OPINION 5 MARCH 5, 2007 narcissism stuDy Was WorthWhiLe I followed the recent cover- age on the narcissism study with great interest, and after reading Laura Reeve’s article on the same coverage, I can’t help but wonder if Reeve actually examined the substance of the arguments at all (“You probably think this article is about you,” March 1). Instead of an analytical conver- sation with Twenge’s work, in read- ing Reeve’s article I got sinister old ladies, haphazardly satirical criti- cisms of Twenge’s childrearing prac- tices and 10-cent accusations like “harbingers of cultural apocalypse.” But what about what Twenge actually said? When we look past Reeve’s simplifications and avoid- ance of the topic, we see that Twenge is addressing a legitimate and complex issue. I’ll briefly frame this problem in precise terms: How is it statistically possible for a ma- jority of us to gleefully think we are above-average when, by definition, most of us are actually just aver- age? While I doubt Twenge is de- scribing a “cultural apocalypse,” as Reeve strangely suggests, I do think she quite logically points out the danger of having an entire gen- eration believe self-esteem precedes hard work, skill and achievement, rather than the other way around. In our instant-gratification culture, instead of striving for accomplish- ments, we are telling ourselves we already have them. This is a house- of-cards construction that can col- lapse and cause problems in the future. Reeve could have examined Twenge’s arguments and discussed them, but instead we get spuri- ous comparisons to previous gen- erations (Maybe Reeve’s parents were happy hippies. Do they still do drugs and practice free love? Would Reeve want them to?) and straw-man speculations about the researcher’s childhood. Incidentally this confirms Twenge’s allegations: that we are a generation prone to making claims — and newspaper articles — based on nothing except our own inflated sense of awe- someness. Vincent malic senior, anthropology camPus aPathy not WiDesPreaD While I cannot speak for the entire student population, I know widespread apathy is not true of me or many other students as is stated in “Students’ grasp of politi- cal issues dismal (Feb. 22).” It’s not that I believe the issues won’t affect me, but merely the fact that a single vote simply will not make a difference. I doubt that even those that do take the time to vote believe that they will affect the outcome. Or, if they do, they probably buy a lottery ticket every week as well. The real reason the majority of people vote is not to affect politics, but simply so others can see them fulfilling their “civic duty.” If you want proof of this claim, look at small communities that initiate mail-in ballots and the ensuing drop-off in participation in those places. Even though it is easier to cast a vote, few choose to because nobody else will know about it. So not only does a single vote not count, but many students, my- self included, just don’t find poli- tics interesting. I don’t ever plan on spending my leisure time watching CNN or reading up on the new political climate, no matter how ac- cessible the information is. I don’t think that political knowledge is useless; but for what I plan on doing in life, it doesn’t hold much value, either. Just as I don’t expect a commu- nication major to know all about quantum mechanics, don’t expect ev- eryone to stay up to date on politics. tyler miller sophomore, electrical engineering Letters USC should develop public commons By LeWis haiDt Special to the Daily Trojan At the beginning of fall semes- ter, Cory Doctorow — a visiting professor at the USC Center on Public Diplomacy, the U.S.-Cana- da Fulbright Chair in Public Diplo- macy for 2006-2007 and co-editor of the BoingBoing blog — pub- lished an open letter in response to Michael Pearce, USC deputy chief information officer, and Michael L. Jackson, vice president for Stu- dent Affairs’ memo on “Copyright Compliance.” The letter outlines how our com- mons are at risk. When adminis- trators fail to respond to open let- ters questioning the very purpose of the academy, when the issues raised by Doctorow’s letter con- tinue to fester, we should all pause and consider the consequences of such silence and inaction. What type of community does USC seek to promote? Vice Pro- vost Randolph W. Hall claims USC is committed to “leadership” in the interactive media space. To what type of leadership exactly does he refer? What is Hall’s position on the issues raised in Doctorow’s let- ter — specifically, how copyright and Digital Right Management inhibits innovations critical to remix interactive media projects? What is Pearce’s understanding of the modern university, particu- larly one where his conception of copyright ignores even professors’ use of legitimately “copying” docu- ments for intellectual debate? Af- ter the USC’s film department’s generous gift from George Lucas, will the university pursue interac- tive media programs promoting creative commons and remix cul- ture, projects that challenge the role donors such as Lucas and Ste- ven Spielberg play? The university could start by adopting Creative Commons’ li- censes for some of its holdings, which would allow them to be widely shared and used. The Sho- ah Foundation’s Holocaust testi- mony promotes tolerance across divisions. Creative Commons al- lows non-commercial and non-de- rivatives licenses, both of which protect the content’s integrity and allow for its dissemination. As an institution, the university’s film, cinema and video programs should feel confident enough to embrace more open forms of copyright and licensing. USC partnered up with the Army a decade ago when the In- stitute for Creative Technologies was created. It is time that these institutes — dedicated to exploit- ing gaming technology for novel purposes — consider fresh appli- cations in creating community and forming bridges across groups, classes, races and religions. One example is to create “real-world” bounded games that bring people together not only for military ap- plications, but also for stronger communities. USC Free Culture believes the health of our community is reflect- ed in the vibrancy of our public square. Unfortunately, USC, like many American institutions of higher learning, endorses a view of the common good that favors the privatization of intellectual prop- erty at the expense of scholarly exchange. Unsurprisingly given USC’s history as an entrepreneur- ial school, the administration re- veals a clear bias toward enclosures and restrictions on our “creative commons.” President Steven B. Sample and Hall need to understand that stu- dents are serious about these is- sues. We expect a dynamic public commons and a more open intel- lectual-property rights policy. New, creative forms of student activism may be the only way to garner the administration’s attention (check out imlportfolio.usc.edu/freecul- ture for updates and to sign our online petition promoting change for the Film School’s IPR). In contrast to such restrictions, the administration created a first- rate, glossy pamphlet encourag- ing freshmen to rush sororities and fraternities in the fall. Sample opens the pamphlet invoking the glories of fall rush: “I invite you to explore one of the nation’s most enduring and proud collegiate tra- ditions — fraternity and sorority rush.” He closes the letter: “I hope you will enjoy this fall’s rush. As you explore the many social and academic opportunities in our Greek system, I am confident that you will see the many lifelong ad- vantages that membership in a USC fraternity or sorority can provide.” This material was sent to all incoming freshmen in the sum- mer. Combined with the football student seating fiasco, the admin- istration priorities seem clear: one that caters to alumni supporting athletic programs (and all capital gifts), the Greek system, and a re- stricted, myopic view of the public good. We are left with a university committed to intellectual prop- erty rights over scholarship, con- straints over a vibrant, dynamic public commons. v Lewis Haidt is a communica- tion management master’s candi- date from Los Altos, Calif. The administration’s copyright compliance policy prevents free exchange of ideas. QUESTIONS ABOUT APPLYING TO Come find out what to do and how to get started! x Application & admission process and timeline x Personal statements x Letters of recommenda- tion SPONSOREDBYwww.usc.edu/pre-law Off ice of Col lege Advising CAS 120 Ɣ (213) 740-2534 Law School? TODAY!!! March 5th 12:00 PM SOS B47 www.usc.edu/VISIONSandVOICES For more information on these and other events, please visit our website. RSVP REMINDERS! The following events are FREE for USC students, but space is limited and advance registration is required. So get online and RSVP! The Women of Lockerbie Sat., Mar. 24 Depart at 7 p.m.; Return at 10:30 p.m. Ivy Substation, Culver City This powerful production by the Actors’ Gang is based on the true story of the Pan Am 103 crash in Lockerbie, Scotland. Open to USC students only. Students must use the provided transportation. RSVP online beginning Friday, March 2 at 9 a.m. I Land Wed., Apr. 4 Depart at 7:15 p.m.; Return at 10:30 p.m. David Henry Hwang Theater, Los Angeles This dynamic solo performance by noted Hawaiian dancer, actor and singer Keo Woolford weaves together Hawaiian hula, hip hop, and spoken word. Open to USC students only. Students must use the provided transportation. RSVP online beginning Wednesday, March 7 at 9 a.m. The Moral Morass of Contemporary Life 3 p.m. Doheny Memorial Library Intellectual Commons, Room 233 Free and open to all Pulitzer Prize-winner Jack Miles will facilitate an inspiring conversation with Reverend George Regas, former rector of All Saints Church, Pasadena, and Rabbi Leonard Beerman, the founding rabbi of Leo Baeck Temple in Los Angeles. Václav Havel’s Protest 7 p.m., Scene Dock Theatre Free for USC students, staff and faculty Advance registration required RSVP online now! Join us for a staged reading of Protest by celebrated Czech playwright Václav Havel. One of Havel’s wittiest one-acts, the play raises important questions about the role of artists in politics. Directed by Jack Rowe, the play will star three-time Tony Award nominee Tim Curry and actor Charles Janasz. Popularly known for his role as Frank N. Furter in screen and stage productions of the Rocky Horror Picture Show, Curry has starred in numerous plays in New York and London. Most recently he received the Tony nomination for his role as King Arthur in Monty Python’s Spamalot. Charles Janasz’s credits include the television series Bones, 7th Heaven, Crossing Jordan, Frasier and the Broadway production of Amadeus. WED MAR 7 WED MAR 7 ;8@CPKIFA8E Dining Guide <M<IPK?LIJ;8P