NYU’s Daily Student Newspaper
WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS Vol. 41, No. 102
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2013
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Panel debates US health care policy
By ANJANA SREEDHAR
Almost 50 students gathered to hear an interdisciplinary health care discussion sponsored by the College of Arts and Science’s College Cohort Program’s Academic Inquiry Committee. The panel discussion, which took place Dec. 2, included perspectives on universal health care from politics professor Patrick Egan, biology professor Patrick Eichenberger, anthropology professor Todd Disotell and international law professor Fakiha Khan. The panelists engaged in a dialogue about how different factors affect the way health care is viewed in America, especially since the
DANIEL COLE/WSN
100 Montaditos’s New York location offers a variety of options for its signature dish at low prices.
Montaditos brings Old World dining experience to New York
By NIKOLAS REDA-CASTELAO
For anyone who has ever desired the feeling of Spanish luxury and authentic flavor or the baroque ambience of a different world, all the while never having to leave the convenience of your home, there is solace. A new franchise branch 100 Montaditos has opened on Bleecker Street, and is the first of its kind in New York. The franchise started in Spain in 2000. Since then, 100 Montaditos has rapidly expanded, with the goal of creating a casual yet classy
dining experience that introduces its American patrons to a new segment of Spanish cuisine. “Americans’ perception of Spanish cuisine is largely limited to tapas,” said Carlos Perez Tenorio, CEO of 100 Montaditos US. “By bringing 100 Montaditos to New York City, the epicenter of dining, we are introducing a whole new aspect of Spanish culture to this country.” The restaurant opens up to a bar with a couple of parlor seats, but as patrons walk through the traditional atmosphere, the diner leads into a large seating room
decorated with vintage photos and plasma screen TVs at each corner. The room is not tight nor is it too spacious — rather, it is snug with the warmth of a holiday dinner. But, of course, the experience lies wholly in the dining. To order, there is a small sheet where you jot down the number of the sandwich and the amount you desire — there are close to a hundred different sandwiches — which you hand to the register. Your platter will emerge with a festival of small, as-
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Affordable Care Act was recently put into practice and still causes political debates. CAS sophomore Matthew Hammen, who moderated the discussion, said with the implementation of the ACA, the cohort program thought the topic would interest students. “We wanted to organize something that students could actually learn something new from,” Hammen said. A theme of the discussion was the American emphasis of individualism and how that changes the view of the government controlling the health care system. Egan said part of the reason Americans value indi-
HEALTH cont’d on PG. 3
Spears struggles to find emotional balance By JAKE FOLSOM
“Britney Jean” is an album divided. Whereas Britney Spears’ last several LPs (“Femme Fatale,” “Circus,” “Blackout”) felt like cohesive works with overarching ideas, “Britney Jean” feels like a collection of clashing ideas in search of a singular product. In promotional interviews leading up to “Britney Jean,” the pop star built up hype by labeling the album an “intensely personal” one. Considering the critical success of 2007’s intimate and confessional “Blackout,” this seemed to bode well for the
success of “Britney Jean.” However, the album is ultimately only confessional in the way that “Blackout” was. True, the standout tracks on the album are often those that feel slow and reflective — “Alien” and “Perfume” are especially memorable — but the high energy tracks would feel more at home on 2011’s EDM party “Femme Fatale.” “Tik Tik Boom” is catchy and fun, and it recalls the droning hook of recent Spears classic “Womanizer” for its use of repetition. But a chorus as simple as “Better
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INSIDE THIS ISSUE
Syria should spark UN action
‘Fast’ franchise should continue
Celebrate with sweet apple pie
The UN Security Council must intervene in Syria because of human rights violations.
Despite Paul Walker’s death, the “Fast & Furious” films should not stop production.
In honor of National Applie Pie Day, learn to bake your own apple pie with WSN’s recipe.
STORY on PG. 7
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By JAKE FOLSOM It has been 15 years since Britney Spears broke through to the top of the charts with her breakout single “Baby One More Time,” but since then, Spears has become a radio favorite and pop royalty in her own right. With her forthcoming LP “Britney Jean,” it seems like a good time to look back on the singer’s biggest hits to gain a better context for her new songs. “Baby One More Time” “Hold It Against Me” “Stronger” “Work Bitch” “Gimme More” “Lucky” “Til the World Ends” “Perfume” “Toxic” “Piece of Me” “I’m a Slave 4 U” “Oops!... I Did It Again”
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About WSN: Washington Square News (ISSN 15499389) is the student newspaper of New York University. WSN is published Monday through Thursday during NYU’s academic year, except for university holidays, vacations and exam periods. Corrections: WSN is committed to accurate reporting. When we make errors, we do our best to correct them as quickly as possible. If you believe we have erred, contact managing editor Jordan Melendrez at managing@nyunews.com or at 212.998.4302.
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HEALTH continued from PG. 1
CAS cohort organizes panel discussion on US public views on health care, Affordable Care Act
viduality is because many are immigrants who came from oppressive governments. “Historically, we’ve been fiercely protective of our right to self-rule,” Egan said. Eichenberger, a former resident of Switzerland, said Swiss people are also independent, but are able to implement universal health care. “We’re not a socialist country by any means, we’re very conservative,” Eichenberger said. “Universal health care is not contested because it works.” Disotell said some do not want to discuss the responsibility of making personal health decisions and educating themselves about health choices. “If we’re going to be rugged individualists, we also have to be responsible,” Disotell said. “Health care
has to be holistic.” Khan introduced the idea of health care as a human right and said many Americans are not comfortable with that idea. “There is a fear that if we give the government the right to give us health care, we give it the right to control our lives,” Khan said. CAS sophomore Benjamin Goh said panelists provided a variety of perspectives about health care issues. “People get very emotional about it, and they end up creating self-serving justifications from there depending on whether they agree or disagree,” Goh said. “It was a good event to get a deeper understanding of the whole problem.” Anjana Sreedhar is a contributing writer. Email her at news@nyunews.com.
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Students organized the panel as part of the College Cohort programming.
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Panelists consider problems, progress of Israeli society By ANN SCHMIDT
The NYU School of Law hosted three prestigious Israeli leaders for the Center on Law and Security’s panel Israel, From the Inside Out. The panel, which was moderated by Leon Wieseltier, the literary editor at The New Republic, included three panelists — retired Chief Justice Dorit Beinisch, Council on Foreign Relations Distinguished Fellow Stanley Fischer and NYU Law professor Moshe Halbertal. Beinisch, Fischer and Halbertal discussed their experiences and thoughts on current issues within Israel. Zach Goldman, executive director of the Center on Law and Security, said the purpose of the event was to better understand the domestic politics of Israel. “The Middle East strategic picture has been changing rapidly in the last weeks and months,” Goldman said. “And the strategic orientation of Israel is a key component of those shifts in the public discussion of those issues.” Fischer, who was also the former governor of the Bank of Israel and a former top official at both the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank, spoke about the current economic status of Israel. “If you’re a macroeconomist, which I am, [Israel’s economy] is a significant success story for a country with a per capita about two-thirds of the United States,” Fischer said. Fischer also discussed some of the current problems with Israel’s society in terms of its demographics, growing economic inequality and increased property value.
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The Center of Law and Security hosted three panelists to discuss their perspective on current events in Israel. “All these problems are interrelated,” Fischer said. “And they relate to the education system and how it’s structured.” Beinisch, the president of the Supreme Court of Israel from 2006 to 2012, explained how she views the judiciary branch in the Israeli government. “The role of the court in a democratic society is to protect the rights,” Beinisch said. “It is an independent judicial system. It is an apolitical judicial system.” Beinisch said these apolitical qualities help maintain democracy and justice in the complex Israeli society. “Our courts have the power to be so important and relevant in our society because we have so many problems because of the composition of our society,” Beinisch said. Halbertal said the various
groups of people in Israel understand the necessity for an agreement, but the lack of trust among them could hinder the process. “This is a complex problem,” Halbertal said. “This will have an impact on the very identity of the state.” Laurent Wiesel, 36, said he found the panelists’ discussion about the sense of detachment in the lives of the Israelis and the large political issues to be important subjects. “Politically, if Israeli people are not motivated in some way to change the status quo, then, in a functioning democracy, there wouldn’t be the kind of pressure on the politicians to make the big decisions that most people understand need to be made,” Wiesel said. Ann Schmidt is a staff writer. Email her at news@nyunews.com.
Healy discusses ‘Great Dissent,’ free speech case By LARSON BINZER
Seton Hall law professor Thomas Healy discussed his book “The Great Dissent” with a small crowd in the NYU Journalism Institute on Dec. 2. The book tells the story of Supreme Court Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes’ dissent in Abrams v. United States (1919), in which he wrote against the majority opinion that confirmed the constitutionality of the Espionage Act. Journalism professor Stephen Solomon asked Healy to speak at NYU after reading his book when it was released in August. Solomon also assigned the book as homework for his First Amendment honors seminar. “[Students should read this book] because Justice Holmes wrote an opinion that put forth the first modern interpretation of the First Amendment,” Solomon said. “So it was a
major departure from what had come in the past.” Healy gave a brief background of the book and explained how Holmes transformed from someone disagreeing with a broad interpretation of freedom of speech into one of free speech’s key advocates and initiators. Healy said this change of mind resulted from young, prominent men lobbying for free speech at the time. He also stated Holmes was angry that his friend was punished for speaking freely about the Boston Police Strike, which Holmes’ friend said was the police commissioner’s fault. “Holmes’ opinion marked not just a personal transformation, but the start of a national transformation,” Healy said in a phone interview before the event. “It’s important to understand that we have the free speech rights we have today as a result of struggle
and as a result of the efforts that people made to help us understand the value of free speech,” Healy added. During the questionand-answer session after the lecture, a student asked if Healy thought Holmes would have been recognized as one of the greatest judges in American history had he not written that dissent. “I think it’s possible he would be remembered kind of negatively [had he not written the dissent] as a judge who basically always deferred to the majority,” Healy said. Healy also elaborated on Holmes’ past and how he uncovered the information abou the Supreme Court justice. CAS freshman Sean McCready, who is enrolled in Solomon’s seminar, said the discussion expanded on what Healy had talked about in his previous visit to the class.
“The [question and answer] really gave a lot more insight into his opinions of what the case meant and what Holmes’ general opinion on free speech meant,” McCready said. While the book could also pertain to the political sphere, Solomon said it is especially important to journalism students because
it shows the origins of their freedom of speech rights in terms of court cases. “Here, we’re journalists, and what the book is about is the great decision about the history of freedom of the press,” Solomon said. Larson Binzer is a staff writer. Email her at news@nyunews.com.
UNDER THE ARCH At a global university like NYU, it may feel that adventures can only happen by traveling abroad. But so often, the next adventure is just around the corner. This week on wsnunderthearch. com, we’re exploring new places and new perspectives. We’ve sent our writers to barely traveled roads and secret rooms around campus, hopefully encouraging you to find your own adventure. NYU is a big place, you never know where you’ll suddenly find yourself.
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Thomas Healy discussed his book, “The Great Dissent.”
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DINING
EDITED BY DANIEL YEOM DINING@NYUNEWS.COM
Savor Apple Pie Day with homemade cooking By BRENDA LIU
Dec. 3 is National Apple Pie Day. Celebrate with a delicious slice of homemade apple pie packed with warm, wintery flavors.
Ingredients 6 to 7 Apples 2 teaspoon fresh lemon juice 3 tablespoon cornstarch 1/4 teaspoon salt 1/8 teaspoon nutmeg 2/3 cup brown sugar 1/4 cup granulated sugar 1 egg 1 tsp. butter 3 tablespoon all-purpose flour 1 pie crust (Pillsbury refrigerated pie crust) 1 pastry cloth Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
Start with the filling Peel and core the apples, then cut them into 3/4-inch slices. Mix the apples with the lemon juice. In a bowl, mix the brown sugar, sugar, cornstarch, a dash of cinnamon, salt and nutmeg. Lightly beat the egg with 1 teaspoon of water, then set the filling ingredients aside for now.
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A slice of apple pie can be enjoyed chilled or heated. Making the cover Rub 3 tablespoons of flour into a pastry cloth, forming a circle. Roll the dough into a circle that should be about 1/8-inch thick with a 15-inch diameter. Spread the egg and water mixture into the premade pie crust. Putting it together Combine the sugar mix with the apple slices and pour them in the pie pan. Press down to make sure they are compact. Place 1 tablespoon of cold butter cubes into the mixture. Gently place the sheet of dough over the filling to seal the pie. Make sure there is at least 3/4 of an inch of dough hanging over the edges. Fold the top layer under the crust and press the two together.
Drip a little of cold water onto the top and sprinkle a bit of sugar to finish it off. Poke a few holes in the pie crust with a knife to make sure the pie has enough ventilation.
MONTADITOS continued from PG. 1
Montatidos brings authentic Spanish flavors to New York City
sorted sandwiches, but do not be deceived, they are tasty and more filling than you would imagine. A personal recommendation would be one of their house specialties, anything with chorizo (a rich Iberian sausage) or jamón. Each sandwich offers its own brand of savory flavor. For customers, though, choosing from nearly a hundred options can be overwhelming. Yet, at $1 to $2.50 a pop, it isn’t pricey to experiment. The bread, imported straight from Spain, is the perfect combination of crispy and fluffy. The espresso has a distinctive twang and invigorating kick to it.
Margaret Saunders, a CAS junior who has visited the 100 Montaditos in Spain, claimed its new New York City location is much better, in terms of the food quality. “It’s funny, actually,” Saunders said. “The food here is much better at this one than the one I went to in Spain. And it really felt like Spain, too.” 100 Montaditos at 176 Bleecker St. is now open and will shortly be running their operations until 4 a.m. for any late-night snackers. Go and explore the old world. Nikolas Reda-Castelao is a staff writer. Email him at dining@nyunews.com.
Baking Place the pie onto a metal pan covered in aluminum to catch the juices that may leak while baking. Bake until the top of the pie is golden brown and the juices are bubbling. This will take about an hour. Cool the pie in the refrigerator for at least 5 hours, though preferably overnight, before serving. Heat it in the microwave if you want to eat it warm. Brenda Liu is a contributing writer. Email her at dining@nyunews.com.
DANIEL COLE/WSN
Montaditos opened its first NYC location on Bleecker St. last week.
Delicious foods, flavors to incorporate into December, holiday season recipes
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By GIANNA COLLIER-PITTS While most students are focused on final exams and freezing temperatures, we must remember the holidays are quickly approaching. Stay in high spirits with a few classic December snacks and staples.
Peppermint It’s the season of candy canes and all things red and white, so pay homage to this exquisite plant as much as possible. To take peppermint to the next level, add it to hot bever-
ages, such as tea or coffee, for an extra kick in the morning. If you happen to have extra candy canes lying around, sprinkle peppermint bits on top of cupcakes and brownies. It will add minty touch to holiday desserts.
stove, cook fresh cranberries with sugar and a hint of orange zest for tangy relish, which tastes great when paired with peanut butter, allowing you to add a holiday twist to the traditional peanut butter and jelly sandwich.
Cranberries For those who enjoy tart flavors, this is a great time to try new combinations with this seasonal berry. Add dried cranberries to oatmeal or yogurt for a delicious version of a breakfast favorite. If you have a
Pumpkin Not tired of pumpkin after Thanksgiving? Still confused as to why most Americans love this squash? Have a slice of pumpkin pie and you will quickly understand why. Although there are many ways to
integrate pumpkin into a meal, the best methods by far include pies, soups and the lesser known but equally delicious pumpkin ice cream or frozen yogurt. Though making it from scratch can be time consuming, 16 Handles offers a blend that will satisfy your pumpkin craving.
Cinnamon Cinnamon may be one of the best spices to use, regardless of the time of year, but it is especially great in December. To satisfy a cinnamon-laden
apple pie craving, make apple crisp by simmering sliced apples with butter, sugar, a pinch of nutmeg and plenty of cinnamon. Be sure to grab a hot chai tea and sprinkle with a little cinnamon to increase the spiciness of the tea.
Chocolate While it’s not necessarily tied to any particular month, chocolate makes for a rich and decadent December flavor. You can purchase the timeless chocolate Santa Claus, or chocolate coins if you are cele-
brating Hanukkah. Nothing compares to hot cocoa on a cold December afternoon, and adding a bit of chocolate liqueur can transform the holiday favorite into an adult beverage with a tasty kick. For those who favor a bitter taste, substitute dark chocolate for milk chocolate to dip strawberries, oranges and even coffee beans if you need to keep up with finals without overindulging. Gianna Collier-Pitts is a staff writer. Email her at dining@nyunews.com.
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Walker leaves behind powerful legacy on, off screen
By MOHAMED HASSAN and DAVID LEIDY
From the moment the camera flashed onto Paul Walker in his Mitsubishi Eclipse in 2001’s “The Fast and the Furious,” kids around the world dreamed of attaining the perfect racing machine. Walker, best known for his role in the “Fast & Furious” series, unfortunately passed away on Saturday because of a car crash in which Walker was in the passenger seat. Since then, fans, friends and various celebrities have been in mourning. Many have gathered at the crash site in Santa Clarita, Calif., leaving flowers and mementos at the makeshift memorial. Tyrese Gibson, actor and close friend of Walker,
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Paul Walker starred as Agent Brian O’Conner in five “Fast & Furious” films. visited the crash site and broke into tears among the vast sea of silent fans. Off screen, Walker contributed to many charities and started Reach Out
Worldwide, a charitable organization that raises funds for those affected by the typhoon in the Philippines and other natural disasters. Events like these are what
PICK UP THE ARTS ISSUE: EXTRAVAGANCE ON THURSDAY, DEC. 5 BRITNEY continued from PG. 1
Despite inconsistencies, fans will enjoy Spears’ latest album
make me tik tik tik tik tik tik boom/tik tik tik tik tik tik tik” is nowhere near as emotionally deep as Spears promised. But the lyrics on many of these tracks demonstrate Spears’ vulnerable side. On “Alien,” she sings with poignancy, “There was a time I was one of a kind.” Much of the recent criticism of Spears targets her work on the will.i.am track “Scream & Shout,” which was lamented by fans and pop music critics alike for being obnoxious. As a result, many expressed concern in the weeks leading up to “Britney Jean” because of will.i.am’s considerable presence on the album. As it turns out, his contribution to the album is uneven but inoffensive. While his featured track, “It Should Be Easy,” uses abrasive electronics, as does “Scream & Shout,” he is also credited on “Til It’s Gone,” which has intricate beat drops that are up to par with the bangers of 2011’s superlative “Femme Fatale.” Spears superfans will be excited to see a duet with sister Jamie Lynn Spears on “Chillin’ With You.” The track is campy fun (“I drank some white wine/Now I’m walking on the sky”) with overthe-top fronting (“When I’m wit
chu I’m chilling/I’m chillin’ I’m chill”). But those hoping for an intimate look into the sisters’ relationship may be left wanting — the track is devoid of substantial personal detail. While “Britney Jean” is not as cohesive as previous albums, it still often delivers. Tracks such as “Perfume,” “Alien,” “Til It’s Gone” and “Tik Tik Boom” include exhilarating moments that would be at home on Spears’ previous three standout albums. Spears’ hardcore fans will delight at each song on “Britney Jean,” but even more casual members of the Britney Army will find something to their liking. Jake Folsom is music editor. Email him at jfolsom@nyunews.com.
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remind us of the fragility of our own lives. These highly publicized tragedies provide us with the lesson that no matter how famous one may be, no matter how
young, caring or even how healthy, no one in this world is immune to death. Controversy has sparked over whether Universal Studios should continue the “Fast & Furious” franchise — it was recently announced that “Fast & Furious 7,” in which Walker was scheduled to reprise his role as Brian O’Conner, has been delayed rather than canceled. Whether Universal should cancel the franchise is a trivial matter. Walker’s life stood for something much more important than that franchise itself. He’ll be remembered for both his performances and his willingness and selflessness to give back to society solely for the good of helping the community. Unlike some celebrities, such as Sean Penn and Bono, Walker never publicized his endeavors to give back, nor
asked for attention or praise. The films should continue because, even though Walker played a major role in the series, there are many other cast and crew who were equally involved, and it would not be fair to their efforts to end it entirely because of one key actor’s death. Nevertheless, he now lives on not only through the legacy he left behind in film and television but, most of all, through his loving, charismatic personality offscreen which resonated deeply with everyone who was fortunate enough to have met him. To continue the series is to continue that legacy. Mohamed Hassan and David Leidy are staff writers. Email them at film@nyunews.com.
Four-actor production brings ‘Hamlet’ to profound success
By SARAH DOODY
“Hamlet” is not an easy show to perform. From the little old lady in the front row reciting “to be or not to be” along with the actor, to the more general problem of the audience knowing exactly what will occur by the end of the show, “Hamlet” is fraught with challenges. With at least 30 different characters, “Hamlet” also requires a huge company of actors — or at least that is the traditional ensemble. The Bedlam Company has opened a fourperson production of Shakespeare’s “Hamlet” at the Lynn Redgrave Theater in SoHo, running through 2014. Eric Tucker, who plays the Danish prince, conceived the production, which ran earlier this year in February at the Access Theater. It has the same amazing cast as the first production, with Edmund Lewis, Andrus Nichols, Tom O’Keefe and Tucker himself. The moment viewers walk into the theater, they know they are not in for a traditional version of one of Shakespeare’s
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Edmund Lewis stars as one of only a quartet of actors in “Hamlet.” most-produced plays. The stage is covered with chairs and the audience is free to choose their seat — on the stage. The play starts in complete darkness, creating an unsettling environment for an audience unsure of where the action will take place. Then, the actors slowly enter with only a flashlight, which is the sole source of light for most of the opening act. From the use of flashlights to the costumes, this is a minimalist version of “Hamlet.” While minimalist Shakespeare is not a new idea, this version makes the conceit unique. Maybe it’s because so much of the action takes place in
and around the audience, or maybe because there are so few actors. Whatever idea you consider, it makes for a thrilling show. This minimalism also puts the acting center stage. Tucker’s Hamlet is a lovely, relatable version of the prince. He brings a humanity to Hamlet that is sometimes left out of productions, and the power behind “Hamlet” is the play’s relatability. The plot revolves around a prince afraid to act and follow his fate — a universal fear. We are all scared to follow our dreams, and Tucker’s performance taps into this known truth. The idea of four people performing “Ham-
let” seems a bit insane. But somehow, Tucker’s production succeeds. He creates an exciting version that truly captures the essence of the play and of this well-known character. The production may be somewhat hard to follow for someone unfamiliar with the play, however — actors suddenly jumping from one character to another could potentially be confusing. But for people who know the play, this is a wonderful production, and it makes for an incredibly enjoyable three hours. Sarah Doody is a contributing writer. Email her at arts@nyunews.com.
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oughta be ___!” 42 2 “Alas” and “ah” 3 Curly hair or 44 hazel eyes 45 4 Haile Selassie disciple 46 5 Bad-mouth 49 6 Actress Jenna 53 of “Dharma & Greg” 54 57 7 Moron 8 Almost any character on 59 “The Big Bang 60 Theory” 9 Fencing blade 61 10 Radio format 62 11 Shrink in fear 12 Deflect 63 13 Word with canal or control 19 Place to get free TO PREVIOUS PUZZLE screwdrivers, A G E G A P O H M E say R O C O C O M I C A 21 Free throw, e.g. E O H W H E R E H A S 24 Said, as “adieu” A O N O A G O N Y 26 “___ for M C S O N I A octopus” A L E I N S P O T 27 “Yeah, like P U S R E X E W E you have a S T A G P L E N A chance!” R A N G E R O V E R 28 Regulatory A X S E E P E D inits. since L S I E C S I 1934 O D V R A N D U P 29 ___ around with T T L E D O G G O N E 30 Winter driving A E R A T E O T S hazard T R Y S T S M O O 31 Wide strait
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52
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24 25
29
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DOWN
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No. 1029
43
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53
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PUZZLE BY ROBERT CIRILLO
32 33 34
35 38 41
Word of qualification Priest’s garment Org. with a prohibiteditems list Sharer’s opposite Parisian assent Yule libation
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47 48
49 50 51
___ Valley, German wine region
Quarantine Quite bad
52
Effect’s partner Something acquired by marriage? Shore fliers Shore fixtures “Snowy” wader
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___ girl
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Regrets
56
Senators Cruz and Kennedy
58
Machine part
45 & 46
For answers, call 1-900-285-5656, $1.49 a minute; or, with a credit card, 1-800-814-5554. Annual subscriptions are available for the best of Sunday crosswords from the last 50 years: 1-888-7-ACROSS. AT&T users: Text NYTX to 386 to download puzzles, or visit nytimes.com/mobilexword for more information. Online subscriptions: Today’s puzzle and more than 2,000 past puzzles, nytimes.com/crosswords ($39.95 a year). Share tips: nytimes.com/wordplay. Crosswords for young solvers: nytimes.com/learning/xwords.
NYUNEWS.COM | TUESDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2013 | WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS
OPINION
EDITED BY RAQUEL WOODRUFF OPINION@NYUNEWS.COM
SCIENCE
Reproducability needs to be re-emphasized By MARCELO CICCONET
Reproducibility is one of the main pillars of the scientific method. It refers to the degree to which scientists devise experiments and studies that can be repeated by others while obtaining the same results. For instance, if a study proposes a drug for a certain disease, it must be tested many times before the medication can appear in drugstores. Yet lately, there has been alarming news regarding this necessary practice. In the past few months, a number of articles have discussed the problem of reproducibility in science — a factor which has become less important in the scientific community. Writing for phys.org in September, Fiona Fidler and Ascelin Gordon heralded a “reproducibility crisis.” An article in The Economist seconded this idea and emphasized how such a crisis harms science’s capability to correct itself. Michael Hiltzik of The Los Angeles Times wrote a similar article at the end of October in which he cited a project from biotechnology firm Amgen, which tried
to reproduce 53 important studies on cancer and blood biology. Only six of these studies led to similar results. In another example, a company in Germany found only a quarter of the published research backing its research and development projects could be reproduced. These consequences severely impair the reputation of the scientific method. The blame for this emerging crisis should be shared between both scientists and the general media. Readers desire novelty, and journalists are eager to cater to them, which leads to science news focusing more on new and exciting discoveries rather than on the important question of how reproducible each study is. Indeed, Hiltzik observed that “researchers are rewarded for splashy findings, not for double-checking accuracy.” The fault within the sci-
entific community is that research quality is measured essentially by the popularity of the study, rather than its reproducibility. One initiative to solve the problem is to create a reproducibility index attached to journals. In computer science, researcher Jake Vanderplas proposed that the code used to produce the results should be well-documented, well-tested and publicly available. Vanderplas convincingly argues that this “is essential not only to reproducibility in modern scientific research, but to the very progression of research itself.” Scientific journals should provide tools to easily discern the reproducibility of a study. Accompanying data, software code and reproducibility indexes — in addition to the main manuscript — should all be mandatory. Rather than imposing an extra burden on researchers, these additions would facilitate the validation and comparison of results, speeding up the pace in which important — and popular — discoveries are made. Marcelo Cicconet is a staff columnist. Email him at opinion@nyunews.com.
GOVERNMENT
Thailand prime minister must refocus efforts By KENNY KYUNGHOON LEE
History is repeating itself in Thailand, as Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra fails to address a decadelong political division in the country. On Sunday, Dec. 1, around 30,000 protesters launched a people’s coup, swarming state agencies and forcing the prime minister to flee. When Shinawatra won the election in a landslide victory in 2011, she promised to heal deep political divisions caused by the tumultuous previous decade. But the current crisis is stark evidence that not much has been achieved so far. The prime minister seems to have lost interest in keeping her campaign promise. She has focused instead on trying to exonerate her elder brother, Thaksin Shinawatra, who served as prime minister until being overthrown in 2006. Early last month, she attempted to pass a bill that would pardon almost anyone facing criminal and corruption charges from the political turmoil between 2004 and 2010. This bill was rejected by the Senate because of heavy criticism that it had been originally
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crafted to pardon her brother, a businessman who faces a jail term for corruption if he ever returns to Thailand. Her attempt to rush this bill through the legal system gave the opposition party a solid pretext to revitalize anti-government protests. Unsurprisingly, anti-government protests supported by the opposing party have spread like wildfire since this incident. The current unrest primarily results from her misinterpretation of public mood. Unlike residents in rural areas who have benefited from populist policies, the educated middle class in urban locations are not willing to forgive the prime minister’s brother. Thailand has suffered from political violence for a decade, and many people still fear the time when he used populist mandates to crack down on the
opposition. Although Thailand has enjoyed relative political stability until recently, people have not fully recovered from the trauma of the early 2000s. The ruling party’s attempt to push through the amnesty bill was a striking reminder of the populist chaos of those days. The violent backlash against the bill and the administration that drafted it was inevitable. Instead of restoring her family’s fortune and fame, Shinawatra should focus more on reducing political polarization in her country. Prolonged political turmoil will interrupt economic growth and undermine the stability of her administration. Even if she overcomes this challenge, any small disruption would start another cycle of protests and government crises while the Thai population remains deeply divided. It will take years of work to heal the wounds from past conflicts, but the current political unrest is reversing the work that has been done so far. Kenny Kyunghoon Lee is a staff columnist. Email him at opinion@nyunews.com.
STAFF EDITORIAL
UN Security Council must end Syrian crimes
Yesterday, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights reported that an inquiry has produced “massive evidence” of individual responsibility for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Syria. Commissioner Navi Pillay indicated responsibility “at the highest level of government, including the head of state.” This is the first time President Bashar al-Assad has been directly implicated by a report from the OHCHR, and it is a valuable opportunity for the UN Security Council to refer Syria to the International Criminal Court at The Hague. Syria has signed the Rome Statute of the ICC but, crucially, is among the countries that have not ratified it. This means that for the ICC to have jurisdiction over Syrian nationals, all five members of the Security Council must pass a resolution referring the crisis in Syria to the court. Unfortunately, it is likely that China and Russia will veto any such action. The humanitarian concerns at the heart of international dealings with Syria are at odds with China and Russia’s national interest. Both nations have vetoed three proposed resolutions on Syria. If they approve the decision to send Syria to the ICC, they legitimize a process that potentially threatens their sovereignty and brings into question their own human rights abuses. The death toll in Syria has risen to over 125,000, with millions more displaced from their homes. Despite these staggering numbers, Syrian Deputy Foreign Minister Faisal Mekdad derided Pillay’s comments — “She has been talking nonsense for a long time and we don’t listen to her.” In spite of this contempt, a substantive response delivered through the ICC is the key to guaranteeing the delivery of justice. The indictment of Ratko Mladic and Radovan Karadžic did not at all impede the peace process. A trial of Assad would be an essential component of a solution to the Syrian conflict. While the ICC will only be able to try a few key officials for the widespread crimes afflicting the Syrian people, it is the most tenable method of investigating and prosecuting the leaders responsible. In January of last year, the Security Council received a letter from Switzerland on behalf of 58 countries urging an ICC referral of the situation in Syria. The ICC alone does not have the power to end the atrocities in Syria, but a Security Council decision to support ICC jurisdiction is the critical first step in holding perpetrators of some of the worst human rights crimes accountable to their actions.
Email the WSN Editorial Board at editboard@nyunews.com. EDITORIAL BOARD: Raquel Woodruff (Chair), Edward Radzivilovskiy (Co-chair), Peter Keffer (Co-chair), Harry Brown, Marcelo Cicconet, Christina Coleburn, Omar Etman, Nina Golshan, Nickhil Sethi
Send mail to: 838 Broadway, Fifth Floor New York, N.Y. 10003 or email: opinion@nyunews.com WSN welcomes letters to the editor, opinion pieces and articles relevant to the NYU community, or in response to articles. Letters should be less than 450 words. All submissions must be typed or emailed and must include the author’s name, address and phone number. Members of the NYU community must include a year and school or job title.
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NYUNEWS.COM | TUESDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2013 | WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS
SPORTS
EDITED BY FRANCISCO NAVAS SPORTS@NYUNEWS.COM
Chandler’s absence directly causes Knicks’ poor performances By CHRIS MARCOTRIGIANO
If you look at the New York Knicks today, it is difficult to fathom how this is largely the same team that reached the Eastern Conference semifinals last season. In their first 16 games, the Knicks have registered an abysmal 3-13 record. The Knicks’ problems are not too difficult to ascertain. First of all, the Knicks have been without their 7-foot center Tyson Chandler for the past 12 games. Chandler suffered a knee injury in the Knicks’ fourth game of the season against the Charlotte Bobcats. Chandler brings three irreplaceable qualities to this Knicks team. He is one of the league’s superior defenders, having won the Defensive Player of the Year award last year. He provides a stout inside presence on the defensive end and denies scorers an easy path to the basket. His offensive rebounding prowess is also a huge indication of his talent and qualities that have benefitted the team. This gives the Knicks muchneeded second-chance scoring
opportunities which they have sorely lacked in his absence. Most intangibly, Chandler’s leadership on the court contributes to the team’s success. Most of the time, he seems to ensure players maintain defensive intensity or stay positive after a missed opportunity. In short, he is the Knicks’ floor general and that is not an easy role to fill on short notice. Defense has proven to be a problem for the Knicks as well, and this has only been exacerbated by Chandler’s absence. Too often, opposing players are left open to hit three pointers, or a point guard is given free passage to the hoop. This demoralizes the team and provides their opponents with momentum. It will continue to be a crucial point for head coach Mike Woodson, who many consider a great defensive tutor. Another problem the Knicks have faced is a sudden ineptitude in shooting three pointers. This was a staple of their offense last year. But the three-point offense has dried up just as the Knicks struggle defensively this year. This is a recipe for disaster, as missed threes often lead to
fast-break points for the opponent, yet another area where the Knicks have been victimized. All hope is not lost. There are 82 games in a season and the Knicks certainly have the talent to turn it around. Chandler’s imminent return will certainly help that cause. However, if the Knicks continue to sputter, look for the front office to make changes. These could range from a trade to a different head coach. Chris Marcotrigiano is deputy sports editor. Email him at cmarcotrigiano@nyunews.com.
VIA FLICKR.COM
Tyson Chandler tips off against a member of the Wizards.
NYUNEWS.COM