WSN093014

NYU’s Daily Student Newspaper

washington square news Vol. 42, No. 69

Tuesday, september 30, 2014

nyunews.com business

Tax-free zones created for startups

By Alex Bazeley Contributing Writer

STAFF PHOTO BY DANIEL COLE

ISIS threatens New York, Paris subways

New York State has named NYU’s three business incubators tax-free zones as part of the START-UP NY program, a business incentive program designed to help startups expand within New York.

The tax-free zones include three incubators operated by the Polytechnic School of Engineering — Varick Street Incubator, the DUMBO Startup Lab and the Urban Future Lab. The goal of START-UP NY is to help local businesses grow, create jobs and attract more business to New York City.

The program aims to connect businesses with colleges and universities around the state that can support their interests. The project grants businesses tax breaks for 10 years while working on location.

Poly dean Katepalli Sreenivasan said the incubators help stimulate the economy. “[START-UP NY] provides tax breaks to those associated with the incubators,”

Two members of the National Guard stand outside a bakery in the PATH station at 34th Street as part of the increased security around Manhattan. incubator continued on PG. 3

STORY ON PAGE 3 arts

‘Selfie’ updates classic story with tech twist

By Sam Tsui Contributing Writer

“Selfie,” created by Emily Kapnek and airing today, is essentially a modern take on the play “Pygmalion.” The show revolves around sales rep Eliza Dooley (Karen Gillan), marketing genius Henry Higgs (John Cho) and their journey to revamp their public images. Eliza is a narcissistic social media star who thinks she has it all, until she humiliates herself on a plane full of her co-workers and realizes that the so-called friends she has on the Internet are nothing but strangers.

Having no one in her life to rely on, she turns to Henry in order to rebrand herself, hoping to become a little more grounded and get her head out of the iCloud. Their new partnership involves Henry dragging Eliza as his plus-one to the wedding of their boss’ kid to try to teach her public manners, but Eliza, being incredibly awkward in social situations, fails miserably.

In this complete reinvention of “Pygmalion,” ABC tries to connect with hip, Twitteraddicted viewers. In theory, it is quite a good storyline. It

Selfie continued on PG. 5

women’s tennis

Tennis duo advances to nationals

By Mike Thompson Contributing Writer

The NYU women’s tennis team wrapped up play at the Intercollegiate Tennis Association Northeast Regional Championships on Sept. 29, making history in the process. The team finally grabbed an ITA Regional Championship, thanks to the work of sophomore Laila El Dessouki and junior Carmen Lai, who won the Regional Doubles title.

After winning their first four contests, only Vassar College stood in the way of history on Monday. The victory did not come easy. The pair looked sharp in the first set, winning handily 6-2. However, foes Ava Sadeghi and Samantha Schap-

iro of Vassar stormed back in the second set with a 6-3 win.

This left one deciding set remaining. The pairs had become familiar with one another by this time. Just one week ago, El Dessouki and Lai competed against the same Vassar opponents at the Vassar Scramble, where Sadeghi and Schapiro squeezed out a 9-7 victory. This week, though, the Violets were determined to avenge their previous defeat. After two breaks and a convincing 6-3 third set, they had done just that.

“My partner Laila and I had very great performances in all of the doubles matches,” Lai said.

“I’m so excited for Nationals and hope to have another great run.”

El Dessouki expressed a similar sentiment, looking forward

to the challenge that lies ahead.

“We are very proud of this week’s results and we are looking forward to compete against the best teams at the National Championships,” she said.

As the season continues, the ladies are set to enjoy the accolades that come with their triumph. Monday’s victory automatically qualifies El Dessouki and Lai for the United States Tennis Association/ITA National Small College Championships.

The tournament, which pits champions of the ITA’s eight regions against each other, will be held from Oct. 9 to 12 in Sumter, South Carolina. In addition, El Dessouki and Lai will be named ITA All-Americans as

tennis continued on PG. 8

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Washington Square news | Tuesday, september 30, 2014 | nyunews.com

on the side

WSN staff

Washington Square News

Student

spotlight

nick kohler

Compiled by the

Editor-in-Chief

nicole brown Managing Editors

emily bell dana reszutek Assistant Managing Editors

casey dalrymple bryna shuman Web Managing Editors

cicek erel kavish harjai lyanne natividad Creative Directors

Julie ciccone olivia martin Copy Chief

Thomas Devlin

senior staff

news JOHN AMBROSIO, VALENTINA

DUQUE BOJANINI features HANNAH TREASURE arts ALEX GREENBERGER sports CHRIS MARCOTRIGIANO multimedia SHAWN PAIK under the arch blog JONATHAN

KESHISHOGLOU global Joey bui social media ARIANA DIVALENTINO senior editors SCOTT MULLEN, VALERIE NELSON, MARINA ZHENG

deputy staff

Nick is a senior in the music business program at the Steinhardt School of Culture, Education and Human Development.

He is minoring in Chinese.

news LARSON BINZER, RAHUL

KRISHNAMOORTHY, MARITA VLACHOU

What was the craziest thing you did this summer?

Photo by Leo Lien

“

o I g ot t Fr a Th e usic . g o to m o t f o t I go o, li t es th e e an I d h h t t i e w or pa rty uch m m n d ed o s r ro u had u s e l e p p eo h er b e. d rat l u p eo p l o e w n i I u t n bu of ge ro u p g a by nd n c e, a

“

spotlight

spotlight

Student

Creative Director, Special Editions

features BAILEY EVANS beauty & style DAVID BOLOGNA violet vision blog GIANNA COLLIER-PITTS dining REBECCA RIDDLE film ISABEL JONES entertainment IFE OLUJOBI music ALEXA SPIELER theater/books NIKOLAS REDA-CASTELAO the highlighter blog MARISSA ELLIOT LITTLE sports TONY CHAU multimedia hannah luu video daniel cole

opinion page opinion editor

CHRISTINA COLEBURN deputy opinion editors

OMAR ETMAN, ADAM FAZLIBEGU, TESS WOOSLEY

advertising business manager

ALISON LIZZIO University and alumni coordinator

claire mahany

Student

sales manager

SNAPSHOT

CORRECTION: In “CAS students work to help homeless in NYC,” published on Sept. 29, WSN misidentified a club as Shower with Hobos. The correct name is Showered with Hope. WSN regrets the error.

today on campus Brazil’s Transitional Justice Policies: Perspectives from a Federal Prosecutor Join prosecutor Marlon Weichart for a discussion on human rights and federal punishment in Brazil. The discussion will be in 295 Lafayette St. from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Maria Kakavoulia: Media Representations of the Greek Crisis Mark Panzarino uses pastels to surround a white silhouette he encourages people to lie down on. The police once arrested Panzarino on charges of vandalism for his work in Union Square, but all charges were dropped.

PHOTO BY sangjun bae

Hear Maria Kakavoulia, visiting scholar of rhetoric and narratology, discuss representations of the Greek crisis in the media in recent years on the eighth floor of 285 Mercer St. from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. today’s events are free for NYU students.

GOT SOMETHING TO SHARE? EMAIL US AT TIPS@NYUNEWS.COM OR TWEET US @NYUNEWS.

ARIANA DIVALENTINO sales representative

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luxi peng, mike grott Graphic DesignerS

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JESSICA TIEN

advising DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS

NANCI HEALY EDITORIAL ADVISER

JIM LUTTRELL EDITORs-AT-LARGE

KRISTINA BOGOS, rachel kaplan, MICHELLE LIM, CLIO MCCONNELL, jordan melendrez, jonathan tan 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 the managing editors at managing@nyunews. com or at 212.998.4302.

nyunews.com | Tuesday, september 30, 2014 | Washington Square news

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NYU Reacts: ISIS security threat

By Christine Park Staff Writer

Over the past weekend, New York City subway stations have been under increased security measures by the New York Police Department and National Guard because of multiple threats made by the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria.

At the U.N. summit last week, Iraqi Prime Minister Haider alAbadi said Iraqi intelligence agents had been informed that ISIS is plotting to attack the New York and Paris Metro systems.

Mayor Bill de Blasio assured residents there are no confirmed threats to New York City or the MTA system, and New Yorkers are safe to commute on subways as usual.

NYPD officers are stationed on trains and around the stations, focusing greatly on the more populated sites, such as the subway station located in Times Square. There were counterterrorism cars deployed at transit hubs, accompanied by detection dogs capable of sniffing out explosives. Some commuters were asked to open their bags at temporary security checkpoints and the police were present in major locations throughout the city.

NYU students have shared their thoughts on these potential threats.

“I’ve definitely noticed an increase in NYPD in every station, but I don’t feel unsafe when I’m riding it. I’ve also taken classes on terrorism in the past where we’ve talked about how vulnerable the subway is so I generally think about the risks of riding the subway whenever I ride it.” — Meredith Korda, Gallatin senior

“I believe that all threats coming from ISIS should be taken very seriously; however, in doing so we shouldn’t unnecessarily and arbitrarily infringe on civil liberties and must meet their threats with a dedicated and focused strategy,” — Ramya Sundaram, CAS junior “I took the metro on Saturday to pick up my boyfriend from the airport and there were police officers at the stations as well as on the trains and, for the first time, I felt very uncomfortable and unsafe in my own country.” — Alyssa Vu, Silver sophomore

“The possibility of New York being attacked definitely scared me a bit. But what bothers me is that the police said that they think that we’re completely safe, because they have no real evidence to back that up. ” — Olivia Wetzell, CAS sophomore

“I’m definitely more aware of my surroundings and alert when I’m on the subway. I still take the subway whenever I need to though.” — Ben Glidden, Steinhardt senior

photo by leo lien

The Jacobs Building houses the DUMBO Startup Lab. Incubator continued from PG. 1

Poly incorporated as part of START-UP NY

staff photos by daniel cole

The National Guard stands watch at Penn Station.

“When you move to NYC, especially after 9/11, you subconsciously or consciously know that there will always be a price that comes with living here. The threat is always imminent, regardless if ISIS claims that there is one or not. But living in fear is pointless, people can threaten our city all they want, our lives will continue to go on like before, and now, as we identify ourselves as New Yorkers, the only thing that may change is our will to protect the place that we consider home,” — Bianca Petcu, Steinhardt junior Email Christine Park at news@nyunews.com

Sreenivasan said. “This status was given to our incubators because they were deemed to be drivers of economy.”

The NYU incubators, which were created in partnership with the New York City Economic Development Corporation, have generated about $250 million in economic impact and have created almost 1,000 jobs.

In an online description of the START-UP NY plan at NYU, they describe the key research areas NYU’s incubators are focused on.

“NYU focuses around three core research interests: health and wellness, information and communications technology, and cities and urban systems,” the online START-UP NY plan said. “We are looking to identify qualifying companies within these areas of research, curating a natural synergy between the companies and the university goals.”

Stern junior and CEO of the website mitley.com Rohit Mittal sees the benefits that START-UP NY’s partnership with NYU will bring, but also warns the benefits will not help all startups.

“Since the demand is higher than the availability in the incubators, not every entrepreneur or venture will receive space to take advantage of the tax incentive,” Mittal said. “On one hand it makes sense because there is limited space so NYU only

wants to house ventures who have developed far along or who they see a valuable future in.”

NYU hopes the partnership will be useful in providing internship opportunities for students and make connections between businesses and the university.

“NYU is focused on the development of our student body and will therefore evaluate if the company will be able to provide experiential learning work internships for our current students, as well as any other possible partnerships that may be possible between the business and NYU,” the online START-UP NY plan said.

In the long term, the plan aims for the relocation of the combined 19,500 feet of tax-free zones to a site currently in development at 370 Jay St. in Downtown Brooklyn, with the move projected for the fall of 2017.

Stern graduate student Tammy Kwan, founder of the startup Cognitive ToyBox, said she is pleased with the positive encouragement that a program like this brings.

“It takes a lot of courage to start your own business. I think any new incentive — financial or otherwise — that encourages NYU students to pursue their ideas is a wonderful thing,” Kwan said.

Email Alex Bazeley at news@nyunews.com.

Study examines interpretation of video evidence

By Nathaly Pesantez Contributing Writer

In a study called “Justice is Not Blind: Visual Attention Exaggerates Effects of Group Identification on Legal Punishment,” researchers at NYU and Yale University found that video evidence in court is subject to biased interpretations depending on where individuals focus their attention when watching the clips.

The study was authored by Yael Granot, Emily Balcetis and Kristin Schneider from the NYU Psychology Department and Yale researcher Tom Tyler. The researchers sought to determine if differences in legal decisions vary or remain constant when considering visual attention and identity.

Schneider, a recent NYU gradu-

ate, conducted part of the study as her undergraduate honors thesis and said her team was interested in why people have varying opinions when viewing pieces of evidence.

“We were interested in trying to understand how and why people can look at the same piece of evidence and come to different and sometimes even opposite conclusions,” Schneider said.

The study, published on Sept.

15, asked 152 participants to view videos of police-civilian altercations in the first experiment. Using eye-tracking technology, researchers measured where participants were looking when watching the video.

The experiment found that individuals who focused more on the police officer gave mild punishments if they sympathized with him, and harsher

punishments if they did not.

Individuals who did not keep their eyes on the officer did not react in the same way.

In the second part of the experiment, researchers randomly assigned the same participants to either focus their attention toward or away from the officer in a different video. The study tested whether or not experimentally manipulated attention had a say in punishment decisions against the officer.

“It is only when participants were experimentally assigned to focus visual attention often on the police officer that people weakly identified with police interpreted his actions as incriminating, and thus punished him more than people strongly identified with police,” the study said.

To determine if the findings

of the previous parts of the experiment could be applied outside law enforcement, a third experiment was introduced.

Researchers asked 103 participants to watch a video of a staged fight between two men and the participants’ memory recall was tested.

“The results of this study suggest that even earlier aspects of information processing are involved; biased punishment decisions are in part the result of differences in accuracy of information recalled about the outgroup target’s actions,” the study said.

The study also raises concerns over the use of video evidence in the law, given the results of the three experiments.

“Our conclusions suggest that true justice may actually need to be ‘blind,’” the study said.

Schneider said the video evidence should not be seen as a negative, however, because the findings deal with vague cases.

“As far as implications go, these results are specific to ambiguous scenes,” Schneider said. “We can’t generalize the results to more one-sided scenarios. It is also very important to note that the results most definitely do not mean that video evidence is bad.”

Gallatin senior Amy Lu said the findings are unexpected, but could be beneficial to America’s legal system.

“I was surprised by the findings, but the study also shows that we have inherent biases that we operate under,” Lu said.

“I think these findings will help us reform the judicial system.”

Email Nathaly Pesantez at news@nyunews.com.

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Washington Square news | Tuesday, September 30, 2014 | nyunews.com

dining

edited by rebecca riddle dining@nyunews.com

Comfort food finds in NYC

By Kendall Levison Contributing Writer

PHOTOS BY LEO LIEN

Gena’s Grill steak sandwhich (left) and Otto’s Tacos tacos (right) are under $7.

Try these seven meals under $7

By Kari Sonde Staff Writer

81 St. Marks Place, 67 Bayard St., 24 W. 45th St., 2675 Broadway.

1) Bakeri

3) Mark

Originating in Williamsburg, this Nordic bakery offers quite a few delicious treats, sandwiches and drinks for under $7. Try their Tomato Jam, Gruyère and Arugula on Focaccia ($6) for a truly inventive bite.

150 Wythe Ave., Williamsburg or 105 Freeman St., Greenpoint

Also located on St. Marks Place, Mark offers hand-ground sliders for as low as $2.75 each. Topped with grilled onions and melted American cheese, the low price means you can sample the different varieties of burger. They even have a tasty veggie slider for only $3.75.

33 St. Mark’s Place.

2) Xi’an Famous Foods Though there are several locations, Xi’an Famous Foods on St. Marks Place is the closest to the NYU campus. This hole-in-thewall offers northwestern Chinese food boasts a deeply ingrained Middle Eastern influence. The restaurant has a disclaimer recommending that customers eat their noodles immediately, lest the hot oil make them soggy on the walk home. Try the Mount Qi Vegetables Hand-Ripped Noodles ($6-$6.75) for a delicious dish of wide biangbiang noodles and vegetables in a spicy sauce, or the Spicy Cumin Lamb Burger ($3.25$3.50) for a tasty, meaty kick in a crispy bun.

4) Pommes Frites At Pommes Frites, you can get a regular cone full of thick-cut Belgian fries for $4.50. Given the enormous number of fries, that might be enough to act as a meal. If not, the large is only $6.25. With a variety of sauces to sample that boast intriguing flavors like Organic Black Truffle Mayo and Curry Ketchup, there is an infinite number of ways to customize the fresh, hot fries.

123 Second Ave.

5) Soho Tiffin Junction Think of Chipotle. Now, think of south Indian food. Combine the two and the result is Soho

Tiffin Junction, found near Cantor Film Center on Eighth Street.

The restaurant offers tiffin dosas, which are essentially south Indian burritos, as well as tiffin bowls and salads. The petite sizes of the dishes range from $4.17 to $5.38, depending on your choice of protein, and are filling as well as vegetarian-friendly.

42 E. Eighth St.

6) Gena’s Grill This tiny diner hosts Dominican fare for a low price. Get a filling, cheap Steak & Onion Sandwich for $5.50 or a Cuban sandwich for the same price.

210 First Ave.

7) Otto’s Tacos Otto’s Tacos is home to LA-inspired tacos. One of these mini tacos will only cost you $3 to $3.50, so you can, and should, get two.

The chicken tacos are delicious, with small chunks of wonderfully spiced juicy chicken in their homemade tortilla shells. They also deliver.

141 Second Ave. Email Kari Sonde at dining@nyunews.com.

As fun as it is to try the coolest new restaurant, sometimes you just want food that reminds you of home. Luckily, there are a growing number of places in New York that specialize in comfort food.

It does not get much more oldschool than a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, and that is the specialty at Peanut Butter & Co. (240 Sullivan St.). If you are looking for a true throwback, order the Lunchbox Special ($5.75), a classic, no-frills PB&J. Admittedly, you could make this sandwich in your dorm room and save a few bucks, but there is something great about having someone else do it for you.

They will even cut the crusts off if you ask, and all sandwiches are served with a side of carrot sticks and potato chips, just like mom used to make. For those who want their nostalgia with a side of innovation, try something off the Gourmet Sandwiches menu, like the 9 Bites ($8). Start by choosing three flavors of the shop’s homemade peanut butter, and then three different toppings, such as apple butter, marshmallow fluff or Nutella, to create a sandwich with nine distinct flavor combinations.

The final product is a pretty messy mash-up, but it is a unique take on an old favorite.

Potatopia (378 Sixth Ave.) might not look very comforting from the outside, as the exterior is sleek and modern. Inside, however, it is a carb-lover’s paradise with a menu that lets you create your own meal and is completely focused on potatoes. Choose your style — baked, mashed, shoestring, sweet — and

PHOTO BY SANGJUN BAE

A customer cuts into a PB&J at Peanut Butter & Co. then add toppings that range from classic, such as bacon and sour cream, to innovative, like arugula and truffle aioli. Another option is to leave it to the potato experts by ordering one of Potatopia’s Signature Meals. The Lower East Sider ($6.75) features perfectly crisp tater tots topped with lox, scallions and sour cream for a surprising twist on a New York brunch classic. If you prefer your potatoes cheesy, try the Smashed Hit ($6.75) — smashed potatoes tossed in a house-seasoning blend then topped with melted cheddar and asiago cheeses, then served with a not-too-spicy Chipotle Aioli.

S’Mac (345 E. 12th St.) has macaroni and cheese covered, and no discussion about comfort food is complete without the signature dish. S’Mac has over a dozen versions of mac ‘n’ cheese. For the purists, their All-American flavor, made with a blend of American and cheddar cheese, topped with breadcrumbs and served in a cast iron skillet, might be the ultimate nostalgic food experience ($5.75).

If you are willing to branch out from the traditional, S’Mac offers more creative options that are well worth a try. The Parisienne ($7.75), which includes Brie cheese, roasted figs, shiitake mushrooms and rosemary, feels like it belongs at a much fancier restaurant with a much higher price tag.

Email Kendall Levison at dining@nyunews.com.

Brazilian cuisine, discounts offered at cafe

By Kari Sonde Staff Writer

PHOTOS BY MATT D GOLDMAN

Brazilia Cafe is packed at its launch party on Sept. 23 (top).

With its modern design and affordable prices, Brazilia Cafe offers students Brazilian-inspired fare that is just a short walk away from campus.

The cafe, which opened in May, has an extensive menu boasting excellent salads, soups, smoothies, baked goods and freshly squeezed juice at reasonable prices. With its beautiful décor, created by the same company that designed the euro chic look of Eataly, the space is bright, open and inviting. Brazilia Cafe also offers 15 percent off with an NYUCard and takes Campus Cash. It is located on Broadway and Great Jones Street.

The cafe has a small seating area for those looking for a quick bite

from the cafe side, and a sit-down area with a different menu for a more leisurely meal.

The items on their cafe menu are well-executed. Their twist on a classic chicken avocado sandwich is a Chicken Avocado Salad BLT on a pretzel roll ($10.95). Their smoothies taste great, are less expensive than those at Liquiteria at just $6.95 each and include interesting flavors like the Brazilia, a combination of banana, mango, kale, acai and apple cider.

The coffee, which is imported directly from the owner’s farm in Brazil, is smooth, strong and delicious. Depending on the drink, coffee ranges from House Drip Coffee at $2.75 to an Affogato al Cafe — the owner’s favorite — at $4.50.

Brazilia Cafe offers great quality gelato for those looking to indulge,

with flavors ranging from the classic Madagascar Vanilla to the adventurous Pineapple Cilantro, as well as dairy-free gelato and sorbet options.

Jonathan Buckingham, 29, is the head chef at Brazilia, and helped design the current menu.

“It’s not just standard cafe food,” Buckingham said.

However, some wonder where the Brazilian influence can be found on the menu.

LS sophomore Tina Paglioli, who is from Brazil, was disappointed with some of the options.

“They’re on point with the acai bowls, but I don’t understand why empanadas are on the menu,” Paglioli said.

Buckingham mentioned that he has plans to rectify some of the menu options.

“We’re looking to reflect the

region in which the coffee’s from,” Buckingham said. “It’s a very different combination of flavors and styles of cooking.”

Buckingham’s favorite item on the menu — the Guava Braised Pulled Pork ($14.95) — aims to do just that by adding Brazilian fruit flavors to the braising liquid.

Though every item on the menu might not be Brazilian, the cafe still offers a great selection of food. The freshness of the baked goods, which are made in-house, coupled with the extremely highquality ingredients makes the finished products truly delightful.

“It’s good, it’s just not Brazilian,” Paglioli said as she bit into an empanada.

Email Kari Sonde at dining@nyunews.com.

nyunews.com | Tuesday, September 30, 2014 | Washington Square news

5

arts

edited by alex greenberger arts@nyunews.com

Lily Allen returns with NYC show

By Perdi Higgs Contributing Writer

Following a brief absence from the music scene, Lily Allen has catapulted herself back onto the pop charts. No longer the seemingly carefree and precocious young adult, Allen has settled down — she is married and has two children. Allen, however, is still the same unabashedly crude and playful pop star that her fans know and love, and her U.S. headline tour brought a colorful explosion of expletives and catchy choruses.

The stage at Allen’s Sept. 25 performance in Terminal 5 was lined with rows of oversized baby bottles, a nod to Allen’s new role as a mother. But Allen, known for subverting expectations, surprised the audience when the bottles lit up in neon colors and pulsed to the beat of the music.

With her rainbow-colored hair, she opened with “Sheezus,” the title track from her recent album. The name of the song, a play on Kanye West’s “Yeezus” was seen by many as a not-sosubtle jibe at the controversial rapper. Addressing the reference further, Allen sampled West’s “New Slaves” when transitioning between songs, which mixed well with the more electronic vibe of Allen’s new album and proved Allen’s album name

is more playful than hostile.

Always one for theatrics, Allen stripped down to sequined hot pants early in the show. She stayed true to the in-your-face style of her earlier musical career while performing older tracks, such as

via flickr.com

Lily Allen’s latest tour combines pop music with shock humor.

“Smile” and “Littlest Things.”

Not long into the show, however, the audience saw the newer face of Allen, as the show began to focus more on her most recent re-

leases. The tracks from her latest album, like “As Long As I’ve Got You” and “Life For Me,” gave some insight into Allen’s personal life.

Her message was one of brutal honesty — her life as a wife and mother is anything but perfect.

Embracing the unconventional throughout her set and taking a detour from her own repertoire, Allen performed a number of covers of current R&B hits, including Jhené Aiko’s “The Worst” and Ty Dolla $ign’s “Or Nah.” Throughout these covers, Allen kept her London accent and her voice was best on display in the slightly more stripped-down tracks.

Always notoriously outspoken, Allen did not shy away from a little political commentary. Dedicating the scathing track “URL Badman” to those who leak celebrity nude photos online and “F*** You” to the disingenuous who attended last week’s People’s Climate March for nothing but the attention, Allen’s performance proved at times to be a provocation more than anything else.

Although her onstage speeches may have seemed to be cries for attention, her fans did not seem to care. Allen’s performance showed a new side of her life and, based on the enthusiastic crowd, her fans enjoyed hearing about it.

Email Perdi Higgs at arts@nyunews.com.

SELFIE continued from PG. 1

ABC pilot lacks depth

relates to young people today in addition to teaching a good moral about the importance of connecting to the real world and the people around you.

It also encourages viewers to step out of their comfort zone instead of being glued to their phones all day, cowering behind conventionality.

However, the actual plot of the show seems a bit daft. To have a show centered on an instafamous, overconfident woman trying to learn how to function like a human feels like too thin of a premise for an entire series.

Though some parts of the pilot were funny, it is hard to imagine this show going very far.

There is not much substance to play with without straying away from the main storyline and losing the essence of the show.

That being said, pilots of most comedy television series usually are not the strongest, and it would be hard to pass judgment before watching the

via facebook.com

John Cho and Karen Gillan star as Henry Higgs and Eliza Dooley.

first few episodes at least.

The show does have its good moments, eliciting laughs from the way the characters relate to each other — Eliza’s relationships with her “annoying” nerdy hipster co-worker Bryn, her wonderfully warm office secretary Charmonique and, of course, stuffy marketing guru Henry all have a humorous chemistry.

There lies a kind of absurd comedy in trying to watch

Eliza step out of her social media ways of stalking Facebook and taking selfies and into the normal world to try to develop real relationships.

While social media fanatics who enjoy total makeovers, will not be able to wait for the following episodes, others may find “Selfie” too vapid and thin of plot.

Email Sam Tsui at entertainment@nyunews.com.

VIA FACEBOOK.COM

Adam LeFevre and Kathy Rossetter (left) play Mr. and Mrs. Landing in the play.

Play brings strong characters, emotion

By Nikolas Reda-Castelao Theater/Books Editor

“Mr. Landing Takes a Fall” is a strange dark comedy that owes a lot to Edward Albee’s “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf ?” At times, the influence is so obvious that it feels like a knockoff.

Yet, despite wearing its inspirations on its sleeve, “Mr. Landing” is still worth the viewing.

Written by Sari Caine and starring Adam LeFevre and Kathy Rossetter, “Mr. Landing Takes a Fall” depicts an old married couple, forever lost in their regrets, and the mind games they play on troubled young newlyweds when they put their house up for sale.

The play starts off lighthearted in tone and absurd in humor, with the absentminded and bizarre banter of Mr. and Mrs. Landing. The wife, elegant and charming, dusts the air while her portly husband sits unashamed in his boxers and garters, both divine and in delusion. The actors are completely in sync with the whimsical nature of the material and play it to great effect. Then they meet the newlywed couple, Cynthia (Sari Caine) and Michael (David Rigo), when Mrs. Landing reveals to Mr. Landing that she put the house up for sale. From there, the play takes a dark turn.

Delusion is quickly unmasked.

The broken lives of Mr. and Mrs. Landing are revealed, and their marriage begins to unravel in front of the audience’s eyes. All of this is contrasted with the lives of the newlyweds, who ap-

pear at once very different and yet, upon closer examination, all too similar to the Landings.

As gripping as the play is, the actual logistics of the backstories get lost in their complexity, and some of the jokes fall flat.

One running joke about ejaculation continues for a few minutes, a length far too long for the joke to remain funny. Ultimately, the show too closely relates to Albee’s “Woolf” in design, stage cues, trauma and character. The enjoyment and immersion was dampened by the feeling that it was too reminiscent of a show many viewers, especially the refined art crowd at The Flea, have already seen. “Mr. Landing” does have its own merits — the actors and the writing shine, especially in comparison to the strange, minimalist set design. But, for the most part, “Mr. Landing” perhaps feels underwhelming in comparison to Albee’s superior classic.

It is fascinating to see how quickly the audience becomes uncomfortable as Mr. Landing endlessly makes light of his alcoholism and his wife’s promiscuity, and how Mrs. Landing shamelessly grovels for even an ounce of affection. Viewers will believe it all and their hearts will sink as the Landings reveal themselves to be increasingly indecent people. The play and the characters unearth chillingly naked emotions.

“Mr. Landing Takes a Fall” runs through Oct. 4 at the Flea Theater, 41 White St. in Manhattan.

Email Nikolas Reda-Castelao at nredacastelao@nyunews.com.

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The new york times crossword & daily sudoku Crossword ACROSS 1 Light bender 6 Hole to be dug out of?

10 Robbers’ take 14 In verse, “His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!”

15 Vicinity 16 Mean sort 17 “It was ___ and stormy night …”

18 *Traveler on the Silk Road 20 Flora seen around Lent 22 “Watch your ___, young man!”

23 *Eggnog relative 26 Wing it 30 Anglers after morays 31 “O.K., have it your way” 32 Vietnamese holiday 35 ___ extra cost

36 Thing seen on a lab slide 38 70 yards square, approximately 40 “Hmm, can’t remember” 41 Department store founder James Cash ___ 42 Height: Prefix 43 Correctional workers, for short?

44 Comment immediately following a stage cue 45 What rain and paper towels may come in 47 Billy Ray or Miley 49 *Lover of Kermit 53 Cut with a ray 55 Novelist ___ de Balzac 56 *Edison lab site 61 International powerhouse in cricket 62 Window part

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63 Canadian Plains tribe 64 Eggheaded sorts 65 Like patent infringers, often 66 Part of P.G.A.: Abbr.

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8 Playoff spots 9 ___ Bell 10 Desired 11 In times past 12 Clickable address, briefly 13 Guitarist Kottke 19 Bon Jovi’s “Livin’ ___ Prayer” 21 Torrid 24 50th state’s state bird 25 ___-Magnon 27 For whom a vassal worked 28 Sleeping, say 29 Local politics and high school sports, for news reporters 32 Item under discussion 33 Foe 34 Kind of sax 36 Over again

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37 *It’s not worth arguing 39 Legally voided 40 Treats for swelling, as a joint 42 Tuna type, on menus 45 Slings mud at 46 One making a confession

48 ___ Paulo 50 Stop producing water, as a well

56 AWOL chasers … or a hint to the answers to the six starred clues

51 Crossword needs

57 Perrier, par exemple

52 Baker’s supply

58 Little Rock-toChicago dir.

54 Pet care specialists, for short

59 Hi-___ monitor 60 Kesey or Follett

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nyunews.com | Tuesday, September 30, 2014 | Washington Square news

opinion

edited by CHRISTINA COLEBURN opinion@nyunews.com

national politics

Political dynasties will lead until voted out

By Johnpaul Baratta Contributing Columnist

It seems Americans know what is right, but ignore it when voting. Instead of circulating new faces with fresh ideas through Congress, citizens continue to reelect incumbents with political fathers. In a recent interview with Politico, Florida candidate for House of Representatives Gwen Graham touted her centrist ideals: “We need to figure out a way to come down more in the middle, to get things done again.” Southern Democrats have been eager to champion Graham’s campaign, as well as the promising efforts of Georgia senatorial candidate Michelle Nunn.

Incidentally, Graham and Nunn are both daughters of former senators from their respective states. Senators Mary Landrieu, Mark Begich and Mark Pryor face tough reelections this fall as well, but all three are also bolstered by political legacy.

All five candidates may lose this fall, but their elite membership in powerful political dynasties has been incredibly beneficial in getting them this far. With dissatisfaction for incumbents and Washington politics at an all-time high, it is shocking that voters continue to elect family members of old-school politicians.

Despite intense frustration with Washington, the obsession with political dynasties — all of which have governed less than perfectly — rages on. The media’s obsessive interest in Chelsea Clinton and every aspect of her recent pregnancy, though her daughter has little effect on the current political climate, is proof that we have not yet tired of the dynasty.

The same American public which gave Congress a 14 percent approval rating is now poised to send 90 percent of that same body back to Washington this November. Yes, gerrymandering in redistricting provides some explanation for the low turnover rate each election.

The high rate of dissatisfaction with leaders of partisan districts should easily lead to primary challenges, yet only four incumbents were defeated in their primaries this year.

These reelections, and likely dynastic 2016 prospects, are startling given the public’s documented exas-

peration with congressional incumbents. Seventy percent of the country disapproves of congressional Republicans, while 61 percent disapprove of congressional Democrats.

Still, political forecasters agree that all 435 congressional districts will elect a Republican or Democrat in the fall. The only independents with a chance of success this November are running in two-way contests as de facto Democrats.

Former First Lady Barbara Bush turned heads when, in a recent interview, she said, “There are more than two or three families that should run for high office in America.” While 69 percent of Americans agreed with this condemnation of political dynasties, candidates with the last names Clinton and Bush remain the front-runners to become the next president.

Stop encouraging political dynasties. If frustrated with the two political parties, vote for a third one. Instead of complaining about Congress, vote for a new congressman. The solution to our dissatisfaction with the direction our country is headed and seemingly endless gridlock is simple: stop reelecting the same damn people.

Email Johnpaul Baratta at opinion@nyunews.com.

city policy

Discounts benefit low-income New Yorkers

By Zahra Haque Contributing Columnist

Mayor Bill de Blasio announced on Sept. 18 that the municipal identification cards set to be issued starting in 2015 will come with discounted or free admission to 33 cultural institutions throughout the city. These institutions include the Lincoln Center, the Bronx Zoo and the American Museum of Natural History. While all New Yorkers are eligible to apply, the cards are intended for undocumented immigrants seeking valid identification. The cards will grant immigrant families a chance to engage in cultural experiences they otherwise would not have considered or been able to afford.

Poverty has a profound impact on cultural participation. The opportunities offered by these cards will promote an interest in education and the arts — something often absent from communities where the basic need to survive may override intellectual or creative pursuits. For low-income immigrants, admission fees and ticket prices can prove too great a financial

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burden. A lack of cultural education results in a lack of faith in one’s intellect, discouraging involvement in traditionally intellectual activities.

Institutions such as museums are often associated with wealthy elites who have the leisure time to enjoy them. People from low-income backgrounds may feel a lack of belonging at the Metropolitan Museum of Art or the New York City Ballet. Even at museums with only a recommended admission price, the expectation to pay the full price can be intimidating.

These social barriers paint a motif of exclusivity and privilege within institutions intending to be democratic.

Everyone should be able to reap the benefits of participation in cultural activities, and not only for the purpose

of cultivating a socially conscious public. Inclusion can, for instance, lead to improved mental health and higher life satisfaction.

When the nation seems more concerned with maximizing economic returns than anything else, de Blasio should be lauded for his devotion to the less quantifiable pursuit of cultural capital. New York is brimming with culture — many of the discounted institutions are internationally renowned.

Making these highly esteemed establishments more accessible makes the dialogue surrounding them truly democratic. The ID cards indicate to undocumented immigrants and poor New Yorkers that their opinions matter. Their presence and views are valuable additions to the city’s dialogue.

De Blasio’s ID card initiative is a move toward curtailing the racial and class segregation that is so pronounced in New York City. It is an affirmation that his administration’s mission to reduce inequality transcends mere rhetoric.

Email Zahra Haque at opinion@nyunews.com.

staff editorial

New Yorkers fear of ISIS misguided

The Islamic State in Iraq and Syria is spreading fear across the world. ISIS’ impact is especially strong in global centers.

The possibility of an attack in New York has shaken some NYU students, who have fear rooted in historical precedent.

In several NYU Secrets posted on Sept. 27, students revealed concern. “I don’t know how to feel safe here anymore and I don’t know how to protect myself,” read secret #7169. In secrets #7172 and #7167, two Muslim students expressed fear of ISIS and the Islamophobia that would follow an attack. While fear over the social consequences of a terrorist strike are warranted, especially given the negative attitudes and hate crimes against Muslims in the aftermath of 9/11, the actual potential of an attack is still low. Commenters blamed the media for hyping up the danger. But NYU students, and New Yorkers as a whole, need not panic over baseless threats.

During a press conference last Thursday, Mayor Bill de Blasio assured New Yorkers that they will be safe on the streets and the subway. The New York Police Department is putting considerable effort into protecting New Yorkers by placing more police patrols on the streets. Security checkpoints at subway entrances, where NYPD officers randomly check bags, are among the increased security measures. The plan to strengthen overall safety was implemented immediately after de Blasio’s remarks. At Derek Jeter’s final home game that same night, the NYPD placed hundreds of additional cops with dogs to sniff out explosives around the stadium — an encouraging start.

De Blasio took to Twitter on Thursday to assert New York’s security, tweeting: “We are convinced that New Yorkers are safe. We are convinced that people should go about their normal routine.” Other New York City officials reaffirmed the mayor’s confidence. NYPD commissioner Bill Bratton said: “We do not have any confirmed threat directed against New York City or its subway system.” So long as authorities are right that there is specific threat, there is no reason for NYU students to behave differently. New Yorkers, known for their temerity, are more resilient than ever.

Though most local sources discount the possibility of an imminent ISIS attack, it should be comforting to NYU students that extra precautions are being taken nonetheless.

De Blasio’s Thursday address was confidently given at the 14th Street-Union Square Station. During his speech, the mayor reminded residents that panic, though understandable, benefits no one. “Terrorists want us to live in fear. We refuse to live in fear.”

Email the WSN Editorial Board at editboard@nyunews.com.

EDITORIAL BOARD: Christina Coleburn (Chair), Omar Etman (Co-chair), Adam Fazlibegu (Co-chair), Tess Woosley (Co-chair) illustration by jourdan enriquez

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, September 30, 2014 | Washington Square news

sports

edited by CHRIS MARCOTRIGIANO SPORTS@nyunews.com

women’s soccer

Violets win 2-0, continue streak

By Kyle Luther Contributing Writer

The NYU women’s soccer team defeated the SUNY-Farmingdale Rams 2-0 on Sept. 29 at Gaelic Park in the Bronx. The Violets’ relentless attack proved too much for the Rams to handle and NYU improved its record to 6-3 with an impressive win.

Farmingdale is one of the stronger teams that the Violets have faced this season, and it appeared the gameplan was to go on the offensive early. The Violets began the game with a flurry of shots by sophomore midfielders Julie Glover and Lexi Clarke, but they were all blocked, while junior forward Melissa Menta’s first shot just missed.

The Violets had a 9-2 shot advantage in the first half, but could not break through. Sophomore goalkeeper Cassie Steinberg was able to make a great save in the 22nd minute of the game and keep the game scoreless. Although the Violets committed more fouls in the first half than their opponents, they maintained a majority of the possession.

The Rams goalkeeper Breanna Blair saved two shots before halftime, and the game remained a stalemate at the break.

The Violets finally broke through

via gonyuathletics.com

Forward Cami Crawford looks down the field. with a goal by senior forward Cami Crawford in the 48th minute on a deflection and assist by Menta.

It was Crawford’s fourth goal of the season, which leads the team.

The Violets continued their attack with shots by sophomore defender Mimi Tran, who was blocked, and freshman midfielder Stephanie Ho, whose shot sailed wide right.

The Violets’ offensive flow kept the Rams off balance for most of the game, and they were never able to generate any kind of comeback.

“We were able to win a majority

of the 50-50 balls in the midfield, allowing us to possess the ball and play the ball forward,” Ho said. “We held the shutout because our defensive shape was really strong and everyone played their role well in pressuring and winning the ball.”

The Violet defense remained steadfast throughout the game, holding the Rams to only one shot on goal in the entire first half.

Steinberg was able to handle another Rams shot on goal and preserved the lead in the 73rd minute.

In the 84th minute, the Violets were able to tack on another goal when freshman midfielder Amy Elgin scored her first of the season with another assist from Menta.

This essentially sealed the game for the Violets, putting the game too far out of reach for the Rams in the final minutes of the game.

After tonight’s win, the Violets look to extend their winning streak to four on Saturday, Oct. 4 at home against the University of Rochester, which has a record of 4-2. That day is also the Violet Nation Giveaway for anyone interested in supporting the men’s and women’s soccer teams and getting free merchandise.

Email Kyle Luther at sports@nyunews.com.

MLS falls short to Premier League

By Nikki Foreman Contributing Writer

Barclays Premier League, one of the most popular leagues in the world, was formed in 1992, only one year prior to North America’s own Major League Soccer. However, there is a stark difference between the respect given to the Premier League and the MLS. Those who grew up watching English soccer leagues scoff at the American game and complain about it being dull by comparison. On the other end of the spectrum, many have fallen in love with homegrown U.S. teams, as superfans of every franchise have formed over the last two decades. But, the fans cannot make the league legitimate. The MLS has grown by leaps and bounds since its formation, from 10 original teams to 19, plus two more to be added next season, but that hardly proves its legitimacy.

Superstar David Beckham moved to the MLS as his career wound down in Europe. He had also played for England’s national team in the biggest soccer competitions in the world, such as the FIFA World Cup and the Olympics, and chose to take his talents over to his new home in the United States. The problem with this move is that it is unclear whether it is a sign of respect or the exact opposite. It is an important

TENNIS continued from PG. 1

via gonyuathletics.com

Laila El Dessouki and Carmen Lai will advance to Nationals.

El Dessouki, Lai make NYU tennis history

a result of their victory.

In other tournament action, juniors Madeline King and Alison Wang both made it to the singles round of 16. King has not lost a singles match so far this season.

The Lady Violets’ October schedule is busy, with the New York State DIII Championships taking place in Ithaca just one day after El Dessouki and Lai compete in South Carolina.

These competitions will mark the end of the fall season and the Violets will not take the court again until Feb. 28 in Swarthmore, Pennsylvania.

In the last three days, the NYU women’s tennis team has been a key player in contributing to the overall success of NYU Athletics.

Email Mike Thompson at sports@nyunews.com.

Stay up-to-date with our new Washington Square News app.

via facebook.com

Thierry Henry made the move from Europe to MLS. step to have such a well-known and talented player in the league, but what does it say that he only moved over once he started to decline?

Following Beckham’s lead, international soccer stars Ricardo Kaká and Frank Lampard are set to enter the Major League soon on the Orlando City Soccer Club and New York City Football Club, respectively. Again, this could be seen as a sign of growth for the league, or a new reputation as the league where the best go to end their careers. Many MLS fans are excited for the league’s growth and to have famous players on their home teams, but the aforementioned pattern has not gone unnoticed. There are a

few national stars that chose to stay with the MLS, such as Kyle Beckerman and Graham Zusi, but plenty more have made the decision to cross over, including DeAndre Yedlin, who is finishing his 2014 season with MLS, even though an official transfer has been agreed upon with Tottenham, an English club.

It is hoped that more and more homegrown talent will choose to stay and compete in the United States, but this has yet to gain ground as a viable career path for players. Until it does, the MLS will pale in comparison to its European counterparts.

Email Nikki Foreman at sports@nyunews.com.

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