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A happy, meaningless life

Opinion

Opinion

February 12, 2009

The religious, deists, agnostics and atheists all have trouble coming to terms with the meaninglessness of life. No matter where you stand on the spectrum, there is a troubling stigma associated with those who admit to having a meaningless life.

After all, how is it possible to be a functioning human being without the silly belief that the meaning of life is to [insert here whatever makes you happy]. Hopefully I can deconstruct this notion once and for all.

But first I must defend the premise on which this column relies – life is inherently meaningless. Humans have evolved categorical memory, i.e. they have the ability to categorize objects in their memory in a hierarchal manner. Your memory of things looks something like this: Stuff I do when Hungry -> Eat Food -> Cheeseburger -> No Onions.

This is obviously a very rough outline of how we think, but it illustrates how we perceive objects meaningfully. A cheeseburger is meaningless without a human to assert meaning onto it. In my example, the meaning of the cheeseburger is a food I want to eat because I am hungry. There is no one meaning for an object and those meanings vary between people.

For example, some people might categorize a cheeseburger as something they like to draw instead. In all cases, however, the cheeseburger would remain nothing more than a peculiar collection of atoms. Instilling meaning unto the cheeseburger is an event that takes place in one’s mind, not anywhere else.

The key insight from this example is that meaning is a human perception of objects. The meaning of an object doesn’t exist without a human to impose that meaning onto the object. The same is true for us humans; there is no reason to believe, a priori, that we have an inherent meaning assigned to us.

The question of whether life has meaning cannot even be answered; it is an illegitimate question to ask. Just like the question: “What does it feel like to be a rock?” The rock doesn’t know what it feels like to be itself, so how can we possibly answer this question!? Both these questions should be explained away when we realize the questions are erroneous to begin with.

Back to my main point: Admitting that life is meaningless does not imply you are or will be depressed.

I believe that those who say they’re depressed because of life’s meaninglessness are more susceptible to depression in the first place. There is nothing inherently depressing about the belief that life is meaningless! There might be a correlation, but then again there is a correlation with depression and believing in God. To blindly associate either of these beliefs with depression would be a mistake.

If you are someone who claims to have a meaning for their life, whatever it may be, ask yourself this: Theoretically, if it was proved (by science or by yourself, whichever one is more convincing for you) that your meaning for life was absolutely wrong, would you continue to live the way you are? Would you become more depressed? Would things that made you happy before no longer make you happy? I think it is safe to assume you wouldn’t fall into chronic depression. Believing that life is inherently meaningless should not turn someone into a subject of pity.

We don’t need a religion, book or person telling us what our meaning to life is in order to be happy. For the same reason we don’t need to be told not to kill babies in order for us to not to kill babies. We do not need a divine excuse for doing what makes us happy.

LIOR GOTESMAN wants to make sure people know that when answering the question, “What is the meaning to life?” they aren’t stating a fact about reality, but about their own mind. Reach him at liorgott@gmail.com.

Tour of California will sweep through Davis Sunday

City News

City Editor

February 12, 2009

Lance Armstrong, Levi Leipheimer, Floyd Landis and more than 100 of the nation’s best cyclists will cycle through town on Sunday as part of the Amgen Tour of California.

The first stage of the nine-day, 750-mile race will begin in Davis on Sunday, and local organizers say they expect the event to draw crowds of Picnic Day proportions.

“It all depends on the weather, but it will be a minimum of 20,000,“ said Davis public relations manager Bob Bowen. Some estimates of the crowd size on a sunny day suggest more than 30,000 people will be in attendance.

Rain or shine, sponsors and organizers have planned a day full of events and activities that will attract large crowds. The swarm of cyclists (properly referred to as the peloton) will arrive in Downtown Davis by 10:30 a.m. and will begin preparations for the race.

At noon, cancer survivor Deborah Dunham will fire the starting pistol and the cyclists will take off from Third and C Streets for two laps around downtown at neutral speeds.

“They’re warming up so they’ll go by slowly,” Bowen said. “It‘s a good time to take pictures.“

The race route will take the cyclists westbound on Russell Boulevard. The official starting line of the race is at Arthur Street, from which riders will race through Winters, past Lake Berryessa, and through the Napa Valley on the way to Santa Rosa, where the first stage ends.

With much of downtown impacted by road closures, spectators who drive should park at UC Davis, said Davis Police Sergeant Ton Phan.

Unitrans will be operating a free, continuous shuttle from the Mondavi Center parking lot to downtown beginning at 9:30 a.m. and ending at 5 p.m. A second shuttle will loop around Community Park and Davis High School in the central part of town.

TAPS officers will be enforcing a $6 parking fee at campus lots.

Alternatively, spectators can ride their bikes and take advantage of the valet bike parking that will be offered on the north lawn of Davis Community Church at Fifth and C Streets.

Watch parties with live streaming video will be hosted at a number of restaurants in town, including 3rd and U Cafe, Barista Brew, Bistro 33, Cafe Bernardo, Fuzio, Season’s, Steve’s Pizza, The Graduate, Uncle Vito’s and Woodstock’s. The watch parties begin at noon and will last until the end of Stage 1, approximately 5 p.m.

After the Tour of California cyclists leave town, the Davis Bike Club will be hosting the Davis Junior Criterium along the same downtown route. A family festival will be held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Central Park.

A Downtown Cyclebration featuring pedicab rides, special displays, “whymcycles“ demonstrations and vendors will be held at the E Street Plaza from noon to 3 p.m. The California Bicycle Museum will be open in the basement of the Teen Center at Third and B Streets beginning at 10 a.m.

Presented by AEG, the Amgen Tour of California is the largest cycling event in America. Seventeen of the world’s top professional teams will compete in the race.

“The level of competition and talent for the fourth-annual Amgen Tour of California rivals the top races in the world and demonstrates the importance of the United States to professional cycling,” said AEG president Andrew Messick in a written statement.

For more information on the schedule, specific events that will be offered, road closures and parking options, visit tourofcalifornia-davis.com.

JEREMY OGUL can be reached at city@theaggie.org.

Prescription drug use high among minors, study finds

City News

City Editor

February 12, 2009

California’s students have used drugs and alcohol more than previously imagined, according to a statewide survey released by the state Attorney General’s Office.

The study revealed that 45 percent of ninth graders and 57 percent of 11th graders reported getting “high” at least once in their lifetimes. This survey was the first one to measure use of diverted prescription drugs and recreational use of over-the-counter cough and cold medicines in addition to alcohol and illicit drugs.

Including alcohol, the drug used most by all ages of students, those numbers spike to 60 and 74 percent respectively.

Prescription drug use, especially of such drugs as Vicodin and Oxycontin, was second only to alcohol and marijuana among all high school students. Excluding over-the-counter and prescription medications, drug use among minors has generally remained steady since 2005, according to the report.

The survey also found an increased incidence of drinking and driving – 32 percent of 11th graders reported having driven drunk at least once in their lifetime, the highest level in the past six years.

The 12th biennial California Student Survey (CSS), administered by the California Attorney General’s office, was conducted during the 2007-2008 school year, collecting data from 13,930 students across 115 public middle and high schools.

This 12th report may however be its last.

“The Crime and Violence Prevention Center, which runs the program, was eliminated from the Attorney General’s budget in October 2008,” said Daphne Hom, program manager of the CSS. The survey will remain discontinued “until someone else picks up the funding.“

The study was pioneered in 1985 by Rodney Skager, professor emeritus at the UCLA Graduate School of Education, and author of “Beyond Zero Tolerance: A Reality-Based Approach to Drug Education and School Discipline.“ The educational booklet advocates for educating students through comprehensive, interactive and honest drug education with identification of, and assistance for, students whose lives are disrupted by substance use.

He says the survey reveals that while most students do not use alcohol and drugs regularly, widespread experimentation is tolerated among youth and much higher than previously believed.

Noting that a downward trend in drug use from 1991 to 2003 has stopped, Skager criticized current policy that advocates mostly abstinence-only efforts.

“What we have been doing is a completely ineffective way of dealing with drug and alcohol abuse. Students are disregarding abstinence methods,” Skager said.

His aim is an approach that recognizes that, regardless of outside efforts, students will try alcohol and drugs, and that intervention efforts may be most helpful in preventing one-time use from becoming full-time abuse.

“To prevent adolescents who do experiment from falling into abusive patterns, we need to create fallback strategies that focus on safety … where kids can talk about and analyze their relationship to alcohol and drugs,” he said. “If you don’t respect them they won’t listen.“

The 2007-2008 California Student Survey is available online at safestate.org/index.cfm?navID=254.

TOM MORRIS can be reached at city@theaggie.org.

People seek shelter from economy in education

Campus News

Campus Editor

February 12, 2009

Students are waiting out the economy’s storm – in school. Overall, graduate school application numbers are up this year nationally.

During times of economic decline, people are reluctant to venture into the workforce with only a traditional bachelor’s degree.

“The number of people going to grad school is an inverse equation with the economy,” said Harriet Brand, director of public relations at Princeton Review. “When the economy is good, less people go back to grad school.”

When decent jobs with decent pay are scarce, people increase their skill set and wait out the recession until things improve. Not only are students making themselves more marketable, but they are also helping the economy by spending money in the education sector.

“At the same time they are doing something worthwhile instead of staying home sending out jobs resumes,” Brand said. “In past years, it was whether or not I can get into my dream college. People are thinking more in terms of the jobs they want to do instead of how they can get rich.“

More people already in the workforce, who have been laid off or are in fear of losing their job, are returning to college to upgrade their skills and wait out the current state of the economy.

Students are thinking about factors such as the cost of education, access to financial aid and the amount of student debt they may accumulate, said Sharon Pinkney, assistant dean for admissions for the UC Davis King Hall School of Law.

With more applicants comes a stronger pool of students and a more competitive admissions environment.

For the past few years, the UC Davis Graduate School of Management accepted 30 percent of applicants. Last year they accepted 25 percent. James Stevens, assistant dean of student affairs, said the school will most likely accept 20 percent this year.

The current scenario is historically consistent. In the 2001 recession there was a national 17 percent increase in law school applications.

Joel Mosemann, academic coordinator for the international law program at King Hall, said the economy has not had a significant effect on application numbers for the international law program.

At this time last year, there were 185 applications and now there are 155, although they are still taking more in the coming weeks. In 2004 to 2005 there were 128 applications. The number has been steadily rising until its peak last year at 221.

“Over recent years we are definitely seeing an increase,“ Mosemann said. “This year it’s a little bit slower than the last year but not a whole lot. By the time whole application season is over it just might be more spread out.“

Application rates in the veterinary medicine sector remain stable.

“It has been constant because people start planning to go to med or vet school years before they apply,” said Rance LeFebvre, associate dean for veterinary school admissions. “For professional schools – med and vet – [students] are planning years beforehand so the numbers stay about the same.”

More students are taking Princeton Review and Kaplan’s graduate courses.

Kaplan has seen double digit increase interest in their graduate level courses, events, seminars and practice tests for the GREs, GMAT and LSAT. Primary interest in business, law, general master’s and Ph.D. programs have increased, although to a lesser degree than business and law.

“It’s still a great thing to do in the long term no matter what the economy is doing – increasing options, earning power, career opportunities,” said Jennifer Kedrowski, Kaplan’s director of graduate programs. “Even though it’s more competitive and there are a lot of swings in the economy, most people applying to business school will be saying this is a long term investment.“

For Nikhil Nayak, a junior biochemistry molecular biology major, the economy was a factor in his decision to apply to graduate schools.

“With any post grad degree, you can set yourself apart from other applicants,” he said. “I know people who have graduated in the past two or three years that are doing fine. In certain job markets there is a level of job security. But with a post grad degree you can amplify that. Within the next two three years it’s going to be difficult graduating with only a bachelor’s.“

POOJA KUMAR can be reached at campus@theaggie.org.

Students debate proposed fee increase for ‘green’ fund

Campus News

Campus Editor

February 12, 2009

Two years ago, UC Davis students voted to increase their student fees to bolster Unitrans service. Next week, they will decide if they should do so again to establish a “Green Initiative Fund.”

If approved, The Green Initiative Fund (TGIF) would increase student fees by $4 per quarter. After administration costs and return-to-aid, the fund would net about $200,000 annually.

The fund would be used to distribute grants to undergraduates for capital projects and educational campaigns promoting sustainability. In addition, by UC policy, one quarter of the fee increase will support financial aid.

The referendum, which requires a 20 percent voter turnout to be valid, is polarizing students. Backers of TGIF argue the fund would allow students to develop their own sustainable projects and promote environmental responsibility on campus. Critics of TGIF say the initiative is poorly designed and similar funds at other UCs have been ineffective.

The controversy surrounding the measure came to a head when backers of TGIF refused to sign a voluntary campaign spending limit agreement of $250. Since the measure requires a 20 percent voter turnout – well above that of a typical ASUCD election – and at least 60 percent approval, setting expenditure limits would cripple the campaign, supporters of TGIF say.

Voter turnout for ASUCD elections is typically well below the 20 percent threshold. For example, in last winter’s ASUCD elections, the voter turnout was 13 percent.

“In most ASUCD elections, around 13 percent of people vote so we felt that $250 simply wouldn’t be enough to adequately advertise the measure. For perspective, [ASUCD] Senate candidates are also held to $250 and they usually net around 500 votes on a strong election,” said Joseph Chatham, TGIF campaign manager and ASUCD presidential candidate.

By refusing to agree to voluntary spending limits, the No on TGIF campaign has argued that, according to ASUCD bylaws, the Yes campaign is ineligible to participate in any debate sponsored by the ASUCD Elections Committee today.

However, student affairs requires that at least two public forums are held for any fee referendum. The forums do not have to be sponsored by the ASUCD Elections Committee, said Janet Gong, associate vice chancellor of student affairs.

“It’s conceivable that one of these forums could be integrated into an existing ASUCD presentation, but we don’t require this … and don’t think it appropriate for student affairs to interpret or influence ASUCD policies,” Gong said in an e-mail interview.

Paul Harms, ASUCD controller and opponent of TGIF, said the No campaign is amenable to a privately funded debate, but maintains that spending limits are important to ensuring a fair election.

“Philosophically, we believe in keeping the electoral process open to all students. Spending limits are important in making elections accessible to all students, not just those who can afford to spend over $250 to win a senate seat or pass a petition-initiated fee,” Harms said in an e-mail interview.

If established, TGIF would be governed by a committee of seven people, including four undergraduate students, a faculty member, a staff member from student affairs, and the assistant vice chancellor of the Environmental Stewardship and Sustainability, according to the TGIF campaign’s web site.

The No on TGIF campaign argues that the board would have too much influence from the administration. Furthermore, similar green funds at other UCs have shown a lack of student interest, opponents say.

TGIF supporters say the fund would allow undergraduate students to lead projects that would not only be environmentally friendly, but save the university money, such as solar panels or water-efficient urinals. After weighing the benefits, the fund is worth the fee increase, Chatham said.

“It’s a small sacrifice, but I feel like most people can forego a couple coffees or a pint once per quarter to give our students the educational opportunities TGIF offers,” Chatham said.

TGIF opponents counter that undergraduate students are not responsible for subsidizing university capital projects.

“It makes no sense to me why a dedicated undergraduate fee should be used to fund capital projects for campus departments when those capital projects will pay for themselves,” Harms said.

The winter 2009 ASUCD Election commences Feb. 18 at 8 a.m. Students can vote online at elections.ucdavis.edu until 8 a.m. Feb. 20.

PATRICK McCARTNEY can be reached at campus@theaggie.org.XXX

UC Davis sees large amount of reported sexual assault

Campus News

Campus Editor

February 12, 2009

UC Davis has a higher number of reported sexual assaults than all other UC campuses combined, according to the annual Clery report.

However the large amount of reports may actually be a positive reflection of the student services on campus, said Jeanne Wilson, director of Student Judicial Affairs.

UC Davis has one of the most comprehensive sexual assault prevention programs in the country, due to a well-funded program and expansive services available. Victims are more likely to report and receive help from programs like the Campus Violence Prevention Program, which is not always the case at other campuses, Wilson also said.

“The main reason [the Clery report numbers are so high] is that our confidential reporting system is tied directly to victim services,” Wilson said. “At other campuses they have a website where you can make an anonymous report, but it’s just a number for the Clery. They don’t tie into victim services.“

Every year, universities around the country are required to release the numbers of nine different categories of crime as a result of the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act. UC Davis reported a total of 69 forcible sexual offences in 2007.

The report, enacted by Congress in 1990, was created after Lehigh University student Jeanne Anne Clery was raped and murdered in the school’s freshman residence hall. Her parents sought legal action when they found that the school had not disclosed 38 other violent crimes in the last three years. They urged Congress to pass a law requiring this information be public.

The effectiveness of these reports varies from school to school, with some schools reporting as low as zero sexual assaults in a year. The reason for this is the strength of the reporting system, said Shauna Stratton, a UC Davis outreach and education coordinator on sexual assault for the Women’s Resource and Research Center.

“CVPP has three full-time employees, whereas some schools only have one,” Stratton said. “We try to help students in every way we can, be it education and outreach or counseling people when they call us in the middle of the night.“

CVPP Director Jennifer Beeman instructed approximately 900 staff members on what their legal responsibilities to student victims would be in the case of a sexual assault.

If a student is sexually assaulted in Davis, he or she has four options of action.

The first is for the student to anonymously report the crime to the CVPP and receive subsequent medical and mental assistance. The student will be notified of his or her rights in their respective case.

The second option follows the standard of proof, meaning if the case has enough evidence to prove sexual assault, the perpetrator will be tried by a court.

The third is for the victim to file for a Title IX procedure, where officials from the CVPP determine if the case is one of sexual harassment or sexual abuse. Should they find the perpetrator a sexual abuser, and is a UC Davis student, they will produce a grievance against the perpetrator.

The fourth option is the criminal process, in which a formal investigation would ensue.

“In all of those options, our goal is to reduce risk and help the victim and protect the victim on the campus community however we can,” Wilson said. “We’re inclusive rather than exclusive.“

Although 12 of the 69 victims reported their assaults to the police instead of CVPP, Wilson said many are reluctant to do this because they worry about the publicity the case may bring.

“A lot of time people are afraid to go to the police,” Wilson said. “We always encourage them to do so, but someone who is in the position of a victim might feel like the case will be public. They worry that the police will talk to all the friends and family and look at all their e-mails. It’s a very personal thing to come forth about.“

In addition to the legal assistance the CVPP and the police department offer, various programs around campus such as the Women’s Resource and Research Center and Counseling and Psychological Services also act as extensions to these services.

“We work really hard for students to feel like it’s okay to report the crime that was committed against them,” said Julienne Ratanasen a staff member of the gender education program. “Because of that visibility in the community, students will ask about the services and hopefully we’ll be able to decrease the amount of sexual assault that happens on this campus.“

LAUREN STEUSSY can be reached at campus@theaggie.org.

Roses are red, violets are blue …

Arts & Culture

Arts Editor

February 12, 2009

Davis Town and Gown Sonnet Walk

Saturday, walks run every 15 minutes from 10 a.m. to noon, free

Walks begin at the Hattie Webber Museum, corner of 5th and C Street

Valentine’s Day seems to elicit the same sort of activities every year, managing to separate the singles from those in romantic relationships. This year, however, there’s something available for singles, couples and everyone in between.

In celebration for the holiday is the Davis Town and Gown Sonnet Walk, presented by the UC Davis department of theatre and dance and the Mondavi Center for the Performing Arts. It will feature performances of Shakespeare’s love poems during a stroll through the gardens.

The walks begin at the Hattie Webber Museum on the corner of 5th and C Streets, and will run every 15 minutes from 10 a.m. to noon. The event is free, and reservations can be made at mondaviarts.org or 754-2787.

Theater professor Peter Lichtenfels is directing the sonnet walk as it debuts in Davis.

“It was started to bring a smile to people on St. Valentine’s Day,” Lichtenfels said.

Second-year Masters of Fine Arts candidate in acting Christine Samson is working as a vocal coach to the performers in the readings.

“My particular passion is Shakespeare and part of my MFA studies involves approaches to teaching Elizabethan spoken verse,” Samson said. “I was excited to coach participants with a range of experience, from non-actors to professional-level actors.“

The performers, or “sonneteers” as they are called, come from all different backgrounds, with a combination of community members, undergraduate and graduate actors. Regardless of their assorted backgrounds, all of the performers share one thing in common: A love for Shakespeare.

“The theatre and dance department is chock full of Shakespeare nerds, and we wanted to spread the love,” Samson said.

The decision to use all Shakespearean sonnets was derived from the original sonnet walk in London, which is connected to Shakespeare’s Globe monument and performed every year on his birthday on Apr. 23.

Though Samson has never participated in the Globe sonnet walk, she is excited to be able to create a new version in Davis.

“What is fun about the walk is applying the text of these sonnets in unexpected ways; in some cases finding double meanings. In a way, by focusing on Shakespeare’s sonnets, we are creating a structure for ourselves within which to find creative freedom of interpretation,” Samson said.

Lichtenfels is keeping the Shakespeare sonnets to be performed a surprise, saying only “they were chosen because they had to do with love.”

Jessica Kelly from the Mondavi Center expects a large turnout for the event. Despite the obvious emphasis on romance and love, the sonnet walk is ultimately designed to accommodate a communal group of people.

“It’s a community event,” Lichtenfels said. “Groups of people will stroll through the city and arboretum, and on the way people will be told some of Shakespeare’s love sonnets.”

Samson hopes that anyone who comes will “enjoy some of the greatest love poems ever written – performed with a twist.“

Lichtenfels expressed his hope that all people would enjoy the walk.

“Everyone is a lover,” he said.

For all those Shakespeare skeptics out there, Samson offered a bottom line: “It’s free, and if we’ve done it right, it’ll be fun.“

JULIA McCANDLESS can be reached at arts@theaggie.org.

You might just be into He’s Just Not That Into You

Arts & Culture

Arts Editor

February 12, 2009

The good thing about going into movies with low expectations is that you are rarely disappointed.

Since it is inspired by the ever-popular self-help guide by Greg Behrendt and Liz Tuccillo (which was itself inspired by a single line of dialogue on “Sex and the City“), He’s Just Not That Into You automatically has hurdles of preconceptions to overcome. Thankfully, common aspects from each are only recognizable if the audience member is very familiar with both media; the film does a respectable job at standing on its own.

The movie operates on the premise that there are various myths and misinterpretations in the dating arena begging to be dispelled, and it employs a handful of intertwining stories to attempt to conquer all of them at once.

Depending on individual perspective, the movie may be insulting or flattering. In the pessimistic vein, the movie portrays nearly all women to be desperate and delusional. But from another viewpoint, they are also painted as hopeful, earnest and determined.

It is the unfortunate fact that when dealing with generalizations, reinforcement of stereotypes tends to be inevitable. The individual plotlines are well-worn tales of women waiting for a guy to call, hoping for a marriage proposal and obliviously trusting a cheating man. Though these inevitably do occur in the real world, the familiarity of witnessing them in character form is exhausting.

The movie’s tone is hard to pin down; as soon as one character says something unbelievably dense and cliché, another swoops in with a witty burst of humor.

The logic of the movie is at war with bigger ideologies regarding behavior and gender roles, but the main assertion seems simple. If a guy is interested in a girl (or “into” her, as the title colloquially phrases it), he will ask her out, he will call when he says he will, he will sleep with her, he will want to marry her and he will never cheat.

The events of the movie make this theory seem like common sense (and consequently, the women like blundering fools); however, a return to the real world brings the concept into further question.

The whole movie is spent emphasizing the inexplicable way women rationalize obvious signs of rejection. With the brief introduction of the under-explained “exception to the rule” in the last few minutes, it effectively backtracks upon itself and negates its entire intended message.

LAURA KROEGER can be reached at arts@theaggie.org.

Can we still be friends?

Arts & Culture

Arts Editor

February 12, 2009

Almost every college student has had some version of this experience: A friend is romantically inclined, but you think of it as a strictly platonic relationship. UC Davis communication professor Michael Motley tells students how to maintain a friendship after experiencing a romantic rejection. His research on unrequited love appears in “Studies in Applied Interpersonal Communication.”

What made you interested in this subject?

I knew that usually in situations where two people are friends and one expresses unrequited love, the friendship falls apart. But sometimes, it doesn’t. I was curious to know what happened in friendships where they stayed friends versus what happened in the relationships that fell apart.

Is it possible to stay friends with someone who wants more from the relationship than you do?

Absolutely. That’s not usually what happens, but it’s possible.

How do you stay friends with that person?

If the two people don’t sincerely want to be friends, then it’s not going to happen. Some will say, “I want to remain friends with that person,” while the other [romantically inclined] friend will be thinking, “I really wanted all or nothing” – that friendship won’t last. The desire for friendship has to be genuine in order to stay friends.

Should the more romantically inclined friend hold on to the hope that the other friend might change their mind?

They absolutely have to give up on the idea of romantic inclinations with this friend. Otherwise, if they don’t, what happens is that it never really turns back into a friendship and the platonically inclined friend will feel pressure to be more than a friend … It’s really important to mean it when you say that you want to remain friends.

How do you handle the awkwardness?

Everybody who has this experience almost always has some awkwardness – it’s embarrassing for everybody. One person said that they had romantic feelings and got shot down, the other has had a friend say that they have romantic feelings toward them and they have to let that friend down. [The romantically inclined friend] has to say one of two things: First say, “Look, I can handle this. Yeah, this was unpleasant and awkward, but I can handle it if they can,” and secondly, “The friendship is important and, yes, I hoped that the feelings would be mutual, but that’s not how it turned out, but I want to stay friends, this friendship is important to me.”

How do you maintain that friendship?

There are four rules which both people need to do: 1) Talk about it. 2) Talk about how important the friendship is. 3) Maintain contact patterns – it’s important that they keep up the same patterns of contact that they’ve always had. If you avoid the other person, they will think that you couldn’t handle the admission of romantic inclinations after all and they won’t want to be friends. 4) They both need to cut down on the flirtation, sex talk and sexual innuendos that they had before, because the romantically inclined person will think that you’re leading them on. Tons and tons of people who said that the friendship lasted after an unrequited love admission said that they cut back on the flirtation, and tons of people who said that the friendship failed was because they didn’t quit the flirtations.

What are the rules for the rejected?

After they’ve done rules one through four, it’s important that they drop the matter. I know that they can’t switch off the emotion, but they have to stop talking about it because the other friend needs to not feel pressure in order to come around. [Secondly], if the platonic friend later on starts developing a romantic attraction to someone else, the person that was the romantically inclined partner in the episode needs to accept it and not act like a jealous partner.

Are there rules for the platonically inclined friend in this situation?

If [the act of] remaining friends is going to be done sincerely, acknowledge that the other person (the romantically inclined person) was probably justified to feel that their feelings might be reciprocated. Try to justify your feelings to them and apologize for leading them on, don’t tell them that they’re crazy for feeling the way that they feel; they feel badly enough as it is. [Secondly], don’t say that you may develop romantic feelings later. When you say that, then the other friend never gets back into a friendship mode, they will just always be waiting around for you to change modes. Finally, don’t tell other friends about it – the romantically inclined friend is already embarrassed.

What advice would you give to people who have been romantically rejected by their friends?

I think that [people who’ve been rejected] come in two categories: People who are so disappointed that they don’t care to pursue the friendship because they’ve had an all-or-nothing attitude – for these people, I don’t have any advice except for happy hunting. For the people that want to stay friends, my advice is that you start over and pursue somebody else, because you ultimately know that you would both hate to see the friendship end over a little awkwardness.

MEGAN ELLIS can be reached at arts@theaggie.org.

The legacy of Jason Voorhies continues

Arts & Culture

Arts Editor

February 12, 2009

Friday the 13th brings to mind bad luck and black cats less and less as Jason Voorhies becomes more popular.

Coming to theaters tomorrow is Friday the 13th, a brand new addition to the Jason saga. The film will be screened at the Regal Davis Holiday 6 at 101 F St.

Ever since the release of the first Friday the 13th movie in 1980, audiences have begun to associate the date with machetes, obnoxiously obvious dialogue, young hypersexual vacationers, camp counselors and brutally creative murder scenes. The Friday the 13th franchise includes 12 movies, a television series as well as countless trinkets and movie paraphernalia, including comic books and video games.

UC Davis English professor Timothy Morton commented on the appeal of the continual production of the movies.

“There’s horror in repetition – it’s the un-death drive to keep going and going with no reason,” Morton said. “Jason has to keep on doing it; he’s stuck in routine. The most strange things are often the most familiar, and the more movies there are, the more the effect keeps going.“

The newest installment, produced by Michael Bay, Andrew Form and Brad Fuller has no subtitle and is said to incorporate elements of the first four Friday the 13th movies.

On the new movie’s official website, Fuller commented that the film’s producers were trying to please the old fan base as well as new audiences by adding new content but incorporating “iconic moments from the original films.“

What has made this franchise so successful and has kept audiences coming back for more after over 20 years?

“As much as people say they want to watch something new, most people want to know what they are getting into when they go to the movies,“ said Jordan Harris, an independent filmmaker based in Southern California, in an e-mail interview. “They want to see something gory and jump at some loud sounds – that’s why they go see Jason.“

The original Friday the 13th film introduces Jason Voorhies, a young boy who drowned at Camp Crystal lake in 1957. The camp closes a year later after the mysterious deaths of two camp counselors. When the camp reopens, counselors start dropping like flies at the hands of an unseen figure, which is revealed at the end of the film to be Jason’s vengeful mother.

The next three movies follow roughly the same formula, except that Jason himself is introduced as the killer seeking vengeance on the lust-driven characters (with his mother often urging him on in his head). Lake cabin parties replace summer camps in the third and fourth films, but the motives are still the same – Jason still walks at inhuman speed and he still manages to escape death.

With the past success and popularity of the franchise, the producers of the new remake have large shoes to fill. Cult horror movies like Friday the 13th continue to be wildly successful, giving audiences the classic scary situations and the rampant gore and sex that they’ve come to expect.

“Pretty much the only way they can mess it up is if they try to get tricky with the story and don’t deliver the basic promise of a Friday movie: Dumb kids, boobs, dead people swinging down from trees, banisters, etc.,” Harris said.

When considering the outcome of the new movie, Harris noted, “It’s less about the movies and more about how Jason is a modern icon of terror that most of us grew up fearing because we thought we were supposed to.“

ELENA BUCKLEY can be reached at arts@theaggie.org.

Variations on a Theme

Opinion

Opinion

February 12, 2009

There were a couple of notable recent turns of events that I could have touched on this week (i.e. high-profile scandals involving one of the following: Bruce Springsteen, Chris Brown, Christian Bale or Michael Phelps), but since it’s a time-sensitive topic, I thought I’d devote my space to – surprise, surprise – Valentine’s Day!

I like to think of myself as a pacifist and lover of all things that act as an excuse to get presents, but it’s hard not to hate on ol‘ V-Day when the only thing I’m currently cuddling with is Lucy, the spunky blonde Chihuahua from Oxnard, Calif.

Unfortunately, nightlife doesn’t provide a better alternative. Here is where I place the blame on the number one usurper of fun-had-by-all-time: the creeper.

It’s an easily identifiable character: the one with forthcoming-turned-stalkerish social tendencies, who skulks around you on the dance floor and inevitably ends up lurking in the background of your tagged pictures on Facebook.

Of course, girls are prone to throwing this term around too loosely nowadays, so I try to give everyone the benefit of the doubt. However, while I am sure the guy is perfectly nice and all during normal business hours, considering the particular set of circumstances, location, how much alcohol you’ve had and the way he’s magically managed to name in numerical order the first six items off of your “25 Random Things About Me“ list, it’s probably safe to assume the worst.

That being said, I offer some words of wisdom – effective methods for those who’d rather avoid the situation altogether instead of coming off as a total dick when you realize, oh shit, dude’s in your psychology class, you guys are on the same library schedule and you ride the bus with him.

Don’t be easy prey. Some girls are just asking for it, what with making inadvertent eye contact across the room and having normal biological functions and whatnot.

Rethink group strategy. Girls always make the mistake of traveling in packs. As much as I love my lady friends, it’s hard to accommodate everyone and make everyone happy, especially when we’re all on the same cycle and are going through the same premenstrual symptoms.

And you know who else travels in packs? The guys you don’t want to dance with, apparently. Like it or not, once one latches on to you on the dance floor, and there are three more, bombarding your friends. Females regularly go out on these “girls night out!!” type of events, which inevitably lead to long-winded and tedious complaints about how these guys just wouldn’t leave them alone, god damn it.

My recommendation? Having at least one guy (sexual preference notwithstanding) merely present in your group is a lot more effective than having a bunch of girls come to protect you when it comes to weird dance floor creepers. Plus, no one will have to be the de facto mama hen guardian of the group, and you’re less prone to falling clumsily on the dance floor while your friend spins you away from the guy who equates vigorous thrusting with dancing.

Just say no. Girls (myself included, I hate to admit) will find any reason to get away from guys they don’t want to be around – and I mean any. The more indirect, the better, it seems. Examples of this include “Sorry, I’m dancing with a friend,” “I don’t want to spill my drink,” “I might be allergic to the laundry detergent you used to wash your clothes, I’d really rather not risk it, but thanks!”

RACHEL FILIPINAS would like to emphasize once again that she is a lover of gifts, even ones in the form of e-mail messages. She can be reached at rmfilipinas@ucdavis.edu.

Insurgentes Review

Arts & Culture

Arts Editor

February 12, 2009

Rating: 5

It’s hard to find a single album, collaboration or production by Steven Wilson that’s anything short of a masterpiece. The Porcupine Tree lead singer and musical designer’s first official solo album Insurgentes follows a darker path than his previous work, but like everything he’s ever released, it’s nothing short of brilliant.

Solo work is hardly new for Wilson, the independent creator of the first three of Porcupine Tree’s nine albums. Wilson’s status as a heavily demanded producer within the musician circle and image as a prog-rock mogul also reflects the enormous amount of independent work under his belt. The range of sounds in Insurgentes stems from his own diverse musical interests and goes in an entirely new direction than his previous work and collaborations. It focuses on a much darker drone-like approach while still maintaining his perfected sense of musical beauty.

Insurgentes, like nearly everything Wilson’s ever created, is a web of layering and sound production in the complex-yet-simple fashion that has made Porcupine Tree one of the best progressive rock groups of the last 30 years. Without any shred of over-the-top technicality, his layered soundscapes weave their way through the record, mirroring Wilson’s ability as a producer and sound designer.

Much like Porcupine Tree’s history, Insurgentes evolves track by track and is almost impossible to pin to a solid genre – songs like “Abandoner” and “Port Rubicon” are uncomfortably brutal, while “Veneno Para Las Hadas” softly mixes atmospheric elegance with a subtle Pink Floyd-ish rhythm. Other moments, especially in “Get All You Deserve,” resemble the distorted shimmer of Nine Inch Nails‘ Ghosts I-IV. “Twilight Coda” sounds like it’s from a Pat Metheny soundtrack.

“Insurgentes” embodies the type of music that can only be heard properly when played from start to finish – something any prog-snob might correctly assert about long sequences of lengthy instrumental tracks. Nothing is ever too far out of the ordinary with Wilson’s work, but that doesn’t stop him from throwing in grinding ambience after a beautiful melodic track.

Give these tracks a listen:

“Significant Other“

“Get All You Deserve“

For fans of:

Pink Floyd

Porcupine Tree

– Justin T. Ho

Katy Perry Review

Arts & Culture

Arts Editor

February 12, 2009

Rating: 4

Katy Perry, the newest American pop star, is something of a cross between Avril Lavigne and Kelly Clarkson. Or perhaps it would be better to call her the unwanted step-sister of these pop darlings – Perry, for all her confident strutting, can’t sing like they can and, once listeners get past the sexual pandering of songs like “I Kissed A Girl,” Perry’s attitude starts to feel forced. Especially since One Of The Boys spends over 43 minutes reaffirming this cutesy bad-girl image.

Perry is obsessed with sexual identity. If you haven’t managed to hear it yet, “I Kissed A Girl” is a song, as its title suggests, about Perry kissing another girl. I won’t, however, hop on the critical bandwagon and call it a misogynistic, homophobic anthem. It seems that those critics have forgotten that Perry isn’t the first to capitalize on this pseudo-lesbian theme – the 1999 film Cruel Intentions is remembered mostly for its girl-on-girl make-out scene, and even Britney Spears locked lips with Madonna in 2006. Which is to say that Perry’s not to blame for the easily sellable quality of female homoeroticism or for using it.

The album’s first single, “Ur So Gay,” flips the gender roles around, as Perry describes a boyfriend who acts gay but “doesn’t even like guys.” It’s actually a hilarious double standard – Perry can kiss a girl “just to try it,” but her boyfriend is some kind of idiot for wearing make-up and designer clothes. He can’t, in effect, pretend to be gay. Lyrics don’t get much stupider. The actual song, though, is a sort-of-catchy bouncy number that has been lost in the overwhelming shadow of “I Kissed A Girl” and “Hot N Cold.”

Besides the hit singles, One Of The Boys is mostly unremarkable. The remaining eight tracks are watered-down versions of “Hot N Cold” – guitar pop rock with a few memorable choruses. Without much to help it along besides the singles, One Of The Boys has sold over a million copies. The singles, then, must be good. And they are; “Hot N Cold” might be the best female pop rock track since Clarkson’s “Since U Been Gone,” while “I Kissed A Girl” could be the sexiest hit on the radio in years.

I don’t have much experience listening to entire pop albums – I’ve never heard a Britney Spears, Jessica Simpson or Christina Aguilera CD all the way through. In this case though, I decided to give Katy Perry a listen, just to try it. As hard as it may be for me to admit, I heard a girl and I liked it.

Give these tracks a listen: “Hot N Cold,” “Waking Up in Vegas“

Sounds like: Avril Lavigne, Kelly Clarkson

– Zack Frederick

Artsweek

Arts & Culture

Arts Editor

February 12, 2009

MUSIC

Norina Kenora, O, The Void

Today, 7 p.m.

R5 Records in Sacramento

I’ve got my worn-in Chucks, faded black hoodie and hella tight skinny jeans ready – Norina Kenora from Yuba City brings back an era of pop-punk a la Thursday and Saves the Day.

Yolo Mambo

Friday, 8 p.m., free

Delta of Venus

If you didn’t catch their performance on last year’s Picnic Day, here’s your chance. Local quartet Yolo Mambo brings an easygoing and pleasant take on acoustic world folk that your parents would probably approve of, including a rendition of “Don’t Know Why“ by Norah Jones.

Tatsuya Nakatani, Chad Stockdale, Kevin Corcoran

Friday, 8 p.m., donations accepted

Funcastle in Sacramento

His name may sound like a character out of a Haruki Murakami novel, but Osaka-born, New York-based Tatsuya Nakatani is actually a percussionist who has made quite a name for himself in the improvised music scene. Also making a case for freestyle rock are Chad Stockdale and Kevin Corcoran.

Cashload, Star Off Machine

Friday, 10 p.m., $3 to $5, 21

The G Street Pub

If you’re the type of person who thinks winning awards is validation for good music, then here’s a gem of knowledge for you: Star Off Machine won last year’s title of “Best Hard Rock Band“ by the Orange County Music Awards – and if you’re a fan of acts like 3 Doors Down and Sevendust, then you should have no problem agreeing with such an endowment.

Sholi Release Party

Saturday, 8 p.m., free

Delta of Venus

Davis‘ best-kept musical secret is a secret no longer. From local house shows and Picnic Day to going on tour with Iron and Wine last year, the group is now celebrating the release of its first full-length LP, which drops on Tuesday and features other Sholi classics like “Any Other God” and “All That We Can See.“

Autumn Sky, Justin Farren, Ricky Berger

Saturday, 8 p.m.

Luna’s Café in Sacramento

What better way to celebrate Valentine’s Day than with a line-up of sweet, succulent local talents? I’d take the Sactown folkster Justin Farren and his acoustic melodies over Jason Mraz any day, and the modern, cool jazz standards of Ricky Berger makes me wish I could be a little more musically talented and a little less tone deaf.

Retarded Muppit Farm

Saturday, 8 p.m., free

Buff Castle in Sacramento

Fact: Retarded Muppit Farm and I share the same initials! Neat. And if that’s not evidence enough to their coolness, take note of their music, a kinda electronic but definitely ironic sound.

Claudia’s Ashes, Lurid Bluss

Saturday, 9 p.m., $5, 21

The Stag in Woodland

In last week’s column, I wrote about all the different types of alter egos I’d want to adopt. However, I forgot to mention one: Hella hardcore, hella alt front woman of a band, such as Stephanie Michelle of NorCal goth/industrial band Claudia’s Ashes. The Aggie regrets the error.

AT THE MOVIES

Friday the 13th

Opens tomorrow at the Regal Davis Holiday 6 on F Street

Jason is back in the newest installment of the prolific cult classic series, a re-envisioning of the first four original films.

ART / POETRY

Second Saturday Art Walk

Saturday, 6 p.m.

See 2nd-sat.com for a detailed map

A little bit of sunset, a little bit of art, maybe a little bit of handholding? Sounds like possibly the most adorable Valentine’s Day date ever.

Poetry Night at Bistro 33

Wednesday, 9 p.m., free

Bistro 33 (226 F St.)

Wednesday’s dose of poetry is from Mary Mackey, a professor at Sacramento State University, and UC Davis‘ own Brad Henderson, a faculty member in the University Writing Program.

THEATER / MONDAVI

The Winter’s Tale

Friday and Saturday, 8 p.m., $16 general admission, $11 with a student ID

Studio Theatre

Graduating Masters of Fine Arts candidate Patricia Miller brought last year’s hit Nights at the Circus, and she’s back in the director chair again with William Shakespeare’s tale of pastoral romance. Performances continue Feb. 19 to 22. Visit theatredance.ucdavis.edu for more information.

Punch Brothers

Saturday, 8 p.m., $35 general admission, $17.50 with a student ID

Jackson Hall

Chris Thile first made a name for himself playing in the “progressive acoustic” band Nickel Creek, and he continues the mandolin-lovin‘ with bluegrass band Punch Brothers.

RACHEL FILIPINAS can be reached at arts@theaggie.org.

Softball preview

Sports

Sports Editor

February 11, 2009

Teams: UC Davis vs. San Jose State

Records: Aggies, 3-1; Spartans, 2-3

Where: La Rue Field

When: Today at 2 p.m.

Who to watch: With the help of sophomore hurler Alex Holmes, the Aggies were able to take three of four games at the Cathedral City Kickoff this past weekend.

A San Juan Capistrano, Calif. native, Holmes tossed 13 shutout innings in two games while striking out 22. The Aggies won both games in which she pitched by a 5-0 score.

Her accomplishments didn’t go unrecognized, as she was named Big West Conference Co-Pitcher of the Week for the second time in her young career.

Did you know? The UC Davis pitching staff wasted little time in getting off to a good start.

In their four games, Aggies pitchers have registered two shutouts while posting a 0.78 ERA. Senior Jessica Hancock has also starred for the Aggies, throwing two complete games while striking out 15 batters in 13 innings.

Preview: Holmes took the ball to begin UC Davis’ season on Saturday against Liberty, tossing six shutout innings, striking out 11 batters and only surrendering two hits as the Aggies took care of the Flames, 5-0.

The UC Davis offense showed up early, scoring in each of the game’s first three innings. Holmes helped out her own cause by going 2-for-4 at the plate with a home run.

UC Davis then matched up with Fordham in the afternoon game, where they squeaked out a one-run victory, 2-1. Hancock picked up the win.

On Sunday, UC Davis threw Holmes in the circle again, this time against James Madison, only to see her have a near repeat performance of her first game.

Holmes pitched a complete game shutout and struck out 11 while only giving up two hits in the UC Davis win.

The Aggies’ last game of the tournament was against Illinois. The Illini pulled out the 2-1 victory over UC Davis. The Aggies finished the tournament with an impressive 3-1 showing, and now turn their attention to today’s home opener against San Jose State.

A good-hitting team, the Spartans are led by senior catcher Brittany McConnell, who boasts a .364/.500/.727 vital line through five games this season. She also has a homerun and five RBI.

–Max Rosenblum

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