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a, Arts & Entertainment, Film and TV

House of Cards reshuffles its deck for a slightly inferior second season

by Max Berger on

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The release of House of Cards Season 2 last Friday may have been the closest we’ve come as a species to matching the amount of spoiler-induced anxiety that Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows generated when it first became available. For fans of the show who weren’t able to take in the long anticipated, 13-episode bombshell right after it became viewable on Netflix, every passing conversation or social media outlet doubled as a minefield full of unwanted information that could detonate at any moment. And after the first 60 minutes of Season 2 alone, potential spoiler figures like myself already had plenty of ammunition to work with.

If you’ve seen Season 1 and haven’t yet gotten around to watching the sequel, consider this review a safe haven from any of Season 2’s detrimental plot details: just some gut reactions and extremely broad analysis of what proved to be a mildly disappointing follow-up to a highly acclaimed debut.

With its initial volume of simultaneously released episodes, House of Cards was lauded for being a daring, fast-paced political narrative that takes the notion of corruption in Washington to uncharted territory. Season 2 doesn’t abandon that formula, but at times, it uses a watered-down version of it—one that leaves various episodes prone to stretches of lulled action.

In some ways, that can be attributed to the general plot arc of the season. When we last left Frank Underwood (Kevin Spacey), he had completed his deceptive and improbable rise to vice-presidency, which was fueled after President Walker (Michel Gill) passed him over for Secretary of State. The political snub spurred Underwood and his equally shrewd wife, Claire (Robin Wright), to orchestrate an elaborate revenge plot that centred on Frank seizing power at any cost.

This season, it’s evident that the couple have their sights set on crossing the next frontier—by becoming President and First Lady—but we rarely see them scheme together with the same hunger they displayed in Season 1’s frequent nighttime meetings by the windowsill. Since the steps along the way are less clearly defined, it ends up feeling like more of a leisurely stroll to power than the march it once was.

This isn’t to suggest that Frank has lost his edge—he’s still the same man that’s capable of cold-blooded murder when he has to. As Frank so bluntly puts it in one of his trademark addresses to the viewer, “There are two types of vice-presidents: doormats and matadors. Which do you think I intend to be?” Frank is unquestionably one of the latter, but his newfound vice-presidential duties tend to have him managing crises instead of actively seeking out obstacles to take down—not to mention all the time he has to spend buttering up his uninspiring presidential boss.

In terms of supporting characters, House of Cards keeps a good portion of the group it started with intact, but also makes some key—and unexpected—changes. Of all the newcomers, Jackie Sharp (Molly Parker) makes the most consistent impact, taking over Frank’s role as House Majority Whip after he handpicks her. Otherwise, the writers keep us guessing for most of the season with regards to who will step up in any given episode; there’s a willingness to let presumably minor characters suddenly take on bigger roles, and for old faces to unexpectedly resurface.

That approach has mixed results: sometimes it creates intriguing supplementary storylines, and at other times, it leads to dead ends. However, the caveat with the latter scenario is that those moments may be laying the foundation for something bigger down the road. One of the show’s signature tactics is to bring its characters’ recent pasts into the open—as it does prominently with Claire this season—so it makes sense that its writers would already be thinking ahead to Season 3.

While Season 2 of House of Cards may not have been the dynamic force that its predecessor was, it still delivers a steady stream of absorbing content that justifies a 13-hour binge-watch. It also features a handful of “OH MY GOD, DID THAT JUST HAPPEN?” moments, the most startling of which happens in the season’s first hour and will—quite literally—leave you frozen in your tracks. By the time it’s all over, the main storyline continues to grow as the show’s title suggests it will, into an intricate structure whose grandeur is matched only by its vulnerability.

Already saw Season 2? Check out our in-depth, spoiler-filled review and see if you agree with our thoughts on the show!

a, Baseball, Sports

Around the water cooler – Feb. 18

by Steven Lampert on

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FIGURE SKATING —We may have had ridiculous expectations, but come on, it was Canada’s golden boy—no, not Sidney Crosby. Patrick Chan took the silver medal, missing out on the gold by less than five points in the men’s free program on Saturday. This was a disappointing result for some as Chan is the three-time defending world champion. But let’s be real, 19-year-old Japanese gold medalist Yuzuru Hanyu is a magician. He should have to wear hockey skates. In all seriousness, this might have been Chan’s last chance at an Olympic gold—he will be 27 years old in 2018—which is honestly devastating. No matter what happens, you will always be in our hearts, PChiddy.

 

SPEED SKATING—We all love our unlikely heroes, and Canada has found one in Sochi. Denny Morrison won his second medal of the Games on Saturday, earning a bronze medal in the 1500m race at Adler Arena. The 28-year-old wasn’t expected to do much damage in Sochi, considering there were questions about whether he would even qualify for the Canadian team at the time trials in January. Having added to his silver medal in the 1000m earlier in the week, Morrison has tied Gaétan Boucher as the most decorated Canadian male long track speed skater in history with four Olympic medals. He will inevitably break Boucher’s record when he participates in the team pursuit beginning on Feb. 21, because Canada’s skater is always open for business and a grand slam is within his reach.

 

ALPINE SKIING—Did you know Canada was in the middle of a 20-year Olympic medal drought in men’s alpine skiing? Not anymore as Jan Hudec snapped the streak on Sunday, tying for bronze in the men’s Super-G event. Hudec’s 1:18.67 time was identical to that of popular American skier Bode Miller. Speaking of unlikely heroes, Hudec’s previous top result at an Olympic event was 21st place in the downhill. What I’m trying to say is that anyone who had money on Hudec should buy a lottery ticket immediately.

 

SNOWBOARD CROSS—Every four years the Winter Olympics brings with it a multitude of obscure sports, but snowboard cross is definitely the most intense. Dominique Maltais—who finished 20th in the event at the Vancouver Games—bounced back by claiming a silver medal on Sunday—the second Olympic medal of her career. She beat out American favourite Lindsey Jacobellis in a wild semifinal, after Jacobellis crashed while in the lead. Maltais cruised in the finals, finishing behind Eva Samkova of the Czech Republic. Somehow, Maltais is still tearing up snowboard cross circuits at age 33, adding the silver medal to her three consecutive Crystal Globes as World Cup champion. I hope someone will give me a medal for just being able to stand on a snowboard when I’m 33.

a, Arts & Entertainment, Music

The Wayo—The Wandering

by Evan Coulter on

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Originating in Halifax, The Wayo is a young band charting its path with a mixture of ‘antique’ and modern sounds. Consisting of four songs, their first extended play (EP), titled The Wandering, utilizes eclectic instrumentation in order to hold true to the roots of R&B while also appealing to younger listeners. The Wandering is a breath of fresh air for those who appreciate the fusion of musical genres; this EP allows alto saxophones, groovy basslines, and an electronic drum machine to combine for a wholly unique sound.

Charlotte Day Wilson’s vocals immediately stand out. Her tone is smooth and raw, clearly drawing inspiration from the female Motown singers of the ‘60s. She also doubles as the band’s saxophonist. The third track, “Undone,” features both of her talents, while an exceptional rhythm section backs her up.

One of the band’s specific techniques is guitarist Mike Fong’s use of FX, which provides an intriguing echo to his guitar chords. “Lay It Down” is the best exemplar of this effect, giving this song a funky groove and sexual tone—a recurring theme in the EP.

Despite the refreshing sound it brings to a student culture plagued by house and electronic music, The Wandering is still slightly monotonous. But this isn’t uncommon criticism for a band’s debut EP, and it’s one that The Wayo will likely shed as they further develop their musical capabilities.

This also doesn’t change the fact that The Wayo have produced four songs that are easy to dance to and pay excellent tribute to the R&B sounds of the ‘60s and ‘70s. The Wandering is a positive stepping-stone in their career and I’m excited to hear whatever—“smooth ass R&B” is the phrasing on their Bandcamp page—they release next.

a, Student Life

Forging a friendlier future in the Milton-Parc community

by Laura Hanrahan on

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At the end of each year, dozens of houses and apartments spanning University to St. Famille change hands from one groups of students to the next in a long-standing, customary sort of way.

What students tend to forget is that the Milton-Parc area has a long history that precedes the current state of student-heavy housing. Hélène Brisson, a representative of the Milton-Parc Citizens’ Committee, describes the area as, first and foremost, a residential one that was not initially intended for student use.

“[Milton-Parc] was built for people who worked at the university or downtown or at Royal Victoria [Hospital]; it was built for people who had families,” she said. “It was never meant as a transient area, but now [many students liver there] because of proximity. All of those older houses were turned into rooming houses.”

When merging two very different demographics into one neighbourhood, many issues can make for a tenuous relationship between the two.

“What makes it difficult is the fact that young people living in the neighbourhood tend to forget that it’s not their area, but an area that they share with long-term residents,” Brisson noted.

Resentment from long-term residents of the use of the word “ghetto” is one of the most fundamental strains on this relationship.

“Nobody likes that it’s called ‘the McGill ghetto,’” Brisson, said. “To this day, although there is that strong contingent of student population, it’s still a majority of long-term Montreal residents.”

As can be expected, the number of neighbourhood complaints increases exponentially during events like frosh week, Management Carnival, and St. Patrick’s Day. Noise complaints seem to be the most common issue that the Citizens’ Committee comes across on a day-to-day basis.

“It’s a clash of lifestyles,” Brisson said. “Unfortunately, when it’s fuelled by alcohol, it makes problems for all. We remind everyone about [keeping noise levels down], but it hasn’t quite sunk in yet.”

Even with reminders, some students feel that the line of communication isn’t completely open, which can result in a misunderstanding between the two groups.

“We became a scapegoat for the noise problem, and would get complaints from the landlord even when we weren’t having parties,” U3 Arts student Jeremy Schipper said. “What was especially frustrating for us was that we never received complaints from any of the neightbours directly, and would only ever hear from the cops or the landlords.”

The hostility only begand to subside when Schipper and his housemates spoke directly with their landlord.

While the majority of complaints are for mild offenses like noise levels and even garbage pick-up issues, there have also been extreme incidents where people’s possessions—and even their lives—have been put in danger. Dalia Goldberg, a representative of McGill’s Community Ambassadors program and U3 geography student, recalled one incident that stuck out in her mind.

“There was a student who had a party and had a lot of people over,” she said. “Somebody lit a bag of garbage on fire and threw it out the window onto a neighbor’s roof and it set her house on fire. Luckily it wasn’t major and just scared her more than anything.”

Both the Milton-Parc Citizens’ Committee and the McGill Community Ambassadors actively work together to bring the students and long-term residents closer, in the hopes of creating a more unified community.

“Volunteers from the community sit down with students in [McGill] residence that want to practice their French for an hour once a week,” Brisson explained. “It works well, is interesting, and is really appreciated by the volunteers. They really enjoy doing it.”

The Community Ambassadors organize community potlucks and neighbourhood cleanups—not only to allow students and long-term residents to meet each other, but also to show that the student population really does care about the neighbourhood.

Both Goldberg and Brisson agreed that, overall, the long-term residents enjoy having the students around.

“Nobody ever says ‘Let’s get rid of them, they shouldn’t be here,’” Brisson said. “It’s a fact; we live with it, and it’s a stimulating environment living with young people.”

a, McGill, News

SEDE facing financial woes, unable to secure adequate funding

by Aislinn Kalob on

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McGill’s Social Equity and Diversity Education (SEDE) office may experience reduced programming in the future due to provincial budget cuts announced last winter.

“Like other departments and units on campus, we have been affected by a reduction in resources and staffing provoked by a number of factors,” SEDE Administrative Coordinator Juhi Sujan said.

Since its establishment in 2006, the SEDE office has provided training in equity, diversity, and anti-discrimination education, as well as school mentorship programs and opportunities for community engagement.

The office has also expanded to offer an Indigenous education program, a tutoring program for children in underrepresented neighbourhoods, and an annual Community Engagement Day, which attracted hundreds of McGill students to 20 different community service projects around Montreal this past October.

“We are extremely proud of how far the office has come since its beginnings,” Sujan said. “We are a small office, and have done the best we could with the available funds.”

Lack of funding, as a result of the provincial budget cuts that took place last winter, currently jeopardizes SEDE’s ability to staff and to carry out the many functions that fall under its mission. According to SSMU Councillors and Sujan, the fate of SEDE is uncertain if alternative funding is not found, or if McGill cannot support the office financially.

“I don’t think the whole office would fold,” Joey Shea, Vice-President University Affairs of the Students’ Society of McGill University (SSMU), said. “The SEDE office would exist, but their capacity to put on programming and the types of programming would be really limited.”

Among those who will be affected are those who work for SEDE, and those within McGill and the Montreal community who participate in and benefit from SEDE’s programs.

“Cuts are going to result in less services, less programs, and reductions to their already extremely stretched staff,” SSMU Clubs and Services Representative Zachary Rosentzveig said. “There is no fat to be cut at SEDE. Any cuts that come in would cut into meat and bone.”

Although SEDE is an office under the McGill administration’s jurisdiction, a motion passed at the SSMU Winter 2013 General Assembly mandates SSMU to support SEDE in gaining adequate financial support.

According to Shea, SSMU is currently undecided about the method through which they will fulfill that mandate. However, SSMU has specifically chosen not to create student fees to support SEDE.

“As much as we love SEDE and think that it’s so incredibly important to the university, it just wasn’t appropriate for us to ask students to pay for something that the university should be paying for out of its operating budget,” Shea said.

Currently, there are no alternative solutions to the funding problem, either within SSMU or on the administrative end. Meanwhile, Rosentzveig said there have been ongoing conversations between SSMU and the McGill administration to try to address the funding problems.

In her most recent SSMU Council report, Shea expressed that she would be holding a campaign in support of increased funding for SEDE.

“I don’t really know what form the campaign will take,” she said. “I imagine a letter-writing campaign to the [campus media outlets] from students in support, or directly to the provost of the university who sets the budget.”

a, Science & Technology

Scientists create the first customized, genetically engineered monkeys

by Christine Tam on

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Ningning and Mingming are not ordinary monkeys. From the exterior, their pink noses and furry faces make them appear as normal macaques, but at the genomic level, these brothers carry mutated genes.

Researchers at the Model Animal Research Center of Nanjing University in China reported the creation of the first genetically engineered monkeys with customized mutations last month. By inducing such mutations, researchers are one step closer towards acquiring the technology to recreate human diseases in monkeys. This would allow scientists to use primates, rather than mice and other rodents, as more realistic models of human disease. The twin macaques were born with mutations in two genes: Ppar-γ, which is involved in metabolism regulation; and Rag1, a gene required for healthy immune function. These mutations were targeted using a novel gene-editing platform called clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR).

This innovative technology exploits an immune function found in bacteria that allows the researchers to target and destroy foreign and potentially dangerous DNA. Using a small guiding molecule called CRISPR RNA, the DNA-cutting enzyme Cas9 is targeted to the gene of interest, where it cleaves and modifies the target sequence. This technique is much more efficient than the genetic modification method currently used in rodents, which relies on spontaneous DNA exchanges to introduce mutations. Since primates reproduce much more slowly than mice, this low-efficiency technique is not a viable option in monkeys. And while genetic engineering in monkeys is a technique that has been attempted before, previous experiments used viruses that incorporated genes into random locations that could not be specifically targeted.

The team in China, led by the principal investigator Xingxu Huang, used CRISPR to alter genes in more than 180 monkey embryos before finally achieving success with the twin macaques. While modifications in these two genes do not represent a known disease condition, the monkeys provide a proof-of-principle for a technique that could have large effects in biomedical research.

This new animal model is anticipated to be extremely useful in the study of human diseases that cannot be adequately replicated in mice or rats, such as neuropsychiatric disorders.

“Although mice are giving us tremendous insight into basic brain biology and the biology of the disease, there’s still a big gap in between the mouse brain and the monkey brain,” said MIT’s Brain Institute Director, Robert Desimone, in an interview with the MIT Technology Review.

The CRISPR technology itself also has broad implications for the future of disease treatment. As a form of human gene therapy, CRISPR could one day be used to precisely swap out defective genes for their corrected counterparts. While we are likely still years away from seeing this technique being used in a clinic, it is clear that the biomedical research landscape is rapidly changing and bringing forward new technologies.

a, Men's Varsity, Sports

Basketball: Lacy lights up Laval with career-high 30 points

by Elie Waitzer on

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The McGill Redmen’s one-point lead looked fleeting heading into the half. As if on cue, their opponents, the Laval Rouge et Or, opened the third-quarter with two straight field goals, going up 36-32. It would be Laval’s last lead of the game.

Scrambling to halt their opponents’ momentum, the Redmen turned to reserve shooting-guard Thomas Lacy. Suddenly, Laval had no answers, as Lacy took control in a 79-53 victory for the Redmen.

Lacy erupted for 22 of his career-high 30 points in the third-quarter to go along with three rebounds, three steals, and one assist. His six three pointers fell one shy of the team’s single-game record, set by Yannick Chouinard back in 2005.

What began as a 10-0 run quickly turned into a monster 33-point quarter for the Redmen, during which the hosts outscored their opponents by 19 points to put the game out of reach.

“My legs felt pretty young tonight,” Lacy said. “I hit one and then I could feel my teammates trying to find me on the court. I could feel the guys on the bench standing up [….] Once those things start happening, the ball just goes in.”

With every swish, Thomas Lacy seemed to set his feet further and further from the arc, while the rowdy Redmen bench inched closer and closer to the hardwood. This was Lacy’s court. This was his time to shine.

McGill would put the game away in the last quarter, coasting to an easy win. Lacy exited midway through the fourth frame to a rousing ovation from the red-and-white crowd. Despite Lacy’s 6 of 11 outburst from three-point land, Redmen Head Coach David DeAveiro expressed more excitement about the 6’1” guard’s inside game.

“Although he shot [the ball] really well, he also had 12 points going to the basket,” DeAveiro said. “He’s had to expand his game [….] Any time you have a chance to go one-on-one you have to be able to score from all over.”

The Redmen dominated the glass throughout the game, out-rebounding Laval 49-36 on the strength of freshman forward François Bourque’s 10 boards. Bourque, the tallest member of McGill’s starting five at 6’5”,  battled all night against 6’9” Laval big man Boris Hadzimuratovic. Bourque’s play was instrumental in the third- quarter, giving his team multiple opportunities to stretch the lead.

While the Redmen shined on the boards they were mired in foul trouble for much of the early going, sending its opponents to the foul line 15 times in the first half.

“We got together at halftime and talked about playing defence without fouling and making adjustments on offence,” DeAveiro said.

Whatever wisdom DeAveiro imparted on his squad in the locker room, it seemed to click instantly, as McGill cut down on their fouls and stifled the Rouge et Or offence over the final two quarters.

“We kept them to 22 points in the second half,” DeAveiro said. “That’s what we do—we stop teams from scoring. When we do that, we get a chance to go out there and run and play unselfish [….] That’s how we found [Lacy] for open shots.”

With three games remaining before the playoffs, McGill (11-2) leads the RSEQ and will have a chance to repeat as regular-season champions with a win against second-place Bishop’s (8-4) on Thursday night at Love Competition Hall.

 

a, Arts & Entertainment, Music

Deep Cuts: songs for lonely hearts

by Kia Pouliot on

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Easy

Artist: John Newman

Album: Tribute

Released: October 14, 2013

John Newman reaffirms Britain’s knack for churning out artists with soul. “Easy,” following Tribute’s theme of rollercoaster romance, is a downhill moment on the ride. “Just another song/ Just another tale/ Of a broken heart” is the opening line of this brooding track, and as suggested, the content is not particularly poetic. Despite this, Newman manages to add a profundity to the lyrics with his powerful vocal rendering of the sentiment, starting small and tender, then escalating to a gut-wrenching chorus that makes the endlessly recycled heartbreak theme sound fresh again.

Touch

Artist: Daughter

Album: If You Leave

Released: March 18, 2013

If the music they make is in anyway reflective of their life experience, London trio Daughter are no strangers to misery—particularly when it comes to lost love. “Touch” poignantly captures the sense of disconnect and loneliness that comes with a broken heart. Vocalist Elena Tonra sings “I’m dreaming of strangers/ Kissing me in the night/ Just so I/ Just so I can feel something.” Whether or not you can relate, for a moment you sink into that dark place with her.

Stupid

Artist: Kacey Musgraves

Album: Same Trailer Different Park

Released: March 19, 2013

“Stupid” is a refreshingly unsentimental look at relationships that playfully condemns love in general. Though Musgrave’s vocals are not particularly powerful, her songwriting voice—full of matter-of-fact wit and companionable charm—manages to draw you in. This track, with its twangy acoustic guitar and relatable message will make you want to crank it up and stomp your feet as you revel in all its cynical glory.

Delicate

Artist: Damien Rice

Album: O

Released: February 1, 2002

Sometimes there’s nothing better than shutting off all the lights, curling up with some cozy blankets, and listening to some really depressing music. “Delicate,” a song about an unhealthy relationship, follows Rice’s tendency to seamlessly glide between bareboned acoustic ruminations to grandly orchestrated balladry. Though such dramatic production and heart-on-sleeve lyrics like, “So why do you fill my sorrow/ With the words you’ve borrowed” can often seem contrived, Rice’s delivery always feels pure and sincere. When the mopey mood strikes, no one is a better guest at your pity party than the king of lonely hearts himself, Damien Rice.

a, Student Life, Student of the Week

Student of the week: Rachel Simmons

by Mayaz Alam on

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You’d be hard pressed to find anyone at McGill who knows more about the inner workings of student politics than Rachel Simmons.

As parliamentarian for the Students’ Society of McGill University (SSMU), chief returning officer (CRO) for the Science Undergraduate Society (SUS), replacement speaker for the Post-Graduate Students’ Society of McGill University (PGSS), and speaker and CRO for the Education Undergraduate Society of McGill (EDUS) Council, Simmons certainly has her hands full.

In addition to these positions, Simmons is currently a first-year masters student in the research division of the Department of Family Medicine. The Montreal native is always busy, but for her, that isn’t necessarily a bad thing.

“I love [being] busy; if I don’t have a crazy amount on my plate I start looking for more,” Simmons says. “It’s a balancing act for sure [….] You get by every week, and you just try to get to Sunday [and] take it as it comes.”

It was during her undergraduate experience at McGill that Simmons’ passion for civic engagement started to burn. Despite playing an integral role in student government, Simmons has never wanted to take a representative position. She is more than satisfied in ensuring that the system runs smoothly.

“I actually have very little interest in politics,” she says. “I think student government is valuable and it’s excellent in doing what it does, but […] being a representative was not something I enjoyed as much as facilitating it. I’m more interested in making sure things happen [and] enabling people to do these positions and do these things.”

Simmons’ different roles all have a common thread – it is her duty to keep above the political fray and remain neutral even in the most ardent of debates. As speaker and parliamentarian, she ensures that proceedings are civil and motions are appropriate. As CRO, Simmons must both encourage candidates and make sure that they follow the election period rules. Given the personal nature of her positions, she is constantly tiptoeing on a tightrope that can be difficult to navigate.

“The hardest part is keeping yourself impartial [because] you get to know the people you work with as friends; [but when] you’re speaking or being parliamentarian […] it’s hard to make the distinction,” Simmons explains. “When you step into this room, you assume this position and you need to draw that line.”

Her responsibilities are that much greater due to her non-representative role. Being a neutral arbiter is tough for anyone who is engaged in politics or opinionated. However, Simmons realizes that her obligation is to the elected representatives.

“I am vocal. I do like to share my opinions, [but] I am not there to have an opinion,” she explains. “I am there to make sure everybody else is heard.”

Looking forward, Simmons hopes to combine her academic and extracurricular pursuits.

“We are starting a student government for family medicine […] so I’m working with the future student society of family medicine,” she says. “With SSMU, I’d really like to see the projects we started this year [to] be followed through [with].”

For the individuals who will step into the myriad of positions she currently occupies, Simmons urges that they persevere throughout the entire endeavor.

“Keep an open mind and keep on learning about it,” Simmons says. “You never stop learning about how to work with different people  […] and patience—you must have patience.”

McGill Tribune:  Robert’s Rules, a guide to parliamentary conduct, are an integral part of your job. Who is your favourite Robert?

Rachel Simmons: Robert(o) Luongo. That’s my favourite Robert right now.

MT: What was your dream job as a child?

RS: When I was three I wanted to be a palaeontologist; after that I started to be more realistic with my goals and wanted to be an astronaut. Only reasons I gave that up was [that] I was horribly motion sick and also physics was not my thing.

MT: If you could only eat one kind of food for the rest of your life what would it be?

RS: This is [something] I’ve thought about and come to terms with—different varieties of pasta, with different cheeses. No sauce, no tomatoes, just pasta and cheese together in different forms.

MT: What are your three most visited websites?

RS: I’m on Buzzfeed all the time, I’m on Facebook all the time, and currently I’m on olympics.cbc.ca all the time, all day, every day.

MT: Favourite song to sing to or dance to when nobody is watching?

RS: I am a sucker for Disney movies so I know the soundtracks for most of them off by heart. I will turn them on full blast while making dinner; Tangled, Frozen is a big one right now, Lion King classics if you’re in an old school mood.

a, Science & Technology

Consumers are the new energy resource

by Ari Lesniak on

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In 1946, the RJ Reynolds Tobacco Company initiated a new advertising campaign for Camels, one of the most popular cigarette brands in the United States. The slogan on the brightly coloured cases read: “More doctors smoke Camels than any other cigarette.” Today, Marlboro cigarette cases read: “Smoking causes mouth and throat cancer” with gruesome images of rotting teeth, clogged arteries, and hospitalized children, depending on the case. Over 50 years, a once massively popular and mainstream activity was transformed into a fringe culture viewed as repulsive by many. Thanks to the development of new technologies and mass media, the attitude towards energy efficiency may soon undergo the same radical change.

Since the 1992 Rio Earth Summit, a conference held by the United Nations to discuss environmental and sustainable development, climate change awareness has been prevalent in the media. Unfortunately, despite this media coverage, social norms surrounding climate change have not drastically improved.

Opower, a utility company founded in San Francisco, hopes that its new technological approach to energy conservation will help shift the current mindsets towards a more active attempt to reduce household energy consumption.

Alex Laskey, the co-founder of Opower, conducted an experiment with his team where he gave people one of three different messages on their doors about why they should try to save energy: “You can save $54.00 this month,” “You can save the planet,” or “You can be a good citizen.” According to the results of the survey, no one message showed a marked difference in generating incentive amongst consumers to change their energy efficiency habits. However, when Laskey added a fourth message, “Your neighoburs are doing better than you,” consumers quickly took action.

According to the results of the experiment, locals who were under the impression that their neighbours were turning down their air conditioning also turned down their air conditioning, resulting in a significant decrease in energy consumption of the area.

“If something is inconvenient, even if we believe it, persuasion won’t work,” said Laskey in a 2013 TED talk titled The Psychology of Saving Energy. “But social pressure? That’s powerful stuff.”

Based on this study in behavioural science, the company has designed a process by which it provides comparisons of energy bills between neighbours. Essentially, Opower mails their customers an energy bill with a customized energy report. The report includes a comparison of the household’s energy use to that of a similar neighbour’s in the area. Laskey hopes that this extra incentive will help spur locals to take action to reduce their energy consumption.

The energy bill also provides conservation and efficiency tips. A common complaint amongst consumers in the fight against climate change is a lack of direction towards what action they should take. The efficiency tips provide households with concrete solutions to reduce energy that are tailored to that house, creating a specific path toward action.

“By thinking not just about material sciences but about behavioural sciences, we could save two terawatts a year,” said Laskey in his TED talk. “This is more than enough energy to power every home in St. Louis and Salt Lake City for more than a year.”

“We can do so much better, starting by tapping into the power of social behaviour.”

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