“We don’t see it happening in this term”:
UTSU confirms U-Pass still out of reach
3 page
7 Opinion Introductory physics should spark joy — but U of T’s current courses don’t
10 Arts The challenges of a feminist history of religion
15 Sports Review: The courtship of tennis in String Theory
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“Good luck with your treatments”: Professor associated with Temerty criticized for social media post Community members, MACC call for disciplinary action
Urooba
Shaikh UTSC Bureau Chief
On November 10, a social media post from Dr. David Carr — a professor in the Division of Emergency Medicine at U of T and an emergency physician and clinical investigator at the University Health Network and Mackenzie Health Hospital — came under scrutiny from the Muslim Advisory Council of Canada (MACC).
Since then, students and faculty members at U of T have raised concerns over access to healthcare as Palestinian advocates and the university’s ‘double standard’ in disciplining faculty members for social media conduct.
The social media post
On November 9, Carr uploaded a post on X in response to Toronto Star Columnist Bruce Arthur’s post about the antisemitic and Islamophobic violence that occurred in Amsterdam on November 7. The violence followed a soccer game between Israel’s Maccabi Tel Aviv and the Netherlands’ Ajax FC.
Tensions began when Israeli fans took down Palestinian flags while chanting antiArab slogans before the game. After the game, violence broke out between the Israeli fans and Palestine supporters. The incident was condemned internationally, with many including Prime Minister Justin Trudeau calling it an instance of “disgusting antisemitism.”
“Antisemitism is a cancer,” wrote Arthur on X in his now-deleted post, “but it feels like calling what happened in Amsterdam antisemitism is either expanding the definition into very uncomfortable places, or deliberate ignorance of who was involved and what they did.”
In response to Arthur, Carr wrote, “Good luck with your treatments.”
MACC brought attention to Carr’s response in a post on X, saying that “Dr. David Carr’s comment raises grave concerns about his professionalism, potential biases, and, most importantly, patient safety.”
MACC is a national organization that conducts research to address Islamophobia for Canadian Muslims, provides anti-Islamophobia training in healthcare, education, and public service sectors, and holds community events and services that address issues like mental health, gender-based violence, and cultural identity.
It also pointed out the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario’s (CPSO) standards of maintaining professional conduct online. The CPSO regulates the practice of medicine in the province, and all Ontario physicians are required to be registered with the CPSO to practice medicine.
According to the CPSO’s Advice to the Profession: Document on Social Media Use, which outlines best practices for physicians’ social media use, a physician’s personal social media posts may be considered unprofessional if there is a connection between the post and the physician’s profession.
For instance, the CPSO explains that social media conduct which “interferes with, or has the potential to interfere with, health care delivery, public trust in the profession, the safety or perceived safety of others, or the physician’s ability to collaborate,” is unprofessional behaviour which “poses a threat to patients and outcomes.”
In an email to The Varsity, the MACC wrote, “[Our] role is to advocate for equitable treatment and challenge actions or statements that may erode confidence in institutions. In this case, our concern extends to the potential implications for all communities, including Muslims, who might perceive a lack of impartiality or understanding from a professional in such a role.”
Barriers to healthcare
Kavita Algu — a palliative care physician and PhD candidate at U of T’s Institute of Health Policy, Management, and Evaluation — wrote to The Varsity in an email, “I regularly have people reaching out to me saying that they do not feel safe accessing healthcare. They also often ask me if I know if a particular physician may treat them differently if they disclose that they are Palestinian, upset about the genocide or support Palestinian struggles.”
In the email, MACC also called for U of T and associated healthcare facilities to take disciplinary action, including “a transparent review of Dr. Carr’s conduct in line with the CPSO policies on Professional Behaviour and Social Media to assess alignment with professional standards, mandatory training on cultural competency and anti-discrimination for all faculty and healthcare providers to prevent similar incidents in the future, and clear communication from the university and healthcare institutions affirming their commitment to inclusivity and respect for all communities.”
A student at the Faculty of Medicine who has worked with Carr, and requested anonymity due to fear of retaliation, told The Varsity that seeing the post was shocking.
“If [Carr] chooses to be public facing, there needs to be a public-facing investigation, and there’s certainly none of that. And so that speaks to the lack of leadership and lack of courage [at the] University of Toronto, and the complicity in allowing this behaviour to continue again a year and a half into a genocide,” they said.
“Double-standard”
Ruth Marshall — an associate professor in the departments of religion and political science at UTSG — wrote in an email to The Varsity that there is a clear “double-standard” from U of T in disciplining faculty for their social media conduct. Faculty members who posted on social media in support of Palestine were recently called into the Dean’s office. On the other hand, Marshall pointed out that similar statements to Carr’s from other Temerty faculty members have received no disciplinary action from the university.
During the 63-day pro-Palestine encampment at King’s College Circle, Dr. Thea Weisdorf was videotaped telling protesters, “I hope you never need healthcare from U of T.” Dr. Weisdorf is an assistant professor in the Department of Family and Community Medicine and a family physician at the St. Michael’s Hospital Academic Family Health Team.
When asked about Weisdorf’s statement, a university spokesperson referred The Varsity to the Student Complaint Processes website.
“There are actually far too many examples of discrimination and anti-Palestinian racism within the Temerty Faculty of Medicine to list
here. While the behaviour of individual faculty members is racist and dangerous, I think it is important to note that all of [these individuals], to my knowledge, continue to supervise learners through the University of Toronto,” wrote Algu.
Carr is a “status only” professor at U of T. According to the Temerty Faculty of Medicine website, “status-only appointments are granted to employees of affiliated hospitals or research institutions, or faculty at other universities.” Status-only professors “must hold full-time employment arrangements with another institution and have a job description that is primarily academic (research and teaching) in nature.”
According to the Arab Canadian Lawyers Association’s definition, anti-Palestinian racism includes “excluding or pressuring others to exclude Palestinian perspectives, Palestinians and their allies; defaming Palestinians and their allies with slander such as being inherently antisemitic.”
“I don’t feel like I have… equitable access to [career] opportunities because I am a Palestinian advocate,” the anonymous student said.
“The administration must recognize that its failure to act against anti-Palestinian racism or to hold faculty accountable for harmful behaviour enables a culture of impunity. This inaction does not occur in a vacuum — it is part of a broader pattern of institutional complacency that reflects deeper structural biases,” Algu wrote.
Dr. David Carr did not respond to The Varsity’ s request for comment in time for publication.
If you or someone you know has experienced harassment or discrimination based on race, ancestry, place of origin, colour, ethnic origin, citizenship and/or creed at U of T, report the incident to the Anti-Racism and Cultural Diversity office: https://antiracism.utoronto.ca/help/. You can report incidents of anti-Muslim racism through the National Council of Canadian Muslims’ Hate Crime Reporting form at https:// www.nccm.ca/programs/incident-report-form/.
If you or someone you know has experienced Islamophobia, or anti-Muslim racism, or is in distress, you can contact:
• Canadian Muslim Counselling at 437886-6309 or info@muslimcounselling.ca
• Islamophobia Support Line at 416-6138729
• Nisa Helpline at 1-888-315-6472 or info@nisahelpline.com
• Naseeha Mental Health at 1-866-6273342
• Khalil Center at 1-855-554-2545 or info@ khalilcenter.com
• Muslim Women Support Line at 647622-2221 or gbv@ccmw.com
If you or someone you know is in distress, you can call:
• Canada Suicide Prevention Service phone available 24/7 at 1-833-456-4566
• Good 2 Talk Student Helpline at 1-866925-5454
• Connex Ontario Mental Health Helpline at 1-866-531-2600
• Gerstein Centre Crisis Line at 416-9295200
• U of T Health & Wellness Centre at 416978-8030
“We don't see it happening in this term”: UTSU confirms U-Pass still out of reach Union, student group discuss transit advocacy and needs
James Bullanoff
Deputy News Editor
The University of Toronto Students’ Union (UTSU) advocates for various student initiatives, including affordable housing, food costs, and transit. With the launch of the UTSU Rideshare Program’s latest iteration, the union continues to promote transportation initiatives like the universal transit pass, or U-Pass.
The Varsity spoke with the UTSU, transit advocates, and community members to discuss student initiatives and transit needs.
Union advocacy
In an interview with The Varsity, UTSU VicePresident Public & University Affairs (VP PUA), Avreet Jagdev, discussed the union’s transit initiatives.
“I think [transit advocacy is] incredibly important. It’s what students rely on to get to campus and not just to class, but to work, to appointments, and just to participate in their daily lives.”
Jagdev recently attended a special TTC board meeting on January 10, where members approved the 2025 operating budget to freeze fares at 2023 rates and increase service.
“I thought it was really important to be there to speak for U of T students and the importance of some of the things that were on the table with this budget,” said Jagdev. “I’m very happy that it was approved. I think it’s a win for students.”
The main project Jagdev and her team have been working on is the TTC Pass Program, first introduced during the union’s November board of directors (BOD) meeting. However, details about the project remain unclear.
Sharan Vaidyanathan, executive assistant public & university affairs, shared details about the program in an interview with The Varsity. The union plans to provide students with free TTC tickets for a 15- to 20-week duration, allowing them to collect one ticket per day and up to three tickets per week from the Student Commons.
“A big part of this program is definitely to gauge interest in a program that is administered by the union. And also for just giving people relief,” said Vaidyanathan.
The goal is to launch the program by late January to early February and extend it for the remainder of the 2024–2025 academic year.
Another significant initiative that the union is working on is a U-Pass for students. The U-Pass would provide unlimited, fare-free rides on the TTC, prepaid through tuition fees. Currently,
UTM is the only campus offering a U-Pass, and the UTSU first mentioned the program during their August BOD meeting.
Jagdev noted that discussion about the U-Pass began early in her term. The union plans to collaborate with other post-secondary student unions, such as those at York University and Toronto Metropolitan University, to make the program affordable for students across the city. However, the initiative has faced difficulties.
“Unfortunately, we did not get too far with that program,” said Jagdev. “It’s been difficult collaborating with such a wide range of people, which we are still trying to do, but that is one of the main reasons that we started the TTC free pass program instead, just because we find this to be a lot more manageable.”
The union is still exploring the possibility of a U-Pass, but Jagdev noted, “To be honest, we don’t see it happening in this term, maybe in the next term.”
“Ride the Rocket”
While the UTSU continues to advance its transit advocacy, another student group has also been active in this area.
In an interview with The Varsity , Rudy Yuan, a third-year student studying international relations and German studies, discussed the University of Toronto Rocket Riders — UTSG’s first transit-oriented club, named after the TTC’s old slogan, “Ride the Rocket.” Yuan serves as the club’s co-president.
The group was founded following last year’s UTSU elections, during which club CoPresident Elijah Miller-Buza ran unsuccessfully for VP PUA against Jagdev. Yuan and MillerBuza established the Rocket Riders to continue advocating for improved transit options.
“We wanted to create this club to keep the momentum going that we had on the campaign, to make sure there was someone on campus who was always speaking about transit issues,” said Yuan.
According to the U of T Student Organization Portal, Rocket Riders aims to hold the UTSU, university administration, and government accountable for transit initiatives.
“We’ve been in conversation with UTSU officials, elected and not elected, to discuss their transit advocacy priorities, what they think is best for students, and how we can work together on some of these fronts,” said Yuan.
Yuan believes the TTC Pass Program that is being implemented by the union is “very helpful with affordability, especially in the absence of
“[Students’] needs and their income is very unlikely to change between their first and third year of university, so why does the TTC punish students for turning 20?”
other affordability-related measures from the TTC for students.”
One option for students to save is the post-secondary monthly TTC pass — which costs $128.15 — but Yuan believes it’s “very expensive” and that, in order to get what you pay for, you would have to commute to campus five days a week: something that most commuter students don’t do.
One of their main concerns is the union’s approach to implementing a U-Pass, with Yuan expressing, “It does not seem to be something that anyone is immediately [or] actively working on.”
“We are aware that a lot of the current UTSU [executives] ran on a promise of introducing a U-Pass, and that is something that they have spoken to us about, but progress on that seems to be not forthcoming.”
Yuan is concerned that the U-Pass may have to go to a referendum for students to vote on.
In 2018, the UTSU held a referendum on the U-Pass, but it ultimately failed.
“That’s why we focused our efforts on things like fare capping or student fares because there were ongoing efforts with other organizations that are not at the student level… that we can add our voices to,” said Yuan.
Currently, Rocket Riders is working on a student survey to gauge students’ main transit concerns.
Student transit needs
In an email to The Varsity, Alexia Goncalves, a fourth-year studying criminology and political science, wrote that “advocates and student unions (UTSU) should address transit initiatives for students by being aware of the sacrifices made [by] commuter students.”
Goncalves commutes to UTSG twice a week from London, Ontario, using a bus due to the high costs of taking the VIA rail. She believes that commuter students make many sacrifices, such as travelling an entire day for just one or two classes, spending large amounts of money on transit costs and food, being unable to attend social events, and experiencing mental strain from long commutes.
“In my opinion, commuting to Toronto is ‘not for the weak’ because it usually takes me 3 hours when traffic is moving smoothly, but it can take me longer when traffic is heavy or an accident occurs on the highway,” wrote Goncalves.
When asked how advocates and unions should address student transit needs, Goncalves wrote that they should do so “by
providing more funds and accommodations for students commuting long distance[s] to attend classes.”
In an email to The Varsity, Ayshane Aviles, a second-year studying criminology, sociology, and archaeology, wrote that she would like to see the TTC Youth Fare extended to 22- to 23year olds. The current Youth Fare covers 13- to 19-year olds.
“[Students’] needs and their income is very unlikely to change between their first and third year of university, so why does the TTC punish students for turning 20? In an ideal world, [fares] for students would be completely voided, which would provide one less barrier for people pursuing education,” wrote Aviles.
In a statement to The Varsity, a TTC spokesperson wrote that its fares rates and fare policy are set by the TTC board of directors, and that “we can’t comment on the historical decisions that have been made regarding student fares.”
“The unfortunate reality is that since the late ‘90s, the TTC has been over-reliant on fare revenue to fund our operations,” wrote the spokesperson. “The good news is that the proposed 2025 budget includes a fare freeze and a significantly increased city subsidy.”
In an email to The Varsity, Sahana Gunaratnam, a first-year masters of public policy student, wrote that she believes “continuous advocacy from student unions is amazing.”
“It’s encouraging to see members of the UTSU advocating for better transit at City of Toronto deputations,” wrote Gunaratnam. “Even as a Scarborough resident, living within the City of Toronto[,] I have to also plan public transit routes religiously to ensure I get to campus and home on time which means leaving important events, panels and networking events early.”
“As for service issues, these are frustrating for us as well which is why we are encouraged that the proposed 2025 budget includes a significant investment in our capital funding which will allow us to proactively address some of the mechanical and infrastructure issues that can cause delays and reduced speed zones,” wrote the TTC spokesperson.
In an interview with The Varsity, Amer Shalaby, a professor in the Department of Civil & Mineral Engineering and director of the Transit Analytics Lab, spoke about the importance of student advocacy.
“A big proportion of transit users are students and youth in general, so listening to their voices and… [allowing] to advocate for their own concerns is essential.”
Olga Fedossenko Assistant News Editor
University Affairs Board names policy external reviewer, debates mental health service data
On January 15, the University Affairs Board (UAB) held a meeting where members discussed U of T’s Sexual Violence Policy review launch and debated the collected data’s usability on student mental health services.
U of T’s Sexual Violence Policy review Vice-Provost, Students Sandy Welsh began the meeting by informing the board about the launch of the university’s Sexual Violence Policy review, which is set to be completed in 2025. In 2016, the Ontario government passed legislation requiring all postsecondary institutions to review their sexual violence policies every three years.
Welsh told the members that the university had already updated students about the review through Quercus and that they also plan to send the same update to U of T’s five student unions.
“We are taking a multi-faceted approach to gather internal feedback from all of our stakeholders, as well as external expert feedback for the internal component of the review,” said Welsh.
In 2022, the university completed its most recent review of the Sexual Violence Policy. Since then, the document has sparked debate among student groups, like the Prevention, Empowerment, Advocacy, Response, for Survivors Project (PEARS) Project — a grassroots, trauma-informed coalition that provides support and resources to survivors of sexual violence across U of T.
PEARS claimed that the 2022 review process wasn’t survivor-centric or accessible. “We cannot wait another three years before survivors see change,” wrote PEARS in their analysis of the review.
In November 2024, PEARS voiced its concerns again by issuing a letter to the university, criticizing U of T’s 2022 review team and the lack of an external reviewer of the policy.
At the UAB meeting, Welsh announced that the university has recruited Gillian Hnatiw as an external reviewer. Hnatiw is a Toronto-based lawyer and practitioner in the areas of sexual assault, harassment, and violence.
“Ms. Hnatiw will review the policy and assess whether there are aspects of the policy that we should consider improving, updating, or changing,” explained Welsh.
Updates on students’ mental health
Christina Bartha — senior executive director, student mental health systems, policy and strategy — presented updates on student mental health support at U of T. Bartha’s report covered updates of the last four fiscal years.
According to Bartha, mental health support
access at U of T has improved in the last four years, while the demand has also increased. Over the past year, the number of mental health visits to health centres across all three college campuses has grown by six per cent, from 44,838 visits in the 2022–2023 fiscal year to 47,581 in 2023–2024.
Bartha also addressed the issue of wait times across the tri-campus health centres. Students pointed out this problem during U of T’s biannual Student Experience Student Perception of Mental Health Care Survey, conducted in November 2022. As a result of the survey, two new services were introduced at U of T: Navi and the Telus Health Support
First, Bartha presented statistics collected by Navi — an anonymous virtual assistant that helps find mental health resources on campus, off campus, and online. Navi is a chatbot that can provide information on admissions, financial aid, careers, convocation, and especially mental health resources. The number of conversations over the chat concerning mental health rose by 32 per cent, from 6,595 conversations a year in 2022–2023 to 9,119 conversations in 2023–2024.
Then, Bartha discussed the U of T Telus Health Student Support (THSS), which provides
real-time and appointment-based mental health support for students. Even though she included THSS as one of the key initiatives that “are evidence of the commitment of the university to move [mental health] services forward.”
However, this specific service hasn’t been popular among students in the last four years. According to the report, the number of counselling sessions through the THSS has decreased by 30.5 per cent since its introduction in 2021. Bartha claimed that in the 2024–2025 fiscal year, the use of the THSS is increasing among students. However, she didn’t provide any data to support this claim.
Finally, Bartha mentioned the single-session or short-term counselling model implemented across the three campuses in the last four years.
UTSG’s single-session counselling model, UTSC’s One at a Time therapy (OAAT), and UTM’s short-term counselling allow students to see a counsellor for a single or a few therapy sessions to resolve a specific issue.
The report’s statistics showed that 77 per cent of students who used single-session counselling, OAAT, and short-term counselling agreed that their appointments “mostly or very much helped them develop next steps or gain new understanding to address their problem.”
During the discussion after the presentation, Bartha received a question from Ramy Elitzur, a professor of accounting at the Rotman School of Management. Elitzur expressed concern about Bartha’s data being too “simplistic and spurious.”
“Your interpretation was that the number of visits increased because of what we launched. One other interpretation is that there is more demand [and] not necessarily [that] there are more opportunities,” said Elitzur.
Elitzur argued that there could be a trigger for students to have started visiting the tri-campus health clinics more often. “One of the things we always teach in data science is to be very careful not to mix correlation with causation,” he explained.
Bartha answered Elitzur’s comment, agreeing that she didn’t consider all the limitations of her data. However, she explained that, in mental health, “we do draw some conclusions from the data based on contextual understanding of what’s going on in the broader environment.”
“And maybe I stretch it a bit but… I actually think it’s a good thing that students who face so many barriers with stigma, anxiety about what people will think if I seek services… are using more of our services,” Bartha added.
“We cannot wait another three years before survivors see change.”
Samm Mohibuddin Varsity Contributor
On January 15, U of T’s Health Innovation Hub (H2i) officially launched its latest edition of FemSTEM with an information panel event. FemSTEM is a multi-event series that aims to support women entrepreneurs in STEM fields and an emphasis on healthcare. The guest speaker panel featured the Chief Operating Officer (COO) and Co-founder of HDAX Therapeutics, Pimyupa Manaswiyoungkul; Chief Executive Officer and Founder of My Well Self, Brenda Ahenkorah; and COO and cofounder of SilicoLabs, Kyla Alsbury-Nealy. Since its inception in 2017, FemSTEM has provided resources for women looking to transition their ideas from academia into successful ventures. H2i, the incubator that houses FemSTEM, has also expanded. Established in 2014, it now supports over 250 ventures, 56 per cent of which are women-led. According to FemSTEM, these ventures have collectively generated $122.5 million in economic value from 2023–2024, with support from more than 160 mentors.
FemSTEM kickoff and panel event
FemSTEM 2025 is set to be a three-month-long event — after the first information panel event, the series will feature three fireside chats with women entrepreneurs, and will conclude with a pitch competition on March 26. The competition’s winners will receive awards of up to $15,000 in cash prize and $5,000 in legal services from law
firm Cassels Brock & Blackwell. The winners will also get access to one-on-one mentorship opportunities and additional support from H2i.
The information panel event for FemSTEM focused on answering questions from women entrepreneurs in the audience. After a brief event introduction by the organisers, the audience was split up into break-out rooms with the three panellists where they could ask questions in a more intimate setting.
Manaswiyoungkul put a strong emphasis on the ‘hustle’ — finding and taking any and every opportunity available. It was this mindset in the early stages of her startups that Manaswiyoungkul gave credit to in securing her first major investment for HDAX Therapeutics.
“Before our seed round, we were at every pitch competition we could find — whether it was $500 or $50,000,” Manaswiyoungkul explained. She recounted how they didn’t take salaries for months, applied for every grant, and made sure they had the right data before seeking investors.
Success in entrepreneurship
Following the breakout sessions, participants reconvened for a panel discussion, where speakers answered audience questions on topics ranging from balancing scientific research with investor expectations to navigating intellectual property laws.
Alsbury-Nealy shared her experience transitioning from academia to commerce, emphasizing the importance of accelerators
Students and business owners speak on Too Good To Go
Edith
Wong
Varsity Contributor
On a budget for your meals? Many students are — and lately, some have turned to apps like Too Good To Go which sell surplus food sold at cheaper prices. With Too Good To Go, restaurants, cafes, and even grocery stores can sell their leftover or uneaten food in the form of surprise bags to those who claim them in the app. Customers then collect them in-store during a window of time determined by the sellers.
By limiting unsold food that usually goes to waste, every surprise bag avoids roughly 2.7 kilograms of carbon dioxide emissions: a great solution for people, profit, and the planet.
Students’ thoughts
For students, the app is cost-effective as each order totals around five dollars to $10. Emmy Dinh — a first-year student studying life sciences — tried the app after hearing about it from a friend. “It’s really affordable and convenient,” she explains. “The surprise bags are generally big portions, and I don’t have any issues with the quality of the food either.” Most importantly, Too Good To Go helps reduce food waste, and Dinh adds, “I try my best to incorporate environmental sustainability into my decisions.”
However, other students, such as fourthyear finance and economics student Aryan Aggarwal, have run into challenges with Too Good To Go. Using the app around twice a week, he finds that the biggest concern is not knowing what the surprise bag contains.
January 21, 2025
varsity.ca/category/business biz@thevarsity.ca
like FemSTEM in providing the necessary support for women entrepreneurs.
In an email to The Varsity, she elaborated on this point. “Participating in accelerators and pitch competitions, such as FemSTEM, has been transformative for us and for many female-led startups. These opportunities provide essential resources and mentorship and, importantly, create spaces to amplify women’s voices in entrepreneurship,” she wrote.
She noted that entrepreneurship programs like U of T Early Stage Technology, the Health Innovation Hub, and the Creative Destruction Lab’s AI Stream gave her the foundational knowledge to transition from academia into entrepreneurship. “Winning competitions, such as the Desjardins U of T Startup Prize and H2i’s Pitch Perfect, has further validated our vision, with a total of [$112,000] in non-dilutive funding allowing us to grow confidently,” she elaborated.
Another topic the panel discussed was how to transition from early-stage grants and pitch competitions to securing major investment rounds. Both Manaswiyoungkul and AlsburyNealy spoke about the importance of strategic timing in seeking investment.
Manaswiyoungkul advised entrepreneurs that the best time to fundraise is when they are not actively looking for funds. This will allow them to build relationships and have genuine conversations with investors without the pressure of needing cash immediately.
A launch to set the tone for the year FemSTEM is set to have their first fireside chat on February 5, which will feature former CEO Sandra Beach Lin. Additionally, pitch applications for the business pitch competition opened on January 16. Those looking to participate can apply on the H2i website by February 1.
“Sometimes it’s really good, sometimes it’s not,” he mentions. “If [I] didn’t have [dietary] restrictions, it would be a lot better.” As a vegetarian, he can only order from two or three restaurants on the app to ensure his meals align with his preferences. Aggarwal’s experience with the app is still overall positive, and he recommends it to other students with no dietary restrictions.
Retailer perspectives:
Opportunities and challenges
From a retailer’s perspective, Too Good To Go is an entirely different experience. Dipped Donuts — a small Toronto business with locations on Kensington Market and Queen Street West — was approached by the app during the COVID-19 pandemic. Owner Jiten Grover finds the initiative to have some unforeseen complications. “You get told you reduce a certain amount of food waste and obviously decrease your loss in sales,” he describes, “for example, if you have $50 [worth of food] leftover, you make $15 or $20 off it.”
“The issue is, that also decreases your brand’s [perceived value].” When a product is priced too low, consumers may doubt its quality and deem it as ‘cheap.’ This can be especially problematic for a specialty business like Dipped Donuts, which is marketed as a “gourmet donut shop.”
Additionally, Grover noticed that over time, “[customers] didn’t really come to buy donuts. They just came and used Too Good To Go… if we put 10 boxes up, they [are sold] straight away.” As a result, Grover expresses concerns that these apps can actually decrease the
company’s revenue as fewer customers are purchasing donuts during the day for the regular price.
To counter this problem, Dipped Donuts has cancelled the app’s service for their Queen Street location and all evening pickups. By only selling surprise bags in the morning at Kensington Market, Grover aims to discourage buyers from only utilizing the app and encourage them to purchase goods at the regular price.
“It’s because we’re not making any money,” he had to explain to his customers when asked why the bakery has been less active on the app. “It’s great seeing the lump sum come into account three or four months later. That’s amazing, don’t get me wrong. But I’d rather give [the food] to charity.”
Rethinking sustainability in food waste Dipped Donuts believes it is difficult to sustain both the business and the environment using Too Good To Go. For them, the app is not the best solution to reduce scraps.
In a 2024 report by Canada’s largest foodrescue charity, Second Harvest, it was revealed that over 46 per cent of all food in Canada is wasted each year. At Dipped Donuts, Grover has
had to cancel Too Good To Go orders because the same user would purchase multiple surprise bags, raising concerns that the food in the bags may go to waste.
“If that person is buying donuts or croissants from different companies, how much are they actually eating? Are they throwing the donuts away? Are they throwing the croissants [after] taking a bite?” On average, households waste six portions of food per week. Furthermore, avoidable food waste emits 25.7 million metric tonnes of CO₂ annually — the same amount of emissions that 253,000 flights from Toronto to Vancouver would produce.
Too Good To Go aims to connect sustainability and affordability, working toward reducing carbon emissions and providing options to budgetconscious consumers. The idea of turning surplus food into profit and also protecting the environment can help position Too Good To Go as a strong innovation. With Canadians facing higher levels of food insecurity, Too Good To Go can be a platform to shape a more sustainable — and affordable — future for both sellers and buyers alike. However, the app must also improve to address businesses’ concerns, such as what Grover identified as decreasing business revenues and hurting brand value.
January 21, 2025
thevarsity.ca/category/opinion opinion@thevarsity.ca
We must establish a multicultural news ecosystem at U of T U of T boasts linguistic and cultural diversity — it’s time our news outlets reflect it
At U of T, artifacts of cultural diversity are everywhere: from laptop stickers with Japanese kanji characters to good luck messages etched in Urdu on desks. On campus, I have seen U of T students use a wide variety of expressions to reflect the diverse array of languages and cultures. While our campuses hum with culturally diverse energy, I believe many of our university media outlets often fail to reflect this diversity.
While U of T’s student body boasts diverse ethnic, cultural, and religious backgrounds, English is the university’s primary language for academic instruction and communication.
My journalism education at U of T focused on reporting for the Anglophone world — an Englishspeaking audience. To diversify news, I advocate for establishing multicultural news outlets that move beyond English as the exclusively dominating force of both news content and conveyance. I believe both formal academic instruction and student-led campus publications concerning journalism, news, and media should make room for the growing diversity of their readers.
What if the stories told on campus reflected the languages and cultures of a wider pool of students, creating a multicultural news media ecosystem as diverse as U of T itself? Campus newspapers and media outlets must step up to the duty of reflecting U of T’s multiculturalism by amplifying voices and stories often overlooked in mainstream or English-dominated narratives.
News media as a bridge to better dialogue
The main way to establish this multicultural news ecosystem is for student storytellers — shaped by their unique cultural and linguistic backgrounds — to share stories that capture issues that matter to their communities. Encouraging students to pitch stories covering politics, social issues, and arts from the unique perspective of their cultural backgrounds would enrich the U of T community with diverse global insights while simultaneously honing students’ journalistic skills.
Canadian news outlets are no longer available on two prominent social media sites in Canada: Facebook and Instagram. Now, there is a worrying issue of how effectively news can travel to young Canadians. I believe one key way to bridge this visibility gap is to strengthen community and campus news media outlets through a diversification of language.
Campus news outlets can fill this gap by offering content in multiple languages — specifically languages most popularly spoken by the largest pools of students — connecting students to both local and global issues. This initiative aligns with the statistics of international diversity at U of T, where the top five countries of origin for international students include China, India, the US, South Korea, and Hong Kong. The Varsity launched a Chinese-language edition of the paper in 2017, but it has not been updated since 2019.
Campus news outlets can also take steps to create more representative reporting. Translation services within campus media could help ease these cultural exchanges and facilitate intercultural dialogue. Campus outlets could launch multilingual
Alberta’s new legislation for transgender youth harms more than it helps
Matt Lee
Varsity Contributor
On December 3, 2024, Alberta introduced three new bills significantly impacting transgender youth in the province. First, doctors are now banned from prescribing puberty blockers and hormone therapy to anyone under the age of 16. Second, transgender athletes are no longer allowed to join women’s sports teams. Finally, youth under 16 require parental consent to change their name and pronouns at school. These bills fall under the three newly introduced acts: the Fairness and Safety in Sport Act, the Health Statutes Amendment Act, and the Education Amendment Act, 2024.
The bills — which have passed the last stage of debate in the Alberta legislature — have incited intense debates. Supporters claim they protect children and ensure fairness, while advocacy groups, medical professionals, and 2SLGBTQ+ organizations argue it harms vulnerable youth. I believe that instead of introducing restrictive legislation, Alberta should focus on creating environments that support all youth, no matter their gender identity.
The bill’s restriction on gender-affirming medical care is concerning for a few reasons. Puberty blockers and hormone therapy are widely recognized as essential for many transgender youth. The American Academy of Pediatrics highlights that access to gender-affirming care significantly reduces depression, anxiety, and suicide rates
among transgender youth.
Denying access to these treatments can lead to severe mental health struggles, as young people are forced to experience physical changes that misalign with the gender expression they wish to experience. This increases the effects of gender dysphoria: a phenomenon where individuals experience significant distress due to a mismatch between their gender identity and their biological sex.
news columns and collaborate with cultural clubs to co-produce special cultural features and reports. An example of this might look like a monthly section of a newspaper that profiles international student experiences in different languages, accompanied by translations or subtitles.
When different cultures interact and coexist, they exchange ideas that deepen mutual understanding and appreciation. While providing translations for articles written in English is a good first step to bridging language gaps, nuanced coverage of specific socio-political topics would benefit from journalistic sensitivity and cultural awareness.
Campus news outlets could offer workshops to teach student journalists about the unique, culturally-specific histories of the marginalized groups they report on, or the culturally appropriate language to use to respectfully portray these traditionally misrepresented groups.
Moreover, because visual storytelling also plays a vital role in journalism — through videos, photo essays, infographics, maps, and creative graphics — visual elements could also adapt to cultural contexts to help bring news stories to life and make stories accessible beyond languages and communities. With the incredible talent among U of T’s visual storytellers, I believe these tools could work to facilitate a multicultural news ecosystem.
Collaborations between student societies and campus publications
Gathering updates on U of T’s linguistic demographics is key to fostering a thriving intercultural community.
suicide attempts in transgender individuals. Requiring parental consent can thus be problematic for students in unhealthy domestic situations. Students may become forced to suppress their gender identities at school, become discouraged from seeking support from teachers or counsellors, and experience increased stress, anxiety, and isolation.
Expert critiques and the politics of exclusion Many experts are criticizing Alberta’s Fairness and Safety in Sports Act, which seeks to bar transgender women from participating in women’s sports divisions.
A 2016 poll by the U of T Magazine surveyed 100 students at UTSG and found that Mandarin, French, and Hindi were the most spoken languages outside of English. Nearly a decade later, this data has likely become outdated with the expansion of U of T’s student body and the linguistic diversity that has likely resulted from it.
When I contacted U of T’s Institutional Data Hub for data on students’ language demographics, I learned that there is no recent data on the languages spoken by students. There is a need for an institutional effort to empower U of T students to share their languages.
Beyond language courses or cultural clubs, there are few opportunities for students who speak different languages to participate in intercultural dialogues on campus. As such, I urge student societies and campus news outlets to collaborate on creating new news platforms that contribute to the development of a multicultural news ecosystem at U of T and capture the diversity of this campus beyond an out-of-date survey.
Diversity is one of U of T’s greatest strengths. By embracing multiculturalism and multilingualism in student media, we can ensure that more students feel represented and have equal access to news and information. It’s time to build bridges across languages, foster dialogue, and let our stories reflect the vibrant, global community in which we study.
Khaleda Khan is a recent graduate from UTSC who specialized in journalism and linguistics.
In Saskatchewan, the government used the notwithstanding clause to enforce this policy, allowing them to bypass certain rights outlined in the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, like equality rights.
Building a supportive future for transgender youth
Instead of introducing restrictive policies, Alberta should focus on creating an environment that supports everyone, including transgender youth.
While Alberta has promised to set up co-ed or gender-neutral sports divisions, I believe excluding transgender athletes from women’s sports is problematic as it can discourage trans youth from participating in sports and fostering a sense of belonging. Staying active and learning teamwork are the physical and social benefits of sports, however, the Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport found that transgender women face significant barriers to returning to sports after they transition due to gender-based discrimination. This exclusion only reinforces the harmful idea that transgender athletes don’t belong in certain spaces, which can further marginalize these identities.
Another troubling issue of the new bills is that they require parental consent before youth under the age of 16 can change their name or pronouns in schools and for access to gender-affirming care. For many transgender youth, school is often the only place where they feel safe expressing their gender identity, especially if they face rejection or abuse at home. Academic healthcare journal LGBT Health found in 2016 that family rejection increases the odds of substance misuse and
A review from the Canadian Centre for Sports Ethics warns us of the dangers that might arise from weakly founded discriminatory legislation. It finds that “available evidence indicates that transgender women who have undergone hormone suppression have no clear advantages over cis[gender] women in elite sport.” Senator Kristopher Wells — Canada Research Chair for the Public Understanding of Sexual and Gender Minority Youth — consequently argues that “The moment somebody thinks you’re not portraying your gender correctly based on stereotypes, they’re going to challenge you.”
The Canadian Non-Binary Youth in Sport Report from 2023 found that one in six non-binary youth in Canadian sports have witnessed someone being physically harassed due to their gender.
Amelia Newbert — managing director of Skipping Stone, an Alberta organization that supports transgender and gender-diverse individuals — notes that the Alberta government’s actions will only “[compound] something that’s already a crisis within our communities.”
Critics of the new legislation also point out that it reflects a broader political strategy to target marginalized groups. Similar policies have passed in other provinces, such as New Brunswick and Saskatchewan, where governments now require parental consent for students under 16 who want to change their names or pronouns at school.
One way to do this could be to improve education on transgender issues, which could better communities’ understanding of the challenges transgender youth face. Schools could adopt policies that respect students’ privacy regarding their gender identities, like allowing name and pronoun changes without restrictive barriers like mandatory parental consent.
Offering family counselling and resources could also help parents better support their transgender children, fostering a more accepting and understanding environment at home. Establishing more inclusive mental health services could also provide much-needed support to transgender youth, whose struggles with mental health are often exacerbated by discriminatory legislation — like that enacted by Alberta.
The well-being of transgender youth should be at the forefront of certain policy decisions, specifically policies regarding gender, gender expression, and human rights. Policies that restrict self-expression, bar access to care, or exclude certain individuals from certain opportunities are counterproductive and harmful. By promoting acceptance and inclusion rather than repression and exclusion, Alberta could create a society where all youth — regardless of their gender identity — can thrive.
Matt Lee is a third-year student at Innis College studying English, history and philosophy of science and technology. They are a CIUT.FM production team leader and a CIUT.FM board of directors student representative.
Introductory physics should spark joy — but U of T’s current courses don’t
Wonder and excitement is obscured by lackluster teaching and tedious assignments.
Yousuf Ramahi Graduate Studies Columnist
A few semesters back, I was a teaching assistant (TA) for an introductory physics course at U of T. After the midterm, a disheartened student complained to me that the test was too hard, since “It was not the same as the previous year’s midterm.” I had to check myself from laughing — but they were being quite serious.
My next reaction was to worry. After all, if this was that student’s expectation, we as instructors must have seriously erred in our teaching. Should we not aim for a class in which every student leaves with a little spark of interest or satisfaction, rather than completing the course as a box-ticking exercise? After all, what is the point of what, or how, we teach?
I don’t want this to be another in the long line of ‘teachers need to learn the science of teaching before teaching science’ articles. However, as a physics student surrounded by other graduate students who also notice worrying trends in student interest at the first-year level, I argue for a renewed perspective on teaching and learning.
Specifically, we can greatly improve the introductory physics courses that cater to non-physics specialists. We must respect the students by giving them agency, allowing them to make decisions during lab investigations, and generating their own knowledge instead of being told which series of tasks to complete. We need to focus on rewarding challenges and creative thinking.
TAs have a key role
A physics course is not just about the material — part of the fun (or the pain) is in the personality you end up with as your TA. In fact, I’d wager that how well a physics student remembers a course is correlated with how much they liked their TA. The TA is the link between the student and the
material, which should ideally function as a channel for enlightenment. The issue is when this channel is broken with no hope of repair.
Put simply, it’s easy to be a bad TA — just show up, hand out questions, and sit at the front of the class. However, TAs have a critical role to play beyond developing students’ technical abilities. Tutorials and practical sessions allow students to spend more time with the material at a slower pace, with the bonus of direct interactions with experts. As TAs, we should take these opportunities to act as ‘more knowledgeable others’ — mentors that push students to become more selfconfident and skillful, instead of treating our duties as a chore.
Make the content relevant
“ Physics is not algebra. Students are not computers. ”
My friend, Jack Gwozdecky — a PhD student in the Department of Chemical & d Physical Sciences — also believes that introductory courses for non-specialist students lack the rigour and energy given to physicsstream students. In a conversation where we reminisced about our undergraduate experiences at the University of Waterloo, Gwozdecky recalled the importance of a strong first impression by the instructor. His sentiments are backed up by evidence that shows decreased future enrolment in subjects taught by part-time staff.
The first courses Gwozdecky and I took at the University of Waterloo were taught by Richard Epp and the late Rohan Jayasundera — the most memorable personalities in the department. Epp’s catchphrase was to “think like a physicist” which became a borderline meme for us, and Jayasundera used to shout out “I love you!” when someone asked a question. It’s hard not to
enjoy classes like that, no matter how little you care about projectile motion.
Gwozdecky also noted in our conversation that unlike the humanities, where content is related to our subjective experiences and interpretations, physics is often introduced as an objective set of facts to be memorized. He instead advocates for teaching styles that weave the storied history of physics into the curriculum, humanizing the subject. In this way, Gwozdecky explained to me that one learns that the physics tools we use are not makeshift — they’re artisan.
Contextualizing the technical details of physics as a corollary to the human relationships that helped develop them enables a greater sense of appreciation for what we are learning.
What we teach is just as important as how we teach Pedagogy, perhaps by its most direct definition, focuses on the methods and mannerisms of teaching. While these frameworks are essential for transforming teaching from a purely instinctive practice into a systematic process, they often overlook the equally important need to adapt and evolve the content being taught.
From my observation, students who struggle with fundamentals at the outset of the course fail to catch up sufficiently and, by the end, they have not developed the intuition that forms the core of any physics course. Other students will only care about memorizing which equations to use — God forbid you don’t provide an equation sheet — with no interest in understanding the process of physical reasoning. Teaching physics from slideshows made in the 1970s
only exacerbates this issue. These required courses breed a sense of low expectation from students and we waste 12 weeks of opportunity each semester.
We need to start by respecting students and their time, irrespective of their future goals. I advocate for reducing the content of introductory courses and shifting the focus toward physics as a way of thinking. Put students in positions where they must justify — in written sentences, not just equations — the physical laws being applied and create examples that include derivations based on intuition and dimensional analysis.
In fact, I think we can do away with introductory courses for physics specialists versus non-specialists. As one who has TA’d for both, the differences between them are stark. Specialist courses often have tutorials focused on conceptual understanding and learning how to make decisions when setting up a physics problem, whereas non-specialist courses for physics majors and minors are focused on plugging-andchugging. I see the latter as utterly useless and might as well be algebra homework. Physics is not algebra. Students are not computers.
Let’s hold ourselves to a high standard
As the colloquial ‘Harvard of the North,’ we need to hold students to a high standard of excellence. This requires reciprocity. Instructors and TAs need to be dedicated and willing to spend time on enhancing what and how we teach and students need to be seeking challenge and discomfort.
We should not be teaching for prescription or replication. Rather, we need to be teaching to develop enthused and creative thinkers who can forge ahead without handholding — and without last year’s midterm.
Yousuf Ramahi is a second-year PhD student studying computational biophysics. He is a Graduate Studies Columnist for The Varsity ’s Opinion section.
swimming pools being popular sites within the aesthetic. It’s clear that the appeal of this aesthetic has almost become a subculture of its own.
Potted palm trees. A white hallway decorated with cerulean and cinnamon tiles. The scent of freshly baked buns. The subtle smell of PineSol. The Walmart sign shines as a light at the end of the tunnel of vacant units.
Scarborough’s Agincourt Mall looks like a time capsule from the 1990s — a reminder of the zeitgeist of an era of Beavis and Butt-head and AOL chat rooms. Everything seemed to be in place and yet, everything has changed.
This slowly dying mall, with shuttered-off stores and vacant hallways, is a relic barely hanging onto a time when physical spaces were the only option for social interaction. Yet, this is only a microcosm of the broader decline of third spaces in our culture today. Looking into the phenomenon of vanishing third spaces can help us understand Agincourt Mall’s decline, the subsequent loss of connection among youth, and what it means to navigate transitions in a world becoming increasingly devoid of physical spaces for connection and belonging.
Liminal space
The subreddit r/LiminalSpace, currently with 889,000 members, shares an appreciation for liminal spaces. The word ‘liminal’ describes something that is at a “threshold” or in an “intermediate state”. A space that is liminal, therefore, is a place where everything within that space is suspended in an in-between status. The subreddit defines a liminal space as, “the time between the 'what was' and the 'next.' It is a place of transition, waiting, and not knowing. Liminal space is where all transformation takes place, if we learn to wait and let it form us.”
Liminal spaces are often represented in media through imagery: photos capturing eerie spaces which are abandoned or seemingly deserted, with playgrounds, houses, and
Growing up in the early 2000s was the closest I've been to seeing this mall in its prime. The mall’s existence signalled to me, at least subliminally, that we were in an economically, socially, and culturally stable era. It was an unspoken anchor in suburban life, an unspoken acknowledgment that people could congregate, wander into a store, and buy something there because they could.
Although I didn’t frequent the mom-and-pop stores inside the mall regularly, I knew of the little comic book store, the flower shop, and the classic mall Santa that came by every December to take photos with kids. But since all of those things have left, nothing has taken their place.
Watching it all come to a halt in real time gives me a twinge of remorse for what the mall used to represent. Agincourt Mall and I seem to have left our childhoods behind at the same time. In my case, university graduation is encroaching, and being a senior in university is kind of like being in a liminal space in a sense: between the end of adolescence and the working world. I feel for the mall in the sense that we’re both in the same seemingly endless hallway reaching towards ‘tomorrow’ — both in the same waiting room for different things.
This mall also seems like it's either ready to shed its own adolescent identity or to be put out of its misery. Either way, it's in the space between what it was and what it will be.
The loss of the third space
The idea of third spaces — a term coined by sociologist Ray Oldenburg — refers to places of congregation outside the home, such as bars, coffee shops, and malls. In his book, The Great Good Place, Oldenburg describes three distinct spaces through which society operates: the first being the home, followed by
the workplace, and the third spaces that are “inclusively sociable, offering both the basis of community and the celebration of it.”
When I visited the mall, it was the Saturday before last year’s Thanksgiving. I could see echoes of what the shared space used to be.
The biggest unit left empty used to be a cafe. A rainbow-coloured mural of fruit and people that was painted on the wall is left as a reminder of when this mall still held community events. Now, the mural is roped off from the public and has been for the last decade.
When it comes to third spaces like malls, Oldenberg explains the loss decline of third spaces by likening the home and workplace to “shuttle back and forth between the ‘womb’ and the ‘rat race’” in which “a two-stop model of daily routine is becoming fixed in our habits as the urban environment affords less opportunity for public relaxation.”
This two-stop model refers to the daily routines of people being limited to two main locations: home and work. The model is becoming a regular part of people’s habits because there are fewer public spaces available in urban environments to gather in. Although this phenomenon is nothing new, this doesn’t make the sight of the abandoned mall any less eerie.
What killed the mall?
The COVID-19 pandemic no doubt played a factor in the death of Agincourt Mall, but it doesn’t tell the full story of the mall’s decline. Like in Agatha Christie’s Murder On the Orient Express, there is no one culprit.
For one thing, with the rise of online shopping, malls across the nation have faced stiff competition with the ease of clicking a button at home. There are still some consumers who want to go to physical stores, as the interaction that can be had with the products is a factor that can’t yet be replicated by technology. But, the reality is that even before the pandemic, mall visitors were down 22 per cent in 2019
compared to 2018, according to research from Deloitte Canada. As such, the influx of online retailers and e-commerce alone was enough to decrease the number of mall patrons and the need for the physical space of a mall.
The internet plays a major role in understanding how the loss of third spaces and the rise of technology are intertwined.
In “Landscapes of Leisure”, Joan AbbottChapman and Margaret Robertson write that, “The internet may also provide a ‘virtual’ third place,” which begs the question as to whether the loss of third spaces can be somewhat mitigated by the online world.
According to Abbot-Chapman and Robertson, this shift in culture boils down to “globalization, consumerism, commodification and the rapid social, economic and technological changes” that advanced too fast for mall culture to catch up to. What compounds the gradual transference of the physical to the virtual communities over the tangible is loneliness — especially among university students. A 2021 study from Current Psychology found that heavy online usage and loneliness create a feedback loop, where each reinforces the other.
The paradox of young adults feeling isolated despite being virtually connected to more people than ever due to social media inadvertently reaffirms the need for the physical third space to remain commonly available.
The redevelopment plan
With an official plan in the works since 2017, Toronto’s City Planning Division intends for Agincourt Mall’s decline to pave the way for a larger community. Its demise allows for “building heights and densities, affordable housing, parks and open spaces, streets and blocks, improvements to existing transportation systems, servicing infrastructure[,] and community services and facilities.”
I talked to a few of the mall’s remaining small business owners, but none were
particularly eager to share their thoughts on the redevelopment — and I can’t say I blame them. There was a general sense of keeping one’s head down and continuing to work. It was business as usual, even as surrounding stores disappeared. The silence only seemed to grow louder whenever I tried to address it. But anyone could tell — it was only a matter of time.
A niche attraction
Agincourt Mall was featured in a YouTube video by a channel called “tshod.” The title was a blunt truth: “Exploring Toronto’s Failing Malls,” posted the same year I visited. The camera captured what I saw — shuttered stores, a mix of struggling franchises, and mom-andpop shops barely hanging on. Agincourt Mall appears second to last on the YouTuber’s list, alongside other high-profile malls like Woodbine Mall, Fantasy Fair, and Cumberland Terrace all face a similar decline. Interestingly, the video’s commentary is minimal, perhaps allowing the mall to speak for itself through its silence.
And yet, the niche and growing interest in dead malls has evolved into a subculture of liminal spaces. Instagram accounts like @deadmallscroll and @deadmallwalking romanticize the post-mall era, where the allure of abandoned malls, intertwined with the vaporwave aesthetic, creates its own subculture: an antithesis to late-stage capitalism. As an art style, vaporwave is associated with early internet imagery, glitch art, corporate logos, beaches, and cyberpunk visuals. This could explain why vaporwave’s emergence in pop culture resonates with young adults, fostering a broader appreciation for liminal space and dead malls.
The beauty of the dead mall lies in the very fact that it has left behind a relic of the past. Much of its mass appeal stems from the contradictions it represents. University of Queensland PhD candidate Maria-Gemma Brown captured this perfectly when she
described the allure of the dead mall subculture as “A tension between nostalgic longing and critique, a tension between history-feeling and future-feeling, and finally a tension between dreaming and awakening.”
To me, dead malls are fascinating because they’re ‘real’ — a living artifact of something
At the opposite wing of the mall was the lottery kiosk, its sign flashing in red LED lights. I joined a cluster of middle-aged men clutching grocery bags as they stood in line to buy tickets. It was the largest crowd I'd seen all day, huddled around the mall’s smallest corner. The cashier kept her head down, only glancing
Watching it all come to a halt in real time gives me a twinge of remorse for what the mall used to represent. Agincourt Mall and I seem to have left our childhoods behind at the same time.
that once held significance. Brown refers to dead malls as “petrified utopias,” adding, “Videos and images of dead malls contain ghostly whispers from past consumer cultures — spectral traces of long-lost dream worlds.”
In many ways, the dead mall becomes a paradox; it begins as a temple of consumerism, only to transform into its own antithesis.
Final signs of life
To say the mall is completely dead might not be entirely accurate. During my visit, I saw two older friends sitting on a bench, with an entire wing of the mall to themselves. They spoke so quietly their voices seemed to blend into the silence. Perhaps, for them, the mall’s slow pace was just right. Even as the hallways remained suspended in silence, they stayed, sitting with it.
up to scan the tickets as they were handed to her. We all watched the winnings unfold. The only sounds were murmured voices and the lotto machine blurting out, ‘Winner! Gagnant!’
That little place in the mall continued to sell dreams. There is a deep irony in this scenario, where Brown’s words ring true once again: “In a time of cancelled futures, we should embrace this haunting. To remember how to dream collectively is to begin loosening capitalism’s grip over reality.” Could it be that, amid the decay of what mall culture once represented, something refreshingly real has emerged?
As I sat across from the lottery kiosk, just observing, a toddler climbed onto a nearby bench as if it were a jungle gym. Her lone laughter filled the empty hallways. This place might as well have been Disneyland: after all, there was plenty of room for her antics, and
no one cared to stop her. She jumped down from the bench and ran to her mother, making a point to avoid stepping on any of the lines in the ground. I used to do the same thing. Only, when I was a kid, there was a plastic carousel and a claw machine filled with candy.
I don’t remember the exact moment those attractions disappeared. While the same could have been said 10 years ago and wouldn’t have been entirely wrong this time, the mall ‘really’ was at the end of its rope.
After people-watching for hours, it was the toddler and the elderly who seemed most at ease spending time there. Although I’m not sure if age was the primary factor, I suspect it had more to do with people who are comfortable with silence — who can ‘befriend’ the liminal space, where the mall’s loneliness becomes a companion.
Farewell to an era
At five o’clock, most stores called it a day — and the mall had an hour until closing. After giving the mall one last once-over, I decided to head toward the same doors I had come in through. Down the empty stretch of shuttered stores — all but one. The hair salon remained open with its last customers. The afternoon sun warmed the vacant hallway, spilling over the potted palm trees and seeping into the abandoned stores. The only sound was the hum of an electric razor. I felt as though I was witnessing not only the mall but an entire era taking its last breaths.
And yet, even as the remnants of its past were all but dead, the mall wasn’t ready to let go of the husks of stores that remained. It held onto glimmers of its own childlike idealism, clinging to a future that promised to be different. Like a university student putting aside their youthful eccentricities in favour of becoming a productive member of society. Instinctively, I left the electronic brick in my pocket untouched — the one that connects the world, making meeting places virtual and leaving physical spaces forever changed.
January 21, 2025
thevarsity.ca/category/arts-culture arts@thevarsity.ca
Eleonora Cappuccilli Varsity Contributor
What are the main challenges for those grappling with distant pasts, such as the history of the Renaissance? I see three crucial principles as essential if we want to make historical lessons relevant to our present: using the tools inherited from feminist movements, considering history from a perspective that goes beyond national boundaries, and considering not only facts but also concepts, particularly in the study of religions.
Scholars have sought to highlight commonalities between confessions and move beyond national approaches to the study of religious imagination. This approach underpins theories of the ‘global reformations,’ as U of T historian Nicholas Terpstra outlined in his anthology also entitled Global Reformations. This category refers to the connections — extending beyond Europe — between early modern movements and figures of religious reform who sought to change ideas about the relationship between God and believers.
These theories arise from a broad debate on the definition and understanding of the transformative and critical period marking the end of the universal Church in Europe — specifically the time of the Protestant Reformation.
The Reformation, sparked by a religious schism in 1517, protested against the Roman Catholic Church’s dogmas and corruption. In response, the Council of Trent symbolically initiated the Catholic Counter-Reformation. While Martin Luther’s Protestant Reformation emphasized the need for a direct relationship between God and each individual, the Counter-Reformation represented the ecclesiastical and papal Church’s response to the perceived need for reforms within the broader Roman Catholic Church.
This period is often interpreted as marking the fracture of Christendom, coinciding with the rise of capitalism, liberal individualism, and the modern state — concepts explored in Max Weber’s The Protestant Ethics and the Spirit of Capitalism Religious transformation, therefore, is deeply embedded in the theoretical foundations of the
most enduring and widely used political concepts. Adding a feminist perspective to the study of this period — which was rich in religious and political innovation — is essential for making the analysis more inclusive, accurate and meaningful.
Since the 1970s, feminist movements and historians have emphasized the necessity of adopting gender as a category of historical analysis, as Joan Wallach Scott summarized in her essay “Gender: A Useful Category of Historical Analysis.”
As a result, women began to enter this broadly defined field of enquiry. However, for a long time, feminist historiography — the study of historical writing through a feminist lens — developed along lines that generally correspond to national, regional, or local phenomena.
In the last 20 years, research has flourished, demonstrating an ongoing effort to overcome spatial constraints. In 2005, Elizabeth A. Lehfeldt’s book
The Permeable Cloister argued that transnational research on women’s monasticism or monkhood would be valuable. That same year, Nancy Bradley Warren, in her book Women of God and Arms, concluded that women’s spirituality travels across national boundaries and spans centuries. While a
You Are Not Alone had its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) in September last year. Ironically, real-life couple Philippe Lupien and Marie-Hélène Viens wrote and directed this sci-fi romance as their first feature film, exploring themes of loneliness and alienation.
Pier-Luc Funk stars as Léo — an unmotivated 20-something pizza delivery driver struggling with loneliness — who meets Rita (Marianne Fortier), an amateur musician who takes a liking to him. Before their romance can blossom, Léo encounters an alien disguised as a taxi driver, who also sets his sights on him. The alien, named John (Francois Papineau), preys on lonely men in Montréal to sustain his life force and attempts to steal Léo’s heart — literally.
The movie starts off promising. Léo is a strangely endearing character, brought to life by a strong performance from Funk. His daily interactions are marked with awkwardness — whether he’s delivering pizzas to clients or conversing with his parents, who own the pizzeria. Léo’s mother, Sylvie (Sandrine Bisson), delivers some hilarious moments as she lovingly teases his demeanour at work and
concepts through their interaction with political events.
Investigating women’s prophecy offers a fresh perspective that uncovers the complexity and nuance of what has traditionally been regarded as a male-dominated phenomenon.
broader perspective on women’s religious agency in the early modern era is being developed — sometimes with an explicit feminist intent — and efforts made to uncover the connections between religious and political experiences, women remain excluded from the dominant narratives that shape political reality and the historical archives as we know it.
Women’s exclusion from decision-making positions underpins the tendency to narrate alternative histories in which women struggle to exercise their subjectivity. In these histories, women can only negotiate with power structures whose inherently patriarchal nature ultimately prevents them from occupying any significant role in shaping the course of History with a capital H.
As a postdoctoral fellow at U of T working on a three-year Marie Skłodowska-Curie project titled “Female Prophecy in Early Modern European Religion,” my research focuses on how women have influenced the development of concepts such as politics, religion, self, authority, power, and discipline since their modern forms emerged. Women are not just supporting actors, but key players in the dialogues that shape these
encourages him to get out more. As a former pizzeria staff worker myself, I nostalgically watched as Léo’s parents cooked pizzas and sent him out on delivery.
However, it’s Léo’s interplay with Rita that steals the show. The chemistry between Funk and Fortier jumps off the screen after Sylvie introduces their characters to each other.
Tortured by his alienation, Leo slowly eases up in Rita’s presence and begins to appreciate life in a new way. Her confidence in him allows both of them to embrace their vulnerability, as Léo strives to find more meaning within himself and Rita tries to navigate her music career.
Nevertheless, the film falls flat during its second act when John begins to pursue Léo after giving him a ride home one night. The introduction of sci-fi elements feels forced as John slowly reveals his true form, which seems disconnected from the first half of the film. John is never explicitly identified as an alien, leaving his character and purpose confusing, as the audience is often left guessing at what’s happening.
The film is a modest effort. Produced by Québécois production company La Boîte à Fanny, it marks a rare appearance as a French-Canadian indie film at TIFF. The score, composed by Pierre-Philippe Côté, complements the film well, reflecting the tension — both romantic between Léo and Rita, and eerie between Léo and John — throughout.
The film’s low budget also comes with its perks — the filmmakers were compelled to get creative with shots, resulting in some striking cinematography. For example, early in the film, the camera follows the pizza sign atop Léo’s car as he works nights, an unconventional
Through the marginalized yet centrally important cases of women like the Discalced Carmelite Teresa of Ávila, the allegedly heretic Jesuitess Mary Ward, and the stigmatic Lucia da Narni, we encounter women who conveyed the voice of God, embodied prophetic authority, and became liaisons between community, civil, and ecclesiastical institutions. Through their lives and actions, we find a basis to challenge wellestablished periodizations and definitions.
These women’s experiences challenge the traditional divide between the pre-Tridentine era, characterized by reform and women’s religious activism beyond the cloister, and the postTridentine age, darkened by stricter encloisterment, a decline of prophecy and the suppression of women’s voices. Even Pope Pius V’s 1566 papal bull — or the Catholic Church’s official decree — Circa pastoralis, could not fully close all spaces for women or immediately confine all religious women to cloisters. Although aimed to enforce the regulation of religious life, it was difficult to interpret and apply, as U of T historian Alison More underlined in her studies on non-cloistered women. Although with varying intensities and responses, women did not stop prophesying. Further research needed to be done to unveil the potential linkages between Protestant and Catholic women, as well as between Europe and its overseas colonies. Cross-fertilizing North American scholarship with European trends is crucial, as is opening up to comparative analyses with other periods and religions.
So, in the end, how should we address the challenges of being both a historian and a feminist today? I have more questions than answers, but one thing is certain: keeping an eye on what happens outside of the academic circles, listening to social movements, and nurturing the need for dissent without falling prey to cancel culture — as U of T historian of political thought Andrea Lanza recently argued in his article “Between Cancel Culture and Uniformity” — can only enrich the everyday work of writing history.
choice that oddly sets the atmosphere as he navigates the empty streets of Montréal.
Nevertheless, in the Q&A section of the premiere, Lupien explained that he wanted to leave the sci-fi elements of the film open to interpretation. However, in aiming for ambiguity, he and Viens go too far, leaving the film opaque and unexplained in many areas. What kind of creature is John, exactly? Why does Léo, who seemingly possesses no exceptional qualities, present such a challenge for John in capturing him?
By lazily engaging with sci-fi elements, the film detracts from Léo and Rita’s relationship, and its commentary on loneliness. Over the first act, we come to feel for Léo, the unlikely protagonist, whose defeated outlook on life gradually transforms into something more hopeful as he builds a real human connection. But the film ultimately shifts from being a vulnerable romance to a cheap scifi flick, which leaves it hanging somewhere in between and prevents it from becoming a fully fleshed-out character study of Léo’s condition. Ultimately, I believe it’s important for Canadian cinema to bring French-Canadian indie films into the limelight. You Are Not Alone occasionally evokes modern classics like Gabrielle (2013) and Café de Flore (2011), both of which explore unlikely romances rooted in Québec’s unique identity. However, I hope that future French-Canadian films can build on this foundation more effectively than this one.
At the premiere, Lupien described the film as a “love story that keeps getting disrupted” by John, and I agree with his characterization. What should be a romance is constantly interrupted — and in the end, the interruptions detract from its core.
Audrey Lai Varsity Contributor
Rebooting a TV show is often seen as beating a dead horse — a fruitless attempt to recapture former glory, or worse, a tactic to squeeze out a couple more bucks from gullible, nostalgic viewers. Shows that were once chic and clever can end up feeling cringeworthy and banal. Audiences found the remake Gossip Girl (2021) dull compared to the glitz of the original, and Sex and the City’s reboot, And Just Like That… seemed to squander the once-beloved cast of characters.
While there are plenty of terrible TV reboots, our cynical view of them is often rooted in the paradoxical expectation that a reboot must maintain the atmosphere and quality of the original while also creating something entirely new for fresh and sentimental audiences.
Criticism of reboots often stems from the expectation that they should match the quality of the original show at its peak. However, just because a show has an established framework to work with doesn’t mean the development process is any less difficult or time-consuming than creating the original series. We often forget that many critically acclaimed shows had lessthan-perfect first seasons. Consider popular sitcoms, like the US version of The Office (2001) and Parks and Recreation, which are still widely watched today.
The first seasons — or at least their beginnings — are often considered the weakest because the writers were still finding their footing. The first episode of The Office (2005) — a remake of the UK series — relied too heavily on the source material, lifting entire scenes from its predecessor, which failed to resonate with American audiences.
Still, subsequent episodes of the show diverged greatly from the UK version, which led to a better developed cast of characters, and better reception overall.
Likewise, Parks and Recreations’ first season, initially developed as a spinoff of US’ The Office, mirrored its tone too closely, which clashed with the Parks’ characters and story. However, in both shows, clunky plotlines were smoothed out by season two, as they developed their own identities. While still drawing inspiration from the shows that came before them, both The Office and Parks and Recreation were able to create something new.
That ’90s Show (2023) occupies an interesting position in the reboot discussion, particularly in relation to nostalgia. The original series, That ’70s Show, aired from 1998 to 2006 and followed the antics of a group of teenagers in suburban Wisconsin during the 1970s. The group consists of Eric, a clumsy Star Wars nerd; Donna, the ambitious girl next door; Jackie, the spoiled fashionista; Kelso, the good-looking airhead; Hyde, the wisecracking rebel; and Fez, the flirty foreign exchange student. That ’90s Show follows a similar premise, but with the next generation of teens: Leia, the daughter of Eric and Donna; Gwen, a punk feminist ‘Riot grrrl’ and Leia’s best friend; Jay, Leia’s boyfriend and the son of Kelso and Jackie; Ozzie, the sarcastic jokester; Nate, the dopey half-brother of Gwen; and Nikki, Nate’s smart and stylish girlfriend. That ’90s Show takes on the challenge of producing nostalgia not only for the 1990s but also for the original show — a task that is both promising and tricky to navigate.
Season one faced criticism largely because Kitty and Red — Eric’s parents and fan favourite characters — along with guest stars from the
original cast, did much of the heavy lifting. In order to stand apart from their original cast counterparts, the new cast’s characterization needed to be more fleshed out, especially with characters other than Leia.
However, by season two, the show began to grow into its own as the new cast started pulling their weight, and the writing found a balance between honouring the original show and introducing fresh content. The jokes in season two are funnier and lean into the absurd dream sequences that made That ’70s Show memorable, while the new gang gains fuller characterization and stronger group chemistry, with more screen time focusing on the teens rather than guest stars.
Is it better than the original? No — it’s tough to live up to a star-studded cast of names like Topher Grace and Mila Kunis, and the show’s tone is a bit more juvenile compared to the
original’s slight edge. But replicating or redoing the original isn’t what That ’90s Show aims for. That ’90s Show targets the established audience of Gen Xers and millennials from the original series, but it’s also aiming for a younger Gen Z audience, many of whom might not have even watched That ’70s Show — and that’s okay. TV reboots that are most positively received often preserve the heart of the original series while being unafraid to step outside the source material to attract new fans. Shows like One Day at a Time (2017) and even Girl Meets World took the foundation of their source material and spun them into something fresh and different. While reboots can often be easy cash grabs for the entertainment industry, they also provide a way to retell old stories for new audiences. We reinterpret fairytales, write sequels to novels, and create musicals from movies — so why not give TV reboots a second chance?
John Crowley’s film is a raw, poignant exploration of love, loss, and the pursuit of life amidst tragedy
Chhata Gupta
Varsity Contributor
Some films linger in your mind long after the credits roll, and John Crowley’s We Live in Time is one of them — a poignant exploration of love, ambition, and the fragility of life.
While the premise might seem familiar, the story unfolds in unexpected ways — spoilers ahead! Girl meets boy — in this case, it’s more, girl hits boy with her car — girl and boy fall in love, girl gets cancer, girl and boy struggle with her diagnosis, and ultimately, girl dies. And yet, it’s different, offering a fresh take on themes we’ve seen before.
Starring Florence Pugh as Almut, a highlyskilled Bavarian fusion chef, and Andrew Garfield as Tobias, an employee at Weetabix, the film paints a deeply moving portrait of two individuals grappling with life’s toughest challenges, striving to hold onto each other amidst the inevitability of loss.
The narrative unfolds in layers, seamlessly shifting between past and present. The warm, golden hues of their blossoming romance sharply contrast with the cooler tones of a life overshadowed by fear and mortality. These visual choices highlight the evolution of their relationship, with the warmth of their love standing out against the growing chill of impending loss.
We watch Almut and Tobias fall in love, fully aware that her terminal illness will soon test this love. This dual timeline — where love flourishes amidst grief — adds depth to the story, making it all the more powerful, while the film’s structure intensifies the heartbreak, making each moment feel both fleeting and eternal. The pacing mirrors this tension; quiet, intimate scenes allow their connection to feel authentic, while faster-paced moments emphasize the urgency of time and the pressure shaping their journey.
The weight of love
What sets We Live in Time apart is its focus not only on Almut’s illness but also on her life and relationships. From the beginning, Almut and Tobais’ connection feels genuine. As Tobias, Andrew Garfield bears an endearing loverboy charm, romanticism and vulnerability. His heartfelt dialogue — “Because I’m worried there’s a very distinct and real possibility that I am about to fall in love with you” — perfectly captures his sincerity and the aching vulnerability beneath it. When Almut begins hiding the truth of her decision to participate in the cooking competition from him, I ached for Tobias, wanting to shout, “He loves you! Just tell him!” Garfield’s performance masterfully conveys love, pain, and quiet desperation, making the emotional tension tangible. The film doesn’t shy away from the complexity of their relationship, making it feel more authentic and impactful.
Beyond a typical “cancer movie”
One of the film's central themes is the challenge of loving someone when you know you may lose them. While Tobias yearns for Almut to stay and hold on, he also wants her to live life on her own terms. We avoid the typical tropes of hospital beds and medical scenes, and instead, we see Almut at her most vibrant — immersed in her passion for cooking and even competing in international culinary competitions. Yet, there are moments in the challenge when she pauses and pain enters, reminding us of her reality. These scenes highlight the juxtaposition between her desires and the shadow of her condition, offering glimpses of the future she’s fighting so hard to preserve.
Knowing her fate, I thought I’d be immune to the tears. Yet, as the movie unfolded, I found myself sobbing — not just at her loss, but at her ambitions, fears, and the person she so desperately wanted to be remembered as.
A heartbreaking conclusion
In the film’s emotional climax, after her culinary competition, Almut takes her family to an ice skating rink. We learn earlier in the film that she was once a competitive skater, so her final moments gliding on the ice, with a look of peace on her face, are both symbolic and haunting.
The film doesn’t show her death directly; instead, we are left with the void she leaves behind — a stark contrast to her warmth. Sitting in the theatre, it took me a minute to process. The suddenness of it felt overwhelming, leaving me with a quiet sense of loss.
As the credits began to roll, something about the film felt rushed, ending unsettlingly abruptly. In many ways, this mirrored Almut’s story — her time, like ours, is fleeting, and the film captures that sense of urgency. In attempting to portray the finality of her life, the narrative hurries toward its conclusion, leaving us grasping for more — more time, resolution, and closure.
And yet, despite being deeply moved, I couldn’t shake the feeling that the music
and some of the more melodramatic scenes slightly manipulated me. Earlier, when Tobias and Almut argued about having children, the moment lost some of its emotional weight because the outcome was already clear to us. Framed by what we knew about her fate by the end of the film, the scene felt more contrived than heartfelt. Nonetheless, the film remains effective, offering a poignant portrayal of love, loss, and the courage to live fully, even amidst tragedy.
Final thoughts
We Live in Time reminds us of the beauty of life, even in the face of death. It’s a heartwrenching portrayal of two lives intertwined, and its emotional impact lingers long after the credits roll, echoing the delicate balance between love and life. Pugh and Garfield bring humanity to their characters, while Crowley’s direction — coupled with subtle choices in lighting and pacing — pulls us into their world. It makes us ache for their happiness, mourn their losses, and ultimately reflect on what it truly means to live.
January 21, 2025
thevarsity.ca/category/science science@thevarsity.ca
We’ve all likely been exposed to antibiotics at some point in our lives, whether it was utilized for a mild infection like strep throat or something more life-threatening. When researcher Alexander Fleming found a fungus contaminating his research and killing the bacteria in his petri dishes, he accidentally stumbled upon one of the first antibiotics: penicillin. The discovery of penicillin marked the “golden era” of antibiotic research and usage — we finally had a way to fight the microscopic menaces that had been killing us for centuries.
Antibiotics and AMR
Antibiotics are prescribed chemical agents for treating bacterial infections in humans and animals. They are derived from chemical compounds produced by bacteria that can kill or slow the growth of other microbes in their vicinity to gain a fitness advantage over their biological competitors. Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution explains this: the microbes best adapted to survive their environment are naturally selected for — something he terms the ‘survival of the fittest.’ Microbes’ production of antibiotic agents is an evolutionary process. Sometimes, the target bacteria of an antibiotic resist and continue to grow and change in their presence.
Mutations — distortions in bacterial genetic material — can cause bacteria to acquire proteins that pump the antibiotic out of their cells, develop a protective biofilm around them, or even produce enzymes that break the antibiotic drugs down.
These mechanisms are the basis of antibiotic resistance — or more broadly, antimicrobial resistance (AMR). This includes resistant bacteria, viruses, and fungi, among other microbes. These
infection-causing bacteria or microbes are no longer susceptible to the antimicrobial agent. These resistant bacteria or “superbugs” cause “resistant infections,” which can be difficult and sometimes impossible to treat. Oftentimes, these infections can become fatal.
Some of the superbugs of our times are methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and drug-resistant tuberculosis. The problem with these drug-resistant strains of bacteria is that we’re back to square one. We’re quickly running out of antibiotics to treat resistant infections and the production of new antibiotics is slow and insufficient to keep up with the rising antibiotic resistance.
What are the concerns?
With microbial resistance rates rising rapidly and a lack of new antibiotics, AMR has emerged to be one of the greatest global health concerns in the twenty-first century. AMR has killed 1.27 million people worldwide and is estimated to result in 10 million deaths by 2050.
It even has a massive economic cost. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates a global GDP loss of one to three trillion USD per year by 2030 due to increased healthcare costs owing to AMR. This threat is quite real, imminent, and transcends international boundaries.
Scientists and healthcare practitioners are working hard to determine the drivers and contributors of AMR and gather evidence for practices that can slow the development of further resistance. In the Canadian Medical Association Journal podcast, medical professionals tackle emerging trends in medical practice. In its January 13 episode, UHN staff emergency physician Dr. Maria
Ivankovic noted that long and routine courses of antibiotics — which were thought to prevent AMR — are actually the drivers of microbial resistance rates. In short, the longer an antibiotic is in use, the more time the infecting bacteria has to adapt and grow resistant.
There are also systemic practices propagating this ‘silent pandemic.’ Poor regulation of antimicrobial prescription practices by health regulatory bodies in various parts of the world breeds misuse of these limited resources. Additionally, very little has been done over the years to implement a comprehensive monitoring protocol for keeping track of resistant bacteria and the healthcare settings in which they emerge.
Some researchers are now advocating for prescribing shorter courses of antibiotics, but they warn that there are exceptions to the ‘shorter is better’ rule. For instance, there is evidence that inner ear infections in children under two years have better cure rates with a 10-day course of the relevant antibiotic than
Siriah Subit
Varsity Contributor
In 2025, heliophysics is poised to lead the charge in space exploration, with a series of missions dedicated to studying the Sun and its vast influence. Heliophysics is the integrated study of the Sun and its relationship with the solar system as a dynamic, interconnected system. It highlights how the Sun's behaviour directly impacts the planets and other elements of the solar system, creating a complex, ongoing interplay.
From its formative role in the solar system to its effect on Earth's technology, studying heliophysics is essential for understanding the immediate and far-reaching impacts of our nearest star. This research aids in predicting solar storms that can disrupt satellite communications and power grids. Groundbreaking missions like PUNCH, IMAP, and the Parker Solar Probe are expanding our understanding, and uncovering the intricate interactions between the Sun and its cosmic surroundings.
Heliophysics explained:
A guide to the science of the sun
Heliophysics fundamentally explores the Sun’s chaotic magnetic behaviour, which impacts the upper atmospheres of Earth and other planets through its far-reaching heliosphere — the region of space influenced by the Sun and its solar wind. According to NASA’s planet distance chart, the heliosphere extends approximately 100 astronomical units — equivalent to 14.9 billion kilometres. For reference, Earth is one astronomical unit away from the sun. It consists of plasma, magnetic fields, and radiation emitted by the Sun, which interact with environments spanning from
the Sun's nuclear core to the boundary of the heliosphere and interstellar space.
The heliosphere acts as a shield, protecting the planets from harmful galactic cosmic rays — the existing radiation in space. Earth’s magnetosphere provides an additional layer of defence, safeguarding us from solar radiation and preventing atmospheric erosion caused by the solar wind. In contrast, planets without magnetic fields — such as Mars and Venus — are vulnerable to these processes, leading to significant differences in the evolution of their atmospheres and surfaces.
Exploring new frontiers:
The space missions set to redefine 2025
In the coming year, several ambitious missions are poised to advance our understanding of heliophysics:
PUNCH (Polarimeter to UNify the Corona and Heliosphere)
PUNCH is a NASA mission designed to use four small satellites to continuously image the Sun’s outer corona of the Sun and its transition into the solar wind, which drives phenomena like the northern lights. The corona — the outermost layer of the Sun’s atmosphere — is usually obscured by the intense brightness of the Sun's surface. By conducting detailed investigations of the outer corona, the mission aims to provide new insights into the Sun and the solar wind as a connected system, addressing a critical gap in understanding the Sun-Earth connection.
IMAP (Interstellar Mapping and Acceleration Probe)
IMAP aims to explore the heliosphere’s boundary and how the solar wind interacts with
the galaxy while addressing two critical questions in heliophysics: how charged particles, such as ions and electrons, are energized, and how the solar wind interacts with interstellar material, including gas, dust, and radiation fields. Equipped with 10 advanced instruments, the mission will study a broad range of particle energies and types, providing new insights into the dynamics of the outermost region of our solar system.
Parker Solar Probe
five days.
The WHO believes that the way forward is universal access to quality diagnostics and treatments, as well as increased efforts into research and development directed at novel antimicrobial therapies and vaccines. Furthermore, the Global AMR Research and Development Hub advocates for a “One Health Framework” involving a collaboration of diverse stakeholders: veterinarians, healthcare professionals, environmental scientists, and policymakers, among others. What can we do about AMR? The next time your doctor advises against antibiotics for your common cold, know they might be trying to prevent tiny superbugs from taking over the world! It is time to educate ourselves, take greater precautions to prevent infection, and advocate for judicious and appropriate antibiotic use. Most common colds are viral and should be treated with antiviral medicine or over-the-counter painkillers instead of prescription antibiotics.
Launched on August 12, 2018, NASA’s Parker Solar Probe is set to revolutionize our understanding of the Sun by becoming the first spacecraft to ‘touch’ it. Flying through the Sun’s corona and enduring extreme heat and radiation, the probe provides humanity with the closest-recorded observations of our star. Using the gravity of seven Venus flybys to gradually shrink its orbit, the spacecraft approaches the Sun closer with each pass while conserving fuel.
On December 24, 2024, the Parker Solar Probe survived its record-breaking closest approach to the Sun, reaching a speed of 692,000 kilometres per hour. It became both the fastest human-made object and the closest to the Sun, flying within 6.1 million kilometres of its surface — seven times closer than any previous spacecraft. This seven-year mission aims to provide vital insights into how the Sun's changing conditions affect the solar system, including Earth.
Charting new paths: The future of heliophysics research
The forthcoming heliophysics missions will advance space exploration and improve life on Earth. Despite extensive study, heliophysics still struggles to fully explain the solar corona’s extreme temperatures, which are significantly higher than the Sun’s surface. Enhanced understanding of space weather will support interplanetary travel, improve forecasting, and reduce disruption to satellites, power systems, and communications.
In addition to their practical advantages, these missions aim to deepen our understanding of the Sun's influence on the evolution of planetary environments. By pushing the boundaries of science and technology, they not only help protect our planet but also pave the way for humanity’s future among the stars.
Bruno Macia Lead Copy Editor
Food is an essential part of human life. What we eat, how we cook, and where we get our nutrients from are foundational aspects of cultural expression and community health.
A 2024 literature review in Foods — a peerreviewed open-access scientific journal on food science — highlights an alarming decline in the nutritional value of foods we typically consume, such as fruits and vegetables.
According to this review, a combination of rising temperatures, chemical farming practices, compromised soil qualities, and inefficient food systems is causing people to be “overfed but undernourished due to consuming nutrient-poor diets.”
Soil, seeds, and a warming Earth: causes and consequences of nutritional decline
Foods that were once bursting with vital nutrients, such as apples, oranges, bananas, and broccoli, no longer pack the same nutrientdense punch they did 50 years ago. Parsley, for example, which contains more vitamin C per 100 grams than an orange, has seen its vitamin content decrease by 22.7 per cent in just two decades. While the nutritional value of our foods has been declining since the 1940s, this decline has accelerated dramatically in the past 30 to 40 years, potentially affecting the conventional tastes of certain foods.
The review focuses on two reasons for the possible decline in nutritional density — referred to as nutritional dilution — in our diets: deficient soil biodiversity and fertility, and unbalanced, inadequate nutrition.
Nutrient dilution has been primarily linked to the degradation of the soil in which crops are grown.
Our foods' nutritional value is depleted, but can dietary changes help overcome this decline?
The seeds have also been modified over the years. Through genetic engineering, the food industry has developed crops that have higher yields, grow faster, and resist pests and diseases, often at the expense of nutrient density.
The food market also plays an important role in what landowners decide to produce. For example, in Argentina, soybean harvesting has expanded, as selling soybeans generates more revenue and carries less risk for farmers using
crucial for metabolic functions such as tissue repair, immune health, and energy production.
Our health lies in our daily habits and choices
Nowadays, we consume more ultra-processed food, which is modified with a slew of artificial additives and preservatives to enhance taste, convenience, and durability. Even some loaves of bread found at the grocery store are
As long as we maintain a balanced diet, our bodies should be resilient enough to cope with the occasional surplus of trans fat we might consume when eating popcorn at the theatre or that decadent chocolate cake at our friend’s birthday party.
genetically modified soybeans.
Rising global temperatures caused by the climate crisis have also affected the quality of our foods. Sunlight can alter the chemical profile of soil, and increased solar radiation can raise soil temperatures. This accelerates the decomposition activities of typical soil microbes, leading to the faster breakdown of nutrients that would otherwise be preserved or decomposed more slowly.
Additionally, higher levels of atmospheric carbon dioxide have been shown to affect the availability and quantity of nutrients —
considered highly processed due to the high amounts of salt, artificial colours, and sugars they contain.
Having a diet based primarily on these types of foods can potentially lead to health issues. Now, don’t get me wrong — it is not about avoiding these foods completely. As long as we maintain a balanced diet, our bodies should be resilient enough to cope with the occasional surplus of trans fat we might consume when eating popcorn at the theatre or that decadent chocolate cake at our friend’s birthday party. But as scientific studies have shown, even
Overcoming obstacles to a healthy and balanced diet involves making better choices and being mindful of your budget when grocery shopping. While most Canadians — particularly students — continue to struggle with the cost of living and can’t easily afford the luxuries of organic produce, below is a list of actionable steps to achieve a balanced diet:
• Diversify your diet: keep a journal or take notes on your phone for a week or two to check what you have been eating. Once you have an overview of your diet, start making small changes. For example, replace refined grains with whole grains, and add more pieces of fruit or sides of vegetables.
• Consider supplementation: multivitamins are easily available at most grocery stores and can help you meet your daily recommendations for vitamins and minerals.
• Go for local and fresh: grocery stores often indicate the origin of fruits and vegetables. The farther a food travels, the higher the chance it has been frozen for transportation. Local and fresh — not frozen — means less handling and storage, which results in better nutritional quality.
• Switch grocery stores: looking for better prices can be daunting when you have a busy schedule, but buying produce boxes and freezing the items at home is an option. Getting together with friends to buy food in bulk is another alternative.
• Follow a season calendar: the prices and nutritional value of fruits and vegetables fluctuate with the seasons. Use a calendar to know when and what to buy.
Many changes in the food industry are needed for our food to regain its nutritional value, and additional research is required to understand how this can be achieved. However, by
January 21, 2025
George Varsity Contributor
Alex Jaglall has solidified her role as a key player for the Varsity Blues women’s basketball team. Standing at 5’11”, she’s a dual threat, combining physicality and finesse in equal measure. Over the 2023–2024 season, Jaglall appeared in 22 regular-season games, averaging 10.7 minutes, 3.2 points, and 2.8 rebounds per game.
Alex’s game is defined by her adaptability. She’s a force in the paint, grabbing crucial rebounds when the team needs them most, and a steady shooter who thrives under pressure. With her ability to elevate those around her, she’s highlighting what it means to be a complete player.
The Varsity interviewed Jaglall on her basketball career so far, navigating the pressures of collegiate sports and life, and the evolving women’s game.
Blues through and through Basketball wasn’t Jaglall’s first love. Growing up in Pickering, she was a multi-sport athlete, dabbling in swimming, dance, and soccer. “Basketball was the last sport I ended up playing,” Jaglall admitted, laughing. Encouraged by her father — a dedicated Toronto Raptors fan — Jaglall decided to give basketball a shot at age 12. “He was so happy. He made a call, got me into a tryout, and that’s where it all began,” she recalled.
Despite her late start, Jaglall’s athleticism and love for teamwork propelled her forward. Her first basketball team was the Scarborough Blues, a name that now feels prophetic. “I quit all my other sports,” she said. “It became my everything.” By 13, Jaglall was fully immersed in the game, competing with a level of dedication that foreshadowed her future success.
Attending Raptors games and women’s basketball matches with her dad in Toronto, Jaglall developed a connection with the city and the Varsity Blues long before donning their jersey. When it came time to choose a university, the decision felt natural. “I loved the facility… I just loved everything about it, and I loved being in the city,” Jaglall explained.
U of T’s academic rigour was also a huge draw. Specializing in women and gender studies with minoring in sociology and Portuguese, Alex’s academic pursuits reflect her commitment to understanding and addressing systemic inequalities — on and off the court.
Under the guidance of new Blues Head Coach Dianna Ros, Jaglall and her teammates are forging a path marked by growth and ambition. “I think she’s going to have an amazing career here,” Jaglall said of Ros. “I’m excited to see where she takes us… She’s one of the best coaches I've ever played for, and I’ve only really known her for three months.”
Beyond the game:
Advocacy and mental health
Jalgall is candid about her journey with anxiety.
In her first year at U of T, the nerves were so overwhelming she couldn’t even eat before games. But over time, she’s learned to manage it, shifting her focus to what she can control.
For instance, pre-game rituals are integral to Jaglall’s routine, anchoring her mentally and emotionally before every game. “I wake up every day and call my dad,” she explained.
“He’s like a ‘basketball dad’, so he’ll always tell me what I need to do.”
She also cherishes her time with her teammates. “Some of my teammates and I go somewhere around [the Goldring Centre of High Performance] to pray,” Jaglall explained.
“We talk about things we want to work on, what we need from each other on the court, and how God can guide and carry us through the game.”
Now, she views game days as opportunities for growth, not just as a player but as a person, embracing the challenge rather than shrinking from it.
For Jaglall, basketball is far more than a sport — it’s a source of joy that she turns to each day. “I’ve never gotten to the point where I’m unhappy with basketball,” she said. “I’d never want to quit, especially with the support I have from my parents. I’m not just playing for myself… that’s what keeps me going.”
But the journey hasn’t always been easy. She admitted there were times when balancing academics, athletics, and life felt overwhelming.
“It’s okay to feel stressed. It’s okay to feel anxious. That’s normal,” she shared. “Especially at this high level of sport, as long as you know and understand that there are people rooting for you — your teammates, your coaches — [that] you’re here for a reason… if you can just reassure yourself of those things, especially when times are extremely tough, you can get through a lot.”
For Jaglall, mental health isn’t just a private matter; it’s directly tied to her academic and athletic performance. “If you’re stressed about school, that’s going to carry on to how you play,” she observes. She mentioned that embedded counselling and accessibility services have helped her navigate the pressures of being both a student and an athlete.
The trailblazers of women’s basketball
Through her studies and lived experience, Jaglall is determined to change the narrative for women in sports. “The women’s game is only growing… It’s only going up from here,” she said.
Inspired by
trailblazers like Diana Taurasi and younger stars like Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese, who are reshaping perceptions of women’s basketball, Jaglall wants “to educate younger girls and women that are trying to get into sports but feel as though they can’t because they’re a [girl].”
Jaglall has spent her undergraduate career analyzing the systemic barriers that women athletes face. She compares the historic underrepresentation in the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) to the current surge in its visibility and popularity, noting how the league's growth mirrors broader societal shifts in women’s rights.
She recalled seeing a video from a New York Liberty game in 2020: “It was a small gym, and there were so many empty seats.” Fast forward to 2023, and their finals game was packed. “The game is growing, and not just in the National Collegiate Athletics Association or the WNBA, but across all sports,” she said. For her, this is not just a victory for women in basketball — it’s a signpost for the changing culture surrounding women’s sports at large. When Jaglall talks about gender equality in sports, her passion is contagious. “If people can understand that [women athletes] put the same amount of work in as the guys, it would make all the difference,” she emphasized. The key to unlocking this potential, she suggests, is breaking the artificial boundaries that limit women’s visibility and equal recognition in sports. “It's just that there’s a W before the NBA, but it’s the same thing,” she said. Her own journey is shaped not just by the game but also by the camaraderie she shares with her teammates. “I have made friends for life. These girls are my sisters... they see you at your best and your worst,” she said. “Win or lose, we stick together.” This sense of sisterhood provides a foundation for the collective strength that defines her
“I would not be here without my teammates,” Jaglall advocates for a future where promotion and recognition of women athletes are not afterthoughts but core aspects of women’s athletics, challenging the outdated structures that have long undervalued women
“I want us to feel heard, and I want us to be seen the way we should be, because there is so much that women bring to the table… it’s underlooked, and it’s going to be looked at one day. And I want to be the reason, I want to be a part of the change.”
Garret Dai Varsity Contributor
On January 16, the Varsity Blues men’s ice hockey team rallied to secure a 4–2 comeback win against the Laurier Golden Hawks at Varsity Arena. The team extended their winning streak at home to four games, showcasing their continued dominance at Varsity Arena.
What happened?
The Blues came out firing in the first period, controlling the ice and outshooting the Golden Hawks 14–4. The Blues’ early chances were thwarted by Golden Hawks’ netminder Tristan Malboeuf, who stonewalled multiple Blues’ scoring opportunities, including one while shorthanded. The Blues finally broke through 15 minutes into the period when forward Billy Moskal scored, with assists from forward Owen Robinson and defence Mark Cooper, to give the Blues a 1–0 lead heading into the second period.
The second period saw the Golden Hawks rally, scoring two goals and outshooting the
Blues 12–6 in a commanding showing that shifted the momentum. Varsity Blues goalie Jordan Fairlie stepped up with spectacular saves on multiple surefire Golden Hawks’ scoring chances in the first five minutes and another on a 2-on-1 chance eight minutes in. However, it wasn’t enough, as the Golden Hawks capitalized on the power play and rode that momentum to score the go-ahead goal with minutes remaining, finishing the period up 2–1.
The third period, like the first, was all Blues. The team rallied during the intermission and scored within the first five minutes, igniting their comeback. Forward Christian Stevens fired the puck past Malboeuf and into the net, set up by forward Eddie Yan, in a momentum-shifting goal that tied the game at 2–2. Moments later, forward Julian Recine weaved past defenders to net another goal, assisted by defence Owen Luik and forward Sean Clarke, putting the Blues in the lead at 3–2. Not satisfied with a onegoal advantage, the Blues continued to apply pressure. Recine returned the favour with an assist to forward Dylan Wightman, who burst through the Hawks’ defence to slide the puck
into the back of the net, with help from forward Owen Hollingsworth, putting the Blues up 4–2 with 10 minutes left in the game.
The Blues held on to their lead and momentum despite conceding a late penalty in the last two minutes. Combined with the pulled Golden Hawks goalie, the power play gave the Blues a 6-on-4 disadvantage. The team withstood the heavy pressure, applying aggressive defence that forced the Hawks out of the offensive zone, securing a decisive 4–2 victory.
With this game, the Blues improved their strong season record to 12–8, while the Hawks dropped to 4–13. On January 18, the team played their first away game of the calendar year against OUA West leaders and ‘Line 1’ rivals TMU Bold, falling 4–1, taking the team to a 12–9 record and staying third in the OUA West.
Looking ahead, the Blues will return home to play on Friday, January 24, against the Nipissing Lakers, with puck drop scheduled for 7:00 pm.
Jake Takeuchi Sports Editor
“There is about world-class athletes carving out exemptions from physical laws a transcendent beauty that makes manifest God in man… Great athletes are profundity in motion. They enable attractions like power and grace and control to become not only incarnate but televisable. To be a top athlete, performing, is to be that exquisite hybrid of animal and angel that we average unbeautiful watchers have such a hard time seeing in ourselves.”
Like much of David Foster Wallace’s work, when he writes about tennis, you can’t help but feel like you have been missing something vital — a layer of brilliance, futility, and detail that only he can reveal through his meticulous, intellectual prose.
String Theory: David Foster Wallace on Tennis was published posthumously in 2016 by Library of America, a non-profit publisher dedicated to American literature. The collection comprises five essays; “Derivative Sport in Tornado Alley,” “How Tracy Austin Broke My Heart,” “Tennis Player Michael Joyce’s Professional Artistry as a Paradigm of Certain Stuff about Choice, Freedom, Limitation, Joy, Grotesqueries, and Human Completeness,” “Democracy and Commerce at the U.S. Open,” and “Federer Both Flesh and Not.” The works pertaining to tennis in String
Theory are drawn from Wallace’s previous essay collections A Supposedly Fun Thing I’ll Never Do Again (1997), Consider the Lobster (2005), and Both Flesh and Not (2012) which, in turn, are essays originally published in magazines and journal publications throughout his career. String Theory is arranged in order of publication, with “Derivative Sport in Tornado Alley” first published in 1991 and “Federer Both Flesh and Not” in 2006. Tennis was a recurring motif throughout Wallace’s career. In his seminal 1996 work Infinite Jest, an elite tennis academy serves as a central setting of the novel. Reading String Theory, it’s abundantly clear to me why tennis fascinated Wallace through his literary prime: he passionately loved the sport with all its vectors, symbolisms, and grace.
The best piece of sports writing in the book is “Federer Both Flesh and Not.” The essay is a celebration of Roger Federer, where Wallace skilfully bounces between the “mystery and metaphysics” of the sport and its “technical” aspects to explain Federer’s almost inhuman ability.
The essay is phenomenal, capturing the grace and dynamism of an athlete in words is no easy task. Wallace crafts seraphic lines such as “Federer’s forehand is a great liquid whip” and describes him as “a creature whose body is both flesh and, somehow light.” All the while, he also incorporates expert analysis of tennis mechanics, from the minute intricacies of spins
to slices; “Further slight changes in the curves of your groundstroke’s motion and follow-through will help determine how high your return passes over the net, which, together with the speed at which you’re swinging (along with certain characteristics of the spin you impact) will affect how deep or shallow in the opponent’s court your return lands…” and so on.
He continues like this for pages.
My favourite excerpt from the collection comes from this piece, which summarizes the general theme of the collection: “The human beauty we’re talking about here is beauty of a particular type; it might be called kinetic beauty. Its power and appeal are universal. It has nothing to do with sex or cultural norms. What it seems to have to do with, really, is human beings’ reconciliation with the fact of having a body.” Only Wallace could articulate the divine and existential with the swinging of a racket. He is floored by these elite tennis players, crafting a profound literary work of sports journalism that is unparalleled in the genre.
Another interesting essay is “How Tracy Austin Broke My Heart.” In this piece, Wallace analyzes women’s tennis prodigy Tracy Austin’s autobiography Beyond Centre Court, attempting to understand why elite athletes like Austin are seemingly “blind and dumb” about their athletic brilliance. Contemporary examples of athletes being “stunningly inarticulate” include the oftenparodied locker room interview and the recent viral nonchalance of soccer star Cole Palmer.
Wallace offers philosophical insight into athlete autobiographies and the concept of brilliance: subjects rarely explored in sports writing. He concludes in the essay, “Those who receive and act out the gift of athletic genius must, perforce, be blind and dumb about it — and not because blindness and dumbness are the price of the gift, but because they are its essence.”
As the lengthy title suggests, “Tennis Player Michael Joyce’s Professional Artistry…” is a tad drawn out, yet it still offers a strong insight into Wallace’s skill not only as a tennis commentator but a human commentator. The essay explores the futility of near-greatness in athletes and is packed with Wallace’s signature cynicism. He describes the lives of athletes as “A consent to live in a world that, like a child’s world, is very serious and very small.”
“Democracy and Commerce at the U.S. Open” is, by far, the weakest in the collection by some margin, although I may have been experiencing some classic ‘Wallace burnout’ by the time I got to
the essay. Readers familiar with Wallace’s hyperdescriptive, lengthy footnote style will find these two pieces the most familiar. While still strong and no doubt appealing to some, the more descriptive, pessimistic tones of “Tennis Player Michael Joyce’s Professional Artistry…” and “Democracy and Commerce at the U.S. Open” lack the subtle joy and the overt passion for tennis that make the other essays more enjoyable as pieces of sports writing — especially because Wallace is so rarely upbeat in his work
The best work overall in the collection is “Derivative Sport in Tornado Alley.” More abstract and less of a sports journalism piece than his other essays, it explores Wallace’s teenage years as a “near-great junior tennis player.” He touches on topics like the weather, complex geometry, and his hometown of Philo, Illinois, in an explanation of his near-greatness as a player — ultimately revealing more about himself as a person than as an athlete. “I’d grown up inside vectors, lines and lines athwart lines, grids,” he said about the Midwest, and “I was extremely comfortable inside straight lines.”
But Wallace was never going to be a conformist. In the essay’s climax, teenage Wallace is tossed around like a tennis ball by a tornado on a Midwest tennis court. He never got better at tennis after that incident.
Throughout String Theory, Wallace seems to flex his literary muscles, positioning himself alongside the elite athletes in his own court. There is undeniable greatness in Federer’s 20 Grand Slam titles, but Wallace also manifests a different kind of greatness by capturing that brilliance in text. I am in awe of his awe. The palpable sense of jealousy, smugness, and admiration in his writing makes the work feel deeply human and relatable. Overall, the essay collection is an intellectual, nerdy, and dense piece of sports journalism. It’s a must-read for tennis fans and sports-writing enthusiasts alike. While not Wallace’s best work — in my opinion, he excels most when writing abstract fiction unconstrained by the bounds of reality — String Theory is a rare and wonderful blend of the literary, mathematical, and sporting.
The unbending lines of tennis, literature, nor life itself could contain the brilliance of David Foster Wallace, but String Theory serves up some damn good attempts.
The unbending lines of tennis, literature, nor life itself could contain the brilliance of David Foster Wallace, but String Theory serves up some damn good attempts.
1 Sorta
4 Big ___
8 Country that eliminated the US in both the 2006 and 2010
FIFA World Cups
13 Not bare-hoofed
15 Stare at
16 Feature on a weather map
17 Dialect primarily spoken by Black Americans, in short
18 Disturb
Elise Corbin Varsity Contributor
19 Shake an Etch-A-Sketch, maybe
20 Strongly disinclined
22 Lord of the ___ (book whose play adaptation was performed at Hart House Theatre last November)
24 *Prominent set piece in “The Phantom of the Opera”
25 *Classic British pub fare
29 ___-Cat (ski resort vehicle)
30 Opposite of NNW
31 Punchline of a type of painfully unfunny joke popular in the 2000s
32 Worms, maybe
34 Waikiki’s island
36 More than one
37 Economic metaphor coined by Adam Smith… or a literal hint to the starred clues
40 First word of many fairy tales
41 Pretend to be
42 Father of Phobos and Deimos
43 Groaning noise
44 Sound from a little dog
45 De Armas who played Marilyn Monroe in Blonde (2022)
46 *Fierce way to fight (sans h)
49 *Not certain, as an outcome (sans h)
53 Fashion sense
54 ___ gems (unique, underrated spots)
55 Comedian Silverman
58 Word after tall or tell
60 Cupid for Romans, ___ for Greeks
61 Cherish
62 “Dear ___ Hansen” (2017 Tony-winning musical)
63 Biked, scootered, or took the train
64 Reason-based belief in God
65 Weightlifting units, familiarly
66 Became acquainted with
1 Foundation author Asimov
2 Not participate in Movember, maybe
3 Squalid dwelling
4 Man with a red flag?
5 Anton ___, food critic in Ratatouille
6 Dangerous feature on a ski slope
7 Ridiculously
8 45-Down’s country
9 Strict, like a TA marking your exam
10 Scientist Lovelace known for her work on the Analytical Engine, an early computing device
11 Illmatic rapper
12 Word sometimes shortened to its middle letter
14 Belittling
21 Tanzanian unit of currency
23 The Varsity has a new one every week
26 Silly
27 Scummy spots?
28 What Charlotte lives above in Charlotte’s Web
32 “You got it!”
33 Dried version of the almost-ripe poblano DOWN
34 Engine part
35 Former league of the Denver Nuggets, Indiana Pacers, and San Antonio Spurs, briefly
36 Roamer and raider
38 Apply, as sunscreen, perfume, or a temporary tan
39 Capital of Vietnam
40 Passé
44 “OK Blue Jays,” for the Blue Jays, for example
45 Site of the 2004 Olympics
47 Pre-1917 rulers
48 Make an exit
50 Obsolescent kind of drive
51 Highlight of a rock collection
52 Beginning
55 Apt abbreviation for wintertime depression
56 Suffix with lemon or lime
57 Louis XIV, par exemple
59 Unit on a track or in a pool ANSWER
