Illustration Issue
Editorial
BOARD EDITORS Editor in Chief: Olivia Taylor Deputy Editor: Beth McCowen
NEWS Senior Editor: Madelaine Gray Deputy Editor: Ilyda Kaplankiran
OPINION Senior Editor: Ella Hearn-Zhang Associate Editor: Hurashia Daley
SPORTS Senior Editor: Carmen Vallejo-Anderson Associate Editor: Liberty Simons
CULTURE Senior Editor: Daniel Pepin Associate Editor: Bernardo Wendrownik
LIFESTYLE Senior Editor: Tia Martello Associate Editor: Katherina Hoi
CREATIVE WRITING Senior Editor: Anna Diedrichsen Associate Editor: Mieke Nel
ILLUSTRATION Head Illustrator: Meghan O’Brien Associate Illustrator: Maya Baker
DEAR DAVIDSON Agony Aunt: Elenaor Atterton
This issue and all illustrations contained within it were designed by Meghan O’Brien as an exclusive compilation edition of the 23/24 Term One Issues ‘Move on Up’ and ‘Close to Me’.
CONTENTS what’s inside NEWS Prime Minister in Waiting? The Intimacy of Politics Autumnal Anguish: Crisis in Parliament Amid National and International Crises
01
OPINION ‘I saw it on TikTok’: The Death of Reliable Sources 02 Fail Forward 05 Death of the Cool Girl Act
SPORTS Spotlight on Beth Mead’s Return to Arsenal 07 The Rise of Formula 1
CULTURE Salley Ronney’s Normal People 09 Women’s Progression in Print 11 The Diana Dilemma Continues How Long Should I Wait to Reply?
LIFESTYLE The Art of Growing Up: How to Progress Mentally in a Society that Stunts Our Growth 13 A Cool Girl’s Guide to Shopping Sustainable Fashion Table for One, Please
CREATIVE WRITING Move on Up Bubble La Petite Mort Fine Details
Want to get in contact? We have an anonymous contact form available at linktr.ee/orbitalmagazine Alternatively, you can email us at editor.orbital@royalholloway.su or message any of our social media accounts. The views expressed within this magazine are not representative of Royal Holloway, University of London, or Royal Holloway’s Student Union, or any author or editor except the individual who wrote the particular article.
NEWS
PRIME IN
MINISTER
WAITING
?
AUTHOR: MADELAINE GRAY
The polls show it, the pundits are promising it, and everyone with an interest in politics across the country is holding their breath in anticipation (whether joyful or despairing) for the next general election. It is pretty much undeniable that Labour will win at the next nationwide polling day. Trust in politics across the spectrum is crumbling, but the Conservative Party has internal schisms so large it seems unfathomable that they could cross the post to win another majority. After thirteen years in power, and five prime ministers to boot, an inevitable Labour generation (or era, perhaps, depending on the party’s longevity in power) is coming. I’m a member of the Labour Party, and I look forward to seeing what they could do with a decade in power – but in some ways, that’s the issue. I don’t know what they could do, because Labour is not building a cohesive vision for the future of Britain into the 2030s. It’s not 1997 – and in my opinion, it’s unlikely that Labour will achieve such a landslide as they did under Tony Blair. Despite Starmer’s modelling himself in many ways on the former leader, there’s a lot that’s different. The political climate, for one, is objectively more polarised, more unforgiving, more vicious. Starmer can cast himself as the decisive face of the party ( just take a look at the cover of the 2023 party conference programme), but he’s not such a 01
commanding – or charismatic – figure as Blair was. Those on the left of the party see him as a Tory in red, those on the right see him as bowing unfavourably to the progressive wing. Starmer finds himself caught in the “culture wars”, and it’s almost impossible to discern his platform on many issues. The Conservative party may be divided, but Labour has spent its time in opposition waging an internal battle between old and New Labour principles, and Starmer is the figurehead for this. He doesn’t want to seem to forget the near fifteen years of development from New Labour, nor does he seem to want to bring Labour back to its original socialist and deeply trade union rooted principles. I am reasonably well informed about politics, and yet I struggle to understand what sort of policies will be implemented in Labour’s first term, let alone any following that. The Fabian Society (a socialist organisation that primarily operates as a think tank affiliated with the Labour Party) have centred their autumn journal on what Britain could look like in 2037, after thirteen years of Labour achievement after a successful general election win. Their vision is sparkling, drawing together sections from MPs, professionals, and political operatives on various policy areas. It serves, in many ways, as a de facto manifesto. It excites me and interests me deeply; if only Keir Starmer’s Labour made me feel the same.
“
“I
OPINION
SAW IT ON TIKTOK” THE DEATH OF Reliable SOURCES AUTHOR: POPPY JACKSON
Podcast recommendations, the next viral recipe, or the serum that will finally rid me of my acne scars—TikTok has it all. Yet, when it comes to spreading global news, this short-form video content and its simple sharing and distribution methods are nothing short of dangerous. We’ve all fallen victim to the social media news circus, where celebrities propagate their own ignorance pertaining to politics, religion, and worldviews, often reaching a larger audience than traditional publications. When the Israel-Gaza conflict is at the forefront of public consciousness, TikTok is more than ever a necessary tool.
So why does this form of media consumption prove so unreliable? 02
Even before TikTok, it was difficult to find trustworthy, unfiltered news. A political, personal, or financial agenda is frequently present in the material provided. We are the shortform media generation, but there is no way to easily ingest coverage of conflict and catastrophe without making it appear reductive. When we learn about these conflicts through news clips that have been cut and edited with flashy titles and ominous background music, we are actively partaking in the rapid dissemination of misinformation. Once something is published, printed, or even just typed onto a screen, it is easy to read it as the truth. I can just as easily post a video of women and children in distress with an array of misleading statistics as anyone with an interest in promoting their views can. And neither of us is required to verify or fact-check a single thing. While the larger platforms like Facebook and Instagram claim they are ‘committed to fighting the spread of misinformation’ the lack of any actual verification is why extremists like Andrew Tate have been able to spread agendas of misogyny and violence masked as the ‘truth’ for so long. Until a real change in these sites’ policies is implemented, users across the world will continue to fall for false narratives. We shouldn’t be able to ‘pick sides' over a conflict like indifferently deciding whether to take sugar in our tea. Yes, celebrities should use their platforms for advocacy, awareness, and the ‘greater good’. No, the ‘greater good’ shouldn’t prey upon an audience’s bias and ignorance. By now, most of us have been witnesses to the recent blunders of celebrities like Justin Bieber posting ‘Praying for Israel’ over an image of total destruction in Gaza or Jamie Lee Curtis posting brutalized Palestinian children under the belief that they were Israeli. Unsurprisingly, both were quick to retreat and delete once called out on their mistakes. Celebrities wield huge influence over social media platforms, churning out every detail of their lives and every mundane thought. There’s a reason we call them ‘influencers’. Cult followers are quite literally ‘influenced’ into buying that product, using that affiliate link, liking that song, restaurant, or Botox specialist. The parasocial relationship formed between stars and fans relies on a perceived sense of trust and authority. However, when these influencers and celebrities spread misguided ‘facts’, this stream of misinformation only dilutes the genuine human suffering ongoing on both sides. When we bring sensationalism, virality, and mass hysteria into the picture, ignorance pervades, and there is only further conflict. That’s not to say it’s all bad. TikTok provides a global platform to share, create, and educate. And, in terms of spreading information, it works. Young people are engaged— about 1.7 billion of us. We can be a part of the conversation, not just witnesses to it. 03
There is something to celebrate in the fact that the next generation is taking such an interactive interest in world events and, naturally, diverse viewpoints. I am not telling you to delete TikTok or unfollow every user who expresses their opinion. Nor should you take every condensed news segment to be falsified and every tweet to be a form of propaganda. Instead, I implore you to surround yourself with differing opinions and open up discussions that still allow room for disagreement. Allow yourself to change your mind or simply admit when you don’t know enough to form a concrete opinion. Or don’t! In an era where political agendas take precedence over human suffering, we should all be wary of what information we can rely on. Consume critically, whether your source is a Twitter thread, a TikTok series, or an established journalist. 04
F
Lear
I didn’t pass my driving test for the first time at age seventeen. I didn’t go to university the September I turned 18. I did not have a huge balloon-filled party at age 21. I felt like I had failed, but I hadn’t. I’ve always found that making progress is far too often linked with age and meeting goals we assume we will reach as we grow older. These goals are then combined and linked to your personal success as a person. Goals can be positive, uplifting, and remarkable, and all these achievements at such a young age give you countless boasting rights. A CV filled with confidence when applying to universities or a bedroom drawer filled with certificates (not just participation awards) — your progress has given you a childhood full of success, but will that follow with a lifetime of judgement? For the entirety of your life, you’ve been 05
judged on your progress. You were judged when you took too long to take your first steps, say your first words, and get your first A on that maths exam. You were judged when you said you didn’t want to go to university and then when you changed your mind. Eventually, you were judged because you didn’t judge someone else, so you began to judge yourself. If you’re anything like me, you will make mistakes in decisions you thought would be the best thing for your future, your career, your happiness, and your purpose. Bad decisions that you make in your teenage years can feel as if the world has ended. Trust me when I say that the feeling sticks as you enter your twenties. Your twenties are a decade filled with not only understanding yourself but also understanding progress. Your own personal progress on the path to adulthood is amazing but unbelievably terrifying as you delve into the depths of self-love and self-loathing. As a student in my early twenties, I am constantly battling with the fear of being behind, screaming at myself for taking a gap year as I graduate a
FAIL Forward
rn to
RUBY CABALLERO-ROFF
year late. A year behind, a year of achievements lost, a year without progression. Looking at younger students in their freshers glory and regretting the year you took out of university because you could have been them. You could have been on track for your future, but you are sitting in a class knowing you are the oldest, and knowing the teenager next to you is achieving more. After all, their progress is a greater achievement simply because they are younger. Then, as you mark your attendance for the fourth time that day, it clicks. Your internal monologue pauses slightly, and, in the silence, you contemplate: Who am I competing with? The race is not over because it didn’t start. You started a journey, and you are no longer at the beginning. You have successfully progressed through
your adolescent years into early adulthood. The person next to you doesn’t know your story and probably doesn’t care at all. Growing older, I see that there was not a path I failed to walk on; the route I’m on is full of achievements, and taking time out, stopping, and seeing where you started can make you see where you are headed. One day it all seems to fit into place and you realise that in order to succeed, you have to navigate yourself through these situations that we often perceive to be failures. For now, you may feel as though you didn’t succeed. But just know that progress looks different for everyone.
06
SPORTS Arsenal have been at the forefront of women’s foot- first win of their current WSL campaign against ball in the UK since the team was founded in 1987, a strong Aston Villa side at the Emirates Stadium with an astonishing 60 trophies to the club’s name, on October 15th (with an impressive 35,829 fans and an admirable commitment to the advancement in the stands). It was a frustrating ninety minof the women’s game at all levels. The 2022/23 sea- utes for Arsenal, who remained one-nil down son, however, presented the team and its manage- from the 25-minute mark after a quality headment with unprecedented challenges, largely in the er from the brilliant Maz Pacheco sent the ball form of an injury crisis which saw four players (Beth straight into the back of the net. A long twelve Mead, Vivianne Miedema, Leah Williamson, and Lau- minutes of extra time saw the home team fire ra Wienroither) suffer Anin two game-saving goals terior Cruciate Ligament from two of their key playruptures, an injury which is ers: the Republic of Iredevastating to any footballand’s captain and World ler, and concerningly comCup goal-scorer Katie Mcmon in female players. In Cabe, and impressive new addition, captain Kim Little signing and England interexperienced a significant national star, Alessia Russo. hamstring injury in lateMarch which saw her miss There were some painfulthe rest of the season. ly close attempts in the second half from the likes Fast-forward to now, and of Caitlin Foord and Stina after being knocked out of Blackstenius, but not quite the Champions League in close enough. So, what the first qualifying round, changed in those final the Arsenal Women faced a twelve minutes which alrocky start to this season of lowed Arsenal to finally put the Women’s Super League. the ball over the line? Beth With a 1-0 loss to Liverpool Mead. Arsenal has been at home, followed by a home to countless top qualhard-fought draw finishing ity footballers, such as Alex 2-2 with Manchester UnitScott, Rachel Yankey, and ed away at Leigh Sports VilKelly Smith, and Beth Mead lage, questions were being is a name which certainly asked about what this year sits among the legends. The would hold for the former forward gave a consistently league-winners. The Gunoutstanding performance ners finally secured their at the UEFA Women’s Euros
Spotlight on Beth Mead’s Return to Arsenal Beth McCowen 07
2022, where she played a vital role in the Lionesses’ victory and deservingly won Player of the Tournament (to add to her collection of awards). Shortly after her return to club football, in a competitive home game against Manchester United, Mead experienced the dreaded three-letter injury. Notorious for its gruelling recovery, the damage to her ACL would see Arsenal’s most-valuable number 9 out of the game for a solid eleven months, and unable to take part in the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, where she would undoubtedly have been a great asset to England. Having been diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2021, on January 7th, 2023, Beth’s much-loved Mum, June Mead, sadly passed away. The Arsenal player has been open about the challenges of the last couple of years, and her long-awaited return to the football pitch was an emotional one for herself, her teammates, and fans alike. Even some of the opposition’s players applauded Mead as she was subbed on towards the end of the game, which speaks volumes of how respected she is within the football community. It is no coincidence that the two goals scored by her club took place within the limited minutes that she was playing, bringing a whole new meaning to the phrase ‘super sub’. Throughout the match, there was applause for Mead as she warmed up from the bench, and when Arsenal’s Head Coach, Jonas Eidevall, finally made the crucial call to bring her on, the crowd quite literally went wild. The stadium made a wel-
come back announcement for the footballer, who has been missed so deeply by her team and its supporters, whilst she went through what one can only imagine was the hardest time of her life. Having eagerly awaited the return of their beloved Meado, Arsenal were invigorated, despite being a goal down with seemingly little time to make amends. This new wave of energy amidst what had already been an electric afternoon in North London, translated into the performance of their squad. The home side made an unbelievable number of crosses into the box across the course of the match, with accuracy often proving to be an issue, resulting in few feasible chances at goal for their strikers. That is, until the 92nd minute, when a clever pass from Foord resulted in a stunning assist from Victoria Pelova, and ultimately a powerful goal from McCabe. Just two minutes later, Mead did a wonderful job at setting up Russo for a stunning shot, which won them the game and turned Arsenal’s already special day around completely. Heartfelt celebrations took place, and for over ten more minutes, both Arsenal and Aston Villa battled on, before the final whistle eventually blew. Arsenal took away a big three points in front of a large home crowd, but the stand-out memory and the biggest win of the day was, in the eyes of many, seeing the unstoppable Beth Mead back in her rightful place. 08
NORMAL Normal People PEOPLE
CULTURE
Ode to
SALLY ROONEY’S
AUTHOR: MADELINE SIDGWICK
“I found it all moving and
emotionally wrecking, in the best way.” James Poniewozik perfectly articulates my feelings upon discovering Sally Rooney’s 2018 novel *Normal People*. I came across *Normal People* after reading Rooney’s debut novel *Conversations with Friends*, which I consumed in two sittings, and was hoping to have the same gut-wrenching connection to the characters - I was more than pleasantly surprised. The *bildungsroman* arc follows Marianne and Connell from their final years of high school, through university, and into adulthood, both individually and within their ever-fluctuating relationship. Rooney perfectly depicts the anxieties, changes (both positive and negative), and frustrations of this period of life. The character-driven plot allows readers not only to relate to the characters and their experiences, but also to become frustrated as Rooney makes a point of presenting their flaws. As teenagers Connell and Marianne experience contrasting worlds despite being at the same high school, sporty and popular Connell enjoys the benefits of the teenage hierarchies I am sure we are all aware of. In juxtaposition, Marianne is condemned by her peers for being a ‘try-hard’ and 09
thus her standoffish attitude often leaves her character in isolation. Rooney illustrates how such differences in ‘social statuses’ become toxic as the two begin a secret relationship – secret of course, in order to prevent damaging Connell’s ‘street credit.’ Bringing together such realistic immaturities presents the pair’s dynamics as all too relatable to any reader who has ever attended secondary school. Rooney, however, adds another strain on the youngsters’ love by providing Marianne with the upper hand in regards to economic status (Connell’s mother being the household employee of Marianne’s mother). We take such awkward hierarchies as a challenge in relationships, and somehow must understand during adolescence that suppressing feelings to adhere to either the opinions of classmates or parents results in emotional confusion - a bitter pill that 16-year-old me certainly had to swallow. I think we can all agree that university brings about maturity and change. Thus, as one tension dissolves between the protagonists, another quickly develops as Rooney eloquently illustrates the intensity of such a developmental stage in life. The contrasting worlds that the university proposes to Rooney’s protagonists is something I found refreshing. Marianne flourishes in escaping an enclosed, often claustrophobic small-town life; creating a new identity for herself enables Marri-
anne to better explore her personality, providing viewers and readers with the iconic line “Classic me - I came to college and got pretty.” This is juxtaposed with Connell’s struggle against the overwhelming social newness that leaving home comforts brings about. Rooney is able, then, to drive the plot with her characters’ vulnerabilities, allowing readers to relate when feeling alienated to such ‘normal’ experiences. I was skeptical when approaching the BBC TV adaptation of Rooney’s novel, but frankly I could not have been more wrong in my pessimism. The use of cinematography and soundtrack to accurately reflect the raw portrayal of anxiety, sex and coming of age, to me, did justice to Connell and Marianne’s depiction. Both Paul Mescal (Connell) and Daisy Edgar-Jones (Marianne) convey the normality buried within such complex feelings. Mescal’s performance stood out to me in presenting audiences with a raw depiction of Connell’s mental health struggles. The depiction of
societal pressures surrounding ‘masculinity’ is presented heart-wrenchingly through Mescal’s conviction to emotional vulnerability as a “lads’ lad”: “Lately he’s consumed by a sense that he is in fact two separate people, and soon he will have to choose which person to be on a full-time basis and leave the other person behind.” Rooney’s novel therefore presents, with great accuracy, the progression from adolescence to adulthood in a way that is intensely real – perhaps too much so for young readers. Poniewozik’s New York times review of the novel encapsulates my connection to the plot; “the necessary wrenching process of breaking down the person you were in order to become the person you are going to be,” something that is perfectly presented in ‘Normal People’, and thus defines the natural emotional connection to Rooney’s words that readers feel. 10
Women’s Progression in Print EVELYN FERNANDEZ-JARVIS
11
Were you aware of the progression women had to make to have their work published and respected? Well, I recently became aware during a trip to the National Portrait Gallery in London. For centuries women have been striving to get their work, not only, published but respected. Women were only allowed to publish their own work properly in the late 19th century; however, their work did not have as large an impact as their male counterparts because women’s work was not taken as seriously by society. Once I started looking around, I was overwhelmed by women who had made drastic impacts on literature and published their work under pseudonyms to make sure it was received on an even playing field. A well-known example being Mary Ann Evans (1857-1911), the author of the classic ‘*Middlemarch’* published under the name George Eliot. One of the most instrumental women that I saw whilst visiting the gallery was Gertrude Elizabeth, Lady Colin Campbell. Her name became well known, not because of her writing but because she wanted to divorce her husband but was refused. However, this case sparked her career of producing her own work. She authored many articles and became one of the first female editors for a newspaper that was not only looking at women’s work but both men and women side by side.
In the present day, women now can have their work published and a 2021 survey done by Dean Talbot showed that 50.45% of authors are female, with authors such as Agatha Christie selling 4 billion copies and being one of the most successful in the world. It is important to realise that despite the patriarchal society that we live in, women have still been able to progress in this field, making a significant impact on this industry and fellow women who love buying and reading female written work. It is extremely uplifting to witness payoff from the arduous work that women have put into this field. Women’s progression in print has become an encouraging force, it is incredible to see the amount of women using their voices to share their experiences and make sure that their voices are heard. Print also allows women different avenues of expressing themselves, especially because sometimes people find it easier to express their thoughts and emotions through pen and paper. Many people are observers rather than speakers and print allows them to see the world through different lenses. The progression of women’s print has given a platform for a whole other field of experiences that may not have been heard before. 12
LIFESTYLE In the last four years, the world has been turned on its head. The unpredictable nature of the future and the notion of growing up have become gloomy subjects to talk about amongst younger generations. What must our generation do in order to feel like we are not falling behind? What must we do to not be mentally affected by the world around us?
TH ART GROW U
There is a subtle art to growing up, to growing older and wiser, that people seem to keep a secret. We can endlessly ask our grandparents for their advice on what to do in this all-consuming world, but any piece of wisdom can seem overwhelming. A look back on my childhood and teenage life reflects to me that there is a certain “je ne sais quoi” to growing up. Here is my advice about how to grow up and to feel okay about it.
Positivity
Everyone has heard Bob Marley sing ‘Don't worry, be happy’. Although quite a privileged state of mind, the essence of the song rings true. If you have the ability to, open your eyes to the world like when you were a young child. The sheer opportunities that the world had to offer to you then, are still out there now. People will spend most of their lives grinding to get to a place where they think they will be happy. A new car, a new house, a new relationship, new clothes, new friends, new job. But if you have the ability to view the world around you at this present moment, with a positive lens, growing up may just seem a bit easier.
Be Patient We all have that one friend we
How Prog When S Stunts Grow
have made at uni who is into manifestation, the idea that whatever you want will come to you if you just speak it into the universe. But, the sentiment of your friend is an important one. No one gets what they want instantly. Magic does not exist in this world, but with hard work and patience, whatever you want in your life will be open to you. A job may be on the horizon but you only have to wait for it. You may beg the universe for a relationship, but you might have to just wait for it. Waiting it out and seeing what comes to you in the future, when you need it, will relax the worries about falling behind. Capitalism has made us greedy in this world, but with a little bit of patience, we will always find ourselves in a place we always wanted to be.
Heal
Your Inner Child
When I am upset, stressed, in a deep depression, crying uncontrollably, sick (the list 13
LIA D
DOYLE
goes on), I do what I did as a child. She heals me now as an adult. Music, candles, and some reading for when I need to relax - a pastime of mine that always made me feel safe. A call to my mum when the tears will not stop. Lucozade and paracetamol when I am ill, although now it is usually a hangover. My old childish habits of surrounding myself with music, making daily plans to organise my life, laughing, cooking, and reading all have healed the adult me. It is easy to get bogged down with extra candles on your birthday cake every year, the fearful idea that you are supposed to be responsible for yourself and know what you are going to do, but looking to the child within helps with the fear. Heal them as well, do things for your inner child which will make them feel happy and they will look after you just as they have done all your life.
HE T OF WING UP
w to gress Society s Your wth
Look
into
Professional
Help
Whilst journaling, making a new playlist to romanticise life and deciding not to do your essay because you're too stressed out might make you feel better for a small amount of time, the impending doom that our generation is feeling is something that one can get help for. Whilst NHS therapy lists are never-ending, and hundreds are on the list for medications and mental health help, there are many ways to get help. Getting old is a privilege that we should cherish. The ability to spend so many years together is an honour and there is so much out there for us to explore.
If you or someone you know needs help
Talk to Samaritans: Call 116 123 or email jo@samartians.org Text SHOUT to 85258
Anxiety UK Helpline services - 03444 775 774 Open from 9:30am to 17:30 pm Monday to Friday, along with a text service 07537 416905 and ‘Ask Anxia’ chatbot service, available 24/7 for all anxiety queries at anxiety uk.org.uk. For more services visit: https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/explore-mental-health/get-help 14
CREATIVE WRITING
Move
ON UP
POET: JEMIMAH HAWKES Perhaps the best plan would be to shove you with no more politeness than a lain-down rake. But I allow myself no such luxury. You and yours stretch to eons of space and time. I am not infinite, no. I am not forever, no always lurks in me. But I am so much movement and shadow you don’t know what to make of me. I am venal and cardinal, I am an anomaly in your taxonomy. I move in circles all my own. Perhaps we should put it to you, fame-claiming, politicking, marvellous men. Perhaps we should ask you to move on up, make space and see what we might do. 15
16
MO CLO CTO los 17
OVE OSER ser ME 18
CREATIVE WRITING
You must be a writer, he says, you must, take the stars from my eyes the lines from our smiles use them to cross your ts. And he knows that I can find truth in his pauses synonyms for love in the heavy breaths that define me as his. Before you, I wrote to hurt for something past, something lost, for something like a ghost, writing to make myself a haunted house, shaking the walls and moving the chairs so that they never find peace. But now he takes my full stops my angry rhymes and turns them to ellipses, each drumming with what’s next. You must stay, I say, you must, and I can use my best words to soften your worst points, and dedicate my prettiest prose to the way your lips feel in the winter sun. And I’ll create a language that the linguists will hate, a thousand different ways to say that I’m yours. Leave your books on my shelves and correct my tenses.
19
la petit MORT POET: KATHERINA HOI
You called me a beacn, a full moon in the dark. But you are a lighthouse leading me through another tired metaphor of rainstorms and rising suns. And I want to know where you hurt, which adjectives you hate replacing them with our own, whispered without shame. You’ll trace the scars on my hands from playing with snakes, and I’ll memorise the green of your eyes in case you ever drop my gaze. You must create our meaning, he says, you must, with doing verbs, and an active voice. You say it’s fate, and I know you from touch alone loyal like your stray, blind me and I’ll find my way home, you are my something found, my run-on sentence without a point. 20
LIFESTYLE Being alone has never been my strong suit. I’ve always leaned towards being social, to the extent that I often find it challenging to enjoy my own company. It’s not that I don’t appreciate time on my own, but it usually involves doing as little as possible when I do take a break. If I have to be alone for prolonged periods, I tend to get a bit stuck on what to do with myself. As I’ve grown older, I’ve realised that it’s high time I learn to relish my company for more than a few hours. With this idea, it’s time I embrace the notion of venturing out and enjoying various activities on my own. It’s not like I have never done it before; during my second year, when I was in New York City, I thought, why not dedicate a day to exploring the city and doing things solely for my enjoyment? I had a great time, but there was a fleeting moment of self-consciousness when I had to request a table for one at a restaurant. I want to think that everyone has underlying anxiety about being alone, but perhaps not everyone would admit it. I certainly do. However, I believe there is something romantic about “solo dating”; something profoundly intimate about enjoying your own company.
21
RUBY CABALLERO-ROFF
FINE DETAILS
I have a friend who has mastered the art of solo dating. She fell into it, a somewhat serendipitous discovery, but she genuinely enjoys spending that bit of time with herself. As an avid theatre enthusiast, she often
Cracked lips and leaking windows Creeping fear of feeling hollow Paper stacks and empty pot The coffee stain on the countertop Monotony of a day's routine Interlinked and to be unseen Soft eyes and loving looks Utter avoidance of emotional crooks Heart beating to be set free Wanting to keep someone close to me Efforts aiding a pressured flaw Then someone spoke, ‘that’s what I adore’
P
PLEASE
Table for One
AUTHOR: OLIVIA TAYLOR
finds herself with some spare time before a show, and she usually fills this time with drinks in nice bars or a pre-theatre meal. Over time, she has become the “table for one, please” professional. To 1. grow up and 2. learn how to enjoy my own company more, I asked my friend for some tips on getting more comfortable with solo dating. Firstly, she recommended that taking a book or magazine is a good way to distract yourself from being alone with your thoughts (her words, not mine - but I was thinking about it). This is an excellent idea to me, simply because I know if I were on my own somewhere for an extended period, I would probably turn to my phone. And whilst you shouldn’t be solo-dating to look cool and mysterious, sitting in a restaurant alone and scrolling through your phone is certainly neither of these things. However, it must be remembered that being observant is essential when solo dating. It is the perfect activity for people watchers, one of my favourite hobbies. So yes, take something to read, but remember to keep an eye on everything happening around you. It has also been recommended to me to go somewhere I enjoy. It’s all about treating yourself where and when you can. I know that if I were solo dating, I would feel more comfortable in a place I feel familiar with, whether that be a restaurant chain or a particular bar or pub that I have been to before. I am not a big believer in New Year’s Resolutions, but I will try to embrace the solo dating scene in 2024, especially since this will be the year I am shoved into the real world post-university. 22
The
Cool Girl's Guide to
SHOPPING SUSTAINA FASH 23
G ABLE HION POPPY JACKSON
‘Your favourite item (...) was sold.’ A painful notification any veteran Vinted user is familiar with. Whether or not I was ever going to buy that gorgeous, vintage piece at a bargain price is unknown, but the fact it will never be mine still gripes me. This is the familiar tale of overconsuming slow fashion. Sustainable shopping has raised a whole new host of ethical dilemmas for the conscious consumer. As trend cycles get ever-shorter, popular fast fashion pieces crop up right off the rails into charity shops, car boots, flea markets, and on second-hand clothing sites. What was popular last week is now available at a discount rate for those of us who just can’t keep up. But shopping for cheaper, used clothes is not a harmless practice. In the last decade the demographic buying second-hand has drastically changed, and with it, prices have soared (nothing should be over £20 in a charity shop, I’m looking at you Oxfam). Charity shops have quickly become inaccessible for those who need them, and much of the donated clothing never ends up on the rail – instead, cheaper fabrics are shipped off to textile merchants. And buying ‘vintage’ often isn’t much better; deadstock sellers and retailers aren’t always transparent about where they source their items or the textile pollution that they are contributing to. Wholesale rag houses in India are reported as having poor working conditions with minimal wages, a fact most vintage buffs will quickly gloss over. So, how do we do better? How do we shop slow fashion slowly? 24
Be an Outfit Repeater A great outfit calls for being worn more than once. And I promise if anyone remembers it’s only because they couldn’t forget how fab you looked. Clothes are meant to be re-worn – don’t be afraid to use that washing machine and re-wear a look you love.
Sharing
is
Caring
There’s a whole community of people out there desperate to share their clothes with you. Initiatives such as dress rental services, designer-for-hire, or just borrowing from a friend are all great shopping alternatives. Alternately, expand your wardrobe by stealing from your fashionable, younger sibling – it always works for me.
Shop
Independent
There are so many sustainable, UKbased clothing brands to buy from. It’s a win-win: you get unique, trendy pieces all while supporting a local or independent business. There’s also the added bonus that, since small brands aren’t churning out millions of the same garment, you won’t be awkwardly matching anyone.
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Repair
and
Upcycle
Become your very own ‘fixer upper’ with help from the thousands of DIY and upcycling tutorials out there. Try your hand at darning that tiny hole or upgrade that wardrobe basic with bows and frills – the choices are endless!
Don't be a Brand Snob I’m truly guilty of this. I see a good brand name in a charity shop, and I have to buy it. Ask yourself if you *really* like the piece, or just the tag. Imagine it’s from Primark, does it still have the same allure?
Quality over Quantity Some clothes just aren’t made to last forever; some can’t even survive one wash cycle. Invest in quality pieces that might survive long enough to become hand-me-downs to your future children so they can see how cool you once were.
It's Not All 'Granny Clothes' If you haven’t yet been converted into a second-hand shopper, now is the time. Buying second-hand is nearly always better than choosing fast fashion. But shop consciously! Do you really need a new item for each event? Will you still like it and wear it in 6 months? Is it your style or is it just ‘trendy’? These are the questions we need to ask ourselves as consumers when trying to slow down the rate at which we shop. 26
The Rise Formula 1 has been a popular mainstream sport since long before many of our readers were born. The internationally renowned competition is ever-changing, and remains at the heart of multi-faceted discussions of its core elements, along with their wider implications. The 2022/23 season came to an end on Sunday 26th November, with Dutch superstar Max Verstappen and Christian Horner’s Red Bull continuing to dominate both the driver and constructor’s championships. Over the last few years, there has been a drastic increase in the number of young people who follow the sport. This is, in part, thanks to Netflix’s documentary ‘Formula 1: Drive to Survive’ providing a brand new audience demographic with an insight into the lives of drivers, managers and team owners both on and off the track. The series has offered behind-the-scenes looks at some of the sport’s most exciting, controversial, and dramatic moments in its recent history. For example, Romain Grosjean’s horrific crash in the 2020 Bahrain Grand Prix, Verstappen’s much-disputed title-winning race in Abu Dhabi 2021, and Daniel Ricciardo’s departure from McLaren. Despite its popularity, the thrilling, highrisk activity is not without its criticisms. 27
FORF
There is constant debate surrounding what Formula 1 is, how it works, and how it can be problematic. Several of the drivers have expressed personal disapproval at some of the recent changes to the ever-growing industry. The introduction of Sprints has been at the heart of F1 discourse as of late. Sprints were introduced at the British Grand Prix in 2021. This addition to race weekends has since expanded, with six shootouts taking place across the most recent season of action. The purpose of this development is somewhat straightforward: to make things even more exciting. However, it was not a universally popular decision. World Champion Verstappen has shared his view with the media that the activity takes away from the excitement of Sunday’s main event. Another high-profile argument has been one regarding the pre-race entertainment on display at races such as the Miami Grand Prix. American sport is known for its spectacle, but this is a relatively new concept to many of those who play a part in the world of Formula 1. Mercedes driver George Russell told Give Me Sport “It's distracting because we were on the
e of
RMULA 1 Formula 1 AUTHOR: BETH MCCOWEN
grid for half an hour in our overalls in the sun and I don't think there's any sport in the world that 30 minutes before you go out to do your business that all the cameras are on you to make a bit of a show.” It was also inevitable that, with climate change as a rightful hot-topic of today’s global news, it would be a factor in determining the future of motorsport. With 10 teams, 23 races held all over the world, and 20 cars, it is obvious that the carbon footprint of F1 each season is monumental. This has seen the sport become the subject of protests, with a track invasion by Just Stop Oil protestors taking place at the Silverstone British
Grand Prix earlier this year. There is no denying the environmental impact of the much-loved motorsport, and former competitor Sebastian Vettel has been vocal about the role of this in his recent decision to retire. It must be noted that F1 has pledged an ambitious goal of reaching carbon neutrality by 2030. These are just a few of the highlights from recent talks on the elite sport. Formula 1 and motorsport more widely has a rich history, as well as a constant large, diverse (and still expanding) community of supporters. It will be interesting to see how this, along with the sport itself, develops over the coming years in light of the issues discussed here. 28
It affects and shapes the lives of everyone around us; in some way, all of us have an intimate relationship with politics. Recently, I realised that many of the core foundations that we set out for a healthy relationship with a partner are the same for having a successful relationship with politics, where everyone feels as though their needs are being adhered to. And yet, many feel that this intimacy has failed to be sustained, with fundamentals lost. Over the decades, UK politics has become more personal to everyone; this transformation has come through the acquisition of more intimate information about specific political figures, and the way in which media attention – both traditional and social – affects how the public views them as *people* in addition to politicians. In short, this can make or break whether they are provided the public support to continue their political career. When looking at elected politics as a career choice, ambitious young people must now seriously consider if they can be judged on their specific opinions and actions by the British public, and whether these are deemed “appropriate”. Today, there is a growing idea that this intimate knowledge of one’s personal life is vital to form an opinion on a political figure. Just like in a real relationship, when a political figure does not consider the effect an action may have on the other half, it crumbles. This happened only recently with Suella Braverman, who was formally the Home Secretary for Rishi Sunak. After some of the offensive, out-oftouch, and frankly outrageous comments she made, it was clear that she was not fit for being a key member of the cabinet. On the 6th of November 2023, she stated that, *“We cannot allow our streets to be taken over by rows of tents occupied by people, many of them from abroad, living on the streets as a lifestyle choice.”*. For this, she was swiftly removed from the Prime Minister’s cabinet. It was clear that Braverman herself did not think that these comments would hinder her personal political career as much as they have – and with that, she has solidified her fate in regards to any potential relationship or intimate connection with the public in the future. In a relationship, one of the key factors is the idea of transparency, and this is yet another feature that is mirrored in politics. It is vital that the public is informed of all the events that occur in Parliament so voters can make a fair assessment 33
The Intimacy OF POLITICS AUTHOR: EVELYN FERNANDEZ-JARVIS of whether their needs are being well handled. When this idea of transparency fails, it leads to a breakdown in this relationship. Another political figure that we saw the downfall of, rather infamously, was Matt Hancock. He failed as Health Secretary, centrally through his failure to be transparent – breaking his own COVID-19 rules and breaching social distancing regulations. Not only was this a health risk, but it was a complete insult to the British public who were following these rules willingly and missing crucial events in the lives of the people around them to keep people safe. Hancock was not transparent, and he breached the trust of the public. The relationship broke down. Just like the rules of intimacy in a normal relationship, when someone's trust has been broken the relationship changes fundamentally, developing into something else entirely. This happens in British politics, with scandals making it clear that the lack of transparency shown by political figures turned many people's personal relationships with politics into something that was untrustworthy and unfair. Essentially, it has been made clear to the public that there is one rule for one side of the spectrum, and another one entirely for the other side. Whilst politics continues to need these elements of intimacy to be successful in the modern age, it remains clear that some political figures continually hinder their future in politics by ignoring the importance of them. 34
HOW LONG SHOULD
Wait
Reply? 37
G I
AUTHOR: MADELINE SIDGWICK ‘Is romance really this dead?’- a question I believe all of us have asked, or possibly screamed at a wall, at some point in our lives. In an age where social media undeniably consumes us it is clear that intimate relationships, both romantic and platonic, have been affected by the internet. Being able to easily contact those we connect with has many positives however when considering intimacy, I would suggest that the internet has done more to hinder deep connections than build them. The internal
to questions of “how long should I wait to reply?”, “Do I seem too keen?”, “Which is worse, being left on delivered or on read?”, are ever present as we try to figure out what on earth both our friends and our potential romantic endeavours are thinking. Now I am not suggesting that chivalry is dead, but I am sure we can all agree that a snapchat image of a blank wall is in no way endearing. I cannot help but envy my grandparents 38
when they tell me their story, meeting in a pub and conversing with intrigue; leading to over 50 years of marriage rather than “could I get your Instagram?” Although the rise of dating apps and social media has increased digital freedoms and played a significant role in reversing historical gender expectations, in relation to romance, locking eyes with a stranger across a room definitely appeals to me more than a midnight message of “you still up?” Perhaps I am fantasising too much or even being a delusional romantic. Such connections are impossible to form in the modern age and raises a question: will we as a generation be telling nostalgic stories of meeting our life partners through tinder? Social media has also set unprecedented ambitious standards for relationships and not in a positive way. The unreliability of couples’ Instagram pictures became most apparent to me on my trip to Paris in the summer; a couple had the typical Eiffel Tower proposal and got a cheer out of those around- sweet. However, when the proposer got down on one knee for the *third* time just to pose for Instagram pictures, I definitely wrote off the idea of Paris as ‘the city of love.’ The constant stream of couples in idyllic relationships on my Tik-Tok for-you page is never ending. Often, I have to remind myself these loved-up scenes were probably captured on the seventh take of the video to prevent the strange envy I am sure we all experience. 39
As a generation we prioritise showing off our relationships rather than holding onto the sentiments of intimate moments; allowing such relationships to become fractured if the ‘instagrammable’ expectation is not met. In a platonic sense I often find myself questioning whether I see my close friends enough and if we are meeting the standard that actually defines ‘real’ friends. The fact of the matter is that if someone makes you comfortable and you do themyou are friends. It does not matter if you got a good picture of a day out or if you tell all your followers you met up with them; it is about the intimacies that we remember and do not show the world that often become the most precious overall. The doubts that often circle our minds when looking at the “delivered three hours ago” should not define what we perceive of a friend or romantic attachment. In reality their phone has died or even crazier they might just have a life that does not involve constant snapchatting. I am sure we are all guilty of asking these questions. Remembering that Instagram fails to depict the lows of relationships or the small bickerings amongst friends pushes me into realising that how long they take to reply, and whether or not a picture accurately shows a friendship, really does not matter. As our generation matures, I hope to no longer hear or ask myself the question “how long should I wait to reply?” 40
Death of Girl
KEIRA G
I enjoy the concept of a Gone Girl vengeance storyline ju enigma to those close to you. Intimacy is a scary concept the Cool Girl, but this isn’t a good mindset to have. As mu actually knew her, I wou
For those who are unfamiliar with it, the archetype of a monologue in Gillian Flynn's novel Gone Girl, later adap who never allows others to get to know her. The Cool Girl i loves and does everything he wants, but she isn’t demure. This person varies depending on who they’re dating; not through their lack of emotional complications and reject vulnerable, she never disagrees, and most importantly - y real. She’s a
I think the glorification of the Cool Girl act, especially on T all relationships should be approached. You don’t have to deeply and wholly. It’s not embarrassing to have a
It can be hard to accept intimacy and connection in all its to be more trusting and comfortable in situations where i mean you have to implicitly know the person or people w that you shouldn’t put yourself in a situation where you fe relationships as well as romantic and sexual relationships show for. They should make you feel good about you
You are designed to be experienced by those around you A lot of the time, people have a tendency to avoid being to cope with it if you know that you're not the one being people meant to get to know you if you’re only letting th gratification in letting people
Of course, there can be reasons why people put up the C partners, friend groups, or family. Being open and intimat shape the way we approach connections afterwards. You else, which then becomes the story they tell when asked w will only continue if we all avoid letting others know us. S it stay burie 41
f the Cool l Act
GARCIA
ust as much as the next girl, but you don't have to be an t, and I used to fall victim to the romanticisation of being uch as I will defend Amy Dunne until the end of time, if I uld find her insufferable.
a Cool Girl I'm referring to is derived from the ‘Cool Girl’ pted into a film in 2014. The Cool Girl is simply someone is supposedly every man’s fantasy. She loves everything he . She’s him, but just the version he wants to have sex with. every Cool Girl is the same, but they’re usually connected tion of typically female traits. She doesn’t cry, she’s never you will never really know the Cool Girl because she isn’t a character.
TikTok, has misinformed many people about how any and o pretend not to care; you are allowed to feel your feelings a connection to someone; it’s incredibly human.
s forms, whether romantic, sexual, or emotional. Learning intimacy may come into play can be helpful. This doesn’t with whom you’re in an intimate situation; it just means eel insecure about being yourself. This applies to platonic s. Friends should be people that you don’t have to put on a urself, not like you have to protect or shield yourself.
u, not as an idea or a shape of what you like to be seen as. seen as themselves for fear of rejection. It’s much easier rejected, just the person you’ve constructed. But how are hem see certain parts of you? There is such beauty and see you for who you truly are.
Cool Girl act. Whether it’s previous bad experiences with te is incredibly vulnerable. However, we shouldn’t let this may end up being the one to ruin intimacy for someone why they put up the Cool Girl act. The cycle of detachment So take this as a toast to the death of the Cool Girl act. May ed and gone. 42