issue 09 / volume 41 ‘The Interview’ aftermath » What Sony, North Korea, and hackers taught us about movies Elliot Chan errorist threats, computer hackers, and harsh critics have all failed in killing The Interview this holiday season. While the North Korean government is still bitter over the Christmas release, viewers rejoice knowing that we can all move on to award season without further controversy from the lacklustre film. Our freedom is still intact. We watched a movie without being executed. We won—sort of. After all the buzz and scare, become a forgettable political satire. The Interview was pretty much Pineapple Express with a sympathetic villain, Kim Jong-Un. I’m not sure what the terrorists and hackers expected, perhaps a defamatory representation of their “god,” but the fact that they made us worried—even for a little bit—is a violation of our rights. For a moment there, we were intimidated. And we should never be intimidated in sucha coercive manner. Obviously President : Obama's statements after Sony : pulled The Interview from : theatres will not be the most : memorable moment of his : term, but it’s good to see that : they wasn’t bypassed either. : Censorship is a dangerous : power, especially in a society : that harbours freedom of : speech. Enabling some foreign ? government to control our : right to document, report, and : create art to establish discourse : is something every media : company should be wary of, but : shouldn't give in to. The whole scenario is a : laughable one now, perhaps : even funnier than the movie : itself. I hope that Sony is no , e+ longer afraid of North Korea, it’s safe to say that the movie will : and I hope other private media : companies have learned from : the incident and fortified their : networks as well. The fact that a movie can : be considered a threat says a lot : about that nation and the fact : that we wavered when threats : were uttered says a lot about us : too. However, we've rebounded : with grace and innovation, even : teaching some of us to purchase : and rent movies via online : streams; meanwhile North : Korea is shooting insults at the : American president, using racial : slurs and poor turns of phrase. Although it was a bit : annoying, it was also reassuring : to see all the support on social : media after The Interview was : pulled from major theatre : chains. It’s good to know that : so many people out there : understood the circumstances. : It’s good to know that we are not : easily swayed by terrorist threats. : Sure safety is paramount, but : doing something just because : someone has a gun to our head : is cowardly. But then again, perhaps : Sony already knew about all : this. Perhaps, it was all a big : publicity stunted written by a : supreme leader and orchestrated : bya corporate behemoth. The : Interview will forever live in : infamy. There will be college : courses teaching the events of : this film in years to come. Maybe : Sony knew this. After all, the : movie made over $15-million : during the holiday weekend : and ranks number one in online : Sony films. The Interview was nota threat; it’s a cinema-distributing : pioneer. Because of it, YouTube : and Google Play are now big : players in the feature motion : picture game. If there is going to : be acensorship war, it’s going to : take place in cyberspace, not in : the movie theatre. opinions // 19 o SETH ROGEN JAMES FRANCO F4F Hasse 271 OSL NT ERVIEW- The health benefits of pets » Why that furry frien Lauren Paulsen, Senior Columnist fter a long day at work or chool, isn’t it wonderful to come home to someone that is excited to see you? Fifty-seven keep pets, but why isn’t that number higher? done to determine how pets affect our health, and time and time again, it has been proven that pets actually benefit our health. Having a chronic illness, I must agree that keeping pets has enriched my life. But what are the health benefits? People who look after pets, particularly dogs, are more physically fit than those who with your cat, and cleaning a cage are all things that get us up and moving. People with pets are also far less likely to suffer from depression, especially for those who live alone. The d helps your health : companionship of an animal : prevents us from feeling isolated : : or lonely, and caring for them : helps us feel needed and : wanted. Keeping pets can also : help reduce anxiety problems : and build confidence in those per cent of Canadian households who lack it. It has been found that in : stressful situations, people who : : have pets have lower blood Countless studies have been : pressure than those who dont. : People who are stressed have a : buildup of chemicals that can : negatively affect their immune : system and create plaque : buildup in arteries, potentially : leading to heart disease. Playing : with a pet can elevate dopamine : and serotonin levels in the : brain—both nerve transmitters : that have been known to don't, Walking your dog, playing | eee : people out there who take drugs : to artificially raise these levels : when doing something as simple : as petting adog cando the same : : thing and is far less harmful to : the body. People with dogs gain the : most health benefits, but doing something as simple as watching : a fish swim around ina tank : can help reduce muscle tension : and lower one’s heart rate. : The rhythmic movements are : mesmerizing and can keep the : mind busy for quite some time. Another benefit pets can : give us is meeting new people. : Pets are great conversation : starters for those who are shy : and aren’t comfortable with : small talk. People out for walks : with their dogs are more likely to : stop and chat with another dog : owner than two people who are : out by themselves. Pet stores, : clubs, training classes, and parks : also make for great places to : meet other pet enthusiasts. Not only does owning a pet : help adults, but it can helpa : child learn responsibility and : empathy towards animals. It’s : my personal belief that every : child should have a pet while growing up. Whether you fancy : furred, feathered, or scaled, : having a pet will help improve : your health in so many ways.