Issue 699 / 22 May 2019 by Exeposé

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FR E E ISSUE 699 22 MAY 2019 exepose.com @Exepose

THE UNIVERSITY OF EXETER’S INDEPENDENT STUDENT NEWSPAPER SINCE 1987

Guild announce major reforms to ExTunes Committee says proposals “will impact over 1,300 members, yet only a fraction have been consulted.” Reforms planned to go forth from August Guild assures committee that student satisfaction is the priority Image: Harry Caton

Aaron Loose & Isabelle Gray Editors

HE Guild has announced substantial reforms to ExTunes, which has raised concerns amongst committee members of the Extunes Council. Last Wednesday, the ExTunes Council were told that the student group will go through a significant restructuring in August. The Guild has concluded that ExTunes in its current format does not fit within the governing structures outlined by Guild bylaws.

The University handed responsibility for the provision of music to the Guild in 2016. ExTunes was then created to reproduce the musical services formerly supplied by the University. At this time, the Guild took no action to make ExTunes compliant with Guild governance. ExTunes President Katy Jones noted that the “proposed changes will impact over 1,300 members, yet only a fraction have been consulted.” When Exeposé asked the Guild to justify the gap between creating ExTunes and making them compliant,

a Guild spokesperson said “ExTunes and the associated music services were run by the University for several years. When the University decided that this provision no longer fit with their activity, the Guild took on the services to safeguard the facilities and provision for the benefit of students. However, how the governance of ExTunes fits with the rest of the Guild has remained an unresolved issue since then that is now being addressed as part of the bylaws review.” Six months ago, ExTunes committee were informed of the intention

Arts + Lit

velop ExTunes. This document cited several issues that meant ExTunes was not compliant with Guild rules. One of the issues cited was membership. Guild members must first buy an ExTunes membership before they can buy a membership to specific musical societies; a provision that does not exist in Guild rules. At present, ExTunes is defined as a student group that answers directly to the VP Activities Sabbatical Officer. It consists of a committee of eight people,

CONTINUED ON PAGE 5

MUSIC

A tribute to Virginia Woolf’s non-normative career

Celebrating queer songs by queer songwriters

PAGE 17 Image: Biography

to devise a music development plan to amend how the student group operates. The Guild held consultations with ExTunes members in January. Harry Carisle, ExTunes Treasurer, said “The ExTunes committee was made aware of a meeting, three days prior, without an agenda in which the culmination of the MDP was explained to us. We repeatedly asked for updates throughout the year to no avail.” During the Wednesday meeting, the Guild provided a document that outlined two operational plans to rede-

PAGE 19 Image: Columbia Records

Editors Print: Isabelle Gray & Aaron Loose Online: Harry Bunting & Natalie Keffler editors@exepose.com

Comment Editors Print: Isabelle Gray & Deepa Lalwani comment@exepose.com

Arts + Lit Editors Print: Cherry-Anastasia Boroceanu & Zach Mayford Online: 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 Science Editors Print: Elinor Jones & Scarlett Parr Reid Online: Sira Chabrel sciandtech@exepose.com Sport Editors Print: René Bahar & Josh Brown, Online: Ben Bampton & Nick Powell sport@exepose.com Chief Photographer Rory Selvey photography@exepose.com Copy Editors Kamila Bell, Charlotte Forrester & Catherine Lloyd Proofers Harry Caton, Bryrony Gooch, Graham Moore, , Kamila Bell, Catherine Lloyd, Josh Brown, René Bahar, Amy Butterworth, Will Harrop, Neha Shaji, Edd Church & Owain

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

Penryn protest University investments PAGE 4

COMMENT

The importance of remembering 50 years since Stonewall PAGE 6

FEATURES Facebook bans alt-right figures PAGE 10 Image: typographyimages / pixabay

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

(pg 27). Sport has a lovely splash on the Men’s Water Polo, where our Exe boys came from behind in the first leg to triumph over UCL to secure promotion to the Premier South (pg 32). Features wonders whether celebrity big wigs like Leonardo DiCaprio have the exclusive rights to fight against climate change (pg 11). And finally, Screen talks us through the latest season of Game of Thrones and the iconic, stunning, spellbinding, performance of a lifetime (not that I'm being biased) in Beyoncé Netflix documentary Homecoming Living under the spectre of impending examinations and dissertation deadlines isn’t exactly relaxing. Indeed, it can easily prompt us to seal ourselves away from the outside, hidden behind a fortress of coursework and the remains of cheap microwave meals. That’s why it’s vital we seek strong communal bonds and care in troubling times. So go outside. Call the people you love. Keep reminding yourself that this exam period will eventually conclude, even if it feels never ending. One of the best and worst things life guarantees us is that nothing lasts forever. Know that soon you will be able to enjoy your summer, but treasure it whilst you can, because Freshers' will be around the corner before we know it. To those still with exams, keep going, know grades are not everything and as long as you try your best, that's all that matters. To the luckier folk who have finished, and maybe even completed uni completely, congratulations! Isabelle & Aaron

Image: Shayan Barjesteh van Waalwijk van Doorn

Features Editors Print: Jaysim Hanspal & William Harrop Online: Ellie Cook & Bryan Knight Foreign Correspondents Co-ordinator: Maddie Davies features@exepose.com

E are getting on, aren’t we? Exams that seemed to loom in the distance are creeping into view, and summer is waiting for us just around the next turn. It’s a time to think about how far we have travelled and where we might venture next. In that spirit, Exeposé is joining Exeter in celebrating Pride and everyone who identifies with its banner of welcoming inclusivity. The measure of any functional campus and, dare we say it, a student publication, is how its members embrace and defend those who find themselves pushed to the margins of history. We commit to ensuring that Exeposé represents anyone who questions the norm. Lifestyle asks us to consider whether the celebration of queer communities has become just another commercialist enterprise as Manchester Pride charge £64.50 for entry at its annual festival. In a similarly disruptive vein, Arts + Lit provide stirring proof that Virginia Woolf ’s lifelong project against old forms stretched from classical unities to heteronormativity (pg 17). Comment serves their verdict on the L(ettuce) G(uacmole) B(acon) T(omato) sandwhich debate, which in hindsight, is perhaps the weirdest sentence we will print this year (pg 6). Speaking of creativity, jump to Music for an informed study of hiphop’s shifting musical character across the United States, complete with cameos from Denzel Curry and J Dilla himself (pg 20). Science, meanwhile, offers an enlightening look into the struggle of living with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

NEWS

Image: fulbert

News Editors Print: Louis Donohoe & Henry Jones Online: Emma Hussain news@exepose.com

Editorial

Image: Jake Roberts

EXEPOSÉ

Devonshire House, Exeter, Devon, EX4 4PZ

SCIENCE Increasing visibility of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome PAGE 27

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Worldwide university news Ontario to scrap professor salary

HE Ontario Government has threatened to cut the salaries of senior university professors, amongst other proposals outlined in its April budget. Currently, it is legal for professors over the age of 65 to receive their pension and also be paid in full for their teaching. The government proposal would mean professors over the age of 71 live of their pension, and are not paid for their work. Defending the policy, the government has suggested that these measures would rejuvenate educational institutions by encouraging fresh recruitment. According to statistics from 2016-17, more than 10 per cent of Ontario's university professors were over the age of 65, however, just 4 per cent were over the age of 70, equating to roughly 600 professors. Toronto based lawyer Simon Archer questioned “Is it legal? That is going to be the big question”. Mr. Archer added: “To override collectively bargained rights is a very high threshold.”

Measles outbreak at US universities

VER a thousand students and staff at two Los Angeles universities have been quarantined following a measles outbreak. People under the quarantine have been advised to stay at home and avoid others. They have been barred from public transport and could face prosecution if they disobey their quarantine. This outbreak comes at a time when measles is at a 25 year high in the US which many put down to the anti-vaxxer movement and the misinformation surrounding vaccinations. Nearly 700 cases of measles have been reported so far this year in the U.S., including 38 in California and five in Los Angeles County. Both President Trump and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention have encouraged people to get their children vaccinated. “Measles actually kills people. So we have to take that really seriously,” said Dr Armand Dorian, Chief Medical Officer at the University of Southern California’s Verdugo Hills Hospital.

Issues await graduates in Hong Kong

ORE graduates than ever are coming into the workforce in Hong Kong. However, many settle for jobs that are lower paid than expected for graduates. A supposed mismatch between the type of graduates coming out of university and the skill sets required by employers, combined with degrees being supposedly worth less than in the past, are possible reasons cited by the South China Morning Post. A study by a think tank from New Century Forum, a political group, found that graduates are earning on average 9.6 per cent less in their first jobs than 25 years ago. The study also found that the growth in the number of graduates was greater than the rise of skilled jobs, such as administrative positions. The number of job entrants with post-secondary qualifications entering into low-skilled jobs, such as shop assistants and security guards, also increased from 8.4 per cent to 16.4 per cent in 20 years.

Winchester Uni lecturers to strike

ECTURERS at Winchester University have announced they will be striking at the end of the month against proposed job cuts. Members of the University and College Union (UCU) at the Hampshire university have announced industrial action for five days between Tuesday 28 May and Wednesday 5 June. Members will also undertake “action short of a strike” from Thursday 30 May, which will entail working strictly to contract, not covering for absences and boycotting open days. This comes after Winchester University invited members of its academic staff “to consider voluntary severance” in March. However, UCU regional official Moray McAulay responded to the issue, stating: “Nobody wants to see disruption, but staff feel they have been left with no option other than industrial action”. Stories by Hannah Stevenson, Olly Haynes, Louis Donohoe and Ellie McGarahan

News

NEWS EDITORS: Louis Donohoe Henry Jones

“What do we want? Milkshakes!” - UKIP visits Exeter Quay

Harry Caton & Louis Donohoe Online Editor & News Editor

EMONSTRATORS clashed on Monday as far-right UKIP MEP candidate Carl Benjamin and former Breitbart editor Milo Yiannopoulos came to lead a rally at Exeter Quay. Addressing crowds of supporters and protesters, the two arrived as part of Benjamin’s electoral tour of the South-West. Benjamin and Yiannopoulos challenged members of the public to debates in front of the crowd. Speaking to Exeposé, one protester and Exeter resident who debated Benjamin lamented that “by protesting you’re giving him publicity,”. They added that “[some] things are so objectionable you just have to object.” Stand Up To Racism demonstrators protested the alleged white nationalist leanings of the pair, as well as Benjamin’s past comments stating that he “wouldn’t even rape” Labour MP Jess Phillips. Supporters flashed ‘OK’ symbols, often associated with white nationalist movements - one protester noted the movement’s “irony proto-fascism.” Protests condemned Benjamin and Yiannopoulos’s previous controversial comments, as well as noting the alleged similarity of growing far-right speech to the rise of

Nazism in Germany. Milkshakes were likewise the object of the hour, as noted in the above protest chant. This follows the soaking of UKIP Advisor Stephen Yaxley-Lennon (AKA Tommy Robinson) with a milkshake on 3 May. Following this, milkshakes were also thrown over Benjamin at rallies in Totnes and Truro. A protester followed suit at Exeter Quay, throwing chocolate milk at Yiannopoulos. In a tweet, the organisers described the individual as a Liberal Democrat that has since been arrested. The Exeter University Liberal Democrats Society have stated on Facebook that they “totally condemn the use of force or violence at any political event.” “For Britain” council candidate Frankie Rufolo was involved in an altercation amongst the protesters that was settled by the police. In a comment to Exeposé, he labelled the Stand Up To Racism protesters as “disingenuous liars” and “left-wing racists,” stating that “a lot of them don’t know what they’re talking about”. Benjamin and Yiannopoulos have been involved in controversy before. Benjamin was condemned for the aforementioned comments towards Phillips. He stated that he would rape the MP “with enough pressure”. Likewise, Yian-

nopoulos recent Facebook ban designed for “individuals or organizations that promote or engage in violence or hate”. Yiannopoulos was also banned from Twitter in 2016 for his harassment of actress Leslie Jones. The focus of the rally shifted from UKIP’s stated goals focused around ensuring a no-deal Brexit and towards Benjamin and Yiannopoulos’s views. One student at the protest, who declined to be identified, noted that UKIP “has alienated it’s core base of leave voters, just leaving it with a hard base of cranks and teens that want to be edgy online.” Few attendees openly demonstrated pro- or anti-EU views; a UKIP-supporter asked for comment on Benjamin noted his concern for “identity politics,” while hoping that “UKIP can succeed and guarantee the future of our culture.” Debating with a Benjamin-supporting student, Yiannopoulos joked about supposed WWII regiments of middle-eastern “Waffen-SS Muslims” who “didn’t care about politics; they just wanted to kill Jews!” Benjamin appeared confused. Later speaking to Exeposé on the importance of the open debate, the student noted that “Carl’s allowing people to get on the mic he’s allowed to go up and give his opinion.” The student subsequently decried the “insult after in-

Former NUS Director to oversee Guild’s NUS referendum

Henry Jones News Editor

HE Democracy and Governance Council has voted for a former director of the National Union of Students to be the returning officer for this term’s referendum. Jim Dickinson was one of two candidates presented to the council by Scott Temple-Farmer, Deputy Chief Executive at the Students’Guild, on Tuesday 7 May. Dickinson was the NUS Director for Policy and Delivery between July 2011 and September 2013. He began working for them in 2001. He will be responsible for the overall handling of the NUS referendum. This includes oversight over electoral complaints, appeals, and the counting of votes. According to the Guild’s referendum regulations, the count will take place “in secret”, and no observers will be allowed to be involved. He will also take sole responsibility for interpretation of the referendum regulations and Guild bylaws.

In the meeting, concern was raised by the short notice of the process, with one attendee telling Exeposé that the “hastiness is apparent.” The campaign will last for just si days, from 22 May until 28 May. Under usual circumstances, the NUS would provide a returning officer for any Guild referendum. Due to this referendum being regarding NUS membership, is was decided that a returning officer would need to be appointed. In a statement to Exeposé, the Guild said that “D&G council voted on which was their preference for returning officer between two options, one was Dickinson, another individual or using a staff member nominated by the University as RO. The other individual proposed by the Guild was Ryan Bird, the current Chief Executive at Oxford University Students’Union, a member of the NUS. Just one member of the council voted for Bird, while three voted for Dickinson.”

The Guild defended the decision to appoint him, saying “Information about who the returning officer is will be included in the candidate information. In addition to the information provided, Jim’s employment history is in the public domain.” The Guild also confirmed the regulations for the upcoming referendum. The regulations state “We are aiming to reach a democratic decision in a free and fair manner. We are not here to give both sides an equal chance to win, just a fair one.” The regulations also prohibit the use of megaphones, stickers, and drone flights without a CAA license. There will be one offically supported campaign team for each side of the referendum. Sides will not be permitted to split in to individual groups dependent upon their reason for support. Campaign endorsements by third parties will not be allowed, nor will campaigns be allowed to exceed over £100 in spending.

sult” received from protesters. Benjamin continues his tour of the

South West, leading up to the EU elections on 23 May

Image: Harry Caton

Appointment of incoming Guild Chief Executive Neha Shaji Contributor

HE Students’ Guild have announced the appointment of Joff Cooke as their incoming CEO. Cooke, who will start in August, has been appointed after a two-day recruitment process chaired by Guild President Grace Frain and supported by trustees and senior management from both the University and Students’ Guild. Cooke, who has had a long history with Students’ Unions and the National Union of Students, states that he is “delighted and honoured” at being appointed to the role, and is “looking forward to get to know the Exeter students more and helping them have a truly world class and exceptional experience.” Cooke has also been Chief Executive of FXU, the Falmouth and Exeter Students’ Union in Penryn, and held managerial positions in Plymouth and Bournemouth universities. He was also the Regional Officer for the NUS from 1996 to 2000. He states

that after 30 years of working at Students’ Unions, he has “never felt as excited at the prospect of working at such a great institution as Exeter.”

I am delighted and honoured to have been offered the role of Chief Executive

Joff Cooke

Guild President Grace Frain has also expressed her “delight at the outcome of the process” and stated how she was “excited to see what the Guild Staff team can achieve under the leadership of Joff.” She also thanked all those involved in the recruitment process. This appointment follows an announcement of the departure of current Chief Executive, Tracy Costello, who has been a part of the organisation for 14 years, and has been Chief Executive for six. Costello is now stepping down, having first joined the Guild in 2005.

22 MAY 2019 | EXEPOSÉ

NEWS

Penryn students protest University investments “causing climate change” Emma Hussain Online News Editor

TUDENTS at the University of Exeter Penryn campus are campaigning for the university to drop its fossil fuel investments. On 2 May, a protest planned to coincide with the Vice-Chancellor’s campus visit saw five students unfurl a banner calling on the university to ‘Stop Funding Climate Breakdown’ from the roof of a prominent University building. Divest Penryn claims that despite recently moving to divest from all coal and tar sands investments, the University’s endowment fund continues to hold shares worth over £2 million in fossil fuel companies. Group member Tallis Baker said, “Exeter has quite an environmental, sustainable outlook, and that’s what it prides itself on. But it’s still continuing to fund the very companies that are emitting carbon dioxide and directly causing climate change.” All students involved wore harnesses and were safely tied to the roof of the Stannery building. Police were

Image: Divest Penryn / Flickr

called, but no arrests made. The University has responded to Divest’s demands for “full, unconditional, and quick divestment from fossil fuel organisations” by inviting them to a meeting in the autumn term concerning various University issues.

But [Exeter] is still continuing to fund the very companies that are emitting carbon dioxide Tallis Baker, Divest Penryn

Baker told Exeposé, “We would like to have a more specific meeting focussing on divestment. We would also like it to be earlier than autumn because it’s a really urgent issue. The fact that they’re now rejigging their whole investment portfolio means that they could easily exclude all other fossil fuel investments at the same time.” “If they do not agree to that, we have several other actions planned that hopefully will change their mind.” A further open letter from Divest to the University dated 13 May criticised the University’s stance to com-

promise on the divestment to which they have already committed, should the relevant organisations offer a philanthropic payment or research funding. In a statement to Exeposé, a University of Exeter spokesman said “We will only invest in companies that demonstrate the best performance and standards of environmental and social behaviour. This covers issues such as carbon emissions, environmental sustainability, human rights and employee relations. “The University of Exeter’s new fund managers, Rathbone Greenbank, who have a strong track record in the field of ethical investment, will proactively engage with companies in order to encourage them to adopt and improve standards of ethical and environmental behaviour.” The University also expanded upon their desire to involve students in monitoring the ethical investment policy as it develops further: “Senior staff will arrange a meeting with the Divest group in Cornwall as soon as possible.”

£1.6 million grant to improve energy efficiency Natalie Tongue Contributor

TEAM of researchers across a number of universities have been awarded a £1.65 million grant from the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council. This grant will be used to produce new technologies that will improve the energy efficiency of buildings. At present, buildings are responsible for over 40 percent of total UK energy consumption. This project, led by University of Nottingham Dr Yupeng Wu and involving University of Exeter Professor Tapas Mallick, is set to develop low cost components which will be integrated into double glazing. Dr Wu stated: “We’re delighted to receive this grant, which we are using to adopt a holistic approach to developing advanced façade technologies to achieve building energy reduction goals.” The expected outcome is a 30% reducing in annual energy consumption from artificial lighting, heating and cooling. These components would Image: Jake Roberts

offer buildings the desired energy reduction by enhancing thermal resistance and daylight transmittance. Professor Mallick is from Exeter’s Renewable Energy department on Penryn Campus and commented: “We are delighted to secure this highly competitive research award, which will help provide new pathways to transform how energy is generated at used.”

The expected outcome is a 30 per cent reduction in annual energy consumption Dr Yupeng Wu, Nottingham University

With input from industry partners, four types of advanced glazing are being developed to ensure their components will be suitable for all commercial building designers. Dr Wu further expanded upon their goal of “a 20% reduction in annual artificial lighting energy consumption, space heating reductions of over 30% in the heating season and cooling load reductions of 20% in summer..”

Image: Graham Moore

NUS referendum campaign briefing Neha Shaji Contributor

HE official briefing for the upcoming NUS Referendum was held on 17 May to inform campaigners of the referendum regulations and budget, and decide upon leaders for each position. The referendum considers Exeter’s position in the National Union of Students, with the choice being to remain affiliated or disaffiliate from the union.

The briefing, primarily run by VP Activities Rosie McDonagh, provided campaigners with the referendum regulations which were agreed upon previously by the Democracy and Governance council on 7 May. The Returning Officer and Deputy Returning Officer were announced as Jim Dickinson and Students’ Guild Deputy CEO Scott Temple-Farmer respectively, with student leaders involved including the VP Activities and Guild Chair Dan Easterbrook. Grace Frain and Rose Ahier will

be joint leaders of the campaign to remain affiliated to the NUS, whilst Warren Bingham-Jones, Harry Burton, and Will Klintworth will be leading the campaign to disaffiliate. The three-day voting period will run from the 28 May to 30 May, and all voting will be done online through the Guild Website. Campaigning will also be taking place during this period, both on campus and online. This takes place approximately three years after the Guild’s last referendum on its future within the NUS.

EXEPOSÉ | 22 MAY 2019

The Guild will support ExTunes

NEWS

CONTINUED FROM FRONT ...consists of a committee of eight people, and this arrangement would change under the new proposals. The first solution suggests that the ExTunes President and the Music Society Officer would be re-merged into a single role. As a result, the ExTunes committee would be demoted to a sub-committee. Members of the subcommittee would support the Music Society Officer in performing the representational work currently carried out by ExTunes. In response to the first solution, ExTunes former Vice-President Harry Smith raised several welfare concerns. In a statement to Exeposé, he said ‘the reality of the Guild’s care about mental health is worrying. it has sprung this change onto the ExTunes Committee with no warning, and in the middle of exam season. He added “meanwhile, they are expecting a single student to, next year, fulfil the roles that two people (ExTunes President and Music Societies Officer) have undertaken in previous years. Both current role-holders

said they would not have been able to take on the other’s role in addition.” The second solution proposes that ExTunes becomes a society. This means there will be no sub-committee to support the President and provide representation. Furthermore, the matter of handling music equipment will become the responsibility of Guild staff. ExTunes expressed frustration with the Guild’s handling of the consultations. Harry Smith felt that “What is very obvious is that student enjoyment is at the bottom of the Guild’s priority list. Instead, they are stubborn about needlessly having ExTunes meet the structure they want it to. It is frustrating and disheartening that, despite the passion and dedication shown by ExTunes members, the Guild is committed to working against the desires expressed by students in that meeting.” VP Activities Rosie McDonagh, who will be working with the ExTunes committee throughout the transition, said: “It is important that within the

current work on the Guild’s bylaws we find a way to accommodate the representation and social activity that ExTunes currently provides to ensure the voice of music students is given as much weight as any other group of students within the representative structure of the Guild. I have been listening to feedback from the current ExTunes president, committee and membership to move this forward in a constructive way that meets the overall objectives of the bylaws review. We have delayed the election of roles that would be impacted by this work to ensure that we can listen to as many views as possible and incorporate them into how we move forward. The Guild will be working with the incoming Music Societies Officer, as well as the other society officers to make sure that as many of their manifesto promises can be achieved and ensure that they are supported in their time representing the views of their societies.”

Exeter Pride sweeps the high street

Charlotte Forrester Copy Editor

N 11 May 2019, the 11th annual Exeter Pride took place. The attendees met at St. Sidwell's Church at 11am, and marched to Northernhay Gardens at noon. Hundreds of attendees carried a 50-metre rainbow flag down the high street. The parade included a fire engine, an ambulance and community volunteers. Councillor Rob Hannaford, the Lord Mayor of Exeter, led the parade and opened the main stage at the Northernhay Gardens. Later in the day, live bands and cabaret acts performed for the crowd.

and individuals and the fundraising efforts of volunteers.”

Pride aims to promote equality and diversity

Alan Quick, co-founder of Exeter Pride

Alan Quick, the co-founder of Exeter Pride, said "people have helped Exeter Pride fulfil its aims, to promote equality and diversity for the public benefit and in particular the elimination

of discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation and gender identity through awareness-raising, advancing community education, and by holding an annual LGBTQ+ festival." Whilst Exeter Pride is a celebration of how far we have come with regards to equality, the charity is also keen to recognise and to educate on LGBTQ+ history, contributions to culture, and raise awareness of on-going LGBTQ+ struggles in the UK and further afield."

Image: Debating Society

Exeter professor on postBrexit chemical regulation Harry Caton Online News Editor

XETER professor Michael Depledge has been one of several leading toxicology experts to speak out on the difficulty of setting up a hypothetical UK Chemicals Agency postBrexit.

Should Brexit happen it is possible that we lose access to work of important EU Agencies

Professor Depledge, Exeter University

Speaking at the first session of the UK Environmental Audit Committee’s inquiry into toxic chemicals in everydaylife, the scientists advised adherence to pre-existing EU chemical regulations since the UK lacks sufficient expertise to replace them. According to the discussions, the threefold increase in chemical production by 2050 will require the necessary

Exeter pride is one of the biggest free pride events in the UK Exeter Pride is the South West's most popular celebrations of the LGBTQ+ community and one of the biggest free Pride events in the UK. Adam Rank, chair of Exeter Pride committee, said "It is about us having pride in our contributions to not just a vibrant and diverse city, but all of Devon and the city and county having pride in us.” He added "Exeter Pride would not be possible without generous donations from local businesses, organisations Image: Charlotte Forrester

and substantial creation of new regulations. Speaking to Exeposé, Professor Depledge noted that “should the UK leave the EU then it is possible, perhaps likely, that we will lose access to the work of important EU Agencies” in the field of chemical regulation. Professor Depledge goes on to cite the broader decline in training in the field as a further issue. “[S]everal leading centres of ecotoxicological and environmental chemical expertise have closed since the mid-2000s,” with far fewer undergraduates and graduates being trained “in the field of chemical pollution”. Likewise, funding for research on “the fate and effects of environmental chemicals on ecosystems and human health has been progressively reduced”. There will “be a need for greater investment in training and research in ecotoxicology and environmental chemistry if we are to meet the chemical management challenges of the future.” Image: The Digital Artist / Pixabay

22 MAY 2019| EXEPOSÉ

Comment

COMMENT EDITORS:

Isabelle Gray Deepa Lalwani

50 years since Stonewall

Amelia Chisholm Contributor

N 11 May 2019, the city of Exeter celebrated its eleventh annual Pride Parade and festival. The sun shone, laughter and whoops could be heard as hundreds marched through the streets, proudly carrying the rainbow flag. I would know; I was there. As we walked down the high street, waving flags and grinning, I couldn’t help but think of how the now global festival originated. Because it was absolutely nothing like this. I can only speak for myself, but I had to self-educate with regard to queer history. No notable figures, of which there are many, or landmark moments in LGBTQ+ visibility or rights were discussed in my history classes, so it was up to me to research the past of my people. And that’s how I learnt about the Stonewall riots. In 1969, police raids of gay bars were common, but on 28 June of that year, the New York Police’s raid of the Stonewall Inn took a turn. Standard procedure dictated that bar patrons would line up, female-presenting customers would be taken to have their genitals inspected, and any female-presenting customers with penises would be arrested. On this particular day, the patrons of the

Stonewall Inn refused to comply with the identification process. They were all arrested, with some reporting that they were assaulted whilst being frisked by the male police officers. A crowd began to gather, watching the arrests, and as tensions rose between patrons and police, the violence started.

I had to selfeducate with regard to queer history

The riots went on for two days. As the second day began, bar patrons attempted to set fire to the Stonewall Inn in protest. 28 June 1969 became known as ‘Christopher Street Liberation Day’, the day the community fought back. And a year later, Marsha P. Johnson and Sylvia Rivera lead the first Gay Pride March in celebration and remembrance of the event: the origin of Pride was a riot. It’s no secret that the nature of Pride has changed. The joy and defiance that was there in 1970, a year after Stonewall, is still present. But the anger has gone. The police who assaulted the community have become a feature of the parade. There’s (largely) no longer a fear of attendance as it meant possibly having to come out to your family – so much so that a large percentage of

the attendees of Pride are cisgender and heterosexual. This signifier of acceptance from the law, and wider society, is an inherently good thing. It familiarises the queer community, and the presence of cisgender and heterosexual figures means that queer individuals who may be closeted can feel comfortable to attend, and participate in the celebration without being forced to come out. Essentially, Pride has shifted from a protest, to a party. And for a lot of reasons, that’s not necessarily a bad thing. But it would be naïve not to recognise the issues that permeate through the celebration. There is some ineffable association of the transformation for Pride into a celebration with the security and safety of the queer community: this is, without a doubt, not the case. Similar to the obtuse declaration of some that Obama’s election meant racism was over, just because a semi-famous popstar recognises and plays into the fact that she has a large gay fanbase doesn’t mean that the queer adults and children of the UK are treated the same as their cisgender heterosexual peers. LGBTQ+ youth still have a significantly higher rate of suicide attempts than their cis-het counterparts, in this country and across the world. Elizabeth Low, a fourteen-year-old English girl, killed herself in 2014 because she felt so much

shame over her attraction to women. The fact that a lot of people treat Pride like a party without recognising the stillpresent pain of the queer community, is a little upsetting and infuriating.

It’d be naive not to recognise the issues that permeate the celebration

Corporate presence at Pride, for example, offers great normalisation of queerness, but if those companies don’t have programs in place that offer their queer employees the same support as their straight employees, or sensitivity training, or if they don’t donate to queer charities, then it becomes unpleasantly clear that their support is merely superficial. The same goes for some cisgender and/or heterosexual attendees: most indicative of this is my super fun personal anecdote that the straight girls who bullied me and called me ‘d**e’ throughout my school career now go to Pride for a ‘fun day out’. Essentially, at least for me, some cognitive dissonance is required.

Part of me is overjoyed; the families at Exeter Pride with their young children made me happy-cry, knowing that if those little kids grew up queer, their parents’ attendance of this event signified that they would offer their support, if needed. The other part of me is summed up pretty well by Twitter user @meakodpa’s semi-viral tweet: “the queers who were nice/patient/gentle all got shot or bullied to death and all that’s left r me & the other p****doff cockroach motherf*****s”. The only solution that I can give with any certainty is: straight folks, if you do go to Pride, go with your queer friends, and support them. I can promise you that a patient and respectful ear, and your love, will mean the world to them.

Image: Rhododendrites

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LGBT sandwich

Neha Shaji Contributor

Y brother sent me a message saying that “Marks and Spencer’s threw the first overpriced sandwich at Stonewall, a true ally.” He was referring, of course, to the M&S sandwich introduced recently, the LGBT – which stood for Lettuce, Guacamole, Bacon, and Tomato. The sandwich seems as wet as the rainbow capitalism implies it to be: the guacamole added to a BLT would make the bread soggy, leading to either a messy eating experience or the whole delicate corporate construction falling apart. The guacamole was evidently shoehorned in to add to the title. Much like the sandwich itself, it represents the

hasty addition of a product to pander to public interest, disregarding the negative impact caused by the action. Which is, let me just say, far more than a piece of soggy bread. Rainbow capitalism infects these months in a way I have not seen with other groups, and it is often done in the most insidious manner. The LGBT community cannot be equated to a sandwich, and it bodes only ill for what companies could come up with in the future. Black History Baguette? Stand Up To Racism Salad? Feminist French Toast? The equation of a community to a product is both insulting and unnecessary: if M&S had wanted to be an ally in Pride month, they could have put up a statement rather than rename a hastily constructed sandwich. Good intentions are all fine and dandy, but making a mockery out of the

queer community really shouldn’t be waved off under “but they meant well”. This sandwich may have been made to raise public interest and with good reason; yet it also makes the community a target for ridicule. Everyone has seen fedora clad mother-boys with a startling lack of chin snort excitedly after typing the words “I identify as a Toyota” or “my sexuality is bacon lol”. Was it incredibly difficult for Marks and Spencer’s to make a statement without pandering to the alt-right tendency to name random foodstuffs and call it their gender in order to make a farce out of trans or non-binary identities? Good intentions cannot outweigh impact. It’s not going to cost M&S, or other companies, much to put some guacamole in a BLT and put a rainbow on the packaging. What may cost them

some ardent ancient sandwich-buyers and UKIP-voting jam tasters would be to publicly lobby for LGBT rights, for schools to teach queer history, and for tangible change in the lived queer experience. M&S have a store in Brunei, where the punishment for “sodomy” is death by stoning, and several stores in Malaysia where two women found being intimate in a car were caned before a courtroom audience. Will they introduce this sandwich there? Or close down those stores? It seems companies are willing to slap rainbow stickers on products in the US and UK, whilst still wishing to keep the homophobic sandwich fans by not “going too far” with their branding. It’s easy to defend this decision by referring to LGBT identifying folk who make memes about the sandwich, and say it creates humour.

However, humour from the community is not the same as a corporate entity appropriating this into a product. I can say my bisexual self will spread bisexual butter and queer Quorn on my bisexual baguette. I’m not, however, a multinational corporation with stores in countries where homosexuality is punishable by execution. Image: city foodsters / flixr

COMMENT

22 MAY 2019 | EXEPOSÉ

My life with PTSD Isabelle Gray Editor

HEN people ask me for anecdotes from my childhood, or things I did, or even what I was like, I find it hard to recall. A massive chunk of my life has become discoloured, hazy. In November of last year, I was diagnosed with PTSD. I’d have periods of anxiety and depression, with no real diagnosis, and one day I put two and two together and realised it could be PTSD, my mind coping with events that occurred since I was a mere seven years old, or even earlier, to about sixteen.

A massive chunk of my life has become discoloured This isn’t about what happened but the aftermath, and my experience of being diagnosed with PTSD at university, about 12 years too late. I’ll start with my first port of call: the Student Health Centre, whose experience dealing with mental health issues was exhibited via the help and support they gave me. The doctor I went to was lovely, engaged, and mainly she believed me. She took my concerns seriously and we worked together through our discussion. She agreed immediately that it sounded like it was PTSD I was experiencing, noting my symptoms of flashbacks, nightmares, dissociation and general struggles with low mood and anxiety. Although hearing my suspicions were, in fact, valid was scary and overwhelming. Despite PTSD being a serious disorder with a fundamentally concerning lack of representation compared to other mental illnesses, the diagnosis made me feel liberated. Finally, I felt like I understood myself, and I could work to managing my symptoms. So many things were beginning to make more sense, and the puzzle pieces of my childhood were coming together: my familiarity with social services, police greeting me when I went to get breakfast, regular hospital visits… these moments were, I was beginning to realise, not those of normal childhoods, and remained structured around secrecy. Being at university with a mental illness is never easy, but with PTSD, it has its own strangeness, because a lot of the time explaining your trauma, for obvious reasons, only ignites grief, panic and what feels like setbacks. PTSD is more than just chemical, or even psychological; it lives in you. More so, its something that must be unlearned: teaching your mind and

body that a trauma is not going to repeat itself every time you are in a similar situation. For example, you are not going to have an accident every time you get into a car, not everyone you let close to you will betray you, not every one of authority is someone to fear. It’s a hard thing to grasp and understand if you haven’t been through it. Particularly amongst our generation, it’s often associated with the armed forces. A lot of the time it’s much easier just to say you suffer from anxiety. But it is so much more than that: it’s specific, it’s exhausting. It’s ironic how something you’d rather forget can pop up in so many aspects of your life all the time. It can be particularly challenging at university, where often I’ve felt moments of panic in certain lecture theatres or other social situations. Sleep can also be a big problem for me. A lot of my experience with flashbacks comes just before I am going to sleep, and of course, the nightmares. To be totally honest, I can’t remember the last time I’ve gone to sleep without having a nightmare. As a result, I’m now an incredibly light and jumpy sleeper, so if you know me, that’s one of the reasons you have probably seen me nap on campus before. Funnily enough, I don’t think any of my friends here know about my diagnosis, primarily because as I’ve mentioned it can be hard to discuss.. It was only when talking to a friend about their own experience with PTSD did I decide to embrace it a little more.

around you can suddenly no longer be there, whether it be death or otherwise. I even get myself into habits of finding goodbyes a really big deal, wanting my last interactions with people to be satisfying, just in case. That is the power of PTSD: once it’s there, it feels impossible to get rid of.

Once it’s there, it feels impossible to get rid of A lot of my PTSD surrounds sudden change, so of course, the difficult adjustment to university life felt worsened. Unfortunately, this hasn’t been the only time PTSD has permeated its way into me dealing with change. When I had this personal situation happen to me, which was a very sudden change and something incredibly challenging, it was only made worse by the fact that it happened to be deadline season. One person I spoke to who also suffers from PTSD described her experience in general to be extremely difficult at times, where her PTSD has caused an aversion to hospitals, and how at university specifically she

Explaining your trauma can only ignite more panic Additionally, finding someone who has faced the same illness has only made me understand my own more, as each person’s experience is so different. People always say how mental illnesses do not discriminate, and this couldn’t be truer for PTSD. The range of stories I’ve come across in search for comfort or sense of unity was remarkable. It’s taught me the fragility of things and how quickly things can go astray. Moreover, how normal things can suddenly become a major trigger of anxiety. A person can go from driving to work every day and it only takes one minor accident for them to never set foot in the driver’s seat again. From people I’ve spoken to and my personal experience, an acute awareness of death seems to be common. Whether that be the fear of the possibility of being able to die at any point, or those you love. Personally, I really struggle with the idea that those

struggled to get to her lectures and seminars sometimes, “and even getting out of bed at all”. I remember the doctor urging me to apply for accessibility extensions in case I was to need it, which I brushed off because I felt I didn’t want to make excuses for myself. However, I couldn’t be more grateful that I did, as that extra week to do each essay was a lifesaver. At that point, due to unrelated circumstances I was in an incredibly anxious mental state and pretty much laid on my sofa for a week, so anxious

I barely ate the whole time. Already being dyslexic, it’s difficult to add another thing to your ILP. It can often feel like a list of your weaknesses, but it’s important to remember some things are out of your control. I have no idea why I’m dyslexic, but it’s certainly not through a lack of dedication to reading: if anything, that was my main route of escape as a child. And of course, the trauma is never going to be the fault of the victim. Most of the time, the reason it feels like a weakness is because there is simply not the support and representation around to prove that it is simply a circumstance, not a signifier of your worth or ability. And so, the limitations the illness can bring you can hit you randomly, and sadly the access to support is often limited to a mere essay extension.

Emotional trauma is not a signifier of your worth or ability I used up my six weeks at the wellbeing services and my options for counselling are scarce. Wellbeing recommended a private counselling service that charge up to ‘only’ £20 a session, which is of course extortionate. I signed myself up for the waiting list out of sheer curiosity, and six months later I have heard nothing, which is impressive for a private service. Even if I do finally get that call, I won’t be able to afford it in the long term, so sometimes the future with living with this illness feels scary. Upon writing this article I was curious to see if I could find some comments from other students who Image: Isabelle Gray have dealt with PTSD at university. I was astounded by how quickly I was able to find people willing to speak out, as honestly, I was expecting to get no responses at all. Having PTSD has felt incredibly lonely and came with a lot of shame. I myself was so hesitant in writing this article at all, but if I had seen an article like this a year ago, maybe I would have got a diagnosis sooner. PTSD can be an extremely isolating disorder. This can also manifest in socialising and your relationships, which is obviously a major part of uni-

versity life. Another student I spoke with went into this, where she felt she struggled with maintaining and growing new associations and relationships with people, especially men. As I mentioned, trauma can pervade many aspects of your life, sometimes in ways that you wouldn’t even aspect. As a result, you become extremely aware of yourself, and start to doubt what is the PTSD and what is you. PTSD was described by another person offering their perspective that they developed “intense anxiety about my own abilities and became incredibly paranoid about how I was perceived by others. That social obsession manifested itself in some incredibly volatile relationships, and there were many days that year when I would simply spend the entire day in bed.” I think obsession is a key here, because often trauma is something that takes years and years to fully grasp and comes to terms with, so it can be difficult to turn that anxiety off sometimes.

Having PTSD came with a lot of shame I’ve mentioned my anxiety in publishing this piece, as my PTSD is something I’ve pretty much kept to myself. And although I’m speaking about this in a incredibly public platform, revealing my vulnerabilities, I don’t plan on becoming a poster person for PTSD. Because I think that’s the very point of PTSD, it is completely individual to the person. PTSD is not just exclusive to the armed forces, it’s what anyone and everyone can suffer with. Although PTSD makes you want to fear the world and all the risks and hurdles that come with it, I don’t plan on letting it control me like that, like I don’t plan on letting it come to a forefront of my identity. People often say that you are the total sum of your experiences, and whilst I think that’s holds truth in some ways, I don’t think it’s fair to allow trauma that much of a presence. Sometimes the things that happen to you are just that, and don’t deserve any more attention. I’m not who I am because of my trauma, I am who I am, despite of it.

É If these issues affect you, you can get in touch with: Samaritans: Call 116 123 or visit www.samaritans.org D&A: https://www.dpt.nhs.uk Wellbeing Services: exeter.ac.uk/wellbeing Student Health Centre

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SCIENCE

Grow a brain

Megan Davies, Editor, explores the exciting and accidental discovery of growing miniature human brains

OW do you make a minibrain? Methods vary, but you want to start with some human pluripotent stem cells, stem cells that can split into multiple cells when you put them in the right environment– for some other organs, you can use adult stem cells too– and let them multiply. This means that you could take cells from your arm. Unlike in the past, when you had to form two-dimensional chains of cells, scientists have started raising stem cells freefloating in broth, where they aggregate and grow. They will start to form tiny balls,

which you can look at through a microscope, and

see…

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a teeny tiny brain! (roughly the size of a 14-week-old foetus’ brain) How do you maintain a brain without a body? Instead of blood, you give it oxygen, either via broth or by cutting them up and letting them multiply again. These miniature brains are called organoids. Researchers have been using them to replicate human organs; we can’t produce full organs this way, and they lack

Each mini brain is roughly the size of a 14-week old foetus' brain certain impor tant components, but lentils i z e d organoids c a n help understand organs’

structures. Indeed, where they aren’t researching brains, scientists have been building tiny organs of all sorts: kidneys, lungs… Using organoids is simply easier than invasively dissecting a human and could help us understand diseases such as Epilepsy or Alzheimer’s, or, some imag-

It's helped us to figure out how Zika infections work. ine, to help regenerate damaged organs. Brain organoids have already been used to re-

Organoids lack important elements that would allow them to grow more a rare illness linked to heart issues, malformations, Autism spectrum disorders. It is caused by an overactive calcium ion channel: organoids have allowed scientists to experiment with drugs that block this channel. It’s helped us figure out how 'Zika' viral infections work, and to find several

pounds that can block were tested, in a first dimensions, and then tested in a 3D on orA n use or-

infection. Those instance, in two a selection was environment, ganoids. other for ga-

noid brains sembling m i n i

is asmodels of brains.

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drugs for 'Timothy Syndrome',

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LIKE OUR FACEBOOK PAGE Rachel Jones discusses concerns /EXEPOSEEXHIBIT

F you asked the ‘archetypal’ university student what is their favourite type of alcohol, the response would be A LOT (and for a reasonable price, naturally). Yes, it is undeniably true that alcohol plays a big role in many student’s social lives, whether it be that glass of wine at the end of the day, that one quiet pint (or maybe a few) down your local with some mates or letting loose and ordering that tray of shots on a night out. Apart from the risk of waking up to a rough hangover the following morning, how dangerous can it be? According to a paper published recently in the Lancet medical journal, drinking more than the daily UK recommended limit could shorten your life expectancy.

One unit of alcohol shaves 15 minutes off a person's life So, the first question to ask is just how much alcohol is too much? Ashamedly, I had to do a quick google search to find the recommended UK drinking limits and found that they currently stand at 14 units of alcohol a week for both men and women, ideally spread over three or more days. This roughly equates to be 6 glasses of wine (175ml), 6 pints of beer or 14

shots

(25ml). The aim of this international study was to help bring about a global consensus on the threshold for the low risk limits of alcohol consumption that currently vary substantially across nations. The research consisted of 83 studies across 19 countries analysing the drinking habits of 600,000 participants. The ages, sex, diabetes status, smoking habits and other factors of relating to cardiovascular disease of the participants were also considered. It was found that over half of the participants were consuming more than the recommended weekly limit of 100 g (5-6 glasses of wine) of alcohol whilst a shocking 8.4% were drinking more than 350 grams per week! Calculations from the study suggested that a 40-year old person

cigarette. The main outcome from the research is that drinking more than the recommended amount does increase the risk of developing several cardiovascular diseases and by drinking less alcohol it can help us to live longer. However, there is a little good news. No evidence was found that suggested an increased risk of death for light drinkers (drinking below 100g per week). This means that the research doesn’t challenge

drinking 4 units of alcohol above the daily limit, for instance drinking three glasses of wine a night, could lose one to two years off their average life expectancy.This equates to each extra unit of alcohol shaving 15 minutes of a person's life, on par with smoking a

The UK drinking limit is 14 units per week the claim that drinking a ‘little’ alcohol does lower the risk of heart attacks. Angela Wood from the University

of Cambridge and lead author of the paper has said that ‘despite it (alcohol consumption) being associated with a slightly lower risk of non-fatal heart attacks, this must also be balanced against the higher risk of several – and potentially fatal - cardiovascular diseases’. The findings of the study support the new UK guidelines on alcohol consumption and go further to suggest that other countries, including Italy, Portugal and the USA (who advocate a higher drinking limit for men), should seriously consider lowering their recommendations. The authors also wanted to stress the fact that guide-

Guidelines should be a threshold and not a limit for alcohol consumption lines should act as a threshold and not as a target for alcohol consumption. Personally, I think the idea that alcohol is beneficial for our overall health sounds too good to be true. The results of this research should be considered seriously by all nations and inspire support for increased education about the impacts of our sometimes-excessive alcohol consumption. That being said, will it stop me from

22 MAY 2019 | EXEPOSÉ

Features

FEATURES EDITORS: Jaysim Hanspal William Harrop

Facebook boots out the alt-right

Josh Brown, Sports Editor, discusses Facebook’s decision to ban alt-right figures

ACEBOOK, and its affiliated social media platforms, have taken the first steps in combating extremism online, with Milo Yiannopoulos, Alex Jones and Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, better known through his public alias Tommy Robinson, all being permanently banned for “repeatedly breaking policies on hate speech”. Members of the organisation that Yaxley-Lennon founded, the English Defence League, have also been banned.

These groups are capable of spreading dangerous messages

It’s ultimately unsurprising, given the myriad of warnings Facebook issued Yaxley-Lennon in particular, but nonetheless is a positive step in de-platforming extremists with violent beliefs online, where communities foster around such radically beliefs far easier since the geographical barrier to assembly simply doesn’t exist.

The reactive far-right that the likes of Jones and Yiannopoulos have had no small role in cultivating is dangerous online because of how it operates. By preying on natural emotive responses to atrocities, organisations like Britain First have been able to propagate an agenda totally inimical to a humane response to crisis. In moments of total atrocity, when the nation’s in shock, the far-right are guilty of using individual moments of utter lunacy to attempt to justify a universal doctrine of hatred towards minority communities. The Facebook posts are not isolated, either; it’s hardly as if Britain First used their social media platforms purely to preach to their own twisted choir. With the ease at which posts are shared online, multiplying their potential viewership by a factor of several hundred, these organisations are capable of spreading messages with far-reaching, dangerous consequences. That Facebook has finally started taking genuine, not token, measures to ensure its domains remain free of radical preachers can only be a good thing.

Yaxley-Lennon, on his personal website, argues that “we have to fight this censorship”. However, in doing so, he fundamentally misunderstands the nature of his ban. Social media platforms must have community guidelines and they must be in a place to punish those who break them. There’s no ‘censorship’ going on, there’s no deep story that’s being hidden from public eyes. There’s simply a dangerous man with a dangerous message being prevented from radicalising people online.

Facebook taking these measures is a step in the right direction

Tom Watson, Shadow Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport has stated his desire for an “independent social media regulator, with teeth”, since leaving these sites to self-regulate has left Yaxley-Lennon and his ilk with an online presence

for far longer than many of us are comfortable with. Quite how this would be established is unclear, but such a regulator would doubtless ensure that other forms of social media follow in Facebook’s footsteps. Twitter has been more proactive, banning Yaxley-Lennon in March 2018, but it’s taken over a year for Facebook (and through it, Instagram) to follow suit.

It’s taken over a year for Facebook to follow Twitter’s example

and undermine society” – seems a reasonable place to conclude. Watson hits the nail on the head here. The fallacy that fascism, right-wing extremism and the like can be defeated in some ‘marketplace of ideas’ is inherently wrong since it justifies their existence and treats them as ideologies with at least semi-rational grounding. They are not. In the words of comedian Aamer Rahman: “I would like to defeat Nazis on planet Earth first, then after we eradicate them here, you can fight them in the marketplace of ideas, f*cking Narnia, Mordor or any other imaginary realm”.

The rest of Watson’s statement – that “the public interest demands an end to laissez-faire regulation, so we can create a place where reasonable debate can take place without trolls, extremists and racist thugs seeking to damage Image: Shayan Barjesteh van Waalwijk van Doorn

On Her Majesty’s secret sur-fish

Emma Hussain, Online News Editor, recounts the history of animals in warfare

Earlier this month, a beluga whale with a St Petersburg-marked harness appeared in Norway, suspected of being a Russian spy. The history of animals instrumentalised for warfare is long, varied, and sometimes cruel. The Imperial War Museum website states that over 16 million animals served in the First World

mascots’ who boosted morale for soldiers living in anguished circumstances. This role was, in fact, nothing new for dogs – as early as 1000B.C., Babylonian and Assyrian troops employed military dogs in combat. Somewhat surprisingly, dolphins were militarised by both the US and Soviet armies, being trained to locate underwater mines and release buoys at the surface to reveal their position. The US Navy claims that during the Iraq War, over 100 mines in the port of UmmQasqr were uncovered this way, and the Marine Mammal Programme is ongoing to this day. On the micro-scale, even bees e: Isaac Kohane

Recently, a beluga whale has been suspected of being a Russian spy

War alone. Some of the more wellknown cases include carrier pigeons relaying messages, canaries detecting poisonous gases, and cavalry horses for mounted troops. But animals have been utilised for military purposes in other unexpected ways. In 1914, Battersea Dogs Home received a request for a number of dogs to be recruited into a specialist canine brigade. They would go on to serve crucial roles carrying messages between units, lugging cargo, and sniffing out buried mines to find the way to safe ground. They often became beloved by their human counterparts, known as ‘military

Imag

N the north-east corner of Hyde Park in London, just off a busy road where thousands of commuters and tourists pass every day, is a grand yet easily missed monument. Like war memorials across the country, it recognises those who have given their lives for Britain. What sets it apart from other monuments is that it is the only one in the UK specifically commemorating animals in war.

have been employed in warfare both in ancient and more contemporary history. The ancient Greeks and Romans would occasionally catapult hives over the walls of besieged towns, distracting their enemies with swarms of angry bees. In World War One, small bombs were attached to rats to run into enemy trenches. In the Vietnam War, Viet Cong soldiers would locate hives and set off fireworks nearby when enemy soldiers approached, replicating the technique of swarming enemies with the aggravated insects.

Weapons of all descriptions have been trialled through animal testing Controversially, many countries including the UK have carried out covert animal testing for military research. Remember BBC Sherlock’s ‘The Hounds of Baskerville’, reimagining the classic story

in the military labs of Porton Down? The classified nature of defence information means we can’t be sure what testing is still being performed on animals, but wildlife charities suggest that rifles, chemical & biological agents, and even bombs have gained approval for field use through cruel animal testing. Recently, there has been a growing movement to commemorate the sacrifices of military animals. Numerous books have been published on the subject, notably by author Michael Morpurgo; the stage adaptation of War Horse has been performed around the world. Biographer Grant Hayter-Menzies has written a book charting the life of Rags, a military dog who saved lives by delivering hundreds of messages during World War I. Hayter-Menzies wrote: “Although [Rags] weighed only 25 pounds, on his back he saved hundreds of husbands, fathers and sons. He should be honoured with the same flag that they all fought under.”

22 MAY 2019 | EXEPOSÉ

FEATURES

Celebrities: helpers or hypocrites? Kamila Bell, Copy Editor, assesses the impact of celebrity involvement in climate change protest

HE urgency to save our planet has increased tenfold in the first few months of this year. People have rallied together world-wide, forming protest marches that are demanding those in power do something to prevent any further deterioration to our planet. Most recently it has been celebrities on the front line of these demands for climate action that has caused growing discussion about the vital need for change. Celebrities rising to the forefront has, however, also placed a spotlight on the necessity of their roles towards promoting change, and whether they are truly a positive influence on the movement.

Leonardo DiCaprio campaigns against emissions yet owns a private jet

It appears that the younger generations have taken the initiative in the fight against climate change, seeing the many problems that loom in their future and resolving to take matters into their own hands to ensure vital changes are made. In the summer of 2018, 15 year-old Greta Thunberg took matters into her own hands, skipping school to sit outside the Swedish parliament calling for policies to be proposed to address the ever-growing issue of climate change, stressing the vitality of immediate action to be done, all of which inadvertently sounded out the global call to arms against climate change. An international movement that has reached more than seventy countries, starting with just one girl, has also seen exponential attention from various media platforms alongside that of celebrity involvement. Celebrities who have actively promoted the need for world action against climate change include Image: Sebastian Dooris

Leonardo DiCaprio. The star has taken to joining the People’s Climate March and even created his own foundation that seeks to “protect the wellbeing of all Earth’s inhabitants”. Establishing such movements, and participating in others already formed, is undoubtedly a positive stride to creating change and preventing further deterioration.

Celebrities taking an interest is better than them sitting on the sidelines

However, the often over-used but applicable phrase in this instance of 'having your cake and eating it' is brought to mind when these celebrities seem to take two steps forward and three back with their "hypocritical' actions. DiCaprio is most prominent among the guilty, pledging to completely divest from fossil fuels whilst simultaneously owning a private jet is nothing if not ironic. With this in mind it can be assessed whether having celebrity figures at the forefront of demanding climate action is actually helpful, or if it simply creates an unwanted image of hypocrisy for climate change movements. Nonetheless, the attention that celebrity presence brings with it is often positive and is modernising the scope of political messaging to reach a wider demographic of individuals across the world. Although for some the growing worldwide appreciation of climate action as essential may have grown from following in the footsteps of their idolized celebrity figures, rather than an ultimately autonomous choice, surely any appreciation at all of the growing threat that lies ahead of us is better than nothing? Recent celebrity involvement

included that of Dame Emma Thompson joining the Extinction Rebellion protests in April. Thompson joined protestors on the day plans to demonstrate at Heathrow Airport were put into action, as a part of a statement to raise awareness among passengers of the harmful effects of air-travel on the environment. Aeroplanes create a substantial amount of harmful emissions,

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including carbon dioxide, which are significant contributors to global warming.

This celebrity involvement and the attention they bring can only be positive

On average, a plane can produce just over 53 pounds of carbon dioxide per mile, and with this information in mind, the choice of Emma Thompson to fly from Los Angeles to London to join the climate change rallies was understandably called into question. Some media

platforms took to calling the Dame a “hypocrite” for actively participating in the very thing she is protesting against. However, Thompson herself has spoken against this stating “If I could fly cleanly, I would”, and it rightly should be discussed that at least she personally took part in the protests to demand the need for change, rather than apathetically sitting on the sidelines. Her presence at the Extinction Rebellion, moreover, added substantially to the attention the protests received, with her speeches getting thousands of hits on social media. Other celebrity supporters of the Extinction Rebellion included the authors Philip Pullman and Margaret Atwood, the American philosopher Noam Chomsky and the Team GB Olympic gold-medallist Etienne Scott. The rise of this celebrity participation in supporting a widely ratified movement, could be explained as just another route to gain positive publicity. Although, in this instance, that appears to be a failsafe answer of cynicism and does not properly address what may be an actual need for celebrity participation in contemporary politics. The very purpose of the Extinction Rebellion was to draw public and official attention to the state of our planet. What better way is there to do this than to bring in highprofile figures to support their cause?

The media outlets chose to label Dame Thompson a hypocrite for her involvement Dame Emma Thompson herself

stated whilst at the Extinction Rebellion “we have to be here, we have to do this. It’s inconvenient for people sometimes but its much more inconvenient to leave a planet that’s so completely destroyed”.

Celebrities have become our unelected representatives

Are individuals now more likely to promote growing socio-political issues if it involves getting behind a celebrity they admire, rather than a politician they have no interest in? It appears celebrity personalities from the big screen and YouTube, to fashion and social media have unintentionally become our unelected representatives over the world's most pressing issues. Emma Watson speaking at the United Nations about feminist issues and George Clooney's 2012 arrest for protesting against humanitarian issues in Sudan all reinforce this with the global attention they garnered for their respective causes. Although elected politicians have the most control over whether action is taken to change the current state of the Earth’s climate, it is evident that nonelected representatives are gaining increasingly influential power through their growing popularity. And with the case of demanding action be taken to prevent any further deterioration to our planet’s climate, celebrity involvement is indeed creating a positive difference of getting people engaged and invigorated in this political rally to ensure the sustainability of our planet’s future. At this stage of climate change, we need the message of immediate action to be as far reaching as possible. Celebrity involvement gives the movement the momentum and attention it so desperately needs to be a success.

Around the world in

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The LGBTQ+ community in India is visible yet often ignored

Pride parades in Russia faced homophobic attacks on multiple occasions

Hailey .M Tshuma National Union of Students exp: 09/09/19 There is hope, with Taiwan's recent movement to allow same sex marriage

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The Labour party committed to support LGBTQ+ rights due to support from the National Union of Mineworkers who voted for the party's support.

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WOOLF’S LEGACY

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A prideful event

THE END IS NIGH

the queer anthem

study break

14 -15

16 -17

18 -20

22 -23

LIFESTYLE EDITORS Anna Romanovska Izzy Cole

ARTS + LIT EDITORS Cherry-Anastasia Boroceanu Zach Mayford

MUSIC EDITORS Bryony Gooch Richard Ainslie

SCREEN EDITORS Jonathan Chern Sam Thomson

STUDY BREAK Puzzles by Alfred and Isabelle 22 MAY 2019 | EXEPOSÉ

lifestyle

Pride and me

Jasmine Priya examines what Pride means to her

OVE is love. As a bisexual woman, I see this as a fact and not an opinion. I only came out to my family around 5 months ago (yep, it was pretty much, “Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, I’m attracted to women!”) so I’m not quite used to the whole “loud and proud” attitude that comes with such celebrations. I guess it’s because neither of these words describe how I approach my sexuality.

Image: Eniko Kis

Image: @iamjiroe (Unsplash)

I’m more “confused and stressed”; growing up in a heteronormative society means that all my preconceived notions of romance and sexual attraction are still unravelling, and a part of me is still uncomfortable with what I am. Or maybe it’s more the biphobia that makes me uneasy – you know, bisexuals are greedy, we can’t be expected to be faithful in a relationship, it’s just a phase and we should just “pick one”. But I can’t deny it any longer, despite the safety and warmth of the closet. As the Pride parades march on, I walk quietly by and try not to wear anything too bright and colourful, but I can’t help smiling when I see babies wearing rainbow t-shirts, faces covered in glitter and flags floating openly in the breeze. The lack of repression of this event, which is highly antithetical to my own nature, is quite empowering. I am bisexual, and I guess I am proud of myself for being able to say this. I am proud to live in a society that can celebrate individuality, freedom of choice and tolerance of this community. Our community…I’ve changed so much since I discovered my bisexuality. Maybe one day I’ll have the security to march and celebrate Pride to the fullest, and you know I’ll be waving a huge pink, purple and blue flag.

Image: Sharon McCuthceon

A proud review Erica Barnes reflects on Exeter's Pride Festival

XETER Pride is a fiercely local affair. The the other events that were running; many alterparade showcased representatives from native events, such as ‘trans-life drawing’ and the local councils, charities, and emergency gender diversity panels were ineffectively proservices. In fact, the largest float was the Dogs' moted for an event with such a high transgenTrust dog. Perhaps students expecting the scale der and genderqueer turnout. of London or Birmingham were disapSpectrum (Exeter’s LGBTQ choir) pointed, but for myself and other and Sound of Sirens gave quality rural queer attendees it was performances. At the centre not to be taken for granted. was drag queen Ambiguous Stonewall’s Rainbow Laces A —“the world’s #1 halfcampaign has been runGreek-half-Jew-accountning for years now; I’m ant-drag-act”, according to sure the large rugby playher Instagram. Her musical ers in glittery shorts and parodies were an applaudbear flags in the parade able level of shocking innuwere the perfect visualisation endo (passionate about “sauof progress. sage”) and dazzling humour. Image:Tristan Billet (Unsplash) By its very nature, a Pride’s This encapsulates Exeter Pride. It strength lies within its accessibility. remained political, backed by Unions. Amongst outrage over seventy pound tickets The first Pride was a riot, after all. Ambiguous A for Manchester this year, the free daytime admit- celebrated stigmatised sexual acts on the main tance to Northernhay Gardens was commend- stage with a delicious boldness. Radical, but able (evening admittance was a whopping five approachable — radically friendly. I watched a to ten pounds). Numerous stalls were queer toddler, monitored closely by one of his fathers, owned small businesses or charities. Perhaps it dance alongside a glowing middle-aged Roller is worth a lower profile event to avoid exclusion- Derby skater. This is how I would rate my experiary rainbow capitalism. It’s hard to keep track of ence — sweet, slightly clumsy, and glittery.

The ride to pride

Anna Romanovska, Lifestyle Editor, looks at the relationship between commercialisation and Pride

N 11 May, Exeter welcomed its 11th annual Pride festival, celebrating acceptance of the LGBTQ+ community. However, Pride festivals were not always the cheery celebrations we see today. Its roots can be found within the ‘Annual Reminders,’ started on the 4 July 1965 in an attempt to raise awareness of the fact that LGBTQ+ members did not hold the same, basic civil rights protections as straight, cisgendered people.

SPONSORSHIP AVOIDS EXTORTIONATE ENTRANCE FEES The first Pride march, which occurred on the 28 June, 1970, was called the ‘Christopher Street Liberation Day,’ in remembrance of the Stonewall riots that had occurred just a year before. Until the 1980s, most marches associated themselves with the Liberation and Freedom of the community. These words were later changed to “Pride” as the organisation process began to be taken over by the less-radical

movements of the community. it raises money for various LGBTQ+ projects in I remember my first Pride parade, where and around Manchester, is the cost worth the corporate floats gathered on the streets of denial of entrance of low-income members Prague. I couldn’t help but wonder of the community? Do we really Image: Freddy2001 whether this was a true preswant to go in the direction of entation of their acceptseparating the commuance of the LGBTQ+ comnity on the basis of their munity, or a shameless class? I am therefore and easy advertisefaced with a bit of a diment campaign. After lemma: do I swallow all, it is rather easy for my own pride and go people to notice your for the sponsorship company if you blow of corporations, or up its name across the do I hesitantly accept side of a float. Howthe fact that entrance ever, I could play devil’s fees may be an effective advocate and say that any source of fundraising for form of sponsorship allows LGBTQ+ causes? for free access to Pride festivals Furthermore, the Pride celand truly allows for the universal inebrations seem to have become more clusion of every supporter or member of the of a trend rather than the ‘Annual Reminder’ LGBTQ+ community. Such sponsorship avoids pickets of the late 1960s. Going to a Pride fest, extortionate entrance fees as done this year by especially one in a big city, is now considered Manchester Pride, charging £64.50 for a week- the cool thing to do. Social media is flooded end ticket. Although the charge is justified as with images and stories of people at Pride,

sporting the Pride flag as a cape and covering themselves in glitter. In the light of anti-gay laws in Brunei, is it wise to make Pride a mere fashion craze? Sometimes I feel that we are so lost in the comforts of Western cultures that we forget that most nations around the world do not face the same acceptance. I am not denying that LGBTQ+ acceptance is all fine and dandy within Western spheres, the tragedy in the Pulse nightclub in Orlando was a stark wake-up call to the homophobia that is still lurking within the shadows of our society. I simply wish for a greater heterosexual and cisgender appreciation of the struggles still faced by LGBTQ+ members across the world instead of viewing Pride as an opportunity to bedazzle their Instagram feeds. Pride marches and festivals are still incredibly important in raising awareness and acceptance, but they do not come without their problems. They face scrutiny within and outside the LGBTQ+ community, a fact I was faced with when a group of activists still uncomfortable with the idea of homosexuality were restrained by the police during the 2017 Prague Pride.

exhibit

lifestyle

EDITORS: Izzy Cole and Anna Ramonovska

A recipe for change

22 MAY 2019 |

Anne Chafer critiques Marks & Spencer's decision to make Percy Pigs fully vegetarian

HAD no idea that gummy sweets were so important to British culture, let alone that they could be on national news, but then again, I didn’t realise how much of a temple Marks and Spencer is to the British citizen until a while after I moved to the United Kingdom. I guess it makes sense, given the context, that the company swapping their animal-derived gelatin with pea protein and starches unsettled many. If we got so heated about a vegan sausage roll, what is to expected from such a drastic change in the recipe of this “delicacy”, as the BBC themselves say? Because, of course, the new Percy Pigs sweets aren't going to be too different from the originals… except that gelatin, the ingredient that is going to be missing from now on, is “odorless, flavourless and clear”, again quoting the BBC, who obviously have quickly reported on this public outrage as one of the main media outlets of the nation.

I DIDN'T REALISE HOW MUCH OF A TEMPLE M & S IS TO THE BRITISH CITIZEN Is such a small change really going to be so detrimental? Of course not. The question here is not how vegetarian or vegan alternatives compare to the original recipes. The main problem

with all the articles covering the altered recipe new vegan options to their menu in certain is that a decision like this one shouldn’t even European countries, as well as improving the be news in the first place. Listen, we should not recipe of their vegetarian burger, which can be even be paying attention to things like these. made suitable for vegans as well. And it is unWhy pay a journalist to write a Buzzfeed-style derstandable that with the imminent climate piece on an annoyed middle-aged man crisis that we are finally acknowlwho took to Twitter to complain edging at a global level, the about some sweets? There demand for food that will always be sensationis more ethically alists that will want to produced and enmake a big deal out vironmentally of the tiniest of friendly (althings (I’m lookthough these ing at you, Piers). are quesThank you, next. tionable There seems terms when to be a growing applied to viral phenommultinaenon of white, tional fast middle-class, food chains) middle-aged omhas grown. nivorous people getBut the funting alarmed when a niest thing is that company expands their it is only when exoptions to include more plicitly publicised that Image: frankie cordoba / Unsplash environmentally-friendly and we see public criticism of plant-based products (latest exama brand’s vegetarian and vegan ples being Subway and Greggs in particular). products. When Marks & Spencer made their What’s hilarious about this trend is how it has vegetarian version of their Percy Pigs in 2011, been driving the sales of those specific prodwith beeswax and pea protein, no one batted ucts upwards: McDonalds has recently added an eyelid, probably because it was not meant

The perfect pancake

Amy Butterworth, Online Lifestyle Editor, shares her first date antics

ANCAKE Day isn’t the strangest day to arrange a first date. In fact, for me and the date in question, it was the most appropriate day we could have chosen, seeing as a large majority of our conversations centred around breakfast foods. This all likely stemmed from an intriguing photo of me sensually embracing a toaster (remember this, it will return later!). Another oddity was the weather; torrential rain and alarming yellow-weather-warnImage: StockSnap / ing winds don’t tend Pixabay to bode well. We put the weather behind us as 2-for-1 cocktails warmed us from the inside out, helping us to ignore the chill of our rain-sodden trousers. The guy was cute, the chat was good, however, I only had one thing on my mind: “it has been Pancake Day for 21 hours and I am yet to have eaten a single pancake”. An internal

countdown was running in my head: every tangent and new topic brought up by my date was one less pancake that I could be eating. And thus, I had a quest. On the walk back we attempted to share an umbrella, but the wind forced us to ditch it and walk hand in hand with windswept hair, not allowing the rain to dampen our (my) invigoration for pancakes. But with 40 minutes until Pancake Day was officially over, we immediately got baking. They were obviously a disaster neither thick enough to be American style, nor thin enough to be crepes. He blamed the olive oil, I blamed the fact that the meticulousness required for baking isn’t ideal when tipsy. We ended up knocking on all of my housemate’s doors and offering them a disappointing pancake. Thankfully for breakfast the morning after he decided against pancakes and opted for toast.

to replace the original product. Suddenly, when a plant-based product is the only version of something one knows, it’s all different. And yes, maybe if supermarkets started selling meat alternatives only instead of steaks all of a sudden, many people would feel attacked - but the change in these sweets is not anything one could even taste. Now, if you ask me what I think about Marks and Spencer’s actual decision, let me tell you all that I might be biased by my position as a vegan and my general distaste for things that have been made with infused animal bones, but I honestly don’t think removing gelatin is that bad. What’s the worst that could happen? Less carbon emissions? Wait, I think I need a breather. How different can sweets be?

IS SUCH A SMALL CHANGE REALLY GOING TO BE DETRIMENTAL? After all, they’re mostly sugar. Why do we keep clinging onto outdated traditions just for the sake of being stubborn? It’s not like plant-based foods seems to be a rising trend amongst new generations. It’s not like it could help slow down climate change. It’s no big deal. Or is it?

It's not me, it's you

Exeposé Lifestyle Writer reveals her disaster date experience

O I love a good date… just apart from this one. What went from a promising start to a fun day ended abruptly to a swift exit and a blocked number. It all stemmed from an encounter on Tinder, tragic I know, but meeting boys in the flesh seems to be a thing of the past nowadays unless it’s in a seedy club. After a few weeks of messaging, he decided to ask me on a date and since I had nothing better to do, I took him up on his offer. We deliberated what to do and where to go on our date for a solid hour by text and decided it would simply be easier to go to his house because he lived about ten minutes away. At this point I should have known this was a risky decision, though the fact we shared mutual friends made it slightly more acceptable. We had arranged to make dinner together and watch a film after, which when organising it, sounded like a nice idea. When I arrived, I was pleasantly surprised: good looking and good dress sense, I was full of optimism – that was until I went inside. As we went inside, we were having a conversation about pets in which he told me he owned two rabbits which he allowed

to live indoors and stroll around the house. That’s when I knew it was about to get weird. I asked him 'is it not unhygienic to let your rabbits roam around your house?'. At this point we were standing by the cages the rabbits slept in at night. He replied ‘no, I clean them out every two days’, but he then decided to demonstrate the cleanliness of his rabbits by scooping up a handful of their droppings and chucking them in my face. I was mortified. Did that really just happen? Whilst he found this hilarious, I didn’t have quite the same reaction. At this point I knew the date couldn’t continue so I made the excuse of getting my phone charger from my car and I made a swift exit. I vowed never ever to go on a Tinder date ever again. Image: Marcelo Chagas / pexels

arts + lit

The art of happiness Cherry-Anastasia Boroceanu, Arts + Lit Editor, caught up with Dr Gabriele Galluzzo to discuss ancient writings

R Gabriele Galluzzo, together with Exeter University of the Third Age held a public engagement event on the 30th April on ‘Happiness in Antiquity’. Having done extensive researches throughout his academic career on ancient philosophy, especially with his great admiration towards Aristotle, Dr Galluzzo shared his findings on ancient ethics and happiness to both students and the previous generations outside the university. He has been inspired by the ancient views about happiness, the contrast with the modern definition and hopes that the attendees will not only be thought-provoked but also potentially have an impact on the way they see their own lives. In the event, Dr Galluzzo constantly stressed the tremendous difference in the definition of happiness. Our modern-day definition for happiness may simply be passing exams with flying colours or getting a new phone, in which Dr Galluzzo categorises them as ‘momental and short-term happiness’, whilst the ancient definition treats happiness as a long-term and end goal in life. Talking about how Stoics and Epicureans achieve happiness and living a good life, although their end goal remains the same, as said by Dr Galluzzo, their means of achieving it are like ‘meat and vegetables’, vastly different. Stoics, like the

Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius, believed that ‘Happiness is the exercise and possession of virtues’. Stoics often wrote about ways to acquire happiness and their recipe towards it is through character building, meaning one should develop a character that allows us to respond correctly to all morally relevant circumstances. Unlike the Stoics, Epicureans believe the way to achieve happiness is by

HAPPINESS IS THE EXERCISE AND POSSESSION OF VIRTUES maximising pleasure and avoiding pain thus leading us to tranquillity, a crucial part of happiness. After the event, I got the chance to have a chat with Dr Galluzzo to understand more on the ancient pursuit of happiness from the writings of ancient philosophers. Q: Why is happiness such a big pursuit back in ancient times? A: For the ancients, happiness is, in a way, a life project. It is about living a certain kind of life that will allow and guide you to be good always, and naturally. An analogy would be an excellent tennis player, playing tennis not

because they have to, but because it comes naturally to them. It is seen as a way of living, different from our current emphasis on the feeling of happiness, but they understand happiness as a long term pursuit in life. I believe is very interesting to look into. Q: From your research and findings, do you see any key differences in the way Roman and Greeks portray happiness in their philosophy and writings? A: There is no great difference in their doctrine but rather a consequential relationship between them. Most of the Roman philosophy comes from Greek philosophy. In short, the Greeks are more theoretical and the Romans are more interested in applied ethics. Examples of Roman philosophers are Seneca, Marcus Aurelius or even Epictetus and they are much more interested in how you become a good person. For instance, in the notion of progress and progression - how do you improve? It is not about the general abstract theories that justify a certain ethical view but more on how you can concretely take the necessary steps to fulfil the pursuit of happiness. Q: Marcus Aurelius once talked about the relationship between art and happiness. In your point of view, how do you think they are related? A: Many Greek and Roman philosophers,

certainly the Stoics, but also the Socratic, Platonic and Aristotelian tradition, they all believe that art is a good model for acquiring the skills that we need to pursue happiness. What the ancients mean by art is closely related to the word ‘expertise’. We live in a society that is post-romantic, thus we often related art as the product of genius. However, that’s not how the ancients see it. They see art as a form of expertise, or the Greek word ‘teknia’, meaning technique. Happiness is, therefore, the result of acquiring a certain set of skills. Ultimately, the skills will become part of your personality, building and forming your character. Happiness is a form of art, an expertise, a way of living that is comparable to other forms of skills, including artistic skills. Image: Jastrow

The new word order Harry Caton, Online Editor, looks into the newly coined words

N March of this year, the Oxford English Dictionary added 650 new words. These ranged from the fantastical-mundane ‘energy vampire’; to the pop-cultural, in the hasty, practical descriptor of ‘MacGyvered’; to the usual glut of queasy portmanteaus, ranging from ‘dorgi’ (dachshund/corgihybrid) to ‘cannabusiness’ (cannabis business). Words are chosen based on their prolonged existence in the cultural consciousness. However, if the neologism is so contingent on its value in the public eye, it’s worth interrogating how this gaze is cast about. The governing principle here is the Western association. Words may be added to highlight some continued trend – take 2016’s addition of ‘Brexit’, or 2017’s ‘youthquake’. The assumption, perhaps, is that they can capture a hopefully lasting sort

of cultural relevancy. But this relevancy is governed by a tacit, historicist elitism – only words that reside in an English/American cultural consciousness make the cut. As with any language, the firm edges governed in the dictionary are inevitably frayed by multilingualism. India, the secondlargest English-speaking country, has 125 million speakers. However, few new words derive from Indian English – in 2017, of the over 150,000 words in the dictionary, only 900 were Indian English. Added this year was ‘chuddies’, a term popularised only due to the 90s Britcom Goodness Gracious Me. The Oxford English Dictionary here remains assuredly English. Western linguistic history and cultural consciousness is prioritised over larger populations, with histories just as long. Though there may be greater

preponderances of English-speakers elsewhere, the West is still taken to carry the torch of intellect. Countries with a past saturated in British colonialism deserve more than lip service. Where are the ‘chaivinists’ (chai-lovers), ‘wouldbes’ (fiancés), or ‘stadiums’ (balding men) rendered so colourfully in Hinglish (HindiEnglish)?

THE SIMPLE QUESTION IS BY WHAT MEANS DO WE DEFINE ENGLISH? This focus on a historical linguistic consciousness diminishes the rapid progress and popularity of language elsewhere. Hinglish has lasted at least as long as the colonial period, and yet is still

underrepresented. Though steps have been made, it’s worth keeping India’s 125 million speakers in mind. That’s near-double the population of the United Kingdom – not to mention the 94 million speakers in Pakistan, or the 90 million in the Philippines. While we whittle away our time with the additions like ‘skunked’ and ‘Aperol Spritz’, the dictionary should do more to consider its postcolonial context. The OED’s purpose is to document lasting and relevant permutations of the English language, not to become a hegemonic nothingburger.

POPULAR ARTS+LIT HASHTAG #BOOKCHAT

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arts + lit

EDITORS: Cherry-Anastasia Boroceanu and Zach Mayford

22 MAY 2019 |

Heteronormativity whomst?

Amy Butterworth, Online Lifestyle Editor, investigates Virginia Woolf and her queer legacy

E cannot read Virginia Woolf today without recognising her queer impact in deconstructing notions of heteronormativity. We see this both in her well-loved texts (Mrs Dalloway and Orlando immediately spring to mind), but also if we delve further into her personal life and her clandestine correspondence with fellow writer Vita Sackville-West. In Mrs Dalloway, a focal link between Woolf’s characters is their individual queer discourses, conjoined via a stream-of-consciousness narrative. We see this span from the titular character Clarissa and her teenage summer fling Sally as they are swept into conforming with normative femininity and heterosexuality; working class Doris Kilman and her unconscious struggle with her sexual appetite; and World War I veteran Septimus as homoerotic, suppressed guilt and grief envelops his psyche. It is important to note that all of the characters have a unified struggle; they are unable to negotiate their queerness within the constraints of society, whether this be due to the trauma of war, class struggles, or even misogynistic pseudo-sexology masked as psychoanalysis (I’m looking at you, Freud!) Thus, specifically for the women in Woolf’s work, this manifests as a “lesbian panic”, as coined by Patricia Juliana Smith, in which they are “unable or unwilling to confront or reveal

her own lesbianism or lesbian desire”. This is an important framework for reading Mrs Dalloway, as Woolf juxtaposes Clarissa’s sexually stilted marriage with her husband, epitomised by her solitary, clinically white single bed in the attic, with a retreat to the memory of sexually fulfilled lesbian orgasm. She remembers as she “quivered and felt the world come closer, swollen with some astonishing significance”.

THE URGENT DESIRE IN THEIR WORDS JUMPS OUT, BUT THERE REMAINS AN UNEASY HESITATION Lesbian desire is shrouded in mystery and metaphors in an attempt to not “reveal” too much. This corporeal, abstract, but notably shrouded language permeates into the illicit letters between Woolf and Vita Sackville-West, who had an intense decade-long affair, as they too discuss the language they use to communicate their love and sexuality. Sackville-West expresses her anxiety in articulating desire “you, with all your un-dumb letters, would never write so elementary a phrase as that; perhaps you wouldn’t even feel it… But you’d clothe it in so exquisite a phrase that it would lose a little of its reality”, to which Woolf replies: “always, always,

always I try to say what I feel”. The urgent desire in their words jumps out, but there remains an uneasy hesitation in their sexual voice.

THE UNABASHED, UNAPOLOGETIC POETRY OF FANNY CHOI This is the key problem with queer writing in the 20th century: Woolf and others didn’t yet have the cultural framework to come to a fully realised queer identity, and this translates in her literature. Lesbian sexuality was expressed from a phallogocentric discourse, as amidst Clarissa’s orgasm is the interjected assertion that “she did undoubtedly then feel what men felt”. Therefore, I want this opportunity to shine a light on modern queer writers, with my personal partiality for Asian LGBTQ+ writers. From Woolf hesitantly alluding to female orgasm, to

Comic Production Society panel WRITER’S CORNER Revision Horror Story Dan-George Boroceanu

Image: Piotr Siedlecki

VER felt surrounded or chained? Caged like a bird stripped of freedom! Once again everything was embalmed in darkness and as the shadows woke, I was desperately trying to convince myself that I still had time. That it would not steal me from the sweet delight of my dreams that night. That it would not deny me the sweet embrace of the realm I hold so dearly close to heart. Still, as I opened my eyes there it stood: staring at me for hours on end. Straight lines score through doodles in the margin, holding them in place. The academic realm yet again dribbled a question, which could fill a heart with dread while trying to interpret the meaning of the black-as-night words laying on the marble white paper. It was as if the professor held the key to the realms of the dreams and

the unabashed, unapologetic poetry of Franny Choi. In “Second Mouth”, Choi’s vagina becomes a spokesperson - she can articulate her sexuality down to its raw corporality. As “a rebel mouth / testifying from the underside”, she now has the capability to speak her truth. Her voice is impassioned, angry, provocative, but most importantly, she finally wants to be heard. No longer do queer voices need to be concealed in letters and metaphors; they have a platform and a discourse to celebrate their love, their sexuality, their voice.

Image: Christiaan Tonnin

peace, a key which he uses to keep us away from that which we most desire, to walk and sleep free of the burden of the essay. A load which would fill the room with paper and consume many guiltless pens, for the pursuit of what one may call ‘the happiness’ of achieving that one delirious grade which would let us progress further into the abyss called academia. Then we would make our last stand, good and evil thrown in the pit at each other’s throats. I remember thinking would I emerge victorious? Or will the anxiety of creating the best piece of work those blackened words allow me to, will be too much, thus making my effort be all in vain and the overall progress of my year fall after a great effort just like the city of Troy. Spines buckle and pages turn. Posters leak on the wall. Crumpled PostIts shift and rustle. Blotted inklings drift from mind to page and back again. Mugs sit on stacks of books and paper pillars lean like ancient monuments. Throughout the night, I build mosaics from the rubble. Would the words on the page prove overwhelming monsters? Despair is my new ally as I battle unwilling to accept defeat. Alas, in the end this war against revision would be mine, for nothing would keep me away from the sweet realm of dreams (probably the pub). Image: Wikicommons

music

Breaking free from convention Bryony Gooch, Music Editor, disects Battle of the Bands champions FONIEE Image: Leo Webb

to stand out’. It was just a shot to perform. Oscar: It goes with what songs worked well. ‘Pick Up the Pieces’ was one of our best covers and that style works so well so I think that’s what worked well. Aled Midha: And at that point Jon decided to learn the saxophone, probably a month into university.

N the run-up to Poltimore, Exeposé spoke to 2019's Battle of the Bands champions, FONIEE. The band is a group of freshers who came together from ExTunes Music Week and took Battle of the Bands by storm with their purely instrumental, brass -based sound. In this interview we talked about their sound, their upcoming performances, and their writing process. You recently won Battle of the Bands 2019. How do you feel? John Pang (Saxophone): We feel pretty good. Robin Wright (Saxophone): It was quite unexpected. Oscar Jinks (Bass): At the start of our rehearsals we joked that if we got to the finals we’d play ‘Parklife’ because we thought it was so unlikely we’d get there. Chris Coveney (Drums): We’re all freshers and we’ve only been practising for five months before Battle of the Bands, so we didn’t really go into it with any expectation! Robin: I think we surprised ourselves with how well we play together.

Image: Leo Webb

I expect you all have experience with more instrumental societies like Big Band. So I suppose you were able to blend your experiences with Campus Bands and Big Band? Chris: Definitely, we met during Music Week which is run by ExTunes at the start of this year. It’s very much the classical styles of music. And that’s how we met. It definitely influenced our style. Oscar: We all drew from our previous experiences as we are all multi-instrumentalists in some way. We can all look at things we played on different instruments in different groups and fuse them together. What was interesting about your band, and it was certainly a distinction between you and the other bands, was your divergence from the traditional guitar music that’s usually associated with Battle of the Bands. Was that a conscious decision? Do you think that contributed to your win in any way? Robin: It definitely made us stand out, I think. Particularly as we didn’t have a vocalist and we were more instrumental it just means you can do less conventional things. A lot of people were doing rock ballads and indie rock. We didn’t really have a set genre going into it. Chris: I think we were driven from the start. We had saxophone players which helped give us our direction. We knew we had to fit that into our style. But we’ve still got a lot of scope to change up. John: It’s interesting because we didn’t really seek out a band. We just all played an instrument and decided to form a band. Chris: I think it’s very different to the usual Battle of the Bands style but we didn’t go into it thinking ‘oh let’s pick this style specifically

Obviously, Poltimore Festival is coming up and, having won Battle of the Bands, you now get to perform there. How are you feeling about that considering it’s a bigger stage than 'Battle of the Bands'? Chris: It’s going to be huge, but I don’t know what to expect. When you put the label of ‘festival’ on it, it feels different. Robin: We’re all first years and so we’ve never been to Poltimore before and we don’t really know much about it! It’s going to be great to play a bigger set. John: It’s just exciting to play beyond the university and get more exposure. Aled: It’ll be our first proper gig too. Besides Cavern, which was quite small. How do you feel about the fact that you’ll be contributing to the local music scene? Robin: It’s quite humbling really, when you see other societies and big, established bands are also in the line-up. It’s a fantastic opportunity – I wouldn’t say we were lucky because we worked hard for Battle of the Bands, but we worked hard for this. But it’s humbling to

play alongside these bigger bands. Do you have any new music in the works? Any original songs? John: We played a couple of originals in Battle of the Bands but obviously being such a new band it was very hard to churn out as many originals as some of the other bands. So we weren’t sure how that was going to go down with the audiences. Robin: The writing, I should emphasise, has been collaborative in the sense that, while I’ve come up with a few songs, we’ve all put our own spin on it. So often I’ll have an idea for a bassline but another member will funk it up massively. John: We’ve all got the experience as well. Each of us brings something different to the song. I think that’s quite a key part of our writing style.

Editors' Picks

Images: Jagjaguwar, Arista, Juicy Fruit Recordings, Paul Hudson

Legacy! Legacy! (2019) by Jamila Woods

Love Zone (1986) by Billy Ocean

The Juice Vol. 1 (2019) by Emotional Oranges

Best in Show: Poltimore Festival, 26 May @ Poltimore House

exhibit

22 MAY 2019

EDITORS: Richard Ainslie and Bryony Gooch

music

An ode to the queer anthem

Tom Routledge discusses the history and importance of queer anthems

S we enter Pride season, many artists such as Madonna, Cher and Gaga can look forward to a spike in streams as their music is played more at parties, in clubs and at pride parades. There’s no exact formula as to what makes a gay anthem, as much of its weight comes from the reaction of the LGBTQ+ community to the song itself as well as the artist singing it. These particular songs have the ability to take a diverse group of long disenfranchised queer people and unite them into one strong familial community. Songs about empowerment, innerstrength and partying have long been a fixture of gay clubs due to how the messages, though indirect, can easily be applied to the queer experience. Hearing someone sing so freely about self-love and being yourself has the power to inspire the same feelings within the listener – these are messages which queer people have always gravitated towards and continue to need.

princess, Ariana Grande, headlining Manchester Pride. The outrage was due to a woman, who had previously not been regarded as queer, being the centre of a festival celebrating all the wonders of the LGBTQ+ community.

Alternatively, queer anthems can gain their title due to their lyrics unintentionally speaking to the queer experience – most famously, ‘Dancing On My Own’. By combining dance-inducing synth-pop with deeply emotional lyrics, Robyn appeals to multiple aspects which the LGBTQ+ community gravitate towards. The message of unrequited love and subsequent loneliness is something which almost every queer people has experienced cementing the song’s presence on almost every This, however, neglects the historic tradi- Pride playlist. tion of cisgender, heterosexual women being Recent years have seen a rise in gay anelevated by queer people and heralded as thems being penned and performed by queer gay icons. Grande is just the most recent in an people. Last year saw SOPHIE’s ‘Immaterial’, ever-growing list including Kylie, Britney and and Hayley Kiyoko’s ‘What I Need’ at the foreJanet Jackson. front of Pride pop signalling a shift Images (L to R): Caitlin Ison, Where does this in what is now expected of proacguy1, Matador Records fascination come a queer anthem. Rather than inferring a message in a song or admiring

GAGA'S SONGS WERE WRITTEN WITH QUEERNESS AT THEIR CORE

SONGS ABOUT EMPOWERMENT HAVE LONG BEEN A FIXTURE OF GAY CLUBS Although many anthems gain their reputation through their reception of the LGBTQ+ community, some queer anthems have queerness infused into their composition and creative DNA. Among the most famous anthems are ‘I’m Coming Out’ and ‘Born This Way’ which both have their roots in the gay community and its culture. Nile Rogers wrote ‘I’m Coming Out’ after seeing drag queens dressed as Diana Ross and was able to encapsulate 1980s gay liberation whilst ingraining the songs' conception in gay nightlife. Similarly, the more modern queer anthem ‘Born This Way’ can be seen as an amalgamation of Gaga’s imagery, coming at one of her career's peaks. At a time when such an intense spotlight was on her, by shining light on the LGBTQ+ community Gaga made her message and cultural purpose clear. Part of the reason these songs resonate so deeply with the queer community is that, instead of their messages being interpreted to relate to the LGBTQ+ experience, they were written with queerness at their core. Back in February, controversy arose surrounding the announcement of reigning pop Images: covermesongs; Ted Eytan; kowarski, Karl-Ludwig Poggemann

fort to change this; Sam Smith, who especially came under scrutiny for this, brought out the song 'HIM' in 2017 which used male pronouns to discuss his sexuality. Hayley Kiyoko, who is often referred to as 'Lesbian Jesus' by her fanbase, has tried to normalise lesbian relationships to combat a typically heteronormative society and music industry.

GAY ANTHEMS GAIN THEIR STATUS WITH LYRICS SPEAKING TO THE QUEER EXPERIENCE We’ll always have the queer anthems which raised us, but the increase in unapologetically queer artists suggests that in years to come, we may be looking at very different playlists to have us dancing through the night with our chosen family.

REMEMBER THIS? KATE TEMPEST Everybody Down May 2014

from and why does the subject seem to fit the same criteria? The main reason I can think of is that these women all act in a way which closeted queer people admire but also aspire to. Watching a female artist comfortably flaunt their sexuality, self-empowerment and control can inspire confidence and hope within closeted and out queer people alike. It’s as though we project our desires onto female artists and treat them as icons as a result.

traditional gay icons, these songs are all unabashedly queer, inevitably giving them a heightened level of relatability. Whilst none of these songs were smashhits, the LGBTQ+ community grasped onto them because they tell stories and discuss themes that directly apply to LGBTQ+ people. It was not that long ago that Olly Alexander pointed out that few gay popstars were willing to use male pronouns and it goes without saying that more musicians have made an ef-

Image: Big Dada Records

ATE Tempest’s 2016 album, Let Them Eat Chaos, sought to tackle the wor ries of the world, but her 2014 album is where her attention to detail really shines. An examination of modern existence through the cynical voice of the south-London poetstroke-rapper, Everybody Down is not an album to be missed. Telling the story of Becky, a fictional character who finds herself trapped in situation after situation that is all too real, Everybody Down explores themes of poverty, prostitution and isolation in the big city. Electronic beats hang like dark clouds behind Tempest’s lyrics, giving each track an incredible sense of location, allowing her words to explore character. The lyricism itself cannot go without a mention as Tempest’s lines have a looseness to them reminiscent of the musicality of the London slang which the album is so comfortable with. It’s an album about sitting still when the earth is moving; about being awake when the world is sleeping. It’s an album that seems so remarkably well-observed and socially aware that you cannot help but be addressed by it directly. Sam Thomson, Screen Editor

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music

EDITORS: Richard Ainslie and Bryony Gooch

22 MAY 2019 | 20

Hip-hoppin' across the USA Bryony Gooch, Music Editor, looks at the United States' hip-hop landscape

HE United States. Arguably an epicentre for the West’s idea of musical success, producing some of this decade’s greatest musicians, but also many genres of music: RnB, Blues, Country, and the most popular genre of the moment, hip-hop. We all know the story: hip-hop was born during the 1970s from the Bronx from African-American and Latino youth; this small movement has since then snowballed into the mainstream genre we know today. But how can we map its changing identity? It would be easy to reduce this hip-hop landscape to notorious the 1990s rivalry of East versus West; the supposed Golden Age of hip-hop. And yet, to an outsider, it can be difficult to pinpoint the exact stylistic differences between the two coasts; the general consensus is that the East focused more on conscious lyricism, jazz-based sampling, and boom-bap drum kicks, while the West co-opted its own genre with G-Funk that incorporated aspects of the George Clinton's Parliament Funkadelic sound.

HIP-HOP DIFFERENTIATES ITSELF BY STATE NOWADAYS; EACH CITY WITH ITS OWN IDENTITY But hip-hop has grown past the East-West divide; mapping itself across the country, differen-

tiating state-by-state; nowadays, each city has its own identity.

ATLANTA HAS EARNED ITS TITLE AS "HIP-HOP'S CENTRE OF GRAVITY"

how anyone can be a famous musician in the age of the internet. While the South has its own fast-growing movements, it would be a mistake to rule out the Midwest. Naturally known for its hero, Kanye West, Chicago was long the place for the alternative hip-hop scene, with artists like Common and Lupe Fiasco opting

Naturally, with the current mainstream popularity of trap music, it is undeniable that Atlanta has one of the biggest, fastest-growing music scenes as of now. From trap stars such as Migos, Future, and 21 Savage, to pioneering artists like Childish Gambino and OutKast, the city has more than earned The New York Times’ title Image: Zntripf as “hip-hop’s center [sic] of gravity”. Florida, a state also in the south, is a movement that has rapidly changed over the past couple of decades. In the late noughties, both Pitbull and Flo Rida cornered the market as artists who blended hip-hop with EDM. Pitbull is an especially interesting artist to consider as he blended in homages to Florida’s latin scene and his own Cuban roots. Yet Florida has also had a growing cloud rap scene with artists like Denzel Curry who opt for hazier, lo-fi sounds. But currently, Florida is perhaps best known for its pioneering role in the SoundCloud rap scene with the likes of Lil Pump, Smokepurrp, and Saba highlighting

for more conscious lyricism to the beats of its key producer, No.I.D. Detroit is another Midwest giant. If you look past its hip-hop hero Eminem, you’ll see it has an innovative history with producers such as J Dilla creating some of the most interesting beats in record. Danny Brown, Dej Loaf, and Big Sean all hail from Detroit, making it a city with a diverse range of rappers. But while these cities all stick out for having their o w n unique identities, it is becoming clear that hip-hop’s influence has spread across the United States with artists popping up everywhere, from Washington State to Alabama. And it’s only getting more diverse. Images L to R: Zntrip; annalisekeatin; glenjamn3

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The soundtrack to our lives

Exeposé Music Writers discuss the songs they associate with certain moments of their lives

HEN preparing for a Christmas trip to Australia, I compiled a playlist that I ended up listening to on a loop for the entire two weeks I spent there. And one of the most important songs on that list was ‘To Get to Know You’ by Winterbourne. I absolutely needed to get to Sydney on 22 December for my friend’s birthday, even though I finished my exams on the 20th and could only leave the morning after. Or is it still night when you wake up at 2am to catch a flight? Three planes and 24 hours later I arrived at Sydney airport where I was immediately tackled by my friend. She gave me her favourite book series to read while I was there - now whenever a book by the same author comes out, I’ll listen to the playlist I compiled. And whenever I go to visit her in Australia? You can be sure I’ll be playing Winterbourne’s ‘To Get to Know You’.

Images L to R: Ed Vill; Antonio Cruz

S a nine-year-old, music taste does not usually cover a wide scope, but for me, it was ACDC’s 'Big Jack' from their 2008 album Black Ice that was the best part of the journey home with my dad. Not a second was wasted listening to this rock and roll masterpiece. The car ride home from Tae-Kwon Do was a mere four minutes, but this time was well spent. As I clambered into the front seat my dad would hit play on this anthem and we would spend the next three minutes, 57 seconds head-banging away to the power vocals of Brian Johnson. Let’s just say that over the six years I attended Tae-Kwon Do, the six years of two car rides home a week, my air-guitar skills were tuned to a fine art and have only been practiced to perfection ever since. Even 10 years later car rides with my dad enlist the help of our old friend 'Big Jack' for a journey of rock-and-roll appreciation. Kamila Bell, Copy Editor

Alexia Oerter

N early 2016, I had just returned to Exeter after a slightly rocky first term as a Fresher adjusting to university life. EUTCo had put on a brilliant production of Angels in America, and as I left Northcott Theatre, I reflected on the performance and term ahead. With a new set of modules to get stuck into and a sense of familiarity after the Christmas break, I finally began to feel more settled at Exeter and as though I belonged. As bizarre as it may sound, the evening marked a turning point for me for that reason. The play had used U2 'I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For' as the audience took their seats, and every time I hear that song, I am reminded of the moment I felt like I was actually going to be able to happily survive my time at Exeter. Now, I am a fourth-year who's soon to fly the Exeter nest. Bono might still be looking for a sense of peace and feeling settled, but I'm pleased to say I found mine. Chloë Edwards

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CMY

screen

Winter is coming... right now Amelia Chisholm examines a worldwide phenomenon: Game of Thrones

F you haven’t been living under a rock for the past month or so, you’ll be aware that the final season of Game of Thrones is almost complete. There is certainly something to be said about the show’s popularity, largely perceived as a sort of societal unifying piece of Western narrative media. The same is true for the Marvel Cinematic Universe franchise, the recent Avengers: Endgame being the second highest grossing film in history (at time of writing). But how much exactly can we attribute to Game of Thrones in regard to influence on the wider narrative media landscape? In terms of raw narrative and filmic form themselve, not a lot. Following several narratives of detailed characters isn’t a new technique, and, in fact, a significant portion of character development and interesting characters themselves were cut during the transfer from book to screen.

LAZY SYMBOLISM HAS AN INCREDIBLY DETRIMENTAL EFFECT ON THE VIEWING EXPERIENCE That’s right, I’m one of those people. Listen, the books have more detailed characteri-

sation, at least two more storylines that the show cuts, and there’s significantly less sexual violence. Moving away from the writing, whilst the show does feature the occasionally lovely shot, and impressive CGI (I’m talking about the Zombie Ice Bear, one of my absolute favourite moments), it’s really nothing special. In fact, the cinematography has recently been the focus of criticism, the episode “The Battle of Winterfell” having such poor lighting that most fans had to squint throughout. The darkness of the show signifies the dark tone and the confusion experience by the characters. It is incredibly lazy symbolism that, overall, had a detrimental effect on the viewing experience. Again, nothing revolutionary. So if Game of Thrones offers nothing new, why oh why is it so damn popular? Well, it does what any successful piece of narrative media does – uses the genre as a setting,

rather than a story focus. The fantasy genre is incidental to Game of Thrones, allowing for fun set dressings including dragons, magic, and cool looking swords. This is because whilst the show is set in a fantasy world, as any rabid fan will tell you, it’s a political drama. This formula of using a genre as setting in order to explore the human relationships within is key to many successful, societally unifying visual narratives.

GENRE IS USED AS A SETTING TO EXPLORE HUMAN RELATIONSHIPS The Sopranos, for example, employs the ‘mob movie’ set up to tell a story about a man struggling with both his family and career. Harry Potter uses the urban fantasy genre to tell the stories of both a young man’s coming of age, and the youth’s fight against fascist ideals. And the Marvel Cinematic Universe (at least, when it’s doing it right) engages the superhero genre backdrop for a narrative surrounding the moral development of its heroes. Image: HBO

Culturally speaking, Game of Thrones certainly aided in dragging the fantasy genre into the ‘mainstream’ sphere. Again, this can’t be solely attributed to the franchise, but I would argue that the ‘rise of the nerd’ is certainly a factor. In 2013, many outlets observed a normalisation of nerd culture in the mainstream. Superheroes and dragon riders were essentially the main topic of discussion for the first week of May across the majority of social media platforms, and that is, in part, thanks to Game of Thrones.

THRONES AIDED IN DRAGGING THE FANTASY GENRE BACK INTO THE MAINSTREAM

This show is not revolutionary. It’s popular for a reason, but societal unification over narrative fiction has been around since someone asked if their friend had seen that new play by that Shakespeare bloke. Despite its lack of innovation, and my many, many misgivings about the way it treats certain characters, it’s still popular for a reason. It’s a fun show. Let’s enjoy what’s left. (Oh, also, Team Sansa forever.)

Going on in Exe F

Exeposé Screen Editors give the low-down on events in Exeter in a brand-new section IVE filmmakers from the south-west have been made recipients of Exeter Phoenix’s 2019 Film Commissions, meaning they have been awarded £10,000 each to make short films. The filmmakers include Louisa Fielden, director of the viral hit

Image: Pymouss

At Exeter Picturehouse Image: Alcatraz Films; Trademark Films; Fable Pictures; Benedikt Erlingsson; Al’s Records

People You May Know; Tommy Gillard; who plans to make a film exploring 21st century homosociality, Jordan Thomas; whose film will be presented entirely in British Sign Language, Phil Spencer; who will draw on his military experiences in Afghanistan to create an intimate exploration of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and Joe Auborn; whose documentary follows the reintroduction of Eurasian wolves to the Finnish

High Life

Red Joan

archipelago of Åland. Luke Hagan, Digital Coordinator at Exeter Phoenix said: “We are really excited to be able to announce this year’s film commission line-up. We have a fantastic selection of up and coming filmmakers, with diverse stories and unique voices, and we’re thrilled to be able to help them develop their ideas and showcase the incredible talent we have here in the south-west.”

Wild Rose

The five films will be shown at Exeter Phoenix’s Two Short Nights Film Festival in November later this year.

Image: Tom Bech

Woman at War Amazing Grace

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screen

EDITORS: Jonathan Chern and Samuel Thomson

Love me or hate me

22 MAY 2019

Kamila Bell, Copy Editor, looks at the protagonists we didn’t think we’d fall in love with

HARMING smiles, brilliant minds and their daring wit. Just a few qualities that entice us to support some of TV’s biggest anti-heroes: individuals that off-screen we would probably not be so forthcoming to root for, but on screen their lifestyles are so diametrically opposing to ours they are nothing if not compelling. From the outset, a TV show that outlines a character’s emotional backstory allows us to form an empathetic connection. This deeper understanding of a character often results in us being able to explain why our favourite anti-heroes do what they do, and we even find ourselves justifying their actions. Whether this involves a troubled romantic past of forbidden love and heartbreak as with Villanelle in Killing Eve or an unjust and unruly childhood that was encountered by Game of Thrones’ Cersei Lannister. Breaking Bad’s Walter White has his story begin with the devastating news that he has inoperable lung cancer. With only a couple of years left to live, we are immediately drawn to sympathise with his pursuit of securing the financial wellbeing of his family who will be

left behind. The method White exercises to achieve this of selling highly addictive narcotics is understandably controversial, and the industry he has found himself in as a result leads to a development of violent behaviour. However, where we would usually be solely sympathetic to those on the receiving end of such violence, Breaking Bad alongside other TV shows develop their characters in a way that makes us care for the one behind the acts of violence.

EMOTIONAL BACK STORIES ALLOW US TO FORM A DEEPER CONNECTION In addition to a well written backstory, the perfect ratio of good to bad actions a character takes results in us having the ultimatum of whether they are someone worth rooting for. Characters whose story lines develop them from being an uncontrollable tyrant to one who thinks carefully about the outcomes of their actions, allows us to challenge our own

perceptions as we find ourselves supporting the decisions of those we never thought we would. Serena Joy, the commander’s wife, in The Handmaid’s Tale presents this progression of narrative, as season two develops we see that she is just as much a victim to the oppressive system she finds herself in, as she is an advocate for it. Joy’s bending of the rules to allow her handmaid, Offred, to escape with her baby - in an attempt to save her daughter from a future of dogmatic rule - is the moment when we can see her character actively making a positive decision that we are able to get behind and fully support. Alongside a poignant backstory and a progression of narrative, shows that provide an undertone of humour to their characters create an anti-hero we are surprisingly amused by. Killing Eve’s anti-heroine Villanelle has been captivating audiences through destabilising stereotypes of female assassins. This character is brought to life through Phoebe WallerBridge’s sense of humour that manages to make a psychopath assassin somewhat relatable as we find ourselves laughing at the dark humour of Villanelle’s witty remarks in some of

the show’s tensest moments. This fundamental human characteristic of searching for the light in the darkest of moments is what makes some of TV’s anti-heroes so mystifying and all the more enticing. Ultimately, it is evident that we like to support anti-heroes with the view that they may possibly change for the better; we find ourselves hoping with every glimpse of goodness that it is their true nature. I think it is with this optimistic outlook we find ourselves falling for characters we never thought we would.

Image: BBC America

A flawless spectacle

René Bahar, Sport Editor, is ‘Crazy in Love’ with Beyoncé’s new Netflix documentary HOMECOMING Directors: Beyoncé, Edd Burke 2019, 137 minutes

HE undeniable force of the most formidable black woman in music is epitomised through DJ Khaled’s renaming of Coachella festival in 2018, ‘Beychella’. To be the first black woman to headline the festival in its twenty-year history was an astounding moment in Beyoncé Knowles-Carter’s career. Running just over two hours, the Netflix film, Homecoming: A Film by Beyoncé documents the entire performance, with an insight into her preparation, dedication and vision to make it a feast for the senses. From the 200 plus dancers and band members on stage, to intermittent quotes from distinguished black intellectuals, the entire film celebrates black history and culture in a way no other piece of artistry has previously.

THE FILM IS AN INSIGHT INTO HER PREPARATION, DEDICATION AND VISION

The seamless shift between scenes from the first and second weekends of the festival is categorised by the distinct change from yellow to pink costumes, which was no fortunate

accident. These colours and outfits had been meticulously picked out by Beyoncé herself. Her perfectionist attitude is continually portrayed; she knows what she wants from the performance and will not stop to achieve her goal.

IT CELEBRATES BLACK HISTORY IN A WAY NO OTHER PIECE OF ARTISTRY HAS PREVIOUSLY Perhaps the most intimate sequence in the film is Beyoncé’s phantom voiceover, giving viewers an insight into her gruelling diet and fitness regime to prepare for the performance after giving birth to twins. Alongside this, she features scenes of her eldest daughter, Blue Ivy, and husband JAY-Z, which, though brief, the family inclusion is a touching moment which brings her and the film back down to earth. With the distinct theme of educating the public on black oppression, Beyoncé physically and metaphorically took her audience to school. The dancers and full band were positioned on a metal structured pyramid, made to look like the bleachers of a historically Black University, whilst the inclusion of black intellectual quotes translated her favoured medium of music into literature. Her ambition to deliver an unforgettable

performance is clear; she achieved the most physically intense performance of her life whilst staying note perfect – an incredible feat for any artist in the industry. Perhaps my favourite moment of the entire documentary was the on-stage inclusion of her former Destiny’s Child bandmates, Kelly Rowland and Michelle Williams. Despite for-

Phoebe waller-bridge

mally going their separate ways in 2006, their support and love for each other is hugely admirable and it is truly heart-warming to watch three powerhouse women back one another in the way that they do. Without any shadow of a doubt, Beyoncé Knowles-Carter is an artist, creator, director, mother and role model like no other.

Image: Two Brothers Pictures

ITHIN the last few weeks, most people will have heard the name Phoebe Waller-Bridge. If not, maybe the multitude of social media articles about the release of her second series of the BBC 3 series Fleabag might just ring a bell. Actress, director and writer Phoebe Waller-Bridge has arguably one of the most promising and exciting careers in the industry right now. If awaiting the release of the second series of the internationally-viewed Killing Eve, receiving critical acclaim for the latest Fleabag series, and starring as L3-37 in Solo: A Star Wars Story wasn’t enough, then Waller-Bridge is now also stepping into co-write the next Bond film! So why is Waller-Bridge my woman of the week? While he has a lot to do with it, it isn’t just because of the hot priest. Fleabag takes every expectation of modern femininity and taboo subjects and flips it. The bittersweet honesty and relatable irony of both Waller-Bridge’s writing and performance shamelessly presents women sometimes getting things wrong and messing up. Fleabag’s disappointing and unfulfilled life (that entirely revolves around her manic obsession with sex) isn’t a comedy that makes us all laugh patronisingly at the protagonist; it makes us laugh with Fleabag, who inverts the idea of success within the everyday. Although celebrating female screw ups and not undermining genuine success is key, Phoebe Waller-Bridge has so successfully created this in her show, writing such a titular character and performing her to the utmost commitment. Sophia Gallucci-Giles

study break

| 22 MAY 2019

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STUDY BREAK CROSSWORD

SUDOKU

Across

1 3 7 8 9 10 12 14 16 17 19 21 23 24 25

Down

Implement (4) Alter (6) Puerile - child (8) Way of approach (4) Manner of expression in language (6) Rural - peasant (6) Against (4) Highest place (3) Dangerous (4) Oration (6) (Boatâ€™s) steering apparatus (6) Movie (4) Precise (8) Dive (into a swimming pool, say) (6) Give up (4)

1 Honesty (5) 2 Agent - evaporite (anagram) (9) 3 Shout of approval (5) 4 Region above ground (3) 5 Extremely cold (informal) (7) 6 Process - summary (6) 11 Extract from an interview - is on debut (anagram) (5,4) 13 A lit pun (anagram) - of marriage (7) 15 Package (6) 18 Inconsiderate speed (5) 20 Banish (5) 22 Human being (3)

Trivia corner 1. WHICH NAIL GROWS THE FASTEST? 2. Who discovered penicillin? 3. What are the first three words of the bible?

ANSWERS

4. What type of elephant has got the biggest ears? 5. WHICH ocean is the largest? 6. What money do they use in japan?

6.Yen 7. Finland Trivia: 1. Middle, 2. Fleming 3. In the beginning... 4. African 5. Pacific Sound bite, 13 Nuptial, 15 Parcel, 18 Haste, 20 Exile, 22 Man.

7. Which country were the 1952 Summer Olympic Games held in?

Down: 1 Truth, 2 Operative, 3 Cheer, 4 Air, 5 Glacial, 6 Digest, 11 24 Plunge, 25 Cede. 12 Anti, 14 Top, 16 Ugly, 17 Speech, 19 Rudder, 21 Film, 23 Specific, Across: 1 Tool, 3 Change, 7 Juvenile, 8 Road, 9 Phrase, 10 Rustic,

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XTV éé éééé ééééééé Té é ééééé ééé ééé éééééééé éééé ééééééé ééé ééé éé ééé é étfééé; éééé ééééé ﬁ éé éé éé é ééé éééééééééééééé XTV éééé éé é ! é ééé’éé éééééééééé éé ééé é é éé ééééé é é ééé é é éé é é éééééé é é éé éééééééé é ﬁéé éé éé ééé Géé é Wéééééé éé jééé ééé!

22 MAY 2019 | EXEPOSÉ

Science

SCIENCE EDITORS: Elinor Jones Scarlett Parr Reid

The story of Homo luzonensis

Scarlett Parr-Reid, Science Editor, comments on evidence of a new human species

N the words of Yuval Noah Harari: “you could never convince a monkey to give you a banana by promising him limitless bananas after death in monkey heaven”. Aside from the fact that Yuval Noah Harari is a prolific author in the field of human evolution and twice won the Polonsky Prize for ‘creativity and originality’ for his work, what he said here in his first book Sapiens got me thinking a lot.

Human evolution is just as much by intention as by accident Human evolution is just as much by intention as it is by accident. A new addition to our family tree discovered on Luzon Island in the Philippines, Homo luzonensis, between Denisovans & Homo floresiensis, has sparked new research to investigate whether their evolution was

accidental or deliberate. It’s theorised that primitive human relatives fled Africa as far as south-east Asia, crossing the sea to get there. The extinct species remains – a collection of teeth, hands, bones of feet and the femur of a thigh - were found in the Callao Cave, dating back as far as 50,00067,000 years ago.

Curved fingers and toes suggest that the humans were climbers like Australopithecines The first of these was found more than 10 years ago, but was then believed to belong to Homo sapiens. It’s thought that they belonged to at least three adults & juveniles. Fingers & toes were curved, indicating that these humans still climbed, akin to a species prior to them – the Australopithecines. Florent Détroit, from the Natural

History Museum in Paris, the first author of last month’s research paper, suggested that the discovery of Homo luzonensis challenges the prevailing theory of human evolution. Ongoing research is working to establish how Homo luzonensis came to be. Though, we are starting to diverge from the simpler idea of our evolution being a result of humans leaving Africa roughly 1.5 million years back when Homo erectus travelled throughout Africa, Spain, China and Indonesia and our own species followed them some hundreds of years later. There is now evidence supporting the complex hypothesis that we evolved due to the few species that lived alongside Homo sapiens, in combination with interbreeding and extinctions. So, let’s map out what we know: 1) Homo luzonensis had tiny teeth, indicating that they were small - short of four feet in height

2) These teeth also had a distinctly different size those the rest of the Homo genus. 3) Their curled toe bones suggest that the species were climbers, alike Australopithecines of two or three million years ago.

Homo luzonensis challenges the prevailing theory of human evolution That leaves the question, why were their feet curled? Perhaps due to adapting to life on the Luzon island when they moved there. But if that’s the case, how did they get to Luzon in the first place if it’s an island that has not previously been connected to any mainland? There’s potential that this was an entirely natural event, such as a tsunami that killed and washed up the three adult and juvenile remains that were found on the

Image: Lilly Cantabile

Luzon island, or that it was man-made and they arrived there by intention and survived through building a raft or some kind of vehicle to take on the sea. It’s easy to think that Homo erectus simply couldn’t have been intelligent enough to master the sea and move elsewhere. But in the fact that, before, many of them settled on various islands in South-East Asia, we know that their travels were a little more than accidental. Although attempts to extract luzonensis DNA have thus far been unsuccessful, the dating of the bones & teeth suggest that the luzonensis were around at the same time as the Denisovans, Homo sapiens and Homo floresiensis.

Taking pride in science

Image: Chris Stringer

Exeposé Science Editors and Writers celebrate the lives and work of scientists in the LGBTQ+ community Sir Francis Bacon

Florence Nightingale

IONEERING as both a statesman and philosopher, Bacon’s passion lay at the foot of science. Congruent with a wealth of science of the time, many theories that were well renowned belonged to the Ancient Greeks, such as Aristotle. Sir Francis aimed to reinvent Aristotelian methodology by encouraging the need to collect evidence from the real world to support a hypothesis, and disputing the idea that a man can know the ultimate truth about a scientific idea by studying it in enough depth. He published his ‘correct methodology’ in Novum Organum (1620).

HE mother of modern nursing, Florence Nightingale, often went by the affectionate name ‘The Lady with the Lamp’. Working in army hospitals during the Crimean War, Nightingale honed her practical skills whilst making bright changes in the world of sanitary care, saving lives in war zones and at home. Battling stereotypes and chronic illness, she stood up to male doctors who refuted the need for qualified nurses. Taking exception to this, Florence dedicated her work to training girls to be nurses and midwives, and improving healthcare standards.

Image: Raphael Moreno

Image: Henry Hering

Alexander von Humboldt

N explorer, naturalist, and physical geographer, Von Humboldt’s quantitative work on botany and physics laid the foundations for geological study. Devloping the origins of systematic, long-term measurement, he observed volcanoes, critised and disproved Neptunism, and published Kosmos in an attempt to unify scientific thinking, aiming to promote a holistic perception of how the universe interacts. During the 19th century, von Humboldt was one of the fisrt to describe how climate change could be caused by human activities.

Image: Joseph Karl Stieler

Leonardo da Vinci

HE notorious polymath was most considered one of the most celebrated creatives of the Renaissance period. Little known to most, this beloved Italian sculptor’s most significant genius came at the intersection of both science and art, pioneering in his engineering and in his drawings, where he showcased a highly sophisticated understanding of the human body, as well as the physics. His notebooks showed musings into potential engineering opportunities, including a primitive design for a helicopter, about four hundred years ahead of his time.

Image: National Geographic

PRISM

RISM, which stands for Pride in STEMM Matters, is a community for LGBTQ+ STEMM workers and students in Exeter. The network was founded last on International Day of LGBTQ+ people in STEMM (5th July) by Dr Claire Davies, an astrophysics researcher at the University of Exeter, who is also CEMPS representative on the University’s LGBTQ+ Staff Network. PRISM aims to provide a platform for the work of LGBTQ+ scientists, engineers, technologists, mathematicians and medics to be championed and celebrated. So far, the network has hosted three speaker events where speakers share their experience of being LGBTQ+ in STEMM as well as their research expertise. Recently, the network also took part in Exeter Pride, marching under the banner ‘Proud to be Scientists’, demonstrating the importance of celebrating the LGBTQ+ community in STEMM. Penny Dinh

EXEPOSÉ | 22 MAY 2019

SCIENCE

Can you see ME?

Elinor Jones, Science Editor, increases visibility of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

E often say we’re a bit tired, that we can’t get out of bed, or that we feel like everything is exhausting. For most of us, who get the sweet feeling of refreshment after a good 8-hour kip or are seemingly unphased by the thought of a walk, we can’t imagine what it would be like to be in permanent agony, or so fatigued you can’t walk down the stairs and you’re permanently bedbound. Yet for millions of people worldwide, it’s a daily reality to know what chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS)/ Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME) feels like. As a condition that has a multitude of symptoms from extreme fatigue and muscle pain to multisensory sensitivity, research efforts and positive attitudes towards CFS/ME have grown exponentially in the last decade. However, this life-changing syndrome continues to carry the stigma of its previous label, ‘Yuppie flu’, and still has no definitive cure or reliable treatment plan. Here, I intend to answer key queries, with up-to-date guidelines, advice and research. What is CFS/ME? A condition first officially described by the U.S. Public Health Service in 1934, CFS/ME is a serious, long-term illness, which constitutes many symptoms arising from effects upon a variety of different body systems. Associated with lifelimiting reduction in ability to undertake normal activity, an unfaltering, flu-like fatigue is often classed as the main symptom, although post-exertional malaise (sudden energy crash following even minor activity) and unrefreshing sleep are high in prevalence and consid-

ered important to patients. Intense muscle and joint pain, intolerance to visual and auditory stimuli, such as bright light or loud sounds, and cognitive impairment, a ‘brain fog’, are just some of the other many, and often equally as challenging, symptoms associated with CFS/ME. The fatigue experienced is highly contrasting to ‘tiredness’ we feel in the general population, with this manifesting in a much more extreme manner, rendering simple activities, such as making dinner or brushing teeth, an impossible task due to persistent, overwhelming exhaustion, which can be both physical and mental. This persistent fatigue is unlikely to subside with rest.

Imagine you're so fatigued you can't walk downstairs Whilst a highly-contested technique called ‘pacing’, where the individual maps out their day in accordance to how much energy they’ll expend, may suggest that resting will reduce symptoms, it is usual for the patient to feel their symptoms continue after rest. The severity of all the symptoms can vary across the day, from day-to-day, and from year-to-year. What causes CFS/ME? The pathological nature of CFS/ME has long been overlooked, and even cur-

rent research is struggling to identify the cause of these symptoms. Interestingly, a wealth of clinicians described the disease as more devastating than HIV/ AIDS, noting that, whilst HIV/AIDS research, attitudes and treatment has progressed in the last thirty years, finding a cure for CFS/ME has had a slower trajectory.

Clinicians described CFS/ME as more devastating than HIV/AIDS Chronic fatigue is a neurological condition with suggestions of immune system and genetic components, alongside the influence of lifestyle factors, other conditions, and hormones, to produce the variety of symptoms. The general consensus is that there are significant immune underpinnings, with a recent King’s College London study finding that persistent fatigue can be caused by an overactive immune system due to induction by interferon-alpha, a pro- and anti-inflammatory signalling molecule, that can modulate the immune system. Often, this can be due to a stress response in the body, such as after a traumatic event or infection. Is there a difference between CFS and ME? The question of whether CFS and ME, Myalgic Encephalomyelitis, are synonymous with each other has long been debated. Chronic fatigue syndrome suggests that the fatigue is long term and persistent, however does not address other symptoms that often present with CFS/ME. Myalgic Encephalomyelitis is often disputed by researchers and activists in the field, as there is little evidence to show ‘encephalomyelitis’, inflammation of the brain and spinal cord. Some

camps prefer to use the term Myalgic Encephalopathy, which describes the disease as a brain disease or damage. Often, if a viral cause can be identified, such as the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) or Glandular Fever, frequently experienced by many patients who go on to develop CFS this debilitating fatigue condition can also be known as Post-viral Fatigue Syndrome (PVFS). What do I do if I think I’m sufferingfrom CFS/ME? The first thing is to map your symptoms, perhaps using a diary with a score of how you’re feeling throughout the day and over time; score your fatigue during and after a range of activities, from things like exams and working out to making breakfast or getting ready for the day.

CFS can be caused by viruses like Glandular Fever Standard protocol means that a ‘positive’ diagnosis of CFS/ME can take up to six months, although with limited specialists it can take up to a year in some cases. As there is no single to test to confirm presence of CFS/ME, your GP and local hospital should use a process of elimination to rule out other causes of persistent fatigue, pain, and cognitive impairment, such as hypothyroidism, anaemia and Lyme disease. Positively, earlier in

Practical pointers

2019, a significant advance in the search for a definitive test for CFS was found at the University of Stanford, which had found a way to measure the electrical signals of immune cells in people with CFS/ME.

In severe cases, patients are bedbound Whilst this could ensure more speedy diagnosis in the future, it also helps to battle the stigma that the disease is imaginary by confirming that there is a physical, measurable feature to observe. How can CFS/ME be treated? After the diagnosis there are a number of ways you can be referred, through Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and Graded Exercise Therapy (GET), usually combing services from physiotherapists, psychologists and occupational health practitioners. For most people, as there is no definitive solution, a combination of medications to control pain and improve sleep, talking therapies, and making adjustments in daily lives can help manage the condition, although may not cure it.

Your GP should use a process of elimination to rule other causes of fatigue In severe cases, such as patients who are bed bound, ensuring muscles don’t atrophy and ensuring fluid and food intake is essential. Whilst the scientific and clinical community is yet to find a solution to this devastating condition, both attitudes and efforts are headed in the right direction to help the 250,000 people in the UK suffering with this life-limiting, and sometimes fatal condition.

Exeposé Science Editors give three strategies for managing persistent fatigue

See

OOKING for help might not always be your first thought, especially when you’re struggling or have been trying to get through things for a while. However, there is an abundance of help at your fingertips to make your life a little easier: Try and read plenty about the condition because knowledge is power, helping you to make sense of the condition. It’ll also mean any healthcare practitioners (and the general public) can be even bet-

ter informed by your pearls of wisdom. Actively look for support where you can, whether it is with making studies easier or making your home life more simplified, use trial and error to reduce flare-ups in symptoms on a daily basis.

Speak

HILST this is a skill that may seem obvious, having a conversation is critical in order to increase awareness and ask questions. Ask questions about how you can support someone in need, or

ask people who've been through fatigue for their advice. For example, my advice would be to plan your day well as this will prevent you reaching the point of extreme exhaustion before you get there - follow the Spoon Theory, you have a certain number of spoons to use in a day. Once they're gone, they're gone. Speak to friends, family and your academic support, such as academic tutors, to allow you the best opportunities in your degree, such as how to get exam arrangements, or how to book an appoint-

ment with Wellbeing, who have fatigue support groups and specialise service.

Listen

HE kindest thing you can do, especially in times such as exams and deadlines, is listen to your body. You might think that's a crazy thought, or that everyone must already do that, but it's harder than you think. Be intune to what triggers flare-ups and what reduces the severity of the symptoms, whilst ignoring what other

people, with or without fatigue, may be doing. The only body you can really listen to is your own, and use your ability to listen as your superpower, as this will help you monitor and manage your symptoms on a daily basis. Whilst this is unlikely to cure you, knowing what works for you and what doesn't, not being afraid to try a variety of treatments, and creating a positive support network can be powerful. The most important thing, however, is to maintain hope, as one day there will be a cure.

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22 MAY 2019 | EXEPOSÉ

Spurred to success

Ben Faulkner examines the road to the Champions League final

ODIES were everywhere. Elation in the air, deflation on the floor. As the camera kept flicking from celebration to trauma, I couldn’t quite believe my eyes: I had heard some tentative cheering in the Ram, but I’d returned from the library to discover the absolutely ridiculous truth. There was surely no way two English teams were overturning two, respective three-goal deficits on consecutive European nights. Because that would be just silly. But that’s where we are now: the absurd. Mauricio Pochettino has quite literally not spent a penny this season. And along their impossible journey, Spurs were inches from exiting at the hands of PSV, Inter, Barca, Manchester City, and now Ajax. They are meant to be the bottle-jobs

Image: Bluejam (Wikimedia)

of English football; but they have looked their reputation in the face with mockery. They have actually delivered on multiple high-pressure situations, against serious, serious sides. Ajax have been a consistent and stubborn danger, and looked as sleek as ever across their two legs with Spurs. But then Lucas Moura lost his head for a half, and Spurs have managed to do what even Real Madrid and Juventus could not. But what was more ridiculous was that absolutely nobody was talking about the game before it begun. Because everyone was in the palm of Trent AlexanderArnold’s hands. At 8pm, Anfield was under the pessimistic shadow of Roberto Firmino and Mo Salah’s supposedly damning absence – a couple of hours later, and Lionel Messi was stood frozen and stunned as his teammates limped off to a 4-0 loss. Alexander-Arnold’s stroke of utter genius for the fourth assist became a symbol of Liverpool’s valiant, plucky performance. Twenty years old, about to finish his third ever senior campaign, and in two of

them he’s absolutely held his own in consecutive runs to the Champions League final. His rise has been dizzying and remarkable. Unfortunately for Alexander-Arnold, though, he might have Heung-Min Son running at him on 1 June. Son has dazzled over the past year, and has helped convince the country – every now and then – that maybe Pochettino didn’t need to spend any money. With or without Harry Kane, Hugo Lloris, Christian Eriksen, and the ever-chaotic Moussa Sissoko are going have to be on their best behaviour if Spurs want to leave Madrid with silverware. Liverpool have been a devastating force this season. They may have missed out on the league title, but they only lost one game in the whole campaign, and two of their attackers – Mo Salah and Sadio Mane – have both ended the season with the Golden Boot. All eyes, however, have been on Virgil van Dijk’s commanding presence in their vastly improved backline. His quality has been undoubted for a long while, but his consistency this season has forced the world to believe he’s one of

the best in his position – if Kane is fit, it’ll be a clash worthy of such a hyped final. And it’s hyped for good reason – the last all-English-final saw Manchester United sink Chelsea on penalties way back in 2008. The last English winner of the competition was 2012, when Chelsea pulled off their historic fairytale – and since then only one English side has made the final, with Liverpool losing out to Real Madrid last year. This decade has seen dire returns for English clubs in Europe, and we’ve all shared in the embarrassment quite willingly.

Klopp and Pochettino have created a new culture at their clubs But this is different – in many ways it doesn’t feel disconnected from that moment when Kieran Trippier’s free-kick hit the back of Croatia’s net back in July. Suddenly, English football has picked itself up of the floor and started strutting about again. Not to take a single thing

Playing catch-up

away from Leicester’s earth-shattering league title in 2016, but it seems to have shot the standard of English football in an aggressively upward trajectory. It’s incredibly hard to gauge which way this’ll go. On paper, most would have Liverpool – they were considerably more consistent in the league, and came out on top in both of their league meetings. But the psychological extenuations that surround something as sacred as an all-English-final make this a whole other matter. The world will be watching, but this little island will be glued to the screen. This is a story draped in poetry. Jürgen Klopp and Mauricio Pochettino have both been on long-term, methodical projects to create an enduring system and culture at their respective clubs. But as the years have gone on, and the trophies have continued to evade both, fans across the country have repeatedly charged both as a ‘fraud’ and a ‘flop’. And now, one of them is going to lift the Champions League trophy. You might as well flip a coin to predict which one will actually do it, but either way, they absolutely deserve it.

Rhodri Evans discusses what the trailing pack have to do to challenge Manchester City and Liverpool

CHELSEA

OMING third with 72 points and two cup finals, and yet largely disappointed, Blues fans can count this season as a strange one. At least four times during the season it seemed Maurizio Sarri was a game or two away from the sack. A great start, going 12 games unbeaten, was ended by three defeats in four games in the winter, including embarrassing results away to both Bournemouth (0-4) and Manchester City (0-6). To challenge for the title (assuming the Hazard situation ends with him and Zidane sailing off into the sunset), Chelsea need signings, something that they cannot obtain with their transfer ban. The big decision, therefore, is whether Chelsea stick or twist with Sarri. The Italian manager proved reluctant to play Callum Hudson-Odoi throughout the season - it seems he is not the man to lead the club into a future where perhaps they could “win something with kids”, to rephrase Alan Hansen's infamous quote regarding Manchester United's lack of experience before their academy players won a league and cup double. The club need to integrate their talented young players back from their extensive loan system, with names like Mason Mount, Reece James and Tammy Abraham whetting the appetite of fans who envisage next season’s team with a core of home-grown talent.

ARSENAL

NAI Emery's first year in charge was a bizarre one for Arsenal, with the jury still out on his ability. Their season – much like their rivals, Tottenham – hinges on a European final. Despite obtaining seven more points, they actually scored one less goal than last season and failed to improve a consistently below-average, and occasionally shambolic, defence. It is clear what Arsenal need to do: sign Kalidou Koulibaly. Should they qualify for the Champions League via a Europa League win, this is an obtainable, if expensive, target for Emery. Sokratis and Stephan Lichsteiner have been disappointing, while surely Mustafi cannot play another top-flight game in England without his side incurring some kind of points penalty. The signing of the Senegalese defender would doubtless be expensive, though - Napoli have him contracted until 2023. While the signing of Lucas Torreira has been a success, Xhaka needs to be replaced with a more defensive-minded midfielder. Perhaps they already hold the key, with French youngster Matteo Guendozi, a precocious talent who has impressed albeit inconsistently this season. Real Madrid’s Marcos Llorente has also been linked but no doubt Arsenal fans will want to see more of a Torriera-Guendouzi partnership next season, and this also frees up the Gunners' budget for a high-profile signing in a more important position for them.

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR

HE league campaign has paled into insignificance for Tottenham fans, with their remarkable run to next months’ Champions League final – but a fourth-placed finish for Spurs is some achievement considering they amassed a total of 75 injuries in their campaign, many of which were to key players. However, to challenge for next season’s title there are holes in their squad that needs filling. While their strongest eleven is close to matching City or Liverpool’s player for player, Tottenham’s midfield has been exposed by injuries this season, which was compounded by Mousa Dembélé leaving for China in January. A midfielder with ball-carrying ability a la Dembele is needed, and while the talented Jack Grealish will no doubt be linked to them again, perhaps a left-field call would be Sebastian Rode, the bulldog from Eintracht Frankfurt, who has been excellent all season in Germany. Andre Gomes of Everton (on loan from Barcelona) has been linked to Spurs this week and would be a shrewd signing, as would youngster Ryan Sessegnon from Fulham, who likewise has been linked with a move this week. An upgrade on the sub-par Kieran Trippier is also needed but not essential as he still as his World Cup form to hark back on. However, Trippier is not a first-choice right-back for a side looking to win the title, nor is the errorprone Serge Aurier, who currently is Trippier's only competition at right-back.

MANCHESTER UNITED

DISMAL season for United culminated in an abysmal defeat at home to Cardiff. The fact that Nathaniel Mendez-Liang has scored more goals at Old Trafford this season than Alexis Sanchez says it all really. Paul Pogba has reverted back to the Mourinho version of himself, and defenders like Ashley Young, Chris Smalling and the inept Phil Jones reaching Mustafi levels of on-pitch physical comedy. A new Director of Football is urgently needed to bring in fresh faces and, more importantly, they have to get rid of a large chunk of their squad, not least Alexis Sanchez, Fred, and Romelu Lukaku. Realistically, the only players who the fans would be disappointed to see leave are Marcus Rashford and Jesse Lingard. New signings in defence and midfield are needed, as keeping David De Gea, Rashford and Lingard has become the only certainty with this squad. They have been linked to Paulo Dybala, that man Koulibaly again, and Daniel James are all enticing prospects, but signing the right players is imperative if United are going to even qualify for the Champions League next season. The worrying thing for all these sides is that neither Liverpool nor Manchester City suffer from a transfer ban such as that imposed on Chelsea, so these sides won’t stand still in the coming months and barring some shock exits, both will be even stronger next year. All images: 1966666 (Pixabay)

Agony and Exe City

Nick Powell, Online Sport Editor, writes on the frustrating end to the League 2 season for Exeter City

S Exeter City entered the last eight games of their rollercoaster season, it seemed the stars were aligning for a third straight trip to Wembley, and perhaps this year it would be third time lucky. Three points clear of eighth placed Carlisle, with a game in hand and a far superior goal difference, it seemed that City, whose ten men had just won at Notts County thanks to a last-minute goal from Nicky Law, were on course to comfortably qualify for the play-offs.

City were on course to comfortably qualify for the playoffs with eight games left

They won just two of their final eight games and only managed to pick up nine points. The side that beat them to it, Newport County, went unbeaten in their last eight, picking up 15 points in the process and conceding just two goals. City, by comparison, conceded 12. Prior to that run, Exeter had had the third best defence in the league, with Newport’s defence comfortably in the bottom half. It was not their defence to blame on the last day however. The Grecians kept a clean sheet away at Forest Green Rovers, but couldn’t find the net despite creating a catalogue of chances.

Of their remaining games, more were against teams in the bottom half than the top half and of the teams ranked 4th to 7th and in the play-off spots, City had the momentum. Logic would suggest that for the third year in a row, St. James’ Park was destined to play host to another play-off semi-final. Alas, Exeter were the victims of the Football League’s enthralling, but in this case agonising, unpredictability.

In each of their last five seasons Exeter have either been on the cusp of a place in the play-offs, or earned one and missed out on promotion. Manager Matt Taylor was proud of players and had a clear sense of optimism for the future, but he couldn’t help but admit that missing out on the victory was “devastating”. Though this was Taylor’s first season as manager, he is no stranger to Exeter’s ups and downs and their relationship with the top seven places. As a player, he led Exeter to two play-off finals, both of which they won, as he helped catapult them from outside the Football League into League One. He was also involved for their two most recent playoff finals, this time as an Assistant Coach, where they missed out twice at the final hurdle. Nevertheless the pain and frustration that

fans felt of those two near-misses has not been a burden that Taylor has had to bear. With a dozen years of management from Paul Tisdale coming to an end last season, Grecians’ fans expected a difficult twelve months. Though they were unlikely to be braced for the agonising finish, many would’ve been pleasantly surprised to see their team challenging vastly more settled clubs.

Many supporters may well have been pleasantly surprised to see City compete Change will come, and there’s no denying that could be a good thing. Many Exeter fans would have feared the prospect of having to play in League One next season, and many believed the last eight games of the season exposed the brutal reality that Exeter aren’t yet good enough to play at a higher level. But with an extra few weeks rest ahead of next season, a stable financial structure and a solid, loyal squad, the foundations are in place to kick on and challenge next season.

Image: Owain Evans

Predicting a riot for the Chiefs

Harry Scott-Munro reports on a successful year for Exeter Chiefs

ITH the curtain falling on the regular season of the Gallagher Premiership, both Exeter Chiefs and Saracens have been able to relax, safe in the knowledge that qualification for play-offs and home semi-finals have long been secured. For Exeter, it has been another highly successful domestic season, as they seek to make their fourth final in a row, despite the disappointment of another European campaign ending in the group stages.

Exeter have had another highly successful domestic season this year Although Exeter have taken their foot off the gas in recent weeks, their winning formula and crucially, their strength in depth that has served them so well throughout the season should be on show again as they gear up to host either Northampton or Harlequins in the semi-final, provided Chiefs, as expected, finish top of the table. However, for all Exeter’s successes and foundations laid thus far, the Sara-

cens juggernaut is beginning to rumble a few moments of magic. into view. European Champions again Exeter’s season has been littered after a victory over Leinster that was with gold-dust, with a large sprinkling played with the attrition and intensity from the feet of Santiago Cordero. His of a full-blooded international test, the agility and game-breaking bursts have Saracens wolfpack are on the march been instrumental for Chiefs this seaagain. After recent controversies, Billy son and, despite the signing of genuVunipola is back to his imperious best, ine world class talent in Stuart Hogg, whilst in Maro Itoje, Owen Farrell and Cordero’s presence will be missed next Brad Barritt, Saracens have a group of season. Henry Slade has always been a leaders who refuse to take a backwards fine player, gliding smoothly over the step. pitch, popping up at the right moment It is that steely robustness that has for a pass or a try. However, this season, set Saracens and Exeter apart from the he has taken his game to another level, rest of the pack this season, playing seemingly nailing down the outside-cenwith an intensity that few can match. If tre berth for England as the World Cup indeed the two sides do meet again at comes ever nearer. His distribution and Twickenham on 1 June, as most would game-awareness will be crucial as Exeter predict, it can be guaranteed that the seek to return to Twickenham. game will be a confrontational affair, In the pack, Chiefs have been as with little to choose between either side. physical as ever, with standout It would be foolish to use their previous performances from Don Armand meeting as any sort of barometer, as and Matt Kvesic. both sides selected second-string It defies logic line-ups, blooding fringe how neither players and academy young is in England guns. This final, a repeat contention. of last year's should Arguably it occur - will be the highImage: Owain Evans cagey, settled by light of

the season thus far was the 31-13 victory over Saracens in December. It was a game where Exeter effectively outplayed Saracens at their own game, whilst still maintaining the West Country ferocity of their own pattern of play. The intensity, ambition and defensive nous on show was something Saracens themselves are more accustomed to displaying, with that victory serving as a warning shot to not only the rest of the league, but also Sarries themselves.

Henry Slade has always been a fine player, popping up at the right moments It is this ferocity of performance that Exeter will have to display again in the coming weeks if they are to win their second Premiership crown. With just five defeats at the time of writing, Exeter, along with Saracens, have been the dominant force in England this season. It would be befitting, if it were those two walking out onto the hallowed turf come 1 June, for English rugby’s ultimate prize.

SPORT

Super start for EUMCC

Josh Brown Sport Editor

HE cricketing summer is already well underway for EUMCC's four BUCS sides, and with a preseason that started back in September, it's no surprise that each side won their first competitive fixture of the season. In the first round of fixtures, there were wins for the 1s against Bournemouth, the 2s against Cardiff Met and the 4s in a non-BUCS fixture against Bath, and while the 3s games on the first two Wednesdays were rained off, they would beat Southampton Solent by 125 runs on 15 May.

Each of the club's four BUCS sides won their opening fixtures this summer In more recent matchdays, results have been a little more mixed - with narrow defeats for the 2s to Bath and the 4s to Bournemouth 2s - but the 1s, part of the High Performance Programme (HPP) at the University, have won both of their competitive fixtures thus far the latest being a five-wicket win over Cardiff; a result even more impressive considering Ethan Bamber, arguably the team's most important bowler, was away playing for Middlesex in their County Championship fixture against Leicestershire. Taking the wickets in his stead were Surrey pace bowler George Barlow, Max Mannering and Finn Karsten - each taking two - behind Ben Twine, the pick of the bowlers, who finished with 3 for 10 off 7.2 overs. It was a difficult pitch to bat on, but Exeter chased down Cardiff's total of 112 with five wickets to spare - George Reid and Jamie Drewe both made good starts before falling to Cardiff bowler Jan Gray, but an important 26* from Giles Robinson saw the men in green emerge from the Welsh capital victorious. The win sees the 1s top the South A league with an 100% record currently only matched by Surrey 1s, but a far superior run-rate gives Exeter the advantage. At the time of publishing, Exeter will have played second-bottom Oxford at home on 20 May and then face Surrey, again at home, on 22 May. In a similar vein, EULCC's season got off to a positive if disappointing start as they were awarded the win against a Bath side who were unable to field a team. They face a journey to Birmingham on 22 May before what could be a pivotal clash against current table-toppers Cardiff Met on 29 May, after the original fixture on 8 May was postponed.

Sport

22 MAY 2019 | EXEPOSÉ

SPORT EDITORS: René Bahar Josh Brown

A cold one with the Boyce

Image: Daiki Shinomiya

Exeter University Water Polo 1s celebrate promotion to the Premier South

Men’s Water Polo Exeter ...................................... 18 UCL .......................................... 8 Pyramids Leisure Centre Char Merryn Finn Sport Team

FTER winning the Western 1A league and a silver in the BUCS Cup, the Men’s 1s team were up for promotion to Premier South. To claim their promotion, Exeter had to win the two-legged tie outright. Having already beaten UCL in their quarter finals of the BUCS Cup, Exeter went into the promotion fixture the favourites to win. The first leg took place away at UCL’s pool in London. Due to academic commitments, Exeter took a

weakened squad to the English capital. The first leg finished 8-6 to UCL, an agonising loss for the men, thus meaning Exeter would have to overcome the London side by three goals or more in the second leg to claim promotion. The pressure was on to win the tie on aggregate.

Exeter trailed the first leg 8-6, but they turned it around in the home game Exeter enjoyed the support of the home crowd in the second leg, and with the squad back at full strength, the men from Devon had every chance at qualifying. The Exeter men did not disappoint, with Edoardo Pessina

and James Spencer-Boyce both scoring within the first minute to put Exeter ahead by a clear margin. The first quarter ended with Exeter establishing a dominant 7-1 lead, with SpencerBoyce scoring two more goals, Balint Benke also scoring two, while Pessina and Max Ryan added to the tally. Exeter’s grip on the game, and the tie, tightened with a flurry of goals scored in the second quarter – Spencer-Boyce, Pessina, and Milan Baert all involved as the home side went into half-time with a lead of 10-3. Three more goals from SpencerBoyce and a goal from Hugh Dyason helped Exeter end the third quarter 14-8 ahead. Goals from Harry Wheeler, and another each for Pessina and Baert put the tie to bed despite UCL’s attack proving more efficient in the

second half of the game. The match finished 18-8, ensuring Exeter’s progression with the final result being 2416 on aggregate.

James SpencerBoyce scored one within the first minute, and seven in the game The home side were dominant throughout the game and this was represented by the final score. SpencerBoyce won man of the match with seven goals on the score sheet, just one shy of all the goals UCL scored throughout the game. Exeter’s goalkeeper Toby Reid must also be commended following several sensational saves that prevented UCL from gain-

ing a foothold in the game. Exeter will be promoted into Premier South next season having remained unbeaten at home - a fantastic achievement from an ever-growing club. Making Exeter a fortress again next season will be imperative for the club to stay up in this higher division next year, where they will face the respective first teams of Cardiff (this year’s winners), Oxford, Bristol, Bath and Imperial. They take the place of the University of the West of England (UWE), who won just one game of a gruelling ten-match season. The Devon side will be hoping to do significantly better than that against the southern elite next year after a brilliant achievement from a very strong Exeter first team.

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