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2020-21
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Haunting of Ghoul Manor
OCTOBER 2020 Vice President of Communications
Director of Publications
Junior Editor
Cover Design
Contributors
Copyright
**Note: Ghoul Manor is a work of fiction. Any resemblance to actual engineering buildings, past or present, is purely coincidental.
Website
Delaney MacIntosh & Elizabeth DeCorby Jason Tao
Celine Fong Nicholas Kolber Shreya Roy-Chowdhury
Safiya Ahmad
Ian Gauk (@ian.gauk.art) All materials appearing in The Bridge bear copyright to their creator(s) under the Engineering Students’ Society (ESS) and may not be used without written consent. essualberta.ca
Contact
esscomm@ualberta.ca
@essualberta
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Engineering Students’ Society of the University of Alberta
Photo: Delaney MacIntosh
DEAR READER, Are you afraid of the things that go bump in the night? Welcome to spookiest edition of The Bridge yet! With midterm season pressing on we have compiled a set of articles to take your mind off the due dates that continue to pile up. Most notably, this edition formally reveals the alternative format for this year’s GEER Week, archives the beginning of this competion and introduces the 2020/21 first year engineering club executives. We hope that you take the new initiatives presented in this edition as an open invitation to connect with our community this year and that they provide you with something to look forward to this season. Equally, we hope the current features are something you can continue to look back on fondly. We continue to be so proud of the engineering community here at the U of A. Keep up your incredible work! Cheers, Delaney MacIntosh & Elizabeth DeCorby Vice President of Communications
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CONTENTS 6 FALL FUN
Science Myths Spooky Movie Reviews Punkin Patch Costume Contest Which Crewmate are You?
20 UPCOMING INITIATIVES
GEER Yeer Engineering Head Shave
24 FEATURES
20/21 First Year Engineering Club (FYEC) SustainabiliTea Engi-Poets
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SO YOU THINK YOU KNOW SCIENCE?
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Myth: Nothing can go faster than light. The phenomenon known as Cherenkov radiation disproves the myth that nothing can go faster than light. Cherenkov radiation occurs when a charged particle passes through a medium (such as water) at a speed greater than the speed of light in the medium. A classic example is the blue glow of a nuclear reactor submerged in water.
COMMON SCIENCE MYTHS THAT PEOPLE BELIEVE
Myth: There are only 3 phases of matter. Don't forget plasma, quark gluon plasma, superfluids, Bose-Einstein condensates, and supersolids. Plasma is the most abundant state of matter in the universe; nearly all stars, including the sun, are all made of plasma.
Myth: Microwaves cause cancer. Microwaves and radio waves produce the least amount of energy per photon with regards to the electromagnetic spectrum, and is referred to as non-ionizing radiation. Nonionizing radiation does not have enough energy to remove electrons from atoms and molecules, whilst ionizing radiation coms from the spontaneous disintegration of atoms. Exposure to ionizing radiation increases the risk of long term effects such as cancer.
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SPOOKY MOVIE REVIEWS HALLOWEEN EDITION Text Nicholas Kolber
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Intro
Hi! My name is Nicholas Kolber, and I am excited to join the Faculty of Engineering at the University of Alberta for the 2020/2021 academic year. I graduated from Strathcona High School last year and am looking forward to my first year of Engineering and everything the U of A has to offer. A few years ago, I started writing movie reviews. I have always loved watching movies with family, friends, or on my own, and I found writing and posting reviews an enjoyable way for me to convey my thoughts about the art of film. Now, I run an Instagram page for my reviews (@kolbersfilmcritiques), where I post my reviews and a Film of the Week every Sunday. I also post the same reviews on a Snapchat Private Story, which is where the reviews originated. Some of my favourite films of all time include Back to the Future, an exciting, funny and creative time-travel adventure, Inception, a mind-bending action film by Christopher Nolan, and The Good, the Bad and the Ugly, a gritty and haunting Civil-War era Western from Sergio Leone. However, Halloween is fast approaching, and I would like to recommend some spooky movies (and some not-so-spooky ones) and TV shows that you can enjoy throughout the month of October.
Classic Pick
A classic horror film and my introduction to the horror genre, Stanley Kubrick’s The Shining is an unsettling film, but one that benefits from Kubrick’s precise filmmaking style. From the opening scene, a gorgeous aerial shot of Jack Torrance driving to the infamous Overlook Hotel, it is evident something sinister is at work. The strange chord progressions in the music add to the unnerving atmosphere that Kubrick so masterfully creates in the film. His use of the Steadicam is flawless, following Jack’s son Danny through the seemingly innocuous corridors of the hotel. The performances are also exceptional; Jack Nicholson is at his unhinged best; Shelly Duvall conveys her emotions so effectively and even Danny Lloyd is great as young Danny Torrance. The cinematography and editing are excellent, and the sound design is phenomenal (especially in the Steadicam shots) but the real genius in this film is how it plays with the audience. With calculated impossibilities in the hotel’s design, as well as consistently unreliable narration, the truth becomes unclear and shrouded behind sinister forces, thus forcing the audience to question their own reality and view of the film. This is an incredible horror film and an excellent place to start if you are new to the genre: its one of the best.
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"Horror not Horror
David Fincher is known for making intense, unnerving, and masterful films, and his 1995 picture Se7en is no exception. The story follows detectives Somerset and Mills, the former a veteran a week from retirement and the latter a hotheaded newcomer, as they try and track down a serial killer basing his murders on the seven deadly sins of Christian faith. This is one of the most intense films I have ever seen. I was on the edge of my seat during the entire runtime, largely thanks to Fincher’s immaculate direction and a brilliant screenplay from Andrew Kevin Walker. Morgan Freeman (Somerset) and Brad Pitt (Mills) both turn in excellent performances, and the haunting colors, invasive camera angles and solid gore effects add up to a riveting watch that will have you scared for the protagonists. Howard Shore’s score only amplifies the visual tension on-screen. Without spoiling too much, the ending is harrowing, thought-provoking and unforgettable. It is one of the best endings in cinematic history. This film is dark, bleak, and not for the faint of heart, and though it is more of a mystery film than a horror film, its one of the most suspenseful and well-made films I have ever seen.
TV Show Pick For a chilling, yet satisfying horror/mystery TV series, look no further than Rod Serling’s anthology masterpiece, The Twilight Zone. Airing from 1959 to 1964, with independent characters and storylines in each episode, every 22-minute segment is a trip into an unknown, incomprehensible world with the narrator. Often featuring big-name actors before their prime, including William Shatner, Burgess Meredith, and Robert Redford, Serling takes the viewer on a journey through an unusual, often unexplainable, turn of events that turns the protagonist’s world upside down. A master of twist endings, Serling always leaves you with more questions than answers, forcing you to ponder the events of the episode. These episodes are more psychological than physical, involving the protagonist’s inner thoughts, feelings, and imagination in the narrative more than jump scares. However, Serling never fails to deliver spine-tingling moments, especially in episodes such as Nightmare at 20,000 Feet and the pilot episode, Where is Everybody? The theme song is excellent in establishing the atmosphere, Serling’s narration is flawless and the visuals are great. I guarantee that you will take a trip to the Twilight Zone with the characters at least once (or if not, at least you will enjoy the show. It is one of the best TV shows ever made).
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Black and White Pick
Alfred Hitchcock is lauded around the world as “The Master of Suspense.” Well known for his psychological thrillers, including Vertigo, his ability to slowly draw the viewer into a narrative and immerse them in the film is second to none. However, his most famous film is arguably Psycho, the horror/thriller that revolutionized the horror genre and remains one of the most influential horror films to date. It is easy to see why. Starting with a simple, yet intruiging premise, Hitchcock brings the viewer from Tuscon, Arizona, to the infamous Bates Hotel, crafting a tense, yet calculated narrative. His excellent direction, coupled with John L. Russel’s brilliant cinematography, brings an uneasy feeling to the film, a feeling that something just isn’t right. Hitchcock builds so much suspense through his shot composition alone, but combined with Bernard Herrmann’s screeching soundtrack, there is so much tension enveloped in every single frame. Norman Bates, one of the most famous characters in cinematic history, is one of my favorite characters in any film. Portrayed perfectly by the late Anthony Perkins, Bates is a true wild-card. He is tender, yet creepy, and the personal nature that Perkins brings to the role makes the viewer feel sympathy for him. This is an excellent film from an excellent director, bristling with suspense, terror and danger around every turn (and boasting a brilliant ending).
Psychological Horror Pick Few villains are as famous as Anthony Hopkins’ Hannibal Lecter. Crafting a terrifying persona that transcends every single scene, Hopkins delivers a phenonemal performance in Jonathan Demme’s 1991 classic, The Silence of the Lambs. Also featuring a powerful performance from Jodie Foster as FBI agent Clarice Starling, this film is often disturbing, but represents a union between precise, calculated filmmaking and a shocking narrative. From the opening scenes of Foster running through a forest, Demme creates a dark, mysterious atmosphere that doesn’t let up even after the credits have ended. He shoots dialogue in extreme close-ups, creating an eerie feeling of claustrophobia and suggesting that these is no escape for the characters (and making the viewer feel trapped too). The editing is incredible, especially as the film reaches its intense and harowing climax. This film is tense and not for the faint of heart. It will keep you guessing, worried for the characters and constantly questioning the narrative. However, it is an exceptional horror film, due to the brilliance of its source material, Jonathan Demme’s incredible direction, and excellent performances. One of only three films to sweep the five major categories at the Academy Awards, it is deserving of the highest praise.
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Non-Horror Picks Not everyone is a fan of scary movies, and that’s okay! I will include some other recommendations, for those who like adventure films, comedy films, action films, and other genres not considered horror! For adventure films, the original Indiana Jones trilogy is the pinnacle of the genre. These films follow Indiana Jones, an archaeologist who tracks down ancient treasures that have been buried for thousands of years. Raiders of the Lost Ark is probably the best action-adventure film ever made, with excellent action sequences, an iconic score by John Williams, and Harrison Ford in the titular role. Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom is considerably darker than its predecessor, but represents a great sequel that doubles down on everything that made the first film so much fun, including incredible stunt work, memorable characters and well-designed set pieces. Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade is also fantastic. Lighter and funnier, thanks to a perfectly cast Sean Connery, this film features Indiana Jones on a quest to find the Holy Grail, while also tracing the beginning of his archaeological journey.
These films represent film escapism at its finest; if you need to get away from studying for a couple hours, look no further. Comedies are a bit more challenging to recommend, as there are many variations of the genre. For high-school comedy, (I know nobody is in high school anymore, but this is a great film) Ferris Bueller’s Day Off is phenomenal. Matthew Broderick is flawless, John Hughes captures the spirit of high school perfectly and this film is just so much fun. With the addition of a brilliant soundtrack, iconic moments, and the best fourth-wall breaks I’ve seen, Ferris Bueller’s Day Off is an 80s classic.
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The slapstick comedy genre is one that has seen a downturn in recent cinema, but 1980’s Airplane! is my favorite of this subgenre. Never failing to make you laugh in every single scene, the team of Zucker, Abrams, and Zucker created an uproarious comedy film that throws so many visual, verbal and running jokes at you, its impossible not to laugh. Leslie Nielsen steals every scene he is in, Elmer Bernstein’s score is great, and the jokes are fantastic. Finally, as a recommendation for the ‘latenight’ comedy subgenre: Superbad. There has been an influx of these films as of late (almost opposite to the slapstick subgenre), but Superbad stands out for a plethora of reasons. Smart and witty, but also heartfelt and emotional, it represents everything great about this subgenre. Jonah Hill and Michael Cera are great, the script is absolutely hilarious, and it captures the angst of parties and dating perfectly. Plus, the McLovin’ plotline is fantastic; Bill Hader and Seth Rogen shine in this part of the film. Now, for a few miscellaneous recommendations. Apocalypse Now, from Francis Ford Coppola, is a long, effective examination of the horrors of war. While it is long and slowly paced, it allows Coppola to build a unique atmosphere and establish gorgeous color palettes. Stanley Kubrick’s Dr. Strangelove Or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb is an political satire classic. Featuring Peter Sellers in three major roles, a painfully funny script and a narrative that feels more relevant than ever, it succeeds both as a comedy and as a reflection on our relationship with technology. Christopher Nolan’s Dark Knight Trilogy includes some of the best superhero films ever made (The Dark Knight is my favorite superhero film), with Christian Bale donning the cowl in dark, gritty, and ultimately fantastic films. Finally, Martin Scorsese’s gangster classic Goodfellas is excellent, with great performances from Robert De Niro, Ray Liotta, and Joe Pesci, an incredible soundtrack, and an all-encompassing look at the life of the mob in the 20th century. Thanks for reading my article! If you watch any of these films, I hope you enjoy them! If you want to see more reviews, feel free to follow my account (@kolbersfilmcritiques) or send me a message on Instagram! I hope too see many of you on campus in the coming years!
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Punkin If you don't like sappy puns, you better leaf right now. Want to hear some skeleton puns? They’re very humerus!
Why don’t trees do we Because they’re e
I have a few vampire puns, but they suck.
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n Patch Who helps the pumpkins cross the road safely? The crossing gourd.
ell on their midterms? easily stumped!
Are monsters good at math? Not unless you Count Dracula!
What is a pumpkin’s favorite sport? Squash.
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MEET THE 2020/21 FYEC
President: Dahlia Van der Veen
What’s your favourite part of engineering so far? My favourite part of engineering so far has definitely been how helpful people are and how supportive everyone is of each other, it’s one of the best and strongest attributes of the community. Why did you decide to run for the FYEC? I ran for FYEC president because for one I am and was in a good place in the community where I felt like I had an above average capability to receive input from a lot of different people on issues even while online. Second of all, the role I’m in and ran for requires a lot of leadership skills and decisiveness which can take time to develop, based on past experiences I think I have a strong basis for this that I wanted to expand upon. What has been the most challenging aspect of taking university online? For me personally, I think the hardest part of online schooling has been not receiving partial marks on most exams and assignments. As a person who is very error prone, I think that will really negatively affect my GPA. What do you enjoy doing in your spare time? In my spare time, I enjoy baking and cooking for friends and family, painting, going to concerts (before covid hit), and following current event (politics).
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SustainabiliTea with Janine & Allegra By Shreya Roy Chowdhury & Celine Fong
We had the opportunity to speak with Janine Schmitke, fifth year ChemE student, Chief Officer and founder of ESS Sustainability, as well as Allegra Martel, fourth year ChemE student and founder of the ESS Mug Share Program. We got their take on the struggles they’ve faced trying to start their initiatives, and how they got the confidence to do it. Q: What advice would you give to other undergraduate students in your position that want to be more involved in sustainability?
sustainabilitea
Janine: In the engineering faculty I realized that pretty much everyone you talk to about sustainability is receptive to it. So, the advice I would give is to just reach out and talk to people and understand that they’re not going to make fun of you for caring about the planet.
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Allegra: I would say to somebody else wanting to get involved in sustainability to just pick a certain aspect that interests you, focus on that, and build up from there. So, let’s say with single use plastic, you can just start by really focusing on bringing your cutlery around. Then maybe you can move on to emission reduction and try to bike or walk to places. Before you know it, you’re combining all those small things that add up to make a big difference. Just start by picking something you want to do and talk about it. Read about it. Learn about it. Q: What were the most challenging parts of launching your initiatives? Janine: For me, it was just having the confidence to approach people and talk about my ideas and realizing the words I was saying were important and that people should hear them. Once I stepped past that line and realized everyone who I approached wanted to help me, things started to fall in place. But it was just getting over that initial confidence barrier. Allegra: I had the same challenge. I would say that just getting past that self-doubt, that little voice in the back of your head that says "But is this really a good idea?". With the mug share program, the hardest thing was that I had this idea but making it into something concrete that’s user friendly, effective, and actually going to work. A part of that too is just approaching random people for help, but once you start doing that you’ll figure out a way to go from there. So again, just getting through that
Q: Do you have any tips for people who are trying to get over that confidence barrier, or can you pinpoint a moment where you thought to yourself "OK, I’m going to do this now"? Allegra: For me it was helpful to talk it out and test the waters, put the idea out there first with people who I knew were not going to be harshly critical of it, like my group of friends. From that, I was able to have those moments where I came up with something that made absolutely no sense and they forewarned me before presenting it to the whole engineering student body. So I would say don’t be afraid to talk it out, people are your best resource when it comes to a new idea. Janine: I would totally echo that, just talking about it with the people that you feel comfortable with. You slowly build up confidence and you can get your pitch down a little bit and you think "OK, the things I’m saying make sense" and another human can, at the very least, comprehend it.
sustainabilitea
confidence barrier as you said, Janine, and taking the leap was the hardest part of the whole process for me.
Photos: ESS Photography
Q: Going forward, what are your hopes for future engineering students in terms of their contributions to sustainability initiatives? Are there any cool projects you’d like to see in the future? Janine: Good question. I think I would be excited if ESS Sustainability just stays alive after I’m gone and after you three are gone. It doesn’t really matter what project they’re doing, as long as they’re talking about sustainability with engineering students, getting them excited about everything, and helping to educate them. Other than that, I would love to see a focus on the social side of things
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and just what I was talking about earlier, consultation and maybe engineering students working outside of just the engineering faculty. Allegra: Ideally, I would love it if ESS sustainability became just an integral part of the ESS that lives long after we’re done. So if any of you reading this want to volunteer that would be amazing. But I think something that’s obviously close to my heart is the Mug Share program. So I’d love to see that expand across campus. I think maybe even to see solar powered phone chargers in DICE and just stuff where we use our creativity and our technical skills to build some cool things that are also environmentally conscious that would be neat. So, I’d love to see people come in with an idea that we haven’t even thought of and just go for it and make it amazing. Janine: Everyone has a part in this team. Whatever you want to do, do it. I just want to help.
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Thank you for taking the time out of your busy lives to talk to us!
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If you’d like to hear the full interview where we talk a little bit more about the interesting reason why eating buffalo is better for the environment than eating cow, what frog hunting has to do with the mug share program, and why bringing two hundred mugs into Lister is a bad idea - check out our podcast
sustainabilitea
Volunteer with ESS Sustainability
Listen to our Podcast
Stay tuned for more sustainability interviews each month!
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ENGI-POETS Join the Engi-Poets Discord Server!
Explore humanity’s place in science and technology. 32
It’s hard to focus on anything other than numbers, trusses, or stress (and strain) during your engineering degree. But you really can write more than just e-mails requesting leniency from your profs! Whether you’ve been published 5 times or the only poetry you’ve read is by Dr. Seuss, you are welcome here. Our group aims to inspire writers of any level to practice scratching those pens on a regular basis, including prompt-response poems, personal piece, and critiquing the work of others. More importantly, however, we aim to keep students connected to art during a degree that feels miles from it. A notable project in this group is the collab response poem, started by two first-year students. This particular piece is an ongoing poem where students take turns grappling with their perception of this degree, written in the form of letters to and from Engineering. This group is led by Nicole Hartley (UAlberta Civil Engineering Graduate ‘20, current Creative Writing & Poetry grad student) and Delaney MacIntosh (2nd Year Civil Engineering Student), but is not formally affiliated with the Faculty of Engineering or the UofA.
Please email demacint@ualberta.ca for access to the discord server.
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Art: Ian Gauk