Author Archives: Jason

Terrified. Petrified. Stupefied.

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I watched A Beautiful Mind on Friday. Though I had heard of the film before, I had no idea who John Nash was and I didn’t know what the film was about. The poster description said “After John Nash, a brilliant but asocial mathematician, accepts secret work in cryptography, his life takes a turn for the nightmarish”. Upon reading the description, I assumed that it would be a spy thriller of some kind, with John’s work leading him into the secret and dangerous world of espionage. I thought of dead drops, car chases, Russians (well, in a way I suppose I wasn’t totally wrong). But the film turned out to be more than that.

The bombshell of the film occurs when it is revealed that John has paranoid schizophrenia. Charles, Marcee, and Parcher (as well as a plot against the United States by the Russians) are all figments of John’s imagination. As Dr. Rosen said in the film: Imagine if you suddenly learned that the people, the places, the moments most important to you were not gone, not dead, but worse, had never been. What kind of hell would that be? The way the film robs the audience of the full understanding of what happening, as we were able to see what John was experiencing, and the revelation that a lot of what we just watched didn’t actually happen was particularly powerful. I found that the film touched upon the complexity of the human mind and found the way the film visually represented what was going on in John’s head to be interesting. I enjoyed the film and would definitely recommend watching it.

Wild Hunt

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The film Neruda follows Pablo Neruda, a pen name used by the Chilean politician Ricardo Eliécer Neftalí Reyes Basoalto. Neruda is forced underground when the political tide shifts, and the film follows Neruda and Oscar Peluchonneau, the young and perseverant police inspector who is assigned to capture the former. However, Neruda is not content to simply hide from the authorities (and he states that he “will not hide under a bed”); he makes appearances at public venues and leaves evidence of his movements for Peluchonneau to find. Neruda views the situation as a chance to increase fame, increasing his stature as an icon.

I found Neruda to be an interesting and complex character. His charisma and poetry speaks to many people. The word “cult of personality” comes to mind, indeed Neruda’s followers look upon him as a legend. However, he is also a flawed character. There are several scenes in which Neruda engages in…well, Neruda’s former wife and current partner both note that he is fond of women. He drinks a lot, can be short with . Yet this also contrasts with some of his other actions; for example, when he goes out walking and does not have anything for a child on the street, he hugs the child and gives the child his jacket. The complex portrayal made Neruda an interesting, though perhaps not an entirely sympathetic, character.

I did find certain parts confusing. In some scenes, characters would be in one place, and though they’re conversation was still ongoing, they were suddenly in a different setting. There were parts (though without spoiling too much), particularly at the end of the film that were confusing as well. Overall, I enjoyed the film and would recommend watching it.

A Culture of Exchange

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I attended Mr. Paul Wilcox’s talk as a part of the Transatlantic Series. I was surprised to learn that our own Dr. Hill organized and created the trophy for the event, as there had been none for the past 80 years. My experience with Track and Field is quite limited, but I enjoyed learning more about its history and development.

What interested me most about the talk was the idea of cultural exchange. Mr. Wilcox noted that the “experience of traveling together as a team and meeting your counterparts (with different cultures, etc.), broadens the mind immensely”. From differences in naming conventions (long jump or broad jump?) to something like having two taps for hot and cold water, learning and experiencing things that aren’t customary is valuable. And I believe that it is this spirit of competition and learning that has allowed the conference to survive the Great Depression and two World Wars. Sports is a perfect platform upon which this exchange may occur, with the Olympic Games being another notable example. Through tough but friendly competition, sport can be a force that unifies people in our world which is more globalized than it has ever been.

 

Country in Transition

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I attended the Rose Café presented by Professor Simões. Originally from Rio de Janeiro, Simões is a professor at the Federal University of Mato Grosso do Sul (Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul, UFMS), and is currently working on his PhD. I had no idea that some of Brazil’s major exports are soy beans, as well as chicken and beef meats. Nor was I aware that in terms of continuous land, Brazil is larger than the United States. But more than just learning more about the country, I found most interesting about the presentation was how clear it was that Brazil played an important role in the professor’s career trajectory. Though Professor Simões did not go into great detail about his job, he did go in depth about Brazil’s diverse ecosystem. In doing so, he touched upon (very briefly) the aspects of Brazil that influence things such as agricultural management and the economic issues that affect the country.

The professor is clearly proud of his country, but also reflective on its flaws. For example, he elaborated on the disparity in wealth in the country. A country with one of the world’s largest aerospace engineering companies in the world also has massive slums with people in extreme poverty. Simões also mentioned that the political situation in Brazil is also challenging. Though it has moved from a military dictatorship to a democratic nation (the first democratic election was held in 1985), there have been two presidential impeachments since. Corruption is a major problem, one that the government is working on eliminating. Though Brazil is still often thought of as a developing country, Professor Simões posits a different term: a country in transition. I enjoyed the presentation, and after learning more about the country, I hope to have the opportunity to visit Brazil one day.

GeneTiC AdvanTAGe?

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Gattaca presents a vision of a future society driven by eugenics, where children are genetically manipulated to ensure they possess the best hereditary traits of their parents. Genotype profiling is used to identify “Valids”, whose genetic perfection qualifies them for professional employment and higher social status.  Conversely, the “In-Valids” are relegated to jobs that serve the former, such as custodians. While such profiling is illegal, the new social system inherently favors those who are deemed genetically superior.

The film follows Vincent Freeman, played by Ethan Hawke, who was conceived without the aid of genetic manipulation. He is thus born with predisposition to several disorders, one being heart disease, and his life expectancy is about 30.2 years. Hawke must struggles to overcome genetic discrimination to realize his dream of traveling into space. The film addresses concerns over reproductive technologies which facilitate eugenics, and the resulting impact such developments would have on society. It also explores the idea of destiny and the ways in which it can and does govern lives. With so much of people’s lives already predetermined (in the early portion of the film, it is mentioned that as soon as you born the manner and time in which the individual will die is already known), Ethan must struggle against society and with himself in order to find his place in the world and challenge the destiny assigned to him by his genes.

I enjoyed the film, and it made me think about my own thoughts on genetic manipulation. I think that anyone would want what would be best for their children. But what if, for example, a couple learns that their child would be born with severe autism or a mutation that would render the child paralyzed? And what if through genetic manipulation, the child’s life could be improved? The film depicted the possible consequences of genetic manipulation, but does it reject all manners of it, if it could improve the quality of life of an individual? I’m not sure that I have an answer. I thought that the film raised interesting questions about conceptions about the human experience, and found Ethan’s journey to be a message that you are more than what you appear to be, and in his case, more than what his genetics indicate.

A Bland Experience

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I attended the talk “Nutrition Warriors: Home Economics and the Fight to Feed America During the Great Depression”. The talk was given by Ms. Jane Ziegelman, historian and author of A Square Meal: A Culinary History of the Great Depression. In that hour period, Ms. Ziegelman discussed the perhaps rather unknown side of the thing everyone has heard about the Great Depression: hunger. When their children no longer had the energy to go to school, mothers frantically started learning all they could about vitamins and how to best prepare food that gave the most nutrition, all while trying to stretch every dollar they had. Everyone thought that it was just a temporary setback, a recession. They had no idea that it would end up being a decade-long Great Depression. It was a period that saw shifts in the country’s political and social landscape.

My prior knowledge of the work people like Flora Rose and Mrs. Roosevelt did on behalf of the quarter of all Americans unemployed and undernourished was very limited. I had learned about the bread lines and FDR’s New Deal in my history classes, but I had never learned about home economics. I certainly had never heard of Milkorno and Milkoato. They changed the way Americans ate by promoting an ambivalence toward culinary enjoyment (something I cannot endorse, but am able understand their reasons). It was better for food to be a bland experience, as placing too much stock in flavor would lead people to choose the wrong kinds of food. The home economists’ vision of utilitarian cuisine on the American dinner table was reflected in the emphasis on potatoes, carrots, bread, cabbage, prunes, beans, and milk in recipes. I found the talk to be very interesting, especially since Cornell played such a significant role in aiding the country during that trying period. The talk has certainly given me much to consider the next time I swipe in at the dining hall.

 

No Way Out

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I am currently enrolled in PMA 2800: Introduction to Acting. And while I enjoyed the play for what it was, the things I have been learning in the course allowed me to view the events from an alternate perspective. One of the things we learned recently is considering all of the things that motivate a character, his wants and needs. Unlike real life, things that occur in a play do not just happen, nor are any of them disconnected. Anything that happens is specific and advances the plot in some way. We refer to these as triggers, intrusions in the stasis of the character(s). Considering the circumstances in which the character finds him/herself, and how the character goes about achieving the goal(s) is necessary to understanding the play as a whole. In this case, perhaps the greatest motivator for the characters is the Great Depression. With that said, no one in the play comes out and says, “Gee, this sucks. We’re in the Great Depression”. It’s simply the reality of their circumstance, and they must all deal with it in their respective ways.

The characters all find themselves in different “pits”, with seemingly no way out. For the mother, the pit is her deteriorating marriage and her inability to provide a better future for her son. For the father, it is his inability to find a job, as very few people are being hired. For the children, the prospect of going to college or making something more of themselves is a distant possibility. No one expects anything from them; they’re effectively dead in the water with no future ahead of them. It is only by playing with death (literally playing chicken with the giant train that comes through) that they can feel alive. The sense of hopelessness and the desperate struggle to survive came across through the actors’ performances. Like the line from Bob Dylan (perhaps more popularized by Jimi Hendrix), there is a pervading sentiment that there must be some way out of here. And all of the characters are trying to find it.

Making Sense

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I attended the Immigration Policy Panel Discussion: Understanding President Trump’s Executive Order. The panel consisted of Steve Yale-Loehr (adjunct professor at the Cornell Law School), Brendan O’Brien (director of Cornell’s International Student and Scholars Office), and Raza Rumi (a Pakistani author and visiting lecturer at CIPA). The panelists discussed the Executive Orders issued by President Trump, and what they could mean for members of the Cornell community, and the nation as a whole.

It was a very interesting and compelling experience to learn about the Executive Orders and hear the panel give their professional and personal opinions regarding them.  The media has and will continue to play a large role in how we receive our information, and as the panelists told the audience, it is so important to separate the rumors from the facts.  While it was clear where the panelists stood in regards to the Executive Orders, it appeared to me that the panelists’ goal was more about presenting the facts and informing the audience about the implications and addressing the what-ifs rather than addressing the politics.  Which is not to say that politics did and does not play a role, but today’s discussion was about the people, both those who are directly affected and those who are determined to stand with them.

The panelists themselves mentioned multiple times that they could not give definitive answers to some of the questions (which they noted is why there is so much concern and confusion).  Ultimately, the “take-home message” was about remembering that we all have rights, and understanding what they are (and frankly, remembering the fact that we have them). Perhaps the most impactful part of the discussion for me was hearing the fellow members of the Cornell community ask questions and voice their concerns.  Seeing how the people of Cornell rally and support each other was a very heartening experience, one that I hope to continue to have throughout my time here at the university.

Swipe Right

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I attended the Rose Seminar last Thursday “The Secret Behind the Cover Letter.”  Although I have written cover letters in the past, the seminar definitely added to my understanding and changed my mind on certain things when it comes to writing cover letters.  The seminar was presented by Dr. Cynthia Hill and GRF Shiv, and they gave us some helpful tips and insight into writing an effective cover letter.

One of the biggest things I took away from the Rose Seminar was the manner in which Dr. Hill and Shiv suggested we approach submitting a cover letter. Dr. Hill likened the process to speed-dating, in that you have a limited amount of time to make a good impression.  She said that in the time and energy a potential employer allocates to looking through potential hires is such that by tailoring your cover letter and resume effectively will convey your strengths and demonstrate how you are the best fit for the position, the employer will want to “swipe right” (although she added that Tinder was perhaps not the best analogy).  Having a “master resume”, one with all of your achievements and qualifications, is important so that you have all of your information down in one place.

When it comes time to present your resume, you want it to be as concise as possible.  Thus, taking note on what is useful for your particular application and tailor the resume (and by extension, the cover letter) you submit to present your best self.  The things on your “master resume” that are most applicable should be the ones you put down, and take away the rest.  Say, for example, that you are applying for a job that requires knowledge of a certain computer language.  You don’t know that language, but you do speak 3 languages.  Dr. Hill said that you could spin this so that even though you may not have a certain qualification, your ability to speak 3 languages attests for your ability to learn things and you can say that you can learn fast and on the job.  In conclusion, I found the seminar to be very interesting and informative, and look forward to attending more in the future.

You Don’t Talk About It

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I attended the first Flora’s Film Friday programming, and although I had heard about it before and certainly about the first rule, Friday was actually my first time seeing the film Fight Club.  I had assumed that the film would be about a secret fight club (which, in a sense, I suppose it was).  However, I was surprised by the other aspects of the film: how the group went from being an underground fight club to a cult-like, almost military structured terror/chaos organization, the social commentary on things like masculinity, etc.

I thoroughly enjoyed the film, and from the flashing images of Tyler in the beginning (which I initially was unsure whether they were actually there or if I was just seeing things) to the twist at the end, Fight Club was definitely more than what the name implies.  But what stuck with me the most was not necessarily the frequent and visceral portrayals of violence and terrorism (elements from which I was not personally put off by, but I certainly understand why it might for others).  Rather, the realization that the film is perhaps just as relevant (maybe even more so) as when it was released.

Dr. Hill gave a small introduction and spoke briefly at the end of the film regarding his own analysis of the film, from the scenes themselves to themes to the social implications that arose when it first came out, as well as how the film might be applied to the world 18 years later.  For one, we watched Fight Club in a post-9/11 world, and thus the imagery of buildings falling due to an act of terror certainly carries more weight and perspective than perhaps it did in 1999.  One could draw connections between people of the contemporary world and the anti-corporate and anti-capitalist members of Project Mayhem.  I believe that Fight Club is one of those films that you could watch and every time notice something new or something that makes you consider something in a way you may not have thought of previously.

Back in high school, we would make the (obvious and although actually relevant) connections to our lessons on power projection and US Naval aircraft capabilities to justify to the substitute teacher why we should watch Top Gun during Naval Science class.  And while the relevance of Fight Club to our world today may speak to things that a (honestly) unnecessary beach volleyball scene would not, I would highly recommend watching Fight Club, and looking at it as more than a violent movie.  Just don’t talk about it.