THE OREDIGGER

The student voice of the Colorado School of Mines

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Volume 94, Issue 2 Sepember 9, 2013
MICHAEL RODGERS / OREDIGGER

News

Blue Knight Group salvages beetle kill.

Features 6

Light pollution stymies astronomers.

Advice for finding the right career

Dana Steiner Staff Writer
perhaps even choose a company that they see as desirable. This same philosophy also applies to Career Day is fast approach- employers that come to Mines ing. For freshmen, that means Career Day. They have a booth in a trying to figure out how to talk to sea of well-qualified students and companies. For sophomores and they also have to find the right fit juniors, it means research and hard for their company. A good job search begins early. work towards landing internships, and, for seniors, it is an important If a student values specific aspects step in the job search that repre- of a job, he or she need to be prosents the capstone of their Mines active and take the search into his or her own hands. Thinking like a education. The Career Center provides professional will make the search plenty of resources for students, much easier. This means advertising oneno matter what their goals at Career Day are. Among the pub- self as a professional. Updating lications, appointments, and info all social media sites is a must. Prospective employers may not sessions are workshops. Workshops are one of the look at social media in the hiring easiest and fastest ways to get process, but if hired, Facebook, informed and updated on Career Twitter, Instagram accounts may Day etiquette, proper interview eventually come under fire. Linkeattire, and the all-important re - dIn, while not the most exciting form of social media, sume. Fast En terprises of Tulsa, One of the perks of is a great networking tool if used effectively. Oklahoma gave Additionally, em one such work - a Mines education is ployers may call any shop, an informative presentation being among some of phone number listed on a resume or ap entitled, Finding the Right Job for the most sought-after plication. If applicants do not answer im You. Most students graduates and interns mediately, a voice m a i l g re e t i n g m a y want a job, and in the nation. mean the difference any paying job will between an interview do. However, one of the perks of a Mines education and an awkward, regretful mes is being among some of the most sage. How can Mines students stand sought-after graduates and interns in the nation. This means students out in a competitive pool of applican actually reserach jobs, apply cants? Learning to self-advertise for ones that look interesting, and in all aspects can make a huge

Colorado School of Mines wins 72-6, in the football home opener. Read more about football and fall sports on page 10.

Sports 9

Fall sports open their seasons.

Opinion 11

Minds at Mines asks about Golden.

difference. vital to continuing any relation with One of the biggest mistakes a company. that Fast Enterprises sees stu Other important sections on a dents make at the career fair year resume include an objective stateafter year is the age-old faux pas, ment (if applicable), education, What does your company do? work experience, and accomplishInstead of highlighting resourceful- ments and skills. In each of these ness, attention to sections, students detail and initia - A recruiter may only should advertise tive, it expresses themselves as efto the company glance at a resume for fectively as pos that that student sible. cannot possibly five to ten seconds, so A recruiter may be a good fit for only glance at a the important informat h e i r c o m p a n y. resume for five to He or she does tion needs to stand out ten seconds, so not even know the important inwhat industry they formation needs at the top. work in. Instead, to stand out at researching companies that are the top. Every student at Mines interesting, investigating their receives a highly regarded educacurrent projects, and knowing tion, so the Career Center recomsomething about their locations mends the very first section after and their advertised position can contact information be education. put a student ahead of the game. This includes major, GPA, possibly Once the companys purpose major GPA, and any scholarships and goals are understood, an received. application that fits those goals A resume should do a good job makes a candidate rise to the top of quantifying accomplishments. A of the pile of resumes. resume tailored to the job will show A proper resume should have at employers that their company fits least five sections to highlight the the applicant, and the applicant different areas that are important fits the company. to employers. Most importantly, it If starting to get nervous, promust include the applicants name. spective interviewees should Lindsey Sittko, of Fast Enterprises remember that all those recruiters said she receives numerous re- out there at career day are hu sumes every year without names man too. Professionalism, making and they must be thrown out oneself stand out, and showing immediately. Even with the most up with a well-crafted resume will amazing resume, an employer hopefully lead to much success cannot hire a nameless applicant. for those seeking employment. Additionally, contact information is Career Day.

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Jessica Deters, Staff Writer

Seattle, Washington - Sharing thoughts through the connecting of two brains may not be too far off. Recently, University of Washington researchers Rajesh Rao and Andrea Stocco successfully performed what is believed to be the first noninvasive human-to-human brain interface in history. Rao sent a brain signal to Stocco, who was sitting at the opposite side of the University of Washington campus, which caused Stocco to involuntarily hit the spacebar of a computer stationed in front of him.

Baltimore, Maryland - Johns Hopkins researchers recently took a step toward potentially developing a clinical drug that could assuage down-syndrome symptoms. According to Roger Reeves, Ph.D, professor at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, most people with Down syndrome have a cerebellum that is about 60 percent of the normal size. Using a single-dose of a compound known as a sonic hedgehog pathway agonist, researchers were able to normalize cerebellum growth in down-syndrome-like mice.

Fukushima, Japan - Two years after the Japanese Coast was ravaged by enormous tsunamis, more is being revealed regarding nuclear power plants, namely the Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear power plant, impacted by the storms. Last week, the Japanese government announced its plan to contribute 47 billion yen, the equivalent of $470 million, to the construction of an underground ice wall around the Fukushima plant. The ice wall will reduce the amount of contaminated water released into the Pacific. In addition to the wall, plans are in place to develop an advanced water treatment system that will purify water before it is released into the ocean.

Sydney, Australia - Free-fall gravity may not be as constant as expected. Recently, a joint Australian and German research team collectively discovered an anomaly of free fall gravity amidst an effort to portray, with enhanced detail, the gravity field across the globe. Our research team calculated free-fall gravity at three billion pointsthats one every 200 metersto create these highestresolution gravity maps, Dr. Christian Hirt, lead researcher on the project, told Curtin University. These calculations led the research team to discover variations of free-fall gravity are up to 40 percent larger than previously believed.

Oredigger Staff
Deborah Good Editor-in-Chief Emily McNair Managing Editor Taylor Polodna Design Editor Connor McDonald Webmaster Lucy Orsi Business Manager Arnaud Filliat Copy Editor Katerina Gonzales Content Manager Jared Riemer Content Manager Karen Gilbert Faculty Advisor

Headlines from around the world

Arnaud Filliat, Copy Editor
Two researchers and their pilot were rescued from an Alaskan volcano after their helicopters blades were covered in ice, stranding them near the volcano for more than two days. Asked about how they spent the two days pilot Sam Egli said, We just yakked. The researchers were working on recovering some short-term volcano monitoring equipment. Due to the freezing ice storm they were unable to produce lift and the weather didnt clear up after that. Luckily a rescue helicopter airlifted them to safety on Friday leaving the iced chopper on Mount Mageik. Earlier this week Chinese state media announced that officials would be prohibited from using government money to purchase mooncakes and other extravagances like gifts, meals, and drinking for the festivities. This months Mid-Autumn Festival involve traditional customs and numerous gifts. Restricting the purchase of holiday treat could be a step in Chinas fight against corruption, a small step towards dealing with the blurring of traditional customs and government business. In the past it has been custom for businessmen to use holidays like the Mid-Autumn Festival as a time to lavish officials to pave the way for future dealings. Public opinion on Chinese social media had mixed feelings about the ban some saying it was a good start and others saying it wasnt enough. Prince Andrew, Duke of York, was stopped by armed officers in the gardens of the Buckingham palace less than 48 hours after a break-in. The confrontation came after an intruder was able to scale a fence and get inside the palace before being arrested by police. According to the Sunday Express, the encounter put the prince in danger of being shot dead by officers paid to protect him and his family. The prince seemed to take the incident lightly saying, police have a difficult job to do balancing security for the royal family and deterring intruders. Im grateful for their apology and look forward to a safe walk in the garden in the future. A UPS driver rescued a woman trapped in a burning truck on Friday near Los Angeles. Three people were injured when the driver of a Lexus CT200 slammed into the back of a stalled pickup triggering an explosion and fire that trapped a passenger in the pickup. UPS driver Lawrence Sanchez pulled to the side of the road stopping behind the crash to shield the people from oncoming traffic with his delivery truck. When he noticed a woman trapped inside the burning pickup, Sanchez grabbed the fire extinguisher from his truck and started spraying the truck beating the flames back and allowing the woman to escape. When he was told that he was a hero Sanchez said, these CHP guys do it every day -- theyre the heroes. The case for a limited military attack on Syria has been changed and rehashed multiple times over the last few weeks. This time the Obama administration showed a select group of senatiors videos that make a strong case for a military strike. The footage includes bodies writhing on the floor, people with their dilated eyes watery and dazed, and children gasping for air with dead bodies nearby are some of the images the administration says are consistent with exposure to nerve agents. The videos are meant to convince lawmakers that Syrian President Bashar Assad killed more than 1,400 people, including more than 400 children on August 21 in a chemical weapons attack outside Damascus. Meanwhile Secretary of State John Kerry met with European Union officials to muster support for a strike on Syria.

Local News

Last Wednesday, lightning killed two horses at the Buck n r Ranch Animal Rescue in Franktown. The horses were unable to get to safety before the storm came in. The owners of the rescue plan to make a memorial garden in honor of the horses. Utah State defeated the Air Force Academy 52-20 on Saturday. Keeton threw five touchdowns, matching his own school record. Edward Tom of Boulder fell to his death in Grand Tetons National Park on Friday. After heavy rain and hail, he fell into Garnet Canyon. Park rangers attempted to get to his location, but had to wait until Saturday due to the weather and lingering nightfall. Bob and Eileen Gresham finished restoring the West Lincoln School in Elbert County. This one room schoolhouse was built in 1913 and operated until 1945. The Greshams are currently trying to get the schoolhouse listed as a historic landmark.

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Beetle kill finds unexpected energy use

Eric Hake Staff Writer
a use for this natural resource, Dziomba started the Blue Knight Group. This group intends to use beeThe Blue Knight Group is a non-profit organization dedi- tle kill in several ways. One way cated to finding a use for beetle is as a heat and energy source kill. Richard Dziomba, a planning and another is helping develop a commissioner for Summit Coun- small, but already existing beetle ty, started the Blue Knight Group kill furniture industry. The beetle four years ago when trying to de- kill furniture industry right now termine what to do with a landfill has little exposure and is limthat had been filled to the brim ited to weekend fairs. Dziomba with waste from beetle kill. It was hopes to eventually establish a warehouse and proposed that the firing [Richard] Dziombas more a website that can be used to range used by the sheriff ambitious idea, though, sell these pieces in an efficient department is to establish industrial way such that and local posellers can put lice forces be used to boilers for local, but large more time into making prodcreate more room for the facilities requiring cheap ucts instead of finding places to dead trees. heating and energy. sell them. This Of course increase in prothis would be only a temporary solution. Dzi- duction will reduce the excess of omba told the Oredigger, So the beetle kill trees while generating deal was the landfill simply could jobs. Dziombas most ambitious not accept any more wood private or public. Summit county is idea, though, is to establish intwo-thirds wooded. How do you dustrial boilers for local, but large create fire breaks? How do you facilities requiring cheap heatlet homeowners clear the land? ing and energy. The process will He continued to say that burning start by harvesting the trees and excess wood has been banned in turning them into a compact fuel a state moratorium after a forest source for boiler use. Dziomba fire was started by forest service said, My vision is that this optrying to reduce fire hazard by re- eration will take place at the curmoving excess trees. So need- rent landfill, four tons of chips will less to say, all of us commission- come in a day and four tons of ers are not really thrilled about brickets will come out that day so burning, said Dziomba. You that it is a constant through loop know its dry, and what happens that keeps the landfill from filling up. if it gets out of control? This process will give the Realizing that there had to be county some revenue so that years to build and even longer to they can operate a recycling fa- permit, boilers can be pieced up cility. Dziomba went on to explain and shipped out. Dziomba went that if too much wood is cut, the on to highlight the importance of excess can be stored on forest this quick turnaround. Our state service land until needed. After has mandated that every power the creation of the briquettes, the company in the state has to doufuel will be burnt in a boiler. ble their green output by 2020. Dziomba is hoping to first in- Thats six years away, how are stall these boilers COURTESY GREG TALLY at ski resorts such as Copper Mountain and Arapahoe Basin. He says it makes sense to install them at ski resorts not only because they have an obvious need for heat and energy, but also because the dead trees on ski park land represent a huge liability if a skier were to hit one of these trees when the snow conditions are bad. The boilers would be placed on the side of the building and would tie it into their duct system so as to reduce the cost of remodeling Blue Knight Group uses Colorado to accommodate beetle kill wood for fuel. the boilers. One of the reasons Dziomba thinks this effort they going to get a plant built that has been so successful already is going to double their green enis because unlike other biofuel ergy output? projects, the production of boilDziombas long-term plan is ers and fuel has an extremely to propagate slowly at first. Once quick turnaround. Instead of a they have worked out the kinks large power plant that could take and know they have an efficient

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and profitable model in place, they can start expanding to other resorts. I have already contacted Vail and Summit County about biomass installation. Once we have the groundwork for one, we can easily move from two boilers to twelve more facilities, said Dziomba. He has obtained funding from grants and has a system set up with BBVA Compass so that for every checking account opened at BBVA Compass, they donate 50 dollars to the Blue Knight Group. Additionally, Dziomba has been working with groups at University of Denver and Colorado State University in Fort Collins. Graduate students at CSU are evaluating potential boiler designs. Said Dziomba, We have three firms interested in designing the boilers, but they want a check written to them for the rest of their time. But we dont know how well the boilers will perform and so graduate students at CSU will determine which design is going to be the most effective. MBA students at DU are determining the best business model for the Blue Knight Group. Dziomba is now looking for interns Dziomba is especially looking for students with an aptitude for GIS in order to determine what areas can be harvested cheaply and in a way that will minimize negative environmental impacts. He is also needs students to design the website, fundraise, and work in association with the students at CSU or DU. But Dziomba said above all else, We are looking for activists.

New marketing technique Reading food changes online ads labels intelligently
Jessica Deters Staff Writer
bers used at stores. Hussen explained how that data is linked. I am sure you have a loyalty Flashy, sometimes aggressive card on your keys or you proadvertisements bombard web- vide a phone number when you goers when they visit sites like go into a King Soopers, Hussen Facebook, Hulu and even the said. That information can then Wall Street Journal, but how do tie that transaction and the prodcompanies know if their ads are ucts to that particular ID. That ID effective? What does effective then becomes available to do a even mean in the context of on- third party match. So thats where line advertisement? that third party transaction data Datalogix, a data analysis com- can be linked. You bring in the pany based in Westminister, CO, advertising activity and the purstrives to answer these questions chasing activity from web, retail, and help companies determine and phone and you pull that into the effectiveness the Datalogix dataof their advertise- Consumers spend 35 base. ments both onClear laws, line and offline. percent of their time however, prevent Don Hussen, companies like online, [but] they Datalogix Head Measurefrom ment Analyst at storing sensiDatalogix, visited spend 93 percent of tive data such as Colorado School credit history or of Mines as a their money offline. social security. Any part of the Aptype of sensitive plied Mathematics and Statistics information cannot be located (AMS) Colloquium series in order with the data Datalogix collects. to speak about Datalogix and its All of (the data collection) is beapproach to connecting advertis- ing done on what is called hash ers to top consumers. IDs. Theres not a John Smith Hussen noted that although who comes through here and a consumers spend 35 percent of John Smith who comes through their time online, they spend 93 there, Hussen said. All the inforpercent of their money offline. mation is resolved into a 16 digit Datalogix collects data as to or 24 digit character that comes what advertisements consum- through, and there is a way to link ers see from sites like Facebook. that information. All of that perThey also collect transaction data sonal, identifiable information is from loyalty cards or phone num- stored elsewhere and cannot be linked. When we work with this data, we are working with household ID 1234567 got this ad and shopped at this particular location. Mining information about people, no matter what the information pertains to, raises concerns especially after information about NSA surveillance of private citizens leaked last May. However, much of the reason Datalogix is in business and able to mine data is due to the nature of the Internet. Why is the internet free? Why are consumers able to go and get all of this great content and be able to search around? It is because advertisers are paying for it, Hussen said. As part of that, advertisers are asking for better measurement, better ability to be able to understand whether their media is effective or not. So when you scrub your cookies or use your loyalty card, those are mechanisms being used to give you free content. Datalogix gives consumers the option to opt-out of tracking. You actually have the option on our site to opt-out of measurement, Hussen said. A lot of [consumers opt out because] they do not quite understand what we are doing with the data. Consumers who choose to not opt-out, however, will likely experience a more personalized add experience online, as advertisements will be tailored to fit individual taste.

Elizabeth Starbuck Staff Writer

Sometimes the labels on foods can seem like another language, and to those who dont know how to read them, they might as well be. Katie Nichols led a lecture this past Thursday explaining how to understand what a food label really means. Nichols began at the beginning of the label, highlighting one of the most commonly overlooked aspects of a label, the serving size. Many people skip this and just look at the calories, sugars or protein and do not even see that they may actually be getting four times what they bargained for. At the top of each food label the serving size is listed followed by the number of servings in the package. This means that the amounts per serving for the entire package are actually multiplied by the number of servings in each package. This tricky serving size business is just a part of the marketing that food companies do so well. Nichols helped reveal some of the lies that food corporations promote or skew so often. Some of the most common lies include sugar in disguise and zero trans-fat. Sugars can go by hundreds of different names, and, on food ingredient lists, food companies will use these different names

to hide the fact that there are large quantities of sugars in the product. A good rule to go by for avoiding sugars and other questionable chemicals is if one of the ingredients cant be pronounced or there are more than ten ingredients in the food (depending on the food), it shouldnt be eaten. Nichols discussed a few other eyebrow- raising fallacies, the last one being zero trans-fat. This sounds great-- if it has no trans-fat, then the food has to be healthy. This is totally false. Transfat is very unhealthy and many states have even outlawed it, but foods can still be full of other bad things. Many foods that say this often have to compensate with extra saturated fat, sugar or sodium to make the food still taste good. Nichols touched over many other helpful deciphering tools for food labels and will be hosting grocery tours in the near future. She promotes eating close to the ground, as in simple, non-processed, grown or healthily raised foods. Her guide gives a list of the Dirty Dozen-- foods that are best bought organic, and the Clean Fifteen-- foods that are fine bought non-organic. Nichols maintains a blog regarding nutrition and health tips and is available in the Student Recreation Center on Thursdays from 3:00 - 5:00 pm.

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New plays in the North Sea Rift Basin

John Bristow Staff Writer
For this past weeks Van Tuyl lecture series, the department of geology and geological engineerings own Welsh structural geologist stopped by to give an enthralling lecture in European geography, North Sea oil reserves, and how the schools future can be bettered through paradigm shifts. For most Van Tuyl lectures, the geology department looks outwards to geologists outside the school to bring a different perspective on geological issues. Given that Trudgill had just returned from his sabbatical year, the lecture served as an amalgamation of original Mines thinking coupled with a novel new approach. Trudgill began the lecture with a bit of comparative geography. He started off with his normal sense of levity, bringing laughs to the crowd. Where is Denmark? he asked with a world map up on the screen, For a North American audience that could be an important question. After a brief geographic comparison, Trudgill delved into the cultural differences between Colorado and Denmark, a topic that would come up sporadically throughout the lecture. Danes have certain attributes, Trudgill said, namely a high tolerance for early morning partying, bringing more amused grins out of the audience. During his time in Denmark, Trudgill worked for Maersk, a company usually known for its shipping division. Why the hell did you go to work for a shipping company? Trudgill asked himself on behalf of the audience, arent you a geologist? Of course, beyond a few slides showing the largest shipping boat in the world, Trudgill was there to highlight the oil and gas division of Maersk, which is the 18th largest oil and gas company in the world. The company has a broad portfolio of oil and gas development locations worldwide, unfortunately for the company, and luckily for the structural geologist, they didnt have regional models for a number of key locations. It was Trudgills job, along with a small army of others to work and define that regional framework. Since the Van Tuyl lecture is limited by time, Trudgill chose to recount a single story about finding record amounts of oil in a place which was thought to have very little capability for oil and gas development. The focal area for the story was the North Sea Rift Basin, a Triassic and Jurassic period rift off the shore of Denmark. In terms of major oil and gas developments, rift basins comprise around 30 percent of the plays. For the North Sea rift, there is a significant amount of salt in the system, stated Trudgill. This can add in a lot of complexity. One of the major focuses of the talk was the increased complexity of the system and how to approach problems in the future. Before the most recent resurgence in developments in the region, according to Trudgill, the mentality had been that exploration in the North Sea is finished. Recent exploration, on the other hand, has changed how people see the system. While the big companies would not touch the area beyond what they had previously drilled, small companies such as Lundin, a later hero of this story, had taken a radical approach to the area. Lundin had decided to start searching the area for more oil, originally by working with old data for its portfolio, then by drilling new wells in an attempt to get more data. According to Trudgill, the first two wells failed to find the anticipated Jurassic reservoir, but despite this, they had the shock of finding oil in the porous basement rock. This was a revolutionary surprise that helped unlock the field to more exploration and development. With this discovery, the local governments decided to take the three major companies applying to drill with this new data and placed them in a forced marriage. Lundin identified a new prospect in 2010, and with a fairly thick pay section, they anticipated around 100-400 million barrels. At this point Trudgill broke into a smile, knowing what was coming, This was starting to look big. As it turns out, the oil was flowing through the porous basement rock along a glacial induced tilt. On top of all of this, the undiscovered reservoir was more than amazing, what else makes it work is reservoir quality, revealed Trudgill, those working in the Piceance Basin and others may want to turn away. When I say good reservoir, I mean [redacted] good reservoir. Trudgill put an image up on the screen of workers pouring oil directly from the rock in the core sample to the audiences amazement. With more work, the estimated reserves were pushed up to around 1700-3300 million barrels. For companies besides Lundin, the announcement served as an eye opener. Companies could no longer get by on basic large models, they need to produce realistic regional models. In regards to taking risks, Trudgill offered this advice, [if] this is as big of a prospect as it could be, we have to drill it. The lecture then took a turn to the more current, specifically what it was that Trudgill had done for Maersk. Since there was even more potential for oil and gas in the region and the company did not have the regional models to proceed, it was up to him to interpret the data and produce a better idea of what was going on. Trudgill decided to take a novel approach, and instead of going at it like before,you have to start from the bottom up, back at the basement and the fabric of that rock. It was also crucial to look through the data for complexity that had been missed originally. One of the structures that Trudgill is particularly versed in that had been missed were the relay ramps. In his opinion, seeing these is good for interpreting the evolution of the system. Many other parts of the original interpretation have changed significantly. Structures such as salt features had been treated like textbook examples, rather than being granted their complexity. I was taught that the chalk was like a blanket over the central North Sea, said Trudgill reflecting on his original knowledge, which proved to lack the complexity needed for the problem. Even the faults in the system had been over-simplified. One, named the Coffee Sail Fault System, turned out to be many faulting events, not just one. Trudgill ended the lecture with an appeal to the school, bolstered by elements of his story. For one slide in particular, he put up an image of some work he had done with a high end program called Paleoscan, which builds a stratigraphy and colors it in a way that is readily interpretable. You put in some tops, let it run, go to the pub, and come back in the morning. It does several months, maybe a years worth of work overnight. Of course it isnt perfect, but with some direction it is still good. I got to interpret the most modern information on a big, stonking work station, said Trudgill with a sense of pride. He posited that if there was more emphasis on having good programs and resources like he used, it may have a novel effect on the students at the school and their careers after their education. On top of an appeal for more high tech equipment, Trudgill also pushed the audience to approach their problems in a more Danish light: to be happier and to work harder.

Engineering for Cyanobacteria could the greater good change the world
Jordan Partin Staff Writer
I would like to do something with my degree that helps other people, said Juan Lucena, a professor in the LAIS department who presented the Humanitarian Engineering workshop. Lucena also said, my life has been very blessed and full of opportunities that I would like to share with those less fortunate. Put in a more selfish way, I would like to work in a job where I feel like I am doing good for the world in a very tangible way. I have a great (engineering) education that I want to put to good use. In the past few years, Mines students have slowly developed and spread this mindset. The idea of combining technical skill with philanthropy has created the profession of Humanitarian Engineer, a minor that is now offered at Mines. To begin, Lucena gave a brief overview of humanitarian engineering, hitting on its growing demand in industry and the fast-paced evolution of engineering issues as a whole. The majority of the workshop was devoted to students and humanitarian engineering experts reflecting and providing suggestions on four different questions Lucena posed to them. First, what opportunities might a student be missing in going to the field of humanitarian engineering? Second, what chances should this student be taking? Next, what barriers are keeping this student from finding a fulfilling job right away? And finally, who should this student be following as exemplars? These four questions sparked enormous conversation and a variety of answers. The majority of responses tended to focus on the lack of opportunities the field currently has, the likely pay cut and lack of benefits a student would have to take by choosing a humanitarian engineering career, and the risky decisions they would have to make in choosing their career path when getting into the workforce. After all of these challenges in the humanitarian field were highlighted and discussed, Lucena pointed out the unique opportunities and benefits of the humanitarian field. He encouraged students to keep the fire for philanthropy alive even when working in an average engineering job by advocating with a humanitarian organization, starting their own organization, working for NGOs, or becoming a change agent within their company by proposing and bringing a new branch of charity to their business. The students left aware of the challenges ahead of them but also focused on the great benefits and fulfillment available. Colorado School of Mines has one of the first humanitarian engineering minors in the nation, and with a combination of the passion and education this school provides, these students look to the future with a hopeful sight of the direct impact they each can make around the globe. have a much more diverse metabolism than E. coli. The larger metabolism allows for more possibilities with regards to generatWith Earths population at a ing products. As well fitted as the 7.1 billion, resource consumption bacteria seem to be, applying the is a serious concern among the methods used on E. coli is easier academic community. The eversaid than done. increasing demand for goods has As the project is still in its infanpressured manufacturers to emcy, concrete project goals have yet ploy new techniques to increase to be defined. The first step is to production and minimize costs. design methodology of manipulatExperts of all disciplines located ing the cyanobacteria. Once comall across the world are answering plete, the future research team will this call, with each bringing their be able to work on improving the specialties to the table. Colorado durability of the cyanobacteSchool of Mines, widely known for its contributions Dr. Boyle hopes to take advantage ria, making it a viable option in areas of extreme condito the study of renewable of cyanobacteria for the produc- tions. From there, it is a matenergies, is now home to a new project. An interview tion of fuels and pharmaceuticals. ter of finding substances that can be produced through with Dr. Nanette Boyle, revealed groundwork details of this carbon comes from the sugars of the cyanobacteria with only solar research proposal. Based in the certain crop plants and that is and water input. These objectives field of synthetic biology, Dr. Boyle competing with our food supply. are tentative, and will develop as hopes to take advantage of cyano- Boyle wishes to improve upon this progress is made. Boyle described her interest in bacteria for the production of fuels practice by replacing E. coli with cyanobacteria. synthetic engineering as starting in and pharmaceuticals. Even with only a minute un- graduate school. Growing up on a The term synthetic biology calls on a different image for each derstanding of cyanobacteria, it is farm, she has seen the advances individual. Simply put, it is the de- clear that E. coli is up against fierce in crop engineering first hand and sign and manipulation of biological competition. As mentioned, E. coli noted the increase in yields. She substances for purposeful use. requires sugar to fuel the process. took this interest with her to colOver the past century, synthetic According to Boyle, cyanobacteria lege where she worked in this field biology has improved the standard not only produce their own energy on projects such as the metathrough photosynthesis, but are bolic modeling of algae. Boyle of living for many. One of the oldest applications much more efficient at harvest- expressed her excitement for this of synthetic biology is the ma- ing light than crop plants are. The particular study, and would like to nipulation of the E. coli bacteria bacteria can generate more ener- share it with the community. Unfor the production of human in- gy on their own than an equivalent dergraduate students interested in sulin. The E. coli acts as a host, mass of crop plants. Boyle con- a future internship with this project and the insulin sample needing to tinues by saying, Cyanobacteria should contact Boyle.

James Davis Staff Writer

be replicated is placed inside the bacteria. The E. coli then naturally reproduces, replicating the insulin in the process. Agents are then added to separate the insulin from the bacteria, resulting in a ready to use product. Since then, E. coli bacteria has been used to develop vaccines, produce pharmaceuticals and biofuels, and synthesize enzymes for a wide variety of uses. Boyle states, however, that in order for this method to work, You still have to provide it a carbon source. The

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Oredigger Fiction Column In the East End

Benjamin Elliott Staff Writer
She saw him leaning up against the lamppost at Altab Ali Park, which used to be called St. Marys Park (yet had looked much the same then, minus a few newer adornments), and froze with uncertainty. He was smoking, bearded, and larger than she remembered him, but still him. Should she greet him? It had been a long time. Maybe he wouldnt remember her. Or, if he did, perhaps he wouldnt want to see her. Or maybe he would, but what could she possibly say? She took some slow steps ahead of her, making to pass the park on entirely, but couldnt help but look his way again. He turned and glanced her way, spotting her staring. He stared back. Then smiled, and waved. Recognition made her choice for her- she couldnt turn around and walk the other direction after he had seen her. Well, she could, but it wouldnt be very ladylike. After making sure no cars were coming, across the street she went, stylish coat held closely against the autumn cold. It may as well have been winter for all the protection the thin coat gave. The smokey leaves crunched underfoot in the gutter alongside the edge, and then she was there. Hell-hi-o, they said concurrently, mixing the words awkwardly. Those were the only words for a moment, held still, before he dropped his cigarette and stamped it out. So, youre back, he said. Only for the funeral, she admitted. Really? Gone so soon? Well, you know how it is. Sure, he said gruffly, itching his right arm with his left. Your mumll be glad to see you. Ill be glad to see her, she concocted. Man, last time I saw you, you were as rough as this town was. As this town still is. What happened? I left. Bloody right, you did. Hey, you heard the one about the shrink? She shrugged, shaking her head. When he asked if youd heard the one, you didnt tell him youd heard it- hed just get mopey, and tell it anyway. At least, she assumed he hadnt changed in that respect. Not much seemed to have changed. So, a whole bunch of shrinks were attending a convention. Four of them went to dinner one night. One said to the other three, People are always coming to us with their guilt and fears, but we have no one that we can go to when we have problems. The others agreed. Then one said, Since we are all professionals, why dont we take some time right now to hear each other out? The other three agreed. The first then confessed, I have an uncontrollable desire to kill my patients. The second shrink said, I love money, so I find ways to cheat my patients whenever I can. The third followed with, Im addicted to drugs and often prescribe more than my patients are really getting. The fourth shrink then confessed, I know Im not supposed to, but no matter how hard I try, I cant keep a secret. He grinned at the punchline, and she brought out a slight respectful smile. Thats a good one, she commented. Yeah. Heard it from James over on Copley Street. Look, Id better go. Yeah? Funerals not until tomorrow. How did he know that? No, of course he knew that. Im just... busy. Have some work to do. Okay. I mean, if you have time to spend, me and some mates are heading to the Castle. Sorry, cant make it. She uncomfortably began to turn away. You know, you never were a great liar. Why not just say you dont want to be here? She turned back around to face him. Ok, fine, I dont want to be here. Sure. Too good for us, now that youve gone and moved up in the world. Yeah, thats it. Well, go bugger off to wherever you were going. Im sure its better than with the likes of us. With the likes of your people. She walked briskly away during that last sentence. She knew it had been a bad idea to come back, but her mum had insisted so pleadingly. Of course mum had. It was to her mums house, her own old house, that she was going anyways, but she didnt correct the guy. Was her own mother even her people anymore? We didnt leave! You did! he called after her, a parting shot she barely heard. She went to her mothers house, which was over on Ashfield Street. A small apartment, lined up in a row with other small apartments, it spoke of brick and mortar, of old architecture, even though it wasnt really all that old. The painted windows and steep roofs seemed almost a bourgeois mockery compared the cramped, clustering arrangement of living spaces. She would have called it home, only it wasnt anymore. Thank goodness for that. Her mother answered the door immediately after the third knock, as if she had been sitting next to the door. She was a lot shorter than her daughter remembered her. Oh, honey, its so good to see you! the woman said, stretching her arms out. Hello mum, the daughter said with half the enthusiasm, diving into the hug while closing the door. How are you holding up? Decently enough. The two stood there silently, thinking about unsaid histories, before mum dropped the embrace and turned vibrantly to waddle towards the kitchen. Oh, honey, I was preparing some hot water for tea, but didnt know when youd get here, so Ill need to heat it up again. My goodness, you look beautiful! Come, come! You drink tea now? Of course I drink tea. Whats an old lady supposed to spend her time doing, besides watch theatre on the telly and read the paper? The daughter stepped gingerly into the tenement. Something smelled mouldy. She tried to locate the source, but it didnt seem to be coming from anywhere singular. She continued to the kitchen, where her mother was trying and failing to strike a match. Here, let me, the daughter said, taking the box from her mother. Oh, thank you. Those things never did work when you wanted them to. No, they didnt. The daughter struck a flame and lit the gas burner, waving the match out after it burst into life. The same oven too. It all still works- no reason to go throwing anything out now. I guess not. So tell me, tell me! Whats happening in the life of my bigshot daughter? Well, work. A lot of work. Which almost doesnt seem like work most of the time. My lines are selling well... I might even get a show in Paris one of these days. Oooo! her mother said, eyes twinkling. Paris! Ive only been once, when you were only three. You were a little horror then. I dont remember not being a little horror, ever. Right you are. Are you still seeing that one girl, the black-haired one... No. Teresa and I split three years ago. Oh. Oh dear. Well, I never did think much of her, she was always so haughty, so overbearing. ...She dumped me, mum. Im not over it yet. Oh. Oh, sorry. That was mean of me, your cruel mother, opening up fresh wounds. No, its fine. Dont worry about it. I mean, you probably dont much want to talk about Pa. Her mother stopped there for a second. Well, I dont see why not. All theyll be doing tomorrow is talking about him. Mum... I do miss him though. The kettle whistled, and was moved to the backburner while the daughter went to grab cups. Also where they had always been. I mean, he was a mean jimmy, when it came right down it, but I did care about him. After everything he did? Well, thats the thing about it. Maybe I shouldnt have, but I did. I loved your father. Mum, that probably isnt love. Thats Stockholm Syndrome. Her mother poured the water out, and pulled out some infusers. No, it was love. I dont expect you to understand, not having found someone yet- Im taking my time. Too early and I might find myself locked down, for life. Like you were. Oh, that is what all the young people are saying these days, isnt it? They say romance is dead, and I have half a mind to believe it. But for all the things your father was, he certainly was romantic. Her daughter had no response, only writhing hatred. Her mother continued. Self-denial is the new thing. People stop themselves from feeling anything to operate more cleanly, perfectly. Thats what theyre saying these days. But not me... no. I married early because, well, if the goal is to meet someone really special, someone who you cant get enough of... isnt it better to love them for longer? Meeting them earlier is a head start that people who meet later dont ever have. Not like I could marry right now, legally anyway. Maybe in a few years. People you meet later are usually not the same person you would have met now. And what if you marry the wrong person? I dont know. Maybe there isnt a wrong person. Maybe love is just forgiving all the pain and hell other people put us through. Her mom took a sip of tea. Or maybe, there is a right person, but youll never be able to tell whether or not that person or this person is them. So its a guessing game. Youre really going to try to apologize for him, arent you? You can make any kind of argument to justify it all, and to make it seem like Pa was the hero you saw him as. This doesnt only apply to a romantic partner. It applies to all of humanity. You can love someone without intending to marry them. Why do you think parents love their kids? Because, believe me, you put me through plenty of crap in your day. But when you said it, you meant it about Pa. He did the best he could. No, he didnt. I dont see why you never left. Her mum sat quietly, not offended, but not forthcoming either. I had you to think about. And I left. I suppose you did, her mum replied. Any case, the brute is dead now. Doesnt matter much after all. Doesnt matter when hes six foot under. After talking to her, and then shouting after her retreating back, he went to Castle. It was a sports pub down on the corner between White Church Lane and Commercial Road. It sat on one of those thin corners that sometimes cropped up when city planners got a bit too busy, or tipsy, or playful. The two roads almost ran parallel to each other where they met. The pub wasnt particularly notable, though it could not be said to be trivial either. It served as a sort of meeting place for him and his outfit, where they could come and play pool and tell bawdy jokes and waste their nights away. He worked at a warehouse in town most days, and the time left over was just enough to hedonistically collapse before the following one. This night, like all nights, they began appearing at around seven. He got there a bit earlier this time, started smoking outside. The first one after him was James. Hey. You look miffed, James said. You remember Milena? Who? Shes a fashion designer now, was here maybe four years back. The bird with the black-haired girlfriend? Thats the one. Showed up on the street today, looking all posh. Here for the funeral apparently. So thats why youre stroppy? A toffed up girl comes by and ruins your day? Not just comes by. Starts acting like shes a stranger. Like she didnt run with the other kids when she grew up here, like she just forgot it all. Dont worry yourself. Shes a slag anyways. He stared at James strangely No. If you knew her at all, if youd known her back then, youd know why you need to take those words back. Ok, fine, whatever. Shes not a slag. So she left here the first chance she could. Could you imagine leaving the East End? No way. This place is the best dump on Earth. True enough. Not so much a dump these days though. Not completely. Anyways, I dont know why I let it get to me. Made me feel I wasnt worth talking to, wasnt worth even a second thought. I knew this girl when we were kids; we ran from dogs and ate apples in the summer and shot the breeze! And now... I dont know. She doesnt want to be here. Are you sure shes not a slag? Absolutely sure. Dont say that again. James shut his mouth, began messing with his eyelids. Sure sounds pretty slaggy to me. Without thinking, he punched James in the face, and before he knew it, they were fighting. It had been a while since he last fought, but he was no stranger to them. The East End wasnt all rough, but he had grown up in the rough part of it, and that meant getting into the occasional tussle. The fight lasted almost three minutes before anyone tried to pull them apart, and James leaned up against the bars wall silently staring at him. The warehouser simply left back to his flat rather than wait for coppers to show up. He hadnt meant to fight James, he just had to. Getting home was a relief, after not even passing through the gate of Castle. He slept early, though it was the right time to go to bed for a work day. It was the weekend now, but he just did not feel like celebrating. Seldom is someone ever impugned during their funeral, and never with something that hasnt already been said thousands of times before in planning. The mans funeral was, as was probable, littered with praise. After the funeral, as the sun began to set, she walked aimlessly. Aimlessly eventually brought her to the lamppost at Altab Ali Park. She knew she should say something, but didnt have anything to say. She waited for half an hour before he came walking by though, which gave her some time to think. She walked over, and then noticed the bruises. Youre hurt. Not much. Doesnt matter. Got mugged. Did you lose much? Only five quid. Im sorry. Werent your fault, he said, pulling out a cigarette. Want one? No, thanks. You sure? I quit a few years ago. You quit a bunch of things a few years ago. Yeah. Listen, Im sorry about the other day, she said. Are you really? Yes. Well, I did intend the thing about not wanting to be here. But here is just a place. You may consider yourself to be a part of the place, but I really wasnt trying to hurt you with that comment. It was an oversight. You did hurt the East Ends feelings. Come on. I come from here. Anything in the East End can take a hit, especially the place itself. Yeah, thats right. Continued on page 8 at East End

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Karen Gilsdorf Staff Writer

september 9, 2013

The lack of Stars above Mines Grandmas Pancakes

They always say that Grandmas cooking is the best, and whoever they are, they definitely have it right. If ever craving an easy, homemade meal that requires minimal effort, Grandmas Pancakes should be a go-to recipe. They can be paired with anything from syrup and breakfast sausage for the more traditional, to lox and cream cheese for the adventurous. These pancakes are so fluffy, decadent and delicious that cooks may just forget the four homework assignments awaiting them on their desk. The recipe is simple and suitable for anytime, from 12:01 on a Sunday morning to 11:59 on a Saturday night. Ingredients 2 cups flour 3 tsp. baking powder 1.5 Tbs. sugar

COURTESY SITE07

John Bristow Staff Writer

There are two words sure to elicit a special kind of fear in astronomers: light pollution. While weather and other natural phenomena have cut short the star gazing dreams of many astronomers, both amateur and professional, these deterrents are passing. Light pollution on the other hand is much more permanent. At the dawn of civilization, stars peppered the skies in a way that is hard to imagine outside of places like Death Valley and the heart of Africa. To our ancestors on the plains of Africa, stellar features were more than prevalent. On nights where the moon wasnt flooding the skies with its ethereal light, the Milky Way served as a backbone to the night and stellar clouds that we can only see today with long exposure shots served as a haunting miasma to the imaginations of our past. Well into the 18th century, the skies were still open frontiers to the imagination. There are several

reports of notable natural philosophers debating why there were blue streaks through the Pleiades, a feature that can only be seen these days with a telescope. It was when the industrial revolution began that the stars began to fade. Oil and gas lights were not much competition with the heavens alone, but in great numbers, even these lights had their effect. By the time of electricity, in many cities it became necessary to put up planetariums to highlight the stars that could not be seen. In places such as New York and London, seeing more than a few stars is a rare sight. In even more gaudy cities such as Las Vegas, stars may be a figment of the past. This slow fade of the skies from our viewpoint is not just limited to the big cities. As the schedule of humanity breaks beyond the typical day and night schedule, lights are on much later and advertising is cranked up to higher levels to attract humans like moths. If there is only one benefit from

this, it is the vision of the Earth at night from space, a starscape inverted upon itself. There are a depressing few places where the true nature of the stars can be seen. Desolate places such as Death Valley can serve as windows to the past, provided aerial pollution does not find its way out of nearby cities. Golden is fairly lucky. The light of Denver washes out the awe-inspiring features to the east, but the Table Mountains serve as barriers to an extent, and on a good moonless night, faint galaxies can be seen dancing amidst the cloudy Milky Way. There are ways to prevent light pollution. Every light has its impact on the whole, and while an errant porch light left on may just be a drop in the bucket, the whole bucket is filled with seemingly trivial drops. Many cities have astronomy petitions asking for smarter lamps that point down rather than spread light uselessly up. While light is necessary for humanity, it is not necessary to wash out the beauty of the skies. So give a hoot, dont light pollute.

1 Tbs. cinnamon (optional) 1.5 cups milk 0.5 cups oil 1 tsp. vanilla (optional) 2 eggs, separated Directions Mix the flour, baking powder, sugar and cinnamon into one bowl, and the milk, oil, vanilla and separated egg yolks into another. Combine the two bowls, and then in a separate bowl, beat the remaining egg whites until they are stiff enough to form small peaks. Fold these into the batter with a spatula, taking care to not over-mix the batter. Preheat griddle/pan to 325 degrees fahrenheit or medium heat, and grease with butter. Drop 1/4 cup of batter onto the griddle/pan, flip when bubbles form on the surface of the batter. Enjoy! This recipe makes enough for five people, or three college-aged boys.
KAREN GILSDORF / OREDIGGER

Grandmas Pancakes are a students weekend go-to recipe.

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Geek Week
of the
Thermo because its Thermo. Are you a geek and why? I dont even know what the definition of a geek is. I like cats? What do you do with whatever free time you can scrounge up? On the occasional time Im presented with free time, although I dont really know what that is, I improve my library. Ive got lots of books. If you could hang out with any fictional character for a day, who would it be? Theres this author named Brandon Sanderson and theres this gal [from one of his books] and her name is Jasnah and shes awesome. Whats your favorite thing about Mines? The people, or lack thereof. Thats why I didnt go to CSU. What is your greatest accomplishment? I digitized my familys movie collection and let me tell you, that Spring Break was awful. Awful. I think it ended up being 300 GB. How would you handle an encounter with an army of kittens on catnip? I would get a string and would attach it to a stick. I would attach

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...Mykala Miller, Senior: Computer Science and Electrical Engineering

that stick to a motor and I would throw it far away from me. Or, maybe a live mouse would be better than a string then I could just let the mouse go. Which would you rather have had: free textbooks or free rent for all of college? Textbooks because I live at home. If you could be dropped into any fictional universe, what would it be and why? Brandon Sandersons main universe. I cant figure out the rules, so that might be fun. Apparently, there are rules. I just cant figure them out. What is your best nerd moment or story? You would have to come and visit my family as we eat dinner because all we do is debate the natural laws of science. Or maybe back when I had long hair and I forgot to comb it before I went to school. Do you have any plans for the future? Get a job. Do you have any advice for fellow geeks and Mines students? Dont take Thermo. Just dont do it. Or maybe just dont go into Chemistry.
JORDAN FRANCIS / OREDIGGER

Jordan Francis Staff Writer

Despite its relatively small size, the diverse population at Mines means there are plenty of people here who manage to defy geek conventions. However, there are still some students, like senior Mykala Miller, who appreciate what it means to be an old school nerd and to take on academic challenges like a double major, or spend more time reading alone than hanging out with other people. This week, Miller takes the time to remind Mines that the quiet geeks are still just as awesome as the ones who go sprinting across Kafadar, yelling at the top of their lungs and carrying Nerf guns or dodging slacklines. [Oredigger]: So why Electrical Engineering and Computer Science? [Miller]: My dad is an E.E. and my mom is a C.S. so that was what I was familiar with. Whats been your favorite class and why? Elements of Computer Systems [because] that was the closest thing to what I wanted to focus on. Do you have a least favorite class?

Comic Corner - The Flash: Dead Heat

Jordan Francis Staff Writer
The Flash: Scarlet Speedster, Fastest Man Alive, or to people who dont know DC comics too well, that red guy who runs really fast. Though the many men behind the mask (or under the hat in one case) have all had interesting backgrounds and personalities to develop, through his many incarnations, Flash is usually at his best when hes blazing around in a story that can keep pace with his impossible speed. The Flash: Dead Heat (which spans The Flash issues #108 #111 and Impulse issues #10 #11) is a high stakes, high speed adventure centering around arguably one of the greatest men to take up the mantle of The Flash-- former Flash sidekick Wally West. The story begins with Wally West on a date with his girlfriend, Linda Park. Wally is saved from a serious conversation by a timely attack from a pair of super-speed ninjas. Wally stops the attack, but one ninja gets away. At this point two of the other speedsters, Jesse Quick and Jay Garrick, arrive to tell Wally that nearly all known speedsters besides himself have suddenly and inexplicably been cut off from their speed. Wally interrogates the remaining ninja and finds out that the man responsible for the speed drop is named Savitar and that he seeks to take the gift of speed from all those whom he deems unworthy before the ninja literally ages to death in Wallys hands. Wally and the gang race to warn fellow speedsters Max Mercury and Impulse only to find ninjas already surrounding Impulse and his speedster cousin, XS. Wally quickly dispatches the ninjas and, upon finding out that Max has been missing for a while, searches with the others through Maxs files for answers. They find out that Savitar was gifted an ecstatic Savitar to merge with and never stays in one spot long with super-speed when a flight of the Speed Force, though he finds enough to get boring. The numerous an experimental supersonic airplane himself sure that he can get home character interactions are great at went wrong. Savitar took speed as as long as he has a beacon in the establishing the characters and rehis new religion and learned all he form of Linda. He concentrates and lationships for new readers and can could about it, becoming a deadly, pulls himself out of the Speed Force often get a smile or a chuckle from dangerous expert on the subject and the comic ends with a different old readers who know the characwho considers those who take their man in a different Flash costume ap- ters well. These comics do underpowers less seriously to be unwor- pearing in his home. stand that while most readers love COURTESY DCCOMICS to see a person in costume thy of wielding them. When Max re-emerges, badly inbeating the snot out of some jured from a beating at Savitricky bad guys, it is hard to tars hands, Wally and Jesse stay invested in the story if take him to a hospital and they dont know the pergo after Savitar, leaving the son behind the mask. Unother de-powered speedfortunately, the characters sters behind. They find personalities are sometimes Savitars castle and discover oversimplified into boiledthat he is leeching speed down versions of their most energy off the Speed Force basic and recognizable and storing it in ninjas so traits, probably for the benthat most speedsters will be efit of inexperienced readunable to use it. Jesse maners. The character developages to break the machine ment suffers a bit as well, Savitar is using to steal and often adhering to archetypal store energy, thus restoring tropes for this sort of story superspeed to herself and with little regard to characthe other speedsters. Saviter traits or tendencies that tar brings out fifty of his best would normally slow down ninjas just as Jay, Max, Imsuch development, though pulse, and Johnny Quick arthere are some character rive and the fight is on. In an evolutions that make perfect attempt to save his daughsense in context. ter, Johnny runs fast enough Similarly, the art style varto permanently merge with ies back and forth between the Speed Force, the alfitting the story perfectly and most mythical energy force being a little out of place. that gives all speedsters The Flash issues are a bit their power. This is considmore realistic, though it ofThe Flash: Dead Heat boasts a believeered a sort of heaven for ten skimps on the details. speedsters and most in- able and cohesive plot packed with action. Facial expressions, particucluding Johnny Quick do not return This story is a high-speed ad- larly from a distance, are simplified to the mortal plane once they have venture that will entertain most any and sometimes blurry due to the merged with Speed Force. With his reader. It draws on many established lack of detail. Lines of definition becastle and army in shambles, Savitar elements from various parts of the tween objects and people flip from lashes out toward Wallys girlfriend. Flash mythos, but the plot is still being too numerous to too sparse, In a desperate attempt to stop him, simple enough to keep from leaving making it sometimes a bit difficult Wally runs as hard as he can into new readers behind in the dust. It is to find the boundaries and giving the Speed Force with Savitar right nothing masterful, but it is fun and much of the comic the look of a on his heels. Wally manages to get engaging. The action is fast paced fleshed-out sketch the original lines

Mykala Miller urges students to never take Thermo, ever.

of which were either left in or overerased. While it can be a bit irritating or distracting, this also does serve the purpose of helping the reader understand a bit of how Wally West and his fellow speedsters see the world at a very different speed than normal people do. The Impulse issues, on the other hand, are a bit more cartoonish, with big feet and big heads (and occasionally very badly drawn joints and hands that look like paws), and the art generally creates a very juvenile impression. This is not a criticism, but rather a compliment, as that style is very fitting for the Impulse comics. Those stories center on a little boy from the future in a teenage body fighting super fast ninjas in blue robes who serve a man that worships the actual concept of speed. The Flash issues are more serious (though not without a sense of humor), but while Impulse knows that the situation at hand is a serious matter, he and his comics can recognize the utter absurdity of his world and figure that if the world is crazy, he might as well have fun with it. This story is a lot of fun, though it does hold weight in the Flash universe. The characters are sometimes oversimplified, but things happen to them that actually do have a permanent effect on who they are. Theres a lot of great action, but its held together with a cohesive, believable plot that does a good job of carrying over into the next story without leaving too many loose ends lying around. Its no masterpiece, but The Flash: Dead Heat is definitely worth reading for any comic fan, if for no other reason than reminding the reader that it is possible to have a serious story without becoming so grim and gritty that the characters and readers lose any ability to have fun with the world.

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Terry Bridgman brings calculus to the masses

Zach Snyder Staff Writer
All students at Mines need to master the fundamentals of Calculus to succeed. While some students gobble up math problems for breakfast, others absolutely despise it. Mr. Bridgman, a math professor here at Mines, had a few things to say about teaching here in Golden. [Oredigger]: First, thank you for doing this. Lets start with some background informationwhere did you go to school? What did you major in? I did my undergraduate at a school called Furman University, which is the size of Mines, in Greenville, South Carolina. I got my undergraduate degree in math and a minor in computer science. I received my masters in math at the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill. What prior work experience did you have? It could be anything from cleaning dishes at a Mexican restaurant to working at an engineering firm. Before college, I did a lot of outdoor labor: lawn care, gardening, that type of thing. Once I graduated from college, I went into computer science doing software development. That was my first career, working on that for 15 years. I worked in Alabama and then eventually moved to Denver. My last company was called Digital Globe and they did satellite imagery. In 2001, the software industry had a big crash and I was laid off. After that I looked into teaching, as I did that on the side and always enjoyed it. So what inspired you to teach? Did you wake up one morning and say, Im going to bring calculus to the world! Ha, yeah bring calculus to the masses. No, actually, the difference between teaching and software development is the feedback you get. In software development you can write code to do something and then your company sells it. You never really know if the consumer likes it or not, you just assume they do if it sells a lot. With you guys, when Im teaching, you can tell instantly if youre doing it right or not. Why teach math as opposed to physics or chemistry? Ive always enjoyed math. I like doing puzzles and solving problems. How long have you been teaching at CSM? Since 2002, so this is the start of my 12th year. How did you hear about the position at Mines? Did you see an ad in the journal or did someone approach you? I was unemployed and actually taking an art class. One of the students in the art class was also a teacher out here and she told me about the opportunity at Mines. You said you went to school in South Carolina, where are you from originally? Originally from North Carolina, the other mountains. What is your favorite part about living in Colorado? Do you ski or do outdoor activities? I do not ski, and have no desire to, but I like the summer stuff. Lots of biking, lots of hiking. The climate is good, even the hot isnt that bad, compared to the south. I dont really mess with the winter sports. What advice do you have for freshmen at Mines, knowing that for most people this is their first time in college? Couple of things. One is the friends you make in college are probably going to last, potentially more than the high school friends. Make sure you go out and meet people. Make good friends because those will be what I think the strongest friendships youll have. I had some of my best friendships from college. Second, dont be afraid to try something new. Dont be afraid of trying a major you didnt think about before. Its your opportunity, you were one person in high school but now this is like a whole new door so you can be whoever you want to be, even though it may not be the same person you were in high school. Very useful. Alright, fun question, whats the deal with the earring? Is there a story behind it or was it to feel cool and hip? I got this before they were, cool and hip, thank you. I got this when I turned 30 and it hasnt come out since. A little old lady pierced it and she asked me, Why in the world are you doing this? Favorite Movie? Something by Monty Python. Probably Monty Python and the Holy Grail, thats a good nerdy movie. Favorite book? I dont have just one, but I like the early works of Stephen King. Not Calculus: Early Transcendentals? *chuckles* By Rogawski? No. Favorite place youve visited? The Canadian Rockies Favorite food? Thai food Final Question: Whats the best part about teaching at Mines? Its got to be the students. You guys are a lot of fun. Every class, even if Ive taught the same class for 6 or 7 years, is always different. Everybody always brings a different question. There are different personalities, some classes are quiet, some classes are a little more personable. Its always the students. There are good students who come to Mines.

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september 9, 2013

Neko Case delivers RHA gets students involved

John Bristow Staff Writer
anti-country music enthusiast to a minor identity crisis. Cases slight drawly cadence is powerful, reDespite having an extremely gardless of the topic of the song. long name, Neko Cases The From singing about her opinion Worse Things Get, The Harder on gender views in Man to the I Fight, The Harder I Fight, The almost nursery rhyme delicateMore I Love You preaches a sim- ness of Afraid, Case proves herple and enduring message: de- self to be more than versatile. The emotion present in many spite the situation people may be going through, there is an ability to of the songs delivers an album full come out of it stronger and better of individual songs that can work than before. When compared with on their own in a diverse set of enCases prior albums, The Worse vironments or can come together Things Get holds and emphasiz- strongly. For example, Local Girl es a strong theme which is perva- echoes a desolate and lonely sive throughout the album. While night drinking alone in a bar. On the other half of the ala detailed guide to the whole album with a song by song walk- bum, Bracing For Sunday may through would COURTESY NEKO CASE as well be the soundtrack to be thorough, a wild monto understand tage in an inthe meaning die flick about and power two young of the album, lovers falling in there are a few love and havsongs worth ing the time focusing on of their lives. over others. On top of all of The theme this, to hit on of the album a point made is most apparearlier, the final ent with a side song, Ragby side comparison of the Neko Cases new album preach- time leaves the listener songs Nearly es an enduring message about content with Midnight, Hothe struggles of everyday life. what should nolulu and the closing track, Ragtime. Where prove to be a memorable overall Nearly Midnight, Honolulu is experience. As a side note, while most defull of spite for the past conveyed through a melodic short story of a luxe albums are as useless and kid and his mother, Ragtime has meaningless as a spoiler on a a jovial spirit geared towards mak- Subaru Outback, the deluxe vering the best of what would other- sion of The Worse Things Get wise be a glum night. By placing introduces three songs that have a tragic childhood element near decent music quality. Madonna the beginning of the album and of the Wasps, Magpie to the letting the feel of the album prog- Morning, and Yon Ferrets Reress towards a much more endur- turn are much more similar to the ing message of hope at the end, prior work of Neko Case. While Case shows not only her talent they may not fit in with the feel of in songwriting, but also in album the album, they are memorable on layout, which is something that is their own. For those that havent listened to the work of Neko lacking in many modern albums. In terms of actual performance, Case, the actual album is probThe Worse Things Get shows ably the better buy, but for current a strong progression in skill, as fans, the deluxe album should be each song holds to Cases in- considered. A well organized and die/country style in a way which performed album is a gem worth may even bring the most ardent finding and not worth ignoring.

Karen Gilsdorf Staff Writer

New students looking for a way to get involved on campus will find that Residence Hall Association (RHA) is the place to be. From school-wide events to those centered in a single Residence Hall, this organization is the in between of students and executives on campus, according to President Ryan Czarny. In essence, as RHA advisor Erik Buol explained, RHA is an outlet for students to get involved on campus, specifically those who live in the residence halls. [These students] have a variety of specific needs and we try to meet those through programming, outreach, and providing an open forum for students. Not convinced? Members like Matt Balderston love how efficient and enthusiastic everyone is in RHA. In reality, everyone who is in RHA is excited about it. During meetings, everyone is open to new ideas. When there is a brainstorm, something awesome [will] come out of it, said Czarny. This year, some of the latest brainstorms have caused so much excitement that RHA has decided to create separate committees to enable more productivity.

As Czarny explained, based on the events that are coming up, a social services committee, a service committee, and a floor-olympics committee have all been created, and there are many more to come. Last year, RHA put on events such as Grocery Bingo, the Apex Center ice rink skating event, the video game tournament, the Apples to Apples tournament, De-stress with Puppies Day, and many more. Balderston is most excited about the Halloween dance and haunted house festivities along with the costume contest. Not only are the events that RHA puts on exciting, but everyone involved also seems to have a reason

that they are there. As this years president, Czarny said, I was an executive member last year, and thought I could pull some of my ideas and improve the club in different ways, like previous presidents have. On the other hand, Buols desire to become an advisor stemmed from such an enjoyable time in his undergraduate experience, and as a result he wanted to frame others experiences in the same way. RHA meets every Monday night at 7pm in the Maple Hall Community Room, all are welcome, especially those who are ready to make things happen. As Buol exclaimed with a huge smile on his face, its super fun!

KAREN GILSDORF / OREDIGGER

Residence Hall Association is a great way for new and returning students to get involved on campus.

EAST END continued

So, are we cool? Were cool, he said, taking a drag and blowing a ring. Hey, you hear the one about the queen? Nope. She had. So, the queen and the archbishop of Canterbury are touring the royal stables, and as they pass one of the horses, it lets out gas so loud that it could not be ignored. So, the queen, being as proper as she is, says Oh, how embarrassing! Im dreadfully sorry about that. And the archbishop, says, after a moment: Its quite understandable, and after a moment added, as a matter of fact I thought it was the horse. She giggled. Youre so immature. Maturity is a stupid idea. Its growing secure within insecurity. If you say so. Hey, the funerals over, right? She tensed up. ...Yeah. Dont really want to talk about it. Want to go desecrate the grave? What? You know, just draw on it or carve into it or something. Not like anybodys going to visit it otherwise. Just a rock. She was... actually severely tempted. But her mother might want to visit, now that she thought about it. What if mum got nostalgic? Seeing a carving would be, to a woman like her mum, a travesty. And then she thought about that. Lets do it, she said. He grinned. Come along, then. They went to the graveyard, and by that time, all of the funeral-goers had left. It had grown dark, and the pale moonlight shone grey from be-

hind a cloud, obscured along with its starry brethren behind wispy blankets of cotton. It was a short walk to reach the fresh grave. Covered in moss (by the funerary service, not time), it fit in with all the other graves, a front-door for the deceased. Well? she asked. He pulled out a pocketknife and stepped towards the grave. The cloud moved, and then she looked at her arm. Oh....oh. Right. Completely forgot about that. Ah, hell. Well, Im really very sorry about this. It was nice knowing you. What? he asked. She turned, hairs sprouting rapidly all across his skin, and before he knew it, she had turned into a hirsute beast and devoured him.

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september 9, 2013

Orediggers trump SDSMT Women defeat Dallas Baptist

Chris Robbins Staff Writer
Saturday marked the start of the Orediggers 2013 football season, and they certainly started off on the right foot, routing South Dakota School of Mines and Technology 72-6. Junior quarterback Matt Brown got things started in a hurry, connecting with receiver Diamond Gillis for a 32 yard touchdown just over four minutes into the game. Brown scored two more touchdowns with his legs on the next two CSM drives, including a one yard quarterback keeper on the goalline and a 33 yard scramble on a broken play. After just one quarter, the Orediggers led 21-0, and the game appeared to already be getting out of hand. The second quarter featured even more of an offensive explosion from CSM than the first, with the Orediggers scoring four times in as many drives. After a nine yard Tevin Champagne touchdown run started off the quarter, the Oredigger defense forced a South Dakota School of Mines and Technology turnover deep in their own territory, resulting in another Matt Brown one yard scoring run a mere 31 seconds later. Combine all this with a three yard touchdown pass from Brown to Jordan Ward and an Avery Llewellyn 32 yard field goal, and youve got a game that was all but over by halftime, with CSM leading 44-0. Quarter number three provided one more Matt Brown touchdown pass, this time to Ty Young, before sophomore quarterback Joe Schneider was handed the reins of the offense. Schneider picked up right where Brown left off, driving down the field and hooking up with Young for a three yard touchdown pass towards the end of the third giving the Orediggers a 58-0 lead at the break. The offense continued to roll through the final quarter as well, putting up 14 more points on a Joe Schneider pass to Alex Waner and a one yard Zack Newnam run. South Dakota School of Mines scored their only points of the game in the final minute, completing a short touchdown pass to break up the potential shutout and giving the Orediggers the 72-6 win. While the Oredigger offense was outstanding, amassing over 700 yards of total offense and an advantage of more than ten minutes in time of possession, the defense also deserves a large amount of credit. Led by Chad McGraw, the defense held South Dakota School of Mines to under 200 yards of total offense, forced a turnover (a Shawn Kobylinski interception), and forced the Hardrockers to punt nine times. Overall, this was a great game from all parts of the CSM team, a fact reflected by the final score. The Orediggers will look to keep their momentum going next weekend as they host the 17th ranked Carson-Newman Eagles here in Golden, September 14th at noon.
MICHAEL ROGERS / OREDIGGER

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Jared Riemer Content Manager

The ninth ranked Colorado School of Mines womens soccer team traveled to Canyon, Texas for a pair of games against some quality opponents. In the season opener on Thursday, the Lady Orediggers squared off against the fourteenth ranked Dallas Baptist Patriots, whom Mines defeated in the second round of last years NCAA tournament where they grabbed the early lead and never looked back in a 3-1 victory. In Saturdays game, the Lady Orediggers started slower, but rode three second half goals and a stellar defensive performance to a 3-0 victory. Last years RMAC Player of the Year, senior Anna Evans, wasted no time showing the Patriots why she earned that title. With just over eight minutes gone in the game, Evans took the throw in and buried the ball into the upper corner of the goal. Just eight minutes later, in the sixteenth minute, Mines scored when Dallas Baptist surrendered an own goal when they miss played a corner kick. The lady Orediggers eased into halftime with a 2-0 lead. They say a two goal lead is the most dangerous lead in soccer, and less than 12 minutes into the second half, Dallas Baptist cut the lead to 2-1, and were playing like they believed the clich. Looking to tie the score at two, the Patriots outshot the Orediggers 8-3 in the second half and outplayed the Orediggers for stretches of the second half, but never could find the equalizer. In the 89 minute, Bree Archuleta scored an insurance goal to give the Lady Orediggers a commanding 3-1 lead with less than two minutes to play. Archuleta was assisted on the play by Kendra Bulawa. Goalie Jayln Yates played superb and saved eight shots in the game, and Mines outshot Dallas Baptist 13-11. Mines had seven more fouls than DBU, but that was merely a product of aggressive defense and

Tevin Champagne dives into the endzone Saturday afternoon against the Hardrockers.
MICHAEL ROGERS / OREDIGGER

Jared Riemer Content Manager

Men battle to 2-1 soccer victory

playing with the lead. The Lady Orediggers ended the game with a 6-0 advantage in corner kicks and eight total shots on goal. After beating the No. 14 team in the nation, the No. 9 Orediggers had a day off before their next contest against West Texas A&M. Much like the first game, the Lady Orediggers dominated the game defensively allowing the Lady Buffs only six total shots (2 on goal). Mines controlled the first half of play getting six of their eight shots on goal and holding West Texas A&M to only two first half shots. The story of this game was not the first half, however, but rather the second. Coming out of halftime still scoreless, the Lady Orediggers wasted no time setting the score in their favor. Less than three minutes after halftime, Rachael Turner scored the first goal of the game and her first of the season on a pass from Mel Westhoff. The 1-0 lead would prove to be enough, but freshman Jaclyn Knott decided Mines needed some insurance. Knott scored two goals in the final ten minutes of the game, including her first collegiate goal. Her first came in the eighty-first minute when she knocked home a pass from Cari Smith to make the score 2-0. In the 87 minute, Knott found the back of the net again on a pass from Michelle Teramura to give the Orediggers the 3-0 victory and their first clean sheet of the young season. Anna Evans and Rachael Turner both had four shots on goal, and Jayln Yates made two saves in the victory. Knott had three shots on goal, including two goals, and as a team, Mines recorded 21 total shots with ten coming on goal. With the victory, the Lady Orediggers are unbeaten in their last 16 contests, a school record, and will play their home opener at 7 pm this Friday against St. Marys. Come out and support your Orediggers as they look to improve to 3-0 on the season.

Senior running back Dan Palmer (36) easily moves past Hardrockers defenders.

Cross country runs at CSU

Jared Riemer Content Manager
The Colorado School of Mines mens and womens cross country teams opened their season on Friday at Colorado State University. The mens team finished fifth overall out of seven teams and second out of the division two schools, losing to RMAC rival Western State. The women finished third out of the three D-II teams. Chloe Gustafson finished in a career best fourth place out of 77 women and Phil Schneider came in tenth overall out of 115 runners. The top five finishers for the men were: juniors Schneider and Derek Alcorn, sophomore Marty Andrie, freshman Jak Hamilton, and senior Andrew Epperson. Schneider finished tenth overall with a time of 15:14.20 and was one of 14 Orediggers to post a sub 16 minute 5K. Andrie, Alcorn, and Epperson finished 18, 19, and 20 respectively in times of 15:20.50, 15:24.20, and 15:26.40. Hamilton was the final scored runner for Mines and finished 24th overall in a time of 15:29.10. The top five finishers on the womens side were juniors Gustafson and Kirsten Farquhar, sophomore Nicole deMontigny, and freshmen Whitney Schultz and Hanna Barringer. Gustafson finished fourth overall in the womens 5k with a time of 18:18.20. DeMontigny and Farquhar finished 40 and 44 respectively in times of 19:40.70 and 19:48.30. Whitney Schultz finished 51 in 20:05.71 and Barringer finished 57 in 20:19.20 to round out the scores for the women. The next competition for the Mines cross country teams is the Stanford Invitational in Palo Alto, California on September 28.

The nineteenth ranked Colorado School of Mines mens soccer team opened their season on Friday against St. Edwards in Austin, Texas. In what seems to be a promising season for the Orediggers, their first game of the year proved to be good test of character as the Orediggers gave up an early goal and had to fight their way to a 2-1 victory. The opening minutes of the game were not kind to the Orediggers. St. Edwards scored the first goal of the game just nine minutes in. On their third shot of the game, St. Edwards Jack Blanton headed the ball into the back of the net off of a rebound, to give the Hilltoppers the early 1-0 lead. After the early goal, the game setled down for the next twenty minutes as both teams traded shots and fouls back and forth. In the thirty-third minute, Mines finally broke through. After a couple of

missed chances, the Orediggers tied the score up when Tesho Akindele headed in a goal of his own to tie the game at 1. The score at the half was deadlocke. The second half was a hotly contested affair. In the fifty-second minute, CSMs Jared Herselman was tagged with a yellow card, and for most of the second half, neither team could seem to find the net. That changed in the eighty-first minute when Akindele netted his second goal of the game. The goal proved to be a game-winner as the Orediggers took the contest by a score of 2-1. Making his first career start, Colin Baker saved five shots in the win and Mines outshot St. Edwards by a tally of 13-12, with both teams having six shots apiece on goal. With two goals in the contest, Akindele upped his program-leading record to 59 goals and looks in good shape to increase that total significantly this year. Baski Baker led the Orediggers with five shots

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Rough opener for Womens soccer has high hopes Mines Volleyball
Jordan Partin Staff Writer Chris Robbins Staff Writer
sets with close scores of 25-20 and 25-23, but Mines came storming back; taking the next two The 11th ranked Oredigger vol- sets 25-17 and 25-19. The lead leyball team kicked off their 2013 changed several times throughseason in Minnesota with a tough out the final set, but the Wildcats tournament at Concordia Universi- wound up prevailing 15-12, dropty in St. Paul this weekend and re- ping the Orediggers to 0-2 to start turned to Golden with a 1-3 record. the season. Friday evening saw Mines start CSM started off Saturdays things off by facing the #1 ranked schedule by facing #21 Wingate. team and tournament hosts, the Wingate took the first set 25-16, Concordia University Golden followed by the Orediggers evening Bears. Concordia was every bit as up the match at one set apiece with tough as their ranking would sug- a 27-25 second set win. Wingate gest, as they swept the Orediggers would pull away in the final two 3-0. The sets (25-20, first two Mines took care of business, 25-18) to take sets were the match and thoroughly sweeping Hillsdale and notch- remain undecontrolled feated on the by Concor- ing the teams first win of the season, while dia, ending CSM fell to 0-3 season. in scores of on the year. 25-12 and 25-18. Mines jumped The Orediggers final match of out to an early 20-12 lead in the the tournament was played later final set, but Concordia fought Saturday afternoon, and for the back to take the set 27-25 and the first time all season it was against match as a result. an unranked opponent, Hillsdale Next, Mines took on the 20th University. Mines took care of ranked Wayne State Wildcats in a business, sweeping Hillsdale and match that went down to the wire. notching the teams first win of the In a thrilling five set struggle, Mines season. was edged out 3-2 despite career Coming off of the win, Mines will high performances from Sarah try to carry their momentum into Pekarek (20 kills), Melanie Wanna- next weekends tournament here maker (24 kills), Danielle Johnson- in Golden. The Orediggers first Hazlewood (60 assists), and Han- match of that event is next Friday, nah Margheim (37 digs). September 13th at 3 PM vs. WestWayne State took the first two ern Oregon. With a new season ahead of them, the Mines womens soccer team pushes forward in their attempt to gain the title of National Champions, an award they were close to getting in the past two years before they were knocked out by heartbreaking shootout losses. This new season provides a fresh start, and with this clean slate, head coach, Kevin Fickes, has brought in a new assistant coach, Shannon McDonnell, to replace Kate Cortis after her devastating departure from the program last spring. McDonnell played for Illinois (2004-2007), leading them to four NCAA tournament appearances, including a sweet sixteen and elite eight appearance. With the help of McDonnell and the foundation Cortis and Fickes created for the team, Mines hopes to follow in last years footsteps during conference play and keep the RMAC tournament trophy. In addition to their new coach, the team has been blessed with an extraordinarily strong freshman class. Caitlin Kaltenbaugh from Friendswood, TX and Holly Weyland from Monument, CO have had impressive showings throughout the preseason and during scrimmages. Earning them both starting spots at attacking mid and outside back, respectively, for their opening match against Dallas Baptist University. Anna Deleray has brought the team a huge boost with her incredible speed, and Cari Smith adds solid technical skill from the flank. Jaclyn Knotts, Michelle Temura, and Julia Hawn all increase Mines depth, making Fickes job at choosing a weekly lineup increasingly difficult.

s p o r t s

september 9, 2013

Along with these freshmen, the returning players that lead the team to its outstanding run last year through the RMAC tournament and NCAAs have come back more fired up than ever. Seniors Anna Evans and Kelsey Neal, both returning NSCAA All-Americans, will be leading the team from the striker and center back positions. Sophomore Jayln Yates, 2012 RMAC Tournament MVP, will continue leading the team from the net as keeper, and Rachael Turner will once again be a vital player, controlling Mines midfield for her sophomore season. Mines left for Texas for two matches, winning their first 3-1 against Dallas Baptist University on September 5, and their second 3-0 on Saturday September 7 against West Texas A&M. The Orediggers play their first home match on Friday, September 13 against St. Marys at 7 PM.

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Minds at Mines Bustling G-Town

Katerina Gonzales Content Manager
Affectionately nicknamed, Where the West Lives, Golden provides its students and residents enjoyable activities to do year-round. Its proximity to the mountains and the metropolis of Denver offers many recreational opportunities all while maintaining the small-town charm of historic Golden. This week, Minds at Mines asked, What is your favorite thing to do around Golden?

Ethics Across Campus

Brian Zaharatos Guest Writer

Without God, are all things permissible?

The first answer, which is similar 20th century existentialist philosoto an argument given by Socrates pher Jean Paul Sartre, accepts the (in Platos Euthyphro), attempts to notion that there is no God, and the show that, even if there is a God, notion that without God, there is no moral laws do not depend on God, objective moral law or punishment. and thus, not all things are permis- But, for Sartre, it does not follow sible. The argument goes as fol- that all things are permissible in the lows: if God believes that an entity sense that Dmitri meant it. The abor action X is good, it is either be- sence of God comes with extreme cause (1) X possesses some prop- responsibility. For Sartre, rather erties than conThe question posed by Dostop r o p forming erties the evskys Dmitri is one that moti- to that are m o r a l i n d e p - vates many to believe that moral- law, with dendent every acof God ity is inextricably linked to God. tion, you t h a t are writmake it good, or (2) X is good ing your own part of the moral law. only in virtue of the fact that God So, if you decide to treat others believes that X is good. But, if (2) with disrespect, cause suffering, is true, then it seems as though kill, cheat, etc., you are expressing moral laws are completely arbi- to others that it is permissible to do trary. For, if X is good only because these things. Dmitris worries about God likes it, it follows that, if God morality are important, but not just happened to like senseless torture, because the absence of God imthen senseless torture would be plies the possibility of chaos and good. But, baring an extreme and anarchy; instead, they are imporunjust moral relativismone that a tant because they summon one to benevolent God ought not allow think very seriously about who they senseless torture is not good. So want to be, and what kind of pic(1) must be true. But, if that is so, ture they want to paint of humanity. then we do not need God to study So, what do you think? Is it poswhat is moral; rather, we just need sible to have morality without God? to study the properties of X that If so, is it because morality isnt make it good. So, Dmitris worries depdendent on God, as Socrates are in vainwithout God, there is argues? Or, do we have a deep still the possibility of moral good- responsibility for writing the moral ness. law through our actions, as Sartre The second answer, given by argues?

Hiking on South Table. Ian Holdman

Definitely Coors Lab. Ethan Morton-Gaught

But what will become of man thenwithout God and immortal life? All things are lawful then, they can do what they like? Dmitri, The Brothers Karamazov The question posed by Dostoevskys Dmitri is one that motivates many to believe that morality is inextricably linked to God. They believe that, if there are things called moral truths, then they must be given and enforced (either on earth or in the afterlife) by God. Just as civil laws are given by lawgivers (e.g., the state), moral laws are given by God. Further, if there is no God to hold us accountable for following these laws then we are free to harm others as we please. Since this conclusion is undesirable, so the story goes, in order for there to be a moral law, there must be a God. Its worth observing that there is a logical error in this argument: the fact that a claim is undesirable, does not imply that the claim is false. For example, it is undesirable that many suffer and die unnecessarily, but, it is still true. We will overlook this logical problem and consider the essence of the argument, that, without God, all things are permissible. There are (at least) two plausible answers to the claim that, without God, all things are permissible.

COURTESY LUXOTTICA GROUP

Walking down to [Clear] Creek. The creek is awesome. Ari Helland

Going to Goozell for frozen yogurt. Kelsey Hopkins

Mountain biking. For sure. Robert Godinez

dent of Luxottica is short, and not very many companies are big enough to adequately compete. Looking to buy a stylish new Smith Optics and Warby Parker pair of sunglasses? Maybe some are brands that have managed Ray-Bans? Oakleys? Or thinking to avoid being absorbed into the of going even bigger and getting massive conglomerate. Warby some Persols? It may seem like Parker, in particular, is a smaller all these companies are compet- company that arose in direct reing for your sale, but the ugly and sponse to Luxotticas outrageous surprising truth is that each one of presence in the optics market. those brands benefits no matter Warby Parker co-founder, David Gilboa, which pair you the choose. Ray- Ray-Ban, Oakley, and doz- recalls time he was Ban, Oakley, and dozens of ens of other designer sun- looking for a new pair of other designer s u n g l a s s e s glasses brands are owned glasses; I had just bought brands are owned by one by one Italian optics con- an iPhone 3G $200. It Italian optics glomerate: Luxottica Group for didnt make c o n g l o m e rate: Luxottica Group (full list of any sense that a magical phone brands/proprietary brands at that did things nobody couldve imagined cost $200, and these luxottica.com/en/brands). It is shocking to learn that a $3 glasses that used the same babillion company is not a house- sic technology for 800 years cost hold name. Luxottica manages $700. There had been no innovato promote several well-known tion on the product side or on the brands (and continues to promote distribution side. While new and somewhat increasing prices for optics), yet is able to keep the brand affilia- small, the company is trying a tion undetected from the general unique online business model, public. In doing so, they are able and still managing to receive ento artificially produce competition dorsements from big names like and jack the prices of sunglasses Ashton Kutcher. So what can you do? Well, up. The list of prominent sunglass- first off, just by reading this you es companies that exist indepen- become aware that a huge com-

Evan Ford Staff Writer

pany has established a facade of competition, effectively driving up the prices of sunglasses to ridiculous heights (Oakley Pit Boss II: a cool $600). People assume that vast modern technology and fine tuned engineering justify this price for a pair of sweet shades. But the smaller companies, although heavily shadowed by Luxottica, are managing to keep prices low on products of equal quality in the hopes that the consumer will recognize the glaring ridiculousness. I, for one, wished to curb the profits of Luxottica, ever so slightly. Being in the market for some new polarized sunglasses, I walked past the Oakleys. Instead I picked up some Smiths. It turns out I love them. I might not be as cool as someone with a pair of the new Oakley R4VAG3Rs (with built in Wi-Fi hot spot and Espresso/ Macchiato combo machine), but at least I took some money out the wallet of a bald man with a monocle.
Editorials Policy The Oredigger is a designated public forum. Editors have the authority to make all content decisions without censorship or advance approval and may edit submitted pieces for length so long as the original meaning of the piece is unchanged. Opinions contained within the Opinion Section do not necessarily reflect those of Colorado School of Mines or The Oredigger. The Oredigger does not accept submissions without identification and will consider all requests for anonymity in publication on a case-by-case basis. Submissions less than 300 words will receive preference.

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c r o s s w o r d
Across 1. The oldest living thing is a quiet _____ 6. eastern standard time 8. Columbia _____ rockcress 11. Magnolia (state flower) 12. Panacea or Snake _____? A review of the abundant re search... 14. _____ daisy 16. Snowy _____ 17. Where the moon caresses my _____ 19. GIC - grazing reduces fuels _____ that fires can't burn 21. Arizona sisters _____where 23. a lighting fixture 24. The nights are cool and I'm a _____ 25. Congress likely to kill roads deal (Utah - __2477) 26. Utah yucca (symbol) 27. State bird of Rhode Island 30. Commissioners offer _____ ideas for species act 31. __. note: This story contains one major misstatement. 33. Eastern Kingbird genus (sci.) 34. Land swap too hot _____ handle 36. Belsky, A.J. and _._. Blu menthal. 1997. Effects of live stock grazing on stand dynam ics and soils of upland forests of the Interior West. Conserva tion Biology 11:315- 327. 37. Penalty for Unauthorized Grazing _____ 39. If the merc' ain't pumpin' a _____-plus 42. Come _____ with me 44. Investigation of _____ hors es in Nevada raises anger, questions 46. _____. Desert Tortoise Council Presentation, March 16-18, 2001

september 9, 2013
Down 1. _____ Best 2. The Ocean State 3. Lupinus subvexus subvexus 4. Wildlands Project writ large (__: HR652) 5. Parks service _____ grazing plan (AU) 7. Victoria for short 9. lubricants 10. _____ Auditors Denounce BLM Land Swaps 13. Forest service manager not preserving _____ Padres 15. State tree of Rhode Island 18. _____ of Wildlife 20. _____ the hillside no more 21. avalanche-lily genus (sci.) 22. Access, grazing among _____ raised by forest plan 25. Western Watersheds Proj ect Sues BLM for Scheme to _____ 47 Square Miles of Ne vada Forest 28. Tribes criticize over_____ of Bureau of Indian Affairs 29. Coalition seeks funding for forest plan alternative (Medicine Bow __) 32. What we need to _____ to Preserve America's National Parks 33. Drought Not Budging, _____ to El Nino 35. And _____ cannot resist my command 36. Rancher Pleads Guilty: Score one for _____ evidence 38. Cool ocean a buffer to _____ Nino 40. Taylor Grazing Act 41. Interdisciplinary Team 43. Wild Rose (state flower) 45. __. Stephen Best

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