Last Friday, Sept. 6, Tech Green was buzzing with students moving around the field from tent to tent at the annual Ramble on the Green. The event, hosted by the Institute’s Alumni Association, is meant to introduce new students to the many ways they can become more prominent members of the Institute’s community.

Rachel Clark, Manager of New Alumni and Student Engagement, was the main leader of the event. 

“Ramble on the Green is a big kickoff event. The main goal of Ramble on the Green is to welcome students back to campus, whether they are a first-year or older, and to educate students about what the Alumni Association offers students at Tech,” Clark said.

As students walked onto Tech Green, they were given a passport with several empty spaces for stickers and stamps. Students were encouraged by volunteers to visit different booths, and after visiting the booth, they were able to receive a stamp on their passports.

Each booth hosted a different on-campus student group or organization. Attendees were able to get acquainted with representatives from Georgia Tech Connect, a social networking site just for current students and alumni of the Institute that offers students a way to meet alumni.

“All folks have to do is make a free account, sign in, click around and find resources,” Clark said.

Students were also able to learn about Mentor Jackets, a program where students can get one-on-one mentorship and advice from a graduate of the Institute. All of the organizations and programs represented at the event were focused on connection to the Institute both before and after graduation.

“We serve alumni but we also have programs here for students at Tech,” Clark said. “The biggest thing is that we have opportunities for students to get involved. There are great leadership opportunities available for students.”

For students who want more than just an extra-curricular activity but instead a part-time job with connections to alumni, the Alumni Association has opportunities for them as well. 

“The Alumni Association also hires student assistants if you are looking for a part-time job here, we have postings online,” Clark said. “There are a lot of ways to get involved and it is a great way to get your foot in the door for what is available for you once you graduate.”

The event was not all business — students were also able to let loose and have some fun. With a DJ playing some pop music in the background, students were able to get a balloon animal hat with flying bees surrounding their heads. Students also had a strong incentive to complete their passports — anyone with a completed passport was able to receive a free Chick-Fil-A sandwich.

Rishitha Muppavarapu, a first-year NEUR, attended the event for both work and play. 

“The free food and free Chick-fil-A were a big draw for me to come,” Muppavarapu said. “It was more than that. I want to get more involved and be a part of something bigger than classes. I think I’ll look into more future events to meet new people.”

New students like Muppavarapu are in luck; many of the clubs and organizations present at the event allow and even encourage first-year students to join. 

“All of our student programs have first-year leadership programs attached to them,” Clark said.

While Ramble on the Green is the Alumni Association’s biggest event of the year, they host other events for both students and alumni as well. In the spring, the organization hosts Ramblin On, an event only open to upcoming graduates of the Institute. Though Ramblin On is a bit more exclusive, there are other ways for students to get more involved. The Student Foundation and Student Alumni Association are actively recruiting. For those interested in learning more, visit the Student Alumni Association website at www.gtsaa.com.

The post Alumni Association rambles on the green appeared first on Technique.

Summer is an exciting time for students, offering endless choices of activities to fill the semester. Many students struggle with the decision of what to do with their newfound free time. Do you intern, start a co-op, take classes at the Institute, or simply head back home?

One of the most popular choices for summer activities among the Institute’s students is studying abroad. Over 51% of students opt to study abroad during their time at the Tech, and of that group, most choose a program that takes place over the summer.

Students choose to study abroad for a variety of reasons. Ariana Paris, a second-year ME, and a current participant of the Oxford Summer Program, explains why she chose to participate in a study abroad program this semester.

“When I applied to Tech, I did a lot of research and found out-of-state students can study abroad for in-state tuition, so immediately I knew I wanted to study abroad,” said Paris.

The promise of lower tuition costs pushes many out-of-state students similar to Paris to choose to study abroad. However, tuition is not the only cost students face while abroad.

“Initially, I was nervous because studying abroad is expensive and I didn’t have a lot of money saved up,” Paris said.

This is a problem many students can relate to. Even in-state students have to consider the extra costs of studying a semester out of the country such as food, housing, and extra fees. These costs are only exacerbated if students plan additional travel, which comes with other worries such as safety and health.

“I was nervous about street skills and getting sick abroad. Traveling with a good group of people has made it so that I have no issues,” Paris said.

Despite these worries, many students take the plunge, choosing to study abroad and face the risks head on. Paris confronts her worries with a particularly strong outlook.

“I realized I would only be able to do this in college. I realized I am never again going to be able to travel the world for three months of my life,” Paris said.

Many students take great advantage of this opportunity by traveling to many different international locations during their programs.

“I ended up choosing Oxford, and I am so glad with that choice. They plan out a lot of my travels. I just hop on a bus or a plane week to week and I am in a different city,” Paris said.

Programs recognize that students prioritize traveling, and many faculty-led programs include three-day or four-day weekends, allowing students to take advantage of the opportunities around them.

Traveling is about more than the location for many students. The food, culture and new experiences make studying abroad valuable. To Paris, her travel companions have been a key part in making her experiences abroad worthwhile.

“The people I am traveling with have become some of my best friends abroad. My first-year roommate is doing the same program as me, which has been great,” said Paris.

Many students at the Institute also take classes over the summer in an effort to save money and graduate earlier.

“I researched different programs that matched my classes, so I will be able to graduate a semester early, which is a big plus,” Paris said.

The Institute’s many study abroad programs cover the content of all schools on the main campus. Some programs, such as the Oxford Summer Program and Georgia Tech Europe, offer more general classes under many different departments required by several majors. Other programs, like the Barcelona Summer Program, cater to specific majors, offering higher level classes in process.

Overall, regardless of program choice or location, students who study abroad resoundingly approve of and promote their experiences. For Paris and other students at the Institute, studying abroad offers new adventures and growth while continuing their degree.

“Even if you are nervous, definitely do it. I was pretty nervous but it ended up working out for the best. Just go for it,” Paris said.

The post Summer Study Abroad appeared first on Technique.

A striking way to start a futuristic science fiction series is to begin in the past. “3 Body Problem” does just that, opening with a communist rally taking place in China during the rule of Mao Zedong. We see a young girl, Ye Wenjie, in a crowd crying out for her father who is currently being questioned for his work as a physics teacher, specifically about if his works proves the existence of a God or not. His non-answer sentences him to death with his daughter watching. 

From this scene, we move to the present with two scientists struggling to understand seemingly impossible readings from a particle accelerator. The scene continues the path of the first one, with one scientist asking the other, “Do you believe in God?,” saying it may be the only way to explain the readings. 

The entire series focuses on this theory of science versus religion throughout its eight episodes. It is hardly a simple and straightforward theme to tackle, but “3 Body Problem” is hardly a simple show. 

The series follows two timelines: one in the past, continuing to focus on Wenjie’s journey in communist China, and the other following “the Oxford Five,” a group of friends who are geniuses in all things science and technology. 

These chronologies intertwine and connect, forming a quite complicated story. This complexity is at times to the show’s benefit, but mostly it just leads to a convoluted narrative. 

In the early episodes, the show suffers greatly from excessive editing. For “3 Body Problem,” the main reason behind the issues is the story. The cutting between these two storylines is quite choppy, seemingly switching between them at random. Even within storylines, the editing can be incredibly quick and jarring, particularly for the modern chronology since it follows nearly a dozen characters, some of which may never be seen again after a scene lasting only a few minutes. 

The issues with complexity also affect the story. The audience may have trouble keeping track of every character present in the narrative. It is incredibly easy to forget a character’s existence later in the series. Some episodes focus on fewer characters, and while that may make the story and editing more cohesive for a singular episode, it can cause confusion in the long run and leave the audience longing to know more. In particular, the characters Jack Rooney, Saul Durand and Will Downing are easily forgotten. Handling the numbers of characters this show features is a daunting task, and the writing and editing struggle to keep up. The show could have greatly benefited from either cutting some characters from the narrative entirely or combining two characters into one.  

The series also suffers from a lack of a true main character being made clear from the start. In the beginning, the audience will be tempted to believe that Auggie Salazar (Eiza González, “Ambulance”), a genius scientist, is the main character with the first episode focusing on her the most out of the Oxford Five; however, by the fourth episode, it seems Jin Cheng, another genius physicist, has the biggest impact on the narrative. The show never feels like it settles into a narrative rhythm. 

“3 Body Problem” has many stumbles throughout its first season while trying to cope with its own complexity, but as the episodes go on, the series gets stronger and stronger. Once the past chronology catches up to the present, the editing and writing become much stronger and cohesive. Audience’s experiences will only get better as the show goes on. 

The theme of science versus religion becomes once again a central idea, exploring how science can become so advanced it can grant powers long thought to be reserved for gods. Despite its stumbles, “3 Body Problem” becomes a solid science fiction series that is both enjoyable and contemplative. The show is
streaming now on Netflix.

The post ‘3 Body Problem’ is fascinating but jumbled appeared first on Technique.

Last Tuesday, Jan. 23, actress Zazie Beetz (“Atlanta”) and actor Jack Quaid (“The Boys”) announced the highly anticipated nominees for the 96th Academy Awards.

With a staggering number of critically acclaimed movies released from large studios and independent distributors, this year’s competition has been hotly contested. “Oppenheimer” leads the nominees with 13 total nominations, one in almost every major category besides Best Actress in a Leading Role. 

“Poor Things” follows with 11 nominations, mirroring “Oppenheimer” with nominations in all major categories besides Best Actor in a Leading Role.

However, the nominations did not come without controversy. “Barbie” was surprisingly shut out of two major categories: Best Actress in a Leading Role for Margot Robbie and Best Director for Greta Gerwig. 

Fans found the snubs especially surprising, considering Ryan Gosling and America Ferrera received nominations for supporting actor awards, and the film received eight total Oscar nominations. Despite being the highest-grossing movie of the year, the awards season has been rough for “Barbie,” with it consistently collecting nominations but never winning any big-ticket awards. 

While the industry’s love for “Barbie” seems to have dimmed, appreciation for smaller films such as “The Holdovers” and “American Fiction” has grown. Despite low box office numbers, these mid-budget films have become awards darlings, garnering more awards than supposed heavy hitters with larger campaigning budgets like “Barbie” and “Maestro.”

However, The Academy also overlooked several performances consistently recognized in other awards shows. In particular, Leonardo DiCaprio’s performance in “Killers of the Flower Moon” did not receive a nomination for  Best Actor in a Leading Role despite DiCaprio’s supposed status as a shoo-in at the Academy Awards. 

Charles Melton’s powerful performance in “May December” was also passed over. Some critically acclaimed releases were completely shut out from nominations, including “Priscilla,” “BlackBerry” and “The Iron Claw.” 

This year’s nominees continue the Academy’s trend of listening more to viewers, nominating more diverse films featuring different perspectives on storytelling from both Hollywood mainstays and new faces. 

Long-time Oscar favorite Martin Scorsese was nominated for Best Director, but so was French filmmaker Justine Triet for “Anatomy of a Fall.” Even in the Best Picture category, films from Christopher Nolan and Bradley Cooper stood alongside two films made outside the United States. 

There were also several historically significant nominations this year, with Lily Gladstone becoming the first Native American woman to be nominated for Best Actress. This is also the first time in history that three of the Best Picture nominees, Greta Gerwig’s “Barbie,” Justine Triet’s “Anatomy of a Fall” and Celine Song’s “Past Lives” were directed by women.  

It will be exciting to see the winners of this year’s awards, boosting the profile of writers, directors and actors who can continue making great work in the future. The award show will be held on Mar. 10 in the Dolby Theater and will be hosted by Jimmy Kimmel for the fourth time in its history. 

The post Oscar nominations split viewers appeared first on Technique.

Last Sunday, Jan. 7., the entertainment industry came together under the roof of the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, California for the 81st annual Golden Globe Awards. This year’s winners were the first not selected by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, which disbanded seven months ago after facing criticism regarding their lack of diversity. This year, the awards were voted on by a diverse group of 300 people, 47% of whom are women, representing 76 countries.

Along with a new voting body, the awards also added two new categories this year: Cinematic and Box Office Achievement and Best Stand-Up Comedian on Television, with the awards going to “Barbie” and “Ricky Gervais: Ricky Gervais Armageddon” respectively.  

Comedian and actor Joe Koy hosted the awards. It was the first time Koy had ever hosted such a high-profile event, and with the previous year’s ceremony not featuring a host, the pressure was on for Koy to impress. Koy’s jokes featured commentary about several nominees, sparking controversy and judgment among
attendees and viewers.  

Taylor Swift attended the show at which Koy remarked, “The big difference between the Golden Globes and the NFL? At the Golden Globes, we have fewer camera shots of Taylor Swift.” Koy also commented on two of the biggest movies of the year. “‘ Oppenheimer’ is based on a 721-page Pulitzer Prize-winning book about the Manhattan Project, and ‘Barbie’ is on a plastic doll with big boobies,” Koy said. Many perceived these jokes as misogynistic and devaluing the contributions made by women in the entertainment industry this year. 

Despite these hiccups with the host, the presenters throughout the night came from a variety of projects released this year as well as entertainment industry mainstays, including Oprah Winfrey and a reunion of the cast of “Suits,” sans Meghan Markle, to present the award for Best Television Series Drama. 

The award show had some historic wins, including Best Actress in a Drama Motion Picture going to Lily Gladstone, the first Indigenous person to win the award, for her performance in “Killers of the Flower Moon.” 

Ali Wong and Steven Yeun also won best performance by an actress and actor in a limited series for their work on the Netflix series “Beef,” becoming the first and second people of Asian-American descent to do so. 

Big winners of the night included “Succession,” with its final season releasing last year, taking home Best Television Series Drama and three of the six television acting awards for Sarah Snook, Matthew Macfadyen and Kieran Culkin. “The Bear” also had a good showing, taking home Best Comedy Series with its stars Jeremy Allen White and Ayo Edebiri winning best actor and actress in a comedy series. 

A big surprise came when “The Boy and the Heron,” the newest Hayao Miyazaki film, secured Best Motion Picture – Animated over front-runner “Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse.” “Barbie” also surprised viewers. Despite being the most nominated film of the night, it only won two of the nine awards it was nominated for with “Oppenheimer” and “Poor Things” sweeping most of the categories.  These two films are projected to be front-runners at this year’s Academy Awards as well. 

The post Historic wins at The Golden Globe Awards appeared first on Technique.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has recently come to the forefront of the cultural and societal consciousness. As such, any significant change or shift in technology is bound to make an even bigger impact on the Institute. 

To address this change, on Sept. 28, the Center for 21st Century Universities (C21U) hosted Generative Futures: Revolutionizing Learning with Artificial Intelligence, a symposium focused on AI and its implications on education and the arts. 

C21U hosts the Generative Futures symposium every year with topics focused on changes in education. C21U’s goal is to be “the catalyst for transformation in higher education,” said Stephen Harmon, Director for educational innovation of C21U. 

AI has existed long before the introduction of ChatGPT, with examples including search recommendations, autocorrect, and navigation systems. While these technologies also made great changes to the way people work and live, they seem to have caused less panic than ChatGPT and similar systems, some may wonder, what makes ChatGPT so different? 

“It feels more human,” said Dr. David Joyner, Executive Director of Online Education within the College of Computing, the keynote speaker of the symposium.

As keynote speaker, Dr. Joyner focused on the changes AI can have in education, starting his presentation by discussing how previous technologies have caused similar outbursts. For example, he pointed to calculators and autocorrect as technologies that are used by students everywhere and drew criticism from educators in the past who believed the inventions would make education lose its meaning. 

The second part of the symposium focused on the implications of generative AI on the arts, another controversial topic brought to the forefront recently by the strike of the Writers Guild of America (WGA). One of the major demands of the guild was protection from the use of generative AI, such as ChatGPT, to write scripts. 

Issues with generative AI have also merged in the visual art space with work produced with AI winning the Colorado State Fair art competition, sparking the conversation about the morality  and use of artificial intelligence. When asked about these situations, Harmon invoked the title of an article by Karim Lakhani, a professor at Harvard School of Business, saying, “AI will not replace humans, but humans with AI
will replace those without it.”

Harmon cited productivity or the lack thereof as being central to the conversation and that AI could be the answer.  

“There are certain sectors of society that don’t enjoy the same increase of productivity that others do. It takes a string quartet the same amount of time to learn a piece of music as when it was written hundreds of years ago. AI can help,” said Harmon.

Both students and professionals attended the symposium.

“I’m here to support my professor, Dr. Lisa Yaszek, and hear her speak as part of a panel,” said Amanda Lang,  fifth-year AE.

Harmons hopes for more students at the Institute to continue to invest time and energy into AI.

“Georgia Tech students and faculty are very innovative. We will not only think of new ways to use AI, but we will also become the creators of it,” says Harmon. He adopted an optimistic look at the future of AI, hoping it has a smooth integration into highereducation across the country.

 “There is a more positive outlook on how it will change the way we work and how can we teach students to use it the most effectively,” said Harmon, he continued, “studies show one-on-one tutoring is the most effective. The future of AI could be building individual tutors for students.”

Only time will tell how AI affects education in the long run, maybe it will become as central to learning as calculators. The Institute has the students and faculty prepared for an innovative future.  

The post Generative Futures symposium at the Institute appeared first on Technique.