Volume 2 Issue 3 | March 2014
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Nerdfighter Spotlight: Tessa Netting
Cosplayer, Actor, YouTuber and Nerdfighter Tessa Netting shares her love of all things nerdy with us.
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I Volunteer: The Hunger Games Fandom
Dystopian futures, oppressive governments and the most dangerous game. This month’s fandom: Hunger Games.
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Save the Trees, Kill the Children
Something about futures gone horribly wrong that you just dig? Well these books just may be the ticket for your darker urges.
Letter from the Staff Welcome, fellow Tributes, to March’s Hunger Games-themed edition of The Anglerfish.
Lucy Pegg Staff Writer
Issuu - www.issuu.com/theanglerfish Tumblr - theanglerfishmagazine.tumblr.com Twitter - www.twitter.com/anglerfishzine Facebook - www.facebook.com/theanglerfish
Managers & Editors Brandon Dannenhoffer Eric Cole Jason Stack Keren Moros Jordan Kahle David Pantoja Eefje Savelkoul Katherine Taylor
Graphics & Design Mayela Gutierrez Hayley Pike Jackie Files Vaiki Tress Sarah Lowe
Writers Marissa Hubelbank Alyssa Nabors Cecily Dreyfuss Sarah Mills Melissa Heineman Lucy Pegg Joie Ling Kaya Mendelsohn Ruth Tirado Pallavi Pillutla Jacob Lambrecht David Harris
Social Media/ PR Mert Keceli Tristan Dane Megan Manzano
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Founder Co-Editor in Chief Co-Editor in Chief News Editor Reader Submissions Art Director Sr. Design Lead Sr. Design Lead
Designer/ Illustrator Illustrator Illustrator Illustrator Illustrator
With Catching Fire released on DVD and Blu-ray this month, it seemed like the perfect time to celebrate Katniss’ world. Our articles explore everything from the fandom and ensuing dystopian trend to the realities of genetic mutations such as the Muttations and Jabberjays. Like the very best of fiction, The Hunger Games is richly populated with ideas that challenge or comment upon the world we really do live in, alongside a good dose of old-fashioned adventure and survival. For me, it’s this that sets The Hunger Games apart from the crowd and jettisons it off into the league of the Harry Potter and His Dark Materials series - a position it should feel justly proud of! But we also have a plethora of writing less focused on Panem. Tessa Netting features in our Nerdfighter Spotlight, talking about her experiences on Broadway, her anticipation for LeakyCon and how she found Nerdfighteria. We explore the slightly bizarre secularisation of Easter and look into the intricacies of the political situation in Uganda. And, if that we wasn’t enough, we have a variety of book reviews and recommendations scattered throughout the magazine to help you keep your reading on track. If you’d like to get in contact with the magazine, you can find us through our Facebook, Twitter and Tumblr accounts. Why not tell us what it is you love (or hate) about The Hunger Games? And, as always, we look forward to receiving your art and literature submissions, which could be featured in the next issue of the magazine. May the odds be ever in your favour! Lucy Pegg Writer
Writer Writer Writer Writer Writer Writer Writer Writer Writer Writer Writer Writer
Social Media Social Media Social Media
The Anglerfish | Issue 3 Volume 2 March 2014
CONTENTS On On The The Cover Cover
I Volunteer: The Hunger Games Fandom
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Dystopian futures, oppressive governments and the most dangerous game. This month, We look at the deadly Hunger Games.
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Nerdfighter Spotlight
Cosplayer, Actor, YouTuber and Nerdfighter Tessa Netting shares her love of all things nerdy with us.
Save the Trees, Kill the Children
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Don’t we just love books about twisted futures and dead things roaming the earth? we do, right?
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Something Old, Something New So You Liked The Hunger Games 6 Books a High Schooler Should Read Would You Survive The Hunger Games? Review: Habit RPG Don’t Starve May Make You Hungry Political Situation: Uganda
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Jennifer Lawrence Stands Up For You A History of International Womens Day Where Reality and Fiction Collide Muttations and Mockingjays What’s With All The Bunnies? Fun Art & Literature
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Reader Submissions
Nerdfighter Spotlight: Tess Netting Tessa Netting is known best as Billy Elliot’s “Spastic Starfish” and for her many pop culture-based YouTube videos. She aspires to be Stephen Colbert and Tina Fey, and is an actor, cosplayer, and Nerdfighter. Having moved from the East to the West coast, her acting is finding new ground, as she’s created greater connections amongst YouTubers and other nerds alike.
by Melissa Heineman
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The Anglerfish | Issue 3 Volume 2 March 2014
Reader Submissions The Anglerfish: When did performing become a serious pursuit for you? Tessa Netting: After performing in my first musical role in high school, I knew I had to pursue it. I caught the bug. I loved every second of being in front of an audience and felt like that was where I was meant to be. I am always happiest when I am on a stage.
“Broadway” to LA life been?
Seeing my own creation, my own vision come to life and to have others appreciate and love what I was doing made me want to make more. Being a dancer, music inspires me ... and being a nerd, geek culture inspires me just as much.
TA: And it’s entirely evident from many of your videos, which show off your love of Broadway. So how did you get into online video-making and how do you create the concepts for your various videos?
TN: At the time that the last Harry Potter movie was coming out, I was obsessed with the musical The Book of Mormon … and I had an idea to make a parody mash-up of the two. I had just bought myself a new camera and my parents had just gotten me a green screen for Christmas so I just HAD to try it. I wrote, sang, made the costumes, shot, edited, and uploaded the video in two days and it blew up. Seeing my own creation, my own vision come to life and to have others appreciate and love what I was doing made me want to make more. Being a dancer, music inspires me ... and being a nerd, geek culture inspires me just as much. TA: Jumping off that, how did your life change after your first largely successful YouTube video, your “Hello” parody? TN: Without that video, one of my current agents, Pat Brady, would have never found me on the Internet and convinced me to move to Los Angeles and pursue a career in television and voice-over work. The opportunities I have here are incredible and I am so thankful she did! Love you, Pat! TA: How has your transition from
TN: Two completely different lifestyles … I definitely miss the theater scene and culture of New York but LA is where I need to be. I still need to conquer it and won’t give up until I do so. But I mean the weather is beautiful here and the people are so nice … I’m not complaining.
TA: I’m sure it’ll be entirely worth it. That being said, what are you currently working on and where might we see you in the future, professionally? TN: Acting-wise, I am always auditioning and working on little projects here and there but with that career, you never know what could happen. It drives me a little crazy sometimes, but it’s an exciting lifestyle for sure. YouTube-wise, I have BIG plans and changes for my channel starting in May. I am so excited and I know all of my starfish are going to FREAK OUT MWHAHAHAHA. TA: So I guess that means we can’t get any hints at any new videos you might be making? Well then, how has your internet presence affected your work and life?
and do we see anymore collaborations in the future? TN: Well, I adore every member of Starkid and anytime I get to work with any of them, I have a blast, but YES! I plan on doing a lot more collab videos in the future because there are so many talented people that I respect in this YouTube community … I WANT TO WORK WITH THEM ALL. TA: How does it feel being a guest at LeakyCon? TN: I am SO PUMPED for LeakyCon. LeakyCon is my Hogwarts, it is my home. I am surrounded by people who are just as obsessed and passionate about fandom as I am! Melissa Anelli and all of the other special guests are all so talented and wonderful. It’s just the best. TA: Anything special planned for your fans this year at the con? TN: I definitely want to do another Disney Sing-a-long especially since we will be in ORLANDO! The rest you will have to go to find out. TA: If only I could! But I’m sure everyone will be excited. Speaking of cons, will you be seen at any others in the near future as a guest or as an attendee? TN: As of now, I have nothing booked but one of these years, I would love to go to VidCon or Playlist Live … I’m always open to invitations! I have a blast at any con I go to.
TN: No, I’m afraid that information is classified. Well, being an actor, having any sort of following on the Internet can only help you, especially if it’s for good work you are doing. And in my personal life, I guess party less and edit more. TA: Shame ... but nonetheless, you have been doing some exciting collaborations recently. You have a great relationship with performers in the Starkid community, and you’ve already collabed with Joe, and appeared on “Glee” with Darren and Joey. How was that,
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Reader Submissions TA: Also, from your videos we can all see you’re a fan of cosplay. Are there any costumes you’ve been dying to put together? TN: DISNEY PRINCESSES. Especially Elsa and Anna from Frozen. Disney animation is drawn so beautifully I just want to bring it to life. TA: What is the accomplishment you are most proud of? TN: Performing over 1,000 shows on Broadway. Haven’t beaten that accomplishment … YET. :) TA: What is your greatest source of inspiration? TN: Any film or television show with British or good-looking men, really. Benedict Cumberbatch’s cheekbones always inspire me to reach for the stars.
so I really enjoyed it. Also, it helps that I’m completely obsessed with Jennifer Lawrence. I cannot wait for the last movie and of course I already have an idea for a parody. TA: I’m excited eventually see it! Also, since you are initially a Broadway actor, what’s your favorite show you’ve seen, any that you want to see in the future, whether they’re up now or planned to be, and what’s your favorite musical song? TN: Favorite show of all time: RENT. Favorite recent show: Book of Mormon. Shows I want to see be done: Anastasia or Frozen. Favorite musical song: “My New Philosophy” from You’re A Good Man Charlie Brown. I love me some Cheno. TA: I’m excited for Anastasia and Frozen too! Finally, some Nerdfighter questions: How did you discover Nerdfighteria?
TA: Honestly, there is no comparable answer! As this month’s fandom is the Hunger Games, what are your feelings about the series and do you have any more HG videos planned?
TN: Tumblr. My dash never fails me in finding new fandoms. The first video I ever stumbled upon was about two giraffes getting it on. I mean after that … how could you not be hooked?!
TN: I am SO happy with what they did with Catching Fire, I thought it was absolutely brilliant. In my opinion, they followed the book perfectly, which hardly ever happens in these types of movies,
TA: And how has the Nerdfighter community influenced your life?
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TN: Well, John and Hank are both so inspiring to me as creators. And what they
The Anglerfish | Issue 3 Volume 2 March 2014
have done with their fanbase is exactly what I would want to do in their positionbuild a community. They don’t look down or ignore their fans, they draw from them, have conversations and discussions with them. It’s incredible. TA: Lastly, do you have any advice for your fans, fellow nerds, vloggers and performers? TN: BE YOU, remember you are loved and don’t forget to be awesome! TA: Thank you so much, Tessa! It’s been great talking with you. TN: Thank you! Want to see what Tessa is up to? You can find her on the following: http://www.tessanetting.com/ https://www.facebook.com/ tessanetting https://www.youtube.com/user/ tessaROXX https://twitter.com/tessanetting http://tessanetting.tumblr.com/
Fandom
I Volunteer: The Hunger Games Fandom
In the current world of YA-driven adaptations and fandoms, arguably the chief go-to example is Harry Potter. More recently, though, The Hunger Games has had a meteoric rise from a novel series to a successful film franchise with a devoted fandom. By Jason Stack
Illustration by Vaiki Tress
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Fandom
I Volunteer
If I asked you for a go-to dystopian novel or the rights to series geared towards YA readers, your first the three-book thought might be Suzanne Collins’ wildly series in 2009, popular and successful Hunger Games and it was kismet trilogy. “Well, why The Hunger Games?” from there on “There’s a strong female protagonist, and out. Collins coit kickstarted the trend of dystopian YA ficadapted the first tion and adaptations.” And you’re probably novel and Gary right. Ross directed That’s not to say that there wasn’t dysThe Hunger topian YA fiction before The Hunger Games Games, which first hit shelves in 2008. There has been hit theaters in dystopian fiction for years, going back to March 2012 to 1984 and Brave New World, among other acclaim, box titles, and if you’re looking for prominent office sucrecent pre-Hunger Games dystopian YA cess, a wider fiction, several titles that come to mind audience, and are The Giver and Uglies. But The Hunger a franchise deal Games has been the impetus for the cur(Catching Fire rent novel and film adaptation trend. and the two-part If you’ve been living under a rock since Mockingjay). 2008 and somehow missed out on the From the start, the series and fandom, The Hunger Games fandom latched on to follows Katniss Everdeen, a struggling Katniss (Jennifer Lawrence) teen in District 12 of Panem who volunas a strong role model for young teers to take the place of Prim, her young women and the love triangle of Katniss, sister, in the 74th Hunger Games. After Peeta (Josh Hutcherson), and Gale (Liam a series of unspecified natural disasters, Hemsworth), splitting into Team Peeta or the United States Team Gale, akin dissolved into to Team Edward The Hunger thirteen districts and Team Jacob Games and the Capitol, in the Twilight and renamed itself franchise. There is, kickstarted the Panem. There were of course, more to trend of dystopian thirteen Districts, the series – there’s but the year before the Roman-esque YA fiction and the first Hunger nature of Panem, adaptations Games, District 13 elitism, and the tried to rebel and exploration of the was decimated by effects of war. From the Capitol; as a result, all twelve Districts the names of Capitol citizens to the vomimust send two teens a piece to fight to toriums to the bread-and-circus nature of the death every year in the televised the Hunger Games, the Latin and Roman Hunger Games as a way of showing influences are evident, if you know where that the Capitol still has power over the to look or what to look for. Districts. Over the course of the trilogy, Collins’ speculative future of governKatniss wins the 74th Hunger Games with ment-endorsed televised fights to the Peeta Mellark, is drawn back into the 75th death is frightening, but also a reminder of Hunger Games, becomes a symbol of the the realities of war and reality TV (which revolution against the Capitol, and helps to is for the most part scripted), the former overthrow the Capitol. of which is explored through Katniss’s eyes As the Harry Potter film series was post-Hunger Games. Of course, violence in winding down, Hollywood was looking for The Hunger Games is an issue, but it has the next big thing, as the Narnia series been a part of fiction for centuries – just was stalling and His Dark Materials didn’t look at the body count in Shakespeare’s take off as expected. Lionsgate noticed plays. Violence is more prevalent nowathe popularity of the first novel, secured days, and we’ve become so desensitized
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that the shock of teens killing teens jars us but playing games like Call of Duty and Grand Theft Auto doesn’t. In the years following The Hunger Games, other dystopian YA series have been popping up and latching onto the continuing trend, some choosing to dabble in love triangles and others providing more of a thrill ride. Among others, offerings include Ally Condie’s Matched, James Dasher’s The Maze Runner, and Veronica Roth’s Divergent. The latter two have been adapted into feature films, with Divergent in theaters now and The Maze Runner debuting in mid-September. Matched, meanwhile, is still being developed. For those who enjoy more classic dystopian YA fiction, a long-awaited adaptation of Lois Lowry’s The Giver is set to hit theaters in mid-August, but fans so far aren’t pleased that the footage released in trailer form doesn’t adhere to the monochrome nature of the novel. With the first part of Mockingjay hitting US and international theaters in November and the second part following a year later, The Hunger Games fandom is still strong, and it shows no signs of shuffling off into obscurity once the film franchise has ended.
Books
Something Borrowed and Something Blue Although one would think Joseph J. Ellis and Sylvia Plath’s writings have very little in common, this issue features their two books together, both of which tell stories that are completely timeless. We hope you enjoy! by Marissa Early-Hubelbank The Founding Brothers was written by historian Joseph J. Ellis in 2000. This Pulitzer Prize winner is a rich, non-fictional depiction of “a group of greatly gifted, but
deeply flawed individuals.” It is divided into six chapters featuring several iconic “episodes” in America from the end of the Revolutionary War to the mid-1800’s. Each moment is centered around six men (like John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, etc.) who would lay the foundation for America’s modern economic policies, the pressure cooker that would result in the Civil War, and more. One thing that makes itself most clear throughout this book is that these characters were all united by the underlying absolute priority of America’s earliest years - that of keeping the newly formed union together, which often seemed to
be on the brink of dissolving. This fact is what makes each story more interesting than the last; that each man (probably with the exception of Burr), acted on his own accord to meet that goal, right or wrong, whilst fulfilling plenty of personal ambitions, of course. Along those lines, this book is exquisitely detailed, citing hundreds of letters and newspaper articles to illustrate what was going through the minds of these men. It was done so in such a way that Ellis reconstructs for us their memorable personalities to make these lofty characters more vivid and concrete, much like a character of a novel. Although it is moderate in size, this
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Books book can take quite a long time to get through, and it doesn’t lack for moments of lagging storytelling. Nevertheless, The Founding Brothers is a uniquely crafted narrative, and it would probably be a most satisfying read to anyone who already has a solid background knowledge of this period of early American history. On a very different note, Sylvia Plath’s The Bell Jar was first written and published in England back in 1963, and was later released in the US in 1970 because of rights, even though she was an American writer. It is a rather autobiographical story of a college junior named Esther Greenwood. Esther is a guest editor for one of the most exclusive fashion magazines in the country, working in a sort of intern program out of a rich New York City hotel for the summer. All her life, Esther has worked to earn the top grades and prizes that would land her a scholarship for school and launch her into a life of comfort and intellectual satisfaction. But for some reason, Esther doesn’t feel happy. She is losing her drive. This is a story about her downward spiral through depression, loneliness, and the pressures that come with being a young woman in the modern world. First off, for a book that is saturated in such feelings of disillusionment and hopelessness, The Bell Jar is pretty damn funny. Plath wrote with nothing other than what can be described as wit - an immensely satisfying sense for irony and dark humor. This is the kind of book that deserves to be read through twice because it is short and easy to blow through; it’s easy to miss all the subtle bits and pieces that make it a great story. It is intense and brutally honest; the time gap aside, it is surprisingly easy to relate to. This fact, coupled with Plath’s straight-forward yet elegant prose and a sense of irony that won’t quit makes it not hard to imagine why The Bell Jar is hailed as an American classic.
So You Liked The Hunger Games: What Next? If you’re pining for Panem since finishing Mockingjay, you might be looking for a new dystopian novel to take its place. Here are seven books and series you might want to look at next! by: Lucy Pegg Following The Hunger Games’ success, the Young Adult (YA) genre has been flooded with dystopias, most pitting a teenage girl against the corrupt world and oh yes, there’s certainly a love triangle, too! But if you’re not sure where to start or would like to read some of the classic fiction which defined the genre, The Anglerfish is here to help with the following list of great dystopian reads. Divergent by Veronica Roth Read this if ... you love the idea of a dystopian world but with Hogwarts house type factions. It’s been said to be the next Hunger Games sensation, and this series really does live up to its hype. The ‘simulations’
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in which the characters enter a kind of imaginary reality are what set this series apart and stop it from blending into the general plethora of YA dystopias. Shailene Woodley - aka Hazel in the TFIOS movie - plays the protagonist Tris in the film adaptation, which was released in the US on March 18th. The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood Recommended for those who … really want to be provoked into a feminist rant. In a world where much of the population has become infertile those women who can still bear children are forced to become handmaidens, whose only task in life is to bear children. Men rule every facet of society and women are valued purely for their wombs. Whilst the premise may seem far removed from our own society, there are eerie echoes of today’s world that guarantee this will be a truly unsettling and thought provoking read. Noughts and Crosses by Malorie Blackman Pick this up if ... you’d like an insight into racism from the other side. Malorie Blackman highlights the
Books
intricacies and extent of racism in this series which puts the world in negative; white people (so-called ‘noughts’) are the underclass of society, whilst the darker skinned population (known as ‘crosses’) rule and enforce segregation of the races. Although intended as a series for older children these books can be enlightening for all and highlight how race can impact the tiniest elements of our lives. There’s also a star-crossed and inter-racial romance thrown in for good measure! The Maze Runner by James Dashner Perfect for those who ... like mazes, mysteries, and monsters. Theseus and the Minotaur crossed with Lord of the Flies would not be an inadequate description for the first installment in this series. Though the sequels begin to veer towards the general dystopian format, the first book really stands out from the crowd. A film adaptation starring Dylan O’Brien is also set be released in the US on September 19th this year. Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury You’ll love this if ... you like criticising
the mindlessness of current popular culture and have very protective feelings towards your book collection. Bibliophiles beware; prepare yourself for the mass hatred and destruction of books which proliferates this novel (the title in fact refers to what Bradbury was told to be the exact temperature at which books or paper will ignite).The story takes place in a not-too far-flung future where society “bans” books in favor of technologically-driven entertainment. And instead of extinguishing fires, firemen have been co-opted to set fires - to books. Ironically, despite focusing heavily upon issues of censorship, this book often crops up on banned book lists. V for Vendetta by Alan Moore Take a look at this if ... you’d like to start questioning what heroism and terrorism really mean. Although most well known as the 2006 film starring Natalie Portman and Hugo Weaving, V for Vendetta was first a superb graphic novel by Alan Moore. Though the novel more specifically comments on aspects of 1980s British
politics, it is still a chilling read that’s guaranteed to twist your morals into increasingly tightening knots. For the more superheroically-minded, there’s also Alan Moore’s Watchmen. Brave New World by Aldous Huxley Great for those who ... would like to see a different take on the road society could take to its doom. What if a totalitarian state developed not through the torture and terror presented in novels like 1984 (also very highly recommended), but through rapid industrialisation and consumerism? This is the idea presented by Aldous Huxley in his 1932 novel, in which drug induced happiness is the status quo and parenthood is the ultimate taboo. Also, remember to look for references to significant figures of the 20th Century, such as Karl Marx and Henry Ford, amongst others.
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Books
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Books a High Schooler Should Read for the SATs
With the College Board getting rid of the SAT essay and once again changing the scoring system, we've got some test taking tips that might come in handy for the reading comprehension section. By Joie Ling News of revolutionary changes to the way the SAT will be given have shocked high school students across the country. In the spring of 2016, the dreaded essay will be taken away and the scoring system will go back to a top score of 1600, rather than 2400. In other words, the way it was given before 2002. These revolutionary changes, however, do not have an affect on the reading comprehension section of the test. There will still
classical literature, aka books that most high schoolers most likely won’t read unless they’re assigned. These books, however, are great to prepare students for the writing style of the SAT Reading Section passages. So since we’re all about helping out others here at The Anglerfish, here is a list of six books that all high schoolers should read in order to do better on their SATs. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain - A runaway boy with a runaway slave traveling in the South with a whole lot of Ol’ Mississippi references thrown in. The unique Southern drawl Twain uses makes it a difficult challenge for those who aren’t exposed to it on a daily basis. The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald - A college frat party to the extreme set in the Prohibition era. This book is chock full of symbolism and metaphors that can sometimes slip under the radar. The SAT banks on questions whose answers are not obvious. 1984 by George Orwell - We all fear something, and ultimately, the fears are the things that control us. Being able to see the real world connections are crucial in being able to answer the tough questions on the SAT whose answers aren’t always explicitly in the text. The Catcher in the Rye by J. D. Salinger - A teenager comes of age in the Big Apple while fighting the mere thought of adulthood every step of the way. The overarching themes and questions that can be drawn from this book are great in preparing a person for the main idea questions in the SAT. Moby Dick by Herman Melville - A crazed man chases after a sperm whale, not caring about the repercussions for him and his crew. The sheer size of this book frightens many, but it is great for building up a person’s reading stamina, something needed to survive the SAT.
be the same long passages that can eat away at your limited time if you read too slowly or not carefully enough. And there will still be passages written in what, to an inexperienced eye, seems like Ancient Greek. Despite the many strategies to tackle long, “boring” passages, it is clear that students who read on a daily basis have an edge over those that don’t. Why? Because the makers of the SAT love to use excerpts from
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Great Expectations by Charles Dickens - A boy with high expectations should expect to be let down. Despite the fact that Dickens is a great author, his need to use more words than necessary is exemplified in this single piece of work. The ability to see through all the fluffy language to the real important message is vital on the SAT.
Books
SAVE THE TREES,
Kill The Children! Can’t get enough of future-gonewrong? Already have a plan for how to survive the Hunger Games, overthrow the Capitol, and live PTSD-ly ever after? Better make some additional plans, because here are four more fictional dystopias where living to voting age is a privilege, not a right.
By Alyssa Nabor The Roar by Emma Clayton Any of you city dwellers finding your apartment a little cramped? According to this particular future, it’s going to get a whole lot worse. A mysterious plague causes all mammals to go hyperrabid, forcing the human population to evacuate two-thirds of the Earth and live behind a huge wall. There’s so little room that cities have nowhere to grow but up; the top-most levels are reserved for the wealthy while the rest are left to live practically without sunlight in homes that make efficiencies look luxuriously spacious. If that’s not bad enough, the schools seem to be under the control of some malevolent force that’s feeding the children weird growth hormones and enticing them to play a battle/flight-sim game for a nebulous but surely nefarious reason. Join twin brother and sister Ellie and Mika as they uncover the truth and fight the system in the first book of Emma Clayton’s ongoing series. Attack on Titan by Hajime Isayama Let’s stick with the wall theme, shall we? In the manga series that spawned the ridiculously popular anime series of the same name, trio Eren, Mikasa, and Armin live in a world where humanity
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Books has been terrorized for over a hundred years by giant humanoid beings called Titans. If the risk of being eaten alive wasn’t terrifying enough for a kid, the destruction of the outermost wall of the human territory is destroyed early on in the series, vastly reducing the crop yield of the remaining available land. For the refugees that made it through the next wall, their available options are to join the military or work as field hands. A choice between an almost certainly shortened life or a life of hard labor? That’s not much of a choice at all. Surviving Antarctica: Reality TV 2083 by Andrea White
timeline coming from Japan, and there are striking parallels that have been drawn between this novel and The Hunger Games. However, instead of two children from each district, the police state occasionally selests an entire class of secondary school students to fight to the death. Similar to The Hunger Games, weapon distribution is completely random, the students are tracked and monitored, and the monitors contribute to the dwindling number of participants with intervening activities. Unlike The Hunger Games however, only the result of the battle is published to the public and the winner is given nothing but a ride home and a poster of the government leader. Totally worth it, right?
Speaking of hard choices, Andrea White introduces us to a world where schooling is delivered via television and is only free up until eighth grade. The majority of the population has no hope of affording to complete their education, but they can sign up for “The Toss”, in which they have an opportunity to win a scholarship solely through random
chance. If they lose the Toss, the only way to get the money for tuition is to compete in reality TV shows that recreate historical events and often end in fatality for the contestants. In Surviving Antarctica, five fourteen year olds are sent to recreate Robert F. Scott’s 1912 doomed attempt to be the first to reach the South Pole. What a great way to learn about Scott’s expedition and also find a way to be grateful for public high schools! Battle Royale by Koushun Takami School still sucks in this alternate
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Would You This month, we ask the staff of The Anglerfish how they feel they’d fare in the Hunger Games arena and what their plans are for outliving their competitors Lucy: I would not survive in the arena. In fact, it’s fairly likely that I’d die within the first few minutes as everyone rushes to the Cornucopia for weapons because if there’s one thing I’m definitely not, it’s ruthless or pushy. I’d also get distracted by the idea of getting the bow and arrow so I could pretend to be Katniss (or Legolas), forgetting that my previous experience with archery has not been particularly successful. However, if I did miraculously manage to survive for any meaningful length of time, I think I’d take the Rue approach and keep out of the way whilst everyone else fought amongst themselves. Whilst I have no battle type skills to speak of, I’ve spent my entire life being told I’m quiet and I used to be quite good at hide and seek, so I’d find myself a nice cave or tree and try to disappear until I found a convenient moment to make an alliance with someone a bit less incapable. Joie: As a teenager who has read a lot of books and watched a lot of TV, I like to believe that I will survive if I were unlucky enough to be plunged into the Hunger Games, thanks to my vast knowledge of survival situations and weapons. But since I’m able to recognize the fact that I’m a teenager who spends more time reading and watching TV instead of engaging in any physical activity that would actually help me survive, I know I will be the first one to die. The cannon would sound and due to my inability to walk correctly, even in stress free environments, I would trip and fall before even reaching the Cornucopia. That huge gaggle of Careers would surround me, ready to kill, but my complete uselessness might just be enough for them to take pity on me, allowing me to escape
Entertainment
u Survive The Hunger Games? to die another way. Jason S.: I might survive in the arena, but I don’t know for how long. Knowing both my pop culture knowledge and physical fitness/endurance level, I’d probably head right for the bow and arrow and vanish up a tree to play Hawkeye, provided the sprint to the Cornucopia and into the forest
doesn’t wind me. If the Gamesmakers get annoyed with my poaching style, I’d find some other way to survive, like setting up Home Alone or Scooby Dooesque traps, but I’m more of a pacifist at heart. Honestly, hiding while most of the initial killing spree goes on would be my best bet, as would making an alliance with a like minded competitor. As for killing the other competitors … waiting for them to off each other would be the way to go. David: I’d hope that I’d survive for at least a little while in the Hunger Games. I’d be
fairly confident in my ability to outthink some of my opponents my problemsolving skills have always been pretty good, so maybe I’d come up with some inventive ways to survive and potentially hinder the other competitors. (However, as the Team Fortress 2 Heavy points out, “I’ve yet to meet one
who can outsmart bullet.”) I’m also reasonably physically active (although my upper body strength is questionable at best) I could run for a fair amount of time, although that might just cause the Gamesmakers to direct some fireballs my way. And even if I’d grown up in that culture, I’m unsure whether I’d be able to kill another person. I don’t think I’m a strong enough personality to be a Katniss, but I would probably spend most of my time in the arena trying to find ways to piss off the Capitol. There’s
definitely no way I’d win. Keren: I would try to survive the Hunger Games the same way Katniss did: avoid everyone as much as possible unless necessary and try to make a friend. Of course, the whole Cornucopia thing might put a slight snag in my plans, and I’d consider it worth the risk to try to get supplies. I don’t know how I would be able
to physically handle the dangers of an arena, but maybe my body would just recognize the dire situation and make the necessary adjustments for strength and endurance as quickly as possible. As for confronting enemies, I don’t know how I would handle that. I have strong moral convictions about taking someone’s life, though I also agree that people have a right to defend themselves, so the arena would be the ultimate challenge of those convictions. Ultimately, I’d hope that I would handle the Hunger Games the same way Katniss and Peeta did showing the Capitol that they don’t own me.
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Web
Review: HabitRPG
Ever wished your life could be a video game? Well, now it can – although perhaps not quite in the way you would expect. by David Harris I first came across HabitRPG in early January, just after New Year’s; it came up on my Tumblr feed as an excellent way of keeping those ever-too-optimistic resolutions. As I had made a couple that I was dubious (to say the least) about my ability to keep, I decided to check it out. I spent most of an afternoon exploring the site, setting up my character, tasks, habits, and so forth, and the next couple of days were, by far, the most productive ones of the Christmas holidays. HabitRPG, as the name suggests, is a habit-tracking application that turns your life into a role-playing game. There are three categories of user-defined tasks. First, you have Habits: goals you constantly keep track of. These can be positive, negative, or both; one of the examples you have when registering as a new user is “Take The Stairs”; you click on the plus
sign when you achieve it and the minus sign when you don’t. There are also Dailies – tasks which you want to achieve once a day – and To-Dos, one-off actions to accomplish. As in most RPGs, your character (displayed in the top-left corner of the screen in a retro pixel-art graphic) starts as a lowly Level 1. Completing positive Habits, Dailies, and To-Dos rewards you with experience points, while negative Habits or failing to achieve Dailies will deplete your Health bar. You are also rewarded with Gold, which can be used to buy better gear or your own customisable rewards – you can treat yourself with an episode of your favourite TV programme or a tasty snack that, strictly speaking, isn’t part of your diet. At Level 10, you are introduced to the Class system; each class (Warrior, Mage, Healer, and Rogue) can use Mana points to perform different skills on their tasks, themselves, or their party members. One of the most interesting things for me is that the game puts all the responsibility on you. If you want to, you can simply lie to the game. It’s never going to know. But in taking this approach, it actually motivates you not to do so (for me, at
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least). Having concrete evidence of what you’ve managed to achieve makes it a lot easier to keep track of and see where you can improve. The game even colour-codes your tasks to show how good or bad you are at regularly achieving them. I have found that this responsibility encourages honesty, rather than tempting me to cheat the system. You can also play socially with a party of friends, which adds another dimension of accountability. If your party is involved with a quest, your actions will have an effect on everyone else as well. Your Dailies won’t just damage you if they are left undone; there are consequences for everyone else, too, giving you a little more incentive to keep on top of them. For nerds like me, HabitRPG casts a positive light on self-improvement by plunging it into the realm of stat-building classbased fantasy gaming. Admittedly, it is not the most complex RPG system I have ever come across. But in using that paradigm to offer gratification and consequences for accomplishing your tasks, it gives the whole experience an extra dimension, and – I hesitate to say – makes it a great deal more fun and rewarding.
Games
Don’t Starve May Make You Hungry Don’t Starve is possibly the only game that I find absolutely maddening and yet, somehow, I am still very compelled to continue playing. It is a masterfully crafted indie title from Klei Entertainment that focuses on one thing: survival. You will spend plenty of time running, building, fighting, and running some more, all in the hopes of staying fed and alive. by Jason Pantoja The part that is maddening is the fact that for all your efforts, it will inevitably all come to an end. Yes, at some point, no matter your efforts, you will perish, and the worst part is that it’s from the things you least
at some point, no matter your efforts, you will perish, and the worst part is that it’s from the things you least expect expect, such as un-killable shadow beasts or the lack of sleep, or losing your mind. Don’t Starve is relentless and do not expect the developers at Klei Entertainment to sympathize with you. Like many old-school parents, the game believes in throwing you into the deep end of the pool without swimming lessons. Take the Minecraft formula and throw in some Tim Burton styling, and that is Don’t Starve. Initially, you find yourself, Wilson, a scientist thrust into the wilderness, armed with nothing than your will to survive. As the player, you will need to figure out how manipulate and utilize your surroundings to
make it to tomorrow; the best/worst part of this approach is that there is literally no tutorial or guide on how to do just that. While the controls and premise of Don’t Starve aren’t complicated, you may believe yourself a master of the control scheme and the world you find yourself within the first 10 minutes of gameplay; however, that’s when you drop your guard and you realize you have no clue what you’re doing. There are meters that are never explained, tools, weapons, traps, and housing that needs to be created all without a guide, and once you manage all of this, you die. Yes, death is the real theme of Don’t Starve, and while you would think survival is important, some would say that death is the true purpose. With every death and start of a new game, you realize that you’ll be thrust into a new randomly generated world for
you to survive in, but you can further your grasp of the game and its play style. You will realize that you will be thrust into a new randomly generated world for you to survive in, and with that, your further grasp of the game and its play style. Don’t Starve is the game that you need to play if you need some fast-paced entertainment - that is, until you gain a better mastery of the world. Yes, you will begin to understand the randomly generated worlds that Wilson or any of the 8 unlockable characters can inhabit. While Klei Entertainment does a wonderful job at driving you and your selected character crazy all in the hopes of surviving until tomorrow, it can start to become a bit mundane. There are several achievable accomplishments during a survival attempt, none of which seem as rewarding as you thought they would be when you initially set out achieve said accomplishments. Not starving is at the core of this awesome game from Klei Entertainment, but what should drive every player are the hopes of surviving until you reach whatever ending there may be. And I promise there is an ending for anyone resourceful enough to find it.
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Political News
The Political Situation in Uganda In late February 2014, Uganda passed a law that caused a stir on the international level; it imposed prison sentences from seven years to life for those who participate in homosexual acts. Far from being the first setback experienced by the Ugandan LGBT community, it has certainly been one of the largest and most frightening. by: Alyssa Nabors Uganda achieved independence from Great Britain in 1962, and Yoweri Museveni has been its president since 1986. It was Museveni who signed the law in February that imposed life sentences on some homosexual acts. This is not the first law against homosexuality that has come into effect in Uganda; laws against sodomy from the period of Great Britain’s rule are still on the books. However, in a country where the LGBT community already faces hostility and violence, further action against them by the government is feared most of all to encourage citizens to increase the harassment the community faces in their day-to-day lives. Early drafts of the law proposed the death penalty for offenders as well as the incrimination of anyone not reporting homosexual activities they were aware of. With media
Early drafts of the law proposed the death penalty for offenders as well as the incrimination of anyone not reporting homosexual activities they were aware of. channels hostile enough to publish names and addresses of suspected homosexuals and a history of activists being subjected to imprisonment by the government and physical assault from citizens, is it any wonder that the passage of this law has gained international attention and concern? Condemnation from other nations has taken many forms. The EU is considering a resolution that bans the visas of individuals responsible for drafting and adopting the anti-gay legislation. While this will ultimately be left up to member nations, this will seriously impede Uganda’s ability to participate in political discussion on a global scale. Although he made no official statement regarding the law, the pope postponed his visit to the country until later this year. The World Bank also postponed a large loan to the country, stating clearly that the
new law was the cause. Many organizations that offer aid to the country have cut ties, causing a drastic economic effect on the value of Uganda’s shilling. The United States has yet to take punitive action, though a scheduled aid decrease coincided with the original passing of the bill in December 2013. It is a fact that a majority of African countries have laws against homosexuality. Some believe that Museveni, who changed the laws on presidential term limits before the last presidential election, is attempting to distract both his constituency and the
international community from his administration’s dictatorial acts. As a majority Christian and conservative country, it seems unlikely that Ugandan citizens will back down from their stance against homosexuality. Many activists and members of the LGBT community have been forced to cut contact with their families for fear of being turned in, or in some cases, have fled the country. Uganda also currently has more than 70,000 Sudanese refugees registered as seeking asylum in the country, feeling the violence in south Sudan. Will the loss of aid from foreign countries have a great impact on their ability to accommodate the surplus population? How will the LGBT rights advocates proceed in the face of extreme prison sentences as a consequence for their speech? The next few months will certainly be telling.
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Human Interest
Jennifer Lawrence Stands Explore dangers of misrepresentation of bodies in the media and why Jennifer Lawrence is considered to be one of the greatest role models of this generation. Furthermore, see and understand the consequences of our “ideal women”. By Erica Croft According to the National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders, up to 24 million people of all ages and genders suffer from an eating disorder in the United States. Not only that, but 42% of 1st to 3rd grade girls want to be thinner. These are little girls! But we’ve all heard this before. Most of us know that the ideal body type portrayed in advertising is possessed naturally by only 5% of American females. We hear all kinds of people telling us this and yet we still face the consequences. Body Shame, bullying, suicide, and eating disorders plague our society and usually our women. Jennifer Lawrence, the star of the increasingly popular Hunger Games Trilogy is often placed as the focal point of this movement. “I think the media needs to take responsibility for the effect it has on our younger generation, on these girls that are watching these television shows and picking up how to talk and how to be cool,” Jennifer said in an interview with Barbara Walters. Plenty of people see Katniss as the perfect role model for young girls and praise Jennifer not only for her staunch opinion about her weight being perfect but also for portraying a brave and complex character on screen when too often, it isn’t the case. “We have the ability to control this image that young girls are going to be seeing. We need to stop making girls see these bodies that are unable to obtain,” said Jennifer in a BBC interview. These images in movies and advertising can be pretty dangerous. Of course, this will never be exclusive to women; however, it is most common case. Often times, a company’s goal is to create its own disease through image and sell the cure through image. Promising the beautiful individual that there is something horribly wrong with them and they ought to be
ashamed and that, furthermore, the only way to fix themselves is to buy their product. Are these business tactics
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Human Interest
Up For You
Illustration by Eefje Savelkoul
creative capitalism or deliberate abuse and manipulation of women? Jennifer Lawrence told Barbara Walters that she believed calling somebody “fat” on television should be illegal. She could have been exaggerating, or she could truly believe that this kind of regulation is completely necessary. What can we do about this? Love yourself. Love your body. Don’t let yourself be manipulated. Love your bones or your fat. As youtuber Laci Green says, “Loving your body is a direct threat to fat shame. You are challenging that person’s expectation that you will feel at least insecure as they do about themselves.” That is the best first step all of us can take. Speak up about it. Whether you see it in your workplace or in your school’s hallways don’t just watch discrimination of anyone’s body happen. Most importantly we need to speak up on bigger platforms too. Poppy Harlow, a reporter for CNN spoke about how difficult it was to watch “as these two young men that had such promising futures, star football players; great students, literally watch as they believed their lives fell apart.” This was her comment on a particularly horrifying incident in Steubenville, Ohio where a girl at a party was repeatedly raped while unconscious in a basement. One of the boys responsible tweeted photos and text posts about it. We live in a society littered with rape culture and when it is seen; individuals need to know that they should step up as long as their personal safety isn’t in danger. What happened in Steubenville was horrifying and it could have been prevented if just one individual stood up for the victim. The media response could have been less horrible if it wasn’t sensationalized. This of course isn’t the only example and until we learn; history may repeat itself. Help fight against: Victim shame, fat shame, body shame, slut shame, and gender shame.
Most of us know that the ideal body type portrayed in advertising is possessed naturally by only 5% of American females. We hear all kinds of people telling us this and yet we still face the consequences. Body Shame, bullying, suicide, and eating disorders plague our society and usually our women. Jennifer Lawrence, the star of the increasingly popular Hunger Games Trilogy is often placed as the focal point of this movement.
A History of International Women’s Day On March 8, the world celebrated International Women’s Day, honoring both those who have fought for gender equality and recognizing and discussing the changes that will still need to be made. In honor of this occasion, we look back at the history of the event. By Lucy Pegg It’s now celebrated across the world as a national holiday, recognized by the United Nations and even doodled over the home page of Google, but International Women’s Day actually has its origins in the early twentieth century. In America on February 28, 1909, the Socialist Party of America organized the first National Women’s Day and women continued to celebrate this until 1913. The idea for an international day of celebration was first proposed by Clara Zetkin in 1910, who argued that on this is day, in every country, women would make clear their demands for increased equality; the idea was met with universal approval and International Women’s Day was born. After Russian women went on strike for enfranchisement on March 8, 1917, the date too became set. Since then, IWD has only grown. Following the first world war, even more women stood together in solidarity, and in 1975, the United Nations declared the year “International Women’s Year.” Now, more than a thousand events are staged across the world and despite the progress made in female emancipation, they continue to draw attention to the battles that still need to be fought for gender equality.
The idea for an international day of celebration was first proposed by Clara Zetkin in 1910, who argued that on this is day, in every country, women would make clear their demands for increased equality
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Science
Where Reality and Fiction Collide: How Sci Fi is Directing Tech The projection screens that Prim and Gale use to watch Katniss fight for her life; the holographic grid that the Gamemakers use to track the tributes and change the landscape; even the keypad and screen Foxface uses to study plant life — all of these are examples of fictional technologic interfaces. It may surprise you to know that as much as existing technology plays a role in how moviemakers design the props, the course of technologic development can be directed by film!
Did you know that one of the first mobile flip phones was a flop until it was redesigned to work like the communicators from the original Star Trek series? People already had an idea in their minds of how the technology should look and feel and behave, and it was enough to make a significant impact on the company’s ability to market their product. This is just one of the anecdotes contained in Make It So: Interactive Design Lessons from Science Fiction, a book by Nathan Shedroff and Christopher Noessel that catalogs and analyzes “speculative
Nathan Shedroff and Christopher Noessel catalog and analyze “speculative science fiction” films and TV shows that can teach us a lot about how people use a system and how a good system functions.
By Davidbspalding (Own work) [CC-BY-SA-3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/ licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
science fiction” film and TV shows. The technology featured in these films is usually designed and depicted by individuals with little knowledge of the reality of the tech they are representing. However, what these creative individuals produce can teach us a lot about
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how people use a system and how a good system functions. Shedroff and Noessel collected many stills of these films and shows and ran certain kinds of automated analysis, looking at fonts and colors, as well as separating the interfaces by type, such
as holographic display (or, to be more technically precise, volumetric projection), audio (sonic) interface, and augmented reality. When we look at the aggregate sample in these categories, it is easy to come to certain conclusions about how such systems should be designed. For example, the sound produced by opening a communication channel in Star Trek: The Next Generation is mirrored by the sound produced by a channel closing. Seeing this type of pattern (musical tones for good system status, harsh tones for an error,
Science
etc.), we can conclude about any system that produces noise as feedback as written in the book: LESSON: ASSIGN ONE SYSTEM SOUND PER SYSTEM EVENT Users need to be able to differentiate system sounds to understand their meaning. Systems that use multiple
sounds and sound sequences to communicate system messages will require some learning, but ultimately they communicate more information. In addition, the sounds need to be used consistently with specific actions in order to be associated with those actions. For systems that don’t seem to make sense, the authors apply a technique called apologetics, borrowed
from theology, in which they attempt to come up with a rational explanation for why a system behaves a certain way. For example, a character in 2001: A Space Odyssey makes a video call to his daughter, who mashes the keys of the control panel but doesn’t affect the call. While this may seem like a production oversight, when you consider that the system may be able to discern the age of the user, it makes sense that it
would ignore a child’s random key presses to accidentally disconnect the call. Some technologies, like the Hunger Games’ Gamemaker map, seem too far-fetched. However, for Douglas Caldwell of the U.S. Army Topographic Engineering Center, seeing a similar interface in the first X-Men movie inspired him to propose the creation of Xenotran Mark II Sand Table, used by generals in the field to observe the local topography and discuss battle strategy. What about the plant-identifying keyboard? While such a large single-purpose system might not trouble anyone in the Capitol, surely we could use that giant monitor for some purpose other than just quizzing ourselves on poisonous plants? Let’s practice a little apologetics ourselves here. Since the keyboard was a touch screen, isn’t it plausible that there is a program to bring up whatever kind of input is required, a sort of contextual keyboard? Now that’s something that could really come in handy in our lifetime!
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Science
Muttations and Mockingjays: The Reality of Genetic Manipulation Mockingjays, tracker-jackers, and weird dog things with dead kids’ eyes… ew, that last one still grosses me out. While these mutated animals may seem the most far-fetched of the Capitol’s technical wonders, it might surprise you what scientists have already accomplished in engineering new animal strains. by: Alyssa Nabors Great strides are being made in genetic engineering. In January of this year, Chinese researchers successfully created two genetically modified monkeys; however, out of ten implanted pregnancies, only that one pair have the target genetic mutations. Those ten pregnancies were the only successes in eighty-three implantations. The fact is that any genome is so complex that specific mutations are difficult to achieve, and multiple mutations can have unexpected impacts on each other. Therefore, even those two successfully engineered monkeys are a huge milestone for the scientific community. Greater strides have been made in agriculture than wild animals. Two marine biologists, Ruth Gates and Madeleine von Oppen, have discovered a way to ensure that coral can respond better to environmental pH changes through genetic manipulation. The department of Soil and Crop Sciences at Texas A&M has been working for years developing strains of drought and disease resistant
maize and sorghum. The fact is that a less complex genome is easier to manipulate. The most successful advances in the field have been modifying viruses and bacteria. Another factor in the genetic manipulation of animals is the ethical implications. Many people have attempted to complete projects that were more focused on profit than scientific discovery or the improvement of quality of life. There is also some question of human hubris, calling back to Jeff Goldblum’s rant from Jurassic Park: “Your scientists were so preoccupied with whether or not they could that they didn't stop to think if they should.” Movies like Rise of the Planet of the Apes and Splice cover what could happen when genetic manipulation goes horribly wrong. The book Frankenstein’s Cat by Emily Anthes takes a more realistic look at projects that are in the works or have been completed, and the ethical implications of the direction research is going. There is always c o n s e quences to experimentation. In a way, the breeding of cats and dogs is a genetic manipulation that has backfired on us already; purebreds always have a higher health risk than mixed breeds, no matter how much we love the Dalmatian's spots or the munchkin cat’s adorably short legs. However, the knowledge we have a chance to achieve may be worth the price we end up paying; the more we learn about animal genomes, the more conclusions we can draw about our own. The end game may not be a new kind of biological warfare as the muttations in The Hunger Games but a higher quality of life for us and the world we live in.
Illustration by: David Pantoja
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History
What’s with all the Bunnies?
Illustration by: Sarah Lowe
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History In my 26 years, Easter, like Christmas has been a secular holiday. Yet when I was sent to “Sunday school” I would learn about the brutal judicial execution of an outspoken radical who spoke out against the establishment, also known as the Romans (I am looking at the backstory of Easter from an anthropology lens, so please don’t take offense). How did we go from an execution and resurrection of a poor Jew named Jesus to magical bunnies that leave chocolaty treats and small toys?! By Katherine Taylor
When I was young, I found it hard to understand or reconcile the two faces of Easter. On one side, I was learning that Jesus died for our sins. On the other side, we are being given the one thing I failed to give up for lent the first 16 years of my life. CHOCOLATE. What did Chocolate have to do with the crucifixion? Your guess was as good as mine. I suspected it had to do with the color of the wood. Also rabbits. What did they use rabbit holes to hold up the crosses? These questions were never found amusing by either the laymen teachers or the nuns. Except, interestingly, the Deccan who told me to look into it. This is what I gotIn our day in age, Easter, just like Christmas is an amalgamation of all the outlining
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It’s got nothing to do with it, has it? Kids eating the chocolate eggs, and adults going, “remember kids, Jesus died for your sins.” “Yeah I know it’s great!” “No, no! It’s bad!” “No it’s bad, it’s terrible. Whatever you want, just keep giving me these eggs. – Eddie Izzard and phased out holidays that would also take place during this time of the year. Well what holidays are we talking about here? Easter is anywhere between March 22nd, and April 25th every year,
which is based on the first full moon after the spring or “vernal” equinox. Or in English, March 21st. There are several holidays in the pagan calendar that fall into or very close to this time period. Imbolc (though in February, is spring related and shares the same day as Groundhog’s day in the US), Spring Equinox or Eoster(new life coming to the earth), and the most famous of the pagan holidays Beltane (the sacred marriage, maypole dances, drinking, and fornication). Leaving Roman pagan holidays out by name, there are literally over 10 holidays within the timeframe. Easter itself didn’t become a bit of a celebration until the 2nd century. Prior to this, it was considered an aspect of Passover. Not until the First Council of Nicaea was it given it’s designations we would recognize today. That is if you know the religious stuff behind the holiday in the first place. For centuries where have been controversies surrounding the date of Easter even after the First Council.
History Adding to the confusion, when Christianity began splintering, different groups started to do their own thing, or stopped observing Easter to some degree considering it to be ‘Pagan’ or ‘Popish’. Symbols of Easter have interesting history. For instance, colored and decorated eggs have been around for eons. The oldest known decorated egg, was an Ostrich egg that was engraved dated to 60,000 years ago. Gold and silver adorned Ostrich eggs are common finds in the graves of Sumerians and Egyptians. When Christianity became the IT thing to be, Easter eggs started to take shape as we know today, but
Now, the most obvious question, what do rabbits have to do with the Crucifixion? As it turns out; absolutely nothing. In ancient pagan religions, Rabbits, or hares were and still are symbols of fertility. It was observed that each spring hares would give birth to large litters thus becoming symbols of the Spring Equinox. Where did the links with Christianity and Easter come about? Well it originates among German Lutherans of all places. To be fair though, so do Christmas Trees, and Santa Claus. Anyway, the character of the Easter Rabbit, or Easter Hare began as a judge kind of figure who would judge if children were good or bad around
with a slightly morbid feel. Instead of the bright pastels of today, early Christians of Mesopotamia stained eggs red for the blood of Christ. This must have caught on, because the Church finally adopted the custom (specifically pointing out that eggs were a symbol of resurrection) in 1610 by Pope Paul V.
Eastertide. As for as ties to Christianity itself, at some point in the Middle Ages, it was widely believed that rabbits were hermaphrodites. Thereby they didn’t need to “fornicate” to have babies. Which made them become linked to the Virgin Mary. Don’t ask me how that works. However, Hares were usually featured
in illuminated manuscripts. Fun fact about rabbits, they can conceive a second litter while still pregnant with the first. Whole new add-on to ‘Breed like a Rabbit’. Everyone’s favorite, CANDY! So why do children get candy on Easter? The same reason kids get presents on Christmas… Bribery. Basically we tell children if they are good, they get rewarded. However most parents still get their kids presents and candies even if their kid is asking for an ass beating. (sorry, born in the 80’s when it was still socially acceptable to discipline your children) Going back to the Judge Easter Rabbit thing, if children were judged as good, they would receive candies. The Easter Rabbit started delivering colored eggs when German Protestants wanted to retain eating colored eggs on Easter, but not partake in fasting. Or if you are Catholic, it’s called Lent. Which apparently in the old-n-days, included no eggs, meat, alcohol, and for the really hardcore any kind of sex, including marital sex. I imagine that list may also
include fun, but I have not found conclusive evidence as of yet. Looking back on most children’s second favorite holiday from the standpoint of an adult, needless to say this holiday is a special kind of weird. Magical and sometimes talking Rabbits (voiced by Hugh Jackman) brake into your homes with baskets full of candy and small toys. (Hey this sounds a lot like another holiday) From a kid’s point of view, you tend to not even question it, or care about the history behind it. Discovering the history, at least for me is half the fun, and watching kids cry sitting on the Easter Bunny’s lap at the mall is the other half. Or watching Jay and Silent Bob knock him out in out in Mallrats is equally as entertaining. Whatever your little family traditions are about Easter, be it stuffed animals, baskets full of candy, coloring eggs with younger cousins you only see twice a year. Have fun, enjoy, and remember the snow should be over by this point!
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Fun Art & Literature How at home are you in dystopian literature? Find out by taking this dystopian literature trivia quiz! By Alyssa Nabors
1
What early 20th century author correctly predicted the creation of the European Union in his work, but did not expect flight to be a tenable form of transportation before the 1950s?
2 3
Suzanne Collins’ series prior to The Hunger Games centered on a lost civilization hidden where?
What rite of passage do The Giver and The City of Ember have in common?
4 5
What novel is presented in the context of transcriptions from cassette tapes?
What term coined in George Orwell’s 1984 is often used to describe deliberately misleading language?
6
What classic novel and modern YA novel have common themes of populous control via oversaturation of recreational activities as well as medical interference?
7
In what post-zombie-apocalypse series have bloggers replace media outlets as the most reliable source of news?
by Mira Grant. from the very moment of artificial conception. 7. Newsflesh adolescence, while in Brave New World, it is conducted the medical interference in Uglies is postponed until Newspeak. 6: Brave New World and Uglies, although assignment is random. 4: The Handmaid’s Tale. 5: City. 3: The assigning of jobs, although in Ember, the Answers: 1: H.G. Wells. 2: Miles underneath New York 28
The Anglerfish | Issue 3 Volume 2 March 2014
A MATTER OF INVESTMENT “All for all and all for one” Indeed. A *strong* woman, Depicted. (A JOKE) The crooked agent of a newspaper tycoon. A prostitute. A woman fooled by a child. Two scantily dressed women A reporter made of a man. A reporter made of a man. Seemingly nameless. None could remember it when it was over. What is it? Exactly. A name, a woman. /N/o/t/h/i/n/g/ Lost in the folds of the performance of men. And a male world. It’s a matter of transaction. It’s a matter of transaction. For a woman, Katherine Plumber, To be made of a man, Bryan Denton. Who? The movie character – a strong, independent male. Only weakness was his *W*o*r*k.* Becomes what? A woman who’s the daughter of a villain. A love interest. It’s a matter of fanfiction. It’s simply for investment. It’s simply for investment, To make a man a woman. The audience is drawn to the woman, Not because of her character. But For A K I S S It draws people in. The screams of the crowd, It’s the same, lostandmuddled by the Money hitting the stage.
Art & Literature Leaves people wanting more. And more. And more. What is a strong woman? What is a strong woman? Well obviously one isn’t found here. Sure we see her forsake money for Letters and punctuation and paper. But she is s l o w to STAND UP for herself. Not able to stand face to face. But easily escapes To be loud on the streets. A great representation. A great representation Especially to all those in communications. Especially journalism. Unable to see past the cockiness of a boy, Until the realization: He’s an ARTIST Of course. And then it’s all means of attraction. It’s what draws her to the story. A pull in the abdomen (to make her passionate). Not passionate for her words. But to make a point to her father. And more so, To gain a man. A womanly enterprise. A womanly enterprise. By definition: The womanly thing to do. To think only of ~FANTASIES~ of the heart and sex. Does nothing to fight the common theme of media: The idea that women sleep for the story.
A woman in a man’s world. A King of New York. An impossible circumstance To be a queen Or even a princess. Unless at the side of a Troublemaking, crime-attracting hero, Or a tycoon. Never by her own right. Never by her own right, May a woman find her place in this world. Her stardom, her accomplishments, *Are allowed* … Nay, GIVEN By man. Her access and inspiration, Offered by man. Interested in her Looks and body. Mind is a second. That is a woman’s place in the world. That’s a woman’s place in this world. As a thing for Fansies to squeal over, To disregard her growth, Or how her finest moment of aiding the protagonist Only happened because of her Knowledgeable Male Friends. A money making device, Never a model for young women journalists. She portrays all that women are attacked for in communications, Proving they may be right. Where are the women in Newsies? They were left in the film. Only men exist in the show. Them and devices. “All for all and all for one.”
Submit your art or writing to us at theanglerfishmagazine@ gmail.com or our Tumblr! It doesn’t have to be Nerdfighter related, share what you want to share. Have you submitted something and it’s not in The Anglerfish? Don’t worry, we’re probably just saving it for a future issue.
By Melissa Heineman A Response to the Broadway Show Newsies
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Art & Literature
By Jacquelyn Files The Fox and the Star
By Mert Keรงeli
Jennifer Lawrence
By David Pantoja Little Death
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The Anglerfish | Issue 3 Volume 2 March 2014
Art & Literature
By Eefje Savelkoul
By David Pantoja
Left: Zelda Below: Little Death
I use my daily commute to fill my sketchbook with whatever pops into my head. See more at: eefjes.wordpress.com
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