Spring 2020, Issue 5 by The Bottom Line (UCSB)

VOLUME XIV, ISSUE XXII

MAY 06, 2020

UCSB PROFESSOR SHUJI NAKAMURA RECEIVES NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCE AWARD

#islavistahumans PHOTOSTORY | PAGE 14-15 Photo by GRAEME JACKSON | Photo Editor

UCSB Professor and Nobel Laureate Shuji Nakamura recently received the National Academy of Science Award for Industrial Application of Science. The award honored Nakamura for his pioneering developments in sustainable LED light technology. News | Page 1

KAHLIL ALMUSTAFA PERFORMS SPOKEN WORD Through Virtual MultiCultural Center Event UCSB’s Multicultural Center hosted world renowned poet Kahlil Almustafa last Friday to discuss the Black experience through poetry as part of its “Evening of Spoken Word” series in honor of International Workers’ Day. A & E | Page 7

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National Academy of Science Awarded to UCSB Professor Shuji Nakamura EDDIE LO | Contributing Writer

n April 26, the 2020 National Academy of Science (NAS) Award for the Industrial Application of Science was awarded to Shuji Nakamura, a professor in the department of materials at UC Santa Barbara (UCSB). This year’s award was meant to highlight achievements in the field of sustainability. The triennial award honored Nakamura for his “pioneering discoveries, synthesis and commercial development of gallium nitride LEDs [light-emitting diodes] and their use in sustainable solid state light sources, which are reducing global greenhouse gas emissions while also reducing cost to those adopting this technology,” said NAS President Marcia McNutt. Nakamura said it was a great honor to receive the award and went on to thank the support of Chancellor Henry T. Yang as well as faculty and staff at UCSB. “LED light bulbs are more than 10 times more efficient than conventional incandescent light bulbs, and they last for 50 years. At their current adoption rate, by 2020, LEDs could reduce the world’s need for electricity by the equivalent of nearly 60 nuclear power plants,” Nakamura said. Nakamura invented high energy efficient blue LEDs while working at the Japanese company Nichia Corporation in 1992. Although red and green LEDs had been around for many years, blue LEDs were the last piece of the puzzle needed to produce white light. He experimented on gallium nitride, which at the time was hard to produce, and eventually created the high brightness gallium nitride (GaN) blue LED lights. A year later, he and Nichia worked together to begin mass producing the world’s first white LED lights.

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His discoveries led to a LED lighting revolution in the following decades, and LEDs are now commonly used in smartphones, computers, and TV displays, as well as various kinds of lighting. Nakamura, along with engineers Isamu Akasaki and Hiroshi Amano, received the 2014 Nobel Prize in physics for their work on blue LEDs. In 2000, Nakamura was hired at UCSB and is now the director of the Solid State Lighting & Energy Electronics Center. In an interview with The Bottom Line (TBL), Nakamura said he has continued his research on LEDs in hopes of making them even more energy efficient. Nakamura has also continued his research on blue laser diodes (which he invented in 1995),

and leads Soraa Laser Diode — a company he co-founded — in developing Li-Fi, a laser communication technology many times faster than 5G and 100 times faster than WiFi that has a wide range of applications including data transmission in self-driving cars. Nakamura told TBL that he is currently developing ultraviolet (UVC) LED lights, a technology commonly used to disinfect surfaces and kill bacteria; his research has been ongoing for years at UCSB, but it recently gained a lot of attention due to the pandemic. “You get all kinds of phone calls from all over the world right now about UVC research,” said Nakamura. Nakamura’s UVC LED lights

have a targeted wavelength of 280 nm, capable of killing most bacteria and viruses, including COVID-19. The technology is effective in sterilizing objects such as personal protective equipment, but it is still not safe on humans, at least for now. Labs all over the world are now researching the technology, and he remains optimistic of its future, “I think UVC LED is the best way to [fight] against all kinds of viruses,” said Nakamura. Nakamura has also received numerous awards for his work, including the Nishina Memorial Prize, Benjamin Franklin Medal Award, Materials Research Society Medal Award, Global Energy Prize, and many more. He is a fellow of the National

Academy of Engineering and the National Academy of Inventors, and holds more than 200 U.S. patents and more than 175 Japanese patents. Photo courtesy of Matt Perko

UCSB Department of Black Studies Co-Hosts Public Forum on Racial Necropolitics of COVID-19 Ethan Yu | Staff Writer

rominent Black scholars from around the world virtually gathered on April 29 to discuss how COVID-19 and state-mandated quarantine measures perpetuate and escalate global inequalities during this historical moment.

Major injustices towards Black communities around the world represent a much larger issue of “racial necropolitics,” said the panelists. Necropolitics describes the flow of power and knowledge that determines who and how one can die.

The forum called, “We Can't Breathe: Global Antiblackness & the Racial Necropolitics of COVID-19,” was hosted by the UC Santa Barbara (UCSB) Department of Black Studies and the Center for Black Studies Research, and comes at a crucial time when reports show Black people are disproportionately being discriminated against in communities around the world.

Dr. Terrance Wooten, a professor in the UCSB Department of Black Studies, pointed out how COVID-19 reveals the inner necropolitics of American society. Referring to the racial aspect of incarceration, he argued, “Prisons have become containers of not only Black life, but also Black death.” The government’s willingness to ignore the loss of life COVID-19 has wrecked upon those incarcerated reveals the death-driven logic of a racist society.

In the U.S., new reports arrive daily reflecting how African Americans in major cities are dying of COVID-19 at much higher rates compared to other racial groups of the same age. Meanwhile, in China, Kenyan Chinese residents are currently being evicted from their homes and denied access to basic essential services. In addition, Somalia and many other impoverished African countries have reported serious healthcare issues such as access to ventilators and face masks.

Instead of releasing non-violent inmates in order to avoid incubating the disease in highly unhygienic and cramped spaces, the U.S. government is more focused on maintaining the boundary between civilian and supposed criminal, so that death is kept within confined walls, not contaminating mainstream society. Dr. Wooten reminded us that, in addition, “homelessness is not

a deracialized category,” noting how Black and Brown communities are most affected by poverty and homelessness. Despite the large amount of hotel rooms vacant and available, a majority of homeless people are still being moved into crowded shelters where they are more likely to catch and spread the disease. Dr. Raquel L. de Souza, a researcher at the University of Bahia, Brazil, remarked that less than a day ago, the president of Brazil, Jair Messias Bolsonaro, dismissed news that the death toll had reached over 5,000 in Brazil. For Dr. Souza, right-wing politicians like Bolsonaro are modern Pontius Pilates, “washing their hands of the responsibility” for the death of innumerable, innocent people. The idea of washing hands, Dr. Wooten pointed out, is also impossible for some Black communities in the U.S. who don’t even have access to clean water. Directives like “go wash your hands,” or “wear a mask in public,” ignore the racial reality that many Black and poor people face: insufficient access to clean water, lack of economic means, or living space to social distance, and the

inability to wear a mask safely due to racial profiling. When we hear in popular discourse that “we cannot let the cure be worse than the problem itself,” referring to the shutdown of our national economy and quarantine as the cure, the phrase is often paired with other social Darwinist arguments like ensuring the health of our economy over the elderly or averting turning into a welfare state. Statements like this pose a crucial question: Who exactly is this cure hurting the most and who is this disease hitting the hardest? A majority of the people who work in essential services are Black and marginalized groups. If the economy is re-opened too soon, that would only put these essential workers, from doctors to grocery store workers, at great risk, Dr. Wooten suggests. In the time of COVID-19, we see how Black blood becomes the oil that keeps the engine of American capitalism running, as Dr. Wooten put it.

brutality, yet face tear gas and rubber bullets, whereas white people protest and endanger the lives of the physically vulnerable by breaking social distance, yet receive the blessing of the president. Dr. Wooten’s response came as a surprise. He answered that what is happening right now in this country says more about the nature of a democratic state than the nature and efficacy of protest itself. American democracy and electoral politics do not support Black people because they were not made with Black people in mind. The title of the colloquium, “We Can’t Breathe,” is a phrase that originates from the Black Lives Matter movement in reference to choking tactics used by police members to subdue Black people. But now, this phrase gains new sinister meaning in the age of COVID-19.

A member of the audience asked the panel of scholars what it says about the nature of protest in America when Black people peacefully protest against police

Opinions expressed in TBL do not necessarily represent those of the staff or UCSB. All submissions, questions or comments may be directed to editors@bottomlineucsb.com A & E Editor | Sheila Tran Science & Tech Editor | Xander Apicella Opinions Editor | Raymond Matthews Video Editor | Fabiola Esqueda, Arianna McDonald Photo Editor | Graeme Jackson Art Director | Alyssa Long Campus Beat Reporter | Madison Kirkpatrick

A.S. Beat Reporter | Kyle Dent I.V. Beat Reporter | Edward Colmenares National Beat Reporter | Jade MartinezPogue Investigative Beat Reporter | Andrew Hernandez Layout Editors | Melody Li, Amanda Wang, Esther Liu, Brian Nakajima, Olivia Berriz, Krystal Chen, Sofia Lyon

FEATURES | 3

Course Spotlight: Civics in the Time of a Pandemic Alice Symington | Contributing Writer

hen the UC Santa Barbara (UCSB) community received the news that classes would be moved remotely, professor Jane Mulfinger channelled her concern into creating a new spring course that motivates students to help the community during times of relief. Titled “Civics in the Time of Pandemic,” the course, which is listed under the College of Creative Studies (CCS) but is open to all majors, boasts 40 students who are enrolled for a greater cause. While the syllabus recognizes the importance of social distancing and self-isolation, it encourages students to engage with creative projects for the good of the community. “It's a safe and inclusive space for like minds to come together and create an impact that goes beyond the self,” writes Madison Fujii, a second-year film and media studies major in the class. Once enrolled, students are assembled into teams based on their common interests, such as food, medical science, the arts, political science, tutoring, and so on. They then share resources and opportunities, volunteer for different organizations or causes, brainstorm ideas to execute their projects, and simply log those hours to satisfy the one-unit credit. The projects students are creating directly contribute to alleviating the virus-based problems of citizens, handling serious issues like housing and food insecurity. Third-year global studies and communication major Kenny Morris has been working closely with Isla Vista Housing Crisis Coalition, Santa Barbara Tenants

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Council, and the UCSB4COLA Social Welfare Committee (organizing university housing) to secure housing for locals. “It's really important to us that we are not exclusively [aimed at] students,” explains Morris on how his housing project has reached various local clusters. He’s keeping the community educated by broadcasting bilingual flyers containing local financial resources, tenant-rights fact sheets, and ways others can get involved in aiding the housing situation. Though there are other projects assisting Isla Vista tenants during this crisis, Morris is focused on advocating a rent moratorium and empowering tenants to organize under a property manager so they may collectively

receive urgent needs. “Although my project changes each week as it develops, this week [I’m] currently gathering student feedback on food, nutrition and cooking,” said Fujii on the fluidity of her work in this class. In response to specific student needs, Fujii has been developing food-related content videos for “students to interact with and learn from no matter what skill level or accessibility they have.” She’s recently made a video on how to make breakfast burritos and raffled off a grocery gift card to reimburse the cost of the ingredients for students who participated. These students are addressing both the obvious and subtle issues that people are facing. Emily

Beckius, an art graduate student, has been 3-D-printing ear savers — tools to prevent ears from chafing when wearing face masks — from home and sending them out to local hospitals and others across the United States. From sewing intricate masks and donating them to local hospitals to entertaining people with online concerts, fundraising for veterans, and ensuring mental health is a priority in our community, students are reaching all corners of pandemic issues. “It’s really inspiring to see their work unfold,” Mulfinger says of her students. “[The most] impressive thing about the course is the passion and selflessness at its foundation,” says Savannah Parison, an academic advisor at CCS. She

highlights that while the course does not fulfill general education requirements, students are still willing to work together to help the community. Parison admits that while CCS is no stranger to hosting classes with “passionate students full of ideas,” it’s the course’s size and scope that makes it unusual for the college. Indeed, the reasons that students gave for joining the course express the selflessness Parison describes. Many just want to help the most vulnerable in today’s society. Fujii explained that the main reason she took the class was “because [she] felt compelled to respond to a call to action.” “Not only can I be proactive in my community,” she says, “but, I [can also] feel connected with other students who share that same energy and passion.” Brian Patton, a first-year sociology major, describes that the class “almost feels like a support group” of like-minded people “doing good for the community on a regular volunteer basis.” Both Mulfinger and the CCS believe that the course's template will be useful for other courses in the future. But for now, the class stands as a reminder that people of a society are not alone. Even under the constraints of self-isolation, ideas and projects can still be shared by utilizing tools for communication. Photo by Graeme Jackson | Photo Editor Illustration by Alyssa Long | Art Director

: College Students Launch Online Co-Ed Fraternity

MAILE BUCKMAN | Contributing Writer

n the wake of the current global pandemic, two university students — Kathryn Tippet and McKenzie Connelly — have united from across the country to help fill the void of face-to-face interaction with face-to-Facebook interaction: their online social co-ed “fraternity” Zeta Omicron Omicron Mu (ZOOM) was established on March 16 and now has 12,000 members and counting. In the six weeks since its creation, many UCSB students have found their way to the page and its plethora of resources. ZOOM's public Google drive boasts a 10-page manual of COVID-19 resources for students, including materials for undocumented students, parents, information on combating racism and xenophobia, and a comprehensive list of free things to do during quarantine. The group provides a vast array of links to other special interest groups (such as the LGBTQuarantine support group), services that match peo-

ple, based on common interests, with other quarantined students around the U.S. for romantic or platonic purposes (like OKZoomer, Zoom with Strangers, and Corona is Blind), and remote internship and career resources. Besides providing a platform for external support sites, ZOOM is also fostering a social culture of its own. Its diversity and inclusion committee recently instituted a “Humans of Zoom” project, modeled after “Humans of New York,” which showcases personal anecdotes and the diversity of its members. Administrators are promoting the arts through “Fine Arts Fridays” (showcases of submitted student works), a virtual band and choir, and free online dance classes. They host Netflix watch parties, remote coffee chats, and offer a weekly event called “The Zachelor” where a large group of “Zoomers” unite to watch ABC’s “The Bachelor” together. The fraternity even includes some of the institutions that

serve as markers of traditional Greek life. “I took a quiz, and they paired me with two littles,” shares Alexei Rodriguez, fourthyear cultural anthropology major and ZOOM group member, in an interview with The Bottom Line. As of now, he describes the relationships as similar to “a pen pal situation,” because of the physically-distanced format. The group supports its chosen philanthropy projects — assisting those affected by COVID-19 — through the sale of merchandise: everything from bucket hats to graduation stoles have been printed and ordered, with a portion of profits going to medical research. And although ZOOM may not be a "real" fraternity, no one can deny that it has had a real impact. Fourth-year sociology major Madison Kirkpatrick describes her experience with the group as “overwhelmingly positive.” “We’re all in the same boat, we’re all students that have been affected by this, and hopefully

we can get through it together. It’s hard not to see people very often [so] it’s nice to have that online bond for sure … to know that people are being supported through this crisis,” Kirkpatrick shares. The group itself, besides providing critical social connection during this time, has inspired other efforts. One group administrator, Sophie Phillips of Brandeis University, has utilized contacts from ZOOM to start a blog titled “Beyond the Pandemic.” The blog was born through a ZOOM group chat, where several members who had united through the page began discussing many of the ramifications of the pandemic. Before long, they had set up a separate site with its own writers, editors, and frequently-published topical articles. Beyond the Pandemic is also providing a great sense of purpose to those involved: “It makes everyone who’s a part of it feel like they’re doing and working

towards something significant and bigger than themselves,” Phillips shares on the blog. Moreover, “The whole reason this blog exists is because of the connections we’ve made over ZOOM. It’s not only a community as an end in and of itself, but it can be a springboard for making a bunch of positive changes in the world and a visible impact on those around you,” she explains. “There are so many people from around the world who are connecting with each other, and … this never would have happened if there was no pandemic. The [ZOOM] group shows that even though circumstances might drive people apart physically, we will all find some way to connect because humans are fundamentally social creatures.” Photo by Graeme Jackson | Photo Editor Illustration by Alyssa Long | Art Director

FEATURES | 5

"It was Divine" Alina Baraz Returns to the R&B Scene JESSICA GANG | Executive Content Editor

“

We are who we are because of love,” Alina Baraz shared with Apple Music about her first full-length album It Was Divine, which signifies her return to the R&B scene two years after the release of her last extended play, The Color of You. Love is a major theme on It Was Divine, which debuted on April 24. The album is a dreamy exploration of a passionate relationship: the middle, the end, and the complicated aftermath. Baraz told Clash Magazine that the 16-track record “gives her the freedom to say what she wants to say,” while still allowing listeners to take what they want from her lyrics. The result is a carefully curated blend of relationship-oriented songs that are universal enough to remain open to interpretation. Admittedly, Baraz’s songs lack the dynamic, aggressive lyrics of fellow R&B artists like Jhene Aiko and Lauryn Hill. However, her yearning, relatable lyrics about the all-consuming nature

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of love are achingly familiar to an audience of teenagers and twenty-somethings who may be experiencing their first tastes of love and heartbreak. The album begins on a strong note with “My Whole Life,” a song written about the first electrifying jolts of attraction that seem almost too good to be real. “Is it me/Is my intuition wrong/ Or does it feel like coming home?” This sense of breathless excitement continues on “Morocco” featuring talented rapper 6LACK and “Frank,” which begins with the sensual line, “Show me all you know/water me and I will grow.” Track five on the album, “Gimme the Wheel” featuring rapper Smino, is one of the strongest songs on the album. Baraz’s lyrics convey her growing awareness of friction in her burgeoning relationship, coupled with her desire to work through relationship issues — “Say you been needing a break/I’m going to make it okay.” “Found a little love, lost my sanity,” Baraz croons on stand-

out track, “To Me,” a song that she released on her birthday in September 2019. It’s by far the most emotionally charged song on the album, and Baraz told Apple Music that “To Me” is the “most important song of [her] career, thus far.” Baraz refers to the song as “a toast to myself,” admitting that she wrote the song on the day she left her relationship after writing down all the things that she needed herself to hear. “To Me” marks a turning point in the album, serving as a bridge between songs that are more relationship-oriented and songs that are more introspective and individualistic. “Who got me like I do,” Baraz wonders in the haunting chorus of “Who Got Me,” a melancholic tune where she comes to terms with the difficult realization that the person you can count on most is oftentimes only yourself. It’s a sharp departure from earlier tracks like “Frank,” with lilting lines like, “I look at you and see all the parts of me.” Melancholy pervades the last

few songs of It Was Divine, intermingled with hope and perhaps even a renewed desire for a relationship, albeit one where Baraz has learned from her past mistakes. It Was Divine’s final song is “The Beginning,” filled with nostalgic reminders of a relationship past even as Baraz longs for a new beginning, with lines like, “Can we just go back to us at the beginning?” Self-reflection and maturity are the prevailing themes of this record and are likely to resonate with those in their early- and mid-twenties, the same age group as Baraz herself. This is the age where we learn to embrace love without fearing loss, and let our memories of the past shape our future instead of define it. It Was Divine paints a picture of an artist who is coming to define herself while also embracing the fact that she will continue to evolve. Baraz reassures an entire generation of lovers and dreamers — as well as those who miss what could have been, or regret what might have happened — that

their feelings are valid. Baraz’s lyrics seem to encourage us that it’s natural to miss someone even if you don’t regret leaving them, and it’s okay to think of people after they’ve gone. It’s clear that for Baraz, the people who love you never really leave your side. “If I loved you once, I’ll love you for the rest of my life,” Baraz admitted to Apple Music while speaking about the album. “Even if we don’t end up together, I think we’re forever changed and inspired by that love.” Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

Scan to listen

The People's Poet

Kahlil Almustafa Performs Spoken Word Through Virtual MultiCultural Center Event ETHAN YU | Staff Writer

n Friday, May 1, the UCSB MultiCultural Center (MCC) hosted a live spoken word performance by poet and educator Kahlil Almustafa, also known as “The People’s Poet,” as part of its “Evening of Spoken Word” series in honor of International Workers’ Day. With a virtual audience of over 75 people behind their computer screens, before any introduction Almustafa began the event by reading a poem on the struggles of African Americans. Lines like, “We dying up in these walls, what is it we fighting for, stop trying to sell us these American dreams, we don’t want them, we just want to be free” were spoken like blunt truths on raw wounds. Performing some poems from his first collection “Growing Up Hip Hop,” Almustafa spoke about living in the “ghetto” of Queens, New York. It was during these times in Queens that he saw injustice happening around every street corner — college graduates raising high school dropouts, disenfranchised drug users in parks named after civil rights heroes, and mothers dying of AIDS. It was because of these injustices that Almustafa was driven to “pick up the pen and write.” Because the organizers muted the audience on Zoom in order to allow Almustafa to speak clearly, there was no real clapping or snapping or cheering or

empathic “That’s right!” or “Pop off!” — just divided boxes with faces or black screens of audience members positioned next to each other. The chat on the side of the Zoom display blasted with words of encouragement and “clap” and “thumbs-up” responses, prompting Almustafa to charismatically make a joke in the awkward silence: “Oh, this is awesome! I’m just pretending you are all applauding wildly.” “These moments when we get together are very sacred. It is in those spaces that I learned the most about the world, and how to respect people, how to respect other perspectives,” he said. HIS WORDS PROVE THAT ANY CONGREGATION — NO MATTER THE CIRCUMSTANCES — CAN CONTINUE TO APPRECIATE AND BREATHE THE ART OF SPOKEN WORD. One poem in particular shattered my doubts of the effectiveness of spoken word in a virtual setting. “Do Something” was written in response to the phenomenon of disappearing bees being labeled “colony collapse disorder.” For Almustafa, it was ridiculous to name the disorder to suggest fault on the bees when bee endangerment is caused by what humans are doing to the planet.

“Nothing wrong with the bees,” Almustafa began. He then took on the persona of an anti-union capitalist to discuss ways to stop the bees from disappearing. “Dock their pay for strike days, let them know they can be easily replaced by ants any day for half the pay,” Almustafa said. “Make fake flowers out of plastic, now with real flower smells and sell them for a profit, let, let, let the flowers die …” I personally found that this poem profoundly resonated with the current situation, even though it was written before 2007. It was incredibly important that on International Workers’ Day, the poet spoke about how capitalism continues to completely ignore the busy worker bees who are dying from society’s carelessness and greed. When Almustafa said our country needed to take responsibility for what we’re doing because “bees are the midwife of the earth,” I couldn’t help but connect the symbol of the bee with the essential workers who are currently on the front lines of this pandemic, whether they be a doctor or grocery store worker. Almustafa’s down-to-earth voice speaks force and for the oppressed, the struggling, the vulnerable, and the voiceless. He in particular spoke about the kids he worked with in juvenile detention centers during his art workshops. Most of the kids

he met came from areas where “when you commit a crime, you became a victim too. A victim of the crime of neglect,” he said. With recent news releases that prisons everywhere are being hit the hardest by COVID-19, Almustafa spoke up for the children locked up in juvenile detention centers, dying alone in cold cells away from their families, sometimes for something they never did. He ended the event with a

strong, unforgettable tremor in his voice, “How could the answer to all this be incarceration?” More events like this can be found on the UCSB MCC website or Facebook page. Kahlil Almustafa’s poetry and other projects can be viewed and purchased on his website. Photo courtesy of UCSB

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT | 7

Tech Review

BEST APPLICATIONS

for

VIDEO

CALLING ENYA BOURS | Contributing Writer

hether it be for work, school, or personal interactions; video calls through Zoom, FaceTime, and other applications are now a part of daily life for many of us. Although you probably already have your preferred application choices, perhaps there are a few alternatives that are worth trying out. I’ve listed a few of them below along with their pros and cons. Every video call application has its advantages and disadvantages, and while there are plenty more video call apps out there, hopefully this list gives you an idea of which application will best suit your purposes. Happy video calling, and stay safe!

Zoom Cost: Free! Students already have a Zoom account through UC Santa Barbara (UCSB) so there is no need to make a new account or pay for any upgrades. Accessibility: Available through your browser, desktop app, or mobile app. Participant limit: 300 participants (with UCSB’s business subscription plan), and you can invite people outside of UCSB. Pros: Various privacy and security settings, ability to record calls, raise hand feature, enclosed chat, scheduled meetings, grid view option, virtual backgrounds, screen sharing, break out rooms, even closed captioning! Cons: Some features require a subscription plan. Best suited for: School (classes, club meetings, study groups), work (meetings, etc.), and any other large group calls.

Facebook Messenger Cost: Free with a Facebook account. Accessibility: Available through your browser, desktop app, or mobile app (but the full version is available on your browser so there really is no need for downloading the desktop app – unless you want to, of course) Participant limit: 8 participants (but you can only view 6 at a time). Pros: Screen sharing (on both desktop and mobile), fun video call effects and filters, and many people already have a Facebook account. Cons: Potential privacy issues with Facebook, mobile app requires a lot of storage, and known to drain battery. Best suited for: Small group calls.

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Google Meet Cost: Free until Sept. 30, 2020 with a Google account. Accessibility: Available through your browser and mobile app. Participant limit: 100 participants for a basic plan. Pros: Does not require any plug-ins, integrated with G Suite. Cons: Known to have connection issues, no grid view option. Best suited for: Work purposes.

Google Hangouts Cost: Free! It requires a Google account, but we all already have UCSB accounts. Accessibility: Available through your browser and mobile app. Participant limit: 10 participants. Pros: Everyone who attends UCSB has a Google account and many others do, too. Cons: Not as refined as Google Meet and Duo. Best suited for: Small group calls.

Skype Cost: Free for internet calls; international calls through landlines or mobile devices require Skype Credit; requires an account. Accessibility: Available through your browser, desktop app, and mobile app. Participant limit: 50 participants. Pros: Screen sharing, call recording, live subtitles, call from multiple devices (including Xbox and Amazon Alexa). Cons: Few people are on Skype nowadays because of more accessible options (at least in my experience). Best suited for: School, work, and family calls.

Discord Cost: Free with a Discord account, but there are upgraded plans. Accessibility: Available through your browser, the desktop app, or the mobile app. Participant limit: Originally 10, but now up to 25 due to current circumstances. Pros: Ability to adjust the volume for each individual call participant, screen sharing, can create servers for different groups, select to view certain videos and hide others. Cons: Requires Discord account, but it is easy to register. Best suited for: Small group calls, especially for playing games with friends and family.

Google Duo Cost: Free with a Google account. Accessibility: Available through your browser and mobile app; can also call through phone number and email address. Participant limit: 8 participants. Pros: Adaptable call quality, can leave video messages as voicemails, knock-knock feature. Cons: None, although there is a possibility Google will discard the app because of high competition with other video calling apps. Best suited for: Small group calls. FaceTime Cost: Free* Accessibility: *Requires both caller and call receiver to have access to an Apple device. Participant limit: 32 participants. Pros: Easy access for Apple users (no downloads needed because FaceTime comes with your device). Cons: Apple users only; audio can be loud (so if you’re watching a show and calling someone at the same time, FaceTime probably isn’t the best option). Best suited for: Small group calls. Illustration by Grace Park | Staff Illustrator

Weekly COVID-19 Update JONATHAN CHAVEZ | Marketing Director

n a virtual interview with The Bottom Line (TBL), Interim Student Health Service Executive Director and Medical Director Dr. Ali Javanbakht provided his thoughts on how the next few months would look like for UC Santa Barbara (UCSB). He explained what UCSB researchers are doing to help the situation, and postive news despite the COVID-19 pandemic. “Right now it’s really up in the air,” Javanbakht said. “If things continue to go as we’ve seen; if we continue with the physical distancing and staying home as long as we need to, if numbers continue to go down — then it could well be that there will be some in-person instruction in the fall.” Although Javanbakht sees the possibility of students returning in the fall, he thinks it wouldn’t

be 100 percent campus participation. Workers will need to modify restrictions to prevent large gatherings and sanitize frequently visited areas. Another pressing concern students face is whether commencement will take place sometime next year. “From a student perspective, this is a big deal and a huge milestone.” Javanbakht said. “A lot of our students are first in their family to graduate from college. I am hopeful that something will work out so we can allow students to have their moment but at the same time in a responsible way so we don’t put people at harm.” Javanbakht thinks it’s risky getting large groups of people together in a closed-confined area. He suggests the university should look at it in two steps.

They should first ask themselves, “Where are we in terms of the pandemic?” Then, if the number of cases is really going down, they should ask themselves, "How can we hold this ceremony in a way so that there’s not as many people together for as long of a period?” Despite the situation and uncertainty, Javanbakht is proud of what UCSB researchers are doing to contribute. He is particularly impressed on their ability to shift their focus and address this pressing issue. “Their focus is on addressing the need, which is testing a lot of people and getting results quickly.” Javanbakht said. “Some faculty are looking at predictive models and taking the data from Wuhan to compare if we’re following that curve, getting better,

or getting worse.” Javanbakht is glad to see how the Santa Barbara community has contributed by following the implemented guidelines. He notes that their positive behavior has likely prevented hospitals in the area from being overrun. “I’ve been pretty darn impressed with how the Santa Barbara area has implemented this,” Javanbakht said. “It’s not easy to do such a huge shift in the way people live their lives, but people have adopted it, done it, and sustained it for a long period of time.” Although news coverage is often negative when it comes to the pandemic, Javanbakht wants students to know that Santa Barbara has remained prepared and under control to help its community. “We were prepared for the

hospitals to be overrun.” Javanbakht said. “We were prepared to have other buildings outside the hospitals help put sick people in.” As students and the community continue to adapt their lifestyles and follow directions from health experts, one thing is for certain: we’ve had a successful intervention. Some may think we’ve exaggerated and overreacted, but it is important to realize that the reason Santa Barbara does not have a lot of cases is because citizens took drastic action. This is part one of a two-part series. Stay tuned for our next update on COVID-19 at UC Santa Barbara. Photo by Graeme Jackson | Photo Editor

SCIENCE & TECH | 9

ALEXANDRA WISHOWSKI | Contributing Writer Illustration by MELODY LI | Layout Editor

March 20 - April 19 With so much pent-up fiery energy, Aries is unable to sit still during a lockdown and wishes for the day they can go outside as they please. Anything to get that adrenaline pumping will help you cope with feeling suffocated, so kick it up a notch and challenge yourself with a new workout routine or an outdoor run. A natural-born leader, Aries prefers independence over teamwork so competitive video games or board games will allow you to thrive. Your blazing personality is impossible to ignore, Aries. Channel your passion into reminding everyone who listens to you to practice social distancing so you can finally get your freedom back.

July 23 - Aug. 22 Like the sun, it’s difficult to ignore the brightness of your charming and bold personality. With a bit of a flair for the dramatic, Leos may be struggling without the outside world as their audience. Performance is in your DNA, so looking into signing up for an online dance or acting class is a potential outlet for your creative energy. Try experimenting with new looks out of your comfort zone, whether you follow a colorful makeup tutorial or completely change your hair. If necessary, cope with your worries by going on an online shopping spree for future outfits to wear to your post lockdown activities.

April 20 - May 20 A Taurus is no stranger to chilling at home on their softest blankets and pillows with a pet by their side. As an earth sign with an affinity to luxury, you deserve to treat yourself, especially with your birthday spent in quarantine. You’ll be happiest with your best Trader Joe’s snacks within arms reach and a few weekly food deliveries to look forward to. Although avoiding the public is barely a change for you, your biggest challenge in quarantine is your tendency to be stubborn when your life has been turned upside down. Readjust your routine by making time to dive into your artistic side through painting or testing out a fancy recipe.

Dec. 22 - Jan. 20 Capricorns are arguably the most dedicated, career-oriented sign of the zodiac. Your mind is always set on the ultimate goal of success. Even while the world is at standstill, you can continue to hold yourself routinely accountable by setting new goals. Work on self-improvement by adding a certificate to your resume with a free online class or planning the next five years of your future. Make sure you don’t overwork yourself, though. Set aside time to explore DIY projects, drawing, or therapeutic coloring. You can also get in touch with your earth sign roots by taking a hike or starting a garden.

Sept. 22 - Oct. 22 Ruled by the love planet, Venus, Libras have a great appreciation for beauty and aesthetics. Put your exquisite taste to use by exploring photography or creating the perfect quarantine playlists to share with your friends. Libras are also prone to indecisiveness, so establishing balance and harmony is important to your well-being. Take this extra time to rearrange and organize your room to your liking with your eye for design. Whether you simply move around furniture or indulge in some new purchases with retail therapy, you’ll enjoy your stress naps and spa days much more in your ideal space.

May 21 - June 20 Gemini, your mind is always racing at a million miles a minute, so peace and quiet 24/7 is not the most fun for you. Quarantine may have been a downer on your sociable and party-loving personality, but you can turn that perspective around to focus on yourself. When you’re not on FaceTime with everyone you know or getting lost on TikTok, set aside time for mindful meditation and daily journaling to sort out your thoughts. Puzzles, word games, and books will give you that much needed intellectual stimulation. Geminis are ruled by Mercury, the planet of communication, so you’ll also excel at learning a new language.

Feb. 19 - March 19 June 21-July 22 Ruled by the love planet, Venus, Libras have a great appreciation for beauty and aesthetics. Put your exquisite taste to use by exploring photography or creating the perfect quarantine playlists to share with your friends. Libras are also prone to indecisiveness, so establishing balance and harmony is important to your well-being. Take this extra time to rearrange and organize your room to your liking with your eye for design. Whether you simply move around furniture or indulge in some new purchases with retail therapy, you’ll enjoy your stress naps and spa days much more in your ideal space.

Aug. 23 - Sept. 22 On a constant overdrive to be efficient, dedicated earth sign Virgo has suddenly been left without their carefully planned routine. Fear not, because you have a well-deserved break from some of the demands of your previous daily schedule. Investing in healthy ways to destress, such as practicing yoga, will help you unwind. Gardening and online simulation games also offer the opportunity to maintain order outside of your own life. Similar to Gemini, Mercury-ruled Virgo also has a special talent for writing. Try journaling your accomplishments of the day or writing a bucket list of activities you’d like to do once the quarantine is over.

Pisces is the sensitive, imaginative dreamer of the zodiac. You’re vibing with the extra alone time, but a little too much solitude might have you laying in bed all day and putting on your Frank Ocean playlist to deal with that apocalyptic existential crisis. Instead, play that favorite music of yours while you take a peaceful daily walk. Get in touch with your creative side by trying new mediums of art, whether it’s poetry or watercolor, and add that sentimentality you love so much by making them for your friends. If you’re a spiritual Pisces, you can finally get into those crystals and tarot cards sitting in your closet to sharpen that third eye.

Oct. 23 - Nov. 21 Nov. 22 - Dec. 21 Freedom-loving Sagittarius is far from their ideal happy place when every day feels like a Sunday. Your optimism and spontaneity shine when you’re having a great time with your favorite people, but it’s hard to break the monotony while you’re unwillingly tied down to one spot. You’re extremely adventurous, so thoroughly research potential places to travel for your inevitable last-minute trip to celebrate the end of social distancing. As a creatively intelligent sign, you can try your hand at making music or expanding your need to know with books that tap into philosophical topics. On an easygoing day, lay down on the couch to captivate yourself with the drama of trashy reality TV shows while munching on a bag of chips.

Jan. 21 - Feb. 18 Knowledge is power for rebellious Aquarius. It’s not unusual to find yourself constantly checking the news and reading up on the latest government conspiracy theories, but be careful with getting a little too caught up in the world’s problems. Although you want to fix all the flaws of humanity so this can be over, you shouldn’t forget to take care of yourself first. Winding down with a new book to read or watching a few TED talks will satisfy your thirst for information. Aquarius is a humanitarian at heart, so coming up with ways to virtually support a cause also comes naturally to you.

Scorpio is the intense, intuitive water sign attempting to resist accepting change and finding it difficult to trust others during a major global pandemic. Quarantine might have you in your feelings, but your resilience and honesty are helping you to be supportive to those in your inner circle. However, secretive Scorpios value their solitude. Joining a virtual book club will allow you to spend your alone time reading an interesting book while occasionally checking in with your friends. Your fascination with taboo and mystery also calls for a true crime binge to put your detective skills to use. Consider going through all the seasons of "Forensic Files" or listening to podcasts like "Crime Junkie" and "My Favorite Murder."

OPINIONS | 11

TikToxic The Hidden Injustice Behind Internet Challenges

ANALISSA NUNEZ | Contributing Writer

hen TikTok launched in 2018, the world was unaware of the wide popularity it would have. This social media app allows users to create and share videos such as lip-syncing or dancing to music. This includes its viral Internet challenges such as the “Renegade,” “Savage,” or “Flip the Switch.” While the app is home to entertaining videos, it’s also a place where there’s a rise in teenagers relying on racist stereotypes to get more followers. The latest trend? The “How’s my form?” challenge. To do this challenge, a TikToker tries to draw a specific crowd by offering advice to them. Shortly after, the user will display a highly saturated image of themselves imitating a stereotypic action associated with the group and asking, “How’s my form?” The videos also include the use of excessive emojis or GIFs for the image to resemble deep fried memes. Although some users poke fun at celebrities or parents, the most viewed videos involve mocking people of color. Last month, two high school students were expelled after participating in the online trend for portraying an inaccurate and racist view of the Black community. Unfortunately, this event isn’t the only one that has reached masses. Another video came to light after a teenager made a video

12 | OPINIONS

mocking Black people by mentioning the 3/5ths Compromise (an agreement in 1787 debating on whether slaves counted as a person for legislative purposes), and the Jim Crow laws. Despite the negativity, the trend has seen the rise of online heroes bringing justice to the online community. Once shared online, Twitter users will investigate and share the personal information of TikTok users to face the consequences of their actions. The use of imitating stereotypical lifestyles of color for comedy or entertainment purposes is no new concept. This strange obsession with Black culture by white people has been ongoing since the 1800s. Today, this concept is known as “blackfishing,” a term to describe a person pretending to be Black by enhancing their appearance through heavy makeup or hairstyles to perceive that they have Black heritage. From the rapper Bhad Bhabie to social media star Whoah Vicky, the trend of imitating Black culture continues today, mainly seen in social media apps or entertainment. With new challenges being created every month, the possibility of younger users adhering to racial stereotypes after viewing similar videos is a critical issue. It can be said that today’s teenagers learn more about cultures through social media rather than in the classroom. For that reason, viewing these types

of videos could cause younger generations to have an unconscious bias towards people of a certain group all because of an Internet trend. As per TikTok’s community guidelines, hate speech including slurs and bullying isn’t tolerated on the app. Though

its rules say that “content that dehumanizes or incites violence or hatred against individuals or groups” is not allowed, where exactly does the app draw the line of racism for this online trend? Although users may censor words or use graphics to avoid

backlash, we must think of the future and how communities of color may be perceived by others. Essentially, for those that don’t mean to come off as racist, think of the group you’re mocking before you gain that clout. Illustration by Echo Dieu | Staff Illustrator

ARE DATING SHOWS

harmful? LAUREN LUNA | Staff Writer

uarantine has given students ample time to catch up on unfinished projects, books, and most notably, TV shows. Many of us have found ourselves bingeing TV shows like “The Bachelor,” “90 Day Fiancée,” “Love Island,” and Netflix’s most recent series, “Love is Blind.” People enjoy a sweet story where two strangers fall in love, even if the conditions in which it happens are completely fantastical. Generally, we understand that while many couples on dating shows will not stay together, watching them get together and seeing the drama that unravels along the way is still entertaining. The romance genre itself has been criticized for the toxic conventions it suggests to impressionable audiences. But,

compounding the realm of reality television with the romance genre creates even more potential for turbulence. Dating shows can be harmless fun, but there is a caveat. Shows like “Love Island” differ from other dating dramas in that they have self-awareness. The ultimate goal of the show is not only to fall in love; contrary to what the show’s name suggests, love is a potential benefit to be gained along the way. “Love Island” has all its contestants couple up to compete, whether it be for love, friendship, or only to win the final cash prize. But, other shows like “Love is Blind” lack this same self-awareness in that they market the show as an opportunity exclusively to find love. While the time crunch in most dating shows already makes the possibilities of finding love slim, the eerily sterile environment

in “Love is Blind” makes these possibilities even more absurd. If the show was more self-aware and didn’t point to the idea of marriage so suddenly, it would be more watchable. While this applies more to reality television in general, villainizing characters also has problematic consequences when depicting real personalities. While cast members must be ready for anything when being depicted on television, pigeonholing real people as antagonists can potentially be dangerous. “The Bachelor: Australia” villain Jen Hawke even received death threats after the show’s airtime. “I’ve blocked a few people online and I’ve had death threats — people out there are wishing I’d die,” said Hawke in an interview with Australian Now to Love Magazine. Villainizing characters make a storyline easier to follow, but the production teams of dating shows need to be

mindful of how audiences react to “villains” and be careful to not completely distort a contestant’s image. Generally, viewers should be able to draw their own conclusions about the casts of these shows. Audiences have also criticized dating shows for their casting choices — namely, the lack of diversity in the cast. Dating shows naturalize white cishet dating culture, which decreases visibility for any relationships which fall outside the mold. “The Bachelor” specifically has been called out for its casting choices, which haven’t changed much in the past few seasons. While LGBTQ+ representation has made some progress in dating television in shows like “Are You the One?” and Netflix’s “Dating Around,” it still has a long way to go; the first same-sex couple only appeared on “Love Island” four years ago. When people think of dating shows, the image of a thirty-something bearded guy in a tux dishing out roses to a gaggle of anxious girls still comes to mind most often. As for people of color, the casts of many dating shows include them, but still have a majority of white actors. From what I’ve seen, white people

generally take up lead roles while people of color come in every once a while. Many people of color, unfortunately, get typecast in reality television, and “The Bachelorette” only had its first Black bachelorette — Rachel Lindsay — in 2017. By putting more people of color and more people from the queer community in lead roles rather than supporting roles, dating shows can mitigate this problem. The critiques surrounding dating shows do have some truth linked to them, but ultimately, there’s no harm in keeping up with a series or two during quarantine. The ups and downs of dating offer audiences a source of relatability, and watching drama unfurl within a dynamic cast are ultimately the point of reality television. Some couples even end up staying together, so who’s to say that dating shows don’t do some good? Dating shows are salvageable, but the producers of these shows need to gain self-awareness, understand the implications of cast portrayals, and generally be more inclusive to different sexualities and ethnicities. Illustration by Katelin Godbold | Contributing Illustrator

OPINIONS | 13

“Quarantine has made me more grateful for those that I care about and those that care about me.” -Drew Silva

“Honestly it feels like a summer. It’s better staying in IV than going back to someplace like LA. At least here I can go to the beaches and breathe.” -Gina Rue

“I’m grateful that IV is where I am because I really wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.” -Yasmine Malas

“Life is super slow at the moment, but we’re just trying out all the things we’ve been meaning to try. It's different, but the vibes are still good in IV.” - David Pilip and Michael Klein

14 | PHOTOSTORY

“Life here during quarantine isn’t as bad as we thought. When you have to work from home, it’s better when home is Isla Vista.” -Kelli DesRochers

Gauchos in Quarantine

“Adjusting to the new normal” -66 Sabado House

Photos by GRAEME JACKSON | Photo Editor & FELIX DONG | Staff Photographer

Active members of UCSB’s Women’s Lacrosse team, these IV citizens “miss going to Freebirds at three in the morning” as part of team tradition.

PHOTOSTORY | 15

Comic of the week

Comic by JAKE ORTEGA | Comic Artist

| Art Director

Shota Aizawa vs. Corona Conspirators

Comic by ECHO DIEU | Staff Illustrator

The Bottom adle

1. Strain short grain rice under cold water until the water runs clear.

1 (10 oz) can inarizushi no Moro 1 tbsp black or white 2. Cook the rice and gensesame seeds tly fold it a few times.

For sushi rice: 2 cups Japanese short grain rice 3 tbsp rice vinegar 1 1/2 tbsp white wine vinegar 2 tbsp granulated sugar 1 tsp salt

Inari Sushi

4.Let cool to room temp, then add the remaining sushi rice ingredients to the bowl and evenly coat the rice. Add sesame seeds and keep gently flipping until the rice is about room temperature.

5. Make rice balls by holding about a small handful or rice in your hands. 3. Transfer to large bowl. Mix in rice vinegar, white wine vinegar, granulated sugar, and salt. Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t over-mix.

6. Pour the inarizushi no moto liquid in a bowl and wet your palms and fingers with it.

7. Open an inarizushi pocket and place a rice ball inside the pocket. Repeat this step until all the pockets are filled.

Serve and Enjoy!

Illustration by AIYANA FRAAS | Contributing Illustrator

things Illustration by KATELIN GODBOLD | Contributing Illustrator

quarantine

Illustration by TESIA KIM | Contributing Illustrator

a ZOOM background Illustration by DREW BUCHANAN | Staff Illustrator