the
Q&A
April 7, 2011 | Issue #236
y o u r. i n d y @ g m a i l . c o m
LETTER FROM THE EDITOR
editor-in-chief: Ri l ey Ken ny s mith
Last month there was an article in the New York Times by Pamela Paul called “Don’t Call Me, I Won’t Call You” discussing the decline and death of phone habits in our culture. To Purchase students, the changes described in the article shouldn’t be that surprising—the adorable old campus line phones in the dorms and apartments disappeared over the summer, and it’s astonishing that they lasted as long as they did. The only calls I ever got on my dorm phones were wrong numbers looking for insurance agencies or assisted living homes, and I unplugged that sucker from the wall with little hesitation. I can’t imagine myself ever having a “home phone” and my mobile is pretty much a glorified email service. I am a notoriously awkward phone conversationalist prone to long silences, so I send thousands of texts each month but use less than an hour of my “anytime” minutes. And I know I’m not alone. When was the last time you heard someone say they had to change their plan because they went over their minutes? Now, think back, when was the last time you had a phone conversation with someone other than family or a close friend? When you see the little cassette reel icon on your phone, do you actually listen to your voicemail, or just check your missed calls? Pamela Paul’s article focuses mostly on the effect of the death of phones on etiquette and business calls, but I’m more interested in how it changes our daily lives and interactions with friends. We expect people to respond to our texts within a few hours, because everyone checks their phones at least that frequently, and a 100-character response really doesn’t take that long to type out. We keep mental dictionaries of common autocorrecting mistakes and don’t judge others when we have to decipher the difference between T9’s “he” or “if,” or a Droid’s “fine” or “done.” And despite all of our generation’s savvy, we still have to teach our parents how to type. My mom likes to sign her texts “xoxo Mom” when she has the space, which makes them endearingly reminiscent of postcards. And hey, whatever happened to postcards, anyway?
layout editor: Ta r a C on n elly copy editors: Reb ecca K ap lan writers: D ev i n Doy le H ei d i Du f f y Cl éa G ran d its Ri l ey Ken ny s mith M a da me Q u er y print managers: Ro byn Wilk in s To ny Pon tiu s cover photo by: K a ro l Wer n ek artwork by: Su za n n e Bon an n o web design by: D a n i elle Lemp p
The Purchase Independent is a non-profit news magazine, paid for by the Mandatory Student Activity fee. We welcome and encourage submissions from readers. The Indy is a forum for campus issues and events, to give students the voice they deserve. Letters, articles, comics, ads, event photography and event listings are welcomed. The deadline for submissions is every Friday before midnight, and accepted pieces will be published the following Thursday. Publication of submissions is not guaranteed, but subject to the discretion of the editors. No anonymous submissions will be considered, but we will accept use of pseudonyms on a case-by-case basis. Send all submissions and inquiries to your. indy@gmail.com. Send questions to Madame Query at formspring.me/madamequery. Back page quotes can be submitted to formspring. me/indybackpage or put in the Back Page Box that hangs on the office door. Our office is located on the first floor of Campus Center North, room 1011. Staff meetings are held in the office every Monday night at 9:30; anyone is welcome to join.
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your.indy@gm ai l.com
TO BE OR NOTBY DEVIN TODOYLEBE Last summer, I had the very unique honor of interning with a play set to be performed at the Classic Stage Company located in the East Village. The play is called Unnatural Acts: Harvard’s Secret Court of 1920, and is being produced by a group of young, intelligent actors and writers from Columbia, Harvard and other colleges and backgrounds. The play is based on a true story, yes, but more importantly: it’s based on a story that went unreported until 2002, more than 80 years after it occurred. What is the story? Picture this: Imagine the school administrators here at Purchase formed a formal investigative committee zealously— obsessively—set on weeding out any homosexual activity on campus. Imagine they called in you and several of your friends, regardless of your orientations, and asked Guantanamolike questions about your personal and sexual relationships, your inside jokes with your friends, and your masturbation activity. Imagine they suspended you from college for sexual activity they suspected you of partaking in. Imagine a friend of yours committing suicide because of this. 19 years old, a talented and intelligent young man receiving an education, now dead. This is what happened to Cyril Wilcox. This is what happened at Harvard University in 1920. Cyril’s suicide, most likely brought upon by his exposed homosexual relationship with a man in Boston, galvanized his brother into seeking vengeance by encouraging the Harvard school board to form a secret court and interrogate dozens of students
suspected of homosexual activity. After fearful inquisitions, 14 young men were convicted of “homosexualism” and sentenced to academic suspension. After these sentences, the lives of the accused were tarnished irrevocably, and one of the accused even committed suicide. Let’s fastforward to 2010, a “New Age of post-Civil Rights and Post-Modern Enlightenment,” and witness the tragic suicide of Tyler Clementi, using the George Washington Bridge as a springboard for his plummet to death. (“Happiness and moral duty are inseparably connected.” – George Washington. A cruel irony.) In his first few weeks as a Rutgers University student, Clementi’s private sexual life was secretly videotaped by his roommates and posted on the internet. This isn’t an isolated incident; several LGBT youth have recently committed suicide because of bullying and societal calls for repression. Many calls to action followed, and President Obama even added a video to Dan Savage’s “It Gets Better” project, aimed at communicating the message of perseverance and optimism to gay youth. C.S.C.’s production is pertinent to today on many levels. First and foremost, the characterassault of gay youth, and the ensuing helplessness, is a real problem all over the world. I believe both social tolerance and self-tolerance are virtues that must be learned and practiced, but, god dammit, we have to start learning and practicing quickly because people are dying. On another level, though, this play questions the responsibility of universities. As much as college students like to (continued on page 11)
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IT’S CULTURE BYSHOCK 2011! CLÉA GRANDITS
R. Stevie Moore, a fifty-nine year old lo‑fi recording legend, will host this year’s Culture Shock. Purchase’s famous festival takes place on Friday April 15th and Saturday April 16th. Nick Noto, a senior studio production major, produced the event.
FRIDAY 1pm: U L T R A B U N N Y
Ultrabunny had its genesis at Purchase in 1988 and plays all improvised rock and roll. The rhythm section lays down a twenty- ton foundation and sheets and layers of noise and raw sound grow from it. Members include Bobby Bunny, a Purchase alumnus, and Malcolm Tent, also known as the most amazing vinyl vendor to ever appear on the Purchase College campus.
can’t make it: Craft Spells, an electronic, indie pop band from Seattle that is touring with “Beach Fossils” will take the 4pm spot.) 5pm: S C R E A M I N G F E M A L E S
An independent punk rock band from New Brunswick, New Jersey, known for their DIY style. 6pm: B E A C H F O S S I L S
An indie band from Brooklyn that plays chilledout lo-fi music with simple beats and dreamy, faded vocals. 7pm: T W I N S I S T E R
An experimental, indie pop group well-known to Purchase. Their romantic/disco style has recently gained them notoriety. 8pm: B O M B T H E M U S I C I N D U S T R Y
An indie rock band that was formed in the summer of 2010. Members playing during Culture Shock include Purchase students.
(performing Weezer’s blue album): A musical collective from Nassau County, New York. They have an assortment of different musical styles, mostly centered around ska and hardcore punk.
3pm: D A T A D O G
9pm: A P L A C E T O B U R Y S T R A N G E R S
An electronic, experimental pop group composed of Purchase students. According to the band, their second record is a “further exploration of electro-acoustic sounds.”
An experimental, psychedelic rock band from Brooklyn whose loud and heavy music is wall of sound-influenced (meaning dense, layered and reverberant).
4pm: J A M E S F E R R A R O
10pm: C A M ’ R O N
An underground musician known for ambient/ psychedelic experimental music. (If James Ferarro
Grammy nominated rapper and the founder of the hip-hop group The Diplomats. He is especially
2pm: S P O O K H O U S E S
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C U LT U R E S H O C K famous for his song “Hey Ma,” which most current Purchase students probably remember fondly from middle school dances. afterparty in the Stood: U R I ( U N D E R T H E R A S TA I N F L U E N C E )
A roots reggae band with a twist: a cellist! The majority of the members are current or former Purchase students.
SATURDAY
6pm: T A L K N O R M A L
A duo from Brooklyn with Andrya Ambro on the drums and Sarah Register on the guitars and bass, known for their exciting and intense live show. Their music draws on no wave influences and is referred to as tribal noise rock. 7pm: W O O D S
A psychedelic folk band from Brooklyn notable for their dedication to cassette releases and a hazy, acoustic sound that makes fans and Pitchfork alike reference campfires.
1pm: R U B B L E B U C K E T
An afrobeat/indie/visual band from Brooklyn. The band claims to have the funkiness of James Brown as well as a Bjork/Radiohead rock element. 2pm: U Z I M O N
A comedic reggae hip-hop, dub band. Uzimon, the eponymous member of the band, describes himself as a “reggaelutionary.”
8pm: R E A L E S T A T E
A psychedelic, surf pop band with familiar, “jammy” harmonies originally from Ridgewood, New Jersey. They seem to be very influenced by the Jersey Shore… think long days at the beach, not Snooki. 9pm: R . S T E V I E M O O R E A N D
T R O P I C A L O O Z E
A Purchase punk band well-known on campus for their wild shows and Motown/psychedelic influences.
Culture Shock’s host will be joining Tropical Ooze, a “comedy” band from Brooklyn. He will be pulling selections from his 400+ albums over the past forty years. This is also the first show of his first tour ever.
4 pm: O ’ D E A T H
10pm: T H E F E E L I E S
An Americana country-punk band from Brooklyn, founded by Purchase students. They are notable for their use of elements of jazz, bluegrass, metal and folk music.
An indie rock band from Haledon, New Jersey named after a device in Aldous Huxley’s Brave New World. The band was formed in 1976, broke up in 1992 after releasing four albums, and reunited in 2008. Their music has been very influential on the indie rock scene. This is their record release show and the first time they’ve put out a record in seventeen years.
3pm: W E I R D K O R E A
5pm: H Y E N A
An experimental, neo-folk band whose music is reminiscent of gypsy-punk and indie rock.
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LIVE LIKE THE UNDEAD BY HEIDI DUFFY
It’s finally that magical time of the semester, where Salvation Army gets stripped of its fanciest secondhand duds and the sale of fake blood skyrockets, despite it being nowhere near Halloween. It’s time for Zombie Prom! Dressing for it is really self-explanatory: cover yourself in fake blood and put black eyeshadow under your eyes, et cetera. But, if you want to further theme your costume here are a few ideas:
UNTIL DEATH DO US PART:
Yeah I know, it’s super cheesy. But it’s also kind of cute and a good excuse to rip up formalwear. If you have a large group of people who are also willing to get on board, you could even go as an entire wedding party. If you have no one who even wants to pretend to be your spouse for an evening, you can say that you offered yourself to the undead after being left at the altar.
TOO SOON ZOMBIE:
Again, another tribute costume. Just dress up as your favorite recently deceased celebrity. Here are a few suggestions; Liz Taylor, Nate Dogg, Mike Starr, the cast of Golden Girls with the exception of Betty White, Gary Coleman, and, of course, Charlie Sheen’s career.
JEHOVAH’S WITNESS ZOMBIE:
Don’t dress up at all!
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ZOM B I E PROM
PET CEMETERY:
Perfect for the people who want to pay tribute to their deceased pets on Purchase’s holiest of days! It’s also a good way to recycle previous Halloween costumes. If you’ve never had a Fluffy or a Rover, or if you just hate animals, you can say that you’re roadkill.
These ideas only scratch the surface of what type of zombie you can be, because really you can dress up as anything. Just douse yourself in fake blood and you’re ready to go shuffle the night away at the Stood!
DISNEY CHARACTER ZOMBIE:
There’s no real basis for this inclusion, other than that I think it’s really creepy.
“IS THAT REAL BLOOD?” ZOMBIE:
Stay up for 24-48 hours prior to Zombie Prom, get super trashed and accidently injure yourself. I’m not really suggesting this, I just think that these people should be acknowledged for their gusto. Charlie Sheen claimed to have stayed up for two days prior to shooting his 10-minute long police station scene for “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off ” so that he would really look zonked out. That probably had less to do with method acting and more to do with his penchant for cocaine and prostitutes, but it fills me with pride to see my peers exhibiting the same level of dedication.
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IT’S TIME. TIME TIME TO GET NAKED. THE NAKED ISSUE PHOTO SHOOT WILL BE NEXT WEDNESDAY, APRIL 13TH FROM 7PM-MIDNIGHT IN THE PSGA CONFERENCE ROOM. TAKE IT ALL OFF, TAKE SOME OF IT OFF... HOWEVER YOU DO IT, COME GET NUDE! BRING YOUR SEXY SELF AND TWO FORMS OF PHOTO ID.
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CAMPUS
SILENCE IN THE LIBRARY BY RILEY KENNYSMITH
Lately I’ve noticed a trend in Purchase students’ updates on Facebook and Twitter, a mounting frustration with the way others are conducting themselves, and it’s time for a bit of a wakeup call. We all know that work is stressful, but that shouldn’t mean being understanding of everyone else’s noise, it should mean respecting everyone else’s need for quiet. So here’s some helpful tips, maybe. I don’t know. It’s so loud in here, I can’t focus. HEADPHONES AREN’T AN OPTION.
If you don’t have your own headphones, you can buy them at the front desk! And when you’re wearing them, remember that most headphones are still audible to those around you if you have the volume loud—we may not be able to tell what you’re listening to, but we can certainly hear the tinny bass echoing out of your earbuds. YOUR HIGHBROW CONVERSATION IS NOT BENEFICIAL TO OTHERS.
You may make highly intelligent points, and it might be interesting, and people around you could very well be impressed with you. But it distracts them from their own work. And if you only think you’re sounding smart, well, guess what, no one wants to hear you pontificate. No one. THE STUDY CAGES ARE SMALL FOR A REASON.
Having a hard time fitting two chairs in there? That’s because the carrells aren’t meant for group projects. They’re plastered with signs saying they’re quiet zones, and that doesn’t mean quiet conversation, it means actual peace and quiet.
The walls don’t go all the way up, and the person in the next cage can hear everything you do. THERE ARE GROUP STUDY ROOMS YOU CAN RESERVE!
Need to do some actual group study in the library? There’s an app for that! But really, there’s group study rooms on the upper floor. Talk to the front desk and see if you can snag one. Your group will be able to chatter away to your hearts’ content, and no one will be bothered by it. LAUGHTER ISN’T QUIET.
Everyone has a stress-induced fit of the giggles now and then, and no one is going to begrudge you those occasional outbursts. But when you’re watching comedy videos in the computer lab and cackling every 45 seconds, you make it damn hard for the people around you to concentrate. You may be listening to the videos with headphones, but that doesn’t muffle the sound of your laughter. Which brings me to my final point: EVERYONE NEEDS A CIGARETTE BREAK.
Smokers in the library periodically leave their studying to unwind with a cigarette and a leisurely stare at the new mall. I highly recommend that non-smokers take the occasional respite on the steps, no nicotine required, because stepping away from your work and breathing in a little fresh air will give your brain a rest. Plus it’s an opportunity to get in a little non-homework conversation and laughter. You need it, I promise.
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MADAME QUERY
HAS YOUR REMEDY
How does one work what they got? I’m
My best friend and I got really drunk and
afraid I have nothing to work.
made out. Now she’s being really strange
This is ludicrous; everyone, and I mean everyone, has something to flaunt. You have something that means a lot to you, that you are great at, so don’t think otherwise. Maybe you don’t quite recognize these talents, but take a deep look at yourself what you do, and take that with the utmost confidence. You have something to work, you just may not realize what it is you’re working. A person “works what they got” by being confident. Don’t slouch, get off your ass and sit up straight. Exude your persona. Don’t let your talents stay hidden. Everyone deserves to feel like a star in some department. Maybe you have a talent that is lame in another person’s eyes, but someone else is going to think “that’s awesome!” Take, for instance, me: I give wonderful advice. (Others may not think so, but they can piss off.) That is why one of the questions this week asked if they could blow me! Love what you’re doing and you’ll be happy, and happiness radiates attractiveness. Oh yes, Madame is very attractive. Work your natural talents, even if your current calling is just your potential to be a hot video girl. Anything counts. You are going to find out how to work it, and you will work it hard. You better work because at the end of the day that will give you work. Some of this advice seems a little generic—be yourself, reach for the stars, be you kind of crap. But crap it is not, it’s so overdone because it is the truth.
around me. I feel strange as well, but I
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just want to forget it ever happened.
One way to forget about it is make out with someone new and make your best friend old news. Although it will probably work, it is the wrong way to go about it because you don’t know what kind of strange she is acting. Is this the “I made a mistake but they think it was awesome” kind of strange, or is it the “I really want to do it again!” strange? Making out with your best friend is tricky stuff. A best friend is someone you can talk to about anything, love interests included, but it’s hard to make a love interest out of a best friend. Well, no, it’s actually really easy to do, but difficult to deal with. Think about your feelings. What kind of strange are you feeling? Do you like her? Probably not, if you want to “forget it ever happened.” The first step is facing that strangeness. What did you get (or rather, not get) out of making out with her? How you feel is important. Now that you have some of this straightened out, call her. Meet up, it shouldn’t be hard if she’s your best friend. State the obvious: you made out. Big fucking deal, you made out, you guys didn’t boink. There was tongue. Whatever. And you did it drunk, even more reason to say “it ain’t no thang.” So tell her that you just want to move on unless there is a reason why she (or you) might care. Hopefully after the stating of the obvious you two can laugh it off and forget it ever happened. And dude, stop acting so traumatized.
A DV I C E How come you’re so hot? I want to give you a blowie.
You shouldn’t just be offering yourself up to strangers like that, it isn’t classy. And, for future reference, people who are not Madame might find it more insulting than flattering. Although Madame wears the hot sauce, she wants her readers to understand the importance of being— and courting—a viable campus hottie. 1. You never outright admit when someone is hot unless it’s your best friend or you’ve got the person in the palm of your hand. 2. You can’t just go throwing around free blowies—you are worth more than a free scoop day at Ben and Jerry’s. 3. Attractiveness comes with confidence. 4. There is a waiting list, anyhow.
SUBMIT YOUR QUESTIONS
TO MADAME QUERY
(continued from page 3) believe they’re grown and independent, we’re all still quite scared and dependent. Teachers don’t just disseminate information, they also guide their students morally, emotionally and spiritually. We are a malleable crop of idealists, and our professors and administrators have a responsibility to serve our transition into the real world with care and sensitivity. Because of this, we trust them. At Harvard in 1920, that trust was broken. It cost figurative and literal lives. I believe education is one of the last beacons of light we have in our modern day society, and the purity of it must, must, must be maintained. The funny thing is, education also usually leads to tolerance. Unnatural Acts:Harvard’s Secret Court of 1920 opens at Classic Stage Company on June 11th, and runs until July 10th, 2011. CSC is located right next to Union Square at 136 E. 13th Street, New York, NY. Student rush tickets are $25.
http://www.formspring.me/madamequery
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