NYU’s Daily Student Newspaper
WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS Vol. 42, No. 35
Tax credit encourages NY theater growth
TUESDAY, APRIL 8, 2014
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Experts elucidate Bitcoin currency
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By ANN SCHMIDT
By RAHUL KRISHNAMOORTHY
Theater companies outside of New York City will soon have incentives to put on productions due to a $4-billion tax credit that was included in the state budget for the 2015 tax year. The $137.9-billion budget was approved by the Senate and signed in the revenue bill by Gov. Cuomo on March 31. Since the tax credit will start in 2015, tax claims will not be filed until early 2016. Morris Peters, the press officer from the state Division of the Budget, said the tax credits are only for theaters outside New York City. “This incentive will encourage theater activities in New York State and will help spur economic activity,” Peters said. For students like Tisch sophomore Joel Yates, these tax incentives seem to be good news. “I feel like it will encourage preexisting producers to find and produce newer works with this
The new-age digital currency Bitcoin has been making waves in recent weeks, grabbing headlines since Newsweek’s legally contested outing of Bitcoin’s alleged founder Satoshi Nakamoto and the roughly $400 million implosion of the world’s largest Bitcoin exchange. The NYU School of Law hosted a symposium on the often misunderstood currency in conjunction with NYU Law’s Classical Liberal Institute and Federalist Society. Bitcoin, an open-source, nongovernment-backed currency, has rapidly expanded. In the space of a few years, Bitcoin has transformed from a fringe element into a currency and services market worth around $6 billion. NYU’s conference on the mercurial currency featured two panels. The first panel, “Bitcoin’s Legal and Policy Issues,” was moderated by Bloomberg News reporter Carter Dougherty and led by Jerry Brito of the Mercatus Center at George Mason University, John Collins of
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Experts on the digital currency dissect the issues surrounding Bitcoin at the law school.
Freshman uses play to explore homelessness BY DYLAN JARRETT
Among the many well-known plays and musicals performed by NYU theater groups, it is easy to forget that some students on campus are producing their own works. One such project is the upcoming immersive theater piece “Shadows in the Streets,” conceived and directed by Tisch freshman Sarah Nichols. Nichols has spent the last six months working with the Tisch Profunds Project, a program that awards grants to students who submit proposals for creating new pieces of theater. When Nichols heard about the program, she knew it would be the perfect way to get her piece off the ground. “Shadows” follows the journey of four New Yorkers into homelessness, and the show’s immersive nature forces the audience to confront this often-ignored issue head on.
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Nichols directed “Shadows in the Streets,” an immersive theater piece. “I’ve always wanted to do an immersive show that has some sort of community outreach aspect to it,” Nichols, a native Texan, said. “Moving to New York, I’ve obviously encountered a lot more homeless people, and the problem has become much more evident to me.” She said her goal is to create a similar awareness among theatergoers.
“I wanted to do something that provokes the audience to recognize these people and recognize that they have a story just like everybody else,” Nichols said. The cast of four has been in rehearsal for nearly a month. Although the project is funded through the Tisch Profunds Project, the students working on it — including freshman Lauren Brahn and two guides who lead the audience through the performance space — have operated nearly independently. Nichols also had help from a faculty mentor, but she is the primary creative force behind “Shadows.” When asked what it is like to be responsible for so many parts of a play, her laugh conveys the hours of effort she has invested in her project. “It’s so hard,” Nichols said. “I’ve
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INSIDE THIS ISSUE
Clubs promotes healthy eating NYU’s Oxfam chapter spearheads the effort to bring local and organic food to campus with several other clubs. COURTESY OF OXFAM NYU
STORY on PG. 4
Holocaust survivor visits NYU Margot Friedlander, now 92, was 21 when she lost her parents to the Gestapo. DANIEL COLE/WSN
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Milk and cookies, salt and pepper, Amy and Tina — some things just go together. The twosome — Amy Poehler and Tina Fey — have been besties since their days working in Chicago’s improv scene, specifically ImprovOlympic and the famous Second City troupe. They were inseparable, trying to get cast in productions together, until Poehler brought her Upright Citizens Brigade to New York in the late ’90s. By 2001, both had joined the “Saturday Night Live” family, and the rest is history — from “Weekend Update” to “Mean Girls” to the Golden Globes and beyond. — Jake Folsom
If only we could all write an Oscar-winning screenplay with our childhood best friend. Long before they were Jason Bourne and Batman, Matt Damon and Ben Affleck were just two kids living in Cambridge, Mass. They now sit atop the Hollywood A-list, and their friendship has weathered the pre-2004 Boston Red Sox and “Gigli.” Sure, Affleck directs Oscar-bait and Damon romances Michael Douglas, but we always knew the friends and collaborators would find their way back to each other — they are currently in pre-production on a Whitey Bulger biopic. — Marissa Elliot Little
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Some people find soulmates, some people find best friends and some people find their perfect comedic foil. Stephen Fry and Hugh Laurie were lucky enough to find in each other a combination of all three. It was a blessed day indeed when the two young Brits met at Cambridge University, where they went on to perform together in their college’s comedy troupe, the Footlights, along with the legendary comedienne Emma Thompson. Since the ’80s, they have had their own TV series, “A Bit of Fry and Laurie,” as well as perfectly embodying P.G. Wodehouse’s characters in the televised “Jeeves and Wooster.” — Clio McConnell
Patrick Stewart and Ian McKellen made New York fun again with a series of bromance photos they took during their Broadway production of “Waiting for Godot” in repertory with “No Man’s Land.” Stewart and McKellen are perhaps two of the United Kingdom’s greatest gifts to the world, apart from biscuits. Both have over 50 years of acting experience on stage and screen, with their status as legends being further solidified when they played opposite each other in the “X-Men” movies. Their natural chemistry easily stole the show when Professor X and Magneto shared the screen. — Bob Teoh
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TODAY ON CAMPUS Poetry and prose reading There will be a poetry and prose reading with authors Shira Dentz, Sandy Florian and Lucy Ives. The event will be at the NYU Bookstore from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.
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Pre-Islamic art in Iran Visiting scholar Matteo Compareti will discuss preIslamic art in Iran. The event will take place at the Institute for the Study of the Ancient World at 6 p.m.
Syrian Civil War
A man preaches to a crowd in Speakers’ Corner, London. PHOTO BY DAVID COLE/WSN
Shuruq at NYU will present a discussion on the Syrian Civil War with Middle Eastern and Islamic Studies professor Zachary Lockman. The event will take place at the Kimmel Center for University Life at 7:30 to 9 p.m. TODAY’S EVENTS ARE FREE FOR NYU STUDENTS.
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About WSN: Washington Square News (ISSN 15499389) is the student newspaper of New York University. WSN is published Monday through Thursday during NYU’s academic year, except for university holidays, vacations and exam periods. Corrections: WSN is committed to accurate reporting. When we make errors, we do our best to correct them as quickly as possible. If you believe we have erred, contact managing editor Michael Domanico at managing@nyunews.com or at 212.998.4302.
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NYUNEWS.COM | TUESDAY, APRIL 8, 2014 | WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS
Heart beats healthy, happy for couples By MARITA VLACHOU
A recent NYU study found that married people have a significantly decreased risk of heart disease in relation to people who are widowed, single or divorced. Researchers at the NYU Langone Medical Center accessed a database from Life Line Registry, which contained over 3.5 million subjects coming from 20,000 screening sites all around the country. Carlos Alviar, second-year fellow at NYU Langone and one of the researchers involved in the study, said the team examined different factors including physical health and the medical history of the families of the participants. “We compared the rates of cardiovascular disease between four different types of marital status, including single, married, divorced and widowed subjects,” Alviar said. When the researchers first began the study, there was limited information available on the topic, Alviar said. “Based on prior data, we had the idea that married subjects would have lower odds of cardiovascular disease,” Alviar said. “However, we didn’t know what were going to be the results for divorced and widowed and if they would significantly differ.” The study also found that people who were married had a 5 percent lower risk of experiencing any kind of cardiovascular disease compared to single people.
“Widowed and divorced people were, respectively, 3 percent and 5 percent more likely to suffer from any kind of cardiovascular disease, including peripheral artery disease, cerebrovascular disease, abdominal aortic aneurysm and coronary artery disease,” Alviar said. Jeffrey Berger, a Langone professor who worked on the study, said in a press release that a marriage partner offers a support system in times of illness. “Married people can look after each other, making sure their spouse eats healthy, exercises regularly and takes medication as prescribed,” Berger said. “A spouse can also help keep doctors’ appointments and provide transportation, making [it] easier access to health care services.” Dmitry Terentyev, a professor of medicine at Brown University, said the future of marriage is uncertain, so researchers should focus their efforts on finding treatment for all individuals rather than those of a specific marital status. “Considering the overall trend of less government interference in human relations and substantial changes in the institute of marriage in near future, we should continue to delineate basic mechanisms of cardiovascular disease and develop new more powerful therapeutic and preventive strategies targeting individuals,” Terentyev said. Marita Vlachou is a staff writer. Email her at news@nyunews.com.
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Law school hosts symposium to shed light on Bitcoin, discuss currency’s potential for future
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Bitcoin experts exchange thoughts on the currency’s role in prediction markets. the Senate Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee, Brian Klein of Baker Marquart and the Bitcoin Foundation, and Reuben Grinberg of Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP. Topics ranged from Bitcoin’s role in prediction markets to Bitcoin’s complicated legal compliance and regulatory environment. The discussion also highlighted the potential for money laundering and the financing of terrorism facilitated by the virtual currency’s anonymity. Brito said Bitcoin’s role in prediction markets is a more accurate alternative to polling, which could potentially be used to predict the outcome of political events and product launch outcomes. “[The Bitcoin prediction market] allows people to bet on the result of an event and, more importantly, aggregates the belief of a market that the outcome of an
Writers, publishing professionals provide glimpse into industry
By VALENTINA DUQUE BOJANINI
The NYU Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute hosted a panel about writing on April 7 to give students a glimpse into the publishing industry. Organized in partnership with the Wasserman Center for Career Development, “All About Books” featured four industry professionals who shared their advice for aspiring writers seeking to break into the industry. NYU creative writing professor and panelist Saïd Sayrafiezadeh said the best way to approach the publishing industry is to start small. “We all want to write books, but it’s okay to start small,” Sayrafiezadeh said. “It is OK to be published in very small things because they can lead to larger things.” Julie Trelstad, Digital Rights director at Writers House, said the key to her success was her unique area of expertise. “I was an expert in architecture, and I was also an expert in technology,” Trelstad said. “I had more
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Panelists discuss the challenges writers face and offer advice. than one instance where someone would call me and hire me on the spot because I was the only one who had that tiny, extremely specific piece of qualifications.” Literary Agent and Gallatin alumna Molly Reese-Lerner said networking is important for anyone who hopes to have his work published. “We receive probably between 350 and 450 submissions per month,” Reese-Lerner said. “We give priority to anything that comes in via referral because if we have a client whose taste we obviously trust and like.” Although dealing with re-
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jection from agents and publishing companies can be an emotional experience, author and alumnus of NYU’s graduate journalism program Allen Salkin said the way to deal with rejection is to improve. “My only advice is to get angry and then get better,” Salkin said. Salkin added that there are more opportunities now than ever, and writers have to be patient. “These businesses take a long time to break into, and the longer you can survive and stick around [to] perfect your craft, the better,” Salkin said. Gallatin senior Eric Kenny said the panel made him think about writing for a smaller audience as a way to break into the market. “The most important thing is to know your audience and know what you are passionate about and how you can apply that to an audience, like a niche market or something small,” Kenny said. Valentina Duque Bojanini is a deputy news editor. Email her at vbojanini@nyunews.com.
event will take place,” Brito said. The second panel, “Bitcoin’s Business and Economic Issues,” was moderated by CNBC’s Sara Eisen and included Nicholas Colas of the BNY ConvergEx Group, Steven Englander of Citigroup, Marwan Forzley formerly of Western Union Digital, Antonis Polemitis of Ledra Capital and Alex Waters of Bitcoin startup CoinApex. This discussion centered on Bitcoin’s potential to become a major world player in transactional services and to move the worldwide currency dynamic away from government-backed money like the U.S. dollar. While the panelists agreed that a Bitcoin holds no intrinsic worth, Polemitis said that as more people use Bitcoins, the currency becomes more valuable and has the potential to create new markets. “If you can imagine even one us-
age case for Bitcoins … that’s going to create a market, that’s going to create a price,” Polemitis said. Klein said although Bitcoin is still a nascent technology, it is advancing faster than the government is able to regulate. “Bitcoin operates at [an] incredibly fast speed,” Klein said. “It’s like the Internet.” First-year law student Max Raskin, who helped organize the conference, is a proponent of Bitcoin. “Because Bitcoin sits at the intersection of technology, finance and political economy, it attracts a wide array of individuals with different perspectives and motivations,” Raskin said. “And I wanted to bring this multifaceted discussion to NYU Law.” Rahul Krishnamoorthy is a staff writer. Email him at news@nyunews.com.
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Budget changes afford theater companies more opportunities
incentive,” Yates said. “I also feel that newer producers will be attracted to work in New York which will create a significant increase in new work in the next few years.” However, Steinhardt sophomore Kathleen Turner said she does not think the tax incentives would affect acting work. “All it does is encourage the producers to bring their productions to New York to generate money for the state instead of taking it to outside states before coming to the city,” Turner said. “But that’s also a pro, because New York State past the reaches of the city is not as into theater as you would think it should be with the powerhouse that is New York City theater.” Yates said he had planned on working in New York City, but he was always open to working in other cities. “I will actively look for opportunities to produce new work in New York City and in other regions,” Yates said. “However, this tax break will
definitely be an incentive to stay [in the state].” While the bill is positive for bringing theater to other cities in New York, Turner said the focus on economic growth instead of art is frustrating. “Up in Albany they have a disconnect with the arts sometimes as I’ve experienced when working with the [New York State Theatre Education Association],” Turner said. “So it’s awesome that they want to try to bring more theater up there, but at the same time, it’s really frustrating because at the end of the day, this all comes down to a money number instead of the appreciation of the art itself.” For Yates, the incentives in the budget are encouraging or more than just the performing arts. “It’s just very exciting for me to hear about the government’s support of the arts,” Yates said. “It’s growth artistically, and it’s increasing longevity.” Ann Schmidt is a news editor. Email her at aschmidt@nyunews.com.
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DINING
EDITED BY CHANDLER WEST DINING@NYUNEWS.COM
Downtown joints offer vegetarian, vegan dishes By KATE MARIN New York City is one of the easiest places for vegetarians and vegans to eat out. There are more and more restaurants sprouting up that cater to specific dietary needs and ultimately push the boundaries of typical dining. With so many options, even just in the area surrounding NYU, it is hard to know where to begin. Here are some top picks for vegan and vegetarian-friendly places to grab a delicious meal around campus.
One Lucky Duck If you are in Gramercy and in need of a healthy snack, One Lucky Duck is a great option. This takeaway restaurant and smoothie bar offers everything from cucumbertarragon juice to a classic banana split. However, don’t be fooled by their enticing menu. Everything here is vegan and cooked to maximum nutrient-preservation temperatures. Menu items range from $2.50 to $22. “I always get the Spanking Shake which is a blended combination of fresh coconut, blueberry, banana, cashew milk, cinnamon and vanilla,” Gallatin sophomore Moriah Berger said. “Everything there is raw, vegan and organic, so the salads and raw desserts are worth a try as well.” (125 E. 17th St.) Saigon Shack Saigon Shack is an ideal place for both meat-eating and vegetarian friends to meet for lunch between classes. Sai-
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Tiam Falafel, a popular West Village eatery, offers delicious options for vegetarians. gon Shack’s menu offers traditional Vietnamese cuisine at a reasonable price, as most dishes are under $10. “Saigon Shack serves a tasty vegetarian pho, perfect for days when I want to opt for a vegetarian option while my friends have the beef pho,” CAS sophomore Rachel Tio said. “The soup is light yet flavorful, and the string beans, bok choy and broccoli are very fresh.” (114 MacDougal St.)
Taim Falafel Falafel is a satisfying and filling choice for vegetarian students. There are many falafel carts and delis around the city, but Taim in West Vil-
lage is one of the most popular locations. Taim also offers salads and smoothies, all with a fresh Mediterranean taste. “They have my favorite falafel in the city,” CAS junior Grady O’Leary said. “Sandwich prices are around $6 [to] $7 but worth it, especially when you order it ‘with everything’ — pickles, amba and s’rug — delicious. It’s an extraordinary amount of food for the price.” (45 Spring St.)
Hotel Tortuga Ordering food from a Mexican restaurant can be a somewhat daunting task for someone on a vegan or vegetarian diet. Many traditional plates are filled with meat or topped
with sour cream, but Hotel Tortuga offers their delicious menu with the veggie-eater in mind, and most vegitarian options are under $10. “Hotel Tortuga has really amazing vegetarian burritos,” CAS sophomore Melissa Esguerra said. “I’ve only ordered for take-out as they’re on Seamless, but they have a really great selection of vegetarian options, and they can even substitute sour cream and cheese with dairy replacements if you want to do it vegan.” (246 E. 14th St.) Kate Marin is a staff writer. Email her at dining@nyunews.com.
Superfruits to keep energy high
By NIKOLAS REDACASTELAO
tamin C, as well as larger concentrations of potassium. They do, however, need to be cooked, typically sautéed, before eating.
The phrase superfruit is often repeated in health-food circles, but what does it really mean? Here are five lesserknown fruits for those who want to improve their health and longevity.
Star Fruit Native to Southeast Asia, the star fruit is yellow with a star-like shape that gives the superfruit its name. The star fruit does not need to be peeled, but its seeds should be removed. A large piece of the fruit contains under 40 calories and up to three grams of dietary fiber. To top off the benefits, the star fruit is also packed with vitamin C, which is useful in boosting one’s antioxidant levels to prevent diseases. Black Sapote Also known as chocolate pudding fruit and black persimmon, black sapote tastes like chocolate when it is ripe. As if that does not grab one’s attention enough, the fruit, native to Mexico and Central America, is
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Plantains are a great source of vitamins A and C. packed with vitamin C, iron and potassium. The fruit is the size of a fist, and the inner pulp is very dark with a soft custard texture.
Plantains Plantains can easily be found in farmer’s markets and as a side dish at many eateries throughout New York City. Plantains are bigger bananas, but with a different coloration and decidedly much sweeter. They have higher concentrations of vitamin A, which is beneficial for skin and immune system maintenance, and vi-
Dragon Fruit Dragon fruit comes from a variation of cactus and can range in color from red to pink. The fruit is low in calories and good for the nervous and cardiovascular systems. It is high in vitamin C, fiber and calcium. To eat, the fruit should be cut down the center and and the pulp scooped out. The skin is not edible. Longan Most people are aware of lychee, a favorite exotic frozen yogurt topping, but its relative, the longan, contains more nutritional punch than its brightly colored counterpart. The longan, native to southern China, is similar in size to a grape and is a good source of vitamin C at an oddly sweet 2 calories per piece. The fruit has a musky rind that needs to be opened, but it has a softer sweetness, like a hybrid between a grape and a pear. Nikolas Reda-Castelao is a contributing writer. Email him at dining@nyunews.com.
Several NYU clubs will host the Fair Food Fest, an event to promote organic, local, fair-trade and crueltyfree food. The event, hosted by Oxfam-NYU and Earth Matters’ The Real Food Challenge, will take place from 6 to 8 p.m. in the Kimmel Center for University Life on April 8. Clubs participating include Yovel, Against Child Trafficking, the Community Agriculture Club, CHEFs for Schools, Cruelty Free NYU, NYU Meal Swipes, NYU Take Back the Tap and the Ski and Snowboard Club. Participating clubs will serve everything from pretzels to cupcakes, as well as sandwiches made with ingredients from the Union Square Green Market. All the food will be free for students. There will also be activities, including a hummus-making workshop with Yovel. CAS sophomore Lila Carpenter, president of NYU’s Oxfam chapter, said part of the event’s purpose is to educate students about the food they eat. “Food is something that takes up such a huge part of our lives,” Carpenter said. “So as consumers it’s really important to be knowledgeable and educated about what we are eating, where it came from and its impact on the people who made it and the environment.” Carpenter said she hopes the fest will have a positive impact on attendees. “The hope is that if people are conscious of what they are eating and the implications that can have, they will make more sustainable and ethical choices and real change can be made,” Carpenter said. Steinhardt sophomore Saskia Tingey, the food manager of NYU’s Oxfam chapter, said she is looking forward to share free food while raising awareness. “I’m really excited to see students coming together to enjoy real, good food,” Tingey said. Carpenter added that she is glad many clubs are coming together for the event. “It will be fun to bring together so many different clubs and people to raise awareness about the ethics behind food,” she said. Chandler West is dining editor. Email her at cwest@nyunews.com.
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ARTS
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Ives’ ‘Heir Apparent’ succeeds beyond obvious laughs By CLIO MCCONNELL
Most dramas on stage, as in life, can be traced back to love or money. When these themes are combined with both high and low comedy, as well as good acting and a gorgeous set, audiences are certain to head home happy. Until May 4, such an experience can be enjoyed at the Classic Stage Company. From the prolific pen of playwright David Ives comes “The Heir Apparent,” a play adapted from Jean-François Regnard’s French farce “Le Légataire Universel” from 1705. Written entirely in rhyming couplets, the production is ideally suited to actors who can have fun on stage, and director John Rando’s superb cast fulfils this requirement. Visually set at the turn of the 18th century, Ives’ language playfully jumps between archaic and modern, using puns and witticisms at every turn. The plot revolves around a marriage and a dying man — the former is referred to as a “holy matri-money,” while the latter quips about his illness, calling his coughing fits “great expectorations.” In the play, Geronte (Paxton Whitehead) is a regular old Scrooge to his nephew Eraste (Dave Quay). Geronte needs to write his final will and testament, and Eraste must convince his uncle to leave the entire legacy — over 1 million francs — in Eraste’s name, so that he can marry the lovely Isabella (Amelia Pedlow). Geronte has a plan of his own, and it is more horrible than
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The actors wear traditional 18th-century clothes. anything Eraste could have predicted. He is going to marry Isabella himself, and leave his nephew nothing but a piddling sum to live on. To fix the situation, Eraste enlists the help of his servant Crispin (the hilarious Carson Elrod) and Geronte’s nurse Lisette (Claire Karpen). Hilarity and wordplay ensue, including clever anachronistic references that could have been jarring had the excellent cast not been playing to a receptive crowd. The servant-and-master duo, Crispin and Eraste, call each other Kimosabe and Tonto. Other references to American history and politics are especially funny, since at the time the play takes place, the United States did not yet exist. These sophisticated witticisms are not the only comedic elements on display in “Heir Apparent.” The great 17th-cen-
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Tisch student raises awareness with play
always been in the shows, so I’ve never realized how much work goes into it.” Her tasks include working with photographer Brahn, whose photos of homeless people from around the city are featured in the play and bring in another level of reality to this immersive piece. “Shadows” focuses on the hinge moments in the lives of these four characters, the moments that are essential to their path toward homelessness. “I’ve learned a lot about the characters as it has gone on that was different from my initial ideas,” Nichols said. “Shadows in the Streets,” which plays April 11, 12 and 13 at 7 p.m. in the basement of Third Avenue North residence hall, is sure to present a nuanced and thoughtful look at homelessness and the people it affects. “That’s what I hope this show does for the audience,” Nichols said. “That now they’ll go out and they’ll notice it, and they won’t ignore it anymore. Just like I can’t ignore it anymore.” Dylan Jarrett is books/theater editor. Email her at djarrett@nyunews.com.
tury comic playwright Moliére was a great influence on Regnard, and this impact is visible in the frequent cross-dressing, impersonation and pairing up of every player. As Crispin asserts after he has plotted the perfect plan, “I don’t care what anyone says — I’m a one-man comedie française.” The Classic Stage Company hosted a mostly young audience befitting the trendy location — a thrust stage situated behind the Everyman Espresso cafe — and luckily the show appeals to all ages, as long as the audience is irreverent enough to keep up with Ives’ wit. “The Heir Apparent” is playing at the Classic Stage Company, 136 E. 13th St., through May 4. Clio McConnell is arts editor. Email her at cmcconnell@nyunews.com.
Cyrus bares skin, emotions at Barclays By ALEXA SPIELER
Several months ago, during one of the most-discussed performances of recent memory, Miley Cyrus twerked in Brooklyn at the Barclays Center at MTV’s Video Music Awards, relinquishing her Disney reputation and solidifying her new persona. On April 5, Cyrus appeared in Brooklyn once again. But this time, she was dealing with another life transition — trying to overcome the death of her dog, Floyd. Brooklyn provided the support Cyrus needed at the “Bangerz Tour” stop. No stranger to shock appeal, Cyrus demanded the audience’s attention during her entrance, when she slid down a slide shaped like a tongue. Recognizing that the last time she was on that stage was during the VMAs, Cyrus laughed as she entered. “This place looks familiar,” she said. “I’m surprised you let me come back.” After making her entrance, she performed “SMS (Bangerz)” dressed head to toe in a twopiece red-and-white ensemble, while accompanied by a series of life-sized stuffed animals. Cyrus’ show, on average, consists of 10 outfit changes. Easily recognizable is the sparkling American flag one-piece she sports during the finale of “Party in the U.S.A.” Cyrus wears furry zebra-striped pants during “Can’t Be Tamed” and a yellow fur jacket during “Someone Else” while she rides a hot dog that floats above the crowd. Watching Cyrus, it is easy to see that every article of clothing has been clearly and shrewdly chosen.
Cyrus’ show appeals to a predominantly female, college-aged audience, thanks to performances of songs like “23” and “Love, Money, Party” — during which Cyrus sports a pot leaf-print leotard, while standing on a car and basking in money. However, in Brooklyn, the tour seemed to remind Cyrus and her audience of the power music has to heal, especially during the acoustic portion. Despite Cyrus’ well-documented antics, she has shown that she is human, especially when she was mourning the death of her pet and speaking of her misery. During the acoustic set, where she performed covers of Lana Del Rey’s “Summertime Sadness,” Dolly Parton’s “Jolene,” Bob Dylan’s “You’re Gonna Make Me Lonesome When You Go” and an original, “Rooting For My Baby,” Cyrus acknowledged that the Barclays’ crowd was responsible for the “first genuine smile” she has had this week. The “Bangerz Tour” provides an environment for audience members to be jovial and to relieve themselves of heartache with performances of powerful ballads like “Wrecking Ball” and “Drive.” But in Brooklyn on Saturday night, the tour also showcased that music can be a balm in times of hardship, even for the singer herself. Whether you are attempting to mend a broken heart, seeking an enjoyable night out with friends or mourning a loss, the “Bangerz Tour” provides the perfect atmosphere to enjoy music, let go of your difficulties and relish in a terrific party. Alexa Spieler is a staff writer. Email her at music@nyunews.com.
Jayson Blair film presents old news By KATHY DIMAYA
Journalism seemed to be Jayson Blair’s calling, beginning with his position as editor of his high school newspaper. Soon after, he won a coveted internship at The New York Times, where he would work as a reporter for several years before his plagiarism caught up with him. One of the very few African-American writers in the publication, Blair rose above his colleagues in a remarkable way. But in April 2003, a scandal arose, which brought to light several instances in which Blair had plagiarized articles. The situation became more controversial when the newspaper was accused of ignoring Blair’s behavior in order to maintain staff diversity. Filmmaker Samantha Grant has now made a documentary about this issue, “A Fragile Trust: Plagiarism, Power, and Jayson Blair at The New York Times.” Viewers leave the film understanding the moral of the story — plagiarism never pays off. However, it is confusing whether Grant is sharing Blair’s side of the story, attempting to convey the evils of plagiarism, showcasing the vulnerabilities of the best
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Jayson Blair is the focus of Samantha Grant’s documentary. newspaper in the world or shedding light on the issue of affirmative action. “A Fragile Trust” deserves merits for its creativity in the documentary genre, but it lacks in originality and fails to keep the viewer’s focus. The stylistic elements of this documentary set it apart from other works in the genre. The interview style is very honest and a little discomfiting — especially those with Blair himself who could not look at the camera or his interviewer directly in the eye.
In addition, during long anecdotes, parts of the story are re-enacted in black and white animation, which serve as a useful pause between segments of heavier material. The movie portrays periods before, after and during Blair’s plagiarism scandal. Though not in chronological order, the structure is easy to follow. Inevitably, Grant’s work draws comparisons with another story of plagiarism in the high ranks of journalism — “Shattered Glass,” a 2003 fictionalized account of a similar plagiarism scandal at The New Republic, centered around reporter Stephen Glass. In fact, “Shattered Glass” was mentioned in the documentary by an interviewee. The influence of “Shattered Glass” is deeply felt in the creation of this project. Though the film lacks originality — which sets it apart from “Shattered Glass” — “A Fragile Trust: Plagiarism, Power and The New York Times” sheds light on plagiarism, serving to warn all journalists about that dark, unending road. Kathy Dimaya is a contributing writer. Email her at film@nyunews.com.
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WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS | TUESDAY, APRIL 8, 2014 | NYUNEWS.COM
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THE NEW YORK TIMES CROSSWORD & DAILY SUDOKU Crossword ACROSS 1 Archenemy of the Fantastic Four 7 Tech product introduced in ’81 12 Rapper with the 2002 #1 hit “Always on Time” 13 Make into cornrows 14 Like 50/50 vis-à-vis 60/40 15 Merits 16 With 23-Down, what 27-Across/ 32-Down is often credited with 18 Song girl who’s “sweet as apple cider” 21 Chicago-toTampa dir. 22 Sup 23 Coup d’___ 24 Yellowfin tuna, on menus 25 On vacation 26 Trumpet
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27 With 32-Down, person associated with the scene depicted in this puzzle’s grid 30 Silences 31 Added slyly, as a comment 32 Mink, e.g. 33 Young chap 34 What Command-P means on a Mac 35 With 44-Down, advice to 27-Across/ 32-Down? 38 Herringlike fish 39 Towel holders 43 Continental coin 44 “Absolutely right!” 45 “Yeah, right!” 46 Suffix with señor 47 Real stinker 48 Milan’s La ___ 49 Martial arts instructor 51 Veteran
53 Cope 54 Say wrongly 55 Military command 56 Precursor to talk shows for Jimmy Fallon and Seth Meyers, in short 57 River of W.W. I
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30 British pound, informally 32 See 27-Across 34 Sports wonders, say 35 Dancer in a kimono
37 Site of 27-Across/ 32-Down’s ambassadorship 38 The Mustangs of the American Athletic Conf.
40 2000s White House family 36 Best in an annual Nathan’s contest, 41 Remove, as spam say
42 One not blinking, perhaps 44 See 35-Across 47 Dos x tres 48 A, B and F, e.g., in D.C. 50 Jamaican music genre 52 Fast way to connect, briefly
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NYUNEWS.COM | TUESDAY, APRIL 8, 2014 | WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS
OPINION
EDITED BY PETER KEFFER OPINION@NYUNEWS.COM
SCIENTIFIC SOCIETY
Soda ban ultimately beneficial to health By TESS WOOSLEY
San Francisco has joined New York City at the forefront of the public health debate on soda. The city’s November ballot will likely include a proposal for a soda tax of two cents per ounce on drinks with added sugar and are over 25 calories. The revenue will be used to fund active recreation and nutrition programs in the city. Similar taxes are under consideration in Berkeley, Calif., and Illinois. In New York, the Court of Appeals agreed to hear the case on the Bloomberg soda ban that was originally struck down in March 2013. Increased soda consumption has been directly linked to rising rates of obesity, diabetes and heart disease — this is why it is leading the way in critical and necessary legislation to fight obesity across the country. Opponents of the soda tax have called it ineffective and labeled it a regressive tax that targets the poor. While many conflicting studies have come out on the effectiveness of the tax in decreasing obesity, the tax clearly limits the sales of soda. Just one
month after taking effect, a soda tax in Mexico led to a 5-percent decrease in sales. The proposed San Francisco tax rate is significantly higher than the one used in Mexico and will also be accompanied by public health campaigns specifically targeting soda. The American Public Health Association estimates even a one-cent-per-ounce tax could lead to a 10- to 20-percent drop in the consumption of sodas. Unfortunately, this tax would put a higher burden on the poor, who spend a larger portion of their income on food. The San Francisco proposal has found somewhat of a solution for this problem — it mandates that the tax revenue is focused on programs in low-income communities where obesity rates are highest. Some of these programs include student nutrition services and education, Department of Pub-
lic Health campaigns and grants for health-oriented community organizations. The ideal solution would be to lower the cost of healthy food through more efficient farming subsidies, but this would require a massive, difficult overhaul of federal and state systems. It would also have to be funded by taxes in some form, and it is highly unlikely subsidies alone could make healthy food cheaper than junk food. The bottom line is that cities need to start heavily investing in public health campaigns against obesity. The money for these programs has to come from somewhere, and cities are not likely to cut other essential services for preventative public health needs. The proposed tax in San Francisco is expected to generate $30 million a year, all of which will be put back into making healthier communities. Hopefully this plan will be approved in November and can serve as a model for the rest of the country. Tess Woosley is a staff columnist. Scientific Society is published every Tuesday. Email her at opinion@nyunews.com.
OMAR’S ORATION
Ginsburg should retire with Obama in office By OMAR ETMAN
It has been a turbulent few months for the relationship between Democrats and the Supreme Court. The Roberts Court has consistently leaned right, continuing a trend of conservatism in the nation’s highest court that has endured for decades. Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg has a refreshingly progressive interpretation of the Constitution, and as the second female justice ever, is a model for young girls. However, at 81, her time on the bench is nearing its end. A timely exit would boost her image, but the Democratic Party, at least while President Barack Obama is still in office, would benefit most by Ginsburg’s early resignation. Just last week, the court struck down a cap on political donations, a ruling Ginsburg smartly disagreed with. When a section of the Voting Rights Act was overturned last summer, civil-rights activist Ginsburg was the natural choice to write the dissenting opinion. She wrote, “The grand aim of the Act is to secure to all in our polity equal citizenship stature, a voice in our democracy undiluted by race.” Ginsburg has accomplished much for gender equality and civil rights, and
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while it is frightening to imagine the court without her presence, it is necessary to do so for the future. But Ginsburg may not resign before Obama leaves office in January 2017. Her health is stable — she has beaten two bouts of cancer and all faculties are intact — and she has hinted at staying. When asked last December if justices should retire when the party that appointed them holds the presidency, Ginsburg replied, “I think one should stay as long as she can do the job.” Understanding the consequence of her comment, Democrats everywhere cringed. The future of the Supreme Court is likely to remain conservative, if not become more traditional. If Obama’s successor is Republican — a strong possibility given his low polling numbers — Ginsburg will likely be replaced by a conservative appointee
if she does not resign before the end of Obama’s term. The Supreme Court needs more justices that prioritize the interests of the people, not corporations. In response to questions about her commitment to equality, Ginsburg said, “I didn’t change the Constitution, the equality principle was there from the start. I was just an advocate for seeing its full realization.” Ginsburg should leave the court upon conclusion of this session in June, clearing a spot for the women whose equality she has helped to secure. If Ginsburg’s replacement is appointed by a Republican president, what would become of protections for gay marriage? Would human rights suffer as corporate rights flourish? What would happen to campaign financing restrictions? Would women lose dominion over their bodies? An early resignation by Ginsburg would bode well for her legacy as well as for the country’s future, while a late one would reverse the progress she has made in establishing equality. Omar Etman is a deputy opinion editor. Omar’s Oration is published every Tuesday. Email him at oetman@nyunews.com.
STAFF EDITORIAL
Obama must act on immigration reform
In the State of the Union address in January, President Barack Obama reiterated his commitment to passing immigration reform that would finally provide protection and a path to citizenship for the estimated 11.7 million undocumented immigrants living in the United States. According to reports by The New York Times, however, it seems Obama is substituting comprehensive reform with excessive rates of deportation, which have increased by four times since he took office. Obama has previously stated that the administration wants to focus its efforts on “criminals, gangbangers [and] people who are hurting the community… not after folks who are here just because they’re trying to figure out how to feed their families.” While this is an admirable position, the Times investigation found that approximately two-thirds of those deported had committed only minor crimes or had no criminal record. In theory, enforcing laws designed to deport criminal undocumented immigrants would be a point in Obama’s favor. However, the laws in place today are part of a broken system that is destroying the lives of hard-working immigrants based on minor offenses. Of the over 2 million undocumented immigrants deported, 60 percent were under the pretext of a minor crime, such as a traffic violation. Under Obama’s tenure as so-called deporterin-chief, the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency have filed charges in 90 percent of cases under the guidance of new policies set by the Obama administration. It is difficult for the White House to actively seek out undocumented immigrants farther from the U.S. border since they often have families and have been living here for years. Fewer undocumented immigrants are being caught through raids or profiling and are instead being processed through the Secure Communities protocol. Under the project that began during Bush’s presidency, anyone who commits a crime can have his fingerprints checked by local jurisdictions and then crosschecked against immigration databases. Secure Communities is a sly way for the government to deport undocumented immigrants without receiving as much negative media attention. Undocumented immigrants in this country are often working jobs that Americans do not want. They pay sales, property and income taxes that they will never receive returns on, contributing $22.4 billion each year. While excessive deportations may have succeeded in appeasing Republicans, they have actually detracted from the administration’s attempts to enact comprehensive immigration legislation. Congress failed to take initiative on a major proposal in 2013, but Obama has the executive power to bring reform back to the forefront. He should use his authority to put an end to unreasonable deportation for minor offenses so he and Congress can work toward more permanent legislation.
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, APRIL 8, 2014 | WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS
SPORTS
EDITED BY FRANCISCO NAVAS SPORTS@NYUNEWS.COM
MLB expanded replay system presents challenges By BRITTANY YU
For baseball, a sport resplendent with tradition, history and nostalgia, 2014 marks the first season with the expanded replay system. While replay itself is not new to the sport — it was implemented during the tail end of the 2008 season — it previously could only be used to review homeruns at the discretion of the umpires to determine whether the call was fair or foul, the ball had actually left the playing field or if the ball was subject to any spectator interference. The expanded replay system, officially announced on Jan. 16, allows a manager one challenge to use for the first six innings. If a manager challenges a play and wins, the call is reversed and he retains his right to challenge another play. If he loses the challenge, the call is upheld and the manager loses his right to challenge for the rest of the game. From the seventh inning on, umpires can initiate a review based on their own judgment or at the urging of a manager. For a call to be overturned, there must be conclusive evidence present. The first challenge happened on March 31, when the Chicago Cubs challenged first-base umpire Bob Davidson’s out call on pitcher Jeff Samardzija, who appeared to have bunted into a double play. In typical Cubs fashion, they lost the challenge after the official review center in New
lock stayed at first base. Minutes later Pollock scored from third on a passed ball, even though replays clearly showed that Cain had tagged him out at the plate. Bochy had already used his allotted challenge, and because he lost, he was unable to challenge the play at the plate. Since it was before the seventh inning, the umpires were unable to initiate a review even if they disagreed with the call. The Giants ended up losing 5-4, so it could be argued that the blown call that could not be challenged by the manager or the umpires constituted the game’s margin of victory. Another primary concern associated with expanded replay is the delay of game.
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The Giants lost their appeal and, ultimately, the game. York confirmed Davidson’s call, and the initial call was upheld. As with any new system, there are flaws. Unfortunately, many of these flaws presented themselves when the San Francisco Giants played the Arizona Diamond-
backs on April 2. On a close play at first, A.J. Pollock appeared to have been picked off first base by pitcher Matt Cain but was called safe. Giants manager Bruce Bochy challenged the play, but it was ruled inconclusive and Pol-
Universities must prioritize education over athletics By FRANCISCO NAVAS
The Greek philosopher Aristotle wrote that sport and education should co-exist, as sport is one of the highest of human activities and the closest a person can come to contemplation. Any athlete can attest to a feeling of being out of body while performing at a high level. Perhaps American universities founded their athletic departments on the basis of that idea. Yet, in today’s university environment, sports create unequal opportunities and are detrimental to a university’s primary mission of educating its students. The common belief is that universities provide athletes, many of whom come from lower-income homes, the opportunity to receive an education as they pursue their dream of going pro through athletic scholarships. But this is a flawed idea. According to the NCAA, less than 2 percent of college athletes are drafted — the exception is baseball, in which 11 percent
are drafted. In the college sports world, athletes are defended and professors are coerced by athlete handlers into passing those “student” athletes who have gradeschool reading levels. These athletes are exploited by the universities for which they perform for four years, putting their bodies at stake without having to exert their minds and without making any money. For example, Shabazz Napier, one of the stars of UConn’s basketball team, recently told reporters he cannot afford food. While it is hard to be certain about what the 98 percent of football players who are not drafted go on to do, many of them did not take advantage of the education they could have received if they had taken academics seriously before and during college. They trained their bodies but not their minds. As a result, they are not as competitive in the labor market for high-skill jobs as other graduates. This mindset undermines the
value of education as a whole in society, and of the college degree that non-athlete students pay for. Universities graduate unprepared students, which reflects negatively on their educational standards and tarnishes their prestige. Because the institution of college sports is far too ingrained to change, all universities should follow the model set by schools like Harvard and Stanford. In order to be an athlete at either of these schools one must have the grades necessary to be accepted, just like any student whose application goes through the admissions office. Athletes at those universities are not awarded athletic scholarships. This rule ensures that the university’s educational standards are maintained and change the view that nurturing one’s intelligence is not important when chasing the dream of being a professional athlete. Francisco Navas is sports editor. Email him at fnavas@nyunews.com.
Coaches are worried about players, especially pitchers, staying loose and warmed up while waiting for the results of a challenge. Some say that if Major League Baseball is serious about reversing erroneous calls, it should go straight to the source and rid the sport of poor umpiring. Umpires should be the ones responsible for making the right call, not managers. Others are worried that with replay, the tradition of managers arguing with umpires and its uniqueness to baseball will diminish, or that the human element of the game will disappear. Brittany Yu is a contributing writer. Email her at sports@nyunews.com.