Culturevolution

Welcome to Culturevolution

2011-05-11T11:02:00.001-07:00

Welcome to Culturevolution. Culturevolution was conceptualized, launched, and maintained by writing students at the University of California, Davis during winter 2011. Here you will find original narrative, opinion, and argument by student writers, many of whom were published for the first time here. Enjoy exploring our archives.

Research and Analysis: Pirates of the World Wide Web

2011-04-18T08:22:00.000-07:00

Since the birth of the Internet, it has become increasingly easier to obtain pirated copies of music, movies, and even video games at no cost. Piracy has been around a long time, but with the Internet, just about anyone can download entertainment software in a matter of minutes. With the economy down, even more people will give up their morals to save a few dollars, which ultimately damages the entertainment industry. I firmly believe that people should not download illegally because of the negative impact it is having on our society. The truth of the matter is that it is stealing, and though a free movie or game is nice, the consequences of these actions are not worth it. To understand what will happen if nothing is done, it is important to understand the historical context of piracy and where we are headed. After that, I will analyze the impact that illegal downloading has had on our economy and the measure out society is taking to prevent it.

To know how piracy got its beginning, let me share a very broad definition. Piracy is “the commercial violation of legally sanctioned intellectual property” (Johns 6). With this in mind, piracy has been committed since the idea of copyrighting came into being, since around the time the printing press was invented. However, the pirating that goes on today takes its form from video cassettes, where copying cassettes could be done by anyone, not just by technologically savvy people. Because of this, these pirated cassette tapes stole 95% of the market (Johns 461). Virtually anyone could copy a cassette once shown how to do it from the comfort of their home; the only thing that was required was a duel cassette deck to copy the contents of a cassette to a blank. With the rise of the Internet, pirating is going through a second boom. Peer to peer websites make it incredibly easy to illegally obtain music and movies. Websites such as “the pirate bay” and “demonoid” offer millions of torrents where people can go from picking out a movie to watching it in high definition in a matter of minutes. Torrents are files that are downloaded off of multiple servers who have pieces of the data, which is then compiled on your computer. Movies, software, and music downloaded in this fashion have no impact on the quality of it, because they are essentially just copies. If this follows the trends that the cassette industry faced, more and more people will give in to the temptation of obtaining free software, which will continue to hurt our economy.

The growth of piracy in recent years has been damaging today’s already bruised economy and the industries that are victimized by the act. In many cases “transactions occur without any monetary transfer from consumer to supplier” because there are so many individuals who are willing to upload material illegally to the internet for attention or for the reciprocity of others returning the favor (Piotr and Scorpecci 20). Because this is such an appealing option, many people turn to pirating, which in turn causes a lot of revenue to be lost by the industries. However, pirating in the long run is harmful for the consumer and the United States government. To combat lost revenues, industries are likely to lower wages or even lay off of their employees, which results in less consumption in the market and smaller tax revenue for the government from less economic activity (GAO). According to a study, “a 10 percent drop in the [United States] piracy rate over four years could result in a $125 billion boost to the nation’s economy” (Oswald). The fact that the United States actually has the lowest piracy rate globally is even more disturbing, with countries such as China having piracy rates upwards around 90% (Oswald). With numbers that high, think about how much profit that would have been made in the United States that is being stolen by other countries. Even though the United States does not pirate as much as other countries, “it has the largest dollar losses from piracy, $9.1 billion, because it is by far the world’s largest software market” (BSA). Robert Menendez, who is on the Subcommittee on International Economic Policy and Trade, makes a valid argument when he explains that “Internet piracy will clearly get worse before it gets better as the Internet use explodes, outpacing efforts to restrict unlawful infringement of intellectual property rights. The problem is probably exacerbated by a feeling among individuals, societies, and even governments of the developing world that, ‘quote, we are poor, they are rich; we have a right to download this free”’ (United States. Cong. House). However, many students justify their own habit of pirating the same way as these people from developing societies. However, the fact of the matter is that it is stealing. A study done by the Institute of Policy Innovation found that “losses in the U.S. economy due to piracy accounted for $58 billion in output, over 370,000 [lost] jobs, and $2.6 billion in tax revenue” (GAO). In addition to lost revenue, pirating also lowers the incentive for companies to invest as much in development in fear that their profit will not cover it, effectively lowering the standards that are expected from the consumer. The question I pose for these people who pirate is, if you wouldn’t steal from a retail store, why would you essentially do this online?

The video game industry has been hit especially hard. A study from the Intellectual Property Alliance and the Entertainment Software Association showed that over 9.78 million people are pirating computer games (Gilbert). Modern games have a lot of resources devoted to them to make a quality product, so a price of $60 a game is a fair deal. If this is too much for a child, I suggest they find another way to entertain themselves because pirating because you cannot financially afford it is an awful rationalization. That would be like rationalizing that is okay to steal car because you do not have enough money to buy one. Ric Hirsch, the ESA’s senior vice president for intellectual property enforcement, explains how the price is due to “cutting-edge tech, deep gameplay, photorealistic graphics, development periods are longer, teams can number 100 people or more and the commercial window for the average game is very short” (Kalning). Despite attempts to stop game piracy with required activation codes, pirates have found ways around this with the use of cracked versions of the game and key generators. The game industry is losing an untraceable amount of revenue for not being able to compete with its free alternatives, which will ultimately have a negative impact on the people who actually deserve the credit for their products. As even more people learn how simple it is, this will only get worse.

Of course, helping out the economy is not the only reason piracy should be stopped. Files downloaded off of the Internet may not be simply the movie you had hoped to see, but also a packaged deal with a malicious virus. “In a 2006 study, IDC found that 29 percent of Web sites and 61 percent of peer-to-peer sites offering pirated software tried to infect test computers with 'Trojans,' spyware, keyloggers, and other tools of identity theft” (BSA). Trojan is particularly nasty as it sneaks onto a computer when it is downloaded disguised as some software. Once on the computer, it is incredibly difficult to remove, giving the hacker access to the files and even control of the computer. Peer to peer websites that are used to share songs and videos are shown to take up as much as 39% of the total Internet traffic in North America (Piotr and Scorpecci 29). These staggering numbers contribute to slower web traffic by putting a lot of strain on the web service providers, which can potentially crash their servers. Of course, there are also the financial risks that pirates take by partaking in illegal actions. Industries that are being hurt by piracy, such as recording companies, have been bringing legal action against individuals they have found to be guilty. “A Boston University student who admitted illegally downloading and sharing 30 songs was ordered […] to pay $675,000 to four record companies," and this amount was only a fraction of what the record companies could have asked for (Gonsalves). This student is only one of thousands of people who are getting caught and made examples of. Anyone who continues to pirate runs the same risk that the Boston University student faced.

Fortunately, a lot of effort is being done globally to stop pirating, despite how difficult it actually is to prevent. “The flow of pirated digital products is more difficult to track by law enforcement agencies from sellers, via distributors, to producers, than the flow of physical goods. The large numbers of individuals involved, and the often observed absence of a monetary transaction, presents further challenges for effective international co-operation amongst enforcement agencies” (Piotr and Scorpecci 11). Major software corporations have a huge incentive to help battle this problem. Senior vice president Orlando Ayala announced that “Microsoft is also continuing to invest heavily in engineering world-class anti-counterfeiting technologies to protect our intellectual property, and to supporting government and law enforcement on enforcement actions against counterfeiters” (Oswald). This is a smart investment on their behalf because of how commonly Microsoft products are illegally obtained. Donald Manzullo, a member Subcommittee of International Economic Policy and Trade, explains, “We have partnered with international associations, such as the World Intellectual Property Organization [WIPO] and the World Trade Organization [WTO] to provide similar legal norms at the international level. For example, we are working with our colleagues at the U.S. Trade Representative and the Department of State to ensure that our trading partners implement the protections provided in the 1996 WIPO Internet treaties, as well as the Agreement on Trade Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights or the TRIPS agreement” (United States. Cong. House). The purposes of these agreements are to protect the copy right laws that are focused on preventing theft from the rightful owners. The United States takes a particularly strong stance against pirating, and perhaps this is the reason for this country having the lowest piracy rates. However, unless every nation can help enforce these efforts, the problem will not get better.

Like any controversy, defenders of piracy have their position on the issue. Some argue that tracking down and eliminating computer piracy is incredibly difficult. There has been no measures taken so far that have been effective, and allocating more resources towards stopping illegal downloading is useless in their opinions. However, I argue that based on current trends, computer piracy is exponentially growing, and if no actions are taken, this will seriously damage the software industry. Many people also argue that this material is too overpriced to purchase in this economy and if the price was reduced to a reasonable price they wouldn’t have considered pirating. However, I feel that the price needs to be at that level to balance the loss of revenue from pirating. Perhaps if the amount of pirating went down from where it is now with a 1/5 of PC software in the United States being pirated copies, then could the price be lowered (BSA). Society has moved into a new age brought by the Internet that is all about access. Industries have complied with this new trend, moving their businesses to the online realm for the consumer’s convenience. For these companies to get exploited now because their products are online is ridiculous. They could go back to before where their products could be picked up only at retailers, where one would need to travel to the store, pick up the CD, and return home instead of simply purchasing it online for a better deal.

Pirating has been a huge threat to society. It has swept the globe as more and more people learn how easy it is to accomplish. At this point, some countries still refuse to take actions against illegal copying as more and more jobs are lost globally. It is so difficult to prevent and that it why a majority of hope relies on the chance that pirates will give up their old habits and begin to buy music, movies, and software legitimately. In today’s progressive society, there are plenty of alternatives that do not come off as stealing. There is no crime in watching a song for free on YouTube or utilizing groove shark to listen to any track you want. In these cases, you don’t own the songs, and you cannot continue to distribute them. There is a popular saying that goes along the lines of there is no such thing as a free lunch. This applies well to pirating as on the surface, a free song seems amazing, but only under further analysis is it clear that there is a catch.

About the Author: Cary Westendorf is a student at UC Davis.

Works Cited

BSA. "A Fifth of PC Software in United States Is Pirated, Posing Challenges to High Tech Sector and Cyber Security." Business Software Alliance. 12 May 2009. Web. 03 Mar. 2011. <http://www.bsa.org/country/News and Events/News Archives/global/05122009-idc-globalstudy.aspx>.

Johns, Adrian. Piracy: The Intellectual Property Wars from Gutenberg to Gates. Chicago: University of Chicago, 2009.

United States. Cong. House. COMMITTEE ON INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. COSTS OF INTERNET PIRACY FOR THE MUSIC AND SOFTWARE INDUSTRIES. 106th Cong., 2nd sess. H. Doc. 106–174.

Jack Johnson's To the Sea: A Critical Review

2011-04-11T08:18:00.000-07:00

Hawaiian-born Jack Johnson is easily one of the most recognizable voices in recent decades; he is his own genre. His “sun-kissed” (Hermes), laid-back style is highlighted in his most recent album, To the Sea, released June 1, 2010. This was his 5th studio release and he still has found ways to steal the heart of almost any listener. Each track on this piece is especially aquatic sounding; with a flow like the waves Jack surfs effortlessly in his downtime. Although his songs carry a theme of love and togetherness, Jack tends to steer away from the gushy, cliché love ballad. Each song is laced with soft acoustic guitar and gentle percussion which make for music that can be listened to while studying, driving, cooking, sleeping, relaxing, or whenever you need a moment to chill. While some reviews rebuke Johnson for creating another immature surfer-boy album, I would argue that despite the easy-to-listen to qualities, To the Sea is relatable to almost anybody and is abounding with complex themes, maturity gracing the pages of his sheet music.

This album isn’t all about the music for Jack. The environment, specifically the ocean, means a lot to him and he takes part in many charitable activities. 100% of all the profit from his 2008 and 2010 tours is going straight to charity, mostly organizations that support environmental, art and music education as well as protection and restoration of aquatic wildlife (jackjohnsonmusic.com). I was lucky enough to attend a To the Sea concert in October of 2010 and can easily say it was my favorite concert that I have attended. Jack has the ability to talk to his audience like friends hanging out and makes his performance really personal and intimate. Storytelling and jokes were scattered between the songs and sometimes made an appearance in the middle of a song. One that I particularly enjoyed was the explanation of the cover art for the album. This concert was at the Greek Theater in Berkley, CA and the picture for the cover art was ironically taken on the Berkley campus. The picture is a silhouette of a man building what looks like a wooden structure of a wave. He goes on to talk about how most people assume it is he who is in the picture, but the artists is actually his father, and the wave is still standing on the Berkley campus (Johnson). Another story, right before he played my all-time favorite Jack Johnson song, "Banana Pancakes," was how one morning during breakfast his wife looked glum, so he started singing to cheer her up and they happened to be eating banana pancakes (Johnson). These stories show his performances and music that he produces is genuine and pure.

Starting the list off with "You and your Heart," the albums best-selling single reminds us all to follow our heart and we can live life with ease. Jack certainly practices what he preaches and throughout the album touches down on more adult themes then he is known for. However, his lyrics are like a puzzle. Obvious messages and straightforward ideas are rare. This excerpt from “Red Wine, Mistakes, Mythologies” shows his poetic and complex diction:

Everybody is made of clay
That’s what they used to say
Til the truth stepped on us all
Now everything that was big is small
Were just crying robots
Program me I wanna win the race
I wanna find the place
Where the king locked up the princess
Jump the fence and drink a little bit of
Red wine, mistakes, apologies.
(http://www.lyrics-celebrities.anekatips.com/)

The second and third lines hint at a crushed imagination and crushed hope for the world when adulthood strikes. However later on when he mentions kings and princesses, it brings back childlike aspects and keeps things light and cheerful. He goes on to mention a coping mechanism, red wine, which when drunk in excess could lead to mistakes, and apologies the following morning. This passage evokes strong emotions, touching on something that is very serious for many adults. However, right before things get depressing he lightens the mood and brings back a feeling of glee lightheartedness. In addition, since this slightly sarcastic and humorous line is real to many people, it plays a huge role in his audience’s ability to relate.

One of the most relatable, and one of my favorite, tracks on the album is "My Little Girl." It was written for Johnson’s daughter and is purely a celebration of life. While it is definitely classic Jack Johnson, this song doesn’t feel redone or repetitive, primarily because his inspiration has completely changed with the birth of his baby girl. His voice is calming and very melodic and smooth, which creates a lullaby-ish feel. The first couple seconds sound like something Coldplay would produce, and is different from his usual sound. The guitar is not acoustic but instead electric and has some sort of reverberation to it. The beating and pulsing of the guitar places me in a hypnotic daze and immediately I envision a spring afternoon on a grassy field with my own father. About 15 seconds in the acoustic guitar makes its appearance and I’m brought back into Jack Johnson reality with a smile across my face. While its one of the shortest tracks on the album, he easily tells an entire story. He addresses it to “little girl” and while we know it is about his daughter, he never directly says that. This is a huge skill of Johnson’s. He is able to write a song that is completely personal to him, and directly from his life and his experiences, but it is safe to say almost every dad that hears this song thinks of his own daughter and could easily agree with what he is saying. This shows how he invites yet another demographic into his audience and strengthens his relatability even further. Towards the end of the song, classic Jack Johnson plucking his guitar appears and, like always, brings back that intimacy and sincerity that is scene in all his work. It’s these qualities, along with great artistry that makes it possible to listen to over eighty Jack Johnson songs in a row and not get bored.

While I could listen to Jack Johnson albums for hours on end, some reviewers don’t agree. Adam Hill from 411mania.com posted on June 10, 2010, “The rest remain simplistic, soft, melodic, pleasant and, unfortunately, uninspiring and almost instantly forgettable” (Hill). While I would agree that it is pleasant, soft, and melodic, I do not find his music simplistic, uninspiring or instantly forgettable. In addition, this statement had a very negative connotation, while I can’t find a single negative thing about this album. Addressing the statement about simplicity, it is definitely true that his music gives off the impression that it is simple, due to its relaxing tone and repetitive style. However, if you listen closely to the lyrics they are far from simple. Like I mentioned before they take decoding and unveil many life lesson and views. As for uninspiring, maybe his music is uninspiring for someone who wants to pile work onto their table and stress themselves out, but I know that whenever I listen to Jack Johnson I am seriously inspired to enjoy life, love and cherish my family, and do something that makes me happy. I think that those are some of the most important things in life and a song that so easily inspires you to do that is nothing short of amazing. Lastly, I do not see how he is unforgettable, considering that Jack Johnson has easily become a household name. Maybe each song doesn’t seriously differ from one another, but who says every song made has to be revolutionary and different in order to be great. I know I am constantly dying for more of the same type of songs we love to listen to. I would be more then thrilled if Jack kept on with his same beachy, acoustic jams.

Another review from Rolling Stones’ Will Hermes, claims, “Jack Johnson’s sun-kissed acoustic-guitar melodies, stoner-due tenor and unfailingly positive vibrations are like a fresh piña colada with a paper umbrella: you’ve experienced this before, it’s a little corny, but it’s pretty much impossible to hate” (Hermes). I would agree completely. I think we can all say that Jack rarely experiments and comes out with something new, but that isn’t a bad thing in his case. He has been amazing sense day one, why change?

In a comparison between three of his songs, many similarities are found. From his first album, Brushfire Fairytales, “Bubble Toes” begins with strumming of the acoustic guitar with constant beats of the strings being hit in a drumming fashion. The guitar is accompanied with his deep and smooth voice. After a couple of verses the beat picks up with the addition of percussion instruments and Jack’s voice becomes more upbeat reaches a slightly higher pitch. This is carried out throughout the rest of the song. Constant themes seen throughout the lyrics are fantasy icons such as queens and gods. He talks heavily of dreams and mentions a little girl as well. In addition he talks about moving like a jellyfish and going with the flow, which connects to his love of the water. On his most recent album To the Sea, “To the Sea” has many of the same formal aspects. Once again the song starts out with the strumming and drumming of the guitar with Jack’s voice in it’s most simplest form and transitions to a more complex song with percussion and more rifts and notes that are held longer. Aside from the obvious connection to water, the sea, he mentions dreams again and he addresses “my son” which is similar to the “little girl” he talks about frequently. Lastly, multiple times he mentions waiting for someone. That connects to one of his most popular songs “Sitting, Waiting, Wishing” from the album In Between Dreams. Four out of five of his album titles also include the themes mentioned above. Brushfire Fairytales, In Between Dreams, Sleep Through the Static, and To the Sea all contribute to the fantastical, lackadaisical, and aquatic motifs found in his music.

Referring back to the critical review from Rolling Stone’s Will Hermes, I can agree with his point about how we have pretty much heard everything Johnson has to say before; however, it never gets old and each song brings a new aspect to the table that is “impossible to hate” (Hermes). To the Sea might be similar to his other albums, but Jack Johnson’s maturity shines through his complex lyrics, adult themes, and beautiful instrumentals to create yet again another album that is nothing less then amazing.

About the Author: Bio: Cat Marks is a freshman at UC Davis studying clinical nutrition and a member of the sorority Kappa Kappa Gamma.

Works Cited

Hill, Adam. “Jack Johnson-To the Sea Review.” 411 Mania.com 10 June 2010. February 2011. <http://www.411mania.com/music/album_reviews/141663>

Hermes, Will. “Jack Johnson.” Rolling Stone 1 June 2010. February 2011. <http://www.rollingstone.com/music/albumreviews/to-the-sea-20100601>

Jack Johnson To the Sea. February 2011. <jackjohnsonmusic.com>

Johnson, Jack. In concert. To the Sea- World Tour. October 2010.

“Red Wine, Mistakes, Mythology Lyrics Jack Johnson.” Lyrics Songs Words. February 2011. <http://www.lyrics-celebrities.anekatips.com/red-wine-mistakes-mythology-lyrics-jack-johnson>

The Good Ol’ Days of Gaming: Ar Tonelico II

2011-04-03T22:18:00.000-07:00

Ar Tonelico II is a fantastic game that left me wanting more from its creators, NIS America and Gust. As suggested by the name of the game, Ar Tonelico II is heavily based upon the tone of music to drive its plot. There are a variety of songs placed within the game to help fit the different moods of certain areas and evoke overall feelings of satisfaction and sorrow. The player is first introduced to the region of Metafalss, a region of land connected to a tower that controls the world. We play as a young knight, named Croix, whose role is to help deal with IPD outbreaks (Infel Phira Dependency) that have threatened the world of Metafalss. This IPD epidemic is a virus that infects those called “Reyvateils,” female magic song users, and causes them to go berserk. With the epidemic of the IPD virus, the people of Metafalss have lost faith in their goddess and are rebelling because she refuses to help them with their land and food shortage. Through the plot, the game emphasizes a theme of remembrance, which we see in the town’s symbolic name of “Pastalia.” The game gives a feel for classic RPGs that revolve around a turn-based battle system. These effects contribute to my desire for RPGs with an older feel that have not been influenced by the advances of today. NIS America and Gust did a fantastic job creating Ar Tonelico II. By spending less on 3D visuals and focusing more on the importance of pleasant anime visuals, game play, and connecting their soundtrack to the plot, the game company created a masterpiece that reminds us of what makes a great classic RPG enjoyable.

In the fantasy world of Ar Tonelico II, the game’s visuals bring out the life within its world, not through 3D effects, but through its use of anime-styled drawings of its background, adding a vibrant color of life within the game. Clearly drawn fields of blooming flowers and the green emerald hills of a world so majestic and beautiful like that of one’s imagination are made so vivid through the colorful use of anime styled drawings. This technique helps create a calm atmosphere for one to enjoy like many old RPG games. A stage in particular that delivers this feel for classic RPGs is within a Reyvateil’s world, where the environment is in the form of a pop-up book. While travelling around the imaginary pop-up book, it reminded me of my childhood and often made me smile out of happiness at how some images were drawn. These simple visuals, such as the stick figure drawings, brought back my memories of playing 8-bit videogames as a child. The game’s simple environment is not approached by the gaming companies of today because they feel it is not complex enough to match today’s 3D effects. However, Ar Tonelico’s pleasant atmosphere of innocence in the stage’s drawings and its similarity to a child’s dream bring out a playful mood and an overall feeling of nostalgia and satisfaction that only the classic 2D RPGs can provide. Ar Tonelico II’s visuals help bring back the classic feel for RPGs that today would seem very outdated to game companies.

The game play of Ar Tonelico II rivals that of most great RPG games. A feeling of playing Dance Dance Revolution is combined with a revolutionized battle system of fighting with partners. Though the game is turn-based, it has a unique way of engaging the player so that the player can still be active on the enemy’s turn. There is the attack phase (player’s turn) and the defense phase (enemy’s turn). I do not enjoy the attack phase as much as the defense phase because when defending, Dance Dance Revolution mechanics take place. This is where the real fun begins as I try to synchronize the enemy’s lines with my own keeping me active throughout the battle. Furthermore, the unique positioning of attackers in front of their partners (Reyvateil) makes the whole battle experience much more satisfying because the characters must trust one another as a pair. Since the Reyvateils sing their songs to help damage the enemy or heal party members, they need to trust their partner to strengthen their songs. This trust is called “harmony” and is a very important aspect of battle because battles depend on the strength of Reyvateils to turn the tides of the battle. Another great aspect of the game play is that the game not only allows the player to learn about the protagonist of the game, but also connect with the other characters, particularly the Reyvateils, known as "Dive." I love this aspect of the game because, like dating, I am able to learn more about one Reyvateil and affect the outcome of the game. My answer choices change the flow of events, which is something not many RPGs of today approach. Overall, I truly enjoyed Ar Tonelico II for its inventive and varied game play that makes me addicted to the game’s unique qualities. Ar Tonelico II is a great representation of creative classic RPG elements that surpasses 3D visual game play elements any day.

Regarding an ign.com review by Sam Bishop, I very much agree with him on the matter of the music quality of the game. He describes the music as, “Ranging from a languid harmonica-driven town theme to a smattering of techno-industrial aural backdrops, to multiple choir-driven hymns that serve as the foil for almost all of the game's most dramatic moments” (Bishop). Ar Tonelico II’s soundtrack is unbelievably the best I have ever heard because of its astounding use of songs to generate multiple amounts of feelings at the same time. I found myself in utter awe at how spiritual some tracks express their author’s feeling of love, sorrow, hope, and joy. A song that plays a very important role in the game’s plot is called "Metafalica." It is the song that gives birth to the world the characters of Metafalss desire to create. Singing the song requires the will of all the inhabitants of Metafalss to come together. However, due to disasters, the people have become divided and afraid, making things complicated. The song varies from spiritual to upbeat then ends with a feeling of being reborn. I love Ar Tonelico’s soundtracks because I am often left with a feeling of amazement because it is nothing compared to several RPGs’ soundtracks. Some of the game’s songs are so beautifully composed and I often find myself feeling like I am a part of the chorus and wanting to sing with them. Ar Tonelico II’s songs left me with a memorable lasting appeal and wanting the story to continue even with its satisfying ending.

Advanced technology has shown itself as the corruptor of our precious videogames and it is making them into ticking gas time bombs that will fill our world with boring and very clichéd storylines. Ar Tonelico II helps remind its gamers about the importance of creativity over enormous amounts of visual enticing effects but poor and dull characters and plot. The classics of our youth help bring back joyful memories of playing that one game that influenced our whole childhood. Advances in technology do not always improve life’s quality. Sometimes it can be the cause of our own videogame’s demise and the loss of our childhood memories.

About the Author: My name is Jimmy La and I was born in Los Angeles, California. I am currently a freshman at UC Davis majoring in Animal Science. My hobbies include playing videogames, playing the violin, and spending my time around animals.

Works Cited

Bishop, Sam. "Ar Tonelico II: Melody of Metafalica Review - PlayStation 2 Review at IGN." Sony PlayStation 2 - PS2 Games, Cheats, Walkthroughs, News, Reviews, Previews, Game Trailers & Videos at IGN. IGN, 20 Jan. 2009. Web. 14 Feb. 2011.

Critical Review: Lord of War

2011-03-29T07:34:00.000-07:00

The screen brightens, you see a factory with bustling workers in hard hats and messing on clip boards. But now, the camera pans down to give you an inside look of the machines. What is happening? A bunch of metal pieces being hammered and formed into shape. Before long, it is apparent that these metal forms are all bullets. The camera becomes the “eyes” of one bullet, and you follow it into its packaging, through its many owners and dealers until finally it is loaded into a third-world country militia member’s AK-47 and fired through a little boy’s head.

Intense? Yes, very. Emotional? You bet. Necessary? Debatable. But is it effective? This scene is a perfect precursor to the film Lord of War because in just a few minutes, it thrusts you into the real point of what the rest of the movie is intended for: a glimpse into the horror and reality of violence. Andrew Niccol, the director of the film, did not write this movie about a valorized brazen war hero, fighting for honor and glory, gaining the favor of the viewer—this movie shows real violence. It gives the audience a taste of what guns are really capable of, and how they are really used around the world today.
Niccol, is very adamant on staying away from “displaced violence.” He makes sure you, as the viewer, gets the full emotional impact of every death portrayed. You are not sitting back as some soldier fires a shot ending a random “extra’s” life. He does everything he can to stay away from the third-person perspective. In the intro, you are the bullet. You’ve been the bullet since it was created, you see what it sees. With it, you’ve been traded around many countries and dealers. You get loaded into a gun, and then you see the close up face of the little boy whose life you are about to end. You feel all the “ugly” of every situation, and without senseless gore, you are thrust into the plot line mentally. Niccol also uses another strategy to stray you away from being a non-emotionally attached third party. He’s is involving you in the plot line throughout the entire movie as the main character.

Yuri Orlov, played by Nicholas Cage, is the main character of this story. He is a Ukrainian immigrant dreaming of bigger things than his family restaurant. He cavaliers his younger brother, Vitaly, played by Jared Leto, into the dangerous, fast-paced, and monetarily rewarding lifestyle of a successful underground gunrunner. Niccol, yet again, intentionally involves the viewer personally throughout the entire movie. Yuri is narrating the plot, his thoughts, and his emotions eloquently and frequently. Niccol is making sure that you are not outside looking in, he thrusts the reader in the the psyche and subconscious of the main character as he deals with the repercussions of selling machines of death for a profit. You, as the viewer, have no choice but to feel the weight of the actions and occurrences in this story as Yuri’s tale unfolds.

From the ground up, Yuri starts on his entrepreneurial mission. Underneath it all, the beginning of the story is simply a man’s search for the American Dream. And the real tragedy is that if he had chosen a different profession, he would be your favorite capitalist. Yuri is not a bad guy. One wonders how he can even bring himself to be involved in such a profession. However, there are two basic ways that Niccol “humanizes” the character, Yuri, and therefore keeps him in the viewer’s favor. One very powerful strategy he utilizes is making him relatable to the viewer. Driven with the aspirations of a better life than his parents, and inspired by the dream of considering himself worthy of a beautiful girl he once knew, not unlike F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby, Yuri builds an empire. This aspect of the movie is very archetypal, a very tried and true story that the viewer easily sympathizes with. Everybody has that dream of rising to something better in order to prove their worth to someone from their past and making their parents proud. This familiar, likable aspect of the plot line reminds the viewer that Yuri is a human and not a soulless gun merchant.

While narrating the film, Yuri explains repeatedly how he distances himself from his “profession.” In one scene, when he is home, he gingerly takes a toy gun from his young son’s desk and throws it way with a disgusted look on his face. Guns are simply Yuri’s way of making money, it is not anything he wishes for his son to become familiar with. This portrays an internal conflict expressing his distaste for killing, and wishing a better life for his son. He prides himself on the fact that although he sells guns, he himself, has never actually used one and will not associate with them.

Not only does he refuse to associate with guns, he refrains from personally associating himself with their owners. He does not take sides in these wars he supplies. He would sell to anybody and everybody willing to buy. He would sell to one army one day, and to the men they are fighting the next. He even goes so far as to brag that “[He] sold to every army but the Salvation Army.” In some weird, twisted way, Yuri is defending himself by envisioning himself as an overseeing, omnipotent figure who never takes sides. He only looks out for his own interests and therefore is not responsible for the interests of others, particularly the men he sells arms to.

One such “customer” is Andre Baptiste. Niccol uses this character to show the horrible things that humans are capable of when they have the means to kill. The viewer is disgusted by him, and by Yuri for selling him weapons to further his efforts. Baptiste is the supposed democratically elected leader of Liberia. He is played with regal, dangerous elegance by Eamonn Walker, who no doubt took inspiration for the character from Charles Taylor of Liberia in the late '90s. His trigger happy ruling turns his presidency into a thinly disguised dictatorship. Baptiste is no stranger to murder and is not phased by delivering death. Niccol uses him as the main example in the portrayal of violence. Baptiste shoots his own guard for flirting with a woman while on clock. His men line innocent women and children against walls, then proceed to shoot them like livestock. This invokes a horrified, sympathetic feeling from the viewer.

Rafe Telsch of cinemablend.com states that, “While the bulk of the movie relies on Cage’s formidable abilities, writer/director Andrew Niccol deserves praise for the movie’s story, dialog, and visual style.” However, I personally believe that Niccol’s role had greater effect on the success of the movie. A substantial portion of the movie’s success is owed to Cage; that is undeniable.This is not the one-sided, monotone Cage we have seen recently, he perfectly delved into his character to make him the sympathy invoking charismatic monster of Yuri. This is an amazing feat of acting, he blazes through much of Niccol’s extremely deep, ironic and witty dialogue making it inspiring yet easy to follow. I however, place most of my faith in Niccol’s abilities. Niccol truly shows his mastery of the art of storytelling in this movie. You feel the grotesque nature and horrible sorrow of the murders, while most violence is actually kept off screen. Amazing cinematography, manipulating camera angles, and accurately portraying the bloodlust in some characters and the lament of death in others allows for legitimate responses in the viewers, and keeps the story extremely real without crossing the line from influential to completely disturbing. Niccol’s brilliance focuses on the emotional response from violence, not the teeth-gritting, fist-clenching disgust. In one scene, you see a small boy running in a concentration camp, and his mother screaming after him, militia proceed to massacre both of them off screen. This really effects Vitaly, Yuri’s brother, who then refuses to go through with an arms deal, ultimately resulting in his murder. Although you do not see the blood and wounds on the victims, you feel something horrifying and real, unlike so many movies today, you realize that lives are over. It takes an amazing storyteller to influence this in a viewer mentally, without use of visual gore.

But why does Niccol want to horrify you? He is not simply looking for a reaction from the viewer, he is making a point. Towards the end of the movie, Yuri drops Niccol’s bomb on the viewer. He says that “the reason [he’ll] be released [from prison] is the same reason you think [he’ll] be convicted.” He says that the biggest arms dealer in the world is our very own president. And while Yuri does indeed rub shoulders with some of the most cruel and monstrous people on the planet, some of these people are the enemies of his enemies. Sometimes the president is too embarrassed to have his own fingerprints on the merchandise, so he needs a criminal like Yuri to do the job for him. While we may consider him evil, in the eyes of the American government—Yuri is a necessary evil.

Yuri had kept his profession a secret from his family. Neither his parents, nor his wife had any idea of what he did. Nobody was aware of the source of their lavish, elegant lifestyle. They stayed blissfully ignorant of the corruption and destruction required to upkeep the life they’ve grown accustomed to. This is Niccol’s metaphor for America. As American citizens we are accustomed to our elevated lifestyle, but we are completely unaware of whats going on behind the scenes—that our own government is the real Yuri Orlov. The movie Lord of War is a masterful blend, of sarcastic dark comedy, ironic plot lines, and beautiful, well-crafted dialogue, effectively making an interesting, followable movie with a political agenda to express.

About the Author: Andrew Stump is a student at University of California, Davis.

Works Cited

“Lord of War.” cinemablend.com. 17 August 2005. 8 February 2011.
<http://www.cinemablend.com/reviews/Lord-of-War-1134.html>

Research and Analysis: Animal Testing

2011-03-23T17:38:00.000-07:00

Animal testing and research is a biomedical science that uses animals for drug therapy without knowing how safe the product is (Conn 15-16). For years, researchers have been testing on a variety of animals, anywhere from mice to dogs to chimpanzees, in hopes of finding cures to diseases or to learn how makeup affects human beings. A large portion of the medical research is actually inconclusive and researchers in fact do not learn from the tests that they had performed. Even though the majority of experiments have failed, researchers continue to perform them in hopes of succeeding. According to Mike Leavitt, the Health and Human Services Secretary, nine out of ten drug experiments fail because it is difficult to determine how it will affect humans because animals are used (Williams 175). It is ridiculous and unnecessary that animal testing is continuously used when ninety percent of trials are unsuccessful, resulting in the deaths of millions of mice, rats, rabbits, guinea pigs, primates, and other species every single year. In addition, a large number of these lab animals go through immense pain and suffering in order for humans to be able to learn more about science and medicine (Williams 176). Penicillin, an antibiotic, was originally made without the use of animals, which leads to many people questioning why animals are used in research when it is possible to make effective medicine without them (Conn 113). Alternatives to animal researching needs to be developed further because animal testing is an inhumane practice that is often inconclusive and ineffective.

More than a million protected animals are reported to the USDA every year, but that only accounts for about five to fifteen percent of the lab animals used (Williams 180). The other eighty-five to ninety-five are “unprotected” animals, such as mice, birds, amphibians, and reptiles (Williams 180). That equates to more twenty million creatures being murdered each year (Williams 180-181). These high numbers easily prove how needlessly excessive the research industry is. Not only is the number of animals killed alarmingly high, but way too many lives are taken for the sake of unsuccessful experiments. Because mice and rats are generally small, cheap, and easily replaced due to their high fertility rates, scientists feel that they are the perfect candidates for lab and product testing (Williams 181). Unfortunately, because these rodents can reproduce so quickly due to their short reproductive cycles, there are too many mice reproduced which leads to millions of mice being killed every single year because scientists have no use for them (Williams 181). Scientists have engineered a “knockout gene," a gene in a mouse that has been replaced by another, in order to study cancer and diseases, such as heart disease (Williams 181). But as previous research has stated, the success rate of animal experiments is one in ten, but because scientists have yet to find a cure to cancer and heart disease, so the success rate of these tests are zero. This validates that this kind of research on animals in useless and ineffective.

Rabbits are the most commonly used in laboratories because of they are fairly easy to handle, inexpensive, and have short reproductive cycles (William 181). They are mostly subjected to the Draize Test in which about 100 milligrams of a liquid substance are dropped in their eyes, which are clipped open, while their heads are restrained in stocks (PETA). Because they are being held in one place while this happens, the rabbits attempt to escape, but in turn, often break their necks. New Zealand rabbits have extremely sensitive eyes but do not have tears, which is an advantage to researchers because the tears will not wash out the substances they put in their eyes (William 181). They leave these liquids in the rabbit’s eyes for days, sometimes up to seven to eighteen days, to determine how they were affected and how much blood appeared (PETA). The most common effects that these rabbits are forced to endure are redness, inflammation of the eyelid, ulceration, swelling of the iris, bleeding, and even blindness (PETA). This is animal abuse because they are purposely causing these defenseless animals pain and suffering for days just to see how effective eye drops are. It is unreasonable and outrageous to put rabbits through so much pain for such an extended period of time to find temporary relief of eye irritation. One study actually concluded that the tests that were run on rabbits over predicted how they human eye would be effected by certain substances (PETA). Because many of the experiments have inconclusive and inaccurate results, effective alternatives to animal testing should be researched and looked into in order to avoid these results.

Rabbits have also been used to find vaccines and medication for rabies, eye infections, diabetes, and epilepsy in addition to being used for cancer research, another dead end journey (Williams 182). The test they use for cancer research is called “research bioassay” in which they are exposed to a variety of chemicals for their entire life just to see if they will develop cancer (PETA). One research bioassay costs about $3 million dollars, but the false positive rate of these experiments is around seventy percent, an alarmingly high number (PETA). Not only is it completely unnecessary to spend such a large amount of money that could easily be going into finding alternatives to animal testing, but with such a high false positive rate, it is absolutely pointless to continue with these tests. The Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetics Act does not require that products be tested on animals for safety reasons, it is only recommended (PETA). This means that alternatives to animal testing are recognized and accepted by this Act.

Many other kinds of animals are used in testing including guinea pigs, hamsters, farm animals, dogs, and primates. Guinea pigs are used for researching tuberculosis, antibiotics, blood transfusions, and valve replacements (Williams 182). Sheep and pigs are also used for valve replacements, which leads to the question of how essential it is to research the same topic on many different kinds of animals (Williams 182). It does not seem necessary to do this same experiment on a variety of animals. Dogs are used a lot for toxicity tests, surgical teaching programs, and dental and heart experiments (Williams 182). Dogs are one of the more controversial lab animals because they are such popular companion animals, which means that more people are against it as opposed to mice which are seen as disposable. Chimpanzees are also highly controversial lab animals because they are highly intelligent and social animals in addition to being an endangered species (Williams 185). Researchers claim that chimpanzees are useful in AIDS studies, but AIDS in chimps are asymptomatic, meaning that symptoms are not expressed (Williams 185). These tests are simply ridiculous because, even though their DNA is similar to humans, AIDS does not affect them in the same way, which leads to inconclusive tests.

Animals used for research are severely abused physically and psychologically. They are crammed in small, cold cages their whole life with little interaction with the outside world (Williams 191). They do not even have any comfort, such as a bed or toys, in their metal cages; just solitude and loneliness (Williams 192). Because of this, an array of abnormal behavior develops, including pacing, self mutilation, and staring (Williams 192). All these actions are a result of excessive stress caused not only by the procedures they undergo, but also by their environment. This just adds to the numerous reasons that prove animal testing is wrong and unnecessary, especially since such a large number of animals are hurt and killed because of it.

The animals used in medical experimentation are known by many to be used to research vaccines, asthma, AIDS, organ transplants, cancer, and antibiotics. But what most people do not know is that animals are also used for psychological testing (Williams 196). Using live animals, scientists study depression, anxiety, hallucinations, and bulimia among many other disorders to learn about these disorders in humans (Williams 196). How well studying animal disorders can help learn about human ailments can be a bit of a stretch, especially since most animals do not interact in the same way that humans do. Most of these experiments most likely end up being inconclusive and unsuccessful. Researchers even go to the extent of surgically altering part of a lab animal’s brain to see how differently they will act (Williams 196). This is pointless because it is not very often that a human being or animal has an accident that results in brain damage. Learning how individuals would act after accident does not always help learn how to help them go back to normal. Healing the brain is difficult and to put animals through such pain in hopes of being able to reverse that damage is doubtful.

Many people can easily agree that certain types of animal testing are necessary in order to discover cures to diseases and to make useful medications. Vaccines for rabies, malaria, Herpes Simplex, Polio, and many other life threatening diseases have been discovered with the aid of animal testing (Shandilya). It is arguable that these cures were uncovered with the aid of animal testing. There is an unfortunate belief among many that an animal’s life must be compromised in order for humans to lessen their own pain and suffering (Nair). Most people would choose saving their loved ones over sacrificing the lives on some or many lab animals, so they believe that sometimes, animal testing is acceptable. Experiments on animals have become beneficial to drug testing because it helps researchers learn how these medications affect human beings so that they can prevent any side effects that may be caused by the medicine (Nair). This is a valid argument for why animal testing is a beneficial practice; it helps prevent humans from getting injured or killed because of a medication that was meant to assist them. While this reason is a strong argument for why animal testing is useful, these animals are still put through intense pain and suffering. If the animals that were forced to go under experimentation were better cared for and lived in better conditions, it would be slightly more acceptable. They should have larger, warmer places to live, not small metal cages, and toys that stimulate their minds. They should also be handled and treated in a respectful, kind mannered way that will make their lives more bearable. But the chances of all these happening are slim, so alternatives of animal testing should be looked into and researched so that less animals go through the pain and stress that come along with laboratories.

There are many alternatives to animal research, including “computer simulations, in vitro tests, and epidemiological studies” (Williams 202). These substitutes are helpful for studying diseases, psychological disorders, medication effects, and so much more. It is more reasonable to use these options because all these animals would not have to be produced and killed. The John Hopkins Center for Alternatives to Animal Testing in working to discover other alternatives that the animal testing industry is willing to use that would also be accepted by animal welfare groups (Williams 202). The Institute for In Vitro Sciences is offers in vitro services to researchers to encourage substitute methods to testing on animals (Williams 202). Because of companies like these two and many others, hundreds of companies no longer test on animals (Williams 202). The Good Cell Culture Practice is also making in vitro options in order to Once more alternatives are discovered and more companies can offer their services, a much smaller number of animals will be used for medical research and the more fund they receive from the public, the quicker they will be able to find a change to biomedical testing on animals (Gruber). This is a major problem that many companies have to deal with because it is more costly to develop a computer or in vitro alternative. It is much easier for researchers to buy cheap animals to experiment on. While other alternatives are being formed, people can offer to take part in psychological studies to help researchers learn about the human mind and what effects certain things have on it (Williams 203).

About the Author: Arti Sharma is an animal science major from Northern California who would like to be a veterinarian or go abroad and study the behavior of wild cats.

Works Cited

Conn, P. Michael., and James V. Parker. The Animal Research War. New York: Palgrave
Macmillan, 2008. Print.

Gruber, FP. "Alternatives to Animal Experimentation in Basic Research." PubMed. 2004. Web.
03 Mar. 2011. <http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15586255>.

Nair, Tulika. "Animal Experimentation." Buzzle Web Portal: Intelligent Life on the Web. Web.
11 Mar. 2011. <http://www.buzzle.com/articles/animal-experimentation.html>.

PETA. "Product Testing: Toxic & Tragic | PETA.org." People for the Ethical Treatment of
Animals (PETA): The Animal Rights Organization | PETA.org. Web. 08 Mar. 2011. <http://www.peta.org/issues/Animals-Used-for-Experimentation/product-testing-toxic-tragic.aspx>.

Shandilya, Ranjan. "Animal Testing Pros." Buzzle Web Portal: Intelligent Life on the Web.
Web. 11 Mar. 2011. <http://www.buzzle.com/articles/animal-testing-pros.html>.

Williams, Erin E., and Margo DeMello. Why Animals Matter: the Case for Animal Protection.
Amherst, NY: Prometheus, 2007. Print.

Critical Review: The Cries to Humanity in Princess Mononoke

2011-03-14T11:33:00.000-07:00

Environmental issues have always been a debated topic in the world, but even with many people being aware of the problem, many people do nothing. However, Hayao Miyazaki is not one of those people. In his film Princess Mononoke (1997), Miyazaki cries out to the public regarding environmental issues – social criticism. He does so by using contrasting music and colors, and juxtaposing scenes during the movie to convey messages to the reader. For instance, Miyazaki contrasts peace scenes and war scenes to convey how war devastates the environment, and he also depicts how humans are at fault for destroying the wildlife by contrasting lively nature scenes and life-devoid scenes together. In short, Miyzaki is very effective in sending his post-humanistic messages to his viewers by using juxtaposition, colors, and music to invoke possible emotions – sadness, admiration, awe-struck, hatred, etc. – in the viewers.

To begin, Miyazaki uses music to relay how war devastates nature. In one particular scene, the mood and the music of the scene are very peaceful and serene. By having an orchestra with brass instruments, Miyzaki’s music invokes in the viewer feelings that causes them to realize the message in the movie. For instance, in the peace scene, the violins start off smooth and light, which to me, sounds like bliss. Then with the addition of the flutes, I feel like I can just fall asleep to the lullaby-like music. Plus, the music gives (to me) a sense of tranquility and it actually makes me want to be at the peaceful forest at that moment. In fact, the soothing music helps me relax from a long day of work. However, my feelings soon change when the music shifts to war music. The thundering bass drum, crashing cymbals, and the deep brass instruments contribute towards making me feel ‘antsy’. In contrast with the peace music, the war music makes me feel the opposite of what the peace music makes me feel. The music makes me cringe, makes my heart race, and makes me feel like I’m riding the roller coaster of death. Through this change in music, it makes me see the movie scenes more critically, because my emotions are integrated in with my views. Instead of just seeing the scenes as two factors fighting each other, I also see how war devastates nature – the message Miyazaki wish to convey to his viewers.

Along with music, Miyazaki uses colors to portray how humans are at fault for destroying nature. In peace scenes, Miyazaki uses vibrant colors to depict the forest in peace. Instead of a dank-looking green, he uses a very bright and luscious green to show the forest’s liveliness. From viewing those colorful images, I am immediately enamored by the illustrations and feel at peace. I cannot believe how simple strokes of colors can depict such tranquility to the viewer. In fact, the colors make me want to pause the movie, and just stare at the image and be at peace. Similarly, Miyazaki also uses vibrant colors to depict the forest in war. However, instead of a luscious green, Miyazaki uses different shade of black along with a dull red. The images of black and red invoke in me images and feelings of pain and suffering, because I always connect black with evil and red with blood. As a result, Miyazaki’s war scenes make me feel ill and sad, due to the colors invoking my emotions – which led me to think how diabolic humans are when they devastate the wildlife.

In addition to using colors and music, Miyazaki uses juxtaposition between scenes to convey how humans are at fault for destroying the nature. In the movie’s prelude, humans and animal Gods are seen living in peace with one another. In fact, Miyazaki uses peaceful music and colors to support this illustration: the birds singing joyously in the green forest, the animal God Nago sleeping peacefully in the forest, and the soothing scenes of swaying green grass. Continuing the prelude, Miyazaki immediately illustrates humans invading the animals’ territory – illustrated with various shades of black and red – and accompanied with war music. In fact, the Boar God Nago is seen running with squeals, and with blood seeping from multiple gashes and holes in his sides. As I watch both scenes, I admire the beauty of the peace between the animals and the humans, but I dislike the humans’ conquest in dominating the animals’ territory. Through these scenes, I see how humans are the leading cause in destroying the wildlife in the past and the present. As human reproduction rate increase and human machinery continue to advance, humans destroy the wildlife in order to expand their village and town. Through this realization, I integrated this with the movie and ‘enjoyed’ another epiphany over how Miyazaki uses juxtaposition to convey how humans are at fault for destroying nature.

Furthermore, Miyazaki exemplifies his previous message by juxtaposing more scenes in his movie. A single kodama represents life and the forests’ health, and with an abundance of them in the forest, they represent how the forest is very lively and thriving. Along with the Shishigami – the god of Death and Life, and master of the forest – the kodamas thrives, because in peace, they can easily grow and prosper. From viewing this scene, I admire the beauty of it all, because it, again, brings me to peace. However, Miyazaki juxtaposes this scene with a scene later in the movie that disturbs me emotionally. This is when Miyazaki depicts the beheaded Shishigami – humans trying to kill the forest spirit – as the god of Death. When I view the scene, I immediately felt a tingle down my spine, because the Shishigami does not have a distinctive shape, but a large mass of black goo – that will kill anything it touches. However, it is only when Miyazaki makes the goo touch the kodamas do I feel really sad. Connecting my previous image of the lively kodamas and then seeing them dying right before my eyes, I feel sadden and hate the humans in the movie that cause their death – similar to the feeling of watching abandon animals die on the street, and you have no way of helping them. Through my emotions, I realize Miyazaki’s cry to the public – how humans are at fault for destroying nature. If the humans never interfere with the forest, the kodamas will still continue to thrive and prosper. However, the humans decide to invade, which cause the forest’s impeding death.

Finally, Miyzaki also conveys how war devastates nature by juxtaposing other scenes in the movie. The first scene is when he portrays the forest spirits’ abode as a magnificent tree. With his masterful artwork and the wondrous background music, various phrases pop-up in my mind: venerable, brimming with life, and amazing. As I think of words to describe the tree, I find myself awe-struck with the tree. Also, for some odd reason, I feel tiny and puny, which makes me respect the tree, even though it is just an animated image. Furthermore, the shiny and clear blue lake next to the tree gives of a radiance of peace and serenity. Once I finish absorbing the whole image Miyazaki draws, the movie then pans out to the war breaking out. After a few scenes of war, I immediately then see the tree again, but redrawn, because of the war. Previously, the tree looks venerable; now, it looks battered and about to die. The tree is impaled with stray arrows, tree bark is peeling in various places, and all the green leaves that made me awe-struck are all gone, and streaked with blood on the floor. Plus, the once clear lake is now littered with dead bodies, and some unidentifiable black objects. Seeing the tree in a devastated state, I sense a glow of death and feel a tinge of sadness. As I continue the movie, I see more humans slaughtering animals and I feel sick in my stomach – as if someone punched the cutest baby seal in the world in front of me. From watching these scenes and reflecting upon my emotions, I understand Miyazaki’s reason for juxtaposing them – war’s detrimental effects on nature. Before the war, the forest thrives and the game is plenty, but it becomes the opposite when war breaks out. Thus, Miyazaki’s provocative images serve to illustrate how devastating war is on nature.

Similarly, Roger Ebert – an acclaimed movie reviewer in the U.S. – gives four out of five stars for Princess Mononoke and agrees with me on how well Miyazaki’s movie is in crying out to the public (Ebert). Ebert says that the artwork is not simple, but has a clear line complexity that reveals humanistic messages (Ebert). While the messages are not complaints to the public for ruining nature, they are to educate people for a better future. In fact, I (and Ebert hopefully) believe that Miyazaki is very post-humanistic, in that he wishes for the well being of all life, and not the opposite. This is because Ebert believes Miyzaki’s intended audience is not just Japanese people, but the whole world. Humanistic people focuses on just one group of people, but Miyazaki, the post-humanist, focuses on the entire world.

On a broad last note, I believe many people will like this film, because of the morals it teaches. Given how we pollute the earth almost non-stop, the lessons Miyazaki conveys will be beneficial for everybody in the world as we need to pollute less, and take care of this planet better than we have before/are doing now.

In all, Miyazaki’s Princess Mononoke is a great success when it comes to revealing issues revolving around environmental issues. Through the use of juxtaposition, music, and colors, and the emotions they can possible invoke, Miyazaki easily conveys how humans are at fault for destroying nature and how war devastates nature to the viewer. For instance, Miyazaki’s rhetoric strategies invoke in me emotions that make me realize his humanistic messages. Thus, I conclude that Princess Mononoke is a great film and teaches morals that benefit the world.

About the Author: Alex Wai is currently a Freshman at UC Davis. He is studying Biotechnology, but has not decided on am emphasis yet. He enjoys watching Miyazaki films and shooting his roommate with his nerf gun.

Works Cited

Ebert, Roger. "Princess Mononoke - by Roger Ebert." Roger Ebert - Movie Reviews. 29 Oct. 1999. Web. 08 Feb. 2011. <http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/19991029/REVIEWS/910290303/1023>.

I Am Not a Farang: A Culture Narrative

2011-03-05T13:02:00.000-08:00

To be regarded as a “foreigner,” or what is locally known among the Thai people as a “farang,” is not something anyone is comfortable with. You’re viewed as an outsider, like you don’t belong there. I know I don’t look fully Thai because I’m half Thai (from my mom) and half Caucasian (from my dad). I have freckles, I’m not tan and I certainly don’t have black hair. Now, if you have any knowledge at all of southern Thais, they typically have silky black hair and relatively dark skin. Before I go any further, you should know that I grew up on a backpacker’s island in the Gulf of Thailand where most foreigners were tourists on a budget. All of them had somehow mastered the art of haggling before their visit to our island, and the local residents referred to all of them as “farang.” So, for me to be called a “farang,” even though I was born and raised there, was absurd to me. Just because I didn’t look like the typical Thai person and because I spoke two languages rather than one, does not mean I didn’t belong. In fact, it pushed me to try to be as Thai as possible to prove both to myself and other locals that I belonged.

I remember one bright afternoon I was playing with my friends down the street from my house. It was getting late enough that I had to be home for dinner. My father, with his long, muscular Caucasian legs strode down the street to summon me and tell me off for staying out later than I promised. “Miriam, its time to come home and eat your dinner, I made you a peanut butter sandwich,” said Dad. I felt so ashamed that he was speaking to me in English, I just wanted to him to shut up even though he barely said anything. How could I have been so rude, to secretly want him to be quiet when he even made me my favorite sandwich for dinner? It was like my brain was going to burst into flames of anger. Here was my Dad, speaking to me in front of all my friends in a foreign language, while I wanted to be more Thai so people would stop calling me the “farang” kid. How humiliating! So I did what I usually did back then, I responded in the Thai-est accent possible, even though I’d never had a Thai accent when I spoke English. “Okay Pa, I come in a few minute, I play furd okay?” What I was trying to say was that I’d come home in a few minutes, but I wanted to play first, and was that okay? Now, let me say that when you know a language so fluently, it’s difficult to break it up so that you sound less adept.

To make matters worse, every afternoon, after I finished Thai school, my Dad would sit me down and force me to learn English. I suppose he knew it would be useful for me to know a universal language, and had secretly planned to send me off to a British boarding school. As far as I knew, he never wanted to move our family to back to the States. I thought my father was just being selfish; teaching English just because he was from America. I just thought the whole thing was an absolute waste of my time. Anyhow, there would be these textbooks shipped all the way from America, and I’d have to do comprehension exercises. I despised it. I’d cry and try to find the lamest excuses why I shouldn’t have class each day, “I worked so hard in school today, I’m really tired, Pa,” or “Please can I just have one day off?” Except, I would say that almost everyday. I mean, how cruel can you be to make your child go to school, after normal school, while her friends are out playing and having fun? How cruel can you be, to try to teach your child a language that would make her feel like an outcast? As a child, these were my thoughts on the English language, shameful feelings, I know. But my father was so patient; I guess he knew that what he was doing was noble, teaching me something so valuable, so useful that I could use it anyplace I went. How could I have felt such strong distaste and strong dislike of my father, when all he was doing was giving me knowledge? How could I have been such a spoiled little brat, when all he was doing was opening endless windows of opportunity for me?

It was only my father’s teachings that got me into my private school where everything was taught in English, where I learned wonderful things like science, history and geography. The English language has exposed me to many new cultures, especially in my boarding school where everyone was from everywhere. It allowed me to read Shakespeare’s plays and John Keats’ poems. If it weren’t for my father, my opportunities would be significantly limited; I’d only speak one language, one that you can only use in one country. Looking back, I feel awful for being ashamed of the other half of myself.

Speaking English and attending boarding school, where everything was taught in English definitely pulled me away from being Thai. As time went on, I realized that there were many people who were also bilingual, and they weren’t ashamed of their partially Western looks and their ability to speak English. In fact, they were proud to be bilingual. I understand that I don’t look like the typical Thai person, but I knew I was Thai; I was born and raised there! I spoke the language! I wouldn’t dare step on money, because I know it is insulting and disrespectful, I always put my head down when I walk in front of elders, I know that stepping on books and pillows is a sin, and never in my life have I ever, nor will you ever hear me utter a single disparaging comment about the King, for he is the father of my country. I shared these Thai values with every other Thai person. The fact that I could speak English and Thai, made me confused about my identity as a child, but as I grew up I realized that it was okay not to have one sole language identity. So what if I’m called a “farang?” I knew I belonged.

Never again will I be ashamed of my identity. When I overcame the confusion and shame of being bilingual, I felt liberated to speak proper English to my dad, even in front of my Thai friends. Just because I was bilingual does not mean I’m an outsider. My childhood struggles of speaking multiple languages have opened my eyes about how much of an asset bilingualism really is. I am proud that I speak English, and I am proud that I speak Thai. Speaking English has given me the opportunity to attend any university in the world, rather than just in Thailand. It is the reason I am able to attend UC Davis today. It has allowed me to communicate with a wider circle of people, from many different countries and thus I am able to obtain worldly knowledge. Now that I realize that being bilingual is a benefit, when I meet people who are mixed race, I expect them to speak two languages, and I am appalled when they don’t. If your mother speaks a different language to your father, you should know both languages fluently. It is an advantage. It is an opportunity. It opens doors. You may face the challenge of having no exclusive identity at first, but you will mature to realize that you have a skill many businesses desire, and an ability many people wished they had.

About the Author: Miriam Hershman, was born in Thailand and is now a Nutrition Science major and someday would like to travel to Africa and make a difference.

College: A Step-by-Step Guide

2011-02-28T09:30:00.000-08:00

So this is it. You’re fresh out of high school and are making it into college. Yes, that means you can finally use college-ruled paper without feeling like a liar. You’ll see that college and high school differ in so many ways; one being that you never really go home. Oh, and the food’s terrible. No wait, that’s one of the similarities. Anyway, one of the main differences between college and high school is that it’s not about academics at all. Think of it this way: you spent all your life working hard to be here so, now that you’re here, what’s there left to do? Exactly, “drinking till you puke” is a good answer. I also would have accepted “Boxing Day.”

ORIENTATION

Orientation can be one of the most stressful days of your college experience. This is your chance to really meet some people. They say appearance matters the most, so try to dress casual for the day. Nothing says friendly like pajama bottoms and a college sweatshirt! Now that you’re comfy and approachable, try making small talk with potential friends. Sure, starting a conversation with a complete stranger is nerve racking in a way, but most people find talking about simple things such as class, the weather, or other people easier. I recommend blending all three of these for the best result. Your typical conversation should start out something like, “Yeah, that guy looks as cool as Math 17A with a slight chance of rain." Can’t find a potential friend anywhere in the crowd? Are all the people there talking about things you have absolutely no interest in? Well, remember that you have to live with these animals; “If you can’t beat ’em, join ’em." I see it more like “If you can’t beat ’em, trick ’em.” They’ll be expecting you to join them so you’ll have the element of surprise.

MOVE IN DAY

Move-in day can be one of the most chaotic days of college. Your second college experience will involve moving all of your stuff from the car into your room. Not to mention the thousands of other freshman trying to do the same thing. The stairs will be clogged with people taking things up, the streets will be jammed with cars, and parents will be wandering everywhere. However, this is a good time to get to know people. No, not by talking to them. That’s a silly response and you obviously have much to learn. What better way to get to know a person than by the stuff he or she brings into her dorm room? Sit back and examine the people, but most importantly, examine their stuff. You’ll be thinking things along the lines of: “That dude has a lava lamp. He probably smokes weed,” “That guy brought a stuffed animal with him. He most likely wets the bed,” or “That guy brought a hockey mask and a chainsaw. I’m staying away from him.”

It’s normal to think you have the most embarrassing parents in the world on move-in day. Everyone is most likely thinking the same thing. However, rest assured that it’s not true. In fact, I’ve done the research. Statistically, the most embarrassing parent in the world is a dad who wears a baseball cap with “I ♥ Beer” on it and a “No Fat Chicks” tank top that barely covers his beer belly. So unless your name is Emily Hunt, then you’re fine. You’ve also probably heard tons of residence hall rumors. One of the more popular rumors is about “Getting that RA who really doesn’t care.” However, unlike most rumors, this one’s actually true. His name is Mike.

ROOMMATES

You’ve probably talked to them a bit online before moving in or perhaps even texted them a bit, but now you’re meeting face to face. People are usually very different from what they appear to be like online. It’s when you start living with a person is actually when you learn the most about them. Roommates range from the chronic masturbator to the manic depressive. However, it’s a safe bet that no matter what type of roommate you get, you’ll most likely end up hating them. It’s important to know that it’s not your fault. You didn’t pick your roommates, the college did. You should blame them. The best you can do now is try to make your roommates feel uncomfortable and unwanted. Hopefully, they’ll file for a room transfer next quarter. On the bright side, college roommates make for some of the best stories imaginable. It’s always possible to make fun of your roommates behind their backs in your circle of friends. Remember the chronic masturbator and the manic depressive? Imagine the laughs you and your friends will have when you begin your stories with, “You’ll never guess where my roommate was masturbating today!” or “You’ll never guess how my roommate tried to kill himself today!”

ACADEMICS

You knew it was coming. Although it’s one of the least important things of college life, it’s still worth noting. Registering for classes is one of the most important parts of the class. I’d say it’s even more important than the final. Though finals make up your grade, registration day decides how much free time you’re going to have if you pick the right classes. Try picking out fun classes that have absolutely nothing to do with your major. A word to the wise if you’re a guy: Do not register for Women’s Studies hoping to meet girls. You’ll end up in a class of 100 with 80 guys who tried to do the same thing. The few girls that are in the class will also know the exact reason you’re there and will figure out how shallow you are. Trust me, it’s not a good thing. After registration comes another college milestone: the first day. One of the main things about the first day is dressing appropriately. The first day of class is when professors usually try and scope out the slackers. It’s advised that you do not wear pajama pants this day unless you want your teacher to hate you for the rest of the year. There’s a time and place for pajama pants, like the second through last day of class.

Classes often sneak up on you during the day. It seems as though classes are scheduled to start at the most exciting parts of the day. It’s Wednesday afternoon and you’re busy sleeping off a hangover from that wicked party last night? Boom! It’s time for Sociology. Have you been watching some horrible foreign film waiting for the scene where the hot actress takes her top off? You’re only two minutes away from the scene? Too bad, it’s time for Physics. Due to many reasons, you’re likely to be late for a couple of your classes. It’s always awkward to step foot inside a room where the professor is already teaching. If you’re really unlucky, the professor may even take note of this and grade you harder. One foolproof method to excuse yourself is to tell the professor that you got lost trying to find the classroom. The professor will pity you and go on teaching as normal. This works all the time—even on the day of the final.

So there you have it. That’s college in a nutshell. There’s more to college you say? Well, if it was important, then I would have mentioned it. Good luck it college, kid. It really is the best four years of your life. It could also be the most painful six years of your life that you’ll eventually finish if your rock star career doesn’t take off. Speaking of that, why not become a rock star? Ignore the above, drop out of college, and get yourself a guitar.

About the Author: Luis Perez was born in Los Angeles, California, and is currently a Microbiology major. He’s a pretty cool guy who plays guitar and isn't afraid of anything.

UC Davis: The Real News New Issue Now Available

2011-02-23T18:13:00.000-08:00

The latest issue of UC Davis: The Real News is now available! View the newsletter here.

About the Author: Ivan Shevchyk is a first year Biological Sciences major as well as a brother at Sigma Mu Delta. He is planning on minoring in management and pursuing a career in medicine.

From the Wires: The Unknown Truth—A Virtual Reality

2011-02-20T11:42:00.000-08:00

By ISABELLE FLOYD AP Technology Writer

Shocking new reports reveal that a growing number of parents around the world discourage their teenagers from using household computers to virtually interact with their peers. As the age of the Internet progresses, the phenomenon known as the “alternate” or “virtual” reality of computers continues to seize many young adults. However, older generations do not fully understand the benefits and values that can be obtained through excessive Internet use and are claiming today’s teens are becoming lazy and antisocial. In fact, time spent on computers actually helps all teen users lead more productive lives that ultimately make for a more successful adulthood. While keeping children safe in the privacy of their homes, the computer acts as a shield from the violence and sickness of the outside world. With the progress of the computer-age, soon all actual communication will be replaced by virtual communication, which will not only allow children to socialize more frequently, but also keep them protected.

Many of today’s excessive-Internet-usage protesters argue that computers are “cutting teens off from the real world” and “causing them to lose social skills they once had.” However, studies from the Stanford Research Institute show that shelter from the outside world may actually be for the best. Tests have shown that with increasing Internet use comes a drop in the number of rapes and other crimes. Many parents are coming to realize public dangers and are beginning to encourage the use of the Internet and online games so to keep their children safe. Mother Ellen Wilson, 42, of Woodacre, California states, “If the Internet can keep my son home for extended periods of time, I will always know that he is out of harm’s way.” In short: teens cannot possibly be influenced by the astronomically large number of drug dealers and rapists that are on the streets today if they are at home on their computers.

It has also come to the attention of most parents that computer use may lower the risk of health problems in today’s children. Doctor Emily Slotter of Danville, Indiana claims, “Children who do not leave their bedrooms are actually at a lower risk for developing skin cancer and other diseases caused by sun exposure.” The national child death rate due to ailments caused by exposure to large crowds of people has also decreased remarkably in recent years due to the tremendous amount of time they spend on their computers. As Doctor Slotter exclaims, “Children who are not exposed to such diseases as chickenpox or whooping cough cannot possibly develop them.” Some schools have gone so far as to propose computerized learning centers that combine the idea of everyday computer usage with schooling. This way, students would not have to so much as leave their bedrooms in order to attend school each day. Without daily exposure between children, epidemics would no longer be an international risk.

Critics of excessive Internet use are also using the increasing obesity rate in the United States as a reason to condemn the Internet and computer usage as a whole. However, doctors have found absolutely no correlation between the obesity rate and computer usage. Doctor Patrick Lovett of Murray, Utah explains that the “Incredible amount of exercise gained from typing and mouse-clicking adds up to the daily physical activity recommended by all doctors.” Many Internet addicts argue that leaving their houses to do things that could have much more easily been done online can cause frustration and take valuable “Facebook time” out of their day. Recent advances in technology also have made simple daily errands such as going to banks, post offices, and grocery stores easier. This development has helped to alleviate traffic problems, which has led to a direct reduction in air pollution, and a great improvement on the global climate-change issue. With improvements like this, it is only a matter of time before the overuse of computers helps solve all global issues including the violence and drug usage that corrupts our children.

Excessive computer usage has also proven itself to be an effective tool in building strong relationships between people all over the world. Studies from the Pew Research Center in Washington DC show that Internet dating and friendship-building services bring about millions of close friendships and intimate relationships everyday. Without these interactive online devices, there would undoubtedly be less social interaction between the younger generations. Zachary Buck 15, of Santa Cruz, California and user of the popular site eHarmony.com®, exclaims, “When you meet the love of your life over the computer, it can be one of the most magical experiences. The tone of their voice is conveyed so well over text.” Another user, Camille Brown, 63, of Mayville, North Dakota agrees: “You know you have a keeper if your man or woman uses the same abbreviations and acronyms as you use in their text. There is no real way to judge this important aspect of a person’s personality when meeting them face-to-face.” Recent data collected by the U.S. Bureau of the Census shows the surprisingly high percentage of successful online marriages in the United States. Spouses, many of whom have never met in person, claim they like the physical distance they have from their significant others. Online wedding ceremonies have proven to be far less expensive and easier for friends and family to “tune-in” to as they please. Other studies show a drop in STDs and unwanted pregnancies due to online dating.

Parents today voice their concerns with what they consider to be “online video game addiction.” However, many of these misinformed mothers and fathers do not know the benefits online gaming provides to teens. The Nintendo™ Research and Development Team reports that computer games such as World of Warcraft™ and The Sims™ provide grounds for millions of friendships to grow everyday. Users claim that these games “connect teens with popular interests.” When children find it hard to make friends in their schools, online games provide a stress-free way to make friends without having to struggle with the horrors of physical interaction. As Jacob Smith, 57, of Huntington, West Virginia explains, “The most healthy friendships are built over the Internet. You are forced to judge your friends for their virtual essence rather than for their physical appearance.” When all of a child’s socializing is done through a computer, they are not tempted to spend time outdoors, making irresponsible choices and exposing themselves to illnesses that can mentally and physically harm them for the rest of their lives.

Over the years, teenagers have slowly become dependent on “virtual reality”, and their parents have been led to believe common misconceptions that slander it. The Internet opens our crime-infested world to the possibilities of becoming a greater human through the process of building one’s computerized identity. Many suicidal teens, unhappy with their lives, have turned to Internet games to provide them with a life they can actually enjoy. Psychologist Paula Levenson of Bridgeport, Nebraska argues, “Why should a teen waste his or her time trying to improve a hopeless life in the real world when they can create the life they’ve always wished for on the computer?” People unwilling to conform to the Internet lifestyle come up with no valid arguments to counteract this claim. With all the recent links computers have with solutions to global issues, there is no reason not to let our children spend hours – days even– discovering themselves over the Internet.

About the Author: Isabelle Floyd was born in Santa Rosa, California, in the midst of the 1990s. She grew up alongside the Pacific coast in beautiful Marin County with her sister Abigail, mother Ellen, and father Harlan. Her elementary school years were filled with joy and laughter. She spent much of her time vacationing and celebrating various events with her extended family. With her high school years, she developed an interest in piano and science. Growing up in a very musical family, Isabelle had a keen interest in music through her entire life. It wasn’t, however, until high school that she discovered her love for the piano. She also grew a strong passion for the fields of science and medicine. Now at UC Davis, Isabelle is studying neurobiology, physiology, and behavior, and plans to attend medical school some time after her undergraduate years.