This first-ever Toronto Celebrates Sudbury event will be held on November 17 at 7 p.m. at the Fermenting Cellar in Toronto’s Distillery District. A cocktail-style dinner, entertainment and lots of fellow/wanna-be Sudburians await those who want to rub shoulders with northerners. Come armed with a thick wallet though. Tickets are $195 per person.

All proceeds will go to Laurentian University’s The Next 50 Campaign. This $50 million fundraising drive will enable the university to advance its unique position as the centre for learning in Northern Ontario, for the North and beyond.

As the event site states, “Toronto Celebrates Sudbury will bring together individuals from Sudbury and those with ties to Sudbury who now reside in the Toronto area, to celebrate our heritage and share in the experience of giving back to the community in Sudbury.”

Organizers hope to make it an annual happening.

For more information:

Visit http://torontocelebratessudbury.com/ or

Phone: 416-979-1900
Email: events@torontocelebratessudbury.com

Directions to the Fermenting Cellar:
Fermenting Cellar
Distillery District
55 Mill Street
Toronto, ON M5A 3C4

On Nov. 17 at 7 p.m., the Fermenting Cellar in Toronto’s Distillery District will play host to people from Sudbury and those with ties to the city living in the Toronto area.

Proceeds from the event — the first of its kind — will go to Laurentian University’s The Next 50 Campaign, which will enable the university to advance its position as the centre for learning in Northern Ontario.

Tickets are $195 plus HST and can be purchased online at torontocelebratessudbury.com.

One of the benefits about being a student at Cambrian College is that the college has agreements with a number of universities. The agreements allow and encourage students to further their education.

As a third-year student at Cambrian College, I’m considering furthering my education at Laurentian University. I think it’ll be a great opportunity for me to transfer my credits from Cambrian and enroll myself in the Communications Program. By transferring my credits, I will be able to achieve a degree in one year.

The agreements work both ways. Students from universities can transfer their credits and further their education at colleges. I think it’s great that it’s applied to colleges and universities because the students will be able to receive theory and hands-on experience.

Even though math is not my forte, I do know the basics. I think I made the right money-wise choice by going to Cambrian first and furthering my education at Laurentian.

Episode 48: Pathogens in Frog Populations

Host: Kevin Cougler

Panelists: Dr. Thomas Merritt, Colin Jagoe

Guest: Dr. David Lesbarreres

Download or Subscribe to the show.

Check out the Show Notes here.

Play Audio

Play Video

Last week your chamber announced its support for Market Square as the preferred site for the School of Architecture.  Laurentian University’s $1 million offer to purchase the Market Square site and an additional $2 million for the relocation/accommodation of the vendors to a new home was the tipping point that allowed the chamber’s board of directors to support the win/win/win deal.

It’s a win for the market to re-establish itself in a location that meets the needs of the vendors and perhaps even affords them an opportunity to run their show, their way.  It’s a win for the university to have its preferred site supported by so many community leaders and groups and permits the site development and construction to get underway without delay.  And, most importantly, it’s a huge win for the community to have a new school of architecture located in the downtown where it will have the greatest impact.  At full operation the school will host 400 creative, inspired, eager students and 40 faculty and staff, who will study, work, live, purchase, and play in our downtown, helping to make it a more vibrant, safe and dynamic gathering place.  All that remains is a decision by city council.

Recent media reports and social media excerpts have called into question Council’s leadership and whether or not there is the political will to support Laurentian’s offer.  The decision, this week, will be a test of that leadership for what some are saying is the most creative and important development project in this city since Science North.  Some will recall that the creation of Science North wasn’t without its controversy as well.  Here’s hoping Council makes the right decision.

Until next time, all the best.
Debbi

Summary of more open source information and sources cited (1-24 Sept 11) also available here (PDF).  All information shared here in accordance with the Fair Dealing provisions (§29) of the Copyright Act.  We’re not responsible for accuracy of original material, and inclusion of material doesn’t mean endorsement.

I’m 40. I’ve been married and divorced. I have 2 children. I have a career with a professional designation. I own a home. I am respected by co-workers and try to be active in my community.  I’m a grown up. And yet…with one day left in August I’ve got the same old feelings of nostalgia that always comes this time of year…this weekend in particular. 22 years after I first began University, Labour Day Weekend still means one thing to me…VET PARTY!!!

By all accounts I’m a reliable, responsible, productive grown up. I don’t drink often, I don’t party, you’re going to be hard pressed to find my ass in a bar anywhere now, but somehow, this weekend every year makes me want to crack open a beer and let loose.  To sing and dance and laugh and socialize and meet new people and embrace old friends and just be carefree and have fun.

I know I can’t go back and truthfully there are things I have achieved now that I would not give up for anything, including but not limited to my two amazing children, but for a few brief days at the end of every summer I miss the place, the party, the freedom, the innocence, and most of all the people!! I miss you guys!!!

I left for Laurentian in September 1989 a very shy and easily intimidated young woman who walked through those doors with a self-imposed mandate. I was either going to come out of my shell and face my fears of meeting new people and shake off the overwhelming shyness that I had been plagued with for most of my life, or I was coming home at Thanksgiving and never going back.  I think by now we all know how THAT turned out!

What I took away from that time more than anything else are memories and friendships. Sure there were great life experiences and absolutely it was a time of figuring out who I was and what I wanted in my life, and I came away with a lot of strength and ambition. More than that I came away with a sense of having belonged.  A feeling of community. Real friendships. A family of people who I chose rather than was born in to.

Granted from time to time there was drama and tears and failed relationships and unrequited love but deeper than that was acceptance. I have never before and never since felt like I belonged quite the way I did there, and with that group of people.

Here we are 22 years later and I still have so many of you in my life. Perhaps not my daily life, but I know where you are, we keep in touch, the friendships have survived and endured and withstood marriages…children…careers…geography…age…time. Proving year after year that those friendships, those bonds, were real and meaningful.

So each year in this week, more than any other time of year I feel like celebrating. Celebrating freedom, independence, innocence, adventure, opportunity, and unconditional love and acceptance. To my Laurentian friends from University College, SSR, MSR, and off campus I raise my glass in a toast to you this week. Here’s to us…to the kids we were when we met…to the years we shared together…to the people we have become and the experiences we continue to share with each other from a distance. We don’t get together nearly often enough, but not a day goes by that I don’t think about you all and smile. I miss you and I love you!!!

Now…can I have a UC Once…UC Twice…

• Ontario names Ring of Fire Advisory Council, opens Ring of Fire office in Thunder Bay   The Ministry of Northern Development, Mines and Forestry has opened a Ring of Fire Office on James Street in Thunder Bay.  Managing the office will be former Nishnawbe Aski Development Fund President, and Director for Aboriginal Community and Stakeholder Relations with the Ring of Fire Secretariat Harvey Yesno.  The first four members of a Ring of Fire Advisory Council have also been announced:  former Anishinabek Nation Grand Council Chief John Beaucage;  President of Sudbury’s Laurentian University (and former assistant deputy minister with the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities) Dominic Giroux;  Ontario Mining Association president (and former Conservative Minister of Natural Resources and Minister of Northern Development and Mines) Chris Hodgson; and former president of Confederation College, Patricia Lang (link to PDF of College bio).  (Sources:  Ministry news release and backgrounder, 25 Aug 11; Chronicle-Journal, 25 Aug 11; tbnewswatch.com, 25 Aug 11; Northern Ontario Business, 26 Aug 11; Wawatay News, 26 Aug 11; Sudbury Star, 26 Aug 11)
• “Prefeasibilty study predicts 3 year payback for (Noront) Ring of Fire project – TSX-V-quoted Noront Resources on Tuesday published the results of a prefeasibility study into its Eagles Nest nickel-copper-platinum project in Ontario’s Ring of Fire, outlining a $734-million capital investment for a one-million-ton-a-year mine. The study, which Micon conducted, predicted a three-year capital payback, and gave the project a C$560-million net present value at a 6% discount rate. Noront CEO Wes Hanson said this was the first mineral reserve published for the emerging Ring of Fire camp, and that it was a “milestone” that will “accelerate meaningful discussion on infrastructure” development in the area. “It positions the company to begin negotiating downstream agreements that will provide future funding for continued development of the project without excessive shareholder dilution,” he added in a statement …. According to Hanson, Noront will complete a feasibility study on the Eagles Nest project in the first quarter next year, with first commercial production set for 2016 ….” (Sources: company news release, 23 Aug 11; miningweekly.com, 24 Aug 11; Canadian Mining Journal, 24 Aug 11)
• Next Noront Resources annual meeting:  10 Nov 11 in Toronto (Source:  company SEDAR filing (PDF), 19 Aug 11)
• “Without the necessary transportation infrastructure, development in the Ring of Fire cannot happen, said Raymond Ferris. “They need the infrastructure,” said the Matawa First Nations’ Ring of Fire coordinator, noting a proposed railway from the Ring of Fire area to Nakina is vital. Ferris spoke about the infrastructure needs of First Nations communities surrounding the Ring of Fire Wednesday afternoon at the Ontario First Nations Technical Services Corporation Technical Conference and Trade Show at the Valhalla Inn. “They can’t fly out the chromite; it’s too big of a bulk,” he said. “From what I hear, the railway is the cheapest mode of transportation. The road is going to be close to 400 per cent more in transporting costs.” Companies like Cliff’s Natural Resources have offered to provide money for the railway, but a company official said in June that ultimately it will be provincial infrastructure. Ferris said First Nations are also looking at taking ownership of the project …. Ferris also said it’s important for the remote communities to be involved to protect the environment and their culture ….” (Source: tbnewswatch.com, 24 Aug 11)

Summary of more open source information and sources cited (1-27 Aug 11) also available here (PDF).  All information shared here in accordance with the Fair Dealing provisions (§29) of the Copyright Act.  We’re not responsible for accuracy of original material, and inclusion of material doesn’t mean endorsement.

I

Leonora Nemet, 20, is taking a break from nursing school at Laurentian University to look after her younger siblings — Teodora, 18 and Thomas, 16 — in Ottawa following their mother’s horrific killing.

“She wants the best for them,” said Sharon Flinn, Nemet’s manager at Lockerby Taxi in Sudbury.

“She’s a very mature person for her age.”

Tinde “Tina” Nemet, 46, was stabbed to death in her Fisher Ave. home March 11.

Her estranged husband, Mihalj “Mike” Nemet, 56, has been charged with first-degree murder.

The children have essentially been orphaned and Leonora is packing up the family home and talking to the school board about the status of her brother’s grade 11 academic credits.

A funeral was held last Friday in Centretown for the loving mother of three.

“She had a good heart,” said friend Joanne Lee.

“She was always willing to help people out with anything.”

The family is originally from Zrenjanin, Serbia.

About 10 years ago they settled in Sudbury where Tina worked at the local tax centre and volunteered as a swimming official.

The Nemets moved to Ottawa roughly two years ago and rented a rowhouse in Carleton Heights.

Tina Nemet was an IT analyst at the Canada Revenue Agency.

CRA spokesman Philippe Brideau refused to associate internal fundraising efforts for the Nemet family with the company but donations have been collected.

“There’s ongoing efforts,” said Terrie Osborne.

Back in Sudbury, Leonora is so well-liked at the taxi company where she’s worked for the last four years as a dispatcher, cabbies have been pooling their tips to help support her.

So far, almost $4,000 has been raised.

But more is needed.

“Leonora wants them to stay together as a family,” said Flinn.

Donations for the Nemet kids can be made at any TD Canada Trust branch using this information: Transit # 3736; Institution # 004; Account # 6340129.

Mihalj Nemet’s next court appearance is April 5 by video.

kelly.roche@sunmedia.ca

http://www.ottawasun.com/news/ottawa/2011/03/30/17812516.html

Construction beside West res parking, on a broken water main. Photo by Ed Veilleux

By Andy Veilleux
According to a release from Laurentian University, the road closure (on the road in between the Parker Building, University of Sudbury and West Residence) is caused by a water main break. The problem is affecting the water service in the Parker Building, Student Centre and the Great Hall.

According to the email, water service is expected to be restored around 5PM.

The release states that the water is still running in the other buildings, including the Arts Building, West Residence, and others, and students should therefore use the washroom facilities there if they require them.

Pop up Road Show Goes Mobile  (Literally)

November 10^th, 2010- Toronto, ON- Right in time for the Holiday’s, with a students budget in mind, Lauren Shirreffs and Ali McEwen kick start their Pop-up Road show at Laurentian University on November 17^th and 18^th.

Ali and Lauren, otherwise known as the “Pop-up Roadies”, offer a two-day sale on campuses across Southern Ontario and using social media outlets as their main means of advertising and promotions.  The first university of the Pop-up Road show pre-Holiday tour is Laurentian University and located within the Student Centre.  The sale will be open to both students and public alike, and offering such high-end brands as: Alternative Apparel, Sunice, AUR, Roots, Swiss Gear, Nella Bella Bags, and much much more.

Students are encouraged to follow their twitter page to know just where and which campus the roadies will be at next, what lines they will carry, and how much quantity is left as the sale progresses.  Their blog, twitter and facebook page also will document their hilarious travels, interesting characters on their journey, and the process of this new entrepreneurial venture.

“We thought this would be a really fun and exciting venture, that would allow us to bring great brands up to smaller cities- with prices that make sense for students.” Lauren Shirreffs

“Also, it is a great way for the brands we love to push styles and reach new markets that maybe can’t make the trek to Toronto as often as they would like.” Ali McEwen

The Pop-up Roadies will make their way to Sudbury, Ont., this upcoming November 17^th and 18^th for the first Pop-up Shop Road show on the Laurentian University campus.  This sale will be open to both students and the public, and will be offering great Holiday gifting ideas at competitive price points.

-       # -

Pop up Road show:  A two-day pop up retail shop, offering sales on high-end items in University town locations.  First pop up shop will be located on Laurentian University Campus, on November 17^th and 18^th, 2010.  For locations and dates of upcoming roadshows, please follow https://twitter.com/#!/popuproadie.

Pop up Roadies:  Lauren Shirreffs and Ali McEwen, both Fashion Marketing & Merchandising graduates, budding entrepreneurs and each having 4 years in the fashion industry behind them.  Lauren Shirreffs, freelance writer and Creative Director at a multi-line apparel agency, is also a social media co-ordinator.  Ali McEwen is the founder and designer behind Baby On Board Apparel, entrepreneur and social media enthusiast.

We are at number 2

Wikipedia:

A pop-up retail space is a venue that is temporary — the space could be a sample sale one day and host a private cocktail party  the next evening. Pop-up retail is specifically an idea or mindset that allows a company to create a unique environment that engages their customers, as well as generates a feeling of relevance and interactivity. It can also be for the duration of a peak in demand anticipated to be short.

The trend involves “popping-up” one day, and disappearing the next. These stores, while small and temporary, can build up buzz by consumer exposure.

It’s the weekend before we make our way to Laurentian University and we are so pumped to have them experience the first ever Pop-Up Traveling Fashion Road Show.

There are so many fabulous deals for the students, but have it be known that you do not have to be a student to get a piece of these stellar deals.

Tell your momma, tell your poppa and whether you need to shop for yourself or for the holidays don’t be too late because once these products are gone…they are gone.

Will will be at the Student Centre at Laurentian University on November 17&18, 2010

The rules and regulations are attached along with the registration and waiver forms. These forms must be returned to the Sports Administration office, F-330A, in the Science II Building no later than noon on Tuesday, October 12th. For further information, contact either

Matthew Rupoli: mc_rupoli@laurentian.ca
Michael Joyce: mj_joyce@laurentian.ca”

-Andy

I’ll be honest – I started this blog because I had to.  Blogging is a requirement for one of my classes; and, naturally, I found it extremely difficult to decide on a topic.  After much thought, I have chosen to remove myself from my comfort zone and blog about my life.

So, to begin, here are ten things you should know about me:

1. I love my family.  I have never, in my life, seen anything more beautiful than the love and support system that is my family.
2. I am crazy in love with my husband, Jeff.  He is the most patient, intelligent, hilarious and genuine person I have ever met.
3. I love my dogs.  They are unbelievably perfect and completely wild.
4. I am extremely indecisive.  Seriously – ask my hairdresser about it.  I drive her nuts.  Or ask Jeff – he loves to go through the vicious cycle of painting and repainting rooms in our house on a constant basis.  I drive him nuts too.
5. I fear change.  I find a great deal of security in knowing what to expect.  And yes, I know this contradicts my previous point.
6. I am a creature of habit.  When Jeff went away for a week last year, he led me through a vigorous training routine so that I would stop leaving my keys in the door; they are more than likely in the door at this very moment.
7. I am not a morning person.  I truly believe that coffee is as crucial to my survival – and the survival of those around me – as oxygen.
8. I am stubborn; but I prefer to think of myself as being persistent.
9. I lack patience.  As a child, I mastered the art of unwrapping and re-wrapping Christmas gifts so I wouldn’t have to wait until Christmas Day to find out what Santa had in store for me.
10. Wayne’s World and Animal House are my favourite movies of all time.  And when I quote said movies, I expect everyone to understand the reference.  Now would be a great time to re-read point #5.

The posts that follow will chronicle my life as seen through my eyes – from the simple pleasures to the frustrations and the lessons I learn as I go.

I've been reading Dr. Stephen Gordon's work for many months now, and his blog has always been informative and well-written. Stephen is an economics professor working at Laval University in Quebec City, Quebec, Canada. His thinking regarding the failings of economic nationalism would be widely unpopular in a mining town like Sudbury (yes, it is still a mining town, despite claims to the contrary). That being said, his thinking is not wrong on this issue.

In some of my history courses with Dr. Mark Kuhlberg regarding environmental history, and northern Ontario history, I was fortunate enough to learn some of the failings of the xenophobic policy that is economic nationalism. Many a time it was not the foreign companies raping and pillaging the landscape, but our own Canadian companies. It was the foreign companies who often invested capital into repairing damaged eco-systems and re-greening initiatives, especially in the pulp and paper industry. To be certain, Mark is an authority in the field of pulp and paper industry.

All that being said, I do see the local case studies regarding foreign ownership, primarily in the mining industry. Let's take two polarized examples; Xstrata, and Vale. When it came time to negotiate with workers in their Sudbury operations, Xstrata and the CAW agreed upon a new 3-year contract this year without a work stoppage. When it came time for Vale and the USW to negotiate a settlement, there was a long and bitter strike, which ended up lasting about a year. Cries of evil foreign ownership were rampant in the city, and still are, at least among many of the working class individuals in this city I've spoken with [Note: my father is a miner at Xstrata].

It's worth reading Stephen's posting about foreign ownership, for a few reasons. Pay close attention to the opinions of Canadian management regarding education, and their lower education than their American counter-parts. Also, look at the discussion of how foreign-controlled operations are run as compared to domestically-owned operations. There are many arguments on both sides of the coin, so don't just write off foreign-ownership as evil because it's a trendy view in the Nickel City.

I'll begin with a quote that summarizes the article: "But ultimately, employers must have enough high-end jobs to keep graduates around permanently. And For all of Sudbury’s progress, that’s where the constraints typical for northern Ontario cities still fall leave it short." Beginning a sentence, much less a paragraph with 'but,' and some of the obvious grammar errors, may send some of our more grammar-savvy readers into a frenzy, but that's not the focus of the discussion.

Sudbury's exodus of educated youth is nothing new, nor is the discussion of it. I cannot count the amount of people who I've talked to about it, in both the private and public sector. The discussion is usually centered on my future, or the future of associates of mine, in Sudbury. I'm at the age now (23) where seeking a career is a priority and something I’ve been working on for quite some time. I’m not opposed to leaving town for work, in fact I’d welcome it some days, but in my heart I know I’d prefer Sudbury. Where does that leave me?

Well, I’ve applied to work at some of the typical, available options in town. These include Laurentian University, the Greater Sudbury Chamber of Commerce, Cambrian College, the city itself, the provincial offices, and federal offices. Beyond that, there are a host of other public development corporations, several private institutions, local media, and community colleges I’ve applied to also. I’ve worked for some of them, and been interviewed by more of them, but in the end I have not found a career out of it. Once again, where does that leave me?

At the moment, I’m continuing my studies. I’ve already got my Honours Bachelor of Arts in History from Laurentian University, my diploma from Print Journalism from Cambrian College, and will be finishing up a BA in Political Science this year. At 23 years old (24 when I graduate PoliSci), that’s not too bad of a resume. Add in all of the local volunteering, my hefty work resume, the various sports teams and committees, and the internships I’ve completed, and it looks even nicer. The sad reality, however, is that it’s difficult to find entry-level careers in meaningful work in this city. That’s the reality of the situation.

Simply put, the city needs to refocus their strategy on the youth brain drain. I understand that career turn-over has become a bit more stagnant due to the “harsh economic times,” as my favourite professor likes the call it. I also understand that companies want to hire people with experience, because they don’t have to train them. The problem with this two factors is they are causing educated people of my generation to have to leave town for employment. What’s the solution?

I would suggest more internships as a start. With internships, recent graduates, and even students, are able to gather valuable work experience. The issue with these internships is that they are usually too short-term. Take my current internship as an example. As a summer contract, I’m working for the Greater Sudbury Chamber of Commerce. My contract expires this Friday. In total, I’ll have spent about three months and change here. Was it valuable? Definitely. The issue is that while it’s been a positive experience, it hasn’t nearly been long enough.

Another fellow Chamber intern has been here for almost a year, and then will be departing because her contract is up as well. Without diving too far behind closed doors, the Chamber will be sad to see her go. She has become an integral part of events planning here. The Chamber has asked for an extension, but has been declined. It simply is not in the budget to offer a new contract without government funding (remember, we’re a non-profit organization.) It is probable a new intern will be brought in, which will not be as efficient as retraining is a must for any new intern.

I’m really not sure what the answers are for this problem. It seems Sudbury, and Northern communities in general, have struggled mightily to attract educated youth into the work-force. I want to hear from you. How can Sudbury work towards attracting more educated youth into the workforce? Will a new government help the situation? Will the municipal candidates positions on this matter in the October elections?

a conference on science fiction and society
When: August 23-25, 2010
Where: Laurentian University
Who: the Laurentian University Science Fiction Association

More up-to-date information, contact:
David Robinson
Department of Economics, Laurentian University
(705) 675-1151, ext. 4285

Sometimes, running around in southern Ontario and abroad, I forget about the exciting (and in this case fantastical) academia that goes about its business in my home town. Information and the preliminary program for Laurentian’s most recent upcoming conference were recently emailed to me. This is what happens when Canadian science fiction writers meet social scientists; the promise of unique perspectives on the complexities of Canadian history, politics, and culture drawn from a combination of science fiction texts and critical practices in social science fields.

And of course, because these are summer months, I am in attendance, in hopes of a new and fantastical way of imagining, understanding, and writing about the Canadian past—- and perhaps its relationships to the future. Anyone for archaeology in SF? My childhood love of Battlestar Galactica?

A few of the events, from the prelim. program:

First, these two  catch my interest:

This Has All Happened Before”: Visions of History in Science Fiction

Janice Liedl

Two contrasting historical models often evoked in the genre are cyclical or Vichian and progressive or Whig. The first, as employed in A.E. van Vogt’s The Voyage of the Space Beagle (1950) and more recently in Battlestar Galactica (2003-2009), shows future history’s inevitable rise and fall. Asimov’s influential Foundation books (1951-1988) and Star Trek (1966-present) are Whig history showing humanity navigating crises to progress to a stronger future. Science fiction built on principles of progressive history offers hope for the future.

Science Fiction, Mad Scientists and the “Social” Scientist

Alain Boulay

Science fiction is a progressive literature, constantly absorbing the newest results from the sciences and exploring their implications through narrative. However, there is a history of pejorative representations of science and scientists in the history of science fiction since the time of H.G. Wells. This paper challenges the notion that science communication must always convey scientific facts in its delivery. It challenges this notion by addressing the need for a portrayal of the”buisness of science” in ways that correctly reflect the practice and profession of ‘doing science’. Moreover, it explores this area by reviewing how science fiction has changed its representations of science and its practitioners from a Mad Scientist to a “Social” Scientist.

And others that promise intriguing intellectual play:

Political Implications of a Zombie Apocalypse: Why Humanity Would Not Prevail

Keith McManamen

In numerous novels, comic books, video games, and films, science fiction’s portrayal of the zombie apocalypse depicts a grave threat to humanity. An international emergency of this nature involves many dimensions of political science, security studies, and international relations theory, which are largely overlooked by the genre. [McManamen] examines humanity’s preparedness for international crises and present paradigms of civil liberties, human rights, multilateral cooperation, and international security. [...] today’s ideals of social liberties, are incompatible with a threat of this nature, and wholly inadequate if humankind is ever to face its demise in the form of an infestation of flesh-eating automatons.

I am delightedly reminded of a blog post about a Zombie Attack at Hierakonpolis, and the original article at archaeology.org

“Obey Me!” Invader Zim and the Ideological State Apparatus

Amy Ratelle

This paper investigates the portrayal and function of the omnipresent and controlling (yet utterly fallible and ridiculous) ISA in the animated series, Invader Zim (2001) Through Zim’s status as ‘observer,’ the institutions of education, government, scientific research, the economy, and public transit are pilloried and lampooned, while their oppressive status/function remains unchanged. Individual episodes will be examined in terms of the visual representation of the future; how the stylised designs contribute to the comedy and the sense of alienation and how the ISA is embodied in two characters.

Genres and Persons and Foucault and Mieville

As sublime subjects of literature, Science Fiction and Fantasy are often faulted for being uncritically escapist and for turning imagination on its head. The point of these genres to imagine them as the true face of our own world thereby leading to, at least individual and at most societal, emancipation. This paper focuses on identity; its construction, appropriation and reappropriation in ‘The Scar’ by China Mieville.

Anything you think I should write about? Let me know in the comments, or email me at andyv92@hotmail.com. Have a great day everybody!

Andy

This issue will be a chance for us to look over the design of the paper, and figure out what we like and don’t like, before solidfying our layout templates for the year. We’re hoping some of our dear friends in the Graphic Design industry *cough* Frank Chartrand *cough* will give it a bit of a look over with us.

We’re thrilled to have a new layout, and new enthusiasm for this year. We hope you will be as thrilled by the product, as we were with making it. The publication comes out Thursday. LAMBDA!!!!!!!

Andy