Volume 25, Issue 2

Feb 2024 | VOLUME 25 | ISSUE 2

Unveiling The Shadows

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BATH TIME MAGAZINE

LETTER FROM THE COMMITTEE

HELLO FELLOW STUDENTS! WELCOME TO OUR FEBRUARY EDITION OF THE BATH TIME MAGAZINE! HERE YOU WILL FIND SOME OF THE GREATEST CONTENT THAT HAS BEEN PUBLISHED ON OUR WEBSITE SINCE THE START OF THE ACADEMIC YEAR. AS A COMMITTEE, WE WOULD LIKE TO WISH A HUGE CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL OF OUR CONTRIBUTORS WHO FIND THEIR WORK INVOLVED IN THIS EDITION. THE SELECTION PROCESS WAS INCREDIBLY DIFFICULT, SIMPLY DUE TO THE MULTITUDE OF BRILLIANT WORK BY EACH AND EVERY ONE OF OUR CONTRIBUTORS. THE USE OF THE WORD ‘SOME’ WHEN DESCRIBING THIS AS OUR BEST CONTENT IS VERY APPROPRIATE! REGARDLESS, IF YOU HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO OUR PRINT EDITIONS, THE WEBSITE, OR SIMPLY READ OUR CONTENT, YOU ARE THE HEART AND SOUL OF THE MAGAZINE. WE ARE ENDLESSLY GRATEFUL FOR YOUR PARTICIPATION AND SUPPORT. IN THIS EDITION, WE HAVE FOCUSSED ON THE ISSUES THAT MATTER THE MOST TO STUDENTS. WHETHER THAT MAY BE ETHNIC DISCRIMINATION, SUSTAINABILITY OR MOSH PITS, WE HOPE THAT THERE IS SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE. PLEASE ENJOY!

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BATH TIME MAGAZINE

Bath Time Magazine

CONTENTS

3 COVER STORY: UNVEILING THE SHADOWS: AN ANALYSIS OF THE ROOTS OF NEOCOLONIALISM AND NEW-AGE ETHNIC DISCRIMATION

FROM OUR REVIEW: CRY OF THE WILDCHARLES FOSTER ARTICLE P. 30

5 BEYOND THE VEIL OF PERCEPTION – UVA: SYNCHRONICITY

9 WHY WE STILL NEED FEMINISM: THE SEXIST EXTREMISM NOONE LIKES TO TALK ABOUT

12 THE POLISH ELECTION: HOW VOTING AS A YOUNG WOMAN MADE ME FEEL CLOSER TO MY CULTURAL ROOTS 14 OVERLOOKED AND UNDERREPORTED? MYANMAR’S FORGOTTEN CIVIL WAR 16 PROTESTS VS FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION: THE BEHAVIOUR OF FORMER HOME SECRETARY SUELLA BRAVERMAN 20 A STUDENT’S GUIDE TO SUSTAINABILITY 23 VIOLENTLY ENTHUSIASTIC MOSH PITS TO HERALD THE NEW MUSICAL GENERATION- SQUID AT SWX BRISTOL 27 THE YEAR ABROAD: THE BEST YEAR OF YOUR LIFE? 28 REVIEW: CRY OF THE WILD - CHARLES FOSTER 30 LEBANON - A COUNTRY TORN BETWEEN PAST AND PRESENT 32 WHO IS THE ULTIMATE ATHLETE? BATH TIME MAGAZINE

BATH TIME MAGAZINE

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FEATURE ARTICLE

UNVEILING THE SHADOWS: AN ANALYSIS OF THE ROOTS OF NEOCOLONIALISM AND NEWAGE ETHNIC DISCRIMINATION

BY ISHITA KHATTAR

Media is one of the most influential factors that shape our worldviews and sense of self. This is why it is essential to question the information we are getting and view it critically. As an increasing amount of news pours in from around the world about humanitarian crises and genocides, we must take a step back and analyse how these important events are being reported and

how

governments

around

the

world

are

responding to them.

Media bias in Western countries can be seen every day.

Let’s look at the 9/11 attack for instance: the attack

A majority of these suspects were reported to be

caused a state of frenzy on the global, political scene.

POC (people of colour) who were forcefully

Terrorism suddenly became a global issue instead of

kidnapped with no trace of where they were taken.

something that only happened in Eastern countries.

The term “global war on terrorism”, coined by

The USA has a Memorial Day for the people who lost

American President George W. Bush, was used to

their lives that day and the slogan “never forget” is used

justify these inhumane actions and has since been

to remind people of the heinous attack. However,

used as grounds for many subsequent genocides

terrorism existed long before that incident and people

and atrocities like the occupation of Palestine and

were losing their lives to it every single day. Was their

the detention of the Uyghur population in China.

suffering not glamorous enough for the media to

But is one hate crime enough of a reason to justify

report?

a series of others? The terror spread by the American

forces

also

falls

under

the

same

This is a question I ask myself often. Hate crimes are

definition of terrorism that they claimed to be

only categorised as such when they are committed

fighting against but was not categorised as such

against an affluent social group and white, European or

and probably never will be.

American populations. This is not to say that crimes against these groups should not be considered seriously

When we delve deeper into world politics, we find

but to question why that same level of sensitivity and

that powerful Western countries only extend their

humanitarian aid is not extended to ethnic minorities

support to countries that are financially beneficial

who are facing the same fate. The USA’s response to the

to their economy. They tend to speak in favour of

9/11

their allies and tactically withhold their opinions

attacks

was

also

heavily

laced

with

ethnic

discrimination as they arrested suspects of the attack on flimsy evidence and used lethal force on them.

when their confederates are in the wrong.

BATH TIME MAGAZINE

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FEATURE ARTICLE

This strategic extension of support can be witnessed

That is still the case today as these issues continue

very clearly in the case of the ongoing Palestinian

to persist. Just because the news of these events

crisis, where the US, a close ally of Israel is openly

does not reach us, does not mean they are not

supporting their actions and encouraging violence in

happening. Millions of people are suffering every

the name of protection while people throughout the

day, but their struggles are not validated just

world condemn it and call for a ceasefire. This creates

because of their race and ethnicity. Humanitarian

pressure on smaller nations to align with these

sympathy comes with a subscription that can’t

powerful nations to earn their favour. They have to

always be bought into.

submit to the whims and manipulations of these powerful nations to protect their national interests and

We have established how selective reporting is

secure financial and humanitarian aid. This pattern

harmful and contributes to neocolonialism and

has been observed since the era of the Cold War and

ethnic discrimination. But why does it concern you,

continues to date.

the reader, who most likely does not belong to the

The act of exerting power to extort and intimidate developing

nations

is

a

key

element

of

neocolonialism. But how does the media contribute to it? Selective reporting aims to present a one-sided narrative of an issue to the public and gather support for one side. News sources around the world are influenced by the political ideologies of their national governments and Western countries are no exception.

This explains the selective outrage created by media sources

against

specific

groups

as

they

invoke

emotions of patriotism and support for the interests of the state. As a result, people lose their objectivity and lose sight of the cost at which their patriotism comes.

Yuval Noah Harari, one of the most influential writers of our generation and the author of the book ‘Sapiens’

affected demographic population? I would say that there are two reasons to view the information we get with criticality: a selfish one and the other, the very essence of humanity. Firstly, the political climate of the world sets a precedent for how authorities respond to those in need and what factors contribute to it. The second reason is very simple. It is important to understand the workings of global politics because it is your duty as residents of a free country to raise your voice against such atrocities and make governments listen to the voice of the people asking them to stop. In the context of the ongoing bombings in Gaza and the calls for a ceasefire, a student from our university beautifully quoted, “People will try to tell you that this is too complicated, and you will never fully understand it,

has often quoted that, “the first decades of the 21st

therefore you should never speak. They want you

century were the most peaceful era in world history”.

to feel uneducated and unable to help because your

He only revised this statement at the commencement

voice is powerful. But it’s not complicated. You

of the Russia-Ukraine war. But isn’t that ignorant?

don’t need a PhD in Middle Eastern studies to

While millions of people were being killed in

understand when your heart knows what you’re

Myanmar,

genocide,

seeing is wrong. You’re not only are you allowed to

powerful countries were blissfully ignorant of these

call it out, but you are obligated to.” So raise your

atrocities and their mention in mainstream media was

voices, evaluate your sources and rethink if your

rare and often limited to a few lines.

humanity is extended to all your fellow human

Palestine

and

the

Uyghur

beings or a select few.

BATH TIME MAGAZINE

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EDITOR'S PICK

BEYOND THE VEIL OF PERCEPTION – UVA: SYNCHRONICITY

BY ISABELLA SPICER

The discovery of United Visual Artists (UVA) has been transformative. I have developed a new perspective on space, light, sound, and the power they hold together. I visited this exhibition with no more insight than an online teaser trailer which inspired me to attend, as well as a blurb written alongside the ticket portal. A maze of eight rooms in a concrete basement led me on a journey of disbelief.

As

described

material

on

their

objects,

website:

UVA’s

‘Rather

than

are

better

works

‘PRESENT SHOCK II’ IMAGE CREDIT: JACK HEMS – COURTESY OF THE UVA: SYNCHRONICITY EXHIBITION

understood as events in time’. The heart of UVA

ROOM 1 – PRESENT SHOCK II

beats in London. Founded in 2003, UVA is a

Present Shock II emerges as a confrontation with

collective

artists,

the relentless pulse of the contemporary world. As

designers, engineers, and thinkers. In the digital

I stepped into this space, a symphony of statistical

corridors of their website, I found many more

clocks greeted me, each displaying algorithmically

intimate gallery experiences along with major

generated news headlines drawn from the currents

collaborations

musical

of our present reality. The convergence of life-

performance. It appears that I have unknowingly

altering global events with the mundane minutiae

met UVA before in many of my much-loved

of daily life was a manifestation of what UVA aptly

experiences; each project a seamless fusion of art,

terms

design, and technology.

characterised

pulse

—

a

of

convergence

fashion

and

of

the

“context by

collapse.” a

It’s

relentless

a

moment

barrage

information, both profound and trivial.

of

BATH TIME MAGAZINE

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EDITOR'S PICK

The dynamic soundscape, an orchestrated creation by Robert Del Naja (known for his work with Massive Attack) in collaboration with the adaptive

producer

complements

the

Robert

visual

Thomas,

chaos.

The

LED

displays flicker with a mesmerising dance. Each algorithmically generated headline contributes to

the

constantly

changing

tapestry

of

information. It’s a space where time seems to lose its conventional rhythm. The comforting

‘OUR TIME’ IMAGE CREDIT: JACK HEMS – COURTESY OF THE UVA: SYNCHRONICITY EXHIBITION

ticking, akin to the rhythmic pulse of a clock, guides the viewer through this whirlwind of information – a thread of coherence amidst the

Italian theoretical physicist Carlo Rovelli’s words

fragmented narrative. Embedded within the sea

lingered in the air, “We inhabit time as fish live in

of data are moments of levity—a comedian’s

water. Our being is being in time”. A large-scale

quip here, a profound statement there. The

‘spatial instrument,’ as described by UVA, becomes a

room is not just an assault on the senses; it’s an

testament to the collaborative genius of movement,

invitation to engage with the full spectrum of

light, and a custom score by the late electronic

human experience.

musician Mira Calix. The drone sound, ethereal and haunting, resonated through the room. The flickering

As I stood within Present Shock II, I found

light

and

the

smoky

myself captivated. It became an arena where all

disorientating effect, inducing a subtle sense of

topics converge, where the trivial and the

motion

profound coexist, and where time becomes a

dreamscape.

sickness,

ambience

renewing

heightened

the

space

into

the a

malleable entity —a captivating initiation into the

immersive

world

of

UVA’s

visionary

The

room

enveloped

me

in

a

multi-sensory

environment, a manifestation of the relativity of time

practice.

—a phenomenon that can seemingly speed up, slow down, or come to a standstill. Pendulums, each adhering to its unique rhythm, swing gracefully. They

ROOM 2 – OUR TIME In the transition from the pulsating chaos of Present Shock II, I found myself stepping into the enigmatic embrace of Room 2 - Our Time. It beckoned me to consider the profound question: How long is a moment?

are unhindered by the laws of gravity. ‘Our Time’, in essence, became both a metronome—a keeper of time —and a musical instrument. Light traced the path of movement, and sound echoed in response. The speakers,

embedded

in

the

pendulums,

lent

a

dimensional quality to the auditory tapestry. The Doppler effect played its part in this temporal ballet, a subtle reminder of the ever-shifting nature of time.

BATH TIME MAGAZINE

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EDITOR’S PICK

Pendulums moved together in a synchronised harmony, only to drift apart. Initially resembling a plain warehouse, the sloped room added to the overall disorientation.

Stepping out of ‘Our Time’ left me with a lingering sense of disorientation. UVA’s work is not merely about the physical spaces they create but the intentional crafting of sensorial encounters.

‘POLYPHONY’ IMAGE CREDIT: JACK HEMS – COURTESY OF THE UVA: SYNCHRONICITY EXHIBITION

This

sound

is

a

collaboration

between

bio-

acoustician Bernie Krause and ethnomusicologist Louis Sarno. I was transported to a habitat alive with the chorusing of frogs, the hum of insects, and the melodic calls of diverse bird species. The

‘EDGE OF CHAOS’ IMAGE CREDIT: JACK HEMS – COURTESY OF THE UVA: SYNCHRONICITY EXHIBITION

sounds invited an exploration into the cultural echoes of the local Baka pygmy tribe. It was a delicate dance — a call and a response between the natural and the cultural, illustrating the entangled

ROOM 3 – POLYPHONY

relationship between humans and the animals that share our environment. A 360-degree panorama,

In a quiet transition, the room — a circular array of sensory delights — unfolded as a tribute to the rich symphony

that

has

surrounded

humans

for

millennia — the biophony of our environment.

Field recordings captured in the Dzanga-Sangha Special Reserve in the Central African Republic were

woven

soundscape.

together

to

create

a

natural

sticks of light, elegantly arranged, traced the contours of an ethereal environment. The subtle crunch of gravel beneath my feet added a tactile layer, grounding me in the immersive experience.

BATH TIME MAGAZINE

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EDITOR’S PICK

The soundscape built to a climax, challenging the capacities of my mind, sight, and auditory senses. It was a dizzying whirlwind, a deliberate onslaught of stimuli. The room swallowed me whole. I stood at the

crossroads

of

panic

and

relaxation,

a

dichotomy that underscored the fragility of our environment. Echoing the themes of extinction and human-induced change — anthropogenic forces that reverberated through the experience.

In the end, Polyphony served not just as an installation but as a poignant narrative — a

‘CHROMATIC’ IMAGE CREDIT: JACK HEMS – COURTESY OF THE UVA: SYNCHRONICITY EXHIBITION

testament to the delicate dance between humanity and the natural world.

UVA caters for all depths, providing something for

CONTINUING....

everyone and allowing each visitor to take the experience as deep as they desire. The revelation

As I continued through the exhibition, I found

of what can be achieved with light, movement and

myself in genuine disbelief at the extraordinary

sound is an incredible testament to the boundless

power and effect of their work. The hypnotic allure

possibilities

of each room left me in awe. There’s a moment of

elements; it’s a testament to the power of human

settling, a brief respite where one begins to grasp

creativity and the ability to reshape reality through

the intricacies of the installation and relax in the

the manipulation of such things. I find myself

hypnosis, only to have it deftly switched.

grappling with the inadequacy of words to capture

within

these

seemingly

simple

the full essence of the experience. It’s a journey UVA, with a relatively small team, has crafted a

that

display that builds unbelievable audio and spatial

appreciation for the potential of art in its most

depth, redefining the meaning of immersive art.

enchanting and revolutionary form. Exiting one

They allow access to all depths of contemplation. It

room

doesn’t demand deep intellectual scrutiny, nor

continuous. There’s no definite conclusion to the

does it require the visitor to search for hidden

exhibition, and the displays seamlessly flow into

meanings. It is, quite simply, a transformative

one another through a gentle haze, creating a loop.

experience — a journey where meaning is not

It’s an utterly beautiful odyssey that will leave an

imposed but discovered.

indelible mark.

leaves

me

doesn’t

in

mark

awe,

the

with

end;

a

it

newfound

is

instead

COMMENT & CONVERSATION

BATH TIME MAGAZINE

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WHY WE STILL NEED FEMINISM: THE SEXIST EXTREMISM NOONE LIKES TO TALK ABOUT

BY NINA CARTER In a world where mega misogynists such as Andrew Tate and other red-pill men have access to social media to proliferate their ideas of toxic masculinity and male superiority, sexism has evolved with the times. These people can now meet and share ideas to grow a ‘manosphere’ where a toxic masculinity viewpoint can not only flourish but gain a loyal following and support.

Humour works best when it punches up not down, like Matt Rife did, pun intended.

In an environment in which comedian Matt Rife, who rose to fame through his loyal and dedicated

However, now more than ever, the anti-women

female following, can grow from even more

movement which is getting more and more media

notoriety through a domestic violence joke that

coverage is the rise in the incel community, a

landed very badly, it can easily be argued that we

community that can sometimes have a fatal

still need feminism.

impact on women.

Although we no longer need to campaign for the

Incel

right to vote, it seems instead we must campaign

celibate’ and it is a small corner of the online

for the right of women’s safety. I am an advocate

‘manosphere’ which is dedicated to hating women

of freedom of speech and personally think a joke

simply for being women.

comes

from

the

phrase

‘involuntarily

about domestic violence can be funny, but it’s all about context. Not only would his audience be full

This rise in the incel community reflects the

of women, but to also make the victim of the

radicalism of terrorist groups in which people,

violence the butt of a joke is not funny.

particularly young men, are being drawn in and indoctrinated into having derogatory and violent

It is important to add humour to serious topics, but one in which we aren’t laughing at the victim but rather at the attacker would go down much better with the audience.

attitudes towards women.

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COMMENT & CONVERSATION

It is hard to track how many people are members

Instead, women are now independent meaning

of the community due to its anonymity, however,

they can be ‘pickier’ when it comes to choosing a

in its name, over 100 people, mainly women, have

long-term partner. It does not surprise me that a

been killed or injured over the past 10 years.

higher percentage of women are choosing to be single or stay celibate for a significant period of

This relatively new problem is why discussions

time. This, in addition to the use of dating apps,

about sexism and misogyny are still important to

creates an environment in which your physical

this day. The incel community stems from its core

appearance has had more significance in your

belief that women do not find them attractive and

dating life than ever before. I have male and

therefore do not want to sleep with them, so,

female friends, both of whom are on dating apps,

therefore, are the cause of their social alienation

and I can definitely say that women get more

and loneliness.

matches than men.

They believe that men are entitled to sex, and

These online forums create a community for like-

when it is not given to them, women deserve to be

minded men facing similar problems in their

blamed and punished accordingly.

dating life to engage with each other and turn their low self-esteem into aggression for the people

These platforms celebrate violence and rape

causing their unhappiness and loneliness, or in

against women as punishment for their own lack

other words, women.

of

romantic

success,

and

they

encourage

discussions about how to carry this out. The incel

I remember the shooting two years ago in a nearby

community takes things to the extreme.

city to where I live, Plymouth, in which a member of the incel community was driven by hatred and

These platforms don’t only discuss violence but

loathing of himself and others to kill 5 people,

can also give detailed plans on how to rape, kill

including his mother, and then himself in a

and abuse not only women but also how to carry

shooting spree. Due to the intense radicalisation

out mass shooting sprees, and there are even

and spread of hate that the incel community

message threads on how to carry out suicide for

members experience, they are starting to be

men who feel so isolated and alone by their lack of

considered a terrorist threat.

positive interaction with women.

This article was inspired by a recent book I read by In the modern world, when it comes to dating, it

Laura Bates, ‘Men Who Hate Women’ (2020) in

can easily be seen that women have more power.

which she gives an in-depth discussion into the

For the first time in history, women are not in a

incel community sharing messages verbatim sent

position where they need to rely on a man to be

by community members which use a range of

financially stable.

derogatory terms for women. She also discusses her experience at an incel celebratory event at where she spoke to members undercover.

BATH TIME MAGAZINE

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COMMENT & CONVERSATION

Her experience in the ‘manosphere’ is horrific as it

Men, and especially impressionable boys, need

reveals that members support rape and blame

to be protected from the rabbit hole of these

women for the 0.6% of accusations of rape proved

online platforms as well as radicalisation.

false which have the power to ‘destroy’ men’s lives, therefore creating the attitude that they may

Having open discussions about sexism and the

as well harm women anyway.

incel community could save the lives of women and men and create a world where love, peace

However, it is not all doom and gloom. Bates

and protecting mental health are at its heart.

discusses how these men have been sold a lie that they should fear women, as they have the power

Sexism evolves as society changes, and that is

to destroy their reputation through false rape

why feminism is still an important topic of

claims. Instead, “it is the abusive men who risk

conversation to this day and should be seen as

tarnishing all the men with the same brush”.

something to encourage and support rather than to resent and repress.

It is these men who hate women that suck more men

into

resentment.

their

community

of

hatred

and

The topics that people don’t like to talk about are often the most important conversations to have.

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BATH TIME MAGAZINE

COMMENT & CONVERSATION

THE POLISH ELECTION: HOW VOTING AS A YOUNG WOMAN MADE ME FEEL CLOSER TO MY CULTURAL ROOTS

BY ELA YANIK It was the 15th of October and my phone woke me up from its constant buzzing. An endless stream of messages emerged from the family group chat – understandable. It was an undeniably monumental day for Poland; a day that gave Polish citizens the chance to make historical change in a country gripped by right-wing populism for far too long. It was finally the day to reclaim democracy. *Yet at this point, the only thing we did reclaim were intense family arguments. There aren’t many times when I would rather be visiting relatives in Poland, but this day, unsurprisingly, was one of them* Nevertheless, I set off to Bristol, excited to cast my vote and have my voice heard. Too much was at stake not to.

A country with a rich political history, this election was described to be just as important as the election in 1989 – a time when Soviet communism dominated the country. The difficulties of the period led to a universal atmosphere of despair and hopelessness among the Poles. Change felt out of reach. Yet with a voting turnout of only 62%, the Solidarity (Solidarność) movement still managed to claim victory. The Berlin Wall collapsed 5 months later, marking the end of USSR domination. Oh, and my mum tasted an orange for the first time. A pretty monumental moment, indeed.

Yet this election saw a contrast in attitudes. Feelings of optimism and hope mobilised people to vote, especially among young people and women, the majority of whom wanted rid of the right-wing Law and Justice Party (Prawo i Sprawiedliwość).

The voting turnout of 74.2% is the highest recorded in Polish history. A state that demonises the LGBT community, vilifies migrants, and restricts basic abortion rights fails to align with the more liberal values the youth are adopting. Young people are normally known to be politically disengaged, yet over 70% cast their votes last Sunday, queuing for hours in an attempt to save their futures.

Women

also

strengthened

the

left-leaning

opposition, as their rights have been, year-on-year, consistently

undermined

under

the

PiS

government. Abortion laws in Poland are one of the strictest in the EU, with a new 2020 law imposing a near-total ban. Women are dying as a result, without much support from the state, sparking nationwide protests every year.

BATH TIME MAGAZINE

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COMMENT & CONVERSATION

And that’s not all. New judicial reforms that

Connections to culture do not stop at the border.

undermine independence and break EU laws

Poland is one of my homes, and to see a place I

exist.

Endless

state

propaganda,

in

which

consider home subjected to a corrupt and illiberal

media

platforms

are

being

government that threatens the very nature of

silenced. European visas are being illegally sold

democracy breaks my heart. I feel empowered to

abroad for personal profit. It all seems like an

have voted as a young woman and feel the thrill

episode of Black Mirror if you ask me. And with

alongside those also celebrating in a state now free

the election having been and gone, the result is

from

as follows – a centre-left coalition with Donald

backward ideologies.

independent

the

grip

of

populist

domination

and

Tusk as the new Prime Minister. Poland celebrated,

as

did

the

rest

of

Europe.

Democracy is finally back on track.

Whether our demands for change are heard is another story. But as of right now, I’m grateful to have voted, and I’m grateful Poland finally has a

*Although, funnily enough, PiS is still in denial at

chance to rebuild itself into the country it is

their loss, claiming they still have a chance. Make it

destined to be.

make sense* Żubrówka* anyone?

As a second-generation immigrant to a Polish mother, born and raised in the UK, some may question my right to vote, and in turn, my

* Żubrówka – delicious Polish vodka, 10/10

legitimacy as a ‘true’ Pole: “Why should you get a

recommend

say, you don’t live there?”

BATH TIME MAGAZINE

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COMMENT & CONVERSATION

OVERLOOKED AND UNDERREPORTED? MYANMAR’S FORGOTTEN CIVIL WAR

BY NAZ GOGUS Since gaining independence from Britain in 1948, Myanmar has experienced decades of economic and political turbulence. Stemming from years of volatile military rule, the Southeast Asian country, formerly known as Burma, has endured countless civil and ethnic conflicts throughout its history.

Despite hopes for a transition towards a more democratic

regime

following

general

elections in 2010, military involvement has continued to inundate elected governments.

In February 2021, a smattering of military leaders staged a coup, plunging the country into a new state of chaos. Protests erupted across the nation as civilians demanded the restoration

of

government.

A

a

democratically military

elected

crackdown

in

response to this widespread resistance saw violent attacks against protesters as well as a

With no end in sight for this conflict, it begs the

nationwide media shutdown.

question: why does it appear that the international community has fallen silent?

Today, political unrest is rife in Myanmar.

Tensions

have

heightened

the

Many claim that Myanmar’s plight is dropping off

military, known as the Tatmadaw, and the

the global agenda to make way for the newest

National Unity Government (established by

international crises filling our front pages. A

ousted

and

similar tale can be told of other states that seem to

activists. Following violent clashes between

have fallen victim to the world’s short attention

the People’s Defence Force, the armed unit of

span. Ongoing conflicts in Yemen, Syria and East

the National Unity Government, and the

Africa, amongst others, fit the bill.

lawmakers),

protest

between

leaders

Tatmadaw, the country has descended into a humanitarian crisis.

BATH TIME MAGAZINE

PAGE 15

COMMENT & CONVERSATION

On the contrary, in Myanmar, there is no black-andwhite depiction of a breach of national sovereignty but instead an amalgamation of intense domestic disputes.

It is this grey area in which the Burmese conflict lies that can also provide a reason for its lack of airtime. In the media, simplicity often takes precedence over complexity, with straightforward narratives portraying a ‘good side’ against a ‘bad side’ taking centre stage.

Myanmar’s geographical position should be considered when deciphering the reluctance of mainstream Western media to feature the conflict in the headlines. Unsurprisingly, long-term news coverage often tackles issues closer to home as these are the stories that readers and listeners tend to engage with more strongly. This rings true when looking at the emergence of a narrative which draws a direct comparison between Myanmar and the events unfolding in Ukraine.

Some indeed point to the global focus on Ukraine as the reason for Myanmar’s fall off of the international radar, highlighting that support

for

Myanmar’s

pro-democracy

fighters could have a greater impact if they received the same amount of attention as the current Eastern European conflict.

Others argue that drawing such a comparison is futile due to the inherent differences between the two conflicts. In Ukraine, we see the story of an unprovoked invasion of a sovereign state, an event which has not taken place in Europe since the end of the Second World War.

Myanmar falls in a unique position as its current conflict unfolds against the backdrop of deep-rooted historical divisions; there is no clear-cut two-sided tale that can be told. Instead, an oversimplification of the conflict can lead to a misrepresentation of events in which the agendas of individual groups are overlooked, and their actions are not considered in relation to the wider context of Burmese history.

Dictated

by

an

increasingly

dynamic,

the

struggle

asymmetric

between

the

power

military

and

resistance groups shows no sign of relenting. Although the prospect of a resolution appears elusive, public support through media coverage akin to that of other conflicts will likely benefit the Burmese people.

Bringing Myanmar’s plight out of the peripheral vision of Western spectators and into dominant discourse is no easy feat. Shining the spotlight on the world’s neglected

conflicts

requires

greater

international

awareness in the production and consumption of media. But, taking steps to create a more balanced approach towards international affairs enables these forgotten nations to become a part of the wider global struggle for democracy.

BATH TIME MAGAZINE

PAGE 16

COMMENT & CONVERSATION

PROTESTS VS FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION: THE BEHAVIOUR OF FORMER HOME SECRETARY SUELLA BRAVERMAN

BY FINN LAWRENCE-KNIGHT

Since the 7th of October attacks by Hamas

These remarks generated uproar amongst those

provoked the Israel Defence Force to launch a

influential in politics and within the public sector.

bombardment

Gaza,

Prominent Labour MPs Jess Phillips and David

worldwide protests have been held consistently.

Lammy were heavily critical, referring to the

One of the largest, with between 300,000-

comments as “breath-taking but not surprising”,

800,000

and “an appalling new low” respectively.

of,

and

attendees,

invasion

occurred

in

into,

London

on

Saturday the 11th, calling for a ceasefire and declaring themselves “against the oppression and

Senior Tories have rejected her comments, with an

dispossession suffered by the Palestinian people”,

unnamed Conservative describing the article to

according

the BBC as “wholly offensive and ignorant”; even

to

the

organisers,

the

Palestine

Solidarity Campaign.

the Prime Minister’s office has admitted that the article was not sanctioned by him.

Metropolitan Police Commissioner Mark Rowley determined that these protests were safe and

In her Times article, Braverman also implied that

allowed them to go ahead. However, members of

there was a bias within the Met Police; saying that

the government at that time, including former

previous Palestine-supporting protests had been

Home Secretary Suella Braverman, have been

“largely ignored…even when breaking the law”,

heavily critical of this choice.

suggesting that the police had had a “more stern response” to past far-right protests. In response to

The then-Home Secretary had been vocal in her

the former Home Secretary’s article, Rowley stated

opposition to this march. In an opinion piece for

that banning these protests would be the “last

The Times, she repeated her earlier description of

resort”. Braverman’s active undermining of the

the protests as “hate marches”. She also labelled

operational independence of the Met Police shows

these campaigners as “an assertion of primacy by

her disregard for political convention. Implying

certain groups” rather than being “merely a cry for

the bias of a separate government department is

help

an

unheard of, especially from the Home Secretary,

accusation of disingenuity on the part of the

who oversees all law enforcement in England and

organisers,

statements

Wales. Tom Winsor, the former Chief Inspector of

asserting the primacy of any one group over

Constabulary, denounced her criticism, stating it

others.

“crosses a line”.

for

Gaza”. who

These have

comments made

no

imply

COMMENT & CONVERSATION

BATH TIME MAGAZINE

PAGE 17

These dismissals from many sides of the public

He also referred to her as a “pound-shop Enoch

sphere were not the only backlashes Braverman

Powell”

received, as her article also included a vague and

Conservative cabinet minister who delivered the

inaccurate comparison of the marches to the

much-castigated ‘Rivers of Blood’ speech in 1968.

–

a

comparison

to

a

controversial

sectarian violence seen in Northern Ireland in the 1990s.

Whilst her article was extensively condemned, YouGov polling suggests that half of Britons think

The former Home Secretary declared that the

that the march should be banned.

march is “of the kind we are more used to seeing in

Northern

some

However, do the laws support this? Whilst the right

unspecified reports on links between Hamas and

to protest is protected under the freedoms of

the

assembly and expression established in the Human

march’s

Ireland”, organisers

adding were

that

“disturbingly

reminiscent of Ulster”.

Rights Act, it is subject to limitations defined under the other laws. For example, the Public Order Act 1986 enables the banning of protests if they would create serious public disorder, serious damage to property, serious disruption to the lives of the community, or intimidation of others. Part of the Public Order Bill 2023 prohibits the obstruction of transport works or interference with essential national infrastructure.

However,

Sir

Mark

Rowley

stated

that

“the

intelligence surrounding the potential for serious disorder this weekend does not meet the threshold to apply for a ban”. Despite such calls by Suella Whilst the office of the Home Secretary later

Braverman and others, the legality of the march is

clarified her reference to the IRA and other

clear and has been confirmed by the Chief of the

dissident republican terrorists, this ambiguous

Metropolitan Police.

blunder indicated multiple events, such as the Orange Walks or the Catholic civil rights marches,

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak did express opposition

both of which resulted in violence at different

to the context of the march, calling it “provocative

times. Suella Braverman’s flippant comments

and disrespectful” to protest on Remembrance

were lambasted by many, including the leader of

Day. This is despite the fact that the protests did

Northern

not

Ireland’s

SDLP

who

criticised

her

disrupt

Remembrance

Day

events

and

“ignorance of the complex history and traditions

occurred well after the two-minute silence. Rowley

of marching and protest in Northern Ireland”.

has confirmed that he and the Met Police remain “focused simply on the law and the facts in front of us”.

PAGE 18

COMMENT & CONVERSATION

BATH TIME MAGAZINE

Any calls by Braverman that the march should be

A statement by Matt Twist, the Met’s Assistant

banned go against the freedoms of expression and

Commissioner, confirmed that the protestors were

assembly established in the Human Rights Act

“already intoxicated, aggressive and clearly looking

1998 and ignore the restrictions outlined in the

for confrontation” by the time they arrived. These

Public Order Act 1986.

counter-protestors

even

trespassed

on

the

Cenotaph and injured nine officers, acts which The question of freedom of speech is more

many had been concerned would be committed by

nebulous. The Human Rights Act protects the

protestors.

freedom of speech, as limited in law by acts such as the Public Order Act 1986. This act prescribes

Whilst the march did not break the law – aside

limits on “threatening, abusive, or insulting words

from a small number of hate speech investigations

or behaviours that cause, or is likely to cause,

– the counter-protestors certainly caused public

another person harassment, alarm, or distress”.

disorder and damage to property. In several cases,

Furthermore, “racial and religious hatred” is

they are being investigated for racial hatred.

banned as part of the Racial and Religious Hatred

Therefore, in her calls for the banning of this

Act 2006. In this context, there are several

march, the former Home Secretary has violated

ongoing investigations into individuals attending

the free speech of protestors and arguably incited

the march who have been reported using hate

further violence and aggression, as seen with the

speech.

counter-protest.

Outside of her opposition to the National March for Palestine, Braverman’s article has significant political implications, including resulting in her being fired. Her words here are only a few amongst the catalogue of controversial comments that come to mind when considering her record.

Her actions, including breaking the ministerial code in her publication of opinions not sanctioned by the Prime Minister, have hamstrung Rishi Sunak. Keeping her in the cabinet would have

This includes a picture published by the Met

attracted further controversy, and distracted from

Police of a protestor holding a sign depicting a

his policy, but firing her will not only fail to silence

Star of David with a swastika embedded within it.

her, it could also be exactly what she wants.

However, of the 145 people arrested on the 11th, the Met Police says the “vast majority” were

It has become clear that Suella Braverman has

counter-protestors. They included seven men

been goading the Prime Minister into sacking her.

charged with crimes including assault, possession

It’s Braverman’s ambition to become the party

of weapons, criminal damage, inciting racial

leader, and her dismissal will support this.

hatred and possession of drugs.

COMMENT & CONVERSATION

BATH TIME MAGAZINE

PAGE 19

Firstly, it will inflame those on the right of the party, increasing opposition to Sunak. Secondly, her absence from the Tory frontbench during their likely defeat in next year’s general election means she won’t be tarred with the same brush as other senior Tories. Finally, a backbench position will give her more independence to criticise the Prime Minister.

SUELLA BRAVERMAN FORMER HOME SECRETARY

These consequences have already manifested: Andrea

Jenkyns,

a

prominent

Braverman-

supporting MP, has publicly denounced Rishi

Suella Braverman’s comments also have wide-

Sunak and declared her lack of confidence in his

reaching

leadership. Braverman herself has released a

Conservative

blistering letter criticising Sunak since being

headaches for Rishi Sunak. However, for the

removed, saying: “Your plan is not working, we

hundreds of thousands joining the march, this

have endured record election defeats, your resets

political

have failed, and we are running out of time. You

suffering of innocents.

political

implications

Party,

disarray

contributing

distracts

from

for to

the

the

further

untold

need to change course urgently.”

The significance of the protest taking place on Whilst

Sunak

the

Armistice Day is not unnoticed, as the march calls

perception of competency to his government with

for a ceasefire, the very definition of armistice.

the appointment of former Prime Minister David

Contrary to Ms. Braverman’s beliefs, the protests

Cameron

did not assert the primacy of any group but

as

has

attempted

Foreign

to

Secretary,

bring

the

recent

Supreme Court ruling that renders one of his flagship

policies,

the

deportation

of

represented a cry out for peace and freedom.

illegal

immigrants to Rwanda, illegal, spells out an

Whilst Suella Braverman’s career has faltered, real

extremely

consequences are being experienced by hundreds

damaging

week

for

the

Prime

Minister’s credibility.

of thousands of innocent people. The violation of international law on both sides of this conflict has

However, should these be the considerations we

not only led to mass death and suffering but also

make? The former Home Secretary’s article calling

an increase in antisemitism and Islamophobia

for a harsher police response to the National

worldwide. The march on the 11th of November

March

was a sobering reminder that whilst politicians like

for

Palestine

is

a

violation

of

their

freedoms of speech, expression and assembly.

Suella

Braverman

are

attempting

to

curtail

Furthermore, the protests have been determined

freedoms of speech, assembly, and expression, the

by Sir Mark Rowley to not violate any laws or

freedom of so many to live is being taken, and

police guidelines.

political squabbles will do nothing about it.

BATH TIME MAGAZINE

PAGE 20

FEATURES AND INVESTIGATIONS

A STUDENT’S GUIDE TO SUSTAINABILITY

BY LEAH WALKER People & Planet: Part of a wider network across the UK, People

&

against ILLUSTRATION BY BEN COCKERILL

Planet

campaigns

for

action

world

poverty

and

the

environmental crisis. With weekly meetings,

In 2020, the University of Bath pledged to aim for Net

the group holds discussions on climate and

Zero Carbon for all its emissions by 2040. But, that goal

humanitarian topics including GM crops,

won’t be met without the involvement of a very

COP27,

important group of people – students!

Seaspiracy.

and

the

Netflix

Alongside

these

documentary discussions,

projects are run each year to help improve The University of Bath Institute for Sustainability

sustainability on campus. Past projects have

launched in 2023, and by making changes in how we go

seen Ecosia (a search engine that uses ad-

about our degrees, we can improve our sustainability and

generated revenue to plant trees) installed

contribute to reducing the damage done to the planet by

on university computers and a sustainability

climate change. While there are many ways in which this

podcast launched. This year, the society is

can be done, some practices, such as only buying organic

running two projects. The first, ‘Fossil-Free

food and sustainable clothing, are often way out of a

Careers’, is pushing for the university to ban

student’s budget.

fossil fuel companies from career events and stop actively promoting careers in such

This article therefore details some more realistic ways in

companies. The second project ‘Plant-Based

which you can be a sustainable student, and even save

Universities’, is campaigning for a transition

money while doing so. Whether you want to be at the

to completely plant-based menus at all

forefront of a protest or make changes to your daily

campus food outlets.

routine, every little action to increase your sustainability adds up and makes a positive difference!

Sustainable Fashion Society: For those of you looking for a way to be

1. Get involved with societies pushing for a green

creative in your sustainability, this society is

university

the one for you! Whether it’s through upcycling

workshops,

thrift

trips,

or

a

If you want to become a more sustainable student, where

sustainable fashion show, this group hopes

better to start than with university societies!

to excite and inspire students to be more sustainable in their interaction with the

Here are three student groups doing valuable work to make the University of Bath a more sustainable place:

fashion industry.

BATH TIME MAGAZINE

PAGE 21

Bath University Green Party (BUGP): If

you’re

more

provide easy online platforms to expand your

surrounding the climate crisis, then look no

wardrobe or find a fancy dress for a night out,

further. The UK won’t reach its net zero goals by

while second-hand sales held in the SU provide the

2050 without some serious shifts in policy from

perfect excuse for a bit of clothes shopping in

the government, and the Green Party wants to

between lectures. Not to mention, Bath is home to

make that happen. Through affiliations with the

numerous charity shops and regularly scheduled

Young Greens wing of the England and Wales

second-hand

Green Party, the society is a great way to get into

reasonably priced gems from clothes to crockery.

local politics. In May of 2023, BUGP members

Such events include the Walcot Street Antique &

assisted

helping

Flea market (every Saturday), the Lansdown car

councillors get elected in the Lambridge ward, and

boot sale (every Sunday from April to September),

you can join them this year as they plan to keep up

and the Green Park Flea and Antiques markets

the good work through campaigns on campus and

(every

beyond.

respectively). In addition to buying second-hand,

local

Green

in

Marketplaces such as Vinted, Depop, and eBay politics

the

interested

FEATURES AND INVESTIGATIONS

Party

the

in

first

events

and

where

last

you

Sunday

can

of

the

pick

up

month

also try to provide second-hand products! Giving Throughout the academic year, members of these

away or selling your old items instead of throwing

societies

them away helps slow down cycles of consumerism

can

be

found

protesting,

holding

collaborative meetings and events, and enjoying

and reduce emissions.

each other’s company at socials. Ultimately, they provide the perfect place to learn more about the

3. Eating sustainably

climate emergency and its wider effects, meet like-

While one obvious change to make in your eating

minded people, and start your journey towards

habits is substituting meat and dairy for plant-

attaining a more sustainable way of life! To find

based alternatives, how you prepare your food can

out more about these societies and how you can

also go a long way when it comes to being more

join them, visit their pages on the SU website.

sustainable. Over 9 million tonnes of food goes to waste in the UK each year, with a lot of it ending up

2. Buy second hand

in landfill sites and releasing greenhouse gases. By

It’s estimated that the fashion industry contributes

planning your meals for each week, you can both

up to 10% of global emissions, but recent years have

reduce your carbon footprint and save your money

seen a surge in second-hand apparel, and it’s one of

by ensuring none of it goes to waste. Furthermore,

the easiest ways you can be sustainable in your

you can help reduce food waste from your

purchases without breaking the bank or the planet.

favourite shops and restaurants through the Too

It’s estimated that if all UK adults bought 50% of

Good to Go app, which offers discounted goodie

their wardrobe second-hand, it would prevent 12.5

bags containing food that hasn’t been sold. Finally,

billion kilograms of emissions (equivalent to over

you can treat yourself to a variety of locally

17,000

produced goods from the farmers market held

long-haul

atmosphere.

flights)

from

entering

the

every Saturday at Green Park Station.

BATH TIME MAGAZINE

PAGE 22

FEATURES AND INVESTIGATIONS

4. Recycling properly

Getting familiar with how and when lab equipment

Reduce, reuse, recycle. It’s a mantra many of us

should be thrown away is therefore one way you

will have heard over and over again while growing

can

up, and yet a lot of recyclable waste ends up in

sustainable. If you’re unsure of either of these

incinerators

things, just ask the postgrad student for advice, it’s

or

contamination.

landfills This

is

each why

year

due

separating

to

your

reduce

your

plastic

use

and

be

more

what they’re there for!

recycling (as annoying as it can be in the moment) is so important if you want to reduce your carbon

7. Sign petitions to get your voice heard

footprint.

food

Whether it’s trying to get a change in university or

packaging we throw away can be recycled if taken

government policy, petitions can go a long way by

to a supermarket. Similarly, empty pill packets can

showing the people in power what the masses want.

often be taken to your local pharmacist and used

Not only that, it’s one of the easiest ways you as a

contact lens packets can be returned to opticians.

student can be proactive in the push for a greener

So remember, always check the packaging before

university and world! For petitions related to

throwing something away!

university sustainability, following societies such as

More

often

than

we

realise,

People & Planet, Bath University Green Party, and 5. Be efficient in your energy usage

University of Bath Climate Action on Instagram is

We’re all aware that we should switch unnecessary

a great way to keep yourself in the loop with any

lights off to conserve energy, but did you know de-

new petitions being circulated. You can also keep

frosting your freezer once or twice a year can also

an eye out for groups campaigning on campus that

save you energy (and money!) by ensuring the

might be looking for student signatures. For

appliance runs efficiently? Similarly, putting your

petitions relating to nationwide sustainability, the

heating on a timer so it doesn’t run throughout the

UK Government and Parliament, People & Planet,

night and not filling the kettle up more than

and Good Law Project websites are great places to

necessary will help keep the energy bill down. You

start.

can also reduce your water consumption by fitting eco showerheads in your house where possible.

This article only scratches the surface of how you can live more sustainably; for a more extensive

6. Be sustainable in your lab practices

guide on student sustainability at Bath, check the

This one’s for all the students with lab practicals. As

one

a biology undergraduate, I can relate to the chaos

sustainability master’s student and member of the

and confusion that can come with the first few labs

Climate Action Team.

produced

by

Beatrice

Clementel,

a

of the degree. You’re unsure of what pipette you should be using and even more confused about

Trying

to

mitigate

the

climate

crisis

as

an

whether you should use the pipette tip more than

individual can often feel daunting and a little

once.

hopeless, but if every student were to do some of the things listed in this article, the reduction in emissions would be more than worthwhile due to the good it would do for our future on this planet.

LIFESTYLE

BATH TIME MAGAZINE

PAGE 23

VIOLENTLY ENTHUSIASTIC MOSH PITS TO HERALD THE NEW MUSICAL GENERATION– SQUID AT SWX BRISTOL

BY ELLIOT ROSE

Before I start this review, I feel it is important to

I, therefore, find the ushering in of emerging

mention that I am a massive fan of Squid. They

bands within the post-punk, rock, and jazz

provide me with the soundtrack of my life. I feel

genres, whether Squid, Shame, Black Midi, Black

like the visceral rock and punk that leaves their

Country New Road, Nova Twins, The Last

instruments and enters my eardrums mirrors a lot

Dinner Party, and many more acts incredibly

of the stress that I experience as editor of a

exciting and empowering. Here is the evidence

university newspaper, and is necessary as an

that our generation is rising to one-day sell-out

important form of emotional release.

arenas, occupying the Pyramid Stage with a

It was therefore apt that I leapt on the train to Bristol with a certain level of trepidation. I was looking forward to seeing a band that not only did I love, but also one that I neurologically associated with a lot of various emotions, and I wondered

mighty grip. On another note, I was fortunate enough to interview Anton, guitarist from Squid, as part of our Underwater Series. Anton was a pleasure to interview, and we talked about numerous aspects of Squid, including the touring experience.

how they might bear the feral nature of a mosh.

Would Squid’s energy be like a werewolf’s full moon, unleashing a more boisterous version of myself?

There was also a more personal aspect to my identity within the Squid fanbase. As someone who spent many of my teen afternoons listening to bands of earlier generations, whether Pink Floyd, Radiohead, or Wilco, amidst many more, this has always felt like I was observing backwards into a distant past. Whilst Wilco and Radiohead (A.K.A The Smile) still release music, I concede that the vast majority of their oeuvre I played was from an earlier era, and I could not help but feel a certain dissonance and isolation over that fact. Any cultural shifts or genre evolutions would exist only within me, as they had already happened in years far gone by to wider society. How I dreamed of an Oasis-at-Knebworth type of event to come along, or the Beatles to suddenly emerge again for the first time, like in the film Yesterday (2019).

‘ IMAGE CREDIT: SWX BRISTOL

LIFESTYLE

BATH TIME MAGAZINE

PAGE 24

Squid

Sunglasses Vendor, despite their inexperience,

fanbase was, existing as an act of love for

were very warmly received by the crowd,

everyone, whilst also expressing the affection

showing that there still exists plenty of support

and gratitude the band holds for those who

behind more micro bands amidst the decline of

listen, buy their music, as well as attend their

the grassroots music industry.

Anton

emphasised

how

diverse

the

gigs. It is perhaps a reason that I felt a real sense of community on the night, and I feel this will

Blue

go from strength to strength as more come face

considered as one of the rising acts within soft

to face with their music.

and shoe gaze rock, along with Junodream.

Bendy,

the

other

support,

may

be

They produced a performance to not just rival Squid, but place them on the map of rising bands, as is shown by them backing Squid throughout their UK tour. Producing notes that reminded

one

of

a

more

melodramatic

Slowdive, the response from much of the audience was emphatic, even producing a mosh at various points that you might think would be reserved for the main attraction.

Squid (very much on the rise themselves) seemed to demonstrate an appreciation for the grassroots by shining a limelight on two bands whose

performances

illustrated

that

they

deserved that recognition. Whilst it might be

‘ IMAGE CREDIT: SWX BRISTOL

considered that Blue Bendy is presently much further along the curve than Sunglasses Vendor,

Before I mention the Squid section of the night,

from a music enthusiast point of view it was

I feel it is important to reference their two

wonderful to be treated to the performance of

support

Blue

bands at varying stages of their development.

Bendy. Sunglasses Vendor, a rather new entrant

Ranging from recently starting to perform

to the music scene (this justifying their online

publicly with Sunglasses Vendor, to a band

anonymity!), played some post-punk music with

which is very much on the arena rise with Blue

valour and as one of their first times playing in

Bendy, to Squid, which is emerging within the

such a large venue, really attempted to do their

group to take over the headlining of arenas

acts:

Sunglasses

performance

some

performance

most

Vendor

justice.

With

resembling

and

a

vocals

ex-Black

Country and New Road member Isaac Wood, they

exhibited

some

octane-filled punk tracks.

adrenalin-pumping,

soon hopefully.

LIFESTYLE

BATH TIME MAGAZINE

PAGE 25

It was at this point that the five men of Squid

It was later in the set that Squid brought out

entered, kindling a certain ferocity in the crowd

their more ‘moshy’ tunes. ‘Paddling’ was a tour

that indicated I was certainly not alone as one of

debut, but this did not hinder it from being one

their admirers. First, they performed two tracks

of the tunes of the night, and Ollie’s (drummer

from their latest album, ‘O Monolith’, named

and vocalist) vocals were as crisp as the recorded

‘Swing (In A Dream)’ and ‘Undergrowth’. ‘Swing’

version, providing the rich contrast between the

exists as the perfect anticipatory track, capturing

vocal and instrumental qualities that bring this

the crowd’s anticipation. ‘Undergrowth’ has a

tune to life. It was also at this point that large

rhythm more graceful than a hummingbird’s

circles formed, and we all rushed in, like

wings, and was one of the night’s highlights, as well as perhaps being one of the lighter, melodic aspects of Squid’s present discography, providing a great contrast with other aspects of the set.

There existed a pattern throughout the set, in which Squid played their shorter, lighter tracks first, and this seemed to allow the momentum to rise.

into each other like gas particles. One may testify that whilst moshes are frequent at gigs, there is a wonderful quality involved when doing it amongst the artists you dearly love, embracing a community of people that share a love for the music, and acting out these sentiments in such a frantic, visceral way. It is perhaps more of a ‘Squid-pearean’ form of love

One aspect of their performance that was quite unprecedented was their use of improvised transitions

musical warriors into a moshy battle, crashing

between

songs,

often

implicating

instruments such as the cello and the trumpet, as

than a Shakespearean kind. This energy was riding

throughout

‘Siphon

Song’

and

into

‘Narrator’, which was as frantic as the iteration that was played at 2022 Glastonbury.

well as an ensemble of percussion components.

Such transitions tend to exist primarily within improvised jazz or a DJ set, so this provided an insight into the way that Squid brings a more raw, abstract attitude to music, tinkering with aspects of genres that make their sound unique whilst refusing to be defined within boxes. Interestingly, I asked Anton how he felt about genres being ushered onto Squid, in particular the ‘Post Punk’ label. Anton’s response: ‘We are just Squid’.

‘ IMAGE CREDIT: SWX BRISTOL

PAGE 26

LIFESTYLE

BATH TIME MAGAZINE

When in a mosh, one can sometimes forget the

As I left SWX, I remember feeling a sense of

physical exertion and intensity involved, as

musical

people become wicked fractals of thrashing

Attending

arms and legs. To take emotional, atmospheric

favourite bands as they subsequently blow the

tunes such as ‘Paddling’ and ‘Narrator’ into a

roof

mosh is to finally be able to act in a form of

contentedness. You realise that one of the music

physical-mental symbiosis, as the intensity of

acts that you love is among the best in the world

the feeling that exists in your mind towards the

at what it does. Whether it was Yard Act at the

music is replicated through the kinetic brutality

O2 Academy or Shame at the Glastonbury

placed in reality.

Festival (both earlier this year), I felt the same

validation

off

a

on

nights

performance

provides

one

of with

like

one a

of

these. your

form

of

eerie feeling after those performances, and I sense that as the arenas that I’m leaving get bigger, more and more people will feel the way I do about these artists.

‘ IMAGE CREDIT: SWX BRISTOL

LIFESTYLE

BATH TIME MAGAZINE

PAGE 27

THE YEAR ABROAD: THE BEST YEAR OF YOUR LIFE?

BY LOUISE SADLER I am currently living the roller-coaster experience that is officially labelled ‘the Year Abroad’: those 9-12 months of your 21st year of life that will make you into a cultural language genius. Fresh out of the Bathtub in September 2022, this explorer did not know what to really expect on her travels, but the true colours of the Year Abroad finally showed themselves – it is truly an experience filled with highlights and challenges. I would like to share with you a ‘bonne bouche’ as it were, into all things Deutsch and Français.

To be completely honest, living abroad is turbulent. For the first time for most of us, we are learning how to live by and with ourselves, many miles away from familiar surroundings, friends and family. It may feel like a holiday at first, but what quickly becomes apparent is that this small thing of learning to live in a foreign country is not such an easy task, particularly where McDonald’s is concerned. Picture this: you finish a 9pm lecture at Sciences Po Paris (yes, they really do finish at 9pm) and are expected to attend a marketing event in the main hall (with lots of wine). All you need is a fix ‘au McDo’ and you walk into the closest one you can find… can you imagine my disbelief when I discovered that a European McDonald’s does not have the Chicken Select Menu! Neither in France nor in Germany! This was quite shocking to me and I am still looking for one…so if any of you do happen to find fried chicken on your travels, please do let me know!

In all seriousness, French cuisine really does a splendid job of providing fresh pain (the bread, that is), macarons (not Macron) et vin (drink up). These are also particularly useful if you have a full university timetable and exams each week… but not to worry, life in Paris is a whirlwind that can be easily fixed with Netflix, the Eiffel Tower

and feasting on the banks of the Seine – a real Emily in Paris moment. Acclimatising to a new city does take time, and the added pressure of finding good accommodation and opening a bank account can take its toll, but I assure you, there are no thorns without a rose.

Up until the end of June, I continued to navigate my way through this cultural labyrinth in Bonn, Germany. If you are worried about the rising cost of living, I have a solution: leave the UK and live near a German bakery. They are not that hard to find as there are something like 12 per street (it’s true!). The multiple bakeries, high quality of the food and generous food portions are a welcome treat when you step off the plane for the first time! Now I am no beer drinker, but even I cannot deny a €2,50 glass of home-brewed ‘Kölsch’.

Admittedly, I have had a few cultural surprises on my travels that I will always remember with a mixture of embarrassment and laughter, especially in the spa and wellness industry. I have always enjoyed a sauna and steam room following a swim or just to relax, but I never knew just how intimate these activities are in Germany, and my first sauna experience

will

always

be

one

to

remember.

Swimming costumes? Not a requirement! Much to my surprise, nude saunas and pool areas are very common and universally enjoyed in Germany, a custom that did take me – a ‘reserved’ Brit – a while to become comfortable with. Despite this, it may be a promising solution to promoting body positivity and openness, who knows?

Lastly, I should tell you that your new nationality in Germany will be Dutch due to the Brits’ reputation for their linguistic ineptitude, so I would strongly recommend visiting Amsterdam beforehand to get into character. Additionally, I would bring a coat to work, even if it is sunny because the windows (they are basically doors) will always be open. But first, sauna anyone?

LIFESTYLE

BATH TIME MAGAZINE

PAGE 28

REVIEW: CRY OF THE WILD – CHARLES FOSTER

BY CHARLIE LANDENBERGER

Human interference in the form of draining the seas of fish and aquatic prey has resulted in a change in the psyche of animals around us, notably the otter who has been transformed into a frantic animal, desperately trying to survive in an ever-degrading ecosystem.

On Tuesday evening, the University of Bath’s Politics

The stories of the gannet, eel and human also

Society welcomed the New York Times bestselling

portray a particular narrative, including the

author to campus to give a stimulating talk on the

consequences of pollution and the way human

challenges the natural world currently faces, and how

degradation works at a molecular level – from

he is trying to reinvigorate the fight against climate

the average sludge dumped into our rivers to the

change through the art of storytelling.

very genetics of the earth’s inhabitants.

‘Cry of the Wild’ is an attempt by Foster to show what it feels like for eight species – orca, fox, otter, rabbit, gannet, eel, mayfly and human – to inhabit the world alongside each other. Foster described the experience

Foster’s book also arguably has strong anticapitalist

themes

running

through

its

core

message, with the idea of “continuous economic

of writing the book as a “thrilling and disturbing

growth” both impossible and also “undesirable”

journey”. He described how each species tells us a

for him. The author underlined how more

particular story about the animal community and

revolutionary and seismic change is needed to

crucially what we can learn from them. He also

solve the climate issues we face, with growth

explained that the fox is an incredibly sensory animal,

“killing everything that makes life worth living”.

using all five of its “magnetic” senses to view the world, and how we humans, crucially, have to use ours to see

Quoting Gilbert Chesterton, an English writer

the world in a more colourful light.

and poet, Foster described how “capitalism is the monster that grows in the desert”, likening the

The gannet, a migratory bird that flies to Europe from

idea of uncontrolled growth to that of the cancer

the west coast of Africa, demonstrates how the world is

cell, destroying what it inhabits and leaving a

ecologically and geographically connected, while the common

rabbit

reveals

the

politics

of

animal

communities to us. The majestic orca off of the west coast of England, now in fewer numbers than ever (with just six remaining), tells the tale of the isolation of some of our animal communities simply due to not sharing a common language with others. The otter informs us of the relationship between the sea and

trail of destruction in its wake. For Foster, we humans are more than just economic units, and we should break away from this dominant idea that has been told to us and instead restore our more symbiotic and sustainable relationship with the natural world akin to our previous hunter-gatherer

lifestyle

which

has

been

river, but also a story of human loss and how we have

followed for the majority of our existence on

depleted resources from the natural world.

planet earth.

LIFESTYLE

BATH TIME MAGAZINE

PAGE 29

Foster also commentated on how the current

Foster wants us to have a broader and more

political structures have failed to deal with the

holistic

current ecological crisis, with the jury no longer out

understand the relationships between things

on their lack of ability and desire to respond

rather than seeing everything through a black-

effectively to the climate challenges we currently

and-white lens. For Foster, stories take a much

face. Instead, Foster calls for governance at a local

more holistic stance, perceived as a synergy

level, with political organisation being formed

between these two types of attention.

view

of

the

world,

to

attempt

to

through tight-knit communities rather than the monolithic and ever-incapable structures we have

As we can note, the human story is not over yet

today.

and is still being written. Ultimately, Foster describes his optimism. The writer points to the

Why stories?

youth of today, but also to the fact that our way

At the beginning of the talk, Foster underlined how stories have an essential role to play in our ability to confront the reality of climate change and reignite our passion for the natural world. The power of narratives is undeniable and can change people and their views, far more than any data set or graph.

Stories

contain

authenticity,

with

humans

themselves having stories defined by a beginning, a middle and an end. It is for this reason that stories hold so much power – stories transform because we, ourselves, are stories.

Foster describes how it is vital that to confront the reality of climate change, we need to remove the statistics and hard facts and go back to the basics: we are the planet, and stories are related to and contrived from the way we perceive the world. He describes how this perception of the world should have two types of attention – one narrow, and most importantly, another broader kind of attention. The writer documents how the narrow and shortminded vision alone has resulted in the exploitation and degradation of the natural world, with humans acting in a short-minded way when using this vision.

of life cannot continue – there is not enough energy in the ground, wind or sea to power our consumer-led societies.

Foster describes how this will result in a necessary change of life, one that is more sustainable in every sense and is in harmony with the other inhabitants of our planet Earth.

The ambiguity lies in the question of whether the cry of the wild will be heard before it is too late.

THE SPLASH

BATH TIME MAGAZINE

PAGE 30

LEBANON – A COUNTRY TORN BETWEEN PAST AND PRESENT

BY JOVANA CUXAC

I take my first step out of the plane. The

around 3 years ago but the lucky few have gas

temperature

generators

change

is

overwhelming

but

that

provide

them

with

24/7

expected. Warm nights and even warmer days.

electricity. Ironically, as these thoughts slip

The air is heavy, and the smells of plane fuel and

into my mind, I enter the only well-lit tunnel

the coastal breeze mix together. I know the way

in Lebanon. The tunnel is of no particular

out of the plane well — the airport hasn’t been

value, but it blinds all drivers that enter it. The

renovated properly in more than twenty years.

electricity used to light it could have saved us

That same air gets heavier the more I meet

students the trouble of charging portable

people’s gazes, something seems to be slowly

lamps during the day so that we could study at

suffocating all of us. I smile at the border patrol

night.

officer as I hand him my passport, he dryly stamps it and hands it back. As I step outside, I

The next day I took a walk, I was curious to

expect taxi drivers to jump at the first opportunity

see what changes could be perceived in the

to offer their services yelling “Taxi Madame?”, but

crowd since October 7th. I see tired faces,

even they lack their usual enthusiasm. Once, you were welcomed to the country with relaxed smiles, regardless of the time of day. The border patrol

officers

would

usually

start

up

conversations with you, radiating friendliness and ignoring the queue forming behind you. If you were a foreigner, you’d get asked “Do you like Lebanon?” or “Have you ever had tabouleh?”. If you were unlucky enough, you’d get hit with “Say marhaba![1]” and get teased for having a foreign accent when speaking Arabic; or on the contrary, complimented for being able to pronounce it correctly.

Instead, all I could feel was silence.

In the car on the way home, enveloped by the darkness of the highway, that silence becomes even more crushing. It’s 4 AM, and state electricity is off. We rapidly got used to routine power cuts

PAGE 31

THE SPLASH

BATH TIME MAGAZINE

they’re drained, their movements are slow and their

Lebanese person knows by heart. In it, there is a

warm smiles are worn out from trying to hide their

specific verse I have heard more times than I

exhaustion. The graceful tetas[2] of respectable

can remember: “Beirut has died a thousand

Beirut families still sit at the balconies of their old

times and been reborn a thousand times”. This

buildings, which bear the bullet holes of the Civil

quote has sunk deep into everyday vocabulary,

War, although they no longer wave at you and invite

and it’s a hope people cling to. A poem we

you in for coffee. They’ve given up fighting off their

casually studied at school has become a prayer

old age, no longer dyeing their grey hair monthly

recited by the nation every time today’s news

and wearing coral-coloured lipsticks. The jeddo[3]

becomes more ominous than yesterday’s. Every

selling vegetables in his beat-up truck doesn’t give

time one of the big men in politics (the kind

you a couple of extra tomatoes and courgettes anymore. He doesn’t try and pick out the nicest ones for you and he doesn’t add in a free bunch of parsley to take to your mother to keep customers coming.

The aammo[4] at the little corner store no longer calls his customers “love of my heart”[5] or “my life”[6] – famous terms that Arabic is loved for– instead he silently hands me back my change.

Now, more than ever, talks of the past are heard.

Streets are filled with echoing voices remembering or pretending to remember; a time when Mar Mikhael Street was still filled with laughter, when housewives would spend entire afternoons in hookah cafés emptily complaining and there was no queue for fuel at the gas station at 4 AM. When they close their eyes, the people see the ‘Paris Of The Middle East’ and they are back in the 60s: Casino du Liban is hosting Miss Europe, tourism is bustling, “ski in the

with

big

beards)

delivers

a

when

everyone is glued to their TV, hearts racing ahead of the decisions to be announced, the quote is remembered. Every time someone passes by the Beirut harbour, observing what’s left of it through their car window, reliving the explosion

in

their

head,

the

quote

is

remembered.

Every

time

social

media

is

flooded with footage of conflicts happening throughout

the

country,

showing

mindless

people dressed in black, proudly holding guns like children given gifts at Christmas, the quote is remembered. As the sound of gunshots ricochets off the walls of churches and mosques, we sit and we wait. Graffiti of phoenixes paint the walls of the city and Nadia Tuéni’s words are held up as a prophecy.

But how long will we have to wait this time?

morning, beach in the afternoon” is the day-to-day

Tuéni,

motto. The Hotel St. George is still up and running,

(Teaneck) 37.3 (1994): 527. Web.

Nadia.

“Beirut”

The

busy with customers, Brigitte Bardot might be in the lobby, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi could be having his

[1] Hello

dinner in the restaurant and perhaps a Cold War spy

[2] Grannies

is sipping on a drink at the bar.

[3] Grandad [4] Uncle

There is a poem by Nadia Tuéni that every

speech,

[5] “Habib albi” or “ ‫”حبيبة قلبي‬ [6] “Hayati” or ‫يا حياتي‬

Literary

Review

BATH TIME MAGAZINE

PAGE 32

SPORTS AND ACTIVITIES

WHO IS THE ULTIMATE ATHLETE?

BY ABIGAIL IMAS Is Emma Raducanu the ultimate athlete?

Widely unknown when she played in the US Open in 2021, she defeated her Canadian opponent

in

the

final,

6-4,

6-3.

This

remarkable victory was not just unexpected – setting records including the youngest Briton to win a grand slam – but Raducanu achieved this alongside academic success. That same year, she received an A* and A in maths and economics A-levels.

Raducanu emphasised in an interview that ‘You have to think about your life after your career is over’.

This comment and her recent performances on the tennis court underline the competing pressures on athletes and the challenges they face. Raducanu, for example, was unable to replicate her early breakaway success, pulling out of later competitions and focusing on her mental

health

rather

than

continuing

to

compete.

In looking for ‘the ultimate athlete’, we must also question the extent to which athletes can dedicate themselves single-mindedly to their sport and explore the importance of having a dual career while maintaining their position in their respective sport.

A dual career can offer an outlet for an athlete to vent frustrations from the sporting arena into a different area of their life.

And vice versa. It can give athletes greater mental flexibility, as well as an awareness that they have a safety barrier if things fall apart in their sport.

The balancing act may not be as easy as it appears from the outside. The media shies away from showing the reality of an athlete’s maintenance of both. I would argue it is essential that athletes have the opportunities available to talk about the challenge of the dual career, to break down the looming wall that instils the image that athletes are recognised for their victories and portrayed negatively when they start losing. In Raducanu’s case, her public image has shifted from being a rising star to a case of ‘too much, too soon’.

BATH TIME MAGAZINE

PAGE 33

SPORTS AND ACTIVITIES

The need to maintain this image has been

However, this problematic funding scheme has

linked to greater feelings of burn-out, and

changed since the 2012 Olympics. Cuts made to

fatigue. For athletes, where resilience in the

basketball and handball have been reverted,

face of setbacks and the media is integral to

with new cuts being made to the ‘posh’ sports

maintaining a winning mentality, victories in

(i.e. equestrian, rowing), in favour of up-and-

other domains may be a key part of creating

coming sports for Paris 2024 such as surfing and

this resilience.

skateboarding. The focus is moving to sports which unify the nation, rather than purely

Furthermore, a dual career is necessary for an

focussing on ‘winning sports’, thus providing

athlete’s financial stability. Up to 50% of

more

athletes go bankrupt or face financial stress in

backgrounds.

access

to

people

from

different

the years following retirement. An athlete’s career, depending on the sport, is unlikely to

Things are changing, and there is not just a

be a lifetime career, due to the intensity of elite

focus on winning anymore for the athlete or the

sport and the toll it takes on their body.

sports funding organisations. Now, the role of sport is changing, focussing more on how it can

So, life without income from the sport and

unite the country, and how it can be accessible

continuing a luxury lifestyle has wiped out

to anyone from any background. As for athletes,

finances for a lot of athletes… a lot of them

many are carrying out a juggling act. While the

playing NFL basketball. So, life post-sport is

media is not going to show what they are

something that more of the younger athletes

juggling, their victories outside the sport are

are considering, as Raducanu says it may be

significant for creating a resilient or winning

something

mentality.

older

athletes

wish

they

had

‘thought ahead’ about.

Take Raducanu for instance, we could say that Yet, if you do not come from a financially

scoring the A* and A in the A-levels was a

stable background, getting into a sport is

valuable victory for her, setting her on her

largely reliant on government funding. The

winning streak in time for the US Open. The

choice of which sport deserves more funding

ultimate female athlete? I think so!

over another is a controversial topic. The government

previously

had

been

putting

funding into ‘winning’ sports, essentially those in which the UK classically wins gold at the Olympics – cycling.

PAGE 34

BATH TIME MAGAZINE

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Thank you to the lead designer Anais Lau. Additional thanks go to Devon Abrahams, Ben Cockerill, and Frances Jenkins at the Bath Illustration and Animation Society for helping us design this wonderful print edition.

Finally, thank you to the wonderful Bath Timers who formatted this print edition: Louise Sadler, Katie Head, Constantinos (Dinos) Zachariades, Rio Yamaguchi, Jessica Lawrence and Elliot Rose.

GO CHECK OUT THE BATH ILLUSTRATION AND ANIMATION SOCIETY We're passionate about all things illustration and animation, from anime-style to 3D, stop motion, and more!

We meet on Tuesdays and Thursdays for drawing sessions where we can come together to draw and give each other support and tips for whatever you want to work on!

Time Location Tuesday 5-7pm Fine Art Studio (Edge) Thursday 5-7pm Digital Art Studio (Edge) We want to hear about what you want to do! Let us know what ideas you have about illustration, character design, modeling, animation, or anything similar that you want to see from us.

WANT TO GET INVOLVED?

EMAIL US AT: SU-BATHTIME-EDITOR@BATH.AC.UK INSTAGRAM: @UNIBATHTIME

© 2024 BATH TIME MAGAZINE, UNIVERSITY OF BATH STUDENT’S UNION, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED Photo by Jessica Lawrence