201 Pupil Magazine Vol VIII Issue 1 - March 2024

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CONTENTS

SCHOOL NEWS

Overview of academic year

Summary of sustainability week

OPINION

Barbie; Corporate censored shallow Feminism

The barriers to sports

The Politics of Ignorance and the right to comfort

POLITICS

Why do people vote far-right in Germany?

The end of American Imperialism

Don't get tricked by populist politicians on immigration

HISTORY

Alexander II as the "Tsar Liberator"

Historical Pandemics

The Dark Ages

CULTURE

Are self-care trends forcing conformity onto women?

Romanticisation in the pop music industry

SCIENCE

Injustice in medicine

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation for Depression

MATHEMATICS

Deceitful Data

Why is Maths necessary?

ENGLISH

The construction of fictional language

Magic and Madness make Macbeth!

LITERATURE Buttons

POETRY

Meine trois languages

Sadness is caused by Intelligence

What is Life?

A lifelong journey

The souls of the lost

Editors' Note

By: Annika Koch

When we open a new book or even a textbook, there come certain expectations with it. Each page could bore us to death or enlighten us. We will never know until we read on. That is exactly what we want you to do. Read on. Every page of this magazine exhibits a new perspective, ranging from discussions on politics to persuasive articles about maths. There is something for everyone hidden between these pages.

I recognise that some of you may have expected a theme, as the last issues have had. I suppose you could say our theme is “201”. We wanted to recentre this term’s issue to focus on what the student magazine is all about. It remains a platform of expression, showcasing the varying opinions and experiences of pupils through the year groups on the same campus we share every day. Therefore, the theme could have been “resonance” or “experience”, but really why does there need to be a theme? We simply wanted to know what you had to say. Hence, this issue had its genesis in you.

Each of you brings something to the school that is a home to over one thousand of us. We want to highlight the many achievements and issues we encounter in the place where we spend most of our time. In my last year here especially, I see the significance of a location such as Bromsgrove. It may have its faults, but it gives us meaning. A place to be every day at a specific time. A meaning that may not define us but influences our very being. Just like the people who belong to Bromsgrove School and surround us influence us. Essentially, the 201 Team wants you to enjoy discovering the diversity that the people who are around you all day contribute to. Thus, the magazine returns to fulfil its original purpose, giving you a voice.

School ewsN

Overview of academic year

A school year brings with it a lot of new information, friends and events. Yet the most important thing is the new memories made year after year. School offers us a range of opportunities and it is up to us to embrace them.

This year started with the notorious recording of "The Kindness Song". For those of you reading who did not know, vocals from the Prep School pupils and composers of the King's coronation song, Nick and Becky Drake ("Worship for Everyone") recorded the song in Maple Hall; it was later released via worldview in September 2023.

By: Fotor

The music department has also hosted a range of concerts, the most recent being Cultures Connect where students from 54 different nations came together to show off a part of their culture. Equally, the sustainable sounds concert finalised the sustainability week hosted by the Eco-Committee. We must of course mention the annual House Song competition were Oakley won with their rendition of "Super Trooper" by Abba. They were then again successful with "Rewrite The Stars" in the House Music competition.

On a sports note, our 1st team rugby boys achieved second place in the Continental Tyres Schools Cup. While the 1st team netball team won the Quarter Final of the Sisters n Sport National Cup. Even the Under 15 netball team has seen immense success as they compete in the Finals of the Independent Schools Netball Competition.

Some other exciting news: both our Greenpower kit car teams took part in the International Finals at Goodwood in October 2023.

Something we will probably all also remember is the schools rendition of "West Side Story" which was sold out every night. But even that amazing play will be overshadowed by one of the school's oldest traditions: the 1.2. With no surprise TC brought the win home for the girls once again, as they have for the last decade and School House managed to overtake Wendron-Gordon in the last possible minute to steal it for the boys. Maybe next year Housman won't come last and Ottilie will finally manage to not always be second. Wait around to see!

I'm sure I've not mentioned everything, but how could you blame me when there are about 20 different daily events happening all over this campus? Now I'll end this little recap by pointing out that 'Old Bromsgrovian' is probably a term many of you will never even think about but for our current Upper Sixth there remain only weeks before they become an OB. So, let us all wish them the very best for futures that I'm sure will be bright with success judging by the long nights and hard work they've put in over their years here.

The

Green that surrounds us

Do you want to know a secret? That lasagne you ate on the 9th of October 2023 was no ordinary lasagne at all. It was in fact vegetarian, and that was exactly how the 2023 Sustainability Week kicked off.

The theme we went for this year at the ecocommittee was redefining sustainability within our school walls. Taking the dread away from the word and replacing it with what we all know: fun, deliciousness, and entertainment. By reshaping the illusion that sustainability is just about nature, global warming and the wrongdoing of humans, we have practically achieved the impossible. We shifted the mindset to become revolutionary, rooted in the very simple concept: respect. It led the halls and grounds to be filled with enthusiasm and laughter. Now, you might ask yourself, how can a week of establishing awareness about how to make our school and personal lives

By: Annika Koch By: Molly Lau

more eco-friendly be entertaining and revolutionary? Well, let me tell you.

It all started off on Monday at break time when we once again hosted a successful Bakesale, raising money for the Climate Coalition. The Climate Coalition is the UK’s largest group of people dedicated to action on the climate and nature crisis. They consist of over 30 organisations and have a combined supported base of 20 million, of which Bromsgrove is now part. With more bake sales coming up in the fund for this project, you should look out for Juliet Woolmore’s chocolate zucchini cake, it was quite spectacular. To be honest, I have been thinking, having had all these unique and amazing cakes made, maybe the eco-committee should put together their very own baking book… wait to find out!

After the Bakesale, there was a little surprise at lunch. One that I doubt many would have ever noticed unless we told them now. The majority of our school had a vegetarian diet, thanks to Holroyd Howe. By replacing meat with alternatives, our school diet saved more than 1000 litres of water, calculated by Neel Agrawal, and the lives of several cows. Though our community is aware a vegetarian diet reduces the carbon dioxide emissions emitted by 1.21 tonnes per person, it is not a popular choice and is often frowned upon. Therefore, through this cheeky little social experiment, we proved that individuals’ perceptions toward vegetarianism can be influenced by their preconceived notions rather than the taste of the foot itself. If you’re still not convinced this was a rather revolutionary, wait till we get to the end of the week.

On Tuesday, we opened the Bring & Buy, and Book Exchange in the LRC. It allowed people to clear out space in their room but instead of throwing away old revision guides, new pupils could profit from them. All for free! Alongside the exchange, we displayed the food waste to create awareness that each choice made of what you put on your plate, has a massive impact on the environment. Of course, it’s never nice to see all the leftovers before you even eat, but then why don’t we just get rid of them by putting less on the plate and coming back for seconds?

Unfortunately, Wednesday’s plans went down the drain, quite literally. Due to the unprecedented amount of rain, we had to move our schedule to Thursday. First on the list were the Sustainable Games hosted by Jonathon Parker, who I bet is looking forward to sounding the horn again next year, and myself. The Games were a representation of a classic British Sports Day with a spin. The classics like a wheelbarrow, sack, egg & spoon race, plus a hula-hoop competition were included. But so was the CCF-inspired water race, aiming to emphasize how conservation of water can be enjoyable and the great outdoors have more fun to offer than ever imagined. Now, it cannot go without saying that Housman did the most chaotic, but fastest, egg &spoon race known to mankind. As well as TC struggling a little bit with the definition of the wheelbarrow race, having spent most of it lying on the ground instead of walking on it, or maybe that was just a mistake. I think it’s also fair to say that Olivia Spittle deserves some appreciation because I swear, she would still be standing there with the hula-hoop if I hadn’t declared her as the winner. The final results were, Elmshurst in third, Housman in second and with a huge lead, Lupton in first.

At the same time as the Sustainable Games, Apple Pressing was occurring outside of the dining hall. We had the pleasure of Mr Punt joining us to learn how to make our very own Apple Juice with our now absolute experts, Jarry Baipeng and Thomas Shaw. The apple juice was then sold at the pinnacle of the week: the Sustainable Sounds Concert.

To finish and celebrate the week's achievements, we organised the Sustainable Sounds Concert at 7pm in Routh Hall. At the entrance of the Hall, we held a plant sale and giveaway while also selling freshly pressed Apple Juice. The most impressive display was Mary Windsor’s winning dress for Trashington, our sustainable fashion competition. The Concert itself resulted in a magnificent show of music and decorations organized by Georgia Hancox, of fresh leaves, collected from our grounds by the Estate Team. The evening came to an end, after 15 wonderful performances, ranging from Pop to Blues to Rock. It was the perfect finish to a week filled with activities to promote sustainable values within our school, which could have never happened without the support of Mrs Holden.

In summary, I’d say a pretty revolutionary week, wouldn't you? Maybe you need to see first-hand what we do to understand why the eco-committee is doing quite a remarkable job. So come along at 8:30 on a Friday in the LRC where we meet every week to discuss new ideas. The project we’ll work on is in cooperation with Worcestershire’s Wildlife Conservation Association and perhaps with your support, we’ll bring out that baking book I talked about earlier. Just wait and see because we’re just getting started to make the green surrounding us fun and inspiring!

pinion

Barbie; Corporate Censored Shallow Feminisn

By: 袁天朗

By. Aryanna Flynn

The internet is in fury as many cry misogyny due to the fact that Ryan Gosling was nominated for Best Supporting Actor while Margot Robbie was snubbed for her portrayal of Barbie. According to one Twitter user, Margot Robbie being ‘robbed’ of a nomination was ‘exactly why the movie had to be made’, citing ‘utter misogyny’. Perhaps the message of Feminism got lost in translation but is Margot Robbie not being nominated really misogyny, or were five other leading actresses just chosen over her?

The Barbie movie’s portrayal of feminism has completely destroyed its meaning. Director Greta Gerwig celebrates Barbie as a ‘feminist film’, yet its feminist message gets lost somewhere between its corporate funding and uncharacteristically subpar writing.

The feminism of the Barbie movie culminates in a monologue masterfully performed by America Ferrera (who was nominated for Best Supporting Actress btw), discussing how ‘It is impossible to be a woman’ because of societal standards placed onto women, such as ‘being thin but not too thin’, or to be a ‘career woman’ while looking out for others at the same time. For a movie that came out in 2023, it sounds extremely redundant; regurgitated-from-text-posts-I-used-to-reblog-onTumblr-in-2014 redundant. I thought feminism had evolved past the third-wave feminism (which is not even as progressive as second-wave feminism btw) of the 90s when women began to enter the workplace. The monologue did not push feminist thought forward, rather staying in a place that is an ‘acceptable’ amount of progress, never breaking into intersectionality or class-based feminism, the effects of which are becoming more and more prominent today.

The Barbie Movie is a prime example of ‘girl-boss’ feminism, or what I call Taylor Swift feminism. It is feminism catering for one experience and one experience only; white, middle-to-upper-class women, whose definition of feminism loosely

resembles ‘A commanding man is a boss, while a commanding woman is a bitch.’ This sort of ‘girl-boss’ feminism is not only outdated and redundant, but also exclusionary. For a movie with such a diverse cast, I would have hoped to see how other races (or maybe race just isn’t a social construct that exists in Barbieland) experience feminism as Ferrera’s Gloria is a Latina woman. Race impacts so much of how we experience feminism, which is why intersectionality is so important for us to understand. (White women ignore sexism to benefit from racism. To learn more, please read ‘White Tears/Brown Scars’ by Ruby Hamad). A Black woman, will always be Black first, before she is a woman. Thus, she will face a different set of criteria and prejudices. An Asian woman, while aligned with whiteness, faces a whole different set of standards due to their cultural background while being subject to additional vitriol from White people due to the undesired proximity. The message of Barbie could have been so much more profound if not for its ‘my first feminism’ approach.

Barbie also mishandles its portrayal of the patriarchy. Ken’s mission to turn Barbieland into a patriarchy leads to the disenfranchisement of the Barbies, and the Kens performing some kind of land grab and stealing the houses of the Barbies, leaving the Barbies to be second-class citizens in their own namesake land. This representation of the patriarchy is reductionist. It expands the patriarchy into this settler-colonial state which can be overthrown by a coup d’état, rather than what it actually is. This causes the viewer to dismiss the effects of the patriarchy for a ‘haha funny, the Kens just Israel-ed Barbieland so the Barbies Burundi’d Barbieland back to their control’, rather than offering meaningful criticism of how the patriarchy affects women and even men. In reality, the patriarchy underpins every decision made in society. The patriarchy is omnipresent. It’s systemic, its effects are calculated, it’s ingrained in our system, in the way we think. We cannot escape the patriarchy. The patriarchy cannot be found in law, it does not exist de jure. No law dictates that men have certain freedoms and privileges that women do not, yet it still exists. Looking at it from another direction, the same is true. Laws exist to ensure the equal treatment of women and men, however, it does not translate to real life. No amount of laws can unwrite the patriarchy.

The patriarchy is not a band of bumbling buffoons like Mattel Corp. in the movie.

The patriarchy is not this idea of ‘man on top, woman on the bottom’. It’s more nuanced that that. The movie fails to address it when Ken tries to get jobs based on the fact that he is a man but is unable to due to meritocracy. Suggesting that being a man does not afford you the ultimate privilege, thus the effects of patriarchy do not exist. However, this is not true. Men are more likely to be hired than women with the same qualifications, and women are more likely to be overqualified for the same job. In the same vein, women have a harder time finding employment if they have been pregnant. Now we’re in this confusing middle ground where the movie struggles to criticize the patriarchy yet recognizes it might be bad. The system is simply incapable of criticizing itself.

The movie also pushes the message that modern feminism means that women can now choose to do what they want. Women can choose to be housewives, choose to be CEOs, choose to push drugs, choose to shoot drugs. But there are still patriarchal consequences to their choices that the movie completely ignores. Women who

choose to be housewives will struggle to find a job should they choose to or be forced to get one, women who choose to be titans of industry and a mother will not be given the same opportunities, PTO, and even grace as a father who is also a CEO. A woman who pushes drugs will not be paid as much as a man who pushes drugs, and a woman who shoots drugs will not be provided the same welfare as a man who shoots drugs.

Feminism isn’t ‘Equal Rights!’, or ‘I can finally be a CEO!’ It’s recognizing that in society, there will be things that women (including women of color, poor women, women in less developed countries) simply cannot do or do to the extent men can. Feminism teaches us how to view society as a tool of oppression and how we can combat it, not as a playground to be whatever you want without repercussions, and not as a world that can become ‘just’ overnight. The Barbie movie just does not do (k)enough to push a meaningful feminist message. So no, it's not misogyny that Margot Robbie did not get nominated for an Oscar, and ‘Barbie as the Princess and the Pauper’ is still the best Barbie movie.

The barriers to sport

By: Annika Koch

In the world of sports, physical skill may take centre stage, but the competition does not end there for women. Sexism in sports is not just the concept of discrimination based on gender, but the very principle that shatters our dreams and keeps us in the dark, away from the spotlight. Now sport, if defined by a dictionary, is an activity involving physical exertion. However, it is so much more than that. Sport is the opportunity to let loose, be yourself without judgement and enjoy the capabilities of your body. At least, one would have hoped so. Instead, women in sports are concerned not with the results they achieve but with the consequences of them.

Historically, women have been put on the sidelines. The root of this systematic exclusion originates from ancient Greece, where women faced the death penalty if attempting to participate in the Olympic Games. The prohibition was a result of the social belief that women’s bodies were fragile, capable of standing and supporting their men, but not participating in establishing the very first gender norms. These gender norms had a massive impact on the most played and watched sport: Football.

In 1921, after women took up the sport during the First World War to keep fit, the Football Association (FA) banned women’s football. The reason they gave for banning women was that “the game of football is quite unsuitable for females and ought not to be encouraged.” It took an astonishing 50 years of pleading for FA to overturn its decision in 1971. England’s forward, Beth Mead told Newsround two years ago that “We're 50 years behind now," but they’re catching up. In 2019, England won the SheBelives Cup for the first time while a record 11.7 million people watched them play in the Women’s World Cup semi-final. As well as the number of girls playing football has increased by 54% since 2017. Even though milestones as such have been reached, we’re far from reaching gender equality in sports, especially football.

By: Dariia Dyrina

When surveying in the UK, it was reported that two-thirds of elite British female athletes have experienced sexism in sports but feel unable to report it. They did not think it would make a positive difference, instead, they feared it would affect the chances of selection for teams or events if they spoke out about the discrimination they face daily. A concern that should not even exist. Sportspeople should be picked based on performance and skills, not physique or marketing potential. Sadly, this is often not the case. Women have to confront inappropriate interview questions like: “How’s your dating life?” or “What diet were you on to get this physique?”. Questions that would not be asked to a male counterpart, just to keep doing their job. They face social media comments and videos about their body, rather than the goals they scored or passes they made. This discrimination, in the form of bullying, has led to a decline in mental health in women’s sports and women quitting because even when they report being abused, it is often be brushed under the carpet by another male, to keep the institution's reputation clean.

Nevertheless, this isn’t possible when on live television, like at the Women’s World Cup in 2023.

Luis Rubiales, the president of Spain’s Football Association, non-consensually kissed Spain player Jenni Hermosa at the winning ceremony. Afterwards, Hermosa complained and was hit by allegations of lying for attention by the Spanish Football Federation. These allegations were ignored by her, and 80 Spanish players stated they would boycott national games till he resigned. Only this sign of solidarity led FIFA to suspend Rubiales from any football-related activity for three years.

Nonetheless, no matter the fact that more women are allowed to play sports and fight sexism, football remains an area where sexism influences the circumstances under which players compete. Only recently were women’s football games broadcast on national television and sport psychology research still shows that 2020 had a 62- 38 ratio of men to women participants. It reflects the unfair distribution of attention and showcases how male sports are prioritized and failing to give women the same chances as men to develop and become global sport icons.

The inequality in opportunities for sport development start very early. In places like school. Our school. Bromsgrove School has amazing sport facilities with opportunities to practice over 14 sports. Nevertheless, we’ve identified a key area for improvement. Girls Football. The Girls first team came 4th last season, travelling to compete in the national quarter finals of the Independent Schools Cup. While this was a massive milestone for girls’ football we are subjected to comments on how we are still not as good as the boys. While this may not be encouraged by the school itself it is a mere fact that girls today still suffer from misogynistic comments from classmates about their sport. It is true that it remains close to impossible to erase all forms of discrimination, yet, sexism should be the second one to tackle. Sexism in schools leads to girls being told to play netball rather than try out for a more "physical" or "rough" game like football. Although of course there have been improvements. Girls football has started to be offered more and more. it is a start but in order to reverse the social attitude there needs to be more radical reformation. Therefore, it can be seen that even on a local level, sexism prevails in the form of schools giving students the resources to exceed in “girl sports” like netball and hockey, but never in male dominated sports such as football. The shocking part in it all is that, even in the 21st century, globally and locally, girls are not given a choice in sport, having restricted opportunities to develop their skills in a sport of their liking.

From: CNN

Fact remains that sexism starts in schools like ours, with girls growing up not believing they are capable and conforming to the stereotypes and expectations society holds. It should have never come to this, and it cannot go on. Women are simply not given the same chances of succeeding as men and that must change now! No more laws or discussions about how to provide gender equality in sports, but action. So there comes a generation of players and a time in sports where equality exists not just in hopes and dreams but on and off the pitches.

he Politics of Ignorance and the T Right to Comfort

By: 袁天朗

It’s just, like, a super complicated situation, okay?

When I asked my sister if she’s seen the news about the Israel-Gaza war, she simply stated, ‘I don’t really know enough about it to have an opinion,’ and we moved on to how much she hated her roommate who doesn’t wash her own dishes.

Obviously, I’m insufferable, so I love talking about politics, everything is politics, come on now. Politics is not everyone’s cup of tea, I get that. However, isn’t it still important to at least know a bit about how the world operates the way it does? In the words of a once wise man (my now ex-boyfriend), ‘Why is it normal to not care about anything??’

This is what I theorize as the Politics of Ignorance and the Right to Comfort. The Politics of Ignorance was actually first conceptualized by Lise Lowe as the “politics of our lack of knowledge”, the erasure of ‘undesirable’ history by a society’s rulers to erase the atrocities it has committed to get to where it is (heavily employed in the USA, most/all colonial powers, and Nazi Germany) and justify its own position as the rulers of said society. However, I interpret it as the choice to be willfully ignorant out of apathy. While I do not want to directly say it is done out of malicious intent (Hanlon’s Razor), it is certainly done out of selfishness.

By: Lucy Nguyen

The Right to Comfort derives from the white supremacist belief that those in power have the right to emotional and psychological comfort. Such as, demanding an apology when accused of racism, ignoring racism or redefining what racism is in their image so as to rid themselves of responsibility for racism. Employed similarly, I use it to mean a person’s perceived right to comfort, thus they will not speak of injustice, will not comment on politics, and will just end the conversation by saying, ‘This makes me uncomfortable, can we not talk about this?’

According to a recent study published by the American Psychological Association, 40% of people choose to be ignorant. I believe this happens out of comfort (i.e., the right to comfort). We want to detach and avoid our problems (thanks for the idea, Victor), thus we actively choose to believe the world is just and fair. We choose to ignore the devastating effects of climate change and we choose to ignore people subjected to genocide and ethnic cleansing due to our inability to sympathise with those who are different from us. Our greed will cause climate catastrophe, our silence will cause the death of people. All because we were too selfish to act. Our silence on world issues implies our consent and acceptance, the same way those who turned a blind eye to anti-semitism in Nazi Germany were complicit in the Holocaust.

Additionally, we choose to ignore or forget about the negative effects and consequences of our actions because we are selfish, whatever happens outside our periphery simply ceases to exist.

Behavioral ethics professor Shaul Shavi argues that people are willing to be altruistic if they were fully informed on the consequences of their actions (e.g., pressing a button to dunk someone in water for a dollar vs not pressing the button without a reward). However, this simply isn’t true. Even the way we

By: Liv & Eva

consume causes harm; we shop on Shein to get the best prices despite its exploitative practices, we get coffee at Starbucks despite its anti-union, antiworker stance, we (those who can afford to) fly private despite its effects on the environment. In a way, we can blame capitalism, which encourages selfishness in place of altruism to promote the self and the individual.

We must change from our mindset of ‘Well, it doesn’t affect me’ because that’s what the politics of ignorance and the right to comfort truly is, selfishness. Be more informed, have an opinion, accept that the world is full of injustices and actively try to fight them.

Politics

W

hy

do people vote far-right in Germany

By: Arina Makarina

Out of all Western liberal democracies, Germany seemed least susceptible to the charm of far-right ideas for a while. The reason for this sense of security was the set of articles providing the government branches with powers and responsibilities to protect the liberal democratic basic order from extremist parties. This makes Germany “Wehrhafte Demokratie”, directly translated as “fortified democracy”.

In July 2023, an opinion poll conducted by Infratest dimap showed that Alternative for Germany (also known as AfD) is the second largest party. This is very alarming, considering it’s the first time in Germany’s post-war history that national populists cracked the far-right firewall. AfD was founded in 2013 and represented the Eurosceptic attitudes that sprung from the Eurozone crisis and Greece bailouts. However now it turned its focus on nationalist conservatism antiimmigration policies and fight against the “Islamisation”. The party also represents views ranging from climate change denial to opposition to same-sex marriages, a common combination. The party’s rhetoric is often compared to that of the Nazi party, and these accusations are not baseless. During a ZDF-television interview, deputies of AfD failed to distinguish between quotes from Björn Höcke, the leader of the party’s wing in Thuringia, and Hitler’s Main Kampf.

Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution categorised AfD’s youth wing as an extremist organization and now monitors the entire party, because "there were sufficient factual indications of anti-constitutional efforts within the AfD”. Despite all the above, they remain a political force to be reckoned with and understanding why the German voters support them is crucial for dealing with the party.

The stronghold of AfD is in former East Germany: states such as Thuringia and Saxony, which coincidentally rank lowest by gross regional product per capita. There it appeals especially to the younger generation. They believe the government does not provide them with proper infrastructure, be it public transport or social spaces or youth clubs after the reunification. Furthermore, they argue that the government should prioritise investing in struggling regions over refugees, on which they were planning to spend around €26.6 bn in 2023. The AfD used this dissatisfaction to its advantage, appealing to young voters and criticising mainstream parties such as the Christian Democratic Union for inefficient policies.

Conventional wisdom that only poor and uneducated vote for the far-right parties is wrong. An AfD voter is richer than average, and the party performed well in the recent state elections in Hesse and Bavaria, rich Western states. While socioeconomic concerns are important for AfD supporters, cultural alienation and immigration are what truly troubles most of them. In 2017 opinion polls showed that 95% of AfD voters feared the “loss of German culture” and 92% were concerned with the growing influence of Islam. Islamophobia is closely tied to hostility towards immigrants. This is particularly evident in the ongoing debate of assimilation vs. acceptance. While left-wing parties like the SPD and the Greens argue for tolerance towards diverse cultures, allowing the immigrants to retain their cultural and religious identities, the AfD advocates for total assimilation into German culture and treats Islam as incompatible with European values.

The AfD capitalised on these views by condemning Merkel’s decision in 2015 to open borders for 1.1 million asylum seekers, mostly from the Middle East without Parliament’s consent. Alexander Gauland, former chairman of the party, even called Angela Merkel a “chancellor-dictator” aiming to “replace the German people” with asylum seekers. The party criticised the immigration policy saying that Germany’s “high welfare benefits, unlimited family reunifications and simplified rules on residence” attract refugees and put pressure on the welfare state. The influx of refugees from Ukraine in 2022 reemphasised this issue, as over a million Ukrainians as of March 2023 came to Germany since the beginning of the Russian invasion. Moreover, the AfD politicians never fail to point out cases of “migrant violence” claiming that the immigrants are a security challenge and an established way of life. These views resonate with the voters: 42% of all German voters approve of AfD’s stance on limiting the influx of foreigners.

It's not just the racist and chauvinist views that attract German voters to AfD, but rather disillusionment and fatigue from the mainstream parties. The approval of the government rating is the lowest (19%) since the coalition came to power in 2021. AfD, in turn, poses itself as an anti-establishment party that truly represents the people’s will unlike the current “elites” in Bundestag.

The strategy, laid out in a 2017 memo, was to be “deliberately politically incorrect” and provoke the mainstream parties. The logic is simple: “The more nervously and unfairly the Altparteien react to provocations, the better”. The AfD wants to attract the voters by suggesting that they are the only alternative against inefficient and distant elites, and it seems to be working.

To eliminate the threat that the AfD poses to the German liberal democratic order, the German mainstream parties should analyse AfD’s strategy. The party is exploiting pernicious polarisation, the division of society into two antagonistic groups. As the AfD is stigmatised and people who vote for it are labelled as racist, the party can present itself as the only political agent who listens to the people. As a result, the party advocates for direct democracy as a tool against alienation from the voters. Furthermore, the CDU (Christian Democratic Union) did not sufficiently represent socially conservative views under Angela Merkel becoming extremely centrist. The AfD filled this niche by taking an extreme stance, such as opposing abortion and same-sex marriages.

The German government’s failures caused dissatisfaction with the mainstream parties and supported the rise of AfD. Addressing this issue, the government should not just call the party extremist and ban it, as this will only reinforce the AfD voters’ concerns and suspicions. In 2017, 85% voted for the party as it was “the only vehicle with which they can express their protest”. The German parties should note this and provide a better, less toxic alternative for Germany.

The End of American Imperialism

By: 袁天朗

After the Second World War, one state emerged truly victorious: not Britain, France or the USSR but America, the latecomer. The post-war moment provided the opportunity for one state to rule above all, to become the hegemon, thus creating the American Empire we know today.

First, what is the American Empire? To put it easily, the American Empire is America’s sphere of influence around the world, politically, economically, and militarily. While it sounds a bit like the effects of globalization, American Imperialism is far more sinister. The American economist Michael Hudson holds that America is a Super-empire: a state which only recognizes its own interests. But what American and European Imperialism has in common is that they are established and maintained by violence.

By: Kayshan Samaratunga

However, America exerts its control not by traditional settler colonial or expansionist means, but by power politics, think Kissinger with Vietnam, or Bush (and Kissinger) with Iraq. American Imperialism imposes the American Regime on anyone and everything who does not share the same values.

Since the end of the Second World War, America’s exertion of political control over various regions in self-interest has been extremely prominent. Especially during the Cold War, with regions such as South Vietnam, South Korea, and Cuba being subject to violent regime changes and proxy wars against the threat of anything regarded as ‘Un-American’ (i.e., Communism).

Economically, the American Empire reaches far and wide to exploit foreign countries for natural resources, such as oil in the Middle East, food from Latin America, and minerals from Africa. Countries such as Iran had governments disposed of by the CIA to maintain American control of Iranian control of Oil and Guatemalan pseudo-dictatorships propped up by the United States to maintain economic control of the state.

Additionally, control of IGOs such as the World Bank and the IMF has allowed America near complete control of less-developed countries. By restricting loans to ‘Banana Republics’, such as Chile disallowing their economic development to serve the interests of the United States, and providing loans while imposing neoliberal economic restrictions as a ‘one size fits all’ on states which do not have the means to support itself, leading to more debt and more loans (see Pakistan or Greece). Ultimately economically crippling dependent countries to prevent threats and maintain the American Economic Empire.

However, just like the British Empire, many theorize that the fall of a hegemon is imminent. Political Scientist George Modelski proposing in 1987 that the fall of the American Empire will happen by 2030. And to a certain extent, this is true. American Imperialism is not what it used to be.

Current American foreign intervention can be comparable to headless chickens running around. In Syria; the mere show of force against belligerents Iran and Russia with no real purpose and no successes. Funding the war in Ukraine with no strategic interests as the outcome of the conflict bodes no consequences for the American Empire, while American Intervention (i.e., sanctions, funding) has damaged American economic performance in the long term by bolstering Russian trade with ideological enemies of American Imperialism. And even after almost 2 years of war, a stalemate between Ukraine and Russia remains. In Afghanistan, the failure of the War on Terror and the continual random airstrikes to maintain the reminder of American military presence on the region ended in a humiliating retreat in 2021. While some aspects of Power Politics (Bait and Bleed, Proxy Warfare, Military presence) can still be seen, American military intervention is becoming less and less of exerting control, but rather idiotic displays of power that go unnoticed. Idiocy and intervention for intervention’s sake.

Moreover, the emergence of BRICS can be argued to have threatened the American economy, this can be seen the in recovery of the Russian economy despite Western sanctions due to BRICS trade, while Western economies have stagnated since the beginning of the Russia Oil Embargo, the American economy unable to reach growth levels seen before the Oil Embargo. The mere existence of BRICS causes problems for America as it directly challenges (in America’s POV) American trade.

All in all, the American hegemony has never looked so desperate to cling onto power. The decline of American dominance can be seen in many areas. Politically, their guise of virtue has been exposed time and time again, 21 years ago in Iraq, and yesterday in Gaza. Economically, America’s one sided rivalry with China, and thus BRICS, harms American monetary strength. Militarily, despite having the best-funded and most advanced army in the world, military failure plagues America, especially in regions America has no business being in. America’s hard and soft power took a downturn since the end of the Cold War, and arguably as Kissinger’s influence on foreign policy began to waiver, as it struggles to find its footing as a hegemon.

D

on't get tricked by populist politicians on immigration

By: Paul Du Pontavice Du Vaugarny

By: Lucy Nguyen

In France, in Great-Britain and elsewhere in the world, governments have shown a new level of xenophobia and populism with laws curbing immigration.

Here is a small miscellany of these proposals which are, to say the least, radical: London is proposing to send migrants entering England illegally to seek asylum in Rwanda, a law deemed contrary to European Convention on Human Rights.

Paris prefers to restrict access to social benefits to foreigners in a legal situation, even if they work and pay their taxes. Despite their extremity, both bills enjoy considerable public support, with 60% of Britons finding the Rwanda proposal insufficiently tough. We should not let these laws pass without manifesting our moral opposition and recalling a few figures.

Immigration is not out of control. France and Britain have approximately similar immigration rates constituting about 13% and 14% of their respective population.

This dispells notions of border chaos, given that the Malta welcomes more than sixfold the amount of migrants to the UK in proportion to its population.

As a matter of fact, concomitant countries to the emigration land take charge of the majority of asylum seekers. For instance, Turkey and Iran are the two principal host countries, well ahead of the UK or France. Thus, we have to realise that neither Britain, nor France are “taking care of the misery of the world”(to quote the French president Emmanuel Macron).

We, who are comfortably living in a British private school, must consider that we have a moral responsibility to welcome asylum seekers. We have a responsibility not to close our eyes when the body of a Syrian child is found, run aground on a beach in Turkey, as happened in 2015. We have a responsibility to act when millions of people are fleeing because of a civil war we have aggravated, like in Libya.

Our responsibility is to welcome the people we can welcome: and it is not necessarily a burden. Indeed asylum seekers are seen to strongly benefit our economy, according to a study from the OECD. In a nutshell, they contribute more to tax than they receive because they are overwhelmingly younger than the native population. For example, Migrants accounted for 47% of the increase in the workforce in the United States and 70% in Europe over the past ten years, occupying jobs such garbage collector that no local wants to occupy.

In one sentence like in one thousand, but rather in one, we have not only a moral duty to host migrants but also strong figures that oppose populists who cite immigration as the scapegoat, to cover the mere failure of their policies, such as Brexit.

From: BBC News

History

Does Alexander II deserve the title "Tsar Liberator"?

By: Bijen Gurung

By 1855, Russia was a trailing empire. The entrenched traditional views kept them steadfast in their agricultural and feudal systems, whereas the rest of Europe began to rapidly industrialise. Upon his accession, Alexander II aimed to put Russia at the forefront of the world. For this he earned the title ‘Tsar Liberator’. However, it is a large historical debate whether this title truly embodies his reign. A ‘liberator’ should embody the will of the people and actively aim to improve the lives of their people. Traditionalist historians argue he assuredly meets these criteria, whereas revisionist historians argue that this title is little more than arbitrary.

The traditionalist Chicherin argues that Alexander tried to remodel Russia from the roots upwards to propel Russian society forwards. This is illustrated in his reforms of both the education and legal system. In 1863 the University Statute was introduced that opened universities to a greater pool of students. Furthermore, these universities were given a greater sense of autonomy and were given the power to choose the students they admitted. This created a more liberal system of education and aided in increasing the quality and general level of education across Russia. Moreover, this liberalisation of universities was compounded by the easing of the most stringent forms of censorship. Western media had a lighter filter and the heavily orthodox education found in rural areas was shifted to a more objective curriculum, including more history and maths.

Therefore, Alexander II deserved his title of ‘Tsar Liberator’ because he actively tried to change the narrow-minded Russian system to allow the people to flourish. However, it is evident later in Alexander’s reign that these intentions were not entirely benevolent. When these reforms no longer suited his agenda, he swiftly counter-reformed, desperately trying to maintain his power. The reforms in education only went to amplify the numbers of the intelligentsia and propelled the populism movement forwards. In response, he introduced reforms to try and mitigate this growth, eg. in 1871, only traditionally educated individuals could attend universities.

As highlighted by Saunders, this illuminates the naivety of Alexander in his reforms. He thought he could set the parameters of power and growth in his nation, but he unknowingly opened a Pandora’s Box and was unable to stop the inevitable movement forwards. This suggests that rather than a compassionate leader, he was a naïve leader unaware of the consequences of his actions, undermining his title of liberator.

Furthermore, the tsar’s lack of genuine concern for the outcome of his reforms can be seen in The Emancipation Act (1861). Ideologically, the emancipation epitomised the purest notion of liberator. However, the results of emancipation resulted in political continuity for the serfs and economic disparity. For example, the market prices of land sold to the peasants were not regulated by the state and the nobility had complete control. This resulted in peasants paying 134% of market value on average. Additionally, this problem was exacerbated by the redemption tax system. The peasants were forced to repay their loans over a 49year period with a 6% annual interest rate. This economically tied them to the land and directly contradicts this notion of freedom. Moreover, the ‘mir’ was introduced as the new administrative centre of the village. This assumed the same power as the nobles and effectively the peasants saw no political change: only the system they were under had changed. As stated by Grenville, the emancipation was nothing more than “cruel joke” on the peasants, with this abstract idea of freedom having no genuine effect on their lives and being trapped in a near identical system. Although there were massive limitations to the emancipation, Emmons, a traditionalist, argues that it was an impossible task to undertake, and that Alexander did the best he could. He had to appease both nobles and peasants whose interests juxtaposed each other. Furthermore, this emancipation laid the foundations for Russia’s industrialisation in the future. Therefore, it can be argued that the emancipation, despite its flaws, helped to liberate Russia in the long-term.

While the emancipation in some ways suggests that Alexander II served his people, some reforms were ultimately to serve his own interest: to preserve the aristocracy. Following the Crimean War (1854-56), the grand Russian army was humiliated and this led to the deterioration of Russian pride and nationalism, creating a precarious position for Alexander. To counteract this decline, he invested heavily in the military to try and keep Russian nationalism afloat. The Russian army introduced new colleges and schools to train cadets, where reading lessons were offered, and men were taught to military strategy. Furthermore, compulsory military service was shorted from 25 years to only 9 years in service, with this time being even shorter for educated men. This not only helped to appease the public and alleviate distaste towards the state, but also helped to reconstruct the perception of Russian strength. As Rieber argues, it is the strengthening of the army and its reforms that help to produce the lost sense of pride and belief in the state that help reinforce the power of the Tsar.

Therefore, this illustrates that Alexander was willing to make reforms but only to an extent that helped him to secure his power as the Tsar, contradicting the idea of being a liberator. However, this notion that he only wanted to secure power for himself is juxtaposed by his reforms in the legal system. The legal system saw massive shifts from an unfair, highly biased system to one of the most just and candid in Europe.

The adversarial system was introduced whereby every person was entitled to a defence lawyer and an impartial jury decided the verdict. This created a more equitable system of justice in Russia. Therefore, this would directly undermine the political and power of the tsar and arguably suggests that he truly was trying to improve the justice and fairness in Russia.

Ultimately, when assessing whether Alexander II deserves the title ‘Tsar Liberator’ it is paramount that we understand the question from the perspective of the time and not our modern, western standards. Contrasting Russia before and after, there were some major areas of change such as the judicial system and the army, pointing towards the title ‘liberator’ being deserved. However, a distinct trend emerges with his jurisdiction: as Crankshaw argues, Alexander II quivers between reform and reaction. This interpretation illustrates how he never truly had a certain belief he fought for. Rather, he changed his allegiance to different ideologies depending on which ever best suited his agenda. Therefore, this trend undermines the notion of Alexander being a liberator and proves him to be more of a naïve, conservative Tsar who purely wants to maintain his power by any means possible.

Historical Pandemics

By: Lauren Baker

From: Virox

Following the recent COVID-19 outbreak, the lasting effects inflicted on the world have been grave. As society recovers, there are concerns about whether the global response could be any more efficient, and if the world can overcome another pandemic. By studying past pandemics, we can grasp the odds of recovery from, and even the positive impacts of, these events.

The most prolific pandemic of the Middle Ages was known as the Black Death, spreading across Europe 1346 -1353. Claiming a third of Europe’s population, due to poor conditions, most of the dead were serfs, leading to a unique shortage of labour, which “resulted in fundamental change for large swaths of society” as serfs demanded higher wages (McDonald, 2020). Serfdom was challenged afterwards, and whilst the government were quick to control this, using legislation such as the Statute of Labourers in 1351, the authority of the feudal system was undermined. Serfs had newfound power to demand change, even if this was short lived (Mark, 2020).Though a high death toll is clearly not a laudatory effect of the Black Death, it did open the opportunity for survivors to improve their social situation, and so for many, there was something positive to be gained from this pandemic.

Further social advances were made following the Russian Plague epidemic (17701772), which claimed the lives of 100,000. The government, headed by Catherine II, saw the need for state intervention, which led to the Gubernia Reform (1775). This reform improved infrastructure, such as the requirement for each district to have a minimum number of medical staff. A supervising body, the Bureau of Public Charity, was instated and oversaw social welfare in schools, orphanages, and hospitals (Schuth, 2014, p. 32). Understanding of sanitation deepened, with hospitals closely regulated in regard to cleanliness and crowding. This key increase in government intervention and social welfare shows an ability to learn from past mistakes and proved to be generally effective in improving medical care.

In the early 1900s, millions died in the Spanish Flu pandemic. Following such a high death toll, Russia, France, Germany, and the UK adopted centralised healthcare, making medicine more universally accessible, which was an effective preventative measure (McDonald, 2020). In the climate of war, mutual suspicion between nations led to a lack of global co-operation and therefore an uncoordinated pandemic response. Advancements swiftly followed the end of the war when, in 1931 fearing a further outbreak, Vanderbilt University discovered a method of growing the virus in fertile chicken eggs, which nullified the need to harvest the virus from infected humans. Due to the new ability to grow the virus en-masse, researchers could work on a vaccine, which was first introduced to the public in the US in 1945. This shows pandemics as a catalyst for scientific research and improved medicinal technology.

Pandemics throughout history have proven the human ability to learn from our mistakes, to deal with catastrophic events. Whilst high death tolls and suffering caused by these pandemics can lead to pessimistic attitudes towards the future, it is important to know that civilisations far less capable at preventing and managing widespread disease, with fewer tools to rebuild society, have made full recoveries from pandemics. Some even emerge with improved conditions, either in social welfare, in the field of science, or in terms of political consciousness. International crises, including pandemics, have acted as catalysts for positive reform throughout history. When the next disease arises, provided society learns from the past and implements an effective and co-ordinated response, we can hold a hopeful view of the future of pandemics.

Why has the dark age been overlooked in English History?

By: Thomas Punt

When looking at English history, there is a large jump between the fall of the Roman Empire and the Norman Conquest: it is a 656 year long period which is rarely covered in school history. There is a basic coverage of the Anglo Saxon period however it is always treated as a mildly significant period that pales in comparison to the earlier Romans and the later medieval period. However in this article, we shall uncover why this conspiracy (?) exists and that the Dark age period is far more significant than it is stated to be.

The Romans left a large dent on the landscape, with the construction of forts and towns and the famous Hadrian’s Wall. Cities such as London and Colchester are renowned settlements formed by the Romans. However the Anglo Saxons and the subsequent Germanification of the language may be seen as more important. Around 26% of the Modern English language is Germanic. If you spoke to your faedar or modor in Old English, they would give you a strange look, however there are many common words in Old English and everyday Modern English.

The formation of the heptarchy of Anglo Saxon kingdoms, Wessex, East Anglia, Northumbria and Mercia has resulted in many distinct Regional cultures around the country. For example, many of these have formed modern Counties such as Essex, Sussex and Kent. In the Black Country area of the former kingdom of Mercia, the local dialect has developed directly from Old English, specifically the way that the vowels “o” and “a” are used. This is in words such as mon instead of man and ‘ommer instead of hammer. This comes from the substrate of Old English known as West Saxon.

Our currency, the pound was formed in 775AD. It was the equivalent of 1lb in weight of silver however it wasn’t until 928 when King Athelstan, the first King of a unified England adopted the sterling as the first national currency.

In conclusion, the Dark period has been very beneficial, the Anglo Saxons have left a mark on our culture that cannot be removed. Our language, our towns and our regions all have a distant link to this period. It is a period rarely covered in education, purely because there never seems to be enough physical evidence.

By: Aydin Dean & Shivan Chawlia

Culture

Are self-care trends forcing conformity onto women?

By: Ilerioluwa Odugbesan

Conformity is defined by Merriam-Webster as ‘correspondence in form, manner, or character’. The many intricacies of conformity interlace human life, and this article will delve into each one’s complicated relationship with the broad beauty industry and its subsets. You may have heard of the term ‘self-care’, if you have not, self-care is simply paying much needed attention to the body and mind in order to be healthy. In this article, I will explore how ‘self-care’ trends harbour the potential to slowly produce a generation that lacks authenticity, to become a thief of individuality and of, most importantly, culture.

Conformity is an integral part of survival and has been studied by many a psychologist. Put simply, human beings conform for three main reasons: to acquire information, to fit in, or to gain approval. Conformity also plays an important role in the learning processes within a child’s development, as they watch and imitate others around them. During the 1950s, psychologist Solomon Asch found that large groups are an important factor that influence conformity. In bigger groups, the feeling of standing out is amplified and a fear of rejection skyrockets. What bigger community or group do we have access to nowadays than social media? Social media offers quick responses and an even more dire need to be accepted. But at what cost?

By: Firefly

May I present to you, the ‘clean girl’: she is quintessentially perfect, with perfectly slicked back hair, a perfectly skinny figure, a perfectly carved jawline, a subtle scent of fresh laundry radiating off her skin. She is everything you can never be, muted but naturally glowing. The ‘clean girl’ aesthetic took popular social media platform, Tiktok, by storm in late 2021, but aesthetics have existed since Ancient Greece. These aesthetics were philosophical reflections where the beautiful and the arts were explored with curiosity, influencing the hyper-fixation social media has on the aesthetic in modern society. Aesthetics are also another example of conformity, they are often associated with belonging and finding like-minded people - when used correctly, that is. The clean girl is an aesthetic that promotes health, you could argue (and many do) that she aids women in becoming the best version of themselves. But what are the hidden and often negative criteria of this elusive ‘best self’?

Your best self is barren of any personality, lest she be deemed crude. She doesn’t allow her body to tell her what it needs, she obsessively counts calories and eats sea foam, not because it tastes nice, but because we all are. Chlorophyll, retinoids, face taping and LED light therapy in addition to sea foam, have been increasingly marketed to women through social media in pursuit of that ‘clean girl’ look. Vanity is encouraged by the beauty industry to women, and women accept, in fear of becoming undesirable and standing out (a cause of conformity as mentioned in previous paragraphs). By buying these expensive products, we erase ourselves of individuality, and we chase away age in contempt, rather than welcome it with gratitude. These reactions, however, towards aging are rationalised, as even in Hollywood, women reach their peak earning age at 34, so it is understandable that many women would reject it. We start to all buy the same ‘acceptable’ clothes that are within the quota of our aesthetics, feeding into a detrimental capitalist society, that forces women to buy more and more to remain listened to. Slowly but surely, we let the chase for belonging, cloud the celebration of culture and force us into a never-ending consumerist nightmare.

The unhealthy health trends that circulate social media in order to help women slow down a natural process are diminishing the wellbeing of the next generation. We are bombarded with scrutiny on every online avenue, so how can a young girl not help discarding what makes her special to become more acceptable, to conform?

The condemnation of signs of age, skin texture and financial disadvantage are rampant in the way that the ‘clean girl’ is advertised. Not only have black and brown women used the slick-back ‘clean girl’ hairstyle for years in both of their cultures respectively, but they are also now being pushed aside, out of the spotlight, replaced by the demure white woman; their culture stolen. Not only does this add racism to the complicated mix of -isms present in the ‘clean girl’ aesthetic: ageism, colourism, elitism, and capitalism, but highlights how women of colour are not aften associated with gentleness, but often with, loudness and aggression.

By pushing these women aside, a large sector of humanity feels isolated and offended. They do not feel represented. The ‘clean girl’ is rewarded with respect, as society deems them desirable, and who would want to miss out on that? So, coloured women bleach their skin to feel seen, they relax their curls to feel heard, they become unhappy, as anyone does, on a quest to find something that does not yet seem to exist: physical contentment in our society.

Will authenticity die, as the world grows old? With the distribution of accessible AI, one can only wonder. Imagine the world filled with androgynous, beige figures sporting slicked back ponytails and emotionless expressions, void of all colours. That is what we could be left with to call a society; some may call it dystopian: I call it our probable future. So, to conclude, do I want you to just stop taking care of your body? Of course not. All I ask is that you remain vigilant on where your influences lie. Ask yourself, are they from within or from the patriarchy? There is no need to subdue your spark, ever; there’s room for outspoken women in our communities, there’s room for everybody. Fitting each woman into a box, confining them to the criteria of an aesthetic, will only damage, it cannot do much else.

Romanticization in the pop industry

By: Vera Lisitskaya

2023 is coming to an end and now everybody starts to draw a line on their annual achievements. Also, it's high time to ask, what is your Spotify wrap? Was it Taylor Swift, Bad Bunny, the Weekend, Lana Del Ray, Olivia Rodrigo or SZA as your top artists? Highly likely that this is so. But what is so special about the songs you have listened to this year? Arguably many texts were about troubled relationships, pain and escapism. Honestly, music could have be prescribed for emotional healing and mental health boost these tough days. However, if it touches so deep, do we really care about knowing the actual affect it leaves on us? Let's take a look on the flip side of music industry and senses hidden in between the lines of our adored lyrics.

By:

Firstly, it’s worth drawing a thick line of difference between self-expression and romanticisation in music. Self-expression is when writing music allows the artist to elaborate feeling into art and sound. Romanticising can be considered as the external impact of creating and sharing of a piece of music. For instance, it may change the way the meaning of lyrics is perceived, at worst it might encourage an individual to try taking harmful substances or take part in life-threatening activities. Pop music as the most accessible genre to wide audience, especially in terms of age, possesses the capability to reach the largest number of people. And to be fair, this topic wouldn't have been even considered a big one if it hadn't influenced such a vast number of young people in every generation over the last 50 years.

Published on January 28th 2018 the article "What has America been singing about? Trends in themes in U.S. top-40 songs:1960-2010" written by Peter G. Christenson and Silvia de Hann-Rietdijk explored 19 themes embedded in the lyrics of popular songs along the period of half a decade. In the piece, students from Portland (US) and The Netherlands came together to figure out the real-world impact of listening to popular music. In fact, it was discovered that the rise of the proportion of lyrics referring to relationships in romantic terms remained stable throughout decades whence the proportion including reference to sex-related aspects increased sharply since 1960s. And the reference to lifestyle issues such as alcohol and drugs surged in 2000s. However, did it really have any significant impact?

Yes, it did indeed, yet not like you may assume. As music has transformed into the global phonograph, very few people struggled with either listening to too much music or getting under the influence of its dissemination.

Molly Lau

Hence, according to the research conducted by The National Centre for Health Statistics in 2012 as music has become increasingly sexualized, the U.S. rate of teen pregnancy hit a historic low, having dropped steadily in previous decades. Similarly, while references to substance use have accelerated in the last two decades, actual substance use has trended downward in recent years as well as adolescent alcohol use, which has reached historic lows in the whole of the U.S.

So as the investigation shows there is no direct correlation between the increase in numbers of difficult topics mentioned and trends for self-organisation destruction among young people. At the end of the day, just because Olivia Rodrigo's music is still full of bitter break-ups and "bad boys", it doesn’t mean you can’t blast the volume up in the shower and sing along with "Good 4 U".

Humanities professor Dr. Neal A. Lester, in his article “‘Boys Know What Girls Want’: Messages in Popular Music,”(published in march,2016) suggested taking the time to personally analyse the lyrics of problematic pop songs in order to better understand what they are really saying about relationships. In general, identifying the messages we agree or disagree with—and explaining why we do so —can help us clarify our own values and beliefs about love, mental health and drugs.

The approach introduced by Dr. Neal still seems to be the best mind tool to sift the information that comes with music listening. So just being aware that any concept can be easily exaggerated, undermined or overhauled in the lyrics, grants us a valuable ability to control our perception of these things.

Science

Injustice in medicine: what can we learn from it?

By: Bijen Gurung

By: Firefly

Black women are four times more likely to die during childbirth. This is unacceptable but is just one of hundreds of jarring examples of how bias looms throughout healthcare, whether healthcare professionals are aware of their bias or not. This bias stems from implicit inequality: the prejudices and judgements we make on a subconscious level.

Bias is an innate part of being human. Humans have had to rapidly compartmentalise and assess different situations to survive against the unexpected threats that surround us. One primitive example of this implication is in the huntergatherer days of human society: a rustle is heard in the grass - a lion eagerly anticipates its next meal.

It is rapid decision making that enables us to make decisions in a split second in order to save our lives. Through thousands of years, this process has been refined and implemented into our brain chemistry. Now, we almost instantaneously make decisions without even thinking twice.

It has been suggested that we make an estimated 35,000 decisions in one day alone. Most of these choices are conducted by Type 1 thinking. This is the thinking that occurs subconsciously. It makes the decisions that are so menial and routine that it is more of a reflex, such as using our first language for communication. Conversely, we also have Type 2 thinking. This requires deeper cognitive function and requires a lot more energy than Type 1 thinking and concerns complex levels of thought, such as synthesising a conclusion to an essay.

Because of this high energy consumption, the brain prefers to use Type 1 thinking primarily, especially for everyday choices, and an estimated 98% of our decisions are made by Type 1. Whilst this decision making has helped us to quickly decipher between friend and foe in the past, it immediately jumps to conclusions without considering the entire context of the situation. Here, in this Type 1 thinking, the problems of subconscious bias arise.

By understanding Type 1 thinking, we can begin to analyse why healthcare has differing outcomes. In the dynamic, stressful environment of the hospital, doctors must make rapid and accurate decisions constantly. Type 1 thinking is used as the first instance of patient analysis, leaving them fallible to implicit biases and poor decisions. One study underlines this bias through the IAT testing. A series of questions based on association asked where the time and word choice of the physicians were monitored to assess any bias that they may hold. For example, a picture of an elderly women may appear on the screen, and you have to select a word that you think best suits her. This study unearthed that 14/15 physicians have some degree of implicit bias. Moreover, some bias is systematic and has been integrated into healthcare after centuries of infiltration by prejudiced attitudes, with some of these attitudes still being prevalent today.

Pearson’s 2017 nursing textbook had a section titled: “Cultural differences in response to pain”. This highlighted viscerally stereotypical understandings of different minorities. Jewish people were described as “demanding” and Asians were described to value “stoicism” and hence complain less. These stereotypes galvanise the barrier in healthcare and further divide its outcomes. In the case of black people, they were described to: “report a higher pain tolerance than other cultures”, highlighting and amplifying the notion that black people experience pain in different ways to other races. This was further exemplified in a study where 40% of first- and second-year medical students endorsed the idea that black skin is thicker than white skin. This idea bolsters discriminatory healthcare outcomes as black patients receive less attention and time, since they may be perceived to be exaggerating their pain or implicit bias side-lines their treatment. Clear signs of troubles in childbirth go undetected and so untreated.

Moreover, this bias has direct ramifications on the research that is conducted and so influences our understanding of different diseases. According to the World Health Organisation’s most recent figures, ischaemic heart disease (coronary heart disease) is the leading cause of death worldwide, accounting for 16% of deaths.

Women are almost just as likely to develop and die from ischaemic heart disease as men and this problem manifests as a myocardial infarction or a heart attack. The accumulation of lipids in the blood vessel gradually constricts the flow of blood until insufficient volumes pass through causing cardiac muscle tissue to be starved of oxygen and begin to necrose. This causes the heart to have insufficient volumes of cardiac output and poses major risks to the person. A typical indicator of heart attack is chest pain. Men and women tend to experience this pain differently. Men often feel pressure in the chest area, but women tend to feel a tight squeezing sensation. However, the symptoms of women during a heart attack are still considered to be ‘atypical’, because heart attack studies have historically only focused on male participants, leaving women’s symptoms to evade attention. This data that does not acknowledge the plight of women disseminates into medical understanding and so when women consult a doctor, their symptoms are likely to go unnoticed. Therefore, women are more likely to get a slower or even misdiagnosis of a heart attack and hence drastically increasing their risk of healthcare complications.

By: Tom Lyevashou

Implicit and overt bias continue to beset healthcare and only by bringing light to these issues can change be brought about. Through being more conscious of actions taken, healthcare can move towards opening closed minds and widening different studies to include data from all different groups of people and improve this bias. So, what can we learn from this? Healthcare serves as just a singular case study in an ocean of data of how bias influences our treatment of others. By understanding this bias, we hold a mirror to ourselves, and can reflect on our own attitudes and the hasty decisions we make that may be prone to bias. Perhaps we are not as impartial as we think we are.

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation for Depression – the science behind HOPE

By: Alexia Ancuta

A mental illness is a mental health disorder diagnosed based on a standard set of criteria. Classified as mental health conditions, psychiatric illnesses (depression, anxiety, bipolar disease, obsessive-compulsive disorder, personality disorders) have a multifactorial determinism, on a ground with genetic susceptibility, a trauma being the triggering element of a disturbance in brain chemistry with imbalance in neurotransmitters. Mental illness may complicate mental health by fundamentally affecting the ability to perceive, think, relate or experience the world; however, mental illness does not necessary lead to poor mental health and altered mental health is not always due to a mental illness.

Although the understanding and management of psychiatric diseases has made major advances in recent decades summarizing a holistic approach, a substantial percentage of patients remain suboptimally controlled or even unresponsive to multivalent therapy. Alternative treatments including licensed medical devices such as transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) are commonly approved and recommended only after other traditional treatment methods have been tried. Hence TMS is being used as a complementary treatment to the classical medical treatments.

By: anonymous

What Is Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation?

Transcranial magnetic stimulation is an innovative noninvasive therapeutic modality with distinctive interferences in various psychiatric and non-psychiatric conditions resistant to standard treatments including drugs and cognitive behavioral therapy.

It is a form of neuromodulation and neurostimulation that uses powerful magnetic fields to manipulate the brain activity in certain areas responsible for synthesis and release of neurotransmitters, particularly over the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (an area of the brain that controls decision-making and executive functioning) and the default mode network (which regulates mood, particularly during times when the patient is focused internally instead of on tasks in the external world).

It seems that repetitive stimulation of nerve cells in some areas in the brain by TMS is able to optimize their function by increasing connectivity and enhancing independent functioning with subsequent decrease in depression symptoms as well as symptoms of other neurological conditions.

How does TMS therapy work?

A closer look shows that TMS devices operate completely outside the body; the system generates highly concentrated magnetic fields which turn on and off very rapidly, specifically targeting limited fields (about 2-3 centimeters) known to be related to depression and not the whole brain. As these magnetic fields move into the brain, they produce very small electrical currents able to activate cells within the brain which are thought to release neurotransmitters like serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine. Since depression is thought to be the result of an imbalance of these chemicals in the brain, TMS can restore that balance and, thus, relieve depression.

TMS is an intensive treatment option that usually extends on several weeks; while one session performed according to optimal parameters reflects adequate changes in brain excitability, a cumulative effect is usually required to generate meaningful clinical relief of symptoms.

What are the TMS subtypes?

TMS requires either repetitive (rTMS) or deep magnetic (dTMS) stimulation of the brain when conventional treatments (medication, psychotherapy) have not been effective, have produced side effects (drug interactions) or could not be applied. While rTMS it delivers repeated magnetic pulses to activate or suppress the brain centers involved in the pathobiology of depression, OCD, and smoking addiction, deep TMS (dTMS) is commonly involved in stimulating deeper and wider areas of the brain than rTMS and is typically recommended for the control of resistant OCD and smoking cessation.

Though newer therapeutic protocols aim to condense treatment time into fewer days with more treatment sessions per day, older ones such as standard rTMS, DASH protocol, iTBS protocol and SAINT protocol differ in treatment time according to magnet strength, pulse frequency and patterns. Yet, all are FDA approved.

Pros and cons for TMS

The main advantages of TMS therapy focus on safety and effectiveness of the procedure; it is a non-invasive and painless procedure that does not affect cognitive function, does not require sedation or anesthesia, does not interfere with the patient's activity; also, it does not cause addiction or common side effects found in the case of antidepressant drugs.

By: Lucy Nguyen

The therapeutic effects can be observed after the first sessions and persist for at least twelve months after the end of the treatment; it can be used as monotherapy or in combination with psychiatric medication. However, TMS may induce mild scalp discomfort and a low risk of seizure

Does TMS work for MDD?

Described as a form of depression refractory to conventional antidepressants and psychotherapy, major depression disorder (MDD) remains an important and highly disabling health problem. Excessive feelings of sadness, hopelessness, misery or despair, loss of interest in current activities, changes in appetite, sleep and energy with subsequent abnormal functioning at work or at home, feelings of guilt or worthlessness and even suicidal thoughts significantly overload and impair quality of life.

Is indeed TMS the open door for hope in such patients? Definitely yes. More than half of MDDs adequately improve with TMD, while about one-third experience a full remission for at least one year, meaning a significant proportion; besides, preventing or reducing suicidal thoughts remains an important aspect for those patients who have tried drugs which have then failed them. Unfortunately, like with most other treatments for mood disorders, there is a high recurrence rate with TMS also, benefits lasting only for limited periods.

Can TMS work for other conditions?

While initially approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2008 for the treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD), recent research suggests the role of TMS in the management of other obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), migraines, smoking addiction and anxiety.

TMS showed promising results across various conditions from psychiatric to nonpsychiatric conditions; diverse addictions (alcohol, nicotine, cocaine), posttraumatic stress, borderline personality and bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, eating disorders, Alzheimers and other types of dementia, fibromyalgia, insomnias and chronic pain, traumatic brain injuries as well as complications of stroke (motor deficit, aphasia) would all be perfect candidates for TMS when standard approaches failed to bring hope.

TMS remains a state-of-the-art technology validated for patients with refractory depression suboptimal controlled by conventional therapy; moreover, TMS is able to improve the care and recovery of people with mental disorders and increase the quality of life.

Deceitful Data Mathematics

By: Neel Agrawal

‘If you torture the data long enough, it will confess to anything’. Graphical data representation aids in human decisionmaking, everyone can look at a trend line for inflation and blame whatever PM is currently in office – but what happens when those representing the data cloud it to further their own objectives?

Bias

Data representation aims to objectively illustrate correlation. It must be clear and without extraneous detail. But whoever decides what’s extraneous walks a fine line between presenting and cherry picking data. Bias starts before you draw an x: choosing what you measure, how you measure it even when or where you measure it all affects the nature, accuracy and precision of a set of data.

‘Multiple Choice and Multi-Select

‘

By: Xanthe Matthews

80% of Dentists recommend Colgate’. I’m sure you’ve seen something like this before. Whilst this is technically true, large corporations, (certainly toothpaste brands) deceive the public in their advertising.

For instance, surveyed dentists may be given limited options and are allowed multiple data entries. Therefore, each dentist may select Colgate, but not exclusively. Hence, whilst the Dentist recommends Colgate, the quote suggests that 80% of dentists specifically and independently chose Colgate over other brands.

Scale and axes

The truncation of axes, predominantly the y axes in a 2-dimensional graph, can exaggerate trends. A negligible increase from x=a to x=b can be exaggerated by setting the origin near to [a, f(a)]. The questioning of Cecile Richards, president of Planned Parenthood in September of 2015, demonstrates the danger of deceitful data. The graph which the Republican congresswomen used lacks a y-axis and neglects accuracy regarding: the gradient, the start point and the end point of abortions and cancer screenings per year. This, paired with the use of two data sets on a single set of axes allowed 327 000 (abortions) to appear greater than 935 573 (cancer screenings).

In addition, pointless logarithmic axes conceal gradients. For instance, the magnitude American opioid crisis was understated by the FDA-approved logarithmic graph which suggested that OxyContin levels slowly leave a patient’s bloodstream, whereas in reality, the sudden change in OxyContin levels has contributed to 645 000 overdoses from 1999 to 2021.

Nixon and the third derivative

To further his re-election prospects, US President Nixon announced that the third derivative of purchasing power over time (i.e. the rate at which inflation was increasing) was decreasing to suggest that he had been successful economically in his first term.

Selectively picking data values

As Coase’s opening quote suggests, intentional data misrepresentation is easy. For instance, those disagreeing with the anthropomorphised greenhouse gas effect as a theory, in 2012, used the continuous change in global mean temperature from 1998 to 2012 – a decrease of 0.1 degree Celsius, to argue this. However, by observing a larger and thus more reliable range of values, a positive trend can be observed. In fact just looking back a further 18 years: 1980-2012, shows this.

Objective poling

Collected data may reflect the researcher’s bias via loaded questions. For example, in a hypothetical study that surveys the public opinion on environmental regulations on industry, a question could be worded as: ‘Should we prioritise our planet’s health over profits?’ vs. ‘Do you agree that environmental regulations should not be employed as they will significantly hinder the economy?’ – both opposing loaded questions with binary answers. Whilst one could argue that such questions facilitate yes/no answers and thus make a survey more objective and quantifiable (thus graphable), a surveyor must attempt to actively avoid bias in their phrasing - a difficult task, certainly when working alone.

From: quanthub

Why is Maths neccesary?

By: Veronika Koretckaia

It might be the funniest question you've ever heard, yet many people do not realize how vital this topic is to our global community. On the internet, you can come across memes like "Do you ever use sines and cosines in your life after school?" What if I told you that thousands of people utilize maths on a daily basis? Just allow me to demonstrate how maths is effective and valuable in today's world.

First off, all big technologies in our contemporary world depend on maths. Our world has changed thanks to computer science, which mainly relies on mathematical algorithms and logic. Mathematics is at the core of the technology that affects our daily interactions and spurs innovation, from social media and smartphones to artificial intelligence and data analytics. If math is absent, there will be no phones or notebooks.

You might be surprised to learn that maths includes more than just algebra; it also involves methods of thinking and rationalization. You wouldn't put water in the kettle first and then the cup if you wanted to make tea. Without maths, there cannot be a structured governmental system, an organized educational system, or a wage system. Maths truly teaches you how to think clearly and consequentially.

Managing personal money is one of mathematics' most simple and useful applications. Mathematical abilities are needed for making smart financial choices, whether it's creating a budget, working out loan interest rates or analyzing investment portfolios. We would find it difficult to navigate the complexity of the modern financial world without even fundamental math skills.

Perhaps some will object and say that maths has nothing to do with languages or the humanities; in that case, I'll give another example. Every aspect of our everyday life is influenced by mathematics, often in ways we may not even be aware of. If you need to write a presentation or an article, like me, you will use techniques like generalization and reduction to quickly convey the idea. Additionally, we tend to organize everything you learn using analysis and systematization. All of these techniques aid us in communicating with our audience: everything above has already been taught you in maths class.

In conclusion, mathematics is an important ability that affects all area of our lives and is not only a subject to be learned in school. Maths is the foundation of development and knowledge in all fields, from personal economics to scientific discoveries, from technological innovation to solving global issues. In the end, I just want you to enjoy maths—not because it's the most fundamental and important branch of science, but rather because it allows you to be who you are and simplifies your life through logic.

The

English

Construction of Fictional Languages

By: Jasper Page

J.R.R. Tolkien created multiple fictional languages for his fantasy world of Middle-Earth. Most notably, his various dialects of ‘Elvish’. This creation opened a Pandora’s box of ideas about constructed languages, or ‘conlangs’ about how they were created, how they developed, and their use in modern fantasy and sci-fi media. But this isn’t about fantasy or sci-fi in particular, and more about how these conlangs are created: through studying the origin of fictitious languages, we can shed light on the origin of real ones.

Writing Systems

From: Printerest

Various languages around the world use vastly different writing systems, and therefore a language created from an entirely different world would have an incredibly unfamiliar writing system. But these systems stem into three categories: Alphabets, such as Latin, Cyrillic, and Arabic, try to represent each sound with a symbol, creating a customisable way to incorporate new ideas; Syllabaries, such as Korean Hangul, Japanese Hiragana/Katakana, and South Asian Devanagari, represent the syllables that make up words with a symbol to allow for a more fluid and stable system; and Logographies, such as one of the versions of Chinese, ancient Mayan glyphs, and ancient Egyptian Hieroglyphics, attempt at creating a symbol for each idea that makes up a word. The most complex, these are the hardest to learn, but also some of the oldest, and when learnt, are the quickest to convey information.

So, these new languages should even be accompanied by a new system if the creator wants to add a new depth of immersion in their media, and the development of these new systems allows linguists to study something new – an attempt to understand how real-world systems were created.

Real-World Linguistic counterparts

Many fictional cultures and peoples take existing ones as their basis, and so do their languages. A language for a culture based on Arabic peoples would have Arabic influences – a stylistic script, a varied mixture of ‘long’ and ‘short’ vowel sounds, and a soft accent, as many philologists struggle to create entirely new ways of communication with no inspiration. And this is not a bad thing; if linguistic features are continually adapted, something very usable and realistic can come out of the process. But copies of languages, with minimal changes, feel lazy and weaker than something purer.

Linguistic Development

It is not surprising that languages change with time. People creating languages should account for splits, influences from outside sources, merging, and change due to isolation, and not only how they affect their language, but also how these factors affect each other. English is hardly the same as it used to be even a thousand years ago, yet alone the languages spoken in Britain long before English. So stale languages can also feel weaker than a developed, and especially an imperfect language.

Imperfections

No language is perfect, save for the one you speak. All have exceptions and special quirks that outsiders have to pick up when learning. These imperfections show us how incredibly human language is, something created by people that is perfect in its imperfections. And again, that’s more than okay, because conlangs aren’t all Esperanto, and their quirks are what truly add more than enough of the humanity, soul, and life, into a conlang.

So, although these conlangs may seem like something complicated and intricate, as long as they feel human, they are an enjoyable hobby that can be fun and easy as your understanding grows – I’ve developed more than I would care to admit – and can lead to a greater understanding of your own tongue. So, maybe pick up a notepad, draw a few aesthetic symbols, and it might be difficult at first, but

Atho ché’esa sol lathrasa vae monos, sol ðael atho vaulséras es cos yamnén

The road will be long and hard, but it wouldn’t be beautiful otherwise.

By: Firefly

Magic and Madness make Macbeth

By: Alvis Luk

One second.

One second is all it takes for the overwhelming surge of ambience to envelop the theatre.

Your body trembles with anticipation as you hear the amplifying sounds of thunder, lightning and rain. You can do nothing but stare in awe at one of Shakespeare's most iconic masterpieces, being performed right before your eyes. Welcome to the Royal Shakespeare Company’s adaptation of Macbeth!

Macbeth has been performed for centuries, yet every one of them pales in comparison to Will Wilson’s adaptation of the play. Macbeth is a thrilling tragedy, focusing on the downfall of a successful soldier but a lackluster leader. Easily manipulated due to his hot-headed characteristic and his inability to cope with guilt, which leads him to get drunk in the crimson taste of murder. In this version of the play, Macbeth is based in a dystopian world, a time when England and Scotland were enemies. The play is performed in a thrust stage which allows the audience to fully immerse themselves in the plot with each unique character. Yet what really stands out about this performance is its representation of the characters, shown by Valene Kane’s adaptation of Lady Macbeth, the sly and cunning puppet master behind pulling the strings. You could experience every emotion Valene Kane represented. Guilt, Misery, Fury... A deep dive into the underlying cynical greed of humans, an emotional rollercoaster that only lets you hang on by the skin of your teeth. Another example is Dylan Read’s adaptation of the witch. You feel goosebumps crawling all over your skin with every action he takes, actions that can only be described as paranormal. You start to question your very eyes as you can only see him as a human, but not comprehend him as one of your kind, a monster being born right in front of your eyes. His technique of alienation removes any possible empathy from the audience, which makes the play even more thrilling.

By: Maanabi Limbu

Every play needs its effects, and the RSC’s provided adequately. Through the use of realistic props and equipment the play has all that you desire from an adaptation of Macbeth. Thanks to Georgia Mcguiness’ unexcelled design of stage effects, such effects include vivid imagery like dead birds falling from the sky, the glamourous dews of raindrops and the pillar of flame violently eruping from the center of the stage. (Yes, you heard me right) Every scene was designed to absolute precision for the audience’s view. Alongside the effects, the music directed by Katherine Gillham fits perfectly in the scenes, an overlapping melancholy harmony that brings the whole theatre into a world of arcane and magic. Yet these effects serve a greater purpose, it allows the audience to interpret the play with their own perception, each effect is a symbol unique to each viewer which makes the experience more worthwhile as you’re alluding to your own personal experiences and developing a story familiar to you and only you. The RSC flawlessly portrays Shakespeare’s envisioning for Macbeth, a play that can only be interpreted through the audience’s mind, a play of freedom.

Though it may be a unique performance, the RSC’s adaptation still shows minor flaws. Due to its focus on giving the audience freedom of interpretation, it also brings along slight confusion for some of viewers. Some specific scenes show major ambiguity such as the dinner scene in the play, where he forms a bed using dinnerplates, these scenes may leave the audience puzzled as each viewer’s experiences are specific to themselves. This play may also be unsuitable for younger audiences due to its hyper realistic effects, alongside the brutality and violence in some scenes. (Yet I doubt children would be able to understand the depth of Shakespeare’s plays.) However, this play is still very popular with adult and teenager audiences as it achieved a 95% satisfaction rate, placing it in close competition with other massive plays such as the distinguished Romeo and Juliet with a 96% satisfaction rate.

Well, if you’re opting for a high adrenaline but symbolistic performance, the RSC’s adaptation of Macbeth is the play for you. Don’t believe me? Well after the curtains close and the clamourous roar of applaud starts. Trust me, you’ll be dying for more, your mouth wide open in awe and you’ll undisputedly tell everyone you see that “Macbeth is the best play ever”.

Literature

Buttons

By: Jasper Page

He could see the reflection of the sunset’s warm glow in the small pools of rainwater in the blocks making up the road. He smelt the rich coffee scent drifting through the tide of air, and slowly took in the surroundings, His friend talked away, his warm eyes bright with excitement, all while they slowly went through the exquisite, familiar taste of their drink. This part of the city made it well.

He checked his watch, and then told his friend he had to leave. There were sweet goodbyes, and then he walked off into the deepening night.

The new lights in the city’s lower quarter had made it harder to hide himself, but he managed. The highwalled, decrepit buildings, reminding him of a dying heart, were like a maze of bricks and cement. No-one would be able to find him, let alone work out his destination. A flick of his fingers and a rusted lamppost found itself behind him, giving off a small light amongst the encompassing dark. Something to let him see the area.

By: Molly Lau

There was an old, abandoned, derelict toy shop across the street, some of its windows with cracks in places, and a small candlelight in the window.

They were ready for him. Ready for what he had to say.

The lamppost’s quiet light watched him walk into the shop with a blank expression on his shadowed face, letting the door shut silently behind him.

And the walls of the old shop were once painted with shades of vibrant crimson and green; once hosting warm, innocent smiles and joys; once a comforting sight to see in a world gone mad, but it had faded into a hollow, lonely, plain, red. The floor had broken glass strewn about it, and a child’s toy animal, a small imitation of an owl, was the only thing left. He went over to it, seeing it in good condition, and slipped it into the folds of his coat. His daughter would love to play with something like this. And making his way to the back of the shop, he went through an old wooden door, and down a small set of stairs, into a chamber the size of a royal hall.

The deafening roar of a thousand people greeted him like an old friend.

By: Molly Lau

Poetry

Meine trois languages

By: Anonymous

This poem is about the difficulties faced when people study different languages and live in different countries. Ever since I moved to the UK, I often have the feeling that I somehow belong to both countries, and even to three countries including France which I also feel connected to. In the first place, the poem is about the challenges of speaking three or more languages, but from a wider perspective it is about finding your identity and where you want to belong, which people, including me, find is a really difficult question.

Growing up, I thought I possessed one tongue, one tongue only. There was only German, which I believed to be my first language.

So lange fuehlte es sich richtig an, jemandem auf Deutsch zu antworten. (For so long, it felt right to answer somebody in German)

So lange fuehlte ich mich der deutschen Sprache zugehoerig. (For so long, I felt like I belonged to the German language)

Ich meine, hatte ich eine Wahl, wenn es die Sprache war, mit der ich aufwuchs, die meine Eltern beherrschten? (I mean, did I have a choice if it was the language I grew up with, the language my parents spoke?)

Is it wrong that I never felt like that language belonged to me how I belonged to it?

Ever since I went to England, I realised: I have more than one tongue, I have three tongues which fight in my mouth.

Every time I want to allow the English language to take over, to fulfil me, deutsche Woerter draengen aus meinem Mund, versuchen, ihre Macht wiederzuerobern. (German words push out of my mouth, trying to regain their power)

Every time I want the French tongue to stay silent, je ne sais plus quelle langue utiliser. (I don’t know which language to choose anymore) Est-ce que je sais encore ou je suis originaire? (Do I still know where I come from?)

And every time that question pops up in my head, I feel guilty. Ich fuehle mich schuldig, mein Heimatland zu vernachlaessigen. (I feel guilty for betraying my home country)

Je me sens coupable d’avoir trahi mes parents. (I feel guilty for betraying my parents)

Am I ever going to find my mother tongue?

Sadness is caused by intelligence

By: Anonymous

By: Firefly

Sadness is not caused by intelligence. You might find out what is. Yet I do not understand the relevance, How am I projecting and perceiving this?

You must die a few times, Before you properly live. After the banging death bell chimes, No one will recollect. So, forgive.

I always tell myself, 'try to be remembered' Yet ask who I really want to be. But in very few years I will be dismembered, And be known for trying to be me.

I won't be forgotten once I rot, But I will be as dead as skeletons. The more you understand that you wish, you did not. Sadness is caused by intelligence.

What is life?

By: Anonymous

By: Lucy Nguyen

I have heard many times, "Life isn't about happiness," However, I have never felt a response, Pondering, I wonder what it is worth.

"Life is about experience."

Experiencing every human emotion born possible, Achieving every dream you could hope but also feeling regret and discouragement

I want to know how life truly feels, Attempting the deep art of noticing Focusing on the world around me, Seeing feelings but also feeling changes.

Life can not be trapped into a void of happiness Happiness is a single word, but the expression is infinite.

Stop staring off into space

Wherever I look, I am surrounded by space

The feelings of life are relative to person What if the feelings of life are a person "I am homesick of arms who do not want to hold me." My favourite sound is their voice.

Yet not a single person can be of hold to some apes on a tiny planet in the middle of nowhere. The meaning of life is expression. Every person has some, and the difference varies.

Alifelong Journey

By: Alek Markov

Starting this long path ahead, Since you are still in your mother’s womb, Then your eyes shine with brightness, As you glance at sunshine for the first time, And feel that warm touch, straight from your mother’s heart.

Then as you progress through the age of youth, You start to understand yourself, Start to feel emotions you have never felt before, Start to acknowledge the things you have never seen before, Shaping your character for the long journey ahead.

As you get older, you have finally shaped yourself, And have found your true purpose, Far away from your parent’s cosy bed, And those warm crackling noises from that old fireplace, Only now do you begin your true lifelong journey.

As you pass along many years, as if in a moment, Having learnt many lessons and committed good deeds, Having built yourself a new cosy bed and a fireplace, Akin to the ones you have come from, You have sowed and bore the reap of your choices, You find yourself in a position, Similar to the one you have come from, Although now, from a different perspective.

The souls of the lost

By: Annika Koch

To shed tears among the lost A treasury worth nothing. Though the journey one of a great exhaust. Mankind watches you loving

Souls in the number reach towards the Inevitable destruction of emotion.

Disappointment reaches their faces as a Sensational feeling appears to fade.

Hearts shatter amidst the parting sky Seemingly presenting the staircase to heaven.

Though ignorance rules beyond the perception A pair of bright blue pricing eyes make the exception. Allowing your thoughts to drown, The lost stare at their creator until they burn down.

All but one crumple into the clouds,

Presenting their bodies as an offering. Silence overrules the crowds. The last soul crouches to bring.

An opportunity for the rest

To accept the light into their pitch-black darkness.

As the last lost living soul stumbles to be blessed, The crowds present the image of starkness.

Their creator shall forgive A misstep from the path laid ahead.

May they live on, A life brimming of possibility and guilt.

Misconduct was to be punished

But eyes of a lost soul like theirs were to be extinct.

As hope converted to dread and replanted those ocean eyes, Their creator rose above the moon

Leaving them to bury their muffled cries

One breath of words from the immortal wish created the rune.

The rune of death for those of angle blood born and those stuck in the bodies of lost souls.

Gentle breath of yours my sails

Must fill, or else my project fails,  Which was to please. Now I want  Spirits to enforce, art to enchant, And my ending is despair, Unless I be relieved by prayer, Which pierces so that it assaults Mercy itself, and frees all faults. As you from crimes would pardoned be, Let your indulgence set me free.

The

Further contributions: Paul Du Pontavice Du Vaugarny, Lauren Baker, Thomas Punt, Ilerioluwa Odugbesan, Veronika Koretckaia, Alvis Luk, Alek Markov, Maanabi Limbu, Lucy, Nguyen, Dariia Dyrina, Linnea Dudfield, Aryanna Flynn, Aydian Dean, Shivan Chawlia, Kayshan Samaratunga, Liv & Eva, Tom Lyevashou, Xanthe Matthews

Annika Koch

Molly Lau Illustrator

Bijin Gurung Writer

Arina Makarina Writer

袁天朗 Writer

Vera Lisitskaya Writer

Neel Agrawal Writer

Jasper Page Writer

Alexia Ancuta Writer Editor