ISSUE 1606 . Sep. 2008
September 2008
Contents:
6 8 10 12 14 16 18 26 30 32 34 36 38 39 40
EDITOR LETTER FROM THE S PIC YM OL NAZI OKING THANK YOU FOR SM OD FO R TE NS MO GEN X ON GEN Y GEN Y ON GEN X THE GALLERY ES BACK THE EMPIRE STRIK AT SH E TH TRUE ART? UTHFUL MORE THAN A MO S FIT OE SH E IF TH SA CHALLENGE UNILIFE CLUBS UNINEWS
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: Alexander Bloom CREATIVE DIRECTOR: Gjoko Muratovski MARKETING MANAGER: Jasha Bowe GRAPHIC DESIGN CONSULTANT: Stuart Gluth ILLUSTRATION CONSULTANT: David Blaiklock PHOTOGRAPHY CONTRIBUTORS: Christo Walker, Ivan Ivanovski, Tate Photography ILLUSTRATION CONTRIBUTORS: Michael Ziersch, Dan Withey, Egija Mitenberga TEXT CONTRIBUTORS: Aaron MacDonald; Michelle Kavanagh; Gjoko Muratovski; Benny Zaar: Tim Bradson; Donna Stansfield; Daniel Snodgrass; Ema Nymton; Mainly Mike; Greenpeace COVER: Dan Withey (www.danwithey.com) PRINTED BY: Finsbury Green ENTROPY MAGAZINE IS PRINTED BY A CARBON NEUTRAL PROCESS USING VEGTABLE BASED INKS ON SUSTAINABLE FOREST FIBER. DISCLAIMER: ENTROPY MAGAZINE RECOGNIZES THAT THERE IS A WIDE AND DIVERSE RANGE OF VIEWPOINTS AND BELIEFS ON RELIGIOUS, POLITICAL, SOCIAL AND MORAL ISSUES. HOWEVER, WE FEEL THAT THE NOTION THAT ANYBODY NEED TO TIPTOE AROUND ALL THESE BELIEFS IN THE HOPE OF NOT OFFENDING ANYONE IS, IN SHORT, RIDICULOUS. THEREFORE, WE WOULD LIKE TO TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO WARN YOU THAT THE CONTENT OF THIS MAGAZINE MAY OFFEND. READER DISCRETION IS ADVISED.
Find Entropy Magazine’s page and profile on Facebook where you can share your thoughts and opinions, read the articles and recieve updates on our parties and events. Also, before each issue goes to the streets, you can be the first to have a sneak preview on our Facebook page. And if you don’t use Facebook, but would like to contact us, than you can do via e-mail: entropy@unisa.edu.au, or SMS on 0427 842 479. You can download Entropy Magazine from the UniLife website: www.UniLife.edu.au. For any marketing enquiries, email Jasha.Bowe@unisa.edu.au.
Our aim is to not just to talk like a leader, but to act as one.
Alexander Bloom
Letter from the editor
re that nothing happens It’s a fundamental law of natu kies will know that it’s an coo rt without a reaction. Sma in the physical world, but in equal and opposite reaction to get a little… skewed. tend gs thin the literary world,
UNSURPRISINGLY, the Church of Scientology has been in vehement contac t with us regarding our “false and defam atory” interview with Anonymous (Entropy 1603, pp 32) which has “misre presented” the Church with its “hate speech and hate crimes”. It would be remiss of us not to allow them to present their side of the story. The full unedit ed recording of the interview is up on the web.
Our review on the Ariel Hassan’s work at the Greenway Gallery (Rundle Street) stimulated some interesting discussion on both sides, and some thoughtful readers have sent us several articles both for and against deconstructionist style. Ema Nymton’s piece on contemporary style is featured in this issue.
We are also very lucky to have retained the services of the internationallyrecognized British artist Dan Withey, who has been the recipient of many accolades and awards for his artwork. His unique style has won him much praise among his peers, and we are delighted that he has developed the artwork for this issue’s cover and the cover story article.
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Become a UniLife representative Now you have the chance to make a real difference in the lives of the students at UniSA and even enhance your CV. You get practical experience in decision making, event management, project coordination and planning, meeting protocol and heaps of other valuable skills which look particularly good on a resume… not to mention it’s loads of fun! There are 12 positions available on the UniLife Board, and elections are held in the last week of October. The nomination period opens on the 6th of October and closes at 5pm on the 10th. A mandatory (1 hour) workshop for all nominees will be held on the 13th at 6pm at City East campus which you must attend if you want to run for a position. We also have a number of volunteer focus committees and school representative positions that need filling as well… so why not get involved and make a difference! For all the details, visit our website.
article by Gjoko Muratovski
Nazi Olympics
On May 31, 1931, the International Olympic Committee announced that Germany would host the 1936 Olympic Games. At that time, the modern Olympic movement was still in its infancy, and the Olympics, as an event, were no more important than SA Challenge is today. But in 1936, Hitler set new standards on how the Olympic Games should look; his legacy can still be seen in the choreography and orchestration of the Olympiad today.
JOSEPH GOEBBELS, the German Minister of Propaganda, recognized the importance of attracting foreign visitors to Berlin in the struggle for the re-establishment of Germany’s international standing. The Third Reich used skilful propaganda to link Nazi Germany and Ancient Greece, using imagery that related not only to the Olympic origins, but also to the Nazi racial myth that the superior German civilization was the rightful heir to an ‘Aryan’ culture of classical antiquity. Initially, Hitler held the Olympics in low regard, but Goebbels convinced him that the Games were an excellent opportunity to show the world the “new Germany”, not to mention the influx of foreign monies that would result. Even before Hitler became Chancellor, the Nazis were effectively using torch-lit parades and massive public rallies to attract disenfranchised young Germans to the Party and its organisations; thus, the Olympics were identified as the perfect arena for their propaganda machine. The Olympics also became a brilliant tool for the Third Reich’s spin-doctors, showing only the positive side of life in Hitler’s Germany to the international community. Colourful advertising posters adorned beautifully decorated streets, and special Olympic newspapers were produced that gave glowing reports on athletes from all nations. The athletes attended thrilling athletic events that took place in new and welldesigned facilities during the day; in the evening, they were entertained at lavish parties hosted by welcoming Nazi leaders. German newspapers and other media were under censorship to make sure that nothing would be said that could offend the guests.
On 1st of August 1936, the opening ceremony took place in a stadium filled with 110,000 people. Musical fanfares directed by Richard Strauss heralded Hitler’s arrival, and hundreds of athletes in opening-day uniforms marched into the stadium, team by team, in alphabetical order. In addition to this, a new Olympic ritual was inaugurated: German middle-distance runner Fritz Schilgen arrived bearing a lit torch carried by relay from the site of the ancient Games in Olympia, Greece, symbolising Prometheus’ gift of the fire of the gods to the people. If it weren’t for Hitler and the Nazi Party, the Olympic Games would have not been what they are today – a perfect ground for one nation to demonstrate its superiority over the others. It seems that their vision is still as alive today as it was in 1936.
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Illustration by Dan Withey
August 2008
article by Daniel Snodgrass
Thank you for smoking
10
Earlier this year I visited South America with some friends. Cuba, in particular, is awesome and completely different to any country I have ever experienced. The poverty is surreal , but you won’t hear a Cuban complain about that. One of the ways in which the poor can make extra money is by selling what they have most of – cigars.
EVERY DAY I was hounded to buy some, but only bought what I could smoke. However, a friend I was in contact with back in Australia, being an entrepre neurial type, recognised a money-making opportunity when he saw one. So on my last day in Cuba I met up with some characters who were happy to accomm odate my cigar needs. Picture a sketchy movie drug deal; this was worse. We negotiated a price for two boxes of twenty-five, then it was on to the bar to pay my newlyacquired translator and drug-deal broker in Mojitos. I didn’t have I couldn’t post my cigars home, as That afternoon, though, I was told ded my boar I l. -dea drug gy r for my next dod a receipt – something to remembe ing, of land n Upo . there from sending them plane for Mexico with the intent of ly clear it t, ticke my On k. a random bag chec course, I was luck y enough to get was I so 25, was ico Mex into rs I could bring stated the maximum number of ciga take to ed allow was I ish, Span e ish and wors fucked. After half an hour of bad Engl I So Shit. US. the for – left I until at the airport 25 with me and have them hold 25 half least at ing gett of es hop a post office in the raced around Mexico looking for Cuba – no told they had the same polic y as was I , ately rtun of them home. Unfo receipt, no export.
At this point I was super-pissed at my mate – the only stipulation I had about this enterprise is that I didn’t want to take them through the States. I was shitting myself that the Americans would fuck me over – best case scenario was that they would just take them away from me; worst case didn’t bear thinking about. So after arriving in the States, we went through Customs, and, as I suspected, I was taken into a small room to empty the contents of my bag. The Customs officer and I shared that moment where we both knew what we were looking at but, well, who’d be stupid enough to bring that in? But all she said was “Are they Cuban Cigars?” My reply, “Maybe.”
Then she asked, and I shit you not, “Does George W know you have them?” After my initial gobsmackedness, I recovered enough to reply “Let’s keep it our little secret.” After she had a cackle, I was passed through. And that, ladies and gentlemen, is the story of how I passed through US Customs with two dozen contraband items. Let it never be said that having a President with the lowest approval rating ever is a bad thing.
Daniel wins two tickets to the UniLife UBall for his story. Entropy does not endorse drug smuggling, and we have not received any kind of cigar-related encouragement to print this story. Honest.
September 2008
article by GREENPEACE
monster food
This year, genetic ally modified (G M) food crops (also known as Frankestain Crop s in some circle will be grown in s) Australia for the first time. This is despite statis tics that show th e majority of consumers do no t want to eat GM food, and over 90% of Australi ans want all GM foods labelled.
in New South Wales and Victoria and will enter GM CANOLA will be grown commercially appear as hidden ingredients in processed our food supply unlabelled. GM ingredients ced from animals fed on GM grains. But foods, and in the meat, eggs and milk produ GM proteins can be detec ted need where under Australian labelling laws, only foods could be full of genetically outlet food to be labelled. So a hamburger from a fast to tell you. Canola oil made have not would engineered ingredients, but the company because it is highly processed. GM as ed labell from 100% GM canola does not need to be feed. GM 100% Neither would a chicken that is fed a diet of The current global shift is towards clean and green food products, and people are increasingly aware about the origins, ethical treatment and corporate control of food. There is a wide range of reasons why consumers don’t want to eat GM food including environmental, religious, health and ethical concerns. They should have the information they need to make the choices they want. So far, all the other canola-growing states, (South Australia, Tasmania and Western Australia) have committed to maintaining their moratoria on market grounds. Greenpeace is encouraging the New South Wales and Victorian governments to join the other states and reverse their position for the benefit of the nation. lia’s top chefs who are opposed Greenpeace has enlisted the support of many of Austra rt the labelling of GM foods. suppo to serving GM foods in their restaurants and who Charter initiative so far. Chef’s e Over 130 chefs have endorsed Greenpeace’s GM-Fre s Verandah Restaurant D’Arry’ of e South Australian chefs Maggie Beer and Peter Reschk , Tetsuya Wakuda, Kwong Kylie r, Grange have joined other culinar y masters including Bill Puttock. Tobie and Pieri de o Stefan Stephanie Alexander, Margaret Fulton, Neil Perry,
The next stage of the campaign will be the launch of a public petition calling on the Federal Government to enact thorough testing and labelling legislation for Australia. Add your voice to the petition online at www.greenpeace.org.au.
Greenpeace is also lobbying the Australian food industry to be GM-free. The fourth edition of the Greenpeace True Food Guide, a pocket-sized guide to shopping GM free, will be released later this year and will also be available online at www.truefood.org.au. More information on the Greenpeace campaign against genetically engineered food can be found at www.greenpeace.org/australia/issues/GE. 12
August 2008
article by Tim Bradson
GEn X on Gen Y Who wrote th is shit? A go ing Flower Po to get things wer who wan happening fo ts r Gen Y so G ‘fair ’ share of en Z* has its the world. N eeded are le followers. Fl aders and ower Power has perfecte followers; th d developm ey line up at ent of the gates to or slouch with watch “the ga mates and w me” atch “the real thing”.
WE CAN PLAY with your desires way beyond your conscious control. Why would anybody dress like you, or God forbid, look like you when undressed? Offended? Then Flower Power has you as a follower. Laugh, then you may be a budding leader.
s Gen Y has two modes: virtual and real. In other words dreams and reality. All generation till reality the worked and globes light have dreamers, the Edisons who dreamed of n of they got them, or the apple of Bill’s mother’s eye who dreamed of world dominatio world. the on window a open to software and then worked his skill and resources The thing with “Gen Y is virtual” is the perceived reality of a higher proportion than ever before. Many virtually “got there” but then, in their eyes, the system failed them, and to their surprise the replay is congested with the next contestants. Their reality is yet to be recognised, after the passing of opportunities.
to The leaders of Gen Y differ markedly as their reality is a reality where they have learned have They time. their of application apply themselves with the virtual tools and insightful the confidence to know that you don’t succeed without making mistakes; they respond to leadership of “seek forgiveness not permission”. They are lead by visions and tooled far with the ethos of time management “arrive early and leave late”. They are few and worth that’s chocolate that is sorry, Or gold. between, but when you have them they are more than gold? * Gen Z is yet to be defined; is it the last gasp of our resource orgy? Followed by Gen rebirth or the apocalypse?
September 2008
A, a
article by donna Stansfield
GEn Y on Gen X Let me tell yo u about Gen eration X. Th we – Gen Y – ey tell you th are a bunch at of selfish, di disillusioned senfranchise whiners who d and w without our ant ever ythi havi ng and want it now, their razor-sh ng to raise so much as a finger. But le arp insight an t’s take d turn it back at them, shal l we?
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YOUR NAME, Gen X, was coined in 1964 in a British study, which revealed a generation of teenagers who slept together before marriage, didn’t believe in God, hated the Queen and didn’t respect their parents. In the 1980s, Time magazine said that you scornfully rejected the habits and values of your preceding generation, the Baby Boomers, viewing them as self-centred, fickle and impractical. You also make, according to a study last year, 12% less in real dollars than your parents did at the same age. We, on the other hand, make $211 billion dollars a year and we get attacked by more direct marketing than any other generation in history.
as Whereas all you seem to do is complain, Gen X, we get things done. We’re described we’re busy, We’re builders. nation and creators wealth as ‘civics’, and we’re characterized we tech-savvy, we’re well aware of our value in the job market. We’re ambitious, and for career a in toss to afraid not We’re are. we who about believe our job says something of safety the in years e twenty-fiv spend to happy You’re new and better opportunities. your cubicle – does it remind you of the womb, maybe? Over 95% of us own computers and cell phones, and fully a third of us use the Internet as our primary source of news. You can’t even stop the 12:00 blinking on your VCR (by the way, why do you still own a VCR?) overachieving, we’re overscheduled and we’re the future. Step aside, Gen X – you
We’re had your chance.
September 2008
The Gallery
18
Outsider ove there
by Christo Walker
20
September 2008
24
September 2008
Interview with Scientology
The Empircek strikes ba
of the protest iew with a member After we ran an interv ted by tac con re we we in April, group Anonymous “false be to ed at they claim Scientology about wh n retracting tha r the Ra ts. en tem and defamatory” sta to respond. Scientology a chance the article, we gave l Vicki nia ge ke with the ver y Aaron MacDonald spo . alia str Au y og tol of Scien Dunstan, president
ENTROPY: Nigel [Mannock, Scientology Australia Public Relations] mentioned in our communication that many of the claims made by Anonymous were “false and defamatory”; would you like to expand on that? SCIENTOLOGY: Well, the first would be “fair game” – Anonymous has really misrepresented Scientology’s ethics. We aim to improve conditions around oneself or others. There have been false reports spread by anonymous that we use certain practices to break up families or harass “suppressive persons” under a doctrine called “fair game”. I’ve been in Scientology for 28 years, and I had never heard of “fair game” until I started dealing with the media. ENTROPY: So this policy letter which says “any individual can be tricked, sued, lied to, deprived of property, injured or destroyed” is a forgery? SCIENTOLOGY: Yes, exactly. There’s nothing in the Church that says that. ENTROPY: I do actually have the policy letter dated 18 October 1967, in which L. Ron Hubbard explicitly states that a “suppressive person” can be subjected to those actions. SCIENTOLOGY: That’s not an L. Ron Hubbard reference. Whatever you’re reading there is a Church policy. It doesn’t exist anywhere in our policy – it’s a fabrication. ENTROPY: Okay. Let’s move on – what can you tell us about this Disconnection policy? Anonymous say that Scientologists must cease communication with anyone who is scepihal of the Church.
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SCIENTOLOGY: <laughs> No. The answer to skepticism is more communication, not less. If someone is skeptical, well, ask the question – we endeavor to bring about a better understanding. Anybody has the fundamental right to communicate. But we also have a right to refuse communication – for example, if you have a flatmate who never cleans up, you might ask “mate, would you mind moving out?” ENTROPY: Well, religions throughout history have had problems with followers misinterpreting relatively minor teachings (or taking them too literally) and blowing them out of proportion. That’s not exclusive to Scientology. SCIENTOLOGY: Sure. I can’t say that people haven’t misinterpreted Scientology – people misinterpret the Bible, the Koran. ENTROPY: So there is a problem when senior members misinterpret teachings and compel others to follow. I mean, there was a case in the States – Wollershiem v. Church of Scientology of California – in which a man was “compelled to abandon his family through this Disconnection policy, forbidden to seek mental health treatment and when he did leave the Church, the Church subjected him to financial ruin” – this is all quoted from the judge who was presiding over the case. SCIENTOLOGY: I can’t speak for the Wollershiem matter – I’d have to get more data on that and get back to you; it’s not an Australian matter so I’m not familiar with it. But it sounds highly unlikely that facts were reported as you gave them to me there. Are you yourself from Anonymous? ENTROPY: <laughs> No, no. SCIENTOLOGY: <laughs> Alright, okay. ENTROPY: Alright. Why does the Church take such a stance against psychiatrists and psychiatry? SCIENTOLOGY: That’s interesting. That’s rather a broad question. <laughs> ENTROPY: Yes, sorry about that. <laughs> SCIENTOLOGY: Well, Scientology treats man as a spiritual being. We consider man to have a reactive mind, which has control over a person – it causes fears, nightmares, et cetera – and through the process of auditing, we repair spiritual trauma, lessening and eventually erasing the reactive mind. We believe man is far more than a product of his environment. We don’t deal with the insane. Psychology is different – it considers man to be purely stimulus response; it doesn’t address the spirit. We do.
September 2008
ENTROPY: So if somebody had serious psychotic issues, you wouldn’t forbid them from seeking psychiatric help. SCIENTOLOGY: Well, if they had serious psychotic issues, they would definitely have to go and see a doctor. ENTROPY: While we don’t have an explicit right to free speech here in Australia, do you think Anonymous is exceeding what would be considered free speech? SCIENTOLOGY: What they’re doing isn’t free speech. It’s free slander. It’s a hate group, and they are promoting intolerance. ENTROPY: Is Scientology a cult? SCIENTOLOGY: No, of course not. That’s a derogatory term. Scientology has won court case after court case; the Attorney General has recognized us as a bona fide religion. The word cult is the most hateful thing you can call a religion. ENTROPY: Today Tonight recently (July 2008) ran a story on child labour in Scientology offices. Allegedly, up to eight twelve-thirteen year olds were working full-time clerical/admin work at church offices and were not receiving any tutoring. SCIENTOLOGY: We have other actions going with Today Tonight, too. Today Tonight did not read the statements we gave them – statements from us and statements from the parents. They portrayed an eighteen year old as a minor on the segment. I have documented evidence that they were all being homeschooled. They are making a mountain out of a molehill. ENTROPY: So you said earlier that people – skeptics – should ask to find out more. SCIENTOLOGY: Yes. Visit our websites: www.scientology.net, or www.dianetics.org.au.
Visit our website to hear the full interview as a podcast, including silent birth, auditing, the cost of Scientology, the controversial Introspection Rundown process and the death of Lisa McPherson!
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Illustration by Egija Mitenberga
article by Alexander Bloom
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The Shat
Saturn William Alan Shatner is the Canadian Emmy, s for famou most actor ng winni Globe n Golde and Star series TV the in Kirk T. James portraying Captain movies. Trek, as well as an animated series and seven
WILLIAM SHATNER was born in Montreal to a strict Eastern-European Jewish family. He trained as a classical Shakesperean actor before making the move to Broadway in a Marlowe play. His feature film debut came in 1958 alongside Yul Brynner in The Brothers Karamazov as one of the titular brothers. Compare that Oscar-nominated role to his later, post-Star Trek nadir, Big Bad Mama, in which he has a nude scene with Angie Dickinson. His casting as Captain Kirk in Star Trek has created a legion of frothy fanboys of whom Shatner is widely disparaging. His performan ces spawned a myriad of parodies – notab ly Futurama’s Zapp Brannigan (who, according to creator Matt Groening, is 40% Kirk and 60% Shatner) and Tim Allen’s role in the 1999 Galax y Quest, which lampooned the Star Trek franchise. He is also largely misremem bered as sharing the first on-air interracial kiss with Nichelle Nichols (the first was actua lly shared by Sammy Davis Jr and Nanc y Sinatr a on a variet y show). Reportedly, Gene Rodd enberry demanded that two variants be shot: one in which the kiss was shown, and one in which it was implied, in order to placa te racial tensions when aired in the Southern United States. Shatner deliberately ruine d the implied-kiss shot by looking into the came ra and crossing his eyes, so the real-kiss shot had to be used.
Shatner’s musical career began in 1968 as the Trek series was winding down; his spoken word, exaggerated interpretive recitations of Bob Dylan’s Mr Tambourine man and The Beattles’ Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds (delivered with orchestral backings and psychedelic flourishes) are camp classics. He infamously appeared at the 1978 Science Fiction Film Awards in tuxedo ruffles, smoking a cigarette, and gave a synthesizer-laden performance of Elton John’s Rocket Man, which has been widely parodied.
Shatner’s current role, as the occasionally-bril liant, misogynistic, Republican lawyer Denny Crane on Boston Legal (and earlie r, The Practice) has netted him two Emm ys and a Golden Globe. Certain aspec ts of his chara cter also mirror his own life: Shatner has been married four times. Other aspec ts, howe ver, do not, as Shatner once sold a kidne y stone for $75,000 to raise money for the charit y Habitat for Humanity. Richard Branson, head of space tourism company Virgin Galac tic, offere d Shatner a free ride into space aboard the inagural flight of VSS Enterprise; Shatner declined, jokingly stating that he’d love to go up, but needed some guarantee that he’d come back down.
September 2008
article by Ema Nymton
True art?
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â&#x20AC;&#x153;Respondin g to the actu al condition been asked in which he to exhibit, Cr has eed expose and opport s rules, conv unities that entions are usually in so doing overlooked implicates an , and d empower s the viewer .â&#x20AC;?
Photo by Tate Britain
OR SO ENDS the Tate Britain gallery’s four hundred word explanation of Martin Creed’s Turner Prize winning piece of installation art, Work #227: The Lights Going On And Off. The “piece”, as you can see, is nothing more than a room at the Tate in which the light switch is flipped every five seconds.
Modern art – we’ll call it modern art for argument’s sake, despite the hordes of Art majors who will be beating down the door telling me it’s conceptu al or contemporary art – has two constants. First, it always has some deep, earth-shattering meaning (which can only be seen by Art History students) . Secondly, it looks like it was created by a rabid toddler or a deranged lunatic (with Jackson Pollack at one end of the scale and Damien Hirst at the other).
The art world’s current zeitgeist is to decry artists who produc e realist pieces as corporate sellouts, creating boring works for the masses. Yet nobody seems to point out the irony when somebody who cuts farm animals into pieces and preserves them in formaldehyde under the guise of art has money thrown at them like it’s going out of fashion . Anyone who criticises modern art is ridiculed for “not getting it”. But wait, talent and arrogance are not interchangeable, and anything that sacrifices the former for the latter is clearly stuck so far up its own arse as to be in danger of choking on its own head. Art is not supposed to be a group of pretentious auters wanking each other off. Art is for the masses. Art is supposed to arouse aesthetic and moral feelings. Emotions, in other words. So, in that regard, this contemporary-conceptual-modern crap could, indeed be considered art. It evokes emotions: contempt, disgust, embarrassment, anger, hysteria, pity.
The most common comment about modern art is that “anyone could have done it”. Damien Hirst’s response to this is simple: “But you didn’t, did you?”
Turner Prize Winn
er 2001; Martin
Creed; Light On
and Off (Installat
ion shot) © Tate
Photography
What many people think of as art (impressionism, and realism in general) seems to have fallen by the wayside with the invention of the camera. The value of a brilliant portrait seems to have been diminished by the fact that a few pieces of glass, metal and treated cellulose can produce something better in mere seconds. But is it better? Or is it a case of the means, for once, justifying the end? After all, it takes precious little skill to push a button on a camera, but a lifetime of practice and innate talent to paint a portrait.
September 2008
article by Mainly Mike
more thhfaunl a mout
Until the sexual revolution fifty years ago, there was no real term non-heterosexuals could use to describe themselves. Now, there are too many to count.
“HOMOSEXUAL” was passed over for its derogatory nature in favour of “homophile” and “gay”. As the feminist movement gained weight, the distinction between “gay” and “lesbian” became marked. Ironically, it was not until the 1990s that bisexuals and transsexuals were widely accepted on equal footing with gays and lesbians, mainly due to discrimination by gays and lesbians. Thusly, the one group (non-heterosexual) grew to two (gays and lesbians) and then to four (GLBT) to encompass all. But the price of becoming more specific is just that – you become more specific. You leave people out. So now we have a situation in which people whose sexual orientation or lifestyle doesn’t strictly adhere to the GLBT trope are quibbling for inclusion. And each group of people is demanding another initial be added to the acronym. For example, there is “queer” (Q) for people who don’t conform to heteronormative society. Then there’s “questioning” (Q?) and “unsure” (U) for the confused. We also have “intersex” (I) for people whose physical gender or sexuality matches neither male nor female norms, and “transvestite/ transsexual/transgender” (T) for people who are making or have made the change.” Native American bisexuals have demanded a “Two-Spirit” classification (TS or 2), and straight allies (SA) – people, usually celebrities, who endorse and support GLBT rights – also demand inclusion. Then there are the many different actual sexualities, including “pansexual” and “polyamorous” (P), “asexual” or “autosexual” (A) and “omnisexual” or “other” (O). Blacks use “same gender loving” (SGL) to differentiate themselves from what they see as a white-dominated GLBT society, and “men who have sex with men” (MSM) is a clinical term used to describe men who engage in gay sex without reference to their actual sexual orientation.
GLBTTIQQAUPO is an acronym that actually appeared several weeks ago in an entirely serious context in [a certain magazine which will remain unnamed –Ed]. Perhaps recognizing the ridiculous levels this chronic inclusionist initialism is reaching, the US pansexualist magazine Anything That Moves has tried (unsuccessfully) to promote the acronym FABGLITTER (for Fetish, Allies, Bisexuals, Gays, Lesbians, Intersexed, Transgender, Transsexual Engendering Revolution). Whatever, we’re knee-deep in Acronym Hell right now. If we don’t watch out, this militant acronymism is going to land us in the same place as the militant feminists – hated by everybody, including our own. I’m not a GLBTTIQQ-whatever, I’m a person!
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Photo by Ivan Ivanovski
August 2008
article by Benny Zaar
If the shoe fits
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Puma and Adidas remain two of the most famous and popular sportswear brands in the world. Theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re often put into an opposing light. But few people know that the two brands were created by two rival brothers.
Illustration by michael ziersch
BROTHERS Rudolf and Adolf “Adi” Dassler began their business in their mother’s laundry, often having to use a stationary bike to produce electricity in their Bavarian home. During the 1936 Summer Olympics in Berlin, Adi Dassler drove from Bavaria on one of the world’s first motorways to the Olympic village and persuaded US sprinter Jesse Owens to use them for his Olympic races, the first sponsorship of an African-American in history. Owens’ four gold medals caused business to skyrocket, and before World War II began in a few years, the Dasslers were selling over 200,000 pairs of shoes a year. However, during the War, a rift grew between the two brothers, and eventually in 1948 they split, forming Adidas (Adi Dassler) and Ruda (Rudolf Dassler), which later became Puma. The split divided the town in which they lived, creating a sort of a miniature Berlin, with half the town loyal to Puma and the other half to Adidas. The controversy did not end with the split; countless tales of the rift have emerged. At the 1960 Olympics, for example, German sprinter Armin Hary wore Pumas in the 100 metres final, as per his sponsorship agreement with Rudolf. But he laced up Adidas for the medals ceremony, hoping to cash in from both brothers. However, the brothers were so outraged that they banned him completely. The brothers are buried in the same cemetery, albeit as far apart as possible.
Cut forward to modern day. The sneaker craze began in the 70s, and grew in appeal with the emergence as Michael Jordan as a superstar and the Hip Hop movement popularised by Run-D.M.C., who were later sponsored by Adidas, another first (athletic sponsorship of a music group). Today there is a burgeoning subculture of sneaker collectors who hold regular meets to display, sell and buy their collectibles, attracting people as young as ten-years-old and as old as forty, who see a pair of Air Jordans and remember just how much they wanted them when they were kids. And that is where the culture lies – trying to re-live or capture something from childhood. Today, the combined revenues of Puma and Adidas are over $22 billion dollars a year. They employ over 30,000 people, with sponsorship interests as diverse as the FIFA, the Olympics, Ferrari and Japanese anime. All this from a pair of brothers who just couldn’t get along.
Special thanks to Andy Edwards and Nick Thomson for their input regarding this article. And for all of you sneakers lovers, we would like to let you know that the next Adelaide’s Sneakers Swapmeet is going to take place at the Rundle Street Market on Sunday the 30th of November from 10am to 4pm. Great chance for you to find that limited edition pair of sneakers you always wanted. See you there! September 2008
Event report
SA Challenge SA CHALLENGE is the biggest South Australian University sports meet. Athletes from the three te universities â&#x20AC;&#x201C; UniSA, Adelaide and Flinders â&#x20AC;&#x201C; compe for dominance over the others. Entropy spoke with UniSA organizer Deb Gomes about the Challenge.
IF THE Australian University Games is the Olympics, then the SA Challenge is its Commonwealth games. Over 150 athletes competed, and though UniSA sported the smallest number of participants of the three universities, with 47 members, UniSA organizer Deb Gomes says that if you take into account the number of teams UniSA had to the number of events competed in, UniSA were clear winners.
The badminton, netball and table-tennis teams had massive victories against their team competitors, with the ping-pongers smashing their opposition. The touch football the in meet practice excellent an all, in All recorded their first victory in over two years. lead up to the Australian University Games.
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UniLife CLUBS
SPORT CLUBS: Badminton Club Ballroom Dance Club Basketball Club Canoe Club City to Bay Club Cricket Club Fencing Club Inline Hockey Club Judo Club Karate Club Lacrosse Club Rockclimbing Club Shodokan Aikido Taekwondo Club The Boardriders Touch Football Ultimate Frisbee Club UniSA Adelaide Phoenixes - Men’s Soccer UniSA Adelaide Infernos - Women’s soccer UniSA Lions Hockey Club UniSA Motorsport UniSA Rowing Club Waterski Club SOCIAL CLUBS: 3rd Year Nurses - Pub Crawl ACES Adelaide Flash Mob UniSA Group Adelaide Japanese Animation Society AIESEC Architecture Power Learning Task Force BanglaSA BEEST BOSS Chinese Club Co - workers in Christ
Commerce Students Association Entropy Magazine Contributors Club Environmental Management Unit Evangelical Students Indonesia Students Association - PPIA UniSA Industrial Design Graduating Exhibition Commitee 2008 International students association Look Malaysian Students Association Mawson Student Network MED RADical Club Media Arts and Associates Microsoft Office download link costs only $75 dollars Music and Fashion Association. UniSA Chapter NRL and UNION Guild Overseas Christian Fellowship PakSA Pi Club RuShi Buddhist Youth Group Staff Club Student Exchange Society Student Screen Association S.O.M.E Society Of Mechanical Engineers Taylor’s University College Business School UniSA Gamers Association UniSA Labour Club UniSA Law Students Association UniSA Pilots Club UniSA Travel Club UniSA United Nations UNIVERSE University of South Australia Hellenic Association UThursday Club Whyalla Activities Club Whyalla Business and Enterprise Club Yearbook Club
Do you have a problem with any aspect of your uni life that you just can’t solve alone? UniLife’s Advocacy service can help. Our UniLife Advocates are available to advise and assist you with your uni life. Audrey Nicholson 830 22863 Luis Gardeazabal 830 22889 Or email: advocate@unisa.edu.au
September 2008
UniNews
The 2006 Student Experience Questionnaire (SEQ) found that students rated their campus surroundings (shelter, landscaping) and the availability of recreation areas as the foremost infrastructure issues at City West campus. Each was raised by students as an area for improvement. The 2006 Student Experience Questionnaire (SEQ) confirmed that computer availability has improved on all campuses, although access to computers and printing facilities are still significant student concerns, particularly on the city campuses. Information Strategy and Technology Services (ISTS) have addressed these and other issues with a range of improvements implemented in 2007, and continuing through 2008. A new computer barn has been established on City East campus (BJ2-15), and additional computers have been made available in the City East library and City West Yungondi Atrium. More Pool Status Displays have been made available with larger screens in Campus Central, the library, and near computer pools and barns to make it easier to find where there are computers free. The issue of computer availability has also been addressed with the implementation of print stations across each of the metropolitan campuses. ISTS have acknowledged that computer availability can be frustrating at busy times, particularly when students are simply looking to print a document. Given this, they have introduced time-limited print stations to ensure there are some computers free for printing. Print station usage is currently being monitored and more will be put into service if the demand shows additional stations are needed. Nearly all student printers have been replaced with faster, more reliable printers to reduce print queue delays. A growing number of students are making use of the University’s wireless network as an alternative to traditional on-campus computer use. Should you wish to install and configure your laptop for wireless connectivity, further information can be accessed from the UniSA Wireless setup support for Students website: http://www. unisa.edu.au/ists/Students/gettinghelp/wirelesssupport.asp Answers to your questions about wireless, and help on many other IT topics can be found on the AskIT web site. Check it out through the link in myUniSA or go to www.unisa.edu.au/AskIT. Did you know that 11 out of every 12 emails coming in to the University are spam or virus emails that are blocked before you even see them? Some still slip through so search AskIT for ‘spam’ to find out what to do if you receive spam emails. Some of you will have noticed that your lecturers are handing out ‘clickers’ (hand-held wireless audience response devices) in some of their lectures to get instant feedback to questions in their PowerPoint presentations. ISTS have provided an additional 900 clickers across all campuses to support staff wanting to make lectures more interactive. Feedback on the use of clickers has been positive, and students are likely to see their use grow in the future. Finally, it is important to note that the University currently has an arrangement with Microsoft that allows students to purchase a copy of Microsoft Office 2007 at a greatly reduced price. For further information visit the It’s Not Cheating website at: www.itsnotcheating.com.au.
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JAM USA/0100 CRICOS PROVIDER NO00121B
Exchange books for wings. (Study part of your program overseas.)
unisa.edu.au/exchange
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September 2008