Issue 673

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ISSUE 673 16 OCT 2017 exepose.com @Exepose

THE UNIVERSITY OF EXETER’S INDEPENDENT STUDENT NEWSPAPER SINCE 1987

Diverse degrees?

Questions raised over unrepresentative achievement rates of disadvantaged students Recruitment rates of BAME students are representative of UK population statistics, but the same group of students are receiving lower degree classifications than average Megan Davies News Editor

EXCLUSIVE

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IDENING Participation and Black, Asian and Minority ethnic students are less likely to receive higher marks in their degrees, according to a Freedom of Information request submitted by Exeposé.

The data, from the last three years, showed that exactly one third

of third-class degrees awarded in the summer of 2017 went to BAME students, despite BAME students representing only 13.64% of graduates that summer. The proportion of thirds that were awarded to BAME students has increased in the last few years.

Generally, students who are nonWP and non-BAME have a much better chance of getting a first than all those who are WP or BAME. Whilst all students, the proportion obtaining Firsts has consistently been over 20% (25% in 2017, 24 per cent in 2016, and 23% in 2015), it was lower for

students classifying as WP - of whom between 18.4% and 19.79% obtained a first.

About 9% (8.96%) of students who got firsts in 2015 were BAME in 2016 this increased to about 10% (9.91%), and in 2017 decreased to approximately 8 per cent (8.16%).

Additionally, just under half of students who graduated without a degree classification (i.e. they either received an ordinary degree, or they withdrew before graduation and were awarded a certificate or a diploma of higher education) met Widening Par-

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munity .

“Regardless, it is clear that the University still has work to do in ensuring that its Widening Participation programmes reach and aid the people who they are intended to support; at the moment, it appears that this is simply not happening as well as it ought to be.”

Students who are targeted by the Widening Participation programme include “all BAME, Disabled, Mature, and POLAR quintile 1 students”, according to the FOI.

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LIFESTYLE Our ultimate guide to autumn

Nasty parties? Politics is getting too personal PAGE 12

ticipation criteria - even though WP students represent only around 28% of the total student population.

George Trotter, who is President of Exeter African and Caribbean Society, commented: “These statistics are surprising to me, but are perhaps worth digging into a little. Anecdotally, BAME students tend to show a preference for enrolment in STEM and Law courses. Bearing this in mind, it would perhaps be interesting to compare outcomes for e.g. STEM BAME students with their counterparts in the wider University com-

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PAGes 16-19

EXEPOSÉ

Devonshire House, Exeter, Devon, EX4 4PZ

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

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: Leah Crabtree & 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, Eloise Hardy and Hannah Kitt Proofers

Johnny Chern, Fenton Christmas, Olivia Forster, Emily Garbutt, Molly Gilroy, Eloise Hardy, Sophie Hodson, Aaron Loose, Riddhi Mane, Sally McCarroll, Mubanga Mweemba, Daddy Parker, Hal Robson-Kanu, Ben Shears, Barbara Vanotti, Gwyn Wright

@ 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.

The University of Exeter has come under fire for a perceived lack of racial diversity for many years. In 2009, Emma Thompson acerbically suggested that the BNP would “love” the university because of the prejudices her adopted son, Tindyebwa Agaba, experienced whilst studying here. In October 2015, Exeposé ran an investigation into the percentage of BAME students in our overall poulation, and found that the number had fallen three years in a row since 2012. Despite these accusations and complaints, our front page story for this issue showcases data which suggests that Exeter’s ethnic and racial minorities are still not achieveing the same as their non-BAME counterparts.

October is Black History Month; a 31 day period where we are all encouraged to question the historical narratives which dominate academic and social understanding of the world’s past. We’re reminded to think about the stories which were not told or considered valid merely because of the colour of the teller’s skin, and we must all demand of each other that we do better.

Racial prejudices are still shaping today’s society in an abhorrently active manner and they will continue to do so until enough people refuse to participate in systems of privilege decided by biological factors. Arts + Lit have produced a double page spread on pages 20-21 which looks into the cultural – and specifically theatrical – implications of racism, and considered how these problematic aspects of art might best be resolved.

We’re also looking at the impact of sexism on international industries – Screen

Estate Patrol to stop offering nighttime transport home to students is thoroughly indignant with the clear gender divide in terms of both opportunities and characterization on page 30.

The other significant calendar event which this issue looks at is World Mental Health Day, which took place on Tuesday 10 October. On page 17 of Lifestyle and page 8 of Comment, our writers talk about how it feels to be mentally unwell in today's world, and how we can work to improve low mood and anxious thoughts. As the colder weather rolls in, we're all that bit more susceptible to unhappiness - a phenomenon known as Seasonal Affective Disorder, which Lifestyle examines on page 18.

Science has a particularly biological focus for this issue, with content ranging from the future of genetic engineering (page 33), to offsetting the effects of old age (page 34) and the practicalities of alternative medicine (page 35).

At the other end of the paper, Sport are celebrating the long-awaited return of BUCS, with match reports on pages 39 and 40. If these first matches are indicative of how this season will be for Exeter, then we’re in for a spate of successes.

And last but not least, Music have an interview with Nick Mulvey on page 25. Delving into his style, experience and inspirations, this piece captures and shares Mulvey’s frank yet peaceable nature – something all of us could learn from as the stress of first deadlines are creeping up on us.

Make yourself a pumpkin spice latte from Lifestyle’s recipe on page 18 and settle down to enjoy this committee’s biggest issue yet; there’s something in here for absolutely everyone.

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COMMENT Freshers' Ball in review PAGE 9

FEATURES Australia to vote on same-sex marriage entitlements PAGE 13

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Lifestyle Editors Print: Lauren Geall & Barbara Balogun Online: Bethan Gilson & Melissa Barker lifestyle@exepose.com

Editorial

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

NEWS

SCIENCE Fending off fakes and forgeries PAGE 34

CHECK OUT OUR WEBSITE!

There are even more great articl es on the Exeposé website.

From commentary on high-profile artistic prizes to a review of Exeter's newest nightclub, you can find it all at www.exepose.com

Worldwide university news Muslims studying abroad detained

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HERE has recently been outcry over Chinese Muslim students having to flee, hide or be repatriated to China, due to their religion. The official Chinese newspaper, The Global Times, has argued that these measures have been taken to “maintain social order”, with these Muslim students also being required to hand travel documents in to the police. Consequently, because it is being viewed as acceptable by the government, this religious extremism is spreading quickly across China. Last April, Chinese Muslim students were ordered to return to China by 20 May, and those not complying have been sent back to China against their will. Particularly, Uyghurs Muslims have been considered as a national threat, with the Chinese government campaigning to repress them.

Images: Wikimedia Commons (left), Pixabay (right)

Cameroon president Nuclear scare at the closes Universities University of Hawaii

Freshers' Week rave held at Greggs

HE president of Cameroon, Paul Biya, has shut all of the country’s anglophone universities. He issued an order on 1 October. This comes in the wake of the universities symbolically declaring themselves the “Republic of Ambazonia”. According to students and staff, authorities cracked down on university residences and brutalised those present. There have been unconfirmed reports of deaths. The anglophone university communities in Cameroon are at the center of a campaign for a return to a federalist system, which would separate the anglophone and francophone communities.

GREGGS in Birmingham city centre was host to a rave, complete with free alcohol and pastries, and students balancing inflatable pizzas.

The idea came from Nikki Gardner, a third-year international relations student, who asked via Facebook post if she could take over the shop during Freshers' Week.

“I used to get a Greggs every morning or lunch when I was working in town and one day I just thought wouldn't it be amazing to have a party in here,” Gardner told BBC Three. "I came back for the new uni term and wanted to celebrate being back, so I just thought I'd ask them... The party was awesome".

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TUDENTS at the University of Hawaii received an email with the subject line “In the event of a nuclear attack”. The email read: “In light of concerns about North Korea missile tests, state and federal agencies are providing information about nuclear threats and what to do in the unlikely event of a nuclear attack and radiation emergency”, and gives instructions on finding shelter when hearing an alarm. The state of Hawaii has been campaigning since the summer to prepare its residents for a potential nuclear attack, and will begin testing its siren system in November. The University’s Director of Communications Dan Meisenzahl said that the email should have been reworded and that he takes “full responsibility."

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Stories by Natalie Keffler and Megan Davies, News Editors

News

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NEWS EDITORS: Natalie Keffler Megan Davies

Uni hosts talk on Prevent

Phoebe Davis Online Editor

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N Friday 6 October, a talk was held to update staff and students on the implication of the Prevent duty on the University.

As stated on the university website, the Prevent duty places an obligation on higher education institutions to have “due regard to the need to prevent individuals from being drawn into terrorism” under the 2015 Counter-Terrorism and Security Act. Compliance with the duty in England is monitored by the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) The event began with a joint presentation by the University provost Janice Kay, Director of Compliance Chris Lindsay, University Registrar Mike Shore Nye and the Regional Officer for Prevent Salam Katbi. The key points from the university staff were that they have acted with “due regard” and will continue to

do so, but that the welfare of the staff and students should always come first.

They stressed the importance of academic freedom and its protection as part of this. There was also an attempt to assuage concerns that the university would be checking student and academics inter-

net usage.

Salam Katbi finished the presentation by talking about the positives of the Prevent programme in the wider national context. She also gave some statistics demonstrating the benefits of Prevent

Images: University of Exeter

and the lack of impact on the academic community. For example, that “73% of education professionals think that the Prevent duty has either not made a difference to discussions in schools, or that it has led to more open discussions around topics such as extremism, intolerance and inequality”.

After the presentation, the floor was opened up for questions. Multiple academics spoke of worries they had over academic freedom, including Dr João Florêncio, a lecturer in History of Modern and Contemporary Art and Visual Culture, who stated: “I am scared”.

Josh Bendel, Head of News for XpressionFM, also raised the issue that despite the University staff ’s focus on student welfare, the Students Guild does not comply with Prevent after a student idea was accepted in 2015. Indicating that despite the University’s efforts, there is still stigma attached to Prevent in Exeter’s academic and student community.

Lecturer’s poetry inspired by Academic awarded Nobel Prize Allegra Catelli landfill and seagulls News Team

Alicia Rees Comment Editor

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R John Wedgewood Clarke, lecturer on one of the university’s creative writing modules, has recently had a collection of poetry published inspired by his time spent at various landfill sites in the North. Dr Clarke not only used what he saw as material for his work, but also spent time talking to those who work at the sites.

The aim of the work is to make readers think about what happens to their waste and also demonstrate the seasonal nature of the rubbish at landfill sites. For example, through January, the tally of fairylights skyrockets.

During his residency at the tips, Dr Clarke observed how they provide a unique ecological and cultural landscape which can be used to document patterns in human behaviour and relationships.

Perhaps the most poignant tale is that of one worker who fished out medals in the hope the owner would return for them, eventually the WWII flying squad medals were donated to a local museum.

The dumps, near Scarborough, aren’t just home to waste either according to Dr Clarke. Alongside that is an abundance of seagulls.

Described in places as a ‘moon of waste’, it seems as if you couldn’t go far without being bombarded by the scavengers of the sky.

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ICHARD Moyes, an Honorary Research Fellow in the Politics Department at the University of Exeter, was honoured with the Nobel Peace Price on 6th October for his groundbreaking efforts to make nuclear weapons illegal internationally.

He is part of the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN) which worked towards the development of a legal treaty prohibiting them. Essentially, it puts nuclear weapons on the same level as other weapons of mass destruction such as chemical and biological weapons, which have already been deemed illegal and prohibited in the past.

Furthermore, it addresses the problematic of the victims of nuclear weapons of Hiroshima and Nagasaki as well as other testings for example, and their needs.

Nuclear weapons are at the very centre of the global political agenda.

On the one side North Korea, with Kim Jong-un carrying out bold missile

test launches threatens to ruin the international status quo. Without forgetting the volatility with which Donald Trump replies to the latter.

Such tensions could easily escalate into a war, transforming if not destroying the world as we know it.

Although nuclear weapons are talked about openly and often lightly, it is sometimes forgotten they can wipe out entire cities with a single blast. The collateral damage they cause, namely the killing of hundreds of thousand innocent people as well as the destruction and contamination of their environment, has to be taken into consideration. At a time where nuclear weapons are an issue that is more pressing than ever since the mid 90s, Richard Moyes said he hopes this Nobel Prize will help gather the ratifications needed from 50 countries for it to come into force.

Not only will this treaty completely transform the “international conversation about nuclear weapons”, it will also take a step back from the brink the world has come too close to twice already since nuclear weapons were invented.

Image: Wikimedia Commons

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Guild elections open for voting Natalie Keffler News Editor

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HE University of Exeter Students’ Guild elections are now open for voting, with all students being required to have stood from 2nd to the 13 October, before voting opens on 16 October, and closing on 19 October.

The roles that students are running for are DVP Intersectionality and Shadow Councillor for the Guild Council, college officers and subject chairs for different academic subjects, and conference and liberation delegates for the NUS council this year.

The Guild Election role of DVP Intersectionality is to campaign for the liberation of marginalised students, doing so through listening and representing them, whilst collaborating with Liberation Networks and the DVP Liberation.

It is the Shadow Councillor’s purpose to review the work of all elected officers, and the performance of the Sabbatical Officers. This consequently includes keeping them account for their time-keeping skills, work-load, action performance and their manifesto promises. They strive to encourage better services from the Guild as a whole.

The role of the College Officers is to seek out feedback, praise and issues from students in their College, whilst also keeping in contact with the Subject Chair, and encouraging students to stand in elections.

The role of Subject Chair is to be the academic representation for their subject, making sure their academic reps know who they are and that they will provide support where needed.

Guild President Shades stated “We’re so excited to see our first round of elections this year for multiple Academic Reps, Guild Council, and NUS positions. These students will represent your voice to the University and wider. Use your right to choose and don’t forget to pick your favourite candidates.”

É Voting is open from 16th October to 19th October - you can vote online on the Students’ Guild’s Website

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16 OCT 2017 | EXEPOSÉ

NEWS

Ben Bradshaw coming to Exeter Uni

Disadvantaged students less likely to achieve high degree classifications CONTINUED FROM FRONT

Natalie Keffler News Editor

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EN Bradshaw, the current Labour MP for Exeter, is coming to the University of Exeter on Friday 20 October to give a talk on ‘Brexit: What Next’ at 1:30 – 2:30pm in the Hatherly Lab B10.

It is a free ticketed event that has been organised for mature students across the College of Humanities, and Politics students in the College of SSIS. Ben Bradshaw will be talking about what will happen in the aftermath of Brexit, for the local community and the country, with the talk being followed by questions from the audience.

This comes despite the University stressing its track record in admitting BAME students, stating on its website that “in recent years there has been a rise in the number of students from disadvantaged backgrounds applying to and studying at the University of Exeter. The offer rate at Exeter for students applying from black and minority students (BAME) is higher than the Russell Group average. The University of Exeter operates outreach and peer-mentoring programmes which demonstrate the benefits of a university education to young people in the South West, and offers bursaries to students from lowincome backgrounds.”

The University does indeed have a healthy rate of recruitment for students from minority groups; another finding from the FOI was that the BAME population at the University is relatively close to that of England and Wales as a whole around 13% (86.0 % declared themselves “white” in the 2011 national census).

The University of Bristol conducted a report on their own BAME attainment gap, which cites several recurring themes in the experience of BAME students. This included students feeling isolated “due to being the only, or one of a few, BAME students in a room”; mental health problems sometimes progressed from this feeling of isolation. It also mentions racism and racist

microaggressions experienced by students, the whiteness (“the lack of diverse and representative perspectives on many courses”) of the curriculum, and low awareness of equality and diversity policies.

Professor Tim Quine, Deputy ViceChancellor (Education) said: “The University of Exeter is committed to fair access and to academic and professional success for all of our students. This includes improving access to higher education for under-represented groups through a wide range of partnerships, including Generating Genius, Realising Opportunities and Next Steps SW; and, vitally to supporting academic and professional success.

“In the recent Teaching Excellence Framework, in which the University was rated Gold, our performance in co-creating excellent learning and teaching and in supporting academic and professional success was compared with our competitors nationally through a process of benchmarking. Our scores were higher than the benchmark for all metrics for mature, disadvantaged, BAME and disabled students and in 92/93 categories overall. Furthermore, we achieved 54 positive flags for these metrics, which indicate an especially strong performance above the benchmark.

“Nevertheless, the analysis that we undertook in preparation for TEF identified differential academic and professional outcomes for a number of groups of students and in our written statement in support of

our TEF submission, we identified as a priority the need to address these differential academic and professional outcomes.

“This priority is reflected in ongoing work led by the Academic Dean for Students under the title ‘Success for All’ that includes initiatives to strengthen academic support through individual and group tutorials and peer-mentoring and through the Effective Learning Analytics project.

This work is also supported by a HEFCE funded project entitled ‘Transforming Transitions’ that is led by Prof Debbie Myhill (PVC SSIS) and included collaboration with the Universities of Birmingham and Loughborough and with QMUL. This is an enormously important area of work and we welcome the attention that Exepose is giving this and, of course, we are open to creative ideas to address challenges.”

While the university is not permitted or able to make any of its admissions decisions on the basis of race, religion, background, and so on, the data is still collected

by UCAS and at the point of registration.

It is also not illegal for universities to target adverts and campaigns at certain students.

Bryony Loveless, VP Education, said: “WP and BAME students face unique challenges. The Guild is committed to representing the needs of these students to ensure they are as well prepared to face these challenges as possible.”

Cathryn Stocker, DVP Liberation,

Fewer elections for SSLC Natalie Keffler News Editor

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HIS academic year significant changes have been made to Student Staff Liason Committees, most commonly known as SSLC. The most significant difference is the removal of most elected roles, with the majority of representative roles now becoming voluntary. The only elected positions to remain are the College Officers and Subject Chairs.

have the final say on who is able to attend the meetings when too many volunteers turn up.

AcRep Coordinators will support up to 14 individual subjects, as well as two college groups and student groups AcRep Coordinators - the fulltime members of Guild staff who assist with Academic Representation, will support up to 14 individual subjects, as well as two college groups

and student groups.

The Guild will still be in place to induct and train all Subject Reps, College Officers and Subject Chairs, providing the relevant support available.

A Guild Spokesperson said: “After consultation, we have decided to change our reps structure of the Student Staff Liaison Committees (SSLCs) to a more flexible combination of elected and voluntary positions as our students felt an election could be a barrier for engagement.

The only elected positions to remain are the College Officers and Subject Chairs Students therefore will now be required to volunteer directly for the roles, through using the Academic Walls at subject level, but without having to go through the election process.

The elected Subject Chair role has become an active one rather than a passive one, having complete control over roles at their own disciplinary levels, whilst also being able to

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told Exeposé: “Even though Exeter has increased the support it offers WP students, these results show that they are simply not doing enough to bridge the attainment gap.

“Students who fit the WP Criteria are likely to have important responsibilities outside their studies, such as managing their disability(ies), working long hours in part- time jobs to help finance their studies, or additional care responsibilities. The University and Guild need to address this gap by removing the barriers to WP students that stop them achieving their full potential.

“More needs to be done so that everyone has an equal chance to thrive here.”

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Widening Participation is a governmental programme aiming to help a more diverse student body get to university, targeting students from socio-economic groups that are underrepresented in higher education.

POLAR categorises students by the area they come from - POLAR quintile 1 students come from areas with the least participation in higher education, and quintile 5 students come from areas with the most participation.

No more rides home Megan Davies News Editor

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STATE Patrol, who spent Freshers’ Week and the first week of term patrolling Exeter at night as well as by day, will stop providing this service, students have been told in training sessions for Welcome Team and Residence Life Mentors.

While Exeposé could not find an official statement on this, both Residence Life Mentors and Welcome Team members were told in training that Estate Patrol

would stop bringing students home after a night out.

Additionally, students were told that where Estate Patrol have brought a student to hospital, the University will not take them home anymore.

A University of Exeter spokesman said: “The safety and wellbeing of all our students is of upmost importance. The University has a vast number of schemes and initiatives to help safeguard our students, which includes operating a 24-hour, year-round Estate Patrol service. Estate Patrol officers assist with the safety and security of students in the city as well as on campus. They also work closely with all the emergency services and the University’s Wellbeing Service.

“It is important that students in need of medical attention contact NHS out of hours services, Accident and Emergency or their doctor in the first instance, and as soon as possible, so they can receive the appropriate treatment. If students are judged to need medical help Estate Patrol officers can take them to hospital or they will call for an ambulance and wait with them while it arrives. This will ensure the student is safe, not left alone, and that they receive the appropriate treatment as soon as possible.”

Estate Patrol is a twenty-four hour service on campus, available at 01392263999.

NEWS

University celebrates Diwali Daphne Bugler Online Features Editor

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MBRACING the multi-cultural and international community here in Exeter, the University is hosting a Diwali celebration this coming Sunday 22 October.

Organised by the Exeter Asian and Hindu Societies alongside the University Student’s Guild Staff members, the event will feature stalls, activities and performances run by around 50 students. Students are in rehearsals for the dances and performances that will be going on throughout the day. Diwali is the Hindu Festival of Lights, celebrated annually during autumn in the Northern Hemisphere, and in Spring in the Southern Hemisphere. It signifies the victory of light over darkness, good over evil, knowledge over ignorance and hope over despair. Traditionally this is celebrated with lights placed outside of homes and around community buildings and temples.

Taking place over a five-day period each day represents a different part of the celebration, with specific rituals and preparations for each day. The event will take place at the Forum from 3:30pm to 8pm, with an opening puja ceremony, opportunities to ‘paint a diva’, photographs in traditional outfits, Bollywood acting and henna tattoo stalls. There will also be traditional food from different regions in India available to taste and buy. The event will close with fireworks, which can be viewed from the rear of the XFI building, which the President of the Hindu Society, Ankani Jogia, has said will be the highlight of the event. A member of the organising committee, Akshay Mirpuri, has commented that “Diwali on campus is by far one of the University’s biggest celebrations. It is a wonderful time of the year and is celebrated by people of all cultures across the world. This wonderful event is filled with authentic Indian food, workshops, traditional stalls, prayers and the amazing fireworks display. You won’t want to miss it.”

Image: Wikimedia Commons

ISC threatened with closure Owain Evans Editor

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HE future of the International Students’ Council is in doubt after a proposal to scrap it from next year has been sent to Shadow Council.

The proposal, which was approved by the Sabbatical Officers, would see International Students’ Council be dissolved after the end of term 2, with DVP International moving over to Liberation Council, and the INTO officer sitting on the Academic Executive with other College Officers.

Guild President Shades, who was ISC President last year and put forward the proposal, told Exeposé: “The International Students’ Council (ISC) exists to represent the interests and needs of International Students in Exeter. The change was proposed to reflect the representational nature of the council and to make a shift from

its current event focus.”

However, after hearing of the proposal to move international representation to Liberation Council, Cathryn Stocker, DVP Liberation, expressed concerns. Fearing that the change may be negative for other minority and marginalised groups, she said that she “can see one group being left behind, and quite frankly, I can see it either being disability or LGBT.” Meanwhile, the DVP International refused to take a position either way on the proposal.

ISC was originally set up after the reform of Sabbatical positions, handling the duty of representing international students. However, over the following years, the role of the ISC has seen it become more focussed on arranging events, such as the popular Diversity Week.

Shadow Council is set to vote soon. A simple majority is enough to approve the change.

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Quorn high in protein Alexandra Luca News Team

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PAPER funded by Quorn Foods and carried out by researchers at the University of Exeter found that the fungi-based protein’s bioavailability is ‘equivalent’ to that of milk protein. “Though milk protein was digested more quickly, the overall availability of amino acids derived from Mycoprotein over a four-hour period following a meal was equivalent to the same amount of protein derived from milk,” said senior author Dr Benjamin Wall.

Mycroprotein is a popular alternative to animal-derivative protein, and is found in various Quorn meat-free products. The research paper was published in the British Journal of Nutrition. It also investigated how much protein an individual should consume per meal for optimal effect on muscle tissues; however this, and the longterm effects of mycoprotein on muscles however, require further study. Author Mandy Dunlop believes some people, including athletes, consume much more protein than the recommended daily intake.

Whilst protein is essential for muscle development, concerns over the toll that production of animal protein is taking on the environment have grown in recent years.

Proteins like those used in Quorn products could provide a solution to this problem by reducing the impact on the environment, as well as being a healthy alternative.

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UberEats comes to Exeter Grant Miner News Team

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BEREATS, a food delivery service run by the rideshare giant Uber started business in Exeter last Thursday 5 October. The expansion was part of a year-long push

by Uber to open in 40 cities across the

Image: Wikimedia Commons

UK after first launching here in the summer of 2016. Harry Porter, Communications Officer at UberEats, cited the size of Exeter’s student community — a popular demographic for the service — as well as its overall size as reasons for opening business in Exeter.

As one of the last nation-wide food delivery companies to open in Exeter, UberEats faces a market saturated by well established competitors like Deliveroo and Just Eat, something that Porter says doesn’t w o r r y him. He believes that the flexible schedules

UberEats offers may lure in potential couriers.

“We don’t care if you work for somebody else too,” Porter said. “We don’t have mandatory shifts like many competitors, so you can just turn on your app and go.”

This approach has worked well for Uber’s rideshare employees, many of whom work for Lyft, their main rival, at the same time.

Whether this same approach will work in Exeter with UberEats is another matter.

One anonymous Deliveroo courier told Exeposé that many of their friends had been actively recruited by UberEats, but had found the demand for deliveries to be much lower than that of Deliveroo. Amid confusion over a reportedly promised £8 an hour average pay guarantee (in comparison to Deliveroos £4 per delivery), many couriers decided to stick with Deliveroo, but questioned whether future competition might hurt job security.

Porter credits the lack of free advertising provided by an already existing Uber rideshare service as a possible cause for current low demand.

App tackles nightclub queues Alex Wingrave News Team

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NIVERSITY of Exeter students have developed a new app to help clubbers beat queues. Currently a mobile-friendly website, ‘QTRKR’ gives live updates on waiting times and ticket availability at seven different Exeter clubs, with plans for free iOS and Android versions to be trialled nationwide soon.

Shaan Mangat was inspired to create the app as he saw students checking social media and even ringing taxi companies to find out about queue lengths, and developed it with fellow students Mark Berrow and Rhys Bennett to solve this issue, using real-time infor-

mation supplied by nightclub staff.

Club-owners, as well as party-going students, have seen the benefits of this new app.

Brian Phillips, who runs Move nightclub, said ‘it staggers when people come to us, so that helps our security get people into the club in a more organised fashion’, thus helping reduce uncomfortable crowding and any subsequent anti-social behaviour.

The app has been used by over 1,500 people so far, and was granted funding by the University of Exeter’s Think:Try:Do scheme, and the Home Office-funded Best Bar None scheme for its innovation.

Mangat hopes to expand the app in future to be used for queues at theatres, live music venues and even football stadiums.

Image: University of Exeter

E s a F u a b

s F I n a c E b t c a

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16 OCT 2017 | EXEPOSÉ

GUILD ELECTIONS

WHAT ROLES ARE UP FOR ELECTION? THE SPOTS UP FOR ELECTION ARE: DVP INTERSECTIONALITY AND SHADOW COUNCIL (GUILD COUNCIL) NUS NATIONAL, LIBERATION AND SECTIONS DELEGATES SUBJECT CHAIRS AND COLLEGE OFFICERS

HOW DO I VOTE? all voting takes place on the students’ guild’s website (www.exeterguild.org) guild elections use the ‘single-transferable vote’ system, so you need to rank candidates by preference (1st choice, 2nd choice...)

VOTING IS OPEN TO all students at the university of exeter, including postgraduates. the polls close at midnight on thursday 19 october, and results will be announced on friday 20 october

how can i find out more about the candidates?

EACH CANDIDATE WILL HAVE SUBMITTED A MANIFESTO, AND YOU CAN READ MORE ABOUT THEM ON THE GUILD WEBSITE. SOME CANDIDATES WILL ALSO BE CAMPAIGNING over social media. exeposé will be covering events during election week, including profiling several of the candidates. to find the latest coverage, go to www.exepose.com

STUDENT 20

ELECTION 017

GUILD ELECTIONS

WHAT IS GUILD COUNCIL? GUILD COUNCIL IS THE ELECTED STUDENT GOVERNMENT, AND REPRESENTS THE STUDENTS OF EXETER. DVP INTERSECTIONALTY IS AN EXECUTIVE POST, WHOSE JOB IS TO CAMPAIGN FOR THE LIBERATION OF MARGINALISED STUDENTS, especially those with intersecting oppressions shadow council is responsible for holding the elected executive (including the sabbs) to account, ensuring that they achieve their manifesto promises.

WHAT ARE NUS DELEGATES? THE STUDENTS’ GUILD is affiliated to the national union of students (nus). every year, we send delegates to the national conference, as well as their liberation and sections’ conferences, to represent marginalised and other minority students. delegates get to represent exeter on a national stage, voting on policy that will affect students across the country and electing national representatives.

WHAT ARE SUBJECT CHAIRS? subject chairs are at the heart of academic representation. they chair meetings of the student-staff liaison committee (sslc), the main line of communication between students and department staff.

They are also responsible for the team of volunteers who serve on their sslc. there are many subject chairs, and some departments have seperate chairs for undergraduate and postgraduate students.

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16 OCT 2017 | EXEPOSÉ

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Comment

COMMENT EDITORS: Alicia Rees Malcolm Wong

Talking heads

Lauren Geall Lifestyle Editor

I

N 2017, it may seem as if work towards reducing mental health stigma has come a long way.

Just take World Mental Health Day as an example: the huge amount of people sharing their support may give the allusion that, as a society, we have overcome the stigma surrounding people who suffer with mental illness. But have we really?

Ever had someone who is generally neat tell you that they’re “just a little bit OCD”, or described the weather as being “bipolar” when it’s changed from sun to rain (note: that’s just English weather)? Mental health problems such as OCD, Bipolar, Schizophrenia and Psychosis have become parts of our common vocabulary, all without understanding of the reality of these conditions.

As someone who has recently

been diagnosed with OCD, it was a wake-up call to how often we use terms like these in our day-to-day language. I mean I have probably even used the phrase ‘OCD’ out of context myself before when I’ve decided to become tidy, or clicked on those articles which claim to trigger your “inner OCD” by showing images of untidy or imperfect objects. Whilst it may all seem pretty trivial, the language we use to describe these conditions becomes part of the battle which mentally ill people have to fight every day.

The main problem with this language issue is that it likens these conditions to a kind of part-time job, when in fact they can often be life-changing, debilitating illnesses.

In fact, associating these kinds of problems with specific trivialities can even stand in the way of diagnosis; OCD’s common association with

cleanliness and order can mean that people misinterpret many other common symptoms of the disorder, meaning they can put off seeking help.

An interesting way to consider this topic is by comparing it to phys-

ical illnesses. For example, would you go about claiming you were “a little bit asthmatic” or “feeling diabetic today” if you hadn’t been diagnosed with the condition? Probably not.

Of course, people using this language in common conversation (like my past self) aren’t doing it in a purposely damaging way. Many people don’t even notice they’re doing it, simply because this use has become so common that we don’t even realise the possible damage we might be doing to those around us.

As other campaigns have pointed out, this use of language can mean that we begin to attach negative associations to people with these illnesses, such as people with OCD being particular and demanding, or people with bipolar disorder being unreliable and dramatic; by

giving these connotations to people with these conditions, we put in place another barrier for people with mental health problems to feel comfortable and accepted.

So, next time you go to call yourself “OCD”, try to consider the reality of what you’re really experiencing. As many people who know me will tell you, I am in fact not extremely tidy, and can happily do my work without having everything around me lined up perfectly.

They can often be life-changing, debilitating illnessess The only way we can overcome these incorrect perceptions is through challenging what we’ve been lead to believe, and that will happen one person at a time. Through fighting these stereotypes we can educate everyone on mental health.

Welcome to the dating world Alicia Rees Comment Editor

D

ATING. A wonderful, exciting time that the majority of us will get to enjoy at one point or another. It’s true what they say, you get filled with butterflies and the thrill of the chase. What is also true, however, is the knotted mess of nerves that accompanies every encounter. Of course, it might just be me who can’t even deal with a simple ‘hello’ without descending into sheer panic but I have a sneaky suspicion I’m not alone in this.

You get filled with butterflies I’m not a nervous person by nature, quite the opposite in fact, but there’s something about the unfamiliarity of new territory that sets off a chain reaction in my brain that takes at least five hours to pass. Think I’m

being dramatic? Picture this: you’re walking through the Forum, you bump into the date, you acknowledge each other, and carry on with your day. Perfectly normal. What actually happens, instead of continuing to live my best life, I spend the next five hours chain-smoking and staring at trees in a useless attempt to calm myself down.

But why is it that I reacted like this?

I’ve not been diagnosed with anxiety, I’ve been able to function with a moderate level of nerves in other social situations. Of course there is always going to be an element of worry with anything that’s new, that’s unavoidable. The intensity of this worry is

the scary part.

Could it perhaps be a lack of self-confidence? Rooted in bad past experiences? I wholeheartedly agree that a bad past experience with relationships can have a damaging effect on future ones, whether they be a week apart or decades. The nightmare that is to be branded ‘clingy’ forces you to be suspended in this intricate dance of showing a good level of interest but at the same time remaining aloof enough to not scare them off. It’s fucking exhausting. There’s also the dissection of every word they say. As someone who is a chronic over-

thinker, I must explore every interpretation of the text (struggles of a drama student) before deciding what they really mean. Was it nice to see me or was it nice to see me? Endless questions, endless possibilities which never ever stop. Ever.

Tinder has reinforced how ‘Bridget Jones’ my life is turning out to be The worst part for me is that it’s not even like sex is the issue. Most people get a bit jittery before the big moment, as that’s when insecurities tend to surface; however, that’s probably my most chilled out time.

(Provided the lights are off - I’m not a supermodel.) It’s strange how something that is generally viewed as the most intimate way to know someone can feel so less intimidating than having a chit chat about how your day has been. The same applies to talking about sex. As most of the Exeposé committee can vouch for,

I’m potentially too open about sex.

I will talk about the (sometimes literal) ins-and-outs until I’m blue in the face but god forbid you ask me something about my life, that’s unchartered ground for many.

Don’t even get me started on the technical shit storm that is Tinder. Those who have managed to find strong and stable relationships on that app, I applaud you.My experience is far less peachy. Instead of providing opportunities for cute coffees, it’s reinforced how ‘Bridget Jones’ my life is turning out to be: except with more unsolicited nudes and less Colin Firth.

The intensity of this worry is the scary part Don’t get me wrong, I’m not going to stop dating. The highs are definitely worth the lows, I just wonder if the lows would mind taking a break for a while.

COMMENT

9

Tee-P total Eleanor Hyde Contributor

U

SUALLY my nights out include being highly intoxicated with the inability to hear a song I vaguely like without screaming in excitement, but the necessity of a course of penicillin meant that on one night I was stone cold sober. “Timepiece” and “sober” don’t seem like they should fit in the same sentence. Yet, while everyone was downing their prosecco, I was calmly sipping my water. Watching my flatmates get progressively more crazy as they downed their drinks was definitely entertaining. I was finally able to appreciate how funny watching drunk people is. Although, the amount of fun they were having did make me slightly jealous. I can’t deny how much I love the weird things I do when drunk and how mistakenly hilarious I find myself.

Thanks to my sober state, the

journey to the club was a lot less stressful than the usual panic. Instead of realising that we’d missed our taxi, (living in Duryard meant a short walk wasn’t an option), I was able to round everyone up in time. This night was also an enlightening one; I can now appreciate what our taxi drivers go through. The random outbursts of chanting and screaming probably make the drive feel ten times as long for the driver. At least I’ve been attempting to protect their ears since this realisation.

I was finally able to appreciate how funny watching drunk people is The queue for Timepiece looked more daunting than usual. Whilst being aware of my surroundings I couldn’t just push myself into a spot near the front as I usually would.

I just followed my friends into the mass, apologising to every person that

I was bumped into. Standing in such a squashed state for what felt like an hour is one reason I won’t be going out sober any time soon. Normally it seems to go quickly, but I expect that’s just the alcohol.

Another issue about being the only sober person in the group is that as soon as we got onto the d a n c e floor everyone diverged and danced off in their own little world. So there I was, trying to give myself enough distance from those whose dancing involved wildly flinging themselves into people.

The music certainly wasn’t as good

as it normally seems to be. I definitely heard the same song played three times. After a while, watching people gyrating just got a bit too much. The sober clubber experience wasn’t for me. When everyone else is drunk and throwing themselves around, it can’t help but feel a bit tedious. Not to mention, I did not have the stamina that five shots of vodka can give you.

Two hours in and I was already ready to be cozied up in my pyjamas in bed. The post club curly fries were definitely the highlight of my sober experience. I was actually able to enjoy every one rather than

giving them out to random people or dropping them over myself. The ketchup stain on my coat from trying to sneak my food into a taxi during Freshers’ has never come out. Despite the pleas for “just one small bite” of my cheeseburger, I was able to make it home with all of my food.

Waking up the next morning without a hangover was incredible Waking up the next morning without a hangover was an incredible feeling. Rather than spending my Saturday kneeling next to the toilet and vowing solemnly to myself to never touch alcohol ever again, I was able to have a productive day. However, the benefits of not having a hangover weren’t enough to persuade me to stick to water on my nights out. My night was in no way terrible but being a sober clubber is an experience I will not be reliving.

Freshers Ball - boom or bust?

Ben Hart Contributor

T

HE Freshers Ball arrived before we had time to digest the events of Freshers’ Week and to shake off any lingering Freshers’ flu, as the ball welcomed music star, Professor Green, to the Great Hall stage. You could read all about it on fliers placed in different locations around campus, from the Lemmy to the Forum. This “sellingpoint” was perhaps not as influential as one may have hoped, as the Great Hall was far from packed during its headline event. I preferred to spend the majority of my time down in the Ram during the set of the now Lip Sync Battle host, as the music here certainly rolled back the years. Appearances from McFly and Busted (thankfully not McBusted) certainly offered a lively alternative to those who were disappointed with Green’s set. His verbal altercation with one of our very own freshers was perhaps the highlight of his stage time, though this did not quite eclipse the rappers slap of a Durham fresher back in 2014.

The attraction which really stole the show was that of the amusement ride outside, for those who were willing to risk seeing their dinner for a second

time. The free admission for this was another plus, though this may have been an expected courtesy for the £30 entry price.

The attraction that stole the show was the ride outside This brings me onto the issue of the overall price and the question; was it really worth it? I think it would be fair to say that for Professor Green’s current popularity in the music industry, an act with more recent success would have been favourable. Sigala, who performed at Newcastle during Freshers’ Week, would have attracted a great crowd; not only on account of more recent chart success but also the genre of music perhaps would have suited the crowd to a greater extent than Professor Green. The highlight of the Ball was clearly the food available which could not be criticised. The option of £3.50 cheesy wedges to soak up one too many jagerbombs was a very welcome inclusion and I’m sure that many ball-goers relished the opportunity of having food in close proximity, a change from a trek to Subway or Mega Kebab after a sweaty Monday night out at Fever.

It goes without saying that a ball requires everyone in attendance to dress up suitably, but did this element of the evening deter a number of the students? On the one hand, the necessary dress code did push potential attendees away, either as they left their black tie at

home, or because the additional effort of scrubbing up was not to their liking.

Yet speaking to many of my friends who like me, did attend, the ball did provide an opportunity to dress up and to look smart, as opposed to the usual sea of Adidas tees worn on an Exeter club

night. Personally, I did enjoy my evening and would advise any of 2018’s freshers to attend. But in discussing the night with my friends, it was apparent that it’s not what you do or where you go that determined the success of the night, it’s who you’re with.

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16 OCT 2017 | EXEPOSÉ

COMMENT

Catering to your tastes Maddy Parker Music Editor

A

S a third year with diminishing free time, when I’m waiting for my food to cook in the evenings I find myself looking back wistfully on life in catered halls.

I spent my first year in Pennsylvania Court, which I loved for various reasons, quite a significant one being the food.

Let’s start with the most important meal of the day: breakfast. Each morning we were greeted by a broad choice, including porridge, toast, fruit, and various cereals. Despite all the healthy options, I inevitably went for Coco Pops most mornings, or, more dangerously, the full English breakfast that was served every day. There was also tea and a hot drinks machine for those all-important caffeine boosts, offering different kinds of coffee and

hot chocolate (pro tip: the Chocolatte option is so much nicer than Hot Chocolate). Breakfast was open from 7:45-9:30 during the week, which can be a bit of a struggle for people like me who chronically oversleep, but it’s pretty feasible for functional people, especially as the possibility of a bacon sandwich is pretty good motivation for getting out of bed. Also, to be honest, if you go out the night before an 8:30 seminar, sometimes that full English breakfast can feel like the only thing keeping you alive.

There was no lunch, which wasn’t ideal, but on the bright side it did bring me the essential university experience of relying on pot noodles and Cup-asoup for survival. Luckily my flat had a kitchen, though it was practically empty barring a microwave, a fact which didn’t really affect me except for the fact that only having four chairs between nine people made hosting predrinks a little tricky (first year priori-

ties). Also, I think not having to cook does make for a more harmonious flat, as no cooking means no arguments about washing up or the occasional stealing each other’s food.

On weekends, however, there was not only breakfast but also brunch something that my unsustainable lie-in habits prevented me from discovering straight away, but once I did, it was lifechanging. Breakfast was ‘continental’ breakfast, lasting from 8:00-11:00 and replacing the full English with mini French pastries. Never fear though, because the bacon returned from 11:15 onwards with brunch, which included wraps, bagels, and baguettes, soup, and usually even some sort of cake or biscuit. Honestly, as someone who usually went out during the week, I basically planned my mostly-empty weekends around food.

Dinner was served between 17:30 and 19:15 every day, which is quite early and therefore annoying for those

with late-running lectures but then again, it meant we were always left with more than enough time to get ready for Exeter’s early-night-out lifestyle.

There were always four choices of main meal, with sides of vegetables available as well as a salad bar. I have to say I’m glad I ate meat because there was often only one vegetarian option, but despite being a picky eater I usually managed to find something I enjoyed, barring the odd anomaly (for example the day they for some reason put mushrooms in every single meal??). We also got special menus for different events - Chinese New Year, Christmas dinner, and Pancake day were particular highlights – and every Sunday we got a full roast dinner.

I’m so glad I spent my first year in catered halls, as not having to learn to

cook gave me one less thing to think about as I adjusted to university life, and allowed me to delay my entry into the real world by another year. It was also great for settling in as mealtimes became social occasions where you could arrange to see friends or meet new people by just sitting down at a random table. Now I have come to really enjoy cooking for myself, but sometimes when I’m really knackered in the mornings I would love to just have scrambled eggs magically made for me.

VEGETABLE CORNER FROZEN VEG Olivia Bignold-Jordan Contributor

I’m a firm believer that in vegetables, as in society, diversity is key.

We could spend dozens of fruitless (but veggie-full) hours discussing whether the strengths of carrots - night vision - outweigh those of spinach - super strength - but the truth is that one type of vegetable is simply not enough. Sure, that browning broccoli from the local greengrocers might be the obvious route to the frankly unrealistic five a day, but after miserably munching through yet another miniature orchard of the stuff, it might be time to reconsider. And it’s here that freezing technology provides a solution to all our veggie related problems. Let’s bust the myth that frozen is inferior to fresh: nowadays, there are no nasty chemicals involved, and a study by the University of California showed that fresh and frozen vegetables contain similar levels of nutrients. In fact, vitamin C was higher in frozen corn, so we can finally stop subjecting ourselves to the ungainly gnawing of cobs and instead freely enjoy sweet nuggets of golden goodness without the fear of losing half our teeth in the process.

The range of frozen vegetable products is great; there are frozen alternatives to almost all fresh veg, even avocados (because you can’t put a use by date on Exetah). The most obvious benefit of frozen veg is that it ultimately saves food wastage: no more surprise discoveries of mouldy sprouts at the back of the fridge. For those who enjoy cooking but lack the time and energy to hack through mounds of raw produce, frozen chopped onion or butternut squash might be useful.

My favourite product has to be the mixed vegetable packs, which contain a medley such as broccoli florets, petit pois, carrots, sweetcorn, and in the more highbrow bags, sometimes a cheeky bit of red pepper.

Still not convinced?

Here’s the clincher: frozen is cheaper. If it’s a choice between fresh beans or a blue VK, the latter wins for me everytime.

GREEN PEAS Ben Bampton Contributor Every fresher house has its awkward first cuppa. We’ve all been there… The silence as the chink of teaspoon on china hangs in the air; the void stretching out between desperate stabs at small talk; the fidgeting, the broken eye contact.

A week later and tea breaks are like something out of a different world. You pop the kettle on, kick back, catch up. Before you knew it, you’ve slipstreamed into the new normal of university. You hero.

Unless, that is, you’re the one housemate with a strange second use for the kettle. Then all hell breaks loose.

It’s 6pm, week 2. You f lick the switch and embrace the rumble. Then you fetch that magical ingredient that none of your housemates – sometimes, it feels, nobody at all – associates with a kettle: a bag of frozen Aldi peas.

Ears pricked up by the rumbling, two of your housemates appear – the hot-drink-loving fiends – in the doorway.

“Tea!”Their wide eyes fix on the kettle, which continues to shake uneasily. Slowly, reality dawns on them. A frown presses across both sets of eyebrows. The silence of that first fresher’s tea break returns. Caught in the act, I pour the frozen peas into a bowl and fill it boiled water. I expect a gasp, but nothing comes. Only stunned silence. I make my apologies and go about repeating the process. My words go in, eventually, and the pair venture back upstairs like sleepwalkers.

Five minutes of boiling later and the peas are ready. I’ve banked one (and potentially the only one) of my five a day, using minimal time and effort. I may have lost the confidence of half my house, but I’ve stuck to my guns: quick-fire veg cooking. Here lies my claim for why peas are the most time-efficient, easy and utterly devastating vegetable to cook.

CAULIFLOWER Jack Morrissey Contributor

It’s tasteless. It’s pale. It’s versatile. I’ll admit, cauliflower is an odd choice of vegetable to represent but it deserves the spotlight for its work with cheese alone. Cauliflower cheese is an example of perfect food, and as a vegetarian it’s the highlight of a roast dinner (coming in just above yorkie puds). It is not limited to this, however, broccoli’s anemic twin has some more tricks up its sleeve.

Take cauliflower rice, for example. There is a trend towards swapping out carbs for vegetable substitutes (madness, if you ask me), and cauliflower rice is one that makes sense. It’s not slimy like courgetti or oddly hard like boodles, cauliflower rice is fluffy like how rice is supposed to be. It’s also lacking in its own fl avor, allowing it to work with any combination. As long as people are scared of real carbs, cauliflower rice will win out against the other fakes.

There’s also cauliflower steak. I will make no attempts to convince anyone of its superiority over beef steak, that’s an uphill battle no one can hope to win. Cauliflower steak does make a great side though. Spice it up and serve it with a curry and you have a healthy side. Maybe also serve this curry with some cauliflower rice, it’s up to you. Perhaps the reason cauliflower is a relatively underrated vegetable is because of a lack of imagination. You can’t really mash it or stick it in a pasta sauce, but there’s more to life than the basics. My fi nal argument for cauliflower comes in the form of a personal anecdote. It was after last year’s Christmas Lemmy, and upon returning to the fl at to the leftovers of a Christmas dinner I made the decision to pile cauliflower cheese on a mince pie and go to town on it.

It was amazing. As I said, cauliflower requires an imagination.

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16 OCT 2017 | EXEPOSÉ

12

Features

FEATURES EDITORS: James Angove Isabel Taylor

The nasty parties

T

Nancy Laws considers what is behind the growing trend of personal attacks in UK politics

HIS article’s tagline could essentially read: “Why does politics in 2017 make absolutely no sense and does it even matter if nuclear apocalypse is imminent?” Because, really.

America’s version of Alan Sugar and North Korea’s answer to Russell from Up (the one in the Boy Scouts) are at any given time literally seconds away from destroying the entire planet.

In a way, we’re rather lucky (almost) that the UK’s domestic politics throws up questions like “What did nappies ever do to Jacob Rees Mogg?” or “Why does Theresa May look so sinister eating chips?”.

Nick Clegg was last seen wandering around Sheffield in the rain, like a bad Arctic Monkeys video Okay, so things are a little bit more serious than that. Politics in the UK over the last two years has been, quite frankly, a hot mess. Every single major political party has held leadership elections, some more brutal than others. David Cameron seems to have vanished off the face of the earth. Poor Nick Clegg has followed suit and was last seen wandering around Sheffield in the rain, like a bad Arctic Monkeys video. One shocker of a referendum and a further snap election nightmare later, and it’s safe to say that at this point we are all just floating

around in a sea of uncertainty while David Davis shouts that “EVERYTHING IS JUST FINE.” So does it really come as any surprise that in such unstable, tumultuous (sorry, I mean very strong and very stable) times, things have gotten a little heated? Politics has never been about holding hands around campfires, but as of late someone has definitely turned the heat right up. Things deteriorated so drastically in this year’s general election that the Committee on Standards in Public Life is conducting an inquiry into the “abuse and intimidation” experienced by MPs across the political spectrum. When it emerged a couple of weeks ago that Diane Abbott had received 45 per cent of all abusive tweets in the six weeks leading up to the election, no one could really say they were surprised. Grimly disappointed maybe, but surprised? No. Because, in 2017, we log onto Twitter every morning almost expecting to see some kind of social media based scandal – whether it’s the racist abuse Dianne Abbott was and is subjected to, or the leaking of WhatsApp messages from a Young Conservative group talking about “gassing chavs”. Tory MP Anna Soubry received two death threats in three days for expressing her support for Lib Dem candidate Zac Goldsmith’s pro EU sentiments. It might be easy to think that male Conservative MPs were exempt from this kind of targeted harassment, but a recent analysis by Buzzfeed News found that when broken down by party and gender, they were the group who received the highest percentage of abuse via Twitter.

Image: Emma Woolf

Every day, people are able to vocalise their inner most thoughts and ping them right over to their local MP as and when they please. Even if those thoughts are mainly expletives.

Tory MP Anna Soubry recieved two death threats in three days In yet another recent mini scandal (this is the last one, I promise), the newly elected Labour MP Laura Pidcock announced that she had “absolutely no intention of being friends with any of them [Tories]”. Naturally, this slightly over zealous exclamation was met with equally damning criticism, with journalist Stephen Daisley denouncing Pidcock as “dazzlingly simple”. Fairly standard political jostling, you might think.

But not even bystanders are exempt from abuse. Just last week when it emerged that the BBC’s chief political editor Laura Kuenssberg was allocated a bodyguard in order to attend the Labour Party’s conference, Twitter exploded. Journalist Gabby Hinsliff shared a selection of the kinds of targeted messages she had seen directed towards Kuennsberg on social media, including “Not exactly Kate Adie in a war zone”, describing the senders as a “small, self-righteous and aggressively entitled minority within the left”. Harriet Harman, the party’s former deputy, echoed these concerns – on Twitter, obviously – bemoaning both the backlash and the necessity for such security in the first place.

James Kirkup, writer for The Spectator, described the recent tidal wave (better than I ever could) as a “nasty, corrosive trend in British politics, for which people of all parties bear some responsibility, towards actively and aggressively targeting journalists, in the apparent hope of deterring them doing their jobs.”

So whatever happened to Jeremy Corbyn’s plea for a “gentler, kinder” politics? In his maiden speech to the Labour Party Conference in September 2015, the political outsider set out his vision for the future: “Cut out the personal abuse, cut out the cyber-bullying and especially the misogynistic abuse online and let’s get on with bringing real values back into politics.”

“Ohh, Jeremy Corbyn “ could be heard from the portaloo queue to the silent disco Well-intentioned words, certainly, but the inevitable issue Corbyn has faced was rather cuttingly summed up by J.K. Rowling last week – on Twitter, of course – as she described the Labour Party as a “solipsistic personality cult.” Anyone who went to any festival in the UK this summer will quickly confirm that the cries of “Ohhh, Jeremy Corbyn” could be heard from the portaloo queue to the silent disco. This was echoed at the

Labour Party’s annual conference, where attendees were able to purchase all manner of Jez-based memorabilia.

I think it makes perfect sense that the rise of personality politics alongside an increase in online and offline abuse are inextricably linked. Whether you’re more Momentum or Moggmentum, people like Corbyn and Rees-Mogg because, well… they’re likeable. People are able to identify with their more visible human sides. It’s basic human psychology. When someone or something we’re slightly ambivalent or neutral about is taken down a notch, it barely makes a dent in our lives. But when we invest, and empathise, and relate with a passion; it feels very much like a personal insult. So we react accordingly. We take to social media and profess our hatred for “Tory scum” or “the tolerant left”, because politics is personal. Everyone in politics is a person (allegedly), and what is politics about, if not people?

It’s more than likely that personality politics is causing such a stir because it’s relatively shiny and new in the realm of British politics. Traditionally, British politicians have possessed a kind of quiet stoicism that’s slightly embarrassed by great displays of cult-like tribalism. But when the leader of the free world tweets more than most British teenagers, maybe it’s inevitable that everyone else will.

From left to right: Diane Abbott MP, Laura Pidcock MP, Laura Kuenssberg, Jacob ReesMogg MP

Images: Wikipedia & IPKat

FEATURES

13

Aussie Powers

Image: Wikimedia

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AST week, US rapper Macklemore stepped on stage for one of his most controversial performances yet. At one of the biggest events in the Australian sporting calendar, the National Rugby League Grand Final, it was Macklemore’s choice to perform his hit song 'Same Love' that overshadowed the usual game day hype.

The decision to play the song, which Macklemore describes as dealing with “equal rights, human rights”, made headlines globally as it came straight in the middle of Australia’s same sex marriage postal vote.

The question being asked to Australians from 13 September to 7 November is “Should the law be changed to allow same-sex couples to marry?”.

The postal vote is conducted by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), and is therefore voluntary and has no effect on legislation. If the result, due out on 15 November, is ‘yes’, the Government will hold a free vote in Parliament.

As of 3 October, 57% of the population have returned their postal vote What makes this vote unique for Australians is its voluntary nature.

Voting in elections and referendums is compulsory for all those who are eligible.

Combine this with the fact that a postal vote is a seemingly outdated concept, and it becomes harder to predict the voting turnout and result. Despite this,

Danielle Armour looks at the divise vote on same-sex marriage in Australia the ABS reported that, as of 3 October, 57 per cent of the population had returned their postal vote. The remaining seven million eligible voters have four weeks to decide and post their vote.

It is estimated that $122 million has been spent on the same sex campaign so far Recent opinion polls suggest that a ‘yes’ outcome is likely. This has been boosted by the larger than expected millennial turnout. If you follow any Australians on social media, particularly Instagram and Snapchat, it is likely that your feed has been flooded with images and videos of people ticking the ‘yes’ box and encouraging others to do the same.

This is encouraging for the ‘Vote Yes’ campaign, who were initially concerned that millennials would be less inclined to use the postal system. Significant too is the fact that Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull stated in Parliament that, “[my wife] and I will be voting yes and I will be encouraging others to vote yes.”

Despite this, two distinct camps have emerged on each side of the debate - with both proving equally vocal in expressing their opinion. One of the more notable publicity stunts was the appearance of the words “vote no” in skywriting above Sydney, just two days after the postal votes were sent out.

It is estimated that $122 million has been spent on the same sex campaign so far. However, many believe that the

toll on the country is far greater than that, with LGBTQ+ groups calling for the discrimination and homophobia from ‘no’ campaigners to stop.

The question of how we got to this point is one asked by Australians and the rest of the world alike. The answer is equally confusing. Australia has already had some form of samesex marriage legalised in the past. In December 2013, the Australian Capital Territory, the federal district that contains the capital, Canberra, legalised same sex marriage within its borders. This lasted less than a week before the High Court overturned the decision due to it not aligning with federal legislation, and all same sex marriages that took place during that time were subsequently annulled.

Giving everyone a fair go is ingrained into the Australian vernacular and culture In 2016, one of the Coalition Government’s main election campaign points was to hold a plebiscite on same sex marriage if they were elected. The plebiscite was rejected by the Australian Senate twice, largely due to concerns from LGBTQ+ groups that the status of LGBTQ+ people would be devalued and they would be subject to harassment and homophobia. The postal vote currently in progress is Turnbull’s compromise.

We Aussies pride ourselves on giving everyone a fair chance. This raises the question of why we are so far behind the

rest of the world when it comes to same sex marriage. Nobody seems to have a clear answer for this. In 2004, while Britain was in the process of legalising civil partnerships for same sex couples, then Australian Prime Minister John Howard was changing their laws to define marriage as “the union of a man and a woman to the exclusion of all others.”

The Marriage Act was also changed to explicitly state that same sex marriage performed in other countries would not be recognised in Australia. If same sex marriage becomes legalised, Australia will be the 26th country to have done so.

However, the question of whether the postal vote counts as progress has been raised by both the 'yes' and 'no' camps in Australia, and from parts of the world where same sex marriage became legal in a more straightforward fashion.

Comedian Will Anderson, described the postal vote as a “non-compulsory, non-binding same sex marriage postal vote thingy”, and many people, across both the ‘yes’ and ‘no’ camps agree.

If the result is 'yes', it is likely that politicians will cave to public pressure when to comes to a conscious vote in parliament, but the nature of the vote means that there is no guarantee that a ‘yes’ decision will equate to the legalisation for same sex marriage.

Giving everyone a fair go is ingrained into the Australian vernacular and culture; Why we are still waiting for same sex marriage is beyond me.

All polls indicate that a ‘yes’ result is likely. Certainly, millennials are turning up in bigger numbers than expected

to ensure this happens. However, in a year where we were told that Brexit would not happen, and that Trump would not become President, one is hesitant in calling the result too early.

The Irish Precendent Ireland became the first country to legalise same-sex marriage by a popular vote in 2015. The landmark vote saw a turnout of over 60%, an overwhelming majority of which voted in favour, totalling 62% for compared to 38% against. The then Minister for Health Leo Varadkar claimed then that the vote would make Ireland a "beacon of light" for the rest of the world in terms of liberty and equality.

It is worth noting however that the Irish vote was both legally binding and conducted in person. The vote in Australia will be neither of these things.

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Banking on Brexit

16 OCT 2017 | EXEPOSÉ

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Tom Howes-Ward analyses the state of Britain's financial sector in the wake of the EU referendum

ORE than a year has passed since the divisive vote for Britain to leave the European Union, and the country remains as polarised as ever. Early ‘Remainer’ appetite for a second referendum based on an unravelling of the narrative provided by Boris and Co. has faded, and public opinion on the necessity of British withdrawal from the EU has not shifted sufficiently enough to warrant a re-run of last July’s vote. Thus, the Brexit juggernaut marches on.

Divorce from Brussels will impact the country in ways we are still finding out, but the most visible and concerning effects will be on the UK’s economy, epitomised by what some have called a banking exodus from London.

Before now there had been too few announcements to characterise it as such, but a new report by think-tank Bruegel predicts that a whopping 1.8 trillion euros worth of assets are to be removed from the UK by financial clients. But, what does this mean for the industry, and is it limited to the financial sector?

Full British withdrawal from the EU could still be years away, meaning businesses and financial organisations have so far seen few tangible signs of what future trading conditions will be like. Big institutions, however, plan far in advance, and some Londonbased banks have already announced plans to move key jobs elsewhere, with Frankfurt a favoured destination. Dublin also stands to benefit, with JP Morgan looking to double staff numbers in the

Irish capital. Morgan Stanley, Deutsche Bank, Citigroup, Standard Chartered, and Nomura Holdings are all in the process of establishing EU headquarters elsewhere to ensure continued access to the single market. Goldman Sachs is considering a similar move, and on Thursday completed a deal to lease a new Frankfurt office block which holds enough space to increase its number of staff in the German city from 200, to 1,000 people. The Wall Street bank employs 6,000 people across the UK, and is the latest to secure a means to expanding operations outside London.

This sets a worrying trend for an industry that accounts for 12% of the UK’s tax income.

Events do not paint a picture of the doomsday scenario that some predicted

Yet, take a look at the numbers, and events so far do not paint a picture of the doomsday scenario that some commentators predicted. Job-relocation numbers of course vary from bank to bank, with some relatively low, and others fairly high as a percentage of their UK workforce. For example Citigroup Inc. only plans on relocating 250 jobs from their 9,000 strong UK workforce, whereas Deutsche Bank may be moving 4,000 positions from the UK to Frankfurt. This is certainly concern enough that the flow needs to be stopped, and Theresa May’s

government has come under fire for prioritising anti-EU ideology rather than adequately addressing the problem with real solutions. Andrew Parmley, the Lord Mayor of London’s financial district, warned on Wednesday that the economy could be facing a “cliff edge” without the implementation of a cohesive Brexit transition deal, such is the importance of the financial sector. Mr Parmley did however, praise the two-year transition deal outlined in the PM’s Florence speech as a “bridge to the future” but stressed the importance of an agreement being hammered out before the end of the year.

The transtion deal referred to by Mr Parmley is an attempt by Theresa May to secure a smoother, more gradual regulatory exit from EU jurisdiction for businesses, and was well received after a stalling in talks. It remains to be seen whether the EU accepts the deal, and business leaders across all sectors remain understandably concerned at the prospect of a turbulent future.

Investment for the future has stalled amidst uncertainty

As a result, many firms have been considering their options. Few big-name companies have declared plans to leave the UK, but investment for the future has stalled amidst the uncertainty. To increase confidence in the UK’s capacity to remain an economic powerhouse, the government has worked to secure important investment commitments

from big employers, such as the Japanese car manufacturers Nissan, Honda and Toyota, which account for around half of British car output. Nonetheless, they and other large firms, have been busily creating contingency plans should a ‘hard Brexit’ result in tougher trading conditions.

London has recovered from shocks to the banking system before

These contingency plans have been to maintain a presence in the European single market in some way. The Irish Times reported in February that 100,000 UK firms have registered companies in Ireland since the vote to leave the EU, including one of Northern Ireland’s largest manufacturers, Almac Group.

Whilst this does not mean closure of their UK operations (100,000 firms are unlikely to up-and-move across the Irish Sea) there is a definite sense that many are hedging their bets in the face of uncertain times to come. The Republic of Ireland offers continuing access to the single market, which the UK is likely to withdraw from, creating the possibility of UK goods and services being less competitive due to EU tariffs increasing their cost.

In the short term, the banking exodus is most concerning for ministers, but much is still to be revealed, and London has recovered from shocks to the

banking system before. In the run up to the EU referendum, a report by auditing firm PwC estimated that between 70,000 and 100,000 financial services jobs could be lost, but such estimations have now been widely discredited. Barclays have concluded the situation is a “wholly manageable challenge” and the latest reports suggest around 10,000 jobs will be relocated in total. The government must be wary of complacency on the issue, but London remains an attractive host for banks. Decades worth of banking infrastructure exists, and levels of regulation remain more favourable than in other countries. The head of the British Banking Association has also noted the reluctance of staff themselves to relocate: “they’ve got homes here, kids in school and so forth.” It may be the case that the banking industry decentralises somewhat, with other European banking centres growing in size, but not to the point that London, and the UK financial scene as a whole, becomes irrelevant.

When the British public went to the voting booths in July 2016, many might say that people had no clear idea of what they were voting for, such was the uncertainty at the time. The only clear-cut fact was that Britain had become so intertwined with the EU that divorce would inevitably have great consequences: for British and European citizens, for businesses, and for financial markets. This is still the case, and what the future holds for the UK’s financial and production industries, remains unclear as the country navigates unchartered waters.

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diversity in theatre

20-21 Photo: Blade Runner promotional material

Photo: pixabay

Photo: Pinterest

nick mulvey Interview

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Photo: Helen Maybanks (c) RSC

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autumn & Halloween top tips

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blade Runner: 2049 review

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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 16 OCT 2017 | EXEPOSÉ

lifestyle Hocus pocus

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Exeposé Lifestyle writers tell us how they prepare for Halloween

S we enter Halloween month, or as up on healthy eating all together; at least until some like to call it “October", there is an after Christmas, as we all know the healthiest undeniable buzz in the air as pumpkins snack we’re probably getting for the foreseemove into the front of Tesco and the Halloween able future is fruit salad sweets. shop in town opens its doors for one month Sadly, not everyone subscribes to the idea and one month only. that Halloween is a month-long holiday, and Since the clock chimed twelve are more than content to have their Haland it became the first of Octoloween consist of frantically googleber, I’ve exclusively played ing last minute costumes on the the same few Halloween thirtieth of October. However, songs on loop, but luckthat’s not stopping me from ily 'Monster Mash' will counting down the days never feel overplayed. until I can bribe friends Alongside Halwith pumpkin pie to watch loween comes the arHocus Pocus with me. I will rival of autumn. Both slowly add decorations to play their part in finally my flat one by one attemptgiving us a good excuse ing to be subtle (yes, fake to break out the dark lipcobwebs are essential for the Photo: Pexels stick that’s been gathering kitchen). dust on the shelf since last year.

So whether you’re settling in for It's a chance to bring the ghost and a movie night that will leave you restless for skeleton jumpers out of retirement. Garments weeks or braving it at Unit One, stay safe and that are only just about appropriate for a single happy Halloween! month. Soon, as mini crunchies on offer take Katie Baker over the shop shelves I know it’s time to give

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HE coming of Halloween is something one filled with songs that give me that HallowI start anticipating as soon as it hits the een feeling. Just to give a couple of examples: first day of September. Pointedly ignor- 'Broken Bones' by Kaleo and 'Which Witch' by ing all the Christmas items in the shops, I al- Florence and the Machine. Give them a listen ways seek out the Halloween stock and then and I think you’ll see what I’m getting at. A lithave to convince myself to not buy it all imme- tle bit spooky and dark, perfect to listen to as diately. I have a weakness for candles, the nights come quickly on the walk back though, and my process of getfrom campus. ting in the Halloween mood As the big ‘Eve gets closer, tends to start with buying I’ll start rewatching the clasone in an appropriate sicmovies and the seasonal scent. Yankee Candle’s procrasti-baking (choco'Amber Moon' has been late spider cupcakes anya firm favourite for a one?). Maybe I’ll grab an few years now, but iced cookie in the shape currently I’m burning a of a bat with my coffee spiced pumpkin candle too. That’s not to say that that smells like autumn I’m not constantly thinking and cake at the same time. of my costume or wondering Photo: WikiMedia Definitely recommended for if I’m too old to trick or treat, beany PSL devotees! cause I definitely am, but for now Another essential for my HallowI’ll enjoy doing the subtler things and leave een atmosphere is music. Last year I started a the drinking cocktails out of mini pumpkins playlist, and I’m intending on adding more to until later. This weekend, maybe? it each October. I’m not quite blasting 'Monster Charley Cross Mash' whilst studying though; this playlist is

An autumn bucket list

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Ciara Walsh provides you with the go to experiences for this season

HE transition from summer to autumn seemed to take place quicker this year than you can say "Pumpkin Spice Latte".

Freshers’ Week came and went, and before we knew it Streatham Campus and the Forum turned into a sea of students adorned in a myriad of coloured puffer jackets. Nonetheless, autumn is by far my favourite season. I love it when there’s a comfortable and equally refreshing chill in the air, scents turn to cinnamon, coffee warms our souls and the golden leaves crunch beneath our feet.

THE TRANSITION FROM SUMMER TO AUTUMN IS QUICKER THAN YOU CAN SAY PUMPKIN SPICE LATTE Students unite in beginning to plan their Halloween shindigs and costumes alike, with that age old questions arising of whether to go trashy or scary. With the run up to Christmas beginning there is no time of year better to grab

a hot beverage and take a moment out of our busy schedules to absorb the beauty we are surrounded by in the picturesque South West of England. Two particular recommendations of mine are Caffè Nero’s caramel latte, and a chain originating in my hometown of Bristol, Boston Tea Party’s white hot chocolate for those who can make it through a day of 8.30s, trekking up Pennsylvania Road and TP dancing without a buzz of caffeine.

Amidst the deadlines and innumerable lectures we all have looming, it can be easy to forget our spectacular surroundings in Exeter.

There are so many parks local to Uni such as Northerhay Gardens which homes the famous Exeter Castle, Bury Mead Park and Belmont Park all of which make for a pleasant autumnal stroll.

Not to mention Cathedral Green which hosts an annual, festive Christmas Market from the middle of November. For those of you who actually know where Duryard is situated on Lower Argyll Road – there are some spectacular walks to be had in its grounds around New North Road and Duryard Trust. Exeter is so diverse in this respect; on the one hand we are in the middle of a bustling city, but on the other it is easy to

escape city life and academia for just a minute to take in the rolling hills (akin to the set of Emmerdale) and dare I say even worth snapping a cheeky Insta.

One of my undisputed favourite things about Exeter University is campus life and how everything ranging from Amory to Urban Outfitters, and Lafrowda to Fever & Boutique, is within walking distance of each other – making it ever more easy to enjoy our University town’s offerings.

EVERYTHING IS WITHIN WALKING DISTANCE OF EACH OTHER An event I urge you not to miss this cosy season is the infamous Tar Barrels of Ottery St Mary – a unique experience that I feel should be on every student’s ‘Exeter bucket list’. On Saturday 4th November, due to Guy Fawkes night falling on a Sunday this year, the annual torchlight procession will return to the streets of Ottery, seeing full sized lit tar barrels being carried through the streets in order to mark the

Gunpowder Plot of 1605. As well as the fun, flames and general madness, there are some lovely food and drink stalls to keep you warm and refreshed. It is an event that is sure to get you in the autumnal spirit, if your spiced pumpkin latte from Pret on campus and viewing of Hocus Pocus still hasn’t quite got you there yet.

It is a free event but many societies will be selling tickets for coaches there and back; normally around £5. So, keep your eyes peeled, as they will sell out fast owing to the popularity of this unique event – the last remaining of its kind in the UK. Spooky season’s greetings! Hopefully reading this has persuaded you to push your reading aside for just a moment to enjoy this magical time of year (as if you needed much persuasion).

Find Exeposé Lifestyle's tasty and autumnal Pumpkin Spice Latte recipe on page 18

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EDITORS: Barbara Balogun & Lauren Geall

LIFESTYLE

16 OCT 2017 |

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Following World Mental Health Day on 10 October, Lifestyle Writers discuss mental wellbeing at university

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STAYING CALM

CARING FOR YOUR BRAIN

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ANY a time, we are focused on goals, SUAL assumptions of university life inachievements and meeting excesclude the need for alcohol and clubbing sive expectations, at the expense of in order to make friends. This concept our mental wellbeing. Managing your personal was incredibly anxiety-inducing for myself as mental health is easy to neglect but crucial in well as many others, I’m sure. Therefore, I took a order to function well and flourish. step back for my mental health and focused on There are a few self-care habits you making myself calm. can practice regularly to manage I thought about how to make mental health and stay calm: friends outside this typical Meditation: even if it is just “Freshers” culture; I arranged taking some deep breaths to go for lunches and I ator a body-scan, check your tended pre-drinks, but emotions and feelings knew it was ok to go back without judgement. to my flat after. By letting Exercise: anything to repeople know how I felt, lease endorphins, no matI didn’t have to fear them ter what form of exercise. thinking I was “rude” and “antiUnplug: free yourself from social” when I chose my bed over screens and social media for an going out. hour, outside or with friends. Taking a The important meswalk around campus can help you to feel re- sage is to know your limits; freshed and ready to work again. if you’ll feel anxAromatherapy: choose an essential oil such as ious because of lavender to relax and soothe or peppermint to crowds of peouplift and refresh. ple or loud Gratefulness List: this will help you notice all music, don’t the good things around you. force yourIncorporating a couple of these into your rou- s e l f. J u s t tine will hopefully make you feel more connect- do you. ed to yourself and to the world around you.

Lauryn Salomé Savary Matthews

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As someone who suffers with OCD, I know the value of self-care and keeping on top of your mental wellbeing. Whilst it’s great to work hard, putting yourself under constant stress not only tires you out, but can also aggravate symptoms. I tend to see my mental health as an extra task on my to-do list; how long has it been since I’ve checked in with myself? Has it been a good or bad mental health week? What is my anxiety level today? Logic is the enemy of anxiety, so taking a step back to evaluate can be one of the most helpful coping mechanisms.

Lauren Geall, Lifestyle Editor

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ITH all its stress and excitement, the university experience can be overwhelming for anyone. Add to that the management of a mental illness, and sometimes it can feel like you’ve got the world on your shoulders. Here, two Lifestyle writers explore the power of self-help.

SEEKING HELP

TARTING university is really stressful whether you're far away from your usual support system or need to adapt to a new way of living. The workload changes (as a humanities student, I had to learn to motivate myself on days with no contact hours) and this can be a lot to cope with.

THERE'S NOTHING SHAMEFUL ABOUT WANTING HELP Whatever affects you, if you feel like you might be ill, please, please alert someone sooner rather than later that you might need some help. There’s nothing shameful about wanting help, no matter what your problem.

Waiting times for Wellbeing can be long, but they’re still there to help you. You’ll generally have a phone conversation where you explain

your situation (don’t hesitate to tell them you think therapy would be helpful!), and then be referred to an appointment.

I’ve also found that to take my mind off of what stresses me out, it’s helpful to schedule in some non-course, non-clubbing activities sports, arts, etc are all good fun and a nice way to meet people.

Finally, it seems like uni is meant to be 24/7 fun and going out - often, that's not true.

Do things at your pace. If you don’t feel like it, you don’t have to do something. Make university your own.

Megan Davies, News Editor

If you've been affected by these issues, we recommend the following information: Wellbeing: 01392 724381 PAPYRUS Suicide Helpline: 0800 068 41 41 www.exeterguild.org/change/wid/

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CCEPTANCE- I have clinical depression, and I always tried to hide away and pretend it didn’t exist; when I accepted my mental health I began to think of practical ways to help me.

Treat’ yo’ self: A silly phrase maybe, but a little treat goes a long way. It might be a nap, having your favourite pudding or just watching the Bake Off in bed. Giving yourself small treats can kindle small sparks of happiness.

Create a love mind-map: This seems challenging and crazy but it really helped me and I still find it therapeutic to turn back and add to a list of things that our little worlds go round.

You are enough, exactly as you are: Repeat it, learn it, believe it. You are worthy and enough no matter what life is throwing at you.

Love your mental health: It’s so easy to hate our mental conditions, forcing more self-resentment. We need to learn not to hate our mental illness, but to care for it. I like to think of my depression as a puppy that I must care of. In order to look after my puppy and keep it under control, I need to make sure that it is treated well and accepted.

Olivia Denton

MINDING YOUR HEAD

XEPOSÉ Lifestyle asked Exeter's mental health society Mind You Head to give us some tips on managing mental wellbeing on a day-to-day basis.

Take time off to relax and unwind: University can get very intense, and it’s really important that you take time to take care of yourself, and do things that you know will help you to relax.

Going for a gentle walk, reading a book or getting on with some arts and crafts can be really helpful if you’re feeling stressed out.

It’s okay to feel what you’re feeling: There are so many people at Exeter who will also be feeling scared, worried, homesick etc., and it’s important to remember that what you’re feeling is normal. However, if these feel-

ings get too much, there is some fantastic support available to help make your time here the best it can be. Personal tutors are great at signposting to these various services. You can also look these up yourself on the Wellbeing Information Directory (WiD) on iExeter by clicking on: Students Guild: Help and Support: WiD. Making friends: Making friends can be intimidating and tricky whilst trying to juggle academic work alongside. Societies are a great way to meet people, and you can join them throughout the year.

If you feel anxious about going along, you can try messaging the society’s Facebook page to let the committee know you’re coming along. They should then look out for you, and help to introduce you to their lovely members who will be excited to talk about the things they love.

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16 OCT 2017 |

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Don't be S.A.D S

Anastasiia Kovalenko tells you about her remedy for her S.A.D days

EASONS are changing, so is our mood.

Feeling low? This might be a symptom of SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder) which is caused by lack of sunlight in autumn and winter. SAD is most common in countries like the UK as we experience periods of dark gloomy weather more often. If you can’t simply move closer to the equator for the whole season, let’s find other ways to combat this disorder!

IT'S LIKE HAVING ~YOUR OWN PORTABLE BLACK CLOUD How do I know I have SAD? If you’ve noticed the following symptoms, you might be affected by SAD: • lack of energy for everyday tasks, such as studying • loss of pleasure or interest in normal everyday activities • sleep problems, such as sleeping for longer than usual or not being able to get to sleep • feeling sad, low, tearful most of the day, or sometimes even apathetic • anxiety, inability to cope with stress

• snacking more than usual • having difficulty concentrating during study • irritability, not wanting to see people I don’t want to be sad!

It's like having your own portable black cloud.

As I am writing this article, I realise that I’ve been having most of the symptoms mentioned for over a week now. So, it’s good to keep in mind that you’re not alone in this. Let’s fight it together!

It’s an “Add to cart” kinda day.

Grey sky over black town… Nothing a bit of shopping can’t fix! Bright scarves, wellington boots, cute umbrellas, cosy blankets, new curtains… So many excuses to go shopping!

Friendly reminder.

Friends will be there to support you. There are so many things you can do together. Why not arrange a dinner, cook together and watch your favourite TV series?

Have you been to the campus cinema?

Let there be light. miriamhenkey.com Get a SAD light, especially Walk the walk. if your outdoor hours are limCatch every ray of the sun. Wake ited. These lights proved to be effective up earlier - go for a walk - catch a bus in combating this disorder. Prices range from get on a train - find yourself in the middle of £40 to £200, and you can easily find them on nowhere. It's an amazing time to travel, explore Amazon Prime Delivery and other online retail and discover new places. That’s my favourite stores. way to cope with stress and SAD.

Leg day.

Sweaty… muscles are burning… can’t feel the legs… I need to get some air! Trekking in Nepal? Nope, just going up Cardiac hill. If that’s not enough for you, join a gym! Our university has some of the best sports facilities in the South West. You can try something new: take zumba or dance classes.

Autumn feast.

Eat healthy. Buy more fruit, veggies, and fish.

Add a Vitamin D supplement if necessary. Oh, it’s the official pumpkin-spiced-everything season! Pumpkin spiced latte? Pumpkin pie?

Pumpkin syrup? P… Yes please!

Social butterfly.

Have you joined any of our societies? Fancy horse riding or baking? Prefer playing quidditch to golf? There are over 200 societies at the uni, even for the pickiest students.

As you can see, there are different ways to deal with SAD. The main thing is to choose the most suitable for you. However, bear in mind that if you're struggling to cope, it’s better to visit your GP. Don’t ignore it if you’re feeling low as it might affect your productivity.

Pumpkin Spice Latte

plusbeds.com

Barbara Balogun, Lifestyle Editor, gives you the perfect recipe for the season

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T'S that time of the year again we’ve all been waiting for when Starbucks get its stocks back for Pumpkin Spice Season and obviously, Pumpkin Spice Latte is the deal of the month. Forget about your coffees, your chai teas, your white chocolate, Pumpkin is the one and only way to go.

However, because we all live on a student budget and we can’t afford a Starbucks everyday, I decided to give you the perfect little recipe to do it at home.

Two massive perks about this recipe, first you don’t pay a ridiculous amount of money for the whole month and you can Instagram it as much as you like with whatever cup you want to use and with any pretty background. So, here we go for the recipe: To make two drinks you need: 2 tablespoons of pumpkin puree or powder

1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice Ground black pepper 2 tablespoons of sugar 2 tablespoons of vanilla extract 2 cups of milk (I used almond milk for the taste) 1or 2 shots espresso depending on what you want Whipped cream To make this little recipe you will need this equipment: • A mixer for the whipped cream • A saucepan • A wooden spoon • A whisk • A blender • A coffee machine Let’s get it going: 1. In the saucepan (medium heat), cook the pumpkin with the pumpkin pie spices and black pepper for 2 minutes or until it's hot and smells cooked.

Keep stirring! This is important.

2. Add the sugar and stir until it looks like a thick syrup.

3. Whisk in the milk and vanilla extract. Warm carefully.

4. Process the milk mixture with a hand blender until frothy and blended.

5. Make the coffee and divide between two mugs. Add the milk. Top with whipped cream and a sprinkle of pumpkin pie spice, cinnamon, or nutmeg for the Instagram picture you’re about to take.

We hope you throughly enjoy your Pumpkin Spice Latte!

Please send us your autumnal pictures on our Instagram @exeposelstyle!

@rocknfro

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EDITORS: Barbara Balogun & Lauren Geall

16 OCT 2017 |

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Baby it's (getting) cold outside Emma Bessent, Editor, writes about her passion for self expression through cold weather wardrobes

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ASHION: the mob's dictation of how you should dress, do your hair or make up, accessorise, or even choose your tech devices. Or at least, that’s how I see it – I’ve never really understood the concept. My only flirtation with popular fashion was mercifully brief, but damaging to my wallet and fragile teenage self-esteem; squeezing myself into vice-like skinny jeans and trying not to cry when I had to ask the trendy, toned Hollister shop assistant if they stocked the hoody I wanted in “large”, all to fit in with the other girls around me, was hardly the highlight of being fifteen.

MY ONLY FLIRTATION WITH POPULAR FASHION WAS MERCIFULLY BRIEF Fortunately, a few years on, I’m finding it a lot easier to pick my clothes based on what I want and feel comfortable in, rather than what’s been featured in the latest glossy magazine. I waste less time pulling down too-short skirts – I mean, really, when will high street shops start cutting dresses to go over hips that stick out and a backside to match? – and a lot less money on things that I really don’t want.

I still sometimes struggle with spring and summer clothing, in part because such a vast amount of it is made up of those too-short skirts, but dressing in autumn and winter makes me fantastically happy.

I’ll admit that I’ve struggled with it a little more since coming to Exeter, as the constant clambering up and down hills soon saw an end to my love of layering up and boots with four inch heels, but I think the advent of third year sees my winter wardrobe healthier than it’s ever been before.

My mother once shared with me a piece of advice which my godmother gave her before I was even born: if you’ve got a good coat on, it really doesn’t matter what’s underneath. As a life-long coat collector, outerwear is particularly close to my heart. I was heartbroken when I realised that Exeter’s generally mild climate and hilly landscape rendered all of my heavy statement coats highly impractical, and it took some time to resolve this issue, but I’m confident that I now have. You see, lighter doesn’t have to mean less dramatic, as the cape I purchased at Exeter’s Christmas market last year proves; thick and long enough to swaddle yourself up if you’re feeling the chill, but loose enough to catch the breeze and cool you down as you walk, capes and ponchos are the perfect alternative to heavier coats. I always pair mine with a faux fur headband, adding to the Scandi effect while still letting your scalp breathe.

DRESSING IN AUTUMN AND WINTER MAKES ME FANTASTICALLY HAPPY If it’s a particularly temperate day, my other favourite is an oversized, silk-lined men’s jacket which I picked up in a charity shop. It’s very softly tailored from a lovely fabric which doesn’t crease – you really don’t want a proper dinner jacket, as they’re so stiffly made that they crumple like cheap paper as soon as you move – and the silhouette created by men’s jackets works wonderfully well on curvy bodies.

The firmer cut of the shoulders and nipped in waist creates a lovely shape without squeezing you anywhere uncomfortable.

My final essential for outerwear is a Pri-

mark pac-a-mac; cheap, cheerful and pocket-sized, this is the only raincoat I bother bringing to uni. One day, I dream of owning a cherry red Seasalt mackintosh, but what’s the point in blowing such a significant dent in my bank balance when I know I’d have the damn thing off half way up Forum Hill even in the middle of a monsoon? Til I find myself in colder climes, a pac-a-mac will do to keep the rain off.

A HIGH-QUALITY BLANKET SCARF IS A TRUE LIFE INVESTMENT Of course, what’s the good in wrapping your body up if your feet aren’t snug and dry? I’m afraid I have yet to find a cruelty-free alternative to leather footwear; nothing I’ve come across is as durable or comfortable as my much-loved and now nearly-soleless black ankle boots. I’m always open to suggestions, but for now my autumn/winter shoe rack will remain populated almost entirely by leather brogues and boots. I highly recommend you invest in a couple of good pairs of winter shoes; splash out on slightly higher-end high street brands like Schuh, Timberland, Rocket Dog or Clarks. There are few friends more loyal than a substantial, versatile and attractive pair of leather boots. Spend £80 on a pair that will last you the duration of your degree rather than £20 on a pair that, if you’re lucky, will remain waterproof for a month. Whatever you do, just don’t waste a hundred and fifty quid on a pair of Uggs – I hear that they’re having a revival, much to my displeasure.

Where would any winter wardrobe be without a really superb blanket scarf?

Again, I’m going to preach investment on this one; a high-quality blanket scarf is a true life investment. Mine came from Stolen From Susie in Gandy Street, and the only thing I own which is more comforting to touch and wear is my beloved dressing gown. Blanket scarves can be a bit heavy for Exeter temperature, but pair them with a men’s jacket and you have the colour, texture and excitement of a statement coat with the breathability of a lightweight covering.

I’m also a big fan of woollen tights.

White Stuff usually come through on this front with really high quality tights that even clumsy old me can’t seem to tear.

They have a gorgeous range of colours and patterns and the fabric is cosy, flexible and not at all heavy. Paired with a simple block colour dress and a good pair of boots, you have a perfect autumnal outfit ready to go.

KNOW WHICH COLOURS, TEXTURES, FABRICS AND PATTERNS AND CUTS YOU FEEL HAPPIEST IN It’s taken a while, but I love the way I dress. However, just because it works for me doesn’t mean it will definitely work for you. So long as you know which colours, textures, fabrics, patterns and cuts you feel happiest in, you know how to organise your own autumn/winter wardrobe; just adapt according to your local climates and your body’s temperature patterns. If you don’t feel comfortable in something – whether that’s because of its length, shape or print – don’t waste your money on it. Don’t bother dressing for anyone but yourself; that's the only opinion that actually matters.

arts + lit

Big bad Albee and his little fears...

Neha Shaji discusses fifty-five years of Who’s Afraid Of Virgina Woolf? on the stage

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HE American Dream in the 1960s was beginning a slow, bubbling disfiguration from the bright and cheery face it had in the 1950s. America realised it would know nothing but war and Americans realised none of them were truly equal; and the only thing uniting them was their clinging to the mirage that was a white picket fence, two children, and a constant pay cheque. In Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?, Edward Albee utilizes this common man’s refusal to acknowledge the shattering of the American dream to conjure up an enduring play which triggered an existential crisis in everyone from A-Level students to Burton and Taylor.

Albee’s George and Martha scream, cry, throw things, and run around in circles without ever actually going anywhere. Neither George and Martha, a childless, bitter middle-aged couple nor Nick and Honey, the chirpy young guests advance in any sense. However Albee’s theatre adopts elements of the absurd, and whilst the characters are perfectly stationary in terms of plot, their fears and insecurities are peeled back layer by layer using obscene

dialogue and seemingly nonsensical quotations.

At the end of the play, there is no stunning plot twist or revelation: George and Martha merely tiredly admit that they are scared of Virgina Woolf, the big bad wolf.

At first glance at the script, the show seems somewhat humorous,with funny interjections, dances, songs, and swearing. Yet the mood of the play is less joviality and more

suppressed hysteria, with fight scenes so intense that it was reported they caused Burton and Taylor (who played George and Martha) to split up, and the haunting, hollow presence of a child who is often mentioned but never seen.

The audience can relate to any of the four characters, without realizing they’re all intended to symbolise the exact same thing: a crippling, repressed fear of expectations and their failures, finding that every “bright eyed bushy tailed” beginning would end in “George and Martha, sad, sad, sad.”

Perhaps the reason this play has been so permanent is that Virginia Woolf, and the fear of her,

Photo: The Stage Review

could be anything. Albee seemed to have meant it as a reference to the actual author However, evoked by Woolf’s stream-of-consciousness writing, the fear of one’s uncontrolled innermost thoughts and paranoias could be the ultimate fear in the play. The characters are terrified of several things - advancing age, barrenness, the fear of loving and not being loved back, of war, commitment, of uselessness and mediocrity, of America not being the great utopia it was supposed to be. Similarly, readers and the audience of the play could interpret Virginia Woolf to be anything they are personally afraid of, something they repress and project onto others, as George and Martha literally hurl things at the other.

Fifty-five years on, the American Dream is dead and gone to (well, most of ) the country, but Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? lives on. As fears change and new wars and new ideas on mediocrity come into play, Albee’s scathing, absurd play continues to dig into society.

George and Martha may have been a product of a bygone era, but their very real terrors and hopes still live on in every coming generation.

Who’s afraid of a diverse cast?

Barbara Balogun, Lifestyle Editor, writes an open letter to Edward Albee

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EAR Edward Albee, As you may know, this month is Black History Month and because of this, I have decided to address this open letter to you.

In May of this year, an outrage started when it was discovered that you had objected to casting African-American actors for the main cast of Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? In this play, you analyse and take the spectators through the end of Martha and George’s marriage through the eyes of Nick and Honey, two guests that are invited and drawn into the bitter and frustrated relationship of the former pair.

YOU HAD REJECTED AND OBJECTED AFRICANAMERICAN ACTORS With this play you won the Tony Award for Best Play in 1963 and the New York Drama Critics' Circle for Best Play in 1963. But, not only did your play get awards, the actors starring in it did too. In 1963 again, you won the Tony

Award for Best Actor and Actress and you were even nominated for the Pulitzer Prize for Drama, although that never went through, as Columbia University objected due to the use of sexual themes and elements of profanity.

Last May, however, you decided to make the news again, this time for having rejected actors because in your opinion they didn’t match the gender and/or race you had originally wanted them to be. While it is arguable that a play is written and imagined in a certain way, do you not believe that in order to remain a play that is discussed, seen and appreciated, a play should be a collaborative form which every director can modify and adapt to fit its contemporary society?

To give you an example, I have decided to compare your play to Hamlet and Othello. In 2007, The Guardian was discussing the issue and had raised a very interesting point “Britain has changed vastly since the 1950s. Living in a multicultural society, it is unquestionably right that black actors should lay claim to Othello.”

In the society and the world we live in, plays

should not be accessible to only a certain race or gender. In the past during the era of the commedia dell’arte all of the actors who were white males had to dress up as whoever they were interpreting. However, with time, things have changed and it would now even be viewed as abnormal to have a male play the role of a female, especially if females had applied for the role, and it would be a sexist act to object to their presence. Hence, Edward, I do wonder, when you went against those black female actresses, did you not feel like your behaviour was abnormal and almost unacceptable in the 21st Century? At a time where people have to fight against the police to not be shot, a time where black people still have to prove that they are worth the same value as their white coworker, you have rejected them because they were speaking the same art language as you were, because they were as passionate as you about theatre, because they were as excited as their white co-workers to participate in your play, you have objected to their casting because of their race and their gender.

As I am coming to the end of this letter dear Edward, you have probably gotten my point and have probably understood by now that I strongly disagree with your behaviour and believe that the actions you have undertaken against those actors were wrong.

THEATRE SHOULD REFLECT ON CONTEMPORARY QUESTIONS In my eyes, theatre should be able to reflect on contemporary questions and should be able to address the present issues in a different way than politics addresses them. I cannot wait for theatre to change and to start shedding light on every actor independently of their race, gender or sexuality.

Edward, I hope that you will change your mind and expand your perceptions to contemporary society; I wish you all the best in your future.

Sincerely, Barbara Balogun.

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arts + lit

16 OCT 2017 |

EDITORS: Mubanga Mweemba and Maddie Davies

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#TheatreSoWhite Exeposé Arts+Lit writers examine theatre’s representation of black individuals in light of Black History Month TROUBLED TROUBLED PAST PAST

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Photo:Takawa and Royal Exchange

DENTITY and expression are integral parts forming the world of theatre. Yet in certain cases, theatre can insufficiently and poorly represent a certain race or identity. For instance, in Renaissance drama black characters were played by white men, a practice known as “blackface” which creates a distorted image of black identity. However, the foundations of modern drama have shifted, as we are more aware of the lack of black representation in theatre and beyond.

Many actors have graced the stage as the role of Lear in Shakespeare’s King Lear including big names such as John Gielgud and Lawrence Olivier. Yet what of the “Black Lear”? Shakespeare drew inspiration for the role of King Lear in Geoffrey of Monmouth’s History of the Kings of Britain. This does not necessarily mean that King Lear must be portrayed by a white man, as Gormund is referenced as the “King of the Africans”. Therefore, why must King Lear be portrayed as a white man?

BLACK PEOPLE WERE NOT ALIEN TO OUR ANCIENT PAST, MERELY INSUFFICIENTLY RECORDED IN HISTORY Recently, I went to see Don Warrington as King Lear at the Royal Exchange Theatre in Manchester, and was amazed by how such a casting choice can shed light on black identity and casting in Shakespearean drama. Michael Buffong, creative director of Talawa, insists by his creative casting choice that, “black people were not alien to our ancient past, merely insufficiently recorded in its history.” Not only this, but black actors such as Don Warrington deserve a stage to project such talent and skill in performance, an opportunity missed if a casting director opted for an all-white cast.

Buffong’s casting choice, however, is not typical in Shakespearean productions and black actors are usually cornered into roles that lay importance upon race. The range of roles is limited, usually characters such as Othello or Caliban. Othello is characterised as an evil ‘savage’ whose passions consume him, which undeniably racially charges the play. This is very similar to Caliban from Shakespeare’s The Tempest, famously portrayed by Djimon Hounsou in Julie Taymour’s 2010 film adaption, whose role as a slave to Prospero is racially influenced. Therefore, the fact that the casting for Othello and Caliban has been predominantly for black actors suggests that the racial echoes of theatre’s past still ring true in modern day. The manifestation of black identity, needs revision to truly represent black identity and create an acting space where black actors can thrive.

Rosana Wardle

MODERN DILEmMA

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Photo: Helen Maybanks (c) RSC

ACIAL diversity on UK stages is, at best, mediocre. It’s a historical issue for Western cultures in general; there is a gross tendency to whitewash everything in our past considered esteemed art. Entire civilisations and individuals alike have had their cultural history wiped away in favour of being portrayed with paler skin; even white people with mildly darker complexions have seen their melatonin levels reduced when represented in the media. If there are problems with the casting in these instances, how much harder must it be for actors with BAME backgrounds to find roles? It’s not good enough that a vast swathe of meaningful, significant parts written for black actors rely so heavily on narratives of slavery, racism and systematic oppression. We need playwrights to pay attention to people of all colours and cultures beyond these politically charged contexts.

I’m not confident that “colourblind” casting of old texts is any way to resolve this issue. If a casting director gives a part whose characteristics and actions are informed by their white privilege for example, Shakespeare’s Prospero, a man entirely driven by his internal belief that he deserves more than life has tendered him – does this not eradicate the struggles which have been embedded into the life of a black actor and those they are called to represent? However, if the role is already shaped by alterity, it can lend itself beautifully to diverse casting; staging can easily weave together intersecting prejudices to enrich a performed narrative.

[THEY WILL NOT] BE SILENCED

BY ANYONE BUT THEMSELVES But it is essential that diverse parts are protected for a diverse cast. I recently had the incredible pleasure of seeing Chipo Chung, a Zimbabwean-born actor, playing the leading role in Dido, Queen of Carthage at the RSC’s Swan Theatre. In their previous season, the RSC had Josette Simon (an actor of Antiguan background) playing Cleopatra. Both leading ladies were accompanied by the young and brilliant Amber James. The plays would not have been as poignant as they were without these incredible black actors, who poured their hearts, souls and heritages into their performances. Three powerful women, playing powerful roles—none of whom will be silenced by anyone but themselves.

Their eloquence and presence was phenomenal, both individually and combined, and a perfect demonstration of the direction British theatre must take to remain meaningful and intelligent. If we want to remain a significant cultural power, our theatres must tell every story that matters and that must extend beyond white experiences.

Emma Bessent, Editor

SUBVERSIVE FUTURE

Photo: Joan Marcu, Hamilton

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NGLISH actor, Lord Julian Fellowes, comments that white actors, up until very recently, “still saw Othello as just one of their roles”. This is problematic, but an unfortunate truth.

Othello, Hermione Granger, the Phantom, George Washington, all are characters on stage that have gained prominence with revolutionary colour-blind casting. While this is a feat that should be celebrated – Hamilton’s disregard for colour, class and creed is certainly pushing the boundaries on what we expect to see on Broadway and in the West End – the question remains: is it enough?

PAPAA ESSIDEU AND DON WARRINGTON ARE THE EXCEPTION THAT PROVES THE RULE

Notable names like Paapa Essiedu and Don Warrington may point towards a brighter future, but they are the exception that seems to prove the rule. The character of Hamlet can be black, according to producers. But to do so, the play will have to be set in “a modern state influenced by the ritual, beauty and cosmology of West Africa.” The emphasis on a context, that seems to justify the inclusion of a person of colour in the main cast where they otherwise would not be, is where the problems begins.

The lack of opportunities for black actors in theatre is not a thing of the distant past. Diversity has often been a major ingredient in the complex recipe for a blockbuster film or a sold-out theatre production. In addition, the recent trend for actors from BAME backgrounds to cross an ocean to America and make a name for themselves seems to be a necessity, whereby their fame then makes them a popular choice for theatre - regardless of race.

Nevertheless, despite complaints that progress is slow, there is progress. Audience views are changing and producers are moving on from the “box-ticking” approach, scouting out talent from all backgrounds, and not just to fill a quota. The quality of theatre has also improved due to this turnaround. Modern works of art such as Hamilton and the revamped Shakespearean plays of the RSC and National Theatre are a step in the right direction, acknowledging the contributions of artists of non-white ethnicities and the part they play in creating a narrative of culture.

The fact remains that diversity is easier to accomplish in theatre, a form that is traditionally associated with breaking the mould.

We may still have to wait a while before the Hollywood casting system owns up to its inner divide, and realises that Leonardo DiCaprio as 13th century Persian poet Rumi is not an acceptable consideration, let alone decision.

Fatima Zehra

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EDITORS: Mubanga Mweemba and Maddie Davies

Strike a pose

16 OCT 2017 |

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Owen Bush, winner of the PhotoSoc competition, reveals all about his take on a Vogue cover What was your inspiration for the piece?

Whilst I sought inspiration from previous Vogue covers such as the one of Selena Gomez this year, which used parallels between colour and background, the shot I ended up picking was largely spontaneous. As we were walking back from various photos in lots of different locations, I spotted some vibrant red flowers just by the road outside Reed Hall, and knew it mirrored the model, Lottie, and her red jacket and lipstick.

Why did you want to get involved with the competition?

I was excited to jump into a project, not being fussed about winning or taking the competition too seriously, but simply capturing some photography as I had been away from it for so long. It was a real bonding experience with friends in my halls and I knew it would become a good memory. Exeter has so many pretty locations and that’s what drew me to want to take part as it was a reason I always wanted to come to the Uni. However, it’s perhaps ironic that the photo I ended up loving so much was simply taken away from where the ‘aesthetics’ of the Uni are, just next to some flowers near the side of the road.

What difficulties did you face when composing the shot?

As usual, the rain and wind wasn’t ideal. As well as this, I always find a pressure at the beginning of a shoot to get the perfect photo, but it always takes me a while to “warm up” and capture the photo I wanted to take. Again, it’s fitting that the ‘winning photo’ was taken at the very end of the shoot, and perhaps suggests that I should take more confidence in myself to not worry about finding the picture I want, but letting it come to me.

What are your previous experiences in photography?

I’ve been away from photography for quite a long time, but I’ve always loved the editing side of things. It’s always been something which allows me to be creative rather than taking it too seriously, and that’s what I enjoyed about the competition. The freedom to fit any photo to a particular theme was exciting to me. In all honesty, I just like capturing memories that I can use to look back on, or images which I can transform and manipulate into something unique. It’s a passion that has always excited me.

ART IN THE NEWS

Kazuo Ishiguro wins the Nobel Prize

Last da Vinci painting in private

Dr. Seuss museum to remove mural

in Literature for 2017

hands to be auctioned for £75m

amidst complaints of racism

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music

In memo-rainbows

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Jaysim Hanspal, Copy Editor, celebrates the tenth anniversary of Radiohead’s seventh album In Rainbows

Y first proper introduction to In Rainbows and in fact Radiohead was, as disappointingly as I care to admit, whilst watching the first instalment to the disaster that people now refer to as ‘Twishite’. My eleven year old self could barely contain herself watching Twilight, and shockingly this wasn’t due to Robert Pattinson’s constipated face or Kristen Stewart’s awful acting. In fact it was the ending, the iconic In Rainbows song that was ’15 Step’, and would be played on repeat in my bedroom for the next several weeks.

Even as the seventh album of a decidedly iconic band, it is evident that In

Rainbows was always a game changer for Radiohead fans and anyone else with the ability to hear. Anyone with even a modicum of taste is sure to sigh in satisfaction at even the mention of ‘Weird Fishes/ Arpeggi’. Thom Yorke’s vocals remain both beautiful and broody, essential for the average teenage listener. However, there was always something different. Each song remains a standalone success, and a standalone sound, unlike many of the current indie factory productions.

The surprising thing about this album was undoubtably the changes in sound.

At the height of their success, it is clear that the band didn’t try to shy away from

any chance to experiment. Whether it was the strange electronic thrum of ‘House of Cards’ or the lethargy of ‘Videotape,’ every song carries a spirit and a sense of admiration in every producer in the industry.

The album manages to completely meet your expectations, while knocking them right over with a 1974 Fender Telecaster at the same time.

Despite the enigmatic and sometimes unintelligible lyrics of pretty much every song, it is evident that the beauty is in the ear of the listener. Take ‘Reckoner,’ a personal favourite of mine. With only three interchangeable, intertwining verses, the song is both simplistic and poignant: “Be-

cause we separate/Like ripples on a blank shore”. Everyone who appreciated this album always had a different song that was their favourite, a different lyric that spoke to them, proving that for each person, there was a message in the madness.

People will always argue that one album over the other has more merit.

In Rainbows will always have people at odds with why it was such a great album.

Whether it was Yorke’s magnetic vocals, or the ability of ‘Nude’ to make you feel deflated even in the most happiest of circumstances, people will always hold a special place in their Spotify playlists for this feat in music.

Book what you made me do Grace Fergusson brings us a list of her favourite music-related literature

The Road Beneath My Feet - Frank Turner Folk singer-songwriter Frank Turner is undeniably a touring veteran. Since just September 2004, he has performed over two thousand shows across the globe from house parties in Newcastle to punk bunkers in China. His honest, humorous and at times self-deprecating memoir follows his eventful life on the road as he travels the globe. Starting as a small, unknown musician playing small gigs in pubs and squats to even smaller audiences, he takes us through the glory days of Nambucca, where the open-mic night saw acts such as Laura Marling, Jamie T and Kid Harpoon during the early days of their career, right up to the excitement of his sell-out show in Wembley Arena. It’s littered with personal anecdotes about love, politics, friendship and loss, and ultimately the importance of staying humble.

Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist - Rachel Cohn and David Levithan If you’re a YA lover, this one is for you. The story follows Nick, the only straight member of the queercore band ‘The Jerk-Offs’, and Norah, a sassy, cynical, music geek as they search for the venue where local band ‘Where’s Fluffy’ are playing their secret gig. They cross paths through a series of chance encounters on what seems to be a never-ending night of heartbreak, whirlwind romance and live music.

It’s Different for Girls - Jo Brand Jo Brand’s second novel follows two Hastings teenagers in their discovery of sex, drugs and music. A funny and honest portrayal of girlhood in the 70s and 80s, this coming of age novel follows Susan and Rachel’s journey through adolescence, as one falls into the progressive rock of the new age movement, whilst the other discovers the London punk scene in a bedsit

in Bromley. Whilst Brand’s writing style isn’t particularly ground-breaking, it’s a quick, funny and relatable read.

Just Kids - Patti Smith Frequently hailed as the godmother of punk, this touching memoir details Patti Smith’s entrance into the New York music and art scene in the early 1970s, where she meets and falls for the photographer Robert Mapplethorpe. Tinged with youthful innocence and naivety, this tale of two young artists struggling to get by explores not only their artistic collaboration and growth, with Mapplethorpe discovering photography and Smith’s transition from poet to musician, but also Mapplethorpe’s realisation that he was gay.

After Mapplethorpe died in 1989 from complications from AIDs, this book is ultimately an ode to her friend, companion and lover.

The Umbrella Academy: Apocalypse Suite - Gerard Way For me personally, graphic novels have always been linked to music, as I discovered them through my favourite bands. The first graphic novel I read, Watchmen, was inspired by Bob Dylan’s ‘Desolation Row’, and other comics such as Tank Girl have been hugely popular within independent music scenes. This award-winning debut comic by the MCR frontman is itself in many ways about the power of music, as an orchestra, ‘The Apocalypse Suite’, attempts to bring worldwide destruction through their music. The ‘Umbrella Academy’ is a dysfunctional family of superheroes, who reunite in an attempt to save the world from the Apocalypse Suite, however they discover that the problem is much closer to home than they thought. Gothic, witty and exceptionally illustrated, this is a great introduction to the world of graphic novels.

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EDITORS: Alex Brammer and Maddy Parker

music

In good Nick

16 OCT 2017

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Annie Tricks chats with Nick Mulvey about his recent album, Wake Up Now

N a grey Thursday afternoon, I had the opportunity to ring Nick Mulvey and have a bit of a chinwag about his new album. Not only did we discuss the beautiful themes running through his second album Wake Up Now, we delved into the topics of parenthood, sacred temples and friends.

So Nick, what have you been up to since releasing First Mind in 2014 apart from writing Wake Up Now? Well, basically I toured First Mind for the best part of two years, so the end of 2015 was my last gig for that. And almost after that we moved out of living in London and to living in the West Country in Wiltshire. I then made that my home with my wife but I’ve got lots of friends who live there as well. And I kind of got a different rhythm out there you know, living quite remotely, more in nature than I was in the city. And we made a baby and wrote this record.

What is your writing process like?

I don’t know if it is a solidified kind of thing, but the process for this album was initially some frustration and kind of like remembering that I can’t force it at first. I had a little studio space in my home and I went in there and I spent a lot of time figuring out what I wanted to write about. But that wasn’t too hard in a way in 2016, after becoming a dad, you know, I think I was a bit more ready as a writer to have more of an outward perspective for this record. But this writing process has involved friends more - I was just saying stuff to friends and that grew into a proper collaboration.

A lot of your songs touch on global issues. Would you say by titling your album Wake Up Now you want your listeners to wake up to the issues around the world?

Yeah, I mean, the title is more towards myself initially as the songs are all about self-inquiry, which you never talk about at school - you never talk about what is it to be alive and to be looking through each person’s eyes, with all the titles that we are given on top of that. At the end of the day, we are more than those things.

And I could feel that so many of these different problems, and I am not saying that I am an expert, but I could begin to see that many of these complex global problems had a similar potential cause.

It’s about ignorance; it’s about we don’t know what we are; and that has given rise to so many of these things that are going out of control. So yeah, I wish everyone to wake up, but only in the sense I wish for peace and wellbeing for every living being on the planet.

So would you say this is what makes this album different from your first album?

It’s different in a few ways: after touring my first record and living with those songs for a long time, I had a really clear intention from the beginning of this record and I wanted to speak very plainly.

A lot of the time in my first album I was using metaphors because that was where I was at as a writer, and I don’t think I was quite ready to own these statements.

The experience of releasing and touring my first album kind of gave me the confidence to do that. So I kind of realised you are damned if you do and you are damned if you don’t, so I may as well speak the truth as I see it.

I know this is a tough question, but what song are you most proud of on the new album?

Umm, it changes, but I think it’s ‘We are Never Apart’, because of the way the song came into being. Some songs take a long time; you live with them, and you kind of figure them out over a lot of time and other songs come much quicker than that and this was one of those. It takes an act of meditation in a way, you have to be very absorbed in the act of doing the song and let go of that self-critical mental aspect of doing an album. This song was a really cool experience for me because it really seemed to move through me and I was like, “Wow, what is this I am

singing about?!” It was a real process of discovery.

How do you go about choosing who is in your tracks, who is in your band and who sings?

Well, that was actually new territory for me. It happened in a more organic way, again relating to moving to Wiltshire and then being situated amongst my friends; it was natural for us to share our creative processes; they're artists as well and naturally we just hung out and they got to know the songs and the song structures. I didn't recognise it until my producer, Ethan Johns, said to me, "Everything you need is closer than you think,” and I said to him, "there is this pool of friends of mine who are really talented and who know all of the material,” and Ethan was like, "well duh, go there - don't go further afield, get your friends down." He gave me the confidence to really make this record with them, and now by and large those players have all become the band that I am touring with.

You are about to go on tour. What is your dream venue?

It wouldn't be a typical venue. It would be some kind of sacred site, like in a sacred temple on an auspicious day.

I went to a place called Palenque once in the forests of Mexico, and I think I would like to play there.

Are you reading anything at the moment? If so what?

I am reading this really interesting book called The Continuum Concept, which was given to me when my wife was pregnant. It's about this woman called Jean Liedloff, who spent most of the 60s and 70s with the Yeuquana people from the Amazon, and she begins to collect all her observations. She has incredibly deep insightful observations about human nature. Lots of it focuses on parenting and the family structures of the Yeuquana. She writes about how life for human beings has just changed at this unprecedented accelerated rate for the last two thousand years. But that's a very short space of time in an evolutionary sense, so our bodies are very similar to how we have always been. So, her time spent with people who are living now much as they always have lived without much interruption, gives a really interesting insight into all of us, into human behaviour.

Who is currently your favourite artist?

I like this guy called Nicola Cruz. It's been a while since I have found an artist which I like everything I've heard of them. I just can't get enough of this guy, he's a producer, he's amazing!

Are you where you imagined you would be right now when you were younger?

I don't think I ever thought that far

ahead to be honest! I think I would be really happy that I live with such a wonderful woman and we are making babies together and also that I play music in my life. I think I always knew I was going to play music. But when I was younger I was never that good at looking far ahead, and I am still not very good at it.

Lastly, what are your plans for the future apart from touring? I know you're not very good at looking at the future!

Yeah, there you go (laughs). But having said that, I think it's about making a family isn't it? Bringing up kids and bringing them up well; that contains everything, it’s a real living indication to practice what you preach. It's just amazing being a dad and I am humbled by it, I'm enjoying it so I hope that continues.

Wake Up Now was released on the 8th of September

REMEMBER THIS? PORTICO QUARTET Knee Deep in the North Sea 5 November 2007 So you may, as I did, have gone to see Nick Mulvey perform in Lemon Grove last Monday. You may have thought to yourself, “Yeah, this is it. This is literally as good as Nicky boy gets.

I’ve heard 'Fever to the Form', I’ve embalmed myself in 'Cucurucu', and I’ve very much 'Woken Up Now'. There was nothing before this.” But you would, of course, be very mistaken.

Before Nick flew the nest, (and possibly before he started reading D.H. Lawrence), he was whacking a Hang in the jazz and ethnic fusion band Portico Quartet, and I have to admit that, upon revisiting their 2007 debut album Knee Deep In The North Sea, I wish he’d stayed at it.

Though perhaps not the most accessible album at a glance, the patient listener will soon find themselves rewarded by the sultry saxophone melodies of tracks such as ‘Zavodovski Island’, ‘Prickly Pear’, and the eponymous ‘Knee Deep In The North Sea’ itself, alongside a generous helping of steel pan subtlety and enough jazzy experimentation to fire up the earbuds. The experience of listening to this album could be likened to that of walking in a trendy coastal town alongside a sea of memories.

Though Nick Mulvey's solo career may have taken off more successfully than those of his former bandmates: when you compare the Spotify streams, the masterful instrumentals offered by Portico Quartet in this gorgeous debut are, to my mind, a much more rewarding listen.

Matt Ward

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Live and let lounge

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Lorna Hemingway examines 2017's Live Lounge month

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O celebrate the 50th anniversary of Radio 1, the station has released a month of Live Lounges from various artists and genres, collating some fortunate and mishap covers. This series began in 2011 on Fearne Cotton’s show, and has been a large success with millions of views on YouTube and a vast listenership.

A Live Lounge session has been found to make an artist’s career, offering a platform to show the quality of their voice and the extent of their creativity with a well-known cover.

This month has therefore been perfect to showcase an artist’s new sound in line with their new album; the most successful contestant is Miley Cyrus, covering Roberta Flack’s, ‘The First Time I Saw Your Face.’ This is a particularly difficult song to make your own, considering it has been covered brilliantly by the

likes of Johnny Cash, Celine Dion, George Michael, and Leona Lewis. Roberta Flack’s rendition takes inspiration from a seventies piano serenade, accompanied by a soulful voice. Cyrus’ cover, located at her own rainbow styled studio, incorporates an equally soulful voice with a country twist, embodying her new album, ‘Younger Now.’ This artist manages to add the wild west to a classical romantic piece, a nostalgic nod back to Cyrus’ ‘Jolene’ that we all missed and loved.

Other than showcasing a new sound, an artist can take their unique tone and revamp an oldie but goldie. A perfect example this month includes Rag’n’Bone Man’s cover of the Rolling Stone's ‘Gimme Shelter’. The original song is unarguably the magnum opus of the bands career, providing an iconic melody be-

hind a political agenda evoking peace. As such, this was not an easy feat for the modern artist, due to the sheer legacy carried with the song.

However, as the session starts, the drums behind the track are immediately altered, a

choice which provided a fresh subversion to the piece. In this rendition, Rag’n’Bone man offers a chilling ballad in contrast to the classic rock sound of The Rolling Stones, we are offered more than just a song, but a narrative- as the lyrics sadly still ring true today, as they did in 1969.

AN ARTIST CAN REVAMP AN OLDIE BUT GOODIE For some artists, the Live Lounge is an opportunity to pay tribute to their past idols, and this month there were several to take note of. Sam Smith, Jay Z, and 30 Seconds to Mars all paid their respects in some intimate and heart-warming sessions. Sam Smith started off his Live Lounge performance this month with an ode to George Michael’s ‘Father Figure.’

In the original, Michael’s voice is accompanied with an eighties pop keyboard.

However, in Smith’s cover the artist’s voice takes full control, presiding over three soul singers and providing a warm, celebratory atmosphere. In contrast, Jay Z’s ‘Numb/Encore’ created a tearful and mournful tone in memory of the lead singer of Linkin Park, Chester Bennington.

Meanwhile, 30 Seconds to Mars covered an agglomeration of artists including

David Bowie, Sound Garden, Linkin Park, Prince, and George Michael. This major mash-up simulated an almost gig like remedy, making for a perfect Friday evening vibe.

Unfortunately not all of the Live Lounges were successful, with Craig David and the Killers being the major culprits when it came to disappointing performances.

The former combined ‘Wild Thoughts’ a recent classic with ‘Music Sounds Better with You’, to provide that ultimate throwback nineties feeling. However, rather than nostalgically turning back the clock, Craig David only left us with that bittersweetness that only comes from karaoke.

Rather than DJ Khaled’s in-time and current rap style, the addition of the nineties vibe transcended the song into an ode to a knock-off Shaggy. If anyone was a fan of this session, “it wasn’t me.” The Killers also fell short of the Live Lounge standard, with the cover of their own iconic song ‘Mr Brightside.’ As an Exeter Cheesys favourite we have countlessly heard this tune on repeat, but for some reason when they performed it live it was severely disappointing. The timing was off, Brandon Flowers seemed nervous, and the instruments were woefully underwhelming.

Yet despite these two mishaps the Live Lounge showcased a truly outstanding array of talent, providing yet further evidence that the power of live music is far from depleted.

Looking forward without anger Alex Wingrave reviews Liam Gallagher's debut solo album

LIAM GALLAGHER As You Were

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OVE him or hate him, no-one can deny Liam Gallagher’s huge impact on British music as the bombastic and controversial frontman of Oasis, one of the most successful bands in recent history. ‘I’m Outta Time’, one of the few songs written by Liam on their final album Dig Out Your Soul,, is one of my favourite tracks from the band, and showed real potential for his musical future. But since the group’s explosive split in 2009, Gallagher’s work in Beady Eye has been met with lukewarm reactions, both critically and commercially. The Mancunian singer has called this album his "last chance to really make music", so can his solo debut capture some of the magic of his Britpop heyday?

The answer, thankfully, is yes. Named after his sign-off on Twitter, where he is as notoriously blunt and out-spoken as ever, As You Were is an honest and nofrills tribute to Oasis and the Beatles that’s hard not to enjoy.

Gallagher’s voice sounds better than it has in about a decade, retaining that unique and mysteriously appealing quality that makes ‘Wonderwall’ so catchy.

Working alongside songwriters like

Andrew Tighe and Greg Kurstin (who has also worked with Adele, Sia, and the Foo Fighters, amongst others), he has produced twelve simple songs of punchy rock ’n’ roll and sing-along ballads that would be at home on any previous Oasis record.

Opener ‘Wall of Glass’ is an album highlight, with a rollicking harmonica and electric guitar intro described perfectly by the man himself as an ‘absolute stomper’. Songs like this, ‘Greedy Soul’, and ‘You Better Run’ show some Nashville and blues rock influence and got my head nodding pretty quickly. On the flipside, you have recent single ‘For What It’s Worth’, a soft apology song from Gallagher that is essentially diet ‘Don’t Look Back in Anger’; while it might not eclipse that classic, it’s still one of the best ballads he’s ever sung, and incredibly catchy. Songs like ‘Paper Crown’ and ‘Universal Gleam’ are some of the best of the album, dialling back the distortion to highlight Gallagher’s vocals.

‘For What It’s Worth’ is a lyrical highlight in addressing Liam’s controversial past, but most of the album’s lyrics are very standard rock fare and disappointingly predictable (bar the bizarre Brexit observation ‘what’s it to be free, man? What’s a European? Me I just believe in the sun’ on ‘Chinatown’).

However, ‘I’ve All I Need’, written solely by Gallagher, is a lovely album closer, containing the line ‘I hibernate and sing/while gathering my wings’, inspired by a Japanese banner in Yoko Ono’s New York flat, and encapsulating the album’s sound as a loving and open tribute to both Gallagher’s time in Oasis, and to his biggest inspiration in John Lennon.

TWELVE SONGS OF PUNCHY ROCK'N'ROLL As You Were is in no way an experiment or a risk for Liam Gallagher – it’s an album full of songs that sound almost familiar, so clearly derived from Oasis and their influences. But Gallagher has made it clear that he wants to revive the sound that made him famous, and that he loves doing it, so is that really a problem? Maybe what the music industry needs right now is a shot of adrenaline in the form of an abrasive and charismatic Mancunian, playing good oldfashioned rock ‘n’ roll. I’ll certainly be keeping my beady eye on what Gallagher does next. As you were.

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Runner-way success Fenton Christmas, Screen Editor, reviews the long awaited sequel to Blade Runner BLADE RUNNER: 2049 Director: Denis Villeneuve Ryan Gosling, Harrison Ford, Ana de Armis 2017, 163 minutes.

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HEN I was 6, my mum took me to see Ice Age at my local world of cinema, only for me to bawl my eyes out at the part where the animals return the baby to its father. Then, when I was a 15, tears poured down my cheeks at the end of Toy Story 3 as Andy said goodbye to his beloved toys. And if you didn’t cry at the start of Up, then there might be something wrong with your tear ducts. But now, at the age of 21, I found myself in a cinema with a solitary tear rolling down my face - but this time as the rather modest credits started to roll at the end of Blade Runner: 2049.

These are certainly not films that are particularly comparable for obvious reasons, so why then did I find myself crying at the end of an almost three-hour, mostly solemn, sci-fi epic? The answer is perhaps one of the strongest reasons why I regard this film as one of the best science fiction films of our generation – I couldn’t help it.

I cannot and will not give much away in terms of the narrative or the characters, because this film needs to be experienced on the biggest screen, with the best speakers, with as little knowledge about the film as is possible in this modern age. But essentially, the film picks up thirty years after the original, where the realistic androids known as “replicants” have been reintergrated into society and only the older models are still hunted by the “blade runner” police units. Ryan Gosling plays one such blade runner, who becomes embroiled in a conspiracy that could have major implications for both humans and replicants, as well as dealing with his own place within the world.

ONE OF THE BEST SCIENCE FICTION FILMS OF OUR GENERATION If there has ever been a film that shows the importance of the cinematic experience, it is this one. From the moment that the opening shot appeared on-screen and the booming, futuristic screeches of Hans Zimmer and Benjamin Wallfisch’s euphoric and fantastical score crashed through the speakers around

me, I knew that this film had the potential to be special. Roger Deakins has been the butt of many jokes surrounding failed Oscar winners, but a golden statue must surely have his name on this year because his cinematography is the most visceral and truly breath-taking I have seen in a “traditional blockbuster”.

The bold oranges and blues that consistently intertwine throughout the film are mesmerising enough, but the lighting in every scene is just spectacular. The bubblegum neon colours in the street advertisements pop like the very thing they take their colour from, contrasted with the greys of the landscape and the vehicles that buzz around like wasps in the city.

The set design that contains flashes of ancient cultures within the advanced technical society, most notably in Jared Leto’s Niander Wallace’s almost Egyptian meeting rooms, are a constant reminder of humanity’s evolution This has been a film thirty-five years in the making, but yet the universe of Blade Runner still feels as thriving as ever. Both the lingering shots of the futuristic cityscapes blended with the vivid and bustling nature of the streets of LA make a world that is much more alive than any sci-fi franchise I know. Villeneuve carefully constructs this world. He takes the time to set up objects and technologies that don’t necessarily have major implications to the overall narrative, but create real emotional connections between things that are purely logically driven. And this is at the heart of why this film is so good. In a world filled with emotionally distant robots, there is so much heart and complex emotion throughout, not least from Ana de Armas’s siri-type holographic character Joi, who really is a revelation; much of the philosophy surrounding humanity comes from her.

The cast are all exceptional, perhaps ex-

cept Leto whose distant and almost self-indulgent delivery does begin to grate, but only a little. Gosling is excellent – at his Drive best – reserved yet completely engaging at all times and it is hard to think about this film being as good without his performance.

He has an unnatural knack for pulling an audience in while being emotionally restrained.

Harrison Ford returns and showcases his best dramatic work for many a year, with a real heavy hearted Deckard that pulls on those emotional heartstrings without every becoming emotional himself. There are no great speeches here about what it means to be human, but rather those types of speeches are conveyed through the performances and the camera work is a truly remarkable way. There are flashes of action, but there are few and far between and if anything not the parts of the film that are the most interesting. But they’re still mesmerising to watch. There is more quality in the few action sequences you are given here than in any Michael Bay film I can think of.

All of this, is not to say that the film is perfect – what film is? It is a tremendously slow and methodical film, similar to the original, which could understandably put people off when coupled with the astonishing two hour and forty-three minutes run time. But the film embraces its slow pace rather than create it as a by-product. Very much like the first, Blade Runner: 2049 tells its story and explores its themes in a precise and specific way – pre-calculated and meticulous and if that isn’t for you, then this film certainly won’t be. Some of the pacing however does feel a little choppy in the middle act, as the intricate thematic explorations the film takes can come following a major plot discovery that would normally propel the narrative of a more conventional film. The film ends leaving some loose ends lying around and if there is to

be a sequel then perhaps these will be cleared up, but there is a sense of finality about the final few moments that mean these plot points just seem merely forgotten. There are some characters that are introduced merely as plot devices that feel out of place within a world where even ‘replicants’ are given huge sensitive connections with the audience. But these are nit-picky things that in no way detract from what it is perhaps Denis Villeneuve’s best work yet as he places himself as new directorial mastermind alongside the likes of Scorsese, Spielberg and Coppola.

THE BOLD ORANGES AND BLUES THAT CONSISTENTLY INTERTWINE THROUGHOUT THE FILM ARE MESMERISING

There are some films that you just know will be remembered for years to come, those that resonate with people, redefine a genre or even just reinvigorate one. Blade Runner: 2049 does none of those things. It is its own entity, a polymorphic film that will certainly not be to everyone’s taste. It is a film that does nothing more than what it set out to be – a wonderful and thought-provoking sequel to one of the most influential films ever made. It does not dangle sequels in front of you, nor constantly reference the previous film with “Easter Eggs”, nor does it try and do everything bigger and better. Like the very characters that inhabit this cyber-infused world, it simply is. I implore you, whether this seems like your sort of film or not, to see it. It is definitely not for everyone, but one I plead you to see regardless.

And as I sat in my cinema seat as the film finished, I was obviously reminded of Roy Batty’s incredible speech from the end of the first film. That ‘all those moments will be lost in time, like tears in the rain,’ speech? If that was the thing to take away from the first film, then Blade Runner: 2049 comes with one hell of a rebuttal. That just because those moments are eventually and inevitably lost and forgotten, it does not mean that they are not worth having to start with.

Thank you to VUE EXETER for providing this screening!

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EDITORS: Fenton Christmas and Ben Faulkner

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Meeseeks you soon R

Oliver Haynes gives his take on the latest series of Rick and Morty

ICK and Morty has been, from the beginning, a fantastically funny show that showcases cartoons’ unique brilliance perhaps even better than South Park or The Simpsons in their prime. The show’s take on the absurdity of life, expressed through the contrast between its monologues on freedom that mirror the words of Sartre and its insistence on punctuating profundity with farts and burps, is truly Beckettian.

It’s known for expertly turning darkness into comedy and this series is no different; a young boy accidentally kills his sister in a game of tag, a Rick has his happiest memory play on a loop in his head so other Ricks can harvest it to make biscuits, and Beth’s long-lost friend survives in an imaginary world by eating his incestuous children, yet it all manages to be hilarious!

A FANTASTICALLY FUNNY SHOW THAT SHOWCASES CARTOONS’ UNIQUE BRILLIANCE

Season three’s chronicling of family breakdown allows for the rich development of the characters. Rick’s rant casts Jerry in a whole new light as he is exposed as a parasite sucking the life out of his family, juxtaposing his previous depiction of loveable idiocy. Summer, far from being the fairly one-dimensional (no

A

pun intended) accidental child becomes a rebellious, angsty young girl suffering from the common neuroses of modernity. Beth, it turns out is closer to her father than it would first appear. As a child she was so sociopathic that Rick felt it was less effort to build a universal playpen than bother cleaning up after her. Their arcs also match thematically with both considering human freedom and paradoxes of choice. Rick becomes a pickle just because he can (which we all would, if we could, but we can’t) and Beth is faced with an existential quandary over whether she should travel the universe, leaving behind a clone or stay in her boring, but comfortable life, meaning she can no longer deny the facts of her existence as it would finally be a life she chose.

Despite what Rick says it still remains open as to whether or not the Beth we see experiencing an identity crisis is the real Beth or her clone. This will almost certainly be revisited in

a future series, perhaps as part of a wider plot seemingly building beneath the surface of some episodes. Season three has left us with some particularly intriguing cliff-hangers that have spawned an industry of desperately clickbaity fan theory videos, and the occasional one that I really hope is right.

A post-credit scene revealed that the remnants of the galactic government revived Rick’s friend, the now slightly better named Phoenix Person. And, the fantastic episode ‘The Ricklantis Mixup’ satirises recent political events through the election of a demagogue, the ever-intriguing Evil Morty, to high office in the inequality-stricken citadel. These loose ends might see Rick and Morty transition from selfcontained episodes to longer arcs. A change that I for one would welcome, as it would allow us to get to know more about the insane universe Dan Harmon and Justin Roiland have created.

Not just for kids

This series has certainly been polarising.

Harmon and Roiland have bitterly commented on complaints they received suggesting any decline in quality is due to new female writers.

While there have been dips in this season; the toxicity episode was slightly subpar and ‘The Rickchurian Mortydate’ wasn’t that strong for a season finale, some of the best moments in its catalogue, including the opening episode, ‘Pickle Rick’, and the aforementioned citadel episode all took place this season, so there was hardly the drastic drop-off in quality that some claimed.

SEASON THREE HAS LEFT US WITH SOME PARTICULARLY INTRIGUING CLIFF-HANGER

I think the show’s meteoric rise to the mainstream was bound to attract criticism. The Rick and Morty fans who view the integration of women writers as the cause of a perceived drop in the show’s quality should most certainly be ignored. There is no sign that the show has compromised for a bigger audience, and while you are entitled to your opinion on the direction the creators follow, blaming women for other people liking ‘your’ show is a more than a little pathetic.

Devon Musgrave-Johnson takes a look at the beauty of animation

coyote walks off a cliff and does not fall. He continues walking forward through the air until he notices the lack of ground under him. It is then - and only then - that he falls. This gag is a classic trope of animation - and it is something that simply couldn’t be done without it.

Animation is so popular with some creators because it allows for the impossible. A safe falls on a cat and the cat comes out the door shaped like a cube, a sea sponge becomes best friends with a starfish and a squirrel, a pumpkin transforms into a horse drawn carriage right before your eyes. This new world of whimsical possibilities opened up new doors and, in the western world, generated two new genres of television and film: the fun and wacky world of children’s animation, always with a hidden meaning, and the grotesque gross-out humor of late night animation for adults.

Both of these modes of storytelling have

merit. When done correctly they entertain audiences and make some money. But a new form has emerged in popular culture in recent years by the likes of Bojack Horseman and Rick and Morty.

The search for meaning hidden within children’s animation has crept its way into the hilarious and often-inappropriate hijinks of adult cartoons allowing for stories that can elicit laughter one moment and tears the next. This shift is one that is certainly possible in live action television and movies, but there is something special about animation that really aids in the blending of tragedy and comedy.

In a recent Exeposé article by Alex Winegrave, the writer stated of Bojack Horseman, “Its vicious, honest depiction of depression, existentialism and the human condition, juxtaposed with inventive visual puns and a world of talking animals make for a compelling and unique viewing experience.” This

statement points to something that is true of many animated TV shows going down this road, in that the juxtaposition is so unique and surprising for audiences.

It’s the laughability of a dog named Mr. Peanutbutter that really allows the harder points to strike with such force. Audiences are made vulnerable by the medium once dedicated to young children and adults just looking for a laugh.

Ever since the advent of Computer Generated Imagery (CGI), animation has become increasingly more human. Though its characters may still largely be made up of dragons, robots, and talking horses, the way in which the story is told has begun to mirror more closely that of live action. This is largely because CGI allows the storyteller to work with a “camera” of sorts, moving the frame around the characters rather than hand drawing the characters to fit the frame.

You can see this shift most clearly in film, where CGI usually means 3D. While hand drawn animation was painstaking and often quite stagnant, CGI allowed animators to explore much more complicated worlds and with them much more complicated stories.

Though it may not be as apparent visually, this has translated into television as well. Though the visuals have remained similar in artistry, the stories have become deeper and more complex to match their feature length counterparts. Combine this with the adult audiences that are already there for animation, and you get the wonderfully dark and devastatingly hilarious world of Bojack Horseman, Rick and Morty, and many more.

In short, animation allows creators to use a visual form of storytelling to shine a light on deeper issues, helping audiences digest complex themes while still feeling entertained.

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EDITORS: Fenton Christmas and Ben Faulkner

Quest for equality

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Leo Thorncroft evaluates the gender inequality currently plaguing the film industry

HE film industry has flirted with the word ‘feminism’ a lot in recent years. Emma Watson, Charlize Theron, Joss Whedon, Channing Tatum - amongst many more - all proudly declare themselves as feminists.

Looking at the industry, it’s not surprising that many have been outraged by inequality. According to one study by Directors UK, in which they examined 2591 UK films between 2005 and 2014, films were six times more likely to be directed by men. A BFI study, meanwhile, reported that only 30 per cent of actors cast in films in 2017 were female.

So, here we have the problem presented through numbers. Inequality becomes quantifiable. The solution appears easy: women made up 50 per cent of cinematic audiences in 2016, according to the Motion Picture Association of America; so all that needs to be done is push the other percentages up to 50% as well. Then, we will have equality.

Except the problem runs deeper. Certainly, representation is significant and needs to be addressed, but it is important to look at how women are represented – not just whether

they are. Declarations of feminist doctrine have come streaming out of the film industry, but it would be unwise to simply take them at their word.

There’s a Mitchell and Webb sketch about two producers looking to try and market The Apprentice. They note how it’s not just “coverage of idiots […] for an audience of idiots” – there’s also people who’ll watch ironically. “How do these ironic non-idiots show up in the ratings?” Webb’s character asks. “They show up the same, my friend,” Mitchell tells him.

Film producers do not have any allegiance to politics. They do not care if you’re watching ironically or not – if you’re progressive or sexist – only that you are watching. As they see progressive movements hit the mainstream, they adapt their films, not because they believe, but because this maximises their appeal. They adapt to the market, not to morality.

An effective way to do this is to present a film as feminist, but keeping characters sexualised under proclamations of ‘sexual liberation’.

It’s easily done. A sexually empowered woman arrives on the screen, dressed in a skimpy outfit. The feminists cheer for sexual freedom. The

sexists cheer for sexism. The producers cheer for profits.

This is definitely not to say that a woman reclaiming sexuality is bad, and of course it can – and should - be empowering. But most teenage boys do not care about sexual freedom, or the ‘Free the Nipple’ movement. They want to see you topless. It is a naïve hope to think producers are unaware of this.

So, yes, we can have female representation as action leads. We can have Black Widow (in Joss Whedon’s Avengers Assemble), Wonder Woman, Charlize Theron in Atomic Blonde. But Whedon’s Black Widow will be in skin-tight leather (whilst not featured amongst the merchandise, or in her own film). Wonder Woman will have slow motion shots up her skirt/armour as she kicks (as in the Justice League trailer). Charlize Theron will have a lesbian sex scene. It’s as if producers are giving consolation prizes to men: “Sorry, fellas, we’ve got to do this because feminism’s popular, but here’s some close-ups of Scarlett Johansson wrapping her legs around a guy.”

Even this is only half the battle. To return to the Mitchell and Webb sketch, it’s worth examining “ironic viewers”. With so many films presenting sexist stereotypes in more obvious ways (women as housewives, sexualised women, women side-lined, etc), it can be tempting to watch these films believing you are better

than their other audience because you’re aware they are sexist. The Fast and Furious franchise might needlessly have women in bikinis everywhere, to the point where even the actresses begin to call it out (“I hope [the studio] decide to show some love to the women of the franchise on the next one,” Michelle Rodriguez wrote on Instagram), but we can tell ourselves it’s a guilty pleasure. We’re not really sexist for watching it, because we know it’s sexist. We won’t fall for it.

THE SAD TRUTH IS THAT EVEN TO WATCH MOST FILMS IS TO ACCEPT UNDERLYING SEXISM But, in watching, we have fallen for it. The casual sexism is accepted, and even supported, by an audience of feminists and sexists alike.

The films continue to be made. The sad truth is that even to watch most films is to accept underlying sexism. Fighting for more representation is incredibly important, but until we can deconstruct the sexist roots in our society, these films will continue to be made and consumed.

All we can do is hope that, by increasing representation, film producers will begin to become aware of and correct the stereotypes and ways of presenting women that have dominated the industry. With nothing short of a radical rethinking of cinema, can we strive for equality.

The Hungover Games

Matt Betteridge runs through some of his favourite content to soothe a terrible hangover

Peep Show (2003-2015)

“How do I feel? Empty? Check. Scared? Check.

Alone? Check. Just another ordinary day.”

Mark Corrigan’s cynical world view provides the perfect platform for self-loathing after a night of bad decisions and economy vodka.

Hot Fuzz (2007)

It was just the one fresher, actually. The second of Edgar Wright’s so-called ‘Cornetto trilogy’, and perhaps one of the most quotable films ever created, could cheer even the most miserable hangoveree.

The Big Lebowski (1998)

The Coen Brothers’ cult classic, with Jeff Bridges staring as ‘The Dude’, is the embodiment of taking life as it comes. The perfect philosophy to counter-balance your impending sense of regret.

The Philosopher’s Stone (2001)

Yes, the acting is more than questionable, but you came to Exeter, you accepted your alumni. Besides, who doesn’t enjoy a throwback to a childhood classic?

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EDITORS: Fenton Christmas and Ben Faulkner

Streaming Showdown

16 OCT 2017

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Fenton’s film of the week

Two of our writers face off in the streaming service battle of a lifetime

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ETFLIX is overrated. The hours that I spend scrolling trying to find something to watch has left me questioning its dominance over streaming platforms.

I’ve tried both Netflix and Amazon Prime and I can convince you that Amazon Prime is better.

First, cost. The standard Netflix subscription is now £7.99. Amazon Prime Video alone is £5.99, the same as the cheapest Netflix package, but I’d argue that it would be better to sign up for Amazon Prime. £79 a year might sound steep but it actually works out to about £6.58 a month.

With the full Prime package not only do

you get a streaming service but also free next day delivery, Amazon Prime Music and more.

Secondly, content. There is a huge difference between US and UK Netflix. For example, I love Parks and Recreation, and for those that haven’t seen it, I can’t recommend it enough.

Parks and Rec is available on US Netflix but not in the UK version of the service. Where can I watch this amazing show in the UK? Amazon Prime. This is one example which I think shows the disconnect between Netflix’s reputation, which stems from American Netflix, and the reality of UK Netflix.

I think that we overlook Amazon Prime

largely because of this false reputation. Shows such as Mr Robot, The Walking Dead, X-Files are all available with Amazon Prime and are big household names.

The Man in the High Castle and American Gods are also two brilliant examples of highly-bingeable Amazon originals. Finally, Black Sails, another original, is excellent at filling the empty hole left by Game of Thrones.

To sum it up, Amazon has free next day delivery and it’s cheaper than Netflix. Who wouldn’t want that? Take heed from my stellar reccomendation!

Lizzie Quinn

Blade Runner (1982) Ben’s film of the week

The Ususal Suspects (1995)

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T’S hard to think of fewer words that could bring such a sense of unadulterated joy to the mind of a student – impressive considering it’s not even free nor attached with a student discount. What is it about Netflix that keeps it so relevant despite the constant wealth of new streaming options?

The answer is straightforward – accessibility and quality. Reed Hastings – Netflix’s CEO – summarised its winning formula in that “the website adapts to the individual’s taste”, ensuring that every potential customer has something to find and enjoy in their vast catalogue of films and TV shows.

Netflix increasingly operates year-by-year

as its own network, curating and crafting hundreds of ‘Originals’ annually that succeed by targeting specific demographics.

Unbreakable Kimmy Schimdt is a wildly successful and vibrant sitcom, Narcos is a gritty crime drama and Bojack Horseman is a truly original and surreal mix of animated comedy and gut-punching tragedy. The algorithms buried within Netflix ensure every viewing fetish is covered – from ‘Deep Sea Horror Movies’ to ‘Coming-of-Age Animal Tales’.

Not only that, but every ‘Original’ production is packaged with a variety of thumbnails, designed to cater for viewers of different tastes.

Whilst it’s unfair to say that rival Amazon’s original content is universally inferior, the gargantuan tech company are still sorely behind on the quality of their offerings. At this year’s Emmy’s alone, Amazon failed to win a single award, whilst Netflix won a staggering twenty awards for runaway successes such as Black Mirror, Stranger Things and Master of None.

The subscription cost is constantly escalating, yet it’s hard to deny that the occasional extra pound isn’t worthwhile in funding some of the most creatively daring projects in film and TV today. Anyway, ‘Amazon Prime and Chill’ hardly has the same ring to it now, does it?

Jacob Heayes

CAMPUS CINEMA PRESENTS

CAMPUS CINEMA PRESENTS

CAMPUS CINEMA PRESENTS

LOGAN LUCKY

AN INCONVENIENT SEQUEL: TRUTH TO POWER

DUNKIRK

DATE - 17/10 DATE - 17-10

TIME - 6:30 & TIME - 6:30 & 9PM

DATE DATE- 19/10 - 17-10

TIME - 6:30 & TIME - 6:30 & 9PM

DATE- 22/10 - 17-10 DATE

Foreign film of the week

Three Colours Blue (1993) Director of the week

TIME - 6:30 &

TIME - 6:30 & 9PM

Denis Villeneuve

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| 16 OCT 2017

exhibit

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study break

STUDY BREAK CROSSWORD # 103

SUDOKU # 41

Fresh (3)

1 Call (not to be picked up: one of the 10 Down 1 Across

2 23) (5)

3 English singer-songwriter whose UK Top 10 singles include ‘Be The One’ (2015) (3,4)

Ancient Greek letter (5)

4 Body height (7)

5 Essay - iterates (anagram) (8) Slant - bias (4)

6 Lessen (6)

7 Mate (don’t be one to an ex: one of the 10 Down 1

10 Across 23) (6)

12 Simple (4) Dismissal from a place - shrub sum (anagram) (4,4) 13 Career (the ex only does so because they’re 6 Down

16 and 26 in 6 (Across 21’s 1 Across 23) (7)

17 Laws (5) Allow (don’t ___ an ex in: one of the 10 Down 1 Across

19 23) (3)

21 Separately (5)

Up till now (3)

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Down

Across

1

3

6/21

8

9

10

11

14

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Mesh (3) Time between Friday and Sunday evenings (7)

riddle me this

Rehearsal (it makes perfect in 6 Across 21’s 1 Across 23) (8) Preoccupy (6) Dutch cheese (4) Intoxicated (5) Wonder (3) Number of 1 Across 23 in a 6 Across 21 song (5) Broadness (5)

2. I am broken before you use me, I brighten your day until I die.

What am I?

Protect (8) Fairly - evenly (7) Excessively enthusiastic (4-2) Break up (5)

3. What occurs once in every minute, twice in every moment, yet never in a thousand years?

See 6 Across

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Mountain pass (3)

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Take a seat (3)

1. What can travel around the world while staying in a corner?

ANSWERS

4. I climb higher when hot, But beware my rage, I’ll kill with a breath, If I can escape my cage. what am I? 5. What gets wetter and wetter the more it dries?

A towel Riddles: 1. A stamp 2. A glowstick, 3.The letter “m”,4. Mercury, 5.

Equally, 17 Gung-ho, 19 Split, 22 Col, 24 Sit. Awe, 10 Three, 12 Width, 13 Preserve, 16 Down: 1 Net, 2 Weekend, 3 Practice, 4 Obsess, 5 Edam, 6 Drunk, 7 20 Bum’s rush, 22 Calling, 23 Rules, 25 Let, 26 Alone, 27 Yet. Treatise, 11 Skew, 14 Reduce, 15 Friend, 18 Easy, Across: 1 New, 3 Phone, 6/21 Dua Lipa, 8 Theta, 9 Stature, 10

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16 OCT 2017 | EXEPOSÉ

Science

SCIENCE EDITORS: Luke Smith Leah Crabtree

CRISPR: cutting facts from fiction Elinor Jones discusses the possibilites of CRISPR

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ENOMIC manipulation, whether due to its connotations of ‘futuristic mad scientist’ or what appears as sheer complexity of patterns of heredity, is consistently associated with words such as ‘dangerous’ and ‘worrying’. However, since 2013, a new technique called clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats, or more simply known by the acronym CRISPR, has turned up as the new kid on the block, and it is starting to make friends in the genetics world.

CRISPR is rapidly becoming one of the most exciting new opportunities for research scientists and doctors alike, a welcome alternative to the then-current protein-based genetargeting methods known as TALEN and Zinc Finger that were customisable DNA-binding proteins requiring the generation of new proteins for every genomic target site. Instead, the new system uses sort lengths of the genetic material RNA to guide a restriction enzyme to the DNA target site.

One could argue that CRISPR technology, unlike the development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, is an evolutionary success story. Akin to humans having lymphocytes to minimise the

effect of pathogens, bacteria and most Archaea adapted an acquired immune system based on CRISPR, acting as a defence against foreign, or non-self DNA. For CRISPR to be used in genetic engineering two fundamentals are required: a short, synthetic length of RNA acting as a guide – RNA is a single-stranded polynucleotide – and a non-specific CRISPR-associated endonuclease called Cas9. Cas9 is an enzyme that cuts a twenty-nucleotide sequence of DNA, so long as this region is immediately upstream of a PAM, a Protospacer Adjacent Motif – a necessary binding site for the enzyme – and if the twenty base-pair sequence is unique to the rest of the genome.

In simple terms, if DNA was a road with a broken or faulty section , Cas9 would be the machinery that pulls up the road surface ready for fixing and the RNA would be the project manager.

Like a lock for a key, proteins, such as enzymes, have highly specific shapes which allow them to perform their function. Equivalent to putting the key in the lock to open the door, gRNA activates the Cas9 enzyme, such

that there is a conformational change, whilst a “spacer” sequence of the gRNA remains free to attach itself to the DNA target. If conditions are right, within the DNA target region there will be double strand break. When such a break occurs, there is an automatic repair pathway, resulting in mutations of the DNA sequence which are small changes to the gene.

It is almost unfathomable to think of the possibilities With such powerful techniques at our fingertips, it is almost unfathomable to think of the possibilities posed by this genome manipulation tool. Whilst its benefits may be seen immediately in treatments requiring the removal of cells from the patient before putting them back in, the most potential is with the editing of cells within the body itself, enabling a whole host of opportunities to treat conditions like liver disease, muscular dystrophy and even cancer.

Cleverly manipulating the fact that CRISPR is a feature of the acquired immune system

of bacteria and archaea, earlier this year re- manipulation like a conventional drug, straight searchers at the Memorial Sloan Kettering Can- to the site where it is required .at.

For several decades now, scientists have cer Center, New York, modified immune cells, T lymphocytes, to express proteins on their been investigating how to deliver big molecules, such as the CRISPR machinery, surfaces that could both recognise to the correct sites. At Inand attack the proteins on tellia Therapeutics of the surface of cancerous Cambridge, Massacells, the correspondchusetts, researching antigens that fit ers are looking complementary into the use to the proteins of fatty partion the surface cles to deliver of the T cells. the CRISPR W h a t components to makes ustreat liver disease; ing CRISPR similarly, they are so beneficial for working on a cure such a treatment is for hepatitis B, which the high specificity; rePhoto: Pixabay also affects the liver. searchers could deliver the Who would have thought gene required to a precise locus on the T-cell genome, reducing the chance of that what could arguably be the most exciting subsequent mutation, that could cause further breakthrough in modern medicine would originate from something that has actually been sittumours.

Where CRISPR could really make its mark ting quietly there all along: the not-so-humble in the future of health-care is by delivering gene bacteria.

Do jellyfish sleep? It’s a no-brainer

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Riddhi Mane dives into the science of (a lack of) sleep

LEEP remains highly elusive is required by relatively complex orto both scientists and students. ganisms to process memories, detoxify Questions, such as ‘why do we cells, and repair tissue. “The results of sleep?’ and ‘when did sleep first evolve?’ this study challenge certain commonly held beliefs,” says William Joiner, a plague sleep scientists in the same neuroscientist at the Uniway that questions such as versity of California, ‘when will sleep come San Diego, who was next?’ and ‘why is it not involved with two days past my the work. “For bedtime?’ plague example, that the general sleep requires student popua centralised lation.

Until nervous sysvery recently, tem and related we thought neural circuits sleep was only across evolution.” reserved for mamhe adds. As the jellymals, flies, birds, fi sh is an evolutionarily or the weak, but new Photo: Pexels ancient organism, this means research undertaken at that the need for sleep is older than the CalTech suggests that even organisms without brains like a certain type of jel- entire human species.

The key actors in this electrifying lyfish can display sleep-like behaviour.

Within the scientific community, a study were 23 jellyfish of the genus commonly held perspective that sleep Cassiopea, which are affectionately

known as ‘upside-down jellyfish’. In its element, this type of jellyfish sticks to the bottom of the sea floor on its bell with its tentacles pointing upwards, and avoids movement unless absolutely necessary. Once every second, it religiously pulses its bell in an effort to feed or get rid of waste.

The bell pulses of these jellyfish were closely monitored for almost a week, revealing that the pulse rate dropped by one-third as night-time set in – resembling a state of sleep. It was also found that waking up is a struggle regardless of whether you identify as a human or a jellyfish. When these ‘sleeping’ jellyfish were lifted off their surfaces and scrutinized, they found it harder to swim back to their original locations, and displayed the same level of responsiveness to stimuli as any caffeine-infused student during an 8.30 lecture.

Finally, these jellyfish were deprived of sleep by spraying them with

water every twenty minutes for half a day, which unsurprisingly resulted in reduced enthusiasm and energy in the daytime. The jellyfish were seen to compensate for lost sleep by sleeping at odd hours, making them one of the easiest organisms to relate to. Interestingly, when these jellyfish were given melatonin, a sleep-inducing hormone found in humans and one which is sensitive to light, they decided to fall asleep. Could this mean that humans and jellyfish, in spite of having evolved at completely different points in time, have similar underlying mechanisms to induce sleep?

The need for sleep is older than the entire human species Ravi Nath, this study’s first co-author, explains, “This finding opens up many more questions: Is sleep the property of neurons? And perhaps a more far-fetched question: Do plants sleep?”

He also thinks that if sleep is found in such a basic and simple organism, then its ancestral function is possibly also basic. The next challenge will be to find an even simpler ancestor in the tree of life and assess if it needs sleep as much as we do.

At a cellular level, we all desire and require sleep. However, when we sacrifice sleep to accomplish such meaningful tasks as hopping and swaying on sticky dance floors in a mentally compromised state, or when we load up on coffee to pull those nasty all-nighters, we must bear in mind that this is a less efficient way of digging one’s grave. Social jetlag – which is caused when social commitments take priority over sleep is a crime which we are all guilty of, and one that can lead to an increased risk of cardiovascular disease and chronic fatigue. So, put those phones away, and remember this: if the going gets tough, almost everything will work if you switch it off and back on again.

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SCIENCE

F

LASHBACK to many years ago, you may or may not believe that smallpox killed approximately 300 million people in the twentieth century alone. That would account for roughly 19 per cent of the population at that time.

Thanks to Edward Jenner’s vaccine breakthrough, today smallpox can be cured before it is even contracted. It is rarely, if at all, seen as lethal. Flashforward a century and someone may be writing the same thing about ageing: does that not sound crazy?

For as long as humans have existed, ageing has been seen as an inconvenience despite the fact that it forms a natural process of life.

According to ASAP Science, humans are “programmed to die”. Yet, beauty companies are constantly advertising products that will bring back one’s “youthful glow”, and anti-ageing diets are a trend and vam-

W

E'VE all seen classic knock off products; perhaps you’ve been tempted to buy them?

You wouldn’t be alone. 40 per cent of people in a UK survey admitted to buying pirated films and music or purchasing counterfeit clothing and accessories. This is despite the fact that 90 per cent of respondents in the same survey agreed that it was “morally wrong”. Counterfeiting is a large and varied operation, but there are ways of protecting against it. So, what are some of the most widely counterfeited products and how can we be sure what we’re buying is genuine?

Alcohol is a big business, and it's not surprising that a large market of counterfeit alcohols has appeared. 18 per cent of people admit to having bought counterfeit alcohol at some point, making it the third most popular counterfeit item.

But this could be potentially dangerous, for example, faked spirits may be contaminated with methanol, which is much more toxic than ethanol (the normal ingredient responsible for alcohols effects).

So, how do we tell the real from the fakes? Remember the four Ps: Product (look out for commonly faked products like vodka), Price (if it looks too good to

The age old problem

Priyanka Gujadhur delves into the current solutions for old age pire facials (made famous by Kim Kardashian) are a thing. This brings us to the main question: how close are these scientists to curing this ‘disease’?

Tur ns

Photo: Pixabay

out, closer than you would want to think.

Stanford University School of Medicine has successfully created and implemented a procedure to lengthen telomeres in skin cells. Wait, what are telomeres? They are the protective caps found on the end

of DNA strands, and every time a cell divides, the telomeres get shorter. The shorter the telomere, the more you age.

The cell eventually reaches a point where it is stripped off from the telomere and it no longer divides and dies. Hence, by lengthening our telomeres, we are slowing down the process of ageing and the diseases, such as Alzheimer’s, which accompany it. It should be noted that ageing is not just genetic; environmental factors can influence it as well. So, for example, if you are a fan of The Ram’s curly fries or religiously down VKs on a night out, you are not doing your telomeres any favours.

However, if telomere-lengthening sounds too far in the future and you are looking for something more accessible in the market, then worry not. In California, a start up business is offering 'young blood transfusions' from donors aged 16-25 to people who have the luxury of spending $8000 (£6121) per treatment.

These clients are already reporting improvement in their cognitive abilities, energy levels and muscle strength. The idea for this procedure came from anecdotes by patients who reported feeling “rejuvenated” after having received blood transfusions from donors younger than

them. This, in turn, was tested on mice during an experiment, and the study revealed that the mice benefitted from an enhanced ‘synaptic plasticity’. This is a mechanism closely linked to learning and memory.

If California is too far and $8000 (£6121) too pricey for an anti-ageing treatment, there is still a more affordable solution. In fact, if you have done a HIITT (high intensity interval training) workout this week, you have already decreased your chances of getting affected by age-related disease. Need proof? A study assigned a three-month HIITT program to participants aged between 65 and 80 revealed “earth shattering” information.

A business is offering 'young blood tranfusions' [for] $8000 The mitochondria, often referred to as “the power house of the cell”, have the role of creating 90 per cent of the body’s energy and this ability decreases with age.

However with HIIT, this function increased by 69 per cent in the participants.

Fake it 'til you make it

According to Nair, who was part of the research; “there's no substitute for these exercise programs when it comes to delaying the ageing process…these things we are seeing cannot be done by any medicine”. Turns out, we do not really need a high-tech solution to ageing!

HIITT increased by 69 per cent in the participants However, if we are talking about overthe counter pill solutions to ageing, we are still far from that. Right now, the research is mainly focused on specific diseases (like Alzheimer's) that appear as a consequence of ageing. It is not necessarily about prolonging life itself, but prolonging the quality of life. That is not to say it will not happen. Did you know that plastic surgery was pioneered during war as a way of treating soldiers' wounds? Today, it has trickled down to being used mostly for cosmetic purposes. If that is any indication of the route the industry of antiageing will take, one day, the promise of eternal youth will become available to everyone...but are we ready for it?

Ruth Braham tells us how to avoid everyday forgeries and fob-offs

be true it probably is), Packaging (beware of shoddy packaging) and Place (only buy from reputable establishments).

In 2015, Pangea seized $81 million worth of fake drugs Perhaps the most troubling area of counterfeiting is the area of counterfeited medicines. In 2015, Interpol’s operation Pangaea seized 81 million dollars worth of fake drugs and shut down 2410 websites selling fake medicines. However, new techniques are being developed to deduce if medicines are genuine. This revolutionary new technology uses atomic nanoparticles, which are tagged and positioned with extreme accuracy to create an uncloneable security tag. A flash from a customer’s smartphone can make these particles luminesce and the pattern can be captured and decoded to prove the medicine is genuine. To replicate these counterfeiters would need to discover the exact position of tagged micro particles from the scatter pattern and then arrange their own nano-particles to match the manufacturers with pinpoint precision.

These tags are perfectly edible and nontoxic so there are few safety concerns, and while current iterations only use black and white patterns, newer techniques may introduce colour to increase the number of available barcodes.

There is also a serious problem with forged currency. In the first half of 2017, £4.9 million worth of fake bank notes were removed from circulation about 0.1 per cent of all the banknotes out there. Coinage can be even more of a problem, with about 2.6 per cent of pound coins circulating in 2015 being fakes. However, the release of the new 12-sided pound coin and new polymer

five and ten pound notes should mean a decrease in the amount of counterfeiting due to the increased difficulty. For example, the new £1 coin has images that change depending on the angle it is viewed from. It remains to be seen how effective these methods are, but officials seem hopeful.

Have a look at any Facebook post from a news organisation and check the comments: chance are, up to 10 per cent of these are fake. These come from “cash for likes schemes” firms offering to sell people likes which it delivers via bots.

Programmes like this increase the perceived popularity of the original poster

and can be programmed to espouse certain points of view, making it seem to the casual observer that the views are being held by the general public. This process is called astroturfing and doesn’t just affect Facebook. Bots are an unfortunate part of many social media sites, however many sites have developed systems for reporting these, as well as running their own checks. If you think you have spotted a fake account on Facebook, you can go to the profile, click on the ellipsis symbol in their cover photo and click “report”.

Photo: Pixabay

16 OCT 2017 | EXEPOSÉ

Luke Smith, Science Editor, reflects on the debate concerning the use of complementary medicine

N a recent event run by the University of Exeter's Debating Society (DebSoc), I had the pleasure of arguing the proposition side for the debate "This house believes that complementary medicine is a threat to public health". It was a close thing, tying up at 34 to 36: we lost by two votes.

But fear not, this piece will not just be a rendition of the debate; rather some personal thoughts about what I learnt from arguing a scientific position on a public stage.

Understanding how the public views science is more vital now than ever Much like theories are refined or disproved by the discovery of new evidence, arguments can only improve when challenged; and understanding how the public views science is more vital now than ever. With President Trump backing out of the Paris Agreement, and over half of American adults either showing scepticism or simply disbelieving in climate change, we now have to ask how, in this modern age, we can use scientific fact to change public opinion and policy.

Complementary medicine is the use of non-mainstream practices alongside the application of those medicines proven and accepted by the wider scientific community. It does not include marijuana (our first question from the audience covered this matter) because I doubt that your doctor will refer you to a local drug dealer – weed, unfortunately, is still not offered on the NHS – but they may refer you to a homeopath, acupuncturist, or chiropractor. Studies have shown treatments given by these practitioners to offer no greater or very little benefit above a placebo. The placebo effect should definitely not be underestimated and could arguably have a role to play in the future of modern medicine, yet the use of complimentary and alternative medicine (CAM) as that placebo is potentially harmful.

A great deal of this comes from CAM making unsubstantiated claims about science and health. Homeopathy, a popular form of CAM, includes the idea that the more you dilute a substance within a solution the more powerful it becomes, which stretches so far that in the majority of homeopathic treatments it is practically impossible for any active ingredient to be present.

To combat this idea, many homeopaths argue that water has a memory. Our opposition on the night admitted that whilst they "don’t know how it works", its function could be discerned from fu-

ture discoveries in quantum mechanics (after admitting, themselves, that they know very little about physics). Even though there are no repeatable experiments to back up these views, and their concepts fly in the face of all known science, I have to ask: what’s the harm of this? A far more worrying aspect of homeopathy is its main tenet of 'like cures like’. This was established when the founder of homeopathy, Samuel Hahnemann, consumed cinchona bark and later thought he exhibited malaria-like symptoms. He reasoned that if the substance were to be diluted, then it would be able to treat malaria upon being ingested. This is still prescribed by homeopaths for this condition today, but what frustrates me (apart from the fact that it doesn’t work) is that it tells us nothing about the true cause of the disease – plasmodium parasites – but instead gives a wishy-washy concept of treating symptoms with symptoms. Such misinformation is anything but constructive in the long-term, and will certainly not lead to a greater public awareness of the basic concepts of science and health.

This misinformation is anything but constructive in the long term We wouldn't be having this debate if homeopathy had been found to work, but meta-analyses – where data from lots of different trials are brought together and analyzed – have shown time and time again that homeopathy is no more effective than a placebo.

There was some conjecture from the opposition over which of these to look at (with Dr. Malcom Wallace stating at one point, quite falsely, that only 5 had been carried out), but the fact remains that the only time homeopathy performs better is when the data includes poor quality studies.

Incidentally, focusing on the errors in these studies proved to be a key error of mine in the debate: I wasted time trying to disprove CAMs, rather than looking at the wider social problems they cause. The consensus is clear within the medical community, and this is all I should have referred to; the House of Commons Science and Technology committee and the British Medical Association have both called for the government to stop the funding homeopathy on the NHS on the grounds of it not being "evidence based" since 2010.

Even so, up to last year the NHS was

spending around £5 million annually on homeopathy. Some would argue that this is nothing compared to total NHS spending, but £5 million is enough to pay for 200 nurses and 50 consultants, an expense which would produce scientifically asserted results.

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

The real harm caused by CAMs is that unsupported beliefs left unabated lead to more unsupported beliefs, and this is something that homeopathy has a deep and rich history of. The first example I used was the charity Cancer Active, that describes itself as “the UK’s number one Complementary Cancer Charity”; which republished an article in 2012 that claimed that homeopathic remedies had been found to be just as effective as chemotherapy, and that thousands of cancer cases were being reversed by homeopathy alone. Seeing as people have died from being misled like this, it's somewhat painful to know that taxpayers’ money was going to this organisation.

In dicussing individual deaths, the opposition commented that these were, for the most part, due to the people choosing to spurn their conventional treatments because of what they’ve read online rather than the advice from CAM specialists. This, however, denies further evidence of homeopathy being presented as superseding conventional medicine: a study carried out in 2002 showed that over half of UK homeopaths contactable by email advised parents against giving the MMR vaccine to children over fears that it causes autism.

This led to some debate as to whether they were justified to give this advice, with the opposition asserting that there wasn’t enough evidence at the time to know whether the vaccine was safe, and us, the proposition, holding firmly that twelve anecdotal stories – which made up the paper that started off the MMR hoax in 1994 – were never enough evidence to

infer a link between autism and the vaccine. Looking back, the media latching onto ‘fake news’ was the main cause of the whole health scare and plummeting vaccination rates, and the general populace are still confused about the matter.

However, an investigation carried out by Sense About Science in 2006 shows something that is more systemic to homeopathy, meaning it would have been a better example to use, as it uncovered that out of all the homeopathic practices they went to, 10 in total, not one recommended conventional medicine to combat malaria but proposed homeopathic treatments instead. Homeopathy will do nothing tangible to treat malaria, cancer, or any other serious illness; but what we see time and time again is a community that promises exactly that. Simply put, the vast majority of CAM practitioners are not doctors, and can easily miss a diagnosis for a fatal condition. Be that as it may, it's apparent that even when a sizeable portion know what the condition is or what their patients will be facing, they still rely on ‘alternatives’ rather than giving effective care. Perhaps these practitioners are just misinformed, but in that case they shouldn’t be giving medical advice.

Unsupported beliefs left unabated lead to more unsupported beliefs Nonetheless, I assume some of the more well informed of you are asking: "What about using it for minor complaints like back pain and colds? How is that a threat to public health?", and anyone who hasn’t is unaware of the actual power of the placebo effect.

It has been found by comparing control groups from separate studies that four sugar pills are more effective at decreasing the size of gastric ulcers than two; and even a pill’s packaging or color will alter its effects. What’s great is that you don’t even have to lie. This was shown in a randomised trial where even when doctors told women with irritable bowel syndrome that they were receiving sugar based placebo pills, the pills still worked - there was a 29 per

cent greater report of adequate relief in the placebo group compared to the no-treatment control.

They give 'life hacks', greater prominence than actual therapy Unfortunately, something that plagues both CAM and conventional medicine is the idea that people deserve to feel better. Sometimes you can’t cure pain, and a lot of the time it’s best not to: the estimated 5.2 million people that went to their GP for blocked noses last year, and another 40,000 for dandruff, act as evidence for this. I have no doubt that prescriptions and waiting times on the NHS would go up with a standardised medical placebo. All the same, there are risks involveds with the idea of 'hiding behind a pill'. In many cases, what we need to be telling people is how to self-manage pain rather than duping them into good health and medicalising their conditions. Although CAM practitioners sometimes give sound advice, they do this whilst creating a culture where people believe you can suddenly become better through a detox, a needle in the back, or some special water. They propose ‘life hacks’, and in doing so give them greater prominence than actual therapy and lifestyle changes, such as stretching, exercise, and a consistent diet. These may seem like inane suggestions - but isn’t it more patronising to allow people to waste their money and time on treatments that aren’t particularly effective, on the basis of ‘it makes them feel better because they don’t know better’?

CAM's longevity essentially relies upon the idea that it would be more beneficial for people to know less about science and about how to maintain their health, and blindly place their treatment in the hands of unproven and ineffective practices. Such a decision may suit the ideals of some, but I will always uphold a more well informed nation.

Therefore, unproven complementary medicine has no place in the publicly funded and promoted medical sphere.

Photo: Pixabay

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A placebo for the public?

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EXEPOSÉ

Three Lions missing their roar

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HE international break is to England football fans what Cardiac Hill is to anyone heading for an 8:30 lecture – pointless, painful, and it raises questions about why on earth you’d choose to put yourself through it when you could be sleeping instead?

But right now, it’s even worse than a gruelling climb up one of Exeter's least favourite ascents. The England team lacks creativity, motivation, or even a clear sense of direction, and these all seem to stem from the manager - Gareth Southgate.

Southgate; the man who was appointed despite not having managed in the Premier League since he was in charge of the relegated Middlesbrough side of 2008/09; a man who who once went through a stage of one win in 18 games.

Whilst he did spend three years within the England youth set up - from 2013 to 2016 - in his only major tournament with the under 21s his squad finished bottom of their 2015 u21 European group.

Ignoring the unique challenges of working within the age group system, this isn’t exactly a stellar record in international football.

International football is like Cardiac Hill: pointless and painful Despite this lack of contemporary top level experience, Southgate was appointed manager of the England senior team last year after Sam Allardyce was sacked in the now infamous acrimonious circumstances. Would it be reasonable to assume that - if Allardyce had stayed on and a job at a midtable Premier League club became available - Southgate would be amongst the favourites to take the job?

In all likelihood, no. Should the criteria for a Premier League manager really be higher than that required of the England national team?

Southgate didn't seem an obvious choice to succeed Allardyce, and hindsight only supports this – we’ve only seen lethargic performances from some very talented individuals during his tenure.

Does anyone know how England were trying to play in these qualifiers? At club level, Arsenal obviously play a possession based style, while Manchester City, Spurs, Liverpool and Chelsea all tactically press, albeit differently. Even lower down the table, West Bromwich Albion play physically, and pack the defensive third with tall, powerful players, while Swansea and Bournemouth try to play quickly, with fluid, pacey attackers. With England, such a distinctive style is lacking – Southgate tries to accommodate his best players without creating a distinctive style from

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Josh Brown analyses where the England football team are going wrong

the 11 individuals.

The home tie at Wembley against Slovenia reinforced this. The starting XI was a 4-2-3-1, with a defence consisting of Kyle Walker, John Stones, Gary Cahill, and Ryan Bertrand playing in front of Joe Hart. Eric Dier and Jordan Henderson started together in the defensive midfield pivot, while Marcus Rashford, Raheem Sterling and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain occupied the offensive midfield roles behind captain Harry Kane. Let's look at these individuals.

There were some encouraging signs against Lithuania Joe Hart's indifferent form since leaving Manchester City should not have been rewarded with selection above Jack Butland; if the latter is 'the future', then his form should surely dictate that he is also the present. Ryan Bertrand is only in the team because Danny Rose is injured.

Oxlade-Chamberlain’s presence in the squad, let alone in the starting eleven, is questionable after a continuation of his distinctly average form since joining Liverpool from Arsenal.

On the face of it, however, the defence isn’t that bad, and the attack is actually quite good. The midfield, on the other hand, appears toothless.

Eric Dier isn’t a bad football player, especially in the role Southgate has given him. It’s not dissimilar to the role he played successfully at Tottenham a couple of seasons ago, but his current midfield partner in Jordan Henderson does not make a cohesive unit in the middle of the field. Of the two, despite captaining England on a number of occasions, Henderson doesn't appear to have the pedigree to justify his continued selection.

As a country, we’ve gone from a golden generation of central midfielders - Paul Scholes, Frank Lampard, and Steven Gerrard - to players like Jordan Henderson and Jake Livermore. That is a pretty damning indictment of the

current state of English football in itself.

Yet Dier has looked a quality player; at his most successful at Spurs, he played alongside Mousa Dembele when the latter was in the best form of his life. With the Belgian so good at retaining the ball and carrying it up the pitch, Dier was able to excel in his defensive duties; when playing for England, the Spurs midfielder has no such assistance in building the play, nobody who can relieve the pressure by taking the playmaking duties upon themselves in the midfield.

One possible answer could be Harry Winks. The Spurs youngster was recently promoted from the U21 squad before winning his first cap against Lithuania. It was an impressive debut outing for the midfielder, and despite the relative lack of competition posed by Lithuania - and the relatively fortuitous nature of his selection - surely he would be a better option than Henderson in the medium term? Having nearly scored, and with a number of his clubmates offering a sense of familiarity most notably Dele Alli, Harry Kane, and the aforementioned Dier - even accounting for his inexperience he can’t be any worse than what’s already in the side.

There were a few positives from the final two qualifying games, however.

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola’s influence on Raheem Sterling is becoming clearer, with the 22 year-old forward coming to life when he was moved wider to accommodate Jesse Lingard, a replacement for Oxlade-Chamberlain just after the hour mark against Slovenia.

In the immediate minutes after

Lingard relieved Sterling of his central role, the Manchester City winger had his - and England’s - best spell of the game, and Sterling unlucky not to score.

Another good performance came from Marcus Rashford. The more time Marcus Rashford spends on the pitch the better a player he looks, while the aforementioned Lingard was influential during his time on the pitch. And, of course, Kyle Walker crossed magnificently for Harry Kane to poke past Jan Oblak right at the death, but it was a goal that papered over significant cracks.

Late goals have been the order of the day in England’s qualifiers, with five points - wins against Slovakia and Slovenia and a draw against Scotland - now being earned with goals after the 90 minute mark. On the one hand, this shows a good level of fitness, concentration, and a desire to win, but it’s impossible to justify leaving it this late to get points on the board against relative footballing minnows. The inability to break down even weaker defences will see England punished at major tournaments against superior sides as it has done in the past.

Surely Winks is now a better option than Henderson?

With all this in mind, it’s quite easy to be pessimistic regarding the England team at the moment; unfortunately, international football simply isn’t as exciting as the domestic English game, nor as passionate. The quality is also missing; Rashford plays with Juan Mata and Paul Pogba at club level; Kane with Christian Eriksen; Sterling with Kevin de Bruyne and David Silva. Whilst England cannot select the brightest stars who light up the Premier League, perhaps with a manager in charge who is more competent than Southgate, things would be different. It’s difficult to envisage Antonio Conte - an experienced tactician at international level with Italy - settling for the lacklustre performances witnessed in recent months, yet the standards we we see week in, week out in the Premier League are absent come the international break.

The more Marcus Rashord plays the better he looks Whoever is in charge, it’s obvious that someone has to give this England side not just an impetus, but a clear playing style that’s feasible with the current crop of players - or, failing that, select a different team.

There were some encouraging signs in the final qualifying game against Lithuania - Winks was joined by Butland, Michael Keane, Harry Maguire, Kieran Trippier, and Aaron Cresswell in a much changed starting line up. Yet the first two aside, those are names that are unlikely to put fear into the likes of Spain or Germany, and their ages suggest they are unlikely to be long term options either.

The employment of a three man defence was also a welcome tactical experiment in Vilnius, yet the change brought little improvement, with England relying on Butland to save the defence's blushes.

Most disappointingly was the fact that the team still lacked a cutting edge offensively, hardly threatening from open play.

Crucially, the experimentation against Lithuania comes at the end of a turgid qualifying campaign - in an extremely favourable draw - that has left many fans disenchanted. With nothing at stake, how much does the team really benefit from these sort of changes? Will it really help them when it comes to knockout football?

Evidently, England need to be a vastly improved outfit if they are to have any sort of success next summer in Russia.

Whilst the difficulties facing England go deeper than the manager, you only need to look to Fabio Capello's reign, albeit with its flaws, to see what a quality head coach can bring to a team. Believing this man to be Gareth Southgate appears to be wishful thinking.

Southgate's England Germany..................................1 England...................................0 England...................................2 Lithuania.................................0 Scotland..................................2 England...................................2 France.....................................3 England...................................2 Malta.......................................0 England...................................4 England...................................2 Slovakia..................................1 England...................................1 Slovenia..................................0 Lithuania.................................0 England...................................1

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16 OCT 2017 | EXEPOSÉ

SPORT

Dorothea Christmann, Sport Editor, talks to Jack Williams-Sharkey

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HERE are a few preconceptions when it comes to Badminton; it’s a game for those who want to avoid contact sport; a sport you don’t particularly need to go to the gym for; a slightly wonky version of tennis. I met up with Jack Williams-Sharkey, badminton club captain, to find out what lies behind these preconceptions and discuss what exciting plans EUBC have for this coming year.

“Coming to university was quite a step up”, says Williams-Sharkey.

Although relatively new to the sport having only begun playing ‘properly’ in the Sixth Form, Jack is now part of the BUCS squad and club captain - a clear indication of natural ability.

Holding the role of captain in second year is also quite unusual, but Williams-Sharkey saw his opportunity at last year’s elections to get more involved in the club and succeeded. When asked why he decided to apply for the role, he reiterated that Badminton was a massive part

of his first year and the only society he really got involved in, so his answer was simple: “I was really keen to give something back”.

I was really keen to give something back to the club Curious to know what being club captain actually entails, my question is met with a griamce “Lots of administration”. At this stage of the year, his main priority is processing around 270 membership applications and alphabetising them.

On the plus side, he’s also implementing some of his manifesto pledges, one of which was to introduce coaching into the club, something Williams-Sharkey declares will be “good for normal, non-BUCS playing members. There is not much opportunity for progression if you are not playing in the squad”, as currently only the 40 BUCS players

receive coaching. Consequently, the club are in the process of organising a coaching course where they will train level 1s, however they are also aiming to get squad members from within the club to train as coaches so they can come into some club sessions and introduce tactical play and serving strategies.

I'm intrigued with what balancing a degree with the challenge of maintaining and improving an AU club is like. Williams-Satrkey answers that he’s quite calm about this semester as his modules are only covering 45 of the total 120 credits needed.

I don't ask him about juggling responsibilities next season though, as I can already see the hidden panic in his eyes.

If balance is key when it comes

So long, Solent Men’s Hockey Exeter 4s...................................6 Southampton Solent 1s..............3 Emmott Leigh Sport Contributor

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XETER men's hockey 4s proved too strong for Southampton Solent 1s as they claimed a dramatic 6-3 victory at home to get the new season underway.

The Green Army were able to gain the initiative quickly when an attack within the first five minutes set up Edward Rowell to aim an effort into the left-hand corner and put the home side into the lead.

A revitalised Green Army returned to the front foot A few minutes later, however, and Solent won themselves a penalty corner from which they equalised off a deflection beyond Saumil Hiremath in the Exeter net. As play progressed with the scores locked at the 1-1, Exeter showed promise in attack but also a lack of cutting edge. In the first of a few dangerous Solent counter attacks, Hiremath was

forced to come out and block from a one-on-one situation.

The Solent support took their cue and left Despite the deadlock on the scoreboard, Exeter maintained control of the midfield as a result of the playmaking abilities of Connor Gould and Owen Evans-Evans. Both players were setting up opportunities without Solent laying a stick on them. Unfortunately, efforts from the likes of Jack Knight - who fired wide from a tight angle - and Vienney de Boisredon - who forced an instinctive save from the goalkeeper - were not finishing off these promising moves.

At the opposite end, Exeter looked a little suspect in defence as Solent cut through the flanks with relative ease. Ed Laughton produced a fine block off one penalty corner and followed it up by determinedly winning the ball back.

After half time, a revitalised Green Army returned to the front foot and de Boisredon won a penalty.

Tom Cronin stepped up to smash it high into the roof of the net and did

so again minutes later to put Exeter 3-1 up. That seemed to relax the 4s, and Knight bypassed a number of challenges to slide the ball beyond the keeper to extend the lead even further.

Having built a comfortable margin, Exeter's defensive issues were underlined again when a simple long pass split the rear guard wide open.

Two penalty corners followed, the second of which was put beyond Hiremath to put Solent back in the contest. If that caused any nerves, Tom Dainton quickly put them to rest by battling into the area and swiping the ball in. Another goal, tucked in at the back post by John Corran, effectively ended the contest at 6-2.

The Solent support, who had been vocal throughout, took their cue and left, missing their final goal, ultimately a consolation, that arrived through a lucky deflection. Some cheeky timewasting from Dainton saw the home side through to the final whistle without any futher concession.

More clinicality in front of goal and some work on the defence looks necessary, but this was a creditable opening fixture for the Exeter 4s, and a strong win.

to captaining a university club, then badmiton appears to be in fine equilibrium. The women's 1s retained their place in the Premier South league last year, starting this year off with victory against Sussex - one of many teams within the club hoping to have a successful year.

Williams-Sharkey tells me one of the most encouraging signs has been the intakes of freshers this year, with many going straight into the 1s and 2s.

Having lost a good chunk of their squad to graduation last summer, this is a fine demonstration of the accessibility of the club, and the slick pathway from joining to competing makes it an appealing prospect for anyone hoping to play sport at university.

What's more, where money can be a barrier for many students - and

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

A babble with badminton

not just when it comes to joining a sports club - badminton compares favourably to many of the more popular clubs at Exeter, with membership costing a relatively affordable £80. Williams-Starkey reminds me that fee also covers an intramural membership - a level that is always enjoyable for everyone who gets involved, regardless of talent or experience.

Balance is key when it comes to captaining a club When it comes to the game itself - singles of doubles? "Doubles", replies Williams-Sharkey without hesitation. Singles is "too much running, too stressful, and too lonely" - which sounds like a description of university come exam time - and, having joined the club in September myself, I couldn't agree more.

BUCS Roundup: Weds 11th October Home

Away

Women's Hockey 1s...............5 Cambridge 2s.........................0

Hartpury 1s.........................57 Women's Rugby 1s...............5

Men's Rugby 2s....................39 Hartpury 2s...........................30

Southampton 1s.....................5 Men's Rugby 3s....................67

Women's Football 1s..............1 Bournemouth 1s.....................0

Cambridge 1s.......................15 Women's Lacrosse 1s............3

Men's Fencing 1s...............135 Plymouth 1s.........................54

Southampton 1s....................4 Men's Lacrosse 1s...............16

Women's Tennis 2s................6 Oxford 1s................................6

UCL 1s....................................8 Women's Badminton 1s.........0

Men's Football 2s...................2 Bournemouth 2s.....................1

East London 1s ......................3 Men's Volleyball 1s.................0

Women's Table Tennis 1s.......3 Southampton 1s.....................0

LSE 1s....................................8 Men's Tennis 2s.....................4

Men's Squash 1s ...................3 UWE 2s...................................2

Cambridge 1s.........................0 Women's Hockey 1s...............5

Women's Volleyball 1s...........1 Southampton 1s....................3

Reading 1s.............................2 Men's Hockey 1s....................7

Men's Rugby 4s ...................62 Gloucestershire 2s.................0

Surrey 1s................................1 Mixed Golf 1s.........................5

Women's Netball 1s..............61 Bristol 2s................................7

Southampton 2s.....................2 Men's Football 3s...................2

Badminton 2s battle to draw

Women's Badmintom

Exeter 2s....................................4 Baths 3s.....................................4 Dorothea Christmann Sport Editor

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AVING to negotiate a late withdrawal due to illness, UEBC women's 2s managed a respectable 4-4 draw at home against rivals Bath 3s.

After staying up in the Western 1A League last season, the Exeter women’s 2s team were faced with a tough first match of the season against Bath’s 3s. The 2s recorded a 6-2 demolition of their opponents in the same fixture last season, so this was an eagerly anticipated match. However, faced with injury problems and Kayleigh Kirby’s last minute addition to the match squad, although victory would have undoubtedly been the aim to for the 2s, a draw can been seen as a successful result in the circumstances.

In a disappointing start, Zhichao Chen and late replacement Kayleigh Kirby both lost their opening singles matches. Chen managed to bring the game to a decider after playing some impressive drop shots and slices, regularly landing the shuttlecock just inside the tramlines. Despite the rousing

cries of support from the side-lines, Chen faced an opponent with a powerful overarm that prevented her from claiming victory, eventually losing 11-21, 21-15, 17-21.

Next up was a doubles match played by Paridhi Bajoria and captain Rachel Barter, and the pair quickly settled into a harmonious partnership. Barter – armed with a consistently sharp serve – was supported by Bajoria who battled off the opposition’s powerful slam. Opening with a convincing 21-16 win, they continued this understanding into the second set; Barter looking to exploit the back right area of the court left exposed by the opposition, with Bajoria aiming for the same space with a powerful, cross-court overhead shot. The tactics bore fruit as they triumphed 21-17 in what was a clear signal of intent from the duo.

With one victory under their belt, the 2s sought to back this up, and another doubles victory followed Amy Cunnington and team captain Jessica Scriven managed an impressive 21-12 and 25-23 win.

Having drawn level, Chen and Kirby had the chance to make amends for their earlier

defeats and push Exeter into the lead. Unfortunately, Chen played an opposition with unfaltering speed and accuracy, the shuttlecock often dropping tantalisingly over the right side of the net. This skill made it difficult for Chen to read her opponent, and the difficulty of facing a player with such skill in her arsenal resulted in Chen not knowing whether to prepare for an attacking or defending shot on a regular basis. After an impressive battle, Chen fell narrowly to her opponent, 15-21 and 17-21.

Kirby - drafted in at the last moment due to illness - was dealing with her own injury problems. An 8-21 and 7-21 result was reflective of her fitness rather than representative of the quality of her shots.

Tr a i l i n g 3-4, Cunnington and Scriven’s second doubles match was the deciding match for Exeter.

Facing an enormous

amount of pressure, they started brightly, with Cunnington relying on her power and Scriven taking charge of a series of lengthy rallies.

Davis was brushed off an aerial duel in what looked like an unfair challenge, but with no whistle, the Bournemouth forward took advantage of the bouncing ball to lob keeper Home. Fortunately for the 1s, the attempt cleared the bar as well, and with that the first half came to a close.

The chilly, overcast conditions threatened to worsen as the second half began, yet compeltely unperturbed, Exeter picked up where they had left off in the first period. Harry Jenkins combined with Penton to keep the visitors pegged back deep in their own half, and the latter had a hand in Exeter's opening goal on 58 minutes.

Bratt made a bursting break down the right but his cross just drifted over the waiting Ofoe. As Bournemouth looked to run the ball out of trouble, Penton made a crunching tackle to win the ball back before dinking an early ball into the area to catch the defence out of position. The ball was met by Bartley who powered a header from six yards between the arms of the despairing keeper and i n t o

the roof of the net.

The goal appeared to have a dispiriting effect on the visitors as they resorted to long balls forward that ultimately proved ineffective.

The 1s didn't have to wait long to press home their dominance. From a cleared Exeter corner, Jenkins mopped up the loose ball and tried to play Ofoe in.

The defence managed to dispossess the forward and scramble the ball away, only to find Bratt, who struck left footed across goal and into the bottom corner.

Two minutes later, Conrad Lewis - on for Arthur Amble - had a chance to make it three with a half volley from the edge of the box that went over.

It would have been the least Exeter deserved: as well as playing the bett e r foot-

a rare Bournemouth break arose after an excellent pass down their left hand side.

Although the chance was wasted, the 1s were reminded that "this game isn't won" by their coach.

Having looked out of it, the visitors suddenly seemed galvanised, and quickly followed that chance with another.

When left back Ashley Beddows slipped, Bournemouth had their best chance of the game, playing the ball past Home to the back post where - but for Davis's crucial clearing header - a goal seemed certain.

It was now Exeter's turn to go aerial, looking to the long ball to relieve pressure.

Though Bournemouth had a few half chances, the defensive effort held firm in the final ten minutes. This was epitomised by captain Bartley as he put in two thunderous tackles in quick succession in the middle of the park, an emphatic moment that seemed to rubberstamp the victory with five minutes to play.

As the game drew to a close, once again it was Exeter who looked more likely to score, with Ofoe nearly rounding the on rushing goalkeeper after latching on to a glorious through ball. As it was, a two goal margin reflected both the 1s' quality and the effort required to put away a spirited Bournemouth side in what was an excellent start to the new season.

Bajoria and Barter quickly settled into an effective partnership It was a match characterised by instinctive play, Cunnington mirroring Barter in finding space with some beautiful overhead shots across court to take the first match 21-19.

The duo struggled in the opening of the second game, losing several points in a row before recovering to capitalise on opposition errors and ensure a tense final quarter. Despite both pairs making errors with their serving, Exeter’s quality showed and the game finished 21-19 to draw the contest for the 2s, with Barter declaring herself content.

"Bath always put out a strong team so we'll glady take the draw, although hopefully we'll be able to take one of the singles at the away game", she remarked. Next up for the 2s travel is a trip to Aberystwyth.

EUAFC 1s defeat Bournemouth

CONTINUED FROM BACK PAGE ...in to his left. Bratt’s effort was saved, and the deflection fell invitingly to Lund at the edge of the area. Despite beating the keeper with an angled drive at goal, a mass of Bournemouth defenders managed to scramble Lund's strike clear of the goalmouth to keep the game scoreless.

Exeter didn't have to wait long to press home their dominance Exeter were now dominant as the half drew to a close. Left winger Oliver Penton was causing havoc down the far side of the field, regularly beating his man and getting the ball into the box, creating a succession of chances.

The first fell to captain Jamal Bartley whose driving shot flew over the bar. This was followed by Penton picking out Lund: the midfielder's measured pass found Ofoe in a promising position in the area only for the forward to send his left footed effort high and wide. Another ball in from Penton flashed across the six yard area, evading both the Bournemouth defence and - unfortunately for Exeter Lund's dive at the back post.

If a goal seemed inevitable - shouts of "it's coming, boys" were ringing out - then the final play of the half gave Exeter a reminder of the danger Bournemouth still posed.

ball, the 1s were also winnning the majority of duels as Bournemouth struggled to get out of their own half.

As the game entered the last fifteen minutes,

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High hoops for 2s after emphatic victory over So'ton Men's Basketball

Exeter 2s..................................76 Southampton 3s.......................47 Sam King Sport Contributor

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EBC 2s recorded an emphatic 76-47 victory against Southampton 3s in their first fixture of the new season.

The 2s started the game in the strongest way possible, racing into a 10-0 lead due to their aggression out of the gates in the first quarter.

With a relatively comfortable margin established, there was no looking back as Exeter extended their lead with a dominant performance.

The youngsters met the challenge of closing out the game The second quarter saw a good scoring performance from the 2s, with Erik Ptak and Sam King at the heart of the action. In the third quarter, the whole team hit a rich scoring vein as Exeter made a series of hoops from behind the three point line nine threes were hit in total.

Though Southampton offered spirited opposition, the 2s held the lead they had established in the opening exchanges for the duration of the game, a position they never looked like giving up.

With victory seemingly assured, the fourth quarter afforded Exeter portunity to the opb l o o d a number of freshers to show what they had to offer. The youngesters met the challenge of closing out the game in style as a mixture of solid athleticism saw defence and the 2s keep Southampton's scoring below the 50 point mark and ensure Exeter got off with a win. the mark Such a margin of their openvictory in ing game offers encouraging signs for the team.

The 2s will look to back up their success w i t h another g o o d performance when they travel to We d n e s Bristol this day to face UWE, the next step on their path to promotion from the We s t ern 3A league.

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16 OCT 2017 | EXEPOSÉ

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SPORT EDITORS:

Dorothea Christmann Wil Jones Photo: Wil Jones

EUAFC off the mark Men’s Football Exeter 1s...................................2 Bournemouth 1s.......................0 Wil Jones Sport Editor

E

XETER men’s football 1s kicked off their season with an impressive 2-0 victory over visitors Bournemouth 1s at Topsham last Wednesday.

Bournemouth - newly promoted to the Western 1A league following a title winning season last term - put up a stern fight in a goalless first half before falling away in the second period. Two well worked second half goals for the hosts sealed a convincing victory that sends Ex-

eter to the top of the table.

The game began in combative fashion, with both sides throwing themselves into the tackle. After good pressure in the middle of the park, Exeter striker Darren Ofoe found himself with space in the Bournemouth penalty area before being bundled over as he prepared to shoot. Despite what looked like a clear foul on the Exeter forward, the referee waved play on.

Much to the home side’s annoyance, this was a trend that would continue as the referee looked to allow the game to flow. With the men in green calling for a foul after another overly physical challenge in midfield, Bournemouth broke down

the right, forcing Exeter keeper Joseph Home into an excellent diving save to his right following a cut back to the edge of the box.

Bournemouth were clearly keen to make a statement at this new level and their tenacity saw them gain a slight edge in the opening exchanges. Their left winger looked particularly dangerous and the visitors sought to find him at every opportunity. During one particularly dangerous break in behind the home defence by the Bournemouth man, Harry Jenkins had to resort to pulling the number 11 back, receiving a talking to from the referee for doing so.

Yet despite his mix of pace and

trickery, the 2s nullified the winger admirably; right back Matt James closed down a quick succession of threatening positions out wide, preventing the visitors from capitalising on their physical presence.

Both sides threw themselves into the tackle early on Unsurprisingly, the frenetic pace of the opening fifteen minutes didn’t last, and - able to keep hold of the ball - Exeter began to grow into the game.

Following a long ball into the

Bournemouth area, centre back Will Davis rose highest to send a looping header over the goalkeeper, only for the ball to be cleared off the line; it marked a shift in the proceedings.

With Exeter now spreading the ball around, midfielders George Bratt and Christopher Lund began to dictate the play, linking up with some neat interplay that almost led to the breakthrough around the half hour mark.

The 1s went even closer a few minutes later as Ofoe made an excellent break, playing George Bratt...

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