December 2021

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EDITOR IN CHIEF Marilyn Wolbert PRINT MANAGING EDITOR Karina Le ONLINE MANAGING EDITOR Jay Schading COPY EDITOR Mimi Lee NEWS EDITOR Alex Schneider TECHNOLOGY EDITOR Tommy Delp CULTURE EDITOR Tomas Rodrigo Mendez FEATURES EDITOR Erin Brache WELLNESS EDITOR Rylan Vanacore VIEWS EDITOR Patrick McCullough WRITERS Erin Brache, Tommy Delp, Emi Knape, Karina Le, Tomas Rodrigo Mendez, Jay Schading, Alex Schneider, Anjali Shiyamsaran, Rylan Vanacore

ART ART DIRECTOR Rachel Kogut ONLINE ART MANAGER Quamae Newsome SENIOR DESIGNER Gabriella Licona DESIGNERS Grace Bukowski, Kris

EDITOR’S NOTE

REPORTER

C

ollege is hard, incredibly hard.

We spend so much time under the most immense stress many of us have ever felt in our lives. Some of us are working two or more jobs just to ensure that we can eat at the end of the day, and continue to pay to be here. We are constantly challenged, almost dangerously so, by our academics on a daily basis — to the point where we question our abilities and find it difficult for executive functioning. We are bombarded with societal pressures, family pressures, academic and social pressures that make just living, almost impossible.

So to aid in this stress and disadvantaged style of life, we seek help. We seek friends and counseling, someone to talk to and share these experiences with, to make them a little more bearable. Sometimes, we are unable to receive that help. Sometimes we do, and it makes things a little bit better, but it doesn’t take it all away — things are still undeniably difficult.

Over the last five years I have broken into pieces and patched myself together so many times, I am not so sure I have all that I started with. We are all overworked and still, trying so hard to be everything we set out to be — it is exhausting.

That’s the thing though, it is exhausting because we are doing it.

Reporter’s doors are always open, and if you need someone to speak to or be with over the break, please feel free to reach out to us.

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December 3

I N

T H I S

I S S U E

NEWS 6

T E C H

A WORLD UNDER SURVEILLANCE

Delving into surveillance centers and their nuances

8

@REPORTERMAG 4 December

THE RISE OF SPACE TOURISM

Who is exploring space, and what are they doing next?

C U LT U R E 10

AMERICA, ART AND THE ANTI-INTELLECTS

12

ROCHESTER’S GAY BAR SCENE

14

AYL: POPULAR HOLIDAY TREATS

The very fabric of American society affects how we view artists

Reviews of some of Rochester’s most famous gay bars

Try to guess what’s the most popular holiday treat per state!

cover photography by Nithil Harris Manimaran and TOC illustration by Maggie Wehler

F E A T U R E S 16

18

20

GAMBLING: MIND VS. MONEY

The science and addiction behind slot machines and gambling

UNDERSTANDING GENDER NEUTRAL PRONOUNS

The history of the commonly used non-binary pronoun “they”

AN E-WASTE EPIDEMIC

Where does electronic waste end up?

W E L L N E S S 22

THE CUTEST KIND OF SUPPORT

Emotional support animals are beneficial in a multitude of ways

V I E W S 24

26

29

30 & 31

DEATH OF THE AUTHOR

What happens when you remove an author from their work?

WORD ON THE STREET

What is a piece of media that has influenced you?

RINGS

RIT’s only digital confessional.

Text or call (585) 672-4840

ART & POETRY BY RIT STUDENTS

Want your work featured in our next issue? Submit your art to rptart@rit.edu and poems to rpteic@rit.edu

R E P O RT E R . R I T. E D U December 5

O

ver the years, the advancement of technology has helped civilization extensively. However, with every pro, there will be cons to said improvement.

One such advancement would be the rate at which surveillance has permeated everyday life.

From supermarkets to college campus parking lots, there are cameras everywhere. Even more so, people’s data and preferences are recorded on sites like Facebook to send targeted ads to them. A lesser-known use for surveillance systems and technology is real-time crime statistics. The Monroe Crime Analysis Center (MCAC) located here in Rochester has been using this technology since it opened in 2007.

6 News

CRIME CENTERS Real-time crime centers were initially created as a means to support officers on the field, both patrol and detectives alike, providing ‘real-time’ information about individuals involved with a crime – such as finding information on a stabbing victim to figure out who in their circle of acquaintances may have committed the crime against them.

RIT also provides the Monroe Crime Analysis Center (MCAC) assistance in terms of management and training.

Irshad Altheimer, a professor of Criminal Justice at RIT, operates as the director of RIT’s Public Safety Initiative.

“We provide technical assistance about the best practices of crime analysis,” Altheimer said. “We also serve as research partners with these criminal justice agencies.”

Crime centers have since developed exponentially with the help of advanced technologies. In terms of RIT’s involvement with these projects, RIT staff mainly serves on the research side of the topic, such as studying different criminal justice interventions.

The reason why crime centers need extensive collection through various cases is also in part for their use in pattern making for crimes.

Consider it as a census for crimes within the area, for instance.

“The idea behind [crime centers] is to bring together all of the information that exists into one centralized location,” Altheimer said.

By bringing together all information about the crimes occurring within a city like Rochester, centers can find common areas of crime and have higher alerts within that area through traffic cameras or various live feeds around the city.

In gathering personal information about the victims – they are commonly with or if they have negative associations with people – it could help with narrowing down suspects and save precious time on time-essential cases.

However, there are concerns that arise in the usage of surveillance technologies like the ones MCAC employs. Especially with data centers, which collect and store personal infor-

mation and are manned by human resources, they toe a very thin line in ensuring people’s rights to their privacy.

es kept in these centers, they could risk their job or be held in a court of law.

“There has to be vigilance and there has to be rules [to protect citizens],” Altheimer emphasized.

These rules are upheld nationally by the International Association of Law Enforcement Intelligence Analysis, along with the various ethics and rules each crime analysis center has to abide by to continue operation.

TECHNOLOGY UNKNOWNS

SAFEGUARDS AND PROTECTIONS “Technology can be used for good and bad,” Altheimer said. “Some common concerns for [crime centers] is to what extent can we ensure that data is protected and not misused.”

Despite some concerns about the government collecting information and misusing said information, there are merits and good reasons to collect it. Altheimer asserts that the potential for data misuse is outweighed by the fact that there are safeguards in place to prevent said misuses.

“When we talk about crime centers, some central questions is how can we protect data, and how can we prevent it from being misused,” Altheimer said.

One of the major concerns being debated right now is how long should centers retain data and personal information throughout an investigation. From this, one of the main safeguards in keeping this data is the responsibility of the workers. If employees of the crime centers do release some of the private messag-

There is still a terrifying aspect of surveillance technology. For instance, the New York City’s Crime Center utilizes satellite imaging and mapping of the city to track crimes throughout its various precincts. If a New York City police officer could start a call, for instance, satellite tracking can follow their exact location throughout the city – even through tunnels.

Some would even say that the current surveillance state may lead to the normalcy of being watched. Although there are safeguards for organizations to protect the information they obtain, secret government organizations do not abide by the same rules. These projects cannot be challenged in the same way as crime centers, for instance, under the protection of several laws, such as the USA/Patriot Act. That particular law allows government agencies, such as the Federal Bureau of Investigation, to be able to surveillance someone so long as there is “reasonable suspicion” that a person or event is related to crime.

For a regular citizen, it can feel like a lot of the government decisions are out of their hands. However, the most important tool a regular citizen has is their voice and being able to keep track of Senate and House decisions through the worldwide web. These can

lead to further actions in lobbying, or even voting for a representative that will be vocal on their decisions in these particular areas.

“I think we should continue the discussion as a society,” Altheimer said. “It’s important for citizens to stay engaged … we should advocate for an environment that these discussions can be openly had.”

Just because a service is made with good intentions, does not necessarily mean we, the people, should not question its implementation. To be able to engage in these discussions is one of the most valued rights American citizens should exercise, and having these open discussions can further help with positive development between both technology and the society it is used in.

News 7

THE RISE OF SPACE TOURISM

by Tomas Rodrigo Mendez | photography by Travis LaCross | illustration by Kaiya Moultrie | design by Jacob Yoon

F

or millionaires and billionaires, space tourism is considered the next step of the human race into space.

Fortunately, for potential space tourists in 2021, advanced technology, space station construction and new knowledge of space travel has opened the door for a new type of leisure.

HISTORY The advent of space tourism occurred at the end of the 1990s, incited by a deal between a Russian company, MirCorp, and an American company: Space Adventures Ltd. MirCorp was a private venture in charge of its own space station, “Mir,” and to generate income for maintenance, the company decided to sell a trip to Mir. The first paying passenger for this trip was ex-NASA engineer, Dennis Tito.

Space Adventures Ltd. was founded in 1998

by Eric Anderson,. What they providinged included zero-gravity atmospheric flights, orbital space lifts and other spaceflight-related experiences. They also hoped to offer the first commercial space flight.

Before Tito could make his trip with MirCorp, however, the decision was made to deorbit its space station, and Space Adventures Ltd. handed off the mission to the International Space Station (ISS).

Tito paid $20 million in 2001 for his flight on the Russian spacecraft, Soyuz TM-32. He spent seven full days on board the ISS and is considered the world’s first space tourist.

2021 RACE While many companies have tried to chart a path in space tourism, only three main ones have made an impact: SpaceX, Blue Origin and Virgin Galactic.

Shivram Mahendran, a sixth year Software Engineering graduate student, is a professional product designer; his previous works include multiple space projects for Microsoft.

Elon Musk, the current CEO of Tesla, created SpaceX with the goal of reducing space transportation costs and expanding our reach within the solar system.

SpaceX has gained an opportunity to work with NASA. This contract has given the company greater commercial visibility.

Musk hopes to build 1,000 starships over a span of 10 years, helping the company to later explore Mars.

“SpaceX’s mission is simple ... taking crew and spaceships to Mars by 2050,” Mahendran said.

Amazon founder Jeff Bezos is also using his wealth to establish space-based properties. While SpaceX’s goal is directly related to exploring other planets, Bezos’ is to create a space hotel.

“SpaceX’s mission is simple ... taking crew and spaceships to Mars by 2050.”

Blue Origin was also in the running to partner with NASA, but SpaceX won the bid instead.

Despite this, Blue Origin continues their work towards space tourism. Announced in

8 Tech

Oct. 2021, Blue Origin and Sierra Space hope to launch Orbital Reef, their own space station.

This commercially developed, owned and operated space station will be built in low Earth orbit, with the main goal of creating a human habitat in space. It is expected to be operating in the second half of the current decade.

Another company, Virgin Galactic, was the first to openly offer space trips to civilians. However, it has been postponing its commercial flights due to various factors, including manufacturing defects.

2021 seems to be the year of private companies launching civilians, alongside with trained astronauts, into space. As of Nov. 8, 2021, only 16 people have made the journey so far: four with SpaceX, four with Virgin Galactic and eight with Blue Origin.

As space tourism evolves, the number of spaceflight participants will grow. Suborbital and orbital flights will inevitably give way to lunar excursions and trips to Mars.

By that time, space tourism may become a full-fledged industry capable of truly opening the frontier of space.

CONVENIENT SPACE GADGETS Due to space tourism’s current popularity, a trend has lead to the creation of various new technologies that space tourists will be able to utilize.

Product designers have envisioned several instruments to meet the basic needs of future space tourists including, but not limited to: air, heat, light and food.

One instruments that may be used is the “aerating loop,” designed to provide an extra kick of oxygen. Other items such as a personal heater, spatial food steamer and floating light may also be useful.

While we wait for space tourism to ramp up though, Virtual Reality (VR) technology has been developed to see space from Earth.

Michelle Bobilev is a fourth year Digital Humanities and Social Sciences student and is currently developing her CAPSTONE project: a virtual reality planetarium.

“The VR Planetarium is a virtual reality model of a planetarium designed in Unreal Engine with 3D assets created with Blender modeling software,” Bobilev explained.

She added that with the use of VR headsets and controllers, users can navigate the virtual space and choose from a variety of locations to explore.

“If the people have the tool to see the galaxy and what is out there ... VR will be an essential gadget before taking a flight there,” she said.

In the future, space tourists would be able to utilize these gadgets as a way to visualize and get a taste of what they are looking to experience out there.

Another issue is that space tourism is a luxury only available for few due to the cost. Private companies and billionaires will not be the only ones to benefit from leisurely space travel through.

The rise of space tourism can provide further development of terrestrial observation systems and the preparation of technologies for interplanetary travel, among other things.

This new era of research could make space science more accessible. In addition, improvements in technologies on earth are often based on innovations that started in space. Our trip to the moon gave us our running shoes, foam mattresses and even bulletproof vests.

So who knows what can come from this new age of space exploration.

COLLATERAL BENEFITS Some people are concerned about the environmental impact of space tourism. Experts claim rocket launches could damage our ozone layer.

Certain chemicals in rocket fumes may be getting trapped in the stratosphere allowing them to eat away at it.

Until now, this problem hasn’t been a huge issue due to limited launches. With rocket launches becoming more frequent due to space tourism, however, it could become a much bigger contributor to climate change.

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Tech 9

AMERICA, A ART AND THE ANTIINTELLECTS

merican society is not too fond of artists. This may seem like a gross overgeneralization, but a quick sweep of the country’s history would prove otherwise.

Older cases can be found in events such as ‘50s McCarthyism and the Hollywood Blacklist. Trump’s continued efforts throughout his presidential term to defund, and outright eliminate, the National Endowment for the Arts act as a current example. On a more personal level, maybe you’ve taken note of a friend’s dismissal of movie critics or your family’s disdain towards liberal arts majors.

To many, these vague aggressions against those participating in the arts just feel like part of American life. But where do they stem from, and are they part of a greater issue?

EXAMINING ANTI-INTELLECTUALISM

According to nonprofit think tank, Studio ATAO, anti-intellectualism is defined as “a social attitude that systematically denigrates science-based facts, academic and institutional authorities, and the pursuit of theory and knowledge.”

The root cause of anti-intellectualism has often been oversimplified as a basic lack of formal education, but there are various other elements at play. While anti-intellectualism is a global issue, the very fabric of American culture makes the country considerably more susceptible.

by Tommy Delp | design by Gabriella Licona Disclaimer: This page is purposefully designed to be bare, highlighting the importance of artists, designers and other creatives in making impactful, engaging and digestible content for society.

10 Culture

Michael Brown, an assistant professor in the College of Liberal Arts’ history department, wrote a book on the subject of intellectuals and anti-intellectuals within American politics.

“If you think that being an intellectual is a good thing, it can become highly elitist,” he stated. “You’re making a distinction between a group of people who are intellectuals and others who are not.”

Anti-intellectuals are not always explicitly opposed to the thinking and knowledge associated with intellectuals. Instead, they see those who use such skills, especially as part of their career, as upper-class and snobbish. This mindset is often possessed by those who feel slighted by their stifled access to economic mobility in America’s current landscape. Even if the idea of a thinking class is vague and includes various completely different fields ranging from scientists to artists, it is an easier justification than a broken system or government.

America’s infatuation with capitalism also plays a role. While your stereotypical 21st century American is often portrayed as ignorant and arrogant, the former isn’t really accurate.

For all its flaws, the U.S. has a strong track record in fields such as business and technology.

Notice though, that the types of fields we excel in require quantitative, not qualitative skills.

“We are a business civilization … If we can’t count it, it doesn’t exist. Everything other than business is unproductive and superfluous,” Brown said.

“There’s an unwillingness to accept new ideas and change. Fundamentally, art is about challenging ideas and promoting potential change.”

This mindset has made it harder for American society to see the worth in intellect and intellectuals, as their cash values aren’t always readily apparent. And with the arts, money is usually irrelevant anyway.

ANTI-INTELLECTUALISM AND THE ARTS Todd Jokl is a professor and dean of RIT’s College of Art and Design.

“On a personal level, I think [the arts] provide wonderful opportunities for sheer beauty and observation, whether for the creator or the observer,” he said.

Such characteristics are often overlooked in American society. Art doesn’t always lead to financial wealth, but it does lead to more well-rounded individuals. This well-roundedness has a habit of making people more sympathetic and thoughtful. Those who hold anti-intellectual beliefs fear artists for their power to subvert, through understanding, the status quo.

“Anti-intellectualism is about protectionism. There’s an unwillingness to accept new ideas and change. Fundamentally, art is about challenging ideas and promoting potential change,” Jokl said.

Due to America’s young age, at least in comparison to other organized governments, the country doesn’t have a well-defined history with the arts. The U.S. does not have the architecture of the Greeks and Romans or the

woodblock printing of the Japanese to look back on, so a personal connection and sense of importance was never formed with artistic endeavors. “[Artists] were actually essential to preserving the records of a civilization in the past, and therefore, they were held upon high,” Jokl said.

With all of these pieces in play, anti-intellectualism and the arts often act out a self-fulfilling prophecy. A lack of access to the arts leads to anti-intellectualism, and at the same time those who are anti-intellectual often try to limit access to the arts.

Clearly, anti-intellectualism is deeply rooted in the American mindset and its perception of the arts. Can these attitudes be weeded out though, and how do possible solutions include the arts?

DEMOCRATIC SIMPLIFICATION Both Brown and Jokl have ideas on how to reduce anti-intellectualism. However, since it has so many distinct root causes, these solutions aren’t meant to address the whole. Rather, they offer ways to strengthen specific elements of American society.

One solution asks that America address the inequalities that arise between those who identify as intellectuals and those who do not.

“There’s such a thing as a democracy of intellect and a democracy of creativity … which is an alternative to the idea that some people are intellectuals and others cannot be,” Brown said.

The idea of democracy is often only tied to governing, but it also offers a basic premise about human capabilities. Everyone is equal, and everyone can contribute. By encouraging this contribution on all fronts, we can free the idea of intellectualism from the class structure to which it has been historically wedded.

Another solution involves taking elements of arts education, such as creative problem solving and critique, and applying them to how we approach society at large.

“Our systems are very complex, and I think that artists … can engage in making the complex clear, not simplifying but clarifying these ideas,” Jokl said.

Anti-intellectuals are often encouraged by confusing government and institutional systems that are purposefully complex and misleading. Artists, through training and nature, are able to spot the difference between audience perception and creator intention, giving them the right toolset for closing this gap of misunderstanding.

With many people considering the fight between intellectuals and anti-intellectuals an already-brewing culture war, let’s hope that the artist’s penchant for empathy and understanding comes in handy. It seems like we’ll need it.

“A democracy of intellect and a democracy of creativity … an alternative to the idea that some people are intellectuals and others cannot be.”

Culture 11

ROCHESTER’S GAY BAR SCENE

by Erin Brache | photography by Diana Spencer | design by Mary Tannian

Disclaimer: Do not drink or try to purchase alcohol if you are under 21 years old. All bars mentioned require you to be 21 and older with valid ID unless directly specified.

I

t’s no secret that Rochester, New York is one of the most socially progressive cities in the United States.

From helping forge women’s rights to leading African American equality efforts, it’s no wonder that Rochester is also prominent in the LGBTQ+ community.

Since the COVID-19 pandemic is winding down and more people are going back to socializing with others again, many people want to join the LGBTQ+ gay bar community, but don’t know where to start.

BACHELOR FORUM More commonly referred to as just “The Forum”, Bachelor Forum is a staple of Rochester’s gay bar scene.

Opened in 1973, the Bachelor Forum is Rochester’s oldest gay bar to date.

Passing through the city, the bar is very hard to miss with interlocking same sex symbols pointed directly at the intersection of Atlantic Avenue and University Avenue.

The Forum has drink specials every day listed on their website, as well as specialty nights such as “leather nights” or karaoke.

As with its classic history, it also has classic guests. Most of the patrons, especially on weekdays, are older gay men who are familiars in the Rochester gay bar scene.

While this is certainly not a bad bar by any means, if you’re a college student going alone on a weeknight, you might not feel like you fit in as much here.

side walls, as well as party lights and a twister board on the floor. The bar differentiates itself by having more of a bit of a ‘punk’ vibe than the rest.

If the aesthetic becomes too much, Lux Lounge has a back porch with a hammock and a fire pit in order to relax.

Ed Popil was a contestant on the seventh season of “Ru Paul’s Drag Race,” and is more commonly known as his drag persona, Mrs. Kasha Davis. He talks about his experience with Lux Lounge.

“Lux is an ‘everybody’ bar. It makes me smile,” he said.

Lux Lounge has also hosted “What the Frock?! Fridays”, a monthly drag performance starring KiKi BananaHammock, Veronica Lace and season six “Ru Paul’s Drag Race” contes-

tant Darienne Lake.

Lux Lounge was also the winner of two awards in the CITY newspaper’s Best Of Rochester contest: “Best Bar to Drink Alone” and “Best Bouncer.”

AVENUE PUB Driving down Monroe Avenue, you may not even notice this bar is a gay bar from first glance.

Opening in 1975, the Avenue Pub took 73rd place in Yelp’s Top 100 LGBTQ+ bars in the United States.

This bar looks like any normal pub, but with LGBTQ+ décor.

No matter what review site you go to, almost every comment swears by how good the food is.

LUX LOUNGE Located on 666 South Ave. Lux Lounge definitely stands out as a vibrant and ‘trippy’ bar with tons of artwork lining the inside and out12 Culture

The outdoor patio of the Avenue Pub is lit up with rainbow Christmas lights and LGBTQIA+ themed decor.

“His goals had nothing to do with the community he was serving.”

If you are looking for a gender and sexuality safe space while also wanting that classic bar feel, Avenue Pub would be the place for you.

140 ALEX BAR AND GRILL When listing off the most known gay bars in Rochester, not many people mention 140 Alex Bar and Grill.

However, with drag shows multiple times a week, cheap drinks, and a second floor with a dance stage, it certainly deserves to be in the conversation.

Weekdays tend to have a lower turnout than most of the other gay bars, but the patrons and bartenders were the most friendly and conversational out of all of the bars I visited.

I had an hour long conversation with a transgender woman in her 50’s who had recently come out, and that day was her first time visiting the gay bars in Rochester.

140 Alex Bar and Grill, located at 140 Alexander Street, is a hidden gem in Rochester’s gay bar scene.

THE REGULARS For a long time in Rochester’s history, this was the main list of gay bars in Rochester.

There used to be a nightclub called “TiLT”, but it closed down on Aug. 8th, 2018.

David Chappius is more commonly known under his drag name, DeeDee Dubois. He described his experience with TiLT and its management.

“I worked at TiLT and it was owned by a straight guy,” he said. “It was the biggest place for the LGBT community, but at the end of

One of three statues that can be seen outside of Bachelor Forum on the corner of University Avenue and Atlantic Avenue. the day, his profits, his goals had nothing to do with the community he was serving.”

Popil described TiLT as “a straight place trying to have a gay night.”

All of the bars tried to do their own separate thing, and with it came their own crowd.

To put it simply: Bachelor Forum attracted the older gay men, 140 Alex was more of a lesbian bar and Lux Lounge was for the everyday bar patron. These labels remained relatively consistent until November 2019 when a new face emerged onto the scene.

A NEW CHALLENGER APPROACHES! No true listing of gay bars in Rochester would be complete without ROAR. ROAR came out of the gates swinging. In the span of two years, even while battling a worldwide pandemic, they have become Rochester’s most famous and most popular gay bar and dance club.

From allowing in 18-20 year olds, to having drag shows multiple times a week and events like Bingo and Trivia night, ROAR has so much

An indoor scene of a typical Friday night at the Avenue Pub.

to offer that little to no other gay bars do.

As co-owner of ROAR, Chappius is proud of what he has done.

“I think the reason that we’re successful is because we actually care about the community we service,” he said. “The community has been receptive, and we made it.”

ROAR has won several awards, including CITY newspaper’s Best Of Rochester’s “Best Karaoke”, “Best LGBTQ Bar”, and “Best Place to Go Dancing”.

Every single one of Rochester’s gay bars are rich with history.

If you are looking to join the Rochester gay bar or nightlife scene, there are many different options to choose from.

No matter where you go, you will find people who are looking for that same kind of connection that they have been missing for the past two years.

“The community has been receptive, and we made it.”

Culture 13

Answers Gingerbread Cake (MD) Chocolate Chip Cookie (DE) Gingerbread Cheesecake (PA) Chocolate Santas (NJ) Cheesecake (NY) Cheesecake (CT) Chocolate Trfile (RI,MA) Gingerbread Man (NH) Chocolate Truffles (ME)

Peppermint Kiss Cookies (MN) Andes Peppermint (WI) Cheesecake (MI, OH) Pudding (IN) Chocolate Santas (,IL) Oreo Balls (IA) York Peppermint Pattie (NE) Vegan Christmas Cookies (MO)

Fudge (WV) Gingerbread Man (VA) Cinammon Roll (KS) Pudding (TN, KT) Fruitcake (NC,SC) Red Velvet Pound Cake (GA) Cheeseckle (FL) Red Velvet Cake (AL,MS)

Peanut Butter Blossoms (ND Sugar Cookie (SD) Egg Nog (WY) Yule Log Cake (MT Candy Cane (ID) Skittles (WA) Peppermint Bark (OR) Peppermint Chocolate Chip Cookies (CA) Cheesecake (NV) Jolly Rancher (UT) Gingerbread Cake (CO)

14 Culture Cheesecake (OK,AR) Peppermint Chocolate Chip Cookies (TX) Cheesecake (NV,NM) Hot chocolate (AZ))

M&Ms (AK) Oreo Cheesecake (HI)

illustration by Maggie Wehler | design by Sneha Yalgi

Cake Cookies

Truffles

Eggnog Fudge Gingerbread

Cheesecake

Can you guess each state’s preferred treat?

AYL: Favorite Holiday Treats

STORIES

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O N L I NO EN L I N E

GAMBLING: MIND VS MONEY

by Emi Knape | photography by JamieLynn Gallagher | illustration by Jinlan Li | design by Jacob Yoon

“I

hit the jackpot!” Said very few people ever.

Casinos are known for being a hot spot for big wins and even bigger losses, so why do people keep going back and ‘testing their luck?’

With slot machines’ mathematical algorithms designed to limit the chances of success, the desire to win and the desire for money drives the urge to gamble, despite the odds being against the majority who play.

The Science Behind Slots Though advertised as such, slot machines aren’t simply based on chance. While chance and pure luck do play a large role in the game, slot machines are built with a mathematical algorithm used to choose the next outcome.

Essentially, the algorithm depends on both a random number generator and the ‘return to player’ factor, which determines the percent payout for the player.

Ever since slots have been around, the machines have used a random number generator, nowadays controlled by a computer that determines the outcome.

While every machine is different, the idea is the same: your win or loss is determined when you activate the machine — if the result matches one of the paylines, you win.

A payline is the combination of symbols, such as cherries and other fruit that the machine has recognized as being “winners.”

With about 300 symbols and millions of combinations, the odds are not in the player’s favor.

Some “pro gamblers” started trying to predict the next combination of numbers, so now machines are programmed to generate numbers even when no one is playing.

Additionally, the amount of money you can win depends on how much money you actually put in; this is where payouts come into play.

Payouts are the amount of money returned by the machine. These payouts are programmed to let users win as low as zero to 99 percent of the money the machine makes, depending on how much money the player decided to wager. This, however, varies per state and per casino.

16 Features

For example, Nevada has the highest average payout percentage at 95.8 percent and West Virginia at the bottom with an average of 89.12 percent average payback.

These payouts are ultimately determined by how much money is put in, along with the average payout programmed into the machine.

Psyching Ourselves Out While many people know that the odds of winning big in a slot machine are very slim, people continue to take the risk.

Dave Schwartz, a gaming historian who has studied gambling history for 20 years, used to work at a casino and saw this every day.

“People keep playing because some people do win ... we just only tend to notice the winners more because they celebrate,” Schwartz said.

Therefore, when someone sees another person ‘get lucky,’ they are more likely to keep playing.

A large part of this is due to “availability heuristic,” the idea that our brains tend to make deci-

sions based on immediate examples or scenarios that come to mind.

This can be seen in gambling when someone is debating whether or not to test their luck again at the slot machines.

By nature, the brain will most likely think about the most recent victory or the most advertised jackpot winner and cause the person to think winning is common, leading them to try again.

What many people don’t take into account, however, is how much they actually won.

So, even though someone may have rolled some big numbers, they could still be leaving with a significantly less amount of money than they originally came with.

“You see people win, but you don’t know how much they actually put in.”

Selective Success This idea of using selective information leads to biased decision making, which is the largest contributor to this sense of a gambling addiction.

Jason Ozubko, associate professor of Psychology at SUNY Geneseo, talked about psychological aspects in decision-making sense.

“People have a poor intuitive sense of randomness,” Ozubko said, “[they] will look at randomness and see the patterns that aren’t there and think they can outplay the pattern.”

For example, roulette wheels show the history of what the wheel has landed on and sometimes there will be certain “runs” of multiple of the same color in a row.

If there is a long pattern of the winning color being red, humans naturally think that the next result will be black. This is because people expect the pattern to change at some point.

While in reality, the machine is an inanimate object with no control, and there is still ultimately a 50 percent chance the result will be red or black.

Predictable Addiction Part of the attractiveness of gambling goes back to the idea of risk and unpredictability.

Additionally, this also shows a sense of privilege. Some people choose to gamble simply because they have money to throw away, whereas other are just trying to make a quick buck.

When someone does win, they may think they’ve outsmarted the game. This almost creates a kind of “chosen one” complex for the gambler.

However, when it comes to addiction, the likelihood of possibly gaining that reward is enough to engage in it.

“It’s the same thing with video games, food and drugs: as people engage in activities that offer periodic rewards, they become conditioned to want to engage in that more,” Ozubko said.

“The fun is in the unpredictability in it all ... that’s what makes it addicting.”

Additionally, even though people know the odds of winning may be slim, they still choose to take the chance. This is because the attractiveness to probability is predominantly more about the journey and less about the destination. In terms of gambling, it’s more so about the sensation of seeing those numbers spin, and less about the actual winning part of the situation.

“The fun is in the unpredictability in it all ... that’s what makes it addicting,” Ozubko said.

Therefore, people aren’t attracted to the prize necessarily as much as they are attracted to the chance of winning the prize.

While it can be argued that slot machines are “rigged,” humans are prone to engage in risky behaviors because they crave rewards.

“Modern society has noticed the fact that this is how our brains work...slot-machines were designed with us in mind,” Ozubko stated.

Slot machines have been making money off of our minds for generations, it’s ultimately up to us to decide how much that costs us.

Features 17

UNDERSTANDING

by Anjali Shiyamsaran | illustration by Jessica Reed | design by Gabriella Licona

F

rom as early as the 14th century to the modern era, singular they/them pronouns have signified a gender-neutral identity that defies gender stereotyping.

The commonly used nonbinary pronoun, singular “they,” could likely be the English language’s oldest gender-neutral pronoun.

With constant references throughout history, literature and spoken English, the use of they/ them pronouns is far from new.

THE HISTORY OF THE SINGULAR “THEY” Abby Rocktaschel, a second year Medical Illustration student, identifies as nonbinary and uses they/them pronouns.

“One way I found out was by … repeating my name and saying, ‘I’m Abby, I go by they/ them pronouns,’” Rocktaschel said. “And I tried it with every pronoun I could think of and just using they/them made me feel the most comfortable.”

Gender identity for nonbinary individuals is neither strictly male nor strictly female, as they exist outside of that binary.

While nonbinary identities range from agender to bigender to genderfluid, individuals may arrive at a series of possibilities, combinations and outcomes when it comes to being nonbinary. Therefore, nonbinary acts as an umbrella term for many different identities outside of the binary as well.

PRON

“For me, [being nonbinary] just means that I don’t fit into the mold of being female or male,” Rocktaschel stated.

Emi Simpson, a fourth year Computer Science major, identifies as nonbinary and uses any or all pronouns.

“Even when somebody’s presentation doesn’t match their gender, they’re still conceived of from that lens,” Simpson said. “And so I call myself nonbinary in the sense that I do not want to be conceived in relation to any of those lenses.”

As for why more and more individuals feel comfortable identifying as nonbinary or using they/them pronouns, Dr. Alan Smerbeck, an associate professor with the department of Psychology at RIT, highlighted society’s increase in awareness and acceptance of gender-neutral identities.

“More people have seen it as safe and possible to come out, and that’s why there’s going to be more identification and use of those pronouns,” Smerbeck said.

With increased acceptance, the exploration of gender nonconformity can allow individuals to grow more confident and self-empowered in their gender expression. “[Using they/them pronouns] just fits my identity best,” Rocktaschel stated. “And it just reassures me that I don’t need to be limited by being seen as female anymore … It just felt fitting and more inclusive for me.”

NOT A “THIRD GENDER” Despite the use of pronouns beyond “he” and “she,” nonbinary is not a “third gender.”

In fact, that defeats the purpose for many.

That kind of label tends to group together very different people into a single identity.

“A bigender person and an agender person are really quite different, and putting them together in the third gender category in that sense is overlooking some important differences,” Smerbeck explained.

The term nonbinary includes a variety of identities, terms and expressions. As a result, categorizing it as a “third gender” omits this fact.

Although, for those who share collective struggles, concerns or political aims, forming groups to create allyship can provide value in solidarity and advocacy.

“LANGUAGE IS FLUID AND FLEXIBLE AND LANGUAGE IS NOT STRICTLY LOGICAL.” 18 Features

GENDER-NEUTRAL

OUNS EVOLUTION OF ENGLISH PRONOUNS Much like the widespread increase in use of singular “they/them” seen today, pronouns have shifted in the English language before.

Once the most widely-used pronouns in the English lexicon, “thee” and “thou” are now outdated and obsolete, for example.

“Pronouns tend to change slowly, but that doesn’t mean they won’t continue to change,” Smerbeck said.

Although critics often label the use of singular they/them pronouns as illogical or ungrammatical, such pronouns have been used for centuries throughout the history of writing.

Shakespeare’s “Hamlet,” Jane Austen’s “Pride and Prejudice” and Geoffrey Chaucer’s “The Canterbury Tales” all described people using singular “they” and “them.”

“I always like to remind people that language is fluid and flexible, and language is not strictly logical,” Smerbeck added.

FUTURE OF GENDER DIVERSITY The shift towards more inclusive and gender neutral terms has continued over the past 20 years, allowing more people to become aware of gender in their language.

“MY GENDER ISN’T SOMETHING THAT’S MEANT TO BE UNDERSTOOD THROUGH PRONOUNS.”

For example, gender-specific titles have become more gender-neutral, replacing terms like ‘fireman’ with ‘firefighter’, or ‘freshmen’ with ‘first year students.’

“People are starting to notice how certain words are used in a gendered way, and I think that can’t help but be good for transgender and nonbinary people,” Smerbeck said.

As gender identity and expression grow more diverse, the relationship between pronouns and gender — or lack thereof — is important to understand.

Simpson emphasized that pronouns are just that: pronouns, and therefore do not necessarily imply one’s gender.

“My goal is that my pronouns don’t say anything about my gender … My gender isn’t something that’s meant to be understood through pronouns,” Simpson stated.

One in four LGBTQ+ youths use pronouns other than he/him or she/her. This includes the use of neopronouns, or words that can be used or created to serve as pronouns without expressing gender.

Neopronouns developed from around the 19th and 20th centuries to today and offer people a variety of gender identities beyond just three pronoun categories.

When it comes to neopronouns, some examples may include “xe/xem/xyrs,” “ze/zir/zirs” and “fae/faer/faers.” Anyone, including cisgender individuals, can use neopronouns without it necessarily having to suggest something about their gender.

“They’re just pronouns, and they’re there and anybody can use them,” Simpson said.

In addition, some people may use multiple pronouns or go by a certain set of pronouns only to certain audiences. If uncertain about another person’s pronouns, politely asking or sharing one’s own pronouns can help encourage other people to share theirs.

There are many ways to be nonbinary, and for many, it offers freedom from the confines of conforming to the gender binary. With the diversity that the non-binary community exhibits, each experience is different, nuanced and valid.

Features 19

AN E-WASTE EPIDEMIC

by Alex Schneider | illustration by Emma McCarthy | design by Grace Bukowski

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very year, large tech companies put out new flagship devices that supposedly leave the old ones in the dust.

The upgrade is made compelling through the slightly better hardware, and the ability for one to show it off.

This constant, individualistic consumerism is killing the planet.

Technology developers know the value of such a marketing proposition and actively capitalize on it. After battling a class action lawsuit that originated in 2017, “Apple agreed to pay up to $500 million to settle a lawsuit accusing it of secretly slowing down older iPhones to encourage customers to buy a new device,” Tyler Sonnemaker from Business Insider stated.

Although Apple continues to deny the allegations, the concept of slowing down older electronics in the hope the consumers will purchase a new one creates both an ethical and an environmental dilemma.

Not only should rampant consumerism be questioned, but also the failure of nations capable of doing so to address the problem.

From the ethical standpoint, recklessness regarding the world’s waste dumping causes harm and suffering to others in less affluent places, exacerbating the the complex environmental side of the issue.

E

AN ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARD E-waste poses enormous health and environmental hazards to the communities that live with it.

United Nations Under-Secretary-General David Malone declared that “the hazardous content of e-waste constitutes a toxic mine that must be managed with extreme care.”

Not only is it composed of computers and smartphones, but the category also includes appliances like microwaves, heaters, air conditioners, washing machines and televisions.

“E-waste contains valuable metals (Cu, platinum group) as well as potential environmental contaminants,” Brett H. Robinson, in Science of the Total Environment, wrote.

Getting rid of the waste also proves to be a critical problem.

“Burning e-waste may generate dioxins, furans, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), polyhalogenated aromatic hydrocarbons (PHAHs), and hydrogen chloride,” Robinson also stated.

While all of these chemicals are toxic, some are also carcinogenic.

“The hazardous content of e-waste constitutes a toxic mine that must be managed with extreme care.”

So how do facilities process and remove the combination of chemicals from electronic waste?

A GLOBAL IMPACT Although electronic recycling facilities in the United States have increased their ability to effectively process, derive goods from and mitigate toxic chemicals from e-waste, they only process a portion of the total amount of e-waste around the world.

According to the International Telecommunication Union, only 17.4 percent of e-waste is recycled, some of it being done without protocol or safety procedures.

Many rare earth metals are lost in the process when the could have been reused.

Neodymium is used for permanent magnets in smartphones, and cobalt is used in lithium-ion batteries.

The latter element is the focus of a human rights issue that’s put on the back burner.

This is because efficient, longer lasting batteries, typically using cobalt, are in high demand.

Child workers in the Democratic Republic of the Congo make mere pocket change mining cobalt around the south-eastern provinces of the country, according to SAESSCAM, a public service that assists miners in the region.

What nobody sees is the mountainous pile of electronic trash our culture creates. There exists a huge, largely unseen waste problem that staves itself from the public eye.

“A record 53.6 million metric tonnes (Mt) of electronic waste was generated worldwide in 2019, up 21 percent in just five years,” the United Nations’ “Global E-waste Monitor 2020” reported. The monitor consists of a yearly report that compares and contrasts current e-waste buildup versus previous years, and also predicts how the rate of waste accumulation will change in the future.

In 2030, the monitor projects annual e-waste production to increase to 74 Mt.

WHERE DOES IT GO?

To make matters worse, most of the waste sits in dumps in developing countries, harming local inhabitants.

A commercial district in Accra, the capital city of Ghana, is home to the largest dump site of e-waste in the world.

The residents of the slums, in the district of Agbogbloshie, rummage the mountain of e-waste to collect copper and other metals that can then be sold.

The Blacksmith Institute, a non-profit specializing in solving pollution problems in developing countries, describes the burn process in detail.

“While the United States and China together produce just over a third of the e-waste, the top per capita producers were wealthy nations of northern and western Europe.”

Once discarded styrofoam packaging is used as fuel to burn casing materials away, scavengers can collect the metal and sell it to make a living.

The institute, in “The World’s Worst 2013: Top Ten Toxic Threats,” stated that “cables can contain a range of heavy metals, including lead. To some extent, these metals can migrate through particulates in the smoke, while significant amounts are also left behind on area soils.”

Additionally, skin diseases and respiratory illnesses are more common in residents due to their constant contact with a myriad of chemicals.

However, the air isn’t the only resource affected.

“The Agbogbloshie area is home to one of the largest food markets in Accra, and haggard livestock roam freely and graze on the dumpsite,” Peter Yeung wrote on a piece for Bloomberg.

The Blacksmith report lists Agbogbloshie similar to Chernobyl in toxicity levels.

WE SENT IT THERE “While the United States and China together produce just over a third of the e-waste, the top per capita producers were wealthy nations of northern and western Europe — Norway, Switzerland, Iceland, Denmark, and the United Kingdom,” Michael Casey from CBS News specified.

The “Global E-waste Monitor 2020” built upon Casey’s notion.

“In 2019, most of the e-waste was generated in Asia (24.9 Mt), while the continent that generates the most in kg per capita is Europe (16.2 kg per capita).”

Although Europe recycles approximately 42.5 percent of its e-waste, documented e-waste that is collected and properly recycled is “substantially” lower than the total amount of it produced yearly.

What is not recycled is sent away to other parts of the world.

So, next time you throw your old electronics away in the trash or decide to upgrade your phone after only a year, take some time to reflect and reconsider. It might end up in Agbogbloshie.

Features 21

THE CUTEST KIND OF SUPPORT

by Jay Schading | photography sourced by Jay Schading | illustrations by Emily O’Shea | design by Joy Zeng

O

ften, when someone hears the terminology of a support animal, they will think about service dogs. However, support animals can be any type of animal.

From service animals to emotional support animals (ESA), having a critter can be beneficial for a variety of reasons. .

ESAs VS. SERVICE ANIMALS An emotional support animal is an animal that is registered to be a companion of sorts to a person, with beneficiary results. ESAs can range from anything as small as a snake to a cat or a dog.

Catherine Lewis, the director of Disability Services Offices (DSO) at RIT, spoke about the differences between service animals and ESAs. “Service animals are species-specific, they have to be a dog or [in some cases] a miniature pony,” Lewis said. “They are trained to perform a specific task to support someone with a disability.”

Some of these trainings for service animals include seizure-detecting dogs and lead dogs for visually impaired people. Generally, service dogs are allowed to go anywhere with their person because they are serving a direct access need to someone.

“Emotional support animals are meant to provide equitable access to somebody in residence,” said Lewis. “They’re meant to give you emotional support, companionship and care in the place that you live.”

ESAs are not species-specific like service animals, as long as it’s an animal reasonably able to provide the support needed.

Another difference between ESAs and service animals is that ESAs are not trained to help their person with something specific they are just generally beneficial in life “[Simply] by virtue of what they are in somebody’s life,” Lewis said.

BENEFITS OF ESAs IN COLLEGE ESAs serve as a sense of companionship and routine in a busy college student’s life. Oftentimes students can feel lonely throughout their college career, so sometimes having an animal to come back to can be an amazing feeling.

“Having an [ESA] can play a lot of different roles for someone,” said Lewis. “Emotional reassurance at the end of a stressful day can help someone stay grounded and recalibrate.

For some, the routine of caring for an animal can put some structure into your day that can feel empowering.”

Emily Yancey, a first-year advertisement photography major, spoke about why she decided to register her two chinchillas, Thor and Loki, as ESAs. “I have severe anxiety and depression and have grown up with animals my whole life,” Yancey said. “Being in a new place was difficult enough, so I brought a little bit of home with me [to RIT].”

Having Thor and Loki have helped Yancey significantly with this transition to college.

“The number of nights I’ve been so depressed I couldn’t get out of bed or be too anxious to even sit down,” said Yancey, “I just sat with my animals and it has saved me the entire time I’ve been here.”

“ Being in a new place

was difficult enough, so I brought a little bit of home with me [to RIT].”

22 Wellness

in the housing situation with them. If they disagree, then RIT will help to make the situation work for all parties.

“As a college student, you have extraordinary full plates, especially if you are newer to college,” Lewis said. “Transitioning from one phase of your life to this new chapter can be really conflicting ... [having an animal] has to be the right move for somebody and only they will know that.”

In the end, it’s important to understand that ESAs are beneficial for those who need them as well as those around them who find comfort in animals. Having the awareness that these creatures are more than just a pet is a relief for the owner’s mental and physical wellbeing.

Mimi Emily Roman is a third-year individualized study major with a cat ESA named Akira. Roman has had Akira in her life for around a year now since she rescued her from a trailer park.

“I’ve been going to ... therapy for over a decade and one of the things I felt I needed was an animal,” said Roman. “I’ve grown up with animals my whole life and they’ve always provided some sort of support for me.”

Roman felt lonely coming to RIT without having an animal around her, which prompted her to get Akira.

“She came into my life at a really good time,” Roman said. “She gives me the routine and stability that I need.”

Fourth-year game development major Alexa Amoriello talks about how she’s had her cat ESA, Mimi, since her spring semester of freshman year.

“She’s pulled me out of [solely] focusing on work,” said Amoriello. “Having someone to greet me when I come home because I live alone ... has helped me feel more comfortable being at RIT.”

Overall, ESAs for RIT students have multiple benefits – like routine, emotional support and companionship – and seem to improve the productivity of these students.

Though, with COVID-19 coming into play these past few years, ESAs are becoming more difficult to travel with.

“Before [COVID-19], there used to be guidelines on emotional support animals on flights not being charged as a pet fee,” said Amoriello.

“But due to the misuse of emotional support animals ... [airlines] now charge $80 to $120 each way to have [your ESA].”

RIT ACCOMODATIONS

“ Having someone to

greet me when I come home because I live alone ... has helped me feel more comfortable being at RIT.”

To have an ESA at RIT is a simple process.

First, reach out to the DSO with an accommodation request. Once the request has been approved, documentation is then required for the person and animal.

“RIT made it super easy,” Yancey said. “I had to turn in some documentation stuff with my therapist and then an interview with someone from DSO.” If the ESA is a cat or a dog, vaccination documents are required to be turned in. The animal must not behave disruptively and is solely under the responsibility of the person registered to them. Roommates will be notified via the MyLife portal if one of their roommates has an ESA and will have to agree to have the animal

Emily Roman & Akira Wellness 23

Death of the Author

by Rylan Vanacore | illustration by J Rose Parker | design by Grace Bukowski

L

iterature interpretation has been taught all throughout the world. The goal in mind was to understand what the author’s intent was above all others. That view changed in 1967, when Ronald Barthes wrote the revolutionary essay “The Death of the Author.”

WHO KILLED THE AUTHOR?

Barthes’ essay pioneered a new way of looking at literature. Barthes argued that instead of focusing on the author and their life, the

literature analysis should instead center on the text itself. Instead of looking for authorial intent, Barthes placed the reader’s interpretation of a work above the author’s.

Once the author releases their work out into the world they “die,” and pass that ownership on to the reader. In their absence, readers are encouraged to lean towards their own interpretations of the text.

Literature is naturally open to interpretation, and people have different thoughts and understandings of the world around them.

Two people can read the same thing and come out with two completely different thoughts and opinions about the material. If things were clear-cut and universally understood there would be no need for interpretations.

Robert Glick, an associate professor in the Department of English at RIT, explained how language plays a big role in literary interpretation.

“What’s key here is the theory of language itself,” Glick said. “There’s no such thing as a single meaning, there’s no such thing as a single message.”

Language is constantly changing as words are given new meaning. Something written 100 years ago can use words in ways that are radically different from how they are understood today. If we look back at the work of Shakespeare, there are plenty of words and phrases that carry a different meaning than at the time of writing than they do in the modern age.

“Words have multiple meanings. They change over time and connect to other words,” Glick said.

While “The Death of the Author,” was written with literature in mind, its ideas can be applied to all forms of media. The media landscape has evolved a lot since 1967, and movies and television shows have become as prevalent to our culture as literature was in the 1960s.

PERSONAL EXPERIENCES

Personal experiences can also shape how people interpret media. Things that happened in our lives make us see the world in different ways.

“We’re always bringing our experience to the table,” Glick explained.

People’s experiences shape the way they view a piece of media. An example of this would be how members of the LGBTQ+ community may view certain things differently than heterosexual, cisgender people because of the experiences they have had in relation to their identity.

“When I’m watching a movie, based on my experiences with other people, I can sense any character is gay,” Chase Moore, a thirdyear Packaging Science student at RIT, explained.

The LGBTQ+ community and media have always had a complex relationship. When analyzing media from a queer perspective, it’s

“There’s no such thing as a single meaning, There’s no such thing as a single message.”

24 Views

“We’re always bringing our experience to the table.”

worth bringing up “queer coding,” a term used to discuss media with a character that is heavily implied to be queer.

This “coding” exists because of industry guidelines like the Hays Code and the Comics Code Authority, which put restrictions on what could be shown in media — especially in regards to LGBTQ+ related content. People creating media would work around these restrictions by putting implications, “codes,” that a character was queer so the audience could pick up on it.

An example would be Mystique and Destiny’s relationship in early “X-Men” comics. They were never explicitly allowed to be married, but writer Chris Claremont would heavily imply it through storytelling, such as the pair having an adopted daughter together.

“A lot of the time, queer coding is done by queer people,” Moore said. “It’s done in a way that not just queer people [could] see through.”

While being queer is not necessarily a prerequisite to seeing a character as queer coded, having that experience can help people see the implications.

“If you are a person who’s been in queer relationships, been in queer spaces and had a lot of queer friends, you would see the way that character acts and behaves [as queer],” Moore explained.

Queer coding does rely a lot on authorial intent and it isn’t the end-all for queer media interpretations. Many queer people can see a character and interpret them as queer without authorial intent.

IS THERE A RIGHT WAY TO INTERPRET MEDIA?

With media interpretation leaning more towards reader understanding rather than authorial intent, this brings up the question: is there a wrong way to interpret something?

The theory presented in “The Death of the Author” poses that when an author puts out their work, they lose all control over it. People, therefore, should be able to apply whatever lens of analysis they want to that piece of media. Even so, some people still hold onto authorial intent as the ultimate interpretation of a work.

New York Times gave insight on why people value authorial intent. Some people don’t see the point of viewing anything without authorial intent, because in their eyes, it enrichens the experience and is essential to understanding the body of work. You cannot have any creation without its creator.

Moore discussed why people don’t care for authorial intent. Xe used the book “The Outsiders,” by S. E. Hinton as an example. There are queer interpretations of the book, where readers view the characters as such. The author has taken a very firm stance against these interpretations of the book, but once a work is published the lines between authorial intent and personal reading begin to blur.

“The author’s personal life is like meaningless in that sense,” Moore said, in regards to Hinton’s anti-queer sentiments. “People are just looking at the text and say: yeah, we can see this as being queer.”

If “The Death of the Author” is to be believed, the author holds no power over their work past publication. People have come to remove the author of their work, with stories like “The Outsiders” resonating with many fans in ways the author may not have intended. In a way, a work will outlive the author as readers make those works of fiction their own.

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Word On the Street compiled by Patrick McCullough | photography by JamieLynn Gallagher illustration by Kelly Jin | design by Julia Jones

Joe Demaria First year Computer Engineering Technology major

“The only book that’s every really stood out to me was ‘Animal Farm’ … That was the only book that I’ve ever read straight through. It’s a very interesting book … I spent an hour and a half and read straight through it. I’ve never done that with any other book.”

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Madelyn Benfanti First year Physician Assistant major

“‘Harry Potter.’ I also watch the show ‘You’ a lot — it’s a good show!”

ce e i p a s i t a s h a h W t a h t a i d e m ? u of o y d ce n e u l f in

Daniel Lootens First year Management Information Systems major

“I would say the ‘Eragon’ series … It’s kinda like a dream. Even though it’s obvious that the author was a novice at the time, sometimes having those sparse details allows your mind to kind of run with it.”

Noah Goldie Fourth year Applied Statistics major

“I watched ‘Where to Invade Next’ when I was in high school. It’s a Michael Moore documentary about all these social programs and movements in Europe that were inspired by things we used to have in America that just kinda faded away.”

Opinions expressed are solely of the students and do not reflect the views of REPORTER.

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Jess Edwards third year Illustration major

Thomas Griebel first year Graphic Design major

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Poems

by RIT students

design by Amanda Macey

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cliff only at wit’s end is seen another peak lucent sky crashers black slate cuts: bleeding rage some caverns; moist stifling bones grind shadows taunt soul granted the whitest peaks, she, a mirage of hope

Moving I arrive at the apartment complex The room smells like old cigarettes and cat hair My friend opens the door Her electronic wheel chair filling the air with a vibrating hum Moving boxes and scattered trash litter the room There is little space left to move Claustrophobic, I wonder if this is what her mind is like I open a crinkly white bag and begin “What’s it like living in an unsafe neighborhood?”

“Does your missing leg ever bother you?”

“What’s your depression like?”

Little by little the bag fills, and spills over First the floor appears Then the couch And the table We are cleaning up the damages Making peace with our past selves Uncovering the traumas that fill our rooms Making space to breathe The cathartic release of neatness Of seeing the transformation And not carrying this burden Alone Wallace Wallace, fifth year New Media Interactive Development major

Tyler Harper, third year Computer Engineering major

just the two of us We’ve walked into a memory.

Egg dripping crusted on a pan you used this morning.

Bright yellow sheets distraught. A cry rising in our throats windows nailed shut and I wonder who do we send our letters to?

Time stands still and we listen for its ticks mourning the loss of the footsteps you took out this door we stand in now undeniably connected yet alone.

Anna-Maria Blajer, second year Diagnostic Medical Sonography major

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