Kindle: The future of Technology?

Ten years from now, hardcopy textbooks may no longer exist on Hamilton’s campus. According to Vice President for Information Technology Dave Smallen, in the next decade, Hamilton will likely integrate a Kindle-like electronic textbook device into its curriculum, replacing the standard textbooks that students have been using. “I would imagine in the next 10 years we will see the emergence of electronic textbooks as the dominant form of supplemental course materials,” Smallen says. The Kindle is a reader for electronic textbooks that is marketed on Amazon.com that lets you download your books directly, instantly, and cheaply from the Kindle’s handheld device. “My sense is that students feel that textbooks are too expensive. They spend a lot of time and money buying them at the start of a semester and get little back when they trade them in,” he adds. Other competitors to the Kindle include Sony Reader, PlasticLogic, Hanlin, iRex, and Cybook. The Kindle is about the size of a novel. According to Smallen, reading a book on the Kindle is just like reading a book with the advantages that you can change the size of the type font. Another advantage is that the Kindle screen does not have the glare of light that normal computer screens do when exposed to the sun. Because its reading screen is of the same color and quality as a normal textbook page, the Kindle lessons the chance of eyestrain. As for battery life, according to Amazon’s Kindle website, you can read for days without recharging it. Smallen highlights the convenience factor as one of the Kindle’s biggest selling points. Nonetheless, like any other technological innovation, the Kindle has its setbacks, too. Namely, it is expensive: $359 for the new version just released. Also, if you drop it or get it wet, you destroy it. However, this seems like less of a disadvantage when we remember that it is the same with cell phones and computers. Another minor limitation is that the Kindle as it stands does not handle color.

Although the Kindle is not currently being used by colleges, Acting President and Dean of Faculty Joseph Urgo believes that someday this will change. “I do think some version of this technology will eventually be quite common, and the college textbook market would seem to be an ideal one for it,” Urgo said. Among the many advantages of using a Kindle versus a hardcopy textbook, Urgo highlights that it would be “nice not to have to lug a book bag around all day when you can have all your books, and your personal library, in a hand-held device.” According to Amazon’s website, the Kindle can hold over 1,500 books. Hamilton student MaryDaphne Kostakopoulos ’09 agrees that having all of her texts in one small device would be convenient, not to mention that it would be nice not to have to carry a load of heavy books around all day: “I’d buy a Kindle. The lesser the load, the better. But then again, that might mean I’d have to start lifting at the gym,” Kostakopoulos said with a laugh. For Professor of English Onno Oerlemans, the greatest plus would be “the ease of access to all or most of one’s texts.” He adds that the “ability to search for words and phrases in a novel quickly” would be beneficial as well.

In spite of its advantages, the Kindle, like any new piece of technology, still has issues that need to be resolved if it is to appeal to consumers. For instance, some users have complained that the Kindle device is too large in size, and that they would prefer that it fit in their pocket. Although some smart phones like iPhone have addressed this issue by offering a new application for the iPhone that allows users to read books on it, readers still find the size of a cell phone screen too small for their liking. According to Smallen, companies are seeking to reconcile this sizing issue by working on computer screens that fold up. Professor Oerlemans voices other concerns. He worries that that the inability to take notes on the Kindle “will encourage less careful reading, since we tend to skim things on a computer screen more than we do on paper.” Oerlemans also notes that students might lose the sense of satisfaction they gain after completing a physically large book: “one would lose the weird pleasure of the heft of a big book, like Moby-Dick! The Kindle will make all books feel slim.”

According to Dean Urgo’s prediction, a Kindle-like device would affect more than students’ readership experience: it would limit the role of the Burke Library and college store as well. “Building a personal library was once part of the goal of a liberal arts education. With Google and others working to make books available electronically, a personal hard-copy library may one day be obsolete,” he says. Although it may be the case that students would check out fewer books from the library if a Kindle were introduced, Couper Librarian Randy Ericson believes the library would still remain a resource that students would use. “Library resources may still be needed to supplement textbooks. These supplemental items might well be provided through the Library reserve system, whether that be in electronic format or print,” Ericson remarks. Professor Oerlemans adds that students would still need reference librarians to help them with research. As for the college store, Smallen suggests it might want to start considering new roles that it might fulfill in the future: “If you can imagine a future world where the information is all electronic, the college store will be doing things other than selling textbooks,” he said.

Smallen concludes by noting that the main challenge that remains for the Kindle is determining the right financial model to use. The Kindle as it stands is too expensive. As Professor Oerlemans remarks, “I think I might purchase one if it were a lot cheaper. At the moment, its advantages don’t seem significant enough to me to fork over 400 dollars.” Furthermore, like with music-sharing, there remains the possibility that students might illegally share textbooks electrically. “If one student buys it and gives it to everyone in the class, [the publishing industry] would all fall apart,” Smallen added. Thus, in spite of its perks, the Kindle is an evolving piece of technology that needs refining before colleges like Hamilton will consider integrating it into their curriculum. At this point, one can only anticipate the kind of effect a Kindle-like device will have ten years down the line. As Smallen says, “We always overestimate how quickly a new technology will be adopted but ultimately underestimate the impact it will have. I think that is true in this case.”

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The Wag's Take On Hamilton College

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Beyond the Incredible

Greece is always associated with an extremely rich history, good food, exciting nightlife, beautiful islands, hospitality and warm hearted people. The country itself is always associated with Athens, the Acropolis and the major tourist attractions. In fact the most interesting parts of Greece are those that remain un-spoilt and reflect the true way of life of modern Greeks. Having lived in Greece for all my life, I would emphasize for those who visit the country to go to places-outouched by globalization-which retain a certain traditional character.

The island of Cephalonia is situated on the West Coast of Greece, approximately 200 miles west of Athens. The islands are accessible from the mainland by ferry and they are accessible by plane from the Athens airport. Both islands are part of a complex of islands on the west coast of Greece in the Ionian sea. Cephalonia, is the largest island of the island complex but has a rather small population of 30.000. The population is sparsely dispersed amongst the three main towns and in over one-hundred hamlets. The island itself is particularly mountainous, with a mountain range as high as five thousand feet. Therefore may of the areas of the island are inaccessible due to the mountainous and rugged road network.

Cephalonia is marked by a really rich history which dates back to the time of Ulysses, over 2.500 years ago. The island was invaded and captured by the Venetians from 1204 to 1789 and therefore has a substantial Italian influence. The local dialect, the architecture, the food and the music is extremely influenced by the Italian occupation. For another seventy years the island was a British colony until it became part of Greece. In the past the population of the island, relied on agriculture, fishing, herding and hunting, and light manufacturing for survival, whilst today tourism is the most prevalent form of income. In the summer months which last from May to September, the island’s population’s exceeds 100,000. Visiting the island in the summer months is particularly comfortable because the temperature is much more temperate that in the rest of Greece. The highest it ever gets, is only around 90 degrees centigrade.

The island is also filled with several museums of natural history, and several historical and anthropological museums. Contemplating the rich culture and history of the island, is its virgin beauty. It is one of the few places in Greece where you can find an unspoiled beach and bathe alone. Family owned taverns and bars situated near the beaches offer refreshing appetizers and drinks. Last, but not least, as with most of Greece the island is well known for its hectic nightlife. Bars and nightclubs, open at 11 and close with the break of dawn catering to those who know how to live the good life.

Living all my life in Greece, and being at Hamilton for four years, the only thing I missed back home is Cephalonia. That is where I spent all my summer vacations and where my family comes from. It is still, an genuine representation of how Greece is and how the Greeks truly live. In my view if you ever have the chance you should come and visit and you won’t forget the experience.

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The Finger Lakes Wineries with Prof. John C. O'Neal

During the wine tasting I held recently in the Pub during Feb fest, I happened to mention that there were wineries close by in the Finger Lakes region, which came as a surprise to many students in the audience. To be sure, New York has some very fine wineries that are “worth the detour,” as the Michelin green guides put it for cultural or tourist attractions worth visiting.Although there are, in fact, wineries all over the state (both east and west banks of the Hudson Valley, Long Island, and elsewhere), I shall focus primarily on the ones in our so-called back yard along Cayuga, Seneca, and Keuka lakes just to the west and south of Syracuse. It has been a few years since I visited them, but I trust the information given below still holds true.

However much Seneca Lake remains my favorite lake for wine tasting, there are some real finds along the shores of the other two lakes. King Ferry Winery (www.treleavenwines.com) on the east side of Cayuga Lake bottles its wines under the name Treleaven. Its tasting room is not fancy—at least when I visited some time ago--but it produces one of the finest Chardonnays I’ve tasted in Upstate New York. If you want to splurge, try the Reserve Chardonnay, which has even more of a refined oak taste. While you’re in the area, consider at least lunch, if not an overnight stay, at the Aurora Inn (www.aurora-inn.com), a lovely 1833 Federal style building on the lake. On the west side of the lake one can find Knapp Winery (www.knappwine.com) with an attractive tasting room I remember well and now a vineyard restaurant. As at any well-rounded winery like Knapp, one can find a variety of good wines and should try most, if perhaps not all, of them. Personally, I steer clear of any sweet or even semi-sweet wines (Vignoles, etc.), as they tend to give me a headache, which is not what one wants on a wine tasting tour!

Heading west, one arrives at Seneca Lake, at the top of which is the town of Geneva, where I had a conference last fall, staying at the Ramada Inn on the lake. (If you choose to stay here, make sure you tell them you want a lakefront room with a full window.) The downtown has undergone an urban Renaissance, and I found the atmosphere young and lively. Geneva is home, as you may know, to Hobart and William Smith Colleges. Belhurst Castle has a long, distinguished history worth exploring while you’re in town and not wine tasting. (One can’t taste wine around the clock!) Don’t miss the pumpkin pancakes at the little coffee shop in downtown Geneva; they were a real treat. But let’s proceed now on to the vineyards, now that you have a place to eat and sleep. Chateau LaFayette Reneau (www.clrwine.com) also offers lodging at its vineyard, which produces some good wines, although I prefer the modern elegance of Lamoreaux Landing Winery (www.lamoreauxwine.com). Seneca Lake provides in fact an embarrassment of riches for wine tasting. Let me simply mention some of my favorite wineries on this lake and what I especially enjoy there: Red Newt Cellars (http://rednewt.com/web/; the Merlot is the best I’ve had anywhere, and they have a good restaurant), Prejean Winery (http://prejeanwinery.com; their Dry Riesling, done in the Alsation tradition of wine making, is delicious); Seneca Shore Winery (www.senecawine.com; they make a lovely, dry Cabernet Franc; not a fancy place, but they produce good wine at an affordable price); Fox Run Winery (www.foxrunvineyards.com; great quality-price ratio, especially for the Chardonnays), Standing Stone Vineyards (www.standingstonewines.com; here you’ll want to focus on all of the reds, especially the Pinot Noir, which they have perfected); and for the serious aficionado of red wines Shalestone Vineyard (www.shalestonevineyards.com; it might be a good idea to call ahead with them, as they are somewhat more private and less commercial than some of the other wineries).

Keuka Lake, the last of the trilogy of Finger Lakes on my list, offers what I believe to be the finest view in the region, one reminiscent of Switzerland to me. To see it, one must travel to McGregor Vineyard & Winery (www.mcgregorwinery.com). Their wines may not have been memorable, but the view was indeed. For wine, Keuka Lake presents fewer choices, but one should not miss Dr. Konstantin Frank Vinifera Wine Cellars (www.drfrankwines.com) for historical reasons. Dr. Frank was the first to make “world-class wines” (sic) from European varietals in the Finger Lakes back in the early 1960s. It is not an understatement to claim that he revolutionized the wine industry in Upstate New York. At the foot of the lake is Watkins Glen, whose state park’s trails wend their way through a gorge with 19 waterfalls, a welcome respite from the other activities.

Finally, on your way home drive through Skaneateles, another Finger Lake town, whose wine growing industry is just starting. But it’s less for wine tasting than the sheer beauty of the town that you’ll want to pause here. The Sherwood Inn (est. 1807) is one stop among many others you’ll want to make. If you’re here ever in the summer, take in a concert at the Skaneateles Festival, particularly one of the outdoor concerts on Brook Farm overlooking the lake. As one can see, there is a lot to see and do in addition to wine tasting in Upstate New York. If you haven’t yet visited this region, put it on your agenda before graduation. Plan on spending at least one night, if not two, in the area to savor it and the wines fully and responsibly. Bon voyage! Read more...

To the Ends of the Earth and Back

When you hear the word “Patagonia,” the first thing that comes to mind is probably the warm, over-priced fleece jacket that the kid sitting next to you in class is wearing. Up until a few months ago, Patagonia was merely that to me – a sportswear brand. But, after taking a trip to the actual region earlier this year, Patagonia now carries much more meaning.

While I was in between jobs a few months back, after surfing what I like to call the “economic wave,” I decided that it was the perfect opportunity to challenge myself and do something completely out of my comfort zone.
When I learned about an Outward Bound (outwardbound.org) backpacking trip in northern Patagonia, I knew that was the trip for me. So I packed my bags, said goodbye to friends and family (because really, who knows if you’ll come back alive after taking off to go hiking in one of the most unexplored regions in the world), and began my (very) long journey to Bariloche, Argentina- the gateway to Patagonia.

Over the course of my two weeks in Patagonia, I had some of the most exciting, intense experiences of my life. Emotionally and physically, each day was filled with new obstacles to overcome and personal reflections to face. During the first week, myself and the other eleven people on the trip hiked about nine hours a day with 50-lbs. backpacks on, taking long siestas for lunch and shelter from the strong Argentinean sun. We learned to ration food and deal with the very uncomfortable reality of “food stress,” or, the emotional and behavioral ramifications of having a very limited supply of food. We also learned how to navigate our way through completely foreign terrain, manage our time as a group (because our health and safety depended on it), and stay (relatively) clean without any showers or even soap. After hiking countless hours through streams, up mountains, across landslides, and around valleys, I have to tell you- I was fairly exhausted.

Everyone in the group got a much needed break from physical activity – and from one another!- in the form of what Outward bound calls a “solo”. Solo is a day spent in complete solitude, with no people, books, music, or much food for twenty-four hours. While this may sound like torture, it was one of the best parts of the trip for me. This was probably the first time I went without the luxuries (or distractions…it depends on how you look at it) of music, the Internet, television, a book, or another person. Think about it- how often do you spend 24 consecutive hours completely alone without other people or gadgets to keep you entertained? It is almost impossible to do in today’s world, but if you ever have the opportunity, you should take it. I promise you won’t regret it.

After the solo experience, we spent the final week of the trip living in a small village called Cuyin Manzano. The purpose was to participate in several service projects to help the community. However, I couldn’t help but feel that the people of this village positively impacted my life more than I impacted theirs. It was great to help build fences and work on the construction of their community center. But, the service projects were not nearly as memorable or gratifying as learning how to make homemade bread in a stone oven, or how to weave a scarf, or conversing with the native Argentineans who welcomed us into their community.

One of the greatest challenges of this trip was trying to understand and adjust to a completely different way of life without judgment or resentment. Interestingly, the more you travel, the more you come to realize how similar people all over the world are- despite the perceived outward differences that often keep us from understanding and loving one another better. This realization alone made my trip to Argentina completely worthwhile.

My last night in Patagonia was spent in a small cavern on the top of a mountain, looking out at a breathtaking full moon. As I drifted to sleep, I could not help myself from thinking, “I’ve looked up at this very moon so many times, yet tonight, it looks completely different.” But that, I realized, was the reason I traveled to Patagonia in the first place. Not to see a new moon, but Read more...

Take a Break!

In conversation, the current economy inspires grimaces and anxiety.  More people than ever are cutting back on spending and trying to tie up loose financial ends. Most people would assume it is time to stick to traditional paths to success and find a job, any job, right after graduation. Or, if you’re up to it, maybe wait out the tough times in graduate, law or medical school.  However, three Hamilton women recently took less traditional paths after senior week and graduation were all over.  Sara Bryant, class of 2008, Jess Mariglio, class of 2007, and Liza Rueckert, class of 2008 share their commonly different post-graduate experiences to prove that a non-traditional outlook can sometimes prove most successful.

Sara Bryant fell into a unique opportunity to travel to Ethiopia the summer after graduation and spend seven weeks living with families while teaching English in rural areas.  She traveled with a program called Learning Enterprises but she said, “I didn’t necessarily select Ethiopia, it pretty much chose me. There was a last minute opening in the program and a friend of mine asked if I would step in, only three weeks in advance!”

Jess Mariglio drew upon her experience abroad in Granada, Spain to apply for the Bristol Fellowship and “study the way spoken word poetry is used by young people to express their views, experiences and culture.” She traveled across the globe for ten months, stopping in places like Canada, Australia, New Zealand, The Czech Republic and Ireland.  Though this trip was well researched and planned, it also turned spontaneous when two weeks into the fellowship, she said, “my plans pretty much all went out the window.  At first I wanted to study the different ways people used spoken word in each country and culture.  But I quickly found that the more interesting and important perspective wasn’t through difference, but through similarity.”

Finally, Liza Rueckert spent the summer after her graduation working at a dude ranch, called Eaton’s Ranch in northern Wyoming.  Even though this post-graduate decision may seem just as spontaneous as Sara’s and Jess’, Liza said she actually “always wanted to move out west and when I was little I wanted to be a cowgirl.  A dude ranch seemed like the perfect place for me to go.”

Each of these women experienced things they never before dreamed of and were immensely happy with their trips.  Throughout each trip, all three appreciated the people they met along the way more than anything else.  Liza said she “absolutely loved the ranch and all the people there, it confirmed my love for the West and I knew that I had to stay out there.” Sara left Ethiopia feeling connected to the country and the people, even though the culture was drastically different.  She said she “will always have a family there” and that eventually she would like to bring her own family to meet them. 

Even though she traveled throughout the world in a whirlwind, Jess also felt a deep connection to all the people she met and was amazed by the similarities she saw across cultures.  She described one interview with “a 15 year old emcee in Mexico City, who was said the exact same things, and used his art in the exact same way as an 18 year old poet/activist whom I had interviewed in Ottawa a few months earlier.” From that point she said she realized “Beneath culture, language, identity, political persuasion and religion- beneath all these little categories we set up to separate ourselves from one another- beats a common rhythm we can all relate to: the need to be heard, understood and appreciated.”

             Of course, there are always bumps along the way in any adventure.  Ask any recent graduate, and they will surely remind you that Hamilton is safe, secure and to try to stay here as long as possible.  Even those more adventurous among us will find things after Hamilton may not be as packaged or easy as we had hoped.  In Ethiopia, Sara struggled with the incredible amount of fleas and flies swarming around her on a daily basis, as well as meeting the frequent stares of curiosity as locals encountered the first white person they had ever seen.  In her self-designed journey, Jess found the freedom daunting.  She was shocked by the transition from a structured, familiar, college atmosphere to a time where she did not always have exact details on lodging, travel or even who she was meeting.  She described this shock as a “feeling of free falling”. 

Yet no one said these so-called worst parts of their experiences at all changed their positive impression of the decision to go a different way after leaving the hill.  Liza actually said she could not think of a worst part; she loved being outside and in the mountains all day.  Jess eventually began to cherish the alone time and feel more confident as an individual, as the experiences instilled in her “a strong sense of independence and self-reliance.” Jess’ comment is indicative that sometimes the toughest parts of adjustment can eventually be the most endearing parts of travel. 

Some may say that Liza, Sara and Jess were only putting off the inevitable: settling down and getting a 9-5 job that might include a cubicle.  While this may be an upside, each graduate still highly recommends this step in any Hamiltonian’s path.  Liza intends to return to Eatons Ranch this summer, after she finishes her job as a nanny for a family in Aspen, Colorado.  She said she does not believe a dude ranch is for everyone but encourages everyone to follow even his or her most far-fetched dreams.  “When I was little I wanted to be a cowgirl,” Liza admitted, “I always wanted to move out west.”

Sara does not directly incorporate her time in Ethiopia at her job with the Fundraiser for Friends of Terry McAuliffe in Washington, D.C. but she said it was the “perfect transition piece out of Hamilton College and into the real world.” She also hopes to incorporate her experience with African culture in her interests in international service and public health later in her career. Jess, also residing in D.C., works as the Youth Outreach intern at the United Nations Foundation for Public Affairs.  She said the fellowship inspired her “to use the art of storytelling (through poetry, visual art and music) to create positive change, especially while reaching out to young people.” She worked with Rock the Vote before her current position where she continues to use media to reach young people and educate them about global issues.

All of these women are extremely passionate about their adventures and where they led after graduation.  Each story was ultimately a success because the trip involved something sought after, something each woman felt strongly enough about to follow.  Finally, Jess wrote this advice to Hamilton students, encouraging out-of-the-box thinking and gutsy decisions: “Before you sign yourself onto the fast track to success, I challenge you to look inside yourselves and think about what your own personal mission is in this life. Is it to be secure and successful? Or is it something else, something deeper? We live in an incredible, great, big world. We can be safe and secure when we’re old. While we’re young, I say, take a risk. Go explore.”

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Texting and the Future of Romance

(2:11:10AM)Me: Hey, what are you up to?

(2:16:12AM)Anonymous Hamilton Boy: Diner, u?

(2:18:10AM)Me: Bundy!

(2:26:34AM)Anonymous Hamilton Boy: Come to the diner! Let's hang

(2:29:40AM)Me: Come down the hill!

(2:40:15AM)Anonymous Hamilton Boy: You come here! Diner b

(2:43:10AM)Me: Haha k see you soon

(2:44:12AM)Anonymous Hamilton Boy: Word

 

            Recall in your head how often you have had a conversation like this via text message, on any given night out at Hamilton, with an individual of the opposite sex. On the Hill, this kind of conversation, which I actually copied verbatim from my phone and is only two weeks old, is quite commonplace. In fact, I could point to many weekends in which I have had an almost identical discussion with different gentlemen at Hamilton. True to form, it cannot be denied that the Hamilton weekend culture and social life centers around the back and forth of texting. Sending a text is the way we flirt and initiate relationships. Men and women alike, whether at a Bundy party, a suite, or the buzzing Howard Diner, can often be seen furiously texting in order to find the special someone they have been looking for on a Saturday night.

            Whereas for our parents generation, it probably would be normal and second-nature to just call a person in order to meet up with them and hang out, at Hamilton and certainly other similar colleges and universities texting is a safe and harmless way to communicate. A female student of the sophomore class even states, "It is more socially acceptable now to text someone than to pick up your phone and call a person to hang out." We can all relate to this student's insight; texting is more comfortable for us simply because it eliminates the risk of being personally rejected and can be done on-the-go. In terms of commencing a relationship with a student at Hamilton, texting is one way to keep your guard up during those first series of meet-ups, you know, before you can actually call the person and put yourself out there. As another female sophomore explains, "texting helps you get to know the person before you actually start talking to him. It helps you test the waters before you actually commit."

A common caveat of the convenience of texting is the time delay that usually accompanies this type of communication, which often produces a gloomy sense of doubt. When we take risks in texting others to see "what they are up to", we place emphasis on the importance of receiving responses in a timely manner. Waiting for a response after sending a text, though, a student can and often does begin to get anxious--which leads to wondering why the text was even sent in the first place. It may sound silly, but the truth is we all can empathize with the nervousness that abounds in texting someone we like, alongside the disintegration of self-esteem that coincides with every minute we have to wait for a response from the person we want to see.

      In reality, texting in the current technologically advanced culture where everyone has iphones, blackberrys, and mobile instant messaging, is pretty much unavoidable at Hamilton. And though it may be a convenient form of talking to someone, in all honesty it is transforming romance into a virtual phenomenon where flirting can be done digitally and people do not actually feel the need to be conversing face-to-face.

Though of course it is impossible to go back in time and erase the development of texting from technology's history, in many ways it is not a positive trend because it has turned traditional romance into an obsolete fad. People can't just call each other anymore, because it is an uncomfortable thought and something that is outdated. We are all too dependent on our mobile keyboards so much so that texting is becoming much more of a ubiquitous occurrence than it should be. So, it might be time to double back and reconsider the advantages of direct contact, such as speaking with a person over the phone, in order to meet up. Yes, texting will always be an option, but do we want it to be? We could all benefit from giving our thumbs a rest every now and then.

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Fashion with a Passion

Although mostly known as a fashion brand with a penchant for making shiny metallic leggings and superior cotton, American Apparel is getting a second reputation as speaking out on the controversial issue of immigration. Their website features several articles concerning immigration raids that are now targeting workers as opposed to criminals, and are even backing an action plan and non-profit organization entitled “Legalize LA.” Many of American Apparel’s factories are located in Los Angeles, and Los Angeles mayor Antonio Villaraigosa visited one downtown to celebrate American Apparel’s ten thousandth new employee worldwide. In keeping with the Legalize LA spirit, Mayor Villaraigosa gave his speech in both English and Spanish. American Apparel even prides itself in teaching their new workers English and helping their transition to the United States. Regardless, it’s refreshing to learn that a large and popular fashion brand is using their influence to help a sector of the population that is often taken advantage of by such an industry. They are truly embracing the spirit of their name, and reminding us Americans just what responsibilities we face as citizens of the “melting pot.” Check out their website for more information, and how to support such a great cause!

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Exclusive! An Interview with Thomas Tull

Thomas Tull is the Chairman and CEO of Legendary Pictures, an independent production company that has helped co-finance and co-produce films such as Superman Returns, 300, The Dark Knight and most recently Watchman. Tull rarely grants interviews to the press, but The Continental has a connection: Hamilton College. He graduated in 1992 as a government major and our Senior Editor Eric Kuhn went out to the Warner Brothers lot in L.A. to get the inside scoop. Tull graciously opened his doors and welcomed us in for a weeping interview.

What was your time at Hamilton like?

One professor I remember in particular was visiting from the University of Chicago named Rob Kurfirst who was really smart, very cool and got his point across. You better have done your homework because if you didn’t you would feel pretty foolish in class. The one thing I remember was just how elevated it was. There were a lot of smart people in one place and even conversations outside of class. You never get that again where you are in that kind of setting where there are so many smart, accomplished people everyday that you are interacting with – professors and students – and helps you elevate your game.

Any good classes that stood out?

There was a constitutional law class that stood out. A couple of History classes as well. One with Professor Kelly who taught some history classes, especially a class he did on German history and World War Two where he would show one of Hitler’s speeches, transcribe it and then show how the country got sweated up by this sort of charisma. Chris Georges who did an econ class that I thought was pretty good. That was my introduction to, you know, make more than you spend. It was a great experience.

Where did you live on campus?

I lived one year in North Hall and then I lived in DU back when that was still a place and then I lived in Carnegie.

You transferred into Hamilton, right?

I transferred from a college in Pennsylvania, Mansfield University. I played football there.

So then how did you choose Hamilton?

I played football and hurt my ankle and knee pretty badly. So I wanted to go to a school that had a great education. So I looked at Williams, Cornell, Colgate and Hamilton and I loved the school.

What extracurricular actives were you involved in?

Well, I played football and was a member of DU –

What was DU’s reputation back then?

Mostly football and hockey players. It was a pretty rowdy crowd. For me personally that was not my kind of thing, but it was fun. A great group of guys.

How did you decide to be a government major?

Well, ever since I was a little kid (I am not sure looking back if this was a complement or not a complement) everyone would always say, “you should become a lawyer.” I was sure I was going to go to law school. That was always the plan and the most pragmatic way to do that at Hamilton was to be a government major and then take the LSATs.

And you did really well on the LSATs.

I did. Yeah. And then I had a family friend who said to me, “It is not like it is on LA Law. Now you are going to come out of this s with huge debt and then you are going to be a lawyer. I want you to really think about if this is what you want to do.” Our family did not have any money, so I thought about it, took a pause, got into some small businesses, sold them and did fairly well with them. Things kind of took momentum and I never went back to get my law degree or my MBA, which I thought about in my mid-20s.

You decided to sponsor a Film Treatment Challenge at Hamilton. How did the idea first come about?

To be completely candid, I told Neil Ellice and Michael Jenson I wanted to have an intern program. Then I asked how we can make it more tangible for people who wanted to get into entertainment. They came back to me saying there are a lot of smart people at Hamilton and maybe one of them has a story. So we have an intern program and the Film Treatment. In the next few weeks we will wrap that up and I will see what kinds of things students come up with. I am very excited about it.

It is such a great opportunity. But clearly you do not get your ideas from Hamilton students. So I wonder how you get your story ideas and what do you look for when reading a script or film treatment?

First of all, we are very fortunate to have the most talented storytellers in the planet come to us and Warner Brothers, where we have an amazing partnership. So between the two of us they will either come to us with their Superman or Batman franchise or something we have developed. So the talent agencies will bring us projects. We are in constant contact with writers, directors, producers to go through the development process and it organically comes together. In terms of what do I personally look for? We tend to make things I want to see for better or for worse. Tends to be action, adventure, horror, science fiction, fanboy kinds of things, but hopefully elevate. Hopefully Batman, The Dark Knight, 300 are examples of that. Chris Nolan is, I think, one of the best filmmakers working today. If you look at the cast of Dark Knight under Chris’ direction, they could have just as easily done Shakespeare as a Batman movie. So what we aspire to do is be associated with projects that, yes are commercial, but is elevated with a great cast and director. So far that has worked out well.

You really broke into Hollywood with your ability to raise private equity funds.

I have been one of the biggest film geeks since I was a kid. So what helped facilitate this was that I spoke movie and I spoke private equity. So if you could bridge those gaps, that is what allowed us to start our production company and raise a lot of money. Another element is Warner Brothers. We are partnered with the best studio on the planet and they are just the classiest people you would ever want to run into.

“A lot of money.” $1.5 billion!

Yeah. Enough money where you can make some movies. In this age it is an expensive endeavor. So you need to have enough money so you can make it through good times and bad times. We have been very fortunate.

What is your advice for those who want to go out and raise private equity? What is the key to your success?

Besides luck, which is certainly part of it, my mantra is to make sure the equity component is the last ingredient to your having a company. So when we did Legendary Pictures we had our bank debt tactically in place, we had our deal with Warner Brothers in place and we had several projects. Then when I was able to go out to the equity markets, it was “Look, if you put your money in, we have a company, we have a real live enterprise.” So I think when you are going out and asking other people for a check, be thoughtful about how you are going to treat it, be clear about what your vision is, be clear about how they will ultimately realize a profit through an event and how you can build a company that could attract private equity. But in the beginning I think once you have those elements put together and are telling your story and you say, “you write your check and this is all real and tangible” that is always the playbook I have always used.

You mentioned your movies tend to be for the “fanboy” audience. Do you focus on that demographic because it makes good business sense or because that is who you are or both?

I think all the above. But, what is really interesting to me is fanboy in the past has meant a 14-year-old kid in his parent’s basement, playing video games and stuff like that. It is more of a psychographic than a demographic. I am 38 and I read comic books, play video games and go to our kind of movies. There are plenty of kids my age who grew up on Star Wars and now it is just part of your culture. Also, it is not just guys. The worldwide gross we had on 300 was not just guys going to that movie. There are a lot of women who play video games and like these kinds of movies. To me it is more of a psychographic and what it means. If you look at some of the big successes (Marvel did a great job with Iron Man, certainly Spiderman was a big movie, Dark Knight did very well for us and we just released Watchmen), that “geek culture” so to speak has spread and is certainly not confined to a small group anymore.

I read you started reading Watchmen at Hamilton.

I did.

When you got that script in front of you, what were you thinking about being able to make that movie?

It was a scary proposition. When we first started talking about it I said, “Boy, this is a sophisticated piece of material. It is not fluff. Is it filmable?” So when I read the script that Zack Snyder (who also directed the film) came up with I said, “That’s the Watchmen.” I feel that way about the film. It is kind of a daring thing, we are very proud of the movie, and I think Warner Brothers did an amazing job with it – it is not an easy film to market.

The Wall Street Journal reported about all the things that could have gone wrong with Watchmen and why it could not have been a success: it is rated R, had sex, etcetera. Do you think about that and then are you nervous when the film is released?

Sure. We have a lot of money tied up with this both in the negative cost of the film and the marketing cost. I am responsible to my board of directors and investors. They are not interested in anything besides what our financial results are, which is appropriate. But, on the other hand, we are also not in the widget business. So we do all of our homework, financial modeling and try to make sure we are making a sane judgment. There will always be risk, but are we in the confines of something that is reasonable and put ourselves in a position to be successful. And then part two is, is it a great story, do you believe in the filmmaker and the whole package. Then you sometimes just have to jump off. I can tell you certainly that 300 was not textbook, but sometimes you just have to take a chance.

The recent WSJ article on you mentioned some of your early setbacks with “Ant Bully” and “Lady in the Water.” What did you learn from those “flops?”

Sure, when you get started in any business, before you have time to develop your own materials and get your feet under you, there is a list of films, in our case, that you choose from. Not for better or worse, but Ant Bully is a kids movie and it is not our core expertise. It was early and we did not do well in those films. It was outside our area of expertise. I am not sure how much we learned besides stick to what you know and we have been very fortunate outside of that.

Glu Mobile announced a few weeks ago that it was going to launch Watchmen: the Mobile Game. You have said you want to build on your foundation to create the next generation media company. What is that company going to look like?

Well, I think there are a number of things. Your choices as a consumer have expanded so greatly. Before you could go to the movies and then see it on HBO. Then we had videotape and then video on demand and DVDs and now you can go on iTunes and watch a movie. So I think that you have to put things and package things where consumers can view these things anyway they want. At the same time, what were really interested in building as a next generation media company, certainly movies at the forefront and foundation, but video games, mobile content, digital content, original content is something that we are developing and really excited about. Our goal and hope is to build this into a next generation media company that plays across all of those mediums.

What is a day in the life of Thomas Tull like? What do you do day-to-day?

I get up very early, work out and do calls to the east cost. Then head into the office here and will usually have a staff meeting to make sure everyone is on the same page. We will review the projects we are developing and are in production. Inevitably there will be some problem or issue somewhere you have to deal with. Through the day we will hear a pitch or a script someone wants you to consider. You will go over and look at your dailies, which is each day they shoot we look at that at night and say how we think the shoot went. We watch director’s cuts (the first time they cut the film together) and then giving your thoughts and comments. Working hand-in-hand with the executives at Warner Brothers. Then in terms of new media, we look at companies we might want to buy that expand our horizons. We look at ways to expand the brands we have or developed if through a mobile app or a casual game to expand that experience.

You recently have invested in the Steelers. How did that come about?

I have been a Steelers fan since I was a little boy and have just bleed black and gold for years and years. I had the privilege of meeting the Rooney family a few years ago and got to be friendly with some guys on the team. We did a movie called We Are Marshall and the Steelers had asked to screen the film a few weeks before the movie came out, which I was more than happy to go to and had a great day with them. Spring of last year, 2008, I got a call that said the family was looking into restructuring and would I be interested. Of course I said yes, beyond my wildest dreams.

It seems like you don’t do anything that is not fun!

Well, there are certainly parts of the day, but I believe you should truly do what you love. I completely understand I am one of the luckiest people you are going to run into. From where I grew up and came from to where I am now, it is very humbling.

What do you see your leadership style being?

Stand next to people who are smarter than you and it seems to work out. You have to be comfortable actually to surround yourself with people who are very confident and very good at what they do and not be one of those who constantly remind people of the pecking order and so forth. Culturally, it is very important to me that it is a privilege to be here and do not ever forget that and act taller than you are. That is very important.

If you could be one of your superheroes what would it be?

Oh man. King Leonidas from 300 was great. But if you could be Superman, that would be pretty great. Who does not want to fly? I love Batman, but he has some sociological issues, so I would have to say Superman. He got to fly, super strength, help people – that would be pretty great.

Do you have a favorite movie you have produced?

Dark Knight is one of those once in a lifetime experiences and because of the cast and Heath Ledger in particular. Chris Nolan is so talented and gets the material. Get out of his way to let him do his thing. I don’t know if I have a favorite, but that was quite an experience.

What was the last song you downloaded onto your iPod?

I think I just got a new high def, digital version of “All Along the Watchtower.” Hendrix.

You recently premiered out in Sundance It Might Get Loud, a movie about the guitar. What is the back-story about putting this movie together?

I played since I was 14, through college and a year and a half ago I had this thought that Guitar Hero was the number one video game, Rolling Stone Magazine has 50 Top Guitar Players and I started wondering what is it about this intersegment that has an international appeal. My friend Davis Guggenheim just won an Oscar for An Inconvenient Truth and is an amazing director and documentarian. So I called him and said I want to do this movie about the guitar and cast it in different eras and in different styles. So we sat down and talked about it and I said the dream list would be Jimmy Page, because he is Jimmy Page and does not do a lot of interviews and put himself out there. The Edge from U2, stylistically very different -- amazing huge group. And then Jack White who is today’s guitar hero. By some miracle all three said yes and we made the film and it was a really fantastic experience. It is actually not a part of Legendary, but a small documentary that I did and will come out this August, 2009 through Sony Pictures Classics.

Finally, for Hamilton students who want to follow in your footsteps, what is your advice?

One thing would be try to – whether it through an internship or just some interaction – figure out what you want to do. There are so many aspects of the entertainment business: in front of or behind a camera, a producer, creative executive, executive or any of the ancillary businesses surround it. Get your feet wet a little bit to see what you like. Do your homework and research and then it has to be something you are passionate about. It is a tough business, but if it is something that you really, really want to do, I promise you (and I am proof positive) you can come from anywhere and have a little part of this out here. That is the best advice I can give: be persistent, do your homework and be relentless.

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the latest on the cultural education center

For over a year now, members of the Social Justice Initiative (SJI) have been campaigning for the creation of a Cultural Education Center (CEC) on campus. The SJI believes that the best way to truly advance Hamilton’s commitment to diversity is to establish a separate space on campus focused on discussion of multi-cultural issues.

“Ideally, we would have a concrete plan of where the CEC was going to be,” Amy Tannenbaum ’10 said. “But we are aware that the financial challenges we face will make this goal more difficult.”

SJI members have worked hard to solicit the support of the Hamilton community for their proposal of a CEC. They set up tables in Beinecke to publicize their campaign and to address any questions or concerns that students might have had. On October 4, members petitioned outside Buttrick Hall in the freezing cold, eager to make their voices heard before a Board of Trustee meeting. Waving signs that read “Endorse the CEC” and carrying a stack of over 370 signatures collected from students who supported the initiative, the SJI hoped to earn the administration’s support. Much to their great satisfaction, they did.

On December 12, Dean of Students Nancy Thompson and Trustee Barry Seaman discussed the SJI proposal at the Student Affairs trustee committee meeting. Although Thompson and Seaman supported the proposal, they remained uncertain whether a CEC warranted incorporation by the executive committee into the December draft of the Strategic Plan. Incorporating a facility project like the CEC into the Strategic Plan meant a commitment to develop that project for 2009 to 2014. After seeking input from the deans and President Joan Hinde Stewart, the board members ultimately decided that the executive committee should include the SJI proposal into the Strategic Plan.

As President Stewart explained in a letter following up on this decision to the Hamilton community on December 15, the executive committee would be responsible for “establish[ing] a task force to examine options for how best to achieve [the CEC’s] goals.” Vice President of Administration and Finance Karen Leach noted that if the College continues to advance its plans to renovate and expand the ELS building, it will consider using one of the spaces that opens up from such construction for the CEC.

Although Amy Tannenbaum ’10, an active member of the SJI, is pleased with the outcome of this Student Affairs trustee committee meeting, she admits her continued concern over plan details. “Ideally, we would have a concrete plan of where the CEC was going to be,” Tannenbaum says. “But we are aware that the financial challenges we face will make this goal more difficult.”

Leach attested to the fact that the current economic climate will impact the development of the CEC project: “This kind of economic downturn we haven’t seen in recent history.” She asserts that until the economy recovers, Hamilton will face challenges that extend far beyond the development of new projects like the CEC. “Our endowment has lost a third of its value. Families are going to need more financial aid. We won’t be able to raise tuition and room and board as much as we have in the past. Things we want to do will have to happen more slowly or we’ll have to prioritize things,” Leach explained. In spite of the tough times, however, the College has still decided to commit to developing a CEC in the next five years.

Although many Hamilton community members support the College’s endorsement of a CEC, others remain apprehensive. Less supportive students complain that designating a “safe haven” like a CEC for the discussion of diversity issues will shout separatism rather than facilitate a sense of welcome and community. Other community members, however, offer a different perspective. According to Professor of Comparative Literature Nancy Rabinowitz, who has been a supporter of the SJI from the beginning, the benefits outweigh the fear that a CEC would foster separatism. “If [the CEC] were a safe space where underrepresented groups felt really comfortable, not threatened or marginalized, then these students could reach out from that position of confidence. I think [the CEC] is a fabulous idea,” she asserted. “Will the CEC help? Yes. Will the CEC solve the problem? Not by itself. [The SJI members] are already creating the space for these conversations. They have created a community, an integrated group, where conversations are taking place across gender, race, and sexuality; it is very exciting to see. But without an infrastructure, it won’t continue,” she added. SJI members look forward to seeing their vision for a CEC begin to take shape in the new year.

-chelsea mann '09

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