Institute Double Take
An abstract perspective of MIT’s Chemistry building, Building 18, viewed from the west. At night, the windows light up in a grid pattern; the yellow glow strongly contrasts the black outer walls.
Events: May 3 - May 9
Events May 3 – May 9 Tuesday (10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.) Student Art Association (SAA) presents their Spring Ceramic Sale — Lobby 10 (3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.) Inside 150: Computers, Calculators and Cybernetics — MIT Museum (4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.) MIT150 Symposium: Brains, Minds and Machines — 26-100 Wednesday (5:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.) MIT Chamber Music Society Student Concert — Killian Hall (5:15 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.) Science Trivia Challenge — Broad Institute (7:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.) Hackfest 2011 (2.007 Competition) Preliminary round — W34 Thursday (9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.) Artists Beyond the Desk Bi-annual Crafts Fair — 32-100 (9:00 a.m – 2:00 p.m.), E62 (9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.) (4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.) CMS Colloquium Series presents Race and Representation after 9/11 — 2-105 (6:30 p.m. – 10:30 p.m.) Hackfest 2011 (2.007 Competition) Final round — W34 (8:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.) DanceTroupe presents: Flux — W16 Friday (12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.) Emerson Scholar Student Recital: Nathan C. Haouzi ’11, piano — Killian Hall (3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.) Emerson Scholar Student Recital: Ka Yan Karen Lee G, soprano — Killian Hall (5:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.) Emerson Fellow Student Recital: Stephen R. Serene ‘12, cello and Nicholas Joliat (G), piano — Killian Hall (7:00 p.m., 10:00 p.m.) LSC shows The King’s Speech — 26-100 Saturday (12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.) Emerson Scholar Piano Student Recital — Killian Hall (8:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.) MIT Wind Ensemble — Kresge Auditorium Sunday (12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.) Emerson Scholar Woodwind Student Recital — Killian Hall (4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.) MIT Concert Choir — Kresge Auditorium Send your campus events to events@tech.mit.edu.
Colorful characters unite at Anime Boston 2011
Last weekend, I returned to the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center (BCEC) for my second convention of the year, after the Penny Arcade Expo (PAX) in March. As I stepped from the cab so graciously paid for by The Tech, I was surprised to see no one outside the building in costume or actually, anybody at all. I approached the doors and peered inside to see … no one.
Melody Ball proof that even nerds care to dance
Every year, Anime Boston hosts a costume ballroom formal. This year’s event was called the Melody Ball, and it was the highlight of my Anime Boston, as always. The Melody Ball enforces a formal dress code and plays almost exclusively ballroom music, which makes it the ideal event for tuxedo enthusiasts, amateur ballroom dancers, and Disney fairy tale cosplayers — all of whom, as it happens, were in attendance.
Convention dos and don’ts, from your friendly campus newspaper
Preregister for tickets so you pay less.
Afterhours with Beth Taylor
Elizabeth Vogel Taylor PhD ’07 loves her role as an instructor at MIT. Since MIT instructors don’t run their own labs, they get to focus all of their time on teaching, which Taylor does, both in the 5.111 (Principles of Chemical Science) classroom and also in her work developing chemistry teaching tools. She spoke with The Tech about why she enjoys teaching chemistry and trying to teach German to her baby daughter.
MAY CONTAIN NUTS Healthy, ‘well’-thy, and wise
“How you doin’?” The common answer is “good” — or “well” for the grammatically correct. But is this really the case? Perhaps in a superficial sense, yes. But from a health standpoint, the answer may not be so fitting. For me, I know that this semester has taken quite a toll on my sleeping and eating habits. I’ve succumbed to the age-old truth that you have to pick two: sleep, grades, or friends.
Cheat Sheet aka that random stuff that never shows up on the test
The Tech: What’s your favorite place in the world?
Institute Double Take
The limited dynamic range of a camera can often pose difficulties for the photographer, but in certain situations, it can also create artistic possibilities.
Events: Apr. 26 - May 2
Events Apr. 26 – May 2 Tuesday (4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.) Former NY Governor, Eliot Spitzer, on Government’s Role in the Market — E51 (Wong Auditorium) (5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.) Dr. Peter-Paul Henze, scientific officer of the German Consulate in Boston presents “The Landscape of German Science and Innovation” — E40-496 (7:30 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.) MIT Chamber Music Society - Student Jazz Combos — Killian Hall Wednesday (2:30 p.m. – 3:45 p.m.) Fulbright Info Session — 1-242 (4:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.) EECS MasterWorks: a showcase of Masters’ theses — 32-G401 (5:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.) Emerson Scholar Student Recital: Jennifer I. Lai ’11, piano — Killian Hall Thursday (12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.) MIT’s Action Learning program Spring poster session — E62 (6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.) Greek Week Barbecue — Kresge Oval Friday (12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.) Emerson Scholars Student Recital - Adrian M. Grossman ’14, electric and acoustic bass and Dylan Sherry ’12, tenor and soprano saxophone — Killian Hall (3:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.) Greek Week Carnival — Kresge Oval (5:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.) Emerson Fellow Student Recital - Sarah E. Rumbley ’12, piano — Killian Hall (5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.) MIT and the World’s Largest Science Experiment: Hunting the Higgs Boson at CERN — 32-123 (8:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.) MTG Presents: The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee — Kresge Little Theatre (8:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.) MIT Chamber Chorus concert — W16 (8:00 p.m. – 10:30 p.m.) Spring Weekend Concert: Jason Derülo and Janelle Monae — W34 Saturday (11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.) Under the Dome: MIT 150 Open House — W31 (4:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.) MIT Flying Club hosts Fly-In/Drive-In — Beverly Airport (7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.) Gospel Fest 2011 — W20-208 (8:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.) MIT Festival Jazz Ensemble Pomeroy Memorial Concert — Kresge Auditorium Sunday (1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.) Greek Week Cake-off and Lunch — Kresge Lawn (4:30 p.m.) MIT Sport Taekwondo presents the 9th annual KICK-A-THON! — Kresge Lawn Monday (12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.) Lunch with a Luminary: Peter A. Diamond PhD ‘63 — MIT Museum (7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.) IDEAS and MIT Global Challenge and Awards Ceremony — W16 Send your campus events to events@tech.mit.edu.
VIDEO GAME REVIEW Portal sequel more than still alive
The original Portal was released in 2007 to critical acclaim. It was a very short, polished game based on a novel concept — players wield a portal gun that can fire a blue or orange portal onto certain surfaces, and things that go through one portal come out the other, preserving their speed and relative direction. By applying this simple idea in different ways, the player navigated through test chambers of increasing difficulty, all while evading the once-helpful robotic test administrator’s attempts to hurt your feelings (and kill you).
CLUB CONNECTION What’s your beef?
Step aside, small fries! Mooove over, chicken! Beef is where it’s at, at least according to mitBEEF, MIT’s one-and-only beef appreciation club. To see whether that was true or just a load of bull, I headed over to Random Hall to do some “investigative journalism” at the first Miscellaneous Cow Part Competition, where a plethora of unusual beef cuts were laid out for us to taste and identify.
Events: Apr. 22 - Apr. 25
Events apr. 22 – apr. 25 Friday (10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.) iFair, sponsored by the International Students Association — Kresge Oval (12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.) Good Friday service with reading of the Passion, sponsored by the Lutheran Episcopal Ministry — MIT Chapel (12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.) Emerson Scholar Student Recital: Emily L. Jackson ’11, flute — Killian Hall (3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.) Good Friday service — MIT Chapel (3:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.) Making MAJOR Decisions: What you need to know about yourself when choosing a major — 4-145 (5:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.) Emerson Fellow Student Recital: Adrianna L. Tam ‘11, mezzo-soprano — Killian Hall (7:00 p.m. – 1:00 a.m.) Steer Roast Music Festival — Senior House (8:30 p.m. – 11:30 p.m.) Dhoom, MIT Sangam’s dance party — W20 Lobdell Saturday (9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.) LIVERight 5K Run/Walk — Memorial Drive (Dorm Row) (10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.) Course 5 2011 Undergraduate Research Symposium — 56-154 (10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.), 56-114 (12:30 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.) (2:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.) Emerson Scholar String Student Recitals — Killian Hall (6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.) Inspirasian: Boston Asian Performing Arts Festival — Kresge Auditorium (8:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.) MIT Muses Spring Concert 2011: “Elevator Music” — 6-120 (8:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.) Holy Saturday/Easter Vigil Mass — MIT Chapel (9:30 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.) Easter Party — W11 Sunday (4:00 a.m. – 6:00 a.m.) Easter Sunrise Worship Service — E62 Courtyard (6:30 a.m. – 8:00 a.m.) Easter Breakfast — E62 Dining Hall (9:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.) Easter Mass — W15 Monday (6:00 p.m.) Comparative Media Studies 13th Annual Media Spectacle — 32-155 (7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.) Democracy in the Middle East? A talk followed by a Q&A session — 56-154 (7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.) Is Eating Meat Ethical: PETA VP Bruce Friedrich vs. MIT Debate Team — 10-250 Send your campus events to events@tech.mit.edu.
QUARKINESS Free food fixations
When I first came to MIT about four years ago, I got the bright idea that I would live on free food as much as possible. I attended info sessions and club meetings, and I kept my eyes peeled for free food emails and free food lying around.
MIT Sexual Assault Awareness Week
Editor’s Note: Readers are advised that this article contains discussion of the circumstances of sexual assault.
CPW 2011 Eric Grimson: From Course VI head to chancellor
The Tech’s Campus Life department invited MIT Chancellor W. Eric L. Grimson PhD ’80 to speak with prefrosh during CPW. Grimson became chancellor on March 1, previously serving as head of the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science. Grimson told The Tech about his new job, the reasons why he chose his undergraduate institution, and why prefrosh should come to MIT.
Events: Apr. 12 - Apr. 18
Events apr. 12 – APR. 18 Tuesday (5:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.) Coordination, Switching Costs and the Division of Labor in General Medicine: An Economic Explanation for the Emergence of Hospitalists in the United States — E62-650 (7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.) A Conversation with Sherry Turkle — 66-110 Wednesday (2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.) From biology to robots: the iCub project — 32-G449 (5:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.) Emerson Scholar Student Recital — Vineet Gopal ’14, flute — Killian Hall Thursday (11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.) Spring Career Fair 2011 — W20, Sala de Puerto Rico (5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.) David W. Miliband SM ’90, British Labour Party politician and member of Parliament, speaks about “The State of Europe” — 4-370 Friday (12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.) Emerson Fellow Student Recital — Paulina A. Sliwa G, mezzo-soprano — Killian Hall (3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.) Lisa P. Jackons, administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, speaks at the 11th Annual Henry W. Kendall Memorial Lecture and Reception — W20-202 (4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.) iCampus Student Prize Final Round Competition — E52, East Dining Room (5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.) Emerson Fellow Student Recital — Bina Y. Choi ’11 — Killian Hall (7:00 p.m., 10:00 p.m.) LSC shows True Grit — 26-100 Saturday (7:00 p.m.,10:00 p.m.) LSC shows Black Swan — 26-100 (7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.) Grains of Rice banquet sponsored by the MIT Asian American Association — Walker Memorial (8:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.) Mark Harvey & the Aardvark Jazz Orchestra — Kresge Auditorium Sunday (7:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.) AXO 23rd Lip Sync: Evolution — Kresge Theatre (7:00 p.m.) LSC shows True Grit — 26-100 (10:00 p.m.) LSC shows Black Swan — 26-100 Send your campus events to events@tech.mit.edu.
Institute Double Take
MIT is like an onion — it’s got layers. This image captures three spatial and two temporal layers of the Institute. In the foreground is part of the Stata Center, completed in 2004; in the middleground, Buidling 56 (1965); and the background, the Green Building (1964). Stata and its funky architecture were part of a recent wave of campus expansion, while Building 56 and Green went up at a time when Stata’s design would be inconceivable. But today, all three stand as important centers of research, and for the busy undergraduate, useful landmarks.
Afterhours with Woodie Flowers
Woodie C. Flowers PhD ’73 is best known as one of the founding members of the FIRST Robotics Competition, a high school science and technology competition. He is also an Emeritus Pappalardo Professor of Mechanical Engineering here at MIT. I got a chance to talk with Flowers over the phone, as he’s currently on the road for various FIRST competitions. He told me about the MIT class that started the competition and tells potential freshmen how to succeed at the Institute.