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Wednesday 1st October, 2014 Est. 1973 | Volume 37 | Issue 1 theStudent Publicationboar of the Year 2013 Warwick Sport prices increase See inside page

Comment page 7 Travel page 26 Games page 23 TV page 21 “Pipe down, societies” A summer with Warwick in Africa The casual gamer The 20th anniversary of Friends

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SponsoredTF2897 The Boar by: Warwick 265x44 Banner.indd 1 18/12/2013 16:37 2 News theboar.org/News | @BoarNews | NEWStheboar.org 2 Warwick Sport price increases “ridiculous”, say students fer needs to provide opportunities ing charged covers redistribution Samuel Lovett for the whole University communi- of the funding model for sport at ty, and currently the offer is heavily Warwick. What do Warwick students think? skewed towards sports clubs. “The aim is to be more equitable University is a place where This is going to put students Students have expressed their dis- “Clubs are only being charged and in doing so provide greater ca- you should be able to try new off from playing sport, which appointment over the 60 percent for costs that are directly attrib- pacity for the delivery of the wider things. People who want to is the complete opposite to increase of Warwick Sport fees uted to the administration of club sporting offer at Warwick.” try new sports will be put what Warwick Sport’s job is. It for the 2014/15 academic year, a activity and are currently heavily In redistributing costs paid by “off from joining periphery sports “doesn’t make sense at all. On top of decision that was made after 18 subsidised by non-club members of club members in this way, both because of the significant price in- all the other costs which the Uni- months of consultation and delib- Wa r w i c k Sp or t .” the SU and Warwick Sport believe crease, while club members gain versity fails to help us with, this is eration. the proposed model will offer bet- nothing from paying far more. just ridiculous. Members of sports clubs that use ter value for money for non-club Warwick Sport facilities are set to members. Will Harvey, second-year Akshay Shah, second-year be hit hardest as their membership The Boar also asked why fees for General Engineering Mathematics fees will be increased from £55 to non-club members had not de- £88, plus the £6 fee per club: a 60 creased as a result of the redistri- I can honestly say that my For Warwick to say that these percent price increase. bution of costs, but was provided membership to both Classi- new fees for sports member- For standard Warwick Sport no direct response. cal and Modern Dance has ship will increase participa- members and members of sports Peter Dunn, head of press and really made and shaped my tion is ludicrous. The fact clubs that do not use Warwick policy of the University, reiterat- “university experience. I hope that “that we not only have to pay for Sport facilities, there will be a ed this view and said that there the increase in membership fees signing up to teams singularly, as normal inflationary increase was broad agreement among does not dissuade students from well as food which we all know is from £55 to £58. those involved in deliberation. renewing their membership and not cheap, travel to university, and Over the past 18 months, War- He said: “Those who partici- forgoing such a brilliant opportu- socials, plus other costs, we now wick Sport has been carrying out a pated in the consultation accepted nity [in order to] save those much have to pay 60% more...Have they detailed and robust assessment in that the current funding model was needed pennies. considered the students at all? cooperation with the Students’ Un- unsustainable and understood that ion (SU) and the sabbatical officers the new mode would be more eq- Ami Isaac, third-year Eng- Bobby Zubis, second-year who are supposed to have support- » Photo: Warwick Sport uitable, putting more of the cost on lish and French Biomedicine ed the proposed model. club members rather than Warwick The initial proposal was to phase According to Ms Parkes-Hari- Sport members who were not part Increasing the cost of War- Having heard about the in- in the increases over the following son, the extra charge will help en- of clubs.” wick Sport is almost certainly crease in fees, it’s definitely three years but the views of sports sure non-club members are no Alongside such general consen- going to reduce the number put me off from paying the club members was to carry out all longer subsidising clubs for their sus, eight other universities and of students who participate £88. One of my friends told the changes in the first year. sporting experience at Warwick. It their sports membership fees were “and this will have a detrimental ef- “me that to join Warwick gym and Kelly Parkes-Harrison, Warwick is suggested that the fees increase taken into account during the con- fect on students’ physical health but a martial arts group it would cost Sport’s senior press and communi- will enable Warwick Sport to ad- sultation process. also their mental health. I find exer- over £300 with insurance and such. cations manager, cited a number of minister a fair and effective sport- According to the University, after cise a really good stress relief. It’s a crazy amount of money. reasons behind the decision to in- ing model from which all members the increase, club members will still crease costs. can equally benefit from. pay less than the amount charged Grace Blackburn, Laura Primiceri, She said: “There is a growing re- Ms Parkes-Harrison stated: “The by seven of those eight universities. second-year LLB Law second-year alisation that the Warwick Sport of- additional money that clubs are be- » Front page photo: Ann Yip English Literature theboar Editorial Team

SCIENCE & TECH Cayo Sobral Editor Rebecca Myers NEWS Ann Yip [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Samuel Lovett April Roach TV Laura Primiceri Deputy Editors Raghav Bali [email protected] [email protected] Daniel Cope COMMENT Daniel Cope Sian Elvin [email protected] Hiran Adhia TRAVEL Samantha Hopps [email protected] Sub-editors Samantha Hopps FEATURES Rami Abusamra [email protected] Sophia Schoepfer [email protected] Desi Ekzarova SPORT Luke Brown Maaike Spiekerman Bethan Riddell [email protected] Chloe Wynne Florence Vane LIFESTYLE Bethan McGrath Director of Business Alessandro Presa [email protected] Ailsa MacLachlan [email protected] ARTS Catherine Lyon Head of Sales Pamela Rajadurai [email protected] [email protected] BOOKS Emily Nabney Head of Marketing Kate Mant [email protected] Lucy Skoulding [email protected] FILM Paulina Dregvaite [email protected] Ellie Gill Photography Editor Ife Akinroyeje [email protected] GAMES Gabriella Watt [email protected] Joe Baker Head of Logistics & Distribution Derin Odueyungbo [email protected] MUSIC Sam Evans [email protected] Jacob Mier

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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 3 News theboar.org/News | @BoarNews | NEWStheboar.org 3 What’s happening with the campus roadworks? Over the of course be short-term pain for us April Roach all as the works proceed – but that short-term pain will produce sig- summer... nificant long-term gain.” The closure of Gibbet Hill Road near The scheme will include the in- the University of Warwick in June stallation of a new roundabout by 2014 has caused problems for resi- the Arts Centre. dents and people travelling to cam- This requires realignment of pus. University Road to connect the Students, however, are being re- roundabout and bus interchange, assured that the road works project thereby providing an extra two-way on campus is scheduled to come to entry exit on to main campus from an end soon. Gibbet Hill Road. Presently, buses are diverted into The University will also be in- central campus by the Students’ Union building before stopping by “The works will help traffic flows Library Road, but will no longer around our campus and are stop by the gatehouse. designed to make routes safer, Vehicles will be able to enter particularly Gibbet Hill Road.” campus through University Road Peter Dunn Samuel Lovett after Monday 29 September. Mean- while, Gibbet Hill Road will be closed from the Library Road junc- stalling a new traffic system where arwick was awarded the tion onwards. The road will par- there will be more focus on vehicles University of the year tially re-open early next month at coming into campus during the 2014/15 by The Times the south half of Gibbet Hill Road; morning hours, and in the evening, Wand The Sunday Times. The Times from Kenilworth to Kirby Corner vehicles coming out. acknowledged that: “Warwick has Road will be open to all traffic. Other traffic calming measures been an ever-present in our top 10 The north end of Gibbet Hill include raising a granite table next over the past two decades. A place Road will take longer to finish than to Radcliffe House and a 20mph to study here is highly prized.” In originally estimated following a de- speed zone between Benefactors addition to this, the University rose lay in the delivery of some of the and Scarman House. two places to 8th in the Good Uni- materials needed to complete the Charlie Coe, a second-year His- versity Guide league table. works. The north half of Gibbet tory student at Warwick said: “I Hill Road will not be open until think the roadworks are good be- early November. cause as a driver it is only a minor he University of Warwick Peter Dunn, head of press and inconvenience to take a ten minute was revealed as the 6th most policy at the University of Warwick diversion in order to get to campus. expensive UK university for stated: “The works will not only Also the road is now presumably Tfirst-year student living costs, ac- help traffic flows around our cam- going to be in good condition for cording to a study of the 20 largest pus they are also designed to make many years to come.” British institutions. The research, those routes safer, particularly Gib- Olly Styles, a second-year Com- conducted by HSBC, revealed that bet Hill Road. puter Sciences student at Warwick the average weekly expenditure for “The changes are also designed was less impressed with the road Warwick freshers was £255.23. to promote bus travel with a much works. “It is poorly timed,” he told better bus interchange. There will the Boar. » The diversions and bus routes for Term 1 Photo: Warwick University tudents who booked trips to climb Kilimanjaro, Inca, and Everest as part of a fundrais- Sing effort with Raising and Giving Fears grow for laddish behaviour at universities (RAG) had their trips cancelled Sam Crawford investigates concerns following the release of a sex tape at Leeds University due to the liquidation of travel firm Student Adventures (GBCE Ltd). There is increasing concern about third of female students have faced like bunnies”. was dressed she deserved to have Around 40 students were to due to ‘laddish’ culture at British univer- unwelcome sexual advances during The individual went on to de- something happen. Do you know participate in the expeditions. sities, following a sex tape which their time at uni- scribe how “the what I mean? Like to teach her a circulated the internet featuring versity. guy proceeded lesson.” members of Leeds Metropolitan One of the to throw her rrangements have been University Rugby Club. participants off the top of “The way she was dressed she made for literature Profes- The university students are fac- in the sur- him. She was deserved to have something sor Thomas Docherty’s sus- ing condemnation after circulating vey said that stark na- happen. Do you know what I Apension to be lifted and he will be a video depicting a woman lying on they had ked.” They mean? Like to teach her a lesson.” expected to return to work at War- the floor surrounded by three na- witnessed concluded Overheard by a student wick. Professor Docherty was orig- ked men shouting abuse at her. a drinking by saying: inally suspended by the University It was reported in the Daily game at the “ S c h o o l When asked about ‘lad culture’ due to his outspoken critical views Mail that the video featured the Universi- dayz spirit on campus, Bethan Smith, a third- of higher education leadership and male students shouting ‘slag’ at the ty of War- h e y.” year English Literature undergrad- policy. young woman before instructing wick where Sexism at uate, said: “You only really need to his friend to spit on her, to slap her male stu- Warwick is go to any Pop! or Skool Dayz night, and to “f****** do her”. dents chant- a Facebook or even out at Smack to see it in fter being banned for two The newspaper continued to de- ed: “Women group where forc e .” days, the Warwick Rowing’s scribe that the woman was being aren’t people.” members Similarly, Oliver Clarke, a sec- women’s naked calendar “treated like a piece of meat by the On Face- can anony- ond-year Mathematics undergrad- Apage was restored on Facebook. pack of cheering, jeering men” and book pages mously post uate, agreed that there were signs The Facebook page was banned that the video was passed around such as Spot- about sexual of ‘laddish’ culture on some nights on the basis it contained “explicitly “like some badge of honour”. ted Warwick harassment out, but said: “The atmosphere sexual content” on Wednesday 16 Library, there that they have around campus is normally calm July. It was reinstated on Friday 18 “You only really need to go to are also a num- faced whilst at and productive.” after the rowers took to Twitter to any Pop! or Skool Dayz night, ber of posts university. publicise their cause which reached or even out at Smack to see that appear to In one post » Experts are concerned that national attention. [laddish behaviour] in force.” promote ‘lad- from March 3, there might be a rise in laddish Bethan Smith dish’ behav- a member of culture. Photo: Placbo / Flickr iour. the group re- arly in July, around eight One anony- counts hearing hundred members of staff at Experts are concerned that such mous individ- the following Have you experienced the Warwick Medical School behaviour is symptomatic of a rise ual claimed on comment at a any laddish behaviour? Eand School of Life Sciences were- in ‘lad culture’ at universities. the page that they university bus Tweet: @BoarNews warned that their departments are A recent survey by the Nation- had witnessed two stop: “I mean #EverydaySexism under-performing and that the al Union of Students found that a students having “sex Christ, the way she University will be initiating cost ef- ficiency plans. 4 News theboar.org/News | @BoarNews | NEWStheboar.org 4 SU uncovers and tackles widespread taxi malpractice Drivers have been mistreating students and refusing journeys for vulnerable and disabled students

Ann Yip SU in tears. drove past and shouted ‘sluts!’ to us, The survey found that 59 per- it was quite frightening, the same cent of students had been refused thing happened about a month lat- Warwick Students’ Union (SU) are taxi journeys by drivers - which e r.” working towards a record-and-re- is an illegal practice. 51 percent of Another recalled that they had port scheme that tackles the students experienced refusals in been locked in a taxi several times malpractice of taxi services after Leamington and 38 percent in Cov- due to disputes over fares: “Drivers a study conducted by the SU re- entry. have threatened to take me to a po- vealed that such malpractice was In Leamington, it is common lice station... but then would not do widespread in local areas around that students have to walk home this when I actually agreed to go to campus. in the early hours of the morning police, instead holding me locked The scheme will enable students because taxis have refused to take in their car saying they ‘could wait to report incidences of malpractice them. all night’.” by noting down the taxi driver’s li- In Coventry, young people were Other findings suggested that cense number and vehicle number. also refused taxi rides from cam- taxis would refuse rides for disa- The complaints will then be for- pus, the presumption being that the bled students. warded to the local councils for a distances were considered too short One account stated: “When I’m review. for drivers who wanted to wait for with my friend who is in a wheel- The SU has revealed that they customers looking for longer jour- chair, the amount of taxis that have will be launching their scheme dur- neys. refused her is disgusting. They’ve ing Week 3 of the first term - week Of the reasons given for refusing made her cry because she thinks starting October 12. a journey, 56 percent was because she’s ruined our night... The campaign is also working to- the distance was too short and 15 “It’s also sad that we are so hap- wards putting together a document percent was because the students py and grateful that someone takes to tender for a preferred private were considered too drunk. us to Canley or takes our friend in hire service on campus. The SU has since been con- a wheelchair, when really that is Rob Ankcorn, SU democracy cerned that such malpractices are their job.” and development officer and lead- putting young people, especially Mr Ankcorn suggested that this er of the campaign, further advised women, at risk. There were two re- may have been because many driv- students to always record and re- ported accounts where female stu- ers are not bothered to deal with port incidences of malpractice and dents were chased or followed by the legal protocols in the treatment said: “know your rights, know it’s men after being refused a short dis- of disabled people. He also suggest- illegal”. tance ride or a drive to their front ed that that some disabled students The SU began their campaign door. often require short rides to get from as a result of hearing of various in- The treatment of students by one end of campus to the other. cidences of taxi malpractice. One taxi drivers also came across as a The study looked at 492 respons- particular case was when a female concern. es and was conducted towards the student recounted their case to the A student noted that “a taxi end of August. » Photo: CU Journalism / Flickr

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102049_Warwick_Boar_166x265.indd 1 19/09/2014 11:50 theboar.org/News | @BoarNews | NEWS 5 4 News theboar.org Freshers International Office has caused problems, students complain splash Students have had to drop out of their exchange scheme as a result of the office’s inefficiency For these kinds of queries we will out on the Nicholas Buxey use email. “Our drop-in sessions can be first week very busy at the start of the year A number of students on the Eras- and students use them to receive mus scheme have claimed that the and provide information on a wide Lucy Skoulding International Office at Warwick has caused problems for them “If students have any concerning their year abroad, it concerns, we would be happy A recent survey conducted by has been revealed. to look into individual cases.” VoucherCodes.co.uk has re- Students have come forward to Warwick University vealed that students spend complain about many problems. an average of £2,115 before One story concerned severe lectures even start this year. problems with the application pro- range of topics... There is on average £1096 cess: “I was supposed to spend my “We cannot possibly know all spent on university essentials summer abroad, and made the of- the answers but would hope to and a further £1019 that stu- fice aware of this before I bought sign-post students to the help they dents manage to rid themselves flights, in case it would clash with require. of in just one week of partying. my application. “Each department also has an VoucherCodes discov- “I was assured that the process academic co-ordinator who works ered just what it is that fresh- should be finalised before I left, but with students to support their study ers splash their cash on. unfortunately had to drop out of abroad, and for academic matters Alcohol was top of the list with the scheme as I was later told that we will always coordinate with the the average student spending £212 it might not take place till summer. relevant department. on it during Freshers’ Week. Stu- “As it turned out, the agreement “We work hard to minimise dis- dents in Chelmsford spend the most hadn’t been received by my host ruption if there are any changes to on alcohol at £441, while at York university (although I was told it placements, however, we also rely they spend £56 for drinks overall. had been sent and lost in the pro- » Warwick University’s International Office has received numerous on the partner institutions to pro- A new wardrobe is the next big- cess), which wasn’t picked up on complaints. Photo: Flickr / Phil Whitehouse vide relevant information so we until August.” can process paperwork in a timely “With a bit of forward planning One of the biggest problems her chosen university. in the process and we will try and manner. students can make the most of that students have had with the The University responded to make sure student emails are dealt “If students have any concerns, everything student life has to office was paperwork. The Learn- the complaints: “The Internation- with more efficiently. we would be happy to look into in- offer without breaking the bank.” ing Agreement was unavailable till al Office is disappointed to learn “The Facebook page is a way we dividual cases.” Anita Naik mid-July, and an e-mail sent mere that some of our students have ex- can share general information with days before many students were perienced problems with the year our students and it is also a forum What have your scheduled to leave revealed that the abroad. We work with over 230 for students to talk to each other. experiences been like gest spend, costing £109, closely original agreement was now inva- partners to ensure Warwick stu- We do review the Facebook page with the International followed by supermarket food at lid. dents have the best opportunities on a daily basis, but we would not Office? £108.65. £100.49 is spent on take- Several students found the lack available. respond to more personal or indi- Tweet: @BoarNews aways during students’ first week. of communication from the Uni- “It is difficult for us to respond vidual messages through Facebook. Entries to bars and clubs also versity particularly galling. Stu- to all of the points tops the list of expenses, coming dents changing location met with raised in your arti- in at £100.28. Finally, 40 percent extreme confusion as a result. cle as each student of students choose to buy gym Charlotte Titcombe, a sec- has very different memberships in their first week. ond-year Italian and French stu- circumstances. In addition to Fresher’s Week, dent, said: “We were not informed Sometimes the ad- students have to think about of a crucial administrative error in ministration of www.thouronaward.org what they will need for studying the registration process with our the Erasmus pro- and living at university. Technol- new host university, so we were un- gramme can be ogy tops the list of things pur- sure about the status of our applica- heavy and we are chased, with an average of £457 tions, or which university we would aware this can lead spent on the latest gadgets such be attending.” to delays.” as laptops, phones and televisions. They explained Study equipment and food “Our drop-in sessions can be the inconvenience shopping are the next biggest ex- very busy at the start of the year.” with the new Learn- penses, both coming in at £149. Warwick University ing Agreements: “... These are closely followed by During the move kitchenware at £118, room ac- Cory Clayton, a second-year to Erasmus+ (the Fully Funded Study in the USA cessories and bedding at £117 Italian student, has claimed that new programme), and cleaning equipment at £106. there have been multiple times the new Learn- Up to TEN awards, each with a total value of approx The study shows that men that e-mails he had sent have gone spend more than women be- unanswered, and that they took so ing Agreements US$90,000 per year, covering tuition fees and living fore university starts, spend- long to respond on the Facebook were not available expenses, including travel in the USA, will be available ing £2,308, in comparison to group that students often knew the from the European st the ladies who part with £1,716. answers before the office has pro- Commission until (for one or two years) from 1 September 2015 for £300 of what men spend over- vided them with one. mid-July. candidates who wish to pursue a postgraduate programme all goes on new clothes, hair- Furthermore, Eleanor Rafe, a “We thought this cuts and other beauty treat- second-year Italian and Classics had been explained at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, USA. ments. By contrast, women student, complained that the staff in the accompany- only tend to spend £200 to look were often unhelpful and hard ing email, but if stu- rd their best for Freshers’ Week. to reach, and when someone was dents felt this was Applications are invited by 5pm on 3 November 2014 Anita Naik, Consumer Edi- available, they were usually unable not clear then we from UK university graduates, including forthcoming tor at VoucherCodes.co.uk com- to help. Students called into ques- apologise and we mented: ‘‘While it’s well reported tion the helpfulness of the Interna- will try and explain summer 2015 graduates, who are British citizens normally that university tuition fees are tional Office’s drop-in sessions. the administration resident in the UK. higher than ever, it’s surprising There have been other com- more clearly in the to see that students seem un- plaints about the speed with which f utu re .” Thouron Awards were created by Sir John and Lady Thouron for phased, spending over £1,200 applications were processed. One They also re- the promotion of academic exchange and experience in international kitting themselves out before student, who wishes to remain sponded to com- friendship between the UK & USA. Freshers’ Week has even begun. anonymous, has said that the office plaints on the lack “There are a wealth of stu- only managed to process her appli- of communication dent-friendly deals and offers cation for her host university after of the International For further details visit www.thouronaward.org in association with around.With a bit of forward plan- the official deadline posted on the Office:”We do aim or contact Jennie Eldridge, Award Administrator ning students can make the most website. This led to worries over to respond to emails on +44 (0)20 7848 3376 quoting ref TA14. of everything student life has to whether she would be able to go. as soon as possible, offer without breaking the bank.” Luckily, she was still able to attend but there are peaks 15108 Thouron_The_Boar_135x166mm.indd 1 18/09/2014 15:13 4 News theboar.org/News | @BoarNews | NEWStheboar.org 6 University students Two-thirds of students argue with most likely to sleepwalk housemates over paying utility bills Niall Johnson A recommended sleep length of not to be named, said: “There have things like washing up liquid, but eight hours will allow for around Derin Odueyungbo been a few times when I have had not really around bills.” four full sleep cycles. to pester people to pay on time. Easybills was co-founded in Jan- Research by online bed retailer Sleepwalking is likely to happen “In my last house, when no one uary 2014 by both James Harrison Time4sleep.com has revealed that in the earlier cycles before entering More than two thirds of students paid, the electricity and the gas and Carlos Butler, who came up students are the most likely de- into a deep sleep. This means that encounter problems with house- would cut off, and especially in with the idea while at university. mographic in the country to find behaviour and activities that take mates when trying to pay utility winter when heating was at a pre- Easybills is a utility bills compa- themselves meandering in to oth- place in the build up to sleep are bills on time, according to recent mium, you want to make sure it ny that helps students save money ers’ bedrooms at night. important in impacting the likeli- research. does not happen.” on household bills. Users can pay Sleepwalking as a disorder in it- hood of abnormal sleep behaviour. The research was carried out by Adam Gayton, a fourth-year for electricity, gas, internet and wa- self is not dangerous and was found Students often find themselves James Harrison, CEO of utility bills Law and Sociology student, said: ter bills all in one bundle package in the research to be a much more living in close proximity to others company Easybills. “I’ve been really lucky. My house- which is then split evenly between recurring issue for young people. and will take on less uniform rou- James Harrison, whilst research- mates just organised bills at the all occupants. The survey found that 65 percent of tines before bed. Over half of the ing in his final year of university, start - everyone puts money in and Mr Harrison added: “Having the 18-24 year-olds included in the students admitted that they con- found that 68 percent of students we tend to put in more than we been students ourselves, we at survey had sleepwalked. sumed tea, coffee or alcohol before found it difficult to get everyone to need - then it gets split up at the Easybills understand the hassle The process begins in the final going to bed. pay for group bills on time. end of the year. around organising bills particularly stages of the sleep cycle before en- Other causes outlined by the ac- Of the students asked, 44 percent “I’ve heard most of my friends with a group of people; it is not as tering rapid eye movement (REM) ademic medical centre, Cleveland said that they had experienced ar- complain at some point but that straightforward as you had hoped.” sleep when dreaming commences, Clinic, are hereditary, fatigue, and guments with housemates regard- tends to be on buying communal as well as hormones being released illness, or more unique to students: ing the payment of bills. for growth. stress, the unfamiliar and noisy Some Warwick students living sleeping environments, as well as in off-campus accommodation going to bed with a full bladder. have experienced difficulties when Just below two thirds of the 18 paying utility bills with fellow -24 year-olds answered saying they housemates. had sleepwalked. It is common for Siobhan Ruth Miller, a third- people to be found naked or in pe- year Biomedical Science student, culiar places as 20 percent of the told the Boar, “During second year, 18-24 year olds experienced nude my housemates would refuse to pay sleepwalks. their share of the internet bill until A common misconception about I had paid it myself in full. sleepwalking is that it is dangerous “This was a struggle, particular- to wake people up from their sleep, ly when I didn’t have enough mon- when in fact research suggests it ey in my account. poses no medical risk. “It also didn’t help that my The sleepwalker will find them- housemates would put off giving selves dazed and possibly confused me the money until they conven- by their surroundings. iently forgot about it.” » Photo: Peter Alfred Hess/Flickr A student, who would prefer » Money is a common cause of arguments. Photo: jo.sau / Flickr Sponsored by: theboar.org 8 Editor: Hiran Adhia 7 [email protected] Twitter @BoarComment COMMENT fb.com/groups/BoarComment STUDENT SOAPBOX theboar “Bread and butter economy” Miguel Costa Matos

Recently, Warwick Retail, the University spin-off running Cost- cutter, the Library Café, etc., an- nounced several price increases. It also announced that you could no Editors’ Letters longer accumulate more than one discount scheme e.g. pay with Eat- ing@Warwick card and get a stamp on your loyalty card. By itself, this price increase might seem reasonable. Warwick Retail “This time I claims, in fact, that this is their first “Pipe down, price increase in three years (ignor- really am a ing, of course, the recent price in- societies” creases on plastic cutlery, hot water and the Breakfast Special). But tak- finalist” ing this into perspective, it’s clear that students are being priced out Sian Elvin of universities, as affordable food, Deputy Editor Cayo Sobral drinks and even accommodation Science and Tech Editor go ‘premium’ – or in plain English, on’t get me wrong; societies Warwick, and later, out in the big, expensive. are the heart of the Students’ wide world. So surely the point of s I go into my fourth, final feels a lifetime ago; it starts to feel Over the past ten years, campus Union (SU), and particular a university society is to make the year as an undergrad at routine to come back, but it’s not. rents have increased 50 percent Dones have entirely shaped my expe- environment you’re in just a tiny bit Warwick, the thought of This time I really am a finalist. faster than house prices in Coven- rience at Warwick. But let’s set the better? this freshers’ fortnight is I would be lying if I said that try or Leamington. The new piazza record straight. If you’ve been at So that’s it. After being news ed- Amaking me feel positively ancient. having an extra year to avoid “the burger joint charges £5 for a burger, the University for a while and have itor of the Boar for the entirety of It’s quite silly, I know. After all I real world” didn’t play a major part well above the daily food budget got all wrapped up in the Warwick last year, I became sick of reporting am still 21, which places me in the when I chose to do an integrated for many students. This comes af- bubble, it’s easy to become… too on stories which essentially said: “young” category and yet there is Masters. So did the fact that I get ter years of campaigning for a new big for your boots. “This society has had an argument something about going through it to do it for the price of just another place to eat on campus. We sure Sure, the society you’re involved with that society”. Nope, bored of all again that feels different. undergrad year (£3,000 in my case, have a new place now, but at prices with might have a huge impact that. I want us to report less about The similarities between being because I’m a relic from the past). many of us or our mates can’t pos- across the student and local popu- society conflict and more about the a fourth year and being elderly But after another gruelling exam sibly afford. lation, but you don’t live at Num- positives: “These societies collabo- are numerous. Some of us have to season, I started to think “can I The reasons the University is ber 10. You’re not the government; rated and made an incredible event downsize as the housemates/kids really go through this again?”. For adopting this commercial strate- you’re not part of the UN; you don’t happen.” have all moved out, more friends better or worse, a separate Masters gy is obvious. Expensive food and dictate the law. So be careful when Naturally problems are going than not have moved on, you start will never affect your BA/BSc; that drink venues please conference overestimating your importance. to occur when groups of students having uncontrollable urges to 1st or 2:1 that you got is in the bank, organizers and participants, and The point of a university society work in such close proximity to one shout at the youngsters to get off so to speak. mature professionals in the grow- isn’t to be in fierce competition with another, but just try discussing it your lawn… If only I could get a If we were to write memoirs ing executive education market. Of other societies (unless you’re that calmly rather than trying to bring seniors’ discount on my bus pass! about our time at university, a course, it’s good we’re catering to desperate to win a Socs Award), the whole world down on social Part of the problem, I think, is three-year degree could be neatly these people. But it’s criminal that apart from the friendly, of course. media, or in student media. that last year I was a “second-hand divided into a nice little trilogy or this comes at the expense of the It doesn’t matter how many mem- You’re likely to be more success- finalist” of sorts. How could I not maybe the beginning, middle and University’s ‘bread and butter’ con- bers your society has, or whether ful as a society if you act on positive be, when so many of my friends end of a film that we’ll call “The best stituency – students. it’s more successful than similar energies rather than negatives. In- were actually going through it years of your life”. Will this extra While it is true that many of us at societies. stead of annoying the SU and mak- themselves? All the stress of apply- year be the sequel (ahem, Indiana Warwick can and do afford the ex- Every society has its story, and ing other societies hate you, instead ing for those dream jobs (and the Jones…) that no one really wanted? pensive food and drink, many oth- that’s what is so fantastic about you could work with them to make not so dreamy ones), the excite- I’ve decided to think of it as an ers cannot and do not. By working, them (yes, I’m even looking at you, better things happen. ment of making those travel plans explosive Part Two of my final act, bringing a packed lunch (and some- Cheese and Chocolate Society). Give it a go. Pipe down your or getting the dream jobs, all the much like any respectable block- times dinner) or just going without It sounds obvious but why do you complaining and pipe up your pro- hours spent in the library revising buster trilogy nowadays. eating, they get by. In 2012/2013, think each group is called a “soci- ductivity, and make our societies and, in the end, the many bitter- If this is an end, I’ll make it a you named cost of living as your ety”, regardless of whether it’s aca- have even more of a positive im- sweet goodbyes. memorable one. And really, re- #1 concern in the Help Us Help demic, musical, sporty or cultur- pact on our little world than they And after such a dénouement, gardless of what stage you’re at, You Survey. Meanwhile, the NUS al? Because they all make up parts already have. And it’ll make for a here I am, back again. Leamington shouldn’t we all make it as memo- revealed research saying that 50 of society as a whole – for now at nicer newspaper, too. starts to feel more like home than rable as we can? percent of students regularly worry home does, and life before Warwick about not having enough money to meet their basic living expenses. and boys alike that it was okay to et-fuel to ensure that feminism accused of. This is just the tip of the iceberg of be clever. It turns out that Watson’s echoes in corners that it wouldn’t The establishment of the ‘Hefor- the worrying research I did to write formative years playing Grang- normally reach. How many of us She’ campaign is also incredibly the Hidden Course Costs policy for er have had a huge impact on the would have shared the speech if it game-changing and important to the Students’ Union. young woman she is today. wasn’t Emma Watson making that the support for gender equality. I The time is ripe for the Union to Emma Watson’s speech at the speech? If I’m honest with myself, I am not afraid to say that I have, at tackle this issue head on. Let’s have UN marked a huge step forward don’t think it would have appeared times, felt alienated from feminism Curiositiea and the Bread Oven for attitudes towards feminism. on my radar. because of the accusations of my compete with the University on If you listen to her speech (and I have always been disgruntled ‘privilege’ when trying to enter this price. More students will be able Daniel Cope I strongly advise you do) she is by anyone who doesn’t describe debate. But I empathise and I care to afford to stay on campus during Deputy Editor visibly nervous and speaks with an themselves as a feminist because deeply about gender equality. I the day and the Union might even endearing and simple honesty that it embodies a core universal value can’t speak for women (and would become more profitable as a result. needs to be heard. It is important that should be innate within us all. never want to be so hypocritically to note that she doesn’t exactly say As Watson says, feminism’s fun- presumptuous) but I hope that “Watson triumphant” anything that will rock the boat of damental aim is equality between I can speak with women against feminist theory but this does not the sexes. How could you not want gender discrimination. So I hap- ’ve always loved Emma Wat- impede on the importance of her that!? I applaud Watson for spell- pily accept Emma’s invitation and son. Watson embodied Hermi- words. The fact is that Emma is a ing out this value and dispelling hope you do to. Watson’s message one Granger with aplomb and phenomenon; famous world-wide, the inaccurate and ostracising is clear: now is the time to both Ibrought forward the idea to girls her celebrity status is the rock- labels that feminism has often been speak up and listen. 12 theboar.org 8 The Great British Conned out of condoms Hate Off Sexual health and free condoms should be a Freshers’ freebies priority, says Rebecca Myers Anonymous rriving at Warwick, new stu- missing from the haul Yes people – most of ant condom suit can relax us all and dents have ‘Freshers’ bags’ that Freshers can the time – will make us laugh about it, there will thrust into their hands, and expect upon ar- have brought always be people too shy to stand Athey bumble off dizzy with excite- rival. condoms up within 10 metres of a giant con- You see, before university I used ment at the prospect of more fly- While I to uni with dom. For every person who swag- to have these things called “guilty ers than they could ever put up on am reliably them. Yes, gers over and theatrically pockets pleasures”. You know, like watching their noticeboards and an awful lot informed people – their stash, for every person who Penelope from Banbury cry into of something that calls itself “body that you most of is coaxed, giggling with embarrass- her Black Forest gateau on national spray”. can get the time ment, to take a few, there will be television. Too bad the main ingre- Memorable freebies of Freshers’ condoms – have many people who will maintain a dient of Penelope’s guilt tears is a bags past include a boomerang, free from neigh- facial expression that suggests they tablespoon of lies. Nandos sauce, and something Night- b o u r s didn’t even know the three letters As soon as the cult baking show claiming to be a tampon case to line, and they can “s”, “e”, and “x” could be put togeth- moved from the relatively little hide all your mortifying lady equip- of course nick some er, let alone referenced an activity known BBC2 to the mainstream ment (I don’t have enough disdain you can off if they they might engage in. screen of BBC 1, I had an epiphany. in even my repertoire for this). buy them think they’re When it comes to contraception, I have a public service announce- Every year without question, the at the campus going to get there is no such thing as too much ment to make to my fellow stu- Freshers’ bags will contain Boars’, pharmacy, the some. But peo- promotion. Stats suggest that at dents: It’s The Fake British Bakeoff. and every year we send an unfor- mental image of a ple are also forget- LEAST 1 in 14 sexually active 16-24 I now realise that you can only tunate few of our team to go to help queue of swaying Fresh- ful, lazy, shy. People need year olds have Chlamydia, while care about one thing at a time. Back the SU with the mammoth task of ers post-Pop! stopping by Nightline to be handed condoms, spoonfed Gonorrhoea rates rose by 20% re- when I was a fan, crumb structure packing all the flyers and freebies before they get laid seems some- contraception until we can be 100 cently, and, bonus, it’s developing and oven temperatures were all I and fun into 3,000 bags. what unlikely. I’ve never agreed percent sure that our duty to en- antibiotic resistance. could literally think about. Needless to say, every year we with the pathetic argument that sure people are safe is complete. Maybe one day there will be a day As soon as the opening began, hope for some leftover body sprays condoms ruin the mood (so does Putting condoms in Freshers’ when people will always remember with its stock clips of cake and a or some surplus Nandos to pock- Chlamydia, kids), but in this case, bags also sends out a message from condoms themselves, and when we small child pretending to under- et and take home for our troubles. I think I’ll concede. Telling your both the SU and the Warwick com- don’t need to force condoms onto stand the concept of baking, that Hell, in 2012 I think I even took a prospective lover they’ll have to munity: these are important. These people, but as Aragorn would have was it. I was arrested. Just picture tampon case. wait by the laundrette while you are not optional. Have fun, but be said if he had a background in sex- the scene: I was fermenting away in In just the same way that a Boar pop in to grab some condoms off safe. ual health: today is not that day. my chair with my eyes fixed to the is always guaranteed in your bag, the counsellors is not the most se- In much the same vein, I am Until that golden day, let’s live in screen; I was bread that had been every year there are also the holy ductive preparation for slipping be- reliably informed there was a gi- a world where we give condoms out left to rot in the proving drawer for grail of the Freshers’ freebie: the tween the sheets. ant condom wandering round the like hugs. And next year, let’s get days on end. I would be sat there, condom. As much as all your sex lives con- Freshers’ Fair this weekend. This is them back in those Freshers’ bags. oozing away, short crust pasty fall- Normal, dotted, strawberry, cern me, this is not about bedroom absolutely brilliant, and sends out ing into my lap and balsamic reduc- ribbed, even one that claimed to be vibes and setting the scene for some all the above messages, whilst also tion dripping into my gob. I would “tropical” flavour… Freshers’ bags sizzle. The crucial thing about pro- breaking the taboo of safe sex in a merely forget about the world. were filled with them. viding condoms in Freshers’ bags is way that sneaking condoms in via Austerity? I was too busy mus- Until recently. about engaging in a responsibility Freshers’ bags could never do. » Safety First ing on how rich Jeff’s brownies Both this year and last year, our we all share. Yes, people – most of However, it doesn’t completely photos: Sian Elvin; Flickr.com/ looked. Gross breaches of online rubbery little friends have been the time – have good intentions. make up for it. While a man in a gi- Peachy92 privacy? I was tweeting about how on point Mary’s jacket was in epi- sode two. Scottish referendum? The dulcet tones of Hollywood’s accent Free Education: Student not consumer seemed to be cultivated by angels Callum Cant questions what it means to be a student in an increasingly profit-orientated world and perfected by Merseyside, hair gel and eggwash. hatever we, as students, university begin to develop in the The response to this radical social win. Look at the example of Ger- Life is just one binary. You have decide the meaning of direction of business, and us stu- remodelling, which seeks to secure many, where tuition fees were re- to choose between the real world our experience at uni- dents begin to become consumers. the place of inequality as an organ- cently abolished, or Quebec in 2012 or the realm of the Royal Baby. You Wversity to be it should always be The decision to support free edu- izing principle of our society, has to where a mass movement mobilising can’t sit on the fence now and like more than a particular form o f cation is one which can put us on be one which opens up important 100,000s of students and ordinary things ‘ironically’ like a copy of consumption. a course to reverse this diseased avenues of social change and mo- people overthrew a government Take A Break. I was just like you Consumerism is the absolute op- dynamic and move towards a soci- bility to all. If education remains that wanted to impose a tuition fee once. I was just like one of those posite of education. When we ety which values education as more on its course towards privatisation, rise. Students in the UK have halted Daily Mail apologists - that guy buy something we are not engaging than a commodity, and something austerity will only become more the privatization of student loans, who buys a copy every day “just for in a critical approach to it, we are which should be available to all. permanent. Issue by issue, we need defeated plans to cut Disabled Stu- the crosswords.” trying to get our money’s worth. We The decline of western econo- to challenge a state whose primary dents Allowance (DSA), won the No. It has to stop. It’s just a Bet- have all bought a Primark t-shirt, mies following 2008 is ongoing - interest seems to be the exploita- living wage for staff at many uni- ter Together, yummy mummy fest despite knowing that the condi- yes we are no longer in recession, tion of all for the good of some. versities and now have set their with no other merits. It distracts tions that allow us to save money but wages are falling fast in real Free education is, therefore, sights, once again, on winning free from the big issues! It’s not like are the same conditions which im- terms, GDP is nowhere near re- about more than just what role our education. you can quite enjoy tips on baking poverish low paid workers. This is covering to pre-crash levels, there education plays. It is also a question We need to support an education or a playful double entendre on a because being a consumer robs you is a crisis in economic productivity of how we want to form our socie- system that works for everyone in Wednesday night, oh no. It’s liter- of your critical insight into the way and the cap between rich and poor ty. Do we want everyone, regardless society, not just an elite minority. A ally impossible to remain a critical the commodity you’re buying has continues to expand. In the con- of background, to have the chance progressive tax system which redis- being that pursues the truth if you been formed. It makes you compli- text of this ongoing crisis, we have to access education? Do we want tributes wealth could easily support enjoy this show. ant, it makes you selfish, it makes seen the introduction of an aus- universities to provide a critical free education, and wouldn’t saddle So, still want to see Terry from you a mechanic part of a system terity agenda which is more to do analysis of society? Do we want stu- us with £27,000 of debt for a three Slough sweating over a rum baba? of exchange rather than a person. with changing society than it is to dents to have the chance to devel- year course. We can make that hap- Wake up, sheeple. If we want education to be an ex- do with saving money. Specifically op beyond the narrow boundaries pen by fighting for free education perience that encourages a critical in education, the £9,000 fee system of ‘employability’? If the answer to on Warwick campus and nationally. understanding of the way society is costs the treasury more than the any of these is yes, then the degen- As students, not consumers, we can organised, if we want knowledge to system it replaced. eration of higher education into a fight and win. be freely available to all of society huge source of debt for young peo- not just those who can afford to pay ple and a force for the expansion of The National Demonstration for for it, if we want education to be a We need to support an social inequality has to be contest- Free Education will take place on positive source of social change, we education system that works ed. Our society has plenty of wealth November the 19th and is supported cannot allow the student/university for everyone in society. – it’s just that this wealth, which is by the National Union of Students relationship to degenerate into that produced by the work of us all, is (NUS), the Young Greens, the Na- of business and consumer. concentrated in the hands of a few. tional Campaign Against Fees and The partial marketisation of the We need to engage in a movement Cuts (NCAFC), the Student Assem- UK higher education sector, which Austerity for the poor and prof- which uses that wealth to support bly Austerity, Warwick Autonomous began with the introduction of it for the rich is fast becoming a things we value, like education. Students Network (WASN) and oth- » A s;lice of irony £9,000 fees in 2010 has seen our permanent feature of our society. And never doubt that we can er organisations. photo: Flickr.com/ Farrukh 7 theboar.org 9 The days of stars gone by: remembering Lauren Bacall hers and Williams’s passing bears ness watching The Great Dictator? But upon being questioned, people But if we are to subsume ourselves Alistair Drennan a striking resemblance to that of Does more of a quarter of us know said with great sorrow and senti- in nostalgic reverence of the past, Farrah Fawcett, known primarily any Audrey mentality, “it’s always sad when then let it be for honest reasons. for her leading role in the original Hepburn one of the greats leaves us”; There were films of all statures e were all dumbstruck Charlie’s Angels TV series, whose films “her acting was real”; and qualities – from mediocre to and heartbroken when passing on June 25th 2009 was “you will always astounding – back then equally as we learned of the loss greatly overshadowed by Michael be missed”; “you there are today. But in the grand Wof Robin Williams on 11th August Jackson’s shocking demise on the were an amaz- scope of cinema, Lauren Bacall 2014. The comedy colossus, who very same day. Whereas Jackson’s ing classical stands on a podium of legends. had brought laughter and joy to death resulted in his circuslike b e a u t y ”. Her ability to captivate her trade- ourselves, our parents, and those apotheosis across the media, One man mark sultry, feline mystique yet younger than us, tragically suc- Fawcett’s eulogies were demot- even said also embody such illuminating vi- cumbed to his bitter struggle with ed to thin grey columns on the how she vacity makes her truly unique. mental illness. As Williams’s close lesser pages of the papers. Is inspired Just because her death was not friend Billy Crystal said in his it solely because Jackson’s and him to at a young age, nor embroiled in speech at the Emmys on the 25th Williams’s deaths were more come out controversy, that does not mean August, “It is very hard to talk controversial, or is it also be- as gay. she should slip unnoticed by gen- about him in the past because he cause we honestly don’t care Albeit a erations old and young. was so present in all our lives. For about the stars of days gone by? fun skit on In fact, heartfelt recognition of almost 40 years he was the bright- We like to think we still treas- a chat show, a peaceful passing such as hers est star in the comedy galaxy”. ure the heroes and starlets of the upon exami- would indicate true artistic appre- It was only recently that Lauren silver screen, but the truth is many nation it proves ciation of the days gone by, where- Bacall, eminent actress and singer of us find them fusty, drab and to have been a by we don’t need to prop ourselves of the Golden Age of cinema, also passé. There are potential ex- somewhat revealing up on shock factor crutches to en- died at the age of 89. The Golden ceptions; namely Marilyn Mon- social experiment. It able us to mourn. Globe and Tony Award winning roe and Audrey Hepburn, whom shows us that it’s not the It is thus with dear respect and screen siren, honoured with an women young and old continue individual actor admiration that I mark the death Academy Honorary Award and to idolise. They’re always the ones » Do we care about the Hollywood greats anymore? or actress we care of a true legend; and, to quote Ma- a star on the Hollywood Walk you find on all of the t-shirts and Photo: Flickr.com/ Laura Loveday about, it’s the idea donna’s Vogue: “They had style, of Fame, was nothing short of a posters. But it is not through artis- of them which we love. Maybe be- they had grace, Rita Hayworth legend. She began her career as a tic appreciation that we venerate other than Breakfast at Tiffany’s or cause it’s cool to like it? Or may- gave good face. Lauren, Kather- model and soon rose to fame on- them as icons. It’s because they Roman Holiday, not to mention be it genuinely is because we are ine, Lana too; Bette Davis, we love stage and onscreen, starring along- were physically beautiful. her awe-inspiring life off-screen? tired of today’s clichéd, formulaic, y o u ”. side Marilyn Monroe, Gregory We all know the famous image In November 2013, the epon- CGI-saturated blockbusters. But Peck, Betty Grable and Humphrey of Monroe standing over the air ymous host of America’s Jimmy if that’s so, then why aren’t we ac- Bogart, to whom she was married vent, holding down that iconic Kimmel Live interviewed pas- tually watching in awe the likes of for over a decade. She was a de- white dress, but how many of us sers-by in West Hollywood in a Ingrid Bergman, Cary Grant, Mar- Send us your thoughts fining figure on Hollywood’s film know it’s a scene from The Seven piece about how they felt regard- lene Dietrich and James Stewart? on Lauren Bacall. noir scene as well as on Broadway. Year Itch? How many of us ac- ing the recent passing of legend- It’s not a crime to dislike or not Tweet: @BoarComment Unfortunately, the vast majority knowledges Charlie Chaplin as a ary actress Eliza Deuchain. Never particularly care for cinema’s gran- of people remain unaware of her comedy legend, yet have actually heard of her? That’s because she diose and sparkling yet bygone and passing. The ill-fated confluence of wept with both laughter and sad- doesn’t exist. He had made her up. antiquated era. Each to their own.

Carswell: driving Clacton around the political bend Luke Brown is enraged by MP Douglas Carswell as he exhibits a re-election scandal ver the summer, Doug- gie, that sort of thing. force in British politics. guided opinion, UKIP make an with their half-baked “bizarre ne- las Carswell (the MP that Carswell now believes the top A party that was originally just awful fit for the town. oliberal policy measures”, simply serves my constituency) of the Tory party to be against a poorly disciplined ramshackle Crucially, it seems that Carswell don’t offer the kind required. And Odecided to step down from his him. However, both Carswell and group of bigots and idiots, sup- apparently fails to understand that anyway, Carswell himself doesn’t position, triggering a by-election, the majority of his constituents ported by the kind of muppet who a vote cast in his direction does not offer any real change, only a labo- before immediately re-nominating seemed to believe that they were props themselves up against the unilaterally result in a mandate to rious, inflexible commitment to himself as a UKIP candidate. For a indeed on “our side”, back in 2010. bar in your local pub before rant- claim that the people of his constit- his deeply personal political cause. town that last made column inches If Carswell wants to road-test his ing on about how Britain used to uency want to leave the EU. That’s Clacton requires change, yes, but a couple of years ago when the Po- personally held new found opin- be great once upon a time, and his pipe dream, not necessarily the it requires a better kind of change. lice mistook a domestic cat called ions, shouldn’t he wait until 2015, about the evils of immigration people of Clacton’s. Perhaps the people of Clacton can Teddy Bear for an escaped lion, this much like the rest of the nation? and the wonders of the ‘Australian And then it’s difficult to re- begin that process by refusing to is kind of a big deal. Furthermore, is this impromptu points system’ (not that anybody ally judge other UKIP policies, re-elect Douglas Carswell. But Carswell’s decision causes vanity-show of a by-election not really knows what that is, exactly); because not many really exist. A some fairly big problems. First- a huge waste of taxpayers’ money? are on the verge of having their quick look at their 2014 local man- ly, he seems ignorant, or maybe first MP. And having an MP is un- ifesto, which looks a bit like it was >> Will Clacton suffer? Photo: blithely indifferent, to the fact doubtedly more credible than hav- designed by someone learning Mi- Flickr.com/ TheJRB that he was elected, by the people My town of Clacton is set to ing a few ineffectual MEP’s. crosoft Publisher for the first time of Clacton, to represent them as a be the battleground of this Even worse is that my town in a silver surfer IT class, reveals a representative of the Conservative grimy little politcal scrape of Clacton is set to be the battle- deliberately vague set of promises Party, for a period of five (misera- ground of this grimy little political to toughen up law and order and ble) years. scrape. And Clacton really, really to support low taxes, and nothing Carswell’s defence against this doesn’t need a party like UKIP in much more. allegation is that he has resigned Although shoddy to the ex- power, no matter what the main- UKIP, and by extension What do you think from his position as a Conserva- treme, Carswell’s defection isn’t stream media may have led you Carswell, simply don’t possess tive MP and will now seek re-elec- the main issue at hand here. For, to believe over the last few weeks. what the Clacton constituency about Carswell and tion as a UKIP MP, giving the if we place his shameless career- When you get all those casually requires: an answer to unemploy- Clacton? fine people of Clacton a choice to ism to one side for a moment, racist pier-plodding pensioners ment, violent crime and a growing Tweet: @BoarComment re-appoint him on his new terms. which he clearly prioritises above out of the way (interestingly, the demand for infrastructure to sup- In Carswell’s opinion, this is an act his constituency, we must face up only people the regional BBC news port expanding housing projects. of respect and good faith: good to the fact that the UK Independ- programme seemed interesting in Carswell claims that UKIP rep- sport and jolly hockey sticks and ence Party now stand a chance of interviewing), you come to realise resent a change from the “cozy three cheers for veritable old Dou- becoming an even more tangible that, contrary to Carswell’s mis- Westminster elite”. But UKIP, 7 theboar.org 10|

» Feline united Cartoon: Freya Verlander President Cameron: Is federalism coming to the UK? Mark Hurdley considers the results of the Scottish Referendum and the scars it may leave n a last ditch effort, the major independence. True democracy – constitution and finally someone different political climate and yet region they represent. With devo- party leaders effectively took as seems to be coming the norm – is addressing the so-called West they have no devolution? Instead lution heading to all areas of the away the Scottish people’s choice was once again not present. Lothian problem, “where is Eng- of a centralised English parliament UK we can finally reduce the size Ito vote NO and reduce devolution. Now I do believe if there was a land’s devolution?” we need regional assemblies to and cost of Westminster. The com- When negotiations over the ref- devolution max option that this legislate for each area. Devolution mons however will still play an im- erendum took place, David Cam- choice would have been the victor was offered to the North-East 10 portant role though in legislating eron vetoed the decision to put – although my musings and polls The time scale that David years ago but it was struck down in policy areas where power hasn’t devolution max on the ballot paper. aren’t true democracy. Disillusion- Cameron has asked for is because of fears of higher taxes, been devolved such as defence, ed- He decided that the referendum ment in the current establishment idiotic. more politicians and these assem- ucation and transport but with a question would be a simple YES/ is obviously rife throughout not blies having effectively no power. lot less MPs. NO. This left the NO campaign in just Scotland but all of the UK. I would argue that this would no Britain it would appear is head- difficult territory, they didn’t have We need change. It is clear that we longer be the case. The Scottish ing towards a federal state like the a clear consensus unlike the YES are going to solve devolution with So what form will this devolu- referendum has set up the prec- United States. Legislation made campaign. It left a lot of high pro- devolution; further powers will be tion take? It would appear that the edent of increasing power in de- in small regional assemblies and file people disagreeing about what given to the current devolved as- common consensus is that we will volved assemblies. These assem- major policy being dictated by they would offer Scotland and what semblies and perhaps an English have an English parliament. From blies really could aid in revitalising the centre. This in the US has led a NO vote would actually mean; parliament. a democratic point of view this is these areas, local news would now to gridlock (legislation not get- while the YES campaign argument The last Labour government a move forward however the logis- be widely read, local people could ting passed) and failure to deliver was rather cohesive but suffered to gave little power to Wales and tics and reality would be a night- become empowered and have real on political mandates. Could this answer serious questions. Northern Ireland, showered power mare. We are currently suffering sway over their community. The be coming to Britain? Could the When the first and only poll on Scotland and left England in a from too much centralised pow- referendum showed us that polit- prime-minister, traditionally the showed the YES campaign leading, power vacuum where we did not er, even in North England West- ical engagement is high when the first-among-equals, become effec- the whole of the current political have full power over our affairs. minster seems foreign, setting up issue is important to you. If an MP tively a president? Time will tell. class panicked and flew up to Scot- This has caused massive disparity an English parliament we would for your region is not performing This has to be gotten right. Con- land immediately and began their in the power of democracy and just suffer from more of the same. he would be voted out, too many stitutional change is not an easy campaigning. The NO campaign fairness in British society. Some- Scotland has a population of 5.3 MPs in Westminster just move to thing and there is no quick fix. were desperate and out emerged thing now needs to change, David million, Wales just over 3 million a safe seat. Let’s take this opportu- The time-scale that David Cam- Gordon Brown. He wrote a plan Cameron has stated that England and England 53 million. All that nity to start educating about poli- eron has asked for is idiotic. There for further devolution to be offered has been left out and he will rec- would happen is more of the same, tics, let 16-17 year olds vote and get are a lot of things to decide upon: if a NO vote occurred – which all tify the problem. He has set up a a media focused on the English the population enthused. Politics regional or English power, what major party leaders signed. This cabinet committee and an inquiry parliament and news dominated should no longer seem so foreign. powers to pass down, what about plan included all of the powers to be headed by William Hague to by the same institution – caus- Also the worries of more politi- the Lords? Let each party develop that would have been given, if find the best way to deliver true ing further alienation to those in cians should be no longer! We cur- their own ideas and let the peo- there was a devolution max vote. democracy to England, due in No- Wales and Scotland. rently have so many MPs because ple decide at the next election. We So the Scots then basically had two vember - in accordance with the Step forward, regional assem- the strains on their time are large need true debate among not only choices YES or devolution max; timetable set by Gordon Brown in blies. Yorkshire and the Humber and the UK is highly populated; politicians but the whole public. they were denied a real choice be- “the vow.” There is no doubt a cata- have a population of 4.8 million Westminster is dominated by old After all, Rome - and its constitu- tween true union, devolution and clysm running through the British (larger than Wales!), a radically men, often not even living in the tion - were not built in a day. theboar.org 10 Editor: Rami Abusamra 11 [email protected] Twitter @BoarFeatures FEATURES fb.com/groups/BoarFeatures Guilt-free pleasures Rami Abusamra explains why we should drop the guilt from guilty pleasures or because people are realising how caring. Let’s get rid of the ‘guilty’ in utterly pointless it is to be ashamed ‘guilty pleasures’. I love anime and of what you like. Perhaps its be- cartoons, I love Katy Perry and My cause of websites like Tumblr and Chemical Romance, I really love Twitter, websites which introduce putting three or four sugars in my us to this huge array of people who tea, because two doesn’t even make all enjoy different things that guilty a difference, honestly. I can’t be pleasure lose some of their poten- bothered with the expectation that tial for being guilty. I don’t really I should drop those things because know, but I know that even though they’re not mature, or not aimed at I’m not that eager to present all my me, or not what I should be doing guilty pleasures to everyone I meet, with my time. it’s less uncomfortable than it was a I have that part of my lifestyle, year ago. the things I do when I have spare But even with that, guilty pleas- time, or when I procrastinate, and ures still exist. There are still a few I enjoy it. It may not be for every- things I feel like I shouldn’t enjoy, one, but it’s for me, and where’s the but do anyway. What we need is a end in worrying what others think way to enjoy the things that we’ve about it? always had the slight feeling it isn’t right to enjoy. We’re all grown up and clever enough to know that Got a guilty pleasure there’s no point in going through you can’t go without? life with a miasma of shame hang- Tweet: @BoarFeatures ing around us as we click the links to our favourite shows. So here’s my suggestion: let’s stop » Photo: lickr/Sam Howzit s a student, you are proba- like to settle down and enjoy my- ashamed of loving bly surrounded by the most self with a really big fantasy novel, it. Real enjoyment free-thinking people you that’s a bit weird. And the thing is, and fun comes Ahave ever met in your life. Students it’s not a choice. It seems so odd to when you’re just have a reputation for being politi- me that the student bubble of open- happy that some- cal, outspoken and open minded. mindedness extends as far out as is- thing exists and But even among all this, in a sea of sues of world importance, but sort that you are there people who would go out of their of stutters and falters when it comes to be a part of it, or way to attend a political rally on to the things we do ourselves. I at least it is in my the rights of LGBTQUA+ people don’t need to justify myself when experience. in Uganda, I still find it difficult to I say I stand for the rights of mi- So the idea of tell some of my deepest, darkest se- norities, and I don’t need to justify guilty pleasures crets. myself when I’m vocal about the really seems sort And I’m not talking about any- minority issues that directly affect of... well, stupid. thing morally deplorable. I don’t The same soci- mean I’ve ever killed a man before, ety that tells us or that I’m really into collecting hu- “Here’s my that there are peo- man body parts. It’s more the small suggestion: let’s stop ple we should hate things, the little facets of my life I tells us there are keep mostly to myself: the guilty caring” harmless things pleasures. we shouldn’t do, One of the most amazing things and both of those I have noticed about student life is me. When I say that Katy Perry is ideas sound really the way in which I can walk around actually fun to listen to, that’s when ridiculous to me. campus all day holding a “no more I’m set on the defensive. But for the most page 3” sign and no one bats an Guilty pleasures, especially in a part, I like the way eyelid. It’s a brilliant thing to see student setting that seems so ac- I do things and I people so obviously open to pro- cepting, are one of the strangest like the things that gress in society, into making things things that could exist. It’s when I do. That’s really better for other people. But as I’m out in the real world, talking to the point, I think, soon as I want to tell someone that family who effortlessly slander gay that you enjoy I enjoy comics, or that, you know, people but who don’t seem to mind whatever it is that actually, not all anime is really that when I shut myself up in my room makes you happy weird, you just got to give it a try, and marathon a series of New Girl without shame. man... that’s when I start to get that I start to realise this. It’s sort What’s the point worried about people judging me. of funny how they won’t accept my in living every day Now, obviously I’m not putting rights, but they’ll accept all the little hiding away the guilty pleasures on the same level things I have to pretend to be less things you like be- as actual oppression of minorities. eager about when I’m at Uni. cause others won’t If it were a choice between keeping There’s this idea that treating approve of them? all my guilty pleasures guilty and yourself to the things you like which It’s true that the reinstating slave labour, then I’m are seen as somehow lowbrow, or whole idea of guilty fairly sure I’d choose the former. not aimed at you, or not what you pleasures is stead- It’s more the irony that, on cam- should be doing in your spare time, ily disappearing, pus, I could scream at the top of my is bad in some subtle way. You have but I don’t know if lungs about the mistreatment of to justify your enjoyment of things, that’s because I’ve Muslims in western countries and but the point of enjoying some- gotten older and it’s fine, but if I tell people that I thing is that you don’t need to be less quick to judge, theboar.org/features | @BoarFeatures | Features 12 Women and rape in the Congo Demelza Griffiths writes on the immense violence against women in the Democratic Republic of Congo

victims, and their families. One such charity is Women for Women International. Their education pro- grammes in war-torn states, such as the Congo and Afghanistan, give some of the most vulnerable wom- en in the world awareness of their legal rights and vital business skills in order for them to become finan- cially stable, while offering a social support network. The charity has already supported 47,000 wom- en through the programme in the Congo alone, 91% of whom have reported earning, and saving, an in- come. This gives women, and their families, the resources to rebuild their lives, escape poverty and be- gin to contribute to the creation of a safer post-war society. As well as supporting women financially and emotionally, the charity also tackles the root social attitudes that condone rape by also running training programmes for men. One graduate said that “be- fore receiving this training I viewed women as worthless. Especially as a soldier, I knew I could kill her 1,152 Number of women raped daily in Congo » All photos on page: Flickr / Steve Evans and no-one would care. But this training is very important to me, by their own families. It is also used now I understand that women are to control the population through just as important as men in socie- fear and dispel the soldiers’ own ty.” Obviously, the rape crisis will frustration at the deteriorating sit- not be solved overnight, but Wom- uation in the country. Women’s en for Women International offers bodies are reduced to a commodity hope for the Congo, and other and this wide-spread issue is only war-stricken countries, by support- increasing the levels of poverty ing the victims and changing atti- and sexually transmitted disease, tudes in future generations. ith the success of ‘No half of which were children under lation and sex slavery. Margot Wall- especially AIDS, in the Congo. In the 1950s it was the Atomic Page Three’ Campaign, 5? The conflict in the troubled re- ström, UN Special Representative Experts have explained that angry, bomb, in the 1960s it was the Inter- feminist debates during gion of the Congo has been largely for Sexual Violence in Conflict has hungry and traumatised soldiers continental Ballistic Missile, and in WOne World Week and the election underreported by the West, leading dubbed the Congo “the rape capital have turned to rape as an outlet for the twenty-first century the latest of a new Women’s Officer in the to a major lack of public awareness. of the world” and UN figures have their despair. Rape has become a weapon of mass destruction is the SU, issues surrounding women to- While UN sanctioned peace agree- estimated that the epidemic has daily reality for the citizens of the use of rape. Action must be taken day were a central theme on cam- risen to a shocking level as 12% of Democratic Republic Congo, as the against the systematic targeting pus last year. But it is worth bearing women in the entire country have perpetrators operate with complete of women and the subsequent de- in mind the trials of women every- 12% been raped at least once, which is impunity. struction of their mental well-be- where, and it is worth pushing for- Women in the Congo raped equal to 1,152 new victims every The Democratic Republic of ing, social safety, financial stability, ward with those feminist ideas into single day or 48 an hour. Congo is over four thousand miles self-worth and health. this year as well. Rape is used as a weapon of away from the UK, but this does If you do one thing during Did you know that the Demo- war by both the National Army not mean that we are powerless to Women’s Week, help spread aware- cratic Republic of Congo has been ments were signed in 2002, the re- and rebel forces in order to divide aid the situation. During 2013, Wil- ness of these atrocities and support engaged in various conflicts, in- gion continues to be heavily trou- communities and weaken families liam Hague and the G8 discussed Women for Women International cluding civil war, since 1981? Did bled by rebel forces. Shockingly, the through the birth of illegitimate potential action plans to combat Warwick. you know that 5.4 million people conflict has become synonymous children and has even lead to vic- the rape crisis and many charities Rape should not be a weapon of have died in the conflict since 1998, with rape, gang rape, genital muti- tims being rejected and abandoned are already actively supporting the war. Want to write for Features? Let us know! E-mail [email protected] to pitch your ideas 13 theboar.org Editor: Mark Barac 13 [email protected] Twitter @BoarMoney MONEY fb.com/groups/BoarMoney Rise of the student worker

Osman Hassan

Endsleigh’s 2014 Student Survey of 2,128 students suggests that stu- dents are assuming an ever great- er responsibility for their finances whilst at university. The survey found that 41 percent of students do not have a paid job – indicating that 59 percent of stu- dents are employed in some man- ner. A third of students work part » photo: torange.biz_Flickr time throughout the term and, per- haps more significantly, 13 percent of all students now work full time. Analysis conducted by Endsleigh Russia to be handcuffed by Western Sanctions? found that arts and humanities stu- dents were more likely to have a job Aakanksha Jaiswal comments on the the economics behind the Ukraine conflict during term in comparison to stu- dents which took science subjects, ith tensions mounting The economic sanctions im- vance Russia’s energy industry. refour, which tried to exploit the and that female students were more over the Ukraine-Russia posed on Russia by USA as well Gazprombank, the finance wing situation by further reducing pric- likely to say that they were working. conflict, the world has its as the initially hesitant EU are in- of Gazprom, which supplies 30 per- es. Nine out of ten working students eyesW focused on Russia’s economy, tended to have a damaging effect cent of European gas, has also been The trade of defence equipment were spending up to 20 hours a a key contributor to world markets. on Russia’s post recession recovery sanctioned. New Ukrainian law and arms will also take a hit as the week working in 2013 - compared While the effectiveness of sanc- economy. against Gazprom will be damaging USA and EU sanctioned the same, to just over half (58 percent) spend- tions to achieve political aims is Thus far the world market has to both Russia as well the European in an attempt to prevent pro-Rus- ing 11 hours a week or more earn- questionable, it is undeniable that remained complacent about the community. Gazprom’s gas pipeline sian rebels in Ukraine from ac- ing extra cash in 2012. This suggests they have a pronounced effect in sanctions. It appears that banking passes through Ukraine and sup- cessing arms that Russia allegedly that with ongoing economic uncer- various unexpected ways. plies 30% of Europe’s gas needs. supplied. tainty and living costs higher than The concept of economic sanc- Ukraine is attempting to insert Politically, the situation is prov- ever before, students are bearing tions has existed since the Greek itself into the value chain by buying ing to be more stressful for Europe greater responsibility for their own ages. The USA itself has a long his- $671 million the gas from Russia at cheap pric- than America. Poland, strongly pro- maintenance whilst at university. tory of imposing wide and varied The amount of produce es and then selling to Europe at a Ukraine, disapproves of Germany’s The research also discovered sanctions against various countries Poland is expected to lose higher price. It stands to make 3-8 more lenient stance in the matter. that the top source of funding for around the world during times of billion dollars in revenue. In serving it’s own economic inter- students was a loan (67 percent) conflict, most notably in 2012 when This will force Russia to explore ests, it appears as though Germany while more than half the students a trade embargo on Iran caused oil the development of other possibil- is forced to side with Russia. in the survey required some form prices to rise. institutions see the sanctions as a ities such as the South Stream and The sanctions are looking posi- of financial contribution from their Ryszard Schnepf, Poland’s am- passing storm, rather than a long- the Nord Stream. tive for Asian countries, predomi- parents (52 percent). bassador to the USA, recently term threat. In an act of retaliation against nantly China and India, that stand There are a variety of reasons for created a YouTube video urging Meanwhile, Russia has taken a the sanctioning countries, Russia to benefit from import orders. students working during the dura- America to buy Poland’s “freedom not-so-complacent stance by ban- has banned all agricultural imports, Whether the sanctions will alter tion of their studies. Some reasons apples”. ning agricultural imports from the including poultry, from these coun- that map of the trade economy per- given were: to obtain additional Named “freedom apples” be- USA, EU, Canada, Australia and tries. manently or just put a dent in the money for socialising (58 per- cause they support Ukraine’s free- Norway, impacting farmers world- Analysts predict that this may existing map remains to be seen. It cent), to pay accommodation bills dom, the apples lost a major con- wide, while it searches for import turn out to be a self-damaging appears as though a limbo situation (55 percent) and to gain vital work sumer due to the conflict: Russia. sources from Asia, Africa and Tur- move, increasing inflation and ad- has been reached with both par- experience - which is becoming in- key. versely affecting the Russian con- ties refusing to compromise due to creasingly important. Four major markets stand to be sumer. geo-political reasons. A number of students (38 per- How do sanctions affected by the sanctions currently Meanwhile, farmers over the cent) say they are saving for the factor into the Russia- in place: finance, energy, agricul- world are facing the brunt of the future and 35 percent are saving Ukraine situation? ture, and defense equipment. ban through being unable to sell What is your opinion to avoid being in debt. More con- Five major banks have been tar- produce. In a recent protest, Span- on the sanctions scious of their future career pros- geted by the sanctions: Sberbank, ish farmers dumped produce in imposed on Russia? pects than ever before, over half (56 VTB Bank, Gazprombank, Vne- front of supermarkets such as Car- Tweet: @BoarMoney percent) of students across the UK Poland itself is set to lose sheconombank (VEB) and Russian are confident they will find a job $671million worth of produce ex- Agriculture Bank (Rosselkhoz- after completing their course, and port due to Russia’s retaliation bank). The law prohibits these use part-time work to gain work against the sanctions imposed on it. banks from raising capital in the experience (59 percent) and im- Russia’s actions in Ukraine have Western markets. prove their CV – hoping that this been condemned worldwide: three Sberbank is Russia’s largest lend- will make them more attractive to rounds of sanctions have been er and services 11 million people. employers. placed on it by the USA, EU, and a While this will definitely impact Milan Lakhani, 2nd year Mathe- few other nations. European banks that are dependent matics student, remarked: These actions, initially against on the bigger bank for funds, most “In my opinion, 59 percent of Russian politicians and members of banks have said that the effect will students working is, from a nation- the elite community, were intended be minimal. al point of view, a drastically high to damage the power and resources For instance, Austrian lender figure. In academia we are falling available to them. As the situation Raiffeisen Bank International, Ra- behind our competitors because worsened, further sanctions were bobank of the Netherlands, as well students have less time to focus on imposed on businesses and banks. as Unicredit, Italy’s largest bank, studying. We should aim to gradu- The EU, initially hesitant as Rus- have all agreed that the expected ef- ally reduce these figures by reduc- sia is the world’s third largest energy fect on them will be marginal. ing financial pressure on students. source and a contributing source to Authorisation is now required This could be done by offering fur- the EU economy, jumped on board for export of any energy-related ther grants for students who work after the Malaysian commercial jet technology or equipment. as unpaid interns to further career MH17 was shot down over the con- Export licenses will not be grant- advancement and for those from flict area. ed to products intended to help ad- » Planes avoiding Ukrainian airspace photo: Mark Hillary / Flickr disadvantaged backgrounds.” theboar.org 14 Editor: Bethan McGrath 14 [email protected] Twitter @BoarLifestyle LIFESTYLE fb.com/groups/BoarLifestyle Tête-à-Tête: do relationships at university work? Finding ‘the one’ Happy with none Laura Ngantu VS Ahlam Al-Abbasi ou’ve fallen in love. I say not survive? h e n definition, hinder this expression of so what? A glittering uni- You won’t be I individuality. At a very tender age versity experience will not isolated, you w a s words such as ‘compromise’, ‘team’, pass you by if you have a will still make ‘we’, ‘you’ and ‘us’ begin to float like Ypartner back home or across the friends, you Wwriting this ar- oppressive clouds in the air. Your hall. will still ticle I realised relationship has become a com- There’s this rather important party, you that there was mitment, not a whim. Yet, your bid thing in relationships: commit- will still an irony and for individuality by coming to uni- ment. At university, you will need s t u d y . a sort of versity in the first place is lost and it to succeed on your course. When You will naiveity of you become an entity in relation to you make friends, you will need it m i s s spirit that someone else. to keep your friendships fresh. If y o u r a b o u n d s I will agree, naiveté permeates you get a job alongside your stud- part- when you the air around this article. If, for ies, you will need it to turn up to n e r experience you, they are noxious fumes, you every shift no matter how tired or but will first year. can stop reading now. For the rest, hungover you are. Fact is, commit- a l s o It’s akin to I have to say that thinking a first ment is not a bad thing. It’s actual- c o m e the Ameri- year capable of supporting a rela- ly a pretty incredible life skill. So it to real- can frontier tionship of any kind is very slight. I puzzles me why there is such gloom ise you men, looking clarify my statement by saying some and doom over the idea of having are only a across the prai- do, and I tip my writerly hat off to a relationship during your time at Skype call ries and thinking your success. But expecting an ad- university. away. Your re- that the future lies olescent to have a successful rela- Sure, having a relationship dur- lationship will be beyond the horizon. tionship just out of school is itself ing a time of immense change in strengthened as long Their attitude is that of naïve. How does a person negotiate your life can be tough. If there’s as you create a healthy the infamous Jack Sparrow; the intricacies of what a relationship some distance between you and balance within your per- ‘Now, BRING me that horizon’. entails when they don’t know their your partner, it isn’t always the sonal and academic life. The First year is about the new. You place within their own mind and easiest. A number of relationships only people who will tell you not are allowed to express yourself. You social sphere quite yet? at university break down due to to be in a relationship during this pursue your own interests. Then what happens when it all cheating or suspicion of such and time, will be those who once tried A relationship in first year is like ends, love sours, and you find that a feeling of being left out on both and failed or those who are not the frontier men encountering the the word ‘team’ not only ostracises sides. Certainly a mix of alcohol, ready to thrust aside their badge of >> Photos: Flickr/Steve Slater Berlin Wall on their precious prai- the word ‘I’, but pummelled it into separation and a new social circle singledom. Evaluate the strength rieland – there’s always a niggling an early grave, what do you do? The does cause pressure, but the simple of your feelings and be honest with feeling that the pastures are greener pinnacle moment when you stand solution is to drink less, be more yourself about where you want on the other side. They are greener, on your solitary mountain top and aware and choose friends who will your relationship to lead. I know because they are untilled, brimming look to the horizon, are you strong look out for you. You will not cheat you can be in a relationship during with potential, ready to be sown enough to put one foot forward af- or drift apart from your partner if the first year because I was. Two with something new. That’s what ter another, without knowing who you are 100% committed to keep- years on, I continue to be with my Relationships at uni: they came to the prairie for after all, you are, and find that never end- ing your relationship intact. If you - now - fiancé. Not every university yay or nay? right? ing horizon? Or do you jump from aren’t willing to do this then yes, it’s relationship has a happy ending but Tweet: @ So a relationship in first year is one coupling to another, trying to quite likely your relationship will you owe it to yourself to at least give BoarLifestyle like a wall. I think it is time for me find the illusion of the person you fail. If you are, who is anyone else to it a chance. to elaborate. thought you were? I fear an identity tell you that your relationship will Relationships, by their very own crisis will ensue. How to hide a hangover With fresher’s fortnight colliding with the beginning of lectures, you’ll need some of these tips to avoid the walking-dead look in your first few seminars ith the start of uni- vitamin tablets and a washing up carby to increase your metabolism yourself topped up. istic. Stick a brush through your versity comes the bowl (for stomach evacuations). and absorb alcohol. Eat breakfast before you take any inevitable onslaught Put these near your bed before When you’ve finished the night’s pain relief. Dairy products won’t do of throbbing, gut-ag- you leave along with tomorrow’s activities and arrived home, all your (already delicate) stomach any Slowly sip a glass or two of Wonising, soul-destroying hango- clothes. Set your alarm for a lit- you’ll want to do is sleep, but the favours, so ditch milk and cereal in water until your mouth doesn’t vers. The hangover-o-meter varies tle earlier than normal for recov- more you do now, the less painful favour of toast or a pastry. feel arid. wildly, ranging from “mild head- ery time, and put it on the other it will be tomorrow morning. Re- Caffeinated painkillers can also ache” to “there is a pneumatic side of the room to get you out of peat this mantra while you attempt make you feel queasy easily so it’s drill inside my skull”, but if you bed. If you have a housemate who to take off any make up, wash your worth considering something more take some basic steps you can doesn’t mind banging on your face, brush your teeth, and finally like plain paracetamol with a vita- hair, dab on moisturiser and under minimise and hide the morning door to wake you, enlist their help. drink as much water as you can (at min C tablet. eye concealer and put on mascara if pain of most hangovers – and still least a pint) without feeling sick. It’s then time to shower for a you’re feeling especially brave. make it to your 10 a.m. seminar. Out and About good ten minutes to wash away Finally, you should consider ar- When you’re going out, all Dealing with the aftermath the distinctive scent of the Copper riving early and going for a walk Before you start drinking of the sensible advice your If, despite taking (or ignor- Rooms. This is a good chance to try before your seminar. It’s the cliché you’re going to mum and the NHS gives ing) precautions, you wake up and remember what happened last Although it’ll go against your ignore, but the absolute law of you definitely still applies. feeling like someone’s kick- night and attempt to regain your instincts, try and get a few good hangover prevention is make 2Pace yourself, sip water regularly ing your temples, it’s time to sense of balance. Afterwards, put lungfuls of cold morning air. It’s a sure you have lined your stom- and have your drinks earlier in the 3hide the symptoms. Although your on some tidy clothing that you feel great way to clear your head before 1ach with a decent carb-filled meal, evening to give your body a fight- body feels like its seams are being comfortable in. considering how to bluff your way or at the very least a few slices of ing chance of breaking down the unstitched, don’t retreat to sleep If the room is spinning, no one through a seminar on Derrida or toast and some Berocca. alcohol. again. Instead, slowly sip a glass has time for eye shadow, so al- mechanical engineering. It’s good to have everything you’ll Whilst your 2am guilty kebab or two of water until your mouth though it might be tempting to dis- need in the morning on hand, such might help prevent your hangover, doesn’t feel arid. Carry a bottle of guise your tiredness with layers of as water, one or two painkillers, substitute it for something more water throughout the day to keep makeup, it’s better to be minimal- Bethan Smith 15 theboar.org/Lifestyle | @BoarLifestyle | LIFESTYLE 15 theboar.org New year, new you; a fresher’s fashion checklist Begin the year equipped with these essentials to ensure you’re fashionably ready for whatever university life throws at you tarting a new year at uni- yourself with pretty, but durable planning to go to bed. Look your mination as it is; being impeccably good old trusty backpack. What- versity doesn’t involve only (and/or disposable) shoes that absolute best for any midnight fire dressed for it may just go too far. ever your preferences, we’ve got books, stationary and kitch- can endure a clubbing spree. New alarm, surprise landlord visit or a Reward yourself by dressing in a you covered. As a premium bag of en utensils. While you may Look heels take the champion’s ti- house party you completely forgot pair of nice sweatpants that will choice, a Michael Kors bag is very Shave been way too busy thinking tle for the most durable look-for- about by stocking up on fancy py- make you feel as if you never really practical and some even have a about your education and living the-buck shoes we know of. As jamas or nightgowns. While you left the cosy embrace of your bed. sleeve for your 13” laptop. As a less to consider your more fashionable for flats, Converses are always an could go as far as getting suitja- Add a steaming cup of tea or cof- pricey alternative, a Zara bag will self, Warwick Fashion Group has amazing choice for both guys and mas worn by the legen-“wait for fee and suddenly that early lecture also do the job perfectly. Our abso- come up with a short list of things girls - they only look better with it”-dary Barney Stinson, we would doesn’t seem too bad after all. lute favourite for backpacks is the to pick up sooner rather than later. use. We would suggest to opt out suggest to check out House of Carry it in style Herschel backpack range. From a Shoes you won’t mind roughing of the white canvas though, which Fraser and John Lewis - they have There has been plenty of blood classic navy canvas to the vibrant up. will stop being white in a matter of a great range of sleepwear for any spilt over which bag type is the polka dot print version, there are Everyone knows that a broken minutes. occasion. best for carrying all your study- plenty of designs to choose from. heel or a torn side of a shoe can Always be prepared with your Stay comfy for those timeta- ing essentials. Some say the simple For more fashion essentials, new spoil an otherwise amazing night sleepwear. bling disasters. and replaceable canvas tote is the trends, lookbooks and more, fol- out. We suggest minimising the Nobody wants to be taken by Turning up to a 9 a.m. lecture is way forward, some go for durable low Warwick Fashion Group. emotional trauma by equipping surprise just before they were a feat of self-discipline and deter- leather bag and some stick with Ivan Slobodin Warwick’s undercover fashion bloggers hile juggling a de- favourite as they always seem to be Name: Lydia Rose first starting a blog, what would it gree and a successful bringing back old trends Blog: lydiarosexo.blogspot.co.uk be? fashion blog, these What is the most prized possession Age: 20 At first I felt as though I needed one-woman-wonders in your wardrobe? Course: English Literature to follow a certain formula in or- Ware on par with fashion magazines. A new biker jacket that I recently Year : 3 der for people to read my blog. It Bethan McGrath meets two suc- purchased from Zara. It’s hot pink, Followers: 2.3k took me a while to reach the point cessful fashion bloggers who you and it adds so much more to an How did you get into blogging? where I was just totally myself, and may just find yourself sat next to in outfit! I felt really inspired by other blog- wrote for myself, rather than what I a lecture. Do you experience much online gers and thought “I can do that”. thought other people would like to criticism? How do you deal with it? I’ve always loved reading maga- read. I think I wasted quite a bit of Name: Shore Delano To be fair, I don’t actually expe- zines, but blogs are a lot more per- time in the beginning but blogging Blog: londons-closet.com (run with rience a lot of online criticism, or sonal and fun to read. You build up is a learning process and that’s part her twin sister) ‘trolling’, and I’m quite lucky in the trust with a blogger as you would a of the fun. Age: 19 sense. But as a fashion blogger, you friend. I just wanted somewhere to How do you balance university life Course: Philosophy are putting yourself out there, and share my thoughts and be creative. with blogging? Year : 2 are making you’re a potential sub- A year on, I’m hooked! I have to say that it does get hard, Followers: 8K ject of criticism, but I think it’s part Describe your personal style. but blogging is my hobby and it How did you get into blogging? of the package. I just ignore it, trolls Olsen twin on a budget. Okay, may- makes me happy, so I try to do it I first considered starting a fash- shouldn’t be given the time of day, be that’s a bit over complimentary as much as I can. When you doc- ion blog after following quite a there are so many other positive to myself... I suppose that it’s some- ument your personal style it’s quite few blogs and getting inspiration things about blogging that I focus where between Courtney Love and easy to incorporate it into your from different bloggers’ personal on. Stevie Nicks. I love anything vin- everyday life and just snap pictures style. After my sister started her What is the best experience you’ve tage and boho, I’ve always been fas- as you go. Because I want to be a own fashion blog (before we joined had thanks to blogging? cinated by the 70s and have a huge journalist, my blog is something forces), I was really motivated to I’ve had so many amazing experi- collection of kimonos. But I also that always comes up in interviews start my own. She really enjoyed ences because of blogging, it’s hard love the high street and Zara espe- and definitely helped me to get in- blogging, so I thought that I would to pinpoint the best one! Through cially for more structured pieces. ternships and work experience. give it a go! blogging I’ve made so many friends, Lydia Rose Where do you see yourself in 10 Best blogging moment? Who is your style inspiration? and been in contact with lots of years time? Definitely winning Company Mag- Definitely Ashley Madekwe, she al- girls who share the same interests I’d love to run a vintage clothing azine’s Best Personal Style Newcom- ways looks amazing and her style is as me! Blogging has also meant that business whilst working as a free- er awards at the award ceremony in so effortless. I’ve had the chance to work with lance journalist. I’ve always want- London. I was there amongst all of Most embarrassing fashion-related lots of really great brands, and have ed to be a writer but in the digital these super bloggers who I’ve been moment? experience a range of things which age it’s a really precarious time. The following for years and it just felt When I was about 15 I went to Brit- I had never even considered doing. dream would be travelling around so surreal. I never expected to win ain’s next top model live, and it was Because of blogging I’ve been able Europe looking for vintage finds so when my name came up on the around the time that Camel colours to see shows at London Fashion and blogging the journey as I go! screen I was totally overwhelmed. were quite on trend, and therefore Week, for example, and film for a What are your three must-have To think that so many people voted I decided to base my outfit on this TV channel - so blogging has really makeup items? for me is such an amazing feeling. trend. I went completely over the opened lots of doors for me. Benefit They’re Real mascara, Blogging has given me so many top, mixing and matching all sorts NARS illuminating concealer and opportunities along the way. Get- of different shades of camel, and it MAC So Chaud lipstick are always ting to meet Fearne Cotton at her was basically a disaster! If you’re a student blogger, stylfruits in my make up bag. exclusive clothing event, attending Favourite high street shop? UK is hosting the “Hit the Books” Staple fashion piece? London Fashion Week and getting H&M without a doubt, you can get Back-to-School Styling Competition. My Vivienne Westwood handbag, to try out beauty products before really nice, on-trend pieces, and it’s Send them a picture of your favour- definitely something I overwear on they’ve even been released are some super affordable! ite “back-to-school” outfit for the my blog haha! of my highlights! What is your staple fashion piece? chance to have all of your books and Do you experience much online Definitely a big baggy jumper you course supplies paid for (up to £300) criticism? How do you deal with it? can throw on no matter the occa- for term one, as well as a Lauren by I’ve been quite lucky not to ex- Join the Boarlifestyle face- sion! Ralph Lauren leather tote bag. Sec- perience too much. A lot of peo- book group for fashion blog op- What fashion trend would you like ond prize is a brand new iPad mini ple get quite confused by my blog portunities. to come back or stay? with a floral Cath Kidston protec- and think I’m trying to be a mod- A fashion trend that I wish would tive case, and the third runner up el which has never been my goal! come back, that did come back will receive a soft leather Michael There’s no excuse to be mean to was tartan! I love the whole preppy Kors handbag in deep brown. You Shore De- anyone online and what anybody ‘clueless’ look with blazers and tar- must be the owner and operator of a says behind a screen says a lot more tan. I’m super glad tartan has come fashion-oriented blog that is at least about them than it does about me, >> Photos: londons-closet.com, back into fashion this winter, and six months old, and be a student! so I don’t really care anyway. lydiarosexo.blogspot.co.uk it’s super affordable. Online shops Visit stylefruits.co.uk for details on If you could go back and give your- like ASOS and Missguided are my how to enter! self some advice when you were theboar.org 30 Sponsored by: Deputy Editor: Catherine Lyon 16 [email protected] Twitter @BoarArts ARTS fb.com/groups/BoarArts

Seann Walsh: 28 - The comedy comes to town Friday 10th October As a new season of comedy kicks off at the Warwick Arts Centre, Sam Crawford meets with Warwick’s Comedy society president for an update on their new year plans Warwick Arts Centre Autumn 2014 - Comedy

In their 45th year the Arts Centre is cel- ebrating with a jam-packed season of com- edy: here is the low-down of a few names Taking inspiration from Adele the performing in their Autumn anniversary. comedian’s current age is the title for the show that saw his Edinburgh Fringe debut Andy Zaltzman: Satirist for Hire - sell-out. 28 follows his last show The Lie-in Friday 3rd October King, which earned him a 2013 Foster’s Edinburgh Comedy Award nomination. The Lie- in King expressed Walsh’s concerns with living alone and trying to sort himself out, but this time, it’s his girlfriend trying to sort him out.

Richard Herring: Lord of the Dance Setttee - Sunday 19th October

Gaining his fame as one half of the glob- ally succesful podcast The Bugle, Zaltzman brings his own succesful Edinburgh show to » Warwick Comedy Society has plenty to offer this year. Photo: Warwick Comedy Society the Arts Centre. Satirist for Hire will also be touring to the Solihul Arts Complex on 11th arwick Comedy Society has just re- become involved in the public performances, October and the Birmingham Glee on 17th turned from the Edinburgh Fringe the society insists that anyone who simply October, so there are plenty of chances to where they performed a week-long wants to improve their confidence will be catch him! runW of their sketch show, Sketchual Tensions. more than welcome. The show featured a variety of sketches that Marcus Brigstocke: Je M’accuse - I the students had performed earlier on this year and was well-received by paying audi- “The Comedy Society has given me The ‘King of Edinburgh,’ Herring debut- am Marcus - Monday 6th October ences. However, you don’t have to be a performer the confidence to try new things” ed his new show Lord of the Dance Settee at to join the society. They have lots of social Edinburgh Fringe, and now enters his 11th members too and venture out to the Royal UK tour. Famous for his award-winning Spa Centre every week in search of the best podcasts, including As It Occurs To Me and local comedians around. There are also regu- Florrie Sheehan, the society’s president, Me1 Vs Me2 Snooker, he was also Stewart lar trips to the Warwick Arts Centre and out- said that she herself had experienced the ings to comedy gigs in Birmingham, as well benefits of joining: “Comedy Society has giv- Lee’s comedy partner for much of the 90s. as regular attendance at Reckless Comedy en me the confidence to try new things and This is set to be a masterclass in comedy. nights which take place at the LAMP venue by joining Comedy Society you can learn lots in Leamington Spa and are the top nights for of skills to put into practice both in comedy those who want a masterclass in stand-up, or and in later life”. Susan Calman: Lady Like - just want to have a good night out. She also said that she was of the view that Again for those who want to develop their stand-up comedy was a skill that could be Sunday 19th October As part of his new autumn tour, Marcus skills, or have a giggle, membership of the taught, and wanted freshers to know that the Brigstoke will be bringing his new show, society guarantees access to a multitude of society is actively looking for people who which sold out an 11 night run at the Soho stand- up DVDs which can all be borrowed would like to try out performing stand-up for up to 14 days free of charge. The collec- for the first time. Theatre, London right here on campus. tion includes the entirety of Ricky Gervais’ For those who want to join, Warwick Famous for his several TV appearances and The Office and episodes of Monty Python. Comedy will have a stand at the Fresher’s dubbed one of Britain’s finest comedians This term they’ll be running two weekly Fair, or alternatively search for Warwick and broadcasters, Je M’accuse which was also workshops that focus on performing stand- Comedy Society on Facebook or keep up to successful at last years Edinburgh Fringe, up and sketch comedy, as well as putting on date with them on Twitter @warwickcomedy an hour-long sketch show. They are also go- will be sorely missed. Also catch him at ing to be organising a showcase of student Stratford Arts House on the 2nd October. stand-up in Week 7 where Warwick’s aspir- For more information about the ing comedians can try out their best material. team and what they do: » Photos: Warwick Arts Centre However, even if you do not really want to warwickcomedysoc.co.uk A two-parter consisting of material developed from Edinburgh Fringe perfor- mances since 2006, this show Lady Like is all about her trying to enjoy her own Look out for the big names company - a lesson in self acceptence. Known for her TV appearances as well as It’s not only the alternative names that are making a splash on the Arts Centre stage, Noel Field- her radio shows, including Susan Calman ing, Dawn French and Ross Noble are all set to make an appearance before this year is through! Is Convicted, her new show will not only be Look out for interviews which our writers will be having with big and small names alike funny, but also a bit of a life lesson for all. Editor: Emily Nabney theboar.org 1730 [email protected] Twitter @BoarBooks BOOKS fb.com/groups/BoarBooks University: Sweeter Than Fiction? Six Books Writers discuss the novels which capture what it’s like to be at university

Starter for Ten by David Nicholls Frankenstein by Mary Shelley

et in 1980s Britain, David Nicholls’ awkwardness and inability to properly ictor Frankenstein’s narrative be- the Monster, a new-born creature, setting in Starter For Ten is a brilliant explora- socialise is significant to the novel’s gins with his growing anticipation motion a series of destructive events which tion of life as a university student, usefulness as a guide to university life; to start his studies at the University quickly spiral out of control. many elements of which have endured trying too hard when you meet new people of Ingolstadt. His thirst for knowl- The creature, desiring only some Sthrough the decades. frequently produces opposite results to the edgeV and understanding of the world through compassion from another being, is met with Like many Arts students, Brian begins the desired effect. His obvious naïveté is plain to science at this stage reflects the hopes and ea- nothing but hatred and repulsion because year with unbridled intellectual curiosity everyone he tries to impress. This is evident gerness of many people beginning university of his appearance. A creature born into and a desire to become ‘cultured’. However, from his attempts at literary bravado, and the this year. this world with innocent intentions and no Nicholls teaches us that there are two kinds weak ventures into political debate he makes desire to hurt anyone is quickly turned into a of intellectual curiosity, which clash with with the left-wing student activist Rebecca monster by the world’s refusal to accept him each other throughout the novel. Epstein. as anything but a monster. In contrast with Rebecca and numerous The people you meet have their One of the most important morals to be The first kind is initially embodied by own stories to tell, their own issues Brian’s obsession with University Challenge, other characters, Brian’s conversation seems extracted from Frankenstein is that beauty which he associates with the warmth of his feeble and contrived. Rebecca, beautiful to tackle...just like the Monster. is not just on the outside. While clichéd at deceased father’s approval. It is a simple and Alice Harbinson, and University Challenge best and downright soppy at worst, this is plain thirst for general knowledge, and is team leader Patrick Watts all appear to be actually a valid point even today. You will undeniably an admirable way to begin any exceedingly confident and sure of themselves. meet so many amazing and different people university course. Nicholls shows us that, to the anxious The young Victor is obsessed with at university, and not all of them you’ll like. Yet this is not the sole emotion that propels observer, anyone and everyone can seem ancient theories about simulating natural But remember that the people you meet all Brian into his first year. He has a romanticised miles ahead in status. Though admittedly phenomenon. When he watches lightning have their own stories to tell, their own issues view of ‘The University Experience’ which the performances of the other characters strike a tree, Victor decides to harness the to tackle, and potentially a hidden but really involves seducing girls with exotic names are better maintained than Brian’s, they are lightning’s power for his experiments. While great personality, just like Frankenstein’s with intellectual discourse, drinking fine all undermined and have their infallibility at university, Victor manages to invent a monster. wines or whiskey without allowing oneself challenged during the novel. technique that brings dead tissue to life, and University is a time for adventure and a to become completely inebriated, and Starter For Ten is a fantastic book to read this leads him to attempt a recreation of a time for stretching your boundaries, both being able to confidently use words such as before, during, or even years after your time human body. The beautiful creation of his in terms of studies and social life. Just try ‘eponymous’ in casual conversation. It is the at university. It re-orders our priorities of imagination instead turns out to be a hideous not to create any lonely monsters with desire to appear knowledgable that is the what to worry about when meeting new monster that he can’t even look at (a metaphor abandonment issues, and you’ll probably do most dominant in Brian, not the more noble people. It is of the highest importance that we for his cruelty, perhaps). He runs away from alright. love of knowledge itself. should be more concerned about who we are Samantha Hopps His painfully pretentious outward than what we may seem like to others. performance coupled with his obvious » Photos Clockwise From Top Left: comicbookandmoviereivews.com, Flickr/Rob Pongsaja- Bethan Erasmus pan, Tumblr/laurengetsbooked.com, triangleartsandentertainments.com

Jude the Obscure by Thomas Hardy Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell

homs Hardy’s book is certainly not of “gloom, bigotry and decay” in Jude’s eyes. ew, if any, books have delved into the whose series, ‘Carry On Simon’, has millions one of the most uplifting novels I Despite his resultant bitterness towards the dark underside of the fandom ob- of views. Her journey to resolving her double have ever read. In fact it is thor- place, his obsessive and increasingly desper- sessed Tumblr generation - fan fic- life and coming out of her shell is a new oughly depressing, littered with fail- ate desire to study at Christminster endures tion. Some bestsellers - most notably version of the traditional coming of age story ure, suicide, death and impossible love. How- for the whole novel and it even ends with him Fifty Shades of Grey, one of the fastest selling in the digital age. T F Both a daunting and exciting experience, ever, it gives a fascinating insight into late dying in the city on Graduation Day. books ever - began as fan fiction and Meg nineteenth-century society and, in particular, The novel reflects Thomas Hardy’s own Cabot, author of the seminal Princess Diaries Freshers isn’t easy for everyone, and Fangirl shows how the working class were denied a experiences since he, like Jude, was unable series cut her teeth writing Star Wars fan fic- explores the difficulty many face with university education. to afford a degree at Oxbridge. His writing tion, but few writers have gone the other way moving home and feeling intensely lonely. The novel focuses on Jude’s obsession with expresses disgust at the restrictive nature and written about its authors. Cath herself is an engaging protagonist, and going to study at ‘Christminster’ (a city mod- of society during the Victorian era. I think Rainbow Rowell is one of the first to do so the excerpts of her writing dispersed within elled on Oxford) and the subsequent disap- it is interesting to read this novel and think in Fangirl, which begins with the protagonist, the main story charting the process of her pointment which engulfs his entire existence about how different society is today. In Cath, starting in her first year at university. online life. when he is refused entry. theory, with government loans and grants, Cath spends most of her free time writing Fangirl was picked as the inaugural book for In his youth Jude is optimistic, teach- university is now accessible to people Simon Snow fan fiction (a lightly disguised the Tumblr book club, and special editions of ing himself Greek and Latin and setting his from all backgrounds. In fact universities homage to Harry Potter - itself another the book with illustrations have already been sights on going to Christminster, depicted as themselves try to encourage less well-off huge source for fan fiction). Her introverted released, proving its popularity. Although the a “heavenly Jerusalem” as Jude looks out at it students by offering their own grants and and shy nature isolates her from the other story itself is fairly predictable and there is from his home village of Marygreen. Howev- scholarships where possible. The novel shows students, not helped by the fact her more little deviation from the traditional coming er, when he moves to the city with the aim of us how things have really changed over the sociable twin is living in another hall with her of age plot, the engaging characters make fulfilling his ambition, he is immediately re- past century and how the ability to attend own roommate. Fangirl highly relatable and an interesting jected from the University on the basis of his university really is a privilege we are lucky to But while Cath is shy in real life, on the modern take on a classic idea. class and his lack of finances. Readers then have. internet she’s ‘Magicath’, one of the most watch as the colleges are transformed from Lucy Skoulding popular Simon Snow fan fiction authors Emily Stevenson places of heavenly beauty to somewhere full 30 theboar.org/Books | @BoarBooks | BOOKStheboar.org | 18 Pint of purple Books Editor Emily Nabney puts her reading habits under the microscope in our bi-weekly column investigating the reading (and drinking) habits of Boar Editors The Secret History by Donna Tartt What book are you reading at the moment? What is your all-time favourite book? n The Secret History, narrator Rich- Most first-years won’t (hopefully) have to This is going to make me sound uber-pre- Jane Eyre. Always Jane Eyre. It was the first ard Papen attends Hampden Univer- deal with that. tentious, but I am currently slogging through ‘classic’ book I read (at the tender age of nine sity, where he enrols in an elite Ancient The book drifts by like a hangover: dimly- Samuel Richardson’s Clarissa (one of the – I was a precocious child) and the story has Greek class. It is not the subject, how- lit, slightly hazy, with bouts of amnesia. It’s oldest and longest books in the English lan- always stayed with me. It’s the perfect blend ever,I but the five other students on the course a slow-burner, with no clear climax; the guage). of Gothic atmosphere and frustrated passion. that fascinate him. As the year progresses, structure wanders aimlessly before dragging Clarissa, a beautiful but headstrong heiress, There are few heroines as compelling and Richard becomes entangled in the lives of the reader back in by the scruff of the neck, gets involved with a sexy rake against her real as Jane is - and it’s always refreshing to these other students, realising too late that in saving them from wandering, in a drunken family’s wishes. He wants to seduce her be- read about a girl who’s valued for her intelli- doing so he has sealed his fate. haze, straight off the edge of a cliff. And cause she’s famed for her ‘virture’ - and will gence and compassion rather than her looks. It’s the writing that makes The Secret yet, The Secret History isn’t a particularly use any tactics necessary. It’s pretty dark and History so good; Donna Tartt turns sinister emotional book, and many say that they find steamy for the eighteenth century and I’m If you wrote an autobiography, what would prodigies with murderous tendencies into it hard to connect to the characters because fascinated by the twisted games he plays with be the title? characters that you genuinely care about. She none of them are particularly likeable. her. Perhaps I’m a sadist. Or is that a maso- Probably something like Trying Very Hard to has a gift for suspense, completely saturating Indeed, it’s difficult to think of a redeeming chist? Be a Disney Princess and Failing Miserably at mundane activities in tension and making trait between all six of them – except that It. the book so readable. Francis dresses well – but this isn’t the real Who is your favourite literary character? The novel is particularly satisfying for point. Tartt doesn’t want you to like her I have a soft spot for tragically idealistic Kindle vs. Book? students. Tartt animates Richard with a characters. She wants you to observe them women who want more than their circum- Both! I love my Kindle for course texts and familiar desperation to belong, which leads coolly, casually, in the way the characters stances allow: Emma Bovary, Marianne holiday reading, but I have hard copies of him into morally murky waters. The pressure themselves operate. She wants you to Dashwood, Sansa Stark and Anne of York in books I want to treasure (including a gor- of making close friends in a very short amount speculate about the darker areas of the plot, The Kingmaker’s Daughter. I couldn’t possibly geous copy of Sense & Sensibility with illus- of time is a problem faced by many students. come to a conclusion and then catch yourself speculate what this reveals about me. trations which I’d never want to live without). Alcohol, Richard discovers, makes forging in the act, disgusted at the deviation from Early exposure to Gossip Girl at an impres- I don’t see why it has to be an “either/or” situ- these new alliances easier and, like many your own moral compass. sionable age has meant that I harbour a ation. first-years, the cast of The Secret History are The Secret History is not populated by special love for badly behaved boys like Mr drinking constantly. Unlike most first-years, nice characters but, unfortunately, neither is Rochester and Finnick Odair from The Hun- How much is a pint of purple? however, they drink in order to suppress dark the world. And sometimes, the not-so-nice ger Games. I did go through a brief Edward I’m way too classy for Pop. Besides, we all memories, knowing that, if they faced their people are very clever. Cullen phase, but thankfully I’m all better know that the problems, the guilt would be overwhelming. now. Fish Bowls Ellen Lavelle are where it’s at. What is the first book you remember read- ing? This is a difficult one because I read a lot as a child, but one book that does stand out is The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. I read and re-read the family copy obsessively, though I had little to no interest in the rest of the Nar- nia books. I remember having an intense dislike of Lucy - Susan was defintely my fa- vourite. I have no idea why I connected with her so much, because she’s flat even by the Discworld by Terry Prachett cardboard cut-out standards of Narnia land.

so thin you could poke a finger through them ou don’t get many fantasy novels (this happens about once a week, usually by which feature institutions of higher a wizard). Such things usually have terrifying The best of Books on the net learning, probably because most magical consequences, and University staff A handy guide to the recent reviews published on our website people’s fantasies are not heavily in- are generally required to fend off insurgent clinedY towards more hours in school. Lovecraftian horrors from the so-called very bibliophile’s life is a constant Curious to see what our contributers have But the Unseen University of Terry Dungeon Dimensions. The understanding battle to find good new books to read. been reading over Summer? Here’s a break- Pratchett’s Discworld books, premier between the City and the University is that the After all, there are only 168 hours in a down of some of our latest reviews: institution for the education of young University will always assist the City in times week - why would you want to waste wizards, is a pivotal set piece of the series. of distress when asked, as long as the City Eany of them on mediocre reading material? The Paying Guests by Sarah Walters UU is featured in over half the instalments promises never to ask them, but the wizards We live in a world of cheap hype where it’s Carmella Lowkis explores the world of of the forty-book series epic, and is home of UU are usually enthusiastically involved in hard to distinguish the real thing from clever London in the 1920s in Walters’ latest novel, to some of its most recognisable characters. every fad, scheme and calamity that befalls marketing strategies. But don’t worry - Boar a fascinating blend of romance and murder These include the Librarian (a 300lb the City, magical consequences be damned. Books is here to help you out. We have a con- from the author of Fingersmith. book-loving orangutan), Ponder Stibbons These include but aren’t limited to the stant stream of new reviews published in the (inventor of Discworld’s incarnation of the introduction of rock music to the Discworld, paper and on our site. Honest, detailed and Waiting for Doggo by Mark Mills supercomputer), and Professor Rincewind the invention of cinema, outbreaks of undead entertaining, you’ll be flooded with ideas Stephanie Hartley reviews Mark Mills’ (Egregious Professor of Cruel and Unusual and the legalisation of Football. when you take a moment out of your busy light-hearted novel about a man and the Geography, Lecturer in Approxiamate Pratchett created his university and its schedule to dive head-first into a good book. bond he forms with his dog and has nothing Accuracy, occasional saviour of the Disc and wizards to satirize many things, including but good words to say about it. everything else the other wizards don’t want particle physics, the nature of the internet, to do). various Lord of the Rings characters and Black Chalk by Christopher J. Yates There are almost no depictions of a student British academia. So vast and sprawling is Ellen Lavelle reviews a debut novel explor- actually studying at UU, an attitude heartily the world-building of Discworld that the ing the sadistic games played by students at endorsed by most of the senior wizards. Ankh-Morpork university is only one facet of Oxford University. But does Black Chalk de- It is generally understood that the most an infinitely fascinating and complex series. liver the thrilling read it promises? responsible way to use magic is to not do any Don’t be put off by the number of books. If magic at all, thus allowing the establishment’s you’re looking for something good to read, The Children Act by Ian McEwan prominent staff to pursue their more urgent you could do far worse than Pratchett. Jordan Hindson reviews the latest work by passions of sleeping and eating big dinners. the critically acclaimed author of Atonement. So why bother with the University at all? Hannah Froggatt But does The Children Act live up to the im- Discworld, and the City of Ankh-Morpork in pressive previous instalments in McEwan’s particular, live within walls of reality that are oeuvre? » Photos: Flickr/Tejvan Pettinger, terryprachettbooks.com, Flickr/Megan 26 Editor: Sam Evanstheboar.org 19 [email protected] Twitter @BoarMusic MUSIC fb.com/groups/BoarMusic Bestival (and the Restivals) In the first of a series of pieces rounding up this year’s festival ex- perience, Ollie Ship tells us how he spent his summer vacation... Festival season is an important time of year. But with ever-growing ticket prices, deciding on which muddy field to spend a weekend in can be hard. As a veteran of over half-a-doz- en Glastonburys and a couple of Readings - I’ve found myself finding the big, expensive festival model a bit stale. So for this summer I decided to change things up by exploring the small festival scene.

The first of these ventures was 2000 Trees in Cheltenham. Priding itself as a weekend of upcoming and underground acts, this 5000 capacity festival is an imitate event for those eager to discover new artists. £80 a tick- et gets you three days of camping with acts ranging from Dan Le Sac vs Scroobius Pip, Jamie Lenman (ex-Reuben) to my hometown heroes Band Of Skulls. What’s most noticea- ble about Trees, however, is its freedom. The campsite and stages are all inter-connected, which means once you’re inside the site you’ll have no more security searches or check- points. This allows for a relaxed atmosphere, You can’t stop rock and roll? and perhaps, a more sobering one. (i.e. you needn’t down all your beers in the campsite before catching the headliners - *ahem* - Eleanor Campbell assesses the state of rock music in the 21st century Reading 2011) The second of these smaller festivals was » Kiss bassist and general naysayer Gene Simmons, back when it was in fact possible to rock and roll all night photo: is.wikipedia. Y-Not in Derbyshire. At £85 for a weekend, it offers a similar value for money as 2000 Trees. t’s a well known sentiment that rock ‘n’ son: the love of rock ‘n’ roll. To Simmons, it reate the essence of their earlier work. Dave However, this 15,000 strong festival provides roll will never die; that it will live forev- may feel like the genre is dead, but perhaps Grohl and Foo Fighters are a prime example more music at the price of a stricter arena er. However, Kiss bassist Gene Simmons it is simply sleeping, ready to rise again. We of rock music being alive and well, as they policy. Much like Reading and Leeds; alco- has other ideas. In a recent interview currently find ourselves in a musical land- have adapted alongside the evolution of the hol is only allowed within the camp-site. But Iwith Esquire, he boldly stated that “Rock is scape that is dominated by pop and electron- genre whilst staying true to their roots and despite this slightly larger and stricter scale, finally dead… it was murdered” citing the ic music – even rock music has been influ- values. Moreover, they have harnessed the Y-Not is still a fraction of the size of those assassin as file sharing, which has ostensibly enced by these dominant genres. But genres impact of the changing music industry, as mainstream festivals. The cheaper ticket also caused music to lose its value. are constantly changing, with different musi- for the upcoming release of Sonic Highways means you’re not inclined to see X amount Simmons’ argument seems fairly solid cal scenes taking the lead. Music is also very of artists to justify the cost. Headliners White as he asks, “Where’s the next Bob Dylan?... subjective due to the multitude of different Lies, Dizzie Rascal and (the mighty) Frank the next Beatles?” I’ve been asking a sim- opinions held by so many people, which is Turner would set you back the 85 quid alone. ilar question recently. Looking at the last dec- amplified by the proliferation of subgen- Rock music may fade in the short Therefore, you can easily enjoy the weekend ade-and-a-half, it’s difficult to identify which res within genres... and rock is no different. term, but it will always crash back with your mates, and you needn’t feel guilty bands and artists will still be remembered Punk, pop, electronic, and indie all find their with a vengeance. if you spend half the weekend passed out and listened to in twenty or thirty years. But place within the rock genre which leads to – in a tent. From a social perspective, Y-Not equally, this would be difficult at any point for lack of a better phrase – a kind of snob- makes perfect sense. It’s just a shame about in time due to the changeability of the con- bery due to a certain band perhaps not being the Northern weather. sumption of music and of genres. considered to qualify as rock music. they are releasing it on vinyl with nine dif- Moreover, part of the great- This is heightened further with ferent covers, alongside an HBO TV series Frankly, this summer proved a number of ness of acts such as Bob the generational divide, as the commemorating their 20th anniversary. The things to me. Small festivals are possibly the Dylan and the Beatles younger generation seem essence of rock music and the band’s roots best kept secret in the UK music scene. With is that they were one more open to the merging are thus preserved whilst acknowledging the sub £100 tickets generating decent sized acts, of a kind, and the of genres or the evolu- shifting musical landscape It is with such ad- it seems bizarre how quickly people rush to- fact that you cannot tion of rock music. aptations that, I believe, rock music will nev- wards mainstream festivals. Of course, Glas- pick out who will It’s well document- er die. tonbury and Reading are still amazing - I replicate their suc- ed that the manner Music will always be integral to socie- also went to Bestival this summer which was cess does not de- in which we consume ty, and rock music is no different due to truly incredible. But can you justify £200+ on grade the current music has changed the defiant and often political values that just one weekend? Tickets for 2000 Trees and state of music: it dramatically, and this are embedded into the genre. There will al- Y-Not can be bought together at a subsidised simply elevates has both positive and ways be those in society who sway from the cost. That’s two weekends of music, mates the innovativeness negative effects. It is mainstream towards the more independent and madness for less than one at Reading. I of such acts. now easier than ever or underground. Gene Simmons may have honestly believe that festivals are really about Twister Sister’s before to discover new a point about music losing its value due its who you go with and that a cheaper tick- Dee Snider is one of bands, and through social vast availability, and rock music may fade in et makes it all the more accessible. Tips for the many musicians media bands have the po- the short term, but it will always crash back Festival season 2015? Less is most definitely who have spoken out tential to be discovered even more. against Simmons’ claim. He faster. With such technological » Left: Drummer, guitarist, and all- states that rock ‘n’ roll is alive developments having a dramatic im- round hero Dave Grohl photo: wikipe- and well, and is thriving on social media and pact on how music is both consumed and dia.org Which festivals did you in clubs worldwide. This, in theory, means produced, it is arguably easier for artists to manage to get to this year? the bands that are playing in them are more kick back at these revolutions. One such ex- » Above: Sonisphere festival - the last Tweet: @BoarMusic genuine and heartfelt as, due to the lessened ample is Foo Fighters recording 2011’s Wast- bastion of “real music”? photo: wikime- financial aspect, they are doing it for one rea- ing Light on analog, as they wanted to rec- dia.org 20 Editor: Paulina Dregvaitetheboar.org 20 [email protected] Twitter @BoarFilm FILM fb.com/groups/BoarFilm 1001: A Cinema Odyssey Andrew Sztehlo details his journey through the ultimate book of quintiessential films

first started the 1001 Movies journey try dates back to 1902 with Le Voyage Dans about the list though is that it will get you to cinematic treats of John Huston (a total of 9 when I was about fourteen years old. La Lune, concluding with (in the most recent try types of films that you’d never normally films have appeared in the 1001), or discover To clarify I am currently nineteen years edition) Amour from 2012. That’s 110 years of try, and you may end up surprising yourself. a director from across the sea – the samurai of age, so that makes this (thus far) a cinematic pleasure represented. I never would have counted myself as a fan cinema of Akira Kurosawa, for example. The six-yearI adventure and I’m only 17% of the Due to this breadth, in both time and ge- of slasher films, but upon seeing such well- journey of the 1001 movies is not a closed way through the list. That’s how expansive ography, I severely doubt that there are many executed classics as Halloween and Scream, journey, but a one of many doors and many the selection of films is. people who have seen all 1001 films. And the genre gained new respect in my eyes. turns. You’ll discover more and more about For those that are unfamiliar with the with new editions appearing regularly, the Likewise, the list has introduced and sup- the cinema as you pursue your goal, but per- book, 1001 Movies You Must See Before You list constantly evolves to make way for more ported a love of silent cinema, particularly haps most beautifully of all, you’ll discover Die is perhaps the definitive list of the great- recent cinematic treats. Whilst the addition the excellent films of director F. W. Murnau more about yourself – after all, hasn’t the me- est films ever made; the book culls hundreds of, say, Gravity may mean the removal of a (Nosferatu, Sunrise, Tabu). dium of film always been a reflective one? of film critics from around the world, and to- more obscure classic, it does mean that the One of the greatest pleasures of pursuing The journey that is the 1001 Movies You gether these critics choose what they believe list stays fresh and up to date with the most 1001 Films is that the list doesn’t stop with the Must See Before You Die is a truly emotional to be the definitive films that everyone must recent cinematic achievements. 1001 films. Take my love of Jim Jarmusch for and exceptional one. It is a voyage through watch. What sets this list apart from, say, My personal experience with 1001 Movies example. Three of his films are listed in the the ages of cinema, with much delectable Empire’s ‘500 Greatest Movies of All Time’ has been truly exceptional. I’ve discovered book: Stranger than Paradise, Down by Law, fruit on offer. It is a life’s pursuit, and one that is the breadth of choice and research. Whilst so many gems through the list that will stay and Dead Man. However, since discover- is worth taking. the book is fairly dominated by American with me forever- particularly films such as ing his cinema, I have eagerly tracked down films, there is incredible choice of foreign The Artist, Cinema Paradiso, the films of di- many of his other films that are not listed. » Photos Top: is.wikipedia.org, films, with over 20 countries represented. rector Jim Jarmusch, Seven Samurai, the re- Since this has happened, Jarmusch has eas- Bottom: Leamington Underground Cin- Furthermore, the book is the perfect chroni- markably weird Sullivan’s Travels - it’s been ily become my favourite director. And this ema cle of the development of cinema- its first en- a truly amazing ride. Perhaps the best thing will happen to you – you may discover the #LUCFEST Leamington Undeground Cinema Festival Film Editor Paulina Drėgvaitė previews Leamington’s own cinematic delight unreeling 7-11 October t’s true that finding something more Leamington Underground Cinema will hold than conventional film screenings can a discussion with writer and broadcaster Mi- be challenging on campus and Leam- chael McCahill, on how to be an arts jour- ington, but this October holds a special nalist in a time when, in fact, no one wants treatI to cinema lovers: taking place from the either the arts, or journalists. Well played 7-11th October, Leamington will host its Un- indeed. derground Cinema Festival, bringing cult The climax of the festival will be the award film, music and games to venues all across of the Aspects Consultants LUC Short Film town, including the Spa Centre and the Royal Prize in the Pump Rooms; in fact, LUC is the Pump Rooms. only film festival to throw in a film quiz in an If you went to this summer’s Masochist awards ceremony. Take that, Cannes! Film Club, you know what to expect: a crowd So, fellow film lovers, it seems like the sec- of dedicated film lovers, taking the cinematic ond week of term is going to be filled with experience to unconventional places. The delightfully horrible films and a great festi- festival opens with a very special one-off val buzz. Boar Film is going to be there – are screening of the Call of Cthulhu with a live you? soundtrack composed by Florence Ellis. Further information and the full line-up Aspiring arts journalists should leave their can be found at: leamingtonunderground- evening plans for the 9th of October free: cinema.co.uk theboar.org 30 Editor: Laura Primiceri 21 [email protected] Twitter @BoarTelevision TV fb.com/groups/BoarTV A Friendship lasting 20 years... Jordan Hindson reflects on two decades of this well-loved sitcom being there for you dreds of small moments of comic genius ment and walk out, each with their own sep- still catch me off-guard. There is the “Pivot” arate plans. scene, in which moving a sofa up a staircase They do what all close-knit friendship proves more difficult than anyone could groups do and make plans and promises to imagine. Or the time Ross tried to provide keep in touch, and whether you believe they his son with an alternative to Christian tra- managed this in the hypothetical 11th season ditions by making up the Jewish holiday is a good indication of where you stand on armadillo (who Chandler later dubs the the cup half empty or full question. “weird… turtle man”). Friends has a strong hold on popular cul- I also treasure the time Chandler ture even today, and it clearly still has a grasp convinced Joey to take on “Joseph Stalin” as on the imagination of the people who make his audition stage name, which later causes such shows as Two and a Half Men, The Big Joey to barge in to announce to the group Bang Theory and How I Met Your Mother. “You know there already is a Joseph Stalin”. The jokes, which with other shows often Another highlight is the time Ross and Ra- become dated and stale with time, still reso- chel discover that their daughter, Emma, nate with a young audience, which is another starts to laugh whenever the song “Baby got sign of how much comedy television (and, back” is sung. This leads to an awkward en- most interestingly, its viewers) as a whole has counter with the rest of the cast. been shaped and moulded by the success of » Friends forever. Photo: happyweeble.blogspot.co.uk/friends I think one reason Friends was such a hit the show. was that, despite the long stretches of hilar- Ultimately, Friends was and is the one of his year is both the 20th anniversary pearances from, among others, Hugh Laurie, ity and playfulness, the writers managed to the best fictional testaments to the impor- of the pilot and the 10th anniversary Brad Pitt, Bruce Willis and Charlie Sheen, intersperse, very carefully and sparingly, mo- tance of friendship, and is a televised rep- of the finale of Friends. The names meant that they packed a lot into ten years. ments of poignancy that elevated it from a resentation of Anaïs Nin’s claim that “Each of the show’s six main characters al- comedy into a drama. friend represents a world in us, a world pos- Tmost write themselves: Rachel Green, Phoe- I am thinking of Ross’s “Don’t I get a good- sibly not born until they arrive, and it is only be Buffay, Joey Tribbiani, Chandler Bing, bye?” speech before Rachel’s departure, or by this meeting that a new world is born”. Ross Geller, and his sister Monica. Ultimately, Friends was and is the one the moment Phoebe says goodbye to her tri- There was also that unforgettable theme of the best fictional testaments to the plets. tune, the love-sick manager of Central Perk importance of friendship. And finally, if I haven’t made fans of the Do you have a favourite Gunther (a real life version of this café re- show squirm in recognition of these and Friends moment? cently opened in New York) and the immedi- other emotional moments, there is that per- Tweet: @BoarTelevision ately recognisable apartments where most of fect final scene: the six friends all hand over the love-fest took place. These, and guest ap- Whenever I think of the show, the hun- their keys to Monica and Chandler’s apart- A decade on, it hasn’t Lost impact Lewis Reynolds considers the legacy of ABC’S Lost remiering on 22 September 2004, Lost hand. Lost’s influence on the television land- success, able to be whatever show it wanted became a cultural phenomenon that scape going forward would be wide and var- through the simultaneous crutch and geni- none could have predicted. Launching ied. us that was the flashback formula. countless water cooler discussions, Shows such as The Event and Flashforward The show’s true spiritual successors Pthe show was nothing if not divisive. When came the closest to straightforward imitation, would be found in more unusual places. Lost finally revealed its hand at the end of its whilst simultaneously falling furthest off the In many ways, Netflix original Orange is six-year run, many were left infuriated. mark. Building around a central mystery the New Black has taken up the previous Decrying its supposed lack of satisfying with character development playing a distant show’s high-concept approach to backsto- answers, many fans felt they had been sold second, they failed to gain traction and were ry, simply replacing one isolated setting for one show, and given another. Lost’s heart al- ultimately cancelled during their respective another in the form of the women’s prison. ways lay with its characters, but it had also first seasons. By refining the flashback formula, sought to define itself through the mysteries Hollywood wunderkind and Lost co-cre- OITNB has similarly been able to deliver that surrounded these castaways - a problem ator J. J. Abrams played his own part in the unexpected for its audience without re- exacerbated by its showrunners and advertis- launching various shows that attempted to sorting to clumsy exposition. This is done ing in the media. recreate elements of the Lost formula. His in a way that elevates its characters, allow- Despite the show’s mixed reception, few earlier efforts saw greater success with Fringe ing pawns to become major players almost balked at its sheer ambition. As a network and Person of Interest. Both shows built up- instantly through a greater understanding program that grounded itself in some very wards from their typical network reliance on of their motivations and lives before in- esoteric and metaphysical concepts, Lost was genre convention, broadly recognisable as carceration, a tactic widely used throughout » Photo: Flickr.com/ Halil Gokdal like little else before it. This ambition extend- procedural dramas from their emphasis on Lost’s own run. ed even into the practicalities of its filmmak- crime solving and stand alone ‘mystery of the Recently, HBO’s True Detective played It came as somewhat of a surprise then ing, with an opening episode that remains to week’ episodes. with the Lost formula on a noticeably more when the final act largely closed down on this day quite possibly the most expensive By building the character dynamics first, meta-textual level. A crime drama built these more unusual ideas, choosing to end pilot of all time at $14 million. both shows were able to enact a deception around the search for a serial killer known as on the uplifting tale of what was essentially Open to political discussion, it even chose upon the viewer as they slowly gave way to ‘The Yellow King’, an unconventional love story between its two to portray a former Iraqi Republican Guard a more serialised form of narrative story tell- True Detective and its show creator Nic male leads. and torturer in a sympathetic light as one of ing. The wider mythologies of the respective Pizzolatto delighted in teasing its audience It felt like a meta-textual comment on a its central characters only a year after the ad- shows grew. with tantalizing clues that pointed towards modern audience’s tendency to overthink vent of the Iraq War. Fringe fully embraced its science-fiction something more pernicious at its center. their favourite television, and harkened back The diverse nature of its cast was also leanings, much as Lost did in its latter sea- From poster details to the colour of charac- to the virtual communities that were created showcased with the Korean couple of Sun sons, whilst Person of Interest increasingly ter’s costumes, grand theories arose on the off the back of Lost, a show concurrent with and Jin, in episodes that forsook the English tapped into that same post 9/11 atmosphere internet regarding uncanny forces at work in the rise of social media. language entirely, trusting its audience to rely that Lost was initially created under in order the show. With repeated references to super- Above all else, it showed Lost’s continued on the subtitles provided. to realise its own intriguing web of conspir- natural tales and intimations towards Love- influence even today, a ‘lightning in a bottle’ Clearly, the show had more in its arsenal acy and shadowy power-plays. It was in this craftian cosmic horror, the show purposely phenomenon that many have tried to emu- than just a few magic tricks and sleight of blending of genres that Lost found its greatest encouraged such speculations. late since. 30 Editor: Laura Primiceritheboar.org 19 [email protected] Twitter @BoarTelevision TV fb.com/groups/BoarTV Flying through television: the best pilots of all time The theme is ‘firsts’, and four writers collaborate to bring you their pick of the best pilots on television Breaking Bad Veronica Mars

he first episode or pilot of a televi- for this mild mannered chemistry teacher t’s been ten years since Veronica Mars “high-school” might leave you imagining sion series must be extraordinarily who seems hard done by. started snooping around our screens. some kind of Nancy Drew knock-off, what’s difficult to write. Not only should As the episode ends, we are left eager for The first episode covers so much really surprising, is that the show’s not afraid it have a gripping premise, it has to more. The beginning of Walt’s transforma- ground in such razor sharp fashion that to open with some decidedly dark plot lines. Tinclude credible characters we want to know tion has only just begun and we want to know itI leaves you wondering how it didn’t last For starters, there’s the murder of Veronica’s more about and ideally incorporate a mix how it all turns out. The end of the pilot also longer than its (too short) three season run. best friend Lily (Amanda Seyfried) – the of drama, humour and suspense. To entice leaves quite a few loose ends that won’t be Veronica Mars is the story of a death of a young girl in a small town evoking viewers and keep them watching, the pilot easy to tie up, therefore leaving us intrigued, cynical private eye, poured straight out of a memories of Twin Peaks. Then there’s Ve- should be a microcosm of the rest of the se- much like the start of the episode. classic film-noir mould. Offices are snooped ronica’s investigation into her own rape, and ries which is yet to come, and the first epi- It takes five seasons until we can feel fully around in, lit in that eery window-blind chi- amongst other various strands of the web, sode of Breaking Bad is exactly that. satisfied and yet, the pilot episode is arguably aroscuro way, and as shadowy haunts are are social dislocations, in an area without a Breaking Bad opens with a scene that is the best because it incorporates all aspects of staked out, the only illumination stems from middle class, that border on full scale class hard to forget. An RV careering through the the complete series into just under an hour. the neon signs of fleabag motels. Sure, it’s warfare. desert, driven by a man in nothing but un- Watching it will be an hour well spent, that noir- but not as we know it. What the pilot is really good at is showcas- derwear and a gas mask. If that isn’t enough, much is certain. Although, after watching the The main twist to the genre comes by ing the talents of Kristen Bell. Bell keeps the there are two bodies sliding around in the first episode there’s no doubt you’ll be speed- the fact that Veronica (Kristen Bell) is a 15 show ticking with captivating voiceovers that RV as well as another passenger with a gas ing through the rest of the series until you’ve year old school girl. Whilst she spends her could well be lifted straight from the mouth mask who appears to be unconscious. Stop- finished, so it isn’t recommended around nights helping her P.I. Father (Enrico Colan- of Phillip Marlowe, if they weren’t so dripping ping the vehicle, the driver, and main char- exam season. Karishma Jobanputra toni) (the fa- in sass. Quick with a quip, comparisons with acter, Walter White (Bryan Cranston), gets ther-daugh- Buffy are undoubtedly unavoidable. Howev- out and cocks his gun in the direction of ap- t e r er, Veronica seems deeper and more sympa- proaching sirens. relationship thetic than her vampire-slaying counterpart. If that hasn’t piqued your interest and cu- is consistently She isn’t a chosen one either, making her rely riosity, it is unfortunate that you are not a a highpoint) on her street smarts. This grounds her, mak- human being. The opening scene is particu- investigate ing her more relatable and appealing as a lead. larly clever because it opens how one would the seedy un- However, what stands out most from the ep- imagine a pilot would end. It sets the premise derbelly of isode is that you instantly know it’s not going and serves to keep you interested for the rest Neptune, she to take half a season of fumbling around be- of the first episode, which in turn hooks you spends her fore Veronica Mars finds its identity. It’s re- for the rest of the series because it makes you days navigat- assuring to see a show so comfortable in its wonder just how much worse the situation ing the hall- own skin. Without the need for soul-search- can get. ways of Nep- ing, time is freed up to actually address the Whilst exploring dark realms of the drug tune High. naturally intriguing story lines, and rewards trade, there is a skilful mix of black comedy Think Hum- the creators for putting faith in its dialogue; and gruesome violence which makes the pi- phrey Bogart, as well as the wit and charm of its lead. lot and the series compulsively watchable. In but desper- Sam Russell addition to good writing are talented actors ately wanting and we learn to both love and loathe Walt, we a pony for root for him and simultaneously pray for his Christmas. What is your favourite pilot? downfall. In the first episode, Cranston plays W h i l s t Tweet: @BoarTV Walt effortlessly and we are instantly rooting thoughts of

One Tree Hill Firefly ilot episodes are a television shows things: music and sport. Both are embedded pilot episode can make or break a acters inhabit without dumping information one opportunity to impress. To im- in the shows core with these elements being high-concept series, and the job of on you. press the network and audiences and constant throughout. Moreover, they are introducing the history of the Fire- Thematically, the Firefly pilot provides de- to layout what the show is about and skilfully employed to draw direct parallels fly universe is certainly a tricky bate on political and social issues that persist Pshowcase potential. between the brothers. Aone. The series follows the crew of Sereni- five hundred years into the future. Mal (Na- The pilot episode of One Tree Hill does Unlike many shows that select well known ty, a Firefly-class spaceship, as they struggle than Fillion), Serenity’s captain, is a Libertar- exactly this and more. It centres on Lucas songs, One Tree Hill features lesser known to make a living through smuggling on the ian hero and definitely seen sympathetically (Chad Michael Murray) and Nathan Scott artists such as Dashboard Confessional and fringes of space in the aftermath of a civil in contrast to the authoritarianism of the Al- (James Lafferty), two half-brothers who Finch – again setting it apart from teen shows war. Pitched as “nine people looking into the liance, most notably demonstrated in River’s have little in common apart from a love for such as the O.C. blackness of space and seeing nine different unfortunate past. basketball. Creator Mark Schwahn said that With basketball being a key plot source, things,” the Firefly pilot is a rare example of The libertarian debate is just one interest- One Tree Hill was like “Cain and Abel on a there seemed a slight danger of predictabil- an ensemble cast with chemistry from the ing theme that the pilot establishes- the idea high school basketball team” with the arro- ity but OTH avoids a formulaic plot setup by very first episode. of the creation of family is one that persists gant Nathan seeming the polar opposite to heightening the action and suspense in the The show’s heart comes from the mis- throughout Joss Whedon’s work, and the ec- Lucas who is brooding and more reserved. pivotal final scene on the Rivercourt – which matched group of perennial underdogs that lectic, makeshift clan of Serenity are already A love triangle also quickly forms with Na- becomes a crucial location. are thrown together to try and form some becoming close by the end of the episode. than’s girlfriend Peyton sharing undeniable The closing montage with Lucas’ voiceover kind of a future for themselves- two former The pilot’s charm is in its establishment chemistry with Lucas. of Shakespeare’s “there is a tide in the affairs rebel fighters turned smugglers/professional of the world, characters, and themes that The true source of the brother’s rivalry is of men…” – which featured earlier in the pi- bad asses; a sarcastic pilot; a boorish merce- helped make Firefly a cult show. Firefly was deeply rooted in how Nathan leads a life of lot - adds yet another layer to One Tree Hill nary; a sweet-hearted mechanic; an upper infamously cancelled by Fox before the first privilege whereas Lucas was never given a with literature attaching a sense of heart and class sex worker; a doctor turned criminal; season had even ended, but its loyal follow- chance as he was abandoned by their father. morality. his dangerous prodigy of a sister; and a priest ing granted it a movie, Serenity, that gives the This conflict is omnipresent in the pilot. The pilot sets extremely strong foun- with a chequered past. series some closure. Firefly was a short but However, what the pilot sets out is, that dations for the show that went on to span The pilot establishes the relationships sweet series, with an exemplary pilot episode. despite the lack of maturity gap, the groups nine seasons introducing the main charac- between the crew, highlighting the roman- Bethan Ackerley are driven by very different emotions, for the ters, providing sufficient backstory as well tic tension between Mal & Inara and Kay- teens its love, for the adults’ revenge. as hinting at the future plot avenues of ri- lee & Simon at the same time as setting up Airing just months after Dawsons Creek valry and relationships. The pilot episode, the mistrust between Mal and- well, pretty ended, the two shows share many similarities with its blend of wit, art, romance, and sus- much everyone other than Zoe and Kaylee. » Photso: 2 TOP / Flickr, Wikimedia Com- in themes, characters, storylines, and loca- pense, does what an excellent pilot should, Moreover, the pilot is a masterpiece in world mons, Tom Mulrooney / Flickr tion, since both were filmed in North Car- encapsulate the heart and soul of the show. building- it shows you the hallmarks of the olina. What sets One Tree Hill apart is two Eleanor Campbell world the char- 31 theboar.org 23 Editor: Gabriella Watt [email protected] Twitter@Boar Games GAMES fb.com/groups/Games.TheBoar Tête-à-tête Achievements and trophies For Against Gabriella Watt Joe Baker he year I decided to purchase an the final measly 10G requires you to purchase s sad as it might be to admit, I used to a game’s hidden secrets, and in some cases Xbox, Lizzie became a diamond an online pass. Yes, Saints Row, I’m looking to be obsessed with achievements. completely change the way you approach a queen and the Olympic rings were at you. Despite, however, this wholly cheeky I’d spend hours on end trying to game’s mechanics forever. forged in the pop-up ironworks of a scheme which will have you grumbling but find every hidden collectible in As- For example, one of my favourite achieve- TLondon stadium, while the world sang along eventually caving in because it just bugs you Asassins Creed and Fallout 3. I even made an ments of all time is “One Free Bullet” from to The Beatles. to see that 990G, which really reads ‘10 less offline account called “ACHIEVEMENTS” Valve’s The Orange Box. For 40 Gamerscore It may come as a surprise, then, that as ed- than perfect,’ Saints Row achievements, while just for finding the bloody things. I was you’re tasked with making your way through itor, I only recently began to play on consoles simple, have always been uncommonly fun hooked. Every time a little Gamerscore noti- the entirety of Half Life 2: Episode 1 without that gave away achievements and trophies (I to earn. It goes to show that while duds ex- fication popped up I’d have this wave of sat- firing more than a single bullet. Having to bought a PS3 some months later to play Ni ist, it would be going too far to condemn all isfaction course through my body, like what I work your way through the game’s hordes of No Kuni.) I’ve heard the pros and the cons, achievements as cons to drag out game con- imagine a chain smoker feels when they take enemies and puzzles without using weapon- the bugbear that ‘organised goals’ cheapen tent. a drag on a cigarette. I was, for all intents and ry was pretty challenging, but it completely the experience, predominantly because since I’ll now admit that I would never have purposes, an achievement addict. rebuilt the experience into something organ- the time when achievements were a novel reached 100% completion on Kingdom I’ve calmed down a bit now but back then, ic, and it’s something I probably never would concept, they’re now often either painfully Hearts HD 1.5 Remix had I not trophies to to many gamers, I was part of a problem have thought to try if the achievement hadn’t simplistic or infuriatingly tedious to… well, strive for. Back when I played the original that’s swept gaming ever since achievements been there to guide me. achieve. So if that ‘ping!’ notification flash- before puberty kicked in, as a simple child I were introduced. Simply put, some people Unfortunately the problem is that achieve- es across my screen just a little too often, my ran away from the battle with Sephiroth with believe achievements are instruments of evil, ments as creative as “One Free Bullet” just feathers can get ruffled, because as much as I my tail between my legs. After I lost. Got my lazily slapped on games as a way of padding aren’t as common as they should be, particu- am a gamer who plays to win, like many oth- backside well and truly kicked. I thought, no out content. Even worse, instead of playing larly when developers often treat achieve- ers, I play for the full story immersion, and more – I’m not going through that humili- games based on their own merits, many of us ments as tacked on time-sinks, asking you to sure, those little pings like to do their best to ation again. But trophies do things to your now play them just to add to an arbitrary col- repeat the same dull activity over and over poke holes in that cloud nine on which I’m brain, they are human whisperers, they taunt lection of virtual trophies that serves no pur- again. But this doesn’t mean we should bin daydreaming. you, eyeballing you, jiggling eyebrows at you, pose apart from screaming, “look how many achievements outright. Instead, developers Having said that, trophies do work in mod- laughing, ‘You can’t get me!’ games I’ve bought from a shop.” should look for more interesting ways to in- eration – this is key. Difficulty levels must be Trophies don’t have eyebrows, you say? As a former slave to achievements I’m not corporate challenges that reinvigorate their balanced (unless of course, you’re playing Well then, friend, you’ve simply been lucky going to say that hoarding them isn’t addic- games, rather than put them out to pasture LEGO Harry Potter – collecting bricks is your to escape their power. tive. However, I think the anti-achievement with bland achievements that only exist to only nemesis there). It’s also nice to know So a kid who wouldn’t have bothered to argument isn’t so much a problem with fill a quota. that developers aren’t intentionally screwing strive to beat the game’s biggest, baddest boss, achievements in general, but rather how they If they do that, I’ll happily become addict- you over by adding last-hurdle stinkers. You did – with the aid of a trophy’s eyebrows. I are implemented. The fact is that achieve- ed again, as I’m currently finding real life know, game achievements which are all very think I rest my case. ments, when used well, can do a lot to bol- achievements difficult. The “Get a girlfriend” straightforward and pleasant, until you reach ster a game’s merits, rather than take away achievement has been particularly tax- 990G – by now so invested in earning the full from them. Often they can open your eyes ing. house you so admirably deserve – only to find » photos: right, attachofthefanboy.com; left, ytimg.com; below, wikia.com

The casual gamer’sgun. He wasn’t column: fighting aliens. He didn’t reMario- I had a score toKart settle. The slate was wiped Catherine McCollum quire me to steal cars and kill prostitutes. He clean and I raced again, because it was fun. was just an Italian plumber. I knew he was I didn’t get much better, every new race- the man for me. course presented new challenges. I learnt My first gaming experience was Mario to be content simply with not coming last. n a story that would perhaps fit better in Kart, Wii. I chose to play as Princess Peach, But I learnt tricks. I learnt the fastest ways a sleazy mag, one girl loses her (gaming) a fun and sassy lady. I selected my vehicle, a around and which characters to look out for. Final- virginity and shares all the dirty details motorcycle, and was ready to race. My first I learnt to avoid bovine road blocks, and the ly, something I loved a b o u t with The Boar. race went well. Boxes full of shells and ba- other racers armed with lightning clouds. I this game was that I didn’t find it a daunting ISo, as The Boar welcomes in a new year, nana skins with which to attack others, and learnt that I am actually a better driver when task which required a commitment I simply the games section bravely welcomes a new gold mushrooms which make you travel fast- another player has blinded me with squid couldn’t make. Aside from unlocking new and, admittedly, rather inexperienced gamer. er (apparently) helped me stay in contention, ink. (I‘m not entirely sure I want to think characters, there is no end. You do not have If you, like me, gave up gaming some time and I entered the final lap in first place. I about what this says for my driving.) to complete one part of the story to access the between Tetris and Nintendogs, then you couldn’t believe it as I approached the finish My little brother arriving home from next. You can simply play another race, and may not believe that the games section is for line, having been in the lead throughout the school threw a spanner in the works. When each is different. This means that you could you. I will confess, as I stared blankly at my lap. Could I really win on my first try? No. I I was playing on my own and losing, I could play for hours, or just for one race. For this little brother’s collection of games, I drove into a cow, annoyingly standing in the use the “you’re not supposed to be able to beat reason, Mario Kart may just be the perfect wondered why I had decided to do this middle of the road and got stuck behind it. the computer” excuse, but his insistence on game for the casual gamer. There is no ob- at all. At nearly 20 years of age, was it too late Meanwhile, eight other racers passed me. I winning every race bothered me more than a ligation to continue playing, nor a point at for me to enter the alien world of gaming? finished in the not unrespectable position of little. Still, it allowed me to see how this game which the game is complete, and you must There was only one way to find out. I dove in, ninth. This really set the tone for my whole could be a social experience, disproving my stop. a complete gaming novice, and this is what I tournament. Whether it was falling off a view that gaming is a solitary activity. Play- I must admit, I was cynical, but I really found… pesky mushroom, or getting hit by lightning, ing on his account also allowed me to try new enjoyed losing my gaming virginity. I loved Game selection seemed vital, so I took my I could never hold my lead. Now, I will admit racecourses and characters (you unlock them Mario and now feel much more confident time. I was intimidated by every realistic- to being competitive, perhaps even stubborn, by winning, so naturally I hadn’t tried them.) going forward in the gaming world. Maybe looking man holding a gun, I’ve never un- but something uncommon happened. I felt I found it interesting that, while I noticed a next time I’ll try a game which arms me with derstood Pokemon, and I can’t even watch a no desire to throw my toys out of the pram difference playing with my brother, I hadn’t guns rather than turtle shells… game of football, never mind play FIFA. I was over losing to computer programmed mush- found single player a lonely experience, and worrying that I’d never find a game I could rooms, dinosaurs and babies, among others. would happily play alone or with someone manage. Then I saw him. He didn’t have a I only wanted to play more. And not because else (though maybe not him) again. theboar.org 14 Editor: Cayo Sobral 24 Editor:[email protected] Ellie May [email protected] @BoarSciTech SCI & TECH fb.com/groups/BoarSciTechTwitter @BoarSciTech fb.com/groups/BoarSciTech A freshers’ guide to drinking Hannah Makin dispels some common myths about a student’s worst enemy, the hangover

djusting to the new routines and Don’t: “Hair of the dog” Don’t: Drink wine instead Don’t: “Beer before liquor” daily grinds that come hand-in- hand with a new academic year at A popular belief which supposedly re- Wine is often thought of as a healthier How your drinks interact with each other university can take a lot out of us. duces the symptoms of a hangover is to have alternative to other forms of alcohol, but chemically has no effect on your hangover. AAs students, this gives us the perfect excuse another drink in the morning. In reality, this as far as your headache in the morning is Drinking just beer will cause you to become to abuse our health and consume as much remedy just delays the hangover until later concerned, it could be much worse for you. intoxicated more slowly than if you switch to alcohol as we possibly can before the dead- on in the day when our blood-alcohol levels Tannins are naturally occurring compounds the hard stuff suddenly. lines begin to kick in. More often than not start to fall again. Instead of more alcohol, found in wine and can trigger dehydration A beer before moving onto liquor means though, our actions are rewarded the follow- try replenishing the loss of electrolytes symptoms. that you will be more inclined to drink your ing morning with a banging headache and a with energy drinks and rehydrat- The sugar added to wine during liquor faster and suffer more when morning shaky promise to never drink again. ing with lots of water. the fermentation process does comes around. Many of us have routines which we think Coffee is also another bad nothing to help keeping you will help us avoid waking up regretting the choice as a morning pick- hydrated either. More sugar night before. Rumours are spread and magi- me-up, as caffeine acts as is usually found in cheaper Do: Know your limits cal hangover “cures” are passed from student a diuretic which caus- wines and therefore the to student. This article will hopefully shed es further dehydration. quality of your drink may Even if they weigh the same, a woman some light onto the Do’s and Don’ts of drink- Keeping the body hydrat- also affect the severity of will feel the effects of a drink much sooner ing and perhaps help you find a way to take ed with water and ener- your morning hangover. than a man. This is because men have higher the edge off your next hangover. gy drinks will help keep amounts of “alcohol dehydrogenase”, an en- your body functioning zime which metabolizes any alcohol present effectively and keep away in the body. Men also have a higher percent- Do: Eat before you drink feelings of dizziness and age of bodily water and so alcohol will be light-headedness. Don’t: Go low-cal more diluted and less easily absorbed into Food really does act as a sponge for your the bloodstream. alcohol to be absorbed into. Eating before you Beverages claiming to be low in It is always important to know your own drink means that your body will be preoccu- Do: Drink plenty of water calories often cause you to feel the effects of limits when consuming alcohol, as everyone pied digesting your food and alcohol will be your drink much faster than regular ones. is different and will respond to their drinks absorbed more slowly into the bloodstream. This one should be obvious but drinking These drinks are emptied from your stom- in different ways. If you’re not quite at the To maximise the effect, try eating foods water whilst you are drinking will also help ach faster and pass to the liver which then point of knowledge yet, in the meantime, try high in starch and carbohydrates which slow reduce the hangover effects. The more water, becomes saturated with alcohol. This satura- not to push your body too far and have fun down digestion the most. Such food can in- the more diluted the alcohol in your body tion leads to alcohol passing at a faster rate with (or despite) your hangover in the morn- clude pasta or even just a banana may help will be and will therefore be much more easi- into your bloodstream meaning that you be- ing! keep your hangover at bay. ly removed from your body. come intoxicated at a faster rate also. » Photo: Flickr/aloha75 Memories: A mystery of the mind Are memories set in stone? Jordan Hindson outlines recent studies that say otherwise scar Wilde called memory a dia- may simply become frayed or destroyed with the different background. Participants always of love at first sight). This leads to the un- ry that we all carry around in our age due to neural degeneration. Not so, re- chose the incorrect location that they had settling idea that the memories we treasure head and Freud likened memory cent studies suggest. previously picked as being the correct one. the most are the ones that have changed the to a palimpsest: an old parchment At the McGill University lab, researcher In the words of the lead researcher, Donna most. The best way to keep a memory intact Oon which the original text has been erased Karim Nader studied the memory of rats. Bridge, “This shows their original memory is to never remember it. to make room for a new one. The brain is He began by conditioning them to associ- of the location has changed to reflect the lo- constantly rearranging its own architecture, ate a loud noise with a subsequent electrical cation they recalled on the new background » Photo: Flickr/stevenfettig and yet the “memory” still remains intact. shock. He knew that the memory-making screen. Their memory has updated the infor- If this sounds clunky, it is; memory defies process requires the production of new pro- mation by inserting the new information into easy description. The phrase “I remember” teins, and so injecting the rats with a chemi- the old memory”. carries an enormous weight, and how this is cal that inhibits protein production also pre- These and other achieved is perhaps the most intriguing ques- vented them from creating a memory of fear. studies are making the tion still unanswered in the life sciences. But Nader took this one stage further, and tantalising suggestion Progress in the study of memory was slow injected the protein inhibitor after the loud that memories are not up until the end of the 20th century. Until noise had been played, while the rats were in simply photographs, the development of neuroscience supplanted the process of “remembrance”. Remarkably, filed away until they are psychology, the study of memory was con- the rats then lost the entire memory. One in- needed. Looked at in an- sidered too difficult and mysterious; research hibition of remembrance was enough to wipe other light, it also suggests funds were directed toward the elucidation of their entire memory of the pain that followed that not only can the past less demanding faculties. Though I am being a loud noise. influence the present, but simplistic, we now know that the site of long In another recent experiment, people that the present can also term memory storage is the hippocampus, a were asked to study the location of an object mould the past. The very horse-shoe shaped component in the brain. on a background picture (e.g. an underwater act of remembrance alters the The senses of smell and taste are both directly scene) and to try to place the location of this memory. Without the origi- connected to the hippocampus, whereas the object in the correct place from memory, but nal stimulus, the memory remaining senses of sight, hearing and touch on a different background scene. Most often, will become less and less are first processed elsewhere, in the thala- people chose the incorrect location. Next, about the literal truth mus. This explains why smell and taste form participants were asked to identify where the and more and more longer lasting memories. For a long time, it object was on the original background from a about your present was thought that the memories were fixed, choice of three: a random location, the origi- predicament (casting permanent representations of reality that nal location, and the incorrect location on doubt on the concept theboar.org/science-tech | @BoarSciTech | SCI & TECH 25 19 theboar.org Greenhouse gases on the rise Baljeet Panesar discusses new findings that show we are emitting more greenhouse gases than ever

urging levels of atmospheric CO2 saw house gases across the board,” said Michel both absorb around 25% of manmade CO2 by carbon dioxide. According to the WMO, concentrations of greenhouse gases Jarraud. “We are running out of time.” emissions each. If this ratio is reduced, it the oceans absorb about 4kg of CO2 per per- reach record levels in 2013, according However, remains in the son per day, which is the highest rate for 300 to new figures released last month. global average atmosphere, million years. The oceans’ ability to absorb SThis concentration increase between 2012 temperatures where it can stay heat was already thought to be largely re- and 2013 was the greatest since records began have not risen for hundreds of sponsible for the so-called “global warming three decades ago. In 2013, concentrations of with the sus- years. The last pause” that has meant global temperatures carbon dioxide reached 396 parts per million tained growth time that a re- have not risen as fast as some scientists ex-

(ppm), the highest level in at least 800,000 of CO2, leading duced ability for pected over the past few years. years, up 3ppm from 2012. to many voic- the biosphere to Michel Jarraud says “The evidence of the Although this one percent increase does es claiming that absorb carbon atmosphere and oceans underlines the need not sound like much, current levels are 142 global warming was recorded was for urgent, concentrated political action to percent higher than preindustrial levels and has paused. in 1998, when tackle the problem.” This demonstrates the their effects have already impacted our dai- “The climate large-scale bi- urgency with which this needs to be “ac- ly lives. Methane and nitrous oxide were 153 system is not omass burning knowledged and we have the tools for action percent and 21 percent higher, respective- linear, it is not was coupled with to try to keep temperature increases within ly, than pre-industrial levels; however their straightforward. an El Niño event. 2oC to give our planet a chance and to give overall numbers are much lower than that of It is not neces- For Oksana our children and grandchildren a future”.

CO2. sarily reflected in Tarasova, the The world’s political leaders gathered in Michel Jarraud, secretary general of the the temperature current drop is New York on September 23 for a summit WMO said “The Greenhouse Gas Bulletin in the atmos- therefore espe- called by UN secretary general Ban Ki-Moon. shows that, far from falling, the concentra- phere, but if you cially worrying, The purpose of this summit was to initiate tion of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere ac- look at the tem- as there are no negotiations that aim to deliver a new climate tually increased last year at the fastest rate for perature profile such obvious fac- change directive by the end of 2015. nearly 30 years,” in the ocean, the tors to point to. UK climate secretary Ed Davey has out- The World Meteorological Organisation heat is going in She went on to lined the UK government’s roadmap to an (WMO) is calling for a global treaty to reduce the oceans,” said say that “we don’t agreement set to be agreed in Paris at the end the concentration of greenhouse gases, fur- Oksana Taraso- understand if this of next year. Mr Davey stressed that a deal in ther reinforced by these new findings in their va, chief of the is temporary or if Paris would not just help limit the impacts of annual Greenhouse Gas Bulletin. atmospheric re- it is a permanent global warming, it would kick-start a massive The Greenhouse Gas Bulletin doesn’t search division at state, and we are transition to low carbon energy production measure emissions from power station the WMO. a bit worried internationally. smokestacks but instead records how much The Bulletin about that.” She of the warming gases remain in the atmos- also suggests that suggested that “it » Photo: Flickr/indigoskies phere after the complex interactions that in 2013, the in- could be that the take place between the air, the land and the crease can also be biosphere is at its What can we do to decrease oceans. attributed to a reduced carbon uptake by the limit but we cannot tell that at the moment.” greenhouse emissions? “We must reverse this trend by cutting Earth’s biosphere. The biosphere, which in- For the first time, the Bulletin includes Tweet: @BoarSciTech emissions of carbon dioxide and other green- cludes trees and living things and the oceans, data on the acidification of the oceans caused The Ebola outbreak: Can it happen here? Lacey Read gives an overview of the resources the UK has to fight a hypothetical outbreak of the disease he outbreak of Ebola in West Africa disease has proven tricky and is made much How would Ebola be treated in the UK? media platforms to educate the population is now the largest in history; Doctors more problematic with the distrust of the Derek Gatherer, a researcher at Lancaster on other prevention methods. Many will without Borders claim that the situa- healthcare system. University, suggests that a patient who dis- remember the “Catch it, Bin it, Kill it” cam- tion is “out of control” and there are paign that followed the Swine Flu pandemic Tnew fears that resources are running out to in 2009. It is a slogan preached from TV and treat the vast number of sufferers. However, radio adverts, newspapers and billboards and with a population that has lived through the educated people that helped bring an end to rapid, international spread of viruses such as the outbreak. Therefore, it is the conclusion HIV and SARS, many are beginning to won- amongst many scientists that an outbreak der whether the UK, too, will soon see its like the one in West Africa just wouldn’t hap- share of the deadly virus. pen in the UK. Scientists have suggested several reasons The future of the fight against the disease why the outbreak, which began December is looking hopeful. Currently, scientists are 2013, has been so explosive. The most popu- researching experimental treatments for Eb- lar theory points at a local distrust of hospi- ola, which have been successful on animals. tals as a primary cause of the spread of Ebola. One such treatment, ZMapp, has been ad- Local people see patients be admitted into ministered to two U.S. patients in Liberia. hospital for treatment and come out worse The costs for the treatments were arranged off or dead. Many have formed the assump- privately by Samaritans Purse, a private hu- tion that by avoiding hospital, they will be manitarian organisation. However, the CDC able to avoid illness. does not think that this drug will be availa- Further distrust of healthcare officials has ble to West Africans because it has not un- arisen when officials tried to prevent tradi- dergone the appropriate clinical trials yet. In tional burial customs. These West African addition, the resources to produce the drug burials involve relatives of the deceased bath- on a large scale are not available to the man- ing, cleaning and dressing the victim’s body, ufacturers. finally issuing the body with a “love touch” » Ebola virus particles (blue) budding from an infected cell. Photo: flickr/NIAID This certainly raises the question of why or last kiss. As Ebola is still contagious when two Americans were granted the drug but the body is dead, any of these practices could Currently, no vaccine has proven effective played symptoms of Ebola and had recent- not their African counterparts. Furthermore, cause a further spread of the disease and offi- against Ebola. Present treatment involves re- ly travelled to any Ebola stricken country, if such an outbreak occurred in Western cials are trying to prevent the traditions when placing body salts, maintaining both oxygen would be swiftly isolated and provided with countries, would more resources have been burying the body. levels and blood pressure and treating any the appropriate treatment, by healthcare pro- spent finding treatment? It is called, after all, Educating people about the disease has secondary infections. Even with these treat- viders wearing appropriate protective cloth- the drugs industry. also proved difficult. With literacy rates in ments, fatality rates can still reach 90 percent, ing. This effectively limits the spread of the Sierra Leone around 35 percent, successfully although currently they only reach 40% in Si- virus. informing the public on how to prevent the erra Leone. Additionally, the UK has a vast variety of 24 Editor: Samantha Hoppstheboar.org [email protected] Twitter @BoarTravel TRAVEL fb.com/groups/BoarTravel A summer with Warwick in Africa Should you volunteer abroad? Daniel Cope tells us about his experience of teaching English in Africa his summer I went to Limpopo in who I christened Beatrice (Why? Why not). South Africa as a volunteer student We also went to a fun fair in Mercado and teacher for Warwick in Africa. Main- went on rides that would make British health ly situated in the township of Tho- and safety laws squirm. We visited the mag- Thoyandou, my team and I had various adven- nificent Mac Mac waterfall, gazed from atop tures which stretched as far out as places like God’s Window and the jaw-dropping moun- Kruger National Park and Johannesburg. tain range of the Three Sisters. However, we would soon learn that the In Johannesburg we toured Constitution heart of Africa lies not in its grand attractions Hill and the Apartheid museum. As a vis- but in the diversity of its townships, schools itor to South Africa it is essential that you and people. equate yourself with the history of Apartheid Landing on a lukewarm morning in Johan- because the scars of its effect are still visible nesburg we were shepherded into a minibus some 20 years later. for our six hour journey to Thohoyandou. At Kruger National Park we spotted all of The N1 is a road which runs from Cape Town the ‘Big Five’, which is a bucket list challenge to Beit Bridge and I can’t quite emphasise just ticked off for me. The sight of a leopard laz- how long that actually is. ing in a tree was nothing short of majestic One of the first things that strikes you and surreal for a student from Birmingham, about South Africa is the extraordinary dif- whose wildest animal encounter usually ferences in its terrain. From the deep greens takes the form of a mildly aggressive pigeon. of Johannesburg to the arid expanses of Kru- Nonetheless, interacting with the young ger and the hills of red dust in Limpopo the learners at school and learning about their variety is unparalleled. » The school was situated in Limpopo, South Africa.Photo: Daniel Cope daily lives was what made this trip truly un- Our accommodation was called Phiphidi forgettable. We are so quick to critique the Falls and as its title suggests it was because guage to a class of more than 50 learners is a from the local University of Venda. The stu- education system in Britain but we ought we were right next to a waterfall. In little huts mighty task. If learners don’t pass the grade dents were an amazing part of the programme to consider the daily educational struggles for two we were situated quite literally in the then they resit it until they do, so I was teach- because they taught us a great deal about the across the world. heart of a forest with a troop of monkeys for ing 21 year olds amongst a class of 15 year olds local customs. We were even invited to a cul- Warwick in Africa encourages interna- company. When you are stumbling around as a result. tural event at the University which included a tional development and broadens the par- waving a torch to make sure you don’t trip The language barrier, despite English being showcase of Venda drama, dance and poetry. ticipants’ minds and empathy towards such over, while you can hear the steady rush of a quite prevalent in Limpopo, was a significant The event stressed the importance of inter- educational challenges. waterfall, you start to realise that you are very issue. I speak rapid-fire Brummie and people national relations and co-operation between I will never forget my time in Limpopo far away from home. in the UK struggle to understand me as it is, cultures to make a greater and more cohesive and the team and children I worked with. I We were working at three schools teaching so I quickly learned to slow things down and impact when cultures meet. will, however, very quickly try and forget that Maths or English. I was placed at Ratshik- develop gestures to signpost my instructions. The weekend excursions were exceptional the school served chicken’s feet for food. wekwete Secondary school. Ratshikwekwete, The students suffered with significant and so well-planned by our driver, and friend, or Ratchi for short, is a humble little school gaps in their knowledge and it was a learn- Huli. Huli’s support for the programme and of approximately 420 students. Under-re- ing curve for me to try and go back to the rapport with those he takes care of was un- Visit our website for more sourced and under-staffed, it represented very basics of English language such as use of doubtedly the glue which ensured the Lim- pictures from Dan’s travels all the challenges that the Warwick in Africa tenses and plurals; skills that a native-speaker popo experience was so successful. Travel online: programme seeks to address. can easily take for granted. We travelled to Mapungubwe Nation- theboar.org/travel Teaching English as a first additional lan- We were team-teaching alongside students al Park and were chased by a Bull Elephant Ever considered travelling with strangers? Sian Elvin argues that travelling with strangers is the best way to experience another country n the final issue of the Boar last year, I or with a completely different culture, you The second benefit was that travelling alone if you wished! read a fantastic piece by Scarlett Mans- will benefit from it. with a tour guide ensured we were However, what I did learn was that the field encouraging students to dare to go I travelled in a group across getting the best out of every group you’re travelling with can either make travelling alone. In this article however, I Central America and found place we visited. As we were or break your trip. In my case, it absolutely Ichallenge the adventurers among you not to advantages in two dif- travelling through four made it. It’s been just over a year since I re- travel alone, or with friends. ferent ways. In terms different countries in a turned from Central America, and I’m still in I dare you to travel with a group of of safety, it meant I few weeks, there was contact with some of the people I went with, strangers – people you’ve never met before in could visit some re- a lot to get through and have met up with a couple of them over your life. ally interesting but in a limited time. the summer. So why would you want to do that? Per- dangerous places Without a guide Having made friends with a variety of peo- sonally I think it’s the easiest way to get the where I would I wouldn’t have ple of different nationalities, ages and back- best of both worlds. A major concern for a lot never dare to trav- seen anywhere grounds, I’ve had invitations to visit New of people travelling with a group of friends el on my own, for near as much, Zealand, Portugal and Switzerland. I spent is that they won’t be able to go off alone and example Teguci- even with exten- weeks getting to know these people in the do what they want, but if you go abroad with galpa in Hondu- sive planning. In early hours of the morning, over cocktails, strangers, you won’t feel the same kind of ties ras. those few weeks next to campfires, watching sunsets. Living that you would to your friends. I was also warned I went snorkelling with people in such close proximity and ex- Make sure you find a tour flexible enough about practical safe- across coral reefs, periencing an entirely new environment with for you (I’d seriously recommend booking ty – we were walking bungee jumping, vol- them creates an incredibly strong bond. yourself in for an appointment with STA through a forest and cano boarding, kayak- To go back home not only with a bunch Travel in the atrium to work out what sort of suddenly told to walk soft- ing, zip-lining, dolphin of amazing experiences under your belt, but thing you’re looking for), and you’ll be able to ly by our guide, because there spotting and even went on a also having met some incredible people who go off by yourself when it suits you. was a deadly wasps’ nest above us home stay. you may not have looked at twice in the street Of course, if you’re travelling around an and if we disturbed it, we could have been And the great thing is that I chose all of before, is something truly special. And that’s area you’re very familiar with, like Western stung to death. Who knows what could have those things out of options given to us by our why you should give travelling with a group Europe, a tour may not suit you, but if you’re happened if I was alone or talking loudly to tour guide. By no means did you have to stick of strangers a chance. going somewhere you’ve never been before a friend! to the itinerary; you could go off and explore » Photo: Sian Elvin 25 theboar.org Circles, drinking games and knock-off Ribena It can only mean one thing... Luckily, Katie Bell is on hand to prepare us all for the return of Pop! or most sports clubs, the week are tamer than others, some race, but more often by chants winning CMD’s annual charity iterations of Pop! always result in revolves around a Wednesday. aren’t actually allowed into the flying between the two clubs, or dance-off to which sport gets the some pretty spectacular costumes. Specifically, the Wednesday Copper Rooms, and I’m willing by general size and noise. Any- most air-time on Sky Sports is Three hours later, the result is Fnight. Warwick is fairly unique in to bet you’ll hear some pret- taken into account when trying always carnage. At 10pm, the BBC the way that it conducts its sports ty incredible rumours to prove a club’s place on the news soundtrack is blasted out, socials – nowhere else will you find as to why as the year pecking order. Do your club signalling the start of Pop!. The the phenomenon that is ‘circling’. progresses. In general, thing from proud by practicing your Rouge Bar and the D-floor are During freshers, rumours are however, drinking whacking skills alongside swamped, and horrific chat and abundant on what circling actually games are conducted your sporting ones. appalling shapes are thrown. is. From an outside perspective, by the social secs, who Lots of clubs have social Resident DJ Disco Dave plays a it appears a cult-ish gathering of are essentially treated attire (club shirts and ties for comforting medley of pop tunes oddly-dressed people, possessing like kings between the boys, polo shirts for girls), dating from the seventies to the very little sense of human dignity, hours of 7 and 10. which is worn every week. present day, so that everyone and who have an obsession with Discipline is key; Ties are not to be washed, ever. can have a good sing and dance. recreating a geometric shape. To social secs can be volatile (Top tip- if you take your tie Expect Busted, the cha-cha slide, be fair, they’re not far off. characters. Games such home at any point, stress to and, of course, the Baywatch as ‘20+1’, ‘what-the-fuck’, whichever parent does laundry theme tune at midnight. and ‘ducky fuzz’, are of this fact). Hey, a purple and The night ends at 2am (though The Copper Rooms open at played, with each circle vomit stained tie may not im- expect a mass exodus at the time 7pm, where the sports people possessing its own highly press your family that much, but of the last bus to Leamington), all file in and sit with their complex games. it’ll make you the High Overlord when the lights get turned on and respective clubs The fast-learner label of the circle, and that is an hon- everyone realises just how messy which got you into War- our not to be sniffed at. the night has got. wick will be put to its best When not in social attire, We are ever-thankful to the use by a speedy mastering clubs can often be seen to be in SU staff willing to take on the The Copper Rooms open at of these games. Messing an eclectic collection of fancy Wednesday night shift (or perhaps 7pm, where the sports people file up the game is punished by dress. Commitment to fancy dress maybe they’re forced too...), and in and sit with their respective drinking (anything from two is expected, and often judged that inflation has yet to affect the clubs. Pints of purple (a sophis- fingers to a pint). Physical and punished in circle if effort is price of purple. Fun fact: the SU ticated mix of cider, lager and challenges are often incor- lacking. poured 80,000 pints of purple last knock-off Ribena) are then bought porated into circle, such as The theme of the fancy dress is year. at the bar, most commonly three ‘plank-pints’, ‘buca-burpees’, often incorporated into the games Except it’s not only a fact. No, at a time. One by one, each club and ‘danger-duck-duck goose’. played for variety, for example it’s a challenge to the Warwick starts their circle (punishments Over-forming is frowned setting the cowboys against the sportspeople of 2014/15. And I’m can be expected for late-comers), upon. indians. Dressing up as either backing us to beat that. typically trying to out-do each Inter-club rivalries are often superheroes or smurfs seem other on the decibel scale. played out in the Copper Rooms, enduringly popular themes, whilst Each circle is different; some occasionally in the form of a boat the Halloween and Christmas » Photo: baka_san / Flickr The search for the perfect sports spot at Warwick Just what is the perfect place to catch a big game with your mates at uni? Tim Arstall tries to provide the answer arwick’s campus boasts place to catch a game if you’re an to those iconic stone stairs and at play weekly. The Westwood area Warwick, despite prior indiffer- an impressive varie- Arsenal fan, offering a near exact times the crowd was absolutely possesses a number of football ence. ty of areas to watch a replica of sound levels at the Emir- electric. and hockey pitches well as a fully The Cryfield pitches play host to Wwide range of sporting events. As ates Stadium. It’s also worth noting that there equipped tennis centre where vari- the prestigious Men’s and Women’s a sports fan with games to watch And there is always the option can be no better way to watch Mur- ous teams play. The facilities are up 1st football fixtures: expect heavy and a degree to ignore, it is com- tackles and some incredibly witty pletely vital to get to grips with the chants between the rival fans- not ideal location to catch every goal, for the faint hearted. In general, try, wicket, or even par if you are however Varsity tends to be a pos- so inclined. itive time on campus due to War- For those of a social disposition, wick’s 200 year winning record Bar Fusion in the Rootes building against their local rivals (or some- offers a great chance to watch the thing like that). week’s big games as a group, with Just in case the wealth of live both Sky Sports and BT on of- sport on offer isn’t enough for you- fer. Manchester United games are fear not! Warwick’s local student particularly popular with War- radio station RaW offers weekly wick’s international community, sports shows on Wednesday at and Champions League matches 18:00 for entertaining analysis of promise a feisty atmosphere. Food all the headlines as well as a Sat- is also available cheaply, and drinks urday show running live updates aren’t too expensive. for those essay-bound students The ironically minded among around campus. you will also love Warwick’s offi- On top of this the Boar offers a cial, and recently renamed, sports great list of features and is a great bar, ‘The Graduate’- the only way to keep up to date with all the sports bar in the UK not actually » Where is the perfect sports spot at Warwick? Photo: Warwick Media Library to Olympic standard as 2012 university sports teams and their offering any live sport on a reg- saw a number of athletes occasionally infamous activities. ular basis. Nevertheless, they do of finding a friend willing to watch ray crash out of an Open, or Eng- journey to Warwick for pre-games So if it’s the big Premier League indeed sell pints of purple, making the big match with you on their land slump out of a major tourna- training, testament indeed to our kick-off you’re after, or something it an enticing prospect to kick back laptop, in the relative comfort of ment, than shoulder to shoulder grass imported from Andorra. a bit more grassroots, you’re bound when there’s a special event on. your kitchen or bedroom. with your equally despondent At the forefront of the universi- to find what you’re looking for Certain brave freshers may even Big games or cup finals are often friends; do watch out for pockets ties’ calendar is the annual Varsity somewhere across campus. fancy sneaking a laptop into the shown on the piazza’s giant screen, of partisan Italy and Uruguay fans series which sees Warwick’s finest library and watching live sport in and right outside the SU building, though. size up to the mighty Coventry the quiet zone, although the risk it’s impossible to miss. If it’s atmos- However if televised sport isn’t University. Where do you of incurring the wrath of a wild phere you’re after then look no doing it for you, Warwick also Varsity is a great time to watch watch sport at uni? librarian is dissuasion enough for further, this year’s World Cup saw benefits from a wealth of sport- live sport and a chance to show Tell us on Facebook most. The Library is also a fine hundreds of hopeful students flock ing facilities where various teams your sudden undying pride in theboar.org 32 Sponsored by Editor: Luke Brown [email protected] Twitter @BoarSport SPORT fb.com/groups/BoarSport

Don’t be afraid to sample sport off campus! Warren Muggleton urges both freshers and returning students to take advantage of sports facilities in the local area

arwick Sport provides worth a visit for its four-court loads of activities on sports hall, gym and all-weather, campus for students. floodlit pitch. WWhether you want to be part of the However, in my opinion, the scrum, conquer the climbing wall best sporting facility about Ke- or hit a 147 break on the snooker nilworth is the roads! If you table, opportunities are available run from campus, a hilly 3-mile for everybody. However, if you’re course lies before you and offers brave enough to set your sights off a hard challenge. However, the campus, then you’re sure to find views are great, so give it a go! even more exciting opportunities. But it’s past Kenilworth, and Starting in Coventry, the Coven- in Leamington Spa, where the try Sports and Leisure Centre can majority of Warwick University be found in the centre of the city- students live after their first year. an easy trip on the number 11 bus! Not far from here, the Newbold The leisure centre has a 50 metre Comyn Leisure Centre offers a Olympic pool alongside a Leisure modern gym and large swimming Splash Pool for those of you look- pool, as well as a challenging golf ing for a more relaxed swim. course. As well as badminton and squash Moving into town, behind courts (and even table tennis), the Benjamin Satchwells pub (this Leisure Centre is also home to the is the easiest way to describe the Inspire Health and Fitness suite, location- oh, the irony!) the Pure which offers TechnoGym facilities Health Club provides members at very reasonable student rates. with modern gym facilities, a lux- Near Canley, the Tile Hill Wood urious swimming pool and expert Leisure Centre offers a 17 metre trainers. They have a 10-week stu- swimming pool and a beautiful golf dent membership rate, which is course which is only a ten minute worth every penny. walk from campus. However, if golf On the other hand, Bizz Gym is a bit too genteel for you, around is based above Neon Nightclub Canley, the Triumph Amateur Box- (more irony!), and offers a huge ing Club and the Coventry Judo variety of cardio and condition- Club can be found: excellent if you ing equipment. fancy kicking out and getting your Rambo voice on! » Victoria Park offers you the chance to to try lawn bowls: every student’s dream. Photo: Elliott Brown At the other end of the scale, Coventry is also home to ‘Planet The roads of Kenilworth offer out the year! In the centre of Birmingham, Roy Keane! Ice’, a huge ice rink which holds a hilly 3 mile course that pro- When you next find yourself St. Andrews Stadium houses the With a 48,000-seat capacity, the the Varsity Ice Hockey clash, but vide a hard challenge. Howev- in Coventry, it’s relatively easy to current stragglers of the Champi- atmosphere at Villa Park is incred- also stages ice shows and lessons er the views are great, so give make your way to the Ricoh Are- onship. Having just evaded relega- ible. Plus the Warwick University throughout the year. it a go! na, where Coventry City FC have tion in dramatic circumstances last Matchday Society takes several And of course, if you fancy a recently re-established their home. season, the Blues have only won people to matches throughout the run, the War Memorial Park is not A far-cry from Six Fields last sea- one game since the league started year, making trips even more ac- far and offers 10 tennis courts for a son, the Sky Blues are aiming for a in August. cessible. recreational game. There are tennis courts available top-10 finish in League One having Moving away from football, Bir- If you take the number 11 bus in Victoria Park alongside a Lawn started brightly. mingham will be hosting the BUPA the opposite way towards Leam- Bowls Club- they charge just over On the bus back from Coventry, Birmingham is home to the Great Birmingham Run on 19th ington Spa, you go through Kenil- £4 where you can turn up and play. it is likely you will stumble across Alexander Stadium, an athlet- October 2014. Take the train, and worth and there are a few sporting As well as Victoria Park, Jephson the Leamington Rugby Football ics ground in the middle of the watch runners take on the 13.1- facilities available here. The Mead- Gardens and Newbold Comyn are Club. Their 1st XV compete in the city which hosts huge events mile course. ows Community Sports Centre is pleasant places to go for a run. Midlands 2 West (South) Division. Birmingham is also home to the in the east side of the town but is If getting involved isn’t real- The season has just begun, making Alexander Stadium, an athletics ly your it unfair to judge their form, but it ground in the middle of the city s t y l e , will be worth braving the cold to To the north-west of Birming- which hosts huge athletics events though, watch some intense rugby! ham, West Bromwich Albion will such as the Sainsburys Grand Prix. there are In south Leam, Leamington FC be trying to progress in the Premier On 21st February 2015, the city plenty of is based near the County & Golf League. It’s only an hour on the will host the IAAF Indoor Meet, at- oppor- Club. After a rather inconsistent train, making it incredibly accessi- tracting some of the fastest athletes tunities start in the Conference North, ble to view some of the most excit- in the world! to watch Leamington FC sit 11th in the table ing Premier League talents! So, whether you prefer getting some fan- and, although the stands only hold Both St. Andrews and the Haw- stuck in, or maybe just watching tastic live just over 2000 people, it’s worth a thorns hold approximately 30,000 from the sidelines, you will defi- sport off visit to cheer on the local team. people and they both promise an nitely find some great sport off campus. To get further afield, it’s best to engaging atmosphere that you campus. Don’t miss out! It’s well depart from Leamington Train Sta- would do well to sample. w o r t h tion. And this is where your oppor- Emotions are a little more settled ventur- tunities to take in some top-class to the north of the city, as Aston Have we missed ing out live sport really expand. Villa FC have made a fantastic start anything out? What to catch In half an hour you arrive in Bir- to the season, winning three out of off-campus facilities some of it mingham New Street and a wealth five games, perhaps to do with their do you use? Tweet us » Alexander Stadium . Photo: Flickr.com/ Jim Grady through- of football options are at your feet! frightening new assistant manager @BoarSport