qmunicate issue 100 • 01/12/12 • qmunicate.wordpress.com
Inside: Bad Look - Why We Study - Jake Bugg Interview - The Hunt Review - Halo 4 Review - Young Man’s Game
Words of a Boardie Andrew McAllister (right), Current Student Representative, takes his turn in the column that will have a different board member discuss their work each issue.
Contents 3 • Words of a Boardie 4 • Diary Dates: Big Big Wednesday Night Pub Quiz; 12 Hour Christmas; 5 • QMU Elections; SNP Policy Lambasted by Fox 6 • Waltzing Julia; Star of a War. 7 •The Drugs Don’t Work; qmunicuts 9 • Malachy Clarke: Mental Deviant 10&11 • State of the Union
Hey folks! I’m Andy Mac, a Current Student Representative at this, the best union in the UK. I got involved in the QM last September writing for this very magazine so it’s pretty excellent to be featuring in it again! I’m currently in my second term as a CSR on the Board of Management, I just got back on in our latest by-election. In my first term I was Publications Lieutenant and helped produced this awesome magazine, but since November 1st this has been taken over by Bryce Johnston, who’s proving to be a fantastic publications leftie! Being a CSR is a great position on Board. Your role is as you make it, if you don’t like something in the building you can put in the work to change it! We’ve got CSRs on Board doing everything from promoting our committees, to changing the way our building looks to launching events that they’ve put together themselves. If you’ve got an interest or skill, QMU Board is a great way to advance it by entering an organisation where if you want to do something, you can make it happen. I’d like to take this oppurtunity to welcome Craig Cuthbertson, Katy Simmons and Alex Kattenhorn to the board now they’ve been elected at the Autumn By-Election Mark II. However, you don’t have to be on board to make a difference though! The thing that made me fall in love with the QMU is that all our events and publications are student run, meaning you can come to one of our committees and make your favourite part of the union even better. One of the big things I’ve been involved in
Credits
during my time as a CSR is the starting up of our Sponsorship and Advertising sub-committee, convened by yours truly. This wee gathering is dedicated to bringing in sponsorship for the QM’s events and advertisers for the bangin’ magazine you’re holding! Given the situation the QM finds itself in this is becoming even more important in making sure we can keep investing in these much loved and passionately run events. It’s also pretty rewarding work; every pound you get in for an event goes straight to making that event better. We’ve also been making forays into designing ads ourselves, so if you know anybody who loves illustrating or designing tell them to come along, we’re in the Boardroom on Wednesdays at 2. Hopefully you’ve learned something from this wee bit and may consider running at our General Election in March! There’s a lot of positions up for grabs, from President to CSR roles like mine. Running for board is one of the best decisions I’ve made, I’d recommend it to anyone who loves this union and wants to see it get better. If you’ve ever got any questions about the union feel free to ask me, I’ll usually be around the building somewhere. Don’t be afraid to talk to Board Members, we’re here to help and really want to hear what you think about the union and what we could do better! See you around!
14 •Jake Bugg 16 • Recorded Music; Reverend and The Makers; Preda Sharp and Don Diablo; Findlay; Deftones; Breathless’ 17 • Live Music: Deaf Havana/ Canterbury; Jake Bugg 18 • Movie Reviews: The Hunt; Nativity 2 19• Arts & Culture: The Kelvingrove; Transmission 20 • Tech: Student Initiative; Halo 4 21 • Sports: Young Man’s Game ; Fair Play 22 • Jay-Z’s 99 Problems
[Andrew McAllister]
Black • David Childs • Barrie Josephs • Bryce Johnston• Colum Fraser • Tiago Abreu • Ansgar Hastenpflug • Susie Rae • Laura Thomas • Bradley Ford • Joe Slane • Emma Jewson • Section Editors/Heroes: Emma Jewson • Theo Wheatley •David Childs •Joseph Nelson • Andrew Gordon Ali Begg • Kirsty McLeish Photogaphy/Illustration: Jani Helle • Tom Kelly • Joseph Nelson • Chloe Contributors: Chaplin • Braden Fletcher • Jeffrey Smith • Joseph Nelson • Max Sefton• Malachy Vince Kmeron Clarke • Tom Kelly • Lucy Howell • Alice Editor: Tom Kelly
12&13• Why We Study
Thanks to: Sweety Cups • Colour • Whisky • Finance • Naughty Wednesdays Despite: Red Ribbon Ball• Money Fears • Emma in Belfast • David not knowing it was editing weekend• QMU Internet • Fears over losing Ryan • Red Mist
Printing courtesy of Forward Graphics
qmunicate • 3
news
Diary Dates
The best of the QM’s calendar
‘BIG’ BIG WEDNESDAY NIGHT PUB QUIZ 12.12.12 How are you celebrating the triple twelve? event? £250 is the amount up for grabs for the We know what we’ll be doing : entering a team with the best knowledge across our many qmunicate team into the Big Big Wednesday fantastic rounds. Night Pub Quiz. As with all our bigger quizzes there will of The Chris’ return to host another quiz down course be a video round to look forward to in on the Qudos stage following their massive addition to our usual fantastic set of rounds. success this Freshers’ week. This time anyone can come in and enjoy a night of quiz-tacular So get a team together, book a table on our fun. Facebook and get down to this event to win yourself a quarter of a grand. Now, let’s get down to business. Just how much can you win at this astronomical quiz Come on, the rent won’t pay itself.
12 Hour Christmas Cheesy! 14.12.12 12 Hour Christmas Cheesy, what better way to end another year at university. This year’s night starts with a traditional Scottish ceilidh in Qudos. Then upstairs at nine we’ll begin Christmas Karaoke.
that will be set up in Champion’s Bar from 12?
S-Club will then be taking the stage in Qudos. Bradley, Jo and Paul will be bringing you back to your youth with their catchy brand of pop. If you haven’t had enough of the wonderful music you can catch a cover band playing all your favourites up in Jims once the karaoke’s done.
For a break from Tennents we’ll be offering a whole bunch of Christmas cocktails !
We will of course be showing Die Hard as we do every year along with one other Christmas classic up on the second floor. While you’re there you’ll be able to grab some food, including the 12 Hour Cheesy favourite Brie Bites!
If you fancy kicking it old school, we will have an N64 set up upstairs for a bit of retro gaming. You’ll be able to cherish the memories by getting a snap with Santa Claus and getting yourself in the Survivor’s photo at the end!
If you fancy yourself a lucky All of this is brought to you by the QMU for just person this Christmas time, why £8 for members and £12 for non members if you not try your hand at the casino buy in advance! £15 on the door.
4 • qmunicate
news
I’m The King Of The Swingers Study finds our primate brothers also suffer from the odd mid-life crisis It would appear that mid-life crises are not just for 50-year-old, bald men called Steve, as a new study done on chimpanzees and orangutans discovered that they too suffer the u-shaped dip in happiness levels during the middle of their lives.
An international team of experts made up of psychologists, primatologists and economists underwent a world-wide study of over 508 apes currently in captivity and discovered that just like humans, chimps and orangutans suffered a downward turn in mood half way through their lives, which then peaked back up again in later years. The study, which was recently published in the American Journal ‘The Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences’, asked the monkeys’ innkeepers to keep a close monitor on their hairy wards’ behaviour, answering detailed questions relating to sociability, enthusiasm and ability to complete tasks. Dr. Weiss, one of the two authors of the study along with Professor Andrew Oswald, explained, ‘You don’t have the chimpanzee hitting mid-life and suddenly they want a bright red sports car, but there may be other things that they want like mating with more females or gaining access to more resources’. Where previously people have tended to think of the sudden awakening
which happens in the late 40’s to 50’s as being a result of social pressures and the realization that half their life is over, this new study would seem to indicate that in fact, having a ‘mid-life crisis’ is asbiological phenomena. The genetic make-up of primates is very similar to humans, suggesting that this information can be applied to humans. Apes have over 95% of the same genetic make-up as us, which explains a lot when you think about it. The reason for the sudden panic is still unclear, as its occurrence has been studied in over 50 countries and does not seem to vary across socio-economic and ethnic groups. One of the more popular theories is that it is an adaptive instinct, as by your late 40’s most people are at the peak of their health and most likely to achieve success; it could be the body’s way of reminding us not to get complacent with our lives. Either way, it may satisfy some men to know that it’s their genetics telling them a leather jacket and a Harley motorbike is suddenly a good idea. [Lucy Howell]
Progress In Congress US elections a victory for LGBT and women’s rights For those of you who’ve been in a coma for the past year and half, the United States have had some elections recently. As you’re almost certainly aware, Barack Obama was elected into his second term as president, though there was a little less sparkle surrounding his presidency as there was during his initial election in 2008. Less widely reported, however, are some of the other results of the election, particularly regarding gay rights within the country. Notably, the states of Maryland, Maine and Washington all voted to legalise same sex marriage. Though six states have previously already allowed same sex couples to be married, including New York, Vermont and Iowa, this is the first time it has been legalised by a public vote, something considered somewhat of a breakthrough in a country famous for its questionable track record in regard to LGBT issues. Indeed, it was only this summer that North Carolina voters chose to define marriage as only between one man and one woman, thus making same sex marriage within the state unconstitutional.
Outside of the law, there have also been a lot of issues concerning discrimination against non-heterosexuals. The Boy Scouts of America, for example, recently came under attack for not only refusing to admit new members on grounds of sexuality, but actively removing people from the institution for being homosexual. Similarly, fast food company Chick-Fil-A sparked recent controversy after CEO Dan Cathy’s claim that legalising same-sex marriage was ‘inviting God’s judgement on our nation’, while, on the other side of the debate, the National Organisation for Marriage called for a boycott of Starbucks for openly supporting gay rights. In a country where every company and institution seems obliged to have a view on same-sex marriage, the decision of the public in three separate states to legalise appears as somewhat of a relief. In addition to the improvements made in LGBT rights, there were several other good things to come out of the election, notably the defeat of Todd Akin in the race for the Missouri senate
seat. Akin famously and very publicly claimed in a debate about abortion that victims of ‘legitimate rape’ rarely got pregnant because ‘the female body has ways of shutting these things down’. Democrat Claire McCaskill won instead, the first woman to be elected to this post. Basically this round of elections has seen the American public demonstrate its commitment appears to forward thinking and a liberal attitude towards citizens’ choices and personal lives. A welcome change to many who too often see the US do the opposite. In the midst of homophobic and sexist controversies akin to those surrounding Todd Akin and the Boy Scouts of America, the recent results of the election come as a great encouragement, particularly to those Americans who are clearly so desperate, yet constantly opposed, for sexual and gender equality in their country. [Susie Rae] qmunicate • 5
news
Bad Look A case of mistaken identity ruins the life of an Iranian woman Cases of mistaken identity usually end with a funny anecdote. Not so for Neda Soltani, who had to flee her home country, Iran, and start a new life after she was mistaken for a different Iranian women killed during a protest in 2009. When the story broke, Western journalists failed to verify the identity of the deceased victim, with many of them choosing to use Facebook to eliminate other women with the same name. In fact, the real victim had a slightly different name - Neda Agha-Soltan - but so little was known about her, that Soltani found herself unwillingly becoming the face of the story.
to be an agent of the government who had hacked into the real victim’s account. Once Agha-Soltan’s distressed family had released official photos of their relative, Soltani believed the attention would end. However, by then the damage was done, and Soltani described seeing her face in shrines as ‘like sitting there and watching my own funeral’.
Despite using her Facebook account to make it quite clear she was still alive, journalists continued to use her image, and she found herself on posters, flags and in newspapers. Soltani was inundated with Facebook friend requests (because apparently everyone wants to be friends with a dead girl), as well as messages of hate from people believing her
Three days later, Soltani was visited by agents from Iran’s Ministry of Intelligence, who had been embarrassed by the international attention the episode had attracted. They wanted Soltani’s cooperation to suggest that the death of Agha-Soltan had never occurred, and was propaganda orchestrated by the West. When Soltani refused, she found herself cut off from her friends and boyfriend, and was eventually taken away, where she was charged for being a CIA spy. With a few friends’ help, Soltani managed to escape Iran and bribe border control to let her out of the country, eventually settling in Germany. It has taken three years for Soltani to publicise her story, and she says the people she blames the most are the Western media outlets who ‘knowingly exposed me to extreme danger’. It’s hard to believe that Facebook, the thing many of us rely on to connect with friends and family, could lead to such a monumental mix-up. [Laura Thomas]
Britvic Bru
Irn Bru and Britvic become best buddies Scotland’s iconic and much loved drinks company AG Barr have, after a series of discussions with competitor company Britvic, agreed to merging the two businesses together to create one large sugar producing giant called Barr Britvic Soft Drinks. The new company, which is expecting annual sales to exceed £1.5bn, sees the majority stock shares falling in favour of Britvic and the loss of 500 different jobs. This is particularly important here in Scotland as Cumbernauld, current head office of AG Barr, has the company as its main source of employment. Though the head office in Cumbernauld will remain running, the new group’s operational headquarters will be centred in Britvic’s headquarters in England. Despite the hundreds of rehearsed press quotes about ‘synergies’ and ‘profit margins’ the worry is that with this new partnership with an English based company, Barr could lose its main appeal. Irn Bru, a national beverage in Scotland, has often been seen as proud to be Scottish, yet this new partnership promotes the necessity 6 • qmunicate
of collaboration between the two countries at rather unsteady political times. In a statement Britvic non-executive chairman Gerald Corbett said: ‘AG Barr and Britvic are a fantastic fit with complementary strengths’ and while both
companies do produce questionably coloured drinks (Britvic are responsible for Tango), this merger could be seen as Barr turning their backs on their heritage, in order to seek a greater profit. In economically stressful times such as these however, it can hardly be fair to discredit a company when it has to make tough decisions. Barr were granted an extension period for further discussion after their intial talks with Britvic, suggesting that this was not a decision they took lighty. The soft drink industry as a whole has been facing a tougher time than most in recent years, with the various government health campaigns seeking to restrict the public’s intake of fizzy drinks, which obviously resulted in sales falling. Though the merger will mean a slight loss of Scotland’s claims over the Barr brand, it will increase international awareness of the awesomeness that is Irn Bru and can only hope to improve the brands sales, rather than draw away from its Lanarkshire roots. [Lucy Howell]
news
Eurovision
Ansgar Hastenpflug on Europe’s future look Scotland is getting closer to the referendum, and independence is becoming an increasingly realistic idea every day. However it is not only the United Kingdom that faces the prospect of secession in the near future: Catalan leader Artur Mas is aiming for a referendum to try and achieve a mandate in the upcoming election, to pursue independence for his region from Spain. Furthermore Flanders and Wallonia might not wish to form Belgium for much longer either. The whole Scottish independence thing is rekindling many independence movements throughout Europe, which have resurfaced regularly over the last decades. But will Spain and Belgium remain the only followers of Salmon’s push for independence? Could they be the first of many, causing a chain reaction leading Europe back to small- and micro-states that preceded the big national states as we know them today?
Countries that play a central role in the European Union like Germany or Italy didn’t exist as single states till about 140 ago. Even though the Holy Roman Empire, the prime example of a relatively loose union of hundreds of tiny states, was dissolved during the Napoleonic Wars in 1806, it was not until 1871 that the German Empire came into being, uniting Prussia, Saxony, Bavaria and numerous other ‘German’ states. The European Union was formed and is still led by the big national states and has existed in this form for a good 60 years now. It’s facing a major crisis, with Greece’s economy collapsing and other member states like Spain or Portugal close to breaking down as well. Did the Union’s arguably most ambitious project to date, the Euro, as well as the increasing number of (weak) member states, overstretch its capabilities? Is it time for a change, maybe paying tribute to
Europe’s diverse cultural facets by abandoning the idea of the huge national states? Maybe it is, as small states like those in the Baltic-Scandinavia area are more ‘homogenous, efficient and governable’ as Catalan leader Artur Mas puts it. ‘Homogenous’ is obviously a crucial term to the debate about granting independence to certain parts of a country, but on the other hand we might ask the question if this is still relevant in a globalized world in which countries become increasingly entwined through trade, foreign students or workers and the internet. But Mas has got a point in saying that the Scandinavian countries appear to be more efficient, as they regularly top the polls for the most satisfied citizens and doing pretty well in terms of GDP, education and social security. Obviously it is easier to provide a laptop for every student in the country if you have only a few million citizens rather than over 60 million like in Britain. Mas is convinced that Catalonia has prospects of having the same ‘tools as Denmark, Finland or Austria’ to establish itself among the other EU member states. Actually maybe even better ones as it would rank 7th richest in terms of GDP per capita in the Union. The EU does not have any specific regulations for creating a new state from the territory of another, but there are some principles and clauses that hint on such a possibility; the Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties for instance. Art. 15 says that the successor state, in the case of the Scottish referendum this would be the remaining United Kingdom, is supposed to keep all the engagements and treaties as before. The newly created state however is not bound by this, as treaties concerning the predecessor state ‘cease to be in force’. Scotland, Catalonia or Flanders would thus not automatically join the EU. Scotland’s case might be slightly more complicated though. If the United Kingdom is considered a union of equal partners, both states might be considered ‘continuators’ and thus treaties would remain intact. If the union is considered dissolved however then neither get the place the UK currently holds in the EU. But what should not be forgotten in this debate is that, in spite of all its flaws, the EU has shown Europe’s potential for solidarity and cooperation. It is something that needs to be preserved, and should form the framework of whatever the future will bring, be it hundreds of small states or an even more centralised cooperation of the ones we know.
qmuni cuts The column that doesn’t flush or wash its hands A study has found that porn stars are as healthy, if not more than ordinary women. The adult movie stars interviewed were found to be more positive, have better body image, better quality of life and highly levels of spirtuality. They were found to have a better than average sex life as well unsuprisingly. • A series of graffiti images of a woman taking a piss have been popping up around Glasgow recently, probably much to the amusement of some, but for the bewilderment and mild disgust of the rest. • LGBT charity Stonewall has named Scotland’s very own Cardinal Keith O’Brian as the winner of this year’s Bigot Of The Year award. It’s not known if the Cardinal attended the award cermony to collect his hard-earned trophy. • Excitement has been building in a Catholic Church in Mumbai recently due to tears dripping from the eyes of their statue of Jesus on the cross. Many flocked to see the miracle. However when Sanal Edamaruku had a look behind it he found leaky plumming was to blame. Now he’s been forced to flee India to escape being imprisoned under India’s blasphemy laws. Edamaruku is well known in India as a promenant rationalist and plans to launch a major attack on the laws that have forced him to flee. • Japan’s ninjas are dying out. For centuries the secret arts of stealth and espionage have been passed down from father to son. Special secret ninja skills include making smokebombs, poison, climbing high walls, sneaking around and even floating on water in a standing position using special floating footpads. Nowadays however there is no work for a jobbing ninja and members of the ninja clans find employment in ordinary jobs, and are no longer training proteges. • A Pacific Island has been found to not exist, despite being on Google Maps and marine charts, called Sandy island. Suposedly situated between Australia and French protectorate New Caladonia scientists from the University Of Sydney went to check it out recently only to find it wasn’t actually there. qmunicate • 7
Your week at the QM… Monday Free Condoms 1200-1600 • Cloak Room Campaigns and Charities Committee 1700 • Board Room Monday Night Music Quiz 2000 • Jim’s Bar
Tuesday Events Committee 1730 • Board Room Unplugged 2000 • Jim’s Bar
Wednesday
Thursday
Free Condoms 1200-1600 • Cloak Room
Social Committee 1730 • Board Room
Friday
Saturday
Free Condoms 1300-1600 • Cloak Room
Live Sport in Champions’ Bar
Publications Committee 1730 •Board Room
Pop Culture & a Piano 1630 • Jim’s Bar
See Bar for this week’s games!
BWNPQ 2000 • Jim’s Bar
Karaoke 2100 • Jim’s Bar
Want more qmunicate? We hear you. Thats why we’re putting plenty more of this wonderful content online over at: www.qmunicate.wordpress.com With exclusive online content including regular columns on sport and films, regular fashion features, travel features and game reviews to whet your appetite .
Cheesy Pop 2200-0200 • Qudos
SecuriGroup are recruiting for
Event Stewards For further details please email:
event.recruitment@securigroup.co.uk 2010
The Venlaw Building, 349 Bath Street, Glasgow, G2 4AA T: 0141 285 3820 F: 0844 8080 911 info@securigroup.co.uk www.securigroup.co.uk
8 • qmunicate
features
Malachy Clarke Mental Deviant
Our columnist talks independence and says goodbye It’s issue one hundred! One hundred whole issues. That’s years of writing, editing, yelling, compromise and disappointment. Just like real life! And as I’m sure you noticed this issue is themed. The union is pretty much a state, hence the theme ‘The state of the union’. I’ve been asked to write this issue’s column about the SNP and independence. So the focus here is the union of the UK, not the union as in the blissful utopia that is the Queen Margaret Union, Glasgow. When I was in high school I had a dickhead politics teacher who, following
a long discussion about the BNP, told us that Sean Connery was an avid supporter of the SNP. This was literally the first time I’d ever heard of the SNP and I spent quite a while convinced that Sean Connery was some sort of racist Scottish asshat. I was distraught. Eventually he told us that the SNP were completely unrelated to the BNP. I could never quite trust him again. I should point out here that I am not Scottish, I am from Ireland. That is why I had never heard of the SNP. The first time I really heard about Scottish independence in a practical rather than a purely theoretical way, was when an American in a kilt gave me a leaflet during Freshers’ Week. His ancestors were Scottish apparently. He couldn’t vote in a referendum but was pretty fucking passionate about getting that referendum called. Fair play to him. I’m strongly in favour of the reunification of Ireland and I’m moderately in favour of Scottish Independence. Basically I’m in favour of anything that weakens the UK. Welsh independence? Sign me up. Is that even a thing? It should be. I just think realistically the UK needs taken down a peg or two. They’re too involved in foreign countries. The British Empire’s dead. Let it rest. I’m a Politics student so I feel the need to point out that my pro-independence stance is based on more than just wanting to see the UK slowly disintegrating. Salmond has said he plans an independent Scotland to run under the Nordic model. Fuckin’ A man. The Nordic people are amazing. The Nordic countries consistently rate highly in global indices. They have some of the
highest happiness rates in the world and, by and large, they’re fucking sexy people. Also if you’re concerned about the army, relax. It’ll be grand. The British army is one of the few armies that accepts foreign nationals. Roughly 10% of the British army are foreign nationals. Ireland has no army, so any Irishman who is just desperate to go abroad and kill people can sign up to the British Army. I imagine they’d do the same for the Scots. They couldn’t really afford to lose the strong base of soldiers the Scots provide. The only downside I can see to Scottish independence is that it’ll give the Tories a much stronger base in UK elections. But then, fuck that, right? Scotland’ll be out of it so who gives a shit? It’s pretty unfair that only basically a handful of rich Scottish idiots vote for the Tories giving them one seat. Yet Scotland must suffer 4 years of Tory rule. I get that they have devolved powers but basically we have a system where 16% of Scots voted Tory and the main government in power is Tory. I’m excited to see how an independent Scotland plays out. I hope you’ll join me come the referendum. This is my final column, and I’ve not had a proper chance to say goodbye because I was limited by the theme of the issue in what I could write. I’d like to say there’s been problems since day one and it’s not working out and blah blah and that’s why I’m going, but I can’t. So that’s that. I’m done. After Christmas there’ll be somebody else writing this. Hopefully they won’t step on too many toes and they’ll have a longer go at this than I have. Anyway, thank you for reading what I have to say. I hope you enjoyed it. I intend to continue writing for this publication in other capacities and for any other publication that’ll have me . Thank you, and goodbye. [Malachy Clarke]
The views expressed above do not neccesarily represent the views of qmunicate, the Queen Margaret Union, or the Federal Bank of Canada qmunicate • 9
features
STATE OF T
Support Your U
The Queen Margaret Union is in trouble. As recently reported in the Glasgow Guardian, the University’s annual contribution - the block grant - has been held pending report and investigation into the Union’s financial sustainability following continued years of financial deficit. This downturn can be attributed to many factors, such as growing competition for student markets, changes in student lifestyle, demographics and interest, or a general all-round shortage of cash, but the end-product remains the same. Over the last two decades, the QMU has built up a significant reserve that can sustain such patterns for several years to come, but - at the current rate this will run out, and the Queen Margaret Union may close, likely just past its 125th anniversary year. This is a pattern that - obviously - the current and future Boards of Management, staff and volunteers of the QMU are looking to reverse. The suspension, while levied alongside an offer of assistance to plan for the future of the Union, displays a demoralising and frustrating lack of confidence from the University’s side if the table. We need your help. It is often said that - commercially - people vote with their feet. If this is the case, the students of the University of Glasgow are voting against the Queen Margaret Union. The Union exists to provide what you want, be it space to meet and learn, to sate your hunger, thirst and academic needs, or the opportunities to get involved
10 • qmunicate
with the running of the University’s many clubs and societies, or indeed the QM itself. If you feel that it can do better, provide more, or run differently and more suited to your needs, you need only say so. Unlike the ever-multiplying bars and clubs in town, the Union is not interested in squeezing your wallet for all it’s worth - it’s only aimed at providing enough to guarantee student services to the future students of the University of Glasgow while working to enhance the lives of the current ones. Unlike these businesses, if the Queen Margaret Union is to disappear, it will not come back in any form.
What is a student Union and why is it important?
bar, club, cafe, shop or other service. This is the constant need and effort to provide skills and development - education both tangible and intangible in all of the areas of life not covered in the confines of a university lecture theatre or homes and halls of residence. For this reason, the Union is run by volunteers - an elected Board of Management of current students, and the four standing committees - full-time students who choose to step further, gain more experience and reach higher.
‘The future of the Queen Margaret Union is in the hands of its members, and all of the students of the University of Glasgow - your hands.’ - [Colum Fraser, QMU President]
To understand where we can go from here, we must first understand the point in a students’ union - the reason for organisations like the Queen Margaret Union to exist. At basic surface value, they provide day-to-day student services - things like the QM Shop, Lacuna and Jim’s Bar - are found throughout many universities, catering to the needs of their members and students as thoroughly - and cheaply - as is possible. The commercial aim of a Union is not to maximise profit by milking students’ wallets for all they’re worth, it is to break even - the QMU is a registered charity dedicated to These volunteers can be anyone that gives up a little spare time in exchange for visible and student service provision. tangible returns - not just for themselves, but This level - beyond the commercial aspect of a for the many people who use the organisation students’ union - is what separates it from any daily. The responsibility for the actions and
features
THE UNION
Union or See it End
direction of the Union present in any member What you’ll lose and how you can raises it above any commercial organisation, help and establishes the Union - not just as a set of commercial services and space on campus - but By no means is the Queen Margaret Union as a focal point for socialising and development doomed. Our current situation - with the University and other threats - is that of a among the student community. struggle, and this risks steady attrition of morale Considering these many facets, a truly great and willingness amongst all that are involved students’ union will be one that is considered with the running of the organisation. But within more even than the sum of its many individual these many people - those already dedicated, parts. It is defined, in part, by the development, and those who have merely not yet discovered debate and enrichment that its members the many opportunities within the Union experience through their involvement, and that lies an incredible potential. A Union thrives go on to help them define their lives, careers, and progresses on ideas - the creativity and ingenuity of its members. If this most valuable and futures. of resources is properly tapped - and this is recognised and used by the many members The 122-year history of the Queen Margaret and students who come in contact with the Union is a one defined by students who have organisation - the Union will not only reverse harnessed the power and the community of its negative trends, but emerge strengthened the Union in order to change to campus and by the process, fuelled by its members and the world around them. It was the Queen bolstered by the challenge. Margaret College that produced the first female graduates in the University of Glasgow’s - and In the coming months, with the run-up to the Scotland’s - history. The Queen Margaret Union Annual General Election at the start of March, spearheaded the effort to make all campus the Queen Margaret Union will focus on looking organisations co-educational, and was the first outside of its core groups - its comfort zone. In to do so. Throughout the turmoil of the 1990s, order to counteract the threat of complacency the Union managed to reverse reputations and and exclusion that comes in this time of financial trends that saw the QMU dragged struggle, as many people as possible - such through the mud, with little external backing as you - need to know what your Union can offer. A Union - indeed any community - from or support. which members feel unnecessary, excluded This is a history and a culture that the students or ignored is not united at all, and there will be nothing sadder than the disappearance of of Glasgow are in danger of losing. the QMU with little but a whimper. If there is a fight to be had, as many as possible should feel
involved, should feel threatened, and - overall should realise what a difference they would see should the Union no longer open. Using the Union’s commercial services consistently the cheapest on campus - enables everything else that the Union offers, for example volunteer training and this magazine. Should you wish to acquire something extra for your later life, your CV, or just feel like picking up new skills in which you have been interested - volunteering, designing, writing, speaking, running technical aspects of events, management and more - ask anyone in the Union how you may get more involved, and you will soon find yourself amongst the thick of it - there is no entry exam or aptitude test the majority of those that end up running the Union started by just turning up to Committees and finding out what they could do. The future of the Queen Margaret Union is in the hands of its members, and all of the students of the University of Glasgow - your hands. Though we can sit around and wait for the University to draw its own conclusions - a process currently sitting at the four month mark - we should act now. The Union is in trouble, but this is a situation that can be remedied by the volunteers, members and wider University of Glasgow community, resulting in a stronger, more vibrant and diverse Union. Conversely, this is what is it at risk if we fail.
[Colum Fraser] qmunicate • 11
features
WHY W STUDY. [ In these times of anti-intellectualism and economic strife, many critics are wondering if a university degree is worth the paper it’s printed on. qmunicate contributors try to reason with the idiots. ]
Law Ah, law. It could have all been so very different. My youthful dalliance with science, the impulsive personal statements drafted for Russian and French – all but a folly as I sit in the library poring over case report after case report, wondering if anyone could really care enough about bureaucratic mishaps to write a comprehensive journal article on a topic like this and finding, in fact, that they already have. And, to my dismay, that it disagrees with the notes I’ve penned. Oh, it’s not all bad, I suppose. The prestige, the impression of cleverness, the prospect of being paid to dress in robes and a wig… Law has always had a certain appeal. It would be stretching the truth a little to call it fun, but it’s just interesting enough. It gives me
12 • qmunicate
credibility and a way to earn a living, which seems like a fair price to pay for it being a little dry at times. Anyway, I get to retreat to the comforting arms of German once or twice a week and amuse myself with words like Rhabarbermarmelade. It’s a good balance. (By the way, law, if you’re reading this, I’m still totally into you – German’s just a phase. Let’s sit down and get a glass of wine and I’ll totally apply for that diploma thingy we talked about. Probably.) [Calum MacInnes]
French I chose to study French because it is a beautiful language; it’s the language of art, of culture, of fashion, of romance, and of really good
food; it’s the 9th most spoken language in the world. I don’t want to be restricted to living and working in the UK. With French, there is the possibility of travel to African countries, places in Indonesia and the South Pacific, Canada, Belgium, Switzerland, and, of course, France. I want to discover the culture in its own language, and experience it fully immersed. I want to be accepted by the locals. By 2050, 7% of the population will speak French; that’s nearly 500 million people, and more opportunities for travel, for work, for discovery. I chose Glasgow because the SMLC is a friendly department, the triple subject format of our degrees meant that I got to study Italian as a bonus for my first two years, and I got a brilliant year abroad as a language assistant in France, (although coming back down to skint student reality after a year in the French working world was a bit of
WE .
a shock). In 2011 we protested against the drastic cuts proposed to the SMLC, boasting banners with slogans like ‘Cuts are the Wurst’, ‘You’re Putin us out of jobs’ and ‘Dumbledore wouldn’t stand for this’. We protested, and they listened to us. Sort of. There weren’t as many subjects completely cut as proposed (Catalan, Portuguese, Italian, Russian, Czech, Polish, etc), but the department now has fewer staff. I feel that learning languages is incredibly important; because the fact remains that a person who speaks three languages is trilingual. A person who speaks two languages is bilingual. And a person who speaks just one language is English.
features
a university offers. It’s may not be refining or training any particular skill, but I know when I (hopefully) graduate next year, employers will see that because of my degree, I can argue, persuade, analyse, present an argument and generally be able to function as a well rounded person in the real world. Due to our nation’s rich heritage in enjoying literature, it is also one of the most popular and therefore most oversubscribed courses at the university and the fact that the Arts gets no money means that contact time with tutors and lecturers is severely reduced. I mean reduced to almost nothing. Our poor stressed teachers, though they may want to help broaden our mind beyond the assessed requirements, are forced to compact our classes into strictly structured segments of information, and then leave us to wander the intellectually mine fields alone. Literature is a key part of a nation’s heritage; it provides incredibly accurate evidence of various social movements, cultural changes and most importantly, public mentality, which is something that formal documentation cannot express. This is why more money should be given to help explore our icon literary traditions. [Lucy Howell]
[Yasmynn Lloyd]
Physics
English Literature
Before coming to uni, my only perception of Physics students was watching ‘The Big Bang Theory’. These guys were completely at a loss socially, treated girls like they were a mix between aliens and unobtainable goddesses
English Literature is one of the oldest and most intellectually esteemed subjects that
and were trekkies to a man. Surely, I thought, real Physics students would really be just like everyone else, drinking cheap vodka out of whatever clean container they could find in their student kitchens before stumbling out to their club of choice? Turns out I was wrong. But so was the Big Bang Theory. Physics students, as it turned out, are as impossible to pigeonhole as an actual pigeon. We’ve got everything from football fanatics to anime geeks, from librarybound bookworms to QM Board members and from people whose be all and end all is a job at CERN to people who want nothing more than to sit and watch the stars go past. Being a Physics student involved in the QMU is a rarity, and I can see why. The department seems to think that man can live on bread alone, that university life means being able to study somewhere other than the Kelvin Building. When telling my advisor about working at the QMU his response ran something along the lines of ‘quit that now’. It’s a shame, because the Physics department is chock full of really interesting folk who would be really keen to get involved on campus if they weren’t so discouraged. These guys are one and all passionate about Physics, and for some of them the current system is just fine. But it’s a crying shame that the department seems to frown upon students getting involved in anything that doesn’t include equations because there should always be more to studying than just getting a degree. [Andrew McAllister]
qmunicate • 13
features
Jake Bugg The chart-topping 18 year old talks to qmunicate about life on the road Hey man, how’s the tour going?
You said you’ve been watching the Wire would you like to play Baltimore?
Not bad, it’s been pretty chaotic. We’re on our 6th night now. I’ll play anywhere. I think you learn a lot doing that. America’s weird though. You’re there and You’re now a chart topping artist. Was they love you and as soon as you go they forget going to Number 1 a big surprise for you? about you. I personally was pretty pleased you kept Leona Lewis off the top of the charts. The first time I ever saw you perform was on Later with Jools Holland alongside The Hives Yeah, that was awesome. I didn’t expect it all, and Paloma Faith, both of whom are very man. Didn’t think it’d go top ten so it was really flamboyant live acts. Who has influenced good. Leona’s shit though. you as a live act? What do you listen to on the tour bus?
Well we’ve tried to keep it simple, I’ve got the same setup as then, just bass and drums. The Nothing, we don’t have a bus, we’re still just Hives were great and Paloma was lovely (drifts travelling around in a van at the moment. Got off looking slightly overwhelmed). a couple of dvds on though. We’re halfway through Season 2 of the Wire. How did you find your band? You’ve toured Britain a couple of times this year and been to Europe twice as well as supporting Noel Gallagher and Snow Patrol in the US. Where’s been your favourite place you’ve played?
We held auditions. A couple were great, some were terrible. It’s different from being a band that forms as a group of schoolmates cos I can kinda do my own stuff, but I think we’re really close friends now.
I think my favourite was probably in Nashville. We played in this theatre where Hank Williams and Johnny Cash and Dolly Parton, all these legends had played and it went down really well. Wish I’d had a load of cds to sell, they were desperate for them. I really want to visit Japan. My drummer loves it there so that’s something I’d like to try.
King Tut’s has a reputation as a crucible of live bands. Were you nervous walking up the stairs and seeing the list of bands that have played here over the years? What do I have to be nervous about? I played a show with Michael Kiwanuka at the ABC earlier in the year which was good practice. He’s got a
really soulful voice and I guess you pick up a few tricks. My tour manager’s from Glasgow and it seems like a good place. On a much grander scale, you’ve also just been announced as supporting The Stone Roses at a gigantic gig at Glasgow Green. How do you feel about that? It’ll be really great to see them again. They’re legends, aren’t they? I opened for them at a secret show at the Village Underground in London, which was awesome. I’m always amazed by bands like the Kinks who wrote amazing material whilst they still in their teens. When did you realise you had a talent for it, and which of the songs on your album is the oldest? (Suddenly excited) The Kinks are a great band! - I guess I knew pretty young…. The oldest song is probably ‘Someplace’ which I wrote it when I was 15. Having opened for Noel Gallagher and played with Michael Kiwanuka and co, are there any heavyweight guests you’d like to rope in to play on album number two? That would be good but who knows? I’m always writing new material and I’d really like to get another record out. I write everywhere not just in the studio, although it’s quite hard to get in the right headspace when you’re out on tour, all up and down. [Max Sefton]
14 • qmunicate
qmunicate • 15
SPILLA
WHAT GOES AROUND
Reverend and The Makers Opening on a plodding shrug of a guitar melody, played with that washed out kind of tone that’s inescapable nowadays, expectations of imaginative thinking are set fairly low on What Goes Around. Indeed, what follows is a piece of unambitious Brit Pop, utterly conventional in structure, glazed in contemporary digital sheen. The absence of a bridge both exemplifies the lack of ideas present and ensures that the song is without any sense of journey. Behind all this sits an oscillating synth, about as textured as a built-in preset on an Argos play-along keyboard, which persists throughout, further contribution to the monotony. The signature Jarvis Cocker cadence which punctuates second and third choruses provides the tiniest relief from a comprehensive exercise in musical humdrum. [AG] Following on from the highly acclaimed ‘Diamond Eyes’ The Deftones 7th studio album ‘Koi No Yokan’ is a dynamic work. On first listen, the album sounds a bit too polished with the pretty songs and high-end clean production making Moreno’s vocals lose some of that rough, unhinged vibe. However, after listening to the album in more depth, its underlying complexity becomes clear with each instrument providing a different level to the overall sound.
Breathless, a band active since the eighties and led by Dominic Appleton (to be heard on This Mortal Coil’s Album Filigree & Shadow) set out to transport the listener back to the golden days of British psychedelic rock in the early seventies, namely the likes of Caravan, Camel, Van der Graaf Generator or early Genesis. Epic soundscapes meet with beautiful, soul soothing but also deeply melancholic melodies; a combination that evokes Wish You Were Here-era Pink Floyd or Steven Wilson’s modern day homage to the very same, Porcupine Tree. England’s prog god would certainly approve of this double album journey to the heart and back.
‘Swerve City’ opens this 11 track album with a melodic yet heavy tune, setting the tone for the rest of the tracks. From there, the listener is led through a mix of crushing riffs and bashee-like vocals alongside soft and haunting soundscapes and while sounding pretty ‘same-y’ 11 minute epic ‘Walk Away’ is the by the end, definitley manages to only song to sport heavy-ish guitars, which makes it stand out compared impress. to the rest of the record (which is Overall, the album’s refined quality nonetheless a masterpiece of guitar and slightly repetitive tracks do driven psychedelic music). ‘Rain not let it down as each track’s Down Now’ on the other hand opens delicate interplay of soft and heavy the second disc with beautiful early tones leaves the listener feeling REM-like melodies, and I mean this both confronted and comforted, a in the most positive way possible. A technique the Deftones are famous great laid back album to daydream to and to soundtrack those long, Deftones for and have nailed in this album. dark winter afternoons. [AH] [AB]
KOI NO YOKAN 16 • qmunicate
Spilla is supposed to be a manifesto for Phreeda Sharp, who is apparently on a quest to revive female rap in the UK. I don’t mean to dismiss Alesha from Mis Teeq or Ms. Dynamite, but if Phreeda is going to achieve this she needs to aim a bit higher than working with Don Diablo on tracks that have no actual content other than talking about reviving rap. She’s a fairly decent rapper (the verses here are pretty tight) but the chorus is undeniably irritating, and not in a catchy way. Don Diablo’s greasy little fingerprints are all over this, meaning that this attempt to bring some credibility to this particular hip-hop sub-genre just sounds like a hungover David Guetta fannying about with Garage Band. [EJ]
YOUR SISTER
Findlay
Rocking a bondage themed video to match its sexually charged lyrics, ‘Your Sister’ is the debut single from female-fronted rockers Findlay. Vocalist Natalie Findlay spits lines like ‘Second chance, fuck romance’ in a howl reminiscent of The Kills’ Alison Mosshart over raw garage blues. The opening riff is basically ‘Jean Genie’ by David Bowie and there’s a cheeky nod to T-Rex’s ‘Hot Love’ later on, but the basic vibe is just a squalling solo and a vinyl fixation away from being Elephant-era White Stripes. A bold and confident first statement that swaggers with youthful energy, the song sounds designed to be belted out live. With just two tracks available to listen to online, it’s hard to tell whether Findlay have the madcap creativity to make something really original, but for now this is thrilling stuff. [MS]
GREEN TO BLUE Breathless
SINGLES ALBUMS
MUSIC : RELEASES
Phreeda Sharp&Don Diablo
The crowd at the ABC is already a healthy size when opening act There For Tomorrow, alt-rockers from Florida, kick off the evening’s proceedings with a tight, polished set, throughout which lead vocalist/ guitarist Maika Maile and drummer Chris Kamrada are standouts. TFT’s sound occupies the space between the saccharine pop-punk of You Me At Six and the cascading alt-rock melodies of Emarosa, and the songs are solid if a little unspectacular.
Next up are Surrey-based indierockers Canterbury, who seem like the perennial nearly men of the British rock scene. The band execute their set perfectly, and Mike Sparks’ vocals are particularly excellent, as usual, but much of the performance is dominated by a sense that something is missing. What makes the presence of pleasant, yet ultimately forgettable numbers like ‘Calm Down’, ‘More Than Know’ and ‘Something Better’ so frustrating is their being placed alongside such truly wonderful cuts as ‘Saviour’, ‘Gloria’ and soaring set closer ‘Friends? We’re More Like A Gang’, which attest to the band’s ability to craft the outstanding when they get into their proverbial
JAKE BUGG King Tut’s, 21/11
ABC, 11/11
groove. Canterbury didn’t quite come across as the finished article tonight, although, as has been the case for the most part of the band’s existence, they seem like they’re nearly there. Deaf Havana are indisputably the finished article. A whole year since the release of their album Fools and Worthless Liars, which surpassed expectations in terms of songwriting, they take to the stage with energy, displaying their musical prowess throughout the set. Smashing the ABC with songs like ‘Little White Lies’ and ‘Smiles All Round’, it becomes apparent that Deaf Havana have climbed out of the ‘support slot’ rut. Through perseverance, a perfectly executed live performance (including extra instrumentation and alternative song versions), and most notably great songwriting, Deaf Havana have established themselves as a headlining act, and tonight this is evident. Should they continue to grow in such a manner, it wouldn’t be surprising to see them headlining even larger venues in the future. [Bradley Ford & Joe Slane] First up tonight is Chichester songwriter Tom Odell. Cramming an upright piano onto the tiny Tut’s stage, his balladry touches on Embrace or Villagers and ‘Sirens’ sounds like bruised Boltonian songwriter Cherry Ghost, but there’s no hiding from the fact that this tousled troubadour is a far from unique prospect. His three bandmates appear to confuse singing in harmony with simply adding to the decibel level. By contrast Manchester rockers Findlay demand attention from the very beginning. Opening acapella is brave but it quickly silences a talkative crowd. With this achieved, the quartet tear into recent single ‘Your Sister’ amidst a short set that plays out like an inspired blend of glam, garage and Amy Winehouse. A fantastic fusion of tunes, charisma and attitude; Findlay, and particularly frontwoman Natalie, are one of the most impressive support acts I’ve ever seen. If you like your music passionate and raucous check these guys (and girl) out.
Jake Bugg can do no wrong. From the moment he ambles on stage there are chants of ‘hero!’ and the spark in the air that tells you you’re present at the start of something big. On stage he’s not the most gregarious figure, but imbued with a kind of quiet confidence he renders tracks from his debut album with aplomb. Most don’t stray far from their album counterparts, though one or two gain some unexpectedly impressive bluesy solos. The country-ish ‘Kentucky’ and the Dylanesque ‘Trouble Town’ are early standouts, but it’s the singles that elicit the biggest crowd response. A smirk crosses his lips as he sings ‘skin up a fat one / hide from the feds’ in ’Two Fingers’ and the audience bellow along to the biggest sing-alongs like ‘Seen It All’ and the effervescent next single ‘Lightning Bolt’. Ending with the simple picking of ‘Country Song’ and his most psychedelic track back to back, a few unpolished edges remain but this is a startlingly assured, albeit relatively brief, show.
It’s a hard act to follow but in the eyes of an enthusiastic crowd [Max Sefton]
MUSIC : LIVE REVIEWS
LIVE GIGS
DEAF HAVANA/CANTERBURY
qmunicate • 17
ARTS : MOVIE REVIEWS
THE HUNT
Director Thomas Vinterberg I know there’s a certain reputation that foreign films have, and how the people that see them are all hipster and stuff, but seriously, this is a really good film. This Finnish masterpiece, which has already won Best Actor for Mads Mikkelsen at Cannes, tells the tragic story of a teacher (Mikkelsen) who gets caught up in accusations of child abuse in a local nursery. Suddenly his whole life comes crashing down around him as, is what normally happens in small towns, people start to talk. He loses his friends, his job, his girlfriend: everything, all because a young heartsick student
Klara (Annika Wedderkopp) ‘did something foolish’. For a child, Wedderkopp does an amazing job but it’s Mikkelsen that really steals the show. With his very deadpan face, yet so readable eyes, I was gripping almost out of my seat, crying that the townsfolk would believe his story. I’m going to put this bluntly, this film is not easy to watch, it’s well worth it, but boy was this agony. Director Thomas Vinterberg, subtly blends together quiet, still scenes with moments of brutal violence that happen so suddenly, you’ll find
yourself jumping in your seat (and possibly wanting to visit Finland… or shoot a deer; go see it, you’ll understand). The most chilling aspect of this film is the velocity with which its action happens. After about 30-40 minutes of setting up Lucas’ character, things went from bad to horrific in the space of about 20 minutes! I found myself glued to the screen, even starting to doubt his innocence myself. Long story short, go see this film. People will think you’re ‘well sophisticated’.[Lucy Howell]
NATIVITY 2: DANGER IN THE MANGER Director Debbie Isitt
18 • qmunicate
If you’re passionate about all things Christmas, and are looking for the next Love Actually, do not go and see this film. Heck, don’t see this film even if you hate Christmas, or if you have any intelligence above that of a housefly.
the kids. After hearing of a national Christmas song competition, Mr Poppy takes his class to the competition, and sets off to the Welsh castle where the competition is held, kidnapping Tennant, a baby, and a donkey along the way.
irritated in my life as during the excruciating time this man violated the cinema screen.
This gargantuan disgrace to British cinema features Doctor Who star David Tennant, taking the lead role as a nervous soon-to-be dad and new primary school teacher. His new class has been under the misguidance of teaching assistant Mr Poppy (Marc Wootton), a man with the mental age of a 6-year-old and just wants to be friends with
Now, despite all this movie’s flaws, the horrific stereotypes, even the cringe-worthy children singing at the end, this would have been bearable if it were not for the most annoying man ever to enter onto our screens: Marc Wootton. I don’t know Seriously, just don’t even bother who told this man he was funny, or with this one. to pursue a career in television, as I have never been so enraged and [Anna Wolff]
He was loud, obnoxious, used pathetic toilet humour which even the kids in the audience did not like. I don’t see why they thought that he, or that role would be an appropriate balance to Tennant’s uncertain but caring character. Wootton just didn’t work, and it really did ruin an otherwise passable film.
KELVINGROVE MUSEUM
Scotland’s Most Visited Attraction The beautiful Kelvingrove Museum is currently playing host to a marvellous display of Egyptian artefacts, which are on loan from the British Museum. Since the British Museum currently houses the largest and most comprehensive collection of artefacts about the ancient Egyptians outside of Egypt, you can expect a little bit more than a few bits of rock. The theme of the exhibition is focussed on the Pharaoh: his life, his duties, what the people thought of him, and his place within the Egyptian religious world. An amazing array of over 100 objects is accompanied with helpful information boards, scarab beetle lighting and even interactive games you can play. I am proud to say I have always been a massive fan of the ancient Egyptians so I was delighted that this touring showcase came all the way up to Scotland, and I was happily surprised that this exhibition was well worth the £3 entry fee. The information dotted around the
rather ominous chamber was not only informative but also rather funny and contained a collection of random facts (Did you know that King Ramses II had over 40 sons and 40 daughters?). The artefacts themselves were, as usual, beautiful and immaculately preserved. Because it was a small sample of London’s extensive collection, all of the pieces really stood out. I guess it’s not worth lugging around any old bits of stone, even if it is really old stone. There were weapons, jewellery, papyrus; all the things you’d normally expect to see, but because it’s all relating to the pharaoh, it’s much more ornamented that you’d usually find. I’d say this is well worth going to and the exhibit is here until the 24th of February. You’ll learn something new and bask in the magnificence of being surrounded by objects over 4000 years old. Word to the wise, don’t try the game unless you want to waste 20 minutes. [Lucy Howell]
Director Eugene Zhdanov
Transmission is a student-produced play telling the story of what happens when first contact is made with intelligent extra-terrestrial life. Completely improvised and unscripted, the premise is set in the near future, when the Voyager probe leaves transmission range and transmission stops. Shortly after, the information encoded onto the golden disc attached to the probe is played back to Earth.
agencies and global corporation meet in secret to try and figure out what to do, and this production is composed of these meetings, as well as mockumentary talking head style interviews and talk show publicity spots.
The plot was outlined from the beginning but with no script, the twists and turns were completely unexpected, leaving the audience second-guessing what was going As the public are slowly leaked to happen next. Despite being a this information, government small stage, and the props used
being simply a sofa, a table and a few chairs, Jim’s Bar and its lighting actually worked rather well at hosting this performance. Overall, the finished product is impressive with good attention to detail, incorporating such points as how the United Nations would react, and how weapons and energy manufacturers would deal with alien contact. The fact that the actors were all amateur dramatics, and were improvising. [Joseph Nelson]
ARTS : STAGE & MORE
QMU NEW THEATRE PRESENTS: TRANSMISSION
qmunicate • 19
TECH : INNOVATION STUDENT INITIATIVE
Tiago Abreu looks at a student start-up with promise In October 2012, two MA Business and Management students at Glasgow University were awarded £1000 from Shell LiveWIRE’s ‘Grand Idea’ competition, which supports young entrepreneurs around the UK. Renata Pilikinaite and Tadas Labudis, who moved to Glasgow from Lithuania in 2008, began developing their business idea in February 2012.
and ticket vendors, thus creating a much more personalised web feed of events having in mind the user’s tastes, such as genres or location. The website’s layout is easy to understand, and even if you’re not accustomed to using such types of websites, Eventhread makes searching for your interests a pretty straightforward business. You can choose from a range of events or topics, pick a date and location that suits you and hit What they came up with was Eventhread, a the search engine. website that seeks to unite on one website information about upcoming events, such as The pair were also shortlisted in the final 40 of concerts and exhibitions. As Renata explains, the Shell LiveWIRE Young Entrepeneur of the ‘information about events is scattered all over Year Awards, which is to take place in London the Internet and until now there was no quick on the 14th of November 2012, being one of and simple way to check them all in one single only three Scottish based businesses to have place, which means multiple searches to find been chosen. events you like’. Moreover, the two students also aimed at a more precise presentation of Renata and Tadas are the living proof that information to their users, eliminating long and student initiative and entrepreneurship in the irrelevant lists. technological area is an expanding reality. Eventhread, their brainchild, solves these issues by gathering information from event venues [Max Sefton]
HALO 4 REVIEWED
Bryce Johnston on the game destroying exam results Halo is one of those game series which splits opinion. Some gamers froth madly at the mouth, queue up for midnight release, and generally fangasm all over the walls. Others show monstrous amounts of dismay, like every new Halo release heralds the gaming apocalypse. These spats aside, it’s also one of the biggest, most successful game franchises out there. However, Halo 4 is the first game in the series not developed by Bungie Studios, who have abandoned the Halo series for pastures new. 343 Studios, the new creator, had a tough task ahead of them living up to Bungie’s legendary reputation, and all in all, they’ve done remarkably well. The single player campaign introduces a number of new enemies, and a whole new back story, heavily featuring the Forerunners. The story is more important than in previous games, but at times hard to follow, even for a fairly dedicated Halo fan like myself. The game does make a fair show of getting
20 • qmunicate
the plot across though, even if it does have to deploy more blatantly expositional dialogue than The Last Airbender to do so. (Don’t see that film. Please. As a personal favour to me, if for no other reason.) The gameplay itself is…well, it’s a Halo game. If you’ve played any of them, you get the idea. You get some shiny new toys, the old toys are shinier, etc. Online play is, as ever, a highlight of the series, although 343 have adapted some of the better elements of Call of Duty’s online play, making it feel less original, but kind of annoyingly, better. If you’re a Halo fan, you’ll love it. If you’re not, it’s still worth a buy, although it’s never a good idea to jump into a franchise four installations in. If you don’t like Halo, well, there’s a new Skyrim expansion out soon. That should keep you happy for another billion years or so.
[Bryce Johnston]
SPORTS: IN REVIEW
YOUNG MAN’S GAME
Tom Kelly on Sebastian Vettel’s latest success in the world of Formula 1 Sebastian Vettel has become only the third driver in Formula 1 history to win three drivers’ world championships in a row. At 25, Vettel has managed to replicate the accomplishment that only Juan Manuel Fangio and fellow German Michael Schumacher have done before him, being the youngest driver to ever accomplish the feat. The Red Bull driver clinched the championship by only three points following the Brazilian Grand Prix. The race, ultimately won by Jenson Button of McLaren, was quite the spectacle. Button’s McLaren teammate Lewis Hamilton had been leading the rain-affected race before a collision with Force India’s Nico
Hulkenberg on the 54th lap forced him out of leader for the championship, but on the 64th the competition. Hulkenberg was performing lap Schumacher (who was driving in his final unusually well until he lost control of his car race) made way for Vettel to take sixth place. and collided with Hamilton. Another crash, again involving a Force Vettel’s race too, was not without incident, as India driver, this time Paul di Resta in the he ended the first lap in last place following penultimate lap led to the race finishing a scrape from Kimi Raikkonen and a collision under the safety car, as things stood this with Bruno Senna. However, by the eighth lap, lead to Vettel being crowned champion once Vettel had set himself up in sixth place with a again. remarkable run. Things settled down from that point until the aforementioned retirement of It was a day of double celebration for Red Bull, Hamilton from the race. Fernando Alonso, by who, although they already knew it, had won the 62nd lap, with a little help from teammate the Constructors’ world championship as a Felipe Massa, had moved up into second team. place, looking to push Vettel aside as points [Tom Kelly]
FAIR PLAY
Is gentlemanly conduct for the weak? During Shakhtar Donetsk’s 5-2 victory over Danish side, FC Nordsjaelland in the Champions League last week, Shakhtar’s Brazilian striker Luiz Adriano incensed opposing players and fans by racing in to score a goal after a team-mate had sportingly kicked the ball back to the goalkeeper following an injury to a Nordsjaelland player. Adriano ignored defenders and attackers - who had all stopped play - to latch onto a bouncing ball, dribble around the keeper and put the ball into an empty net. Shakhtar players initially attempted to allow their opponents to walk the ball into the net at the other end as a reply but Adriano appeared to order his team to make a tackle much
to the bemusement of everyone involved. He’s been charged by UEFA under the rather woolly charge of violation of the principles of conduct but the question is – did he actually do anything wrong?
Nordsjaelland, who clearly assumed they were being given the ball back, fining Adriano for his commitment to his team and the pursuit of victory seems deeply unfair. If UEFA wish to encourage gentlemanly conduct they have the powers to make that happen but until they do so they can’t blame players like Adriano for taking the opportunities that fall to them. Personally I think it’s good to see sportsmen desperate for victory, fighting to be the best. Would Michael Schumacher or John McEnroe be remembered as the legends they are if they didn’t have the ruthlessness to push themselves and the rules to the very limits?.
Whilst it’s considered good sportsmanship to return a ball to the team who kicked it out of play when a player requires treating for an injury, there’s nothing in the rules which says that a team has to do so. By ensuring his team topped their qualifying group Adriano may have lengthened his team’s European adventure and added to his own goal tally in the process. In any competitive event you play to the rules and whilst it seems harsh to [Max Sefton]
qmunicate • 21
Jay-Z’s 99 Problems
Want to get involved? The Publications Committee meet every Wednesday during term-time at 1730 in the QMU’s board room. This lovely gang put together every issue of qmunicate and run the weekly content over at qmunicate.wordpress.co.uk and would like you to join them for chat and sweeties. It can even go on your degree transcript. Alternatively you can send compliments, queries, comments and restraining orders to: qmunicate.magazine@gmail.com
22 • qmunicate