Issue 91 - December 21 / January 22

Dundee Student-Led Magazine

Free 06 An exploration of the importance of having psychological freedom through a narrative of embarking on a journey to fulfill one’s needs and desires.

A Festive Feast 46 ‘Tis the winter season at last! Let us eat, drink and be merry. Here are some recommendations to keep up these festive, winter vibes.

DECEMBER 2021

the magdalen

91

Women in STEM 64 “‘Behind every successful man, there’s a woman.’ The word ‘behind’ often displeases me. A woman should neither be behind nor in front but equal to the side.”

www.themagdalen.co.uk @themagdalenmag The Magdalen Magazine @themagdalenmag The Magdalen Magazine

the magdalen issue 91

A message from your Editor-in-Chief:

A message from your Creative Directors:

Welcome to our last issue of 2021: Alone, Away, Free.

Our last issue as Creative Directors has come around far too quickly! We have relished working with the talented students behind The Magdalen and have loved leading the creative team who continue to produce striking article designs every issue. Since our redesign during the summer months, it has been extremely rewarding to finally see The Magdalen in all its printed glory, once again, in the hands of fellow students around campus.

Winter is a season of reflection and freedom.

Reflection on the passing year and freedom from academic work. Before we all jump and settle into 2022, we should take a day, an hour or even a minute to analyse what the passing year has taught us.

Being away from the University is a chance to spend some time alone, ponder on your progress and reshape your goals. Whether you need to work full-time or are fortunate enough to spend all the time with your loved ones, please embrace at least some of the freedom the winter break gives you. You’ve earned it.

New Year always means change. The Magdalen will soon see two great Creative Directors, Robyn Black and Zhaneta Zhekova, leave the Senior Team as their yearly tenure has come to an end. They’ve done an amazing job reshaping the magazine and worked both under the pressure of pandemic and under the stress of the back-on-campus print deadlines. Their expertise far exceeded the realm of design and they became the very perfect binding The Magdalen is known for. Robyn, Zhaneta, it was a pleasure to work with you.

Marcin Kielczewski

Our time in The Magdalen senior team would not have been as successful with previous Editor-in-Chief Joshua Harper for making our transition into these roles seamless, and for navigating various lockdowns throughout his tenure. And to Marcin Kiełczewski; thanks for being so hardworking and determined to make The Magdalen bigger and better than ever before. It is incredible how much dedication and talent goes into this magazine and it has been an honour to contribute to it.

Even though we will be stepping down from our roles, we will be sure to stick around in the design team under the supervision of our successors; whoever they may be! We are super excited to see how The Magdalen improves and grows from here, and will always hold this experience close to our hearts. I would urge anyone to get involved with The Magdalen in anyway you can – by writing, designing, photographing, or illustrating!

A final thank you from your Creative Directors, Robyn Black and Zhaneta Zhekova

the magdalen issue 91

acknowledgement

SENIOR TEAM EDITOR IN CHIEF CREATIVE DIRECTORS SENIOR DEPUTY EDITOR DEPUTY EDITORS SENIOR FEATURE EDITOR CREATIVE TEAM PHOTOGRAPHY MANAGER ILLUSTRATION MANAGER SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGERS EDITORIAL TEAM ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT CREATIVE WRITING CURRENT AFFAIRS INTERNATIONAL ON/OFF CAMPUS OPINIONS SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY COPY EDITORS

SENIOR STAFF WRITERS

PUBLISHED BY

Marcin Kielczewski Robyn Black & Zhaneta Zhekova Luiza Stoenescu Andrew Elton & Marleen Käsebier Sofia Rönkä Lottie Belrose Karly Yu Militsa Ruseva & Sonia Hanke Mareth Burns Dani McFawns Luke Burr Sehar Mehmood Emma Sturrock Bronte Chalmers Flora Caldwell Niamh Alexander; Kathryn Boyle; Rhiannon Burnett; Drew Campbell; Maria Georgieva; Rachel Goodman; Pascale Lee; Cat Pritchard; Kyl Tan; Jenifer Thomson Akshay Anand; Dawid Czeczelewski; Freya Giles; Hannah Hamilton; Ryan Petrie; Georgi Zhechev Dundee University Students’ Association

the magdalen issue 91

contents 06 10

Feature

Free

Arts & Entertainment

Sequels, Reboots & Remakes!...Are they really the problem?

Last Night in Soho and the Return of Technicolour Horror Think Pink: a Discussion of Set Design in Squid Game Jacques-Yves Cousteau: The Man who Never Stopped Dreaming Review: Dune (2021) No Sun - No Moon!

Be a Forensic Scientist from Home

20

Creative Writing

30

Current Affairs

40

International

48

On/ Off Campus

56

Opinions

64

Shared Stars Alone, Away, Free The Tarot Reader Masc of Apotheosis Fights, Frights, and Restless Nights The Reflection Trail System Shock

Greenwashing A good Omen?

COP26: An Overview Cryptic Crypto: Squids Hold Coins?

Truth Social - The Ultimate Echo Chamber Diversity as a Pillar

Multihome Polar Silk Road The Boom of Anime Luxembourg, That’s in Germany, Right?

A Festive Feast A Basic Guide to Student Activism Do You Like Jazz?

Society Spotlight: Polish Society Future Leaders Forum

The Road to Granny’s House Sexual Harassment in the Workplace: We Are All Culpable The Perks and Perils of Running an Online Movement Facebook to Meta: Change of name doesn’t equal change of nature

06

10 12 13 14 16 18 19

20 22 23 24 25 26 28

30 32 34 36 38 39

40 42 43 44

48 50 52 53 54

56 58 60 62

Science & Technology Women in STEM - Pushing Forward Digital Game-Based Learning: Bad Attitudes or Bad Actuality?

Icelandic False Confessions Placebos: The Test of Reliance In a Single Acorn

the magdalen issue 91

64 67 68 70 71

06

Feature

Words: Cat Pritchard

the magdalen issue 91

Design: Robyn Black

You catch the first train you see and ride off into the distance, wind in your hair, light in your eyes, a face full of youth, never looking back. You have a lot of time to think, as you gaze out the window.

The philosophical concept of hauntology, coined

by Jacques Derrida, is capable of aiding us in this reflection. A pun on the French word “ontology”, the study of being, hauntology is the study of presence in absence, seeking to explain the prevalence of what once was in what exists now. It concerns itself with the broad topics of meaning/sense, time, agency and desire. By focussing deeply on the effect these four themes have on our lives, we can enlighten ourselves about the effect that our past has on our current situations. Dwelling on nostalgic experiences may seem the furthest notion from freedom, particularly for those who are easily caught in the past. However, we can surpass this problem by using this absent presence of yesterday to figure out what we would like to change tomorrow.

You feel a strong sense of purpose whilst also feeling at your utmost confused. You are escaping the chains of mundane life and embarking on a new adventure, but

Meaning and sense are elusive and nebulous constructs - fitting into the position of being both present and absent. They aren’t exactly tangible nor fixed. When examined closely, you realise that your reason for boarding this train is simply to explore the world and open doors to new things. It is a positive activity; you are enjoying being out in nature and you feel that you need to do something spontaneous for a change.

Yet, you have no overarching aim - you won’t gain anything concrete from this day trip. In a society which values material and financial profit above all, your day technically means nothing. The absence of sensible, tangible product from your actions exists as the ghost of a separate reality where you chose something else to do today. There is nothing wrong with this. As stated in the conclusion of a 2008 study on nature’s effect on cognition by Berman, Jonides and Kaplan, ‘to consider the availability of nature as merely an amenity fails to recognize the vital importance of nature in effective cognitive functioning’. Therefore, the ghost of economic meaning in your day, whispering in your ear about financial failure, now exists alongside a positive presence of personal meaning. The improvement this journey will make on your mental health is worth more than monetary gain.

The train is slowing to a stop. When the name of the next station is mentioned over the intercom, you blink a couple of times, worn out from thought, but alert again. The name is not one you have heard before so you decide to get off and explore. The train doors open and you find yourself on an unfamiliar platform in an

the magdalen issue 91

Feature

It is an essential practice to be in control of your own life. Self-care is more than just relaxing and taking a break every now and then. It involves weighing up your time and figuring out how best to spend it in order to balance every element which impacts your wellbeing.

This is an important practice, of course, but it isn’t always easy. It requires a lot of reflection.

what reason do you really have to do so? You scratch your head and try to make sense of it, momentarily doubting your decision. You know that it had some clear importance to you, obviously, but why are you here on this train today?

07

Y

our bag is packed and you are raring to go. You leap out of the front door into the clear, bright, sunny day. You are free; you are in control of your own destiny. You deserve this.

08

Feature

Words: Cat Pritchard

“ It is important to spend time looking after our wants and desires, as it can help us build our relationship with ourselves. This is important for our mental health and resilience.” the magdalen issue 91

Design: Robyn Black

As you explore, you find a beautiful local wood full of trees, birdsong and plants of all colours. You feel accomplished seeing this amazing view and you are proud that you chose to spend time in it today.

The quality you have shown in today’s choices is called agency. You have elected to express your free-will today and the way in which you have done this has had a positive influence on your mood. In an ordinary day, an absence of agency might be present in the impact that your responsibilities have on yourself and others,

You spot a path in the woods and follow it until you come to a small park with a dainty-looking cafe.

Wishing to quench your thirst and relax, you stop by and take a break from your exploring. You socialise with the person who takes your order and learn more about the place you have visited today. You feel content, realising that, in the future, you need to spend more time fulfilling your wants and desires. The recent absence of this type of fulfilment from your to-dolist presents itself in your elation at doing something nice for yourself. It is important to spend time looking after our wants and desires, as it can help us build our relationship with ourselves. This is important for our mental health and resilience.

You step out of the café and head back towards the train station with a beaming smile upon your face. The absence of stress is present in your positive mind and mood. You have reaped the benefits of self-reflection today and you have understood the meaning of your journey, managed your time, exerted your agency and fulfilled your wants and desires.

I hope you learned something about yourself, the relationship between presence and absence, and your mental health.

Go home and relax, you have earned it.

the magdalen issue 91

Feature

What presence does time have? The yellowing of pages, the formation of wrinkles on a face, photographs of how your hometown looked forty years ago? You search for signs of growth and decay which might have materialised since you left the house this morning, but notice none, save for one broken fingernail. Today feels slower for you than most days.

Granted, it has been fast-paced so far, but it is still early and you have already dressed yourself, left the house and arrived in a new place. As you consider this, you find new presences of time: the ticking of clocks and the changing position of the sun in the sky. However, until now, the acknowledgement of the passage of time was absent from your thoughts. This absence was characterised by the presence of your stillness as you stood on the train moments ago, lost in the moment of gazing out the window. You gave yourself freedom from responsibility today, unbinding yourself from your deadlines and reducing the physical and mental impact of time-related stress. The day is yours.

but today that is not the case. As described in an article on philosophicaltherapist.com, ‘A person who is calm has almost total control over their thoughts and feelings’. In releasing yourself from ordinary stressors, you have provided yourself with the sensation of peace needed to focus on your personal life: an important activity for us all to do from time to time.

09

an unfamiliar location. You stroll through this new place in hopes of finding somewhere interesting to visit, pondering about the different events that might have played out had you not been roused by the intercom.

10

Arts+Ent

Words: Lewis Gibson

Sequels, Reboots & Remakes!...

Are They Really the Problem?

A

bout a month ago a new set photo was released of Timothée Chalamet as Willy Wonka in the upcoming Charlie and the Chocolate Factory prequel.

The picture didn’t show very much, but curious as to the public’s opinion, I checked the comments and was greeted to the same old sentences: “Hollywood doesn’t make anything original anymore!”

“Hollywood is out of ideas!”

“All we get are sequels and remakes!”

I’m paraphrasing slightly, but this was the general consensus amongst rational minded twitter commentators. Complaints like these have been raised time and time again, and yet every year, almost without fail, the highest grossing films are either sequels in existing franchises, remakes or reboots. So, what’s going on? Are we really that tired of these recognisable brands like the commentators say? Well, numbers don’t lie, and it seems there is a clear and valid reason for the regurgitation of known properties. However, what the real question here is: Have the Hollywood studios, or any studio for that matter, ran out of original ideas?

In short - no.

This may come as a shock, but Hollywood is actually producing more original content than at any point in history. On the surface this may seem unlikely.

Everywhere you go you’ll see a familiar title on a bus, or the latest marvel instalment advertised on YouTube and there is a simple reason as to why we believe that’s all there is: money. Studios know what properties are recognised and what sells, and so put all their golden eggs into one basket at a time. One of the most glaring examples of this marketing overload has been James Bond. Throughout September and October Daniel Craig’s face was everywhere, perhaps making people believe that’s all that was playing in the theatres.

Yet, every week there are brand new and original films released. However, due to their limited budgets and unfamiliar titles, they lack the sort of marketing entitlement that a James Bond film would receive. It is comparable to the news cycle. There are hundreds of news stories written each day and the information is all published for us to read, but very seldom do we. It is all about the main headlines, the talking points, what stories grab the average person’s attention?

It is the same for film.

the magdalen issue 91

Design: Alexandra Heal

?

The public consciousness moves so fast that what catches the eye tends to be what we already know.

It’s not that those original films aren’t being made; we are just not privy to them as they are overshadowed by the bigger stars. Independent films can also be extremely difficult to sell. These films tend to lack a big star and don’t have grand and flashy set pieces that can be shown in a trailer. Some can be too high concept or unusual that it does not appeal to popular demographics – such as young adults and families - and so studios won’t invest in big marketing campaigns for strange or understated projects.

It is a shame though, because this year alone has had some truly remarkable original films. Prano BaileyBond’s Censor was a deeply unsettling and character focussed horror and Sean Durkin’s The Nest was a thoroughly entertaining feature about the lasting effects of deception. Meanwhile, Thomas Vinterberg’s Another Round and Darius Marder’s Sound of Metal were some of the most emotionally captivating films I’ve seen in quite some time - and these are just a handful. In order to find these films however, the onus is on us. Due to the sheer amount of film releases both on cinema and streaming, there is only so much marketing space for the prime releases and it now

becomes our responsibility to track down these original releases and for most people that is too much of an inconvenience.

The problem isn’t that there are too many rehashed ideas, on the contrary, we are overwhelmed by choice.

We are at a point now where there is such a constant stream of entertainment being given to us on multiple platforms every week that we cannot possibly be aware of everything that is being released or what will specifically interest us. All the big budget sequels, reboots and remakes you see marketed are just a drop in the vast ocean of content. There is such a sheer saturation of all types of entertainment that every week we will be missing a film, book, album or TV show that we may love… but will pass us by without us ever knowing about it. Who knew an article about film properties could get so dour? But, at the end of the day, what you want is out there, you may just have to work for it.

the magdalen issue 91

11

Arts+Ent

12 3

Words: Kitty McQueen, Design: Phoebe Wilman

12

Arts + Ents

Last Night in Soho and the Return of Technicolour Horror W

ithin the genre of horror, movies tend to provoke fear through the use of darker colour palettes. They rely on the certainty that audiences are scared of what they cannot see - like the monster under your bed at night or the shadowy figure in the corner of your room.

Although, horror as a genre constantly breaks down boundaries and subverts expectations, and after an abundance of gloomy horrors, movies that approach horror in new and exciting ways tend to be the most frightening of all.

“Both films utilised a colour palette of dynamic reds and blues to create an experience so immersive, the fear not only unsettled audiences but nauseated them.“ Technicolour within horror stands to be one of my favourite approaches to the genre, as it defies stereotypes completely. Vibrant colour palettes within bright settings not only force us to face our fears by amplifying them. This primarily came about in the 70s, as horror grew in popularity and filmmakers began to explore various ways in which they could portray their scary stories. The result being works of technicolour horror that shocked

and terrified audiences. Such as Brian De Palma’s Carrie and, perhaps the most influential technicolour horror of all time, Dario Argento’s Suspiria. Both films utilised a colour palette of dynamic reds and blues to create an experience so immersive, the fear not only unsettled audiences but nauseated them.

During the 2000s, the majority of horror films returned to their reliable murky nature, which has brought about some incredible supernatural stories and slasher flicks. However, after viewing Edgar Wright’s Last Night in Soho, I’m hopeful for the return of and possible rise in technicolour horror. The film follows Eloise, a wannabe fashion designer, as she moves to London to pursue this dream. Ellie also experiences visions, this ‘gift’ introducing her to a young woman from the sixties named Sandy. As the focus of the film lies within the 1960’s Soho nightlife, exploring drug use and a great deal of drinking, the use of technicolour compliments the story nicely. Audiences are taken along with Ellie, on what feels like a mind-bending drug trip of their own, heightening each scare to a distressing and chaotic level that’s far beyond the abilities of darker toned cinema. Even as Ellie attempts to sleep, flashing neon lights just outside of her window keep the audience in a constant state of alertness and anxiety. While Last Night in Soho may not be one of the best horror films of the year, it’s undeniably brought back into light the incredible effect technicolour horror can have.

the magdalen issue 91

Words: Joanne Lam

Words: Joanne Lam, Design: Sonia Hanke

Think PINK: A Discussion of Set Design in Squid Game

Despite it being a slaughterhouse the set of Squid Game is delightfully pink, from the M.C Escher-esque staircase to the guard’s uniforms. With the main colours of the show being mint green and pink, the show’s plucky colour scheme is a stark contrast against the violently bloody games that take place within it.

According to the show’s production designer Chae Kyoung-sun, as mint green and pink were the colours used commonly in the 70’s to 80’s for Korean children’s school supplies, it helped evoke the sense of childhood nostalgia, especially for Korean viewers.

Much like its games, the show’s set constantly takes aspects of childhood and twists them. For the second game of “Honeycomb”, the players are led into an oversized playground. The towering slides and gigantic climbing structures add to the heavy, crushing anxiety ridden atmosphere of this playground. According to Chae, director Hwang Dong Hyuk wanted to emulate the sense of anxiety a small child would have, perhaps on their first day at a school playground.

the magdalen issue 91

Of course, this year’s Halloween saw no shortage of fans dressed as the squid game characters.

Unassuming at first, in their pink boiler suits and their faces hidden behind a mask, the squid game guards represent terror and order for all of the 456 players.

Furthermore, with the guards holding weaponry and doing nefariously cruel deeds, pink, a colour commonly connoted to childhood and girlishness, comes to symbolize danger and violence.

Their dizzying pink suits are a huge contrast to the players’ green tracksuits, cementing their authority over them.

The show’s warped use of colour, enticing set design, and costuming all truly work together to make such a hauntingly violent story.

It’s clear that Hwang and Chae are masters at triggering childhood nostalgia, even in such a violent show. Pink will never look the same to me.

13

T

here has never been a lovelier gladiator arena on a mysterious island than in Netflix’s Squid Game. Whether you’ve watched it for the ‘fun’ children’s games with a deadly twist, or Gong Yoo’s slapping salesman act (strangely hot, for some reason…), perhaps one element that makes Squid Game so disturbing can be seen in its artistic direction. From the show’s palette to characters’ uniform, this article is going to explore the deceivingly candycoloured world of Squid Game.

Arts + Ent

No Spoilers review

14

Art + Ents

Words: Georgi Zhechev

the magdalen issue 91

Design: Lewis Elks

One of the things that impressed me the most vis-à-vis this film was how Cousteau’s interactions with other people shaped his interests and marked his life. The people that come to mind are his friends who were also underwater pioneers, i.e., Philippe Tailliez and Frédéric Dumas. In short, the circumstances that urged Cousteau to start diving are the following: While he was training to be a pilot, he was involved in a serious car accident in which he broke both his arms. In order for him to be able to fully recover, Cousteau started swimming and diving under the tutelage of those above-mentioned people who quickly became his best friends. It was in 1936, near the port of Toulon, that he started swimming underwater with goggles. That experience ultimately changed his life. What Cousteau went on to do afterwards is proof that creativity has no limits. Some of the most important discoveries and inventions of Cousteau were described in this part of the film, including the famous Aqua-Lung, known also as the ‘Self-Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus’, or scuba, developed alongside engineer Emile Gagnan in 1943.

The film also presents the relationships within Cousteau’s family. His wife Simone and his two boys, for instance, always supported and accompanied JacquesYves during his famous expeditions, such as when he conducted a survey of Abu Dhabi’s waters on behalf of British Petroleum, which was also when he discovered petrol deep inside the waters of the Persian Gulf.

Furthermore, he started to gradually become famous and recognisable due to the fact that he published his first book, The Silent World, during this time in collaboration with his old friend Frédéric Dumas. In addition, Cousteau won the Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival in 1956 for his documentary feature titled

The Silent World, co-produced with his colleague and collaborator Louis Malle, and based on his eponymous book. Most of these events are included in the film because they not only played a prominent role in Cousteau’s life, but they are also quite remarkable per se, such that no documentary feature had won the highest award at Cannes up to that point, and even after Cousteau won it, that award remained almost exclusively centred around fictional films.

“What Cousteau went on to do afterwards is proof that creativity has no limits.”

The film also provides a closer look into the personal life of the renowned man who unfortunately went through a lot of private tragedies. The tragic and untimely death of his son Philippe was among those sorrowful events. The passing of his wife after a long struggle with cancer was another. However, Jacques-Yves Cousteau never gave up and he certainly did not let depression drain his energy and his vitality. He remarried quickly and continued working on the projects that mattered most to him.

According to the footage shown in the film, most of his concerns at that time, the late 80s and early 90s, were related to ecology and the conservation of wildlife in places like Antarctica. Cousteau’s attempts to warn world leaders about the dangers that mining in the seventh continent could entail are also mentioned in the film.

Moreover, as found in his biography, he became a regular consultant for the UN in the early 1990s.

All things considered, the film manages to capture the aura that the explorer Jacques-Yves Cousteau seemed to exude. It also invites us to take a closer look behind the scenes of the life of Jacques-Yves Cousteau the man. The film exhibits both Cousteau’s achievements and successes as well as his flaws and failures, because Cousteau was above all human, and the film did not attempt to represent him as an immaculate being.

In the end, what Cousteau should be remembered for, according to my view of the film, is his role in the signing of the Madrid Protocol, which to this day plays a role in preventing the exploitation of Antarctica through mining.

the magdalen issue 91

Arts + Ents

ecently, I was given the opportunity to watch a film about the life of an extraordinary person who changed the ways in which we think about the seas and their inhabitants, namely the marine explorer and researcher, Jacques-Yves Cousteau. The film Becoming Cousteau focused on the man behind the screen persona with whom so many people were familiar with while he was still alive. In fact, Cousteau was much more than he appeared to be. It would not be wrong to assume that he was a passionate swimmer, diver, photographer, filmmaker and more, but above all he was a human being, and that is the main message the film conveys. To achieve this aim, the film uses excerpts from Cousteau’s private diary, emphasised by the use of voice-over narration, in which the adventurer described his everyday encounters and experiences.

15

R

Words: Angus Coleman

A

16

Arts + Ent

s I write this, it’s been almost two weeks since I saw Denis Villeneuve’s adaptation of the classic science fiction novel Dune, and quite honestly, I’m still reeling from the experience. It is a film of such enormous, bombastic scale visually, musically, and in terms of its story, that it is somewhat difficult to talk about in the same way as other films. However, it has seared itself into my mind like few other films do, and I’m desperate to write about it here because everyone needs to see it.

Talking about Dune from an objective critical standpoint is hampered somewhat by the fact that I am a shameless fanboy of Frank Herbert’s ground-breaking 1965 novel.

I read it when I was fourteen years old and the way Herbert painstakingly built and described the world of the book down to the finest detail completely changed my perspective on the sci-fi/fantasy genre and storytelling in general. It holds an extremely special place in my heart. So while I may be assessing this adaptation through the rose-tinted glasses of nostalgia, I also feel like the quality of the film is evidenced through how successfully it lived up to my expectations.

Attempts at adapting the story have been historically unsuccessful, with its sheer magnitude leading it to be described as ‘unfilmable’.

After the earliest attempts at adaptation in the 1970s stalled, the first real crack at it was helmed by avantgarde filmmaker Alejandro Jodorowsky. Describing his plans as ambitious is an understatement to say the least.

Jodorowsky envisioned Dune as a ten-hour long epic starring Salvador Dalí, Mick Jagger and Orson Welles, with a score composed by Pink Floyd. The project ultimately fell apart due to financial issues (not least because Dalí demanded to be paid $100,000 per hour and the finished script would have resulted in a film with an even more obscene runtime of fourteen hours), and it wasn’t until 1984 that an adaptation would successfully make it to the screen.

David Lynch’s Dune was widely lambasted upon its release, with reviews criticising its ugly visuals, unorthodox structure and convoluted storytelling.

Looking into the history of this film reveals another troubled production, and the insistence of the studio that Lynch cut his original three-hour version of the film down to a two-hour theatrical cut, making an already complex story even more difficult to understand.

Following this, further attempts at adaptation would stagnate aside from a miniseries released in 2000, until

Review - Dune (2021) the themagdalen magdalenissue issue9191

Design: Sonia Hanke

Villeneuve is an excellent choice of director for this project. He has stated in interviews that he has a great enthusiasm for the book and a distinct imagining of it visually. This shines through in the film. As I mentioned at the beginning, this Dune is a film of enormous scale.

Spaceships, buildings, sandworms and the desert itself tower high above ant-like people and stretch beyond the edges of the frame in enormous wide shots. Villeneuve’s method of communicating scale using framing and cinematography is a hallmark of his work (see Arrival and Blade Runner: 2049) and is used fantastically here.

Movies that try to illustrate the gigantic size of an object often give the audience no point of reference for that scale i.e. a tiny person in the corner of the frame.

Villeneuve’s use of this size comparison technique is key to creating that feeling and also feels justified within the context of this story. The enormity of everything feels appropriate for Dune’s galaxy-spanning scope and messianic themes.

Hans Zimmer’s score really helps to create an otherworldly atmosphere that surrounds the film and immerses the audience. This is one of his more experimental scores, using a wide variety of obscure instruments and sound effects to create a truly alien audio experience. One small critique I have of the score is that it is a little too constant. The film has almost no scenes without music, which it would have benefitted from as this would have helped the slower, quieter scenes feel more distinct from the action and also emphasised the musical climaxes of the film more.

Ultimately though, this film satisfied my hype tremendously well. It’s wonderful to feel that Herbert’s vision has finally been done justice, and I eagerly anticipate part two.

17

For a story with so many characters and plot threads, it was inevitably necessary for some characters to be focused on less.

While the film certainly does this, all the actors in the cast deliver uniformly great performances, even if their characters are less focused on. Also, the decision to tell only the first half of the story in this film (part two is slated for 2023) was certainly a good one, as it allows for a slower pace to be taken, leaving time for more intimate scenes for character development.

Arts + Ent

it was announced in 2017 that Denis Villeneuve would direct an adaptation.

the magdalen issue 91

Words: Alex Murray, Design: Anna Poehlman, Photography: Lottie Belrose

18

Arts + Ents

No Sun No Moon!

W

hen it comes to the months, November is the most melancholy. The days are shorter, nights darker, wind colder, and with a month to go until the New Year, the long nights seem to stretch on into infinity.

It appears that the human condition has changed very little over the years; many an artwork has been created lamenting the dreary nature of November. The bitter evenings, fended off with candles, and thick socks, and hot soup, have facilitated the making of some of the most bittersweet works.

Think back to the 1970 book by Tove Jansson, Moominvalley in November.

The book is not only the ninth and final instalment of the Moomin series, but also the only one to not directly involve the Moomin family. Instead, the work focuses on an eclectic cast of characters looking to

visit the Moomins in order to fix something within themselves, even if they don’t realize it. The work is regularly interpreted to be Jansson’s reaction to the loss of her mother earlier in the year, with its sombre yet hopeful tone offering a mature insight into love, loss, and how to keep going through it all.

This particular fascination with November has not been anything particularly new either- Robert Burns 1785 poem, ‘To a Mouse’, showcases Burns’ guilt at upturning a mouse’s nest with a plough, knowing that the harsh November weather was about to give way to an even colder winter. He laments how hard the mouse must have worked

the magdalen issue 91

on her home, only for him to go and destroy it in one fell swoop. It’s a deeply heartfelt work, with Burn’s empathetic nature shining through as he calls after the small creature, trying to explain he meant no harm, and is gravely sorry that “man’s dominion” has created a hierarchy in which the mouse must run from a fellow mortal creature.

November, to me at least, seems like a month of reflection. With the New Year burgeoning on the horizon, looking back at the past year and being bewildered at how fast it has gone seems nothing short of a rite of passage.

And just as you’ve started to remember it’s November and not October anymore - no longer having to change your 10’s to 11’s on your dates you’ve already been thrown into December. To quote the Gorillaz- “You know November has come / When it’s gone away.”

Words: Dr Heather Doran, Design: Katy Blair

Be a Forensic Scientist from Home

Public engagement, making sure society is part of the research work, is an extremely important area for the centre. They have a number of activities where people can get involved in forensic science research (check out ‘sole searching’) and bring together experiences that are fun, educational or informative. The game was created with teachers, forensic scientists and artists.

“Usually as a writer, you’re making do with a best guess, informed by whatever research you can find. Here, we were able to ask the experts. It means we’re using forensic science in a more realistic

way within the game - and a way that’s more fun for the players. For example, it’s pretty standard to have a fingerprints matching puzzle in a crime game - but talking to Professor Niamh Nic Daeid and her team at the Leverhulme Research Centre for Forensic Science, we realised that there’s things like the positioning of fingerprints that can tell you more about how an object was used - and which can make solving these puzzles more interesting for players,” said Rachel Briscoe, from Fast Familiar. Their previous criticallyacclaimed collaboration, The Evidence Chamber, was described by The New York Times as ‘relentless innovation’, offering a glimpse of the future of online performance, and has been shortlisted for a Times Higher Education award.

This year, they have also released a podcast which covers an unsolved murder from Broughty Ferry in ‘Inside Forensic Science’. The crime took place in 1912 and the podcasts ask forensic scientists, members of the police and lawyers how things might have been different today.

The game and podcast are available online. The game can be played in groups gathered

the magdalen issue 91

in-person or via a virtual teams call.

Visit dundee.ac.uk/Leverhulme/ citizen-science or @lrcfs on social media to find out more! The Centre is always keen to hear from students at the University of Dundee if you wish to get involved with sharing research with public audiences.

Arts + Ent

he University of Dundee is a place of excellence for research in forensic science and the Leverhulme Research Centre for Forensic Science has a number of ways that people can engage with research work taking place.

The latest creation, with ex theatre company Fast Familiar, is an interactive graphic novel murder mystery – playable online at any time. It’s a puzzle and escape room format where you help Susie uncover different types of forensic evidence, solve puzzles and weigh up contrasting hypotheses.

19

T

20

Creative Writing

Words: Rebecca Raddatz

the magdalen issue 91

Design: Karly Yu

shared stars in your mind: the sweet salt blue of my eyes, the sky that cries out for home. on my face: the winds of change and the neon lights, bright, an aeroplane Creative Writing

in my mouth: the heart wanting out, just like a cloud on a sunny day

21

there’s nothing but:

a handful of stars scattered

on

brass-buttons silk

winking as we pass

they whisper the same, i see something you can’t see a game of you and me a voice on the phone: how are you doing tonight? alright. free and alone.

the magdalen issue 91

Words: Kitty McQueen, Design & Photography: Maria Touloupa

Alone, Away, Free Centre stage I take my bow, Memorialising my time spent.

All and who I’ve touched and how,

22

Creative Writing

Fruitless though heaven sent.

Hours have been constrained and thrown, Both vanishing yet frozen.

Bones and skin morphed as they’ve grown, Defects from all I’ve chosen.

One and all are trivial, Now the crowds applaud me.

Although I fear the final devil, Past him I shall be free.

the magdalen issue 91

Words: Ryan Petrie, Design: Phoebe Wilman

The Tarot Reader In Rostov lives a Count of Fame, Though few on earth now know his name.

Reading cards and telling tales, Fighting heat and heavy gales.

Creative Writing

He sits in the midst of din and smoke, Never minding the fact he’s broke.

He plays a game with fortune’s hand, And when you lose, he’ll leave his brand.

23

He’s known as a lover and known as a spy, And all of us he’s lined up to cry.

He tells his tales on screen and stage, And with our hearts a war he’ll wage.

But not alone, he’s full and free, I know this well, for he has me.

I lure them to his den of love, And send their pleasures high above.

We’ll see you soon, this I vow, Just wait a while and you’ll see how That though you feel the joy of light, We’ll come knocking in the night.

Your soul so dear, to us you gave, Poor thing battered by crook and knave, But now we go and fare thee well, Down we now, and back to Hell.

the magdalen issue 91

MASC IT ALL FROM THOSE ALWAYS COLD AND DRY MASCULINE SIGHS IN vi O’CLOCK SCOTLAND OF BITTER WIND AND RAIN KNUCKLING INTO GNAWING AT SLOBBERING OVER MY BODY AS GOD TAUNTS AND GOADS IN HIS MORNING GLORY AN EXHIBITION OF POWER FOR I ONLY ME ALONE UNDER THE BLACK SUN MUST RUN THROUGH THE HURRICANE OF JUDGEMENT EVERY SINGLE DAY TO BECOME NUMB AND RAW A SLAB OF MEAT ONLY TO REALISE THERE ARE NO TIGERS WAITING FOR ME IN THAT FAR AWAY LAND OF ANXIETY AND DOUBT AS GOD UNDRAPES THE COVER OF CLOUDS LETTING ME FREE AND CONGRATULATES MY APOTHEOSIS

the magdalen issue 91

Section Title

Design: Your Name, Photography: Name

11

24

Creative Writing

Words: Akshay Anand, Design Design: &Robyn Photography: Black Robyn Black

Content Warning: Suicide; Prose piece about someone contemplating their own life and their society, before finally letting go.

I took a breath…

And then two. Closing my eyes, I let everything out.

Every worry, every problem, every thought. Looking up at the infinite night sky, I gazed at its beauty - the stars were dancing tonight, twirling around, lighting up the darkness like a million fireflies. And then there was the moon, which was as beautiful as it was lonely, always locking part of itself away to dim its beauty so that it could join the wildness of the stars, and always getting rejected because it was still different. As a gentle breeze streamed through my hair, matching the rhythm of the stars, it interrupted my train of thoughts and for a moment everything stilled, seeming perfect.

I gripped the railing with my shaking hands and looked down at the careless world before me. A world without concern, where houses lined up like soldiers in an army. A world so careless, where people moved around aimlessly like an indecisive blizzard. And as I looked at them, their faces looked so young and innocent, as if they were almost completely out of reach of any harm.

They were living their lives. And I realised that was our difference. They were living their lives while I only survived mine. But sometimes surviving isn’t enough, so looking at them made everything seem perfect.

And as I gripped the railing tighter, staring down at everyone, suddenly they didn’t seem so perfect anymore. Everything seemed unreal and so unnatural that it felt like watching a puppet show. Everyone was a puppet on strings. Nobody was truly free. Every decision they made, every step, every action they took was controlled by their emotions. And that was the problem with us; we let our emotions control us. And maybe control isn’t real, maybe it’s just a false emotion we created in order for us to cope with our fear of the unknown, but either way the truth is we don’t even care, because that way we have something to blame.

And as I gripped the railing even tighter, the breeze blew by me again like a string of hope, whispering in my ears words of comfort.

“Let go. You can be free. You can be truly happy. You can reach the stars. All you have to do is let go.”

And as it kept whispering things in my ears, over and over again, I looked up at the stars one final time, and they were moving so naturally, so spontaneously, so imperfectly, that it made them perfect to me.

Everything went silent, and the breeze whispered to me “let go” one last time. And so I did.

the magdalen issue 91

25

Fights, Frights and Restless Nights

Creative Writing

Words: Words: Fay Fay Rizo, Rizo, Design: Design: Eilidh Eilidh Smith, Smith, Photography: Photography: Lottie Lottie Belrose Belrose

Words: Sam Chesters

26

Creative Writing

The Reflection Trail The sun sets low on the horizon, stretching out dazzling streaks of orange across the everdarkening, quintessentially North American landscape. Above me, I can see the few orangestained clouds, which I had at first worried would bring rain, now floating thoughtlessly through the daydream purple sky. From atop the hill where I stand, I can see the glimmer of the evening light reflecting off of the distant snow-capped peaks of the Rockies. A dark forest stretches down, deep into the valley, before promptly cutting off into small pseudo-beaches, as if by design, to make room for the shimmering liquid mirror of a lake. Taking in the scene, I let out a soft sigh as I pull tighter my jacket. The night is drawing in and I know I need to head home. I let myself enjoy my surroundings for a moment longer. The darkness has already begun its invasion of the valley, creeping silently over the mountains and stretching further into the woodlands. I stand up and lift my rucksack, making sure to secure it tightly on my back before beginning the journey home.

I enjoy the silence of my evening walks. It feels good to spend some time alone, wandering through

the wilderness. Although my home, my real home, lay far away, being here was one of the few times I felt entirely free. The life I lead here feels like it exists in an alternate world from the chaotic relentlessness of my hectic, nine to five desk job in London. Working as a journalist in one of the world’s busiest cities was a very demanding career. Back then everything seemed to matter so much; deadlines, business meetings, rent payments, avoiding the rush hour traffic… but here I feel as if I have finally found my place in the world.

Although I still work the same job here, I feel as if I can now walk on top of what was once trying to drown me.

I continue my way along the forest trail, appreciating every moment of peace, every second of blissful silence, save for the occasional chirping of a bird or the low hum of the night-time crickets. The light has faded now, and the shadow of the valley has overtaken me on the path. I move forward, not far now from home, close enough to civilisation not to be troubled by the fear of bears, yet far enough away not to be troubled by the burdens of life there.

As I make my way down the familiar path to home, my mind wanders back to my family; my parents and brother, left behind in London. My only regret about emigrating was that I would no longer be able to see

the magdalen issue 91

Design: Ada Ung

I decide I had better start planning a trip home soon.

the magdalen issue 91

27

Finally arriving at my front door, I push it open and set down my rucksack on the stone floor. After untying and taking off my hiking boots and jacket, I flick on the lights and head through to the living room. Through the double glazing of the bay window, I can see that the evening has retired, allowing the night to complete its crusade of the countryside. I gaze nostalgically out into the darkness before turning to carefully take a picture off of the supportive hardwood of the console table. I smile; the last family photo we took before I left.

That was four months ago now.

Creative Writing

them on a daily basis. Well, not in person anyway, but still, the static of poor connection on a video call hardly made up for face-to-face contact.

Words: Andrew Young

28

Creative Writing

London, 2099 A police car from the London Megacity Police Force flew above the towering buildings of London. The buildings grazed the black and starless night sky and were covered in an endless series of white glowing dots.

The rain hit the window of the car and distorted the white lights, so they appeared to shimmer. Dave took his hands away from the steering wheel and moved it towards the control panel of the car. He pressed the button for the windscreen wipers and then flicked the auto pilot switch. ‘PLEASE STATE DESTINATION’ said a voice coming from a speaker next to the switch. ‘City Hall, the parking bay on the 152nd floor,’ said Dave.

‘Ah, Dave. The body is this way. The cleaning droid reported it at 1am,’ said the police superintendent. ‘We think the culprit was after the mayor in her office and her secretary was at the wrong place at the wrong time. It’s quite an interesting one.’

‘How come?’ Said Dave who pulled a packet of cigarettes out of his pocket and placed it between his lips.

‘Well, there are no clear signs of harm on the body and no signs of forced entry,’ said the superintendent, ‘still smoking I see?’ As he said this, he pulled out a lighter and lit Dave’s cigarette.

‘I’ll stop when I stop getting called in at 4am for homicides,’ said Dave with a grim smile. ‘So how do we know this was actually a murder and not a heart attack or something?’

‘We don’t, but when we checked his, the secretary’s, medical records he came up with a clean bill of health and these Medi-Scanners don’t miss anything! It found out about my appendix a week before I got appendicitis.

Anyway, the commissioner has sent us some scientist to help out.’

Dave furrowed his brow and took a draw on his cigarette. ‘Don’t we have our own team of forensics?’

‘We do. They’ve been here since 2am. They haven’t been able to find anything out but perhaps our new friend can.’

Dave and the Superintendent opened the door to the Mayor’s office and walked into a room teeming with people in white overalls. They were all

the magdalen issue 91

Design: Robyn Black

‘Yes, yes that’s me! I was in the area and couldn’t resist, you know. You can call me the Professor. How much do you know about the case?’ She turned away from him and knelt over the body.

On the floor was a young man who was lying with his limbs sprawled out..

The expression on his face was one of panic and terror. It was as though the feeling had been left impressed upon his face. In one hand he held a Comms-Device and in the other a clipboard. The Comms-Devices were standard issue for all state officials. Dave fingered the one he had in his pocket. The Professor was moving frantically around the body and pulling various gadgets out of her coat and running them over the body as they flashed and beeped.

Dave knelt next to the Professor. ‘So, what have you found out?’ He asked.

‘Glad you asked, Dave!’ the Professor said with bright eyes. ‘Well, this is really a fascinating case!’ Dave found it a little odd that her face was brimming with excitement at the sight of a dead body, but he ignored this.

‘You see our friend here has no visible signs of being physically harmed and the Medi-Scanner has brought up nothing. No Poisons or toxins or anything! However, when I scanned the body with this,’ The Professor held up a small metal cylindrical device, ‘and it showed up what can only be described as a virus.’

‘Surely the Medi-Scanner would have picked up any viruses?’ Asked Dave.

‘No, no, no’ said the Professor, shaking her head and looking at Dave with bright eyes, ‘a computer virus!’

the magdalen issue 91

29

Inside the tent was a tall woman who was standing over the body facing away from Dave. She was wearing a long black coat and had long curly red hair that tumbled over her back. She turned around as Dave walked in.

‘Ah! Hello!’ She said with a smile. ‘And you are?’ She held out a hand.

‘Dave, inspector with the force.’ Said Dave as he took her hand. ‘You’re the one they brought in?’

Creative Writing

moving around a small white tent that was propped up in the middle of the room. The office itself was a huge room with a window that peered out into the black night. Dave could see the same array of white yellow dots that made up the endless skyscrapers of the city. He took another draw of his cigarette and took a moment to look out of the window before moving towards the tent.

Words: Harry Anderson

Greenwashing: The hypocrisy of COP26 A

30

Current Affairs

s COP26 turned Glasgow into an intergovernmental hotspot, the term ‘Greenwashing’ was being used with increasingly greater frequency than in previous years. Coined in the early 80s by environmentalist, Jay Westerveld, Greenwashing describes the various misleading marketing methods used by companies to avoid real environmental legislation and change, instead making said company seem far more environmentally friendly than they actually are.

The advertisements from oil companies about ‘green’ fuels are a prime example of the damage that greenwashing can cause, with said companies refusing to change their ways and deflecting the blame through advertisements and deception.

the magdalen issue 91

Greenwashing has been around for decades and the climate crisis is making it increasingly harder for companies to hide behind it. The surge in wildfires, droughts and other extreme weather events over the past few years have shown the severity of climate change, with extreme weather only predicted to get worse So why has greenwashing been gaining so much attention lately? As a business tactic, it’s hardly new, yet the public’s increasing awareness of corporate lies have made it significantly harder for companies to just slap a green sticker on an already polluting product.

We have seen businesses who have actively profited from environmental destruction make ads about ‘individual consumption’, disregarding the blatant fact that over 70% of all global emissions come from just a hundred companies.

“Many standard products are now being marketed as ‘organic’ or ‘ethical’, despite being nothing of the sort.”

However, the uptake of environmental awareness has presented a previously unseen business opportunity for many of these companies, with many standard products now being marketed as ‘organic’ or ‘ethical’, despite being nothing of the sort. In a somewhat worrying way, there seems to be a rush to appear environmentally sound while continuing to pollute and destroy the environment.

As of the 10th of November, COP26 talks are still ongoing and many have applauded the effort made by countries to tackle climate change, just as many are decrying the event not only as superficial, but as merely another bout of “all talk, no action”.

the magdalen issue 91

31

Greenwashing can also be seen in many of the promises made by governments in an effort to ‘combat’ climate change; promises of carbon neutrality by 2050 or 2060 fundamentally deny the immediate need for change.

Future promises also fail to take into account changes in leadership, with many of today’s ‘climate-conscious’ politicians knowing almost certainly that they won’t be in office for their climate pledges and are therefore unable to be held responsible for their claims.

Current Affairs

Design: Arwin Quiachon

Words: Marleen Käsebier

A Good Omen?

A Fox crossed my path on the way back from COP26. It is time we listen to Indigenous Voices.

32

Current Affairs

S

he looked back, seemingly at me, and I was struck with awe and a moment of reflection.

On my final stretch back home in Dundee from a day at The New York Times Climate Hub, set-up in Glasgow during most of COP26, a calm and curious fox made its way through the streets in front of me in the night. Appearing from the grass field next to the Dundee Science Centre, she moved towards me and my camera's flash. She ended up exactly following the human-made crosswalk to reach the other side. When she looked back, I now think she seemed unsure of where to go. I went to look for her again, but she was gone, perhaps to her 'earth'.

Earth being the topic at the forefront of political discussion the last two weeks, it is also, somewhat hypocritically, the name given the homes of foxes, which many desperately want gone from UK cities. The Dundee City Council website phrases it this way: "Foxes first colonised our cities in the 1920's". Colonised? Is this truly an appropriate word out of the mouths that have plastered over natural habitats and silenced the breath of the plants and animals that would normally be living there in exchange with one another?

Foxes are said to be cunning and smart, but even so, like most animals, they can’t compete with cars.

According to estimates, at least half of fox death rates occur on roads. When a mental shift takes place to see that roads are strange divisions of nature, not selfevident and self-explaining features of the world, and cars are but metal travelling at un-animal-like speeds, it becomes easier to dismantle other expectations of the world too. For example, perhaps the expectation that politicians will catch the turn-around on climate change on their own.

“According to Powwow Times, there is an old Native American superstition that when a fox crosses the path in front of you, it is a good omen.”

Some Scottish clans, as well as few Native American tribes, took on the fox as clan animals. Scottish Celts suggested that foxes represent wisdom in the case of adaptability and learning from mistakes. According to the Powwow Times, there is an old Native American superstition that when a fox crosses the path in front of you, it is a good omen.

Have I been sent such an omen? Can the hopes that the fox might have symbolised be applied to COP26 and the combat of world climate change? By now it is known that the final COP26 agreement is anything but a fulfilment of the hopes of most activists, many of which, too, travelled to Glasgow in attempts to hold politicians accountable. Therefore, a better, or at least more sincere and active, space to focus on is that of the wisdom of indigenous voices that live in communication with, and ever more pressingly with the destruction of, nature. The more people listen to and amplify indigenous knowledge, the more everyone, including politicians, will hopefully too.

the magdalen issue 91

Speaking during the 'Indigenous Rights: Securing the Future of Biodiversity' event, Cassidy Kramer, part of the Inupiaq community in Alaska, said, "We have a direct connection to the land" and through climate change has "seen these changes (herself)". Her work focuses on "trying to get indigenous and more specifically Inuit people's voices into the discussion and to the decision-making table."

What Hindou Oumarou Ibrahim, a member of the Mbororo community in Chad and President of Association for Indigenous Women and Peoples of Chad, wants people to take away from COP is that "we (indigenous people) refuse to be the victims. We are the solutions. We are the future."

the magdalen issue 91

33

A few voices representing this space were heard in Glasgow, including at the Climate Hub, where Hindou Oumarou Ibrahim, Cassidy Kramer and Freddie Huppé Campbell spoke. The blue zone, too, made some effort to give stage time to indigenous voices, though usually not at the most prominent times, unlike the counter event, the 'People's Summit', which hosted events including the 'Indigenous Movement Assembly'.

Most powerfully, to no surprise, activists, including indigenous activists, raised their voices in the streets.

The 'Fridays for Future' strike filled Glasgow particularly on the first Friday of COP, including the striker who began them all, Greta Thunberg, and Saturday's 'Day of Action' had the streets of Glasgow overflowing with an estimated over 100,000 people. Many speeches, protests and discussions can be found online, and I recommend searching for and listening to them when you can. In fact, you could do just that since you have the time to be reading these white European’s words.

In this light, I will leave you with two quotes from indigenous voices themselves, since this article aims to amplify, not take-over the narrative.

Current Affairs

Design: Megan Hunter

Words: Saarah Mehmood

34

Current Affairs

COP26 - An Overview

What is CO26?

COP standing for the Conference of Parties initially took place in Berlin, officially recognised as the first United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.

Now the 26th of its kind will have taken place in Glasgow, Scotland.

It is an internationally recognised annual conference between states, which aims to create spaces where active discussions can be conducted between state heads, representatives, activists and scientists, the purpose of which are to discuss goals and agreements with the aim to slow down and eventually halt the Climate Crisis.

The COP26 took place in Glasgow, concluding on the 12th of November.

What was the purpose of COP26?

Have the aims of COP26 been met?

The 2015 Paris agreement, set out long-term ambitious goals to combat the climate crisis, setting objectives to limit the global temperature to below 2 degrees Celsius aiming to prevent irreversible damage to the planet.

US and China pledge to boost climate cooperation over the next decade steps that were agreed upon include methane emissions and transitions to clean energy. This agreement is critical considering that they are the world’s two biggest CO2 emitters.

COP26’s aim was to evaluate the efforts of states in their commitment to the Paris agreement and ask to aim for more active, immediate changes and pledges, focusing on four key aspects.

1. Countries must aim to reach net-zero emissions by 2050.

2. To help poorer nations combat the climate crisis, developed countries must act on their promise to mobilise $100billion in climate change in finance.

3. Nations must begin protecting and restoring their ecosystems and natural habitats. They must also begin building infrastructures able to withstand the climate crisis and protect these natural environments against the climate crisis and those whose livelihoods, homes and lives rely on it and are affected by it.

4. The Parties need to finalise the Paris Rule book which gives details on how the Paris agreement pledges can be met. This means that these parties must work collaboratively to reach these climate goals.

the magdalen issue 91

Other pledges include a promise to stop deforestation by 2030 however, it is unclear how this will be policed or monitored, and Indonesia would later on go to say that the plan is unfair.

Another pledge is on limiting methane usage, as one of the most potent greenhouse gases and its responsibility for a third of human generated methane ,e.g. cattle production. The largest emitters America, Russian and India have signed this pledge.

A continued theme from these pledges is the lack of clear protocol and accountability, undercutting the importance of the climate emergency.

A key and often unnoticed influence of global warming is the investment and focus of finance. Almost 450 financial organizations, who between them control $130tn, agreed to back ‘clean technology’ directing finance away from fossil fuelburning industries. This is a means to provide for and invest in green technology.

Design: Sonia Hanke

Towards the end of the COP26, many people, journalists, and activists around the world have expressed little faith in the pledges to long-term plans to tackle the climate crisis, making this posited scenario, a far more terrifying prospect.

As Greta Thunberg, international climate activist, said “The COP has turned into a PR event, where leaders are giving beautiful speeches and announcing fancy commitments and targets, while behind the curtains governments of the Global North countries are still refusing to take any drastic climate action.”

Protest

There is truth to their scepticism, in a Washington Post investigation it was uncovered that many countries are seriously underreporting their greenhouse gas emissions and if countries are demonstrably more concerned with their self-interest how can they be expected to make difficult and selfless decisions in relation to climate change.

As Cop26 took place so too did much protest with thousands of protestors filling the streets of Glasgow expressing their concern over the climate emergency and

The only way to move forward and make real, effective change is to ensure that all the action, all the pledges that were promised are accounted for.

the magdalen issue 91

“

If working apart we are a force powerful enough to destabilize the planet, surely working together we are powerful enough to save it.”

- David Attenborough, COP26 (2021)

Current Affairs

One of the biggest focuses in regard to tackling the Climate crisis is reducing the global temperature, keeping it below the critical 2 degrees Celsius. But, according to analysis carried out, even if states reach their 2030 targets, (e.g. by reducing their emissions) there is a significant risk that by 2100, the temperature will reach 2.4C, even exceeding 3C.

the skepticism of the COP26 talks. Whilst there have been impressive pledges the scepticism of the public is clear.

35

What is the reality of the situation?

Words: Freya Giles

Cryptic Crypto: Squids Hold Coins?

36

Current Affairs

S

quid Game is a Netflix show released in September 2021 that not-so-subtly critiques late-stage capitalism in how it makes us all susceptible to the ultra-rich due to their extreme economic leverage over us. SQUID is a cryptocurrency that people can accumulate through buying the initial token and then gambling through video games to try and increase their stash. These tokens can then be exchanged for various types of cryptocurrency or national currencies, making the play-to-win crypto a viable way to earn a real living. Indeed, many investors make their entire livelihood by essentially gambling in stocks and crypto which can then be translated into real life returns. The catch is, at least for the buyers of SQUID, that it is a scam.

The cryptocurrency was set up and people could buy tokens straight away. An online game based on the smash hit TV show was promoted to be released soon, and so people stocked up on tokens in advance to prepare for this release. The game still hasn’t been released, but what pre-emptive token buyers noticed was that they couldn’t sell or trade their cryptocurrency investment. People started to get worried about their investments, and then this fear was fully realised when the creator of the crypto abruptly shut down trading and made off with the money. So essentially various punters had given their money in exchange for these tokens that they cannot sell, cannot use to play and for which they cannot receive a refund. Imagine going to the funfair but then they immediately close everything as soon as you buy your tickets. But this wasn’t twenty quid of tips that was lost to the scam, but roughly £2.5 million.

In hindsight it seems obvious that SQUID was a scam, considering the apparently abundant spelling and grammatical errors on the website of this milliondollar coin, but so many were still able to be sucked into the dangerous yet illustrious ploy. This is most likely because cryptocurrency as a whole is a very

the magdalen issue 91

Cryptocurrency is bought and traded in a small corner of society. It is primarily people well-versed in both stock-trading and tech who have the money to lose, although a fair amount of people who fancy themselves entering the money-big-leagues can also trade in it by using private companies to trade and buy for them - again just like stocks. Fully understanding the cryptocurrency sphere enough to then create and authorise regulatory bodies would be an incredibly daunting task to anyone, especially since those most involved in crypto see this upregulation as a plus and so are resistant to change this. While from the outside, we can appreciate the need for rules and checks for people in the casino, the professional gambler still wants the chance to rig the game his way.

To an extent this is what happened with SQUID. Lots of people who bought it could tell from a mile away that it was going to be a scam but invested anyway in

“[Digital mining] creates astronomical amounts of CO2 emissions equivalent to the collective emissions of over 2 billion homes.” case the opportunity to profit from its implosion arose.

Of course, they must have had a nasty shock when they realised that most of their opportunities to make a profit had been taken from them upon purchase.

Cryptocurrency is almost known not only for these scams, but also for the overall level of risk involved.

Many people will invest heavily into various crypto only to see no returns. Hackers will also target crypto-buyers and drain their virtual collection of coins (all paid for and worth real money) with no consequences. Even the planet is suffering. An oftenforgotten fact is that everything we do online needs computers and processors and, indeed, electricity to run. Most tasks are small and have minimal impact.

But cryptocurrencies require expansive external computing hardware to run the millions of equations done by blockchains which deals with the buying and trading of these coins as securely as possible. This is what, somewhat confusingly for the many people who were picturing men in hard hats descending into caves when I first read it, is known as mining.

This creates astronomical amounts of CO2 emissions equivalent to the collective emissions of over 2 billion homes. It is undeniable that the need for greater protections and regulations in crypto outweighs the appealing allure of gambling tricks and quick deals and so greater infrastructure needs to be put in place. What form should this take? Well, that’s a question for another issue.

the magdalen issue 91

37

highly unregulated product sphere to be investing in.

There is no centralised authority to oversee various new crypto creations before they enter the market, so scams like SQUID that simply pose as legitimate then make off with the returns are prevalent. Even the fact that coins can name themselves after these real life and copyrighted products, with no affiliation to the original, and not be sued immediately is testament to how little oversight there is to cryptocurrency.

Perhaps the reason why this has been able to develop without being forced to add extra red tape is because cryptocurrency is still such a phenomenon. Yes, everyone has heard of Bitcoin and how it went from meaningless internet money just as you could buy on any Facebook game to a millionaire-maker. Maybe we’ve even heard talk of Dogecoin, Litecoin or Ether, but in all truthfulness it’s doubtful that many people could tell you exactly how those work.

Current Affairs

Design: Robyn Black

Words: Angus Coleman, Design: Robyn Black

Truth Social

The Ultimate Echo Chamber

38

Current Affairs

O

n the 20th of October 2021, the recently founded Trump Media & Technology Group announced the creation of a new social media platform called Truth Social. This followed the banning of Donald Trump from Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and many other platforms as a result of his inaccurate claims of election fraud and statements that incited violence. Software development and research organisation, Zignal Labs, observed a 73% drop in the amount of election-related misinformation in the week following the ban. The platforms justified their decision by arguing that Trump was acting in violation of their terms of service, inciting civil unrest and making inaccurate claims.

they are highly polarised, as the people with the most inflammatory statements to make are usually the ones who post the most (this is an issue that extends far beyond trump), resulting in the amplification of vocal minorities. Furthermore, insular communities develop around particular beliefs or ideas, resulting in echo chambers where a lack of counter arguments and alternative ideas results in users becoming more entrenched in their beliefs. The creation of entirely new platforms simply to enable people to voice their own ideologies will take this effect to a hitherto unseen level, and set a dangerous precedent for online debate and discussion to become more tribal and disunited than ever before.

Trump was a president that was widely known for his use of social media, so his almost overnight removal from most of the internet left him in search of another online megaphone to use. A brief period using Parler (a site notorious for hosting conspiracy theorists and far-right extremists) was followed by the blog “From The Desk of Donald J. Trump”. This too was unsuccessful and failed to last for even a month.

Truth Social, however, seems to be his most ambitious attempt to recover his former internet presence, with the site’s launch planned for early 2022.

The platform is billed as an online space that “encourages an open, free, and honest global conversation without discriminating against political ideology” to quote its pre-order webpage. It is therefore gloriously ironic that the site’s terms of service include a clause instructing users not to “disparage, tarnish, or otherwise harm, in our opinion, us and/or the Site”. While it is easy to point and laugh at this sort of thing, the prospect of Truth Social becomes a lot more sinister when you consider the potential implications it has for political discourse.

Anyone who has discussed or followed discussions of political matters on social media will know that

the magdalen issue 91

Words: Dawid Czeczelewski, Design: Robyn Black

The new Bundestag sees an increase in share of female MPs, from 31.4 per cent in the previous election to 34.7 per cent now. When it comes to the representatives with immigrant background, they form 11.3 per cent of the new Bundestag, comparing to 8.2 per cent in 2017. Despite an optimism of some journalists related to the changes, the statistics should concern the public sphere. Only two parties, AfD and FDP, have not implemented gender quotas, thus the result of 34.7% is dissatisfactory and disappointing rather than promising. Similarly, with nearly 1/3 of the German population having a migrant background, the share of that group in the parliament is also unrepresentative.

Even more interesting is an insight into the intersectional analysis of the new Bundestag. One key statistic pointed out by the political observers is that the majority of MPs with a migration background are

female. There are plenty of possible explanations for this trend. For instance, parties which have gained most of the seats in the new parliament stand out with more ethnically diverse lists and gender-balanced representation. However, we should not neglect the influence of socially constructed stereotypes in forming the public voting patterns. For years media have been depicting migrant men as a figure associated with violence and crime, unlike women who are usually portrayed as caretakers and the ones in need of protection. This trend can be perfectly illustrated by the ratio of male European migrants in the new parliament which is much higher than the one of the Turkish or non-European representatives.

Why is it important to analyse election results? The under-represented groups have the same rights as the rest of the society. However, oftentimes they come across different difficulties and obstacles which are not seen by the majority. Hence, a more diverse representation of minorities reflecting more accurately the social strata of the society is theoretically supposed to combat inequalities. A comparison of the political participation levels of the under-represented and the rest of the society unveils the importance of the ethnicand gender-balanced parliamentary representation in the creation of the modern and democratic civic states. In the times of globalisation and free movement, diversity should constitute a pillar of democracy.

the magdalen issue 91

39

I

n late September Germany witnessed the most recent federal elections. The event usually does not grab so much attention of an ordinary European, however, the uniqueness of the 2021 elections is unquestionable as the results project a new outlook for the post-Merkel Germany. After 16 years of continuous leadership, a dark-blue curtain of Christian Democrats faded into the so-called ‘traffic lights coalition’ (Ampelkoalition) of Greens, Social Democrats and FDP, bringing the more diverse representation of German society.

Current Affairs

Diversity As a Pillar

Words: Mihaela Writer’s Denkovska Name

M ul t ihome I

10 40

Section Title International

n 2016 I visited my home after being away for 2 months. The smells of the house were familiar, but it felt surreal. Walking through the corridor at night and missing the light switch for the bathroom threw me off. It still took a year or two but it eventually became clear that house didn’t fit the word ‘home’ anymore. This loss was a prerequisite for some important lessons.

Macedonia was never going to be my final destination. Most of my time there was spent daydreaming about being somewhere else, and like the majority of the youth in my country, I was raised with the advice to leave as soon as possible.

This meant that no matter how scary leaving it all behind was, the assurance that it was the best thing to do greatly overshadowed that fear. The homesickness I felt during my first month in a dorm in Slovenia wasn’t a lament for my hometown Kumanovo - it was because of the detachment from things that had, until that point, always been readily available. Though I never felt like I truly belonged in Macedonia, I very much belonged in my mother’s embrace, especially after a difficult day at school. And I very much appreciated showering without strangers knocking on the bathroom door.

“

We learn the true value of things when we lose them.

Losing some of the comfort I had as a child was an important character builder. It still takes reminders every so often, but I appreciate the small things a lot more than I used to. I became aware that everything is finite. Letting go of things and places became easier, too.

Slovenia turned out not to be my final destination either. I was extremely excited to move there in 2016, because it held a promise of better opportunities and new people - a promise it fullheartedly fulfilled. That country introduced me to a new language and was a fertile ground for some of my best friendships. It also taught me the difficult lesson that not every change you make in life pays off indefinitely. After a while Slovenia started to seem less and less like a place I wanted to build a life in. So, what happens when it’s been 4 years and you don’t want to stay? How do you leave a career path, amazing friends, and a flat that was finally starting to feel like a proper home? It took long late-night conversations and lots of reminders that giving things a try doesn’t equal signing a lifetime contract. There was a new excitement waiting to be seized and I wasn’t going to pass on it due to a fear of the unknown.

It took a year for the idea to turn into reality but I’m finally at my next destination. Scotland is a place I romanticized for a long time and now I’m making it my new home. It’s my most deliberate and conscious take on ‘home’ yet. Knowing that

the magdalen issue 91 90

Life has turned out to be a lot more irregular than my childhood self could have imagined. Changes are required more often than I’m comfortable with and most of those changes are necessary. And yes, my friends and family are dispersed all over the world - if I feel like visiting anyone, I can’t take a bus tomorrow morning and be there in 10 minutes.

But there’s a lot of homes I could sleep over at in different countries and a lot of cities to explore with a personal tour guide. I feel rich and wide, and most of all excited to be starting a new life.

Whatever challenges this chapter throws at me, it’s going to be a pleasure to learn.

the magdalen issue 91

41

it takes a while to get used to a new place, I’m very curious about what that process will look like.

I’ve been noting down the flaws in my approach to adapting to new environments and brainstorming solutions. A month after moving into my current flat I still haven’t met any of the neighbours. Whose fault is it? I could dismiss it as a sign of the times or I can take responsibility, knock on their doors, introduce myself and offer my friendship. There’s always an option to be the one that makes the first step. If you feel the world is not giving you what you deserve, perhaps it’s because you’re not giving enough either. I don’t think anyone’s doing the actual math, but being proactive is a much better approach to life than sulking at everything. This is a lesson I learned from a Scottish person and if they’re at all representatives of this country’s mentality, I should be staying here for a while.

International

Design: Militsa Ruseva

Words: Remus, Design: Karly Yu

The Polar Silk Road C

42

International Section Title

hina thinks of itself as one of the world’s superpowers, and rightfully so, having one of the largest economies in the world. For the last two decades, China has been trying to expand its power to the Arctic region, conducting numerous expeditions since 1999 and building its first research base on Svalbard Island in 2004. This has made many Western countries wary of China’s interest in the Arctic.

Director of the Institute of Polar Law of the Ocean University of China, claims that his country has no strategic interest in the Arctic, though, no interest to build military bases or send navy ships there, as that would alert the Arctic states and be disadvantageous.

China is about 1500km from the Arctic Circle at its nearest point. Despite being so far from it, the melting of polar ice caused by climate change has had a big impact on the country. It has affected China’s agriculture, animal husbandry and forestry, and huge floods in megalopoli like Shanghai are regular.

For this reason, China argues that it is obligated to take action in the Arctic region and be included in the discussions about the circle, although the area is far from it. Arctic states such as Finland, as well as Russia and the US, struggle to counter this argument, wanting to keep China’s power in the North to a minimum.

But there is another important reason behind China’s interest in the Arctics. As of right now, 80% of Chinese exportable goods pass through the South-Chinese sea, a space of constant tension, and the Suez canal, which is at risk of being blocked by states like Egypt. This makes China worry about what could happen if some of the surrounding countries set restrictions on free navigation. They have thought of a solution - using the Northern route dubbed by China as the Polar Silk Road. Crossing the Arctic would shorten the time of the journey to Europe by about 40%, significantly cutting fuel costs. Moreover, the melting of polar ice will make using the Polar Silk Road much easier and even faster in the coming years, enabling ships to cross the North Pole.

However, the impact of climate change is not the only reason China is interested in the Arctic.

Anne-Marie Brady, a specialist of Chinese and polar politics, believes that China has three different priorities in the Arctic region - security, natural resources and science. China agrees with the West on the latter two points, pointing out the need for scientific cooperation and admitting they want to use the area’s resources. Guo Peiqing, Executive

Much of China’s claims about its interests in the Arctic had been unclear for many years, as there was no legal document stating all of their priorities and interests clearly. Although China published its Arctic Policy in 2018, mentioning both scientific research and use of natural resources, including shipping routes, Brady thinks the most dangerous part of the policy is that which it does not include not a word about security.

the magdalen issue 91

Words: Priyasha Bachu, Design: Karly Yu

When the pandemic began, people were locked in their homes, and suddenly had much more time to consume content. Eventually, their eyes were drawn towards anime. It provided a change from the ‘mundane’ TV that people had become so accustomed to. Therefore, when companies like Netflix and Prime began streaming anime series and films, it became a breath of fresh air, and with many productions coming to a halt, anime was one of those streams still releasing its content.

The biggest indicator of a new worldwide appreciation for anime is the fact that while the pandemic hit film theatres around the world, both veteran and new anime watchers still went to see “Demon slayer the movie: Mugen Train’’ premier. So many that it made history as the first anime and nonHollywood movie to be the highest grossing film of the year, with the UK and Ireland box office exceeding 1 million.

So, what is it about anime that appeals to the international audience?

Anime reflects Japanese spirits and beliefs and gives us an intimate look into Japan’s history, language, mythology, and worldview. It even explores the history and cultures of other communities and countries.

It is also very aesthetically pleasing, with exhilarating characters and setting designs, and epic, eye-catching fight scenes. What is its most appealing factor?

Flexibility. It has the ability to cut across confines of one genre; it is an avenue which focuses on different genres and age groups, appealing to all kinds of audiences: from sweet stories and epic action for children, to heart wrenching drama, and terrifying horror for adults and teens.

Over the years it has only grown; now it produces more relatable and realistic characters and even touches hard core topics like mental health and grief. These factors break anime free from the stereotype as childish.

What made anime compelling to international audiences was its uniqueness and difference to western content. The first movie I watched was ‘Spirited Away’ due to its wide success in Japan, and it was, to put it simply - beautiful in every aspect.

With a world being dominated by ‘western culture’, this pandemic has allowed anime to stand out as an example of how good content can cut through language, geographical and cultural barriers by leveraging modern day technology and fantastic writing.

the magdalen issue 91

International

nime to simply put it is - Animation. However, outside of Japan it has come to be known as anime. Over the years this name has become a brilliant, unique way to separate Japanese cartoons from cartoons around the world. Those who watched or appreciated anime outside of Japan, belonged to a fringe subculture, mainly due to the fact it was only in Japanese. But subtitles, and most especially dubbing have turned anime’s favour. For something that’s been around for more than 100 years it’s high time it got its spotlight.

43

A

44

International

Words: Chelsea Dalscheid

Luxembourg, That’s in Germany, Right?

W

hen I tell people I come from Luxembourg, my answer is often met with questions concerning the whereabouts of Luxembourg. The most common misconception is that it is a part of Germany or France. This confusion is what has motivated me to clarify Luxembourg’s geography as well as its political significance and its diverse culture.

Dating back to the year 963, Count Siegfried acquired a rocky peninsula, the “Bock”, with a small fortress called “Lucilinburhuc” situated on it, overlooking the river Alzette. Based on the legend, that’s how Luxembourg was “born”. The legend further says that Count Siegfried married the mermaid Melusina, who later disappeared into the river, and became a part of European folklore. As for the name “Lucilinburhuc”, it means “small fortress”, a meaning accurately pointing to Luxembourg’s most important features: its location, which attracts military interest, and the size of the country. Luxembourg borders Belgium, France and Germany.

It has also been known by the nickname “Gibraltar of the North”, due to the city’s fortification. It was one of the most strategic strongholds in the 17th century and today it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Luxembourg City is surrounded by deep valleys of the rivers Alzette and Pétrusse, whose viewpoints have inspired the works of poets such as Goethe and painters like William Turner. Nowadays, these views and the fortress remains are primary attractions for tourists.

Since the 20th century Luxembourg City, the Kirchberg area in particular, has become the centre for all legal, financial and judicial activities of the EU. The Kirchberg district is now known as a meeting point of all European institutions based in Luxembourg, it being one of the three headquarters of the European Union.

Kirchberg houses the European Court of Justice, the Investment Bank, the Secretariat of the European parliament, and many more. One of Luxembourg’s politicians defined this development by saying that “the small city has become a crossroads of Europe”.

the magdalen issue 91

Design: Belle Roach

45

The cultural and “international” aspects of Luxembourg are perhaps one of the most interesting and defining features of the country. Of the active resident population, 5% are international officials employed in the Kirchberg district. That percentage might seem underwhelming, yet in the overall country, there are more than 60% foreign inhabitants, which adds to the diversity of cultures in Luxembourg.

International

Despite the growth of the EU, Luxembourg has remained one of the capitals and an important financial centre.

Luxembourg has three officially recognized languages: French, German and Luxembourgish (yes, it is a language) and English has become a popular additional language. French and German are taught in primary school, and natives learn Luxembourgish as their mother tongue.

Later in high school you can choose a specification.

I specified in languages and literature which gave me the option to learn either Spanish or Italian, so I chose Spanish, because it sounded appealing to me. Most students from Luxembourg can speak 4-5 languages, not including their native language, for example Portuguese or Bulgarian. However, when entering a shop, you will probably be greeted in French, since that is the most commonly spoken language in public.

As a native Luxembourger, I am proud that living in this country means being surrounded by many different nationalities whether that be in town, in school or elsewhere. I can only see advantages in learning as many languages as I have, since those opportunities made it possible for me to come to Scotland to study.

I like the feeling of going to a foreign country and being able to speak in their native language, it is a very rewarding feeling.

the magdalen issue 91

Words: Centre for Entrepreneurship

VENTURE

Entrepreneurial Masterclasses offer advanced insights into the career journey of successful entrepreneurs, and also knowledge of a cutting-edge area in which they have become experts.

Venture Competition New Business Ideas Competition for students, staff and recent graduates of the University of Dundee.

Enterprise Challenge

2022

An 8 week skills programme with £1,500 prize funding, climaxing with the Enterprise Challenge Final. Runs each semester.

Entrepreneurship Week 2022 is an exciting series of events, packed with lectures, workshops, and the finals of the annual Venture competition.

the magdalen issue 91

Zhaneta Design: Your Design: Name, Design: Photography: ZhanetaZhekova Zhekova Name

VENTURE VENTURE 2022 2022

£43,000 £43,000Business BusinessIdea IdeaCompetition Competition What Whatare areyou youwaiting waitingfor? for? submission. submission.Again, Again,you youwill willhave havethe the APPLY APPLYNOW! NOW! opportunity opportunitytotoask askquestions questionsand and

EE

the themagdalen magdalenissue issue9191 90

So, So,you youhave havereached reachedthe theend end ofofthis thisarticle articleand andyou youmight might feel feelyou youwould wouldlike likemore moretime time totodevelop developa abusiness businessidea idea before beforeapplying. applying.If Ifso,so,why whynot not try trythe theEnterprise EnterpriseChallenge Challenge (dundee.ac.uk/entrepreneurship/ (dundee.ac.uk/entrepreneurship/ enterprisechallenge/)? enterprisechallenge/)?This Thisextraextracurricular curriculartraining trainingprogramme, programme,runs runs ininthe theevenings eveningsofofboth bothsemesters semesters and andteaches teachesyou youallallofofthe theessential essential enterprising enterprisingskills, skills,providing providing you youwith witha askills skillscertificate certificateonon completion. completion.If Ifyou youwin winfunding funding from fromthe theEnterprise EnterpriseChallenge Challengeyou you will willbebeautomatically automaticallyplaced placedininthe the next nextVenture VentureCompetition Competitionfinal! final!

Good GoodLuck, Luck, Brian BrianMcNicoll McNicoll Head HeadofofCentre Centrefor forEntrepreneurship Entrepreneurship

11

The Thefirst firststage stageisissubmitting submittinganan online onlineapplication applicationform. form.For Forthis, this, you youwill willhave havetotodecide decidewhat what award awardyou youare areapplying applyingfor; for;this thisisis dependent dependentononyour yourSchool Schoolif ifyou you are area astudent studentororrecent recentgraduate graduate (up (uptoto5 5years yearsininsome somecategories). categories).

Thereare arespecific specificprize prizefunds funds very veryyear yearduring duringEntrepreneurEntrepreneur- There for forthe theschools schoolsofofLife LifeSciences Sciences ship shipWeek Week(21st-25th (21st-25thFebruary February (£2,500), (£2,500),Art Artand andDesign Design(£2,500), (£2,500), 2022 2022this thisacademic academicyear), year),individindividMedicine Medicine(£3,000), (£3,000),Science Scienceand and uals ualsand andgroups groupsofofUniversity Universityofof Engineering(£5,000) (£5,000)and andfor forallall Dundee Dundeestudents, students,staff staffand andrecent recent Engineering otherschools schoolsthere thereisisa aWildcard Wildcard graduates graduateshave havethe theopportunity opportunitytoto other categorywith witha adiscretionary discretionary win winfunding fundingthat thatcould couldkick-start kick-starta a category fund fund(that (thatnon-research non-researchstaff staffcan can business businessidea ideathat thatchanges changeslives. lives. apply applyfor forasaswell). well).If Ifyou youare arestaff staff and andare areworking workingwith withuniversity university ItItisisananopportunity opportunitytotopitch pitchyour your research researchthat thatyou youare arelooking lookingtoto idea ideatotoour ouresteemed esteemedjudges judgeswho who commercialise, commercialise,there thereisis£14,000 £14,000 have havedecades decadesofofexperience experienceininthe the ofoffunding fundingavailable. available.Applications Applications business businessworld. world.You Youdodonot nothave have close closeon onmidnight, midnight,Tuesday Tuesday1st 1st totobebethe themost mostbusiness businesssavvy savvy ofofFebruary February2022.

2022.If Ifyou youhave haveany any ororexperienced experiencedperson: person:you youjust just questions questionsabout aboutthe theapplication application need needa aclear clearbusiness businessidea ideaand and process, process,you youcan canalways alwaysemail email the thedesire desiretototake takeit itforward. forward.The The entrepreneurship@dundee.ac.uk entrepreneurship@dundee.ac.uk University UniversityofofDundee DundeeCentre Centrefor for andsomeone someonewill willhelp. help.

Entrepreneurship Entrepreneurshipcan canoffer offersupport support and and andguidance guidancetotohelp helptake takeyour youridea idea So, So,let’s let’ssay sayyou youhave havesubmitted submitted totothe thenext nextlevel. level.This Thisyear yearthere there your yourapplication applicationform, form,then then isisa atotal totalprize prizefund fundofof£43,000 £43,000 what? what?Fingers Fingerscrossed crossedyou youwill willbebe ononoffer offerfor forthe thedevelopment developmentofof chosen chosenfor forStage Stage2 2bybythe theStage Stage1 1 business businessideas, ideas,asaswell wellasasa aspot spot expert expertjudging judgingpanel panel– –you youwill willbebe ononthe the3-month 3-monthsummer summercohort cohort notified by Friday 4th of February notified by Friday 4th of February ofofElevator’s Elevator’sDundee DundeeAccelerator Accelerator and andwill willhave have2 2weeks weeks(until (untilthe the programme. programme.Additionally, Additionally,there there 18th 18thofofFebruary) February)totosend sendininyour your will willbebeiPads iPadsawarded awardedtotothe thebest best Stage Stage2 2proposal proposalform formwhich whichgoes goes pitches pitchesasasvoted votedbybythe thepublic public intomore moredetail detailthan thanyour yourfirst first audience audienceononthe theday dayofofthe thelive livefinal. final. into

You Youthen thensubmit submityour yourStage Stage 2 2application, application,and, and,because becauseofof your yourhard hardwork, work,research researchand and dedication, dedication,you youget getinvited invitedtoto pitch pitchatatthe theLive LivePitching PitchingFinal Finaland and Prize-Giving, Prize-Giving,which whichwill willhappen happen during duringEntrepreneurship Entrepreneurshipweek! week!

Now Nowwhat? what?Well, Well,for forstarters, starters,you you will willhave have3 3minutes minutes(yes, (yes,only only3 3 minutes!) minutes!)totopitch pitchyour yourideas ideasusing using 5 5slides. slides.This Thiswill willbebefollowed followedupup bybya a5-minute 5-minuteQ&A Q&Asession sessionbybyour our external externaljudging judgingpanel. panel.AllAllofofthe the relevant relevantfiles filesand andforms formsincluding including the thejudging judgingcriteria criteriacan canbebefound foundat:at: uod.ac.uk/venture uod.ac.uk/venture

On/Off Campus

we wewill willhost hosta aworkshop workshopononthe the10th 10th ofofFebruary Februarytotohelp helpfinalists finalistsfurther. further.

Words: Ayanna Cullen

‘T

is the winter season at last! Let us eat, drink and be merry. Whether it’s a nice warm coffee, a seasonal pastry or even a fancy cocktail, here are some recommendations to keep up these festive, winter vibes.

48

On-Off Campus

Tasty Top Tip: Most places that serve coffee with added pumps of syrup will have the option of gingerbread at this time of year to get you into the holiday spirit. If you’re like me and aren’t much of a coffee fan then you can always ask to add a pump of syrup into your hot chocolate. Gingerbread hot chocolate has changed my life so I highly recommend you try it out!

The Newport Bakery Cinnamon Swirl Where to even begin? After eating this pastry I had to stop myself from going back down the road to get six more! It blurs the lines between pastry and bread with its moist and airy, yet crispy and flaky texture. The zing of sweetness from the sticky cinnamon swirls makes you want to keep tearing off piece after piece until before you know it, you’ve eaten it all. The taste of cinnamon brings you right back into the holiday mindset. The highest of the high recommendations. This pastry is £3.00.

Apple Crumble Carré I just had to get more than one pastry from this place. The comforting warmth of an apple crumble can get anyone in the winter mood. This little jewel of a dessert has a light, buttery pastry that goes along nicely with the sweet caramelised apples in the center. The topping of a sugary crumble adds yet another layer to this already perfect creation. The overall sweetness of this pastry may be a little bit too much for some but for those with a sweet tooth it’s absolutely perfect.

I highly recommend heating it up slightly with a bit of pouring cream to get the full ‘apple crumble’ effect. The price of this pastry is £3.50.

the magdalen issue 91

Design: Ana Vich Cólogan, Photography: Lottie Belrose

Gallery 48 Whitley Neill Orange/Juniper/Star Anise Gin Now this drink warms you up in a very different way. The strong citrus flavours of the orange and lemonade paired with the subtle notes of spice from the star anise bring a very festive feel to the drink. Citrus and spice is a smell most commonly associated with Christmas which, when paired with the leafy garnish, brings through this intense imagery of laurel wreaths decorated with the dried pieces of orange and covered in a range of spices. As I am not an avid gin drinker, I was unable to identify the taste of juniper, though in all honesty, I couldn’t tell you what juniper is meant to taste like.This light and festive cocktail was priced at £5.30 including the mixer.

Gingerbread makes everything better, or at least it does in my experience. This drink has very soft notes of the gingerbread flavour which was somewhat lost in the overall coffee taste, however, it was still very enjoyable. The addition of a mini-gingerbread man on top of the cream was a nice fun touch. While I was able to pick up on these notes of gingerbread, my friend was almost convinced they were just drinking a regular latte so the taste may vary from drink to drink.

This regular sized latte was priced at a reasonable £3.70.

Black Forest Hot Chocolate The smell of this drink hits you even before you’ve tasted it. The sweet cherry flavour perfectly compliments the chocolate, giving you the overall experience of a Black Forest gateau in hot chocolate form.

I would definitely recommend this for people wanting to explore their drinks palette as it’s a very unique flavour. While I enjoy really sweet drinks, those who perhaps don’t have as much of a sweet tooth may find this a bit overpowering. The addition of pink shaved chocolate to the top of the drink made it very aesthetically pleasing; in other words “Instagram Worthy.” This regular sized hot chocolate was again priced at £3.70.

Gingerbread Muffin Just when you thought you’d had enough, here’s yet more gingerbread. Unlike the latte, the gingerbread flavour is strong with this one. As a lover of ginger the flavour was just right however, my friend who is a little less so thought it was a bit overpowering. The muffin itself was very moist, however it was a bit heavy for a snack. The caramel icing on top as well as the gooey ginger filling makes this muffin a must have sweet treat to get you into the holiday spirit. This muffin is priced at £2.25. the magdalen issue 91

49

Gingerbread Latté

On-Off Campus

Costa

Words: Freya Giles

Apacking for university, one of s a budding politics student

50

On/Off Campus

the aspects of student life I was most excited to get involved with was the student activist scene.

From the marches in England against tuition increases in 2010 to the legendary poll tax riots back in 1989, students tend to play a noticeable part in activism.

And to be honest, when I’m only in classes 3 hours a week, I’m not surprised we’ve elected to get involved where we can.

Yet student activism comes in many more forms than just marches and riots - and sometimes it can be difficult to know the best way to ensure our views are heard.

Different tactics will work for different issues, and I’m sure recent campus issues like the school merger and pension strikes can provide some real-time tutorials to put these principles into action.

Perhaps the most important step is organising as a group You alone just holding a sign asking for a rent decrease maybe isn’t going to grab the attention of Sanctuary Students.

But gathering a good portion of student tenants to organise together? That’s more likely to get their attention. There is always strength in numbers, and so having as many people behind your cause as possible is always an asset. This might sound like a lot of work, but it doesn’t have to be in the modern age. Gone are the days (mostly) of chapping on doors or handing out flyers for your protest. Instead, just take to Facebook or Twitter, and connect with those around you.

Big forums are a good place to find people who agree with the cause you are fighting for and add them to your ranks. You might even stumble across a group already created to deal with this issue that you can join and contribute to!

Use your wallet, not just your voice It can’t be denied that we, like it or not, live in a capitalist society.

Money rules everything. Even the university itself has become more and more commercialised in order to fund itself. Therefore, it makes sense that if we want to influence the decisions that the bodies and organisations around us make, we have to use money.

Now I’m not suggesting that we turn to professional lobbying for this. Goodness knows if I had the money to convince the university to get rid of 9ams I would. But every small purchase mounts up.

Every product we buy is another sale that companies rely on.

In terms of protesting against businesses, either avoiding this yourself or organising a more large-scale boycott is how you can really hit them where it hurts. Take for instance the ‘Girls’ Night In’ boycott of all nightlife that took place in October. This was a brilliant and proactive way to make sure that clubs and pubs consider putting greater safety measures in place to prevent spiking. It was directly because of this that Aura Nightclub introduced cup sealers behind the bar that can be requested, and AfroBeats have installed a metal detector.

Simply stopping to shop or go to places that compromise your morals makes such a difference. the magdalen issue 91

Remember the real people affected It can be super easy to look at labels like ‘DUSA’, ‘The University’, or ‘Sanctuary Students’ as giant oppressive conglomerates that have to be fought at every turn.

When issues happen around us like club nights being closed within the Union, it is so easy to lash out at everyone around who we think might be responsible.

Misinformation spreads, animosity takes hold and divisions are made. Yet, perhaps the most important thing one can do is approach any situation calmly.

The likelihood is that the people in the library who have to close up early while on strike don’t want to disrupt your study schedule. Rather than raging online about how the university once again isn’t meeting student needs, it is so much more productive to support the strike and help the staff who are facing hardship themselves. Remember rule number 1! Our own problems of reduced workspace can be better and more ethically solved by resolving the issues the library staff face, rather than ganging up against them.

At every turn there are real people around us also facing their own hardships, and so we need to remember to support each other and learn the full story before taking up our pitchforks.

Student activism seems like a loaded term reserved for big strikes and marches. But the truth is that we engage in activism all the time, be it big or small! And every tiny action we make together is how we can make not just our university experience, but the world as a whole a better place for everyone.

Design: Ale Lopez

A Basic Guide to Student Activism

51

On/Off Campus

- the big and the small

the magdalen issue 91

Words: The Big Band Society, Design: Zhaneta Zhekova

DO YOU LIKE AZZ? SOCIETY SPOTLIGHT:

THE BIG BAND SOCIETY

D

52

On/Off Campus

o you play an instrument? We are the Dundee University Big Band - we play jazz, blues, swing, soul and much more.

Being a musician myself, I started with the piano and trained classically, but it became very repetitive and boring. Don’t get me wrong, I still love classical music, but the point is I hadn’t enjoyed playing the music. And then came along jazz, where the music was so energising and full of emotion, and, most importantly, freedom. When I started playing the saxophone and tapped into the world of jazz, I started to discover things like jamming sessions, improvisation and not being afraid to make a mistake.Those who play jazz often will say there is no such thing as a wrong note, you just play and enjoy

the ride. Every time I listen to a jazz piece, I can hear the players’ feelings and emotions, almost as if they were fighting to show who loves this genre more. And that’s why I love it.

But like I said earlier, listening and playing are completely different.

When you enjoy listening to something, you may express it as a simple head nod, or foot tapping to the beat, or breakout into an elaborate dance routine, but to enjoy playing is something entirely different. Those who have performed know that from the moment that you step onto the stage until the very end of your set, the music you play no longer becomes something you have played hundreds of times in rehearsal, it becomes a beast, a wave, a catalyst for the audience’s

FIND US ON Instagram: @dundeeunibigband Facebook: Dundee University Big Band Email: dunibigband@gmail.com

the magdalen issue 91

happiness. It’s the same feeling as when you’ve done something nice for someone without prompt, and you feel nice about it after, except that as a performer that feeling lasts for the entire duration of your jam.

And that’s why we are calling all amateur musicians to join us.

Whether you want to try something new, perhaps improvisation, start a new instrument, or just want to meet some people who play the same music, we’re right for you!

Do you want to sing jazz? Soul?

Swing? We hold no audition for any instruments other than singers.

You’re welcome to come along any time during our rehearsal to try it out. We meet every Thursday 1900 to 2100 in Bonar Hall with a social in a pub after.

Words: Polish Society, Design: Robyn Black

Society Spotlight: Polish Society

I

t feels like stating the obvious, but leaving your homeland behind and adjusting to a completely new environment can be really taxing. However, for a Polish person moving to Scotland, this must not seem to be the case, right? “It’s not like you’re moving to the North Pole!” My friends used to joke, while rolling their eyes. The implication here was that Polish and Scottish cultures couldn’t possibly be different enough for a serious sense of alienation to set in - and they were mostly correct! For many of us, over time, Dundee starts to feel like a second home.

However, Polish people can have a difficult relationship with their national identity. With our country appearing in the international news for all the wrong reasons, constantly embroiled in political conflict and turmoil, it can be difficult to feel a genuine sense of connection to it. This is even more trying when you belong to one of the minorities that is being actively harassed and demeaned by your own nation’s government. This can lead to a person alienating themselves from all things Polish, simply for the individual’s own safety.

At the same time, there is this special brand of understanding that exists only between people who share a language and a cultural background, that one might start to miss. It is simply easier to connect with someone when you can send each other memes in your native language or complain about your nation’s current affairs. As time passes, that need for feeling seen can start weighing on you — even if Scotland doesn’t differ from Poland drastically, a sense of homesickness is bound to creep in. Polish Society aims to provide a space for Polish students who need exactly that: belonging and being understood.

Due to this, we have always wanted Polish Society to be a comforting and supportive community that each and every Polish student can turn to.

By establishing our bi-weekly socials, celebrating Polish holidays and hosting Polish movie screenings in the near future we wish to alter the way we think about our nationality. We want Polish students to always have someone to turn to, whether that is to ask a quick question or talk about something profound.

Find us on Facebook (@polishsocietydundee) or drop us an email at polishsociety@dundee.ac.uk.

We encourage everyone interested in joining to purchase their annual membership on Eventbrite.

the magdalen issue 91

53

On/Off Campus

We have always wanted Polish Society to be a comforting and supportive community that each and every Polish student can turn to.

54

On/Off Campus

Words: Future Leaders Forum, Design: Lucas Ferguson

Join the Future Leaders Forum

I

magine a community where you influence strategic decisions, lead on projects and developments, learn leadership and facilitation skills, meet inspiring people and make a lasting impact. This is what the Future Leaders Forum is about.

We are a self-managing team, who represent the needs and interests of all Students and Staff and we aim to better the experiences of those who join or are already a part of this University.

Our Forum has been working together since November 2020, developing leadership, communications and collaboration skills to build ourselves into the selfmanaging organisation we are now.

The vision and purpose of the Future Leaders Forum is simple: “To foster a diverse and inclusive environment for collaborative decision making and create a space and opportunity for students and staff to take the lead in building DUSA’s future.”

In the 12 months the forum has been operational, we have already implemented many positive changes to the Students’ Union through our projects.

Currently, we are looking for both Students and Staff to join our team.

We want to provide everyone the chance to have first hand experience in project management, leadership and collaborative decision making.

So what’s next for The Future Leaders Forum? Although we have only been around for 12 months, we’re planning to expand our Forum into an established organisation, with annual recruitment and new opportunities and projects.

Our goal in the future is to collaborate with other students’ unions in Scotland, to create a network that aims to improve the lives of students and staff alike.

the magdalen issue 91

We would also look to involve stakeholders and businesses in what we aim to do and form partnerships to help us achieve our goals.

As the Future Leaders Forum, we wouldn’t be where we are today if it wasn’t for Pauline Meikleham, who has sadly passed away this year.

She was the founder of The Future Leaders Forum. She brought this idea to fruition and was a crucial part of developing the group into what it is now. Without her, we would not have the pleasure of inviting you to join the Future Leaders Forum today.

To join our team, visit www.dusa. co.uk/future-leaders-forum.

56

Opinions

Words: Ryan Petrie

the magdalen issue 91

Design: Callum Valentine

Fairy tales have formulated our childhood reading for centuries. They began first as tales passed down from generation to generation, with each embellishment added with the passage of time, to the point no-one actually knows where they came from. How interesting that is, that the stories we know so well have no real origin, since there is none. We will most likely never find it, since the stories have changed so often and have been added to over time, that it is likely that the originals, the true originals, will be lost forever. Though this is by no means a bad thing.

These tales have their uses, still. Originally, they were lessons disguised as stories so that Mother Goose could keep her children in check, and have some order about the house. They sat silent as a grave while she told them many stories, each of them gruesome, most of them fantastic in every way. But these fantasies have shaped the culture we have now; without them we would not have our lessons or Disney.

And even then, the stories we know have had some slight changes added; we’ve all got a tale to tell.

the magdalen issue 91

57

Oh yes, you are familiar with these stories, all right. They’re the stories that formulated a childhood of adventure, danger, excitement, and dread. You know them all: the tower where the loveliest maiden in the land also has the longest hair imaginable, which she will throw down so you can climb it; the princess who has been caught in a forest of thorns that hides her castle, and there she sleeps till someone wakens her with Love’s First Kiss; the old crone who offers an apple in return for your kindness. Be wary, for the apple has a strange sheen.

The flesh is rosy red and is as sweet as poison, no less.

Opinions

ake a trip down the country lane that leads into the forest.

You look sceptical that it’s a safe idea, but you go in anyway, for the adventure. You’ve heard stories, of ghosts and goblins, of witches a might too ready to fatten you for a cannibal table, of ogres that’ll grill you on gridirons. The one thing they told you to stay away from, to be wary of, was the wolf. The wolf with slavering jaws and too ready to walk with you to Granny’s house.

Words: Hannah Hamilton

Sexual Harassment in the Workplace: We Are All Culpable

58

Opinions

!

CONTENT WARNING: SEXUAL HARRASSMENT

I

t is not news to say that there are different rules in our culture for those with influence or wealth.

The evidence is spattered across newspapers and screens: ‘[Insert Person of Influence Here] Found Abusing Their Power’. You could imagine the story for yourself, you’ve likely seen it so many times.

Misconduct by those in power has become so commonplace, at this point having a ‘good boss’ is like having a unicorn that wears high heels and also doesn’t call you pet names. We have become so accustomed to people of authority abusing it that when it happens, we no longer raise an eyebrow.

Most of us will experience it in some way - workers are frequently taken advantage of, particularly at entry level employment. For some of us it will be something that can be shaken off at the end of the day, quickly forgotten over a cup of tea and a rant to a friend. There are those, though, for whom the effects won’t be so easily brushed over. In 2016, 1 in 2 women reported being sexually harassed at work. It’s not just the ‘odd joke’, either, 1 in 8 LGBT identifying women reported serious sexual assault or even rape.

Those numbers are sickening and they’re still happening. Despite the amazing courage of the ‘Me Too’ movement, and despite the occasional news article about a sexual predator being ousted

from cabinet or stripped of celebrity - there are new victims every day. We get caught up in the catharsis of the media maelstrom around high-profile cases, forgetting to consider that the problem has roots, that go all the way back to us.

There is an insidious status quo prevalent in our society - the kind of status quo that considers a position of power an excuse for abusing said power.

The culture around our workplaces enables the silencing of victims who might disrupt the status quo. We tend to have a prudish, and cruel attitude towards these situations. It’s evident in the discomfort that creeps around discussion of sexual assault, the taboo nature of the topic, the shame of the victim, and the guilt of those around them. There is a sense of culpability, sometimes there even is culpability. A wilful ignorance of the vulnerability of the worker can lead to denial of responsibility to protect colleagues.

The above can no longer be valid excuses for ignoring abuse of authority in the workplace.

We only allow the issue to fester and affect the lives of more and more victims. The catharsis of condemning a celebrity predator seems to be enough to abate our desire for justice, but to allow it to do so is insulting to the survivors of assault.

the magdalen issue 91

This year saw many high-ranking officers exposed as sexual predators. The issue was found to have been ongoing for years, and widely known about within the organisation. In a report by Marie Deschamps (a former judge of the supreme court of Canada who was hired to investigate the misconduct), it was noted that members become ‘desensitized’ to the misconduct as they climb rank.

Many victims were convinced that their assault was in fact part of the status quo, leaving them nowhere to go for support and nowhere to go to escape. When investigating these cases, it was discovered that they had been ongoing for years with no justice brought by the internal authority.

The events in the Canadian Armed Forces are a microcosm of what occurs in wider society. Many people are ‘desensitized’ to abuse in the workplace, perhaps we’ve forgotten what it looks like or, perhaps we’ve stopped looking.

in the workplace. That could mean reminding management to update their safety measures, scrutinising and reporting on incidents of potential abuse that we witness, or even just talking to our colleagues. The easiest, and most important, thing we can do is create an environment where victims feel safe in sharing their experiences. This means rejecting the status quo that tells us not to cause disruption and accepting that our ignorance has made us culpable. Standing up to oppressive influences is difficult. Those people have control over our futures. They can promote us, they can fire us, they can give us bad references, they can give us special treatment and they can make our lives difficult.

The fear of consequence will always be prevalent when facing these issues, but what is perhaps more terrifying is the thought of what might happen if we let abusers go unchecked.

Still, abuse persists all around us. It is up to us all to make sure that every worker feels comfortable

the magdalen issue 91

59

Some of which we might even call colleagues, friends, or family. While we ignore it, it only grows. Take, for example, the case of the Canadian Armed Forces.

Opinions

Design: Phoebe Wilman

Words: Jake Mace

60

Opinions

The Perks and Perils of Running an Online Movement

B

ack in January, myself and a few other wannabe revolutionaries decided to get our boots on the ground and do some student activism. Specifically, we wanted to put together a student tenants union in Dundee. We had seen the way that student tenants were mistreated across the country, but a pinnacle moment was when a video circulated online showing University of Manchester students being barricaded inside their student accommodation after a Covid-19 outbreak.

A national Rent Strike movement had sprung up and awareness of tenants’ rights grew massively as students began demanding compensation and better treatment.

Soon we were attending rallies, signing demands to Vice-Chancellors and fighting the ‘good fight’. We even had the chance to speak directly with former Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell, rising Socialist Labour MP Zarah Sultana and prominent lefty Owen Jones.

We soon got to work defending tenants in Dundee who were being mistreated by bad landlords and dodgy letting agents. We spent our time hounding them for compensation, rent reductions and apologies. It was clear from the massive response we got from our fellow students that there was an appetite for change.

We set about on a campaign that ended up on the desk of Shona Robison MSP, the Scottish Cabinet Secretary responsible for housing.

The obvious twist is coming for anyone who has noticed the dates – we were doing all of this from our bedrooms. This all happened in the midst of national lockdowns, the level system, restrictions on our ability to meet face-to-face and the general mental health slog that it all induced. The pandemic had dramatically increased the number of students in vulnerable housing positions and we were faced with a mammoth task of trying to make them aware that solidarity was available.

Don’t misinterpret me here however, this is not a piece commenting on the effectiveness of lockdowns.

In truth, we all spent more time than ever staring at screens this year and that presented an early advantage for movements who wanted to engage those who would otherwise be locked into their everyday commitments. I think I ended up spending more time putting together social media content than doing anything else throughout the pandemic, it felt like the more we ploughed on, the more we had to produce.

We started to make an impact, first by saving over £1000 for students in unfair deposit deductions, compensation and fee reimbursements. Then our campaign to end profiteering referencing fees at the end of tenancies landed in the local press, and eventually to a Zoom meeting with Scottish Government officials. The accessibility of our campaign work online had led us exactly down the path we hoped for. The question was, now what?

the magdalen issue 91

Design: Robyn Black

Experience is valuable and eventually came to us in the form of other local organisations getting in touch. Charities who had worked for a long time on campaigning and Tenants Unions that knew all the tricks in the book. We’ve managed to revitalise ourselves, putting together training events and planning campaign work for the New Year. Lately I’ve been feeling immensely proud of the steps we’ve taken since kicking off in January, though reflecting on it, we should have done more earlier to democratise and keep engaging with those around us.

My interaction with DUSA since the petition has been nothing but pleasant and co-operative. I worry that the polemic world of social media will inherently drive people into a frenzy. Humans are innately political beings. I’m always balled over by the intensity of spirit of those around me when I’m campaigning IRL. I hope that now restrictions are over, the community spirit we fostered online comes with accountability and real action. Keyboard warriors, drop your weapons and instead raise your fists in solidarity by joining in-person, local movements.

“Keyboard warriors, drop your weapons and instead raise your fists in solidarity by joining in-person, local movements.”

Act Now

Act Now

the magdalen issue 91

Opinions

As we got back to ‘normal’, the demand for our solidarity didn’t lessen. We needed to democratise and open our organisation up more, but we didn’t know how to engage people in a way that provided us with that mandate and involvement. People wanted to be out there fighting for what’s right, but we had been used to putting together everything online, just our committee, and on top of that the start of the new semester was looming.

In November I launched a petition to call on DUSA’s executive to consult students before ending their weekly club nights. It capitalised on the general feeling of upset that had been seen on platforms like Dunfess, where anonymised anger had boiled over. It seemed like they didn’t know where to direct that emotion. The truth is that to make a difference, you have to work together and put your name to what you believe in.

It’s not simply good enough to shout into the social media void. We didn’t see change as a Tenants Union until we made those videos, showing we were actual people with genuine passion, or started challenging bad landlords over the phone, as human beings.

61

The content that got us the most likes was captioned videos. They took us a long time to produce, on top of deadlines at Uni and the eventual easing of lockdown meaning we could socialise again in-person. We found it hard to turn the signatures for our online open letters and sign-ups to our Union into bums-on-seats at our events, online or at the pub. We found ourselves a little burnt out.

Words: Saarah Mehmood, Design: Robyn Black, Illustration: Veronika Stifter

Facebook to Meta:

Change of name doesn’t equal change of nature

A

62

Opinions

company of Facebook’s magnitude, power and status does not have the privilege of playing neutral nelly. For a company like such, in doing nothing in response to harmful information, they purposefully allow harmful action to occur. As a result, it becomes actively harmful to its users and society at large.

A display of Facebook’s destructive play is clear when considering its delayed moderation, or complete lack of such, during the explosion of misinformation amid the US presidential election, which is directly linked to the subsequent insurrection which occurred on January 6th, 2021. Facebook claims to play this role of ‘impartiality’. It is clear, however, that it acts only in its own interest.

Whilst social media as a whole has a positive presence, and even a - ‘net good’ - the lack of regulation and monopolization of the market has allowed for the darker side of the industry to flourish.

Cambridge Analytica - the horseman of the scandal of the mass data collection and privacy invasion, Russian interference during the 2016 US presidential election, acting as a platform for unrestrained hate speech, violent incitation (Facebook admitted to the role it played in inciting violence during the genocidal campaign against Rohingya), and misinformation concerning the Covid-19 virus and its vaccine and treatment – there is almost no end to Facebook’s list of scandals and failures, and their acknowledged harmful effects. Most recently, there has been the case of the ‘Facebook Files’, which identified the ill effects of Instagram on the mental health of teenage girls.

Any movement for change within the company will not be done at the expense of affecting growing engagement. After an internal investigation a solution of changing the focus of the Facebook algorithm away from rewarding outrage was shut down by Mark Zuckerberg (creator and CEO of Facebook). This behavior being in direct conflict with his response when asked if his company prioritized profits over safety: “It’s just not true.”

It is.

And, just to show where their real priorities lie, Facebook has decided to come out with a ‘rebranding’ during a time where misinformation on social media surrounding Covid-19 is costing lives. It quite appropriately demonstrates the interests of the company, and their ultimate goal – a ‘metaverse’.

A ‘digital world’ or a metaverse as Zuckerberg calls it, will be the “successor of the mobile internet” - the symbol being a droopy and cheugy blue infinity sign.

Whilst innovation is typically welcome and an incredible display of human ingenuity – having it in the hands of Facebook or ‘Meta’ has sullied it quite exponentially. A company which knows its failings, and does nothing, is not one with which to watch complacently as they lead the next technological wave.

the magdalen issue 91

11

Section Title

Design: Your Name, Photography: Name

the magdalen issue 90

Words: Priyasha Bachu

B

“

ehind every successful man, there’s a woman.”

The word ‘behind’ often displeased me. A woman should neither be behind nor in front but equal to the side. Eradication of the gender bias in STEM fields starts with the prospect of gender equality.

64

Science + Tech

Women in STEM – Pushing Forward

19% of students in the computer sciences are female and only 39% of physical sciences students are female.

With this percentage increasing in recent years, there is still a lot more effort to be put in for us to reduce the gender gaps in STEM fields and there are still plenty of barriers for women seeking careers in STEM. Beauty or brains? Why does it have to be either and why are these the only categories we have to be placed under? Hedy LaMarr was one of the first women to institute the technology for modern day WiFi, used by billions of people around the world. She filed a patent with her co-inventor to protect their war time invention but neither LaMarr nor her estate have seen a cent of this million-dollar industry. Women were often seen as objects that fit into 2 categories – seductive or admirable. And being both was not something that was accepted as it was ‘scary’ for guys and would often be deemed as weak. Our history for so long has been men telling us the story from their perspective and through the lens of women. This often leads to gender discrimination by reinforcing stereotypes and male privilege.

A prime reason for my interest in biology is Rosalind Franklin. Dr Franklin was a major contributor to the discovery of the structure of DNAs double helix, and her work was overlooked during the early 1950’s. The famous photograph 51 – capturing the x-ray diffraction of DNA - made its way to Watson and Crick who used it to win a Nobel prize for their work on the structure of DNA with Wilkins (Franklin’s colleague) being credited as well. Her work on DNA though, was far from her only success. Her later work on RNA and viruses also supported chemist Aaron Klug’s work creating 3D images of viruses, which received the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1982.

Women are often overlooked on their contributions to science. Despite the changes being done there is more work to be done behind the curtains. Women are 16% less likely than men to apply for a job and women apply to 20% fewer jobs than men, claims a gender insights report by LinkedIn. These genderbased stereotypes bestowed upon us have frightened women into thinking that they will receive a high paying job only if they meet 100% of the criteria. Confidence is a major issue. With no significant skill gap between the genders, we women often undermine ourselves due to low self-assurance or representation. The lack of encouragement for young girls to pursue STEM subjects is a major reason for the lack of women in STEM now – 44% of Pew Research Center respondents said. Did you know that only 26% of STEM graduates in 2019 in the UK were female?

the magdalen issue 91

Maybe the prospect of more women in top positions would influence young girls to pursue a career in STEM. A study by Rose O’Dea et al. points out that women in male-dominated pursuits, including STEM, face a paradox. If they conform to gender stereotypes they might be perceived as less competent, but if they defy gender stereotypes and perform ‘like a man,’ then their progress can be halted by backlash from both men and women. Due to these stereotypes existing women often choose careers outside of the sciences.

It’s not the idea of how women can be more like men but considering the differences and learning to work with them. Lisa Meitner was one of the team that discovered nuclear fission, the ability to split atoms, which set the foundation for the development of atomic bombs and nuclear reactors. She suggested the idea of bombarding uranium atoms with neutrons to learn about uranium decay. But being a Jewish woman living in Berlin in 1938, she fled to Stockholm to avoid capture by the Nazis, leaving her research behind. When partnered with Austrian born British physicist Otto Frisch, they coined the term ‘fission’.

Despite her major involvement, the men surrounding her got credited for the discovery. She was one of my favorite people to read about growing up, learning how she overcame prejudice. Discrimination and biases continue to exist with 49% of women experiencing discrimination at work in the UK tech industry. It is often assumed that women will stay at home after having a child. I would understand this concern in the first few months for breastfeeding, but why isn’t the prospect of paternity leave increasing? Men have as much of a parental responsibility as women do and yet we are the ones forced to stay at home- not only by our workplace but by society as well? Equality is what’s lacking and years of being oppressed has set people’s minds into this unconscious bias.

the magdalen issue 91

65

Despite the world changing, the tradition of women being steered to the ‘softer’ subjects, such as social sciences, from an early age are still being implemented.Education is just a part of the puzzle.

Sciene + Tech

Design: Patrik Vojtas

Words: Priyasha Bachu

66

Science + Tech

A Yale University study showed that higher ups are more likely to hire men and consider them more competent than women, due to which they get paid more as well. These are mostly unconscious biases implemented by people, which can often be prevented by recognizing them, talking about them in public and making considered judgments to produce a more diverse and inclusive workplace.

A different perspective. Why is the woman’s perspective important as well? Because we constitute half of the talent in the human race, and we bring a perspective that not only is good for competition but for collaboration as well. While being more mature and emotional is often seen as a weakness I see it as something that opposes society’s notion of masculinity.

The past is in the past and we are the ones to shape the future so let’s change the dynamics. Speak up. Speak out and speak proud. We have nothing to feel inferior about and if we want to pursue anything in life, no other individual or society should stand in our way.

“Science is not a boy’s game, it’s not a girl’s game.

It’s everyone’s game.“ - Nichelle Nichols (former NASA ambassador and Star Trek actress)

‘‘Because diversity leads to creative innovation. Complex ideas mean complex means.’’

STEM programmes exclusively for cutting these gender biases have been set up to boost women’s confidence in their field and to eradicate the naming of any field a ‘male dominated field’. Teachers of young children can highlight women scientists who built our present and future and can work to engage young girls into the fields of STEM, reinforcing the idea of it not being a male dominated field. It can also come back to parental contributions. Parents of young girls can encourage their children to pursue a career in science.

Tell them to fight the gender norms and to not let the stereotypes faze them.

the magdalen issue 91

Words: Madhupriya Roy Chowdhury, Design: Noni Farragher-Hanks

D igital Game-Based Learning: Bad Attitudes or Bad Actuality?

Research has speculated that the role of the teacher is important when it comes to practicing effective digital-game based instruction in the classroom.

Unfortunately, further studies have seemed to portray negative attitudes of some teachers towards DGBL. Research by Dr Michele Dickey of Miami University uses the word “resistance” to label the attitude of teachers after documenting their concerns related to DGBL. The participant teachers had mixed feelings about using games for learning and they themselves were not particularly mesmerised by the games which they played during the experimental course. Concerns raised were about the diminishing ‘fun’ factor of games used for learning, gender differences and the dangerous potentials of the immersive worlds of digital games.

However, Dr Dickey’s interpretation and understanding does seem to influence the narrative somewhat.

Findings by Nottingham University researchers show that some teachers based in Malaysia also have conservative attitudes towards DGBL, making them cling to traditional teaching methods.

Professor Shaffer of the University of WisconsinMadison remarks that even if the best DGBL resources were available, teachers would not know what to do with them. This statement is not completely fair on teachers though because although age, gender and comfort level of teachers would influence their flexibility with DGBL, many teachers do have positive attitudes towards its use in the classroom. So, what’s on the other side of the coin?

A study of a group of Canadian teachers by Dr. Cristyne Hébert, showed that in spite of having positive attitudes, teachers faced barriers to the actual use of DGBL in the classroom. Lack of proper availability of compatible hardware and software, connectivity issues, time and space constraints are some of the technical obstructions that interfere with DGBL implementation while strict institutional monitoring, cost issues, lack of training and negligible community awareness are some of the procedural inhibitions. Similar problems were faced by a number of Korean teachers as reported by a study in 2008.

The implementation of DGBL in the classroom depends on several factors and it becomes difficult to pinpoint anyone. The gap between attitudes and practice may be addressed by considering the clear feasibility issues related to DGBL in the modern classroom.

the magdalen issue 91

Science + Tech

igital Game-Based Learning (DGBL) has gained popularity in the field of education for its ability to develop lower-order and higher-order thinking skills in learners. It is touted by researchers as an efficient technology for engaging students in situated and problem-based learning.

67

D

Words: Zara Writer’s Findlay Name

Icelandic False Confessions:

T

10 68

Section Title Science+Tech

he fairy-tale landscape of Iceland could captivate anyone, with trickling waterfalls leading to wide flourishing rivers and a meadow-like countryside.

Wandering alone in the beautiful landscape sounds amazing; but a lot of people go missing in Iceland, never to be found.

When 2 Icelandic citizens went missing in 1974 they may have just walked off, or they could’ve been murdered. Enter the Reykjavik confessions, a case which shook the country. Iceland is one of the world’s safest countries with a very low murder rate, about 1.8 people per year. A huge effort was made to search for the men who disappeared within a span of 10 months. Unsolved cases meant there was pressure on the police, but their desperate actions led to one of the most iconic cases of solitary confinement and memory distrust syndrome to date.

Memory distrust syndrome (MDS) is a condition in which an individual begins to question themselves constantly, and they choose to believe external cues, in this case given to them by police, instead of their own mind.

6 suspects were taken in for questioning, but what they endured was the most psychologically damaging experience of their lives. For hours and hours, days upon days, the suspects were subject to rigorous and manipulative questioning with the police holding on to minute evidence, planting seeds of doubt in the minds of the suspects. The police would make the suspects participate in crime re-enactment and even threaten them by telling them they wouldn’t be leaving until it was found out what happened to the men.

Interrogations progressed to the point of torture when suspects were given drugs which had effects like tiredness, nausea, and light-headedness. They were also subject to sleep deprivation and even water torture. These tactics are believed to have caused memory distrust syndrome to a significant extent as, by the time the convictions occurred, all suspects confessed to participating in the crime despite having only been loosely linked to the investigation by early testimony of the first suspect.

M E MOR Y

DISTRUST If all this mental manipulation of the suspects wasn’t enough, they were also subject to intense solitary confinement for months on end. By the convictions, one of the suspects had spent a total of 741 days in solitary confinement – over 2 years. We can only ask ourselves - what impact could this have had on the confessions? After all, the only evidence that was ever found to be used in court was the confessions themselves. Would these individuals have met a different outcome had they not experienced solitary confinement?

Several studies have been conducted regarding the effects of solitary confinement on the mind and there are shocking findings. Those who experience solitary confinement in prisons are more likely to experience difficulties with memories, obsessive thinking, hallucinations, and even mental health issues such as depression and anxiety.

A Danish study by Dr Christopher Wildeman and Dr Lars H Andersen in 2020 demonstrated that in a study of over 13,500 individuals, 4.5% of them were likely to die within 5 years of release from prison if they had experienced solitary confinement. However, out of those who had not experienced solitary confinement only 2.8% died within five years of release.

They also identified that most of the deaths of individuals that experienced solitary confinement were driven by non-natural causes, which can suggest a poorer mental health among those who were placed

the magdalen issue 91 90

Design: Militsa Ruseva

There have also been studies that show chronic isolation has a very negative impact on brain structure.

Very noticeably the prefrontal cortex and the hippocampus can shrink in size. The prefrontal cortex is essential for social behaviour and decision making and the hippocampus is incredibly important for learning and memory retention. We can comfortably infer then that these resulting medical issues would have probably played a role in the Reykjavik confessions.

In 2018, 5 of the suspects were acquitted of their involvement in the case, 44 years after the initial disappearances. Considering most of the country of Iceland believe that the individuals were wrongfully convicted we must question, has memory distrust syndrome influenced confessions and the lives of many other people in our prison systems today? the magdalen issue 91 90

11 69

in solitary confinement. One question that particularly rose for me was how the writers of the paper could infer that the data was due to experiencing solitary conditions and not just poor mental health prior to confinement. Dr Wildeman gave the insight that it would be hard to say for certain that the deaths were linked to solitary confinement, however he would expect at least 2/3 of the data to have had a certain causal effect and the remaining 1/3 could be down to other confinement factors that couldn’t be addressed in the study. However, there is still a significant increase in deaths in incarcerated individuals that experienced solitary confinement.

Section Title Science+Tech

S O L I TA RY C

Words: AditeeA, Design: Zhaneta Zhekova

W

hile undergoing intense treatments there can be a point of pain and solitude. The freedom afforded by healing and the hope of recovery is a feeling that all in pain should experience.

The Test of Reliance

Although biology has travelled a long way to reach this point, it still has a long journey ahead of it. Harnessing the potential of the brain and its innate ability to heal is part of that journey. Modern medicine has seen the rise and fall of various therapeutic approaches – all aiming for healing and rehabilitation – but an important and often overlooked aspect of medicine is use of placebos.

In addition to that,

Placebos are inert substances or treatments given to patients in a particular socio-environmental context, because of which a significant physiological change is observed in certain cases. This effect can be a result of multiple psychological mechanisms in the form of expectations, conditioning, learning, or memory along with various neurobiological mechanisms.

70

Science + Tech

PLACEBOS

a review article stated that in cases of depression, 50-70% of patients reported improvement under placebo treatment, and about 38-47% of patients reported improvement during placebo treatment for irritable bowel syndrome.

An experiment conducted by Stanford Professor, Dr. Alia Crum, observed a change in physiological response (rash size) to an inert cream by changing the way the doctor labelled the cream: either effective or deteriorative. For those participants who received the ‘effective’ placebo, the size of the rash decreased and for those participants who received the ‘deteriorative’ placebo, the size of the rash increased. This suggests that the physiological response depended on the way the patients perceived an inert cream to be (a socio-environmental context changed the way the body reacted to a treatment).

This indicates a correlation between the way a patient perceives the treatment and the effect it has on the patient’s body. Hence, it is important to harness this mechanism, to maybe observe improved healing and rehabilitation.

Placebos remind us about the complex nature of the human mind, and that the way we perceive a particular treatment shapes the outcome of it. Thus, alongside the expanding field of personalised medicine and specific target drug therapy, we also need to account for the way our mind and body react to psychological mechanisms.

As Hippocrates once said, “The natural healing force within each one of us is the greatest force in getting well.”

the magdalen issue 91

Words: Hazel Surtees, Design: Olivia Juliette Baird

Germination

Seeds

Fruit

In a Single Acorn Tree with Fruit

Sprout

U

nderfoot these days, you may find the small brown acorns of the oak tree. Glossy and toffee coloured, no larger than the first phalanges of your thumb.

Superstition tells you they are full of strength and power; and in a way they do. These nuts contain all the genetic information needed to grow an oak - one of the most important trees in the UK. Acorns will fall throughout Autumn, in response to humidity or shaken loose in a storm. Displaying remarkable resilience, they may lie dormant for months until sensing appropriate light levels, humidity, and temperature.

The delicate sapling must push through soil and debris, roots reaching out to find water and nutrients while the leaves reach towards the sun. This early growth relies on energy stored in the starchy cotyledon until seedlings emerge in early May and photosynthesis can begin.

According to the Woodland Trust, oaks are indispensable in the natural environment. Of the 2,300 recorded species associated with the oak, 10% rely exclusively on it. Every inch of the oak hosts some sort of critter, from the butterflies and squirrels which feast on delicate flowers, to the bats and birds making homes in nooks and crannies. Oaks host endangered species such as the tree pipit and wood warbler.

No other tree in the UK hosts as much biodiversity, making the oak a keystone species - without which, ecosystems collapse.

the magdalen issue 91

Oaks are greatly influenced by their animal companions: it is thought mice stash acorns around the base of thorny shrubs during the cold winter, providing protection from predators when they return to dig them up. Many caches will lay undisturbed, though - forgotten.

A study by Christian Smit suggests this is why an abundance of oak saplings are found thriving by thorny shrubs.

Oaks can grow to immense old age - the oldest in the UK, in Bowthorpe Park is believed to be over 1,000 years old. Its 12.3 meter circumference stretches around a hollow centre, used for dinner parties in the 1700s. Throughout this millennia, its branches, bark, and roots have catered to thousands of critters and creatures.

Once a decade or so old, an oak begins growing acorns. Small, glossy and toffee-coloured, they may fall underfoot, unnoticed.

These tiny little nuts grow into trees the ancients associated with the gods, royalty, and power. It seems like a silly superstition - until you stop to think about it.

71

Tree

Science + Tech

Seedling

Flowers

Words: AditeeA, Design: Zhaneta Zhekova

Join the team!

What’s on?

70

Science + Tech

If you want to contribute by designing or writing for the Magdalen you can find us on our social media or website: www.themagdalen.co.uk/join-us

16th january

MEET, MIX AND SOCIALISE An opportunity to meet new people and make some more friends. Free refreshments!

20th january

A CONSENSUS CLASS In-person workshop about the adventures of collaborative decision making.

29th january

A MOVEMENT CLASS Explore and redefine our relationship to our bodies and the environments we move through.

the magdalen issue 91