fb.com/warwickboar

twitter.com/warwickboar theboar Wednesday 14th January, 2015 Est. 1973 | Volume 37 | Issue 6

Knight Fever: Petition calls to rescind honour More on page 2

Music Science Comment Sport Who made it? Best of 2014 I got (legally) high We are Charlie All-change for Varsity Page 15 Page 16 Page 8 Page 28 » Photo: Warwick Media Library the single most important thing you will do Find out about opportunities with teachfirst.org.uk/graduates

Sponsored by: TF2897 The Boar Warwick 265x44 Banner.indd 1 18/12/2013 16:37 theboar.org/News | @BoarNews | NEWS 2 2 News theboar.org Concerns over knighthood of vice-chancellor sparked a petition on the political and decreased spending on teach- Rebecca Myers campaigning website 38degrees.org. ing and research were also high- uk calling for his knighthood to be lighted. rescinded. It also expressed discomfort with Vice-chancellor Nigel Thrift has The petition stated: “We call the number of leading University been knighted by the Queen in upon David Cameron to refer the figures involved in the ‘private sec- her New Years Honours list. case of Sir Nigel Thrift to the Hon- t or.’ Professor Thrift joins other ours Forfeiture Committee, with First-year Classics undergrad- higher education figures in receiv- a view to rescinding Prof. Thrift’s uate Will Tait told the Boar, “A ing honours, such as the director 2015 knighthood.” knighthood remains one of the of Soas Paul Webley, poet-laureate The petition highlights that Pro- highest honours in the land and is Carol Ann Duffy, and celebrities fessor Thrift has been knighted on granted in recognition of excep- John Hurt and Joan Collins. the basis of his “services to higher tional service to the country. It is Professor Thrift said of the hon- education”. designed to reward and inspire our: “This honour is a wonderful work for the national interest. way of helping to mark the very “The stewardship of the contin- first day of the University of War- “The award recognises the ued rise of an educational institu- wick’s 50th anniversary year. numerous successes that we tion barely 50 years old to world “To me the award recognises the have all achieved together renown, a safe place within the top numerous successes that we have over the last ten years” ten educational institutions of the all achieved together over the last Sir Nigel Thrift country and highly valued research ten years. efforts would seem to meet these “I want to thank all those – staff, criteria.” students, alumni, and our support- Warwick For Free Education told ers and donors - who have played the Boar of their disapproval of the their part in Warwick’s many at- Thrift has held positions at both award, while comments below the tainments.” the universities of Oxford and Bris- petition read “universities must tol, and was described by the Royal never be corporations”, and “his Geographic Society as “one of the knighthood is for disservices to “Universities must never world’s leading social scientists.” Higher Education not service.” be corporations” The authors of the 38degrees pe- Second-year History of Art stu- Petition commentator tition described the knighthood as dent Chase Mason however told “an insult to both the staff and stu- the Boar: “I think Nigel Thrift is dents of the University.” great. He needs to be commended Times Higher Education supple- It currently has 426 signatures, at for his work.” ment noted that “the honour comes the time of going to print. The knighthood marks the be- after a turbulent year at the institu- VC Thrift’s controversial salary ginning of a year that sees the 50th tion”; the knighthood has attracted increases were cited by the petition anniversary of the University, with criticism among the student popu- as a factor in their disagreement celebrations planned throughout lation of Warwick. with the knighthood, while casual 2015. News of the knighthood has also » Graffiti found outside the Arts Centre Photo: Connor O’Shea contracts of staff at the University theboar Editorial Team FILM Paulina Dregvaite Editor Rebecca Myers NEWS Ann Yip [email protected] Andrew Russell [email protected] [email protected] Rosie Hurley Samuel Lovett GAMES Gabriella Watt Deputy Editors Raghav Bali Arthi Nachiappan [email protected] Joe Baker [email protected] Daniel Cope Connor O’Shea Sian Elvin April Roach MUSIC Sam Evans Sub-editors Samantha Hopps COMMENT Hiran Adhia [email protected] Jacob Mier [email protected] Shaquille Basar [email protected] Eloise Millard Maaike Spiekerman Nour Rose Chehab TV Laura Primiceri Helena Green Hannah Bettison [email protected] Ellie Campbell Grace Rothwell-Williams Sandeep Purewal Florence Vane MONEY Marc Barac [email protected] Osman Hassan SCIENCE & TECH Cayo Sobral Director of Business Alessandro Presa Junaid O’Balogun [email protected] Hannah Makin [email protected] Lacey Read FEATURES Rami Abusamra Head of Sales Pamela Rajadurai [email protected] Roxanne Douglas TRAVEL Samantha Hopps [email protected] [email protected] Farah Chaudhry LIFESTYLE Bethan McGrath Head of Marketing Kate Mant [email protected] Rebecca Stewart SPORT Luke Brown [email protected] Lizzi Pugsley [email protected] Warren Muggleton Photography Editor Ife Akinroyeje ARTS Catherine Lyon [email protected] Tom Lord [email protected] Alex Sturtivant BOOKS Emily Nabney Head of Logistics & Distribution Derin Odueyungbo [email protected] Carmella Lowkis [email protected] Lucy Skoulding

Get in touch:

WE WANT YOU! SUHQ, Floor Two theboar is printed on 100% recycled paper University of Warwick Leave your paper for someone else when finished To write for your student paper University Road Coventry theboar is the University of Warwick’s CV4 7AL editorially independent student newspaper Email the section editors above if produced entirely by and for students. Except where otherwise noted, theboar and the you want to write for the paper works in theboar are licensed under: [email protected] http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/2.0/uk theboar.org/News | @BoarNews | NEWS 3 3 News theboar.org News in Brief London college starts selfie course Mallika Vaznaik

arwick Students’ Un- ion (SU) has iden- tified the student responsible for de- Wliberately setting off the fire alarms at Skool Dayz in week eight. The individual has been banned indef- » Our Deputy News editors try ‘the art of photographic self-portraiture’ photos: April Roach, Arthi Nachiappan, Connor O’Shea, Rosie Hurley initely from all licensed premises at the SU. This includes the Copper Connor O’Shea Throughout the length of the of selfies, ‘Selfish’, is due to be pub- tical. Elena Prest, a second-year Rooms, Terrace Bar and food out- course, students will take part in lished in April 2015. Classical Civilisation student, sim- lets. He has also been banned from a series of lectures and seminars, Ellen DeGeneres may become ply stated: “Bullshit.” attending all events which are run A college in central London will which promise to “improve critical a key figure of inspiration for stu- Second-year student, Harmeet by the SU. begin to offer a course in selfies understanding of the photographic dents of the course as her Oscar Randhawa, was also doubtful about this year. self-portrait.” photo has become the world’s most the course. She commented: “I am The course, which will run for The selfie-taking course also retweeted selfie. the queen of selfies… But that’s so he Warwick University from March at the City Lit College promises to explore the key themes The Queen might also be cri- vain. Why would you do a course community participated in Covent Garden, will offer stu- of identity, selfhood and memory. tiqued for her selfie poses as the in that?” in a “Dress Down Day” for dents the chance to learn ‘The art Students will also develop skills monarch had her first selfie taken The course is open to all who cancer research by wearing of photographic self-portraiture’. in analysing and critiquing the in Belfast in July 2014. Her Majesty wish to improve their selfies. Its Tjeans and Christmas jumpers on The month-long course will cost work of a “variety of practitioners.” appeared alongside a male teenager webpage encourages “everyone Friday 19 December 2014. Collec- students £132, with students ex- This may include the works of who introduced the Queen to the from any background, who has en- tively more than £2,100 was raised pected to provide their own photo- key “practitioners” of the art, such art form. gaged in self portrait – even in the including Gift Aid to support pio- graphic equipment. as Kim Kardashian, whose book Students at Warwick were scep- most casual way” to take part. neering cancer research at Warwick University. The £2,100 raised could fully fund tests on samples, racks for gel electrophoresis, chemother- Facebook popularity UK students against apy pumps, seven days of transla- tional research or three and a half can hamper fundraising sweatshop electronics days of testing new medicines. Rosie Hurley “The problem is that everyone Alex Ball Workers often endure poverty wag- publication about Wiki- thinks the same thing and therefore es, forced overtime, unsafe working pedia written by a War- the actual amount of money that’s conditions, serious health hazards wick professor has been People with fewer friends on donated is less than it would have Student organisation People and and violations of their associational chosen as the ‘Book of the Facebook raise more money for been had fewer friends been asked Planet held protests on 10 De- rights.” AWeek’ by Times Higher Education charity than those with a greater in the first place.” cember 2014 against rights viola- The report also tells of MiYeon (THE). The book was the work of number of connections, revealed The research also discovered that tions of workers in the electronics Kim, aged 35, from South Korea, Dr Nathaniel Tkacz, from the Cen- a study by a Warwick professor. the amount of money people raise industry. The protests focused who after working in the semicon- tre for Interdisciplinary Methodol- There is supposedly a negative for charity doesn’t just depend on particularly on China, the Philip- ductor industry for 15 years and ogies, and addresses the subject of correlation between the size of the how many friends they have, but on pines and Thailand, among other two months for Samsung, suffered open politics. ‘Wikipedia and the group and the amount of money the challenge itself – more cash is places. from cancer and an involuntary Politics of Openness’ is the first given by each donor, according to generated by those who complete According to People and Planet abortion. comprehensive critique of the role data from JustGiving.com. tougher fundraising activities. such working conditions have led Ms Kim told the report: “[I no- of openness in digital politics and Professor Kimberley Scharf, a “Whilst running is by far the several as young as 18 to take their ticed that I had] trouble getting beyond. research director at the university’s most popular event on JustGiving, own lives in desperation. pregnant. Eventually, I did [fall Centre for Competitive Advantage it is in fact individuals who com- As one in five computers across pregnant], but it turned out I had in the Global Economy (CAGE) plete triathlons that typically attract Europe are bought by public insti- a pregnancy-related tumour, so I he doorman of a Coventry found that, for every extra connec- the largest number of donations tutions such as universities, stu- had to undergo surgery and have nightclub was stabbed at tion someone had on Facebook, and raise the most money in total,” dents have been calling on them to an abortion. 2.45am on New Year’s Day. the average contribution from each said Professor Scharf. use their contracts with electron- The company only gave me five The incident took place person dropped by two pence. It appears that “doing something ics-producing brands to push for days sick leave after my illness and Tat Club M in the city-centre. The These findings add to her earlier physically demanding and asking a improvements to workers’ rights. abortion, so I had to resign. My doorman stepped in on a group research, which suggests large so- small group of friends for their sup- The protests have also been aim- doctor told me that the disease I of men acting suspiciously in the cial groups are less likely to share port is much more effective than ing to encourage public sector bod- contracted while I worked in the smoking area, but when he asked information about fundraising ef- relying on donations from lots of ies to join Electronics Watch, an semiconductor industry could be them to leave he was attacked. The forts when compared to those in people for what would be perceived independent monitoring initiative related to the working conditions, investigation is ongoing, but so far smaller circles, published in the as a relatively less exerting activity.” that enables public institutions to but he was reluctant to say there no-one has been arrested. The man November issue of the Internation- Alex Hesketh, a second-year combine their spending power to was a direct correlation”. survived and will be discharged al Economic Review. English Literature student who is insist on better working standards The report also noted that work- from hospital soon. She found that people in large taking part in Cancer Research in their supply chains. ers in China “reportedly endure 12- social groups often feel less of a UK’s Dryathlon by giving up alco- Electronics Watch have pub- hour shifts, six or sometimes seven need to share information about hol for the month of January, agrees lished a report into workers’ con- days a week during peak produc- man has died in hospital charitable causes because they ex- with the findings. ditions in the electronics industry, tion periods”. on 7 January following pect other friends will instead. He said: “People with a lot of so- providing evidence of dangerous Auste Cerniauskaite, a student a lorry crash at a set of Such ‘free-riding’ is the key to cial media connections might as- levels of occupational disease and at Birmingham University said: road works in Coventry. explaining her findings, and is a sume a blanket plea would attract accidents, 70-hour weeks, poverty “We’re campaigning to show the AThe accident took place at the Toll phenomenon which also extends to plenty of attention. pay and repression of unions. level of student support there is for Bar island. The driver of the lor- giving in social groups too. Some- “A group of 20 good friends, per- The report states that: “Eu- this. We are glad to see our univer- ry is now assisting the local police times people don’t bother paying haps in a society or club would al- ropean states are buying billions sity actively engaging with us on force with their enquiries. Special because they expect friends to most certainly donate more collec- worth of ICT equipment that is at the issue. I hope it joins Electronics officers have been appointed to aid stump up most of the cash. tively than 100 loose connections.” high risk of having been produced Watch and sets an example for oth- and address the grievances of the Professor Scharf commented: in violation of basic labour rights. er universities to follow.’’ family. theboar.org/News | @BoarNews | NEWS 4 4 News theboar.org Warwick Prof: cancer is the “best” death last goodbye.” The article said that the notion that Arthi Nachiappan There are four ways to die, ac- it is best to leave cancer untreated is cording to Dr Smith: “sudden death; “cruelty disguised as kindness”. the long, slow death of dementia; The article also cited that numer- Warwick professor Dr Richard the up and down death of organ ous cancer survivors have gone on Smith faces heavy criticism for failure, where it’s hard to identi- to work, or to start a family, or to comments he made last month, fy the final going down, tempting function in a productive capacity claiming that death from cancer doctors to go on treating too long; for a meaningful period of time as a was the best form of death and as and death from cancer, where you result of their treatment. such, there should not be as much may bang along for a long time but Janet Freeman-Daily, a metas- money invested into it. go down usually in weeks.” tic lung cancer patient who writes Smith, ex-editor of the British He added: “suicide, assisted or for blog Gray Connections, also re- Medical Journal (BMJ), and chair otherwise, is a fifth, but I’m leaving sponded to Smith’s claims, stating of the board of Patients Know Best, that on one side for now.” that the reality of death from cancer a social enterprise that puts patients Smith argued that, although is far from the doctor’s “romantic” in charge of their medical records, most people choose sudden death, vision: wrote in a BMJ blog last month that this can be more difficult for family “Death by cancer happens when having time to come to terms with and friends to come to terms with, tumors cut off your air supply, your situation and to end your life especially if you die without time to compress your heart so it can’t beat with closure is preferred over treat- straighten out finances and mend properly, block your gut so you ment that has the effect of keeping any important relationships. can’t eat, cause organ failure, erode you at bay, without any resolution He highlighted that cancer is your bones, press on nerves, or de- until death. treated but not necessarily cured, stroy bits of your brain so you can’t cautioning us to “stay away from control your body or think proper- “I prefer a slower death, one overambitious oncologists”. ly. Sound painful? that’s expected, that will let me The publication of Smith’s pro- “Without pain medication -- revisit my life for a last goodbye.” vocative blog has sparked contro- sometimes even WITH morphine Luis Buñuel versy on the internet and social and whisky -- it is.” media. Many complaints by family He argued that the amount of Elaine Schattner wrote an article members and cancer survivors money that we invest into treating for business website Forbes titled were also made on social media, cancer patients is simply leading to “Why yes, we should treat cancer”, who disagreed that cancer gave the a “more horrible” death, and could arguing that Smith’s conclusions on patients’ families the best chance to be better invested elsewhere. this basis deny progress in oncolo- achieve closure. The example Smith referred to gy that have been made in the last The University has distanced it- was of filmmaker Luis Buñuel’s two decades. self from Smith’s views, emphasis- passing from cancer in 1983, of Deaths from cancer have seen a ing that “as a university, Warwick which Buñuel stated: “I prefer a significant fall since 1980, according has frequently stressed the impor- slower death, one that’s expected, to statistics released in December tance of continued investment in » Doctors debate about treatment of cancer photo: chapstickadict / that will let me revisit my life for a by the American Cancer Society. cancer research.” Flickr Water bill hikes up to 13,000 percent Rich without degrees

Joe Lester However, water audit expert Gra- seem like a large percentage in- Simran Thakral large amount of billionaire alumni. ham Mann claims that taxpayers in crease, but it is a reflection of how The London School of Econom- Coventry, a group which includes a good landowners have had it until ics was the only British University Firms and organisations in Cov- number of Warwick students in lo- n o w ”. A global census has recently to be on the list. entry and Warwickshire are set to cal accommodation, are likely to be However, on the water audit ex- found that only two-thirds of the Mallika Vaznaik, a first-year PPE be landed with water drainage bill indirectly affected since one of the perts website H20, Graham Mann world’s billionaires have a univer- student, commented: “I am not increases of up to 13,000 percent, organisations most severely affect- claimed that the increased rates sity degree. worried by this actually. I just think potentially affecting thousands of ed is Coventry City Council. are unfair, noting that the charges The information was collect- perhaps billionaires are more like- residents, according to an article According to the Coventry Tel- have been brought up to the level of ed from the profiles of extremely ly to not pursue higher education in the Coventry Telegraph. egraph, the Council faces a bill Severn Trent Valley’s scheme rather wealthy individuals, the Wealth-X because they already have brilliant The Canal and River Trust has increase from £29.04 to £3,798.50 than those of other water compa- and UBS Billionaire Census, which ideas for any enterprise and then written to several firms, stating that in one site, and it is possible that nies. are annually produced by a Swiss they have a head start.” their existing agreements are to be a number of other council-owned He questioned the size of the in- banking group and a Singaporean Ms Vaznaik added: “Also, per- terminated and replaced with new sites could also meet with similar crease, asking, “Why Severn Trent financial intelligence firm. haps most people just see univer- ones with higher fees. fee hikes in the near future. Water’s scheme? Examining the background of sities as a security measure for a Since the effects of such a hike News about possible increased “Well Severn Trent Water are one more than 2,300 billionaires, the more secure future so might be less are currently only speculative, it is fees has left some students worried of the highest charging schemes for study found that wealth accumula- willing to take risks in businesses.” unclear at the moment how exactly about the effects on their budgets. surface water in the UK. If they tion is in fact self-taught and results Warwick students and other Cov- Leah Clark, an English Literature wish to adopt a water company from being a self-starter trained on entry residents will be affected. student at Warwick University and charge scheme then they should be the market stall as opposed to being The hiked charges are focused Coventry resident, commented: regulated like any other water com- an intellectual. on organisations rather than indi- “I guess the Canal and River Trust p any.” The study revealed that only vidual residents. have the right to increase their At a 2014 press conference, Rich- two-thirds of billionaires had an charges but it’s unfair that they have ard Parry of the Canal and River undergraduate degree. However, a done it so drastically. Many people Trust suggested that the charity smaller 25 percent of billionaires probably are not even aware of the plans to finish a new business plan had a masters degree. Meanwhile, charity or its regular rates, so it is this April. only 10 percent had remained in wrong for them to demand such an Discussing the future of the education to achieve a doctorate. increase.” charity, he stated that: “Canals have However, when billionaires do The Canal and River Trust is to be about local involvement, local attend universities they typical- a charity which maintains 2,000 contribution”, a sentiment reflected ly attend prestigious universities. miles of waterways in England and in Stephen Hardy’s recent com- Amongst the 20 universities most Wales. ments when he claimed, “It is only popular with billionaires, US elite It claims that it is increasing the right that landowners make a con- institutions featured highly on the charges in accordance with what tribution to these costs.” list, including prominent univer- other companies, such as Severn It is possible that some firms sities such as Harvard, Yale, and Trent Water, already charge. will divert their drainage to Severn Stanford. Stephen Hardy, representing the Trent Valley to avoid the increased The University of Mumbai in Trust, said: “We are reviewing rates expenses, but this would likely be India and the Lomonosov Mos- because in many cases they have equally costly to carry out in the cow State University in Russia also » photo: myboysboy / Flickr not changed for decades. It might long run. ranked highly on the list, boasting a » photo: David Levitz / Flickr Sponsored by: theboar.org 8 Editor: Hiran Adhia 5 [email protected] Twitter @BoarComment COMMENT fb.com/groups/BoarComment STUDENT SOAPBOX Harriet Wilson “Leaving the classroom door open” hen people find out I am Editors’ Letters studying history, they nearly always ask if I am Wgoing to end up as a history teach- er. Luckily, for any minds I might potentially ruin, I have no plans to do so at this time. However, the way that teaching is seen as some- thing to ‘end up in’ and the old and “It’s hard to “Start seeing highly offensive adage that ‘those who can’t do, teach’, reflects how feel proud of life as an essay undervalued teaching is. When the government has missed its tar- deadline” get for teacher recruitment for the Warwick” third year running, leading to fears Luke Brown Hannah Bettison of a mass shortage in the future, Sports Editor Deputy Comment Editor these dated ideas definitely need to change. hen was it, exactly, that ing clear and overt police brutality t’s the New Year and our Face- man, the senior editor of Apple Despite the government spend- everything at Warwick on your own students. Don’t forget book feeds are full of variations product news website 9to5Mac ing large amounts on recruitment went rather mental? At that. on the same article of ‘must- where he’s been working nearly campaigns, figures show that in Wwhat point did it first begin to feel But then again, the protests that Ihave’ resolutions, normally featur- five years. Compare that to my life 2014, 7,700 fewer teachers were like this university – our university arose from that violence increas- ing at least one, probably multiple, achievements thus far: at best. I’ve recruited than in 2010. This leaves – was an institution of which it was ingly seem like the only reason to nicely worded reminders to “stop ticked a series of boxes on the pre- schools with no option but to in- becoming increasingly hard to feel be optimistic about Warwick at procrastinating”. Which is nearly determined educational ladder. crease class sizes, which critics ar- proud? the present. Naturally, it’s rather impossible, there always being one And my excuses of not enough gue will adversely affect the quality I guess some of it started when a shame that it needed some poor more hilarious cat video you just time or money are exactly that, of teaching. The risk is that some Warwick was awarded the ‘Univer- old soul getting a face full of CS have to watch before you start do- excuses, large scale justifications children, particularly those with sity of the Year’ award by the Times spray to really rally people, but it ing that really important thing. of life scale procrastination. While low attainment or greater educa- back in September. I remember was always going to take something However one wording stuck with I’m at university I say I don’t have tional needs, will be left behind as thinking it odd at the time, giv- rather remarkable to ignite our in- me: “The most dangerous risk of the money, I’ll do it when I get a teachers will be unable to give them en the then-recent press coverage famous blend of Warwick apathy. all – the risk of spending your life job. When I get a job I’ll say I don’t enough attention. Therefore we of Professor Thomas Docherty’s The succes of this demonstration not doing what you want on the bet have the time, I’ll do it when I re- should all be concerned about the unfair suspension for the heinous at least offers hope. That said, the you can buy yourself the freedom tire. When I retire I’ll probably just apparent shortage of teachers, ask- crime of tutting during a staff hard graft can’t all be left to the to do it later.” And yes, it was typed be too old, physically unable to do ing why it has come to this. meeting. But then again, it was only woolly-hatted and cagouled Free across one of those over-edited sce- the bucket list clichés of sky diving Obviously, there are myriad rea- last month the Times awarded their Education kids; us bog-standard, nic photos. or running a marathon. sons for the shortage of teachers, ‘Briton of the Year’ award to Nigel ‘moderate’ students need to treat It stuck because it made me see Life is limited, a truth I think but surely there is a link between Farage, so clearly that paper knows this as our wake up call, too. my life as an up-scaled version of many of us deny due to medical the lack of those entering the pro- as much about honorary accolades And if we don’t? Well, I guess my favourite procrastination tech- developments, ever-increasing life fession and how it is viewed. Last as I know about the municipalities things here will pretty much car- nique: making lists of what I need expectancies and, quite simply, be- year significant cuts to PGCE pro- of Western New Guinea. ry on the same. The true student to do rather than actually doing it. cause it’s terrifying. grammes were announced, and in Whilst we’re on the topic of voice ignored. The academics who A friend once decided she didn’t It’s scary to be reminded that an interview with the Sunday Tel- misplaced honours, this seems an work for us undervalued. And the want to live past the age of 27 for time, in the grand scheme of egraph, Nicky Morgan, the educa- appropriate spot to wish congrat- wrong people at the top reaping the fear of growing old and a desire to things, is limited. But being scared tion secretary, criticized teachers ulations to our dear old Sir Nigel rewards. follow in the footsteps of Kurt Co- isn’t necessarily a bad thing: in fact, for lacking professionalism. In this Thrift. To be honest, though, I must I don’t think I’m Russell Brand or bain, Amy Winehouse and the likes I think we need it. climate, where teachers are con- have missed the news that the crite- anything – I don’t sleep with nearly by joining the 27 Club. I want to be constantly reminded tinually undermined, why would ria for garnering yourself a knight- enough people and I’m a good boy However, now that 27 has crept that my life ultimately has a dead- young people be encouraged to hood has changed. For the ambi- who likes voting – but it does feel into our tangible future we look line, just like my essay that’s due in enter the profession? Teachers are tious types among you, it would like now is the time to stand up and back and laugh at the possibility Week 3 that I really should be writ- undoubtedly valued, but this never appear two such qualities that send be counted. that we ever thought we could have ing. shines through. Teaching needs a old Queen Lizzy weak at the knees The Warwick Twitter account achieved all we wanted in life by the Then, maybe, I’ll stop postpon- status upgrade: a makeover. are the abilities to accept a £16k proudly boasts that the University age of 27. ing those things that really matter Some steps are already being pay rise while your over-worked is never “afraid to upset the apple Yet I’m 20, the same age as the to me in favour of watching one taken to achieve this. For example, and underpaid staff are striking, as cart”. Let’s continue showing them youngest person on this year’s more cat videos, stop procrastinat- plans were recently announced for well as the gall to refuse denounc- that we students aren’t, either. Forbes 30 under 30 list, Mark Gur- ing on both scales, and start doing. the creation of a College of Teach- ers in England, finally allowing teachers to become high-status professionals alongside doctors and Rants & Raves: thoughts on New Year’s resolutions lawyers. However, more needs to be done. Teaching is, for many, a voca- tion but even those most dedicated The whole resolution business This year, in addition to my an- getting crazier.” Anonymous. Volunteer, drink less, or invite to it face being put off by such nega- is utterly asinine. If you want to nual tradition of trying to give the world to your book club. tive attitudes. If we want to prevent stop smoking and it happens to up sweet things, I’ve decided What better way to mark a new New year’s resolutions can be a shortage of teachers, not only do “be September, don’t hang around “that my new year’s resolution is to chapter, to cherish moments of “bold, brash or just plain madness. governments need to pay teachers for January to honour a tradition be more open-minded. This is not joy, learn from past mistakes, The change you make on Decem- more respect, so do we as a society. which ends up collapsing anyway. to say that I’ll no longer have opin- “and ignite hopes for a better year ber 31 might make all the differ- Get on with it! It’s the same with ions – standing up for your beliefs than come up with a resolution. In- ence. I bought my Warwick Sport Christmas. If you see something is always important. It’s just a mat- stead of making resolutions broad membership on January 4 because you think someone would like, ter of making sure I don’t become and vague, why not take the op- I admit defeat: taking the stairs to don’t wait for December. I’d much pig-headed, or uphold my opinions portunity to keep them limited and the fifth floor of the library doesn’t rather a present that says “I saw this so much that I totally dismiss the achievable? This year, I too have count as exercise. Fancy a change? and thought of you” rather than “I validity of other people’s thinking. a resolution: a simple one – to eat Act now and ignore the calendar. got you this because I’m obliged This is my way of injecting some healthy, specifically, to minimise Carpe diem. Or YOLO (unless your t o”. “ No time like the present” over peace and balance into my life at a carbohydrate with more protein resolution is to stop using nonsen- ‘Auld Lang Syne’.” Alistair D. time where the world seems to be and vegetables.” Simran T. sical slang).” Karishma J. theboar.org 9 6 | Are quotas Cartoon Corner making the cut? Reece Goodall

fter many years of negoti- ation and discussion, the Church of England now has Aa female bishop, Libby Lane, to be henceforth known as the Bishop of Stockport. Certainly a step forward, but this breakthrough has now opened the floodgates, with many people demanding more women bishops (which is fair enough) and, more alarmingly, calling for a quota of women bishops. In case you are unfamiliar with the concept, the quota is used to ensure a certain number of a minor- ity group. To be more specific, it is used in relation to big institutions – the Church, the government, gen- eral employment – to regulate the amount of people who are female, an ethnic minority, LGBTUA+ or whatever other criteria are applica- ble. I can certainly appreciate that these groups have a hard time, often facing discrimination, but the idea of quotas seems like a massive step backwards. When analysing the cabinet, at- tention is often paid to the amount of women or black people chosen to hold the most important posts, the idea being that the government cannot truly represent these groups if it does not have a representative » “New Year, New Me” Cartoon by Freya Verlander amount of them making crucial de- cisions. This reasoning does not make sense to me – roles as important as Katie, would you put a sock in it please? these ought to be selected on merit, and I see no trouble with having a Angus Taylor vents his frustration on how social media can glamorise ignorant opinions cabinet full of white, middle-class men if they are the best people for ig Brother is watching you. rageous, nor offensive enough for online. Our interest in serious issues social media trends or over-the- the job. If people are being denied In a very Orwellian turn of investigation. The important ques- is fleeting and only comes to the fore top spurts of outrage. We complain positions that they would be suitable events, tweets from Katie tion is why people listened to her when famous celebrities voice them. about stretched public finances and for and, indeed, good at, simply to BHopkins last week sparked enough view as much as they did. I, for one, Opinion then becomes viral due to the investigation of this particular fulfil a box-ticking exercise, some- outrage on Twitter to prompt a po- have absolutely no interest in what the speed at which it can be rapidly incident is a waste of time. thing is incredibly wrong. lice investigation. Her tweets were she has to say. People being offend- disseminated via social media. I think we are in danger of falling It also seems to be a bit of a kick in directed at the nurse who contract- ed by the offhand comments of one These incidents are also not mat- into a state where those in the spot- the teeth for the people supposedly ed Ebola describing her as a “sweaty of our political leaders is one thing, ters for the police. There is real racial light are followed endlessly, com- benefiting. There is pride in work- Glaswegian” and accusing the Scots reacting furiously to a tweet from a hate out there; religious preachers ments on social media are taken out ing hard and making your own way of sending “Ebola bombs” to Eng- former Apprentice star and column- issuing radical strands of their re- of context, and individuals are lam- to the top. land. ist at the Sun newspaper is quite an- spective religions. The police should basted for any slip of the tongue. Let To be given a cushy job based on A flurry of discussion followed other. It is political correctness gone focus on real issues rather us allow prominent celebrities and the colour of your skin or your gen- about whether the police should mad and another example of the than pandering sports stars the benefit of the doubt, der is, frankly, a bit insulting, and be involved in such a trivial matter British public’s fascination with the to brief and choose to ignore those whose you are effectively a ‘token’ employ- and if her comments were with- opinions of those least qualified to fame derives solely from attempts ee, in place to satisfy some form of in her rights to freedom of speech. give one. to incite outrage and offense. anti-discrimination law. The publicity of the event escalated She is not alone in shamelessly This is why as Katie Hopkins It ought to be the case that the when Adam Hill’s subsequent rant attracting public attention around stars on the current series of competent be rewarded – I know about Katie Hopkins and her com- a TV personality she has created. Celebrity Big Brother I will not that these laws are in place to pre- ments went viral on social media Others such as Russell Brand have be tuning in. vent daft situations based on daft several days later garnering thou- done similar things, baying to the viewpoints, but they are not the ex- sands of views. public’s need for quirky, strong cuse to shoehorn people into jobs The whole situation is slight- personalities online. It is a that some seem to think they are. ly farcical. The tweets were in bad shame that it takes Russell I wish The Most Rev. Lane all the taste and mildly offensive to every- Brand to make people best of luck in her future career, and one except the nurse in question listen to points of view »Photo: I hope that she does an excellent job (who definitely has more important that experts in their geek.scot in her new post, paving the way for things to worry about than Katie fields having been more women to become bishops. Hopkins slandering her). However, making for at least But if the situation becomes twisted the extent of the response online a decade. Maybe and calls start going out for every and the reaction of the police goes they are both tenth bishop to be a woman solely to only to show the power of social just a re- balance the books, then that is not media in making headlines from flection of trivial stories and trivial people. the type Yes, Katie Hopkins is entitled to of news Do you think quotas her opinion. That is how free speech Britain increase tokenism in works. Her comments were not out- r e a d s this country? Tweet: @BoarComment 7 theboar.org 7 | An open mind about open Connor O’Shea says YES Miguel Costa Matos says NO borders he purpose of a knighthood sity’s links with both national and igel Thrift does not de- succeed. If this wasn’t enough, is to recognise and reward international businesses and in- serve a knighthood and it academic staff pay has decreased Ijeoma Okoye significant contributions to dustries such as Jaguar Land Rov- is worthwhile to look into by 15 percent while Nigel Thrift’s Tcommunities lives; Thrift’s con- er, benefiting not only students, Nwhether Nigel Thrift’s “services to pay has soared by 27 percent. He tinued successes are certainly but also the regional automotive higher education” are commenda- is not alone in this as the Univer- t almost goes without saying deserving of this. I cannot under- industry from the research carried ble. sity has seen a substantial increase that immigration is a topical stand why such a large group of out by Warwick. In his years at Warwick, we have in the number of staff paid over issue; all that’s required for you students voice a hatred, let alone Thrift has also focused on mak- seen the University become in- $100,000. Year by year, Warwick Ito see how much it has re-sur- mount protests, against his recent ing Warwick a university that creasingly divided. Last year, we becomes a tale of two cities, nested faced to the forefront of current knighthood. looks out at the continually glo- saw several strikes and this year together, intimately yet uncom- affairs is to turn on your TV or Without doubt, Sir Nigel has balising world. Thrift has overseen there was a threat of a marking fortably, and towering above these Google ‘UKIP’. But while it is an led Warwick well since he was ap- initiatives such as Warwick in Af- boycott during which the Univer- two cities is a University manage- area clouded by media coverage pointed vice-chancellor in 2006. rica and the International Gate- sity did not protect students nor ment that consumes increasing and voter appeasement, it is also a Any corporation, including uni- way for Gifted Youth. His strategy negotiate, instead threatening to amounts of resources. Spending subject of genuine debate within versities, needs strong leadership, has also focused on establishing lock workers out. After the police on teaching and learning has fall- which the notion of open borders and we must remember that, dur- partnerships with leading global brutality at the December 3 pro- en by 4 percent between 2009 and in particular is perhaps the most ing his time in office, Warwick universities in the US, Australia, test, Thrift abused his power to 2012, coming close to being un- controversial. has been continually ranked in- India, Asia and Europe, and more e-mail to all students by telling a der 50 percent of the University’s The arguments against open side the top 10 in the league ta- Warwick students than ever before narrative that was thoroughly dis- spending. This is clearly not in the borders are similar to the argu- bles, produced world leading re- are now going on years abroad. proven by video evidence, namely interests of students, staff or the ments against general immigra- search, and is currently the Times His strategic leadership has been that police communicated with University. tion. For instance, opponents ar- ‘University of the Year’. Of course, essential for improving the student protesters before using violence. This is evident in the university gue that if we allow ‘swamps’ of every member of the Warwick experience. This did not calm tensions be- rankings, which consumes student unskilled immigrants into a state, community has a part to play, but Outside Warwick, Sir Nigel tween protesters and management. interest these days. Newcomers it could compromise both the these successes would not have has dedicated his life to the high- On December 4, Warwick saw the like Surrey and Exeter are rising identity and economic develop- been possible without the leader- er education sector, having held biggest demonstration in its his- quickly and established compet- ment of the country in question. ship of Thrift whose job is to pro- leadership posts at both Oxford tory, and a weeklong occupation itors like UCL and Bath continu- Some would also question the vide a clear strategic direction for University and Bristol. He is also forced to leave by a court injunc- ally outpace Warwick in improve- extent to which free movement is the University. an academic powerhouse, a lead- tion that has been condemned by ments to infrastructure, student a right, as the right of one person On the business side, Sir Nigel ing figure in human geography Amnesty International. satisfaction and research. With imposes obligation on another. If has propelled Warwick to new who continues to actively research This division is not just political the real University of Warwick, the any given person has the right to heights. Under Thrift, turnover alongside his role as vice-chancel- but is founded in social experienc- learning community, divided, un- enter a country, who is obliged to has increased from £330 million lor. es. Warwick relies increasingly on derfunded and casualised, it is no grant their request? in 2006 to £480 million last year. Sir Nigel Thrift is due to retire casual staff, including 40 percent surprise that it is so. However, there are also some Thrift’s clear ability to drive de- at the end of 2015 and I truly be- of the postgraduates who teach If these are Nigel Thrift’s ser- assumptions the ‘against’ argu- velopment should not go unre- lieve that his knighthood is a well our seminars. These tutors are de- vices to higher education, then a ment makes that are worth ques- warded. Since taking up the role deserved reward for his lifetime nied adequate wages, office space knighthood is something he does tioning. Thrift has developed the Univer- service to higher education. and other conditions required to not deserve. Open borders would not neces- sarily lead to certain countries be- ing flooded, as many would choose not to move, or the levels of immi- Who is responsible for Malaysia’s missing planes? gration from one side to another may balance out. Nour Chehab Arguments that immigration » Photo: stmaartenpiloot / Flickr lines, some companies are driven controls always aim to exclude to opt for younger, cheaper, and particular distinct groups are ar- t the start of every new year, less experienced, pilots in at- bitrary. Countries themselves are we tend to look back and tempts to reduce prices. relatively new, artificial features remember the most impor- So is global warming killing us of civilisation compared to the Atant events that agitated the world. in yet another unforeseen way? Or trend of migration and so perhaps Amidst wars, conflicts, financial is the competitive market forcing should not be seen as fixed. crisis and natural disasters, one airlines to lower their standards? My final argument may sit best thing has prevailed on the 2014 Many argue that the casual- with anarchists. Opponents of news: airplane incidents. ties from aerial complications are strict border controls point out Malaysia Airlines, flight insignificant compared to other that human rights are universal, MH370: the plane disappeared transport. While the road kills not dependent on ideas of belong- from radar screens on March 8. more than 1.3 million people per ing or state-recognised citizenship. There were 239 passengers, no year, only 1217 people died in Freedom of association is an inal- bodies were found. aerial incidents in 2014. ienable right that includes crossing Malaysia Airlines again, flight So why do so many people international borders. MH17: the plane broke in mid-air dread planes but are fine with cars I find valid points in both sides above Ukraine, 298 deaths were when logical thought would dic- of the debate but what I find more reported. A week later, on July 24, tate the opposite? interesting is that it reveals facts Air Algérie, flight AH5017 struck In a post-9/11 period, flying about human relations while the ground nose-down, 116 people in an airplane is also subject to holding the potential to shake up died. aerial terrorism fear. In fact, when the way we’re used to seeing the More recently, on Sunday 28 news and social media? It is, per- and exposed itself to shootings, MH370 went missing, rumours world. Will our current system of December, Indonesia AirAsia, haps, the mystery and many un- AH5017 turned left to avoid bad talked about a suicide mission, a states and borders remain a feature flight QZ8501, went missing over answered questions surrounding weather before losing contact, and hijacking, or an attempt to make of our global society forever, or are the Java Sea. Only 30 of the 162 these events that make them more QZ8501’s engine is believed to have the plane crash on the American they merely a historical phase? bodies have been recovered so far. appealing to the public. stalled due to icy air conditions. base of Diego Garcia in the Indian Whatever the case, the most And it doesn’t end here. Many But what are the real causes of Indeed, more and more experts Ocean. important thing is to look at every more minor plane crashes and these accidents? In an era of tech- are starting to defend the theory Also, with myths such as the argument as honestly as possible disappearances have occurred this nological advances and increasing that climate change is responsible Bermuda Triangle and TV shows – something that can no doubt be past year. measures of safety, why do such for these events. such as “Lost”, popular culture has tricky in politics. But has this year actually been sophisticated engines fall off the With the warming of the plan- implemented in us a fear of flying. particularly fatal for airplane trav- radars? et, turbulences are becoming in- Or should I say the fear of crash- ellers? “Not even close,” answer By looking more into it, we find creasingly unpredictable and are ing? Why should we care CNN experts. Statistically, 2014 is one common thread between al- expected to double by 2050, but This article is a tribute to the about open borders? far from being the year with the most all these incidents: before pilots are not always prepared to 1217 family members, friends, and Find out more on most aerial fatalities. the aircrafts disappeared the pi- handle the situation efficiently. loved ones that took off and never Facebook So, what explains the omni- loting crew complained about the Others blame the airlines. With landed in 2014. presence of these stories on the weather. MH17 had to fly lower the proliferation of low-cost air- 8 theboar.org 8 | The Boar is Charlie

»Cartoon: Joseph MacDonald. Sources: Al Jazeera; Photo: flickr.com/benledbetter-architect Editor’s Letter Rebecca Myers on the Boar’s solidarité with Charlie Hebdo n Wednesday last week, the Boar team missing lists, under arrest in countries where walked into our editorial meeting. the British government are powerless to help, We chatted about our deadlines, got held hostage by terrorist organisations, or Oexcited about our latest article submissions. quite simply dead. Someone found a new sofa to sit on; I forgot As a paper that nurtures the journalists of to bring biscuits. An hour later, we walked out the future, it has never been more important and went to our lectures, the library, the bus that the Boar expresses solidarité with those stop. murdered in these vicious attacks. Most importantly, we walked out alive. No matter the threats and the violence, we Around three hours before our meeting, will not be silenced. In fact, it is because of the journalists of satirical French newspa- this violence that we will continue to shout per Charlie Hebdo walked into their editorial and scream. meeting. Ten of them would never walk out And that is why the Boar is Charlie. again: they would be carried, dead, shot by terrorists. On occasions like this, there are thousands of words we could use, thousands of opinions we could express, condolences we could of- fer. Most importantly, we have - and must - raise our voices against islamophobia. For many days, all I felt capable of was si- lence. The attack had taken place in the very environment I feel the most safe, the all-im- portant editorial meeting; it had taken place five minutes round the corner from my old house, from my year abroad in Paris. It was too close to home – a little too threatening, a little too real. It has been widely reported that 2014 was one of the deadliest years to be a journalist. While my friends apply to grad schemes, I contemplate how likely it is that I might one day join the thousands of journalists on theboar.org 10 Editor: Rami Abusamra 9 [email protected] Twitter @BoarFeatures FEATURES fb.com/groups/BoarFeatures Putting the ‘me’ in media Rami Abusamra looks at the media of today and asks what might be missing diversity into our media. But why happen if your stuff is never seen; is the onus on them to get things nothing will change if you only done? Why is it The Legend of Ko- make characters like you. You’ve rra which fights to include real-life got the entirety of the uncensored people, while the BBC puts one internet at your disposal, you can black person in the background of add to all the media that is out there a scene and thinks that’s enough? just by hitting a post button. Then With the amount of leeway adult you’ve done it, you’ve put yourself programming has in comparison to forward, you’ve said that you’d like kid’s programming, there should be things to change. So when you’re more representation, not less. writing your 400k word fanfiction So the only possible explanation of Teen Wolf, don’t say “this is an for everything being so concerned enjoyable waste of my time,” say with white, straight, middle-class “how can I make this an enjoyable men in adult media is that main- way of getting my ideas across?” stream publishers and producers Whoever you are and whatever think that everything else is just a you like, there is a group of people bit too icky to show to people. out there who would kill to know In order not to offend the major- about your experiences, who would ity by showing them that the real like to feel less alone. Make them world has people who are genuine- your priority. ly different from them, they restrict themselves to the same boring old characters we see again and again “Chances are you’re really and again and again. It’s a massive into some form of media problem. The concern with what a which has steadily taken single demographic of consumers over your life” will think stops truly interesting, truly dynamic media from ever be- ing made, and the ignorance to the fact that this representation could Yes, making stuff is hard. It’s ri- make an entirely different demo- diculously hard: you’ve got to find graphic incredibly happy makes a way of communicating with peo- sure that they never will be made. ple you’ve never met, find a way of making something you and some- one else will genuinely enjoy and “The concern with what a find a way of motivating yourself single demographic... will to carry on with it. That’s not to think stop truly interesting mention all the planning and all the media from being made” time taken out of your life for some- thing you’re not sure will work. But if you want it, what’s stopping you from chasing it? I realise that what I’m saying People love being entertained. here is the equivalent of scream- Chances are you’re really into some » Photo: Janet Varney, voice of Korra . Gage Skidman / flickr ing at a brick wall. I realise that form of media which has steadily the likelihood of a BBC producer taken over your life. The thing is, reading this is slim to none. That when you get angry that it isn’t rep- here’s a comic book series piece of fiction in terms of the peo- shows like Sherlock have ever done. doesn’t mean I shouldn’t say it, and resenting you or people you know, called The Wicked + the Di- ple it represents than most natu- My point is that representation it doesn’t mean I shouldn’t do as you don’t need to lay down and vine. It’s basically about gods ralistic novels that you could pick of diversity matters, but apparently much as I can to combat it. accept it. You can make your own comingT down to Earth in order to up and read. And when a fringe it only matters to those outside the Changes have always started to stuff, if you feel like it. You can an- inspire humanity. They live for two comic book no one really knows mainstream. Comic books have gain momentum on the periphery swer it by saying “that’s all well and years and then they die and they about unless they accidentally run always been pushing forward for of society, outside the mainstream. good, but I do exist.” don’t come back for another 90 into it on the internet is the leader diversity, even the big two of Mar- We can whine all we want that the Art imitates life, and life imitates years. Usual stuff for comics, you in terms of diversity, that’s probably vel and DC (I mean Batwoman is a things that should be doing the art. It’s an unfortunate facet of the know? something to talk about. lesbian. That’s awesome), and kid’s most aren’t doing anything (which way we live that people will only And then there’s The Legend of animation has recently been push- I have been doing) but that won’t recognise the existence of others if Korra. Remember Korra? That kid’s ing forward to include diversity in change it. The best way to change they show up in the stuff they use “They live for two years and show about a girl who can magi- their stories (think of Korra, think art and media is to make new art to escape the world. If they can’t es- then they die... Usual stuff cally manipulate all the classical of Adventure Time with Marceline and media. I realise how arsey and cape your existence, then they can’t for comics, you know?” elements in a world where manipu- and Bubblegum’s implied relation- pretentious that sounds, believe pretend you don’t matter. lating one of the elements is fairly ship, think of how Gravity Falls me, but you’re probably a Warwick So put yourself out there, if you common? She’s called the Avatar, attempted to include a queer rela- student who’s already got this far feel up to it. Make sure you’re never she’s special and she’s supposed to tionship but couldn’t get it past sto- into the article, so don’t talk to me ignored. bring balance to the world. If you ryboards). The one great perennial about arsey and pretentious. You The thing is, The Wicked + The don’t know what I’m talking about, exception is of course Orange is the know you agree with me. Divine has, as its main character, look it up, it’s worth looking into. New Black, but even that airs exclu- So while you’re writing all your a woman of colour. She is sur- Korra herself is (spoilers ahead, sively online via Netflix, not on any poetry or planning your great What are your thoughts? rounded by a cast of various trans guys) a brown-skinned, bisexual major channel. novel, don’t think to yourself “this What do you want to make and queer people (or gods? God- woman protagonist who ends Yes, representation in kid’s shows is fun but it’ll never be seen,” and or see? people? Geople? Pods?) of various the entire series walking off into and young people’s fiction is in- don’t think to yourself “I’m only pitch an article today: ethnicities and classes. The Wicked the sunset hand in hand with her credibly important, probably the going to put characters in this that [email protected] + The Divine is a more realistic girlfriend. That’s more than adult most important aspect of getting are exactly like me.” Nothing will theboar.org/features | @BoarFeatures | Features 10 Is the free press really free? Jasmine Johnson looks back at Charlie Hebdo, censorship, and jailers of journos n Wednesday 7 January, was listed as the worlds worst jailer ten journalists were shot of journalists. While many papers dead in an attack on the in China have condemned the at- Ooffices of satirical French newspa- tack on Charlie Hebdo, The Global per Charlie Hebdo. The attack is Times’ Chinese Edition went so far believed to have been orchestrated as to blame freedom of speech for by a group of extremist individ- causing ethnic tensions in West- uals angered by the publication’s ern societies, arguing that West- controversial history of depicting ern leaders have been “unwilling” and mocking Islamic figures.The to persuade the media to exercise shocking events have ignited de- restraint for the fear of losing elec- bate around freedom of the press toral votes and that the lack of such and the right to free speech; Da- freedom in China is a blessing for vid Cameron, Barack Obama and all ethnic groups in the country. President Francois Hollande have In Mexico, governments have unanimously condemned the at- failed to take action to address vio- tack, while members of the public lence directed at its journalists, and, have taken to the street and social in a country with the highest lev- media declaring the statement ‘Je els of unsolved crimes against the Suis Charlie’ (I am Charlie) in an press, its journalists put themselves expression of solidarity with the at great danger to report the truth. journalists murdered in the events. A drug cartel took to the Twitter As a state, France has prided it- account of citizen journalist Maria self as a liberated republic since it’s del Rosario Fuentes Rubio to post ten-year revolt over 200 years ago. a photograph of her lifeless body The Revolution led to the creation in October. Rubio reported on lo- of The Declaration of the Rights of cal gang violence and druglords in Man that provided for the freedom order to help members of her town of speech. avoid being victims of shoot-outs, Writing in a period before the kidnap and extortion. Maria’s case Revolution, historian and philoso- » Photo: Ahmad Mahmoud / Flickr is one of many, but unfortunately pher Voltaire made the statement: few of these crimes are reported on “I detest what you write, but I ignited outrage and prompted vio- threats of violence towards jour- of LGBT relationships. Since the mainstream media due to the use would give my life to make it pos- lent religious riots that lead to the nalists and their relatives. What bill there has been a reported rise of fear and intimidation to ensure a sible to continue to write” (often death of more than 200 people. seemed to be a step forward on in homophobic attacks, and some media blackout. paraphrased as “I disapprove of Daniel’s life was put at risk when the road to a more liberated press individuals are even afraid to hold Last week marked one year since what you say, but I will defend to the Islamist government of a Nige- was short-lived, when, in 2012, hands with their partners in pub- Al Jazeera reporters Mohamed the death your right to say it”). This rian northern state issued a fatwa Putin recriminalised libel. While lic, illustrating just how ferociously Fahmy, Baher Mohamed and Peter sentence has since been used as a on her. the state’s constitution provides for restrictions on the press and media Greste were arrested and convicted solitary quote to describe the prin- While the term ‘fatwa’ is one of- freedom of speech, laws such as the can directly impact people’s lives. in Egypt for allegedly aiding the ciple of free speech and as a war cry ten sensationalised by the press, in libel bill, regulations and politically During the recent pro-democ- outlawed Muslim Brotherhood and in the fight against censorship of this instance the states deputy gov- motivated criminal investigations racy protests in Hong Kong, the spreading false news. In June 2014 the press. ernor Mamusa Aliya Shinkafi is- have forced the press to exercise city-state saw a possible threat to its Fahmy and Greste were sentenced The recent attack is not the first sued a statement that “it is abiding self-censorship in order to avoid press’ freedom when, in July, Ming for seven years and Mohamed for use or threat of violence as a means on all Muslims wherever they are to reprisal. Pao, a newspaper celebrated for its ten. Egypt’s top court has ordered of silencing journalists. In 2002 Ni- consider the killing of the writer as One of Putin’s most prominent independence, changed its headline a retrial for the three who say they gerian journalist Isioma Daniel au- a religious duty”. The threat to her critics, an anti-corruption blogger midway through printing leading were simply “reporting the news”. thored a comment piece discussing life led Daniel to flee the country, named Alexei Navalny, was found to the distribution of both uncen- While the attack on Charlie Heb- the Miss World beauty pageant for taking refuge in Europe, where she guilty of libel in 2014 after tweeting sored copies that reported the pro- do has been declared the most le- Lagos-based newspaper Thisday. currently resides. that a member of Putin’s political tests and censored copies believed thal act of terrorism to target the The pageant was set to be held in Many of the events brought to party was a drug addict. to have been ordered by the paper’s media in modern Europe, its sits Nigeria later that year and had re- the forefront of the media depict editorial director, who many specu- among many global attempts to ceived much contestation from the those against free speech as pre- late has pro-Beijing leanings. silence the voices of those whom Nigerian Muslim community. dominantly being from an extrem- “A reported rise in homo- As a former British colony, Hong some would prefer not to be heard. In addressing this issue, Daniel ist Islamic background, but is im- phobic attacks [in Russia]” Kong returned to Chinese rule in The Committee to Protect Jour- made the following remark: “The portant to recognise that this is not 1997 and under the ‘one country, nalists reports that 1109 journalists Muslims thought it was immoral the truth, nor the only group that two systems’ principle its press has have been killed since 1992 and as to bring 92 women to Nigeria and has perpetrated attacks against the Russia also hit the headlines in autonomy from China’s Commu- such, the resilient voices of those ask them to revel in vanity. What freedom of the press. 2013 when the state issued a bill nist Party leaders. Freedom House who stand against this most re- would Mohammed think? In all In Russia there is an increas- known as the gay propaganda law reported China’s media environ- cent attempt to repress free speech honesty, he would probably have ing agenda to narrow the diversi- or LGBT propaganda law that crim- ment as one of the world’s most chime loudly in unison with those chosen a wife from one of them”. ty of opinion in its press. In 2011 inalizes the distribution of “propa- restrictive in 2013 with many jour- with those who have spoken before The provocative comment, alleged- Russia decriminalised defama- ganda of non-traditional sexual nalists dismissed or forced to resign them. ly intended by Daniel to make the tion (groundless criticism) and relationships” among minors, that from their roles for failing to adhere article “funny” and “light-hearted” addressed the issue of violence or being positive or neutral depictions to censorship guidelines. In 2014 it Want to write for Features? Let us know! E-mail [email protected] to pitch your ideas 14 Editor: Bethan McGraththeboar.org 11 [email protected] Twitter @BoarLifestyle LIFESTYLE fb.com/groups/BoarLifestyle A guide to fighting the Fresher’s 15 Finding love online Resolved to fight the fat? Here are Sian Elvin’s top tips One writer tells us what she’s learnt about having an online relationship ou’re a term into your on the cross-trainer”. This will al- e’ve all heard the hor- car, and they don’t interact with your social media accounts, block first year at university, low you to remain more focused, ror-inducing stories anyone else, then they’re probably their number and voila, you’ve de- Christmas has just passed and track your progress. Having to about young teenage not safe. But yes, it is hard to truly stroyed the relationship. This, com- and well, you’re probably commit to a priced contract will girls getting snatched know whether a relationship will bined with the fact that you know Yfeeling slightly on the podgy side. probably guilt-trip you into going, Wup and fooled into a world of pae- work outside of the virtual world very little about each other’s lives Truth is, the infamous “Fresher’s too. If you’re a runner, plan a route dophilia rings and danger through if you have never met the person, outside of social media, means that 15” has hit students across campus which is easily adjustable, and online relationships. For ages I but nowadays, platforms like Skype trust is even more important than – the amount of weight, in pounds, download Nike+ or an equivalent thought that this was the only type and Facetime mean that you can in a normal relationship… which is that the average fresher gains with- running app to check your speed that existed: some 40-year-old speak face-to-face (in a way) and problematic when you haven’t even in their first term at university. and distance. Additionally, set predator seeking his next victim, so really get to know the individual. I physically met up. All those Jaegerbombs in the yourself targets to achieve every I’ve always been wary about who I would strongly advise that anyone All in all, I would not say that Students’ Union, pizzas in Vialli’s few months; a few ideas could be talk to online. Despite this, as I was considering entering into an online online relationships are any less after a night out in Leamington to aim to run 5km in under half finishing sixth form I found myself relationship to Skype their poten- serious than ones which occur in and only walking a few metres an hour, sign up to a 10km race, or in one anyway. *Spoiler alert* it tial partner a number of times be- “real life” outside of social media. from Rootes to your lectures are learn a particular dance routine or wasn’t even a creep pretending to fore agreeing to meet up. If the per- It requires incredible commitment finally taking a toll on your body. move by a certain date. be someone they’re not. son refuses to, or agrees but doesn’t to make the time for your other Did you know there are 200 calo- Now comes the judgement that look the same as their pictures, you half every day, and to develop the ries in a Jaegerbomb? Yuck. Unfor- Check your diet most people (including myself have to realise that they may be level of trust required to make it tunately, if you want to continue to beforehand) seem to have on the hiding a whole variety of things. work. Remember that it is easy to drink as much as you have been, Exercise and diet go tip of their tongue: how can you Any relationship comes with fake things online, but less easy to you’re going to have to face up hand in hand with losing have a relationship with someone problems, but online relationships do it over a video platform such to the dreaded word… Exercise. 4weight. You don’t have to go cra- you’ve never met? How do you make it a lot harder to overcome as Skype, so make sure you know Here’s your fresher’s fitness guide zy and starve yourself – that really know they’re even who they say them. Often online relationships who a person really is before meet- to dropping those extra pounds. isn’t healthy. The key is to main- they are? Well, luckily for me, they will be long distance, meaning that ing them. But don’t be so quick tain a balanced diet, so cut out the were. If I had simply met some- you can’t see the other person when to judge when your friends get Choose wisely bad stuff. Don’t shop when you’re one on one social media platform, you want to. This puts a great strain into a relationship like this – not hungry, switch out the biscuits for I would have been far more wary. on the relationship as fights cannot everybody on the internet is a If you don’t enjoy the ex- low-fat cereal bars, and look for However, across multiple platforms be resolved in person, nor can im- maniac! Support them and make ercise you’re doing, there is healthier alternatives. If you don’t you really can get an insight into portant information be relayed face sure they’re secure in knowing 1honestly no point in doing it. It buy it, you can’t eat it, so stock up someone’s life. Tip: if their only to face. Moreover, they’re alarm- who this person is. will feel like torture and you’ll give on some wholemeal bread for late- profile picture on Facebook is a ingly easy to end. Simply delete » Photo:Alice McGregor/Flickr up after a few weeks. Work out night drunken munchies rather what you like – team sports? Indi- than chips. Research your alcohol vidual pursuits? Cardio, or some- choices, too – using a fruit juice thing more strength-based? If you mixer adds a hell of a lot of sugar, really have no idea, try out a few for example. My fitness instruc- Rejecting the things first. Most sports clubs run tor advised me that vodka/other refresher sessions at the beginning spirit and diet coke is probably the of term two, and some gyms allow ‘healthiest’ alcoholic drink. you to book taster sessions to try lettuce life them out. Don’t be afraid to try Keep it manageable something completely new, either; you might just find a new passion. Finally, the point of a fit- Anuradha Roy shares her ness plan is that you’ve got Make a routine 5to be able to maintain it. Don’t experience with fad diets be afraid to decrease the intensi- Write exercise into your ty if you’re finding it too much, or aving been a relatively friend timetable just like your switch exercising to the beginning skinny kid throughout in such 2contact hours. Sounds dull, but of the week if you find you’re too my teenage years, the matters: seriously, it’s effective. Work out tired by the end. The best thing stress of moving to Glas- Monsieur when you’re most likely to com- to do is gradually build it up – if Hgow from India in 2011, alongside Internet and mit to your chosen pursuit – for you’re not used to exercising, don’t A Levels and the terrors of UCAS, the world of example, if you struggle to get up try and run five times a week, as brought about what most 19-year- food bloggers. in the mornings, don’t decide to you could seriously do yourself olds dread – yes, I gained a lot of After two weeks run at 7am because you’ll proba- some damage. And if you’re bored, weight. After two years it was time of extensive research bly end up skipping it most of the mix it up a bit and swap sports, to visit India in summer 2014 and (I am after all a social time. If you always go to Pop! on even if it’s just for a couple of I panicked. I wasn’t ready to be the sciences girl at heart), I real- a Wednesday night, don’t schedule weeks. awkward one shying away from ised there are certain truths the Thursday as exercise day, because Follow these tips and you’ll beat photos or smiling uncomfortably media and world at large don’t tend ing weight it will be hell. Instead, it might be the Fresher’s 15 in no time. Just re- when my family expressed consid- to talk about when it comes to be- the right way is that it doesn’t a good idea to fit in working out member though, fitness shouldn’t erable alarm about my love handles. ing healthy. Firstly, eating less does happen overnight – changing between your lecture gaps. Let’s be be a chore, but equally, it should So during Easter I pulled out all nothing for you in the long run – your eating and lifestyle habits honest, you’d only spend those two be challenging – which will be all the stops and went into the health for me it came down to eating dif- is probably one of the most chal- hours guzzling something expen- the more satisfying when you re- “freak” mentality with full speed ferently. I joyously resumed my love lenging things to accomplish for sive from Warwick Retail anyway. alise you’re no longer struggling to – I’m talking eating just leaves for for meat, tweaking beef and bacon drastic results. However after breathe when you tackle the floor lunch, cardio at the gym every day, to turkey and chicken - snacking on three months of my new more Have a goal five stairs in the Humanities build- snacking on oat cakes that rendered nuts, raisins and yoghurt instead reasonable routine, it was very ing. my taste buds numb. My logic was of cheesecake, and drinking wa- rewarding to return to India and It’s important to have a “surely this is how women lose ter, no, chugging water. Secondly, receive compliments about how goal per exercise session, What are you weight, we put ourselves through you should workout according to different I looked. It may take time 3and also every few months or so. doing to fend off the hell and drop a dress size or two what your body needs. For my pear and some personal research, but For example, instead of saying “on Fresher’s 15? If you in the process”. Four weeks later, I shaped (ahem, large derriere) self it changing your body to be health- Friday I’ll go to the gym”, say, “on have any tips or advice was hardly any thinner but I was was more squats, lunges, burpees; ier really is possible and definitely Friday I’ll go to the gym and run tweet us @BoarLifestyle, or send definitely feeling tired and grumpy. less panting on the treadmill. Most worth working hard for. X km on the treadmill and X km us your fitness pics! That’s when I turned to my best importantly what I learnt from los- » Photos: Rae Allen / Flickr 15 theboar.org/Lifestyle | @BoarLifestyle | LIFESTYLEtheboar.org 12 New Year, same pessimistic me... Save Another year, another million resolutions. Chloe Kingscote vents about the January 1 phenomenon New Year. New Me”, “2015 is and rolling down the aisle after me. new year’s resolution is to cut carbs unproved thesis, mainly due to vs my year, I CAN FEEL IT!” It’s me against the vitamin C. My and do 250 press ups a day”, but the overwhelming lack of support scream reams of Facebook innocent thoughts tell me I’m not there’s no shame in wanting to look by Facebook likes and comments statuses. Eye roll, refresh page. that bad, I have a fruit bowl in my after yourself, right? saying “you can do it girl!”, but Splurge “It seems that there’s no avoiding bedroom, I choose the seedy bread Suddenly, since January 1, things it seems pretty clear, even in my that oh-so-ominous new year’s res- on the few occasions I can afford seem to have miraculously dropped complete delusion I’m making res- olution. As much as I would love it and I do have a slight addiction from a little bit of luxury to the lux- olutions! My resistance is futile, the to see a few accidental black eyes to houmous and carrots. But alas, ury of not knowing what kind of “it’s Christmas” excuse won’t cut it from all the failed attempts at mas- where has the five-a-day disap- dried fruit you’re eating (they’re all anymore. I must eat healthily, lose tering the downward facing dog at peared the last four weeks, Chloe? equally horrifying) because it’s so weight, regain contact with that old Eyeliner new weekly yoga classes, I find it The thing that is just jammy (pun wrinkled it looks like your elbow. friend, wear more green, learn to much more quick and effective to only slightly intended) about the Suddenly that purr of “go on, treat sneeze with my eyes open, learn if scoff and judge without personally New Year is that it comes right after yourself” from the TV that lulls it’s even possible to sneeze with my breaking a sweat. And yet, as I find Christmas; the month of the glut- you into a full sense of security, has eyes open. How have I lived so far myself walking through the super- ton. We convince ourselves that it given way to the well anticipated in such ignorance?! Guilt can, and market in the hope of an innocent would be simply rude not to try a and equally feared Weight Watch- will, have the power to take down weekly shop, I am confronted by slice of Grandma’s Victoria sponge; ers advert. And suddenly, in the any resistance to resolutions, and the judging eye of the health sec- if it doesn’t get eaten it’s just going middle of Tesco’s “muesli and other whether you refuse to accept it as a tion. It stands at the forefront of the to be wasted after all. We may have disgusting cereals” aisle, a thought resolution or stake desperate claim store, a sea of wooden crates and not needed the extra thick double strikes me. Would it really be so to it being a mere “newly found green wording garnished with a cream to finish it off but why not, bad to get more into swimming lifestyle choice”, the new year’s graceful foliage of kale, acai berries it is Christmas after all. As the ex- this year? resolution is coming to get you no and spinach. I gradually pick up my cuses grow, so do our waistbands. And this is the point where it matter what. Maybe those black- pace, having sudden hallucinations Thinking about it, I really could do hits me, have I just made a new eyed downward-facing-doggers Save of oranges leaping off the shelves with a healthy eating spout. No “my year’s resolution? I mean it’s an were the sensible ones after all. No7 Stay Precise Felt Tip Eye Liner Leave the feathery-brushed eye- liners in the shop, this felt-tip liner Makeup: an undervalued art form from No7 is neater, more even and more comfortable than other high- Favoured by makeup artists and ad- street brands. Priced at £8, No7 are dicts alike, MAC has been the go- on to a winner with this easy to to brand for their impressive range apply product. With the extra-slim of colours. Though much of their brush for easy application, this felt range lends itself to pro-makeup tip liner is a quick makeup fix that artistry, it’s available to those with- you can apply in a minute and top out pro membership, like their mix- up in seconds. As the felt tip sof- ing mediums or their matte cream tens, it doesn’t affect the high qual- that can be used anywhere to deliv- ity of the application and it’s just as er a sheer, no shine texture. MAC simple to apply a thin or thick line. offers all of the products needed There’s an option of brown or black, to create a classic, simple look or so you can choose between glamor- products for a more modern, edgy ous cat eyes or a laid-back everyday look. Take a look at their website look. It’s not quite as long-lasting as for simple ‘Instant Artistry’ tutori- the Benefit liner but the colour is al videos which range from classic even and doesn’t flake as gel liners brown liner to perfect sculpted lips. like Benefit’s can be prone to. Urban Decay is another example of a high intensity, high impact col- our brand which is known for bold looks (especially their Electric pal- Splurge ette, which features bright eyeshad- Benefit They’re Real! ows ranging from neon yellow to a Push-up Liner Think makeup is just for covering flaws? Emily Sayers wants us to think again rich, deep blue). Some more budget friendly, artistically minded brands It’s easy to see why this is the no.1 ith the #nomakeup- green (MELT Cosmetics’ lipstick in on a more fun, expressive and ex- that are widely available in the UK selling eyeliner in the UK. This selfie at the start of the shade ‘Blow’ is a bestseller), not perimental way of using makeup. are Sleek (available in most Super- push-up gel liner adds a pop of the year, as well as to mention blue-ish greys and var- Having said that, there is creativity drug shops and online) and NYX, long-lasting colour that doesn’t dry ongoing discussion ious other attention grabbing col- and skill in even the most basic of which is available in some larger out. The AccuFlex tip makes the Wpromoting body positivity, cosmet- ours. While this trend has definite- makeup looks (winged liner, I’m Next stores but is more accessible gel effortless to apply and, as adver- ics have come under close scrutiny. ly seen more popularity in the US, looking at you). Revlon’s recent online. The Sleek eyeshadow pal- tised, it hugs the lashline easily and While some have gone bare-faced with indie cosmetics brand MELT mini ads ‘Tattoo meets eye artist- ettes are particularly good and a applies in a straight line. It might in aid of cancer awareness, oth- (founded by Rihanna’s makeup ry’ take inspiration from tattoo great place to start experimenting not be to everyone’s taste though- ers have done it to promote body artist) at the forefront of the trend artist Jess Simpson, who is shown with looks. the push-up pen often gives you positivity in young people. What with their ultra-matte long lasting using the Revlon liner to darken Asking me to go without make- too much or too little gel at once, is often left out of these debates is lipsticks, more and more US make- her pencil drawing (how clever). up is not a challenge – I do it dai- making for a smudged application. the artistic side of makeup and the up is being made available to UK The adverts feature two looks: The ly and I don’t depend on it. While Once you’ve got the knack howev- positive effects using it can have. markets through third party online Geometric, and the Bird and Cage. I understand for some people it’s a er, this is a foolproof liquid eyelin- It’s potentially restrictive to assume sites. An alternative brand to MELT The Geometric look is more wear- safety net, I don’t think it should be er and definitely the best gel liner that all women depend on make- which is available in the UK is Il- able, but both are fun and creative. limited to that. Asking me to stop I’ve used. Retailing at £18.50, this up to mask their flaws and simply lamasqua, which offers some very While Revlon are not the first to using makeup is also like asking me is a product to buy as a post-exam cannot go outside without it – for a unique colours and a great mix of use graphic liner, they seem to be to stop painting, reading or playing treat. lot of women (and men), makeup is matte or satin textures. An afforda- the first to market liner as an artis- video games, to stop consuming art Emily Dunford expressive and fun and an outlet for ble, good quality alternative to Il- tic tool. The two looks are definitely and creating it. Although there are creativity and self-expression. lamasqua and MELT is the NYX daring and made to look easy in the negative ways of using makeup, the Most people assume that women Macaron lipsticks, which are avail- adverts, but nonetheless I applaud medium which for so many people often wear makeup to look ‘healthy’ able in rainbow colours. Personal- Revlon for drawing attention to is an outlet for expression and cre- Winner and ‘more awake’. However for ly, I would recommend Illamasqua the artistic capabilities of makeup ativity shouldn’t be attacked. Why those of us who use makeup as a for their pigmented, matte textures, through these ads. not pick up that lilac lipstick and No7 Stay Precise creative tool, this is most definitely but of course part of the fun is try- There are several brands that are navy eyeliner? Art is all about hav- not the case – just take a look at the ing out what’s available and exper- widely popular and available which ing fun and experimenting; let’s use Felt Tip Eye Liner recent trend of black lipstick which imenting. do seem to embody a certain type of our faces as the canvas. has re-surfaced from the 90s. Oth- These lip colours are evidence creativity and fun seen in both the » Photos: @Illamasqua / er popular colours are dark forest of a growing trend which focuses AW14 runways and the Revlon ads. » Photo: @Illamasqua / Twitter Twitter, OpenPics / Pixabay theboar.org 30 Sponsored by: Deputy Editor: Cath Lyon 13 [email protected] Twitter @BoarArts ARTS fb.com/groups/BoarArts

Preview: what’s on in student drama? The all-you-can-see guide to student drama for the Spring Term by Cath Lyon and Tamsin Paternoster » Check out world-class student productions this term. Photo: WUDS, Codpiece and ShakeSoc

new year, and a whole new start stages of man from a ‘mewling and puking’ dent Sam Wightman wants to encourage as As well as being busy with one of the most for our University drama societies. baby to ‘second childishness and mere obliv- many new crazy and creative members to renowned dates in the student drama calen- After last year’s fantastic plethora ion’. Any Bard fantatics and those looking for get involved: “There are so many ways to get dar, the team are also producing a debut play of performances, our societies are a new take on the original will enjoy this im- involved with us, and we love listening and from Freddie Paul called Colouring the Sky. Atreating us to an even more jam-packed sea- mensely. playing with moments of inspiration people This play follows two childhood friends as son this time around, with workshops and Outside of the Arts Centre, the WUDS may have... No idea is too big or too small!” they begin to deal with the difficulties of love, performances galore. From the Duchess of team are also producing Some Girls, a hu- loss, and growing up. This will be performed Malfi to an adaptation based on The Ugly morous take on modern relationships by The Shakespeare Society (ShakeSoc) over the weekend of week five; the location is Duckling, Warwick University Drama Society Neil Labute, in week six. In addition they Deviating from their dedication to the still to be confirmed. (WUDS), Codpiece Theatre, the Shakespeare are also performing Over There, a tale about Bard, ShakeSoc’s big production this term Society (ShakeSoc), Freshblood New Writ- two twins on either side of the Berlin Wall by is John Webster’s The Duchess of Malfi, to be Warwick Reperatory Theatre ing, Warwick Reperatory Theatre and even Mark Ravenhill, in the Loft Theatre, Leam- performed in week nine. When the Duchess Although not yet confirmed, Warwick Rep Tech Crew have something for everyone to ington. remarries in spite of her two brothers, Ferdi- are reportedly putting together a collection of go and enjoy this term. nand and the Cardinal, at the behest of her short one act plays for the end of week nine. Codpiece Theatre brothers’ spy Bosola, they hatch several plans With a group of fantastic actors and a great Warwick University Drama Society Always the wild card of the pack, Codpiece in order to prove her marriage and punish track record, the Rep will not disappoint, so (WUDS) do not dissapoint this term with two produc- her for her insolence. Darkness ensues and watch this space for more information! With both of the Warwick Arts Centre stu- tions as a result of their very own (and new) the threat of death is never far away, which dio shows under their belt this term, WUDS CodFund. The first is Ugly, an adaptation of promises a seat-gripping experience. Tech Crew are sure to blow audience’s socks off with the Hans Christian Anderson tale The Ugly Despite only putting on one show so far The tech crew will be holding more and productions of The Glass Menagerie in week Duckling, which will be performed in week this term, President Michael Chidgey prom- more workshops this term for students who five and Seven Lears in week nine. seven. However, not ones to be simple, the ises that there will be “yet more trips to the are interested in behind-the-stage informa- The Glass Menagerie is at one glance a team also want the piece to examine modern RSC, workshops and a few more unconven- tion. It is also one of the best times to become beautiful and frustrating tale about Tom, day perceptions on beauty. tional events to offer members this term!” involved with the crew as they have lots of the disenchanted narrator of the story who Their second production, to be performed new kit on the way, and lots of shows to get dreams of escaping the claustrophobia of his in week ten, is Down Street, of nineties TV Freshblood New Writing involved with. Anyone interested in learning familial home in order to find adventure. Also fame. By putting their own fishy twist on the Term two brings with it the highly antici- about stage lighting and sound, as well as any trapped in their own dream worlds, Amanda, original story (which starred Peter Capaldi in pated groundwork for FreshFest. Freshblood stage management positions, should get in- Tom’s mother, relives her days as a southern the TV version), Codpiece will explore the New Writing’s yearly event has celebrated volved! bell and Laura, Tom’s sister, finds escape in dark world of Down Street (named after a student writing, directing and acting for five her glass menagerie of animals and fantasies closed tube station) that is situated beneath years now. This year’s festival, which is run- of a school-hood sweetheart. Living under the London underground. When Richard ning from February 22 to March 1, will co- the shelter of their imaginings, they exist un- discovers this underworld, adventures inv- ordinate student-written plays with student knowing of the turmoil about to strike them oling, amongst others, secret agents and evil directors, producers and actors in order To keep up to date with all of at the climax of the play. Directed by second angels ensue as he and the audience become to produce eight full days of theatrical fun. the events in student theatre year theatre student Courtney Ceanne Buch- more and more immersed in Down Street. Showcasing eleven new student plays this head to: ner, it will have you gripped to the very end. More than just productions, Codpiece are year, FreshFest is set to be an unmissable theboar.org/arts Similarly, Seven Lears by Howard Baker also offering many workshops this term, in- experience, as well as the most effective and reinvents and explores the character of King cluding one entitled ‘how to run a workshop’, easiest way to get involved with student per- Lear by following him through the seven which will take place in week two. Presi- formance. Student drama: weekly calendar

Week 5 Week 6 Week 7 Week 8 Week 9 Week 10 2-8 February 9-15 February 16-22 February 23 Feb - 1 March 2-8 March 9-15 March WUDS - The Glass WUDS - Seven Lears Menagerie - - Warwick Arts Warwick Arts Centre Centre WUDS - Some Girls Codpiece - Ugly Freshblood - ShakeSoc - The Codpiece - Down Freshblood - - TBC -TBC FreshFest - Various Duchess of Malfi - Street - TBC Colouring the sky- TBC TBC Warwick Rep - One act plays - TBC theboar.org 30 Sponsored by: Deputy Editor: Cath Lyon 14 [email protected] Twitter @BoarArts ARTS fb.com/groups/BoarArts Preview: the Mead Gallery’s new season Arts Column There are two artists in residence this term; Helene Kleih takes a sneak peak Getting cultural in 2015

aven’t got a new year’s resolution yet? Why not commit yourself to » John Afromkah and his new exhibition at the Mead Gallery. Photo: Mead Gallery seeing more art, and for free! Here areH three of the best free ways to get cultural his January, the Mead Gallery wel- ing the social changes Russia has faced, such Centre for Caribbean Studies at the Univer- in 2015. comes not one, but two innovative as it’s now predominant matriarchal image. sity of Warwick. The Mead Gallery is right on our doorstep exhibitions into its space. Despite Ultimately, the exhibitions delving into Akomfrah’s interweaving of different cul- in the top floor of the Arts Centre. One of varying in mediums, both exhibi- Russia’s rich history will not fail to captivate tural platforms of expression such as mu- the exhibitions featuring this term is Close Ttions maintain a narrative, as the curator Fio- as through the inclusion of Grosky’s early sic, film and literature precisely displays the and Far: Russian Photography now. This will na Venables puts it “of a changing society”; 18th century colour photographs of Russia, intricate nature of identity, be it cultural, explore the subject of identity and place in a specifically ones that are coming to terms we are offered “alien” snapshots of countries ethnic, or personal. The nostalgic qualities post-Soviet Russia through the presentation with cultural and ethnic advances. Close that are no longer part of of the grainy footage fascinate, along with of recent photography and films. and Far: Russian Photography Now presents the vast nation. a soundtrack varying from jazz and gospel A little further from home but definitely a collection of photographs and film envi- music to songs referencing literary geniuses worth the trip, The Saatchi Gallery on Lon- sioned by some of Russia’s most progressive Blake, Dickens and Woolf fascinate, as we don’s King’s Road celebrates its 30th Anni- contemporary artists, while John Akomfrah’s follow the motions of what makes up iden- versary. The exhibitions are forever changing The Unfinished Conversation video installa- tity. and always promise to be visually exciting. In tion focuses on the work of established cul- John Akomfrah, OBE uses his own filmic March they will be showcasing New Art from tural theorist and sociologist Stuart Hall, in a technical genius in his fusion of Hall’s footage Africa and Latin America. Perhaps a good wonderfully vivid depiction of the composi- with early sixties and seventies news foot- choice for those embracing Art for the first tion of identity. age. Projected on three screens with each time. mini film stopping and starting erratically, For a more immersive experience, why not Close and Far: Russian Photography Now the film is mesmerising to watch as Akom- visit Fargo Village, just around the corner in The curation of Close and Far: Russian frah draws us into the true multiplicity of Coventry? Having being compared to the Photography Now by the renowned Kate identity. Offering no fixed definition of iden- likes of Camden and Brick Lane, Fargo Vil- Bush was sparked by her interest with the tity, rather demonstrating its dependence on lage offers niche and unique artists’ studios, great under-representation of Russia in the many factors, the film reiterates Hall’s own as well as creative workspaces, crafts, and en- field of photography. Centering on Russia’s belief that identity and ethnicity is the prod- tertainment spaces. Soviet period, the exhibition examines the uct of an “ever-unfinished conversation.” So don’t use your student budget as an ex- constraints felt within the arts by the nation’s As a part of the University of Warwick’s 50th cuse: embrace free art and make your 2015 a censorships, at a time when other parts of anniversary celebrations, it goes without say- cultural one. Europe began to document realist photog- ing that The Unfinished Conversation should raphy. The Unfinished Conversation not be missed, honouring both the Univer- Sophie Dudhill Inspired by Sergei Prokudin-Grosky, a pio- John Akomfrah’s exploration into the per- sity and these two dynamic artists. neer in the early development of colour pho- sonal archive of Stuart McPhaill Hall in his The Mead Gallery once again provokes an tography, contemporary artists Alexander film The Unfinished Conversation proves to evocative array of discussions through their Gronsky, Olya Ivanova, Taus Makhacheva, be a bittersweet tribute in light of the cele- upcoming exhibitions. Diverse in the cul- Max Sher, and Dimitri Venkow all demon- brated intellectual’s passing last year. Arriv- tures and regions that they focus on, the two Have your say about all strate how photography has moved through ing in Britain from Jamaica as an academic, exhibitions will not fail to prompt reactions Russia’s multi-layered history at times, both Hall was instrumental in changing the na- both aesthetic and psychological. Definitely things arty! Tweet us progressing and backtracking. ture of education in Britain. Along with his a must-see. @BoarArts We are met with images simultaneously direction of the Centre for Contemporary The exhibition opens on the January 17 and referencing a previous time, shoring up the Cultural Studies at Birmingham University, runs until March 7. fragments of consumerist Russia, and depict- Hall also became an Associate Fellow of the ARTISTS WANTED

» Photo: Don McCullough / Flickr Do you paint or draw in your spare time? here on the Arts page. So if you are a Do you want to get your work out there? professional or an amateur, just send in a Or maybe you just want to see it in print? photo or copy of the piece to arts@theboar. Then Boar Arts wants to hear from YOU! org with a title or description and the in- From the next issue onward we will be spiration for your piece and you could see » Suburbs of Moscow. Photo: Mead Gallery and Alexander Gronsky showing Warwick students’ work right it right here in next week’s issue! theboar.org 26 Editor: Sam Evans [email protected] Twitter @BoarMusic MUSIC fb.com/groups/BoarMusic

Boar Music’s Best Albums of 2014

» Unfortunately, neither Dysan’s underrated CD-R or Linux’s stunning FreeBSD made it into this year’s rundown. Photo: wikimedia.org

t’s that time of the year again: as 2014 lights come, surprisingly, from the latter half fortunately, the intimate sense of a real girl’s rolls into 2015, it’s time to take a look of the record: ‘Thousand Miles’ and ‘This 12. U2 - Songs of Innocence mind and body pervades each of LP1’s tight back at the year’s finest releases. Lovingly Time Around’ are haunting mid tempos with Now the dust has settled 40 minutes. As collaborative as it is, this is a compiled by our music team, here’s our spellbinding choruses embedded with spar- on one of 2014’s most con- closely personal and arrestingly intimate al- Irundown of the top 15 releases of 2014. Enjoy! kling electronic beats. While the dancing troversial album releases, bum; a real triumph for Twigs and her team. chimes and swooping echoes on ‘Moments’ one can fully appreciate ​Jacob Mier 15. Bent Knee - Shiny Eyed Ba- are equally memorable, Lo declares herself ‘Songs of Innocence’ for bies “charming as fuck”. And, while she is that, she what it is: a perfectly Rarely will you find a rock is also an underrated superstar in the mak- pieced-together rock re- album that manages to ing. cord for the 21st century. Everything flows beautifully and it’s very combine such sensations Jay Chauhan For an album concerned with the reflection clear that so much effort has gone into of power, atmosphere, of one’s past and innocence lost, U2’s 13th what is really an outstanding album emotion, and creativity in studio effort is refreshingly modern and di- the way that Bent Knee rect. Individually, the songs stand up as some has pulled it off. While It takes real talent and bravery to convey of the band’s all-time greats and have re- the song list carries in- complete honesty in pop lyrics and Lo has vealed new depths through stripped down credible diversity between and within tracks, achieved this on her debut live arrangements (the acoustic version of 10. Architects - Lost Forever // every member of the band pulls off the job in ‘Every Breaking Wave’ is nothing short of as- Lost Together a way that feels entirely natural yet special. tounding). If the people demanding an apol- I knew this would be my From the booming ‘Way Too Long’ to the ogy from Bono took the time to listen to the favourite album of the downright heartfelt ‘I’m Still Here’, every sin- album and cease their inane, rather dull end- year, even when I heard it gle song carries within itself an entirely dif- 13. D’Angelo and the Vanguard - less whining, they will find an album remark- all the way back in Febru- ferent story of music to tell, yet one that – af- Black Messiah ably human and beautiful filled with flour- ary. In terms of being at ter listening through the album – you will On December 15, the RnB ishes that are uncovered with each repeat the pinnacle of metalcore, only be able to associate with Bent Knee. An Messiah, D’Angelo, re- listen. it’s not the first time Ar- album that came relatively out of nowhere for turned. 14 years after his Tom Hemingway chitects have done it, most, yet one that carried itself on its own last classic, ‘Voodoo’, and achieving a similarly startling success in 2009 merits into the minds of listeners, to the just as people had made 11. FKA twigs - LP1 with Hollow Crown. This band’s ability to put point where it can safely be called one of the up their minds about the If I didn’t initially believe together a solid album is pretty much unpar- strongest releases of the year. music year of 2014. D’An- the hype when it came to alleled; as ever, there is nothing I would Daniel Kuburoglu gelo’s absence from the the artist formerly known change, not even one note. The instrumen- music scene, due in part to drug and weight as Twigs, a.k.a. former tals are clean and tight, both live and in the 14. Tove Lo - Queen of the Clouds issues, is a central theme on ‘Black Messiah’. backing dancer Tahlia studio, and Sam Carter, the vocalist, has real- It is rare for a debut album On ‘Back to the Future pt.1’ D’Angelo ex- Barnett, 2014 was the year ly outdone himself on this record, with his of a new artist to blow al- presses a desire to get back to the startling I became convinced. Bar- unique scream/shouted growls and his fan- bums of the more estab- future he once had, and to continue creating nett’s hushed falsetto, tastic singing putting him in the elite of metal lished out of the water, music. There is no reason to be upset if he evocative lyrics and infectious melodies, lay- vocalists, alongside Greg Puciato and How- but, when you are Swed- does! ‘Black Messiah’ is a journey through ered finely over dark, cavernous beats, make ard Jones. If this wasn’t enough, the songs all ish songwriter extraordi- many different musical genres, all of which her debut full-length a minimal masterclass carry a strong and well put together message naire Tove Lo, it is so easy, D’Angelo and the Vanguard tackle with ease. in soulful melancholy. While there is an in- that isn’t immature or cliché and really makes it’s natural. It takes real The vocal performances are fantastic. Their domitable sexual confidence on many tracks me want to get behind what they are saying. talent and braveness to convey complete quality is matched by the instrumentation, (‘Two Weeks’, ‘Kicks’), a subtext of vulnera- Everything flows beautifully and it’s very honesty in pop lyrics, and Lo has achieved with its percussion and use of guitar really bility and body-consciousness is tangible clear that so much effort has gone into what this on her debut. While many may be famil- standing out. Together they make ‘Black throughout; one which surfaces most affect- is really an outstanding album, already voted iar with her hit ‘Habits (Stay High)’, this al- Messiah’ one of the most memorable albums ingly on the self-reflexive ‘Video Girl’. The best album of the year by Kerrang!, this al- bum has a lot more to offer. The sonic-boom of 2014. writing and production of this work owes bum can’t really receive more accolades than during the chorus of ‘Not on Drugs’ makes it Magnus Martinsen much to partnership with talents such as it already has. a sensational follow up. However, the high- Arca, Dev Hynes, and Clams Casino, but, Miles Hunt theboar.org/Music | @BoarMusic | MUSIC 16 26 theboar.org

use my socks, smell my socks, eat my face beats, stadium-friendly hooks, and Adam -ute, 20 track album. Most don’t even make 9. Bombay Bicycle Club - So off’. Hmmm.) and the interestingly titled Granduciel’s Springsteen-esque vocal deliv- it past the three minute mark. And yet, it’s Long, See You Tomorrow ‘Boyzone’ - though the similarities between ery, the odes to depression and loneliness managed to cement itself as one of the most Having reinvented them- the two bands stop here. If there was anybody manage to feel as immediately anthemic as important albums of the year. Falling some- selves for each of their questioning whether Liars had what it takes they do majestically abstract. A warmly wel- where between jazz and hip-hop (think Miles three previous albums, to introduce electronic elements to their comed reboot for Americana, and the best Davis meets Kendrick Lamar, with maybe a Bombay Bicycle Club had sound, this album functions as a definitive out-and-out rock record of the year. bit of Aphex Twin thrown in for good meas- begun running out of answer. Jacob Mier ure), the album is proof of the necessity of genres by the time of ‘So Sam Evans experimentation. It’s got saxophones, it’s got Long, See You Tomorrow’. 3. Coldplay - Ghost Stories samples, it’s got Snoop Dogg - Steven Ellison So, instead, they com- 6. Run The Jewels - RTJ2 Ostensibly the feel-bad seems to have thrown everything he could bined what they’d learnt ’I’m gonna bang this bitch smash hit of the summer, find at a wall, and seen what stuck. And the and made their own. Full of sing-a-long the fuck out!’ Killer Mike’s Coldplay’s sixth album, mess left behind is incredibly fascinating in- crowd-pleasers, and a Bollywood sample scream starts Run the Jew- Ghost Stories, is a surpris- deed. thrown in for good measure with Feel, I’m els 2 off, and it’s a fitting ingly uplifting and joyous Sam Evans not sure it’s possible to sit still whilst listening description of what he affair. Inspired by the to this album. Having quickly become a festi- and El-P proceed to do on highly publicised marital val staple, BBC know what they’re doing at this explosive hip-hop al- difficulties encountered Falling somewhere between jazz and this point: an intro reminiscing the rising sun bum. The first half of the by Chris Martin and Gwyneth Paltrow (‘Overdone’), marching drums (‘It’s Alright album is nothing but mean beats and back- throughout the past year, Coldplay find hip-hop, the album is proof of the Now’), some heavily distorted, synthy-sound- to-back verses from the two veterans, before themselves channelling a variety of musical necessity of experimentation. ing guitar (‘Carry Me’), female voices easily storytelling and hooks become a bigger part influences ranging from Bon Iver to Avicii. complimenting Jack Steadman’s distinct of the show towards the backend. On both To view Ghost Stories as nothing more than a throaty vocals (‘Home By Now’), a floaty, fronts Run the Jewels impresses, progressing break-up album would be insulting and re- drifting chorus (‘Whenever, Wherever’), and from the duo’s previous album, Run the Jew- ductive to the work achieved by Coldplay on 1. Swans - To Be Kind an ultimately triumphant and euphoric song els. Run the Jewels 2 is ‘murder mayhem me- this record. The band are stepping out of There is very little that can be said about combining all of these elements (‘Luna’). lodic music’. It’s exciting, varied, and definite- their comfort zone musically as well as lyri- this one. Simply put, this album is an ab- With only three tracks failing to appear on ly one of the most quotable and funny albums cally, providing subtle electronic backdrops solute monstrosity of sound. Every instru- the setlists BBC played at almost every festi- of 2014. It is, quite simply, a very good album. to the new tracks, in contrast to the vivid ment, every texture, every single droplet of val going, it’s easy to see why this album be- Magnus Martinsen technicolor soundscapes of 2011’s Mylo Xylo- noise just builds and builds and builds to the came the sound of the summer in 2014. to. It is undoubtedly a stepping stone onto point where the musical density of each song Jess Mason something greater for the group, but rarely on this record is impossible to ignore. The has a transitional album been handled with production is excellent, with drums ringing 8. Sun Kil Moon - Benji such care and delicacy in regards to the song- with power, guitars building an ominous at- Somewhat surprising and Piñata dropped in March, and stayed as writing. Mature and quite magical. mosphere of pure suspense and just so much yet utterly amazing, Benji one of the top contenders for hip-hop al- Tom Hemingway extra, subtle detail thrown into every aspect was one of those rare Feb- bum of the year ever since. of the collective beast. Michael Gira’s vocals ruary releases that man- especially explode with a raw ferocity that aged to stay with people fans would have never heard quite like this through the entire year. Rarely has a transitional album been han- before. This is an album that expects its lis- And whilst Mark Kozelek 5. Freddie Gibbs & Madlib - dled with such care and delicacy in re- teners to collide with it head on, unafraid. seemed to spend the rest Piñata gards to the songwriting. It challenges your ears and your mind as it of 2014 doing whatever he could to shake any Indiana rapper Freddie ruthlessly chucks you into its world of sound. goodwill this album generated, no amount of Gibbs and production But if you take on its challenge, and let the just generally being a bit of a dick could dis- guru Madlib’s Piñata music beat you, the experience you’ll have is place what a beautiful album this was. Every dropped in March, and unlike any other. track seems to be a stream of consciousness stayed as one of the top 2. Flying Lotus - You’re Dead! Daniel Kuburoglu on one topic or another, no matter how mun- contenders for hip-hop You’re Dead! is erratic and dane or horrific. Themes covered range from album of the year ever confusing, and can’t seem how much Kozelek loves his parents (they get since. The collaboration to stick with one sound This is an album that expects its a song each - world’s best son?) to distant rel- had been dropping several EPs leading up for longer than a couple of listeners to collide with it head-on, atives dying in freak fires. It’s often awkward, this release, but Piñata exceeds all expecta- minutes. It’s an entire ca- unafraid. sometimes uncomfortable, but always com- tions. The album’s production stands out as reer’s worth of influences pelling. In a way, it’s not hard to see why he its strongest side. Both its skits and instru- distilled into one 38 min became a somewhat unlikeable figure later in mentation give off a strong 1970s Blaxploita- tion vibe, and go seamlessly with Freddie Gibbs’ raw tales from the streets. Freddie No amount of just generally being a bit of Gibbs brings his most consistent perfor- a dick could displace what a beautiful al- mance to date, showcasing his lyrical prowess bum this was. and storytelling skills, as well as flow reper- toire. Big names like Danny Brown, Raekwon and Ab-Soul appear on the 17-track album. Piñata is a must listen for any hip-hop head. the year: his fears and neuroses are all over Magnus Martinsen this album. In a way, they are the album. The last song in particular is a prime example of this, in which he describes watching his friend Ben (Gibbard, of Death Cab for Cutie) It came as something of a relief for guitar go on to be more successful than himself. It’s heads and rock enthusiasts that an album a strange topic for a song, but it’s this strain of so heavily instrumental and live-feeling as conflict that makes for one of the most com- Lost In The Dream made such waves. pelling listens of the year. Sam Evans 7. Liars - Mess 4. The War On Drugs - Lost In Building on the electron- The Dream ic sounds of 2012’s WIX- During a year in which IW, Liars’ Mess is certain- the music industry be- ly an album of two halves. came increasingly saturat- The contrast between the ed with bedroom-based pounding dance-punk of electronic projects and the first half and the mel- teenage gangsters turned lower ambience of the rap auteurs, it came as second work to great effect. Lead single ‘Mess something of a relief for on a Mission’ is a highlight, and the snappy guitar heads and rock enthusiasts that an al- (though somewhat tautological) refrain of bum so heavily instrumental and live-feeling ‘facts are facts and fiction’s fiction’ is particu- as Lost In The Dream made such waves. With larly catchy. What at first appears to be a lull all but one of its tracks stretching out past the towards the middle of the album is in fact a four-minute mark, the third War On Drugs segue into a restrained, though no less com- album is as trippy, progressive, and ef- petent, sound. Other tracks of note are the fects-laden as any psych rock album could be ridiculous ‘Mask Maker’ (‘Take my pants off, expected to be. Yet, with its crisp, pounding Editor: Emily Nabney theboar.org 1730 [email protected] Twitter @BoarBooks BOOKS fb.com/groups/BoarBooks Short Story Competition Winners We publish the winning entry in the Boar’s creative competition: ‘The Hamblins’ by Allegra Scales

oon before I arrived in America, Smokey Hamblin had taken his fourth wife. “Each wife has been married to me Sby a special and sacred religious ceremony,” he explained. “They are all equally valid, un- der the eyes of the Lord.” Under the eyes of the law, Smokey is only married to his first wife. Out in the desert, his family live where they cannot be found. Hamblinhaven, a huddle of scorched trailers in which all twenty-eight Hamblins live, gen- erously described by Smokey as ‘the ranch’, is an eight hour round trip from Salt Lake City. They had met me at the airport terminal, holding a sign with my name on it saying “The Lord Welcomes You to Utah!”. Smokey was wearing beige slacks with a peculiarly sharp crease down the front, and a light blue shirt, drawn taut over the fleshy, unkempt stomach of a man in his sixties. His hair also betrayed his age, having completely disap- peared from the top of his head. His shiny skull was circled by what remained; thin and dull brown. I have always thought this the worst hair possible. Just shave it all off if this happens. Better to be bald as if by choice, than to be clinging on to the inevitably fad- ing. God knows I’ll shave it off when it hap- pens to me. He was flanked by a wife on either side. The eldest, Jenetta, was on his left. Jenetta, as I later found out, was thirty-seven. His lat- est wife, Bridie, was on his right. As I rightly guessed, she was sixteen. Smokey leapt toward me to shake my hand. Though clearly older than both the women stood next to him, there was something vital and young in his face that was absent from theirs. They kept close to him and constantly looked to his expression before they assem- bled their own. Otherwise they gazed ahead with vapid smiles. Jenetta was a solid woman with broad shoulders. She had a soft, lineless face and her long hair was tied in a plait. The fleshy large- ness of her arms and chest was smoothed out by an old-fashioned looking floral dress, which fell in pleats from the waist. Slender » Photo: Flickr/Zach Dischner Bridie seemed lost in hers; it crinkled at her women can. See, the biological facts are there Eventually, we arrive at Hamblinhaven. armpits and waist and billowed between her as well if you need some convincin’. These are The sun is monstrous. There’s nothing for as the trailer off in long strips. spindly legs. She was giggly and skittish and words direct from the Lord, from Genesis. far as the eye sees, apart from the grey moun- Several children bounce down the steps of I did not know what I should say to her. As ‘Be fruitful and multiply.’ We are all rewarded tains that laze in the distance. The earth runs different trailers towards us and scramble be- we left the terminal to walk out to the truck, with an elevated place in Heaven if we pro- hot and flat in every direction, covered in tween their father’s legs. Jenetta lifts up a little and I silently obsessed on what a strange situ- create accordin’ly. Well, sir, my beautiful spiky mud-coloured brush. boy of maybe three and kisses him. Smokey ation I was in, Bridie slipped her tiny hand wives have given me many beautiful children The trailers are jumbled across a patch of ruffles heads and swoops down to plant kiss- into Smokey’s and held on to it. but they are nearly too old to have anymore. land about fifty square feet wide. Thick metal es and turns to me, “There’s a lotta love in this In the truck, I was told the other two wives The youngest of my current children is one poles, twisted by the heat, are lying amongst family.” were at home, looking after the twenty three an’ a half, that’s from Chrislynn. Ruth is eight children’s trikes and stacks of old tyres and I am bustled toward a kitchen trailer, Hamblin children. The second wife, Chris- months pregnant but they’re gettin’ close rusted farming tools. The ground is all ripped which I lurch into to get out of the sun. At a lynn, was thirty-one and then the third, Ruth, now, you see? So we had to take another wife, up and crumbly. Smokey says, “I tell ya, fight- large rough wooden table sits a beautiful pale was thirty. They had been married to Smokey and Bridie has just fallen with the first of our ing back that sagebrush is like fighting back girl, hacking the tops off of dusty carrots. on the same day, fifteen years ago. Jenetta had children. We’re all delighted about that.” sin. You have to remain vigilant. Sometimes I She seems older than Bridie, but she can- married Smokey five years before that. I asked if there was ever any jealousy. think I spend my whole days diggin’ out that not be either Chrislynn or Ruth because she I asked Smokey why he had waited fifteen They all laughed, like they knew something stuff and throwing it back to the desert. But is too young. I stare at her perfect face, with years before taking a fourth wife. I didn’t. the children need somewhere to play. One her long wintery eyelashes, like an idiot. She “Well sir, first of all we discussed it. And “There’s no jealousy, we all love each other” day soon we’re gonna get some real grass out looks straight back at me, stoically. we decided together, that it was time for us to says Smokey, “A relationship between sister- here. There are ways of doin’ it, you can get “This is Hannah”, says Jenetta, who has have a new wife. These are not just my wives, wives is sacred, it’s not how you understand plastic grass in Salt Lake. Looks real.” lumbered in behind me. they are each other’s sister-wives. I’ll tell you husbands and wives to be. You have to real- Some children are hanging upside down I clumsily point out that she looks older a little story sir, and it begins, ‘In the Bible.’” ise, this is our religion, sir. It’s what we know on what appears to be a wooden climbing than her fourth mother. In the back, Jenetta and Bridie echoed “In to be God’s will.” frame. They stare at me, plaits dangling, their Hannah returns to the carrot and says, the Bible!” and Bridie, laughing, let her head “That’s right” says Jenetta. tiny faces flushing red with blood. Another “She don’t have any authority over me”. fall onto Jenetta’s shoulder. And then Bridie says, “If there is any gaggle are hitting a dead rattlesnake with Jenetta frowns a little. “Smokey is fair. He “In the Bible, the Lord our God bestowed jealousy, we just remember that we all love sticks and flinging the rubbery pieces that says that in the event of a young wife join- it upon men to have as many children as pos- Smokey and that we’re happy if he’s happy.” break off at one another, shrieking happily. ing our family, if they’re older than some of sible. That’s why you and I have the ability to She looks to me and scrunches up her little One lone child, a little older, is crouched in the children they will have to respect them as produce children for much longer than the face in a mock childish grin. I look away. the shade, peeling the paint from the side of siblings first. A young wife has to learn a lot.” theboar.org/Books | @BoarBooks | BOOKS 18 16 theboar.org I turn back to Hannah. I want Jenetta to with stripping the pans, remind myself why news programs, where that crazy man’s lea- leave, but she pulls out a chair and starts I’m here and tell them I am going to my cot din’ it from prison cos he’s in there for mo- The Winners combing Hannah’s long blonde hair through to write up some notes for the documentary. lestin’, an’ Old Smokey he loaded himself up her fingers and begins to weave it into a plait. Then I sleep for hours, crammed against the with his wives and then he bust on out of It looks incredibly soft and gleams white panelled wall to get out of reach of the sun there. Hid out in the desert.” In Full: where the sun touches it, and I want to reach that pours in from the window above. “I wasn’t thinking that.” First Place - ‘The Hamblins’ by Allegra out and feel it. Hannah closes her eyes. One night, I caught Smokey alone with “You was. But that’s ok, we left there pretty Scales I ask her, “Hannah, can you tell me some- a pipe. The window of his trailer was wide soon at any rate” thing about you?” open under the brightest and fullest moon I “Why?” A reporter visits Smokey Hamblin, a Mor- “What for?” had ever seen. It was the same sickly yellow “Well, we jus’ ran into some trouble down mon patriarch, who resides in the desert with “Well, I’m here to learn about your family of the desert under the sun. The cicadas sang there is all. They’re not godly people, they’re his four wives and innumerable children. and I’m interested.” like maniacs. not right. They ain’t doin’ it right, not by “I know why you’re here, but you don’t He had his slacks rolled up and was in- God’s word.” He pointed a finger to the sky. Second Place - ‘Underground’ by Beth want to know anything about me. I’m just specting the joint at the ankle of his wooden “So you don’t consider yourself member Hurst Hannah.” leg. of the Fundamentalist Latter Day Saints an- “I do want to know.” “Don’t look so surprised sir, we ain’t all ymore?” “We were only there because they had encoun- Jenetta is looking intently at me. Hannah physically perfect but that don’t matter. The “No, sir, I’m a Mormon under God an’ I tered a problem.” does not open her eyes. soul is intact.” know I’m on the right side” When a group of builders engaged with the “Well, I have bad dreams. Always.” I asked him what happened. “How do you know that? Have you ever construction of a new underground line en- “Hannah love,” Jenetta says, “he don’t want “I got knocked down by a cop car. This spoken to God?” counter problems, university archaeologists to know about your dreams.” were back in Wyoming when I was a younger “I speak to God every day, sir. You inter- are brought in to assist. Conflicting inter- She opens her eyes straight into mine. man, back before I converted. Cop was drunk rupted our holy conversin’ just then when ests between the two groups are brought to “See, I told you.” and they wanted to keep it quiet you know. you came in here as matter of fact. If you’ll a head when a new discovery is uncovered. Smokey appears and summons me for a You don’t think I support this family on sell- excuse me now, I got his guidance to pass on. tour. In his own trailer, ‘the sanctuary’, there ing those magazines up in Salt Lake do you? This family don’t run itself.” Third Place - ‘Two Birds, One Stone’ by is his metal frame bed - a double, unlike all No, sir. We’re often lucky to sell one subscrip- “One last thing, I’ve got to ask - I thought Amanda Fleming the others - a desk with an open bible spread tion a week. Too many people out there got Mormons weren’t allowed to smoke?” out on it, surrounded by frenzied notes, a their hearts and souls barricaded to God, this “I think you thought a lot of things about “She held the stone that hit the bird, she aimed cupboard bursting with tools and a wall lined is the test. Yes, sir.” Mormons. You were all the expert on Mor- her sights and threw it but it was the stone with framed portraits of each Hamblin. The I asked him how much he got. mons where you come from where there itself that killed the creature. ‘Severe cerebral four wives are along the top, Jenetta first, He said, “Enough to feed a rapidly growing aren’t many, and that’s why you’re here to film oedma’ or ‘blunt force trauma’ was what Ceci- then the middle two must be Chrislynn and family for 20 years, sir. We don’t ask for pretty us an’ ask us. So why you tellin’ not askin’? I ly thought had occurred.” Ruth, then Bridie. After Bridie are hung two things. We don’t ask for modern things, like think you know nothin’ at all and you never A disturbed young woman’s penchant for empty frames. Below them, the portraits of that there camera you got, or your wireless will.” destruction comes back to haunt her in an the children take up the rest of the wall. These phone you have. Don’t need ’em. We got each And he rolled down his slacks, snuffed out unusual and unexpected way. are in age order, and Hannah’s is first. Smok- other, and though a big family like this is not his pipe and left me alone under the hideous ey tells me the names, ages and mothers of without sacrifices it has to be like that. Be- moon. Shortlist each child. Hannah is 19. cause it is unjust to reap the benefits of some- Chrislynn is hovering in the doorway thing so greatly, like we do, and not have to ‘Death is Not an Alibi’ by Ellen Lavelle watching us. When I notice her she suddenly pay for it somehow. And the babies drink nods to me, as if I startled her, with the same from their mothers for their first three years About the author “The deal was that if you told us the informa- inane smile as Jenetta and Bridie and says, anyway, best thing for ’em.” Allegra Scales is a third-year English Lit- tion, your friends wouldn’t be prosecuted. We “How d’ya do?” and disappears back down “You say you converted?” erature and Creative Writing Student. She didn’t prosecute them. What happened last the steps before I can reply. Then she reap- “Oh yeah. Yeah, I converted. I had to. I was likes to write about unfamiliar and strangely night was nothing to do with the force.” pears immediately, as if for the reason she born into the Protestant faith. I didn’t never endearing ways of life. ‘The Hamblins’ was Detective Rick Peraquez is in hot water. came all along, and tells Smokey that Ruth is see my parents again after that, they was real inspired by a reality TV show on a chan- Twelve men have been murdered. Could he, having a real hard time in her cot and could devoted. I told them, you’re mislead, you’re nel nobody watches about a family of hy- or someone close to him, be next? she come and rest in the sanctuary for the on the wrong side of God, they didn’t wanna per-modern polygamists who haul around rest of the day? He says to me, “A pregnant hear it. I moved into a community down in their 20 kids in a convoy of glistening SUVs ‘Do You Remember This Place?’ by Alick wife is a sacred vessel, sir,” and heads out to Arizona.” and live in a luxury condo in Nevada. McCallum fetch her. “The Fundamentalist Latter Day Saints?” Her life’s ambition is to articulate in novels As the days pass, I find that I am ex- “Oh yeah. Me and Jenetta met there first. the strange and corrupt state that humanity “Burning torches give life to the hallway that pected to help with the domestic work. I rip Then a couple years later, Chrislynn and Ruth is eternally in, but also to capture the diverse stretches on and then on. The air is warm and up sagebrush and I fill the water tanks. In be- chose me. God helped them with that choice, and complex beauty of a world so truly enor- the floor light to walk upon whilst the walls are tween I observe the family. There are so many it was a blessing unto me. But they chose me. mous as ours. thick and strong and grey. You know though, I things I long to ask but I can’t spit them out. Because I know what you’re thinking, sir. see it in the periphery of your mind, that these They never ask me anything. I try to talk to Ohhh, old Smokey he moved down into that » Photos: slworking2, Brenda Clarke/ walls were once white, but are now stained by Hannah Hamblin when I am helping in the wackjob place in Arizona that everybody’s the blackness that seeps through from the out- kitchen. She evades me and I lose patience heard about, that they tell ya’ll about on the Flickr side world with reaching fingers. These stones wear the colour grey both as their armour and their battle wound. The blackness is reaching, always reaching now, for you.”

‘The Visiting Professor’ by Lubjana Mat- in-Scammell

“There was the familiarity she had grown up with. She felt comfortable with him. She learnt things about her parents’ country which she had never visited. She didn’t know any men who read. All the men in her family worked in finance or engineering.” A young girl’s passion for English Litera- ture is enflamed when she meets her uncle’s quiet, educated friend. Years later, he be- comes her tu- tor at universi- ty, and the two begin a secret liasion. But are they living on borrowed time?

Read all the winning entries! Avalible online: theboar.org/books 20 theboar.org 19 Editor: Paulina Dregvaite [email protected] Twitter @BoarFilm FILM fb.com/groups/BoarFilm Sony, freedom of speech, and bad comedy REVIEWS Andrew Russell on The Interview and the real issue behind the controversy ecent festive-season controversy to demarcate the ‘for’ from the ‘against’ free- contemporary Wretched of the Screen, the Mr. Turner film The Interview, starring James dom/national identity/capitalist-democracy/ debris of audiovisual production, the trash Franco and Seth Rogen, graced etc. But do we really have to see this as a cen- that washes up on the digital economies’ very few screens across the USA, to sorship issue? Sony is a massive corporation shores.” theR chagrin of Sony’s monied executives no with its fingers in more pies than you’d like Harkening back to Franz Fanon’s famous doubt. The reason for this lack of distribution to know, not Joshua Oppenheimer making text justifying violence by the colonised was (our usual political motivator) the threat documentaries where numerous members of against the colonials, Steyerl shows a way of terrorism from a group of hackers report- the crew are credited as anonymous for fear of understanding film that challenges those edly working for the North Korean govern- of reprisals. The more pernicious censorship in power, namely Sony, while showing that ment. The Interview (UK release pending) occurs through companies like Sony who the real work of expression is being done follows two journalists who set off to North dominate a cultural industry, squeezing out from the wastebin of production companies. Korea to interview Kim Jong-un and assas- voices that won’t turn a profit while others Arguing for Sony’s freedom of expression sinate him. Not having seen the film and make films that undermine this system (e.g. clouds over the real issue of the lack of any knowing more about Franco and Rogen than Oppenheimer). expression of difference in Hollywood films. I’d like to, I’d assume the film shows pretty I’m tempted here to opine that all films Not simply because The Interview is not like o be perfectly frank, I’ve always much just this, surrounded by casual homo- are always already political insofar as they The Great Dictator, but because if all we can found biopics a particularly strug- phobia, professional sexism and the assump- are produced under specific conditions, but feel is either fear of others or cushy entertain- gle to watch. It’s the fine line be- tion that North Koreans are mind-controlled I think more is at stake here than simply ment, then the question of expression has not tween documentary and film that I peons who’ll snap out of their ideology- reminding everyone that everything is po- even surfaced. Tfind hard to grasp. Where some biopics aim induced idiocy once the US cleans up their litical. What’s really at stake is that the dis- to depict the life of person in its entirety, oth- country. Or, stepping out of the film for a cussion around censorship usually concerns ers focus solely on the individual’s defining second, providing a visual feast that will not films (words, paintings, songs) that were al- moments (good and bad). Mike Leigh’s Mr. simply be their The Great Dictator, but their ready established in the circuit; it’s only rarely Turner chooses to straddle both these cate- complete Battleship Potemkin. that a film is picked up by those far from its gories. It depicts the last 25 years of the great But who would really think that a Holly- original source and critically resonates with British painter, the title’s eponymous J.M.W. wood movie could do something like that? that audience. The Interview was never going Turner. Through it we see the eccentric and Rogen himself only goes so far as to hope to do this for North Koreans; not because it deeply flawed life lead by the painter in his that North Koreans would “really enjoy the attacked their leader, but because the audi- latter years, with the film examining his vari- movie.” So when some get up in arms about ence is clearly drab film-goers (even if you ous personal relationships as well as his own freedom of expression we can send back a de- did watch Blue is the Warmest Colour and method and approach to art. risive reply: ‘freedom for this...?’ If we can’t it warmed your socks off) who have no real At two and a half hours long, the film re- even watch The Interview, then the terrorists stake in North Korea. Freedom of expression ally draws out his life in sharp contrast to have already won, it seems. should not be about the formal freedom of the swift, almost rabid movements Turner Considering this hyperbole, we should everyone to make million-dollar films (an es- employs in his paintings. If anything, it re- wonder about what it takes for a film to be timated $75million including advertising for ally proves just how different the man was to pulled and the reasons why. Terrorism is the The Interview), we should instead search for his work. The only times we are confronted perfect trigger word in the West if you want what Hito Steyerl calls ‘the poor image’: “the » Photo: flickr / Tyler Menezes with scenes of intense action are during one of his excursions for a new painting: look- ing out over the sea from a cliff top, or being tied to a masthead out at sea in the middle of Unbroken: struggling against adversity a snow storm. Moving from these different vignettes of his life at such a slow pace does leave one to wonder what comes next quite Molly Willis reviews the new biographical film about Louis Zamperini a lot. This, together with the vague charac- ngelina Jolie’s new film, Unbroken, heroism, meaning that the audience is taken pearing in nearly every frame without ever ter development, does make the film one is the much-hyped sophomore ef- through a series of snapshots narrating vari- losing the audience’s attention. However, that seems more suited to an audience that fort from the star and her first ous events instead of being taken through his despite the initial excitement for a possible is already familiar with the life of the film’s since her Bosnian War-set roman- journey. Academy nod, this doesn’t look to be the subject. Atic drama In The Land of Blood and Honey While Jolie does show her potential for film to grant him gold. While there is little There were many times during the film in 2011. To do justice to the incredible life of excellence in the future, she doesn’t seem to doubt over his ability, O’Connell is insuffi- when I wondered whether the things I con- the recently-deceased Olympic athlete and realise that many of her strengths lie in more ciently challenged by the material. Louis is a sidered pitfalls were in fact deliberate choices war hero Louis Zamperini, Jolie enlisted the subdued scenes, such as the death of one of strangely underdeveloped character, showing by Leigh. Was the seemingly headless plot a rarely-disputed talents of the Coen Brothers, Louis’ colleagues after over 40 days strand- little signs of independent thought about the reflection of how we are never sure of what is Richard LaGravenese and William Nichol- ed at sea. At times, she relies too heavily on war and being almost entirely passive. He ap- to come in life? Did the increased dialogues son to adapt Laura Hillenbrand’s 2010 book symbolism and sequences representing the pears very one-dimensional in his strength in latter scenes depicting Turner’s life with of the same name. The lead role was taken emotions of the scene, which leads to a very and heroism, hardly faltering from the per- Booth reflect Turner’s opening-up to human on by a relative newcomer to the big screen: hit-and-miss finished product. The overuse severance he was taught despite the horrors warmth? British actor Jack O’Connell. of elements such as slow-motion results in he endures. The majority of O’Connell’s The elements and questions raised and Unfortunately, this epic war drama re- key moments losing much of their impact work, although faultlessly executed, revolves portrayed in the film are excellently done but counting Zamperini’s exploits, from the and others appearing contrived. Meanwhile, around depicting Louis’ challenges rather taking the time to really think about the film Olympics to being stranded at sea and even- the cinematography is brilliantly executed by than embodying the man. uncovers a lot of the subtle nuances that help tually interned in a Japanese prisoner of Roger Deakins, but certain shots once again The sole acting disappointment in the film deliver the story. war camp, falls short of its hype. Jolie’s close serve to ram the message of the movie too comes from its least-seasoned performer, In that regard, Mr. Turner is indeed a mas- friendship with Zamperini prior to his death far down the audience’s throat. Little is left to Takamasa Ishihara, playing its primary an- terpiece not unlike the works of the artist and her obvious admiration of him handi- the imagination, and we are too-often being tagonist The Bird. The violent, sociopathic himself: a blur of colour and detail whose caps the film rather than helping it. There is talked at as opposed to being told a story. war criminal is possibly the film’s best-writ- layers are only revealed through closer ex- a consistent lack of subtlety throughout the Nevertheless, Jolie’s casting and direction ten character as an embodiment of all the amination. film as Jolie attempts to drive home the char- has given the movie a few very promising things that Louis must survive against, yet A person who is interested in the art- acter’s value as an inspiration. Every single performances. The film’s leading man, Jack Ishihara’s performance is unfortunately too ist would enjoy the film for its biographi- scene is intended as a demonstration of his O’Connell, carries it through the entirety, ap- contrived to communicate his importance. cal qualities and for its examination of his While Unbroken isn’t by any means a bad method and personal life. A person like me, film, it is unfortunately a victim of its own walking in without prior knowledge about hype. It shows immense respect for the life the artist and expecting to be captured by of Louis Zamperini, yet isn’t brave enough to his life, would probably leave feeling slightly explore his darker side and engage more with disappointed and a little confused. his character. Although no longer an Oscar Daniel Subramaniam contender, this film can be defined as a show- case of directorial and acting potential from » Photos: left, UPI media; top, Entertain- Jolie and her cast of young, brilliant actors. ment One Editor: Laura Primiceri theboar.org 30 [email protected] Twitter @BoarTelevision TV fb.com/groups/BoarTV Why is American TV so popular?

t’s bizarre to think that in Colombia, a you if you reveal anything beyond the first techniques. For many of us the five-o-clock are unlikely to draw out a host of hearty country still afflicted by a 50-year civil five minutes of Game of Thrones. Friends double-bill on E4 became an after- laughs. Perhaps pleasantries is a more apt la- war, you can tune in to The Big Bang The- Another contributor to the American tel- school British ritual and countless students bel than comedies. ory, or that in Sri Lanka you can check in evision takeover has been technological ad- will tune into its successor How I Met Your It’s hard to imagine shows like these get- Iwith Breaking Bad, albeit with any references vancements shifting TV away from the fixed Mother either in this slot, or at lunchtime. ting made with a British audience in mind, as to sex, swearing, or even drugs redacted from box in the corner, and onto laptops, phones The sheer volume of episodes in an Ameri- British comedy is often far more caustic. This the subtitles. and, tablets. can series, with 24 being the norm, encour- softer form of comedy is far more exportable, American television is a global force. In Services such as Netflix and Amazon ages long-term American fixtures. For all and is coupled with the manner in which the this world-era defined by the concept of glo- Prime are fast its brilliance, shift towards post-modern, reference-heavy balisation, national borders prove no match becoming the Fawlty Tow- comedy lends itself to international markets for the droves of American programmes norm for the way ers wouldn’t outside of English-speaking countries. flooding the airwaves. But what is behind its many people get very far ex- For example, a joke reliant on some sup- unrelenting popularity? now consume pecting the 12 posedly nerdy science reference made in The Most people’s ideas about what constitutes TV and the bulk episodes to per- Big Bang Theory is not going to be lost to Ital- this golden age of television we are suppos- of these libraries form a similar ian viewers through subtitling or dubbing in edly in don’t extend far beyond the cult of are made up of captive long- the same way that the sarcastic tones of Da- American Cable service HBO. The list of American pro- term audience. vid Mitchell in Peep Show would be. shows to emerge from HBO is essentially gramming. In contrast, That doesn’t make one joke better than the a who’s-who of critical darlings and popu- Over the years the 270 episodes other (although the Peep Show one definitely list “must see” TV: The Wire, The Sopranos, we’ve seen vari- of Cheers are would be) just that one is more exportable. Game of Thrones, and last year’s phenomenal ous examples of forever being In the end it boils down to a mixture of True Detective. British television re-run on ITV quality, accessibility and a willingness on our Spurred on by its self-important value sys- experimenting 4 and I person- part to consume what’s offered to us from tem (“It’s not TV, It’s HBO”) HBO changed with the idea of ally find myself across the pond. For every programme that what was expected from “high-end” drama. showing lesser defending the enhances a channel’s viewing listings there’s a This shift in value changed the landscape of known American sitcoms. For example, the theory that if you have Sky TV there’s al- stinker that’s used as filler. American drama and these shows became a American remake of The Office was shown ways an episode of some form of Star Trek So if you ever find yourself watching Two visible influence for other networks’ shows late at night on ITV and Parks and Recreation on. These aren’t necessarily bad things, it’s Broke Girls just think how you’re the reason such as AMC’s budget-smashers Breaking is on BBC 4; but their air times and channels just the quantity of the American series lend American TV is popular abroad; you encour- Bad and The Walking Dead and Netflix’s never indicate that there’s a huge amount themselves to filling schedules. aged them. Whether that’s good or bad is up House of Cards. of faith in these shows. However, more and As well as quantity, there’s also important to you, but American imports are here to American drama has arguably transcend- more people are watching these shows thanks stylistic differences that makes American stay. ed its domestic place and become global phe- to Netflix. television popular. There are a whole host Sam Russell nomena. If you accidentally post a Borgen But American domination is also coming of comedies (HBO’s Silicon Valley springs to spoiler you’ll probably be ok, but woe betide across through conventional distribution mind) that while highly enjoyable to watch, » Photo: uscpsc / Flickr

Television picks for 2015 Miles Hunt shares the shows he’s most looking forward to this year

Better Call Saul Have I Got News For You The Walking Dead Bluestone 42 Better Call Saul’s announcement had It may seem odd to include a show that al- I’m a long-time fan of The Walking Dead Bluestone 42 goes under the radar for quite Breaking Bad fans across the world leaping ready has a secure position as a British great, and unlike some people my commitment to a few people; however I’ve had a keen eye on with simultaneous joy and concern. running for an astonishing 48 series. Yet the the show has never really waned. My friends it for a while, even before it began back in They are worried that, what is many peo- show’s consistent quality is one of the reasons and I largely agree that series four, which fin- 2013. It had a promising cast with Ollie Chris ple’s favourite drama of recent years would that I look forward to it every year. ished in spring 2014, topped the two previ- and Katie Lyons, most notably of Green Wing, have its memory tarnished by a sub-standard I thoroughly enjoy tuning in to watch the ous, though series one remains the best. and Kelly Adams previously on Hustle. new effort. Equally, they were joyous that dry and cynical Ian Hislop tag team with The first half of series five aired at the end It turns out that I did well to pick up on the something close to Breaking Bad in quality the dry and surreal Paul Merton to thumb of 2014 and it was largely a process of tying up series, as although it has only aired two short might grace our screens, satisfying the hun- through the week’s events in politics and loose ends set up at the end of series four and series so far, they’ve been some of my favour- ger for more. pop culture. For me, the show is guaranteed the very beginning of series five itself. ite viewing of the last two years. I’ve chosen the optimistic approach. Vince laughs and will always present a different Because of this it wasn’t quite of the scintil- The show follows a bomb disposal unit Giligan’s eye for detail and ability to inter- point of view on current events. lating quality of series four, but I have a great and their various trials out in Afghanistan. It weave complex storylines to produce an out- The show also has an uncanny ability to deal of hope for the second half of the series, does well to make light of what is in reality standing final product can’t have simply dis- attract some top guests with significant pro- as it’s set up perfectly. a dark topic whilst maintaining the required appeared. files. This includes politicians of all parties, The half series ended with the group com- level of sensitivity to make sure that it’s not Not only that, but they chose to base the with Ken Livingstone and Boris Johnson ing together and without an established base overly offensive. series on Saul Goodman (Bob Odenkirk), regularly appearing. Often these encounters to just loiter at. Previously the series has Two of the best characters are the Scottish who was one of my favourite characters with Britain’s political elite are more reveal- tended to stagnate a bit when the group have duo Mac and Rocket, who provide endless from Breaking Bad. The lawyer was frankly ing than what they say in formal interviews. found somewhere to settle. It’s almost always silly buggers, and contrast nicely with self- enchanting with some of the best lines of Not just politicians but journalists and pre- at its best when the group find themselves on appointed, pompous idiot Skip. It really is the entire series. With it being focused on senters, such as Victoria Coren-Mitchell and the road and pitted against the ever-present written well, providing a lot of laughs in its someone whose job it is to interact with lots Jeremy Clarkson, who are just some of the and everchanging threats of the apocalyptic half hour slot and is undoubtedly something of criminals, I have high hopes for a greater distinguished names to have appeared. world they find themselves in. I’m greatly looking forward to returning in depth of various storylines to make up for the Finally, although dare I say most impor- This series is set up for an explosive finale the coming year. vacuum left by the mesmerising and all -en- tantly, they always attract the top class of that has already got me on the edge of my Following the previous series’ air dates, ex- compassing tale of Walter White. comedian with Ross Noble and Reginald D. seat waiting for the series to recommence. pect an early spring release. Not only that, but Odenkirk is a comedian Hunter being just two of the notable names. by trade and perhaps a slightly lighter tone But it’s Hislop and Merton that really make What TV are you must would be appreciated after the at times gruel- the show one of the most enjoyable things on » Photos: kellybumford / Flickr, lestaylor- looking forward to ling Breaking Bad. For now judgement will be TV and a shoe-in for this article. photo / Flickr from 2015? reserved until February 8. Tweet: @BoarTelevision theboar.org 14 Editor: Cayo Sobral 21 Editor:[email protected] Ellie May [email protected] @BoarSciTech SCI & TECH fb.com/groups/BoarSciTechTwitter @BoarSciTech Because we (legally!) gotfb.com/groups/BoarSciTech high Shana Kandola reflects on the present and future of cannabis legalisation in the UK he way the world sees cannabis is marijuana related A&E visits and a 17 per- are already zipping through your body. THC panic. changing. A year on after the first cent increase in Driving Under the Influence is passed from the lungs to the blood in mil- The other main ingredient is CBD (canna- official marijuana store opened in (DUI’s). Despite its controversies, weed has liseconds, and moments later, it will have bidiol). This is the compound that’s getting Colorado, and medical and recrea- been decriminalised in several European cit- crossed the blood-brain barrier and reached the medics all hot under the collar, and the Ttional use is beginning to be accepted all over ies and over 24 states, including Washington its destination – your cerebral cortex. Once main reason behind the use of medical mar- the world…including our very own United and California, and many more in the brain, THC mimics your ijuana. Kingdom. authorise its medical use. It natural neurotransmitter, CBD possesses analgesic (pain-reliev- But what does this change mean for you is in this field where the anandamide. This neu- ing), anti-inflammatory and anti-psychiatric or me? What does it mean for your daily pot plant really has an op- rotransmitter binds properties. Combined with THC, this allows smoker, currently crafting an arse print into portunity to show its cannabinoid re- cannabis to affect the nervous system and re- the sofa, whilst blazing a zoot and watching worth. ceptors at the lieve muscle spasms that are characteristic of the Family Guy boxset? Well, it means a lot. First, let me synapses of multiple sclerosis (MS). Its euphoric and an- Changes in cannabis laws affect the economy, take you on the neurons, acti- algesic effects can dampen nausea and pain, the pharmaceutical industry, the health ser- journey of vating your and is therefore useful to those undergoing vice, research centres, growers, dealers and the mystical brain cells. chemotherapy as cancer treatment. Marijua- buyers. And whether you’re a smoker or not, marijua- T H C na’s appetite stimulatory property is not just these changes will eventually trickle down to na leaf, as exerts an an inconvenience that forces you to spend the likes of me and you. it propels effect on your overdraft on Doritos. The ‘munchies’ For many of us, our first taste of Mary-Jane its way areas of can be beneficial for HIV/AIDS sufferers ex- was at school. Lighting up our first joint in through your brain periencing chronic weight loss. the pouring rain, in the corner of the park your brain. w h e r e But medical marijuana use is not just hap- where no-one goes because that’s where the It all comes there are pening in America. In September 2014, a dogs pee, and the homeless guy goes to talk down to the most drug called Santivex was made available on to himself….No? No-one else?...Ok, just me THC (tet- cannabi- the Welsh NHS for the first time. Santivex then. But for Colorado these dodgy an- rahydrocan- noid recep- contains extracts of THC and CBD, all pack- tics are a thing of the past. On January 1 of nabinol). This tors available aged up into a handy little mouth spray. But last year, ‘Green Friday’ saw the first gov- is the prima- for binding. before half of you pack your bags and plan ernment-controlled cannabis store open its ry psychoac- These are the your relocation to the valley, this treatment doors to the public. So is it better to stroll tive ingredient of hippocampus for is available only on prescription for MS suf- into a shop and buy from a ‘budtender’ as op- marijuana, and the short term memo- ferers. posed to that dodgy dealer on a street corner culprit for the curious ry, the cerebellum for It’s clear that the world’s perception of who has a name like ‘Blazer’ and never shows phenomena we call ‘get- coordination, and the marijuana is changing, but if you’re wait- up on time? ting stoned’. THC is thought basal ganglia responsible for ing for the UK to become the new Colora- Colorado is certainly profiting from the to be an evolutionary de- muscle coordina- do, I wouldn’t hold your breath. However as change. Current projections are on track to fence mechanism to pro- » Photo: Danny Birchall / Flickr tion. As a result we America realise the potential of its medicinal earn the state $184million in cannabis tax rev- tect against herbivore feeding. Unfortunate- experience forgetfulness and distorted per- properties, the rest of the world is catching enue by July, and there has been a 10 percent ly for the marijuana plant, evolution didn’t ception. We feel mellow, hazy and relaxed. on, and while the UK is a little slow off the drop in crime compared to 2013. Conversely, count on the carnivores becoming potheads. However THC can also increase your heart- mark, we certainly won’t want to get left be- there has also been a 13 percent increase in From the moment you inhale, chemicals rate, and many users report paranoia and hind. Spintronics and the future of computing Cayo Sobral looks ahead towards the next generation of computers and the physics behind them 0 years ago ENIAC, the world’s first ers rely on the electron’s charge to store and maths behind rotations, electrons do not spin tude smaller than current devices. programmable computer, shut down move information. The physical ones and at all (to get the effects we see, an electron But processors are not the only computer after eight years of continuous opera- zeroes of a computer are tiny capacitors that would have to spin faster than the speed of component that spintronics hopes to revolu- tion. It was the size of a whole room store charge; if a capacitor is full of charge, light!). And unlike a normal spinning top, tionise. Indeed, it already revolutionised the 6and it could perform a whopping 500 opera- the bit is on (one) or if the capacitor is emp- an electron’s spin can only take two values, world of hard drives, back in the 90s. The tions per second, a billion times slower than ty, the bit is off which we call 2007 Nobel Prize for Physics went to the dis- the humblest of computers nowadays. (zero). ‘spin up’ and covery of Giant Magnetoresistance (GMR), Indeed, ever since then, computing power Charge is ‘spin down’. an effect that is the foundation of every hard has on average doubled every two years. This not the only ‘Up’ and drive in the world. outstanding fact owes it all to the invention useful prop- ‘down’ are just Looking even further into the future, there of the transistor. In fact ENIAC was based erty that elec- labels for the are plans for universal computing devices on older vacuum tube technology, which trons have. two states and that will be capable of storing and manipulat- is where we get the term ‘computer bug’ (a Electrons those could ing information. A computer without multi- moth entered one of the tubes and caused also have a easily be ‘plus’ ple components will be smaller, sturdier and havoc). property that and ‘minus’ or much more power-efficient. Transistors are simple semiconductor de- scientists call even ‘on’ and The march of computer technology has vices that can be used to amplify signal or ‘spin’ which ‘o f f ’. been relentless for the past 60 years and sci- switch it on and off. It is because they are so (surprise, So we can entists must also be relentless in their chase conceptually simple that we’ve been able to surprise) is imagine a sin- for exotic new ways of breaking the rules. make computers faster and smaller but that what spin- gle electron Spintronics is not the only approach to- trend is starting to slow down as we reach tronics is as one bit and wards better, faster computers. From simply theoretical limits on how small a convention- based on. theoretically trying to find novel ways to use everyday al transistor can be. Spin is an ef- a computer materials to more exotic fields such as DNA Thankfully, the scientific world is hard at fect based on could be the computing or quantum computing, scientists work trying to find new ways to build the the interplay of » Photo: PublicDomainPictures / Pixabay size of a cell. In from every field have ideas for the next big next generations of computer. Einstein’s spe- reality it is very thing. One of these emerging technologies is in cial relativity and quantum mechanics but unlikely that we will ever be able to achieve Which technology will win? Only time can the field of spintronics, a portmanteau of spin the term is a misnomer. Although much of that level of miniaturisation but even realistic tell. transport electronics. Conventional comput- the maths behind spin is very similar to the spintronic devices could be orders of magni- theboar.org/science-tech | @BoarSciTech | SCI & TECH 22 19 theboar.org Put down the Lucozade and go coconuts Mechelle Bennett discusses a new, all-natural trend among athletes: drinking coconut water an coconut water work as a replace- ar and therefore very high in calories. Con- lots of sodium from the body. So by swapping durance). ment sports drink? A good source versely, coconut water is much lower in sug- sports drinks for coconut water, you won’t get Some may also prefer the taste of sports of hydration? Even a hangover cure? ar which appeals to many people who rave enough sodium! drinks over coconut water, as well as the Many athletes have decided to ditch about the ‘natural energy drink’. Easily absorbed carbohydrates, as well price. The all-in-one source of carbs and es- Cthe high-sugar sports drink and now swear The hype about coconut water originates as various electrolytes, are found in sports sential electrolytes found in sports drinks can by coconut water. Others have suggested that from its high potassium levels. Potassium is drinks for a quick source of energy. Coconut be a more convenient recovery from exercise it could even be considered in the medical in- despite the high sugar content. dustry. Is it really that beneficial? For the casual, less strenuous exerciser, Research says that coconut water may have we can rely on coconut water as a source of many benefits in areas such as cardiovas- hydration – IT IS also great for hangovers! It cular health, controlling diabetes, facilitat- is much healthier than conventional energy ing digestion, energy boosters, anti-ageing drinks. Indeed, studies have shown that co- remedies and even moisturising agents. It is conut water is better at hydrating the body known to treat dehydration caused by dys- than pure water alone. entery, cholera, and diarrhoea and stomach Despite its lack of sodium ions and carbo- flu. hydrates, coconut water can be mixed with Tradionally, coconut water is the clear salt and protein shakes for hard-core athletes. liquid extracted from inside young green The same benefits can therefore be obtained coconuts using a machete, or blade. It can by substituting sports drinks for coconut wa- be bought fresh in tropical countries such ter if you enjoy the taste - without the pre- as Indonesia and Brazil and it’s now sold in servatives and high calories. cans and cartons in many shops all around However, care must be taken to avoid the world. products with added sugar and sweeteners. It Coconut water and coconut milk are often is also important to remember that coconut confused. Coconut milk is a fatty emulsion of water is still not calorie-free, so an excessive the flesh and milk from a fully aged coconut, amount will not be entirely healthy. Dr. Lil- whereas, coconut water is made up of 95 per- lian Cheung, of the Harvard School of Pub- cent water and is packed full of electrolytes » Photo: Easa Shamih / Flickr lic Health, explains: ‘One 11-ounce container – making it a great rehydration source. has 60 calories and if you drink several in one an electrolyte that is very good at promoting water, however, is not high in carbohydrates day, the calories can add up quickly’. repair and rehydration in the body, which is at all. The high potassium from coconut water Research says that coconut water important after exercise. Electrolytes facili- The way around this has been to enhance can be found in food sources such as banan- may have many benefits in areas such tate water uptake, helping the body to rehy- coconut water – which many athletes do! as, and sodium is usually found in our diets as cardiovascular health drate. These are essential for maintaining a Some athletes, such as professional tennis anyway. Sometimes good old-fashioned wa- healthy fluid level in body, particularly after player John Isner mix coconut water with sea ter may be the best option; it’s free, natural, strenuous exercise. salt (for the sodium ions) as a hydration tool. very healthy and non-calorific. However, one thing that coconut water For repair after exercise, he mixes coconut lacks is sodium ions. These are very impor- water with protein shakes – he ensures that Sports drinks are equally as hydrating as tant for recovery after vigorous exercise, es- it also contains carbohydrates to help restore Have you tried rehydrating with coconut water ? coconut water, but they are often high in sug- pecially in the heat, because sweating releases glycogen levels (which are important for en- Tweet: @BoarSciTech The science of art conservation Maria Inam reports on the techniques scientists use to preserve the world’s masterpieces sk a science student about their x-ray fluorescence analysers are able to iden- layers without any changes to the painting method of cleaning. Nanoparticles are small- career goals, and you’re likely to tify a range of materials including pig- underneath. er than the paint particles, meaning that find some prospective teachers, ments, ceramics, glass and metal. Selecting an appropriate treat- they can slide between them for a deeper researchers or those expecting to They can also be used to dis- ment for the artwork and clean. Laser cleaning is also a popular meth- Awork within the chemical industry. One tinguish between the orig- performing it without od used to remove surface deposits. Using thing you might not expect is the aspiring art inal materials and those causing damage is an- controlled energy pulses, a laser can remove conservator. left behind from pre- other feat altogether. unwanted materials whilst leaving the paint- It may be a surprising profession when it vious conservation Initial treatment may ing or sculpture underneath unharmed. In comes to science students, but the skill and processes. involve the removal 2010, this laser technology was used for the technology required for successful art con- Raman spec- of dirt using aque- removal of thick deposits of white calcium servation means that there is a real need for troscopy is also ous solutions. carbonate in a catacomb in Rome. This pro- analytical and material specialists. used to deter- A variety of cess led to the discovery of the oldest known Art conservation has long since been a mine the com- pH-controlled images of the apostles Peter and Paul, dated challenge to maintain cultural heritage. Res- position of organic sol- back to the fourth century, which would have torations of the Sistine Chapel date back varnish. In vents may also otherwise remained hidden. to the 16th century, where treatments to the paintings, a lay- be used. These Of course, the restoration process is not frescoes used linseed and walnut oil. Fortu- er of varnish can be ap- always successful. Technical failures in dis- nately, advancements in analysis and restora- is sometimes plied using gels tinguishing between dirt and the materials tion techniques have revolutionised the field, applied over which slowly re- used in the art can lead to unwanted conse- leading to more efficient processes and a re- the paint lay- lease the solvent quences. The restoration attempt on The Vir- duction in unwanted damages. er to protect the to avoid swelling gin and Child with St. Anne, an oil painting The work of a conservator starts with a de- piece. Over time, damage that can by Leonardo da Vinci, led to controversy be- tailed examination of the artwork itself. The the varnish can be seen when free tween critics who claimed that the painting environment in which it is stored and the undergo oxidation solvent is used. De- became far lighter than the artist intended. It materials used to originally create the piece reactions and become spite this, the use of is evident, then, that care needs to be taken can vary greatly, so a true analysis in an at- discoloured. In Raman gels is somewhat prob- during restoration, and a full analysis must tempt to figure out the underlying reasons spectroscopy, energy is ab- lematic, as, after cleaning, be performed to avoid irreversible damages. for deterioration requires real analytical skill. sorbed by the material and ra- the gels need to be scraped Though advanced and innovative methods Multiple factors may contribute, ranging diated at a different frequency, al- out of cracks in the painting for of restoration are being researched to avoid from temperature, humidity, light exposure lowing characterisation complete removal such occurrences, critics also argue that the and poor maintenance techniques. of the varnish. Once » Photo: Mbboston / Wikimedia Commons which can result in integrity of artwork can be destroyed even by An initial analysis will likely consist of the identity of the var- damage. completely successful restoration attempts. x-rays to determine elemental composition nish is known, an appropriate solvent can The use of nanoparticles is considered Perhaps it was the intention of the artist for without destroying the object. Currently, be identified to remove discoloured varnish to be a more controlled and more effective the piece to change over time all along. 20 Editor: Gabriellatheboar.org Watt [email protected] Twitter @BoarGames GAMES fb.com/groups/BoarGames A new year in the realm of dreamscapes In the line-up for 2015 we found some reboots, some space-dinosaurs and some chicken hats - it’s going to be a great year

Battlefield Hardline Hotline Miami 2: Wrong Number Batman: Arkham Knight Tom Clancy’s The Division Release date: March 19 Release date: TBA Release date: June 2 Release date: TBA

In this generation, balls will still be Hotline Miami was a game that re- As Harvey Dent said in The Dark Despite its release being delayed, Tom kicked in FIFA, chests will be opened birthed the top-down action game. Knight: “You either die a hero or you live Clancy’s The Division seems the kind of in Dragon Age, and ovens will catch fire Drawing heavily on the 80s soundtrack long enough to see yourself become the game that deserves a longer stint in the in The Sims. In the realm of shooting and stylised violence of the film Drive, villain.” Thankfully, this doesn’t seem development oven if it means the final people in the face, though, war has sup- the game proved to be much more than to be the case for the Batman Arkham product won’t come out half-baked and posedly changed. merely a beat-em-up with a copied art series – unlike other popular franchises potentially poisonous, so I’ve let it slide. As Call of Duty tries to win over au- style; instead it produced a powerful which recently became glitchy messes With impressive weather effects and diences with near-future Kevin Spacey soundtrack by various artists (includ- (*cough* Assassin’s Creed). polished environments that change in exo-suit antics, Battlefield has reinvent- ing M.O.O.N.), an intensely challenging In this final instalment, we follow an incredibly realistic way when play- ed itself as Need for Speed with guns. difficulty and an affecting story. Batman as he faces off against the usu- ers blow them up, New York has nev- Hardline will depart from the dreari- The new addition in the series, enti- al suspects: the Scarecrow, Two-Face, er looked this good. And that’s saying ness of driving tanks and shooting men tled Wrong Number, follows events re- The Riddler, Harley Quinn and more, something, considering the city’s ped- in war-torn cities, in favour of police lated to the aftermath and prelude to who have united to take over Gotham igree as a post-apocalyptic chaos zone. cars and crime-ridden cities. the first game. 13 new characters will City. New features include additional The Division’s creators say it blends It’s not all a glorified reskin though. be introduced, many of them playable – gadgets, an improved combat system the shooting elements of Clancy titles A multiplayer public beta released last each with their own special abilities and and most excitingly, the Batmobile as with skill progression and a seamless year resulted in tangible improvements weapons. A level editor (squeals) and a driveable vehicle – something fans of open-world to create a game that’s de- on user feedback. The game’s release an additional ‘hard mode’ unlock after the series have been waiting for since finitively RPG. It’s a sentiment that was delayed and explosive weapons finishing the initial story, both of which Arkham Asylum’s release in 2009. The might just pull disillusioned Destiny toned down to better fit the civilian will add to replayability; always a plus opportunity to speed through Gotham players out of their funk, especially as theme. in short games. The brutal cartoonish City in the Batmobile is one that will the game’s fleshed out combat scenar- The game is also to ship with a ful- violence that made the first game so come in handy, as the game’s map ios seem a much more enticing home ly-fledged single player campaign, visceral will also be making a repeat en- promises to be five times the size of for co-op gunplay than the washed-out styled like a crime thriller TV show, try, with a larger array of weapons and Arkham City’s prison city. worlds of Bungie’s love-it or hate-it title. and should be in safe hands, being de- objects with which to perpetrate it. Batman will also encounter the By now, dystopian future premises veloped by Visceral Games, the studio Reportedly, the sequel will “flesh out Arkham Knight – a villain made espe- are nearly as common as main charac- behind the Dead Space franchise. the universe”, deviating significantly cially for the game by Rocksteady Stu- ters who can breathe, and it’s likely The Battlefield 4, dubbed by many from the prequel whilst maintaining dios. Recent screenshots show the titu- Division’s story won’t win many prizes ‘Betafield 4’, was broken. It might be the much-loved tone and style. Its page lar Arkham Knight in action, described for originality. However, it’s an end-of- worth waiting after pre-orders to see if on Steam is available to browse (soon to as a militarized version of Batman. The world context that could well open up a new developers and a fresh setting will pre-order from), so keep an eye out! identity of this mysterious crusader, whole section of tactical gameplay pos- give the series a much needed revive. however, remains an enigma for now… sibilities. Max Elgar Oliver Brett Alexander Brock Joe Baker

fore. Some old friends will be return- tipped to be one of the year’s greatest. ing – Revolver Ocelot and a decidedly grumpier-looking Kaz Miller – along Luca Ostacchini with plenty of new faces, such as scant- ily-clad sniper Quiet and DD, a wolf No Man’s Sky puppy with – wait for it – a little puppy Release date: TBA eyepatch. A demonstration at the recent Game Usually, the most anticipated games Awards showed that the game will also of the year are big budget, Triple-A re- t h e come bundled with a brand new ver- leases. But not this year. This year, Hello experi- sion of Metal Gear Online – MG’s on- Games are trying to change everything. ence that it prom- line multiplayer platform - which will The small British developer is releas- ises, with myriad planets be at no extra cost. We’ve been con- ing No Man’s Sky, a space exploration open for discovery, then stantly fed ration-sized tidbits of news game like no other, with endless planets it looks to be one of 2015’s Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain about the game’s development and array populated with different fauna and flo- most innovative releases. Release date: TBA of new features, but most notable is the ra. And it looks beautiful. The simplistic (Also, space dinosaurs. Christmas broadcast of Kojima Station. but effective art style looks to provide Need I say more?) Get your box at the ready – in 2015 the This saw Hideo Kojima give us the most some of the most gorgeous backdrops long-awaited new Metal Gear Solid will ground-breaking piece of news yet… a in gaming of 2015. Every trailer released Joe Clarke finally be released. chicken hat? You read correctly. thus far has been simply breath-taking, Following the exploits of Venom The hat will be presented to players and frankly mind-boggling – consider- Snake, father of Solid Snake, the game having too much of a hard time. Appar- ing this is coming from a small devel- » Photo: left, allthatsepic. looks set to be more than ently enemies will find you much hard- oper. com; right, destructoid. just a ‘solid’ sequel to the er to spot when this pinnacle of fashion However, a note of caution: we actu- com much-acclaimed fran- is donned by Snake – despite its bizarre ally have no idea what it is. So far, there chise. War has changed, appearance and glow-in-the-dark ma- is no story, there is no real indi- with open-world action terial. True to form, the director played cation of what gameplay will be allowing you more tacti- us all ‘like a damn fiddle’ once again. like, and, to be honest, we have cal choice than Hopefully the coming months will give no idea what kind of game it e v e r us more news and less chickens in will be. Despite this, if NMS can be- the lead-up to a game provide already www.twitter.com/WarwickBoar wwwfacebook.com/WarwickBoar Editor: Samantha Hopps [email protected] Twitter @BoarTravel TRAVEL fb.com/groups/BoarTravel

» photo: Peter Kurdulija / Flickr Happy days, expensive nights: Stratford Canal tours

Julia Wessels

tratford Upon Avon, the famous birthplace of William Shakespeare, is only a half-hour drive away from campus, and is also easily reachable Sby bus, making it perfect for a little trip out. However, I am not going to tell you the usual spiel about going to see Shakespeare’s house or going on a theatre trip; the latter of which is definitely not cheaper than a night out. In- stead I want to tell you about the pretty canal tours one can take along the Stratford Upon New Zealand for nothing Avon-Canal, which runs through the town Henry Crosby explains how diligent travellers can explore New Zealand for free and is 26 miles long. Not only are short canal tours inexpensive, they are also picturesque ew Zealand: the first place to wake “how do you expect me to check the website approach, or (2) move camper-vans between and perfect for a quiet, relaxing activity to get up in the morning, the home of if I am camping in the middle of nowhere depots, for example ‘Jucy’ campers offer one away from the stress of essays and deadlines. Hobbiton, adrenaline rushes, se- with no money to pay the ridiculous roam- week routes for £1 to and from set destina- cluded beaches, and some of the ing charges?” Then I counter your argument tions. Nworld’s most intriguing nature.And the best with 30-day Wi-Fi for just £5 at all phone However, inevitably this wonderful expe- part is... if you can raise enough funds for the boxes around the country. That being said, as rience has got fuel costs. Picking up hitchhik- flight by working behind tills, in call centres with most countries, McDonalds offers the ers and asking for fuel contribution might be or lugging boxes in a warehouse, then we can usual free Wi-Fi, plus refillable drinks if you a handy way to reduce these costs. try and help you get around New Zealand, fancy. In New Zealand, every chargeable attrac- not just on a shoe string, but on absolutely Now, I am not condoning it, but I fre- tion has an equally enjoyable free option; you nothing at all. quently observed others hitchhiking in New can pay for the use of hot springs or Google Firstly, New Zealand’s population is great- Zealand. A country with only one short mo- where the free ones are, you can catch a gon- » Photo: Steve B / Flickr er than 60 percent European. With this in torway significantly improves a hitch hiker’s dola to the top of a hill, or just walk it. Just I recently went on a canal tour and was mind, no matter who you are, you will be re- chance of being picked up in minutes, and I think free, and you will find something. very impressed with the whole experience. lated to someone or at least know someone heard on many occasions of people being put Most importantly, make friends, make In winter I would have expected most boat who is related to someone who lives in New up by their drivers. friends and make friends. Not only will it trips to stop due to weather conditions, but Zealand. One of the best things one can do in in give you the best experience, but it will get this was not the case; Canal & River Tours of This is a great start; just go onto your so- New Zealand is to experience a camper-van. you around for free and put you in places you Stratford were still running and only charged cial network of choice and post that you are Although this isn’t free, it can be incredibly were never expecting. students £5. The boat, the Jennifer May, was looking for accommodation in New Zealand cheap. Two options are to (1) buy a camper very modern and boasted large glass win- and I can almost guarantee that you will get off another traveller and sell it at the end, Have you got any other tips dows so that you could see everything you at least one offer from someone’s second and there are many occasions where people for travelling for free? were passing. It was also comfortable, warm cousin’s girlfriend’s son’s mate who will put have been known to make a profit out of this Tweet: @BoarTravel and was clearly not full to the brim with loud you up, and, what makes it even better, they passengers making the experience all the will love it. With just one lead, I can guar- more refreshing. antee you that will get you more and more Hidden Gem: Da Maria, Genova, Italy The trip started at the Stratford Canal contacts around the country. Basin and travelled down the canal, doing a Say, for some very mysterious and unlike- loop before returning to the start destination. ly reason this doesn’t work, don’t despair. There was an informative, amusing audio New Zealand is one of many homes of the track playing during the trip which high- WOOF (Worldwide Organisation of Organ- lighted key points about the sights we were ic Farming). If dirt, manual labour, animals passing, such as The Holy Trinity Church, and farms are not what you had in mind, it’s where Shakespeare was not only baptised but still okay; woofing is now just an umbrella also buried. I found it very interesting that he term to describe a job in exchange for food, actually paid £440 so that he could be buried accommodation and sometimes money (in in the chancel of the church. What spurred most cases a working holiday visa will need » photo: Nicholas Buxey him on? Shakespeare was worried that his to be purchased). body would not be laid to rest in peace and Free campsites, although hidden, are avail- t first glance, you wouldn’t think other, and the wine is measured by the jug – a would be dug up, as sometimes happened able and plentiful. All you need to know is much of it. The neon sign points true trattoria. when graveyards became full. Referenc- where to go; a unique skill as a tourist in New up a dark alley, far enough off the The food here is easily some of the best ing his worries, his tombstone includes the Zealand. The CamperMate and Rankers mo- beaten track for most tourists to Italian in the region. Everything is a local words, ‘cursed be he that moves my bones.’ bile apps are fantastic ways to ensure that you Aavoid. But therein lies Da Maria’s charm. In speciality, and we’re in Genova. You can ex- At 45 minutes long the tour avoids be- don’t pay for a single night’s accommodation. a city of restaurants for tourists, it remains an pect pesto made that minute and a menu coming repetitive, boring or tiring and it If, for some reason, you find yourself in an oasis for Italians. If you don’t speak the lan- heavy on seafood (although everything is is an absolute bargain for only £5. The first area with no free campsites, which is rare, you guage, then find someone who does! delicious), and, to top all of this off, there’s a tour departs at 11am and they run at hourly may have to settle for one of DOC’s $6NZD When you enter, you can choose to sit any- fixed menu! If you’re ever in Genova, I can’t intervals. If you are doubtful due to weather (£3) PP camping pitches. These campsites where. Seating is at tables that accommodate recommend this place enough. Although you conditions, the company responds quickly offer some of the country’s best views, skin- 10-12, so be prepared to share with strangers. might not think to go there, it’s easily some to email queries. Visit the website for more ny-dipping opportunities, and hikes. There’s only one menu, written in a bare- of the best Italian meals I’ve ever eaten. Buon information: www.canalandrivertours.com I think I just heard you say sarcastically, ly-decipherable script. Everyone knows each Appetito! Editor: Ife Akinroyeje [email protected] Twitter @boarphotography PHOTOGRAPHY fb.com/TheBoarPhotography The Winter and Christmas Competition Our photographers capture their experiences of the festive season through the lens WINNER

» Pathetic Fallacy for the start of second term of final year perhaps...Berenice Cowan » Harrods all lit up in a Christmassy London. Jessica Hayne

» Homemade Mince Pies. Jessica Hayne

» Untouched snowy swings. Jessica Hayne

» Frosting Decking. Jessica Hayne

» If you want to get involved with the photography section at the Boar make sure to email us: [email protected] » Sunset Over Matlock. AP » A Berry Pretty Branch. Amber Paterson » Snowy Wall. Amber Paterson theboar.org/Sports | @BoarSports | SPORTS 35 24 theboar.org Charity success for the Athletics & Cross Country Club! Warren Muggleton reports on yet more fundraising success for one of Warwick’s sport clubs

» photo: Warwick Athletics and Cross Country Club

erm two is packed with ex- a leading youth and sports chari- Athletics & Cross Country Presi- On the day, the club had four they will compete in the Birming- citement for the Athletics & ty. Well known sports personali- dent Georges Vacharopoulos pre- runners in the fastest 15- Georges ham Indoor Games and Varsity. Cross Country Club, as they ties such as Alison Nicholas MBE, sented the cheque to Sports 4 Life Vacharopoulos in 7th, Oliver Pou- On Saturday 31 January, the team Tseek to build on the success of last Paddy Doyle, Brian Steel and Will in Birmingham. lain in 10th, Tony Hagan in 13th and will travel to Brighton for the BUCS term. Clarke sit on the organisation’s Georges said: “Sophie did a fan- Jonathan Escalante-Phillips in 15th. Cross Country competition. Georg- This included a 24-hour charity board of trustees. tastic job in organising the event The women’s team also worked es said: “I’m fairly confident our relay, which took place from noon and it was amazing to see such a strongly, with a particularly great men and women teams can both on Wednesday 12 right through un- large number of members that were performance from Sophie Fore- improve on last year’s performance til Thursday 13 November. After a generous donation willing to support and help out man. – potentially one of our strongest Fifty members of the club took from Santander, the club with the relay. A week later, the League went to ever cross country squads” turns on shifts, ranging from 30 “It was also satisfying to see how The BUCS Indoor Athletics minutes to two hours. They ran a raised a total of £1344.54 for many people would happily donate “It was amazing to see such a Competition will take place from series of loops around the piazza, Sport 4 Life –people became particularly gener- large number of members that Friday 20th to Sunday 22 February Rootes accommodation and Health ous after their night out at POP!” were willing to support and and the team will send out a strong Centre Road. Alongside fundraising success, help out” squad. The President is hopeful of This was all to raise money for The 50-strong team did a fan- the Athletics & Cross Country Club Georges Vacharopoulos medals from the likes of 800m run- Sport 4 Life, a charity which helps tastic job and raised £1138.21. On have been striving for promotion ner David Banwell-Clode and mul- disadvantaged children and young top of this already impressive to- back into Division 1 of the Birming- Leicester where both the men’s and ti-eventer Charlie Roe. people in and around Birmingham tal, £206.33 was then generously ham and District Cross Country women’s teams won in the relays. to escape poverty and avoid return- donated from the campus-based League. Saturday 8 November saw This term holds the potential for ing to crime through the use of Santander branch, raising a total of competitors take to the roads in the Athletics & Cross Country Club sport. £1344.54 for Sport 4 Life. Leamington and the Men’s A team to add to their success. As well as For more information on Sport The charity was only founded in On December 2 2014, Women’s finished top of Division 2 with the continuing the Birmingham and 4 Life, you can visit their website at 2006, but has already grown into Jogging Captain Sophie Dunne and B team adding a win too. District Cross Country League, http://www.sport4life.org.uk/ London Marathon update: running home for Christmas Warren reflects on his own athletic endeavours as the London marathon beckons o, it’s January once again, the full distance. have been fundraising in my home cold weather and general air I have now been training for the town, Christchurch. Thanks to of misery everywhere should London Marathon for just over a them, I have already raised around Shave already given that away. It’s month and this has involved ap- £750 for the Donkey Sanctuary! I the time of the year for nursing the proximately 145 miles. With four am absolutely delighted with this, Christmas hangover and getting runs a week, I have been focusing but I would love to smash the tar- back into the swing of things. on getting as much distance as pos- get. Unfortunately, I have not had this sible before I start working on any I will be fundraising in Leam- luxury, as I’ve been putting myself speed training. ington on 17 January and in Ke- through the runner with continued Of course, the sole focus of all nilworth on 21 February- whether training for the London Marathon this hard work and training is the a donkey outfit will be included for the Donkey Sanctuary. intention to raise some much need- is still being considered... I’m also At the time of writing, it’s cur- ed money for charity. hoping to fundraise on campus at rently 15 weeks, three days, 17 hours I will be one of six on Sunday 26 some point in the future. and 15 minutes until the big day April running for the Donkey Sanc- Every donation is motivating me (yes, training is that precise right tuary, a charity based in Sidmouth, to keep going and helping those now!) and I have been training Devon. The charity was set up in donkeys across the world who need right across the festive period. 1969 by Dr. Elisabeth Svendsen as it the most. When I last wrote on my pro- she dedicated her life to champion And I would strongly recom- gress during an edition of the pa- donkeys and, through her amazing mend to anybody with even the per last term, I was preparing for devotion, it has grown to the inter- smallest amount of curiosity in the Royal Parks Half Marathon, in national charity it is today. running a marathon, to go ahead London, in aid of the Brooke Hos- Forty-five years on, the Donkey and do it. The sense of purpose and pital for Animals. Sanctuary now has sanctuaries, res- reward is incredibly strong and it’s a I am very happy to report that cues centres and funded projects in good distraction from your studies. I completed the distance in a time over 27 countries across the world. I know running is a very popular of one hour 42 minutes 14 seconds. The Donkey Sanctuary is reaching pursuit on campus and running a As this was my first long-distance, out to those in the greatest need of marathon is one way of taking this I was delighted to simply finish the their help and support, and by aim- interest to the next level. race! ing for a target of £1000, I am aim- I’ll have to leave it there- another However, the experience, the ing to make sure this work keeps run is calling! atmosphere and the achievement going. kept me motivated to train for the Over the Christmas period, I » photo: Warren Muggleton theboar.org 32 Sponsored by Editor: Luke Brown [email protected] Twitter @BoarSport SPORT fb.com/groups/BoarSport » Photo: Wikimediacommons

Varsity series shake-up in 25th anniversary year The annual competition against Coventry has been given a fresh overhaul for 2015, reports Luke Brown

he Varsity contest against Ruby Compton-Davies, Sports ries, switching from its usual place Stephen Smith, a third year Selected Results Coventry is set for a logisti- Officer, told the Boar that there as the first fixture. Mathematics student, told the Boar cal overhaul this year, with a were many reasons behind the de- Ruby spoke enthusiastically that he was in favour of the pro- 3rd December 2014 Tnumber of changes made to the se- cision to more closely contain the about the changes. posed changes. ries by the respective Students Un- action. “Changing the Ice Hockey so “I attended the Ice Hockey last Badminton ions of both universities. “Other Varsity series between that it’s the final event made per- year, and it was a fantastic experi- The Varsity calendar has been other universities take place over fect sense to us”, she said. “The Ice ence. Men’s 1st H Sheffield H 1st 2 6 shortened a great deal, with all of one single weekend, whilst others Hockey is always a sell-out and “However, I think it makes bet- Women’s 1st A Birmingham 2nd 4 4 the events now scheduled to take take place over a single day”, she always has that great party atmos- ter sense for the fixture to finish off Women’s 2nd H Lincoln 1st 3 5 place between January 30 and the commented. “Whilst we compete phere. Now, the whole series will Varsity, rather than start it. That’s February 7. These events will take in a lot more sports than these uni- build up to this event. Plus now the because I lost interest after the Football place on five particular days with versities, we nevertheless wanted to Score Extra Time after-party will match last year, and didn’t really Sunday 1 February and the final day keep the momentum up by chang- take place directly after the hockey follow what else was going on dur- Men’s 1st H Derby 1st 2 0 experiencing the bulk of the action. ing to a ‘Varsity Week’ structure. has finished!” ing Varsity.” Women’s 1st A Coventry 1st 2 2 “We didn’t want to drag the con- Meanwhile, Film and Literature “I think there will be much test out”, she added. “The changes “Changing the Ice Hockey so student Emily Tatham comment- Golf will help us to maintain the buzz”. that it’s the final event made ed that she believed the shortened more of a Varsity buzz across Mixed 1st A Derby 1st 6 0 campus” The re-think of the fixture list pefect sense to us” calendar would help to better retain will also see Varsity taking place a Ruby Compton-Davies people’s interest. Third-year, Emily Tatham lot earlier in the term than in for- “I’m a big sports fan but found Hockey mer years. The action will now take The Women’s Basketball first the series hard to keep up with in This shortened calendar stands place over term weeks 4 and 5. This team have been given the honour the past. It seemed like the events Men’s 1st H Leicester 1st 4 3 in contrast to previous years. In also means that the contest won’t of kicking off the competition, with were stretched out over a very long Men’s 2nd H Bedford 1st 16 0 2014, for example, events were held clash with the Warwick sabbatical their game against Coventry sched- period of time. Women’s 1st H Aston 1st 2 2 between February 19 and March 2. officer elections. uled on January 30 at 6.30pm. This “But now I think there will be Despite this, no events will be cut But perhaps the most notewor- game will be followed by the Men’s much more of a Varsity buzz across Lacrosse from this year’s series, rather more thy change of them all is when cer- team, with both fixtures set to be campus. Enthusiasm will be up.” fixtures will take place on the same tain sports are to be played. The played on enemy turf at the Coven- Men’s 1st A Birmingham 1st 10 5 day. It is hoped that this will help Ice Hockey - always a fixture well try Sports Centre. What do you think Men’s 2nd A East Anglia 1st 3 7 the contest retain the enthusiasm of contested and a sport which War- The changes seem to have been about the changes? Women’s 1st A Nottingham 2nd 10 8 students, as well as making it easier wick triumphed in last year - will met with a positive reception from Tweet: @BoarSport for fans to follow. now serve as the climax to the se- Warwick sport fans. #goingthroughchanges Netball

Women’s 1st A Oxford 1st 18 44 Varsity: more ways than ever to get involved Women’s 3rd H Derby 1st 28 28 Not competing in Varsity? Experience the action with a media society Rugby League ou don’t have to be a mem- We will also be live-blogging the Boar. “Whether it’s interview- special live commentaries. Those Men’s 1st H Nottingham 1st 12 28 ber of a sports team to get selected fixtures from across the ing the players, filming matches, looking to get involved with the ra- involved in Varsity 2015. week. These will appear on our being behind the scenes in dio side of things are invited to get Rugby Union YWarwick’s media societies intend website. Again, if you production or being in in contact with RaW head of sport, to cover the vast majority of Varsity play for a team and front of the camera Tim Arstall. Men’s 1st A Oxford Brookes 1st 41 14 fixtures, and all require your help in would like your during our live Warwick’s three media societies Men’s 3rd H Nottingham 4th 38 17 making this happen. event live- broadcasts.” will also be working together on Women’s 1st A Worcester 1st 12 25 Here at the Boar, we will be blogged, Those the official 2015 Varsity website, producing a special Varsity pull- please get with an which will serve as a cross-media Squash out which will come bundled with in touch. interest platform. The website (varsity.war- your week six issue of the paper. Mean- in being wicksu.com) features the full fix- Men’s 1st A Birmingham 3rd 3 2 This will include a match report while, part of ture list, and will link to live-blogs Women’s 1st A Oxford 2nd 3 1 on every single Varsity fixture, as War- W T V ’s and commentaries. well as various other features, such wick TV “ m o s t And if you still aren’t set on get- Table Tennis as interviews with Warwick sport ( W T V ) ambi- ting involved with Varsity, there is captains and Presidents. It’s set to a r e t i o u s still the opportunity to enjoy the Men’s 1st H Leeds 1st 12 5 be the biggest Varsity pullout in the m a k i n g Va r s i t y action as a Warwick fan. And in Women’s 1st H Nottingham T 2nd 3 2 history of the paper and we want plans for coverage the next edition of the paper, we’ll you to get involved. their own yet” are be featuring the full list of where to Tennis If you’re a member of a sports coverage, asked to get catch the various action, as well as team who would like to give your which include in touch with providing you with directions so Men’s 1st A Cambridge 1st 2 10 first-hand opinion on the action, a series of live Robert either that you don’t miss the events being Women’s 1st H Royal Holloway 1st 4 8 or if you’d like to try your hand at broadcasts. via email or on the staged in Coventry, like the Basket- writing a match report, you can get “You can get involved WTV Facebook group. ball opening event. Volleyball involved by joining the Boar Sport with this year’s Varsity in many Radio at Warwick (RaW) Don’t say we aren’t good to you Facebook group, or by e-mailing different ways with Warwick TV”, will also be covering a series of Var- like that. Men’s 1st A Exeter 1st 0 3 [email protected]. head of sport, Robert Bowler, told sity events, as well as staging some Luke Brown Women’s 1st H Nottingham 1st 3 0