Issue 708 // 7 Feb 2020

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ISSUE 708 3 FEB 2020 exepose.com @Exepose

THE UNIVERSITY OF EXETER’S INDEPENDENT STUDENT NEWSPAPER SINCE 1987

Sexual assault triples in Exeter since 2010 Isabelle Gray Editor

EXCLUSIVE

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RIMINAL reports of sexual assault in the city of Exeter have tripled in the past ten years, but the number of successful criminal charges has dropped from 23 per cent to three per cent.

Over 328 reports of sexual assault were submitted to Devon & Cornwall Police between 2018 and 2019, but only three per cent of the reports resulted in a criminal charge, Exeposé has found.

From 2010 to 2011, 121 sexual assaults were reported, with 23 per cent resulting in criminal charges. However, between 2018 and 2019, when reports of sexual assault almost tripled to 328, the amount of successful criminal charges decreased to three per cent.

Ben Deer, Detective Superintendent, said: “The increase in sexual assault and sexual harassment reports is in part down to improvements in how we record crime which has had a positive impact on these figures, showing that the public have greater confidence in reporting crime to us.

“The upshot of this confidence from our public is that we will also see

Image: Rory Selvey Image: Matt Austin

MUSIC

a rise in the reporting of certain crime types. For example, all incidents of rape are now being recorded as crimes in the control room at the initial report. This change in recording practice has seen a significant increase in the number of sexual offences the Force is recording which has seen a rise.

We acknowledge that the CPS referral rates are low and we are working to understand the impact Ben Deer, Detective Superintendent

“We acknowledge that the CPS (Crown Prosecution Service) referral rates are low and we are working to understand the impact of this on the service we offer victims.

“It is prudent to state that we are a victim-led police force, meaning that we take into account the victim’s wishes when making decisions regarding individual cases. There is no single response to cases such as these and decision making encompasses a wider range of factors than the single objective of obtaining a conviction. These could include considerations around safeguarding, providing the appropriate support and

CONTINUED ON PAGE 4 Image: Studio Ghibli, Toei Animation

SCREEN

Interview with Pattern Pusher

Studio Ghibli: celebrating the animation powerhouse

page 24

page 28

EXEPOSÉ

Editorial

Devonshire House, Exeter, Devon, EX4 4PZ

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Editors Print: Isabelle Gray & Aaron Loose Online: Harry Caton & Ellie Cook Deputy: Anne Chafer & Neha Shaji editors@exepose.com News Editors Print: Henry Jones Online: Emma Hussain & Pete Syme news@exepose.com Comment Editors Print: Kamila Bell & George Clark Online: Olly Haynes & Gaia Newman comment@exepose.com Features Editors Print: Jaysim Hanspal & William Harrop Online: Bryan Knight & Kate Norman Foreign Correspondents Co-ordinator : Maddie Baker features@exepose.com

Arts + Lit Editors Print: Cherry-Anastasia Boroceanu & Zach Mayford Online: Ariane Joudrey & Greta Sanna artsandlit@exepose.com Music Editors Print: Richard Ainslie & Bryony Gooch Online: Megan Frost & Stephen Ong music@exepose.com Screen Editors Print: Jonathan Chern & Samuel Thomson Online: Jacob Heayes & Abi Taphouse screen@exepose.com

Sport Editors Print: Josh Brown & Nick Powell Online: Ben Bampton & Ed Alexander sport@exepose.com

Science Editors Print: Elinor Jones & Scarlett Parr Reid Online: Sira Charbel & Tom Dormer sciandtech@exepose.com

Chief Photographer Rory Selvey photography@exepose.com Copy Editors Charlotte Forrester & Catherine Lloyd Proofers Lucy, Emma, Pippa, Catherz, Fun Fozzy Fact, George, Richard, Sam, Pete, Josh, Johnny, Bry, Ben

@ exepose facebook.com/exepose issuu.com/exepose Advertising Kate Christlow kate.christlow@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.

International students speak out against "terrifying" attendance policies

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COMMENT

Guild Elections 2020: Everything you need to know PAGE 8

FEATURES

A deep read into the Australian Bushfire's horrifying implications

PAGE 12

SCIENCE An enquiry into sepsis: what is it?

PAGE 35

CHECK OUT OUR WEBSITE!

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

From the latest university news to current affairs, music and theatr e reviews and more, visit us at www.exepose.com

Until next time, Aaron, Isabelle, Anne & Neha

Worldwide university news

Coronavirus outbreak Private schools criticise Harvard scientist charged in US–China tension Uni admissions causes evacuations

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Image: Pexels

Lifestyle Editors Print: Izzy Cole & Anna Romanovska Online: Amy Butterworth & Emily Pirie lifestyle@exepose.com

autobiography (pg. 22), while Music sits down for an exclusive interview with the Devonian indie-disco rockers, Pattern Pusher, which you'll find on pg. 24.

Speaking of shiny and lush synth music, flip to Science (pg. 34) for a vibrant read into the nature of dreams, which runs the gamut from Freud to cuttingedge neurology. Then, there’s Sport’s extensive and hyper-detailed reports from the frontlines of Netball varsity on pg.

40, which I’m told is a very interesting game once you decode the byzantine rules. Meanwhile, on pg. 17, Lifestyle offers some essential advice on treating sexually transmitted infections, which inexplicably includes several contributions from the Exeposé senior team. Elsewhere, Comment has a deep read on the hidden costs of University textbooks, bringing up an issue often left unmentioned by uni prospectuses.

Our investigation on the city’s endemic rape culture is the main story.

Stitched together from testimonies of several courageous victims, at Exeposé we are unequivocal; if you are a victim of assault, harassment or intimidation, do not blame yourself. Do not hide yourself away. It’s never your fault. And people will always be there to listen to you, to help you recover and to hold those responsible to account.

As always, a huge thanks to every editor, writer, photographer and free image database that contributed to this issue.

The paper literally could not exist without your time. Take care, and solidarity to all affected by Brexit.

Image: Dawn Hudson

NEVER imagined I would spend Brexit Day, that eternally postponed time of revelation that makes Daily Express uncles weep and Ann Widdecombe smile, inside a Media suite, hammering out copy, wondering why everyone I knew felt so apathetic about the United Kingdom’s bold leap backwards. Life is funny that way, I suppose.

Most of you reading this, by and large, did not have had an opportunity to vote in the original referendum back in the halcyon days of 2016. International students, more to the point, never had a say in any of it, their livelihoods and careers entrusted into the hands of a disorganised government that would rather spend a year’s salary on making a creaking tower do a loud noise than commit to ending austerity and bigotry. Student papers do not matter in the wider scheme of the UK’s ongoing freefall from somewhat notable nation to a small and unimportant island drifting by the French coast. And yet, a student publication is still a very good place to continue to imagine a more collective, internationalist and youthful way of seeing.

Take, for example, Screen’s loving special feature on the films of Studio Ghibli (pg. 28), the animation powerhouse that turned a feline into the craziest form of public transport in world cinema, or Beyond Exeter’s work on pg. 10 to platform voices that would otherwise be drowned by white noise.

On pg. 14 of this issue, Features investigates the UK’s complex and contentious alliance with Oman, and so emphasises the urgency for former colonial powers to redefine their relationship with the external world. Arts + Lit unfolds the sordid world of the ghost-written celebrity

NEWS

HE rising threat of the coronavirus outbreak has driven Duke University to urge students studying at their overseas campus in Kunshan, China to travel back to their base in North Carolina to avoid the deadly illness. As of Tuesday, there have been no confirmed cases of the virus at either university campus, yet it continues to press onwards, with multiple cases being confirmed in both the UK and the United States.

Although Duke Kunshan University and the outbreak province of Wuhan are separated by an expanse of almost 800 kilometres across China, The New York Post reports how students have been offered a stipend of $1,000 USD to leave the campus to ensure their safety.

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OME of England’s top private schools have criticised plans by the Office for Students to widen access to the most competitive universities, claiming that students would be discriminated by class. The Headmasters’ and Headmistresses’ Conference (HMC), representing independent schools, has called out against the widening participation plans, saying students from elite private schools will be at a disadvantage compared to some of the poorest students. The HMC said universities should accommodate students that are suitable rather than compromising places for students from private schools. These plans by the Office for Students are part of a drive for greater equality of opportunity for all students.

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HARLES Leiber, the chairman of Harvard’s Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology has been arrested and charged with making a materially false, fictitious and fraudulent statement, concerning ties to the government-run Wuhan University Institute of Technology. Investigators say that Leiber was offered hundreds of thousands of dollars in expenses and a $1.5M dollar research grant to set up a laboratory in the Chinese Institute. Despite concealing the deal from the US government, the FBI intercepted an email detailing the proposed move. Both governments are fully involved in academic politics and the wider implications for national security.

According to the US Attorney Andrew Lelling, “Chinese economic espionage and theft is a real and daily occurrence.”

US authorities allege a wider “thousand talents plan” in the Chinese government to reward high-level scientists for stealing information from all 50 US states.

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Data breach at UEA

HIS week, the University of East Anglia has been forced to pay compensation to students affected by a data breach. The breach itself, which was a document containing 191 undergraduates’ personal problems including issues with health and bereavements, occurred in June 2017 when this information was accidentally sent to 298 American Studies students. As a result, £142,512 has been given out in total to the students in an attempt to recompense them. These compensation figures were bought to light by a report published in the student newspaper Concrete. The University also made promises that its data procedures were being re-examined. The Information Commissioner has ruled that no more steps had to be taken after this as the incident did not meet requisite for regulatory action.

Image credit: China News Service Stories by Zach Mayford, Issy Murray, Emily Taylor, and Elinor Rose.

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3 FEB 2020 | EXEPOSÉ

NEWS

International students “terrified” by mistaken attendance reminders

Neha Shaji Deputy Editor

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NTERNATIONAL students have criticised the tone of Tier 4 attendance reminders as an “over-zealous adherence to a hostile environment” policy.

These reminders, occasionally sent by mistake due to a failure of attendance capturing systems or technological issues, are issued by the ‘Immigration Compliance Unit.’

The email, which is sent automatically, states a requirement to ensure students are “genuinely here to study,” followed by a section on how to record attendance and how to contact Info Points. The email will also state whether it is a first or second “warning under the University’s Unsatisfactory Progress and Engagement Procedure.” This address cannot be replied to via email.

A student told Exeposé about a mistaken attendance reminder sent to them. The notice left them “frantic, as it involved my visa regulations.”

They continued “upon visiting the student support, it came to my notice that my digital check-in was not working and I have been marked absent from all my

classes. My lecturers were very supportive throughout, but it was still a terrifying phase.

“When I was assured by both my lecturers and the student support that the error had been corrected, I received another email stating my attendance was lower than 20 per cent. I had to repeat the process and it caused me immense stress.

This is highly irresponsible, and students like me suffer because of it.”

students who have compulsory contact hours. A postgraduate student told Exeposé how emails they received contained phrases like “termination of registration.”

.It is an over-zealous adherence to a hostile environment now seeping onto university campuses

They described the emails as “an overzealous adherence to a hostile environment that currently exists on the streets but is now seeping onto university campuses.” The University have confirmed that 134 emails were sent to students who missed eight consecutive Tier 4 sessions, and clarified that this does not equate to 134 students as some messages may have been repeated. They do not hold figures for mistaken Tier 4 reminders.

A University spokesperson said “Like all universities we are required by the UK Government to ensure all students holding a Tier 4 visa are studying here and attend their timetabled sessions. This has been the case for nearly a decade and we always aim to do this in a supportive and proportionate way.

International student

Another student discussed how they “still got the attendance warnings after I got an ILP (Individual Learning Plan), which included attendance.”

They criticised the tone of the emails “as basically ‘show up or face consequences’, and the help offered doesn’t have anything to do with your wellbeing as much as it does with what you can do to not face the consequences.”

The tone of Tier 4 emails is not faced only by undergraduates and taught

£16K spent replacing lost & destroyed library books Aaron Loose Editor

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HE University of Exeter has spent £16,196.73 replacing lost and destroyed library books at Streatham and St. Luke’s since 2015.

From 2015 to 2019, a total of 387 books were reported as damaged and no longer usable. The worst year for the library resources was during the 2016 to 2017 academic year, where a chart-topping 155 books were destroyed. A total sum of £9,178.80 was spent to restock the library shelves.

The University admitted to keeping minimal records on destroyed or lost library books. As a consequence, the total amount of books that were stolen or lost over the four years is unknown.

However, the University disclosed that an overall total of £7,018.13 was spent on replacing lost library books from 2015 to 2019.

Not all books reported lost or damaged are replaced with physical copies.

The University has made a commitment to replacing books with electronic copies whenever possible.

A University spokesperson said “We do now buy as many digital resources as possible. As well as being home to almost

one million print books, the University of Exeter Library currently has 1.25m electronic books – more than any other Russell Group university – and 57,000 digital journal titles.”

As of recently, the University has greatly invested into electronic resources, recently becoming the first university in Europe to give students access to the entire Adam Matthew Digital portfolio of Humanities source materials.

The University spokesperson added “In the 2014/15 academic year, e-books were accessed 2.4m times, by 2017/18 this had risen to 6.8m. In 2017/18 our libraries processed 158,000 loans of print books.”

The spokesperson also explained the University’s processes of keeping track of library books.

They said “We continually look to improve our IT and administrative systems and we have made good progress in tracking our library resources.

“It’s always possible for students to check online when their books are due back and when a book is overdue students are sent three reminder notices to get them to return the book or tell us it is lost. They then have the option to pay for a replacement, or bring us a replacement copy themselves. We welcome all feedback on improving our library services.”

.......We have listened to student views and will be making some improvements from 3 February University spokesperson

Exeter Cathedral to be transformed by art installation Eveline Vouillemin Contributor

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PACE: Light and Sound Show by Luxmuralis will come to Exeter Cathedral for the first time ever this spring.

For three nights, from 5 to 7 March 2020, the interior of the Cathedral will be filled with a stunning space-themed light and sound show, allowing visitors to take a visual journey to the moon and stars.

SPACE is one of a series of sonet-lumiere creations that have been installed in cathedrals all over the country

by Luxmuralis, a collaboration led by artistic director Peter Walker and composer David Harper. The group combines creators from different backgrounds to design new art installations across the country.

Mr Walker explained: “SPACE has wowed people around the country and the unique interior of Exeter Cathedral will make this installation something I trust people will not forget. We will take you on an artistic exploration of space and take you to the very edge of the universe and back — all on one evening. thing people will not forget.

Since 2018 we have used Digital check-in as the means of recording attendance and we do send attendance reminders when students miss three, six or eight consecutive teaching sessions. We have listened to student views on the content of the Tier 4 reminder messages and we will be making some improvements from Monday 3 February.”

Penny Dinh, VP Education, told Exeposé: “The DVP International and I met with the International Student Support Office to raise concerns about digital check-in, the content and tone of warning messages, as well as cultural differences being a barrier to accessing mental health support.

“I’m pleased this feedback has been taken on board so far, and communications to students have been adjusted in terms of content and tone.

“I will continue to address this issue, which I hope will

lead to more work being done to ensure students’ experience of checking in and getting support from their hub is as positive as possible.

“I also hope to establish a campaign and collective action efforts to address the wider issue of how border enforcement impacts education experience.”

Students are encouraged to speak to their hubs as well as the Students’ Guild if they receive mistaken attendance reminders, and to feed back about the system.

Image: Flickr, Ungry Young Man

“I got it wrong”- Senior University Exec apologises Aaron Loose Editor

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ROFESSOR Tim Quine, the Deputy Vice Chancellor for Education, has apologised for comments made at a Guild Officer training day in July which some attendees felt were offensive to transgender students & staff.

According to delegates who were at the event, Professor Quine referred to an open letter to The Sunday Times that criticised LGBT training in the University.

The letter, which was signed by over thirty academics, claimed that transgender welfare training from Stonewall, the LBGTQ+ charity, threatened academic freedom.

Professor Quine reportedly described the letter as a “well written, thought out, and needed intervention” and a “defense of academic freedom.”

In an upcoming interview due to be published on Exeposé Online, Professor Quine said “I was not trying to make any reference to this case and the rights and wrongs of what was said in the letter. The key to my report was that we’re bound to disagree from time to time, and the stronger we hold views, the

more difficult it gets to disagree.”

When asked whether it was professional to use an example of gender selfdetermination as something eligible for debate, Professor Quine explained “We fundamentally must protect the right of trans students and colleagues and to respect their identity on campus.

“Just to be clear, I wasn’t making any point about the nature of the argument or the nature of the dispute between the two, but rather the way the disagreement had played out in public.

We fundamentally must protect the right of trans students and colleagues Professor Tim Quine, DVC Education

“If I was interpreted as representing a view that was that I didn’t respect the identity of my trans colleagues and students, then I regret that. I got it wrong.”

In 2018, the University of Exeter was ranked by Stonewall as the 181st best employer for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender staff in the United Kingdom. The University also participates in the Stonewall Workplace Equality Index.

The interview will be published in full on Exeposé Online.

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3 FEB 2020 | EXEPOSÉ

NEWS

Flybe saved by government intervention Ella Shadwell Senior Reporter

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XETER-based airline Flybe has agreed a deal with the UK government to rescue the company from the brink of collapse.

The regional airline revealed it has been granted a payment plan by HMRC for “less than £10m” in a bid to prevent the company from entering administration.

Flybe has attributed its past financial difficulties to falling demand, increasing fuel costs and a weaker pound due to Brexit. However, the predominant cause of its failure is thought to be Air Passenger Duty (APD), a tax paid on both departing and arriving flights within the UK. As a regional airline with a large proportion of internal flights, APD has long put Flybe at a financial disadvantage to rival budget airlines. The HMRC Time To Pay deal sets out a repayment plan for the airline’s estimated £106m tax debt, in addition to securing a £30m investment from owners Connect Airways.

Flybe has been deemed vital for regional connectivity by Boris Johnson and described as a “UK strategic asset” by Exeter MP Ben Bradshaw.

However, the rescue deal has not been welcomed by all. The chief executive of IAG, owner of British Airways, has filed a complaint with the EU, branding it “unlawful state aid.” APD concessions as it granted Flybe. Further concerns have been raised over the UK’s environmental pledges as ADP was introduced to limit internal flying to reduce national emissions.

Established in 1979, Flybe is the UK’s largest regional airline. It carries approximately eight million passengers per year and employs over 2,400 staff – many of whom work in the Exeter-based Head Office and Exeter International Airport, one of the airline’s largest hubs.

Flybe operates 78 per cent of departing flights from Exeter Airport and its collapse could have a damaging impact, with other Flybe-dominated airports Southampton and Belfast likely to suffer too.

“I lost faith with the reporting system” CONTINUED FROM FRONT respecting the wishes of the victim.

“I am confident that not only are my staff and officers working hard to protect and serve the public of Devon and Cornwall, but that this part of the country continues to remain a safe place to live, work, and visit, and that the likelihood of becoming a victim of crime is still very low.”

The Devon & Cornwall Police’s records, obtained by Freedom of Information, show that out of all sexual assault crimes reported in the last ten years, 98 per cent of all victims were aged between 18 and 25.

Although the age range most vulnerable strongly converges with the average age of an Exeter undergraduate, according to the FoI, no reports of sexual assault were submitted to the University between 2010 and 2015. From 2015 onwards, the total number of reports of sexual assault made to the University stayed under five per year.

A University of Exeter student, who chose to remain anonymous, shared their experience of assault.

“I was sexually assaulted walking to a pub - they were two men who knew exactly who I was, as they kept making references to me as they were assaulting me.

Unfortunately, it wasn’t in a well lit area, and there weren’t any cameras there for there to be evidence.

“I reported it to the University, who kept pushing me to report it to the police, as there was apparently nothing they could do except help me report it and provide a support worker to help with the process. I reported it to the police, who said there was nothing much they could do except give me safety advice and provide an on-call service.

“I’ve seen these assaulters on campus numerous times since. They make it impossible for me to carry out my normal tasks at university. I didn’t report it to the Guild, as I had lost faith by this point with the reporting systems and support on both sides.

“Safeguarding means that the student should be made to feel safe on campus in the face of assault and subsequent trauma, and this is where the University should step in instead of dithering around about police reports.”

Another student who experienced assault and chose to remain anonymous shared their story. “I didn’t report the in-

Total of Sexual Assaults vs Total Number of Criminal charges in Exeter since 2010

cident to the police, mainly because of the shame I felt, as it happened when I was very drunk and I couldn’t remember every detail.

“I didn’t report it to the uni. I felt ashamed because at the time I had multiple sexual partners so I thought people would think it was my fault for being supposedly promiscuous.”

Sexual harassment, which is defined by Devon & Cornwall Police as a nonviolent charge, has also increased, from 188 reports in 2016 to 620 in 2018. Despite this tripled figure, only one per cent of those reported were charged in 2018.

There were no reports of sexual harassment were made to the University in the past ten years as found from the FoI. Another student who was a victim of sexual harassment tells Exeposé “After receiving continued harassment from builders working on an accommodation site opposite mine, I reported my harassment to my accommodation reception and they said they reported to the council. I never received an update. I didn’t say anything to the Guild as it is private accommodation and I didn’t think they could do much to help.”

A University spokesperson said “We actively encourage anyone who has experienced sexual harassment, abuse, violence or sexual misconduct to report it immediately either informally or formally using our

Exeter Speaks Out services.

“We support students to report to the police but if they do not wish to take their case to the police the University can take formal action where a reporting student chooses to take this route. We have set up a website to provide comprehensive information on the ways to report and get proper help and advice.

“This includes access to the University’s new sexual misconduct policy and procedure, which is designed to provide reporting students with expert support. We also working with the Devon and Cornwall Independent Sexual Violence Advisors (ISVAs) and the local Sexual Assault Referral Service (SARC) on the appointment of a University Lead for Sexual Misconduct.

“We know that many people will report to the police instead of the university and that will be absolutely appropriate in most cases. We are here to support students though and can offer emotional as well as practical support and will often work alongside the police on investigations and actions.

“No-one should suffer in silence and during Sexual Abuse and Violence Awareness Week from 3 February we will be once again highlighting the support available and supporting a screening of a student film about rape followed by a discussion about the help available.

Katie Heard, VP Welfare and Diver-

sity, said “When a student is a victim of a sexual assault, our Advice service is available to provide confidential support. The support that can be offered by Advice is tailored to each case; it is important to note that it is entirely the students’ decision what they decide to do in terms of reporting the crime to the police or the University.

“The low number of students reporting assaults to the University compared with the police shows that students perhaps aren’t engaging with the services available, however I would encourage further investigation into the reasons for this before drawing any concrete conclusions.

“I am committed to making Exeter a safer place for our students, and it has been very positive seeing students, engaging with sexual abuse and harassment training, sexual consent events and the introduction of the Apple Taxi safety scheme so far this year.

“There is plenty more work to be done, not just at Exeter but around the UK, to ensure our campuses are as safe as possible.”

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If these issues affect you, you can get in touch with: www.exeter.ac.uk/wellbeing www.exeter.ac.uk/sexual-misconduct Devon Rape Crisis: www.devonrapecrisis.org.uk 01392 204 174

Governance report: Sport Welfare meeting a success Bryony Gooch and Aakz Karri Music Editor & Contributor

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N 23 January, 30 out of 50 welfare representatives from the sport clubs attended a meeting with the new

welfare consultant, Anna, in the university.

The meeting covered issues such as signposting, confidentiality and boundaries. Welfare officers were provided with a chance to share their best practices across the Athletic Un-

ion and network. Cameron Taylor, AU President commented that “I thought it was a hugely beneficial meeting, especially as we had 30 Welfare Officers from different AU clubs attend.

“From a Welfare Officer perspective, it was fascinating hearing the

number of initiatives and success stories among the group. From “injury clubs” to “families” and even dedicated well-being pages, the session provided our Welfare Officers with lots of best practice.” It was suggested that this might become a more regu-

lar event with one meeting each term for welfare officers. As another welfare plan, Taylor also discussed meetings with Devon Against Racism to see how university sports clubs could work closely with local clubs on the issue of racism.

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7

Comment

COMMENT EDITORS: Kamila Bell George Clark

Softcovers to software: the hidden costs of uni

Bryony Gooch Music Editor

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ERHAPS I was naïve to believe that when I came to university – considering the importance of books to my English degree – the texts would be readily accessible, possibly even free. I had imagined multiple copies in the library, or perhaps even being given books – just as we had in the run-up to our degree. I remember receiving a Wordsworth Classic copy of The Waves in advance and there was something inspiring about this token of knowledge that suggested an openness to education. And my tuition fees were, after all, a phenomenal £9,250 per year, so I assumed it might be possible to at least heavily subsidise my reading.

Fast-forward to Freshers’ Week, during a taster lecture. The bookseller from Blackwell’s came to our lecture and we were told that we could readily buy all our books for the terms in bundles – and that they would come in affordable deals at that. In my first year at university I ended up spending a wince-worthy £176 in Blackwell’s on books. One module saw me spend over £50 on two texts, both of which were barely used within the module. So much for the freedom of knowledge.

I spent over £176 on books; so much for freedom of knowledge This year, had I gone back to Blackwell’s for my texts, I would have spent £185 for three modules. Had I done the usual four modules, that would have easily cost me over £200

for the entire year. With the average module’s worth of content costing approximately £50 from Blackwell’s, it is safe to say that the reading does add up.

Instead, I aimed to buy my textbooks outside of the means of Blackwell’s. One graduating student generously gave me all the books for one module for free. For another module, I managed to get all but one text – a giant, essential, academic tome – for £21. That one other book cost me £19, almost doubling what I had planned on spending. The third, featuring more obscure texts, took a lot of research to find some of the books second-hand. I managed to scrimp and save so that I only spent over £20.

The additional costs of education are not mentioned While I would love to blame this problem on the advertisement of one bookshop, in doing so I would only be targeting a symptom of the problem. The additional costs of education – the pre-required materials needed to complete your degree – are not mentioned. In fact, they are hidden. The cost of textbooks is not something you are told to think about when you are applying to university.

If you were like me, almost put off the notion of university out of fear of the crippling debt you would face afterwards, the cost of textbooks would arguably add to this fear. I often wonder if my module convenors have considered just how accessible some of these specific translations and academic anthologies cost, and just

how far they might set back a student who doesn’t have the support of their parents going through university. But I know for certain that us English students aren’t alone. The hidden costs of education haunt all university courses, from the Humanities to Law and STEM. One Medical Sciences student told me she had been warned that if she and her fellow students were advised to use textbooks outside of the core ones because “you can’t get more than 50 per cent without them.” As an example, she mentioned one main text for her module: Molecular Biology of the Cell, for which she paid £25 secondhand. She was told that if she didn’t include wider reading from it then she wouldn’t “get more than a 2:2.” Some of her textbooks cost a gobsmacking £60-£100 when new. I asked her about the accessibility of these textbooks in the library, and while she noted that “all of the core books are available in the library,” they get taken very quickly. And while some books were available online, many students just opted to buy their books.

Core books in the library get taken very quickly A Law student had similar complaints, while also noting that the importance of textbooks really depended on the lecturing style. “They could be a useful explainer for when something isn’t clear in the lecture, for others they’re absolutely necessary as the lectures can be really surface level.” Furthermore, “textbooks are really expensive and most of them are republished every two years – a lot of the time you might be able to get away with buying the older copy but if the law has changed the lecturers are pretty insistent.” While it is completely understandable that Law students need to keep abreast with changes in the law, the cost of having to reupdate this knowledge is concerning.

“I’ve generally been able to get them second-hand online, but some years I have had to fork out £30 per book new,” he noted. It is important to note that he also received similar emails from Blackwell’s advertising the ease of buying their expensive book bundles, suggesting that this is

a university-wide alliance with the bookseller.

Maths students, while their course does not necessarily rely on textbooks, also deal with similar issues of pre-required course materials. Their laptops – used for coding programmes – are valuable investments in their courses.

While they are not necessarily told to buy new laptops with high-quality specifications, in order to run the coding programmes – MATLAB and RStudio – they need both disc space and speed.

I know one Maths student whose Mac laptop broke earlier this year and she had to replace it. She brought another Mac, stating that she believed the software she uses for maths runs easiest from the Apple-branded laptop.

Another student replaced her laptop in second year after trying to use her old Acer laptop for coding in first year.

“When you run a code and it takes ages or crashes your computer, it’s very useful” to have a fast laptop. Her current laptop has an i7 CPU and 8GB of RAM. Another Maths student told me that, if you didn’t have a laptop, “you just have to go to Harrison and work on those computers,” for which the feasibility really depends on where you live and whether there are free computers. “It seems pretty essential from my perspective that you need a laptop, really.”

And indeed, we all need laptops for our degrees, as our courses become more and more digitised.

But while I can get away with a smallish, £100 laptop from Tesco for essaywriting, I guarantee i t

couldn’t handle the complexities of code programming. There is a quiet assumption when we come to university – no matter how much our student loan is or how much financial support we receive from our parents – that students will find a way to afford the requirements of their degree, no matter what. When I asked these students, there was a sense of acceptance of what their degrees cost them on top of tuition fees. But I wonder just how many students came to university this year, confused by the amount of money they would have to spend before they could even approach their course material.

How many students are stressed because they have been warned of the consequences of not having these materials? And how much longer will universities disregard these hidden costs of education for?

Images, clockwise: Pixabay, Pexels; Pxfuel; wohnai, Flickr

8

COMMENT

3 FEB 2020| EXEPOSÉ

To care about an election

Neha Shaji Deputy Editor

E

VERY year, Forum Hill is covered in a splash of colour that doesn’t correlate with the general blanket of mustardyellow parkas and deep green stash it generally exists under. If you were an extrovert, feel free to walk up to them yourself and ask questions, as these students would have spent weeks studying and crafting their manifestos.

It is easy to joke about candidates, less easy to consider the labour invested in a campaign If you were an extrovert, feel free to walk up to them yourself and ask questions, as these students would have spent weeks studying and crafting their manifestos. If you’re student media, you’ll be spending the week awkwardly extricating yourself from these conversations, shrugging that

you’re doing coverage and thus must remain somewhat unbiased.

However, the loudest of weeks can be one of the most consequential: the Guild Officers are elected into a position where they can potentially change the culture of a campus as a whole. Here’s a quick rundown of the positions. Firstly, the Vice President (VP) Postgraduate represents the postgraduate students across campus, advocating for them in issues around welfare and academia among others. The VP Education operates within the academic representation sphere – they make sure students have a say in their course, and are the highest representative point of contact for Subject Chairs and other such roles.

The VP Activities is the point of call for most society issues, as well as overseeing (from a representative point of view), the governance system of the Guild. VP Welfare & Diversity is a role with two primary remits: to ensure that the Guild can support students’ wellbeing, and ensure that

the voices of marginalized students are heard in campaigns and events.

Finally, the Guild President oversees the VP team, and is a presence at several senior University meetings,

representing the voice of the Students’ Guild. The Athletic Union President is also elected during this round of elections - however, the AU President is technically under the University, and is not a Guild Officer.

It is, of course, easy to say that you

don’t care about the Guild Elections, or that student politics is somehow beneath you. And it is easy to make fun of the exuberance of the candidates and campaigners - it is less easy to critically consider a manifesto, and the amount of emotional and physical labour that goes into a campaigning run. This isn’t to say that every campaign is worth a vote and that every candidate wants the university to become a diverse, decolonial paradise where every students has a say. It is, however, important to note that you should care about what they have to say, and why they’re saying it.

It’s not even like the Guild Elections stick to the dry digestive biscuity discourse of governance and by-laws and position papers.

For instance - the elections last year coincided with the Katie Hopkins debate.

The year before, it was held around the same time as the industrial action from UCU members. In both cases, candidates were asked to talk about their position on these urgent events

taking place on campus. Indeed, candidates bring out all sides of campus personality and politics: it truly stretches beyond the stereotype.

Candidates bring out all sides of campus personality and politics All of these culminate in the Guild Election debates: traditionally hosted by campus radio station Xpression FM, the debates are a way to see the candidates fare at a quickfire round of questions, and explain their position and positionality in relation to each other.

Read their manifestos, interact with them, and see what changes they want to bring to the campus and its culture. The Students’ Guild affects the day-to-day running of your campus: the institution is your support, your voice, and your meal-deal provider. So being invested in changing it should be something that’s a given, whether through voice or vote.

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The Guild student election timeline

13-30 Jan 2020

Candidate nominations

Students nominate themselves for part-time and fulltime officer positions.

Candidate manifestos released

13 Feb 2020

Candidates manifesto are there to outline the students’ plans and goals if they get elected.

Election hustings

17-19 Feb 2020

Candidates running for Guild officer positions take part in live-streamed hustings. Offering an opportunity for you to question the prospective

Voting window for 2020/2021 Guild Officers

18 Feb (9am)20 Feb (4pm) 2020

21 Feb 2020

Don’t lose the opportunity to vote for who you think should be part of leading the Guild next year!

Results of election announced.

EXEPOSÉ | 3 FEB 2020

COMMENT

9

Feeling Valen-fine yet?

Nick Powell Sport Editor

A

H, Valentine’s Day. Booking a table at a fancy restaurant, having a special dinner while gazing into the eyes of your partner, exchanging romantic gifts and then going back to your house to engage in sweet love making. That’s the reality for everyone, right?

Well, having never been in a relationship on Valentine’s Day (apart from when I was nine) and having never gone out on a date on the 14 February, I simply would not know.

Indeed, it was hard enough trying to imagine what a perfect Valentine’s Day would be when writing the opening paragraph.

Realise that the people you are with that evening, love and care about you

I’m not alone in this. It’s a reality shared by so many of us. By the time we reach university, many of us still won’t have been in a relationship, and

with everyone from your best friend to your uncle telling you not to be in a relationship whilst at university, chances are many of you reading this will have no plans for Valentine’s Day. Valentine’s Day, like New Year’s Eve, is often anticlimactic even for those who do manage to find something to do. The day can be even more anticlimactic for those going on awkward first dates to try and fill the void, but that doesn’t stop it from generating a sense of FOMO for those who haven’t got a romantic partner to share the day with.

That feeling can be even heightened when a relationship has recently ended. 21 per cent of relationships that end in the UK in a calendar year end in January, according to an 11 Points survey.

It’s bad enough for those that ended the relationship, but for those who still long for their partner in the run up to Valentine’s Day, it is likely to be a sombre time. Below are a few steps to help you beat the Valentine’s Day blues.

You could opt for the classic

cynical approach. A tactic used by parents up and down the country to reassure teenagers who don’t receive a Valentine’s card, that the day is just a “stupid event used by shops to make money.” This approach has worked for generations since the mass production of Valentine’s

gifts began during the mid-nineteenth century.

Nevertheless, as generations have become increasingly idealistic and the big day has become more and more ingrained into the diary, the cynical approach’s magic is wearing off.

But do not fear. Why not opt for the self-love approach to stay positive?

If you are happy in yourself, then why can’t you be happy on just another day?

If you want some chocolates with a bit of romance, buy a box of celebrations and put on your favourite romantic comedy. Steer clear of social media, as this will only cause you to see several couples pretending to have the best day of their lives, and just chill like it’s any other Friday night in. If you get lonely easily then this probably isn’t the one for you, but if you enjoy your own company then feel free to revel in your single freedom.

Alternatively, you could approach Valentine’s Day with the organised fun method, a personal favourite. As an avid sports fan and former Teaching Assistant, I thrive on organised fun, and Valentine’s Day can be the perfect time to put this enthusiasm to the test. Make a list of fun things you want to do and stick to it for the big night to ensure maximum enjoyment.

This can be a challenge if you need to persuade your other single friends

to come bowling or engage in a threehour game of Monopoly with you, but it will be worth it for the satisfaction of a strike or putting up a hotel on Mayfair respectively.

Finally, what can only be deemed the most successful, the mingle approach otherwise known as Palentine’s. Invite your single friends over or go somewhere together and enjoy the evening like it’s any normal day. Make jokes about being single, privately mock how you do not need to be in a relationship and realise that the people you are with that evening, and so many more, love and care about you.

You could approach Valentine’s Day with the organised fun method Whether you’re coupled up or single on Valentine’s Day, I hope you have a fantastic day. If you are single, remember not to think about what you could have, as you have clearly just not met the right person yet. Focus on what you do have, and try to make the most of it. And if no one else says it to you, Happy Valentine’s Day. Images (Top-Bottom): Fibonacci, Wikimedia; Karen Arnold, Public Domain Pictures; Public Domain, freesvg

Agony Aunt

Q

DEAR AGONY AUNT,

I recently sent flowers (anonymously) to a flatmate as a grand romantic gesture. Upon receiving them, this flatmate said it was weird and creepy and now I don’t know what to do: even though it was anonymous it feels weirdly like a rejection. What do I do from here?

Yours, The Flowers Failed

A

DEAR THE FLOWERS FAILED,

I mean ouch, but as you said it felt “weirdly” like a rejection: that’s because it wasn’t one, they didn’t know who it was! Your flatmate clearly isn’t a fan of big romantic gestures. As much as I would like to preach, if you really like this person then it sounds like an honest discussion about the way you feel would go down well with them, instead of the grand gesture.

Much love, Agony Aunt

Q

DEAR AGONY AUNT,

Me and my partner have been going for a solid five years and have tried pretty much everything you can think of in the bedroom. Do you have any ideas on how we can spice things up?

A

Yours, Outta Bedroom Ideas

DEAR OUTTA BEDROOM IDEAS,

When I’ve felt the need to spice up bedroom encounters with partners in the past I’ve found what works is to read them the most recent editions of Exeposé; there’s nothing more arousing than a juicy album review, science article or in-depth political analysis. If that doesn’t create the conditions for full arousal, I would recommend dropping your partner and seeking out one more likely to find high-quality student journalism a turn-on.

Much love, Agony Aunt

Q

DEAR AGONY AUNT,

I’ve been single for pretty much all my life and never been in a relationship for 14 February. It’s the worst day of the year for me because it makes me feel afraid I might die alone. Is there anything you could suggest to help a single first year out?

A

Yours, Slightly-too-single Pringle

DEAR SLIGHTLY-TOO-SINGLE PRINGLE,

First off, if you haven’t already, have a look at our Palentines article on the other page for some ideas of what do to with friends. As for the fear of loneliness, the important thing to remember is that you’re still YOUNG. The single life can be a tough gig for sure, but it’s very unlikely that it will go on forever. There are so many new people to meet in and outside of the uni sphere, just be patient, and find some fellow single peeps to have a laugh with in the meantime!

Much love, Agony Aunt

EXEPOSÉ | 3 FEB 2020

Beyond Exeter It’s pronounced Cymru

Zach Mayford Arts + Lit Editor

S

ALMAN Rushdie wrote that the key to unlocking a society is its untranslated words. Once such word in Welsh is hiraeth. It means, among other things, yearning, homesickness and a sort of wistful nostalgia.

As someone who was born here in England but grew up in Wales, I say ‘heer’ not ‘hyur’ but I still keenly feel hiraeth for a home that took a while to accept and even longer to accept me.

I still keenly feel hiraeth for a home that took a while to accept Many people in South Wales can, on a clear day, see Devon, where they’ll head for University in term-time.

Exeter has the largest Welsh society of any non-Welsh University in the world.

I can detect a Welsh accent at about 30 paces, and its always heart-warming to hear that familiar lilt even whilst I’m away from home.

Coming from a non-English British nation is a strange and, dare I say it, liminal experience. When is an international student not an international student? I leave my home nation to come to University every year, street signs change, and so does the vernacular - but I’m not exactly jet lagged. Wales is about two hours away.

Despite that, there is a serious funding lag and opportunities lag between here and there, probably a driving factor that pushes so many Welsh student to places like Manchester, Bristol and Exeter.

Based on the clear influx of Welsh students, it would be nice to see some Celtic culture represented more on campus and in the curriculum. I’ve loved studying Irish literary modules in my course, but a Welsh bardic culture or modern Welsh drama writing module wouldn’t go amiss - after all, we

invented Merlyn, Arthur and Russell T Davies.

When is an international student not an international student?

All in all, there are benefits to being in a kinda sorta subculture. There’s something special in reminiscing about Oakwood or St Fagans, knowing what cwtch means, pronouncing Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogery chwyrndrobwllllantisiliogogogoch, and rolling our eyes at everything the English throw at us. Welsh people are tough, and we’re a laugh. Cymru am byth.

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The shock of British virtue Anna Romanovska Lifestyle Editor

M

Y culture shock was a lot more subtle than the usual struggle to adapt to weather or food in the UK. In all honesty, I didn’t start to notice why I had been feeling so out of place ever since getting to university until my second year.

It’s funny that I’m considered “rude” and “mean” when in my

culture, tiptoeing around an awkward situation is considered rather rude. This “tip-toeing” I am referring to is the well-known phenomenon of British politeness, where skirting around an issue is considered an act of virtue to others in your surroundings. Of course, it’s important to remain polite in dayto-day activities, but the Brits take it to the extreme. There have been times I have felt incredibly uncomfortable from someone withholding their honest opinion just in order to spare my feelings.

The happy families, lights and markets can make you miss home

It wasn’t until a few people pointed out that my to-the-point personality was intimidating, with some even insinuating it was crude. I had to laugh.

Politeness is important, but the Brits take it to the extreme A no-nonsense demeanour is common amongst most, if not all, Slavs.

It’s probably what makes us unique as a culture. We won’t tell you that the ugly skirt you’re wearing is “nice” just to save your feelings of hurt. We’ll tell you upright that it’s hideous.

Growing up, this direct attitude often came with quite a few tears.

Mostly because a lot of Slavic families tend to body shame the young girls within their families.

This aspect of Slavic directness is of course unacceptable, yet now, even after two and a half years in this country I have a yearning to hear my dad tell me that my shoes look disgusting.

BEYOND EXETER 10

EDITOR

Anne Chafer

Welcome! This section aims to broaden the scope of our content and provide a space for international students to voice their opinions on topics that matter to them.

We are looking for students from other countries, living and/or studying here for the duration of their degree to write about issues that affect them.

If you want to contribute, please get in touch by emailing editors@exepose.com or messaging our Facebook page.

Culture in translatioN: the master and margarita Tamara Balabekova Contributor

M

ANY works that are culturally defining rise to prominence due to their unmatched wit and genius but unfortunately the influence of such profound art does not always transcend the borders of its country of origin.

One of such works of art in my opinion is Bulgakov’s The Master and Margarita. Though this novel has been praised by some western literature critics and famous people such as Daniel Radcliffe, this story is not wildly known in the west which is a big shame.

The themes of this story are incredibly profound as they touch upon the subjects of redundancy, human greed, conflict of religion and disbelief, battle between the good

I noticed a lot of peers taking a strong dislike towards me because of my directness and lack of filter.

Initially I was confused, even hurt, for it was a big part of who I am and who I have come to be. At times I wonder if it’s a source of internalised sexism, xenophobia, or both.

Not many people have taken kindly to an immigrant woman unashamedly stating her opinions. Maybe it’s just me, but the fact that the majority of such critics have been white-British middle class men seems to confirm my theory.

A no-nonsense demeanour is common amongst most Slavs Furthermore, this phenomenon of attempting to impose a cultural mannerism onto a immigrants is a form of imperialism. It may sound a bit

and evil and the dangers of being obsessed with one’s art. Despite the themes of the novel being quite deep and at times heavy the most amazing part of this novel is that Bulgakov’s approach is light-hearted, satirical and explicitly comedic which feels incredibly refreshing.

Master and Margarita was written diring the emerging stages of the Soviet Union and Stalin’s regime. This political context without any doubt has placed a lot of pressure on Bulgakov due to ruthless censorship, and the establishment of the propaganda machine. The version we have today was been banned in the USSR and was published in Paris in 1967 27 years after Bulgakov’s death.

The fact that this masterpiece has been made accessible to audiences worldwide despite the incredible political and internal conflict is a good enough reason to give it a read.

extreme to some, but it’s important to note how ostracising it can feel to have a British local telling you to “tone down your personality strength.” It makes us feel more disconnected not only from the country to which we have moved to, but also the culture that we have left behind.

.....Imposing mannerisms on immigrants is a form of imperialism So, next time you ask someone, notably an immigrant, to drop their culturally-mandated mannerisms in exchange for your culture’s mannerisms, realise that you might be propagating a xenophobic rhetoric that fuels the immigrant imposter syndrome.

Images top to bottom: John Lucas, Geograph; Alexis Brown, Unsplash

12

Features

03 FEB 2020| EXEPOSÉ

FEATURES EDITORS: Jaysim Hanspal William Harrop

Australian Bushfires: A Climate Crisis

Zach Mayford, Arts & Lit Editor, breaks down the developing crisis in Australia and the impact of billionaire aid

A

USTRALIA was ablaze as the earth rolled into a new decade.

Large-scale fires across the states of New South Wales and Victoria, already weeks old, would grow and converge into what the BBC would call a “mega-blaze” by 10 January. So far, the bushfires have consumed 32 human lives, well over one billion animal lives, and over ten million hectares of land.

The whole of England is only 13 million hectares. Fires have melted cars on the streets and liquefied roofs. The United States has sent hundreds of firefighters to assist Australia, and on 25 January, three were killed in a plane crash whilst battling the blaze.

The loss of aboriginal practices is one of the causes of the fires swiftness Tens of thousands of homeowners in the Southwest of the country have been displaced, and these fires spread faster than you can run. Forest fires travel at 6.7 mph and grass fires spread at 14 mph, compared with 6.12 mph speed of the average person. Many have fled down motorways, in a hurry to leave the fire’s frontiers, heading into smoke-filled cities where at least the fire cannot reach.

This story has lingered on our screens and newspaper pages for weeks, leading some to wonder why it draws so much focus compared with other disasters and social causes. The reasons are complex. Superficially perhaps, one of the main reasons is the arresting aesthetics of the destruction, and the evocative imagery distributed worldwide. Cuddly koalas and furry wombats with bandages on their paws and blackened fur; the jaw-dropping walls of flames, built, smashed and rebuilt with terrifying pace as they reduce forests to dust; the silhouettes of fleeing creatures against bright tongues of fire. Charles Buchannan wrote in 1917 that art is concerned less with the significance of the thing said than with the method and manner of the saying, and the same is true today of activism and empathy.

Ultimately, the reason the coverage has been going on for months is that the fire has been going on for months, since September in fact. Although there are

many serious crises in the world, socially and environmentally this is as big as they come. Nation-sized swathes of land have been purged of life. NASA reported that the smoke has circumnavigated the globe. Even in places where the fire has been and gone, the soil is still warm from the heat, weeks later. Only the ants have returned. It’s apocalyptic.

It also provides an apt metonym for the climate crisis at large. It demonstrates the rhetoric of activists like Greta Thunberg, who tweeted “our house is on fire” in December. Australia is at the forefront of the globe, on Earth’s earliest time-zone. The fact that their homes are literally on fire and their streets cast in hellish red light lends an insight into that which, without radical policy change, is inevitable.

The fires are so large-scale that they are creating their own weather patterns through the smoke’s rapid elevation.

This up-draft cools, spreading ash and ember clouds called pyrocumulonimbus, which generate fire-fanning winds and even create lightning. Lightning was cited as the cause of severe bushfires on Kangaroo Island, a now devastated place which represents a microcosm of the wider fire-damage. The Island, a nature reserve and tourist destination, even had its animal monitoring cameras melted by bush fire. A third of its entire surface was torched bare.

maintain a balanced environment.”

These small-scale, managed bushfires provide light, heat and social spaces for locals, as well as clearing dangerous flammable debris and creating barriers against larger fires om the scale we have seen in Victoria and New South Wales.

This practice is banned under Australia’s majority-white government. Imperialism can fan the flames of climate change.

Policy changes can combat the climate crisis in the long term, but society is reacting in the short term to each event. Billionaires like Kylie Jenner and Mark Zuckerberg have donated mil-

lions of dollars to fire relief charities, and Jeff Bezos has donated $690,000.

In 2018, Bezos made that amount of money every five minutes. Whilst firefighters are donating their sweat, their months, and their lives, Bezos has effectively given just five minutes of his time. This figure rankles with the fact that Amazon produced 19 million metric tonnes of carbon in 2017, equivalent to five coal power plants. The company’s very name mocks the destruction of trees, and the commercialisation and wanton misuse of resources. Billionaires and their conglomerates are the leading causes of climate change, not the solution. Green economies and sustainable, progressive tax and investment are essential to sustain life.

Oddly, this disaster has created (or shed light on) a new form of philanthropy: naked philanthropy. Twitter user ‘The Naked Philanthropist’, a California-based sex worker, tweeted in December that she would send a nude photograph to everyone who provided evidence of a donation of $10 or more to fire relief charities. If Bezos has revealed the climactic and climatic failures of international capitalism, the naked philanthropist is a one-woman green economy. Running only on the hype her

nudes have generated, she has reportedly generated over a million dollars from her citizens, probably double what Bezos donated, with her simple, singleissue porn tax. Hopefully, her next project will be investing in sustainable infrastructure. Or better yet, governments will do their jobs and protect the countries that elected them, instead of providing tax breaks with which billionaires increase wealth inequality and sprinkle the crumbs of their obscene hoards on our burning planet.

The fires are creating their own weather patterns and creating lightning As the fire roars across scrub land, its glow illuminated the economic systems and power dynamics which facilitated it and could have prevented it but neglected to. This disaster has likely contributed to 900 million metric tonnes of carbon emissions, which is twice as much as Australian people produced last year and equals the total worldwide output from all commercial aircraft in 2018. Aboriginal practices, such as cultural burns, are essential to prevent this from happening again. Carbon taxes and strict adherence to emissions quotas are essential to prevent this from happening again.

Bush fires have consumed 32 human lives and one billion animals Kangaroo Island also provides a case study into fire-prevention tactics.

Residents and park wardens have cited the loss of aboriginal practices as a cause for the fire’s swiftness. Bush fire is, in fact, necessary for the propagation and prosperity of Australian wildlife: 80 per cent of trees on Kangaroo Island require it to crack their seed-pods and create ash for fertilisation. According to Sam Mitchell, the National Park’s owner, aboriginal Australians have been “using cultural burns for over 55,000 years to

Image: Top: NASA, Bottom: Wikimedia Commons

EXEPOSÉ | 03 FEB 2020

FEATURES

13

Impeachment in the House

E

Pete Syme, News Editor, dives deep into the impeachment process and flaws in the justice system

FFORTS to impeach Donald Trump have persisted since the start of his presidency, having been embroiled in a range of scandals from detention camps at the Mexico border to a myriad of sexual assault allegations. It was not long into his tenure when a vote on impeachment for obstruction of justice was defeated in 2017 by a count of 364-58. The issue has been one of contention and divides within the Democratic Party, with Nancy Pelosi, Speaker of the House, refusing to support a vote until September 2019, when allegations of a quid pro quo with Ukraine came to light.

In March of last year, she explained impeachment as “so divisive to the country that unless there’s something so compelling and overwhelming and bipartisan, I don’t think we should go down that path.” The trial is meant to outlast Bill Clinton’s 1999 trial, which lasted longer than a month. Whilst the Party leadership may have hope for the latest case, Republicans are showing no signs of abandoning their loyalty to the President, with December’s impeachment of Trump occurring almost entirely along party lines with only Democrats rebelling. With the trial of Donald J. Trump now occurring within the majority Republican Senate, it is likely to conclude with him staying in office ahead of the 2020 election.

90 per cent of Republican voters approving of Trump’s presidency

of Congress.

The charges against the President stem from evidence that he pressured the Ukrainian government to investigate Joe Biden and his son by withholding military aid, as well as other counts of corruption. An anonymous intelligence official blew the whistle on Trump’s phone conversation with the Ukrainian president last August, expressing an “urgent concern” that he had abused the power of office to “solicit interference from a foreign country” in the upcoming election.

Republicans are showing no signs of abandoning their loyalty to the President Trump and his supporters allege that, while vice-president, Biden encouraged the firing of a Ukrainian prosecutor who was investigating an energy company which employed his son, Hunter, although no evidence has emerged of this. The President’s legal team released a 110-page document on 20 January asserting that he should be acquitted on the grounds that abuse of power is not in and of itself an impeachable offence. However, this was refuted by a letter signed by over 800 legal scholars, cit-

ing that the personal gain which Trump sought from Ukraine undermined the “faithful execution” of public office that the Constitution demands. In some ways, this defence bears similarities with the Mueller investigation into links between Trump and Russian officials in the previous election. The probe concluded that whilst they did not exonerate Trump, they could not prosecute him because “a president cannot be charged with a federal crime while he is in office.” Similarly, the executive power which the constitution vests in the President could be used to excuse him of any wrongdoing.

As the Senate Majority Leader, Republican Mitch McConnell has had vast control over the direction of the trial, with attempts to subpoena testimony from White House officials and documents held by the Trump administration being blocked. It was this victory which led Trump to brag “Honestly, we have all the material. They don’t have the material” a seemingly blatant admission to the second article of impeachment: obstruction of Congress. As the defence accuses Democrats of impeaching the President under political motivations, they are not making any efforts to introduce impartiality. McConnell declared “I’m not an impartial juror” whilst Judiciary Committee chairman Lindsey

Graham similarly admitted, “I’m not trying to pretend to be a fair juror.”

Both statements are at odds with the impeachment oath that senators must take, which includes the phrase “I will do impartial justice.”

After Pelosi’s refusal, the impeachment now reads like a prophecy Last Saturday, House impeachment manager Adam Schiff lambasted the Republicans’ handling of the trial, explaining that “if they were really interested in the American people knowing all the facts, they wouldn’t be fighting to make sure that this is the first trial in history without witnesses.” Therefore, regardless of how convincing the evidence is, it seems unlikely that Trump could lose the trial with Republicans refusing to show disloyalty. With 90 per cent of Republican voters approving of Trump’s presidency, it would be political suicide for these senators to turn against him. Whilst the evidence against him is palpable, Trump’s cries of “witch-hunt” have become a rallying cry for Republican politicians, supporters and pundits across the country. With an acquittal likely, he can again claim victory against false accusations and rally voters ahead

Impeachment charges against the President have left many Americans feelings hopeless during a presidency which has proved that the restrictions of the President are far looser than that

o

f

the election as

Images (left to right): Michael Vadon Flickr, Gage Skidmore Flickr

we slip further into a post-truth society.

Pelosi’s reasoning for her longstanding refusal to begin the impeachment process now reads like a prophecy, although it would not have taken an oracle to foresee the partisan nature of the trial. So, it raises the question: why now? It was always inevitable that Republicans would toe the party line and stand by Trump when he was put on trial. Democrats had opportunities to impeach Trump and win victories for women’s rights or immigrant’s rights in the process, but instead, the trial has been reserved for a quid pro quo. It may provide some fuel for attacks in the election, but none too different from those of Russian interference we heard four years ago. Instead, it is telling of an increasingly split Democratic party, with the voices of more progressive politicians who called for impeachment after Trump’s associations with white nationalism being eschewed.

The state of politics has seen a big shift with the rise of populism The President’s refusal to follow the norms of office has come as no surprise following our introduction to his reactionary politics, and it is likely that he has committed more impeachable acts than those he is currently standing trial for. The testimony of his former lawyer Michael Cohen in February last year implicated him in committing a minimum of 11 such offences. However, it is the starkly divided nature of American politics which means the trial is unlikely to oust Trump from office. With Republicans controlling the Senate, the Democrats’ victory in the House last December is likely to be a small victory. It is also unlikely to convince many voters in key swing states of the President’s wrongdoing ahead of the election.

The state of politics has seen a big shift with the rise of populism, and with an acquittal probable in spite of the evidence against Trump, the legacy of this impeachment is unlikely to be positive.

14

FEATURES

3 FEB 2020 | EXEPOSÉ

The death of a Sultan

William Harrop, Features Editor, reviews Britain's past with Oman in light of the Sultan's death

O

N 10 January 2020, it was announced by the country’s state media that Sultan Qaboos bin Said Al Said, the Sultan of Oman and the longest-serving leader in the Arab world, had died.

Among the mourners who flocked to Oman’s capital, Muscat, to pay their respects was a special delegation from Britain, consisting of Boris Johnson and the Prince of Wales. To onlookers, it might appear strange that such an important delegation was sent to Oman, a country so rarely in the news and seemingly unrelated to Britain. What was it that made Qaboos and Oman so dear to Britain’s elite?

Looking at the past two decades, one can perhaps single out Oman’s importance as a politically stable ally to Britain in a conflict-torn region, or its role in the 2015 Iranian Nuclear deal. Digging a little deeper, however, reveals an unnerving truth.

Sultan Qaboos was installed by a British coup in 1970 Sultan Qaboos was installed as Sultan in 1970 following what is now understood to be a coup planned and carried out by Britain, authorised in the highest offices of the British government. Understanding Britain’s history in Oman is important, not least because of its renewed relevance given the Sultan’s death, but also because of how it has largely been hidden from public view.

Oman was never formally a British protectorate, although since the late 19th century it was a country ostensibly under Britain’s control, deferring its diplomatic relations to Britain to prevent foreign influence over shipping routes to British India.

Throughout the British Empire, Britain ruled through intermediaries,.

In Oman's case, this was the proBritish royal family, the House of Al Said, which Britain propped up in exchange for their loyalty.

Fast-forwarding to 1970, Oman, then known as the Sultanate of Muscat and Oman, had been ruled by the autocratic Sultan Sa’id bin Taimur Al Said since 1932. Meanwhile, in the south of Oman, the deprived, povertystricken province of Dhofar, which had been exploited and ruthlessly governed by Sa’id for decades, had become consumed by a communistinspired revolt against his rule and British imperialism for almost five years. Due to Oman’s isolation from

the outside world and the repressive policies of Sa’id, Oman had an infant mortality rate of 75 per cent, a five per cent literacy rate and limited job opportunities.

Moreover, despite Britain brandishing Oman's independence, at the United Nations, Sa’id’s government consisted of a hodgepodge of British officers, former diplomats and excolonial officials, with virtually no Omanis in positions of power.

Of the Sultanate’s only two viable institutions, the Sultan’s Armed Forces was dominated by seconded British officers, and the oil company, Petroleum Development (Oman) was essentially British owned. Since Britain held so much influence and derived such benefit from Oman, it was only when Britain’s future in the region became challenged by the rebellion in Dhofar that officials began to encourage the Sultan to develop his country and remove the restrictions he placed upon it. When he refused to modernise his country as quickly as British policymakers desired, the stage was set for a change of ruler.

Oman had an infant morality rate of 75 per cent and a five per cent literacy rate

out the coup, but that it was planned

by British government officials, and authorised by the Foreign Secretary, Alec Douglas-Home.

Potentially crucial documents on Britain's involvement have been withheld On 23 July 1970, following a brief gun-battle during which Sa’id was injured, he agreed to abdicate in favour of his son and was flown in an RAF plane to Britain, where he stayed in the Dorchester Hotel until his death in 1972. The story the British gave to the media after the coup was that Qaboos overthrew his father himself, which has persisted until very recently. Even today when describing Qaboos’ ascent to power the BBC only credit Britain with helping him rise to power.

Moreover, any arguments that Britain’s intervention was done on

humanitarian grounds do not hold weight. Historian Abdel Razzaq Takriti, in his extensive work studying classified British documents concerning Oman, has highlighted that the reimposition of autocracy was never inevitable in Oman after the coup, and was instead a choice, with Britain believing that reinstalling an absolutist Sultan would serve their interests better than democracy could.

This should be viewed in the context of 2011, where according to Adnkronos 2,000 pro-democracy protesters in Oman were fired on by the heavily armed Royal Oman Police, killing six.

While Britain had maintained a media blackout in Oman before 1970, refusing the requests of most journalists to enter the country, after the coup Oman was opened up to the world. Suddenly newspapers featured headlines proclaiming a ‘new era’ in Oman for development and prosperity. Naturally, of course, Britain would be party to this prosperity, as its exports to Oman increased from £3 million in 1970, to £95 million by 1975. The new regime also enabled Britain to take a more active role in the pacifying the rebellion in Dhofar, sending members of the SAS, pilots, engineers and continuing to second officers to the Sultan’s army.

W i t h help from sympathetic countries like Iran, the

The Sultan’s son, Qaboos bin Sa’id, was an obvious candidate for Britain. Qaboos was an Anglophile, educated at Sandhurst, the British military academy, and even trained in British local government in Ipswich in 1963. The details of the coup remain hazy. Potentially crucial archival documents on Britain’s involvement remain kept under lock and key by the British government often beyond the 30-year rule of the Public Records Act. It is believed that these documents could have serious implications for Anglo-Omani relations. However, recent research has established not only that British officers were intimately involved in carrying Images : Top: Tribes of the World, Flickr, Bottom: DoD, Helene C. Stikkel

rebellion was defeated by 1976. But while Britain withdrew its military assets, its role in the country was far from over.

From the 1970s until the early 2000s, a shady cabal of British expatriates profiteered enormously from Oman’s economic growth and prosperity at the expense of the Omani people. One such figure was Timothy Landon, known as the White Sultan, who went to Sandhurst with Qaboos and played a central role in the coup.

According to The Times, following his death in 2007, he passed on a fortune of £200 million to his son, almost all of which was reaped from his friendship with Qaboos. Meanwhile, the World Bank has recently reported that Oman has a youth unemployment rate of 49 per cent.

The Sultan's regime has been

With the new Sultan, it is unlikely that Britain's closeness with Oman will change described by its critics as one based around fear. Within the country, Qaboos held a disturbing human rights record, with torture being common practice in penal institutions, and criticising the Sultan being an offense that can carry up to a seven year prison sentence.

Oman continues to serve Britain’s interests. Oman is the only country in the Persian Gulf where Britain holds more influence than the United States, and as late as the 1990s, the Sultan’s Armed Forces was still commanded by seconded British officers. Most significantly, however, in November 2018 former Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson announced the opening of a new British Army base in Oman, hinting at a return to the imperial the east of Suez role Britain abandoned in 1971.

With the ascent of Qaboos’ replacement, his cousin Haitham bin Tariq Al Said, it is unlikely that Britain’s closeness with Oman will change. Haitham is a graduate of both the University of Oxford and the University of Cambridge and has expressed his desire to continue to rule Oman in the style of Qaboos.

Britain’s long history with Oman is a sordid affair and is one which it is important to publicise and decolonise.

While Britain’s relationship with Oman may not change, the way we discuss it can.

lifestyle

MUSIC

ARTS + LIT

STUDY BREAK

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Sti checkups and sexual liberation

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On Museums of future (or) past

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the wonderful worlds of studio ghibli

The lasting legacies of the fab four

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LIFESTYLE EDITORS Izzy Cole Anna Romanovska

ARTS + LIT EDITORS Cherry-Anastasia Boroceanu Zach Mayford

MUSIC EDITORS Richard Ainslie Bryony Gooch

SCREEN EDITORS Jonathan Chern Samuel Thomson

STUDY BREAK Puzzles by Matthew & Neha 3 FEB 2020 | EXEPOSÉ

lifestyle

A trip to the sexual health clinic W

Amy Butterworth, Online Lifestyle Editor, discusses the stigma surrounding STI check ups

E have all envisioned the "shameful" walk to the sexual health clinic on Sidwell Street, nerves bubbling in your stomach and damaging stereotypes and stigmas festering in your mind, as suddenly the realisation hits that by simply entering the building, you’re declaring to the whole world that you do indeed…have sex.

Embarrassing, right? Except, it really isn’t at all – findings from The Student Room show that around half of the 1200 sexually active students surveyed have been tested for sexually transmitted infections. Think of this as your seminar class – out of 20 students, it’s likely that ten will have been tested. It is still worth acknowledging that this is a worrying statistic in itself – considering that 63 per cent say to have engaged in unprotected sex, the statistic should be much higher. Hence there is a current call for a destigmatising of not only getting tested, but the infections themselves.

The crux of the matter is the stigma associated with Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs). Yes, no one enjoys being ill, but STIs carry connotations of being "dirty" and using words like "clean" when you are clear of infec-

tion reinforces this. You go to the dentist to check your teeth, the opticians to check your eyes, and the sexual health clinic to check your genitals. No one gets shamed for catching tonsillitis – it is just as preventable and spreadable as any STI, so why should they be treated differently?

The three most common sexually transmitted diseases (chlamydia, gonorrhoea and syphilis) are becoming increasingly prevalent, but it’s not because people are having more sex or spreading more STDs. The reason for this rise is that people are being tested more frequently, as doctors recommend that sexually active people get tested every three to twelve months depending on sexual activity, or after having sex with a new person for the first time.

There are myriad reasons for getting tested; you may be wanting to move away from condoms or physical barriers of contraception if you’re in an exclusive trusting relationship (it is always worth getting tested beforehand, because you and your partner cannot know for sure that you are free from STIs until you get tangible proof from a sexual health clinic), or perhaps you have engaged in unprotected sex, or maybe even that you had sex with a condom that broke. It’s also important to note that certain STIs take different amounts of time to show up on a test, so factor this in when booking/walking-in to the clinic.

When I first took the plunge and got tested, the laborious wait of the walkin session heightened my apprehension. The front desk warn that the wait time can be up to three hours, so taking a book or plugging into a podcast may be a

way to counteract nerves and pass the time.

It’s also possible to book an appointment if the stress of waiting causes unnecessary anxiety. But I had nothing to fear - the process starts with a nurse asking some careful and considered screening questions, the likes of “have you had unprotected sex and with how many partners”, “have you had any symptoms” and so on, all met with zero judgement. On goes the procedure – a swab from the vagina which can be done by yourself in private (testing for chlamydia and gonorrhoea; for people with penises the same is done with a urine sample), and a blood sample from your arm to test for HIV and syphilis. If any symptoms are present, they may do a swab from the urethra or an examination of the genitals, where you can even request a nurse chaperone to be in the room during the procedure.

As I was sitting across from the nurse during the procedure, I noticed an aura of sexual liberation and freedom wash over me. Me being in control of my sexual health is something that I am proud of; it’s a symbolic acclamation of my sexuality, as well as an authority over my sexual health.

Can fashion take it too far?

O

Both images: RHSC, Unsplash)

Freya Insoll addresses the use of cultural appropriation on the runway

VER the past decade the fashion industry has been plagued with accusations of cultural appropriation and a lack of contextual cultural understanding.

Marc Jacobs’ SS17 show saw a plethora of white models walking in dreadlocks, while Gucci’s AW18 show starred white models in "Indy Full Turbans" – distinct copies of the religiously significant Sikh turban. Just last week Comme des Garçons debuted their haute couture collection, opting to style the majority white models in cornrow hairstyles – a decision that has garnered huge backlash.

Comme des Garçons’ decision to use such a look is problematic for a number of reasons; the cornrow hairstyle is traditionally worn by people of colour in order to protect their natural hair – such protective hairstyles help in shielding hair from potentially damaging elements of the environment. The trivialisation and commodification of such a hairstyle removed from the intended context displays a lack of cultural sensitivity and awareness, knowing or not.

Such a lack of context has angered many, in response to hairstylist Julien D’ys’ assertion that the use of the hairstyle was in homage to the looks of ‘Egyptian princes’, critics have

questioned why such looks weren’t thus shown on Egyptian models, as opposed to unrepresentative white models.

Such thoughtless appropriation of traditional cultural "fashions" has been commonplace throughout the industry; a culture has been fostered in which it is permissible and ‘exotic’ to display styles and motifs of historically oppressed people on white bodies, maintaining a cycle of dominance in which the culture of another is exploited for personal creative gain.

In terms of Comme des Garçons use of cornrows, it’s clear to see the implications of such a cycle – while white models can wear such a style in the name of fashion, black women can face societal stigma due to the style of their hair, losing out on jobs and opportunities due to perceived unprofessionalism.

While cultural appropriation is a nuanced and complex topic, it has long been explained that cultural appreciation, not appropriation, is possible. Giving credit to the source of cultural inspiration is key when

working with others’ traditional culture in mind, as is including representatives with an intimate knowledge of the culture in the design process. It is essential for brands to work with widely diverse teams, hiring those from varied cultural backgrounds and heritages, attempting to tackle the structural racism that pervades the top levels of the creative industries.

Change is possible and brands have been seen to be making an effort to tackle the root cause of the issues of appropriation. Under the guardianship of Maria Grazia Chiuri, Dior’s Morocco inspired "Cruise" 2020 collection was hailed as a signal of change; the collection – shown in Marrakech’s El Badi palace – featured clothing manufactured by local craftspeople, highlighting the makers’ names in the brand’s labels.

Traditional Dior fabric patterns were reinterpreted in wax fabric by Uniwax, a studio based in Côte d’Ivoire – with such fabrics acting as the focal point of the collection.

Not only were changes implemented in the

design process, Chiuri stated the show was designed to share "different points of view," highlighting that the concept of couture should not solely be associated with Parisian ateliers but also with those creating and designing clothes in other parts of the world, attempting to take the focus away from Eurocentric notions of fashion and beauty.

Whether shows like that of Dior are merely a token performance is yet to be seen, but the endeavour to appreciate and represent diverse cultures in a traditionally French context has not gone unnoticed by critics.

CULTURAL APPRECIATION, NOT APPROPRIATION Other fashion houses are also beginning to follow suit, many such as Ralph Lauren who have formed advisory diversity councils, with Ralph Lauren implementing advisors in every company team and at every level of the brand. So, while progress is slow and disappointingly late, the fashion tides appear to be turning, with appreciation, not appropriation being fashion’s critical aim.

Image: Flaunter.com (UnSplash)

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EDITORS: Izzy Cole and Anna Romanovska

Following your inSTIncts

3 FEB 2020 |

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Exeposé Lifestyle Writers educate you about various sex-related infections in an effort to break the stigma

THRUSH

S

PEAKING frankly, vaginal thrush isn’t an STI. Not really. Nevertheless, most people who have vaginas, including some penis owners, shall experience the common yeast infection during their lifetimes, and this isn’t anything to worry about.

Thrush, in almost all cases, is easy to treat and causes little long-term harm. It is caused by yeasts created by fungi named Candidas, which exist in the vagina. If the natural balance of micro-organisms in the genital area is disrupted, the usually benign Candida multiplies into an irritating nuisance.

Firstly, let’s dash through the tell-tale symptoms. There is usually itching and soreness around the labia, the entrance to the vagina. You should also look out for a vaginal discharge, which either may appear as a thick white substance or as a watery residue.

You can treat thrush yourself by buying an antifungal intravaginal cream from the pharmacy. However, if it is your first time with thrush, you should ring up your GP for some beautiful NHS state-funded advice.

Your doctor might prescribe a pessary, a special pill that is inserted into the vagina, or an intravaginal cream. In most cases, the treatment is super simple and the thrush is eliminated within a brisk two weeks.

However, some women are more vulnerable to developing thrush than others and may experience reocurring episodes. But that’s nothing to lose sleep over. If you keep getting thrush, there are a number of proactive measures you can take to safeguard your genitals. Use water and a moisturising soap substitute to clean the vulva, which is the skin around your vagina. You could also avoid perfumed soaps and wipes that contain potential irritants.

So how to end? What I will say is to never listen to the old wives’ tales. Trust me, spreading a dollop of Munch Bunch strawberry yoghurt across your private parts will not cure thrush, nor will it particularly endear you to your housemates. Stay safe, lads.

Aaron Loose, Editor

GONORRHEA

G

ONORRHEA, which was once referred to colloquially as “the clap”, is a sexually transmitted infection that passes primarily through the discharge from the penis and the vagina.

IT'S POSSIBLE TO TRANSMIT GONORRHEA FROM A PREGNANT MOTHER TO HER CHILD The infection is generally transferred through unprotected sex involving genitalia, as well as through sharing sex toys such as vibrators. There is often belief that the STI can be transmitted though kissing, hugging, or sharing bath towels - however, it is very unlikely that gonorrhea is transferable without direct genital contact.

It’s also possible to transmit gonorrhea from a pregnant mother to an unborn child: it is important to get checked and treated during pregnancy, as whilst gonorrhea is an easily treated infection in adults, it could lead to more severe effects, including blindness, in children.

Symptoms of gonorrhea include abnormal vaginal discharge, pain during urination, and extra-menstrual bleeding. Some people may also experience abnormal

odours from their genitals, however, not every person experiences symptoms.

You can get it tested at any sexual health clinic - treatment is quick and easy, as it only involves a quick swab of discharge from the genitals. The treatment is through a single antibacterial injection, as well as an antibacterial pill. It’s advised that you go for testing again in a few weeks, just to check if symptoms have improved in a few days, as is generally common. It is also preferable if you refrain from sexual activity, as the infection is transferrable as long as the bacteria remains in genital discharge. These are all available for free on the NHS, at any sexual health clinic, or through a hotline available on the NHS website.

The infection can be prevented by using physical contraception, such as condoms or female condoms - as well as not sharing sex toys. It is also important to get tested regularly because, as aforementioned, a section of those infected may not display symptoms.

Neha Shaji, Deputy Editor

GENITAL WARTS

A

T least one point in our lives we are unhappy with our bodies, be it our face, how much belly fat we have or the size of our bottoms. For some people, genital appearance dissatisfaction, believing that your genitals are unattractive, not normal or even ugly, is a major barrier to body confidence and sexual satisfaction. Studies have shown that dissatisfaction can result in greater selfconsciousness during intimacy, with detrimental effect on sexual wellbeing, often affecting young adults. For those who experience them, genital warts, small, painless growths that can reside on the outside of the vagina, penis, anus and sometimes mouth, can contribute to feelings of insecurity, and the stigma surrounding STIs only perpetuates feelings of shame in the bedroom.

Genital warts are caused by the Human Papillomavirus (HPV), of which there are approximately 100. 40 of these viruses are sexually transmitted, with some causing cancers such as ovarian, penile and

anal cancers. The HPV viruses survive in these areas due to the moisture around the genitals and anus, with low-risk strains contributing to the development of warts.

CONDOMS AREN'T FULLY EFFECTIVE IN PREVENTING HPV TRANSMISSION Such viruses are highly common and can often present no symptoms, meaning a large proportion of the population come into contact with these viruses. However, sometimes there can be changes to urine flow, bleeding or itchiness in the genitals or anus. If you notice any symptoms or your recent sexual partners have noticed they have genital warts, the sexual health clinic is the best place to seek advice. Treatments can include freezing the warts or creams, which are usually quick and relatively painfree; preventative measures like condoms can help reduce the risk of transmission of warts, however this isn't fully effective due to the skin-to-skin nature of the virus.

The body can naturally clear the virus over time and it absolutely possible to live highly fulfilled sex life following a diagnosis, away from shame and stigma.

Elinor Jones, Science Editor

TRICHOMONIASIS

T

RICHOMONIASIS is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) that can be caused by a tiny parasite called Trichomonas Vaginalis. A tiny parasite with a pretty big title!

Now what makes trichomonas so special you ask? Sadly, she's kind of a basic bitch and has many similar symptoms to other STIs. She's the Exeter uni student who's just bought some black flares. She wants to be revolutionary, but sadly, she's just not. Some STIs are more fashionable than others, so often Trichomonasis can be mistaken and wrongly diganosed. Both women and men can be infected, and symptoms start to show about a month after infection, but more often than not people with Trichomoniasis have no symptoms at all. Symptoms in women include abnormal discharge, that can be thick, forthy or yellow in colour, or just more discharge than usual with an unpleasant smell. Soreness, swelling and itching around the vagina can happen too, as well as pain or discomfort when peeing or during sex. My vagina just screamed at the thought.

For men, there can be pain during ejaculation or when peeing, needing to pee more often, or similarly some pain at the head of the

penis. Men can even experience thin, white discharge from the penis. To me, none of this sounds fun. The parasite mainly affects the vagina / head of the penis and the urethra.

So to avoid having to deal with swollen genitals, make sure if you have sex to do so with a condom. If you're using sex toys, take care of them and wash regularly, or use a new condom with every use. According to the NHS it's not common to get Trichomoniasis during oral or anal sex, but when it comes to sex, whatever it is, any precautions you can take, it's always best to. Doesn't seem like a huge ask to me, so keep sex sexy, and not well, painful and make sure to do both those things - always!

On the chance you do develop Trichomoniasis, that's totally chill, I'm not mad, it happens! But it won't just go away on its own. It's nothing to be embarrassed or ashamed of. It is easily treatable with a round of antibiotics, and anyone you may have infected should also be treated too.

So essentially, use a condom, clean your sex toys, for discomfort free peeing and sex.

Happy urethra, penis, vagina... happy life!

Isabelle Gray, Editor Images from top to bottom: sabina tone (Unsplash), charlesdeluvio (Unsplash)

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EDITORS: Izzy Cole and Anna Romanovska

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3 FEB 2020 |

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Have we had enough of Love Island?

Exeposé Lifestyle Writers argue whether the new winter edition of ITV's hit series has had its day

W

FOR

ITH the first series of Love ty much identical in format. While some Island in Winter underway, may find this disappointing, perhaps anthere is significant controticipating a more wintry, seasonal vibe, I versy surrounding whether two series of think the sun and heat is a positive aspect Love Island a year is necessary, as well as of the show for Love Island fans. From the the effect of this on body positivity and opening episode onwards, it has been commercialization. Love Island is already clear that Winter and Summer Love Island a controversial TV show, are essentially the same. especially when it comes The producers have clearto issues concerning the ly played it quite safe, but mental health of its conthis has paid off, with the testants both in and out show’s usual audience beof the villa. However, these ing likely to engage with problems seem to have this series as much as they been addressed, at least to would with the Summer some extent, with ITV asone. suring its audience, prior For better or for worse, to the 2019 series, that Love Island has been one Image: Vicko Mozara (UnSplash) the show’s aftercare packof the most popular shows age for contestants will help them deal on TV over the last few years, so why not with newfound fame and the challenges make more of it? Plenty of people have it brings. welcomed Love Island in Winter, and this When compared to the regular Sumseries appears to be almost as popular as mer Love Island, this series has been pretit is in the Summer.

Bridie Adams

L

AGAINST

OVE it or loathe it Love Island is imto the show’s artificiality. However, it will possible to escape every summer. cut the time period previous contestants However, ITV have now decided to have to cash in on their newfound fame bring in Winter Love Island. and hopefully become a commercial sucOne problem people have with Love cess.

Island is the lack of diversity, a completePlus, the contestants often suffer ly well-founded complaint, as our screen long term effects from the show, as they is filled with guys and girls struggle to cope with the who are conventionally full-on media scrutiny and attractive, which can be pressure once they are damaging for the young back in the real world. Reaudience demographic cently a darker side to the the show garners. The effects of Love Island have ’Love Island effect’ can realbeen revealed, with some ly affect the self-esteem of islanders such as Tynethe young people watchLexy Carlson and Rosie Wiling, possibly amplified by liams, being propositioned the fact we are all wrapped sex for money. While this Image: Angello Lopez (UnSplash) up and have gained a little is in no way the influencers weight over the festive period. or Love Island’s fault, arguably it propels Truthfully, the Winter version of Love unprepared and vulnerable contestants Island is just an obvious attempt to cash into the world of showbiz which can be in on the running success of the show an extremely isolating and difficult world while us Brits are still entertained adding to navigate.

Chloe Pumares

A Chinese or Lunar New Year?

W

Sam Bovey wonders about the difference between the Chinese and Lunar New Year celebrations

HAT is the difference between Chinese and Lunar New Year? Which one is correct? And are we right in pairing them together?

For many of you reading this article, you are like me and find the two terms Chinese New Year and Lunar New Year on paper to be very similar, if not identical. We assume this because people working in media, writing articles, like one in particular by the BBC, combine the two together

THE CRUCIAL DIFFERENCE LIES BETWEEN THE TERMS LUNAR AND LUNISOLAR They aren’t completely ruining a culture, and trying to de-nationalise China’s important festival though. They are being accurate and factual, by stating the Chinese lunisolar calendar “names each of the twelve years after an animal – one complete cycle takes 60 years and is made up of five of these 12-year cycles…” Nothing factually incorrect about that, and I bet many Chinese people would probably agree with everything about this and every other fact in the article except the title – which mistakes the terms lunar and lunisolar.

What is the difference between Chinese and Lunar New Year?

Alas, the crucial difference lies with these terms lunar and lunisolar, and how the New

Year is calculated. In Chinese New Year, the lunisolar calendar is used to work out when the New Year falls. As Britannica explains, at the opening of its article on Ancient and Religious Calendar Systems, lunisolar is when “…the months are lunar but years are solar – that is, are brought into line with the course of the sun…”. This is unlike the lunar calendar which, as the title suggests, involves the moon’s cycle to determine months and, crucially, calculate the New Year. As NBC news states, the Chinese months begin on “the day of the new moon, with (Chinese New Year) falling on the day of the full moon”. Also, on a subtler difference, Chinese New Year uses different Zodiac animals to the cultures who celebrate Lunar New Year.

Other countries who celebrate Chinese New Year, like Taiwan and Korea, have the same Zodiac animals as China: Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat/Sheep, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Pig. Obviously then these differences between Chinese and Lunar New

Year – i.e. lunar and lunisolar – are significant for some. However, for others considering the shared theme of ‘lunar’, it is understandable why some unfamiliar with the topic would be confused and why some might argue the two titles should be merged.

If you celebrate Chinese New Year and you’re reading this article

now, you might be shaking your head at the idea of merging the two. You might say merging those de-cultures or de-nationalises China,

or that by merging the two is to make one invalid.

I FIND LUNAR NEW YEAR IS MORE ENCOMPASSING AS IT DOES NOT EXCLUDE However nothing is really under threat here. Countries in Europe and America celebrate Lunar New Year, that’s true; but most of them have celebrations for Chinese New Year as well (see The Guardian for amazing pictures of Chinese New Year).

I’m not siding with the boffins in the media, who merged the two together, I’m just saying Lunar New Year isn’t trying to encompass Chinese New Year it’s a separate festival.

There’s no secret plan orchestrated to undermine Chinese New Year. They are confusing terms which relate to two different things.

In the future I will be aware of the differences between the two festivals, though ultimately I find Lunar New Year is more encompassing. In saying this I won’t disregard Chinese New Year, because who has the right to criticise a festival of significant importance…

Happy Lunar and Chinese New Year everyone!

Images L to R: lachlan gowen (UnSplash) and dru kelly (UnSplash)

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arts + lit

Online literary communi-tea Ariane Joudrey, Online Arts+Lit Editor, investigates social media bookworms

A

S an avid reader with a desire to share their love for books, sometimes it’s hard when your friends don’t feel the same way. In hope of finding a connection over a certain book with anyone who will listen, the internet, once again saves the day.

Despite the internet often being heralded for the reason that ‘the youth of today’ aren’t reading as much as they used to, the internet also provides inspiration, encouragement and entertainment for book lovers.

The internet has provided a home for a social media community who are invested in literature.

This community spans across several different social media sites including Twitter, Instagram, and of course, Goodreads.

Goodreads provides users with book recommendations based on books they have previously marked as ‘read,’ thus also acting as a reading tracker, a platform to provide book reviews, and therefore also forming a community of likeminded readers ready to engage in literary discussion.

Goodreads is arguably the most wholesome of social media outlets with a focus only on one thing – reading (which is wholesome in itself).

Twitter on the other hand seems to provoke much more debate in the literary world than other social media sites. This is particularly notable for fandoms of certain literary series such as The Hunger Games and Harry Potter. Twitter use seems to have increased confidence in their point of view which can often be quite blunt and addressed in a way which is ignorant to the fact that others may have a different opinion on a book they love so much.

This obsession then becomes infiltrated with a defensiveness and little resilience to hearing any negative comments about their true love.

Amongst all this literary conflict, even memes

often find their way into the debate, with some provoking hilarious responses. Twitter therefore provides the most “tea” in the literary community, making it an interesting platform for an observer and perhaps a more chaotic environment for a participant.

Instagram, whilst sometimes appearing similar to Twitter in the way fandoms create accounts dedicated to a particular book or series, has another side altogether. Instagram acts as more of a respectful online book club.

They seem a lot more contemplative and open to discussion.

Instagram has a community of users which

simply aim to share their love for books by making posts about their recent reads with the caption being one of their favourite quotes from the text, perhaps followed by a review or recommendation.

In a world in which we love to be nosy and have an insight into other people’s lives, just as books can provide, Instagram seems to provide this too. Online, weighty titles scroll past, prettily bathed in ambient light.

THIS OBSESSION BECOMES INFILTRATED WITH A DEFENSIVENESS TO NEGATIVITY The online book-loving community truly does act like a virtual book club, with each social media site acting as different personalities within the group. If you have never ventured into the online world of books, I would strongly urge

you to, even if not to participate, but simply to witness the wholesome yet chaotic entertainment it can provide.

Normal People scares me

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Image: Creative Commons

Olivia Gomez, Social Secretary, shares her hype for the BBC’s adaptation of Rooney’s first novel

NE fateful day, whilst out and about on the lovely town of Exeter, a strong English wind swept me inside a brightly lit Waterstones where everything seemed neatly arranged and organised. Once inside, the deeply-impulsive book-nerd that lives within me emerged from the depths of my soul to satisfy its need for an extreme shopping spree.

The result was the purchase of 10 books that I probably didn’t need. However, amongst them lay Normal People by Sally Rooney, a book which my starved mind devoured in a week.

To say I enjoyed that book is probably an understatement. The novel follows the relationship between Connell and Marianne, two Irish teenagers whose paths continue to cross throughout their lives. It is a deeply reflective story which constantly gives us access to the inner workings of the main characters’ minds.

It is a true exposition of human nature, flaws and all.

Normal People has gathered a lot of fans since its publication, making the upcoming BBC adaptation a highly anticipated series with a lot of hype behind it. After all, the novel was named 2019’s Book of the Year at the British Book Awards. Still, I am worried. Like anyone

who has ever liked a book that then turned into a TV show, I’m slightly concerned for the quality of the content we’ll end up with. How are they going to communicate the intricacies of Connell’s and Marianne’s relationship? Will it be enough to do justice to the book? It’s the ageold debate of book versus screen. Which one will triumph over the other? The book already has a clear advantage. Can the series catch up?

We’ve had our fair share of bad adaptations in the past years and I would hate for Normal People to become one of them.

I WOULD HATE TO SEE IT BECOME ANOTHER BORING ADAPTATION So, with the aim of managing my expectations (and perhaps yours too) I took a look at the first official trailer released by the BBC. I have to say I was pleasantly surprised. I generally don’t pay much attention to trailers because they have a tendency of revealing too much in two minutes. Thankfully, this trailer doesn’t do that. The 50-second teaser places us in Ireland, where the show is set, and gives us

a first look at Daisy Edgar Jones and Paul Mescal as Marianne and Connell. Directed by Lenny Abrahamson and Hettie McDonald, the leading actors seem to pull off the intense chemistry and warmth which exists between the main characters. This I consider good news, since it is always nice to know that the characters are being treated well. Oh and, to make things better, the series is being written by Alice Birch, twotime BAFTA nominee, and Sally Rooney herself, the author of the book. Now, this definitely gives me great peace of mind, and a sense of optimism about this new adaptation.

All in all, adaptations are tricky. It is difficult to stay true to the source text when you’re jumping from one medium to another. Still, I think Normal People has a decent chance at being something good. I mean, tweets from fans online seem positive enough and the production seems good so far. So, shall we commit and hype this TV show until the day of its release? Yes, let’s hype, but cautiously. I am excited to see this story come alive on the small screen, yet I’ve been let down too many times before. Normal People will be released later this spring on BBC Three. I guess we’ll have to wait until then to find out if it was worth the hype.

Image: Faber and Faber

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EDITORS: Cherry-Anastasia Boroceanu and Zach Mayford

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Do people care about arts and lit?

Rhian Hutchings asks our section’s existential questions

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ANY stereotypes come with being a student: a disorientated sense of time management, a healthy or perhaps an unhealthy relationship with takeaway food and copious amounts of pretentious discussions about everything from philosophy to politics.

There seems to be an unwritten consensus that students are faced with never-ending opportunity to debate and discuss to their hearts’ content- but is that a reality in contemporary university life? Are cultural debates about literature and the arts now being replaced by musings about the latest entry to the love island villa or perhaps the newest crime documentary on Netflix?

From school pupils to those working 9 to 5, there is undoubtedly a need to escape the daily grind after a long day. With the rise of social media and an ever-increasing technological presence, the more ‘traditional’ forms of culture such as physical art and literature could be at risk of being forgotten amongst the tumult of modern life, and the instant digital fix. In other words, do people actually care about art and literature anymore?

personal level and engage with them in some way.

Books for me have always been a way to question and make sense of what’s going on around me, whereas others enjoy the most fantastical literature in order to exist briefly in another world. Therefore, does the relatability of art and literature contribute to its relevance?

Throughout time the popularity of literature can always be attributed to the way it connects with people, the best example is the continued popularity of Shakespeare’s plays and their universal themes that draw people to enjoy his work.

Art and literature as topics can occasionally become a victim to some rather unfortunate stereotypes as it is often associated with images of inaccessible academic works. However, reading and art galleries are certainly more accessible in this century than they have ever been as society is hopefully moving towards eliminating privilege as a tool of exclusion from the arts. People choose to read books that speak to them on a

THE MORE TRADITIONAL FORMS OF CULTURE COULD BE AT RISK OF BEING FORGOTTEN Personally, I think that art and literature are responding to the times we find ourselves in and have never been more relevant. Even though what we choose to read or go and see in our spare time may not be at the core of academic

debate, reading and the engagement in arts and culture are still very much at the forefront of the way we fill our leisure time.

There are so many ways that people can engage in art and literature in Exeter, for example with the Phoenix Centre being at the centre of the city. Even though many students see the Phoenix Centre as an edgy night out the reality is, they’re supporting the music scene in Exeter proving there is certainly a need for venues like Phoenix as a place for people to appreciate and engage with the arts.

As long as the need to question our surroundings continues, the craving for art and literature will remain. Everyone has their own connection with the arts, and it means something different to everyone.

Whether it be a film on Netflix, a good book or your favourite painting, there would certainly be a gaping hole in culture as we see it today without them. Therefore, I believe people do care about art and literature, perhaps unknowingly- without it how can we try to make sense of this messy world we live in?

Image: CC0

Night of the museum

Do museums illuminate the past or are they stuck in it? Arts + Lit Writers give their takes

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USEUMS and galleries have been an important space in my life: cultural spaces are invaluable for a young person without much money to spend. It is no secret, however, that the number of museum visitors has been in decline for years. In the face of this trend, these cultural hubs attempt to reinvent and innovate to draw back the crowds they deserve.

The Tate’s Collective scheme – launched in 2018 – offers £5 exhibition tickets to 16-25-year olds, reducing cost barriers for young people. In addition, Tate’s partnership with Uniqlo for the Tate Late program hosts monthly late-night art parties to celebrate art, film and music in a new and exciting form. These events are vibrant and hopeful about the position of art in a contemporary world.

TATE GALLERIES FORM THE FOREFRONT OF ARTISTIC ENGAGEMENT Tate galleries form the forefront of artistic engagement; if you visited the Tate Britain this winter, you would have noticed that the façade of the building had been transformed into a pagan temple, adorned with strings of lights and decorated banners and encompassed by an oceanic soundscape by Anne Hardy. It would be impossible not to feel drawn in to Hardy’s

scene as you walk up the famous steps gallery steps. The Tate Modern’s iconic turbine hall currently houses Kara Walker’s Fons Americanus – a 13-metre-tall fountain which explores the relations of America, Europe, Africa and the slave trade. These are not paintings or sculptures held in stuffy, antiquated rooms and separated by barriers but huge, dynamic, living art pieces that can be fully appreciated.

The Saatchi Gallery’s exhibition, “Tutankhamun: Treasures of the Golden Pharaoh” features an accompanying display of artists in residence’s responses.

Artefacts of the past are enlivened and illuminated by the contemporary artists’ displays featuring a collision of old and new with sculptural scenes bathed in neon light.

Galleries and museums may no longer be enjoying the focus that they did in past years, but it wouldn’t be fair to chalk this up to staleness or monotony. Many of London’s art galleries bring in new visitors to experience culture in completely fresh and different ways, redefining themselves with each exhibit.

Will Evans

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HENEVER I travel to a new city, or have a couple of hours to kill in London, I head to a museum. They give the most concentrated cultural experience you can squeeze out of any attraction, unless you have a fetish for waxworks. I am surprised to find myself arguing, then, that they are bloated and exclusive places, and utterly useless at displaying artefacts. But if the Royal Family are under fire, we may as well take aim at some other old favourites.

Have you ever wondered how they manage to make museum walls so eerily large and white? They must think they act as canvases for the art to sit coquettishly in front of so as not to distract from the beauty of the piece. We wouldn’t want people to miss the real art because of some garish tweeny colour splashes on the wall behind; this isn’t the BBC. But the sterile atmosphere adds little to the works on display, and removes the rich context that you need to appreciate them in full.

Michaelangelo’s Sistine Chapel frescoes would be nowhere near as legendary if he had done them on canvas; that they compose the roof of

Italy’s most beautiful church lends them their non so cosa. Egyptian mummy caskets don’t look that impressive encased in Plexiglas under a dozen energy-efficient light bulbs; imagine how they would look in the treasure chamber of an actual pyramid. Hegel defined art as ‘the sensuous presentation of ideas’, but there is nothing sensuous about A5 placards that give you a Wikipedia summary of why you should be impressed by something. Ripping historical pieces away from the place that birthed them and into a cultural sanitorium does for the pieces what a cracked mirror does for your face.

Let us not forget that many pieces are stolen from their respective cultures in the first place. Museums function as cultural hoards of the crafts of hundreds of foreign civilisations that we have taken for our viewing pleasure.

We have given a few lame reasons for keeping them, but James Acaster sums up best our excuse for not returning these treasures: ‘I don’t think so, we’re still looking at it’.

The Elgin Marbles, the Nefertiti Bust or the Rosetta Stone would fulfil their potential as historical artefacts far better if returned to their homes, but we are still getting a lot of enjoyment from them, so here they stay.

Since museums do such a horrific job of presenting the artefacts they have pinched, why not try Tussauds instead?

Richard Ainslie, Music Editor Image: Geralt

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EDITORS: Cherry-Anastasia Boroceanu and Zach Mayford

Celebrity sells

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WRITER’S CORNER

From courage to cringe, Anna Romanovska, Lifestyle Editor, explores celebs novels

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VERY time I see a YouTuber, lifestyle ‘guru’ or other bored celebrity releasing a new novel, a big part of me cringes.

Quite often, you can tell that the debut novel is nothing more than a PR move from the celebrity’s publicity team. For many reasons, I have come to disagree with celebrity novelists.

To be frank, establishing book deals that rely on the celebrity’s status of fame is nothing more than a commodification of literary writing as an art form. All it does is add another useless, overpriced product to the celebrity’s already expansive range of merchandise. It is nothing but further commercialisation of personalities, with devoted fans rushing to purchase said merchandise to feel more ‘in touch’ with their idols.

Take Zoe Sugg, also known under her YouTube pseudonym Zoella as an example. Her first book, Girl Online, was the fastest selling book of the year 2014. It is my theory that the release of her book coinciding with her skyrocketing to fame was on purpose.

She, or rather her publicity team, used this as a way to further develop her brand name. Not only does it send off a rather negative message about how personality can be commodified, but it also feeds into the global market model that is quite literally killing our planet.

GHOST WRITERS OFTEN HAUNT THE CELEBRITY NOVELIST’S WORK, HIDING IN THE MARGINS Furthermore, there is often a ghost-writer behind a celebrity who is considered a great novelist. Yet again, Zoe Sugg is another fantastic example of this. I remember my 15-year-old self watching her videos detailing

her book-writing process. I looked up to her when I was younger, mainly due to her openness about her struggles with anxiety and

panic attacks. Seeing her using her success not only to spread a positive message, but to write her own book reflecting her younger self showed me that it was possible for any career path to lead to writing. You can imagine my disdain when I found out the book had been ghost-written.

There is a foul exploitation of ghostwriters that exists within the book publishing world. They allow some celebrities to become more accessible to the general public, yet somehow never get the recognition for their efforts. Often, if the cult of personality for the celebrity is great enough, fans will

ignore the fact that their “hero” was dishonest about the origin of their books. I cannot imagine how damaging and ostracising this lack of recognition must feel, where yet again writing is reduced to nothing more than a wage-fulfilling necessity for aspiring writers. To be honest, it makes me sick.

However, that is not to say that all books written by celebrities are outright terrible. Madonna’s The English Roses made a cameo in my incessant childhood reading. The story follows an all-girl group of protagonists and only now have I realised that its illustrations seem to propagate a rather unhealthy message regarding the diversity of bodies. Granted, the first book was released in 2003, when the body positivity movement had not taken over the internet quite yet, if at all.

David Duchovny’s Holy Cow is a relocation of his onscreen comedic genius to literature. His fast-paced narration manages to deliver a comically absurd story about a cow named Elsie Bovary.

And don’t forget Gerard Way, the mind behind The Umbrella Academy. Though it is a comic book series, Way showed that it is possible to be successful within the creative industries in more ways than one, as the reformed My Chemical Romance deplete the banks accounts of recovering emos nationwide.

Overall, attempts to use the novelist’s image as a publicity stunt come with a lot of negative results. However, that does not mean that all celebrity novelists should be Images: Beata Dudove, Libella, Zoella written off.

She’s crying by SA The eyes that looked at the Earth with reverence and awe Now look at her with sadness and remorse We have failed her Look at Earth burn, look at her dignity marred Yet we sit here unmoved by her scars How many more deaths till we rise against the injustice?

How many more burnt forests and burnt animals till we join hands All the speeches recited are nothing but a sham!

A sham to console our hearts and simmer down our anger But look around you Is anything really working out as they say?

The eyes that once looked at the Earth with reverence and awe Now looks at her with guilt and shame We have let her down Yet we sit there cowering behind capitalism What more does a young person have to do to be listened to? What more sacrifices to be made to be noticed by them?

We skipped schools, we scream at world leaders We march onward and forward for the sake of our climate They only offer us sweet lies and false promises Earth is crying, Won’t you listen to her?

Images: Fiere, Wikicommons

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SAT down with Exeter's local indie disco groovers, Pattern Pusher ahead of their fourth annual showcase, Pattern Pusher Presents to talk moody indie bands and FONIEE. How was Pattern Pusher Formed?

Alex Johnstone: So, I used to run a jam night in Timepiece Club and at the time I had been in bands and stuff and wanted to get back into it.

And then bass player Ben [Green] showed up.

We started chatting and got his brother and made a little band.

Benjamin Green: We’d just moved down to Exeter and I was looking for something to do.

AJ: And then Toby [Ben’s brother] was in a math rock band and wasn’t really keen on the kind of tunes we wanted to make so he broke the news that we needed to find a drummer, so we went searching around and I still had my jam night going, and luckily this guy – the other Ben – came along! So basically, I was able to handpluck some goods out of Exeter’s music scene.

Benjamin Conibear: We used to have a bass player back then too.

AJ: Yeah, Dan! BG: I was a bit hesitant at first because I thought “there’s already one bass player! It’s probably a bit too much” but it turns out he’s alright.

BC: We were also called Instant Karma before we were called Pattern Pusher.

Where did the name Pattern Pusher come from?

BG: All the other good names were taken! So we ended up just trying loads of words.

BC: I think we ended up writing them all down in a book if I remember rightly, and we just had like loads of different words and we tried to put them together to reflect what we were doing.

So I think “Pattern” kind of came from the synths and “Pusher” just had a ring to it.

What are your main influences?

AJ: So, it changes a lot. When we first started, I was obsessed with Alt-J and that more mellow side of synth music.

BC: Quite alternative as well.

AJ: Yeah very alternative, like James Blake and people like that. In recent times it’s all about the funk and the grooves. Franc Moody, Jungle.

Those are two of my favourites.

BG: It kind of ranges, doesn’t it? We like more heavier dance music like Justice, and a bit of Daft Punk. That French kind of scene. I love that stuff.

BC: But it also goes into that indie scene. That kind of alt-rock sound.

AJ: We’ve realised on the way back from gigs how much we love that classic indie scene as well.

BG: We grew up listening to that stuff, didn’t we?

AJ: Just caning out the singalongs on the way back from gigs.

BC: It's the kind of stuff that you don’t realise has an effect on the way you write songs or play your instrument. Because I think if you asked us what our favourite band was, no way would we say the Kaiser Chiefs!

AJ: And yet they’re right there in your subcon-

Image: Matt Austin (in press pack with Pattern Pusher's permission)

Bryony Gooch, Music Editor, met with local legends Pattern Pusher ahead of their annual gig, Pattern Pusher Presents

scious when you’re writing, you know?

BC: I think that era has had quite a big play on Pattern Pusher and how it sounds now. I think that’s why we call it “indie disco.” The more recent music that has come together is what we listened to when we were growing up as teenagers so Franc Moody, Jungle were big. I think it’s more like the feeling that you get from dance music that we wanted to bring in the sphere.

We’re all quite smiley, happy people.

BG: We also love songwriting as well, so it’s got to be for us, really upbeat, positive, and groovy.

But also if you dig a little deeper, there’s a song in there that you want to listen to again and again.

I was going to point out that you have such an optimistic sound – refreshingly non-gloomy.

BG: We see so many pictures of bands stood there looking really moody like “ooh, look how cool we are.”

AJ: Who pissed them off?

BG: That is not what we want at all. Hence the pink, hence the yellow, hence the smiles.

BC: There was a turning point I reckon. We’ve always been quite for that, but I think we realised

at one point that we needed to accentuate our own feelings and personality.

BG: There’s that classic band stereotype that every band goes to either a graveyard or a forest. We went to a forest and we looked at the photos and were like “oh... look at us.”

What exactly goes into your song-writing process?

BC: It depends because most of the time it’s lyrics first but mostly, recently, it’s an idea, whether that’s a kernel of a lyric or something, and we’ll just start playing over the top of that. My parents have a little kitchen in Heavitree and it’s just perfect. You don’t get any sound complaints or anything you just set a little speaker up and just start playing a little riff or (Ben) will have a bass idea. And we’re quick as well, we manage to get a song done in four hours sometimes.

BG: It has to have a concept, for me, I can’t really understand it until we have that concept figured out. Generally, there will be something – an idea – that starts it off.

BC: More recently we’ve been doing really simple setups so, not making it overly complicated just having a keyboard and a guitar.

AJ: Get the basics to work.

BC: If the basics work, then when we take it to rehearsal, we add in the drum kit and all the extra stuff.

BG: We have a tendency to get overexcited and put too much in, so we’re trying to limit ourselves and make it simple AJ: And get the parts really right rather than trying to move ahead really quickly. Just get that drum pattern and bass right.

BBC Radio 6's Tom Robinson said you were an example of classic songwriting, so is that what you mean?

BG: Yeah that was really nice to hear that because we love the classics. Everyone says they love the Beatles but we like them too.

AJ: And Motown.

BG: And Father John Misty. They’re just amazing song-writing that lasts forever. And we’re not trying to compare ourselves to that but it’s an ideal.

What can we expect from Pattern Pusher Presents?

BG: Lots of good music.

BC: We’ve got a band coming in from Manchester, which is the first time we’ve ever done that.

BG: A lot of local music as well, we always try and support local people. That’s kind of the point of it is to give bands that might not get the chance to play on a bigger stage that opportunity.

You’ve been doing Pattern Pusher Presents for four years, right?

AJ: Well Ben used to work here.

BC: And we just approached him like “look we want to put our own night on” and luckily managed to get enough people in to make it one of those things like “right we need to do this again” and now it’s become an annual fixture.

AJ: It’s been a proper reflection of the band as well because I think in the first year, we couldn’t have been Pattern Pusher for that long at all.

BC: We didn’t even headline, did we?

AJ: We just kind of put someone else on there…

I would say in the last two years you could say “this is an actual Pattern Pusher show”.

Would you say you had quite strong links with the University of Exeter BG: We’ve had amazing links with Poltimore.

Poltimore have been legends.

BC: We’ve been up to the radio with XpressionFM. BG: We’re really trying to get involved with it more. We want to link Exeter with the University more.

AJ: I think that’s a reflection of the city as well.

There’s quite a big divide between the people that live here and the people who go to university here. Especially people our age who want to be creative.

BC: We’ve had some great times with XTV. AJ: The creative people we find down here are either the people we know from around Exeter or are from the University. There’s a big community we want to work with.

See Pattern Pusher Presents at the Exeter Phoenix on 7 February, 7pm

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Richard Ainslie, Music Editor, looks back on fifty years of Beatlemania

OW do you solve a problem like The Beatles? That’s what every record label except EMI was asking throughout the 1960s. When a band becomes so brain-bogglingly dominant, musically and culturally, what can a record company do to compete?

Luckily for them, The Beatles disbanded 50 years ago. Here we are a whole half-century later. Two of the Beatles have died and punk, new wave, synth-pop, grunge, hip-hop, garage, emo and EDM have all risen and many have fallen. Yet in 2019, The Beatles racked up 1.7 billion listens on Spotify, 50 per cent of which came from people under 30. They have stamped popular culture in a thousand colourful ways and stay as relevant today as in 1970 when they announced their split. If pop music had a shadow, it would take the shape of four mop-topped Mersey boys. There are 12 studio albums to convince you of their quality (leaving out Yellow Submarine), so let’s put aside questions of worthiness, and ask why have The Beatles taken up permanent residence in our music?

IF POP MUSIC HAD A SHADOW, IT WOULD TAKE THE SHAPE OF FOUR MOP-TOPPED MERSEY BOYS Before they became icons or legends or bigger than Jesus, The Beatles were musicians. They changed, even invented, the modern conception of pop music. Look at where pop music stood before The Beatles turned up; teen idol singers cut from a template designed by big labels. They were all excellently groomed and greased and suited to sing cutesy love songs that wouldn’t upset your parents. The sales model they adopted focused on selling singles, and albums were an afterthought, padded out with lazy cover songs or filler tracks that served only to smooth the way to the next big hit. In the early years The Beatles had to conform to this too;

George Martin convinced them to abandon their jeans and don suits for their performances so they wouldn’t upset sensibilities. But from the release of ‘I Want To Hold Your Hand’, a thinly veiled metaphor for sex, they had no intention to fit the established mould. They saw that pop music was a form of art too, and every song they released was credible in its own right. The music press knew this too, and The Times classical music critic William Mann wrote a piece praising The Beatles in 1963, which was the first time pop music received acknowledgement in a national broadsheet.

From Rubber Soul onwards, denying that pop could work as an artistic statement would challenge even the most conservative classical purist. They shifted pop in the eyes of critics and listeners towards respectability and artistic clout.

They earned this credibility by redefining what popular music could achieve in scope and grandeur. From roots in beat and skiffle, they went on to incorporate flavours of folk, jazz, heavy metal, Indian traditional music and psychedelic rock, many of which people had never seen before in pop. Defining the genre of The Beatles is like defining the sound of the wind. Year to year their sound changed and blew in different directions. They matched their adventurous approach to sound with a disregard for the limits of the equipment they worked with.

The total creative

freedom that EMI gave them allowed them to find new ways to operate the tape recorders and multitrack machines which artists had never bothered to stretch. They invented artificial double tracking, popularised feedback and DI boxes for guitars, and through experimentation with backwards tapes they first put reversed audio into music. If you listen to ‘I’m Only Sleeping’, you’ll hear the first ever backwards guitar solo. Lyrically, they moved from safe to all-out freakfest within three short years, but never did they lose their balance of simplicity and poignancy. Compare a track like ‘Yesterday’, the most covered song of all time, with ‘Fool on the Hill’, from their most psychedelic album Magical Mystery Tour. While they couldn’t be more different musically, their words share a simple charm that ties a tight link between them. If you are as obsessive as Cynthia Whissell and perform a computerised analysis of the frequency of words in The Beatles’ songs, you see the ultimate simplicity of their lyrics; complex words almost never appear, in their place are I, you, together, she, yes and know. The word "nah" shows up a lot too, but that’s just ‘Hey Jude’ skewing the data.

The culture of the 1960s is graffitied with the image of The Beatles as much as is the world of music.

If one image had to stand on a museum plinth to

represent the decade, it would be the Sergeant Pepper’s album cover. It now represents the colour, wackiness and vibrant rebellion of the counterculture. Many of the most recognisable hippie tropes come from the style that The Beatles fashioned. They popularised long hair by their shaggy mop-top look which edged out crew-cuts and slick combed-back hair as the cut for young people. Their experiments with clothing like the Nehru jacket and mod fashion changed the way teens on both sides of the Atlantic dressed. But most of all, they had an aloof attitude and a playfulness, cheeky grins and a refusal to take themselves or anyone else seriously. This helped to break down the white-bread suburban fragility that hung around after the war. The youth culture that developed around them bore an immaturity that would defy the whisky-bottle sternness of the beat generation and give the hippies their hopeful innocence. Their informality funnelled many of the rebellious tendencies of young people into a more acceptable, friendly-faced counterculture.

LYRICALLY, THEY MOVED FROM SAFE TO FREAKFEST WITHIN THREE SHORT YEARS They gave British music their greatest gift on 9 February 1964, when they performed on The Ed Sullivan Show before 73 million viewers. This was the seed of the British Invasion, which cracked the American market wide open. The troupe of bands that followed them to the US included The Rolling Stones, Billy J. Kramer and the Dave Clark Five, and British rock bands began a reign that would last for much of the sixties. The show was a watershed for US rock too; it was from their performance that The Byrds, Billy Joel and Creedence Clearwater Revival decided to take up music. Their influence didn’t stop at the end of 1970 though, and like the mountain stream that becomes the raging torrent a hundred miles on, The Beatles have inspired more artists than any other band. When Quartz did an analysis of the artists that other artists have listed as an influence on their own work, the Beatles came top with almost twice the number of mentions as the second artist, Bob Dylan. Almost every acclaimed artist from every decade after the sixties lists them: Elton John, Fleetwood Mac, ELO, Hendrix, Michael Jackson, Nirvana, Coldplay.

You don’t have to like The Beatles’ music to see the marks they have left on popular music and culture. They said on Revolver that tomorrow never knows, and it would have been hard for them, or anyone else, to tell how far their influence would extend. But if 50 years can’t send them into obscurity, I don’t see how a century could either.

Images top to bottom: Parlophone, vinylmeister Flickr

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Wouldn't bat an Eilish

Ben Faulkner reviews the Grammys, discussing the snubs and the successes of music's biggest night

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AST weekend it was the 62nd Annual Grammy Awards – and whatever your stance on the legitimacy of award ceremonies, the show left plenty to care about.

At just 18 years old, Billie Eilish won big. The fresh-faced popstar is the first artist to win the ‘Big Four’ (Album, Record and Song of the Year, as well as Best New Artist) since Christopher Cross in 1981. Her brother, Finneas O’Connell, then bagged Producer of the Year for his work on Billie’s debut, WHEN WE ALL FALL ASLEEP, WHERE DO WE GO?. With the album accumulating billions of Spotify listens, it’s fair to say that its Grammy triumph reflected its gargantuan public success. It was almost moving to watch these kids sweep the ceremony with equal parts confusion and genuine humility.

“Can I just say that I think Ariana deserves this?” was just about the whole extent of Billie’s acceptance speech for her album. Indeed, she was in great company. The ominous, black mire of Billie’s debut was certainly a unique pop soundscape, but the glitter ball therapy of Ariana Grande’s thank u, next was, for me, a

better pick. The best of the nominees, however, was undeniably Lana Del Rey’s Norman Fucking Rockwell!. Expansive and intimate, this album will prove timeless, and it would’ve been so satisfying to see its legacy cemented in a goldplated gramophone.

Big Thief’s U.F.O.F. and James Blake’s Assume Form were two of my favourite albums of the year, but both lost out to Vampire Weekend’s Father of the Bride for Best Alternative Music Album. Lizzo deservingly snapped up a couple, including Best Pop Solo Performance, while Lil Nas X got his due recognition for Best Pop Duo Performance.

Anderson .Paak’s Ventura took home Best R&B Album, and the only British accolades went to The Chemical Brothers for Best Dance Recording and Dance or Electronic Album.

The night peaked with Tyler, the Creator leaping on stage to grab a gramophone for IGOR, this year’s Best Rap Album. Tyler’s fifth album crunched a smorgasbord of genres together in an emotive concept piece, packed with deep bass and aching hooks. He shared the stage with his teary mother, whose jubilance was shared with us all. But I’d call IGOR a

lot of things before I’d arrive at ‘rap’, and while this win won’t be forgotten, it simultaneously exposes the Grammys for all its flaws.

I WOULD CALL IGOR A LOT OF THINGS BEFORE I WOULD ARRIVE AT RAP It’s hard to deny the clouds that overcast this year’s ceremony. Hours before the ceremony began, we learnt that Kobe Bryant had passed in a helicopter crash. Host Alicia Keys paid tribute to Kobe and his young daughter Gianna who was one of the other nine casualties.

Before this, the event had been marred by accusations from previous CEO, Deborah Duggan, whose lawsuit has charged The Recording Academy with sexual misconduct and racial discrimination. Amongst this is an allegation of rape levied against her predecessor, and a serious claim of rigging among the voting body. In such a climate, it’s utterly

deflating how unsurprising these revelations were. It was then equally upsetting how easily it was all brushed over.

Tyler addressed the controversy in his post-show comments. “It sucks that whenever guys that look like me do anything that’s genre-bending, they always put it in the rap or urban category,” he mused, before adding that “it’s just a politically correct way to say the N-word.” The distinctions that the voting body draws up are strange – as is the case with most award ceremonies – and it’s understandable how many of these awards can be inferred as consolatory.

Deborah Dugan’s indictment should be further consolidation of what is, and has for a while, been clear as day: the voting bodies that are ‘respected’ the most, are riddled with defects and corruption, and are largely illegitimate. At the same time, this shouldn’t take away from Billie, Tyler, Lizzo, or any of the other talented artists clearly deserving of their prizes.

It’s just a shame that we’re left to remember the sea of snubs on our own.

Images (L to R): Lars Crommelinck Photography (flickr); Columbia

Diamonds are forever Exeposé Music Writers look back at their favourite Bond songs

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HE 1985 movie A View to a Kill is down there with the very worst bond films. A 58 year old Roger Moore stumbles his way through a diabolical script with only two saving graces: watching Christopher Walken ham it up as criminal mastermind Max Zorin, and the extremely of-its-time theme song by Duran Duran. Simon Le Bon croons nonsensical lyrics over a delightfully overproduced instrumental. Just as a starting point, 'A View to a Kill' is really scraping the bottom of the barrel of phrases with "kill" in them, it may as well be called 'I’m Looking To Kill Someone Please'. There are of course mandatory orchestral parts, but this being the 80s they are reduced to punchy samples. However, upon reaching the chorus, all is forgiven. A monumental hook delivered with far more passion than this film deserves. Yes, Simon LeBon, dance into the fire indeed. And take all the copies of this godforsaken film with you.

Bob Waters

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Y favourite Bond theme tune doesn’t even really count, because it never actually made it onto the big screen. Blondie’s ‘For Your Eyes Only’ was the one that got away, rejected in favour of Sheena Easton’s track of the same name. The slower, more formulaic tune won over the filmmakers, leaving Blondie’s energetic, mysterious song in the dust. The graveyard of Bond song rejects is filled with great tracks like Radiohead’s ‘Man of War’ and Johnny Cash’s ‘Thunderball’. It’s difficult to imagine the Bond saga without the existing canon of Bond themes that have been spread varyingly across the charts over the last half a century. While the occasional alternative artist (like Billie Eilish) breaks through to become the official accompaniment for the movie, you should keep in mind that for every mundane, uninspired theme song that shows up, there is a much more interesting track lying in its wake.

Samuel Thomson, Screen Editor

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O equal Fleming’s Bond - who exudes suavity and sophistication an anthemic, rousing theme is in order. Arguably, Carly Simon’s ‘Nobody Does It Better’ - the theme of 1977’s The Spy Who Loved Me - nails to the mast the seductive escapism so emblematic of the Bond franchise. Roger Moore is a tongue in cheek Bond and what better way to accompany his too-good to be true stunts and comically-timed raised eyebrows than with a song that knowingly plays into his supposed sexual prowess?

Historically, Bond themes rise to the occasion with big-band jazz and classical orchestration. There are shadows of that legacy in Simon’s silky ballad; its opening recognisable piano deceives you into thinking “Lounge music!” whilst building to an orchestral climax of saxophone and Simon’s own power vocal. For a Bond that promises seduction and intrigue, Carly delivers with Martini glass in hand.

Catherine Lloyd, Copy Editor

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LICIA Keys’s and Jack White’s theme for Quantum of Solace rides on the coattails of the suave Casino Royale. Sure, the lyrics are suitably edgy, and its pulsing beat keeps that cool feel; White’s White Stripes flavour is infused into the song from the first guitar strum. It makes you feel badass doing laundry. But it’s bad.

It’s a genuinely bad song. The harmonies are wailed; the edgy lyrics are a mouthful. Why on earth would it be my favourite Bond song? James Bond is camp. It tries to trick us now with sleek suits, but it always has been. This song lives and breathes camp. The song’s screensaver-esque music video? The peak noughties mishmash of rock and RnB? Pure cheese. To me, camp is an invitation to embrace to our own tackiness and take ourselves less seriously. Let’s all admit this song is a karaoke banger, with nostalgia strong enough to bust your Beyblades out the attic.

Erica Barnes Images: Body by Tumisu on Pixabay; Head by Elektra public domain

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Spirited filmmaking

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Sophie Stoakes contemplates the smaller moments and gestures that makes Studio Ghibli so great

HAT separates Ghibli animation personalities and strengths. from the standard of recent While watching a Ghibli movie it is American film is that Ghibli relies impossible not to fall in love with the beauty on hand-drawn animation, instead of the of the everyday and the magic of just existing modern, digitally animated offerings. While in the world. While fantastical elements are not nearly so complex, the simplicity of the common in many Ghibli films, often there is art “gives a sense of warmth and glimpse so much focus on the everyday that the of Japanese culture.” At the helm of characters, actions and settings Studio Ghibli is the “Walt Disney that seem most real to us are of Japan,” Hayao Miyazaki. the ones that seem the most So meticulous, he is known fantastic. to travel across Europe The presentation of to find the perfect shade food is often discussed, of colour, and is widely and with good reason. considered one of the most The food resembles that accomplished filmmakers. which we could experience He once said that the Studio’s in the real world but is more principle is that “If you stay beautiful and fantastical than true to joy and astonishment you could imagine. From the Hayao Miyazaki and empathy you don’t have to have bento boxes in My Neighbour Totoro violence and you don’t have to have action. to the carefully prepared bacon and eggs They’ll follow you.” His works emphasise the in Howl’s Moving Castle, food is consistently importance of love and family, as well as hyper-beautiful and detailed; slow dripping environmentalism and the positive portrayal liquid gold honey, sizzling fried horse of female characters with complex individual mackerel and excessive overflowing steaming

bowls. Even the mundane act of preparing and eating rice, for example, is portrayed in a way that seems interesting and magnificent.

These meals are often used as gestures to show familial love, as in My Neighbour Totoro and Kiki’s Delivery Service, and to bond with new friends, as in Castle in the Sky and Spirited Away, something integral to Japanese culture.

IT IS IMPOSSIBLE NOT TO FALL IN LOVE WITH THE MAGIC JUST EXISTING IN THE WORLD

about the necessity of these pauses in action, Miyazaki explains the concept of “ma.” This Japanese word refers to a breathing space or emptiness and in film if a moment is taken to pause, then “the tension building in the film can grow into a wider dimension.” Life is filled with these empty spaces and by including them brings these worlds and stories to life.

Next time you watch a Studio Ghibli movie, be sure to take in the small moments of contemplation and seemingly ordinary tasks; I guarantee that you will be inspired to notice the beauty of the everyday world more.

Additionally, unlike in most movies where time is not often spent on sequences that do nothing to move the plot forward, Ghibli movies are full of these small moments in which a character might watch clouds go by, quietly sit travelling by bus or observe the world around them. These contemplative moments may not advance the plot in any way but can reveal as much about a character’s inner state as action or dialogue. When questioned

Ghibli’s icons

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Bridie Adams talks through Studio Ghibli’s most famous characters

TUDIO Ghibli is back. Recently, Netflix bought the rights to the iconic Japanese animated films, and their release on the streaming platform has been widely anticipated. The Ghibli world is undeniably magical, and for many, revisiting this world will be an exciting and nostalgic experience. In celebration, here is a collection of some of their most memorable protagonists.

No-Face Spirited Away (2001) No-Face is Studio Ghibli’s most enigmatic character. His presence and actions are never fully explained, remaining ambiguous throughout Spirited Away.

However, the mystery surrounding him has led to Ghibli fans coming up with many ideas and theories surrounding his behaviour in the film. It almost seems that even No-Face himself is confused by his own existence and purpose.

He is an extremely interesting character, multi-faceted and always open to interpretation.

Howl Howl’s Moving Castle (2004) Howl’s Moving Castle is up there with the best Ghibli films, and the stand-out character has to be Howl. As the secondary protagonist in the film, Howl plays a central role within the plot.

He is particularly memorable as a romantic figure, with his line “I don’t want to run away anymore. I finally found someone to protect no matter what it costs. That is you” making up one of the most dramatic parts of the film.

Arrietty The Secret World of Arrietty (2010) The Secret World of Arrietty is loosely based on Mary Norton’s classic children’s story The Borrowers.

It is hard not to get drawn in

by Arrietty’s heart-warming friendship with Shawn, her loving relationship with her parents, and her daring responses to problems she faces throughout the film. She is a truly inspiring character, demonstrating lashings of kindness and intelligence, making her the most likeable Ghibli protagonist of them all.

Chihiro Spirited Away (2001) One of the most important Ghibli characters is Chihiro, the protagonist of Spirited Away. Of course, she is central to the plot of the film, but what makes Chihiro so likeable is her relatability. She is, essentially, an ordinary girl thrown into an extraordinary, fantastical scenario. An excellent role model for children and adults alike, who are sure to learn from the kindness she displays.

Porco Rosso Porco Rosso (1992) Porco Rosso is an Italian veteran fighter pilot turned bounty hunter. Courageous and charismatic, Porco Rosso is easy for us to engage with as a character.

Aside from him being an anthropomorphic pig, the events of Porco Rosso are somewhat realistic compared to other Ghibli films, especially regarding its historical and geographical contexts, making it a unique and fresh story with an iconic protagonist.

Image credits: Miyazaki - FIGC.mx; all others - Toho

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Screen Eds’ Alternative Oscar Noms BEST DIRECTOR

BEST PERFORMANCE

Olivia Wilde Booksmart

Lulu Wang The Farewell

Adam Sandler Uncut Gems

Jessie Buckley Wild Rose

Jordan Peele Us

Alma Har’el Honey Boy

Daniel Craig Knives Out

Zain Al Rafeea Capernaum

BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY

BEST SCRIPT

Midsommar

The Nightingale

Toy Story 4

Ready or Not

Ad Astra

Guava Island

Bait

Vox Lux

Images (Left to right, top to bottom): United Artists, A24, A24, Entertainment One, Universal Pictures, Amazon Studios, Lionsgate, Sony Pictures, A24, Transmission Films, Walt Disney Pictures, Fox Searchlight Pictures, 20th Century Fox, Amazon Studios, BFI, Neon

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EDITORS: Jonathan Chern and Samuel Thomson

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Exeposé Screen Writers invest their time into the ever-expanding catalogue of open world games

SKYRIM

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HEN it comes to total immersion, it simply doesn’t get any better than this. Skyrim, Bethesda’s crown jewel, is the pinnacle of open-world fantasy RPGs, and still hugely playable nearly a decade after its initial release. Featuring beautiful, sweeping tundra and a colourful array of mythical fauna, from cave-dwelling snow trolls to villagerazing dragons, the fifth instalment of The Elder Scrolls series builds on the elaborate lore of the previous releases and makes something truly special. Doing away with player-classes, in Skyrim you no longer had to decide between being a thief, a mage or a knight. Instead, you were able to tailor your fully customisable character to be whatever, and do whatever, you wanted. This theme of freedom is reflected in nearly every aspect of the game, being truly an open world, meaning you can simply ignore the main plotline from the very start, and wander off to dabble in whatever you fancy, clearing dungeons of bandits, or studying magic at a mage’s college, or joining an underground brotherhood of assassins. Hundreds of hours can be spent engrossed in the ridiculous number of side quests before you realise your character is the chosen one, destined to save the world. Skyrim’s only flaw is that there is too much to do.

Max Ingleby

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HIT & RUN

OR most kids of our generation, Springfield exists in our minds (and hearts) as just a sense of a place - an origin of an anthology of characters - less a town with the actual features of lived-in geography. There is an upward battle for game developers to face when rendering such a town into a playable map, especially with the limits of 2003 technology. The Springfield depicted on the TV show, when a game designer has to face it, is full of geographical contradictions.

The solution: to make three distinct maps of three distinctly different Springfields. A leafy suburbia, a highrise metropolis, and a Hollywoodinspired seaside town make up the simple but playable levels.

The maps were just as simple. Each was a circuit, no intersections, no districts, a circuit smaller than the contemporary Need for Speed maps. But it didn’t feel like a circuit. The lack of a map (aside from the super-zoomed in one on the HUD) on the pause screen makes you believe in the complexity of the world.

The genius was in making a level design which was simple yet felt complex. The shortcuts were novel for the time, and each map was littered with Easter Eggs, exciting locations, side missions with iconic characters and (although polygonal) actually quite pretty sites.

Jonathan Chern, Screen Editor

SPIDER-MAN JUST CAUSE 2

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HERE are a variety of reasons why open world games have created such an addiction in the gaming community.

However, at the base of it all sits the simple choice between what you want to do that charmed us.

As can be seen in the new Spider-Man game for PS4, you are not limited to complete the main quests which sometimes results in finishing the game in one sitting or getting stuck and having to abandon one of your best games due to a temporary barrier. Now you can spend hours in the skin of your favourite character, hunting for Easter Eggs, taking tugs out of commission or just enjoying the view while webbing your way through the streets. Another perk of this game especially is that there is also an option for you to choose the skin you want to play with, and being able to change it anytime. This offers even more freedom to the player increasing the appeal as it makes it feel more realistic. Despite open world games beginning to feel similar to each other after a while, they are an efficient way to make the most of the budget due to the fact that they open a new door of possibilities of how they can be improved.

Dan Boroceanu

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IGGER isn’t always better. That is, unless you’re Just Cause 2, in which case it most certainly is. Boasting a gargantuan open-world over three times the size of GTA V’s Los Santos, the Panau archipelago is still a towering achievement in open-world design ten years later, at least in terms of sheer scale.

Yet, more than just its size, Panau’s biodiversity and interactivity is what makes Just Cause 2 truly shine against its peers. Avalanche’s revolutionary physics engine resulted in a vast playground where practically every nook and cranny could be destroyed. Cranes, oil rigs and skyscrapers all became cannon fodder for any player’s Bayhem power fantasy. Whilst the assortment of vehicles on offer are similarly staggering (cars, planes and boats all make for brilliant toys), Rico’s grappling hook is Just Cause 2’s ace-in-thehole. Zipping from mountain to mountain or slingshotting across a metropolis via parachute, the possibilities offered by the grappling hook peel open another layer of riotous chaos to exploit. Fire at a gas canister and grapple onto it for a makeshift rocket ride. Tether an enemy truck to a jumbo jet and watch them dangle from below. Grapple onto a falling helicopter in mid-air and make a quick escape. Just Cause 2’s open-world sandbox rewards creativity and explosive thinking - few can say the same.

Jacob Heayes, Online Screen Editor

Image (left to right): Vivendi Games, Vivendi Games, Sony

Image (clockwise): Universal Pictures/Associated Press, Fox Searchlights, Sony Pictures, Disney

CAMPUS CINEMA PRESENTS

CAMPUS CINEMA PRESENTS

Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker

Cats

DATE - Tues 4 Feb

TIME - 18:00 & 21:00

DATE - Sun 9 Feb

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CELINE SCIAMMA

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WARDS season has come around and we have, yet again, found ourselves in exactly the same position. 2019 was a celebrated year for female directors – Lulu Wang, Greta Gerwig, Olivia Wilde and so many more. Only five women have ever been nominated for Best Director at the Academy Awards. In 2020, that number remains exactly the same. The name that felt most absent was Céline Sciamma. The French director’s masterpiece, Portrait of a Lady on Fire, was nominated for a shocking total of zero Academy Awards. Sciamma’s filmography, which includes Water Lilies (2007), Tomboy (2011) and Girlhood (2014), can be recognised for its lack of dialogue and stylised mise-en-scène. In her filmmaking, Sciamma explores the fluidity of gender and sexuality among young women. Sciamma is also a self-proclaimed feminist. In 2018, she co-organised and participated in the women’s protest against inequality at the Cannes Film Festival. Sciamma was one of the first signatories of the 5050 by 2020 movement, a group of industry professionals advocating for gender equality in film by the year 2020. It is deeply saddening then, to see not only the absence of Sciamma, but the absence of any woman in the 2020 nominees for Best Director.

Francesca Sylph Image: Hollywood Reporter

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LEAD YOUR GUILD. MAKE CHANGE. REPRESENT POSTGRADS.

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Postgraduate students need a voice; could you be it?

Extended nominations: Closing 6 February 16:00 Find out more

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study break

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STUDY BREAK CROSSWORD

SUDOKU

Across

1 4 8 9 10 11 12 14 15 16 18 20 21 22 23

Down

Complete (4) Buy (8) Public building scribblings (8) (Shopping) roll (4) Rue - e.g. tree (anagram) (6) Fractured (6) Certain (4) Argument (3) Pal - friend (4) Holiday - carnival (6) Fanatical devotee (6) Prod (4) Send to jail (8) Worker (8) Put together (4)

2

Piece of poetry (5) 3 (Football) arbiter (7) 4 Gesture (at) (5) 5 Arc of colours (7) 6 Greetings! (5) 7 Mistrust (7) 13 (School) outfit (7) 14 Truth - fact (7) 15 Stomach (7) 17 Read letter by letter (5) 18 Firm, round fruit (5) 19 Angry (5)

ANSWERS

trivia corner

1. Can gonorrhea be transmitted through sharing bath towels?

2. how old was john lennon when he was assassinated?

3. What came first, vivaldi’s four seasons, or the invention of shampoo?

4. what was the first studio ghibli film?

5. what is the world’s oldest museum, and where is it located?

Castle in the Sky 5. Piazza del Campidoglio, in Italy Answers:1. No, you can’t. 2. 40 years 3.Vivaldi’s Four Seasons 4.

Uniform, 14 Reality, 15 Midriff, 17 Spell, 18 Apple, 19 Cross Down: 2 Verse, 3 Referee, 4 Point, 5 Rainbow, 6 Hello, 7 Suspect, 13 Imprison, 22 Employee, 23 Fuse.

12 Sure, 14 Row, 15 Mate, 16 Fiesta, 18 Addict, 20 Poke, 21 Across: 1 Over, 4 Purchase, 8 Graffiti, 9 List, 10 Regret, 11 Broken,

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Science

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3 FEB 2020 | EXEPOSÉ

SCIENCE EDITORS: Scarlett Parr-Reid Elinor Jones

In your dreams

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George Clark, Comment Editor, distinguishes dreams from reality

ROM the Ancient Mesopotamians to the Romans to modern day, the phenomena of dreams has long fascinated human beings. Yet in spite of our enduring interest in them, it is still unclear exactly what the function of dreams is or what they are, in the Freudian sense, meant to “symbolise,” if anything at all. Schools of thought on dreams have gathered into two primary camps: the neurobiological and the psychoanalytical.

Following Sigmund Freud’s hugely influential The Interpretation of Dreams (1899), the psychoanalytical approach is interested in what we dream of is meant to symbolise in relation to our waking lives, especially in relation to our repressed desires. Psychoanalysts argue these repressions find a way to re-surface in dreams.

While interesting, Freud’s symbols are coded in misogyny and heteronormativity (as much of his research was). As an example, a house with projections and balconies on it (things you can cling to) he argued

were symbols of women, not taking into account the spectrum of sexuality. Thus modern psychoanalysts, while persisting in Freud’s vein of dreams as symbolic, have developed new readings of dream-symbols.

Freud’s symbols are coded in misogyny As an example of how you might “interpret” a dream in this way, here is one of mine. I was walking through a city on stilts where everyone but me was wearing headphones. I ended up in a train station, where I saw a friend I know get onto a train whose destination I didn’t know. Without enforcing the dream-readings of any particular psychoanalyst, here is how a psychoanalyst might interpret it.

Neither theories can provide any definitive answers The city was on stilts because at

the time I was concerned my mental health was precarious. Everyone was wearing headphones because I was anxious about not being heard in the public sphere, after an encounter at a party where I had to repeat myself several times before I could be heard.

The friend I saw getting on a train shared his name with someone I was romantically interested in who was finishing his last year at Exeter; I didn’t know where they were going next. While it can be very interesting to read your dreams in this way, this example hopefully makes it obvious that psychoanalytic interpretation

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EVERAL people in friend circles and social media often announce their departure from said platform for mental health reasons. Truly, news obtained via the internet and television tends to run on alarming headlines centering negativity.

At this rate, there isn’t any wonder that people choose to not watch the negative coverage constantly reporting with an air of defeatism. A recent survey by Reuters of all agegroups resulted that 32 per cent of respondents worldwide say they actively avoid the news.

Research by Johnston and Graham suggested how subjection to negatively slanted news broadcasts can make people sadder and more anxious, and are also likely to exacerbate their own personal worries and anxieties.

The mainstream British news site BBC have created a prototype of a mood filter, which allows for certain words, phrases and terms to be

blocked from your browsing of the site. This, of course, returns agency to the hands of the viewer - who can control what they can watch and do not wish to.

Negatively slanted news makes people sad Bloukes and Vliegenthart differentiate hard news as providing a systemic political outlook on the news, whilst ‘soft’ news cover it in a human-oriented, episodic manner designed to be gentler on human emotional capacity. Regarding broadcast news, a change in tone may be exactly what is necessary to prevent this detachment.

However, it is paramount to recall that disengagement from the news and politics is a privilege that must be acknowledged, and whilst encouraged - should be considered with the perspective it deserves.

ten times better at navigating after dreaming of the maze, as opposed to those who did not dream of it.

While it is unclear what the precise function of dreams are, what is clear from the enormous number of studies and resulting correlations between dreams and our waking functions is that they are clearly a very important component of our neural activity.

Dreams are a very important component of neural activity In both schools of thought, the best that we can hope for at the moment is an approximation to what the functions or meanings of dreams are meant to be. Both are reliant on what dream-data “suggests;” neither can as of yet provide any definitive answers.

For now, all we can do is wait, and remember that not every dream means you want to have sex with your parents.

Image: Clker-Free-Vector-Images, Pixabay

Accidental genius

That’s news to me

Neha Shaji, Deputy Editor, explores how the news is damaging our mental health

is very much a precarious system.

On the other hand, we have the neurobiological interest in dreams which has coincided with the burgeoning of new technologies and study methods enabling us to measure brain activity. Various findings have sug gested functions of dreams from the consolidation of long-term memory, to preparing for future threats, to acting as a form of psychotherapy and interestingly, to expressing repressed desires.

One study asked half the participants to repress an unwanted thought five minutes before sleeping, which led to more distressing dreams. Another found that participants who dreamed of a maze they were trying to remember how to navigate were

O

Amelia Saccomani uncovers serendipity in science

CCASIONALLY, hard work is not enough to trigger a scientific breakthrough. However, combine hard work with serendipity and you may be in luck.

There are examples of this throughout scientific history, ranging from the discovery of penicillin by Alexander Fleming due to a contaminated sample he had left in the lab-

Image: TikiGiki, Open Clip Art Library

oratory, to the detection of radioactivity. Recently, at Cardiff University, serendipity struck again with the shocking discovery of an immune cell able to kill a wide range of cancers, a potential therapy for millions suffering from the disease.

T-cells attack faulty cells, helping fight disease This type of immune cell found is called a T-cell, a white blood cell with receptors on its surface that enable it to detect foreign or faulty cells in the body. Upon detection, the Tcells attack said cells, helping us fight infection and disease.

Most T-cell therapies for cancer focus on hijacking the natural function of a patient’s T-cells, directing them towards targeting cancer cells like tumours.

Unfortunately, these therapies are highly specific, success limited to few types of cancers, for example

blood cancer.

Moreover, the T-cell receptor (TCR) responsible for detecting the cancer cells - called HLA - varies between individuals meaning therapy must be personalised for every patient. But hopefully these limitations will be evaded thanks to the newly discovered T-cells.

Not only can these T-cells kill the majority of cancers, but they also contain MR1 instead of HLA, a TCR that does not vary between people.

This could totally revolutionise future T-cell therapy and in theory lead to highly applicable treatment with greater success rates.

What further breakthroughs are right under our noses?

Although this frontier of research is only just beginning, it allows us to question what further potential breakthroughs are right under our nose.

SCIENCE

EXEPOSÉ | 3 FEB 2020

The sepsis scare: what went wrong?

Rebekah White discusses the severity of sepsis cases across the globe

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NEW study has found that deaths from sepsis are much more frequent than originally thought. Small children are most at risk, especially those in poorer countries.

Image: NIAID, Flickr

There were 50 million worldwide sepsis cases and 11 million deaths in 2017, with many patients under one month old.

Yet, if caught early, this condition is fully treatable. Where are we going wrong?

Sepsis is most commonly seen as a secondary infection that occurs alongside another disease. It manifests when the body overreacts to an infection and releases too many defensive chemicals into the blood, triggering changes that can harm entire organ systems. The following progression

The science of science communication

Scarlett Parr-Reid, Science Editor, evaluates what makes good scientific communication

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CIENCE is a discipline of observation. Robert Hooke’s intricate drawings of a flea brought a microscopic insect that makes one’s head itch to life artistically. These drawings in his book Micrographia are celebrations of natural beauty "adorn’d with a curiously polish’d suit of sable armour."

Since the 1600s, the medium through which science is communicated has evolved immensely from pencil and paper to television. Despite the considerable changes that have come with the technological revolution, one fundamental tenet of science communication has endured the test of time: storytelling.

The author Will Storr wrote that ‘the world we experience is an act of creation by the storytelling brain’. Part of the human condition is the quest to tell stories.

From symbols painted on cave walls thousands of years ago, stories were given a voice through speech, music and dance. In this way, they were and are today given a narrative.

One continent to the next, from wolves to snub-nosed snow monkeys, Attenborough has consistently captured the hearts of the nation by giving a voice to the creatures that share this planet with

us. Awe-inspiring views and the celebration of new life and companionship are punctuated by bitterness and brutality.

We as the audience are invited to see it all. What underlies Attenborough’s powerful presenting is this show and not tell approach.

Science is a discipline of observation In an age of streaming and catchup TV, it is difficult to even justify a TV licence as a student. One way to circumvent this is to explore the world of YouTube. Channels like Vsauce and AsapSCIENCE are an alternative to the long-haul content of mainstream television. They provide bitesize summaries of topics such as ‘the science of thinking’ and ‘the first living robot’. What makes these so watchable is that they are a springboard for further questioning. It’s up to you as the viewer to decide which path of intrigue you’d like to take. The quick-fire animation and punchy style make these a great starting point for research or even just for fun.

Image|: Vlad Tchompalov, Unsplash

to ‘septic shock’, where blood pressure drops dramatically, can lead to death. All too often, these signs are missed as they can be closely tied to other infections and medical conditions.

Sepsis resulted in 11 million deaths worldwide in 2017 There are also issues with antimicrobial resistance when trying to treat it.

Scientists from Institute of Health Metrics and Evaluation at the University of Washington have suggested clean water, further hygiene measures, and better access to vaccines can prevent this in de-

veloping countries. Action against antimicrobial resistance must be taken, too.

However, these practises are already in place in the UK, and there were still almost 50,000 sepsis cases in 2017. Fortunately, 34,405 of these patients did not require admission to intensive care, but became necessary for the rest.

Image: cdc, Unsplash

The scientists at the institute have used this data to reinforce the call to UN member states to implement plans against this condition. If action is not taken against antimicrobial resistance, which can render treatments useless, and improvements on sepsis identification do not occur, the death toll may begin to rise.

If action is not taken, the death toll will rise Just as the globe is beginning to wake up to the destruction of climate change, antimicrobial resistance is a growing threat to us all.

A shout out to science

Agnes Chapman Wills praises BBC Four's documentary, The Serengeti Rules

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OWARDS the end of last year, I got a phone call from my Dad. He was very excited. He had stumbled upon an amazing documentary on BBC Four exploring the interconnectivity of our world. My Dad is not one to gush so I immediately gave it a watch and what I found was fascinating. Unlocking Nature’s Secrets: The Serengeti Rules follows the discoveries of five scientists who, across 60 years of in-depth research and first-hand experience, uncover how inextricably linked plants, animals and humans are.

Whilst my love for Attenborough will always run deep, this programme is

far more than a life and death chase or an Albatross love story. Amongst other close-up examples of change within the natural world, these scientists make the horrific, yet ground-breaking, discovery that post-WWII industrial whaling is the reason behind dramatic loss of species in the North Pacific Ocean. They state that the natural system, and food web that had existed for thousands, even millions, of years, collapsed because of human intervention.

Whilst we fail to realise it day-today, the environment is affected, across both space and time, by every decision we make: a fact that we should be tak-

ing more seriously as we journey into the uncertain future. Unlocking Nature’s Secrets: The Serengeti Rules is a must-see for anyone concerned about the relationship between humans and the natural world. You have just over a week until it is no longer on BBC iPlayer so I would give it a watch immediately, before it is too late.‘Like a thread in a tapestry […] if we pull a thread, the whole thing can come unravelled’ Image: Kyle Glenn, Unsplash

New Year, new date?

Vincent Plant recalls the history of New Year's day

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HE start of January is, at least in the West, the start of the New Year. When thinking about this, it seems rather strange that this date was chosen. According to the Met Office, winter of this year began on the 22 December 2019 and will end on the 20 March 2020. This means that new year is right in the middle of a season, which seems a rather strange and arbitrary starting point. The same goes for Chinese new year, which is the 25 January 2020. Would it make more sense to revamp our calendar?

Sources disagree whether it was the Romans or Pope Gregory XIII who set 1 January as New Year’s Day. However it came about, other cultures used more

natural calendars; ancient Mesopotamia celebrated Akitu, or new year, during the vernal equinox (anytime between 19 and 21 March), while Greece used the winter solstice (20 December) and ancient Egyptians may well have used 20 July as the start of the new year.

The question is, if we had the power to change the new year to be more in line with the seasons, should we? It might make more sense in terms of natural seasons, but, in my view at least, New Year’s Day is fine where it is. After all, our calendar has got to be the way it is through innumerable small changes which have accumulated over our history, almost parallel to evolution. Moreover, nature’s timekeeping is far from per-

fect; the day is not exactly 24 hours long, leading to leap years every four years.

In fact, it may well be likely that we will have a 30 February in the future as a result of continuing inaccuracies.

Sources disagree who set New Year's Day On top of all of this, moving the New Year might be too confusing, too unsettling, for society to adapt quickly.

This date may well have been with us for thousands of years. Although it’s a strange date, it might be better from a social perspective that it stays right where it is.

Image: Ray Hennessy, Unsplash

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3 FEB 2020 | EXEPOSÉ

Rabada rubbing salt into the wounds Stefan Frost discusses whether provocative celebrations are just part of the game

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ASSION and sport are inextricably linked. When emotions run high and adrenaline is pumping, it becomes increasingly hard to control the way in which we act.

Recently, in the third Test of England against South Africa, pace bowler Kagiso Rabada fell victim to such feelings. Having bowled out England captain Joe Root, Rabada proceeded to approach the batsman in a confrontational manner before slumping to his knees in celebration.

The action was unquestionably excessive but didn't merit a Test ban The action was unquestionably excessive but probably in itself didn’t merit the Test ban which Rabada is now facing – he didn’t swear or stare down Root during the exchange. However, Rabada has previously faced disciplinary actions which has no doubt affected the final ruling made by the ICC on the incident. Admittedly, he could very easily have celebrated with his team instead of invading his personal space.

Rabada is not the first and will not be the last to fall victim to excessive cel-

N

ebrations. Showcasing jubilation for a wicket, goal or try is an essential part of the sporting experience for both players and fans. For the most part celebrations are received well because players tend to celebrate with their team or coaches. Yet, celebrations start to cause issues when they are intended, as was the case with Rabada, to provoke the opposition.

Goading an opponent in some instances is just part of the competitive nature of sport. Wicketkeepers perpetually rip into the batsman at the crease in an attempt to put their opponent off and in the NFL, defensive and offensive players frequently gloat to opponents following a catch or tackle.

Even with this, there is still a limit to the level of antagonistic celebration which a player

should partake in as sometimes celebrating in front of an opponent (usually following a crucial turning point in a match) can create a level of hostility which is entirely unnecessary.

A potent example of such occurred during a recent American college basketball game between rivals University of Kansas and Kansas State. After blocking a shot in the final minutes of the game, University of Kansas’s Silvio De Sousa proceeded to stand over his opponent and shout at them. Goading is almost a formality in basketball and since the match was a rivalry game, confrontation may seem both acceptable and inevitable. However, Univer-

sity of Kansas were leading 81-59 with victory already secured which means De Sousa’s actions were overzealous and completely unnecessary given the dominant position his team was in.

Celebration is vital in sport as few things give an emotional release like it

Furthermore, the fact that in the ensuring brawl, De Sousa lifted a chair to strike someone illuminates how his hot-headedness came from a much darker place than competitive spirit.

Celebration is a crucial facet of sport as few things facilitate an emotional release quite like cheering when you or your team are winning. Yet, when celebrations are driven by something more malicious than competitive spirit a line has definitely been crossed.

Crossing a line is something that Emmanuel Adebayor is no stranger to. Rather than doing the Image: Naparazzi (Flickr) standard thing that goals-

Transfers and tribulations

corers do when netting against their former team, Adebayor ran the length of the field to celebrate in front of the Arsenal away fans (the club he had just left) when scoring for Manchester City in his first game against his former club.

No-one is calling for people to stop celebrating. Indeed, as already mentioned, the feeling of celebration, whether it is on the pitch during the game or on a night out, is a huge motivator to actually play sport.

But there has to be at least an element of recognition of the feelings that conceding, or in the case of Root, getting out, provokes for an opposition team. It is fleeting, and would never cause someone to give up playing a sport or become miserable as a result, but in that moment the chances of an angry reaction from someone who concedes is much higher.

While Rabada toed that line, De Sousa and Adebayor most definitely crossed it. Celebration in sport is pivotal – you need look no further than the onslaught of abuse VAR is receiving for ruining goal celebrations to see how this is indeed the case. Nonetheless, in some instances, celebrations directed at opponents need to be tempered to avoid flare-ups.

Nick Powell, Sport Editor, looks at the January transfer window and the furore around it

EW Year’s Eve, Valentine’s day, transfer deadline day.

What do these all have in common? Unfortunately, they are very often greatly overhyped and quickly forgotten.

This year’s transfer deadline day was more forgettable than most however, as the moment it ended coincided with the door to the EU slamming shut as well for British MEPs. The Brexit deadline day failed to capture the imagination. Indeed, not since the start of the last decade, has the January transfer window ended with any real drama. Nothing has come close to the epic deadline day that was 2011, with Andy Carroll move to Liverpool for £35 million, Fernando Torres leaving the same £50 million, joining David Luiz who went for £21 million to their new destination, Chelsea.

At the time, £106 million was an unbelievable sum of money. For that to be spent in the last half hour of the deadline was even more dramatic. It was the first time the mid-season window had seen such a massive amount of money spent, and made people

believe that clubs would really look to increase their business during this period.

January reverted to what it had previously been seen as: Panicbuy season But such was the flop of Carroll (11 goals in 58 games at Liverpool), and Torres (1 goal in his first season at Chelsea) that January reverted to what it had previously been seen as: Panicbuy season.

Look through the top Premier League winter buys and this reputation seems to hold up somewhat.

Juan Cuadrado, joining Chelsea at the death of the 2015 window for £23.5 million, made 15 woeful appearances, Wilfried Bony, who (for £30 million) joined Man City in the same window and scored just 10 goals in his two seasons at the Etihad before returning to Swansea soon after.

Look deeper, and whilst January doesn’t have the most iconic transfer

Image: Agência Brasília

moments, it has increasingly become a source of vital and game-changing business by clubs.

Take Liverpool for example. After signing Luis Suarez for just £22.5 million, the Uruguayan rewarded them by marching them into title contention in 2014, scoring 31 goals in 33 games in that season, before being sold to Bar-

celona for £75 million. That was the same amount Liverpool spent on Virgil Van Dijk who is likely not only to march them into title contention, but has almost certainly won them a first title in 30 years by solidifying their previously ropey defence.

In both cases, the transfers were dwarfed by others in the news. Suarez by the Carrol/Torres saga and Van Dijk

by Couthino, whose mind boggling £135 million transfer to Barcelona failed to achieve the expected results.

Even smaller than the Van Dijk coverage in that same window was Pierre Emerick Aubameyang, whose sudden and surprise arrival at Arsenal has practically kept the club existing in the

miserable two years he has been at the club.

Transfers given initial disregard might end up being some of the most incredible.

This window has seen Bruno Fernandes join Manchester United for £47 million but other than that, it has been relatively thin on the ground for signings, but it might be the transfers given initial disregard or a lack of attention that end up being some of the most incredible. It has been a comparatively dull window this time, but perhaps Sander Berge of Sheffield United will flourish, or Fernandes himself or maybe even Spurs' signing of Dutch youngster Steven Bergwijn.

It will be interesting to see how things pan out, in particular which players will become superstars and who the flops will be,. but it would be foolish to predict anything at this stage.

SPORT

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Folau return shows winning obsession

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Nick Powell, Sport Editor, looks at Catalan Dragons' decision to sign the disgraced Australian

SRAEL Folau has returned to professional sport and rugby league after signing for French club Catalan Dragons to seal a return to Super League and bring shock and dismay across the Rugby World.

Folau, 30, was sacked from Rugby Australia (the Australian Rugby Union’s national team), after an Instagram post which included a warning that “hell awaits” a long list of “those living with sin” including gay people, atheists andxeven “fornicators.”

This makes it all the more shocking

that the Dragons’ chairman told local newspaper L’Independente that he felt the Australian could become a “real example for young people.” A comment that isn’t just inaccurate, but totally contradictory to the real effect that Folau will have on young people.

When Folau was first fired, I was relieved. Relieved for any young Australian rugby players who previously looked up to Folau who happened to be having doubts about their sexuality. Homophobia, like any other form of discrimination, does most damage to young people, making them feel they cannot be who they are as they are finding their place in the world.

Any initial doubt about their sexuality could become immediately tainted and instead of viewing it as just a difference, it becomes a problem. Seeing one of your heroes make a comment like that can bring real fear to those that are having doubts, which just shouldn’t be the case.

Though I am not a Christian myself, I respect people’s right to hold whatever religious beliefs they want to, and I am also very keen on the value of forgive-

ness. For Folau however, this is cannot be applied.

In October, he said to the Australian Christian Lobby that he would “absolutely” repeat the posts. Shortly after his sacking, he criticised the way people celebrate Easter, Christmas and other religious festivals. This Oliver Cromwell-like puritanism is becoming an increasing part of any recorded sermons he gives. He has not learnt, if anything it has got worse.

If he were to express his homophobic

Sports clubs' obsession with winning is as bad as it ever has been views again publicly he would be fired by the Dragons for violating the Super League’s code of conduct, and there is every chance he will, but the failure to apologise, despite him knowing the offense caused renders it morally wrong for the French club to sign him, and wrong for the League to let him in.

Keegan Hirst, Britain's first openly gay

rugby league player, showed his dismay for the decision on BBC Breakfast and perfectly summed up why the decision to sign him is so concerning.

“Either Catalans [don’t] care what he said which was worrying, or they [do] care, but they were willing to put their values to one side for a few extra tries a year and a couple of extra league places.”

Unfortunately, this episode displays how sports clubs’ obsession with winning is as bad as it has ever been. No doubt Folau is a dynamic and very talented player, but when I watch him play I feel no excitement, and like former gay rugby player Gareth Thomas, I “will never watch him.”

Winning is great, but really, it isn’t everything. Part of the wonderful challenge of being involved in a professional sports team is working around constraints to get the best possible result for your team.

This case, as well as rugby union’s Saracens' recent salary cap violations show that values are being increasingly sacrificed for results as the money in sport continues to grow and grow.

Captain's Corner

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Harry Scott-Munro speaks to Zoe Benton about being Athletics Club Captain

XETER University Athletics Club continues to go from strength to strength. With 153 members and opportunities for all, it is a club that is continuing to grow. In the last year alone, there have been significant successes, with the women’s and men’s BUCS cross-country teams finishing 11th and 13th respectively.

The successes haven’t stopped there though, with the junior women’s team winning the South West running series last season and the men’s team coming second.

The club offers a wide variety of opportunities, including track sessions, circuits, strength and conditioning, as well as road, hill and beach runs. Last year saw the club host BUCS Cross Country and enter their largest ever teams to compete in BUCS at both the indoor and outdoor championships.

Club captain Zoe Benton believes that the club ‘really has gone from strength to strength over the last few years.’ This growth has been rewarded too, with a Bronze Charter Mark being awarded to the club by England athletics last year in recognition of their high-quality training facilities and coaching standards. Training is led by head coach Sonya Ellis, with specialist coaches running sessions as

Image provided by Zoe Benton

well, it truly is a club for everyone and all levels of ability.

As we move into the second term, it's full steam ahead for many EUAC athletes Zoe believes that it’s the people within the club that make it the success story that it is, that she ‘couldn’t have asked for a better group of people to train and

socialise with.’

As we move into the second term, it’s full steam ahead for EUAC with 36 athletes, including club captain Zoe, chairman Ben Hampshire and last year’s cross-countr y captain Omar Harhara all competing as part of a strong group of runners in Edinburgh.

Moving forward, over Valentine’s weekend, 34 athletes have been selected to compete at the BUCS indoors championships in Sheffield, before the club gears up to host it’s own Varsity on 11th March, inviting regional universities to compete at Exeter Arena for what promises to be a hugely entertaining and competitive event for a close-knit club that Zoe says have always felt like ‘an extended family.’

Following on from this, the club then begins preparations for its biggest event

of the year, the BUCS Outdoor Championships in Bedford over the 8th-10th May, where the club will look to improve upon last years results of eight outdoor semi-finalists in individual events and a finals berth for the women’s 4x200 relay squad.

As Zoe points it, these successes are testament to the work of the athletes and coaches at the club, with EUAC now sending their ‘biggest and most competitive BUCS teams’ for national competition.

EUAC is a club that simply isn't resting, continuing to strive to improve It truly seems that EUAC is a club for everyone, be that people looking to keep fit socially, or international athletes with ambitious targets.

EUAC is a club that isn’t simply resting on its laurels, continuing to strive to improve whilst still retaining that heart that seems to entice so many people in, from the social events to the opportunities for all abilities. Like many other sports clubs at the university, it really is a a club on the rise.

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Netball Varsity: The Interview Isabelle Gray Editor

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CAUGHT up with Exeter's Netball team this afternoon after their major Varsity win yesterday evening. Upon reflection on yesterday's match, Captain Christina noted how they were able to perform well under the pressure. She explained how there is 'quite a lot riding on you', and how 'you really want to perform'.

This was a particularly significant match for the captain after four years on the team as it marked her last Varsity fixture..

The game is never over until the final whistle After having played Gloucester the week before, they explained how they determined their strategy for the final, with a focus on 'our defensive end and their attacking end'. After having had dominated most of the game, I wondered how they managed not to get overconfident and start to relax (my favourite hobby). The key, I learnt, is to remember that 'the games not won yet. The game is not over until the final whistle. Your either drawing or losing for the whole game, and you shouldn't look at the score till the end.

With such intense pressure, team camaraderie is important Image: :Rory Selvey

With such intense pressure, team camaraderie is important, that closeness off the court is reflected and brought onto the matches. Carys, Goal Defence, explains the importance of the support from the bench and how that keeps those on the court going. Jade, Wing Attack, jokes how 'you are only as strong as your bench'.

The biggest takeaway from the teammates experience in success on and off the court is achieved through good communication and trust. They trust each other not to give in to temptations of frustration or lethargy, and encourage each other to keep going, because it's 'important to keep your head in the right place, as soon as you get frustrated, you throw bad balls.'

Sport

3 FEB 2020 | EXEPOSÉ

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SPORT EDITORS:

Varsity victory

Josh Brown Nick Powell Image: Rory Selvey

Exeter beat West Country rivals to secure a top-half place

Netball Exeter 1s.....................................55 Gloucester 1s...............................43 Isabelle Gray Editor

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ITH an anxious crowd ready for the 5:30 PM kick-off to the 2020 Netball Varsity, Kanye West’s ‘Power’ echoed in the background. Exeter and their opponents Gloucester congregated on their side of the court to strategise. Cheers and chants began for Exeter.

Exeter started strong with big energy on and off the pitch. Whilst Gloucester were quick on their feet and made rampant decisions that paid off, it was evident that they were not on their own soil and a bit dishevelled as a result. Exeter’s

energy made the beginning of the game exciting but compared to Gloucester’s more thoughtful approach, it resulted in a few sloppy decisions that were penalised. Gloucester keeping their cool helped them achieve a small comeback, with 3-3 the score by the fourth minute of the first quarter. This brought some added tensions, with the crowds quieted down and a tense watch unfolding, as Christina Shaw, Exeter’s captain, reminded her team to “keep going” and repeatedly said “keep talking girls.” Communication appeared essential to their strategy throughout.

What was most impressive from both teams was their ability to maintain such graceful movement whilst remaining dominant and intimidating. The way they would jump into place for the ball and extend their arms with such precision and

skill made a fairly simple non-contact team sport feel like a performance from the Royal Ballet. Jade Richards, Exeter’s Wing Attack, was a standout, unsurprisingly with her national competing experience.

No ball was too far from reach and the way she would grab the ball would convince anyone that the ball was destined to always find it’s way back to her. As a result, Exeter were safely in the lead in the last five minutes of the quarter.

Blackman scored cleanly and effortlessly Appreciation for goal scorer Hannah Blackman is necessary, wherein the final seconds of the quarter, Blackman scored

so cleanly and effortlessly it felt like it was just her, the ball and the hoop in the room.

A dance with the devil that she most certainly leads. Moments before whispers from the crowd noting ‘‘we need this.”

Even with the stark goal difference, there was no room to get overconfident.

The beginning of the second quarter really set the tone. Gloucester were ready to make a comeback and regained some focus which was lost with inevitable frustration in the final moments of the first quarter. However, Exeter still came out strong, with a score of 23-15 with five minutes to go. A confident smile from Centre Christina Shaw to Rosie Andrews is exchanged, it was looking good for Exeter.

The third quarter began and Gloucester knew this was the last chance to save themselves, and came out much stronger

in this quarter. Gloucester worked very well as a team, and the way the ball flowed between them was a genuinely satisfying and impressive sight. They kept up the pace but Exeter remained miles ahead finishing the third quarter with 43-29 at its end. Gloucester were notably tiring.

In the final quarter, star of the show Jade Richards was swapped out, presumably to save her energy for the last five minutes. Exeter substitutes were restless, rampantly practising on the sidelines waiting to be tagged in. This mindset of determination and genuine dedication to their sport is clearly what got Exeter to be shining in the way they did. Exeter ended the match bringing home 55-43, inspiring the winning combination of grace, talent, humility and determination in us all.

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