NYU’s Daily Student Newspaper
washington square news Vol. 40, No. 52
tuesday, april 24, 2012
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NYUPoly exhibited at science festival
City and NYU create new science center
By Eric Benson
By Emily Yang
Two teams from the Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Department at Polytechnic Institute of NYU will showcase their research at the National Science Foundation’s second USA Science and Engineering Festival. The festival, which will take place this weekend in Washington, D.C., will also feature research from NYU-Poly during its inauguration in October 2010. NYU-Poly was chosen by the NSF as one of 16 exhibitions to be displayed this year. After four years of study, a group of NYU-Poly researchers have developed a series of experimental testbeds that allow users to control a variety of robots by simply speaking into iPhone or iPad application software. The technology behind the project aims to use robots to further aid human daily life. NYU-Poly will present one of its robots, the Three Degree of Freedom
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JAMES KELLEHER/WSN
President Sexton and Mayor Bloomberg announce new construction partnership.
Women are rarely afforded the same success as men in Hollywood, but Lena Dunham certainly enjoys her current fame. Dunham, the writer, director and creator of HBO’s new hit “Girls,” spoke without reservations at a special screening of “Girls” at NYU’s Cantor Film Center last Thursday. “I’ve dated some Tisch guys in my day,” Dunham told a Tisch student. “I know what you’re about.” That joke, like most of her work, is honest and self-aware. Dunham employed this signature sense of humor throughout the screening. When asked if she had any advice for her audience, Dunham replied, “I probably don’t.”
By Keerthi Harishankar
She summarized her first film, “Tiny Furniture,” as “this one story about an annoying, chubby girl.” Dunham’s simplistic views of her work makes it sound devoid of craft, but that is far from the truth. Dunham instead said she does not employ “traditional filmmaking.” Instead, Dunham’s work is evidence of a self-assured filmmaker. Whereas many directors adhere to a shot list when shooting, Dunham only uses one for a sense of security. And while many filmmakers woo their audiences with sweeping camerawork, Dunham does not. “I like to move the camera only if I have a reason to do it,” she said. Dunham displayed a sense of
What better way to celebrate Earth Day than by making a giant salad with fresh, organic vegetables? Now imagine making that salad in the most grandiose way possible: ingredients flying, lettuce and dressing meeting in midair. The scene seems improbable in reality. That impossibility became very real on Sunday as Alison Knowles, revered Fluxus artist, performed her signature
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“Make a Salad” and the Fluxus movement began in the 1960s.
Early favorites from this year’s Tribeca Film Festival
Nutritionist’s Notebook: Starting healthy lifestyle early
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The Health Promotions Office is displaying t-shirts designed by students at the staircase of Kimmel Center.
WSN staff members pick three films from the festival that have shined among the rest.
Contributing columnist Marion Nestle discusses the importance of developing habits for a healthy lifestyle early.
NYU raises awareness of sexual assault through t-shirts
AARUSHI CHOPRA/WSN
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Tremendous tossed salad served up at Highline
‘Girls’ creator discusses hit HBO comedy By Alex Greenberger
Mayor Michael Bloomberg, NYU President John Sexton and other city officials announced the creation of the NYU Center for Urban Science and Progress in downtown Brooklyn yesterday. CUSP, which will focus on research and development of technology in the city, is the second winner of the Applied Sciences NYC competition. Cornell University and the Technion-Israel Institute of Technology were selected as first winners last December. The center will include a consortium of other academic institutions, three of which are international, as well as private technology companies. Participating companies and universities include Carnegie Mellon University, University of Toronto, University of Warwick, IBM, Cisco and
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Washington Square news | tuesday, april 24, 2012 | nyunews.com
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staff recommendations “Louis C.K. Live at the Beacon Theater” Louis C.K.’s standup is rarely dull, and his most recent special is filled with classic Louie moments. His tirade about one of the worst children in his daughter’s school is particularly memorable, but his recounting of the first time he smoked marijuana after years of abstaining will have viewers tearing up in laughter. When the comedian claims to hit rock bottom twice during the routine, audiences will know they are seeing classic Louie. — Jonathon Dornbush
“Dollhouse” FOX recently celebrated its 25th anniversary, so why not check out one of its most unique and underrated shows? “Dollhouse,” originally penned by “Buffy” creator Joss Whedon as a vehicle for Eliza Dushku, grew into something so much more profound, with a complex storyline and brilliant characters. The show was only on for two seasons, but it definitely left its mark. — Jeremy Grossman
“21 Jump Street” If you’ve already seen “The Hunger Games” and can’t wait until “The Avengers” comes out for your next trip to the movies, check out “21 Jump Street.” Starring Jonah Hill and Channing Tatum, it’s a hilarious remake of a late ’80s TV show that has action, plenty of laughs and an amazing cameo from Johnny Depp. — Samantha Rullo
“Best Friends Forever” NBC’s new comedy stars Jessica St. Clair as a newly divorced woman who has to move back in with her best friend (Lennon Parham) and her boyfriend (Luka Jones). The show airs on Wednesdays at 8:30 p.m., so get moving and catch up on this funny new show that has realistic relationships and a great cast. — Samantha Rullo
Washington Square News Editor-in-Chief amanda randone Managing Editor
jaewon kang Deputy Managing Editor
Amy zhang Assistant Managing Editor
james lanning Creative Director
selena chen senior staff
university Julie devito city/state emily yang investigative hanqing chen arts jonathon dornbush features jessica littman sports daniel hinton multimedia david lin copy maximilíano durón senior editor jack brooks,
BRIDGETTE DORAN
deputy staff
university eric benson, eliza-
beth maguire city/state tony chau, kristine
itliong, jessica schultz investigative feiye wang music josh johnson film stefan Melnyk entertainment jeremy grossman books/theater clio Mcconnell dining hannah borenstein beauty & style shannon
loughran sports John axelrod, cole
riley special issues kristina bogos multimedia james kelleher copy jordan melendrez social media agent nicole gartside
all images via flickr
TODAY
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10 a.m. to 7 p.m. | Gulf + Western and Eighth Floor galleries | 721 Broadway
7 to 8:30 p.m. | La Maison Française | 16 Washington Mews
7 p.m. | Le Poisson Rouge | 158 Bleecker St.
Jean-Luc Steinmetz on Baudelaire
SENIOR WEEK: The Downtown Fiction & DJ Mix at Le Poisson Rouge
This French editor and author will discuss the works and significance of Baudelaire.
This seniors-only concert is only $12 and promises to be a good time.
Photography & Imaging BFA Exhibition
Thirty-nine graduating seniors in Tisch’s Photography & Imaging Department will display their work, representing the diversity of the graduating class.
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opinion page
opinion editor olivia gonzalez deputy opinion editor ATTICUS
BRIGHAM, SANCHAY JAIN
advertising business manager
REBECCA RIBEIRO circulation manager
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ON THE WIRE
A penny saved is $1 million earned
Bidding for a 1792 Silver Center penny has already topped $1.15 million since the auction began Thursday night. The value is a result of its history and rarity — it was one of the first coins struck by the U.S. Mint, and there are only 13 others like it in existence. Given their large size and heavy weight, the pennies were never mass produced. The penny is also unique because, instead of the common “In God We Trust” motto of today’s coins, it instead reads “Liberty Parent of Science & Industry.” — ABC News
University of Pennsylvania
AEPi votes to lose University recognition — The Daily Pennsylvanian
A dachshund stares toward the sky near the Mercer Street Dog Run.
PHOTO BY JAMES KELLEHER
Harvard University
Harvard students promote smoke-free graduate housing — The Crimson
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jaywon choe kelsey desiderio russell steinberg KIRSTEN CHANG francis poon terka cicelOVa 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 Jaewon Kang at managing@nyunews.com or at 212.998.4302.
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ROBOTIC continued from PG. 1
NYU-Poly to display research in Washington D.C.
Helicopter Model, controlled by an iPhone through real-time data from the helicopter and a stream of live video. Vikram Kapila, a lead researcher for the exhibition and mechanical engineering professor at NYU-Poly, views the festival as a crucial platform to demonstrate his team’s research. “Demonstrating our research and educational activities at the Expo provides us a venue to highlight our work to important decision and policy makers in the nation’s capital as well as to the general public,” Kapila said. “Moreover, we will be able to test our hypothesis that iPhones and iPads provide intuitive means to achieve humanrobot interactions.” Maurizio Porfiri, an associate professor of mechanical engineering at NYU-Poly and researcher, said he is looking to encourage young students interested in science at the festival. Porfiri is part of a different team that created a robotic fish, demonstrating how the movement of different body parts affects swimming performance. This project, which could be used to help create robots to lead schools of fish away from
hazards like oil spills, will also be demonstrated at the festival. “[At the festival] I am looking for a unique opportunity to inspire kids to get into science and engineering, a great venue to disseminate our research findings to the general public and a lot of fun,” Porfiri said. NSF spokesperson Lisa-Joy Zgorski said NYU-Poly’s research was chosen for its intuitive utility. “Not only do the experimental testbeds demonstrate really cool, new capabilities for robots, but these apps also show how useful robotics can be in supplementing human functions — how they can make life easier for a wide variety of users,” Zgorski said. Poly will also be displaying Katherine Isbisters’ “Scoop!” video game, which was created with collaborators in the Microsoft Research-supported Games for Learning Institute at NYU. Its booth will also include robotic activities assisted by Poly civil engineering professor Magued Iskander that visitors can participate in. Eric Benson is a deputy university editor. Email him at ebenson@nyunews.com.
NYU raises awareness through t-shirts for Sexual Assault Awareness Month By Julie DeVito and Elizabeth Maguire
As part of Sexual Assault Awareness Month, the Health Promotions Office is displaying t-shirts on a clothesline at the grand staircase of the Kimmel Center for University Life this week. The shirts, which were decorated by students last week, were hung up on Sunday. They aim to increase awareness of gender-based violence and to encourage people of all genders to take an active role in preventing sexual assault. “We hope that participants will find what they need, whether it’s a moment to reflect and continue healing by designing a t-shirt, learning more about gender-based violence and what can be done to help prevent it, discovering how they can be allies to survivors or locating resources and finding support,” said Courtney Stein, assistant director of the HPO. Every year the HPO has hosted a week of events and programs in April to raise awareness of sexual assault. This year, the HPO is referring to the week as Gender Violence Awareness Week. The new name seeks to recognize all forms of sexual violence, including sexual misconduct, intimate partner violence and stalking, Stein
Cherry Blossom Festival celebrates Japanese culture
By Kayana Jean-Philippe
If you missed the Cherry Blossoms in D.C, you need not worry. The Brooklyn Botanical Garden is celebrating the 100th anniversary of the cherry blossom being planted in the United States by hosting a festival this weekend. The Sakura Matsuri, or Cherry Blossom Festival, will take place on April 28 and 29, celebrating Japan’s traditional and contemporary culture. The festival will feature taiko drumming, manga artists, J-Pop bands, tea ceremonies, samurai sword fighting and origami lessons, as well as many other events. The cherry blossom, Japan’s national flower, first sprouted in Washington, D.C., 100 years ago when Japanese chemist Jokichi
Takamine presented it as a gift to the city. Today, cherry blossom trees bloom in several states, including New York. Mark Bridgen, horticultural professor at Cornell University, said the trees can add much beauty to the city. In addition to environmental effects such as moderating climate, improving air quality and conserving water, these trees also have a direct effect on humans. “Studies have shown that trees make life more pleasant, simply by observing their beauty,” Bridgen said. “Humans feel serene, peaceful, restful and tranquil in the presence of trees.” In ancient Japan, cherry blossoms were the symbolic equivalent of the rice plant,
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Brooklyn’s cherry blossoms bloom around early May each year.
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which represented agrarian productive energy and eventually became a symbol of lifesustaining energy. Sakura, which means “cherry blossom” in Japanese, shares the same roots as the words that mean “prosperous” and “good fortune.” Henry Smith, professor of Japanese history at Columbia University, said cherry blossom festivals simplify the way the plants are viewed in Japan. “Most Japanese, especially today, would never conceive of hanami as a festival but rather as an annual ritual to celebrate the fullness of spring and to have a big party,” Smith said. LSP freshman Nigel Knieser said he wanted to experience real, traditional Japanese cultural activities and authentic Japanese food at the festival. “I lived in Japan for 6 months, but I never saw the cherry blossoms bloom because I wasn’t there in the spring so I didn’t get to hanami,” Krieser said. “I would like to meet some Japanese people and learn more about their customs and celebrations around this time.” The festival will be held from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. this Saturday and Sunday. Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for students. Kayana Jean-Philippe is a contributing writer. Email her at cstate@nyunews.com.
said. She added that the HPO also believes it is important to understand sexual violence can happen to anyone, regardless of race, sex, class, age, appearance, gender identity or sexual orientation. CAS junior Chris Shore stopped along the staircase to take a photo yesterday. “It definitely catches the attention when you’re walking through because we stopped to take a picture,” Shore said. “So I think it’s definitely good in raising awareness in that sense because you stop and read the shirts.” The Clothesline Project was founded in 1990 as an effort to break the silence around the issue of sexual violence, according to Stein. “The resulting clothesline of shirts acts as an educational tool for those who view it, a healing tool for those who create shirts and as a way of letting those suffering in silence know that they are not alone,” Stein said. For Stein, gender-based violence is prevalent in the United States and globally. She hopes that, through on-going programming and training, the HPO can provide students and staff with the skills and tools they need to play a role in stopping the violence.
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T-shirts will be displayed at the staircase of Kimmel Center this week. Each year, different organizations across the university hold events to draw attention to the issue of gender violence. Earlier this month, the NYU Chapter of National Organization of Women held the Take Back the Night Rally and Candlelight Vigil. This year the university is also introducing “Story Box: Shh...is for Shameless,” an initiative to shed light on childhood sexual abuse. Stories of survival and empowerment are submitted anonymously to the Story Box and, with permission from the authors, will be shared during the Cup of Hope Open Mic Night on Friday in Brittany residence hall’s Rhodes Room. Julie DeVito is university editor. Elizabeth Maguire is a deputy university editor. Email them at university@nyunews.com.
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Bloomberg and Sexton announce opening of CUSP
Siemens. Additionally, the city will provide up to $15 million to support CUSP, which will come from energy and expense savings. “They will help us make New York City the leading global force in technological innovation,” Bloomberg said at the press conference yesterday. “New York City doesn’t simply embrace the future. I think it’s fair to say we create it.” According to Bloomberg, CUSP will eventually create $5.5 billion in economic activity. He also predicted the institution will produce 200 new companies in the next three decades, which will create an additional 4,600 jobs and attract other companies to move to the city. Bloomberg said these will join current startups like Tumblr and Foursquare. In recent years they’ve also been joined by Silicon Valley giants Google, Facebook and Twitter. Sexton announced the director of CUSP yesterday: Steven Koonin. A theoretical physicist and native Brooklynite, he has served as the Under Secretary of Energy for Science, Provost at California Institute of Technology and Chief Scientist for BP. “This is a proud day at NYU,” Sexton said. “Today, all of us who care about the city and its role in the future ... know that we have to build into the DNA of the city, the notion of it as an idea capital.”
CUSP is expected to be housed at 370 Jay St. in downtown Brooklyn, a 460,000-square-foot city-owned office building that NYU plans to renovate. This site was originally the headquarters of the NYC Transit Authority, and it currently holds some MTA and communication equipment. While renovations are taking place, CUSP will operate out of nearby MetroTech. The renovations for 370 Jay St. will create 2,200 construction jobs, and operating the building will create 900 permanent jobs. “This 460,000-square-foot property, right in the heart of downtown Brooklyn, will be a tremendous asset to New York University,” said MTA New York City Transit President Thomas Prendergast. “In its new role of a technology incubator, it will no doubt spur the continued revitalization of this neighborhood.” Marty Markowitz, Brooklyn Borough President, was excited about the prospect of NYU CUSP in Brooklyn. “Brooklyn is indeed Collegetown, USA, and they’re going to love it here, the faculty and students,” Markowitz said. “With CUSP, I’m getting closer to be able to say truthfully, John Sexton, that NYU begins in Brooklyn.” Emily Yang is city/state editor. Email her at eyang@nyunews.com.
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Washington Square news | tuesday, april 24, 2012 | nyunews.com
ARTS
edited by JONATHON DORNBUSH ARTS@nyunews.com
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Lena Dunham screens first three episodes of her NYC comedy “Girls” humility throughout the night, admitting her anxiety about “Girls.” “There are so many ways to [mess] up a movie, but after the pilot, I was very happy,” she said of the first episode of “Girls.” The screening and Q&A drew many laughs, largely thanks to Dunham’s openess in discussing a variety of topics, from the show’s shooting to her weight. Dunham said that “Lena” and her “Girls” character Hannah intersect at times but for the most part remain separate. During production, she sometimes found herself playing Hannah and director simultaneously, mouthing directions to her fellow actors while filming scenes. Yet Dunham said she tries not to worry about this odd technique. “I heard Woody Allen does it, which
makes me feel a little better,” she said. And she should. Dunham’s work has indicated that she might one day be mentioned in the same breath as Allen. If “Girls” and its screening are any proof, she is well on her way. Alex Greenberger is a staff writer. Email him at entertainment@nyunews.com.
COURTESY OF HBO
Jemima Kirke, Lena Dunham and Allison Williams star in “Girls.”
‘Hair’ offers psychadelic pop rock By Darius Rafieyan
Musician Ty Segall has enjoyed an enviable rise to the top of the new garage rock food chain, spending the better part of last year appearing high atop numerous best-of lists. Segall can thank his legitimate talent, which has grown over the years, for his burgeoning fame. Unfortunately, Segall can at times forego the visceral quality that is the most compelling aspect of his music for a cleaner sound. Segall is at his best when he tempers his pop sensibility and combines it with a healthy dose of the bizarre. This tendency is where the psychadelic rock project White Fence comes in, resulting in its new release, “Hair.” The current musical collaboration of Segall and Tim Presley, White Fence has experienced similar success to Segall’s. But Presley has continually made music that is decidedly more indebted to psychedelic influences than Segall, indulging in heavy distortion, rough long-form breakdowns and music that is undeniably catchy. Presley draws out the more experimental impulses and pushes Segall further into the
depths of the weird. His influence shows in the drum-drenched “The Black Glove/Rag” with its pained, wailing guitar and vocals screamed unintelligibly into the reverb. These impulses are present throughout the record, from the surprisingly heavy sludge-metal “Time” to the mid-song distortion of “Scissor People.” These more abrasive moments are refreshing, but the album commands attention by seamlessly transferring between no-holds punk fuzz to a sincere and whole-hearted embrace of pure pop nostalgia. Segall and Presley steep themselves in a glossy, classic rock aesthetic complete with tambourines and harmonies. “Crybaby” could appear at a ’60s beach party without raising an eyebrow. The album’s wildly shifting tone and its combination of psychedelia and surf and power pop influences make “Hair” so lovable. Together, Segall and Presley make music that is dirty, raucous and undeniably fun. While their collaboration may fly off the rails at times, it’s far more exciting to hear them go too far than not far enough. Darius Rafieyan is a staff writer. Email him at music@nyunews.com.
Third H.P. Lovecraft Festival brings author’s memorable works to stage By Dylan Jarrett Fans of H.P. Lovecraft are likely to be familiar with his subgenre of weird fiction — best described as a cross between horror and science fiction, with a healthy dose of suspense. In the third-annual H.P. Lovecraft Festival, presented by Radio Theatre and the Horse Trade Theater Group, several of Lovecraft’s weird stories are transformed into a theatrical experience that explores the fear of the unknown. The festival presents adaptations of several of Lovecraft’s most memorable stories, including “The Lurking Fear,” “The Statement of Randolph Carter,” “The Horror at Martin’s Beach” and “The Evil Clergyman.” Three actors, R. Patrick Alberty, Kevin Gilligan and Frank Zilinyi, each assume several roles. The production, directed by Zilinyi, allows Lovecraft’s stories to tell themselves. With just the three actors reading from a book and a bit of effective sound design, which admittedly needs some technical refining, these scary stories come to life. While the production may sound boring, it quickly engages. The first story, “The Lurking Fear,” is possibly the most terrifying. Centered around three men who spend the night in a haunted house, it starts trite but, by the end of the story, Gilligan’s character is
alone in the house and audience members will have to fight the urge to check their surroundings for the story’s monsters. Alberty, Gilligan and Zilinyi play up their caricatured characters in a manner reminiscent of “The Twilight Zone.” Zilinyi’s horrified narrator sounds like he should be sitting in his study while a thunderstorm rages outside, Gilligan’s wary professor is the hero tortured by his knowledge of some unspeakable evil, and Alberty’s skeptical police officer is the perfect disinterested bystander eventually absorbed into the plight.
The H.P. Lovecraft Festival expertly induces the horror central to Lovecraft’s weird fiction. It reminds audiences why they were once afraid of the dark and, thanks to the tremendous performances, it could be right behind you in that theater. The third H.P. Lovecraft Festival is playing now through May 20 at the Kraine Theater, located at 85 E. Fourth St. Tickets are $25. For tickets and more information, see RadioTheatreNYC.com. Dylan Jarrett is a contributing writer. Email her at theater@nyunews.com.
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H.P. Lovecraft’s chilling science fiction short stories are retold on stage to haunting effect.
Early favorites from this year’s Tribeca Film Festival
By Jonathon Dornbush, Alex Greenberger and Stefan Melnyk
As the Tribeca Film Festival passes the halfway mark, WSN picks some films that have stood out among the rest.
“Portrait of Wally” “Portrait of Wally” is a fascinating ride through the seminal art restitution case of our time. The documentary follows the legal battle over the painting from which the film draws its title — a paintVIA WIKIPEDIA ing that was confiscated by the Nazis during their takeover of Austria. The painting had many homes, from the Austrian National Gallery to, eventually, the walls of the MoMA, where it was moved to prevent the painting from returning to Austria. Director Andrew Shea covers the legal ordeal with a deft hand, confident of the story’s strength. What could easily have been an intriguing but dry historical documentary is kept moving with enough suspense, outrage and intrigue to command attention. — Stefan Melnyk
“Rat King”
The recent influx of Scandinavian neo-noir films into America is likely due to the images these films are willing to display. There’s graphic violence, realistic sexuality and usually a twisty narrative that American films lack. Among the most unusual is “Rat King,” a thriller about a gamer VIA RATKINGTHEMOVIE.COM who becomes the victim of a deadly video game. This paranoid Finnish noir film is unlike any of its predecessors, becoming something of a horror film. Director Petri Kotwica creates a dense, moody atmosphere that strengthens the film’s weak narrative. Kotwica films Jury, the film’s pitiful protagonist, and his creepy friendship with fellow gamer Niki with swirling camera movements and disturbingly dark lighting. The film is unfortunately marred by its predictable screenplay, but “Rat King” makes a case for why the fusion of two genres is worth seeing, even if such a pastiche places more emphasis on dread than on narrative. — Alex Greenberger
“Side by Side”
The debate over whether or not filmmakers should make the jump to shooting digitally as opposed to using film has raged for years. “Side by Side” doesn’t necessarily provide an answer because digital VIA TRIBECAFILM.COM film’s takeover is inevitable. Instead, Keanu Reeves interviews many of Hollywood’s most influential filmmakers and cinematographers about what this transition means. Directors fall on both sides of the debate, but the film is consistently fascinating when these creative minds speak about their own craft. “Side by Side” provides a basic understanding of the differences between film and digital production, but this stopgap only delays David Fincher’s more enjoyable, profanity-filled musings and Christopher Nolan’s ardent passion for traditional film. For anyone with a love of cinema, the documentary presents a plethora of distinct voices all discussing a subject they revere in enthralling fashion. — Jonathon Dornbush Jonathon Dornbush is arts editor. Alex Greenberger is a staff writer. Stefan Melnyk is film editor. Email them at arts@nyunews.com.
nyunews.com | tuesday, april 24, 2012 | Washington Square news
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DINING
edited by Hannah borenstein dining@nyunews.com
Healthy food blogs make eating right easy By Nicola Pring For busy students on a tight budget, it’s often easier to grab a slice of pizza or ramen noodles than to cook and eat healthily. For those who prefer nutritious, gluten-free or vegan fare, here are the top five food blogs that offer healthy recipe options.
1. Oh She Glows
2. Cheap Healthy Good
4. Gluten Free Girl
5. Eating Bird Food
Food blog celebrity and Glo Bakery founder Angela Liddon runs Oh She Glows, a vegan food blog dedicated to providing readers with healthy recipes and promoting healthy body image. Liddon is responsible for creating the “Green Monster Movement,” which has foodies hooked on “Green Monster” smoothies — a nutritious combination of almond milk, bananas, spinach, chia seeds and almond butter. In addition to delicious smoothie concoctions, Oh She Glows offers recipes for healthy, balanced vegan meals and snacks. Visit: OhSheGlows.com
The blog is run by four contributors, each with a different cooking specialty. Cheap Healthy Good is home to hundreds of recipes for breads, soups, sauces, snacks and more. At the end of each recipe, the bloggers provide total cost estimations — most of the recipes total just a few dollars per serving. “The thing I like most about [Cheap Healthy Good] is that they take the time to calculate the calories of every single ingredient separately, along with the fat content and price,” Steinhardt sophomore Linda Wang said. Visit: CheapHealthyGood.blogspot.com
This blog includes clever substitutes for traditionally gluten-heavy foods, including pancakes, muffins, desserts and more. “I’m a big fan of glutenfree recipes because, if you’re making a cake for example, just substituting gluten-free flour doesn’t always work well,” said Gallatin senior Alex Salamunovich, who maintains a gluten-free lifestyle. Gluten Free Girl also offers helpful tips and links to information on how to live a healthy, fulfilling, glutenfree life. Visit: GlutenFreeGirl.com
This blog offers healthy recipes for everything from hemp smoothies to chia seed pudding to black bean burgers. Eating Bird Food caters to all diets and includes dozens of vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options. The blog is run by a certified, holistic health coach who offers individualized advice and workout plans. Eating Bird Food also provides tips on how to stay healthy on the go. Visit: EatingBirdFood.com
3. Keep it Skinny Keep it Skinny is a collection of blogger Katie’s favorite healthy recipes. The blog features easy-toprepare recipes with simple ingredients for all diets, but includes vegetarian and gluten-free favorites. In addition to original and borrowed recipes, the blog features food-shopping suggestions, exercise information and health and dietary tips. Visit: KeepItSkinny.wordpress.com
Nutritionist’s Notebook Starting a healthy lifestyle early By Marion Nestle Question: Many students have expressed that, being so young, they can eat whatever they want and stay thin. What kind of implications does the type of food we eat have on our body weight? If a student is thin but eats bad foods, are there still detrimental effects? Additionally, at what age does what you eat tend to have the biggest effect on you? Answer: It’s not only youth that keeps college students trim. It’s the lifestyle: running to classes, late nights studying or partying, irregular meals, eating on the run. Once students get past the hurdle of the “freshman 15” — the weight gain that comes from unlimited access to meal plans — most do not gain weight in college. It’s what happens afterward that counts. Even the most interesting jobs can require long hours in front of a computer or chained to a desk. Eating out of boredom becomes routine and, once middle age hits, it’s all over. The metabolic rate drops with age, and you can’t eat the same way you used to without putting on pounds. The college years are a great time to start behaving in ways that will promote lifetime health. If you smoke cigarettes, stop while you can. Don’t binge drink. Practice safe sex. As for diet, eat your veggies. Whenever you can, eat real foods, shop at farmers’ markets and learn to cook. Cooking is a skill that will bring you — and your fam-
COURTESY OF MARION NESTLE
ily and friends — great pleasure throughout life. If you cook, you will always have the most delicious and healthiest of diets at your fingertips. You don’t know how? Try an Internet search for “free cooking lessons online.” Mark Bittman’s Minimalist videos, for example, make things simple with results that can be spectacular. Do the best you can to eat well now, and think of it as easy life insurance. Marion Nestle is the Paulette Goddard professor of Nutrition, Food Studies and Public Health at the Steinhardt School of Culture, Education and Human Development. She is the author of “Food Politics” and, most recently, “Why Calories Count: From Science to Politics.” Each week, she will answer student questions about nutrition, health and food. Marion Nestle is a contributing columnist. Email her questions at dining@nyunews.com.
Nicola Pring is a staff writer. Email her at dining@nyunews.com.
SALAD continued from PG. 1
Alison Knowles performs iconic “Make a Salad” at High Line “Make A Salad” piece on The High Line. The Fluxus movement began in the 1960s with the goal of breaking the barrier between people and art. Fluxus artists stressed that art is not a singular experience; rather, it is to be felt and done by many. Cecilia Alemani, curator and director of High Line Art, said of the movement, “It not only focused on visual arts but also on the mix of everyday life of art and music and performing everyday action, like making a salad, into performance pieces. This in particular is a very participatory and communal performance.” Knowles was very involved in the Fluxus movement in the ’60s and continues to create works based on the Fluxus aesthetic. This year marks the 50th anniversary of “Make A Salad.” “The reaction in this country was very different than it was in Europe,” Knowles said. “If
you were performing in a museum or gallery people assumed it had to do with art, but in this country it’s more of an open forum so people could decide that they could throw the lettuce back at us or tell us we were crazy.” Knowles said this work was shocking in the 1960s. “What went on was either a standard play, or it was a trained performer. So it did set something up,” she said. “I think for culture, first in Europe and then in this country, you have people doing pieces on the street so I’m pleased to see that there’s been some effect from Fluxus on culture overall.” Chopping the components of the salad was certainly a communal effort. There were six volunteers along with Knowles at The Highline cutting a variety of ingredients. Accompanying the standard romaine lettuce were carrots, frisée, cucumbers, onions and radishes. They chopped enough
vegetables for a hundred people in less than two hours and, when passersby asked to join in, they were welcomed into the cutting crew. When all the ingredients were finished being chopped, a tarp was laid out on the second level of the Chelsea Market Passage. The vegetables were then thrown from the top level onto the tarp on the lower level, and once each box of the various ingredients had been emptied and the dressing had been poured, the massive salad was mixed. Everyone in the area, kids, joggers, Highline staff and salad enthusiasts alike, all grabbed a bit of the tarp and tossed the salad into the air. The veggies mixed with each other and the dressing to create a beautiful edible mural. Who said salad can’t be art? Keerthi Harishankar is a staff writer. Email her at dining@nyunews.com.
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Washington Square news | tuesday, april 24, 2012 | nyunews.com
OPINION immigration
Startup visa movement must be revised to generate success By J.S. Adams
revenue to other countries. I’m in full support of the spirit behind the startup visa movement, but it has its shortcomings. For one, the current startup visa act states that entrepreneurs can only remain in the United States if their startups are successful, which is a ridiculously tall order. Most startups fail, even those launched by already successful entrepreneurs. That risk and failure are socially acceptable is part of what makes the United States such a great environment for startups. Similarly to granting students a grace period after graduation during which they can remain in the United States to find work, the startup visa act should grant entrepreneurs a grace period after their startup fails for them to try again, learning from their mistakes and putting their recent experience to work. The other glaring issue is that the act only grants visas to entrepreneurs that have already secured funding from qualified U.S. investors. Startup visa legis-
The coolest thing to happen in immigration reform lately? The startup visa movement. Championed by startup guru Eric Ries and venture capitalists Dave McClure and Fred Wilson — to name just a few — the movement aims to set up nonAmerican entrepreneurs with visas to start companies. Making it easier for entrepreneurs to come to the United States to build business here will boost economic growth, create jobs and generate tax revenue. There’s been a big push to get foreign entrepreneurs on American soil to grow business, but immigration policy is making it increasingly difficult — and time-consuming — for non-American entrepreneurs to immigrate to America. Timing is crucial to the success of many startups, and if they can’t strike while the iron is hot, entrepreneurs are going to start looking elsewhere. By making it difficult to obtain startup visas, the United States is at risk of losing new jobs and valuable tax
lation needs to make provisions for entrepreneurs that aren’t backed by major investors. These so-called “bootstrappers” are as integral to the entrepreneurial ecosystem as those blessed by an angel investor. Instead of requiring non-American entrepreneurs to secure funding from qualified U.S. investors across the board, policies need to be adjusted to incorporate possible alternatives. One option is to grant noncitizens who have been living and working legally in the United States the opportunity to strike out on their own. Companies employing non-citizens already have all the documentation on their employee’s work and visa history and could easily furnish the immigration office with this information. These companies could also aid in vetting potential entrepreneurs for work ethic, responsibility, integrity, etc. Assuming the individual is in good standing with the company, and his or her records are in order, the transition from a standard work visa to a startup visa should
be relatively painless. Obviously, this isn’t a viable option for those who haven’t already been working in the United States. Startup visa policies also need to provide for entrepreneurs wanting to come to the United States to launch a startup right away, but who, for whatever reason, cannot secure backing from a qualified investor. I propose something along the lines of a think tank fellowship whereby non-citizens could rent space in a think tank to build their startup. The think tank would support the startup in almost exactly the same way as an employer or an angel investor would. There are over a hundred think tanks in New York alone, and they could house startups in their preliminary stages as they get up and running. Foreign bootstrappers would file a proposal with both the immigration office and the think tank describing their project in detail. If the think tank likes the idea, it can vouch for the startup and work with the im-
migration office to decide the terms of the startup visa. This option is best suited for entrepreneurs who already have a well-developed idea of what they want to do; it is not suited for vague project ideas that aren’t focused. Ideally, thinktank-sponsored startups would be close to launch upon setting foot on American soil. The United States is one of the best places to launch a startup — it’s easy to set up a business, investment regulation is friendly and job laws don’t punish startups. The only thing holding the startup industry back is the bureaucratic red tape of immigration policy. What the startup visa movement needs are interim solutions for working around this red tape until the political landscape changes. That, or the original angel investors could start making bank on marriage visa dating sites. Jane Adams is a staff columnist. Email responses to opinion@nyunews.com.
The new york times crossword & daily sudoku The New York Times Syndication Sales Corporation 620 Eighth Avenue, New York, N.Y. 10018 For Information Call: 1-800-972-3550 For Release Tuesday, April 24, 2012
Edited by Will Shortz Across 1 Ado 7 Queen in a speech by Mercutio 10 Denizen of the Endor world in “Return of the Jedi” 14 Two-thirds of AOL 15 Hole in one 16 “___ le roi!” 17 Danish birthplace of Hans Christian Andersen 18 Not that many 20 One who engages in finger painting 22 TV announcer Hall 23 “That’s it!” 24 Broadcasts 25 Ados 27 Give a makeover 31 “Take a Chance on Me” group
34 Detective’s aid 36 Mount ___ Hospital 37 One who engages in fingerprinting 40 Promotional device 41 When said three times, 1970 film on the Pearl Harbor attack 42 Whip 43 Target as a customer 45 What “bis” means 47 Tug hard 49 Unwell 50 Prefix with bar 53 One who engages in finger-pointing 57 Ecstatic 58 Van Gogh painting dominated by green and blue 59 Starting from
ANSWER TO PREVIOUS PUZZLE G R E E M I A M T O T E R S P I M A R L E L O A V O N L O F A V S T R I T H E G U R S A M E E T P E T E
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60 Soapmaker’s supply 61 Title of hits by Elvis Presley and Justin Bieber 62 Roller coaster cry 63 On the ___ (fleeing) 64 Locale in Devon or New Hampshire Down 1 Pioneering scientist Robert 2 Reversed 3 Mixture 4 Tricky situation 5 Open, as an envelope 6 Locale of a 1923 Munich putsch 7 Goya subject 8 Lexus rival 9 Rouse 10 Indiana city on the Ohio 11 Ring bearer 12 No longer in love with 13 ___ Gardens 19 Nobel winner Mother ___ 21 Observe with the mouth open 25 Standard sitcom subject 26 Wooden shoe 28 Novelist Seton 29 Part of W.M.D. 30 Heart of the matter
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50 “No more for me”
51 Terse note from the boss
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53 Exhortation during labor 54 Cousin of a bassoon 55 Agenda part 56 Split 57 Tyrannosaurus rex had a big one
For answers, call 1-900-285-5656, $1.49 a minute; or, with a credit card, 1-800-814-5554. Annual subscriptions are available for the best of Sunday crosswords from the last 50 years: 1-888-7-ACROSS. AT&T users: Text NYTX to 386 to download puzzles, or visit nytimes.com/mobilexword for more information. Online subscriptions: Today’s puzzle and more than 2,000 past puzzles, nytimes.com/crosswords ($39.95 a year). Share tips: nytimes.com/wordplay. Crosswords for young solvers: nytimes.com/learning/xwords.
nyunews.com | tuesday, april 24, 2012 | Washington Square news
OPINION
edited by olivia gonzalez opinion@nyunews.com
middle East
Pakistani Parliament elections promise hope By Raza Shah
With the mounting excitement surrounding America’s upcoming election season, it is easy to forget that similar elections all over the world promise to change the global political landscape by 2013. Nowhere is this more apparent than in Pakistan, where the country’s fractured democracy is going to be facing its first uninterrupted parliamentary elections later this year. Other than the fact that the country’s incumbent Pakistan People’s Party government is the longest lasting democratic government in the country’s troubled history, this election season promises a new future for democracy in Pakistan. Historically, Pakistan’s political climate has largely been dominated by a powerful military establishment and a rolodex of familiar feudal landlords. The last military dictator to rule the country, Pervez Musharraf, enjoyed largely unprecedented popular support after he overthrew the government of elected Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif in 1999. The grassroots lawyers’ movement that eventually led to him stepping down was buttressed by Benazir Bhutto’s People’s Party and Sharif’s Muslim League — both often accused of continuing a virulent tradition of feudalism and dynasty politics from the days of the British Raj. This election season, however, offers a new kind of politician. The former captain of the national cricket team and renowned celebrity, Imran Khan, devoted himself to philanthropy
and politics after retiring from the sport in 1992. Initially, the sport star’s popularity translated poorly to politics, but in recent years, his support has skyrocketed among Pakistani voters disillusioned with the Pakistan People’s Party government. Charismatic and eloquent, Imran Khan’s appeal on a primal level is hard to deny. After his party, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (literally the “Union for Justice”) organized massively popular political rallies in Karachi and Lahore earlier this year, it became clear that Khan was well on his way to becoming a legitimate contender for Pakistan’s second parliamentary elections after Musharraf’s tenure. Having exchanged the cricket uniform for with a crisp white shalwar kameez and blazer, Khan seems intent on winning the elections. Yet despite his growing popularity among the country’s urban youth, Khan has been as polarizing as he has been inspiring. He was often a target of censure for his glamorous life as a playboy during his cricket days, and the Jewish ancestry of his ex-wife Jemima Khan was a tempting target for anti-Semitic polemicists — suggesting a deeper suspicion of duplicity despite the Islamist tint of his rhetoric. Conversely, the country’s marginalized liberals find his born-again religiosity disconcerting. Tags of “Im the Dim” in the liberal media and criticism of his oversimplification of the Taliban insurgency as an expression of Pashtun nationalism (Khan being a Pashtun himself) further muddle his image. Add to that his frequently anti-American rheto-
ric and his flirtations with the country’s divisive religious parties, and the concern is palpable. Khan also recently added a string of seasoned politicians from what have been the country’s most dominant political parties — the Muslim League (N) and the People’s Party under President Zardari — which led many of his detractors to question the wisdom of recruiting “old wine in new bottles” to a party which claims to stand against the status quo. Although many suggest that the People’s Party’s deep-rooted support in the country’s rural areas may allow it to retain power for another term, or at the very least lead to a coalition government, Khan’s meteoric popularity among the middle class and the youth is inspiring even if it leads to no tangible results. In a country where the military’s popularity has risen in concert with declining faith in civilian governments, it is encouraging to see someone with no political or feudal background gather such immense support. Any hope in the corruption-sweeping revolution that Khan promises may be prematurely optimistic, but the mounting excitement surrounding the coming elections reflects a new faith in democracy among the Pakistani people. Even though Khan’s proposed policies may worry those who may find his naiveté unpalatable, there’s something to be said of the value of unadulterated celebrity in the face of entrenched establishment politics. Raza Shah is a contributing writer. Email him at opinion@nyunews.com.
PUBLIC POLICY
Transforming education through arts and humanities By Omar Khedr For years, the U.S. education system has been paralyzed by an outdated curriculum, increasing high school drop out rates and an increased focus on standardized testing. Despite these hurdles, the public education system has striven to instill the principles of a healthy and conscious democratic society in its students. Martha Nussbaum, a professor of law and ethics at the University of Chicago, highlighted that a good education “can combat stereotypes, giving children a sense of the importance of empathy and reciprocity.” The U.S. education system’s advantage in the past has been its emphasis on developing an entrepreneurial and socially conscious spirit. But the economic crisis currently affecting municipal governments threatens such advantages as state governments reallocate resources away from the arts and humanities. Let there be no doubt: The U.S. education system is shifting resources away from needed programs, and it is redistributing those resources to other fields. In New York City, the largest public education system in the United States and a trendsetter for education reforms, changes can already be seen. In 2011, according to the NYC Art Supplement Funding Report, the median per student spending for the Arts in NYC High Schools was only $123.93, a 34 percent transitional drop from middle school spending in
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2011 of $186.74. This is occurring while elite institutions in developing nations, such as the renowned Indian Institute of Technology, have realized the importance to society and their students that the humanities and the arts can provide. As a result, IIT has begun to introduce arts and humanities courses. Right now, the global economy is experiencing a structural shift with the rise of developing nations and new technological frontiers. As a consequence, our education system in order to prepare future leaders needs to foster a greater awareness of different cultures, national histories and opinions. This can be achieved by promoting the humanities alongside other disciplines such as the sciences and mathematics. Nussbaum has described the spirit of the humanities when combined with other disciplines as fostering “critical thought, daring imagination, empathetic understanding of human experiences of many different kinds and understanding of the complexity of the world we live in.” An area where the humanities can be incorporated more in high schools includes mathematics, physics and economics. High school students upon graduation are expected to have developed a strong understanding of algebra, geometry and calculus. In New York City, an economics course highlighting the basic principles of supply and demand is generally required to graduate.
However, these categories of mathematics and economics, which were developed over centuries by some of the most brilliant minds in the world, are often taught in a degenerated state. Simple course outlines that foster memorization of equations and proofs are outdated and inappropriate for the 21st century. These courses should instead incorporate readings and reflections on the importance of these innovations, how the societies in which they were developed provided the institutions and incentives for these innovations to occur and, importantly, an understanding of the practicality of these innovations today — for example, calculus is used heavily in medical sciences, economic research, architectural design and many other fields. It’s wrong to think that the U.S. education system will change by simply drawing attention to possible reforms. You don’t reform a system by making the public aware; you need to get people involved. With highly ambitious students and a renowned faculty, the NYU community can drive for the humanities in our local high schools by organizing more public lectures, partnering with principals and teachers to designing a new curriculum and allowing New York high school students the opportunity to attend some of our great courses. Omar Khedr is a contributing columnist. Email him at opinion@nyunews.com.
STAFF EDITORIAL
The ‘perfect’ body is construction of the media Russian model Natalia Vodianova recently turned heads not for her looks but for the comments she made during the Vogue Festival in London. Perhaps without the intention to be inflammatory, Vodianova nonetheless caused controversy when she said, “It’s better to be skinny than to be fat.” The problem isn’t that Vodianova’s comment was insensitive but rather that she was right. Body image is a subject that is frequently revisited — but perhaps for the wrong reasons. Although it is a shame that society has created this inflexible, stock concept of what beauty is, the real problem is the repercussions it is having on our generation’s mental health. The consequences of a media-driven obsession with looks has manifested itself in a growing epidemic of eating disorders. The growth of these disorders is symptomatic of a generation under extreme pressure to conform to an idealistic image of beauty. Furthermore, Natalia’s comment echoes the thoughts of many young girls. According to the National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders, 25 percent of college-aged women engage in bingeing or purging as weight-management techniques, and 69 percent of girls in 5th through 12th grade reported that magazine pictures influenced their idea of a “perfect” body shape. This is not just exclusive to women; it also affects how men see themselves and how men see women. If men are also exposed to a certain mediaconstructed stock image of what an idealized female looks like, it shapes their perceptions of what they must measure up to in order to be considered her adequate masculine counterpart. From the Victoria’s Secret fashion show to Miss America, we’re living in a pageant culture that principally exists through superficiality. Outlets like these, along with media campaigns driven by a so-called objective view of beauty, attempt to impose a subjective opinion onto the public. The problem with our society is not that we value thinness but that we judge extremes rather than focusing more explicitly on individual health. Because of this eating disorder epidemic, there have been efforts to bring about a societal paradigm shift. Ad campaigns focusing on inner beauty, such as Dove’s Campaign for Real Beauty, are designed with the aim of teaching girls at a young age that they are perfect the way they are. These approaches have great potential to inspire young people and rearrange their priorities. We should shift our attention to personal health, individual beauty and promoting positive body image. If we continue to concentrate and capitalize on idealized perceptions of beauty, we will only perpetuate these unhealthy habits. Email the WSN Editorial Board at editboard@nyunews.com.
Editorial Board: Olivia Gonzalez (Chair), Atticus Brigham (Co-Chair), Sanchay Jain (Co-Chair), Chris DiNardo, Emily Franklin, Matt Kao, Ben Miller, Peter Murphy and Richard Zhang.
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Washington Square news | tuesday, april 24, 2012 | nyunews.com
SPORTs
edited by daniel hinton sports@nyunews.com
Humber joins elite group with perfect game
Chelsea will have hands full with Barcelona
By Cole Riley While many were watching an instant classic in Boston, something even more special was brewing at Safeco Field in Seattle. One of the more unlikely players in Major League Baseball was about to achieve the greatest single game achievement possible in professional sports — a perfect game. With a bottom-of-the-ninth strikeout of Brendan Ryan, Chicago White Sox pitcher Philip Humber, a 29-year-old journeyman making only his 30th start in the big leagues, faced 27 batters and sent all 27 packing. Humber joins a class that includes Cy Young, Sandy Koufax, Catfish Hunter, Randy Johnson and Roy Halladay — all of whom are current or guaranteed Hall of Famers. Only 21 pitchers have achieved this illustrious feat since pro baseball’s inception in 1871. When looking at single game feats in other professional sports, there’s really no comparison to the trials and tribulations of a perfect game in the MLB. In hockey, hat tricks and shutouts litter stat-lines too often. The one and only Wayne Gretzky has 50 career hat tricks. Meanwhile, New Jersey Devils goalie Martin Brodeur holds the record for shutouts with 119. The same goes for soccer as we witness the greatest player ever, Lionel Messi, rack up four and five goal games like it’s no big deal. The NBA is no different. Their greatest single game
By Sara Levy
COURTESY OF KEITH ALLISON
Chicago White Sox pitcher, Philip Humber, has earned a spot in baseball history after pitching a perfect game. achievement (in arm’s reach, as opposed to 100+ points or a 30-30-30) is a triple-double. We can also consider 50-plus points in a single game. Oscar Robertson, however, averaged a triple double during the 1961-62 season and has tallied 181 over his 14-year career. Wilt Chamberlain, too, has 118 50-plus point games in his career. If you want to raise the stakes, he has 32 60plus point games. Even in baseball, hitting for the cycle or slamming four home runs in a single game still pales to the uninhibited concentration, shear luck, randomness and, well, perfection in a perfect game. In Saturday’s game, Humber tossed 96 pitches to 27 batters — 3.6 per batter — and
struck out nine. No walks, no errors by the defense, not even a hit-batsman. The essence of a perfect game in baseball is unmistakable. It carries the sense of an accomplishment that is unmarred. If Chamberlain didn’t allow an opposing team a shot opportunity, if Brodeur didn’t even allow a shot on goal, if an NFL defense sacked a quarterback on every single play, then we’d be talking. But for now, baseball holds the ultimate achievement. For the rest of history Humber will be a part of baseball’s class of over-achieving perfectionists. Cole Riley is a deputy sports editor. Email him at criley@nyunews.com.
Today is the last chance for semifinal glory in the Champions League for both Chelsea Football Club and FC Barcelona. Currently, Chelsea have the advantage with a one goal lead, albeit at home, which does not count as much as an away goal does. Luckily, Chelsea got away with a clean sheet, meaning Barcelona did not score any goals during last week’s match at Stamford Bridge, Chelsea’s stadium. It will be extremely tough for Chelsea to make it past Barcelona today, as they are playing at the Camp Nou, Barcelona’s stadium. Camp Nou can seat almost 100,000 menacing Catalans in red and blue. Last week in London, Chelsea had one of their strongest defensive showings all season, surrounding every Barcelona player — especially Lionel Messi — whenever they came on attack. Chelsea also had a lot of luck, as many of Barcelona’s shots hit the goalpost. Yet it is to Chelsea’s credit that the score line ended 1-0. Chelsea’s keeper Petr Cech was brilliant. He saved balls that seemed unstoppable, like Carles Puyol’s wicked header to the bottom corner of the goal. It was Chelsea striker Didier Drogba’s goal in extra time during the first half that gave Chelsea the lead for the rest of the match. With an intelligent pass in the box by Ramires after a clear run up the pitch, Drogba cleanly tapped the ball in past Victor Valdes to the obvious frustration of Barcelona but the incredible joy of the men in blue. Nobody expected Chelsea to beat Barcelona last week, just as nobody expects Chelsea to get through this
next game away from home. Chelsea are certainly not the favorite. Any team playing against Barcelona will always be considered the underdog, even Real Madrid, who coincidentally trumped Barcelona this past weekend in an astonishing 2-1 win. Chelsea fans around the world are hoping that a little bit of Barça’s pride has been chipped because of their two consecutive losses. But Barcelona fans trust that their team will do what is necessary to triumph over Chelsea. If Chelsea are a team of world-class players, which indeed they are, than Barcelona are in a class of their own. The names of Lionel Messi, Cesc Fabregas, Xavi Hernandez, Carles Puyol and the rest of the Barcelona squad, from the first team to the bench, are intimidating. Barcelona will have the advantage of being at home with 100,000 supporters to cheer them on. But Chelsea fans have not forgotten the 2008 Champions League semi-final against Barcelona, where five uncalled penalties allowed Barcelona to move on to the final, leaving the city of London fuming. Chelsea are looking for revenge — but not via horrendous refereeing. Chelsea know that their defense will have to be at its highest level and that they have to look to score on breakaways like Ramires’ cleverly scored goal last Wednesday. Defeating Barcelona is no easy feat, and just because it happened last week does not mean it should be taken for granted that it will happen again. Sara Levy is a staff writer. Email her at sports@nyunews.com.
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