Issue 722 / 13 Oct 2021

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The South West’s Best Student Publication

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ISSUE 722 13 OCT 2021 exepose.com @Exepose

THE UNIVERSITY OF EXETER’S INDEPENDENT STUDENT NEWSPAPER SINCE 1987

STUDENTS TUDENTS ACROSS THE COUNTRY CALL FOR DISAFFILIATION OF EXETER PRO-LIFE SOCIETY

Image: George Seymour

News Team

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student-led petition calling for the disaffiliation of Exeter Students for Life, a pro-life society at the University of Exeter, has amassed close to 10,000 signatures in less than a week.

The petition, which currently has 8,716 signatures at time of writing, calls to ‘strike down’ the society for its ‘direct attack on women’s rights’ and condemns the Student Guild for affiliating the society in the first place.

The campaign gained traction following posts made on anonymous student confession Facebook pages, with the students who started the petition, George Adamson, Lauren Gollop, and Isobel Maddocks, learning of the society’s existence through a post about it on Confexeter, and feeling “shocked that the University endorsed and continues to sponsor this society.”

On their decision to create the petition they said:

“As students we have the ability to shape the direction of the Guild and so we must make a stand so that women across the university feel supported.

The society also brought attention to Guild policy which is clearly in need of reform.”

When asked to respond to the accusations being made that their petition is anti-free-speech, George, Lauren, and Isobel said that “free speech does not come without caveats” and reported that the society had used “dangerous” language in a “now edited” Instagram post that said, “women should be ‘punished’ for abortion”. Citing Section 4 of the Public Order Act 1986, which makes it an offence for a person to use “threatening…words or behaviours that causes, or is likely to cause, another person harassment, alarm or distress”, the students said the comments made by the society “are clearly in breach of this”.

However, they also stressed that the petition “is not a personal attack” on members of the society and “do not

Arts + Lit

The best autumnal reads

PAGE 15

Image:Morio, Wikicommons, Pixabay

endorse any hateful comments” towards them.

Since the petition was released online it has been shared thousands of times across social media.

Following the petition, two open letters have been written to the Guild expressing similar concerns. The first, written by SafeSexe, has been signed by 2,423 people so far, which includes not only Exeter students, but concerned students from across the country, as well as local residents.

The letter addresses the affiliation of Exeter Students for Life with the Guild and calls for “this affiliation to be removed and any funding that they are receiving to end”.

The students who wrote the open letter have requested to remain anonymous out of concern for their safety following hostile messages being directed to the group. The letter itself was initially targeted by trolls and saw names being removed by bad actors.

When asked why they decided to

write the open letter, a spokesperson for the group stated that “having a pro-life society run by men on campus undermines a lot of the work around gender safety and equality that has been/is being done”. They added that they hoped to “open a productive dialogue with the Guild”.

On whether Exeter Students for Life should be protected by Freedom of Speech laws, they said: “It is concerning if such speech is damaging to others…does it not cross the line when freedom of speech is used to aid an ideology that would limit the freedoms of people that have uteruses?”.

The group added that, “We have heard that the members comprising this society have been receiving death threats and we absolutely do not condone this and hope that any threats are dealt with appropriately and that the individuals are offered support from the University Wellbeing teams. We should use our voices to petition, protest and open a dialogue with the Guild, rather than to send

Sport

Lewis Hamilton’s 100 race win and other sporting records PAGE 30

messages of abuse”.

The second letter, written by University of Exeter Law Society on behalf of groups and societies at Exeter, has nearly 150 signatures from student leaders and society committee members at time of writing. Societies whose comImage:the Peteletter Syme mittee members have signed include Razz Magazine, Model Westminster and Period Poverty Exeter amongst many others.

“As the largest Guild affiliated society, we felt that we had a platform to voice our concern about Exeter Student’s for Life” stated vice-president Tom Moser and co-presidents Rawan Alsamawi and Nathaniel Guerreiro. “Opting to write an open letter was to ensure we did not present this as UELS vs ESFL, but rather to demonstrate the dissatisfaction of Societies and Groups as a collective, that represent the views of the majority of students in a pragmatic manner that would make a Guild response viable”.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 4

Lifestyle

The best beaches to visit in Devon PAGE 14

EXEPOSÉ

Devonshire House, Exeter, Devon, EX4 4PZ

Editors

Print: Bridie Adams & Oliver Leader De Saxe Online: Millie Betts & Anna Wilmot Deputies: Lucy Aylmer, Cassia Grace & Chloe Pumares editors@exepose.com Social Media Executive Emily Imistired News Editors Print: Megan Ballantyne Online: Meg Allan & Orla Mackinnon news@exepose.com Comment Editors Print: Cassia Grace Online: Rachael Powell & Eirwen Abberley Watton comment@exepose.com Features Editors Print: Lucy Aylmer Online: Issac Bettridge Foreign Correspondents Co-ordinator:s: Ryan Gerrett & Elen Johnston features@exepose.com Lifestyle Editors Print: Bridie Adams Online: Katie Edgar & Sophie Porteous lifestyle@exepose.com Arts + Lit Editors Print: Ella Minty Online: Clemence Smith artsandlit@exepose.com Music Editors Print: Harry Hawkins Online: Tom Bosher music@exepose.com Screen Editors Print: Archie Lockyer & Francesca Sylph Online: screen@exepose.com Tech Editor Print: Oliver Leader de Saxe Science Editors Print: Lauryn Mitchell & Ellen Rogers Online: Daisy Scott & Imogen Poyntz-Wright sciandtech@exepose.com Sport Editors Print: Oscar Young Online: Floris de Bruin & Henry Hood sport@exepose.com Chief Photographer photography@exepose.com Copy Editors Danni Darrah, Sophy Cullington, Clemence Smith Proofers Oliver, Bridie, Cassia, Chloe, Lucy, Danni, Sophy, Clemence, Evan, Henry, Oliver, Zoe

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Editorial

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s we enter the fourth week of term, we are proud to present our belated third issue of Exeposé for this academic year. The News cover story explores the campaign for the disaffiliation of the Students for Life Society. Our coverage sees us talking to students to hear their views, including the creators of the petition calling for the society's disaffiliation and the open letter to the Students' Guild which many students have signed.

We also feature coverage of the recent Students' Guild Council meeting and the pro-choice protest from 9 October.

As you flip through the following page, you'll find a Comment piece on whether being on a society committee is worth the stress (page 7). Talking of stress, we have a Features article about the future of panic buying (page 9).

On a different tune, the Lifestyle section, you'll find an overview of birth control methods, a debate surrounding nights in versus nights out, and an article outlining Devon's loveliest beaches (pages 13-14). In Arts + Lit, our writers share their favourite autumnal reads (page 15).

In this multi-writer piece, we focus on a range of novels from Jane Eyre

SPA AWARDS to Shadow of the Wind. We also have a discussion of whether art can challenge racism and a review of a live book launch (page 16).

We also hope you will take the time to read what the Music section has to offer, with an article on the return to live music, featuring a review of Beabadoobee's 24 September Fake It Flowers tour date (page 19).

There is plenty of interesting content to read in Screen and Tech, including a Sex Education character showdown (page 21) and a review of farming simulation game Stardew Valley (page 24).

We are also delighted to share some fascinating content in Science and Sport. In these sections you will find a range of pieces like an exploration of implicit bias in STEM (page 29), an article dedicated to Lewis Hamilton (page 30) and a look at why the Exeter Chiefs are off to a slow start this Premiership season (back page), to name a few.

We hope you enjoy this issue, and make sure to keep an eye out for our Black History Month edition next time!

Ollie & Bridie

2020 Best Publication 2021 Best Publication in the South West

NEWS Interview with VP Opportunities PAGE 4

FEATURES The future of panic buying PAGE 9

ARTS + LIT

Autumnal Reads PAGE 15

SCIENCE Exploring implicit bias in STEM PAGE 29 Images (top to bottom): Students Guild, Pixabay, Karen Arnold, OpenClipArt

University news home and abroad Freshers’ week drive at UK universities to get students vaccinated

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NIVERSITIES are driving students to get vaccinated before their courses begin, with pop-up vaccination clinics appearing in institutions across the country, including Birmingham, Bristol and Exeter.

Prof Stephen Powis, the national medical director of NHS England said “With many universities set to run pop-ups and walkins throughout the first weeks of term it has never been easier to get protected, so I urge anyone yet to be vaccinated to take up the offer as soon as possible.”

This is despite the fact that the nightclub vaccination requirement, meant to provide an incentive to young people to get vaccinated, was never followed through by the government.

Kabul university chancellor replaced by Taliban’s choice

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N 21 September, it was announced by the Ministry of Higher Education that Kabul University, the most prestigious university in Afghanistan, was dismissing Chancellor Mohammad Osman Babury and replacing him with a Taliban-friendly candidate. Mr Babury is a renowned scholar and PhD holder, as well as a former deputy minister of higher education and was a teacher at the University since 1986 before his appointment as Chancellor in May of 2020. The new chancellor, Mohammad Ashraf Ghairat, according to The Free Press Journal, is a BA holder and is known to have encouraged the killing of journalists in now-deleted tweets. A couple of days after the announcement, a Twitter account claiming to be him posted statements announcing that women would indefinitely be banned from the university, however, a study by CNN showed that the account was fake, and the Taliban later confirmed it, stating that they did not support the content of the tweet.

Top Hong Kong university facing threats to academic

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HE University of Hong Kong (HKU) has welcomed students back on campus with a series of measures reducing student freedoms.

Those returning after the pandemic will see that the Democracy Wall (a pin board used as a forum for political discussion) has been removed, and four student union representatives face charges of advocating terrorism. Many lecturers also report feeling warier of what they say in their classes, fearing that their students could report them to authorities.

Despite this, the HK government claims that universities “continue to enjoy academic freedom” since Beijing’s imposition of an extensive security law last June, which has seen 85 imprisoned so far, with many more arrested.

Images (L to R): U. S. Secretary of Defence, Damaskam

Classes set to resume after mass shooting at Russian

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OLLOWING the horrific incident of a shooting rampage at Perm State University in Perm, Russia on 20th September 2021, students returned back to classes during the week of 27th September.

This shooting was the second major act of violence by a gunman in Russia in a span of a mere 4 months.

The gunman was injured by the cops and was rushed to the hospital where he was in critical condition. The decision to resume classes on 27th September explained by the Perm regional governor Dmitry Makhonin was taken in accordance to give police enough time to conduct their investigation. The police are still investigating the motivation for the shooting but haven’t found one yet.

By Anabel CF, Sa Dec, Cleo Gravett & Ayusha Pandey

13 OCT 2021

3 NEWS

Lecturers discuss in person teaching: “Everyone needs to treat being back in the classroom like the privilege it is” Chloe Pumares Deputy Editor

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in the classroom like the privilege it is.” As stated in the previous article, they are a suggestion rather than a requirement, the University of Exeter website states that “face coverings will no longer be required in outdoor areas” however there is a “strong expectation that students and colleagues will continue to wear face-coverings in shared indoor spaces.” Masks are still mandated in many places, including public transport and healthcare settings. When talking about their safety one lecturer spoke about getting ‘freshers flu’ despite wearing a mask at all times stating that “if COVID 19 is in the air then we’re pretty likely to get it (even if inoculated).” Evidence reported in the Nature Journal states that science does support using masks as they cut down the chance of transmitting and catching COVID 19. Another lecturer mentioned that they got COVID 19 after the first week back teaching in-person, causing them to be very ill. Masks and hand sanitisers are available in all buildings.

OLLOWING last issue’s exploration into students experiences of in-person and online teaching, Exeposé spoke to lecturers to gage their opinions.

Speaking to a number of lecturers, the general consensus is that they are “glad to be back doing what [they] do best”, with all lecturers we spoke to happy to be back teaching face-to-face, especially as they considered online teaching a “poor substitute academically.” With virtual teaching also making it difficult to keep up with student welfare, as it was “much too easy for [a] student to spiral away into isolation and depression” when their only contact was on Zoom for a couple of hours. One lecturer stated “the issue is not about personal preference but public health.” That same lecturer also likened the situation to a cruise ship being steered purposefully towards an ice-berg, describing it as a “public health disaster.” They express a wish for a “middle course” where there are .......The Uni has done a great recorded lectures and in-person seminars to “reduce footfall of students” job in keeping everyone in buildings with poor ventilation. informed of the state of affairs Discussing the safety of lecturers during in-person teaching there was general agreement that students When Exeposé asked lecturers should be mandated to wear masks as whether they feel the university had “everyone needs to treat being back given enough guidance and support

there was a mixed response. One lecturer said that “the Uni has done a great job in keeping everyone informed of the state of affairs.” While another simply replied “no” when asked, following up by expressing sympathy for the University because it is “being threatened by the Department of Education if it does not have in-person teaching.” Education Secretary Gavin Williamson, at the beginning of September, said that students should expect in-person teaching,

warning university leaders to not use online learning as a cost-cutting measure. This was announced after some universities had suggested remaining online during the autumn term, there are some universities which are still offering a mix of online and in-person seminars and lectures.

Regarding online teaching, a lecturer felt they would be able to move online if needed at short notice as there are “still the recordings of lectures from last year.” A different lecturer was “actively prevented” from preparing online teaching resources, despite

informal agreement that this is the “most likely scenario come November.”

A University spokesperson responded to the comments from lecturers and states: “The health and welfare of all our students and staff is our highest priority, and we keep our approach to teaching under constant review and in line with Government advice. This includes the strong expectation that everyone continues to wear face-coverings in shared indoor spaces unless there are medical exemptions.

.......[Online teaching] is the most likely scenario come November The University is delivering primarily face-to-face teaching from the start of this academic year, supplemented by blended and online material together with personal academic support. As part of our blended learning model, we know that in-person teaching has significant benefits in terms of engagement, wellbeing and attainment, and that the majority of students and staff support this view provided activity adheres to government and public health guidance, which we continuously monitor and adapt to.”

Images: Pxfuel

Student nominated for Pride of Britain after raising £37,500 on charity cycle tour

Bridie Adams Editor

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FIRST year Economics and Politics student at the University of Exeter, has been put forward for a Pride of Britain Award. Jeremy Daubeny’s nomination came following his

Images: Jeremy Daubeny

‘Tour de Full English’, in which he cycled around Britain to hunt down the top full English breakfast.

As a result, Daubeny raised £37,500 for the Brain Tumour Charity along with the MND Association.

Daubeny lost his dad to a glioblastoma brain tumour in September 2018, and

his mum to motor neurone disease in May 2019. The loss of both parents made Daubeny intent on fundraising in their memory, and his lockdown pastime, cycling, inspired his ‘Tour de Full English’.

The money will do so much good and it was heartwarming seeing people donating Daubeny says he is “completely shocked and humbled by the extent of generosity during the challenge,” explaining that his initial target was £2,500, which grew into his final total of £37,500.

He says, “The money will do so much good and it was heartwarming seeing people donating for a common cause. The whole trip really demonstrated that there are positives of social media!”

“The trip was of course about raising awareness and funds for two incredible causes. The fundraising page is closed but both the MND Association and the Brain

Tumour Charity are always desperate for funds to get that little bit closer to a cure.”

“Both the MND Association and the Brain Tumour Charity are at the forefront of research into two criminally underfunded but unbelievably cruel diseases.

They do an amazing job at providing support networks for families.

I hope that the added coverage gets that extra bit of support through for both charities!”

Another key part of Daubeny’s trip was the breakfasts he enjoyed from one end of the route to the other - so which one did he like most?

“The winner of the ‘Tour de Full English’ was Caffi Y Ragna. Beautiful

surroundings, a respect of tradition and crispy onions in the beans were absolute game changers,” he says.

Daubeny has already received a regional award for his efforts, and will be attending the national Pride of Britain Award ceremony later this year.

4

NEWS

13 OCT 2021| EXEPOSÉ

Guild defends affiliation of ESFL: Devon’s enhanced Covid response unlikely to be extended “disaaffiliation of a society based on their views rates.

Lucy Evans Third Year, English

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cal areas is “to ensure there is no

HE

re-

danger of the NHS facing un-

sponse put in place

enhanced

sustainable pressure”. Measures,

to

Cornwall

such as testing and promoting

and Devon in the fight against

vaccine uptake, ensure that the

COVID is coming to an end ac-

NHS does not become over-

cording to the County’s Director

whelmed, a very real anxiety that

of Public Health.

assist

has been present since the begin-

After particularly high infec-

ning of the pandemic.

tion rates in Devon and Cornwall

This increased support has

throughout August, it was an-

been running for the past five

nounced on the 27 August that

weeks, the standard period for

the counties would become En-

the Government to provide extra

hanced Response Areas.

support when an area has been

This

is unlawful”

Public Health England go

on to say that this support to lo-

enhanced

response

deemed an Enhanced Support

against COVID included “the

Area. This five-week period end-

option to deliver extra testing

ed on the 1 October and it has

within targeted areas, the pro-

been decided that this will not be

vision of logistical support to

extended.

maximise vaccine uptake, and

The high infection rates

further help for local campaigns”

that prompted the introduc-

according to Public Health Eng-

tion of Devon as an Enhanced

land. This extra support to in-

Response Area have since de-

crease the vaccine uptake and

creased, meaning the extra sup-

testing was given to help com-

port has not been extended. into

bat COVID amid high infection

October.

Two rescued from boat in Exe Estuary George Adamson Third Year, History

assessed the situation”. They

from

front

W

HEN questioned on whether this was a free speech issue, the representatives of Exeter Law Society replied “Freedom of speech absolutely applies in this instance.

However, our society has a right to express our views and we do not think that the values and rhetoric pushed by this group align with our commitment to promoting safety and accessibility in all student spaces. ESFL is not an organization we’d like to exist in the same umbrella as or associate with”.

The society also stressed that they “understand that Guild is doing the best they can to diffuse the situation and adhere to their own policies regarding societies, as well as complying with their role as an apolitical entity governed by the Charity Commission”, but noted “there needs to be more work done on imposing a responsibility and obligation on societies to be inclusive, safe spaces for students”, as well as “more assessment of our current safeguarding policies and what we can do to tackle misogyny.”

added: “Shortly afterwards the res-

On the afternoon of Mon-

cuers took the day boat under

day September 27, at 2:30 PM,

tow and conveyed the vessel and

a call was made to 999 instruct-

the two casualties to the safety

ing the authorities that a vessel

of the shore at Starcross, arriv-

was drifting off Starcross. The

ing there at 3:05 PM. Both casu-

broken-down boat was heading

alties were safe and well and did

southwards along the River Exe,

not require medical attention”.

with two occupants. Following

Other RNLI volunteers in-

the call, the RNLI responded

volved in the successful rescue

by sending the inshore lifeboat

were Deputy Launch Authority,

D-805 George Bearman II,

Hedley Saunders, and shore/

which arrived promptly to the

launch crew Andrew Stott, Ed

scene. The Exmouth RNLI’s

Thomas and James Searle.

statement reads as follows:

Continued page.

The RNLI, since its es-

“The inshore lifeboat vol-

tablishment in 1824, has saved

unteer crew, Guy Munnings, Roy

over 142,700 lives yet is reliant

Stott and James Edge, launched

entirely on voluntary donations

immediately and made their way

and legacies. It works indepen-

to the last known location of

dently of the official coastguard

the vessel. They quickly located

service, operating as a charity.

the boat in shallow water and

Image: Mike Carter, Pixabay

There needs to be more work done on imposing an obligation on societies to be incluse Univer of Exeter Law Society

As the campaign gathered momentum, students organised a protest against Exeter Students for Life’s affiliation with the Guild; this took place Saturday October 9. The Guild said that they would “support students in forming to share their views.”

Greg Zoppos, who organised the protest, stated that he decided to start the protest because the Exeter Students for Life group had “crossed the line.” He added that the protest would “not be aggressive” and that COVID-19 safety would be implemented through available masks, hand sanitiser and volunteers encouraging people to “respect each other’s personal

space”.

Protesters in attendance stated that it isn’t “enough for abortion to be legal, shame kills as well”. Others told Exeposé that “freedom of speech only works when it doesn’t target a specific group”.

Another protestor stated that she thought the culture of misogyny in Exeter is “definitely linked” to the pro-life group as you “can’t separate abortion from women’s rights… it’s the same hateful ideology”.

A speaker at the protest stated that “What we need to change is people trying to regulate our body, men trying to regulate our bodies, our choices, because that is not acceptable in any sort of way. We’re not going to sit here on a campus that advocates for safety and be called murderers for making a medical choice that was probably going to save us in the long run. We all stand here today fighting against inequality, prejudice and men.”

Five pro-life protestors were in attendance with a sign reading ‘Life starts at conception, no exception’, however they declined to comment or answer questions. They added that they would be running an information stall in the Forum this Thursday or Friday.

Many of these issues were addressed at the Guild Council Meeting on Wednesday 6, where SABB officers answered student’s questions directly. Students in attendance criticised the officers, stating that their reaction had been “shamefully underwhelming” and “embarrassing”.

Three primary points were raised concerning whether the society is protected by freedom of speech, whether they are sponsored by the Guild and the personal views of the officers.

Regarding the freedom of speech, officers stated that the issue was “complex and challenging”, but that Exeter Students for Life had been founded in 2019 in accordance with their affiliation process. They added that the Guild must be compliant with the law and are unable to have stances on the viewpoints of societies. Officers made clear however that the law on free speech was “not up for discussion”.

When questioned on the personal views of the full-time officers in regards to abortion, Guild

President Lily Margaroli responded that it would not be helpful for officers to share their own views on the matter. However, the officers stressed that Exeter Students for Life don’t necessarily represent the views of the Guild. A representative of the Guild also stressed that this situation is “as difficult for us as it is for you”, and that they “understand the gravity” of the situation. They also made clear that Exeter Students for Life has recieved no funding from the Guild outside of the money made from memberships, and any money they could access through grants would be available to all societies.

The deaths threat made against members of our society are completey unacceptable and deeply disturbing Exeter Students for Life

Students also challenged the officers on whether Exeter Students for Life promotes hate speech and harm against women, to which they directed anyone who feels the society’s actions equate to hate speech to the formal complaints process.

However, they noted the high volume of complaints they have received already, including the two open letters, and asked not to be inundated by complaints of the same nature to the open letters as that would “slow down our processes.”

Issues surrounding support and well-being were also raised, with officers “unsure” of what specific guild abortion or pregnancy support was available during the meeting. However, they highlighted well-being resources for those affected by these issues and talking to the Guild advice team. As a direct result of the meeting, a list of resources and free advice was compiled regarding issues of pregnancy, contraception and well-being (https://www.exeterguild.org/ news/article/7222/Resources-forWellbeing-Sexual-Health-Pregnancy-and-Contraception).

Despite vocal criticism, some students have reacted positively to how the Guild have responded.

One second year politics student

told Exeposé that they believed “the Student Guild has handled the situation extremely well overall. It has kept up good communications with students about its position, its legal obligations and stopping the spread of untruths. The Guild has said that it would be illegal for them to disaffiliate and explained that it does not provide funding for the society.” However, they went on to state that they “think the group should be closely monitored by those concerned about its intentions though. Every society has to stick to the code of conduct and it wouldn’t surprise me if the Students for Life broke that code pretty soon.”

The Guild responded to these open letters and numerous complaints with the following statement on the evening of Thursday 7: “We know that many of you are disappointed with our position regarding free speech, but we are appealing to you to understand that disaffiliation of a society based on their views is unlawful. We are regulated on such activity by the Charities Commission and under the Education Act. It is our legal duty to ensure freedom of speech on our campuses, and it is your legal right to protest the views you don’t agree with”.

Alireza Ghazi-Torbati, President of the Exeter University Students for Life, provided this statement through Christian Concern, a not-for-profit religious advocacy group: “As a society we speak up for and take a stand for the rights of pre-born children, 200,000 of which lose their lives to abortion every year in this country. We aim to equip pro-life students to advocate for the pro-life position and to provide a space to discuss the issue respectfully and sensitively. We also aim to support prospective and current student parents, as well as those who may be suffering postabortive trauma.

“Our student group should enjoy the same rights as every other student group on campus, free of discrimination or harassment. The death threats made against members of our society are completely unacceptable and deeply disturbing.

We have contacted the university.

We would like them to take immediate action on this”.

5 NEWS

13 OCT 2021

University of Exeter launches 2030 strategy Lucy Aylmer Deputy Editor

T

he University of Exeter launched its ten-year strategy on 4 October 2021.

Vice-Chancellor, Lisa Roberts, outlined her vision for ‘shaping the future’ in a digital welcome in which she spoke about sustainability, social justice and a healthy future for education. The University of Exeter has produced the biggest consultation to date with 85,000 contributions from 4,000 students, staff and alumni. These contributions have helped provide a collective strategy to focus on five key points. These included education, research, people, place and partnerships. Roberts reinforced the international outlook that Exeter benefits from with connections in over 150 countries. These global partnerships will help tackle the challenges of the century, namely championing freedom of speech and academic freedom.

In addition, Roberts spoke of Exeter’s commitment to net zero carbon emissions in order to ensure a sustainable future for both the planet and the community.

IMAGE:Wikimedia

Got a news story you would like to share?

Contact us at editors@exepose. com or message our facebook page.

In Conversation: Izzy Harrison, VP Opportunities Oliver Leader de Saxe Editor Following Fresher’s Week, we sat down with Guild’s VP of Oppurtinties Izzy Harrison to talk societies, COVID-19 and the impacts of the commercial transfer on student employability. É: So obviously Freshers’ week has just passed and everything is starting to settle down a bit. How did you think the first few weeks of university have gone for societies in general?

I: I think it has gone well in general. It’s great to see so many societies running in-person events as well as some online events continuing, and it was also great to see lots of taster events for returners as well as for first-years, which I think is especially important this year given that last year was so different to normal. Obviously being back in-person presents different challenges that we might not have had for a while, so I’m really keen to work with societies on making sure the transition back is as smooth as possible, and I’m also working on how we can make societies as inclusive and accessible as possible. É: Do you have any particular favourite events from the last couple of weeks?

I: I did enjoy the plant pot meeting Nightline did, although my plant pot didn’t look that aesthetic; I’m not that good at art [laughs]. É: So, what were the big difficulties in organising the Freshers’ Fair in a post-pandemic world?

Were you nervous? Excited by the prospect?

I: I think it was a combination of nervous and excited. It was the first time in a long time that we’ve had an event like this in-person, so we were keen to make sure it went well and we worked closely with the Athletics Union and the University to make sure we had a thorough plan. And as you know, the fair can get quite busy, so to try and monitor capacity we ticketed the event for the first time and we also spread out the event over more areas. We had over 10,000 society memberships purchased this year, so I’d say it was a success. É: What do you think could be improved for next year, if anything?

I: For Freshers’ more widely, I think we could have more taster events. They were fully booked quite quickly and I think it would be great to have some more taster events next year to make sure no one is missing out. Specifically, for Freshers’ fair, we have had a meeting to discuss how we can improve.

I think there are a few things, like changing where the tills are situated, altering the one-way system and encouraging students to buy memberships online as well. É: Speaking to several societies and members of various committees, there seems to be a common feeling that Fresher’s fair guidance felt confused.

Do you feel mixed massages surrounding things like banners or handouts punished societies that followed the rules, and why were the Guild not that strict in enforcing their own guidance, particularly during quiet hours?

I: All societies had the same guidance which they received before the event as well as on the day, and because some of the suggestions are no longer legal requirements, we chose to encourage

regulations such as face masks but not to enforce them, which is in line with wider University policy.

We strongly encouraged societies to follow our suggestions, and did give reminders and nudges about our advice when we saw societies who may not have been following it. É: But do you believe the societies that followed the guidance strictly didn’t get the same benefits as those that went against the guidance?

I: I’d say all societies had a choice to what extent they chose to follow our guidance and that’s an individual choice. Societies were presented with the same opportunities and the same guidance, and I completely respect that they chose to follow it in any way they felt comfortable. É: Talking of guidance and COVID-19 regulations, there have been rumours of a winter lockdown being discussed. What plans and contingencies does the Guild have in preparation for such a scenario to ensure the best outcome for societies?

And if plans and contingencies do exist, when will they be released to the student body in the name of transparency?

I: We are working with the university on mitigation plans in the event of another lockdown, and any plans will be shared if/when government guidance changes and once we know the government’s plans we’ll work with the societies, and ensure our guidance is clear and transparent. É: Have any discussions surrounding potential plans happened so far? Is there any early talk about what you would do in the event of another lockdown?

I: Yes, there are outbreak management groups and lots of plans in place for multiple different contingencies for multiple different scenarios. It’s all dependent on how things pan out as we don’t know what things will look like, but there are plans in place. É: Would you be willing to share the details of some of these plans?

I: I can’t share anything specifically at this point because, as I said, there are multiple different scenarios that we have to account for.

É: Student safety is obviously a huge concern, especially when societies are hosting socials, and instances of drinks spiking have seemed quite common this year. Does the Guild have plans in the works to ensure socials and nights out continue to be the safe spaces they once were, and what plans are in place to tackle spiking in particular?

I: A lot of societies have been very proactive in sharing guidance with their members on ways to keep safe during society events and nights out in general, which is great to see. This year we’ll be continuing to work with the University and the police on how to tackle this very concerning issue. Some of the ways we will be doing this is like during Freshers’ week when estate patrol was handing out spiking testing kits. There was also advice on this issued in the student safety guide, so we’ll be continuing to work on this moving forward. É: Do you have any wider plans in the work to address this issue now, or is it very much in the early stages?

I: There’s a gender safety group that meets regularly as well as other safety groups which discuss issues like this. I don’t have any more specific plans in place although it is something that we’re really keen to continue our work on. É: As part of your role as VP Opportunities, accessing career and employability opportunities fall under your remit. As our investigation into the Ram’s alleged mismanagement revealed last week, many students lost their jobs due to the commercial transfer between the Guild and the University.

With this in mind and a year nearly having passed, do you think the transfer has been a success in terms of employability and career opportunities given the negative impacts said transfer has had on student employability? And what are you doing this year to rectify the issues that the transfer has brought up in regards to student employability?

I: We are always keen to have as many student roles as possible within the University and the Student’ Guild. We are also collaborating with the career zone to raise awareness and help as many students as possible access advice which help boost their employability skills and opportunities. É: I noticed you didn’t actually answer the question in whether you viewed the commercial transfer as a success in regards to student employability. Can you give a clearer answer about what your personal stance is on the commercial transfer and whether it has been a success on providing career opportunities for students, or do you think it has punished students who had jobs who have lost them?

I: We do have a commercial collaboration board with the University where we can raise things like this and we would be keen to chat to them about ways to ensure that student employability is at the forefront of our minds and ensure that it is something that is continued. É: Are there any plans in place to rectify the issues that have arisen particularly following our report into the alleged mismanagement that has led to a lot of students losing their jobs?

I: As I mentioned, we are working with the career zone this year and we are keen to continue our collaboration with them on employability schemes.

IMAGE: Student Guild

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GUEST COMMENT EDITOR:

Cassia Grace

Committee stress: worth the panic?

Chloe Pumeres Deputy Editor

A

S soon as I joined my first set of societies as a fresher, I knew that I wanted a coveted committee role, and in my last year I have finally achieved this not with one, but two societies.

Joining a society committee is not for the faint-hearted Exeposé and Xpression FM are both big parts of my University career so I’m excited to finally get to help in the day-to-day organisation of the societies. Freshers’ fair was truly an experience; getting to meet hordes of people, many who may be interested in joining the society, talking about all the aspects that make your society so great and worth joining, as well as the general

Bridie Adams Senior Editor

A

LTHOUGH gay sex between adults has been lawful in Switzerland since 1942, same-sex marriage has only just been legalised, making Switzerland the 30th nation in the world to do so. According to the Swiss federal chancellery, 64.1 per cemt of referendum voters were in favour of gay marriage. Campaigners have explained how the referendum is an important mark of equality for Switzerland, with Jan Muller describing it as “a historic day when it comes to equality for same-sex couples.” But what led to this long-awaited change in the law?

The change came about partly as a result of the work of many LGBTQ+ organisations operating in Switzerland both as a nation and within its regions.

One of the largest LGBTQ+ groups in Switzerland is Lesbenorganisation Schweiz (est. 1989) which fights for gay women’s rights. Another example is Pink Cross (est. 1993), which handles a wide scope of LGBTQ+ rights.

excitement of running your society not solely through Zoom socials and online meetings.

Joining a society committee is not for the faint-hearted; it takes a lot of time and effort to ensure the society continues to run smoothly.

As an Exeposé deputy editor I am lucky enough to be part of a senior team who help manage the workload, I can only imagine how a sole President may cope with the workload societies provide, on top of University work. It becomes an intense juggling act balancing your society responsibilities and your work load, especially in third year, especially as the terms progress. Yet the stress is 100 per cent worth it, and I personally would not have it any other way.

I really enjoy the company of

both committees I am a part of.

With Xpression I knew some of the people who ended up on committee from my first year and it was so nice t o see

Transgender Network Switzerland (est. 2010) also campaigns for change for the better, specifically within the Swiss trans community. It offers guidance on issues such as legal name and gender changes and finding refuge from transphobia.

Some religious organisations have also been on board with samesex marriage for a good few years. In

Alliance, which has notable support in the Swiss countryside, was dubious of the 2020 LGBT Protection Bill.

The LGBT Protection Bill is an important Swiss milestone to acknowledge. Until this was introduced, prejudice because of race or faith was illegal, but there was no mention of discrimination based upon sexual orientation or gender identity within legislation. After the Bill was approved, making homophobic and transphobic discrimination illegal in Switzerland, Pink Cross said: “The result proves a strong sign of acceptance for lesbians, gays and bisexuals.”

Like in many nations, pride parades are put on all over Switzerland every year, and there are some publicly gay political figures, but despite this, there are problems for the LGBTQ+ community that extend beyond marriage rights. For example, homophobic prejudices and hostility in Switzerland was shown to be a problem in workplaces in a 2014 report by the gender studies institute at the University of Geneva.

When 20 Minuten talked to members of the Swiss LGBTQ+ community,

Image: Pixabay

them in person again, after a year of online societies. A lot of the Xpression committee are second years who I had never met before, so it has been good to meet even more new people and get to work alongside them for the rest of the year. We’ve managed to get to know each other fairly well at the past three socials we’ve had (they’ve even see me fall over in Unit 1, a true marker of friendship in my eyes). With Exeposé, due to COVID-19, I had never met any of the people I work so closely with now, yet we have bonded incredibly quickly, which may have been helped by the ten plus hours spent on a Press day in the office (by 11 PM, delirium well and truly hits).

The community that societies, and particularly committees, give you is unrivalled, and makes all the stress worth it. Societies offer you a more rounded university experience and enable you to meet people that wouldn’t usually cross your path. There is also a wide range of societies - you can always find something you are interested in joining. As a committee member, I also think that societies enable me to take a break from university. I often use society work as a way to feel productive while breaking up my seminar readings.

many said they were frequently assaulted. Sadly, in these interviews, some individuals said they had been hospitalised due to attacks.

Another issue of inequality faced by the LGBTQ+ community until the recent change in legislation, was that joint adoption was illegal for same-sex couples in Switzerland. This is because Swiss law preserves joint adoption for those who are married. As in most European countries, surrogacy or egg donation is also unlawful in Switzerland. Some of those opposing the recent change in legislation are using the idea of same-sex parents as their justification, arguing that gay couples having children would erode the concept of the conventional nuclear family.

However, despite a long and rocky journey towards marriage equality, with some unfortunate opposition along the way, Swiss voters ultimately backed the introduction of gay marriage. Switzerland was one of the last western European nations to extend the opportunity of marriage to the LGBTQ+ community, but it seems that generally voters agree with the reform.

If you’ve experienced transphobia or homophobia on campus. you can report such problems on the University Speak Out page (http://www.exeter. ac.uk/about/speakout/report/).w For further support or advice contact University wellbeing (http://www.exeter.ac.uk/ wellbeing) or the Student Guild (http:// wexeterguild.org/advice).

I really enjoy the company of both committees I am a part of In the end I wouldn’t change a thing; the stress and chaos is worthwhile for the fun you have not only as a member of a society, but also as a member of the committee.

Switzerland leading the way

64.1 per cent of referendum voters were in favour of gay marriage June 2019, the Protestant Women of Switzerland made public its support for the introduction of gay marriage as well as assisted reproductive technology for lesbians. The following November, the Protestant Church of Switzerland voted in favour of civil matrimony for gay couples.

In August 2020, the Old Catholic Church in Switzerland voted in favour of carrying out gay marriages in its churches. However, not all religious organisations agreed unanimously on the matter, as the Swiss Evangelical

Image: Pixabay

8

COMMENT

Entering the job market

Lucy Aylmer Deputy Editor

A

ND so, it begins; the graduate job hunt is a nervewracking time for many, but ultimately a rite of passage. My friends have mixed plans and opinions.

Whether it’s the fear of the unknown or a rigorous resistance to leaving the comforts of the university bubble and of course, those wild nights at Timepiece, you are not alone. Many

want to stay or rather, procrastinate by prolonging their university existence by completing a Masters. Naturally there will be students keen to pursue their academic dreams further by gaining a higher level of qualification than an undergraduate degree. And of course, there will be some who really do have an intense relationship with Timepiece that they cannot part with yet. Both reasons to pursue further study are entirely legitimate and reflect a wider trend within society.

According to HESA, Masters account for 22% of qualifications taught and obtained in the UK and this number is ever increasing.

If, like me, you think the prospect of further academic study is grossly unappealing then fear not. The Careers Department at Exeter is fantastic in guiding you through various career options with helpful resources like CV curation and top tips for interview practice. In my experience, the Careers Department

is most useful if you have specific enquiries and have an idea of which industry you want to work in.

One of my friends mentioned a year working abroad in order to “put off joining the real world for a little longer” whilst another declared she hasn’t got a clue. One even informed me that she has applied to join the Civil Service. When I asked her the blindingly obvious question of “is that what you really want to do?”, she quiped that whilst the application

Many of the truths surrounding September 11th remain a mystery

13 OCT 2021| EXEPOSÉ

process was painfully boring, she was keen to join due to its broad appeal and opportunity to make an impact on issues that matter such as the environment and education, to name a few.

Many of these anecdotes, as varied as they are, echo a mutual feeling towards life beyond university: uncertainty. Most of us don’t have one clear idea of where we are heading, but it is okay not to know.

Image: Pixabay

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Dissertation jitters

Cassia Grace Deputy Editor

A

S a naïve and impressionable first year, I was sold the lie that my dissertation would be the pinnacle of my university career.

After two years of hard work and studying, I could finally showcase my knowledge and skills in one behemoth essay; can life get any better than this?

Whilst the powers that be may consider a dissertation to be the gift that keeps on giving, a cornucopia of

Images: Pixabay

new ideas and experiences if you will, I would say it is much more akin to a scene from Fast and Furious.

That moment where they’re speeding towards a cliff and they don’t know how or why they’re there, but they’re pretty sure they’re going to die. Except instead of cool cars, I have sleep deprivation and a coffee addiction.

Of course, in theory I should feel very prepared for this moment; I am the baby bird spreading my wings and flying the nest for the first time. Yet the idea that I’m supposed to be ready seems almost laughable. I’m sure many third years will have found themselves in similar positions. Although I’ve enjoyed my degree, I still struggle to find a dissertation question that ‘turns me on’, an essential ingredient according to my grandpa.

I have a very, very broad topic, but now I face the challenge of whittling that down. I’ve also been dealing with the initial panic of “Oh crap, I have no idea how to do write a dissertation”, a feeling I’m sure a lot of people can relate to. At no point in my academic career have I been taught how to write a research

paper; how exactly does one discuss their research method when all you did was find books to read and agree/disagree with?

summer and have spent the break researching. I meanwhile have a deadline of November to pick out a question. Lack

announcement.

Now that we’ re back at uni and starting to get into the swing of things, I can say that things are starting to look up, with our first lecture on ‘how to write a dissertation’ starting my week off with a bang. I also took comfort in the fact that everyone on my course

I have sleep deprivation and a coffee addiction

Hardly ground-breaking.

This wasn’t helped by how far behind in the process I seemed to be.

My friends on other courses already had their topic and supervisor before

of meaningful communication from the department about how the process works only added to my discomfort, leaving me feeling as though I had missed some important information or

seemed equally if not more confused than I was.

Thankfully, this week I had my first meeting with my dissertation supervisor. I entered the Zoom hoping for a miracle and indeed I got one, I’m just still not entirely sure how it happened. By the end of the half hour session, I had completely changed the focus of my topic and found myself ready to start researching; but I don’t remember any of it. Never before have I realised how easily persuaded I am; even subtle suggestions have made their way on to my to-do list like some kind of robot that can only say ‘yes’ or ‘okay’. Kudos to my supervisor though; she clearly has a talent in sorcery.

13 OCT 2021| EXEPOSÉ

9

Features

GUEST FEATURES EDITOR:

Lucy Aylmer

The future of panic buying

F

Georgia Balmer reviews the rationale of panic buying during a time of crisis

EW images better represent the earliest days of pandemic life than empty supermarket shelves and ‘out of stock’ stickers.

In February and March 2020, it was news of stockpiling and international stock shortages that offered the first tangible evidence of the incoming pandemic. With daily spending on staple items rising by 80 per cent of their 2019 levels in March 2020, the beginning of the pandemic ushered in a new era for panic buying.

The phenomenon, described

by Dr Eldar Shafir, a psychology professor at the University of Princeton, derives from the psychology of scarcity. Fueled by the perception of incoming disaster and scarcity of resources, panic buying is a pseudo-rational occurrence in consumers. As David Savage, professor at the University of Newcastle explains, “it is rational to prepare for something bad that

looks like it is likely to occur”.

Panic buying, however, is not a rational outlet for this understandable fear; nor is it a new phenomenon. In fact, Franklin D.Roosevelt’s infamous quote, “the only thing we have to fear is fear itself ”, was uttered in response to shortages created during the panic buying of the Great Depression. From stockpiling remedies during the ‘Spanish Flu’ of 1918 to panic buying of fuel in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey in 2017, which led to a two-year high in US petrol prices, the fear of ‘running out’ has led to crisis across the centuries. In 1985, the news of a new Coke recipe even led to panic buying of old CocaCola bottles. What roots these events and the panic buying they inspire is a sense of uncertainty.

In the face of a known impending disaster, whether extreme weather or the announcement of war, social behaviours that attempt to

regain a sense of control are to be expected. In fact, 53 per cent of the British public admitted to taking up baking during lockdown in a YouGov survey, with 26 per cent finding the hobby an effective stress reliever. Whilst a threat to the norm may be known - for example, news of a spreading virus or the announcement of a new recipe for a favourite drink - questions surrounding the length of the crisis and its severity can still lead to group anxiety.

A lack of solution or clarity from authority figures has shown to spike cases As Marty Cooper, professor at Old Westbury explains, it is the added influence of group mistrust that spirals this anxiety into panic buying and away from healthier coping mechanisms, such as bak-

ing banana bread. This effect is almost perfectly illustrated in the recent fuel shortages. With BP announcing that some petrol stations would be closed due to lorry driver shortages, an instant crisis of panic buying was fuelled across the country.

Despite ministers ensuring that there was no shortage of fuel, only drivers, Halfords saw a 1,656 per cent increase in Jerrycan sales and a rise in motorists filling up with the wrong petrol in panic. The response is irrational; long queues of drivers manically buying unnecessary amounts of petrol and knowingly furthering the problem.

Yet, there is no clear guidance from the Government other than to stop panic buying. As Cathrine Jansson-Boyd, associate professor in consumer psychology at Anglia Ruskin University, states, “people aren’t hearing a solution”. It is this lack of solution or clarity from authority figures that research has

shown to spike cases. As the media reports on the threat of panic buying turning into shortages, group anxiety evolves to group conformity.

The public has lived in a state of fear from an oscillating virus With social media further shouting the threat of shortages, ‘FOMO’ becomes less of an annoying hashtag and more of a national crisis. It is no coincidence that whilst the phenomenon is evident across socio-economic groups, it is most prevalent in households with a higher socioeconomic status according to a study by the University of Sheffield.

For groups that are at real risk of resource scarcity, for example those already straddling the poverty line, panic buying is infeasible and unnecessary; they do not have the ability to panic in advance. Instead of being a rational response to a real threat, panic buying is the outlet of pent up stress and fear, released on a perceived threat and fuelled by mistrust.

The pandemic has created the perfect conditions for panic buying. Roosevelt made a compelling point when he warned that fear is the result of irrationality. During the last 18 months, the public has lived in a state of fear of an oscillating virus, one combated by inconsistent rules and governing figures that have infamously flaunted them. Whilst we might still be laughing at stockpiling memes of loo roll forts from the early months of lockdown, the pandemic has left us all susceptible to the fear of panic buying.

The most recent fuel shortages suggest a group psychological mistrust, and one that could have more pressing consequences than national Coca-Cola shortages.

Image: Unsplash, Mick Haupt

13 OCT 2021 | EXEPOSÉ

10 FEATURES

The changing face of Germany Steffi Haselden discusses the results of the recent federal election

T

HE federal election on 26 September 2021 saw the end of Angela Merkel’s 16 year long chancellorship and the worst performance of her party (the Christian Democratic Union) to date. Germany is entering its new phase of what has been dubbed the “post-Merkel” era.

Following the announcement of her retirement, the recent Bundestag elections have showcased significant gains for Germany’s centre-left party, the Social Democrats (SPD), led by Olaf Scholz, as well as the Greens and FDP. The SPDs have secured a narrow victory over the CDU by gaining 25.6

per cent of the popular vote, compared to the CDU/CSU which gained only 24.1 per cent, in what has been the closest election Germany has witnessed for years.

The SPD lacks a strong enough mandate to form a coalition government

The SPD’s narrow electoral win in the preliminary results has caused the CDU candidate, Armin Laschet, to argue that the SPD lacks a strong enough mandate to form a coalition

government. He is consequently also still trying to assert himself as the next chancellor.

Both top parties failed to gain enough of the popular vote to form a majority government. This is typical of German post-war politics and a coalition government is inevitable.

Both parties are wishing to form a government alongside the Greens and the FDP. However, Merkel will remain in her role as chancellor until such a coalition is formed. Due to the complexity of coalition discussions, it is expected that she will remain in office as “caretaker” until at least Christmas.

However, Scholz has made it clear that he is incredibly “optimistic” regarding negotiations. He wishes to avoid what can only be recognised as the political chaos of the 2017 federal election, when it took six months for Merkel to be formally recognised as chancellor following the breakdown of negotiations.

The only certainty is that Germany will be entering a three-party coalition, after having a series of grand coalitions since the 1950s. This marks a

new political era in which the dominance exerted by the main two parties, the CDU and SDP, can be seen to be reverted.

Instead, significant gains made by the Greens, who finished third with a record breaking 15 per cent of the vote, and an increase in support for the FDP, together make up over a quarter of the vote. This has lead to increased prominence of the smaller parties in setting the political agenda.

Climate change will also be incredibly prevalent on the political agenda The first phase of negotiation talks between the two smaller parties have started. However, it is clear that the FDP and Greens have indisputable differences, especially regarding taxation. The FDP wishes to lower taxes for companies in order to boost the economy, whilst the Greens want to raise taxes in order to finance a transition to green energy. The matter of climate change is an ever-pressing

focus. Although there are already visible grievances between the two parties in these coalition discussions, the Greens and FDP have a clear area of alignment regarding European policy.

Both parties have said that they wish to strengthen the European Union, particularly the European Parliament, and prioritise the EU’s foreign policy.

Climate change will also be incredibly prevalent on the political agenda, with both parties intensely committed to launching green initiatives.

Again, there was dispute over how this should be achieved, with FDP politician Nicola Beer saying “we agree on the goals but still need to talk about the appropriate measures”.

In the post-Merkel era, it is evident that the power of the smaller parties is on the rise. With both the CDU and the SPD wholly reliant on the Greens and Liberals if they want to form the next government, these elections marks the end of the duopoly power exerted by the top two parties.

Image: Pixabay, MIH 83 (above), Shutterbug75 (below)

Is our rail industry on the right track?

T

HE essential role transport plays in our day-to-day lives cannot be overstated. How well-run a rail service is can make the difference between the hellishly exhausting trek to Mordor and the pleasantly sleepy return by eagle. As these journeys add up, they can have a huge impact on an individual commuter’s quality of life.

It’s clear why the private sector that manages Britain’s railway operations would be under a high degree of scrutiny to deliver at least adequate service.

And when they don’t, the voices calling for renationalisation get louder.

Recently these calls have been bolstered by the revelation that Southeastern retained £25 million in taxpayer funding. As a result, the train company has been stripped of its franchise and will be taken over by SE Trains, owned by the Department for Transport. Criticisms of the franchise model, whereby companies bid for multi-year contracts to run specific routes, have been heard by number ten, with the announcement of a simplified hybrid system in May 2020.

The newly created public body, Great British Railways, will integrate

Evan Thomas debates the veracity of state-run train operators Britain’s fragmented railways, outsourcing operations using tightly specified Passenger Service Contracts. A report from Transport Secretary, Grant Shapps, has promised this will “drive significant efficiencies in the railways’ inflated costs”. However, this is not the full post-war renationalisation many have called for.

The prioritisation of the war effort had also led to the accruement of a maintenance backlog

As part of the Transport Act 1947, the British Government made its temporary takeover of the railways during WWII more permanent by acquiring the, effectively bankrupt Big Four railway companies. The war had devastated railways with portions destroyed by Luftwaffe bombing. The prioritisation of the war effort had also led to the accruement of a maintenance backlog.

Almost all travel by rail being nationalised would allow the fast-tracking of urgent repairs to infrastructure necessary to run Britain’s transport system.

This nationalisation, while experiencing

substantial alterations in the proceeding decades, lasted until 1994, when John Major sold the operations to private corporations. Touted as a reinvigorating transformation, allowing consumers more choice and decreased fares due to free market competition, the move was nevertheless highly controversial.

As demonstrated by the public reaction to the loss of franchise status from several railway companies, the controversy never died.

It might be a bit of a stretch to suggest that Britain’s railways are in as poor of a state as post-WWII, but campaigners have pointed out inefficiencies in the private system, arguing that renationalisation would put Britain’s railway service back on track.

A common complaint is that as a result of private companies’ need to guarantee a profit, few resources are put into improving service, despite fares having risen by 20 per cent between January 1995 and January 2018. The severity of these issues is clearly rubbing com-

muters the wrong way as 64 per cent of the public supported railway nationalisation, according to a YouGov poll during the election period in 2017. It is clear to many who lived through the

various iterations of nationalisation, that the implementation was far from ideal. In the proceeding decades, following the initial emergency takeover, modernisation and cuts led to under-investment in the railways. Claims are refuted that profit would automatically be

fed back into improving service as any new investment would need to compete against other sectors.

The failures of the privatised system, according to Guardian columnist Simon Jenkins, are actually down to the restraint placed on train companies in controlling their own assets. What remains to be seen is whether this semi-nationalised model will yield improvements to satisfy the majority wanting full public control. Or whether the minority, who favour expanding the role of the private sector, will see this as a necessary compromise, as opposed to dredging up the corpse of British Railways, now cynically prefixed with “Great”.

It’s recognised that franchising was not fit for purpose, but this debate has railed on for generations, and all indications point to it continuing to chug along.

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LETS TALK ABOUT BIRTH CONTROL

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CHRIS PRATT AND THE PERILS OF CASTING

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ABBA’S RETURN: DOES THE MUSIC MATTER?

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AI-POCALYPSE?

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lifestyle

Let's talk about birth control Rebecca Bowsher breaks down birth control options and provides tips and tricks for choosing the right method

I

T'S no secret that birth control is one of the best inventions of the last century, with a wide range of options to help prevent pregnancy if you're having regular sex.

However, many of these options aren’t always discussed and some of them may not be suitable for everyone. If you're looking for your ideal birth control method, here are some tips and tricks on where to start.

A visit to the doctors to get birth control when you don’t know what you want normally results in tablets. Usually, they will provide a combi pill (combination of hormones) or a progesterone-only pill. These can be bought over the counter, but you can get them for free from your GP or a sexual health clinic. Pills need to be taken

everyday, and they are 99 per cent effective when taken correctly according to the NHS. Since the contraceptive pill involves hormone regulation, it can cause side effects such as mood swings and depression.The pill is no bad thing, but another option might be better and so research is key to finding the best option for you. The NHS website is good. The Contraceptive Choices website run by UCL is even better. It provides easy to understand statistics on effectiveness and side effects. For example, the injection causes only three in 100 women to be pregnant per year, can lighten periods and doesn’t interrupt sex. However, its side effects include irregular bleeding and mood swings.

Other birth control methods include: condoms, IUS, copper coils, patches, diaphragms,

implants, the ring and fertility awareness.

Fertility awareness is a non-hormonal method with no physical side effects according to the NHS website. However, it involves daily planning, careful monitoring and, as stated on the Family Panning nsw website, approximately 25 per cent of women get pregnant by accident using this method. A qualified fertility teacher can help when you are using this method and now apps such as Natural Cycles claim to be able to monitor fertility for you. However, the success of this method does vary and is arguably less consistent in results than methods such as condoms and the contraceptive pill.

The copper coil is also reliable and is a non-hormonal method. A common side effect is that periods can be a little heavier. This is a

great option for people who have high blood pressure and migraines, as taking the pill can put you at risk if you have either of these medical issues, as staed by the Migraine Trust.

Patches lighten periods and can help with acne. They are quite effective (eight in 100 women typically get pregnant in a year). Side effects can include nausea and changes in mood.

There are many different options and methods of preventing pregnancy. It is important to discuss any methods you might want to use with a healthcare professional.

Talking to friends and family about their experiences can also be really helpful when you are making a decision. Crucially, if the method you are using is making you unhappy, don’t suffer in silence!

To go out or stay in - that is the question!

Lifestyle writers debate which is most enjoyable: a night out or a night in?

N

IGHTS out are the best chance to forget about the dull humdrum of responsibility and simply have some fun. I mean, picture this: the music is loud and you can feel it pumping all through your body. The dance floor is full of people killing it with their moves. They sing along in unison to whatever song is playing and you can’t help but feel excited. Your mate grabs your hand and drags you to the middle of the dance floor to join the crowd and suddenly, everything else around you and in your mind washes away. All that matters is that moment. The most important thing is having a good time.

Nights out in Exeter are a big part of my university experience. They’re great bursts of fun, where I’ve had the chance to bond with my friends and create memories of crazy nights together. They’re rollercoasters of excitement, if you will. Every new night out presents a new adventure. Now, I know nights out are not everyone’s cup of tea, but fret not because, in this lovely town, there is something for everybody. Whether you like lively conversation over a few drinks, dancing the night away until your feet are aching and begging you to stop, or hearing some great live music, Exeter has it all.

If you’re searching for an unbeatable night of partying then your best options for having a rave in town are Timepiece on a Friday, Quid’s In at Unit 1 every Thursday and,

dare I say, Phoenix. These iconic Exeter clubs offer cheap drinks and really good music you can bop to all night long (or until they close).

On the other hand, if lively conversation is your jam, then Monkey Suit or Artigiano’s are the way to go. Both bars offer delicious drinks and great music to accompany you throughout the night. Lastly, if what you’re looking for is good live music then there’s only one place that fits the bill and that is Cavern. Small and underground, Cavern routinely offers live music shows for all to enjoy and it is also a nightclub, so you get the best of both worlds.

But it is always important to stay safe.

Leave home with your phone fully charged.

Don’t lose sight of your drinks and if you think something is wrong with your drink, get a new one. Try to stick to your group of friends as much as possible, and lastly, if you get into any trouble, call for help.

Call the emergency services on 999, or the Estate Patrol Emergency Line on 01392 722222. Remember, party responsibly.

The fact of the matter is nights out are memorable experiences you can share with all your friends. And, when you step out of the club at the end of the night with your mate, you will think to yourself, “Man, what a great night out. I’m so glad I decided to come."

Olivia Gomez

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CCORDING to most people, a night out is a prime staple of youth, particularly for a university student. However, the introverted side of us sees the benefit of an occasional cosy night in as we settle down with a cup of tea and disappear into a bubble of Netflix. Not only is it super friendly to our humble student-sized wallets, but a night of relaxation can prove to be much more enjoyable than drowning in yet another endless pit of conversations over drinks.

You can make menial household tasks fun by drinking a glass of wine as you complete your chores. We all know how overwhelming living on your own can be, what with all the washing up, cleaning and cooking. Having a night in gives you time to split your night between snacks and catching up on all your household tasks so that you are on track for the rest of the week..

A night doesn't have to be spent alone.

You can always invite a friend or two over for a quiet movie night equipped with nothing but the essentials: face masks, a bucket of popcorn and a bottle of wine. A full night of blissful sleep also provides relief during the mid-terms every student is sure to have down the road. Having a night in every once in a while gives you a real chance to take a break in between all the heavy study sessions and our over-the-top schedules to avoid burning out. It can be fun at the beginning but slowing down is just as important for your mental health to catch up.

A night out is hardly ever a time when you

can seriously connect with people, leading to lacklustre friendships that don't have proper substance. Instead, it is a time to drown out thoughts with a bassline that mutes out all your responsbilities. A night in gives you the chance to have a friend over and build a nourishing friendship that doesn't revolve around empty nights of drinking games and screaming out your conversations over the thumping music. Small, quiet groups are better for budding friendships, filled with endless nights of slow-paced chill-out sessions, decked out with a pizza. It has the potential to be more fun than going out to the same pub every other night. The money you save isn't too bad either.

For some, it may be harder to get back out there after spending so much time indoors during our many lockdowns. Opt for an occasional night in with the perfect self-care routine. Save yourself a hangover or two (and half your weekly budget) before your next lecture.

Avoid long lines outside the clubs, as well as fighting off overly aggressive bouncers who are threatening to throw your (slightly tipsy) best friend out of the club.

The next time you don't feel like going out, go along with your gut and settle down for an evening that doesn't require wearing jeans!

Mahnoor Imam

exhibit | lifestyle

EDITOR: Bridie Adams

13 OCT 2021 |

Devon beaches to visit this autumn Bridie Adams, Editor, explains why autumn is the best time to explore Devon's beaches

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EVO N has some of the finest beaches in England – clear sea, big sandy beaches and hidden coves. With 120 miles of remarkable coastline, Devon has plenty of beaches just waiting to be looked at and enjoyed.

The beaches over the entire South West get extremely busy during the summer months, with both local people who holiday here and an inundation of visitors to the region. In the summertime, beaches completely fill up - especially because Devon’s seaside towns have a selection of souvenir stores, ice cream stands and fish and chip shops. Many of these beaches are popular with families for picnics, walks and kite flying, but of course there is also plenty for students to do and see (if you’re willing to navigate the throngs of people who flock to Devon for their summer holidays!)

Exmouth Beach Exmouth Beach is well-celebrated for its two miles of golden shore. With interesting rock pools, it’s a paradise that is wonderful to escape to if your studies are stressing you out. Exmouth Beach is also the perfect location to try your hand at aquatic sport - be it kite surfing, kayaking, standup paddleboarding or windsurfing.

The beach is well worth visiting. As well as the golden sandy seashore, you've got pedalo boats, amusements and plenty of alongshore pubs, restaurants, bars and ice cream stalls. Special shout outs for food and drink go to Ocean and Seashore Ice Creamery. There are also the classic options of KFC and Dominos, among other chains, for if you’ve got a craving for fast food.

THESE BEACHES ARE POPULAR WITH FAMILIES

Dawlish Warren Beach Dawlish Warren is a coastal spot close to the town of Dawlish in Teignbridge. Dawlish Warren is composed almost entirely of holiday housing and space for holiday-makers. The sea is clean and safe to go in - ideal for seaside fun. The seashore is sandy and is backed by remarkable rockfaces. Dawlish Warren is proud of its beach, as it has achieved success in winning the Blue Flag award for being an extremely safe beach. The seashore spreads out to one and a half miles with a lot of sand dunes.

It is also significant for its wildlife, as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and a Candidate Special Area of Conservation (CSAC) for its sand dunes. It is part of the Exe Estuary Special Protection Area and Ramsar site, designated for the enormous flocks of wildfowl and wading birds that hibernate at this place. At Dawlish Warren, about 180 distinct bird species are recorded each and every year!

At the end of your trip to the beach, look in the retail stores, or have a beverage or something to eat in Dawlish Warren.

However, now that the high season for tourists has come to an end, you can enjoy a more peaceful experience at the beach. If you like the feeling of sand between your toes and the sound of the sea in the background, autumn is the ideal season to reap the benefits of Devon’s beaches. The cooler weather and fewer crowds contribute to perfect circumstances for visiting the beach after summer.

Seawater will be chilly, but this temperature has actually proven to be good for your health.

By submerging in the sea, your body reacts by emanating warmth and pushing out impurities from your blood through your pores.

There are also plenty of autumn-friendly beach activities, such as playing beach games, like volleyball or badminton, or, for another active option, go for an exhilarating coastal run. On some beaches, you may be able to have a bonfire or camp out! You can bring out your inner child by building sand castles or kite flying. If you’re an artistic soul, bring your watercolours and paint a beautiful coastal landscape or sit and strum your acoustic guitar. Of course, there is always the classic option of having a picnic with friends. Perks of partaking in these activities in the autumn include less risk of becoming dehydrated or burned by the sunshine, and not having to endure scolding hot sand.

Exeter itself may not be right on the coast, but there are a lot of beaches close by. Lovely seaside towns can be found further afield within Devon, such as Ilfracombe and Woolacombe, if you’re willing to make the trek, but here are a few examples of beaches that are easily accessible by public transport from Exeter. A train to each of these places will cost you just £5.30, or £3.45 with a 16-25 railcard, and they all take about half an hour or less to get to.

Teignmouth Beach Teignmouth is located where Devon's River Teign meets up with the ocean. It offers attractive coastline, a lengthy, sandy beach, a working port and alluring scenery. Devon's English Riviera is also close by.

Teignmouth is a very pleasant seaside town with a lot of personality and it is well worth visiting. The Town Beach offers a huge area of golden sand with a great deal of space for building sand-castles, amusing yourself with beach games or just sitting in the sunlight and finding pleasure in the outlook.

Saunter down the Victorian Promenade and Pier, observe the fishing vessels in action, or spend time at the miniature golf course.

The clean sea is home to a large amount of fish and marine life. Dolphins have even sometimes been spotted offshore - make sure to bring your binoculars!

Image: Tom Jolliffe

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arts

+ lit

Autumnal Reads

Arts + Lit writers review their favourite reads heading into Autumn Jayne Eyre by Charlotte Bronte

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ANE Eyre, Charlotte Bronte’s timeless tale of a governess in Northern England, is the perfect book to cosy up with this autumn. Beginning on a “dreary November day”, the novel captures the gloom of the season perfectly. Rainy moors, cold rooms in old country piles and evenings spent playing cards by the fire are all key elements of the backdrop to Bronte’s story, which has remained a favourite of mine since it was read to me as a child.

As the nights get darker and colder, the themes of Jane Eyre grow even more relevant. Secrets, deception and heartache abound within its pages. But it isn’t just the darker elements of the season that fit perfectly with the novel. Bronte also describes “a fine autumn morning; the early sun shone serenely on embrowned groves and still green fields”. What a brilliant reminder that serotonin can be found even in the most dismal of seasons!

As the leaves turn to brown and I can start to see my breath in front of my face, I yearn for books which feel cosy and comforting, but inspiring too. Despite the tragic life Jane leads, hers is a story of bravery and independence – perfect for battling the ten AM Pret queue in the Forum.

Bronte’s enchanting prose lends itself to being read on a cold evening with a blanket wrapped round you and a mug of something warm in your free hand. If you find yourself with a free couple of hours in between deadlines of your course, why not pick up Bronte’s classic?

Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafón & The Diviners by Libby Bray

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HE minute the sun disappears and the weather starts turning to rain, cloud and fog, there is nothing better than curling up inside with a good book. Autumn seems a time to enjoy longer, more contemplative books to fill the longer evenings; maybe you want to dig into that classic you’ve wanted to read for a while or start a new series.

Wuthering Heights and Frankenstein are pillars of gothic literature, with the dark, atmospheric settings in which the tragic spirals of their narratives play out. For something lighter but still incredibly atmospheric, Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafón is a very human story that features a mysterious secret library, is set in 1940’s Barcelona and has its dramatic climax in a haunted mansion. This is the first in the Cemetery of Forgotten Books series, but also works very well as a standalone novel.

Another book series I think is perfect for autumn is The Diviners by Libba Bray. Set in 1920’s New York, it follows a group of young people with abilities (Diviners) guided by an old professor who runs a museum of the Occult, who fight supernatural forces and eventually face off against the mysterious evil entity known as the King of Crows. The series has an incredibly large and diverse cast of characters, each with individual storylines that make them fascinating and three dimensional. The story also reaches into the darker side of American history and lore for the elements of horror – as Bray says, American “dreams and sins are fertile ground for restless spirits”. The audiobooks for this series, read by January LaVoy, are excellent, especially for long rainy walks. My advice though: don’t listen as you fall asleep – I was jolted awake by the chanting of a ghost army and nearly had a heart attack!

Caitlin Barr Image: flickr

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S someone who was a teenager when the Twilight series was still in the works, I remember a news report about crowds of young women clustered in 4000 bookstores across America at midnight. It was 2 August 2008, 11.59 pm, and Breaking Dawn was about to be published. 1.3 million copies would be sold in the first 24 hours: clearly this fourth book was breaking records, too.

Yes, the first book in any series is unique: it’s new, mysterious, with a few preconceptions.

However, there is something about a longawaited sequel on the brink of being published that holds a thrilling sense of anticipation – sometimes even heralded by dedicated fans clustering at giddy midnight release parties.

Catherine Stone

The Binding by Bridget Collins & Birdman by Mo Hayder

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S we edge closer to autumn, days grow darker and shorter and I consequently seek comfort from darker genres with more mystery, grip and manipulation. Despite not restricting the genres I read by season, rather picking novels I enjoy the sound of, I find myself mostly gravitating towards mysterious crimes and fantastical books full to the brim with creatures and otherworldly concepts that I can escape to during autumn. One such book is Bridget Collins’ The Binding, a book targeted to a myriad of readers for its beautifully imagined historical fantasy, as well as the equally beautiful representation of the LGBTQ+ protagonists.

Following Emmett as he realises his rare ability to bind memories into books, The Binding uncovers mysteries and secrets of the past as Emmett joins the bindery as an apprentice. Split into three parts, the narrative urges you to continue reading as Emmett eventually finds his own book… and memories. Who doesn’t love a little forbidden romance to make their hearts ache and yearn for more?

For fans of crime, my ultimate recommendation and someone I can’t help but return to continuously is Mo Hayder. Her novel Birdman captures the essence of phenomenal writing and a narrative so tense you won’t realise you’re holding your breath. Birdman follows two narratives; the first, a dog found by detective Jack Caffery with ‘Help Us’ written on its collar.

Meanwhile, the Anchor-Ferrer family are tied up in their house by two strange men. As the two stories collide, a whole host of mysteries are unravelled that no one could have predicted - the best bit in any Hayder novel is her insane plot twist talent. A nail-bitingly gripping marriage between a detective novel and a cosy crime, this is, without a doubt, one to note down for your autumn shelf.

Danni Darrah Image: Pixabay

Are Sequels Better?

Catherine Nock discusses Richard Osman’s new novel Recently, the source of such fervour has been Richard Osman’s newly-published crime novel The Man Who Died Twice, a follow-up to The Thursday Murder Club – continuing the tale of a group of sleuthing OAPs. The first book did remarkably well, but the second is set to outshine it. The Man Who Died Twice sold 114, 202 copies in just its opening week.

Sequels are exciting because they offer readers the chance to jump back into a fictional world and see what more a writer has to offer us. This holds a lot of promise – especially when the first book has reached cult status. Margaret Atwood’s The Testaments, sequel to the iconic The Handmaid’s Tale, was published 61 years later. It is a follow-up many never expected to

see, and was partly inspired by the immense success of the TV adaption. Visual media can generate huge hype around sequels, inflating sales accordingly.

SEQUELS OFFER READERS THE CHANCE TO JUMP BACK INTO A FICTIONAL WORLD Furthermore, thanks to the ‘live’ nature of sequels which are being written in-the-moment, authors can contextualise their books with little snippets of relevance. Osman certainly has a

post-pandemic audience in mind: “I thought I might either get a dog or join Instagram,” muses pensioner Joyce Meadowcroft in his new novel, a comment that strikes relevance with an audience with many lockdowns, and a new sense of what boredom is, behind them.

Are sequels better? I’d say they are different - potentially less insular - because of the sense of dialogue often found between author and readership. The author can adapt and re-cast the story based on response, feed readers plotbreadcrumbs on Twitter, or drop in references to the contemporary world. Overall, Osman’s sequel has a strong character cast, good humour and a healthy dose of gut wrenching twists.

exhibit | arts + lit

EDITORS: Ella Minty

13

Can Art Challenge Racism?

Lucy Aylmer, Deputy Editor, discusses the extent to which racism has been eradicated in the art world

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ETYE Saar, an African-American ways that art has positively influenced artist, has consistently vocalised her social justice and been a force for good. views on reversing racist stereotypes.

Kara Walker is another African-American As an artist, she has used her privileged artist that frequently explores subjects of platform to argue against the dominant race, gender, sexuality and violence within racist stereotypes exploited by brands like her work. Her pieces are bold and sobering Aunt Jemima, the ready-made pancake mix. and typically feature large-scale collaged Saar’s most famous piece, The Liberation of black silhouettes against a startling white Aunt Jemima, Jemima , depicts an emancipated Aunt background. Walker’s artwork was recently Jemima who has a broom in one hand and exhibited at the Tate and showcased a a rifle in the other with a Black Power fist 13-metre-high fountain, which initially superimposed on the character cradling a looked like your typical Victorian public white baby. It was radical then, and it still is monument. On closer inspection, the now. Her artwork challenged the status quo reality was a lot more uncomfortable. and provoked an important The fountain depicted conversation about the the troubling history of branding of Aunt Jemima. slavery and colonialism and By making a mockery of the was a poignant reminder brand and highlighting its of the human condition racist and sexist attributes, and capacity for cruelty. By Aunt Jemima subsequently drawing inspiration from removed the racist ‘mammy’ history, Walker’s art serves character from the product as a stark reminder to learn label and rightfully replaced the lessons of history and it with a pile of pancakes. recognise its failures.

This was monumental for But what about the the Civil Rights movement ways that art has embodied with many attributing The racism? During Paul Gaugin’s Liberation of Aunt Jemima brief spell in Tahiti, he Image: flickr as the pivotal fulcrum that depicted a romantic image launched the Black Women’s Movement, of a terra incognita that was completely according to Angela Davis, a Civil Rights detached from the European civilisation activist. This is one example of the many in which he had come from. Gaugin was

prolific in this period, producing lively paintings of Tahitians in relaxed and informal settings. Most of these paintings feature young Tahitian women, many of whom are barely clothed and one of which he married. She was thirteen and he, forty-five. His romantic representation of Tahiti at the time can be described as voyeuristic and a product of the male gaze. His depictions of Tahitian women are heavily sexualised and reinforce the idea of ‘othering’ through romanticised stereotypes of Tahitians from the perspective of a white European.

VISUAL CULTURE IS IMBUED WITH SYSTEMATIC RACIAL UNDERTONES Visual culture is imbued with systemic racial undertones through prescribed classical ideals of beauty that are highly specific and in turn, exclusionary. Take Botticelli’s The Birth of Venus; Venus ; here beauty

translates to mean pale and fair-haired.

These notions of beauty have been highly influential in shaping modern standards of beauty in glossy fashion magazines.

Historically, covers of mainstream ‘glossys’ like Tatler or Vogue have poorly represented those of colour and difference. From scrolling through Tatler’s magazine archive, it is a real challenge to find Image: pxfuel women of colour that have made the front cover. In fact, in 2016 alone, the models that made the front cover were all white.

Art and other forms of visual culture are double-edged swords when it comes to challenging or reinforcing racism. In some sense, art is a powerful weapon that can challenge racist stereotypes through reminding its viewers of sobering historical events or by probing important questions on stereotypes in consumerist culture.

But equally, art should be recognised as a medium that has reinforced racism through romanticised stereotypes and upholding unattainable and exclusionary ideals of beauty. Art is not perfect and viewers should be reminded of that.

Ellen Wiles’ Book Launch

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Ella Minty, Arts and Lit editor, talks about her experience at Bookbag’s first live event

HE atmosphere was electric. A real-life book launch, with reallife people; not through the glare of a screen, with the struggles that come with Zoom or streaming an event online. People were chattering as they bought drinks from Sacred Grounds, the vegan café who supplied the event.

They browsed Bookbag, the hosts of the event and Exeter ’s first independent bookshop, as they waited for the event to star t. The whole room basked in a glow from the lights suspended from the ceiling; McCoy ’s Arcade, a hidden gem of Exeter, alive and flourishing in hours it would usually be shrouded in darkness.

THE TALK HAD BEEN SO ENGROSSING THAT I DIDN’T REALISE THAT AN HOUR HAD PASSED

The event so eagerly awaited by the which was published in 2017. Inspired eclectic group in the audience by her career as a barrister before was the launch of Ellen Wiles’ turning to writing, it tackles new book: Live Literature. the subject of immigration Sat on a stool by the and asylum in the UK comedian Mike Wozniak, and sounded like such a Wiles looked composed great read that I bought and relaxed, her job it after wards. as a creative writing Before I knew it, the lecturer at the University event was over. The talk of Exeter setting her had been so engrossing completely at ease. As a that I didn’t realise that hush descended across the an hour had passed. It felt audience, the event star ted, with Image: winningsnaps so invigorating to be sitting in a on instagram Wozinak asking the questions and Wiles room full of people again; a reminder answering, a natural conversational way of just how wonder ful in-person events to discuss the book she had written. can be was when a woman asked if she She explained that the book was an could sit down next to me. I said yes, of extension of her PhD thesis, which was course, and through our conversation it inquiring into live literar y events and transpired that she was a lecturer at the festivals, and how these were impor tant university and was the convenor of the to the literar y world. As interesting module I was taking this term. This was a as her new book sounds, what caught wonder ful surprise, but also a shock; I had my attention was the mention of her never met one of my lecturers in person fictional novel, The Invisible Crowd, before, with my first year of university

being entirely on Zoom due to COVID-19.

I also chatted to a lovely woman in the bookshop who was buying the same book as me. My friend, the photographer of the event, politely asked people if she could take their photos; it felt ver y social and normal in a year when things have been the opposite.

IT FELT SO INVIGORATING TO BE SITTING IN A ROOM FULL OF PEOPLE AGAIN As well as being an informative and enjoyable evening, it was pleasant to socialise with a group of like -minded people. Bookbag are planning on holding more live events in the future, so keep an eye on their Instagram for more details. Ellen Wiles’ new book looks stimulating and unique, and I can’t wait to read it!

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MUSIC

Returning to gigs with Beabadoobee L

Bridie Adams, Editor, recalls her recent experience of her first post-pandemic live music experience

IVE music experienced enormous economic implications during the pandemic.

Venues went silent and artists were stuck at home.

Now, live shows are being put on once more. Despite the obvious apprehension one might face about suddenly being surrounded by a group of sweaty dancing people after so long, as a huge fan of live music, I was keen to return to gigs after such a long wait. My first experience since before the pandemic was at Bristol’s Marble Factory, as I attended the 24 September date of Beabadoobee’s Fake It Flowers tour.

The evening had a rocky start, as we accidentally joined a queue for the wrong gig and got chatting with some friendly, if slightly intimidating, drunks. Eventually, we realised our error, approached the menacing-looking Bristolian bouncers and asked them to let us into the venue. The security of being on the press guest list got us straight through the doors with no issue.

Beabadoobee is a British-Filipino vocalist who has established universal renown through TikTok, especially amongst Gen Z audiences. A lot of her fan base is clearly made up of teenagers, the age of many attendees at the concert making me feel like a senior citizen, despite actually being a whole year younger than Bea herself.

IT WAS UNQUESTIONABLY AN INTENSE AND FIERY SET, WITH SOME GOOD GUITAR HEAVY MOMENTS Although it was an unquestionably intense and fiery set, with some good guitar heavy moments to get the crowd going, some aspects made it quite a disappointing show. I found that Bea didn’t always engage with the crowd as much as I would’ve liked. Although her soft, mellow vocals sounded amazing live, the acoustics in the run-down shack of a venue at times made her difficult to hear (especially over the strong bass and guitar riffs of the band) from the very back.

From her first acoustic moments, through to her album Fake It Flowers and her 2021 EP Our Extended Play, it was an efficient set that was over before I knew it, celebrating her somehow ferocious yet gentle sound. For me, ‘She Plays Bass’ was a highlight, and brought the mood to an upbeat level, as the audience happily sang along.

To wrap up the concise, if slightly tentative, performance, all of a sudden, Bea left the stage unannounced. When she made her comeback to complete the night with her encore, she treated the audience to two more tracks,

including ‘Coffee’, one of her earliest, but most well-known tracks. The acoustic song exposed Bea’s vocals, and the crowd sang along with her.

The performance conjured memories of my experience interviewing Bea in 2020, when she told me: “‘Coffee’ is the first song I ever wrote on guitar. I just learned how to play guitar, really just learned […] Hopefully it brought a lot more eyes onto my other tracks and people can get a feel for the other styles of music I’m making too.”

THE ACOUSTICS IN THE RUN DOWN SHACK OF A VENUE AT TIMES MADE HER DIFFICULT TO HEAR Maybe ‘Coffee’ is Bea’s equivalent of Radiohead’s ‘Creep’ - a crowd pleaser, but not their best work. Bea seemed much more invested in her performance when she was playing her more recent tracks, even if the audience weren’t as familiar with them.

Although Bea is still early on in her career as a performer, I think she has great potential. I will certainly set my sights on seeing her again after this. I would thoroughly recommend her music to those who enjoy bedroom pop, grunge and everything in between; there are slow, measured tunes, as well as some big, rocky numbers.

If you’re nervous about the return to live music, I understand. However, it was a brilliant feeling to be back at a gig. Although the Marble Factory wasn’t very impressive to look at and the sound in there wasn’t the best, standing at the back was nice as the huge open doors let in fresh air, as well as exposing some cool street art on the walls outside.

The buzzing amps, the screaming fans, and the sweltering warmth coming from the crowd of bodies jogged my memory of precisely why the shared experience of live music means so much. Because in the end, that is at the heart of it - celebrating the songs we love and discovering the songs we haven’t heard yet, all together with a group

of people who have a common interest.

One set by a band you’ve never seen before can transform them into your favourite artist.

I have always been in the pursuit of those amazing moments where you know that the song you’ve just heard live will inevitably become your number one Spotify Wrapped track for that year. Gigs shape our connection with musicians and their work.

And then there are the experiences that can occur throughout the gig itself – friendships strengthened, merch bought from stalls in the venue, or chit-chat with strangers at the bar (or - in our case - the queue!). These events are often what establish us as a large community - that moment the music goes from existing as something we like as individuals to something we share simultaneously.

It seems any anxiety we have regarding getting out into the unfamiliar post-pandemic world is something we’re all going to have to challenge. We are already seeing previously delayed tours and shows coming together as the music 'biz' is finally on the mend. There is now a pileup of over 18 months worth of tours in the calendar! But for part of our community of music fans, the lifting of restrictions isn’t sufficient to allow their comeback to the live scene. Some people with chronic illnesses and disabilities are shut out from this return, particularly as cases of COVID-19 increase.

PEOPLE WITH CHRONIC ILLNESSES AND DISABILITIES ARE SHUT OUT FROM THIS RETURN Having a chronic illness myself, venturing out to a gig for the first time since before the pandemic was nerve-wracking, but luckily my condition does not place me in the ‘vulnerable’ category in terms of the virus’ effect - plus, my illness did not prevent me from being doubly vaccinated, unlike some sufferers.

However, it is important that live environments are made as safe as possible for those who are less able to enjoy them in the present day. If you are able to have the COVID-19 vaccine, please do, for the benefit of both yourself and those around you, and if you are disabled or have a chronic illness, consider picking up a Hidden Disabilities Sunflower lanyard from your local supermarket to indicate that you may need help navigating a crowded space or finding help.

Despite the apprehension surrounding the “new normal”, I am glad to be back in the world of live music, and I enjoyed Beabadoobee’s set at the Marble Factory. What I will be taking forward from my first post-pandemic gig experience is how important it is that we never take live music for granted again.

Image: Wikimedia commons, John

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music

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EDITORS: Charlotte Bend and Harry Hawkins

OCT 2021

ABBA’s return: does the music matter?

Betty Kenny investigates the curious reunion of the classic band

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EUNITING a successful band after decades apart is a delicately calculated risk. In many cases the longer the absence the greater the extent to which fans defy their favourite musicians, often to unattainable ideals. So how does a universally iconic group like ABBA return with success after almost 40 years?

The safest strategy in these cases hinges upon the commodification of nostalgia; a strategy ABBA have embraced with open arms. In such a bleak period it’s no coincidence that lyrics surrounding “shared memories” and faith “after all these years” feature in the dreamy comeback song 'I Still Have Faith in You'; listeners are simultaneously encouraged to reminisce over an idealised perception of better days and to remember the successful music ABBA produced in that era regardless of the quality of their new songs. This is exemplified by the presence of digitally de-aged bandmates in the song’s music video who are technologically preserved in time at the height of their popularity.

This formula is far from revolutionary, whether utilised in explicit or subtle ways. Following the 2005 breakup of British band Busted and a brief partial

Gen Z alike.

Finally, ABBA had endured monumental amounts of media attention surrounding the breakdown of the relationships within the band to the point where a reconciliation seemed almost impossible. The shock value of the announcement increased the atmosphere and buzz surrounding the music in a way that’s entirely separate from the band’s sound.

Image: Wikimedia Commons

reconciliation of McBusted in 2014, the original trio returned to create new music in 2018. The extent to which Busted followed this formula in their album Half Way There was almost comical; the name of the album itself being a reference to a lyric in their most successful track 'Year 3000'. The opening song 'Nineties' read as a love letter to the era of their success, however, following tracks 'Reunion', "What Happened To Your Band", 'Radio' and 'Nostalgia' were largely perceived as overkill.

ABBA'S RETURN TO THE LIMELIGHT COULDN'T HAVE BEEN MORE PERFECTLY ORCHESTATED

However, ABBA’s return to the limelight couldn’t have been more perfectly orchestrated for a number of reasons. Firstly, ABBA has one of the widest reaches in audience, with fans all around the world. This is particularly significant in light of the global pandemic as the masses call for cultural unity and togetherness, with fans in the YouTube comments praising ABBA for connecting people across countries “when we most needed it”.

Secondly, the band’s fanbase spreads across generations, largely due to the perfectly timed 2008 and 2018 releases of Mamma Mia and Mamma Mia 2; the spacing of which meaning that the band is able to commodify the nostalgia of Baby Boomers, Gen Y, Millennials and

THE BAND'S FANBASE IS INTER-GENERATIONAL The argument here is that reuniting a band after a long period requires navigation beyond the ego of musicians and their own faith in the new music, and the ability to spur nostalgic feelings has never before been such an effective method of ensuring a successful reunion. I remain cautiously optimistic about the quality of the rest of the album, but ultimately the importance of the actual music is dwarfed by a market so perfectly receptive. It’s as if the past 40 years have been masterfully orchestrated to support their return.

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Rap's royal kingdom

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Harry Hawkins, Music Editor talks about the slow but sure rise of UK hip hop, rap and grime music

T'S almost impossible not to have heard about UK rap or grime in the last five years. The mark of artists like Stormzy, Skepta, slowthai, AJ Tracey, Dave and Little Simz to name just a few is colossal, whether it's hit singles or bold and moving live performances. UK rap is a potent demonstration of how popular music doesn’t need to suck up to pre-conceived notions of catchiness or cloying universal appeal. But why did it take so long for urban British music to gain the respect it rightfully deserves?

Perhaps one overlooked part of

UK RAP HAS ALWAYS EXISTED grime’s history is that it originates from both the Afro-Caribbean lineage of dancehall, as well as the hugely flourishing variety of British electronic-adjacent music from the 90s and 2000s like jungle, garage and drum and bass. In comparison to hip-hop,

grime came up as live performance often on pirate radio, with instrumentals Images L to R: Ed Vill; Antonio Cruz being mixed on the spot whilst MCs react and fit their lyrics to the music which appears. This is such a paradigm shift from the expectation of traditional Western formalisms of pop, but the passion of underground crews for the music started to bleed over to the mainstream as soon as the 2000s, with Dizzee Rascal’s Boy in the Corner and the Streets’ Original Pirate Material being albums that showcased the power of this music’s storytelling in the UK. To be clear, the current era of UK grime, drill and hiphop adjacent music is hugely diverse in sound and history. Its origins are so spread out that today’s grime artists can count themselves as one of the UK’s most impressive cultural exports.

Looking at the feature list

of recent records like Dave’s We’re All Alone… or Ghett’s Conflict of Interest reveals up-and-comers, veteran MCs, and often a profoundly international cast of characters, all of whom work on distinct musical forms (dancehall, grime, drill) but collaborate to create wholes which are greater than the sum of their parts. In many ways these records are some of the most accurate reflections of how Britain or any nation’s identity is made – the interchanging of multiple cultures and places blend together and create new innovations.

It’s way truer to life than the soft jingoism of Britpop with its cheesy Union-Jacked guitars and isn’t hemmed into particular regional scenes like Manchester or Liverpool.

For the terminally unrecognised and

unrepresented BAME population of Britain, this music is a crucial document of the experiences of people who are still facing the consequences of historic (and current) treatment by both the public and government – if you don’t believe it’s still going on, see the record complaints filed to the BBC for Dave’s Mercury performance of “Black”.

For the longest time UK rap, hip hop and grime have all been somewhat relegated in the grand scheme of musical consciousness – not well understood by aficionados of American hip-hop, very rarely respected by the underground or critics, and definitely not a consistently recognised piece of the UK’s pop landscape.

However, since as far back as the 80s the music has always been there – the difference is that now many more of us are actually listening to what is being said.

Image credit: Frank Schwitchenberg, SamuelWren98

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Sex Education character showdown Following the release of season three, Exeposé Screen Writers debate their favourite Sex Education characters

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T first, Ruby Matthews comes across as a generic character - a cookie-cutter popular girl lacking in any real personality or relatability. However, in season three of Sex Education, she steals the show. Despite her blatantly confident exterior, it is gradually implied that she is actually deeply insecure. She is self-conscious about her vulva, something that she expresses in confidence to Maeve in season one after one of her nude pictures is leaked to the entire school (resulting in the iconic line, “It’s my vagina!”) This sense of insecurity is built upon in season three, as she desperately tries to conceal her sexual relationship with Otis due to worries about judgement from her peers, and later expresses embarrassment surrounding her house and her family.

Sex Education is brilliant at exploring themes like class, gender, sexuality and disability. Ruby’s father, who has Multiple Sclerosis, provides representation for the viewers who also suffer from chronic illness. Also, her house is a more relatable setting to many viewers than Jean and Otis’ huge hillside abode.

Ruby’s flamboyant fashion choices contrast greatly with the plain appearance of her house and the difficulties she faces in her private life. This teaches a lesson that everybody needs to learn: it is impossible to predict someone’s personal circumstances from an outside perspective, and you never know what somebody is going through behind closed doors. The most heart-breaking moment of the season was the close-up shot of Ruby’s face as she tells Otis she loves him over the phone - a declaration which is sadly not reciprocated. You may not have appreciated Ruby before but, after season three, how could you not?

RUBY

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F you’d have told me back in season one that Adam Groff would eventually become one of my most beloved comfort characters, I would’ve thought you were having a laugh. I’m still wrestling with his introduction to the show; the ‘closeted homophobic bully’ trope is often overdone (Glee, 13 Reasons Why, Euphoria) and potentially problematic. Not every homophobe is closeted; some people just suck. Assuming that repressed sexual desire is the root cause of homophobia actually ignores and invalidates wider structural factors. However, Sex Education semi-successfully subverts this trope in season two when Eric confronts Adam, holding him accountable: “You bullied me for years, Adam. You made me feel unsafe for years…

And I’m supposed to believe you’ve suddenly changed?”

While my love for Adam began to blossom in season two – the moment when he bear-hugged Ola because “no one’s ever said I was their friend before” was when it really all changed – it was during season three that he climbed right to the top of my tier list.

Over the course of season three, we can see Adam becoming more comfortable with his identity. He experiments with make-up (“I look quite pretty”) and learns how to communicate in a way that works for him. Adam also finds a new passion in training his adorable dog Madam, but ultimately loses the competition, showing that he still has a lot more growing and evolving to do. By the end of the season, Adam is left heartbroken and alone. However, his story is far from over with another potential budding romance and a hell of a lot of self-growth. While I am furious with Eric, at least Adam’s heartbreak gave us this absolute gem of a poem that I cry over daily: “But I hope we can fix things / And if we can’t I will always thank you / For showing me I have a heart.”

Francesca Sylph, Screen Editor

Bridie Adams, Editor

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LTHOUGH there’ll always be a special place in my heart for Ola, this series I was inevitably excited whenever the sleek yet sensitive Rahim sauntered onscreen. Despite being more instrumental in Adam’s story arc than in one of his own, we still saw flashes of him working through his and Eric’s breakup, which gave us a peek behind his cooler-than-cool exterior. One of my favourite things about Rahim is how he speaks unabashedly about sex and pleasure, and uses his confidence to empower his Moordale peers - he is nothing less than courageous: a lion in a chic sheepskin jacket. This courage manifests in new ways throughout series three. He speaks out against new headmistress, Hope’s rules, reminding his schoolmates that “[institutional changes are] never just a line”, and while it’s easy to cringe at his tendency to wax wise (lest we forget his edgy atheist moments in series two) he makes a good point regarding the subtle beginnings of oppression. It’s difficult for Rahim to achieve the same amount of audience love as the original Sex Ed bunch considering he wasn’t introduced until series two, but I’m so glad that the writers didn’t abandon him after his initial love interest role. In fact, I believe Rahim’s ultimate courage comes through his decision to prioritise helping someone else (his ex’s new boyfriend, at that) navigate their newly acknowledged queerness, over his own heartbreak. Rahim treats Adam and his queer journey with tenderness, a far cry from how Adam has treated others (and himself ) in the past. I would have loved Rahim to attend Adam’s dog show, but he supported Adam in a more meaningful and enduring way. While Eric may have taught Adam that he had a heart, Rahim taught him how to speak from it, and that’s worth just as much.

RAHIM

Cleo Gravett

ADAM

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HROUGHOUT seasons one and two of Sex Education, Eric’s been one of my favourite characters, an opinion unanimous among fans.

However, season three has installed controversy regarding Eric.

While I don’t agree with some of his actions, there is still much to be admired about him in the most recent addition to the show. The criticism regarding Eric is nonetheless justified with his cheating scandal in Nigeria being as erroneous as it was unnecessary, in that it wasn’t imperative for the season arc. The same ending could’ve been reached without cheating being involved, and that cheating is not the way of solving the issue of growing apart from your partner.

While this is undeniably justified criticism, I don’t believe it should completely cast a cloud over Eric in season three. For example, despite how heart-breaking it was for us viewers, Eric telling Adam, “I’m ready to fly, and you’re just learning to walk”, was the correct thing to do. Eric was feeling held back, despite Adam’s substantial progress in discovering himself, so it was right to end things: relationships shouldn’t come at the expense of one individual’s growth and well-being. As Luca Guadagnino proposed, “the other person makes you feel beautiful, enlightens you, elevates you”, which Eric sadly didn’t feel with Adam. Yet the positive impact he has had on Adam is evident in Adam’s poem to Eric: “thank you for showing me I have a heart”.

Overall, although I vehemently oppose Eric’s cheating, I appreciate the strength in being objective about what he feels is right for him, albeit appearing selfish and unempathetic in his frankness with Adam. He doesn’t make the common mistake that “we accept the love we think we deserve”, as Stephen Chbosky wrote in The Perks of Being a Wallflower.

ERIC

Christian Tiley All images: Sex Education, Netflix, IMDb.

EDITORS: Archie Lockyer and Francesca Sylph

exhibit | screen

13 OCT 2021 | 22

Chris Pratt and the perils of casting Adam Simcox examines the casting of Chris Prattin the new Mario Bros. animated movie

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ITH the recent announcement of a new, animated Super Mario Bros movie – the first since the canonically so-bad-it’s-good 1993 effort to bring the beloved video-game plumber to the big screen – the internet has come alive in response. The reaction to the announcement has come as bemusement, shock, and even genuine frustration. In large part, though, it’s been laser-focused on one person: the lead set to don the red cap, Chris Pratt.

What is it about him? As far as I can see, there are three main camps into which the backlash can be organised.

Some have questioned Pratt’s ability as a voice actor to animate such an iconic character. In recent years, Pratt has moved away from the kinds of lovable, bumbling characters he played earlier in his career.

Shooting to stardom for his role in the 2014 Marvel smash-hit, Guardians of the Galaxy, his career trajectory seemed to shift there and then. Though Peter Quill was a character tinged with humour, the roles that followed became progressively more resemblant of that archetypal, masculine Hollywood action star – less Andy Dwyer and more unironic Burt Macklin.

Pratt’s roles have certainly become dourer – particularly that in the wincingly banal The Tomorrow War – but I think arguments along these lines ignore two realities.

For one, they entirely neglect that Pratt’s work in The Lego Movie and its sequel – bringing to life an equally lively character – drew widespread acclaim and a heaving box-office return.

For another, in recent years we’ve had an abundance of confusing casting decisions that have ended up either simply working or drawing huge crowds. Ryan Reynolds’ glib portrayal of the eponymous mouse in Detective Pikachu immediImage Source: IMDB ately springs to mind, and that ended up becoming the highest grossing video-game adaptation of all time, surpassed the following year by the even more bizarre Sonic the Hedgehog, which touted not just a hasty character redesign, but also, most forget, a fairly bland cast.

The second response I’ve noticed is one that appears to me less cogent – that Mario

is a role that should go to someone of Italian descent. But Mario has only ever been a caricature of Italian culture, designed by a Japanese video-game designer, originally voiced by a French-American actor. There’s something to be said for reclaiming popculture figures, but Mario seems one so inextricable from his verbosely inauthentically-Italian history that this seems an odd hill to die on for those wishing to fight the good fight of proper cinematic representation.

This brings me to what I see as a more important sticking point: Pratt’s own controversy.

Pratt’s personal history has, to put it mildly, been thoroughly sifted-through and it appears that the guy, politically, is likely very middle-of-the-road, if not outright conservative. In and of itself, these aren’t grounds for his excommunication, but it’s understandable that, when taken in conjunction with Pratt’s connection to the Hillsong megachurch – infamous for its anti-LGBTQ attitudes (the church will not “affirm a gay lifestyle”) – many would be upset by Pratt’s continued privileged status

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T’S 1976 and we’re hanging out down the street, or at least, sitting in our living rooms watching That 70s Show. Ahh yes, the musty basement of protagonist Eric Foreman and his gang of friends: Kelso, Hyde, Donna, Jackie and Fez. This late 90s sitcom allows us to explore the decade of flared trousers, perms and iconic rock music, even if we were only born in the new millennium. It allows us to do the impossible: time travel.

With this show only a click away, we can escape and hit the disco. If Zinc, Timepiece and Vaults do not satisfy your disco needs, That 70s Show definitely will. Unlike other popular sitcoms, That 70s Show has a ‘coming-ofage’ element that makes it an experience younger audiences can all relate to, and makes it that bit more heartfelt.

Whilst we do not know what it was like to be alive in the 70s per se, we do understand the highs and lows of school, the familiar queasy feeling of having a crush and we all have our unique version of Foreman’s basement.

Except, while we may be getting over our failed crushes by singing along to Olivia Rodrigo’s Good 4 U, Eric and co. had Tequila Sunrise by Eagles (on vinyl too!). In a time where everyone has phones and social media, it is refreshing to catch a glimpse of life before technology came to consume our existence.

To this day I still cannot watch the finale without crying: New Year’s Eve 1979, the countdown to the 80s. A poetic end to a show that never fails to make me laugh. Whether it’s the romances, bromances or just the laughs you’re interested in, That 70s Show is completely timeless and will always hold a special place in my heart.

Image Source: IMDB

Image Source: IMDB

Stranger Predictions

Sitcom Spotlight: That 70s Show Polyanna Roberts explains her love for That 70s Show

within the industry. Though Pratt has since defended himself, stating that his church does not define him, I remain sympathetic to those that consider an ongoing affiliation with such an organisation as illustrative enough of the man’s personal values to form a strong opinion about him.

What’s frustrating isn’t that Pratt has been cast (social views notwithstanding), it’s that the backlash has been so dramatic that this film is going to hold more cultural weight than was ever necessary. This film should have been a mediocre blip on the pop-culture radar, but the internet’s mindless whinging will mean that when that December 2022 release date finally rolls around, there will be more eyes on this than there ever should have been.

Mahnoor Imam discusses theories around Stranger Things 4

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ANY of us have anxiously waited for the upcoming season four of Stranger Things for more than two years after the last season. Now, the teaser trailer has set even more chaos into the mix with the introduction of Victor Creel, a man with as gothic a storyline as his name.

While being known for its abundance of pop culture references in a homage to the 80s, this season plunges into a darker, eerie trip into a haunted house storyline.

The trailer opens with a flashback to a seemingly good-natured family settling into a beautiful home which takes a sinister twist as supernatural activity with malfunctioning radios and flickering lights begins. We then return to our favourite gang exploring the house, a sheer allusion to the long-forgotten mystery coming back to haunt the current beasts they must face. The trailer pans back to a grandfather clock tinted with a blue hue, a clear indication of the Upside-Down.

Popular fan theories include the grandfather clock being “the gateway between our dimension” and the supernatural dimension, as suggested by Redditor StrangerWill. The heavy emphasis on time could be an allusion to the theme of time travel that links back to the post-credits scene referencing that Hopper is alive.

In fact, not only is he alive but he is stuck in 1959 Russia with an alive Denogorgon that was killed earlier in season one.

According to Redditor stephenknowItall also suggests that time travel will be the latest sci-fi trope for the multi-genre series with the Creel house at the centre of the grisly storyline. This could mean the Creel abode is where the mystery began in the first place. The unknown backstory of the Upside-Down dimension fuels further conspiracy into the upcoming season: how did this supernatural enigma begin?

Image source: IMDB

TECH

AI-pocalypse?

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Oliver Leader de Saxe, Editor, discusses the potential benefits and dangers of artificial intelligence

ET’S be honest for a second: humans suck at predicting the future. Hover boards have yet to replace honking horns in long traffic jams, flying cars are still a figment of our imagination and space is somewhere reserved entirely for billionaire sociopaths in Silicon Valley. Yet, if there is one thing we got right, it’s that artificial intelligence would play a crucial part in our lives.

Far from the synthetic, if sympathetic, humanoids that were the antagonists of Blade Runner, artificial intelligence is a more subtle, constant presence in our lives. A distant cry from the super sentient entities that dominant such pop culture staples. Artificial intelligences don’t require cognitive function or self-awareness; it simply refers to programmes that perceive the world around them, then use that information to make an autonomous decision. Even machine learning is optional, though becoming far more common with each passing day. Under that definition, AI is everywhere. From algorithmic search engines predicting our queries, to Siri recognising speech or even the weather report, AI has become intrinsic in the modern world. But with this rise of machine learning, there has also been a rise in sceptics. But who’s right? Is the rise of the robots a real threat, or just a case of reactionary hysteria?

In many respects, the threat of the artificial is already at our doorstep, just not in the Terminator doomsday scenario that is often propagated by the media. A two-year study by the Mckinsey Global Institute reveals that by 2030 up to 30 per cent of the world’s human labour could be replaced by machines or intelligent agents, and this number is only set to increase as technology exponentially improves. In fact, one paper in

the journal Technological Forecasting and Social Change states that just under half of U.S. jobs are at risk of potential automation. And these aren’t just blue-collar jobs; highly skilled labourers face potential elimination. From legal clerks getting challenged by far more efficient search programmes to specialised doctors dealing with machines who can avoid false-negatives; the future of our precarious economic systems is looking rockier every day.

THE WEAPONIZATION OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE IS UNNERVRING Yet there are arguably two sides to every motherboard. The same artificial intelligence that is threatening redundancies is the same technology that The Royal Society and Alan Turing Institute call an “enabler of scientific discoveries”, from genomic data to the impacts of climate change.

The same language recognition that threatens copy editors is the same recognition that helps provide accessibility tools to those with disabilities. In a world of increasing complexity and connectivity, the threats that artificial intelligence poses in its current form is a blessing to others, at least in socio-economic life. When it comes to the state and politics though, things take a darker turn.

Over the last decade, the questionable impacts of AI on democracy have become borderline undeniable. Just look at Aggregate IQ and its

infamous parent company Cambridge Analytica, whose use of computer intelligence via algorithms in the 2016 Brexit referendum saw target voters receiving advertising specifically aimed towards them, making them more likely to vote a certain way. The weaponization of artificial intelligence when armed with private data is unnerving, and that is but the tip of the iceberg.

How about when state actors use hyper-intelligent computer programmes to promote propaganda and distrust in democratic institutions?

That is what allegedly occurred during the 2016 US presidential elections, where the bespoke digital microtargeting that Cambridge Analytica provided arguably shifted the balance of power and the political system of our closest allies into murky waters. And we haven’t even covered programmed “bot” accounts that promote misinformation, and the dubious act of creating photorealistic fake footage using AI known as “deepfaking”.

Yet, even in political discourse, artificial intelligence could still have a place. Computer programmes can help collate polling data and public opinion far faster and more accurately than we ever could and programmes to help find suitable or alternate tactical candidates have the potential to engage an ambivalent voter or one struggling with decent options.

But what about the AI we’ve all come to love and fear from pop culture? Well, as processing power increases year on year according to Moor’s law, the chance of reaching a point of technological singularity, of uncontrollable technological advancement, makes true hyperintelligent AI more likely. The consequences of this

would be unprecedented. As mathematician I.J. Good, a cryptologist who worked with Alan Turing both during and after World War Two, once proclaimed: “the first ultraintelligent machine is the last invention that man need ever make, provided that the machine is docile enough to tell us how to keep it under control.”

And it’s that level of control that’s up for debate. On one hand you have those who note AI’s specified goals may not line up with human values, which could spell catastrophic results.

To quote Stuart Russel, “any sufficiently capable intelligent system will prefer to ensure its own continued existence and to acquire physical and computational resources — not for their own sake, but to succeed in its assigned task.” Others don’t even believe that such a technological singularity will happen. As one 2017 email survey of authors who had publications at the ICML and NeurIPS machine learning conference found that half of the authors thought such a situation was unlikely or very unlikely at best.

So, are we doomed? Is there hope for the future of mankind? The answer is far less binary than many would like. As AI continues to improve and blossom, as bad actors find new uses for it and as entire societal systems shift to accommodate it, it’s impossible to say what tomorrow will look like. It could be a wasteland, a utopia, or most likely a capitalistic nightmare realm. But nothing is for certain. Us humans are notoriously bad at predicting the future after all.

Image: Mike MacKenzie, www.vpnsrus.com

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EDITOR: Oliver Leader de Saxe

13 OCT 2021 | 24

Pandora’s box A

Chloe Pumares, Deputy Editor, explores the rise of loot boxes and gambling in games

S a kid I vividly remember my brother beg and beg and beg my dad for his bank details so he could make an in-game purchase. I also remember my dad repeatedly saying no. At the time we were both confused as to why he was so adamantly against buying anything within a video game, but now I understand. Loot boxes, as they are commonly known, are gambling for children.

LOOT BOXES, AS THEY ARE COMMONLY KNOWN, ARE GAMBLING FOR CHILDREN

could have a potentially damning effect on a child’s future, first loot boxes and next thing you know they are a 30 year old adult losing all their savings at the casino. There are also countless parents up and down the country who have been made almost bankrupt by these optional in-game purchases.

A report by the Universities of Plymouth and Wolverhampton has found that loot boxes are akin to gambling structurally and psychologically, the most recent in a long list. An analysis of 13 studies that

Loot boxes are categorised as sealed mystery boxes which can either be earned or purchased in order to gain a random collection of in-game items.

They are often advertised as limited time only or a special deal, terms which tends to encourage people to make the purchase. This is worrying, because it is often children who are playing these games.

Fundamentally, these game developers are not targeting the wealthy game players but are preying on the young and most vulnerable of society, luring them in with the exciting prospect of new players or weapons that would be beneficial to their game play, only for them to be severely disappointed. Not only this, but with loot boxes akin to gambling, this

looked at the behaviour of gamers who spend money on loot boxes found that there was a clear correlation between the use of loot boxes and problematic gambling behaviour.

The British Government are yet to ban it however and MP’s are calling for loot boxes to be classified as gambling and to be regulated by the Gambling Act UK. The Netherlands and China have both ruled in-game purchases as gambling, as did the Belgium Gaming Commission in April 2018. The Digital, Cul-

ture, Media and Sport Committee published a report in September 2019 on immersive and addictive technologies which pushed the government to announce a call for evidence in June 2020, and then aims to publish a White Paper to set out its plans.

MP’S ARE CALLING FOR LOOT BOXES TO BE CLASSIFED AS GAMBLING According to research five per cent of users who purchase loot boxes generate half of the £700 million that video game companies make each year. A third of that five per cent are problem gamblers. It is incredible that such a small percentage of gamers generate such a large revenue.

It is awful to think that not only are these corporate game companies taking advantage of their consumers but they are taking advantage of such marginalised members of society.

Neurodiverse people, children, gambling addicts are just some of the gamers who will be paying the price all because they simply wanted to have fun playing their favourite video game.

Image: Pixabay, kimcsi6

All-time gaming greats: Stardew Valley

Bridie Adams, Editor, explains why the hit farming sim is something everyone should try

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N Stardew Valley, you reside in a little village as you take care of your own farmstead and attempt to upgrade, decorate and enlarge your house. There are loads of characters to encounter and plenty of things to accomplish.

The changing seasons and relationships with townspeople constantly supply different cutscenes, dialogue, tasks to complete and new opportunities to explore.

You have the possibility to play the game at length and continuously, even past completing one of the main goals of the game (either rebuilding the community centre or selling out to Joja Corporation). This is crucial, as it means there’s all the time in the world to attain any goals you set for yourself as well as the goals that are set for you by the game. You don’t have the constraints of specifically rushing between tasks.

The player can get from A to B easily, thanks to in-game features like the minecarts that travel around the valley, the bus that transports you to Calico Desert, and Willy’s boat that travels to Ginger Island.

Some members of the online Stardew Valley community claim that at times the game can be tedious, especially if you keep doing the same thing repeatedly. This can seem inevitable with simulation games, but don’t worry too much or give up on your progress if you go through a patch of boredom. Similarly to Animal Crossing, if you want your virtual world to be aesthetically pleasing and fully functional, and to make as much in-game currency as possible,

Image: Flickr, steamXO

you’ve got to put the hours in and there’s often no easy shortcut without cheating or using mods.

My advice to avoid getting bored in not only Stardew Valley, but many simulation games, would be to mix it up with what you do each time you play. You might like to try your hand at fighting your way through the Skull Cavern, spend an in-game day tending to the crops on your farm, or focus on wooing one of the townspeople (who you will have the opportunity to marry when you get a good enough relationship).

Stardew Valley is extraordinary because of how convenient it is to access. You can take part on just about anything: a desktop computer, game console or, surprisingly, on your mobile phone.

You can also make the game cooperative by teaming up with a friend on a new multiplayer game, or inviting another player to live in a cabin on your existing farm.

As the game progresses, the fundamental basis of it remains the same. Even as you finish developments in the story, your basic motive continues to be rooted in maintaining your farm and making profit. This consistency, coupled with the relaxing, stripped-back soundtrack, creates a calming in-game atmosphere, even when you’re getting beaten to death by slime monsters. If you want a distraction from the stresses of student life, I would highly recommend downloading Stardew Valley on whatever device you have available that can support it.

study break

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STUDY BREAK CROSSWORD

SUDOKU

Trivia corner

Across 7 Small raisin (7)

9 Fermenting agent - as yet (anagram) (5) 10 Ways - avenues - streets (5)

11 Consume too much (7)

12 Light rain (7)

13 Sweet tree products (5)

14 Fertile part of a desert (5)

16 Restrains by force - so recce (anagram) (7) 18 Pros ran (anagram) - Highlander’s pouch (7) 20 Money (slang) (5)

22 Divine messenger (5)

Down 1 Former Russian emperor (4) 2 Acid-neutralising substance (6) 3 Turns over (8) 4 Sort (4) 5 Rich cake (6) 6 Laws - astutest (anagram) (8) 8 Teenage years (11) 12 Moody ads (anagram) - time of crisis (8) 13 (Essay) response (8) 15 Wipe - freeloader (6) 17 Bright-red colour (6)

23 Part (of a book, say) (7)

19

Register - list (4)

21

Social appointment (4)

1. What is the technical word for a #?

2. How many grapes go into a bottle of wine?

3. In what country is it illegal to only have one guinea pig?

4. What is the most common colour of toilet paper in France?

ANSWERS

5. Henry VIII introduced what tax in 1535?

6. What is scooby doo’s full name?

Trivia: 1. Octothorpe 2. 2.6 pounds 3.Switzerland 4. Pink 5. A Beard Tax 6. Scoobert Doo back, 15 Sponge, 17 Cherry, 19 Roll, 21 Date.

Down: 1 Tsar, 2 Alkali, 3 Capsizes, 4 Type, 5 Gateau, 6 Statutes, 8 Adolescence, 12 Doomsday, 13 FeedAcross: 7 Sultana, 9 Yeast, 10 Roads, 11 Overeat, 12 Drizzle, 13 Fruit, 14 Oasis, 16 Coerces, 18 Sporran, 20 Bread, 22 Angel, 23 Excerpt.

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Science

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13 OCT 2021 | EXEPOSÉ

SCIENCE EDITOR: Ellen Rogers

Freshers’ Flu - back and worse than ever

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Nancy Stitt discusses the factors that may have made this year’s campus flu so severe

SK any student right now and they will tell you that they - or at least half of their friends - are ill. After a year off, Freshers’ Flu has made a triumphant return only this year with the added stress of it potentially being COVID-19. Lecture theatres are filled with a choir of spluttering and hacking coughs, forming a deafening accompaniment to whatever is being presented. Going from a year of isolation and lockdowns to crowding in clubs, pubs and in-person teaching begs the question: why does this Freshers’ Flu seem worse than previous years?

One factor that could be at play is the significant increase in public hygiene during the pandemic. According to a report from the American Cleaning Institute, production of cleaning and sanitising products increased by 23 per cent during 2020 - with 427,000 more gallons of handsanitizer being produced glob-

ally than the year before. This, in addition with our use of masks and the lack of social interaction, has caused many to worry that we haven’t been exposed to enough microbes - and that this may negatively impact our immune systems now that we are encountering these bugs again.

Production of cleaning and sanitising products increased by 23 per cent during 2020 However, there is some good news. According to MIT Medical, by the time a person reaches adulthood (such as most students), their immune systems are already robust as they have been exposed to millions of bacteria and viruses over the years. Your immune system will still ‘remember’ how to identify these microbe attackers and can start the production of antibodies soon af-

ter exposure. Younger children who haven’t had such exposure prior to the pandemic could be more at risk, although scientists are still unsure exactly how they will be affected.

While lack of exposure to microbes may not have impacted our immune systems, other aspects of the lockdown period may have. Significant changes in lifestyle took place, including lack of sleep, less exposure to direct sunlight, restricted mobility and increased stress and anxiety. According to the Sleep Science Journal, these are all associated with an impaired immune system and an induced pro-inflammation state, increasing our vulnerability to viral infections.

There are also some concerns about the lack of flu cases last year and what this will mean for flu jabs.

The Royal College of General Practitioners stated that in January 2021, the rates of flu were the lowest they had been for 130 years. Flu jab pro-

duction relies on the previous year’s flu variants because of how quickly the virus mutates. Therefore, because of low flu cases and spread last year, this year’s vaccine may be two years out of date – and this may have an impact on how effective the new flu jab will be.

This year’s flu vaccine may be two years out of date A more worrying development from our increased use of cleaning products during the pandemic is the emergence of bacteria that are resistant to disinfectants. An article in The Biologist ‘Vol 68’ discussed the bacterium Enterococcus faecium, known for its antibiotic resistance.

In recent studies, isolates of Enterococcus were also found to be resistant to surface disinfectants containing up to 70 per cent alcohol, and other

bacteria have been found to be resistant to antimicrobial washing up liquid. Increased exposure of bacteria to cleaning products may have acted as a selection pressure and driven the emergence of resistance, with studies showing that the number of disease outbreaks caused by these resistant bacteria are increasing. This is still a very new area of research, and a lot more work needs to be done to understand the mechanisms of this resistance.

The poor diet, high alcohol consumption and mixing of people from all over the country makes it almost inevitable that you will get ill in Fresher’s season, with or without the last year of living in a pandemic.

To get through this period, it is recommended to try and eat a (somewhat) healthy diet, stay hydrated and active, and keep washing those hands!

Llamas vs COVID-19

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Ellen Rogers, Science Editor, discusses the new COVID-19 therapy - and the llama helping produce it

HEN we consider animals used as model organisms in scientific research, our mind normally jump to the usual candidates: monkeys, zebrafish, rodents... However, the hunt for new COVID-19 therapeutics has brought inspiration to researchers at the University of Reading’s Rosalind Franklin Institute and resulted in the emergence of an unexpected, albeit potentially successful, individual: a llama called Fifi.

Camelids, such as llamas and camels, are rarely used in research, but their unique biological characteristics have been known to the scientific community for some time.

One of these characteristics is their production of nanobodies – smaller and more simplified versions of human antibodies that are key to the function of our immune system. In humans, antibodies (known as immunoglobulins) can bind to proteins displayed on the outer surface of pathogenic microorganisms (such as

viruses or bacteria) and prevent their activity within the host – whilst simultaneously marking them for death by other components of the immune system. These nanobodies work in a similar way – they can bind to viral invaders, alert the immune system to their presence, and initiate phagocytosis (a phenomenon through which specialised cells can engulf and kill invading microorganisms).

Nanobodies can also bind the outer surface proteins that facilitate COVID-19’s entry into our cells, preventing the virus from entering and proliferating within our cells and from infection taking place. Another study by researchers at the NIH National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke found that llama antibodies cover the part of the spike protein that binds to the ACE2 receptor on cells, preventing COVID-19 from binding to and entering the host cell.

In order to stimulate Fifi’s immune system, the researchers vaccinated her with the same tiny spike

protein used in the vaccines currently being distributed to the world’s population. The tiny spike protein, whilst unable to cause disease on its own, can simulate an infection and trigger the production of nanobodies that can target and bind to the same spike protein on the surface of COVID-19 particles. Scientists later took a drop of her blood and isolated the nanobodies that bound most tightly to COVID-19. After purification, the researchers were left with an isolated population of nanobodies that, when administered into humans, can prevent COVID-19 infection before an individual is exposed to the virus.

What makes this so exciting is the different ways in which this therapeutic can be given – unlike the vaccine currently in use, these nanobodies can be administered as an aerosol (like an asthma inhaler) or as a nasal spray. This would allow the nanobodies to coat our airways and lungs and neutralise COVID-19 particles as we inhale them. Currently, these aerosols

have proven effective in rodent models, with all treated rodents COVID19-free within six days.

This is a huge development both

All treated rodents were COVID-19 free within six days for immunocompromised individuals who may be unable to safely receive the COVID-19 vaccine, but also for governments and manufacturers.

These nanobodies are, compared to traditional antibodies, easier to engineer, cheaper to produce, and more stable – and have potential applications for other diseases, such as the rare blood disorder thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura.

Whilst further testing on the safety and efficacy of this therapy is needed prior to trialling it in humans, it would be incredibly useful and help lessen the severity of the vaccine inequality currently seen worldwide. It’s

clear that COVID-19 isn’t going anywhere any time soon, and that new variants will keep emerging – so therapies like nanobodies provide hope that we can protect ourselves from COVID-19, even if vaccines fail.

Image: Pixabay

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Bloomin’ amazing technology Millie Shelton explains how the new artificial intelligence technology designed to predict harmful algal blooms works

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LGAL blooms are the result of algae growing out of control. Excess nutrients in the water trigger this, often stemming from pollutants such as fertiliser.

Growing blooms can deplete oxygen and block out sunlight, leading to the death of plants and animals in the waters below, and sometimes creating entire “dead zones”.

To make matters worse, some algal blooms also produce biotoxins.

These are categorised as Harmful Algal Blooms, or HABs. Research shows that an increasing proportion of algal blooms are toxic – a trend ex-

pected to accelerate as climate change helps algae thrive. When animals feed on these HABs, toxins can enter the food chain. This not only leads to poisoning in species such as turtles and dolphins, but in humans too. The accumulation of toxins in shellfish causes illness when consumed, ranging from vomiting and dizziness to more serious liver and kidney damage.

These toxins may even contribute to the development of neurological diseases. The economic impacts of HABs are also severe. Fishing and aquaculture businesses lose millions from area closures, fish deaths, and

the creation of “dead zones”. The tourism industry also suffers when water-based activities are forced to stop, and visitors turned away.

An increasing proportion of algal Enter a surprising new potential saviour: artificial intelligence. A £200,000 project headed by the Cornwall Port Health Authority will develop technologies for modelling and monitoring HABs, with financial support in collaboration with the Univer-

sity of Exeter, University of Glasgow, NOC and CEFAS. Innovations will help to detect HAB cells in seawater and toxins in shellfish. These will enable authorities to effectively monitor HABs and implement harvesting closures, aiding a safe supply of shellfish.

Aquaculture businesses will use these insights to plan their operations and minimise financial losses. Dr Ross Brown from the University of Exeter said: “This work is particularly pertinent to hotspots in south-west Cornwall, where the frequency and duration of seasonal blooms of warm water HABs species could increase

substantially with climate change.”.

The accumulation of toxins in shellfish causes illness when eaten These promising advances will not only increase the viability of aquaculture in the South West, but could contribute to the management of this growing environmental problem worldwide. This project provides an exciting insight into future applications of new technologies for tackling environmental issues.

Exploring implicit bias in STEM Daisy Finch discusses the impact of female role models on implicit bias

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S we move further into a decade in which conversations around equality dominate the cultural landscape, the bias against women in STEM seems increasingly relevant. UK Government data shows that between 2011 and 2020, the number of women accepted for STEM courses increased by 50.1 per cent.

21.4 per cent of GCSE Computer Science students were girls

Image: Nenad Stojkovic

However, there is still work to be done - for example, in 2020, just over 21.4 per cent of GCSE Computer Science students were girls.

A study from Psychology of Women looked at whether implicit bias was affected when students had a female lecturer for an introductory calculus class. They found that students “showed stronger implicit pro-math attitudes and identity when their instructors were female rather than male” but that there was no overall “benefit to implicit maths stereotypes”. However, another study conducted looked at the influence of role models, which suggested “prejudices are best reduced when people have meaningful contact with stereotyped others”. Having women in these roles can encourage students but still does not go deep enough to resolve prejudice.

The meaningful contact is where we start to see change - when the students can interact and relate to their role mod-

els in the field, this implicit bias can start to shift. Many students at university will have felt the effect of this, regardless of who they look up to. Having inspirational people in positions of authority can truly affect us. And this hasn’t gone unnoticed.

There is also movement to make role models more accessible. Little People, Big Dreams teaches children about figures such as Ada Lovelace and Stephen Hawking in a way that makes their achievements seem tangible rather than keeping them at a distance as something almost legendary. We can also see this in other media - the Royal Academy Christmas Lectures explore scientific concepts in an understandable way for children around nine to 11 years old, with hosts such as Hannah Fry, to make STEM more fun and interactive and therefore more personal.

Women accepted for STEM courses increased by 50.1 per cent We need to move forward with promoting STEM to girls and women by having open conversations and ensuring every potential science student has access to a role model they can relate to. This way, we can gradually chip away at these preconceptions. We need as many voices as possible so that everyone has the chance of finding an idea or concept that resonates with them and inspires them to create change.

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13 OCT 2021 | EXEPOSÉ

Lewis Hamilton - the best ever?

Stanley Murphy-Johns looks at how the F1 driver's record stacks up against other sporting champions

EWIS Hamilton finally found himself at a 100th race win in Formula 1 in Sochi and by no means does it look like it’s going to be his last. If he is to continue winning and performing at the magical standard that has simply become expected of him, then I don’t see any viable argument for Lewis Hamilton not being the greatest F1 driver that the world has ever seen. He’s seen off challengers and teammates year after year, but he’s also had periods where he was completely out on his own, almost racing against the clock rather than the other 19 cars on the grid.

Lewis Hamilton has seen off challengers and teammates year after year He’s raced in F1 281 times meaning he has a start-win ratio of 35.6 per cent which is simply insane. To be as consistent as he is, winning races in all 15 seasons that he has been an F1 driver, to have the most race wins of any driver ever and to be as important as he is to the sport in terms of pushing for change - all of that makes him the best. Lewis Hamilton's greatness in the Formula 1 sport is unquestionable. I ask

whether Lewis Hamilton is the best sportsperson of all time. How does his achievement, his 100 race wins compare to the best of the best in completely different sports?

If we’re going to look at the different staggering records held by sportspeople, is there anywhere better to start than Usain Bolt - 9.58 seconds, an inhuman record, and likely one that will never be beaten. When he ran that time in Berlin in 2009, his competitors were all running season and nation bests, but they couldn’t even get close. 9.58 is simply astonishing and it may never be eclipsed.

The obvious difference between a record like this and Hamilton’s 100 races is time. Hamilton has spent 15 seasons collecting race wins, improving and dominating, whilst setting an incredible record for the 100m is quite literally in seconds. Perhaps this makes Hamilton’s achievement more impressive, in that it required consistency and longevity, the continual push to be the greatest of all time. On the contrary, perhaps it actually makes Bolt’s the more impressive achievement. The fact that it was only one moment, never to be repeated or outperformed, the stars aligned, the years of training led to

Image: Pixabay

one moment, and he capitalised completely.

I think your viewpoint on this particular comparison can display whether you are more opportunistic, or methodical as a person, because there are certainly arguments for each to be the more impressive a ch i e ve m e n t .

Serena Williams’ domination of tennis from 1999 to 2015 is much easier to compare with Hamilton’s achievements, presenting a similar time frame and similar in the sense that it required consistency and longevity, coupled with an incredible degree of skill. Serena Williams has won 23 grand slam titles, more than any other player in the open era, she holds 73 singles titles all together and is widely acknowledged as the greatest female tennis player of all time. Hamilton and Williams competed at a similar rate, in that both were expected to perform consistently. However, Hamilton had to perform for the

Image: Flickr

best part of a year in order to win one world championship, whilst in tennis in the same time frame, Williams could have competed in all four of the major grand slams. It’s not the easiest comparison to draw, but it is possible to argue that Williams had more opportunity to win major titles than Hamilton just based off the nature of the two sports.

100 wins with a win ratio of 35.6 per cent will be an extremely difficult feat to ever replicate On the flipside, there is also a difference in that Serena Williams is not part of a team, when she plays it’s all on her; that intensity of pressure is something which in a team sport it could be argued is slightly less prevalent. F1 is a team sport and on occasion Hamilton’s race wins have been dependant on the calls made by his team, rather than entirely on his driving, and of course it helps that his car has often been the strongest on the grid. These things are completely natural within F1, but does the nature of Hamilton’s sport somehow detract from his achievements when compared to sportspeople in other disciplines?

With that in mind, I wouldn’t be a football fan without throwing some of the best of the best from my favourite sport in the mix. Messi and Ronaldo have shattered almost every conceivable record that exists in the sport, with Ronaldo now

holding the record for the most international goals ever scored by a player (111). Messi holds the record for the most consecutive seasons to have scored 40+ goals (9). They both have impressive trophy cabinets and have won a ridiculous number of individual honours to boot. However, do they, like Hamilton, face the disadvantage of being a team sport?

Can the argument be made that despite their brilliance, Ronaldo needed to have people who would cover for him because he wouldn’t track back, and Messi needed the likes of Xavi and Iniesta to play at his brilliant best? Annoyingly, I think it can, but only to a point. They have still surpassed other geniuses in the sport, and they have to do it week in week out, unlike the majority of the other sportspeople that this list will look at.

There are so many other brilliant sportspeople who hold incredible achievements who should perhaps also be compared and contrasted to the achievements of Hamilton. Michael Phelps for example holds the most Olympic medals (28) of anyone to ever compete, and Wayne Gretzky dominated ice hockey up until his retirement in 1999, and still holds an absurd number of records in the sport.

Realistically these achievements are almost impossible to quantify against one another, as every sport is entirely different, and unique in its way of scoring and measuring ‘the best’. But I would certainly argue that Hamilton’s achievements do compete with the best. 100 race wins with a win ratio of 35.6 per cent will be an extremely difficult feat to ever replicate.

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Ryder Cup recap

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Oscar Young, Sport Editor, recaps the eventful weekend at Whistling Straits

E are now two weeks removed from the Ryder Cup at Whistling Straits in Wisconsin, where Team USA convincingly held the upper hand all weekend en route to a record 19-9 victory over Team Europe. The Americans came out of the gate quickly on Friday and Saturday, taking a 9-3 lead after the first three sessions that put them firmly in the driver’s seat. Padraig Harrington’s European team did show signs of promise on Saturday afternoon, but still had a six-point deficit going into the final day’s play.

Six of the past seven Ryder Cups have now been won by the home team In Sunday’s Singles matches, Northern Irishman Rory McIlroy was more or less the lone bright spot for a sub-par Team Europe, bouncing back from his

earlier struggles to beat this year’s Olympic gold medallist Xander Schauffele. After that, however, red began to swamp the leaderboards scattered around the course, as one American after another slowly took away any hopes of a comeback. The now doublemajor winner Collin Morikawa claimed the winning half point that took the US to the 14.5-point mark that they required to regain the historic trophy.

Then finally, it was Daniel Berger’s win over Matt Fitzpatrick that took the US to 19 points, the highest total for a team since 1979 and securing the largest margin of victory in the competition’s history.

Team US captain Steve Stricker took an alternative route in choosing his team for this year’s competition.

He opted to value youth, picking six rookies, as opposed to Harrington who looked for experience, going for a team full of veterans. Stricker hailed his team as "the greatest of all time" in an interview after on Sunday, and it’s hard to argue having seen the results.

Crowds also came out to support in full force this year – a welcome sight for a sport that sorely missed

them at tournaments throughout the pandemic.

Six of the past seven Ryder Cups have now been won by the home team, highlighting the ef-

fect of returning fans, whilst also showing the importance of the home team being able to prepare the course in any way they like before the event.

Image: Wikimedia Commons

Is the IPL good for cricket?

Billy Densham analyses the effect the billion-dollar league has had on the sport

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SIX week, round robin competition, twenty overs each, three hours per game, 100,000 fans in attendance and hundreds of millions watching from home. The Indian Premier League, the big bang for twenty-over cricket.

In the aftermath of India’s victorious T20 World Cup campaign in 2007, the BCCI, the administrators of Indian cricket, set up the IPL. A league that would transform the game of cricket from an absorbing five-day battle to a fast paced, billiondollar entertainment empire.

For the previous centuries of the sport’s storied history, the pinnacle of cricket has been Test

cricket. A battle between two international teams that lasts five days. While many cricket fans will maintain that this is the still the pinnacle, in the 13 years since its inception, the IPL has been the first serious challenger to Test crickets’ position at the head of the table. It is rare for current players to openly admit that a lucrative IPL contract is on a par with receiving your first Test cap. However, many youngsters will dream of playing for the Mumbai Indians over playing in a test match at Lords. The perils of this obsession with the IPL have been very visible over recent weeks as India withdrew from their final test

match against England at Old Trafford. Indian players reportedly refused to play in this match after an outbreak of COVID-19 in their backroom team. Cynics argue that the Indian players wanted to ensure that they were safe to play in the IPL and collect their colossal salaries. Favouring the IPL over International cricket is not a new phenomenon. England limited-overs captain Eoin Morgan was a huge advocate for the IPL in its advent.

He honed his skills in India instead of making an extended effort to make it into the England test team. He has taken a lot of flak for this, and many believe these attitudes herald the death of Test cricket.

Cynics argue that the Indian players wanted to ensure that they were safe to play in the IPL and collect their colossal salaries The demise of Test cricket has been proclaimed for hundreds of years, the IPL has given a huge amount to the game. Players have acquired new skills to bring to the Test arena, more people are drawn into the sport and more money is generated. Certain fans will always favour the ups and downs of a five-day match while others will prefer fast-paced high-octane sport. Short form competitions like the IPL symbiotically improve test cricket. Over the last decade Test cricket re-

Image: Wikimedia Commons

mains relevant. More fans have come into the game through the IPL, and more cash is available to support the game. If we are looking for the virus that is hindering cricket, we can point to the iron grip that the Indian, English, and Australian administrators have on the game. This is far more damaging than the IPL. Refusing to go to smaller nations on tours is a far worse crime than adding a bit more flair to the game and growing worldwide audiences as the IPL has done.

A new short-form cricket competition was born in England this summer. The Hundred saw both teams facing 100 balls each as opposed to 20 overs. The even shorter format is designed to bring in new fans and emulate the success of the IPL. This new format excels in its approach to women’s cricket. Equal prize money, men’s and women’s matches billed as double headers and increased television exposure has propelled the women’s game in England. Australia also has a women’s league running alongside the men’s ‘Big Bash’. There is no women’s IPL. While there is still more to be done to promote the women’s game, we have seen the impression that a limited overs competition can make, inspiring future generations. This is a key area where the IPL must step up and align itself with the current cricketing climate. With the largest appeal and influence on the game, the IPL can continue to thrust women’s cricket onto a level playing field. There is a certain magic and majesty to Test cricket that isn’t found in a two-hour long game. The IPL does not need to be the enemy, more the elusive, generous, leather jacketed cousin of Test cricket.

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SPORTS EDITOR: Oscar Young

Exeter Chiefs: a slow start Image: Pixabay

Joshua Hughes

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HE Exeter Chiefs have begun the 2021-22 Premiership season with disappointing losses to Leicester Tigers and Northampton Saints.

Last season, the club was unable to defend their European title. There was also the agonising loss to Harlequins in the Premiership final.

The Chiefs now find themselves in unfamiliar territory, losing their first two games for the first time since the 2016-17 Premiership season. People have pointed to several factors playing against the Chiefs such as their large contribution to the Lions tour leaving them without key players. Only playing one preseason game also could have contributed to this with some arguing that the Chiefs are just getting into their groove. Whether or not this is the case, the areas that Chiefs have struggled with in the first few games will provide a better understanding of where they have gone wrong and where they need to improve.

The Chiefs’ recent dominance in the Premiership is a double-edged sword. While win-

ning games and titles gives teams momentum, it also paints a target on their back. A Leicester side couldn’t have hoped for a better opponent to face on the opening weekend of the Premiership. The score line of 34-19 would suggest that Leicester had a dominant performance, however, Exeter enjoyed 60 per cent of possession and made 445 metres compared to Leicester’s 297.

The Chiefs were unable to convert this possession into points.

“Defence wins titles”, the words of Sir Alex Ferguson, rung true at Welford Road with Leicester making six turnovers and 156 tackles. The defensive performance of Leicester is further demonstrated by the Chiefs’ 72 completed tackles, less than half of what Leicester achieved. While Exeter were well beaten, they can take some pride in the set piece where they enjoyed 96 per cent success in lineouts and 71 per cent in scrums.

Against Northampton Saints, the way the Chiefs lost the game was extremely different.

The scoring was opened early with tries from the Chiefs’ openside Don Armand and scrum-half

Jack Maunder. However, Tom O’Flaherty was unable to keep hold of the ball on his own try line, gifting Alex Mitchell an easy opportunity to dot down. Missed tackles from Joe Simmonds and Will Witty allowed Matt Proctor to run in another try. The score remained close throughout the game with fullback George Furbank nailing a penalty in the last five minutes to seal the win.

The Chiefs’ recent dominance in the Premiership is a double-edged sword

Much like the Leicester game, Chiefs had the bulk of possession and the defensive effort from Saints was on full display with Saints making 110 tackles compared to Chief ’s 58. Notably Chiefs also missed 15 tackles which acts as a good marker to demonstrate their inaccuracy.

Against Sale, Chiefs recorded their first win of the season in an extremely tight game. Chiefs conceded early and were 10-0 down after ten minutes. The game was

neck and neck throughout with either side looking like they could win it. However, a fantastic solo try from Will Witty and a score from Henry Slade put Exeter in control to win the game. Harvey Skinner controlled the game well for the Chiefs and Slade’s 20 points led to Exeter finishing off well against a strong Sale side.

It also must be noted that the Chiefs have been missing a significant number of players due to the Lions Tour. Luke Cowan-Dickie, Stuart Hogg, Sam Simmonds and Johnny Hill were all called up but have been unable to play due to the mandatory rest period for the tourists.

The Chiefs’ slow start to the season could also be accounted for by the large number of young players being transitioned into the starting line-up. The recent naming of Sam Simmonds in the England squad and the prolonged absences of Johnny Hill and Johnny Gray due to international commitments has prompted Rob Baxter to bring in young players such as Christ Tshiunza and Rusiate Tuima.

The two, while impressive talents, have had little experience in the

Premiership, Tuima with five appearances and Tshiunza with two.

The Chiefs will improve given time and the return of their international stars. Focusing on the inaccuracies in the first few games of the season such as tightening their defence would serve them well. The Chiefs conceded nine penalties against the Image: EUWRFC Tigers and 12 against the Saints, while this is not a huge amount, the specific areas of the field and the point in the match when they were conceded proved crucial, especially against the Saints.

The start of the season has been disappointing for Exeter.

The lack of key players due to the Lions tour rest period will be something they will have to increasingly deal with due to the number of internationals they have in their team. The recent selection of Sam Simmonds will be another issue for Rob Baxter to juggle along with the other internationals in the team. The return of Saracens will act as more motivation for the Chiefs to put last season’s Premiership loss behind them and strive for greatness in what will be a highly competitive season.

For more coverage of Exeter and world sport, head to @exeposesport CONTINUED ON PAGE 31