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OutlookStudent Press Features 4 “Kenneth Geathers on what he loves most about RCC: ‘All the people. Students are great, and the events are all great.’”

Michael Porco, Student

Outlook reporters make their way around the campus to get to know more about the unique students and learn about who they really are.

Style 9 “Several actors have had the utmost honor of portraying Batman, each bringing their own personality to it.”

Marina Watts, Student

Raised by his butler, Alfred Pennyworth and left with a fortune beyond anyone’s wildest dreams, Batman has been battling crime on the silver screen for decades.

Sports 18 “Another season has come and gone, and another postseason has passed where the New York Mets and Yankees will miss out on fall baseball.”

Benedict Tagle, Student

Unfortunately this year, the city that doesn’t sleep will be putting its baseball season to rest early.

Volume 46 Issue 5 October 14, 2013 outlookpress.net Rockland Community College

Challenges Plague Negotiations with Iran Siobhan Parnow

Contributing Writer

The past several weeks have been marked by pivotal developments in numerous United States-Middle East entanglements—especially in their precarious position of confronting the threat of an Iranian nuclear program. The September 27 phone call between President Obama and Iranian president Hassan Rouhani was the first time since the Iranian hostage crisis that Iranian and American leaders spoke with each other. It was originally seen as a diplomatic landmark perhaps signifying an eminent resolution, but the ensuing controversy has since shown otherwise.

American ally Israeli President

Benjamin Netanyahu, who has disagreed with American means of dealing with Iran’s nuclear threat in the past, was incensed by this conversation, and the rest of Rouhani’s diplomatic engagements in New York that week. Netanyahu has told the New York Times that Rouhani is “a wolf in sheep’s clothing.”

Obama responded by meeting with him the following Monday to assure him that Rouhani’s “conciliatory words had to be met by real actions.” Netanyahu claimed to be reassured, but continued his quest to establish Rouhani as a global villain at the UN General Assembly on October 1.

Worried other nations would be swayed by Rouhani’s political façade, he opened the assembly

with an anger-fueled appeal to treat Iran with great suspicion. In the New York Times, he professed his strong belief that Iran would persist in its goals of nuclear armament, and likened Iran’s danger to that of “fifty North Koreas.” Despite this seething indictment, the General Assembly elected Iran to fill a position on the Disarmament and International Security Committee only a few hours later.

Whether Rouhani has succeeded in deceiving world leaders (as Netanyahu fears) or not, Iran remains in a position of considerable power. They have the greatest political stability of their region, and there has been no move by American Middle Eastern Allies to ally with one another in order to isolate Iran.

Furthermore, Iran has also

benefitted from the situation in Syria; American indecision in the matter has left perception of their power in the region weakened.

On October 3, Secretary of State John Kerry echoed Obama’s intentions to judge Iran based on actions rather than words, stating on CNN that no response to Iran “is going to be based on trust. It’s going to be based on steps.”

Ultimately, the situation remains volatile, fraught with political implications, ruled by suspicion, and possessing the potential for yet another American military conflict.

As noted on NBC.com, Kerry said it would be “a diplomatic malpractice of the worst order” to not pursue all peaceful options in negotiation. The success of such efforts remains to be seen.

Federal Fallout: The Government Shutdown Sienna Jeffries

Staff WRiter

If you were born in the 1990s and you’re reading this, you’ve survived the Y2K incident, the war in Iraq, Hurricane Katrina, the U.S. economic recession, the world ending in 2012, Hurricane Sandy, and U.S. government shutdown (sort of). On October 1, 2013, the government officially shut down due to discrepancy over the funding for Obamacare. Depending on how long the shutdown persists, the aftermath could vary from harmlessly to detrimentally affecting citizens and employees throughout America.

“That’s not happening,” Obama stated on CBS News in a response to Republicans trying to defund Obamacare. Such conflict over whether to fund or defund Obamacare is the basis of the government shutdown that is occurring. Under our Constitution, the government is obliged to pass laws to allocate money for funding towards the federal government.

If for some reason Congress can’t agree on how to fund these swaths or the President vetoes a bill, the governmentmayshutdown.Usually, Congress utilizes stopgap budgets (continuing resolutions) in order to keep the government funded. The

last stopgap was passed March 28, 2013 and ended September 30, 2013. Notwithstanding, the Democratic-controlled Senate and Republican-controlled House disagreed over what the stopgap

it excluded funding toward the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare).

The Senate wanted Obamacare to be funded for to its entirety, so conflict arose. Reuters notes that “President Barack Obama

should have entailed. While the Republicans passed a funding bill that maintained spending levels towards the federal government,

would veto a stop-gap government funding plan from Republicans in the House of Representatives that defunds Obamacare health-care

reforms, the White House said on Thursday.” The White House Office of Management and Budget said that Obama vetoed the bill that didn’t fund Obamacare because such a bill “advances a narrow ideological agenda that threatens our economy and the interests of the middle class.”

There are specific laws and regulations regarding government shutdowns; which federal agencies remain open and what agencies close. Such laws and regulations define the effect that the shutdown will have on Americans. Within these laws and regulations, “essential” federal workers are distinguished from “non essential” federal workers.

According to Brad Plummer of the Washington Post, managers of federalagencieshavebeenmandated by the Office of Management and Budget to determine which of their employees fall into which category of workers. While the essential workers had to remain working but without pay, non essential workers came to work on Tuesday, October 1, 2013, for a half of a day in order to get their files in order and went home without any type of pay or compensation. In this way, approximately 1.3 million “essential” federal employees will SEE SHUTDOWN PAGE 2

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Government Shutdown Continues

SHUTDOWN FROM PAGE 1 their employment during the shutdown with delayed paychecks possibly while 800,000 “non essential” federal workers can’t work during the shutdown and may not even receive pay.

There’s a controversial question of whether or not they should be paid since their not working; however, essentially they aren’t allowed to. Plummer notes “some conservatives are reportedly skeptical at the idea of paying federal employees for ‘work they didn’t do.”

In addition, government agencies can’t simply ignore the government shutdown and continue they’re services without committing the felony of spending taxpayer money without Congress’s authorization (Anti-Deficiency Act).

Federal employees aren’t the only victims of the government shutdown; overall citizens of America are as well. If the shutdown persists for more than two weeks, many veterans won’t receive their benefits; for those who live off of their benefits, such a change could affect their livelihood. Plummer states that “officials at the Department of Veterans Affairs have quietly told Congress that they likely won’t have enough money to pay disability claims or make pension payments for veterans if a government shutdown lasts for more than two or three weeks. That could affect some 3.6 million veterans

who receive these benefits.”

In regard to health, the National Institutes of Health in reaction to the government shutdown stopped clinical research for new patients, as well as their hotlines regarding medical questions.

Plummer says that “as long as the government is shut down, the National Institutes of Health says it will turn away

can’t come here.’”

Furthermore, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is unable to continue its annual seasonal influenza program as well their contribution and support to local and state partners who inquest and watch over the spread of infectious diseases.

Additionally, the Food and Drug

roughly 200 patients each week from its clinical research center, including children with cancer.”

Francis Collins, NIH director stated, “We’ve had to tell people, ‘I’m sorry, you

Administration ended a lot of their food operations for safety purposes. According to the Food and Drug Administration, such food operations for safety purposes included “routine establishment inspections, some

October 14, 2013

compliance and enforcement activities, monitoring of imports, notification programs (e.g., food contact substances, infant formula), and the majority of the laboratory research necessary to inform public health decision-making.”

Due to the government shutdown, the Social Security Administration will not have enough employees to tend to those who want to apply for disability benefits. More than that, those who oversee air pollution and pesticide use (the Environmental Protection Agency) as well as those who implement wage and hour laws (the Labor Department), and those who monitor America’s derivatives market (the Commodity Futures Trading Commission) aren’t available during the government shut down.

Also discontinuing or limiting their activities: the Department of Agriculture’s Women, Infants and Children Program, which helps pregnant women and new moms buy healthy food for children and access nutritional information; the Small Business Administration, which provides new loans to small businesses; and some Head Start programs providing nutrition and educational services.

The longevity of this government shut down can determine the well being, health and economic position of many citizens of America; anything lasting longer than a few weeks might be a serious conflict for America.

Think Pink this Month: Breast Cancer Awareness Daisy Moakley

Staff Writer

October is Breast Cancer Awareness month. It is hard to believe that with all the media publicity, many still do not take it seriously.

Breast cancer can happen to anyone: young, old, female and yes, even males. Breast cancer appears when cells in the breast grow and multiply abnormally.

The process leads to the formation of a lump or a mass called a tumor.

According to The American Cancer Society, breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer

in the United States. It affects 40,000 lives per year, and it is the second leading cause of death among women.

It is 100 times less common in men.

Breast cancer develops later in life; for men, usually around age 70. The chances of survival in both men and women are similar. Most men do not realize that they too can get the disease, so they do not seek medical attention in the early stages.

Young boys and girls have the same amount of breast tissue.

During puberty when girls produce estrogen (female hormone) their breast develop glands that produce milk (lobules). Boys’ male hormones restrict their breast from developing-one of the reasons why breast cancer is less common in men.

The most common risk factors for men include high exposure of estrogen, radiation, and a family history. Many medical conditions can raise estrogen and increase the threat of cancer. Obesity, testicular atrophy, liver disease and men treated with radiation for other cancers have increased risk factors.

Approximately one in five men with breast cancer have a parent, sibling, or child with the disease. Due to a widespread use of mammography, larger portions

of breast c a n c e r are being diagnosed earlier and are more curable.

There are four kinds of breast ca ncer.

Lobular Ca rci noma in Situ ( L C I S ) occurs when abnormal cells appear in the lobules. LCIS isn’t a cancer but a marker of increased risk.

Ductal Carcinoma in Situ (DCIS) is a preinvasive kind of breast cancer where cells are in the milk ducts but haven’t spread. Over time, it can infiltrate.

Third, there is the rare Inf lammatory Breast Cancer. It can appear similar to other conditions such as skin infections.

The skin will be red or discolored and feel thick with tiny dimples like the skin of an orange. If you observe these

changes in your breast see your doctor immediately.

Follow these three easy steps to perform your monthly breast exam.

Every month, you must first look at yourself in the mirror for anything out of the normal for example puckering or dimples. Second, raise your arm over your head, look again, and feel in an up and down motion and around the breast.

Feel for lumps and any abnormalities.

And last, lay down, place your hand behind your head and feel your entire breast with opposite hand.

Rub in a circular motion from center out feeling for lumps or abnormal areas. Switch arm and repeat. Contact your doctor if you find any abnormalities. You should perform a breast exam every month. The best way to remember is to do it on the same date every month. Pass the word to your friends and remind them of the importance of self-examination.

October 14, 2013

Deconstructing The Silk Road

David Owrutsky Staff Writer

Many of us consider the internet a commonplace thing. We log onto our social networks daily and go about watching our videos and listening to our music. It’s a wellknown fact that the net is a massive place filled with essentially infinite information.

To most of us, that means nothing. Who cares about the trillions of web pages out there if they aren’t part of my daily net activities? But some dark things happen in an area of the internet known as the “deep web.” The “surface web,” (Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, etc.) only makes up about 4% of the total internet presence; the remainder of the net resides in the “deep web.”

The “deep web” is not accessible by regular means. You cannot simply hop on Google and locate the web pages located there. You have to have a bit of software and hacking skills. When talking about the deep web, we usually compare the internet to an iceberg. Only a small portion of the iceberg is visible above water, but the large majority resides underwater and unseen.

You need to remain completely anonymous while browsing there or you will probably be having some visitors from Homeland Security arrive promptly at your door. The Deep Web is home to such infamous things as The Hidden Wiki, where government

files and information that is not meant for the public is stored, as well as login pages for secure jobs (NASA, FBI, and the Pentagon). So why does one need to stay anonymous? It isn’t because the FBI are nervous you will find a login page or uncover some information the CIA is storing; rather, it is because of a site called the Silk Road.

For years, the FBI and the Hacking G r o u p Anonymous have been constantly shutting down sites on the deep web that all agree are wrong, like child pornography or ATM hacking sites.

However, this site was on the number one hit list of all protectors of security on the internet. The Silk Road can be compared to a sort of sick and twisted EBay. You do not use PayPal or a MasterCard, but Bitcoins, an encrypted currency that is untraceable and essentially limited to the internet once purchased. The Silk Road was not selling

old armchairs or electronics; instead, they were selling things of a darker nature.

Often, assassinators could be contracted. If you felt like purchasing a person, the Silk Road was your destination. Massive million dollar drug deals often took place through the Silk Road. They were sent through multiple countries and ended up in P.O. boxes across the world. The Silk Road was the largest r e a s o n p e o p l e began to access the Deep Web. Throughout the last few years, the FBI con st a ntly m a d e purchases on the site attempting to track down even a single supplier to give them any information, but the security was solid. With an average of 958,000 users registered and 13,000 listings in the drugs category, the Drug Enforcement Agency was desperate to shut down the Silk Road.

It was becoming fruitless until a recent power struggle gave the FBI the edge they

News

needed.

Ross William Ulbrich-the man who created and ran The Silk Road-was being threatened by a seller. If he did not pay him $500,000, the seller would reveal the identity of 100 users. Ulbricht immediately contracted his assassination for a mere 1,670 Bitcoin (or $150,000 American). The FBI got wind of this, and using a security loophole in Firefox and Tor (the browser for anonymous web browsing), they were able to match users to the location of the ordered contract. Homeland Security promptly located Ulbricht at his apartment in New York and took him into custody.

Furthermore, they have shut down the Silk Road, which is now replaced with vibrant sign from the FBI explaining the site has been seized. Surprisingly, Ulbricht is a 29-year-old with aspirations of providing everyone with a free market and the ability to live without the force of government.

When he was apprehended, he had about 78 million US Dollars in Bitcoins with the Silk Road doing an average of $1.2 billion in revenue a year.

With the Silk Road gone for now, the world is a safer place and the security of the internet is significantly improved. No doubt other sites will move in to replace the Silk Road, but when the time comes, Homeland Security will be prepared to seize control and shut them down; a perfect example of when hard work and patience can pay off in ways that benefit truly everyone.

RCC Celebrates Sukkah Jake Meiseles

Contributing Writer

What do a hut and pizza have in common? No, the answer is not only the popular fast-food chain. Many of you might have been wondering why there was a hut built next to the Student Union earlier this month. The answer to both questions is: the hut was part of the celebration of the Jewish holiday of Sukkot, and the pizza...well, what’s a celebration without pizza?

During the seven days of Sukkot, Jews leave the comfort of their homes and reside in a temporary hut called a Sukkah, in memory of when the Jews wandered in the wilderness for 40 years after the exodus from Egypt and to remind us that the focus in life should not be on materialism, our homes and gadgets, but on the simple things, such as the Sukkah which brings us altogether.

On September 29, Hillel threw a rocking, distinctly RCC version of a Sukkah party. I’m sure many of you saw the large drum circle, led by noted drummer George Hook and dozens of students, instruments in hand, making a mini musical

in the humble Quad. Of course there was plenty of food! The more than 100 students who participated enjoyed pizza, french fries, salads, and, of course, a little Middle Eastern f lavor with some falafel balls.

However, the event wasn’t just about making noise and eating. Students experienced the custom of having all of this delicious food within the beautiful confines of the Sukkah.

While enjoying the food beneath the sun’s rays penetrating the bamboo roof, revelers easily got lost in thought about the deeper meaning of the holiday.

Another Sukkot tradition we experienced was shaking the Lulav and Etrog. Grasping the fruit of the citron tree (etrog), together with a branch from a date palm tree, a bough from a myrtle tree, and a branch from a willow

tree (lulav), one waves them in every direction. There are many explanations for this, but one is that the four species allude to the four body parts that they resemble-the spine, eye, mouth, and heart, and in this custom we are symbolizing that we are willing to use every body part, and travel in every direction so that our

traditions and values help us grow as people.

Everyone enjoyed partaking in this custom. As RCC student and a new member of Hillel Josh Hazen said, “The lulav and etrog allowed me to really experience the true tradition behind Sukkot, and it was cool to think thousands of others were probably doing it at the same time too!”

The Sukkah party was a wonderful success. Vice president of Hillel Alex Weber said, “Everyone loved the Sukkah party!” At Hillel, we strive to have events like this throughout the semester that are fun while being educational about Judaism and its customs. As longtime Hillel member and newly elected club secretary, Shimon Klein, said, “Hillel has a way of making Judaism fun!” We hope that many of you new and old RCC students join us for our future events.

Features

Anuj Chokshi & Michael Proco

Photogrpahy Editor & Staff writer

October 14, 2013

What is your favorite thing about RCC? It’s cheap, and the advisors are always open to talk with.

Inspired by Humans of New York, Humans of RCC was created to show the personal side of the people who wind up on our campus. It doesn’t matter if you are a student, a teacher, faculty member, or just a visitor on our campus.

Either way these people have an impact on the lives of the individuals at RCC. Humans of RCC will give readers an opportunity to get to know the people all around us better. Starting now, Humans of RCC will be in the biweekly issues and will be written by Anuj Chokshi and Michael Porco.

Allana Callender Freshman, Liberal Arts

Alexa Kelly Sophomore,Performing Arts What do you love most about your major?

It’s very hands on. I enjoy theater and acting, it’s just what I do.

Who is your favorite supervillain?

Harley Quinn. She is unpredictable, hilarious, deadly, and sexy all at the same time.

If you could give one piece of advice to any group of people, what would it be?

Don’t let anyone hold you back Don’t get caught up focusing on others when you yourself need help.

Who is your favorite superhero?

Ultraviolet, because she wasn’t fighting for “justice”, but for what she believed was right.

What was the best moment of your life?

The birth of my little sister. It had to be one of the greatest things that ever happened to me.

Isaiah Dunn: Freshman, Accounting Why do you like football?

Because it’s a very contact sport and I just really enjoy it.

What was your best game?

Going against my old team and really going to work on them Who is your favorite football player?

Ray Lewis because he is so passionate about the game.

Kenneth Geathers What do you love most about RCC? All the people. Students are great, and the events are all great.

Who is your favorite superhero and why?

Batman. He’s just a cool dude in general.

Alex Andre Sophomore, Liberal Arts

Esther Schecter Sophomore What was your favorite memory?

Definitely marrying my husband.

Akari Saito Freshman, Liberal Arts What was your favorite memory?

Dancing in a recital.

If you could give one piece of advice to any group of people, what would it be?

Stay loyal and focused on your family.

I decided to stay at RCC because I didn’t want to miss my daughter’s Bat Mitzvah, and so I can support my friend who is in their first semester.

Who is your favorite superhero?

Oprah Winfrey. She’s not a hero, she’s a legend. She is very realistic and give personal advice that always hits home.

Henry Morton Food vendor

What piece of advice would you give to a group of people?

Life has its hardships. But you always have to push on.

Who is your favorite superhero?

Batman. The one from Batman Beyond. He has three things for him: style, f lare, and finesse.

Why do you work out and exercise?

To be more comfortable and always progress and get better.

Why are you serving cotton candy today?

Because that’s what RCC ordered. If they wanted hotdogs I’d be serving hot dogs.

Who is your favorite superhero?

Spiderman. He has a sense of humor.

He wasn’t destined to be a hero; he became one by accident and he took on the position anyways.

Opinions

Suzanne Peguero

Managing Editor

On September 17, 2013, the game Grand Auto Theft V was released. This is an open-world action adventure video game that follows three player-controlled protagonists that are attempting to execute six large heists to sure wealth for themselves. It is played in third person, allowing the player to interact

with the game the world has created.

The game has received an immense amount of positive feedback, with reviewers praising the story missions, presentation, and open world gameplay.

It has also received positive reviews for its supposed satire of the American culture. While many say it is making fun of the idiocy of contemporary culture, it happens to be a major component of the said culture. While many gamers would like to say they are protesting against modern culture by playing this game, they are simply becoming a part of it.

In 2013, a part of the contemporary culture of America that is undeniable is gaming. Video games generated $5.9 billion in revenue during 2012. There is an entire culture built around video games. You see your little brother play them after coming home from school every day. While they may be fun every once in a while, video games have become an addiction to many. Furthermore, the games theses players are addicted to often have graphic violence and misogyny deeply embedded in them. The qualities in these kinds games encourage violence and sexism in the people playing them,

October 14, 2013

and that—to put it mildly—is not a good thing.

Many of you who play these games are probably angry already. Actually, you’ve probably turned the page in disgust and anger. The thing is, it’s true. While you’re squirreled away in your basement playing these games, you are becoming more inclined towards violence and misogyny.

This doesn’t mean that someone who plays games like GTA V is automatically

going to buy a gun and go on a shooting spree. However, The New York Times reports that exposure to media violence is linked with actual violent behavior.

Many rebuff this claim, saying that they and others have played video games and watched violent movies and have not committed a violent act against another.

The New York Times refuted this logic, stating, “We would never say, ‘I’ve smoked cigarettes for a long time, and I don’t have lung cancer. Therefore there’s no link between smoking cigarettes and lung cancer.’ So why use such flawed reasoning when it comes to media violence?” Furthermore, The Times also reported that psychologists George Comstock and Haejung Paik found “that the short-term effect of exposure to media violence on actual physical violence against a person was moderate to large in strength.” As if this was not concerning enough, media and video game violence also does something that is just as dangerous as a shooting spree: it desensitizes them to violence and misogyny.

A tactic that the army used to use in training for warfare was that they would

set up a square figure with a target on it. The soldier to be would then try to shoot the target. However, this proved to be not as effective as the army would have liked. During World War II, only 15-20% of soldiers would fire at the enemy. This wasn’t good for the army.

They needed their men to murder the soldiers that were not on their side.

In order to combat this, they began to have dummies shaped as human beings.

When shot, the dummies would have gory and realistic looking “deaths”.

When the Vietnam War arrived, this rate increased to around 95%. By making these dummies visually relatable to human death, the soldiers were desensitized to killing others. They stopped intrinsically believing that they were doing the wrong thing killing another human, and it was replaced by a mindset in which you pulled the trigger and a human died—similar to a video game.

On August 26 this year, an eight year old boy picked up a loaded gun and shot his grandmother in the back of the head a few minutes after playing GTA IV. To be fair, we shouldn’t blame this crime completely on video games. It wouldn’t have happened if there hadn’t been a loaded gun lying around his house.

But we can’t deny the fact that this sounds like the child was continuing to play his video game; only this time it was in reality, with a real gun and a living, breathing person.

This child was so desensitized to the violence that it wasn’t real anymore to him. He probably thought he was playing a game with his grandmother.

The fact that he would murder his grandmother probably never crossed his head.

It’s highly unlikely he wished to kill his grandmother.

It’s also highly unlikely that he committed this

crime maliciously. This is merely a case of a person being desensitized to violence and having the lines of reality and unreality blurred.

In GTA V, there are prostitutes.

Moreover, you can kill said prostitutes.

There also happen to be no female protagonists in this game. The majority of the females are strippers and prostitutes, which in our society are commonly viewed as sex objects. A sex object is something (rather than someone) that is useful only for sex. More specifically, in our culture, the definition of this leans toward something that is useful for a man’s sexual satisfaction. If you don’t think this isn’t misogynistic, then 1) re-evaluate your life choices, and 2) stop playing this game, because you are distorting your view of women to a sick and twisted perspective. On YouTube, there is video called “Effectively Killing Prostitutes in Grand Theft Auto V”.

These examples speak for themselves.

This isn’t satire; this is sexism.

Ultimately, at the end of the day, you’re going to say that this is a free country, and you can play what you want. You can. Just think about how it’s harming others and yourself.

Opinions

October 14, 2013

Outlook Student Press Marina Watts, Editor-in-Chief Suzanne Peguero, Managing Editor Julie DeVito, Production Manager

Anuj Chokshi, Photography Editor Benedict Tagle, Sports Editor

Outlook Student Press is published every other week except during exam periods and summer. It is an independent newspaper produced by students and paid for by advertising revenue and student activities fees.

Submissions and articles become the property of Outlook Student Press. Outlook Student Press invites you to submit your opinions and ideas for publication. We strongly encourage letters to the editor.

Content does not necessarily reflect the views of the Outlook editors or staff. Submissions may be edited for clarity, length, style, and taste. Outlook does not accept anonymous submissions.

On the web: Outlookpress.net Facebook.com/outlookpress Email: Outlookstudentpress@gmail.com Office: Student Union Room 3200 Phone: (845) 574-4389 Fax: (845) 356-6261 Snail mail:Outlook Student Press Rockland Community College 145 College Road, Suffern, NY 10901 Professor Fuentes, Advisor

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u o Y o D w o H Feel About ... . ? s e e f n o i t a c i l p p A e g e l Col

Marina Watts

The season of college applications is approaching us, especially those looking to transfer from RCC to a four year institution. As though college isn’t expensive enough already, why don’t we spend money applying for schools we may not get into? After all, we are probably going to one school after this semester or two.

Clearly it makes sense to pay twenty institutions we apply to, decide to attend one of them, and then spend even more money then? I may have to beg and plead for my third job back just to afford college applications, let alone the tuition. Then again, if I can’t afford the applications, how will I be able to further my education in a fine institution? Paying for each application is just downright silly. If I am going to pay $75 to apply for several schools, you should get refunded if you are accepted, like a reward for being dumb enough to pay that much.

Suzanne Peguero

For many of the sophomore students at RCC, the time to begin the process of transferring is upon us. While this is definitely not the most enjoyable activity, there is something that makes it even worse: college applications. It’s not that applying for colleges itself is bad; it’s the fact that we have to pay exorbitant amounts of money for a school we may not even go to. The average cost for an application is around $38. To simply see if you can go to a school, this is a lot of money. However, that doesn’t come close to the most expensive college application. This unenviable prize goes to Stanford University; the cost to apply was $90. It’s simply ridiculous to spend this much money for a school you may even decide not to attend. Ideally, we wouldn’t have to pay anything for an application; however, this is unrealistic. But perhaps colleges could at least charge less so that we aren’t out of money before we pay our tuition.

Benedict Tagle

College application fees serve as an introduction for the hopeful student to the wide world of college fees. Once you’ve been accepted and enrolled, you get to meet more college fees. Following application fees are its best friends, tuition and room/board! Exciting! Yay! College application fees aren’t too bad right? It’s not too big of a fee; however, remember you have to pay additional fees for each individual university. The fees start adding up really quickly. Speaking of adding up really quickly, who can blame the colleges for charging for their time to read through your application? Let’s take a look at an institution like University of California, Los Angeles. This past year, they received 80,499 freshmen applicants. Add in 19,254 transfer applicants.

For the fee of $70 or $80 depending on where you live, that adds up to $7,138,480. That kind of money on application fees alone. Darn.

Style & Entertainment

October 14, 2013

Evolution of Batman Marina Watts

Editor in Cheif

From the advent of the Batman comic books in May 1939, this caped crusader has taken over the big screen through the decades. Originally created by Bob Kane, Bruce Wayne was orphaned as a child, as he watched the brutal murder of his parents by a mugger. He was then raised by his butler, Alfred Pennyworth, and left with a fortune beyond anyone’s wildest dreams. When Gotham City becomes filled with crime and villains, Wayne takes on an alter ego and becomes the Batman, looking to restore justice and peace.

Several actors have had the utmost honor of portraying Batman, each bringing their own personality to it.

Interpretations change, depending on the plot of the film, the super villains being juxtaposed with the hero, and the directors piecing it together. Some actors and films have been more successful than others.

Adam West The 1966 film that preluded the television series on TV Land, West brings a whimsical interpretation of Batman.

Filmed in the style of the comic book, all the camera angles focused on villains are on a slant. Plus, the colors stand out and we cannot help but feel the comics come to life. West is a fun Batman as he parades around with Robin getting rid of bombs. The slapstick humor throughout is light and fun. The transition from comic book right to the film and television series, however ushered in a desire for a darker Batman, one to be taken seriously.

Hence…

Michael Keaton From 1989 to 1992, Michael Keaton came to the forefront to take on the challenge of resurrecting the Batman. In these two films directed by Tim Burton and starring alongside Michelle Pfeiffer, Danny DeVito and Jack Nicholson in these films, he moved away from just playing Batman as the main focus.

Keaton was able to bring in the playboy millionaire side of Bruce Wayne into play. As important as the hero himself is, the hero cannot exist without the balance of having a secret identity. His performance of Batman was pretty stellar as well and this phase in Batman’s evolution was important. It turned West’s

almost dopey Batman into a sophisticate extraordinaire.

Val Kilmer There isn’t too much reason to even mention this actor. His portrayal in the 1995 film “Batman Forever” was terrible.

The film itself was God-awful, too.

Tommy Lee Jones and Jim Carrey co-

Batman film in the 1990’s, this time with George Clooney as our hero. Clooney has been good for only the playboy aspect of Bruce Wayne. No one is as suave as him, after all. He wasn’t a very effective Batman. Chris O’Donnell costarred with Clooney as Robin, this being the first time since the 1960’s. The film is

called it “a waste of money.”

Christian Bale The most recent of the Batman films, Bale has brought a darker side to Batman.

Since 2004, Christopher Nolan’s film trilogy has brought in millions of dollars in the box office, teaming together allstar casts for each film. This series of films focuses on the backstory of Batman, leading up to what he became.

Audiences learn about his past, and the mysterious air that Bale gives off is perfect for what Nolan is trying to convey. Bale has achieved the greatest balance between playboy Bruce Wayne and stealthy Batman.

His suave appearance makes it so, along with the grace he shows in his bat suit.

He brings a distinct scratchy voice to his interpretation, which is a great contrast against the soft-spoken Bruce Wayne.

starred in this picture as the villains TwoFace and the Joker. They parade around Gotham City in attempt to drain the brains of the citizens. This movie had very little to offer for audiences outisde artistic aspects. It was a feast for the eyes with

two hours of dumb show as the super pair try to stop Bane, Mr. Freeze and Poison Ivy from destroying Gotham City with ice and plants. “Batman and Robin” also attempts to work on the chemistry between superhero and sidekick, but

bright colors and unique cinematography, along with a killer soundtrack. Kilmer’s performance does Bruce Wayne justice, but does very little for Batman.

George Clooney 1997 marked the year for the fourth

unfortunately fails to do so. It was anything but well-received by critics, and wasn’t taken seriously for something that was trying to go for that kind of tone. Clooney himself had said, “I think we might have killed the franchise” and

NOW, Ben Affleck In the “Man of Steel Sequel,” Superman is teaming up with Batman. However, Christian Bale has opted out of this film in order to avoid being branded as Batman eternally. This past August, Affleck was announced as the next caped crusader. He will be a subpar Bruce Wayne, but when it comes time to put on the bat suit he will be too awkward, as far as physique goes.

Especially in comparison to Henry Cavill, the current Superman with whom he will be costarring.

As far as I’m concerned, Michael Fasbender, Ryan Gosling or Jake Gyllenhaal should have been chosen.

They would have been good as Bruce Wayne and as Batman. Although the focus of the film will be Superman, and Batman will be more or less a sidekick for all the happenings on screen, that shouldn’t distract us from who Batman is played by. Don’t get me wrong; Affleck is a great actor. I loved him in “Good Will Hunting” twenty years ago, and thought he was swell in “Argo.” However, he shouldn’t be parading around at Batman at this point in his career.

Originally when Michael Keaton had been chosen to play Batman, hundreds of thousands of disgruntled Batgeeks had written letters to Warner Bros. Studios, complaining about this decision. Ben Affleck, you have been warned. Unless you can surprise us as an adequate disposition of both Bruce Wayne and Batman, prepare yourself for disapproval from fanboys and critics alike.

Style & Entertainment

October 14, 2013

10 Things I Can’t Live Without

Marina Watts

Editor In Chief

We all can be materialistic, even though we may not like to admit it. Everyone has stuff they cannot survive without.

I know for a fact that without these ten things, I would feel a little lost, a little empty and a little less Marina.

Essie nail polish: E-nuf is e-nuf. This fun, red-pink shade of polish is my goto shade whenever I don’t know which color I want to paint my nails.

Even though the color is more geared towards the summer months and as the fall approaches we lean towards darker tones, it is the perfect nuance to brighten up your appearance.

Venti cappuccino with cinnamon from Starbucks: My life in a beverage, literally.

I absolutely love Starbucks coffee, but I adore this drink especially. The rich coffee beans are the perfect energy kick for my hectic lifestyle, and in a 24 oz. coffee cup I’m not complaining.

Although it is anything but cheap, I say that with a sprinkle of cinnamon on top of the foam, the cappuccino is worth the investment especially as the cooler months roll in, especially with research paper season soon to come. Caffeine will soon be a staple in my diet to keep me going. It is perfect for walking down a windy street

to keep yourself warm.

Gray TOMS shoes: Or as I like to call them, ninja shoes. I thought they were overrated.

I originally purchased them for my trip to Cambridge. They seemed to go with anything, were easy to dress up or down, and are comfortable from what I understand. Upon wearing them for the first time, I found it hard to live without them. They are absolutely perfect and with a gray cardigan, they are perfect for any outfit at any time of the year. They are worth the price and come in different colors and patterns.

Vampire Weekend: 10

One of my favourite bands.

Their music offers a club-like vibe.

Unique and original, Vampire Weekend’s sound is 1 9 7 0 ’s g roov y meets indie rock. I never grow bored of the songs “ Wa l c o t t ” and “Oxford Com ma.”

Each song is different, but all offer the same sound which brands the band as its own entity. If a record was playing in an upscale lounge, Vampire Weekend would be streaming from its speakers.

Each album better than the next, this band is definitely worth the listen.

My zebra footie pajamas: As childish as these may sound, they will keep you warm as the brutal winter I anticipate approaches. Only $24.95 at

Target, this was the best spur-of-themoment purchase I had made in a long

time. They come in other designs to transform you into a giant sock monkey or a fuzzy shark. It doesn’t matter how ridiculous you look in them; I flew to England wearing those bad boys. If it wasn’t for my zebra feeties, I would have never slept like a baby on my long flight to England.

My Gatsby Bag: I owe my life to this $1.99 recyclable tote I picked up from Barnes and Noble.

Nothing beats carrying around a bag with (A) one of

your favourite book covers on it, along with (B) all the bright colors incorporated into the artwork on the bag, vibrant with a spectrum to match anything. Well-traveled and lightweight, this bag is perfect for throwing all of my stuff in when I go out. It fits keys, magazines, my wallet, my phone, books, makeup, basically everything. The best part about it is that when it does eventually decides to break, it will cost less than a tall cappuccino from Starbucks to replace.

An arsenal of superhero shirts: I cannot stress how much I love superhero shirts. Though boyish and geeky in nature, nothing says “I can take on the world!” like an Iron Man tee-shirt. Imagine strolling down the hallways of RCC in a Superman shirt. No matter how bad of a mood you may be in, you cannot but help feel invincible with adorning the iconic logo. I feel super in them (pun intended).

Nothing can brighten your day like a Batman shirt, or parading around in a Captain America top.

If you really feel inclined to go the extra mile, I highly recommend acquiring a shirt with the velcro detachable cape. It says, “I’m super, but I can be super casual if need be.”

The Aviator:

Directed by the brilliant Martin Scorcese and starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Cate Blanchett, John C. Reilly, and Alec

Baldwin, what’s not to like? This biopic follows filmmaker and aviator Howard Hughes throughout twenty years of his career. He suffers from a severe case of O C D and it affects everything.

With a killer soundtrack, stellar performances and fantastic cinematography, this academy award winning film is definitely worth the watch.

My cat: Originally opposed to the concept of a cat in my house, I couldn’t bear the thought of one. However, when we adopted my feline companion (or Cat, as I call her), I fell in love with it. Friendly in nature, it enjoys sitting on my keyboard as I write (including this article) and anyone who walks into my house. I’m not entirely sure what its name is, but Cat will suffice, as that’s what Audrey Hepburn called her furry friend in “Breakfast at Tiffany’s.”

Ray Banz knockoff shades: Some pretty shady stuff, but I love them nonetheless. Perfect for any time of the year and any sunny day, my knock-off shades are a great touch to any outfit. Why spend over $100 on expensive designer sunglasses when you can buy a $10 pair at a kiosk in the mall that look just as good? The namebrand shades aren’t much durable (if they even are) than the knock-offs, which makes me realize how silly it is to spend all that money on something that may break easily.

Style & Entertainment

October 14, 2013

Fans Dying For Walking Dead Season 4 Nicole Lynch

Contributing Writer

What’s greater than starting off this month with a new season premiere of “The Walking Dead”? Absolutely nothing! Unless you really despise watching a group of survivors getting by a zombie apocalypse; in that case, you’re really missing out. Other than that, the long wait is over for the much anticipated show this Halloween month. Season three left us all thinking, “What’s next?” Every episode was filled with so much action that one could not help but feel an adrenaline rush coming on.

Last season started off with Rick and his survivors finding their new sanctuary, the prison.

All is well until they stumble upon a new threat, the governor.

He comes off as “wanting to do the right thing” but hides his dirty little secrets behind the walls of his town Woodbury.

Let’s not forget to mention how he is also the one character I’m sure we all want to see die already! I’m not going to lie, this smart but evil man has scared me thus far.

Not only was last season a promising

one but it also leads into a greater plot in less than a week. Every character had it rough with a lot of challenges faced that resulted in deaths (RIP T-Dog, Lori, Andrea and even Meryl). The governor’s real intentions become clear and his true

of others. Everyone is at war, while Rick and with his band of survivors are ready to stand their ground.

Season four, which premieres October 13th, will pick up with former residents of Woodbury welcomed into the prison. But

colors surface towards the end of season three. It’s no laughing matter, as this man is a killer who enjoys the suffering

will this act bring more struggles, fears and obstacles? It’s definitely risky business for Rick and the others to take in. ComicCon’s

trailer of The Walking Dead starts off with a promising feel to the new season. With hordes of walkers surrounding the prison, there’s no way Rick and the others will stay there for long. Whatever they try to keep out lurks its way back in and you can all bet that the Walking Dead will be as suspenseful as the first three seasons. Executive producer Scott Gimple has already mentioned the general theme of season four as being, “Have we gone too far? Can we go back to the people we were?” A lot more guilt and deaths will be faced.

The struggle of wanting to bring things back to normal will definitely be shown. You can also bet the governor will return with vengeance and Michonne will be ready to kill him first.

Everyone has new threats and old threats coming their way inside and outside the prison.

There are so many questions waiting to be answered in just a few days so hang in there!

Be prepared for more action sequences, cliffhangers and new characters with major plot points on board!

If you need some catching up to do before Sunday night’s premiere, Netflix has season three up and ready for fans to enjoy!

Controversial Tribute to Cory Monteith at the Emmy Awards Sienna Jeffries

Staff Writer

On a night where our favorite writers, producers, directors, actors and actresses are honored for their talents and excellence on primetime television, the topic of conversation for nominees and viewers went far past the Primetime Emmy Award winners and outfits. A stir of controversy arose at the 65th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards over whether Cory Monteith, actor in “Glee”, deserved the specialized tribute he received during the award ceremony and the fact that Jack Klugman, threetime Emmy winner, was excluded from the memoriam tribute as an individual honoree.

“I think it’s criminal,” Adam Klugman stated in a response to an interview with the Associated P r e s s regarding his father’s exclusion from the 2013 Emmy Awards memoriam t r i b u t e .

The 2013 Primetime Emmy Awards recognized five people in addition to their original memoriam s e g m e n t that groups t o g e t h e r

members of the industry who passed away in the 2012-2013 year.

The individual honorees within the memoriam segment aside from Cory Monteith included actor James Gandolfini of “The Sopranos”; actress Jean Stapleton of “All in the Family”, actor and comedian Jonathan Winters, and producer Gary David Goldberg of “Family Times.” Monteith died at 31 due to a drug overdose; he was the youngest in the group of those being honored separately and the only one not to have been nominated for an Emmy in his shortened career. All of the other honorees were previous Emmy winners.

Additionally, Jack Klugman was not the only actor who had no personal dedication during the Emmy’s Award ceremony; Larry Hagman and Charles Dunning were not included as well; they were honored in a group remembrance

instead.

There was a wide spectrum of responses r e g a r d i n g Mont eit h’s individualized tribute. A reader for Variety said, “I don’t think that Monteith should be honored with the others.” Some people expressed disapproval at Monteith’s tribute because it seemed to uphold him as a drug user. “We’re sensat ionalizi ng his death,” stated Jenn, a Yahoo reader. “It’s an insult and it really seems typical of this youth-centric culture that has an extremely short attention span and panders to only a very narrow demographic of young adults,” Adam Klugman explained. Ken Ehrlich, executive producer of the Emmy’s, posited in response to the disapproval of Cory Monteith’s tribute that “to a younger generation, Cory Monteith’s portrayal of Finn Hudson (on ‘Glee’) was highly admired, and the producers felt that he should be included along with the four other individuals we have singled out.” Claire, a reader for Variety, said that “he is being memorialized for his lead work in a show that was an instant, major television

phenomenon from the time its pilot aired, that did something not before seen on TV, and that deeply touched people worldwide.” Actress Jane Lynch, who honored Monteith’s memory with a special tribute, stated, “I’m a huge fan of Jack Klugman. Obviously I don’t choose these things…He was there at the beginning of television and he had a terrific career...I’d be upset too.”

Additionally, Lynch, in response to being the person to honor Monteith, noted, “I’m really proud to be up there for him tonight.”

While there was an array of opinions regarding Monteith’s tribute, there were many people who mourned Monteith and Klugman’s death. Ken Ehrlich noted that the only difference between the two actors was the time in which they acted. They were both talented actors who will be missed.

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Style & Entertainment

October 14, 2013

Marc Jacobs Leaving Louis Vuitton

Suzanne Peguero

Managing Editor

Marc Jacobs is saying au revoir to Louis Vuitton. Jacobs, 50, was the former creative designer for the French luxury house.

He has apparently decided to put more in focus in his own line, the self-titled Marc Jacobs. The recent announcement was big news in the fashion world. After the Louis Vuitton Spring-Summer 2014 show, Jacobs said that he was quitting as creative designer. While this was expected, it is not difficult to understand.

Jacobs would like to be able to devote all of his energy into his own line so that it can reach its full potential.

Marc Jacobs is a well-known name. The eccentric designer is well known for his kiltwearing, blue-haired, quirky escapades.

However, many who are not on familiar footing with fashion actually think that he is an actor or a rock star rather than a designer. Jacobs was not always the celebrity persona he is now. In 1992, he was close to becoming the head of Perry Ellis when he ran the infamous Grunge show.

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While many adored his couture grunge, his bosses did not. The grunge show was enough for them to promptly fire him.

However, his daring fashion charmed many of Hollywood’s finest; Sofia Coppola and Kate Moss are two of his admirers.

In 1997, Louis Vuitton took a gamble and hired Jacobs to shake up the brand.

Ultimately, what was originally a luxury luggage company became a powerhouse in fashion.

Jacobs is known for his outrageous

fashion shows. However, instead of offending the sensitive fashion world, he tends to charm them with his outlandish fashion extravaganzas. As Women’s Wear Daily says, “In recent years he has commissioned an elaborate carousel; an iron-framed elevator; a Pop Art escalator; a

full, functioning train and, last fall, an entire floor of a “hotel,” its doors opening upon videos of hotel “guests” apparently unaware of the voyeuristic eyes of the audience.”

This kind of creativity, however, has served Louis Vuitton well.

In 1997, before Jacobs joined the company, the revenue was $1.2 billion. In 2012, they were $3.5 billion. While this may not seem like a large increase in revenue, for the fashion world, it most certainly is.

Jacobs’ contract with Louis Vuitton was set to expire are the end of this year, so it made sense that he would quit now. While he has had incredible success as a creative designer for the company, he would want to put all his energy towards his line and increase his IPO. The chief executive of Louis Vuitton, Michael Burke, told the Journal on Wednesday that they were “doing what’s good for Marc and the future

of his company. Marc’s wish is to take it to the next level.” One-third of Marc Jacobs’ New York based company is owned by the LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton group.

As of yet, a successor for Jacobs’ position has not been named. Bernard Arnault— chairman/chief executive for LV—says that a successor may be chosen by the end of the month.

Science & Health

October 14, 2013

Transition to Autumn with this Apple Pie Sarah Peguero

Contributing Writer

Oh, la la! This is the start of something great. What on earth am I talking about?

Why, I’m talking about the start of fall!

What’s so great about the start of fall, you say, as you raise your brow at me. Well, don’t you know? That means it’s apple season! And what comes to mind when

apple season is at hand? You guessed it— apple pie.

Perfect Apple Pie Ingredients: 6 to 8 tart apples, pared, cored and thinly sliced (6 cups) ¾ dark brown sugar 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon Dash ground nutmeg Pastry for 2-crust 9-inch pie 2 tablespoons butter

to get a pre-made pie crust at the store to save time. Nevertheless, I dare you to try to make your own instead. Why? Here are five reasons: it’s cheaper than a premade crust, it doesn’t take that much more work to make it yourself, you can control

the ingredients that go into it, it looks and tastes better than a pre-made crust once you’ve learned how to do it right, and it will give you an uplifting sense of accomplishment, just knowing that you did it all by yourself.

Preparation: If apples lack tartness, sprinkle with about 1 tablespoon lemon juice.

Combine dark brown sugar, flour, spices, and dash salt; mix with apples.

Line a 9-inch plate with the pastry. Fill with apple; dot with butter.

Adjust top crust, cutting slits so the steam can escape; seal.

Bake at 400 degrees F. for 50 minutes or until done. Serve warm, and bon appetite!

Cook’s tip: I know you might just want

Quick No-Fuss Peach Cobbler Valissa Hicks

Contributing Writer

Ingredients: 1 large can of sliced peaches in sy r up, d rained 6 -8 pieces of white bread *See note below* ½ cup of unsalted butter + enough to grease pan ½ tsp. salt 1 cup sugar 2 tbsp. cin namon 1 egg 2 tbsp. all-pur pose f lour ¼ tsp. lemon zest Grated nut meg Directions:

Preheat oven to 350° F. Butter an 8-inch baking dish. Cut the cr usts off of the bread slices and discard them. Spread f r uit into prepared baking dish and cover with bread slices. Melt ½ cup of butter and mix together the remaining ingredients, except for the nut meg. Pour over f r uit and bread. Bake for 35 to 45 minutes, or until golden brown. Remove f rom oven and allow to cool for 5 to 10 minutes, then sprin kle nut meg over the top and ser ve with optional vanilla ice cream or whipped cream with a mint leaf. *You can use any bread you want; in fact, t r y it with Challah or even Cin namon Raisin Bread for a nice t wist!

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Technology

October 14, 2013

Quantum Computing: The Future of Physics Ian Quinn

Staff Writer

Many are now becoming aware of the mysterious, intriguing, and relatively new frontier of scientific inquiry: quantum mechanics (more popularly referred to as quantum physics).

The study emerged during the earlier years of the 20th century, just as physicists such as Earnest Rutherford and Albert Einstein were pushing the forefront of atomic theory. Its inception is attributed to the need for a system that would enable scientists to accurately observe, measure, and attempt to comprehend atomic and subatomic phenomena.

Essentially, quantum mechanics utilizes concepts such as quantum superposition, quantum entanglement, the uncertainty principle, and the wave-particle duality of energy and matter to explain the behavior of atomicscale objects, such as photons and electrons.

The mathematical formulations

of

quantum mechanics are paramount to its practice, for they provide the basis from which all inferences, regarding the axiomatic properties of the quantum world, are derived.

Even though the study is still in development (for most people raising more questions than answers), it has succeeded in revolutionizing the ways in which humankind seeks to explore and understand the universe.

Less widely acknowledged, yet no less fascinating, is the field of quantum computation. The study was first introduced in 1980 by Yuri Manin, a Russian mathematician and professor at Northwestern University, and the Max Planck Institute for Mathematics.

Quantum computational theory as it is practiced today is still considered to be in its infancy, nevertheless it is a powerful example of how technological advancement can be so directly influenced by our ever deepening comprehension of nature.

Quantumcomputingusescertain properties of quantum physics throughout the mathematical algorithms with which its programs are written. Primarily, the ideas that these algorithms reflect are those of quantum superposition and entanglement.

Superposition is one of the fundamental principles of quantum physics. It explains that a physical system, such as an electron, exists partly in multiple states simultaneously when it is not being directly observed.

When it is directly observed (when a human is observing the experiment, as opposed to scientific instruments), it is reduced to one of the multiple possible states that it was

A quantum system that uses qubits to process and manipulate data does not provide a larger memory capacity, but rather a faster and more efficient means of implementing

previously in. This principle is manifested most notably in the quantum bit system.

The most f undamental difference between the methods of quantum computation and classical computation is in the type of bit, or unit of data, used by the system. Classical systems use bits to represent data, while quantum systems use qubits.

Bits, or binary gates, can represent data using either 0 or 1.

In coding information, a classical bit can only ever exist as one of its two possible values. A qubit, however, has the potential to become either one of its two possible values, depending on which state it is programmed to be in.

Individual qubits are only useful when they are arranged in a sequence of any

and applying binary code. There is no problem that quantum computers can solve

given length; let’s say 3, for example. If one set of qubits consists of 3 qubits, and each individual qubit can represent either 0 or 1, then one set can have eight potential states (000, 001, 010, 011, 100, 101, 110, 111). These states can represent 1 of 8 possible integers (mathematically: 2^3=8).

can be, because their algorithms are written to navigate a rigid system of circuitry consisting of binary logic gates and arithmetic logic units. Without these classical limitations, quantum algorithms are able to swiftly maneuver a system of state changing and reversible qubit sequences.

that cannot also be solved by a classical computer, and vice-versa.

Classical computers are much slower at solving problems than quantum computers

To demonstrate the inefficiency of classical computers in solving quantum algorithms: if a quantum system had a computational basis of 500 qubits, it would be far too large to implement on a classical system, which would require 2^501 classical bits to be stored. For perspective, a terabyte of digital information is only 2^43 bits (1 terabyte = 1024 gigabytes).

Entanglement is another central idea in the study of quantum theory. Being a product of superposition, entanglement describes the relationship between the behaviors of two superposed particles. The state of this pair of particles must be indefinite in terms of position, momentum, or any other physical property at the moment of measurement.

Quantum entanglement becomes perceptible when one of the particle’s states has been measured, and its superposed counterpart’s state is found to change in direct relation to the other.

For example, when one particle is made to move in a clockwise spin, its counterpart will move in a counterclockwise spin at the instant the first particle’s state is changed.

What is so phenomenal about this anomaly is that there are no observable ties between the two particles, other than the interrelated state changes themselves.

T h e influence of this principle can be seen in the way that quantum qubit states relate to each other. Like their atomic counterparts, qubit states can directly change the states of other qubit sets in predetermined ways specified by the system’s programming.

This attribute sets the stage for the simultaneous execution of multiple coded instructions at one time. This is very different from the classical execution of code, in which discrete clock cycles determine the rate and order with which a machine carries out its instruction code.

Even if we were to reach a limit on how small we could build integrated circuitry in computer systems, the speed and efficiency of computers would continue to increase nonetheless.

As well as attempting to fit as much data storage capacity as possible in a given system, computer scientists are constantly striving to discover new and better ways to use current bit capacity to compute and organize data.

There is no doubt that within my lifetime I will witness the emergence of computer systems capable of feats that can only be guessed at now, with far reaching implications regarding the way our reality will continue to evolve.

15

Sports

NBA Offseason Wrapup

Christian Cataldo

Contributing Writer

The NBA calendar is best explained by the Nike catch phrase “Basketball Never Stops.” Even though a champion is crowned at the beginning of June, the offseason kicks off merely days after the confetti falls on the new NBA champs.

This summer’s offseason had its share of shocking trades and big signings.

Whether it was Jrue Holiday being traded to New Orleans or the so-called “Dwightstakes,” the NBA saw a few franchise changes around the league.

With the regular season approaching quickly, it’s time to see who came out with the biggest improvements.

Houston Rockets The Rockets undoubtedly made the biggest move of the offseason, signing the seven-time all-star Dwight Howard to a four-year, $88 million contract.

The team desperately needed a lowpost presence throughout the season, especially in the playoffs when they had fallen short to the bigger and more physical Oklahoma City Thunder. They fulfilled that need by adding what many think to be the best big man in the league with Howard. Houston was one of the best 3-point shooting teams last year; they averaged 10.57 three point shots a game.

Howard has proven to be his best while being surrounded by sharpshooters.

This was shown when he made it to the NBA Finals during the 08-09 season with the Orlando Magic, a roster which was constructed around Howard in the middle, with sharpshooters surrounding the perimeter. Although the team still has questions about its bench production, the addition of Howard gives them an edge they didn’t have before.

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Brooklyn Nets While Houston made the biggest offseason move, Brooklyn wasn’t far behind.

The Nets found a new head coach in future Hall of Fame point guard Jason Kidd, and also completed a huge blockbuster deal. The deal between the Nets and Celtics sent Gerald Wallace and Kris Humphries three first round picks (2014, 2016, 2018), and three role players in exchange for a pair of future Hall of Famers in Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce, while also adding Jason Terry to the mix. Brooklyn is going for broke this season, with all

of the coveted first round picks given up in this trade. They capped their offseason additions with solid role players, including Andrei Kirilenko and Shaun Livingston.

Brooklyn instantly made themselves a serious contender, but with lack of coaching experience paired with the aging veterans on their squad, many have their concerns. Kidd, who played for the New York Knicks last season, is a first year coach who has never coached a game at any level and is now faced with the expectation put on the team which is making the Finals. In addition, he is faced with the task of managing the minutes of Pierce

October 14, 2013

and Garnett, who are expected to be on a form of played-minute restriction to keep the duo healthy for the playoffs. With that being said, don’t expect Brooklyn to be on top of the Eastern Conference during the regular season. However, if they are healthy in April, expect them to make a run to try to take down the Miami Heat as the Eastern Conference Champions.

New York Knicks The New York Knicks’ window to win a championship is closing quickly.

At the end of this upcoming season, six time all-star and Knicks leader Carmelo Anthony can choose to test the market in free agency. Anthony needs to be shown that New York is a place where he can win a championship. Anything less than an Eastern Conference finals appearance is falling short of their expectations and can potentially result in the team losing Anthony to free agency. The

free agency. The Knicks once again have a strong team but defense, rebounding, and injuries still seem to be an issue, especially with Stoudemire coming off an offseason surgery limiting him to a 20 minute restriction. If the Knicks can commit themselves to become better defensively, they may be able to contend with the Heat.

Los Angeles Clippers The Los Angeles Clippers’ biggest weakness last season was the half-court offense and finishing games. Coach Vinny Del Negro wasn’t getting the job done, and the team replaced Del Negro with the one of the most highly regarded active coaches, in ex-Celtic coach Doc Rivers. This was a massive addition to the Clipper franchise for multiple reasons. Perhaps the biggest of them was affecting the decision of superstar point guard Chris Paul waiting to see

Knicks made a deal with the Toronto Raptors that had many scratching their heads. New York traded Steve Novak, Marcus Camby, Quentin Richardson, a 2016 first round pick, and two second round picks (2014, 2017) for the sevenfoot tall Andrea Bargnani. Bargnani, a former number one overall pick in 2006, has fallen short of expectations.

The two previous seasons have been plagued by injury for Bargnani, playing only 66 games combined. The Knicks’ biggest issue last season was defense and rebounding. The move for a seven footer who does neither efficiently raises questions. New York lost veteran point guard Kidd and sharpshooter Chris Copeland, but was able to re-sign Kenyon Martin and last season’s sixth man of the year J.R. Smith. They also added Tim Hardaway Jr. in the draft and picked up New York native Metta World Peace in

if he should re-sign or test the market.

The deal kept Paul in Los Angeles and expedited other deals, such as the deal that sent Caron Butler and Eric Bledsoe in return for Jared Dudley and J.J. Reddick. If that wasn’t enough, the NBA’s best bench last year also added Darren Collison and Matt Barnes. With all the additions to this already talented squad, “Lob City” once again is expected to make a run for the Western Conference Finals.

New Orleans Pelicans New Orleans finishes off the list as they added All-Star Jrue Holiday and talented guard Tyreke Evans in trades.

The Pelicans’ core players are packed with potential and youth which makes them a potential contender in upcoming years. Holiday and Evans, alongside with team incumbents in Eric Gordon and Anthony Davis, should lead the

Sports

Benedict Tagle

Sports Editor

Unfortunately for local baseball fans, the big lights in the Bronx will be shut down, as there will be no playoff baseball. Since the beginning of the Wild Card era in 1995, the New York Yankees missed the postseason for only the second time. Unlike the last time the club missed the playoffs in 2008, the future looks much bleaker for the current edition of the pinstriped team from the Bronx.

The 2008 team finished the season with a record of 89-73, a record better than this year’s team, who finished the season at 85-77. In addition, the core of the team had younger versions of Mariano Rivera, Derek Jeter, and Alex Rodriguez captaining the ship.

Unfortunately, the 2013 versions of Rivera, Jeter, and Rodriguez do not have much more left in the tank. Rivera, perhaps the greatest closer to have ever played the game, has retired, with 2013 being his last season. Up to his last pitch, Rivera was brilliant—with an ERA of 2.11, 44 saves, and a WHIP of 1.05. The all-time leader in regular season saves with 652—over 50 more than his closest competitor—was even more impressive in the postseason. When the Yankees return to the playoffs, they will no longer have the presence of the calm and collected veteran, who had an ERA of 0.70, 42 saves, and a WHIP of 0.76 in the postseason. The certain Hall of Famer has left big shoes to fill, and the team will have a hard time finding a replacement.

Jeter missed the majority of this past season with injury, playing in only 17 games before being bit by the injury bug once again.

Like Rivera, Jeter is one of the greatest players to ever set foot on the diamond, and has set the standard for a generation of ballplayers. Unfortunately for Yankees fans, Jeter shares more in common with Rivera: advanced age. At 39 years old, the future at the shortstop position for the Yankees needs to be strongly considered for the first time in nearly two decades. Unlike Rivera, Jeter is an everyday player, and the wear-and-tear may have been accelerated. With another injury ending his season prematurely this year, the end of an era looms near.

Alex Rodriguez has been the focus of criticism in recent seasons, and this previous season was no different. One of the biggest names in the Biogenesis scandal, the future of the third baseman looks bleak. As a result of his participation in the Biogenesis program and alleged receiving of performance-enhancing drugs from the Miami clinic, MLB suspended the Yankees player 211 games. Rodriguez has appealed the suspension, with the aid of a powerful legal team led by Joe Tacopina. If the appeal of the suspension is unsuccessful for Rodriguez, and is applied at the beginning of the 2014 season, he would be ineligible to play until the 49th game of the 2015 season.

If Rodriguez stays injury free, his earliest return would be in late May or early June 18

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2015. Even without considering the weight of the scandal on his soldiers, Rodriguez has not produced up to expectations. Like shortstop, the Yankees’ front office should seriously evaluate the future of third base.

The 2013 edition of the Yankees was filled with veteran players. Both Lyle

Overbay and Vernon Wells are older players that should have been part-time contributors, not the everyday players they were this season. However, because of the lack of depth on the team, the team was forced to pencil in the two veterans in the lineup in the majority of games this season. To put it into perspective, take a look at the games played of each player from both the 2012 and 2013 seasons. Thirty-six year-old Overbay played 142 games as a member of the Yankees this season, batting .240, with 14 home runs, 59 RBI, and an OBP of .295; in 2012, he played a combined 65 games as a member of both the Atlanta Braves and Arizona Diamondbacks. Thirty-four yearold Vernon Wells played 130 games this past season, batting .233, with 11 home runs, 50 RBI, and an OBP of .285; in 2012, he played in 77 games with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.

Notice something in common with the two players? Both players had their workload increased dramatically this past season.

Combined with their advanced age, the increased workload may have caused a deterioration in their performances. Both players began the season with a bang, however as the season went on and the number of games increased, the quality of their performances lessened. For both players, in addition to the batting average and on-base percentage, the season statistics were lower than their career averages in numerous categories.

For Overbay, some of the categories where production was lower than career average included balls and slugging percentage. For Wells, some of the categories included hits, home runs, and balls. Add in the higher than average strikeouts the players had this season, and you’ve got yourself a nasty little combination.

The bleak outlook spreads all across the field—at other positions, the Yankees have not-so-promising futures. At catcher, the team primarily relied on the services of Chris Stewart. The good news? Stewart

had a career-best season. He had career high totals in runs, hits, home runs, and balls. The bad news? He’s not a long-term solution. It took him a career high number of at bats to produce those numbers, nearly doubling his previous all-time best. To sum it up, let’s look at one of the reasons Stewart ended up on the Yankees. A life-long backup at the major league level, his previous team before the Yankees, the San Francisco Giants, allowed him to walk away because he would have been the third-string catcher on the team.

Now he’s the starter for the Yankees.

Well, at least the Yankees have promising young players in the farm system, right?

Among the team’s top prospects, only one managed to make a dent among league insiders. Gary Sanchez, luckily, also fills a need for the Yankees, playing catcher. Apart from Sanchez, the Yankees have a lot of work to do on their top prospects.

Well, like always, at least the team will be able to spend big time dollars this winter to offset the numerous problems they had.

Right? Following the last time the Yankees missed the playoffs, the team spent lots of money on the strong free agent class that winter. Unlike 2008, the caliber of the upcoming free agent class is not strong; the Yankees will not be able to spend $180 million on a player the caliber of Mark Teixeira, $82.5 million on a player the caliber of A.J. Burnett, or $161 on a player the caliber of C.C. Sabathia, while still filling the team’s greatest needs. Apart from the top two players at the class, Robinson Cano and Jacoby Ellsbury, the possible options via free

agency are not franchise-changing players.

Speaking of Cano, the current Yankees second baseman, the most productive player this past season, he is looking for a big time contract. There have been numerous reports that Cano is seeking a 10-year contract, worth upwards of $300 million. With the Yankees recent long-term free agent signings not having productive seasons during the later years of their contracts, the front office should be cautious in negotiations with Cano, one of the best players at his position.

Alex Rodriguez has certainly seen his play diminish, and add in his troubles with the Biogenesis scandal, and his $28 million salary this season—the highest in baseball—is not looking too good. Sabathia has experienced a similar trend in production. This past season, Sabathia had career highs in ERA, WHIP, home runs allowed, and losses. Teixeira

is also experiencing a downward trend in production. Teixeira, like Jeter, missed the majority of this past season, playing in only 15 games. He did not perform well in those games, batting .151 and having 19 strikeouts in only 53 at-bats. In 2012, Teixeira had career lows in home runs, batting average, and runs.

The Yankees have even more issues to address. Andy Pettitte, one of the strongest Yankees in the past couple of decades, like Rivera, announced his retirement. The team struck gold while trading for Alfonso Soriano, who played extremely well for the team.

Blasting home runs and RBIs throughout his comeback tenure for the team, he kept the team in playoff contention. However, the likelihood of him repeating the same type of production for an entire 162 game season is close to zero. The team relied heavily upon 39 year-old Ichiro Suzuki. The sure-tobe Hall of Famer produced well below his career averages. His time to join Pettitte and Rivera as retired greats may come soon in the upcoming years. Thirty-eight year old Hiroki Kuroda, one of the more consistent Yankees performers the past two seasons, has made statements in the past of retiring or heading back to Japan. Outfielder Curtis Granderson is no exception to criticism, having under produced recently, while still being paid handsomely for his services.

The Yankees have a lot of work to do before becoming championship contenders once again. With all the shortcomings the team has, manager Joe Girardi did an incredible job with the team. The team was in contention for a playoff spot until the last week of the season. He was one of the few bright spots for the team.

However, there is a question of whether he will return to the team. With his contract reaching its conclusion, he has a number of options for his future. He could certainly return to the Yankees, and it would be a wise decision for the franchise to retain his services. However, other opportunities may come knocking on the door of the manager, enticing him to leave the Bronx.

The Chicago Cubs have been rumored to be considering courting Girardi for its managerial position. The prospect of leading the struggling big name club into the playoffs and hopefully breaking the century-long championship-less streak may sound attractive to him. The Washington Nationals, a team filled with young talent, had a disappointing season and may look to Girardi as a new voice in the clubhouse. Fox Baseball will be looking for a new broadcaster alongside Joe Buck, as Tim McCarver is retiring. Girardi may be intrigued with this job, allowing him more time with his family.

The Yankees can decide to either rebuild the team quickly through trades and free agency or completely blow the team up, starting from scratch. Either way, Brian Cashman and the rest of the front office have a formidable task in front of them.

Sports

October 14, 2013

Mets Season Flowering to Next Spring Benedict Tagle

Sports Editor

Another season has come and gone, and another postseason has passed where the New York Mets miss out on fall baseball.

For the seventh year in a row, the lights in Flushing will be shut off in October. This comes as a result of the Mets finishing below .500 for the fifth season in a row.

The team’s record, 74-88, is identical to last year’s. The close of the season has a different feeling this year. The emotions surrounding this Mets team is unlike any other. While other teams and fan bases with similar records may be glad that a long, and at times frustrating, season is over and look with hesitation toward the future, the Mets look with optimism toward the winter.

The record does not tell the true story of the season. Unlike their crosstown rivals, the Mets were not expecting to make the playoffs and make a run at the World Series.

Instead, the season was expected to be a further step in the young core the front office has established. Because of the workload placed upon the young shoulders of the main contributors, the season was expected to be concentrated on player development, instead of win-loss totals.

The one Mets stalwart over the past decade, David Wright, continues to perform at an All Star caliber. Batting .307 over the course of the season, Wright was discussed as a potential end-of-season award recipient for his performance on the field. Receiving the honor of being an All Star for the seventh time in his career, he was a bright spot on the team.

Unlike recent seasons, Wright was not the only player in the limelight. By halfway through the season, one other player on the squad had attracted the lights of Broadway.

In fact, he became the darling of the media nationwide. Hardly one national sports broadcast aired without mentioning ace Matt Harvey. The hard throwing righty had performances throughout the season that captivated everyone—both foe and friend alike.

His performances were so dazzling in nature that Harvey received comparisons to some of the best players to ever take the mound. Among more contemporary comparisons, Harvey has been compared to Curt Schilling and current Detroit Pistons hurler Justin Verlander. Among Mets players of the past, Harvey was compared to Dwight Gooden.

For Mets plans, hopefully Harvey’s career does not follow the same career path as the former Mets pitcher.

Harvey finished the 2013 season with a 9-5 record. More impressively, he finished with a 2.27 ERA, third in the entire MLB. His impressive WHIP of 0.93 was second in the entire MLB, only finishing one hundredth from being tops in the league, with only Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw ahead of Harvey in the category, with a WHIP of 0.92. Harvey was dominant throughout the season. He accumulated high amounts of strikeouts throughout his starts. His rate of strikeouts per nine innings, 9.64, was the third best in the entire national league. His strikeouts per walk was also third best in the national league at 6.16.

For Mets fans, the future looks bright with Harvey heading the rotation. The league found it extremely difficult to hit against him, only garnering an average of .209 against him. However, this past week, Harvey came out with disappointing news. After struggling during the latter part of the season because of injury, Harvey was pulled out in

2011 in the big blockbuster trade that sent outfielder Carlos Beltran to the defending World Series champions at the time, Wheeler was the main component of the trade. He was the only reason the Mets agreed to part with the hard-hitting outfielder. As his time with the Mets has progressed, his ability has also progressed. In fact, prior to the 2013

precaution. Even with the careful approach to the injury, Harvey has announced that he will have Tommy John surgery.

As part of the rehabilitation process from Tommy John surgery, Harvey will have to miss the entirety of the upcoming season. As long as Harvey is able to return to his former self in the 2015 season, all is fine. The Mets are expected to improve next season, but 2015 and the following years are expected to be the Mets strongest years in contending for a championship.

Harvey is not alone in heading the rotation for the upcoming decade. He will have Zach Wheeler, another hard throwing right hander alongside him. Wheeler, like Harvey, has shown flashes of brilliance in his starts this

season, many scouting services and league reporters had Wheeler ranked among the best prospects in the country. Wheeler, if his current progression continues at the same rate, alongside Harvey will provide perhaps the best 1-2 punch at the top of the rotation in the entire country.

Though those two have taken up the majority of the spotlight, don’t forget about the other major parts of the young core that Sandy Alderson and the rest of the front office have established. In the minors, the Mets have lots of young talent. Perhaps the most important of these prospects is Travis d’Arnaud. Why him? First, he has star potential. He was the key piece of the trade that sent R.A. Dickey to the Toronto Blue Jays.

past season. Perhaps best exemplified in his start against the San Diego Padres on August 15, Wheeler has the potential to be just as good as Harvey. In that game against the Padres, Harvey struck out a career high 12 batters, while giving up only one run in six innings.

Wheeler has been heavily hyped since the San Francisco Giants drafted him fifth overall in 2009. Coming to the Mets in

Like Wheeler in the Beltran trade, the Mets agreed to send their Cy Young pitcher only because d’Arnaud was involved. He was also the key piece in the Roy Halladay trade that sent the pitcher to the Philadelphia Phillies; he has been traded twice for two of the best players in the league at their position.

The production of d’Arnaud in the minor leagues has been nothing short of impressive.

His production has warranted the praise he

has received. Prior to the last season, like Wheeler, he was ranked very highly on rankings of prospects. At the highest level of the minor leagues, AAA, d’Arnaud batted .328 combined.

His on-base percentage is an impressive .402 at the AAA level.

His production is not only limited to the offensive side. He has been impressive in his catching and defensive statistics. Like Buster Posey of the Giants, a young catcher who has expertly managed the team’s strong rotation, d’Arnaud will be expected to do the same.

Let’s not forget Noah Syndergaard, another impressive prospect in the Mets organization. He is widely considered as one of the best pitching prospects in the country. At his highest level of competition in the minors, AA, he pitched his way to a 6-1 record. He had an impressive 3.00 ERA and a 1.074 WHIP. He struck out 69 pitchers, leading to an outstanding 11.5 strikeouts per nine innings. Like Harvey and Wheeler, he has the potential for dominant pitches, with an outstanding fastball and curveball.

These four young stars of the future are only part of the future Mets. The team still has positions that need to be filled. First base may be a position of concern, with Ike Davis struggling. The outfield desperately needs an upgrade. These positions of need may be filled by free agency.

One of the reasons the team was filled with young players and short, cheap contracts this year was because the front office had freed up a lot of cap space room.

For the first time in years, the Mets are free to spend money. With a surplus of money available for the front office, the Mets will be in contention for some of the best free agents. Although the free agency class as a whole is not strong, the strongest positions happen to be positions of need for the Mets.

Shin-Soo Choo and Jacoby Ellsbury, two of the best players available on the market this offseason, are outfielders. The Mets will almost certainly look at signing the two players. Their presence in the outfield at Citi Field will be an instant upgrade over anyone currently on the squad. Both players almost certainly will have a high price tag. The price tag of both players may run over $100 million.

The Mets have an extremely bright future.

With the farm system and their current roster filled with players that can contribute in the future, the Mets are built to succeed for the long haul. All the Mets need are a couple of players from free agency. The team can certainly be competing for the World Series in 2015 and beyond. Take a look at the Oakland Athletics and the Boston Red Sox. Both teams are filled with players they developed throughout their farm system, their main contributors. Look at Ellsbury and Dustin Pedroia of the Red Sox. Free agency additions such as Mike Napoli of the Red Sox and Bartolo Colon on the Athletics have also had significant effects on the team.

The Mets look poised to follow in their footsteps. Both the Red Sox and Athletics missed the playoffs and traded away major contracts and key pieces to completely start all over—just like the Mets. Now the Mets hope to progress in the same way: with a breakout season and competing for the World Series in the very near future.

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Sports

Daniel Tagle

Contributing Writer

After tearing the Sacramento Kings apart during the 2002 NBA Western Conference Championships, Shaquille O’Neal will now help in the rebuilding process currently underway in Sacramento.

It was recently released that O’Neal, or Shaq, as he is more commonly known, has become a minority owner of the Sacramento Kings. The 7’1”, four-time NBA Champion, and former star center of the Lakers once had a fierce rivalry with the “Sacramento Queens” as he called it, but now wants to see the team become successful.

The past couple of years, Sacramento has been under the ownership of the Maloofs, whom were loved by the fans until as of late, when it seemed like the Maloofs all but gave up on the franchise.

It wasn’t until the Kings were almost sold to a group from Seattle, which would have caused the team to move to the northwest city, that a new group of investors were brought together by the help of the Sacramento city mayor, Kevin Johnson— and former NBA player—saving the franchise, and helping the team stay in Sacramento.

Shaq was brought in by his close friend and 24 Hour Fitness founder, Mark

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Shaq-remento Mastrov. Their relationship started when Shaq was astonished at the idea of a place where he could get some exercise and work out any time during the day. When Shaq moved to the Miami Heat, he could not find anywhere that had the same convenience as 24 Hour Fitness, so he and

met Vivek Ranadive. Through Mastrov, another owner of the team, O’Neal and Ranadive talked about a possible partnership on the team. Ranadive, the face of the ownership group, announced the news of Shaq joining the team himself.

Mastrov formed a budding relationship, expanding the 24 Hour Fitness in south Florida. Fast forward a couple of years, and we now have Mastrov bringing Shaq in to be a part of the Sacramento Kings’ ownership group, and that’s when O’Neal

Shaq has said he is very optimistic about the future of the Kings, and has been excited about what the franchise, and more specifically, the new arena will offer. Besides having a share in the Sacramento Kings, of which the amount

October 14, 2013

of share O’Neal has which has not been disclosed, Shaq will serve as a mentor for the King’s young centerpiece, DeMarcus Cousins. O’Neal has said that he sees a younger Shaq in Cousins and that Cousins and him are very similar, and he hopes to help Cousins become the great player he has the potential to be.

By becoming the latest addition to the ownership group and to the Sacramento Kings, Shaquille O’Neal wants to make the Sacramento Kings a global brand.

With the advent of celebrity owners of major sports teams, the Kings hope to replicate some of the success of some of those teams. Peyton Manning and Justin Timberlake own part of the Memphis Grizzlies, a team that has grown to be one of the contenders in the Western Conference of the NBA. Magic Johnson is part of the ownership group of the Los Angeles Dodgers, a team that has been transformed by the new ownership group and is now contending for a pennant in the MLB. The Brooklyn Nets had rapper Jay Z as a part-owner until this past season. The team has also transformed to become a contender for the title in the NBA. Jay Z helped in the design of the court, uniform, and logo of the team.

Like other celebrity owners, Shaq looks to help the team. Whether it be training Cousins or attracting free agents to the team, the future looks bright for “Shaqramento.”