NYU’s Daily Student Newspaper
WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS Vol. 40, No. 39
NYU professor joins tech conference
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2012
nyunews.com
Pace professor re-examines post-Sandy response
By JACQUELINE HSIA
Oded Nov, an assistant professor of Technology Management at the Polytechnic Institute of NYU, has been selected to participate in the 2012 National Academies Keck Future Initiative. The conference “The Informed Brain in the Digital World,” held from Nov. 14 to 17 in Irvine, Calif., is a meeting of top researchers in fields like science, engineering and medicine. Nov is one of 100 researchers who have been invited to participate. NAFKI, a program created by the National Academy of Sciences, the National Academy of Engineering, the Institute of Medicine and W.M. Keck Foundation, is a prestigious convention that provides a forum for researchers to discuss interdisciplinary research and to create unique solutions to global issues. This year’s conference will explore the consequences of a digital world on the field of neuroscience, including how an increasingly
KECK continued on PG. 3
JONATHAN TAN/WSN
Professor Chris Williams addresses the root problems in New York City’s growing response to Hurricane Sandy relief needs. By DANIEL HINTON Two weeks ago, Tisch sophomore Francisco Sanchez had to evacuate his apartment on East 10th street. Even though Sanchez and other residents in New York City and the TriState Area have moved back into their abodes, many still have questions regarding how preparations leading up to Hurricane Sandy and the political and social aftermath have been handled. “Now, more often than ever, climate disasters and events relating to the weather are becoming more frequent,” Sanchez said. “I want
Cast shines in new ‘Anna Karenina’ film By SOFIA LIZZA
Mink hats, biting wintery cold and snowfall set the scene for “Anna Karenina’s” journey towards finding true love. In the new film adaptation of Leo Tolstoy’s 1877 novel, director Joe Wright and screenwriter Tom Stoppard seamlessly transform the book into a theatrical, intimate screen experience that demonstrates, as Stoppard puts it, “love in all its forms.” “Karenina” tells the story of Anna (Keira Knightley) a nurturing mother and the faithful wife of a well-respected government official (Jude Law). On a train ride to visit her brother Oblonsky (Matthew Macfadyen) — who has recently cheated on his wife, Dolly (Kelly
Macdonald) — Anna meets a cavalry officer named Vronsky (Aaron Taylor-Johnson), with whom she eventually develops an affair. The romantic entanglements become even more complicated when Oblonsky’s best friend Levin (Domhnall Gleeson) comes to visit, too. Even though he seeks the affection of Dolly’s younger sister, Kitty (Alicia Vikander), she is actually in love with Vronsky. The film is not “another period movie,” as explained by Wright, but rather a distinctly theatrical interpretation of Tolstoy’s classic novel. Mostly shot in an 1870 Russian theater with enormous painted backdrops on the main stage,
ANNA continued on PG. 5
to understand the system and the patterns that have caused this to happen.” Sanchez, along with over 30 other students from NYU and Pace University, attended an event hosted by NYU Socialists, titled “Hurricane Sandy, Climate Change, and Capitalism: How the 1% Conjure Monster Storms,” on Wednesday night to begin to find the answers to similar questions. Chris Williams, who led the discussion, is an adjunct professor in the department of Chemistry and Physical Science at Pace University and the author of “Ecology and Socialism: Solutions to Capitalist Ecological Crisis.”
“In large part, the current environmental crisis has a social cause under the system that we live under, namely capitalism,” Williams said. “Ultimately this is bigger than the fossil fuel industry, but about the whole system. Capitalism cannot be made sustainable.” Williams pointed to the failures of corporations and all levels of governments in preparing for the consequences of climate change. “There have been multiple reports by the city in recent years, but those plans need to be accelerated greatly and expanded,” Williams said.
WILLIAMS continued on PG. 3
NYU, theater group address issue of suicide By JONATHAN KESHISHOGLOU A group of actors, dressed as an eclectic mix of characters, sit on a small stage. A soft bass line plays in the background. A man walks onto the stage and speaks to the group as if he were leading an acting class. The subject of the class? Suicide. With Drama Lab NYC, a New York-based theater group, NYU’s Drama Therapy department addresses issues related to suicide in a new way with their upcoming show, “The November Project: Suicide as Performance.” The show, directed by Cecilia Dintino, is composed mainly of improvised vignettes, most of which are set in an acting class where each performer
takes on a different role and explores the themes and implications of suicide. The show, which opens Thursday night, will be performed twice. Because most material is improvised, neither show will be exactly the same. Dintino is the founder of Drama Lab NYC, which hosts many dramatic performances to help people with anxiety, bipolar disorder, depression and personality disorders. The cast of “Suicide as Performance” includes members of Drama Lab NYC and NYU students. Dintino said she hopes to tackle issues of suicide through the play. “Theater is an ancient way that man explored things that are hard to understand,” she said.
COURTESY OF NYU
Students explore suiciderelated issues via improv. DRAMA continued on PG. 4
2
WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS | THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2012 | NYUNEWS.COM
ON THE SIDE
COMPILED BY THE
WSN STAFF
WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS
WEEKEND 11T H
AVE
AGENDA
Editor-in-Chief AMANDA RANDONE Managing Editor
9TH
AVE
JAEWON KANG Web Managing Editor
AMY ZHANG Deputy Managing Editor
W2
4TH
EMILY YANG
W2
6TH
Assistant Managing Editors
HANQING CHEN DANIEL HINTON Creative Director
MERYLL PREPOSI
1 COURTESY MARCIN WICHARY
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,
COURTESY OF MICHAEL GALPERT
W5 7TH
CARRIE COUROGEN, JULIE DEVITO, BRIDGETTE DORAN, JONATHON DORNBUSH, CHARLES MAHONEY,
ST
DEPUTY STAFF
university TATIANA BAEZ,
COURTESY OF MARK BARRY
12T H
AVE
2
10T H
AVE
3
GRAPHIC BY NICOLE HAJJAR AND EMORY LOPICCOLO FOR WSN
VERONICA CARCHEDI city/state KAYANA JEAN-PHILIPPE, 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
RICHARD ZHANG
TODAY
social media agent
NICOLE GARTSIDE
1
Nov. 15 to 16 | 2 to 5 p.m. Upright Citizens Brigade East Theater | 307 W. 26th St.
MTVU AUDITIONS
MtvU, one of the largest tv networks for college students, is hosting auditions to find the newest student stand-up and comedy stars. MtvU broadcasts to more than 750 college campuses across the nation. Auditions can be individual or in a group, but it is mandatory that stage time does not exceed 10 minutes. Auditioners may use stand-up material, a song or a sketch to demonstrate their talents. Email mtvucomedy@gmail.com to schedule an audition time.
2
3
Nov. 17 | 4 to 6 p.m. Gagosian Gallery | 555 W. 24th St.
Nov. 17 to 18 | 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Pier 94 | 711 12th Ave.
ED RUSCHA OPENING RECEPTION
This exhibit explores artist Ed Ruscha’s fascination with books throughout the past 25 years of his career. Ruscha’s book works, photographs, drawings and acrylic, oil and watercolor paintings will be on display. This show is a follow up of “Reading Ed Ruscha,” an exhibition that was displayed at the Kunsthaus Bregenz in Austria and also demonstrated Ruscha’s passion for language and books. The exhibit will be on display until Dec. 22.
THE PIER ANTIQUES SHOW
New York City’s largest art and antique event, presented by Stella Show Management Co., will feature over 500 vendors. Find treasures ranging from vintage fashions for men and women to collectibles and memorabilia. Regular admission is $15, children under 16 wil be admitted for free when accompanied by an adult.
OPINION PAGE opinion editor
CHRIS DINARDO deputy opinion editor
JESSICA LITTMAN
ADVERTISING BUSINESS MANAGER
REBECCA RIBEIRO CIRCULATION MANAGER
CHELSEA GOLD
UNIVERSITY SALES COORDINATOR
KAITLYN O’BRIEN
SNAPSHOT
ON THE WIRE
God hates ... Formula One?
The Westboro Baptist Church will be making headlines again this weekend, but not for picketing a soldier’s funeral. Fred Phelps, the church’s founder, will lead the group in protesting a Formula One race at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas. The church has made a name for itself for going around the United States picketing the funerals of soldiers, saying they are the result of the country’s tolerance for homosexuality. Phelps said Formula One races “resemble the patriotic worship-the-flag pep rallies masquerading as soldier’s funerals in that this Bibleignorant fools worship these race car drivers like they are little gods.” — THE AUSTIN CHRONICLE
SALES REPRESENTATIVES
ELLEN MCQUEEN, MELISSA YNEGAS SALES ASSOCIATES
ARIANA DIVALENTINO, CHRIS ELWOOD, KIM HIGGINS, GLORIA LEE, ALISON LIZZIO, SAM WANDER CIRCULATION ASSISTANT
OMID GOLMOHAMMADI GRAPHIC DESIGNER
KALEEL MUNROE
ADVISING DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS
NANCI HEALY EDITORIAL ADVISER
KEITH LEIGHTY BROWN UNIVERSITY
Poll: Majority of students do not cheat — THE BROWN DAILY HERALD
Lights brighten up the stage at the Radio City Music Hall Christmas Spectacular.
PHOTO BY BRITTANY ELIAS
UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND
Student Conduct aims to expand, students could face sanctions for off-campus misconduct — THE DIAMONDBACK
GOT AN EVENT? EMAIL US AT AGENDA@NYUNEWS.COM OR TWEET US @NYUNEWS. GOT SOMETHING TO SHARE? EMAIL US AT TIPS@NYUNEWS.COM.
EDITOR-AT-LARGE
FRANCIS POON About WSN: Washington Square News (ISSN 15499389) is the student newspaper of New York University. WSN is published Monday through Thursday during NYU’s academic year, except for university holidays, vacations and exam periods. Corrections: WSN is committed to accurate reporting. When we make errors, we do our best to correct them as quickly as possible. If you believe we have erred, contact managing editor Jaewon Kang at managing@nyunews.com or at 212.998.4302.
NYUNEWS.COM
NYUNEWS.COM | THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2012 | WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS
NY Tech Meetup crowdsources to coordinate storm relief projects By ALISTAIR BLACKLOCK
The New York Tech Meetup may be pioneering a new way to respond to disaster. Following the devastation of Hurricane Sandy, the technology-centered organization created an online forum that allows anyone to collaborate on relief projects, volunteering, donating materials or office space and finding technological assistance. Starting in 2004, NYTM has been bringing the tech-savvy and tech-interested from around New York for a monthly conference on new projects and ideas in the local technology community at NYU’s Skirball Center for the Performing Arts. It provides a platform for innovation and cooperation among the nerdiest of New York City. In response to the storm two weeks ago, organizers of the NYTM have brought their community and collaborative platform to support technological relief efforts. Their website, nytechresponds.org, provides information about volunteering, donating or seeking help. In particular, the site hosts an open-web document for collaboration on different hacking projects, in which organizations use crowdsourcing as a means for improving their relief projects. The site has more than 50 projects listed as seeking assistance, many of which depend on public input. Among these is disasterreliefmap.com, an open-source map where users report information about resources, such as drop-off donation centers and gas stations with or without fuel. “We are expanding volunteering beyond onthe-ground volunteering,” said Jessica Law-
rence, managing director at NYTM. “If people can get online and start connecting following a disaster like this, the recovery efforts can happen much faster.” More than 800 volunteers from as far away as Chicago have signed up so far, volunteering and collaborating on different projects. In our technology-driven world, crowdsourcing as a response to disasters may become the norm. Lead volunteer Noel Hidalgo views this initiative as a part of a larger social movement. “We are building a permeable system where crowd practices can exist alongside traditional top-down organizations,” he said. “So while limited government resources [struggle] to provide services, bottom-up and crowd powered systems provide new ways for communities to respond to disaster.” Nytechresponds.org continues to look for volunteers who may be able to contribute to the response and is reaching out to the NYU community. “We welcome anyone from NYU to volunteer,” Lawrence said. “I think it’s a great time for NYU students to build technology solutions for the greater community.” Some students, like CAS sophomore Cindy Pi, said the website is a good idea. “Students here are really passionate about helping, so giving them this platform to make it easier is helpful,” Pi said. “The only thing is getting the word out to people, but once NYU students know about the site and the effort. I’m sure they’d want to get involved.” Alistair Blacklock is a contributing writer. Email him at university@nyunews.com.
MTA responds quickly after Sandy, subway service returning to New York By LAURA ENTIS
After Hurricane Sandy hit New York City, entire subway platforms were covered in salt water and equipment was destroyed. Under the East River, eight of 10 subway tunnels were flooded. In its 108 years, the Metropolitan Transit Authority had never before experienced the magnitude of damage it saw because of the storm. Even though Mayor Michael Bloomberg predicted it could take up to five days for partial service restoration, some subway service returned less than three days after the storm. “I give the MTA high marks for how quickly they brought back the subways after being so badly flooded,” said Gene Russianoff, staff attorney for a New York City-based transit interest group called the Straphangers Campaign. Rae Zimmerman, a professor of urban planning at NYU and director of the Institute for Civil Infrastructure Systems, agreed. “They certainly responded magnificently to getting the subway service up as [quickly] as possible,” Zimmerman said. Nearly two and a half weeks after the storm, however, some lines are still not fully restored, including the 1, A, J, R and Z
lines. As of yesterday, downtown express 1 trains were only running between 34th and Chambers streets. Some uptown 3 trains were discontinued at the 96th Street and Times Square42nd Street stops because of technical problems at the Harlem-148th Street station. Aaron Donovan, media liaison for the MTA, attributed this disparity to the differences in structure of the tunnels. “The length of time it took to restore the tunnels depended on the height of the storm surge, how rapidly it penetrates the protective barriers, the length and diameter of tunnel tubes and the extent of flooding into adjacent underground sections and stations,” Donovan said. Some members of the NYU’s commuter community, especially those who live in Brooklyn, said the partial service restoration has caused them inconvenience. “Normally the commute from Brooklyn to Manhattan is a non-issue, but with the subway down, the distance between the boroughs slowed my life down almost to a halt,” said Claire Oliver, a graduate student at the Arthur L. Carter Institute of Journalism. “It made me appreciate the trains even more once they were up and running again.” Zimmerman said flood preven-
tion would be important in the event that a storm with the caliber of Sandy hits the city again. “Preventing the water from getting into the tunnels, that would be great, and I think they know the entrance and exit points to prevent leakage,” she said. “It’s going to be very forgoing in a city like ours. It’s not easy to change things because it produces a huge amount disruption for a very long time.” But for now, Donovan said the MTA is focused on getting service back to full operation. “When this is all behind us, the MTA will conduct a thorough after-action report specific to Superstorm Sandy,” Donovan said. “And with the new information gathered from the storm, we will continue our long-term strategic planning not only on procedures for storm preparation and response, but more broadly for adapting our infrastructure to a changing climate.” According to Donovan, the MTA is completely focused on restoring train and tunnel service where it remains disrupted, but does not have a timetable for when service will be fully restored. Laura Entis is a contributing writer. Email her at cstate@nyunews.com.
3
WILLIAMS continued from PG. 1
Professor raises concerns about relief efforts after Sandy
“Some of the investment that [Consolidated Edison] and the [Metropolitan Transportation Authority] should have and could have done wasn’t because instead they spent that money on profitable and short-term projects.” In the days following Hurricane Sandy, millions of people had to live without electricity and hot water, including thousands of residents in downtown Manhattan, because of an explosion at the ConEd plant on East 13th street. Subways and tunnels, such as the Battery Tunnel and the L and G trains, suffered structural damage and were closed for more than a week. Thousands of households in the outer boroughs of New York City, New Jersey and Long Island are still without electricity, water and heat. “The voluntary efforts of people and activists in Occupy Sandy have been phenomenal,” Williams said. “It contrasts sharply with the inadequate preparation and response to the storm by the government, which can’t even manage to get the required personnel and equipment to the other end of Long Island.” Putting this all in the broader context of climate change, Williams also offered some startling numbers. For instance, the temperature in New York City has increased by two and a half degrees Celsius in the past century, and the sea level on the East Coast is rising three to
four times faster than the global rate. In a report last year, the International Energy Agency estimated that, at the current rate, the global temperature will reach catastrophic levels in only five years. Williams estimates that 97.5 percent of waste comes from commercial and industrial resources, and the U.S. military is current ly the largest single polluter in the world. “We’re very much on the edge of a ‘carbon cliff’ of maintaining a stable biosphere,” Williams said. Student attendees were alarmed by the discussion. “I wonder what can be done to change these things because I think we are at a point in which it’d be difficult to make a huge change,” said Nathaly Herrera, a sophomore at Pace University who is taking Williams’ Environmental Science class. Herrera commutes from Brooklyn, where she lost power for 10 hours and did not have cable for a week. Herrera also works at Abercrombie & Fitch at South Street Seaport, which has been closed for two weeks. Despite bleak numbers, Williams still has hope but admits fixing the environment will take a lot of work to change current systems and institutions. “This is about organizing and demanding change,” Williams said. Daniel Hinton is an assistant managing editor. Email him at dhinton@nyunews.com.
KECK continued from PG. 1
NYU-Poly professor invited to attend conference on research
connected world will impact learning processes, social behavior, memory, attention and decision-making. Researchers from across the country apply to attend the conference, and 100 are selected to share ideas related to a single theme. The conference’s attendees undergo a competitive application process and are then assigned a team in which they brainstorm possible solutions to given problems. Teams are comprised of researchers, representatives from public and private funding organizations and lead members from universities and government. Previous participants of the conference, including Muhammad Zaman from Boston University, commend the conference for its impact on their research. “It was a fascinating experience,” said Zaman, a 2008 participant. “The NAFKI conference on ‘Complexity’ was enlightening in complex ways, the trajectory has been non-linear, but profoundly rewarding.” Nov’s area of research focuses on the ways humans use social technology to come together and take united action. He also studies the ef-
fects of social psychology on the design and management of accessible technologies like Wikipedia. Nov said he is excited to participate in the conference. “Taking part in NAFKI will enable me to work closely with researchers from different disciplines on issues relating to how the human brain deals with computer mediated collaboration, and to explore new ways to improve large-scale technology mediated collaboration,” Nov said. Bharat Rao, an associate professor in the department, said Nov’s participation in the conference could raise national awareness to his project and to make it easier for NYUPoly to receive funding. “It would help him create new linkages with other faculty researchers, which in turn could lead to joint project proposals that would have a better chance of being funded,” Rao said. “It would raise the national profile of the Technology Management and Innovation department at NYU-Poly. It would also attract research oriented students to the department and school.” Jacqueline Hsia is a contributing writer. Email her at university@nyunews.com.
4
WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS | THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2012 | NYUNEWS.COM
FEATURES
EDITED BY NICOLA PRING FEATURES@NYUNEWS.COM
WHAT’S IN YOUR BAG?
Art gallery satirizes popular ‘Sims’ games By JONATHAN KESHISHOGLOU
By PAIGE BROTT Steinhardt sophomore Jasmine Yook demonstrates the characteristics of a communications professional by the contents of her Jansport Backpack. Yook is co-president of NYU’S Communications Club, a peer adviser for freshmen in the Media, Culture and Communication program and a business development associate at Sawhorse Media. With such a jam-packed schedule, this social media enthusiast invites WSN into her communicationsfocused, professional, academic and extracurricular life and shows how she keeps everything organized.
2
4 3 1
BRIAN NELSON/WSN
Jasmine Yook uses TweetDeck to manage social media.
1. MOLESKINE NOTEBOOK Yook described her Moleskin notebook as her “brain on paper.” She uses it to keep her academic assignments, internship and club events and peer adviser responsibilities organized in one place. Yook uses the notebook to take notes during her monthly peer adviser meetings and to jot down any ideas she has for the Communications Club.
3. MACBOOK AND IPHONE Yook said her laptop and iPhone play an important role in balancing her academic, personal and professional life. Whether she is answering emails from her Sawhorse Media account, keeping her calendar systemized with iCal or tweeting, it is important for Yook to stay connected in all platforms of her life.
2. TWEETDECK When Yook opens her Macbook, TweetDeck is the first application that appears on her screen. She is always multitasking, and she manages the Twitter accounts for Sawhorse Media, a startup company focused on the uncovering of the best on the social web. Sawhorse Media created the Shorty Awards, which are known as the Oscars of Social Media awards, and Muck Rack, a database of verified journalists on Twitter for public relations and communications professionals. Yook frequently sends out tweets for Shorty Awards to promote the social agencies that will be recognized, various award categories, members of the Shorty Awards Jury and brands that have received the award.
4. PINK ANALOG CAMERA Even though Yook is connected to many social media platforms and is an avid iPhone user, she still keeps a bright pink analog camera handy in her bag. Yook loves to take photos everywhere she goes — around New York, at the events she attends for her internship or of the guests speakers she features at her Communication Club events. She also posts these pictures onto her personal blog, eventsthatjasminegoesto.tumblr.com. Her pictures are a fun way for people to get know her and to learn about the things she does in New York City.
Paige Brott is a staff writer. Email her at features@nyunews.com.
DRAMA continued from PG. 1
Steinhardt’s Drama Therapy department uses improv to discuss issue of suicide For Kim DiMartino, “Suicide as Performance” cast member and Drama Lab NYC affiliate, the show provides an outlet for audience to talk about a subject that is often considered taboo. “People don’t speak about suicide, so we want to make it something people can talk about,” DiMartino said. “When people don’t have anyone to talk to, there’s no one who [can prevent] it.” In addition to opening up the subject of suicide to the audience, the show has also been therapeutic for the performers, who can express
their thoughts through improvisation and other new and unconventional techniques. “It’s not scripted like a regular play,” said Lisa Gail Schwartz, a performer and second-year student in the Drama Therapy Program. “[The] improvised vignettes have evolved and woven into this production [in a way] that serves both us and the audience.” Along with the serious material about the subject matter, “Suicide as Performance” also features humor as a method of making the discussion of suicide more accessible. Pete Simms, a member of Drama
Lab NYC, said the humor makes suicide easier to talk about in a world where it is not discussed enough. “If you sat and watched purely facts, you’d walk out,” Simms said. “Most people can’t cope, and they don’t want to talk about it. You have to have humor.” “Suicide as Performance” will run on Thursday, Nov. 15 and Friday, Nov. 16 at the Provincetown Playhouse, 133 MacDougal Street, at 8 p.m. Admission is free. Jonathan Keshishoglou is a staff writer. Email him at features@nyunews.com.
To anyone going to the Team Gallery building on Wooster Street in SoHo, the view from inside will reveal a front lawn, a bedroom, a bathroom and a living room all colored white, with the word “Nemesims” written on the mailbox. This unusual setup is the latest creation from Markus Muntean and Adi Rosenblum, a pair of Austria-based artists who have recreated a house from the popular video game, “The Sims.” “The Sims,” a video game series created by Will Wright, focuses on following a group of people, called Sims, and ensures they are as happy as possible. Often, increasing their happiness levels involves buying consumer goods such as furniture and artwork. For Muntean and Rosenblum, “The Sims” creates a culture in which worldly objects are required to make people happy. The artists believe the game is impossible to win, and players can only keep their Sims happy by accumulating wealth. “‘The Sims’ can be thought of as a virtual training ground for contemporary consumer culture, making explicit capitalist conceptions of happiness,” said Emma Fernberger, an assistant curator at Team Gallery. If players choose, they can starve or emotionally deprive their Sims, as the god-like status of the player allows for numerous possibilities. “The Nemesims” plays with its viewers by placing them inside a house, as if they are Sims themselves. “The viewer moves through the artificial living space as the avatar, experiencing the
constructed environment from within, thusly becoming the malleable consumer rather than the god-like controlling hand,” Fernberger said. The focus of the exhibit is on the pieces of art decorating the walls rather than the house itself. These paintings, by artists including Alexander Calder, William Eggleston, Gilbert & George, Keith Haring and many others, convey the main theme the exhibit seeks to portray: consumerism in modern culture. The artwork satirizes and berates the fascination with worldly objects that are necessary to the Sims’ happiness and the happiness of people in modern society. Some disagree with the idea that “The Sims” has an unintentional capitalist agenda. Buying things for the characters is only one of the numerous ways to make them happy while many of the newer versions of the game also focus on building relationships between the characters. “The point of The Sims isn’t consumerism, it’s escapism,” said Tisch freshman Valeria Rotella. “It’s creating your own ideal world and getting away from real problems. A lot of people like ‘The Sims’ for its emotional parts, as opposed to just building big houses.” Regardless of these competing ideas, “Nemesims” is an interesting experience for anyone curious about consumerism or modern art. “Nemesims” will be on display through Dec. 21 at the Team Gallery at 47 Wooster. Jonathan Keshishoglou is a staff writer. Email him at features@nyunews.com.
NYUNEWS.COM | THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2012 | WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS
ARTS
EDITED BY STEFAN MELNYK ARTS@NYUNEWS.COM
Documentary reveals Catholic Church sexual abuse stories By NIKOLAS REDA-CASTELAO
The new documentary “Mea Maxima Culpa: Silence in the House of God” combines the auditory and visual aesthetics necessary to deliver a solid emotional impact. The film addresses the role of the Catholic Church in the abuse of thousands of children worldwide and how these crimes are systematically concealed. This is a topic discussed frequently in the news, but somehow documentarian Alex Gibney (“Taxi To The Dark Side”) humanizes the familiar tragedy with his visual style and the unique nature of the story he reveals. The documentary focuses on the Milwaukee abuse scandals from the ’60s and ’70s and the crimes committed by Father Lawrence Murphy against over 200 children at St. John’s School for the Deaf. The film follows the accounts and reflections of five of his victims’ painful memories, and the secretive dealings and debauchery of a broken system. Focusing on individuals like Tony Walsh, a convicted priest who impersonated Elvis, and networking genius and formerly favored Rev. Marcial Maciel Degollado, viewers become gradually
5
aware of an intricate web spun by an organization so concerned with its image and the purity of clericalism that it betrays its own spiritual center. “Maxima” is powerful in its accounts; the five deaf men are mesmerizing in both their stories and their enchanting signing. They bring humanity to what otherwise might be a distant story, providing the audience with genuine pathos. Through the film, viewers are given a stern look at the decaying infrastructure of the Church. The film is structured with sharp visuals and clear imagery. It is backed by a score that tugs at the heartstrings and follows a logical progression from isolated incident to global epidemic. The narrative culminates in a powerful climax during which the victims — now adults, but still tormented — confront Father Murphy. Gibney finds a topic worth discussing and delivers its harsh message in a compelling fashion. Its focus, however, remains on the cries that have fallen on deaf ears and a public who held the priesthood above their own children and left them to suffer. Nikolas Reda-Castelao is a contributing writer. Email him at film@nyunews.com.
Acclaimed author Tom Wolfe thrills again in latest novel By TALI KUHEL
Tom Wolfe is nothing less than a modern literary legend. Since publishing his first novel in 1965, Wolfe has graced the world of literature and journalism with 14 personal works — in addition to multiple articles — that have sat atop The New York Times best sellers list for months at a time throughout his career. Wolfe’s most recent novel, “Back To Blood,” is a fast-paced story set in Miami where social clashes strengthen the divisions in local communities and national waters. Addressing the issues of a city in which new immigrants build communities alongside native Floridians, Wolfe delves into the lives of multiple first-person narrators, each dealing with the challenge of escaping their self-contained Cuban community and discovering acceptance in the Americano culture of Miami. The main character, Nestor Camacho, turns from Cuban-American police officer to local hero after climbing 70 feet up a mast to rescue and arrest a terrified Cuban escapee. As a Cuban-American, Nestor straddles the social divide, and this honor further strains his loyalties. Because of this incredible feat, he receives a badge of honor from high society while his hometown, which mostly consists of Cuban refugee residents, views him as a traitor. Wolfe further illuminates the harsh re-
alities brewing in America’s melting pot. Nestor’s lover is so infatuated with American society that she chooses to leave him for her boss, an American psychiatrist who specializes in treating pornography addiction. Wolfe employs the psychiatrist’s vulgarity to highlight the blindness of an inflated ego. Nestor’s story becomes intertwined with an investigation by “The Miami Herald,” the paper that hailed his act. Ultimately, Nestor must choose between his ambitions and his heritage. “Back To Blood” is filled with pages of the lively dialogue and the seamless pop-culture references for which Wolfe is frequently praised. He has written books about cultural clashes before. The reflections on the misgivings of the world of modern art in “Back in Blood” are reminiscent of Wolfe’s past works like his 1975 book, “The Painted World.” Even though many of his regular themes return in “Back to Blood,” Wolfe keeps his work up to date with a measured perspective on modern American ambitions and the questionable social conventions the public reveres. A fine comeback novel, “Back To Blood” draws the reader in for a thrilling and meaningful ride. Tom Wolfe’s “Back to Blood” was released worldwide Oct. 23. Tali Kuhel is a staff writer. Email her at books@nyunews.com.
ANNA continued from PG. 1
Tolstoy’s ‘Karenina’ captivates big screen in unique adaptation “Karenina” gives its audience a one-of-a-kind experience. Opening with an onstage scene, the film lures its viewers into imagining that they are in a theater. Viewers’ imaginations are further tested as the film transitions to the countryside of Russia, a racetrack and a train, taking the audience out of the theatrical experience, and back to more traditional film settings. Knightley’s performance is especially solid, effectively capturing Anna’s psychological turmoil. As the movie progresses, Anna becomes almost Medusa-like: her wavy, chocolate-brown locks spread out like snakes. The character’s growing unattractiveness is a powerful representation of the way her adultery has caused her to be shunned by polite society. Macfadyen provides comic relief, while Law gives Anna’s story gravity. Her actions are a challenge not only to his status as a dignified statesman, but also to Anna’s high status as his wife. Taylor-Johnson’s seductive acting is enough to make any girl fall head over heels for Vronsky as Kitty does. Vikander’s performance is also deserving of praise. In her first English-speaking role, her innocent eyes and graceful body language from years of ballet make her performance believable. But the theater in which most
COURTESY OF UNIVERSAL PICTURES
Keira Knightley dazzles as Anna. of the movie takes place also serves as a major character in its own right. Co-producer Tim Bevan remarked that “Anna’s odyssey is contained with the theater,” hence the film’s stylistic choice. While many of the other characters in the film are able to find true love with each other, Anna’s true love — the theater and the theatrics that come with it — are what lead to her own unfortunate demise. Sofia Lizza is a contributing writer. Email her at film@nyunews.com.
6
WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS | THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2012 | NYUNEWS.COM
The New York Times Syndication Sales Corporation
Eighth Avenue, New York, N.Y. 10018 THE620NEW YORK TIMES CROSSWORD & DAILY SUDOKU For Information Call: 1-800-972-3550 For Thursday, November 15, 2012
Edited by Will Shortz ACROSS 1 Tarzan’s realm 7 Composite candy treat 14 Some gala wear 16 ___ Trench (deepest ocean spot on earth) 17 Locale for hieroglyphics, maybe 18 California export 19 Bach work performed at the Moulin Rouge? 21 URL ending 23 Attend 24 Rock producer Brian 25 Winston’s biggest fear in “1984”
33 Pickup point at an amusement park
62 Kwanza spender 63 “True”
37 One spotted at the Rodeo Drive Taco Bell? 40 They have schedules 41 Narrow openings
42 Put into play 45 Tips
46 May V.I.P.
48 Toon with a singing map
50 Name shared by a Broadway quintet 51 North African counterpart to an Italian Baroque sculptor? 56 Top celeb
DOWN 1 From ___ Z 2 Mug site 3 Woman with great will power? 4 Hip-hop’s ___ Soul 5 Taking too much 6 Idaho city 7 College QB, often 8 ___ Croft, comic book heroine 9 Algeria’s second-largest city 10 Post-Christmas clearance, maybe
57 Rear-end, say 11 Baal worshiper, 27 Massenet opera 60 State with a say based on a work bison skull on its of Goethe quarter 12 Just before the top of the hour 31 Neutral shades 61 As you wish? 13 Simon & ANSWER TO PREVIOUS PUZZLE Garfunkel’s “El Condor ___” A B C O T H E R A S B A D
G H A S T
R I B E D
U S S T H E P T I O N S T S O
O D R A P J O I N S O R B E N E S S I C E S N A P E A S T U M P J U R E M O D G E P J A R S E I S F A N S P N N Y D
M A T S P P A G J U A N M P A I S T
T H R O E L E D G A E R L S L I D L A P J E R S E O M E D
H O P S
A D J O K M E S S S S C H I O A C K S
N G E L I N A
E 15 Runner’s place E 20 Area of Chicago T where Wrigley Field is located A 21 Put up T 22 Vacation home M abroad
T I C K E R
S 26 Is overwhelmed by A Y 28 Numerical prefix S 29 “Don’t make me N laugh!” O 30 Dingo prey
1
2
3
4
5
6
14
7 15
8
9
29
30
10
11
12
13
34
35
36
58
59
16
17
18 19
21
No. 1011
20
22
23
25
26
31
24 27
28
32
37
33 38
39
40
41 42 46
43
47
51
44
48 52
53
54
50 55
56
57
60
61
62
45 49
63
Puzzle by Byron Walden
32 Attempt 34 Girl Scout offering 35 Best 36 Old-hat 38 Tyrant Amin 39 Animation collectible 43 Silver screen swashbuckler
44 Verdi opera set in Aragon 46 ___ ball 47 Certain gasket 49 Draw a bead on
53 Soap actress Sofer 54 Muffin ingredient 55 Not finalized, at law
51 N.C.A.A. football 58 Profs’ aides champs of ’09 and ’11 59 Metal in 60-Across’s 52 Citation shortener motto
For answers, call 1-900-285-5656, $1.49 a minute; or, with a credit card, 1-800-814-5554. Annual subscriptions are available for the best of Sunday crosswords from the last 50 years: 1-888-7-ACROSS. AT&T users: Text NYTX to 386 to download puzzles, or visit nytimes.com/mobilexword for more information. Online subscriptions: Today’s puzzle and more than 2,000 past puzzles, nytimes.com/crosswords ($39.95 a year). Share tips: nytimes.com/wordplay. Crosswords for young solvers: nytimes.com/learning/xwords.
NYUNEWS.COM | THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2012 | WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS
OPINION
EDITED BY CHRIS DINARDO OPINION@NYUNEWS.COM
GOVERNMENT
Infidelities less important than policies By SAMEER JAYWANT In this year’s episode of “The U.S. Military Gets Caught With Its Pants Down,” two of the nation’s most critical military leaders, David Petraeus and John Allen, have been ensnared in a scandal that is so complex nobody knows whether it’s true or just an incredibly elaborate diversion by the CIA to cover up an even bigger secret. When the story first broke, we collectively asked ourselves what could possibly have forced one of the most powerful men in the world to resign; was it a strategic failure? Perhaps he was finally being held accountable for the CIA’s errant drone program? It turned out to be neither. Petraeus resigned because the FBI discovered his extramarital affair with his outrageously fit biographer, Paula Broadwell. Many people were not surprised that the affair led to his resignation, but in hindsight, perhaps we should be. Petraeus’ case is unique because of the possibility that his affair has compromised national security interests, but he is certainly not the first public official to resign because of domestic infidelities. Rep. Anthony Weiner and Rep. Chris Lee, former congressmen, both quit after stunts worthy of high school stu-
dents when they sent shirtless pictures to random women. And we can’t forget Bill Clinton’s infamous escapades underscored by Newt Gingrich’s leadership of the impeachment trials. They are all part of a long list of politicians who are no different. It must be said that none of these men are morally defensible. However, over the last century, the United States has become increasingly bloodthirsty in demanding the professional destruction of political officials who commit personal infidelities, often when it is not necessary. Perhaps the best way to make this case is to compare. The French enjoy gossip as much as Americans but have completely disassociated personal life from political; this is, in fact, one of the strict tenets of French politics, and the 2012 French presidential elections exemplify the practical implementation of this notion. Incumbent Nicolas Sarkozy led a personal life that would titillate American tabloids, having been cheated on by his second wife in 2005 and then subsequently cheating on her with a prominent journalist. The couple divorced two years later, almost immediately following his election as French president in 2007. One month later, he met the Tyra Banks of France, Carla Bruni, and married her at the Élysée Palace in 2009.
Ironically, the man Sarkozy lost to this year, current President François Hollande, has a similarly interesting personal life. Mr. Hollande was the 23-year partner of politician Ségolène Royal, but left her soon after his presidential loss to Mr. Sarkozy in 2007, deciding on journalist Valérie Trierwiler instead. To the credit of the French, none of these personal particularities was discussed for longer than a few minutes during the election season. Mr. Sarkozy was widely disliked by the end of his first term, but he lost the presidency because of policy, not Bruni and won the office a few years later. The concept of ignoring personal infidelities by public officials is certainly foreign to American political culture. We are a nation founded on family values, and we expect our leaders to exemplify the highest possible moral aptitude to assure us they apply the same ethical principles in their professional lives, and rightly so. But it’s also important to remember that our leaders are as human and fallible as we are, and we are often so caught up in our moral judgment of these individuals that we overlook the irrelevance of their personal lives to the execution of their duties. Sameer Jaywant is a staff columnist. Email him at opinion@nyunews.com.
ENTERTAINMENT
Large corporations fail to foster creativity By NINA GOLSHAN Financial corporations in the United States have gotten a bad rap. When it was revealed that bonuses increased significantly after the Wall Street bailout in 2008, many became disillusioned with the corporate side of America. Major companies are characterized as detached and apathetic toward the public, allowing greed to eclipse any compassion they might have for their patrons. Even though the stereotype does, unfortunately, hold true in many cases, it does not apply only to the businesses concerned with mortgage rates, stocks and investment banking. In the past 20 years, the music, book and even electronics industries have been crippled by the introduction of moneyhungry corporations. Formerly known as trades that would foster creativity, ingenuity and innovation, conglomerates frequently share the same insensitive characteristics of most other corporations and have overwhelmed the smaller contributors to the industry. The music industry is the most widely recognized example of the adverse effects of big business interference. For major record labels, profit has become the first priority. It is not surprising to find greed
SUBMITTING TO
7
and selfishness in businesses concerned with trading, investing and making money, such as on Wall Street, but the degree to which avarice has overtaken music is disconcerting. Of course, any company’s main goal is to stay afloat by making a profit, but not always at the expense of patrons and clients. Currently, the profits of an individual artist’s album sales go mostly to the record label, leaving the artist in the dust. Unless a musician achieves incredible popularity — the Beyoncé or Justin Bieber kind of popularity — becoming involved in the entertainment industry is largely unrewarding, monetarily speaking. It was not always like this. Decades ago, record labels were small companies looking to produce and distribute an artist’s music. It is no longer about the artist. This also extends into literature. The failings of the book publishing industry are not quite as highly publicized as that of music, but they are just as callous. Once again, priority is placed on those writers who can turn out the most profit: Dan Browns and John Grishams. It is extremely difficult for most debut authors to even get a chance at being published at a major publishing company like Random House or HarperCollins.
As for the electronics industry, a glance at the smartphone business reveals the detriments of large corporations. As of now, only a few operating systems run on the few major companies that control the market in smartphones — iOS for iPhone, Android for HTC Corp. and Samsung, Symbian for Nokia, etc. While competition between these opponents is fierce, there is virtually no way for fledgling smartphone software developers to pioneer new technology. These profoundly different industries share this common thread of declining interest in creativity and growing preoccupation with income. Music and writing, art forms meant to be springs of originality and inspiration, have been shaped to fit a mold that obstructs many talented artists from receiving the credit they deserve. Reverting back to old ways that fostered growth in artistry is unlikely, but customer support of small businesses is imperative. These individual record labels, small publishing companies and the like are the source of ingenuity that has been lost to large corporations in recent years. Nina Golshan is a staff columnist. Email her at opinion@nyunews.com.
STAFF EDITORIAL
Palestine, Israel must focus on compromise, not conflict
Yesterday, the Israeli Defense Forces launched air strikes into the Gaza strip aimed at no fewer than 20 targets, killing Hamas military commander Ahmed al-Jabari and at least seven others. The targeted strikes, dubbed Operation Pillar of Defense, were a response to rocket attacks within the last several weeks by Gaza-based Palestinian militants. The Israelis also threatened Hamas with the potential use of ground troops. Israel’s strike on Gaza has the potential to upset what little sense of security the nation has. Jabari’s armed followers of the Hamas organization have deemed that Israel “has opened the Gates of Hell on itself,” a foreboding statement that characterizes the impending uproar from revenge-seeking Palestinians and imminent condemnation from other countries. Egypt’s new president, Mohamed Morsi, a member of the Muslim Brotherhood, has responded with sympathy for the victims of the attack, as he works to reverse the previously close relationship former President Hosni Mubarak had with Israel. While the military defends its actions in the name of self-defense, one must wonder whether military aggression such as this will do more harm than good for stability in the region. While Palestinians living in Gaza have no doubt taken up arms against an Israeli government they view as oppressive in their lessthan-democratic treatment of Palestinians, diplomacy is the avenue by which Israel will truly maximize its security. Violence, regardless of justification, fails to heed the handle-with-care warning placed on the already fragile, and recently waning, peace talks in the region. Hamas does not regard Israel as a legitimate nation, while Israel refuses to acknowledge their impact on the alreadyexisting Arab neighborhood by which they are surrounded. Although seemingly untenable, hard line stances on either side offer less stability than active compromise. Operation Pillar of Defense escalates, rather than alleviates, the issue.
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.
8
NYUNEWS.COM | THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2012 | WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS
SPORTS
EDITED BY THE WSN STAFF SPORTS@NYUNEWS.COM
Looking forward to exciting 2013 season for tennis’ Big Four By NICK NEMEROFF
The 2012 Association of Tennis Professional Tour has ended its yearly cycle in London after Novak Djokovic defeated Roger Federer in an extremely hard-fought and compelling finale at the Barclays ATP World Tour finals. After a season of 62 tournaments spanning across 31 different countries, it will surely not be forgotten anytime soon. In an age where tennis is defined by a seemingly inelastic polarity at the top of the game, the top four men in the world provided us with wonderful uniformity in 2012, splitting the four majors among themselves. At the Australian Open, Djokovic outdueled Rafael Nadal in the longest match in Australian Open history, battling it out for nearly six hours. In the second major of the year, Nadal returned the favor, edging out Djokovic in a tight four set-match at the French Open. Less than a month later, Federer shocked a great majority of the tennis world by winning his seventh Wimbledon championship, defeating hometown favorite Andy Murray in the final. In the city that never sleeps, Murray broke through his Grand Slam woes to capture his previously elusive first major at the U.S. Open, beating Djokovic in a stunning five sets. Despite the monumental victories of the 2012 season, not all was to end in glory. Following his second-round defeat to Lukas Rosol at Wimbledon, Nadal was sidelined for the remainder of the 2012 tennis season due to complications with an ongoing knee injury. Djokovic was forced to overcome the emotional effect of his grandfather’s death during the Monte Carlo Masters. He also relinquished his titles in Monte Carlo and Rome Masters back to Nadal, who has prevented the Serb from holding all four majors at one time — neither Federer
COURTESY OF YANN CARADEC
Novak Djokovic won against Roger Federer in the ATP World Tour final earlier this month. nor Nadal has held the title of four majors. At Wimbledon, Murray was once again denied at a major final, losing to Federer in a match that surely marked the most saddening defeat of his entire career considering how he had the homecourt advantage. After being denied berths in the Australian Open and French Open finals by Djokovic and Nadal respectively, Federer failed to capture the singles Gold Medal at the London Olympics, falling to Britain’s own: Murray. Looking forward into 2013, I present four questions about the top four players in order of their current rankings:
Lakers threaten to extinguish Heat
By FRANCISCO NAVAS
Miami Heat forward Lebron James attempted to predict his future tally of National Basketball Association Finals wins at the official Miami Heat Big 3 preseason presentation to a roaring Miami crowd on late summer night in 2010. “Not one, not two, not three, not four, not five, not six, not seven,” he said. “And when I say that I really believe it,” At first, it looked like Lebron would be wrong, as the well-publicized Heat would go on to lose to Mark Cuban’s Dallas Mavericks in six games that year. However, this debacle would be avenged in the 2011-2012 season as pressure mounted on the everdetermined James to get his first ring, and his team destroyed three-time NBA leading scorer Kevin Durant’s Oklahoma City Thunder 4-1 in the finals. One down, six to go and the 2012-2013 season will certainly result in a repeat for the star-studded South Beach crew. The only major competition comes in the form of a new rival — the Los Angeles Lakers. With a new Big 3 of their own, Miami forward Chris Bosh called them “better on paper” than his own squad. With the signing of Dwight Howard, the undisputed best center and arguably the best defender in the league, and two-time MVP Steve Nash on the same side as the ever-tenacious Kobe Bryant, the Lakers made Heat fans shudder. After an 0-8 preseason and a 1-4 start to the year — the Lakers
started 0-3 for the first time in 34 years — losing translated into a coaching change. Ex-Knicks coach Mike D’Antoni was hired, but if he couldn’t handle the New York roster, how is he supposed to control the two biggest overindulged players in the league, Howard and Bryant? If D’Antoni couldn’t keep the enigmatic Knicks forward Amar’e Stoudemire tame, it will be impossible for him to keep Kobe from lashing out. If it were up to Kobe to decide, he’d be on the sidelines dressed in a suit and tie coaching, taking the ball down court, passing it to himself and getting the block back on defense. How will D’Antoni keep Kobe’s ego in check this year? Yes, undoubtedly the offense will be smoother as the successful combination of D’Antoni and Nash are reunited, but Los Angeles is already having the same problems the Heat had: growing pains. Early in the season, tough losses showed a clear weakness in the Heat, and the Lakers are a page ripped out of the same story. Having three guys who always had the ball in their hands on the same team being forced to pass does not work easily. Especially for the notorious Kobe, who has a whole breed of memes created on the subject of his desire to hold the ball at all times. Despite all these problems, expect to see them in the finals, based on sheer star power. Francisco Navas is a staff writer. Email him at sports@nyunews.com.
1) Will Djokovic be ranked number one at the end of 2013? 2) Will Federer win a major in 2013? 3) Will Murray have a winning record against Djokovic in 2013? 4) Will Nadal play in all four majors? When we look back a year from now and answer these questions, they will hopefully give us a good sense of how the 2013 season panned out. Nick Nemeroff is a staff writer. Email him at sports@nyunews.com.