Issue 52 - February 2016

M AG DA L E N Free Student Magazine

ISSUE 52

Villain Love

And the Oscar Does Not Go to...

It’s in our nature to root

It is near impossible most

for the underdog and

years to get a nomination

it is part of our cultural

without conforming to a

history to secretly side

criteria based on

with the baddies.

stereotypes or tokenism.

M AG DA L E N Free Student Magazine

ISSUE 51

Stay Safe for Santa

Don’t Piss on my Christmas Parade

Every year, about 1,000

Christmas is a time that

people are injured by their

makes us feel all gooey and

tree. Who knew the Spruce

warm inside. Why could

could be so dangerous?

prolonging that possibly be a bad thing I ask?

D I D YO U M I S S ISSUE 51?

READ IT HERE: goo.gl/jcR5z7

ISSUE 52 Editors Letter

Editors

WE ARE BACK! We present our first issue of semester two, and a good one it is, if I do

Editor in Chief

say so myself.

Andrew Stewart

Change is in the air over at the Magdalen office, as we prepare to recruit a new

Deputy Editor

Editor in Chief, new writers, editors and designers for academic year 2016/17.

Kate McAuliffe

As I write this on deadline day of my seventh issue as Editor in Chief, I look back on

Art & Entertainment Editors

the opportunities that being involved in this magazine has given me. I have developed

Patrick O’Donnell

skills in journalism, skills in managing a team, but more importantly I have met a large

Francesca Reid

number of amazingly talented people, who have given me their time (and patience).

Community Editor If you would like to join our Editorial team for next year, here is how you can do it:

Hannah Baird

If you are interested in Editor in Chief (and you read this before the 19th Feb) you can apply for this position at www.dusamedia.com/get-involved/join.

Current Affairs Editor

If you are interested in a Section Editor position or a Manager position, applications

Euan Forbes

will (hopefully) be open by the time this issue is back from print, and will close midMarch. Find out more by keeping an eye out on our Facebook/Twitter or check out

Enterprise Editor

www.dusamedia.com/magdalen.

Vladimir Ghita

(The application process also allows for proposals of new sections, so don’t shy away if we don’t currently have a section you are interested in)

Design Editor Hazel Wyllie

If you have any questions about the above positions, you can email me at editor.in.chief@dusamedia.com or themagdalen@dusa.co.uk.

Fashion Editor Sarah Doig

Anyway, enough shameless advertising, let me introduce you to our February 2016 issue! We have some controversial articles (not giving any hints), some entertaining

Lifestyle Editor

articles and as always, we are showcasing some of the best written and design talent

Lauren Copeland

we have here at the University of Dundee.

Science Editor We hope you enjoy this issue and if you have any comments, suggestions, complaints

Victor Chamosa Pino

or compliments, they will be happily received at themagdalen@dusa.co.uk.

Sports Editor

Have a great semester, fellow students!

Alasdair Hooper Andrew Stewart Editor in Chief

Published By

Printed By

Dominic Younger, VPCC

The Magazine Printing Company

DUSA, Airlie Place, Dundee, DD1 4PH

www.magprint.co.uk

vpcc@dusa.co.uk

ISSUE 52 Creative Directors Letter

Design Team

Funny old month February. Doesn’t quite seem to fit, that’s why they had to knock a

Creative Director

few days off the end. It’s especially odd for the designers here at Magdalen, as things

Kenny Meek

begin to shake up quite a bit.

Asst. Creative Director As the second semester of the academic year begins to find its stride, the design team

Monica Dunne

here at Magdalen, made up entirely of graphic design students from the university, are juggling the production of this beautiful magazine with the stress of their own studies.

Designers Andrew Simpson

The veteran designers stand at the door to the real world of post-graduation, dreaming

Amy Collier

of employment and success, armed with the unparalleled experience of genuine

Ali Elliott

magazine production. With this strange and unpredictable future all too hastily coming

Kevin Biggins

into focus comes the time to begin passing the torch.

Antonia Koutrouza Fabio Maragno

Over the last year Magdalen has seen some of its biggest visual changes and

Rachel Alexander

successes. The year began with a massive redesign courtesy of the Creative Director

Jill Montgomery

Kenneth Meek who has since worked tirelessly to ensure that the magazine looks

Katie Wilkinson

great for all the readers and does the university proud. The design team he leads has,

Laura Gelston

as always, gone above and beyond to create some of the most engaging and exciting

Alice Farquhar

spreads Magdalen has ever seen. It is, however, time to allow the new designers take

Eilidh Reid

over, with Monica Dunne (also this months featured designer and one to watch)

Grace Cunningham

beginning her spell as Creative Director. I wish her great success in the role and have

Kieran Mcmaster

no doubts that the design team will continue to move from strength to strength.

My time designing for Magdalen will always be cherished, the opportunity to create live work for a real audience is an experience that will always stand me in great stead.

And for that I extend a massive thanks from the design team to the readers of the Magdalen, the editors and the university, for allowing us to create this for you.

It’s been a genuine pleasure.

This months cover was lovingly crafted by Kevin Biggins.

Lots of love,

Andrew Simpson Asst. Creative Director

Contributors List

Alasdair Hooper, Arran Hodgkinson, Calum Wilson, Francesca Reid, Heather Gordon, Kate McAuliffe, Martinho Cambinda, Monica Dunne, Patrick O’Donnell, Rebecca Baird, Sarah Doig, Sarah True-Love Witt, Tom Lawrence Eve

CONTENTS Creative Writing

Current Affairs

04

30 - 31

Unpoured.

Democratics Battle While Republicans Prattle

Lifestyle

Fashion

06

Meditation Matters

32 - 33

08 - 09

You Should Learn to Love Yourself

Enterprise

Opinion

34 - 35

10 - 13

“Under-agers are the worst”

Design

15 - 17

Seven Days a Week

36 - 37

Science

Big Brands vs. Small Budgets

TEG 101 (Lesson 1)

Monica Dunne

Sports

18 - 19

Numbers and Ticking Machines

38 - 39

A Clean Slate for a ‘Clean Era’?

20 - 21

Particle Depository

40 - 41

Semester One Review

Arts & Entertainment 22 - 23

And the Oscar Does Not Go to...

24 - 26

The Changing Face of Science Fiction

27

Villain Love

28 - 29

Three Films That Love to Hate Love

JOIN US!

Email themagdalen@dusa.co.uk or go to dusamedia.com/magdalen for more information.

Creative Writing

Unpoured.

by Rebecca Baird Stagnant chamber, sitting, stewing; Golden liquid turned to tar.

Leaves of laughter – bubbling, brewing; Now swampy death, now malty char.

Stagnant chamber, tepid words; The rest all left to toxic rot.

Beads of blood from pretty shards Now stain the lip the mouth forgot.

Stagnant chamber, drowned within; Dulled by vulgar, joyous clinking.

Trapped beneath sweet porcelain skin, Now nobody can see her sinking.

04

50% of our jobs are outside of London

We have 9,100 clients across our regional offices

68% of all 2015 promotions were outside London

Our regional practices are at the heart of PwC

We welcome all degree disciplines

We don’t look at UCAS tariff for our graduate roles

Lifestyle

If you were given the option to change the make

rising, many fear the day that we no longer feel “as

up of your brain for the better, would you? Harvard

sharp as a tack”. The study consisted of people who had

researchers are proving that meditation and

never meditated being split into two groups; the first

mindfulness not only make this possible, but could be

was given a 40-minute recording that led them through

achieved in as little as 8 weeks.

a meditation and mindfulness session, and the second acted as the control. They were asked to follow the

With its ever-increasing popularity, it could be easy

program each day at home.

to assume that ‘mindfulness’ is just the latest fad of the mental health world, used to try and tackle the

After just 8 weeks, they examined the subjects’ brains

stresses and strains that our busy modern-day lives

and found physical differences between the two groups.

cause. It is defined as the mental state that is achieved

In the meditation group there had been thickening of

by focusing awareness on the present moment, whilst

the gray matter in four regions of the brain, including

calmly acknowledging your feelings, thoughts and

the left hippocampus, which aids learning, memory and

sensations and is used therapeutically more and more

emotional regulation, and the temporo parietal junction

in the western world. It has been associated with many

(TPJ), that has been identified in ‘perspective taking’ as

mental benefits, including; decreased depression,

well as compassion and empathy. As well as widespread

anxiety, stress, and insomnia. However, the benefits

thickening, the area known for fear and stress, the

seem to stretch even further as recent research at

amygdala, decreased in size over the course of the

Harvard University has shown that there may be

study, which could be the explanation as to a reduction

physical changes in the brain caused by the practice of

in meditators’ stress levels.

this technique.

By the time that the exam period rolls around again, you The gray matter in our brain contains most of our cell

could be using meditation to; improve your memory,

bodies and includes regions of the brain vital in sensory

have more compassion, and handle the stress of

perception and emotions. Generally, the volume of

studying with fewer all-nighters at the library.

gray matter that we possess gradually decreases as we age and during a time when life expectancy is steadily

04

Heather Gordon

50% of our jobs are outside of London

We have 9,100 clients across our regional offices

Our regional practices are at the heart of PwC

68% of all 2015 promotions were outside London

We welcome all degree disciplines

We don’t look at UCAS tariff for our graduate roles

A career that takes you places You might be surprised at the types of projects you could get involved in with us.

Not only will you experience a range of challenging projects and exceptional training and development, you’ll also get to work with our high-profile clients. With over 30 offices to choose from, we’re sure you’ll discover an opportunity that’s right for you. Whether it’s joining our Assurance business to provide decision makers with information they can trust, or one of our technology businesses to help our clients embrace emerging trends.

With us, you can take your career in a direction that suits you.

Take the opportunity of a lifetime pwc.com/uk/careers

/pwccareersuk @pwc_uk_careers © 2015 PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP. All rights reserved.

Create value through diversity.

Be yourself, be different.

Lifestyle

YOU SHOULD LEARN TO

If you’re yet to be struck by Cupid’s arrow then

As you can probably tell - I’m single.

Valentine’s Day is more than likely going to be spent resentful & alone, slumped in front of the television with

Having tragically little experience of love and having

a box of tissues (interpret as you please), a pizza and

spent 24/24 Valentine’s alone, I’m not one to give

a few strong drinks. Having just about recovered from

top tips on how to go about performing on the most

the incessant questioning over the festive period about

romantic night of the year. However, as somewhat of

why you’re still single, you’re probably slowly emerging

an expert on the single life, I can provide some solid

from the January blues, only to be hit right back down

advice on how to make Valentine’s a little less tragic and

to the depths of despair as the most romantic day in

actually a whole lot of fun. And who knows, by the end

the calendar year draws near. For most of us, gone are

of the night you might have found the one!

the days of the guaranteed sympathy card from your dad/grandma/dog and thus gone are the days of you

Now to all those deliriously in love feel free to turn the

pretending there’s someone in your life who actually

page but remember you never know just what’s around

cares. Valentine’s Day, somewhat cruelly and publically,

the corner. Next year when you’re sat sobbing, moping

is here to highlight the fact that nobody loves you.

over the happier times, you’ll rue the day you poo pooed this advice. Alternatively, read on for your single friends;

If you’re in a relationship it can go either way. You may

nothing makes you feel bigger and better than smugly,

be swept off your feet by the showering of gifts and

and by no means patronizingly, suggesting Valentine’s

affection, because nothing says ‘I love you’ like tacky

ideas for others less fortunate than yourself. Single or

cards, teddy bears and ‘impromptu’ sweet nothings, and

not these suggestions run on the assumption that you

fall truly, madly and more deeply in love with your beau.

have friends. If not, I’m afraid I can’t help. You are well

Or more likely you’ll be bitterly disappointed by the

and truly sad & alone.

ineptitude of your significant other half who either didn’t make the effort or got it very, very wrong.

08

Lifestyle

1

GATHER A GROUP OF SINGLE FRIENDS.

3

DRINK.

5

GO OUT (FIND ELIGIBLE SINGLETONS, AS MISERABLE AND ALONE AS YOU.)

The answer to the loneliness-GALENTINES-aptly named

To add to the sorrow of the singleton, V day this year

for the ‘gal’ groups of you but equally relevant to the

falls on a Sunday and is therefore more than likely to be

guys (we’re just replacing the v with g you see, all gender

all consuming for at least two weeks. Go and create your

equality here!) It’s the simplest of plans:

own exciting gossip that is going to overshadow the

1. Gather a group of single friends.

boring, inane chat that is inevitably going to spout from

2. Eat.

those lucky in love. Dismiss the Sunday sadness, seize

3. Drink.

the Sunday madness!

4. Be merry.

5. Go out (find eligible singletons, as miserable and alone

As hard as it may be to believe, I’m not a bitter and

as you.)

twisted witch resentful of all those who are happy.

Valentine’s just confuses me as it seems to confuse

Dismiss the Sunday sadness, seize the Sunday madness!

everybody else.

Sarah True-Love Witt

Not only will this cunning plan provide you with a timely distraction from solitude but should also induce at least a pinch of jealously from your loved up friends. It provides the perfect opportunity to exclude the insufferable and remind them of the fun they once had before they became ball and chained.

09

Opinion

IS CYNICISM THE NEW BLACK?

A LETTER TO A P O E T W H O WA S TOO COOL TO CARE “You can’t change the world, so quit trying.”

response lined up for ya” types. Her poem was brilliant!

-- Some nineteen-year-old poet who thought she was

Truly well-written. The premise was random, unattached

being dead original. Bollocks.

nuggets of wisdom – some were genuinely witty, others quite profound; the reading was carefully measured,

Let me tell you the story:

charismatic and charming.

So I’m a poor student who likes to support the creativity

And then it happened.

of others. A great way to do this is a poetry night. Go along, listen, clap, nod soberly, laugh when appropriate.

“You can’t change the world, so quit trying.”

Easy.

Spell broken. Wit gone. All semblance of originality lost. Artificial cynicism – clearly-regurgitated

Recently I went to a student poetry night in Glasgow. I

thoughtlessness.

was looking forward to it. Usual crowd – guys in skinny ties and girls with hair down to their backsides. All of

End of story.

them looking weighed down with the density of words within, drinking hard liquor to soothe their artistic cramps and broken souls. I’m thinking: Rock on. Let’s hear some verse, yo.

“Spell broken. Wit gone. All semblance of originality lost.”

Fast forward a couple of hours and it’s been a standard array of performances – some powerful and moving, some quirky and cute, some so melodramatic that

Now, some may describe my intense hatred of one little

opening a vein would have been less painful than

line in one little poem as an over-reaction. Well, whether

listening.

it is or not is irrelevant, because that line is what made me aware of a flaw not only in the poetry of students,

Then a tomboyish, badass-looking girl takes the stage.

but also in our generation’s general outlook. I’ve heard

One of those “I don’t care what anybody thinks of me,

crap like this countless times in my university career, and

but if you think something bad, I’ve got a super-quippy

I’m sorry to say that we artsy folk are the worst.

10

Opinion

We are so damn cynical, it hurts the hole where my

It baffles me, therefore, that being from possibly the

optimism used to be. The whole idea of angst giving

world’s most privileged generation, with the most

way to great art has become so overpowering that

education available to you about our history as a people,

we adopt this negative outlook without even thinking

you hold the belief that the world can’t be changed –

about it. So I’ve written this letter, in the hope that this

because less than a century ago, you just

literary movement of Fashionable Disillusionment can be

Wouldn’t Be Allowed.

stopped in its pretentious, eye-rolling tracks.

Dear Cynical Poet,

I listened with great enjoyment to your piece on wisdom. It was witty and thought-provoking - until you stated that I shouldn’t try to change the world, as this

“The whole idea of angst giving way to great art has become so overpowering that we adopt this negative outlook without even thinking about it.”

cannot be done. You’re wrong, and to say that was just lazy.

To vote for what you believe in.

Here’s why:

To wear what you want.

In your poem, you revealed that you’re a lesbian. You

To marry the person you love.

were also a girl wearing trousers, standing on the stage

To learn what you’re learning.

at an establishment of Higher Education, as a citizen

To do what you’re doing.

with the right to vote, the right to own property and

To be who you are.

exercising your right to free speech.

11

Opinion

ve had a ke many of us, may ha li u, yo at th le ab nd beyond It’s understa has given you wisdom ich wh st pa tic ma au difficult, even tr ing young, hopeful you to the joys of be ed jad d an s ar ye your atever happened. se, I’m sorry about wh ca e th ’s at th If e. and naïv h should be s true. And that trut it’ , ap cr y ett pr be Humans can acknowledged. the sole reason t to point out that no s is am s em se it view that However, ere and express your th d an st to le ab g for you bein that the people anged is, ironically, d the world can’t be ch took their anger an e world. People who th d ge an ch to u in yo it re befo em and turned the world around th disappointment with at experience do things better. And wh ke ma to n io at tiv them they hope and mo years of age, to tell n tee ne ni at , ve ha you have, do we were wrong? not as wise as te to admit it, we’re ha I as ch mu as e both just None. Becaus et, girl, human –we’re po t, en ud st ow ll Fe we think we are. clever, dumb kids. ounds. The world cynicism has its gr ur yo – g on wr me t an ever. You Now, don’t ge ow that now more th kn we d an , rk da be we live in can alth of atrocities wspaper to see the we ne a en op to ed ne only other and towards itted towards one an mm co ve ha ns ma hu that we ildren and birds faces and refugee ch dy oo bl of es ag im remember our planet: l that they can only oi th wi d tte ma so e s whose wings ar of murderous parent . The daily stories ng yi fl of n io rs at de ns ea se rl the pre-teen chee and Donald Trump’s and rapist teachers a recluse on a give up and become u yo ke ma to gh ou could be en ow. ay. It’s tempting, I kn mountainside far aw out those ink-stained ings you’d miss, with th e th l al of k in But th my best friend uld be the news that wo it , me r Fo r. ai sp me soil, rags of de friend on either’s ho rl gi n ica er Am r he can now marry manatees (bless their nservation efforts, co to ks an th at th or ybe it would be a nger endangered. Ma lo no e ar s) ul so le autistic child, adorab y being raised by an pp pu d ne do an ab an ood postman picture of her, or a neighbourh ot an e on in t or mf en both finding co mmunity. Hell, I’d ev his service to his co r fo d de dead en of mm s co ll g ba in be at the , where people look on cti se e op sc or ro s, ho ve e li love miss th for their careers, or pe ho e se d an y, sk e light in th

12

Opinion

friendships. Like it or not, there is no One Great Great Problem; we Solution to One change the worl d one instant at a that once more, time. ( Read it’s the secret to life.)

These little inst ants may seem tr ivial in the face instants: war, ra of the big cism, sexism, and al l of the other ma the day – but th jor issues of ey aren’t; becaus e although the kind of sucks, it world right now would suck a lo t more without ma planet was made natees. And if th up of people like e you, there wouldn Get it? ’t be any left.

And I used to be cynical like yo u. But I realised I’m not able to fi that I’m young; if ght for my worl d, who is?

And I used to be cynical like yo u. Then I met some how nice life ca one who showed n be when you sh me are it.

And I used to be cynical like yo u. Then I read th Parks, the woman e story of Rosa who single-hande dly began what biggest revoluti is arguably the on in modern hi story.

And I used to be cynical like yo u. Then I heard realised I was si your poem, and I ck of it.

Sick of the fact that, even though the soldiers in the first World the trenches of War could put as id e their mistrust an a game of footba d hate to play ll on Christmas Day, we as “damag fight so hard to ed” young people be the most bada ss, emotionless, because then no cool kids around thing can disapp , oint us. Well th but nothing can at may be true, delight us or in spire us either. brainwashed, penWe are apathetic, wielding, shit-t al king drones, who emotional scars battle with to see who can ha ve the most defe Maybe if everyo atist attitude. ne accepted that no-one wins that be a generation battle, we wouldn of such losers. ’t Sincerely and wi th hope, Rebecca Baird P.S. I may never change the worl d, but I’ll never out how you can quit trying. To make a change, or find just write better www.change.org. poetry, visit You’re a citizen of the world; go and live in it.

13

Opinion

The British Medical Association (BMA) has presented itself as the ďŹ nal enemy of a seven-day National Health Service.

15

Opinion

E

ver since the New Labour government took it upon themselves to create a society where doctors were so excessively

compensated, health professionals in the BMA have failed to recognise their obsequious position relative to the health of the nation.

health professionals in the BMA have failed to recognise their obsequious position relative to the health of the nation.

Anyone who has kept up to date with findings in the British Medical Journal will know that those harmful statistics, concerning NHS

evenings and weekends. Never mind asking

mortality at weekends, were exaggerated and

whether all of these are reasonable; one must

manipulated to suit a political agenda.

first ask ‘are any of these claims reasonable?’

So, firstly: The BMA suggests that in order

Moreover, a freedom of information request

to protect working hours of NHS staff, the

sent to the Department of Health revealed

government should continue to financially

that the only statistics used were from a

penalise any employer who exceeds the legal

paper published in 2012 — in contrast to what

working hours of doctors. In reality though, if

Jeremy Hunt had claimed. Not only did those

the government were to financially penalise

figures not accurately reflect the findings of

employers then we would simply see a cut in

the study but they, on their own, have vastly

NHS services. There is no sense in cutting NHS

different explanations from those offered to us

services in regions where doctors are being

by statesmen. With no question, however, that

overworked and so a more nuanced approach

working people in Britain have greater access

— with a committee to scrutinise services and

to medical care on weekends, what is so

managers, for example — would be far more

appalling about these new contracts that the

appropriate as a safe guard.

cons outweigh the obvious pros of providing that treatment? The BMA says that it is aiming

The government’s contract would put the

to tackle three main issues within the contract:

employers into the legal firing line rather than

(1) The removal of safeguards to working

a simple monetary one. Secondly: Currently,

hours; (2) that pay progression will now be

pay progression is decided on the basis of how

decided on merit rather than experience; and

long one has worked in the NHS; a position

(3) the extension of ‘standard time’ to cover

supported by the BMA. The government

16

Opinion

proposes that pay progression should now proceed in terms of the amount of training that one has received and the amount of responsibility that one has, in one’s role. Need more be said? It should be obvious to all, that the more time and effort you are willing

Is it truly unreasonable to ask them to work evenings and weekends for that amount of money?

to put in, to advance your career in the NHS, the more you should be paid. Lesser-qualified colleagues should not be paid equally, on the

must also study for 5 years — studying a 4 year

basis that they have been there for as long.

degree, followed by a 1 year PGDE — before

And thirdly: ’Standard time’ is presently set

beginning their probationary teaching year;

to include 7am to 7pm, Monday to Friday —

yet, they are compensated very differently for

leaving a large and important part of the week

educating our up and coming NHS staff. The

branded ‘non-standard’. Current contracts

average salary of a junior doctor, in training,

allow junior doctors to work 92 hours per

is over £36,000 whereas the upper end of the

week, whereas the new contract would cut this

pay scale for teachers finishes at just £32,187.

amount of time to only 74 hours (in line with

For registrars, this average salary rises to over

working legislation) with an 11% pay increase

£52,000. Is it truly unreasonable to ask them to

to cover the loss in over time and premiums

work evenings and weekends for that amount

for non-standard working hours. Where is

of money? It’s time to take a step away from

the consideration of patients in any of this

financially penalising the NHS; promoting

deliberation? The despicable response from

territorial career progression; and treating

these junior doctors has been to strike and

doctors’ weekends as sacred time, for the

risk the wellbeing of the patients that they

betterment of our National Health Service.

claim to be protecting with these negotiations.

Around 1,600 operations have already been

The most baffling thing about this whole

cancelled across England and Wales due to

charade is the fact that this contract, to

the strike taking place on the 12th of January

any impartial observer, looks like a vast

and, with further such action planned for

improvement, for doctors. Increased pay and a

the near future, the safety of patients seems

decrease in working hours, makes Jeremy a dull

at least neglected. It might also serve an

boy, apparently. It is time to finally demand the

interesting comparative to remember, on the

implementation of a seven-day NHS.

issue of pay, that secondary school teachers Arran Hodgkinson *This is a personal opinion of the author, and not of The Magdalen or DUSA who officially stand with the Junior Doctors.

17

Science

NUMBERS AND TICKING MACHINES WHAT DOES LOGIC, COMPUTING AND CONSCIOUSNESS HAVE IN COMMON?

Apart from being defining features of human ability,

The ruling doctrine of the time defined maths as an

these subjects were all embroiled in a pivotal

extension of logic with the possibility of reducing all

mathematical debate that involved all the great

mathematical concepts and theorems into basic logical

mathematicians of the 20th century. The conclusions

notions. This school of philosophy was appropriately

of this debate not only transformed the three

named as logicism. The proponents of this ideology

aforementioned topics but also changed the way

(which included Hilbert and Bertrand Russell) thought

mathematics is applied in the modern world.

that all theorems of mathematics are inherently interlinked and the ambitious goal was to compile

The great debate, formally known as The foundational

a complete set of axioms that link all the different

crisis of mathematics, is actually a large collection of

branches of maths together while being free from any

smaller intricate debates ranging from disputes in the

logical contradictions. The implications of this idea were

properties of non-Euclidean geometries to rigorously

huge, if true, all “complete� mathematical problems were

defining real numbers. The crisis started from early

solvable! It reinforced the notion that if consciousness is

20th century and went on for 30 years although the

deterministic in nature, it may one day be predictable by

exact duration is disputed. The early 1900s was an

mathematical models of our grey matter on the atomic

interesting period for Maths, it was at a time computers

level. To fluently explain biology through chemistry and

were thought of as having the potential to solve all

chemistry through physics.

mathematical problems in existence. Moreover, it was thought that any mathematical posit was provable

These aspiring ideas were not popular with everyone

provided that the list of axioms (self-evidently correct

in the math circle, namely Weierstrass (he was behind

statements) that contained the system are consistent

the continuous function that is not differentiable at any

(free from contradictions). Philosophy also played a

point) and Kronecker. They advocated that mathematics

more crucial role in the field by dictating how proof of a

cannot be distilled into objectively logical propositions.

theorem should be laid out. There were disagreements

They believed instead that mathematical truths arise

as to how to prove a theorem: by the systematic use

from intuition by the human mind alone. Their intuitive

of axioms or by intuitive techniques. The underlying

line of argument was aided by the emergence of what

conundrum which rooted the debate was existential:

became known as logical paradoxes discovered by

what is mathematics?

Cantor and even the logicist Bertrand Russell himself

18

Science

in their own set theories they developed. Paradoxes

solvable that is, there exist problems that can neither

in maths are different to contradictions; when a

be proved true or false. His theorem lead to a paradigm

contradiction is found in a theorem it means the axioms

shift in the way mathematicians formulate proofs,

are inconsistent thus the theorem is rejected. Paradoxes

logical propositions no longer constitute rigor alone.

however, can arise even when the system is consistent.

Mathematics was no longer the pinnacle of pure logic.

The rise of logical paradoxes became a threat to the doctrine that dominated mathematics for over a century.

Gödel’s incompleteness theorem prevented the

This led to two grand efforts to cement the doctrine of

foundational crisis in mathematics from ever being

logicism once and for all. These efforts were attempts at

solved. There’s still no way of linking all fields of maths

creating an ultimate axiomatic system that could contain

under one system of consistent axioms as maths is

all fields of maths. The first was the book Principia

inherently an incomplete system. Gödel’s theorem went

Mathematica by Bertrand Russell and Alfred Whitehead.

on to become the centrepiece of computer science,

This three-volume mega-textbook aimed at providing

since computers cannot rely on intuition to solve

all the tools and instrumental methods needed to prove

problems, limits of computational operations became

any mathematical truth (it proves that 1 + 1 =2 a hundred

established. One famous derivation for Gödel’s theorem

pages into its second volume!). The second effort was

was by Fred Cohen who proved that it’s impossible for

the Hilbert program, a shorthanded equivalent, by David

antivirus software to detect all viruses and spyware

Hilbert.

without interfering or changing the operating system itself.

Unfortunately for Russell, his life work of three chunky volumes were made obsolete by two sides of A4. Kurt

Nowadays the common perception of the foundational

Gödel simultaneously revolutionised both mathematics

crisis of mathematics is that it is irrelevant;

and philosophy with his famous Incompleteness

mathematics does not need to be perfect to be useful.

Theorem. The theorem states that for any consistent

Were the events that unfolded at the beginning of the

system that proves mathematical truths, there will

20th century really a crisis or was it a revolution?

always exist statements that are true but not derivable from the system. In other words, even if a math problem is perfectly formulated, not all math problems are

The Great History of Mathematics

by Tom Lawrence Eve 19

Science

PA R T I C L E DEPOSITORY DISCUSSING THE LATEST IN FUNDAMENTAL PARTICLE RESEARCH

20

Science

This January, a paper published in Nature Photonics

A stoic rubidium cloud was then produced such that

is causing physicists to question the security of the

its valence electrons rested in state |a>. Using the

quantum encryption that they have, thus far, deemed

conditioned situation of the atom, such that right

unbreakable and non-physicists to appreciate the

circularly polarised photons excite the |a state and

difficulty of even simple operations in the world

left circularly polarised photons excite the |ß state,

of physics.

the experimenters send in a beam of right circularly polarised particles. The first photon to interact with

A photon is an energetic light particle and the

the atom of rubidium, therefore, causes the excitement

polarisation, or orientation, of photons forms the basis

of its valence electron into the |y> state. From here, it

of quantum computing. The ability to perform simple

can decay into either of the available ground states.

arithmetic operations on beams of photons would allow

Decaying into the |ß> state causes the emission of a left

one to analyse individual photons, without changing

circularly polarised photon, travelling in the opposite

others polarisation, and successfully intercept signals.

direction, and would not absorb any further photons — allowing the transmission of the beam.

The team, working out of laboratories in Washington and Waterloo, have been attempting to count, or remove,

If this were to be repeated, periodically, for the entirety

a single particle from a beam of uniformly polarised

of the beam, then the generated beam of individualised

photons. This process is known as photon subtraction

photons can be easily counted with conventional

but is substantially distinct from the more commonly

detection techniques.

recognised photon annihilation as the photon continues to exist, whilst the remainder of the beam is unscathed.

The struggles that these physicists have endured will likely not change one’s life dramatically but teach us

This process, therefore, is far from simple. Alkali metals

valuable lessons about the interaction between energy

are those elements in group 1 of the periodic table and,

and matter. With our ever increasing ability to alter these

therefore, have one electron in their sharp orbital. The

relationships, we become masters of our environment

experimenters used this property, in an atomic cloud

and closer to crossing the final barrier towards quantum

of the alkali metal rubidium, in order to construct a

computing — the greatest frontier in information

three level quantum system. This is a system that will

technology.

allow upwards transitions from ground states |a and |ß to excited state |y and the contrary transitions, but not

by Arran Hodgkinson

between states |a and |ß .

21

Arts & Entertainment

In 1973, Marlon Brando famously rejected his Best Actor win for The Godfather, boycotting the event to instead send Native American actress, Sacheen Littlefeather, to receive the golden idol. Her plea for change and progress in the treatment towards Native Americans, on and off screen, was met by audible boos from the

It is near impossible most years to get a nomination without conforming to a criteria based on stereotypes or tokenism.

Tinseltown elite.

It is near impossible most years to get a nomination The Academy Awards has long had a chequered

without conforming to a criteria based on stereotypes

relationship with minority representation and validation,

or tokenism. Yet contrary to popular opinion,

why would this year have been any different?

recently award shows have been shown to be equally accountable in the race issue. In a year when Straight

The issue is exacerbated by both the high school mean

Outta Compton was equally critically acclaimed as it was

girl herself, the film industry, and her brownnosing

commercially successful, the best Rocky film in years

gay best friend, the award show. Opportunities for

had a well-received African-American lead and Netflix

non-Caucasian actors to have leading roles in prestige

released unprecedented original film content with a

pictures, à la The Revenant and Carol, come far and few

gripping performance from Idris Elba, the Academy

in between. If you are black, be prepared to either play

had many a chance to recognise what was a fairly well

the ever so easy to please Uncle Tom or the government

represented year in film diversity. 12 Years a Slave and

official cursed with exposition, then maybe you’ll be

Django Unchained were stellar works, yet Hollywood

invited to the cool kids table with a nomination. If you

needs to realize there are stories beyond slavery for

are any other ethnic minority, better luck next year.

minorities and their ignorance to this is another example of confinement.

Patrick O’Donnell

22

Arts & Entertainment

23

Arts & Entertainment

THE CHANGING FACE OF SCIENCE FICTION S

cience Fiction as a genre is difficult to define.

A little like pornography, we can all identify

which films and books are counted in the genre, but when asked why, there is no easy answer. We know that it should be set in the future, or space, have aliens, or time travel or even just a faint hint of

“...becoming bigger and better, and at other times shrivelling into the dark recesses of cult cinema and C-movie obscurity”

a scientific based fact or hypothesis: a ‘literature of ideas’. Some Science Fiction stories date back to the

socio-political commentary paralleled contemporary

10th Century’s Arabian Nights and The Tale of the

problems. The Morlocks of The Time Machine, a

Bamboo Cutter grounding it in our history. However,

subdivision of humanity, forced into underground

over the last century and a half our opinion of the

labour bare an eerie warning about the economic

genre and its popularity and critical significance has

divide of the social classes, as they begin to resemble

fluctuated wildly. Like every genre it has evolved with

the working class miners of Wells’ time. Fascinated by

the times, sometimes in its favour, becoming bigger

media audio and visual technology, both the novel and

and better, and at other times shrivelling into the dark

film adaption of The Invisible Man parallel the unseen

recesses of cult cinema and C-movie obscurity.

voices of radio and the special effects of cinema, where human presence is visually edited out the screen.

The scientific innovation of cinema and Science Fiction walked hand in hand as stage magician come prophetic

Science Fiction in cinema also allowed contemporary

director George Melies released his iconic magnum opus

issues of the 20th Century to be mediated. The

A Trip to the Moon in 1902. Illustrating the cinematic

1950s were ripe with Cold War propaganda, Red

magic of film, images from the movie are still being

Menace Communist paranoia and the firm grasp

referenced today. Some of you might recognise the

of Joe McCarthy and his witch hunt. So, when an

homage of the whipped cream face of the moon in The

unseen alien race invades suburban California,

Mighty Boosh, or even the direct tribute to Melies and his

slowly replacing the local population with their

Science Fiction masterpiece in Martin Scorsese’s Hugo.

indigenous doppelgängers in Invasion of the Body

Around the same time as Melies’ cinematic fame, H.

Snatchers, the emotionless imposters become

G. Wells’ Science Fiction novels were peaking as their

suspiciously like an invading left-wing idealism.

24

Arts & Entertainment

Sadly though, not all of Science Fiction cinema has

But alongside this intellectual and innovative lime-

been so glorified. The 1960s saw a dip in the genres

light, Science Fiction was making headlines in terms of

popularity and critical success as it veered towards

popularity and commercial success. Christopher Reeve’s

low budget pulp. With uninspiring and forgotten titles

Superman was flying across screens and there was a

like The Leech Woman, Battle in Outer Space and

new hope with Lucas’ Star Wars redefining cinema.

blatant Wells’ rip off The Amazing Transparent Man, the genre had hit a new low. But all hope was not lost.

The decade also marked the release of Star Trek the television series, perhaps one of the most recognisable and acclaimed Science Fiction sagas all time. But with

“But alongside this intellectual and innovative lime-light, Science Fiction was making headlines in terms of popularity...”

an impressive ten original films and two highly financially successful reboot films (with a third on its way) it’s hard to believe that the original series was cancelled

This commercial success multiplied in the 1980s as

after only one season. So maybe bad Science Fiction

Science Fiction was more popular than it had ever been

films aren’t to blame for the decade’s low in the genre,

before. Predator, The Terminator, Back to the Future,

but the intolerance of an audience so oversaturated

Blade Runner, Ghostbusters and E. T. were all released

with Science Fiction tripe they had become sick

within a few years of each other and all involved huge

of the sight of it. Even the now dubbed cinematic

A-list actors and directors, all riding the Science Fiction

masterpiece 2001: A Space Odyssey polarised critics.

band wagon.

But luckily, the 1970s promised both critical and popular acclaim for Science Fiction. Ridley Scott’s Alien won several awards, including an Academy Award for Best Visual Effects and was nominated for Best Art Direction. The film adaption of Anthony Burgess A Clockwork Orange also received several Oscar nominations including Best Director, Best Film Editing, Best Picture and Best Adapted Screenplay.

25

Opinion Arts & Entertainment

This cinematic lull was then filled again

“...the genre also took a turn towards video games with Dead Space (2009) and Bioshock (2007)”

with both critical and popular acclaim as the genre has once again been embraced by the Academy Awards after snubbing it for so long. This reintegration into critical success was all thanks to James Cameron’s Avatar, which paved the way for Science Fiction nominations and awards in the

Yes, this was the nostalgic peak for the

following years, such as District 9, Gravity,

genre. Films that changed cinema and

Interstellar, Ex Machina and The Martian.

still influence film making today in terms of story and character. Some are better

So, while the future of the genre is

than others, but all are well-known and

uncertain and historical trends dictate this

immensely popular – even today.

rise will surely be followed by yet another

This Science Fiction Blockbuster trend

fall, we can only hope that our scientific

continued for another decade as the ‘90s

horizons are continually widened by this

brought us Jurassic Park and action packed,

often overlooked, but inspiring genre.

but pseudo philosophical flicks like 12 Monkeys, The Matrix and the unmentionable Star Wars prequels. But this retreated again in the noughties as Science Fiction suddenly became all about Superheroes.

However, the genre also took a turn towards video games with Dead Space (2009) and Bioshock (2007), reaching back to the horror aspect of the genre captivated in Alien.

26

Kate McAuliffe

Arts & Entertainment

VILLAIN LOVE W

e might not admit it, but we all have a soft spot

dangerous convicts, as are Antman and Black Widow

for the baddies. I don’t necessarily mean we’re

Captain America: Civil War is even pitting heroes

all Hybristophililic Charles Manson groupies, or the kind

as villains as the squeaky clean ‘cpn’ goes against

of people who fall in love with convict, just more of a

S.H.I.E.LD. But we can’t talk about supervillains without

Bonnie with a little crush on Hyde. But how can we help

mentioning the Clown Prince of Crime himself: The

ourselves when literature and cinema has been saturated

Joker. Heath Ledger stole the show in The Dark Knight

with interesting anti-heroes and appealingly complex

giving arguable the best performance in any film period.

villains.

So a few years back there was the vampire trend because teenage girls and their mums like a bit of broody danger, but I’m not going to talk about that.

But he’s not the only dark and misunderstood loner or comics’ bad boy.

Neither am I going to dignify inaccurate and abusive portrayals of BDSM relationships with a mention.

The Joker has even earned his own sexy little

Instead, first off I want to talk about comics and their

Hybristophile side-kick Harley Quinn. Given her heart-

big screen adaptions. So, dipping our toes a little, there’s

breaking backstory in Mad Love, the comic and animated

Loki, Thor’s mischievous and completely understood

television series highlight their abusive relationship and

brother. So far no other MCU villain has come close to

her undying devotion as she just wants her puddin’ no

beating him. He was voted Glamour’s sexiest Superhero,

matter how bad it is for her. What’s more is that Harley

outranking Chris Pratt, Henry Cavill and Christian Bale –

is getting her first live-action appearance in the highly

but he isn’t even a hero, he’s the villain. He steals

anticipated summer blockbuster Suicide Squad: a film

every scene and he’s up against a big tried and tested

in which the heroes are actual villains with King Shark,

A-list cast.

Captain Boomerang and Deadshot taking the lead.

Just more of a Bonnie with a little crush on Hyde.

We can only blame our upbringing for these secret sympathies. A forerunner in English Literature, even John Milton seemed to side with Lucifer in Paradise Lost and surely Burgess wanted us to feel sorry for Alex in

But he’s not the only dark and misunderstood loner

A Clockwork Orange. It’s in our nature to root for the

or comics’ bad boy. Even the heroes are ambiguous.

underdog and it is part of our cultural history to secretly

Batman has more recently been portrayed as verging

side with the baddies.

on the wrong side of the law, dealing out right wing vigilantism. All of the ‘Guardians’ of the Galaxy are

Kate McAuliffe

27

Arts & Entertainment

THREE FILMS THAT LOVE TO HATE LOVE SICKENED BY PUBLIC DISPLAYS OF AFFECTION? DOES VALENTINE’S DAY’S FAST APPROACH MAKE YOU GAG A LITTLE? IF SO, THEN YOU’VE TURNED TO THE RIGHT PAGE. 1. The First Wives Club Staring the powerhouse trio of Bette Midler, Goldie Hawn and Diane Keaton, this film is a post break-up go-to. It encapsulates the struggles of three upper-middle class women in New York who have been left emotionally inept, submissive and with low self-esteem at the hands of their cheating, lying ex-spouses. This is an epic story of revenge and also of new found independence that tells you to grab life by the balls and be the empowered man or woman you can be. If Diane Keaton can do it so can you. Watch this on Valentine’s day and you’ll go from sobbing into a tub of Ben and Jerry’s to singing “You don’t own me” with your fellow single friends, whilst wearing matching all-white outfits. Something that if you’re newly broken- hearted, I strongly recommend doing. The three women heed the timeless advice of Ivana Trump and “Don’t get mad, get everything.”. They drain their ex-husbands of their undeserved money and use it to start up a charity for physically and mentally abused women, left stranded after divorce. All round great gals! Ultimately this film is deserving of first place because unlike most movies today and in the past, we are told it is ok to be alone, and even a good thing.

28

Arts & Entertainment

2. Breakfast at Tiffany’s

3. Runaway Bride

Its a classic. You know it, I know it. We all know it.

Firstly, Julia Roberts. Long, unkempt curly red hair

Holly Golightly, the charmingly eccentric girl living an

has never looked better on anyone. A shameless

adventure in 1960’s New York. She is, in fact, “goals”,

commitment-phobe, Maggie Carpenter abandons

if I were to adopt the diction of a teenage girl on

men at the alter. She has been engaged four times

Instagram. She wakes up at midday, drinks milk from

and has managed to come to her senses four times.

champagne saucers and holds wild parties at night,

Each time she approaches the alter she sees marriage

filled with interesting and diverse people, most of

for the prison cell that it is. This method manages to

whom she doesn’t actually know. This is how she lives

work splendidly for Maggie; she gets four wedding

her life; having no real relationship with anyone. And

dresses out of it, four cakes (!!!), and four wedding

she is far merrier for it! When subjected to an angry

showers. She most definitely has the right idea. Her

rant from her upstairs oriental neighbour complain-

relationships with men never surpass the honey-

ing about the noise, she politely replies “Oh don’t be

moon stage, although, ironically, she hasn’t made

angry you dear little man!”. Holly lives a pretty much

one actual honeymoon yet. Our protagonist is doing

entirely independent life. She expects nothing from

just fine, that is until a reporter from New York grabs

anyone and in return expects the same of them for

her attention. Damn you Richard Gere and your salt

her. Her telephone lives in a suitcase, because it “muf-

and pepper luscious locks! He tells her, “You want a

fles the sound” and her cat is simply named “Cat”

man who will wake you up at dawn, because he’s just

because it does not belong to her and she does not

bursting to talk to you.”. I think I can speak for most

belong to it. Holly’s only problems in the film arise

people when I say “No we bloody don’t!”. Seriously

when she begins to become attached to someone...

though, don’t ever wake me up that early. The moral

you can see where I’m going with this. Love? Who

of the story is, get engaged to various different men,

needs it. All you need is an extremely long cigarette

drain them of their adoration for you, then move on

holder and half a bath tub to fashion into a couch.

to the next. Genius.

(NB: The correct response to “I love you” is “So what?”)

Francesca Reid

29

Current Affairs

Democrats Battle while

Republicans Prattle

I

f anything can be said about politics in the US, it’s

on issues such as immigration where he has lobbied for

that it certainly isn’t dull. The perpetual fluctuation of

a ‘dignified’ solution, as opposed to Trump’s extreme

popularity from candidates on either side has caused

proposal to build a wall. An idea which has resonated

many commentators to abandon their predictions of

well with the Republican base.

a two horse race between Jeb Bush, the brother of former President George Bush, and Hilary Clinton, wife

Many are forced to accept the once ludicrous possibility

to former president Bill Clinton. Both candidates have

that Donald Trump is poised to become the Republican

exceptional name recognition and have both held public

candidate for the presidency. Through a sea of

office as the Governor of Florida and the Secretary

excessively right wing nominees his ascension to political

of State respectively. However, even with these clear

popularity has been fuelled by xenophobic rhetoric

advantages they have failed to secure the popularity

which has preyed upon American fears of immigration

required. Jeb Bush has seen his support dwindle over

and terrorism. Something that has long been a staple

the last year from 1st to 5th place in the polls and is

of the Republican Party. His controversial proposal

now considered unlikely to receive the nomination. This

to ban all Muslims has only served to strengthen his

is due to his perceived failure to be right wing enough

position in the polls. Trump is truly a candidate who

30

Current Affairs

stands testament to the phrase ‘any publicity is good

challenge Clinton was unpredicted and now both

publicity’ due to his seemingly invulnerability to criticism

candidates are locked in a tight race, with Hilary

damaging his polling numbers.

leading in most national polls but Bernie leading in the strategically important swing states. Sanders, a

Many are forced to accept the once ludicrous possibility that Donald Trump is poised to become the Republican candidate for the presidency

proponent of democratic socialism, has seen his poll numbers rise in the face of various scandals surrounding Clinton including criticism for her closeness to Wall Street bankers.

Calum Wilson

Hilary Clinton on the other hand has not seen her popularity drop the same as Jeb’s but has met with fierce opposition from Bernie Sanders. Considered a relative unknown this US Senator’s rise to directly

31

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Fashion

32

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33

Enterprise

TEG 101 (Lesson 1): S AY Y E S , W H Y ?

BECAUSE WHY NOT?

£

I was once in a ‘Learn from the Best’ talk at The Enterprise Gym (TEG), with around 35 other students, hearing a talk from Greg Sim (Managing Director of Ericht Events Ltd). At one point he says: “I need a volunteer. Who would like to come down here?” The room went silent and for about ten seconds no one got up nor raised their hand to said ‘me’. Finally one student got up from his seat and ventured down to where the speaker was standing. The speaker then took out his wallet and grabbed a £10 note which he gave to the volunteer, telling him after that he can return to his seat. Everyone was stunned! That was Greg’s first lesson on saying yes to opportunities. When he asked for a volunteer, my first thought was: why say yes? Why should I volunteer? Why go down there when I don’t know what’s coming next? But consider this - why not?

One of the main reasons we fail to succeed is because we don’t seek opportunities or we just let them pass without grabbing them. So here are my 3 tips on how to increase your chances of success.

1. Be an Opportunist The word has often been associated with negative connotations however, being an opportunist is a good thing. Entrepreneurs are opportunists. Nothing is ever

YES!

truly perfect or absolute, so they are always looking for gaps in industries that they can fill. A great example is EasyJet, a great idea started by spotting an opportunity in the expensive airline industry to develop low-cost flights. Opportunities are everywhere, in every corner, some more evident than others but you can’t expect for them to be handed to you on a silver plate. So say

34

Enterprise

yes to opportunities! If you’re handed a flyer, take it and

online platform for art students to sell their work was the

read it. We all have that instinct to avoid people in the

fruit of collaboration between 5 university students who

streets holding stacks of small papers in their hands,

discovered an opportunity in the art industry through

but it might just be that that one flyer is about your

networking and went on to make transform their idea

favourite shop having a massive sale and you just missed

into reality.

out on that information. Attend events, conferences, competitions or workshops on topics that interest you

3. Don’t be afraid of failure

taking place at your university; they will fill you with

It’s probably the biggest reason why most of the people

knowledge and skills that might be useful in the future.

in that room during that talk didn’t volunteer. We tend to pass on opportunities because we’re afraid to fail. ‘What

2. Connect with people

if I go down there and he asks me to do something I

A good opportunist connects with people. Go beyond

can’t do? What if I’m not suitable for this job or task?’

small talk, talk about your passions, your aspirations,

Those questions and fears need to disappear. The future

your ideas, fears with others and you will see that most

is uncertain and the only thing you can be certain of is

of the time you are not alone. By connecting with others

that there are opportunities that can be yours. Learn

you will become aware of numerous opportunities

to see failures as learning experiences. As Richard

unknown to you. Last summer while working at a

Branson once said: “If someone offers you an amazing

college in Cambridge I sat down with a student from

opportunity and you’re not sure you can do it, say yes,

another college at the canteen during my dinner. Among

then learn how to do it later.”

many of the topics we discussed in our conversation, my interest in learning tango was mentioned. To my

So, congratulations! If you’ve been reading this article

surprise, I’ve discovered that the student was part of a

from the top to the bottom, you’ve already taken your

tango society and offered me the chance to take some

first step on grabbing opportunities. Many others are

free lessons. Networking with people opens up many

offered by The Enterprise Gym and societies on campus.

doors, so start following that company you want to work for on LinkedIn and network with their employees, there’s a chance you may get a job opportunity or meet

Martinho Cambinda,

someone with the same passion as you and develop

Team Assistant The Enterprise Gym

a business idea together. Students at The Enterprise Gym network with entrepreneurs and with each other and come up with ideas that are transformed into businesses. For example, VisConn a newly launched 35

Design

To see more of Monica’s work visit her Facebook page: Monica Dunne Design

36

Design

Monica Dunne Alloa Level 3 Graphic Design DJCAD Q

CAN YOU TELL THE READERS ABOUT THE FEATURED ARTWORK?

A

So the painting featured took around 5 hours to complete, I’m still learning a lot from it every time I paint. I really enjoy doing realistic things because it’s cool to compare and see how far you’ve come.

This painting has a lot of light/dark contrast and a pretty subtle colour scheme that I enjoyed working on, and learning how to paint blood from a 3D face onto a 2D canvas was a good challenge. I used different photoshop brushes to create different textures. The parts of the background out of focus were difficult to visualise but helped make the foreground stand out further.

Q

WHAT ARE YOU HOPING TO PRODUCE THIS YEAR?

A

I have a busy year ahead doing class work – branding, motion graphics, an artist’s book and way more that I don’t want to think about. I’m also taking over The Magdalen very soon and will hopefully have some creative influence over it. I want to keep doing paintings like this, though, because it’s a great stress outlet; to put on some music, grab my tablet and not have to think about impending deadlines for a while.

Q

WHO ARE YOUR BIGGEST INFLUENCES?

A

Artistically in general, definitely Bowie, that’s why I was so keen to do a painting of him. He was and is avant-garde in every sense, ahead of the game in all that he did, and he made the niche mainstream. He found space for the oddities, and I’m sure we can all agree, the finding of a potential 9th planet a week after his ‘death’ can hardly be a coincidence. The Blackstar cover design by Jonathon Barnbrook is really fucking gorgeous too.

In design, Shepard Fairey has always been a strong character that influenced my thought processes and philosophy. He says to “question everything” which is brilliant, and his work, while a lot of the time political, can be beautiful at the same time.

You’d probably know him from the Obama Hope posters, but my personal favourite is Obey Eye Alert. It’s Graphic Design, it has a message, but it’s definitely art.

Sports

A clean slate for a ‘clean era’?

Should all pre-existing world records be scrapped in order to bring sport out of the doping gutter?

“He’s saved his title, he’s saved his reputation – he may have even saved his sport!” BBC commentator Steve Cram belted these words down his microphone as Usain Bolt triumphed over Justin Gatlin in the 100m at the IAAF world championships in Beijing. The race in the summer had been set up as a battle between good versus evil. The clean athlete everyone adored coming up against the two-time doper. As the Jamaican crossed the line everyone seemed to breath a collective sigh of relief. Bolt had saved his sport’s reputation. How naïve we all were.

Clearly uncomfortable with the idea of FIFA picking up the award for ‘sporting scandal of the year’ what emerged from the IAAF, with regards to the level of doping and cover-ups, was truly staggering. As a consequence, numerous officials have been banned and Russia has been suspended from athletics for the time being. Seb Coe has one hell of a task on his hands to lead the IAAF out of the murky depths that it currently 38

Sports finds itself. The president must also do it while facing

that would have to be taken into account. It will also

difficult questions about how much he really knew and

take far more than just rubbing out history to usher

his links to Nike.

in a new clean era. If you got rid of all records now then Usain Bolt, for example, would be losing his 100m

So how do you clean up a sport that has been so

world record.

inexplicably tarnished and dragged through the doping gutter? UK Athletics proposed in January, the idea of

Yet the new, recalibrated, record could be set by

scrapping all pre-existing world records and altering all

someone such as Justin Gatlin or Tyson Gay, both of

the current events so that they were essentially, ever so

whom have had doping convictions. It will take years to

different disciplines.

usher out the dopers from the sport and will also require a firmer course of action.

Outlining how such a change might work, the UK Athletics chairman, Ed Warner, told Inside Sport: “Do you alter the nature of the events subtly, so they become different events? Do you raise the height of the hurdle

Without doubt you are going to punish innocent athletes

by a centimetre? Do you make the take-off board on the long and triple-jump narrower? Do you make the longdistance race 50 kilometres? For track events, do you

In essence what you really need is a far harsher

maybe change the spec of the starting blocks or narrow

punishment if you are caught doping. Radcliffe has

the lanes?”

advocated that all previous achievements of an athlete caught doping should be erased. Personally I would go

So is drawing a line through history and starting

further. Wipe out previous results but also ban them

again the best way to usher in ‘the clean era?’

for life from future participation. Additionally any prize

Understandably some previous and current athletes are

money the disgraced athlete has won should be ordered

not so sure.

to be paid back.

The argument put forward by Warner in favour of

We’ve seen how money talks in sport. It is crucial at the

scrapping previous records is that, considering a large

elite level. As soon as you bring in proposals that could

proportion of them were probably achieved by athletes

potentially result in the loss of money people looking to

who were doping, it is unlikely that any clean athletes

flout the rules might, all of a sudden, think twice.

of the future will ever get anywhere near breaking them again. Achieving a world record will become an

As radical as UK Athletics proposals for a clean slate

impossible task. Starting again, and from scratch would

may be, the main purpose of the manifesto was to

bring back that aim to be a world record holder.

create debate. It has most certainly done that. The full extent of the doping culture within athletics has been

Paula Radcliffe, who still holds the 13-year-old world

revealed and officials are finally acknowledging how

record for the marathon, is one of the athletes who has

grave the problem is. Thankfully it is no longer being

vehemently opposed the idea “Without doubt you are

swept under the carpet.

going to punish innocent athletes,” she explained to The Guardian. “Why are you going to do it again when

Time will tell if we finally see the IAAF make positive

they have already had to compete against cheats during

steps forwards but, for the time being, I would take

their career? “I feel that innocent athletes have suffered

a huge pinch of salt. Doping needs fixing and the

enough at the hands of drugs cheats.”

worldwide audience need convincing that the spectacle is truly genuine.

Quite simply, regardless of your suspicions of an athlete there has to be proof. Without the evidence you can’t

Alasdair Hooper

strip away all records particularly with the legal aspects 39

Sports

It’s been a hectic, but successful, first semester at the Sports’ Union. From BUCS competitions to raising mental health awareness, everything’s been going on. Here we take a look back at the SU’s highlights over the first half of the academic year.

Warm Up Week

SSS

Going right back to the very beginning of the term the SU’s warm up week was the most successful to date. A record number of 340 students from over 20 different clubs turned out to take part in a week of intensive club training. The event was also opened up to freshers for the first time, allowing them to settle in with their new club mates much earlier.

The university’s swimmers have improved greatly this year and look set to have a hugely successful year. They currently sit top of SSS Division Two with an undefeated record. Promotion to the top division looks like it is well on the cards.

Give it a Go

Minds Matter

Following the Sports’ Fayre the SU’s three week period of free access, ‘Give it a Go’, resulted in 4000 students giving various sports a try. The result of this was over 2000 joining sports clubs and maintaining the strong sporting ethos of the university.

This year the Sports’ Union teamed up with DUSA and the mental health society in order to raise awareness of the importance of mental health, as well as exploring ways that students can take care of themselves mentally. The Sports Union has promoted sport and exercise as one of the most significant methods of looking after someone’s mental health and, as a result, have brought in a number of helpful measures. At the end of November, when assessment and exam stress begins to peak, a free week of pool, class and gym access was organized, as well as a number of campus sport events. Students will have undoubtedly enjoyed the break from university work.

BUCS The University of Dundee is currently 51st in the BUCS rankings. The year before we finished 55th out of 145 institutions. Here’s hoping our sports teams can help us achieve as high a finish as possible and improve on last year’s finish.

40

Sports

League Leaders

Community Work

The Women’s hockey first team have put in some tremendous performances this year and currently sit top of the pile in the Scottish 1A. They have also made it through to the last 16 of the BUCS trophy where they will face Sheffield in February.

As part of the SU’s club Accreditation Award scheme clubs are encouraged to act as ambassadors for the university and engage with the local community. Some outstanding local work has already been undertaken this year.

The Men’s hockey first team are also enjoying their season. Like the ladies’ team they also occupy top spot in the Scottish 1A and will join the last 16 of the BUCS trophy if they beat Birmingham.

A team of university fencers put on taster sessions for the Dundee district scouts and gave them some coaching over a number of weeks. Waving swords around for a bit was very well received.

The Men’s Gaelic football first team are another University of Dundee side to currently sit top of their Scottish 1A league. They are currently undefeated with 4 wins from 4 and will look to maintain that form in their remaining fixtures.

Members from the Ultimate club got involved with coaching pupils at Ancrum Primary and Morgan Academy. The sessions were hugely popular and introduced the school pupils to a sport that not many would get to try otherwise.

Dundee’s Men’s fencers secured the Scottish 1A championship in November after winning all nine fixtures and securing an impressive indicator of +505.

In February they will look to secure their place in the quarter finals of the BUCS trophy as Northumbria travel up for an exciting looking encounter.

Three members from the university’s handball club have been coaching p4-p7 children in Wormit since October last year. Not only have the sessions been enjoyable the club is hoping to attract more members as a result.

notable Mentions This year the Men’s Ultimate team are playing in the BUCS league for the very first time. They currently have three wins and one defeat, from four fixtures, and sit in third place in their league. With one game in hand on the leaders a title challenge is well within reach.

The Men’s volleyball first team have enjoyed a strong season as they occupy second place in the Scottish 1A. There will also be a chance to progress to the quarter finals of the BUCS trophy as they meet Derby in the last 16 in February.

Dates for Your Diary in Semester Two 13th and 14th February // The Dance Show (Gardyne Theatre) 16th March // SSS Conference Cup Finals Day 23rd March // Varsity 1st April // Blues and Colours Awards 2nd April // Blues and Colours Ball

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