Technique
Atlanta Symphony
Friday, September 30, 2011• Volume 97, Issue 11 • nique.net
The South’s Liveliest College Newspaper
The Atlanta Symphony Orchestra performs season opener.415
T thefts spark campus wide reaction
Photo by John Nakano / Student Publications
Photo by Will Folsom / Student Publications
Photo by John Nakano / Student Publications
As part of an initiative to raise awareness about the issue of stealing T’s on campus, the lights illuminating the large T’s on Tech Tower were turned off on Wednesday.
Admin voices discontent Students express mixed SGA hosts Keep the ‘T’ opinion on missing T’s in Tech week with vandalism By Vijai Narayanan Editor-in-Chief
By Sam Somani Contributing Writer
By Madison Lee Contributing Writer
The issue of T thefts from signs has come to the forefront of discussion on campus in recent weeks due to an increase in the number of thefts. According to the Institute, the value of T’s stolen from signs on campus has totaled over $100,000. “This is no longer a tradition. This is a destruction of property, and it’s costing you money,” said Institute President G.P. “Bud” Peterson. “This is just embarrassing because it makes campus look bad. We’ve got donors who give us millions of dollars to construct facilities who then walk by those buildings to see the T’s stolen from them.” “Recently I have heard from faculty, alum, parents and guests during Family Weekend express concern regarding the number of missing T’s on campus,” wrote John Stein, the Dean of Students in an email. The theft of T’s from signs on campus has become a common occurrence for the past several months. Notably, two T’s were stolen last year from the “Georgia
Student opinion regarding the theft of T’s from campus signs was divided. Some students said that the spike in T-thefts in recent weeks made the campus look visually unappealing. “Taking the Ts makes our campus look like crap,” said Zee Dhanani, a second-year ISyE major, who said that the decision of the administration to crack down on T thefts would make Tech “not look like a poor campus.” “I understand the tradition at Tech, but it does get a little messy when you’re walking around campus,” said Lindsey Walton, a second-year MGT major. However, there were some students who looked at the matter as a continuation of a tradition, or even a nonissue. “The current methodology of tackling the problem is a little extreme,” said Andrew Benton, a second-year ME major. “Kids are doing it for fun, not with the intention of hurting property. It’s a part of tradition which is some-
SGA hosted a week-long event this week called ‘Keep the T’ in Tech to discourage T thefts on campus. The goal of the event was to tell students that stealing T’s from signposts is not an accepted practice at Tech. The initiative was organized by SGA when concerned administration officials and students raised the issue of stolen T’s. There have been complaints that the exploit can cause confusion for visitors new to campus, as well as reflect badly on the Tech community. Donors and alumni often view this as detracting from the aesthetics of the school. “A couple of weekends ago most, if not all, of the Ts in the new Clough Commons building were taken [from] the entire fourth and fifth floors. It was really unfortunate timing because the building was dedicated just this past weekend…it’s obviously a place that we’re all taking a lot of pride in, and it reflects poorly on something that people have invested so much time and money in,” said
See Admin, page 6
See Student, page 7
See SGA, page 6
C21U explores innovative education strategies By Emily Cardin Staff Writer
This week marked the official launch of the cutting-edge Center for 21st Century Universities (C21U). Started in December 2010 and led by Professor of Computer Science in the College of Computing Dr. Rich DeMillo, the center is intended to generate a larger discussion about innovation in secondary education. “The whole world is innovating in higher education, and most of that innovation involves technology. An innovative institution like Georgia Tech simply has to be at the forefront of helping to reinvent education for the 21st century. Technologies like online delivery and social networks that a year ago we used to think were disruptive are now routinely used,” DeMillo said.
On Monday, C21U hosted a student poster session and panel to discuss intersections between education and innovation. “The C21U student un-conference was an innovative approach to introducing and engaging a key constituency, students, in a conversation about the nature and delivery of higher education. Much like the weather, many opinions are uttered about higher education, the need to positively affect it and potential innovations, but no one seems to actually do much about it,” said Dr. Paul Baker, Director of Research, Center for Advanced Communications Policy and Professor in the school of Public Policy. During the poster session, students were encouraged to present ideas and developed research about innovative ideas regarding secondary education. Students were also encouraged to participate in a
student-led panel discussion afterwards. “The purpose of the panel was to expose students to some innovative, potentially disruptive ideas about how universities and higher education might be done differently,” Baker said. One such proposed idea was “free tution.” Several institutions across the country do not charge tuition to students, and the merits and downfalls of such an idea were expounded upon at length by the students. “The potentially revolutionary [of free tution] was an intriguing one, and should be commended for being disruptive in nature, and hence potentially innovative. The idea proposed can be compared to an engineering approach that produces a marvelously engineered device, elegant in nature, but probSee C21U, page 7
Photo by Sho Kitamura / Student Publications
Professor Pete Ludovice from the school of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering presents at the C21U un-conference.
NEWS
2 • September 30, 2011 • Technique
From the files of the GTPD...
Technique
Campus Crime
The South’s Liveliest College Newspaper
Founded in 1911, the Technique is the student newspaper of the Georgia Institute of Technology, and is an official publication of the Georgia Tech Board of Student Publications. The Technique publishes on Fridays weekly during the fall and spring and biweekly during the summer. A dvertising: Information and rate cards can be found online at nique.net/ads. The deadline for reserving ad space is Friday at 5 p.m. one week before publication. To place a reservation, for billing information, or for any other questions please e-mail us at ads@nique.net. You may reach us by telephone at (404) 894-2830, Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Coverage R equests: Requests for coverage and tips should be submitted to the Editor-in-Chief and/or the relevant section editor. Office: 353 Ferst Dr., Room 137 Atlanta, GA 30332-0290 Telephone: (404) 894-2830 Fax: (404) 894-1650
ball of paper and found a used crack pipe inside. The suspect admitted to using it earlier in the evening. The officers found no other weapons or contraband and the suspect was released after a brief time in custody.
Editor-in-Chief: Vijai Narayanan editor@nique.net Telephone: (404) 894-2831
News Editor: Kamna Bohra / news@nique.net Opinions Editor: Chris Russell / opinions@nique.net Focus Editor: Siddharth Gurnani / focus@nique.net Entertainment Editor: Zheng Zheng / entertainment@nique.net Sports Editor: Alex Sohani / sports@nique.net
Follow us online: http://nique.net Twitter: @the_nique Copyright © 2011, Vijai Narayanan, Editor-in-Chief, and by the Georgia Tech Board of Student Publications. No part of this paper may be reproduced in any manner without written permission from the Editor-in-Chief or from the Board of Student Publications. The ideas expressed herein are those of the individual authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the Board of Student Publications, the students, staff, or faculty of the Georgia Institute of Technology or the University System of Georgia. First copy free—for additional copies call (404) 894-2830
By Kamna Bohra Managing Editor DoubleSlap
A police officer was dispatched to Sigma Nu’s fraternity house on the evening of Saturday, Sept. 24 in response to a report of battery after a call from the mother of the victim. The suspect allegedly approached the victim in front of the house for a private conversation, in which the suspect threatened to hurt the victim if he attempted to make advances toward the suspect’s girlfriend. The victim assured the suspect that he was not making advances toward the girlfriend but shortly thereafter, the suspect allegedly returned to headbutt the victim, causing a laceration above the victim’s eye. Even later in the evening, as the victim was tending to the initial wound inside the house, the suspect punched the victim in the face, resulting in what appeared to be a broken nose. The victim sought treatment at an off-campus hospital but did not press charges against the suspect. Intelligent Intoxication
On the night of Friday, Sept. 23, a police officer was dispatched
to the Tech library in response to a potentially sick person on the premises at approximately 1:30 a.m. There, he found a student who had previously passed out underneath his computer desk and vomited on the floor due to excessive drinking earlier in the evening. The suspect then went to a women’s restroom in the Library to clean himself up, but he vomited once more in the trash can there. An ambulance arrived on scene, but the suspect declined to go to the hospital and was released shortly thereafter to be taken home by a friend. Crackalackin’
A subject matching the description of a recent bike thief was found walking along Northside Drive, NW, in the early morning hours of Tuesday, Sept. 27. The suspect denied having any drugs or weapons to the police officer, but upon emptying his pockets, he attempted to conceal a ball of toilet paper. The officer requested the ball of paper, at which point the suspect continued to attempt to hide it. The officer finally seized the
Interested in writing, photography, design or sales? Join the Technique to get the chance to discover all aspects of campus! Weekly staff meetings Tuesdays at 7 p.m. in Flag Building Rm. 137
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Fakin’ it
A Tech student approached a police officer with a complaint that a man was allegedly following him in the early morning hours of Tuesday, Sept. 27, along Cherry Street. The police officer initiated contact with the suspect, but the name provided by the suspect was allegedly false, as it did not register when the officer attempted to verify it and his date of birth through both the Georgia Crime Information Center and the National Crime Information Center databases. The suspect indicated that he had previously been incarcerated at both the Atlanta City Jail and the Fulton County Jail. Still, the suspect’s identity did not register with either jail. The police officer then arrested the suspect on the grounds of loitering, prowling and providing false information to an officer. Later, at the Fulton County Jail, the suspect was fingerprinted, and he was ultimately identified under a different name and date of birth than the ones he previously provided. No weapons or contraband were found on the suspect’s person.
NEWS
Council Clippings
This week in Student Government
Equestrian Team
By Emily Cardin, Staff Writer
E
ach week, this section includes coverage of different aspects of Student Government, including the Undergraduate House of Representatives, Graduate Student Senate and the Executive Branch of both governments.
Bill Summary Bill
Amount
GSS
UHR
Bike Week Badminton National Panhellenic Council Women’s Leadership Conf. Community Shavuot Equestrian Team Erato SGA Protect the T
$8327.30 $3000 -$22,000 ----$3371.36 $2212.15
32-0-0 32-0-0 --31-0-0 Fail 21-0-0 21-0-0 ---
50-0-0 51-0-0 --51-0-0 Fail 40-4-6 48-0-1 47-0-0
Prior Year: $524,258 Capital Outlay: $846,994
Photo by John Nakano / Student Publications
Student reps discuss the changes in JFC policy and how said changes will affect their own actions and campus organizations.
sliver
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you’re sexy you play Street FIghter too? Be care what you say, for I suspect that rumors can travel in a vacuum The void into which we plunge comes not from without but from within What color is the Bank of America Building? Brown, right? A bad memory is an excuse to forget the present. A good memory is merely a better excuse. i dont know, sounds like he killed the guy To the people reserving all-day blocks in the CULC breakout rooms: What you are doing is not okay. Wingardium Leviosa. There should be bike lanes on the wider sidewalks. It would make life easier for pedestrians and bicyclists alike. Without fail, every week I have a Physics 2 exam, I have another exam the Monday before. Might get my first C at Tech. JK Rowling, you are such a tease. Please give me full access to my Pottermore account already. Music midtown was totally awesome. Anyone else notice that Stephen Hill’s catch was up on the Yahoo front page? A public apology to the residents of Towers I tormented last Wednesday night. Signed: That tall screaming guy Patrick the TA, you’re my miracle baby Spare us the agony and grant us a quick death Patrick the TA Integrate[Exp[-( x/a)^2/2], x] I spend way too much time lookin at NYAN cat. I want to be, the very best, that no one ever was.... Resnet: Could you please explain why I can’t get peachtree tv in HD? The block seating policy is necessary because no one shows up to support our team. A lot of schools have students camping out overnight to get tickets. Maybe when we start selling out games rules won’t have to be created. Everyone pays for reserved how should I say helo to the girl working at Under the Couch?
Equestrian Team President Jessica Solana came before SGA Tuesday night to submit a replacement budget request. After amending the bill so that it was compliant with JFC policy requirements, the total of the bill was finalized at $18,620. The bill passed GSS on a 21-00 vote and the UHR on a 40-4-6 vote. According to Solana, the team is composed of 12 riders who participate in competition and ten members who are in the club to take lessons and ride with the team. Rep. Alex Walker estimated that the total amount spent on each member of the team is approximately $1500. Team members are required to pay $300 dues to cover many of the team costs. “Members of the lacrosse team, another expensive sport, are required to pay $800 for dues. That is significantly higher, and it seems like [the Equestrian Team] should increase their dues to help cover some costs,” said Rep. Nick Picon. Solana, along with several representatives, pointed out that team members are required to subsidize the cost of much of the equipment used over the course of the year. “We all have to pay for the majority of our equipment- our saddles and such. We also share equipment and use it over several years,” Solana said. She also said that the dues cover only part of show fee, and that particpants are expected to cover the rest of the costs. “We all spend at least $3,000 of our money to cover our show fees,” said Solana. Because the GSS and the UHR passed different versions of the bill, the bill will go to conference committee for further review until next week.
Technique • September 30, 2011 • 3
JFC Policy Changes
The respresentatives discussed at length the new JFC policy that will affect how SGA can allocate funds to chartered student organizations. The new proposed policy cannot be changed once being voted upon by both GSS and SGA. JFC Chair Charley Crosson said the majority of the changes made were not inherently different from past alterations. “Most of these [changes in policy] are incremental changes that have been made every year in the past. A lot of this year’s policy was created by consulting upon last year’s [JFC Policy],” Crosson said. Rep. Aaron Greenwood also presented an amendment regarding the funding of food to both chambers. The amendment allowed organizations to apply to SGA for funding for food, as long as the food plays an integral role in the meeting and has cultural significance. “Each organization will have to post a flyer that displays both the cultural significance of the food and the nutritional value, to avoid potential issues with students that have food allergies,” Greenwood said. There is a $1,000 cap on food allocations, and SGA will only fund up to $5 worth of food per student. No more than half of the food will be funded by SGA, and all of this will be verified electronically using the Buzzcard system. There was also significant discussion regarding the communication, or lack thereof, with organizations about changes made in policy. Several representatives were hesitant to pass sections of the bill regarding a proposed reductions in stipend payment and the demotion of Tier-II organizations to Tier-III organizations (which
would result in decreased stipend payments as well). “We need to consult the organizations first. This is not fair — we can’t just do this without talking to the people and groups that it would affect,” Rep. Hunter Hammond said. Religious event
UHR voted to fail a bill to fund a community-wide celebration of Shavuot, a Jewish holiday. Rep. Eran Mordel, author of the bill, urged other representatives to vote to fail the bill after outlining the conflict over the religious distinction of the event. “Shavuot is a religious event. However, this event was open to the community,” Mordel said. Hillel @ Georgia Tech, in which Mordel serves as an executive member, a Jewish student-led organization, sponsors the yearly event and has coordinated with other groups on campus in the past to open the event to the rest of the community. “I have several non-Jewish friends that are involved in projects regarding different world religions that expressed interest in coming,” Mordel said. Last year the event was cosponsored with the Lutheran Campus Ministry, though the organization was not involved this year. SGA by-laws dictate that SGA cannot fund religious events. A rabbi will be present at the event and outside sources of funding were secured by Hillel to fund the event. “It was difficult to find funding at the last minute, but I understand [SGA’s] sentiments about not giving [Hillel] funding,” Mordel said. “SGA has been helping [Hillel] out with other events like Casino Night throughout the years, so I just wanted to pick my battles.”
NEWS
Tech launches campus Bike Week By Henry Duong Contributing Writer
On Monday, Tech launched its first annual Bike Week, a week of student organized activities to promote and increase the visibility of cycling as an alternative form of transportation. Bike Week’s activities included a week-long Commuter Challenge during which departments recorded their total miles commuted on bike to compete for a prize. The Grand Prize will be the installation of a new bike rack for the department. Week-long free bike repairs on Tech walkway, Heels on Wheels, Tour de Tech, and other events also took place. Bike Week is an idea that originated a couple of months ago from the Bicycle Infrastructure Improvement Committee (BIIC), an institute wide committee of the SGA. Since its formation in December 2010, the BIIC has raised over $75,000 from SGA and the Office of the President to put toward various efforts to improve cycling on campus, such as adding new bike racks and sharrows — shared lane arrows that designate certain lanes as bicycle friendly. “[Cycling] is something that I’m really passionate about. My [PhD] focus is on environmental policy and these are good solutions to some problems we have in the world, by reducing congestion and lowering emission. The easier we can make it for students to ride, the more people will be willing to ride, and Tech can help its students be more sustainable in daily lives,” said Johann Weber, the chair of BIIC and a PhD student in Public Policy. There are many Bike Week activities for cyclists, but one goal of Bike Week is to have non-cyclists involved as well in the broader
discussion of alternative transportation. “[Students for Progressive Transit@GT’s] goal is to support all alternative forms of transportation, including cycling, walking, taking public transit, and ride sharing. We basically just want to lower the number of students who drive alone to and from school,” said Amy Ingles, Masters Student in Civil Engineering and Urban Planning. On Wednesday, Heels on Wheels, a social ride for female cyclists, was held to promote a sense of community amongst female cyclists. Friday, several students participated in Tour de Tech, a 4 mile loop ride around campus, with Institute President G.P. “Bud” Peterson and his wife
Val Peterson. One of the exciting upcoming changes for cycling in Tech is the launch of the pilot program of viaCycle, a new type of bike sharing program that will allow students to rent communal bikes at a reasonable price and use it to get around campus. Program leaders already have plans for expansion. “We are very excited about how the first few days [of Bike Week] went, and we would like to do it again next year and expand it. We want to get more people involved, and one idea was to coordinate with UGA to have a competition for commuters. These competitions can bring together the big public universities in Georgia, which in turn are trendsetters for the rest of the state,” Weber said.
Photo by Wei Liao / Student Publications
In addition to hosting Bike Week, the BIIC has added new bike racks and sharrow signs on roads throughout Tech’s campus.
Technique • September 30, 2011 • 5
Breaking
Bubble the
A
lot of things went on outside the bubble of Tech in the past week. Here are a few important events taking place throughout the nation and the world.
Amazon to sell new competitor to iPad Set to be released on Nov. 15, 2011, the Kindle Fire will be Amazon’s entry into the tablet market. The product was announced on Sept. 28. The Fire is priced at $199 and is expected to compete with Apple iPad 2 and the Barnes & Noble Nook Color, which are priced at $499+ and $249, respectively. Built with a seven-inch color touch screen and a dual core processor, the Amazon Fire weighs 14.6 oz. The tablet provides access to Amazon’s digital content, which includes books, movies, music and games. A new feature included in the tablet is Silk, a cloud-accelerated browser. Furthermore, users receive one free month of Amazon Prime service, which offers instant streaming of movies and TV shows, along with free two-day shipping for millions of items. In addition to the tablet, Amazon also released a new keyboardless Kindle e-reader for $79, along with the Kindle Touch and Kindle Touch 3G, which are $99 and $149, respectively.
Saudi king revokes lashing punishment for woman On Tuesday, Sept. 27, Saudi Arabian King Abdullah repealed his initial decision to give female citizen Shaima Jastaina 10 lashes for driving without the permission of a man in July 2011. The initial plan for lashings received outcry from both the global community and Saudi Princess Ameerah Al-Taweel, who Tweeted, “Thank God, the lashing of [Shaima] is cancelled. Thanks to our beloved King. I’m sure all Saudi women will be so happy, I know I am,” after Abdullah’s revocation. Typically, women caught driving are required to sign a pledge to not drive again, but Jastaina’s act was one of many initiatives by women to attempt to break the taboo by knowingly driving without permission. King Abdullah recently granted women the right to vote, to serve on the advisory Shura Council and to run for local offices in the 2015 municipal elections. However, this move was cancelled by the prospect of lashings for driving. Although no governmental law prohibits women from driving, conservative members of religious groups in Saudi Arabia strictly forbid the act for both female citizens and foreigners.
sliver
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I want a beard like Clough If you love her, let her know! If you love her, let her go. sliver guy posting means people aren’t slivering enough. I blame the economy, and Obama while I’m at it That person who sings in the public bathroom? Yeah, that’s me. guy with the buzz tattoo - your girlfriend is smoking hot. good job lol @IC flooding HOLA or HOLLA? hey sliver guy, are you a guy or gal? can white people have fun without getting drunk? i wanna see everyone’s slivers!!!! Hey sliver guy, thanks for leaving me bed bugs Woot coffee in the g-spot Buzz, please come see us in ES&T2165!!! We want to see you!! Am I a nice guy? No. Anyone else in Maulding in favor of scrapping the current elevators and putting in a couple Thyssenkrupps? hey i could do this all day Calc 3 test = fml why are these people standing over my shoulder? still trying to figure out slivering can’t...stop... slivering! Matlab parties > girls lol tipos “You should write a line of code for the sliver” grad school makes me want to reconsider my major... Hey sliver guy, you’ve got mail i liked your annoying courtyard party better when you were playing bon jovi. The Bank of America Building is red. I miss Steak ‘n’ Shake D: boys are mean :’( 4-0 BABY! I’m such a nice guy... therefore I’m never gonna get laid
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NEWS
6 • September 30, 2011 • Technique
News Briefs Tech Professor wins Presidential Award Associate professor in the School of Mathematics Maria G. Westdickenberg is one of 94 recipients of the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE). President Obama awarded Westdickenberg, giving her the highest honor bestowed by the United States government on science and engineering professionals in the early stages of their independent research careers. Another Tech graduate, Gayle Hagler was also named a PECASE Honoree by President Obama.
SolarJackets win Competition to better ATL Students Corbin Klett, Matt Jacobson, Logan Marett, Kevin Miron and Andrew Vaziri earned $5,000 in a competition hosted by the City of Atlanta and Emory’s Goizueta Business School by proposing a new system for electric vehicle usage in Atlanta. The city will actually implement some of the ideas generated during the competition with money from the Department of Energy. The overall goal is for Atlanta to become the first city with 50,000 electric vehicles on the road.
Admin
from page 1
Institute of Technology” entrance signs at the intersection of Cherry Street and North Avenue and near the Health Center. Students caught stealing T’s or vandalizing them have been referred to the Dean of Students’ Office for disciplinary action. Five students have been caught attempting to steal or vandalize T’s since the start of the year. The Institute has stepped up its efforts to catch students attempting to steal T’s by increasing surveillance of prominent signs on campus. “Students caught stealing, damaging or defacing a T will be taken through the Judicial Process for being in violation of the Code of Conduct. The process will be a fair and consistent one for all students. Students found responsible for a T violation will be sanctioned with Disciplinary Suspension for a specified period of time,” Stein said. According to Stein, students will also need to pay a minimum restitution fee of $250.00 and take part in an educational component as part of the sanctions. In addition to disciplinary action from the Institute, the T thefts could include a criminal component in the future. “If [T-thefts] continue in the future then we’ll start to think about that...right now there is no criminal component but things could change in the future if they don’t stop from happening,” said William Schafer, Vice-President of Student Services. Administrators also engaged
student leaders to help come up with a solution to the problem. In response, the Student Government Association hosted a weeklong series of events in an effort to engage students and raise awareness about the thefts. As part of the campaign, students were invited to return any stolen T’s to the Ramblin’ Reck without any punishment from administration. “They went about and talked amongst themselves and got creative with it... Students know how to get the word out, help educate their fellow students. I think that they’ve come up with an amazing week of events,” Schafer said. Historically, the campus tradition of “stealing the T” has referred to the removal of one or more T’s from atop Tech Tower. This has occurred sporadically since the late 1960s, with the most recent occurrence in 2003. The lights in the T’s on Tech Tower have been turned off for the week to symbolize the loss of our campus T’s. In addition to the theft of the T from Tech Tower, many copycat crimes have taken place over the years. The rise in T-thefts over the past few months is the most recent incarnation of this trend. “This is such a wonderful place and a great institution. The students are spectacular and this reflects poorly on them, the institution, on our alumni and on me. I just don’t understand it. I’m really frustrated because I don’t understand what possible pleasure there could be in defacing property,” Peterson said.
SGA
from page 1
Elle Creel, Undergraduate Student Body President. The implications of what may be considered a harmless prank are made more serious by the fact that defacing signs and official Institute buildings in this manner also presents a significant financial burden for the school. In the past year alone the Institute has spent close to $100,000 in the course of replacing the stolen T’s on campus. Commencing a proactive student-led effort through SGA was intended to increase awareness of the problem among the students who are perpetuating it. The student leaders involved in organizing and spreading the word about the campaign spoke out for its importance at SGA’s Open Forum that took place on Tuesday night. “[Freshmen] don’t really understand the repercussions of stealing Ts right now…they just feel like they’ll get slapped on the wrist and sent on their way for scraping a sticker off of a sign… and because they also feel like that’s the tradition, they almost in a sense feel obligated to steal Ts,” said Alex Bandes, freshman class president. The tradition of stealing the large, symbolic letter T from Tech Tower originally began in the late 1960s. However, since the tragic incident that occurred twelve years ago when a student was killed while climbing the Alexander Coliseum, the feat of stealing the T from Tech Tower or scaling any Institute building has
been prohibited on the threat of expulsion for the students’ safety. Though students have taken to stealing T’s around campus as a way to carry on the spirit of the tradition, punishments will still be given to students participating in these activities. “The administration will be taking strong disciplinary action against students who are found stealing T’s and we certainly don’t want any students who are under the impression that this is a tradition or something that we support to be unaware of the consequences,” Creel said. One of the highlights of the week’s Keep the T in Tech campaign was Wednesday’s event “Live the True Tradition.” The lights on the Tech Tower T’s were turned off as a way of honoring the original achievement of stealing the T, allowing students to experience what it would be like if the iconic letter disappeared and distinguishing this impressive tradition from the act of stealing T’s from campus signs. Another was the “AmnesTy” event where students were allowed and even encouraged to return stolen T’s without fear of punishment. “Stealing random T’s really looks like vandalism…this is our campus and a part of our Georgia Tech experience, so we should want [the campus] to look as great as possible because people who used to go here still care about our campus…and we should care about our campus now,” said Vett Vandiver, Vice President of Communications for SGA.
NEWS
thing most colleges don’t have.” Second-year AE major Kevin Morillas believes the recent policy of the institution to be “ridiculous.” “It’s not worth all this trouble,” Morillas said. “People are going to steal the T’s regardless of how much time and money Tech spends on preserving them. At a bus stop, some people have nothing better to do than to scratch [off] a T and feel cool.” For first years Ryan Quinn, a AE major, and Jeremy Greenwald, a CE major, their involvement in a T-theft could cost them their semester here at Tech. “We were hanging out one night, and there was a campus organization that was involved,” Quinn said. “We talked about taking the T from the Architecture Building. Jeremy and I were the ones who actually took the two T’s.” However, these first-years had
little knowledge of campus and were unaware of the consequences of stealing a T. “My campus tour, my time at FASET, and one week of hanging out at Tech were the only interactions I had with the school, none of which warned me about any repercussions of stealing the T,” Quinn said. The two were encouraged by other members of a campus organization to steal the T. “They gave us the materials to [take the T], and cheered for us when we got back,” Quinn said. “We were heavily influenced by the campus organization, with both material and emotional support for doing it.” Greenwald’s assistant track coach suspected an athlete from the team of stealing the T’s. Upon hearing this, the two, on their own accord, returned the stolen T’s to the police. “At the police station, they took a police report and turned the case over to the Office of Stu-
OCT. 3
OCT. 4
Students
from page 1
dent Integrity,” Quinn said. “In about a week, we got an email with our punishment.” Greenwald and Quinn, for their actions, could face suspension from Tech for the semester, with no financial reimbursement for tuition and fees. “We didn’t agree with the punishment, so we appealed to Dean Stein,” Quinn said. If Stein does not approve an alternate punishment, only President G.P. “Bud” Peterson will have a final say over their case. To spread awareness about the false information and the consequences therein regarding the tradition, Quinn said he is taking steps to prevent others from making the same mistakes. “I’m trying to reach out to the student government and [The Technique] to try and make a difference.” “I want to be a part of the solution, not the problem,” Quinn said. “I don’t want to jeopardize my college career just for a letter.”
Technique • September 30, 2011 • 7
C21U
from page 1
lematic in application in that it does not “play nice” with other system components (that is the university context),” Baker said. The official launch event, held Tuesday morning at the Global Learning Center, boasted the likes of former Columbia University provost and author, Jonathan Cole, as well as a panel of educators. The discussion focused on
cutting-edge innovations that are currently trending throughout the secondary educational community. “The question for C21U is “What is next? Will fundamental changes succeed and what will their technology implications be?” This is an exciting time to be in a top technological university like Georgia Tech and to be leading an organization that can catalyze that change,” DeMillo said.
Photo by Sho Kitamura / Student Publications
Student panelists discuss revolutionary and potentially disruptive innovation in secondary education with faculty input.
UPCOMING EVENTS CALENDAR “Doing Science in the Open” with Michael Nielsen [Nanotechnology Building, Rm. 118, 3 p.m. to 4 p.m.]
monday
Distinguished Lecturer Nobel Laureate Aaron Ciechanover [College of Management, 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.]
tuesday
OCT. 5
Advanced Screening of “Allen Gregory” with Jonah Hill [Student Center Ballroom, 8 p.m.]
wednesday
OCT. 6
J-Spot: Sex Educator Tells All [Student Center Ballroom, 7:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.]
thursday
OCT. 7
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friday
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Opinions
Opinions Editor: Chris Russell Beware you be not swallowed up in books! An ounce of love is worth a pound of knowledge. —John Wesley
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OUR VIEWS Consensus Opinion
Stealing T’s
T thefts reflect poorly on tradition, campus life
SGA’s “Keep the T in Tech Week” has brought attention to the campus-wide issue of stealing T’s from campus signs. This new “tradition” does a great deal of harm to the Institute, both financially and aesthetically, and likewise causes much greater harm than benefit to campus life. However, one argument that is often used against stealing T’s—that it is not true to the “real” tradition of stealing the T from Tech Tower—rings hollow. The administration has led a crackdown on attempts on “the T,” and any attempt at it would be met by, if anything, even harsher repercussions than those facing students who steal smaller T’s from campus signs. The impending crackdown on the thefts of smaller T’s just highlights that it is difficult to call something a tradition when campus figures make it all but impossible to enact. If anything, it should be considered part of campus history, like Sideways the dog and drown-proofing, as opposed to an active tradition.
As for the events of this past week, they represent a promising start to a campaign against the vandalism on campus, but will ultimately mean little without continued effort. Pressuring current students not to steal T’s will inevitably encourage just as many thefts of T’s as it will discourage. Real effort must be made to ensure that incoming freshmen are taught the history of Stealing the T, while also making sure they know the repercussions of vandalizing campus. Pressure must also be applied on upperclassmen to ensure that they do not mislead new students for the sake of amusement. While the week was, in itself, a good start to this campaign, it is disconcerting that the administration chose to hide behind SGA. Much of the force for the week came from the administration, and it is disappointing that they felt the need to put pressure on student leaders to affect their peers instead of addressing the student body directly.
The Consensus Opinion reflects the majority opinion of the Editorial Board of the Technique, but not necessarily the opinions of individual editors.
Technique Editorial Board Vijai Narayanan, Editor-in-Chief Kamna Bohra, Managing Editor Mike Donohue, Business Manager
Kamna Bohra, News Editor Vivian Fan, Outreach Editor Siddharth Gurnani, Focus Editor Nishant Prasadh, Development Editor
Chris Russell, Opinions Editor Matt Schrichte, Advertising Manager Alex Sohani, Sports Editor Zheng Zheng, Entertainment Editor
EDITORIAL CARTOON By Casey Tisdel
Technique
8
Friday, September 30, 2011
YOUR VIEWS Letters to the Editor
Policy waiver hypocritical of SGA
Last week, the Student Government Association (SGA) passed the Joint Allocation to Georgia Tech Night at Woodruff Arts Center. This $600 bill, written to fund Stinger Bus transportation to and from the Woodruff Arts Center, was funded out of the Prior Year (PY) account. Prior Year is one of four accounts that SGA is able to draw from and is usually used to fund student organizations. The Joint Finance Committee (JFC) has strict guidelines for what can be funded from the PY account and these guidelines are almost always followed by SGA when allocating funds to student organizations. One such rule states, “Travel shall not be funded to locations within a 150-mile radius of Tech’s Atlanta campus.” The Woodruff Arts Center is less than one mile from campus. As an undergraduate representative, I cannot speak to the discussions held on the matter in the Graduate Student Senate (GSS), but this issue was discussed in some length in the Undergraduate House of Representatives (UHR). The issue was twofold. First, the funding would not be approved for any other organization; second, the transportation was not truly needed. I will only discuss the first concern here, as the second does not have broad-ranging policy implications. Many great student organizations hold events throughout the year, and these events are often off campus. Their events would be much more successful if they could request funding from SGA for transportation, but this is disallowed by JFC policy. For SGA to waive this policy in order to support their own event is nothing short of outright hypocrisy. The GSS and UHR each have accounts to fund initiatives of SGA that are not subject to JFC policy, and these accounts should have been used to fund this bill. Instead, SGA used money set aside to fund other organizations without even adhering to its own policies about the use of those funds. I fully support Georgia Tech Night at the Woodruff Arts Center. I am volunteering at the event, and I hope that many students will come out and enjoy the best our great city has to offer. I also realize that this bill, at $600, is not a major impact on our PY account. I do, however, want to urge my fellow representatives and senators to carefully consider the implications of their decision to waive JFC policy in this case. Student organizations cannot receive funding for local transporta-
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tion, so they work hard to raise funding for their events. For SGA not to do the same sends a message to the rest of our Tech community that our representatives are not upholding the trust that we place in them. Daniel Farmer Computer Science 4th year
Stolen T’s foster community on campus The current theft of T’s around campus is, in fact, a new Tech tradition triggered by the challenges of and punishments imposed on the more traditional stealing of the T from Tech Tower. T’s missing from navigational signs and signs along the edges or campus project a confusing and unkempt appearance to visitors. However, T’s missing from signs used primarily by Tech students create a sense of community and camaraderie amongst the student body and an endearing uniqueness within our campus. As such, I think that the “Keep the T in Tech” campaign is misguided and that a different reform should be taken on by the administration. Increased penalties for the removal of T’s which are seen by people from outside of Tech are appropriate, but the Institute does not need to constantly replace T’s whose stealing is harmless and, for some, fun and enjoyable. The swiping of these T’s is not with malicious intent but to continue the feeling of home one feels from constant exposure to the atmosphere here at Tech. There is a certain comfort felt when you see the trademark of a community of which you are a member and a pride when you are able to share this specific, unique characteristic to a visitor. Andrew Babb Civil and Environmental Engineering 2nd year
OPINIONS
Technique • September 30, 2011 • 9
Internet destroys attentiveness, modesty I update my Facebook about mundane life events like ironing my pillowcase to earn my personal record of 19 likes for a status. Next, I change my GChat status to reflect my current Bollywood and Harry Potter obsessions and I send chat messages with links to fluffy animal pictures and videos to my roommate from the other side of the apartment. Afterwards, I write a line of my editorial before scurrying away to Tumblr to update the reblogfest that is my blog. I top it off with 100 clicks through Reddit and I call it a night. As a result of using the Internet to this extent, my biggest problem is my attention span. I once had the focus and the stamina to read an entire novel in one sitting, but with blips of entertainment continuously at my disposal, what harm could a two-minute YouTube video and a quick scroll through Reddit really do, besides quadrupling the time required of simple tasks? Furthermore, my sense of humor similarly has the attention span of a goldfish— whereas I previously enjoyed the clever wit that went into comedy shows like Whose Line Is It Anyway?, I now only need the soft croonings of Nyan Cat and an autotuned “Double Rainbow” soundtrack to give me the giggles and to get me through my day. On this same note, I have
“...deactivate, delete and block all those timeconsuming, friend-confusing and self-indulging web sites.” Kamna Bohra Managing Editor
developed an obsession with mundane things that I should not have to resort to the Internet to see. Admittedly, my allergies to furry animals make for an ironic lifestyle that is legitimately only fulfilled by pictures of cute puppies and lolcats. However, I’m far less motivated to experience the world or to get allergy shots when I can see everything from the comforts of my room. The hours that I spend scrolling through Facebook are utter and complete wastes— what do I stand to gain from reading the statuses (stati?) of all 889 friends? This brings me to my next problem of defining “friends” and “acquaintances.” While many of my Facebook friends are people I interact with on a daily basis, a sizeable proportion of my friends list includes people I’ll probably never see again, acquaintances I don’t recognize and fellow Tech students I friended without ever meeting in that awkward pre-college phase of blithely talking to EVERYONE in the
Facebook group for the Class of 2013. If I had to hang out with every person on my friends list, I’d be in a pickle. Thankfully, I can very easily identify who my true friends are, but I get some kind of satisfaction out of large numbers of people added on my Facebook profile. More than just the number of friends, I get an even stranger indulgence out of more likes for my statuses and profile pictures—these “likes” tell me that I’m pretty and witty and bright because my mom’s sincere compliments are evidently not enough. This instant self-gratification issue bleeds over to other parts of my life. For example, a couple of weeks ago, I ordered an Amazon Kindle at 3:30 a.m. (my sleeping habits could be the topic of another editorial entirely) and became restless when it did not arrive at my doorstep within the next ten minutes. When the Kindle finally reached Tech, I became overly lethargic at the thought of the walk to the
Student Center, again wishing someone could just hand it to me on a silver platter. After I picked it up, I was too engrossed in my Kindle, which is yet another bundle of distractions, to update my Twitter and Tumblr. Now, I regret not updating these outlets, but the world is too fast-paced for me to express excitement about something that happened a whole two weeks ago. Now, I make all of this self-critical commentary as I have open tabs of Facebook, Twitter and Reddit, along with an entire browser window dedicated to dozens of Tumblr tabs. Hopefully, the ridiculous nature of my time spent on the Internet highlights what’s wrong about the way you spend your time on the computer. While it would be largely hypocritical of me to make this recommendation, your best solution to experiencing the same problems as me is to deactivate, delete and block all these time-consuming, friend-confusing and self-indulging web sites. Will you be missing out on important events and conversational topics in popular culture? Yes. But you might begin to give importance to your school work, extracurriculars, career aspirations and life beyond the box that is your computer? I sure hope so.
Portfolios an essential asset for all majors If there’s anything we’ve learned from Facebook, it’s that being able to get the CliffsNotes on any one person at any moment in time without having to directly ask them in person is a powerful thing. Companies like Google receive well over a million job applications a year, and considering that it’s...let’s just say “competitive” to keep an impressively high GPA at Tech, students need to be able to demonstrate that they’re able and learning just as much, if not more, than many other students at competing colleges. A good grade in a class can mean anything these days. It can mean you understand the theories and fundamentals of a subject but it in no way indicates any sort of practical knowledge. If classes don’t make time for them, personal projects can help scratch that itch. If there’s any one way to show in a tangible way that you love what you do, it’s doing it when you’re not forced to. One of the most common catch-22’s that college students face is that many companies require a few years of experience yet getting a job to gain that experience is impossible in the first place. That’s a perfect position for a portfolio to come in to play. With a portfolio, you gain the power to control the message, to leverage personal projects as real world experience,
self positively online. Many employers are seeking internet savvy employees with excellent credentials. Online portfolios can showcase your credentials while also showing your professional persona to employers Basheer Tome and potential clients online. For business professionals, Photography Editor online portfolios can increase online visibility amongst those in a particular field or niche that’s 0.2 points higher. If you market. This can also increase write, put up your musings. the number of companies that If you paint, upload pictures are interested in your skills. of your paintings. If you’re an For students, online portfoelectrical engineer, take pic- lios can help secure internships tures of and write about your and future jobs by allowing projects. If you’re an indus- companies to see your accomtrial engineer, write about how plishments. situations in your daily life For entrepreneurs, online could be made more efficient. portfolios can promote your If you’re an international re- business by allowing potential lations major, write up better clients and investors to gain laws or proposals. insight on the expertise you Showcase. That’s a key possess in your profession. word and the Facebook analFor authors, online portogy was there for a reason. A folios can allow readers to portfolio made / updated once learn more about your perat the time of job applications, sonal story and your writing is about as useful and live as background. This will help to your application itself. Few engage readers and increase inpeople put information into terest surrounding your books Facebook once. For most, it and publications. serves as a living and current If you can show employers digital representation of you. that you actually do things, Having a personal website and then they will be a lot more a portfolio in that same vein willing to take a bet on you. provides just as much—if not Once they’ve seen your work, more—of an opportunity for once they’ve bought in, you’ve serendipity between you and a created something that very future employer. few of the other applicants will As the world continues to have. You will have created debecome digitally focused, it is mand. Once you accomplish imperative to position your- that, you’re in.
“If you can show employers that you actually do things, then they will be a lot more willing to take a bet on you.”
to show that you really love what you do, to share with the world your talents and skills, and (if you’re lucky) to even have a way to gain exposure. You may not even have to apply for a job; they might contact you instead. “But I don’t have anything to put in a portfolio.” Nonsense. Unless you quite literally haven’t been doing anything—which would be a pretty stunning feat without dropping out of school—you have material for a portfolio. No, it’s not too embarrassing. No, you don’t have to redo it all and make it “look pretty.” People like a story. People want to know where you’ve come from and how you’ve gotten to where you are. A punch-line with no set up stirs no audience; there’s no impact to a story with no build up. So take what you’ve done and figure out how you can showcase it, because a potential employee with tangible evidence that he or she can do something is a lot lower risk than a candidate with a GPA
BUZZ
Around Campus
What’s your favorite social network?
Quincy Roberts Second-year BME
“Facebook, because it’s the one I’m currently on.”
Kyle Marie Jacobson Second-year BioChem
“Facebook, because it’s so well known and has so many people and businesses.”
Mary Kownack Fifth-year NRE
“Facebook, because it seems like more people use it.”
Simi Oludare Third-year BME
“Facebook, because it’s the only one I’ve ever used.” Photo by Chris Russell / Student Publications
OPINIONS
10 • September 30, 2011 • Technique
OUR VIEWS Hot or Not
HOT– or –NOT Four-Oh Football
Tech continues its domination of the gridiron, having defeated its most recent opponent—UNC—35-28. This puts the record for the season at 4-0, marking the first time the Jackets have won their first four games since 1990, when they won their last national title. It was a promising performance in Tech’s first conference game as the Jackets extended their win streak over UNC to three in a row.
Bike week
Tech students and faculty put the pedal to the metal (literally) this week in honor of the first ever Bike Week. The event, which was organized to highlight the environmental benefits that alternative means of transportation provide. The week involved a week-long commuter challenge for Tech faculty and staff, and will culminate in the four-mile Tourde-Tech.
Clough-tastrophy
The Clough Commons was officially dedicated to ormer Institute President G. Wayne Clough on Saturday, Sept. 24th, with a few notable absences: missing T’s from building signs. While vandalism always reflects poorly on Tech’s student body, it is particularly embarrassing to have a building’s namesake see his building vandalized before it has even been officially dedicated to him.
Water woes
Students looking to hydrate themselves at Starbucks who don’t want the jolt of caffeine typically associated with the coffee giant’s beverages will have to go digging for spare change. The Clough Commons Starbucks has begun charging $0.50 for water, meaning students just looking for a quick between class hydraton pit-stop would be better off packing a water bottle.
Theft of T’s ignores original spirit of tradition, defaces Tech’s campus This week’s “Keep the ‘T’ in Tech” campaign has sparked some interesting dialogue about the nature of tradition here at Tech. Some students see the practice of stealing small T’s as vandalism. Others see it as the continuation of the tradition of stealing the T from Tech Tower. One undergraduate student stated that the continued theft of small T’s has become a new tradition that is the “most cherished tradition of Tech.” Another undergraduate stated she is “disgusted that most (if not all) of the T’s have been removed.” Statements like these prompt questions—what is a tradition? And do we have an obligation to continue practices that are seen as traditions? The Webster’s definition of a tradition is “the transmission of customs or beliefs from generation to generation.” So I agree with students who state that stealing small T’s has become a new tradition. It certainly has become a custom passed down to new Jackets. But the more important question remains: Are we obligated as a community to continue with a practice simply because it is a tradition? That answer to this question is simple. No, we are not, and we should not. Traditions are intended to bring us together, to enrich the fabric of our campus life, and to instill in us a pride in our Institute. If they are not doing so, they should be ended. One quotation that I think aptly captures the current situation is, “Tradition is an explanation for acting without thinking.” I am certainly not saying that there is no value in Tech traditions, simply that all of our traditions should be ques-
ech n iq e u all we’re missing is
!
“If we engage in behaviors simply because someone before us did the same, what does that say about our community?” Elle Creel Undergraduate Student Body President
tioned. They should not be acted upon without thinking. Our rich history and traditions are amongst the greatest strengths of our Institute. George P. Burdell, Midnight Breakfast and the Mini 500 are all reasons why we love it here. They are essential to our campus life and they are among the shared experiences that make us Jackets. And yet they must be continually reassessed to ensure that their contributions to our campus life outweigh any harm. The label ‘tradition’ alone should never make a behavior permissible. I think our alumni are most acutely aware that this practice is not a continuation of the original tradition. I received an email on Wednesday from a member of the group who first stole the T from the Tech Tower in the 1960s. He discussed in his email that “the purpose of the ‘theft’ was to present the T to the retiring President of Tech, Dr. Edwin Harrison, who had guided Tech peacefully through the turbulence of the 1960s,” most notably through the integration of African-American students on our campus. In his email he said, “We felt a great President needed a great retirement gift, and what better gift than his own T.” He went on to write that there is no link between
the original theft and what is currently happening on our campus. He concluded, “what is happening now is vandalism, pure and simple.” Today, we pride ourselves on being problem solvers, prepared to look beneath the surface of obstacles. If we engage in behaviors simply because someone before us did the same, what does that say about our community? And what does that say about Tech students? So I challenge each of you to look beyond simply the word ‘tradition’. Consider for yourself if you want to be a part of continuing this practice. The simple fact that the practice has been happening for a few years does not give it exemption from the review of each member of our community. If anything, we should consider its legitimacy all the more harshly. In my opinion, when I critically assess the impact on stealing small T’s on our campus, I can find no justification for continuing it. Stealing small T’s is not bringing us together. It is not enriching our campus life. It has cost the Institute over $100,000 this year alone, and alumni, prospective students and donors consistently ask why Tech students are vandalizing their own campus. Rather than building pride, it gives the impression that we have none.
The economy sucks.
Free pizza rations on Tuesdays.
pizza meetings on tuesdays 7 p.m., flag building, room137
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Focus Editor: Siddharth Gurnani Assistant Focus Editor: Alex Kessler Designer: Ian Bailie
A week without Facebook By Erin Sapp Contributing Writer Since the beginning of this century, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and other prominent social media have slowly, but surely, infiltrated our world. Humans have existed for years and have managed to correspond with nothing but letters and actual interaction; In the pursuit of finding out how dependent we really are to society’s new electronic crutch, I am giving up facebook for one week. This is how I fared: Time 0 It is eight minutes after midnight, and I have just begun my seven-day journey without Facebook. So far, it’s going well. Photo Courtesy of Erin Sapp
One Week No Facebook No Skype
The new Facebook By Alex Kessler Assistant Focus Editor Facebook is being updated again! No, not the sidebar. A whole new profile layout is up and coming, totally revamping the way users interact with the site and present their personal information. Announced at the f8 Developers Conference in San Fransisco, Facebook is making the profile page a timeline, an electronic scrapbook of the user’s life. The idea is to track the most sentimental events, like friendships, relationships, graduations and broken bones, and to place them in chronological perspective, creating a visual summary of life recorded on facebook. Every post, comment, “like,” photo and connection will be amalgamated and sorted in the new timeline. Someone can look five years back to when they started using the online network and know who were their first friends and their favorite albums. The vast rerouting and reorganization of data is a phenomenal feat for Facebook, but it leaves some worried about the apparent loss of privacy. Despite the fact that See Facebook, page 13
Day One (Wednesday) This is not going well. I don’t believe I am a Facebook addict, per sé, but I have already typed “www.faceb…” into my address bar at least seven times before catching myself. Facebook has actually become a component of my subconscious! I am not sure if I can even count the number of times today I’ve wanted to check a Facebook event or look at my friend’s profile pictures. As I did not have a lot of homework tonight, time I might have normally spent on Facebook turned into a three-hour nap. Now, I am getting ahead on my work because I cannot be distracted by my normal diversion. Day Two (Thursday) Today I found avoiding Facebook an easier task. However, I needed to contact a girl for a project for one of my classes, and I soon realized the only method of communication I use with her is Facebook. I found her number later, but I started thinking about how much we use Facebook to keep in touch with others. I was later reminded of this when I learned that one of my sorority sisters had tried to contact me on Facebook the other night, but I missed the message. Facebook may waste a lot of our time, but it also provides a really useful tool for getting invites to events, messages from friends, and even opportunities for networking with groups. I’m starting to realize why Facebook seems so necessary for our society today. Day Three (Friday) My friends from high school figured out that I am giving up Facebook for the week, and they have started “liking” every picture, status, wall post, and tag on my profile to mess with me. Other friends have told me that they have at least 100 notifications just from Facebook “likes.” Not being able to check Facebook has started to make me a little antsy. What if something really important is buried under there? I got so much homework done today with time to still hang out with my friends, but I also feel a little disconnected from everyone else; I am closer than ever to people in close proximity, but people without my cell phone can’t reach me. Is that a positive or a negative? See Week, page 12
How to start a tech company By Lauren Townsend Contributing Writer
of Computer Science, entrepreneurship incorporates more than just one set of skills, and, most of the time, involves risk.
A startup company is one that begins from scratch—if it is started with the correct people
Technology is an everadvancing realm full of See Tech, page 13 cutting edge ideas and entrepreneurs, but how does one become an inventor in such chaotic times? Does one need a certain skill set, or knowledge of business to succeed in the world of business and technology? Startup companies seem to be popping up all over the place, but what techniques and knowledge can help make a company the best? Photo courtesy communication and marketing According to Dr. Merrick Dr. Merrick Furst, a multiple business owner and professor in Furst, a distinguished the college of computing has sound advice for entrepreneurs professor in the school
Technique
11
Friday, September 30, 2011
Tips and Tricks By Georgia Wang Contributing Writer We all have ways to procrastinate online. Whether, it’s Facebook, StumbleUpon or YouTube, these sites have a way of consuming too much time. It can be hard to keep a balance between what you want to do and what you should be doing. So, here are some tips and tricks to keep you focused so you can get your work done faster and go back to watching videos of cats. Will power This method works better for some than most. However, it is always worth a shot. Listen to music. Finding good music to study and work to can block out distractions while keeping you awake and motivated. Try making a playlist on Grooveshark, find great artists on Pandora or Spotify, or listen to pre-made playlists on 8tracks.com. Make a to-do list. Reward yourself for every to-do you complete. Plus, there is that feeling of accomplishment when you can cross something off a list. Take breaks. Seeing the work we have to do by the next morning can be overwhelming. Take small breaks between problems sets or create a reward system so you have something to look forward to. For example, one hour of work means a 20-minute break or two problems equals three games of Tetris. Silence your phone. Keep yourself from checking your phone constantly. This keeps you less distracted, and you will feel super popular when you have a bunch of unread text messages when you check your phone after a long time.
12 • September 30, 2011 • Technique
Photo courtesy of Sho Kitamura / Student Publications
Facebook has made it easy to stay connected with people in various networks but how healthy is gen-now’s obsession with it?
Week
from page 11
Day Four (Saturday) So, before now, not being on Facebook hasn’t been too big of a deal. I’ve gotten more work done, maybe missed a few messages or events, but overall, my lack of Facebook has not bothered me. Today, however, I found myself seriously considering cheating and just checking—just for a second—before I finally reminded myself that I need to see the whole week through. I actually had a dream last night about using Facebook (and it was awesome!), which to me says a lot about my Facebook usage. I also noticed that Gmail has become my Facebook crutch: I’ve checked my email much more frequently than ever before, hoping for an e-mail, spam or anything at all. Things have gotten pretty bad. Day Five (Sunday) Today feels different; I have thought about actually signing in less, but I still can’t stop wondering what sort of notifications await me. I am almost dreading checking my Facebook, the way
you dread a huge assignment looming in the future. I definitely think that if I had given up Facebook forever instead of just for the week, I would feel completely relieved. Still, the biggest wake up call happened when my own sister became frustrated that I had missed an important message from her that she sent on Facebook. When I asked her why she couldn’t call me, she paused for quite a long time. Finally, she said something that I think has become the mantra of our generation’s Facebook use: “It was just the natural thing to do.” Day Six (Monday) Not using Facebook has kept me away from my computer much more than normal—and I consider myself a non-techie. I never play video games, I watch a limited amount of television and I did not spend that much time on the computer when I did not need to do so. Or so I thought. As it turns out, I saved an hour total on my online math homework because I was not checking Facebook in between. Now that I’ve lasted six days (which, granted, is not even that much) I understand that go-
FOCUS
ing without Facebook seems to be better for time management and overall mental clarity, but I have also been missing out on event invites, group postings, seeing pictures of myself that others have posted, and generally useful portions of our interconnected world. Before this week, I definitely thought the world might be a better place if Facebook went away. This week, I truly have no idea whether a world with Facebook helps us or hurts us. Day Seven/checking my Facebook (Tuesday) I spent a lot of the day watching the clock, but when it came time for me to actually get on Facebook, I was not that excited. I spend less than 15 minutes, checking my notifications and once I was done, I signed off. Perhaps my disinterest will fade as time goes on, but for the moment, I am largely unaffected emotionally by the return of Facebook to my life. Even with an anticlimactic ending to the week, I feel like I know a little bit more about what Facebook means to me. For such an addicting entity, disconnecting from Facebook did not present any huge compulsion problems after day four. Facebook’s worth cannot be denied. I spent a lot of time worrying about important messages I might have missed from my Facebook groups or from those who do not have my phone number. After all, our generation uses Facebook as a prime interactive tool. Yet we are not dependent on Facebook; we need only ask for a friend’s phone number or e-mail to contact anyone we really want to get in contact with. Facebook provides one principal tool that we cannot supplement ourselves: the ability to enhance our group activity by having a place online where everyone can stay connected or post ideas, questions, and plans. So, to all my friends and readers: next time you want to talk to me, just skip Facebook and give me a call.
Five technology trends shape social media By Ben Goldberg Contributing Writer
As the bond between humans and technology grows stronger, society has begun to see an emergence of trends in social media that have redefined communication. The trends of 2011 not only reflect the progress of technological advances, but also give insight into people’s preferences for cyber interaction. Video Conferencing Not even 25 years ago, the idea of visiting a relative without leaving home was difficult to imagine. Since the first video was uploaded to YouTube in April 2005, millions of videos have been shared with billions of people globally. The use of video streaming ranges from business-related meetings to product promotions to Fail Blog. This innovation allows immediate face-to-face interaction with anyone, anywhere, at any time. With the release of Facebook’s video-chat feature a few months ago, the momentum of online video streaming shows no signs of slowing. Quick Reponse Codes The popularity of QR (Quick Response) codes has also increased within the past year. Originally designed for the automotive industry, these matrix-like barcodes are now being used to advertise and convey information in place of traditional methods. Even in the Campus Recreation Center, all exercise machines are equipped with QR codes that allow quick access to instructions for those in possession of smart phones or equivalent. 3G>>>4G The year 2011 was accompanied by increased demand for higher bandwidth from 3G to 4G.
Carriers such as Verizon and T-mobile recognized the desires of busy consumers for faster download times. Verizon’s new 4G LTE promises perfect viewing of high definition movies and song downloads in less than five seconds. But with elevating consumer expectations, the need for technological innovation is a priority for phone companies. It may not be long before the trend shifts to even more bandwidth. GPS-Based Services Location-based services (LBS) have caught on as viable methods for users to interact, share, meet up and recommend places based on their physical coordinates. According to a recent poll of 500 UK adults conducted by Kinetic Worldwide, half of the respondents use their mobile devices for LBS in order to meet up with people, upload recommendations or discover places to visit. The incorporation of LBS by such companies as Google, Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn will facilitate the sharing of location-based information by both consumers and producers. PPT is passé In the business world, telephone conferencing is common and required, but presentation platforms that are working towards improved interaction such as Sliderocket.com and Prezi.com have gained prominence this year. Not only will people be able to clearly hear the presenter, but they will also be able watch the presentation in real-time. The enhancement of the presentation tools will also revamp the ways people are able to present their ideas, regardless of the person’s geographic location. These trends of cutting-edge technology are shaping the realm of social media.
STUDENTS SPEAK >>>>> Each week, the Focus section seeks the opinions of the student population on some of the burning and pertinent questions pertaining to the theme.
What does Facebook mean to Tech students? Will they give it up? By Sam Somani Contributing Writer
It rose from a small dorm room at Harvard and evolved into a social networking juggernaut. It has over 800 million users (with 350 million of them using it on their phone right now); 900 million pages, events and groups; and over two billion likes, posts and comments. It’s Facebook. “Facebook is a great way for me to keep in contact with family and friends,” said Heena Dani, a firstyear BME major. Doubea Pierre, a first-year CmPE major, agreed. “I use Facebook to communicate with friends from Haiti. With Facebook, it’s free—I don’t have to use a calling card or worry about mail arriving on time,” Pierre said. Some people, on the other
hand, see Facebook as a way not only to keep up with old friends, but also to make new ones. “It’s a great way to meet people I don’t know...I have a message board with a few people I met on Facebook where all of us discuss difficulties with homework and problems in class,” Pierre said. “If it weren’t for Facebook, there is no other way I could have found them.” To others, however, Facebook is not as essential. “It’s not that important to me, since you actually have to study in college,” said Katie Ledbetter, a second-year BIO major. “Only when I was trying to avoid studying, I’d get on Facebook... Sometimes I’ll get on Facebook, expecting to check one message, and waste the next two hours just browsing.” Christian Pugh, a second-year
ChBE major, also failed to regard Facebook as an essential part of his life. “I just mainly use it to chat with other people,” Pugh said. “The only reason I got it was because everyone else has it and it’s easier to communicate with them through Facebook than through other [media].” Facebook’s role as a major instrument of modern social interaction has also shifted trends in personal interactions. “A pro of having a Facebook is becoming Facebook friends with someone before becoming their real friend,” Ledbetter said. “It gives you an idea of the type of person they are.” Williams, however, had a more critical view. “I realized I was missing out on conversations that build friendships outside of the Facebook world,” Williams said. “Generally you get to know someone by asking about their interests and what’s going on in their life, but I didn’t feel the need to ask someone that if I already knew these things [through Facebook].” Facebook raises more serious concerns with privacy, especially
with the new interfaces it regularly implements. Currently, the ticker raises the issue. “Most of my friends have complained about [the ticker],” Pugh said. “People can stalk you, like legitimately stalk you,” Pierre said. “I heard about this guy who liked
this picture of a girl on Facebook, tracked her down and ended up murdering her.” However, anomalies like these are no surprise for a multi-billion dollar giant whose reach extends to most corners of the globe. As Pierre said, it’s not official till it is “FBO” (FaceBook Official).
Photo by Michael Schneider / Student Publications
Photo by John Nakano / Student Publications
Photo by Sho Kitamura / Student Publications
Photo by Justin Levine / Student Publications
Students Speak
FOCUS
Technique • September 30, 2011 • 13
What to look for when buying a tablet By Rachit Kansal Contributing Writer
Electronic tablets, in the modern world, serve an important function. They signpost a tradeoff between the portability of a smartphone and the computing power of a laptop. “Internet browsing and checking emails is so much more convenient on a tablet than on a laptop. A tablet also allows a person to see video clips and photos on a much
Photo courtesy of BestBoyZ
Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 595 gm 10.1” 16-64 gb 8 MP 720p (HD recording) Two Page Viewing, has several eReading apps Android 3.1 Honeycomb Android - Over 10,000 Approx. $600
Tech
from page 11
and skill set, the profit outweighs the risk. “I would encourage students who wish to start a business to begin by working for a newly established startup company. Working in such an environment allows individuals to learn their strengths and weaknesses in business as well as their likes and dislikes. Then, when they feel confident with their abilities, they should jump right in and get started with their own company.” Furst said. “How do you recognize if you are an entrepreneur? Well, it’s just the way you are,” Furst said. Furst, in conjunction with others, has founded or assisted in founding seven companies including the well known company Damballa. “The most important thing to learn as an entrepreneur is not a specific skill set, although that is very important, but to recognize a need and learn how to fill it. The only way to start a business is to see an area where there is a need By Hope Brown Contributing Writer
bigger and better screen than a smartphone,” said Ajmal Kunnumal, a first-year CS major. Tablet sales have already passed the 40 million mark for this year. Let’s take a look at three different tablets, which are touted to be the best in the market, and compare the specifications that are important to college students. For a college student who has to constantly move around campus, portability is key. The weight and size of a tablet can play an
Photo courtesy of LGEPR
important role in the decisionmaking process. The LG Optimus has a significantly smaller screen size than the iPad 2 or Galaxy Tab, which make it slightly more portable. Yet, fitting a 9” screen tablet into one’s pocket is not an easy feat and thus, this difference is unlikely to give the Optimus Pad a big advantage. Among other features, two of the most important for any college student are the eReading ca-
Photo courtesy of William Hook
LG Optimus Pad 621 gm 8.9” 32 gb 5 MP 1080p (HD recording) No two Page Viewing, limited eReading apps Android OS 3.0 Android - Over 10,000 Approx. $700
Apple Ipad 2 613 gm 9.7” 16-64 gb 0.92 MP 720p (HD recording) Two Page Viewing, has several eReading apps iOS Apple - Over 100,000 $400-$800
and make a product that is marketable.” Furst said. “Three key ingredients to a successful company are correct founders, marketable ideas and staying cheap.” One is never too young to recognize the need for a product or improvement. An entrepreneur begins as soon as he or she is able. Many students at Tech show this capability and have even begun to explore the world of business and technology. Sometimes, the field of entrepreneurship does not simply include startup companies, but the ability to invent individual products such as video games or other products. Chris Sumsky, a Digital Media graduate student and Ryan Oliveria, a CM alumnus worked with a few others to produce a game called “Token Master,” an iPhone puzzle game. The invention of this game led to the foundation of a company called Crystal Fish Entertainment. “We wanted to make a game. It started with four of us, and we put together a team, and it took
us about four months to finish Token Master. The inspiration was to make something that is totally ours and not for a class. After making the game we decided we could actually do this for a living and we decided to become incorporated.” Sumsky said. Their inspiration was followed with success with their game selling over five hundred copies. They aspire to do even better with the games they sell in the future. “After making the first game, we learned about our market base and now understand how to appeal to our target audience,” Oliveria said. “We want to make a whole new genre, and we all really want this company to get off the ground. I see myself sitting in the office of Crystal Fish Entertainment producing these games for a living in the future.” Both Sumsky and Oliveria agree that the skills learned at Tech were invaluable to the production and startup of their company.
The funniest and most interesting Tweets from this past week have been brought to you by @hpb330.
Facebook @ColbertReport :With the end of “don’t ask, don’t tell,” all wars suddenly seem kind of gay.
Wednesday, Sept. 21 @TheTweetOfGod: At this point, no one still unfamiliar with the ordering process at Starbuck’s should be allowed on line. The stakes are just too high. @someecards: Glad the Facebook redesign helped distract you
Thursday, Sept. 22 @DellHomeUS: If your laptop weighs more than a baby #timetoupgrade @BestWorstAdvice: Want to nail that job interview tomorrow? Start every sentence with “On the real, though.”
@NotGaryBusey: Instead of wanting Facebook to have a “Dislike” button, it should implement a “Cool story, bro” button. @toomany2choose Um, Facebook? You’re not Lady Gaga. You don’t need to reinvent every 2 weeks. Seriously, is this your version of a meat dress? #newfacebook Friday, Sept. 23 @Madeasimmons_: Have y’all ever seen the type of people that walk in Walmart?! Are they even God given creatures? #Sheesh!
from page 11
pability and the Apps Store of a tablet. With respect to the former, the Galaxy Tab and the iPad 2 effortlessly trump the Optimus Pad with two-page viewing and several reading apps such as Kindle and Google Books. The iPad 2, on the other hand, dominates its two competitors with respect to the Apps store. The Apple Apps store has more than 100,000 apps meant specifically for the tablet; on the other hand, the considerably smaller Android App store has a mere 10,000 apps or so. The iPad 2’s iOS seems to be more popular among college students then the Galaxy Tab’s and Optimus Pad’s Android OS. “The iOS looks much classier and more professional than Android 3.1. You get a totally different feel with the iPad 2; the ease with which you can scroll through menus is amazing,” said Taylor Nichols, a first-year EE major. A reasonable price is highly desirable for college students. Comparing the three devices, the iPad 2 is clearly the cheapest choice. This, combined with its aforementioned advantages, makes the iPad 2 seem like the best value-formoney option. One of its major drawbacks, though, is its relatively low quality camera, which is less than 1 megapixel. Thus, it seems that most students never even consider camera quality when they buy tablets. Verdict: IPad2 for its price, ereading capabilities and appstore.
every Facebook service is voluntary and the privacy settings of any piece of information can be customized, those who opt for the new timeline will find their entire personal history conveniently organized online for data-miners, identity thieves and any general e-crook. Of course true cases of identity theft are far between, and Facebook prides itself on its strong security for users. However, any time a user voluntarily downloads an app or service, they agree, whether they read the license agreement or not, to open information to third parties to read. When it comes down to it, the timeline will just be another step in the integrated evolution of social media, and Facebook aims to keep ahead of the curve. But regardless of how much security and privacy Facebook implements, it is the responsibility of the user to protect his or her own information. Although not out for widespread public use yet, www. techcrunch.com already has an article with instructions to download a developer app and to enable the timeline for most users. The new timeline layout will include a large personalized banner, the standard profile picture and sections grouped by themes, such as posts and pictures relevant to a trip to the Grand Canyon made two years ago all in one clever box. If anything, the nostalgia factor generated by the layout will inspire and surprise.
“I think the most valuable thing that Tech taught me is time management and team management. Both skills are invaluable in
a work setting,” Sumsky said. Therefore, for students who aspire to be entrepreneurs, now is the time to get started.
Photo courtesy of GT communications and marketing
Dr. Furst encourages students to start by working for established start-up companies before jumping into personal endeavours.
Tweets of the week
from everything actually wrong with your life. #New-
@SpokenReasons A Woman Still In Love With Her Ex: “I don’t care about him”... (Logs on Twitter and sees what he’s talking about) @jimmykimmel: let’s not kid ourselves “Toaster Strudel”, you’re puffy Pop Tarts. Saturday, Sept. 24 @TechWhistle: Jackets win! Final score 35-28. Give ‘em hell Tech! #THWG @funnyoneliners: When a cowboy breaks his leg, I think his horse should be allowed to shoot
him. Sunday, Sept. 25 @GAWANGG This guy is walking around the Ford Building with a beer bottle. Even I’m not that hardcore. @andreagootie In the library again... Most likely shacking here #techwalkofshame Monday, Sept. 26 @1FunnyWhiteGuy: Chris Brown hits her, Eminem lies to her, Drake can’t remember her name = The life of Rihanna, OH NA NA THATS A SHAME
technique
the south’s liveliest college newspaper.
Entertainment
entertainment@nique.net Entertainment Editor: Zheng Zheng Assistant Entertainment Editor: Hank Whitson
Technique
15
Friday, September 30, 2011
A TLANTA S YMPHONY
presents debut of promising season
Photo courtesy of Atlanta Symphony Orchestra
By Jonathan Peak Contributing Writer
The Atlanta Symphony Orchestra (ASO) played an impressive season opener last week on Thursday, Sept. 23, for a full house. Not only were the patrons out in full force, but the symphony showed its best, playing Wagner and Beethoven alongside vocal soloists and the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra Chorus. While the musical selections were not exactly ground breaking—sticking to classics familiar to even the nonmusical—they were stunning nonetheless, proving why they are classics. Under the direction of conductor Robert Spano and the leadership of concertmaster David Coucheron, the ASO swept through selections from
Wagner’s “Der Ring des Nibelugen (The Ring of the Nibelung).” These included the epic “The Ride of the Valkyries” and the elegiac “Immolation Scene” from “Götterdämmerung (The Twilight of the Gods)”—an opera. The latter featured the vocals of soprano Christine Brewer, who effectively commanded the stage and the role. After the intermission, the symphony performed Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9 in D minor, one of his most famous and most impressive works. The orchestra played the first two movements beautifully, highlighting the various themes in between the sections. The third movement, the Adagio, slowed the pace considerably, the fragile themes blurring together, effectively creating tension between the
winds and lower strings in preparation for the finale. At the beginning of the fourth movement, a discussion is conducted, as themes are brought back by the winds and summarily rejected by the cellos and basses. Eventually a melody is chosen, and that theme is the immortal “Ode to Joy.” This “Ode to Joy,” however, is not of fourth-graders learning to play instruments or tinkering on a piano, but “Ode to Joy” as it is meant to be heard—with a full orchestra, soloists and chorale all working together towards a majestic culmination of the symphony. The ASO more than effectively captures this, leaving a stark reminder that they are a worldclass orchestra. With so many things to do in Atlanta, it is easy for Tech stu-
dents to forget about or write off the symphony as stuffy and expensive. This opening night, however, proves the enduring thrill of classical music. Even for the non-musical, such a performance is undeniably impressive. However, great music alone does not draw and keep crowds. The ASO recognizes this by putting on a full show. The opening “Star-Spangled Banner” feels almost impromptu as the audience is physically and sonically surrounded by the chorus. Programs provided also contain a great deal of background and history for the pieces played, along with a brief musical analysis. With just a little reading, even the most unknowledgeable listener can suddenly feel like an expert and have at least a basic understanding of the nuances in the
SHOWS
ASO: Opening Night PERFORMER: Atlanta Symphony Orchestra LOCATION: Atlanta Symphony Hall DATE: Sept. 23
OUR TAKE: ««««« music that becomes more like a dialogue without words. As the pieces with words were in German, and as such, translations were provided on screens and in the programs. The programs also contain brief plot outlines for the perSee Symphony, page 16
Comedy Festival offers 50/50 defines “dramedy” genre improv, parody humor FILM
50/50
EVENTS
Black Box Comedy Festival PERFORMER: Various Comedians LOCATION: Ferst Center for the Arts DATE: Sept. 28 - Oct. 2
OUR TAKE: ««««« By Siddarth Sreeram Contributing Writer
It’s finally time to put those books down this weekend and take a stress-relief pill at the Black Box Comedy Festival at the Ferst Theatre. This year’s festival features new performers who guarantee that you’ll be clutching your sides by the end of their performances.
The Comedy Festival takes place from Wednesday, Sept. 28, to Sunday, Oct. 2, at the Ferst Theatre near the Student Center. For those who are wondering what this Festival is all about, Black Box features numerous performances of improvisational comedy—nine shows and 27 performances with over 150 comedians. “The festival is featuring three new groups this year—the Dusk show, which is an improvised Twilight parody, a 1960’s Batman parody and an improvised mafia show by a group from New York. There are going to be lots of costumes and this year has a high production value,” said Matthew Falkenberg, Executive Producer of the Black Box Comedy Festival. The Festival specializes in imSee Comedy, page 17
GENRE: Drama, Comedy
STARRING: Joseph GordonLevitt, Seth Rogen DIRECTOR: Jonathan Levine RATING: R RELEASE DATE: Sept. 30
OUR TAKE: ««««« By Andrew Ho Contributing Writer
Despite the presence of comedy actors and writers, 50/50 is a movie about cancer that will likely pull on the heartstrings of even the most jaded viewers. Rather than using this disease as a selling point or generic tearjerker, however, the main idea here is the humor and changes that come with the hardships of surviving cancer, with no small amount of Judd Apatow-brand
Image courtesy of Summit Entertainment
comedy tossed in. The story is based on the experience of comedy writer Will Reiser, who was diagnosed with the disease and subsequently went on to survive and write about this peculiar moment in his life.
The story centers around Adam Lerner (Joseph GordonLevitt), a plucky, neurotic sort of fellow who seems content to live with many of the punches that life throws at him. Adam is supported by his closest, if not sometimes annoying, friend Kyle (Seth Rogen) and his decidedly wishy-washy girlfriend (Bryce Dallas Howard). Kyle and Adam spend their time working for a Seattle radio station while dealing with little else but their everyday lives and some tedious work. The bombshell in the story drops when Adam receives a startling diagnosis during a visit to the doctor, revealed none too gently either. The suddenness and impact of the news elicit such disbelief that the rest of his visit is a blur, leaving him with the incredibly awkward task of informing everyone around him. See Half, page 19
ENTERTAINMENT
16 • September 30, 2011 • Technique
Symphony from page 15 formance, allowing the listener to get lost in the tragedy of the heroine Brünnehilde as she chooses to throw herself into the flames of her husband’s funeral pyre. Suddenly the music is no longer just music, but stories and conversations anyone can understand and enjoy. Cost-conscious students also need not worry as the ASO is providing amazing deals for students. The Woodruff Arts Center not only gives Tech students tickets to the symphony, but also plays at the Alliance Theatre and allows access to the High Museum of Art, along with many other benefits. The symphony has an exciting season planned. Highlights for the upcoming weekend’s performance of Tchaikovsky by worldclass violinist Joshua Bell and Rachmoninov’s “The Bells” from Oct. 27 to 29, once again featuring a full chorus. For those less classically inclined, there are other options like Rockapella (Oct. 14 to 15) and A Storybook Halloween (Oct. 30). As the symphony strives to market itself towards a younger market, it will soon feature will be a “happy hour” before concerts for the younger generation. Now is the time for students to try it out. If the concerts continue to be anything like their opening night, visitors are sure to be pleased.
Office survives under new management TELEVISION
The Office NETWORK: NBC WHEN: Thursdays, 9 p.m. STARRING: Rainn Wilson, John Krasinski, Jenna Fischer
OUR TAKE: ««««« By Joe Murphy Contributing Writer
America’s favorite second-rate Pennsylvania paper supply company is back. The eighth season of The Office kicked off on Thursday, Sept. 22. With over 7.5 million viewers, the show is still proving that it can hold its own. And this year, it’s all about twos. Two new bosses, two new pregnancies and two words that we thought we would never hear: no Michael. At the beginning of last season, Steve Carell’s decision to leave the show shocked viewers. His character Michael Scott, the regional manager of Dunder Mifflin, has starred as the lead role on The Office since its beginning in 2004, and has been creating awkward situations and spouting “that’s what she said” jokes ever since. However, due to Carell’s contract expiring, the actor believed it was time to move on to bigger and
better things. Thus, the pervading question of season 7 was simple: Who would replace him? That question and more are answered in last week’s episode, and though the hole that Carell left in the show is glaringly huge, the remaining cast members give a performance that is, in fact, not too shabby. First of all, there is the one and only James Spader. With the role of new company CEO Robert California, Spader brings to the table an unreadable stare and a management style that has the entire office on its toes. Never before has someone so mysterious or sophisticated set foot in this office, and as a result, no one in the entire group of characters seems to know how to handle him. Could he possibly live up to the enormous legacy left by the incomparable Steve Carell? We shall see. But he sure as heck can rock that soul-searching, X-ray gaze. Now for the rest of the cast. Through the years, we have watched them walk across fire pits, participate in volleyball tournaments, fall in love and dance the night away on a booze cruise. In this pilot episode alone, tears are shed, a planking epidemic hits the office and Dwight (Rainn Wilson) once again finds a creative way to use the fire extinguisher.
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Image courtesy of NBC
In other words, it’s business as usual for this particular group of employees, and we as an audience are treated to the same obtrusively sarcastic comedy we have come to know and love. In the case of most television shows, writers begin running out of ideas somewhere around season four. In fact, many people will argue that The Office lost its attractions years ago. However, the pilot episode of this new season proves that the show may still have a few tricks up its sleeve. Yes, it was with sad parting that the character of
Michael left, and yes, no one can say that the show will ever be the same without him. But perhaps that’s just the challenge this new season faces. Michael is out of the picture, but maybe that will allow previously second-hand characters to have a little spotlight time. Only time will tell whether or not The Office survives the absence of its poster child, but if this first episode is any hint as to what season eight holds in store for us, then we may not have heard the last of Dunder Mifflin.
ENTERTAINMENT
Comedy
from page 15
provisational comedy and parodies that are usually meant to attract a student crowd. “The shows are fit for students at Tech. The Twilight and Batman parodies are perfect examples. Students should attend at least two shows during the weekend because they’re really good stress relievers. You guys could do with some laughs,” Falkenberg said. Black Box regular “Kit Fitz Simons,” who performed in 2000 and 2001 and has attended the Festival every year since, mentioned that this year’s show is significantly different from the previous editions from the performers’ point of view. “It feels more nationwide with teams from more places around the country. There’s a group all the way from San Francisco to headline the event. The workshops offered to people involved are getting better and better, especially in terms of instructors knowing what the festival goers are expecting,” Simons said. This year’s Festival promises to enthrall audiences from far and wide, not just with improvisational stand-up comedy, but also with skits and plays spread over various themes of satire and gentle mockery. We all enjoy spoofs and parodies, and those are exactly what the Black Box Comedy Festival is trying to bring to the stage this year—a series of college-studentoriented comedy shows. This year, Tech celebrates 23 years of outstanding improvisational comedy on campus, with performers, some with over 25 years of experience, who have offered to teach improvisational comedy by means of short crash courses. In conclusion, fill in your calendars, buy your tickets and make it to the Black Box Comedy Festival 2011.
Technique • September 30, 2011 • 17
Moneyball deviates from sport formula FILM
Moneyball GENRE: Biography, Drama STARRING: Brad Pitt, Jonah Hill DIRECTOR: Bennett Miller RATING: PG-13 RELEASE DATE: Sept. 23
OUR TAKE: ««««« By Brian Edmonds Contributing Writer
With professional baseball making its way into the postseason, many will take much pleasure in Moneyball, Hollywood’s take on the Oakland A’s 2002 season. Adapted from the Michael Lewis book of the same name, the movie succeeds in translating the majority of the book’s finer points. The movie, directed by Bennet Miller and starring Brad Pitt as A’s general manager Billy Beane, functions not only as an engaging sports drama, but also as a basic introduction into sabermetrics, the science behind baseball’s new wave of statistics. The movies opening scene shows footage of the A’s loss in the 2001 American League Division Series to big spender New York Yankees and effectively characterizes Beane’s major problem: how to win when you have only a fraction of the payroll to field a team with. The answer: Find value in players in ways that no one else in the major leagues is. In order to find this value Beane enlists the help of Peter Brand, played by a very likeable Jonah Hill. Brand possesses
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an economics degree from Yale and channels his abilities towards analyzing baseball statistics and players. Brand explains to Beane that games are won and lost not by great players, but by the runs they produce. The film offers an interesting historical perspective, as the drama is intertwined with clips from the A’s season. Statistics and dates add texture and context to a plot that, if not treated with care, could have flopped. Miller is most impressive in his ability to capture the tensions of baseball. Even audiences familiar with the story will find themselves on the edge of their seat rooting for the Athletics and Beane to succeed. What is most refreshing about Moneyball is its departure from the sports movie formula that has so often been recreated. You will not find any cliché inspiring speeches or come from behind heroics to win the championship. Instead, audiences are treated to a behind the scenes look at how the smartest guys in baseball do their job and the pressures that come with it. Pitt plays Beane with intensity and charm. The movie portrays him as almost a tragic character, one that could never quite accomplish what he works so hard every day to achieve. Late in the movie, Beane references the dilemma of not romanticizing baseball, a game that he has been a part of for his entire life. It can be played with respect and love and can be rewarding in numerous ways. However, it is only when one takes as step away and looks at the numbers in the right way that one can truly accomplish a greater understanding of what makes a winning team tick.
CITY SCENE
Photo by Chris Gooley / Student Publications
By Chris Ernst and Matthew Cohen Contributing Writers
Swift melodies at Phillips
Is it country or is it pop? Who cares? Country-pop crossover teen sensation Taylor Swift will be entertaining crowds for two rocking nights at Philips Amphitheater this weekend. Starting Saturday night with a second performance Sunday night, the award-winning blonde will serenade audiences these October evenings. The iconic Phillips Arena will be honoring original tickets. The show starts at 7 p.m., so be there, or be square(dancing).
Mates in the Unicorn
Being married with kids might seem hard enough, but throw in the challenge of being a touring band and you’ve got the lives of the indie pop duo Mates of State. On Thursday, Oct. 6, they’ll be bringing their quirky, melodic music to Atlanta’s Drunken Unicorn in support or their new album, Mountaintops. Go to www. thedrunkenunicorn.com for more information.
Oktoberfest of Marietta
Disappointed you can’t get to Munich for Oktoberfest? Well, aren’t you in luck! Just head over to the Luckie Marietta District to partake in the celebration. Der Biergarten and STATS are the two restaurants that will be transforming into biergardens Saturday, Oct. 1 starting at noon. In addition to beer, the restaurants will offer traditional German fare like rotisserie-roasted schweinshaxe and brats. If you buy a beer boot, you can relive your Oktoberfest glory with a discounted refill.
18 • September 30, 2011 • Technique
ENTERTAINMENT
Coldplay enchants Piedmont with lights, music EVENTS
Music Midtown Festival PERFORMER: Coldplay, Black Keys, Cage the Elephant, many more LOCATION: Piedmont Park DATE: Sept. 24
OUR TAKE: ««««« By Yameen Huq Contributing Writer
After a six-year hiatus, Atlanta’s premier music festival, Music Midtown, was back in full-force on Sept. 24. Now consolidated into a single Saturday, the festival aggregated a series of bands into a compact, non-stop train of musical and aesthetic pleasure. Taking place in the large grass sprawl of Piedmont Park, the festival was bursting at the seams with hordes of music fans, likely numbering in the tens of thousands. There were two elaborate stages, one on each side of the park in order to make the transitions between bands as immediate and smooth as possible. Veteran band Coldplay headlined the day’s events. The remaining performances consisted of bands mostly conceived in the last decade: The Postelles, The Constellations, Walk the Moon, Band of Skulls, The Joy Formidable, Manchester Orchestra, The Black Keys, Cage the Elephant and Young the Giant. Casting such a wide net with its lineup, the festival easily made sure that they had a band for everyone. Despite the other great performances, the concluding concert by Coldplay was, by and large, the biggest draw for vast portions of the audience. While most other
Photo illustration by Anton Molla / Student Publications
bands opted for sparser, strippeddown performances, Coldplay came out firing all guns, attacking the audience’s senses with blasts of music, color, lasers and giant balloons. Coldplay’s performance was as visual as it was aural. Starting off with elements of their classic repertoire, such as “Hurts Like Heaven” and “Yellow,” the band interlaid the music with various sensory sparks, such as huge laser displays and fireworks. As much as there was to hear, there was even more to see, with lights and visuals, such as the colorful spray painted outfits and instruments. Massive moving screens flanked each end of the stage for audiences further in the back. Midway through the show the band delivered a tribute to the recent break-up of one of Georgia’s own bands, R.E.M. Playing a cover of one of their more popular songs, “Everybody Hurts,” frontman Chris Martin gave a eulogy
for the band and noted that he will miss them, while looking up at the sky. The group also performed songs from their upcoming album, Mylo Xyloto, including the latest single “Paradise.” Somewhere through the performance was a rendition of their de facto band anthem, “Viva La Vida.” With the crowd swelling in delight, the band engaged the audience through the piece, particularly during the chorus. Sounds of the wordless choir emanated from the audience in drunken revelry long after the song had ended and another had begun. After a brief pause, the band wrapped up their performance with their old signature, “Clocks,” as well as their new one, “Every Teardrop is a Waterfall.” It was at this moment that the lights and lasers truly reached a paramount level, engulfing the sky in a sea of color and filling the stage with a giant portal-like circle of eclectic
colors. The other bands delivered a slew of performances that varied from decent to great. Young the Giant in particular was a pleasant surprise because it combined soft rock with a rawer, independent sound. At times the music sounded almost ethereal, yet still maintained a light-hearted West Coast feel. “A big part of us is our acoustic roots,” Young the Giant said. More so than most of the other bands, Young the Giant’s show emphasized crowd participation with lots of clapping and singing from the audience. They ended their performance in a dissonant, yet sweeping and slow ballad, fading out on a whistling and eerie choir. An earlier band, Atlanta’s own The Constellations, gave a unique performance, blending cosmic tones with 70’s-style synthesizers, Rhodes pianos and bongos. This was done in conjunction with lyrics delivered by singer Eli-
jah Jones through a mixture of rap and singing. While most of their songs were upbeat, there were a few slower, somber ones speckled with down-tempo, lingering bass lines. However, their performance ended with the song “After Party,” an engaging piece with a country beat, yet a strong resonant voice. “Our objective as a band is to make you have a good time,” Jones said. Other notable performances included Walk the Moon, which was an unusual mix of electronica, heavy beats and distortion. This was all combined to generate a synthesizer-heavy, pop-oriented sound. Switching from soft to high intensity, they engaged in softer ballads, such as “I Can Lift a Car All by Myself,” and songs like “Shiver,” which was a mix of fast-paced singing and rhythmic guitar riffs. The Black Keys were also noteworthy with their grungier band of garage rock with an almost Southern feel. Their stage set-up was particularly unique and featured a giant totem pole, a dream catcher and fire. Other performances included Manchester Orchestra, which played in darker, harsher tones than the rest of the musicians: Band of Skulls, a heavy hard rock reminiscent of classic punkgroups such as The Ramones, The Joy Formidable and Cage the Elephant. This festival had elements of music for all palettes. While Coldplay was definitely the dominant force of the night, both musically and visually, the other bands had plenty to offer in terms of new and unique music. Anyone who wants to discover music that’s new and exciting will find something here next year.
sliver
www.nique.net
Want to see why guys at Tech think women here are terrible people? Go watch a few episodes of Dating in the Dark How is Humans vs. Zombies any worse than the squirt gun fight? Dear ACC Official, last time I checked hitting someone too hard is not considered a penalty. It’s a “CONTACT” sport... get some!!! SWARM!! Good job D Dear coach paul... please get a kicker that can kick it to the endzone. tar heels started on the 30-35 every time 3 tests in 1 week fml!!! CAN WE PLEASE FILL BOBBY DODD 4 A GAME??? STUDENTS GET OFF YOUR BUTT, PUT DOWN THE BOOKS & CHEER ON OUR JACKETS!!!!! @’Nique poll creator: The choices for the seating block poll were too limited. You needed an option of “Improvement could be made, but the proposed changes fail to adequately do so.” Also, how can <100 responses be representative of Tech’s 16,000 Strive each day to do more to help those who are deserving and less for those who are not Neutrinos faster than light! Where’s the SOB who divided by zero? Next time you open a fortune cookie, add ‘in bed’ to the end of your fortune. Always works :) Gears 3 anyone? Hit up Rusticated06 on XBL! how many of these can you submit? the technique got the tech vs unc game score spot on. I’m impressed note: tequila and beer are NOT the same thing Thanks for slivering just submitted 10 slivers. now the wait. i wanna win the inventure prize still can’t believe that nique got the prediction right i should just stop watching games and just read the paper there should be a sliver only edition of the technique chinese 2 is hard. and i’m chinese. papa john’s was sub par this week why do tech girls not have girlfriends?
ENTERTAINMENT
Abduction filled with plot holes FILM
Abduction GENRE: Action, Drama STARRING: Taylor Lautner DIRECTOR: John Singleton RATING: PG-13 RELEASE DATE: Sept. 23
OUR TAKE: ««««« By Patricia Uceda Staff Writer
Taylor Lautner of Twilight fame attempted to break out on his own this past weekend with the action-thriller Abduction. Unfortunately, this film was not the best vehicle with whichto establish him as leading man material and may have even set him back. While mildly entertaining, weak characters and a contrived plot make this film one to skip. Directed by John Singleton, Abduction built its premise around the shocking idea that you could one day accidentally discover that your parents are not your biological parents, and that you have been abducted. Unfortunately, the title is completely misleading. There is no abduction in this film, and the story is disappointing to say the least. Lautner plays Nathan, a regular high school kid who likes to party with his friends but struggles to control his rage—very reminiscent of Jacob from Twilight. Because of his rage issues and some disturbing, reoccurring dreams, he has routine therapy sessions with Dr. Bennett, played by Sigourney Weaver, who must have just been a cameo for publicity because her character was completely superfluous. Nathan’s parents are portrayed
by Jason Isaacs from the Harry Potter series and Maria Bello. The film does not try to hide the fact that these are not his real parents, understandable given that the trailers all openly portray this fact. However, producers would have tried a little harder to make it more realistic so that the audience could actually believe that Nathan was unaware of his real identity his whole life. Throughout the beginning, the film repeatedly drops hints that only a brick wall would miss, such as his father constantly training him for combat or his psychiatrist quickly brushing off his obviously post-traumatic dreams, that only a brick wall would miss. Nathan never found any of this suspicious. Lily Collins plays Karen, Nathan’s longtime crush whom he was too shy to ever approach before. They are randomly paired for a school assignment, and naturally, the sparks start flying. She inadvertently guides him to a website that shows pictures of missing children as they would appear aged, where he is devastated to see a photograph that looks almost exactly like him. His worst fears are confirmed when he finds the same shirt he is wearing in the missing persons photo hidden in his basement, complete with the same dark stain. Nathan attempts to contact the website to learn more about his past, unintentionally alerting a group of deadly Russian terrorists, who could keep his photograph there as a trap, wanting to use him as leverage to recover something from his real father, an international rogue spy. Once they have his location, they quickly descend on the house, killing his fake parents and forcing Nathan to go on the run. To no one’s great surprise, Karen
Interested in photography? Come to the Technique’s weekly photo staff meetings. Thursdays at 6 p.m. Flag building, room 137 photo@nique.net
insists on going with him. The pair is also hunted by the CIA. The action sequences are done well enough to have a successful action film there has to be a coherent and gratifying plot. That is where this film falls short. The plot is wholly and completely contrived, existing only to showcase Lautner as an action hero. Besides being completely predictable, numerous plot holes make it painfully obvious that not much thought went into the script. The audience never fully understands why Nathan was put in a protection program, or what happened to his mother, or why he can never see his father. None of this is helped by the fact that all the characters are completely one-dimensional and utilitarian. There are allusions to Nathan and Karen being childhood friends, but is never expanded on, which might have helped make their love story more meaningful. The film is too focused on the action to develop the characters much at all. Twilight fans will probably enjoy this film, but that’s about it.
Image courtesy of Lionsgate
Technique • September 30, 2011 • 19
Half
from page 15
Much of the plot from here on revolves around how everyone in Adam’s life responds to his illness and his interactions with them, though there are a few introspective moments that follow. From here on a few new characters are introduced, such as his overbearing mother (Anjelica Huston) who already has to play caretaker for her Alzheimer’safflicted husband, a pair of older, wise-cracking patients (Phillip Baker Hall and Matt Frewer) who receive chemotherapy along with Adam and the particularly inexperienced and humorously messy therapist (Anna Kendrick) assigned to him. The medical marijuana jokes are expected, but are still delivered in an unexpectedly humorous manner. This unexpected humor applies to much of the comedy throughout the film, as the jokes come across naturally and remain entertaining throughout, with Rogen providing a great deal of his trademark personality. If anything, Rogen plays his character almost too well and very similarly to previous roles he has taken on, but there does turn out to be a good reason for him to nearly overplay himself in this manner. Gordon-Levitt’s performance starts off entirely sympathetic, given his timid, neurotic nature, but becomes a convincingly conflicted character as he deals with his family and friends, the rigors of chemotherapy and his increasingly depressed sense of impending doom despite the optimistic outlooks around him. There is a real sense of relief when he begins to try and direct his life the way he wants it to go, but at some point, he almost loses sympathy when he lashes out at people around him due to conflicting notions on his life.
Neither the comedic or dramatic aspects of this particular example of “dramedy” are overthe-top and manage to effectively evoke laughter and tears in equal measure. Screenwriter Will Reiser collaborated with Rogen to produce The Ali G Show when Reiser was diagnosed with cancer. However, Reiser made it clear that the character Adam was most representative of his experience. Rogen jokingly pointed out that his performance as Kyle was, hopefully, more overblown than how he had been when he was younger. “We were comedy writers. We never talked about emotions ever. And when he got sick, we just realized our priority wasn’t relating to one another, it was about trying to get a license for medical marijuana. But when Will got better, we realized that there was no movie that felt like what our experience was. It was scary, but it was also really funny sometimes,” Rogen said on the topic of launching this personal topic onto the big screen. Though the idea had been proposed in jest during Reiser’s treatment, Reiser continued developing a prototypical script when Evan Goldberg and Seth Rogen urged him to take another shot at the idea. While there are moments during the movie where Rogen’s outbursts of vulgarity will drive the audience into laughter, there are also poignant moments that make it hard for one’s eyes to stay dry even when one is expecting the emotion. The combination of the interesting cinematography, wellthought writing and captivating performances makes this a movie that somehow crosses the lines into being a stoner-buddy flick and melodramatic exploitation, but in a way that pleases audiences from both ends of the emotional spectrum.
20 • September 30, 2011 • Technique
ENTERTAINMENT
Glee continues quality performances, drama TELEVISION
Glee NETWORK: FOX WHEN: Tuesdays, 8 p.m. STARRING: Lea Michele, Chris Colfer, Jane Lynch
OUR TAKE: ««««« By Amanda Florentine Contributing Writer
Season three of Glee started out with a bang by introducing new faces, incorporating Broadway classics and reaching for even bigger goals along with the traditional inclusions of messy relationships and comical drama. The episode was appropriately titled “Purple Piano Project” as Will Schuester, the glee club’s advisor, devised a new assignment to inspire the students to share their musical talents when he strategically placed purple pianos around the school’s campus. In true Glee fashion, their first attempt to advertise for the club was anything but a success as the only results of their cafeteria performance of “We Got the Beat” were a food fight and horrendous auditions. The performance was a nice change from the traditional Glee solos, though, as more characters were given a chance to shine and show off why they are an essential part of the cast.
Image courtesy of FOX
A couple of the characters whose times on Glee have ended or were reduced in season three were Sam, the “trouty mouth” singer, and Lauren, Puck’s lover that got away. Glee made sure they incorporated new characters to make up for the loss of the others by introducing Mercedes’ new man, Marcus, and Sugar Motta, a dramatic and talentless singer with self-diagnosed Asperger’s who believes that she is the missing ingredient that will lead McKinley High’s glee club to a nationals victory. The class distinction was finally brought to light in this episode where it was revealed that the characters Artie and Tina are still
juniors. Although the majority of the characters will be graduating in the upcoming season, Artie and Tina will remain, which may or not be enough to maintain the show’s insane popularity. A major focus of Glee’s season premiere was the future, a prospect that uproots indecision and excitement for the seniors of McKinley High’s glee club members. Rachel and Kurt maintained their focus on the Big Apple with their incredible performance of “Ding Dong the Witch is Dead,” complete with a full band, choreography and themed props. The characters held onto their high hopes until they traveled to a mixer for one of New York’s most
prestigious performing arts colleges and realized that there are aspiring performers who are just as brilliant as they are. Lindsay, a finalist in the Oxygen show Glee Project, guest starred with a brilliant rendition of “Anything Goes,” justifying Rachel and Kurt’s concerns. Glee maintained its optimistic attitude by concluding the characters’ rough experience with the two effectively motivating one another to continue to reach for the stars. Sue Sylvester, the coach of the McKinley’s cheerleading squad and Will’s archenemy, returned with anything but a shortage of witty comebacks. She is in the running for office and, for her new campaign, she advocated against the arts in school. The revelation of her radical goals inspired a drastic change in the polls and she successfully climbed toward the top. Will struck back with his newfound manhood, but, of course, his plan backfired and Sue was even better off than she was before. Relationships were once again a focal point of the show where the couples of Rachel and Finn and Mercedes and Marcus took a backseat to a couple of relationships that continued to develop throughout the show. Blaine, a member of the Warblers, one of the glee club’s biggest competitors, transferred to McKinley to spend more time with Kurt while
Emma, the OCD guidance counselor, attempted to loosen up to make her and Will’s relationship more like an actual relationship. A major character transformation occurred in the premiere as Quinn, the church-going, cheerleading captain of glee club became an edgy, rebellious character with pink hair and an “ironic” Ryan Seacrest tattoo. Apparently she could not handle the pressure that came with being the school’s most popular girl, but it seemed as though her new look attracted a lot more attention than what she was getting before. Throughout the episode she refused to return to the glee club, but in the end she was spotted watching their performance in the auditorium. The show concluded with the announcement of Kurt’s campaign for class president and the glee club’s fantastic, purpleinfested performance of “You Can’t Stop the Beat.” The clip of next week’s episode promises even more plot twists as Rachel’s mother returns with news that will cause Puck and Quinn to reunite, ensuring plenty of drama. The season premiere offered quite a bit of new material, much improved choreography and solosharing. Although it was not the most incredible episode, it was a great start to a season that is sure to be full of plenty of guest stars, controversial issues and, of course, phenomenal performances.
ENTERTAINMENT
Technique • September 30, 2011 • 21
Theme Crossword: On The Contrary By Robert Zimmerman United Features Syndicate ACROSS 1. “--, poor Yorick!” 5. Talent 10. Genus of fig trees 15. Hindu goddess 19. Additional 20. Surgeon’s knife 21. Take on 22. Hibernia 23. Generous 25. Something secret: 2 wds. 27. Brings back 28. Performing group 30. Inadequate 31. American composer 32. Mirror 33. Sultan of -34. Hummed 37. Diviner 38. Literary collection 42. Wild West show star 43. Missive in a paper: 2 wds. 46. Sloven DOWN
1. Omnia vincit -2. Run 3. Son of Zeus and Hera 4. Lookout 5. Grew wider 6. Courses at sea 7. Conjunctions 8. Rime 9. Aromatic 10. Concern of investigators 11. Runs in neutral 12. Scoter
47. OT shepherd 48. Pull forcibly 49. Row 50. Part of IOU 51. Fasten a certain way 52. “The -- Mutiny” 53. Fishgig 54. PC button 56. Put in irons 58. Slot machine fodder 59. Candles 60. Upright frame 61. Swine 62. Forced open 63. Sided with 65. Jeweler’s glass 66. Kitty: 2 wds. 69. Attracted 70. Covered with pitch 71. -- Epoque 72. -- supra 73. Drink suffix 74. Wise guys 75. Dress in finery
76. Rider’s whip 77. Insect eggs 79. Private: hyph. 81. CSA president 82. Greedy 84. Fanatical 85. Nothing more 86. Odd and job partner 87. Auto part 89. About 63k inches 90. Northern 93. Sonar anagram 94. -- -goodness: 2 wds. 98. Where to buy and sell: 2 wds. 100. Illegal kind of business: 2 wds. 102. Dryer buildup 103. Static 104. Gourmand 105. Franklin or Bombeck 106. Dregs 107. Compact 108. Clothing 109. Old-time fight
13. Delivery giant 14. Flutes and goblets 15. Campaign events 16. Son of Aphrodite 17. Old instrument 18. Black 24. Wait, in a way 26. Dispense 29. Reiner or Sandburg 32. Water birds 33. Villainous look 34. Hang 35. Boy Wonder of comics
36. Some common knowledge: 2 wds. 37. Shell out 38. Supporting column 39. Circle: 2 wds. 40. -- of London 41. Supports 43. Projecting window 44. Kingdom 45. Time of life 48. Brandished 52. Studied a bank target 53. Sudsy 54. Levitate
55. Thrusting weapon 57. Tarn 58. Flow rapidly 59. Without a doubt 61. Homonym for 61 Across 62. Of an arctic region 63. Insipid 64. WWII hero -- Murphy 65. Nigerian port 66. Notorious king 67. Seething
68. A little inebriated 70. Tarsal bone 71. Grill 74. “Macbeth” setting 75. Innovative 76. Petted 78. Valentino’s films 80. Pedestal part 81. Removed 83. Ramble 85. Colliers and pitmen 87. Iron
88. -- Lauder 89. Prophet in Judaism 90. Cotton capsule 91. Sheriff Taylor’s son 92. Descartes 93. Related by blood 94. Table d’-95. Word on a traffic sign 96. Book 97. Girasol 99. Fish eggs 101. Household god
22 • September 30, 2011 • Technique
Piled Higher & Deeper by Jorge Cham
Crossword Solution from page 21
COMICS
Non Sequitur by Wiley
COMICS
Non Sequitur by Wiley
DILBERT ® by Scott Adams
Technique • September 30, 2011 • 23
24 • September 30, 2011 • Technique
UNC
SPORTS
Hill
from page 28
The Jackets won the toss but elected to defer. UNC chose to receive. The Tech defense was unable to stop a series of rushes by UNC running back Giovanni Bernard and UNC scored on its first drive of the game. This marked the first time this season that the Jackets have trailed. Tech responded on the next drive, with Washington completing a 21-yard pass to junior Aback Orwin Smith. The Jackets ultimately stalled, but sophomore kicker Justin Moore completed a 40-yard field goal attempt to put the Jackets on the board 7-3. The Jackets’ defense forced a punt after Attaochu sacked Renner for a loss of 11 yards. Tech was able to make a number of big plays on the next drive, including a 36-yard rush by Smith to bring the ball into UNC territory. On a third-and-five from the UNC 33yard line, Hill caught a high pass from Washington with a leaping one-handed play and landed in bounds, giving Tech a first down. Tech was unable to capitalize on Hill’s play, however, and failed to gain another first down. Moore lined up for a field goal try but missed a 38-yard attempt. The Tar Heels failed to make significant progress on their next drive, going three-and-out. UNC attempted to punt, but freshman receiver Darren Waller blocked the punt and freshman defensive back Corey Dennis returned the ball to the UNC 22-yard line. Tech moved into the red zone but was unable to reach the end zone. Washington fumbled the ball on first-and-goal with nine yards to go, and UNC recovered. The Jackets got the ball back after another three-and-out, and Washington completed a pass to Hill for a 59-yard touchdown on the first play of the drive. The score gave Tech its first lead of the day, a 10-7 advantage with 7:57
Photo by Austin Foote / Student Publications
David Sims prepares to stiff-arm a UNC defender in Saturday’s game at Bobby Dodd Stadium. Sims had 13 rushes for 71 yards. remaining in the second quarter. The Tech defense continued to shut down the Tar Heels’ offense for the remainder of the half. Attaochu sacked Renner for seven yards on the next UNC drive to force a punt. Washington threw his first interception of the season on the first play of the ensuing drive, but on UNC’s second play that followed, Attaochu tipped a pass into the hands of sophomore safety Isaiah Johnson and Tech got the ball back. Tech scored on that drive, going 79 yards on 12 plays to increase the lead over UNC to 17-7, a score that held until halftime. The Jackets opened the second half with a 10-play, 62-yard drive that ended with Moore connecting on a 36-yard field goal. UNC responded with a short drive of five passing plays for 74 yards, scoring a touchdown in just 2:10. Washington followed up by leading Tech on a 13-play drive for a touchdown, and the Jackets completed the two-point conversion to bring the score to 28-14 with 1:26 remaining in the third quarter. UNC struck back quickly,
going 64 yards on five plays and reaching the end zone on a 20yard touchdown pass on the first play of the fourth quarter. The score cut Tech’s lead to 28-21 with 14:53 left in the game. Although an unfavorable bounce on a Tech punt gave the Tar Heels great field position on their next drive, UNC failed to capitalize. Tech junior cornerback Rod Sweeting made a leaping interception on Renner’s first pass. After Tech failed to score on its next drive, UNC drove 80 yards to tie the game, with Bernard rushing 55 yards on the final play for a touchdown. Tech responded by breaking the tie and scoring the final touchdown of the game. Redshirt senior A-back Roddy Jones had the longest play of the drive, a 48-yard rush that brought the ball to the nine yard line. With just over five minutes remaining in the game, the Tech defense shut down the UNC offense to prevent either of their last drives from scoring. The Jackets ended the game with a sack on Renner, running out the clock and setting the final score at 35-28.
from page 28
His block to open up the game was key in allowing junior A-back Orwin Smith to run in a 95-yard touchdown to kick off the game. There were 604 yards rushing and seven rushing touchdowns in the game scored by six different Tech players. Against North Carolina, Washington completed 10 of 14 passes for 184 yards, one touchdown and interception. The Jackets amassed 312 rushing yards and converted 10 of 16 third-downs. In the 2010 season, Washington only completed 25 of his 61 attempts for 417 yards, two touchdowns and three interceptions in four starts. The redshirt junior has shown drastic improvement through the first four games of 2011 and has completed 27 passes of 42 attempts for 821 yards with eight touchdowns and one interception. Redshirt freshman quarterback Synjyn Days has also been efficient as a conductor of the offense. Days has completed four of five passing attempts in relief of Washington for 106 yards and has also picked up four rushing touchdowns. Combined, Washington and Days have completed 37 of 47 attempts for 927 yards, eight touchdowns and one interception. The success at quarterback has brought the Jackets to an unprecedented level of success on the stat sheet. As for the other component of air game, Hill has heightened his intensity and knowledge of the game. Hill had 15 receptions for only 291 yards and three touchdowns in the 2010 season, and six receptions for 137 yards and a touchdown in Tech’s successful 2009 season. Hill has shown considerable improvement from a statistical standpoint so far this year, with 14 receptions for 462 yards and four touchdowns. As Hill has become
more acclimated to the game, his performance has better matched up to the high expectations that have been placed on him since he became the primary receiver. Hill was a key figure in Tech’s 35-28 victory over UNC on Sept. 24. In the third quarter, he managed to drag three Tar Heel defenders for five extra yards after making a catch for a short gain. Earlier in the game, Hill pulled off a one-handed catch that he even admitted he did not expect to make. The play was featured as the top play of the day on ESPN’s SportsCenter. “Tevin put it in a spot that only I can go get it. I just used my basketball skills from high school. It kind of surprised me. I’m not going to lie to you. Once the ball got to my hands, [I] just used my strength in my forearm,” Hill said. Improving from one reception for 12 yards in last year’s meeting against the Tar Heels, Hill was very potent throughout Tech’s first ACC match against the Tar Heels. Hill had a careerand season-high six receptions, totaling for 151 yards in the game. The junior had a 52-yard touchdown reception on a play-action pass that left him wide open; it was his fourth touchdown of the season. The Jacket wide receiver’s four scores in four games match to his touchdown total from his first two seasons at Tech, a stretch that spans 27 games. Thanks in part to the increased effectiveness of the passing offense, Tech’s running game is No. 2 in the nation, averaging 398.8 yards a game. Hill has played a key part in the success and is on pace for a 1,000-yard season as a receiver. With Hill and the receivers adding another dimension to an already productive unit, the Jackets’ offense will continue to pose a challenge for all opposing defenses on the schedule.
sliver
www.nique.net
Why wasn’t Enron at the career fair? i’m atrocious at reading signals, why can’t people just tell me what’s going on Why do you have a bottle of Tabasco sauce on your desk in chem? ‘01 Alum: good to see that sorority hasnt changed a bit. Drunk and promiscuous. Bazaar does not mean strange mr professor. Three slivers in one paper? New high score! Your commemorative sliver A cop! Act natural. Does eating grass count as acting natural? Moooooooo STOP SIGNS APPLY TO PEOPLE BIKING IN THE STREET AS WELL AS CARS. SO TIRED OF NEARLY GETTING RUN OVER. This class is a joke. Look! She’s filling out 2 tests! I’m already living from weekend to weekend... Looks like somebody’s got a case of the Mondays Thanks for not wearing a bra! Never gunna give you up... interesting variety of music coming out of particular frat houses You don’t have to secretly take a picture of me The only reason I keep going to recitation is the fact that my TA is HOT I thought slivers were creatures from Magic The Gathering How many urinals are there on campus? I never knew you were in this class! I spend more time on sliver writing than writing papers Keep he ‘ ‘ in ECH!!! Slivers is my new Twitter. No one will ever know how much harder it is for the rest of us, to live so close to spotlight but never to step in it. there are more empty seats in the north stands of BDS than in my wellness lecture “Keep the ‘T’ out of ech” Anyone wanna sign MY petition? anyone see that ESPN #1 play this Monday? Atta boy S. Hill! Matt & Kim > Tpain
SPORTS
Technique • September 30, 2011 • 25
TECH AT N.C. STATE - OCT. 1 (3:30 p.m.)
Color
VS.
The Jackets are looking ahead to their first conference road test of the season as they prepare for N.C. State this Saturday. Tech moved up to No. 21 in the AP Rankings after beating North Carolina last week in their ACC opener and are 4-0 for the first time since their 1990 National Championship season. Last week the Jackets played their closest game of the season, as they needed a late score and defensive stop to beat the Tar Heels by a touchdown. Here are the Jackets’ keys to winning the game and remaining undefeated atop the ACC Coastal Division. As is the case every week, the Jackets expect their running game to produce a lot of points. They gained 310 yards on the ground last week, which is actually below the team’s average and bumped them down to No. 2 in the nation for rushing yards per game. Tech’s running backs had a lot of help from the offensive line, including junior guard Omoregie Uzzi, who was named ACC Offensive Lineman of the Week for the second week in a row. The Jackets should expect similar numbers this week as they face a defense that gives up an average of 408 total yards per game. Although not as statistically stout as UNC’s defense, N.C. State’s defense will still be a challenge for Tech’s rushers. Thus, the Jackets will have to throw the ball more in order to have a balanced offensive attack. Redshirt junior quarterback Tevin Washington is completing 64 percent of his passes and has eight touchdown throws to only one interception. He will be throwing mainly to junior wide receiver Stephen Hill, who averages 115 receiving yards and one score per game. The defense will have to stop the Wolfpack from finding the endzone and executing big plays. In their loss to Cincinnati last week, N.C. State’s two touchdowns came on two deep passes to T.J. Graham, one for 87 yards and another for 49. The Jackets may put an extra defender or two on him to keep him in check. A few sophomore Tech defenders earned honors this week, as safety Isaiah Johnson was named ACC Defensive Back of the Week and linebacker Jeremiah Attaochu earned ACC Linebacker of the Week as well as the title of National Defensive Player of the Week. Both players are hoping to build off last week’s success as they head into Raleigh.
PREDICTION: Tech 42, NC State 27
JACKETS
Photo by Austin Foote / Student Publications
The North Carolina State Wolfpack head into their ACC home opener against the Jackets coming off of a 44-14 defeat to Cincinnati. N.C. State’s record is currently 2-2, with both losses against FBS schools and both wins over FCS teams. However, they have shown promise even in their defeats: they scored two late touchdowns in a comeback against Wake Forest but ultimately fell short by a touchdown in their ACC opener. The Wolfpack have an even .500 record since Head Coach Tom O’Brien took the reins in 2007 and have beaten the Jackets in their only matchup since then. In order to avoid a 0-2 start in conference play, the Wolfpack must address the following in their gameplan. The Wolfpack must find a way to increase their run production. They were stuffed for -26 yards rushing last Thursday night against Cincinnati, the lowest total by an ACC team in over ten seasons. Overall this year, N.C. State is ranked No. 109 in the FBS for rushing offense with 85 yards per game. The team has also scored on the ground only four times in four games and has lost six fumbles. This kind of production puts too much pressure on the passing game and can make the offense one-dimensional. N.C. State hopes that senior quarterback Mike Glennon can continue to throw the ball effectively. He averages 270 passing yards per game, and the team is No. 33 in the nation in that category. He has also thrown ten touchdowns and only three interceptions on the year, and is completing 66 percent of his passes. Glennon’s favorite receiver is senior wideout T.J. Graham, who has 19 receptions and four touchdown catches this season. The six-foot, 180-pound receiver caught two touchdowns of 87 and 49 yards and had 176 total receiving yards last week. Finally, the Wolfpack defense must find a way to contain the Jackets’ triple option attack. This may not be an easy task for a defensive line that has been marred by injuries. Of the four projected starters coming into the season, three of them have a reasonable chance of being on the sideline for this week’s game. However, N.C. State’s secondary can make up for the misfortunes suffered by its front seven. The Wolfpack lead the ACC and are ranked No. 3 in the nation with eight interceptions, while also forcing six fumbles. If this defense can force turnovers and give their offense a short field to work with, it may prove to be the difference in this game.
Photo courtesy of N.C. State Athletics Department
WOLFPACK
By Joe Sobchuk, Contributing Writer
SPORTS
TIME-OUT with Alex Mitchell
Alex Mitchell is a MGT major in his fourth year at Tech. He has watched sports his entire life, and takes a critical view towards many of the trending topics in the sporting world. To contact Alex with your opinions about Time Out, email him at timeout@nique.net. Season’s greetings, sports fans, and welcome to the first autumn edition of Time Out. It was another great weekend of college football what with Tech continuing to win and USC getting dismantled on the road. However, one thing really bugged me about this past weekend: College Gameday was at West Virginia to see the Mountaineers take on LSU. Fundamentally, the decision to go to Morgantown for the first time to witness two ranked teams play makes sense. West Virginia is relevant again after the Rich Rodriguez drama subsided, and LSU plays in the heralded SEC. Unfortunately for ESPN, the true game of the week turned out to be the 30-29 shootout between Oklahoma State and Texas A&M. It is a shame that this game, which featured two top-ten teams, went relatively unnoticed, especially considering that both teams are members of the best conference in the nation, the Big 12.
At the top, the Big 12 has three teams that could match up well with any other conference’s top tier. LSU and Alabama are snagging headlines left and right thanks to their stellar defenses, but sandwiched in between the two in the polls is Oklahoma. Oklahoma has proved it belongs in the top two in the polls, having gone to Doak Campbell Stadium and defeated Florida State. Bob Stoops has had problems with big road games, but the Sooners’ play suggested that this year’s team might be different with that 23-13 victory. There was no hangover effect for the Sooners either, as they followed the win at FSU up with a home win against Missouri, a team that Oklahoma lost to last season. Oklahoma will continue to win games by using its sixth ranked passing offense, but nobody throws the ball better than the Big 12’s second best team, Oklahoma State. For the Cowboys, it all starts
with quarterback Brandon Weeden, who has thrown for over 360 yards in every game this season. The senior is old enough to be the father of some of his teammates and plays like it too. He slings the ball all across the field and leaves defenses tipping their hats and calling him their daddy. Like their in-state rivals, the Cowboys have a road win over a top-ten team in the aforementioned win over the Aggies. Texas A&M is not going to sweat over the early conference loss because it might have the most complete offense in the Big 12. Ryan Tannehill was just the right spark the Aggies needed last season when he was inserted in at quarterback, and although he may look slow, he can run. Tannehill had a 65-yard run last Saturday to go with his 309 passing yards. Tannehill also has the luxury of handing the ball off to Cyrus Gray and throwing it to Jeff Fuller. Those two have already combined for 525 yards despite Gray sharing carries and Fuller getting double-covered. It is actually tough to put Texas A&M in the top tier of the Big 12, considering the conference has two other Texas teams that are undefeated. Still, I put both Texas and Baylor in the same tier as Missouri considering none of these teams has beaten a truly great team. However, that is not to say that these teams have been padding their win counts with games against cupcakes. No. 15 Baylor opened up the season against TCU in front of a
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national television audience. The game that ensued was an instant classic with Baylor winning 50-48 against the defending Rose Bowl Champions. The game proved that Baylor was no longer the laughingstock of the Big 12 and that Robert Griffin III is a legitimate Heisman candidate. It seems odd that Texas should only be ranked No.17 even though the Longhorns are undefeated. To the voter’s credit, this is not Vince Young’s Longhorns and the only quality win that they have is a 29-point blowout at UCLA. Even though Texas went 5-7 last year, it is still Texas. The bottom of the Big 12 has familiar names: Iowa State, Kansas State, Texas Tech, Kansas; and while Kansas did look awful against Tech, these bottom dwellers are no pushovers. The bottom tier of the Big 12 has a combined
record of 11-1, with the only loss being Kansas’ loss at Georgia Tech earlier this year. It is crazy to call these four teams the bottom tier of any conference considering they have combined for wins over Miami, Iowa and Connecticut. These teams have also handled teams from the FCS, something that bad teams from other conferences cannot claim. Duke lost to Richmond, Minnesota lost to North Dakota State and Oregon State fell to Sacramento State. Meanwhile, Texas Tech beat Texas State 50-10. Oklahoma might not be as good as LSU and Texas’ 3-0 start may be a distant memory come season’s end but as of today, the Big 12 is surprisingly the best conference in football. So come on, ESPN, show the Big 12 some love while you still can.
Photo courtesy of the Oklahoma State Athletics Department
Justin Blackmon of Oklahoma State leads the Cowboys’ potent offense and is considered by many to be the nation’s best receiver.
Sports shorts
sports@nique.net Sports Editor: Alex Sohani
Technique
Follow the Pack Joe Sobchuk previews the Jackets’ matchup on the road against the N.C. State Wolfpack.425
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Friday, September 30, 2011
Tech stops UNC for first ACC victory
Three Tech players earn ACC Player of the Week honors
Redshirt junior guard Omoregie Uzzi, sophomore outside linebacker Jeremiah Attaochu and sophomore safety Isaiah Johnson all earned ACC Player of the Week honors at their respective positions after a 35-28 win against UNC at home. Uzzi earned ACC Offensive Lineman of the Week honors for the second consecutive week after helping lead the Jackets to 312 rushing yards against a stout North Carolina defense. Prior to the game on Sept. 24, the Tar Heels were only allowing 77 rushing yards per contest. Led by Uzzi, the offensive line did not allow a sack by the UNC defense. Uzzi recorded almost 20 knockdowns on the day. Attaochu earned ACC Linebacker of the Week honors after posting a career-high nine tackles and three sacks against UNC. Attaochu also tipped a pass that allowed Johnson to record one of the Jackets’ two interceptions on the day. The game ended on a sack by Attaochu to run out the clock and secure the win for the Jackets. Johnson was named Defensive Back of the Week with seven tackles and an interception on the day. Johnson led a secondary that held North Carolina quarterback Bryn Renner to his lowest completion percentage of the season. It was the first time for both Johnson and Attaochu earning ACC Player of the Week honors in both players’ first seasons as full-time starters.
Golf finishes eighth in Golfweek Conference Challenge The No. 4 Jackets went to Burlington, Iowa to play in the Golfweek Conference Challenge from Sept. 25-27. After ending the first day of the tournament in ninth place, the Jackets rallied to finish in eighth place. Senior James White shot one-under-par on the final day to finish in the top 20 in individual play, however the Jackets finished the event at 25-over-par with a total of 889. Arkansas finished the event in first place with a five-under-par 859, followed by Chattanooga with a two-over-par 866 and Oklahoma State with a three-over-par 867.
Photo by Austin Foote / Student Publications
Daniel Drummond and Julian Burnett quickly stuff the North Carolina run game for a loss. The Jackets’ defense held the UNC offense to under 100 yards and seven points in the first half before a late surge by the Tar Heels in the second half. By Adam West Contributing Writer
Tech defeated North Carolina in a closely-contested game on Saturday to win their fourth straight game and the first conference game of the season. The Jackets scored the final touchdown of the game with 5:20 remaining on the clock to win 35-28.
The Tech defense had a productive day on the field. The Jackets accumulated six sacks of UNC quarterback Bryn Renner during the game. Sophomore linebacker Jeremiah Attaochu, who was named the FWAA/Bronko Nagurski National Defensive Player of the Week, led the Jackets with nine tackles, five of which were unassisted.
On the offensive side, Tech racked up 272 total yards in the first half compared to just 93 for UNC, but the Tar Heels managed to complete a series of long drives to close the gap in the second half. In the end, the Jackets finished with 496 yards (184 of which came via the passing game) compared to UNC’s 332. Tech’s ability to limit the
number of turnovers this game was better than previous games. Redshirt junior quarterback Tevin Washington threw his first interception of the season and the Jackets fumbled only once, but were unable to recover the ball. By comparison, UNC’s Renner threw two interceptions. See UNC, page 24
PLAY OF THE WEEK
Photo by Will Folsom / Student Publications
Down 7-3 late in the first quarter, Tech faced a third-and-5 at the UNC 33-yard line and lined up with both wide receivers, junior Stephen Hill and senior Tyler Melton, split out to the left side. Melton ran a streak route while Hill, working from the slot, ran a short slant pattern toward the left sideline and found an open area between three UNC defenders past the first-down marker. Washington’s pass was high, but the 6’5” Hill made a leaping, one-handed catch, bringing the pass in at the highest point of his jump and maintaining possession even as UNC safety Tre Boston hit him as he landed. Tech picked up a first down as a result, and even though they failed to score on the possession, Hill’s catch ranked No. 1 on SportsCenter’s top ten plays from the day.
Washington-to-Hill connection opens up option attack By Danielle Sharpe Contributing Writer
Photo by Austin Foote / Student Publications
Stephen Hill returns to the line after a catch. Hill already has more receiving yards than he had in the 2010 season.
Tech’s triple option offense is known for wearing down a defense and eating time off the clock. The efficiency of the Jackets’ passing game has contributed heavily to a Tech offense averaging 53.3 points per game, making it the nation’s highest-scoring offense. The Tech offense has demonstrated the ability to strike for big plays quickly, already racking up seven one-play scoring drives this season. As part of this, the improvement in Tech’s passing game from past seasons has helped Tech achieve a 4-0 start for the 2011 season.
The effectiveness of passing plays by redshirt junior quarterback Tevin Washington and the athleticism of junior wide receiver Stephen Hill have helped to open up the ground game for the Jackets. The 2011 season has shown improved offensive success for the Jackets. In the season opener, Washington completed eight of 13 attempts for 271 yards and three touchdowns against Western Carolina. Hill had four receptions for 181 yards and two touchdowns, including an 82-yard touchdown and a 77-yard touchdown. With the passing game keeping the defense honest, the Jackets amassed 297 rushing yards and six rushing touchdowns against
the Catamounts. On the road against Middle Tennessee State, the redshirt junior completed five of eight passes for 202 yards and two touchdowns. Hill had three receptions for 126 yards, which included a 71-yard touchdown. This allowed for 382 yards rushing, with five different Jackets seeing the end zone to defeat the Blue Raiders. In a 66-24 victory against the Kansas Jayhawks, Washington threw for 164 yards and two touchdowns. Though he had only a fouryard reception, Hill was a vital tonesetter and blocker for big run plays. See Hill, page 24