Voice: Vox Populi

Acknowledgment of Country

Avondale University acknowledges our Sovereign God as Creator and Provider of all things We respectfully acknowledge the Awabakal and Darramuragal people as the traditional custodians of the lands on which we live, work, study and worship across our Lake Macquarie and Sydney campuses We pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging, and extend that respect to all First Nations People

Wellbeing Centre

Confidential counselling services for students experiencing academic, mental health, and personal concerns

Phone: (SMS preferred)

Email: counselling@avondale edu au (appointment queries only)

LM Campus: The Well-being Centre

SYD Campus: The Clinical Education Centre

Equity officer: equity@avondale edu au

Volunteer

The student associations always seek volunteers with a 'here to help' attitude Want to be involved?

LM Campus: asapresident@avondale edu au

SYD Campus: ansapresident@avondale edu au

Security

LM Campus 24/7 phone: ( )

SYD Campus 24/7 phone: ( )

Extension: #

Email: security@avondale edu au

Avondale University Church

Location: Main foyer of the University Church

Open: Mon-Thurs: am- pm & Fri: am- pm

Pr Norman Hurlow: norman hurlow@avondale edu au

Phone: ( )

Extension: #

Email: universitychurch@avondale edu au

Chaplaincy Services

LM Campus: Lower College Hall

Phone: +

Email: aubree harrington@avondale edu au sean berkeley@avondale edu au SYD Campus: Clinical Education Centre

Phone: +

Email: drene somasundram@avondale edu au

Academic Support

Academic information:

Learning Advisors:

Avondale University: @avondale uni

Avondale Student Life: @avondalestudentlife

Avondale University Church: @avondaleunichurch

University Student Ministries: @saltavondaleuni

Ella Boyd and Andre Hall: @weareellaandre

Watson Hall: @wearewatson

Nurses of Avondale: @weareavondalenurses

Avondale Sport: @avondalesport

Avondale Eagles: @avondaleeagles

VOICE. INSTAGRAM

ASL Publications Instagram

Taylah Jones: s @student avondale edu au

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Facebook Pages

Avondale University

Avondale Student Life – ASL

The Avondale Roost - Group

“DoYouHave” Ella - Group

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TikTok

@avondale uni

@avondalestudentlife

C O N N E C T

These people happenedreal, spirited, and courageous.

We are a platform where students and staff can share their thoughts, ideas, and experiences from their unique Christian perspectives, embracing and celebrating the uniqueness of each journey It offers a space for the student body to reflect on the dynamic and evolving nature of our shared experiences The Voice amplifies the diverse voices of students, not the university's official views, fostering an open community where different perspectives are valued and heard

Endless thanks to the creatives who have fueled our vision and added richness to every part of this project, from the photos and resources to the bold concepts and voices we ’ ve been able to showcase Creativity flows through us all with every unique voice sparking fresh momentum that drives us onward together

We have wholehearted love for Lynnette Lounsbury, sparking joy that is the heartbeat keeping us connected and alive as a community She is fearless, inspiring, and we are so deeply grateful And to the COMM11100 class, thank you, for delivering fresh perspectives that echoed the theme so authentically Shout-outs

With deep appreciation, we thank the creatives and voices who brought this issue to life.

Bailee McLeod COMM11100

Emma Faatele

Hudson McGrath

Jack Molyneaux

Kaila Watson

Kalvin Dever

Kristina Rigas

Lachlan Alderson

Levi Bruderlin

Lynnette Lounsbury

Mackenzie McGrath

Monique Rippingale

Paige Lafele

Ryder Martin

Sahana Devi

Sophie Sinclair

Tenzin Adair

F R O M T H E E

TD ITAYLAH JONES - EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Voices can be loud, silent, quietened, or unjustly platformed. Getting yours out there? Honestly, it’s tough. Speaking up, wanting to be heard, and actually being listened to isn’t equal for everyone. I’m lucky, as a woman writing and studying with a platform to help lift other voices; that’s not an opportunity everyone has.

But with that privilege comes pressure. There’s a real weight to using my words “right”, to spread kindness, but also stay real and transparent to myself. Sure, we live in a free speech era, but that doesn’t mean you’ll always get the reaction you want. That’s the difference between just saying something and truly using your voice with intention.

So, what do you really mean when you speak? Do you want to shock, wound, warn, or raise awareness? Did you think about whether you’re judging or spreading hate? Have you considered how your words might affect others and yourself?

Words are powerful; they can change moods and moments. But thinking before speaking isn’t always common sense. It’s not just what you say, it’s how you say it: your tone, your words, your intention. Are you including or shutting people out? Attacking or defending? Speaking your truth in a way your audience understands?

Truth is messy and personal - it's relative. If you have a voice, use it thoughtfully. Own your words. Speak with conviction, but be ready to stand by what you say. Once words are out, they can’t be taken back. Speak up, challenge, discuss, but make sure your words really represent you, because they’ll be your legacy, for better or worse.

EMILY CHESTER - ASSISTANT EDITOR

A single voice is a formidable instrument of expression and has the potential to cause great change, and a collective voice holds immense power. There is something beautiful in both concepts.

Like the idea of one fish swimming upstream, one voice against the current inspires us to be braver, bolder, and to think about what we really believe, in the face of those who swim against us. And the idea of a thousand voices, so loud the ground trembles, unites us and encourages us to find our people, stand tall, and find our voice next to those finding theirs.

And as powerful as the voice is spoken, when it is unspoken, it can be even more so. Your voice is your reputation, your heart, you. Use it wisely. Use it well. Use it.

THIS ISSUE: VOX POPULI

We felt strongly committed to giving as many students as possible the chance to speak out and use their voices however they wanted This issue is different - it’s the hard edition It’s the issue this year that carries the most opinions and the longest-form articles We know this isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, but it’s an important one TikTok has definitely ruined attention spans, and reading is not just a way to keep your brain healthy; it’s also a privileged act in itself. Having access to information and opinions is what this issue is all about. We didn’t write this for you to simply agree or disagree. This issue was created to do what one of our goals is this year: to help you consider and assess things in relation to your own truths Enjoy

your duck your mood

reading Voice as a great and highly recommended distraction

on DND mode

Paul Bogacs thinking bout retirement

Lynnette Lounsbury, after her 10-4 lecture period on a MONDAY

night owling because sleep is over rated and you do your best work under the moon’s glow

rewarding yourself after replying on the forum “thanks for sharing....”

journaling about how you took high school, 3 meals a day, a free roof over your head and a fixed social calendar for granted

a grad student hyping themself up for the final push

a nursing student on their second hour of trying to find a source wondering to yourself how to answer an essay question that has 3 sub questions

self explanatory really

a soft-core pilates princess working off those winter sweetie treaties

given in to the dopamine withdrawals

trying not to lose your cool after making not 1 bucket in the chill shoot around session with your mate that was meant to help you blow off steam

conserving your energy whilst waiting for your lecturer to open the door

a teaching student on placement

finding a will to live in the planning stage of your group assignment

sharing a brain cell with your best mate

were just asked, “hey did you do your forum post?”

a counselling student on placement after a long day of active listening and holding space

doing nothing whilst you wait for the caf to start dinner service

a student who just finished a 3 hour lecture where the lecturer could’ve just uploaded the powerpoint on moodle

emotionally wrecked after downloading each

a visual arts major trying to do 6 weeks of work (you were meant to do) in your progress diary due in a couple of days time

being kept up by your never-ending to do list

a mature aged/off campus student trying to regulate themselves in the library

crashing out after paying $7 50 for a burnt soy latte

a grad student being carried to the finish line by your friends

unfortunately not a member of the “mo money, mo problems” club

being checked on by that friend you asked check in on you an ho later, to still have don no work

a girl in dorms learning your 5 hobby that you are not gonna stick with, instead of studying th

on your 7 social media break of the day th

in the “quarter life crisis is the new mid life crisis” era

not pacing yourself and burnout out on week 6

study aka gossip session

Levi Br uderlin

Th e M e t a n a r r a t i v e o

r o g r e s s a n d I t s

i t f a l l s

"Comparison is the death of joy"

- Mark Twain

It is undeniable that, as humans, we continually engage in the frivolous and frankly depressing game of seeking to measure our achievements against others' success, and I believe it's doing more than just taking away our joy; it's giving us false and unreliable metrics to quantify our achievements.

Ralph Waldo Emerson was an American essayist and led the transcendentalist movement in the 19 century. He spoke for the individual and sought to encourage members of society to focus on 'selfreliance', to not be controlled by culture or sociopolitical agendas His aphoristic writing style has become his legacy in modern-day literature, leaving us with a collection of witty, impactful phrases, i.e., "little nuggets of wisdom" However, it was these ideas on 'self-reliance' that got me thinking

Progress cannot be meaningfully defined through comparison with others; rather, it must somehow be measured without the influence of a second or third party, like some sort of introspective self-analytical mensuration.

"To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment"

- Ralph Waldo Emerson

A basketballer should never compare themself with Michael Jordan, for how will they ever get an accurate assessment of their own skill? On the other side of the coin, they should never compare their ability to shoot a ball through a 10-foot hoop with, say, a newborn child, because you'll think you're way better than you are compared to real basketball players anyway.

So, where's the line? How does one compare oneself to others without destroying their confidence or overinflating their successes? It is this question that led me to a paper by Matt Higdon, from Winthrop University in South Carolina, titled 'The Great Gatsby, the Green Light, and the Metanarrative of Progress' His thesis revolves around a key idea on "the short-sighted foolishness of pursuing utopian visions of 'progress'" (based on F Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby), where the standard of success is always external and forever out of reach Forever may sound extreme, but isn't it often how we live our lives?

It seems like the only acceptable way to measure your own success (without spiralling through a cascade of misrepresented perspectives of others' personal amelioration) is by introspection through an assessment of your past self

"There are only the pursued, the pursuing, the busy and the tired"

- F Scott Fitzgerald, The Great Gatsby

expect fast results stop believing in themselves get stuck in the past dwell on mistakes fear the future or feel they have something to lose resist change

give up their power believe in their weaknesses feel the world owes them something fear failure more than desire success never visualise what is possible overwork and burnt out

assume their problems are unique see failure as the sign to turn back feel sorry for themselves

eving. Not Festinger, a rigorous mm in To o meaning fe by the echt's play style of theatrical sumption or virtue –They can't tisfactory

way: is success inherently meaningful? Is it even inherently valuable? And why?

p g your joy in to their sh limited und However, recognise the small unperceivable arc of growth that only you can truly see, is to reclaim success as an objective metric, allowing it to be truly personal and authentic.

Each one should test their own actions Then they can take pride in themselves alone, without comparing themselves to someone else

- The Apostle Paul, writing to the church in Galatia (Galatians 6:4)

The first car that glides past is a shiny black Tesla and it doesn’t slow at all. The second, a very full and battered minivan honks in sympathy but also drives on. James keeps his thumb out but stays where he is. He wants it to be obvious to anyone driving past that he is only hitchhiking because his car has broken down He is a safe bet He leans against the back of his white Camry and resists the urge to kick it with his heel. A pristine, matte black Porsche Cayenne is the next car to come over the rise and James sighs If anything is unlikely to stop it has to be that car. Everything about it says affluent and self-focused

To his surprise, the Cayenne shifts into the left lane, slows and skims over the gravel on the verge to stop directly behind him He can’t see the driver well through the glare on the windscreen but raises a hand in greeting and walks towards the SUV The window slides noiselessly into the door.

“Hey there? Are you okay? Do you need a lift to the servo?” The voice is bright and young and James finds himself surprised for the second time The driver is a young woman with long dark hair, deeply tanned skin and oversized gold sunglasses He matches her energy, “That would be fantastic! Thank you so much for stopping My car overheated and I just need to get coolant to get it back on the road Nothing serious ”

“Hop in I’m Mena ” She gives him a genuine smile and unlocks the door. He glances into the back seat

furtively, but it is empty aside from a handful of candy wrappers. “I’m just on my way back from Byron. Did a road trip with some friends, but I had to come back for work ” She rolls her eyes

James climbs into the car. The leather seats are surprisingly cool for such a hot day. Mena pulls the car back onto the freeway and clicks on the cruise control Exactly 110km an hour

He smiles at her, “Let me guess - finance?”

She laughs and it is contagious, “Do I look like I’m in finance? Nope - injectables. I run a couple of clinics round Bondi ”

“Oh You don’t look ” He stops himself quickly

She laughs again, “Well, that’s because I only hire the best. If you can tell, we’ve failed. And you? What do you do?”

“Consultant,” He smiles “In the city Nice to meet you, Mena.” She is perfect. Simple, naive, weaker than him. James slips his hand into his small over-shoulder bag, feeling for the knife he has at the ready. He has her

Mena, watching from the corner of her eyes, slides her hand down the far side of the seat, past her policeissue weapon, to click a button on her radio, and signals the convoy car behind her. She has him.

Monday

I

ON’T WKNOW HAT TOWATCH?

OahH! What’s your urite weekday?

day Tuesd

ok so i’m gonna guess you lo ritual? Comforting repetition? Cozying up with familiar characters in a hectic week?

Ok so are you team Conrad or team Jeremiah?

Conrad is the only answer

So were streaming something that isn’t Conrad Fisher getting his girl back

Try

We were liars Get swept up in a dizzying story of privilege and love

Love me a New England trust fund baby psychological thriller

Take 5 with Zan Rowe: I want to get the scoop on what songs shaped my fave artists

Wanna feel like an adult and watch something on ABC iView

In VOGUE: The 90s: Deep dive into the epitome of fashion

Nostalgic for a time you didn’t live through?! Same

Call her Alex: All the goss on the podcast mogul herself

Girl power!

*TW: SA mentioned

Jere bear <3

So, is it his mind games or the fact that he puts the ‘coaster’ in ‘emotional rollercoaster’ that gets your heart racing?

I’m a gamer

Fair enough, can’t relate. Since you like chase you’ve probably played other games that you can watch

Try

The Last of Us: Come for the Clickers, stay for the emotional trauma

Also Pedro, let’s be honest

Fallout: surviving the apocalypse is easier when you already know where the best snacks are buried

Also Walton, let’s be honest

Arcane: Tech, magic, and sibling drama – in neon

Jayce, for real

I can fix him

Sure you can But by the time you do you’ll be an adrenaline junkie with raging anxiety attachment issues. Chanel that anxiety into something else

Like The Office, if it was directed by Christopher Nolan Try

Severance:

Black Mirror: A festival of all bad things you hadn’t even realised could happen in the near future

Ziam: You want Muay Thai Kickboxing but also zombies Honestly, why hasn’t anyone done this before?

Thursday

I’m gonna assume you’re all about one night, one story, total payoff Quick, satisfying, no strings attached

You’re the series rebel blazing your own trail, too original to be caught in the TSITP fan club’s cookiecutter craze. Almost like you’re following in the footsteps of

You’re marching to the beat of your own whims. Wild guess, but do you often find yourself held hostage by a soundtrack… like, for six weeks straight?

Try

KPop

DemonHunters:

Like if the girls from Jujutsu Kaisen joined BlackPink and slayed absolutely everything

Sinners: If all your bad decisions made a playlist

*TW: Graphic themes and content warning

Wicked: Impossible to stop singing, but also impossible to sing

Try

Ratatouille:

Escape to Paris and watch a little rat become a chef at a worldrenowned restaurant #hygenic

If this isn’t a rewatch, then literally HOW have you not seen this cinematic masterpiece?!

Jane: All the archival footage and throw in a story about a woman who became a giant in a male dominated industry AGAIN, girl power!!

A Real Pain: Trapse around Poland with two very mismatched cousins

Kieran Culkin more than deserved his Oscar for this

Fascism is a word thrown around a lot today For some, it’s a byword for whatever they perceive is against them; for some, it’s a reality that they must contend with. It’s the looming shadow of tyranny, a bad memory from a bygone era, the monster that was cast down. However, fascism is alive and well in today’s world; in fact, it never left Like a bear hibernating through the winter, it has come forth from its cave, and it is hungry Fascism takes root in the disillusioned, those who see themselves under attack or even oppressed in some fashion and most often begins with the seductive rhetoric of a demagogue. A demagogue is an individual who is charismatic and promises the world to those who support them, a populist who appeals to the common person and promises change. Fascism often emerges with popular support and rarely ends without force of ar ms

Fascism is hard to define in simple terms as it is the combination of multiple terms that each deserve their own definition. This article will focus on three facets of fascism The first is Hyper-nationalism, an aggressive form of nationalism that hinges on the exceptionalism of your nation, that your nation deserves greatness and that no other nation can compare to it The second is militarism; the belief that our nation should have a strong military and that it should be used if the nation demands it The last is the development of authoritarian leadership and the

centralisation of power While these three aspects of fascism are major parts of it, they are not all that there is to it; there is much more to fascism

Democracy, specifically, representative democracy, has emerged as the predominant form of government in the last two hundred years, but recently, a phenomenon known as ‘democratic backsliding’ has occurred in many countries. This is the slow reversal in the number of democratic liberties a people experience within their countries and the rise of a more authoritarian system replacing this Examples include Iran, Afghanistan, Turkey, Russia, Hungary and the United States For some of these countries, such as Russia and Iran and to a lesser extent Afghanistan, this has been the way of life for some time and for others is partially in response to outside actors For example, Afghanistan was a democracy, but after the communists failed to gain power, they were invaded by the Soviets This is an oversimplification, but the point is made. Part of this trend of a loss of democratic freedoms and liberties is the rising cost of living and general economic hardship, which, in turn, if not reversed or fixed, leads to a disillusionment with the traditional parties of power In Australia, this would be the Liberal/National and the Labor Party. This loss of faith in traditional structures is often

accompanied by a similar loss of faith in the institutions they represent, such as voting, healthcare, jury duty, etc.

The demagogue in this situation will enter into the political scene at this point, when the people clamour for change and demand that something be done about whatever they are concerned about. The Demagogue will promise and appeal to everyone and will blame all failures on a scapegoat; for the Nazis, this was the Jewish People The demagogue will appeal to the emotions of the voter and will stick to a simple approach of pushing all problems at the feet of either the past administration or the ‘other’, which is the scapegoat, the enemy that you didn’t know about, the architect of all that is wrong in your life. The demagogue will say they are a representative of the ‘real’ people and that they are against the ‘elite’, and the most common opinion and rallying cry of the demagogue is a call to revive the nation, to restore its glory, to make it great again

In Australia, during the 2022 election, about fifty percent of Gen Z voters were voting only to avoid a fine; this trend, while not in as large numbers, also continues in earlier generations Many vote, not to exercise their privilege, not to participate in a democracy, but to avoid paying $20 It is that attitude, that apathy and a lack of belief in change

and trust in the institutions that form our nation, which breeds a demagogue It is one of the warning signs of the likelihood of democratic backsliding, not alone, though, as this apathy comes from a lack of civic education and historical memory. By this, I mean a lack of appreciation for what voting truly entails and the long struggle to allow us to have that vote

In today’s world, the collapse of journalism has seen a rise in populism and political commentary from people who have a platform and have seen objective media and investigative journalism fall to emotional or non-biased sources of information, becoming the norm for people to get their information from This is not to say that traditional media is any better; the platform of media does not matter However, a key facet to combating fascism or totalitarianism in general is the construction and maintenance of a strong and impartial ‘press’ that can criticise and judge the government without fear of repercussion.

While short, I hope this article has provided some points of interest for you For any further reading regarding fascism, I would highly recommend the essay “Eternal Fascism: Fourteen Ways of Looking at a Blackshirt”, also known as “Ur - Fascism”, written by Umberto Eco, who grew up in fascist Italy and saw first both its rise and fall.

Who Is Your Mariana Trench Spirit Creature?

Not everyone is a golden retriever or a grammable axolotl Some of us, let’s be honest, belong to the freak show that is the bottom of the ocean Welcome to the Mariana Trench: where it’s dark, crushingly cold, and the locals are all a little unsettling It’s the “Wednesday” of the animal kingdom Time to find which deep-sea monster is your underwater alter ego

Sound familiar?

But remember, whether you’re a sedentary blob, a towering crab, or a vampire squid clinging to your eyeliner and existential dread: the ocean’s creepiest creatures are also survivors And if they can thrive in the crushing dark, maybe you can make it through this semester too

inertia rsh light today’

The Goblin Shark

The Walking Red Flag

a dreamer who carries her own lantern through the shadows.

The at a Pale skin, red eyes, and main cast for the school musical?

The Vampire Squid The Goth Kid Who

(no matter your actual height)

Absolutely Definitely.

one gets

A r e w e e v e n s a y i n g a n y t h i n g

w h

n w e u s e o u r v o i c e ?

Memoir s of a fir st-year univer sity student

I feel as though, as young people, we have a lot to say. About our society, about our government, about our culture, about our world. And, with the rise of social media in the twenty-f irst century, it has become easy to express our opinions, values, beliefs – our voice – to the vox populi, but I come to wonder if our voice is ever truly heard. So, do we even say anything when we use our voices?

Our generation is one of the most independent, socially conscious, and politically outspoken generations yet. We long for freedom, social justice, and progressiveness, often using our platforms on social media to express our opinions or ‘raise awareness’ of relevant trending topics But when everyone is talking at once, does our message get stronger or lost?

According to the BMC, ‘performative activism’ is defined as activism that is done to increase an individual’s social capital rather than their devotion to a cause

Performative activism is something that has been ever-growing in our society, but in the twenty-first century, it has only become more amplified We’ve seen this with the use of hashtags, story reposts, and more that are specifically targeted at heavy, important topics

I’m sure if you were on social media in the early 2020s, you would have remembered the COVID-era of TikTok Black Lives Matter was (and is still) a movement formed in 2013 after the acquittal of

George Zimmerman in the tragic shooting and death of Tayvon Martin, a Black American teenager in Sanford, Florida. Its popularity surged to a global scale in the wake of the murder of George Floyd #BlackLivesMatter became one of the most trending hashtags of all time across all platforms (specifically TikTok, Twitter and Instagram), and celebrities, social media ‘influencers’ and the general population alike were united in reposts, profile pictures, and symbolic gestures in the name of ‘raising awareness’

However, it became more than just ‘raising awareness’ for police brutality and systemic racism it became a trend. #BlackLivesMatter was used on countless irrelevant posts, drowning out the real, urgent information being shared under the same hashtag And amongst all the noise, the core reason and purpose for the cause became lost.

Last year, you might remember the #AllEyesOnRafah. It was a trend targeted at the city of Rafah in southern Gaza in which hundreds of thousands of Palestinians were pushed into during Israel’s bombardment The phrase ‘All Eyes on Rafah’ called for the world’s attention, reflecting global outrage for civilians caught in extreme humanitarian crises.

However, again, it went viral and was used on irrelevant posts. Even further, AI-generated art using the phrase started circulating, mostly shared without understanding context, checking sources, or listening to the action voices from within the region

A fire gets attention, but does it solve the problem?

We’ve mistaken burning visuals for burning purpose

These aren’t the only issues that have been amplified into a trend, though; there have been countless others Now, let me introduce you to the ‘repost trap’. The idea of sharing to raise awareness for a cause using our platforms. But do we care? Are we taking the time to actually research and be informed, or are we just reposting for the sake of it? We’ve mistaken volume with impact

We tend to be bolder on social media and more inclined to share our opinions because we feel more comfortable ‘behind the screen’, when in reality, we likely wouldn’t bring it up in a real-life conversation Our platforms distance us from the problem. They limit our impact We’ve started to promote trending material rather than strive to change the issues. With the fear of seeming too radical or political, we’ve created a false narrative of ‘if I repost, then at least I’m raising awareness ’

And instead of educating ourselves, we’ve fallen into the trap of posting something we haven’t even attempted to understand just to feel as though we are not being silent We, as a generation, are united by passion yet divided by purpose.

Vox Populi – the voice of the people. But it seems our voice has become drowned in an oversaturation of surface-level action Performative culture has become so loud in the pre-COVID era that we often forget how we can use our platforms, our conversations our voice for more. The voice of our youth has become diluted and unfocused

Look, I’m not saying I’m not guilty of it, too. There have been times when I’ve seen a post, maybe even on somebody else’s story and reposted it to show I care. But I wonder now, as I sit here writing this piece: did I actually? Or did I just want to show people I did?

‘Raising awareness’ isn’t always bad; in fact, sometimes it’s necessary But it needs to be backed with intention and a drive for purpose. We need to value depth over visibility, action over optics, substance over the lie of ‘being seen’

So how do we overcome performative culture?

Educate yourself: Listen before you speak, research before you vote, don’t just make your voice heard make it count. Decentre yourself: It’s not about how you’ll look, it’s about the cause Engage offline: Be present in progressive conversation, volunteer, mission, use your voice with intention.

So what now?

My hope is that we collectively start to realise the weight of our words. That we stop treating activism as a performance and start treating it as our responsibility. That we use the potential of our voice. That we start resisting the urge to just be loud and instead speak with educated, clear voices backed with purpose and a willingness to act.

Because if our generation actually believed in the things we post about, maybe we could change something that actually matters. The mic is already in your hand Now, I ask you, are you going to say something that actually matters?

Is the world a terrible, dark and lonely place or:

need to cl your that your br tantly ring ev clothes

o you just need to r otional support 200 e a s d. ssm h gr j l cortisol leve ything of y y the planet en to the time (this ld 45 millio on’s The Love ut th meth omeone else? a coffee. Leave someone’s desk lling someone t d, make you laug n breathing, remi etc Don’t sign it y’ll remember it fo

Congrats, you just outsmarted cortisol with grass

Know your Philosopher

Philosophy is basically the OG search for meaning It is asking the big questions like “Why are we here?” and “How should we live?” It started way back in ancient times and people from the temples of India and China to the streets of ancient Greece were trying to answer these questions Some were influenced by Christianity, some hadn’t even heard of it yet All of them provide us something to chew on.

Buddha (c 563–483 BCE)

Core Vibe: Desire is suffering Inner peace is a whole lifestyle

Unfollow your ego, breathe deeply, and stop online shopping

Lao Tzu (c. 6th century BCE)

Core Vibe: Go with the flow (literally) Life is wiser than you, just take its lead and see where the universe leads you

Stop forcing it Be like water and roll with the punches

Confucius (c 551–479 BCE)

Core Vibe: Life works best when everyone respects their role, their elders, and the vibe of harmony

Be polite, text your parents back, and treat every group project like a sacred duty

René Descartes (1596–1650)

Core Vibe: "I think, therefore I am " (but also, maybe reality is a simulation?)

Overthink literally everything, trust nothing but your own brain, and secretly believe you ' re in a Black Mirror episode

Søren Kierkegaard (1813–1855)

Core Vibe: Life is absurd and scary, but real faith means taking a wild leap into the unknown and trusting Jesus

Embrace cringe and stop caring what anyone thinks of your belief system, wrestle with your doubts, and trust God even when it makes zero logical sense

Diogenes of Sinope (c 412–323 BCE)

Core Vibe: Society is fake, manners are overrated, and truth lives in a barrel

Keep it feral, speak your mind, and carry a lantern around looking for an honest person. (He wasn’t all that happy).

Karl Marx (1818–1883)

Core Vibe: History = class struggle Capitalism = sus Collective action = vibe.

Fight for the little guy: Side-eye billionaires (look he suggested molotov cocktails and guillotines, we’ll go with disgust), share your snacks, and believe the group project is how we change the world

St. Augustine of Hippo (354–430 CE)

Core Vibe: Your heart’s a mess until it rests in God - desire, distraction, and Insta validation won’t save you

Admit your flaws, stop chasing validation, and let divine love be your strength

Friedrich Nietzsche (1844–1900)

Core Vibe: God’s dead, morals are made up, so go become the main character of your own myth. (Ayn Rand was his fangirl And the alpha bros love him)

Wake up, choose chaos, lift weights, and reinvent yourself daily because nothing matters

Simone de Beauvoir (1908–1986)

Core Vibe: You’re not born anything, you become it. Especially when society keeps putting you in boxes

Question every label, choose your own identity, and never settle for being the NPC

Prayer is one of the most powerful ways any human can use their voice And there are so many opportunities to pray at Uni. Weekly SALT programs, FOF, Uni church Kez and Sabina have started Upper Room, a cozy prayer meeting in Upper College Hall each Tuesday And each night at 8 pm, students meet to pray for Ebony Dunne while she is sick. Prayer changes lives, both for recipients and parttakers.

Yet so often, many of us choose not to tap into this phenomenal opportunity to speak to the Creator of everything

To quote C. S. Lewis, “…We are reluctant to begin. We are delighted to f inish ” This is coming from the same man who said, “I pray because I can’t help myself ”

How can a man in love with talking to God say that prayer is “irksome”?

Well, I myself have felt this way as I forced my knees to stay strong, fought off the doz e, and numbly mumbled through scripture But this is not what prayer was meant to be.

Prayer is f irst relational

There is the perception that God is busy dealing with the mass of humanity at once and has little attention or time, but “We are as much alone with Him as if we were the only being ever created ” (C S Lewis)

Relational prayer is honest.

One element hindering a desire for prayer is the sense

of guilt that we should be a certain way when we approach God Praying what we ought to be is exhausting and perfor mative. Surely it is much better for our minds to present ourselves as we are now, and let God change us in time.

Honest prayer is constant

There is a common thought that prayer must be saved for the important trials of life, but Lewis presents a different idea. If ‘have no habit of turning to God with seemingly childish things, we will have less readiness to ask him for great things.’ Prayer will never be able to serve its purpose in our lives if we are too high-minded by our own sense of dignity to pray small prayers too God accepts them all

Constant prayer is a discipline that becomes an allfulf illing lifeline.

Sometimes prayer feels useless when we don’t feel God’s presence or see His answers. But, as often we don’t pray for what we actually want Lewis says that ‘God’s presence is joy to the highest degree and unmistakably real’ and that he has realised prayer is not about changing God, but changing oneself. When we understand the gift of being able to place things in someone else’s responsibility, and be near a welcoming God, there is nothing more relieving and satisfying.

God has time for you. He wants to hear your voice, and you will hear His in your life when you listen So f ind a quiet space, or join with some friends, and speak to your Father in heaven There is power in the voice of people raised to God.

D i d Y o u E v e n R e a d M y L e t t e r s ?

I keep seeing TikToks and reels asking the comment section how they think Paul would start his new letter if he came back today Some comments say, “To the ministers more concerned with followers than faith…” and some think, “I am once again disappointed ” But I question why we feel the need for a new letter at all.

Paul’s letters haven’t gone anywhere In fact, they’re easier to access now than ever before. We have them in print, on apps, in hundreds of translations, with commentaries and podcasts explaining every verse. Yet we still fail to take the time to truly understand We quote verses without reading the context. We highlight the easy bits and ignore the hard ones We treat Paul’s words like instructions for “back then” instead of realising they still apply today

If Paul saw many of the churches today, I don’t think he’d write again I think he’d ask us if we even read and understood the letters he already wrote, especially the ones to the Corinthians Those letters aren’t just about a church 2,000 years ago. They’re also about us today

The Corinthians had talent, influence and spiritual gifts. But they also had division, pride, and confusion about what it actually meant to follow Jesus They argued over who had the best spiritual gifts. They fought about morality and worship styles They struggled to live out the love Paul preached. Swap the names and the centuries, and you could be describing many modern churches today.

In 1 Corinthians, Paul pleads with the church to be unif ied, to stop putting people over Christ, to reject sexual immorality and to pursue love above all else He tells them worship isn’t about perfor mance, their freedom isn’t an excuse for self ishness, and their knowledge means nothing without love.

We split over denominations and who’s “doing church” the right way. We build churches around charismatic leaders and call it a revival We often forget that the church was never meant to be a brand.

Paul’s second letter to the Corinthians talks about weakness as the place where God’s strength shows up. Yet in our world, many take weakness as failure

instead of a space for grace.

Some of us tend to skim over the tough words We prefer the feel-good verses or the ones that suit our preferences We craft ser mons and Instagram posts around select passages, but rarely wrestle with the full challenge Paul lays down

Imagine Paul actually seeing the churches today. I suspect he’d be a little disappointed Not because we’re new people or new problems, but because the core issues haven’t changed for the past two thousand years. And we still aren’t listening well enough.

So, no, Paul wouldn’t write a new letter. He’d point us back to the ones already written He’d tell us to look carefully. To see where we’re divided. To see where love is missing. To see where we’re mistaking perfor mance for faithfulness

And to be clear, this isn’t about shame Paul wasn’t writing to tear people down. He was writing to build them up in truth He wrote to correct To encourage To call people deeper.

I take it as a gift that we don’t have to wait for some new message from God delivered via a celebrity preacher or a viral TikTok. We have the instructions. The hard parts, the loving corrections, the call to unity and humility. We’ve always had it. What we need isn’t a new letter but a new way of reading these letters. A willingness to slow down and truly understand A readiness to let Paul’s words change us instead of just using them for aesthetics.

The Corinthians remind us that the church is messy And that’s okay. God’s grace meets us in the mess.

But grace also calls us to growth, to humility, and to a love that outlasts every trend.

So, the next time you scroll past a TikTok about Paul’s hypothetical new letter, remember this: Paul already wrote the letters we need The question is whether we’re willing to read it and let it challenge us. Because if Paul came back today, I’m convinced he wouldn’t be adding to the stack of letters. He’d be asking, “Have you read any of mine?”

h e B a t t l e R o y a l e G e n r e :

NB: The content discussed in this ar ticle is not for e ver yone. Please examine ratings and content war nings before eng aging.

If you’re a bit of a gamer, then I’m certain you’ve played a round or more of Fortnite, or maybe you’ve played the Danganronpa series. Perhaps you’ve read or watched The Hunger Games, Squid Games, or Alice in Borderlands. If I were to ask you what these pieces of media have in common, you would most likely say that they all focus on the idea of f ighting to survive What if I told you that most of these (if not all) are inspired by a Japanese novel released in 1999?

Let me introduce ‘Battle Royale’ (and its far more popular film adaptation of the same name from 2000), written by Koushun Takami in 1999 This dystopian horror novel is now considered a cult classic but was highly controversial when it was initially released; it still managed to be a top seller, selling over a million copies in Japan before being translated.

The book tells the story of a class of junior high students who are unwillingly transported to a remote island to engage in a fight to the death as part of a military experiment within a fictional fascist Japan, with the experiment ending when only one student remains. As the experiment continues, sections of the island are considered ‘Forbidden Zones’, limiting the area the students can hide. If a student is in the zone, their explosive collar detonates. If no one is killed in 24 hours, everyone’s collar detonates

‘Battle Royale’ is clearly a commentary on totalitarian governments, societal conformities, and the nature of violence The novel is meant to be uncomfortable, with gruesome depictions of violence

that make you feel like you have to put the book down for a bit After all, this is over 600 pages of heavy themes and disturbing descriptions of child violence

Whether it’s just for shock value or not, the novel makes you question your own ideology, making you wonder why you keep reading despite the grotesque actions happening to these school children It undoubtedly gave birth to a new sub-genre of dystopian fiction, which is that of the Battle Royale genre.

This plot might sound familiar to you, and if you have ever read or watched The Hunger Games, that is because many, including director Quentin Tarantino, see it as a blatant rip-off of ‘Battle Royale’. Suzanne Collins argues that she “had never heard of that book or that author until my book was turned in”, but the similarities are rather interesting We’ve got children who are forced to participate in a fight to the death as part of their government’s totalitarian control, and the winner is the last person standing. In The Hunger Games, the arena ‘shrinks’ as well, as the gamemasters cause fires or release mutts, forcing players to get closer together

‘Battle Royale’ would continue to inspire Eastern media through manga, games and shows However, the genre wasn’t as popular in the Western world until the film adaptation of The Hunger Games in 2012 Suddenly, everyone was enamoured by the concept of a fight-to-the-death survival game, so much so that games such as Minecraft and DayZ had

It wasn’t until 2017 that the mod for DayZ got a proper release, known as PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds (PUBG), a Battle Royale-style game that had players drop onto a map, f ind resources and weapons, and f ight to be the last player alive as the map closed in on them Fortnite, capitalising on the success of PUBG, decided to make its own Battle Royale mode, simply titled Fortnite Battle Royale, which had the same concept, taking heavy inspiration from Takami’s work.

After Fortnite’s release, the Battle Royale genre exploded into mainstream popularity, with many other games copying the simple yet addictive for mula. But why is it so popular, and why has it deviated so far from its dark and depressing origins?

Personally, I would argue that the appeal of the Battle Royale genre is based on culture, as Western culture seems to glorify the killing games In contrast, Eastern culture focuses more on the characters and their humanity (or lack thereof)

This is evident in the game Danganronpa, whose series creator, Kazutaka Kodaka (who follows me on Instagram (subtle flex, I know)), cites Battle Royale as inspiration Instead of focusing on the last-manstanding idea, it focuses more on the characters' mentality in a f ight-for-survival situation Squid Games has a similar social focus while maintaining the typical last-man-standing idea, with series director Hwang Dong-hyuk also citing Battle Royale as an inspiration

When Squid Games was released, it told a strong anticapitalist story, highlighting the societal inequality between the rich and poor and the dehumanisation of people, forcing them to betray their empathy for survival. When it became popular online, I remember seeing the online response (mainly from the West) focusing more on the games they play in the show and how gruesome they were, rather than the characters, typically just calling the characters by their numbers instead of their names. It became ironic to see people enjoying the games more than the actual story and

message, as it played directly into the notions of dehumanisation

So why do people love a battle royale setting so much? I’d suggest it’s because we as humans love to explore themes of human nature, especially those under the pressure of conflict, betrayal, and survival Our morbid curiosity is fascinated by the scenario of life and death, and we wonder what we would do in such a scenario, which leads to the popularity of games like Fortnite

In the end, the endurance of the Battle Royale genre reveals the uncomfortable truth about humanity: we are attracted to watching survival stripped down to its rawest form Regardless of the genre, whether it be satire, horror, or a cartoon game, these narratives act as mirrors that reflect our innate fear of being powerless and our curiosity about how well we would survive in those scenarios So next time you play a game of Fortnite or watch the new The Hunger Games movie that will be released next year, ask yourself: Why do I enjoy these last-man-standing scenarios? Perhaps your answer will reveal more about yourself than you’d expect.

F a i l i n g i s g o o d : A n d y o u

s h o u l d d o i t m o r e o f t e n

We live in a world where your successes measure your worth. The internet only shows the wins, schools push for top grades, and job applications expect flawless resumes. But here is a bit of truth that you don't hear enough: Not only is failing good, but it's essential In fact, we should do it more often.

Failure is the best teacher that we have When you fail, it forces you to reflect, adapt, and grow. The best way to learn something isn't from hearing or reading it; it's experiencing it yourself and learning the hard way That really awkward class presentation you failed would have taught you way more about nerves, preparation, and communication than any teacher ever could. There is only so much theory learning you can do If you genuinely want to get better at something, then go out and try it, and if you fail, then at least you can look at what you did wrong and not do that next time.

Look at any successful person and their journey, any athlete or business owner, and you will find mountains of failure, but it's upon those mountains that they climbed to the top. Michael Jordan didn't make his varsity basketball team Steve Jobs got fired from his own company. But these people have become as successful as they are because they don't let these failures stop them; they build and grow from them, becoming better than before. We wouldn't know their names today if they had tried to avoid these failures.

Failing also builds resilience. You become more mentally tough every time you fail and get back up Our brains are like muscles; if you never stretch them

to their limits, you will never know how far they can go. We will never know what we are capable of. The famous poet T S Eliot once said, "Only those who will risk going too far can find out how far one can go". Learning to deal with disappointment, embarrassment, and even rejection is all a part of becoming a stronger, more capable person.

There is a common misconception that failing means you are not good enough But failing means that you have tried. Many people don't even try if they think that there might be a chance that they will fail Trying is brave; it takes guts to go out and try something even if you know you will fail. You may fail, but that's how you get better

We must reshape the way we think about failure. Instead of viewing it as a setback, we must consider it a necessary stepping stone on our path to success We shouldn't feel ashamed or fear it; we must celebrate it. Share all the times that we failed Encourage one another to take that risk and take that bold step, even if it leads to mistakes. As Bob Ross says, "We don't make mistakes, just happy accidents"

Stop asking "what if I fail" and ask "what can I learn from this?".

So take that risk

Apply for that job

Say that thing you have been too afraid to say.

Fail gloriously, fail often, and come back better every time.

peli-can

Pause

Using that awkward but crucial moment between instinct and action where you don’t say the stupid thing.

Believing your emotions aren’t lying to you, even suspiciously dramatic.

exit, or cancel plans, without guilt or shame.

Zeal for Growth Walking through that awkward convo with your friends about how you’re sensitive to tone because you’re trying not to bottle up your feelings.

g , as much as any ates and team ds They are the red, pray before your diff icult r med last, even e romantically ortant to value m for granted, s. Right.

marriages and graceful, faith-focused lives, but that s not the only outcome. Not f inding soulmate-style love during school and still being okay with it speaks to some beautiful inner strength. Real love, that God sets in motion, often moves faster or slower than we hope Many times, happiness shows up softly, without notice, when we give up actively searching for it Trusting God to give us what we need at the right time feels very meaningful. Your spouse could be someone

Many people, mostly with good humour, say Avondale is a place where a lot of people meet the person they think could be their future spouse And that’s something to be happy about! Wanting love, praying for it or meeting someone are not bad things Still, not everyone needing CPR should think they’re lacking, failing or not right for college if it does not occur in their college years.

, g g y g g Avondale courtyard. It’s possible that these moments come years after you think, at places you didn’t expect.

Maybe that’s one reason why God’s timing is special; it’s never predictable. The process doesn’t run like a set timeline or group of requirements to finish You learn to have more patience, contentment and trust because of adoption It helps you realise your worth stands alone from your relationship status, and not

writing a chapter you haven t read yet Trust the Author. He’s never late

Times New Rom

You are an over peaked in Year 1 Roman is the fo essays, corporate co people You drink l you have a Googl But let’s be real: ya no Times New Ro and some of you n

Aptos

You are the office i Onitsuka Tigers wi Microsoft’s attempt at being “modern and cool,” which makes it the font equivalent of your lecturer saying “slay ” in the Moodle forum. You’re tr ying - and honestly, points for effort - but you haven’t fully grown into your style yet. The vibe is: functional, eager, and beige, but there’s potential

Overcomp

but ion sts ary nts ans

Blacklette h g h , medieval font used on metal band logos and fake olde-timey pubs. Your personality is 70% aesthetic, 30% anxiety. You think you’re mysterious and intimidating, but in reality, you’re just literally always in your room. The font of someone who refuses therapy but has very strong under-eye circle game.

Aria l

You re eleva tor music, safe and in the bac kg round Aria l is the “meh” c hoice for emails nobody reads. You live in the wor ld of cor pora te memos and PowerPoints tha t people pretend to pay a ttention to Your per sona lity is basica lly “I’m here to blend in and not roc k the boa t ” Cong ra ts, you’re the font ever yone settles for when they have zero per sona lity

Verdana

You’re like that friend help but explain ever just in case you didn first time. Verdana is reliable, used on websites or anywhere clarity is king, but excitement is banned. You’re genuinely nice, but sometimes your earnestness feels like too much energy for no reason. People appreciate you, but also kind of need a break. You’re the “hey, don’t forget to Venmo me for lunch” message everyone secretly wants to ghost but knows they can’t.

Segoe S

Segoe S eventdrag o and s when they wan about the little know you put Sure , you've got look at me , I cry over sappy movies, and post passive-aggressive poetry

Cooper BT

You’re always buzzing with energy, but somehow never seem stressed about it. Cooper BT is the casual confident font used on playful packaging work. You’re playful without being pushy having fun but don’t actually need anyone’s approval. People dig your quirky, upbeat energy Some people may love to hate you, and hate to love you, cause you're so damn likable.

You wan screams instant c those who appreciate the simple things - but hey, people keep coming back for more.

Dog narrate cause people energy But the person drops the c walks away with as much credit as the group.

U o M o A s o U m a , a e U s

Friends for everyday, but your sib

a l e

There is this Samoan proverb that my mom tell me and my siblings whenever we would want to go out with friends: “Uo mo aso uma mo aso vale ”

It basically means that we spend so many days with our friends, but when shit hits the fan, it’s our siblings who are guaranteed to have our backs.

Of course, hearing that constantly growing up made the proverb lose its value to me Whenever my mom would say it, I would just roll my eyes and continue with my day as if her words had got lost in the wind

I believed her words to be false, and why wouldn’t I? I had friends who were loyal, and they cared about me They would check up on me, make sure that I was doing okay, and reassure me that they had my back

I was happy. Probably the happiest I had been for a while, and being happy was a rare feeling in my life

It felt good.

To not have a care in the world, to know that people were in my corner, ready to put on their own gloves once I got sick of fighting I genuinely believed that life couldn’t get any better than that.

And I was right.

It didn’t get any better

It got worse.

y g ong time, money didn’t come siblings finally started working and getting money of their own, it went directly to them and their own families.

It was just me and my two older sisters left at home with my dad. My mom was overseas taking care of her own mom, who had just been recently diagnosed with dementia, and it was peak COVID.

My dad went from working 4:00 am – 5:00 pm shifts to sitting at home begging the company for work so that we could pay off bills.

Life had drastically changed, and my sisters and I, aged 17, 16 and 15 at the time, were now forced to step up

At the time, I envied my older siblings.

It sucks to admit it, but I held secret animosity for them. I used to think, “How lucky they are, to not feel burdened by the shackles of poverty ” I blamed them for the way my life had changed.

I went from being the happiest I had been, going out with friends and leaving the hard work to my siblings, to now worrying about what our next meal would be and how we could even afford it.

I had entered a void where only darkness and anger thrived Where resentment and disgust were the only dominant feelings in my life.

And it sucked.

It wasn’t until I sat down with my siblings and told them how I felt that I finally realised that none of my friends had reached out I don’t hate them for it, of course. It’s not like I could just tell them that we were so broke we couldn’t even afford hot water Well, at least without feeling judged or embarrassed. Besides, it wasn’t their duty to do so, and I would’ve hated their pity.

When I opened up to my siblings, I discovered that they were, in fact, helping out. My brothers were sending any money they could spare to assist with the bills, while my older sisters chipped in to help out with groceries

And perhaps it was my mother’s absence that inspired this, but for the first time in the longest time, I thought about the proverb she used to say.

“Uo mo aso uma, ae uso mo aso vale.”

late, but our siblings are with us for the whole ride.”

Life is too short to be fighting with your sibling

If you haven’t spoken to them, I urge you to call them and see how they’ve been doing They probably miss you as much as you miss them.

Kristina Rig as

‘ S i n n e r s ’ b y R y a n C o o g l e r

NB: The content discussed in this ar ticle is not for e ver yone Please examine ratings and content war nings before eng aging

“There are legends of people born with the gift of making m usic so true, it can pierce the veil between life and death Conjuring spirits from the past and the future In ancient Ireland, they were called filly In Choctaw land, they called them fire keepers And in West Africa, they’re called Kriyats This gift can bring healing to their comm unities, but it also attracts evil ”

On Friday, the 9th of May, I went to see the film ‘Sinners’ To say it was an amazing experience would be an understatement. The film was exceptional, beautiful and thrilling. From the casting to the soundtrack, everything was so thought out and thoroughly researched.

For those of you who live under a rock, ‘Sinners’ is a horror/adventure film directed and created by Ryan Coogler that was released in Australia on the 17th of April The film follows two twins, Smoke and Stack (played by Michael B. Jordan), who come back to their hometown for a fresh start and to set up a juke joint However, the twins soon find themselves facing dark and terrifying supernatural forces…Vampires. Yep, you heard me Vampires come to the juke joint, and they’re ready to wreak havoc if they don’t get their way Oh yeah! It’s also a historical period film set in Mississippi in 1932, introducing the horrors of Jim Crow laws It centres around a black story and experience for all intents and purposes.

Coogler has created a multi-layered film that explores the history of segregation, racism, religion, and the struggle for black identity while incorporating an entertaining element of the supernatural horror of vampires Coogler worked with Ludwig Göransson, a

Swedish musician and composer, for the soundtrack. While the actors portray the story, Göransson and Coogler use music as a central element in the film. It’s what draws the vampires towards the juke joint, it shows how music connects us to the past, present and future This is actually represented when the twins’ cousin, Sammie, is performing, and suddenly his blues song is transformed with modern music and instruments. Göransson incorporates ancestral music and characters dancing alongside those in the scene It is a beautiful moment which perfectly captivates the audience and impeccably conveys the meaning aforementioned about past, present and future, connecting us by music

Every detail is thought of, not just through music or the plot, but with the casting The cast and crew of ‘Sinners’ are predominantly black, which allows for a nuanced and authentic portrayal of culture and the historical events conveyed throughout the film. It allows for a more meticulous exploration of themes such as cultural appropriation, systematic oppression, racial politics, legacy of black artistic traditions and allows for authentic storytelling. One of the characters in the film is a ‘white passing’ woman named Mary (played by Hailee Steinfeld) who states in the film that her “mama’s daddy was half black”, hence her ability to pass as a white woman

However, ‘passing’ in this time was dangerous, for if she were seen by the wrong people talking and hanging around black people, her life would be in danger. She would be seen as a ‘bad white’ woman for fraternising with ‘the enemy’, let alone it being found out that she was black due to the ‘one drop rule’.

The struggle Mary faces is that she is socially a black woman, as seen in the way she interacts with other characters and how she is viewed by the black community as family However, politically, she is a ‘white’ woman. The casting of Hailee Steinfeld is probably the most accurate in the f ilm, as her own grandfather (on her mother’s side, too) was half Filipino and half African American. Just like her character

The main vampire antagonist, Remmick, portrays himself initially as a Southern American white man who “believes in equality”, but as the f ilm goes on, it is revealed that he is of Irish heritage. In a song, Remmick sings (‘Rocky Road To Dublin’), his Irish heritage shines through, and the use of the song allows the audience to get a glimpse into his background as the song refers to emigration and the longing for home. Remmick tells Sammie when he attacks him (oops, spoiler) that he wants to see his people again.

Take into consideration that vampires in this f ilm have

their souls stuck in their bodies and therefore can’t rejoin their ancestors And, when Remmick is ‘drowning’ Sammie (looked more like a baptism to me, which again, symbolism Coogler has really thought of everything), he tells him,, Long ago, the men who stole my father’s land forced these words upon us.” (Sammie was praying, and Remmick joined him). Remmick telling Sammie of the English who invaded his home in this way shows a softer side to the cruel vampire and provides us with an understanding of all his hate As well as to why Remmick is so desperate for Sammie to use his blues music to help him reconnect with his ancestors and loved ones

All in all, ‘Sinners’ is absolutely incredible Not just for pure entertainment but for conveying the historical events of 1930s Mississippi through the use of music and vampires Quite the combination and in such an undeniably incredible way. Perfection.

The only unrealistic aspect for me was that all of this (from the creation of the juke joint, the opening of it and the vampires) happened in one day!

A J o u r n e y o f F a i t h ,

r o m i s e , a n d P u r p o s e

I’ve always dreamt of going to uni and having the full experience, living on campus, and creating special friendships and memories that last a lifetime

Finishing school was hard for me. I lost my mum when I was 17 I didn’t study for my HSC due to the trauma and regular hospital visits with my sick mum. I barely scraped through and passed Back then, university wasn’t even an option for someone like me. You needed high marks just to be accepted- so much has changed over the years. Now, there are pathway courses or the option to complete a diploma to gain entry. After a long journey, a career change, rekindling my relationship with Jesus, getting married, and having a child, hope was restored. God had my back all along - His promises silenced every doubt, fear, and moment of confusion.

After moving back to my seaside hometown, I drove past St Philip’s Christian College, Port Stephens, the school I once attended That was the moment God pulled my heart toward that place. I knew I wanted to study, to work there one day and to teach and reach the hearts of His precious little children.

I studied my Certificate III in Early Childhood

Education while my daughter was just one year old. After completing it, I fasted and prayed for a job at Narnia. It was the only job I had eyes on, so failing wasn’t an option I started as a casual, then worked month-long blocks, eventually landing a permanent part-time role Faithful is the Lord, I landed the fulltime job. After a few years, I completed my diploma and began applying to work next door at St Philip’s as a teacher’s aide. I’ve applied three times, and each

time, the d my church

Avondale U

distance student into the Bachelor of Arts (Birth–12 Years) in Primary Education, specialising in English I was thrilled.

My big dream of being a uni student no longer felt like a far-fetched fantasy reserved only for “smart” people Even though I won’t have the on-campus experience I always longed for, this is the next best thing I have a family, a home to manage, a job to tend to, and a church to serve. With all these commitments, I was excited - but terrified I didn’t know what to expect or how I was going to get through my first essay

So far, I’ve jumped over hurdles, and I’m still learning to juggle it all I’ve achieved things I never thought possible. I’m proud of myself for trying hard and giving my best effort to my studies The late nights and skipped weekends will be worth it. I’m doing this for my future, for my daughter’s future, and to sow the gospel into the hearts of the children I’ll be teaching one day

One of the first units we do as uni students is on wellbeing - and rightly so Upholding our well-being, for our minds, bodies, and for others around us, is paramount I thoroughly enjoyed The Lift Project by Darren Morton and Jason Hinze. I was slightly jealous of the on-campus students doing the fun activities and games. Still, as a distance student, I enjoyed the tasks Two of my favourites were acts of kindness and writing a gratitude letter. At my

of lollies to keep him going He was so grateful and appreciative.

For the gratitude letter, I wrote to my lead pastors They’ve been two of the biggest influences in my life. I met their daughter in Year 3 and we’re still best friends. They welcomed me into their home and treated me like a daughter I’d stay over just so I could go to church with them every Sunday. To this day, I serve alongside them, and writing that letter was deeply meaningful. They were moved and sent me two letters in return - a double portion blessing!

I love the drive into Avondale. Everyone talks about it, and rightly so It’s breathtaking We’re so blessed to have such a beautiful campus here at Lake Macquarie It’s always special to visit for end-ofsemester exams, stroll past the jacaranda trees, or enjoy a study break at Seven@Avondale café

We’re truly blessed with the best at Avondale - the amazing lecturers and doctors who teach us Each one brings their own experience and stories. Even as a distance student, I’ve had some fun experiences and met amazing friends through online Zoom classes. Science has been a blast with Dr Gemma Christian, Dr Jason Morton, and Dr Lynden Rodgers. We’ve shared laughs, almost cried, and found joy in the small things, memories I’ll always cherish.

study from afar, the experience has d supportive I may only have two t I know I can talk to them about assignments and offer support, just as they do for me

To every student, keep going! You’re doing an amazing job Soak up every experience, lecture, friendship, and - yes, assignments, as it will all be over in the coming years.

I’m sure many other mums studying by distance are also juggling different hats Maybe we should start an online community group - just to connect, chat, and support one another Because let’s face it - being a working mum is hard. This experience has been fun, stressful at times, but absolutely worth it I’m so glad I’m finally at uni and working towards big dreams and goals - I have no regrets. I’m still creating memories and forming those special friendships from

HOTTEST 100 of Australian songs

The 2025 Triple J Hottest 100 of

Songs countdown was a landmark event celebrating Triple J’s 50th anniversary by featuring only Australian tracks from any year More than just a countdown, it holds profound cultural significance - shaping generations, championing local and diverse music, sparking social conversations, and fostering a shared national experience that continues to define Australia’s music identity

51. Brother – Matt Corby

52. The Special Two – Missy Higgins

53 Better In Blak – Thelma Plum

54 I Touch Myself – Divinyls

55 My People – The Presets

56 Working Class Man – Jimmy Barnes

57 Wish You Well – Bernard Fanning

58 Frontier Psychiatrist – The Avalanches

59 Need You Tonight – INXS

60 Let Me Down Easy – Gang of Youths

61 Talk Is Cheap – Chet Faker

62 Australia Street – Sticky Fingers

63 I Was Only 19 (A Walk In The Light Green) – Redgum

64 Cosby Sweater – Hilltop Hoods

65 Confidence – Ocean Alley

66 Power And The Passion – Midnight Oil

67 ! (The Song Formerly Known As) – Regurgitator

68 Chemical Heart – Grinspoon

69 Weather With You – Crowded House

70 (Baby I've Got You) On My Mind – Powderfinger

71 Jimmy Recard – Drapht

72 Freak – Silverchair

73 1955 [Ft Montaigne/ Tom Thum] – Hilltop Hoods

74 London Still – The Waifs

75 The Unguarded Moment – The Church

76. 4ever – The Veronicas

77. Weir – Killing Heidi

78. Black Fingernails, Red Wine – Eskimo Joe

79. Hello – The Cat Empire

80. We Are The People – Empire Of The Sun

81. Berlin Chair – You Am I

82 High (Ft Nicole Millar) – Peking Duk

83 Cigarettes Will Kill You – Ben Lee

84 Streets Of Your Town – The Go-Betweens

85 Delete – DMA'S

86 Hearts A Mess – Gotye

87 The Deepest Sighs, The Frankest Shadows – Gang Of Youths

88 Chateau – Angus & Julia Stone

89 Hertz – Amyl And The Sniffers

90 Black Betty – Spiderbait

91 No Aphrodisiac – The Whitlams

92 Electric Blue – ICEHOUSE

93 Since I Left You – The Avalanches

94 Clair de Lune [Ft Christine Hoberg] – Flight Facilities

95 Calypso – Spiderbait

96 Evie (Parts 1, 2 & 3) – Stevie Wright

97 I Want You – Savage Garden

98 Red Right Hand – Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds

99 Blue Sky Mine – Midnight Oil

100 Better – The Screaming Jets

FACTS AND FIGURES

OVER 2.65 MILLION VOTES

More tracks came from the 2000s than any other decade

The Hottest 100 of Australian Songs in July 2025 saw a massive 2,655,826 votes cast by fansmaking it the fourth biggest Hottest 100 ever

There were seven songs in this countdown that had never appeared in any previous annual Hottest 100

The countdown mixed classic Rock (AC/ DC, Cold Chisel), Pop (The Veronicas, Kylie Minogue), Hip-hop (Hilltop Hoods, Bliss n Eso), Indie and Electronic (Flume, The Avalanches)

18-29YRS = BIGGEST # OF VOTERS

More than half of the top picks by voters aged 18–29 were released before they were even born - proving classic Aussie tracks really never age

Since 2015, the Hottest 100 has raised at least $3 3 million AUD for Australian charities

The list spanned about 50 years of Australian music history, from tracks released in the early 1970s to modern songs from 2021

Nearly the whole of Australia is represented across the Hottest 100 of Australian Songs, with almost half of the list coming from NSW Victoria is represented by 24 artists, Queensland has 11 entries and the west coast has clocked in six times

24 artists across the countdown having a profile on Unearthed.

Most songs from the list dropped winter as artists & labels aim to build momentum and maximise radio play

There were more than 70,000 different song entries

s had to feature at 0% Australian artists

The difference between the 100th and 101st song on this list? Just 30 votes - your vote truly counts

Bailee McLeod

Y o u w o u l d n ’ t l

h o u r i n t h e a s y

w h e r e t h e y r a i

Justin Bieber seems to be the onl casually on Instagram like its 20 more like him and just post the d

The landscape of social media has vastl over its somewhat 20-year existence. In 2004 lot of you were just twinkles in your mothe 19-year-old Mark Zuckerberg launch Facebook’ at Harvard University The pla originally only available to Harvard stud used the platfor m to rate people’s attractiv think Simone de Beauvoir just threw up in h

Within a month of its launch, over half the Harvard undergraduate class had profiles. From September ’05, US high school students were able to make profiles, and then it reached UK universities in the coming months In ‘06, the platform launched to anyone with a registered email address.

eatly ve it; ; it’s s 14 self, I’ve want

nothing more than to never scroll again, but I can’t wait to see what the algorithm feeds me next. It’s exhausting Is this just me? No? Phew (this is me hoping you agree lol).

It’s safe to say, Facebook left MySpace in the dust

In 2010, Instagram was co-founded by Kevin Systrom and Mike Krieger Their early concept was called Burbn and centred around posting check-ins with an image However, the pair reworked it to make it centred around photographs taken on a mobile device The app rapidly grew, and by April 2012, it was bought by Facebook (now Meta) for US$1 billion in cash and stock

Now, I can’t speak on Facebook because, shock horror, I’ve never had it, and don’t plan on joining

After a year off, I re-entered the social platform and I had whiplash. The type of content I was used to seeing was dead and buried and replaced by reels In that year users had to pivot (Ross is that you?!) their approach to the good old gram again and again to meet new algorithm demands. My sacred stills were being buried, and so were everyone else’s Instagram doesn’t give much time to the quotidian anymore. It’s a marketing tool And the subject and marketer? You

Whether you realise it or not, we all have a subconscious content plan There are a million and one thoughts that go through our heads when planning what to post - and you know what, it didn’t exist when the app started.

An app that started as sharing a simple photographyour morning coffee, a beach pic with the Valencia f ilter (an old favourite of mine) – has turned into a content machine that is begging for and stealing our attention Photos? Not the best way to gain reach anymore. Now, thanks to the TikTok (please get the Adele reference), you have to consistently perfor m in front of your phone and skillfully edit videos to trending sounds to get any type of reach on Instagram. Look, I am not against a good little dance. Musical theatre raised me – expressing yourself through song, sign me up. But f ilming a little dance for my gram I’m literally not going to do that like ever. I love watching the little dances, but I can’t get on the train of doing them The Manchild dance, I wish I could do that. And the Apple dance – I do it every time I listen to that song Filming a f it check? Guilty as charged, I love them and post them. Do I have to swallow my pride when I do, guilty also Romanticising my life? Yes. I am the star of the show that is my life

o’clock news. News without the influence of Murdoch, sign me up.

This poses a whole new problem in my brain. How can I post a selfie, or talk about pop culture, or even show my morning coffee, when on the next scroll, there is a video of a child being bombed? The banal and mundane exist with the horrors; that fact does not take away my guilt It makes me feel careless and self-conscious The reality is that I care so much about what is happening in the world that it’s, at times, paralysing I need to disconnect from my phone, but I also recognise that it is a privilege to be able to turn away from the mass grief and brutality that we now see 24/7. Thanks to an article in The New Yorker, I now refer to this dilemma as ‘posting ennui’.

(Oh, and now AI and deep fakes have entered the chat – I can’t talk about that otherwise we will be here for literally another thousand words )

Removing the stress of posting and the algorithm, the landscape is still incredibly overwhelming Traditional media has pivoted its content to bite-siz ed for ms for platfor ms like Instagram Great, now we can stay up to date with current affairs. Except it means between the glitz and the fluff, we see atrocity and injustice The upside, new media companies are now infor ming and providing news in a digestible way for younger audiences who may not be watching the seven

The algorithm is never in our favour So, you may as well film those silly little videos, post your images and let them be buried by the algo While I’ll never be dancing on the internet, don’t stop doing it, because I want to see!! The horrors? They aren’t going anywhere either So, we need to be diligent enough to get outside of our echo chambers, to remain well informed, well rounded, and compassionate human beings. It’s literally the least we can do as privileged Australians

TW* This ar ticle discusses g ra phic and sensitive topics such as bodily experiences, trauma, and illness The intention is not to shock, but to eng age thoughtfully with ar t rhetoric. Taylah Jones

T h e V u l g a r T r u t h : W h y W o m e n ’ s

G r a p h i c S e l f - R e p r e s e n t a t i o n

M a t t e r s i n C o n t e m p o r a r y A r t

Emin doesn’t pretty her life up for tradition’s sake She brings the private into the open, reclaiming women’s complex realities as artworthy. But here’s the bigger question: why should we care about art that some dismiss as graphic or vulgar? Art history never struggled with male “vulgarity ” Men like Courbet painted close-ups of the female for m without flinching Marcel Duchamp placed everyday objects like urinals in galleries and called them art. Yet when women dare to use their own bodies or physical realities as subject matter, it’s suddenly considered too raw, too much, too inappropriate

That double standard is exactly what artists like Emin are f ighting, confronting It challenges centuries of being seen through a narrow lens and reclaims space for lived female experiences

Often, what some call vulgarity is exactly what gives the work its power and moves its viewer It is unpolished, relatable, and honest. It is the difference between a flawless marble Venus admired from a distance and an unmade bed that makes someone quietly recognise their own experience within it

There’s also something deeply communal in women’s vulgar art. While Emin’s bed was personal, it also became political, because people saw themselves in it. The evidence of sadness struck a chord I'd say we've all been in that room, full of confronting human brokenness, if not literally than metaphorically But I won't say that. I don't want to speak for you. Your experiences are not mine, nor are mine yours, and this, in many ways, is the foundation of contemporary women’s art Their art begins from personal truth; it acknowledges that each life is distinct, yet through sharing those differences, it creates understanding

That’s the paradox of confessional art: the more specif ic it is, the more universal it becomes Emin’s messy bed was her heartbreak, but it was also everyone’s heartbreak Just as Frida Kahlo’s surreal, painful self-portraits were about her pain, they were also about the pain of women who’d never seen their experiences reflected in art before.

Maybe that’s the real genius of this vulgarity: it

transfor ms the private into solidarity

At the end of the day, women’s art doesn’t need to be polite It shouldn’t be After centuries of silence, objectif ication, and erasure, women reclaim power not by painting themselves into old moulds, but by breaking those moulds.

When Emin puts her bed in a gallery or paints the bruised colours of a body in survival, she is saying: this too is art, this too is life, and this too deserves to be seen, acknowledged.

And maybe, if art is truly about reflecting the human experience, then the vulgar isn’t vulgar at all, it’s just honest

Now, while I say this, I hold a duality in mind: you don’t have to like, agree, or feel comfortable with this kind of art, its images, or messages. Art, like any for m of expression, can be challenging, confrontational

However, dismissing or criticising this art simply because it doesn’t f it your personal tastes or lifestyle misses its profound signif icance. This work matters deeply, not only to the women who see their experiences reflected, but also to the larger cultural conversation about who gets visibility and voice

Conservative art certainly speaks volumes, and it’s beautiful and powerful in its own way But one could argue conservative art alone hasn’t created enough change or validated women’s realities that have long been ignored or minimised.

If genuine equity is desired, across genders, across life experiences, we need to engage with art that does not align with our personal standpoints. It’s not equitable to reject women’s representations of the experiences they are often forced to endure, never mind the actual experiences themselves.

So yes, the graphic or “vulgar” aspects of women’s art aren’t for everyone But their importance extends far beyond individual preference. They are necessary disruptions They are invitations to listen, reflect, and ultimately, to acknowledge the full humanity and validity of women’s lives.

Lynnette Lounsbury

o v e I s n ’ t S a f e –

a n d i t h a s n o

b o r d e r s .

In a world that is telling us to protect borders, keep out strangers, deport “foreigners”, ignore the diff iculties of indigenous people, and generally be full of fear that someone is going to “take our stuff ” , take a second to consider what Jesus actually said about human citiz enship

Jesus was always pretty careful about being too specif ic with his examples (it’s almost like he knew people would try and wiggle out of being unself ish if they could f ind a loophole), but on some things he was unequivocally universal:

He told people to give away everything to the poor, not a few things - everything (that is not a safe decision) He told people to visit those in prison (not the safest thing you can do). He told us that if someone asked for your shirt, give them your coat as well.

He told us to love the people who do us har m, who scare us, who make our lives diff icult. He modelled standing up to the conservatives in his religion who

were using spiritual law to control people, and to corrupt people using religion for moneymaking purposes (neither of these decisions turned out safely for him)

Most famously, he said: Love your neighbour as yourself Do we really think he only meant our Australian neighbours? Or did he mean that family stuck in a warzone with no food and little hope of survival? Do you think he just meant middle-class, educated people? Do you think he only meant Christians? And do you honestly think he only meant people who look like you?

Jesus showed us repeatedly and def initively that safety is not the number one priority of our lives Who told you that keeping yourself “safe” was the most important thing? Politicians did, when they turned immigration and refugees into a political issue to convince you to vote for them Who told you that you deserved a better life than other people? Capitalism did, when it wanted you to spend money on yourself rather than giving it away. Who told you that the way

j , y yourself standing next to a literal white supremacist Nazi at a rally that makes a particular group of

you really need to take a yourself with.

es and pray for those who thew 5:43-48

ve them do to you. Luke

Jesus, then love cannot Compassion cannot be be reduced to good Jesus never promised d love. And real love has ything of us: our time, d our fear So, the next for safety over mercy, or nts to send desperate families to an internment camp, ask yourself honestly, who are you following?

Ai or Ai-not

Artif icial intelligence (AI) is changing how academic writing happens, and universities are feeling the pressure. While AI offers new possibilities, it’s also creating serious problems, from breaking trust and complicating assessment to worsening mental health and limiting creativity.

Loss of Trust and Academic Integrity

One of the biggest problems with AI in academic writing is the loss of trust. Lecturers have diff iculty distinguishing whether a student’s work is truly theirs or generated by AI tools. This suspicion creates a tense and competitive environment Some students feel pressure to secretly use AI just to get good grades or pass assessments, even if it's used simply for peace of mind by ensuring they’ve answered the question or rubric, or for help with editing and brainstor ming. While others misuse its generosity, such as submitting entire AI-generated essays without effort. It’s important to remember that integrity and trust go hand in hand, and trust is the cornerstone of understanding The resulting culture har ms honest learning and makes lecturers question the value of student work, even from those who aren’t misusing AI and who may naturally excel in academic writing.

Struggling to Adapt Assessment and Policies

Universities are scrambling to update policies and decide how to handle AI-written work The problem is that AI tools improve so quickly that it’s tough to keep up Universities now face a difficult task: encouraging responsible use of technology without lowering academic standards or fairness But enforcement is complicated; tools like Studiosity are already offering AI-assisted reviews of assessments Where is the line drawn between AI used for editing or Grammarly-like help? What about lecturers who use AI to create course materials or assessments? It’s even harder for academic boards to rely on AI detection tools when many approved systems themselves use AI for analysis and critiques of student work or deny its relaibility for academic punishment.

This uncertainty around AI use in academic work fuels student anxiety It may be time to rethink assessment methods to include more presentations, tests, or oral exams that better evaluate students’ true understanding and skills. Beyond that, there needs to be clearer responsibility and transparency around AI detection For example, should students be able to review their Turnitin AI detection percentages like similarity scores before submitting assessments? Where is the official guidance on which AI detection tools are recommended for screening student work? And how will academic boards fairly judge the integrity of a student’s work when flagged for AI use? This lack of clarity and consistency only adds fuel to the fire, increasing confusion and stress for students

Mental Health Challenges

As we mentioned the way universities are handling AI is also causing mental health pressures. Balancing full-time study and jobs is already tough for many students. Adding unclear AI policies and fears of punishment around AI use only increases stress and anxiety. Students feel stuck between needing AI tools to manage workloads and worrying about potential penalties. This impacts motivation, wellbeing, and social connections on campus Universities must prioritise clear, supportive AI policies that reduce, not add to, student stress

Widening Inequality and Skill Gaps

AI could make educational inequalities worse Students misusing AI might have unfair advantages, while others fall behind Without developing the core skills of writing and analysis, future graduates risk being unprepared for work, affecting employer confidence in university degrees. As workplaces adopt AI, students must learn to use these tools responsibly and creatively. However, there’s concern that AI’s dominance in creative fields, like Vogue’s AI-assisted photos, could limit individuality and originality. The question is: does AI enhance natural talent or wash away uniqueness despite human intelligence?

Creativity and the Future of Learning

Creativity is at risk if students lean too much on AI for ideas and writing. The creative process involves struggle, discovery, and personal expression, things AI can’t replace. When originality is compromised, the academic community loses rich, diverse perspectives. But AI also has the potential to enhance innate skills when used thoughtfully, freeing students to focus on deeper thinking and innovation.

AI is growing fast, and many are still trying to understand its causes and effects. While degrees and assessments now have different rules about how and how much AI can be used, the anxiety students feel about passing, not because they have cheated, but because they fear having to prove their integrity, is often overlooked This fear is real and growing

The 2025 U.S. Student Wellbeing Survey found that while 82% of students use AI tools for academic support, 66% report anxiety related to integrating AI into their studies Students worry about academic integrity, accidental plagiarism, and cognitive overload They also express concerns about fair access, as premium AI tools can be costly, creating an equity issue

We’re seeing students submit poorer work just to pass, not worrying about lowering their grades because, for many, it feels worse to be flagged for potential academic misconduct than to accept a lower mark. Whether you love AI, hate it, or support its moderate use, the rapid pace of its development is cause for serious concern.

If universities don’t get a better grip on what students are having to go through just to earn their degrees, the ones they often pay thousands of dollars for, this anxiety and pressure will only increase. It’s essential that institutions recognise and address these challenges to support students’ mental wellbeing and r g

Can you detect which is which, Human or AI?

a) This study combines several ideas to better understand the factors that affect how people think and change

b) A detailed analysis of the research methods used in this study revealed some unproductive assumptions that require closer examination.

c) The long-term data suggest that certain behaviours positively influence mental health

d) Conversations with participants provided unique insights that challenge the initial hypothesis and existing beliefs.

e) This paper highlights the need to integrate different fields to address complex environmental issues.

f) Early findings point to the value of using a mix of methods to clarify cause and effect.

g) The methods followed established guidelines but were not flexible enough to address new challenges

h) Personal stories from participants indicated the increased effectiveness of customised treatments

i) The ideas presented add to existing research and offer varied viewpoints for consideration in pathology.

j) Future studies should involve diverse groups over time to improve how widely the results apply.

Mirror mirror on my phone

and keyboard phase i online persona that’s really say about you?

You see the three dots (“typing…”) for an eternity.

A) Can’t stop watching...

B) Fire off three messages before they even finish

C) Turn phone off silent mode and keep doing my thing

It’s 174 unread messages in the group chat. Your move?

A) Question their genuineness and overthink it

B) Respond with something aggressively outdated: “roflcopter”

C) Reply “Haha.”

D) Already bounced and doomscrolling of nowhere.

How do you reply to a 38message, late-night rant?

A) Break it down play-by-play

B) A GIF summing up the vibe

C) Drop a “wild!” plus a semi relevant emoji

D) “Just saw this!”

You join a new group chat and everyone already has inside jokes. How do you handle it?

A) Ask questions bout the jokes

B) Start a totally new random topic

C) Just lurk for a while until you figure out the vibe

D) Mute the GC

D) Not worth a reply

Your phone autocorrect betrays you badly.

A) Quickly explain yourself

B) Double down

C) Let the mistake slide

D) Honestly, you barely text enough for it to matter

Group chat is voting on what to eat.

A) Jump in instantly with your choice

B) Completely ignore the question and derail into another topic

C) Drop a quick poll with the usual suspects

D) Don’t reply

A) My FOMO would have ‘em all cleared instantly

B) Pop in, start an unrelated chat, and hijack attention

C) Drop a “haha” reaction to remind them you exist

D) Archive and ghost

Your friend leaves you on “read” for hours. How do you react?

A) Analyse every message

B) Send a random funny meme

C) Wait patiently

D) You left them on read

Randomly, mid-conversation, someone hits you with an unwarranted “ok or k.” (with a period.)

A) Reread my last text

B) Reply “okidoki!” with rainbow sparkle text

C) Thumbs-up

D) Clock the weird vibe for half a second… then shrug

A) Tyrant Tina

You’re the resident overachiever, cough, cough, try hard (and yeah, a bit neurotic). Can’t send anything without checking spelling, grammar, and punctuation. You’re the one writing novels every time you text. Like, chill, no one needs a full report on what’s going on. Sure, you keep the chat sane and organised, but honestly? Nobody signed up for a grammar lesson or a

TED Talk Step back, live a little, and go outside - maybe even talk to a real person face-to-face for once You know, that thing people used to do before phones glued to hands were invented? Also, stop treating every notification like it’s a life-or-death emergency It’s just a text , not world peace Like the boomers say, put that blasted phone down and stop acting like the whole world revolves around it. Let someone else do the heavy lifting and run the chat for once, you might be shocked how refreshing it feels not to control everything.

C) Slacker Sid

You do the bare minimum - only and always You’re there, kind of, managing to be present without ever really showing up Honestly, your effort level is so low it’s borderline nonexistent , and your zero-drama vibe means you might as well not be in the chat at all half the time. But credit where it’s due: your simpleton vibe actually adds a weird kind of calmness, like

a white noise machine That bare-minimum energy means you only show up when someone else does all the hard work People accommodate you without you even realising how much time, energy, and effort they’re putting in to keep things running smoothly - because you’re too caught up in your own world. If you want to avoid getting kicked out of the group or having only acquaintances, it’s time to step up and contribute more than just the bare essentials. Otherwise, just stay quiet and spare everyone the act of pretending you consider them a friend.

B) Havoc Hank

Ahh, everyone’s notification nightmare You’re a natural disaster wreaking havoc on the chat with an endless flood of memes and cringe-worthy throwback jokes. Sometimes your timing is so off it’s baffling, and honestly, your memes often leave people with a bad taste But hey, at least you keep the chat interesting, or wildly unpredictable

Here’s a thought: maybe pump the brakes and let the rest of us breathe for a minute Not every single moment needs your unsolicited “humour ” Off the chat , maybe apply that same restraint - keep your mouth closed at dinner or during a serious conversation Ever heard of timing? Or reading a room? Seriously, some people don’t want to be blasted non-stop by whatever nonsense you find “funny.” Take the hint and tone it down before the whole group mutes you permanently, or worse, starts avoiding your messages altogether.

D) Kill-joy Kay

You show up waaaay late, dropping a casual “just saw this”, like it’s some big revelation, but all you really do is kill the conversation and, more importantly, the vibe everyone was trying to build Yeah, you dodge drama like a pro, and sure, avoiding conflict is a skill, except in your case, it comes off more like you’re just running scared from actually engaging or

committing to anything meaningful Your habit of showing up late with these half-assed responses doesn’t just drain energy; it sucks the life right out of any possible connection or conversation. You act like your silence is some zen, peaceful choice, but honestly, if it’s not lazy, then there is a layer of selfishness. If avoidance and minimal effort are your game, maybe just stay out of sight completely instead of dragging everyone down with your dead weight. The truth is people question if you’re worth the effort at all.

Kelce literally spoke

into existence and now they’re the planet’s most aggressively adored couple

Taylor Swift

abort mission K Tr in im e via hy

SEND IT

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