With the constant fear of climate change creeping behind us and whispering a sweet death, industry innovators try to find a way to make green energy feasible. Now the war in Ukraine and the strain it puts on gas resources has added to the plot. Where exactly is the future of energy? We have been hiding that future due to its inglorious past.
The Manhattan Project, for those unfamiliar, was created in World War II to develop atomic weapons and aid in the Allies victory over the Axis powers. Nuclear energy began as a destructive force: building atom bombs that wiped out cities like a fist to an ant. But we have since discovered how the same materials used for weapons of mass destruction could also be transformed into power creation. Thus, nuclear reactors were developed and slowly spread from east to west.
The fears associated with nuclear power are understandable but also outdated. Development in solar, wind and hydroelectrical plants points the way to a new direction in energy dependency, but taken together these sources are not enough to provide for the world’s ever growing demand. New forms of nuclear power could fill that gap while being safer and more efficient than any other type of power plant. Additionally, nuclear energy creates zero greenhouse gas emissions and has a much smaller carbon footprint. This kind of development could lead us into the future of energy, not just for first world countries, but developing countries as well.
A type of nuclear reactor developed over the past 60 years is the “thorium based reactor”. This innovation in nuclear energy is 92% more efficient than the uranium-based reactors used in the 60’s. The waste products that come from thorium reactors are only dangerous for 500 years. I say “only 500 years” because the spent uranium from nuclear reactors must be stored away safely for 10,000 years! That’s quite a difference. Apart from the statistical benefits of thorium-based reactors, their radiation risks are so low that they could be implemented in third world countries now. Due to the reactor’s design, the event of a nuclear meltdown is near impossible.
How do nuclear reactors & thorium reactors work? First you need a neutron from a split uranium atom to smash into another uranium atom, which leads to a chain reaction called “fission” (See Fig.1). This reaction happens naturally in uranium for it is a
“fissile” material. On the contrary, thorium is “fertile”, meaning it needs a neutron from a uranium or plutonium atom to collide into it for the chain reaction to begin. It is not able to start the process by itself.
In the most popular type of thorium-based reactor, the “molten salt reactor”, a fissile material such as uranium or plutonium is dissolved and diluted in a liquid salt with a high concentration of thorium. More safety measures are placed inside molten salt reactors such as “emergency dump tanks”. These are opened by a “freeze plug” that only melts away when the reactor hits temperatures it cannot withstand. The salts are drained into a container to be instantly frozen and to stop the fissile reaction (See fig. 2). With this important safety measure intact, thorium reactors become simple and efficient, both in their power production and price. For these reasons, they can be adopted in second and third world countries like India, Pakistan or Iran.
What does this entail for our future? With China making the first ever fully working molten salt reactor in the city of Wuwei, we are slowly moving away from the stigma that nuclear pow-
er should be shunned. China also has the most coal power plants in the world. Thus, the shift to nuclear energy brings us one step forward to having a clean form of energy that doesn’t have to stay locked away in mountains or caves for tens of thousands of years. First world countries like the United States, Russia, France and Japan are all showing interest in molten salt reactors, for obvious reasons. No one wants to be home to the next nuclear disaster. At the same time, no one wants to be left behind in the global race for the future. Who could have guessed that this future would have been buried, much like nuclear waste, in our not so distant past?
Fig.2. A diagram of a Molten Salt Reactor)
Here’s a stupid question: do you know TikTok? Just in case you’ve been living under a rock, TikTok is an app used to make short-form videos that vary from genres like pranks, stunts, tricks, jokes, dance, and entertainment. Videos last anywhere from 15 seconds to 10 minutes. As in other social media platforms, there is some concern about how constant use of the app affects us and if its influence is positive or negative. In this article, we will explore different opinions from different age groups at WINS and make a conclusion based on our data.
We interviewed students from our local community from the age of 11 to 18. Most of them are regular users with varying degrees of usage that scale from 1 to 5 hours per day. Officially, TikTok has an age limit of 13+ but some students thought that it ought to have higher limits of 15+ while others said no limits at all. “I recommend 15+ because people should be aware that if not careful, you may become addicted” – says one student. Another says that he does
not think there should be an age limit as he is familiar with young kids who use it without any visible issues. These represent the broad boundaries of TikTok opinion.
You may be wondering why there are extreme opposing views. To answer that, we must consider many sides of this app. On one hand, a handful of our study group showed their concerns for this generation about cyberbullying and peer pressure to perform harmful acts for likes, followers, and temporary fame. On the other hand, a portion of the community commented on the positive benefits such as good entertainment, having a productive hobby, and boredom relief. “It’s a good app as you can dance and participate in cool trends but people can use it to bully others and some trends make you break stuff or prank someone on camera, causing conflicts” – noted one student. Another agreed, saying, “I don’t recommend TikTok for the young generation as they can easily get addicted. Also, there are pranks and dares that kids might try but end up injuring, or even killing, themselves.” While this
might sound provocative, accidental deaths have happened in real life due to dangerous dares such as the black-out challenge and the skull breaker challenge.
At the end of the day, the results do show an awareness in kids that TikTok is an addictive boredom killing app with potential for self harm. However, as a whole the results were inconclusive about its overall negative or positive impact. There is not a chorus at this point saying “ban the app”. Nor is it widely agreed that it’s something for everyone. It comes down to personal choice.
Perhaps using TikTok is a good choice for those who are responsible and mature enough to use the app wisely. Those who cannot self-regulate themselves and/or comprise the younger portion of TikTok’s audience should be careful and adhere to parental guidance. As one student summed up: “Do not overuse it; use it properly and be careful because there can be inappropriate stuff out there”.
Iconic rapper and fashion designer Kanye West (Ye) has taken a lot of heat these past few months regarding his controversial (and what this writer believes to be wrong) statements. In the course of his career, Kanye has been no stranger to controversies such as upstaging Taylor Swift at the 2009 VMAs or sporting a MAGA hat in support of Donald Trump. However, in this past year Kanye has collected controversies like trophies, ruining his image and fogging his artistry. These events have also tarnished his reputation as a serious entrepreneur.
Kanye is no stranger to the world of fashion given his company Yeezy (now YZY). He was in the works to debut clothes along with Gap, but on September 15th, Kanye called off the collaboration, claiming he wanted to open his own stores. Gap stated that “their visions were not aligned”. On October 3rd, Kanye surprised fans with a surprise appearance at Fashion Week in Paris. In Ye fashion, he began the show rambling on and on about his critics. He was also seen sporting an original oversized sweater with “White Lives Matter” imprinted on the back. The phrase, attributed mostly to white supremacist groups, was denounced as hate speech by the Anti-Defamation League. The shirt was also sported by conservative “activist” and infamous social media personality Candace Owens. Thankfully, Kanye can no longer profit off the shirt as two black hosts of the radio program Civic Cipher have trademarked the phrase. This clever manoeuvre from Ramses Ja and Quinton Ward means that “merch” carrying the phrase can no longer be sold.
Kanye was not done. On October 4th, he was under fire again as he mocked Vogue Editor Karefa Johnson, a critic of his “White Lives Matter” shirt. Kanye’s ridiculing posts were then rebuked by supermodel Gigi Hadid and influencer Hailey Bieber. Hadid said, “there’s actually a point to any of your s–t she might be the only person that could save u”. Johnson took to Instagram, calling West’s work “indefensible behavior.” Vogue came to Johnson’s defence, stating, “Now more than ever, voices like hers
by Michele Dolgetta(Karefa’s) are needed and in a private meeting with Ye she once again spoke her truth on her terms.” Vogue has stated they will no longer work with Kanye.
Following Fashion Week, Kanye posted on Instagram that Diddy (aka Sean Combs, Puff Daddy) was controlled by Jewish people, an antisemitic trope that got him restricted by the platform. A day later, Kanye tweeted his most incendiary comment yet: “death con 3 On JEWISH PEOPLE”. This got him locked out of the app. The tweet was later removed as a violation of Twitter’s hate speech policies.
Kanye was undeterred. He continued his antisemitic comments and inherited a right-wing website from Candace Owens’ husband. His deepened hate speech led
to cuts with Balenciaga, and most prominently, Adidas. Their decision to cut ties with Kanye and his Yeezy shoes, after a ten year collaboration, was a shock. A 1.5 billion euro shock, to be exact. According to Forbes, that’s the hit taken to Kanye’s net worth after the dissolution of his Adidas relationship. For those who think it matters, Kanye has lost his billionaire status.
What really matters is the impact his hate speech has on vulnerable groups. Is Kanye just doing it for attention? Or is something really wrong with the rapper icon? Unfortunately, we must stay tuned to find out.
Knowledge about Africa is often overlooked and taught from a Euro-centric perspective. At an international school, we’re lucky to learn about other cultures directly from the source. So I’d like to showcase my own Nigerian pride and internationalism by sharing a few interesting “lessons” about my home country. No tests forthcoming…this is just for knowledge’s sake.
Nigeria is the most populous country in Africa and has a diverse geography, comprising over 250 ethnic groups. This multi-ethnic landscape makes it culturally rich.The main ethnic groups are Hausa, Yoruba, and Igbo. Hausa is the largest, consisting of about a fourth of the population. Most Hausa come from northern regions, such as Kano and Kaduna. Yoruba is the second largest group, about 21% of the population. Most Yoruba-dominated areas are southwestern, such as Ekiti, Ogun, Kogi, and Lagos (the most commercial and populated state). Sidenote: Yoruba-dominated cities are referred to as Yorubaland! The last of the main groups is Igbo, which is predominantly southeastern and includes the states Anambra, Abia, Enugu, and more. You might know about the Igbo people from the famous novel “Things Fall Apart” by Chinua Achebe.
Over 500 indigenous languages are spoken in Nigeria. You heard that right - 500! The official language is English (thanks colonization!) but that doesn’t overshadow the diversity in languages spoken. In fact, it’s common to switch between English and your native tongue mid-conversation, which can be confusing to
byoutsiders. The main native languages are Hausa, Igbo and Yoruba, but others are Fulfulde, Kanuri, Ebira, Ijaw, Tiv, Ibibio, and on and on. Hausa is not only spoken in Nigeria, but also in Ghana, Chad, Cameroon, Niger, Benin and to some extent Sudan and Ivory Coast. The estimated number of Hausa speakers is 58 million (me being one of them!).
Yoruba, spoken by about 47 million people, is a tonal language and thus difficult to learn. A big percentage of Afrobeat songs feature Yoruba. Interestingly, it’s also spoken in Cuba and Brazil! Igbo is also tonal and mother tongue to 30 million speakers. In short, the next time you think to ask someone if they “speak Nigerian”, just don’t.
You have probably heard of Afrobeats, maybe even have a few Burna Boy, Tems or Rema songs in your playlists, but did you know that 90% of Afrobeat artists are Nigerian? A lot of them have obtained global recognition, and rightfully so. Less globally known is Nigeria’s “Nollywood”, one of the biggest film producers.
Though the earnings don’t compete with Bollywood or Hollywood, Nollywood produces about 50 movies per week and earns a generous annual revenue. Still, Nollywood’s following is mostly within Africa.
In simple terms, a masquerade is a celebration in which people wear masks and dance. In a Nigerian sense, the tradition can be quite…terrifying! Even as a Nigerian, I do not want to get caught up in one of these. Why? Nigerian masquerades are more of a ritual than a celebration, and the masqueraders are considered powerful spiritual beings. Though very
interesting, what makes them so intimidating are the masks (they are frightening to say the least) and the fact that there is a small chance of one of them running after you. Just joking…maybe.
Although there is so much to be said about Nigeria and its culture, consider this a primer course. If you want to learn more, please do read “Things Fall Apart”, or other books by Nigerian authors such as “Children and Blood and Bone”, “Half of a Yellow Sun” and “Purple Hibiscus”. If you’re not the reading type, you can check out Nigerian artists like Burna Boy, Rema, Tems and more. This kind of exposure is what an international school is about.
The world of traditional Ethiopian dishes is so large and diverse that writing about it seems like an impossible task. One page may prove inadequate in educating you on our marvelous world of cuisine, but it will do just nicely as an appetizer. I hope that this article wets your appetite for something salty, something sweet, and mainly, something Ethiopian.
Our “daily bread” is a sour fermented flatbread similar to pancakes but with a slightly spongy texture. This is injera, a daily food that is eaten with stews, vegetables, salads, and meats. That leads to our main spices, which consist of berbere and mitmita. Berbere is a crimson colored spice mix while mitmita has a similar color, but is spicy. Injera inspired dishes are finger food as utensils are not a native custom. In Ethiopia, it is a must to eat with our hands, and not just when eating local meals. Some Ethiopians even eat pasta with injera and no utensils. So be prepared to get your hands dirty!
There are many traditional alcoholic drinks which are homemade with natural ingredients, often enjoyed with our exotic menus. Tella is a home-brewed beer and the most common beverage served in households during holidays. It is prepared from bikil (barley) as the main ingredient and gesho (rhamnus prinoides) for fermentation purposes.
Tej, prepared from honey and gesho, is a potent honey wine frequently served in bars. It has a sweet taste and the alcoholic content is relatively higher than tella. The longer the drink is stored, the higher the alcohol content and stronger the taste. Areki, also known as katikala, is probably the strongest alcoholic drink of Ethiopia. It is home distilled and often filtered through charcoal to refine tastes, or flavored by smoking or infusion with garlic.
Now that we have food and drink, it’s important to note another Ethipian custom: feeding one another! This gesture is considered an act of friendship and love. When eating with friends or family, tear off a strip of injera, wrap it around some wot, and then feed it to the person sitting next to you. This is called “gursha”. The larger the gursha, the stronger the friendship or bond.
We’ve had food, we’ve had drink, and we’ve had communion. But
we’re still not finished! Last is our pride and joy: the traditional coffee ceremony! Did you know that Ethiopia is the birthplace of coffee? If not, you need to ask about the famous sheep that first discovered the beans (and jumped with joy). Given our history, we have a sacred brewing process which involves the use of a jebena (clay coffee pot) where the coffee powder is mixed and set to boil over an open fire. The brew is later served with a side of snacks like popcorn or kollo (roasted barley). During this elaborate ceremony, we typically roast coffee beans then spread the scent around the room in specific “coffee shrines” found in every Ethiopian house, complete with special furniture.
In Ethiopia, food is more than culture. It’s an expression of ourselves, like a language. I hope you appreciate the little act of “gursha” I’ve provided, and if you want to know where to eat a good Ethiopian meal, well that would be back home.
Crunch! That’s the sound of fresh, glittering-white snow underneath your feet! You know that rush of adrenaline? Or the feeling when frozen gusts of wind pierce into your skin? It’s all part of the thrill of skiing! Here at WINS, we are delighted to have many student-athletes. Today we are interviewing two of them, Carlotta and Francesca Banchi, about their passion for skiing! Not to mention, they’re twins!
C&F: We perform three disciplines as part of Alpine Skiing: giant, slalom and super-G. From a young age we have executed giant and slalom: they are more “basic” whereas super-G is a more dangerous discipline. We began super-G three years ago: speeds can reach 130-140 km/h based on the slope and person so people of younger ages (under twelve) cannot yet participate. Super-G is the fastest, with the largest distance between the gates. Giant is quite swift, and slalom is the slowest since the gates are so close together. It’s due to this proximity that the movements in slalom must be accurate! Our ski lengths depend on the discipline: longer for super and shorter for slalom. Francesca’s favourite ski discipline is giant: it sits between the other two and there’s time to think about your next move! My [Carlotta] favourite discipline is slalom: it has made me realise that I can do big things and that everyone who tries and works hard can achieve their personal goals!
C&F: The passion for skiing has been handed down
from our parents. Our father is a brilliant ski coach and our mother is very fond of the sport. Our journey embarked when we were two and a half years old and wore skis for the first time! Our father began to train us; we skied for four years. At the age of six we undertook racing! We set out at Ski Club Olimpionica in Sestriere and then moved to Golden Team Ski Club in Sansicario. Recently, we relocated ourselves to Sestriere Ski Club and in January we shall initiate this season’s racing!
C: Skiing has given me many delusions, but satisfactions as well. In general, being an athlete requires a bucketful of commitment, and this comes with immense pressure. I have embarked upon a journey of personal growth and through this have become exceptionally good at slalom. Two years ago, I qualified for a national race but in consequence of the Covid-19 pandemic was unable to participate. The number of races available has been declining. Luckily, I’ve been able to bring home some great results in regional and national races!
F: Frequently, I have been in the top ten of my categories, even if there were older girls participating! My competitive spirit and perseverance have ensured that I achieve my goals. This year, I finished 10th in the National Slalom Championship with the 1st time in the 2nd match. Additionally, I finished 3rd (when I was the 18th bib number to compete) in the National Giant Championship!
IS THERE COMPETITION BETWEEN YOU BOTH? IF SO, DOES IT IMPACT YOUR RELATIONSHIP?
C: Having a sister, in particular a twin, that practices the same sport as I do has always pushed me to my limits. Francesca is an accomplished skier and has always been my second “trainer”. Whenever I’m in doubt, she’s my first shout! Most of the time, she’s better than I am. This doesn’t bother me. I’m proud of her and of what she’s accomplished. I hope to one day to see her participating in world races! Obviously, I’m slightly envious of her abilities, but I know all the effort that has gone into this and she deserves all the magnificent things to come her way!
F: I’ve always been a bit quicker and received more accolades. But without Carlotta, I couldn’t have come this far. In fact, having her has always kept me going. Without her, I might have become an av-
erage skier. But with her, I can never think of giving up. My competitive spirit couldn’t withstand the fact that she might beat me! In recent years, Carlotta has improved tremendously in slalom and this drives me to do better!
C&F: We’re sisters first, and skiers second.
As you can see, these two are conjoined at the hip (so to say). Their passion for the sport they love is multiplied by their bond as sisters. They serve as a great example of how to balance school with outside interests. And when I say outside, I mean it!
by Elisa Barbera
It’s one thing to have a passion. It’s another to give that passion form, and seek improvement. That’s what I’ve set out to do this year by attending night school. No, I’m not a glutton for punishment. This is an art school, my passion. And not a simple drawing club, but a dedicated art school with several classrooms, teachers, and unique artistic disciplines. I’m speaking of Turin’s Scuola Internazionale di Comics.
From September to October, I attended a basic art course three times a week from 18:30 to 21:30. Despite how tired I was, I always looked forward to it. I was finally learning the basics required to expand my skills! Plus my classmates had the same interests as me, so what was there not to like? Well, for starters, I had regular school every day, with IB tasks to complete for each class. Then I had art classes, with just a two hour break between. This left me little time to rest. Not to mention by the time I returned home it was almost 22:00 and I still had homework to complete, so I had to stay up late and lost sleep. The whole process was exhausting, but still I enjoyed the lessons. They helped me learn the basics of anatomy and
perspective, which in turn, prepared me for the digital illustration course I’m taking now.
What’s it like? To start with, we began with the popular illustration program Photoshop, and then practiced doing perspective with digital tools. A second teacher taught us composition. He helped us learn how to analyse drawings based on their composition style, alongside giving us a brief explanation of how to replicate artworks using motion lines, then grayscale, then colours. This process helps to understand value, and how to use it. Currently, I am with a new teacher, who will last for the rest of the school year. In our first lesson,
we started with anatomy and learned the basic shapes required to form dynamic poses. With this skill, we can understand the drawing process of a fully fleshed out character.
Another thing to note is the setting in which we’re studying, which is quite nice for a “school”. While not on a main road, the building itself is beautiful due to the creep-vines growing all along it and a roof covered in plants. The inside is cozy. Students have comfortable chairs to lean on while drawing, a main computer screen so as to not always look down while working, and a tablet with screen in case you need to lean in to
draw the details. I’ve made several friends so far, despite being the youngest in the class, thanks to the seating arrangement. I was one of the last people to enter the class, and so had to sit in the back. However, this allowed me to meet my two tablemates, who I discovered have similar interests to my own.
In conclusion, I want to encourage everyone to pursue those extracurriculars, even if it seems your schedule will not allow. When you find things you love to do, that takes the weight off the things you have to do. Now I have to finish this, because I have some IB tasks to attend to.
Let’s be real—we don’t like being told what to do or when to do it, especially from teachers and parents. When we start the IB Diploma Program, we are told repeatedly how hard it will be and how stressed our lives will become, but honestly, we just laugh it off, thinking nothing much will change. We think they say it to scare us…….but sadly……IT IS TRUE!
In grade 11, you choose your subjects and don’t realize what you have signed up for. By October of grade 12, the workload accumulates and with it, so does your stress. I’m going through it now and have realized a few survival tips. Please follow them because if you’re not careful, you might find yourself taking benzodiazepines and wishing you had chosen to enroll in a trade school!
TIP #1: READ the course content of your chosen subjects and make sure all the topics are of your interest. If not, you will become bored quite fast which will make it harder to study. Some subjects are mandatory, like Theory of Knowledge (TOK) so, no help there!
TIP #2: In grade 11, take part in as many EXTRACURRICULAR and volunteer experiences as you can. This will be a big help for CAS, allowing you to have many projects to reflect on. Don’t know CAS? Ask Mr. Kronfeld. He’ll get you psyched up for what’s probably the best aspect of IB: building a portfolio of after school experiences.
TIP#3: ORGANISE yourself! Everyone says this, but it is crucial to manage your time well. You can adopt your own method, but at least have a method! You need to have a study schedule and stick to it. This does not mean your life revolves around IB (it does), but you
by Gaia Briatore
must do a little bit of work every day. Even if no task is due, use your time to take notes or review a topic you didn’t understand.
TIP #4: Understand the expectations and approach of your subjects’ PAPERS (exams). The IB doesn’t assign basic knowledge-memory tests. Knowledge is applied in some form, an essay or project or report, so it helps to know exactly what the examiners want. This gives you a proper focus on key talking points and exam criteria, giving you more chances to earn higher marks just by acknowledging the requirements.
TIP#5: TAKE NOTES! Do not slack here. I know it’s a pain to take notes during class discussion, but it will be an advantage in the short and long term. Quality notes make it easier to prepare for school summatives as well as the final exams, allowing you to study without panic. Panic is a product of doing everything at the last minute.
TIP #6: Remember to have FUN! Ok, I’ve talked a lot about the stress IB can cause. But don’t add to it! Take some days off, relax, go out, take weekends for yourself, meet your friends, party and enjoy your family. IB is hard. IB is demanding. IB is nerve-racking! But IB is not a monster. Everyone says your holidays and school breaks are the worst because as an IB student, you must study. This is not true. IB students know how to prioritize their time and get the most out of each minute. So while you spend afternoons working on your EE, IA, TOK, EO, CAS and other silly acronyms, remember that you’re in charge. If you stay organized and focused, you can spend your free time recharging yourself.
Did I say free time? Oops, gotto go. Just finalizing that 4,000 Extended Essay…..urghhh!
One of the most enduring films of the legendary filmmaker Charlie Chaplin is “The Great Dictator.” Critics have praised it as a historically significant film and an essential work of satire. It was the first sound work of the great silent film comedian. What made Chaplin break years of film silence and talk? And more importantly, why is the “ancient” film still relevant?
Usually, a toothbrush moustache is associated with two iconic personalities. One is a bloody dictator who unleashed a horrific genocidal war and brought suffering to millions of people; the other gave the world laughter and joy during the same time. Adolf Hitler and Charlie Chaplin were born only four days apart, in April of 1889. Both had difficult childhoods and were raised in poverty. Both started their careers during World War I and by the end of the 1930s had achieved worldwide fame. Hitler notoriously used his voice to disgrace everything he hated, such as democracy, non-Aryan races, and Germany’s “enemies”. He did so through performances on squares and radio. Meanwhile, Chaplin did not utter a word on screen. However, the tragic night of November 9, 1938, known as Kristallnacht (Night of Broken Glass) was a turning point. It was the most significant pogrom against European Jews, one Hitler personally supported. Organized groups of Nazis burned hundreds of synagogues, killed almost 2,000 people, and arrested 30,000 innocent men who later were sent to the concentration camps. After this event, the comedian decided to use his most potent weapon—humor—to ridicule the Nazi Fuhrer in a merciless satire, “The Great Dictator.”
Chaplin began filming in September 1939, six days after the start of World War II. He used his own funds as nobody wanted to finance such a controversial work. The film caused contentious debates, all politically motivated. There was speculation it would not be released to preserve the then neutral relations between the US and Germany and to “not provoke the dictator”. But Chaplin stuck to his guns. He was financially independent and eventually received a letter of support from US President Franklin Roosevelt. The film premiere took place despite death threats from far-right American organisations. It was banned in the USSR, Japan, and all of Latin Amer-
ica. In France, it was shown only after the liberation of Paris in 1944. Some sources claim that Hitler was delivered a tape of the movie, though the original “great dictator” never shared his impressions.
In the film, Chaplin played two roles simultaneously: the dictator of Tomenia, “Adenoid Hynkel” (a pitch-perfect parody of Hitler), and a Jewish barber. The latter is the film’s protagonist, an everyman who suffers deprivation from Hynkel’s regime. He ironically bears a striking resemblance to the dictator. The film’s most memorable scene, and perhaps the reason for its lasting impact, is where Hynkel is to give a speech to the masses, but his place is taken by the humble Jewish hairdresser. This seemingly timid character delivers a fiery speech which has been labelled accurately as a call for humanity. It’s the kind of speech we wish our leaders to give, especially those who are compelled to cause so much destruction instead. There is no shortage of these “great dictators”. Then and now.
While Chaplin’s final sermon sits comfortably alongside those of other great humanitarians, at the time the FBI launched an investigation into his supposed “communist sympathies”. Politicians called for his deportation (he was not in fact an American). The British-born actor was seen as a threat to national security. Chaplin eventually left on his own accord, as he felt unwanted in the nation he liked to call home. How is that for dramatic irony.
Regrettably, Chaplin’s heroic words are as relevant today as they were in 1940. Are they too ideal to be realized? Hear them again: “Dictators free themselves but they enslave the people! Now let us fight to fulfill that promise! Let us fight to free the world - to do away with national barriers - to do away with greed, with hate and intolerance. Let us fight for a world of reason, a world where science and progress will lead to all men’s happiness!”
Xinjiang, formally known as the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region(XUAR), is an autonomous territory in northwestern China that harbors many ethnic minority groups, including the Turkic Uyghur people. Xinjiang (新疆) literally means “New Frontier”, a name given to the region after large numbers of Han (ethnic Chinese) settled there in the 1950s. Since 2017, the Chinese government has arbitrarily detained more than one million Muslims (Ethnic Uyghurs) and relocated them into camps, where detainees are subject to human rights abuses such as forced labor, sexual abuse, forced sterilization, and more. These facts are alarming, but not as alarming as the general ignorance of the public regarding this news. This article attempts to solve that ignorance.
The Chinese government justify the camps as a response against threats of terrorism. The regime has used the 9/11 attacks as an excuse, saying the camps contribute to the “global war on terrorism”. Indeed, there have been cases of religious extremism committed by Uyghurs in 2009, 2013, and 2014. However, these were responses to assimilationist policies by the government, including policies that encourage the mass immigration of Han Chinese into minority lands. Given the factors involved, it is reasonable to conclude that the Chinese government wants to keep China an ethnostate, rejecting other cultures and preserving the dominant Han ethnic group.
We now know about the inhumane practices at the camps due the “Xinjiang police files”, documents leaked anonymously to Dr. Adrian Zenz, a renown German an-
thropologist. Several news sources confirmed the files’ authenticity through private investigations. The extracts provided here were taken from the “Shufu County New Vocational Skills Education and Training Centre”, an appellation that misleads the public regarding its operations. The details highlighted here demonstrate the actual nature of the camps, which oppose the official account.
Based on a reconstruction of the files, we can form the following portrait of daily life in the camps. The gates and each of the five main buildings are overseen by guards, 25 of whom are armed. At least three watch towers are seen, each with two officers equipped with sniper rifles and machine guns. Inside the buildings, the “students”(detainees) are supervised during “lessons” by officers who carry shields, batons and handcuffs. When detainees are in transit, they are blindfolded, handcuffed, and have their feet shackled. This surely does NOT resemble a vocational re-education center. However, the most alarming information is the guards instructional guide (see figure 1). They are ordered to use their weapons if a detainee tries to escape. When an alarm is triggered, the perimeter of the camp is locked down and a “strike force” of officers storm the buildings. After a warning shot, if the detainee persists, officers are given the order to “kill-on-sight”.
The leaked files were evaluated by 14 media companies worldwide, including the British BBC, Le Monde in France, and El País in Spain. In Germany, Bayerischer Rundfunk and Der Spiegel examined the data. All concluded that the files are 100% real. Der Spiegel goes into great detail about their authentication process, including: analyzing camera metadata (yields location of taken photo), geolocation, corroboration between the
Fig 2. Drone footage captured anonymously in Xinjiang, correlating described practices
files and existing leaked documents (striking similarity), and more.
There are of course claims made against the authenticity of these files.The first is that the material presented in the documents is fabricated by the CIA or some similar organization. While not out of the realm of possibility, the question can be posed: how likely is it that the CIA can stage hundreds of photos of Han Chinese police officers performing drills on people who look and dress like Uyghurs? A second dubious claim made by many CCP apologists: the documents contain traditional Chinese characters, and the Chinese government only uses simplified characters; therefore, the documents come
from Taiwan. This claim is a flat-out lie, or proposed by individuals with little-to-no knowledge of the Chinese language. As a fluent Chinese speaker, I can confirm that the highlighted “traditional” characters are in fact simplified characters (see figure 3). There are strange artifacts in these characters, but they are consistent with characters in 仿宋(Fang Song), the official Chinese government issued font.
Fig 1.
In conclusion, there has always been worrying speculation about ethnic cleansing in Xinjiang, but there was no insurmountable proof supporting it (if hundreds of detainees escaping and telling their stories does not count as proof). To date, there has been no “nail in the coffin”. However, the leaked police files finally confirm everybody’s suspicion: the Chinese government is committing genocide against Uyghurs and Muslims in the Xingjiang region of China. Those who are neuro-divergent enough to deny it, for self interest or nationalistic reasons, are partially responsible for enabling the Chinese government to carry out these atrocities. It’s time for the world to pay attention.
Most people are familiar with the popular Netflix series Squid Game, which was released on September 17, 2021. The 9 episode South Korean drama, directed by Hwang Duk-Yuk, was controversial and widely watched, especially by young people. Why all the fuss? Let’s take a deep dive into the show, and hope we survive!
The premise of the show is that average people who live in debt or terrible conditions are given the chance to compete for the chance at huge winnings. Like 45.6 billion huge. These people, in desperate need of money, accept the request, not knowing what will happen next. After all the 466 players are found, they are taken into the game reality where they have to sign a contract that consists of three rules:
• Players must compete in the game
• Players will be terminated if they stop competing in the game
• The games can be terminated if a majority of the players agree
Notice rule number two: players can be “terminated”. Yes, this is a deadly game, and maybe that’s why so many people tune in. After signing their contracts (death pacts), six deadly games are played, each of which connotates back to an innocent childhood game: 1. Red light, green light; 2. Dalgona; 3. Tug of war; 4. Marbles; 5. The glass tile game; 6. Squid game. Players are eliminated at each stage, until we reach the final Squid Game…and player no. 466 wins. An interesting aesthetic note: the players wear green while the guardians wear red, and the host remains the unknown mastermind behind the macabre scenes.
Now, let’s talk about the series’ appeal. The show attracted so many fans due to its characters’ questionable actions. It’s great fun to sit on the couch while watching the worst aspects of humanity feed on each other, almost like watching sharks attack a piece of meat. People will drop their ethics like a worn hat for the chance at riches. We know that. Sometimes, it’s just hard to believe.
The show often shifts its pace, slowing down while describing the characters and then speeding up in the game parts. The acting also plays its part! Every actor shows the emotions expected and even the worst characters are sympathized with thanks to their backstory and how they play the games. As well, the relationships formed during the season make the storyline more interesting, especially knowing that some of these characters will die. And we must talk about the ending! From episode 1, we know there is a host, but we don’t know his identity. This creates mystery and tension. By the end, we discover that player n. 001 was the mastermind behind it all. Why did he do it? He was a madly rich man and since he had everything he wanted, his life was getting boring. So he created this “exciting game”, so that he can have some fun and feel young again. Sounds oddly like the devil’s story.
Unfortunately, he dies (player no. 001, not the devil)
The series makes you question all aspects of trust, love, faith, ethics, and specifically how the prospect of money can change you. Obviously, the creator has hit a sore spot. Otherwise, Netflix would not announce a second season, with possible return date of December 2022! What a lovely Christmas gift!
We highlight two great field trips from the fall term: Grade 6 visits Museo delle Culture in Milan for an exhibit on the Incas, while Grades 11-12 visit the Fondazione Pavese in Santo Stefano Belbo to deepen their appreciation for the Italian novelist Cesare Pavese. The trips were organized and led by Mr. Ruiz and Ms. Rollandin to add extra insights into their curricula. Well done teachers and students!
It’s a fact of life at international schools that teachers and students come and go. Each September there is an excitement for what new faces might appear. This year at WINS, we introduced several new faculty members, but perhaps we only get to know them as teachers. Therefore, I decided to interview some of them so we can discover the person behind the teacher’s desk.
(I&S,
Mr. Rolla was born in “La Sperba”, nickname for the beautiful city of Genova. His studies began in 2015 at the University of Pavia, where he obtained a BA degree in Business and Management. He also obtained a MSc in Development Economics at the university of Sussex and this year completed his PhD at the Institute of Development Studies (UK) in Historical Political Economy. His thesis was in regards the social consequences of organized crime. As a historian, he archived and digitized data from the 19th century and evaluated its sources and value. He then applied economist quantitative tools to the data and addressed his resulting
thesis to a political science and literature audience. That’s a lot of disciplines! In his own words, he said: “Sorry this was way too long and boring, but being boring is a skill I have learned thanks to my PhD.” Mr. Rolla still recalls the times when he came out of a seminar and thought: “This was a good lesson”. After his studies he tried many jobs in academic research, business consulting and public administration, but none gave him the satisfaction of teaching. For him, history is more than just a factual subject. It’s about studying the stories of people, their hopes, dreams, successes, failures, and regrets. These stories are ultimately our own stories, just set in a different time and context. He enjoys being involved in local politics and also spends most his time reading long Russians novels, as he says “to look clever, while actually I am watching sports on my laptop.” A quote that best represents him: “Be aware of those who do not smile. They are the same people that do not know how to cry” (Michele Serra, journalist). Given his rigorous academic nature, he was not satisfied with one quote. Thus, the second: “Those who do not read will have lived only one
life at the age of 70: their own. The person that reads books instead will have lived 5,000 years: when Cain killed Abel, when Renzo married Lucia, when Leopardi admired the infinite…because reading is a backward morality”. (Umberto Eco, writer)
Mr. Battuello was born in Ivrea, the city where every year during carnival time the battle of oranges takes place. He received his degree in Physical Education at the University of Turin and during his studies noticed that teaching made him joyful. Thus he embarked on his career as a physical education teacher. From the moment he started teaching,
he connected with it. He enjoys fostering the students’ improvement day by day and how physical activities ingrain values such as equality, fair play, respect for others and more. Apart from teaching, he loves to practice sports during his free time which gives him the opportunity to be outdoors and create a connection with nature. The quote that fully represents him: “Limits like fears are often just an illusion.” (Michael Jordan, former NBA star).
I was a child, when I was an adolescent, books saved me from despair: that convinced me that culture was the highest of values.” (Simone de Beauvoir, philosopher, writer)
to establish whether one is afraid or not. It is knowing how to live with one’s own fear and not being influenced by it. This is what courage is; otherwise, it is not courage, but recklessness”.
Ms. Kovacs is originally from Romania but moved to America as a teenager. She received her CELTA teaching degree in the UK and later a degree in English Language Arts in the USA. Throughout her studies, she ingrained values like determination, hard work, and self reliance which she later implemented in her classrooms in China and Thailand. Asia showed her how to truly find balance in her life. She has been teaching for over 17 years but has never stopped the learning process. This desire to evolve led to her earning a second Bachelor’s in Psychology. In her classroom, she fosters a warm learning environment where children can feel appreciated, valued and understood. In her free time, she likes to go on walks while exploring the beauties of nature as well as reading good books. A quote that represents her: “When
Ms. Genevose was born in Pordenone in Friuli-Venezia Giulia. After attending a high school that specialized in experimental biology, she received her Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science in Udine in 2012. Two years later she received her Master’s in Marine Sciences in Genova. She went to live in Tasmania, Australia, from 2016 - 2020 where she earned a PhD in Physical and Natural Sciences. The best thing for her about teaching is the exchange of opinions and ideas, the curiosity students demonstrate every day. Another aspect she loves is entering the classroom and not knowing what’s going to happen. It’s this state of “not knowing” that makes her happy. An intriguing hobby of hers is wood carving and making different objects for her house. Like most teachers, she likes to read. In fact, her favorite quote is: “L’importante non è stabilire se uno ha paura o meno, è saper convivere con la propria paura e non farsi condizionare dalla stessa. Ecco, il coraggio è questo, altrimenti non è più coraggio ma incoscienza.” (Giovanni Falcone, famous prosecutor of the Italian mafia) In English: “The important thing isn’t
Ms. Simon was born in Budapest, Hungary. From when she was little, she always wanted to become a veterinarian. In 2007 her dreamed changed (quite a bit!) as she decided to become an economist. However she still felt it wasn’t her real calling. He real vocation became apparent when she discovered the IB program, which led her to complete her iPGCE at the University of East London. She liked teaching from the start due to the approach of the IB’s Primary Year Program with an emphasis on children’s growth and development. Currently, her values regarding teaching haven’t changed much. She likes asking her students questions and to foster their investigations, which is a great way to keep them engaged. She mostly spends her time traveling and being with friends, while also keeping a good book on her bedside table. For an adventurous person like her, the best quote is: “And then I realized, adventures are the best way to learn.” (Joel Annesley, life coach, writer)
God! I wish I never suggested the idea of going on that trip!” I cursed under my breath. Reader, my friends and I were planning on a beach trip after our final exams. One thing we didn’t expect was that our driver would be, how shall I say this politely—drunk. That’s the reason, I suppose, that I died. Uh-huh, I’m dead (I think) and still able to tell of it. In fact, we all crashed and ALL of US died. I had a hunch that there was something wrong with that driver! And yet…and yet, I didn’t do anything about it. How stupid of me. I really should’ve trusted my gut. We all should.
After I died, I woke up in what seemed to be a bedroom. I looked around trying to find some clues. Why am I in a high school girl’s bedroom? I think I was reincarnated into a novel I read a few years ago. Yes! I’ve transmigrated to two months before the story begins, so at least I can get adjusted to this new world.
My name is Akane Tanaka. I’m 16 and an average high schooler. My
best friends are Izumi Nakamura and Himari Yamamoto. Izumi is a boisterous individual, not that this is a bad thing, while Akane doesn’t have any problems. She is well-educated and has friends but not so popular. Yea, she can’t be the main character. She lacks drama. I mean, unlike Hanako Watanabe. Now she is the class president, smart, compassionate, diligent, charming, and everyone in school likes her. Well, she is main character material, but she is NOT the main character in THIS story. That would be one of my best friends…
“Yes, it’s Himari! She is a composed kid, kind and charismatic, but that is what is most probably going to get her killed. Oh, I’ve said too much. Let’s move on.
Back to the story: it’s a regular school week and I’m trying to avoid tomorrow’s “joyful” event. I managed to convince my parents that I was sick. Suddenly pain shot up my arm like fire. I cringed and curled into a ball hoping to ease away the pain. It exploded in my head with blinding whiteness. The pain was like needles that had been dipped
in alcohol and jammed through my skin. After a few minutes of this torture, I opened my eyes. My vision was hazy as my eyes were filled with tears. Then I passed out, consumed by the pain.
Not long after I woke up. The pain was gone more or less. “Akane” stared at the blank wall trying to figure out what triggered the sensation. After some time, her/my mom came into the room.
“Akane, wake up! Oh, you’re already awake. Great, get ready. You have a test today.”
“Ok,” I said with a confused face. I thought the test was yesterday. Wait, don’t tell me—I checked the date on my phone to confirm my suspicions. My throat tensed up. Now I know that I can’t avoid the story, but what happens if I die? Do I go back to my world or do I…ah! I shouldn’t be thinking about this stuff. I should get ready for school now. I was surely conflicted about what was bound to happen….
[Tune in for chapter 2 in the next issue of Voice of WINS]
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 Across
3. The name of the "Project" referenced in Paul's article about nuclear energy
5. The spongy pancake that serves as the "daily bread" in Ethiopian culture
9. The name given to the Nigeria film industry
11. One of the 6 "childhood" games comprising the Netflix series Squid Game
12. According to Gaia, students need this type of guide once they enter the IB
13. According to our authors, the main reason people use TikTok is to "kill" this state of mind
3. The name of the "Project" referenced in Paul's article about nuclear energy
5. The spongy pancake that serves as the "daily bread" in Ethiopian culture
9. The name given to the Nigeria film industry
11. One of the 6 "childhood" games comprising the Netflix series Squid Game
12. According to Gaia, students need this type of guide once they enter the IB
13. According to our authors, the main reason people use TikTok is to "kill" this state of mind
Down
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 Across
1. The autonomous region in Northern China that's not getting enough attention for crimes against humanity
2. One of the author's quoted in Marta's profile of our new teachers
The Japanese character Stella has embodied in her fictional story
A skiing discipline enjoyed by the Banchi sisters
The fictional character played pay Charlie Chaplin in his film "The Great Dictator"
Down
8. Elisa is attending this kind of school after school
10. The biggest company to pull the plug on Kanye West
1. The autonomous region in Northern China that's not getting enough attention for crimes against humanity
2. One of the author's quoted in Marta's profile of our new teachers
4. The Japanese character Stella has embodied in her fictional story
6. A skiing discipline enjoyed by the Banchi sisters
7. The fictional character played pay Charlie Chaplin in his film "The Great Dictator"
8. Elisa is attending this kind of school after school
10. The biggest company to pull the plug on Kanye West
World International School of Torino strives to be the new frontier in international education. Our mission is to create a safe and respectful learning environment to support each child in the development of their individual talents by fostering critical thinking from an early age. The truly mul-
ticultural context of our school with its cutting-edge technology and the high standards of its academic programs nurture the intellectual growth of our students helping them to become open-minded, principled, and inquiring citizens of the world.
A small body of determined spirits fired by an unquenchable faith in their Mission can alter the course of history - Mahatma Gandhi