithic Gothic church and an idealized Roman garden, following a spiritual rebirth via baptism. Yet the game juxtaposes such imagery against the reality of Columbia’s clearly degenerate society.

The player witnesses a world full of patriarchy, capitalist decadence, class struggle and racism. Indeed, all of the religious imagery serves as propaganda to consolidate the rule of Columbia’s so-called prophet, Zachary Hale Comstock. Tackling such heavy themes is a rarity in gaming, giving “Infinite” an artistic depth generally unseen in mainstream releases.

All of these concepts serve as a devastating critique of American culture. While this analysis seemingly attacks America’s past, it nevertheless feels resonant.

“Infinite” is a complete departure from the undersea setting of the original “BioShock.” Unlike the dark and dilapidated Rapture, Columbia consists of bright colors and a heavily populated world. Having normal human beings going about

their business until catastrophe strikes serves to make the world of “Infinite” feel truly alive and captivating.

Nevertheless, issues with the structure of “Infinite’s” gameplay detract from the impact, ultimately revealing a crucial problem inherent in the gaming industry.

As “Infinite” is a first-person shooter, the player often will find himself engaged in combat. While the structure of this aspect of play shares much in common with the original “BioShock,” it has been greatly refined and polished for better gunplay.

However, shooting sections happen far too often, to the point where they begin to feel mundane. Unfortunately, this, too, often inhibits forward action instead of contributing to a sense of tension.

“Infinite” falls into a problem common to all first-person shooters — there is too much shooting and not enough of everything else. The parts where the player can explore the characters through puzzles are pushed aside because of all the gunplay. The puzzles are optional due to fear that anything besides shooting would not appeal to a mainstream audience.

Considering “BioShock’s” immense reputation and guarantee of stellar sells, it is disappointing that Irrational Games did not take more risks. Less shooting and more exploration would have served to heighten immersion and the impact of the game’s themes. Even so, “Infinite” still astonishes and stands above other shooters for its artistic depth.

Devon Hersch is a contributing writer. Email him at entertainment@nyunews.com.

Odd Future frontman starts maturing on third album

By PETER SLATTERY

Whether they intended to be in the spotlight or not, it has been a huge year for the Odd Future crew. The Los Angeles-based music collective includes popular names like Earl Sweatshirt and Grammy-winner Frank Ocean, as well as frontman Tyler, the Creator.

While Ocean’s “Channel Orange” is receiving all the praise right now, Tyler’s latest album “Wolf” may very well be some of the best music that the OF movement has created.

Like previous albums “Goblin” and “Bastard,” “Wolf” is a grab bag of emotions and reflects significant growth for Tyler as a composer. The style of its beats, which are produced primarily by Tyler himself, fluctuates a lot more than on earlier albums, with a consistently higher quality overall.

Tracks like “Domo23” and “Pigs” are exhilarating and raw, but “Wolf ” really shines in its more tender moments. The beautifully smooth “Treehome95” and hypnotic “IFHY” are truly transcendent.

While “Wolf” is anchored around Tyler’s signature rough, rattling drums and dark melodies, the album refuses to be defined by any particular sound. “Rusty” evokes understated, gritty ’90s beats while the gentle layered chords of “Cowboy” and “Colossus” suggest a uniquely new style to Tyler himself.

The album does have a fair share of pacing problems. “Wolf” is a jumble of emotions that doesn’t flow properly with contrasting tempos and moods often married uncomfortably.

Tyler has always been divisive with his lyrics, to put it mildly. Alternating between malice and innocence with plenty of self-loathing, his songs’ tone keeps fans interested from start to finish. Like previous efforts, the rapper’s troubling word choice on “Wolf” is sometimes hard

Musical comedy ‘Hardbody’ fails to find own identity

By ALEXANDER TSEBELIS

To quote the opening song, the creators of “Hands on a Hardbody” would like to hope that the show is a “human drama kind of thing,” reaching beyond the self-described kitschy premise toward a real depth of feeling. The original 1997 documentary followed 10 Texans in a quest to win a brand new pickup. “If you live in Texas/and you ain’t got no truck/honey you’re stuck,” they sing in this new stage production, avoiding the more obvious and crude rhyme. To win, they simply have to be the last man or woman with a hand on the truck.

While the show has a number of faults, its most egregious is a crisis of identity. “Hands on a Hardbody” is neither a comedy nor a drama. One wishes the creative team of Doug Wright, Amanda Green and Trey Anastasio had simply pushed the premise it to its logical, absurd conclusion and given up the

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“human element” entirely.

With 10 underdeveloped stereotypes for contestants it becomes clear early on that picking one to root for would be either impossible or pointless.

To list, we have: a man whose voice aims at soulfulness but doesn’t attain impressiveness, a sorority blonde, a hippy girl, a bro, a Jesus freak, a crazy cat lady, a former marine, an upwardly mobile Mexican, an old fogey and a bigot.

That list seems prefabricated for some kind of subversion, but the only surprise is that the crazy cat lady doesn’t seem to have any cats. The sorority type conspires with the dealership to fix the contest, the bro and the hippy girl fall in love, and the old fogey and his wife try to preserve their relationship.

Their duet produces the play’s most interesting moment, as the wife sings about how her once-devoted husband now searches for any excuse to run away. He quietly murmurs he only wants

to get away from himself, but she doesn’t seem to hear him. That’s a real human drama kind of thing. But the unmemorable music, penned

by Phish frontman Anastasio along with Green, has few other highlights and doesn’t last beyond the theater doors.

The real root of the musical’s issues, though, lies in the central contest. It could be interesting fuel for an exploration of the lives of a group of people, but it isn’t dramatically motivated at all. The ability to stand in one place for a long time is hardly evidence of a character’s growth. The cast leaves us with an important lesson: “If you love something, keep your hands on it.” Maybe they weren’t trying to move beyond kitsch after all.

“Hands on a Hardbody” is now playing at the Brooks Atkinson Theatre.

Alexander Tsebelis is a contributing writer. Email him at theater@nyunews.com

COURTESY OF ODD FUTURE RECORDS

to stomach.

Despite his self-professed lack of homophobia or misogyny, Tyler needs to realize that his interpretation of harsh words is not shared by others. While he certainly doesn’t have an obligation to rap a certain way, fans shouldn’t have to struggle to justify liking an album, as many will have to do with “Wolf.”

This is a shame because the album features plenty of maturity for the artist. Tyler still doesn’t sound like an adult yet as he captures the angry, awkward and ignorant aspects of youth, but this time with previously unexplored depth. The recurring rape fantasies that frequented older work are replaced with emotional songs like “Answer” and “Lone,” which address Tyler’s family, fans and personal insecurities.

“Wolf” delivers a goofy yet interesting look into the life and times of Tyler, the Creator.

While some of the album is hard to endure, the scenes that unfold are undeniably captivating.

Peter Slattery is a staff writer.

Email him at music@nyunews.com.

Despite strong cast, ‘Company’ struggles

By ZACK GRULLON

Back in the 1970s, the Weather Underground conducted a series of bombings and other violent tactics to protest against the United States government’s actions in Vietnam.

By reading that, you have learned just as much information about the Weather Underground as what “The Company You Keep” has to offer. Instead of a history lesson, director Robert Redford wants to deliver a cat-andmouse chase film, but even on that basis it falls short of entertaining.

The film opens during the present day, with the FBI arresting Sharon Solarz (Susan Sarandon), a former Weather Underground member who was involved with the murder of a security guard during the group’s bank robbery in Michigan. Journalist Ben Shepard (Shia LaBeouf) sees this as an opportunity to write a national news story. His investigation lands him at the office of Jim Grant (Robert Redford).

Using the vague details Grant reluctantly reveals during an interview, Shepard continues to dig into Grant’s past and realizes that Jim Grant is actually Nick Sloan, another former Weat-

her Underground member. Shepard reveals this to the FBI, and Grant is labeled as one of the bank robbers, even though he claims innocence. He ends up on the run in search of Mimi Laurie (Julie Christie), who is the only person who can clear his name.

The movie shifts between scenes of Grant evading the law and scenes of Shepard relentlessly searching for more information to expose the truth, but neither story line develops any sustainable drama despite the valiant efforts by LaBeouf and Redford.

The only real complexity that “The Company You Keep” delves into is the guilt the Weather Underground members bottle up after 30 years, which is only inflated as their families are dragged in. These details are fascinating, but they are only sporadic throughout the film.

Redford wants to make a tense journalism film in the vein of “All the President’s Men,” but “The Company You Keep” never takes any risks in its storytelling, and its thin substance doesn’t offer anything new to the genre.

Zack Grullon is a contributing writer. Email him at film@nyunews.com.

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WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS | TUESDAY, APRIL 2, 2013 | NYUNEWS.COM

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NYUNEWS.COM | TUESDAY, APRIL 2, 2013 | WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS

OPINION

EDITED BY SAMEER JAYWANT OPINION@NYUNEWS.COM

CIVIL LIBERTIES

Gay marriage evokes civil rights debates

By MARCELO CICCONET

Issues related to the definition of marriage, as established and recognized by cultures and governments, will never end. As a social convention set up by humans whose knowledge and values evolve over time, it will always be prone to disagreement and controversy. Nature doesn’t care so long as some genetically encoded information persists.

The definition changes not just over time but also across societies. Polygamy, for instance, although illegal in the United States, is permitted under Islamic law.

And even if the maximum number of spouses is settled, there might be disagreement on their gender, minimum age and race. It is also worth mentioning that interracial marriage was only fully legal in the United States in 1967.

Recently, a group of Western states reviewed the definition of marriage and considered including gay marriage. The move usually suffers strong opposition by conservatives — mainly due to religious reasons — but its inevitable passing is only a matter of time, as there really isn’t any reasonable argument against it.

But the case is not so simple. It is not just about a person, or a group of justices, rejecting the regulation of certain aspects of the private life of other individuals. Marriage is legally linked to other factors of life in society. In the United States, for instance, marital status affects rights, privileges and benefits, as manifested in 1,138 statutory provisions. Marriage equality advocates are certainly correct in asking why these rights should be conferred to some couples and not to others, given the intricacies of the definition.

The legal consequences of marriage put governments in a delicate position.

As conservatives have been arguing, if the threshold is extended this time, what will prevent it from moving even further? Although that may seem unre-

alistic in current times, family life and the way of raising children are changing rapidly — an increasing number of kids are taken care of by grandparents if parents have to work long hours or by single parents who are divorced.

Married couples are forced to live apart for long periods due to work or studyrelated travels. Women tend to have children later in life so they can focus on their careers.

Indeed, how can one logically argue against three or four people who love each other and want to commit to living a life together, or the question of whether they are allowed to join their credit scores when buying a house? In fact, why should a person get certain benefits just for being married? Is it not discriminatory that unmarried people have to pay more in taxes and work harder to buy certain goods?

As the notion of family evolves, lawmakers should focus more on the rights of individuals, especially potential offspring and adopted children, rather than on the benefits for married people themselves.

Marcelo Cicconet is a staff columnist. Email him at opinion@nyunews.com.

PHYSICS

Higgs particle could lead to new discoveries

By RICHARD ZHANG

Three weeks ago, WSN columnist Marcelo Cicconet criticized current scientific developments as unable to achieve significant breakthroughs.

The author opens an interesting discussion on the impact and significance of recent developments in science. As much as I like Cicconet’s rhetoric and the fascinating description of the history of science, I have some divergent views on the development of physics since quantum mechanics.

At the beginning of the 20th century, quantum mechanics was dramatically developed in a way that wowed the world. The probabilistic model that quantum mechanics operates under, where events can only be “determined” up to certain probabilities, had a stimulating impact on the world of science, philosophy and religion. People of various religious beliefs and faiths used — and still use — quantum mechanics to justify their arguments. But because quantum mechanics is such a revolutionary scientific advancement, subsequent and less revolutionary developments after quantum mechanics may feel anticlimactic. We remember the drama and glory of the discovery of quantum, and so we want more of those. But don’t forget — big things don’t happen every day.

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Quantum mechanics is revolutionary in that it is not just a big discovery, but it represents a paradigm shift from the world of determinism to the world of probabilism. How long did it take between previous paradigm shifts? The shift from Ptolemy’s geocentrism to Copernicus’s heliocentrism took 1,500 years; from Aristotelian mechanics to Newtonian mechanics took more than 2,000 years; and from Newtonian mechanics to quantum mechanics took around 300 years. So if we want to see another dramatic paradigm shift, we may have to wait a bit longer than a century.

While we wait, we may want to emphasize that such change is not accomplished overnight. Schrödinger and Planck did not create quantum mechanics straight from Newtonian physics; instead, their success in unveiling the quantum world was inextricably tied to the previous de-

velopment in physics. And what was the previous development to quantum mechanics? Mostly mathematical manipulations, or in Cicconet’s words, “solving minor details.” For example, 200 years after Newton established classical mechanics, two scientists named Joseph Louis Lagrange and William Rowan Hamilton reformulated Newtonian mechanics. If you look at their work, it’s nothing more than a few plays of substituting variables and redefining mathematical quantities. However, the Hamiltonian and Lagrangian mechanics were the cornerstone of quantum mechanics, as certain concepts developed in their work were heavily used in the formulation of quantum physics.

It may be true that “Higgs’ discoveries … bring us closer to the ultimate answer about reality … just as much as 100,000,000,000 is closer to infinity than 42.” But who knows if they can become the “shoulders of giants” that future scientists stand on?

And besides, that 100,000,000,000 is closer to infinity than 42 may be sufficient for the purpose of doing science — after all, science works because, in the words of Ralph Baierlein, “Avogadro’s number is closer to infinity than to 10.”

Richard Zhang is a contributing columnist. Email him at opinion@nyunews.com.

STAFF EDITORIAL

College athletes should receive salaries

On Monday night, Twitter, ESPN and all other conventional media sites lit up as an enormous March Madness audience witnessed Kevin Ware, 20, of Louisville snap his tibia in an open fracture that protruded through his torn knee cap; Ware’s tearful teammates regained a fiery momentum, defeated Duke and advanced to the Final Four. They celebrated by holding up their fallen comrade’s jersey in a powerful moment. However, the heroic courage of the Louisville squad is tempered by a sobering reality, one in which Ware may be forced to pay his own medical bills for an injury sustained in a collegiate sport. Universities do not pay athletes as a result of NCAA rules.

At a school that generated $42.4 million revenue in the 2011 to 2012 academic year from men’s basketball alone, this rule seems unjust.

However, the method of compensation in college sports suffers from aberrations found in professional leagues. For instance, most collegiate athletic scholarships last only one year, and physical injuries compromise renewal. Meanwhile, while players’ scholarships might not cover housing, their coaches are receiving exorbitant salaries — the average in 2011 was $1.47 million. Coaches in most Division I universities are rewarded based on number of championships won, even when those pennants come at the cost of their kids’ academic and medical futures.

As his teammates surrounded him on the court, the fallen Ware reportedly told them not to worry about him, but just to win. The remaining players did win. Meanwhile, the NCAA, which struck a 14-year, $10.8 billion deal with CBS Sports in 2010 to broadcast raw talent like Ware and his co-stars, blatantly and illegally continues to extract maximum profit off the backs of its athletes through publicity, which is ironically increased by these horrific events.

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 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.

WSN does not print unsigned letters or editorials. WSN reserves the right to reject any submission and edit accepted submissions in any and all ways. With the exception of the staff editorial, opinions expressed on the editorial pages are not necessarily those of WSN, and our publication of opinions is not an endorsement of them.

8

NYUNEWS.COM | TUESDAY, APRIL 2, 2013 | WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS

SPORTS YANKEES continued from PG. 1

Yankees face challenging season ahead

this is only if he is able to maintain his impressive strikeout-to-walk ratio and limit home runs. Even if Pettitte shows his age at 40, the Yankees have a solid No. 2 starter in Hiroki Kuroda.

Both are capable of pitching 200 strong innings each this season.

The Yankee bullpen, which was strong last year without Mr. Sandman, Mariano Rivera, looks solid once again.

At best, this Yankee team will stay afloat until Jeter and company return and make the playoffs. If they do, their one-two punch of Sabathia and Kuroda, along with a postseason and energized Rivera, could make for a dangerous team come October.

Though this won’t be the best Yankee regular season New York has seen, this team is intriguing.

Yankee fans may relish the certainty of getting to play in October but living on the edge may prove to be a bit more entertaining.

Samuel Barder is a contributing writer. Email him at sports@nyunews.com.

EDITED BY MARY JANE DUMANKAYA SPORTS@NYUNEWS.COM

Manchester United denied triple crown

By SEBASTIEN VAN HEYNINGEN

History. It is the difference between being remembered for only a few years as a “solid team” and sports immortality.

A wrong bounce or questionable call is all it takes to upset the balance between the two.

The opportunity to leave a legacy behind is a main driver of top-shelf sports performance.

The Manchester United Red Devils signed Dutch striker Robin van Persie for a tremendous £2.4 million during the offseason to bolster an already formidable attack. Many pundits criticized the glamour move, stating that Man U would have been better off spending the money shoring up its porous defense.

Five months into the season and it looked like Manchester United’s formula for success would pay dividends. United was in prime position in the English Premier League, on track to win its record 20th English League title overall and 12th EPL championship. The FA Cup, England’s largest national tournament, looked to be in their grasp. Perhaps the most important factor was their matchup with Real Madrid in the European

Champions League. The Spanish titans were the biggest threat to Manchester’s chances at a historic hat trick.

The match would have given Man U a chance to make history by winning the ever-elusive Treble, the title given to the team great enough to win three prestigious trophies in one year. Manchester United is one of few teams that have won an Intercontinental Treble — three trophies with at least one coming from an international tournament — taking home the honor in 1999 and 2008.

It looked like the stars were aligning for the men in red when they took the lead against Real Madrid. However, it just wasn’t in the cards this year, as the game turned on a hugely controversial call, and the reigning Spanish champions advanced with a onegoal advantage.

A double is still a chance to be among the game’s greatest.

Once again, though, it wasn’t meant to be. Chelsea scored in the 49th minute to take the lead, and that would be all of the scoring done on the April 1 quarterfinal matchup. United was left the fool of the day as its chance of

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Danny Welbeck evades Oscar Dos Santos on his way to the goal. becoming the only team to ever win three Trebles was vaporized within a three-week span. Now the famously successful team will likely have to settle for an EPL trophy as it still holds a commanding lead of 15 points with only eight games left to play.

A few bounces and calls one way or the other can influence history, and the 2013 Manchester United squad will have to

settle for a still-historic 20th EPL title. Fans can take comfort in the fact that being champions of England is no easy feat, and Man U.’s position will earn it a spot in the Champions League next year with another shot at immortality.

Sebastien van Heyningen is a staff writer.

Email him at sports@nyunews.com.

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