NYU’s Daily Student Newspaper
washington square news Vol. 40, No. 37
TUESday, NOVEMBER 13, 2012
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Study: incentivizing students with cash
Religious services begin at GCASL
By Tanay Hudson
After a two-year study, Steinhardt professors and their colleagues from Manpower Demonstration Research Corporation found that monetary incentives changed how low-income teenagers in New York City spent their time. In 2007, New York City’s Center for Economic Opportunity and the Mayor’s Office designed a conditional cash transfer program called the Opportunity New York City Family Rewards in an effort to reduce poverty among low-income families. Conditional cash transfer programs provided low-income families with monetary incentives and encouraged them to invest in their health, education and economic potential. The pilot program lasted from 2007 to 2010. The MDRC found that the Family Rewards program changed how
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By Emily Bell
Alex Paston for WSN
Frontman Nate Ruess delivers fun. night for pop fans at Irving Plaza Not even a hurricane could prevent fun. from performing to a packed crowd. The band led its fans in singalongs to hits like “We Are Young” and “Some Nights,” as well as deeper cuts like “One Foot.”
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Chocolate show pulls through despite Sandy By Margaret Weinberg
This past weekend, some of the chocolate world’s best and brightest gathered at the Metropolitan Pavilion to celebrate the New York Chocolate Show’s 15th year. There was something for everyone at this expo-style event; one could walk down the aisles of chocolate manufacturers, sampling anything from Pacari Chocolate’s chocolate covered golden berries to Buzz’s Fudge’s Red Wine spiked fudge. Experts of the field showed audience members the tricks of the trade at culinary demonstrations scattered throughout the weekend. One attendee of the show, Carol Lindia, age 66, said the
demonstrations were her favorite part of the show. “I’ve made candy before, but I never knew all the little intricacies before this,” Lindia said. Attendees viewed in awe at chocolate spectacles galore. On one side of the room, Paul Joachim, of artedibles.com, worked on life-sized chocolate models. In another corner, spectators ogled a dress adorned in delicate chocolate leaves and vines, designed by Michelle Tampakis of the Institute of Culinary Education. The show also featured book signings sponsored by Barnes & Noble, which included names such as food historian Francine
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Starting this Wednesday, NYU’s Catholic Center will hold open religious services every other week for rest of the semester. The Catholic Center is housed within NYU’s new Global Center for Academic and Spiritual Life that opened earlier this year. The evening services will be hosted by the Episcopal campus ministry, Canterbury Downtown, but will be open to all NYU students. “It’s an open invitation to all who wish to gather a candlelit service of song, silence and prayers,” said the Rev. Mary Catherine Young. “It’s done in an Anglican tradition. It’s really beautiful, prayerful and meditative.” The organizers said they are expecting about 15 to 20 students. The singing will be led by members of a student choir, and Young will lead the spoken portions. The student choir present at the services will be comprised
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Soundgarden roars back with new LP By Joshua Johnson
Since their breakup in 1997, the rock titans of Soundgarden have, for the most part, stayed out of the public eye. Lead singer Chris Cornell launched a solo career, and the rest of the members quietly went their separate ways, making the band an artifact of the legendary Seattle grunge era. It wasn’t until 2010 that reunion talks became serious, and now, two years later, the world has a new Soundgarden album, “King Animal. Soundgarden fans’ biggest fear was that the album would sound like a half-baked, inconsequential cash-grab. Luckily, those fears can be discarded. “King Animal” is a spirited, fully realized record that is much better than anyone could have reasonably expected.
“King Animal” begins with “Been Away Too Long,” which is a perfect opening track. Not only does it reintroduce the listener to the sorely missed guitar of Kim Thayil, but the chorus, in which Cornell sings triumphantly “I’ve been away for too long,” should definitely elicit a “hell yeah” or two. While his voice certainly is not what it used to be, Cornell’s signature growl is on full display. Tracks like the forceful “Crooked Steps” and the eerie closer “Rowing” demonstrate why he belongs on the Mount Rushmore of rock singers. While it is a pleasant surprise that Cornell’s voice is at even 75 percent capacity after all these years, the real MVP of “King Animal” is Thayil. The art of the guitar riff is going the way of the dodo, but Thayil wields his instrument like a finely
via wikipedia.org
honed weapon — with elegant viciousness. Take album highlight “Bones of Birds,” which sounds like a long-lost “Superunknown” track. Thayil uses all the tools in his arsenal, combining elements of “Black Hole
SOUNDGARDEN continued on PG. 5
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Washington Square news | TUEsDAy, november 13, 2012 | nyunews.com
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Compiled by the
WSN staff
Washington Square News Editor-in-Chief AMANDA RANDONE Managing Editor
JAEWON KANG Web Managing Editor
Amy Zhang
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STAFF
Recommendations 1. John Steinbeck’s “East of Eden” is well worth its dense 600 pages. In a retelling of the Cain and Abel story, the book follows two American families through several generations to propose an important question: is a man’s nature dictated by his ancestors? — Leora Rosenberg 1
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3. Having recently wrapped up season two, “Alphas” continues to be one of the most consistently entertaining genre shows on TV. Striking a good balance between episodic and thematic storytelling, the show’s creative spin on superpowers and crime procedurals makes it easy to convince your friends it is more than an “X-Men” clone. Be prepared for heart-pounding moments toward the end of the season. — Catherine Tan
2. Located in the heart of Man-
hattan, Laut is a trendy Malaysian restaurant a few blocks from Union Square. Offering dishes such as Mee Goreng and Chow Guay Teow, the restaurant is as authentic as an ethnic restaurant can be in New York. With delicious foods and reasonable prices, Laut is the go-to place for your Southeast Asian cravings. — Bob Teoh
Deputy Managing Editor
Emily Yang Assistant Managing Editors
Hanqing Chen DANIEL HINTON Creative Director
4. At only 18 episodes,
“Freaks and Geeks” is an easy watch and can be found on Netflix Instant. The show, which takes place at a high school in the 1980s, is based on a simple concept and is relatable and fun. It features several stars before they became famous, like James Franco, Linda Cardellini, Lizzy Caplan, Seth Rogen and Jason Segel. The show was produced by Judd Apatow, and it is interesting to see his work before he became the Hollywood giant known for films like “Knocked Up” and “The 40-Year-Old Virgin.” — Gus Constantellis
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MERYLL PREPOSI senior staff
university Gentry Brown city/state Tony Chau arts Stefan Melnyk features Nicola Pring multimedia James Kelleher copy Jordan Melendrez senior editors Hannah Borenstein,
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NIcole Brown books/theater Clio McConnell film Jeremy Grossman entertainment SamAntha Rullo music Joshua Johnson features Katya Barannik beauty & style Hilary Presley dining Lavya Yalamanchi special issues ESHA RAY sports Mary Jane Dumankaya, SarA LEVY, Sebastien Van Heyningen multimedia Gloria Lee, Jonathan Tan foreign correspondent
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TODAY
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1 to 2 p.m. 1 Washington Square North
4 p.m. The New York City Rescue Mission | 90 Lafayette Street
opinion page opinion editor
Noon to 1:30 p.m. Kimball Hall, third floor | 246 Greene St.
Humanities & Social Sciences Speaker Series
Rutgers University professor Steven Diner will be speaking about urban universities in 20th century America.
Responding to Disasters and Self-Care: Understanding Vicarious Trauma Members of the Silver School of Social Work will gather to discuss the impact of Hurricane Sandy and how the school can be of help during this difficult time. They will also discuss self-care and vicarious trauma.
Meal Service at the Rescue Mission of New York City
Volunteers are needed to help the Rescue Mission of New York City in their kitchen, dining room and mail room as they provide food, shelter and clothing to those in need after the hurricane. RSVP at the Hurricane Sandy page on NYU’s website.
CHRIS DINARDO deputy opinion editor
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ON THE WIRE
Mitt Romney style, on the face
Of the many Mitt Romney supporters disappointed by the Republican candidate’s loss in the presidential election, professional wrestler Eric Hartsburg has a unique reason to be upset. In an unusual publicity stunt, Hartsburg auctioned off his face on eBay and eventually accepted a $5,000 bid to get a tattoo of the Romney-Ryan campaign logo. The red and blue tattoo is located on his right temple and is five-by-two inches. Hartsburg said by getting this tattoo, he was hoping to make politics more entertaining, and because he hopes to become more involved in the entertainment business. — THE HUFFINGTON POST
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Expanded gender-neutral housing plans in works following RHA vote
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— The diamondback
BROWN University
A man basks in the sun while sitting on a bench in Washington Square Park.
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Early applications rise for class of 2017 — The brown daily herald
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nyunews.com | TUEsDAy, november 13, 2012 | Washington Square news
CATHOLIC continued from PG. 1
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Spiritual life center to host religious services for all faiths of four leaders in addition to other volunteers. In addition to providing an opportunity for an ecumenical gathering, Young hopes the event will offer a chance for students to unwind on campus during a strenuous fall semester after Hurricane Sandy was stressful for many. “It’s something ,” Young said. “It’s an option for people to come in sit, listen, rest, be quiet and pray.” LSP freshman Julia Vittore said she would attend the services if she could find time. “I think that’s a great idea and makes sense for a school as interesting and diverse as NYU,” Vittore said. “Something as openended as a simple prayer service sounds perfect for this school and perfect for this city.” LSP sophomore Melina Cary said
she is skeptical of the open-minded nature of the gathering even though she admits it is a nice sentiment to want to include students of all faiths. “I am interested in how much of it can be nondenominational since it’s being held by an Episcopal group, and they are a certain denomination,” Cary said. The services will be held every other Wednesday at 8:30 p.m. There will be only three services between now and the end of the fall semester, but Young said they would like to continue the gatherings in the spring semester. The services may become a weekly event, Young added. Additional reporting by Andrew Karpan. Emily Bell is a staff writer. Email them at university@nyunews.com.
Bryan Nelson for WSN
Catholic Center hopes to gather students of all faiths at its services.
NYU professors work to create economic incentives for low-income families in New York teenagers spent their time, reduced teenagers’ problem behaviors, increased parents’ spending on school-related and leisure expenses and increased the number of parents who saved for the children’s future education. For the subgroup of academically proficient teenagers, it increased the number of those who engaged primarily in academic activities and reduced the number that mostly engaged in social activities. “The Mayors Office and the City of New York wanted to see if this could be an innovative approach to reducing poverty in New York City,” said Pamela Morris, Steinhardt professor of Applied Psychology. Morris, who was also a lead investigator in the study and senior fellow at the MDRC, coauthored the report on the findings with two graduate students and J. Lawrence Aber, a distinguished professor of Applied Psychology and Public Policy. This program was implemented in six of New York City’s most impoverished communities and targeted fourth, seventh and ninth graders. Monetary incentives ranged from $25 to $600. The MDRC also conducted a core evaluation to investigate the Family Rewards Program’s effect on the participating family’s economic well-being, family health care, children’s education and parent’s employment. Morris said even though there are other incentives that can be used, monetary incentives were more effective. “The way that I see it is that
via mrdc.org
A new study tests if money can foster good behavior for families. low-income families face a lot of constraints on participating in things that are easy for me to participate in,” Morris said. “For example, if I want to bring my child to the doctor, I am salaried. I won’t lose my paycheck for the day.” “For low-income families doing the exact same thing, they may lose a day of pay or they may risk their position at their work,” she added. “I think what we are trying to do with these rewards is level the playing field a little.” Steinhardt sophomore Shelby Bambino said she found the report to be interesting and surprising. “I think that it’s extremely interesting that they are doing that,” Bambino said. “By simply giving a monetary reward that it not only affects them, but it is also affecting the way that the parents react to it.”
But CAS sophomore Rocil Cuevas disagreed. “I think it’s a good thought because it does help families in need, but I think it gives kids the wrong values, that you should only do what you don’t want to do for money,” Cuevas said. “They should do their homework because it will benefit them in the future.” Morris said she hopes this temporary program has enlightened these families about what their future could hold. “The idea being that if you can encourage parents to invest in kids’ human capital, you hopefully can help to resolve some of the challenges with the long-term intergenerational consequences of poverty,” Morris said. Tanay Hudson is a contributing writer. Email her at university@nyunews.com.
Report breaks down causes of rising university tuition By Anders Melin
On Sept. 17, 1967, The New York Times reported that NYU’s annual tuition topped $2,000 for the first time in school history. The antiquated Times’ report attests that American households’ battle with mounting costs of post-secondary education was as ferocious half a century ago as it is today. A trend of continuous increases, particularly during the 1980s and 1990s, have made tuition costs deviate significantly from the general rate of inflation measured by the Consumer Price Index. The estimated price for the 20122013 academic year as an NYU undergraduate, including tuition and fees but excluding room and board, is $43,204, according to NYU’s Financial Facts pamphlet. If the cost would have followed the CPI since 1967, a year in the classroom would cost $11,525 — close to a 275 percent difference of net inflation. The seemingly stunning increase is by no means unusual. According to a 2011 report published by the
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non-profit College Board, NYU’s costs have risen largely at par with the national average for four-year private non-profit institutions over the past three decades, and the underlying reasons are many. Like most other service firms, schools cannot rely on increased productivity year after year — the time required to teach a student algebra has not changed significantly over time — so higher education outpacing CPI for 52 of the past 64 years is no surprise, according to Robert Archibald and David Feldman of the American Council on Education. Their report “Anatomy of College Tuition,” published in April 2012, also points out that universities are more or less required to keep up with technological advancements, a cost that has accelerated significantly in recent decades. Another reason for boosted list prices is the extensive use of scholarships and grants that often are tailored to attract students with certain qualities or backgrounds. In the book “Best 377 Colleges, 2013 Edition,” the Princeton Re-
view presented results from surveys conducted with 122,000 students across the nation showing that NYU students are very discontent with the school’s financial aid availability, placing NYU in the bottom five percent in the category. The statistical significance of the survey can be debated since only an average 324 students per institution were interviewed, but a closer look at the schools’ actual numbers gathers some support for the claim. Sixty-five percent of all incoming NYU freshman receive on average of $18,754 directly from the university in form of scholarships and grants that do not have to be paid back. Averaged out across the entire incoming student body, they correspond to $12,190 per person — a 21 percent discount from the estimated 2012-2013 cost of attendance. At Columbia University, roughly half of the incoming freshmen are awarded, on average, $40,441 in scholarships and grants, resulting in the average student being awarded $20,000, or a 32 percent
discount on the $62,000 sticker price for one year of undergraduate attendance. Much of the difference can be attributd to each school’s respective endowment, financing roughly four percent of NYU’s annual expenses compared with 10 to 13 percent at Columbia. “Fundraising for financial aid is the single most important priority of NYU’s development efforts,” NYU director of public affairs Philip Lentz said in an email. “Financial aid has increased by 55.3 percent from 2009 to 2013, more than double the increase in gross tuition and fees during the same period.” Despite these efforts, the average NYU undergraduate student racks up $36,351 in debt by the day of graduation, compared with the $26,600 national average recorded in 2011. Even in the light of increasing student debt, experts almost unanimously advise young Americans to pursue a college degree rather than relying on a high school diploma. “For most students ... access to high-quality postsecondary edu-
cation remains the single most important investment they can make,” Archibald and Feldman write in their report, supported by research from Georgetown’s Center of Education. The research indicates that people with a bachelor’s degree out-earn their peers possessing only a high school diploma by roughly $1,000,000 over the span of their careers, corresponding to an 84 percent premium, up from 75 percent in 1999. Ken Goldstein, senior researcher at the New York Conference Board, stated that companies now more than ever struggle with finding educated people to employ and strongly advised young students to put down the beer and pick up the book. “If you try to get out in the workforce in 2012 with only a high school diploma, you’re playing economic Russian roulette,” Goldstein said. Anders Melin is a contributing writer. Email him at university@nyunews.com.
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Washington Square news | TUEsDAy, november 13, 2012 | nyunews.com
DINING
edited by Lavya Yalamanchi Dining@nyunews.com
Edible packaging, trashless treats By Jennifer Lu
Remember the time you were running late to class, and you just finished a yogurt but had no place to throw out the cup? Or maybe when you finished drinking a bottle of juice and could not find a recycling bin? If the yogurt or juice container were a WikiCell, you could have simply eaten the packaging as well. WikiCell is a form of edible packaging consisting of a nutritional skin that is much like that of an apple or a grape. Just as a grape’s skin can be eaten with its insides, the skin of the WikiCell does not have to be removed from its contents. “WikiCell is a groundbreaking creation that not only protects the contents but adds nutritional value to what it is packaging,” said Robert Connelly, the chief executive officer of WikiCell Designs. Indeed, the packaging adds flavor to the food while still being nutritious, as the skin is made up of seeds or other natural and healthy products. These particles mesh together to form a gel that contains only a tiny proportion of chitosan, a biochemical polymer. The gel stays together because the food particles are charged with ions of calcium and magnesium. “This is a concept that has been years in the making,” Connelly said. “It was not until this year that we got technology to a point where we could actually produce it.” Connelly worked as a part of a team that contributed to the development of the product. The inventor of the WikiCell idea is Dr. David Edwards, a Harvard professor. His other work
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P TO
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WikiCells enable consumers to enjoy the food and its container. includes innovative ways of treating diseases and different, efficient and environmentally friendly ways of eating. WikiCell products certainly achieve those goals, as the packaging is made of natural products rather than plastic. In this way, the food is portable, and WikiCell is taking part in the conservation movement. “I like that WikiCell foods are good for both the environment and my body,” said Steinhardt freshman Amanda Gisella Wijaya, who is taking Nutrition and Food courses. “Less trash and less worry about the freshman 15.” The major difference between WikiCells and other products with edible packaging is that WikiCells have a longer shelf life. These characteristics, in ad-
dition to the fact that no plastic or cardboard is used, make WikiCells so appealing. “The response we’ve had is amazing,” Connelly added. “Food manufacturers and companies are coming to us because it is a way for them to differentiate themselves in the industry.” WikiCell has already won the prestigious Special Jury Award for Innovation at the Salon International de l’Alimentation Paris, the leading global food industry conference. WikiCell hopes to have its products in both supermarkets like Whole Foods and shops like Starbucks by 2013.
Segan and candy expert Beth Kimmerle. There was also a Kid’s Zone for eager children to decorate miniature cupcakes. Another interesting aspect of this year’s show was a focus on healthy choices. Several booths featured raw cocoa products where company reps discussed the health benefits of chocolate with customers. One such company was Gnosis Raw Chocolate, which makes each chocolate bar with unroasted beans and labels them with a specific purpose such as endurance or heart. Many booths had vegan selections, too. But this year’s chocolate festival wasn’t all smooth sailing, as Hurricane Sandy hindered the show’s production and a fair portion of vendors were not able to attend. Many still pulled through, and some were helping with relief efforts. California-based Jer’s Chocolates, for example, designed a special Sandy package for raising funds and is donating a portion of its proceeds and products to hurricane relief organizations.
Despite the storm, the show went on and the turnout was impressive. Tickets were pricey as they ranged from $35 to $40, but an air of excitement permeated the crowd, suggesting it was worth the splurge. The people running the booths, many of them returning members, were generally excited to be part of this show and part of the chocolate world as well. One such person was Chris Aigner, the vice president of Queens-based Aigner Chocolate, a family company that has been in business for 82 years. “It’s just nice to be a in a business where I am selling a product people just love,” Aigner said. “It brings you joy.” Amanda Meier of Rogue Confections agreed. “It’s just a fun atmosphere,” she said. “It’s fun to meet people who love candy as much as we do.” Margaret Weinberg is a contributing writer. Email her at dining@nyunews.com.
jONATHAN TAN /WSN
Zac Young from the Food Network made a bacon-inspired creation.
Places to celebrate five nights of lights Devi 8 E. 18th St., between Broadway and Fifth Avenue If you want to go a little more fancy for your Indian food during Diwali, Devi provides a dressy environment right in Union Square. This year, Devi is offering a discount of 50 percent off all lunch entrees. For meat-lovers, the Tandoor grilled lamb chops ($34), served with Southern Indian potatoes and pear chutney, is a popular choice, and with the 50 percent off, it is a quality Indian meal for just $17. A delicious option for vegetarians is the Jackfruit “Kathal” Biryanni ($20 pre-discount), which is served with potatoes, cauliflower, onions and tomatoes.
Festival showcases unique ways to serve up chocolate
Jennifer Lu is a contributing writer. Email her at dining@nyunews.com.
By Michelle Lim
Salaam Bombay 319 Greenwich St., between Duane Street and Reade Street This popular buffet in TriBeCa is celebrating Diwali with a $13.95 buffet meal, which includes about 10 different Diwali desserts and sweets for their special Sweet Dinner. Some of these treats include laddu, a flour and sugar ball popular in Southeast Asia, jalebi, a pretzel-shaped and deep fried flour, ghee and saffron sweet and barfi, a confectionary made from condensed milk and sugar and flavored with different fruits. This once-in-a-year buffet dinner will only last for the first three days of Diwali.
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The end of the year means a collection of several special holidays. For Hindus, Diwali, also known as the festival of lights, is one of the most important holidays. This five-day celebration starts this year on Tuesday. You can participate in welcoming good fortune and blessed wealth by visiting these restaurants near campus that are serving special Diwali sweets or offering celebratory discounts.
Graffiti 224 E. 10th St., between First and Second avenues A fusion of American and Indian cuisine, Graffiti is a special spot for all adventurers in the East Village, especially Iron Chef watchers because chef Jehangir Mehta was the 2009 runner-up. Delicious picks include the Green Mango Paneer ($7), Braised Pork buns with apricot chutney ($15) and the famous Warm Truffle Almond Strawberries with Black Pepper ice cream ($7). To celebrate, Graffiti is offering a tasting menu that is spontaneously prepared by the chef. These menus vary from five to seven different courses and range from $50 to $70.
Indian Taj 181 Bleecker St., between MacDougal and Sullivan streets Located close to Washington Square Park, this Indian restaurant offers a lunch buffet that comes with 16 different types of healthy and vegetarian food cooked Tandoor-style. Popular dishes include Chicken Tikka Masala ($13.95) cooked in a clay oven with simmered tomato sauce, and Lamb Saag ($14.95), cooked with spinach, ginger, spicy herbs and gravy. NYU students get 10 percent off lunch and 20 percent off dinner when they show their ID card.
Michelle Lim is a staff writer. Email her at dining@nyunews.com.
Hampton Chutney Co. 68 Prince St., between Lafayette and Crosby streets Hampton Chutney Co. is a treasured restaurant that offers the best dosas around. Dosas are a light and crispy crepe made from rice. Enjoy the Classic Masala Dosa, filled with spiced Indian potatoes ($7.95) or the Curry Chutney Chicken ($11.45) paired with spinach and balsamic roasted onions. Wash the meal down with their spicy milk Chai tea ($2.75) or the freshly squeezed lemonade with orange blossom ($3.95).
nyunews.com | TUEsDAy, november 13, 2012 | Washington Square news
ARTS
edited by STEFAN MELNYK ARTS@nyunews.com SOUNDGARDEN continued from PG. 1
First Soundgarden album in years finds group in peak form Sun” and “Head Down” into something totally new and completely awesome. The album tends to stumble when Thayil takes a back seat, but luckily this only happens on a few tracks where the absence of his monstrous riffs proves distracting. “Halfway There,” an acoustic-based track about the difficulties of achieving a good life in this world, is too light and delicate to have an impact, even with its weighty subject matter. In addition, Thayil’s absence also draws unwanted attention to Cornell’s less-than-stellar lyrics. For example, on the track “Halfway There,” Cornell proudly sings “Sometimes when you shoot an arrow/ It can fly across the sky so proud.” Although Cornell is not at his lyrical best with “King Animal,” his voice, combined with Thayil’s guitar, renders the lyrics irrelevant. “Rowing” has Cornell spitting nonsensical lines like “Rowing is bleeding, bleeding is breathing/ Breathing is feeling, running and freezing,” but he sells the line with his flawless wail, backed up by what sounds like a musical interpretation of a Viking with a bonesaw. “King Animal” can credibly stand among Soundgarden’s strong catalog of albums. While it isn’t a stone-cold classic like “Superunknown,” “King Animal” is a genuinely gratifying listen and a worthy entry in the — hopefully — ongoing Soundgarden saga. Joshua Johnson is music editor. Email him at music@nyunews.com.
Storytellers gather in Gotham to show off craft By Tali Kuhel
Beneath the vibrant strip of sushi bars and tea shops there rests an underground venue that is ideal for one-person performances. Known as the Under St. Marks theater, the quaint space held talented storytellers and eager audience members for the first Gotham City Storytelling Festival. The festival lasted five days and included performances, workshops and panel discussions about the craft of storytelling and its value in the world of writing. On the theater’s makeshift stage, the festival brought together talented voices from “The Moth” podcast, “This American Life,” “Ask Me Stories” and “TOLD.” While some stories fell flat, the festival as a whole succeeded in presenting storytelling as a meaningful and fun platform. On Saturday night, a group of wellknown storytellers took seats onstage to answer questions about the storytelling craft. Seth Lind, host of “The Told Show,” led the discussion with David Crab, Cammie Climaco, Melanie Hamlett and Jim O’Grady — all of whom are prominent voices in the world of storytelling. The panel jokingly asserted that the best storytellers deliver their tales as if they were gracing listeners with a casual anecdote at a party. The challenge of giving a relaxed presentation derives from the necessity of introducing the entire context to the audience without needing to hand out plot information and a character list beforehand. There are various strategies for bringing nostalgia to life in front of an audience, depending on the
Pop group fun. thrills crowd By Alex Pastron
“Well, this is pretty awesome, right?” frontman Nate Ruess asked a sold-out audience at Irving Plaza last Wednesday night. After their show had been postponed by more than a week thanks to Hurricane Sandy, the New York City-based band fun. was finally able to perform. Although the show coincided with the oncoming nor’easter, the venue was packed — even for Miniature Tigers the opening band based out of Brooklyn. Miniature Tigers were light and upbeat, with synthesized vocals similar to the band of Montreal but with lyrics more like Foster the People. Fun. band member Andrew Dost played the keyboard for one of the opening songs. Miniature Tigers’ lead singer Charlie Brand provided the highlight of their set when he climbed off the stage to sing directly to a fan, the microphone in one of his hands and her hand in the other. Opening with “Carry On,” fun. wasted no time jumping right into their set, and the band never hit a lull. Going immediately into “One Foot,” Ruess jumped about the stage fist pumping and motioning for the audience to sing along. While the band is best known for hits “We Are Young” and “Some Nights,” the crowd sang along with every song, jumping up and down with Ruess and reverberating his contagious energy. Ruess could not seem to hold still, while guitarist Jack Antonoff maintained a constant smile throughout the whole show. All
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three band members were clearly still enjoying the high of their recent rocket to success. Fun. recently launched their Campus Consciousness Tour in conjunction with their human rights project The Ally Coalition, which aims to raise awareness and support for the LGBTQ community. The show was littered with miniature public service announcements mixed in with their lyrics — the most comical example came when Ruess sang “I don’t smoke cigarettes. I just don’t,” rather than the recorded line: “Not quite enough cigarettes to calm me down.” Among the other great original songs played, including “All The Pretty Girls” and “Why Am I The One,” the band not only did an amazingly creative and rousing cover of The Rolling Stones’ “You Can’t Always Get What You Want” but, much to the audience’s delight, also played the intro to “I’ll Be There for You” by The Rembrandts, also known as the “Friends” theme song. When “We Are Young” began about two-thirds of the way through the evening, the whole crowd was singing its heart out, and the energy in the room became intensely palpable. The energy continued until the band brought the evening to an epic conclusion with, of course, “Some Nights.” The audience undoubtedly felt that braving the storm was well worth it. Alex Pastron is a contributing writer. Email her at arts@nyunews.com.
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The vibrant art of passing on stories discussed at Gotham gathering. teller’s style and voice. This makes for a spectrum of storytelling genres. Storyteller Melanie Hamlett spoke about how she found herself dressed as a baby on the lap of a 40-year-old body builder she met through a Craigslist ad that was seeking a woman who played board games. This was enough to earn her a spot on “The Moth’s” Hall of Fame. Hamlett described her chosen art form as an expression in present tense. Watching Hamlett tell her tales was as engrossing and nerve-wracking as answering a strange Craigslist ad would be. Hamlett explained that her career in storytelling has led her to live a story-worthy life. The panel nodded in agreement as Hamlett explained how the world is filled with two types of storytellers: those who de-
scribe moments they have lived and those who seek incredible moments for the purpose of telling. For Hamlett, her own journeys — much to her mother’s dismay — are paths to making the incredible stories she writes. However, Hamlett and the panel clarified that to make a perfect story, the teller must realize his or her own shortcomings and biases. As Jim O’Grady explained, since we are not one-dimensional heroes, our villains are not one-dimensionally evil. The Gotham Storytelling Festival took place Nov. 7 through 12. For more information about the festival or Horse Trade Theater Group, see horsetrade.info. Tali Kuhel is a staff writer. Email her at theater@nyunews.com.
More drama than laughs in dark ‘Comedy’ By Jaime Mishkin
Living in New York, one is probably familiar with somebody like Swanson, the aging hipster played by Tim Heidecker in the new film, “The Comedy.” He can be seen walking the streets of Williamsburg, frequenting bars while holding a Pabst Blue Ribbon, dressed in a polo shirt and cut-off shorts. “The Comedy” is devoid of any traditional plot line, but that is precisely Swanson’s problem — he is, quite simply, lost. Writer and director Rick Alverson, who has previously directed other character studies like “The Builder” and “New Jerusalem,” asks questions about life and purpose in his films. “The Comedy” continues to ask such questions while depicting the life of a man who belongs to an archetype familiar to most New Yorkers. At times the film can drag or feel directionless, but it does so deliberately. Just as the audience realizes no specific or momentous event is going to drive “The Comedy” forward, Swanson, too, is waiting just as eagerly for something to happen. Alverson’s screenplay contains few lines of explicit emotion. Swanson’s conversation with his closest friends, who pass their time drinking and participating in recreational activities, is often hilarious but stilted, mocking and buried under heaps of sarcasm. Swanson simply cannot speak genuinely even among those he loves most, hiding behind different personas and facades.
But during the moments of silence that Alverson strategically incorporates between sections of dialogue — the awkward pauses and the shots of Swanson staring off into the distance — the audience can divine some meaning. It’s the emptiness in Swanson’s gaze and his desire for direction, feeling and human connection that leads the viewer to genuinely care for him, and, despite moments of frustration and annoyance, actually begin to sympathize with the character. While Swanson struggles to make genuine connections with the people around him, Heidecker certainly succeeds in connecting with the audience. Best known for his comedic work with co-star Eric Wareheim on “Tim and Eric Awesome Show, Great Job!,” he transitions brilliantly into his first dramatic role, catching audiences off-guard with a meaningful performance and a surprising ability to give depth to a seemingly superficial character. “The Comedy” certainly delivers its fair share of jokes, but not as many as one might expect from a film that bears the name “Comedy.” The film is a drama disguised as comedy; there is a superficial layer of funny dialogue, but beneath that layer lies a quest for emotional connection and honest human feeling. The true comedy is not so much the spectacle of Swanson’s life as it is the comedy of human existence. Jaime Mishkin is a staff writer. Email her at film@nyunews.com.
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Washington Square news | TUEsDAy, november 13, 2012 | nyunews.com
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Eighth Avenue, New York, N.Y. 10018 The620new york times crossword & daily sudoku For Information Call: 1-800-972-3550 For Tuesday, November 13, 2012
Edited by Will Shortz ACROSS
1 Shooter through whitewater rapids 5 Cold war inits. 9 Neatnik’s opposite
13 Visitor for the holidays, maybe 15 Soothing plant 16 ___ Krishna
17 New Zealand native
18 Minor collision reminder 19 Wall Street Journal ___
20 On the front
23 Habitual drunk 25 Ship unit or shipping unit
26 Plow driver’s handful 27 On the back
34 ___ of Sharon 35 Overexcited
37 Immediately, on a memo 41 Converge 42 Common blockage locale 43 On both sides 47 Symbol on a “This way” sign 49 “I kiss’d thee ___ I kill’d thee”: Othello 50 Kind of scan 51 20-, 27- and 43-Across locale, in slang 56 Boneheaded 57 Gang woman 58 Macaroni, e.g. 61 And others: Abbr.
62 The thought that counts? 33 Greedy person’s demand 63 Compassion 32 Buenos ___
ANSWER TO PREVIOUS PUZZLE A T L A P I A N P E N N S E A R G A R B O N I O B O O R I D S B A C C E T R A C T A C K I S T O C H I N
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64 Turn down 65 Metalworker’s tool 66 Horse-pulled cart
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DOWN 1 Air balls miss it 2 Santa ___ 3 People in 1-Acrosses, e.g. 4 Alpine lake 5 Rhythmic 6 Something of interest to Miss Marple 7 “And” or “or”: Abbr. 8 Antifur org. 9 Drinks with straws 10 CBS series for 17 seasons 11 The Hunter 12 Jack’s purchase in a children’s story 14 C, D and EEE 22 Mötley ___ 23 White dwarf, e.g.
24 The Allegheny and Monongahela M join to form it E 28 Like Willie T Winkie E 29 Evacuate 30 Furrow maker 31 Hockey defender Bobby 35 Egg layer
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Puzzle by John Guzzetta
36 For the present 37 Feel unwell 38 Establishment that might sell 9-Down and 53-Downs 39 Glow 40 [Hey, buddy!] 41 Whimper
42 Miss Marple, e.g. 43 Winner of 1948 44 Not stable 45 Iguana feature 46 Sphere 47 Supplementary 48 A FedEx driver may have one
52 Arab ruler 53 Drink with a straw 54 Naughty Goose and Moose Drool 55 Readied to play 59 Cy Young’s was 2.63, in brief 60 Pig’s home
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nyunews.com | TUEsDAy, november 13, 2012 | Washington Square news
opinion
edited by CHRIS DINARDO opinion@nyunews.com
ArgumentATIOn
Informed opinions foster stronger discourse By William Kartsonis
As with every presidential race, there has been a lot of ranting going on. An unsolicited opinion lies around every corner, from Facebook to Twitter to the nice fellow who serves meatloaf at Downstein. But for all the words, nothing of substance is ever truly said. The problem is two-headed. On one end, many people are uninformed in regards to the issues. A nasty trait of our society is that people are afraid of the three words “I don’t know.” Consequently, people listen to the news, friends and even Hollywood actors in an attempt to pass others’ thoughts as their own. A more menacing problem is the dumbing down of complex social problems. Most issues are incredibly complicated with many pros and cons and possible solutions. Unfortunately, the general public oversimplifies issues to accommodate one right answer and one wrong answer. Paradoxically, everyone fervently claims that theirs and only theirs is the right solution. Just yesterday, I saw that my 13-yearold cousin was publicly renouncing President Obama’s economic policy on Facebook. He’s only 13. He made no comment about the stimulus plan, no mention of the bailout; Obama’s plan
was just plain ol’ bad. Time and time again, I have heard opposing arguments wherein one candidate is an outright idiot with a terrible policy, and the other is the savior of the American people with a policy that will solve everyone’s problems and create an everlasting utopian society. Even supremely educated individuals don’t possess enough knowledge to be certain of a policy’s outcome. Issues are complex, and we should treat them as such. Is the Dream Act creating opportunity for those young individuals who have earned the right to call themselves Americans, or is it giving immigrants further incentive to illegally reside in our country? Does suspension of constitutional rights for foreign terrorist suspects spur too much anti-American sentiment, or are enhanced interrogation techniques vital to our national security? I don’t know the answers to these questions, and neither do you. Anyone can fling around excerpts from something they read on AOL, but even with a couple meaty facts, we still can’t comprehend all the gears in motion. Most sides have a convincing argument in theory, but there are too many fluctuating factors for a snotty college student who took Intro to Economics to have a
legitimate opinion on the matter. When people inevitably reach a stalemate during a discussion, the mud-slinging begins. With regards to the recent election, I feel the need to clear up two things. First, neither candidate is stupid. Harvard Law degrees aren’t easy to come by. Second, neither candidate is evil. Both candidates want to better this country with their respective moral philosophies and economic dogmas. I love the passion my fellow Americans are displaying for their country via Facebook statuses. I just don’t love the uninformed, unapologetic, know-itall manner in which many decide to say their opinions. I do not mean to dissuade people from sharing opinions — contradicting perspectives are this country’s lifeblood. I simply ask you to make sure that your opinion is informed, avoid a black-and-white outlook and always remember that your opinion is just that: an opinion. Reserve the right to be wrong every now and then; you’ll be a better person for it. As Socrates so elegantly put it, “In knowing that you know nothing, that makes you the smartest of all.” William Kartsonis is a contributing columnist. Email him at opinion@nyunews.com.
community
Relief efforts connect volunteers, victims By Muneeb Syed
This past weekend, I had the privilege of volunteering with a couple of friends in Brighton Beach, Brooklyn. This area was designated Zone A, and the reasons were obvious after Hurricane Sandy. Water levels were as high as five feet, flooding just about every basement in the neighborhood. Many families lived in these basements and now find themselves homeless. The streets were filled with their damaged belongings and valuables. Many just sat outside their homes trying to figure out what to do next. Clearly the water and food that we had to offer was not going to be enough. But when we offered it to them, there was such a sense of gratitude and appreciation. One woman was tirelessly cleaning her basement when we arrived at her place. After we told her who we were and the few items we could offer her, she read off a list of other families in the area who needed the goods much more than she did. But she concluded by admitting, “In a few days, I may be in need of food and water.” The innocence was incredible. She
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passed up an opportunity to store food because she was conscious of others who were in more dire need at that very moment. Clearly she had no incentive to impress us. After all, we were complete strangers to her. Her concern even in such trying circumstances was inspiring. The images on television were almost surreal. It was impossible to comprehend everything going on a couple of minutes from where I was. And yet these scenes could not truly reflect the damage done — waiting in a gas line for three hours, adding an hour to an already hour-and-a-half-long commute and getting stranded on the bus for hours all would have seemed like my worst nightmare. However, today, as I experience this inconvenience with millions of other New Yorkers, I do it with a sense of relief. The opportunity to do service in Brighton Beach instilled in me a sense of appreciation. Being able to interact with individuals, see them eye-to-eye, talk to them face-to-face and hear their stories directly from them allowed it all to resonate. I started to get a sense of what it means for a diabetic patient
to lose his medication. I started to get a sense of what it means to have a flooded basement. I started to get a sense of what it means to lose your house. You cannot simply change the channel on any of these problems. There was plenty of warning for Hurricane Sandy, but it could not prevent billions of dollars in damages and the deaths of so many innocent people. We cannot reverse the series of events that has plagued our city but we can rise together to alleviate its disastrous effects. This might require us to give up our weeknights or weekends, but it is a sacrifice that is worthwhile. We need to put in the work necessary to meet the bare necessities for those who were affected. It is really uplifting to see all the volunteer projects in place on a daily basis, and there will continue to be new efforts organized by different clubs on campus. It is incredibly valuable to help in whatever capacity you can. Muneeb Syed is a contributing columnist. Email him at opinion@nyunews.com.
staff editorial
Energy independence: good for economy, bad for environment According to a new report by the International Energy Association, the United States will become the world’s top producer of oil within the next five years and will become a net oil exporter by 2030. This will have far-reaching effects for the environment and the role of the United States in the international community. If the report is correct, the U.S. economy should be in a better place as a result of more oil and natural gas exports. In 2011, oil imports accounted for about 2.7 percent of the nation’s gross domestic product. If the United States becomes a net exporter, economic growth will accelerate. Moreover, the report estimates electricity costs will be halved if energy development continues on its current path, putting more money in consumers’ pockets and lowering overhead expenses for businesses. While this news is good for our economy, we must bear in mind where these new sources of energy are coming from. The United States relies heavily on controversial methods such as hydraulic fracturing and horizontal drilling to extract natural gas. These techniques have been proven to have devastating effects on the environment and public health. Once the United States is oil-efficient, our motivation to turn to other, more sustainable sources of energy will diminish. The nation will grow increasingly self-reliant, not merely as a result of growing oil production but also based on expectations that we will improve energy efficiency. This dedication to continued development of fuel-efficient vehicles and environmentally friendly policies runs a risk of being forgotten, though, when oil production is booming and our reliance upon its output grows as well. We can expect positive effects in the short-term as we become less dependent on foreign countries for oil. However, the long-term consequences of any expansion of oil drilling and use may not be worth the potentially disastrous ramifications for the environment.
Email the WSN Editorial Board at editboard@nyunews.com. EDITORIAL BOARD: Chris DiNardo (Chair), Jessica Littman (Co-Chair), Christopher Drake, Sasha Leshner, Peter Murphy, Raquel Woodruff and Richard Zhang.
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 150 words. All submissions must be typed or emailed and must include the author’s name, address and phone number. Members of the NYU community must include a year and school or job title.
WSN does not print unsigned letters or editorials. WSN reserves the right to reject any submission and edit accepted submissions in any and all ways. With the exception of the staff editorial, opinions expressed on the editorial pages are not necessarily those of WSN, and our publication of opinions is not an endorsement of them.
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nyunews.com | TUEsDAy, november 13, 2012 | Washington Square news
SPORTS
edited by THE WSN STAFF SPORTS@nyunews.com
NFL should restructure overtime rules to avoid draws By Evan Kendall On Sunday, a National Football League game ended in a tie for the first time since 2008. A 24-24 draw between the St. Louis Rams and the San Francisco 49ers was exciting until the end of regulation time, but a couple of missed field goals in overtime led to an anti-climatic, time-expiring tie between the two squads. Heading into the fourth quarter, St. Louis was leading San Francisco 17-7 in what looked like a potential upset victory for the 3-5 Rams taking on their first place division rivals, the 6-2 49ers. But then the 49ers started overpowering the Rams’ defense, scoring twice in less than a minute to take the lead at 21-17. The Rams answered with only 1:09 remaining, scoring on a short pass to wide receiver Austin Pettis across the middle. San Francisco kicker David Akers nailed a field goal with three seconds on the clock, and the game headed into overtime with a 24-24 tie. In 15 minutes of overtime, there was nothing but squandered opportunities and allaround bad football. Penalties that canceled big plays, mediocre play-calling for short yardage that cost kickers a few more yards and a knack for not being able to put points on the board led to the game ending without either team adding to the scoreboard.
In most professional sports, there is always a winner and there is always a loser. In others, this is not always the case: There can be two teams that played equally good or bad, and they finish the game tied. In the National Basketball Association, ties cannot happen; both teams will continue to play until one team has outscored the other by the end of a period. Likewise, Major League Baseball will continue games with extra innings, only postponing a game if need be. This is, of course, excluding the 2002 MLB All-Star Game, which resulted in a tie because there were no pitchers left on the roster to keep the game going. Even in college football, ties don’t happen. NCAAF rules have made it impossible to tie since the 1995-1996 season. Why is the NFL an exception to this rule? Yes, there have been only 18 games that ended in a tie since 1974, five of which came after 1989, but why not eliminate them entirely? There are plenty of ways to finish ties. One possible solution would be a oneon-one matchup between a team’s best wide receiver and the opposing team’s best cornerback for a play starting at the opponent’s 35-yard line. The second team would get a shot to score if the first team is successful, much in the same way
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Courtesy of John Martinez Pavilga via flickr.com
The Week 10 matchup between San Francisco and St. Louis ended in a 24-24 tie. shootouts work in soccer. This approach would at least bring an added sense of excitement and would really give a major advantage to a team with a big-play wide receiver, such as the Detroit Lions and Calvin Johnson or the Arizona Cardinals and Larry Fitzgerald.
With the amount of money that fans spend going to games and rooting for their favorite teams, they deserve a clear-cut decision. Evan Kendall is a staff writer. Email him at sports@nyunews.com.