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Student caught in phishing scam Chris Teale Managing editor A second year international student from UEA has had his bank account closed after unwittingly being involved in fraud after replying to a scam email sent to his Webmail account in August. The student received a so-called “phishing” email that pretended to be from Crowther Investment Corporation, a financial investment firm based in the United States. The message offered a bogus position of Finance Officer, and he completed an application form provided by a follow-up email before then being offered training as part of his new role. However, this training involved being part of a fraudulent transaction that saw money transferred to his bank account before he was then instructed to send those funds to an account in Ukraine using the MoneyGram money transfer service, for which he received a payment of £30. The student’s account was then
blocked by his bank, and he is unable to open another account in UK as his involvement in fraud is now logged against his financial records. The student, who has chosen to remain anonymous, filed complaints with the police, Action Fraud, HM Revenue and Customs, and also the Financial Services Authority. He also lodged a complaint with the Barclay’s branch on campus, where his account is based, before going to the Union of UEA Students and the Citizens’ Advice Bureau for further assistance. The Union will be helping him with his complaints, which he is now considering taking to the financial ombudsman. In an interview with Concrete, the student described his feelings upon finding his account had been closed, and his disbelief that such a scam email could reach his Webmail account given the spam filters in use. He said: “I felt stranded, as I had no money, and no way of getting any. I felt depressed, and I didn’t want to leave home. It has been one hell of a summer.
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WHY THE WET SUMMERS?
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“The email came to my UEA account, so I would have thought it would have been a bit more secure. “You expect spam emails to gmail, hotmail and other providers, but not to a university email account. There must be a way to prevent this kind of thing from happening.” Responding to the issue, assistant director of strategy, policy and compliance at UEA information services, Raymond
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Scott, said: “The University of East Anglia takes scam and phishing emails very seriously. “Students should never respond to unsolicited messages which seek sensitive personal information such as IT account details or bank details. “Information services is also carrying out a number of technical initiatives to reduce the impact of phishing. Continued on page two.
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concrete.editor@uea.ac.uk
Issue 272
Editorial
09/10/12
Editorial
Contributors
Editor-in-chief | Amy Adams concrete.editor@uea.ac.uk Managing Editor | Chris Teale concrete.managingeditor@uea.ac.uk Online Editor | Harry Slater concrete.online@uea.ac.uk News | Philip Thomas & Sophie Witts concrete.news@uea.ac.uk Comment | Ciara Jack concrete.comment@uea.ac.uk Travel | Polly Grice concrete.travel@uea.ac.uk Features | Lauren Cope concrete.features@uea.ac.uk Global | Robert Norris ueaconcreteinternational@gmail.com Lifestyle | Emma Williamson concrete.lifestyle@uea.ac.uk Science & Tech | Rebecca Hardy concrete.science@uea.ac.uk Environment | Tim Miller concrete.environment@uea.ac.uk Sport | Billy Sexton & Sam Tomkinson concrete.sport@hotmail.co.uk concrete.sport@uea.ac.uk Copy editors | Sidonie Chaffer-Melly & Charlotte Cox concretecopyeditors@gmail.com Chief Photographers | Elizabeth Margereson & Chloe Hashemi concrete.photographers@uea.ac.uk
News | Philip Thomas, Sophie Witts, Chris Teale, Amy Adams, Lydia Clifton, Paul Skennerton, Kathryn Fox, Robert Stainforth, Chloe Hashemi, Rebecca Chapman, Amelia Edwards, Michael Drummond Global | Fiona Gray, Nile Pennington Comment | Simon Pook, Jack Brinded, Joe Ferris, Peter Sheehan, Clara May, Livvy Brown, Harry Edwards Features | Connor Harvey, Lauren Cope, Polly Grice Science & Tech | Rebecca Hardy, John Keith, Juliet Muncey Environment | Rebecca Hardy, Tilly Wood, Grace Kramer Lifestyle | Aniefiok Ekpoudom, Lydia Clifton, Joel Taylor, Ellen Thornton, Bex White, Sam Tomkinson, Emily-Claire Tucker, Alice Edwards Travel | Polly Grice, Kirsten Powley, Maddy Hutt, Alice Edwards Sport | Billy Sexton, Sam Tomkinson, Dan Suen, Robbie Morgan, Tom Ritchie, Matt Hubbard Proofreaders | Charlotte Cox, Sidonie Chaffer-Melly, Amy Osterloh, Farah Shahabuddin, Eva Bryant, Clara May, Caitlin Gray, Grace Kramer, Rebecca Chapman, Lydia Clifton, Tilly Wood
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Applications close Thursday 11 October. Go to www.concblog.wordpress.com for more details. Additionally, if you missed the Big Meet but still want to write for Concrete, email the relevant section editors or contact the Editor-in-chief, Amy at concrete.editor@ uea.ac.uk. You can also drop by the Concrete office at the Union House for more information.
The Editor’s Column
So somehow it’s already week three, and the hazy days of freshers already seem like the distant past. It wasn’t hangovers nursed in the Concrete office this production weekend, but some tragic resurgence of 18th-century consumption disguised as freshers’ flu. Still, we have managed to soldier on regardless, and there’s another great issue for you to read alongside your sympathysized box of tissues. Or maybe you will just use it as an extra blanket now that temperatures have plummeted. Whatever you choose to do with it, there’s a real mixed-bag of articles, from a comment piece on Mitt Romney’s vagina to a features article praising the delights of Mercy and Flange on a Thursday night. And if that’s not surreal enough, turn to
page five for an introduction to UEA’s very own Norwich Nifflers. Today also sees the launch of The Concrete Show over on Livewire 1350, so tune into our managing editor and president Chris Teale every week at 4.30pm, or download the podcast online. And, like a campus-wide media society conglomerate, we will also be seeing the introduction of vox pops to Concrete Online, courtesy of UEA: TV. So if you’re in the Square and you’re approached by someone with a microphone and a camera asking what you think of the new quidditch team, try not to be too alarmed, and I promise you’re not imagining things. Have a fantastic week, Amy Adams Editor-in-chief
Student caught in phishing scam Continued from front page. “University email accounts are filtered twice for spam. CanIT anti-spam software scans emails when they first arrive and this system blocks more than 20,000 emails per day – around 60% of the total number of emails. This is bolstered by Exchange, which traps most things which get through the CanIT scan. “But even with the best filters, scammers are always working to outwit them, and some scam messages will be
Contact Us
Tweet of the Week Tilly Wood | @tillywood
“ Today I learnt how to borrow a book from the UEA library #thirdyear
delivered to inboxes. “The key message is – never send sensitive personal details in an email. And any email that asks for your bank account details or a password is a hoax. We will be holding an ‘Information Security’ fortnight to help raise awareness of the issues and these will be among the key messages.” If anyone has received any suspicious emails or is concerned about phishing, contact concrete.news@uea.ac.uk and report it to the University.
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Address Union House University of East Anglia Norwich NR4 7TJ Editorial inquiries / complaints concrete.editor@uea.ac.uk concrete.event@uea.ac.uk Got a story? concrete.news@uea.ac.uk Telephone 01603 593 466 Websites www.concrete-online.co.uk www.concblog.wordpress.com
Concrete welcomes all letters and emails, so please don’t hesitate to get in touch. Letters should be addressed to the editor-in-chief, and include contact details. All emails should be sent to concrete.editor@uea.ac.uk. We will consider anonymous publication, and reserve the right to edit for length and clarity. Anonymous article submissions are permitted. Opinions expressed are not necessarily those of the newspaper. No part of this newspaper may be reproduced through any means without the express permission of the editor, Amy Adams. Published by UUEAS Concrete Society ©2012 Concrete BMc ISSN 1351-2773
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Norwich vote over Norwich Michael Drummond & Sophie Witts
Liberal Demoncrat MP Simon Wright (Norwich South) has been forced to defend recent revelations that he voted against a Labour proposal to lower the tuition fee cap to £6,000. In a letter addressing representatives of the Union of UEA Students, Wright described how he thought the scheme was not financially viable and did not represent the “fair” system that he and his party had wanted. He added that “the funding proposals behind this policy just didn’t add up” and would cost the government £2bn, money which currently was being used to pay for the education of students as well as outreach, bursaries and access programs. However, Union Communications Office Matt Myles responded by pointing out that though the system proposed by
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Changes to MP defends First bus tuition fees services Norwich Amy Adams Editor-in-chief
Labour may not be proven as financially viable, the current tuition fee system had yet to prove its own viability. Writing on the Union website, Myles added that “There are schools of thought which believe the current system could be even more economically devastating. IFS projects that the government will lose approximately £25bn per year under the current system. If Simon is concerned about £2bn, then he should be ten times more concerned about £25bn.” Before the last general election Liberal Democrat MPs signed a pledge to fight against a hike in tuition fees, bringing the party a surge in popularity amongst students, with Wright himself later signing a similar pledge. Secret party documents leaked to The Guardian in 2010 revealed that the party had already made plans to abandon their pledge to abolish tuition fees in the event of a hung parliament.
First years to recieve Higher Education Achievement Report Norwich Amy Adams Editor-in-chief
Students starting UEA this year will be the first to graduate with a Higher Education Achievement Report (Hear) alongside their degree qualification. The Hear takes many different aspects of students’ time at UEA into account. This includes a breakdown of all modules taken across the degree, including retakes, but will also acknowledge awards, extracurricular activities and sports achievements which have been verified by the University. The report will be an electronic document which follows a standard format across all of the 109 universities who have already signed up to adopt the system. Students will be able to view the report throughout their degree, with a view to encourage them to stay motivated and start thinking about employability as soon as possible. In a blog post for the Guardian, University of Leicester professor Bob Burgess, chair of the steering group introducing the Hear, said: “At a time when students have just started to pay higher fees, the Hear is a clear
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example of how universities can provide greater value. For employers, it offers the chance to see in more detail what students have achieved at university and make comparisons between job applicants.” However, there are some concerns with the system regarding students whose grades may be affected by extenuating circumstances, or who are less able to give time to extracurricular activities. UEA director of planning Ian Callaghan said: “The report is designed to go beyond a single degree classification, such as a 2:1, and provide additional information including a detailed breakdown of marks for all modules that a student has undertaken whilst at UEA. “It will also show the key learning outcomes expected from a student studying a specific course, and give context about what it means to have a UK degree. “Another key feature is that it will show a student’s extra-curricular activities, such as holding responsible positions with clubs and societies, volunteer work, membership of UEA or student union committees, or winning awards. “It is anticipated that students will be able to share their HEAR with prospective
employers and other interested parties. It won’t be a substitute for a well-researched and prepared CV, job application or interview. But it will present a more rounded account of a student’s time at UEA – to the benefit of both students and employers. “It will also help employers see detail behind a student’s final degree classification, such as whether they got a low 2:1, came close to a First, or perhaps excelled in particular areas. “We believe that providing this level of academic detail, and a more diverse account of a student’s time at university, will help boost employability by highlighting key skills which the traditional classification system ignores.” The system will affect all first years that have started this year, and will include grades from modules currently being taken.
There have been some colourful changes to First buses in Norwich with the introduction of a new “colour branded” bus route system. The most relevant changes to UEA students are the introduction of the “blue” and “orange” lines. The 25 service remains the same, reaching the town centre via Unthank Road. However, the introduction of a “25A” service to replace the 35 (which goes via Earlham Road) has caused some confusion among students. The return of the 22, on the other hand, comes as a relief after the service was cancelled last year, leaving students living in the Bowthorpe area without public transport to campus. Part of the new orange line, the 21 will also provide transport from Bowthorpe to the Norfolk and Norwich hospital. Steve Wickers, regional commercial director for First South-East and Midlands said: "We believe the changes will benefit the majority of our passengers and I’m confident that the new Norwich network will help us attract more people onto our buses." The introduction of a “Young Person” ticket for ages 5-19 (inclusive) also offers travel discounts to some of the younger students on campus.
Rhian Poole
Interested in Journalism? Write for News! Email Concrete.News@uea.ac.uk to join the mailing list and for information on our fortnightly news meetings.
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Issue 272
English Defence League to march on Norwich Norwich Hannah Laking News reporter
He’s so so sorry National Alice Reedy News reporter A recent NUS survey has demonstrated the continuing demise of student support for the Liberal Democrats, despite a public apology from party leader Nick Clegg. Only 11.1% of the 25,000 students that participated in the survey said that the apology for the party’s failure to abide by its pledge not to raise tuition fees had increased the likelihood for a vote in favour of the Liberal Democrats. Just 7.7% said they would back the party in a general election, a figure which trails far behind the 37.9% of students who would support the Labour party.
Notably, 16.8% of participants said they would vote in favour of the Conservative party, which initiated the tuition fee increase introduced at the start of this academic year. These results suggest that by endorsing the rise in tuition fees, Nick Clegg and his colleagues have damaged the reputation of the Liberal Democrats amongst the student community. Commentators have doubted whether the apology was an expression of genuine remorse or an act of political expedience. Nick Clegg’s official apology video from the Lib Dem YouTube channel currently has around 120,000 hits. This is in stark contrast to the two million views of the auto-tune remix created by satirical website The Poke.
Library 24/7 opening gets final go-ahead Campus Chris Thompson News reporter The Library’s 24/7 opening trial has been given permanent approval this semester, news that was welcomed by the staff and student community alike. A library official stated that this decision had been “based
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on footfall figures and positive feedback”. Additionally the Learning and Teaching Service (LTS) has announced its decision to return coursework deadlines to 3pm this semester. The LTS justified their decision, saying: “[it] ensured that help and support is available to students when submitting their work, during normal office hours”.
The English Defense League (EDL) has planned a demonstration in Norwich on Saturday 10 November, stating that it is a response to the decision to ban a Christian bookstall. Norfolk Police have been informed of the extreme right-wing group’s intention to protest through the streets of Norwich, however a route has not yet been confirmed. The EDL plan to protest against what they describe as a violation of “freedom of speech”. The rally is a reaction to a decision by Norwich City Council to prohibit a
united reformed church bookstall on Hay Hill. Members of the public complained that it was distributing “hate-motivated” anti-Islamic leaflets. A counter-protest is planned for the same day by a campaign group called We are Norwich, who embrace and celebrate the city’s diversity. Additionally, the Norfolk and Norwich Muslim Association (NNMA) condemned the proposed march. A trustee of the NNMA, Dr Muhammad Abu-Elmagd, said: “We strongly believe that the EDL’s intention is to cause disharmony among the residents of Norwich. However, we hope that the people of Norwich will stand firm together and refuse to allow any attempt to divide our fine city.”
Priority campaign poll: the results Campus Philip Thomas News editor Exam feedback and higher education cuts are the issues that most concern UEA students, according to the results of the Union of UEA Students Priority Campaigns Poll. The annual poll determines the issues which UEA students would most like to be the focus of union campaigns. Students could vote more than once and on multiple issues. Each vote represented an endorsement, therefore enabling students to express greater support for campaigns they thought more important. There were an unprecedented 16,398 responses to the poll, which this year witnessed the successful trial of a token system in addition to online voting. The significant response to this year’s poll follows disappointing participation in previous years. In 2011 the union failed to achieve its target of 1000 votes, with only 114 participants. The 5,857 votes recieved
by the “Exam Feedback” campaign represents 37% of the overall vote. Union communications officer Matthew Myles said: “We’re delighted at the turnout for the poll. Our goal was to make people know that the Union is here to campaign for changes and we’ve done that, and we’re already making progress on many of the campaigns.”
The Voting Breakdown:
Exam Feedback: Anti-Fees and Cuts: Go Greener: Attendance Monitoring: Sustainable & Ethical Investment: Better Student Representation:
5,857 4,334 1,988 1,564 1,485 1,170
Train service High satisfaction improvements rates at UEA East Midlands Trains’ passenger satisfaction has increased from 72% in 2008 to 86% this year on the Norwich to Liverpool line. The company hopes to improve its services further by cutting times and keeping costs down. Managing director David Horne commented: “The route has got a very bright future”. An extra Norwich to Nottingham Sunday service will be added this December.
Students at the University of East Anglia are among the most satisfied in the country according to the latest National Student Survey. The survey placed UEA joint fourth with an overall satisfaction score of 91%. UEA has featured in the top 10 of mainstream English universities every year since the survey began in 2005. Vice-Chancellor Prof. Edward Acton said he was “pleased” at the results.
Joshua Clarke-Holland
Matt Carson
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Grab your broomsticks: Quidditch comes to UEA Campus Chloe Hashemi News reporter Due to the efforts of a few determined students, J.K Rowling’s fictional sport is now a reality at UEA. The University of East Anglia is currently one of the few UK universities to have an active quidditch team. Originating in America in 2005,
“Muggle Quidditch” is a growing phenomenon across the globe, and the UEA team goes by the name of “The Norwich Nifflers”. Despite initial membership and subsequent committee doubts, nearly 60 people attended the first training session last Sunday, and the society currently has 30 full members. Future plans include inter-house cups and matches against fellow universities. Additionally, a Derby Day match could be
on the horizon. President of the society, Ellie Reynard, said: “We’re keen for people to come along and try it out before they commit, as it’s a lot more intense than it sounds.” The game is for anyone who has the stamina and guts to run around the grounds of UEA with a broomstick between their legs. Reynard concluded that: “Muggle Quidditch is every Harry Potter geek’s fantasy made real.”
Antioxidants can reduce cancer risk A study led by UEA academics has shown that taking antioxidant supplements can reduce the risk of pancreatic cancer. The study, published in the journal Gut, showed that people with a high vitamin C, vitamin E, selenium and zinc intake were 67% less likely to develop pancreatic cancer than those with a low intake. Researchers concluded that “1 in 12 cancers might be prevented by the intake of antioxidant supplements.” Amelia Edwards
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UK students demand better book provision National Rebecca Chapman News reporter A recent survey has revealed a general opinion among students that more reading resources should be provided by universities, particularly through online mediums. The National Union of Students conducted a survey to determine whether students want textbooks included in tuition fees. Since last year’s rise in tuition fees students expect more for their money at university. The NUS found that 81% agreed that books should be included in fees. The study focused on the use of online technology for education; it found that 95% of students use tablets, smartphones and laptops for study purposes. Tom Cain, a second year Politics and Economics student at UEA, commented: “Compulsory books should be included in fees, especially as universities are likely to get discounts for bulk buying.”
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News
University comparison Black History Month website launched National Lydia Clifton News reporter
Recently launched website Unistats is a tool for potential university students to browse, compare and shortlist universities. The site’s simple layout enables users to browse quickly through all universities, while clearly displaying the key information on each institution. Unistats users can search by university or by course. The website features nearly
everything a prospective student would need to know, from accommodation to the average salary after finishing higher education. Information is provided by Key Information Set and the National Student Survey which provides detailed student satisfaction data and course feedback. The website may potentially influence the decisions of prospective students, which are becoming ever-more important in light of recent increased fees.
Norfolk Paul Skennerton News reporter
Norfolk’s Black History Month comprises of more than 100 events throughout October, and is an opportunity to reflect on the contribution that black people have made to the world by celebrating African and Caribbean cultures. Throughout this month, entertaining and educational events will take place across the county, including the African Market in Castle Mall (Monday 8 to Sunday 21 October). Black History Month also exists to
promote diversity and inclusivity across the county by engaging with prejudice in history. UEA is exhibiting a set of letters documenting an outsider’s view of life on a slave holding plantation in the southern United States during the mid-1800s. In addition to the display of these fascinating documents, there will be a series of public lectures at the “Containing Multitudes” exhibition in the Norwich Millennium Library from the 1-14 October. For more information and listings visit: www.norfolkblackhistorymonth. org.uk or www.containingmultitudes. co.uk.
Reprieve for London Met international students National Kathryn Fox News reporter
Last month’s controversial decision by the UK Border Agency (UKBA) to withdraw the London Metropolitan University’s right to sponsor international students was challenged by the University. The high court subsequently ruled
that existing students already granted full immigration will be allowed to finish their studies in the UK. Beforehand, 2000 undergraduate students faced potential deportation as a result of a crackdown on an alleged abuse of the student visa system. While the high court claims the issue “came down to fairness,” the UKBA continues to fight the University’s legal challenge.
Justice for UC Davis students International Robert Stainforth News reporter The University of California has been forced to pay out an estimated $1m after a group of peaceful protesters were sprayed at close range with pepper spray by security officers on its Davis campus, following the Occupy protests last year. Under the settlement, labelled a
“wake up call to other universities” by Michael Risher, an attorney representing the protesters from the American Civil Liberties Union, 21 protesters will each receive $30,000. A further $100,000 “pot” has been put aside for anyone who is able to prove they were also sprayed in the incident. The officers using the pepper spray will not face criminal charges, although both have subsequently been fired by the university.
Comment Nick Clegg’s sorry situation 09/10/12
Simon Pook Comment writer For politicians, it seems sorry really is the hardest word. Perhaps for none more so than deputy prime minister Nick Clegg, whose recent attempt at an apology was widely mocked in the media before being rapidly turned into a viral autotuned single, the sales of which stormed up the iTunes charts and turned Clegg into a pop sensation overnight. Understandably, many are saying that his apology video is simply too little too late, that he has betrayed the trust of the nation and for that there can be little compensation. Certainly, this opinion can be seen in many opinion polls, with some suggesting that the Liberal Democrats may actually be the fourth party in the UK, labouring behind UKIP, a statistic that creates a fairly obvious cause for concern. Despite the widespread negative reaction in the media and from the public, the video shows an attempt from Clegg, however misguided or flimsy,
at a legitimate apology. Depending on the degree of cynicism you hold it either represents a straightforward, if horrendously late, admission of error that should perhaps be applauded, or an insincere and snivelling attempt to regain the trust of an electorate, that flatout doesn’t seem to care. Perhaps I still harbour an admittedly somewhat naive soft spot for the unfortunate deputy PM, but for me the apology video rang true. It is simplistic, perhaps overly so given the severity of his betrayal, but it shows a political strength not often seen: the ability to admit an error. Clegg is apologetic without looking overly foolish, he remains personal and looks genuinely sorry. Clegg’s political position is definitely unenviable. Outmanoeuvred at every turn by a Conservative party that simply has more power and way more bargaining chips with which to play, he has nonetheless held his party together and fought hard in cabinet for the various policy victories that Cameron has been careful to grant him, for which
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the deputy PM should surely receive some sort of recognition. The Liberal Democrat leader is a political figure who draws such polarised responses that often it can be hard to pin down public opinion. Despite the media furore over his apology video, it was legitimately a positive move for the deputy PM, and one that should reflect
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his political strength, not weakness. Nick Clegg is a man who looks remarkably comfortable given the situation he has been placed in, and despite the deserved scorn he receives for his betrayal, he remains a capable and effective political figure. Yes, it’s fun (and hilarious) to heap abuse on him, but does it really achieve anything?
Not just a Mediterranean state of mind Jack Brinded Comment writer A spectre is haunting Europe, the spectre of spending cuts. All the powers of the European Union have entered into a holy alliance to enforce this menace: President and Prime Minister, Chancellor and Monarch, the duly elected and the dubiously installed. Since late 2007, with governments everywhere searching for a quick buck to pay for bailing out a globally irresponsible banking sector, supposedly ‘flabby’ public sectors became scapegoats of choice. This meant the wholesale destruction of services ordinary people across the continent rely on to survive, within an increasingly volatile economic system. Austerity is now in full swing across the EU, and it’s biting hard. Nowhere is that more apparent than the ‘Med-Zone’. Perhaps most notably at the moment, Greece and Spain have both been ravaged by the ill-prescribed medicine of public sector cuts to solve debt whilst society’s elite continue to evade paying their way. Through pension cuts, unemployment and increasing disparity between haves and have nots, the poor and the put upon are constantly assured there is no “plan B”, by politicians and EU technocrats alike. However, both Greek and Spanish
citizens have demonstrated they are committed, more than ever, to exorcise the apparition of slash and burn economics. Last month Greece saw its first general strike since their new government formed, Molotov cocktails were hurled in Athens and anger erupted into the streets of Madrid, as thousands marched against cuts and 25% unemployment. In the UK, meanwhile, you might be forgiven (though not by me) for thinking everything on the mainland was hunky-dory. At the time, there was a
conspicuously protest shaped hole in the output of most media, from the papers to the BBC. Special mention must go to the Daily Mail though, who whilst thousands of outraged Spanish citizens - beaten mercilessly by police - surrounded their national congress, treated us to hardhitting stories like “The woman who says biscuit 1600 times a day.” But this isn’t the only hole in the tapestry – there’s one closer to home. If a visitor from another planet were to skim British news, they might come to conclude
this island is a safe-haven, a bubble without trouble. This is because, despite the NHS being sold off, benefits slashed, pensions stolen, and education savaged; debates over trivial matters such as topless Royals have been given prominence. The subsequent discussions have been so frantic and hyperbolic; it might look as though we, unlike our Mediterranean cousins, have nothing better to complain about. Certainly, during the week of the Labour party conference, there has been little to suggest otherwise. Ed Miliband’s feeble sub-promises and his party’s lacklustre excuses for “opposition” to cuts suggest, come 2015, a Labour government ensures “Things can only get similar”. But step outside this surreal vacuum of acceptance and you’ll find raw anger bubbling in the public consciousness. Far from the caricature of the tea-drinking, grumbling British, it’s manifesting itself in the ways of Greek and Spanish resistance. This autumn protests, occupations, and strikes, from our campus to the capital, are signs that the public here too, are in the process of exorcising our own austerity demons. It begins on October 20 in London, at a demo entitled “A future that works.” In the spirit of mainland resistance, when the government try to bleed us dry, we must not cower in submission; it’s time to unite.
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Boris, in all seriousness Joe Ferris Comment writer We all want to know one important question when it comes to Boris Johnson. Will he be the next PM? At the thought of Boris as a serious candidate, the face of Labour is slowing showing anxiety instead of a smirk. Boris has incredible popularity. One of a small number of politicians to be known just by his first name, his charisma and likability have turned him into a political phenomenon. Labour has been recently warned by its seniors to take him seriously, and I think we should too. His endless list of gaffes would normally weld an iron coffin shut for most politicians. However it seems it’s his skin, rather than his coffin, that’s made of a hard metal, as he manages to effortlessly shrug off any buffoonery to extend his growing popularity. His charm has no fault, but more importantly, does he have substance? That is the unknown when it comes to Boris. We need to look ahead to the time when we’ve finished bathing in the afterglow of the Olympics and when we’ve forgotten the success of the cycle-
hire programme. Is there another great tangible victory up the mayor’s sleeve? Quite possibly. The successes seem to aid Boris more than the gaffes obstruct. If he gets it right this mayoral term, I think he may just persuade us he has what it takes to lead the country and tackle the economy with competence. Boris has shown refreshing honesty and reasonableness on issues such as economic growth, the Eurozone and the third runway at Heathrow and the more I look at Boris in depth, the more I see a serious candidate for the next election. Don’t forget the final hurdle for Boris: opposition. David Cameron and Ed Miliband shouldn’t be written off. Miliband’s not as popular as his party, but the Labour conference this week suggests he's getting the hang of things. Cameron’s caught in a bear trap, desperately needing to chew off the Osborne leg if he has a chance in surviving the next election, but he won’t step aside for the Mayor. I think there’s no doubt Boris has a long way to go, he’s not even an MP yet, but he has what it takes, and if the opposition doesn’t treat him seriously now, it’ll be too late for them to pick up the pieces afterwards.
Comment Putin’s road to Domescus
Peter Sheehan Comment writer Perhaps unsurprisingly, Vladimir Putin is not the most popular man in the western world. His government’s persecution – and prosecution – of those who oppose his regime and his self-serving, autocratic rule do not sit well alongside frivolous, European concerns such as human rights. And so the news that Pussy Riot’s appeal against their two-year prison sentence for hooliganism allegedly motivated by religious hatred, has been adjourned because one of the trio, allegedly under duress, requested that her lawyer be changed. This development fits nicely into the Putin-as-a-latter-dayStalin narrative so common in the West. Surely it is a Kremlin-backed conspiracy to frustrate the course of justice and dissuade others from dissenting! But look a little closer. It appears that our man Vlad, quite rashly forgetting his previously stated refusal to avoid political interference in the original trial, was so overcome by sympathy for the women’s cause that he implored Russia’s fiercely independent courts to refrain
from punishing their crime “too harsly”. I confess myself distinctly reassured. Putin’s adorable little protégé, Russia’s prime minister Dimitri Medvedev, went
“Unfortunately, it appears that he has a history of making blithe, well-intentioned statements of no consequence” even further. Early last month, he said that the group should be given only a suspended sentence. Unfortunately, it appears that he has a history of making blithe, well-intentioned statements of no consequence: we thank him for his contribution, but regretfully must move on. Of far greater interest is the apparent transformation of Russia’s leading man from Stalin 2.0 to an enlightened, proto-European democrat. Only the crustiest of cynics could continue to accuse him of exploiting these events to try to rehabilitate his reputation at a time of rising anti-Kremlin feeling. I give you Feminist Putin, Russia’s most right-on autocrat. Please act accordingly.
Yet another slap on the wrist for Clarkson Clara May Comment writer So it seems Jeremy Clarkson has once more emerged relatively unscathed from his latest controversy. The Top Gear presenter put his foot in it yet again during an episode broadcast in February when he likened the design of a Toyota Prius campervan to someone with a “growth” on their face. While Ofcom originally cleared Top Gear of the incident back in May, the BBC has finally been forced to concede that referring to facial growths as “really ugly things” was not perhaps the wisest move and ruled that the ever-retiring Clarkson did indeed breach guidelines by playing on a “stereotypical negative reaction”. With Top Gear pulling in an average of five million viewers, however, the 137 complaints these remarks prompted can hardly be enough to disturb Clarkson who has, after all, faced much worse. The BBC also seemed keen to shoulder
some of the blame admitting the exchange was pre-scripted and that the editorial team and compliance system were just as much to blame and “arguably more so”. Indeed Clarkson has not even had to stir himself to muster up an apology. During the exchange Clarkson also slurred his words to mimic the “Elephant Man” Joseph Merrick while Richard Hammond coined the term “Elephant Car”. This, however, was deemed to be “on the margins of acceptability” As the Editorial Standards Committee pointed out, this was not intentionally offensive to a wider group of people as it was aimed at only one individual. I can only assume whoever was responsible for this logic has been spending too much time with Mr Clarkson himself. The reality is that while Top Gear continues to draw in the biggest audience for a BBC2 show, the outspoken presenter will be able to get away with almost anything. The humour is, after all, the thing that sets it apart from being a show purely about cars. All that the complaints against him seem to achieve is to garner excess publicity for the programme, and prompt
a further wave of support from those sat on internet forums eager to declare their appreciation for the very non-PC banter The fact remains that Clarkson (who has just signed a three year deal to continue hosting the show) enjoys riling people and will continue to do so while he can get
away with it, and most probably afterwards too. It does make you wonder though, how many more negative stereotypes he has left to add to his ever growing list? But fortunately, as it transpires, we now have at least three more years to learn of the answer to this question.
Comment
09/10/12
The abandonment of America’s 51% Livvy Brown Comment writer Women make up 50.8% of the US populace. Therefore, it stands to reason that any prospective government must cater for the approximately 158,288,694 American women, as well as the men. Indeed, since the 19th amendment guaranteed universal voting rights for American women that has been the case. However, the Republicans seem to be debuting a risky new policy of late, whereby they attempt to win votes through sending women’s rights back to the dark ages. In August, a delightfully enlightened Republican gentleman going by the name of Todd Aiken stated that in the case of “legitimate rape”, the female body has ways of preventing pregnancy – or in Aiken’s own eloquent prose, “shutting that whole thing down.” He went on to state that this meant that pregnancy from rape is “really rare”. Now, wasn’t that a great biology lesson? It’s reassuring that an influential
member of Congress is so knowledgeable about these issues. Oh wait – what? It beggars belief that in this day and age, public representatives can still hold such archaic and frankly terrifying views. Sadly, Aiken is not alone. Over the past year, the Republicans have pushed the “No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion” Act, which would essentially outlaw abortions for any non-“forcible” – or, in Aiken’s words, “illegitimate” rape. Any pregnancies resulting from date rape, statutory rape or incest would not qualify. All of this leads me to wonder: when did Aiken – or Mitt Romney, or Paul Ryan, or any other Republicans so vocal about these issues – grow a vagina? Surely they would not risk alienating over half of the American public, depriving them of their rights, without knowing what they were talking about? So, the matter remains: either the Republican Party is genuinely, reprehensibly attempting to strip women of their basic rights – or Mitt Romney has a vagina. Personally, I’m hoping it’s the latter.
Issue 272
concrete.comment@uea.ac.uk
9
Are Labour a real alternative for voters? Harry Edwards Comment writer While the Labour leadership could point to a 12 point lead over the Conservatives in the latest YouGov poll as they headed into their annual party conference, the truth is that this has had nothing to do with what the Labour party is doing right, and everything to do with the practical and ideological ineptitude of the current government. Under the obligatory showing of togetherness at this year’s conference with its smiling bromance of Eds Miliband and Balls, there’s been a tangible sense of a party caught between wanting to be a credible leftist alternative and the neoliberal hangover of New Labour. Alongside this was their leader, who for most of the week leading up to his speech looked like a dazed puppy who can’t quite believe how big stick he’s just been chucked is. Ed’s speech, with its clever land grab of the One Nation label, will give the party faithful cause for optimism and more importantly increasing his standing
more widely. But when you actually look at what the plan is it amounts to what I would best describe as New-Labour-lite. This is ultimately unconvincing. There were some nice policy ideas to come out of the conference, such as better integration of post-16 education, bank regulation and most importantly the repeal of the insane Tory changes to the NHS. Although beyond the rhetoric and the youngest Miliband’s confident performance, they will not change things fundamentally, as they are so clearly trying to plead the case for. Again, the Labour party missed out on the opportunity at their conference to create a real alternative and disrupt the ever rightwards movement of the political establishment. Of course there is still time at this stage for the Labour Party to change and become a party the left can truly get behind again. But if they cannot become a party offering a real alternative, which, once the Tories have finished giving away the next election on a plate, I suspect will come back and haunt them.
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concrete.global@uea.ac.uk
Issue 272
09/10/12
British theatre producer on trial in Uganda Fiona Gray Global writer The British theatre producer David Cecil has been released from prison on bail after being arrested for commissioning a play featuring gay content in Uganda’s capital city of Kampala. The highly acclaimed producer was jailed on 13 September and previously denied bail for his role in the production of a play portraying the treatment of homosexuals in Uganda. The play, entitled The River and the Mountain, follows the story of a Ugandan business man who is beaten to death by his friends after revealing his homosexuality. If found guilty, Cecil will have to serve two years in jail for “disobeying lawful orders” from the Uganda Media Council. Uganda, which held its first ever Gay Pride parade earlier this year, is now looking into harsher penalties for those who are found to be gay. A clause that would have charged Ugandans with the death penalty if accused of committing homosexual acts was first proposed in 2009, but never discussed in Parliament. However, in recent months the proposal to introduce capital punishment for such acts has gained increased attention. It’s not just Uganda’s president Museveni and his government that feel strongly about the subject. It appears that the vast proportion of the population agree with the anti-homosexual bill. Many Ugandans strictly follow the teachings of the bible and believe in numerous folk tales about the health risks and immorality of homosexuality.
Global
This has lead to innocent people being attacked in so called “iron bar beatings” or forced to isolate themselves from society because of their sexual preferences. Local newspapers have even taken to naming and shaming gays and lesbians in a modern day witch hunt. This has made anonymity nearly impossible for homosexuals.
“In
recent
months
the
proposal to introduce capital punishment for such acts has gained increased attention” Gay rights campaigner David Kato endeavoured to sue a newspaper for outing him, but was beaten to death by homophobic activists. A link between his court case and his murder has never been confirmed or denied. Uganda’s ethics and integrity minister Simon Lokodo announced in June this year that 38 non-governmental organisations will be banned in the country for receiving international support for Uganda’s homosexuals. Prime Minister David Cameron and US Secretary of State Hilary Clinton have pledged to reduce the amount of aid given to countries that refuse to recognise gay rights; a pledge that has angered Ugandan officials. However, with the recent outbreak of the Ebola virus, violent political rallies and millions of children orphaned by HIV every year, can the UK and US really turn their backs on Uganda?
Bleak prospects for the French president Nile Pennington Global writer It has not been a good week for French president François Hollande. Facing an unemployment rate of three million that is steadily increasing, growth predictions of little over zero per cent and one of the harshest budgets to come out of the French treasury in living memory, things are looking bleak for the French president. Hollande’s government has blamed former president Nicholas Sarkozy’s regime for the above issues. France’s Labour Ministry has stated: “These three million unemployed embody the failure of economic and social policies undertaken during the last few years.” However, Hollande has witnessed his approval ratings fall from 55% in the June following his election, to just 41% during the first week of October according to a TNS-Sofres poll for French magazine, Figaro. With such worrying economic figures and his favourability rating on the slide, president Hollande must be asking where he can go next. Most political leaders expect to be unpopular with some of the electorate, after all it is often the case that roughly half wouldn’t have voted for them in the first place, yet president Hollande’s dramatic fall in popularity is a startling reflection of the current public attitude in France. Hollande defeated Sarkozy in the presidential election largely because of
his promise to reduce living costs and cut unemployment. Yet he has so far failed to achieve either. It’s still early days for Hollande whose first term will expire in 2017, but the French electorate clearly expected more from their president than he has delivered in his first months in office. Responding to criticisms about his dwindling support, Hollande said: “Obviously people have much higher expectations at the very beginning, but it’s the end of the mandate that matters. I want to be judged on the results and that is going to take time.” This may be the case, but the French electorate must be wondering when things will start to improve. The president’s first budget has been lauded by his supporters, with 89% of them approving of his work so far. Yet he has still been heavily criticised by the opposition and right-wing voters. They allege that certain provisions, such as temporarily lowering the cost of petrol and subsidising salaries of young people in deprived areas, are merely window dressing for a President and an economy on the rocks. President Hollande must now turn his eye to the future. Without substantial improvements in France’s economic prospects, Hollande will undoubtedly face a difficult, if not impossible, fight for re-election in 2017. One thing is certain however: the cheering crowds that met the president during his May inauguration are not cheering so loudly now.
Features
09/10/12
Issue 272
11
concrete.features@uea.ac.uk
In-depth: a royal scandal Features writer Connor Harvey considers the controversy surrounding the royals
Duchess Kate’s assets have been trending on Twitter and Google searches worldwide and it has been reported that over seven million Britons have seen our future queen consort’s chest online. As much as we sniggered at Harry’s rosy buttocks making an appearance, there seems to be a wildly different attitude towards the release of the images of the duchess. The comparison is complex and perhaps understandable but both of the supposed scandals raise important questions around the ever-modernising monarchy and the role it plays in both our society and the media. The most often employed argument for the release of the images is that they are the same as us and shouldn’t be granted any special treatment. The images should be treated as if they were any other celebrity. This is problematic as they inhabit a completely different world from, say, Katie Price or a Big Brother contestant; they require additional state security and every member of staff around them is funded by the taxpayer. The argument towards the release of the images is by extension expressing the confusion over what exactly places the aristocracy above us exactly places the aristocracy above us
normal folk. However the furore around the photographs does seem to be more a question of taste - as long as the Queen remains as head of state then the royal family will forever be treated in a different manner. Although they are modernising, they do exist outside the celebrity culture that they are surrounded by. With the release of the photographs so closely timed, it is with ease that we compare the reaction to the appearances of Kate and Harry’s naked torsos. We must remember that Prince Harry seemed to be embroiled in the post-Leveson enquiry backlash from the press, particularly News International under The Sun’s headline: “Heir it is! Pics of naked Harry you’ve already seen on the internet!” Proving that the press were not muzzled by the investigation into ethics, the red top made the biggest revelation of the year: the Prince’s backside. With his public image currently in high esteem, he has seemingly made a comeback from “swastika-gate”; his image has transitioned from partying bad-boy to that of a dignified armed forces gentleman. Whilst the now infamous gentleman. Whilst the now infamous Vegas pictures have reminded us of a not-so-
past Harry, they do little to negatively impact the way that we think of him, if anything it was embraced as just a young man enjoying himself. However, the attitude towards the photographs of Kate are in complete contrast. Admittedly, the invasion of privacy victimised her in a much more serious way; this was not a result of drunken antics, but rather a long lens from approximately five hundred metres away on a road near a private villa. The privacy of the Duchess had been violated whilst she apparently took due precautions. There is clearly a strong echoing resonance from the experiences of Princess Diana which St James’ Palace were prepared to refer to in a statement: “The incident is reminiscent of the worst excesses of the press and paparazzi during the life of Diana, Princess of Wales, and all the more upsetting to the duke and duchess for being so”. This uncomfortable reference to Diana sends out a clear message to the press that the palace will not stand for a similar treatment of Kate, leading many to taking a protective stance. In their duties the royal family continuously engage with the press, work. By bringing attention to their chosen
charitable causes they can bring believe that the palace and family are taking a protective stance.
“Whilst Vegas
the pictures
now
infamous
have
reminded
us of a not-so-past Harry, they do
little
to
negatively
impact
the way that we think of him” In their duties the royal family continuously engage with the press, these are to the most part unavoidable as they actually constitute part of their work. By bringing attention to their chosen charitable causes they can bring both awareness and brand attention to increase donations, so in part they must exist within the celebrity culture as they continue to endorse different causes. However these past “scandals” in recent months serve as an example of how ill fitted these two institutions are. The monarchy and the press have a complicated and, at times, prickly relationship. There is a clear imbalance of power. In an ever-prying culture which seems to feed on instant news of known people, the royals will be at the mercy of the press, which seeks to serve this purpose. The reaction of the printed press and the general public has been significant; there has been greater pressure put on the British press to not publish the images and condemnation of those publications that have, with the Sun’s eventual publication of Prince Harry’s pictures. They decried that we “had already seen” the images, referring of course to the online access. Interestingly, The Sun seems to have lost sight of its own significance. To publish such photos under the institution of the British printed press, which has greater weight than any blog or online news source, is a brave decision. The Sun boldly claimed it was unfair that they were not able gain anything from the news story in the same way as other mediums. Distinguishing between the different forms of access to the story may only be a temporary distinction, with print readership slowly decreasing and digital readership increasing, it is possible that the importance placed on the newsstand will dwindle. Regardless, it appears that desipte the medium, the royals lives will be a part of our press for as long as they hold their roles.
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concrete.features@uea.ac.uk
Issue 272
Features
09/10/12
09/10/12
Issue 272
concrete.features@uea.ac.uk
13
How safe is your privacy? Features editor Lauren Cope looks at the latest controversy surrounding Facebook
Facebook have recently been caught up in scandal with users concerning their privacy policies. Infamous for its lax controls on what it shares, Mark Zuckerburg’s creation has hit the headlines once more for allegedly revealing messages intended to be private.
Mainly confined to the years 2007-2009, users have reported seeing messages friends previously sent to their inboxes available for public view on their timeline. Although Facebook adamantly deny the reports, users remain convinced, with many vowing to quit the social network.
First raised by French tabloid newspaper MetroFrance nearly a month ago, a flood of similar reports have emerged worldwide. Despite claims that the messages were in fact wall posts, sent during a time pre-“like” and “comment” functions, hundreds suggest otherwise.
The return of the ‘Flange’ Features writer Polly Grice reminisces about the return of Mercy Being in my fourth year at UEA (gasp, when did that happen?) I’d like to think I’ve built up a pretty good knowledge of local nightlife. For the last six semesters, come rain or shine (and a few times even heavy snow) you’d be able to find me and a group of friends somewhere on Prince of Wales Road on a Thursday night. We’re the rowdy ones you’re probably avoiding, blowing whistles and trying to steal your hat. Prince of Wales is great, and don’t get me wrong, I love Norwich. But back when I was a fresher we didn’t have the amount of choice there is now. Wonderland (formerly Project) was still closed and had been as long as anyone can remember, Hideout hadn’t popped up yet and Vodka Revolutions was a mystical bar they had up north and in London. Oh, how times have changed. Back in 2009, Mercy was the only place to be on a Thursday night. A somewhat questionably titled “Flange” was the theme each week. I’m still not entirely sure what they were going for, but it certainly allowed the puns to come out. (Anyone remember pancake day? “Toss your Flange”? No?)
It felt like every single first year went there, the queues were halfway down Prince of Wales and the dancefloor was always packed. You couldn’t move without bumping into somebody you knew, and the night invariably ended the way it began, trying to get 50 drunk freshers on the back seat of the bus. And you know what? We always had a great night. Imagine our horror then when suddenly Mercy shut last year. No notice, no warning, no chance to say our final farewells. They just boarded it up and turned it into a cocktail bar. Too emotionally distraught, I never actually ventured into Uber, as it was called. It seems like nobody else did either, as that also shut pretty quickly. Then they announced that they were in fact bringing back Mercy. We rejoiced. I went to Mercy XS, as it’s been rebranded, and it was almost exactly the same as I hazily remember it. The huge dancefloor is still intact, as is the balcony, which comes in handy when you’ve drunkenly wandered off and lost all your friends. Even the DJ is the same. The drinks are still £1.50 and I was even given
a voucher for a free shot. (Althouh I’m not entirely sure what it was. Even Sherlock Holmes would have struggled to identify it.) It was just like old times. The place was packed, we had a great night and the crowd went mad to the 90s classics. The sheer fact that Mercy is still standing is impressive in itself. The Love2Love/Liquid building is little more than an eyesore. Despite many valiant attempts to breathe new life into the place, people just aren’t temped. But with Wonderland offering free taxis to entice people to make the trek down to Riverside and some fancy-dress LCRs being shifted to Wednesdays to entice sports clubs in, Mercy is facing a serious level of competition this time around. Yet it’s still full to the rafters of students and locals alike. So let this be a warning to all the new clubs in town, to Kartel, to Tau and to whatever they’re going to put in Wafou (please Lord let it be something better than Wafou!) If it aint broke, don’t fix it. Now if you don’t mind, I’m off to dig out my old Flange t-shirt …
Messages sent by friends are only available to view on your profile, but a simple matter of checking their profiles will allegedly display your replies. A catastrophe if proven true, it has potential to lose the social network hundreds of members. With Facebook promising the reports are false and users up in arms, it’s difficult to get the truth of the situation. At least it’s the only time Facebook have come a cropper about privacy, right? Oh, if only. Their problems started almost the minute the site was created. In 2006, when Facebook first launched the “news feed” we see daily, controversy arose after users weren’t given the option to control who could view their profile and updates. Student Ben Parr created a group called “Students Against Facebook News Feed”, which accrued 300,000 members and eventually gained an apology from Zuckerburg himself. “We really messed this one up,” he said. “We didn’t build in the proper privacy controls … a big mistake on our part.” 2007 saw the introduction of Beacon, a Facebook advertising system that tracked what users purchased from partner websites. Shockingly, it applied to those who weren’t even Facebook members. The
information was even readily published on friends’ timelines, revealing users’ purchase history to all. Following a website-wide outcry, Zuckerburg shut down Beacon in 2009. A turning point, you cry? Alas, 2009 saw no change in luck for Mark. Altered privacy settings meant that sharing information with “everyone” became the default setting. News feed privacy controls, which were implemented after 2006’s outcry, were removed. After petitions from groups including the American Civil Liberties Union, Facebook quickly included a guide to privacy settings for their users. It even sparked an investigation by the US Federal Trade Commission, as well as Canada’s privacy commission. Scary stuff. Facebook caved, and agreed to give users “clear and prominent notice” when information was shared. Yet, soon after, a glitch in 2010 caused private messages on Facebook to be sent to unintended recipients. Later that year, a coding error opened the messages to others. The Wall Street Journal revealed that Facebook and other social networking sites “have been sending data to advertising companies that could be used to find consumers’ names and other personal details, despite promises they don’t share
such information without consent.” Phew. What a busy couple of years. The unpopular timeline concept was introduced in 2011, and while users initially had the choice to opt out, it was made clear the changes would soon be mandatory. Information that had been buried under years of Facebooking was unearthed, and details on friends’ walls were unable to be deleted. Passionately disliked by many, a large proportion of users avoided the change for as long as possible, before it was systematically implemented to all members of the social network. The function that allowed you to click back to a certain year and reveal old statuses, tagged photos, and how many people had posted on your wall was controversial; the nostalgia aspect quickly wore off as the embarassing consequences dawned on users. Finally, (yes, finally), we saw problems with the “like” button. Widely loved by users, the “like” button initially landed Facebook in hot water. Nowadays primarily used to show approval of a status, or compliment a photo, users who had clicked the button for products began seeing their name and photo used to advertise the relevant product, including a hilarious
case involving a man named Nick Begus. After liking a 55-gallon barrel of personal lubricant as a joke, his friends saw his name popping up to promote the product. His sarcastic comment “For Valentine’s Day. And every day. For the rest of your life” even ended up forming part of an ad for Amazon, who sold the barrel. Be that a warning for all of you who are partial to a sarcastic “like”, or a drunken “frape”. Considering the fact that Facebook started through a privacy breach, the aforementioned events are relatively unsurprising. In 2003, Zuckerburg hacked into the Harvard photo directories to create “Facemash”, an attractiveness rating site, almost leading to his expulsion. It’s now reported that one out of every 13 of the world’s population is on Facebook, and its total users are around 500,000,000 as of 2011. For a man of such a young age with such a successful career behind him, perhaps we shouldn’t be surprised that he plans to run his network the way he started it. He hasn’t been shy about his views on privacy, claiming recently that the site’s lack of privacy controls is simply a response to changing social norms. “People have really gotten comfortable not only sharing more information and
different kinds, but more openly and with more people. That social norm is just something that has evolved over time.” Just lucky it’s not your private messages Facebook are revealing, eh, Mark? So what does the latest blunder mean for Facebook? Despite heavy denial, it does seem odd that thousands of users would be outraged at the same problem at the same time. It’s also important to consider that we, as users, don’t have the problem of PR and damage control to consider. But with Facebook seemingly determined to deny the rumours, we may never reach a conclusion. Tightening your privacy controls and limiting what people can see on your profile slims down your chances of encountering a red-faced blunder, but perhaps the only real way we can protect ourselves is in what we post. Avoid embarrassing comments, incriminating pictures and too much personal information. Even avoid intimate private messages (no more cyber-sex, boys and girls). The intention of keeping them private is apparently lost on the bigwigs at Facebook, so do yourself a favour and be careful what you write. Have some barriers, or you could soon see yourself as the new face of 55 gallons of lubricant.
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concrete.environment@uea.ac.uk
Issue 272
09/10/12
Environment
of electric Wet summers set to continue Impact cars questioned Rebecca Hardy Environment writer
Research carried out at the University of Reading suggests that the recent warming of the Atlantic Ocean is to blame for our wet summers. In August the Met Office released figures which confirmed the UK was having its wettest summer in 100 years. The data for summer 2012, defined as June, July and August, show that there was a UK wide rainfall of 366.8mm, making it the wettest summer since 1912, when 384.4mm fell. However, scientists say that this is only going to continue as long the Atlantic continues to warm. The research was focused around the natural phenomenon known as the Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation, a cyclical pattern of rising and falling ocean temperatures. These changes occur over a period of decades, inevitably rising but then falling again. In this instance however, the temperatures have not only risen above what is to be expected but the length of the period of warmth is far longer. What is perhaps even more worrying though is that this period of extreme rainfall is expected to be followed by a period of drought, an arguably more problematic occurrence. With this period of warming having begun in the 1990s, it is nearing its end and the scientists that carried out this research think that we could expect the droughts to come within the next two to
three years. The difficulty with these predictions comes from the fact that we are very unsure as to precisely how surface temperatures affect weather systems. However, what scientists do know is that the jet stream plays a large part in weather systems around the world, including the UK’s. The jet stream is a fast flowing narrow air current found in the upper levels of the earth’s atmosphere. It is thought
that the pressure changes caused by the difference in surface temperature affects the path of the jet stream, causing irregular weather. Regions to the north of the jet stream, where the UK was for most of the summer, tend to have heavier and more frequent rainfall. With all this unpredictable weather in the pipeline, the British public had better prepare themselves for more extreme summers in the future.
New research from UEA was recently published in the journal Proceedings of the Royal Society B, and reveals that sex can trigger substantial responses in females by activating a wide range of genes. The changes, observed at different points during studies of female fruit flies, included altered fertility, immunity, libido, and eating and sleep patterns.
A study released on Friday 5 October calls previous assumptions over the positive environmental impact of electric cars into question. The study, conducted by Norwegian scientists and published in The Journal of Industrial Ecology, reports that the environmental cost or “global warming potential” (GWP), of producing electric cars is twice as expensive as the environmental cost of producing traditional fossil fuel vehicles. According to the study, evaluations of electric cars based just on fuel efficiency “miss key differences.” Ironically, this negative GWP is caused many times by the components that give electric cars their environmental edge.
“While more
electric fuel
cars
efficient
are than
traditional cars, this perceived benefit is practically
Male flies dominate during sex, research finds Tilly Wood Environment writer
Grace Kramer Environment writer
Although still not proven, the same reaction is thought to occur in many other animals, and humans, provided semen is released into the female’s body during sex. Lead researcher Prof. Tracey Chapman from UEA’s School of Biological Sciences said: “It’s already known that seminal fluid proteins transferred from males during mating cause remarkable effects in females, including altered egg laying, feeding, immunity, sleep patterns, water balance, and sexual receptivity.”
Instead, their research focused on one particular seminal fluid protein called the enigmatic “sex peptide”, which had previously been ignored. She explained: “There were significant alterations to genes linked to egg development, early embryogenesis, immunity, nutrient sensing, behavior and, unexpectedly, phototransduction [the pathways by which they see].” This shows that the semen protein works as a “master regulator”. Therefore, the males effectively have direct influence on the general and reproductive behaviour of female fruit flies. Prof. Chapman commented: “An additional and intriguing twist is that the effects of semen proteins can favour the interests of males while generating costs in females, resulting in sexual conflict. “For example, there can be a tug-ofwar where males employ semen proteins to ensure that females make a large investment in the current brood, even if that doesn’t suit the longer term interests of females.”
moot”
For example, the batteries that power electric cars are made out from toxic minerals like nickel, copper, and aluminium, the production of which can contaminate soil and drinking water. The study notes that while electric cars are more fuel efficient than traditional cars, this perceived benefit is practically moot with electricity produced in areas that draw power primarily from coal or oil. Electric cars’ popularity increased significantly in the past decade, largely due to their perceived positive GWP. They also cost less in the long run, reports The Guardian in an article released last month. That is, providing that one can afford the upfront cost of the vehicles, about £30,000 for the 2012 Vauxhall Ampera. Finding places and the time to charge electric cars also present concerns. Despite these negative effects, emphasis is put on the positive impact that the very idea of electric cars gives the environment. The study highlights that “[electric cars] are an important technological breakthrough”. The GWP of electric cars will decrease as the infrastructure used in their manufacture improves. Until then, there is a possibility that a more significant reduction in GWP would be achieved by changing from petrol to diesel vehicles rather than making the jump to electric.
Science & Tech
09/10/12
Issue 272
concrete.science@uea.ac.uk
Snake venom for your pain, sir? Rebecca Hardy Science editor
French scientists have discovered a painkiller as powerful as morphine in the venom of the Black Mamba. The Black Mamba is not only one of the most dangerous snakes in Africa, but is also one of the fastest. The reptile uses this speed, and its deadly venom, to paralyse its prey by releasing neurotoxins into small mammals and other prey. The discovery was made during an experiment on mice and left the scientists baffled as to why this pain relief would be produced in the first place. As humans and mice share very similar pain mechanisms, this could be a very important discovery in the advancement of medicine. The scientists analysed venom from over 50 other species of snake before isolating the morphine-like properties
found in the Mamba venom. These painkilling proteins, named mambaigins, are a particularly important discovery because they produce an analgesia as powerful as that of morphine, but without any of the side effects. Unlike morphine which works on the opioid pathway in the brain, mambaigins focus on a completely different and “novel” mechanism of action and so should eliminate most of the more common side effects such as headaches, vomiting, twitching and addictiveness.
“it should eliminate most of the more common side effects such as headaches, vomiting, twitching and addictiveness” This is not the first time that venom has been used in the field of medicine. Last month it was published that reptile
15
venom may be used to develop a whole range of new drugs due to its ability to adapt and change within the reptiles body. This ability to quickly evolve is thought to have been necessary to avoid prey developing a resistance to the venom. It has been noticed that the snakes are able to “reclaim” certain toxins and safely reuse them elsewhere in the body. This remarkable ability to recycle its own cells has meant that the venom glands of poisonous reptiles have become a melting pot of genetic possibilities. Not only are they able to create an adaptive venom, they are also able to store and adapt toxic molecules to benefit their own survival chances in a world of adapt or be eaten. However, scientists have warned that there is still a long way to go as the venom is currently only potent if injected directly into the spine.
Land speed record Facebook reaches hopes for rocket car one billion users Juliet Muncey Science writer
Is it a bird? Is it a vampire? Is it a porcupine? John Keith Science writer Well, actually, it is a newly discovered dinosaur that looks like a combination of all three! Professor Paul Sereno, the palaeontologist who uncovered the fossils of this curious creature in South Africa, believes it lived between 100 and 200 million years ago. Despite its prickly demeanour, this cat-sized dinosaur is actually thought to have been a herbivore and belongs to the group of dinosaurs known as the heterodontosaurs. However, this group shares a peculiarity which still divides the field of palaeontology. In spite of them being classed as herbivores, they all sport a set of very menacing looking, large and sharp-edged canines, which leads some scientists to suggest that they may have supplemented their diets with meat. The aptly named Pegomastax africanus, “thick jaw from Africa”, had
a parrot-like beak with two stabbing canines at the front and a row of taller teeth behind for slicing plants. One of the theories behind the prominent canines is that they were used for selfdefence and dominant male sparring, which was common amongst the smaller dinosaurs.
“Despite its prickly demeanour, this cat sized dinosaur is actually thought to have been a herbivore” Oddly, the Pegomastax was actually discovered by Sereno in 1983 but has waited until now to publish his findings as he has been distracted by larger research projects. The discovery was made when he was a graduate studying in a lab at Harvard University, but he decided to allow his age and wisdom to grow before he unveiled his findings to the world.
The peace in Newquay was shattered last Wednesday as UK scientists tested a new rocket engine. The British team believe that once finished, their car will be able to travel at speeds of over 1,000mph and break the current land speed record of 763mph. However the car, named The Bloodhound, will not be attempting this feat until 2014 as it is still in the early stages of construction. To test the engine, scientists had to attach it to a static rig inside a hardened shelter at Newquay airport. As the engineers had predicted that the engine would make the loudest sound in the UK, extra preventative measures had to be taken; despite these, those closest to the Airport were far from disappointed when the ignition was turned. The 18 inch hybrid rocket engine will be used alongside a EurofighterTyphoon jet engine in order to create the thrust required to go supersonic. The car itself will carry a Cosworth Formula 1 engine, which unlike in an F1 car will have no direct involvement in the driving and will instead will turn the pump that forces liquid oxidiser into the rocket’s fuel chamber. The test run on Wednesday was incredibly important as it was the first time the team could see how the engines and the electronics worked together. However, these initial tests appear to have been a success and the team are now looking forward to completing the rest of the supersonic car.
The social networking sensation Facebook announced last week that it has more than one billion people using it every month. This overwhelming figure was announced by founder Mark Zuckerberg on US television last Thursday. Since its launch in 2004, Facebook has grown to a phenomenal size and these current statistics mean that roughly 1 in 6 people around the world has a Facebook account. Facebook at one billion (October 2012): •Median user age: 22 •Top countries (alphabetical order): Brazil, India, Indonesia, Mexico, United States •Mobile users: 600 million At 500 million (July 2010): •Median user age: 23 •Top countries: Brazil, India, Indonesia, Mexico, United States •Users who joined the site at this point now have an average of 305 friends At 100 million (August 2008): •Median user age: 23 •Top countries: Chile, France, Turkey, United Kingdom, United States •Users who joined the site at this point now have an average of 334 friends At 50 million (October 2007): •Median user age: 26 •Top countries: Australia, Canada, Turkey, United Kingdom, United States •Users who joined the site at this point now have an average of 321 friends At 25 million (January 2006): •Median user age: 19 •Top countries: Australia, Canada, Germany, United Kingdom, United States •Users who joined the site at this point now have an average of 598 friends
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concrete.travel@uea.ac.uk
Issue 272
09/10/12
Travel
Shanghai: a tale of two cities Polly Grice Travel editor Shanghai has long been described as a place where east meets west, in everything from art to cuisine to fashion. The very city itself can bear testament to this, as nowhere in China does the ancient and the modern, the traditional and the cutting edge or the Asian and the Western fuse so effortlessly together. The Pudong area of the city boasts a spectacular skyline with banks, large corporations and media organisations all leaving their mark on the skies above Shanghai. Tourists flock to the Bund on the other side of the river to marvel at the skyscrapers which could rival those in Manhattan. The nerve centre of an ever expanding Chinese economy, this area’s ultra-modern look is thanks in no small part to a multi-million pound restoration in 2010 for the World Exhibition. The centerpiece of the area is the Oriental Pearl Radio and TV Tower. Arguably Shanghai’s most recognisable landmark, the TV tower becomes even more spectacular at night with thousands of LED lights putting on a show for the tourists crowding to get a glimpse of the ultra sleek skyline. A short journey on the subway away, and it’s a very different story. Wander west of the Bund and you will come across the Old Town. As the name suggests, this is the oldest part of Shanghai
Polly Grice and the architecture is in a much more traditional style, with pagodas and ornate dragon carvings everywhere you look. A large market, tea rooms and the temple of the God of the city are paradise for travellers who have become disillusioned with modern Shanghai and seek the retreat of classical China. All is not what it appears to be at first however, as the likes of Starbucks, McDonalds and even Dairy Queen have wormed their way in next to the chopstick stands. These eateries are not full of tourists however, and you are more likely to find a local
tucking into a Big Mac than a westerner, showing the growing Chinese market for American fast food. The Shanghai museum in the heart of the city is a must for any visitor. At first, it looks like a fairly modern building with a distinctive round shape and smooth walls, but again, appearances can be deceiving. The ancient Chinese philosophers believed the Earth was square and the universe round, and the building was designed with square foundations to reflect and honour this belief. The museum itself holds a frankly astonishing collection of ancient
Chinese ceramics, jade, calligraphy, furniture, coins and more. The galleries represent many of the most celebrated dynasties and tip their hats to the ancient Chinese too, with some pieces dating thousands of years BC. If all that culture is just too much for you, the French Concession might be just what the doctor ordered. Shanghai has been called the “Paris of the East“ and it’s true that the Shanghainese adore everything French. Bakeries selling croissants, French designer clothing stores and knock-off Longchamp bags are never far away in Shanghai. The French Quarter even looks a little like the city of lights, with trees adorning every street where the fashionable affluent young Chinese come to indulge in a little retail therapy. Despite all of the contradictions and juxtapositions, it never feels forced or out of place. Shanghai is truly a melting pot and while it may not be the capital it is certainly ahead of Beijing in terms of creating a new identity for a new generation of Chinese people. With everything that it has become though; Shanghai has not forgotten what it was. Art deco-style buildings, traditional Chinese restaurants and classic formal gardens stand alongside the Apple stores, McDonalds and skyscrapers in perfect harmony creating a new, exciting and pulsating city full of surprises just waiting to be discovered.
Why not go on a cruise to Bruges? Kirsten Powley Travel writer Now, I know what you’re thinking. A cruise ship is where old posh people go to play their last few card games in life. But as a cruise-goer from a young age, I can assure you that it’s fun and games for all ages. This is why my family and I journeyed to the Southampton dock to celebrate my Mum’s birthday with a cruise to the city of Bruges in Belgium. With a welcoming on-board ship party of cocktails, we were all in high spirits to explore Bruges the next day. It was a beautiful day with clear skies you couldn’t quite imagine in mid-October England. Bruges was almost exactly how I expected it to be; with chocolate shops absolutely everywhere. Rows upon rows of chocolate slabs so thick you could essentially make furniture and be assured of its stability (if not the practicality). There was a constant smell of waffles combined with chocolate sauce in the air – in my opinion, probably the best marketing technique I’ve ever come across. It was very much like Hansel
and Gretel being lured into sweet-toothed temptation. Luckily, walking amongst the streets was enjoyable enough, so we didn’t overindulge our chocolate desires. Typically European, the cobbled streets and brick walls gave a very romantic feel when paired with the canals that ran through the city, reminiscent of Venice.
What made it feel even more like time machines should exist by now were the windmills and the architecture. Both were so authentic and aesthetically pleasing that you couldn’t help but want to give Bruges a pat on the back. In Bruges, you can turn any corner and find something impressive. One of my highlights was stumbling across a man
performing music with what I can only describe as massive woks and what looked like a non-Australian didgeridoo. I’ve seen my fair share of street performers, but never were they accompanied as this man was with burning incense beside him. This city really did tease and play with every one of your senses. And what better way to end the day than tasting that famous Belgian fruit beer – in the sun, by a canal. Perfect. The cruise ship was the Belgian truffle on the cake. We had champagne on the balcony watching the sunset, as we got dressed up for the formal dinner in the ship’s restaurant. My mum was even presented with a birthday cake as the waiters sang “Happy birthday”. The Belgians are prepared for Christmas all year. Shops with the most delicate and unique tree decorations and Christmas chocolates were on every street, receiving as much attention in October as you would imagine in December. My advice: go to Bruges at Christmas, when the chocolate and Christmas markets are bound to be irresistible. Also, try a cruise. It’s worth it.
Travel
09/10/12
Issue 272
concrete.travel@uea.ac.uk
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Nothing to lose in Toulouse Maddy Hutt Travel writer Nestled between Bordeaux and Montpellier, Toulouse hosts the fourth largest student population in the country but does not attract a great throng of tourists, making the city’s hotspots all the more tricky to locate. Not to worry though, as we have compiled a little list of the hidden gems unearthed and not-tobe-missed destinations. Famed for its distinctive red-brick buildings, Toulouse is best viewed whilst sipping an Asahi beer at Sushi shop on the rooftop of Gallerie La Fayette, but for the best ground level view of the centre, head to the Amorino ice cream parlour in Place Capitol and sit outside amidst the twinkling evening lights where you can admire the beautiful Capitol building. For southern French cooking, try Monsieur Georges in the heart of the city. You may want to put a few euros aside before making a reservation but it is well worth the spend. It was here that I discovered one of France’s best creations; the café gourmand, an after dinner indulgence of an espresso with an array of little pixie desserts in teeny tiny cups. Just be warned, if you order a steak here don’t hesitate to give specific cooking instructions if you would prefer your meat not to be mooing. More in keeping with the student budget, there is the Grand Pizzeria. This quirky restaurant can be found tucked away a short walk from Jean Jaures metro station and despite its rough and ready exterior this restaurant boasts a huge selection of fresh pizzas and an exceptionally well-priced wine list. Their
five rosé carafes and Toscane pizzas featured heavily in my third year diet and this place is a charming, homely eatery that no traveller to Toulouse should miss out on visiting. Something to look out for are the live music sessions that take place in the streets often during the summer months. Along the Rue du Taur, just off Place Capitole, I was lucky enough to stumble upon a band playing Latin American inspired music whilst onlookers stood by munching crepes from the various cafes who stayed open late just for the occasion. It was a wonderful way to spend an evening out in the city. Moving away from food to the beautiful river and while walking along the Garonne at sunset, you will encounter many a musician and dozens of students chatting and reclining on the riverbank. When the sun goes down you can head straight up the steps and into the Toulousian night life at Saint des Seins bar (that’s “Saint Breasts” bar for all of you non-French speakers) for Motown and rock, Cale Seche bar where the menu consists entirely of rum in a pirate cabin setting, or Bar Basque, the watering hole of choice for the Toulouse rugby team. Slightly out of the way of the centre are the Japanese gardens. These tranquil gardens host a winding river and beautiful pagoda that are well worth a wander around. Also check out the Jardin des Plantes, where you can sometimes find the central bandstand full of people partnered up and dancing to jazz. In short, Toulouse is the hidden gem of the south and I urge you to head to Gatwick and get on the next Easyjet flight to The Pink City.
Insider Knowledge •
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Toulouse is known for its leading aeronautics company Airbus, where almost every other citizen seems to be employed. It is famous for its Merguez sausages (you can even head to your local Morrisons to sample them) and also the Cassoulet, a bean stew which divides its tasters much in the same way as Marmite. You will often hear this city being referred to as The Pink City, after its pink brick buildings.
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Toulouse is twinned with Bristol and Tripoli It has one of the cheapest public transport systems in Europe - You can have unlimited travel on the metro and bus for just 10 euros a month! Top tip - French women have a tendency to reverse the British notion of dressing up ... you will often find it perfectly acceptable to wear high heels to a seminar yet many women opt for jeans and casual shoes in even the swankiest of nightclubs.
I know a great little place ... Every week our writers will tell you their favourite place in the world. This week, travel writer Alice Edwards tells us her favourite place to camp: Stubcroft Farm near Chichester. There is a clear camping spectrum; from high-maintenance ‘glampers’ who prefer electrified yurts, quaint gypsy caravans and even converted TFL buses, to those who prefer to drink from streams and use leaves as toilet paper. Stubcroft has the perfect balance between the two; a dedicated recycling policy, eco-loos and the omnipresent sheep keep it au-natural but the stocked shop, showers and proximity to West Wittering, Blue Flag beaches like the one on the left and Tesco’s allow for some comforts. All you need for happiness here is a barbeque on the go, perhaps a beer and some beautiful people to share it all with. Essential items to take while camping are:
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Eye covers and earplugs – birds aren’t as sweet with a banging head. • Wind-up torch – because batteries always fail and guide ropes are not your friends. • Wooden skewers – for marshmallows, obviously. • Fire lanterns – biodegradable ones if you’re judging. • Radio or speakers – not needing a plug-in. Lastly, a couple of notes on the joys of fire follow: Fire is one of those things in life that humans never fail to be memorised by, especially so if you are camping, however it is still quite rare to find a campsite that allows them, so look out for sites with fire pits!
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concrete.lifestyle@uea.ac.uk
Issue 272
09/10/12
Lifestyle
Celebrating Black History Month in Norwich Aniefiok Ekpoudom Lifestyle writer The beginning of October marks the commencement of Norfolk Black History Month: a period of observance across the United Kingdom which aims to promote knowledge of black culture, history and heritage. While prevalent in other parts of the UK since 1987, Norfolk Black History Month did not begin until 2003. Since then, the county has held a numerous events including workshops, films and exhibitions in celebration of the period. For those interested in getting involved this year, there is plenty to do in and around Norwich, with an event held almost every day during October. On Tuesday 30 October, an African film evening will be held at the Workshop, located in the city centre. The evening will be based on Congolese director and actor Zeka Laplaine. His life work will be discussed and the evening will conclude with a screening of one of his films. If comedy is more your thing, then why not go along and see highly acclaimed comedian Stephen K Amos? Amos will be performing at the Norwich Playhouse on both 26 and 27 October at 8pm. Described as one of the warmest comics around, he is in Norwich for two
nights, where he will perform his new stand up show. Throughout the month there will also be lots of talks and exhibitions held at the Forum in the city centre. The standout events include a lecture entitled Black History Month at the 1968 Olympic Games, on Tuesday 2, while on Friday 5 there will be the interesting Hollywood Representations talk which will focus on the portrayal of African Americans in Hollywood film. UEA’s very own Afro-Caribbean Society (or the ACS as they are more commonly known) will be holding a series of events to honour the month. This includes a debate which will focus on the stigmas attached to ethnic culture and diversity. From past experience, these are always highly stimulating and thought provoking, and this year’s debate promises to be no different. In addition to this, they have invited the African Caribbean Leukaemia Trust (ACLT) to the university. The ACLT are a well-respected charity whose brilliant work has helped save many lives since their establishment. They will present a talk about the disease and the importance of bone marrow donors in the black community. Lastly, the ACS will be hosting their
infamous Rep Your Country party, where people of all nationalities come together to celebrate different cultures in what is always a memorable night. To find out more about the wide range
of events being hosted in the city, visit www.norfolkblackhistorymonth.org.uk, or for times and details of events hosted by the ACS, visit them at facebook.com/ acs.uea.
I want to ride my bicycle, and so should you
Whye Tchien Khor Lydia Clifton Lifestyle writer The days of wobbling around your garden on stabilisers are long gone, and it’s time to revive your bicycle for more practical matters. Most likely, many of you have a
stabiliser-free bike at university already and either use it religiously, or have it sitting neglected in a bike rack or shed. If you’re leaving your bike to bite the dust (or don’t have one at all), read on and see how it could actually be your little life saver. The most obvious benefit of having a
bike at university is getting from A to B quickly without constantly paying for bus tickets. We’ve all run out of breath into a seminar after waking up with ten minutes to spare, and being able to travel on wheels would certainly give you a little more time to get ready in the morning (and a little less time in a flap pacing down the street). That is not to say that speed walking isn’t an effective way to travel, but it’s safe to say that more of us tuned into the delights of the Olympic velodrome than the 20km race walk this summer. Honestly, if you’re that keen to get somewhere by foot, just run! The Olympics have shown us that people in this country work better on a bicycle, but it’s not just speed and convenience you’ll be gaining from hopping on your bike. Ward off the freshers’ 15 without paying a fortune for the gym (those £1.60 payments add up) and take a ride to increase your fitness and be more active during the day. Not only will you feel more lively and healthy, but cycling is a one way ticket to a nice derriere, and you’d be lying if you said you didn’t want one of those. It’s also common knowledge that active people are more productive, so riding a few times a week could give your academic work a boost. It’s all win, win, win! Not to
mention that exercise also relieves stress. You’ve already arrived from A to B on time, saved money at the gym, increased your fitness, sculpted your dream glutes, reduced your stress levels and boosted your university work, what more could you possibly want? Don’t let it go to your head, but simply by cycling between university, home and the city, you’re saving the world. Bikes are the hippy’s “up yours” to the cars and buses which are polluting our environment and contributing to global warming. Join the eco warriors and hop on your bike for a guilt-free conscience. Cycling around Norwich couldn’t be easier, with its network of cycle paths and bike shops all around the city centre. Hopefully you’ve been encouraged to head their way to invest in your own long-term money, health, work and life-saver, or, if you have a bike already, then give it a once over and start reaping its benefits. There is no excuse not to saddle up, grab a helmet and get on your bike. If none of these reasons to cycle happen to take your fancy, then I suggest that you simply take one bike ride around the UEA broad, pretend you’re not a student after all, and instead dream of being an Olympian in the velodrome.
Lifestyle
09/10/12
Issue 272
concrete.lifestyle@uea.ac.uk
Inside the mind of a troll Joel Taylor Lifestyle writer “Give a man a mask,” it is often said, “and he will show you his true face.” Never has this sentiment been more appropriate than in the world of cyberspace. In an environment where any man can be whoever he wants and anonymity is so easily achieved, almost anything can be done or said without fear of reprisal or consequence. The term “troll” most likely comes from the practice of “trolling for newbies”, first found in the 1990 Usenet group AFU. The troll was initially seen to be a positive contribution to the online community, posting contentious topics that had already been discussed in the knowledge that only “newbies” would respond. However, as traffic and participation grew, the act became frowned upon. In this incidence, trolling was seen to be humorous rather than provocative, and that still continues today. In less mainstream areas of the internet such as Reddit or 4chan, light-hearted trolling often happens, and is either applauded for its subtlety or totally ignored. Successful artistic trolling relies heavily on in-jokes, and, as a result, is lost on most internet
users. The more mainstream internet trolling, on which the media places its focus, has mutated so far from its origins that it would be unrecognisable to the early artists. No longer based on subtlety, wit and inside-jokes, it has absorbed the role of “flaming” and exists to do little more than provoke anger and disgust in online forums. But why? Internet forums are ripe for trolling – it’s easy to post under a pseudonym and, from Apple fanboys to feminists and beyond, users are often passionate about what they discuss. Frequently a troll simply wants to sow the seeds of discord and then sit back in their desk chair to watch the fireworks explode, but increasingly it is seen as a way to oppose views the troll disagrees with, because he lacks confidence in his own ability to argue fairly and logically. Last year, Channel 4 aired Derren Brown’s The Experiments. In one episode, a masked audience were given the power to vote on the fate of an unsuspecting member of public over the course of a day. They consistently voted for the worst outcomes, resulting in his house getting burgled and eventually in him being kidnapped. It showed that, with the mask
of anonymity, most humans are willing to heap misery on others. In a sense, trolls are not entirely dissimilar to the bullies that we all grew up with, and sadly said bullying has evolved alongside technology. It wasn’t so long ago that you couldn’t pick up The Sun without an editorial on text-bullying, teenage anorexia or suicide, but as the internet has become more social and somehow less accountable, this bullying has breached the cyber divide. The same technology that has shrunk our world and brought humanity closer together has also forced us further apart. The most logical response to trolls would be to offer no response at all. Trolls thrive on the reactions of their audiences; that buzz given to them by the short burst of notoriety and fame offered to them on Twitter and online forums. The Guardian’s David Mitchell notes that troll comments are like graffiti and should carry as much weight, but like real-world bullies, their actions are difficult to ignore. We can only hope that trolling will follow in the footsteps of happy-slapping and the many other destructive fads that came before it, but, until then, we can only appreciate that some people just want to watch the world burn.
Has Instagram lost its interest? Bex White Lifestyle writer
We live in an age where social media is all around us. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing, it’s easier to keep in contact with people who live far away and we are always updated on our friends’ lives, but is there a point where this becomes too much? The majority of people on campus will know what Instagram is, and you can guarantee that all of these people have formed their own opinion of it. Whether they’re an avid user or a staunch opponent, Instagram’s presence is unavoidable for anyone with any form of social media. Available for both Android models and
the iPhone, the app enables the user to immediately upload a picture of what they are doing, choose a filter to “fit the mood of the photo” and, of course, share it with their friends. In theory this sounds like a great app, allowing users to share the interesting things in their lives whilst also avoiding the hassle of going through lots of different apps and tools on their phones. The issue with Instagram comes through with the phrase “share the interesting things in their lives.” Is yesterday’s dinner really that interesting? Everybody eats dinner every day and yes, yours may well be delicious, but is it really necessary to tell the world just how delicious it is? This app has led to many users believing that they are a master photographer.
Surely if you are a master photographer you’d want something more than your phone to take a photo with? There are thousands of professional photographers in the world, and very few use Instagram to get that perfect shot. As with any social media, it’s how people use it that determines whether it is good or bad, and Instagram is so popular that it has easily become one of the most annoying apps out there. The majority of the world seems to manage without it, yet those who use it can’t seem to live without it. Whilst in essence Instagram is totally harmless, its popularity does beg one question: what has our generation become if we feel we only have a fulfilled life if we share it on the internet?
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The longdistance friendship Ellen Thornton Lifestyle writer
It is a truth universally acknowledged that long distance relationships are not for the faint hearted. Long-winded phone calls, emotional Skype chats and teary goodbyes; we’ve all been there. Throwing yourself into a new life at university whilst maintaining relationships at home is never easy, but what is there to be said about keeping in touch with your old friends? What happens when the person who has been there for 18 years suddenly slips off the radar? Amidst the chaos of friend-making, campus-navigating and freshers’ week initiations, it is to be expected that regular contact with friends from home becomes scarce. Panic arises when you realise the last text you sent is dated four weeks ago and the non-existent reply speak volumes. Does this make you a bad person? Should you feel offended by their neglect? The answer to both is a big resounding no. The main thing to note about friendship is that it is mutual. If you are terrible at keeping in contact, the likelihood is they are just as bad as you. Nevertheless, there are a few things you should consider. Skype is genius. Free, easy and flexible, it facilitates everything from the epic mid-term debrief to twenty minute catchups. What’s more, it doesn’t have to be a scheduled event. If you are both struggling to make time in your busy schedules, why not Skype whilst getting ready for a night out? It is likely that you have friends at universities all over the country. Take advantage of the free accommodation and plan a visit. Get to know their new friends and introduce them to yours. If you are familiar with their university life, it will seem less distant from your own. Finally, if the road trips don’t happen, and if your social bubble proves to be impenetrable, make the most of the Christmas, Easter and summer holidays. Arrange a big meet-up and you will find yourselves reunited with those who signed your fracture-cast in year four. With an entire month to yourselves, you’ll easily catch up on what’s been missed. University is a new chapter in your life, but it doesn’t have to be a separate book. You will find that there are times when you don’t speak with friends from home, and you may not see them for a whole term, but when you do finally catch up, you will pick up exactly where you left off. Those friendships worth holding onto will stand the test of time, and they’ll certainly be the friends worth keeping.
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concrete.lifestyle@uea.ac.uk
Issue 272
09/10/12
Lifestyle
The pros and cons of protein shakes Sam Tomkinson Lifestyle writer Protein shakes have become ubiquitous with fitness in the 21st century. Ask most regular gym users and they will say that they use milkshakes or other supplements to help them gain the muscular physique they are aspire for. They have also become synonymous with high-level professional sports, as a way of boosting the performance of sportsmen and women. This was not the way, however, in the 1970s and 1980s, when it used to only be body builders who used a calcium carbonate mixture that was known for tasting horrible. Now, thanks to clever advertising, a more appetising milkshake-based mixture, and a variety of flavourings, protein supplements are much more appealing to the mainstream consumer. The question is: are they good for you or not? Protein shakes are an excellent way of increasing muscle definition and size. They are a great aid in recovery after a workout, allowing people to do more
gym sessions per week and therefore better their chances of achieving their goals in the gym. Furthermore, they can be used as a meal replacement if, as a student, you don’t quite have the time to cook a hot meal and make it to that seminar you can’t afford to miss. Protein powders should not, however, be used as the sole basis of your diet. You need to make sure that you keep to a balanced and healthy diet, with the shake as an additional way of improving your physique. Milkshakes also appeal to the taste buds, with flavours like strawberry, chocolate, and cookies and cream being some of the most popular varieties. They may not have many proven scientific results, but when Men’s Health Magazine did a six week six-pack challenge with sports presenters such as Chris Kamara on an incredibly busy schedule, the results were staggering. If you have seen Kammy in the latest Ladbrokes advert, you’d agree that protein shakes have helped him considerably. Despite all of their benefits, there are also some downsides to protein
shakes. If a combination of a good diet and regular exercise is not adhered to, the increased amount of protein and fat (depending on the type of product you use) will inevitably cause weight gain. In addition, protein shakes are not entirely scientifically-proven, and there can be health risks when using certain products containing ingredients that do not sit well with your constitution. The high level of vitamins that are used in protein shakes and supplements can also give you an excessive amount of your recommended daily allowance of some nutrients, which may have an adverse effect on your
health. This is especially the case when using supplements. In addition, protein shakes can also be quite expensive and, unless you are serious about using them, it would not be advised to purchase them on a student budget. When combined with healthy eating and regular exercise, protein shakes are good way of improving your physique. However, it goes without saying that you should not sacrifice a good diet in favour of them, as this will not help you at all. The best thing to do is to use shakes as an additional way of improving your body.
Easy pizza pie recipe Cheap and cheerful Emily-Claire Tucker Lifestyle writer Cheaper than Domino’s and actually bordering on a healthy meal, pizza pie is something between a lasagne and a pizza. Pizza pie keeps for up to a week in the fridge and can easily be reheated. Plus, like pizza, it’s also really good cold. Ingredients • 1 pack of tortilla wraps • 2 x 400g cans of kidney beans • 2 x 250g of sweetcorn • 2 x 400g cans of chopped tomatoes • 1 tbsp of oil • 1 clove of garlic • 1 red pepper • 1 tbsp of ketchup • 250g of grated cheese • Salt, pepper and as much chilli powder as you like Method 1. Preheat your oven to 200°C or Gas Mark 6. 2. Peel and slice the onion and pepper, and then fry them in the oil in a large saucepan until they start to soften. Then add chilli powder, salt and pepper, and cook over a low heat for 15 minutes.
3. Add the tinned tomatoes and ketchup, fill one of the empty tomato cans with water and add this to the pan too. Allow this to simmer whilst you make the filling for the pizza pie. 4. To make the filling, drain and rinse the kidney beans and sweetcorn, then combine in a bowl with the grated cheese. Keep about two handfuls of the cheese reserved to top the pie. 5. To assemble the pie, use a round ovenproof dish, preferably around four inches deep and big enough to fit a tortilla wrap. If you can’t find one big enough, you can just trim the wraps so they fit into the bottom of the dish. 6. Spread around two tablespoons of the tomato mixture onto the bottom of the dish and then sit a tortilla wrap on top. 7. Cover the tortilla wrap with some of the beans and cheese mixture, then cover the beans with a few spoonfuls of the tomato mixture and top this with a tortilla wrap. Continue this layering, finishing with a tortilla on top, until the dish is quite full. Don’t worry if it looks really full or quite watery, this all gets absorbed by the tortillas in the oven. 8. Top the pie with the reserved cheese and bake in the oven for around half an hour, or until the cheese is golden and bubbling.
carrot soup recipe Alice Edwards Lifestyle writer Soups are pretty magical for students; they save time and money, can be reheated and revitalised with random ingredients from the fridge and are usually disturbingly healthy. Ingredients • ½ an onion, finely chopped • 300g of carrots, coined and then quartered • 2 tsp of ground cumin • 2 shakes of chilli powder • 1 shake paprika • 70g of red split lentils • 1 tbsp of olive oil • 500ml of hot vegetable stock • 80ml of milk • Salt and pepper • Lardons/chorizo/crispy bacon (optional) Method 1. Place a large saucepan on a low heat. Add the onions, cumin, chilli powder, paprika and the olive oil.
2. Stir a little and keep on the low heat until the onion is golden, for roughly 5 – 10 minutes. 3. Add the carrot, lentils, stock and milk, and then season with the salt and pepper. 4. Simmer for around 20 minutes or until the lentils and carrots are soft. 5. If you want a smooth soup, get your hands on a hand-blender or food processor and blend your soup. If you like it chunky, or simply don’t have such technology, just leave it how it is. 6. Taste and season, or spice it up if it’s too mild for you. Split into bowls or containers for the week.
Alice Edwards
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Issue 272
09/10/12
Canary Corner by Dan Suen
Editors’ column Billy Sexton Sports editor 2012 has undoubtedly been the greatest year of sport in living memory. You’re all probably sick of hearing of the fantastic achievements of Jess Ennis, Greg Rutherford and Andy Murray, all of whom clearly displayed their passion for the sport, whether this be in their performance or celebrations. However, despite the glorification of the atheletes of the nation, Lewis Hamilton recently tarnished the immaculate reputation we’ve collectively applied to the nation’s sporting heroes. Showing little care for loyalty or competitiveness, Hamilton completed a reported $100 million move to Mercedes, which will see him driving under Ross Brawn, the man who engineered Michael Schumacher’s five world titles at Ferrari. However, despite Hamilton’s rhetoric claiming the move was to provide a new challenge, Mercedes are not expected to be pushing for race wins, so why has the man who is desperate for a second world title, joining a team who is unlikely to provide him with it? Hamilton is part of an evermultiplying breed of sportsperson who are primarily motivated by money and fame rather than success and respect. The Hamilton-Mercedes deal has made way for upcoming star Sergio Perez to fulfil his potential in superior machinery at McLaren, where Jenson Button will continue to drive. Hamilton’s move has forced Michael Schumacher into a second retirement at the end of the season, marking the end to his Formula 1 comeback that disappointed on all fronts. Hamilton has gone from hero to zero in some respects. He won the support of the nation in 2007 when he burst on to the F1 grid but his arrogance, controversial driving and questionable comments have caused a significant loss of support. His talent is undeniable and many do consider him to be one of the fastest drivers currently on the F1 grid, but his attitude and lifestyle are undoubtedly his major flaws.
The spirit and tenacity that earned Norwich City a well-deserved point against Spurs has since evaded Chris Hughton’s side, with a goalless draw against West Ham in a game neither side set alight followed by a narrow defeat to Newcastle at the Sports Direct Arena, after a fine finish from the inform Demba Ba. A flicker of light in an otherwise miserable September saw the Canaries scrape through to the fourth round of the Capital One Cup with a 1-0 victory over Doncaster Rovers on a night where players and fans alike paid tribute to the late John Bond, who managed Norwich between 1973 and 1980. Norwegian midfielder Alexander Tettey scored the only goal, his first for the Canaries since arriving from Rennes in the summer. However this form would not continue and just a few days later Luis Suarez replicated last season’s mesmeric display at Carrow Road and put another hat-trick past John Ruddy, with the home team losing 5-2 on the day, with consolation goals from Steve Morison and Grant Holt. Norwich fans will aim to keep calm and continue to enjoy life in the Premier League, but that will prove a difficult task in October, with Norwich facing away trips to league leaders Chelsea and also Aston Villa, perhaps a bitter fixture for City fans as the West Midlands side are now managed former boss Paul Lambert.
Arsenal visit Carrow Road in the Canaries’ only home game of the month. While any points won against Chelsea and Arsenal will be considered a bonus given the strong starts the London teams have made, few would disagree Norwich fans would relish besting Villa, particularly with antiLambert sentiment still ripe at Carrow Road. One can only hope that Canary Corner tells a happier story to tell next time around, and although the games ahead are tough, there is no room for sympathy in the toughest league in the world. Norwich need to start picking up points soon, otherwise they will face being condemned to the relegation places for the remainder of the season.
UEA Snow to return to Val Thorens
Robbie Morgan President of UEA Snow UEA Snow return to Val Thorens for their annual ski trip for the second consecutive year. After the success of last year’s amazing week on the Three Valleys, the club venture back for more. With 180 places available, this year’s trip is guaranteed to be the club’s biggest trip yet! Those who came last year will remember the masses of piste to choose from, as well as the amazing party atmosphere and nightlife. With world famous après ski bars and the biggest night club in the Alps, Val Thorens really is the place to be for what is likely to be the best week of the university year! A base price of only £359 includes travel, accommodation and lift pass, definitely a bargain not to be missed! Find us on Facebook: UEA Snow and Twitter: @UEASNOW, or email info.ueasnow@ gmail.com for more information!
Sport Cricket look to hit ground running Sam Tomkinson Sports editor
UEA cricket are looking forward to a good season in both indoor and outdoor competitions, after the weather hampered the majority of their most recent season. Cricket has two teams, indoor and outdoor, and compete in the summer in Bucs Midlands Division 2A and the Midlands Divison 5A respectively.UEA cricket have a pedigree in the indoor arena having made it to the national semi-finals in Birmingham last year and will be looking to do the same in the new league and knockout system. Matches take place on a Saturday at the Sportspark, which means no long drives to the Midlands. There’s also a chance for good preparation for Derby Day against Essex, as they look to avenge narrow defeats last year. The club have a new committee this year who are looking to keep improving the reputation of the Club through their work on and off the cricket field. Training times are Mondays 4.20pm to 6.00pm and Fridays 2.20pm to 4.20pm (term time only) where experienced coaches Chris Brown and Luke Caswell help in nets session and specific skill clinics. These clinics vary from batting in the indoor environment to bowling at the death in order to make sure the players are prepared for all circumstances and eventualities. The social side is also an important part of UEA cricket. With such an emphasis on team work in sport, it is no surprise that creating a good relationship between the players is a strong initiative for the committee this year. Social Secretary George Northover has been putting together two teams for a tour to Salou in the Easter as well as various events throughout the year. UEA cricket are hoping to attract all manner of people no matter what standard or level of experience, whether you are a new comer or a seasoned veteran, Cricket are more than ready to accommodate. To get involved, send an email to club president Sam Hennessy at S.Hennessy@ uea.ac.uk.
Sport
09/10/12
Issue 272
concrete.sport@hotmail.co.uk
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‘Miracle of Medinah’ Ryder Cup victory for Europe
Tom Ritchie Sports correspondent After a summer of such sporting brilliance, it seemed only fitting that the “Miracle of Medinah” came to pass. Trailing 10-4 at one point on the Saturday, it seemed that the European team had no answer to Davis Love III’s surging Americans or the raucous home crowd. Yet, come Sunday evening it was Jose Maria Olzabal’s men celebrating a miraculous 14½-13½ victory. So how did it happen? How were the European team able to silence the “U-S-As” and complete this record-breaking comeback? It began as it had to, with Olazabal’s lead off selections taking the lead early, applying pressure to their rivals and silencing the exuberant galleries. Almost inevitably, it seemed as if the European’s could not miss a putt, with American efforts falling agonisingly short or skidding just past the hole. The bristling confidence that exuded from Medinah all week long was replaced with doubt, anxiety and fear.
Five matches reached the final hole. The US would only take 1½ from those matches as the much-vaunted home team crumbled under the pressure. In terms of individual European heroics, there was no need to look any
further than Ian Poulter. Having not won a tournament since May 2011 and only at Medinah by the grace of a captain’s pick, Poulter was inspirational and played with a determination that galvanised the European effort. Taking all four points from
his four matches, it was he who kickstarted the European revival with his aggressive display in the Saturday foursomes. Justin Rose and Sergio Garcia, whose careers had been defined by opportunities missed rather than those taken, sank some of the most important putts of the weekend. After Rose’s winding 30 footer on the 17th green, the Europeans dared to believe. When he held his nerve on the 18th to steal the match from Phil Mickleson, the comeback was on. The defining moment of the match fell to a man desperately out of form. Martin Kaymer, the former world number one, was dropped for three of the first four sessions, but nervelessly rolled in a putt from six feet to complete one of the greatest sporting comebacks of all time. Olazabal, by channeling the spirit of the great Seve Ballesteros, became the emotional fulcrum needed to spur his team on to a victory that will last long in the memory; giving us one last great sporting moment in what has been possibly the greatest ever summer of sport.
Despair for England in Twenty 20 World Cup Sports correspondent Matt Hubbard assesses the recent fortunes of England’s cricketers in Sri Lanka England’s male and female cricketers competed in an enthralling 2012 ICC Twenty20 World Cup which took place in Sri Lanka. The tournament ended in despair for the England women’s side, after they lost in the final by four runs to Australia on
Sunday. The run chase of 142 proved to be too much for England who were left trying to obtain 23 runs in the last two overs. The loss also means that a second T20 title still eludes the women’s team. England captain Charlotte Edwards was the stand out performer in a side that were previously
unbeaten in the 2012 tournament. Edwards achieved the highest overall run total in the tournament by scoring 172 runs in her five innings. The captain was inspiration in leading her team to the final, and they were unlucky to face such a strong Australian team on the day.
In a dramatically different affair, the England men’s team failed to make it into the semi-finals of the first World T20 tournament to be held in Asia. They were the holders of the competition after winning the World T20 in the West Indies in 2010. However, throughout the event, England’s bowlers looked weak, causing numerous high scores to be racked up against them. This included the West Indies achieving 179 at the Super 8 stage of the tournament and India reaching 170 in the group stages. England’s bowlers were not the only ones to perform poorly; the batting side of the team had a dismal tournament as well. They scored just 80 runs against India, which was the lowest total of any team for the entire tournament and is England’s lowest ever T20 international score. The only salvation for England would be that Luke Wright looked strong with the bat at times but it is fair to say that the team missed Kevin Pietersen. Despite the current issues surrounding him, he was player of the tournament when England won the competition in 2010. In the final of the men’s tournament, the West Indies beat the hosts Sri Lanka by 36 runs to win the 2012 Twenty20 World Cup. Marlon Samuels looked particularly impressive for the West Indies as he hit 78 from 56 balls to help them on their way to victory. Samuels’ match-winning innings also included six sensational sixes.
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Ziggurat Challenge set for return
SPORT
issue 272 9 october 2012
Ryder Cup report
Page 23 Cricket WorldT20 Chloe Hashemi Billy Sexton Sports editor UEA’s annual inter_school sports competition, the Ziggurat Challenge, is set to return this week with a fun run taking place at the lake tomorrow afternoon. Known simply as the Ziggurat, staff and students are invited to compete for free as a team member for their school. It’s a recreational level programme of tournaments open to all students, staff and alumni at UEA. The programme encourages enjoyable participation whilst also adding an element of sporting competition and friendly rivalry between schools. Events at the Sportspark are held every Tuesday in both the autumn and spring semesters and include events such as football, netball, badminton, climbing and athletics. For a full schedule of events, see the list on the right. If students or staff wish to get involved, they will need to contact the sports rep for their school, which you can find out by checking the school notice board or the university student notice board in the Sportspark. Sports reps are responsible for organising teams on
a weekly basis so if you’re interested in competing, you should let them know right away. How do schools score points? Firstly, they earn them simply for attending an event, with bonus points added for performance. Head of School participation is considered to be somewhat of a rarity and thus eight points are added to your school’s tally if they turn up to compete, and five if they just spectate. Every school has two “jokers” at their disposal too and these can be played at any point during the competition. Playing a “joker” will double the Ziggurat points for a particular event, but teams must have 10 or more participants. There is also a Ziggurat presentation ceremony that will take place in March, with trophies awarded to the winning school, the most sporting member of staff, individual event winners and plenty more. Can the School of Education be toppled after being victorious last year? There’s only one way to find out, and that’s by competing for your school throughout the year. Get down to the lake tomorrow for the first event – the fun run!
Ziggurat Challenge: Autumn 2012 Fun Run 10 October Mixed Indoor Rounders 16 October Men’s five-a-side football 23 October Women’s netball 30 October
Page 23 SportClub Focus: UEA Cricket
Table Tennis (Mixed doubles) 6 November Mixed Volleyball 13 November Team Challenge 20 November Mixed Badminton 27 November Mixed Team Swimming 5 December
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