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ISSUE 755 21 FEB 2024 exepose.com @Exepose

THE UNIVERSITY OF EXETER’S INDEPENDENT STUDENT NEWSPAPER SINCE 1987

Turnout in Guild Elections remains low at 13 per cent

LGBTQ+ History Month: our best moments Page 13

Image: University of Exeter Students’ Guild

Senior Editorial Team

Eating Disorder Awareness Week Page 16

N the 2nd February, the results for the Guild Leadership Elections were annouced. with only a 13 per cent turnout. The election saw 4,173 students cast their vote with over 31,000 votes cast overall. The voting period for this election was moved forward in the academic year, in comparison to it occuring later on in preivous years, with the results night being in early March last year. The Guild Offi-

cer positions that were up for the elections were Guild President, Sport President, Education Officer, Communities and Equality Officer, Societies and Employability Officer and Student Living Officer. The results followed a four-day voting period in which students at the University of Exeter had the opportunity to vote for the candidates that they wanted to see as their next Guild Officers for the next academic year. The Guild Elections were conducted through the proportional Single Transferable Vote (STV) system which allowed students to rank candidates in order of

preference from their first choice downwards. The candidate with the least votes is eliminated at the end of each stage and their second choices redistributed. Students could also vote to re-open nominations (R.O.N.). Multiple stages of voting tabulation took place for each position with a specific quota of votes necessary to be elected in each round. The quota is calculated by adding the total number of votes, dividing by two and adding one. The quota also decreases after each stage when a voter’s first choice is eliminated, and they choose not to rank any more candidates.

The Guild President-elect Alex Martin became the clear favourite to win from the first round. He achieved 1410 votes, only 33 less than the quota. Martin received twice as many votes in each of the three rounds than his next closest opponent — Captain Hook Tallon. In the first stage, R.O.N. was disqualified and in the second, the lowest ranked candidate, Jack Barwell, was eliminated. Martin was elected in the third stage, receiving 1438 votes against a quota of 1353.5.

Luhansk in eastern Ukraine, and Russia illegally annexed Crimea, in 2014. Despite widespread expectation that Ukraine’s capital, Kyiv, would fall to the Russians within days, Ukraine put up stiff resistance, aided by western military support. Despite rapid Russian gains, Ukraine launched a number of successful counteroffensives throughout 2022. However, in 2023, the war ground to a stalemate, with Ukraine’s counteroffensives failing to regain Russian-occupied territory in the south and east. Throughout its illegal invasion and occupation, numerous war crimes committed by Russia have been recorded, including murder, rape, attacks on civilians, deportation and torture. A 2022 report by the Raoul Wallenberg Centre for Human Rights warned that there was a “very

serious risk of genocide” in Russia’s invasion, and the International Criminal Court last year issued an arrest warrant for Putin. Millions of Ukrainians continue to live under constant threat of air strikes on civilian areas, with thousands already killed over the past two years. In this context, the British government opened a visa scheme for Ukrainians to come to the UK. The most recent government statistics from the 15th February indicate that over 250,000 Ukrainians have come to the UK under various visa schemes, with the majority indicating in an ONS survey that they plan to remain here in the long term. Devon in particular has a strong Ukrainian community, with around 200 Ukrainians settling in Exeter in 2022 under the government’s Homes for Ukraine scheme.

Exeposé spoke with Olena Mevsha, Publicity Officer of the University’s Ukrainian Society, on her experience as a Ukrainian refugee studying in Exeter. She came to the UK two months after the war began, after completing her first year of studies at a Ukrainian university, as part of the government’s programme. She has since remained in the UK to continue her studies at the University of Exeter. Mevsha recounted that the experience was “unexpected” and that she “applied for a visa and then in three days I basically flew away.” Mevsha’s family remain in Kyiv, and she has frequently visited them, including over the Christmas holidays. She recounted the experiences as being “quite good, except for everyday missile attacks.”

Continued on page 4

Exeter reflects on two years since the Russian invasion of Ukraine

Harry Craig Deputy Editor

THIS ARTICLE CONTAINS CONTENT RELATING TO WAR AND TERRORISM WHICH SOME READERS MAY FIND DISTRESSING

Exeter come out on top in Anglo-Welsh clash Page 32

Images (top to bottom): Elvert Barnes, Flickr; Amberly Wright; Eloise Grainger

ITH this Saturday (24th February) marking two years since Russia’s invasion, Exeter’s Ukrainian community have given their reactions to Russia’s ongoing war against Ukraine. On the 24th February 2022, Russian president Vladimir Putin launched a military invasion of Ukraine, challenging the country’s right to exist. This came eight years after Russiancontrolled separatists established two breakaway republics in Donetsk and

Continued on page 3

EXEPOSÉ

Devonshire House, Exeter, Devon, EX4 4PZ Editors Print: Anabel Costa-Ferreira & Livvy Mason-Myhill Online: Jamie Speka & Amelie Thompson Print Deputies: Harry Craig, Charlie Gershinson & Joshua Smith Online Deputies: Ewan Edwards & Megan Haynes editors@exepose.com Executives Finance: Willow Cracknell Social Media: Charlotte Randall Events: James Allen & Kritika Balhotra Welfare: Destiny Walsh News Editors Print: Oliver Lamb Online: Shagnick Bhattacharya & Anna Kane news@exepose.com Features Editors Print: Henry Parker & Benedict Thompson Online: Michelle Chung & Callum Martin features@exepose.com International Editors Print: Josie Sharp Online: Agata Koralewska Comment Editors Print: Lisette Reed & Charlotte Zeyssolff Online: Charlie Oldroyd & Amy Rushton comment@exepose.com Satire Editor Print: Rosie Peters-McDonald Lifestyle Editors Print: Lucy Rawlings & Amberly Wright Online: Emily Roughton & Zoe Sperry lifestyle@exepose.com Arts + Lit Editors Print: Maddie Conlan & Lauren Walsh Online: Gracie Moore & Violet Berney artsandlit@exepose.com Music Editors Print: Jake Avery & Scarlett Cracknell Online: Maya Fernandes & George Warburton music@exepose.com Screen Editors Print: Emily Sara Rizzo & Kayleigh Swart Online: Jess Cadogan & Katie Matthews screen@exepose.com Tech Editor Print: Ewan Gregory & Charlie McCormack Science Editors Print: Eloise Shewring & Hannah Woodley Online: Orla Watson sciandtech@exepose.com Sport Editors Print: Eloise Grainger, Oliver Rickwood & Ben Scott Online: Mikhail Shklover & Ceri Vaughan-Jones

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editors@exepose.com 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.

Editorial

OMEHOW another two weeks have flown by, and we are back with another issue filled with news, interviews and reviews. For those of you lucky individuals with a reading week we hope you enjoy your break and take time to have a flick through our paper. This edition we focus on LGBTQ+ History Month and hope you enjoy reading a wide range of themed articles from ones in Comment to Music and Screen. As always, at a time where deadlines begin to pile up, we hope everyone is taking care and remembering to look after themselves. In News this week, we focus on the recent Guild elections results (pages 4-5). We also look at the response to the war in Ukraine two years on (page 3). In Features, there's an analysis of the future of Northern Ireland under new leadership (page 8), as well as an interview with St. Petrock's on the crisis of homelessness in Exeter and the charity’s work on homelessness prevention (page 9). International discusses the recent cabinet shift in France as well as political failures from Catalan separatist groups (page 10). In Comment, there's a discussion about whether students are still club rats (page 12), as well as reflection on remarkable moments of queer history (page 13). Meanwhile, Satire mourns two great losses: Unit 1 and

SPA AWARDS

Captain Hook Tallon (page 14). In Exhibit, Lifestyle importantly writes on Eating Disorders Awareness Week (page 16). There is also a discussion on whether skincare brands must do more to protect young children (page 17). Arts and Lit share pieces of art that remind them of spring time (page 18) and the controversy surrounding the 2023 Hugo Awards. (page 19). Music explores iconic love-themed albums (page 21). Screen reviews the newest adaptation of Rick Riordan’s Percy Jackson (page 23). Tech looks at the popularity and controversy of ‘Palworld’ (page 25) and Exetera Exetera suggests activities for a rainy day and how to stay social on a budget (page 26). Science explores AI learning through a baby’s eyes (page 29) and Sport discusses the departure of Jurgen Klopp (page 31) and the recent Exeter vs. Cardiff varsity match (page 32). As always it's been another busy week for us here at the Exeposé office. This time with our new spinny chairs (special thanks to the Guild), discounted cake, and one editor talking solely through Google Translate as she lost her voice. As always, a huge thank you to all our contributors and proofers. We hope you enjoy this edition and can’t believe we are already on our fourth issue of term! Livvy and Anabel

2023 UK's Best Publication Images (top to bottom): St. Petrocks, Harry Craig, Nuno Ferreira, Jocrebbin, istock image Wikimedia Commons

FEATURES Exeter homelessness: In conversation with St.Petrock's PAGE 9

SATIRE UNIT 1 DEAD AGED 16 PAGE 14

ARTS + LIT The art of spring PAGE 18

SCIENCE Antarctic mysteries to be mapped by robot plane PAGE 28 Proofers: Livvy Mason-Myhill, Anabel Costa-Ferreira, Harry Craig, Charlie Gershinson, Joshua Smith, Oliver Lamb, Callum Martin, Anna Kane, Emily Irving and Joseph Terry.

University news home and abroad More than half of UK undergraduates say they use AI for essays

Disabled Saudi university applicants exempted from standard entrance tests

Coroner criticises Southampton University over student suicide

CONTENT WARNING:

Greek students protest plans to allow private universities

SURVEY conducted by the ISABLED university appliITH the Greek centreMENTIONS OF SUICIDE Higher Education Policy Incants in Saudi Arabia will N a recent inquest, the Univerright government gaining stitute found that of 1,000 face tailored entrance tests, sity of Southampton has been control of Parliament afUK undergraduates, 53 per cent were after the Saudi Council of Univercriticised for a lack of “awareness, ter their re-election last year, the govusing AI to produce content for as- sities’ Affairs exempted them from understanding and curiosity” surround- ernment introduced reforms to allow sessed works. One in four admitted the standard admissions process. ing the mental health of their students. private universities in Greece, one of to using tools such as ChatGPT and The decision, announced in January, Christopher Wilkinson, the senior the few countries in Europe not to Google Bard to suggest topics, and exempts applicants belonging to eight area coroner for Hampshire, said the post- have any. This would allow prestigious one in eight said they use editcategories of disability: hear- pandemic climate, with interruptions to overseas universities to set up branched content created by AI. ing impairments, visual study and student life, has seen a deteriora- es within Greece, running on a nonThe issue with AI impairments, learn- tion of mental health amongst students. profit system but still charging fees. is that many stuing difficulties, This comes after a third-year engiThis has seen widespread demdents are unaware autism spectrum neering student at Southampton, Mat- onstrations across Greek universiof the inaccuradisorders, be- thew Wickes, killed himself while suf- ties, with chants such as “hands cies it produces, havioural and fering from an acute anxiety crisis. off education”. Earlier this month, which is worryemotional disMatthew’s father stated his son’s men- some protestors turned to vioing considering orders, physical tal health was heavily impacted by Covid lence, with protestors seen clashing five per cent of and health dis- lockdowns during his first and second with police and many later arrested. the students in orders, language years at university. Matthew’s non-attendThe government and supporters of the survey admitand speech disor- ance was flagged in April by student sup- the reforms argue that it will prevent ted to copying and ders, and ADHD. port last year, but it was not followed skilled people from leaving the counpasting unedited AILeading up to the up. The University of Southampton has try to go to university and allow higher generated text into their asdecision, a special commit- since put in place a new system to flag education to be more in touch with the sessments. Furthermore, unedited AI tee examined disability in universi- up changing patterns of attendance. needs of private sector employment. text creates a boring and rigid style ties and looked at studies relevant to the But many feel students need to be offered However, opponents of the rethat easily gives away its use, creat- exemption. This was at the behest of the help, not have to seek it out. Wilkinson said: forms argue it would threaten acing unoriginal and even basic essays. Minister of Education, Yousef al-Benyan. “I am not convinced, on the evidence heard cess to higher education for the However, the survey also found The Education and Training Evalu- at this inquest, that enough has yet been done disadvantaged, along with underthat as AI usage has spread, fewer ation Commission will design tests to also consider how ‘reaching out’ to such mining the public university system. students have been willing to use it. for those covered by the exemption. students can be most effectively achieved.” If you have been affected by these issues, please contact the University's Wellbeing services. Image: Milford, Wikimedia Commons

By Sarah Gould, Oliver Lamb, Benedict Thompson and Tom Richardson

21 FEB 2024 | EXEPOSÉ

3 NEWS

‘Parklets’ being built in Exeter city centre Emily Elliott

ARKLETS are being introduced to Exeter as part of an effort to enhance public spaces and draw more people into the city. Parklets extend the pavement, encouraging leisure time and a sense of community. These improvements come from InExeter, a business improvement district

which focuses on initiatives to encourage people to ‘dwell’ for longer in the city centre, having devised a dedicated calendar of activities, making it a more attractive and friendly place to be and encouraging growth of local businesses. Even more attractive, the parklets will be free to use. InExeter has proposed two parklets, which the government has put £50,000 towards. The two parklets will be on Fore Street and Musgrave Row in repurposed

parking areas, outside local businesses. One of the key issues the parklets will address is the congested pavements which, in the past, have heavily limited outdoor seating, discouraging many from spending time in the city. The parklets have been commissioned by a local business who are installing them. Parklets are in line with recent urban trends, similar ones emerging in Stoke Newington, Hackney and campuses such as Imperial College London.

Image: Wagner Tamanaha, Wikimedia Commons

“They listen to the explosions every single day” THIS ARTICLE CONTAINS CONTENT RELATING TO WAR AND TERRORISM WHICH SOME READERS MAY FIND DISTRESSING

HE praised the Ukrainian Society for the community they had formed whilst in Exeter, stating that, “we have a good diversity of people, they’re all from different parts of Ukraine, from east, from west, from south.” She went on to say that “we are all united with the same idea and we’re all doing a really good job.” Mevsha expressed her gratitude to the British government for their support to Ukraine, stating that: “We are actually really grateful to the UK because they were the first who actually sent weapons rather than just being super concerned, and I really feel supported in the British community.” The UK has pledged almost £12 billion in overall support to Ukraine since February 2022, including significant amounts of military equipment, and has helped to train over 30,000 Ukrainian personnel. Exeposé asked Mevsha what life is like for her Ukrainian family still living in Kyiv. She stated that: “I really admire the resilience they have.” She noted that most members of the Ukrainian Society still have immediate family living in the country, and explained that, “they listen to the explosions every single day. The funny

HILE you are reading this text, somewhere on my land, the air defence will fail to detect a missile, and someone's child, someone's mother, father, friend or relative will die. If they are lucky enough, it's just their house that will simply burn down. Right now, the sky will once again shake from a sudden explosion, children will stop studying and will go to the shelter. Somewhere someone will accidentally step on a mine. And the hymn that glorifies the defenders will sound again, but this melody will instill eternal darkness in the souls of those who lost their loved ones in the war. Once again, our fields, which smell of wheat and

part is, everybody gets used to it.” Mevsha recounted what everyday life is like for Ukrainians living under constant threat of missile attack, explaining that, “at the beginning… everybody was just lost and didn’t know what to do and where to go… now when we have a missile attack at 4am, 5am in the morning [until] 9am, kids still go to school.” She gave the example of her sister, who is “in the fifth grade at school and they continue studies in the shelter.” “If there is a siren, for instance, people just go to work. Life keeps going. Cinemas, theatres, everything’s working. They just try to work within the conditions that they have.” Mevsha concluded by expressing her hope that the next 12 months would bring victory for Ukraine. She stated that: “somehow deep inside I have this assurance that there will be this point… even if there might be some moments where you feel desperate.” To mark the two-year anniversary of the start of the invasion, Maketank Cultural Lab and Devon Ukrainian Association have jointly organised a rally and vigil on Saturday (24th February). This will take place in Bedford Square at 14:30, followed by a prayer service at St. Stephen’s Church that will include poetry readings, in partnership with the University and Exeter UNESCO City of

Literature. These readings will be accompanied by children’s drawings to be sent to Ukrainian frontline soldiers. Exeter Labour MP Sir Ben Bradshaw also spoke to Exeposé about the two-year anniversary, saying: “Since Putin’s illegal invasion of Ukraine two years ago over 2,000 Ukrainians have been welcomed to Devon. The generosity the people of Devon and Exeter have shown to the people of Ukraine has been heart-warming. In the face of a cost-of-living crisis, the city has come together to provide as much support as possible.” Bradshaw has met with some of the Ukrainian families who have settled in Exeter, noting how he had heard “first-hand their experiences of the war and the difficulties they, their friends and their family faced in leaving Ukraine.” Bradshaw also commented that, “Exeter City Council and Devon County Council have undertaken some tremendous work to help to integrate and provide access to Ukrainian refugees to a wide range of assistance and advice services. “Alongside this, the Conversation Café for Ukraine on Paris Street has been vital in helping Ukrainians settle in.” The Conversation Café is run by the Devon Ukrainian Association, in partnership with Maketank and Exeter City Council, and

provides a place to socialise as well as English language classes and employment and healthcare assistance. Bradshaw also reflected on the national government support the UK has offered to Ukraine. He stated that: “On a national level, the UK has been one of the biggest donors to Ukraine, alongside the United States and Germany.” “I and Labour have been clear that alongside our European, US and other allies we must continue to stand with and support Ukraine in their fight to protect all our freedoms.” In response to a request for comment on Ukraine, the University said: “[We] have ensured the appropri-

ate support measures are in place for those that need it. The University has also welcomed a number of Ukrainian Research Fellows and their families through the British Academy Researchers at Risk Fellowships scheme. Students and staff can access any support they need through their personal tutors or supervisors directly, or via Wellbeing Services.” The Guild echoed these sentiments, saying: “As the conflict in Ukraine continues, we would like to remind all students that we are here to support them. If you need to talk to someone, please contact the Guild Advice team or University Wellbeing Services.”

are covered with sunflowers, will be covered with hundreds of blue and yellow flags and will be permeated with the smell of the innocent blood of our people who defend all of Europe from Russian terrorism... Have you ever imagined what it's like to live when death is breathing down your back every second? How does your usual day start then? Can you drink coffee to the eerie wail of the siren? How will you live with the thought that you will not be able to finish it at all at some point... Will you then be able to just as cold-bloodedly switch the channel or radio station with news, and continue talking about political correctness, about the sudden world

peace, that there's no difference whose territory it is, whose faith, language, right to exist? Will you be able to not just survive, but to live fully and continue to believe and work for a better future for your country, in the unknown of what will happen tomorrow: live every day as if it were the last? War isn't a romantic historical film, but a cruel and terrible reality. This isn't an another gimmicky headline for the media, this is a death that touches everyone in one way or another. War isn't only about weapons, military and politics, it is the fight of every person and child for life. Why do we have all these

fashionable goals about net zero, global goals and other demonstrative tinsel, if we are not able to save even small children in the middle of Europe? Tell me, please, how we will reach global security, a healthy planet, and the absence of poverty, if we simply cannot provide people with life and collectively suppress this genuine terrorism, and in addition, we invent various facilitating forms to label it, because money from hell neither burns nor stinks... We are afraid to even call a spade a spade, let alone take steps to prevent or resolve it. "Conflict in Ukraine", "Ukrainian crisis", "situation in Europe" — what else will we invent

in order not to use true terms: "Russia's war against Ukraine", "Russia's invasion of Ukraine", "genocide of the Ukrainian people caused by Russia (again)"... How many more empty conversations, meetings of collectives or organisations, which, apart from counting money, have nothing sacred in this life, must take place, so that we finally see progress de facto, and not de jure? We would also like to have answers to all these questions that we have been looking for for two years. But while they are gone, we continue to believe in God, hoping that he hears our prayers... Glory to Ukraine!

Image: Harry Craig

Message from the Ukrainian Society

4 NEWS

21 FEB 2024 | EXEPOSÉ

Guild Elections results announced Senior Editorial Team

HE three-person race for Education Officer saw Sebastian Racisz win against Jack Barry and Kieran Moore. There were three stages with R.O.N. first being eliminated and then Moore in the second stage, receiving 359 votes. Racisz won on the third stage, receiving 1078 votes against a quota of 959.5. The race for Societies and Employability Officer saw the closest election of the night. There were five candidates by election night as Sennan Addinall withdrew after voting had closed and their votes were automatically redistributed to second choices. There were four stages to this contest before the only two candidates remained were Matthias La Pira and India Walton-Salmon. The final round saw only two votes separating the candidates with Walton-Salmon winning 764 votes to La Pira’s 762. There were three candidates for the position of Student Living Officer with Kira Brookes being elected out of the field. In the first stage, R.O.N was eliminated, and Siddharth Nagesh Salvi eliminated in the sec-

ond stage. Finally, Brookes won against the second-placed candidate, Chloe Burlaka, with 962 votes against 748 with a quota of 851 votes. For the Communities and Equality Officer there were five candidates, with Thomas Tran being elected out of the field. The election was hotly contested, with only 23 votes between Thomas and secondplaced Zixian after four eliminations including R.O.N. It took five stages of counting to reach a conclusion, with the quota of 1044 not being met by any candidate in the first round — it was only in the fifth round that Tran passed the 702.5 vote quota. The first round of voting saw only 82 votes between first and third place. In total there were five candidates for Sport President, with Chloe Whitworth winning with a total of 978 votes, beating second place Alice Mundy in stage four of counting by a mere 19 votes. In all stages of counting the field was led by Chloe and Alice, with third

place Ruzza being eliminated in stage three, 444 votes behind the leader. No candidate reached the original quota of 1299, and it took until Images: University of Exeter Students’ Guild

stage four for Chloe to pass the quota of 969.5. Exeposé asked students about both their experience of election week as well as their participation. Whether this involvement entailed simply voting or helping other campaigns, the

Guild sought to engage as many individuals as possible. Reflecting on the week, all those whom Exeposé spoke to were aware of the elections and claimed to have voted. As the rules surrounding campaigning differed this year, candidates were unable to make pledges to voters, and manifestos were checked to ensure this. In response to this, Exeposé found that many students felt their decisions were affected by this shift in rules, with one stating that it became “difficult to distinguish between candidates and led me to not bother voting for several positions.” Others felt a lack of policies made it “hard to choose” or simply voted “for someone, not necessarily because I wanted them to win, but because I didn’t want the others to win.”

The Guild sought to engage as many individuals as possible When asked if there was anything specifically that encouraged or discour-

aged them to vote, several students again noted a lack of manifestos or simply an unawareness when the voting period closed. Another noted while they felt like they should exercise their democratic right, “they didn’t really have strong opinions.” One student shared with Exeposé that they felt effort had dropped in comparison to last year, and that this was “ironic given that last year was during a reading week.” They went on to explain how they felt there was a “limited on-campus presence to the point where a completely different event had been booked out in the Forum on Wednesday.” As the process of election week continues to develop each year, Exeposé further questioned students what they believe the Guild should be doing to improve the overall experience of election week. While one stated that “campaigns should last longer” to “build up more anticipation,” Another similarly drew on a need for greater publicity both online and in-person. While many knew about the votes, one student highlighted that they knew others who would refrain from voting as they “felt as if they hadn’t seen enough evidence of the officers affecting them.”

Newly-elected officers comment... India WaltonSalmon

Seb Racisz

Images: University of Exeter Students’ Guild

(Education Officer)

EING completely honest, campaigning was a bit of a mixed bag. On one hand, I had a fantastic time campaigning as I got to make friends with the many amazing people running. On the other hand, it can’t be understated how stressful it was, especially since all candidates gave it their all. Nevertheless, I’m incredibly grateful for this opportunity. I know it won’t be easy at points, and I’m ready for plenty of rejections from the uni, but fighting for students’ voices is my thing, and I can’t wait to get started.

(Societies & Employability Officer)

A M PA IGN I NG Guild the in Elections was some of the most stressful but rewarding weeks of my life! It was really fun getting to know everyone during the elections, and I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for putting your confidence in me to be the next S&E Officer. I’m excited to be on an amazing team next year so we can help make a more inclusive student experience at Exeter.

Kira Brookes

(Student Living Officer)

Alex Martin

Exeposé asked Thomas Tran (Communities and Equality Officer-elect) and Chloe Whitworth (Sport President-elect) for comment, but received no response at the time of publication.

(Guild President)

HE election was definitely very tiring and stressful, especially with a longer online and physical campaigning period. Ultimately, however, it was very rewarding and important to give candidates a chance to break through and get their message to students. I also really appreciated the sense of community

I found among all the candidates during voting week and the opportunity to share ideas and relax with them when not out campaigning. At the moment I am jumping between very nervous and very excited. There is a lot I want to do and a of issues students need support with and I know it will be difficult to get it all done,

HINKING about the elections now is both really exciting and kind of daunting, the campaign period was such a whirlwind and now the dust has settled I’m realising that it’s actually a job for next year! That said, I’m so excited and grateful to have this opportunity and I’m really hoping to be able to start making some great change on Campus. It’s going to be a great year with a great team and I feel so lucky to be involved.

5 NEWS

21 FEB 2024 | EXEPOSÉ

Guild Elections results announced

XEPOSÉ recently uncovered that the Guild spent £11,000 last academic year on the Guild Leadership Elections which included student staffing and candidate expenses. In comparison this year the Guild spent £5,700 on the elections. The Guild suggested that for “this year we scaled back the marketing assets that were required and spent less on printed items e.g. leaf-

Guild President

lets and posters.” The Guild further highlighted that “the change to in-person voting due to a low uptake last year, meant there was no need to hire devices so savings were made.” They indicated that the election candidates for this year spent less money, due to the campaign packs that the Guild provided. They explained how each candidate had a budget of £50 yet very few of these budgets were reached. The Guild then stated

that they did not have hustings this year, meaning that there were no costs for room hire, staffing, or external fees. T h e turnout for this year’s Guild Leadership

Elections was 13 per cent, only going up one per cent from last year’s 12 per cent turnout. The Guild stated that they are “glad to see a higher turnout than last year and that the downwards trend has stopped. However, we recognise that across the sector engagement with the approach to student democracy has seen a decline.” The Guild recognised that the turnout of 13 per cent this year “does not reflect the engagement with the current model of representation across the

Societies & Employability Officer

(Societies & Employability Officer)

T'S been quite a year so far, and even though the role is coming to an end, it's nowhere near over. There's still plenty of work to keep getting on with, representing the student priorities, and to start thinking about the end now would do a disservice to the student members who look to me for representation. With that in mind though, I was thrilled to see such a vibrant candidate pool, for all races, but particularly for Societies and Employability Officer, and such a hard fought campaign, the result of which I have the utmost confidence will lead to a very successful year for India.

Emma de Saram (Guild President)

T'S been a privilege to have spent the last year and a half representing students and working alongside the Guild improving university life. From board meetings to protests, it's been a unique and rewarding experience and I'll truly miss it — I have complete faith in your next sabbatical officer team.

Images: University of Exeter Students’ Guild

Communities & Equality Officer

Pip Shaw

(Student Living Officer)

HE longer we get in to the first year of Student Living Officer as a role, the more convinced I am that this is such a valuable remit of work. Change and representation are so important in every element of student life: housing, finances, cost of living, safety, sustainability, and so much more — I feel very confident leaving this work in the hands of the future officer team.

Sport President

Images: University of Exeter Students’ Guild

Alex Stanley

(Education Officer)

T'S a strange feeling, but I have full confidence in the 2024/25 team and know that they will do a great job. In the meantime, I am looking forward to the rest of terms two and three as there is still a lot of work to be done!

Education Officer

Student Living Officer

Current officers comment... Rhys Wallis

sector” which they see as a challenge and that they are “keen to explore what this could look like in future.” The Guild reflected that they are committed to undertaking a radical review to explore discussions with their majority student-led trustee board. Lastly, the Guild shared that they look forward to “sharing more information and how students can get involved in coming weeks.”

Images: University of Exeter Students’ Guild

6 NEWS

21 FEB 2024 | EXEPOSÉ

Mars model on display in Exeter Cathedral Anna Kane Online News Editor

XETER Cathedral recently unveiled their newest artistic display: a sevenmetre 3D replica of the planet Mars. Several students will remember that a year ago, dangling from the Cathedral ceiling was a similarly sized replica of the moon. Both space-inspired pieces are the work of UK-based artist Luke Jerram, who works principally in sculptures and installations. The new model in Exeter Cathedral is called ‘Mars: War & Peace’, an incredibly detailed replica of the surface of Mars taken from NASA data and images of the

planet. The model is dangling from the Cathedral’s stone vault ceiling and takes up a substantial amount of space. It is also accompanied by an unusual composition by awardwinning composer Dan Jones, which consists of ocean and desert sounds, clips from NASA’s missions to Mars, and even sounds of “distant bombing and people marching to war.” Last year’s model, ‘Museum of the Moon’, also seven metres in diameter, was particularly popular with both students and locals, with people commuting to come and see the exhibit. The Mars model will be on display until the 28th February, with a ticket fee of £6 for adults and free admission for under 18s.

Image: Madhav fallusion, Wikimedia Commons

Just Stop Oil protester banned from campus Anabel Costa-Ferreira, Livvy Mason-Myhill and Charlie Gershinson Editors-in-Chief and Deputy Editor

HE University of Exeter has banned a Just Stop Oil protester who disrupted his own graduation ceremony and organised a protest at the World Snooker Championship. 25-year-old Edred Whittingham is a frequent Just Stop Oil demonstrator. In April 2023, he famously interrupted the World Snooker Championship by standing on the snooker table and dousing himself in orange powder. This then gauged national attention, with stories being published by The Guardian, Sky News and the Daily Mail. Whittingham has now been expelled from his previous university following more protests during his own graduation from the University of Exeter in July of last year, during which he splattered orange paint over the court-

yard and yelled, “Just Stop Oil,” as he was being taken away by security guards. On the 30th January, Whittingham got a letter from the University of Exeter advising him that he was no longer permitted to enter the University’s facilities or grounds. The letter from Exeter’s Senior Vice President, Registrar, and Secretary, Mike ShoreNye, was published by Just Stop Oil on their X and Instagram pages, which currently has more than 1,000 likes. Mr. Shore-Nye wrote the following in the letter: “I am writing to inform you that, due to your activities that violate the established rules and regulations of our University, the University has decided to impose a ban on your presence on university grounds effective immediately.” The letter went on to say that “with immediate effect, you are banned from all University of Exeter property, grounds and buildings.” Whittingham is further warned in the letter that any violation will be viewed as trespassing and that “the appropriate course of actions will be taken.” While Just Stop Oil action has Image: Just Stop Oil

Four Exeter students competing in Six Nations Joshua Smith Deputy Editor

HREE current students and one alumnus of the University of Exeter have been called up to international duty for this year’s Six Nations rugby tournament. This includes Wales and Exeter Chiefs captain Dafydd Jenkins, who is leading a Wales squad with five yet-uncapped players, and eight who are yet to make an appearance for the country in the tournament. He is only 21 years old. Jenkins is currently studying for a degree in Sport Science at the University, and rose to prominence in recent years at both university and national levels having won the BUCS trophy with the University in 2022 before being the youngest player to ever captain the Exeter Chiefs. Other students at the University have been called up to the English and Italian squads for the tournament, including rising Exeter chiefs star and medical student Immanuel Feyi-Waboso, who attracted Steve Borthwick’s attention after some outstanding performances for the Chiefs in the championship, and Ross Vincent, a star player in the University’s rugby performance programme. Finally, Scotland are fielding alumnus and 2016 BUCS captain

Sam Skinner, who graduated with a degree in Business and Economics. Alison Davidson, Director of Sport at the University stated that: “it is great to see three current students representing their respective nations at the highest level. To achieve this whilst studying at the University is particularly impressive. Some have compared this achievement to running a newspaper alongside your degree.” She continued: “This highlights their commitment to developing their rugby careers in both the men’s and women’s game alongside their degrees as part of our performance sport programme and partnership with Exeter Chiefs. We wish them the best of luck for the tournament and look forward to following their progress.” Image: Conor Lawless, Wikimedia Commons

continued throughout this academic year, the catalyst for the University’s involvement is believed to be the protest at last summer’s graduation ceremony. Before the protest, Edred called out the University that rather than preparing young people for this inevitable disruption, they are “instead upholding a status quo that is going to kill millions if not billions of people. That’s why I’m calling on students everywhere to join us in resistance against this criminal government.” An active member of JSO, Edred was arrested several times in the past year. While more commonly associated with the snooker protests, he also glued his hand to a painting in Manchester back in July 2022. In September of that same year, he was arrested in Kingsbury Oil Terminal alongside 50 others, all in defiance of a court order. While often criticised for his comfortable upbringing, he continues to crowdfund for his activism to help him financially cope with the subsequent consequences of his activism. He is described by the papers as a “serial activist” and although he has been arrested several times as a result of protests, he remains committed to his cause. When asked for comment, Whittingham told Exeposé, “It seems that the University of Exeter, which prides itself on its sustainability credentials and its contributions to climate science, would rather take money from the fossil fuel companies that are driving the climate crisis and ban one of its own graduates for legally protesting on one of its campuses than hold the UK government to account and demand that they commit to ending all new fossil fuel licenses and consents in the UK.” The University was also approached for comment but declined to do so.

Exeter celebrates Spring Festival Oliver Lamb News Editor

HE University of Exeter celebrated the Spring Festival, or Lunar New Year, on the 13th February. Between midday and 3pm the Forum played host to a variety of stalls, most run by student societies. A fireworks display was held at 18:45 near the XFI Building on campus. Lunar New Year, a major celebration in many Asian countries, fell on the 10th February. The Forum festival was organised by the University in collaboration with the Chinese, Malaysian, Singapore, Filipino, Mahjong, Vietnamese and Thai Societies, as well as the student society HK Pass and the external Chinese Community Welfare Service. Activities on offer included calligraphy, by the Chinese Society; fortune telling (Malaysian Society); a wish tree (Singapore Society); mahjong (Mahjong Society), and lantern making (Vietnamese Society). HK Pass offered Chinese candy, Filipino Society displayed traditional clothing, and Thai Society offered milk tea. Addition-

ally, a pop-up stall sold Asian food. The Chinese Society said that the festival “promotes exchanges between different cultures and enriches the diversity of campus culture. At the same time, the Spring Festival activities promote the friendly relationship between international students and local students and strengthen the international learning environment of the University of Exeter.” The Singapore Society said the festival “unifies the students that

do celebrate it in their home countries” and is important in “recognising the cultural identities of students and sharing the celebration with others in the student community.” The Filipino Society said: “The Spring Festival seemed to give students who don’t usually celebrate Lunar New Year a taste of Asian culture. And to students who do celebrate Lunar New Year, the Spring Festival was able to provide a sense of a home away from home.” Image: Oliver Lamb

7 NEWS

21 FEB 2024 | EXEPOSÉ

Almost 6,000 cases of academic misconduct recorded since 2018, Exeposé finds Charlie Gershinson Deputy Editor

NFORMATION provided to Exeposé has revealed that allegations of plagiarism and academic misconduct have skyrocketed since 2018, peaking in the past academic year. According to a Freedom of Information (FOI) request, the University of Exeter suspected almost 1,200 students of different forms of academic misconduct in their coursework, the vast majority of whom were undergraduates. The largest number of students accused in recent years came in the 2021/22 academic year with almost 1,650 students. This saw a marked increase since the 2018/19 academic year when only 758 students were suspected. Since the 2018/19 academic year, almost 6,000 individual cases of academic dishonesty have been alleged. The number of students suspected of academic dishonesty per year had therefore more than doubled from 2018-2022, with levels still substantially increased according to the most recent data. This data includes all students who were suspected and does not distinguish between those found guilty or innocent. The University of Exeter’s processes in dealing with cases of plagiarism depend on the level of severity the University believes each individual case rises to. According to chapter 12 of the Teaching Quality Assurance Manual (TQAM), there are three categories of academic misconduct. The least severe is ‘poor academic practice’, which could be due to a lack of understanding rather than any malicious intent and does not include any suspicion that a student attempted to gain any unfair advantage. These are typically resolved through an academic honesty workshop after the coursework is returned as usual. Workshops act as an educational tool to address poor academic practice and try to ensure it does not happen again, rather than enforcing penalties on the student and therefore “moving the emphasis

away from punishment towards prevention and education.” The number of students asked to attend a workshop has fluctuated in recent years. Last year, 194 students took part in a workshop, a sudden decrease from 2021/22 which saw 489 cases. The use of workshops has increased particularly for postgraduate students. In both 2018/19 and 2019/20 only one postgraduate student per year took part in a workshop but this increased to 120 by 2021/22. Alternatively, students suspected of poor academic practice may face a department level meeting where an Academic Conduct Officer, who is not a member of teaching faculty, discusses the issues of the case with the student. There have been around 450 of these department level meetings per year in the past two academic years, with a total of almost 1,200 since September 2020. Academic Conduct Officers are authorised to award the offending piece of work a zero, but the student can reattempt it in the deferral period without the maximum mark being capped. The second category is ‘academic misconduct’ which “if not detected, would have deceived those setting, administering and marking the coursework and/or could have obtained advantage on the part of the student.” These cases are usually handled at faculty level. This involves a panel of staff deliberating on the case at hand, with the most severe repercussion being failure in that piece of coursework or even the module as a whole. Since data of faculty level meetings have been held, there have been around or over 500 instances each year. The third and most severe category of academic misconduct is ‘severe academic misconduct’ which could be a second time a student is found cheating or where there is evidence of “extensive plagiarism or cheating.” These are also dealt with at faculty level but could escalate to University level. Students found guilty could be reprimanded through tariffs F or G. The former involves the withholding of the student’s

Image: University of Exeter Students’ Guild

original degree, though they could still receive a lesser alternative, while the latter is the student’s expulsion from the University. Since 2018, six students were faced with a tariff G punishment. Appeals against all of these processes can be taken out but only in circumstances where there is evidence of bias or procedural irregularity. Data also reveals there has been a decrease in cases of academic misconduct connected to examinations. In 2018/19, there were 350 cases connected to examinations which led to any of a review panel, warning letter or phone fine. Last academic year, this decreased to just 77 cases. When Exeposé asked students for their thoughts on these processes for dealing with academic irregularities, some students felt there was a lack of support to ensure they avoid being accused of plagiarism, especially considering factors beyond their control. One student said that their assignment had “disappeared from ELE for three months without explanation” and that they only found out they were alleged with academic misconduct when they raised the issue. Another student said that would want to be assured of support were they to be accused of plagiarism. Since 2023, the Students’ Guild has platformed the ‘Reference Right’ scheme which outlines some of the most common mistakes which may lead students to be suspected of academic dishonesty such as a lack of quotation marks and self-

plagiarism. The website also includes testimonials from students who had been previously investigated for academic misconduct. One student said that department level meetings were often quite straightforward with the issue of mis-referencing resolved within the meeting. Speaking about the Reference Right campaign, the Students' Guild said, "last year we launched our ‘Reference Right’ campaign which aimed to improve students understanding of referencing with the goal of reducing the number of students who go through the academic conduct process. Our Advice team are there to support any student with academic matters such as appeals, misconduct processes or disciplinaries." When asked about the University’s processes for dealing with cases of academic misconduct, a spokesperson for the University of Exeter said: “The University takes any instances of academic misconduct extremely seriously and expects everyone to behave in a manner which upholds the principles of academic honesty. Academic honesty is fundamental to the values of the University community, and no one should be able to obtain an unfair advantage through any means. “The University has strict principles and procedures when dealing with an allegation of academic misconduct, which are published online. These robust procedures allow for a thorough investigation to determine whether

an incident of academic misconduct has taken place. Before arriving at a decision in which a student is found guilty of an academic offence the student will be provided with copies of the evidence upon which the concerns have been based and will be given an opportunity to respond to these concerns and to clarify what happened and why, both in person and in writing. Students can also receive help and advice from staff or Guild representatives. All allegations are reviewed by staff members who have received the appropriate training and support. Any penalties that may be given are determined on a case-by-case basis. "The majority of the cases considered are where students showed poor academic practice, rather than academic misconduct. These lowerlevel cases sometimes involve students who require additional support around their academic practices or are simply unaware of our academic conventions. In these cases, students are often invited to attend workshops that help develop and improve their understanding of the University’s academic expectations and avoid further suspicions of misconduct in the future. In other cases where poor academic practice is found, a student can be awarded a Penalty A ‘Warning Letter’ with no academic penalty imposed on the work. Although extremely rare, any potentially severe case can result in a student being expelled. This is a penalty that can only be issued by a Committee of Academic Enquiry (CAE)."

University extends partnership with Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra Charlie Gershinson Deputy Editor

HE Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra (BSO) has recently announced the renewal of their partnership with the University

of Exeter until at least 2027. The touring classical orchestra regularly visits Exeter and performs at the University’s Great Hall over 10 times per year. At their most recent concert on the 8th February, it was announced that the ongoing

collaborative partnership between the Orchestra and the University has been extended for at least the next three years. When asked for comment, the University’s spokesperson said: “We are delighted to renew the partnership with

the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra. We have enjoyed a successful relationship for many years and look forward to welcoming the BSO and their audiences for more wonderful events." The next BSO concerts

taking place at the Great Hall include a selection of film music on the 29th February and a concert on the 19th April featuring composers such as Gershwin, Grieg and Bizet.

21 FEB 2024| EXEPOSÉ

Features

FEATURES EDITORS: Benedict Thompson Henry Parker

Exeter among universities embroiled in cash-forcourses scheme

Charlie Gershinson, Deputy Editor, on the problem of “back door” routes for international students at Russell Group universities like Exeter

SUNDAY Times investigation has confirmed a truth longknown but not often discussed within Higher Education: the increasing and unrelenting dependence which British universities have on international students, particularly those who are wealthy. Released on the 27th January, the investigation found a secretive yet commonplace attitude among especially Russell Group universities — of which the University of Exeter is a part — where “back door” routes are used to give international students much lower grade

offers for competitive courses compared to their domestic counterparts. Top universities spend millions of pounds on private companies to headhunt wealthy international students, paying them the equivalent of around 20 per cent of a first year students’ tuition fees. For an economics degree, a domestic student is typically offered a place at the University of Exeter contingent on earning three A grades at A Level but for an international students’ foundation course, from which students can go on to study a bachelor’s degree, the requirements are

Image: Philkai1, Wikimedia Commons

only for DDE grades, according to INTO. Trends are seen in universities of a similar academic pedigree such as Bristol where an A*AA offer for domestic students is reduced to three Cs for a similar foundation course. Most Russell Group universities allow 16- and 17-year-olds to undertake a similar foundation course for only a few passing GCSE grades or equivalent. The University of Exeter requires five Bs for this course, as does the University of Bristol. The main reason why British universities are so eager to engage international students is each student brings in significantly more money than a domestic student. While an undergraduate students’ fees are capped at £9,250, tuition fees for their international counterparts can be up to £38,000. The back-way routes used by universities are estimated to admit around 30 per cent of all international students though there is no official national number of how many enter universities through a foundation course or special pathway as many students apply for these courses directly with the universities or by those pri-

vate companies who were contracted. It is known that 10,200 students at the University of Sheffield entered through this route. International students are often defined as those who have not been living continuously in the UK for three years, and so those who live with their families abroad while attending UK boarding schools are also seen as international students. The Sunday Times’ investigation brought them to Exeter where undercover reporters acted as parents of a prospective student currently studying at an elite UK boarding school. Exeter’s admissions staff encouraged the reporters to take their enquiries to INTO, a private company with a close relationship with the University. The reporters went on to meet with senior INTO staff, explaining that their ‘sons’ wished to study at the Business School, ranked as one of the best in the country. However, neither of them had achieved the AAB grades necessary under the UCAS system. Instead, they were encouraged to apply their older child to INTO’s International Year One Business programme, a one-year special

programme which only requires CCD grades, after which they would be able to enter year two of their economics degree. The special pathway programmes rampant within Russell Group universities indicate the ongoing struggles which the Higher Education sector has to remain solvent. Domestic tuition fees have remained stagnant at £9,250 for well over a decade, which has degraded to the equivalent of £6,250 in 2010 terms when accounting for inflation. With little if any government subsidies coming to the aid of universities, some institutions have been forced to cut courses, such as the University of Kent which recently announced the possibility of cutting courses like English language and linguistics, art history and modern languages, as well as half a dozen more. While universities become increasingly open to international students through surreptitious means, there is very little that universities can do other than increase tuition fees, a politically toxic idea, or increase subsidies for universities — an unlikely prospect for the current Conservative government.

Michelle O’Neill becomes Northern Ireland’s First Minister

Joelle Cutting on the future of the country under the first Sinn Féin-led executive in Stormont

N the 3rd February 2024, following the easing of trade agreements for Northern Ireland, the Assembly was recalled and a new executive led by Michelle O’Neill of Sinn Féin and Emma Little-Pengelly of the DUP was established. O’Neill makes history as the first nationalist First Minister of Northern Ireland. Back in May 2022 the DUP (Democratic Unionist Party) of Northern Ireland refused to agree to the selection of a speaker for the Assembly. This in turn prevented the appointment of a new Executive and resulted in a two-year suspension of Northern Ireland’s government assembly. The DUP’s decision to boycott power sharing came with the demand for eased post-Brexit trade agreements. Although Northern Ireland, like the rest of the UK, is no longer part of the EU they still exist under the EU Single Market. Now that government has been restored and begun to operate, there have been increasing questions surrounding Irish unification. Mixed messages have been coming from Sinn Féin itself

with the president of the party, Mary Lou McDonald, declaring in late January that Irish unity was within “touching distance”. However, more recently McDonald is quoted as saying although “change is all around” it “must be managed”. The new government seems keen to make sure that its foremost ambitions are to restore faith and stability in the region. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has echoed this sentiment, encouraging the executive to focus on the basics

McDonald stated Irish unity was within “touching distance.” and not issues of border placement. Relations between Westminster and the Stormont Executive are not without tensions. Sunak has expressed his “regret” regarding legal action being taken by Dublin against the UK policy on Troubles-related crimes. It has also been reported that the post-Brexit trading agreement changes used to appease the DUP are infused with “negative language” surrounding an all-Ireland economy.

Undoubtably, the election of O’Neill as the First Minister of the Stormont Assembly is a historic victory for Sinn Féin and their pursuit of a unified Ireland. However, popular opinion and leading experts throw doubt on whether re-unification is quite such a given. A recent opinion poll conducted by The Irish Times showed that although 30 per cent would vote for unification this was no match for the 51 per cent who would vote against. Jon Tonge, a politics professor at the University of Liverpool and authority on unionism, said: “I don’t think there ever will be a unionist first minister in Northern Ireland again. It’s over… It’s not that the union is over but the unionist state is over.” Tonge has argued that Sinn Fein’s ascension “to such electoral heights” is astonishing as it refers to Northern Ireland as “the north of Ireland” and thereby refuses to “recognise Northern Ireland as a political entity.” A catch-22 is beginning to emerge. For Sinn Féin to gain enough support for a referendum, they must prove successful in a state they are arguing doesn’t work and they are seeking to abolish.

There is doubt on whether re-unification is quite such a given. The division of government departments between Sinn Féin and the DUP has begun to signpost the two leading parties’ strategies for competing with one another. In a hotly contested move the DUP selected the Education Ministry and Department for Communities

while Sinn Féin hold the Economy, Finance, and Infrastructure departments. It appears the DUP will use culture as a vehicle for gaining support while allowing Sinn Féin to stand under scrutiny for the reductions in spending required to rescue the economy that has been neglected over the two-year suspension. It remains to be seen if and how popular opinion will shift in regard to Irish reunification as government in Northern Ireland once again resumes its function. Image: Sinn Féin, Flickr

21 FEB 2024 | EXEPOSÉ

9 FEATURES

Exeter homelessness: In conversation with St. Petrock’s Benedict Thompson and Henry Parker, Features Editors, speak to St. Petrock’s about the crisis of homelessness in Exeter, the charity’s work and homelessness prevention Image: St. Petrock’s

T. Petrock’s, a local homeless charity in Exeter, has been central in supporting the homeless since 1994. Part of the work St Petrock’s offers includes survival services such as providing food, laundry, and showers for rough sleepers. They have became a symbol. A symbol of hope and support for those impacted by homelessness. Recently, the government stepped in to postpone £1.5 millon in cuts which could have seen some services come to an end. Although postponed, there is still uncertainty as to whether these cuts will go ahead in 2025. Benedict Thompson and Henry Parker sat down with Tony Maguire, St Petrock’s Senior Project Worker, to discuss the charity’s work and the crisis of homelessness in Exeter. É: Could you tell us a bit about yourself and your position within the charity? TM: My name is Tony Maguire. I am a Senior Project Worker at St Petrock’s that is helping with survival services, as well as assessments and referrals. É: How many homeless people do St Petrock’s support? TM: We focus mostly on rough sleepers. So on an average day we can see upwards of 25 people rough sleeping. There are also other people who are at risk of homelessness or are street-attached. So during a day we could see up to 40-50 people. But the

people we really focus on will be the rough sleepers — so that number can vary, but around 25. É: Do you feel like the problem with rough sleeping has become worse recently? TM: Yes, definitely. There has been a steady increase, certainly in the numbers and in the issues which aren’t being addressed. When I first started here you could have a group of maybe eight or nine rough sleepers, but there would be options so you could move people on quite quickly. There would be accommodation available almost immediately and people could access health services — drug and alcohol services. Certainly over the last five years or so the numbers are going up and up and up. É: Do you think this will be a long-term problem? TM: That’s out of our control. In terms of how we can make impacts on the ground, on an individual level. But when it comes to national government policy which does have a direct impact on homelessness, we are really at their mercy. So what it needs is a more wrap-around kind of approach. But there is also the fact that with a lot of rough sleepers, their situation is caused by their mental health. The majority of people will have issues with drugs or alcohol which goes in tandem with their mental health. There is obviously some trauma that has not been quite resolved. É: What are some of the common stereotypes or misconceptions that people have about homelessness which you feel need to be addressed? TM: Obviously you are going to have a lot of what we call hidden homeless — so people who aren’t noticeably homeless. However, with the more kind of streetattached or rough-sleeping group who are visible in doorways or maybe during the day hanging around, there is an assumption that they are trouble, or that they’ve caused it due to their own behaviours. A

lot of these things could be true within individuals but as a group there is a stereotype there. One of the things we find when we have, like yourselves, come in and taken time to talk to people who actually experience it; once you can start that process, it will change how you perceive what homelessness is. There certainly is not one reason for it. People will be affected with it from different backgrounds and for different reasons. If you forget or assume that this is all just one group who is problematic, probably likely to cause crime and have caused their situation, that is when the issues and problems start to arise. É: In your work do you feel supported by Devon County Council? They stated they do “not have a statutory responsibility” to support the homeless? How do you feel about this? TM: The way I would look at that is that we are a voluntary organisation and we work outside of statutory services. Therefore, our bonus is on advocacy and breaking down the barriers to support. Culturally there is going to be a clash almost immediately because the local authority or statutory services will have finite resources they can use. So they will often use a gatekeeping approach, looking for reasons not to support rather than [reasons] to support. There is something called ‘priority need’ which is an automatic trigger for support. However, we can have a clear ‘priority need’ but the Council can say this person has no police evidence or the threat is not there anymore. Then you think okay, is that really the spirit of the law, so then you get into that kind of debate. So we use Shelter quite often. You have to accept you’re working, ideally, in partnership with the local authority or council but often there will be disagreements. We need to be making sure the evidence to support our clients’ cases is presented properly. É: What is the main struggle in maintaining St Petrock’s? TM: Funding is a massive pressure because we are relying on grants, bids and personal donations. We do not have

a pot of money from central government which is going to keep us going. The nature of the work we do, it does not have, in terms of economics and finance, intrinsic value. We are not producing anything of wealth unless we can make the argument that what we are doing is reducing homelessness. So we have to make sure people know about that and the value becomes attached to that service. Recently, there has been a last-minute reprieve for Devon County Council’s £1.5m homelessness prevention budget. Amidst an increasing homelessness population in Exeter, government ministers have now agreed to provide a further year’s funding. However, there remains doubt over whether plans for cuts will come back in 2025. É: Do you feel like homelessness is seen as enough of a priority by the Council? TM: I think they do see it as a priority. I think they appreciate that it does need to be addressed and, where possible, ended. However, I just do not think they have the insight or possibly the local knowledge on the ground to do that and what is actually needed. Sometimes they have unrealistic aims. É: Would it make a difference if people in power went onto the streets to see what was going on? TM: We are a big advocate here in bringing people out on ‘Outreach’ with us. We have a lot of press interest from

different organisations. To see it firsthand and talk to people experiencing it firsthand is invaluable and will make it harder for anybody in power or in politics to make sweeping statements if they had to make it to somebody who was experiencing it. Unless you get out and talk to people, you can get your quantitative data which is important, but without the actual stories of what is happening you are not going to have an insight into what it is actually like and how something on paper is different to when you see it in reality. É: What can we do, as students, to help raise awareness of homelessness in Exeter and help St Petrock’s work? TM: Over the years we have had various links with the University. That is really important for us and a good opportunity for students. So you could look at our website (stpetrocks.org.uk) and there are volunteering opportunities to come in. We would be happy to come up and talk to people at the University and maybe come and visit. There are lots of different things. We have often had quite good relationships with students who have come in and given up some time. Students at universities do get stereotyped as not being interested but I always say to people, I know for a fact that is not always the case. There are lots of good groups at University who do want to take an interest.

Image: St. Petrock’s

“Without them the homeless situation would be ten times worse, because people, they’d have nowhere to go”

HE reality of rough sleeping in Exeter is even worse than you might imagine. It is sometimes not possible to understand the mental toll rough sleepers endure daily. One of St Petrock’s success stories is 36-year-old Dan Thomas. Last year, he became homeless after losing his job as a stonemason while going through a traumatic time in his life. He has opened up about his tinnitus, and his depression and anxiety from being homeless. Dan told us: “I never get any peace or quiet. It’s like bipolar, it’s up and down. When I’m right, I’m alright, and then when I’m not right, I’m so not right.” His next revelation is even more shock-

ing. Dan described how he was sleeping rough in the woods of Marsh Barton, in the mud, in the freezing cold. He said at this point: “I was suicidal. I didn’t speak to anyone for about a month.” Dan is one of many rough sleepers in Exeter who have been supported by St Petrock’s. Part of the work St Petrock’s offers is assessments and referrals for mental health support, and drug and alcohol treatment. Tony Maguire told us: “80 per cent plus will have issues with drugs or alcohol and then that goes in tandem with their mental health. And lots of childhood trauma — that’s a big factor we’ve seen.” St Petrock’s too, have experienced how rough

sleepers have suffered quietly in Exeter. Dan told us “without them the homeless situation would be ten times worse, because people, they’d have nowhere to go.” Dan has been supported with temporary accomodation. Now, he is restarting an Open University degree in geology. It is work, he says, which will keep a roof over his head. What is unclear, however, is whether these opportunities are available from the start. Without charities such as St Petrock’s, the support on offer seems to be nonexistent. We asked Dan where he would be if it was not for St Petrock’s. With a stark expression, he responds: “I’d still be on the street.” Dan continued:

“without services like St. Petrock’s, you wouldn’t be able to come in and put your clothes on the radiator, get a warm coffee, have a nice hot meal.” The Christmas period was particularly difficult for rough sleepers. Dan was one of them — sleeping rough in front of a shop door — where temperatures dropped to -2 degrees. But it was not just the cold which made it horrendous on the streets. Rain, too, was a major issue for Dan, as damp clothes made it impossible to stay warm. Trying to cope with the adversity of the winter conditions can cause adverse problems. Dan told us: “It’s when it’s raining. If you’re wet then you can’t warm

up. We had that period, didn’t we, over Christmas when it was three weeks of constant rain. It was horrendous.” Dan recollected about his experiences at St Petrock’s centre by Exeter Cathedral. The number of people who enter the building is always high. “It’s like a turnstile.” They too, will be hoping to get off the streets and live in supported accomodation. At the end of our conversation, Dan left us with some hopeful advice for others. He said: “I always use a euphemism of a bag. There is so much in your bag, and if you can just take things out, one at a time, deal with that one thing every day, that bag won’t wear you down as much.”

International France’s first openly gay Prime Minister Anna Kane, Online News Editor discusses the recent cabinet change at the National Assembly

EING French in 2024 [...] is to be able to be prime minister while openly affirming your homosexuality,” said France’s new Prime Minister, Gabriel Attal, to conclude his first government policy statement. Attal was appointed Prime Minister by President Macron last month during a cabinet reshuffle. Macron’s move appeared tactical as Attal, previously France’s Education Minister, has done well in opinion polls. Attal is also only 34 years old, making him France’s youngest ever Prime Minister, as well as the first to be openly gay. In his first government policy statement, he set out his major plans and policies. He placed significant emphasis on the state of France’s job sector. He wants to raise more peoples’ incomes

above the minimum wage, as well as encouraging ministers to experiment with a four-day work week. In terms of healthcare, he is hoping to combat medical deserts by seeking doctors from abroad and wants to re-examine the bill on assisted dying. Amidst France’s current farmers strikes, Attal wants to implement an “Ecological Civil Service” and for European Common Agricultural Policy aid to be paid back into the bank accounts of farmers. If he is able to commit to his policies and pledges, the new French Prime Minister’s popularity will likely continue to grow. Image: Wikimedia Commons

Congress against Catalonia Gracie Moore, Online Arts and Lit Editor, shares the new political failure from Catalan separatist groups

HE end of January saw the shock rejec- Miriam Nogueras, a spokesperson for JxCat tion of an amnesty law by the Spanish said “we cannot participate in allowing the Catacongress which was aiming to benefit lan Independence Movement to be exposed to Catalan nationalists involved in separatist activi- the whims of the politicised Spanish judiciary.” ties. The Together for Catalonia (JxCat) party votThe bill received five fewer votes than it needed against it, saying that the act would not provide ed at 171 in order to be approved as both the conenough protection for politicians that are under servative People’s Party (PP) and the far-right Vox investigation for terror-related crimes. It comes fiercely opposed the amnesty and voted against it. as a shock because many nationalist There have been accusations of terrorist parties including JxCat were offences which have led to this diviImage: Wikimedia Commons in favour of amnesty, so sion in Spain. Mr Puigdemont the law appeared set has allegedly been involved to be approved with the Democratic Tsuby congress. nami, a pro-independThe law ence activist group would essenwhich staged mass tially pardon protests in 2019. those inIt is argued that volved in this Democratic extremist Tsunami may separatist have breached m o v e human rights and ments. The therefore, this separatist law would have organisaallowed to him to tion Omnium safely return to Spain has estimated after never being althat up to 1,500 lowed to return until now. prosecuted individuIt will now be reals would have been turned to a parliamentary covered by the amnesty. commission which needs to reJxCat is led by former Catavise and resubmit the bill within a lan president, Carles Puigdemont, who cited ju- month. This would also need to be approved dicial interference aimed at sabotaging the law. by the senate before being implemented.

21 FEB 2024| EXEPOSÉ

INTERNATIONAL EDITOR: Josie Sharp

Rwandan deportations

Felix Massey discusses the UK’s plans for tackling its influx of refugees

HE UK Government has said that the policy of deportations to Rwanda is only one part of their response to illegal migration, and that other return deals with nations could also play a significant part. The comments by Home Secretary James Cleverly comes at a time when the Government has faced numerous difficulties in implementing its flagship policy in immigration: a host of legal challenges including to the Supreme Court, objection in the House of Lords, and public pressure and protests by human rights groups who say it violates the UK’s international obligations. As it stands, the government has spent an estimated £240 million on the scheme so far, leading some MPs to criticise the cost-effectiveness of the plans. Cleverly however also hinted at plans to strike deals with other countries when speaking to the Home Affairs Select Committee alongside Permanent Secretary Sir Matthew Rycroft. Some critics have said that the current Rwanda deal, along with any potential future deals, risk violating the rights of asylum seekers under the Refugee Convention, and that the policy is a ‘gimmick’, whilst

government ministers have claimed that it will help to reduce costs to the taxpayer of housing migrants in hotels at around £8 million per day.

Some critics have said that the current Rwanda deal... risk violating the rights of asylum seekers In a recent interview with Piers Morgan, Rishi Sunak agreed to a spur-of-the-moment £1000 bet that banked on his government starting Rwandan deportations before the impending general election. If he fails to meet this deadline he must donate the funds to a refugee charity.

Image: Flickr

Thailand’s pro-democracy party loss Emily Elliott discusses the possible dissolution of the antimonarchist party after being deemed illegal

OVE Forward Party (MFP), a Thai reformist party, could be dissolved after a court deemed its main policy ‘illegal’ and ‘unconstitutional’. This comes after a huge success in the election last year in which the party won the most votes and therefore the highest number of seats in Thailand’s House of Representatives. This follows a series of military governments in power, in which democratic parties experienced brief interludes of power. Currently, Thailand has a constitutional monarchy and Srettha Thavisin is the current prime minister. The policy found illegal by a Thai court was one that promised to change the royal defamation laws. The party leader Pita Limjaroenrat specifically was hoping to dismantle the Lèse-Majesté Law (Article 112), which declares insulting or threatening the monarchy illegal. To criticise the Thai monarchy is extremely taboo, and can incur a prison sentence, but in this case may lead to the banning of all MFP leaders from the political scene. The court ruled

that the party could no longer express these damaging views, through any medium. Despite his other policies having support, other parties formed a coalition that made up the government.

To critise the Thai monarchy is extremely taboo, and can incur a prison sentence A growing anti-monarchist sentiment beyond the MFP can be seen in the background of Thai politics. Punishments for anti-monarchist behaviour are consistently judged as severe, seeing a man imprisoned for 50 years for his criticism in early January. Huge protests carried out by students have been observed when past parties have been dissolved for similar views, but this time, there is a definite feeling of fear for speaking out, so politicians are doubtful about such protests happening again.

Comment

21 FEB 2024| EXEPOSÉ

COMMENT EDITORS Lisette Reed and Charlotte Zeyssolff

British Army in crisis

Cora Jamieson investigates why fewer people are joining the armed forces

VER since the dawn of austerity in 2010 alongside David Cameron’s new coalition government, all aspects of the UK’s spending have faced severe cuts to their budgets, the armed forces being no exception. Whereas in the 2000s, military spending rose from £23.2bn to £37.6bn, a rise of around 53 per cent, from 2012 the dominant trend in the UK defence budget has fluctuated wildly. But since the pandemic, it has been steadily trending downward in real terms due to both inflationary pressures and a general decline in defence spending. More concerningly for some, since 1999 there has only been six financial years on record during which the inflow of personnel into the military has been higher than the outflow, and in the year preceding the 31st March 2023, there was a net decrease of roughly 5,400 people. As of the 1st April 2023, there are 152,400 full-time personnel in the combined British armed forces, less than half of the 308,000 that served in 1990. Pressures on recruitment have

been felt at all stages of army spending as senior leadership have desperately tried to make cuts to areas not immediately seen as beneficial to recruitment goals. This has been notoriously and especially felt among members of the OTC (Officer Training Corps), as units all over the country have been squeezed since the start of the 2023/24 academic year.

Units all over the country have been squeezed Exeposé reached out to a former member of the organisation, who recently left due to being given an ultimatum of either joining the armed forces after university or being made redundant from the organisation. É: How have the cuts in funding affected yourself and the others in Exeter? AN: Well, we had had poor attendance ever since September, but it got really bad in December and we were warned that the OTC was going through a restructuring phase

due to being roughly £17bn short in budget. They were vague about us third years staying on for second term but the de facto conclusion was very much that if you hadn’t signed a contract to join up by the end of January — you were gone. Another key moment that reflected the extent of the budget cuts was definitely training weekends and how they were paid. It went from two and a half days of pay for a full weekend of work — Friday evening until Sunday evening — to just getting paid for Saturday and Sunday. That’s a twenty per cent reduction in pay for what is still a whole weekend’s work.

emblematic of how the armed forces as a whole are struggling, but the OTC is never going away. The army has to have it, it’s the biggest recruitment base for Sandhurst in the country. In my experience, about 75 per cent of the people that stick around till final year join up. But I’m definitely in the minority

for my year group there. However, due to budget cuts and all the media buzz around conscription, there’s been a laser focus on the OTC. Recent diminishing incentives to join the OTC, let alone the army, are also not helping. But the writing was on the wall so it shouldn’t be as controversial as it actually is.

A twenty per cent reduction in pay for what is still a whole weekend’s work É: How do you think this reflects upon the current recruitment crisis in the UK military? Do you think the organisation as it currently stands will survive in the future? AN: Yeah, I think it’s

Image: Pxhere

Are students still club rats?

With the recent news of Unit 1’s closure, Tabitha John discusses the dying industry of club nightlife THIS ARTICLE CONTAINS CONTENT RELATING TO SPIKING WHICH SOME READERS MAY FIND DISTRESSING HEN I heard that Unit 1 had closed down, I couldn’t decide if I was surprised or not. In my first

Image: Harry Craig

year, Unit 1 was all the rage, with people constantly going to ‘Cheesy Tuesdays’, a night of golden oldies: ABBA, Guns N’ Roses, Taylor Swift, One Direction, and, you guessed it, more ABBA. Initially, it was about enjoying the general hubbub of university life and a

chance to have the true ‘university experience’. As a final-year student claims, “It was a staple of first year.” Yet, as many of my fellow thirdyear students would tend to agree, Unit 1 became a place to avoid, a last resort on a night out. In some ways, this may be the natural progression of an Exeter University student, moving from Unit 1 to TP and Fever and then eventually favouring house parties. Yet the sharp decline in clubbing across the country is irrefutable. Of course, many people have different preferences for their nightlife choices, but according to the Business Rescue Expert, over the last seven years, the value of the clubbing scene has depreciated

Unit 1 became a place to avoid, a last resort on a night out by

£250

million,

highlighted

by the sweeping closures of nightclubs across the country. There may be several reasons for this disinterest. Firstly, I do not think that it would be unjust to recognise that in a post-lockdown world, people may have a subconscious, or even conscious, desire to avoid large public gatherings, particularly if they require close contact in confined spaces. In an insightful article from The Guardian, opinions from both Generation Z and Millennials alike found that clubbing created large amounts of anxiety, characterised by the feeling of being overwhelmed and a desire to stay home in a more comforting, familiar environment. Moreover, clubbing has sadly become associated with a lack of safety and negative social experiences. According to a government statistic recorded just a year after

Exeter students decided to boycott clubs due to spiking incidents, “a third of women and one in five men

A third of women and one in five men have been spiked or know someone who has have been spiked or know someone who has.” It is therefore pretty easy to see why people might want to give their next clubbing venture a miss. Finally, a major reason people may have become disillusioned with Unit 1 and clubbing in general, is that it’s just not affordable, with the club itself citing the costof-living crisis as the final blow. In a time where it is difficult to make ends meet, many people are making the conscious decision to reprioritise both their time and their money, and for many, clubbing just isn’t worth it anymore.

21 FEB 2024| EXEPOSÉ

COMMENT

LGBTQ+ History Month: our best moments Comment writers look back on remarkable moments of queer history this LGBTQ+ History Month

The “earliest surviving gay drama” — examining South (1959)

HIS LGBTQ+ history month, it is important to remember and reflect on queer representations in the media. One which many may be unaware of is South, a made-for-television play, which aired on ITV in 1959. The Play of the Week episode is regarded as the “earliest known British gay TV play” and follows the story of Jan, an army lieutenant who ends up falling in love with another officer, in Civil War America. The episode starred Peter Wyngarde, as Jan, and Graydon Gould, as Eric. Its depiction of the queer experience, the torment of forbidden and, potentially, unrequited love not only serves as an accurate form of representation in an enforced heteronormative society, but also creates complexity for South’s characters. It goes without saying that some parts of South are problematic, including its setting of Southern Civil War America, and its 1950s language regarding LGBTQ+ issues. Moreover, its use of a historical setting to explore queerness is disappointing to watch as contemporary viewers, where the LGBTQ+ community is represented in all forms of media. However, this use of a historical setting enables queerness and homosexual relationships to be explored deeply, through this separation in time, from the episode’s broadcasting and its fictional environment.

A figure not to be forgotten — Marsha P. Johnson

time, and can still be remarked as that now. Furthermore, though the episode did receive backlash for its portrayal of an LGBTQ+ individual and his attraction to another man, as the “earliest sur viving gay drama”, its exploration of gay relationships and its humanising of a queer Image: BFI character, where other LGBTQ+ characters of this time would be presented as monstrous, is revolutionary and paved the way for more LGBTQ+ portrayals to come. If you want to watch South, it is available on BFI Player to watch for free and is definitely worth watching. Whether you are part of the LGBTQ+ community or an ally, it is still certainly necessary to learn about LGBTQ+ history and the powerful individuals who have guided queer movements and representations. Lisette Reed, Comment Editor

[Its] historical setting enables queerness to be explored deeply As a representation of queerness in 1959, it was most certainly ground-breaking for television broadcasting of the

ARSHA P. Johnson was a gay liberation activist and drag queen. Her death in 1992, dubbed a suicide by the police, has remained a mystery and a tragedy. Marsha was a prominent figure in the Stonewall riots of 1969; Stonewall was a bar that let the LGBTQ+ community in when it was illegal to dress in drag, for the mafia owned it. One night the police raided the bar and riots of resistance broke out. The next day, the uprising for queer rights began. From Stonewall, Marsha, and much of the trans community in New York, felt their place in history had been forgotten. Marsha’s life, and death, are a reminder that trans people have always been present in the fight Image: Elvert Barnes, Flickr for liberty. She was regarded as famously funny, camp, and outrageously herself. But she was also strongwilled and politically driven, fighting to protect the homeless and the queer community in New York. In The Life and Death of Marsha P. Johnson (2017), Victoria Cruz called Marsha “the Rosa Parks of the LGBTQ+ movement.” February marks LGBTQ+ History Month. Though it can often feel that the fight for

justice and freedom is over for the LGBTQ+ community, the fight continues. According to the Human Dignity Trust, in 12 countries it is punishable by the death penalty to be trans. 65 jurisdictions criminalise private same-sex sexual activity via sodomy, buggery and unnatural offences laws. Marsha stands out in queer history for how elegantly she pushed the boundaries of gender, not just sexuality.

For how elegantly she pushed the boundaries of gender, not just sexuality She fought for a community, in a society that rejected trans people, bringing forward the importance of LGBTQ+ History Month, to remember what came before, and who gave their lives to the cause. We must continue to fight today, for the liberation of the most vibrant people society has to offer. Katie Matthews, Online Screen Editor

Im a g

e : px h

e re

A return to smoking?

Livvy Mason-Myhill, Editor-in-Chief, discusses the government’s new ban on disposable vapes and its impacts

HE UK government’s recent decision to ban disposable vapes, slated for implementation in early 2025, signals a significant move in the pursuit of a ‘smoke-free generation’. While the initiative primarily aims to protect children’s health, the implications for university students, many of whom are avid vapers, warrant careful consideration. For students, vaping has become an integral part of campus life. A study from The Tab found that 27 per cent of university students admit-

ted being addicted to disposable vapes whilst more than half of the 18,000 students they asked (53 per cent) had used an Elf Bar since the start of term in September 2022. The ban will not only alter the display and availability of vaping products but also potentially reshape students’ smoking habits.

Potentially reshape students’ smoking habits The convenience and discreetness

of disposable vapes have contributed to their popularity. With these now on the brink of prohibition, students may face challenges in accessing their preferred nicotine delivery system. The decision prompts a critical question: Will this ban inadvertently drive students back to traditional cigarettes? The allure of vaping, often considered a less harmful alternative to smoking, has led to a substantial portion of students transitioning away from conventional tobacco. The ban on disposable vapes could disrupt this trend, push-

ing students back toward more harmful smoking habits. Moreover, the alteration in how vapes are displayed and the restriction on flavours might dampen the appeal of vaping, potentially diminishing its status as an attractive alternative. The aesthetic and sensory aspects, often integral to the vaping experience, could be compromised, impacting its appeal to students who may, in turn, revert to cigarettes. Whilst it may look cool and ‘hot’ to smoke a traditional cigarette (depending on the person’s opinion), this is just as harmful, if not

more so than vaping. The ban’s timing is crucial, considering the prevalence of vaping among university students. Educational institutions have witnessed a surge in vaping, and any disruption to the availability of vape products could influence a resurgence in smoking. As the government steers toward a smokefree future, the consequence on students requires a nuanced examination to ensure that the shift does not inadvertently reverse the progress made in steering the younger generation away from more harmful smoking practices.

21 FEB 2024| EXEPOSÉ

Satire Six Nations odds revealed!

SATIRE EDITOR:

Rosie Peters-McDonald

UNIT 1 DEAD, AGED 16

Image: Harry Craig

HE return of the Six Nations (exclusively streamed by students who have paid their TV licence) sees the return of Exeter’s favourite sport — gambling! Who doesn’t love frittering away the final pennies of their student loan in Sidwell Street’s luxury branch of William Hill? After all, you’ve got to be in it to win it! The Locator of Odds Service for Exeter’s Richest (LOSER) has announced the following tips: FAVOURITE 1/3: English fan to describe the French as “frogs”. Potential winnings: fight night at the Vic. NAILED ON 1/2: English fan to make joke about Welsh fans engaging in sexual intercourse with sheep. Potential winnings: TP cup. EVENS 1/1: “I used to play with Marcus Smith/ Freddie Steward.” Potential winnings: orange VK. ACCUMULATOR 7/4: Irish person to complain about UK Guinness AND continue to purchase. Potential winnings: Chev dancefloor VIP entry. LONGSHOT 10/1: Italy to avoid wooden spoon. Potential winnings: 9:30-10:00 TP Wednesday ticket. Good luck! And remember, when the fun stops, try and try again. Invades is only just around the corner!

Ceri Jones, Online Sport Editor

Ban XS chihuahuas, not XL bullies

ACK in September, Rishi Sunak announced his plans to ban XL bullies, an American dog breed responsible for the deaths of many people’s loved ones. However, Rishi has failed to outlaw what is clearly a much bigger threat to our lives: chihuahuas. These tiny creatures are quite frankly an affront to my eyes, and I think I speak for us all when I say I’d be very happy if I never had to set eyes on one of those Gollum-like abominations ever again. They may be small, but they attack if they were fueled by the rage of a thousand suns, which, while being something I can relate to, is not something I can condone. I mean, really, what do chihuahuas have to be mad about? To make matters worse their bark is high-pitched and incredibly annoying. This is clearly much more of an issue than dogs that are attacking and killing people because if I have to hear another highpitched squeal that has its way of worming itself right into my brain and giving me a headache, the chihuahua won’t be the only one screaming and biting. Lauren Walsh, Arts and Lit Editor Image: PickPik

Harry Craig Deputy Editor

N Friday 2nd February, student households across Exeter woke up to the devastating news that the Unit 1 nightclub had died at the age of 16. Tributes have poured in from across the city, and students have even formed a makeshift flower memorial outside its entrance on Summerland Street. One student was even seen crying on the kerb and screaming, “It’s just not fair! You didn’t deserve to die.” Born in 2007, Unit 1 was described online as “the biggest and best nightclub in Devon… providing an unforgettable night

out”, and by one first-year student who attended a Project Friday in November as “the worst nightclub I’ve ever been to. I want to forget it ever happened.” Exeter’s elderly pensioners, however, remain dewy-eyed and nostalgic about the nightclub. “Back in my day…” remarked one final-year student, “we were fighting in the trenches for Cheesy Tuesday tickets. These young’uns flocking to TP don’t know what it was like to live during the Golden Age of Unit 1 in the early [20]20s!” Asked for a comment on whether they were hoping that the closure of Unit 1 would increase their business, a spokesperson for Timepiece responded with a shrug. “Anyone who was still going to Unit 1 in 2024 isn’t

cool enough for Timepiece anyway. We’d rather they stay well away, the last thing we want is for someone to try to rebrand Salsa Tuesday as ‘Cheesys’.”

Anyone who was still going to Unit 1 in 2024 isn’t cool enough for Timepiece anyway Meanwhile, students have begun to speculate what may now occupy the former site of Unit 1. Exeter City Council refused to comment on rumours that, like every other inch of spare land in the city, it would be converted into overpriced luxury student accommodation that only exHolland Hall residents can afford.

One student optimistically suggested it should be bought by Timepiece and rebranded as “Timepiece II: Electric Boogaloo”. This suggestion was met with horror by residents of the nearby Printworks student accommodation, who feared that this would leave them unable to sleep amidst the constant, pounding rhythm of ‘Despacito’ every Tuesday. For now, Exeter remains in a state of shock, and Vice-Chancellor Lisa Roberts has declared 10 days of campus-wide mourning. However, when one Deputy Editor asked if Exeposé could run a special edition in memoriam, this was met with a firm no from the Editors-in-Chief, who stated that a satire article would have to suffice instead.

RIP, Captain who hooked our hearts Rosie Peters-McDonald Satire Editor

N the morning after the Guild election, Exeposé was alerted of a devastating loss. Captain Hook Tallon was many things: a politician, first and foremost; an entrepreneur (he gave up a spot on the Apprentice, where he hoped to make a name for his inclusive eye-patch business, to take part in the election); a musician who wrote about the nuances of his identity and culture as a pirate (he has ironically been accused of piracy for

his hit single, ‘Man or Pirate’, and was set to face Peter Segel in court next year over the claims). He cared for the electorate and fought for free scurvy checks in the Student Health Centre.

He cared for the electorate and fought for free scurvy checks At the helm of the Guild ship he would have placed a brewery in the staff office area and put a ban on goat-tyranny (a real problem in Exeter) in the

University’s political forums. The job of informing his staunch crew of voters of his demise was handed to Exeposé. We are currently unsure of the cause of death, but rumour has it the Captain might have seriously injured himself practicing for the 2024 Olympics’ newly-announced event, the plank jump. There has been an outpouring of bereaved words from his grieving friends and political allies, including a symphony of sorrowful yarrrrs (and a few rahrrrrrs?) across campus. One close source to Exeposé pointed to foul play as a cause of demise, suggesting that a few of the Captain’s political opponents

were head discussing spiking his daily lime juice with something one of them described as ‘scurvalicious’. The Guild President-elect is yet to comment. Before his departure, Captain Hook Tallon left an exclusive note for Exeposé to publish: “Avast ye scallywags! With the Vote Goat thwarted once again, the hour be upon me to set sail northward to the pirate ship in the sky. Shed no tears, for I’ll be eternally etched in yer hearts and grogsoaked memories. ‘Tis now yer duty to hoist yer cutlasses high and carry on the battle against scurvy in me stead. Riches aplenty await each and every one of ye. Yarrr!”

LIFESTYLE

TECH

ARTS AND LIT

MUSIC

STUDY BREAK

SCREEN

Image: Laura D’Alessandro, Flickr

PANCAKE PERFECTION

Image: Wikiart.org

THE ART OF SPRING

Image: Sven Mandel, Wikimedia Commons

ARTIST SPOTLIGHT: PET SHOP BOYS

21 Image: xiquip, DeviantArt

Image: Abdulrahman, Deviantart

QUEER CINEMA LANDMARKS

THE APPLE VISION PRO

STUDY BREAK

Image: The Blue Diamond Gallery

16 - 17

18 - 19

20 - 21

22 - 23

24 - 25

LIFESTYLE EDITORS Lucy Rawlings Amberly Wright

ARTS AND LIT EDITORS Maddie Conlan Lauren Walsh

MUSIC EDITORS Jake Avery Scarlett Cracknell

SCREEN EDITORS Emily Sara Rizzo Kayleigh Swart

TECH EDITORS Ewan Gregory Charlie McCormack

STUDY BREAK Puzzles by Matthew and Livvy

lifestyle

Eating Disorders Awareness Week Amberly Wright, Lifestyle Editor, shares her eating disorder story to spread awareness THIS ARTICLE CONTAINS CONTENT RELATING TO EATING DISORDERS WHICH SOME READERS MAY FIND DISTRESSING

EBRUARY 26th marks the beginning of Eating Disorder Awareness Week, a week that annually aims to raise awareness surrounding the different types of eating disorders, the effects of having an eating disorder, and how to get help if you are struggling. There are many types of eating disorders, affecting many different people around the world in a variety of ways. Anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge eating disorder are some of the most well-known eating disorders, however many eating disorders are lesser recognised, even if the prevalence rate is just as high. These include ARFID (avoidant restrictive food intake disorder), where specific foods and textures can be difficult for some people to eat and they may restrict their diet to specific brands and food groups; EDNOS, (eating disorder not otherwise specified) which concerns other eating disorders that do not fit another diagnosis criteria; and orthorexia, where one’s food intake is restricted to food deemed ‘healthy’ by the individual. BEAT, the UK’s eating disorder charity, estimates that 1.25 million people in the UK have an eating disorder. I am one of the 1.25 million. A few years ago, I received an anorexia nervosa diagnosis,

something I rarely talk about. My eating disorder had been part of my life for many years prior and continued to affect me for a few years to come. Thankfully, after over a year of support with specialist eating disorder therapists, I was able to be discharged from support and move away to university, the fresh start I needed to fully let go of my eating disorder and recognise the person I am outside of it. Every day can be a different battle, but I remind myself that I have come a long way. My eating disorder provided me with resilience and a passion for psychology, and I am proud of how much I have grown. Eating disorders are some of the most misunderstood mental illnesses, as most people think that the person suffering is just consumed by their weight and the numbers on a scale. The words ‘anorexic’ and ‘bulimic’ are often misused and create harmful stereotypes and increase the stigma of eating disorders. A large proportion of those suffering with anorexia never reach a weight deemed ‘underweight’ and their BMI remains above the healthy norms, as set by the NHS, with most of those suffering with BED having a healthy BMI and weight, rather than the harmful 'overweight' stereotype seen on social media. This is why accessing eating disorder support can be so difficult. Even though services aim to intervene early, lots of people get turned away or dismissed if their weight and BMI is healthy, which unfortunately leads to their eating disorder getting worse. The

categorisation of eating disorders by weight and BMI is incredibly harmful and can invalidate those suffering. In the United States, eating disorders have the second highest morbidity rate for mental health difficulties, a close second behind opioid addiction, and yet they are scarcely recognised as a mental illness. The co-morbidity of other mental health struggles is also high, with anxiety, depression, and OCD commonly occurring in those struggling with their eating, which can make recovery even harder, especially without support. Eating disorders can manifest in various ways, with social media promoting disordered eating behaviours. Skipping meals and only eating after exercise are becoming the norm for adolescents, especially young girls, damaging the way we feel about our bodies. Your body is your home and is so much more than a reflection in a mirror or a number on a scale, and it is important to recognise the amazing things your body does every second of every day. I spent many years hating my body and have damaged my body as much as I could;, and these are years I can never get back. I celebrated my 16th and 17th birthdays without cake, and I had to stop doing the activities I love. Even though my eating disorder has given me resilience, my teenage years were filled with tears rather than adventures. Eating disorders are underrecognised and undertreated and it is important to reach out for support if you feel able to.

YOUR BODY IS YOUR HOME AND IS SO MUCH MORE THAN A REFLECTION IN A MIRROR OR A NUMBER ON A SCALE There is hope if you or a loved one is struggling with an eating disorder. The University wellbeing service can provide help if you are struggling with an eating disorder or other metal health difficulties, and the eating disorder peer support group can provide a safe space to discuss your struggles in a pro-recovery setting. The BEAT website also provides support, advice and signposting for both those suffering, and those supporting someone. If you are supporting someone with an eating disorder, it is important to treat them with kindness and respect, and understand that they are still someone outside of their eating disorder. They are likely just as scared and confused as you are, so be gentle and show your support with open arms.

Image: Amberly Wright

It's the little things: the art of taking breaks Jake Avery, Music Editor, shares the importance of balancing studies and self-care Image: Pxhere

T is incredibly easy these days to fall into the trap of the grind. Yes, the grind never stops, as every ‘millionaire mindset’ Reel will remind you every time you plunge into the endless abyss of Instagram’s explore page. There’s always something to do — finding a new way to improve, a new skill to learn, a new challenge to overcome, or just tying up all of the loose ends from yesterday’s tasks.

IT'S INCREDIBLY EASY THESE DAYS TO FALL INTO THE TRAP OF THE GRIND It can be tricky to manage the expectations that you hold over yourself when you’re always seeking to progress. There can always be a nagging feeling that you’re wasting your time when having a break, listening to music, reading the news, or even just making your lunch. The rush of slashing through your to-do list possesses an addictive allure. You feel like some kind of Herculean productivity god, powering through each obstacle in a manner that puts Sisyphus’ endurance to shame. Anything outside of your success list — irrelevant. However great our

surges of productivity feel, we all run out of steam eventually. What goes up eventually comes down, and that's okay, as it’s a part of the process. It’s incredibly easy to get caught by the appeal of maintaining an aggressive, uncompromising charge forwards, shunning any discomfort or tiredness and maintaining full speed ahead like some kind of steam engine gone wild. As a final year student, I’ve found that the breaks you take are the most essential part of work, paradoxically. Setting study timers, deadlines and word count goals are incredibly effective ways to bolster your productivity and also hold yourself accountable with your work, but these measures only work to full effect if you aid them with exciting things to look forward to — all the small things. After all, there’s a reason why the Blink 182 song is so effortlessly catchy. Peppering small things to look forward to throughout your day can be a great recipe for success, and one that nourishes your mind.

PEPPERING SMALL THINGS TO LOOK FORWARD TO THROUGHOUT YOUR DAY

Throughout the winter assessment period, I found a few simple things that would keep me recharged throughout the day. Peppermint tea was always a reliable fix for my taste buds, a sweet incentive that keeps you sharp and ready to tackle whatever work you’re chipping away at. Conversations in the kitchen with my parents and sister were also small things that I always enjoyed, taking 10- or 15-minute breaks and having a natter about different weird and wacky things. My sister constantly capturing mugshots of me with the Snapchat Gollum filter became a surprisingly entertaining, albeit bizarre, fixture of each day. Playing Fall Guys with my girlfriend in the evenings and breaking down laughing over our inability to clear the lily leapers without being in the last 10 players was also another ritual that I savoured after the hours spent doing work. It’s not always about having huge and magnificent things to look forward to; it’s more useful in the long run to relax yourself by enjoying the small things. Investing in your happiness is investing in yourself.

exhibit

lifestyle

EDITORS: Lucy Rawlings, Amberly Wright and Harry Craig

21 FEB 2024 | 17

Pancake perfection

Spring aesthetics

As we mark Pancake Day, Gracie Moore, Online Arts and Lit Editor, gives her verdict: American pancakes or crêpes?

Eloise Grainger, Sport Editor, provides a guide of how to enjoy the looming spring season as a student

milk and water to a bowl and beat well, addHE age old argument goes something ing some butter for extra moisture if you fanlike this: American-style pancakes or cy. Once a thick batter has been created, add crêpes? The argument rears its ugly head a small amount to a pan with some butter or particularly around Pancake Day in February oil to ensure it doesn’t stick. Fry for a minute or March every year. Personally, I would have or so on one side and when you can lift the to argue in the favour of crêpes — they feel sides of the crêpe with a spatula, lighter and you can eat many more you can flip it! If you’re brave, before you start to feel sick! Is it Image: Laura D'Alessandro, Flickr you may choose to flip really Pancake Day without it in the air or if you’re that bloated discomfort? not so daring, usIt can be easy to be ing your spatula lazy with pancakes works just as well. because brands like As a nation, Betty Crocker make we are also dicrêpes easy for us vided on the with a simple carideal toppings ton you can add for crêpes. Typimilk or water to, cally, we opt for give it a good shake nutella and strawand add to the pan. berries or maybe However, for those syrup and other berwho want to test out their ries if you’re more rogue. cooking skills with the inHowever, more diverse topgredients in their cupboard (for pings to add would be lemon juice which Pancake Day was intended) with sugar and cinnamon. These toppings are there are simple recipes that can be followed. much less common and the idea of lemon and A simple idea would be to add flour, eggs, cinnamon may not appeal to you at first but IT CAN BE EASY TO BE LAZY after the first couple of crêpes with nutella and WITH PANCAKES BECAUSE strawberries, we’ve all had enough. With the BRANDS LIKE BETTY CROCKER less sweet option of lemon with a dash of sugMAKE CRÊPES EASY FOR US ar and cinnamon, they don’t feel as heavy in your stomach and you can eat them all night!

tifically proven to have restorative effects on both HE spring season is fast approaching and the mind and body, and according to environwith most of us desperate to put the dreary mental psychologists, spending just two hours winter months behind us it is time to start a week by a body of water can significantly impreparing for longer and — hopefully — sunnier prove your mental and physical health to a much days to come. Make your 2024 spring super aesgreater extent than green environments induce. thetic and really delve into the beauty of this season. With the sun now setting later, it gives us more AQUATIC ENVIRONMENTS time to be outdoors. Before those pesky April ARE SCIENTIFICALLY PROVEN showers start to make an appearance, why not discover the natural beauty in and around Exeter? TO HAVE RESTORATIVE EFFECTS It’s fair to say the University is one of the most forDecorating your living space with seasonal tunate and privileged in the country in its abunflowers is a fantastic way to bring colour into dance of natural environments. The picturesque your home. Daffodils and tulips are particularly canal winding along the side of the city, the iconic popular. If you want to take a more bougie apquayside in the heart of central Exeter, and of proach, try the Exeter Farmers Market on Fore course, Dartmoor National Park right on our doorStreet. It’s on every Thursday and is a great chance step. Enjoy a hike around the forests and rivers of to select fresh cut flowers from the area. But of Dartmoor — perhaps you’ll even see a Dartmoor course, the cheapest places to get a lovely boupony! Grab some friends and enjoy a coffee at The quet would be from your local supermarket. Quay — there’s plenty of independent stores to choose from, all with varying aesImage: Alison Day, Flickr thetics (if surfing is your vibe, you have to check out Sundays). Maybe even take the scenic route to town from campus along the River Exe. Beach season is almost upon us so why not head down to Exmouth or Dawlish Warren, both of which are just 30 minutes away. Romanticise your university life and take a leisurely stroll across the sandy beaches of Devon. Aquatic environments are scien-

Should there be an age restriction on skincare?

Sophie Zoltowski discusses whether skincare brands must do more to protect young children

OR some, skincare is an essential part of a morning or evening routine, comparable to the simple act of brushing your teeth or making your bed. A new cream or face mask could be part of a relaxing routine for the ultimate feel-good night in. For eight-year-old Sadie, ‘Drunk Elephants’' captivating packaging and promises of soft skin grabbed her attention. Its friendly animalthemed branding has been marketed across platforms such as Tiktok and Youtube, enticing an impressionable young audience to buy into its products, which contain dangerous exfoliating acids for such delicate skin. One might consider how skincare came to be such a priority for an eight-year-old girl, who

begged her mother to purchase the £60 products and pleaded to the rest of her family when refused. This is just part of the ‘influencer’ culture and a pressure to meet beauty standards, which is beginning to rob an even younger audience of a much simpler childhood.

THE INFLUENCER CULTURE... IS BEGINNING TO ROB AN EVEN YOUNGER AUDIENCE OF A MUCH SIMPLER CHILDHOOD The dilemma of how to tackle this pressure ultimately lies in the power of social media and its restrictions, or lack thereof. Videos advertising these types of skincare products continue to be unrestricted and Image: Lauren Craig, Flickr gain mass publicity every day. On Vogue’s YouTube platform, a classic ‘Beauty Secrets’ get-ready-with-me routine from Hailey Bieber reached 7.6 million views. Pinned in the comment section is a list of every single product the supermodel used and

Image: pxhere

exactly where to find them, among incredulity tention back, which has been stolen by various at how ‘unbelievable’ and ‘perfect’ her skin is. influencers and online videos. Her worry was proven right once it was discovered The question is how young girls that Drunk Elephant’s products watching might perceive these left Sadie’s skin ‘itchy and red’. sorts of videos, and whether Unfortunately, this is not an it is right to have such produncommon reaction, and ucts so accessible for eightthere is much ambiguity year old’s such as Sadie. surrounding investigations Tiffany Matterson, founder into some of the world’s of Drunk Elephants, has biggest skincare chains. now raised concern for its Sunday Riley, founder of the younger audience and warns Image: Authentic Stock, global beauty retailer Sephora, against using certain products StockSnap.io has been reprimanded for urgcontaining acids or retinols. Howing staff to create fake accounts and ever, the idea that young children need ‘beautifying’ skincare at all is arguably baffling. post five-star reviews of various products. Most would associate the need for skincare Negative reviews were also to be spammed with anti-ageing or dry skin, whilst youngsters with dislikes, and with enough dislikes concan get away with being soaked in suncream sequentially removed from a product’s inand the occasional trip to the dermatologist. formation page, resulting in ‘more sales’. With the growing powers of social meTHE IDEA THAT YOUNG dia and dishonesty from skincare brands, CHILDREN NEED perhaps we should demand that they take 'BEAUTIFYING' SKINCARE AT more responsibility and impose stricter acALL IS ARGUABLY BAFFLING cess to their products. The same however must be said for parents, who must act Sadie’s mother Lucy has expressed her wisely to prevent their children from beworry in educating her daughter. She explains coming too exposed to such manipulation. the constant battle of trying to win Sadie’s at-

arts + lit

A history of LGBTQ+ literature For LGBTQ+ History Month, Emily Elliott discusses the history of LGBTQ+ representation in literature

E’RE about halfway into February by now, meaning that LGBTQ+ History Month is in full swing. It’s a time to discover the history of gay rights, such as the civil rights movements that have made our society a more inclusive one, and have gratitude for the seminal players of the last century who have driven meaningful change. It’s also a time to reflect on what needs to change. Examining the history of LGBTQ+ books in publishing is a great place to start; the culture, norms and experiences of a time period captured by the pen of their author, having an endless capacity to validate LGBTQ+ readers and promote acceptance. Ancient Greek literature is a huge source of transgender representation where gender construction and stereotypes were fluid and unshackled by binaries. This was seen in gender mutability in Greek mythology, and the ability for gods to change the sex of whoever they please, such as Artemis changing a shepherd into a woman after he saw her bathing, and people being pictured with male genitalia but also breasts. Unfortunately, many of these Ancient Greek texts have been subjected to heteronormativism over the

years, and many valuable LGBTQ+ stories are believed to have been lost to history.

MANY VALUABLE LGBTQ+ STORIES ARE BELIEVED TO HAVE BEEN LOST TO HISTORY Flash forward to the 19th century, when authors such as Oscar Wilde had tremendous influence. In 1890, his novel The Picture of Dorian Gray, an overtly heterosexual story, had covert links to homosexuality, at a time when such expressions were, more than ever, punishable by law. His bravery is all the more commendable in light of his future arrest and time spent in prison for ‘gross indecency’. Virginia Woolf was another important author in the 19th century paving the way for transgender representation in her novel Orlando with a nonchalance and matter-of-fact attitude “Orlando had become a woman — there is no denying it. But in every other respect, Orlando remained precisely as he had been.” The first openly gay novel is known to be Joseph and his Friend (1870), by Bayard Taylor, an American author, which examined a romantic

but asexual relationship between two men. By the 20th century, novels became highly politically charged, events such as Stonewall spinning gay literature into a media flurry that gave queer authors a new platform. Notably, stories were published in New York newspapers such as Village Voice, Rat Subterranean News and East Village Other Image: Benson Kua, Flickr

Less, which explores themes of coming to term with one’s identity. Alice Oseman, most famous for her YA novel Heartstopper, has created a monopoly of tender love stories for all sexualities with Loveless, an asexual story, and Radio Silence, a story about bisexuality. These novels have also made their way to our screens, Heartstopper being among the 10 most watched series o n

Image: Brewbooks, Flickr..

d u r i n g this time. There are many valuable authors giving queer characters a voice in the 21st century, such as Andrew Sean Greer, winner of the 2018 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction with his novel

N e t f l i x within two days of its release. To read these novels is to sample the very different experiences of the characters in the time period they were written in. What can be guaranteed is a vulnerability, warmth and a rejection of societal expectations woven into all of them.

The art of spring Arts and Lit writers share pieces of art that remind them of spring time

NE cannot help but be reminded of spring when they look at The Sounds of Spring, painted by Franz von Stuck in 1910. It is a painting that perfectly communicates the excitement and beauty that arrives with spring as we leave behind our woolly scarves, early sunsets, and late sunrises. The painting depicts three women holding hands and spinning around together surrounded by fields and hills of grass. The women are barefoot, their hair and dresses flowing around them unconfined. Stuck perfectly encapsulates the feeling of spring and the feeling of freedom and carelessness Image: Wikiart.org it brings when we can walk around barefoot on the grass. We can almost hear the The painting’s colour, vibrance and the laughter of women through the painting and illusion of endless hills and fields of grass feel the sunshine and soft breeze on their skin. reminds us of the beauty of spring. The The soft brushstrokes Stuck used to background blurring around the women paint the grass, trees and clouds reminds and their dresses flowing around them us of the calmness of spring that contrasts pulls us into their perspective of spinning the harshness of winter. Stuck was a around and breaks us out of the winter German symbolist painter and sculptor with months of sitting inside. This is the perfect recurring themes of mythology in his art. The painting to invite us into the months of Sounds of Spring is one of his lighter works spring to enjoy nature and being outside amongst his darker works, such as Medusa, with friends under the hazy sun forgetting which can almost be said to be symbolic the stress of exams and studying. of the vibrant spring itself emerging from Maja Varga the cold months of winter and brightens his previous darker collection of art.

S the winter season is yet to draw to a close, we are left waiting with only the undeniable power of art to transport us. While beauty is subjective, I find it hard to critique the painting The Bathers at La Grenouillère by Claude Monet, which left me in awe when I first viewed it and has continued to do the same ever since. This artwork dates to the summer of 1869, utilising oil paintings on canvas. It was produced at the time in which Monet and Renoir painted together at the resort La Grenouillère, a resort located west of Paris along the bank of the River Seine. A popular location to escape the city, the painting beautifully encapsulates the leisurely scene of boating,

Image: Dixie Srone Image: Dixie Srone

Image: Nuno Ferreira

swimming, and dining that defined this area. Renoir also painted some paintings of the area, and between them, a total of six were produced in this decade. As one continues to notice little aspects of this painting, the brushstrokes, the incredible detail, it becomes increasingly easy to get lost in the haze of greens and blues. In the foreground, the boats are all perfectly aligned, yet seem to be rocking ever so gently. In the background, several bathers are pictured in gentle brush strokes as the evening sun glistens on the river — though this may be a smaller section of the painting, the brightness attached draws eyes. Turning to the technicalities, the National Gallery details how “two technical innovations contributed to Monet’s painting method.”This included the use of soft metal tubes for oil paints, as these enabled painters at the time to paint outdoors with greater ease. Also, the “introduction of a metal ferrule for paintbrushes” allowed for the “production of flat, rather than round, brushes.” There is something so beautiful about the simultaneous simplicity and complexity of this work. As this painting remains held at the National Gallery, I would strongly urge you to visit if the opportunity arises. And while the printed version I put up still keeps me in awe, there is something so surreal about seeing it in person. Anabel Costa-Ferreira, Editor in Chief

exhibit

arts and lit

EDITORS: Maddie Conlan & Lauren Walsh

21 FEB 2024 | 19

The Hugo Awards controversy Maddie Conlan, Arts and Lit Editor, talks about the 2023 Hugo Awards

OR those who are unaware, the Hugo Awards are a prestigious literary award for Science Fiction/Fantasy books. They are the equivalent of an Oscar in the literary world and are considered the most prestigious award within the genre. The Hugo Award for Best Novel is something that a lot of Sci/fi and Fantasy authors strive for. Some of the notable winners are NK Jemisin, who won best novel in 2016, 2017, and 2018 with her stunning Broken Earth trilogy, as well as T. Kingfisher’s dark fantasy novel Nettle and Bone winning best novel for 2023.

INFLUENTIAL WRITERS WERE DENIED THE ABLITY TO BE NOMINATED FOR THE AWARDS The Hugos are held every year in various locations around the world. The 2024 awards are being held in Glasgow and the 2023 awards were held in Chengdu, China. The category winners, with categories including the Best Novel, Best Novelette, and Best Series, as

well as many more, are nominated and voted between the organisers and the authors, for by the World Science Fiction Society. and no solid reasoning was given, as to The Hugo Awards normally go off without why their novels were disqualified. This was a hitch or scandal, but with the trend of deeply surprising to fans as both Babel and snubbing brilliant actors in awards for the Iron Widow were met with overwhelmingly 2023 season, some very influential positive critical reception among Image: Maddie Conlany writers were denied the ability audiences, with Babel receiving to be nominated for the many special editions Hugo Awards. These and skyrocketing to the authors included RF top of the New York Kuang, author of the Times bestseller list. hauntingly brilliant The snubbing of Poppy War trilogy, Zhao and Kuang has and Xiran Jay Zhao raised an important who wrote one of my question within the personal favourite literary community. science fiction With the recent novels, Iron Widow. movement for publishers Controversy befell the to diversify their new awards when no reason was releases, and for readers given to Zhao or Kuang for their to do the same, the politics of novels, Iron Widow and Babel, being literature have gotten more complex. removed from the eligible list of nominations. China, and East Asia in general, have been When the nomination list was revealed in one of the predominant areas that are now January 2024, there was no communication being explored in fantasy, with many authors

borrowing, or retelling, myths in their novels. Both Kuang and Zhao were born in China but have since moved to western territories to find their literary success, though both of their novels deal with the rich and beautiful history of Chinese mythology, they also critique aspects of history through their beautiful writing. Zhao has stated before that they are aware that in the past, they have made comments critiquing the Chinese government and Kuang has also been vocal in her political opinions of China. There was also a leaked email from Dave McCarty, the head of the 2023 jury, which said: “We need to highlight anything of a sensitive political nature in the work.” This was floated as a reason why their novels and an episode of Neil Gaiman’s Sandman were excluded from the Hugos. Apparently, there was no communication between the Chinese government and the Hugo Awards jury, but the scandal has opened interesting conversations about awards, diversity, mythological retellings, and the integrity of the science fiction and fantasy genres.

Image: Pixabay

Creative writing spotlight Oliver Lamb, News Editor, shares a short creative writing piece about dreams

OW do you feel?” “That’s a very general question.” “About the wedding.” Cloudy-day sunlight floated through the window onto a small table loaded with plates of scones, ramekins of jam and cream, knives. A young blonde man in a morning suit — who had asked the question — was leaning against the windowsill. Across the table, a similarly dressed young brown-haired man was tapping his knuckles on the tablecloth. Behind him, three sofas encircled an unlit fireplace. “I feel fine.” The knuckle-tapping man stepped away from the table and leant against the back of a sofa. Sighed. “I don’t… I don’t feel exactly as I think I ought to on my wedding day.” “Nervous? I expect everyone feels that.” “No, not precisely. The opposite, in fact. I mean, we’re going to do this all again, once the war’s over, do it properly.” The best man, not quite silhouetted against the window, said, “Another wedding?” “Yes. Today’s mostly for the registrar.” The groom adjusted one cuff, then the other, then his bow tie. “You know, I was thinking the other day — I always imagined

I’d have a grand wedding, you know, with hundreds of people. A reception in a big country house. Yellow tulips for the tables. Entrecôte with red wine sauce for the main. A porcelain topper for the cake. I could picture all the details as if it were a memory.” The best man smiled. “So that’s going to be the proper wedding?” “Exactly. We’ll make everything nice then.” “Looking forward to it. May I put in a request for Ms Lynn to provide the music?” The groom laughed. “Consider it done. Does my hair look all right?” “It looks fine. It looks good.” “It doesn’t stick out at the sides?” “No.” “Good. Well, the only thing missing from this little vision of mine was a woman. So I gave her dark hair, marcelled, delicate features of course. She was my placeholder bride.” He took a step towards the table and, with the second knuckle of his right index finger, pushed a scone towards the middle of its plate to be in line with the others. “But now you have Julia,” the best man said. “But now I have Julia. And here we are in drizzly old London. That’s what struck

me the other day. I’ve found my bride, but we’re having a placeholder marriage.” “Just to take you through the war.” “Just to take us through the war. Then we’ll have a proper ceremony.” The best man nodded, moved away from the window and wandered

without purpose round the end of the table. “And we’ll find a girl for me too.” The groom smiled. “It shall be our first order of business when we get home.” “Everything ready in here, do you think?” The groom gazed around, picking his fingers. “Yes. I think everything’s ready.” Image: Flickr, Chicks57y

MUSIC

Ushering in the Superbowl

Scarlett Cracknell, Music Editor, sums up the 2024 Superbowl half time performance

ITH most eyes trained on Taylor Swift, who travelled halfway across the world to see Travis Kelce play for the Kansas City Chiefs, Usher's perfomance was going to have to do a lot to grab our attention. Beyonce's announcement of Renaissance: Act II alongside the release of two new singles made it even more difficult for the artist to make a statement with his comeback. But, undoubtedly, he was able to manage such a feat. The show was an insanely choreographed celebration of the artist's 30 years in the industry and his prolific output; how he managed it in 15 minutes is impressive. The show called us back to R&B; he left no room for doubt in reminding us just

why he was the obvious choice for such an event. The performance took us through his discography seamlessly, allowing us to reel in the nostalgia of the shirtless man who carried the 90s and 00s. He rollerbladed around as smoothly as the transitions between his different songs, taking us through tracks like 'Turn Down for What', 'Yeah!', and 'Love in This Club'. Many were anticipating Justin Bieber to join Usher onstage, but instead we were given guest appearances from HER, will.i.am, and Alicia Keys. Whilst both HER's contribution on electric guitar and will.i.am's carrying of 'OMG' were impressive, Alicia Keys and Usher's musical and physical chem-

istry caught most of the attention in the show. The artist, with his many guests, was extremely comoftable onstage, his experience shining through. Though the show was a celebration of his past releases, the artist's energy and momentum revealed his plans to not simply halt his career here. In his new album COMING HOME, released two days before his half-time show, Usher heralds a new era. The album's collaborations with newer R&B, rap and pop artists make sense of Usher's half time performance and his aim to revisit the genre he had a large hand in creating. His performance, and his new album, brought R&B back home and allowed us to remember him as one of the greats in the Industry.

Image: Flickr

The curse of the musical

The UMG withdrawal

Emily Sara Rizzo, Screen Editor, looks at why musicals are no longer advertised as such. What's so offensive about music in film?

Maddie Conlan, Arts and Lit Editor, discusses the day the music died on a favourite social media app.

Image: Flickr

HILST we’ve clearly come a long way from the golden days of Hollywood’s all-singing and dancing, multi-million musical extravaganzas, it seems a shame to see how what was once the prime genre of the Dream Machine has become so offensive. It must now be smuggled into cinemas and force-fed to an unsuspecting audience. And what’s more, once the viewers discover the concealed theatrics, actors and films suffer the worst destiny the internet offers: meme-ification. So why has the idea of musicals entering the mainstream become so off-putting? While stage productions like Hamilton, Les Misérables and Wicked are ever-popular in their Broadway or West End runs, perhaps the general consensus is that what starts on stage should stay on stage (those of you who saw the Dear Evan Hansen or Mean Girls film adaptations know exactly what I’m talking about). This newfound dislike seems even more baffling if you take into consideration the instant classics of musical cinema that came out in the 2000s-2010s: from Chicago to Pitch Perfect, through the likes of Moulin Rouge and Mamma Mia. But maybe it’s because of this that we’ve had enough of musicals? Or maybe it comes down to the fact that the musicals being churned out today were never originally meant to feature songs.

MAYBE IT'S BECAUSE OF THIS WE'VE HAD ENOUGH OF MUSICALS Taking Wonka as the perfect example; not only was the film never marketed as a musical, but many people may not have been so surprised when watching if they knew that Timothée Chalamet’s Wonka was light-years away

from Johnny Depp’s version and way closer to Gene Wilder’s. The same goes for Mean Girls; bringing in the right audience would have been far easier if the film was openly advertised as an adaptation of the Broadway production. The downfall of these two films specifically can’t be fully blamed on the publicity department. In fact, maybe these little oversights could have been forgivable if the soundtrack was any good. While a surprise-musical might have lost a chunk of the regular film-going crowd, you’d think it’d make up for it by drawing in the performing arts nerds. But these films aren’t good enough even for them, and they are willing to watch three hours straight of singing about the French Revolution. Had Wonka boasted some bangers, it might have redeemed itself, but as it is — except for a few catchy tunes — the soundtrack was absolutely forgettable, and at times this seems rather a blessing than a curse (need I mention the three-minute long struggle where Timmy tries to find something which rhymes with “Noodle”?). And as for Mean Girls, yes, Renée Rapp was a pleasure to the eyes and the ears in her role as Regina George and Auli’i Cravalho as Janis brought some power to an otherwise flat soundtrack, many of the other performances (great in their original form on stage) can’t be described as being anything other than aggressively below-average. And if this is what Hollywood has to show for its musical production, then maybe it’s not so hard to understand why the singing and dancing was kept under wraps. We can but sigh nostalgically at the days of Gene Kelly and Julie Andrews, while we (not so) eagerly await the reviews for Wicked and Joker: Folie à Deux, hoping against hope that some magic will break this musical curse.

N the 2020's, the main way that artists are promoting their music is through the social media app TikTok. Originally beginning as an app called Musical.ly, TikTok has always been a place where users would share dances and lip-syncs to popular songs online. For you pages are flooded with new music, heartbreaking Normal People edits paired with sad Taylor Swift lyrics, and thirst traps of various fictional men such as Coriolanus Snow, played by Tom Blythe, to raunchy pop songs. Yet, this all changed in February of 2024. Universal Music Group, also known as UMG, who host music from massive artists such as The Weeknd, Taylor Swift, and Noah Kahan, failed to reach a satisfying royalties deal with TikTok bosses. This ended in UMG pulling their massive catalogue of songs from the app. As a result, videos have been muted, or fully removed, from the app and artists have been unable to promote their music to the massive audience that uses TikTok. That means no more sing-alongs to obscure Taylor Swift songs and no more fun, or stupid, dance challenges appearing on the app. With the mass muting of music, one of the main aspects that makes TikTok enjoyable has been removed. While this situation has been a nightmare for editors and artists alike UMG has not gotten the brunt of criticism. Instead, that has gone to TikTok which have been branded money-hungry and greedy. TikTok implied that as their site gives creators free advertising, such as skyrocketing stars such as Conan Gray into the top singles charts, they aren’t obligated to pay the same amount of royalties to artists as other social media sites do. Their argument was met with disdain from artists and users alike who have claimed they deserve adequate payment as without their music the app

would not have reached the success that it has.

[IT HAS] CAUSED PANIC IN THE WIDER ECOSYSTEM OF TIKTOK CREATORS The removal of music has not only affected musical artists but also caused panic in the wider ecosystem of TikTok creators. Editors can no longer create attractive thirst traps of actors and characters; fan cams of creators have been muted and people who make their living off using funny songs and sounds are now left without the means to create content or revenue. Yet, there is one shining light within this. Editors have very creatively worked around the mass muting of videos to create fan edits to hits such as Coconut Mall from Mario Kart and stunning compositions by Mozart over their thirsty edits of actors such as Jacob Elordi and Pedro Pascal. The juxtaposition between funny ‘meme’ music and the thirst traps has at least made for entertaining viewing. The UMG strike hasn’t been the only controversy TikTok has faced in recent years. TikTok has come under fire for the addictive nature of the app. The ability to endlessly scroll and watch constant content has had a knock-on effect on the attention span of users and has also exponentially increased watch time. Whilst many will grieve the loss of music in the app, perhaps some will celebrate in hoping this removal will prevent their addiction. While the TikTok user base has continued to grow in recent years the escalation of company controversy, as well as the removal of one of its integral aspects, which is popular music, could spell the downfall of the once-beloved app.

Image: Solen Feyissa,Flickr

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exhibit

EDITORS: Jake Avery and Scarlett Cracknell

music

21 FEB 2024 | 21

Artist Spotlight: Pet Shop Boys

Harry Craig, Deputy Editor, marks LGBTQ+ History Month by discussing the most iconic synth-pop duo of the 80s

HE 1980s were by no means an easy time to be openly gay in the UK. This was particularly true if you were in the public eye, amidst the HIV/AIDS pandemic that much of the tabloid press regarded as the “gay disease”, and Margaret Thatcher introducing Section 28 whilst bemoaning the fact that “children are being taught that they have an inalienable right to be gay.” In the face of this hostile environment, step forward Neil Tennant and Chris Lowe, the two halves of 80s new wave kings Pet Shop Boys. Although the 1980s are rightly remembered negatively as a time in which homophobic attitudes permeated all areas of society, this decade also produced the greatest ever era of synth pop, particularly in Britain — aside from the Pet Shop Boys, there was Depeche Mode, The Human League, Frankie Goes to Hollywood and Duran Duran. Yet Tennant and Lowe stand head and shoulders above the rest. Their carefully choreographed on-stage ambivalence can be best described as “not giving a shit”, and their synth-focused sound, inspired by the music of 80s gay clubs, disguises the intelligence and sophistication of their music and lyrics. ‘Opportunities (Let’s Make Lots of Money)’ from their début album, for example, is a satirical spin on 80s commercial culture and on Thatcher’s economic policies.

The duo is also unmistakeably part of queer culture. Although Lowe (renowned for his lack of engagement with media) has never commented on his sexuality, Tennant came out as gay in a 1994 interview with Attitude magazine. Despite mostly choosing to keep his personal life separate from his public image, Tennant has remained very politically active, and has contributed significantly to the wider LGBTQ+ community, including as a patron of the Elton John AIDS Foundation. In 2012, he successfully lobbied the government to formally pardon Alan Turing, one of Britain’s greatest scientific minds and wartime heroes who was forced to undergo chemical castration by the government and driven to suicide. However, to many the duo will be most famous in queer culture for their 1987 UK number one single, ‘It’s A Sin’. This was a song that wore its queerness on its sleeve — although Tennant intended it as a “camp joke”,

it is rooted in a serious message of how his Catholic education made him feel that everything he had done and was going to do was a sin. Of course, the main implication of this concerned his sexuality, and it is impossible not to hear the lyrics in the context of 1980s homophobia. In particular, the lyric “at school they taught me how to be, so pure in thought and word and deed, they didn’t quite succeed” stands out, with ‘It’s A Sin’ released just months before the Conservative government introduced Section 28 that banned schools from discussing homosexuality. To many, ‘It’s A Sin’ will be remembered as the soundtrack and inspiration for the homonymous Russell T. Davies drama that tragically retold the story of a group of queer friends living in London during the peak of the HIV/AIDS crisis. The protagonist in that show was played by the UK’s Eurovision representa-

Iconic Valentine's albums

GLOW pink in the night in my room… I’ve been blossoming alone over you … I hear my heart breaking tonight…. Do you hear it too?" On Mitski’s 5th and probably most well-known album she echoes a cry, or maybe more aptly a plea for love. So much of Mitski’s music is about worth and love and attention (but probably more accurately a yearning for those things). While I wouldn’t say this is Mitski’s most romantic album, it is an album that depicts a very specific type of wanting. From the synth-filled dance track, 'Nobody', to the other synth-y track, 'Washing Machine Heart', Mitski depicts a lament on her lack of companionship, and near depressing, desperate longing for connection. “But I will be the one you need, the way I can’t be without you“; so much of the way love is represented is personal. There’s almost a forceful altruism to her willingness to give her love. And it’s verging on pathetic how little she is willing to take back in return, as evidenced with 'Old Friend'. However, there’s something so dolorous about the way she represents her relationships. In 'Two Slow Dancers', which I personally feel is the magnum opus of this album and the ballad closer, she invokes a very nostalgic love. A love that is so reminiscent, it’s comforting. She pulls us in with recognisability, but with all of Mitski’s love stories, they’re futile. They’re painful and unsuccessful. But you still felt something, didn’t you? Malik Awotorebo

Evering Road — Tom Grennan

CTING as a backdrop to a real-life relationship he had just got out of at the time of the album’s release, Tom Grennan’s Evering Road explores the troubles of this dying relationship, the brief moments of potential revival and the dichotomy between battling on to make things work and finally giving in and letting go. Opening with the track 'If Only', Grennan immediately begins full of questions, most notably the constant of time and what might happen if time could stop and he could pause to think. The record then follows the gradual decline of his relationship, featuring Grennan’s desperation in songs like 'Little Bit of Love' and 'Amen', his painful confusion in the beautiful 'Make My Mind Up', and his last attempts to win his love back with 'Second Time, I Don’t Need a Reason' and the stunning vocal performance of 'You Matter to Me'. As the album concludes, the relationship finally comes to an end, as depicted in the heart-breaking 'Love Has Different Ways to Say Goodbye'. However, there is still time for Grennan to place a positive end to the record with the fun and whimsical 'Let’s Go Home Together' and the uplifting 'Long Live You and I', where Grennan has finally found solace in loving memories, and now sings of the eternity of time in love, rather than the questioning and stopping of time he imagines at the start of the album.. Zandie Howells

This Old Dog — Mac Demarco

Image: Sven Mandel, Wikimedia Commons

Grammys '24

Exeposé writers explore the best love-themed albums

Be The Cowboy — Mitski

tive Olly Alexander, who collaborated with the Pet Shop Boys on 2019 track ‘Dreamland’, an infectious pop single that critiques Brexit and Trump. 40 years after their début, Pet Shop Boys still have a finger on the pulse of pop music and queer culture, from Alexander to their work with Madonna. Beyond ‘It’s A Sin’, LGBTQ+ issues touch much of the Pet Shop Boys’ discography, particularly in the context of the HIV/AIDS crisis that continued to blight gay communities into the early 1990s. ‘Domino Dancing’, for example, has been widely interpreted as a metaphor for carefree young people dancing and subsequently collapsing in succession (like dominoes). Similarly, some interpreted ‘Rent’ (which recently went viral, thanks to Saltburn) as being about male prostitution, whilst 1990 song ‘Being Boring’ was written as a tribute to one of Tennant’s friends who died of AIDS. In April, the Pet Shop Boys will release their 15th studio album, Nonetheless, and just months later, Tennant will turn 70. The duo recently told The Guardian that “music has ceased to be ageist”, and the new album’s lead single ‘Loneliness’ sounds just as fresh and infectious as their début single ‘West End Girls’ did 40 years ago. A vital part of Britain’s queer music history still have plenty more years left in the tank.

AC DeMarco’s third studio album This Old Dog is a cohesive, heartfelt exploration of love in varying forms, described by Pitchfork as a "shaggy ode to romantic constancy, come what may." The record explores the nuances of the singer-songwriter’s experiences of romantic love, and his conflicted relationship with his father. Released in 2017, this indie gem epitomises the signature chromatic style of DeMarco’s previous endeavours, whilst delving more deeply into themes of nostalgia, personal growth and neglect. In my eyes, this album is the perfect example of a record which lays bare the dizzying highs and heartbreaking lows of human connection. Throughout the album, DeMarco reflects on the passage of time and the impact it has on love. Tracks like 'My Old Man' and 'Still Beating' speak to the complexities of paternal love, while songs like 'For the First Time' and 'One Another' capture the quiet vulnerability of a romantic relationship. The album's stripped-down production contributes to this intimate atmosphere, allowing listeners to feel as though they are sharing in DeMarco's personal reflections on love and life. Ultimately, 'This Old Dog' is a poignant reminder that love is both beautiful and complex — a sentiment that resonates long after the final chords fade away. Maya Fernandes, Online Music Editor

Jake Avery, Music Editor, investigates some of the biggest snubs

HIS year's Grammys awards ceremony celebrated a variety of artists, and featured the historical awarding of Taylor Swift's fourth Album of the Year for her latest release Midnights. This year has seen widespread criticism, however, for the lack of recognition given to artists who were seen as more deserving . The prime example of this is Lana Del Rey, one of the most beloved singers to attend the ceremony, who went home with no wins for her album Did you know there's a tunnel under ocean Blvd despite being nominated for five separate categories. Making this snub even worse was the fact that she was dragged onstage by Taylor Swift during her win for Album of the Year, a moment that felt awkward and slightly embarrassing. Given how ubiquitous Taylor Swift is, it's frustrating that other musicians aren't recognised for their talent and contributions to the music scene. Also reflecting the Grammy's tendency to award by populism was Metallica's win for Best Metal Performance with their song '72 Seasons'. Whilst the track is great in its own right, it's a shame that other artists from the metal community don't get recognition. Awards should be just as much about recognising innovation as they are celebrating success. Hopefully next year will see some more unique choices and shift towards rewarding more experimental artists.

Images: Josy Dom Alexis, Pixabay. David Lee, Alexander Kellner, WFUV Public Radio, Jaguar MENA, Flickr.

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Screen writers share iconic queer screen moments for LGBTQ+ History Month Grey’s Anatomy Portrait of a Lady on Fire Buffy the Vampire Slayer

REY’S Anatomy is renowned for its groundbreaking storylines, tackling tricky contemporary events such as Covid-19 and the overturning of Roe v. Wade. It is then no surprise that Grey’s Anatomy’s power couple, Calzona, are the longest running same-sex couple on network TV, made up of fan favourites Arizona Robbins (played by Jessica Capshaw) and Callie Torres (played by Sara Ramirez). Millions of viewers tuned in weekly to watch their love story blossom. First skating onto our screens in season five, Arizona is a ray of sunshine, providing humour and exuding positivity for nine seasons. Arizona Robbins paved the way to creating normalcy for lesbian characters, gracing our screens for 228 hours. A breath of fresh air, she is proudly “lesbianic”. Not only that but she represents one of the few sapphic disabled characters on prime time television — only the second ever to appear on ABC. She is one of the longest running queer characters, only narrowly beaten by her co-star, Sara Ramirez, who has clocked in 240 episodes of strong bisexual Latinx representation. Together for 133 episodes, their love story had its ups and downs, navigating moves away, car (and plane) crashes, plus an unexpected pregnancy. Nevertheless, (although canonically) it is believed they rekindled when Arizona moved to New York to raise their child, Sophia Sloan-Torres together. The pair is important to the LGBTQ+ community as it is one of the few lesbian couples that have (albeit narrowly) escaped the ‘kill your gays’ trope, something especially surprising considering Grey’s Anatomy is known for not being afraid to kill off their doctors! Rachel McEwan

UFFY the Vampire Slayer’s lasting queer legaO celebrate LGBTQ+ month, I recin locked rooms, with hushed voices. The cy has prompted a cult following which still ommend Céline Sciamma’s 2019 two individuals do not confront or label holds up today. Groundbreaking in so many French historical romance film, their sexualities during the film, and so Portrait of a Lady on Fire. we see tender and candid vision of love. ways, the show’s exploration of Willow Rosenberg’s Sciamma brings us a tentatively This independent film is set on a sexuality and her relationship with fellow witch crafted film of Sapphic love set in the remote island in Brittany (France) and Tara cemented its position as an iconic moment in late 18th century. Between is a female-centred cinematic LGBTQ+ television history, not only for its feature of secret gazes and soft masterpiece. This is a the first televised lesbian kiss. Despite pushbacks caresses of the hand, film both classical from networks, Buffy made strides in shattering we see a portrait and modern in its stereotypes and laying the foundation for LGBTQ+ artist and her re p re s e nt at i o n representation across television. Even before Wilsubject fall of individual low and Tara started casting spells together, the subtly, yet romance. Yet, show had already garnered a huge queer fanbase. deeply, in a l o n g s i d e From Buffy’s hidden slayer identity becoming a love. Mariits romantic thinly veiled metaphor for coming out, to Willow anne is visual aes- flirting with her alternate-dimension vampire dopcommisthetics, the pelganger; Buffy’s celebration of those on the marsioned to film pairs gins struck a chord with the LGBTQ+ community. paint a an emotion- If you peel away the demons, dodgy 90s special portrait of al score with effects and questionable use of pagan mytholthe elusive the beauty ogy, Buffy is about surviving high school. Only, Héloïse, for of silence. on TV, its queer viewer’s problems took the shape a prospecIn a place of of monsters who could be dusted before the end tive suitor in h e t e r o n o r m a - credits rolled. I can’t overstate the importance of Milan. However, tivity, the use of Willow and Tara to my own self-discovery and in spending time silence and ambi- coming out as a lesbian. First watching the show, Image: Waltxiquip, Disney Television, Flickr image: DeviantArt with each other, the ent sounds only em- years after it ended, theirs was the first on-screen two form something unphasises their forbidden queer relationship I saw which was approached spoken and emotionally tethered. longing for one another. This month, with genuine compassion and love. It was never It is a story of intricacy and sensuality, watch Sciamma’s period romance for a perfect, the show is now the poster-child for the depicting two female individuals yearnbeautiful, tear-jerking film; it serves as ‘kill all your gays’ trope for instance, but ever since ing for one another. We see clandestine a portrait of queer love, for all to see. Buffy staked her first vampire it’s shaped LGBTQ+ representation and the lives of queer viewers. meetings, looks, and gazes, between Elizabeth Callaghan Amy Rushton, Online Comment Editor two individuals that can only truly unite

Percy Jackson: epic revival?

Lauren Walsh, Arts and Lit Editor, reviews the newest adaptation of Rick Riordan’s book series

ERCY Jackson and the Lightning Thief is a book that many of us will have fond memories of, as the series is a beloved memento of our childhood in the 2000s and 2010s. The young adult book — and ensuing series — follows children who are the sons and daughters of the Ancient Greek gods. The book has recently been adapted into a television show, titled Percy Jackson and the Olympians, on Disney+. The news of the TV show came as a welcome surprise to fans and offered a chance for redemption in terms of Percy Jackson adaptations. In the past, a film adaptation was made in 2010, followed by a sequel in 2013, starring Logan Lerman, and they are famous for being widely disliked by just about anyone who had read the books. They barely stick to the plot of the books, age up the characters and more (the problems are too numerous to mention them all here but suffice to say, fans of the book were sorely disappointed). There was also a musical version, simply called The Lightning Thief, which started as an off-Broadway show in 2014 and got a couple of tours across the US in the following years. Despite its low budget and small cast, the musical had good

characterisation, and the bits of it I’ve seen were enjoyable. However, it must also be noted that musicals aren’t a very accessible genre, and aren’t for everyone, so that could be why this version isn’t very well known. But the musical did serve as a lifeline in the space between the films and the new show. Percy Jackson and the Olympians has been a resounding success, receiving mostly positive reviews, an average rating of 7.2/10 on Rotten Tomatoes and according to some sources, was the most streamed original television series across all platforms in the United States during the weeks of the 28th January and the 4th February.

PERCY JACKSON AND THE OLYMPIANS HAS BEEN A RESOUNDING SUCCESS The young cast members are a standout aspect of this production. Walker Scobell as Percy Jackson, Leah Sava Jeffries as Annabeth Chase and Aryan Simhadri as Grover Underwood are all amazingly cast, as they have great chemistry and really embody the spirit of the characters, even if they don’t

look like how the characters are described in the books. While the casting choices initially received some backlash from fans for this very reason, I believe that the changes that have been made are positive and increase the diversity of the cast, which is important as all children deserve to see themselves represented on screen. Some fans have issues with the show, for example, critiquing the pacing or the dialogue, but there are some fans out there who will never be happy with any adaptation simply because they love the books so much. Some have dismissed the show as ‘cringe’, a critique which probably just comes from no longer being the target audience of children and teens. There are some aspects of the plot that have been changed in the show, but these do not change the audience’s overall enjoyment of the show, and with author Rick Riordan being closely involved in the production of the show as executive producer, all changes have the authors’ seal of approval.

The final episode aired on the 30th of January, and the news that the show had been renewed for season 2 came on the 7th of February. Overall, I thought the show was great and can’t wait to see what they do with the second season. image: Mils, Printerval

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EDITOR: Emily Sara Rizzo and Kayleigh Swart

21 FEB 2024 |

Films and fandoms Screen writers share their opinions on the relationship between films and fandoms

ANDOM is one of my favourite aspects of social media. Whether you were deeply ingrained in the ‘super-who-lock’ edits on Tumblr or found your joy in fan edits flooding the TikTok ‘For You’ pages, or even dipped your toes into the vast expanse of fan fiction, there is nothing better than enjoying a common interest with strangers. I have been part of my fair share of fandoms over the years, enjoying fan arts and headcanons, but one of my more recent obsessions, that only appeared on the scene a few years ago, is the fandom surrounding the Netflix original Bridgerton. The appeal of Bridgerton is in the sheer whimsical romance of the show. Fans have so many headcanons and can build on the canons of the book, to create sweeping romantic fan fictions that play with the tropes of regency romance in fun and exciting ways while waiting for a new season. I have loved engaging with the edits and theories for new seasons with other fans and it aids in my enjoyment of the show. There are many industry positives to engaging in fandom culture, the main one being free marketing. Fans creating hype for a show, or film, will bring in more viewers leading to a successful financial endeavour. Despite the strong sense of community, there are negatives to being engaged in a fandom. When people are consumed with passion and are deeply connected to characters, feelings are bound to be hurt. That’s why there should always be a level of care when involving yourself in a fandom. At the end of the day, these characters are fictional, and you shouldn’t let them consume you. Make sure you find the balance of enjoying the things you love without the toxicity of the internet. Maddie Conlan, Arts and Lit Editor

ANDOM culture is particularly important for shows that have a niche audience. In this case, the fandom often helps the show go more mainstream, attracting more attention and sometimes even saving the show from cancellation. This was the case with Wynonna Earp, a Canadian Western supernatural TV show that originally aired on Syfy. Wynonna Earp quickly became an internet favourite. It had nearly everything that fandom culture loves: a diverse cast that loves the show and engages with fans on social media, couples that could be shipped, storylines that were both funny and emotionally gut-wrenching. Fans of Wynonna Earp created vast amounts of media that built a sense of community. Art, fan fiction and edits were all common — especially those showing Wayhaught, a sapphic couple featured in the series. Wayhaught creative commons was how I Image: was Vue firstCinemas; introduced to the show, with fan content essentially acting as an advertisement for queer representation in the show. The Wynonna Earp fandom also existed in offline spaces as fans organised multiple conventions across the world. The cast made appearances, hosting meet and greets and panels. Even those who never made it to conventions felt part of the wider fandom, catching up with content online. Fan culture can be damaging, especially when some take it too far. Fandoms never last forever, but when you’re there in the moment, it can be incredibly important. For queer people, a sense of community can be hard to find in the real world, but a fandom brings with it affirmation and acceptance. Florence New

Image: Flickr Kiasfilms online

Character focus: Oppenheimer and Godzilla

Jake Avery, Music Editor, shares the similarities between Oppenheimer and Godzilla Minus One

AST year saw the release of two cinematic behemoths, both tackling the tricky topic of the post-WW2 calamity that was the invention and usage of the atomic bomb in Japan. Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer won the minds of critics and audiences with its subjective portrayal of the eponymous scientist’s life experience before, during and after leading the Manhattan Project. The complex moral quandaries that J. Robert Oppenheimer grappled with are given full reign by Nolan, with the latter third of the film’s runtime being devoted to the witch hunt he endured from public figures due to accusations of communist ties. There is one brief sequence that hints upon the devastation that the atomic bomb wrought upon

the civilians of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Takashi Yamazaki’s Godzilla Minus One, on the contrary, devotes its entire runtime to the plights of its Japanese characters, offering rich thematic explorations of the grief, regret and misery that Japan endured post-War and post-atom bomb. Its protagonist, Kōichi Shikishima, is burdened with guilt and remorse having failed to defend his country as a soldier from the war and the mighty Godzilla. The nightmarish beast is presented as a force to be reckoned with, substituting for the atomic bomb in a manner that allows the film to be viewed casually, or more deliberately as a tale of the personal endurance that Japanese citizens had to summon to rebuild and move on from unimaginable tragedy.

The real debate we should be engaging with in the lead up to Oppenheimer’s inevitable Oscar sweep is whether a project focused on the struggles of one man who was removed from the direct consequences of his actions deserves more conversation than a film that serves as a tribute to the victims themselves. Nolan’s film is epic in scope but lacks emotional resonance, getting entangled in the mythology of Oppenheimer so much that it jettisons any exploration of Japan’s side of the story in favor of courtroom drama and bureaucracy. Oppenheimer will stand as a brilliant biopic, but Godzilla Minus One will reign as a more effective portrait of the consequences of the atomic bomb.

Image: Flickr, James Vaughan

A history of the screen Scarlett Cracknell, Music Editor, talks about her experience volunteering at the Bill Douglas Cinema Museum

OMING back as a third year in term two with the dread of dissertation deadlines was no easy feat. With less contact hours and more independent study than ever before, I needed something to diversify my time. So I applied to start volunteering at the Bill Douglas Cinema Museum situated on our campus — something I would recommend all students try to do. The museum is home to one of the largest collections of material relating to the

moving image in Britain, boasting over 87,000 items. Being named after Bill Douglas, a British filmmaker and collector renowned by critics and fans as having one of the most poetic visions in British film history, the collection is an inspired curation celebrating film culture and history. It is a perfect source of inspiration for those who appreciate how visual and literary cultures work in tandem. Whilst Bill Douglas and Peter Jewell’s shared collection is what

founded the museum, the collection that I am currently working with is from a recent acquisition from Cambridge Arts Cinema. The material includes original stills from films released internationally, original press books, lobby cards from cinemas and contemporary reviews. Some days, I will go through multiple films that I have never heard of before and am able to, like a screen-orientated Indiana Jones, uncover hidden secrets around lesser known

films. Other days, I am able to look at, and fangirl over, classics like Franco Rosso’s Babylon (1980) and Robert Zemeckis’ Back to the Future Part II (1989) and III (1990). As a volunteer there, it seems only my duty to encourage students and hobbyists to look at the displays curated by staff and students, and to book time to revel in the excitement of the material that other volunteers and I catalogue.

TECH Musk's Neuralink chip implanted in first human Fergus Fones explains the new technology and what it could mean for us

EURALINK, an American neurotechnology company, has implemented its first brain-computer interface in a human, according to founder Elon Musk. The famous tech entrepreneur took to X (formerly Twitter) to announce the success of the neuralink implantation, adding that the patient is recovering well. This is a huge milestone for the future of the neurotechnology industry, and its outcome could determine the fate of the most exciting tech of our time. But what exactly is a BCI and why are they important? A brain-computer interface (BCI) is a device that facilitates a communication pathway between the brain's electrical activity and an external computer. It does this by reading the spikes in voltage produced when a neuron is excited. It can then send a signal to an external device which analyses what the brain is trying to accomplish. Basically, it transfers your brain waves into good old 1s and 0s, much more useful in the outside world. These 1s and 0s can then be sent to their electronic devices, allowing seemingly telepathic control. The company’s goal was to develop a system to connect brains to computers, to aid paralysed patients with little to no independence. Through the tech, patients will be able to use various devices such as computers and

electronic wheelchairs, without the use of excessive deaths during trials, with Reuters their limbs. This would increase the independ- reporting in December 2022 that 1,500 anience and life-quality of paralysed patients mals died during Neuralink implant testing. massively. But BCIs don’t have to be limited There have also been reports from employto just healthcare; the potential of this ees that the company has been pushing for tech is promising. Almost every accelerated development. Carepart of our lives involves usful scrutiny of developments ing an electronic device, in light of this is necessary be it a smartphone, to assess the outcome of computer, electric car the trial. If all goes well, or drone. The implethe patient will recover mentation of BCIs to long-term and exhibit control a vast array normal performance, of electrical devices with their implant could be the next functioning properly. step in technolSome scientists have ogy. First mechanialso been concerned cal keyboards, then for the transparency touchscreens, with a surrounding the implant, BCI you won’t even need as the trial is not listed on to lift a finger. clinicaltrial.gov. This limits the Image: ,gyur3x, Deviantart However, Neuralink has information surrounding the imbeen criticised in the past for plants trial solely to Elon’s X account. Neuralink didn’t respond to Nature’s request for comment on the trial’s lack of information. WITH A BCI YOU Neuralink utilises the trusty precision of WON'T EVEN NEED TO a surgical robot to attach over 1,000 elecLIFT A FINGER trodes to individual neurons in the brain; no small feat. However other companies have

taken a different route. Synchron, a New York-based start-up backed by juggernauts Bill Gates and Jeff Bezos, have been developing a BCI that doesn’t require brain surgery. Instead, the stent-like device is implanted into the blood vessels of the patient and reads brain activity through motor signals. Emergence of companies offering less invasive BCIs may challenge Neuralink’s presence in the growing neurotech industry. Time will tell which method of implantation is best, likely determining which company takes the biggest slice in this new sector.

TIME WILL TELL WHICH METHOD OF IMPLANTATION IS BEST Neuralink’s first implantation in a human is an exciting point in the development of BCI technology, but the company’s track record suggests we remain cautious until the long-term implications of the implantation have been discovered. Neuralink will hopefully release more information surrounding the trial soon, as both scientists and tech enthusiasts are eager to learn more about the implant's success.

The Apple Vision Pro Antonella Perna explores the buzz around Apple's new face computer

ITH the advancement technology is making at such a fast pace, it’s easy to wonder what’s due to come next. Apple proposes the new Vision Pro, a mixed-reality headset which essentially allows an individual to use apps layered on top of their surroundings rather than on a display screen, giving computers a whole new, three-dimensional feel.

[GIVES] COMPUTERS A WHOLE NEW, THREEDIMENSIONAL FEEL Image: Budley, Flickr

Apple are calling it “spatial computing”, since the new 'goggles-like' device offers a mix of VR and AR. Geared with cameras that allow users to see their current surroundings and use apps as though they were floating in front of them, the headset comes with no controllers and relies on high-quality hand and eye tracking, allowing users to look at something to select it and touch their index finger to their thumb to click it. For more complicated in-app manoeuveres, users can hold their fingers together to do things such as scrolling and resizing windows. The Vision Pro runs on a new software, built on other Apple operating systems. This kind of “face computing” isn’t new, but is the very best of its kind: equipped with high pixel density, speakers with Spatial Audio, and nearseamless hand and eye tracking, the quality of this headset almost excuses its whopping $3,499 price tag. However, with a battery that only lasts 2-2.5 hours unplugged, a software that can’t run all apps (including YouTube), and the discomfort of its weight and extractor fans blowing hot air up to the user’s face, it is clear that this device is still an early design.

THE QUALITY OF THIS HEADSET ALMOST EXCUSES ITS $3,499 PRICE TAG

Additionally, the release of this headset leaves confusing emotions regarding what this means for the future of humanity. Will we be walking around in 50 years, in a Ready Player One-esque reality, living only for our virtual lives and accomplishments? It makes one wonder about the implications such technologies might have on the next generation of “iPad kids”, who already rely so heavily on devices, and the balance future societies might have between pursuing real-life happiness

and investing in a technology-ruled world. So, overall, is the Vision Pro worth it? It depends on the approach taken when considering it. Although it is unlikely that the average individual will reap sufficient benefits from making the purchase, it is likely that Apple’s interpretation of mixed-reality headsets will pave the way for other companies to do the same, and create a new market of VR/AR headsets. For better or for worse, the future of technology appears to have changed once again.

Image: Abdulrahman, Deviantart

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21 FEB 2024 | 25

EDITORS: Ewan Gregory and Charlie McCormack

The popularity and controversy of 'Palworld' Isabel Bratt explores the popular multiplayer game

N an ever-growing market of open- be taken seriously and are full of choice and world, multiplayer gaming, ‘Palword’ has opportunity. The world design and scentaken the internet by storm. The game ery are beautiful, as is the sound design. rose immediately to Steam’s Top Seller’s list, currently having sold over 12 milTHE INTERNET HAS BEEN lion copies on the platform alone. It has INCREASINGLY DESPERATE FOR achieved over two million players playFUN MULTIPLAYER GAMES ing at one time, becoming the game with the most concurrent players on Steam. ‘Palworld’ is an interesting mix of surHowever, the game has attracted great vival simulator, battle-strategy, shooting controversy, namely over its similarities to and combat, and life simulator. In the game, the ‘Pokemon’ franchise. Many of the ‘Pals’ you play as a character striving to survive in have been compared to ‘Pokemon’ characthe wild and create a new society. You can ters, and Nintendo seem to be aware. The befriend ‘Pals’, (hence the name of the fran- Pokemon Company issued a statement rechise), adorable animal-like creatures with cently, stating their intentions to "investigate a range of skills and species. You can adopt […] any acts that infringe on intellectual these creatures, keeping them as pets, us- property rights." The developers of ‘Palworld’, ing them to help build your new society, or Pocketpair, an independent Japanese detraining them for battle. The game provides velopment company, allowed the game to you with a range of choices that enable you be advertised as being similar to the beto play in a pacifist manner, or lean into the loved Nintendo franchise. On social media, violent, shooter, battle-strategy aspects. ‘Palworld’ gained mass attention prior to The internet has been increasingly its release, partially due to the unoffidesperate for fun multiplayer cial tagline: "Pokemon with guns". Image: Nick Youngson, Pix4Free games, especially evident However, I think the sucwith the success of ‘Lethal cess of ‘Palworld’ could proCompany’, a viral horror vide Nintendo with many game, which sprung into good opportunities and popularity in December ideas, as I personally of last year. I personally would love a survivalhave enjoyed watching based, more adult, ‘Pokethe development of ‘Palmon’ game, especially world’, and have kept up one available on PC. with my favourite streamMany gaming fans believe ers playing the game. I’m Pocketpair and their game incredibly partial to multiwill be bought by Microsoft, player, and open-world games, due to its success on the Xbox as they do not necessarily need to in particular. With such a big com-

Image: Eren Li, Pexels

Image: RogueDawg777, DeviantArt

pany behind them, it will be interesting to see how the copyright issue develops.

THE SUCCESS OF PALWORD COULD PROVIDE NINTENDO WITH MANY GOOD OPPORTUNITIES AND IDEAS Another controversy surrounding the game’s release is the topic of AI; Pocketpair have used AI to develop their previous games, and this has garnered negative at-

tention. However, with their previous projects, the studio were very public about their use of AI, and one can assume that they would have been, had they used it in the development of ‘Palworld’. Despite these controversies, I believe the game to be deserving of its popularity, and hope the franchise continues with little copyright changes. It has set new precedents for multiplayer gameplay and world design, and I’m excited to see how ‘Palworld’ develops.

US senators hear from five tech CEOs Charlie Gershinson, Deputy Editor, examines the recent testimony before the US Senate THIS ARTICLE CONTAINS CONTENT RELATING TO SUICIDE AND CHILD ABUSE WHICH SOME READERS MAY FIND DISTRESSING HE US Senate has recently heard testimony from the bosses of tech giants Meta, Discord, Snap, X (formerly Twitter) and TikTok concerning measures which social media companies are using to protect children online as well as what can be done to hold social media companies to account for the content on their websites. Mark Zuckerberg and Shou Zi Cheng, the CEOs of Meta and TikTok respectively, voluntarily agreed to testify but the CEOs of X, Snap and Discord were compelled to attend the hearing by a government subpoena. There was a wide range of questions asked from senators from both the Democratic and Republican parties, but the main theme was protecting children from online sexual exploitation. Behind the CEOs were the families of children who had self-harmed or killed themselves. They made themselves known by hissing at the CEOs as they entered and applauding the hard-hitting questions which the senators asked. Some of the companies announced some policy changes to their sites in advance of the hearing. Meta announced that minors will

now not be able to receive direct messages from strangers on Instagram and Messenger as well as a new safety tool to stop minors from sending and receiving nudes, for example. The biggest clash came between Zuckerberg and Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) as the latter asked “what the hell [Zuckerberg] was doing” when Meta added a pop-up telling a user they may be about to see child sex material, but they are able to see the material regardless. Another exchange during Zuckerberg’s portion came when Sen. Josh Hawley (R-MO) invited Zuckerberg to address the families seated behind him. The Senate is considering legislation to help protect children from harmful material, which came up during the hearing. Discord CEO Jason Citron did not seem enthusiastic about the proposals when described by Sen. Lindsay Graham (R-SC) with Graham concluding the interaction by saying: “So here you are — if you're waiting on these guys to solve the problem, we're gonna die waiting." Perhaps the most viral and controversial exchange was when Sen. Tom Cotton (R-AR) asked Cheng if he had ever been a member of the Chinese Communist Party to which he responded, “senator, I’m Singaporean. No.” Cotton reiterated his question by asking “have you ever

been affiliated or associated with the Chinese Communist Party?” Cheng replied “no, senator. Again, I’m Singaporean.” Cotton also asked if TikTok — owned by Chinese company ByteDance — discloses US users’ data to the Chinese government. Cheng denied these claims. In the same conversation, Cheng admitted that his children do not use TikTok due to Singaporean rules which bar under-13s from creating accounts.

Image: Blogtrepreneur, Flickr

Observers concluded that, like many similar occasions in Congress such as Zuckerberg’s seven previous appearances, little was resolved by the hearing with plenty of political grandstanding between the two parties and a vague bipartisan commitment to do more on the issue, though there have yet to be more established specifics in any proposed plan.

21 FEB 2024| EXEPOSÉ

Exetera Exetera... ASK NAPOLEON: advice column Question 1: What are the best activities to do on a rainy day? F you’ve been in Exeter for long enough, I think you’ve probably come to realise that it rains a LOT here. Especially recently we’ve been experiencing the effects of several storms. Many students have had their umbrellas go inside out from the wind and there seems to be a resurgence of the wet look but in reality its just silly students forgetting their brollies at home. If you do find yourself stuck indoors due to the weather being horrid, there is still plenty for you to do. Firstly, the most obvious answer is to do your uni work. I understand it can be boring sometimes, but make yourself cozy, either put some tunes on or have a film on in the background whilst studying. I also would recommend reading a book and having a warm drink whilst watching the rain (so aesthetic). You could also bake some cakes, spend quality time with your housemaes or, ideally, spend the whole day asleep, missing your lectures, with free natural rain sounds from outside instead of from Spotify.

Question 2: How do I stay social on a budget? S the term continues, deadlines are piling up but for our wellbeing (also sanity) it remains more important than ever to stay social. Yet with the next student loan payment months away, the question remains: how to remain social on a budget? While having a good night out in Exeter often seems synonymous with emptying your wallet, this doesn’t always have to be the case. Attending a society social can often be a great way to meet new people and often societies themselves will provide discounts. Another idea is to host a movie night, with so many new heartbreaking new releases (especially One Day on Netflix) a night in with a selection of snacks can be a great detox. Though when you do fancy treating yourself to a night out at TP, there are ways to lower the cost. For instance, instead of the risk of buying a ticket on Overheard, pub to club is a new option available to allow you to go straight from Castle Street to Old Timers when purchasing three drinks. While at first this option seems expensive, I can guarantee you the cost is significantly less than starting the night at TP and allows you the freedom to arrive after 7pm. Images: University of Exeter, Issuu

EDITORS:

Anabel Costa-Ferreira Livvy Mason-Myhill Joshua Smith

Student stars CAPRICORN (22 DEC — 19 JAN) Life lessons might occur for you to get in better touch with self-worth, selfdefence, and money attitudes.

ARIES (21 MAR — 19 APR) The emphasis is on pleasure, finding like minds, healthy competition, attraction, and making new plans.

CANCER (21 JUN LIBRA (23 SEP — — 22 JUL) 22 OCT) Money, insurance, It’s a great time to debts, taxes, and posbring more energy sessions may be important topics for and imagination to your personal you now. life.

AQUARIUS (20 JAN TAURUS (20 APR — LEO (23 JUL — 22 — 18 FEB) 20 MAY) AUG) There is some This is a time to It’s a time to bring tendency to put too give extra attention more pride, charm, much weight or energy into a parto career, long-term goals, rules, warmth, affection, and intensity to ticular line of thought or pursuit. responsibilities, and performance. your relationships.

SCORPIO (23 OCT — 21 NOV) Decorating, entertaining, and making life a little more harmonious, and comfortable can be in focus now.

PISCES (19 FEB — GEMINI (21 MAY VIRGO (23 AUG — SAGITTARIUS (22 20 MAR) — 20 JUNE) 22 SEP) NOV — 21 DEC) A lot is happening Meeting people, even You’re attracting Experimentation with beneath the surface or virtually, or studying positive attention, and ideas and projects is behind the scenes, particularly connew ideas or topics can be lifeyour charm is natural. good now, but don’t overdo this and cerning your feelings and affections. changing. sacrifice the calm in your world. Image: OpenClipart, SVG

Recipe: cauliflower fajitas

F you’re anything like me, then you spend too many hours a week flicking through food content on Instagram Reels. For me, vegan food Insta is where it’s at. Who needs cook books? This is a new age where some absolutely bonkers and delicious stuff is happening. This week’s recipe is my take on @thenarddogcooks cauliflower fajitas recipe. It’s cheap, great if you’re cooking for large groups, and is a joy to eat, what more could you want? Step 1: Boil a pan of water, and place the florets from one cauliflower in it until they are tender enough to pierce the sur-

face with a knife, making sure they’re not too tender so they retain their shape in the oven.

Image: whatscookingwithruthie.com

Step 2: Drain the water from the pan, and place the florets in a bowl along with a diced white onion and diced red pepper. Now this is where the flavour comes in, place 1/2 tsp of ground coriander, 1/2 tsp paprika, 1/2 tsp chilli powder, 1/2 tsp ground cumin, and (if you’re brave) 1/2 tsp chilli flakes, with a dash of salt and pepper. Coat the florets and onions in the spice mix, and place on a baking sheet.

grees fan, or 200 degrees conventional oven, or the florets are tender enough to put a knife through.

Step 3: Bake for 20 minutes at 180 de-

Step 4: Build the fajitas, or if you prefer,

fold them up into wraps, either way my ideal companions with this dish is some sour cream or mayonnaise, guacamole, a dash of lime juice, and grated cheddar (or their vegan alternatives).

Exeposé archives: Chill Hill returns to campus

FTER a seven-year wait, Chill Hill finally returned to Forum Hill last Saturday (17th February). After a successful event in January 2017, Chill Hill returned to Forum Hill — importantly retaining the ‘Exetah’ status. In 2017, Exeposé’s coverage of the event made both the print and online editions, detailing “one of the biggest, most outrageous and unique events” on campus. On this day, the print edition detailed that “48 tonnes of real snow” would be shipped to cover the entirety of Forum Hill and that “30 of the UK’s top university riders will showcase their moves.” While the event itself appears more like a festival with a DJ truck and after-party, the focus also remained on the competitions. The performances were “mainly focused on snowboarding and skiing, including one freestyle rail competition at the end.” Once again Snowsports society used social media to outline the aims of the

event, which were summed by the phrase: “inspire, expose, and support”. The event itself is even detailed to have been recorded by a drone at 400ft in the air. The events themselves were divided into two events, skiing and snowboarding (which were then split further into male and female categories). While the ticket price of £1 has now changed, the demand for the event remains, as a sold-out Saturday proved a success. The online report of this event also explained that a proportion of the ticket sales were also going to Snowsport’s chosen charity, which was Disability Snowsports UK. The article heard also from a University of Exeter snowboarder

Eddie Reeder, who even shared how “we’ve got friends and snowboarders coming down from other universities so it should be an amazing time”. Now while your friends at other universities may be confused, concerned, or slightly jealous this event, it is certainly one not to be missed.

study break

| 21 FEB 2024

exhibit | 27

STUDY BREAK CROSSWORD

Across

SUDOKU

1 Heptad (5) 4 Tanned material (7) 8 Zero — zilch — nil (7) 9 Adolescence (5) 10 On holiday (4) 11 Craving to drink (6) 14 Keep concealed (3,3) 15 Palm tree — affair (anagram) (6) 18 North American fruit (6) 20 From a distance (4) 23 Lecherous looker — re log (anagram)? (5) 24 Response of indifference (slang) (7) 25Ambassador’s residence (7) 26 Because — following — after (5)

Down 1 Opal bans (anagram) — Californian city (3,5) 2 Debase — ie vitta? (anagram) (7) 3 Tack (4) 4 Illuminations (6) 5 Uncharacteristic (8) 6 Periods of time (5) 7 German industrial region (4) 12 Likens (to) (8) 13 Native American ball game (8) 16 Rugby team (7) 17 Interdependent (3-3) 19 Speak without preparation (2-3) 21 Fondness - affection — adoration (4) 22 Peaks — primes — golden ages (4)

ANSWERS

TRIVIA CORNER

1. What occasion corresponds to the longest day of the year? 2. Which country is the largest in the world BY AREA? 3. What is the only food that can never go bad? 4. What guitarist notably performed on the Michael Jackson song ‘Beat It’? 5. Actor Steve Carell plays what memorable character in the popular TV series ‘The Office?’ 6. The line, “Your mother was a hamster and your father smelt of elderberries” is from what 1975 movie?

Trivia: 1. The Summer Solstice 2. Russia 3. Honey 4. Eddie Van Halen 5. Michael Scott 6. ‘Monty Python and the Holy Grail’ Across: 1 Seven, 4 Leather, 8 Nothing, 9 Youth, 10 Away, 11 Thirst, 14 Lie low, 15 Raffia, 18 Pawpaw, 20 Afar, 23 Ogler, 24 Whatevs, 25 Embassy, 26 Since. Down: 1 San Pablo, 2 Vitiate, 3 Nail, 4 Lights, 5 Atypical, 6 Hours, 7 Ruhr, 12 Compares, 13 Lacrosse, 16 Fifteen, 17 Twoway, 19 Ad-lib, 21 Love, 22 Days.

Science 28

21 FEB 2024 | EXEPOSÉ

SCIENCE EDITORS:

Eloise Shewring Hannah Woodley Livvy Mason-Myhill

Lula drifts from climate priorities in Amazon rainforest

Hannah Woodley, Science Editor, discusses the Brazilian Congress' approval to fix an Amazon highway

FTER pledging to completely end Amazon deforestation by 2030, Brazilian president Lula da Silva has since announced Congress approval to fix the BR-319 highway which

"The Amazon can be whatever we want it to be: an Amazon with greener cities, with cleaner air, with mercury-free rivers and forests that are left standing; an Amazon with food on the table, dignified jobs and public

BR-319 will help the municipality a lot with exports. It is a dream for the state of Amazonas and the people of Tapauense.” However, although this road would increase economic opportunity for isolated

about the highway were ignored, and fears the impact it will have, telling The Guardian: “Through the BR-319, more farmers, ranchers, loggers and hunters will come in. One day it’s going to bring problems.”

will cut through what’s left of preserved rainforest. In January 2023, Lula da Silva became Brazilian President, taking over from predecessor Jair Bolsonaro, under whose presidency immense deforestation plagued the Amazon. This came as a sigh of relief for environmentalists around the globe, due to Silva’s strong pledges toward preservation of the rainforest. Specifically, in the 2023 Amazon Summit, in which all eight countries that make up the Amazon Cooperation Treaty Organisation (ACTO) gathered in Belém, Lula pledged to end deforestation in the Amazon by 2030, further stating in a speech:

services that are available to all; an Amazon with healthier children, well-received migrants [and] Indigenous people who are respected … This is our Amazon dream.” However, Lula’s Amazon dream is fast crumbling into Amazon destruction. In December, the Brazilian Congress approved a bill which viewed fixing the BR-319 highway as a national priority, and that money to complete the project should be allocated immediately from the Amazon Fund, which has contributions from many countries in the aim of decreasing deforestation. The highway already exists, running from Manaus in Central Amazonia to Porto Velho, but due to its condition is currently unusable. Fixing the road would increase access to these cities, and smaller towns within the rainforest, with Gamaliel Andrade, mayor

areas in the Amazon, it will come at a great cost to the forest, connecting the ‘arc of deforestation’ to Central Amazonia, opening an estimated 50 per cemt of remaining Brazilian Amazon to destruction, due to encouraging illegal tracks for logging and mining to eat into the forest. The Brazilian Government has attempted to combat environmental concerns, with the transport minister Renan Filho claiming the project will build “the most sustainable and greenest highway on the planet.” Despite this, it’s clear the BR-319 will have devastating consequences, including to indigenous communities, threatening 18,000 people and 63 Indigenous lands, a population Lula was so adamant to protect. Although Indigenous communities need to be consulted before a project impacting their lands is built, Marino Batista, the cacique of São

Opening an estimated 50 per cent of remaining Brazilian Amazon to destruction Much of Lula’s difficulty in fulfilling his original environmental pledges stems from the fact that Brazil’s National Congress has a right-wing majority, making it very challenging to approve pro-environmental policies. This is particularly the case regarding the BR-319 highway, which many politicians are adamant to pursue, so much so that a bill was recently passed to reduce the powers of Marina Silva, the Environment Minister. However, although approval to fix the highway has been passed by Congress, it’s yet to be approved by the Brazilian Senate, meaning the future of the Amazon rainforest hangs

of Tapauá, telling The Guardian: “(The)

Francisco village, claimed his concerns

in the balance of this immense decision.

Lula da Silva has announced Congress approval to fix the BR-319 highway

Image: Karla Gachet, National Geographic

Antarctic mysteries to be mapped by robot plane

Florence New discusses the development of a new drone which will map unknown areas of Antarctica

NEW drone, the Windracers ULTRA, has been developed to measure and forecast the impacts of climate change in Antarctica. The technology has been developed by the British Antarctic Survey (BAS) and Windracers to be used in extreme areas that researchers themselves cannot reach. Large parts of Antarc-

Image: Jocrebbin, istock images

tica have remained unmapped and unknown, so there are high hopes for what knowledge the new project will bring. The BAS is the UK’s national polar research institute, conducting science and representing the UK in the region. It has over 400 staff members and five research stations. The BAS has played an important role in

past discoveries in Antarctica, including the hole in the ozone layer and details about past volcanic eruptions.

The BAS has played an important role in past discoveries Windracers is a cargo drone operator known as a pioneer in the field. They have completed flight trials in other challenging locations including the Shetland Islands and regularly operate with other organisations to deliver drone solutions to other areas of policy, such as the Ministry of Defence. Tests of the Windracers ULTRA were conducted in Snowdonia in north Wales, mirroring some examples of extreme weather. Antarctica is characterised by strong winds, freezing temperatures, and frequent storms, all making it harder for researchers to operate effectively. Traditional piloted planes have been important in the past but have their limitations, which this new drone is hoping to overcome. Funding for this project comes from Innovate UK’s Future Flight 3 Challenge as part of a pilot programme called ‘Protecting environments with uncrewed aerial vehicle swarms’.

Climate change is at the forefront of this development. Over the past 50 years, the Antarctic Peninsula has been one of the most rapidly warming areas on the planet. These changes have had repercussions for the physical environment. Ideally, the drone will be able to map the topography of Antarctica, so scientists can determine how quickly ice will melt. This information will also be used to predict global increases in sea levels. Climate models will be important for making future predictions about climate change in Antarctica and globally, providing a direction for international policymaking. The new drone uses much less fuel than other research methods, helping to lessen the environmental consequences of research.

The drone will be able to map the topogarphy of Antarctica The drone itself can carry cargo, radar, and cameras and follows a preprogrammed route that is monitored by operators. There are three sensor systems to be used to build a map of tectonic structures underneath the ice. No pilot is needed for take-off, flying, or landing, as it has its own auto-

pilot system. It has been designed to be fixed in the field without a larger number of parts. Multiple drones can ‘swarm’ together and operate as a single system with the help of AI, and longer flight times will be possible, allowing for a larger volume of information to be collected. The radar will fire radio waves at ice sheets, creating reflections to be measured that indicate the shape of the land. There are some concerns over the use of drones in Antarctica. To lose one of these drones would be expensive and possibly environmentally costly if it were to disturb the fragile Antarctic environment. The use of technology is strictly regulated, with only national programmes allowed to fly. At first, the drone will be operated from Antarctica, but there are hopes that one day it can be flown from the UK. The current Antarctic research season is running from January to March 2024, with this project operating for a month. The team will benefit from 24 hours of sunlight per day. Plans are already in place for future research, including into food chains and environmentally sensitive locations.

EXEPOSÉ | 21 FEB 2024

SCIENCE

AI learning language through a baby’s eyes

Josie Sharp, International Editor, explores how a neural network taught itself to recognise objects using the filmed experiences of a single infant Image: Brandon Day, Wikimedia Commons

NEW report in Science was published on the 1st February debating the role AI could play in learning human behaviour. A study as undertaken by Wai Keen Vong who used an Artificial Intelligence programme constructed in the image of the human brain, creating a “neural network.” No prior data was inputted before it was shown 61 hours’ worth of recordings from a young Australian boy called ‘Sam’. These recordings were tak-

en from Sam’s perspective, who wore a headcam for one hour twice a week since he was six months old until two years old; one per cent of his waking hours.

These recordings were taken from Sam’s perspective, who wore a headcam for one hour twice a week The neural network was exposed

to over 250,000 words and images and tested the concept of ‘contrastive learning’ which demonstrates the ability to learn which images and texts go together. The network was shown four images and told to find the matching word; the same test given to children to test their language-learning abilities. The neural network achieved 62 per cent in this test, rather than the 25 per cent the study-heads predicted. The AI even learnt to predict which images went

with texts that they had previously not seen before such as ‘dog’ and ‘apple’.

The neural network achieved 62 per cent in this test This is revolutionary for AI machine learning, where programmes such as ‘ChatGPT’ are limited, as it requires lots of data, uses language learning, and

cannot use real life experiences to improve its services. This neural network has added the ‘human life experience’ that previous programmes have lacked, as Keen Vong highlights: “we don’t get given the internet when we’re born.” This also offers a gateway for researchers to show how the internet has affected children’s brains and linguistic development when they are left to use iPads for extended periods of time, for example. This offers a new opportunity to advance research, as it goes against current theories on children’s linguistic development. This study requires development as the realities of family life all contribute and affect a child’s ability to learn language, such as being a single child, having pets and cultural aspects. US linguist Noam Chomsky goes against this AI neural network theory as he claims that “language is too complex and the input of information is too sparse, for language acquisition to happen through general learning processes.” Linguists against the implementation of AI in linguistic research depict that language and the real world are too rich and varied for Artificial Intelligence to comprehend.

UK patients receive experimental messenger cancer therapy

Anna Kane, Online News Editor, delves into a revolutionary mRNA treatment

N exciting development has been made in the medical world, as the first UK patients underwent the first stage in a new trial of a potential type of cancer treatment this month. The experimental trial, “Mobilize”, is sponsored by US pharmaceutical and biotechnical company Moderna (a well-known name to everyone post-Covid) and is taking place in Hammersmith Hospital in West London. The trial is testing the safety and efficacy of mRNA-4359 therapy. The particular types of cancer the trial is testing against are solid tumours, melanomas, and lung cancer. If cancer vaccinations are the future, they will revolutionise healthcare. Currently, one in two people in the UK will be diagnosed with a form of cancer in their lifetime, therefore this new treatment could benefit the lives of millions. While there are successful forms of cancer treatment in place at the moment, such as chemotherapy, cancerous cells notoriously develop resistance to drugs.

If cancer vaccinations are the future, they will revolutionise health-care This mRNA therapy is an approach that uses a person’s genetic material to identify and combat potential cancerous cells. mRNA (or messenger ribonucleic acid) presents

Image: The Indian Practitioner

markers from tumours to a person’s immune system. These markers will then hopefully allow the immune system to attack cells which contain them, removing cells that might supress an immune response. In a recent Guardian article, Dr David Pinato of Imperial College London was said to express that although the research for this approach is new, and it may take years for a result to become available to patients, he believes that what the trial is currently doing is

hugely important to laying the foundations of the cancer-fighting project.

It may take years for a result to become available to patients The news that the first UK patients had received the therapy was announced by Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust (ICHT) and Imperial

College London (ICL). The trial, if successful, will provide patients with a type of cancer vaccination that falls into the category of therapeutic cancer immunotherapy, rather than personalised cancer immunotherapies. The fundamental aim of this trial will be to see whether the mRNA-4359 therapy works when administered alone, but also when administered alongside the drug Keytruda (pembrolizumab), an immune checkpoint inhibitor. It was

the results from preclinical testing of mRNA-4359 therapy in cell and animal models of cancer that led to the decision to begin the patient trials. The mRNA technology, inspired by Covid, if successful, will be the first ever cancer vaccine. The project is of major significance. As said by the first patient to receive the vaccine, “we have to change the fact that one in two people get cancer.”

SPORT

21 FEB 2024 | EXEPOSÉ

F1 season preview: chaos before the start

Harry Craig, Deputy Editor, and Eloise Grainger, Sport Editor, round up all the latest news from F1

T'S very rare in Formula 1 that the to see where Sainz ends up, and who fills winter break provides more drama and the Mercedes seat vacated by Hamilton action than the actual on-track racing (the rumour mill currently suggests F2 — and yet the past three months since the rookie Kimi Antonelli could be given a chequered flag came down on the 2023 sea- baptism of fire and promoted to a fullson in Abu Dhabi last November have been time Mercedes seat at the age of just 17). relentless in the world of F1. Drama in the The 2023 constructor champions, Red driver (and team principal) market, teams Bull, have been fighting other battles over changing names, and new tracks the winter break. A female colleague added to the calendar… but reported that team boss Christian from next week, the racing Horner displayed inappropriwill do the talking, as F1 ate, controlling, and coercive opens the 2024 season. behaviour. This caused Red Inevitably the bigBull to launch an internal gest talking point will be investigation. While Horner Lewis Hamilton’s shock denies all allegations, this move to Ferrari from happened weeks before the 2025. On the 1st February, RB20 was set to be revealed. This news broke that the most suc- Image:Beto Issa, has overshadowed much of the exciteWikimedia Commons cessful driver of all time, with seven ment for Red Bull, who look to conchampionships and 103 wins, would be tinue their dominating presence on track for leaving Mercedes, the team that had given the 2024 campaign. Many assumed Horner him six of those titles and 82 of the wins. would step aside to allow the team to focus Despite signing a multi-year contract on the season preparations rather than have with Mercedes last summer, Hamilton a disruptive media presence, but Horner rehad clearly become disillusioned with the mains firm in his place, confident of his inBrackley-based team, and activated a release nocence. He understands that the investigaclause on his contract. Consequently, this tion is a process to which he must abide, so in season will be Hamilton’s last with the Silver a sense he appears to just be riding the wave. Arrows, and now at the age of 39, he will The 2023 drivers’ champion, Max Verlikely see out his career in the scarlet red of Ferrari — a childhood dream for any driver. This news came just a week after Charles Leclerc, Ferrari’s Il Predestinato, signed a new long-term contract renewal with the team. Leclerc’s contract was set to expire at the end of 2024, and despite having to endure endemic mechanical and strategic errors during his five years at Maranello, he has thrown his weight behind the team. Image: Eloise Grainger Although some speculation claimed that the Hamilton signing caught Leclerc by surprise, the Monégasque driver is rev- stappen, similarly wants to keep the previelling the opportunity to line up alongside ous season’s success ticking over. After an a multiple world champion. Hamilton and utterly dominant performance from both Leclerc are undoubtedly one of the best him and the RB19, it seems obvious that teammate pairings in recent years, and en- the Dutchman and the Austrian team are joy a strong off-track relationship. Both set to be just as competitive as before. 2023 worked heavily with Ferrari Team Princi- saw one of the most dominant driver team pal Frédéric Vasseur in their junior careers, pairing in all of F1 history, and Red Bull and the Frenchman is beginning to build are looking to replicate that performance. a team reminscient of Jean Todt’s Ferrari Where Max was fast and consistent of the early 2000s, to prepare for Ferrari’s last year, Pérez had many setbacks. Perez’s challenge when the new mechanical and performance often fell short during qualiengine regulations come into force in 2026. fying, which set him up poorly for races. For now, however, this news has left He didn’t possess the same bond with the much of the paddock in limbo for 2024. car that Max displayed. Pérez began 2023 Hamilton’s move means Sainz is without strongly, looking like he would be glued a seat, and Mercedes a r e to his teammate’s side, but as the season without a driver, after dragged on, he faltered. His focus, now into this season. Hami l - his 14th F1 season, will be to find a sweet ton and Sainz have to spot with this RB20. With his contract set to see out 24 races with expire at the end of 2024, it means teams that they’re good and consistent perforleaving, and the mances have greater latter is fightsignificance. He claims ing for his he hasn’t had any contract F1 future. conversations as of yet. He needs Plenty to have particular focus on qualifying if he of drama wants to get out of the stagnant state he in the driver was in last year. He seems Image: Automotive Rhythms, Flickr market awaits — genuinely eager to get the

season underway and begin the hunt. Meanwhile, for both Ferrari and Mercedes, the goal for 2024 has to be to consistently take the fight not just to one another, but eventually to Red Bull too. The two teams finished just three points apart last season, albeit both with less than half the points of Red Bull. No one is expecting them to challenge for the championship this year, but both teams must become more consistent, and perhaps snatch a handful of wins off Red Bull. This will put them in good stead to close the gap further and potentially challenge for titles in later seasons. Arguably, the prospects for Ferrari look considerably better. Contrary to their backwards car development during 2022, Ferrari drastically improved in the second half of 2023, and Charles Leclerc put together perhaps his best ever run of races, finishing on the podium in three of the last four races, and taking three pole positions (and five front-row starts) in the last five races. If Ferrari and Leclerc can begin 2024 as they ended 2023, they will be a force to be reckoned with. This is contrasted by Mercedes. Although they secured second in the constructors’ championship, and Lewis Hamilton finished third in the drivers’ championship (best of the non-Red Bull drivers), 2023 was their worst season of the turbo-hybrid era. Hamilton’s decision to leave the team just months after signing a new contract is an indication that all is not well at Brackley. Mercedes scrapped their infamous “no sidepods” approach halfway through last season, and although this brought some benefits, they have shown no signs of rivalling Red Bull. The issues they suffered with from the start of the 2022 season have become endemic. At McLaren, Lando Norris has extended his six-year relationship with the team that will see him compete in papaya orange beyond 2025. There had been some speculation as to whether another team could provide Norris with the wins he so desperately craves. But last season, his performance matched beautifully with the MCL60 and together they saw several podiums and fights for the top step, although no victories materialised. The MCL38 will hopefully continue the success of the 2023 challenger, but that is yet to be seen. Last year, pre-season testing for McLaren couldn’t have gone worse and it looked like the Woking-based team was set for an abysmal year. But after mid-season upgrades, the car took the top spots on the grid. With the strong performance of the 2023 rookie, Oscar Piastri, it seems that this combined driver pairing will be phenomenal in the coming season, as long as McLaren provide a car that can fight for what they deserve. For the other six teams on the grid, there is a potentially difficult season in store. Aston Martin started 2023 as the secondfastest team on the grid, and Fernando Alonso finished on the podium six times in

the first eight races. However, their development fell off badly and they were rapidly usurped by Mercedes, Ferrari and McLaren. They eventually sunk to fifth in the championship (not helped by Stroll’s enormous pace difference to his teammate), and have a mountain to climb to start 2024 in the same way they started 2023. Alpine were effectively in no-man’sland in 2023, not close enough to the top five but a significant way ahead of the backmarkers. Their 2024 car is aggressive and risk-taking, but there are rumours both Ocon and Gasly are looking for an exit and an escape to a top team. Williams, meanwhile, continued their resurgence in 2023, and are looking to build further this season. Although Alex Albon is considered a strong prospect for Mercedes in 2025, he is firmly focused on building the Grove-based team back to its former glory. Championships are still many years away, but Team Principal James Vowles is gradually building a solid midfield challenger. For the three backmarker teams in 2023, two have been rebranded. Racing Bulls (formerly AlphaTauri) are possibly the best bet to improve in 2024, with a strong end to 2023 and plenty of support from the Red Bull senior team. Stake (formerly Alfa Romeo) will be hoping their neon-green livery can make them slightly less anonymous on track, and Haas are almost everyone’s bet to remain last in the championship. A new sprint race format will be introduced this season. The sprint shootout will now take place on Friday sessions after FP1. Saturday will then begin with the sprint race, and qualifying for Sunday’s Grand Prix will take place afterwards. DRS regulations will also be altered; F1 have confirmed that it can now be deployed a lap earlier on lap two. These rule changes are aiming to result in tighter racing and more overtaking opportunities. There are concerns that this will result in more of the ‘DRS trains’ that have become commonplace recently, but F1 is hoping it will lead to greater battles at the front of the pack. Some controversial name changes have hit the paddock for this upcoming season. Sauber will be rebranded as Stake F1 Team Kick Sauber. The Swiss team will have this mouthful of a title name until the 2026 regulations, when they will transform into Audi. AlphaTauri has rebranded to Visa Cash App Racing Bulls. Haas kicked off the livery reveals on February 2nd after a recent shift in managerial personnel saw Steiner departing from the team and Ayao Komatsu take over. The Red Bull team rounded up the run of new liveries. It was noted that the Red Bull has departed from the bodywork trends of 2022 that they started, and Adrian Newey, the chief technical officer, has focussed on downforce greatly by directing airflow towards the radiators. There will also be some things that won’t change this year — for the 2024 season, there will be no rookies or driver changes. However, after every winter break,

Image: Alex Prins

there comes opportunities for teams to build cars that will progress up the grid, but there is also the risk for teams to fall behind and have worse form compared to the year before. What is interesting is that 12 of the 20 drivers on the grid have contracts that are expiring at the end of the season. This means over half the grid need to be on their best performance to prove that they deserve a seat for next year. There will be no major tech changes, but this doesn’t necessarily mean that it will be business as usual. We still have two seasons before the F1 world shifts into new regulations come 2026. Teams who finished lower in the championship in the previous season will have more wind tunnel time. With more hours to spend, it means teams can be more aggressive in their developmental stage to think of innovative ways to get to the front of the grid. But just having more time experimenting won’t translate directly into race victories, rather the team’s aerodynamics team have to utilise the time wisely to enhance their chances of success. The new F1 season gets underway with the Bahrain Grand Prix on Saturday 2nd March, preceded by preseason testing in Bahrain this weekend.

Editors' 2024 predictions Harry Craig, Deputy Editor:

Drivers' Championship: 1st: Max Verstappen (Red Bull) 2nd: Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) 3rd: Sergio Pérez (Red Bull) Constructors' Championship: 1st: Red Bull 2nd: Ferrari 3rd: McLaren One crazy prediction: Charles Leclerc wins the Monaco Grand Prix!

Eloise Grainger, Sport Editor:

Drivers' Championship: 1st: Max Verstappen (Red Bull) 2nd: Sergio Perez (Red Bull) 3rd: Lando Norris (McLaren) Constructors' Championship: 1st: Red Bull 2nd: McLaren 3rd: Ferrari One crazy prediction: Alex Albon scores a podium position for Williams

SPORT

21 FEB 2024| EXEPOSÉ

Klopp Leaving the Kop

Sport writers discuss the departure of Jurgen Klopp as rival fans

Thomas Swanser, Liverpool supporter:

ROM the perspective of a Liverpool fan, “it’s not so important what people think when you come in but what they think when you leave” are the words Jurgen Klopp proclaimed to eager journalists at his first press conference in 2015. With his departure to occur at the end of the 2023-2024 season, it’s time that we reflect upon his influence on Liverpool and football. Both through the lens of a Liverpool fan, and a Man United fan. As a Liverpool fan of the past several years I have seen our team transform from Europa League regulars to Champions League hopefuls, and then title challengers. If you were to tell a Liverpool fan in the early 2010s the fortune and changes this team has foreseen under the tenure of Klopp, they would likely not believe you. In his words, he has accomplished what he had set out to do in that first conference, which was to “turn [us] from doubters to believers.” Klopp has won a first league title in 30 years, a sixth Champions League, an FA Cup, League Cup and Club World Cup all under his management. Although I would be remiss to only highlight Klopp’s influence on our trophy cabinet. We will also miss elements such as his charismatic personality, love of football, and passion.

Whether it’s his energetic fist bumps, free-flowing football, or creating a team that others would fear. From making Anfield a fortress or bringing back those classic Champions League nights that Liverpool fans have not had for a while. There are games that we will always rejoice; the Barcelona game is one that I’m sure we will never forget. These are memories and moments that we will cherish forever, and ones that are characteristic of his time at Liverpool.

Image: Terry Kearney, Flickr

Image: Steffen Prößdorf, Wikipedia Commons

These are memories and moments that we will cherish forever Although it is heartbreaking to hear that he is leaving, we know that we have been treated to some of the best football that we will see for a while. Reflecting on his legacy will be met with great joy and fondness. So regardless of how his final season goes, it's safe to say that Jurgen Klopp will always be welcomed back in the Liverpool city. With the final months coming up, let’s make the most of these final games that we have with him. Klopp, from a Liverpool fan, I would like to say thank you for what you have done for this team, and I wish you all the best for the future. Danke Klopp.

Image: ccnull, Wikimedia Commons

Mikhail Shklover, Online Sport Editor, Manchester United supporter:

ANUARY 17th 2016 — the date of United’s last win at Anfield, with Louis Van Gaal as the only United manager to beat Jurgen Klopp. From the view of a Mancunian fan, the contest of the ‘Scousers’ and ‘Red Devils’ has been marked by endless disappointment fuelled by Jurgen Klopp’s side domination and overall success of Liverpool FC throughout the period. More broadly however, Klopp’s legacy in the Premier League and the extent of his success cannot be understated. In order to fully understand and appreciate Jurgen’s hard work, one must set his tenure at Liverpool against the situation in rival clubs at the turn of the decade. Remember, everything is relative and is explored with comparisons. The chaos at Man United contrasted with stability and mutual support between the manager and owners at Liverpool. The extortionate, tremendous spending frenzy at the wealthy power house at the Etihad contrasted with smart investments, reasonable price tags and a healthy balance of incoming and outgoing transfers at Anfield — all under Klopp’s command and surveillance, and of course the overall passion for the club sustained consistently over a nine-year period. Most importantly though, Klopp was winning and achieving high league positions, often against the odds, a never ending injury crisis and limited backing from the board. Sounds very unfamiliar to a Man United fan these days, doesn’t it? A

Covid-marked first ever Premier League trophy and a Champions League win with the greatest second leg comeback ever are just the icing on the cake of what has been a phenomenal nine-year period. Klopp broke stereotypes, set new trends and playing styles against the backdrop of increased spending while winning silverware at the same time. Notably the famous ‘gegenpressing’ and immediate transition from defence to attack was by all means an invention of Klopp. To the very least he refined and upgraded this playing style making it an efficient weapon domestically and in Europe.

Most importantly though, Klopp was winning and achieving high league positions Perhaps a Europa League trophy at the end of season will conclude his reigns at the Kop allowing the German legend to leave on a deserved high and add to the previously won Champions League and UEFA Super Cup trophies, while simultaneously returning the Merseyside into the European spotlight where they belong! Although the regular visits to Liverpool’s home fortress will hopefully stop becoming cases of torment for all the Mancunian fans out there, Jurgen Klopp will be missed by every Premier League fan not indifferent to the beautiful game, myself included.

Italy’s continuous Cucchiai embarrassment

Josie Sharp, International Editor, debates the renowned wooden-spoon holders' place in the Six Nations Image: Rob Masefield, Flickr

TALY joined the Six Nations in 2000 and has faced an overwhelming wave of defeats since, winning just 13 matches in a total of 120 appearances. Their highest finishes were in 2007 where they achieved fourth place, surprisingly above Wales and Scotland, and once more in 2013. Despite these so-called ‘wins’ they have been wooden-spoon holders 16 times since their arrival, including in the

2023 championship. Italy’s longest stint of losses lasted seven years, where their narrow win against Scotland in 2015 (22-19) was their dwindling glimmer of hope until Edoardo Padovani’s lucky last-minute try against Wales in 2022, which only just gave them the win. This is not to say Italy hasn’t got some commendable wins under its belt; their victories against France are something to take pride in, their 2013, 23-18 win in particular. In light of this overwhelming evidence, speculation has circled if the Azzurri deserve to remain a part of this rugby championship. This call became deafening in the light of their 96-17 defeat against the All Blacks in September last

year. The public believe that the Azzurris should be replaced with the South African Superboks, who are fresh from their second consecutive Rugby World Cup win, and would make far better viewership than the predictable losses Italy produces. To see the success of the Superboks challenged by European powerhouses such as France and Ireland would demonstrate the true strength of our rugby teams that are only seen at World Cups.

Despite these so-called 'wins' they have been wooden spoon holders 16 times The star of Italy’s line up is Zimbabwe-born Sebastian Luke Negri da Oleggio. Standing at a staggering 6ft 5in and weighing in at 17 stone, his immense strength and size come in handy as he participates in the scrum pushes and tackling expected of a flanker. He made his Six Nations debut in 2018, participating in all, albeit losing all but one, five matches. He was selected twice for the

most recent Rugby World Cup, reaching his 50th cap for Italy when they beat Uruguay during the group stages 38-17. The first weekend of Six Nations fixtures saw our Lions face the Italian team, who have never lost to Italy before, yet it was a surprisingly close game with 27-24 to England. This England-Italy match hoped to be a less violent showing after Negri’s choking incident seen at last year’s fixture. England’s captain Elis Genge noticed the aftermath of that tackle was not routine when he heard Negri choking on his own tongue, who then placed him in the recovery position until medics arrived on the field. Negri sustained a head trauma from this injury. Italy’s successful first half was more due to England’s inexperienced line-up, where five fresh fraces made their debut, than Italy’s skill. Italy’s Monty Ioane scored a late try to get his team a bonus point, but after Alex Mitchell’s 45th-minute try it was over for Italy. After Italy’s immense loss against

Ireland there is no doubt the Italians are dreading their upcoming match against France on the 25th, who were favourite to win the World Cup. Despite falling short there, their line-up remains a threat to all in this year’s Six Nations. Here’s to hoping Italy’s team captain Michele Lamaro, has his team training hard to avoid focusing on their predictable and impending annihilation by the force of the French forwards. Allez les Bleus and Buona Fortuna Azzurri!

Image: Stefano Delfrate, Wikipedia Commons

21 FEB 2024| EXEPOSÉ

Sport

SPORT EDITORS: Eloise Grainger Ben Scott

Exeter come out on top in Anglo-Welsh clash

Image: Eloise Grainger

the home side with the opposition’s early advancement. Shortly after, Exeter began to settle into the game, and HE English side took victory at 15 minutes, Seb Driscoll scored a try on Valentine’s Day under the — something the Number 8 has made lights at Sandy Park. Despite a good habit of recently, showing conExeter showing impeccable form in sistency in his form. The conversion this season’s campaign, it was a mo- was missed, but nonetheless, Exeter ment of relief for Exeter to secure this were now finding their feet after a shaky win after a last-minute shock victory start. In the 25th minute, Louie Gulley by the visitors last year saw Cardiff took Exeter into the lead of the game slip away with an iconic and famous with 10-7. Again, another conversion win at the stadium. But this year, the was missed. The game remains tight Exeter side developed a healthy lead at about halfway through the first half. after a wobble in the opening Exeter made good pro minutes of the game. gress towards the try line With 6000 stu and were rewarded dents in attendance, with a try. Kofi Barthe atmosphere ton-Byfield scored was buzzing for the home side even long beat 30 minutes. fore the players Seven minutes latstepped foot on er, Benjy Joseland the pitch. The was given a yellow noise of the crowd card for an illegal was sure to be a great move. After a messy Image: Eloise Grainger motivator for the home scrum, Exeter made a side, seeing such a vast swathe breakaway and Kian Gentry of support covering the stands. Ten- launched himself over the try line. sions were most certainly high, not Following this, a conversion was finalonly for the players to perform, but ly scored by Exeter, courtesy of Ben also because of the strong rivalry Coen, which advanced Exeter’s lead against their Welsh counterparts. greatly to a healthy 22-7. Now that four Cardiff gained an early lead, as tries were successfully scored, it meant Toby Peach scored a try at the five- Exeter would gain a bonus point. minute mark, and George Finney folFor the second time that evening lowed up with a conversion, shocking as the rain fell downover the pitch, the

Exeter Emeralds shone with their halftime performance. Shortly into the second half, tensions really began to rise; the supporters had been particularly vocal throughout the match, but now a couple players from each side were getting involved but the referee was quick to dissolve the situation before it escalated further — it was clear how much this means to both sides. Exeter settled into a comfy lead when Louie Gulley scored another try that evening, with Exeter leading 27-7 after yet another missed opportunity to score an extra two points from a conversion.

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Eloise Grainger Sport Editor

The noise of the crowd was sure to be a great motivator A flurry of replacements were made as the home side rotated the squad, and six pairs of fresh legs came onto the pitch. These several replacements fitted well into the game, highlighting the physical strength of this first team. Seb Driscoll added another try to his tally, making it a second scoring by him in this game. The score stands at 32-7 with Exeter failing to draw out more points from conversions. Three more replacements made it into the game with just over 10 minutes left to play. Cardiff are consistent with their surprise advances late in the games at Sandy Park, and this is shown again

when Finlay Charles scored a try. This is followed by a conversion at 73 minutes from Harrison James where the ball flew between the posts. However, Cardiff ’s attempts were too fickle in the end against the almighty Exeter side, and it was too little too late for Cardiff to even consider catching up with the team who bleeds green. Fulltime at Sandy Park at 84 minutes and 40 seconds saw Exeter finish with a huge lead over their opposition, much to the delight of the home supporters. It was an end score of 32-14 to Exeter. Exeter fans flooded out of the gates in triumph, rushing to get the surely packed train back to the city centre. The remaining hardcore sup-

porters thumped against the barriers to applaud their team. Exeter extends their lead at the top of the table after gaining five points, and sit now at 66 points, pulling away from Hartpury University who sit on 57 points. This game definitely highlights the need for Exeter to work on their conversions, as only one out of six were successfully scored. Despite the miserable weather on the day celebrating love, it was a night of ecstasy for Exeter University.

Exeter vs Cardiff 32 - 14

Image: Eloise Grainger

0-5: T Peach (try, ‘5) 0-7: G Finney (conversion, ‘6) 5-7: S Driscoll (try, ‘15) 10-7: L Gulley (try, ‘23) 15-7: K Barton-Byfield (try, ‘30) 20-7: K Gentry (try, ‘39) 22-7: B Coen (conversion, ‘40) -HALF TIME27-7: L Gulley (try, ‘49) 32-7: S Driscoll (try, ‘64) 32-12: F Charles (try, ‘72) 32-14: H James (conversion, ‘73)

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