Issue 682 19 March 2018 by Exeposé

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ISSUE 682 19 MAR 2018 exepose.com @Exepose

THE UNIVERSITY OF EXETER’S INDEPENDENT STUDENT NEWSPAPER SINCE 1987

The fight continues... First wave of strikes comes to an end, but pensions dispute still ongoing

University Senate calls for Sir Steve and UUK to work on alternative proposal Student occupation ends after 11 days inside Northcote House More strikes approved for summer term as academics reject agreement

Owain Evans & Megan Davies Editor & News Editor

HE first wave of industrial action by academics across the country has ended, as the University and College Union (UCU) and Universities UK (UUK) continue talks to end the ongoing pensions dispute. If the dispute is not resolved, then an additional 14 days of strike action have been approved to take place in the summer term. Exact dates have not yet

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been set, as the Union will plan them in such a way as to cause the most disruption possible at each university. Meanwhile, amidst student protest and disruption to teaching hours, an emotional sitting of the University of Exeter Senate passed a motion that “advises Council as a matter of urgency to instruct the Vice-Chancellor to join other university Vice Chancellors in calling for UUK to work with UCU and, in due course, the USS trustees to develop an alternative proposal to put to the Pen-

Our committee’s top reads for before graduation

PULLOUT

sions Regulator”. The motion also called for a “challenge [to] the problematic model being used to identify future pensions assets and liabilities”. This contrasts with the University’s previous refusals to support the UCU, despite calls from students and staff, and despite other Vice-Chancellors coming out in support of the strike. For example, Sir Keith Burnett, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Sheffield, was pictured on the picket. Regarding the motion, a University

spokesperson told Exeposé: “The Senate represents an academic community with strong relationships built on trust and mutual respect. The detailed discussion about the motion showed the strength of feeling from staff and student representatives, but was constructive and respectful throughout. “The Vice Chancellor is committed to helping all parties to come to an agreement that supports our staff and protects our University for the long term.”

The motion being passed by Senate led the students occupying the John Usher room in Northcote House to abandon their occupation. The students, who left the building on Friday after a set played by Billy Bragg in the .Northcote House car park, had been in the occupation for just over 11 days (267 hours). They had first entered the building at around 9am on Monday 5 March. Their initial demands...

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LIFESTYLE

‘Humans of Exeter’ feature PAGEs 18-19

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News Editors Print: Megan Davies & Natalie Keffler Online: Nicky Avasthi & Ruby Bosanquet news@exepose.com Comment Editors Print: Alicia Rees & Malcolm Wong Online: Harry Bunting & Hannah Weiss comment@exepose.com Features Editors Print: James Angove & Isabel Taylor Online: Matthew Phillips & Daphne Bugler features@exepose.com Lifestyle Editors Print: Lauren Geall & Barbara Balogun Online: Bethan Gilson & Melissa Barker lifestyle@exepose.com Arts + Lit Editors Print: Mubanga Mweemba & Maddie Davies Online: Ellie Cook & Emily Garbutt artsandlit@exepose.com Music Editors Print: Alex Brammer & Maddy Parker Online: Chloë Edwards & George Stamp music@exepose.com Screen Editors Print: Ben Faulkner & Fenton Christmas Online: Johnny Chern & Molly Gilroy screen@exepose.com Science Editors Print: Gabriel Yeap & Luke Smith Online: Ayesha Tandon & Rhys Davies sciandtech@exepose.com Sport Editors Print: Dorothea Christmann & Wil Jones Online: Michael Jones & Kieran Jackson sport@exepose.com Photographers Christy Chin & Léa Esteban photography@exepose.com Copy Editors George Pope, Jaysim Hanspal and Eloise Hardy Proofers George Pope, "Harry Bunting", Jaysim Hanspal, Eloise Hardy, Rhiannon Moore, Ish Gurung, Theo Cox Dodgson, "Harry Bunting" James AngeRyove, Jaimie Hampton, Niamh Elstone, Charlotte Forrester, "Harry Bunting", Aaron Loose, George Stamp, Barbara Balogun, Alex "Tinderella" Brammer, "Harry Bugler", Emily Garbutt, Gwyn Wright, Lauren Geall, Daphne Bunting, Natalie Keffler, "Harry Bunting", Bryant Loveless, Graham "wants" Moore, Megan Rabies, "Two Tin" T(r)ash Ebbutt, "Jesus Christ" Fenton., Aleesha Rees, Steven Smith., Carl Marks., Pressed F.

@ exepose facebook.com/exepose issuu.com/exepose Advertising Kate Watkins kate.watkins@exeterguild.com (01392) 722607 The opinions expressed in Exeposé are not necessarily those of the Exeposé Editors nor the University of Exeter Students’ Guild. While every care is taken to ensure that the information in this publication is correct and accurate, the Publisher can accept no liability for any consequential loss or damage, however caused, arising as a result of using the information printed. The Publisher cannot accept liability for any loss or damage to artwork or material submitted. The contents of this, unless stated otherwise, are copyright of the Publisher. Reproduction in any form requires the prior consent of the Publisher.

And now, the end is near, and so we face the final print publication of Exeposé’s 2017/18 committee. With graduation on the horizon for some of us and years abroad or changes in focus for others, we’re leaving only a few familiar faces behind on the print editorial team. However, after an intensive two day hustings, and an excellent voter turnout from our members, we are absolutely confident that we’re leaving the paper in safe hands, and we’re incredibly excited to see what the new committee do with Exeposé. Sometimes it can be difficult to maintain perspective when you’re working intensively on a project as time consuming as Exeposé. It can be easy to forget what your team has achieved over the span of 12 months, going from inexperienced InDesigners to tenacious, skilled journalists. During the week of editing this issue, we were supervising entries for the Student Publication Association’s national awards ceremony (which will be held Saturday 7 April at Cardiff University, and no doubt live-tweeted to excess in a semi-drunken manner by yours truly on the Exeposé accounts), and this process made us truly think about the incredible work our committee and our writers have produced in the space of one meagre year; it has been a privilege to work alongside such talent. We honestly could not be prouder of any one of you. You’re incredible. Thank you. This issue has been a particularly long time in the making, with our “100 Books to Read Before You Graduate” pullout having featured in mine and Owain’s manifesto over a year ago now. Our phenomenal team of section editors have outdone themselves in presenting some of the most exciting and innovative content we’ve seen this year and they’re leaving behind an incredible legacy for

their successors, just in time for the ultimate dissertation procrastination. Features have themed their content around subcultures this week, querying whether they’re still alive and well in today’s society on page 10 before going on to analyse Afrofuturism and Rave in detail on the following pages. Lifestyle’s work on International Women’s Day is possibly the most heartwarming thing we’ve read since finding out that we were getting essay extensions and snow days in the same week (pages 15 to 17); flip the page to read their Humans of Exeter feature to see if we caught any of your friends on camera! Music are determined to go out with a bang as they deliver their most hard-hitting exclusive interview yet – yes, that’s right, we’ve scooped words of wisdom from the man, the myth, the legend DJ Willby himself on page 27. Screen are feeling futuristic on page 30, whilst our deputy editor Tash is still stuck firmly in the 1970s as she defends pineapple pizza on page 8 of Comment. Science are examining the formula of nerve gas on page 36, and Sport’s round-up of Exeposé’s exceptional performance in this year’s intramural netball leagues is simply not to be missed (page 38). If all this isn’t enough to keep you busy for the whole four blessed weeks of the Easter holidays, Arts + Lit’s guide to the best podcasts around on pages 22 and 23 will provide you with days and days more entertainment! This issue has been a fantastic conclusion to our tenure as editors, and now it’s finally time to say goodbye and finally put a few shifts in on our dissertations. So long, farewell, Auf Wiedersehen, adieu, as they say in the movies. Emma and Owain

Pankhurst's descendant speaks on International Women's Day PAGE 4 Image: Imperial War Museum Image: 'Tumisu'

Editors Print: Owain Evans & Emma Bessent Deputy: Tash Ebbutt & Graham Moore Online: Phoebe Davis & Ollie Lund editors@exepose.com

NEWS

Editorial COMMENT

Sabb campaigns and mental health PAGE 6

FEATURES Subcultures: a thing of the past? PAGEs 10-12

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SCIENCE Medical marijuana: a cure for cancer? PAGE 34

Image: Max Pixel

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Worldwide university news University unveils first More university places transgender pride flag for Afghan women

NIVERSITY College Cork is the first university in the Republic of Ireland to fly the Transgender Pride Flag. As part of ‘Equality Week’ the flag was raised in order to represent the university’s commitment to trans and non-binary staff and students. Karl Kitching, director of equality, diversity and inclusion at the university stated that “Flying the Transgender Pride flag indicates UCC’s growing appreciation and understanding of trans and gender non-binary issues in Ireland and internationally.” Kitching added that the institution is in the process of finalising its policy on gender identity and expression policy, which “seeks to support trans and non-binary staff and students in a variety of ways.”

HE Afghan Government is poised to set aside up to 7,000 extra university places for women, according to an announcement by the Ministry of Education. In addition to the usual enrolments based on ‘Kankur’ entrance exam results and scholarships for women, the government is set to reserve extra places for women entering the university system from next month. Since the overthrow of the Taliban regime, there has been significant progress towards equality in education, with women making up 30 per cent of university students; up from an average of 19 per cent between 2005 and 2014. Images: torbakhopper/Flickr (left), KittysaturnCommonswiki (right)

Graduates banned from wearing burqas

HE Sunan Kalijaga State Islamic University (UIN) in Yogyakarta city, Indonesia has been criticised after announcing that it will prevent female students who continue to wear burqas on campus from graduating. This decision has been made as a result of fears regarding the spread of radical ideology. The university stated that that it had 41 students wearing a full veil who would be offered counselling sessions before being asked to remove the burqa permanently. The Islamic Defenders Front states that the policy “did not make sense” and was in conflict with the country’s efforts to preserve diversity. UIN director Yudian Wahyudi stated “Female students wearing the burqa, and radical groups, they are disturbing the teaching process,” adding that the policy was a “preventive action to save the students.”

Toxic rituals at Australian Universities

RESHERS at the University of Sydney, Australia’s oldest university, are regularly subjected to humiliating and often abusive initiation rituals which are known as ‘hazing’, according to a new report. The report, which was put together by End Rape on Campus Australia, alleges that hazing has been responsible for widespread assaults, a murder and a suicide at the university. It also claims that the practise is widespread throughout Australian universities. In response to the report, the University of Sydney's vicechancellor told the Australian Broadcasting Cooperation: "We want to put a stop to this. If it involves criminalising hazing per se, I’m all for it.’’ Stories byJaimie Hampton & Gwyn Wright, Senior Reporter & News Team

News

NEWS EDITORS:

Natalie Keffler Megan Davies

Pensions dispute continues as strikes set for summer term

CONTINUED FROM FRONT

... - for University executives to “release a clear statement...regarding how they feel about the strikes” - were updated, instead demanding support for the UCU after 24 hours. They only decided to finish their occupation after news of the Senate motion reached them, and they left to cheers and applause from the gathered crowd following Bragg’s rendition of ‘Solidarity Forever’. While most of the occupation occurred peacefully, with the occupiers thanking security staff for their conduct, there was a period, after the occupation had spread into a nearby lobby that protesters, were denied access to toilets. This was rectified later that evening, although not before images of protesters having been forced to urinate into bottles had appeared on Twitter. This was later followed up by a written agreement allowing occupiers to swap with outsiders without penalty, after concerns for student welfare were raised. Sabbatical offiers also made regular appearances, visiting occupiers in Northcote House over the two-week period. Other students also staged a “silent sit down protest” in the Forum during an

Offer-Holder Visit Day. An estimated 100 students, including Guild President Shades, sat on the floor for approximately 20 minutes whilst holding up signs that drew the attention of visitors. ‘Occupation Tours’ were also offered to prospective students, and there was a brief interruption to the ‘Why Choose Exeter’ talk. Exeposé understands that this extensive support from students was crucial to Senate’s vote. This period of action ended with a march leading to a rally at the Phoenix, attended by an estimated 350 people, including Billy Bragg and Ben Bradshaw, MP for Exeter. The rally also concluded a series of teach-outs organised by Volunteer University that considered the idea of a ‘University of the Future’. Barrie Copper, Exeter UCU branch president, said in his speech: “It has been an amazing four weeks and I wanted particularly to thank the students who have come out in support of their staff, and a special thank you to all those who took part in the occupation. “Over these last four weeks, we have

Sabb fulfils Notice of Improvement Alicia Rees Comment Editor

N 15 March, Shadow Council met with VP Activities Becca Hanley to discuss how far the Notice of Improvement that had been issued to her previously, had been fulfilled. Four main areas for improvement were identified; Interfaith Sports, Improvements to A&V, Refreshers, and an Exefest Alternative. If these criteria were not met, a Shadow Council could have the option to issue a vote of no confidence to Hanley.

[The NoI] shows how student democracy can drive change

Guild Spokesperson

With regards to Interfaith Sports, Hanley has emailed all Faith and Worldview society presidents to ask for feedback and an Interfaith competition is to be planned for later in the year. Hanley will also prepare a handover document by the end of June for the next VP Activities. There was no written document given detailing the improvements to A&V, however, a survey has been

seen the university at its best, and I believe that we havefound our identity again. We have found a better sense of self, a better sense of each other, and have fostered a much better sense of community through all that has happened.

Collectivise, unionise, fight for your future and we’ll be with you every step of the way.

Barrie Cooper, UCU Exeter Branch President

“I want to speak now in particular to the students. You and your generation will be told repeatedly that you don’t deserve a free higher education, that you have no hope ever of owning your own home, that you have no you have no opportunity for a good guaranteed defined benefit pension, and the irony is that those people who are saying all these things have benefited themselves from free higher education. “We have seen the power that we have together. So collectivise, unionise, fight for your future and we’ll be with you every step of the way. Solidarity!” Bradshaw told the rally attendees: “I

want to pay tribute to your fortitude, your dedication, to your commitment to what is an absolutely just cause that has been grossly mishandled by UniversitiesUK, grossly mishandled by the Pensions Regulator and grossly mishandled by the government. I just wanted you to have a clear message in this downfall that you have our full support” and citing the “creeping marketisation” in higher education. After the event, a spokesperson for the Students’ Guild, who are mandated to support the action after a passed Large Idea, told Exeposé: “Over the past few weeks, the Students’ Guild has been supporting the UCU strike action and the peaceful protest that has accompanied this. Our Sabbatical officers have been regularly visiting the picket lines, supporting and speaking to all those striking whilst also ensuring that those taking part in the occupation have had access to the welfare support they need. Seeing Billy Bragg join strikers and occupiers today was a great end to the strike period with a positive atmosphere of solidarity. “In addition to this, Guild President, Shades, has today sent out a tweet explaining that ‘The Director of ESS promised during

In pictures...

the visit that a statement would be issued ensuring no negative consequences for occupiers and we have asked him to issue guidance on how students can be best placed to apply for mitigation. #ExeterOccupy’ – this we feel is a very positive outcome for the individuals involved in the occupation. “Finally, it was great to see that the protest action in the Forum during the Offer Holder Open day on Wednesday was not only effective in getting the protesters point across, but was undertaken in a calm and peaceful manner. “The Guild will now be closely monitoring the situation over the coming weeks to see what decisions or actions may result from the strike and the discussions that follow.” Now that the first wave of strike action - which has been estimated by the University to have disrupted around a third of teaching - is over, attention has turned to the next steps. After an agreement made by negotiators with ACAS support was rejected by the union’s branches and Higher Education Committee, strike action authorised for summer term intended to disrupt assessment is back on the table.

given to Societies Executives and improvements are thought to have been delayed due to recent strikes and snow days. A two page document has been created detailing the timeline and lessons learnt with regards to Refreshers. This will be given to the next VP Activities to ensure next year has a Refreshers. Finally, Hanley met with Exetunes, RAG, and Guild staff to discuss a possible Exefest alternative. RAG felt they were unable to undertake a “Ramboree” this year, but it’s certainly something to be passed onto the incoming committee. With more than half of the Shadow Council voting that Hanley has demonstrated some improvements, it has been agreed that the Notice of Improvement has been fulfilled. A Guild spokesperson said: “The issuing of the Notice of Improvement and consequent passing of it shows how student democracy and those involved it can drive change and development of officers elected to represent students. We will be working with Shadow Council and VP Activities to continue the quality of work output expected from the student population.” Image: Ruby Jones

19 MAR 2018 | EXEPOSÉ

NEWS

Uni marks International Women’s Day Natalie Keffler News Editor

S part of the celebrations of International Women’s Day on 8th March, Emmeline Pankhurst’s great-great grandson, Alexander Pankhurst-Loakes, a student at the University of Exeter currently studying Business, wrote a speech to commemorate the day. In this speech, he talked about his mothers’ work that has focussed on women’s hygiene and sanitation in Ethiopia, and the publishing of her book in order to mark the centenary of women’s rights. He said that “this book provides an unadulterated account of the last 100 years of women’s lives, and by reading it and sharing it, we can make sure that the trials and tribulations of those who have gone before us are not forgotten but viewed as the

Image: Matzene

springboard from which we can leap forward.” However, perhaps more crucially, Alexander also goes on to talk about what it has meant for him to grow up with the Pankhurst name, and the importance of being a male feminist. He writes: “feminism is not men versus women, as it is so wrongly perceived, but, at least to me, it is about those who believe in equality and collaboration versus those who believe in patriarchal entitlement and gender hierarchy.” This eloquently demonstrates the bizarre nature of people claiming men cannot be feminists, often because they argue men know nothing about fighting for women’s rights. Whilst this is arguably true, it is still crucial that men use their privilege to stand up for those who aren’t given a voice, and are still treated as the inferior gender, 100 years on from some women first getting the

New Deputy Vice-Chancellor appointed

ROFESSOR Neil Gow FRS, an international name in microbiology, was last week appointed as the University of Exeter’s new Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Impact). He will succeed current ViceChancellor Professor Nick Talbot FRS in the role in September 2018. At present, Professor Gow is CoDirector for research at The MRC Centre for Medical Mycology at the University of Aberdeen. He said that he is “delighted and honoured to be trusted with this exciting role, and look[s] forward to working with my new colleagues in the coming months and years”. One of the world’s leading microbiologists, Professor Gow is currently serving a three-year term as President of the Microbiology Society (20162019). He is also a fellow of The Royal Society, as well as the Institute of Biology, The American Academy of Microbiologists and The Academy of Medical Studies. His research focuses predominantly on medical mycology (the study of pathogenic fungi) and fungal biology. Within these fields, he is currently working on an investigation titled Making and Breaking The Walls of Fungal Pathogens under the Wellcome Trust Senior Investigator Award and the Wellcome Trust Collaborative

Award. As a member of the Vice-Chancellor’s Executive Group (VCEG), Professor Gow will attend weekly meetings with the University’s Management Team and be responsible for advising the Vice Chancellor on matters of management and strategic direction relating to the University of Exeter. Vice Chancellor and Chief Executive, Professor Sir Steve Smith, has expressed his delight in welcoming Professor Neil Gow to the university community in the 2018/19 academic year: “Neil is an outstanding, internationally renowned scientist and experienced senior academic leader, who brings a wealth of expertise.” Sir Steve also added that Professor Gow “has articulated an exciting vision for taking forward our highly successful research and impact strategy”. Amongst other members of the VCEG to congratulate Professor Gow in his appointment was Professor Nick Talbolt FRS, the University’s current Deputy ViceChancellor (Research and

Image: Disney / ABC Television Group

Impact). Professor Talbolt, who has accepted the position of Executive Director of the Sainsbury Laboratory in Norwich, added that “[i]t is very gratifying to me to be succeeded in this role by such an impressive academic leader”.

Exeter student awarded Oscar

Tash Ebbutt Deputy Editor

Image: The Royal Society

Hannah Stevenson News Team

vote. Following on from this, Alexander notices crucially that “as a white, heterosexual male my privilege is wasted if I do not recognise the prejudice that occurs as a result of it,” and is something that all men can take note of. This speech is therefore rather fittingly ended by Alexander concluding that “we, as men can stay at home, care for, assist and show the women in our lives that we support their movement and then let them go out into the world and positively change it for us all.” Therefore, it is of the utmost importance for people to realise that simply being passive to what is going on is not going to resolve inequality, and that working together, looking out for all genders, races and sexualities is the best contingency we have to work towards complete equality.

PHD student from the University of Exeter and the London Film School has been awarded an Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film. Gonzalo Maza, who is currently studying for his PhD at the University, wrote and produced the film entitled A Fantastic Woman alongside the director Sebastián Lelio. The film prevailed over Swedish entry The Square and Russian drama Loveless. Maza has studied at the University since September and is a Chilean screenwriter who travelled to London in 2016 to study at the London Film School. Prior to his studies, he worked as a newspaper journalist and film critic in Chile. In collaboration with London Film School and the University of Exeter, he was offered the chance to study for a PhD in Film by Practice. A Fantastic Woman documents the story of a transgender woman called Marina who is treated with heightening suspicion after the death of her

thirty years senior partner Orlando. The film tracks Marina’s grief as the investigations and other external forces become more intense. It stars Daniela Vega who is the first openly transgender actress and model in Chile. The film has witnessed an abundance of critical acclaim since its release. The winning picture also gained festival victory by winning a Silver Bear for best screenplay at the Berlin Film Festival. Before the ceremony, Maza said: “clearly, I felt enormously privileged to hear our film was nominated for the Academy Awards. It was exhilarating”. He later went on to say that “living through this at the same time as being a postgraduate student at the University of Exeter and the London Film School is a rewarding experience”. Maza’s supervisor at the University of Exeter, Dr James Lyons, commented that: “we’re delighted by Gonzalo’s success, which is a testament to his tremendous talent as a screenwriter, and is also the basis for his innovative research project here at Exeter and the London Film School.”

NEWS

Phoenix to hold Right Now Film Festival Gwyn Wright News Team

XETER Phoenix will host the Right Now Film Festival between 24 and 26 of March, which will bring three documentary films focusing on national and global politics to Exeter. Tickets for all three films will cost £7. Brexitannia, directed by Timothy George Kelly, is the first film on Brexit to be screened, and will be shown on Saturday 24 March at 6.30 pm. The film will explore the aftermath of the referendum result through conversations and interviews with voters, and has been hailed by Screen Daily as “a timely attempt to understand the deeper issues and wider feelings behind the British decision to leave the European Union.” A Cambodian Spring, directed by Chris Kelly, will be shown on Sunday 25th March at 4pm. The film, which was shot over six years, charts the lives of three people as they are caught up in the land rights protests that have gripped the country. The film won the Special Jury Prize at Hot Docs and features an original soundtrack by electronic artist James Holden. It has been described by Pov Magazine as “a visceral, complex film that should come with a ‘for further study’ list”. For Akheem, directed by Jeremy S. Levine and London van Soest, will be shown on Monday 26 March at 8.15pm. The film is a coming of age story centred on the character of Daje Shelton, who attends a courtsupervised high school, and questions whether the ‘American Dream’ exists at all. Hollywood Feature have dubbed the film “a quietly impactful documentary with the texture of a narrative feature.” Festival director Tom Vaughan said: “We were compelled to create a programme that brings together some of today’s biggest talking points, from the beginning of vital movements such as Black Lives Matter to the future of welfare and of course, the UK’s very own Brexit. We’re also thrilled to feature more young filmmaking talent than ever, with the half of the directors in the programme under 35.” “We believe in the power film has in educating and raising awareness, and that the best films can be an informative facilitator of social change “We look forward to screening the programme to audiences across the country.”

Students take part in Be The Change Soc launch sustainability campaign Go Green Week Daphne Bugler Online Features Editor

ETWEEN the 12 and the 16 of March the University of Exeter took part in Go Green Week, an annual event held across UK universities to raise awareness about climate change and sustainability. There was a wide variety of events featuring different activities centred on the environment, including film screenings, VegCycle food markets, a community gardening session, bike safety checks workshops and a potluck dinner.

A stall was also present in the forum all week, where various student groups and societies could get involved, and students could stop to ask questions and engage in discussions about the environment. The week also included a walking trip on the Jubilee Water Walk with the University’s Environment and Sustainability advisor Karen Gallagher, where she highlighted the different bodies of water around Exeter. Societies such as Fashion Society also participated with a clothes swap, whilst Model UN hosted a summit on animal trafficking.

Lauren Geall Lifestyle Editor

E the Change society is launching their sustainability campaign “Think Outside the Bottle” this upcoming week, the 19-23 March, to raise awareness of the damage that single-use plastic causes to the environment. By hosting a series of events throughout the week, the society aims to provide students with the information and tools they need to reduce their contribution to the problem. Starting on Monday, the campaign will start by building an art installation in the forum made completely of plastic waste. As a live project which will be running throughout the day, the sculpture aims to highlight how much plastic is wasted on a daily basis; students are able to get involved by bringing along clean plastic waste on the day or by playing a part in the creation of

the sculpture. The campaign also features a number of events throughout the rest of the week, including a film screening, a talk by Greenpeace representative Richard Lancaster, and holding a sale for reusable water bottles which have been designed by ArtSoc. As part of the campaign’s aim to communicate the damage caused by plastic across the world, the film screening will feature the documentary film ‘A Plastic Ocean’ by Australian journalist Craig Leeson, which investigates the damaging effect can have on marine life in particular. A discussion will follow the film screening, enabling students to discuss the impact of their plastic use and how they can change their relationship with waste. For more information on how to get involved and all the details of the events, visit the Be the Change Exeter page on Facebook.

Student racing driver starts Britcar campaign Natalie Keffler News Editor

Image: Margus Menert

Exeter 2nd best student city Maddy Parker Music Editor

HE University of Exeter, which is known for often scoring highly in academic league tables, has scored joint second alongside Coventry University in the Alternative University City League Table. This league table offers a different slant on student satisfaction, considering universities based on what they believe matters to the students of today, and has ranked the top 37 universities on five key areas. Firstly, crime rate, sourced from statistics on which cities have the lowest number of burglaries, robberies, and violent crimes annually, of which Reading scored best at 26.1 incidents per 1000 people, in contrast to Bradford who scored worst at 73 incidents per 1000 people. Secondly, universities are judged on their average graduate salary, using data from Emolument, a crowdsourced pay data website, which found that the average salary for Oxford University graduates is £57,000 per year, compared with Swansea, whose graduates have the lowest average at £28,500 per year. The third aspect is sustainability, of

which the score is derived from various factors including environmental policies, workers’ rights and sustainable food. Exeter ranked second best after Swansea with a 63.45% sustainability score to their 65.9%, 40% above the lowest, Aberdeen, at 23.4%. The fourth area is ‘price of a pint’, using the website pintprice.com to find the average price of a pint of lager in each city, the lowest being £2.40 in Kingston upon Hull, and the highest being £4.50 in Guildford. Exeter’s average was £2.90, 10p cheaper than the national average of £3. The final factor is how LGBTQ friendly each university is, based on the charity Stonewall’s ten-point checklist for universities, including what resources are available and whether they have an LGBTQ society. Exeter scored joint third with Lancaster after Guildford and Canterbury, while Dundee earned the title of least LGBTQ friendly university. Across the board, Exeter scored highly in the 2018 league table, its lowest being 21st in average graduate salary (£40,000) but making up for it through its high ranking in LGBTQ friendliness and sustainability.

SECOND year studying for a MEng Mechanical Engineering, Jon Watt, is also balancing being a racing driver alongside his degree and has recently signed up for a full campaign in the 2018 Britcar Endurance Championship. Watt, 20 years old, will be campaigning the Moss Motorsport BMW M3. Having taken a class pole, podium, and fastest lap at Silverstone in April of last year, Jon is looking to further build

Image: Gary Harman and James Roberts

on his performance, in order to be a championship contender. On this competitive series, Watt said “I like the longer races as they bring in an element of strategy, and the cars are just so much faster than what I’ve been driving previously, it is a real step up, so I can’t wait to take on the challenge.” Although finding it hard to balance this alongside his degree, he acknowledges it is what he loves doing, and therefore it is worth the sacrifice. The Britcar season starts at Rockingham on April 14.

19 MAR 2018 | EXEPOSÉ

Comment

COMMENT EDITORS: Alicia Rees Malcolm Wong

Sabb candidates on mental health

Lauren Geall Lifestyle Editor

NYONE who was paying even the slightest attention to the recent Sabb elections will have noticed the dominating presence of mental health across the manifestos. Particularly prominent in the presidential debate, the need to improve and update the wellbeing services at our university was a consensus shared amongst all the candidates, with the subsequent discussions focusing on the different ways this could be achieved. What came out was indeed encouraging, with important issues such as the need for clearer signposting and better accessibility to wellbeing support as a whole. One of the most commonly suggested ideas was the provision of more stress-reducing activities on campus, including the return of animals such as the donkeys which made an appearance at the start of this term. Such an open discussion of mental health issues and their impact on the student experience was a comforting reminder of the progress made in the fight against mental health stigma. As a student who has suffered from mental illness during university, these focused conversations were a welcome occurrence. I think it’s a case of the more the merrier when

it comes to sharing our experiences (yes, I’m that girl talking openly about her therapist in the middle of a house party, don’t mind me); the willingness of the candidates to place emphasis on the need for improved wellbeing services, alongside the recent Guild Mental Health Month, is an encouraging reminder that slowly but surely, we are becoming more comfortable with talking about mental health.

There is a clear prejudice towards people who seek help However, the tendency throughout the debates to see mental health issues as a symptom of stress and university pressure can be damaging to those whose condition is defined by a medical diagnosis. The stresses of university certainly create an environment which leaves us vulnerable to mental health issues, but it’s important to acknowledge that there are some individuals whose mental illness was with them before university and will stay with them long after they graduate. It’s a brilliant idea to make campus a safe space for people to openly talk about and learn how to cope with their stresses and worries, but this shouldn’t be at the expense of isolating from the discussion those whose illnesses are

already heavily stigmatised. We can recognise that everyone has their own experience with mental health without creating a division between people who need different kinds of support. Fundamentally, conversations which treat mental health issues as an umbrella term to describe everything from deadline stress to bipolar disorder risk undermining the severity and impact of these long-term mental illnesses. By presenting animals on campus or nap rooms as wellbeing services, we are in danger of excluding those whose illnesses will not be solved by a simple reduction of stress. It’s important to acknowledge that all experiences of mental illness deserve adequate support, not just those that affect the majority of the student population. Unfortunately, this problem is much bigger than a misunderstanding amongst the student population. Across the country, there is a clear prejudice towards people who seek professional help for their mental illness, especially those who are prescribed medication or hospitalised as a result. A clear manifestation of this problem was a front-page story published by The Daily Mail on 29 December 2017, whose headline ‘A Nation Hooked

on Happy Pills’ sparked anger across social media for its irresponsible trivialisation of antidepressants. By expressing a negative attitude towards the reported increase in people seeking help for mental health problems, the story only further exacerbated the stigma towards the use of medication in psychiatric treatment.

I know that when I was prescribed antidepressants after being diagnosed with OCD, the stigma surrounding the medication made me feel uncomfortable with taking it as if seeking medical help for my brain was a failure on my part. The truth is that those anti-depressants gave me the strength I needed to start therapy, and are helping me to find effective coping mechanisms for when I stop taking them. Just as a diabetic uses insulin to regulate their blood sugar levels, I use antidepressants to balance the serotonin levels in my brain. The only way to challenge the ignorance which society holds towards this form of mental health treatment is by talking openly, discussing medication and Image: Exeter Students Guild inpatient care as legitimate options for those who need it. If we are going to challenge these As students, we have the ability to change damaging stereotypes, we first need to the way we think by challenging the traditional acknowledge the different forms of mental stereotypes society perpetuates about different health treatment without judging them as more ways of managing your mental health. or less socially acceptable. Anti-depressants are Focusing on providing animals on campus to not the easy way out of feeling a bit down, but reduce stress could be a beneficial idea, as long there are effective medications for many forms as we also take the time to help and encourage of mental illness (including anxiety, depression, those who need more support. We’ve come a OCD, and PTSD) which should be prescribed long way in opening the conversation about and monitored by a medical professional. mental health, but there is still so much to do.

Turnout or burnout?

George Pitchford VP Activities Candidate

UILD-BASHING has become an increasingly popular endeavour in student activity. After some misplaced housing ads, the scrapping of Exefest, and the cancellation of Refreshers Week, there’s a wealth of people breathing down the necks of those at the forefront of our union. Unfortunately, two weeks previous saw a disappointing turnout of just 4559 votes in the student elections, prompting a number of students to question our democracy. Worse, this ultimately culminated in an open letter written to the Guild condemning the entire process. But why, after several years of brilliant student interest in the running of the organisation, have we fallen so short this year? Thankfully, I’m in a decent position to answer this one. Being a candidate myself, I was treated to all sorts of wacky theories about why no one was making their voice heard. Firstly, and obviously my least favourite,

is the quality of candidates and their engagement of the neutral vote and leaving campaigns. It’s true that no one managed hundreds of ballots untouched at the end of to deliver a sequel to Toby Gladwin’s the week. video, and no one this year pledged to The UCU strike is one of the most build a wall between Exeter and Plymouth. formidable factors when it comes to our But as candidates, we didn’t realise that disengagement with the Guild this year. stimulating a strong turnout was under our Monday and Tuesday, typically the most job descriptions. I, and the others running, fervent and aggressive days in Sabb week were far more focused on convincing campaigns, were marred by hundreds of those actually engaged cancelled hours of lectures, seminars and with the election, rather tutorials. Understandably, many of us took than gallivanting round these days as holidays or work from campus beaconing home days. Unfortunately for those the advantages of a more of us on the hill, we were picking voluminous electorate. at scraps when it came to The one point that does hold approaching and persuading water is the uncompetitive nature people to vote. It was far of the elected posts. 15 harder for us to candidates were spread get the word out gunning for five elected to the thousands posts this year, which in of students Image: Open Clipart comparison to 2017’s 49 at home, and seems abysmal. The reason for this is hard door-to-door cake delivery was deemed an to pin down, and isn’t a can of worms I’d ineffective strategy. like to open yet. Nonetheless, escaping Ultimately, this set the tone for the rest Forum Hill without harassment would’ve of the week. Tuesday morning saw me been a lot easier this time round, dampening battered in an interview by Xpression FM,

but during my frightful wait for the hotseat I was informed that voting was only projected to scrape 20% by the end of the week. So it seemed the damage had already been done by the second day, and the tone of the week quickly shifted from a revered election to the more recognisable popularity contest. Hand in hand with the strike came the Beast from the East. Causing consecutive campus closures as well as a plethora of new profile pictures, the snow led to a completely perpendicular Thursday and Friday. My philosophy was to use the snow to our advantage, employing maverick tactics such as brownie distribution via sledge on Forum Hill - I quickly began to feel like Pingu’s dad. The primary objective was to enjoy the conditions. Despite the need for campaigning, the hype of Cardiac sledging was too much. Besides, we all recognise that snow in Exeter is about as rare as a maths student at Wednesday TP, so forcing my team to continue plastering my manifesto around campus would’ve been nothing more than cruelty. At the end of the day, we all suffered from it. Changing gears to a bigger emphasis

on social media only got teams so far, and the snow made sure that we were fighting an even more dismal battle against voter abstention. The weather saw the results party cancelled, the delivery of the outcome reduced to a phone call, and a complete faceplant of any late voting rush.

Unfortunately, Sabb week saw a disappointing turnout of just 4,559 votes The week was plagued by snow, pickets and a complete shut down of campus, but some areas of our student body deserve credit for engaging not only above the level of their counterparts, but also above the percentages achieved last year. The Brass Ensemble and Steel Band boasted 100% turnouts, whilst there was particularly strong representation from ECU, Benchball and PearShaped. The turnout shouldn’t tarnish the work of all candidates in any way, and in my opinion the winners should be congratulated with even greater spotlight this year.

COMMENT

Better late than never? Isabelle Gray Contributor

HE snow in Exeter really couldn’t have come at a better time. After weeks of strikes and my timetable being heavily affected by them, I hadn’t been out of the house much and was feeling quite down and unmotivated, primarily as it was during around Week 6, where everyone I think starts to feel a bit exhausted and ‘over it’. The snow really did help me break out of this cycle of feeling low, which completely surprised me as in the past I have been an avid hater of snow.

I don’t believe in fate or luck, but the snow day is something we needed Growing up in London, it previously only made everyone’s day difficult with transport delays, and we never got enough to properly divulge in it, it was more or less slush within a couple of hours. So, seeing such

an enormous amount of snow was a first for me. Despite how pretty it was, I was at first still hesitant about experiencing any snow, as the warm cocoon of my duvet in bed seemed way more appealing. My friend from home encouraged me to go out and enjoy it, even just to get some fresh air. And somehow, I ended up having the BEST time. Myself and my flatmates went out for a walk in the snow, took some photos and enjoyed just watching how beautiful it was. The energy and happiness the snow was giving people was infectious. We found ourselves on Cardiac Hill, which showed just how sporty our University is - people were getting seriously creative with the snow. We saw people using wet signs as skateboards, sheets as bobsleighs, and even people diving down the hill in kayaks. We went for the bobsleigh option and noticed how even in the snow, Brits are still painfully polite and awkward, and got into a civilised queue to bomb it down the hill. It was great fun and was so refreshing to just feel like a little kid on a snow day. All worries about deadlines, bills

and the future went away, and all that anyone focused on was having the most fun in the snow possible. Despite being freezing cold, and not appropriately dressed for how thick the snow was, it didn’t matter. It made me realise that sometimes it’s very important to not take life so seriously. Not everything you do has to be necessary, or ‘productive’. Sometimes it’s actually more important to just be a bit silly for a bit.

The positive energy the snow gave people was infectious The weekend of the snow I was meant to go visit my best friend in Oxford, and despite the great snow day, I thought my usual angry stance towards snow would win me over once more. But somehow, I managed to get on seemingly the only train running, and I made it there with no real issue. I really needed that weekend away to have fun and get out of my room, and it was almost like the

snow was doing me a little favour, but I think the snow day is someor an apology for always being so thing we all needed. Even if you just mediocre growing up. So not only watched it from your window or did I get a fun day in the went out on the ultimate snow, I could get on day, it’s nice to have with my weekend something else as planned, it to talk about all worked out than exams rather well. and assignI t ’ s m e n t s, funny how which ofs o m e ten we as times the students strangest j u s t things c a n ’ t can get h e l p you out but talk of a funk, about. It and how truly is revaluable it freshing to can be to push have someyourself to do thing new or things even when different to put Image: Isabelle Gray you feel like it’d be a your focus on, and useless thing to do. Never just have a good time. did I think running about in snow So, a big thank you to the snow would make me feel better but it did. for helping me feel better through Life surprises you sometimes, and it the rollercoaster that is university can be good to trust it and go with it. and for proving me wrong after all I don’t believe in fate or luck really, those years of London sludge.

Barbara Balogun Lifestyle Editor

WON’T lie, it was a shock. It is Sunday, 4 March at about 9pm that I learn the news. It’s about ten minutes after the publication from DJ Willby on his social media. I log on Facebook on my phone, start scrolling down until I see this picture of a sad emoji which makes me stop and analyse the post. It’s a post from DJ Willby who I follow. My heart stops. I am not ready for any bad news. I had been reading and hearing about the decline of the club for the past months and had experienced it first-hand myself. I start reading, … “It is with much sadness that I have taken the difficult decision to resign from DSP with immediate effect” – No. I refuse. I continue reading. The post is quite long, in his words, he simply explains that DSP has always been what he was working for during the past five years but unfortunately, from what I read in his comments now deleted, due to new management he could not continue. I was a very big fan of Monday’s

Dirty Sexy People, barely (if ever) missing a week. I was out almost every Monday, ready to attempt to break a new record of downing VKs and get drunk under too much light but with a DJ ready to give any possible shoutout and live tweeting and retweeting pictures of the night on the screens in the club. I am probably the girl with the most pictures from DSP at Exeter and I proud myself for having one of the “Picture for a Pitcher” last term.

My heart stops. I am not ready for any bad news From my first year, DJ Willby was the guy to know, if you were an avid Unit 1 clubber you had to know his name and be in at least one of his selfies. I can remember my first DSPs, queuing for hours not knowing if you’d be able to get in, tickets sold out nearly two weeks in advance, Apple Taxis queuing and waiting outside the club at 2.30am trying to find the person they had to take home, the burger van sold out of fries by 3am. But that is a long-

gone story. Unit 1 has had their golden hour, but, I believe it will soon have to shut the curtains and say it’s final goodbyes. About two weeks ago, my friends and I decided to go to the club after a birthday party. We arrive to Unit 1; the smoking area looks empty. We get to the cashier in less than a second as there was no queue. It’s £5, has the price gone up? The woman at the entrance tells us she was pained to take our money but that she had no other options; at this point, we’re very confused. Once we get in, I beheld the worst scene I have ever seen in a club. The barmen leaning on the bars waiting for customers, no hosts, no parties but most importantly no clients or clubbers. Had I counted, there would have probably been as many people in the club as I can count on the fingers of my hands. After a few minutes, I try to go to the DJ to request a song, I can definitely see his Spotify playlist on the background. I request my tune and he answers without having to yell as the music was so tame and the club so empty that “he would see if he had in stock, but, if not, he wouldn’t be able”. Obviously, the music was never

Image: Malcolm Wong

Waving goodbye to Willby

played. Damn Willby, I will miss you. Had he been the DJ that night the song would have been played. To be perfectly honest, I can understand why he is resigning. As one of the founders of the night, it must be hard and painful to see the top night for years turn into the back-up plan if Fever and TP are full.

The woman at the entrance told us she was pained to take our money Although I had always loved Unit 1 and had always considered it to be my ideal club in Exeter, I think I am going to have to change my habits. The management, the attendance, the drinks, the barmen were already getting more and more dodgy but that last Friday hit me like a sledgehammer. Unit 1, I am sorry, you have lost one of your most dedicated clients but saying goodbye to DJ Willby has been one of your worst errors you’ve made so far after renaming the club Unit 1 instead of Arena. Farewell my friend Willby - and farewell Unit 1.

Tell me your secrets, ask me your questions Agony McAuntface Resident Agony Aunt I keep getting with someone on committee, it’s so awkward! Oh dear. Darling, please, don’t shit where you eat. The true test is to watch them get with someone else. If it feels like you’re being stabbed in the heart, it’s time for a change. I broke up with my ex a year ago but now his mate keeps trying to flirt with me. I think he’s attractive, would it be wrong to flirt back? Window shopping doesn’t hurt. Seriously, do whatver you think is right. If I were you, I’d have some fun. I went on a date, we agreed there’d be no second date, yet I’m literally all over his Instagram. Weird? Run away and don’t look back. No, I’m joking, it could be a compliment. Obviously he sees something photogenic in you, even if the chemistry wasn’t there. On the other hand, he may be a stalker. Perhaps, he just wants his mum to think he finally has a girlfriend. Nobody knows petal.

COMMENT

Pineapple on pizza? Rowan Keith Contributor

U Kaz

DON’T understand many a thing in this crazy, complex world we live in, mainly long division to be honest, but one thing I really don’t understand is why putting pineapple on pizza is such a heinous crime. For one thing, there’s the balance. In putting pineapple on pizza, you too can be in denial about how unhealthy pizza is by acknowledging that this sweet yellow fruit is rich in vitamin C and manganese. Delicious and nutritious – how can you resist getting one of your five a day whilst indulging in a splendour of doughy heaven. This brings us to another perk of this tantalising topping, the combination of both sweet and savoury flavours. Fun fact, your tastebuds can taste multiple flavours at once through layers – why deny them the opportunity to have the best of both worlds. Combinations which escape

such scathing criticism include peanut butter and jam sandwiches and salted caramel – so what’s so wrong with pineapple on pizza, huh?! Especially when it’s teamed with barbeque sauce. And then there’s the small matter of other rogue toppings. Out of all the scrumptious things to decorate a pizza with is pineapple really the worst? This isn’t a rhetorical question as the answer is absolutely not. Some people have eggs on top, others sliced bananas and some even dare to put anchovies on their pizza. How are anchovies more acceptable than pineapple?! One is a salty, slightly slimy fish. The other, a delectable fresh fruit. There really isn’t any competition and frankly we need to end the stigma against this glorious dream team. I would add broccoli to ‘the toppings to be avoided at all costs’ list. However, I have tried that and let’s just say more restaurants need to add that green wonder to their menus, but a story for another time…

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Tash Ebbutt Deputy Editor

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NIVERSITY is a time for self-discovery. You can have new experiences. It’s a time for learning about who you are, what you like, what you dislike. You can stumble home from unit one, having resisted Sidwell Street’s various takeaway offerings, knowing in the back of your mind that the two for one Domino’s code is waiting for you at home. But if you discover in these moments that what you like is combining two truly excellent foods to create a culinary monster, please un-discover yourself and hide that part of you forever and learn to live with the shame. The rest of the world - or to be more specific, America - has messed with Italy’s beautiful culinary invention in so many ways. There’s now deep pan,

stuffed crust, chips on pizza, dips for pizza, pizzas made out of chocolate- you name it, there’s a pizza for it. I watched a YouTube video of Lucie Fink eat nothing but various forms of pizza for a week. I am a twenty-first century woman and I do not oppose innovation, I will welcome these changes with open arms, heart and mind and make a space for everyone to share in arguably the best food ever invented, but I will not stand by whilst such a culturally rich country’s food is defiled by a piece of fruit. I’d like to say at this point I also have nothing against pineapple. It’s a wonderfully refreshing, simple item of food that is perfectly delicious on its own. Even as a palate-cleanser after you’ve eaten your delicious pizza. Just not on top. Love who you want to love, do what you want to do, follow your dreams and all that good stuff. Just leave the pineapple out of it. To quote Gordon Ramsay, “you don’t put pineapple on a fucking pizza.”

FRUIT CORNER GRAPES

WATERMELON

KIWI

Emily Garbutt Online Arts + Lit Editor

Deepa Lalwani Contributor

Nicky Avasthi Online News Editor

HE grape is a majestic, ancient fruit, its cultivation beginning 6,000-8,000 years ago. I’m no historian, but I think that means every grape in the world is several thousand years old and hasn’t gone mouldy yet. Pretty cool, right? Grapes come in many colours, including crimson, black, dark blue, yellow, green, orange, and pink, so you’ll never have to worry about your grapes not matching your outfit. No side of fashion faux pas with your five a day. Grapes are typically an ellipsoid shape resembling a prolate spheroid, apparently. Personally I have no idea what that means, but it sounds impressive. There are also all the religious connotations, transubstantiation and whatnot, so the humble grape is pretty holy, as far as fruit goes. Grape therapy is also a thing, according to the font of medical knowledge known as Wikipedia. This supposedly just involves eating a lot of grapes, including the seeds and also the leaves off the vine. However, grapes are toxic to dogs, so our ellipsoid pals aren’t all fun and games. Something else that is neither fun nor a game: the raisin. I don’t have a problem with shrivelled grape corpses, but they’re just kind of pointless, you know? Like, they only come in one colour, for one thing. If you wanted to match your raisins with your shirt, for example, you’d be kind of limited. But, of course, you cannot mention the grape without mentioning wine. Sweet, fermented, grape-y alcoholic nectar. Because, ultimately, what is the grape but pre-wine?

Image: Ove123

UMMERY and colourful, the watermelon is the emperor of fruits. The combination of its juicy reddish-pink interior and green rind is aesthetically pleasing and tasty, not to mention useful – who doesn’t love a fruit with a built-in grip to hold? The flavour is both refreshing and nostalgic, since the actual fruit itself is super juicy, and there’s a lot of fantastic sweets based off it (e.g. Toxic Waste/Haribo fizzy watermelon slices). Aside from its fresh taste, the watermelon boasts a lot of health benefits: it’s obviously mostly water, which is good if, like me, you have trouble hydrating yourself the normal way. It also contains significant amounts of vitamin A, B6, and C (not that I know what any of that means, but it sounds impressive), so you’ll know that with every mouth-watering bite you’re actually contributing to your wellbeing. More than anything else, the watermelon is extremely versatile: you can enjoy it cubed, in slices, as a cute pattern on your socks, or even as a cocktail – just cut it open, combine the pulp with vodka/mixer and blend! The watermelon’s shape even allows you to use it as a bowl so you can share your fun pink cocktail with your friends. Rather than viewing its large size and various seeds as flaws, the watermelon should be seen as it truly is: a challenging fruit that unites all. The watermelon should be celebrated and shared, and the experience of carving it up with your flatmates is one I would definitely recommend!

Image: Steve Evans

Y relationship with kiwi is a lot like with my ex-boyfriend – very on again off again. Some days I am absolutely in love with kiwi; the taste is so unique and quite refreshing, especially in combination with other fruits in a salad. But then other times I look at it and wonder what the heck I was thinking. The skin is all fuzzy and feels weird, not to mention the seeds and the strange texture that they create. Whilst, at times, I might enjoy the tangy taste of the kiwi, at other moments I find it much too acidic. But looking back at all the unfounded opinions I’ve just spewed onto this page, it might not be the kiwi that is the problem after all, it might just be me being exceptionally fickle. Thus, after doing a quick bit off googling to see if anyone on the beautiful space we call the internet would be so kind as to back up what I view as the shortcomings of the kiwi, it was clear that my commitment issues have become so dire that they’ve surpassed men and are now also affecting my eating habits. It turns out kiwi has been known to reduce stress, improve immunity and help control weight. Who am I to put down such a mystical source of sustenance, I ask you? So, I guess I’ll have to end this ramble with an apology to the kiwi and to let it know that it’s not you, kiwi, it’s me.

Image: PhotoMIX

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Features

The The Subcultures Subcultures Edition Edition

19 MAR 2018 | EXEPOSÉ

FEATURES EDITORS: James Angove Isabel Taylor

Are subcultures dead?

James Angove, Features Editor, analyses the role of subcultures and whether they are now a thing of the past

ODS, punks and emos. These groups may sound (and occasionally look) like the creations of Dr Seuss, but for many they’ve provided a sense of belonging and a valuable outlet for their adolescent angst and creativity. Each of these different factions form a subculture of their very own, bubbling beneath and usually counter to the mainstream that dominates society. In a Guardian article analysing the topic, Alexis Petridis writes that subcultures are “mass movements, bonded together by a shared taste in music, fashion and ownership of subcultural capital.” Yet it is widely believed that such groups are dying out. In fact, Petridis’ article is titled ‘Youth Subcultures: what are they now?’. Such opinions are, however, usually tinted with a nostalgia for bygone times and recounts of the history of subcultures are frequently told with a simplicity that does not map onto the past’s messy reality. Despite this, there is a fairly strong argument to suggest that subcultures do not exist today in the form that they once did and even further, to propose that they cannot exist. There’s no denying that the world has changed drastically since the heyday of youth subcultures. But there is one change cited more than almost any other to explain the death of the subculture: the internet. Even in comparison to just 20 years ago, the world is hurtling along at an almighty pace. The internet has enabled access to more art, music and opinions than would have been available to anyone before the time of its invention. Anyone can sit alone in their bedroom and within an hour be wellversed in the intricacies of third wave ska or Japanese psychedelic rock. The ability of the internet to turn music consumption into a solitary activity contrasts strongly with the environment surrounding subcultures. For many involved in these movements,

heading down to the record store on a Saturday morning formed an almost liturgical experience; the offering of pocket money pressed up against you, approaching the altar stacked high with LP spines waiting to be explored, replete in the knowledge that only one, or maybe two, records could be bought. As a result of financial constraints, record-buying required discussion and collaboration. There was little point in buying a more obscure record if your mate already owned it and had been showing it off for the last week. The entire process lent itself more clearly to the formation of groups and factions, each with their own niches and specific areas of interest that they had worked hard to cultivate.

In the age of the internet, nothing is niche and everything is up for grabs

This again contrasts to the instant, effortless and immediately rewarding access we currently have to culture. As regularly identified, the new age has reduced our concentration spans almost to that of goldfish. The sheer speed and size of consumption means that subcultures have little opportunity to develop organically and avoid detection from the mainstream, something many have recognised as crucial to creating unique group features. Instead, new trends are quickly identified and incorporated into culture at large. Consider the meteoric rise and acceptance into the mainstream of SoundCloud rappers like Playboy Carti or Lil Pump. From being of little relevance to commercial hiphop just five years ago, the platform has now been labelled “the new sound of rap”, even possessing its own distinctive features such as heavily distorted bass and intentionally unpolished production. The pace at which this transformation

has operated serves to illustrate the ways in which subcultures are unable to maintain a small and loyal, but crucially nonconformist following; In the age of the internet, nothing is niche and everything is up for grabs. This nonconformity is key to understanding subcultures, which usually spring from opposition to the dominant culture. Indeed, scholars and armchair analysts alike talk about the rebellion inherent in a subculture – and its supposed death. They speak wistfully of the angst that derived from marginalisation and drove people to form groups - it’s perhaps no coincidence that a lot of subcultures emerged during the time of Thatcher. Take punks, a movement that arose out of working class anger at a time of soaring unemployment. Or mods who, according to sociologist Dick Hebdige, created a parody of the consumerist society of the late 1950s and early 60s. Most subcultures have emerged from value clashes, dire material circumstances and marginalisation that some say is missing from modern Britain. Proponents of the dead-subculture argument note the reversal in fortunes of many Britons. They identify that levels of those defined as C2DE (skilled, semi- and unskilled manual labours and the unemployed) have plummeted from 65% of UK households in the 1970s to only 45% today. By contrast, members of the ABC1 group (those in senior, higher or junior managerial positions) have risen from 35% to 55%. This might be an incomplete depiction of the way in which Britain has changed socially, but it does serve as a useful comparison to detail the rise of the middle class in the country. As such, the argument goes that the youth of today have very little left to fight for. Nor do they have the desire the anger - to make it happen. Yet this argument seems ignorant of both the troubling events of recent years – austerity, Brexit, Trump et cetera – and

of the continued strength and struggle of millions of working class people. Nowhere is this clearer than in the eminent subculture surrounding grime. Grime forms perhaps the best example of a subculture today, albeit one whose ideas and ideals have now been captured by the mainstream. With lyrics such as ‘I’m a problem for Anthony Blair’ (Dizzee Rascal – Hold Ya Mouf) and ‘Me and my Gs ain’t scared of police/ We don’t listen to no politician’ (Skepta – Shutdown) it’s clear that rebellion runs deep through the genre. These explicitly political statements contradict any claim that today’s youth are apathetic in their consumption and production of culture.

Concerns about loneliness were higher in 18-34 year olds than in the over-55s Grime artists themselves have always been clear that their music comes from a place of disillusionment and anger, with stalwart of the genre Skepta suggesting that grime originates from “the pain they’ve put us through.” Similarly, Lethal Bizzle, addressing (a non-present) David Cameron in an interview, stated: “Don’t dismiss us. You’re a millionaire guy in a suit, your life is good – you can’t relate. These kids can relate to people like myself, Wiley, Dizzee, Tinie Tempah, Tinchy: we’re from the council estates, we lived in these places where they live, we know what it’s like.” The dissent that exists within grime is integral to its message and demonstrates the baselessness of arguments that suggest apathy is the reason subcultures no longer exist like they used to. What’s more, beyond the music, grime is accompanied by all the usual trappings of a subculture – including its own rituals (clashing), clothing (tracksuit and

trainers) and attitude that derives from the experiences of its predominantly black working-class artists and fans. Crucially, the strength that an identity like grime gives its followers should not be ignored. In a world of swirling uncertainty, people are increasingly seeking a grounding in a tangible identity. The need to belong has not gone away. In fact, a 2010 report from the Mental Health Foundation detailed that concerns about loneliness were higher in 18-34 year olds than in the over-55s, with 42% of young people expressing this fear. Perhaps the return of subcultures would therefore be welcomed, giving adolescents a much-needed tool to combat loneliness. Sociologist Robert S Weiss identified six social needs that, if unmet, can be a factor in feelings of loneliness: attachment, social integration, nurturance, reassurance of worth, sense of reliable alliance and guidance in stressful situations. Membership of a subculture might help to alleviate feelings of alienation by providing these needs. As a follower of a subculture you are connected and integrated to a social group that provides friends to rely on and an interest to develop. This makes a subculture a possible tool in fighting the increasing levels of alienation witnessed by today’s adolescent youth. Although subcultures are facing a challenging period with rapid, seismic developments in technology and society, society, it seems that these groups can still exist. The shape these groups take will probably change and be different to the subcultures of yore but we should be encouraging the development of these groups. Counteracting the potentially deleterious effects of modern technology and re-establishing social connection are priorities for today’s youth, and mass movements are one way of addressing the issue. The subculture is dead. Long live the subculture.

19 MAR 2018 | EXEPOSÉ

FEATURES

A GUIDE TO AFROFUTURISM After the success of Black Panther, Ben Lang examines the cultural signifance of afrofuturism

T'S been a long time coming but Black Panther, Marvel’s first black superhero movie, is finally out in the world and is quickly becoming a cultural phenomenon. Topping $940 million at the box office, the film is putting the final nail in the coffin of the Hollywood myth that “black films don’t sell”. Ryan Coogler’s third motion picture looks unlike any Hollywood film that has come previously and this can be owed to its roots in a richly layered artistic philosophy: Afrofuturism. Coined by cultural critic Mark Dery in 1993, the term adopts an intersectional approach to retrieve black identity from the murky shadows of the white mainstream, through the use of literature, film, music and art. It infuses elements of science fiction, fantasy and African culture to reimagine a lost past and envisage a fresh future with the black community at the forefront. Black Panther’s fictionalised African civilisation of Wakanda provides a starting point to understanding this cultural aesthetic and how it is embedded in the film.

A large part of the Afrofuturism aesthetic relies on the authentic imagery of African culture Wakanda is an Afrofuturistic haven. It is a technologically advanced kingdom in Central Africa that is self-sufficient and untouched by the subsuming force of colonialism. Rejecting traditional depictions of Africa as impoverished and war-ridden, the utopic paradise of Wakanda subverts this stereotype

to imagine a parallel universe where Africa is leading the way in international development. This keeps Black Panther firmly in line with Afrofuturistic tropes as the philosophy strives to reclaim black identity and then empower it. Wakanda’s technological feats, including its ultra-sonic monorail and flying cars, ensure that the film assigns black communities this power with the hypermodern enclave being the most advanced nation in the Marvel universe by far. In fact, it is so advanced that Wakandan civilians view globalisation as a danger. They use their technological knowhow to evade the external world and exposure to the precarious process of international trade. This isolationist stance enables Wakanda to maintain its economic self-sufficiency and allows its society to continue wielding power. Afrofuturism does not merely promote the idea that black people will exist in the future. They will own that future. When focusing on the empowerment that Afrofuturism brings, it should not be overlooked that a large part of the aesthetic relies on the authentic imagery of African culture. Ruth E. Carter, Black Panther’s costume designer, excels at incorporating this aspect of Afrofuturism into Coogler’s work. The film’s costumes draw on both traditional tribal attire and contemporary Afropunk influences to ensure that African customs are engrained in the film, alongside technological prowess. By interweaving science fiction elements with steeped African tradition, a redefined modern

blackness emerges that reflects Afrofuturism’s key motifs. Black Panther is a pivotal cultural moment that has spearheaded Afrofuturism’s breakthrough into the mainstream. Winston Duke, who plays M’Baku in the film, has commented on the importance of spreading black superhero narratives, as children watching Black Panther will perceive its material to be the norm before they develop a more nuanced understanding of racial politics. “They’re getting to see a black superhero with a narrative that’s outpacing all other superhero movies”, he said, “I want them to know that this can and should be the norm”. Although this Afrofuturistic line of thinking has most notably entered mainstream culture through Black Panther, similar ideas are surfacing all around us and have been doing so for decades in various art forms. Jordan Peele’s 2017 film Get Out is another clear instance of Afrofuturism writ large. The film recently saw Peele become the first black writer to win Best Original Screenplay at the Academy Awards, and the comedian-turnedfilmmaker’s use of Afrofuturistic imagery is at the very core of the film. The theft of the black body is dominant imagery in Afrofuturistic imagery and when Chris’s girlfriend’s mother’s hypnosis sends him to ‘the sunken place’, he is unable to render control over his body. The alien abduction of the black body is a recurring image in Afrofuturism as it is used to symbolise slavery and this allegory achieves pertinence throughout the film. Additionally, Peele’s

optimistic ending is a clear nod to Afrofuturism’s envisaging of an empowered black future. Other recent examples include Jay-Z’s video for ‘Family Feud’ which visualises his daughter, Blue Ivy Carter, leading a society that empowers black women as they re-write the constitution. The work of Janelle Monáe is also key as she has deployed an Afrofuturistic framework on her music for over a decade. Her music video for ‘Q.U.E.E.N’ is just one example of her engagement with the genre as she implies that time can be manipulated to recover dissolved narratives. She incorporates a black feminist perspective into this as Monáe and Erykah Badu become liberated by the power of funk music.

Winston Duke.has commented on the importance of spreading black superhero narratives Looking further back, Octavia Butler is widely regarded as the mother of Afrofuturistic thinking. Her genre-bending collection of works, which began before Dery had even coined the term in the 1990s, connects the past with imagined futures. She is known for incorporating a wide genre spectrum in to her work, including aspects of magical realism and science fiction, as well as a deep consideration of identity politics. Her overriding focus on Afrofuturism can be clearly identified in her novel Kindred, which connects past and present narratives through the protagonist,

Dana, who travels through time and, in doing so, learns about the oppression of her ancestry in a neoslave narrative. Most examples of Afrofuturism share the theme of incorporating feminism into their work, which is where the intersectional nature of Afrofuturism becomes relevant. As black women such as Butler were influential in expanding the philosophy’s potential, so the aesthetic has come to harness a feminist space that promotes the concept of an egalitarian society This is a remarkably prevalent theme in Black Panther, with the female characters forming the backbone of the film and stealing the audience’s hearts in the process. The women of Wakanda are intelligently constructed to possess real value in the film’s narrative as their knowledge, trustworthiness and agency are all highlighted. The character of young Princess Shuri particularly stands out as her level of innovative genius sees her lead the way in Wakanda’s technological operations. The use of an intersectional lens such as this further plays into the idea of Afrofuturism providing a sphere for oppressed and marginalised groups to rediscover their voices and then amplify them. The very nature of Afrofuturism, given its constant evolution as a philosophic field, means that its possibilities are infinite. Its recent and emphatic resurgence can only mean that Afrofuturism is here to stay across all art forms and we are the better for it. There are endless erased stories to uncover, endless futures to imagine and endless time to do it in.

FEATURES

The Renaissance of

RAVE

Tom Murphy explores the rebirth of illegal raves and the significance of rave culture in the UK

HE origins of British rave culture lie in the so-called ‘Second Summer of Love’ in the late 1980s. The deep basslines and fluid synths of Chicago acid house music had crossed the pond, ushering in the era of the rave, as drug-fuelled hedonism dominated youth subcultures surrounding electronic music. Inspired by the thriving Balearic dance scene and fuelled by the mass arrival of the club drug ecstasy to the United Kingdom, a new generation of revelers descended, not only to nightclubs, but illegal raves at warehouses and car parks across the country. While iconic, licensed nights at clubs like the Hacienda in Manchester thrived, spontaneous illegal parties in disused buildings became synonymous with rave culture throughout the 1990s. Violence was rare, as ravers embraced the artificial sense of empathy caused by recreational ecstasy use. Empty buildings were filled with huge sound systems, as DJs blared house music to thousands of ravers until the early hours of the morning. Suddenly the euphoric chaos of the Ibiza party scene could be transported to an abandoned warehouse somewhere off the M25 as electronic dance music and rave culture exploded into the public consciousness.

More Brits are consuming MDMA than at any other time in the last decade In 1994 the rave scene had become so widespread that the infamous – and strangely worded - Section 63 of the Criminal Justice Act was passed into law. Police were granted the power to shut down music events that contained the “emission of a succession of repetitive beats”, sparking mass protests by ravers and anarchist groups. By the mid-1990s, the pioneering dance music of the early rave scene had begun to be incorporated into mainstream popular music. Once firmly entrenched within an underground scene, spread by word of mouth, electronic music started to become commercially successful and widely listened too. Heavy hitters like The Chemical Brothers and The Prodigy released dance records that infiltrated

the charts and house music started to receive serious radio airtime. Club promoters up and down the country capitalised on the excitement surrounding an innovative British electronic music scene. As house music became more and more fashionable, tickets to electronic nights rose to extortionate levels, pricing out the same youth subculture that popularised the genre through illegal raves and niche club nights. By the noughties, the excitement surrounding transgressive, underground electronic dance music had all but evaporated, as house music filled highstreet nightclubs across the country. British DJs and EDM producers like Calvin Harris and Carl Cox have become global superstars, headlining festivals and racking up hundreds of millions of plays across music streaming services. This permeation of electronic music into the mainstream has seen dance music scene been thoroughly detached from the underground roots of rave culture and the ‘Second Summer of Love.’ In less than twenty years the electronic dance music scene had undergone radical change, trading the intimacy of illegal raves to sell-out global tours. However, last year saw a significant resurgence in the number of illegal raves reported to the authorities. In 2016 the number of illegal raves in London close to doubled when compared to the previous year. 133 unlicensed raves were flagged up by the Metropolitan Police in the capital city alone. What’s more, Rave’s renaissance does not appear to be concentrated in London alone. In September 2017, a sixteenhour standoff occurred between police and ravers at an illegal techno night in a former B&Q warehouse in Bristol. Just a month later, three men were charged with vandalism after £30,000 worth of damage was caused at a rave attended by over 500 people in a warehouse complex in Maidstone, Kent. This mass icrease in the number of illegal raves comes has been linked to the stagnation of urban nightlife across the country. In 2016, the forced closure of one of Britain’s most famous nightclubs Fabric in Farringdon, London following a series of drug related fatalities brought ‘rave’ culture back into the public spotlight. While Fabric was handed its licence back after five months, agreeing to carry out stringent security checks

that most airports would be proud of and implementing new over-19s door policy, its reopening can be considered somewhat of an anomaly. Staggeringly, half of London’s clubs closed in the period between 2005-2015. Widespread gentrification across central London has brought about sweeping socioeconomic change, significantly increasing the price of rent in the capital. The ever-rising rent prices have rendered the maintenance of internationally renowned clubs economically unfeasible, forcing club owners to raise ticket prices in order to keep their doors open. A standard ticket to Fabric’s weekly Saturday night house and electro event will set you back over £20 on the door, a significant sum of money when compared to an illegal rave where similar genres of music will be played free of charge. In addition to ever inflating ticket prices, the cost of alcohol at licenced venues continues to rise. With the national average price of a pint of beer currently standing at £3.60, and the fact that in metropolitan areas such as London a pint can set you back in excess of £5, it’s hardly shocking that the country’s urban youth are returning to inexpensive, unregulated hedonism of late twentieth century rave culture. The escape once provided by the country’s once vibrant club scene has now become economically unviable for today’s metropolitan youth.

It’s hardly shocking that the country’s youth are returning to inexpensive, unregulated hedonism While the price of alcohol continues to rise in clubs and pubs the availability and consumption of club drugs such as MDMA has massively risen over the last few years. The amphetamine ecstasy became synonymous with the 1990s rave scene, where the psychoactive drug fuelled all night raves. According to the 2016 European Drugs report conducted by the EU, the United Kingdom had the second highest consumption of MDMA in Europe, after the Netherlands, with 3.5% of British ‘young adults’ estimated to have taken MDMA in the last year. The report also indicated that the average purity of ecstasy pills had more

A sixteen hour standoff occurred between police and ravers at an illegal techno night in a former B&Q warehouse than doubled since the 1990s, at around 125mg per pill. The anonymity and availability of recreational drugs through the internet using crypto currency has also been linked to a rise in the amount of Britons taking MDMA. Given the cultural and historical closeness of the relationship between the rave scene and recreational drugs it is no surprise that the recent resurgence in illegal raves comes at a time where more Brits are consuming MDMA than at any other time in the last decade. Perhaps vital to the increase in illegal, unlicensed raves is the impact widespread infrastructural and housing developments in Britain’s urban spaces have had in significantly decreasing the variety of the nightlife in cities across the United Kingdom. A host of clubs across London including the iconic live music venue and LGBT club Astoria in Soho, were sacrificed in favour of the Crossrail transport development. Just last month one of Manchester’s premier licenced rave clubs, Antwerp Mansion, was issued with a closure notice by Manchester council after refusing to

change its closing time, sparking an online petition which has received over 17,000 signatures to date. Even Exeter’s newest nightclub, Fever and Boutique, was threatened with having its licence revoked following persistent noise complaints late last year. The closure of clubs in particular that provide marginal or alternative music genres such as jungle and drum and bass, can be directly linked to the rise in the number of illegal raves in the years as punters are left to chose between cheap, uninspiring identikit chain nightclubs in town centres, and unlicensed illegal raves. The recent resurgence of rave culture and illegal parties is perhaps unsurprising given the sorry state of the British club scene and the unrelenting rising expense of nights out. Inspired by the infamous rave subculture of the 1990s and fuelled by the same recreational drugs as their raver predecessors, Britain’s revellers are once again returning to warehouses across the country pumping electronic music and raving away the night.

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lifestyle

ARTS + LIT

E X H I B IT MUSIC

STUDY BREAK

screen

Image: Gordon Vasquez

Image: DJ Willby

an interview with dj willby

27 Image: LucasFilm

director spotlight: greta Gerwig

31 Image: Parag Desmukh

inspirational women

study break

16-17 wonderful world of podcasts

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LIFESTYLE EDITORS Barbara Balogun Lauren Geall

ARTS + LIT EDITORS Mubanga Mweemba Maddie Davies

MUSIC EDITORS Alex Brammer Maddy Parker

SCREEN EDITORS Ben Faulkner Fenton Christmas

STUDY BREAK Puzzles by Alfred and Tash 19 MAR 2018 | EXEPOSÃ&#x2030;

lifestyle

Snow much fun

Editorial

I After a year of editing, Lauren and I are waving our final goodbyes. This year has been amazing and we could not be more proud to have been your print editors for this 2017/2018 year. From the elections to this last press day and our last hours of proofing, it has been an honour to create content for you guys and to see so many of you move on, grow, and gain confidence which has shown and been reflected in your work. In this last edition, we wanted to thank all of you for being part of this journey. Like many say: we could not have done this without you, and your involvement. Thank you for taking part in every crazy idea we've had - thank you for following us, and for keeping up with us this year. Thank you to all of those who have made our life easier by sending your content on time. Thank you to those always willing to share your pictures with us, the paper could not have been as pretty without your photographry skills. We've had many breakdowns, but we have learnt more than ever during this year; whether that was learning to use PhotoShop and InDesign, coping with the stress of deadlines, content calls and press days all at the same time, we've made it. A special thank you to the whole committee for the amazing time we have spent together; you'll always have a special place in our hearts. Thank you for the socials, for the Firehouse pizzas, the HQ Trivia reunions, for the committee pictures: the official ones and the unofficial ones. Thank you for the Spotify playlists during every press day, and thank you for having made those press days the best they could have been. This office will forever be considered our second home. We would also like to give a special shout-out and a special thank you to the Senior Editors and Deputy Editors who have been present for every single one of our breakdowns and anxiety crises, we could not have dreamt of a better team. Bethan and Rhiannon, we wish you all the best for the coming year. We are sure you'll have the best time and will make as many precious memories as we have this year. We cannot wait to see what you are going to do with this section and we are very keen to read your content calls over the next year. Again, thank you everyone. This was our final goodbye. Exeposé, you've been great! Barbara and Lauren

19 MAR 2018 | EXEPOSÉ

Barbara Balogun, Lifestyle Editor, recalls the time she spent in the snow

T'S snow time. England stops. Everything becomes paralyzed from the roads to the university campus. Severe weather conditions are announced, it sounds like the end of the world. There’s no more food in the shops, and on top of the UCU strike, Exeter is dead. Your favourite postman won’t be coming today, the roads are inaccessible - but it’s time for some fun!

IT SEEMED LIKE I WAS BACK IN DECEMBER HAVING A FONDUE

I’m going back to work” - at which I am told to look out the window. What I see is beautiful; a good 10cm of snow was now on the floor, people had brought their luges out and were sliding down the hills. Facebook invites from Snowsports to get my gear out and join them at the Imperial for some ski slopes, après ski parties, it seemed like I was back in December, having a fondue right before Christmas. When I saw the large, fluffy flakes falling for the first snow of the season here in England, I felt a childlike

28 February, 7pm; I get an email from the University telling me that “due to the forecast severe weather conditions for tomorrow of heavy snow fall, ice and high winds and the need to prioritise the safety of the campus, the university will be closed”. My first reaction was one of immediate anger. I had already missed two weeks of classes because of the strikes, the snow was going to add more to the list of classes that would n o t happen. More importantly, I had a Spanish exam scheduled for the next day and, as third year, I do not like to have my emotions played with when it comes to exams. I go to bed that night thinking of how crap this is and moaning like the typical French girl I am. Why would I moan about the next day I’d be spending at home in the comfort of my bed? 1 March, 10 am; I wake up, look through my window, almost no snow to be seen. Obviously, I grab my phone, go to Snapchat and Instagram to add on my stories about how rubbish England is for closing a University with less than 3cm of snow. I try to go the shop, everything is fine, it’s bit slippery, a bit snowy but nothing to close shops and roads for. The major shops are open but it seems like they’d be closing soon. On the situation of the snow it won’t stop falling. By 3pm, I get a phone call from a friend sounding like a little kid “come out come, we’re going to have a snow ball fight”. Grumpy me immediately shuts down the offer - “not coming out now, there’s no snow,

happiness that directly touched my heart telling me to join my friends and to go outside and play. It’s as if I was back to being six. So, I put on my jacket, hat and gloves, slipped on my wellies and got ready to go out. I bring some cardboard, plastic bags and various supplies to make luges. We slide down, on the back, on the front, alone or two of us, we skateboard down the hills and simply have the best time. We spend about three hours

taking pictures, making angels in the snow, sliding down the hills like the kids we once were. I flash back through my snowman and snowball fight history as a child.

I FELT A CHILDLIKE HAPPINESS THAT TOUCHED MY HEART And now I, who had been complaining about almost the past twenty-four hours about the snow, was having the time of my life and praying for the next day to be the same. Two hours later with lots of snow under our clothes we decided to make this afternoon as ski like and as wintery as possible. In Tesco, we buy mulled wine and chocolate. Back in the house, the tunes are on, the mulled wine is cooking and the chocolate cake is baking. It looks like the perfect afternoon, the one I had been craving for since I came back from the break: surrounded by friends, eating and drinking. Never would I h a v e imagined lovingthe snow and the University for providing such a wonderful day. A minute later, more snow news, the campus will remain closed on Friday and Saturday. The whole house jumps in happiness. The kids are back and they want to play in the snow again. They never want the snowball fights to end, or the snow slides to stop or the angels to melt. I am so glad that I have been able to experience Exeter under the snow. It is one experience that should not be missed seeing how rarely this happens. An unplanned winter wonderland, an undecided holiday by the snow, a great reunion with the kid inside me. Now the snow has melted, it's just me and the reminiscing and nostalgia. University starts again, deadlines persist and all the work you haven’t done during the weekend is now sitting on top of your head threatening to completely collapse. But the memories and the smiles are still there and will always remain. Until next time Winter Wonderland, you’ve been an absolute wonder.

19 MAR 2018 | 16

intersectional awareness

S we see the progress and success of movements such as #MeToo and #TimesUp, it can be easy to imagine that women’s voices have never been so amplified. Primarily seen as a day to celebrate the women in your life, International Women’s Day provides us with a moment to reflect upon the role which gender plays within society; whilst we celebrate the progress of the past year and the achievements of the women around us, it’s often easy to forget the struggles which many women still endure as a result of other uncontrollable aspects of their identity. If you’ve never heard of intersectionality, specifically in this case intersectional feminism, International Women’s Day is the perfect chance to learn. As a straight, white woman with access to an outstanding education, it’s not my place to speak for all women. For example, there is no way I can understand and talk about the experience of Black women, simply as a result of my racial privilege. Instead of speaking over or ignoring the problems faced by women of different identities, International Women’s Day provides us with the chance to boost minority voices and celebrate the achievements of those who are ordinarily forgotten or oppressed. This isn’t a problem purely limited to racial oppression, either; aspects of identity such as class, religion, disability and occupation can also transform the experience of women in society. Recently the cohesiveness of the Women’s March organisation has been challenged as a result of accusations of anti-Semitism towards its organiser, Tamika D. Mallory. As BuzzFeed reported on 7 March, Mallory sat in the audience last month as the leader of the Nation of Islam targeted and critiqued the role of Jewish people in Hollywood “turning men into women and women into men”. It is clear that the reality of a truly intersectional feminism is still far off, but worth fighting for. That’s why in celebration of this years' International Women’s Day, I encourage you to seek out the voices of women you are not traditionally exposed to. Even taking the time to follow a more diverse community of women on Twitter will open your eyes to some of the experiences common to women around the world. Lauren Geall, Lifestyle Editor

Editors: Barbara Balogun and Lauren Geall

HEY say you make life-long friends at university and for a while, I really doubted that statement. But taking part in Exeposé has utterly changed that feeling. I am surrounded by inspirational women whose kindness, strength and compassion have all changed the way I look at the world and to that I am very grateful. A certain human by the name of Emma is only one of these leading ladies (I wish I could rave about them all, but wordcount issues) and apart from making a mean mac n cheese, her caring, resilient, confident nature has helped me to develop as an individual and I can’t imagine a time without her absolutely wonderful friendship. Tash Ebbutt, Deputy Editor

VERY year for Mother’s Day, I give daffodils to my Godmother, Charis. She moved out of my parents’ house to make space for me when I was born and she’s been a hugely important mother-figure in my life ever since. She is a constant, reassuring presence – usually alongside mid-morning cake, shopping, and afternoon tea! The most practical person I know, she has an incredible gift for knowing her own mind, which is a great comfort to my usuallyanxious self. She’s a true example of kindness and supportiveness, and I aspire to care for people as generously as she does. Abigail Milne

YOU MAKE ME BELIEVE IN MYSELF AND GIVE ME HOPE IN THINGS

COULD write an ode to Carrie Fisher a thousand times over and never get it quite perfect. If she’s watching up there she sure as hell isn’t thinking about the choices I’m making, she’s loving family and flipping off Trump. But thinking of her, helps. She was never quiet about her struggles with mental health, her ashes were buried in a giant Prozac pill for god’s sake. But she never let it stand in her way. She says it best. ‘ I am mentally ill. I can say that. I am not ashamed of that. I survived that. I am still surviving it, but bring it on.’ Katie Baker

twitter Acounts to follow

exhibit

lifestyle

FTER losing both her parents, my Nana Marg left school early to find work in order to support her family. At 42 she studied for her O-Levels and A-Levels and eventually qualified to become a teacher, all whilst raising 5 boys and helping my Granch run a milk round. It is from her that I learnt my greatest lessons: I learnt the importance of resilience, determination and hard-work, and I learnt never to become a victim of circumstance. She demonstrated unwavering strength in the face of every adversity and if I've inherited even a fraction of that strength, I'll be happy. Bethan Gilson, Online Lifestyle Editor

OMEONE who definitely falls under the category of inspiring women is Leonora Carrington, known as the “lost surrealist” due to her important contributions to the movement being virtually ignored until after her death. I know, an underappreciated woman? Surprising, right. Surrealism, an artistic and political movement originating in 1920s Paris, was very male-dominated, rife with misogynists (André Breton, I’m looking at you), so Carrington is a breath of fresh air. Her fiction and paintings are the artistic equivalent of sticking up your middle finger to patriarchal authority and she laid the groundwork for a whole generation of feminist writers and artists. Emily Garbutt, Online Arts&Lit Editor

ROM cooking me the most delicious breakfasts to allowing me to rant about the various trivialities that plague my daily existence, I am most inspired by my wonderful mum. I feel so lucky to call her my best friend. The one thing I really dislike about university is that I can’t spend as much time with the one human that completely accepts me for who I am (and actually finds me funny). Tash Ebbutt, Deputy Editor

@MsAfropolitan - A Radical Black Feminist who focuses on African Feminism: has a book coming out in 2019 titled A Radical Black Feminist Approach For Everyone.

In light of International W Exeposé Lifestyle W to the inspirational w

HERE'S something about you that probably makes you more important than my family. It’s a rogue statement but I stand by it. You are the best woman, and the most supportive human being I know, whether that be physically (keeping me upright when we get lit) or mentally (keeping me from falling into the inescapable abyss due to my tendency to die a little every now and then). You make me believe in myself and give me hope in things I once gave up on. I would not be anywhere in life right now if I didn’t have a friend like you. You know who you are. Thank you for everything. Malcom Wong, Comment Editor

SHE HAS AN INCREDIBLE GIFT FOR KNOWING HER OWN MIND

@lexi4prez - A Chicana student activist tweeting predominantly about racism in America and prejudices towards the immigrant community.

@DisVisibility - D to promoting mar disability communi

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Editors: Barbara Balogun and Lauren Geall

lifestyle

NTERNATIONAL Women's Day means a lot to me, as it does to many other women I am sure, because it gives me the time to admire the strength of the woman who brought me here: my mother. My mum (or as my Celtic tongue refers to her, Mam) is the most impressive woman I have ever met. She lost her mother, my Nanny Elaine, at the age of twenty. Just one year later (aged 21) she went on to set up her day nursery. She had to do that without her mother; she turned 21, got married without the mother of the bride being present, she started her own family, all without the figure who I worship. Maddie Davies, Arts & Lit Editor

Women's Day on 8 March, Writers pay tribute women in their lives HERE'S TO THE DRUNK GIRLS IN CLUB BATHROOMS - THE BEST GROUP OF WOMEN

'D like to take a second just to appreciate one of the inspirational women in my life, who just happens to be one of my lecturers. University can be long and exhausting, and being inspired by someone who is genuinely and infectiously enthusiastic about their field can really make all the difference. It's also incredibly inspiring (if a little daunting!) to realise just how prolific and successful this person is that you're lucky enough to be taught by. If I were ever able to do anywhere near so much, to such an impressive standard, whilst managing to be this inspirational - well, I would consider myself lucky. Graham Moore, Deputy Editor

Disability activist dedicated rginalised voices from the ity.

absolute icon, Sonia Gandhi, fell in love with cheery Rajiv Gandhi at Cambridge, the son of India’s only female PM – and uprooted herself from desolate Italian mountains to the bustling capital of India. Living in a family where the matriarch was Prime Minister was difficult for a country girl, especially when said matriarch was assassinated and Sonia’s young husband was voted in as PM. Rajiv too was assassinated, leaving Sonia with two young children in a foreign country. With no experience in politics, or even a university education, Sonia took the reins of the dying Congress Party and won two consequent elections. Sonia, even after forty years of being Indian, is forever greeted by abuse from both parties, for her foreign-ness, her accent, for being a widow who spoke out. Sonia’s story is strange, not because she was an Italian waitress who then controlled the political ladder in a foreign country, but because she had done it for the love of her deceased husband. And how in a patriarchal society like India, she had every male politician by the… well, collar. Neha Shaji

19 MAR 2018 |

ERE'S to the drunk girls in club bathrooms – perhaps the best group of women I have ever met (not to pit women against each other, of course). When you think your hair isn’t quite right, they’ll change your mind. When your makeup has run after hours on sweaty dance floors, they’ll be so in love with your glitter eyeshadow that you’ll strut down the steps of Unit 1 like you’re the hottest thing ever. When you’re not 100% sure about your outfit choice, everyone in that bathroom will compliment your shoes. Drunk girls in club bathrooms are crucial characters in our fight for equality and empowerment – I'll never forget it. Rhiannon Moore

OUR FAVOURITE INSPIRATIONAL QUOTES "Each time a woman stands up for herself, without knowing it

IF I'VE INHERITED EVEN A FRACTION OF THAT STRENGTH, I'LL BE HAPPY

HEN I was 13 I discovered Barbra Streisand and my life literally changed. I went from being a bullied, shy and anxious teen to becoming determined to succeed, be a great performer and most importantly - not apologise for my individuality. Streisand paved the way for female talent, being one of the first women to make one million pounds in Hollywood in 1968. Streisand rose to fame using her talent determination to infiltrate and expose the “old boys club” of producing and controlling the arts. In the 1960s when Streisand began her six decades’ stardom women were hired purely because they suited the male gaze, Barbra was bullied in the press about her looks yet she recognised her unconventionality as a strength, not a weakness, and this is what made her a star: way ahead of her time she demanded that talent be placed above media attraction. As well being a truly stunning performer, Streisand has fought for women’s rights in every field, including politics and more recently health care. Streisand is an inspirational woman because she made me want to stand out and be strong when all I wanted to do was be invisible. Olivia Denton

possibly, without claiming it. she stands up for all women" Maya Angelou "Everyone can rise above their circumstances and acheive success if they are dedicated to and passionate about what they do" Nelson Mandela "We move forward when we recognise how resilient and striking the women around us are" Rupi Kaur "I raise up my voice - not so I can shout but so that those without a voice can be heard. We cannot succeed when half of us are held back" Malala Yousafzai "Do what they think you can't do" Duke Ferguson

19 MAR 2018 | 18 MATT HP, 3RD YEAR, BUSINESS MANAGEMENT AND MARKETING If you could achieve one thing in the next year what would it be? I would definitely try to achieve more than a third. If you could change one thing at Exeter University what would it be? I would install stronger hand-dryers in the toilets, they are too weak. I’d want like, Dyson hand-dryers. If you could become a BNOC what would it be for? Honestly, it would probably be for lobbying towards better hand-dryers aha.

EDITORS: Barbara Balogun and Lauren Geall

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Humans o OLIVIA TOREY, 1ST YEAR DRAMA If you could achieve one thing in the next year what would it be? 100% would be passing this year. If you could change one thing at Exeter University what would it be? OMG, I would flatten cardiac hill, get a lift or a travellator. If you could become a BNOC what would it be for? I think it would be for my acting skills.

INES LECERF, 1ST YEAR BUSINESS AND MANAGEMENT If you could achieve one thing in the next year what would it be? Yeah, I think I’d want to pass the year. If you could change one thing at Exeter University what would it be? Never having Accounting and Finance again or make 8:30s illegal actually – or both at the same time, oh wait, my lecturer might see this… If you could become a BNOC what would it be for? I think it would be for starting my own travelling business and for being successful.

HUGH MILLER, 2ND YEAR PPE If you could achieve one thing in the next year what would it be? I’d love to be able to sort out the climate, might need more than a year but who knows. If you could change one thing at Exeter University what would it be? I would want more contact hours about work, about essay writing and all that. It’s crazy to pay so much to get so little. If you could become a BNOC what would it be for? Realistically for being a crazy drunk person but I’d love if it was for being nice.

JACK PENNANT, 2ND YEAR, SPANISH AND RUSSIAN If you could achieve one thing in the next year what would it be? I would enjoy myself and make good memories. If you could change one thing at Exeter University what would it be? Yeah, I would add more contact hours as well, especially as we get on in second and third year. If you could become a BNOC what would it be for? I would get airlifted naked out of the clock tower. (Hugh Miller: “Mate, you'd be hurt with all the straps.”) Jack: Let’s think about it when it comes to it ok?

ARDITA UKA, 3RD YEAR, ERASMUS, BUSINESS AND MANAGEMENT If you could achieve one thing in the next year what would it be? I would get a job or an internship in the big four in Switzerland. If you could change one thing at Exeter University what would it be? I would change the people ahha joke, no I’d actually add a sleeping room. If you could become a BNOC what would it be for? I hope it would be for being the coolest Erasmus student on campus, aha.

EMMA BAKER, 2ND YEAR NATURAL SCIENCES If you could achieve one thing in the next year what would it be? I would get a 2:1 and get a tan… and maybe both at the same time. If you could change one thing at Exeter University what would it be? I would like more places to fill my water bottle. I know it’s boring, but I need it. If you could become a BNOC what would it be for? Just being nice, not being too grumpy, and for wearing a nice yellow jumper.

EDWARD DAVIES, 3RD YEAR BUT 4TH AT UNI BECAUSE I CHANGED COURSE , GEOGRAPHY If you could achieve one thing in the next year what would it be? Not to fuck my degree. If you could change one thing at Exeter University what would it be? It’s just a bit of a capitalist machine, it’s a money-making machine, so I’d like free education because I think we’re becoming too much like the Americans. Piers Morgan said that, and I like it. If you could become a BNOC what would it be for? Probably being the biggest virgin on campus and I’m allergic to pints (I’m not but it’s good chat).

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of Exeter LIVVY FIFE- FAULKNER, 1ST YEAR MODERN LANGUAGES If you could achieve one thing in the next year what would it be? I would just say: Happiness If you could change one thing at Exeter University what would it be? I’d want the campus to be less white and more inclusive. If you could become a BNOC what would it be for? I think eyeshadow cause I’m not wearing any today but usually I am and it’s grand.

EDITORS: Barbara Balogun and Lauren Geall

19 MAR 2018 |

JADE JOHNSON, 3RD YEAR INTERNATONAL RELATIONS If you could achieve one thing in the next year what would it be? I would become more of a pro-active activist in social justice on campus. If you could change one thing at Exeter University what would it be? I would change the current diversity on campus because I think it’s very important. If you could become a BNOC what would it be for? Aha, I’m definitely already a BNOC because I feel like everyone already knows me; but I think it would be for being a nice person and being for being in EUWRFC, oh actually, SHOUTOUT TO EUWRFC girls, #BleedGreen!!

JOHNNY CHERN, 2ND YEAR, INTERNATOINAL RELATIONS If you could achieve one thing in the next year what would it be? Wait, can we come back to it? … I think it would be to begin to understand my degree I guess! If you could change one thing at Exeter University what would it be? I would add more veggie food on campus. If you could become a BNOC what would it be for? Definitely for making drunk friends with people and having no clue about it.

JAMIE DODES, 1ST YEAR LIBERAL ARTS If you could achieve one thing in the next year what would it be? I would write and produce a script for XTV If you could change one thing at Exeter University what would it be? I would make the forum market place less expensive because it’s way too expensive. If you could become a BNOC what would it be for? It would be for being the most creative student.

ELLA WORSLEY, 1ST YEAR LAW If you could achieve one thing in the next year what would it be? I want to get an internship at a barrister’s chamber. If you could change one thing at Exeter University what would it be? I would have gender neutral facilities. If you could become a BNOC what would it be for? I think it would be for being a bold cool girl, like heelies guy…

HARRY BUNTING, 2ND YEAR ENGLISH If you could achieve one thing in the next year what would it be? I’d win the Sunday version of HQ trivia If you could change one thing at Exeter University what would it be? I’d move the campus closer to my house, this is too far If you could become a BNOC what would it be for? It would be for taking an armed gunman who’d came to campus, cause how else would I become a BNOC. Wait… that’s not politically sensitive let’s change that… I’d like to crush the Exefest headliner to do my own freestyle rap… oh wait, that’s too soon…

BRETT DICKINSON, 2ND YEAR BUT THIRD AT UNI BECAUSE I CHANGED COURSE , HISTORY If you could achieve one thing in the next year what would it be? I would finish fundraising for Tonia who needs to get to Barcelona for a life threathning surgery in April :https://www.justgiving. com/campaigns/charity/just4children/toniasjourneyforsurvival If you could change one thing at Exeter University what would it be? I would change the culture of sport socials which make a lot of people not join societies. If you could become a BNOC what would it be for? Probably for being part of Welcome Team!

ALICE NEEDELL, 1ST YEAR HISTORY If you could achieve one thing in the next year what would it be? I would get good grades and a summer job… I need a fucking summer job. If you could change one thing at Exeter University what would it be? I’d 100% get rid of 8:30am starts, at least have a 9am. But also, don’t…, just start at 12 If you could become a BNOC what would it be for? I’d like to be the lesbian icon on campus. I’ll be a published lesbian on campus.

100 BOOKS

TO READ BEFORE YOU GRADUATE

Thank you and goodbye

After a fantastic year of editing Exeposé, the 2017/18 committee is preparing to hand over the reins. As our last hurrah, we’ve collated a selection of the 100 books we think you ought to pack in before graduation rolls around - although if you’re a final year, you probably ought to prioritise your dissertation...

Christmas dinner ‘17

Exeposé committee 2017/18

News I am Malala - Malala yousafzai Malala’s autobiography, co-written with journalist Christina Lamb, gives a fascinating and inspiring insight into her activism, her forgiveness of the man who shot her, and her fight for girls’ education. It is an astonishing show of bravery and human courage, in a world where it can feel the news is so often clouded by hatred and war.

Scoop - Evelyn Waugh Before writing Scoop, Evelyn Waugh worked for the Daily Mail, which might be the reason why he hates journalism so much. For some reason, his 1938 satire on Fleet Street is still well-respected by journalists today – and for good reason. Its patterns and characters are recognisable – just think of the News of the World phone hacking – and its themes extend beyond just the newsroom, to corruption in all layers of society.

The Audacity of Hope - Barack Obama This book was actually written by Obama prior to becoming President, however it is particularly remarkable due to Obama sharing hopes on repairing the current political process, whilst also talking with honesty about the racial issues he has had to overcome within the political sphere. It is also interesting that although this book was written in 2008, America appears to have taken a step backwards since, with the election of Donald Trump as President after Obama’s two terms were up.

Broken and betrayed jayne senior Jayne Senior worked with girls and young women affected by the abuse scandal in Rotherham for 14 years, and this book is a memoir of her attempts to protect and seek justice for her charges. It tells a bleak and heartbreaking story which dominated UK media for months, and remains vital to civil handling of sexual abuse to this day.

The Big Short Michael Lewis The Big Short is an accessible account of the 2008 financial crisis by financial journalist Michael Lewis. It follows a few people who believed the collarised debt obligation bubble would burst and made millions out of it. The Big Short alternates from being a character-driven drama to a guidebook to the financial crisis.

1984 - George Orwell A must-read for you to get a grasp with the societal structures in our current world, 1984 follows a dystopian narrative. The title itself reflecting this mismatch, with Orwell originally writing this novel in 1948. It manages to tell a gripping story, whilst examining the power of the mass media in influencing public opinion, a phenomenon occurring all too frequently in society today.

Freshers’ Fair ‘17

This Changes Everything - Naomi Klein Naomi Klein’s This Changes Everything considers the issue of climate change in the political climate of 2014. In theory, it should be a sad commentary on climate change and the way the world is going. But it is not. Part scathing indictment of capitalism and consumerism, part political manifesto, Klein’s book is informative and hopeful on issues that will only become more prevalent in the near future, and leaves the reader with a sense that much-needed change is possible.

To kill a Mockingbird - Harper Lee This is a novel well known for multiple reasons, one of which is the consistent controversy it has caused over the years for the way in which it handles the topics of race most specifically, but also rape. However, more than anything, To Kill a Mockingbird follows the gut instinct of right and wrong, and the sheer amazement of what humanity is capable of if we see everyone in the same way, with no prepositions about people, as the character Atticus Finch does.

ALL the president’s men Carl Bernstein + Bob Woodward Well-known through its film adaptation, All The President’s Men is a political thriller revolving around the Watergate scandal. The two authors were journalists investigating the original break-in of the Democratic Headquarters in Washington and the scandal unravelling from there, and the book is their account of the effort required to do this. The book combines crucial historical events with an account of the hard work and team effort required - because in stark contrast with Waugh’s characters, these journalists are really, really good.

Age of Anger - Pankai Mishra In this urgent and profound study, Mishra suggests that the market orientated democratic state has began to falter, with society becoming greedy and thus selfish, causing solidarity to break down. This book is consequently a really interesting study of the political functions across the world, starting to explain why unexpected events such as Trump being elected as President, or Britain choosing to leave the EU occurred.

One More thing B. J. Novak

One More Thing is a collection of short stories that radiate joy and and evoke imagination. Boasting a unique storytelling and linguistic style, Novak is also a screenwriter for The Office. His stories are witty, contemporary, edgy, pleasantly odd, and cleverly entwine the real and the surreal. If there’s a book that sums up the style and idiosyncrasy of Comment, this is it.

1000 years of annoying the french stephen clarke Patriotic, witty, and historically accurate, what more could you want? A satirical take on Britain’s relationship with France and debunking some myths. An essential read for history grads, perfect for challenging everything you ever been taught as fact. Quick spoiler, Joan of Arc is a fierce gal.

the fry chronicles stephen fry

COMMENT

yes man danny wallace

Yes Man is an autobiographical memoir by Danny Wallace published in 2005 which documents a year in his life when he decided to say “yes” to every opportunity that appeared to him. This leads to many comical hijinks including Wallace meeting the world’s only hypnotic dog, earning a nursing degree, and attending meetings with a group that believes aliens built the pyramids.

Nothing But the Truth Regardless of religious views, I’d really recommend giving this Vicky Pattinson A book full of drinking, shagging, marriage proposals and suicidal thoughts – Vicky Pattison takes you on a journey though her troublesome teenage years and into her life as a reality star and now millionaire. This book is a must read for anyone studying at university, and a thoroughly relatable tale.

Features hard choices hillary clinton Love her or hate her, there is no doubt that this book gives an interesting insight into the state of modern American politics, and the current international climate. Detailing her experiences as Secretary of State, Clinton reflects on her relationships with other world leaders and sheds interesting light on the dynamics of working in the Obama administration.

Sarcastic, comically common-sense rants come as easily to David Mitchell as tired Peep Show references to his Twitter account, and this collection of journalism brings some of the best of them into beautiful book form. Mitchell covers topics from UKIP to Downton Abbey, and his sardonic brand of cultural criticism should be enough to keep you entertained for hours on end.

the history of christianity Dairmaid mcculogh

The Fry Chronicles is the second of three of Stephen Fry’s autobiographies. Published in 2010, the book covers just under a decade of Fry’s life following his release from a brief stint in prison at the age of 17. As you may expect from Fry, the style is witty, honest, and full of extravagant language.

It Can’t Happen Here Sinclair Lewis Written in 1935, It Can’t Happen Here follows journalist Doremus Jessup, as ‘Buzz’ Windrip campaigns to ‘Make America Great Again’ with dramatic reforms, winning the American presidency from Franklin D. Roosevelt. Initially written as a comment on how America could fall to fascist rule just as Germany and Italy had in 1935, there is a terrifying parallel between the increasing totalitarianism of Windrip’s administration and the current Trump administration.

thinking about it only makes it worse: David mitchell

Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind Yuval Noah Harari A fantastic, accessible book (to an English BA like me) that tracks the development of our human species, Homo sapiens, from the ‘Cognitive Revolution’ in 70,000 BCE –when we first evolved imagination to humanity today. Grounded in evolutionary biology, Harari’s seminal work of popular non-fiction explains the story of our becoming Earth’s dominant species, and seeks to explain why we are as we are today, tribalism and all. White Noise Don DeLillo DeLillo’s breakout novel about contemporary American family life, the supermarket, media, and the ‘psychic data’ of it all. It is principally concerned, however, with negotiating the fear of death. While not a theme that tends to be particularly resonant with people our age and our collective livers, I found the book surprisingly beautiful in its insistence that by living with death, we can be more alive. (The collective student liver. What a thought, eh? I wonder what that would look like.)

a read. True, it’s longer than War and Peace, but the step by step journey through history is more a factual adventure than religious preaching. Fascinating and thoroughly researched, it’s the sort of book I wished was compulsory reading. Alas, drama lectures have little need for theology research texts.

ayoade on ayoade richard ayoade I bet you didn’t expect to read “Ayoade” that many times today, but prepare to read it even more. The book, focusing on cinema and published in 2014, is one of Richard Ayoade’s funniest productions. He structures it as a series of interviews with himself, satirising the frequently pretentious nature of the film industry. I will admit, the comedy is quite niche, and will mostly gel with those who are fans of Ayoade’s particular sense of humour. But if you are one of those people, then you should immediately read Ayoade on Ayoade.

basically, my life as an essex girl gemma collins Follow Gemma as she navigates one heartbreak and yo-yo diet at a time. It’s a life full of glitter, fake tan, tears, and meme worthy quotes. Jokes aside, Gemma’s autobiography is an empowering read for anyone unlucky in love. Oh and Arg? You ain’t ever gonna get this candy.

The Curious Incident of the dog in the night-time: mark haddon This story follows the eyes of Christopher, a 15-year-old boy, and his unparalleled perception of the world. The gripping storyline will bring you on a rollercoaster of emotions, and as cliché as it sounds, it’s a book you won’t be able to put down. Did you know the book chapters are numbered using prime numbers and not consecutive numbers? How are you not sold?

Nothing to Envy Barbara Demick Assembled from the accounts of North Korean defectors, Nothing to Envy provides a crucial and moving insight into understanding the world’s most secretive country. Demick constructs a book that serves up the harrowing and uncanny details of life under the regime that we have come to expect but never does this go too far. Instead, by focusing on ordinary people, she builds a powerful book that details how love and humanity survives, even at its very limits.

Oranges Are Not the Only Fruit Jeanette Winterson University is a time of radical change and of finding your identity. At a time when childhood is not too far behind and adulthood stretches ahead, a good coming-of-age novel can be just what’s required. Winterson’s tale is peppered with queer goings-on (in more ways than one), told with equal parts humour and humanity. It’s a beautifully written novel that, after a bland meal of course reading, will feel like a spoonful of glorious dessert.

A Woman’s Work Harriet Harman Make no mistake, this is not your typical political memoir. Harriet Harman instead presents the struggle for women’s equality and her integral role in the movement, as one of the first (and the longest-serving) female MPs. Illuminating, inspiring and sometimes shocking, Harman details a rich life fighting sexism; the book reveals just how far we have come, whilst acknowledging the work still to do. This is one memoir that tells an important story too often left undocumented.

Narconomics: How to Run a Drug Cartel Tom Wainwright This is one of the best non fiction works I’ve read in a long time. Rather cheekily marketed as “a business manual for drug lords,” Narconomics investigates the economics behind the drug trade, from the need for brand value and good customer service to the problems of employee retention. Wainwright analyses drug cartels as companies, with chapters on the business purpose of head-to-toe tattoos, how gangs decide whether to compete or collude and surprisingly, why cartels care about corporate social responsibility. The book is ultimately an incredibly persuasive argument for drug law reform and the futility of “the war on drugs.”

A Very British Coup Chris Mullin Mullin was a Labour MP and wrote this in 1981. Described at the time as the “political novel of the decade,” it is now seeing a resurgence in popularity and is marketed as “the novel that foretold the rise of Corbyn.” The story follows Harry Perkins, a former steel worker who leads the Labour party to victory against all the odds, and his struggles with the Establishment, who conspire to bring him down. At times eerily similar to the persistent rumours of establishment plots to undermine and depose Harold Wilson’s Labour government of the mid-1970s, this novel is as relevant today as it was nearly 40 years ago. I Capture The Castle Dodie Smith While Dodie Smith may be better known for writing 101 Dalmatians, this is arguably her finest work. This is a coming-of-age story following the eccentric Mortmains, who live in genteel poverty in a crumbling castle in the 1930s. Narrated by the protagonist Cassandra Mortmain, who slowly transitions from girl to woman by the end of the novel, this is a beautiful, considered story and enchanting to read. The film version also features a very young, very handsome Henry Cavill.

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1. THE COLLECTED POEMS OF W.B.YEATS Yeats was a Romantic and a Modernist, a dreamer and a leader, Nobel prizewinner, dramatist, and a poet. The collection highlights how his writing changed with age, ideas and the ways that his world was changing around him. It encapsulates the context of the late 19th century and the 20th century fantastically

2. GOODNIGHT STORIES FOR REBEL GIRLS Loaded with 100 stories about extraordinary women from the past and present and illustrated by 60 female artists from all over the world, each woman’s individual story is beautifully described in a fairytale format, which is juxtaposed with the badass tales of the women in focus.

6. THE GIVING TREE BY SHEL SILVERSTEIN The Giving Tree is a deceptively complex story despite its simple appearance. The tale, which narrates the relationship between a boy and a tree, has garnered various interpretations. It is a fantastic fable about the energy you put in and receive within any kind of relationship.

7. STEAL LIKE AN ARTIST BY AUSTIN KLEON Kleon’s philosophy on the process of creating and being an artist is both comforting and critical. This book provides ten lessons—or wake-up calls- about what it means to be an artist and articulates some of the hidden issues that arises when you want to jump from idea to finished product.

3. THE BLUEST EYE BY TONI MORRISON

A Bildungsroman that cannot be sidestepped, this coming-of-age narrative focuses on the young African-American girl, Pecola. She suffers the pain of being called ugly because of her dark skin - and this fuels her desire for the bluest eyes, which she associates with ‘whiteness’. Not your typical coming of age story, but a gripping read.

4. WHAT ARTISTS SEE WHEN THEY LOOK AT ART

This book captures 100 contemporary arts in New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art. The artists locate works that resonate with them and the descriptions that the artists give are fascinating. You can interpret the art as you please; however, the premise of the artist’s angles enables us to see the art from another perspective.

5. THE PLOUGH AND THE STARS BY SEAN O’CASEY This play is set in Dublin 1915 and vividly depicts the depth of human emotion before and during the Irish civil war (1922-23). With four dimensional characters O’Casey cleverly departs from tyranny to beautiful scenes that are somewhat unimaginable amidst the political violence at the forefront of the plot.

8. SONGS FROM UNDER THE RIVER BY ANIS MOJANI

9. THE HUNDRED THOUSAND KINGDOMS BY N.K.JEMISON

10. WHY I’M NO LONGER TALKING TO WHITE PEOPLE ABOUT RACE BY RENI EDDO-LODGE This book discusses race relations and the structures of racism in Britain throughout history. Eddo-Lodge’s essays are unapologetic about what it means to have white privilege, emphasising how deliberate we must be when it comes to challenging systems of inequality.

Mojgani’s poems are like songs; there is this livewire, lyrical potency to way he writes, deriving from his history as a spoken-word artist. Mojgani’s poetry exercises generosity and vulnerability, his words bending in such an obscure fashion yet still managing to reach so far into the imagination that you forget what is and is not real.

Jemison’s writing is completely outside of the typical western heteronormative gaze that rarely gives voice to narratives beyond its own, and if it does, without much delicacy or accuracy. The first book in the Inheritance Trilogy is a testament of that, putting the‘other’at the centre and reconfiguring our understandings sexuality, morality and power.

Can’t stop, Won’t Stop Jess CHang

Can’t Stop Won’t Stop is an immensely readable history of hip hop – the kind of overarching, detailed history which usually only get written about medieval kings and middling 80s dadrock bands. Perfect for fans of Netflix’s Hip Hop Evolution

cl o A orckw an an or bu tho ge k rg n es y s

music

a in ov ero the kimer t pla cohe sne op ea er

Part of the 33 1/3 series, This dystopian novel depicts this is a sensitive and a near-future society in which detailed retrospective on the youth violence is extremely prevalent, brief life and long afterlife of one focusing around the main character, of the most well-loved albums Alex, who has sociopathic tendencies in history – the uncategorizable but also, surprisingly, a deep love of freak-folk of Neutral Milk Hotel’s classical music – particularly Ludwig In The Aeroplane Over The Sea. van Beethoven. He undergoes a Packed with sensuous descriptions kind of aversion-therapy which aims scar tissue of NMH’s few live shows and the Cash: the intricate production process anthony kiedies to modify his ultra-violent behaviour, autobiography but has a secondary behind the album, this makes a johnny cash Scar Tissue is the critically acconsequence that he can no perfect handbook for claimed autobiography of the lead Most musicians are so longer enjoy listening newcomers to Neutral Milk singer of the Red Hot Chilli Peppers, incompetent when writing their to music. as well as longtime fans. named after their 1999 song of the autobiographies it seems honsame name. From revealing that the estly incredible they’ve written uncommon first time he took drugs they were any lyrics at all. Johnny Cash is Musicophilia people offered to him by his father, to disdifferent. He examines himself oliver sacks david hepworth cussing his brief period of sobriety and his troubled life without before a serious relapse, In this book, the scientist Oliver pity or pride, and it’s immensely This is the fourth book by the it’s a very candid and Sacks looks at the neurological efendearing in a world of selfextremely well-established musical personal read. fects of listening to music. This ranges indulgent memoirs. journalist David Hepworth. Uncomfrom synaesthesia (assigning colours mon People, through the lens of 40 to sound) to amusia (the inability to different rock stars - including Bob high fidelity List of the recognise or reproduce musical tones) Dylan, and the members of Led nick hornby towards even people whose outlook lost: moRrisey Zeppelin and The Beatles - takes us on music has been changed by through the fascinating condition What more could you want than being struck by lightning. Everyone loves the Smiths, but of being a rock star at various a book about break ups set in a nobody loves Morrissey the man. crucial historical points. record store? The narrator, Rob This book is one of the many Fleming, is an ex-DJ who owns the reasons why. An almost unreadable shop Championship Vinyl, who adventure through purple prose, uses the Desert Island format to anatomically impossible sex scenes construct a list of his past failed trumpet and for some reason, demonic relationships. It’s full of both misery curses, List of the Lost is absolute jackie kay and heart-warming moments, and, trash. But it is a whole lot of fun, Trumpet tells the story of Joss crucially, excellent music. and for that reason alone you Moody, a fictional jazz trumshould check it out. peter who is revealed to have been transgender after his death. Inspired by the life of the real jazz musician Billy Tipton, it exposes people’s prejudices and brings up questions of secrecy, identity, grief, acceptance, and love.

screen

Infographic Guide To The Movies Karen Krizanovich A fun, vibrant little book that tells you everything you didn’t realise you wanted to know about film. It’s an encyclopaedia for people who hate encyclopaedias. Whether it’s a visual breakdown of ‘Inception’ or a plethora of box office stats, this is definitely the quirkiest book on our list.

The Story of Film Mark Cousins From Belfast-born indie filmmaker comes a ballad of cinema history. Looking at cinema over the course of a century on six continents, powered by innovation (not money), ‘The Story of Film’ is the essential watch if you want to understand the tradition the last movie you watched is part of.

On Filmmaking: An Introduction to the Craft of the Director Alexander Mackendrick An informative, enlightening, and comprehensive examination of the craft and technique in film. The author was active in the film industry for over twenty years – most famous for Sweet Smell of Success – and then put his brilliant mind to teaching film instead.

1001 Films you must see Before You Die Steven Schneider This book does exactly what it says on the tin. Or title, I guess. It’s 1001 recommendations of some the best films ever made. Complete with short essays on some the biggest films in history, whether you’re a film buff or a film newbie, this is the film lover’s bread and butter.

The Wes Anderson Collection: Matt Zoller Seitz This is a sublime overview of Anderson’s filmography that hinges on an enlightening conversation between the author and Wes himself. Packed out with essays, interesting artwork, and unpublished behind-the-scenes photos, this collection is an ideal accompaniment to Anderson’s brilliant work.

Notes on the Cinematographer Robert Bresson Although it dates back to the 70s, don’t be fooled into thinking that it’s no longer relevant. French filmmaker Robert Bresson expertly muses on the craftsmanship of the cinematographer in a series of short memos that focus on the techniques and philosophies of the art.

The Film Encyclopedia Ephraim Katz This book is unfathomably large. It is, for the cinephile, of biblical status: a sprawling, comprehensive catalogue of material about a wealth of people in the industry. It is perfect to use as a point of reference when wanting to learn more about a film or director.

How Star Wars Conquered the Universe Chris Taylor This complete examination of Star Wars’ worldwide cultural impact is a must read if you want to get to know the juggernaut a bit better. The book also delves into the life of George Lucas and the stranger-than-fiction stories about how the saga got made.

A Cinema of Loneliness: Robert Phillip Kolker

Rebel Without a Crew: Robert Rodriguez

If you’re a fan of the more analytical bedtime reading, then this may be the book for you. Kolker is very much concerned with film’s relationship with wider culture, and how the work of some of the medium’s biggest and well-known directors relates to the world away from the big screen.

Ostensibly both a “how-to” and a “how-not” as Robert Rodriguez tells the tale of his wonderful little $7,000 project El Mariachi’s conception. Full of energy and love for film itself, the book is filled with witty tales, the production diary and the annotated screenplay. It’s the amateur’s filmmakers dream.

SCIENCE

Whoever you are, wherever you are, you already know that your life will never be as interesting and full as David Attenborough’s. But fear not, his autobiography allows us to live vicariously through his atmospheric rise within the BBC and his adventures across the globe.

s y er x ik la hh ga tc e s hi th a e o gl s Th e t ou am id d ad

Two reasons why The Hitchhiker’s Guide sells better than the more Quantum physics is an incredible comprehensive Encyclopedia phenomenon where particles Galactica. First, it’s cheaper; and can be in two places at once, secondly it has the words DON’T and communicate between infinite PANIC printed in friendly letters on spaces. This book reveals the puzWhen breath its cover. Douglas Adam’s ability zling action of the quantum world to make us laugh at the destrucbecomes air by explaining how its effects can tion of our own planet carrying us Paul Kalanithi permeate even into the biological world and living organisms, caus- This is a gripping memoir written by through the most bizarre regions of space leaves no one surprised by ing some ordinary animals to a neurosurgeon that battled with its cult status. have superpowers! skateboard to comprehend metastatic lung cancer. Not only is spacetime, or alluding to Camus’s it an incredibly tragic story, but it The Myth of Sisyphus to explain also has moments of deep tragedy complicaTions the reasons for scientific pursuit, but also fantastic scenes of emotion atul gawande Brian Greene’s greatest gift is of a very human touch. It discusses making things relatable whilst never the battles that surgeons What goes on in the mind of a sacrificing the accuracy of the have both physically, surgical resident? In his bestseller underlying science. as well as in terms of book, Atul Gawande reveals the identity. frailty and vulnerability of medicine on a case by case basis. Some of the What if? the stories are gripping, thrilling philosophy Randall and some very tragic. It shows how book Munroe difficult medicine can be, and the This is a book that is intriguing puzzling world of the human This presents the best thoughts and full of cartoons! It really stirs body as it truly is. that have ever passed through the mind, and challenges the limit humanities’ combined of science in a brilliant, insightful, consciousness. Sure, nothing enlightening and funny way. A lot is covered in enough detail to of the questions posed by Munroe give you a profound knowledge are bizarre to say the least, but all of every philosopher; but you of them are logical, and definitely will come out with a greater things that adults with childish understanding of how ideas curiosity would be desperate have developed and shaped to know the answer to. the world we live in.

Relentlessly debunking the biggest hacks in the scientific world, ‘alternative’ therapists, big pharma, and sensationalist journalists are left diving for cover - but what’s great fabric of the about this book is how accessible it is. No matter what your level cosmos of scientific literacy, this series of brian greene slamdunks will leave you able to Using interesting analogies like spot ‘Bad Science’ by yourself. Bart Simpson on a rocket powered

life on air david attenborough

life on the edge jim al khalili

Habit. It’s the answer our modern society has come up with to achieve success. But what is habit really? The book reveals secrets about human consciousness, and shows how complex behaviours become second nature with lots of practice. It shows how habits go bad and how those can be broken with a bit of insight and brain trickery.

BAD SCIENCE BEN GOLDACRE

The power of habit Charles Duhigg

SPORT 1

1. BLACK BOX THINKING BY MATTHEW SYED According to Syed, journalist at The Times, the thing that connects successful sportspeople with profitable and innovative companies are‘Black BoxThinkers’. Those who learn from failure; commit to the small margins; devoting themselves to high-performance.This seminal work will show you how two apparently unrelated spheres are inexorably linked.

2. THE SECRET FOOTBALLER The Secret Footballer is a professional player whose identity remains a mystery. An insightful real-life story describing what it’s like behind the scenes in high-earning sport. From changing-room gossip and transfer tales, to eye-opening stories regarding racism and depression, The Secret Footballer doesn’t hold back on the secrets behind the beautiful game.

3. OPEN: AUTOBIOGRAPHY BY ANDRE AGASSI In this heart-warming, astonishingly honest autobiography, Agassi reveals all regarding his drug use, his marriage and the previously unknown obstacles he has had to overcome throughout not just his career, but his life. Some sports autobiographies feel fake and flimsy – this couldn’t be more opposite.

4. INTO THE WIND: THE LIFE OF CARWYN JAMES BY ALUN GIBBARD Gibbard weaves a wonderfully full portrait of James. The evocation of a boyhood world sets the bedrock for the genuinely brilliant, but lonely, man James would become. It is a diligently-researched, sensitive insight into the teacher, broadcaster, and 1971 Lions-winning coach.

6. BREATH BY TIM WINTON Breath is a story about surfing. Set in Western Australia, it is as much a story of familial breakage and regeneration, as it is an incisive description of surfing. Following Pikelet’s passage to adulthood through an infatuation with chasing waves, the narrative captures the essence of the all-consuming pull surfing can produce.

7. NO NONSENSE BY JOEY BARTON This is an auto-biography that punctuates fluff delvng into the real stuff. Barton confronts his past, his actions and his conscience in a surgical fashion, dissecting his motivations, thoughts and perception at different stages of his life. It’s a revealing account of a young disadvantaged boy not only battling adversity, but himself.

8. MONEYBALL BY MICHAEL LEWIS Conventional wisdom takes a back seat in this retelling of how one man used data to defy the odds. Though the driving force of this revealing story is cold maths, there is a compellingly human side to this book. This is where baseball, and later sport, changed forever; a pioneering spirit pervades in this stirring narrative.

9. TOR! THE STORY OF GERMAN FOOTBALL This book outlines the astonishing story of Germany’s club and international football, recounting the time when football was still considered a dangerously foreign activity, as well as Germany’s post-war victories and the two separate footballing nations of East Germany and West Germany during the Cold War.

5. NETHERLAND BY JOSEPH O’NEILL This novel wrestles with identity in the aftermath of 9/11. It revolves around the Staten Island Cricket Club, comprised of immigrants from the West Indies and India. The narrative is often as dry as cricket itself, but through its excavation of the cricketing subculture, it shines a postcolonial light on ambition, civility, and the notion of America itself. 10. WOMEN IN SPORT: 50 FEARLESS ATHLETES WHO PLAYED TO WIN In a time where interest in women’s sport is rising, this book is a mustread. This book focuses on remarkable women’s contributions to athletics and the struggles they faced, depicting 50 profiles of women athletes such as Olympians and record breakers from the 1800s to today in over 40 diverse sports.

EDITORS’ PICKS

If you aren’t familiar with Caitlin Moran’s fantastic columns and journalism then you should change that immediately. Unsurprisingly her 2011 book How to be a Woman, which documents her formative years in Wolverhampton, is of a similarly high standard. From masturbation to starting your period – it is a manual for how to survive being a teenage girl. Moran is unashamed in her writing style so be prepared to be shocked, but also wet yourself laughing. All in all it is a witty insightful book that should be on every woman’s bookshelf.

Sappho is one of the foundational figures in Western literature, especially as a symbol of nonconformist identity and sexuality. It is tragic, that the majority of her work has been lost – and that which has survived had been distilled to censor content deemed explicit. Fortunately, the modern world has been kinder – her influence has seen a resurgence in the past century, and several more lost fragments have recently been recovered. Sappho lives on, and her poetry remains timeless.

Tea is life. This is a wellknown fact. In The Book of Tea (1906), Okakura Kakuzo discusses the philosophy of ‘teaism’. Drawing on Taoism and Zen Buddhism, he uses the cultural ritual of tea-drinking to consider how people can live a life based on principles of simplicity, peace, and togetherness. Short, sweet, and surprisingly insightful, The Book of Tea is a calming and wholesome read – even more calming and wholesome if paired with a nice cup of tea.

An incredibly compelling study of modern gender dynamics, Laura Bates’ Everyday Sexism is a well-considered and brilliantly articulated read. This book is the first of Bates’ three works, and summarises a vast array of the author’s findings as a product of her Everyday Sexism Project. Described by The Independent as the “more politicised sister” of Caitlin Moran’s How to Be a Woman, the study examines the treatment of girls and woman in a vast variety of social spheres. A must-read for anyone still feeling the need to question why we still need an International Women’s Day.

Matt Haig’s How To Stop Time is a study in how to be different without succumbing to shame, anger, disorientation or fear. The author has an incredible talent for dotting totally probable narrative landscapes with the somewhat less probable figures of aliens and albas, and emerging with a story which will break your heart and re-heal it time and again. It takes Tom Hazard over 400 years, plagued with terrible, brutal loss and indoctrinated fear of his condition, to find his place on Planet Earth – a reassuring notion for those of us only in our late teens or early twenties and struggling to figure out how, exactly, we’re meant to fit in.

This charming children’s story is something to take the edge off those hardcore university books. The book collates a series of funky letters, all written by Duncan’s crayons. Each colour has their own individual reasons for striking; quite relevant to recent events really. A wholesome tale to warm your very soul, find out why red, blue and green all need a break from the painstakingly hard work of colouring. If you enjoy this read, be sure to check out the sequel!

A tale that documents love, loss and friendship, One Day tracks the relationship of Emma and Dexter over the course of twenty years. After their graduation ceremony, a life-long friendship commences and Nicholls explores the highs and lows of this experience. For those of us graduating, it’s the perfect read to realise how much potential there is after university. University is not the last stop on this train journey. A timeless read and an absolute favourite.

Did you really get a degree from a prominent English university if you graduate without reading a single Shakespeare play? Of course, as with any play, King Lear is written to be performed and will ultimately be at its most compelling on the stage, but it’s the best of the Bard’s plays for reading from cover to cover. With its chaotic bouncing from gory, violent tragedy to beautifully light-hearted comedy, the story of Shakespeare’s mad king is at times uncomfortably human and relevant to the modern psyche, and its elegant, witty speeches read like poetry.

Perhaps you’d be expecting a baseball player’s autobiography to be in the sport part of this pullout, but Jackie Robinson’s I Never Had It Made goes beyond just on-field activities. Robinson being the first black player in the Major Leagues since the colour barrier was erected, his memoirs provide an uneasy glimpse of racism in the western hemisphere. His role as a key figure in the history of America is signified by the way in which he was held up as a hero and inspiration by prominent civil rights movement leaders.

For all those avid Attenborough fans, this book is a visual, fascinating read. The book, which connects to the popular Channel 4 documentary explores the anatomy of some of the largest animals. Packed full of interesting diagrams, facts and figures, take an educational journey to learn about some of the most wonderful creatures we share the Earth will. PSA: Not for the faint hearted, this book contains some quite graphic images of engorged internal organs – you have been warned!

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arts + lit

Stratford Artshouse set to close Olivia Denton discusses the closure of Stratford Artshouse

TRATFORD Town Trust chief executive, Justin Williams lamented that “there’s just not enough people going to the theatre” in light of the announced closure of Stratford Artshouse in May of this year. Williams’ words strike an unsettling cord and confirm a fear that many have about the state of the arts in contemporary Britain. Essentially, supply exceeds demand. The Artshouse opened in April 2014 following a 1.8 million refurbishment programme and hosts a plethora of performing arts events from touring comedy shows, concerts, plays and art exhibitions. Despite offering so much in the town of Britain’s biggest success-story, William Shakespeare, it’s reported that the Artshouse relied too excessively on support from the Stratford Town Trust. Although the trust and the Artshouse are charitable organisations, resources have to be spent on projects to benefit the whole community, because the community simply didn’t show up to the Artshouse. The closure will not only affect Stratford - it will directly affect Exeter’s arts scene also. As if we needed another blow following the closure of the Bike Shed Theatre, which provided the

‘non-commercial’ theatre that we so crave. Now the Shakespeare Society’s touring production which is staged at Stratford Artshouse will need to find another venue for its iconic show. The Artshouse are not giving in lightly; an initiative “Save Stratford Artshouse” has been set up on Change.org, where organisers urge the community to come together and sign a petition protesting the closure. The realist in me worries that electronically signing a petition and parting with hard earned money are two different kettles of fish, and although people will sign their name up to something, will they want to part with the cash to buy tickets, even if the theatre is saved? Moreover, in a January survey conducted

by the BBC, a worrying nine in ten schools admitted to having to cut down finance on “at least one creative arts subject”. One justification for these cuts came from Amanda Spielman, the Ofsted chief claiming that “academic subjects were the best route to higher-level study” (BBC). Spielman’s justification is a disturbing sign that this country is becoming obsessed with higher education and ‘getting a degree’, pushing that to the forefront of what we should aspire to and the only way of getting ahead, which just isn’t a) practical and b) what everyone wants. If the worrying lack of audience members (especially at the Artshouse) is reflected in our country’s culture and schooling, we run the very

real risk of depriving future generations of the great, empowering, culture-defining power of the arts. The arts might not guarantee people jobs as high-ranking business owners (but that hasn’t really been a great thing for the world with Trump), but the arts teach us so much about the human condition, and potentially more importantly, art makes us happy. Never have I seen people more joyous than at an arts events whether that be a concert or a play. I fear that with the increased number of venue closures and cutbacks of free arthouses, the arts will become more elitist. Engagement with live arts will become a thing that only those with enough money to invest in their creative hobby or afford theatre tickets (the price of which will probably increase due to lack of availability) can afford- and the arts should never be elitist. The arts are a humanising and uniting force in a world where so many people want to destroy and fight; art only wants to create and question. It is easy to see why the closure had to happen. However, in the current financial climate it seems like the most obvious thing to cut is the “non-essential” arts, but I ask the question: can the arts ever be “non-essential”?

There’s a podcast for that...

Mubanga Mweemba, Arts + Lit Editor, investigates the importance of podcasts

HAT are the relics that can so easily define specific cultural movements? Apple’s ubiquitous slogan, ‘There’s an app for that,’ signalled the epoch of the smartphone, a device which has become the proverbial sun that our lives now revolve around. The unlimited scope that the slogan offers is attractive, and may indicate why we are attracted to using services and platforms like Netflix and Amazon— they can give us anything and everything and never seem to run out. I would argue that same allure is central to the rise of podcasts as a medium. Any topic, interest or subject matter you could fathom— there’s a podcast for that. There are 6.1 million adults who use any podcast in a week according to the 2017 Rajar Midas Winter report about audio consumption in the UK, and there are over 250,000 unique podcasts hosted on Apple’s podcast platform. It is undeniable that podcasts are becoming a paramount fixture in the media landscape. I first began actively listening to podcasts when I started university. The nature of student life and university scheduling meant that I was alone for longer stretches of time than I have previously been used to. When half of your

time is taken up commuting or doing chores or running errands, you accumulate a lot of time in isolation. Podcasts are uniquely valuable because they are imitations of conversation without you having to participate— socialising without the personal expectations to reply. Additionally, unlike television or books, podcasts don’t require specific allotments of time to be consumed. I don’t feel as guilty for listening to podcasts because there is no requirement on my part to sit still. The fact of the matter is that we’ve gone digital and portable— we don’t have to just read and watch the news, we can listen to it. And what does it mean to free up you hands and your eyes and still be immersed in culture?

PODCASTS ARE THE NEW BLOGS, ANYONE CAN MAKE ONE Podcasts are the new blogs, anyone can make one and they are free to access. They provide a sense of equality and diversity that other platforms and mediums are struggling to achieve. The podcast does not need to fit

into a particular time slot in a radio broadcast, they can last anywhere from ten minutes to two hours, allowing content to expand beyond the reaches of limited production restraints. Podcasts also fall under the header of horizontal media, which is used to describe the level distribution and creation of content, whereby consumers can also become producers and the hierarchies of traditional media practices are being challenged. This is particular evident in how many ordinary, everyday people can be successful podcasters. It is also one of the few spaces where minority voices do not have to compete with one another, where you can have hundreds of shows run by people of colour or people from the LBGTQ+ community and it doesn’t even come close to feeling oversaturated. Each experience is individual, and the primary reason I enjoy podcasts is how the story remains the most valuable component. It is salient that the podcast is an audio platform. The physical superficiality of appearance has no power on a podcast. We get taken away from the pressure to be both physically appealing and talented in order to even begin to be recognised. The podcast

equalises everyone; we are given a chance to prove ourselves away from a visual parameter, which too often dominates our understanding of the world and the people within it.

THEY ARE INTIMATE, WE FEEL INVOLVED We enjoy podcasts because they are intimate: we feel involved in the lives of the hosts. Voice is a crucial component as to how and why we feel connected to people. Their accents, their idiosyncrasies, their slip ups all account to a sense of organic speech that seems more reliable, more accessible. If you want to have an engaging podcast you are going to have to, on some level, communicate differently than you do in print. There are only so many edits you can get away with in terms of audio before your listener begins to get skeptical. You don’t have the time to edit, but you do have the time to expand, to let a sentence grow out from a conversation, where multiple voices and experiences can overlap and intertwine, contributing to a larger, more authentic whole.

ARTS + LIT DECLASSIFIED: trends like these | ELLIE FOULDS

As a student who has Twitter but no TV license, most of the news I consume comes in neat, 280-or-under character posts, and is often designed to scandalise, not educate. Finding well-researched, nuanced articles is difficult and finding the time to sit and read them is almost impossible, hence my love for Trends Like These. The podcast hosted by Travis McElroy and Brent Black is a weekly news podcast, discussing trending topics on the internet with great attention to detail. The podcast is split into segments: after the introduction, an episode typically features ‘Beyond the Headlines’, where McElroy and Black discuss some of the biggest trending headlines of the week. Next up is the ‘Politics Round-Up’, which, while centred on America, is very useful for keeping up-to-date with the ever-confusing, ever-changing American politics. The final main segment is entitled ‘Tidbits’, where smaller news stories are briefly discussed. The show closes with a ‘Wi-Five’, a celebration of one or more instances of people doing something positive. While the podcast has weekly fixtures, McElroy and Black are not afraid to switch up the structure to provide greater coverage of larger stories: recently there was a segment dedicated to the Parkland School Shooting, to provide more detailed coverage. There are also regular, but non-weekly segments, such as ‘Terrible Men’, where attention is brought to men in the public sphere accused of criminal acts, most commonly sexual assault. Students often consume news on social media, making it easy to get caught up in click-bait headlines with misleading claims, but Trends Like These acts as a perfect antidote.

truth and movies | phoebe davis online editor

Recently there seems to have been an explosion in the number of film review podcasts out there on the interweb, but I still return to this weekly podcast as my firm favourite. If you are a cinephile and haven’t heard of the Little White Lies magazine, then you are missing out. It is a bi-monthly produced mag that always includes insightful, well researched and respected writing alongside some fantastic illustration (so it’s no surprise that the podcast is of a similarly high standard). Usually hosted by James Richardson (sports writer turned film critic) with a various assortment of Little White Lies top writers and editors the podcast is a tight 45 minutes of film review and discussion. I think the issue I have experienced with some film podcasts is that the conversation rambles and can be unstructured. But Truth and Movies always has a structure of a popular blockbuster film, a lesser known independent film and a ‘film club’ which you are told the week before. Its great to see a range of reviews that strays from the box office, but still respects their place in the industry. Also, the film club feature is definitely a highlight. Every single choice of film club has been a fantastic watch, some of the best being The Squid and the Whale and King of New York. I very much enjoy my weekly ‘assignment’ of watching something outside my comfort zone, and my Netflix recommendations. All in all, it’s a very well thought out podcast that will ignite the film lovers amongst you (P.S. If anyone else is already a fan then let me know because I would love to discuss the film club options outside of Facebook comments).

podcast recommendations Here’s a list we’ve compiled of further recommendations for the novice podcast listener.

In The Allusionist, veteran podcaster Helen Zaltzman (co-host of the Sony Award-winning Answer Me This) etymologises her way across the English language. Each episode (there are 75 so far) is a nifty capsule of insightful linguistic content. Topics include swearing, accents, crosswords, translation, gendered language, and books, as well as relevant Exeter habits, like brunch. Plus lots of eponyms (things named after people): did you know that the term “guy” comes directly from Guy Fawkes? You do now. That’s one more empty fact-space filled up in your brain. Thanks, Allusionist! Does it sound too wordy? You’re reading words right now. Podcasts will do the reading for you! The Allusionist’s smooth production and tone, supported by original background music, are super mellow; Zaltzman’s English accent is refreshing, although many episodes feature American contributors. Not didactic or dry, The Allusionist is like Word of Mouth (but aimed at a generation that avoids BBC Radio 4 where possible). Expect plenty of fascinating insights into the English language, without feeling like you’re listening to the audio track of that critical theory lecture you missed. Pun sceptics, do not be deterred: apart from the dedicated episode – and the title – this podcast is (mostly) pun-free. It’s casual, friendly linguistic listening – the best kind of language about Language. If you’re new to podcasts this is a great way to begin: Allusionist episodes are typically a speedy 10-20 minutes long, and the many collaborations throw out all kinds of suggestions for new podcasts to listen to.

athletico mince | harry bunting online comment editor

the comedian’s comedian | ollie haynes

The Comedian’s Comedian, I would argue is one of the best comedy podcasts out there and the funny thing about it? It isn’t funny. Rather than rolling out another run of the mill audio-comedy venture, Stuart Goldsmith delves deep into the mentalities and creative processes of his guests, revealing fascinating insights into the minds of some of the greatest people working in comedy. Notable discussions include Stewart Lee on the travails of being simultaneously quite anonymous and the most critically acclaimed stand-up in Britain, Jimmy Carr on how he quit his corporate job for comedy and Josie Long on dealing with online abuse. What sets Stuart Goldsmith apart from other interviewers is his willingness to listen to his guests. He lets them get to the crux of the matter in their own time only interrupting if he feels they need further pressing. Goldsmith’s professional experience leads him to ask questions far beyond the pale of a standard interviewer, to get to the heart of the comedy creation process. The podcast isn’t just for those interested in comedy. It should be intriguing to anyone who, like me, is fascinated by the inner lives of remarkable people. After all Goldsmith’s signature move is to wait for a lull, then chime in with “Are you happy?”. Hopefully, this podcast can help you answer that question for yourself too.

the allusionist | chris allen

Defining the genre of Athletico Mince is a difficult task. Its foundations are built on football, hence the “Athletico” (the “Mince” remains unexplained). But you don’t need to be a football fan to enjoy it. The extent of my football knowledge is that I know what some players look like and I also know there’s a bloke called Wenger who will just not get out, yet the podcast has brought me immeasurable joy. Rather than sporting insight, its strengths lie elsewhere, namely in the surreal universe that comedian Bob Mortimer and writer Andy Dawson have created. Regular segments include absurd observational comedy, in which Bob produces material about his perpetually troublesome “brass hand,” tragicomic ballads about an accursed Scottish isle, and the schoolboy-esque gang antics between the players of various Premier League teams. The podcast contains what is genuinely some of Bob Mortimer’s best work and is probably unlike anything you will have listened to before. Each episode provides roughly 45 minutes of gloriously funny stories interspersed with two northern men rambling about Andy’s bungalow and Bob’s heart condition. It is frequently concluded with a song, but the more I let you discover about them yourselves, the better. So if you ever want to escape into a bizarre and nonsensical world, then Athletico Mince is the one for you.

WTF with Marc Maron 2 Dope Queens

Kermode and Mayo’s Film Review Still Processing

the guilty feminist | nancy law

The Guilty Feminist, a weekly live podcast, exists for every woman who has ever wondered if she’s doing feminism right. Does wearing a thong mean I hate myself? Is my obsession with Jon Hamm healthy? Is it okay to be worried I might be getting ugly if men have stopped catcalling me? If questions like these keep you up at night, then you’ll enjoy the opening segment of The Guilty Feminist, in which the women share their “I’m a feminist, but…” moments. Host and comedienne Deborah Frances-White describes it as “a safe space to loofah off my worst excesses… An exfoliation of shame.” It’s not all laughs, though, as Frances-White has managed to perfectly fuse together genuine hilarity with important discussions about the impact of patriarchal power structures on women’, alongside more contemporary issues such as intersectionality and “white feminism”. No issue is off the table, with each week’s podcast dedicated to a specific issue; from mental health problems to heavy periods, to emotional labour and orgasms. Frances-White and her guests challenge entrenched stereotypes surrounding womanhood and femininity, with a diverse amount of voices proving that there is no sole, “right” way to exist as a woman. If you’re ever feeling unsure of yourself, I guarantee you after a few minutes of this podcast, not only will you have cheered up, but you’ll have learnt something too.

Modern Love Revisionist History Ted Talks Daily

The Heart of It 99% Invisible Song Exploder

The Hillarious W of Depression Pod Save Amer

World

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PODCAST SURVIVAL GUIDE this american life | megan davies news editor

This American Life, originally a Chicago-based radio show, describes itself as “an entertaining kind of journalism that’s built around plot (...) like little movies for radio.” That’s a pretty accurate description. My favourite episode is probably ‘Fiasco!’, from 1997 (and this shows how far back their library reaches - This American Life is now over 22 years old), which narrates an ambitious school play going hilariously wrong. Picking a new theme every week, and exploring it in several acts, the programme touches upon all kinds of aspects of (as the name indicates, distinctively American) life. From summer camp to exploring splits within the Republican party, from 24-hour tapings in restaurants to Afrofuturism, via small human mistakes that nearly set off nuclear weapons. Ira Glass’s presenting has had such an impact that his casual style has been copied by many others and dubbed ‘NPR voice’. Not only has it given birth to its own hugely successful spin-offs (Serial, S-Town), not only has the show’s style influenced many other podcasts and radio shows, not only have episodes been turned into TV shows and films, but its newest episodes are still as interesting, fun, and good as those dating from the show’s beginnings. That said, it’s not without flaws - it is often described as twee, or as upper-middle-class, or as only appealing to a liberal audience. This does apply to lots of episodes, but not to all of them. It seems selfaware enough of its audience and sometimes tries to go against its opinions or present a bleaker world than anticipated, though whether it does so enough is up to you.

revolution | theo cox dodgson

History podcasts are now a dime a dozen but when Mike Duncan began The History of Rome in 2007, it was an emerging format with few clear industry leaders and little in the way of a community. Duncan’s clear delivery, neutral explanations and witty asides made The History of Rome one of the leading history podcasts, winning the best education podcast in 2010. Duncan is described as the ‘grandad’ of History podcasts and has been cited as the influence of many subsequent podcasters. Duncan has now been working on Revolutions for about as long as he worked on The History of Rome. It’s a more ambitious project than Roman History, with series of 15-50 episodes covering the English Civil Wars, the American and French Revolutions and the wars of Latin American Independence. Duncan has an unique ability to pack real insight into a 45-minute podcast. His podcasts are occasionally topical and interest spiked in his podcast on the Haitian Revolution after news broke that Donald Trump had called the country a ****hole. This speaks to why everyone should listen to Revolutions. To understand why Haiti is so poor, or to understand why politics in a given country is so different, an understanding of the revolutions that made those countries is vital. I would suggest that Revolutions is one the most accessible ways to understand these issues.

Welcome to Night Vale Another Round

My Dad Wrote A Porno S-Town

the weekly planet | alex wingrave

The Weekly Planet is a pop culture and film podcast that is released, you guessed it, weekly. While it’s very informative about the latest news about a superhero, science fiction, fantasy and action movies and TV, the biggest draw is the two hilarious Australian hosts, James Clement and Nick Mason. Their light-hearted approach to media genres which can often take themselves too seriously make the Weekly Planet a breezy and pleasant way to catch up on the latest announcements and rumours from Marvel, DC, Star Wars and anything else major in geekdom. The podcast spins off from Clement’s YouTube channel Mr Sunday Movies, where he dissects pop culture news and trends, interwoven with off-kilter tangents – one video is six minutes of Clement hilariously breaking down about Hollywood male physiques and his inability to reach their standards. This zany humour is brought into the podcast, meaning the deluge of confusing casting rumours, movie developments and new trailers never becomes too overbearing. A large section of the podcast is dedicated to reviewing the latest blockbusters, with spoiler-free and spoiler-heavy sections to cater for everyone. Closing the podcast is a rundown of the comics the two hosts are reading and letters from fans (or the ‘Weekly Wackadoos’), encouraging audience interaction and giving listeners new things to explore for the coming week. Diving into 90 minutes of film and TV news can sound daunting, but when it’s two mad Australians talking about it, The Weekly Planet has become a relaxing and side-splitting highlight of my weekend.

the now show | natalie keffler news editor

Do you like Satire? Do you like hearing scarily accurate impressions of Donald Trump? Do you like laughing to stop yourself crying from the seemingly bizarre decisions of politicians? Then this is the perfect podcast for you to listen to anywhere you please – possibly on a late-night drive, or maybe curled up by the fire with a mug of tea (although you should be warned this tea will likely be spilt on you as this podcast is guaranteed to make you laugh out loud). The Now Show holds a particularly special place in my heart due to it being the go-to podcast my mother and I used to listen to when she had to taxi me around. There is nothing quite like bonding over comedians satirising the mess that results like Brexit, and the election of Donald Trump has left us in. The Now Show first started in 1998, and although unfortunately, I cannot say I have been listening to it since I was one year old, I’ve been an avid listener for the past few years. I would particularly recommend this comedy show due to its sheer diversity of content, including sketches, songs and stand up. It is also worth noting that although it is satirising the news, it does also enlighten you on current events, but in a more informal way than you may be used to, and therefore you may feel more inclined to listen at the end of a long hard day.

Lore The New Yorker Radio Hour

The Guardian Books podcast Longform

the high low | ellie mcgarahan

“Life is best consumed with a mix of the trivial and the political.” This ethos – coined by Vanity Fair’s former editor Tina Brown as ‘high low journalism’ – is central to The High Low. Co-hosted by Pandora Sykes and Dolly Alderton (an alumnus of Exeter, no less), the weekly podcast prides itself on addressing all things from celebrity culture to current affairs. And every hour-long episode does just that. A follow-up to their ‘Pandolly Podcast’ with The Times (admittedly not the most creative of portmanteaus), the show traverses a range of topics from Trumpian politics and the BBC’s pay gap scandal, to Kylie Jenner’s pregnancy revelation and (quoted from Episode 34’s title) ‘Why Tumeric Lattes are BS’. But you’d be mistaken to think this podcast was mere mindless gossip. What makes it so engaging (attracting around 70,000 listeners week in week out) is the sensitivity, transparency and wit with which the duo approach every topic. The podcast isn’t merely a conversation between two presenters to be listened to, but rather a lively dialogue crying out to be continued far beyond the constraints of its 60 minutes. Each episode begins with a plethora of literary, cinematic and journalistic recommendations, which help fill the week-long gap between each episode. In fact, the podcast has seen a range of authors make guest appearances, including Laura Freeman, Reni Eddo-Lodge and Tina Brown herself. A cornerstone of my Wednesday mornings, Sykes’ and Alderton’s podcast is the perfect way to make sense of all current affairs – even those that seem the most trivial.

i don’t even own a television |

alex brammer, Music editor

I Don’t Even Own A Television is the perfect podcast for the kind of person who prefers terrible novels to good ones. It takes the same basic approach that a lot of humour podcasts about trashy media artefacts do – the two hosts, JW Friedman and Chris Collision, guide the listener through various games and discussions of the book-like object to hand. Where the podcast changes itself up from others in the same lane is its good humour and willingness to praise total trash. The hosts never punch down and rarely pick guests who do. Instead, each episode sees the hosts earnestly trying to find the good in terrible writing, while trying to resist their own deep-down desire to go on tangents about pro wrestling, hip hop and Rush. It’s a terrifically endearing way to host a podcast which in less capable hands could be pretty mean-spirited. That’s not to say they’ll pull their punches when something doesn’t stack up, though: truly terrible, deeply problematic fiction can and will get the two-hour roast you’d expect. New listeners should start with the episodes on Ready Player One, A Shot of Whiskey and a Kiss You’ll Regret In The Morning and Traveler #5: Road War for a feeling of the show.

Comedy Bang Bang: The Podcast Punch Up The Jam

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music

ALEX BRAMMER

Graduation Day MADDY PARKER

CHLOE EDWARDS

GEORGE STAMP

TOP 5 ALBUMS Stars of the Lid – The Tired Sounds of Stars of the Lid Frank Ocean - Blonde Madvillain – Madvillainy Biosphere – Substrata DJ Shadow – Endtroducing

TOP 5 ALBUMS Radiohead - In Rainbows Jeff Buckley – Grace Led Zeppelin – Physical Graffiti Elliott Smith – Figure 8 Kanye West – My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy

TOP 5 ALBUMS George Michael - Listen Without Prejudice Coldplay - A Rush Of Blood To The Head The 1975 – I like it when you sleep, for you are so beautiful yet so unaware of it Pet Shop Boys - Please Arctic Monkeys – AM

TOP 5 ALBUMS Frank Ocean – Blonde Tom Waits – Raindogs Angel Olsen – My Woman Elliott Smith – Either/Or Chet Baker – Chet Baker in Tokyo (Live)

BEST PRESS PASS Love Supreme Festival 2017

BEST PRESS PASS Reading Festival 2017

BEST PRESS PASS Declan McKenna

BEST PRESS PASS Afropunk Festival 2017

BEST INTERVIEW BADBADNOTGOOD

BEST INTERVIEW Jack Garratt

BEST INTERVIEW Theo Ellis (Wolf Alice)

BEST INTERVIEW Jeff Rosenstock

something to remember us by DANIEL BACHMAN

RAY LAMONTAGNE

LA ROUX

THREE 6 MAFIA

Jesus I'm A Sinner 5 Oct 2013 (Tompkins Square)

Trouble 14 Sep 2004

Trouble In Paradise 18 July 2014

Mystic Stylez 9 May 1995

It is criminal how underappreciated Daniel Bachman is. As far as solo guitarists in the vein of legendary outsider musician John Fahey go, Bachman’s discography is almost unparalleled in the 21st century. It’s hard to pick a favourite, as everything from 2016’s self-titled back to his 2011 debut Grey-Black-Green is pretty much perfect, but Jesus I’m A Sinner stands out as a great example of what American Primitive guitar can be in the 21st century. It’s the raw sound of a mythic rural America that’s gone unheard in the mainstream for decades, crossed over with Indian raga and droning ambient experimentalism. That makes it sound inaccessible and overly strange, and sure, there are parts of Bachman’s discography which make a challenging listen, but Jesus I’m A Sinner is both immediately accessible and more than interesting enough to stand up to being revisited. A perfect example of Bachman's mix of weirdness and Appalachian sounds is 'Under The Shade of the Trees', which sees Bachman's emotional playing layered over droning cicadas. If you want an easy way into an alternative history of American guitar which has gone ignored for too long, you can do a whole lot worse than Jesus I’m A Sinner.

In some ways, it is not surprising that Trouble is rarely discussed, even though its tracks have featured in various films and TV shows (‘How Come’ was used in The Devil Wears Prada and ‘Hold You In My Arms’ is even on the illustrious She’s the Man soundtrack). It’s a very quiet, unassuming, largely acoustic-sounding record, built mostly from piano and strings (and the odd harmonica), which rarely touches on topics wider than its primary focus: love. I am guilty of sometimes disparaging albums that only look at love, but in this case, its coherence of subject creates a very special atmosphere that brings the listener into each story. For an elusive man who describes himself as “very private” and rarely gives interviews, his songs are intensely personal and his quivering, raspy voice is exceptionally vulnerable. This intimate air is further created through his lyrical skill, as he has really mastered the art of telling a whole story in a few simple words. From the heart-breaking end of ‘Burn’ (“I will stand here/And burn in my skin”) to the sweet chorus of ‘Hannah’ (“I’ll lay down this bottle of wine/If you’ll just be kind to me”), you can feel every second of what he sings. Let Ray LaMontagne carry you through sadness and solace, you won’t regret it.

Following La Roux’s launch into success after the triumph of their eponymous debut record, with its sparkling late-00s dance favourites ‘Bulletproof’ and ‘In for the Kill’, their sophomore record title, Trouble In Paradise, arguably hints at a classic ‘difficult second album’, undoubtedly made even more challenging after one half of the duo departed in the early stages of the record’s production. Suddenly flying solo, Elly Jackson took this challenge and ran with it, resulting in La Roux’s best album to date. The recipe of classic synthpop - combining sharp, icy synths and soft vocals - culminated in a record which masterfully captures the sonic of 80s pop for an updated, twenty-first century album. The emotional and evocative lyrics of tracks such as ‘Let Me Down Gently’ bring us to reality with its achingly vulnerable lines such as “tell me that I’m someone good, so we’re not so far apart”. Trouble In Paradise’s other numbers play with topics such as sexuality, independence and even a social commentary on the album’s opener in the form of ‘Uptight Downtown’, which captures Jackson's feelings during the 2011 London riots. This record is a must for fans of wistful new wave and electropop from the likes of New Order and Pet Shop Boys.

90s hip-hop is lauded by many as a golden era for the genre. There is a growing sentiment amongst purists that hip-hop has somehow degenerated with the emergence of the bling era and, more recently, trap. The latter is widely regarded as something of a recent phenomenon, but Memphis collective Three 6 Mafia’s Mystic Stylez proves that this style is far more ingrained in Hip Hop than many give it credit for. This album is a gritty collection of Southern rap gold; a proto-trap album before the South became the tour de force in US hip-hop that it is today. The variety of violent imagery ranges from drugs to Satanism, but this by no means limits the album in terms of content. With six members in the group at this point, each individual offers their own distinctive voice, persona and flow, making every track feel like a posse cut. After the ‘Da Beginning’ intro, the album launches into the explosive ‘Break da Law “95”’, offering an addictive refrain and bars that establish the group as formidable lyricists, while tracks such as ‘Tear da Club Up’ showcases the album’s lo-fi production with infectious 808 drums and dirty synth tones that complement the album’s basementstudio vibe. Today’s rap landscape would look very different without this massively influential release.

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EDITORS: Alex Brammer and Maddy Parker

music

DJ Will-bye

19 MAR 2018 |

Alex Brammer and Maddy Parker, Music Editors, caught up with Exeter legend DJ Willby about his departure from DSP

OLLOWING the tragic announcement that DJ Willby is hanging up his headphones and quitting his prestigious Monday night slot at Dirty Sexy People at Unit 1, we knew we had to have a chat with him before he left. Willby (real name Will Bailey) launched the night itself and has DJed every single one for over five years. Unsurprisingly, he said that the decision caused him "much sadness", a sadness that will be felt across Exeter. Here's what he had to say: What was the moment where you decided that DJing was what you wanted to do? My mum and dad were both DJs in a local nightclub (in Kettering, Northamptonshire) when I was a child. I begged them to sneak me in one night and at the age of 12 I was hidden down at the back of the stage operating the smoke machine. I was spellbound by the atmosphere, loud music, incredible lighting, and a club absolutely packed full of people. I felt so at home. I knew right then that's what I wanted to do and ended up with my first 'gig' playing at my little sister's kiddy birthday party a few months later!

driving, they help keep me sane on monotonous long journeys to and from gigs during the night. Music-wise I'd say a broad range of genres but mainly more underground house music - the less I know the tracks the more I enjoy them as I love discovering new music. What tips would you give to student and upand-coming DJs? Get a cheap pair of decks or a controller and just practice, practice, practice. The worse the equipment is when you're starting out, the better, as it will help you to hone your skills. Use any opportunity to play anywhere you can, get mates over for a house party, offer to play at birthdays for free just to get your name out there. If your skills improve and you get some experience behind you then you can start asking for a modest fee, then try to work your way up to a residency in a local bar to one day hopefully on to the holy grail of

being a full time DJ in the large clubs and festivals! Work hard, enjoy it, believe in yourself, and you'll get there. How do you decide when to do a requested shout-out and when not to? I won't shout out anything that's racist or politically/morally wrong but if it's just plain old offensive then I tend to just go for it ;) You've worked with acts like Tim Westwood, Wiley and Greg James - do you have any stories from behind the scenes with celebrities? I have quite a few but unfortunately none I could say in print ;) What's your favourite song at the moment? I'd have to say 95 North & Mason Maynard - 'Puffy' is is a personal favourite but Sammy Porter - 'What We Started' is probably one of the biggest tunes in my DJ sets right now.

What do you listen to when you're not working? Actually mainly podcasts and audio books when I'm

How did you start video DJing? I am a turntablist and have spent hundreds of hours practicing and learning to scratch. I use the decks as a music instrument to add a live production element into my sets and I initially just set up a live camera so the crowd can see what I'm doing (I hate DJs that fake it and pre-record stuff!). Mixing in the the videos in time with the music was a natural progression to add yet more content, plus video also lets me add social media feeds to the screens to get even more interaction with the crowd which I love. You do have to be rather careful what photos people tweet up to the screens though... especially in Exeter ;) Why did you decide to leave behind DSP? What can the people of Exeter expect in the future from you? It was an incredibly sad and difficult decision for me to resign, I feel like me and DSP have been one and the same for over 5 years but the new owners wanted to go in a direction that I simply couldn't follow... I think that explanation is best left there. I miss the Exeter students (my beloved Exe fam!) loads already and have some very exciting things in the pipeline with a couple of events coming up before the end of the uni year. It's top secret right now but watch out for an announcement on my social media or even right here in Exeposé? I'm sure I can give you guys the scoop...

Rappers are a Lil Yung People younger than Sam Reid are successful and it intimidates him, so he decided to investigate

F you’re anything like me, the success of your peers is something that makes you both impressed and terrified. The accomplishments of those of a similar (or worse, younger) age does not feel like an affront, but it does makes you consider how differently you could have invested your time, thinking of the wasted hours you spent whilst they were achieving their dreams. This rabbit hole goes deeper when you remember that Lil Pump of 'Gucci Gang' notoriety is 17, or that Sigrid charted when she was 20, or that Kevin Abstract masterminded 2017’s 'Saturation' trilogy before being 21. You begin to feel that you are the only person growing older, gathering dust, muscles aching, whilst the faces of music become almost insultingly young. Is this just growing up? The key is to remember that young artists achieving big things and making us feel inadequate is not a new phenomenon: Nas wrote the iconic Illmatic at 17; Arctic Monkeys wrote most of their debut album at 19; Amy Wine-

house became an international phenomenon in her early 20s. Yet it does feel like a younger breed of musician is becoming almost the norm, and I mainly attribute this sense of change to the biggest change in our observation of the world: social media. In years gone by, fans kept up with artists through interviews on TV and in print, but the lines between fan and friend can feel blurred in the digital age. Lil Pump appears on my Instagram feed between photos uploaded by my flatmates. I can watch most of Jaden Smith’s life through Snapchat. Chance the Rapper’s promotion of his Acid Rap mixtape through Datpiff and Twitter allowed him to engage with his fans, building a base without a label behind him, and

it’s that method of promotion that affects our perception. If it feels like you can’t escape news and images of young talented people, that’s mostly their point: in a world where posts online can feel like a message in a bottle, artists barraging our feed is vital to make an impression on an audience. A generation raised upon YouTubers and other content creators don’t consider famous people distant and unreachable anymore, because they feel like they can be their friend. As the market for Instagram and Snapchat does skew younger, naturally the icons for adolescents would be fellow adolescents, and the only surprise is that this dynamic has only just reached mainstream music. Lil Uzi Vert had one of the biggest hits of

2017 with XO Tour Llif3, and his success is almost unimaginable without being through a platform specifically geared towards young people. One wonders what will happen to this generation of Soundcloud rappers as time passes. Will they fade away like the countless hot prospects have before or is this intertwining with social media a sign that they will stay? Regardless, the existential fear that children born after the millennium are successful does not suggest creativity is no place for non-pubescents. Art is not a competition, and artists go at their own pace. Academy Award winning director Ang Lee didn’t start directing until he was 38, and to compare hip -hop artists, 2 Chainz didn’t have a hit until he was 35. It can sometimes feel that the world is happening without you, as people achieve absurd things early in life seemingly just to make you feel inadequate but comparing yourself to others will only lead you to loneliness. Run your own race.

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EDITORS: Alex Brammer and Maddy Parker

music

19 MAR 2018

An introduction to Britpop Lowenna Merritt gives us the run down on her favourite 90s genre

ORN in the 90s, Britpop is where catchy, sentimental indie-rock meets genuine, gritty British spirit. Drawing from the preceding sounds of The Beatles, The Kinks and The Smiths, the main riders of Britpop’s ‘first wave’ aimed to combat the gloominess of US grunge with a new, livelier alternative rock sound which encapsulated a very British identity at its core. One of the most famous aspects of the era is the great battle between Oasis and Blur, two brilliant bands who kick-started the surge of hits whilst maintaining a constant rivalry. Nowadays, I see no need to choose between them; both bands give a different take on British indie rock with equally brilliant singles such as Oasis’s ‘She’s Electric’ and Blur’s ‘Girls And Boys’. Oasis, however, possess an almost legendary status in their distinct, memorable sound. Liam’s unique voice perfectly harmonises with Noel’s exquisite song writing: indeed, when asked by Spin Magazine "What great Oasis songs were not written on drugs?”, Noel’s response was “None. Before 1997, I hadn't written a song without the aid of the old Colombian marching gear”. In light (or spite) of this, Oasis have certainly created some of the most powerful rock-ballads of the decade: I’m sure everyone knows ‘Wonderwall’. Ever wondered what the true meaning of this

iconic love song is? Liam Gallagher himself once enlightened Rolling Stone magazine: "A wonderwall can be anything… It's like looking for that bus ticket, and you're trying to fucking find it, that bastard, and you finally find it and you pull it out, fucking mega, that is me wonderwall.”With this knowledge, the beauty of the song is only enhanced.

IT ENCAPSULATES A VERY BRITISH IDENTITY They were amongst many Britpop bands who triumphed during the 90s; look no further than Suede to find ballad-esqe vocals paired with layers of upbeat jangling guitars and heavy drums (try hit singles ‘Trash’ or ‘Animal Nitrate’). One of my personal favourites are the fabulous Pulp: Jarvis Cocker and his band illustrate the realities of working-class British life to an energetic, experimental and effortless soundtrack of disco-infused pop rock, which has been likened to a musical version of the ‘kitchen sink drama’. Cocker is a geeky and eminently entertaining frontman, and the albums Different Class and His ‘n’ Hers are two of their greatest, exploring themes of adolescence, sex,

soft drug use and being an outsider in society. The working-class identity is something strongly infused in the Britpop sound: lead singers often embraced their strong regional accents, with many bands emerging from Manchester and Liverpool. Indeed, the ‘Madchester’ scene of the 1980s, a merging of alternative rock with psychedelic culture, is certainly reminiscent in 90s Britpop sound. The energy of Britpop music makes the classic hits timeless for parties and festivals alike, yet a softer, more sentimental sound is also common within this genre and can be found from bands such as The Verve and James. The Verve’s album Urban Hymns approaches sensitive top-

ics of love and grief with a combination of guitar, keyboard and organ sounds, all perfectly complimenting the meaningful vocals of Richard Ashcroft. Less well-known Britpop bands are also well worth a listen: The Bluetones’ talents certainly match those of their contemporaries, and they are performing at our very own Lemmy on 4 May if you’d like an authentic, live experience. Try ‘Slight Return’ or ‘Autophilia’ for a taster. The Real People are another lesser heard name in the Britpop scene, yet their moving singles ‘Words’ and ‘In Your Hands’ are perfect for those who prefer a gentler alternative to rock. Britpop encompasses a range of relatable emotions and experiences in skilfully produced, heartfelt music. If you’ve a taste for anything pop-rock, energetic, a bit wacky and very British, give this genre a try.

Future of Music: Political Music

Joel Grant predicts where music's relationship with politics is heading

HILE political songwriting has traditionally been seen as the realm of didactic firebrands such as Joe Strummer or Bob Dylan and their associated genres of punk and folk, I would argue that despite its largely lyric-free nature, no genre in the UK in the last couple of decades has had the political involvement of house music. In a strange twist of fate this is not a role that was sought by fans or artists but one largely brought upon by its relation to the law and in the last few years as a symbolic battleground in debates around gentrification.

A SYMBOLIC BATTLEGROUND IN DEBATES AROUND GENTRIFICATION The Independent in 1990 described the emblem of acid house as a “vapid, anonymous smile” and its nature as “non aggressive”; indeed, if one were to listen to the music of the time in a vacuum, it seems very difficult to imagine ascribing it a political message. In spite of this, the relationship between this genre and British politicians is best described by the powers granted to police within the 1994 Criminal Justice Act to prohibit events featuring music “characterised by the emission of a succession of repetitive beats”. The arbitrary nature of this description led to protests in London attended by an estimated fifty-thousand

people and gave a newly political element to being a fan of electronic music in the UK. This relationship is one that in many ways seems alien in 2018, as electronic music festivals and events have become such an integral part of the summer landscape that many now decry the corporatization of the scene. H o w e v e r, the temporary closure of Fabric in 2016 drew attention to the fact that around half of London’s nightclubs have closed in the last five years and revitalized the debate around politics’ relation

to club culture. A widely shared figure was that in the years since its opening, Fabric had witnessed six deaths, whereas in the same period the London Metropolitan Police saw the deaths of 108 people in their custody, averaging six a year. Following this, Fabric fought a lengthy legal battle, raising over £300,000 in donations and reopening in 2017. A detail shared from the trial process was a request from one councillor that tracks played above a certain number of beats per minute should be banned. The prescriptive nature of this approach is difficult to imagine being applied to any other form of music in Britain in the twenty-first century and displays an ignorance reflective of the way in which clubbing and electronic music retain a strange relationship with the realm of public discourse, de-

spite widespread popularity. While the world of music and film are undoubtedly different in many senses, dance music’s failure to achieve the cultural protection afforded many other art forms is, in my view, akin to the Oscars’ historical aversion to horror or comedy films. This trend has been read by many as a reflection of the view that art forms which strive to elicit a single reaction, such as fear or laughter are often seen as inherently less complex and therefore inferior. In a similar sense, dance music seems to be disadvantaged by the seeming simplicity of its tag, which belies its diversity of musical styles and countless subgenres. I witnessed a small example of this dynamic, seeing Hunee perform at the Exeter Phoenix during second year. In line with the tradition of fans calling for a last song, the crowd did the same - but as Hunee pulled out a record he was immediaeetely manhandled off stage by a member of security and shoved out the stage exit. It is incredibly difficult in Britain’s cultural landscape in 2018 to imagine similar treatment for an artist with a guitar or microphone, pointing to the fact that house music and similar styles remain largely seen as an amusing diversion to dance to but are not given the respect of previously denigrated movements such as punk. This, I would suggest, points to the continuing ability of dance music to illustrate the politics of how public spaces are used, and in the interests of whom.

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screen Golden glory

Fenton Christmas, Screen Editor, looks back on this year’s ceremony

ATHER unsurprisingly, The Shape of Water took home the top honours at the 90th Academy Awards. However, it seems odd that the Oscars came and went this year with the majority of the reaction that followed staying away from the winners themselves. Most that did take away a converted golden statue were expected to win, despite a stellar year of terrific films. Although not quite as politically charged as the Golden Globes and without any incorrect winners announced, there remained a sense of the desperation for change that is slowly seeping into Hollywood. Jimmy Kimmel remains nothing more than a steady Oscar host in a position that tolerates no over-zealous behaviour or provocative jests (Seth McFarlane springs to mind). And perhaps it remains a symbol of the overriding problem that sweeps through Hollywood - traditionalism. The Oscars, like the industry itself, has barely started on the movement into acceptable levels of diversity, gender and sexuality equality and the outrageous culture of sexual harassment and exploitation. Cursory mentions to Harvey Weinstein fell somewhat flat in the face a potential platform for definitive and radical change. However, Frances McDormand’s acceptance speech be-

came one of the most memorable Oscar moments in history. Her rousing and truly emotional speech about inclusion was made all the more relevant with the placement of her award on the floor as she spoke. A tangible push for change and an example of what the Oscars could, and should be, McDormand has made “inclusion rider” a new buzzword around Hollywood – be ready to rightly see it a lot more. In terms of the winners themselves, it was almost the least captivating part. Gary Oldman’s best actor win was sealed from the moment Darkest Hour was released. Despite the film remaining rather forgettable, Oldman’s performance is one of mastery and pure passion for the craft. McDormand could not have been a more worthy winner herself, a performance to be relished in its shire ability to captivate and command alike. Having still not seen I, Tonya, I cannot attest to Allison Janney’s win as wellmerited, although I have it on good authority that it very much was, despite my endless protests that Laurie Metcalf and Mary J. Blige were both incredibly hard to beat. And although Michael Stuhlberg’s omission from the nomina-

tions for supporting actor remains a travesty, Sam Rockwell very much deserved his award for his charismatic and entrancing turn as a racist and crooked cop. Away from the actors, nothing gave me more pleasure than to see Jordan Peele receive best original screenplay for Get Out, as he had crafted the most nuanced and masterful screenplay of year by far. James Ivory’s wellearned win for Call Me By Your Name made him the oldest ever winner for a film that tugged on my heart strings more than any other this year. I haven’t yet seen A Fantastic Woman, but I shall be down at the Picturehouse the first chance I get to see what I hear is a stunning piece of cinema; obviously an Oscar would back that up. And Roger Deakins finally has an Oscar. His work on Blade Runner: 2049 shows the underrated power of the cinematography; a stunning compilation of artistic genius. Finally, whilst The Shape of Water is a beautiful film in more ways than one and any other year I would have no issue with its win, I really hoped that Get Out would win. The late wave of support it received seemed to build to break-

ing point; incredible for a film that came out before last year’s ceremony. An unrestrained satire that obviously struck a chord with audiences around the word, it would have been a perfect winner in a year defined by the emerging awareness for the need for wider political and social change that is not just confined to cinema. In the end, the Oscars themselves fell short of becoming the catalyst of change that it could have been, simply skimming alongside the movements that have emerged in the last twelve months. The #MeToo and Time’s Up campaigns have become incredibly influential in highlighting major issues in cinema and wider culture as well, and the Oscars had the chance to take a stand too. Cinema is such an influential medium. Black Panther has just taken over $1 billion with a predominately black cast as well as a black director. Get Out created a social conversation over the treatment of black communities, Wonder Woman saw an empowered woman dominate the box office and Call Me By Your Name was a world-wide critical and commercial success. As the women all stood up alongside McDormand during her speech, it embodied the change that society still needs to see and the role that film has to play.

Roll credits... please?

V has always existed in a field of maximum-bloat. Shows can continue ceaselessly, far beyond artistic credibility, or even audience favour. Does the long-form inevitably mean extreme length? It’s interesting to consider this over-extension in the context of the TV economy. Often, it’s worth more to keep a show hooked up to the IV drip of glassy-eyes and goodwill than it is to let such a haggard creature stand on its own two feet. But that confidence in the form is something that must prevail, if for artistic credibility; TV can only grow when its defining factor – the length – comes to mean more than just singular endlessness. The exceptional Breaking Bad runs at a relatively brisk five seasons (with a definitive conclusion), while The Walking Dead keeps shambling along at eight, with no end (nor actual point) in sight. Comparing these cases is clear- the more-successful is short, while the other is long. Lifespans might naturally tend towards the short, then; towards the curt, and to-the-point, before dryness sets in. But this would be oversimplifying. ‘Mad Men’ compli-

Harry Caton questions the longevity of TV series

cates any bias towards the short, being a mostly-consistent show that necessarily plays out over a long time. It is, after all, a cultural examination of the ‘60s. The best way to look at a show’s lifespan is to look at what the form is doing; where Dead now seems only an aimless exercise in prolonged nihilism, Bad has the snappiness of a suspense-thriller. The overall proportions of one are clearly more suited to its subject than the other. But we might still address the greater proportion of poorquality long shows than short. Besides Dead, one can look to Homeland, Dexter, and Supernatural for shows that, while popular, are only marred by their excessive length. The problem lies in the incessancy of TV’s long-form commercialization. Where a movie can stand on its own, bereft of the

context of following sequels, a series implies, even begs for, continuity- it inevitably keeps going. Unlike movies, there’s an endlessly-deferrable endpoint. We grow used to the status quo that TV provides, giving little thought to lifespan in the first place; in the viewer’s invigilance, business can easily come out ahead of art. Just look at the Netflix-binge model present in House of Cards. The sheer bliss of watching Frank Underwood cackle at the camera supersedes any logical sense of progression; after his ascent to the top of the pack, the show just putters in place. Clearly, there’s the uneasy sense that shows can be stymied by their commercial need to continue. Shows should know when it’s time to end; though played out over a whole seven seasons, Parks and Recreation managed to find

some genuine catharsis in its denouement. Similarly, shows that are given to an increasingly zombie-like slumber may once have been good, and could have retained some esteem had they concluded at an appropriate time. The argument is for the benefit of the art itself. Not only should producers look to the shows’ intent for guidance, but we, as fans, critics, or just an audience, should hold them accountable to make the best of it. While Homer Simpson’s throttling of his son might initially seem hilarious, with each of Bart’s chokes, it grows somehow flat. The life of a TV show is governed by no more than its own nature. Where curtailed length might work for many a series, a select few require enough space to stretch out. Vice versa, the case is even more true. Financial concern may not always be in the best interest of the art; it’s only reasonable to consider a show’s length against its apparent intent. To prove its value as a medium, TV must be considered in levels beyond mere style, and moment-to-moment action, and embrace the meaning of length.

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EDITORS: Ben Faulkner and Fenton Christmas

screen

19 MAR 2018

Rising Star: Timothée Chalamet Imogen Faulkner recaps the impressive beginnings of Timothée Chalamet’s career

IMOTHÉE Chalamet is fresh off the back of an incredible 2017, in which he starred in two Oscar nominated films. The 21-year-old’s breakout role in Call Me By Your Name made him the youngest nominee for the Best Actor category since 1939, and third youngest ever to be nominated. His professional acting career began with studying at LaGuardia High School of Music and Performing Arts, acclaimed for its notable alumni such as Jennifer Aniston, Adrien Brody, and Ansel Elgort. As a child he appeared in commercials and two short horror films, before making his professional debut in Law & Order. He became a regular in Homeland and his film debut came in Jason Reitman’s Men, Women and Children. In October of the same year, he starred in critically acclaimed film Interstellar at just 17 years-old. Chalamet was gaining experience, but Call Me By Your Name was his breakthrough performance. It became immediately apparent that this actor was going to be a star for years to come, which can be a rarity in movies. Think of Emma Stone in Easy A. Now that kind of thunderbolt movement is striking for Timothée Chalamet. Chalamet’s performance in the Oscar-winning Call Me By Your Name struck a chord with people inside and outside the industry - he reflects beautifully Elio’s self-discovery that min-

gles love with language, art, and natural beauty. In the film he illustrates his ability to speak French and Italian fluently, while also playing both the piano and guitar. Chalamet’s uncommon poise and wide-ranging intelligence in this deeply sensual movie creates a sense of realism that conveys the films power perfectly to its audience. Chalamet’s confidence is what lends him perfectly to the industry. He had to ready himself to be vulnerable in the film’s sensual scenes. The complexity and intensity of Elio and Oliver’s relationship meant that Chalamet had to be comfortable with his vulnerability as a young adult in the film, especially with the infamous peach scene. The ability to act as a teenager in a pre-smartphone age, and still project the familiar sense of discovery and sexual desire that strikes chords with teenagers today illustrates a mastery of the art.

THE REFRESHING QUALITY HOLLYWOOD NEEDS RIGHT NOW

Chalamet used his experience as a young man - who too is experimenting with who he is - to channel Elio. In an interview he discusses how “When you’re young, you’re almost shop-

ping for a personality — and Elio is identifying himself by the person he’s with. It’s about becoming your lover by way of full abandonment and just totally revealing [yourself ].” Chalamet exquisitely demonstrated the magnetic and mesmerising connection between Elio and Oliver, making the relationship captivating to an audience. To channel Elio, Chalamet arrived six weeks before filming began in Northern Italy, where the actor, who is fluent in French, spent afternoons learning Italian, taking guitar and piano lessons, and cycling around. This allowed Chalamet to become so familiar with the surroundings that he was able to effectively embody his role as host in real life to the actors arriving later. It is this dedication to mastering a role that will aid his development, and makes him a rising star for fans and the industry alike. There are big things to come for the rising star, with upcoming roles in Felix Van Groeningen’s 2018 film Beautiful Boy, in which he plays a methamphetamine addicted boy, and in Woody Allen’s romantic comedy A Rainy Day in New York. His youth and dedication makes him one to watch. It is this early diversity of his roles that demonstrates Chalamet as keen, confident and eager to learn, which is exactly the refreshing quality Hollywood needs right now.

Rising Director: Greta Gerwig Phoebe Davis, Online Editor, explores why Greta Gerwig is one to watch

INA Wertmüller, Jane Campion, Sofia Coppola, Kathryn Bigelow and Greta Gerwig. What do these names have in common? They are the only women in the Oscars’ ninety-year history to have been nominated for the Best Director category. You should familiarise yourself with all of these fantastic directors’ work, but especially that of Greta Gerwig. Nominated for her directorial debut Ladybird (can we just appreciate that the first film she made was up for one of the most prestigious awards in filmmaking), Gerwig is a rising figure in film that everyone should have their eyes on. I first came across the filmic goddess that is Greta Gerwig at the Prince Charles Cinema in London. A friend encouraged me to go see this film which was ‘about a contemporary dancer in New York but it was all filmed in black and white’. I was skeptical, it sounded pretentiousand artsy. I couldn’t have been more wrong. I had discovered one of my favourite films - Frances Ha. Gerwig takes the starring role in this moving tale of a woman trying to find her feet in a complex world of

adult friendships and dinner parties within the jungle of New York City. She has such a warm on-screen energy throughout the film, one which I could feel even in her off-screen role throughout Ladybird. From that day on I was hooked; if Greta Gerwig is involved in the film you can bet I will be watching it.

IT’S CLEAR SHE PERSONALLY LIVES FOR CINEMA

Taking it back a few years from the masterpieces that are Frances Ha and Ladybird, Greta’s directorial origins stem from her part in the mumblecore film movement. Known for low-budgets, naturalistic story telling and depictions of 20-somethings finding their feet. ‘Mumblecore’, or ‘bedhead’ cinema, meant that Gerwig’s first foray into film was in all parts of film production. Gerwig has stated that whilst producing ‘mumblecore’, “If you weren’t doing something on camera, you held the camera”. So it’s no surprise that, reading the interviews

she has done around the release of Ladybird, she has an wealth of technical film knowledge. However, one comment from an interview has stuck with me: “I think I’m interested in personal cinema. Not autobiographical cinema but personal cinema.” It is clear that she, personally, lives for cinema. From her professional life as an actor in everything from Sundance nominated productions like Baghead (2008), to high budget biopics like Jackie (2016). Or her private life as partner to king of independent film Noah Baumbach, who she co-wrote Frances Ha (2012) and Mistress America (2015) with. If you hadn’t picked up by now, I adore her. Not just because she is tall, blonde, and pretty (which all the magazines seem to be focusing on), but because she lives, breathes, and is cinema. Everything she has written, acted in, and now directed has been fantastic. I couldn’t be more excited to see where her career goes next. If your curiosity into Greta Gerwig’s work has been ignited, then keep an ear out for her voice in Wes Anderson’s much anticipated animation Isle of Dogs.

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19 MAR 2018

EDITORS: Ben Faulkner and Fenton Christmas

screen

What the future holds David Conway takes a look at the current trajectory of the film industry

Doctor Who and Sherlock have had successful cinema broadcasts and films from acclaimed directors like Ben Wheatley’s A Field in England have been simultaneously released across all mediums. As practices like this continue, productions will cease bound by trite categorisations of what counts as ‘proper’ cinema.

Where the truth lies as to these two very different outlooks on the future of cinema, is probably somewhere nearer to Soderbergh’s view. More filmmakers are flocking to use digital technology, home cameras are becoming far more advanced, and budgetary reasons are meaning film prints are becoming less and less prominent. But this in no way should be seen as the death knell for cinema, as Tarantino would have us believe. Rather, it should be seen as a new, exciting development in the story of film, the form once again morphing, making itself available to a wider audience who both want to watch, and even more importantly, make their own

features. Along with this digital concern comes the larger question surrounding cinema’s future: that of the movie theatre itself. With Netflix and other production companies producing more major original features that go straight to streaming, such as Bong Joon-Ho’s Okja, many fear that the auditorium may be seeing out its final years, and that audiences will abandon the communal film-going experience. Just last year, Cannes famously banned films that had no theatrical release and were distributed straight to streaming in an effort to fight this shift. And yet, much like Tarantino’s stubborn refusal to accept digital as a new stage in cinema’s life, it seems Cannes is fighting a battle it can never win. Audiences are gravitating more and more towards home entertainment, and won’t stop as long as the service is on offer. But that’s not to say they’re going to abandon the film theatre either. Audiences and enthusiasts will still flock to communal film screenings, because the love for the immersive experience of the big screen, and the nostalgic, warm magic of celluloid, is still hugely prominent. I remember two years ago attending a screening of a 70mm print of 2001: A Space Odyssey, a film available on home media for years, in a completely sold out auditorium at the Prince Charles Cinema. Similarly, Christopher Nolan’s Dunkirk, was a hit with audiences, many seeking out IMAX presentations of the 70mm print to experience it as Nolan intended. People are still enthusiastic to go to the cinema, as long as it remains an experience. Instead of either digital or theatrical distribution cancelling each other out, what I predict we will see is a merging of media forms on an unprecedented scale. The boundaries between what counts as film, television, and general visual media are going to start to blur, as the wires of distribution cross over. ‘Cinema’ will become an even more fluid term than it already is. In the past five years alone, major television shows like

Rush (2013)

Akira (1988)

Beasts of No Nation (2015)

NE of the silver screen’s main wonders is also its paradox. On the one hand, it’s an art form with a raging drive towards development, constantly switching frames, changing its identity twenty-four times a second. On the other, it’s one of the most powerful preservers of the past we have, maintaining history within its pictures. It’s this strange, magical combination that makes the question of where exactly cinema is going to go so utterly fascinating. Amongst industry figures, there is a tug of war between those entrenched in the idea that there are certain cinematic ideals that are immutable and blasphemous to change, and those who believe cinema has to constantly adapt and evolve. Quentin Tarantino for example, named digital projection ‘the death of cinema’, and still swears he will quit making films if he is forced to use digital rather than celluloid. Alternatively, Steven Soderbergh stated this year his belief that shooting on phones was the future – a point proven at least feasible by Sean Baker’s 2015 film, Tangerine, shot entirely on the iPhone 5s.

THEY’RE NOT GOING TO ABANDON THE FILM THEATRE

Fenton’s Final Picks

A MERGING OF MEDIA FORMS ON AN UNPRECEDENTED SCALE

Diversity of output will be like never before, availability on the big screen no longer a dictator of what films are more ‘important’ than others. Opportunities for filmmakers in minorities, filmmakers in poorer countries, filmmakers who have never had their voices heard before, are going to be opened up, as the monopoly on the industry widens to multiple mediums. Companies will be forced to appreciate the demand for alternative voices, and - due to the interplay of mediums - even the auditorium will begin to have variety in a way it never has. The big screen itself will continue, no matter how many naysayers predict digital media will bring about its demise. It will have to mould itself to fit in with this new era, certainly, but it will achieve that. It’s survived the arrival of television, it’s survived the advent of VHS; it will certainly survive this. It might just have to up its game a little - maybe return from the rather corporate multiplex experience it’s become in recent years to the thrilling sense of an event it used to be, the kind of feeling that keeps audiences flocking to the IMAX. The movie theatre may have to revisit what made it so special in the past to keep up with cinema’s future. It’s the classic paradox of the motion picture. Well, that’s discounting the huge possibility I’m wrong on every count. But isn’t it thrilling to guess?

GOODBYE And so, our time as the always dependable yet incompetent iconic duo of Exeposé has come to an end. After a year full of questionable headlines and “interesting” designs, we have to step aside and allow a new generation of editors to take over. Or we could be like Ben and just get re-elected for another year. So, seeing as at least one of us is actually moving on, we thought we would say a massive thank you to everyone who has written, contributed or even just read the best section in the paper. We leave you with our final picks for ‘What to Watch’ and hope that maybe when you watch them, you think of Fenton as he cries into the mess that is his dissertation.

The Birds (1963)

Ben’s Final (not really) Picks

study break

| 19 MAR 2018

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STUDY BREAK CROSSWORD # 109

Across

SUDOKU # 48

Down

1 Rot (2,3) 1 Kind (4) 2 View (7) 3 Media boo (anagram) - like an amoeba (8) 4 The 24 hours before Tuesday? (6) 9 Representation of the UK - Iran ban it 5 Age (3) (anagram) (9) 6 Moderate yellow-orange colour (5) 10/20/22 Sweet roll traditionally eaten on 1 7 Her tidy (anagram) - wavering (7) 8 Keep (8) across 15 (or any time around 17) (3,5,3) 13 Absolutely (forbidden, say) (8) 11 Condescend (5) 14 Italian pasta and meat dish (informal) 12 Severe (7) (4,3) 14 The 24 hours before 4? (6) 16 Ice dose (anagram) - bishops 15 The 24 hours before Saturday? (6) jurisdiction (7) 18 Aerial (7) 17 Religious festival running from 1 across 15 (through 17 14 across) to 17 4 (6) 20 See 10 19 Wood projection (5) 22 See 10 21 Smooth and silky fabric (5) 23 Expression of approval (9) 23 Ovum (of chocolate at 17?) (3) 24 Female wartime farm worker (4,4) 25 Unkind 94)

Trivia corner 1. WHICH DRINK TRANSLATES INTO ENGLISH AS AUNT MARY? 2. THE NAGS HEAD WAS THE PUB IN WHICH CLASSIC BRITISH COMEDY? 3. WHAT DOES THE GREEK WORD PORTOKALI MEAN IN ENGLISH? 4. WHICH TWO OF HENRY VIII’S WIVES WERE BEHEADED? 5. iN A STANDARD PACK OF CARDS, WHICH KING IS THE ONLY ONE TO NOT HAVE A MOUSTACHE?

ANSWERS

6. WHICH SHAKESPEARE PLAY BEGINS WITH ‘IF MUSIC BE THE FOOD OF LOVE PLAY ON’? 7. IN THE DISNEY FILM, WHAT TYPE OF ANIMAL WAS ROBIN HOOD?

Night 7 A fox Anne Boleyn and Catherine Howard 5 The King of Hearts 6 Twelfth Trivia Corner: 1 Tia Maria, 2 Only Fools and Horses 3 Orange 4 21 Satin, 23 Egg. Maintain, 13 Strictly, 14 Spag bol, 16 Diocese, 17 Easter, 19 Tenon, Down: 1 Go bad, 2 Opinion, 4 Monday, 5 Era, 6 Ochre, 7 Dithery, 8 Extolment, 24 Land girl, 25 Mean. bun, 11 Deign, 12 Austere, 14 Sunday, 15 Friday, 18 Antenna, 23 Across: 1 Good, 3 Amoeboid, 9 Britannia, 10/20/22 Hot cross

19 MAR 2018 | EXEPOSÉ

Science

SCIENCE EDITORS:

Luke Smith Gabriel Yeap

Suc-seed or die!

Rachel Jones looks at whether our plants are ready for the apocalypse

N 7 March, an asteroid the size of the Empire State Building passed very close to the Earth. If you are reading this then, thankfully, it missed us. However, what would happen if it had collided? The Earth will face many close calls such as this, which generally go unnoticed by the public. Nevertheless, with the rise in global tensions and the accompanying risk of nuclear war, it seems now more than ever that we need to make provisions for when the worst happens. Faced with the prospect of the world ending tomorrow, what would you save?

Our seed ‘doomsday vault’ is now facing the threat of climate change The Svalbard Global Seed Vault, as the name suggests, aims to safeguard biodiversity and the crop diversity of our planet from both natural and manmade catastrophes. Unexpectedly this Seed Vault, constructed to withstand

ARIJUANA has long been the subject of debate; pro-legalisation campaigners argue that marijuana can cure a wide variety of diseases (as a quick google search will show) from various psychoses to autism, Alzheimer’s, or perhaps most worryingly, cancer. For many of these stories there is no strong evidence of any benefit. In fact, marijuana may be actively harmful.

THC has been able to kill isolated cancer cells, but how would this work on patients? Humans have been using cannabis for many thousands of years, the active ingredient (THC) was first discovered in the 1960s. Cannabis acts on two main types of receptor CB1, found in the nervous system and probably responsible for the

near-apocalyptic disasters, is now facing a different threat from our new and persistent enemy, climate change. Located 800 miles south of the North Pole in Spitsbergen, the socalled ‘doomsday vault’ lurks 150m deep beneath the surface of the earth. The Arctic Circle, which is also home to the World Data Archive, was chosen for being one of the ‘safest’ places on earth as it is isolated and not at significant risk from earthquakes or volcanoes. The temperature inside the mountain housing the vault is close to -4°, which is advantageous for the seed bank as it means that less energy has to be spent on cooling the vault down to the -16° needed to store the specimens. The vault is surrounded by a blanket of ‘permafrost’, rock or soil that has been below freezing temperature for over two years. During its design and construction, which finished in 2008, little thought was paid to the danger of anthropogenic climate change whose effects on global temperatures have accelerated past what was predicted during the

last decade. Now due to these rising temperatures, the permafrost is melting and consequently, water is entering the tunnelling leading to the vault. The Norwegian government plans to spend £9.5 million to improve the waterproofing of the bank by building a new access tunnel and implementing an emergency power unit. The vault is also referred to as the ‘Noah’s ark for crops’ and currently stores over one million seeds taken from across the globe. Growing global populations are creating more demand for crop growth whilst climate change and related extreme weather events are limiting the supply chain. Both of these factors are contributing to the increased pressure on crop yields.

In our rapidly changing environment, humanity is in greater need of crops that can adapt to withstand these dramatic changes. This can be achieved through clever breeding and the subsequent introduction of these plants which are better to suited to the changing conditions For example, if southern Europe continues to warm then we have the option of importing crops which flourish in the intense weather of North Africa. The Global Seed Vault is just one of 1,700 seed banks across the globe, but unlike most other vaults it is governed by strict international agreements; when a country deposits seeds into the vault it must give its approval before the withdrawal of these seeds for another country’s use.

This highlights the power of international collaborations in combating the challenges our modern world faces. For instance, in 2015 the vault was opened so that seeds, native to Syria, could be taken back to replenish the stocks after the national seed bank in Aleppo was destroyed in the civil war. These seeds have since germinated into plants allowing for the replenishment of stocks in the Svalbard Seed Vault. Unfortunately, this could not happen for the seeds stored in the Iraq and Afghanistan Seed Banks which were also destroyed as a consequence of war but whose seeds had not also been deposited at Svalbard. The vault aims to safeguard plants and crops that could one day become life-saving for humanity. Sadly, the fact that the Seed Vault, constructed to withstand all manner of disasters including nuclear war, is being threatened by a different form of manmade catastrophe, highlights the rapidly increasing need to limit our contribution to climate change.

Cannabis for cancer Ruth Braham discusses the health risks of medical marijuanna

“high”, and CB2 receptors which are found mostly in the immune system. So we all know that smoking cannabis will get you ‘stoned’, but what myths are there, and why do people believe it may be effective against cancer? The main studies that perpetuate this idea are ones that have looked at THC killing certain types of cells in petri dishes. Whilst this may seem hopeful we need to be extremely, extremely careful about applying these results to live patients - at this time we cannot know how this would work on a multicellular organism. Other studies have shown that cannabis can damage healthy blood cells or even encourage cancer cell growth, as well as interfering with the immune system. However, questions still remain about dosage, side effects, and which, if any, methods of delivery are actually able to target the cancer. In live patients, only a single clinical trial has ever been performed. Nine

patients were given high concentration THC through a tube directly into their brain. Whilst some patients showed a response, all were dead within a year, as you would expect from the type of cancer being targeted. Hardly the miracle cure being touted. These results may prove that given in this way the treatment is without side effects, but the fact remains this is still an extremely early stage trial with very few participants and no control group. Perhaps more research may reveal something, but until then it is impossible to say that cannabis is a cure at this time. Anyone can peruse the internet to find an array of anecdotes about people who have purportedly been cured of cancer with cannabis, hemp, cannabis oil or other derivatives. Despite what people may say, these accounts are not pieces of scientific evidence, as it is often impossible to tell what other factors (such as established treatments)

may have affected the patient, or indeed if these stories are genuine.

We can’t rely on anecdotal evidence as we don’t know all the factors involved Some argue that this is a conspiracy. Cannabis proponents will argue that ‘Big Pharma’ hushes up the benefit of cannabis because it can’t be patented - the evidence suppressed so that they can hawk their own creations. And whilst I will freely admit that the involvement of profit in medicine disquiets me and that certain pharmaceutical companies have a less than spotless record, this is simply not true. Furthermore, this can be actively harmful, painting pro-legalisation campaigners as robin-hood style dissidents fighting against the malicious, if often ill-defined, “man”. This draws to eerily

to mind the role of Andrew Wakefield in the autism/MMR scandal, which left millions of children at risk and caused numerous outbreaks, including the first measles death in 14 years. Some may choose to argue that, as marijuana is relatively harmless, it doesn’t matter if it’s perscribed to patients. However, cannabis has a number of side effects, including heart complications and interactions with other medications (such as chemotherapy drugs) and, despite what people may say, it is addictive, and use of illegally sourced cannabis leaves people at risk of contaminants and outright scams. Cannabis is effective at relieving some forms of pain and sickness, but there are major problems at this time in determining dosage, delivery, and mediating the psychoactive side effects. Only when cannabis can withstand the rigorous testing that has been applied to established drugs should it be considered for medical application.

Caught in a tech trap

Scarlett Parr Reid explains how companies are fuelling our tech addictions

AVE you ever wondered why the sheer thought of parting with your smartphone, laptop, tablet or technology instils a sense of panic and anxiety? Why it is that 31% of American teens spend a stifling 4-8 hours each day glued to their screens? It seems that today’s tech-savvy ‘Generation Z’ are hooked on social media, online gaming, dating sites and on-demand TV. You name it, there’s an app for that. At our fingertips is a wealth of information accessible wherever and whenever we want. So, what’s the secret? What underlies our insatiable hunger for technology? The same neurological mechanism that drives us to eat when hungry and drink when thirsty: survival. Our brains are hardwired to maximise the pleasure we experience from any given situation, be it through food, sex, wealth or any of a vast number of rewarding behaviours.

Companies are abusing their knowledge of brain chemistry to hook us on tech Integral to these habitual behaviours is a molecule called dopamine: a powerful neurotransmitter, without which that buzz of satisfaction one feels from a like on Facebook, instant access to your favourite Netflix series or winning a computer game wouldn’t be activated. Dopamine is a key part of why we simply can’t resist coming back for more. This is because molecules called opioids bind to their specific receptors, leading to a cascade of events that increases dopamine release, stimulating feelings of pleasure, whilst lessening feelings of pain. Whilst it is a myth to say that dopamine in isolation directly creates a pleasurable experience; opioids are the activators of these molecules, without which the pleasure-inducing dopaminergic reward pathways of the brain would be ineffective. Indeed, just as a study on rats fed with apples revealed that after one pleasurable bite, they’d quickly return for more, the instant gratification technology provides means we just can’t get enough of i t .

It’s one thing feeling FOMO (fear of missing out) when you’re unable to check your Instagram, Snapchat or Twitter notifications. But how much is too much? With companies’ increasing awareness of how technology usage impacts brain activity, it’s unsurprising that they’re beginning to monopolise on the link between constant engagement and the arousal of dopamine release. It would seem like a win-win situation; companies can profit, whilst we feel good. As lucrative as this sounds, as with any extreme, technology overuse is to our detriment. Sean Parker, former founding president of Facebook, described this dynamic as a manipulation of the vulnerability in human psychology, whereby companies can exploit our brain chemistry. It’s the reason why Amazon’s bookshelves are teeming with diet books and why so many running, weight loss and gaming apps are increasingly popular, notoriously promising to better mental health, achieved by heightening our dopamine levels. In fact, Dopamine Labs, a Californian start-up service integrated into many apps to develop habitual behaviour through intermittent rewardsoversaw a 30% improvement in the number of times those using a running app went for a run. They also elicited a 14% increase in the frequency

of loans paid back on time or early through a microloan company’s app. Thus, the benefits of this strategy are far-reaching for both health and finances.

Why is it that 31% of American teens spend 4-8 hours each day glued to their screen? Whilst random messages of encouragement seen in such apps akin to the love reacts thrown around like confetti on Facebook posts fuel constant public engagement, there might just be a dark side to Dopamine’s power. Indeed, former Google Executive Tristan Harris argues that the leverage of our brains by tech companies is "brain hacking…destroying our focus and relationships." Although, in essence, dopamine is crucial to survival, enabling us to learn, reproduce and flourish. Just as is seen in the Darwinian competition of our ancestors, we’ll go to any lengths to achieve these things. Often, this means scrolling aimlessly through the minefield of mediocrity and distractions that stand in our way. This is not a result of tech addiction, per se, but the anticipatory anxiety that keeps us clicking. Perhaps it’s not just that using these technologies make us feel good, but that they are "short-term anxiety elixirs", writes David DiSalvo in Forbes magazine. Further, technology not only provides us with a false sense of security (which is why we fitfully search through every pocket, bag or coat in our vicinity when we think we might have lost it). It fills a void in our day, then seeps into spaces already filled with activities we enjoy, such as talking to people in front of us. So, paradoxically, modern technology is a tool to temporarily alleviate our anxiety, yet in the long-term serves to heighten it, because we rely on it to stay connected.

Yet, there is more than one reason to feel anxious. Nowadays, instant access to the World Wide Web and the abundance of services technology has to offer is a certainty. The trouble is, scientific research supports that events that are certain are far less likely to enable us to learn anything new. Termed the ‘Google Effect’, the expectation of gaining later access to information stored by technology disincentivises us to hold it in our own memory. It’s easier to escape into the certainty of technology’s virtual world, in which the only things between us and answers are a keyboard, mouse or tap of a screen. The real world, however, is uncertain, making the comfort blanket of technology all the more endearing. The bottom line is that too much of a good thing can be harmful. As Dr Kimberly Young, writer of the book ‘Caught in the Net’, identifying internet addiction as a new disorder understands, the expanse of technology available is a breeding ground for addiction. Is your use of technology a priority over sleep, nutrition, relationships or your job? If so, Dr Young advocates that we should be "screen smart" and develop "digital nutrition". Similar to how we would adjust our dietary intake by making wiser, healthier and more balanced decisions about what we eat, we can adjust our technology consumption so it’s beneficial for our health. The threat of sedentary lifestyles, decreased social interaction, less time spent outside and reading deficits (as we favour flicking hurriedly through pages on the net than full pages of a book) means we need to become more mindful of our screen time. With the average time spent on any one site being less than a minute, our attention spans are getting worryingly shorter. Mirrored by the advent of Snapchat, Instagram and Facebook ‘stories’some as short as those five-second fast cuts that flicker through cinema advertsthis constant dazzling means our brains become easily bored and we lose focus. Thanks to technology, patience is a thing of the past. Glamorised as ‘multi-tasking’ (scientifically proven to be no more than a fallacy), the array of constant distractions that technology provides us with, limits our true focus and productivity. Thus, whilst technology is unequivocally the most powerful, educational and expansive innovation that we rely on in 21st-century society, we mustn’t neglect the need for moderation. That’s not just today, but for the subsequent generations who will live through its advancement. If reading this (and yes statistically you getting this far puts you ahead of the average reader) leaves you with one question, let it be this: do you consume technology or does technology consume you?

SCIENCE

PENGUINS ON DANGER ISLAND Penny Dinh Contributor

One and a half million penguins – that is nearly 400,000 more than the population of Devon county! Surely it should be almost impossible to miss that many penguins, yet for years scientists were unaware of the existence of this Adélie penguin colony. That was until 2014, when NASA satellites picked up patches of these penguins’ excrement! The following year, an expedition to Danger Island on the eastern edge of the Antarctica, where traces of the penguins were spotted, was arranged by a group of scientists to get more insight about this ‘supercolony’ of penguins. What is remarkable about this colony of penguins, other than the fact that it is the largest population of Adélie penguins found, is that they were somehow unaffected by the population decline found in other populations of penguins in the peninsula. Mass starvation, associated with climate change, led to the death of thousands of Adélie penguin chicks between 2010 and 2017 in the western side of the peninsula. Perhaps it was more abundant food availability on the eastern side of the Antarctica that helped the supercolony of penguins survive. It might also be geographical differences that helped the penguins thrive in their island. However, scientists have yet to find definite answers to why these penguins did not suffer from population decline like those on the other side of the Antarctic Peninsula. The penguins are believed to have resided undisturbed on Danger Island since 1959; that’s nearly 60 years! One of the reasons why these birds were undetected is the remoteness of Danger Island, and the treacherous water surrounding it, as the name of the island suggests. Even in the summer, thick ice would fill the nearby ocean, making the island almost inaccessible. However, one of the authors of the survey on the penguin supercolony believed that perhaps humans are simply so used to knowing where things are that we stop looking, and overlooked such a large population of penguins. The discovery of the penguin population certainly highlights the importance of protection for their habitat, supporting proposed Marine Protected Areas near the Antarctic Peninsula.

SCIENCE

Unnerving facts

Gabriel Yeap, Science Editor, investigates the science behind nerve gas

T'S not often one hears about a government level conspiracy, much less so right in your backyard. What you see in the movies should stay in the movies, but within the last few years, it seems that the villains of James Bond have left behind their acting careers and taken it upon themselves to terrorise the public in all sorts of ways. Secret agents are being exchanged for nerve agents. They are silent, lethal, and can kill in seconds; they are the new weapon of choice, the exploding pens of the modern day as it were. As if that wasn’t unnerving enough for you, one has just been used not very far away from here a mere week ago. On 4 March, Sergei Skripal and his daughter were having lunch at Zizzi’s in Salisbury, as you do. A few hours later they were found collapsed on a park bench. The first responder police on the scene also later fell ill. Little did anyone know at the time that this was the work of a nerve agent. This kind of attack has

not been the first of its kind. In fact, a similar nerve agent was used to assassinate the half-brother of North Korean leader Kim-Jong Un in the airport of (my home country) Malaysia. Other incidents include the Sarin attack in Tokyo and Syria, and the very first incidents reported was in the war between Iran and Iraq in 1987.

Secret agents are being exchanged for nerve agents - lethal poisins that kill their victims in seconds Victims of nerve gas attacks have been reported clawing at their throats to attempt to open a hole for breathing. This was of course, in vain. In fact, their windpipes are actually clear. It is the control of breathing in the central nervous system that has been shut down. You see, nerve agents work by meddling with the

body’s main means of communication – chemistry. Nerves talk to one another via chemicals called neurotransmitters, which are passed between gaps from one nerve cell to the next, and these gaps are called synapses. Nerve agents exert their effect by binding to acetylcholinesterase, an enzyme that breaks down these neurotransmitters to control and regulate synaptic communication. These agents hold on very tightly to the enzyme by forming a covalent bond with it, and by doing so it blocks its active site, preventing it from working. This means that acetylcholine begins to build up in the synapses - and this is almost like having everybody talking at once, no one knows what’s being said! This often translates into victims developing chorea, dancing ghoulishly before collapsing and writhing in seizures, while the brain stops sending signals to the muscles controlling respiration and maintaining blood pressure. The last thing any good agent does is to ‘send

them to sleep’, and that’s exactly what they do, with victims drifting into a coma and finally they stop breathing. What’s terrifying about these agents is that it only takes a few milligrams of nerve agent to kill an adult human. However, despite their deadly and lethal outlook, with the right antidotes, these agents are not necessarily a death sentence. U.S. soldiers in 1991’s Gulf war carried auto-injectors filled with drugs that would keep them breathing and protect them in the case of a nerve agent attack. If you have ever read an Agatha Christie novel, you would have heard of at least one of the ingredients used in treating such an attack. The irony is that the remedy is also a poison in of itself. The ingredient in question here is Belladonna, also known as deadly nightshade. This is an extract from the nightshade plant, and it works by temporarily blocking acetylcholine receptors. This is like covering your ears when too many people are speaking. But although it blocks the

Un-natural selection

effect of too much acetylcholine, it is still not dealing with the enzyme that is handcuffed and shackled to the nerve agent. Introducing oximes. They are the true antidotes, and they work as a sort of molecular crowbar, prying the nerve agent away from the enzyme. Sounds all good and lovely, but there is a catch. The nerve agent usually works in the brain, and the only oxime approved for use in the U.S. is one which can barely pass through the blood-brain barrier into the brain. This makes it not very effective at its job. This is why scientists at the frontier of nerve agent research are finding new methods of creating better oximes. Until then, maybe our fears of nerve agents will increase, as they lurk in the shadows while governments around the world play a cat and mouse game like a real-life Bond film. After all, you wouldn’t know when nerve agent 008 comes round because it only takes two seconds for the fastest nerve agent in the world to kill.

Exeposé Science writers look at some of the weridest and wackiest creatures that Mother Earth has to offer

TURRITOPSIS DOHRNII JELLYFISH

VOLUTION is a sort of lucky genetic dip which can either prolong your species for a million years or kill it stone dead. The jellyfish Turritopsis dorhnii appears to have hit the jackpot, having found the secret to everlasting life. This jellyfish lives in a constant cycle of undergoing puberty, mating, and then reverting back to its prepubescent state, thus escaping death. However, immortality seems a bit dull. Let’s face it, a jellyfish is basically a semisentient plastic bag doomed to bob about in the ocean until the end of time. Moon jellies, a sub-species of jellyfish, have also displayed immortal behaviours. So to accompany the plastic bags, is a plethora of moons. Fabulous. Next time I go for a swim, I’d be thrilled to be surrounded by a literal sea of plastic moons. Also, these bastards were almost responsible for the death of the one and only Dory. How can something so viciously stingy, lacking in remorse and moral compass, be allowed to roam the seas without any definite expiry date? Nothing can be more terrifying, a great white excluded, than seeing those wispy tentacles float nearer to you. The electricity in the water is palpable, nervous excitement rages, and then before you know it, your pal is pissing on your foot because you’ve been stung. Less than ideal in my opinion. Of course, immortality for most is more than desirable. For me, it seems boring and well, pointless. If you never die, there can never be anything new. Being immortal is ultimately a huge narcissistic act that well, jellyfish, you should stop. Live your life, then pop off and allow everyone else to have a turn. Alicia Rees, Comment Editor

DIVING BELL SPIDER

F you have arachnophobia, I suggest you avert your eyes from the following paragraph. An unfamiliar and mysterious spider species has recently started crawling its way into the hearts of those who admire the bizarre; perhaps it was naïve of us humans to assume we conquered the practice of interior design, when unknown to many, Argyroneta aquatica, better known as the diving bell spider, has been weaving bell-shaped webs into cosy underwater homes for the past two centuries. This Palearctic araneae species dominates freshwater aquatic habitats by restocking its submerged web with oxygen, which it acquires by simply sticking its plump posterior above the water’s surface so that silvery, hydrophobic hairs assemble an air bubble around its abdomen to act as an oxygen tank for the spider’s respiratory system. This unique adaptation allows the arachnid to experience a predominantly submerged life cycle - involving feeding and mating - with the requirement of procuring air only once per day. As if being a paramount contemporary architect wasn’t enough, the spider also plays the role of a daring bartender, mixing its venomous digestive juices to create the perfect brew of predatory toxin to target and consume invertebrate prey - and yes, this is all done within the surroundings of the covert subaquatic bell that helps keep the poison concentrated. If you’ve ever tried to eat underwater, you can appreciate how extraordinary this truly is. Although they do not pose a serious threat to humans, bear in mind that male diving bells actively hunt for their prey, so if you ever feel a snappy pinch on your toes, don’t panic - you might’ve only been bitten by one of the strangest species on earth. Laura Batula

NAKED MOLE RAT

AKED… I say. You are intrigued. Mole… I continue. Your temperature rises. Rat, I conclude. Your mind is blown. Never did you think such a magnificent combination of words would come to delineate a single creature, yet here we are. The naked mole rat, whose scientific name is Heterocephalus glaber (which could quite easily be a peripheral Star Wars character), is a nudist rodent native to parts of East Africa. Icons of body positivity, these toothy chaps feed on huge tubers which, once uncovered from deep in the ground, can provide a colony with a long-term source of food for months or even years. Even if you think these lads are funny-looking, they are certified hard bastards. Their skin lacks a key neurotransmitter which means they can never feel pain, even when exposed to acid. So if you’re planning on stopping a horde of furious mole rats from tearing you to shreds with an acid-trap, think again. These absolute units wills swim straight through. Not only this, but they are particularly resistant to cancerous tumours. So if you’re planning on stopping a horde of furious mole rats from tearing you to shreds with a beam of gamma rays, think again. These ruthless boys won’t bat an eyelid. The naked mole rat also holds the record for the longest living rodent, with specimens surviving up to 32 years. After all these testaments to their durability, it is perhaps unsurprising that their conservation status is “least concerned,” meaning our friends could not be less endangered. And as the icing on the cake for these wonderful beings, a naked mole rat was one of the shining stars of seminal children’s programme, Kim Possible. Harry Bunting, Online Comment Editor

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19 MAR 2018 | EXEPOSÉ

SPORT

Wil Jones Sport Editor

HE end is nigh! Not only is this my last issue as part of the editorial team at Exeposé, but it also marks the conclusion of another team - that of Exeposé's very own intramural netball squad. An ode to the league six Sunday strugglers may feel out of place nestled alongside the match reports and interviews with the very best athletes at Exeter. But sport at university is a broad church, and the same things you find at the highest levels - camaraderie, competition, fitness and (forgive the word!) fun - can, and do, exist in intramural. At least, that was the motivation behind dedicating a column to the often unheralded child of university sport's extended family -- I hope you've enjoyed reading the different take on sport our regular intramural columnists, George Pitchford and Ben Smith, have produced. So, to the Exeposé team itself: comprised of a roving band of 25 members - many of whom, myself included, have had to learn the rules as they go along first term was a baptism of fire. Far from mixing it with fellow sporting stragglers, we regularly found ourselves on the receiving end of some embarrassing defeats. If hauling yourself up Forum Hill on a Sunday evening (or, driving if you're Fenton...) was unappealing to begin with, that prospect worsened as our fate at its summit became increasingly predictable.

This is an ode to the league six Sunday strugglers But through adversity comes strength. Out went the hope of producing flowing netball; gone was the vain dream of scoring 5 or more goals in one match; in came a staunch rearguard operation tasked solely with the intention of dragging the opposition into a dogfight. And, somehow, it began to work. Special mention goes to those of us who went the extra mile; Fenton, for persistently managing to injure himself and those in his vicinity with his acrobatics; Tash, for blocking both the ball and opposition players with her actual face; and, sadly, myself, for inadvertently hospitalising Natalie with some overzealous defending. But that wasn't all. In February, the remarkable happened. We won. We won a game. And not just through the opposition not turning up. We scored more than 10 and, finally, won. It really isn't about winning, though - however sweet it may feel. For all those who have taken part with Exeposé, this is for you.

Wil Jones, Sport Editor, talks to men's football captain Ryan Sherreard

T'S been an eventful semester for Exeter's Athletic Union clubs. As BUCS leagues wind to a close, and the prospect of silverware draws nearer in knockout competitions, the business end of the season sees many clubs holding their respective keystone fixtures. These varsity games regularly draw in large numbers of supporters from the university, packing the stands to roar on the men and women in green. February saw the netball, boxing, and rugby clubs hold theirs in the space of seven days, and the rearranged double-header for the hockey club followed at the beginning of this month.

Due to a fixture clash, the football varsity won't go ahead For the men's football club, however, no such varsity is to take place. Having been scheduled to go ahead at Exeter City F.C.'s St. James' Park on Wednesday, 14 March, a fixture clash with the Grecians has unfortunately resulted in its cancellation. I sat down with EUAFC co-club captain Ryan Sherreard to find out how he's responded to the disappointment, as well as discussing the strides that have been made by the club on the field. "Personally, this season's gone really well," Sherreard says. His 2s side have enjoyed a successful season, with last Wednesday's narrow 1-0 loss to Southampton Solent -- you can find our report of the game on the back page -- denying them second place in the BUCS Western 2A table. If that was a marginally disappointing end to the BUCS season for the 2s, their Saturday endeavours have proved more fruitful. "We're top of the table in our Devon and Exeter league and we're hoping

to go on and win that with only nine games left." There's been success across the board for EUAFC, too, and Sherreard is delighted. "The 4s got to the BUCS cup final [losing 3-1 to Hartpury] and will win their league. The 3s have done very well - they're second in their Saturday league." It's also been a stellar season for the first team. Having topped the BUCS Western 1A, a shot at the playoffs awaits. "If they win, they'll go back into the BUCS Premier South which will be an amazing achievement. That's a massive credit to our coaches and the genuine quality in that team." That success has been hard won. Sherreard admits that, in previous years, the club has "not actually perform[ed] that well", and the introduction of Ian Parkes as coach of the first team has been a profitable one. "He's been absolutely fantastic, really pushing us to new levels with this first team," explains Sherreard. "Getting our 1s back to the BUCS Premier South was our main objective from the start." The 1s' prowess, then, makes the lack of a football varsity all the more disappointing for fans and players alike.

We worked with the AU to address the crowd issues RYAN SHERREARD, CAPTAIN

Last season's varsity was a mounmental success on the field. A thrilling 4-2 victory against Swansea in front of 3,500 fans was the sole defeat for the Welsh outfit that season. "I really enjoyed the night," says Sherreard. "It was the biggest varsity of the year and it shows how much [the crowd] can influence a team on the night."

Off the field, however, it was a night marred by some fans' behaviour, with local residents left "disgusted" by the noise disruption and litter in the aftermath. "Obviously, at times, some people overstepped the mark," Sherreard admits. "It was tough to shepherd 3,500

'S IN A ER PT N A R C O C

No varsity, no party?

INTRAMURAL

Exeter City's postponed home game against Yeovil in League 2 was rearranged to Tuesday 13 March, a day before the proposed date of the football varsity. "It's gutting," says Sherreard. "We got really close. But I like to think we've started to develop this relation-

Photo: Yong Yan Wang

people around St. James' Park." As a result, the Athletic Union (AU) initially ruled out a varsity for EUAFC this year. "We were really disappointed, as you can imagine," says Sherreard. "Varsity's a massive part of why you want to take the role on and it would have been a highlight of the year." "Firstly we got told a straight 'no' at the start of our committee, but we started to work alongside the AU instead of against them to try to put a varsity on." "Eventually, we had a meeting with Exeter City's chaiman Julian Tagg who was really keen and had a genuine desire to put on the varsity and that really helped us. We worked alongside the AU to address the crowd and community issues, with contingencies in place to nullify them." Sadly, having worked hard to arrange a varsity in second term, it was simple logistics that proved decisive.

ship with the AU and Exeter City, even moreso than we already had. We've made a platform to push for the biggest varsity again next year." Sherreard singled out one person in particular: "I have to give special mention to AU President Jim Balshaw, who was the football club captain before me. He's been fantastic as our link to building this relationship." Aside from the varsity disappointment, Sherreard has loved his role with EUAFC, co-captaining the club with housemate Bradley Silva, who he describes as "brilliant". "We bounce off each other," he says, "and it's more of a hobby than a job to be honest." As the pair get set to hand over the reins to incoming club captains Owen Jones and Matt James, Sherreard is happy with his time in charge. "The club has really changed in my opinion. We've really stepped up on and off the pitch."

EUAFC 4s miss out on Cup win, take BUCS title Men's Football Exeter 4s.....................................1 Hartpury 2s................................3 Kieran Jackson Online Sport Editor

UAFC 4s fell at the final hurdle on Wednesday 7 March, as they lost 3-1 to Hartpury 2s in the final of the BUCS Western Conference Cup under the lights in Lockleaze, Bristol. Following a quite remarkable run

to the final -- which included wins against Southampton 1s on penalties, Plymouth 1s and an extra-time comeback away at USW 2s in the semi-finals

-- the 4s were massive underdogs once again against sports college Hartpury, 2s, who beat EUAFC 2s 3-0 in the previous round. Hartpury showed their quality, racing into a 3-0 lead, and although Exeter rallied towards the end through Ollie Holland pulling a goal back at 3-0, the boys couldn’t quite complete one last upset. Despite the devastating loss, the 4s have won their BUCS league last week, with goals from Kieran Jackson, Ollie

Holland and Matt Rutherford away at Marjons securing a 3-0 win - and the title with a game to spare.

The boys couldn't quite complete one last upset The 4s can now concentrate on a potential double as they currently sit top of their Devon & Exeter Saturday league.

SPORT

State of the Union

Dorothea Christmann, Sport Editor, checks in with five AU clubs as term draws to a close

Korfball

u. frisbee

Swimming

lacrosse

ROWING

What have been the club’s best results and stand-out moments so far?

OTH of the BUCS tournaments, the atmospheres were electric and there was so much support. The best result has been the 1s qualfiiyng for the Championships for the first time in three years.

Who have been the star performers in the club?

THINK the star performers have been Bruce Robinson, Bethany Hatten and Jess Black. Bruce played last year for the 2s and was a little nervous about playing for the 1s, but he has consistently smashed every game. Bea immediately rose to the challenge of playing in the 1s and has consistently improved week on week. Jess too has improved enormously.

What will the club be trying to change next year ?

E are hoping to crowdfund over £800 with the intention to invest that in our third team and expand the club, as well as reducing costs to club members in regards to travel.

E placed 9th at the Men’s Indoor Nationals at Division 2 and placed 8th at the Mixed Indoor Nationals at Division 2. We also qualified for Division 1. Our results at Nationals have been outstanding results, considering how many people we lost last year, with the freshers we’ve recruited we’ve done exceptionally well.

Who have been the star performers in the club?

TAR performers at the club, from both club captains point of view, have been Kofi Jones, Chris Redd, Dan Myers, Joe Enos, Izzie Cotterell, Betony Childs and Women's captain Caz Brand.

What will the club be trying to change next year ?

HE main point will be furthering the development of the squad but most importantly, keeping ultimate Frisbee a fun club.

E had great success as a club this year, breaking 15 club records and making seven finals.

Who have been the star performers in the club?

HE star performers of the club this year are Dominic Wooldridge, Dayna Riordan & the Women's Medley Relay team for all making finals at long course BUCS.

What will the club be trying to change next year ?

EXT year we hope to have a new coach for the start of freshers week after the loss of our previous coach and hopefully we will also build stronger ties with the local city swimming club. We're also looking into creating a performance squad for our top athletes who are looking for more training & competitions.

ULC have had another steller year with victories across the board. Our Ladies 2s, captained by Alex Crowther and Leo Bell, have not only won their league but are through to the cup final on Big BUCS Wednesday. The men's 2s have also had a fantastic year with Ollie Joy and Louis Peace leading their team to become Western 1A champions for the first time ever.

Who have been the star performers in the club?

TAR performers go to Will Clarke, an absolute tribute to the club and mens 1s captain as well as Leo Bell, Alex Crowther, Louis Peace and Ollie Joy for leading their teams to league victories.

What will the club be trying to change next year ?

E plan on building on our newly founded ladies development squad that was set up this year as well as organising more matches for the men starting on the squad.

Washout at the Water Astro

Men's Hockey Exeter 1s.....................................1 Nottingham Trent 1s..................1 (Nottingham Trent win 4-2 on flicks) Wil Jones Sport Editor

UHC men's first team suffered an agonising defeat at the hands of Nottingham Trent 1s on Wednesday 14 March in atrocious weather conditions to crash out of the BUCS Championship at the semi-final stage. Trailing 1-0 at half-time, Nottingham equalised in the second period to take the game to flicks, where the visitors triumphed 4-2 to deny Exeter passage to the final.

The fans turned out in force to support the men in green The 1s went into the game off the back of an emphatic 3-0 victory against Trent's city rivals Nottingham University in front of a packed out varsity crowd. Once again, the fans turned out in force, packing the stand to the rafters to keep out of the torrential rain and get be-

hind the men in green. Despite a strong start by Trent, Exeter quickly gained the upper hand. The visitors lost a man to a yellow card following two rash challenges on Exeter's Jack Middleton in quick succession by their offending player. With the crowd delighted at Trent's overexuberant approach, the 1s wasted no time in capitalising on the one-man advantage. A break in the midfield saw the ball fed through to Tom Watson, and the forward drove it back infield from out wide. The speed of the break caused panic in the visitors' defensive ranks, and after bobbling around between several different players, the ball fell to Duncan Taylor who slotted home from close range to give Exeter the lead with only six minutes gone. Not long after, Exeter nearly added a second. Daniel Jackson weaved his way between the Trent midfield, carving open the opportunity for Watson. With their defence reeling, Trent conceded a penalty corner.

The first attempt was blocked by a runner, but from a swiftly-awrded second, Exeter's Sam Hooper sent a shot thundering against the right-hand post - to the reflief of the men in purple. With fifteen minutes played, Trent were struggling to get out of their own half, let alone mount an attack on the Exeter goal. Incredibly, the disgusting conditions somehow worsened, undoubtedly playing its part in an uneventful ten minutes of play that culminated in a Trent penalty corner the visitors sent narrowly wide to the left. Exeter concluded the half firmly on the front foot, however. In one promising move, Cooper found Conor Caplan, who performed a neat one-two with Watson at the baseline, but the 1s couldn't convert. Good work by Max Heaver and Watson saw a half-chance fall to Middleton, but again Exeter couldn't capitalise, and a searing run by Scott at the close of half almost left the Trent defence as exposed as the top of Stocker Road

itself. The second-half saw Trent emerge reinvigorated as both sides sought to cancel each other out in the opening twenty minutes. The 1s had a flick saved by the Trent stopper, and only a minute later Trent had a penalty corner of their own, but they could only send it high over the bar.

Trent forced Mellows into a series of saves late on With ten minutes to play, however, Trent made no mistake from a similar position, levelling the score at one apiece with a drag flick to the roof of the Exeter goal. Exeter responded to the cries of their drenched supporters, but couldn't find a way through. Instead, it was Trent who managed to force two saves out of 'keeper Harry Mellows before the game went to flicks, and the away side held their nerve to come out victorious, scoring four to Exeter's two to set themselves up for a shot at the Championship this Wednesday. Despite the defeat, the 1s can console themselves with the South A league title.

THINK our stand out race events this year would have to be the lightweight women's performances at BUCS head and our strong showing at both the Women's and Men's Head of the River last week.

Who have been the star performers in the club?

QUAD morale is very high and it's the hardest I've seen the team training together. I think our star performer would have to be Danielle Semple: she's a fresher who has taken first year and GB trialling in her stride, coming 2nd at in the U23 women's GB trials.

What will the club be trying to change next year ?

THINK the club will continue much in the same - looking to develop more depth and push into more medal positions. A strong indicator of our success will be having a high number of returning members so I think that would be our main goal looking to grow the club in that way.

EDITORIAL CONTINUED FROM BACK PAGE that time, however, there have been plenty of memorable highights - the varsities have been particularly enjoyable to report on, and hopefully our coverage is something those involved will look back on fondly." We’d like to thank the AU for their co-operation; the respective captains for their understanding; the clubs themselves for allowing our reporters and photographers to attend the games and produce some quality coverage. Thanks also go to you, the readers, for continuing the pick up a copy - not least those who play sport themselves and want to see their mates in print. It's incredibly rewarding to know our work is meaningful to Exeter's athletes. With three of us leaving Exeter this year, and the other taking on a senior position with Xpression FM, it's our pleasure to hand over the online duties to Luke Clarkson and Ben Hart, who both have some fresh ideas on the digital front, and the print position to Josh Brown, who has produced consistently great coverage. We wish them all the best a Sport is integral to the University of Exeter, and it always will be. Signing off, and forever bleeding green, Dorothea, Kieran, Michael & Wil.

Sport

19 MAR 2018 | EXEPOSÉ

SPORT EDITORS:

Dorothea Christmann Wil Jones

After a cagey opening, Joe Hooton came close to converting a cross from the left-hand side, after surging forwards at the far post, but the ball skimmed off the wet surface and went away to safety, to the relief of the Solent defence. Hooton continued to look lively and his hard work paved way for one of a few clear-cut openings in the first half as Yasha Najafi fired over from the edge of the box just before half-time. Although the boys in green were far from prolific in the number of chances created, they had reason to be pleased as Ed Neeves and Callum Smith com-

fortably dealt with Solent’s counter attack play Exeter were out first for the second-half but their eagerness was not converted into an improved performance as Solent dominated early on.

Neeves was called upon to make a crucial interception just outside the area after promising work by the So-

lent midfield. It was on the hour mark that Exeter were made to pay for their lethargic second-half start. After the ball was lost in midfield, Solent raced towards goal. A shot from the left-hand edge of the box was half stopped by Chris Koscien, but he could not prevent the rebound being tapped home from close range. The deficit spurred Exeter on but link-up play was becoming increasingly difficult as the rain hammered down. Harry Stoneham was evidence of the mud bath Topsham had become as he wore most of the pitch on his white shorts and socks. It was every kit man’s worst nightmare. With twenty minutes to go Exeter played their best football of the match. The introduction of Ryan Sherreard provided another dimension to Exeter’s attack, as he stretched the labouring Solent defence. It was not all one-way traffic though, as Smith produced a vital goal line clearance after the Solent frontman rounded Koscien. Exeter were, just about, still in it. The 2s poured men forwards in the closing moments of the match.Yet a couple of corners was the closest Exeter game to an equaliser, as Solent held on for three points. It was a valiant effort from Exeter, who had the majority of the play, but they were ultimately condemned to a 1-0 defeat and finish the season in fourth, two places behind Solent Ryan Sherreard, Exeter 2s Captain said after the game that he “thought Exeter were the better team and in those conditions the first goal was always going to be crucial.”

race for the Western 1A title. In front of a packed out Sports Park, Exeter stuttered and Bath revved into life - an early goal from the visitors quelling the atmosphere. Bath then consolidated their early lead, leading 2-0 at half time.

A daunting prospect, a derby day victory quickly evaporating – at long last, the home side kicked into gear. Seb Poyer reduced the gap, making it 4-1. Armangue quickly added a second, tapping in at the back post before George O’Neil then pulled Exeter to within one goal of a leveller. Poyer – who initiated the revival – fired into the roof off the net to make it 4-4. Phenomenally, the comeback was complete minutes later, as Exeter were awarded, and then scored, a penalty. This was only the start of the drama, though. Three goals in as many minutes

saw the scores deadlocked at 6-6. In the same fashion, Exeter would take the lead, only for Bath to claw it back moments later. At 7-7, with just minutes left, Bath were handed another penalty, converting to make it 8-7. Exeter would not be deterred, however, as Poyer completed his hat-trick to draw the scores level. Remarkably, the game had a final twist. Arthur Ambler, with virtually the last kick of the game, ended this tumultuous and breathless game with a composed finish from yet another penalty to claim the win for the men in green.

Photo: Finlay Simmons

2s lose in Topsham Men’s Football Exeter 2s......................................0 Southampton So1ent 1s ...............1 Ben Hart Sport Team

OPSHAM Sports Ground was the venue for the 2s final league game of the 2017/18 season. Neither team had anything to play for with Southampton 1s already promoted to the Western 1A BUCS league., which was was telling as a lack of urgency to both sides play resulted in few chances early on.

The first goal was always going to be crucial RYAN SHERREARD, CAPTAIN

Futsal fight to the finish

Men's Futsal Exeter 1s.......................................9 Bath 1s..........................................8 Kieran Jackson & Michael Jones Online Sport Editors

HE futsal 1s triumphed to a league title in dramatic and riveting fashion, overturning a 4-0 deficit in the second half, eventually emerging 9-8 victors against Bath. With Bath clinging to Exeter’s coattails, this derby adopted greater tension, with both sides tussling in a two-horse

Three goals in as many minutes saw the scores deadlocked In the second half, the visitors doubled their lead with just 15 minutes to go.

EDITORIAL Dorothea Christmann, Kieran Jackson, Michael Jones & Wil Jones

Sport Editors

O this is it. The last print edition for the current editorial team. As we sign off for the final time, excuse us as we indulge in some self-reflection and take a look back at the time the four of us have spent at the helm of Exeposé Sport... Collectively, we have endeavoured to provide interesting, engaging and thought-provoking content, seeking to bring the very best of Exeter’s sporting success to you, our readers. Yet we realise things haven’t always gone to plan. From using the same headshot three times in the rugby varsity preview (sorry lads...) to, perhaps, neglecting the lesser known sides of the student sporting experience, there are plenty of things we would liked to have done differently. Hindsight is a cruel mistress, however. Fortunately, there have been plenty of great memories and experiences to take away as well. Dorothea: “My highlight has definitely got be being part of such a wonderful committee - whether it’s Christmas dinners, bake-offs or socials, getting to know and spend so much time with these wonderful people has been amazing. Also, live tweeting the Rugby Varsity was a lot of fun, even if my hands froze. Hopefully you will all miss so many emoji’s being used in one tweet from next year!” Kieran: “I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my time as Online Sport Editor alongside Mike, and have learnt a lot! Our online features - particularly the twitter page - have been regularly updated with numerous articles, live-text commentaries and match reports; I’m satisfied we’ve left a great platform to work with, especially with a growing number of writers. Exeposé is a fantastic publication - good luck to all those involved next year!” Michael: “This is definitely the best thing I’ve done at university; meeting a team of completely new people was initially daunting, but the ability to bounce ideas off like-minded people, all passionate about journalism, has been fantastic. Exeposé has a stellar reputation and I’m sure that will continue for years to come!” Wil: “It’s bizarre to think how quickly the last twelve months have gone. In

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