On Dit Issue 85.4

On Dit

Issue 85.4

~ On Di t ~

Interested in contributing to On Dit this year?

We accept a range of contributions ranging from writing, illustrations, photography, poetry, etc.

Feel free to email us with your ideas/work at onditmag@gmail.com

3

~ On Di t ~

Editorial

In these uncertain times, you can always be certain of one thing: things are never as truly bad as they seem.

Regardless of whatever new issues face the world, it’s never something that the human race can’t weasel its way out of. This might seem like a bit of a cop-out; after all, tensions are rising around the outbreak of another world war, students don’t rate their mental health all that highly, and Kendrick didn’t release a second album as it was prophesied he would.

Meanwhile, the UK is set to hold another general election, Turnbull appears to be on his way out soon to be replaced by Dutton or Abbott, and youth unemployment is still disgustingly high in South Australia. It’s easy to get hunkered down in despair when the only thing thrown at us through our many channels of information is constant despair. Very rarely do we hear on the news that we should take a brief moment to relax, take a deep breath, and put things into perspective.

Despite the constant barrage of worrying news, there is reason to be happy. Semester 1 will be over before you know it, your assignments will be a distant memory, and you’ll be able to go back to necking $11 jugs of Lager from the Austral - if you’re not already doing so. The world has faced diplomatic crises time and time again, but no matter what happens we can rest easy knowing that there will be a new Star Wars

4

film waiting for us at the end of the year regardless of what asinine behaviour our leaders choose to do next.

Dear readers, don’t sweat the small things. There are some things in life that we will never be able to fully control. Bad grades, awful people, and stress will appear in our lives time and time again. But this doesn’t mean that successes, friends, and contentment will ever leave our lives. King Solomon was once commissioned to conjure a sentence that would be true in times of good and bad. His response was “this too shall pass”. Whatever troubles lay on our minds, we must remember that “this too shall pass”. Our troubles are very real, but so are our solutions.

So, dear readers: relax, take a deep breath, and put things into perspective. Carrying the weight of the world on your shoulders gives you far less time to read On Dit. This too shall pass Tom, Jenny, & Jesse

~ On Di t ~

Contents Editorial Correspondence What’s On

On Dit Editors Tom Haskell, Jesse Davidson, and Jenny Nguyen

State of Union SRC President Vox Pop Left, Right, and Centre

Cover Art Nozhat Hassan Contact ondit@adelaide.edu.au

Articles Empathy is the enemy Sexual Assault Survey Artist Profile Psychedelic and Existential Angst Econdit Stereotyping white people Reviews

We r e c o g n i s e t h a t t h e K a u r n a Pe o p l e are the traditional land-owners and custodians of the Adelaide plains Ngaldu tampinthi Kaurna miyurna yarta mathanya Wa m a Ta r n t a n y a k u

A Curious Affair Ode to Bunnings The Street Coopers Lite Saga

5

~ On Di t ~

Cor r esp ondence ~

Dear Editors,

Nice magazine, does it come in Mens?

Regards, Your Mum

6

~ On Di t ~

FIND ON DIT ONLINE AT: facebook/ onditmagazine twitter/ onditmagzine Instagram / onditmag Email us: onditmag@gmail.com to join up to our mailing list Catch up online with breaking news stories on student politics, clubs news and more.

Find these articles and more online: French Elections Racist Grafitti around Campus Medea Review Australian Students’ Mental Health Adelaide Uni Commits to Releasing Data from Sexual Assault Survey

OUTSTANDING QUALITY PRINTERS FOR ALL YOUR BUSINESS NEEDS For all your Limited Edition Prints, Brochures & Catalogues, Booklets & Flyers, Books, Magazines, Calendars, Postcards, Stationery, Self-adhesive Stickers, Packaging, Posters & Point of Sale…

CALL 8443 8011

GRAPHIC PRINT GROUP: REAL PEOPLE, REAL SOLUTIONS.

7

~ On Di t ~

STATE OF THE UNION Words by AUU Board President Brodie Scott

Welcome back from the mid-semester break!

It’s been good to take some time off in between working on major assignments, catching up for drinks and enjoying the Easter weekend with family. While my powers as president don’t include moving the Easter holidays to another part of the semester more convenient for a long weekend break, rest assured this is a bi-partisan issue that needs to happen.

In the middle of the last term a friend told me a story of when he sat at a computer studying next to a student in the Hub who was having a breakdown while on the phone to her mum; her worst day at uni so far. He waited for the phone call to finish and asked if everything was okay. She told him she had gotten an email telling her she may not be suitable for practicals in her teaching course, and was upset with the setback in her degree. After they got talking she told him how alone she felt not knowing anyone or having any friends at university after being there for so long.

It’s a familiar story on campus. There was nothing wrong with her personality or her approach, she just hadn’t found the right fit. If you haven’t come from high school with friends you know well, or haven’t been able to meet likeminded people in lectures or tutorials, it’s a pretty daunting and alienating feeling being on campus without anyone to talk to.

Recent graduates have also told me they look back and regret never doing something bigger than their studies, that they wish they had spent

8

more time finding new people to talk to and new things to get into. Everything that comes from the “university experience” is somehow being missed by the people who could get the most from it.

But my friend told her that the way he’d met everyone he knew at uni (including me) was through being a member of clubs on campus he had an interest and passion for. He’d started out himself not knowing anyone here, but after his first year he had a wide network of friends and many extra-curricular activities he was involved with. He had a success story of finding a place here through the world of clubs, and told me after that she was keen to find her own.

I hope this girl’s finding uni life a lot better in the new term. What my friend told her, in my opinion, was the best advice. For really getting to know people, building connections and fond memories that will be cherished for a lifetime: clubs are the way to go. In the same week of writing this the AUU’s Clubs Meet and Greet event will be held for executive committee members to talk and build closer connections. Myself and the AUU are committed to reaching out to students and supporting clubs moving forward with better governance structures, and by ensuring everyone gets the most from their university experience.

~ On Di t ~

SRC PRESIDENT Words by SRC President Mark Pace

The most common question I’ve been asked in my time with

confirmed a significant proportion of Australian university

the SRC, is what prompted a statistics student into student

and TAFE students experience high levels of stress and anxiety,

advocacy?

with many experiencing thoughts of self-harm or suicide.

If we as a university fail to distinguish what is public

An alarming 83.2% of survey respondents registered they

good, over faulty reasoning, we’re vulnerable as a community

are suffering from high levels of stress, 79% registered they

to make decisions not in our communal interests, but for the

experience high levels of anxiety, and most concerning 35.4%

benefit of just a few. As a university we’re constantly striving

of survey respondents said they’ve had thoughts of self harm

to make decisions for the benefit of the broader community,

or suicide, all of which respondents registered have impacted

but often these decisions can be clouded with faulty reasoning

their study in the past 12 months.

until communal evidence prevails.

The survey results, while horrific, provide scope for

Statistics are the most valuable tool in identifying issues,

change and ensure the issue of mental health remains at the

and advocating change to improve working -or in our case

forefront of our university community. The SRC believes in an

study- conditions. Surveying university communities on ac-

equitable and accessible university system, which includes

ademic and social issues exposes structural flaws, and helps

studying in an environment where students do not feel high

us as student representatives to advocate for an equitable and

levels of stress and anxiety negatively impact their studies.

accessible education system, where invisible hurdles often act

We’ll be rolling out events such as Stress Less Day (we’ve got

as the greatest impediment to our learning.

one lined up for you all on May 31st!), forums and be advocat-

In 2012, Universities Australia conducted a survey into Student Finances which produced rather distressing results.

ing for the best possible learning conditions in the lead up to exams.

We found that two thirds of students live below the Hender-

Having an accessible higher education system means

son poverty line, while one in five reported regularly skipping

prioritising the welfare of students throughout the course of

meals citing financial reasons. As a result universities and stu-

their studies. It is essential that universities provide adequate

dent unions across the country were able to extend student

funding for student support services, this will be more im-

welfare services; at Adelaide University we saw the introduc-

portant than ever with the release of the Australian Human

tion of the Free Breakfast twice a week, and the ever popular

Rights Commission survey into campus sexual assault at the

Stress Less Days which the AUU and SRC continue to run.

beginning of semester two. The survey was commissioned

However if our last survey into student finances was 2012

in response to an enormous public outcry from numerous

before the demand driven system, it raises the question how

women and student activists on campus who had been con-

many more students are skipping meals in 2017, and how long

tinuously silenced by university management. We expect the

will we wait to find out?

results of the survey to be absolutely damning, the SRC will be

In the past month we’ve seen the results of the Headspace and National Union of Students ‘Talk About it Survey’ which

pushing for the immediate implementation of best practice recommendations following the release of the results.

9

~ On Di t ~

WHAT’S ON? // MAY Timmy Trumpet (lol) 13 May / Dog & Duck

Transforming Aumo 13 May / ????

ESN PUBCRAWL 19 May / All around town

They say nothing happens outside of the March bracket but they would be wrong.

Timmy Trumpet is a musician/ deejay/snapback enthusiast and the antithesis to everything that is currently wrong with the Australian music scene.

He’ll be headlining the Dog & Duck’s annual underage festival supported by a bunch of other male deejays I have literally never heard of before. Anywho, where the freaks at?

The Adelaide University Medical Orchestra will be hosting a concert to raise money for STTARS (Survivors of Torture and Trauma Assistance and Rehabilitation Service). The event kicks off at 6:30 and the entertainment program featuring the medical school’s orchestra, vocal ensemble and dance groups.

Tickets prices start at $20 a pop and available from amss. org.au

If you had a gap yah/semester abroad, join fellow erasmus students and drink your way through the most liveable city in Australia for the second year running! The network are also running a beer crawl in the hills if you’re interested in sampling our finest craft brews.

Jeremy Corbyn’s 68th Birthday

EXAMS!!!

Eurovision Semi/Finals

Sooner than you think/ Wayville Showgrounds

11 May / Kyiv

26 May / La Hacienda

Break out the drinking games

“Happy birthday, Jez! Hope you

have

campaigning

a

lovely and

because Eurovision is coming

day

meeting

Fuck.

constituents. There is a HUGE

soon for another year. Watch out for Australia’s own Isaih Firebrace as well as whatever

task ahead for you, hopefully

whack shit France will come

it’s not your final celebration…

out with this time.

Have a good one”

George Duncan Memorial Uni Gates / 10 May George Duncan was a former Adelaide Uni Law Lecturer who was murdered by a group of police officers for being gay. The Adelaide University community will come together on the 10th of May to commermorate his life and to reflect on the legacy that he left as an academic and a symbol of law reform.

10

~ On Di t ~

6PM

-

THE ROUNDUP With Demi, Ellie and Kieron

7PM

-

TWIN SPEAKS With Darcy and Nicole

8PM

-

THE FLANUER FILES With Adrian, Hamish and Mahendra

9PM

-

OBJECTIVE UNKNOWN With Josh and Tim

9:30PM

-

THE CAMPUS UNIVERSITY NEWS TEAM With Mitchell and Nicholas

10PM

-

SCIENCE SMACK With Jack, Kiri and Shannon

11PM

-

LATE NIGHT LOWDOWN With Louise and Michael

12AM - 1AM

-

MIDNIGHT STATIC With Nic, Soph, and Tom

facebook /auustudentradio

twitter @austudentradio

11

~ On Di t ~

Vox Pop

RAMONE

TO M

Masters in Architecture

Masters in Architecture

2) 100% but I think employment in general is a global issue.

1)I fucked up my knee at Splendour in the Grass and said told my tutor I was needed to knee reconstruction surgery (I didn’t really need it, but it was painful)

3) Tomi Lahren – she’s a political commentator

2) Not really

4) 5-10 times before I realise how stupid and unnecessary it is

3) Kate Ellis, I wish I lived in her electorate

1) Anal fissures. I got a doctor’s certificate

4)300 jumps

12

~ On Di t ~

1) Best lie you have used to get out of an assignment ?

2) Are you worried about employment in Adelaide (after you finish your studies)?

3) Who do you think is a hot politician?

4) How many timez do you reckon you can jump before you stop jumping?

J AC K

TA M A R A

Masters in Architecture

Psychology

WOW SO MANY ARCHITECTS!!

1) Jesus 2) A little bit 3) Pauline Hanson for sure 4) 301

1)I’ve never had to use the excuse because I’ve

had cool teachers. I usually just hand up the work late 2) I’m open to the idea of moving interstate/ overseas for work.

3) Jay Weatherill, I love a local boy 4) 65 jumps

13

~ On Di t ~

Left, Right & Centre Where we ask three hacks across the political spectrum what their take is on the hot issues around campus

Left

Centre

Dylan Ho

Michael Reschke

Socialist Alternative 1 The priorities of the Australian budget should seem obvious.

Prioritise our already underfunded education, healthcare, our energy sector just to name a few. Stop the unending wave of privatisation that has only failed us in the past – whether it be our critically underdeveloped power networks in SA or the for-profit conversion of domestic violence services. The money is there in the 8.4 billion in tax avoidance annually by the top 200 companies, in our defence white paper increasing its spending by $195 billion over ten years, in the tens of billions in corporate welfare.

2 The rampant epidemic of neo-liberalism has been a plague on Europe for decades. Still feeling the effects of the global economic crisis of 2008, betrayals to the European population have been delivered constantly with centre-right and social democratic parties both

14

Adelaide Uni Labor Club brandishing the face of austerity. It is obvious to the people of France that the political centre has only served to deliver austerity and that radical change is imperative. Far-Left candidate Mélenchon however presents a refreshing alternative that in the face of the rising racist nationalist parties and the neo-liberal trickle-down agenda of the EU, a radical left is possible. Mélenchon and Corbyn’s Labour are a step in the right direction but there is more to be done in organising a strong left opposition that challenges not only the far-right but the conditions that produced it in the first place.

3 Anywhere cheap.

1 The Federal government’s budgetary policy will have widespread impacts on Australians, and so I really hope they come up with some good stuff.

My ideal budget would include support for students, the elderly, and the unemployed, without unfair waiting periods. There would be policy to help curb the growing endemic of youth unemployment, which is creating a class of young people with no sense of hope in their future. Skyrocketing house prices would be addressed, with the underlying supply and demand drivers being reviewed, likely with negative gearing and capital gains taxes reviewed.

These types of policies are rooted in fairness, a real Australian value.

Sadly, I don’t expect to see much of this in the Liberal’s budget. Maybe there will be room for a few more billion dollars of corporate tax cuts though.

2 In the upcoming UK General Election, the Labour Party are the best choice. They are

~ On Di t ~

1. What should be the government priorities in the upcoming national budget?

2. If you had to endorse a team, which party would you support in the French and UK general elections?

3. Where is the best place to grab a drink in Adelaide?

Right James Brooks

Adelaide Uni Liberal Club committed to full employment, strengthening workplace conditions, securing the NHS, and creating a fairer society.

The Conservatives on the other hand are committed to a hard-Brexit, further erosion of the conditions of working people, and pulling apart the NHS. For all of Jeremy Corbyn’s flaws, the Labour Party is the only choice for a fairer UK. The French election is a four-way race. It seems like the far-right National Front leader Marine Le Pen will make it to the second round, where she will be defeated (and rightfully so, given she’s the French Donald Trump). Of the rest, Emmanuel Macron seeks to reconcile a divided France and strengthen its ties with the EU. Given that in this election the future of Europe is at stake, I think the Macron is the best candidate to take France forward.

3 Electra House boyyyysssss :))

1 Reducing all expenditure and reducing all tax, income, and business tax for small to large.

The ultimate goal of the government in this budget should be to ease the tax burden on individuals and business by reducing expenditure. Expenses such as Social Welfare ($155 Billion) and Public Service ($153 Billion) are still rising even while the Liberal government seeks to cut public jobs, and reduce handouts. A drastic cut in funding must be made to stop the compulsive spending e.g. $500 Million Travel Expense, $10 Billion Public Service Consultants. As a global push for conservative values influences taxation systems amongst our industrialized competitors, Australia must keep up before the economic environment sees our business and families leave in search of a country where their earned money is theirs to spend… and not an entitlement to the government.

and the real risk of losing its AAA credit rating, clearly needs strong conservative leadership, and I believe Marine Le Pen is the only capable candidate. In the UK, I would support Theresa May and the conservative party. Minimizing governance and allowing power to the States is the only way forward for an increasingly tense UK. With the rising popularity of Scottish Independence and unpopularity of the monarchy, the government will face choices that could potentially determine the ‘United Kingdom’ narrative for decades to come. With the terrorism Europe faces, economic stagnation and growing deficit, right wing policy will arguably go through its most testing time, and I am confident it will deliver future generations economic and social prosperity.

3 Hard to beat the $11 jugs at The Austral, UniBar is not bad though.

2 France, a country existing under the ever-present threat of radical terrorism

15

~ On Di t ~

Empathy is the

Enemy Words by Henr y Blacketer Ar t by Ceremy Jorbyn

I

16

n recent political times, leaders and activists have pushed for governments and people to make compassion the centre of their decisions. Former US President Barack Obama said that the greatest problem in the United States was an “empathy deficit”, and more recently in the United Kingdom, Labor MP Jeremy Corbyn was chosen as the Opposition Leader on a promise of “kinder, gentler politics.” In Australia, the Greens in particular have grown reliant on their calls for greater empathy, frequently painting their political enemies as near sociopaths lacking the compassion to make good political choices. Senator Sarah Hanson-Young, who it seems is incapable of giving a media release bereft of the word, recently said “Australia is ready for compassion” while calling to close the offshore detention centre on Nauru.

This focus on empathy at the core of politics is relatively new, and is, in my opinion, leading us away from good policy responses to the big political questions of our time. Even the word empathy is new. Born out of the German translation of the Greek words “em” and “pathos”, empathy literally translates to “in-feeling”. The word’s meteoric entrance in to common parlance has mirrored the rise of empathetic politics. However, this is a style of politics that fundamentally misses a core point: we make bad judgements when we are greatly moved.

So often in recent Australian political history has the siren song of empathy steered us into the rocks of bad policy. Natural disaster relief in Australia is a systemic example. After a major disaster such as a flood or bushfire, state and federal governments of both stripes have frequently bowed to calls for greater sympathy and set up large funds for victims. In January 2011, the town of Grantham in Queensland’s Lockyer Valley was devastated by flooding. A costly federal government program of gifting new houses to those affected left those that had spent years paying insurance premiums no

~ On Di t ~

“Born out of the German translation of the Greek words “em” and “pathos”, empathy literally translates to “infeeling”. The word’s meteoric entrance in to common parlance has mirrored the rise of empathetic politics. However, this is a style of politics that fundamentally misses a core point: we make bad judgements when we are greatly moved”.

better off than those who had not. The end result was that less people in the area took up insurance after the flood – subsequently removing the market incentive of high insurance premiums that would encourage moving to somewhere safer. This is not just theory; the percentage of insured households in the valley have fallen substantially since this policy.

This simple example of what seems like an obvious compassionate policy response – give free housing to those who need it after a disaster - has the perverse outcome of reversing the market incentives that would make people safer. Where higher insurance rates would have encouraged more people to move to safer areas, this policy removed any incentive to have insurance, in fact it made it cheaper to live in bushfire and flood risk-prone areas. The very policy designed to help people — made in a time of heightened emotions after national emergency — ensures that many more people will be put at risk for years to come. The compassionate act of giving a family in need a house, scales to disastrous effect: six years on, less people are insured with increased housing growth in the valley. The seemingly compassionate act, so immediate and satisfying, scales into long term disaster. That is the high price of governments acting on emotion rather than evidence, of politicians sacrificing their reason for the high of “doing good”, and more importantly for them, being seen to be “doing good”.

Refugee policy is the totemic example of government failure when swept with empathy. In 2007, the freshly elected Rudd government dismantled the Pacific Solution, striking a decisive blow for empathy against the tyranny of sensible policy. Chris Evans, the new Minister for Immigration and Citizenship had described the Pacific Solution as “a cynical, costly and ultimately unsuccessful exercise”. Once the Rudd government’s changes were enacted, though, more than 1,200 people had

17

~ On Di t ~

That is the high price of governments acting on emotion rather than evidence, of politicians sacrificing their reason for the high of “doing good”, and more importantly for them, being seen to be “doing good”.

died, in their attempts to seek asylum by boat. Some were dashed onto rocks at Christmas Island, others running out of fuel, and still others sinking in leaky boats far from help. More than 51,000 individuals were attempting to seek asylum in Australia, and the government was running out of places to house them.

By 2011, the Gillard’s government’s Immigration Minister Chris Bowen had realised their folly, saying in a 2015 interview about his work as minister, “Which moral compass points you towards drowning as an acceptable outcome?”. He continued, “I knew that the only thing that would work is something like returning people to where they got on the boat…”. Shamefully, it took the Rudd and Gillard governments 4 years and close to 1,200 known lost lives to begin to return to their senses.

Both major political parties have come to accept this, enshrining offshore detention as their policy.

This example shows the clear problem that activists do not understand on this issue: compassion does not scale. Letting one person in by boat is a compassionate act, to be sure, but activists and those blinded by emotion miss the incentive that it creates. An incentive that will go on to lead thousands to make dangerous trips on leaky boats, arranged by unscrupulous criminals.

Government policy should not be judged on its intent, but by its outcome. What started as a policy of compassion ended in stunning tragedy.

There is a rising tide across the world for this kind of emotive and irrational politics that must be resisted. Bill Shorten leverages it when talking about penalty rates. Donald Trump uses it when he talks about Mexico and trade. We should expect our politicians to stand above their emotions and think clearly about issues, not tempted to chase the brief cheer of emotional support from the public. Public policy should be seen not through the looking glass of emotion and feeling, but rather the more difficult and ultimately rewarding microscope of sensible, sober analysis of the problem and its details, and the long term effects of government actions. Ultimately, empathy is the enemy of good policy.

18

~ On Di t ~

19

~ On Di t ~

Adelaide Uni Commits to Releasing Data from Sexual Assault Survey Content Warning: Sexual Assault Report by Tom Haskell and Jenny Nguyen

20

~ On Di t ~

A

day after it was discovered that Universities Australia were under no obligation to release the findings from a nationwide survey on the rates of sexual assault and harassment on campus, all 39 Australian Universities have committed to releasing the data.

The survey, Respect. Now. Always. national university student survey on sexual assault and sexual harassment, was conducted in partnership with the Human Rights Commission which featured a working group including members of the National Union of Students (NUS). The survey had some 39,000 respondents from female students around Australia. Due out in mid-2017, the results from the study are expected to document the degree to which sexual assaults and harassment occurs on campus. NUS alleges that ‘a significant component of the research never got ethical approval’.

When launched in August of last year, Universities Australia said that “The campaign has three key elements: raising awareness of sexual assault and sexual harassment and lifting the profile of support services for students; obtaining prevalence data to guide further improvements in policies and services; and assisting universities to share resources and best practice across the sector.”

Following a flurry of outrage from student unions across the country, all Australian universities have now committed to releasing their university’s individual data from the survey.

Adelaide Uni had been named as one of only 4 universities who did not respond to Hack’s question of whether they will be releasing this data. This has since been answered with Adelaide promising to make this data available.

The initial lack of transparency in the divulgence of these results has been a source of frustration for those who participated in the survey. In a press release sent to On Dit, Nina Funnell spoke to Imogen Grant, USyds current Women’s officer who said that survivors have told her that they feel “misled” by the assumption that the survey would produce concrete recommendations. This coupled with the fact that many survivors spent a great deal of time and effort detailing horrific and violent experiences shows an overall dissatisfaction with the methodology, distribution, and subsequent lack of recommendations from the survey.

In a media release sent to On Dit, Universities Australia Chief Executive Belinda Robinson said that “the commissioning of this survey by university Vice-Chancellors last year reflects their commitment, and determination to

address and prevent sexual assault and harassment”.

Universities Australia had also committed $1m worth of funding to this survey, a move which is now being criticised as duplicitous by NUS. Current Women’s officer for NUS, Abby Stapleton, remarked that this commitment was “problematic from the get go…the release of the survey has become more about protecting the branding of universities rather than protecting the students”.

Further criticism of the survey’s methodology relates to concerns that specific behavioural questions surrounding sexual assault were not included. Dr. Anastasia Powell from RMIT argues that this will produce underreporting and ignores the best practice outlined in a US White House paper on sexual assaults on campus.

In response to this, the Human Rights Commission claimed that they “sought and received ethics approval for the national survey from the Human Research Ethics Committee at the University of New South Wales.”

Further, they also claimed that “our processes met best practice standards for survivors of sexual assault and harassment” by consulting with 1800RESPECT and Rape and Domestic Violence Services Australia.

Adelaide University’s Women’s Officer, Tamsin Anspach, told On Dit that the involvement of Universities Australia was a “clear effort to influence the results of the survey”. She also stated that recommendations have not surfaced from this survey despite the fact that it “appeared that they would”. Anspach cites the handling of this survey as an example of how universities aren’t held accountable.

Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Pascale Quester responded to our enquiry by providing a link to Universities Australia’s media release on the matter.

If this article has raised any issues for you or someone you know, please call one of the services listed below: Yarrow Place for counselling and 24 hour support on (08) 8226 8787 South Australia’s Victim Support Service on (08) 8231 5626 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732 Lifeline on 13 11 14

21

~ On Di t ~

Nozhat Hassan Nozhat Hassan (or Noz as she likes to be called) is no stranger to On Dit. Having produced some amazing artwork for issue 3, we felt it appropriate to invite her to contribute artwork for the front cover and an artist profile. Noz is a first year Biomedical Science student with dreams of becoming a doctor. Her artwork is anything but clinical; there is clear passion to her craft that accentuates her work. “I’ve loved and created art for as long as I remember and I definitely want to continue with it for as long as I can”.

Noz finds inspiration in people and artwork from all time periods. Recently, she has drawn inspiration from some local artists. “I’ve been drawn to several local artists; The Peanut Gallery in Adelaide featured several really lovely prints that have inspired the front cover of this issue.”

Noz aims to explore and use as many mediums as possible. “This year I’ve focused on using pens on small pieces. For the series I’ve submitted, I firstly chose a colour and shape. From there I thought about how to place a person in that colour and shape”.

22

Above:: Revival Right: Move time move

~ On Di t ~

23

~ On Di t ~

Sunrise, rise, rise, rise

“I have a tendency to create very complex images, so my aim was to use simple shapes and colours to create interesting, thoughtful illustrations. In a way, I’ve challenged myself to slow down and really consider how to best depict my ideas”.

“When I create an illustration, I don’t think too much about what it means. My ideas are constantly changing and developing as I draw, which is why it’s difficult for me to explain my thoughts on the pieces.

However, ‘Time Present and Time Past’ had a very distinct meaning.

It was my submission for the National Summer Art Scholarship run by the National Gallery of Australia in Canberra (2016). The piece was about my personal struggle with how often my Bangladeshi culture clashed with Australian values”. (Editors note: she got the scholarship!)

24

Noz encourages you to try rotating the front cover. She drew it intending for the cover to be seen from different angles. “Personally, I think it looks more interesting when viewed upside down or sideways.”

~ On Di t ~

Above: What has been, what could've been Next page: Time Present and Time Past

25

~ On Di t ~

26

~ On Di t ~

27

~ On Di t ~

Delving into the new phenomenon of using psychedelics to alleviate existential angst

T

hanks to government crackdowns, spurred by the boiling political crucible known as the sixties, most of those that read this piece may have never been alive during a time when psychoactive drugs such as LSD weren’t illicit. It’s easy from this perspective to think that the outlaw of such drugs has always been the norm. However, for thousands of years, human beings have been consuming psychedelic substances for a variety of religious, therapeutic, and recreational purposes.

Psychedelic drugs began their history with humanity thousands of years ago as entheogens - a psychoactive substance used for shamanic or spiritual purposes. This relationship continues to this day. So, what are psychedelic drugs? Briefly, the classic psychedelics (commonly LSD, DMT, psilocybin mushrooms, and mescaline) work in part by binding to the serotonin receptor 5-HT2A in the brain, vastly altering the physical brain (its neural networking and so on), which in turn vastly alters the user’s perceptions of reality, and of the self. The sensory inputs of the brain are scrambled, and the neural networks that wire sensory information together into a coherent worldview are diminished. Thus, a user will encounter hallucinations of a visual, auditory, spatial, and temporal nature. On high doses, users can experience synaesthesia (where

28

~ On Di t ~

Words by Ted Bur ston Ar t by Millie Lewis

the senses mix and one sees sounds and hears colours), potentially feel as though they are entering new dimensions and realities, have out-of-body experiences, and even encounter ‘otherworldly’ beings. These experiences are strongly intertwined with cognition, and the ‘self ’. In essence, the ‘self ’, is really a ‘selfmodel’: a construction of neural pathways, memory systems, and perceptions. Thus, in the psychedelic state the self-model diminishes and one can reflect on the very nature of their own cognition; essentially becoming subjectively aware of the self as a neural construct. It is for these reasons that the term psychedelic, roughly translated to ‘mind-revealing’, gets its grounding.

Because psychedelics physically alter the brain for the experience duration, the altered state of consciousness one encounters is almost impossible without the use of the psychedelic substance itself. It is easy to then see why psychedelic drugs have been used so prolifically as entheogens. These altered states of consciousness seem to have mystical qualities; a shaman could wryly argue that they have personally encountered ‘God’ more times in their own mind manifest, than a church pew could ever provide. However, most of us personally wouldn’t care much either way for this; atheism is fast becoming the predominant

29

~ On Di t ~

metaphysical worldview (and has already long been in academia), and so this sort of mystical experience seems on the face of it more delusional than truly informative. But ‘fostering delusions’ is far from the whole picture of psychedelics.

Because of this atheism, the urge to remain enchanted in the world is difficult as atheistic materialism seems logically compelling, yet devoid of emotional fulfilment. Forming the view that God isn’t real as an adult is like realising Santa Claus isn’t real as a child. The world feels emptier, more mechanical, and bleak. If love can be reduced down to mere dopamine, some may morosely wonder why we bother with love at all? This disenchanted atheistic worldview is fast becoming a common one. There is a great general feeling that humanity has lost something; that we are detached from what it means to truly be human.

F o r m in g t he view t ha t Go d isn’t re a l as a n adult is like re alisin g Sa n t a Cla us i sn’t re al as a c hi ld .

T he w o rld feels e mp tie r, more m e c hanic al, an d ble ak .

One look at statistics for depression in the West can tell us this much. We currently face a clash of cognition, an existential crisis- our emotional yearning to remain enchanted with the world, against our logical compulsion, which by its very nature seems to dispel this enchantment. It seems evident here that it isn’t our theories themselves that are depressed, but rather just our perceptions of them. Our greatest hope of remedy for this could lie in psychedelic states that are aimed to generate feelings of awe towards the sciences that really exist, rather than the God that doesn’t, and acceptance of the reality of materialism.

That’s to say, rather than aiming for an experience where one encounters feelings of transcendence and oneness with some deity or idea of a ‘soul’, one instead encounters feelings of transcendence and oneness with the physical world. A feeling of awe and reverence not for the beauty of God, but for the beauty of ecosystems, chemical

30

~ On Di t ~

If we are to take this disenchantment with the world and the depression that ensues seriously, then we ought to take psychedelics seriously. structures, genetics, and social systems. Successful contemporary studies into psilocybin and LSD in particular (by the likes of Griffiths, Carhart-Harris, and Doblin to name a few) demonstrate that a particular mental mindset (set) and surrounding environment (setting) can be used in coordination with psychiatrically administered psychedelic doses to engender positive experiences that create lasting positive worldviews. Moreover, the psychedelic experience has a remarkably high success rate in treating depression and suicidal ideation, and is one of the most rapid and effective treatments to be researched thus far. This psychedelically induced change in how one thinks and feels about the truths of science can re-enchant the experiencer with the world, and while it mightn’t give the experiencer an intrinsic meaning to life, it does seem to make them much happier with the idea that there isn’t an intrinsic meaning to life.

Psilocybin and LSD have been tested and evidenced respectively to generate a more open mindset, an optimistic view of the world, and importantly, highly significant personal ‘meaning’. Many subjects rate their psychedelic experiences as among the most meaningful experiences of their lives. If we are to take this disenchantment with the world and the depression that ensues seriously, then we ought to take psychedelics seriously.

While there isn’t enough empirical data yet to argue for the legalisation of psychedelics, when one considers current findings in conjunction the fact that the classic psychedelics are also non-addictive and physiologically impossible to overdose on, there is strong reason for decriminalisation. At the very least, given these findings and our current depression rates, there is warrant for further (particularly Australian) research. If current studies are further confirmed, and psychedelics are assuredly the remedy for disenchantment with this world, then this would strongly suggest that the experience ought to be available for supervised administration to anyone mentally eligible.

31

~ On Di t ~

32

~ On Di t ~

EconDit THE PHILOSOPHY BEHIND ECONOMICS Words by Aiden Bedford & Rui Sihombing

I

magine for a moment there’s a brand new machine that you can choose to enter, for the rest of your life. This machine allows you, through the beauty of technology, to live the most perfect life imaginable with all of your deepest desires satisfied. And for the rest of your life thereafter, you don’t even realise you’re in the machine. Would you choose to enter the machine? A lot of you would be familiar with this idea already, Robert Nozick’s classic “experience machine”. How could Nozick’s experience machine, a philosophical thought experiment, be at all relevant to

economics? Actually, it’s quite useful. It has to do with the whole idea of “utility”, a key aspect of the philosophy quietly underpinning contemporary mainstream (neoclassical) economics. We’ll return to the experience machine in a second.

As expressed in the seminal Principles of Economics by Alfred Marshall, utility is a philosophical concept; a quantifiable measure which is correlated with both desire and satisfaction but not quite the same as the two.

We assign subjective value to all goods and services this way. But Marshall admits desire

33

~ On Di t ~

and satisfaction, being qualities, can’t be directly mathematised.

Hence the reason for this separate idea of utility. If you’re confused, you should be.

Economist Joan Robinson famously referred to utility as a “concept of impregnable circularity: utility is the quality in commodities that makes individuals want to buy them, and the fact individuals want to buy commodities shows they have utility”. Neoclassical economics is the mathematical extrapolation of the philosophical presumption that all humans are rational utility-maximisers, and that given a certain constraint (income for instance), people will choose their optimal consumption, leisure and labour according to their preferences.

According to this theory then, everyone should choose to enter the experience machine and step inside the perfectly crafted dream world.

Yet ask yourself, would you forgo reality for this synthetic alternative?

If your answer is no, then you are not the perfect rational utility optimising agents that economists assume you all to be. And what we’ve raised so far is only one of many issues with the presumption of utility-maximising individuals. Chances are you often do things that you don’t want to, in order to satisfy someone else’s preferences.

What’s more, we tend to recognise a distinct group of preferenceoptimisers as being problems: alcoholics & drug addicts. It goes on and on. Once you pick away at the implicit philosophical assumptions behind a so-called “science”, you start to notice these inconsistencies.

Chances are you often do things that you don’t want to, in order to satisfy someone else’s preferences. What’s more, we tend to recognise a distinct group of preference-optimisers as being problems: alcoholics & drug addicts. It goes on and on.

34

~ On Di t ~

If anyone claims to preach a doctrine of a value-free economics, regardless of economic school of thought, then you have every reason to question and doubt what they prescribe.

What is the point to all this then?

What this means is that fundamentally, neoclassical - mainstream economic theory is a philosophy about human nature and human economic behaviours and actions. Returning to Joan Robinson for another classic: “Economics itself has always been partly a vehicle for the ruling ideology of each period as well as partly a method of scientific investigation.”

The economy will continue to move on, whether or not the policy prescriptions and theories of economists are correct or not. There has never been a great scientific revolution to throw away failed theories as they failed to describe the natural world. As such, we are left with a mishmash of grand and often conflicting or inconsistent mathematical theories glued together with a variety of ad hoc hypotheses, resting on an arbitrary philosophical foundation. So today we are stuck with failed models, and many failed ideas. Academics flog dead horses and students behold.

If anyone claims to preach a doctrine of a value-free economics, regardless of economic school of thought, then you have every reason to question and doubt what they prescribe. They could still be right, of course. But our point here is about necessary scepticism. Behind the clean-cut mathematical models, there’s often the shaky assumptive foundations. Philosophy might seem at first glance to be unrelated or unnecessary to questions of economics. But on the contrary, it’s crucial. It is absolutely necessary, whilst recognising the biases of our own ideology, to seek an understanding of the market as it truly exists.

It would be better off leaving our current fantasy world at the door.

35

~ On Di t ~

My Brush with Stereotyping (As a White Male) Words by Matthew Williams

I recently took a trip interstate at the behest of friends. The past few years have included such wonderful events as a diagnosis of cancer and the recent conclusion of a long-term relationship. I am notorious for neglecting my own well-being. Travelling alone for five days, I was responsible for entertaining myself and ensuring the investment was worthwhile.

Having enjoyed a relaxing first day in which I got lost, accidentally fare-dodged on public transport, met two new people, and enjoyed white tea for the first time I spent the second day sightseeing. At night I was stuck for things to do. Consulting the internet, I noticed that a local underground club was showcasing live music and cocktails; this seemed like a fun use of my time.

The wound of my breakup was only two months old at this point. I had decided to visit a live music night, the thought occurred to me that I would be single in a stereotypical environment in which people my age often meet members of the opposite sex. This made me more than a little nervous, as I was very fresh out of my long hiatus from the dating market and I wasn’t sure what I would be comfortable exposing myself to or what I would even do if I was approached. Walking to the club, I began whistling Marvin Gaye’s ‘Inner City Blues’ as a means of alleviating my nerves, and the only reason I didn’t turn back entirely was the awareness that I should be making the effort to experience new things and enjoy my time.

Arriving at the crimson-lit club and entering without so much as a wave of my driver’s license, I descended the stairs made of that matted black plastic characteristic of drinking venues in any CBD and entered a small series of interconnected rooms dimly lit in red light. A band was finishing up a song I didn’t recognise as I walked up to the bar and asked for a cocktail menu.

No sooner had I opened the menu did the band begin their next song: an upbeat rendition of Marvin Gaye’s ‘Inner City Blues’. This happy coincidence alone was enough to calm my nerves, and I ordered a margarita before moving closer to the band. Several drinks and even more songs later the thoughts of relationships and women had completely left my mind, and I was

36

~ On Di t ~

“The wound of my breakup was only two months old at this point. I had decided to visit a live music night, the thought occurred to me that I would be single in a stereotypical environment in which people my age often meet members of the opposite sex. This made me more than a little nervous.�

for the first time able to appreciate what people consider enjoyable about dancing to music in clubs.

Towards the end of the evening, as I went to get a glass of water, I struck up a conversation with a girl who also appeared to be taking a break from the music. She was very friendly and we began a lively conversation about where we were both from, what we were doing in the city, what we were studying, and so forth.In the interests of full transparency, I will openly admit that I found her very interesting and attractive and I got the impression that she considered me the same; at the time I might have happily gone wherever the mood had taken us.

That is, were it not for two things: Firstly, her mention that she had only recently graduated high school, which indicated that she was 18 or 19 at the youngest. I remained conscious that I was at least half a decade more experienced than her, but this wasn’t a deal-breaker for me. Then she mentioned that she was very drunk.

To my sensibilities a new highschool graduate raises a warning flag, but a new highschool graduate who is heavily intoxicated raises a skull and crossbones. This sense of caution was derived less from any assumptions I had of the girl and more from the awareness that I was in a considerably righter mind than she was, and she was potentially more open to coercion than I was. I quickly determined that any intimacy was out the window, as there was no way of determining to what extent her sober self would agree with her present choices. I decided, however, that she and her friends were all very friendly people and that I might enjoy spending the evening in their group should they permit me to do so. I did ask permission to join them and received open welcomes, and when they decided to leave the club to find food I was again welcomed to accompany them.

37

~ On Di t ~

Having talked to this younger girl for the longest, I kept chatting to her while we walked, occasionally also talking with some of the other people in the group. Slowly, however, I noticed a change in tone.

Another girl came along and grabbed my new friend by the arm, pulling her away from me. Another loudly announced that the girl in question was coming home with her, and by the time we reached the food venue I was receiving universal sideways glances and silent treatment. I took the hint, ordered my food, and then excused myself stating that it was late and I had to walk back to my hotel. This elicited unenthusiastic nods and farewells decorated with a very detectable quantity of forced friendliness.

On my way back, whilst eating food I wouldn’t consider touching sober, I thought about the encounter. Initially I was a little offended, as I had been perfectly responsible and had only tried to make new friends, yet ill intent had been presumed of me and I had been ostracised; the thought crossed my mind that I might technically have been subject to stereotyping or even sexism.

Realising that my feelings were hurt and that this might be skewing my judgement, I made the effort to indulge the opposite side of the story. In doing so I realised that two women with their considerably younger friend had gone to a club, at which point she had struck up a conversation with a man who was older, from out of town, was currently residing in a hotel room, and was being very friendly towards her. Their friend was very drunk, and may have been open to coercion. Not only would they have been unaware of my intentions, but it was entirely that past experience had set the precedent that men in my shoes are not to be trusted.

With this side of the story in mind all offence evaporated. Their reasons were justified, and they had done a good thing by choosing to protect their friend over presuming the noble intentions of a total stranger. In addition to what was now the guilt associated with having unintentionally soured somebody else’s evening, I couldn’t help but feel sad at the prospect that this stereotyping was very likely the safest course of action, and that in their own shoes I would have probably done the same.

That begged another question: if I had indeed been a subject of stereotyping, a stereotypically negative action, was any party at fault? If so: who was the guilty party? Were the women to blame for presuming guilt on my own behalf ? Does the blame instead belong to the more unsavoury men who set the precedent for manipulative and predatory behaviour? Or perhaps am I to blame for not being more self-aware about how my actions could be interpreted, and pre-empting any perception of danger I might have posed?

As they are likely to be exposed to student culture or close enough to a student to be exposed to this article, the reader is likely aware that is an argument which raged fiercely for a time in certain circles, and although the flames are no longer white hot there remains an uncomfortable amount of heat. On the one hand, those sympathising with the male side of this story may claim that a few rotten apples should not spoil the bunch, and that stereotyping is justifiably unfair and discriminatory to those who genuinely mean no harm.

On the other, those sympathising with the female perspective might resolve that their own

38

~ On Di t ~

If I had indeed been a subject of stereotyping, a stereotypically negative action, was any party at fault? If so: who was the guilty party? Were the women to blame for presuming guilt on my own behalf ? Does the blame instead belong to the more unsavoury men who set the precedent for manipulative and predatory behaviour?

physical safety and wellbeing should be rightfully prioritised over a bruised ego, and that although there may be many unspoiled apples: a small chance is still a chance, and the potential severity of the negative outcome far outweighs the risk of rolling that dice.

Having experienced one side and indulged in consideration of the other I would venture that the degree of variance in circumstances is likely to result in many scenarios, and depending on the circumstance, either side to this story could be more justified than the other. The social context of interactions is inextricable from any analysis of those same interactions, and the reason the argument continues to this day is quite possibly because neither side will always be correct.

In the end, the experience provided a lovely opportunity for thought and didn’t dampen the holiday one bit; I can only hope that any discomfort I unintentionally caused has been harmlessly forgotten. Although it would have admittedly been nicer to have made some new friends that night, I realise that it would be the best of all possible worlds in which there was no reason to suspect ill intent from strangers, and that this is unfortunately not the world in which we reside.

At least, not yet.

39

~ On Di t ~

REVIEWS

Beastiality Is Still Hot BEAUTY & THE BEAST REMAKE Words by Phoebe Christofi An intelligent and “funny girl” called Belle (Emma Watson) who has a love for books and a longing for the unknown, trade’s places with her father (Kevin Kline) and is imprisoned by a ferocious and terrifying beast who is actually a misunderstood Prince (Dan Stevens). Like all fairy tales, the story ends with a happy ending and PLOT TWIST, nothing is actually as it appears.

If you’re unfamiliar with the film, then you’ve been living under a rock for the past twenty-six years. Now I’m a hard-core Disney enthusiast as much as the next person; unless of course you’re not, in which case, go and educate yourself. However, I would argue that people should see the 1991 version first. It won Oscars for a reason and is labelled a “timeless classic”.

As extraordinary as the 2017 version is, and as wonderfully as Emma Watson, Dan Stevens and co portray their characters, it’s one of those films that’s hard to beat the original. Having said that, the 2017

40

re-make sweeps a breath of fresh air into the original film which had not yet gone stale; bringing a cartoon to life is not an easy task, which the actors and directors mastered beautifully. Staying true to the original, it re-opened it to the new generation.

From the aesthetically pleasing musical displays, the extravagance of the French costuming to the wit and charisma between Lumiere and Cogsworth, everything about the film was enjoyable and entertaining. I question Disney’s insistence on wanting to constantly re-create timeless classics, but who am I to say that the world needs less Disney?

~ On Di t ~

Ghost In The Shell Words by Olivia De Zilva Waking in a flesh coloured robot shell after losing her body, Major has lost all memory from her past.

She is made into a super soldier with the aim of attacking any criminal she can get her robotic hands on. After a freak attack on an African General by a robotic geisha, yes, you’re reading that right, Major must investigate why the people who brought her back to life are slowly dropping like flies from ruthless attacks around the city and how they link back to her past.

ferent. Portraying the monotone and punch throwing protagonist we’ve all come to know since she was cast as Black Widow, Johansson carries the film one kick at a time right through a movie where nothing really happens. There’s so many twists and turns, the whole film turns into the convoluted jigsaw where nothing really pieces together. This film didn’t need to be remade and my honest recommendation is to watch the anime instead.

A live action remake of the anime of the same name, (that’s right anime, remade starring a Caucasian actress…right), Ghost in The Shell is a colourful and futuristic nightmare. Seriously, my eyes felt violated by the ongoing strobes and flashing reds, however, at least these kept me awake. Scarlett Johansson has been unbelievably type casted into portraying enhanced humans in boring action films (Lucy (2014), Every Avengers movie EVER) and this film is no dif-

41

Words by Lauren McKechnie

A Curious Affair After Dark Dear Mr. Culbert, I am writing to inform you of a rather unforeseen event. I am reluctant to be he who conveys this information, but it has unwittingly been thrust upon me. As you are aware, Mr George Galavan was scheduled to depart his dwelling for Rosehill later this afternoon and expected at your manor sometime next week. But unfortunately a harrowing accident did occur late last night, leaving Mr Galavan incapacitated, and consequently unable to travel.

It was around 11:00PM that there was a rather loud and teeth shattering scream emitted from the second story of the mansion, which was indeed detected coming from Mr Galavan’s room. And it was quite some time before either myself or Mr Galavan’s family were able to break through his door and discover the cause. On entering we found him face down on the bed, unawakened and unresponsive. Investigating showed blood smeared over most of his body and on the walls, the white sheets soaked through. The smell was sickly, as you can imagine, forcing all who entered to pinch their noses with a handkerchief. But what was most strange about this discovery was the two round holes found on the right side of his neck, precisely identical in diameter but torn from what appeared to be forced entry.

“How peculiar,” you may say, and undoubtedly this was something I had never seen, nor heard of, and am at a loss to provide an explanation that does not sound odd. It was an extended period of time that Mr Galavan remained comatose and when he awoke he was dazed and unaware of his surroundings. He remained in his room, non-talkative and staring into the blank spaces throughout the room, changing only to look out the window every so often. He was sensitive to sounds and to light, and so the light had to be dimmed and any who come to his side was to whisper when conversing. It was when I entered to check on his progress some time later and turned to leave that he grabbed tightly on to my wrist and stopped me from progressing to the door. The expression that covered his face was indeed harrowing, indicating dread and reflecting the night’s events. Initially he lay there, staring into my eyes, the true fear that showed undeniably alarmed me.

I remember, he had struggled. I remember.

He had continued to repeat this over and over and I thought maybe his mind was escaping him, that the terrible events had finally taken its toll. But eventually he rose to be seated against the backboard, the sheets dropping to expose his watery pallor, but continued to hold on to my wrist, now clasping tightly with moist hands.

“What I ought to declare,” he said, “is certainly a strange matter to obtain. I am bound to sound foolish, but believing me is all I ask, that what I saw, what assailed me this night, was not of this world” It was reasonably difficult to believe someone was not senseless when revealing what they saw was from another domain, but it was far more challenging to disbelieve him. His voice, his wretched sorrowful look, his eyes constantly flickering to the window as if expecting someone or something to break through the glass, it was all quite convincing. And it is his confession that I willingly convey to you with the confidence that what I write will not leave your lips and that this letter will be burned after you have read it. It is sensitive information and should not reach the ears of those who would otherwise think him to need psychiatric help.

And so I report to you this confession – Mr Galavan had felt bizarre after eating something that did not sit well with his stomach and thus went to lie down long before the sun set. The silk sheets and pillows felt cool on his skin and was a relief to his burning body. He closed his eyes and sought to sleep but his stomach refused him rest. However, after some time he was lastly able to sleep, yet it was short lived. He was awoken by a resounding clamour that caused him to hastily sit erect in bed. Looking about the room it was not easy to take notice any troubles, but once he further looked round, he noticed the vase by the open window had been knocked to the floor and smashed, but there was no disquieting wind this night. Soft but rapid drumming then proceeded to encircle him round each wall, his head and eyes aching from straining to discover the source. But it was in the thick darkness of the corner, where the moonlight did not reach, that he saw the red glowing eyes radiating through the shadows.

He revealed to me that he did yell when first he saw, that he was unable to control the sound that escaped his throat, but he was not ashamed, as what he witnessed, what he endured, he would not wish on another. The creature moved slowly towards the end of the bed, gliding along like dancing to music no other could hear. It looked like a man; he was emaciated, chalky pale and his hair was absent of chunks, his eyes red and leaking a strange black substance. But it was his teeth that draw the most attention and shock as there were two long fangs, prominent from his sinister grin. And it was these that seared into his mind as the creature leapt across the room like it was merely a gap in the pavement, and landed atop of his chest, pinning him to the bed. The incisors were thusly pierced through the delicate skin of the neck, the pain unfathomable, the room fading from view, and to me he informs that he recollects no further detail.

As strange as it may seem it is with my hope of you receiving this letter that you will come post haste to the abode of Mr Galavan, and with you seeing him in person give his confession your belief, as all here have proceeded after conversing with him. Now if you would destroy this letter and prepare your departure, I expect you here in within the week.

Yours justly,

Mr. Everett Kingsly

~ On Di t ~

An Ode To Bunnings Words by Alex Adamson Art by Jack Lowe

44

~ On Di t ~

The humble sausage, cylindrical meat You’re the one I’d like to eat Gently charred by employee tongs Join the throng of gold-coin-clutching thongs Front of line, front of mind You are so close, love of mine Hands outstretched, fingertips meet Creation of Adam, “Pass the meat” The greatest food in all the land This is Australia in my hand Nestled in the softest bread Like a sleeping babe with burnt onion head A squirt of sauce goes here and there Now the babe’s got sauce for hair Truly, Advance Australia Fair Quivering with anticipation Impatient for the mastication Jaws descend onto the meal How does it feel?

It feels so real!

An epic surpassing Homer’s Odyssey This is the flavour of democracy From the sausage rise curls of steam I pinch myself - is this a dream?

The sweet crunch of onion The soft pillow of bread But Oh! The sausage these condiments adorn I delight in meat-in-tube-form A tender bite of mystery meat Juices run, I groan in defeat This one’s flattened me - on my back A culinary aphrodisiac On a cold winter’s day through a white paper serviette Seeps the heat that keeps my hand from going Soviet Word of this has spread far and wide We stand in silence, mouths otherwise occupied Our love for snags, clarified.

45

~ On Di t ~

The Street

Words by Sinead O’Shaughnessy

The first night I had a bed, I just slept I was so tired, I’d been awake for years, carrying around my pack, each day it grew heavier until its weight was nearly crushing me my feet were so heavy, I threw away my shoes. and felt the cold creep up inside me.

The only thing I owned was my name, and sometimes I didn’t even know it was mine, but I clung to it.

When you don’t have anything, you hang onto what you’ve got .

Memories are the worst, you remember the good, and the bad.

You remember the blank stares, the pain, and the silence.

The silence can be so deafening, it’s all you can hear.

You remember the waiting, waiting for food, waiting for money, waiting for life The first night I had a bed, I just slept.

46

~ On Di t ~

The only thing I owned was my name, and sometimes I didn’t even know it was mine, but I clung to it.

47

~ On Di t ~

Should businesses get involved with politics?

Is it a political statement to drink a certain beer?

by Aislinn Rossi

L

ast month, Cooper’s Brewery copped heavy backlash for its partnership with The Bible Society, over a video about marriage equality. The video, produced by the Bible Society, featured Liberal MP’s Andrew Hastie and Tim Wilson in a ground-breaking debate about pros and cons of marriage equality, over a light beer provided by Cooper’s.

Within the course of a few days, a boycott of the beer had been put into effect via social media, several pubs stopped serving it in protest, the video was pulled offline, Cooper’s issued a statement defending their right to “keep it light” and then, when that didn’t have the desired effect, they released an apology and a video statement in support of diversity. In all, it’s not a very compelling case for businesses to get involved in politics. In fact it seems to have hurt more than helped Cooper’s.

Even more interestingly, just days after the controversy, Immigration Minister Peter Dutton claimed that big businesses were being “bullied” into supporting marriage equality. He then followed those comments by suggesting that businesses should stay out of social issues (unless it pertains

48

to tax systems or job creation) or resign from their company to pick up a career in politics if they really want to get involved.

I’m personally confused why he cares about the backlash businesses are getting for their political stance when he’s of the opinion that businesses should be apolitical in the first place, but I digress.

And look, other than the fact that the same-sex marriage debate has been rehashed a thousand times over, the video in question wasn’t very offensive. It presented both sides of the argument respectfully, and though the “keeping it light” catchphrase seemed a little trivialising, not everything has to be serious all the time.

But all of this controversy does raise some prickly issues, namely: Should businesses get involved in politics? Moreover how much do we actually want businesses, well, in our business?

As socially responsible consumerism increasingly becomes a common trend, and we all look for fair-trade, anti-animal-testing companies to

~ On Di t ~

give our money to, there’s a growing expectation that businesses will share our political opinions and donate to our causes, and it seems to be warping our social movements.

At the time of its inception in the 70s, Mardi Gras was a protest movement. Police forcibly broke up the first march and arrested over 50 people. Now, the Sydney Mardi Gras is a source of tourism for the state, attracting hundreds of thousands of spectators, including the members of major political parties. The last Mardi Gras boasted 12,000 participants and hundreds of floats sponsored by both community groups and businessesCooper’s Brewery among them.

With so many pulling on the pride march’s purse strings, some of the most pressing issues facing the LGBTQI community (violence against trans women, the plight of LGBTQI asylum seekers, and the high rates of suicide, addiction, domestic violence and homelessness, to name a few) are swept aside to focus on marriage equality, the political hot-topic of the moment.

The issue selling beers.

The fact that we all get so bent out of shape over a video we don’t agree with while thousands of more tactful political advertisements meant to sell us a product sneak through our social media feeds, is telling. Bank of Australia, for one, recently released a commercial as part of its sponsorship of the Sydney Mardi Gras, which encouraged same-sex couples to “keep holding hands” in the face of adversity. It was moving and thoughtful, and gained less than a tenth of the attention that The Bible Society’s video did. Because it’s the kind of thing we have come to expect from businesses.

And while I have no issue with businesses having and expressing opinions on all manner of political topics, we consumers sometimes don’t acknowledge the fact that companies prioritise making money.

In a world of viral videos and ethical consumerism, visibly supporting social movements is good business, and this can mean that we leave our politics open to appropriation by companies who don’t actually “give back” to the movements they are stealing from. Pepsi’s tone deaf commercial featuring Kendall Jenner springs to mind, as do the dozens of “feminist” slogans printed on t-shirts by companies who don’t actually help fund domestic violence shelters or girls’ educations or any other real feminist enterprise.

“In all, it’s not a very compelling case for businesses to get involved in politics. In fact it seems to have hurt more than helped Cooper’s.”

In the end, this isn’t a question about whether Cooper’s had the right to fund that Bible Society video. Of course they did. It’s their money and they can spend it however they want, just as the consumers and businesses who boycotted their product have the right to spend their own money how they want. Frankly, Dutton calling it “bullying” while also suggesting that CEO’s “stick to their knitting” is both ridiculous and confusing.

But their right to get involved doesn’t mean that we shouldn’t be taking said involvement with a grain of salt, and thinking hard about whether it’s actually useful, or even ethical, to give so much attention to companies in the public debate. How can we expect social movements to work for real change when they are busy making their politics attractive to investors?

Because the thing is, that video, outside of its controversial debate topic, existed primarily to promote The Bible Society, and sell limited edition Bible Society branded Cooper’s beers.

Companies like Coopers make bank off tough social issues under the guise of “raising awareness,” and we turn their commercials viral.

So, should businesses get involved in politics?

Sure. Why not? But personally, I’d like to enjoy my beer without wondering whether it’s a Homophobic Lite.

49

~ On Di t ~

Drunk with Power Coopers PR Timeline

12 March: Bible Society uploads ‘Keeping it light’ video to Vimeo. Cooper’s Light beer products appears strategically placed in video.

13 March The video comes to the attention of mainstream media

Sydney pubs boycott Coopers in favour of local breweries

Second official press release mentions Coopers never permitted the Bible Society to use the company’s branding.

First official press release celebrates the charitable work foom the Bible Society, calls for a ‘light’ hearted balanced on important issues

14 March Directors of Coopers issue a video apology in which they announce the retracting of 10,000 comemorative cans.

cheers?

50

Free crafternoon sessions for Union Members every Tuesday 2-4pm in May

CRAFTERNOON in may

level 6 union house For session details and registration please head to www.auu.org.au/crafternoon17

Registrations essential, places limited,

exclusively for Union Members.