The Hype Issue 8

THE HYPE The man behind Billie Eilish’s music

Uncut Gems

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The revival of emo

Wanderlust: Canadian Rockies10

5

Who killed Malcolm X

Postgrad depression

What’s on this week

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DCU Drag Race Feb 20th

DCU Drag Race 2020 is returning home to The Venue, DCU! We are proudly supporting Dublin Lesbian Line. All proceeds will be given to the charity who are dedicated to providing confidential telephone and online support to the LGBTQAI+ community.

Tickets are just €10!

Rock The Boat Feb 25th

DCU is rocking the Boat’ DCU staff and students will be attempting to break the Guiness World Record for the longest Rock the Boat in history! It will be in the Public Realm on Glasnevin campus, registration from 11am with the sailing kicking off at 1pm. All in aid of a great cause Barretstown!

The Ed Ball 2020 Feb 27th

In Association with the DCU Education Faculty, DCU SU & WhyNot Networks. in The Crowne Plaza Hotel Santry. With Pop Gods & DJ Alli B. Pop Gods are a non-stop luminescent costumed nostalgic LIVE show, playing pure chart floor fillers from the 80s, 90s & 00s.

Early Bird Full Tickets €45 & Remaining Full Tickets are €49.95.

CREDITS

Editor-In-Chief Brendan Fernando Kelly Palenque Deputy Editor-In-Chief & Arts Editor Áine O’Boyle Deputy Arts Editor Aoibhín Meghen Deputy Arts Editor Peter O’Neill Lifestyle Editor Róisín Maguire Deputy Lifestyle Editor Niamh Quinlan Deputy Lifestyle Editor Kevin O’Meara Images Editor Sonja Tutty Deputy Images Editor Joy Nwagiriga Hype Production Editor Jonathon Lynam CV Production Editor Sally Dobie Pg 3 Rachel Power Pg 5 Aoife O’Brien Pg 7 & 8 Áine O’Boyle Pg 10 Roisin Maguire Pg 12 Rachel Power Pg 14 Róisín Maguire Pg 15 Sally Dobie Exposure Sonja Tutty

Music Mae Muller’s performance proves to have something for everyone

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Sonja Tutty reviews Mae Muller’s concert at The Academy

The Academy was half-filled with a range of TikTok loving teenagers, college students and middle-aged couples – or possibly the teenagers’ supervisors – for Mae Muller’s performance.

The event began with a mixture of pop music but Doja Cat’s “Say So” grabbed the crowd’s attention as the younger fans broke out into a synchronized TikTok dance – leaving older fans confused.

Eventually, Muller’s band came onto stage with Liam McGarry on guitar, Andre Hutchinson on drums, and Chad, the Polymath on keys and began playing the intro to “Busy Tone”.

With excitement building, Mae Muller finally appeared from the dark and almost immediately jumped off the stage to greet fans at the barrier. “I love you Dublin” she shouted between the song’s lyrics.

She went on to play one of her older songs, “Leave It Out”, which carries her iconic theme and attitude of “I am too hot for you”.

“Sometimes you realize your man doesn’t deserve you.” She told the audience.

To slow the night down she played one of her own favourites, “Maybe”, and warned that she may tear up.

“This song just means so much to me, I hope it means something for you too,” she said before beginning the somber tune.

Straying from her own songs, Muller entertained the crowd with a cover of “Ocean Eyes” by Billie Eilish, keeping the mellow tone and slowing down the atmosphere.

A highlight of the performance was when Muller

asked the room if it was anyone’s birthday and she soon found a girl who was turning 22. This proved to be the perfect opportunity to sing her unreleased song “Happy Fucking Birthday,” which is about her dumping someone on their birthday.

The song was quickly picked up by fans and by the final chorus she had the room belting out, “Happy fucking birthday, I hope that it’s the worst day of the year.”

Keeping the energy high her most recent single “Therapist” came as the crowd pushed towards the stage. By this time, nobody was sitting along the sides anymore.

Before the start of her final song Muller spoke to the crowd about how much the fans mean to her and that she wants her concert to be a safe space, “It doesn’t matter what you identify as or who you love, I hope you feel welcome here.”

Looking around, it became obvious that the atmosphere and crowd had changed from segregated groups of teenagers, college students, and older couples to simply a crowd of fans enjoying Muller’s final song, “Anticlimax.”

Muller and the band’s chemistry came out in full force with an electric performance to finish off the night – which seemed to have ended as soon as it started. But, staying engaged with her fan base, she organized a meet and greet for any fan that stayed behind.

Despite the small numbers and a strange mixture of people, Muller’s performance showcased her talent and incredible connection with fans. There is no doubt, she will be performing for packed and larger venues in the near future.

From Broadway to mainstream

Róisín Phelan looks at the musical career of Ben Platt as he transitions from Broadway to a solo career

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en Platt first stepped on stage as Evan Hansen in 2015. Although Platt had graced the Broadway stage before, playing the main character of “Dear Evan Hansen” gave him recognition and fans world wide. Four years later Platt’s career and music has drastically changed from musical theatre to pop.

Platt’s reign as Evan Hansen ended in 2017.

Since then other performers have filled the role and although they have all brought something new and exciting to the character, it is clear that the basis they have all moulded their performance around has been Platt.

His talent was clear and undeniable and at the time he stood out among an array of other actors, so much so that in 2017 he was awarded a Tony for Best Actor in a Musical.

By the time Platt was in his early twenties he had made a name for himself in the world of musical theatre. He dabbled in different projects for a few years but his first substantial solo project wasn’t

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By the time Platt was in his early twenties he had made a name for himself in the world of musical theatre. He dabbled in different projects for a few years but his first substantial solo project wasn’t released until 2019.

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Before the start of her final song Muller spoke to the crowd about how much the fans mean to her and that she wants her concert to be a safe space

released until 2019.

March of that year saw the release of “Sing To Me Instead”, a personal pop album that established Platt as a talented vocalist and songwriter.

What makes this music so different to the majority of popular charts music is the skillful, tasteful ease of Platt’s voice. From listening to his music you can tell that he grew up in musical theatre. His voice is calculated and precise but genuine and heartfelt, as are his live performance.

Platt has also transitioned from acting on Broadway, to acting on our screens.

In 2012 and 2015 he starred in Pitch Perfect and Pitch Perfect 2 and it wasn’t until late 2019 that we found Platt on our screens again, this time in Netflix’s original series, “The Politician”.

This announcement was a welcomed surprise to fans. Created by Ryan Murphy, who is famous for his work on hit show “Glee”, “The Politician” is quirky, filled with colour and an interesting take on teen drama and it has done relatively well in reviews and ratings thus far.

Platt’s ability to completely transform his career in the space of three years is commendable. He has moved from a highly sought after and praised musical theatre performer, to a pop artist and a television actor.

This change is certainly one that Platt did not need to make in order to have a successful career in fact, after winning his 2017 Tony award many assumed he was set for a life of Broadway stardom.

To make the decision to work and contribute to pop culture was a risk. It is unclear if this risk will pay off in the long run for Platt, however thus far it seems he has only gained fans since the releases of

“Sing To Me Instead” and “The Politician”.

Platt has also given no indication as to whether he will ever return to the wings of a Broadway stage.

But at only 26-years old he certainly has more than enough time to so. the college view The Hype |3

Music

Meet the man behind Billie Eilish’s music Isabella Finn takes a look at the artist FINNEAS, a talented entertainer in his own right

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our time Grammy award winner, Finneas O’Connell, has bounced from the background of his little sister’s sky rocketing career and is slowing becoming a star in his own right.

Also known as FINNEAS, Billie Eilish’s 22-year-old brother is responsible for co-writing and producing some of Eilish’s biggest hits. He penned “Bad Guy” and the majority of the award winning “When We All Fall Asleep Where Do We Go?” studio album.

His music producing doesn’t stop with his little sister, FINNEAS has also produced songs by other massive artists like Selena Gomez on her apparent Bieber track “Lose You To Love Me”. He has also worked on songs with Halsey, Tove Lo and Camilla Cabello to name a few.

Before Eilish whisper-sang her emo pop songs into the charts, FINNEAS had been paving his own way into the entertainment business with a few acting credits that you might recognise.

FINNEAS starred as Spencer opposite Cameron Diaz in her 2011 comedy film “Bad Teacher” with Justin Timberlake. If you can’t recall him straight away you might remember a line referring to one of the class pupils as “Twilight” because of his Robert Pattinson styled coiffed hair, FINNEAS is “Twilight”.

However FINNEAS is most recognisable as his character Alistair on the final season of “Glee”.

Alistair was the tall goofy kid with a ukulele who sat on pianos and had shoulder length ginger hair, if that rings any bells. Although he never sang a solo

Miss Americana sheds unseen light on Taylor Swift Aoibhín Meghen reviews Taylor Swift’s Netflix documentary

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documentary detailing American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift’s rise to fame was released on Netflix on January 31st.

The film, titled Miss Americana, follows Swift as she makes her most recent album, “Lover”. It also looks at the popstar’s rise to fame starting when she was in her early teens as a country singer.

Miss Americana, directed by Lana Wilson an American filmmaker, is raw and honest about Swift’s experience with fame and her personal life.

The film doesn’t create a perfect cookie-cutter image of Swift either, which the star has attempted to maintain throughout most of her career.

Instead it shows the struggles she endured over the last 15 years without painting her as a victim, which she has been accused of in the past.

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as Alistair on the show, he was a member of the Rachel Berry led New Directions and sang chorus in the group numbers.

Despite all the credited acting roles listed on his IMDb page, music has always been a constant for FINNEAS. FINNEAS started writing his own songs at the age of 12 and has been a member of multiple bands before trying his hand at music producing.

Before you compare FINNEAS to the eldest Jonas Brother Kevin, the one who writes songs, sings backing for his brothers and plays guitar, just know that FINNEAS can sing solo too.

His latest song from his EP “Blood Harmony” really demonstrates just how much stylistic influence FINNEAS and his little sister have on each other. “Let’s Fall In Love For The Night” showcases his delicate vocal range and if you close your eyes you can almost hear Eilish singing it too.

The only noticeable difference in their musical style is that FINNEAS doesn’t have the sometimes grungy undertones that Eilish has. Other than that their lyrical storytelling and chord progression are very similar. Seeing as FINNEAS has co-written the majority of Eilish’s songs, this isn’t surprising .

In other words, if “Let’s Fall In Love For The Night” had found itself in “When We All Fall Asleep Where Do We Go?”, you wouldn’t bat an eyelid. With nearly 10 years already establishing himself in the entertainment business, hopefully FINNEAS will find a way to step out from behind his sister’s shadow and let us fall in love with him.

This is perhaps the documentaries greatest achievement as it acknowledges Swift’s faults and personal issues throughout her career, something which has not been seen from the star before.

In particular Swift talks about her need to be seen as a “nice girl”, a quality that helped her to break into country music and become a worldwide sensation.

In the documentary’s opening interview with Swift she explains: “my entire moral code as a kid and now, is a need to be thought of as good.”

However Swift shares how this constant need to be liked and applauded caused serious issues for her mental health.

When she speaks about the incident with Kanye West at the VMA’s, which happened when Swift was only 17, she goes on to say “when you are living for the approval of strangers and that is where you derive all your joy and fulfilment, one bad thing can cause everything to crumble.”

At the peak of her fame Swift explains how nothing was enough to satisfy her. “You get to the mountaintop and you look around and you’re like oh, is that it?”

However this mindset made Swift incredibly lonely as her career got bigger and bigger separating her from the rest of the world.

The documentary also addresses Swift’s relationship with politics, which landed her in hot water with fans and the general public after she didn’t speak out during the 2016 presidential election.

Here the documentary shows the pressure Swift is receiving from a team, that is noticeably mostly white middle aged males, who feel by involving herself publicly with politics Swift will ultimately damage her career.

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Before Eilish whisper-sang her emo pop songs into the charts, FINNEAS had been paving his own way into the entertainment business

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The film doesn’t create a perfect cookie-cutter image of Swift either, which the star has attempted to maintain throughout most of her career

The openness displayed by Swift in “Miss Americana” is unusual. Even though the success of her music is largely due to her personal, anecdotal songwriting the singer usually chooses not to elaborate on the details of her music and her personal life.

“Miss Americana” perhaps helps to make Swift seem more real and it could not have come at a better time.

Her popularity has plummeted over the last few years as her perfect image caused even some of her biggest fans to be disillusioned with the singer, finding her fake and conniving.

The documentary presents how the “nice girl” image that was intrinsic to the growth of Swift’s career was ultimately what brought about all the negativity towards her.

When Swift’s career was just taking off the world wanted to see a pretty, polite all-American girl.

However the problem with having a career that spans 15 years, is that the world changes and doesn’t want the same things anymore so artists are expected to constantly reinvent themselves.

Swift describes how female musicians are often stuck at the age in which they became famous and are constantly expected to adapt their music in order to stay relevant.

“Miss Americana” depicts a lonely star who after being thrust into the spotlight at such a young age struggles to adapt to adult life and accept a career that is slowing down.

However Wilson manages to link this adaptation to a newfound empowerment as Swift decides to speak out on her own beliefs after years of keeping silent for the sake of her career.

Music

Emo never died - the subculture making a comeback

As My Chemical Romance make a come back, Roisin Maguire looks at the revival of emo

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ou might recall a phase of life where fringes covered eyes, both of which were caked in dark black eyeliner, a time when fingerless gloves were all the rage. This was what we called the “emo phase” or subculture. Emo fashion is typically associated with skinny jeans, studded or sometimes spiked belts and converse.

Since the announcement that My Chemical Romance and Green Day will play again in Ireland this year, many people who experienced this phase are currently raiding their wardrobes to find such clothing, practising their old make-up habits and styling their hair to cover most of their face.

The age of ‘Emo’ was a time around ten or fifteen years ago, where people rebelled against their parents and listened to music that can only be described as screaming (hence the name “screamo”). The people who listened to this type of music were dubbed “emo’s” or “emo kids”.

Emo’s were people who only listened to dark music such as My Chemical Romance, Fall out Boy, Green Day, Thirty Seconds to Mars, Pierce the Veil and Paramore (however, it can be disputed that Paramore was punk rock).

Emo music was characterised by the band putting emphasis on emotional expression which resulted in some controversial lyrics. This subculture shot into many homes in the early 2000’s, however, many bands rejected their emo status due to the stigma that it brought with it.

Emo music was associated with introversion and shyness, which is why many artists did not like to be put into this genre of music, despite the fact that they mentioned death in many of their songs.

According to an article by NME, emo can be traced back to the 1980’s, however, the more popular bands can be seen to have emerged in the 1990’s. Joan of Arc and Sunny Day Real Estate are

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The explosion of emo came in the new millenium.

Emo kids used MySpace and Bebo as tools to upload photos, music, quizzes and to create a very obviously emo persona

some prime examples .

The explosion of emo came in the new millenium.

Emo kids used MySpace and Bebo as platforms to upload photos, music, quizzes, as well as to create a very obviously emo persona.

MySpace allowed users to follow bands, musicians and celebrities. Like Bebo, you could upload music to your page and describe yourself.

One thing that almost all emo kids did was sign off their accounts with “rawr xD”, something that is still reflected upon as funny and embarrassing today.

Clodagh Meaney, a current multimedia student and showbizz journalist for Goss.ie runs a podcast with her friend Courtney Smyth called “Kids from Yesterday”, in which they look back on many facets of the emo subculture. They began the podcast to explore “one of music’s most under-documented subcultures”.

Meaney told The College View:”The podcast is an opportunity to critique the inherent issues such as the lack of diversity and the sexual misconduct as well as praising the wonderful side of the community and the music itself.”

The podcast, which is recorded every second Monday, documents everything from fashion and misogyny to ‘fat-phobia’. The presenters get their ideas from stories that are currently trending in the media, such as mental health, which was a controversial topic in the emo subculture.

“We initially came up with a number of topics we wanted to explore including mental health – which we delved into in ‘Which came first – the music or the misery?’ We also record a general catchup every now and then too which doesn’t have a particular focus.”

When asked if emo could ever make a comeback, Meaney said that “it never really went away” but that it is without a doubt making its comeback. She

explained that certain artists, like rapper ‘Lil Peep’ have “evolved the genre and brought it to a brand new audience”, hence emo’s revival moment.

There is currently still a huge emo culture in Dublin. “While people who hung around central bank in their teens aren’t necessarily there anymore – you will without a doubt see some of the same faces at Sabotage in Fibber McGees,” Meaney remarked.

Fibber McGees is known as Dublin’s most popular rock and roll bar in the city centre and they hold a nightclub called Sabotage which sometimes has a certain theme to it, for example a “Paramore Appreciation Night”.

Clodagh Meaney discussed how her emo style back in the day was called “androgynous”. The multimedia student told of how she believed her body did not match with those of her style icons, such as Hayley Williams. “I always felt that I was the problem when in fact there just weren’t many diverse body types in the scene that looked like mine.”

Nowadays, her style is drawn from people who have a similar body type to herself. However, Meaney revealed that she never quite relinquished the emo-inspired trend of dying her hair fun colours.

Meaney mentioned that her favourite episode of the podcast to record was “my friend wrote a fanfic part 2”, in which their friend Dani read the second part of her 16-year-old My Chemical Romance fanfiction which she penned in 2004.

While critics may argue that emo subculture has breathed its last, the likes of Fibber McGees and the “Kids from Yesterday” podcast ensure that its legacy still lives on today.

the college view The Hype |5

Film & TV

The truth about Who Killed Malcom X

Ruairi Carberry reviews the documentary series Who Killed Malcom X?

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he assassination of Malcolm X, has long drawn suspicion from numerous quarters, and that suspicion is only heightened by the release of the new six-part documentary series directed

by Rachel Dretzin and Phil Bertelsen titled “Who Killed Malcolm X”.

The series follows the investigative work of Abdur-Rahman Muhammad, a Washington city tour guide and historian, who through extensive research of the murder and the subsequent trial has established that two of the men accused of the murder, who spent 20 years in prison, were wrongfully convicted.

The documentary examines the proportion of culpability of the players in the murder investigation, and what is widely regarded as an ensuing cover up including the Nation Of Islam, the FBI and the New York Police Department.

The evidence provided by Muhammad in the series has encouraged prosecutors to re-examine the case, which could lead to the exoneration of Muhammad D. Aziz (then known as Norman 3X Butler) as well as Khalil Islam, (then known as Thomas 15X Johnson). Mujahid Abdul Halim

(then known as Talmadge Hayer and Thomas Hagan) along with the two men mentioned above, were all convicted of the murder in 1965.

Of the three men convicted at the time, only Hayer admitted his guilt, having been caught with a shell from a gun used in the hit. He also denied the involvement of the two others who were convicted with him and would later sign an affidavit detailing the names of the four conspirators he said walked free.

The four other men, along with Hayer, were members of the Nation of Islam mosque in Newark, New Jersey at the time of the killing.

This is the focus of Dretzin, Bertelser and Muhammad’s investigation in “Who Killed Malcolm X”. Muhammad’s dogged pursuit for the truth led him to interview several members of the Nation Of Islam Newark mosque, as well as historians like David Garrow and Zak. A Kondo.

The inclusion of authoritative voices provides depth to the drama and the variety of sources in the series provides viewers with a rounded knowledge of the case, and its fallout.

Muhammad is committed to finding out the truth.

His passion for justice is present throughout and

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The inclusion of authoritative voices provides depth to the drama and the variety of sources in the series provides viewers with a rounded knowledge of the case, and its fallout

Adam Sandler embraces the hustle in Uncut Gems Peter O’Neill analyses the Safdie brothers’ Uncut Gems

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n Adam Sandler movie has no right to be this good. But then again, this isn’t an ordinary Adam Sandler movie.

“Uncut Gems” is directed by the Safdie Brothers, best known for “Good Time”, and has undeservedly been ignored this awards season by the Academy Awards.

Sandler stars as a New York jewellery dealer with massive gambling debts and an addiction to match.

The main tension in this film’s plot is derived from his foils in attempting to pay back the debt he owes to his loan shark brother-in-law.

The film excels in creating tension, with sound being used to fabricate palpable anxiety whenever Sandler exits buildings onto the bustling New York jewellery district.

Mounting debts, an unfinalised divorce and the breakdown of an affair with his employee cause

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Few films have the ability to put you completely on edge for the majority of the film

Sandler’s character to become increasingly stressed and anxious as the film progresses.

Few films so far have succeeded in keeping you on the edge of your seat in the way that “Uncut Gems” does.

This is all achieved with a character that isn’t sympathetic whatsoever. Despite Sandler’s character’s mistreatment of his family as his addiction deepens, the climax of his final bet at the end of the film is one of the tensest film climaxes in years.

One of the many interesting things about “Uncut Gems” is the cast actors with little or no experience.

Like Fox, only Sandler and the excellent Lakeith Stanfield of “Atlanta” are well known.

In an interview on Chapo Trap House, the two

this drives the plot forward.

The directors blend archival footage of Malcolm X’s speeches, past interviews from the 1960’s and present-day sit-downs with the likes of Reverend Al Sharpton, and Senator Cory Booker to detail the significance of the murder in the context of civil rights era killings.

During the series, Senator Booker, once the mayor of Newark, is seemingly shocked to find out the man who allegedly fired the fatal shot, appeared in a video for his mayoral reelection campaign in 2010.

The work carried out by Malcolm X continues to inspire many people in present day America. At the time of his death the lasting contribution he made to the African American community was unclear.

When interviewed following the murder, his wife Betty Shabazz would indicate that it would take time to truly understand the scope of Malcolm’s influence.

She said: “I think that he accomplished more than can be realised at this moment. It seems after a person has died he is reevaluated but I think that the magnitude of his work will be felt around the world.” brothers talked about how they incorporated as many “New York weirdos” as they could in the movie. This lends to the immersive quality of the film as it somehow puts you in the main character’s shoes despite his unusual circumstances and actions.

The film also places you at the right time excellently. It has all the hallmarks of the year 2012 when it was set, by featuring a cameo by The Weeknd as an upcoming artist playing in a night club.

Another immersive element that the film displays are the phones that copy the 2012 designs.

Every detail is there to put right in the shoes of the protagonist.

Despite the film being completely snubbed by the Academy Awards, this does little but highlight the irrelevance of the awards within contemporary culture.

Although we pay attention to the Oscars and the Grammys somewhat, outside of a niche appreciation, they just don’t matter. We watch the show’s on streaming services and pay attention to YouTube reviewers.

This is neither good nor bad but it does display a problem that film industry awards need to cop on to. Many young people are not going to watch the likes of “1917” and “Ford vs Ferrari”.

To paraphrase a meme, all millennials know, is twerk, eat hot chip, watch “Uncut Gems”, and lie. That’s obviously an exaggeration, but there’s a cornel of truth there.

In the case of Uncut Gems, this is a good thing.

Film & TV

From video games to TV adaptations

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Sally Dobie discusses video games adapted to fit TV and film

he release of Netflix’s “The Witcher” was a truly special day for fans of the series. Aside from the initially confusing timeline, the series was a real triumph that managed to stay true to aspects of both the game and the original books

by Andrzej Sapkowski.

Not only was the TV adaptation well-received by the general public, but it was also a huge relief for gamers. Films and shows based on games have had mixed success in the past. It’s difficult to create linear stories from a source material that, more often than not, can change direction depending on the actions of the players.

It’s no wonder then, that only some adaptations of games really succeed. Not only would you need an extraordinary budget and imagination to re-create the game, but also a lot of patience and confidence.

An example of an adaptation that didn’t work out so well in recent memory would obviously be the infamous first draft of the “Sonic the Hedgehog” movie.

The first theatrical versions of our loveable blue game character were all cartoon, which worked in his favour. His latest CGI update was no less than horrifying. So horrifying, in fact, that after the online uproar he was completely redesigned and the release date for the movie was pushed back.

Another questionable example might be the “Silent Hill” movie, which although had many elements from the combined series of games, was lacking the depth of the original game’s plot and the characters weren’t quite as enthralling.

The movie adaptation as a standalone horror movie was pretty good, and honestly, for the time of

its release (2006) the effects and the scares weren’t half bad. But the main problem, is when compared to the source material it just doesn’t measure up.

Then there are movies like “Resident Evil”, whose main character Alice does not exist at all within the game world, but the franchise features cameos from the games at odd moments throughout the series.

If adaptations are done right, like with “The Witcher”, a huge profit can be made. The two “Tomb Raider” movies have had huge success, both with the wider public and fans of the games. In fairness, there were a lot of “Tomb Raider” games over the years to draw inspiration from.

There is also another set of game movies that are more inspired by games than attempted carbon copies. Movies such as “Mortal Kombat” achieved some success, despite not really having a game plot to follow.

The 1995 film was inspired by the arcade fighter game, and despite sharing the name and some of the characters, that’s about where the similarities end. Also not a flawless formula, thinking back on the movie version of “Dead or Alive”.

Despite most of the movies and shows mentioned above having relative success in their own right, there are some movies based on games that deserve to be completely forgotten. Take for example the 1993 “Super Mario Bros.” movie. Don’t remember that? Probably for the best.

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It’s difficult to create linear stories from a source material that, more often than not, can change direction depending on the actions of the players

Frankie Boyle opts for realism as opposed to idealism in latest travel documentary Peter O’Neill talks about Frankie Boyle’s honest tour of Scotland

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n “Frankie Boyle’s Tour of Scotland”, we get one of the most selfaware travel documentaries ever.

At the beginning of the first episode, Boyle narrates that a comedian doing a travel show is considered a graveyard in the comedy world.

Now aged 47, and more explicitly left-wing than ever having endorsed Jeremy Corbyn’s Labour party in the last British general election, he attempts to give different insights into Scotland than those usually seen in the run-of-the-mill tourism shows.

In his first visit, Boyle seeks out a man living

in isolation in the middle of a forest. He lives by letting out a caravan placed up a tree on Airbnb.

Boyle, in one of his humorous anecdotes in the show, says that although appreciating the isolation, that young couples that usually stay in the caravan would have to have the most careful sex ever so as not to fall out of the tree.

Some of the more interesting parts of this episode were when it gets political. Boyle explores how most land in Scotland cannot be inherited and is in fact usually owned by English lords and the very wealthy. This included for a long time, the infamous paedophile Jimmy Saville.

The sites Saville owned were where the Glencoe massacre happened, a point which Boyle makes clear was done by British soldiers. At a time when the topic of Scottish independence is gaining traction after Brexit, it’s pretty clear where Boyle stands on the matter.

“An example of what could happen if you tried to pacify the Highlands before heroin,” he delivers in his usual sardonic fashion.

Other political items without being explicit are the ideas of a monarchy. When visiting a former mine on the inside of a mountain, he notes that the Queen has a great life, opening

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he attempts to give different insights into Scotland than those usually seen in the run-of-themill tourism shows

historical sites where countless people died due to the working conditions.

You get the sense that he thrives for a more ordinary life like the hermit he met earlier, or in the commune that he also visits and takes part in briefly. However, as Boyle notes when pondering life on a ferry, he’d be dead in a week due to the lack of shops.

In one of the best moments of the first episode, Boyle notes that cliched pieces would usually state that Scotland is a land of contrasts. He cleverly then says that he’s going to turn around and then play music for dramatic effect.

The camera and soundtrack follow his dictation, and it works perfectly.

It’s interesting to see Boyle in this context compared to his successful yet controversial emergence on “Mock the Week” in the mid-2000s.

He seems more mellow but also thanks to the documentary format able to explore deeper ideas than a one-liner on a panel show.

One of the best parts of his comedy is his honesty, sense of rights and wrong in terms of those in power, and how he delivers it. Instead of following the likes of Ricky Gervais in bemoaning the supposed idea of comedy can’t be interesting anymore due to those in the left-wing.

Boyle instead embraces the left with open arms and provides a new insightful glimpse into his worldview.

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Culture

Tony Cantwell breaks out from the internet

Ryan Carrick attends comedian Tony Cantwell’s stand-up gig

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espite Storm Ciara battering the west coast, a crowd packed out the Town Hall Theatre in Galway braved the elements to see one of the biggest emerging Irish comedians, Tony Cantwell.The audience assembled at the bar before being called into the auditorium for the first of a line of shows titled “Pure Grá”.

In his gigs, he has found ways to effectively amalgamate elements of his online comedy with traditional standup

The audience assembled at the bar before being called into the auditorium for the first of a line of shows titled “Pure Grá”.

Tony made a name for himself by posting videos to Facebook since 2015 but broke onto the scene in a major way in 2016 with the iconic video titled “Soft Drink”, in which he plays a lad from Clongowes telling his mates that he will nip out in the Punto to get the gang some soft drinks.

Since then, he has embodied several different characters from across Irish society including “your ma’s mate”, a Homer Simpson/typical Irish dad mash-up and the Dublin Frenchman. Tony has racked up over five million views on his videos online.

Although still in its infancy, his stand-up career has been just as successful with the “Softboy” show in 2018 and “LIVE Feed” in 2019, both of which sold out. Tony has performed at the Edinburgh and Dublin Fringe Festivals and many times for Cherry Comedy.

In his gigs, he has found ways to effectively amalgamate elements of his online comedy with traditional stand-up. He has also started a weekly podcast called “Tony Cantwell’s Shitshow”.

Fellow comedian Martin Angolo supported Tony, and will for the run of the tour, getting the crowd nice and warmed up with a rake of puns and jokes, while claiming he was only there to “prove Tony has a black friend.” Tony then graced the stage, welcomed by an eruption of cheers and applause.

He kicked off with an interactive exercise that involved singing along to football chants that he

had conjured up using the tunes of popular songs, a segment that followers of his Instagram would be familiar with. For example, he sang a chant about Liverpool footballer Takumi Minamino to the tune of ABBA’s “Mamma Mia”. Then he moved on to using the names of people in the audience.

The rest of the show consisted of a trip down memory lane in a structure that was aligned with the religious rites those who were raised Catholic would have experienced.

Tony made a point of comparing the penance that is dished out in Confession today to what it was when he made his First Holy Confession. As it turns out, sins like talking back to your Mam and throwing a water balloon at a neighbour who isn’t allowed get wet because they’re about to get their picture taken were much more serious offences 20 years ago than they are now, in the eyes of a priest.

From discussing how he dealt with his parents’ divorce and the benefits of bidets to performing a rap he wrote about camogie players when he was 13, this show proves that there is room for surreal, silly (but very clever) comedy in Ireland.

The gig is a model for internet comedians looking to successfully make the transition to stand-up comedy. Despite a hiccup or two, “Pure Grá” is a hilarious journey through Tony’s childhood and early adulthood and an accurate representation of Irish society.

Exploring the work of one of Britain’s most revolutionary artists

Áine O’Boyle takes a look at the PROTEST! exhibition in the IMMA

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ften hailed “The Andy Warhol of London”, Derek Jarman is easily identifiable as one of the most revolutionary British artists of his time.

Born in 1942 in Middlesex, England, Jarman’s career was all-encompassing, with his work as a painter, writer, set-designer, gardener and political activist ultimately defining him.

His life and works are currently being displayed in the Irish Museum of Modern Art PROTEST! exhibition until the end of February.

The exhibition highlighs Jarman’s political activism, showing him as a highly outspoken figure regarding his sexuality and his public fight for gay rights.

Jarman also faced a personal struggle with aids, passing away in 1994 from an aids-related illness.

The IMMA exhibition is the first time that the diverse strands of Jarman’s career have been brought together in over 20 years, portraying his unique style and the changing mood in British art of the time.

Jarman’s began his pursuit of the arts after undertaking an undergraduate degree in Kings College London, studying Fine Art at Slade School of Art. Even from his early career, Jarman used art to engage with societal issues, with the PROTEST! exhibition highlighting this.

His early works largely consisted of paintings, such as that of “Self Portrait”, “Trick” and

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“Landscape with Marble Mountain” which are featured in the exhibition.

According to the IMMA, more than 80 of Jarman’s early works have been identified from the period of 1958-1970, with more than 30 of these being previously unknown. Such works have since been catalogued and included in the exhibition. n his mid-twenties, Jarman received recognition from the Tate Young Contemporaries, an incredible achievement for an artist of his age, and alongside his work as a painter, Jarman began to pursue set design for opera and ballet, combining his passion for painting with the three-dimensionality required for theatre production.

The PROTEST! exhibition shows audiences Jarman’s realised sketches for set designs and several different costume designs designed by award winning designer, Sandy Powell.

Jarman also serves to consolidate his position as a nurturer of young artistic talent through providing artists such as Tilda Swindon, Joanna Hogg and John Maybury their first opportunities within the industry.

A passion for film also developed throughout his career with Jarman working on Super-8mm film.

In 1976 he produced his first film, “Sebastiane” against the backdrop of a Thatcher-era Britain, providing an artistic anaylsis of the socially conservative country.

The film gave queer lives the opportunity to be visible within the course of Britain’s history with “Sebastiane” being broadcasted on Channel 4 in the

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The IMMA exhibition is the first time that the diverse strands of Jarman’s career have been brought together in over 20 years

1980’s to a large audience.

At the 92nd Academy Awards this year, costume designer Sandy Powell paid tribute to the life and work of Derek Jarman by wearing a plain white suit and getting celebrities attending the awards to sign it.

With celebs such as Al Pacino, Scarlett Johansson and Margot Robbie signing the suit, Powell intends on auctioning it off and donating the proceeds towards The Art Initiative Fund to save Derek Jarman’s cottage in Dungeness, England.

Powell considered Jarman to be a mentor to her throughout her early career and was hugely inspired by his work as a gay rights activist.

Lifestyle Best zero waste products to invest in Katie Lowry tells us of environmentally friendly products that are absolute must haves

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ero waste products are a hugely important market that is constantly growing, and thankfully today the zero-waste movement has gained serious momentum, especially in recent months. These everyday alternatives prove essential to help save our planet and become more sustainable.

Here are some of the best zero-waste products around from plastic and waste-free to natural and organic to the best reusable’s out there to help you become more eco-friendly and reduce your waste footprint.

As a society we have become more environmentally conscious and understand the dangers of single use plastic. Plastic bottles don’t biodegrade and will stay in our environment forever which not only means the release of toxic chemicals into the environment but also causes severe harm to the wildlife on this earth today and in the future.

A simple alternative and a must have is a reusable water bottle.

From pastels to glitters to floral designs, Chilly’s stainless steel reusable bottles are both modern and stylish and have led the way with many fitness and fashion influencers promoting the brand on Instagram. You can find these bottles in Brown Thomas, Arnotts and Harvey Nichols to name a few

Simple nail care and how to maintain it

Emily Clarke talks about how regular nail care is helpful in preventing infection

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and they start at €25.

Hydrapak, Hydoflask, Yeti and Klean Kanteen all have an exceptional range of bottles too with a wide variety of choice suitable for you.

Next up, we can reduce waste from a single use plastic bag to reusable grocery bags which are perfect for your shopping. Make sure to bring multi-sized cloth produce bags to the supermarket with you each time and help save the planet as you remain plastic free during your shopping trip.

The Earthwise deluxe collapsible reusable shopping box grocery bag set are easy to pack as well as durable so a great option for not only shopping but carrying other items if needed too which are available on Amazon starting at €25 coming in sets of two and three.

A straw market bag is an excellent organic option that will be naturally broken down over time. Ten thousand villages provide the “essential companion tote” which is a sturdy option with leather straps.

Little Green Shop supply a wide range of reusable bags such as mesh, canvas sacks and organic cotton produce bags all at affordable prices.

SuperValu is the first supermarket in Ireland to introduce 100 per cent compostable reusable shopping bags.

Stainless steel or glass straws are an essential replacement for single use plastic straws which

ail care is something that we rarely ever think about, but we should be taking care of our nails on a regular basis and working nail care into our daily routines.

Beautician, Ashling Darby, said: “nail care is essential as it helps to prevent ingrown nails and fungal infections, which are a common problem”.

Unhealthy nails are often linked to other issues in your body, such as vitamin deficiencies. Darby explained how to know if your nails are unhealthy.

Brittle nails are one of the most obvious signs of damaged nails. If you are malnourished or lacking in certain vitamins, your nails don’t have the material needed to grow strong nails. This can be linked to vitamins such as iron.

A lack of protein can also cause weak nails as they are made of keratin, a type of protein.

In order to regain strength in your nails, you should try to incorporate more iron and protein in your diet. Avoiding harsh chemicals, like acetone, also helps prevent your nails from becoming brittle.

Vertical ridges in the nail bed are common as we age, it is almost similar to getting wrinkles.

However, horizontal ridges can mean that the nail has stopped growing temporarily.

This temporary stunt in growth can be caused by a number of things including serious illness or

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SuperValu is the first supermarket in Ireland to introduce 100 per cent compostable reusable shopping bags

major stress. These ridges should go away with time as the illness or stress passes.

You should not try to treat either vertical or horizontal ridges at home as it could cause further damage.

“The worst thing you could do for your nails is try and buff or file the ridges out, you’ll just end up making your nail bed thin and fragile,” says Darby.

Cuticles are a layer of thin skin that help to protect new nails from bacteria.

According to Style Caster, cutting cuticles or too often can lead to infections and damage to the nail. Instead, it is “important to maintain [cuticles] and not be removed”.

When in a nail salon, you should always ask the technician to push them back and cut off any hangnails present. At home, you can push the cuticles back, once a week, with a tool found in any nail kit and gently exfoliate them with a towel after the shower. Cuticle oil is also beneficial to keep them hydrated.

While this sounds like a lot, it can be easy to maintain proper nail care at home. Many shops, such as Penneys or Boots sell nail kits, which contain a nail file, nail clippers, nail scissors and

end up in landfill and never decompose. Ecostraws supply coloured stainless steels straws, as well as glass straws starting at €8.95. You can purchase a set of 8 reusable metal drinking straws by YIHONG with two cleaning brushes on Amazon for €4.55.

IKEA also have a range of stainless steal straws for €4.

Why not switch up your toothbrush from a plastic one to a bamboo alternative which is compostable and widely available in stores such as Holland and Barrett, Boots and Earth mother.

A reusable coffee cup is key to not stave away from the 500 million disposable cups that are produced annually. Keep cups and insulated water bottles do the perfect job with brands like Frank Green, Stojo, Keep cup and Joco readily available.

Make your bathroom more eco friendly and switch to a bar of soap rather then its liquid form which comes in an unnecessary plastic bottle. Bar soaps such as Weleda, Friendly Soap’s and Eco Warrior are all top choices for sustainability and their dedication to it through their business.

Individuals must remember that their consumer habits and actions do affect the planet so its bears no sense to not get on board the zero-waste movement and invest in as many of these items above, which may prove critical in future years. a tool for pushing your cuticles back. You do need to ensure you regularly clean and sanitize your nail tools.

Filing your nails regularly helps to strengthen your nails. According to Good Housekeeping, you should prioritize your nail health over the length. By doing this your nails grow stronger and won’t break as easily.

It is also beneficial to moisturise your hands and nails regularly.

This helps to hydrate the nails and cuticles. Good Housekeeping explains how any nutrient-rich oil or moisturizer will work, even lip balm if you’re out of hand cream.

Bacterial and fungal nail infections are not pretty or comfortable, so everyone should try incorporating nail care into their routines by adding more iron and protein into your diet, or you could even start to moisturise your hands after your skincare in the evening.

Taking one evening of the week to sit down and file or clip your nails and apply some cuticle oil will only take a matter of minutes and you will be glad of it when you have smooth, strong, healthy nails. the college view The Hype |9

Travel WanderLust

The Canadian Rockies Jonathon Lynam explores the Rockies and gives us recommendations on all things to do in Alberta

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ocated in the Canadian province of Alberta the Rockies provide a nice backdrop to the adventures you will have in the province famous for its stunning turquoise glacier-fed lakes and abundance of wildlife.

When visiting the Rockies you can either include it as a part of a wider trip across western Canada while also visiting Whistler and Vancouver.

Alternatively, you can fly into Calgary, which is just a two-hour drive from Banff, either way, you will have plenty to do when you arrive.

The best time of the year to visit the Rockies is mid-June to mid-September any earlier and you may find some of the hiking trails to be closed. To make the most of your time in Canada its best if you avoid coaches and travel around on your own accord that way you can avoid having the views ruined by crowds and can take your time soaking up the breath-taking views.

Banff National Park established in 1885 is Canada’s oldest national park and is located approximately 110 km west of Calgary and is the home of many Glacier fed lakes and ice fields.

Out of all the beautiful glacier, lakes to be found in Banff National Park 3 that are a must-visit are Lake Louise, Moraine Lake and Peyto Lake.

Lake Louise is considered by many to be the crown jewel of the national park. Renting a canoe from the boathouse is a great way to dislodge yourselves from the tourists that crowd the lakeside and is a great way to experience this stunning location, once you don’t go overboard into the icy waters.

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Renting a canoe from the boathouse is a great way to dislodge yourselves from the tourists that crowd the lakeside and is a great way to experience this stunning location

If you decide to visit the lake in the winter months and are lucky enough that the roads aren’t closed make sure to bring some ice skates to skate out onto the ice with.

Approximately 14 kilometres down the road is Moraine Lake another stunning azure blue lake, Moraine Lake. The area around the lake has many trails with the shoreline trail one of the most popular and suitable for all skill levels at a length of 1.8 miles.

For the best view I would recommend climbing up the rockpile at the base of the lake which can be done by using the steps on the far side of the rockpile or crossing the over the floating logs in the water. The climb is definitely worth it and you’ll be more than likely joined by squirrels and chipmunks on your trek up.

The final lake and one I think is a must-see purely for its unique wolf head like shape is Peyto Lake.

The amazing valley view which you see above is found at the end of a short 10 min walk from the car park and is found along the Icefields Parkway.

If you are looking for something a little different you can book a trip to explore the Columbia Icefields. The trip costs €120 and although it is 2.5 hours north of Banff or 1hr from Peyto lake or 90mins from Lake Louise it is definitely worth the trip.

When you arrive at the Discovery Centre you will be put on an “Ice Explorer” which I can only describe as a bus with really big wheels (and I mean REALLY BIG) which will bring you out on to the Athabasca glacier. Upon arriving on the glacier,

you will be given twenty minutes to walk around the glacier, fill up your bottle with glacier water, or take photos.

After your visit to the glacier, you are brought to the Skywalk. A platform that hangs off a cliff edge and where glass is all that separates you from a 918-foot drop into the Sunwapta Valley while giant glaciers perch above you it is truly a unique adventure.

Tired of all the walking? Need a rest day? Head to Banff where you will find the Banff upper hot springs. The hot springs are the perfect way to relax. At 1,585 meters of elevation, the Hot Springs in Banff are the highest in Canada. The water is heated geothermally bubbling up to the surface from three kilometres into the earth’s crust through the Sulphur Mountain Thrust fault.

The town of Banff was designed as a tourist town so much so that the towns and as such has plenty of other things to offer including plenty of shops where you can find genuine Canadian goods, galleries where you can browse original Canadian artwork, You can also take a gondola ride up Sulphur Mountain and enjoy dinner or lunch form the observation deck found near the peak of the mountain.

There is so much more that the Canadian Rockies has to offer but to really make the most out of it you have put on some waterproof clothes and some good walking shoes and get out there and explore it yourself, at your own pace and find the many gems hidden within its hills.

Lifestyle

Sexual health and the infamous UTI

Aoife McMahon discusses the best ways to prevent and treat UTI’s

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TIs or urinary tract infections are infections in any part of your urinary system, they can be extremely common and can cause frequent and painful urination.

Your urinary system is made up of your bladder, kidneys, urethra and ureters, most infections are found in the lower urinary tract which consists of the bladder and the urethra. UTIs are much more common in women due to the fact they have shorter urethra’s but men can still suffer with them.

There are many ways to contract a UTI, the best known is during sex. While engaging in some sexual activity it is possible that bacteria from your partner’s genitals, anus, fingers or even from sex toys can get pushed into the urethra, travel to the bladder and cause an infection.

You don’t have to have had sex to suffer from a UTI, it is possible that your own bacteria can make its way into your urethra too. There are a few easy steps you can take to prevent a UTI. The easiest one is to drink plenty of water.

Everyone knows that the more water you drink the more you have to urinate. If you are urinating more the bacteria is more likely to get washed out of the urethra before it becomes a major issue.

If you’ve had any sort of awkward conversation with your mam about the birds and the bees, she probably told you to pee after sex. Peeing after sex is a great way to wash away any of the bacteria that may have gathered during it. This is not only crucial for women but also for men, especially if they had sex without a condom.

However, it is just as important to pee before sex or to at least wash yourself. By washing yourself, we don’t mean vaginal douching or using any deodorant sprays to make your vagina smell nice

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If left untreated for too long UTIs can lead to sepsis which is a life-threatening infection

The surge in the labiaplasty

Gemma Robotham talks about the effects of porn and the rise in labiaplasties

as this itself is also a common cause of UTIs. Washing yourself needs to only involve using soap and water.

A day to day thing you can change to lower the risk of you getting a UTI is wiping front to back rather than back to front. This means wiping from your urethra back to your anus. This ensures you don’t accidentally spread the bacteria from your anus into your urethra and subsequently to your bladder.

It is possible for UTIs to go away on their own if you drink lots of water and cranberry juice. This literally washes the infection away but a lot of the time it’s safer to see a doctor.

Untreated UTIs can become bladder infections which can spread into the kidneys. This is obviously more dangerous as the infection can travel into your

bloodstream from the kidneys. If left untreated for too long UTIs can lead to sepsis which is a lifethreatening infection.

The doctor will most likely take a urine test and if they find that you have a UTI, you’ll be prescribed antibiotics and painkillers if you need them. A good way to speed up your recovery while on antibiotics is to drink large amounts of water, drink cranberry juice or take cranberry tablets and take probiotics that contain vitamin C. UTIs are preventable and treatable, so don’t allow yourself to be in pain every time you pee.

he “designer vagina” is a term adopted to describe the product of the increasingly popular labiaplasty surgery. A problematic phenomenon in itself, its semantics are misleading considering labiaplasty involves altering the labia minora (inner lips) and labia majora (outer lips) surrounding the vulva, rather than the vagina itself.

According to the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ISAPS), there was a 25 per cent increase in the procedure from 2014 to 2018.

A main concern for patients has been their inner lips (labia minora) protruding beyond their outer lips (labia majora) despite about 50 per cent of vulvas naturally occuring this way.

Many seek to reduce the length of their labia minora in order to appear more “normal”. But what qualifies as “normal” labia? Labia range in length from two to 10 centimeters and in width from 0.7 to five centimeters according to a study published by the International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology.

Sex education in Irish schools such as programs provided by the Catholic organisation, “Accord”, do not place emphasis or importance on representing these measurements, students must grapple with simplified two dimensional symmetrical diagrams instead.

There is a perception among many seeking labiaplasties that their labia are somehow distorted.

This begs the question – how have these perceptions been shaped? The finger has been pointed to the popular scapegoat of pornography. However, porn stars have largely rejected the claim that porn has popularised labiaplasties citing the large variance of vulvas in the industry.

Performer Bella Vendetta told Refinery29 that

there was “something to be said about Playboy and Hustler and these magazines that a lot of people, when they talk about porn, that’s…what they see in their minds. And there’s a very specific body type there. They Photoshop the shit out of their pictures, including vaginas. They lighten and tighten and completely change. In porn — active videos — you can’t do that.”

Back in 2005, LA surgeon Dr Matlock (of Dr.90210) did note that his patients often came to him with photos taken from Playboy for reference for their labiaplasty, much alike to customers bringing in reference photos to a hairdresser.

It should be acknowledged that many do not seek a labiaplasty purely for cosmetic reasons; patients often refer to chafing or yeast infections as a justification for shortening their inner lips.

However, gynecologist Dr Jen Gunter says there is almost always another cause involved and advises consulting a gynecologist before ever approaching a plastic surgeon.

You should never take health advice from someone selling you the product. Afterall, there is not sufficient research conducted into the long term effects and risks of labiaplasty but as with most surgeries, there is a risk of bleeding, infection and scarring.

It is an individual’s choice to get a labiaplasty.

Yet, the trend should be viewed with a healthy dose of scepticism. Dr Barbara Levy, the VP of Health Policy at the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, reflected on the labia-trimming surge – “It’s one more body part that we as women are being told to be insecure about.”

Why should we let the patriarchy tell us that the size of labia should be reduced when the same would not be said about any part of male genitalia?

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the college view The Hype |11

Lifestyle

Post graduation depression

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Joy Nwagiriga looks at the difficulties facing recent graduates

raduating symbolises a leap into adulthood and sometimes the reality graduates have to deal with can be disappointing.

Post graduate depression is the common feeling used to describe the extreme sadness stress and impaired functioning graduates experience after they leave college.

While post-grad depression isn’t yet an official diagnosis like clinical depression, it is a real condition for some university leavers. A study conducted by The Independent, found that 90 percent of British students believed that post graduate depression was a reality and 87 percent agreed that it needs more exposure.

Leaving the cocoon of university and into the real world can be a huge transition.

The last 18 years of most students’ lives have revolved around education; a structured routine of security, friendships and learning.

The sudden lack of structure, combined with the general lack of self direction, can send even the brightest of students into disarray. Graduates can also be lonely due to a lack of connection with friends. In many countries,

people leave college in crippling debt and living with their parents.

“I got like three job interviews out of hundreds of applications,” said recent graduate, Demi.

Getting rejections from job applications and interviews can also take a toll on one’s self esteem. Depending on your course, experience or connections, you’ll have a post graduate experience that could hit hard.

Demi worked in retail after graduating and said she felt pressured by her colleagues who were leaving to graduate jobs.

“I was feeling so overwhelmed by the pressure..not even the pressure anyone else was putting on me..it was pressure just knowing that even if you get the grade and do well and everything you can still be on your ass!”

“It’s such a huge change, even when I come home from work, I literally have nothing to do… no assignments, no exams, I’m just sleeping, waking and doing the same thing everyday five days a week.”

According to Cosmopolitan , 40 percent of graduates described themselves as feeling socially “isolated” and 49 percent said their

mental well-being declined.

“A lot of myself was “I’m Demi and I go to DCU” when you don’t have that, I was really thinking what am I actually doing?” said Demi.

Post graduate depression has many symptoms such as, feeling like you’re struggling day-to-day to do basic tasks, decreased motivation, abnormally negative perspective, spending excessive in bed and/or substance abuse.

However graduate life doesn’t have to be daunting and there are ways to avoid and manage post graduate depression. It’s important to check in and take care of yourself.

Recent graduates need structure in their lives, so you should wake up and sleep at the same time every day. It’s also essential you eat three meals a day to prevent emotional eating.

Graduating is a huge achievement and the world has so much to offer. Post graduate depression is a natural stage in life nearly everyone has to go through, don’t let it bog you down.

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While post-grad depression isn’t yet an official diagnosis like clinical depression, it is a real condition for some university leavers

Valentines gifts that your partner will actually want on a student budget Kinga Piotrowska gives us some helpful advice for Valentines Day With Valentines, Birthdays and Christmas you only ask yourself two questions; what am I going to get them and how am I going to afford it?

With Valentines however, you can get away with personalised gifts ensuring your significant other gets something they actually want without you spending a fortune. Coming up to Valentines, you should always observe what the other person uses, what brands they like or things that they’re starting to run out of, as it might make your shopping trip much easier. Starting off with cards, home-made ones are always underrated.

A piece of coloured paper and a printer is all you need. A more personalised card will be much more remembered than a typical one as you can print out a photograph, or simply make it funny by printing out their favourite meme. You won’t only save money, but you will give them a unique and creative card that no one else will have.

If you want to focus more on personalised gifts, examples of some that won’t break the bank are mugs, pillows, key chains, or phone cases. Frames are also a good idea and depending on your budget you can always add some printed photos or a photo album. Photo albums or photos are thoughtful gifts that are appreciated and kept for years as 12| the college view The Hype

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If you’re also trying to cut down on buying material things don’t forget about websites such as Groupon

they’re a great thing to look back on in the future.

Some useful gifts within a budget can also be found on Amazon. Portable chargers in the shape of a love heart, travelling or 100 things to do scratch maps, board games, colour changing light bulbs, mugs in the shape of a camera lens and so on. Sometimes it’s nice to get something your significant other would want but they feel they always put off buying. Other, more obvious gifts include, cologne, watches, notebooks, chocolates, candles, facemasks, flowers, clothes or accessories, however, if it’s something you know they want and fit your budget, then they will also make a perfect gift.

If you’re also trying to cut down on buying material things don’t forget about websites such as Groupon.

You can find things you can both do together, and an experience as a gift is always a great way to go. If you want to take sustainability into account

too, vouchers even ones such as buying someone Spotify premium for a month or an audible membership instead of a book can be a lovely gift.

Thinking of more practical options such as makeup or jewellery organisers, a wallet or new headphones are other useful gift ideas. If you have patience and are looking for gifts especially on a budget, shops such as Tk Maxx are also a great way of finding some good quality or designer gifts at a lower price. However, the most important thing to remember when buying Valentines gifts is that it’s the gesture and thought that matters, not the amount you spend, and personal things such as a home-made card, or a photo album can often be the things that have the biggest impact.

Lifestyle

Body dysmorphia: A hidden condition

Joy Nwagiriga talks about the effects of this mental health condition

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ody Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD), is a mental health disorder in which a person can’t stop thinking about an imagined or slight defect in their physical appearance. The flaw is usually minor and can’t be seen by others.

BDD is often misunderstood to be a vanity driven obsession, however people with BDD believe themselves to be ugly or defective.

People that suffer from BDD may feel so embarrassed or anxious that they may avoid social situations.

Body dysmorphia is a hidden condition so the real number of suffers is unknown. It is estimated BDD affects up to two percent of the population.

This condition affects as many men as women.

According to the Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease, women are more likely to be preoccupied with their hips, weight and skin, while men are preoccupied with body build (muscle dysmorphia), genitals and balding.

Body dysmorphia usually starts in the teenage years and it has been reported to occur in children as young as five and in adults as old as 80.

If left untreated, BDD can worsen, leading

to a multitude of ramifications such as anxiety, depression, suicidal thoughts, substance abuse and eating disorders. It can also lead to extensive medical bills and health problems from behaviours such as skin picking.

Dr Katherine Phillips, a professor of Psychiatry at Cornell University, conducted a study involving over 500 patients and found that BDD patients were most concerned with skin (73 per cent), hair (56 per cent), nose (37 per cent), weight (22 per cent).

The cause of body dysmorphia is unknown, like many other mental health conditions , BDD may result from a combination of issues such as brain abnormalities, family history of disorder, life experiences like bullying or negative self-image.

Symptoms vary from individual to individual and can include compulsive mirror-checking, attempting to reduce the appearance of perceived flaw by covering it with makeup or clothing, social isolation and perfectionism.

Patients may also seek reassurance by asking others about their appearance or comparing their

The transition from college to the working world

Daniel Phelan talks about the frustration of finding paid work after college

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he transition from third level education into the world of work can be an arduous endeavour and it has not been made any easier in a competitive job climate. Whatever your degree or qualification may be, finding paid work can oftentimes be problematic.

After the investment of so much time, money and effort into your education, the immediate expectation is to waltz right into a job. However, this is seldom the case.

Applying for jobs has never been more competitive. More graduates have a master’s degree than ever before and a level nine qualifications does not guarantee paid work either.

Emmet Rogan graduated from DCU in Accounting and Finance in 2018 and found that he couldn’t secure a graduate programme, “I just wasn’t having any luck hearing back from anybody so I took the year out, worked at home and applied for a masters”.

Currently midway through his masters in accounting at DCU, Rogan’s frustration continues to build, “initially the idea to pursue a masters only occurred to me because I wanted to make my CV or my job applications stand out a bit more, but I still haven’t heard anything back from any prospective employers,” he said.

From his experience, Rogan claims the most viable option coming out of college would be to not target the big firms or companies in whatever industry you graduate in, “everyone wants to target the most notable firms. That’s where most of the competition is. I think I should have just tried to get

a bit more experience in my field and then maybe look to build up. That’s what employers seem to value most, experience,” he said.

Many firms offer unpaid internships which is unsustainable for a recent graduate. Therefore, graduates need to prioritise their needs. They need a wage to sustain themselves, so applying for internships without pay is all well and good if you can afford it to accrue some experience, but if you can’t, it’s an exercise in futility.

However, if you haven’t secured a grad programme, GradIreland recommend going through the graduate programmes run by government or industry bodies. There are various schemes available, but all are paid placements and intended to fast-track graduates onto the career ladder.

Most of these programmes include a postgraduate qualification which gives you a pathway into an industry or career sector.

There are many different routes to take for recent graduates and if paid work isn’t something you first encounter, fret not as there are many other worthwhile options offered by agencies like GradIreland and FRSrecruitment.

These agencies should be given their due diligence as it is more than worthwhile for students that do not know what their next step outside of university is. It affords them a platform to easily peruse options they did not know was at their disposal.

Entering the world of work straight out of university can be a rude awakening for many people, particularly when it comes to routine.

Given the mercurial schedule of a college

bodies with pictures they have taken in the past to see if there has been any changes.

It is reported, in severe cases an individual may spend hours performing their grooming ritual until they feel their ailment is hidden enough to interact with others.

Some sufferers are aware of the absurdity of their actions but remain helpless to their behaviour.

Some people with BDD may result to surgery to “fix” their ailment. A report by Annals of Plastic Surgery found that between six per cent and 20 per cent of those seeking cosmetic surgery actually suffer from Body Dysmorphic Disorder.

Body dysmorphia is a chronic disorder. Treatment can improve the outcome of the illness and should be initiated as soon as possible. BDD treatment may include Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBD) and antidepressant medication called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI).

Patients may undertake numerous cosmetic procedures to try to correct the flaw. Afterwards, feeling of temporary satisfaction my follow, but often the anxiety returns and they may resume searching for “cures”.

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GradIreland recommend going through the graduate programmes run by government or industry bodies

timetable, it is unlikely you’ll find more than a handful of students that stick to a strict routine.

Having an inconsistent schedule and sleeping pattern can throw off your focus and priorities, hampering the productivity of your week.

Keeping to a somewhat strict routine, whereby you know what you want to have achieved that day, be it, going to the gym, meal prep or tackling your assignments. It is imperative and highly recommended that the time you wake up and time you fall asleep remain consistent, thereby preparing you for the stable rigours of a nine-to-five job. the college view The Hype |13

Lifestyle

Eating healthy on a student budget Shauna Power dishes out some advice on how to eat well for less

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The Buddhist guide

ealthy food can be expensive and it can be difficult to eat well when you’re on a student budget. However there are many ways to stretch your budget and still eat a healthy,

balanced diet.

The easiest way to spend less and eat healthier is to meal plan. Drawing up a weekly meal plan allows you to use up ingredients you already have and then plan what fresh food you need to buy for the week ahead. Only purchase what you need and what you’re going to use, so you don’t have to throw away a lot of what you buy.

We all know that cooking at home is much cheaper than eating out and generally much healthier. By cooking your own meals you know exactly what ingredients are going into your body.

Whether you batch cook or do it daily, cooking at home is definitely worthwhile.

If you do end up cooking more than you need, leftovers can make a great lunch or you can freeze them for another day. Eventually, you’ll have some healthy ready to go meals in your freezer for those days when you come home from college and don’t feel like cooking.

Sticking to your grocery list when shopping is easier said than done but is one of the most effective ways to spend less. There are many grocery list apps that help you shop and this is also a great way to ensure you don’t forget your list at home.

Healthline.com suggests shopping the perimeter

Roisin Maguire explores the world of Buddhism and how it is unlike any other religion

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uddhism is one of the largest and oldest religions however not many people fully understand it outside of Asia.

Buddhism comes from Siddhartha Gautama, “the Buddha”more than 2,500 years ago in India and it now has around five million followers. Guatama was born into a wealthy family however he gave up his abundant lifestyle and opted for poverty however when this didn’t bring him peace he decided to go somewhere in between.

This was a life without indulging but also without deprivation and it is seen as a middle ground.

This religion was predominantly seen in southeast Asia in the past however its teachings have spread around the globe. Buddhism is different from other religions such as Christianity and Islam as it does not have a religious text such as the Bible and it does not focus on worshipping a God. The main focus of Buddhism is to reach nirvana in life and develop a spiritual understanding of the earth. Buddhists are known to be very calm people, they are not greedy and their goal is to cause as little suffering as possible which is why many are vegan and vegetarian.

Buddhists have many different beliefs. According to History.com, some of these include: “The path to enlightenment is attained by utilizing morality, meditation and wisdom. Buddhism encourages its people to avoid self-indulgence but also selfdenial. Followers of Buddhism don’t acknowledge a supreme god or deity. They instead focus on achieving enlightenment—a state of inner peace

of a store first because that is normally where the whole foods are located. The middle of a store generally contains the most processed and unhealthy foods so if you have a wandering eye, it might be best to avoid these areas.

Additonally, If you do happen to find yourself in these aisles, be aware that the most expensive product is normally placed at eye level. So if you want some junk food as a treat, make sure to look at all sections for the best value products.

Another tip for saving money whilst shopping is to consider store brands which usually cost less.

Almost every store offer generic brands which are mostly the same quality as other brands just cheaper which makes them a great buy.

Frozen fruit and vegetables are just as nutritious as buying them fresh and are convenient to have in the freezer for those days where you’re home late from college or just not in the mood for cooking.

Frozen produce is also great to use for smoothies or toppings on your cereal.

Another thing to keep in mind is that shopping whilst hungry can lead to cravings and impulse buying which is going to cost you both health wise and your pocket.

Incorporating more inexpensive yet healthy foods into your daily routine will help you save money and eat well and you don’t have to break the bank in the process. Even if eating healthy was more expensive it could still be worth it down the line as you can’t really put a price on good health.

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14| the college view The Hype

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Buddhism is different from other religions such as Christianity and Islam as it does not have a religious text such as the Bible and it does not focus on worshipping a God

and wisdom.”

Buddha’s main teachings are called “The Four Noble Truths”. They are 1. Life has inevitable suffering. 2. There is a cause to our suffering.

3. There is an end to our suffering. 4. The end of suffering is contained in the eightfold path.

The eightfold path are eight elements in the path to liberation. According to an article by Tricycle called “The Noble Eightfold Path”, these include right understanding, right thought, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness and right concentration.

Other general teachings of Buddhism are more like rules and ethics that people should live by, for example it is forbidden to kill living things, to lie, to use drugs or alcohol and to steal.

There are a number of images that are associated with the Buddhist religion including the lotus flower, the eight spoked dharma, the swastika and the Bodhi tree.

Buddhists are known for practising yoga and meditation as a calming technique and when done often it can promote healing.

The Dalai Lama is known as the leading monk in Tibetan Buddhism and it is believed that he is a reincarnation of past Lama that keeps coming back to help humanity. There have been 14 in total.

Buddhism has helped many people deal with grief but also to control yourself in many aspects of life, beit it from food indulgence to money greed.

Some people see Buddhism as a way of bettering themselves and even as a form of self care.

Another thing to keep in mind is that shopping whilst hungry can lead to cravings

the college view The Hype |15 Across: 5. Simpson 6. Yoko Ono 7. Sartre 8. Rivera 10. Henry VIII 11. Helen 12. Curie 14. Trotsky Down: 1. Cleopatra 2. Jay Z 3. DiMaggio 4. Romeo 9. Eve 10. Hitler 13. Evita

EXPOSURE MOUNTAINS

Jonathon Lynam

Kirsty Dowdall

Sonja Tutty

Brendan Fernando Kelly Palenque

CREDITS

COVER: WikiMedia ARTS Page 3: Sonja Tutty, WikiMedia Page 4: Soundcloud, Miss Americana Page 5: Flickr Page 6: Netflix, Lucien Waugh-Daly Page 7: Netflix, BBC Two Page 8: Aviary Talent, Irish Museum of Modern Art LIFESTYLE Page 9: PxFuel, Sonja Tutty Page 10: Jonathon Lynam Page 11: Flickr, Fsoq! Page 12: Pikrepo, Pixabay Page 13: Pexels, Male Raffine Page 14: PxHere, Pixabay