Matt Rife’s new Netflix special is supposedly a comedy; I didn’t find it very funny.
The 28-year-old comedian and actor from Ohio has recently received a lot of backlash from his special, Natural Selection, which was released on Nov. 15.
Rife is facing criticism that his special contains blatantly sexist and ableist jokes. In response to the backlash, he told The New York Times that he doesn’t think anybody should feel mad just because he was trying to make people laugh. He is either unaware of what is offensive or is overconfident in his assertion that people are wrong for being upset.
The problem isn’t that Rife wants to try for edgier humour; it’s important to take risks in comedy, and not everyone will like every joke—especially when it mentions oppressed people. The main reason why people are bothered is that Natural Selection is quite different from the comedy that made him famous. His comedy career first started to gain popularity when clips of his flirtatious crowd work—which greatly contrasts the juvenile comedy style of Natural Selection—began circulating on YouTube and Facebook. In an interview with Variety,Rife said his special is intended “way more for guys,” which, to him, translates to the jokes being at the expense of women and autistic people. His opening joke, used for “testing the water” with his audience, was that Baltimore is “ratchet” and that women with black eyes should hide in the kitchen. Although humour is extremely subjective, fans aren’t satisfied with the new Rife who thinks domestic violence is a joke.
Rife has remarked in the past that his following consists mostly of women on the “very female dominant” TikTok, and this abrupt change in style marks an evident desire to appeal to a more male-dominated audience. It’s okay if he wants to write for men, but I question why he decided to do this at the cost of his primary audience. People don’t need to cancel him, because he’s cancelled himself by deliberately ridiculing the people who have supported him the most.
The real cherry on top of all of this was his “apology,” which he posted to his Instagram Story on Nov. 20. Along with the caption, “If you’ve ever been offended by a joke I’ve told – here’s a link to my official apology,” he shared a link to a website selling special needs helmets for adults and children. Is it subjectively funny that he managed to make himself look even worse by leaning into the criticisms that his comedy is ableist? Yes, it is.
After the special’s release, Rife’s previous controversies have begun circulating on social media. Most notably, he touched the then 18-year-old Zendaya’s face without her permission on the show Wild ‘N Out in 2015 during a game called “Talking Spit,” where players try to make someone spit out their water, usually from laughing. Rife’s initial attempts to make the actress spit out her water weren’t successful, so he tried to get a reaction out of her by touching her face. In the clip, Zendaya is visibly uncomfortable, and her teammates rush to defend her. He also posted a since-deleted tweet that perpetuated anti-Asian sentiments, referencing what at the time was the novel Coronavirus, by targeting the cast of the Korean filmParasite in his caption: “Everyone at the #Oscars waiting to see if the cast of Parasite coughs.”
This new style he’s going for is not funny, and is certainly not okay either. It took me a while to realize why he seems so familiar—he reminds me of middle-school boys trying to earn their peers’ approval. He has the bad habit of making jokes that are blatantly sexist, ableist, or racist in order to please others, specifically men. Although men do not inherently appreciate this type of humour, men are Rife’s intended audience. Rife needs to take note that discriminatory humour shouldn’t be considered a form of humour, but a form of bullying.
On Nov. 16, Formula 1 (F1) made its first stop in Sin City since 1982. As the third and final American race of the calendar, the Formula 1 Heineken Silver Las Vegas Grand Prix (LVGP) is the penultimate race of the F1 season, one week before the Abu Dhabi GP kicks off almost 13,200 kilometres away. The decision to have back-to-back races located so far apart raises concerns about the environmental impact of the F1 season. However, the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile’s (FIA) questionable environmental ethics were nowhere near the greatest concern of the disastrous weekend that was the Las Vegas Grand Prix.
Despite ticket prices dropping by up to 62 per cent before the event, the LVGP was one of the most economically successful F1 races in history, with an estimated $1.2 billion in economic impact for the city of Las Vegas. The race brought 315,000 fans, with non-refundable tickets and hotel deposits, and their expenses ensured the race’s financial success.
The LVGP faced significant technical issues from the get-go. In an attempt to cater to the European audience’s time zones, the race was set at night, not accounting for the extremely cold temperatures of the desert. On race day, the weather forecast predicted a minimum of seven degrees Celsius, prompting Pirelli, the official tire supplier of the FIA, to raise concerns about the drivers’ safety.
Mario Isola, the head of Pirelli, explained that cold reduces tire grip, increasing the chances of losing control of the car. This requires constant control of pace since the slightest slump in rhythm could put lives at risk simply from the tires cooling down. The only feasible solution was to change tires more frequently, as they are kept in heated blankets, going against Pirelli’s climate change action goal to limit the number of tires used. As the FIA decided to go forward with the race, McLaren driver Lando Norris’ accident came close to proving Firelli’s concerns. While officially the incident was caused by a bump on the track, the lack of grip on the tires heavily contributed to Norris losing control of his car and ultimately crashing into the barrier.
Despite starting on time, the LVGP came to a halt less than ten minutes after the Free Practice 1 (FP1) race began. One of the manhole covers was not properly bolted down, causing it to fly up, destroying the bottom of Carlos Sainz’s car––including his power unit––and sending sparks flying. The damages forced Ferrari to replace the car’s energy store––a set of batteries converting energy accumulated into electrical energy––despite each team only being allowed to replace them once per season. Ferrari requested an exemption from the regulations, citing external circumstances outside the team’s control, which the stewards denied, resulting in a ten-place grid penalty for Sainz.
This situation made fans wonder how such an incident was possible. FIA rules require that the initial inspection of tracks happens one day prior to the cars getting on them, yet the inspection only occurred at 3:30 a.m. (PST) on Thursday for the Strip Circuit. Moreover, recent changes in the Sporting Code loosened the level of exigence that the regulatory institution should have, granting the FIA the discretion to declare the circuit’s safety.
The subsequent inspection and repair of the track caused the FP2 to be pushed back to 2:30 a.m. PST on Friday. After the announcement of the delay, ticket-holders who had been waiting on the strip were forced to leave the venue. Many fans were single-day ticket holders for Thursday and their only solace was a $200 voucher to the official shop. On Nov. 18, Dimopoulos Law Firmfiled a class-action lawsuit regarding the compensation of fans. As talks of expanding the calendar resurface annually, the safety of the drivers and the audience must remain of utmost importance. After the extreme heat of the Qatar Grand Prix, the LVGP seemed to be the nail in the coffin for fans and drivers alike, encouraging them to ask for better conditions. Despite the remainder of the weekend carrying on relatively smoothly and Max Verstappen whisking away with another win, the FIA must unequivocally prioritize safety over superficial glamour and marketing ploys.
With temperatures rapidly dropping, a light layer of snow enveloping the front lawn of campus, and course evaluations opening up, it can only mean one thing: Finals are almost here. This is often an anxiety-inducing time for McGill students as we pull all-nighters in the library, drink copious amounts of Red Bull, and forget about everything that doesn’t involve school. Unfortunately, this exclusive focus on academics during finals can often lead to burnout and poor academic performance. Luckily, there are tons of ways to promote self-care during finals season without your grades taking a hit. Here is The Tribune’s declassified finals survival guide.
Exercise
Exercising might be the last thing on your mind as you’re heading into finals. But, it is one of the best ways to stay refreshed and healthy during this stressful time. Exercise releases feel-good hormones called endorphins, which have been proven to reduce stress levels and boost your mental health. Staying fit also enhances your concentration, making it easier to study for longer periods of time. So, head out for a hike, go for a free lane swim at the McGill gym, or even just walk around your neighbourhood—your GPA may thank you.
Vary your study spaces
It might be tempting to spend the entirety of finals season camped out in McLennan or your living room. But, research has shown that changing up your study space can help with recalling facts and minimizing distractions. If you spend too long in the same study space, it becomes too comfortable, which often translates into less focus on the task at hand. Going to a new café or switching up libraries can help alleviate this.
Don’t neglect your social life
Just because it’s finals season doesn’t mean that you should shut yourself off from those around you. Staying in touch with friends and family, whether it be an evening out or a quick FaceTime chat, is beneficial for both your physical and mental health. It also helps reduce stress and anxiety. So, grab your friends and take a study break by heading out to your local thrift store or a holiday market.
Study smarter
Instead of re-reading your notes and hoping for the best, use retrieval practice to help you recall information more effectively this finals season. Retrieval practice, also known as the testing effect, is a strategy that involves actively recalling information to help strengthen your memory traces. This can include taking practice tests, using flashcards, teaching the information to others, and answering questions aloud. Research has found that these techniques help improve your memory by engaging in active cognitive processes as opposed to passive ones, like simply highlighting or reading your notes.
Spacing out your study sessions, also known as repetition, has been found to not only help you learn more information, but also retain it for longer. By spacing out the material, you can focus on a specific subset during each session, without feeling pressured to cover everything at once. Spaced practice is particularly effective when you plan a schedule ahead of time, with clear objectives for each study session.
Sleep, sleep, sleep
While you might be inclined to stay up all night finishing your research paper or memorizing those last couple of terms before your exam—don’t! Sleep is one of the most important ways for you to prepare for your finals. Sleep deprivation causes increased stress levels and impaired cognitive performance. Sleep helps with retaining key information learned during the day, which is especially vital for memorization-heavy final exams.
The quality of your sleep is also important. Make sure to make your sleep environment cool, dark, and quiet to maximize the cognitive benefits of sleep. Following a regular sleep schedule and putting your phone away at least 30 minutes before bed are also crucial ways to help you stay alert during the day.
With a focus on self-care, you can avoid burnout this finals season and ace your remaining exams and assignments. You’ve got this!
On Tuesday, Nov. 21, the Quebec Superior Court ordered the Students’ Society of McGill University (SSMU) to postpone the ratification of the Policy Against Genocide in Palestine until a final verdict is reached at a court hearing in March 2024. A McGill student filed the injunction with the backing of Jewish service organization B’nai Brith Canada, who believe the policy should not have been allowed to appear in the fall referendum.
The injunction comes after students voted in favour of the Policy Against Genocide in Palestine question in the fall referendum, with 78.7 per cent of non-abstaining students voting“Yes.” The policy would mandate that SSMU adopt an official position of solidarity with Palestinian students by publicly denouncing Israel’s siege on Gaza and putting pressure on McGill to divest from companies supporting Israel. Until the SSMU Board of Directors ratifies the policy, SSMU cannot act upon it. In a statement, SSMU wrote that it plans on contesting the injunction request in court, but will postpone the ratification until March.
In an email to The Tribune SSMU President Alexandre Ashkir emphasized the organization’s commitment to upholding student democracy and maintaining an “open dialogue” with students.
“By adding to the burden of ratification, the university threatens a democratic vote and as such the legitimacy of all student democracy,” Ashkir wrote. “[SSMU] must always operate by mandate; for the time being that mandate is fighting in court for the right of the democratic process to express itself fully and to its end.”
In a statement issued on Nov. 17, B’nai Brith reaffirmed their support for the McGill student who filed the injunction, who wishes to remain anonymous. In July 2022, the organization also backed a McGill student in a lawsuit against SSMU and Solidarity for Palestinian Human Rights (SPHR) McGill for attempting to pass the Palestine Solidarity Policy.
“[W]e believe [the policy] represents a serious threat to the rights of Jews at McGill University.” B’nai Brith wrote online.
On Wednesday Nov. 8, prior to the end of the referendum voting period, the Office of the Deputy Provost notified the Society that the university believed that the Policy, if ratified, was a violation of SSMU’s constitution. In accordance with section 12.1.2 of the Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) with McGill University, this would also put SSMU in default of the MoA. SSMU notified students of the notice of default from McGill on Monday, Nov. 20, after the voting period had ended.
In an email to The Tribune, McGill Media Relations Officer Frédérique Mazerolle explained that McGill believes that SSMU has breached the constitution’s preamble, which states that “the Society shall endeavour to facilitate communications and interaction between all students from all McGill communities” and “to act in the best interests of [SSMU] members as a whole.”
“The view of McGill’s senior administration remains that the proposed policy, if adopted, will sharpen divisions in our community at a time when many students are already distressed,” Mazerolle wrote. “McGill’s leadership team has been working diligently over the last weeks to keep our campus discourse safe and responsible and to put in place measures to support students and colleagues who feel especially vulnerable and hurt at this time, notably those who are Muslim, Jewish, and Arab.”
In a Nov. 23 Instagram post, SPHR McGill denounced SSMU’s decision to delay the ratification of the policy and called for SSMU to act in accordance with students’ vote in favour of the policy.
“Instead of representing the vote of its constituents, the SSMU acted on this policy in a court of law without our notice or consultation, in spaces where student voices were conveniently absent,” SPHR wrote online. “The SSMU, representing the collective student voice on the legal front of this battle, must heed the demands of the students they represent.”
“While students have voted overwhelmingly in favour of the Policy Against Genocide in Palestine, an injunction to which SSMU has consented is alarming and contrary to the democratic process,” the group wrote. “We will continue to encourage the SSMU to abide by the will of its students as represented in the referendum vote.”
Content Warning: Mentions of death, violence, genocide, domestic abuse, and rape
On Nov. 25, thousands of people from all across Canada marched in Ottawa to stand with Palestine and demand that the Canadian federal government call for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza. The event was organized by the Palestinian Youth Movement (PYM), the Association of Palestinian Arab Canadians, Labour 4 Palestine, and the International League of Peoples’ Struggle Canada. Groups including Solidarity for Palestinian Human Rights (SPHR) McGill and PYM Montrealmobilized dozens of buses for hundreds of Montrealers to travel to Ottawa. Thousands gathered in the field in front of Parliament Hill at 1 p.m., listening to speeches and chants from various organizers and guest speakers, and then marched around downtown Ottawa beginning at 3:30 p.m.
(Mason Bramadat/The Tribune)
According to Al Jazeera, following the Oct. 7 Hamas attack on Israel that killed 1,200 people and resulted in roughly 240 others being taken hostage, Israel has targeted medical infrastructure, destroyed and damaged over 278,000 residential buildings, and cut off access to water and electricity in Gaza. Over 14,854 Palestinians have been killed, of which more than 6,150 are children, as of Nov. 27. On Nov. 22, Israel and Hamas agreed to a four-day pause in fighting and the release of a number of hostages. The temporary truce, which came into effect on Nov. 24 at 7 a.m., also dictates that humanitarian convoys and relief aid be let into Gaza. As of Nov. 27, the deal has been extended by two days, according to Qatar. Israel has released more than 100 imprisoned Palestinian and Hamas has released 58 Israeli hostages as of Nov. 27, according to The Washington Post.
Speakers on Parliament Hill demanded that Prime Minister Justin Trudeau condemn the Israeli government’s actions and call for a permanent end to the war instead of a pause. Previously, Trudeau has attested to Israel’s “right to self-defence.” In an interview with The Tribune, PYM member and media spokesperson Yara Shoufani called for the Canadian government to demand an end to the violence in Gaza and the release of thousands of Palestinian prisoners.
“Gaza has been under blockade for over 17 years, whereby Israel controls Gaza’s access to air, land, and sea, effectively making an open-air prison. We’re here to demand that the siege be lifted and demand an end to Canada’s complicity in Israel’s genocide,” Shoufani said. “Currently, there are [around 10,000] Palestinians who are held hostage in Israeli prisons. Some of them are children, some of them are under administrative detention [….] So, we’re calling for the liberation of all our prisoners and the liberation of Palestine.”
(Mason Bramadat/The Tribune)
Sophie Arseneault, BA’ 23 and another march attendee, emphasized the need for institutions to also abide by the demands posed to the government in an interview with The Tribune.
“I find that academic institutions such as McGill have a really big responsibility given the platform that they have, but also in terms of the weight that they hold in research and in academic publications to call for a government to again be held responsible in its responsibility to uphold international humanitarian law,” Arseneault said.
In an interview with The Tribune, Alex*, a member of SPHR McGill who attended the march, pointed out the importance of representing the student front in the movement for Palestinian liberation in Ottawa and called out McGill for its Israeli investments. One of McGill’s investments includes $515, 381 into Lockheed Martin—the world’s largest arms producer, which provides the Israeli military with air and ground weapons. McGill additionally invests $500,000 into Airbus—an aerospace corporation that has partnered with Israeli Aerospace Industries to develop surveillance drones used in Gaza.
“The goal of a mass rally like this is to show the strength we have in numbers, and to demonstrate the sort of popular power of the movement,” Alex said. “It’s deeply important that McGill is able to follow in a call for a ceasefire and publicly condemn the genocide in Palestine. But also, as we put pressure on the Canadian government, we also have to recognize that McGill as an institution is complicit in Zionism for its investments in weapons manufacturers and exchange programs to Israel.”
In a message to the McGill community on Nov. 2, Principal and Vice-Chancellor Deep Saini wrote that a university “should remain impartial with respect to political questions” and should focus on upholding institutional values. McGill’s Director of Institutional Relations, Michel Proulx, echoed this sentiment in a written statement to The Tribune, stating that McGill’s scope is limited to what happens at the university.
“Weighing in on geopolitical crises around the world lies beyond a university’s mandate and role. Our academic mission is most faithfully served when institutional views are limited to what happens here on our campuses, so that all students, faculty, and staff feel included as members of our community, regardless of their identities and personal beliefs,” Proulx wrote.
Proulx additionally explained that McGill became a signatory of the United Nations Principles for Responsible Investment (UN PRI) in July 2022, which is a global network for investors who adhere to environmental, social, and governance (ESG) considerations in their investments. Fund managers select investments on behalf of McGill in accordance with UN PRI principles.
“99 [per cent] of McGill’s Investment Portfolio assets are managed by those who follow an ESG Policy or are signatories of the UNPRI. Only 70 [per cent] of assets were managed according to these principles in 2016. When selecting investment management firms, the [Office of Investments] sees ESG integration as critical,” Proulx wrote. “McGill does not invest in individual stocks or companies. McGill selects fund managers based on key criteria, which include risk, rate of return and adherence to ESG principles, among other considerations and remains active in evaluating fund managers’ performance and investment processes.”
At around 3:30 p.m., the crowd dispersed to Wellington Street—the road in front of Parliament Hill—to begin marching east toward Dalhousie Street. Accompanied by drummers, organizers of the event chanted “Free, Free, Palestine,” “So-So-So-Solidarité, avec, avec, avec la Palestine,” and various other refrains into megaphones.
(Mason Bramadat/The Tribune)
In an interview with The Tribune, Ruby Belson, a Jewish attendee who travelled from Montreal, explained that their attendance was motivated by personally experiencing forms of oppression in the past, alluding to their sign which read “Rape Survivors for Palestine.” Belson emphasized the necessity to separate Judaism from the actions of the Israeli state.
“I’m a survivor of domestic abuse, and I’m a survivor of rape. I see what’s going on in Palestine, I see the oppression and I relate on a minute scale as an individual who has experienced oppression,” Belson said. “I just can’t believe that my people […] are using our faith to commit genocide [….] I don’t want my religion to fall into the pits of Zionism.”
Tracy Teif, a Jewish mother among the protestors, expressed the sorrow that she has felt over Israel’s actions. She echoed the need for distinction between Judaism and Israel in an interview with The Tribune.
“I don’t know how we walk back from what we’ve done. I’m Jewish, and I’m a Jewish mother,” Teif said. “The more we stand up and say no to genocide, the more people will understand that Israel is not Judaism.”
(Mason Bramadat/The Tribune)
Some supporters rushed to the roofs of nearby public buildings, waving Palestinian flags, lighting flares, and chanting from the rooftops. Upon reaching the intersection of Dalhousie Street and York Street, the march turned left on York, heading toward Sussex Street. Marchers approached the Ottawa sign situated on York, which was adorned with children’s coffins covered in Palestinian flags, kids’ toys, and small bags tied up to illustrate a child’s body.
(Mason Bramadat/The Tribune)
Marchers then turned toward Sussex, heading back to Parliament Hill. Once again, supporters flooded the field in front of Parliament Hill. Speakers gave their closing remarks, thanking attendees for travelling from across Canada to be present for the event. They encouraged everyone to mobilize strikes on Nov. 29 in schools, unions, and businesses, in support of Palestine. The event officially ended at around 5:15 p.m., at which point a few hundred people remained gathered in front of the Office of the Prime Minister and Privy Council.
*Alex’s name has been changed to preserve their confidentiality.
Bus tickets for The Tribune to travel to Ottawa were discounted by PYM. This did not impact the writing or editing of the piece.
This piece was updated at 11 p.m. on Nov. 28 to include an additional comment from McGill.
Bar le 21 buzzed with activity as McGill students, all swathed in eye-catching attire, swarmed the venue on Nov. 16.
The bar’s rustic wooden beams and soft lighting illuminated the throngs of students sporting original outfits—some of which they crafted themselves. Attendees pored over the new release of this semester’s edition of Pamplemousse—Circle of Fashion’s (COF’s) 78-page magazine brimming with eye-catching photos, diverse interviews, and personal articles exploring the intersection between fashion and identity.
As McGill’s main fashion and design club, COF aims to provide a space for the university’s designers, models, photographers, writers, and graphic designers to express their originality and showcase their work. Manon Fillon-Ashida, U3 Arts, founded the club in September 2022, after she realized that there was a lack of creative outlets on campus for fashion enthusiasts of all types.
“When I came here, I didn’t really like what I was studying. I think it was partially because I didn’t have [a] creative space. I express fashion creativity through sewing, and I didn’t have that, so that’s why I wanted to create a space where people could do what they wanted,” Fillon-Ashida said in an interview with The Tribune.
Fillon-Ashida emphasized the club’s accessibility. She credited its success to its openness to various forms of creativity, which she contrasted to her experience in other fashion clubs at the university.
“When I started at McGill, I joined a bunch of fashion-related clubs, and they were so restrictive,” she shared. “I remember that I contributed to one club and wrote an article, and they told me that they couldn’t publish it because they were more focused on ‘high-end fashion.’ What’s the purpose of a club if you can’t contribute to it?”
Indeed, most contributions—unless COF is required to comply with certain constraints—are welcomed and eventually accepted, whether they’re related to writing, photography, modeling, or designing.
“COF allows students to do whatever they want; we’re never going to turn someone down unless their work is super controversial,” Fillon-Ashida added.
(Ilia Shareghi/Circle of Fashion McGill) Students celebrate the magazine’s launch with drinks from Bar le 21.
Pamplemousse’s second issue: All About Students
The club’s fashion magazine—Pamplemousse—is a semester-long project that gives student graphic designers, photographers, writers, and editors the opportunity to collaborate and showcase their passions.
Since its creation, each edition of the magazine has focused on a different theme. Its first volume, published in Spring 2023, revolved around local Montreal and McGill-owned businesses—ranging from shops to vintage stores. This semester’s edition, which Thursday night’s celebration was centred around, focuses on the intersection between students’ upbringing and their personal sense of self-expression.
“This issue explores fashion from a deeper perspective,” Anastasia Van Ryswyk, COF’s VP Magazine and U2 Arts said. “Interviews focused on how your city, or where you’re from, influences you as a person. It influences what you wear. In that sense, anything and everything can be fashion.”
As VP Magazine, Van Ryswyk oversaw the magazine’s production. She discussed its creative process, starting with the recruitment of artists, creators, and writers to fill the magazine’s pages.
“Planning is the longest and most challenging part,” she explained. “For a while, I was just communicating with people and getting updates on their project status, which is a lot of back and forth with everyone.”
COF sat down with 16 McGill students to gain insight into how their personal upbringings were related to their fashion-related aspirations. These interviews are featured on pages nine to 24 of the magazine.
Van Ryswyk then organized the magazine’s photoshoots, editorials, and student interviews alongside COF’s VP Photography, Melody Bucchino, U4 Science. Bucchino shot several of the magazine’s photoshoots, including the cover. In an interview with The Tribune, she described the experience as “incredible.”
“This edition’s theme, ‘All About Students,’ allowed me to meet such an amazing and diverse group of students. I think that I’ve grown a lot as a photographer as a result,” Bucchino shared. “The magazine did a really awesome job in showcasing the creativity and diversity of fashion amongst McGill students.”
Once interviews, photoshoots, and articles were finished, Van Ryswyk worked on the layout, along with the help of five graphic editors. She then revised the final draft of the magazine to make sure everything—from format to budgeting—aligned with the club’s initial vision to uplift students and create quality content.
(Ilia Shareghi/Circle of Fashion McGill) COF’s VP Magazine, Anastasia Van Ryswyk, with a copy of Pamplemousse.
COF’s second edition has greatly evolved from its first; from editing to writing and the organization of the magazine, as COF’s VP Magazine explained.
“Last semester, I had about 10-15 writers, five editors, and a few photographers,” Van Ryswyk revealed. “We did interviews using Google Forms, and that was hard to organize. So this year I wanted to focus more on [expanding] the magazine.”
She went on to explain that she’s hoping to give more freedom to writers in future editions, so that more people could contribute. She also recognized the lack of variety of the fine art forms involved in this edition of Pamplemousse and said she strives to draw more artists to the club for future editions.
When asked about COF’s ideas for future magazines, Van Ryswyk revealed her hopes for a theme involving both sports and fashion.
“For the next magazine, we’re hoping to discuss something along the lines of sports and fashion,” she teased. “I really want to talk about leisure throughout history and on campus and
understand that through writing and imagery. I’d also like to learn more about the role of varsity sports in identity—how you present yourself. There are a lot of different ways we can approach that—but that’s still a work in progress,” she explained.
Since its beginning last year, COF’s audience has grown exponentially. The club has racked up thousands of followers between its Instagram and TikTok accounts. Between the months of September to December, the club has hosted sold-out runaways, pop-up events, and workshops, which continue to encourage artistry in all its forms and bridge the gap between McGill and the larger Montreal community.
Copies of Pamplemousse will be available in print for $12 at SSMU’s winter market on Nov. 30 and Dec. 1.
Naomi Gupta is a magazine and blog editor for Circle of Fashion McGill.
In an appearance on the broadcast of a game between the New York Knicks and the Boston Celtics on Nov. 13, National Basketball Association (NBA) Commissioner Adam Silver was asked about the league’s plans for expansion. Silver mentioned the possibility of the league one day further expanding internationally, potentially adding teams in cities such as Montreal, Vancouver, and Mexico City. While this is welcome news for basketball fans in Montreal and Quebec at large, NBA expansion to any of the aforementioned cities is far from imminent.
The NBA’s timeline for expansion is made clear by the commissioner’s previous statements. With the league’s current media rights deal expiring at the end of the 2024-25 season, the league must first focus its efforts on negotiating a new TV rights package––an essential part of the league’s revenue stream. Once this issue is settled, the league has expressed interest in adding two more teams, bringing their total to 32. All indications suggest that the NBA will first expand to Las Vegas and Seattle. This has not been kept secret: Michael Fortier, the leading public figure in Montreal’s prospective ownership group, conceded as much earlier this year. From there, it is unclear how quickly the NBA will want to expand to 34 or 36 teams. Adding too many expansion teams in rapid succession may have adverse consequences on talent dilution, with spots on NBA rosters being awarded to players who would not have made the cut in a league with fewer teams.
The commissioner’s comments on the matter do not represent a binding commitment from the league to Montreal, Vancouver, or Mexico City. In fact, Silver’s comments are likely to drive up the bidding price for potential suitors. When the league formally begins its expansion process, having many markets vying for a small number of openings drives up the buy-in price. Interested markets can also serve as leverage for clubs in public financing negotiations. If one of the league’s existing teams is in need of a new arena and local government officials are unable or unwilling to pony up public funds, other markets can be seen as relocation threats. This has been the case in Major League Baseball, with negotiations for public funding of a new facility in Oakland failing to bear fruit, recently leading to a unanimous ownership vote approving the team’s relocation to Las Vegas.
Non-coincidentally, the three markets mentioned by the commissioner recently hosted contests as part of the league’s Canada Series and Global Games. The success of these recent events gave Silver the opportunity to talk up the league’s popularity on a global scale. In October, the Bell Centre hosted a preseason game between the Detroit Pistons and the Oklahoma City Thunder, featuring Canadians Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Luguentz Dort, the latter of whom grew up in Montréal-Nord. The event was a success for the NBA, with a sold-out crowd of local hoops fans in attendance helping to cement Montreal’s status as a city that is ready and able to support an NBA team.
Montreal has the makings of a city that can support an NBA team. It is one of the biggest markets in the United States and Canada that does not currently have an NBA franchise. It is home to a suitable arena in the downtown core. There has also been publicly stated interest from a group of local business people in bringing an expansion team to Montreal. And yet, several hurdles must first be cleared before any significant progress is made in bringing a team to Montreal.
While hoops fans in Montreal may hope to one day have an NBA team to call their own, it likely will not happen for quite some time. However, if and when that time comes, one can only hope it will lead to seeing a bit less Toronto Raptors apparel being worn on the streets of Montreal.
Riding the momentum of a three-game win streak, the Redbirds (9–5–1) faced off against the Concordia Stingers (9–6) on Nov. 23, in a highly anticipated showdown between Montreal rivals. The spotlight fell on goaltender Alexis Shank, who put on a remarkable show with 22 saves in the first period alone, setting the stage for winger Charles-Antoine Dumont to score the decisive goal late in the second period. Shank’s heroics continued throughout, ultimately making 44 saves in total—a new McGill record—and securing a 1-0 victory for the Redbirds.
The Redbirds then set off filled with confidence to Thunder Bay, ON, to face the Lakehead Thunderwolves (8–7–1) on Nov. 25. In the penalty filled affair, McGill tallied up a total of 62-penalty minutes with Scott Walford taking 10-minute misconduct and Zach Gallant taking a game misconduct early in the third period. Eric Uba netted McGill’s first goal to tie the game 1-1 after Lakehead struck first. After conceding two unanswered Thunderwolves goals, McGill’s Mikisiw Awashish scored his second of the season to bring the score to 3-2. However, a slew of penalties that followed allowed Lakehead to score one last goal before the period closed, eventually culminating in a costly 5-3 loss for the Redbirds that caused them to fall from third to fourth in the Ontario University Athletics East Division.
The Redbirds will next play against the Queen’s Gaels (11–4) on Dec. 1
Redbirds Basketball
With three straight losses to start the season, the Redbirds (1–5) looked to start fresh against the Bishop’s Gaiters (4–1) on Nov. 23. A tight first quarter left McGill trailing 30-29; however, the game quickly got out of hand with the Gaiters scoring 28 points to McGill’s 10 in the second quarter. After heading into the second half down 58-39, things went from bad to worse for the Redbirds as the Gaiters outscored them 15-14 and 38-8 in the third and fourth quarters, respectively. McGill ultimately fell 111-61, their worst loss of the season.
On Nov. 25, with little to lose, the Redbirds took the court again against the undefeated UQÀM Citadins (4–1). With Sean Herscovitch’s 23 points leading the way, McGill stunned the RSEQ division leaders. The Redbirds got out to an early lead, finishing the first quarter 22-10. The second quarter saw UQÀM cut their deficit down, ending the first half 36-30. McGill regained their footing in the third quarter, scoring 19 points to UQÀM’s 15; however, the final frame saw the Citadins threaten, with 19 points to McGill’s 11. The Redbirds ultimately snuck away with a 66-64 victory for their first win of the season.
The Redbirds will play their next game on Jan. 11, 2024 against the Concordia Stingers (3–1)
Martlets Basketball
On the heels of back-to-back losses, the Martlets (3–3) looked to take home a win against the Bishop’s Gaiters (2–3) on Nov. 23. Despite McGill taking home a 57-53 win in their first matchup of the season, the Gaiters were simply too much for the Martlets, burying 80 points––the most against the Martlets this season. The Martlets were down 22-9 after the first quarter, but were able to outscore the Gaiters 21-18 in the second. Down 40-30 at the half, the game quickly got out of reach from the Martlets with Bishop’s outscoring them 14-12 and 26-9, in the third and fourth quarters, respectively.
Much like the Redbirds, the Martlets found their rhythm against the UQÀM Citadins (0–5) on Nov. 25 in a 61-52 victory. The win ended a three-game losing streak for McGill and brought their season record to an even 3–3. After taking an 11-10 lead out of the opening quarter, the Martlets extended the margin to 28-22 entering the second half. McGill maintained a steady pace throughout, holding a five-point lead after the third quarter and outscoring the Citadins 19-15 in the final frame. Lily Rose Chatila led the Martlets with 12 points in the game. The Martlets play their next regular season game against the Concordia Stingers (3–2) on Jan. 11, 2023
On Nov. 20, Justice Gregory Moore ruled to reinstate the court-mandated expert archaeological panel that oversees the ongoing investigation into McGill’s New Vic Project site, where the Kanien’kehá:ka Kahnistensera’s (Mohawk Mothers) suspect that there may be unmarked Indigenous graves. The decision comes after the Mohawk Mothers’ last appearance in court on Oct. 27, during which they asked Justice Moore for a safeguard order to “ensure compliance with” the settlement agreement between all parties—including McGill, the Société québécoise des infrastructures (SQI), the Royal Victoria Hospital (RVH), the City of Montreal, and the Attorney General of Canada.
The panel—composed of three archaeologists whom the Mohawk Mothers, McGill, and the SQI jointly appointed—is responsible for assessing the site and recommending specific archaeological techniques to identify whether there are unmarked graves on the site. This process is known as “mapping.”
On April 6, 2023, when the settlement agreement was signed, all parties agreed to be bound by the recommendations of the panel regarding techniques and service providers, as stated in Article 13 of the agreement. On Aug. 3, however, the defendants unilaterally disbanded the panel, declaring the mandate of the panel to be fulfilled despite the Mothers’ and Office of the Independent Special Interlocutor’s belief that mapping is an ongoing process with no end date, a position they voiced in the last court hearing. Nonetheless, excavation and construction on the New Vic site have continued without the archaeological experts.
In an interview with The Tribune, Mohawk Mother Kwetiio explained that the reinstatement of the panel indicates Justice Moore’s approval of the Mothers’ interpretation of the agreement, and allows for the investigation to proceed in alignment with the Mothers’ wishes.
“This means this investigation will actually come back to best practices now. That’s what it means for us,” Kwetiio said. “For us, that’s a big victory, because that was the whole intention from the beginning.”
In an interview with The Tribune, anthropologist and associate of the Mothers Philippe Blouin expressed that the panel’s reinstatement will also allow for the Mothers and the court-appointed cultural monitors to be appropriately informed of updates in the investigation. Both parties are present during excavation on the site to oversee the investigation and ensure all techniques follow Indigenous protocols.
“Every time, these last months, when there’s work, [the Mothers] will be told [on Friday afternoon] there’s work [on the next Monday],” Blouin said. “We’re always running after basic information of what the plans are exactly [….] So that’ll have to change too because the panel will have to be involved in every step.”
In a written statement to The Tribune, the SQI explained that as the ruling does not halt work, excavation will continue on the site without interruption. McGill media relations officer Frédérique Mazerolle echoed this sentiment in a written statement to The Tribune, asserting that McGill will investigate the ramifications of Justice Moore’s decision in the upcoming days.
“We will study the decision and its implications more fully in the days to come. In the meantime, as per the court’s decision, the work at the site may continue. We will provide an update in due course,” Mazerolle wrote.
Blouin explained that the Mohawk Mothers believe that work should be halted until the panel returns to work, and challenged McGill’s decision to continue work in the interim.
“The only part of the judgment McGill mentioned [in its email to all students] is that work is not stopping,” Blouin said. “Yes, the judge didn’t issue an injunction that stops all the work, but it’s just common sense that we have to do this very fast. There’s a court order to bring [the panel] back. It has to be done immediately.”
Kwetiio believes that the steps that McGill takes amid this ruling will be critical in illustrating how the investigation will proceed.
“Whatever the response is from the university to this judgement is going to show the direction they’re going to take,” Kwetiio said. “Hopefully, it is in a spirit of reconciliation. I’m still remaining optimistic that people can, or organizations can, do the right thing.”
The next court date is on Dec. 1. The parties are expected to discuss the issue of archives and records related to the investigation.
Several regions of your brain, such as Wernicke’s area and the left temporal region, are currently hard at work as you read this Tribune article. With its approximately 86 billion neurons, the adult human brain fascinates not only neuroscientists, but all sorts of individuals, including students, artists, and writers. This fascination comes with a huge array of widely-disseminated myths. So grab a cup of tea or coffee and settle in as you learn some of the science behind two exciting neuroscience myths.
Do we really only use 10 per cent of our brain capacity?
If you have ever watched Limitless, please disregard the drug dealer Vernon’s statement that “we can only access 20 per cent of our brain.” Many neuroimaging studies attest that we do not only use 10 or 20 per cent of our brain. Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), for example, has shown the dynamic interplay of neural activity that beautifully interweaves brain areas that are both near and remote anatomically. Every daily task that we accomplish—from sensory processing to more complex cognitive functions—requires numerous specific brain regions.
In fact, simply by listening to music, you already engage at least four different brain areas: The nucleus accumbens, amygdala, and the cerebellum for emotional processing, as well as the temporal lobe, which itself contains many subregions responsible for our auditory functions. According to the book This Is Your Brain on Music: The Science of a Human Obsession by McGill neuroscientist Daniel Levitin, musical rhythm and pitch changes solicit motor movement areas of the brain—for example, when hearing a melody. It also engages language areas when lyrics are present, and since repetition is a major aspect of music, our brains rely on memory systems when listening to our favourite songs on repeat. Depending on the task you are carrying out, almost your entire brain works tirelessly by engaging several brain regions.
Do we only use our left hemisphere when we do multiplications?
For all the lucky McGill students who have had to learn about multiple integrals and Taylor series in MATH 222, you were not only using your left hemisphere while you were solving those math problems. In reality, whenever we use logic and analytical thinking, we employ various brain areas, such as the frontal and parietal lobes of both the left and right hemispheres. Our brain’s anatomy also allows for the interhemispheric transfer of information thanks to the corpus callosum.
Now for all the Arts students who need to come up with eloquent, creative ideas in their political science and international development classes, it is not just your right hemisphere that does the work. According to a Scientific Americanarticle, creativity is a “whole brain process” that encompasses both the left and right hemispheres, so neither one gets jealous for being less active. When you are at the McLennan library trying to finish that 15-page essay at 2:00 a.m., your brain is trying to fire on all cylinders and turns on both the left superior frontal gyrus (SFL) and the right cerebellum, along with plenty of other areas.
We use our whole brain, and logic and creativity reside in both of our hemispheres Your Wernicke’s area and left temporal region will soon take a break after reading this article, but you now know that whatever activity you do next, you will be using more than just 10 per cent of your brain. No matter what you do afterward, whether you will apply more logic or creativity, both your left and right hemispheres will help you accomplish your task.
