Fall 2018
42  Fuse
As leaves begin to fall from the trees, fashion takes a turn for the comfortable. This issue’s shoot combines neutrals with jewel tones to explore the essence of fall fashion and how to balance your wardrobe.
Fall 2018 Culture
8 Giving Boston Its Due A Look Into Art Community
Travel
Campus
34 The Great Escape How Travel Helps People “Escape”
70 Satisfying Terrier Taste Buds Evolution of BU Dining
12 Constructing a New Culture
38 A Hiker’s Paradox Climbing to Everest Base Camp
Wellness
Fashion
Music
58 The Hype Behind Hypebeasts Appropriating Street Style
78 On The Record Working Without A Major Label
Increasing STEAM Programs in Boston
16 Reaching For Guidance Benefits of Therapy 20 Diet Industry in Disguise Investigating Shifting Frameworks
61 Mile-High Fashion Styling for Air Travel
City
Food
24 Through The Fog Emerald Necklace Celebrates 20
62 The Good, The Bad & The Rotten Understanding Fermented Food
30 Building A Legacy History of Brattle Book Shop
66 The Syntax of Menus Choosing the Right Meal
Years
74 From Visas to Jet Lag Life As An International Student
82 Short Lived Success Analyzing One-Hit Wonders
Contents
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Ariana Quihuiz Editor-in-Chief Creative Director Valentina Wicki Art Director Katie Hong Managing Editor Ashley Griffin Head Copy Editor Caroline Smith Publisher Mari Andreatta Print Photography Director Noor Nasser Online Photography Director Amanda Willis Section Editors Campus Geneve Lau City Kate Thrane Culture Megan Mulligan Fashion Melony Breese-Forcier Food Kady Matsuzaki Music Karissa Perry Travel Vanessa Ullman Wellness Riley Sugarman Opinion Anu Sawhney Publishing Team Event Coordinator Samantha Cartwright Marketing Manager Alejandra Aristeguieta Social Media Manager Hannah Leve Creative Team Asli Aybar, Solana Chatfield, Amber Jared Emily Knobloch, Ting Wei Li, Shaina Schnog, Angela Sun, Angie Wijaya, Sharon Zhong Copy Editing Team Sabrina Weiss, Mia Etem, Ally Bryant
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Photography Team Haley Hart-Thompson, Carina Lee, Ece Yavuz, Vanya Kohlweg Benavente, Brittany Bauman Thuy-An Ngyuen, Anh Ngyuen, Ember Larregui Olivia Sokol, Emma Simonoff, Sahana Sreeprakash, Rachel Callahan, Diego Pereira Cardoso Editorial Team Campus Amille Bottom, Carlee Campuzano, Isaac Word, Kami Rieck, Stella Lorence City Sabrina Weiss, Marissa Wu, Shubhankar Arun Culture Noemi Arellano-Summer, Danielle Gabriel, Hannah Harn, Hailey Hart-Thompson, Riley Lane, Hannah Lee, Martha Merrow, Thuy-An Nguyen, Ananya Panchal, Elsa Scott, Vanessa Ullman Fashion Solana Chatfield, Puja Patel, Madison Duddy, Rebecca Golub, Caroline Shamon, Sarah Lamour Food Hannah Lee, Lindsey Rosenblatt, Katherine Wright, Riley Holcomb Music Georgia Kotsinis, Riley Lane, Minh Anh Nguyen, Austin Pak, Cole Schoneman, Rhoda Yun Travel Amille Bottom, Noemi Arellano-Summer, Roma Patel, Thuy-An Nguyen Wellness Kiana Carver, Anjali Balakrishna, Katherine Wright, Amelia Murray-Cooper Opionion Niya Doyle, Elsa Scott, Katherine Wright, Isaac Word
Contributors Our Fall 2018 issue would not have been possible without the help of many outside students and partners who shared their talents, insights and time. We would like to thank each and every new and existing relationship, and we look forward to our continued parnership in the future. Supporters Dean Thomas Fiedler Elisabeth Symczak Dean John Battaglino Allocations Board, Boston University Student Activities Office, BU Blaze Pizza, Boston (BU) Insomnia Cookies, Boston
On the Cover Jiaqi Zhang (COM ‘21) wears Blue Blush “Azaria Jumpsuit” in coco and En Creme “Roosevelt Jacket” in blush. Déanna Clark-Campbell (CAS’21) wears off-the-shoulder sweater dress in blush, knee-high boots in taupe and Floral Clutch. Stores LIT Boutique 223 Newbury Street Boston, MA 02116 (617) 421-8637 @litboutique Models Déanna Clark-Campbell (CAS ’21) Dennis Karpovitch (QST ‘21) Jorge Nario (CAS ‘20) Jiaqi Zhang (COM ‘21)
Masthead & Contributors
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“If you start to notice your life isn’t going in the direction that you intended, then change the course” 6
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However you define change over time: evolution, growth, reinvention, progress – it’s all relative to the fact that no person, place, or object ever stays exactly the same. It’s important to grow and learn from your mistakes. But, trying to grow and progress as an individual can be extremely daunting. You’re often caught asking yourself: How do I define myself? Can I improve? Am I improving? How do I make my decisions differently? Partaking in self-reflection is a significant part of personal progress, but it’s easier said than done. Most people when asked to analyze themselves, shy away or are unsure of how to answer. Which is when you become stagnant, allowing fear to keep you from becoming the better version of yourself. This could mean anything from not believing in yourself enough to go for that new job or sabotaging your relationships and not taking the time to figure out why. Abraham Maslow, an American psychologist once said: “One can choose to go back towards safety or forward toward growth. Growth must be chosen again and again; fear must be overcome again and again.”
Fear can lead to regret and regret can lead to unhappiness, taking a toll on the psyche. Change doesn’t have to mean you completely alter your life. If you start to notice your life isn’t going in the direction that you intended, then change the course. Even if that means taking baby steps towards your goal. In a year where we have seen so much change, some good and some bad, it’s become extremely important to advocate for not only yourself, but others and not be afraid to be critical in the process of progression. In the Fall 2018 issue of The Buzz we take a look at the various changes that are occurring all around us, in the city of Boston and right on our campus. From the discussion of therapy and its benefits in our Wellness section, to the exploration of how traveling can affect mental and physical health in our Travel section, to taking a look into the history of Boston’s often overlooked art community in our Culture section and the progression of BU’s dining services in our Campus section, this magazine continues to be a platform for the discussion of progression.
In our Fashion section, we explore the changing of the seasons and how that affects our sense of fashion. Our fall shoot fuses together the ideas of comfortability and fashionability by pairing more subtle pieces of clothing with a statement item. Capturing the essence of autumn and what we see as the timeless trends of fall. We all have the ability to grow, whether we realize it or not. There is no ceiling for what we can accomplish or who we can become. Starting new or taking a different course in life is unsettling, but is almost always fulfilling in the end. The Buzz has reinvented itself once or twice, and we’ve continued to grow for the better with every issue that we release. We hope that we continue to progress in how we tell stories and as always, encourage you to raise your voice to tell your own. Ariana Quihuiz Editor-in-Chief
Letter from the Editor
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GIVING BOSTON ITS DUE: A Look Into the Art Community
by Martha Merrow/ design by Angie Wijaya/ photo by Ember Larregui
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“People don’t think of Boston as an arts city, until they visit SoWa,”
Boston has been known as a city of tradition and conservative intellect. It’s the home to distinguished educational institutions like Harvard University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and classical attractions like the Freedom Trail and Faneuil Hall. As the American hallmark of liberty and democracy, Boston enjoys its reputation as the nation’s historical brain and heart. Yet as years go by, the city moves away from its perhaps neo-puritanical roots and toward a sense of hidden, underrated leadership in innovative arts and culture. Like the larger nation it represents, Boston’s modern identity is transforming to represent a more fluid future. It is becoming a place that includes the handprints of a diverse artistic community. When you venture outside the walls of staples like the Museum of Fine Arts, a different artistic scene is there, thriving and waiting to be seen. The SoWa Art and Design District on Harrison Avenue was named the country’s 2nd best arts destination in 2015 by US News and World Reports. The neighborhood is home to not only its famous open-air artisan markets but also to a diverse community of close-knit artists. Debby Krim, artist and Boston University alum, said she believes SoWa is one of Boston’s greatest cultural assets. She co-directs the SoWa Artists Guild, and has three of her own studios throughout the district. She showcases her fine art paintings, jewelry and photography there and has called SoWa her home for the past 15 years. In that decade and a half, she said she has watched the community transform into a leading cultural destination. 10 the buzz
Today, SoWa houses the studios and galleries of more than 450 artists, with work ranging from abstract art, photography, sculpture, pottery and graphic design. The district’s famous Open Studios draw crowds of thousands of visitors, when on the first Friday of every month, SoWa studio spaces and galleries are open to the public. It’s taken a long time to get here. 25 years ago, 450 Harrison Avenue was home to struggling, squatting artists living and working amongst drug dealers and prostitutes, Krim said. At one point near the end of the century, SoWa’s current building management company, GTI, moved in and offered cheap rent to artists; Krim was one of them. “I’ve never looked back,” Krim said. “That is one of the best decisions I’ve ever made in my life.” To Krim, the community at SoWa is home to some of the most genuine and talented artists in Boston. Tom Stocker is one of them. A pointillist painter and oriental rug designer, Stocker has found immense success selling unexpected realist works across the globe. He moved into the South End of Boston in 1965, and he has had held a studio at SoWa for seven years. From Stocker’s view, Boston artists face a unique challenge in the city’s abundance of colleges and universities: With so many artists graduating from universities each year, the city experiences a unique “artist glut,” which oversaturates the markets and increases competition, he said. Despite this, SoWa provides Boston artists a refreshingly harmonious space. Krim said the South End’s localization and collaborative feel separates it from other galleries and neighbor-
hoods across the country. The artists live only a few doors apart from their colleagues. Visitors from every corner of the world come to visit the South End for its lively creative community, the products artisans make and the studio homes they’ve built. “People don’t think of Boston as an arts city, until they visit SoWa,” Krim said. “When they do, their entire view of the city changes.” In Dorchester, artists and designers are also finding a welcoming space and voice. The Design Studio for Social Intervention (DS4SI) is a creativity lab for social justice work in the public sphere. The lab invites artists and academics from across the city and state to approach complex social issues through their medium of choice. Together, DS4SI creators design social interventions to engage the public in conversation and inspire them to work toward solutions for social ills. In 2015, DS4SI’s Black Citizenship Project invited artists from the greater Boston area to engage the public in various performative art pieces. These pieces reacted to police brutality occurring across the United States and throughout history. Lori Lobenstine, community activist and DS4SI’s program design lead, said that all too often, the challenge of solving society’s most intractable problems, such as racism, climate change or gentrification and displacement, emdashes instead fall on those feeling the brunt of them. “DS4SI is important because we bring new tools and new players into the community together to take on these problems,” Lobenstine said. “We believe the social justice sector needs space and time to imagine new solutions, and
we bring together artists, residents, activists, merchants, students, tricksters and more to take on the problem at hand.” The mission and work of DS4SI, along with the mission of other artists taking part in collaborative social justice and design, is more evidence of Boston’s ability to intersect fields and provide groundbreaking, creative innovation. The performing arts space in Boston is also looking to break ground: ask Cerise Lim Jacobs. She’s the creator and librettist of White Snakes Projects, an innovative opera production house that combines performance arts with social activism. Jacobs commissions, writes and produces original opera productions that highlight values from activist groups and comment on social issues. Each year, the company chooses a social issue to focus in their writing and production. 2018’s theme is ALS, disability and representation in society and culture. “PermaDeath,” a transmedia opera production that combined disability representation with video games and CGI technology, featured a wheelchair bound main character. Jacobs, as writer, said the piece prioritized
representation for disabled viewers and Bostonians. Jacobs, of Boston’s 100 Most Influential People of Color this year, studied law at Harvard University and committed much of her life to public service. Today, she operates her own charitable foundation to help fund local Boston arts and performance. She believes that although it is difficult to spark public interest in opera, she has found a way of gaining attention through using the common language of video games and the rallying cry of social issues. Still, the opera audience in Boston is especially conservative. “The number one reason why most companies do not produce original works is because it is a guaranteed money-loser,” Jacobs said. “I don’t think people appreciate how much risk is involved in a production like PermaDeath.” Boston’s conservatism has led to artistic conformity, Jacobs argues. She often feels like an outlier, as the larger establishment of both arts and press fails to understand her work. Jacobs’ work cannot fit into a pigeon-hole niche or genre, but this uniqueness and free-spirit is something she has learned to embrace. “When I watch my production go on from
my seat, I am totally satisfied that I am doing the right thing,” she said. Even so, Bostonians and Boston arts groups should be doing more to support indie artists. The MFA and the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum do well on their own because of their strong history and funding. Meanwhile, smaller companies have to make do with very little. “We’re simply not valued,” Jacobs said. “As a result, artists who want to continue in this arena have to do it on their own.” But, Boston is still a city of the classics. It will always be known, for its standout hallmarks of culture and recognizable charm. The preservation of this identity—and of the heavyweight champs of artistic leadership—is crucial. To grow from its roots, funding and attention must be awarded to the underdogs.Above all, the city has and will always be home to a myriad of smart, thoughtful creators, working and bending against traditional expectations. Boston should take note of its democratic history: listen up and move over. The artists are coming.
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CONSTRUCTING A NEW CULTURE Increasing STEAM Programs in Boston by Noemi Arellano-Summer/ design by Ting Wei Li / photo by Brittany Bauman
Science and liberal arts, although seemingly disparate, have long served as the foundation for intellectual pursuit and discovery. As American astronomer Carl Sagan once said, “It is the tension between creativity and skepticism that has produced the stunning unexpected findings of science.” To encourage this pursuit of wonder, educators across the country have been altering STEM programs—curriculum focused on science, technology, engineering and mathematics—into “STEAM” programs to include the arts, from theatre and music to painting and writing. STEM programs are an essential part of most elementary, middle, high and university level curriculums. “STEM” refers to either foundational learning requirements or whole departments at the university level. There are even entire high schools dedicated to biology, engineering and other “hard sciences.” Arts and culture advocates encourage schools to add a letter to the acronym, making it STEAM, to integrate more arts education in daily curricula. STEAM advocates consider artistic creativity crucial for young students. “Artists tend to be very holistic thinkers, in my experience, and creating connections comes naturally,” said Boston University arts education professor Felice Amato. “Last year we worked on dyeing and felting wool in the classroom and looked at the science of those processes. I try to model opening up whatever you are teaching to the natural web of inquiry and connections that can be made in almost any art project.”
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Across Boston, these programs are succeeding in the eyes of educators and students alike. Boston’s Museum of Fine Arts (MFA) runs a paid summer fellowship for teenagers, called the STEAM Team. This pre-college program focuses on experimental and developmental learning activities across artistic and scientific exploration. Expert mentors in each of the disciplines guide the six-week fellowship, which includes field trips and job shadows to learn more about workplace opportunities for different fields within STEAM. STEAM Team participants are encouraged to develop a well-rounded education. The program also includes leadership development workshops and wellness training. Romy St. Hilaire, STEAM Team Coordinator, believes the arts have a purpose in STEAM. “Unfortunately, a lot of resources and focus has been driven away from the arts in our nation’s educational priorities,” she said. “I think this does a major disservice to cultivating the whole potential of our young people’s capabilities. A lot of fields benefit greatly from creative thinkers and giving young people the tools to think outside the box leads to innovation.” This past year, the program introduced a new element for the academic year, adding shadowing opportunities, workforce workshops and professional development for teens and staff. St. Hilaire also mentioned a specific activity from this past summer’s students: specialized art and science events around topics normally not explored in the classroom. This session allowed students to learn about the Benin kingdom and explore the galleries’ collections with the Curator of African and Oceanic Art. “For many of the students, it was their first time being exposed to these issues, and it was interesting for them to learn more about the complexities of trying to solve them,” Hilaire said. “It was a fiery debate but showcased the students’ strengths individually and as teams to create compelling arguments.” The Boston Arts Academy has a specialty lab for STEAM. The lab, which opened in 2014, boasts an artist’s studio. The space serves as a resource for teachers and students to combine the STEAM disciplines in projects. This included 3D design and printing, fabrication and electronics among other ideas. One student used fabrication, new media and woodwork to create a video projector. “I see cultivating the kind of curiosity about the world, for example, that science can bring to art, as an important habit of the mind,”
said Amato. “It is part of students’ learning to synthesize and see the holistic nature of human activities—including making art.” Donna Sartanowicz, a Brookline High School teacher, presented the combination of field science and drawing to Amato’s students, using comic book strategies to get across the concepts of hierarchies of information and relationships of time. “I am also concerned that STEAM has become a buzzword that, in the education world, can eclipse other priorities and become a fad where token gestures are made in both directions,” Amato said. “We are concerned about the quality of art and art experiences offered if art becomes a tool to teach other things instead of organically connecting high-quality arts experiences with high quality STEM content.” Grace Lennon, currently pursuing a B.F.A. in Painting and an M.A. in Arts Education at Boston University, became interested in combining art with science in high school, and she decided to continue her passion in college. “I have made STEAM one of my major focus areas and I have done multiple unit and lesson plans that include STEAM components,” she said. “These include STEAM activities at every educational level; for example, grade students may be drawing and learning about colorful fish. I want to continue infusing STEAM into my lesson plans, as I feel like it provides students with the ability to explore and have a creative outlet that helps them understand the world and how we exist.” Despite the growing interest among current and future educators, some believe that the area of STEAM education has a long way to go. “I think that STEAM education programs are somewhat in their infancy still today,” Lennon said. “Students can learn the valuable skill of creative problem solving in a way that I don’t think they gain from other subjects.” Lennon said she thinks parents and principals believe STEAM includes the arts as a pity move, as they still don’t believe art to be as important as science or math. However, she agreed that it is “an ongoing debate.” Students can explore their own “STEAM” path. At BU “The Experimental Photograph” is a College of Fine Arts course that combines STEM principles such as engineering and neuroscience with photography and new media. Using different types of photography and printing processes, students gain the skills to work with historical processes, as well as current ones.
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STEAM Team participants are encouraged to develop a well-rounded education. ” Culture 13
beantown and the big screen 14
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boston university movie cameos by Vanessa Ullman/ design by Valentina Wicki/ photo by Olivia Sokol
It’s no secret that Boston has a reputation when it comes to the big screen. From the 1989 Academy Award-winning Good Will Hunting to the more recent Oscar winner Spotlight, Massachusetts has had its fair share of representation throughout the years. The city’s screen time can be seen as a positive depiction of a place whose culture is built on pride. Whether seen in comedies or dramas, Bostonians are distinctly proud of their city and of their Boston heritage. What attracts film fanatics to the city? Is it the New England aesthetics and tastes or the highly mimicked accent? Below are some standout films that feature the expansive Boston University campus and the charm of Boston, Massachusetts.
Ghostbusters
The all-female 2016 remake of the sci-fi/ comedy classic Ghostbusters showcased the BU Castle, shortly before renovations, and its historic stone front and mysterious allure.
Mr. Church
This 2016 film includes a picturesque view of Marsh Plaza and other BU campus standouts. The main character, as played by Britt Robertson, aspires to attend her dream college, Boston University.
The Company Men
Starring Kevin Costner, Tommy Lee Jones and Massachusetts native Ben Affleck, the 2010 film The Company Men features several shots of BU and Commonwealth Avenue. The main characters are struggling with the collapse of their ship-building company, evoking Boston’s deeply held blue-collar roots.
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REACHING FOR GUIDANCE Benefits of Therapy
by Riley Sugarman/ design by Sharon Zhong/ photo by Noor Nasser
Mental health has finally started to lose its stigma in recent years, especially with the help of events such as Mental Health Awareness Week and Mental Health Awareness Month. Unfortunately, the stigma has yet to lift from a crucial aspect of mental health awareness and recovery: therapy. According to Time Magazine, an average of 30 percent more college students visited counseling centers between 2009 and 2015. Additionally, in the spring of 2017, approximately 40 percent of college students reported that they felt depression had negatively affected their ability to function and 61 percent reported feeling overwhelming anxiety. Dr. Kara Curry, Tufts Medical Child Psychiatry fellow, said those in academic and clinical psychiatry are aware of this trend. “The pressure to perform well in college and college academic standards and requirements are continually increasing—students are overwhelmed, and understandably, worried that they may not be able to measure up,” Dr. Curry said. Even so, the average university has just one therapist per 1,737 students. This horrifying ratio shows that mental health awareness still has a long way to go, even with the number of struggling students skyrocketing. The lack of resources for students struggling with mental health can leave many wondering what to do next and how to seek help.
Wellness 17
Why is Therapy Important? Many think therapy is only for those at the end of their ropes and as a result, those with high-to-moderate-functioning disorders tend to believe they don’t need help. Kiana Carver (COM ’21) did not seek out therapy initially. When she hit a dark place, Carver knew it was time to get help and jumped in head first. “I was very reluctant to go, but looking back, I realize it is one of the best decisions I made for my mental health,” Carver said. Going to therapy can help with more than just dealing with emotional struggles. It is a safe space where anyone can go for an objective, third-party perspective. Livestrong.com reported that a therapist can explain which behaviors and thought processes are normal and concerning. We don’t know how our own minds truly work and it’s impossible to know if everything we think and do is healthy. Seeing a therapist can tell you what you do and don’t need help with and what to do from there. Jenna LaBorde (CAS ’21) said she has benefited greatly from her time in therapy. Even if she isn’t struggling with anything in particular, talking through her thoughts with a professional is always helpful. “Just talking to [my therapist] feels like a weight off my shoulders,” LaBorde said.
Psychology vs. Psychiatry: What’s the Difference? There are many different types of therapy. This can be overwhelming for someone just stepping into the world of mental health services and counseling. However, it’s better to have several options than not enough. The two main categories are psychology and psychiatry, and they typically work in tandem. Both diagnose and treat mental disorders in patients, but psychiatrists must complete medical school and can prescribe medication. Psychologists rely on psychotherapy: the treatment of mental disorders without medication. The main types of psychotherapy are Psychodynamic Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT). Psychodynamic Therapy is also known as insight-oriented therapy. It focuses on one’s emotions and behaviors to find how it manifests in daily life and interpersonal relationships, with self-awareness as the end goal, according to PsychCentral. CBT focuses on changing the patient’s desired behaviors and thought-patterns. The patient and therapist will come up with strategies to combat unhealthy ways of thinking or behaving. DBT is used to treat those who react with emotional intensity in interpersonal situations, such as those with Borderline Personality Disorder, and typically have little self-awareness and few coping skills. DBT helps patients come up with coping
The lack of resources for students struggling with mental health can leave many wondering what to do next and how to seek help. 18
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mechanisms and apply them to daily life. Psychology Today stated, “Psychiatrists are legally and clinically the lead professionals responsible for the overall mental health care of the patient.” Medication is often another stigmatized aspect of mental health. Many think psychotherapy should be enough to combat mental illness and believe medication can become addictive and change the user’s personality. Medication is a safe, and sometimes necessary, step for proper recovery. However, working with a medical professional to figure out the right balance is crucial. “The stigma around medication is quite silly when you consider that in order to correct the chemical imbalance in one’s brain, sometimes the only way is through prescription medication,” Carver said. There are so many types of medication for people with all kinds of needs, whether it be mood or anxiety disorders, OCD, PTSD, ADHD, etc. As with psychotherapy, anyone can find the help needed with either or both options. Neither psychiatry nor psychology is better or more effective than the other because it all depends on the individual’s specific needs. Patients often see psychologists more often (weekly or biweekly) for the day-to-day issues they face and visit their psychiatrists for checkins and prescriptions (monthly or bimonthly), but there is no right or wrong way to do therapy.
Finding a Professional It’s not about whether or not someone needs therapy, but more so how much therapy can improve an individual’s life. Dr. Curry knows it can be easy to brush off the emotional challenges of adjusting to college, but it is essential to see a professional. “What’s the harm in getting another perspective if you have any doubt that something may be getting in the way of your success?” Dr. Curry asked. Unfortunately, many students do not think they have the resources to seek help, whether due to a lack of services at school or lack of support from others. It is actually much easier to seek help than commonly thought and just requires initiative to get the ball rolling. Making an appointment can be the hardest and most daunting step to finding a therapist for the first time. Health insurance can be tricky and not all insurance companies cover as much as the next. Making sure you are familiar with your
health insurance company and what it covers is crucial to starting therapy. Either bring a health insurance card or have the information readily available. Your therapist will ask for the info and let you know how much can be covered by insurance. Whether it’s your physician from home or from Student Health Services on campus, talking to a doctor is an important, yet often overlooked, step to mental health treatment for two reasons: First, physical conditions can have symptoms that emulate mental illnesses, such as depression and anxiety. Talking to a medical professional can rule out possible explanations for the way you are feeling. Secondly, the doctor can refer you to a mental health specialist. Give an honest description of how you feel and what you are looking for and your doctor can give you the information you need. BU Student Health Services can also provide referrals to professionals in the area.
If you do not get a referral from a doctor, use the Internet. Boston has no shortage of mental health professionals, so you can easily find someone who works for you. When calling the therapist’s office to schedule an appointment, make sure to give your name, age, a brief summary of the help you’re looking for and the name of the doctor who referred you, if applicable. Therapy is not cut and dry; it usually takes trial and error to find what works. LaBorde said finding the right therapist can be difficult for some. Making sure you are comfortable with the person is important to get the help you need, and you might not click with the first, second, or third therapist you meet. “Finding the right form of therapy can be a trial and error process, but I firmly believe that it is something to be pursued and not to give up right away,” Carver said.
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DIET INDUSTRY IN DISGUISE Investigating Shifting Frameworks by Madison Duddy/ design by Valentina Wicki/ photo by Amanda Willis
The period from the late ’70s until the ’90s brought drastic reframing and rebranding to the diet industry as nutritionists began recommending low-fat diets to their patients. Suddenly, the food companies added products to their brands labeled as “low-fat” and “diet.” Consumers assumed these alternatives were healthier, but in reality, the obesity epidemic began during this same period. Joan Salge Blake, a Clinical Associate Professor of nutrition at Boston University, registered dietitian and former spokesperson for the American Dietetic Association, said low-fat and diet options were often higher in calories and sugar. “In the 1980s…a lot of food companies made treats low-fat and replaced their foods with a low-fat option,” Salge Blake said. “As a result, the low-fat treats were actually higher in sugar and calories and not that different from the real thing.” The American people believed fat was the only evil they needed to combat and many did not read the fine print under the “low-fat” 20 the buzz
label. The frame of “low-fat” and “diet” caused more issues because consumers thought they were eating healthier foods, causing them to eat more and consume more calories. “This all fell apart because calories count, and people who thought they were eating healthy were actually taking in too much sugar and calories,” Salge Blake said. Megan McGowan (SED ’19), like many consumers, opts for low-fat foods because she assumes, based on their label, that they are the healthier alternative. “I find myself drawn to foods labeled ‘lowfat’ because they are supposed to be better for you,” McGowan said. “When you put too much fat in something… it makes you gain weight.” Remi Trudel, an Associate Professor in Marketing at Boston University, said the diet industry uses different frameworks to change consumers’ perceptions of food, similar to McGowan’s. The frameworks of diet and lowfat succeeded because people like the idea of a product presented in a reduced form.
“When you say something is ‘low-fat’ or ‘fat-free,’ you frame it as a food that is supposed to be full of fat... to change people’s reference point about the product,” said Trudel. “You find that people are much more compliant when you take amounts away from a larger whole.” In recent years, the diet industry has changed its frame to focus on products that are clean and natural. According to Salge Blake, this shift is yet another marketing strategy of diet companies and cannot actually help people develop a healthy diet. “Words like ‘natural’ and ‘clean’ have nothing to do with weight management,” Salge Blake said. “People need to outsmart their stomach.” McGowan said she is not drawn to foods labeled as “clean” or “natural” because she does not think those alternatives are the healthier option. “I think it is a marketing scam by the government,” said McGowan. “I’ve had products labeled ‘clean’ and ‘natural’ and those not
labeled as such and don’t see a difference in quality.” Salge Blake explained that the key to a healthy lifestyle is best presented in the old-fashioned healthy plate diagram many people see passed around in elementary school health class. “People need to make half of their plate vegetables because they fill you up without filling you out: one-fourth grains, one-fourth lean meats and a little dairy on the side,” she said. Eating a healthy diet is necessary, but people also cannot forget the importance of exercise and portion control. Realistically, it does not matter if the label on a food product says “natural,” “clean,” “low-fat” or “diet” because a well-balanced diet requires restriction. Salge Blake said that, at the end of the day, in order to maintain or lose weight, people must make sure they are not taking in more calories than they are expending. Whether the calories come from healthy, low-fat or regular foods, calories are calories: if people take in too many, they gain weight.
The reasoning behind the shift in the diet industry’s buzzwords should not be interpreted as a change in what the companies think to be healthy. Trudel said it is all part of a marketing strategy where companies have to switch up their frameworks because people become numb to buzzwords after a while. “I think people become desensitized to different messages and different strains lose their effectiveness,” Trudel said. “Different messages become more salient and we just start ignoring those cues.” Over time, people began to ignore the buzzwords like “low-fat” and “diet,” leading companies to advertise their products as “clean” and “natural.” The body positive movement is another incentive for diet companies to move away from diet-based buzzwords to those that appear to support a healthier and less restrictive lifestyle. The foundation of the body positivity movement is that everyone should love the body they are in, big or small. Even though
the diet industry has tried to say a clean and natural diet is not restrictive, every diet has to be somewhat restrictive in order for it to be a healthy one. Regardless, Salge Blake said it’s possible to have body positivity while focusing on a healthy diet and lifestyle. “You need to settle on a healthy diet that works for you and keep active,” Salge Blake said. “People should measure how healthy they are based on cholesterol, blood pressure and if they feel good.” McGowan agrees with Salge Blake and thinks anyone can have body positivity while managing weight because, in her experience, body positivity comes from how you feel. “I find that when I eat unhealthy, I feel horrible,” said McGowan. “When I started eating better, I felt better inside and out.”
Wellness 21
Breaking A Sweat
Easy Workouts to Do in Your Dorm by Riley Sugarman/ design by Solana Chatfield/ illustration by Katie Hong Physical activity is essential to living a healthy lifestyle. Unfortunately, busy college life can leave little time for exercise, and FitRec can be a little intimidating. Try these quick and easy workouts anyone can do without leaving the dorm, no matter how busy the schedule.
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JUMP ROPE Jumping rope is cardio, but without the running. According to Livestrong.com, jumping rope for 30 minutes burns the same number of calories from running a six-minute pace or swimming laps for the same amount of time. Jump rope for five, three-minute intervals with 30-second breaks in between. Try to land on the balls of your feet with legs bent to avoid knee strain.
CHAIR DIPS Sit on a non-rolling chair with your palms pressed into the seat on either side of you, making sure your knees make 90-degree angles in front of the chair. Shift the weight of your body to your hands, and dip your butt toward the floor until your elbows make a 90-degree angle. Lift back up until your arms are straight, and repeat. Try three sets of 15 dips with a 30-second break between each set. Make sure to take each dip slowly to avoid unnecessary muscle strain.
RUSSIAN TWISTS These bad boys are simple, but very effective. Sit down, bend your legs at a 90-degree angle and lift them a few inches off the ground. Put your back at a 45-degree angle from the floor. Twist your torso from side to side, touching the floor with your hands each time. Hold something heavy—weights or textbooks—to increase difficulty. Try to avoid sitting on a hard surface; it can be painful on your tailbone.
join The Buzz is hiring writers for Spring 2019! We are looking for dedicated and experienced students to join our editorial team to write for the online and print magazine! Email the.bu.buzz@gmail.com for more information about the variety of available positions.
@thebubuzz | thebubuzz.com
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Through the Fog
Celebrating Emerald Nacklace’s 20th Anniversary by Marissa Wu/ design by Katie Hong/ photo by Anh Nguyen
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Fog spills out from the canopy of trees, enveloping those on the path. It’s allconsuming as it settles in, a thick cloud along the trail. To see even one foot ahead is nearly impossible. But, this is neither the jungle nor an obscure road high in the mountains. It’s the Back Bay Fens, right across from the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum. On the hour and half mark, nozzles emit water particles 17 microns in size (the same as natural fog). The installation, one of five fog sculptures throughout the Emerald Necklace, is the work of acclaimed Japanese artist Fuijiko Nakaya. The exhibit is commemorating the 20th anniversary of the Emerald Necklace Conservancy, which works to honor and preserve the legacy of the legendary architect Frederick Law Olmstead. “I think it’s really beautiful, and I really like how it lends a really surreal atmosphere to the park,” said Anna Zhang, a Back Bay resident. “Especially since we’re technically in the middle of the city, it has a really nice feeling to it. I live so close, I might as well just walk over every half hour.” Frederick Law Olmstead believed it was important for people to be seen gathering in public spaces. At the time he designed the Emerald Necklace, Back Bay was a marshy area with a sewage problem. While the city was looking to industrial solutions, Olmstead instead proposed the Necklace, a pioneering example of green architecture. Today, it functions not only as a public space, but as an active storm management system, collecting overflow from Brookline and much of Boston.
The Emerald Necklace Conservancy came from a need to address an environmental crisis, according to Karen Mauney-Brodek, president of the Conservancy. The Necklace, which is a model of green infrastructure, helps to manage storm water while doubling as a park. In the 1880s, Olmstead, considered the founder of landscape architecture, wanted a space that both solved Boston’s environmental woes while providing a place for public congregation. “Olmstead talked explicitly about how it was important to gather and be seen to gather in parks together,” Mauney-Brodek said. “I think it’s very important that this is part of our active city and our democratic space.” To celebrate two decades and Olmstead’s legacy, Mauney-Brodek worked with Boston contemporary art curator Jen Mergel to find a suitable artist. The challenge: an art exhibition that would be safe from graffiti. This consideration, along with many others, led to Mergel’s suggestion of Japanese artist Fuijiko Nakaya, who has earned international recognition for her fog sculptures. “It’s not just that her work is in a medium that is, even for our day, quite radical to call sculpture,” Mergel said. “It’s quite vanguard, but it’s also one that would potentially raise our awareness of and our curiosity…and hopefully our respect for... forces in nature that are continually shifting around us and our atmosphere, year by year and decade by decade, shifting to greater extreme with climate change.” Nakaya’s medium also reflects the ideals that Olmstead upheld over a century ago. Placed in accessible locations throughout the Necklace, FogxFLO is available to all, regardless of background. From the runner passing by, to the kids, to the curious who come on the half hour, the fog appears for whoever happens to be there.
“You don’t need to have a master’s in fine arts to understand or experience Fuijiko’s art,” Mauney-Brodek said. “In fact, you don’t even need to possess all five of the senses that most humans are born with...you can still have an amazing experience with the fog.” The experience is communal, getting Bostonians to interact with their neighbors. While Mergel noted that Boston doesn’t have the reputation for being friendly, the fog has brought people together, becoming a point of conversation and connection. “In terms of experiencing Fuijiko’s art, perhaps seeing the power of something that is as awe-inspiring as that, and the anticipation of it…communally reflecting on it after the fog has disappeared…makes people feel not just more connected to their parks but to each other,” Mergel said. With the construction of the Necklace, people of all backgrounds—not just the wealthy—have access to nature in an urban environment. With its twists and turns, the Necklace is not a traditionally-shaped park, like the park Olmstead may be best known for: Central Park. It continues to be enjoyed by people today, who in turn bring their children to the Necklace. Susan Helms Daley, a volunteer and Brookline resident, grew up spending time in the Emerald Necklace. After her children enrolled in school, she served as a docent and was on several committees before joining the board. “I’ve lived in Brookline for about 20 years and I’ve always lived within about a mile of the Emerald Necklace,” Daley said. “I’ve just always used it—for running, for walking, for occasionally teaching my kids to ride bicycles. It’s just kind of my go-to place…I think it’s so special and worth preserving.” At the time the Necklace was completed, open space was a luxury, according to Daley, and reserved for the wealthy. Open space existed if you owned land. The fact that neighborhoods throughout the city, with residents from all social classes and backgrounds, had access to public parks was, Daley said, revolutionary. Olmstead also cared deeply for the experience of the park-goer. According to Mauney-Brodek, the landscape architect hoped the public would have “that moment of discovery,” encountering a new view, to wander, to find a new experience. She also acknowledged the important role parks, as public spaces, have played in history as well as today, as central rallying points. Parks have seen protests “where we express who we are as people.” City 27
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“[Olmstead] thought about the fact that by being in the parks and being together, we could become better citizens and participants in the enterprise of the republic.�
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Building a Legacy The History of Brattle Book Shop by Kate Thrane/ design by Emily Knobloch/ photo by Rachel Callahan
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There is a gem of a bookstore in Boston, and it’s rather infamous, actually. It’s the Brattle Book Shop, located at 9 West Street in downtown. It has been run by the same family since 1949, but actually dates back to 1925, making it one of the oldest used bookstores in the country. Currently, Ken Gloss is the proprietor and has been since 1973 when he took over the shop from his father, George. Since taking the reins from his dad, Ken has endured seven relocations and a devastating fire that burned the shop to the ground in 1980. He has persevered in the era of electronic books and Google, which changed the way people read and research. His shop is still here peddling all sorts of used books from its current location, a cozy three story building near Boston Common, where he relocated in 1984. He has customers from all over the world who call, write and stop in to see if he has the books they are seeking. Sometimes, his clients are even celebrities. “There are a lot of movie stars or people who came here many times when they went to college in Boston, and then as time went on, their careers progressed,” Gloss said. The shop has had many other famous customers, including J.D. Salinger. Another was Moe Berg, the late Red Sox catcher, who worked as a spy for U.S. Intelligence during World War I and was the subject of the 2018 movie, The Catcher was a Spy. “He also liked to read books so he used to come in and we went out to dinner with him a lot,” Gloss said. However, even everyday people have interesting stories, which Gloss has the opportunity to hear. “A lot of times, even street people who might have a lot of problems but many of them are very well-educated and very intelligent come in the store and they can be quite interesting to work with,” said Gloss. Daniel Wright, an environmental law attorney from Los Angeles, makes a special trip to the store whenever he is in Boston. He’s been visiting the Brattle Book Shop for years. “I read a lot of books, and I prefer to read
second hand books to help the environment,” Wright said. “Whenever I visit Boston, about two or three times a year, I make sure to go back to the Brattle Book Shop and check out the new selection of books.” The shop is a feast for your eyes. Books are stuffed into every available nook and cranny. The first two floors house general used books while the third floor is reserved for collectible and rare—often first edition—books about everything imaginable. There is also an outdoor section filled with $3 used books. “We get a lot of interest in the outside area, which most people don't have. So, we're lucky that we have the area next door to the store,” Gloss said. “It is open all year long except when it rains or snows.” The outdoor part of the shop is a prime photo opportunity. Dozens of rolling book shelves fill the wide alleyway, lined on either side by brick walls and speckled with artwork. Taylor Yi (CAS ’20) and her friends from Boston University have made the trek over to the book shop to take those iconic Instagramable photos. “I loved taking pictures at the outside mural that features local artwork!” Yi said. “The wall is a great photo opportunity, and the book shop has an outside section that is very unique. My friends and I all got a picture for our Instagram feed.” “If you stand there for any period of time, unless the weather is absolutely horrible, you watch people take pictures,” Gloss said. “They are nonstop all day long.” Gloss isn’t the only one who has noticed the high frequency of Instagram photographers. “There was one funny little listing in the Globe [about] the most cliched photos on Instagram from Boston, and we got listed, and my wife immediately emailed back to the reporter and said, ‘We love being a cliché,’” Gloss said. “That's one of the features of the store that's a little bit unusual.” Gloss, who earned a chemistry degree from the University of Massachusetts, had planned to simply take a break and operate the business for a while before graduate school, but now is
in his fifth decade of operations. “This is a family business, so it's been in the family since the late ’40s, and so I've basically been doing this my whole life,” Gloss said. Gloss mentioned that running a used book store differs from running a store that sells new books. “Of course, a used bookstore is a lot different than a new book store…with rare bookstores you have to go out to get books,” Gloss said. “You have to buy them. It's almost like Treasure Island. It's a hunt to search. We're going to houses, traveling all over New England and sometimes a lot farther.” In addition to running the shop, Ken started a podcast in 2017 entitled the Brattlecast, in which he regales listeners with stories about local legends, the shop, the books and the clients, who, in many cases, are as entertaining as the books. The podcasts are wide ranging and wildly entertaining, filled to the brim with interesting facts and tidbits about Boston’s most notable characters. Gloss is an excellent storyteller and time flies as you are drawn into the podcasts, which he does in an interview style with his collaborator, Jordan Rich. Gloss realized that because the number of radio shows has dwindled over the past several years, there were not as many opportunities to talk about books and his other interests in a radio format. “With podcasts, the hard part is getting people to listen to the podcast and that's a slow sort of word of mouth process,” said Gloss. “But one of the things that I did want to do was do it at a professional studio with a professional host.” Now, he and Rich usually record three podcasts every two weeks. “Slowly but surely, the audience is increasing and people are calling in and I’m even getting people emailing and asking for me to do certain subjects,” Gloss said. “It’s just another way for a small business to reach out to the general public who might be interested.” City 31
SPRINTING ACROSS BOSTON It’s Time to Outrun the Esplanade by Shubhankar Arun/ design by Valentina Wicki/ photo by Diego Piereia Cardoso
Above the MBTA Red line
Let’s admit it, running on the Esplanade is losing its charm. The views are getting old and the tracks are too crowded. In a city like Boston that is replete with picturesque running spots, it is almost criminal to restrict ourselves to the Esplanade.
The Alewife Linear Park is a 1.3-mile track that runs through Cambridge and Somerville and traverses through a path right above the T. With baseball diamonds and soccer fields on either side, you might find yourself here every evening.
Franklin Park
Minuteman Commuter Bikeway
Situated in the heart of Roxbury, this park has three running loops, where races are hosted each week. One of the loops is a wilderness track, which winds around the woods and twists along the trees. It makes you forget that civilization is only a couple of blocks away.
The Arnold Arboretum
A 2.5-mile track spread over acres of land makes it the perfect place for that weekend run when you just want to listen to your playlist and clear your head. It’s the perfect place to take in the changing leaves in the fall, the fallen snow in the winter and the blossoming trees in the spring.
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This 10-mile paved path runs from Cambridge to Arlington and all the way through Bedford. This scenic route is always packed with joggers, cyclists and couples out for their evening stroll.
Fresh Pond
This 2.25-mile loop around the Cambridge reservoir is the quiet running spot you tend to crave after a long day. Its fountains and dirt paths also make it the perfect place to bring along a furry friend. - city
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The Great Escape The Great Escape How Travel Benefits Mental Health
by Vanessa Ullman/ design by Amber Jared/ photo by Carina Lee 34
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Mental health may seem like a buzzword in 2018. Millennials have been trying to break the stigma associated with the topic by having a more open dialogue about anxiety, depression and other mental health conditions. A study published in Pediatrics found that from 2005 to 2014, the prevalence of depression in people ages 12 to 17 increased from 8.7% to 11.3%. This year, the American Psychiatric Association reported that Millennials, defined in this study as adults ages 20–37, are the most anxious generation, compared to Adults aged 38–53 and Baby Boomers (54–72). While it is not always feasible or financially intelligent for college students to spend an exorbitant amount of money on a vacation, here we will define travel quite broadly, including simply a change of scenery, whether down the street or across the ocean. Adam Galinsky, a Columbia Business School professor, has studied the benefits to one’s mental health by traveling. He has found that a change of scenery can help with mental health conditions. “Foreign experiences increase both cognitive flexibility and depth,” said Galinksy, through “the ability to make deep connections between disparate forms.” Amy* (CAS ’20) tried this out last summer. After putting up with a toxic family environment for years, she decided to stay with her boyfriend in Germany for a month. Her negative familial relations had caused her to have depression and anxiety, she said. While the getaway with her boyfriend alivieted the pain, she acknowledged that it did not fix everything. “The trip got me away from the stressful triggers in my life, but also presented a different set of issues,” said Amy. “It was helpful in some ways, because it provided stability, but not in others.” The “others” she is referring to included her homesickness in spending a prolonged period of time away from the U.S.
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Just the act of thinking, writing about or booking a flight can take you out of your daily routine.
Michelle* had a similar experience to that of Amy. Although her struggle was facing travel anxiety, like Amy, she managed to find some comfort while taking a solo vacation for her Spring Break. “Growing up, my family did not do many trips, and I am always afraid of missing trains, buses and getting lost,” said Michelle. “This has always been a huge point of anxiety for me, and I decided to take this trip to help myself get over it.” Her week in Torino, Italy, did not always go as planned, as her worst fear came true when she missed a train and had to transfer, get an alternative train and check in to her Airbnb later than expected. In the end, however, she said she thoroughly enjoyed her time alone, noting that she liked sightseeing at her own pace. While both students did not eliminate their mental health conditions post-vacation, they did see positive benefits from getting out of their normal routine. In a study conducted by Columbia University, researchers found that people experience a direct increase in happiness when it comes to planning a trip. Just the act of thinking, writing about or booking a flight can take you out of your daily routine. In many cases, this change of pace alone can aid with stress or anxiety in one’s everyday life. For many people, even those who tend to worry, the preparations for travel are not only inspiring, but, can actually lower stress levels by giving people a sense of control. The benefits of travel were seen in another study by the Marshfield Clinic in Wisconsin, which found that women who take a vacation more than two times a year are less likely to suffer from depression and chronic stress than those who do not. 36
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Maddie* had an experience like this over the summer when she went on a family vacation to Iceland, Greece and Amsterdam. The freshman in CAS happened to go on the trip right after a severe bout of depression hit her. “My doctors all said essentially that it would be good for me to have a change of scenery,” Maddie said. “It was completely exhausting, stressful and overwhelming at times. There were definitely days when I wished I was home. But most days were scheduled and we were out sight-seeing or hiking or doing something for me, and that new regimen did me a lot of good.” While taking a vacation might not be feasible for some people, taking a break to go downtown, visit a park or just read outside could be considered “vacations” from one’s everyday life. For students on a budget, it is next to impossible to plan elaborate trips to Europe twice a year, but spending an afternoon at the Boston Common can be a nice break from Commonwealth Avenue. “Even if you can’t escape to another country, try a city or destination with lots of activities you would be interested in,” Michelle said. “Escape isn’t always the answer, but a break definitely does help to clear your mind and assist in gaining confidence to go back and face your day-to-day life.” John* (ENG ’22) experienced this firsthand after taking a trip with his cross-country team to Boston during his senior year of high school. While the vacation was meant to be a stress reliever, it instead brought on new challenges through the forms of both mental health and friendship issues. Although the friendship drama eventually resolved itself, after long talks and realizations of sorts, it was still challenging. Despite this, John
views this weekend getaway and retreats for mental health generally in a positive light. “The only possible negative repercussions that could come with traveling is stress, because the planning phase may not go well,” John said. “And if the place is radically different than where you come from (i.e. culture, food, time zone), it could hit you with biological stress as well.” At the same time, John realizes that this idea of travel serving as a “temporary solution” is not accurate, as his mental health conditions, depression and PTSD, did not subside after the vacation. “I was surprised that I was able to relax away from home so well, because I had the mentality of relaxing more at home, and that going away meant being heavily involved in activity,” John said. “Turns out, I was wrong. I felt much more relaxed when I came back home from my weekend trip.” Maddie echoed this statement, noting that traveling is not a quick-fix to getting rid of anxiety or depression. “I would not say it’s naïve to think day traveling is a solution [to mental health
conditions], but I do not think it’s really accurate,” Maddie said. “A lot of people have different ideas of what will help with mental health issues, but at the end of the day on my travels I was still pretty mentally ill, and I still needed to be getting help.” Traveling simply to improve one’s mental health conditions is likely to be a Band-Aid for what is really going on. While it did help people like Amy and Michelle, it might not be for everyone. The stress of booking a flight, picking a hotel or speaking a foreign language can be too much for some to consider stressfree. What is clear, however, is that your mental health can be improved by taking a break in your routine. So, whether that is a solo trip to New York for the weekend or a walk around Brookline to clear your head, take that time for yourself. Traveling is not a permanent solution to mental health issues, but it can take you out of your element for a moment and sometimes that is enough. *All names have been changed for privacy reasons.
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A HIKER’S PARADOX
The Ascent to Everest Base Camp by Hailey Hart-Thompson/ designed by Angela Sun/ photography by Hailey Hart-Thompson
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I did not anticipate having to hike for five hours to our next teahouse after the helicopter landed on the side of the mountain. Nor did I anticipate the lack of a guide and only two porters to lead us, both knowing very little English. The day was supposed to consist of a twohour hike from the airport in Lukla, Nepal, to the small village of Phakding. Unfortunate weather had not permitted us to land in a plane, so a helicopter took five of our eightperson group up to the mountain side. After countless games of “20 Questions” to keep busy on our first hiking day, the five of us, not knowing where we were headed, strapped on our headlamps as it began to grow darker. Someone finally said out loud what all of us were thinking: We were five inexperienced college students, hiking in the Himalayas in the dark with no guide and had no idea where we were sleeping that night. We laughed and
kept hiking as the darkness shrouded the mountain side. Eventually, we contacted our guide who had landed in another village for the night and he directed us to our teahouse. We ordered chocolate and apple pancakes, stuffing ourselves with that first bout of hiker’s hunger, and went to bed overwhelmed by the chaos that had ensued. That was only day one, and we had to get up the next day and do it all over again. The pure exhaustion that comes after countless seven-hour days of rigorous hiking can only leave your mind when you collapse into the confines of a teahouse. Nothing feels better than being done for the day. Besides the 24/7 panoramic mountainous views, the best part of the hike was the posthiking calm when you spent your nights in the high up villages. After you regain your energy and forget your exhaustion, you adventure out
and experience the culture of the small villages. You get the overwhelming sense of how small you are in the eyes of a greater world. Whenever people ask me if I’d go to EBC again, I think back to the altitude sickness, the flu symptoms, the “squatty potty” toilets, the lactic acid-induced pain, the countless showerless days and the sleepless nights. But, without hesitation, I say, “Of course.” That “hiker’s trauma” disappears the minute you step off the mountain because all you want to do is go back. I want to return to the feeling, after a day of hiking, when you are in a new place with a new world to explore. When you are up in the mountains backpacking, nothing matters except getting to the next destination. Your only job for that day is to stay hydrated and keep your feet moving. The future you contemplate is deciding whether to eat your Snickers now or save it for the Base Camp Summit Day. There is no more crowd-driven efficacious movement in the world, you are a seemingly irrelevant being in the landscape filled with locals and hikers, with mountains looming in the distance. This day to day thinking and this powerlessness is exactly what makes you want to keep trucking along. “The Big Picture Effect” occurs when you reach some transcendental peace, in awe of the fragility and unity of everything around you. The span of the Himalayas welcomes that, even with so many people around you. One of my favorite days of the hike was in Dingboche, where my group had our one, and only, acclimation day. The single hike for the day was a quick two-hour climb at a steep incline to force our lungs to pull in the oxygen at a faster pace. We finished early in the morning and returned back to village to remain there for the rest of the day. None of us were used to having this much time on our hands, since we’d been hiking continuously for nearly seven days. We had time to ourselves in the village, so I went out exploring with my camera and meeting two people whose names I will never get to learn. It started with a young boy I met down by the river. I was sitting, taking a video of the rippling water, when the child stumbled out of his family house and began to splash me. Even with no ability to verbally communicate with him, we were able to have fun together, splashing each other with water. The second nameless person was a baker and Tibetan refugee. My whole hiking group went into his bakery, ordered a ton of apple pies and played a game where we attempted to stand on one foot and pick up paper with our mouth. His wife thought we were hilarious, and the baker eventually joined in and gave it a try. He wasn’t successful, but he made his wife laugh.
As much as I felt “The Big Picture Effect” when I landed in a sea of green mountains in a helicopter, traipsed through Himalayas in the dark, collapsed every day after hours of hiking and summited EBC, I never felt more blissfully irrelevant in this big world than when I met these two people. These nameless people have entire worlds of their own, even when I’m not on the mountains. They are participating in the giant ecosystem that I am a part of, and even though I flew back to America, I was still a part of it for a minute. All my worries while hiking connected to that absolute insignificance you feel when you convene with nature and meet people from all walks of life along the way. I spent nearly every single day of the hike feeling sick from dal bhat and massaging out my aching legs; but, I would give anything to be go back to Dingboche, hiking up to the Everest Base Camp.
“All my worries while hiking connected to that absolute insignificance you feel when you convene with nature and meet people from all walks of life along the way.” Travel
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Seize The Day How to Travel on A Budget by Vanessa Ullman/ design by Asli Aybar/ illustration by Katie Hong
As a college student, low priced airfare is essential when it comes to traveling. Whether it be for Spring Break or Thanksgiving, booking flights can be pricey and often times stressful. While there are companies like Southwest Airlines or Kayak that are more accommodating when it comes to good airfare deals, there is still a great deal of work put into booking cheap airfare. However, there are a number of last minute roundtrip vehicles that are under the radar for around $100. So, where can $100 take you from Boston University?
Hartford, CT Take a Greyhound bus to Hartford, CT, for a quick getaway with your friends. For less than $30 roundtrip, this deal is perfect for a collegestudent budget. Use the money you saved by taking a Greyhound on an Airbnb and you will have the perfect weekend adventure. Montpelier, VT Venture out of Boston and take a Megabus to Montpelier, VT, for only $60 roundtrip. Enjoy the fall foliage, breathtaking views and Ben & Jerry’s while you take a weekend trip up north. Although Megabus might not always be a fan favorite or desired mode for transportation, for such a low price, a few hours of mild unpleasantness are worth it. 40
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New York, NY New York City is by far the most popular destination to get to that is in-budget and a lot of fun. Spend around $60—and sometimes, as little as $5—and you can get a roundtrip bus ticket. Whether it’s your first time in the Big Apple or your 20th, a New York adventure is always a good idea. Cape Cod, MA For less than $8 per hour, you can rent a Zipcar and drive to Cape Cod and back. From the scenic views, to the seaside shops, the Cape is ideal for a day trip to get out of Boston for a few hours.
Washington, D.C. On Skyskanner there are a handful of flights that are under $100. A roundtrip ticket from Boston to Washington, D.C. can be as low as $82. That price is perfect if you want to plan a quick weekend trip to our nation’s capital. Chicago, IL Skyskanner also includes flights from Boston to Chicago for only $76. Compared to the few hundred dollars it normally takes to fly to the third largest city in America, this flight is a great deal.
join The Buzz is hiring designers for Spring 2019! We are looking for dedicated and experienced students to join our creative team to design the spreads for the print magazine! Email the.bu.buzz@gmail.com for more information about the variety of available positions.
@thebubuzz | thebubuzz.com
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F U S E
Styling assisted by Falaknaz Chranya Photo by Noor Nasser Art direction by Katie Hong Creative direction by Valentina Wicki 42 the buzz
On Jiaqi: LIT Boutique, Blue Blush “Azaria Jumpsuit” in coco. En Creme “Roosevelt Jacket” in blush.
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Fall. The season best known for its endless supply of pumpkin spice lattes and everchanging leaves, also ushers in a new season of fashion. Often referred to as ‘sweater weather,’ we see trends of knee-high boots, flannels, plaid blazers, and of course, sweaters. As a chill enters into the air, it can feel as though there is a need to sacrifice style for warmth. It can be hard to find that balance between comfortability and fashionability. Learning how to layer basic pieces with a statement piece mixed in, provides the perfect formula for comfortable fall fashion. In the fall shoot, we capture models in styles that are reflective of the season’s trends. We put a spin on the comfy ‘sweater weather’ trend by pairing formal pieces: blazers, jumpsuits, and suit pants, with everyday items: T-shirts, sweaters, and crop tops to create “casually chic” looks. The combination of soft neutrals with subtle pops of jewel tones provided a warmth to the deep green and golden yellow foliage of the Back Bay Fens. Mixing a variety of fabrics from corduroy to silk, added texture and dimension to the model’s looks, allowing us to capture the essence of autumn. Fashion 45
On Dennis: Model’s own tweed trousers in hunter green. Model’s own sweater in taupe. Model’ own shoes 46
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On Jorge: Model’s own coat in crème. Model’s own tee shirt in white. Model’s own suit pants in dark grey. Model’s own shoes and belt
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On Jiaqi: Model’s own cropped, wrap sweater in grey-beige 48
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On Déanna: Model’s own H&M “Jersey Jacket” in beige/checked, Falaknaz Chranya custom made satin paperbag pants in olive and gold, LIT Boutique, Free People “Adella Brallete” in nude
Next Page: On Déanna: Model’s own off-the-shoulder sweater dress in blush. Model’s own knee-high boots in taupe Floral Clutch, Stylist’s Own / On Jorge: Model’s own coat in crème. Model’s own tee shirt in white. Model’s own suit pants in dark grey. Model’s own shoes and belt / On Jiaqi: LIT Boutique, Blue Blush “Azaria Jumpsuit” in coco. LIT Boutique, En Creme “Roosevelt Jacket” in blush. On Dennis: Model’s own tweed trousers in hunter green. Model’s own sweater in taupe
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On Déanna: Model’s own off-theshoulder sweater dress in blush. Model’s own knee-high boots in taupe 52
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On Jiaqi: Falaknaz Chranya custom made high-waisted linen capri pants in off white. Model’s own cropped, wrap sweater in grey-beige. Model’s own black mid-calf booties in black On Déanna: Model’s own H&M “Jersey Jacket” in beige/checked. Falaknaz Chranya custom made satin paperbag pants in olive and gold. LIT Boutique, Free People “Adella Brallete” in nude On Dennis: Model’s own khaki pants. Melange 3 button top with checks in white. Model’s own Burberry suede jacket in dark brown On Jorge: Model’s own corduroy pants in brown. Model’s own Ralph Lauren Polo sweater in off white. Model’s own shoes and belt
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On Jorge: Model’s own corduroy pants in brown. Model’s own Ralph Lauren Polo sweater in off white. Model’s own shoes and belt On Jiaqi: Model’s own coat in crème, Falaknaz Chranya custom made high-waisted linen capri pants in off white. Model’s own cropped, wrap sweater in grey-beige 54
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On Déanna: Model’s own H&M “Jersey Jacket” in beige/checked. Falaknaz Chranya custom made satin paperbag pants in olive and gold. LIT Boutique, Free People “Adella Brallete” in nude On Dennis: Model’s own khaki pants. Melange 3 button top with checks in white. Model’s own Burberry suede jacket in dark brown
On Jiaqi: LIT Boutique, En Creme “Roosevelt Jacket” in blush 56
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THE HYPE ABOUT HYPEBEASTS
Appropriating Street Style
article and design by Solana Chatfield/ photo by Thuy-An Nguyen
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“It is losing all of its meaning because streetwear has to do with personal ideas and choices and a personal message, and the luxury brand is taking it and repackaging it in a golden box.” It is common to see the quick flash of a white shirt with a small red box reading “Supreme” in a bold, italicized font. What seems like a simple outfit staple bears a shocking price—sometimes even $1,350 on resale sites such as StockX and eBay. The high price comes not from the quality of the shirt’s materials or even the style it adorns, but rather from the exclusivity of the product itself. It is this word, “exclusivity,” that is now redefining the new streetwear market. Streetwear, originally defined as casual clothing worn by members of urban youth subcultures, has in recent years been altered by a new demographic known as hypebeasts: teens and young adults obsessed with collecting select pieces from high-end, underground brands. Supreme, Anti-Social Social Club, Off-White and Yeezy are just a few of the brands that cater to this demographic, but what really is the hype? “It’s beyond a monetary value,” said Michael Zawistowski (QST ’19), a proud owner of several articles of Supreme clothing. “Value for hypebeasts is having an item that almost no one else really has. When brands like Yeezy begin to produce for the masses and restock their merchandise, hypebeast gravitation decreases.” These brands launch their products during events known as “drops”: time periods in which a finite number of select products are available until they sell out. Drops can launch in-store or online, causing people to line up for hours outside of storefronts or wait patiently on their computers, phones and iPads, continuously refreshing the page. It is the drops that contribute to the element of exclusivity within the hypebeast culture. The white Supreme basic tee sells for $44 on the Supreme website, yet the price often skyrockets to thousands of dollars on resale sites. “We use a BOT site, software from a thirdparty website, that allows you to cart items from the Supreme shop on launch days without personally having to access the site,” said Zawistowski. “Normally, manually shopping on the site will give you a low success rate because all of the items will sell out in a matter of minutes.” But as thousands of dollars and countless minutes continue to be poured into this new designer streetwear market, it is hard not to question the hypocrisy behind this movement. Conspicuous consumption, defined as the action of spending money or acquiring luxury goods in an effort to establish and publicly display economic power, is the simple and accurate answer to this question. Dr. Ilaria Patania, a PhD candidate at Boston University, is teaching a writing class entitled Resisting Fashion this fall. The class explores how fashion has been used historically to serve
as a political statement. “It is an example of conspicuous consumption because if you have time to monitor the website and you have time to stand in line, you’re buying into a whole idea that is not necessarily streetwear,” Patania said. “It is what they tell you streetwear should be. Real streetwear, in reality, has never been produced in the Upper West Side and Upper East Side. It was always produced in The Village in Soho. It was never produced by the higher classes in the wealthier areas.” Scrolling through Supreme’s minimaliststyled website leads the reader to click on the “About” tab. Here, Supreme gives a brief history of its company’s origins. Founded in 1994 in Manhattan, “Supreme grew to embody downtown culture, and play an integral part in its constant regeneration. Skaters, punks, hip-hop heads—and the young counterculture at large—all gravitated towards Supreme,” according to the website. This description of the original Supreme consumer aligns with the definition of street style, yet its products seem to symbolize the opposite. Streetwear was a movement bred out of rejecting mainstream fashion and showcasing individualism at an affordable price. Nike, Adidas and Fila coined this streetwear revolution with iconic products such as Nike Air Force 1s and Adidas’ three stripe leggings. While these items remain in circulation, they are no longer the face of contemporary streetwear. Even more contradictory to the origins of street style, is the fact that famous designer labels—Gucci, Louis Vuitton and Prada—are now also trying to break into this market, producing t-shirts, sweatshirts and sneakers that are undoubtedly modeled after iconic pieces of classic streetwear yet marked up at incredibly high prices. “It might very well be that they’re trying to appeal to a younger demographic, but the difference is not the demographic but the market sector,” Patania said. “A luxury brand doesn’t appeal and can’t sell to someone who makes $15 an hour, however they do produce things those people might wear. The reasons why someone who can afford to spend $1,000 on a shoe that looks just like a shoe sold at Walmart is the reason why they’re producing it in the first place: conspicuous consumption.” Gucci’s Pre-Fall 2018 runway line features a tracksuit listed at $3,300 paired with a shooting-star graphic tee priced at $1,500. Louis Vuitton’s Archlight Sneaker bears a shocking resemblance to Fila’s Disruptor 2 Premium Repeat sneaker, aside from the $1,025 difference in price. Is it a coincidence? “It definitely is almost a slap to poverty,” Patania said. “But this is not the first example.
Ripped jeans that go for ridiculous amounts of money, quote unquote punk-wear that is taken, appropriated and redone by high-end luxury brands. It depends on who you talk to.” However, the involvement of luxury brands in streetwear is almost a contradiction in and of itself. “On one side, it is losing all of its meaning because streetwear has to do with personal ideas and choices and a personal message, and the luxury brand is taking it and repackaging it in a golden box,” Patania said. It wasn’t long ago that these designers’ A-list products were made only to appeal to the style of the upper-class, an elitist reputation they are trying to break away from now by appealing to the new generation of hypebeasts and young consumers. The interesting part is, their plan is working. Gucci experienced a record 50% sales increase in 2017 after releasing their line of plain t-shirts, sweatshirts and, most importantly, sneakers. Following the minimalistic style of Supreme, all these products adorned was the simplistic Gucci emblem. What these more expensive streetwear brands serve to show is the current pattern of gentrification of urban styles going on in modern high-end fashion. Regardless of whether you wait for hours on your computer for a Supreme drop or if you swipe your credit card on the $1,500 graphic tee, you are altering contemporary streetwear as we know it. No longer is street style a means of reflection for countercultures, but rather a physical expression of wealth and exclusivity. Simplicity is the new face of affluence and Supreme is the new Adidas. Streetwear, coined by the skaters and urban dwellers of the inner cities, is now a mainstream fashion trend promoted by brands that were once its enemy. “It is absolutely part of the whole process of gentrification of cities because those objects are then going to inhabit a physical space that might be the Upper East Side where they were not born, where they were not welcome in the past,” Patania said. “What makes them welcome now is the brand on it.” The effects of this process of gentrification of style is a shift in the purpose and meaning of the style. What once may have been a way of genuine self-expression is now simply being picked from what high-end brands want buyers to wear. “So, the piece of clothing loses its cultural meaning,” Patania said. “The ripped jeans or the bomber jacket or the leather jacket with the studs have their own meaning, but are now just a brand-named product. These pieces are now entering new physical spaces. The question I think is: do they change meaning?” Fashion 59
MILE-HIGH FASHION Creating Outfits for Air Travel
by Melony Breese Forcier/ design by Katie Hong/ photo by Anh Nguyen
It’s always exciting to pick what outfits to wear while away on vacation. But, what about the clothes you wear during transit? Airport style is something that is often brushed over, but it’s important to choose an outfit with the perfect level of fashion and comfort while traveling. The equation for the best travel outfit is quite simple.
Joggers
Start with the bottoms. It is so easy to want to gravitate towards leggings, especially for an early morning flight, but joggers are just as comfortable to wear and are incredibly chic. A Simple Tee For your top, a simple graphic tee or a soft long sleeve is always a good go-to. Throw a long cardigan over it in case it gets chilly on the plane and you’re all set. Plus, if you have on a witty tee it can always spark a conversation with the person next to you during your travels. Slip on Shoes For shoes, closed toe is always the way to go. Comfort is key, especially considering all of the walking around you’ll be doing throughout the day. Sneakers are an easy option, but slip on mules can dress up a casual outfit to look put-together after you land. They’re easy to walk in, and they quickly slide on and off when going through security. Over Top Layer up with a good jean jacket or, for an edgier look, a leather jacket. Make sure it is something that can be easily tied around the waist in case of a drastic temperature change. Accessories As for accessories, it’s best to keep them on the simpler side while traveling. Make sure to have a good scarf on hand. It can help to keep warm while on the plane, or tied onto a carry-on bag when you don’t need it.
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Fashion
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Understanding Fermented Food by Kady Matsuzaki/ design by Angela Sun/ photo by Brittany Bauman
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Once upon a time, fermented foods were niche, a source of nourishment favored only by hippies and the “brown rice” subculture of cities like Berkley and Portland. But with celebrity chef advocates and the advent of widespread interest in health, wellness and nutrition, fermented food is stepping into the spotlight. Nearly every culture in the world ferments food. Fermentation allows a people to preserve perishable foods, to create new flavors and textures and, sometimes unknowingly, introduce nutrient-rich foods to their diets. For example, Japanese natto—fermented soybeans—is high in protein, calcium and manganese, while kefir, a fermented yogurt drink, has high levels of B vitamins, calcium and bioactive acids and peptides. In addition, ancient societies were able to preserve foods that, under normal conditions, would spoil. Fresh produce and dairy, which usually spoil within days or weeks, would last for months when fermented. At the very heart of fermentation is a paradox: life out of death. For the process to begin, the food must, in a sense, begin to decay, to die. Only then can the bacteria which make fermentation possible start to form, feed and grow. The basic process of fermentation goes as follows: microorganisms such as yeast or bacteria convert carbohydrates to alcohol or organic acids in an anaerobic environment. There are two types of fermentation: alcoholic and lactic acid. Once the process of fermentation is complete, a new and delicious source of nourishment has been created, whether that be an alcoholic beverage, a wheel of cheese or a jar of sauerkraut. While fermented foods have always been a part of human culture, the beginning of mainstream fascination with fermented foods could be attributed to Rene Redzepi, head chef and owner of Noma, one of the world’s most highly esteemed restaurants. Noma is known for its hyper-seasonal and regional approach to Scandinavian cuisine and molecular gastronomy, but Redzepi is one of finedining’s pioneers in the use of fermentation in cuisine. He even opened his own fermentation lab in 2014, pressing the gas on what would become a worldwide food 64 the buzz
frenzy. He and his team plan to release their “Noma Guide to Fermentation” later this year. In “It’s Alive,” a popular Bon Appetit Magazine YouTube series, host Brad Leone explores many examples of fermentation. He makes traditional fermented foods such as miso paste and sauerkraut, and also experiments with fermented garlic honey, sourdough pizzelle cookies and pickled, fermented eggs. In each episode, Leone explains the complex processes that are happening out of view of the naked eye. Each “It’s Alive” product is, quite literally, alive. However, even a fermentation junkie like Leone is prone to accidents in the kitchen. Once, Leone was attempting to make a Lambrusco with juiced wild Concord grapes. However, in the second round of fermentation, he noticed it didn’t look quite right and decided to inspect it. “The whole glass bottle blew up the second I touched the top,” Leone said. “I couldn’t even find pieces of the bottle. It just disintegrated. Sounded like a 12-gauge went off in the test kitchen.” This is just one example of how active the microorganisms involved in fermentation can become dangerous. While the gentle burbling of a sourdough starter, for example, is not as explosive as Leone’s failed Lambrusco, there are still millions of bacterial reactions occurring on a microscopic level. It might seem counterintuitive to introduce more bacteria into our systems by eating fermented food, but in reality, not all bacteria are bad. There are many types of bacteria which are helpful, and even essential, to normal bodily functions and overall health and wellbeing. Nowhere is this more evident than in the human digestive system, aka our intestinal microbiome. “The digestive tract is teeming with some 100 trillion bacteria and other microorganisms,” said Dr. David S. Ludwig, a professor of nutrition at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. “Research today is revealing the importance of a diverse and healthy intestinal microbiome because it plays a role in fine-tuning the immune system and wards off damaging inflammation inside the body.”
The role that fermented foods play, then, is an important one. “They help provide a spectrum of probiotics to foster a vigorous microbiome in your digestive tract that can keep bad actors at bay,” Dr. Ludwig said. The growing concern with gut health and the body’s microbiome is contributing to increased interest in fermented foods. Kombucha, in particular, has gained great popularity. A fermented tea, kombucha is a rich source of probiotics, which are essential for a healthy digestive system. Brands such as Health Ade and Synergy are now widely available in supermarkets, and many restaurants now offer kombucha “on-tap.” The complex, microscopic interactions happening during fermentation might seem like they can only be replicated in a professional kitchen or lab, but that is not the case. Kombucha, in particular, is easy to brew in an apartment or even a dorm. Oliva Ferris (SAR ’19) said, “My boss told me he had a SCOBY to give me so that I could start making [kombucha] at home. I had never tried it, but I bought a bottle and enjoyed it, so I took the SCOBY and started brewing it on my own. It’s really easy, since the SCOBY only needs sugar, tea and water.” SCOBY stands for “symbiotic culture of bacteria and yeast.” As Ferris said, the SCOBY is added to sweetened tea, then two processes take place. First, alcoholic fermentation begins as the SCOBY feeds off of the sugars in the tea and converts them to alcohol. Then the bacteria convert those sugars into organic acids, and continues to proliferate in the liquid. These two processes result in a sweet, fermented beverage which is rich in natural acids and healthy bacteria. Baking bread, let alone sourdough, which requires a long process of fermentation before shaping and baking the loaf, seems complicated and messy, but according to Maddie Ross, a University of Michigan student and blogger (@ cestmadeleine), it is also feasible to accomplish in a college kitchen and very much worth it. “It’s much simpler to make than you would think,” Ross said. “In order to keep the sourdough starter active and ready for bread baking, I feed it once a day with
“Fermentation is more than a trendy addition to a menu; it is a culinary tool which enables chefs to create depth of flavor, reduce food waste and educate their diners about one of the most ancient food preparation methods in human history.”
equal parts of flour and water, and that’s it.” addition to a menu—it is a culinary tool Broadly speaking, sourdough bread is which enables chefs to create depth of made by the fermentation of dough using flavor, reduce food waste and educate their naturally occurring lactobacilli, yeast, diners about one of the most ancient food flour and water. The starter is a fermented preparation methods in human history. mixture of water and flour, which is added Chefs and restaurants are branching out to the dough. The yeast in the dough from traditional fermented dishes, creating produces gas, which leavens the mixture condiments like Commonwealth’s black and produces sourdough’s characteristic bean miso and New Hampshire-based texture, while the lactobacilli produces Micro Mama’s “Mexi Mama,” which lactic acid, which gives the bread its sour is reminiscent of curtido, a Salvadoran flavor. fermented cabbage relish. “I chose to embark on my bread baking Several Boston-based chefs, in journey with sourdough because I love the conjunction with a wide network of slightly tart flavor, the thick crust and the fermentation experts and enthusiasts in the gorgeous CO2 bubbles on the inside,” Ross New England area, founded the Boston said. “My favorite aspect of fermentation Fermentation Festival in 2013. The festival is the total transformation of a messy, is currently in its sixth year and drew over ooey-gooey starter into a full-fledged 14,000 people in 2017, making it one of the ‘carbalicious’ masterpiece.” largest free, fermentation-focused festivals Even if one does not have the patience in the country. Clearly, fermentation has to brew kombucha or bake sourdough, it shed its associations with the “crunchy is now as easy as browsing the nearest granola” set in favor of a diverse and grocery store to get one’s fermentation fix. hungry audience. An Allston Korean restaurant crawl would “I think the digestion benefits that are also include a hefty dose of fermented associated with fermented foods are what’s food in the form of kimchi, the famous giving them all the limelight,” Ross said. Korean banchan dish. Additionally, there “Why take a probiotic pill when you can are many fermentation-driven fine-dining munch on yogurt and sourdough instead?” establishments in the Boston area: Brassica The fermented foods movement seems Kitchen & Café, Bondir, Commonwealth, to be alive and well, bubbling and growing Tasting Counter, Alden & Harlow and with as much enthusiasm as a sourdough Waypoint, to name a few. starter. Fermentation is more than a trendy
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The Syntax of Menus How Descriptions Influence Our Meal Choices by Kady Matsuzaki/ design and illustration by Katie Hong That sounds good. Let’s get that: sounds delicious. Listen to this. These are all typical comments people make when deciding what to eat at a restaurant. It is how a dish sounds on paper that determines whether or not a diner will order it, rather than how it looks, since menus do not always contain pictures. Instead, chefs and restauranteurs create a mental image of a dish through words. Menu descriptions can be as simple as a listing of the main ingredients of a dish. However, some go far beyond, adding cooking techniques, visual descriptions and loaded adjectives, all picked to entice a discerning diner. For example, increasing the appeal of a kale salad is all about syntax. When one imagines a kale salad, it is usually a bowl of dry leaves and hard stems, tasting vegetal, raw and plain. Chefs and restauranteurs, like the ones at Alden & Harlow, have to overcome this mental impression when describing their kale salads by writing a description that makes a guest’s mouth water for something that is usually unappealing. Ubiquitous Kale Salad: Shaved Fennel, Pistachio & Lemon The word “ubiquitous” draws a diner in. This kale is universal, impossible to get away from and ever-present. There is a sense that everyone loves this kale salad, hence its ubiquity to Alden & Harlow’s menu. Reading the rest of the salad components, the diner’s mind conjures up images of crisp, white fennel shavings, the buttery richness of pistachio and bright, citrusy lemon. Suddenly, the notion of dry, hay-like kale disappears and is replaced by desire. One wants to know, through taste, why kale has become an integral part of the menu. So, they order it.
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Suddenly, the notion of dry, hay-like kale disappears and is replaced by desire.
Chefs also play with dishes that everyone knows, turning them into something unique and different, sometimes by the addition of just one ingredient. For example, take Sarma’s twist on a Mexican classic. Lentil Nachos: Spicy Feta Fondue, Radish Tzatziki, Cabbage, Sprouts Sarma takes the familiar—nachos—and turns it into something exotic. The description is short and sparse, intending to pique someone’s curiosity. Lentil nachos? What is tzatziki? Yet, there is enough to keep the description grounded in a common understanding of nachos. Everyone knows how cabbage, sprouts, radish and fondue taste. Bright yellow nacho cheese is replaced by the more refined, but equally gooey, white feta fondue. Crisp cabbage and sprouts act as the shredded iceberg lettuce. Tzatziki, a creamy, yogurt-based dip, takes on sour cream’s role. The combination of the familiar with the unknown. Sarma’s lentil nachos balance what one knows and does not know, in order to convince a diner to order it. Restaurants also have the choice of including preparation in their descriptions. Vegetables are “roasted;” meat is “braised” or cooked “sous-vide.” It does not matter whether or not the diner actually knows what sous-vide means; the French sounds fancy and elegant. Therefore, the dish must be fancy and elegant. A dish of fish rissolé will probably sell better than “fried fish.” Words such as “roasted,” “seared” and “sizzling” all conjure up appealing mental impressions. The diner is primed to want these dishes because of the adjectives’ associations and connotations, even if the literal definition of these words is less than tempting. “Roasted carrots with carrot harissa,” à la Dig Inn,
sounds much more delicious than “lightly burned carrots in red paste.” The omission of defining a particular food or preparation is also part of designing a menu. Most diners do not want to know that foie gras is fattened duck or goose liver. Even if a patron has had foie gras before, or at least knows what it is, there is a French mystique and elegance which automatically pervades the dish. If an ingredient is in French, it automatically joins a centuries-long tradition of haute cuisine; French food is often considered the height of fine dining. “Fattened duck liver” sounds unappealing; foie gras is refined. The naming of a dish can also have an impact. At Lulu’s Allston, the White Trash Hash automatically catches the eye because of its playful, slightly naughty name. Its description, “Cajun Tots Topped with Stout Braised Short Ribs, Two Poached Eggs and Hollandaise Sauce,” conjures up all of the creamy, meaty, crispy and rich flavors and textures that the name, White Trash Hash, evokes from the second it is read. Adjectives do not always have to have strictly culinary connotations. Take, for example, Mei Mei’s Javelin Fries and Double Awesome: Javelin Fries: parsnip fries, house spice, seaweed confetti, soy aioli “Javelin” suggests sharp, thin and swordlike, the ideal fry shape and texture. “House spice” lends an air of secrecy and uniqueness; nowhere else can one get this spice blend. “Confetti” conveys a sense of celebration, as though these fries are special and festive once sprinkled with seaweed. Double Awesome: scallion pancake sandwich with two oozy eggs, VT cheddar, local greens pesto
Calling a dish “awesome” inevitably makes a diner wonder what makes the dish so good, especially when it is doubly so. By reading the rest of the description, one realizes. The “oozy eggs” call to mind every “yolk porn” video, with golden yolks bursting out of delicate whites. Mei Mei focuses on using local ingredients; by specifying that their cheddar is from Vermont and the pesto is made from local greens, they are tapping into heightened consumer concern over where food comes from. Environmentally conscious, decadent and “awesome” —diners do not need any more convincing than that. Chefs can also choose to not describe their dishes at all. This is common at casual, foreign-foods-based restaurants such as dim sum parlors and sushi restaurants. There may be a picture of certain menu items, but in general, dishes are left unexplained. For those diners who are unfamiliar with the type of food, lack of description can act as an enticement. Eating at this establishment is an adventure; one has almost no idea what their taste buds will encounter. Menu descriptions, or lack thereof, play with the mind of a diner. Words have to convey taste and texture and arouse images and impressions, all aimed at convincing a patron to order a certain dish. Part of being a chef is about taking what is familiar or ordinary and making it extraordinary, delicious and special. Whether one is at a fine-dining or fast-casual restaurant, the way that dishes are described always has an impact upon what one orders.
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BREAKFAST AROUND THE WORLD How People in Different Countries Start Their Day by Lindsey Rosenblatt/ design by Katie Hong/ photo Vanya Kohlweg Benavente
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SYDNEY, AUSTRAILIA
ANDHRA PRADESH, INDIA
MONTREAL, CANADA
SWEDEN
BRAZIL
SPAIN
ISRAEL
SOUTH AFRICA
Here, “Brekkie” is heaven for the health-conscious. Avocado toast is a favorite—and sources claim it was created in Sydney. It features homemade bread topped with fresh avocado, lime and a poached egg.
Fun Fact: Canada has the most doughnut shops compared to any other country in the world. Aside from their American-like breakfast, doughnuts are their thing. What’s more Canadian than a maple bacon doughnut?
Brazilians enjoy a light breakfast: coffee, tropical fruit, breads and cheeses. In Brazil, coffee—not the food—is the real morning essential, so much so that their word for breakfast—café de manha—actually translates to “morning coffee.”
Israelis prepare big, delicious breakfasts which include: salads, feta, pickles, olives, pudding and in particular, their bourekas. This comforting dish is a pastry made of phyllo dough, usually filled with cheese or vegetables.
Pesarattu upma—green lentils mixed with rice and other spices formed into a tortilla shape, then filled with upma, a form of wheat—is traditional to Indian breakfast. Upma curbs cravings as it is low in fat and high in protein.
Traditional Swedish pancakes with lingonberry preserve may be the best-kept secret of all pancakes. Swedish chefs whip egg whites and sugar to make their hot cakes extra fluffy and melt in your mouth.
Worshipped by locals, jamon-iberico –Spanish cured ham– is often used for breakfast. This flavorful Iberian ham comes from pigs that are strictly acorn-fed. Thinly sliced jamon on top of a toasted baguette drizzled with homemade olive oil (Spain is a hub for olive farms) and pepper is worth travelling for.
Putu pap, sometimes called “putu porridge,” is a cornmeal porridge that is traditionally served with milk and sugar for breakfast. Simply mix maize meal and boiling water to make this satisfying breakfast.
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satisfying terrier taste buds
The Evolution of BU Dining by Geneve Lau / design by Ting Wei Li/ photography by Emma Simonoff 70
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There are currently a total of five dining halls on campus: Marciano Commons Warren Tower West Campus Fenway Campus Granby Commons
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Dining Services
attempts to make the culinary experience more desirable for students on campus.
Given that 75 percent of undergraduate students at Boston University live on campus according to US News, inevitably, dining services make up a large part of the undergraduate student experience. There are currently a total of five dining halls on campus: Marciano Commons, Warren Towers, West Campus, Fenway Campus and Granby Commons. Boston University requires that students have a meal plan if they are living in a dormitory-style residence. Students are unable to live in an apartment-style residence until their junior year, unless they are pulled in by an upperclassman. Marciano Commons is known for its daily pasta option on the menu; and, it has a frequent stir-fry option, where students are able to customize their dish. Warren Towers also has a similar service with their Mongolian grill, where students are able to load a bowl with vegetables and meat, and a chef will add their chosen ingredients to a hot plate and toss with a sauce of choice. West Campus features crepes for breakfast on Sundays and Granby Commons has a full vegan station and kosher dining. The dining hall at the Fenway Campus is a new addition to BU Dining Services. Throughout the duration of the year, the location will be a prototype, adding more options as the Fenway Campus slowly transitions to fully integrating into the Charles
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River Campus of Boston University. According to an online survey, a large majority of students prefer eating at Marciano Commons over the other dining options on campus. About equally sized groups of students preferred West and Warren dining halls, meanwhile a small number of students noted Granby Commons as their preference. Megan Antone (COM ’21) recently made a decision to be vegetarian. “I didn’t realize how hard it was to find good food if you have dietary restrictions,” she noted. After eating at Warren and Marciano Commons, she noted that Marciano Commons has significantly better options when it comes to vegetarians and vegans. “I have a friend that recommends I try out the vegan stations at Granby Commons,” Antone added. “I need to go soon.” Additionally, Antone indicated that sometimes a better alternative is taking the meat out of food items. “I got tacos the other day, and I just took the meat out, and it was great!” she recalled. Some students enjoy the convenience of the dining hall. A meal plan can be a cheaper and easier alternative to living somewhere with a kitchen. “I like not always having to spend my money outside to buy food or get groceries,” Angelica Montalvo (CAS ’19) noted. “I knew living in
an apartment would be more expensive.” Celeste Lim (COM ’20) recently moved into an apartment in South Campus for her junior year. She said that she especially misses the ease of going to the dining hall. “You can get an entire meal in just minutes.” She admitted, “I miss the dining hall. I could just go downstairs whenever I was hungry and now I have to prepare everything and do the dishes once I’m done.” Lim still advocates for the dining hall, even though she is no longer on a dining plan. “Though some dishes can feel repetitive and the quality of the food could be improved, I think they do a pretty good job in terms of diversifying the options and switching it up and adding in some fun themed nights,” Lim said. Students living in Warren Towers and West Campus have the added convenience of a dining hall located within the same building as their dorm. “Last year, when it was snowing, it was convenient to not have to walk outside,” Chloe Qin (CAS ’21) mentioned. Qin also mentioned the convenience of the Rhetty To Go meals. Oftentimes, running from class to work without much time in between, the pre-prepared meals helped her to ensure she was eating during the day. Austin Negron (CGS ’19) currently lives in West Campus, but he eats at other dining halls
on campus when they’re closer to his classes. “I’m on the unlimited plan, so I eat every single meal in the dining hall,” he stated. Dining Services attempts to make the culinary experience more desirable for students on campus. Every year, there are themed nights—some campus-wide at multiple dining halls and some at only specific dining halls. Lobster Night is always a student favorite. Each year since 1985, during the first few weeks of school, 8,000 lobsters arrive from Maine and are prepared in traditional New England fashion. Students line up in advance outside of all the dining halls on campus, ready to put their bibs on and get cracking. “It was an interesting experience because I don’t often eat lobster back home in Russia,” Vera Butyrskaya (CAS ’21) mentioned. “Lobster is actually one of my favorite seafood options,” Nathan Plowman (CAS ’21) added. “Lobster night was a great opportunity to make my meal plan worthwhile. It was nice that they handed out the clamps, too.” Other themed meals in the past include dim sum brunch, breakfast for dinner, chocolate dinner and a variety of national food holidays. Sometimes the dining hall can be hit or miss, however. Emma Foulkes (COM ’20) loved the ’90s night, mentioning it was cute. She was, however, not a big fan of the chocolate dinner. “I’m a firm believer that sweet and savory
should not collide,” Foulkes asserted. In addition to trying to get students on campus more involved through theme nights at dining halls across campus, Dining Services is also expanding in the social media sector, with an active Twitter account (@BUDiningService) responding to student questions and comments and a newly designed website with menu options, articles and upcoming events. Henry Qiu (CAS ’21) noted, “There’s so much variety, but no variety at all.” Most students aren’t very picky when it comes to dining hall meals. “I eat whatever they serve,” Jun Hao Lei (CAS ’21) stated. “If there’s nothing I like, I’ll just have pizza or visit the sandwich station.” Dining services have also inspired students to take their own creative spin on their palates. E-Beth Leach and Sophie Perez, best known for their Instagram account The BU Food Engineers, started combining different items in the dining hall and began posting their concoctions on Instagram. Since starting their account last year, they have grown a following base of over 1,000 people. Some dishes they have featured include bruschetta, hamburger beef ravioli, a nacho heap and French fries-in-a-blanket. Their startup actually landed them offers to attend luncheons on bettering BU dining for students in upcoming years and collaborating on special event nights.
Other students also take creative takes on the dining hall. Emin Lee (SAR ’21) started adding a small dollop of vanilla soft serve ice cream alongside the daily fruit crisp during her freshman year. Samantha Feigelson (CGS ’19) uses items at the dining hall to create her own concoctions from her suite. “I grabbed a ton of apples today, so I want to do some type of apple pie or crisp using a microwave” she stated. Feigelson recently started her own food account, @EZDormCookin on Instagram, where she hopes that her ideas will help other students see how to eat healthy but not sacrificing taste. Without a doubt, the dining experience at Boston University has a large impact on the undergraduate experience. From new locations to updated website information, Dining Services has increased student interaction over the past years. Students respond by utilizing social media to share creativity with options through on-campus dining, thereby sharing all the good eats, literally and figuratively.
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FROM VISAS TO JETLAG
The Life of an International Student
by Stella Lorence/ design by Shaina Schnog/ photograph by Sahana Sreeprakash
Boston University’s international community is a large one; international students make up approximately 23% of the student body at BU and they represent over 100 countries, according to data from BU Admissions. In addition to dealing with the normal stress that comes with going to college, these students overcome challenges that domestic students might not realize they face, ranging from vastly different time zones to an extensive visa process. Despite sharing many of the challenges of going to college in a different country, each international student has a different perspective on what being an international student means to them. “As a Canadian, I find it funny to be considered an international student, because I 74
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actually live closer to Boston than a lot of my peers,” Madeline Grubert (COM ’19) said. “The only thing I think is unique about my BU experience as an international student is the immigration process I had to go through to be here.” Grubert was born and raised in Toronto, Canada, and attended a non-denominational Jewish high school. While Toronto may not be the farthest away geographically, it still means that Grubert must go through the student visa process. “Having a student visa means my work eligibility here in the US is restricted to my designated major,” Grubert said. “Additionally, I have to receive academic credit for every internship and my Visa has to be updated each
time I get a new job to reflect my employment. Additionally, after college, I only receive one year on a work visa before having to obtain sponsorship to stay in the country.” Gaby Gomez (QST ’21) also mentioned the visa system as one of the struggles international students must face. She said that getting papers to stay in the U.S. after college causes fear and uncertainty when she thinks about her future. Gomez was born and raised in Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico, one of Mexico’s largest cities. She attended the American School Foundation of Guadalajara for her entire pre-college educational career, receiving an education based on both Mexican and American curriculums. Gomez said adjusting to the semantics of a new culture was difficult.
“People’s moral values and people’s views on global events and issues vary between places around the world,”
“Greeting people can turn into a very awkward and uncomfortable situation because I grew up greeting people with a kiss on their cheek,” Gomez said. “And, well, they don't do that here. Here they shake hands and, every now and then, hug.” Despite these challenges, Gomez had an optimistic perspective on what it means to be an international student. For Gomez, being an international student means representing her country and “the obligation to succeed academically to then go back to my country and make a positive impact.” According to the most recent data from BU’s International Student and Scholars office, there are 9,742 total international students from 140 countries. The top three countries of origin are China, with 4,705 students; India, with 998 students; and South Korea, with 440 students. Wenting Yu (CAS ’22) said she appreciates the subculture that has been created among BU’s international students. “I never really feel isolated because there is a substantial population of international students at BU,” Yu said. “To me, BU is actually a great place for different cultures to interact with each other. International students might be from different parts of the world, but we could communicate with one another through the same language.” Yu was born and raised in Shanghai, China, and studied at Chinese schools until her sophomore year of high school when she attended a rural high school in Nebraska. Yu
said that one struggle international students face is being cut off from what is going on in their home countries. Sydney Kim (CGS ’19), who was born in Seoul, South Korea, but grew up in Singapore, also said how difficult it can be to be so far from home. For Kim, the journey home is a full day’s worth of travel, and with long flights come jet lag and different time zones. Many international students can only visit home twice a year. The financial burden many international students face can also get overlooked by domestic students. Some international students, such as Tommy Jin (ENG ’21), feel that a common misconception international students face is that they are “filthy rich.” “That’s definitely not always true,” Jin said. “Not all of our tuitions are paid by our parents.” Jin was born in Taiyun, Shanxi, China. He lived in Guangzhou, China until he was seven, then moved to Switzerland, where he lived until the age of 13. Since then, he’s lived in Germany, where he attended Frankfurt International School. Jin, who identifies as a European, said that even though it feels like there are more international students than there are, there are still times when he finds himself the only one, like in his acapella group. He said he sometimes finds himself not completely getting along with or understanding students from the U.S. “People’s moral values and people’s views on global events and issues vary between places around the world,” Jin said. Max Sapozhkov (QST ’21) also cited
encountering different cultural values and misconceptions about finances as struggles international students face. Sapozhkov was born in Beijing, China, where he lived for 13 years before attending high school in California. Sapozhkov also said international students sometimes have to deal with stereotypes about their countries and the shift in identity that comes with moving to a new country. “Everyone assumes that you’re integrating yourself into American society,” Sapozhkov said. Despite many of the challenges associated with being an international student, no one can deny that international students contribute greatly to the culture of BU and that campus would not be the same without them. “I love being international because I feel that international students tend to make most of their friends with other internationals,” Gomez said. “It gives me the opportunity to meet people from all around the world with different cultural backgrounds, thus, allowing me to expand my knowledge and be more openminded.”
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Heading Out
5
Things You Should Never Leave Home Without by Kami Rieck/ design by Emily Knobloch/ photograph by Carina Lee
1.
Rain Jacket/ Umbrella Right when you think it’s the perfect day to flat-iron your hair, apply a full face of makeup and sport your white leather Sperry’s is usually when all rain breaks loose. Save yourself from looking like a wet dog by simply keeping a mini umbrella or packable rain jacket in your bag.
3. Moisturizer and ChapStick Anyone can relate to the horrendous feeling of dry skin and chapped lips on a chilly day, but only Boston students can relate to having to hike across the whole campus with turbulent winds blowing against them. Keep travel bottles of moisturizer or ChapStick in every bag you carry to ensure your skin is soft and healthy.
5.
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A filled Charlie Card Only a Terrier can understand the dreadful feeling of knowing your class starts in 20 minutes, the bus is late and it’s below freezing and snowing. Make sure your Charlie Card is loaded to prevent having those mini panic attacks when the bus doesn’t follow through.
2. Water bottle
There’s no worse feeling than getting to your lecture hall with 300 other students in a room that feels like a sauna. Help yourself out by always keeping a water bottle in your backpack. All buildings have water filling stations, so it’s easy to be health-conscious and environment friendly.
4 Earbuds The hustle and bustle on campus is unavoidable, but listening to music and podcasts is the perfect way to escape. Keeping a pair of earbuds on hand will allow you to tune in with yourself after a long day in the city. If you find your hands always full, invest in a pair with Bluetooth!
join The Buzz is hiring editors for Spring 2019! We are looking for dedicated and experienced students to join our editorial team for our print and online magazine! Email the.bu.buzz@gmail.com for more information about the variety of available positions
@thebubuzz | thebubuzz.com campus
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on the record Understanding the music label debacle by Karissa Perry/ design by Asli Aybar/ photos by Brittany Chang
Music 79
Independent music is not only a hipster, alternative-sounding genre, but an entrepreneurial decision. A decade ago, it would have been vital to score a major label record deal. In fact, it would have been considered the only way to release music and turn an aspiring artist’s dream into a long-lasting, selfsustaining career. However, the influx of Youtube, Soundcloud, Bandcamp and the ubiquitous Spotify have changed the playing field—and in a big way. Artists can seemingly play the role of agent, manager and publicist while developing their own musical content. Independent music is not only a hipster, alternative-sounding genre, but an entrepreneurial decision. Melissa Ferrick is an associate professor in songwriting at Berklee College of Music and an established singer-songwriter. She released her first studio album, Massive Blur, in 1993 under major label Atlantic Records. “Being on the major, I toured with lots of great people,” Ferrick said. “I had the Morrissey tour and then I toured with Weezer. I had a fan base that I worked for but they [the label] paid for. They paid for me to do the work.” Ferrick was later dropped by Atlantic Records only to go independent and start her own label, Right On Records. However, in regards to her shift in labels, she said “it worked out well” for her career. “When I was on Atlantic, the budgets were bigger so you made bigger sounding records,” Ferrick said. “For an artist like me, who is sort of attracting that hipster crowd, it isn’t necessarily a bigger sound that you want.” The decision to ditch or altogether avoid a major label is one that may work out best depending on an artist’s genre. As Ferrick noted, the larger budgets that come with major labels may not be necessary for more raw, minimalist content. Whereas some artists require flashy, largeproduction albums, the massive reverb and sound effects may actually take away from a strippeddown, emotive track list. This is further exemplified through artists like Björk, Liz Phair and St. Vincent, all of whom work under an independent label. Each of these singer-songwriters has a sound that does not require and would not benefit from extravagant additions, especially from a major label. 80
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Similar to Ferrick, Drew Deprey experienced ups and downs with the music label process Before going solo, the Boston-born singersongwriter was in the band Stilrize and signed to Roadrunner Records, a major independent label owned by Warner Brothers. On the positive-end, Deprey said he still keeps in touch with some of the people he worked with under the major label and made some “amazing” connections; yet, there was a slew of cons that came as well. He was told to change his appearance and act a certain way, a memory he is still “disturbed by.” Moreover, Deprey felt he had to send the label songs that were unlike “what [he would] write normally” and write lyrics that “were already predetermined.” “Looking back, I wish I stuck to my guns and wrote what I wanted, and stood by it,” Deprey said. “My band was also promised a ton of things, but 95 percent of the time we were let down and would be held in limbo only to hear nothing but bad news or false promises at the end of a waiting game.” Deprey’s situation sheds some light on what goes on behind all the commonly believed glamour and success of working under a major label deal. Moreover, Stilrize’s signage to a major independent label brings up an additional complication in the music label debacle. Nowadays, the term “indie” has developed additional complexities and no longer stands for simply not being under a major label. There is a certain sound associated with it that gets lost in the extremely diverse alternative genre. The lesser-known truth is that independent labels and subsidiary labels often have a deal with artists that are generally believed to be independent. These include massive radio-hit makers such as Lorde, Lana del Rey and Florence & the Machine. While their sounds and overall careers may suggest they are independent, their whole process of creating and releasing music is almost and probably identical to that of Taylor Swift’s or Maroon 5’s. Being independent, in the literal sense, requires artists to be resourceful by being or hiring their own team.
“You have to be able to work tirelessly at your craft, keep up with social media, make a brand for yourself, adjust continually and network with every single person in the industry that you can,” Deprey noted. “It’s almost like having to reinvent the wheel.” Going independent in today’s music industry is not a short-cut or a cheaper dupe to working with a major label. The namebrand label is logistically easier for the artist, reducing the job of the artist to just that: producing art. However, it leaves arguably less personal control over one’s craft. Since major labels’ main goal is to gain steady profits, they are never shy about interjecting opinions and making suggestions, some of which having nothing to do with the music. On the opposite end, an independent route means the artist has a role in the business side of things. It teaches new skills and makes the artist the boss, but the caveat is that it is essentially taking on additional jobs without knowing the monetary outcome. “I’m still doing it and it’s overwhelming. Financially, it’s extremely difficult and it takes stamina,” Ferrick admitted. The final, and perhaps most important,
consideration is the effect on the listener. Do everyday music fans actually care about or even notice the difference between major label and independent artists? Singer-songwriter Meaghan Casey thinks so. “I think that when we see an artist that is independent, unless you’re a musician and have the knowledge, you don’t take them as seriously,” Casey said. “I think that makes it challenging in getting an audience to take yourself seriously, but it’s not impossible.” Unfortunately, not all listeners are instantly drawn to the music alone. There are a lot of additional factors that influence an artist’s popularity—and major labels especially know that. Expensive music videos, celebrity social orders, appearances, promotional activity and concerts play a huge role. “There’s a lot of money involved in major label advertising and shows like American Idol, so when an independent artist breaks through, it’s usually because they’ve got something really special,” said Nico Rivers, a singer-songwriter, producer and engineer. “There’s also a large culture built of people who prefer the indie artist over a label artist and look at label artists as ‘sell-outs.’”
It is undoubtedly true that it is harder to generate a fan base when going independent. Major labels have a profuse amount of resources and are very experienced in maneuvering the music business. This is why it is that much more impressive if an independent artist climbs up the ranks and levels with an expected chart topper. Conversely, this is also why it is so rare. When determining which label option is the best one, the answer is completely subjective and determined by an artist’s definition of success. One may measure “making it” in dollar signs and zeros whereas another may equate it to consistent music releases and time well spent. Because music is both an art form and a business industry, there may never be a universally preferable option. However, all artists want listeners. “What really sparks something in what people hear is authenticity,” Ferrick stressed. “It’s a realness that’s coming through and it doesn’t matter if it’s the newest, biggest hit on the radio or if it’s something no one has ever heard of if it moves you.”
Music 81
Short-Lived Success Analyzing One-Hit Wonders in the Music Industry
by Rhoda Yun/ design by Sharon Zhong/ photo by Vanya Kohlweg Benavente
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You’re waiting in line at a cafe when suddenly you hear a song you recognize enough to sing along, but can’t quite recall the name, much less the artist. The feeling of familiarity is as frustrating as it is euphoric. Hearing a one-hit wonder years after its glory days is akin to reminiscing on reckless college days in old age. Occasionally, you’ll come across something that makes you recall how everyone looked in their camo pants and their Stan Smiths, carrying dirty Jansports while sipping on pumpkin spice lattes. That being said, just because reminiscing reminds us of good times, doesn’t necessarily mean we will want to relive those memories. It’s just comforting to know that they’re there, encapsulated in a certain time and space. One-hit wonders represent the best of the best. Perhaps for them, what they lacked in delivery, they made up for in longevity. Although the artists have disappeared from the mainstream music scene and possibly the face of the earth, their hit songs stay with us forever. “They reflect the height of their respective eras in terms of what was musically popular,” said Latifah Obaid (COM ’19). “That one piece of work is so saturated with elements that make up that era.” Perhaps it is because these artists are such genuine and complete embodiments of a certain trend and time that they had trouble adapting to the insatiable demands of their ever-changing audiences. The ’70s looked like big collars, even bigger afros and tight, flared pants. It felt like cheap polyester and smelled of burning hair dryers. It is a time so easily recollected because of its vivid flamboyance. Wild Cherry, a group that debuted at this era’s height, released their single “Play That Funky Music (White Boy)” in 1976 and instantly became the sound of the decade. They charted number one on Billboard R&B and pop charts and more, selling 2.5 million records in the United States alone.
By the end of the ’70s, The Buggles, a British new wave band that was as quirky as their name, revolutionized music during their brief reign. Their first album, The Age of Plastic debuted in 1979, birthing their hit single “Video Killed the Radio Star,” which was accompanied by what would be the first music video to ever play on MTV. Their TV debut was playfully ironic as they suggest that they are to blame for radio’s forlorn demise. On the brink of a technological revolution, the band was able to address a momentous turning point in history to the beat of a fresh, synthpop tune. “Ice Ice Baby,” a hit single released in 1990 by rapper Vanilla Ice, attributes some of its success to its use of David Bowie and Queen’s “Under Pressure” bassline. The accompanying music video was quintessentially ’90s. From the rampant graffiti to the heavy lip-liners and baggy pants, it defined the ’90s kid lifestyle—going out, being bad and looking effortlessly cool doing it. Nina Persson, lead singer of The Cardigans, may just as well have invented the persona of the manic, pixie-dream girl of the ’90s. Her shy, flirty vocals in tandem with her youthful, Lolita allure paired seamlessly with their 1996 hit single “Lovefool.” Silver eyeshadow, a blonde pixie cut and over-plucked eyebrows never looked so good. The 2000s were an awkward time for everyone, an era where it seemed as though everyone was stuck in high school, no matter their age. The iconic piano intro in Vanessa Carlton’s 2001 hit “A Thousand Miles” is certain to grab any distracted individual’s attention. A sappy love song like so many others, it’s hard to pinpoint what exactly makes this song so enchanting, but every time you hear this tune, it’s nearly impossible not to sing along to every word. The music video for “Teenage Dirtbag” by pop-rock band Wheatus represents everything that we loved about the 2000s: bucket hats,
boys with platinum-blonde highlights and your classic, sickeningly cliché love story set in a fantasy depiction of what would otherwise be a very awkward, pimply high school experience. We all hate to admit it now, but back then, we couldn’t get enough of it. Fast forward to the year 2010, when anybody who didn’t know how to dougie was probably a nobody. Everyone under the sun had heard of rap group Cali Swag District’s “Teach Me How To Dougie,” and you can bet they knew how to do the dance, too. Their music video, which also served as a dance tutorial, went viral on YouTube soon after its release. Unfortunately, the group never recovered after the loss of band mate M-Bone. In addition to the infamous “Harlem Shake,” 2012 was when alternative-indie music made an unprecedented break into mainstream music. Belgian songwriter Gotye worked in collaboration with Kimbra, a pop singer from New Zealand, to create the hit song “Somebody That I Used To Know.” Kimbra’s powerful vocals supported Gotye’s humble, sincere voice, creating one perfectly balanced indie masterpiece. A song that was way ahead of its time in terms of its contemporary sound and minimalist music video, this is the only song that felt foreign upon its release. When the world was ready to shed one era and adopt another, Gotye emerged as our savior, bringing the early 2000s to a definitive end. Lacking a definite formula for success, a one-hit wonder is magical synthesis of time, opportunity, music and the perfect characters to bring it all together. These songs feel familiar to us and just feel right. “What my teacher said is that basically the song every commercial record producer is trying to make is like a Big Mac,” said Lara Voill (Berklee ’19). “No matter where in the world you go, if you order a Big Mac you get a Big Mac and it always taste the same and never disappoints anyone.”
Music 83
Straight Out of Boston A Playlist of Hits by New England Natives
by The Music Team/ design by Amber Jared/ illustration by Katie Hong
At first mention, Massachusetts’s capital is best known for its student-filled population and easy access to seafood. However, Boston is also home to a thriving arts scene that has fostered numerous musical artists—many of whom have been met with huge success. The Music Team brings you a collection of songs by artists from the Greater Boston area that do the city—and the ears—justice.
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BOSTON
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“Where is My Mind?” by the Pixies “Girlfriend” by The Modern Lovers “I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing” by Aerosmith “The Great Escape” by Boys Like Girls “Here and Now” by Letters to Cleo “Last Dance” by Donna Summer “Save Me” by Aimee Mann “Satellite” by Guster “Isn’t It a Pity” by Galaxie 500 “Late at Night” by Buffalo Tom “Mrs. Robinson” by The Lemonheads “Summertime” by New Kids on the Block “My Prerogative” by Bobby Brown “Just What I Needed” by The Cars “Take a Walk” by Passion Pit “My House” by PVRIS “All About That Bass” by Meghan Trainor “Good Vibrations” by Marky Mark and the Funky Bunch feat. Loleatta Holloway “More Than a Feeling” by Boston
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staff
Ariana Quihuiz Editor-in-Chief
Noor Nasser Print Photo Director 86
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Valentina Wicki Creative Director
Amanda Willis Online Photo Director
Katie Hong Art Director
Caroline Smith Head Copy Editor
Ashley Griffin Managing Editor
Falaknaz Chranya Fashion Shoot Stylist
Geneve Lau Campus Section Editor
Kate Thrane City Section Editor
Megan Mulligan Culture Section Editor
Melony Breese-Forcier Fashion Section Editor
Karissa Perry Music Section Editor
Vanessa Ullman Travel Section Editor
Riley Sugarman Wellness Section Editor
Hannah Leve Social-Media Manager
Mari Andreatta Publisher
Alejandra Aristeguieta Marketing Manager
Samantha Cartwright Events Coordinator staff 87
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