Spring 2018
April 20th, 2018
Issue 3
Student Art Showcase At CCC
AUTHOR: HANNAH MASE	PHOTO: JAM! LONG
It’s no surprise that the art department here at Coming Community College produces some really fantastic individuals, all which have their own unique flair and some, who have gone on to become really successful!
One artist in particular, grabbed my attention with her scarily provocative and per-
plexing art, so I decided to sit down with her and get to know her more. Jami Long is a Fine Arts & Design student here at CCC who has made some interesting creations and she’d like to share with us, we hope you enjoy this interview!
CONTINUED FROM PAGE l
Well, it’s called ‘ Get Out’ and I was inspired to do it because a lot of my work is really creepy and I’d really like it to get out there because I like making people uncomfortable and I th ink people would actually like to be made feel uncomfortable.
So other than “making people uncomfortable”, what really inspired you to do this?
A lot of what I think about is dark, or what goes through my head a lot and I wanted to put it out therefor people to kind of see more of what I am, on a deeper level.
I think it’s a very personal thing for me, it’s a lot of exposure. It’s something that makes me uncomfortable; not the things I’m showing them, but the fact people can see it makes me uncomfortable, but I think it’s a good tradeoff.
Can you tell us when and where this will be happening?
Absolutely. It will be happening May 3rd at 6pm in €009, the old Learning Center. It
will be held from the 4th; completely open to the public, through the 18th.
We look forward to seeing the weird yet wonderful art that you’ve created! Anything else you’d like our readers to know?
Go in with an open mind! Understand that nothing is meant to be sad or angry', it’s just the reality/ that I think of that people try to avoid.
How does a CCC professor Michael Beykirch combine official business at Elmira High School and a campaign to end domestic violence!?? In thirty-degree weather, he rides his bike from his home in Corning to the high school on the Southside of Elmira: 35 miles roundtrip! Professor Beykirch is logging his miles as part of the CCC initiative to raise awareness about intimate partner violence. For official travel, CCC employees are paid mileage for fuel and vehicle depreciation. As a vegetarian, Beykirch is counting on payment for his fuel: premium plant protein, something a lot cheaper and healthier than gasoline.
CCC Students Make STEM Fields More Visible to Local Middle School Students AUTHOR: Michael Blatt
A somewhat well-known trend is that of the disparity between men and women in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) fields. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2011, women made up less than a seventh of architects and engineers and only a third of computer systems analysts.
While the causes of such disparities are complex, members of STEM fields have been taking steps towards making their work more visible, in hopes of give women a more informed paradigm with which to consider potential occupations.
The “Full STEAHM Ahead Project'’
On the second of August 2017, Coming Community College (CCC) students, staff, and faculty met with twenty-one middle and elementary school girls as a part of the third annual Full STEAHM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Health and Math) Ahead Summer Program. This program is dedicated to increasing the accessibility' of STEM fields for young girls, and consists of a three day workshop at CCC. According to Program Director Jennifer Sellers: “The primary goal of the program is to inc rease the number of women n STEM majors and ultimately STEM careers.” In hopes of furthering the goals of the Full STEAHM project, a team of CCC students gave an interactive presentation regarding the Fibonacci Sequence to supplement the larger workshop.
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OoBfrfcfc mi ftrf* n»mri jOR 4.3	_
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Linder the supervision of CCC Professor Hatesh Radia, the presentation had been constructed to encourage a dynamic and informative atmosphere. Through the use of activities, games, and brief lectures, girls were able to understand and utilize new math skills. According to STEAHM program organizer, CW Turner, “ The goal of the math activity, the Fibonacci Sequence Presentation, was to expose these young students to a mathematical theory by using hands-on activities and college student support and instruction.”
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The level of engagement shown by the girls was striking, with groups debating feverishly during trivia games and during hands on activities. According to CCC volunteer Collin Cooper, “They were very interested in the topic at hand. It was very encouraging for me because I think scientific literacy is very important and often overlooked.” This passion for the sciences is not rare for children, with a 74% of middle school girls show ing an interest in the sciences, according to the advocacy group, Teaching Tolerance.
As such, the primary goal of the Fibonacci group in contributing to the latter Full STEAHM project was to present scientific and mathematical ideas in a rigorous, exciting and interactive way so as to enable the girls to more fully consider pursuing STEM positions. Towards these ends, several pioneering fields were described. These featured the likes of Genetic Engineering and Biomedicine. The unique innovations and practical advancements of each field were discussed so that each student could see the human benefit of pursuing a career in science. According to student leader Michael Blatt, There was never any intention to deni-
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 3
-grate non-science careers, but rather to show the students that there were exciting places and positions for them in science based careers.”
What We Wished We Had Known
subject from which he derived so much joy. As one follows the Fibonacci Walk, signs detailing the Fibonacci Sequence appear at increasing intervals. These intervals represent Fibonacci numbers.
Towards the end of the presentation. CCC students gave their perspectives on how the girls should proceed if they desired a career in the sciences. Above all, the importance of taking math and science courses early and with rigor was encouraged. CCC students drew upon personal experience to explain how success in high school could have lasting benefits throughout college. For instance, one CCC student, Ethan Gaul, explained how his pursuit of higher level math in high school allowed him to easily switch majors when he discovered a passion for engineering. Meanwhile, another student explained how avoiding math in high school made pursuing physics at CCC a long and trying endeavor.
The Fibonacci Trail: A Memorial to Marty Franzen
The decision to discuss the Fibonacci Sequence was not random, but rather was used as a way to connect the lecture to the outdoor activities of the Full STEAHM program. In CCC’s Spencer Crest Nature Reserve, a lengthy trail can be found called the Fibonacci Walk. This path serves as a memorial to former CCC student Mart}' Franzen.
Franzen was a dedicated student known for his love of mathematics. In honor of his passing, the trail was commissioned to preserve his memory and to teach others about the
The Fibonacci Sequence is a list of numbers in a specific order generated by starting with the numbers 1 and 1. To find successive numbers in the Fibonacci Sequence, one must simply add the two
previous numbers in the sequence.	
Numbers Generated	Addition Used to Find !fce Near Tem
IA2	1 + 1-2
I.W	
Fibonacci numbers can be found in nature, such as in the spirals of flowers.
In order to pay homage to the Fibonacci Sequence, the first post is one yard away from the start of the trail, the second post two yards away, the fourth five yards away. This trend continues for over a thousand yards with more than a dozen signs explaining both the Fibonacci Sequence and the stunning forest. Exploring the Fibonacci Walk, one can begin to understand the excitement Franzen drew from mathematics and the natural world.
Walking the Trail Carefully
After explaining the nature of the Fibonacci Trail to the girls, CCC’s group of volunteers found it important to ensure that any student ventures on the trail were as safe as possible. With the increasing
prevalence of Lyme Disease. CCC nursing student. Maryah Wilber explained to students how to properly prevent and deal with tick bites. The importance of proper clothing and tick checks was stressed heavily. Maryah explained the value she found in participating in the presentation, stating, “As a nursing student at CCC, community education and disease prevention are both extremely important topics to me, so having the opportunity to present to the girls about tick care and prevention was a wonderful experience from which I gained more knowledge about myself as a community health educator.”
Giving Back
Volunteering for the Full STEAHM project was rewarding for all who worked on the Fibonacci presentation. The CCC student volunteers who helped put together the lecture included:
Roeshawn Daniels (Chemical Technology Student), Ethan Gaul (Engineering Student), Collin Cooper (Math and Science Student), Heather Anderson (Nursing Student), Maryah Wilber (Nursing Student), and Michael Blatt (Engineering Student), and help was received from Professors Hatesh Radia. and Ruth Wenner. Each volunteer found the work rewarding and meaningful. According to CCC alumni and current employee of Coming Incorporated. Roeshawn Daniels, it was a joy to explain the many professional and day to day benefits she has received from her pursuit of STEM fields. Roeshawn explained, “ It’s a great feeling to understand the world around you and to contribute meaningfully to conversations rather than just listening. I was glad to share what I have learned with the girls.” Similarly, Ethan Gaul noted, “I had an enjoyable experience and it was a big learning experience.”
The project reflects the new push to make STEM fields more accessible to all demographics. According to Professor Ruth Wenner, who also contributed to the Full STEAHM project, “It’s very
important to expose young students to STEM fields early on so they can be more prepared moving forward. By making the information accessible and interesting in the presentation, it made the students aware and excited about STEM fields.” Further, Professor Wenner described the previous rarity of programs like Full STE AHM: “ When I was younger I don’t remember activities like that (Full STEAHM) being offered.” As such, the contributions of CCC’s volunteers were likely of extreme consequence, as they opened the door for exciting opportunities for further exploration of STEM fields.
Conspiracy Theories
AUTHOR: WESLEY SMITH & SARAH BOGDAN
Conspiracy theories, even if you’re not partial to them, can be a lot of fun. It’s silly to think the earth is flat, or that the moon landing was faked, but it’s fun to think about. If you’re one of the folks who subscribe to these theories, they might not feel as preposterous. A theorist reading this might even be offended as we make light of their beliefs. Let’s get real though... A majority of theories are inherently unfalsifiable, and will seem invalid to most prying minds.
Which conspiracy theories, then, are worth a second glance? ‘
When we think of conspiracy theories, often what comes to mind is the theory of the Illuminati society. What many people don’t know is that Illuminati was a real society, founded mid-Enlightenment era in Germany on May 1st, 1776. Adam Weishaupt founded the group with four others, who referred to themselves as the “Perfect!hi lists” before changing their name to Illuminati. They used pseudonyms and symbols such as the “Eye of
Providence” and the “Owl of Minerva.” According to Wikipedia, the group’s original goals were “to oppose superstition, obscurantism, religious influence over public life, and abuses of state power.” They amassed many more members and infiltrated positions of power, such as in government, but the secret society was eventually made known and forced to disband. Modem day conspiracy theorists, however, claim the Illuminati never really ended, and the group is still alive and active today.
Popular theories accuse Illuminati of killing dozens of celebrities. Supposed assassinated icons include Abraham Lincoln, two Kennedys, Michael Jackson, Martin Luther King Jr, and Kurt Cobain. Perhaps more heinously, they’re allegedly responsible for 9/11, the Titanic, the Opioid Crisis, and the weather. Fortunately, there is little evidence that the Illuminati continued outside the borders of eighteenth century7 Bavaria. However, it was proposed as early as 1789 that the Illuminati was alive and well in the United States.
These claims are far fetched, but it’s not hard to make the cognitive leap. The Illuminati, in their time, were advocates of enlightenment ideals. America is the first real-life experiment of those ideals. It’s reasonable to wonder whether the Illuminati—the real Illuminati—has lived on in spirit through the American venture.
Still not convinced of the society’s existence? Well, consider the building you are presumably standing in at this very moment. Coming Community College started its schooling in 1958. You know what else began in 1958? NASA. NASA is an organization dedicated to space exploration (or at least, that’s what they want you to believe). NASA was founded by President Dwight D Eisenhower. Eisenhower was acc used multiple times of working with both extraterrestrials and the Illuminati. He also has an “i” in both his first and last name. The symbol of the I l luminati is an “eye” inside of a pyramid. Illuminati confirmed. Additionally, the mascot for our college is the Red Baron.
Could this be pointing to Manfred von Richthofen, the “Red Baron” fighter pilot? He was from Germany, which was the original location of the Illuminati. And “CCC,” of course, has 3 C’s, just like a triangle has 3 sides.
The symbol of the Illuminati is a triangle. CCC is Illuminati confirmed.
Or is it?
We at the Crier do not officially endorse these conspiracy theories; we simply wish to present you with the evidence and allow you to draw your own conclusions. But be careful. If anything happens to the Crier, you will know that we exposed the truth and we knew too much.
How Cinderella Stole the Big Dance: UMBC, Syracuse
and the Bracket Killers
AUTHOR: DAMION WESTLAKE
Going into this March Madness, many fans and pundits stated how wide open this tournament could play out, but not even someone with a crystal ball could foresee what would happen within only the first weekend.
If I told you the number 1-135, you would wonder what that 1 was. That 1 was the 16th seeded University of Maryland Baltimore County. Just to make it to the tournament, they had to make a game winning three in the America East tournament championship game to get the automatic bid. The team they had to defeat to make history was the Virginia Cavaliers. Having only lost twice all season, the Cavaliers ran away with the Atlantic Coast Conference regular season and postseason tournaments in one of the toughest conferences in college basketball (the ACC got four teams to the Sweet 16 just to show the strength of the conference).
The Virginia Cavaliers have a history with monumental upsets because in 1982, when ranked number one in the nation, they were defeated by little Hawaiian school Chaminade, which was considered the upset of the century'. That was until what happened to Virginia against UMBC. Not only was Virginia defeated by UMBC, but the margin of defeat was 20 points. It really brings a new meaning to the popular saying “anything is possible.” Sixteen seeds are now 1-135 against 1 seed. UMBC joins 1998 Harvard Women's basketball team, which defeated number 1 seed Stanford as the only schools to pull off the feat. UMBC’s Cinderella run ended in the round of 32 matchup with the 9th seeded Kansas State, who defeated them 50-43. But don’t let that take away from the fact that they made history this March.
The upsets were not just limited to this, though. Syracuse, who on selection Sunday was the last team put into tournament, won three games over six days against 11 seed Arizona State University (First Four Matchup), 6th seed Texas Christian University' (Round of 64), and the powerhouse and team expected to make headlines in this tournament: 3rd seeded Michigan State University' (Round of 32). However, there is no rest for Syracuse, because then-next matchup is with the 2nd seeded Duke University. Duke was a popular pick to win the tournament.
The Orange are not the only 11 seed to make it to the Sweet 16, though. The University of Loyola Chicago has brought many blood pressures to near hypertension levels within this tournament. They defeated the 6th seeded Miami University on a buzzer, beating three with 0.3 seconds left, 64-62. Chicago pulled the double when they defeated 3rd seeded Tennessee University 63-62, scoring the game-winning bucket with 3.6 seconds left. The University of Loyola Chicago faces their lowest seeded team in 7th seeded Nevada Wolf Pack. To their credit, Nevada defeated the 10th seeded University of Texas 87-83 in overtime and upset #2 seeded University of Cincinnati 75-73. In that game, Nevada at one point was down by 22 points (which represents the second biggest comeback in NCAA tournament history behind BYU coming back from 25 against Iona in the First Four 12012).
What this tournament has show us is, to quote the great wrestler Roddy Piper, “When you have all the answers, I change the questions.” Always expect the unexpected when it comes to March (Just ask Julius Caesar about that one.)
Why Suic de is Not the Answer
AUTHOR: SABRE SHORT
Those with mental health issues are often stigmatized as being “crazy’* or “psycho”. Most people don't realize that mental health is actually a broad range of things, from OCD to depression. For the most part, society has viewed those struggling with mental health as the school shooters, the serial killers, the rapists, or the pedophiles. What society doesn't realize is that usually, we are like everybody else.
I have been plagued with mental illness my whole life, and I have fought many battles that I truly did not think I would overcome. My entire life, I have heard that voice in the back of my head saying, “Kill yourself. You're worthless, and nobody wants you around.” I've plastered a smile on my face to try to hide the pain, but it was somehow always my laugh that was the loudest... I was the one who laughed way too hard, told too many jokes, or acted completely stupid. This is how I cope. I am a self-harmer, and I have fallen prey to my own mind more times than I can count.
But, even, day, I wake up and I realize that I have a purpose. As a sexual assault and rape victim, as a domestic violence victim, as a woman with PTSD, depression, OCD, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and a plethora of other illnesses, I realize that I harness the power to be a voice. I am a warrior, and I have fought this battle for so long, it's truly a wonder I've not given in. But, to give in would be to let them win. By them, I mean those who have wronged me, or the illnesses that I face every day.
Right now, there is somebody who is suffering, who truly believes that they should take their own life. There is a person sitting somewhere, with a gun, a knife, a blade, ready to give in. What they don't see is that they are warriors. It took me many years to realize this. To see the truth in life and who we are, and all that we are meant to be. I've realized now that I can help those who feel like the road has ended. No matter what the issue is, it won’t last forever.
So to those of you who are struggling, just know that I have been where you are. I am not perfect; I still cry, I still relapse, and I still let that voice lull me to sleep on lonely nights. But being perfect isn't the goal, you see. The goal is to be you. And yes, your story matters. Your heart is worth more than a cheap bottle of convenient store wine and a broken smile. Your heart should be balanced on a pot of gold, gliding down a rainbow, rushing through the clouds. You should take that jump, and feel the wind break through your hair as you hit the water. You should roll the windows down and let your face feel the evening sun. You should love somebody and never take anybody for granted. Don't let a moment go by where you make a decision that you cannot fix. Never let society turn you into the exact same thing you said you’d never be. Even a broken soul can be beautiful.
This life is yours - keep it that way.
The Eclectic Schizophrenic: College Entertainment
AUTHOR: TYLER GUTIERREZ
I have been swirling an idea about college entertainment in my head for some time now... although it may be a bit of a pipe dream. But here it is:
The foundation of this idea is donations from living college alumni. You would most likely want many colleges to embark on this goal at the same time. At the onset, you would send out requests to living alumni for college entertainment, starting at perhaps $1 a month. This money would be set aside strictly for college entertainment. Now there are colleges with hundreds of thousands of living alumni; even many small colleges have 50-75 thousand. So, that is a lot of money coming i i every month.
Colleges with this money would use it to put on events, tournaments, concerts, etc. I would assume most colleges would have to have a special counsel to make decisions. But, you could do things like put on an archer} tournament for the best archers m the world, host world class chess tournaments, invite famous golfers for a match play, obstacle courses, jet ski races, wiffle ball tournaments, and invent your own sports.
The possibilities are endless, and I am not even scratching the surface of potential ideas. They could even be done on grand scales. For instance, a nation-wide chess tournament put on by Harvard that includes local tournaments, regional tournaments, and state tournaments, all culminating in the national finals. You could get together with several colleges and develop
your own professional sports teams. For example, a few schools might want to get together and make the first professional field hockey or folk style wrestling leagues.
The beauty of this is that it would be run on donations, so you wouldn’t need to get your money back. If only a hundred people showed up, it wouldn’t be the end of the world. This would also provide for a way to create college entertainment tv channels. If you just allowed people to broadcast events and they didn’t have to fund the actual event, you would be able to air a lot of these unique—and what may be considered in some cases, obscure—events. I can personally imagine college entertainment channels being some of my personal favorites. It would be fun to watch what the college students of the country can come up with to entertain us.
Another bonus is that it would provide many new job opportunities for comedians, athletes, entertainers, etc. There could be circuits for many of these people to join So many possibilities! Plus, there would be many experiences for the college students involved. It could certainly be viewed as a good internship for people entering communications and other fields.
This is a basic view of the ideas I have been tossing around in my head, although I could certainly go on! Fun to think about anyways.
Hair Stories
AUTHOR: TIFFANY FIELDS
On March 20th, students and faculty came together to have an open discussion on the topic of hair and identity in the Diversity Center. Hair and identity have been associated with one another for many centuries and to this day, people manipulate their hair to express their individuality. Different hairstyles, textures, and colors are not always well received or represented, though. It was interesting to hear some of the perspectives on different issues surrounding the topic.
We started off talking about whether or not other s have judged us because of our hair, and f that has led us to wish that our hair was different. Most of us could relate to being criticized in some way or another. A few of us with curly hair, including myself, shared stories of wishing to have non-textured hair and the different methods that were used to achieve straight hair. I shared my story of how I begged my mom to let me get my hair relaxed with damaging chemicals, only to later in life realize that my natural hair is beautiful. I was lucky, though, because if you search on YouTube “natural hair horror stories,” some people are not as lucky.
Someone spoke about how many people used an iron to get their hair to be straight. Those with thicker hair said that they wished their hair was thinner. A couple of professors spoke about how having short hair as a woman caused questioning of gender and disapproval from family. On the flip side, a couple of male students talked about having long hair and being viewed as more feminine.
As the ball got rolling, we got into topics such as hair and consent. It’s alarming how many of us have had at least one person reach into our personal space without permission. It has become a large enough issue that a person created an online game called “Hair Nah.” Essentially, the game entails of swatting away hands trying to touch your hairdo. At the end of the game, it explains how unfortunately this is something that many African-Americans have experienced. Stu-
dents with curly hair could definitely relate and t was interesting to also listen to the stories of a couple faculty who have experimented with shaving their head and how that has provoked unwarranted touching. It is understandable that much of the time, the intention is not malicious and is simply the effect of curiosity and amazement. However, regardless of your harmless intentions, you should always be mindful of another human being's personal space and make sure that you have permission to touch. A lot of people actually don ’t mind their hair being touched as long as you ask (don’t be rude, though), and it’s also important to remember that it’s okay if someone does not want you to touch their hair. Another topic that we dove into was the stigma of hair colors (red, blue, purple, etc.) and hairstyles (mohawk, shaved head, etc.). I definitely wanted to include this in the discussion because it was unclear to me where the stigma comes from. A few pointed out that some people perceive different hair coiors/styles as “attentionseeking.” I also did some research and found that unnatural hair colors in the past were heavily associated with punk culture. Punk culture itself is associated with rebelling against normal standards, which is a concept that has always gotten backlash on any subject. A student commented he gets piercings and colors his hair simply because that is how he likes to express himself. We should not be so quick to judge a book by its cover.
Overall, everyone perceived this event as a great and informative discussion about hair and identity. As more people become comfortable with expressing themselves in the way that best suits them, more people are becoming open-minded and aware of the diversity of cultures involving hair. If there is something hair-related that you would like to understand better, it is always okay to ask. It is essential that we keep the discussion going.
The College Life: lime Management: Why I
Believe It’s Possible
AUTHO LEAH MCCARTHY
I like to cal l my first semester of college my “optimistic semester.” Why? Because I worked outside of school thirty hours a week while taking fifteen credit hours and I still managed to pass four of my classes with A’s and one with a B. At my job I was a closer, which meant that I didn’t get home until 11:30 p.m. I did homework during my thirty-minute break while inhaling food, because at 8:15 the next morning I would be sitting in math class. The other students I worked with were several semesters into college and didn’t understand my enthusiasm. They w7ere kind enough to put up with my excitement, however, and answer all of my questions before the first day of classes. I was the first of my three older siblings to go to college, so it was a totally new experience for me. I loved that first semester and like to think about it often because it reminds me w hat I m capable of. It kicked my butt, and gosh was I tired, but I was pure determination and will.
After that semester, I decided to work only during the summer and over breaks. I thought to myself, “I can now focus more on learning.” Which is totally true, but
I’ve almost lost that push I had before because now I don’t have to fit in three classes of homework in thirty minutes. I have all the time in the world (after classes, that is) and that is where I’m weak.
If I have too much free time, then my lazy self thinks I can get away with not doing homework right away, which then leads to that word well known by every college student ever: Procrastination.
So why not just start w orking again?
Why not force myself to do homework by having a time restraint? Well, because everyone has to get over ugly procrastination, kick its butt and show it who’s boss. I’m talking to you, fellow student. We are capable of so much and we don’t need wasted time to get in the way of our academic success. Standing up to ourselves and managing our time is crucial to success, and I believe it’s possible. During my second semester I didn’t have a job and I still managed to get the grades I wanted. It was harder (which is odd because I was working less) but it was doable. So based on my own persona! experience, I want to share a few ways to manage time effectively:
1.	Believe in yourself and what you’re doing. Remember how I called my first semester my optimistic semester and how I was extremely enthusiastic? Attitude factors into performance, so having a good one will work in your favor. Believe in why you’re here and rock what you’re doing.
2.	Homework comes first and put the phone down! Social life can wait. I promise that if you put homework first and complete the homework that's due instead of letting it pile up, you will have time to hang out with friends and scroll aimlessly through social media. Besides, save yourself the stress. There will be plenty of time for that later in life.
3.	Sleep is vital to life and functionality. If you skip sleep and don’t get enough, you are going to be a walking zombie and the person who everyone thinks is going to fall asleep during class. Yes, I know you are probably thinking about how I got to bed at
11:30 and was up at 7, but 1 admitted I was tired! The amount of sleep needed to function i: different for everyone, and I found that if I got at least seven hours I could survive. So know your body and listen to what it needs.
So there you have it. Believe in what you are doing, put homework first, don’t let your cell phone distract you, and for the love of all things good, get some sleep once in a w'hile! Remember, managing time wisely is possible and anyone can do it. If you can achieve this, you will have conquered the biggest obstacles standing between you and W'dl-managed time.
Black Panther Review
AUTHOR: AUTHOR: ZACH SWASTA
I guess it should be noted, as I put when I reviewed Deadpool two years ago, that I [am not among the | superhero movie I crowd. I enjoy seeing ! the Marvel Studios films from time to time and I look for-| ward to seeing infinity War* but I do not
treat it religiously as most people do. It just isn't a fandom that I follow. However, I must give credit where credit is due when I find a rare gem, and the most recent release. Black Panther, is just that.
The character of T’Challa and his alter-ego, Black Panther, made their debut in 2016’s Captain America: Civil War. This movie is in continuity with a subplot-point from that movie where the king of the fictional African nation of Wakanda is assassinated, His son, T’Challa, played by Chadwick Boseman, returns to his homeland to be crowned king. A prologue in the beginning explains that "The Black Panther" is an ancient warrior whose powers are passed down the royal bloodline. I already like this idea. He's not a specific warrior, he's not an immortal being like Thor, he isn't an accident like Hulk; his alter-ego is a spirit that runs down a bloodline. Wakanda is a technologically advanced nation that hides itself from the rest of the world, which becomes
the center of conflict when Boseman's cousin returns from California and aligns himself with terrorists to usurp the throne. This might sound like your typical superhero plot, or more accurately, the plot to Lion King, but there are a few wrenches in the mix.
For one thing, Boseman's cousin, played by Micheal B. Jordan (getting his redemption for Marvel after the second attempt at F4ntastic) is not a one-dimensional villain—he doesn't want power, he thinks being king is a birthright, yes, but he has emotion and tragedy behind it. Jordan's father was killed by Bose-man’s father, so it's as if Hamlet has been shifted over to the antagonist position. In other words, it's like a twist on the Hamlet plot that Lion King seems to adapt. Indeed, an ironic twist that I appreciate greatly. What's more, aside from being a well-developed villain and character overall, Jordan's performance shows that the greatest villains are the ones who think what they are doing is right- His character believes that because the king murdered his own brother, Jordan's father, that the current bloodline is not fit for the throne. So he has his beliefs, and he believes that it is only ethical to crown himself. He truly believes that his motives are righteous, and that, I believe, is the ideal formula to set up a villain. What's more—not to give too much away—is that how his character is resolved is just an absolutely glorious rarity, and if you see it, I think you'll agree.
Another thing I found fascinating is how this movie separates itself from the MCU in terms of fighting style and fight choreography. The first few major battles in this film were not simply firing guns at each other or dodging missiles, but a couple of ceremonial battles in which Boseman’s powers are even stripped from him, and he is forced to fight barehanded . This is shown in a scene 1 which he and Jordan battle for the throne. This is a rare moment when—guess what?—the fighting actually carries plot and dramatic relevance. There are great action sequences as well, and as many have pointed out, it really holds back on the shaky-cam that so many Marvel films utilize. I appreciate this greatly and hope that further films will follow this example.
There are a handful of talented actors that provide great characters to the film, including Lu-pita Nyong’o, Andy Serkis, Martin Freeman, and Forest Whittaker. One of the best characters by far is Boseman's sister played by Letita Wright, who, despite being a teenage princess, is the tech support and inventor for Boseman. In comparison to Tony Stark in the other movies, she is also a wisecrack and a riot. As far as the plot goes, it leads to a battle that is far more impressive than any other Marvel battle, and much more memorable. Probably because there are Rhinos involved, but also, it is uniquely impressive to see a different culture being focused on, and that's why I think this movie stands out in a good way. Even though the country7 is fictional, being based on somewhere other than America adds another layer of interest to the conflicts.
Overall, Black Panther was a rare gem for the
MCU, and I'm glad I saw it. It played itself differently, and that's what I found to be special. The emphasis on character and a plot that is easy to follow is greatly appreciated. I most certainly hope future filmmakers for Marvel can take a note or two from this film and from director Ryan Coogler, because this movie is definitely a standard-setter. Three and a Half Stars.
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The Rain Follows the Plow
AUTHOR: WESLEY SMITH
The American West was immensely important to our development as a nation. It’s been our breadbasket, our oil well, the birthplace of cinema, and.... our destiny. I say that—pun intended—referring to Manifest Destiny: the idea that we were meant to conquer the entire American West. In the mid-to-late 1800’s, intellectuals, newspapers, and politicians were pushing people west. They did so, seemingly, in any way they could. Their most powerful weapon, besides free land, was rhetoric. Homesteaders were promised a better life, often in terms that weren’t quite factual. One of the most interesting examples of this was fabricated by a fellow named Charles Dana Wilber.
Charles Dana Wilber is responsible for the phrase “The rain follows the plow.” By the late 1800’s, most of the appealing land had already been snatched up. The remainder was affectionately referred to as “the Great American Desert." It consisted of huge swathes of arid land which had little potential to be prosperous. Charles Dana Wilber, however, proposed that this land was indeed viable. He claimed: “Turn over the prairie sod, and after deep plowing... present a new surface of green growing crops instead of dry, hard baked earth... A reduction of temperature must at once occur, accompanied by the usual phenomena of showers. The chief agency in this transformation is agriculture.” Thus, the rain follows the plow. It would be misplaced to say that Wilber was intentionally fal lacious. He was a land speculator, an author, a journalist, and even founded his own town in Nebraska. His beliefs however, were founded on shaky ground.
Wiber may have been the idea’s most influential proponent, but the idea originated from people travelling west on the Oregon trail. They claimed Nebraska, which was known for its dry, yellow vegeta-
tion, was miraculously turning green. The respected climatologist, Cyrus Thomas, investigated this phenomenon. He asserted that the claims were true; Nebraska was getting greener. Furthermore, he concluded it was the fault of civilization. He reasoned that an increase in population, smoke from trains, and the planting of trees and crops would increase rainfall. Another interesting theory suggested that vibrations in the atmosphere were increasing due to urbanization, and those were responsible for the surge of rain.
The reality was much less exciting. These arid regions were simply experiencing a particularly wet decade in the 1870’s. Ultimately, the climate in that region returned to its usual dry state. Many homesteaders who took these men at their word were ruined when the rain stopped providing them with enough water to grow their crops. Thus, “The rain follows the plow” was discredited.
The term has become relevant again in recent years. Since the 1800’s, agriculture has advanced significantly. Technology and irrigation has allowed us to make use of previously unsuitable land. Crops are being planted in increasingly arid regions. According to a 2007 study conducted by Richard Raddatz of Winnipeg University, agriculture in these regions has resulted in an increase in the amount of water in the atmosphere in these regions. Thus, intensity of storms and rainfall in the Com Belt has increased. This isn’t always beneficial for farmers, as storms often damage crops. The fact is, however, that rain has indeed followed the plow after a century of farming. As humans change our climate further, we’ll have to decide whether or not that should continue in years to come.
What Choice Do We Have? Barons Give Their Opinions on Free Will
AUTHOR: SARAH BOGDAN
Are we in charge of our own choices? Or are our actions a product of nature and our upbringing? Questions like these have plagued philosophers and deep thinkers for millennia. It’s not easy to prove whether or not we have “free will,” but the answer has great implications for our justice system, our society, our relationships, and our lives.
To find out how Barons feel about the topic, I created and randomly distributed a survey around campus. 100 students were surveyed and given these options from which to choose:
• Compatibilism (or “soft determinism”) is a belief that reconciles free will with causal determinism. We have both free actions (voluntary actions caused by our inner states), and unfree actions (involuntary actions caused by outside states).
Survey respondents were then asked: “Going by these philosophical definitions, what do you believe motivates human behavior?”
Barons' Beliefs
Oth«r or Uncfecided
f) 0%
Free will (or “libertarianism” or “agent causation”) is the belief that agents (humans) are—at least sometimes—the cause of their own actions.
We are self-determining beings, freely making choices and independently causing our own behavior.
Determinism (“hard determinism” or “causal determinism”) is the belief that human behavior is determined by external factors or prior conditions, such as past experiences, the environment, and genetics. Our actions are causally determined by factors outside of our control.
Free Will
Compatibilism
ism
21.0%
Here is the breakdown of students’ replies:
As demonstrated in the chart, the majority of students I surveyed (46%) believe in compatibilism. Free will and determinism were split almost evenly, and other/undecided was the minority. Some of the beliefs described in the “Other” section include nihilism (there is “no meaning to life”) and absurdism (“human beings exist in a purposeless, chaotic universe”).
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 15
Here are a few notable comments:
•	“Everyone has a choice to react in some way towards their situation. We cannot control the outcome or situational influences of our actions, but we as humans— set apart from the rest of nature—choose not only the action but the attitude, logic, and intent by which we function.”
•	“From a non-religious view, as there is no higher power controlling, free will is the only option. Of course, the environment/ past impact us and sometimes there are only ‘lesser of two evils’ choices, but people are in charge of their own actions. It is possible, and an inherent part of human nature, to change and reinvent ourselves. Personality and actions can be shaped. Those who denounce free will are often those who want to justify their bad actions or who don’t want to put in the hard w ork to change.”
•	“Free will is an illusion.”
•	“I did believe in free will, but after some time I’ve noticed that I myself am driven by factors of my birth and where I grew up. Seeing this made me think of what I would do if these external factors were changed. The scary part is I have no idea.”
•	“God gives us the free will to act out the way that we want, but at the same time He plays an important role in everyday life.”
•	“We make our own decisions and are responsible for our own actions, yes. Howev-
er, sometimes the decisions we make are caused by past experiences, rather than our own free will.”
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