4 - Friday, February 4, 2011
Opinio
The Michigan Daily - michigandaily.com
Edited and managed by students at
the University of Michigan since 1890.
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Ann Arbor, MI 48109
tothedaily@michigandaily.com
MICHELLE DEWITT
STEPHANIE STEINBERG and EMILY ORLEY KYLE SWANSON
EDITOR IN CHIEF EDITORIAL PAGE EDITORS MANAGING EDITOR
Unsigned editorials reflect the official position of the Daily's editorial board.
All other signed articles and illustrations represent solely the views of their authors.
FROM THE DAILY
st e
op the brain rain
Support initiative for foreign-born entrepreneurs
While it may at times appear that the University is virtu-
ally overflowing with students with advanced degrees,
it's not a fair representation of the state as a whole. As
part of his plan to rebuild Michigan's economy, Republican Gov.
Rick Snyder has called for a statewide initiative that would encour-
age foreign-born citizens with advanced college degrees to bring
their ideas and businesses to Michigan. This proposal is an impor-
tant step toward reinventing the state's economy and bringing new,
innovative minds to Michigan. In an effort to combat the so-called
"brain drain" of Michigan, state legislators should support this ini-
tiative and help make it a success.
JEFF ZUSCHLAG
E-MAIL JEFF ZUSCHLAG AT JEFFDZ@UMICH.EDU
The Revolution Revolution
e jlb t b sO trutbe FreeThnker9l:
to be Oif -ebibent... OMG! dwn w/ mubarak!
#political#unrest
America, 1776 Egypt, 2011
,S
Spare me the smoke
According to the 2010 U.s. Census, Michi-
gan had the largest number of residents leave
compared to other states. In his recent State of
the State address, Snyder urged state officials
to support this foreign-born entrepreneur-
ial incentive program. The program will.help
solve the problems of both the decreasing pop-
ulation and the extremely high unemployment
rate that plagues Michigan. Snyder claims that
this initiative will boost high-tech industrial
jobs in Michigan - an economic sector that the
state is currently lacking.
The problem of losing highly educated, for-
eign-born people isn't exclusive to the state of
Michigan, but rather a nation wide issue. As
stated in his State of the Union address, Presi-
dent Barack Obama plans on encouraging for-
eign-born students to stay in America and start
businesses. As a nation and a state, we need
to work to retain students with an advanced
degree, so when they complete their educa-
tion we don't lose these bright and innovative
minds. One of the biggest problems facing
Michigan's economy is the lack of entrepre-
neurs and new businesses, and this initiative
can combat that issue by retaining the people
that can help create jobs throughout the state.
It's a common misconception that foreign-
born workers take away jobs from deserving
Michiganders. This ideology is incorrect. The
concept behind Snyder's proposal is to create
new businesses whose growth and develop-
ment will help strengthen the state's economy.
Snyder's initiative would encourage startup
high-tech industries, thus creating countless
jobs that could potentially one day replace the
jobs lost from the decline of the auto indus-
try. This program would create new sectors
and begin diversifying the state economy in a
way that it desperately needs in order to foster
growth.
According to a Jan. 20 Detroit Free Press
article, the state of Michigan has more than
23,000 foreign-born students that are current-
ly earning their advanced degrees, and many
of them are studying here at the University.
It's important that these people stay in Michi-
gan after they graduate, and Snyder's initiative
could help make that happen. Both Detroit and
Ann Arbor have experimented with similar
programs called Global Detroit and the Cul-
tural Ambassadors in Ann Arbor, and in both
cases, the systems have generated economic
growth. This program has shown success in
Ann Arbor and would undeniably show similar
results if implemented statewide.
State officials should adopt Snyder's ini-
tiative to encourage foreign-born graduates
with advanced degrees to start businesses in
Michigan.
Fascist regimes killed millions
of people throughout Europe
in the 20th century. The Uni-
versity will ban
smoking on cam-
pus. One of these
things is not like
the other.
In his view-
point (A bur-
densome ban,
01/26/11),
Timothy Hall ERIC
compares the SZKARLAT
University's
Smoke-Free
Initiative to dictatorial regimes.
He invokes the name of Dr. Mar-
tin Luther King, Jr. to demonstrate
that the rule will be unjust. In one
fell swoop, Hall has suggested that
the University is as oppressive as
murderous, genocidal governments
or systems that lack any dignity in
humanism. Hyperbole is fine for
comedy, but Hall isn't joking.
Hall also points out that the nature
of government is injustice. It's a nat-
ural byproduct of government, he
claims. What he fails to recognize is
that injustice is a natural byproduct
of almost every similar institution. A
ban on smoking that is remedied by
peer pressure is no more or less just
than a student having to breathe in
second hand smoke while walking to
class. One might even argue that it is
far less just because there are more
non-smokers than there are smok-
ers. And one would be right.
It's 2011. It's not the 1940s or
1950s any longer, and only about 20
percent of Americans smoke. Eighty
percent of Americans make the self-
beneficial decision not tosmoke.
If we continue to allow smokers to
smoke wherever they want, we are
denying those 80 percent the right
not to be around smoke wherever
they want. Protecting the right of
about 80 percent of Americans not to
inhale smoke - first or second hand
- is vital. Why is it even a question?
For what reason are smokers
allowed to smoke in any place they
want? People can't be naked wher-
ever they like. Why? Because the
majority doesn't want to see it. Peo-
ple can't start blasting their music as
loudly as they want wherever they
like. Why? Because the majority
doesn't want to hear it. People can't
even necessarily protest whenever
or wherever they like.Why? Because
most people don't want to be both-
ered by it. How is smoking any dif-
ferent? The majority doesn't want to
smell it or inhale it.
Isn't that what this boils down
to? Common courtesy - two words
mean so much. If you don't want
me to walk up to you and spit in
your face - which is fairly common
courtesy - then don't sit there and
smoke in mine. Have the dignity
and respect for yourself and for me
that you would afford a random
stranger in any other dynamic. I
certainly doubt you would spit on a
stranger, right?
If people practiced common cour-
tesy about smoking, and smoked
only in designated areas, then there
would be virtually no problem with
the ban. It wouldn't be implemented
because it wouldn't be necessary. The
"authoritarian, oppressive" govern-
ment reacts to substantial societal
problems. Remember that govern-
ment isn't the only thing that can be
oppressive.Society can be too.
Hall says the policy to permit
peer pressure to govern the ban
degrades humanity. But peer pres-
sure shouldn't be necessary.
When I'm walking down the
street, and I have to hold my breath
so as not to inhale that god-awful
smell coming from the person's
cigarette in front of me, I know that
my comfort is being compromised.
When I walk out of Mason Hall in
the morning to be greeted by a puff
of smoke, Iknow others aren't giving
me any courtesy.
The ban respects
the lifestyle of
the majority.
I've made my choice concerning
my health. I don't want to be a smok-
er. Several members of my family
have passed away from cancer and
smoking-related illnesses. I under-
stand that other people can make
educated decisions regarding their
health. And although I still believe
that smoking is never a good choice
for your health, I still recognize that
others have a right to do it. Under
the ban, you may still smoke. It's just
a matter of where.
And in any case, maybe the ban
will help smokers. Smoking is a poor
health choice no matter how you
dice it. If it's discouraged, it may just
save your life. obviously, this was
the plan of the evil fascist heads of
the University all along. Damn them.
-Eric Szkarlat oas ereached
at eszkarla@umich.edu.
0
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR:
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01
EDITORIAL BOARD MEMBERS:
Aida Ali, Will Butler, Michelle DeWitt, Ashley Griesshammer,
Erika Mayer, Harsha Nahata, Emily Orley, Harsha Panduranga,
Teddy Papes, Roger Sauerhaft, Seth Soderborg, Andrew Weiner
HARSHA NAHATA|VEWPOI
Eypt as inspiration
"
ANDREW WEINER VIEWPOINT
Addictive birds
The recent events in Egypt have elicited
responses from all around the world. From
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to Pres-
ident Barack Obama, big names have spoken
out about the civil rights unrest in Egypt. This
isn't to say the events have gone ignored here
in Ann Arbor. University students gathered in
the Diag last Friday to protest the Egyptian
government's oppression of human rights. See-
ing students unite for a cause occurring half-
way around the world is a refreshing reminder
of the depth of diversity atthis school.
According to a Michigan Daily article last
week, (Students show support for Egyptian
uprising in Diag protest, 01/28/2011) students
gathered on the Diag in response to the unrest
in Egypt, where protesters have risen up in
opposition to President Hosni Mubarak. The
students gathered with signs and various
chants to convey their opposition to Mubarak's
handling of the situation.
In a day and age when the youth are
increasingly criticized for being ignorant and
apathetic, it's nice to see individuals mobi-
lize behind a cause. The University is widely
known for its activism. As LSA senior Noha
Moustafa told the Daily, it's "a testament to
the student activism that is on this campus."
Students of different backgrounds, faiths and
ethnicities gather together in order to make
their voices heard.
What was most surprising - ina good way,
of course - was the sheer number of students
present at the protest. Such a large turnout
reveals that students not only are aware of
their surroundings, but are passionate enough
to want to act on that awareness. The crisis in
Egypt is one of many examples of violations
of individual rights. It's refreshing to see the
myriad of organizations and student groups
devoted to a variety of issues and causes at the
University. In addition to academia and athlet-
ics, the University boasts a student population
that genuinely strives to positively impact the
world in whichthey live.
If the situation in Egypt illustrates any-
thing, it's this: In the end, it's individuals who
have the power to change things. Individuals
in Egypt rose up against the policies ofthe gov-
ernment, individuals here demonstrated their
support and many others formulated protests
around the United States. The problems of the
world can't be solved by governments or other
social institutions alone - a great amount of
power lies in individual will. For, in the words
of cultural anthropologist Margaret Mead,
"Never doubt that a small group of committed
people can change the world. Indeed, it is the
only thing that ever has."
In that spirit, I request those of you who
haven't yet found one, to pick upa cause. With
classes and clubs and friends and other obli-
gations, I know time is scarce. But, still take
some time to think about your passions, your
purpose, about the things that you want to
improve in the world, the problems you want
to solve and the mark you want to leave.
Whether it's volunteering at elementary
schools or raising money for flood victims in
Pakistan, find what makes you come alive and
actually act upon it. There are countless issues
that need to be addressed in the world, often
in areas far beyond our daily life routines. Step
beyond those daily routines momentarily to
find something in the world that impacts you
and use that to impact the world. The events
in Egypt are an inspiration to us all, showing
us all that a group of motivated and passionate
individuals can initiate a major change.
Harsha Nahata is an assistant
editorial page editor.
Sometimes I don't even realize I'm doing it. It might'
be in the middle of watching a show on Hulu, during a
particularly boring film lecture or while enthralled in
the incredibly rare not-boring film lecture.
Suddenly I regain consciousness and realize that I've
been sling-shotting multi-talented birds at green pigs for
the past 10 minutes. Just like my new-found apprecia-
tion for the less-than-delicious cafeteria chocolate chip
cookies and Kanye West, my addiction to playing Angry
Birds certainly can't be attributed to quality, and it defi-
nitely isn't healthy.
For those who are blissfully unaware, Angry Birds
is an iPhone/iPad app that you shouldn't download. I
had heard murmurs of the game when it was gaining
momentum, but hadn't investigated it - Blackberry Tet-
ris fulfilled all my mindless gaming needs. Then over
Winter break I was vacationing with my family, and
needless to say was, in desperate need of entertainment.
My mother's suggestion: A game she had downloaded
("Downloaded? Is that the right word for what I did? Did
I pay for this?") on her iPad.
Talk about irresponsible parenting - it was almost
like she suggested I take up an addiction to cocaine.
Sure, an iPad app is cheaper and causes fewer nose-
bleeds, but I haven't heard of rehab for people who like
flinging farm animals at other farm animals.
Angry Birds didn't consume me right away. Our rela-
tionship started healthy. If I saw the iPad sitting out I'd
pick it up and give it a go, but was less than enthused.
One day my sister passed me the iPad to get a differ-
ent approach to a level she'd been stuck on for a while.
I randomly tossed the birds with no particular strategy
in mind. The yellow, triangular bird made contact with
the jungle-gym of wood and glass, which came crash-
ing down. One by one, the chain reaction crushed all the
pigs and completed the level.
Whoathere.
My heart raced. I couldn't help but wonder if I had
discovered another skill to add to my List of Talents -
which up to that point consisted of "badly rapping along
to Kanye West songs," "laying on flat surfaces" and "eat-
ing Wheat Thins."
Right there I should have foreseen the problem.
Unlike Tetris, I had beaten a level in seconds. Little
investment for a huge reward. It was instant gratifica-
tion, and I was hooked.
My early success - in the most modest sense of the
word - didn't last long. I began to play more and more.
Like in real life, I made decisions with no thought of
consequences. No strategy, just non-stop action. I would
play a level, lose and hit "restart." Then lose again and
click "restart." Eventually, I didn't even wait for the first
bird to make contact. More time was spent resetting the
game than actually playing it.
In a game like Angry Birds, however, my lack of strat-
egy worked well. There are no limits to the amount of
attempts at each level, allowing for continuous play.
After playinga level for half an hour, the odds of winning
are in the player's favor. Every 50th time I attempted a
level, I was bound to win.
New Years passed, and second semester began. With-
out an iPad, my obsession subsided. But Steve Jobs
couldn't let me go minutes without having my hands on
an Apple product. The Mac App Store launched on Jan.
6. The top selling app? Angry Birds. For about $5, all the
obsessive-compulsive, big-screen fun was mine.
Since the purchase, I can't remember an occasion I've
taken out my laptop without giving into the call of the
Angry Birds icon at the bottom of the screen. If I cal-
culated all the time I spent playing, the cost per hour of
play is probably about 15 cents.
It isn't fun anymore, but I can't stop. Flinging birds is
like playinga slot machine. It's mindless and repetitive,
and only offers an occasional payout that's enough to
keep me going.
It's not just me who's become addicted. Angry Birds
recently overtook The Legend of Zelda as the No.1
selling video game ever - 75 million downloads and
counting. Rovio, the company responsible for the game,
recently announced an expansion of Angry Birds to
myriad new platforms.
The appeal of the game is that you're allowed to
hit "reset." In real life, consequences exist. We can't
restart the day whenever a mistake is made. We have
to learn from them and hope that a chance to redeem
ourselves and apply the lesson presents itself. But
that's easier said than done. In the meantime, I'll be
sling-shotting birds.
Andrew Weiner is an assistant editorial page editor.