felixonline.co.uk @felixImperial /FelixImperial [email protected] Keeping the cat free since 1949 issue 1593 January 16th 2015 Inside... Nutt develops new Keeping your wardrobe fresh Party Drug Clotho: the new clothes swapping scheme Features, pages 14 and 15

Nous Sommes News 7 The highs and lows of Charlie volunteering in Jakarta

Travel 30

Being LGBT in sport: have your say

London and its Welfare 33

Whitechapel and its students react to the abstract appeal French tragedy

Editoral: page 2 London reacts: page 4 and 5 What the students think: pages 11 to 13 Arts 30 - 33 2 16.01.2015 THE STUDENT PAPER OF IMPERIAL COLLEGE LONDON FELIX This week’s issue... [email protected] Felix Editor Philippa Skett

EDITORIAL TEAM CONTENTS Editor-In-Chief Defending the right to PHILIPPA SKETT News 3–8 Deputy Editor PHILIP KENT Comment 9–11 Treasurer offend THOMAS LIM Features 12–13 Technical Hero Science 14 LUKE GRANGER-BROWN THIS WEEK’S EDITORIAL News Editors Film 16–17 CAROL ANN CHEAH KUNAL WAGLE Music 18–19 Comment Editor Arts 22–28 his week we are looking at TESSA DAVEY the story of Charlie Hebdo, Technology Editors Television 29 Tsomething that no doubt is JAMIE DUTTON already familiar to many of you, but OSAMA AWARA Travel 30–31 still a story that is ongoing. Despite the fact that Charlie Hebdo has now Science Editors LAUREN RATCLIFFE Welfare 32–33 bravely managed to put out their next JAMES BEZER issue in an act that proves they can’t Puzzles 34–35 be stopped by such savagery, there Games Editors are still many questions that remain MAX EGGL Hangman 36–37 unanswered. CALUM SKENE These include the debate over what Arts Editors C and S 39 constitutes an expression of free FRED FYLES speech and what is crossing the line, KAMIL McCLELLAND Sport 40 and yet another debate if there is even a line to tread. Music Editors GRACE RAHMAN The debate over printing the AMNA ASKARI cartoons is also ongoing, with papers facing a daily battle over defending Television Editors their choice to replicate the images GIULIA GABRIELLI or not. Felix has decided not to JOHN PARK reprint the images of the Prophet Film Editors Muhammad as a show of respect not a comfortable right to defend, thought and, if nothing else, print ELLEN MATHIESON to our diverse readership and their but it falls under the umbrella of pure, sometimes illogical crassness JACK STEADMAN beliefs, but we have printed the front free speech, which, to succeed in its that most people would pick up, JOHN PARK cover we would have run with last purpose in full, must be absolute. maybe chuckle over (or simply Books Editor week if we had gone to print. We, as an audience then have every grimace at), then move on with their DIANA LUCACI Unlike all the national papers that right to challenge the media if we are day. week in the UK, we made a cover offended, and this too is an absolute As a publication, pushing those Fashion Editor comprised of a select few previous right. boundaries was part of their niche, CECILE BORKHATARIA Charlie Hebdo covers, to represent Just like we print our centrefold, or and they occupied it in the way Food Editors that nous sommes Charlie too. We our horoscopes, or even some of my they seemed fit. Part of our niche CAROL ANN CHEAH may not agree with how tasteless more frightful late night articles, we as a student paper is to inform our some of their images may have been, do so because we’ve reasoned that we diverse body of students about what Coffee Break Editors and though we would not print think they are appropriate to print is going on at University and in our TESSA DAVEY everything that the magazine have such material for whatever purpose local area, so printing these cartoons ELLEN MATHIESON done in the past, we agree they have we align with as a publication. We in particular does not help us in Travel Editor the right to print them and not face can therefore exercise that right succeeding as a publication. YUNG NAM CHEAH the risk of death in doing so. without fear for our lives. The same However, our niche as an editorially If we shy away from standing unfortunately could not be said for independent newspaper is also to Hangman Editor with the magazine because of those working for Charlie Hebdo. print what we do feel is appropriate, SKILLIPPA PHETT how potentially sexist, racist or These people weren’t fighting for which aligns with the principles that Welfare Editors Islamophobic they are interpreted anything when they put pen to paper, Charlie Hebdo stood for, and what DIBA ESBATI as, then we are also abandoning our and didn’t have any real cause to any true free press should stand CHANON WONGSATAYANONT support of their right to express defend when they went to print each for too. That is why we are Charlie views no matter how they are week. They simply enjoyed pushing Hebdo, and we are truly saddened by Clubs and Societies Editor BEN HOWITT interpreted. The right to offend is the boundaries of humour, critical what happened. Sport Editor KUNAL WAGLE We are looking to expand our news COPY EDIT TEAM reporter base: fancy joining us? Copy Chiefs SKETT’S BOX OF SHAME STEPHEN BALL Email: [email protected] ELLEN MATHIESON We couldn’t spot any errors in and let us know! Copy Editors issue 1892, which is probably an ANNINA SARTOR TOM RIVLIN error in itself. BEN HOWITT Felix, Beit Quad, Prince Consort Road, Printed by Iliffee Print Cambridge, Winship Road, JUNE GAN Do let us know if you could find London SW7 2BB Cambridge. MICHAEL FAGGETTER Email: [email protected] Registered newspaper ISSN 1040-0711 MATTIN MIR-TAHMASEBI any. JASPER MENKUS Tel: 020 7594 8072 CECILY JOHNSON Front image credits: Craig Buchanan, thanks so much! Copyright © Felix ABBY GOLDBLATT FELIX THE STUDENT PAPER OF IMPERIAL COLLEGE LONDON 16.01.2015 3 News [email protected] News Editors Carol Ann Cheah and Kunal Wagle Shutterbug-gered: legal action may be sought against Imperial students

CAROL ANN CHEAH financial toll on our business, but NEWS EDITOR were also extremely detrimental to our reputation.” In an email to Felix, Patrick from photo booth hire service is Unlock goes on to say: “As I am sure considering further legal you can understand, I am disgusted A action after incurring by the student’s actions, and we will damages to its equipment during the not tolerate malicious damage to joint RCSU-CGCU Winter Ball in our equipment, as such actions are early December last year. illegal.“ Felix was told that the RCSU, RCSU President Serena Yuen who made the hire arrangement provided the following statement to on behalf of the joint organizing Felix: “I can confirm that the RCSU committee, had paid the cost of the has paid for the costs of damage, equipment damages in full upfront to and several individuals have been Unlock Photo Booth after the night. identified to the Union who are now A representative from the RCSU dealing with this matter instead of us. had said that Unlock Photo Booth Naturally we are disappointed that had subsequently confirmed that an incident took place, but we are payment was received. Unlock also working closely with the Union to get “provided a photo of the culprits” to the bottom of this. ” it alleges were involved, with the ICU have confirmed with Felix that RCSU turning over these names to "We are its investigation on the matter is still Imperial College Union for further working under way, and has since resumed investigation. closely having being briefly suspended over However Unlock Photo Booth has with the the Christmas term holidays. They since implied that this payment is are also currently reviewing the now insufficient, saying that the Union to claimed loss figures with Unlock losses suffered now include “the get to the Photo Booth, and have said that the cancellation of 2 events as a result bottom of alleged culprits have been extremely of the damage sustained. These cooperative throughout the cancellations not only took a huge this" investigation. Source: Unlock Photo Booth, taken from the RCSU Facebook page These Aero-smiths didn’t want to miss a thing ...but they ended up doing so anyway. Philippa Skett reports on an exam gaffe

ndergraduate aeronautical graded with the other papers. to assist them so that they are not students were given a Sources from the aeronautics disadvantaged in any way.” Upostgraduate exam paper to department have told Felix that Felix spoke to one of the students sit this week, with no-one realising the papers covered different CFD involved, and said that he thought until the end of the exam the mistake material, although the module the department had handled the that was made. content is exactly the same. The mix-up satisfactorily but that he Third year, fourth year and postgraduate paper allegedly covered would probably be re-sitting the exam postgraduate students sat their more theoretical derivations than the after all. “I don’t know if it was hard Computational Fluid Dynamics undergraduate equivalent, although because it was a different paper or (CFD) exams on Monday, with the department stated that the exams just because I hadn’t revised! But I undergraduates and postgraduates were apparently of similar difficulty. think the department is dealing with seated in different exam rooms. Postgraduates and undergraduates it well.” Due to an apparent shortage of are taught the same modules Pascal Loose, Deputy President papers for the undergraduates in one independently throughout the year. (Education) told Felix: “It is a very of the exam rooms, an invigilator was The department told us that this is unfortunate incident, however the sent to get more papers, and brought because of space constraints and also department’s immediate response two students the exam script only to limit class sizes. is very positive. We will be working intended for postgraduate cohort. When contacted, the Aeronautics with our Academic Reps to make With the papers having the same admin team told Felix that the mix- sure that, if necessary, mitigating module title and being of identical up was “a simple human error,” and circumstances for these students are duration, the students didn’t realise that the students would be offered considered. Imperial College Union the error initially until it was too late. the marks of the paper they sat, is committed to working with the They turned in their scripts once the but could re-sit the module if they College to ensure that the education exam had finished, and have been were unhappy with the results. “Be our members receive is world- Source: Emerson Industrial told that they will be marked and reassured we are doing everything leading.” 4 16.01.2015 THE STUDENT PAPER OF IMPERIAL COLLEGE LONDON FELIX News [email protected] News Editors Carol Ann Cheah and Kunal Wagle One city mourns for another city’s loss Philippa Skett recaps the tragedy that has captured the world’s attention, and how it has resonated through the capital

he world was stunned by the the events. They also discussed the news last Wednesday, when implications the attack could have Ttwo masked gunmen entered on writers, small magazines right up the offices of Charlie Hebdo, a the national press across the country. French satirical magazine. Within Felix went along to follow the half an hour, twelve people had been debate, and listened as people spoke shot dead, including the editor of of free speech, the role of comics in the magazine, two policemen and newspapers and just what the point of several cartoonists that had drawn the a cartoon is. “blasphemous” and controversial front They also discussed at length just covers. what people could do to support The gunmen, identified as brothers the magazine. With many online Said and Cherif Kouachi, remained posting the incriminating cartoons, on the run for a further two days, newspapers were loath to follow suit. eventually holing themselves up Many preferred to illustrate their in an industrial warehouse, before front covers with an image of one of being shot dead by policemen the policemen being shot, over the storming the site. Another gunman, line drawings depicting the Prophet operating in the South of France, was Mohammad. also shot dead the same day, after Editors present cited that they were holding shoppers hostage at a kosher adhering to editorial policies that supermarket. prohibit portrayals of the Prophet. Four of the hostages were also Others suggested that those who are killed, marking the end of three days responsible for smaller publications of terror that has been said to be should not make a decision that the worst France has experienced in could also put their editorial team decades. in danger. This was eerily prophetic: As it all unfolded live through social last Sunday, Hamberger Morgenpost, media and the news, people wanted a German newspaper, suffered from to discuss little else. #JeSuisCharlie, an Arson attack after reprinting the a hashtag used to express solidarity cartoon. No-one was injured but with the publication was tweeted two people have been arrested on over five million times. It remained suspicion of carrying out the attack. trending on twitter in London for Some said sharing the “insulting” the next two days as people discussed cartoons doesn’t do any favours, the attack, shared the cartoons that but instead people should take out were found so offensive and talked subscriptions to the magazine, or Trafalgar square played host to the vigils in the city, with the National Gallery being draped in red, white and blue. Photo: Craig Buchanan about what this said about the right donate money. Alan Rusbridger, (or privilege, as some would argue) of Editor in Chief of the Guardian, determines where this line is drawn matter, but Defilaux has not let this Postgraduate, went along and told free speech. announced that the Guardian is also a contentious issue. The debate deter him from showing his support Felix what it was like to be part of That evening people flocked to Media Group has pledged £100,000 was impassioned, eye opening and for the magazine. “I feel weak by the rally: “There was quite a sombre Trafalgar Square in their hundreds, to support Charlie Hebdo, an informative: a silver lining of the myself with my little café trying to atmosphere with some people holding singing La Marseillaise, France’s declaration that was greeted with a otherwise dark cloud that had settled fight against him but I won’t let him candles and others signs with “Je suis national anthem and holding up pens, round of applause. over journalism in the previous 24 do what he wants. I’m a Muslim like Charlie” on. pencils and in the case of one person, Sunny Hundal, one of the hours. him and if I want to support Charlie “One corner of Trafalgar Square an apple keyboard. The elevation of a journalists on the panel, summed up That’s not to say everyone has Hebdo I will do it. I don’t want to let was closed off for the media satellite pen became a symbol of support for that free speech is a two way street: been supporting of the magazine. A him win.” vans, with the reporters going around the publication, a trend that swept “ Why is it so difficult for liberals to coffee shop owner in Brick Lane has On Sunday, Trafalgar Square played interviewing people. In front of the Europe and was seen at the many persuade Muslims that free speech faced death threats over their “Je suis host to a Unity Rally attended by National Gallery was a quite moving other rallies that gathered throughout is also for them? Free speech is Charlie” sign outside their café. Adel the French Ambassador for the UK, collection of flowers, posters and the evening. important for both those who wish to Defilaux, a French-born Muslim, Sylvie Bermann. Trafalgar Square, pens. The Guardian put together an criticise religion and those who wish was confronted by an intruder The National Gallery the London “There was quite a crowd of impromptu #GuardianLive panel to practise religion too.” demanding he remove the sign, Eye and the Tower Bridge were also people surrounding the display, and discussion for the following evening, However, others were quick to stating that the cartoonists “deserved illuminated by the colours of the occasionally someone would step with journalists and cartoonists point out there is a thin line between to die for what they did.” French flag. forward and light a candle or drop alike coming together to discuss satire and blasphemy, although who Police are now investigating the Craig Buchanan, an Imperial off a pen or pencil. It was also quite FELIX THE STUDENT PAPER OF IMPERIAL COLLEGE LONDON 16.01.2015 5 News [email protected] News Editors Carol Ann Cheah and Kunal Wagle

“It was a funny paper written by funny people.”

Felix spoke to Camille Grellet, a Bioengineer and the vice president of the French Society. Camille was in France during the attack, and told us how the country seemed to go into a state of shock. Stations, shops and locations of interest were closed whilst the terrorists were still on the run, and people were advised to stay in their home. However, Camille said that people wouldn’t let what happen stop them continuing to live their lives. “People now know not to be afraid after what happened; it was one of the slogans of the demo on Sunday in Paris, and the people of France won’t let what happened impact on their freedom of speech. “People were cautious and initially scared after the attack, but didn’t let it keep them hidden away for long. The country woke up and kept going, and the display of solidarity in Paris during the Sunday demo was something that had never been seen before. “It is important to point out just what Charlie Hebdo was: it was a funny newspaper ran by funny people, nice people with families, people who didn’t mean genuine harm. They poked fun at everything, not just Islam, but in no way did they deserve what The panel for the discussion at the #GuardianLive (below) and Defilaux with his "inflammatory' cafe sign (above) happened. Trafalgar square played host to the vigils in the city, with the National Gallery being draped in red, white and blue. Photo: Craig Buchanan Photo: The Guardian/ The Daily Mirror “When it initially happened, we were in shock. We flocked a sight to see the Tricolour being Wickham told the Guardian after retaliation for the publications of 4’s Today programme. projected onto the National Gallery, his series of tweets went viral: “There the Prophet Mohammad. However, The issue will be hitting stands to the television and all particularly considering the Square is were so many representatives there the magazine is nothing if not in London today, with the South people could do was watch named after a battle with the French from countries with really awful determined. Kensington Bookstore opening at it unfold. The country froze and Spanish!” human rights records, like Saudi It was revealed earlier this week that 8.15am and limiting copy sales to one for three days, and only when With Paris holding the focus of the Arabia, Egypt and Bahrain. the next cover of the magazine, drawn issue per person. the culprits were caught did world’s media on Sunday, as world “I’d already seen people tweet by one of the columnists of Charlie At the time of print, people are people relax and continue leaders came together to lead the that the march was like a who’s who Hebdo, Zineb El Rhazoui, will feature already queuing outside venues with our lives. march through the city, one London of authoritarian leaders, and I just the prophet Mohammed again, this across London, although there will “We need to fight what student took to twitter to point out thought it was a real shame that the time holding a sign reading “Je Suis only be 2,000 copies of this new issue their sheer hypocrisy. event, which is supposed to be for the Charlie” and announcing forgiveness available in the entirety of the UK. happened together, and not Daniel Wickham, a 21 year old victims of human rights violations, for the terrorists that all but wiped In total, 3 million copies of this issue forget what happened. You student from the London School of was being hijacked by human rights out the editorial team of the small have been printed as opposed to aren’t going to take control a Economics pointed out how many of abusers.” magazine. their average circulation of 60,000, country by doing this. We are the leaders were representing states Yemen’s branch of Al Queada “We don’t feel any hate to them. defiantly proving that even after the stronger then that.” where free speech had previously released a video on Thursday, We know that the struggle is not with mindless slaughter of their editorial been threatened or downright claiming responsibility for the attack, them as people, but the struggle is team, the magazine simply cannot be disregarded. and stating they were carried out in with an ideology,” she told BBC Radio stopped. 6 16.01.2015 THE STUDENT PAPER OF IMPERIAL COLLEGE LONDON FELIX News [email protected] News Editors Carol Ann Cheah and Kunal Wagle Union review recommends an increase in amenity funds for hall activities

PHILIPPA SKETT EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

n increase of the Amenities fund from £1.50 to £2.00 Aper person per week has been recommended by Imperial College Union. The recommendation was made as part of the Student Amenities Fund Review, and was presented to Union Council on Tuesday by the Union President, Tom Wheeler. The recommendations came from a Source: Selkirk Hall website survey taken by current hall seniors, hall committees and the Wardening although it may have not been countered the argument that halls sceptical of the recommendations details of the Amenities Fund, now Teams. The majority of the responses explicitly documented in the first could potentially underspend one to improve transparency. “The named Hall Activities Fund, will be suggested that a budget of £2 per place. year and have funds carried over argument that they are increasing decided yearly by feedback from the person per week would be preferable Wheeler told Council that due to for use by the next intake by setting transparency by separating the fund students that have administered it to the current allocation of £1.50 set the incredibly large sum of money spending timelines and ensuring that from rent is just another way for that year. at the beginning of this year. taken each year through rent alone, halls are on target. This will hopefully college to pretend they are trying We had a really great discussion The Amenities fund, used by halls this £150,000 difference may not ensure that the money paid for by to reduce costs whilst really looking about the recommendations in to run events and socials for students, have been specifically documented. one cohort will not be rolled over and after their own profit margin.” Union Council and we look forward was slashed at the beginning of the He also told Council that although spent the next year. The review also recommended a to seeing those changes put in place academic year to a flat rate of £1.50 around £15.5 million is collected each One current hall senior explained review of the eActivities system to next year.” per student per week, sparking year from rent, the Union does not to Felix that the cut in the funds this improve the “speed and usability of Debra Humphris also spoke to outrage from wardens and hall know how exactly the rent prices were year have had the opposite effect the the interface,” something that will no Felix about the recommendations. seniors. previously calculated. college may have hoped it would have doubt be well-received by any student Said Debra: “It’s been really helpful £1 of this was paid for directly However Wheeler was keen to stress in the first place. He told us: “I think involved in the administration of to receive feedback on the Student by this year’s freshers cohort rent, the importance of transparency, and that College has this idea that events clubs and societies. Amenities Fund from Imperial whilst the College paid for the said he wants students to understand that cater to students who drink The Union is paid approximately College Union following their remaining 50p, making £152,190 in exactly what they are paying for in exclude those that don’t. £10,000 by the college to review the consultation with students on the total available for all students for all the future. If the recommendations “However, with the reduction in Amenities fund for the Amenities changes put in place last term. activities in the coming year. are put into practice, students will amenities fund this year, events that Fund Review Group, a panel “These changes increased the However, next year the College will receive an invoice for their student are the easiest and cheapest to run consisting of Imperial College Union transparency and accountability of withdraw their contribution, meaning accommodation at the start of the are those that involve alcohol and we Staff, Sabbaticals, and College staff the Fund by putting it in the hands students will be paying double into year that will show the costs of have actually seen that the events that including Debra Humphris, the of the students who benefit from it. the amenities fund compared to what their rent, and also the separate don’t are the first to go because of the Vice Provost of Education. The It is now fully administered through students are paying this year. compulsory payment to the amenities higher cost. review will then be considered by the Union’s eActivities system, and The slash in funds amounted to a fund. “It is so much easier to order a load the Vice Provost Advisory Group for has received additional funding from decrease of approximately £150,000 The funds are now managed of alcohol for a social in the common Education, a board within college that the Education Office to support this when compared to last year’s figures. through eActivities, with hall room over trips to the theatre or oversees the running of halls amongst process during the transition. College were unable to explain where committees functioning similar to abroad that cost more money; money other things. “Putting these decisions into the this £150,000 has disappeared to a club or society and the amenities thanks to the slashes in the fund we Tom Wheeler spoke to Felix after hands of students is a really positive when Felix investigated the changes funds paid directly to the Union at don’t really have now.” council about the recommendations. step and I’ll be advising the Provost to the fund last term (Issue 1584), the beginning of the year. Wheeler Hall seniors however remained “We are really pleased that the future board of these changes in March.” First Council of the year fails to meet quorum votes on the papers out of interest, present rhetorically voted in favour would make council members think prime example). PHILIPPA SKETT although the votes were more so to of publishing the choices made by more about their vote before they “It’s totally understandable that EDITOR-IN-CHIEF gauge opinion and were not officially elected representatives, it has not cast it, but also that some topics could elected students might have to recorded. been a popular opinion in the past. still be voted on anonymously on an miss a meeting or two due to other Papers presented included the With the Union having invested ad hoc basis. commitments. It is a pity that some nion Council met on Tuesday recommendations for changes to £2,000 for electronic voting pads, Email votes have to be cast by members of Council do not attend at for the first time this year, the Amenities funds, a proposal for they are already able to record which the 16th of January by all council all though. Ualthough with attendance annual general meetings, suggestions member voted in favour of or against members on these papers, not just “Council is the place where being so low was unable to meet to reallocate the functions of the any paper. However, some people those who were not present. students elect their most senior quorum. This means that there now defunct executive committee, have previously voiced displeasure of Paul Beaumont, Council Chair, representatives to, and for them to weren’t enough students present and also whether or not the votes of the idea of their being a permanent spoke to Felix about the importance then not use their vote is frankly to allow any papers to pass and any individual council members should record of voting decisions. Said one of attending Council. Said Paul: “I confusing to me. decisions to be made. Email votes are be recorded and then published. Council member, “If that motion can completely understand that at “It seems both a waste of time for taking place instead on the papers The idea of publishing the votes of passes, I’m just going to abstain from busy times of the year for students, it the students who bothered to vote, discussed. named individuals has proven to be everything.” will be difficult for Council to reach and for the people who run for the Students present at Council casted a contentious issue; although those Some students suggested that it quorum (January exams being a positions.” FELIX THE STUDENT PAPER OF IMPERIAL COLLEGE LONDON 16.01.2015 7 News [email protected] News Editors Carol Ann Cheah and Kunal Wagle Care for a legal high that’s “Chaperon-ed by Imperial”? It might sound Nutt-s, but development is underway. Philippa Skett reports

mperial Professor David Nutt has begun research on a legal high Ithat mimics ecstasy but may also stop binge drinking. The drug, known as Chaperon, is still being developed but could one day be available as a cocktail in bars across the country. The idea of Chaperon occurred around a year ago to the anonymous Dr. Z, a mathematician who previously created mephedrone. Chaperon is the trade name for MEAI, or 5-methoxy-2-aminoindane. MEAI simultaneously invokes a chemical pleasure in those that take it and also makes alcohol seem repulsive, inhibiting consumption. Dr. Z and Nutt hope that the drug could be taken to mitigate binge drinking but also deliver a relaxing Source: Wikipedia high, described by some as an “intense euphoria.” how the idea to address and reduce to be served as a cocktail in an more and lengthy, the cost will no doubt but will do so once we’ve pinpointed a Dr. Z initially planned for MEAI to the harmful effects of alcohol is up-market bar. “I want it to appeal to be high but there is no total figure on dosage that works.” be sold as yet another legal high, but nothing new, but the direction in people who care about their health how much it will take to get MEAI So how long could it be before has now gifted the provisional patent which to approach this is constantly and pleasure, but want to reduce the out of labs into bars as of yet. we order Chaperon instead of of MEAI and a number of other evolving. harm of drinking too. Finally, we asked Nutt if he had Chardonnay? Concluded Nutt: “The chemically similar compounds to Nutt told us: “We could develop “I want to put drinking back into tried MEAI himself. “Of course I bottom line is whoever puts money Professor Nutt’s charitable research an alternative or look to produce a clubs; too much drinking goes on have!” he chuckled. “It’s a lot like on the table determines whether group, DrugScience.org.uk. substance that moderates the effect outside this drinking environment. alcohol; it’s relaxing and pleasant but or not this happens, but I’m very This family of compounds is of alcohol. I found that it is difficult I would really only want Chaperon it doesn’t make you want to drink optimistic and excited to see how our not particularly novel: they were to find alternatives to alcohol, so we available in licensed premises, not more. I haven’t tried it with alcohol, research develops.” discovered around 20 years ago as a need something that moderates it something that people sit in front of means to treat depression. Although instead. the television swigging!” they are proven to have neurological Chaperon can be taken with Although the patent is provisional, effects, the idea to use these alcohol as opposed to substituting with enough research and funding compounds to combat binge drinking it completely. It will hopefully the drug could be issued a complete is new however and something Nutt minimise the harm, maximise patent that will then last a further and his team are keen to develop. the pleasure and limit the alcohol ten years and allow for the drug to be MEAI has shown the most promise consumption.” developed for commercial sales. so far, so research is now underway to So how long will it be before this Clinical and human trials of the determine optimum doses, discover wonder drug hits bars and pubs? drug have yet to be conducted under any potential side effects and look at Nutt plans to ensure that the social controlled conditions, all of which the safest way for people to consume culture surrounding sensible alcohol are dependant on more investors the drug and benefit from its consumption is maintained, telling sitting up and taking notice. With influence. Felix that still wants to keep people the different stages of development Felix spoke to Nutt, who told us in bars, and would prefer the drug needed for drugs being expensive 8 16.01.2015 THE STUDENT PAPER OF IMPERIAL COLLEGE LONDON FELIX News [email protected] News Editors Carol Ann Cheah and Kunal Wagle All change come elections time New rules set to affect larger Clubs, Societies and Projects at Imperial

PHILIPPA SKETT When asked about this, Abi de (CU) and the Chinese Students and EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Bruin, Deputy President (Clubs Scholars Association (CSSA) were and Societies), said, “Last year we found by Imperial College Union to ran a trial of inclusion of some be in breach of the Union’s election lans have been announced to of the Clubs, Societies & Projects’ byelaws. The CU have fewer than change election regulations elections in The Big Elections process. 150 members and aren’t affected by Pfor clubs that have more than Several of the larger student groups the changes, but the CSSA will have 150 members. Under the changes, were approached and some clubs to have their elections in the Big clubs that hit the criteria would have specifically asked to be included as Elections. to hold their committee elections as part of The Big Elections. When asked why the number 150 part of the Big Elections. Despite this, “The general feedback we had was specifically was chosen, de Bruin voting would still only be available that it was a positive change that said, “This number was chosen to for members of that society. increased turnout and also reduced reflect the reality of the size of lecture The move has been hit with administrative work. The Union theatres available to hold offline criticism from some societies Governance Committee discussed elections in.” that would be affected under the both of these outcomes from the test She continued, “We communicated new scheme. One society said last year and made the decision to this change to those affected at the that they would be meeting with move all elections for Clubs, Societies beginning of the month and have representatives from the Union on or Projects with more than 150 received some feedback from groups Friday to discuss the changes. Cinema members online.” who would prefer not to be involved and Squash have also voiced concern, De Bruin also said, “It did also in the online election. In each case and their comments can be found highlight to us that some of the we’ve asked for the reasons for below. groups weren’t actually holding this and will, in cases where a clear Some clubs have claimed that they democratic elections in line with the demonstration of how their current weren’t consulted about the proposed rules set out in our bye-laws”. Last or planned election process will be changes and were instead just told year Felix reported that two student fully democratic, make appropriate For the larger CSPs, this is no longer an option. Source: Wikipedia that they were being implemented. societies – the Christian Union exemptions from the rule.”

Sponsored Advertorial Medics laughing all the way to the food bank LEARN TO Philippa Skett reports on the substantial NEGOTIATE, WORK AND bounty given to Trussell Trust project NETWORK WITH EUROPE Do you want to pursue a career in European and international affairs, mperial medical students made a social services, their local GP, their Imperial College School of Medicine international business or national administration? Are you ambitious and ready to study intensely in a multinational community of students from more than last-minute but sizable donation school or any other frontline care Student’s Union (ICSMSU), and 50 countries and build a transnational network which will last a lifetime? to the local food bank earlier this professionals. Mala Mawkin, the current social I If so – the College of Europe is the institute of month, after collecting dried goods Daphine Aikens, a member of secretary, told us how inspiring it was postgraduate studies of interest to you. before the Christmas bop at the end of staff who works at the bank, spoke to to see classmates and other students The College of Europe offers the best applicants full scholarships last year. Felix. Daphine thanked the students donating to the cause. Mala said for any of its fi ve postgraduate programmes. Students brought non-perishable of Imperial for the kind donation, “What was really nice was that even foods to the Reynolds building on the and told us what a difference it can though we were all poor students by Deadline submission of applications: 31 January 2015. last day of the autumn term, which make to those who are in difficult the end of last term, everyone still were crated up and collected by the circumstances. was giving what they could to the APPLY NOW coleurope.eu/study local food bank after Christmas. “People who come to the food bank people that needed it most.” Three crates were filled all in all: may not have eaten for days on end ICSMSU President, Dariush amassing to a total of just under 44kg and may not even know where there Hassanzadeh-Baboli concluded: “We of food that included tinned goods, next meal will come from. are very proud of our students. This pasta and cartons of juice and long “It is great that we can say the goes to show the amazing community life milk. donations came from someone in the spirit at ICSM and the students’ That humanities essay wasn’t enough fun writing for you? The amount of food collected local community, including a medical willingness to help those in need in will be able to feed between 8 to 10 student from Charing cross hospital, the local community.” Just so happens that we need and like more roving reporters. Come write people for up to three days. The food or a mum who lives down the street or Students who are keen on getting for us - we ply you with free tea and coffee. bank, which serves Hammersmith a local business. That is very powerful involved are welcome to contact the and Fulham residents, donates the and meaningful to these people Food Bank directly via their website: [email protected] collections to those in the local area receiving the food.” http://hammersmithfulham. who are referred to the centre by The collection was organised by the foodbank.org.uk. FELIX THE STUDENT PAPER OF IMPERIAL COLLEGE LONDON 16.01.2015 9 Comment [email protected] Comment Editor Tessa Davey Why all the fuss about Charlie Hebdo? Paris attacks have recieved widespread global attention, but why?

Je suis TESSA DAVEY COMMENT EDITOR

Baga village in Nigeria was razed to the ground last week in attacks by Boko Haram. Photo: abc7chicago.com / AP Photo / Haruna Umar

he news over the past week razing them to the ground, and world leaders issuing statements of has been dominated by stories killing hundreds, even thousands of horror, but the President of Nigeria Tabout the terrorist attacks innocent people that they encounter, himself, Goodluck Jonathan, has in Paris, killing 17 people, with the the risk is far greater. denounced the attacks in Paris but satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo The attacks in France are more hasn’t even acknowledged the attacks among the targets. Also reported, unique than the latest Boko Haram in his own country. The Nigerian but to a far lesser extent, are attacks attacks. While these carry the government has done little to by Boko Haram extremists in Baga, horrifying new aspect of enslaving contain Boko Haram, and without Nigeria, resulting in thousands of little girls to use as suicide bombers, this, the seriousness of these attacks deaths. With all the media interest these acts by Boko Haram have is diminished. The striking sight of focused on Charlie Hebdo and France, almost become commonplace, world leaders standing together in the horrifying events in Nigeria have flooding our newsfeeds every week. Paris, uniting against a common somewhat fallen by the wayside. Why While incidents such as those in cause, is such dramatic imagery; it is is it the case that these attacks have France are not entirely unheard of easy to report. In the case of Nigeria, received far less media attention, not – the threat was real enough for the there are no sweeping statements of just globally, but also in Nigeria itself? Charlie Hebdo offices to have police purpose; there is nothing as visually Is it the case that we in the Western protection – they are certainly more effective. To put it bluntly, it doesn’t world consider the lives of those lost unusual, and far more relatable. It make such good entertainment, in France more valuable and worthy is the complete shock that an office and that is, ultimately, the main of attention? in a European city could become the prerogative of the media. One reason is of course, practicality. setting for such a tragedy that makes The Western world isn’t indifferent There are thousands of journalists in this story so compelling. We live and to the suffering and slaughter of France and Paris, within quick and work in places like this and we rarely Africans. Other similar stories, such easy reach of the action. In contrast, doubt our safety. The ease of empathy as the kidnapping by Boko Haram of “Is it the case Baga is difficult to access, with very leads to a morbid fascination, and the 276 schoolchildren in Nigeria, have few international journalists nearby. media reflects this. been as high-profile as any Western that we in the While the news story is certainly The journalists themselves, who tragedy has ever been, and have more significant in terms of lives lost, report the news that we read, will struck a chord with people all over reporting on it is far more perilous. be feeling these attacks personally. the world. But with the numerous Western world The attacks in Paris were motivated While every journalist is aware of bombings, shootings, kidnappings, by vengeance for satire of the Prophet the risks, the reality is jarring. The and enslavements happening at the consider the Muhammad in the press, and many passion of the media itself on this hands of Boko Haram in West Africa, publications have been fearful of story will drive the reporting further, they lack novelty, and people lose lives of those repercussions upon reporting on, and raising it higher. interest. This is natural, of course, reproducing the original material. Political leaders from around but let us not forget the ongoing lost in France Despite this, the overwhelming the world have spoken out in atrocities that are masked by the attitude of the media has been of condemnation of the actions of latest news. They remain worthy of "... hordes of cautious support for Charlie Hebdo. these terrorists, and in many cases, our respect and attention, and these more valuable While this attack has shown that extremists travelled to France to participate "In the case lives lost deserve not to be forgotten. the danger is real, the peril of being roving through in rallies of support. All over the of Nigeria... it While we may be morbidly enthralled and worthy of on the ground, reporting on the villages, razing world, people have been shocked doesn’t make with watching events unfold, we devastating attacks in Nigeria is on them to the by these events. The Nigerian such good should remember that many people attention?” another scale entirely. With hordes ground" massacres have been treated with entertainment" do not have this luxury, and are being of extremists roving through villages, similar revulsion, with many western subjected to other horrors. 10 16.01.2015 THE STUDENT PAPER OF IMPERIAL COLLEGE LONDON FELIX Comment [email protected] Comment Editor Tessa Davey Freedom of speech in a civilised society Should freedom of speech be given when it threatens social peace?

ast week’s heinous attacks on Charlie Hebdo caused Lan outpouring of grief and support from around the world for the innocents who lost their lives that day, and in the days that followed. The brazen assault was led by two masked gunmen claiming that they were avenging the name of the Prophet Muhammad, whose gross caricatures Charlie Hebdo had UMAR NASSER published in years gone by. And yet, COMMENT WRITER 2 of the 12 murder victims that day were Muslim – one named Ahmed, the other Mustapha – both names of the Prophet Muhammad, a telling symbol of the character assassination that took place that day. In the coverage that followed, it became clear that the terrorists did more to defame the name of Islam than any cartoon ever could. It should be absolutely clear that these attacks were the antithesis of Islam’s peaceful teachings. The Qur’an does not allow any act of terrorism, likening the murder of a single innocent to the murder of the whole of mankind (5:32). One wonders then, how many Earths these terrorists would fill with blood. At this point, critics often join hands with extremists in misquoting verses regulating rules of warfare, whilst Many Muslims condemn the caricaturing of the Prophet Muhammad. Photo: Huffington Post hiding the proviso that such warfare is explicitly only permitted in defence revealed last weekend. routinely safeguarded. Horrendous and age. After the infamous 2012 of innocents who have been attacked This kind of reactionary abandon though the attacks were, the British film caricature of the Prophet first (22:39), who have undergone is understandable, but misplaced. public mustn’t let them knock askew Muhammad, Mirza Masroor Ahmad, severe persecution and whose Free speech itself is a means by which their usual poise on issues like these. Caliph of the Ahmadiyya Muslim legitimate rights have been ransacked society can exchange productive For the time being, as a Muslim, I Community, counselled all Muslims (2:191-193). Freedom of conscience ideas and become better informed take the Prophet Muhammad as my to respond productively. He said too is enshrined as a fundamental as a whole. However, when such an role model in dealing with attacks they should defend Islam not with human right in Islam: “There is no exchange threatens social peace and on his character. Not only was he violent demonstrations, but through compulsion in matters of religion,” it unnecessarily vilifies parts of the slandered repeatedly in his own reforming their characters and by says, effectively rebutting the totality population, it is always curtailed. For lifetime, but several attacks were educating people about the true of extremist ideology in just a few instance, the French Catholic Church made on his life. Through it all, he character of the Prophet Muhammad. words (2:256). successfully blocked an ‘offensive’ stuck to the teachings of the Qur’an, But he also advised the public at large With this said, the attacks have advert depicting the Last Supper in to ‘bear patiently with what they to use their freedoms responsibly, reignited the debate over how 2005. Charlie Hebdo themselves fired say’ and turn to prayer for success saying, “Let it not be in the name of civilised society should practice one of their cartoonists in 2008 for an (20:130); to ‘turn away’ from the freedom of speech that the peace of freedom of speech. From the vile anti-Semitic article and cartoon. In slanderers, and ‘keep on preaching’ to the entire world is destroyed.” film released a few years ago, to general, western society acknowledges those who would listen (51:54-55). Not The tragic attacks last week have “Let it not be the cartoons published by several that gratuitous insulting, which only this, but he was deeply sensitive given all sections of society much European outlets, caricatures made serves no other purpose but to to the sentiments of others. On one to think about. Condemnation has in the name of the Prophet Muhammad have incite hatred and divide society, instance, he rebuked a Muslim for resounded from all quarters, but repeatedly hurt the sentiments of should be censored. The art of satire having said to a Jew that the Prophet we cannot follow up injury with 1.6 billion Muslims the world over. lies in the weak highlighting the Muhammad held a station higher insult. We must defeat the terrorists of freedom of In the wake of last week’s attacks, inconsistencies of the powerful. than the Prophet Moses. Though this by showing them that we will not western media has wisely refrained Caricaturing the beloved hero of was consistent with Islam’s teachings, let extremist thinking of any kind speech that from re-publishing any of the the already beleaguered French he disliked the idea that religious dominate our mindset, and that we concerned cartoons, but there is a Muslim population, whose women beliefs were being expressed in a way will continue to safeguard the rights the peace of strong sense that this was more out cannot even wear headscarves whilst that would unnecessarily hurt the and sentiments of all sections of our of self-protection than responsible employed in public service, is a gross sentiments of others. With rights society – an idea that is anathema to editing. “Publish and be damned” caricature of satire itself. come responsibilities, he taught, and their twisted ideals. In defiance of the entire was the Independent editor’s initial This does not mean to say that the commitment to social peace is one them, we would all do well to take the reaction, only tempered, he said, by Muslims hold Islam to be somehow we must all fulfil. following as a motto in these trying world is a duty towards his staff. Worryingly above criticism and debate. Muslims This teaching is not just a thing of times: “Let not a people’s enmity for Muslims, two thirds of the do not seek preferential treatment, the past. A contemporary Muslim incite you to act otherwise than with destroyed.” British public would also support but equal treatment to other spiritual leader whom I follow justice. Be always just – that is nearer their publication, as a YouGov poll populations whose sentiments are exhorts the very same in this day to righteousness.” (Qur’an: 5:8). FELIX THE STUDENT PAPER OF IMPERIAL COLLEGE LONDON 16.01.2015 11 Comment [email protected] Comment Editor Tessa Davey Most of us aren’t Charlie Hebdo his week’s Charlie Hebdo religion. It’s illegal to defame or these images in the first place? If they poster features a cartoon slander people. We self-censor – when want to, it’s their right. But as they Tman portrayed as the prophet Felix ran a Hangman article a few are fully aware, they open themselves Mohammed, crying and holding a years ago about Chemistry students up to being justifiably criticised, sign reading “Je suis Charlie.” Above using Rohypnol to get a date, it was often offensively. Interestingly, few is the slogan “Tout est pardonné” quite rightly slammed. As a student seem to be doing so. Ironically, being (You’re forgiven). newspaper, is it our role to offend our violently attacked seems to protect Many Muslim people find this readership? No – we’re supposed to them from insults themselves: no one offensive. Not just because Islam represent the student community of wants to satirise murders. forbids portraying the prophet in Imperial; produced for the students, Most of us aren’t Charlie Hebdo. image, but because of the stereotyping by the students. We go through life thinking about GEORGE BUTCHER of the image itself. A dark-skinned This is why, along with mainstream what we say, being tolerant of others’ COMMENT WRITER man with a skinny face, long thin media outlets, we’re not reprinting views, and doing our best to get on. nose and hagged beard – it’s a cliché. the images of the prophet. It’s If we truly were all Charlie Hebdo, A stereotype. It’s reminiscent of needlessly offensive and if you want then the world would be a worse drawings of Jewish people with big to see them a quick Google search place. In our global society it’s more noses hoarding money drawn in throws them up. important than ever to get on with 1930s Germany. It’s not subtle, just This doesn’t mean it’s ever wrong each other. The internet, cheap travel, deliberately offensive, and very for anyone to publish them. A design and growing economies are throwing French. blog I follow reproduced it. It’s not cultures together and many of us are Photo: inquirer.net In an open and free society you possible for a design blog to ignore still learning. We’re a long way from can say and draw what you want. what is to become one of the most the anti-Semitism of the 1930s, but important now, more than ever, that In practice we all live with a certain iconic magazine covers of the year we still have much to do. Recent polls we are tolerant of the views of others, degree of censorship, whether self- and discuss why it is so, without also of Jewish people living in Paris and and also show respect for them. We inflicted, culturally instilled, or showing it; you can’t review offensive the UK shows significant numbers of need some Charlie Hebdos to remind by a government’s laws. In the UK literature without reading it, or a film people fearing they have no future. us of our flaws, but it’s far more it’s illegal to incite hatred against without watching it. We all need to embrace the important to embrace one another’s someone because of his or her Should Charlie Hebdo be printing global culture we’re faced with. It’s own humanity. Free speech and my right to be offended Should my reaction depend on whether others find it funny? USAMA SYED hilst I’m writing this to exposure to Muslims is through the Jesus (PBUH) and the Virgin Mary COMMENT WRITER help provide a Muslim fear-mongering cover pages of The as well and you didn’t see Christians Wperspective on the recent Sun, and pave the way for a more getting upset!’ I, for one, certainly Charlie Hedbo attacks, I do wonder harmonious future society. won’t be ‘lightening up’. Whether or how necessary that is. After all, is the As for the matter of ‘freedom of not others are capable of laughing at Muslim perspective on the murder of speech’ – this is a topic beyond the their religious figures has no bearing over a dozen civilians really going to myopic snapshot of the current on what my expected reaction should be different to the universal human controversy. The decision on how far be. perspective? Do you, Imperial College the legal right to offend others with Myself and other Muslims around students, really need reassurance that your speech extends is not something the world may have a degree of your Muslim colleagues in no way I am interested in, as I would hope reverence and respect for the condone such actions? Thankfully, this wouldn’t act as the determining Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) that is I don’t think you do. When you factor in most people’s behavior. (Am difficult for those from the outside think of ‘Islam’, your personal I legally entitled to make fun of you to understand, but it will not be experiences and interactions with for being fat? Should I do so?) changing. It’s worth noting here that ‘normal Muslims’ at university can That being said, if people for the within our faith Jesus (PBUH) and the help you overcome the imagery of sake of ‘comedic value’ choose to Virgin Mary are also exalted figures, AK-47 laden, freedom-hating bigotry push these boundaries, the threat and so whilst many Christians may that Fox News or the Daily Mail of physical harm should not be not take offense to their mockery, would have others believe defines looming over them. If you are the Muslims also find this extremely this religion. But not everybody resident of a country you implicitly upsetting. has this counterbalance of personal agree to abide by its laws. If you find The point being – champion your experience to fight off the recent something distasteful, your response right to offend by all means, but don’t ignorance-fuelled hatred and fear. should be within the legal framework try to impinge upon my right to feel It’s only natural, therefore, that us – Muslims of France, I’m sure, will offended. If you decide that you want UK-based Muslims feel a sense of have refrained from buying this to mock the Prophet Muhammad apprehension when we see the media magazine in a completely acceptable "Am I (PBUH), then do so knowing that frame such incidents as a ‘clash of show of disdain prior to this mindless you will be upsetting myself and all civilizations’ – the liberty loving incident. legally other regular Muslims who you live West vs. the barbarism of Islam. Whilst physical manifestations of entitled to and work with, and who have no One more step in what seems to be "I, for one, displeasure are never justifiable, it make fun animosity towards you. If you still the inexorable path towards making certainly is my unequivocal right as a Muslim choose to exercise your ‘freedom Muslims ‘the other’. to be offended by such lewd cartoon of you for of speech’ in such manifestations, Let’s not let that happen. Let’s won’t be depictions of the Prophet Muhammad being fat? the only choice Muslims should make the effort to identify and ‘lightening (peace be upon him, ‘PBUH’). Should I do consider is to respond within the legal communicate our overwhelming up’." ‘Lighten up, it’s just satire! They drew framework, and never to resort to similarities to others whose only disrespectful pictures of the Pope, so?" vigilante retribution. 12 16.01.2015 THE STUDENT PAPER OF IMPERIAL COLLEGE LONDON FELIX Features [email protected] EditorFeatures Philippa Editor Skett VACANT Exchange your unwanted clothes for new outfits at a fraction of the price Recent graduate Vivien Tang introduces you to Clotho and the ups and downs of being an entrepreneur

ur story began two months ago, when we founded our Osustainable fashion business – Clotho London. The day of our graduation, swathed in black robes amongst the deep reds and grand mahogany of the Royal Albert Hall, we twitched with excitement in our seats as our phones buzzed. Each buzz signified another transacting customer, another sign of validation that all our previous efforts had not been completely crazy. Or perhaps our story actually began five years ago, when I met my cofounder Caroline during our first week at Imperial. We studied chemistry together, and became lab partners in third year. From that moment on a dream team was born! Not for chemistry alas – our routine usually consisted of us donning our lab coats and goggles, making a cameo appearance in the lab lest the supervisors suspected us of skiving, and then sneaking off to the computer room to watch Gossip Girl. With the end of University approaching fast, we would talk avidly about ways we could avoid applying for finance grad schemes, law conversion courses, teaching, out one evening and I was making a Clotho essentially encourages women customers in a month’s time. We and perhaps must of all, chemistry. fuss, deliberating over what to wear. to exchange their clothing – we interpreted her words quite literally, All these options are great, but not Caroline kindly asked me if I would collect items from their homes to and set ourselves a one-month suitable for us. We were told that the like to take one of her dresses. She make it as convenient as possible. The challenge. Whilst that seemed world is our oyster after graduating had brought it along for the trip but items are then sorted, photographed initially to be ample time for us to with a science degree, but none of the had never worn it, despite owning and listed on our online shop. For the achieve the goal, a quick breakdown usually possibilities appealed. it for years. I felt guilty for taking items that they submit, our customers of the month ahead revealed that we Life really is too short to do her clothes, but she insisted, saying receive credit, which they can redeem had essentially a week to persuade as something that doesn’t make you that otherwise it would be a waste. for new outfits in our shop. We charge many girls as possible to sign up for a happy, but we didn’t even know what I tried it on and loved it so much just a transaction fee for each new trial run. We hastily cobbled together it was that made us happy. These that I basically never took it off all item that the customer purchases. a rudimentary landing page with rather gloomy thoughts loomed over summer! Remembering this moment, Once we had properly fleshed out a signup form. Armed with iPads, us, growing ever stronger as each we thought that many girls must have our ideas for Clotho, we decided we started to roam around London, day passed. After our finals, I was items that they never wear any more. that the next step would be to test pouncing on stylish girls to persuade poised to take a gap year, travelling The textile industry is a beast that out our clothes exchange idea. So them to sign up. We covered most of aimlessly in the hope of finding that consumes huge amounts of resources we organised a ‘Bitch ‘n’ Switch’ the London universities, Westfields, elusive aim. Caroline was prepared to like water and fuel. Almost 150 event – an evening chez Caroline High Street Kensington, and the enter corporate life, having accepted "Our million tons of shoes and clothing are with all of our favourite girlfriends, pubs around Fulham. Persuading a position in a consultancy firm. routine sold worldwide every year, yet only where we brought along our old strangers to signup to something We caught up one afternoon in the a very small part finds its way back clothes. We then swapped items with that essentially didn’t exist yet was late summer sunshine, and started consisted into the production cycle – especially each other over nibbles, drinks and more difficult than we imagined, but to daydream together again. We of us disappointing since textiles are in gossip. The evening was a success; our we gritted our teeth through all the used to toy with the idea of starting making the top five landfill materials that friends went home that night with rejections and managed to acquire a a business, and were convinced that can be either recycled or repurposed completely new wardrobes, and were list of just over 400 girls at the end of making cosmetics was the field for a cameo for other uses. The textiles industry supportive about us taking the plunge the week. After calling everyone on us. Caroline even bought a hundred appearance is also often associated with poor to set up Clotho. With nothing to lose, our list, we assembled 50 girls who empty lip balm containers at one in the lab working conditions in order to supply we threw caution to the wind and got were available to take part in our point, and we set up a rudimentary cheap fashion. We can’t ask people to to work. "We pilot, and began collecting their items. kitchen laboratory. However, we and then stop buying new clothes – that would Caroline had a meeting with We spent that week mostly on the realised that for two penniless sneaking be like asking people to give up food Alice Bentinck, the co-founder thought Underground, annoying commuters graduates, it was just not feasible to off to the in favour of soylent. No one would do of Entrepreneur First (a start up that many by taking up too much space with our start a cosmetics business without computer it. So we came up with Clotho London, accelerator programme), to ask if girls must huge bags of clothes. any capital. Thus it was back to the which allows people to satisfy their we could join this year’s cohort late My bedroom was converted into our drawing board. room to materialistic wants and needs with with our business idea. Alice must have items photography studio by taping white The seed for Clotho London had watch minimal impact on the environment, be inundated with requests like this that they paper to the floor. With absolutely been planted during our post-uni Gossip lowering the demand for cheaper on a daily basis, so told us that she never wear no idea as to what we were doing, we girls trip to Marrakech earlier in the items that may be produced by would consider it if we could prove began pointing a camera at clothes summer. We were preparing to go Girl." workers in unacceptable conditions. that we had hundreds of transacting any more." and snapping photos. We thought FELIX THE STUDENT PAPER OF IMPERIAL COLLEGE LONDON 16.01.2015 13 Features [email protected] EditorFeatures Philippa Editor Skett VACANT Exchange your unwanted clothes for new outfits at a fraction of the price Recent graduate Vivien Tang introduces you to Clotho and the ups and downs of being an entrepreneur

TOP LEFT: the dress that inspired the idea for Clotho. BOTTOM LEFT: Vivien Tang and Caroline Wood, Clotho founders during graduation. RIGHT: the front of their website Photo: C. Wood that the clothes would look better if This was a defining moment, as we than she was expecting, but was our real job, and are excited to further the items were photographed on a would see if customers would actually impressed with what we had achieved, our business. If you would like to model, so with our limited resources transact money. To our delight, and decided to accept us onto this read more about our entrepreneurial we began taking it in turns to try on within seconds of the launch, girls year’s EF accelerator programme! adventures around London, visit our all the items. Caroline was responsible started to spend their credit. We had The programme culminates in a blog at www.theclothogirls.wordpress. for sizes 4-6, whilst I handled sizes warned everyone in advance that they Demo Day, which is a chance to com. 8-16. It was a ridiculous situation would need to be quick to snap up the raise a round of seed investment – We are now bringing Clotho to UK and there were moments, wading best items, but we didn’t imagine that our next challenge! We have been universities– we will be collecting knee deep through other girls’ most girls were poised for attack! One working with the support of EF for and delivering clothes from central dresses, when we did question if we customer informed us later that it a month now, and have recently campus locations. We are kicking had made the right decision. But we had been ‘an exhilarating experience!’ begun refreshing the stock in our things off on our home turf at had promised our customers that And exhilarating it was us too, as shop once every week on Sundays at Imperial and will be doing our first the shop would open at the end of we spent the rest of the night before 9pm. Our working days are still very Univeristy collection here next week. the month, and had no choice but to "Textiles graduation watching items being sold surreal – meetings with advisors We will be collecting clothes in the barrel forwards. Once all the items are in the out, screaming with excitement at interspersed with zipping around Sherfield Building from 12-2pm 22nd had been photographed, we realised top five each other down the phone until we London for collections, promoting, "Neither Tuesday – 24th Thursday January. that our pictures needed serious were hoarse. photographing, editing etc. Life really If you are a girl then have a editing, so spent an intense night on landfill Once we had dispatched all the does seem stranger than fiction now, of us can rummage through your wardrobe Photoshop. For the online shop, we materials orders, we organised another meeting as fiction must oblige by the rules. believe that over the weekend, bring along some used e-commerce platform Shopify. that can be with Alice and her co-founder Matt. But we’ve found great reward by not this is our items that you no longer wear and After uploading all our products, recycled." She told us that we had taken on her following expectations and rules – real job" get credit to spend in our online shop we held our breath and launched. challenge somewhat more literally neither of us can believe that this is next Sunday! 14 16.01.2015 THE STUDENT PAPER OF IMPERIAL COLLEGE LONDON FELIX Science [email protected] Science Editor James Bezer & Lauren Ratcliffe Genes behind heart disease identified James Bezer on Imperial research that could improve diagnosis and save lives

enetic mutations that lie Titin is also an extremely large behind a common type of protein, more than a micrometre in Gheart disease have been length, made up of almost 35,000 identified by researchers at Imperial, amino acids. These factors have laying the foundations for better made it difficult to identify harmful treatments and more accurate mutations and establish a genetic test diagnosis of a serious and often fatal for the condition. condition. Scientists at Imperial and the Royal Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM) is Brompton hospital sequenced the a degenerative disorder that causes gene in 5000 people, and determined the heart to become enlarged and the location of mutations in the unable to beat properly, often leading genes of healthy patients and those to heart failure and sudden death. It with DCM. This data enabled them is believed to affect about 1 in 250 to identify exactly which types of people, and causes over 10,000 deaths mutation are harmful and which are every year in the US. not. Unlike the most common form The study, published in the journal of heart disease, which is caused by Science Translational Medicine, could narrowing of the coronary arteries allow relatives of sufferers to find due to a build-up of cholesterol, DCM out if they too will develop DCM, is often hereditary and typically assisting earlier diagnosis and affects younger people, with most improving treatment outcomes. sufferers aged between 20 and 60. According to Professor Jeremy It has historically had a very poor Pearson, Associate Medical Director prognosis, although new drugs and at the British Heart Foundation, other treatments have improved “This study defines, for the first patient outcomes in the last 10 years. time, a comprehensive list of "This will be In many people with DCM, a key mutations in the titin gene, which protein in heart muscle called titin is of these are associated with dilated extremely shorter than it should be. Mutations cardiomyopathy, and which are valuable in the gene that codes for titin are harmless. This information will be for correct very common, causing shortening extremely valuable for correct future of the protein in about 2% of the diagnosis and treatment as we enter future population. The vast majority of an era when many people’s genes will diagnosis people with shortened titin have no be sequenced”. and symptoms of DCM. The reason for treatment." The research improves our understanding of dilated cardiomyopathy, which kills 10,000 this difference is unknown. DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.3010134 people a year in the US alone. Photo: imgkid.com Shark gives birth on camera JAMES BEZER SCIENCE EDITOR

thresher shark has been recorded giving birth in A the wild for the first time. The photograph was taken in 2013 by marine biologists from the University of Chester on an expedition to Monad Shoal in the Philippines. The researchers were observing the shark at cleaning station, where small creatures such as shrimp remove parasites from the bodies of larger animals. They noticed that she was becoming agitated but didn’t realise why until they analysed the data. The remarkable photo shows a pup emerging from the shark’s cloaca. Published in the journal Coral Reefs, the image sheds light on the reproductive behaviour of oceanic species, which remain largely unknown.

DOI: 10.1007/s00338-014-1249-8 This image shows the first time a thresher shark has been filmed giving birth. Photo: A. E. Bicskos Kaszo Felix the BIG ELECTIONS 2015 are back! We’ve got more students this year, more positions and hopefully more voters - the largest students’ union election in England and Wales is now even bigger!

You can stand...and we can help.

You might have a few queries or worries about How to…write your way to election success taking part in our elections. We’re running number Monday 9 February, Meeting Room 3, Union Building, of information sessions before and during the 12:30-13:30 or 18:00-19:00 Nomination period to give you all the information Wednesday 11 February, Meeting Room 3, Union and help you when you stand. Building, 12:30-13:30 Wednesday 25 February, Meeting Room 3, Union Learn more about…Full-Time Positions Building, 18:00-19:00 Wednesday 28 January, Meeting Room 3, Union Building, 12:30-13:30 or 18:00-19:00 How to…be a campaign machine Monday 2 February, Meeting Room 3, Union Building, Wednesday 11 February, Meeting Room 3, Union 12:30-13:30 Building, 18:00-19:00 Monday 16 February, Meeting Room 3, Union Building, Learn more about…Student Trustees 12:30-13:30 Thursday 29 January, Meeting Room 3, Union Building, Wednesday 18 February, Meeting Room 3, Union 12:30-13:30 Building, 12:30-13:30 Monday 2 February, Meeting Room 3, Union Building, Monday 23 February, Meeting Room 3, Union Building, 18:00-19:00 18:00-19:00

Learn more about…Constituent Union Your candidates revealed: The nuts and bolts Presidents Monday 2 March, Sir Alexander Fleming (SAF) Tuesday 3 February, Meeting Rooms 3, Union Building, Building, Room G34, 12:00-13:00 12:30-13:30 imperialcollegeunion.org/elections All information correct at time of going to print 16 16.01.2015 THE STUDENT PAPER OF IMPERIAL COLLEGE LONDON FELIX Film [email protected] Film Editors Ellen Mathieson, John Park and Jack Steadman Are you a rusher, or are you a dragger?

JOSHUA RENKEN atmosphere of sadomasochism that the sacrifice is worth the reward. SECTION WRITER the central characters inhabit. Few The title of the film refers to the films maintain such a strong feeling Hank Levy song of the same name, of suspense throughout, and Whiplash which is played during Andrew’s is one of them. audition. But the title also alludes WHIPLASH With a total running time of just to the break-neck speeds with which Director: Damien Chazelle 106 minutes, the tight editing keeps Andrew’s situation changes, usually Screenplay: Damien Chazelle the audience engaged throughout and coming as a result of his teacher’s Cast: Miles Teller, J. K. adds to the impact of the storytelling. calculated exploits. Fletcher’s Simmons In a time where many films are too seemingly instantaneous transitions long and too dumb, Whiplash makes between periods of neglect and bursts for a refreshingly raw and enigmatic of savagery is what makes this film watch. so exhilarating and Damian Chazelle However, Andrew is too much of a does a fantastic job of captivating blank slate away from his drum kit the emotional whiplash that Andrew ritten and shot by the and the film would have benefitted experiences. young American director by fleshing out his character. The Despite the amount of drumming WDamien Chazelle, Whiplash Photo: Damien Chazelle, Bold Films relationship Andrew initiates with in the film, Whiplash is more of a is an ambitious piece of storytelling Nicole (Melissa Benoist) near the suspense thriller than a musical that chronicles the development as though they themselves are next great drummer will rise to the beginning of the film feels too much drama. Music merely provides a and suffering of a young musician instruments that need to be occasion. He puts a face to the cut- like a throwaway subplot. Nicole backdrop in this whirlwind exposition with dreams of becoming one manipulated to get the sound he throat world of the performing arts is simply there to provide contrast of an intense mentor protégé of the greatest drummers of his wants. At times Fletcher’s actions and this savage character brings out between her indecisive outlook on life relationship, during which we observe generation. The film follows Shaffer push past the point of credibility and a truly unforgettable performance by as a mediocre student, and Andrew - a Andrew’s metamorphosis from a shy, Conservatory of Music freshman the plot in general gradually becomes J.K. Simmons. rapacious tunnel-visionary. lonely first-year to a musician every Andrew Nieman (Miles Teller), who less believable as it builds to a climax. Andrew deals with Fletcher’s Their brief relationship comes bit as stubborn as his teacher. is handpicked by the demanding Unforgiving barks such as mental and physical abuse by across as a weak attempt to Whiplash has its faults, but you and much-feared teacher, Terence “alternates, will you clean the blood subjecting himself to days of demonstrate the sacrifices Andrew cannot criticise the execution, with Fletcher (J.K. Simmons), to be a off my drum set?” and “I’m not going intensive practice in a frantic feels he must make under the thrillingly fetishistic cinematography drummer in a jazz orchestra created to have you cost us a competition obsession to gain a stronger beat. distressing conclusion that he cannot thanks to Sharone Meir and a great for the competition circuit. because your mind’s on a fucking This makes for one of the most love and drum at the same time. The soundtrack from Justin Hurwitz to Bald, muscly and always wearing Happy Meal instead of on pitch” are emotionally charged montages I’ve blunt break-up explanation shows the boot. Critics have gone as far to say black clothes, Terence Fletcher is directed at anyone who isn’t up to ever seen on the big screen. The film first signs that Andrew is beginning to that Whiplash is to drumming what volatile and predatory from the scratch. His enraged monologues feel details Andrew’s suffering with an see the method in Fletcher’s madness. Raging Bull is to boxing. For a 29-year- outset. In his position of power simultaneously horrific and darkly almost pornographic sensibility. Whiplash has little to say about the old to create such a visceral piece of Fletcher uses intimidation and humorous. Lingering close-ups of the blood, practices of the characters it follows, cinema in only his second feature fear tactics to push his jazz band Fletcher makes no apologies for his sweat and tears shed during the film except for making you wonder, in this length film on a shoestring budget of to perfection. He uses his students tough love and is confident that the are used to highlight the pervading struggle for the beau ideal, whether $3.3 million is simply astounding. Into the wild without delay JOHN PARK and walking for miles and miles wisely guides her daughter to be SECTION EDITOR under the sun takes a toll on her appreciative of all the positive feet, her toenails (a rather graphic things left in her life, even in the but necessary scene focuses on this most challenging situations. Cheryl aspect), and her stamina overall. naturally rolls her eyes and dismisses WILD Beautifully edited together to show her corny mother, but it is a small, Director: Jean-Marc Vallée her present time at the Trail, as well standout moment in a film that is full Screenplay: Nick Hornby as weaving together relevant scenes of these little gems. Cast: Reese Witherspoon, Photo: Jean-Marc Vallée, Fox Searchlight Pictures from her past that led up to this point, This is Witherspoon like you have Laura Dern you quickly get the overall picture never seen her before. She has two move, as evidenced by the accolades for herself, nor is she doing this for as to where it all went wrong in the timelines to juggle essentially and is she has been receiving lately. It is any other incentive than to find first place. Strayed’s mother Bobbi wonderful in every minute and frame Witherspoon’s very own Eat Pray herself, to heal, and to go back to what (Laura Dern) plays a big part in the of the film. Her struggles along the Love, but unlike Julia Roberts’ once was a peaceful, grounded life. flashbacks, and yes, it does appear to Trail, the wilderness she encounters as cringeworthy, self-indulgent vom-fest From the get-go the trek poses be a slightly odd casting decision to well as some particularly unsavoury eese Witherspoon goes through of a film, this one feels truly personal. great challenges. Seeing the petite have someone who is only nine years characters she comes across, make a career comeback of sorts, After several personal setbacks, Witherspoon struggle with her older than Witherspoon to play her the end result all the more inspiring, Rafter starring in a string of Strayed (Witherspoon) spirals weighty travelling backpack mother. But Dern is so wonderfully whilst also sporadically throwing disappointing films after her Oscar violently out of control, ending up in offers some laughs, as do her self- warm and maternal that the age gap in the eventual near breakdown win. Her raw, uncompromising, a drug-fuelled, sex-filled mess. Hitting deprecating narrative remarks that hardly seems to matter in the end, in her past heightens the sense of uninhibited performance is without rock bottom kick-starts her decision remind her that this may not have and the two actresses work so well achievement. Just how far she has doubt the best thing she has done in to do something about and with her been such a good idea. She has the together to create a touching mother- come as a person when the film closes, years, and her production company life, and that leads to her embarking wrong gas canister so ends up not daughter connection. should serve as an inspiration for securing the rights to produce Cheryl on a solo trek across the Pacific Crest being able to cook, pitching a tent They share particularly a tender us all, to always live your life to the Strayed’s autobiography was a smart Trail. She is not trying to set a record turns out to be harder than it looks, moment in which Dern’s character fullest. FELIX THE STUDENT PAPER OF IMPERIAL COLLEGE LONDON 16.01.2015 17 Film [email protected] Film Editors Ellen Mathieson, John Park and Jack Steadman Bradley snipes Love and loss JOHN PARK herself in. SECTION EDITOR Roland signs up to fight for his country willingly, as a part of his patriotic duty, as does her brother Edward (Taron Egerton), and her TESTAMENT OF close friend, Victor Richardson YOUTH (Colin Morgan). Little do they know Director: James Kent that this war would drag on for four Screenplay: Juliette Towhidi years, taking countless lives with it. Cast: Alicia Vikander Kit Vera also does her part in the war, Harington, Dominic West postponing her university studies to serve as a nurse. “Our youth has been stolen from us” she says in her narration. The horrors of war are captured in a predictable but solid manner, era Brittain’s First World War seen through the eyes of Vera during memoir is given the big screen her days as a nurse. There is a scene, Vtreatment in this sweeping war echoing Gone with the Wind, in which epic, which tries to be as grand and lines and lines of the wounded and spectacular as the superior classics. dead are slowly revealed in an aerial It is a film that puts its heroine into shot. The profound effect this visual unimaginable ordeals, made all the had in a 1939 film still works today more heart-breaking by its “based on in 2015. a true story” nature. Less well-established are the However the tragic aspect of its supposedly close bonds shared by the themes is never quite as impactful characters that ultimately matter as it should be, with a lack of crucial in the end for that all-important character development standing in emotional resonance. Vera and the way of creating a truly convincing Roland look longingly at each other, spark between the leads. The film tells but the close of their relationship is an incredible, unforgettable story, held back by unexpected restraint. but it surely could have had a better Even the portrayal of the most tragic transition from page to screen. event that hits our heroine does not That being said, rapidly rising star come across as a worthy tribute. Photo: Clint Eastwood, Village Roadshow Pictures Alicia Vikander is excellent in the The film also neglects the other two lead role. The narrative encompasses important men in Vera’s life, her years of Brittain’s life, starting with brother and her friend-zoned secret JOHN PARK Chris and his younger brother Jeff. unravels, never giving its leading man her as a young rebellious female admirer, significantly reducing their SECTION EDITOR Attacks on U.S. Embassies around the Cooper enough material to portray wanting to study at Oxford University relevance in the telling of her story. world spark his interest in joining the a man going through some form of in the 1910s. She even finds time Commendable are the technical Navy SEALs, and before he knows it post-traumatic stress, merely sticking for love, locking eyes with Roland achievements: the warm, comfortable he is being deployed to his first tour, him in cliché-ridden scenarios. Leighton (Kit Harington), who pre-War period setting, followed by AMERICAN SNIPER leaving behind his wife, Taya (Sienna Valuable supporting characters are impresses her by writing poetry and the more frantic, harsh atmosphere Director: Clint Eastwood Miller). Events progress rapidly from nowhere to be found: Kyle’s father taking long walks in the woods. of a deadly war; the lush costumes; Screenplay: Jason Hall the point where Chris is shown as is only seen in the first few minutes. Everything seems to be going and the effortless editing together Cast: Bradley Cooper, Sienna a child, to how he sails through the He is referenced once, never to be swimmingly for Vera until war breaks of scenes that span quite a timeline. Miller training to become a SEAL. mentioned again. His brother too is out, turning her world upside down. Anchored by a strong lead The training montage conveys seen only briefly, and doesn’t return. Vikander embodies the many changes performance this is by no means an nothing spectacular, aside from Miller has a thankless, meatless of her character fully, whilst always insult to Vera Brittain’s literary work, hammering home the point that role as Kyle’s wife, which is surprising holding on to her fighting spirit but also a film in which more should Kyle would do anything to serve his given how her character was set no matter what situation she finds have been felt in its closing moments. country, which he regards as the best up when the two of them first lint Eastwood directs the country in the world, and that it is meet. We are also never allowed to true story of American hero this unshakeable mindset that drives connect with anyone besides Kyle CChris Kyle (Bradley Cooper), him to persevere. himself, which is why the on-screen a celebrated war hero from Texas The various deadly missions in deaths of American soldiers whose who, during his four tours in Iraq, Iraq are the film’s highlight; the character names you will not be managed to set the record for having tautly shot action sequences easily able to remember remain just as the most number of kills as a sniper, build tension. The dilemmas Kyle unmemorable as the deaths of the with 160 confirmed and probably faces alone in silence as the rooftop Iraqi enemies. even more. guardian for all the soldiers on the As a viewer it is only natural to Being a film made by Americans ground, mostly involving child and wonder who Kyle really is, how the for Americans, the never-ending female Iraqi individuals who attack war affected his mental state, to what debate the film is likely to spark the troops, are effective in creating a extent he enjoyed the killing of those surrounding the morality of his confusing moral debate with tough who threatened his beloved homeland actions is irrelevant, and Eastwood is choices to be made in a short time and the how he coped with the process only interested in making a tightly span for Kyle. The safety of his of adjusting to life back in America. focused biographical war film looking brothers in arms depends on whether But the film is only interested in solely at Kyle himself. he decides to take the shot or not, but painting Kyle as the reluctant hero, A keen long-range shooter from the repetitive killing does eventually and it is that much more difficult a young age, American patriotism take its toll on Kyle. to relate to this one-dimensional is instilled early into the minds of It is from this point on that the film individual without a coherent story. Photo: James Kent, BBC Films 18 16.01.2015 THE STUDENT PAPER OF IMPERIAL COLLEGE LONDON FELIX Music [email protected] Music Editors Grace Rahman & Amna Askari The headline acts of 2014 Aiden Langan reviews the show stoppers of the last year that have graced the capital with their mind-blowing gigs

ooking back at 2014 there Eastwood’ and De La Soul were the their first major UK festival at have been some incredible live guests for ‘Feel Good Inc.’ which lead Latitude the previous summer and Lshows by many artists from to a massive burst of energy right were fully ready for challenge of Kate Bush returning to perform at near the end of the concert. The final Alexandra Palace, which was jam- the Hammersmith Apollo after 35 guest however was definitely the packed ready to see this Oxford indie years away to metal being represented most surprising; Brian Eno. Joining rock band. They took their extremely at Glastonbury Festival for the first Albarn for ‘Heavy Seas of Love’, it was popular songs and perfected them time with Metallica headlining the an extremely special moment and live; they were extended to just the Pyramid Stage. even Albarn seemed shocked that it right point with the band in perfect I have had some personal highlights was happening. unison with each other. this year in terms of concerts and I Foals took songs from their whole will be ranking my top five concerts 4. Metronomy at Alexandra career from ‘Hummer’, one of their that I have gone to in London (and Palace (5th December) first singles, to ‘Providence’ from not of this year in general, otherwise Holy Fire. Their set only contained Kate Bush probably would probably Metronomy have fine-tuned their 13 songs in total but when the songs be in this list). show to be a masterclass in how to are played so well it made little perform live. Despite not being a difference. 5. Damon Albarn at the Royal sell-out show – likely due to them The crowd was simply mental; Albert Hall (16th November) headlining Field Day and playing a mosh pits opened throughout and host of other festivals – Metronomy took the width of Alexandra Palace, In April Damon Albarn, of Blur performed at perhaps their best ever. they hit the floor like a tribal dance and Gorillaz fame, released his first They played a longer set than and generally sung and danced like solo album Everyday Robots. While expected which featured 23 songs and there was no tomorrow. The band I enjoyed this record, it was not the contained a good mix of their whole had a very impressive light show easiest album to just listen to. This history as a band – unless you love Pip particularly during ‘Spanish Sahara’ was a worry that I had going to this Paine (Pay The £5000 You Owe) which with a show more akin to dance music concert; would it just be a lot of solo only had one song featured. The band concerts than an indie rock concert. stuff and very few fan-pleasing Blur had plenty of charisma (that thing However, the main highlight was and Gorillaz hits? Luckily, Albarn did Louis Walsh tells everyone on the X ‘Two Steps Twice’ which is one of the neither of these. His set contained 25 Factor they have; just to let you know best songs to end a gig; it builds up Clockwise from centre: Arcade Fire, Kasabian, Foals, Metronomy, Damon Albarn Photo Credits: Huffington Post, Standard, Getty images, The Line of best fit, Independent songs in total and only 8 of these were none of them really do). slowly for about eight minutes until from the solo album but he included They took hits from The English the drums really kick in and everyone as loud as the band could play; this all of the best songs from the album Riviera such as ‘The Bay’ and ‘The screams the lyrics and runs into each gig was definitely the loudest I had including ‘Everyday Robots’, ‘Mr Look’ and took them to the next other. I left with a bruise over my face experienced at Brixton Academy. Tembo’ and ‘Heavy Seas of Love’. level with slightly weird but amazing but it was incredible and that lone Random words such as ‘two-er’ and He also played some rarely heard dancing by the band and a light show song cemented them on this list. ‘flannel’ would appear on the back and even previously never performed to rival much bigger artists’. They screen which were likely an in-joke Blur and Gorillaz songs such as even took on the huge Beatles song 2. Kasabian at Brixton by the band. As the gig went on, the the B-sides ‘The Man Who Left ‘Here Comes the Sun’ and didn’t just Academy (1st December) energy of the crowd did not wane and Himself’ (Blur) and ‘Spitting Out give it justice but made it their own. mosh pits remained a permanent The Demons’ (Gorillaz), which was Also, whilst Love Letters was not Kasabian had a huge year in 2014, feature of the concert. a surprise. Furthermore, there was a as strong an album as The English in which they had another number Their songs featured some snippets nice representation of all of Albarn’s Riviera, they made those songs full one album with 48:13, played a of other famous songs such as career with his The Good, The Bad and of life which did not occur as well on huge homecoming show in Victoria ‘Black Skinhead’ featuring as the The Queen and Mali Music projects record. But the highlight for me was Park in Leicester and headlined introduction for ‘Shoot the Runner’ represented in this set. This was the ‘You Could Easily Have Me’ from Pip the Pyramid Stage at Glastonbury which increased the energy of the However while all of these things Paine, which turned Alexandra Palace This gig was Festival. Finishing the year they went crowd even more. The best of these were good, it was the guests which year that into a massive dance arena. This was to a much smaller venue, Brixton snippets was ‘Word Up’ by Cameo made this concert very special and Metronomy the year that Metronomy became definitely Academy, for a five day residency. during ‘Re-Wired’. They did not why it was included in my top five. became truly truly huge and they are worthy to the loudest There was a huge hype right skimp on the new songs either, with Graham Coxon joined Albarn in huge and headline bigger places. I had before them due to a bright pink 7 out of 21 songs being from 48:13, the first encore to play some Blur timer which counted down until the which in my opinion is the best album songs, including ‘Tender’ which are worthy 3. Foals at Alexandra Palace experienced first song, ‘Bumblebeee’ which was since their self-titled as a whole. got the whole of the Royal Albert to headline (14th February) at Brixton performed initially acoustically. They did not have just the hits in Hall singing. Then in the second bigger places Academy! The crowd still went for it with all the show either, with rarely played encore, Kano was the guest for ‘Clint Foals, at this point, had headlined of their might singing every word songs such as ‘Cutt Off’ which made FELIX THE STUDENT PAPER OF IMPERIAL COLLEGE LONDON 16.01.2015 19 Music [email protected] Music Editors Grace Rahman & Amna Askari

Clockwise from centre: Arcade Fire, Kasabian, Foals, Metronomy, Damon Albarn Photo Credits: Huffington Post, Standard, Getty images, The Line of best fit, Independent

the gig extra special. While the energy wrong with a truly great show, not in the set such as ‘Neighborhood #3 This was a moment which could not did not wane at all, it increased just a regular concert. (Power Out)’ and ‘Rebellion (Lies)’ be recreated in a smaller venue or at hugely during the encore which They asked the audience to come in got the crowd singing and dancing. Glastonbury and this was what was featured ‘Vlad the Impaler’, during costume, with a significant amount There were mosh pits during ‘Month so special about this moment during which another timer appeared. doing so – in pirate attire, cow of May’ and people on shoulders the show. To start their encore, their When it had counted down, Brixton onesies and even dressed as the band throughout, specifically during ‘No bobblehead band appeared on the Academy seemed like it began to themselves. The band went in all guns Cars Go’. The crowd was really into it second stage playing ‘Helter Skelter’ collapse under the pressure of the blazing with ‘Reflektor’ which got and so the band gave their all as well. by the Beatles. crowd jumping. this massive aircraft hanger-esque After the show band member It went The actual band covered ‘London’ Then there was ‘L.S.F’ which got building dancing. The sound was Will Butler revealed that one of further by the Smiths as an homage to the crowd singing their loudest; they practically perfect for such a tricky his fingernails had fallen off when than just the city in a hugely energetic did not stop singing when they left venue to play. hitting his drum, breaking it in the performance. With ‘Here Comes Brixton and I was still humming it For Arcade Fire it was not just process, during ‘Rebellion (Lies)’; this being a the Night Time’, confetti covered when I had returned home and the They about the sound; there were things shows the dedication of the band that concert: it the whole of Earls Court, which is next day at University. wanted to going on everywhere with a B stage he continued to play for the rest of was a full, huge and so massively impressive. prove their in the middle of Earls Court, on the tour, where someone else may live event To finish, they played ‘Wake Up’, an 1. Arcade Fire at Earls Court which there were male cross-dressing have cancelled their tour – Morrissey, anthem which showed why Arcade (7th June) naysayers dancers during ‘We Exist’ that many I’m looking at you. where Fire are so loved. wrong did not realise was happening until During ‘It’s Never Over (Dear many The reason this concert was the best Arcade Fire were preparing for their with a near the end of the song. Orpheus)’, Regine was duetting from people were of the year is because it went further biggest gig sharing a stage with Dolly They took songs from their whole the B-stage with Win Butler on the than just being a concert: it was a full- Parton headlining the Pyramid true show, career from Funeral all the way up to main stage, over a crowd of 20,000 dancing on live event where many people were Stage in Glastonbury by playing one not just a Reflektor with a good mix from all, people and they looked just right into and dancing and singing, which added so of the last ever shows at Earls Court. concert. though some would bemoan the lack each others eyes which lead to huge singing. much more to the show and made it They wanted to prove their naysayers of songs from Neon Bible. Early hits cheers. incredible to experience.

FELIX THE STUDENT PAPER OF IMPERIAL COLLEGE LONDON 16.01.2015 22 Arts [email protected] Arts Editors Fred Fyles & Kamil McClelland

Editorial: Looking A Tale of Two Halves from the RSC Forward, Looking Fred Fyles & Kamil McClelland take turns reviewing the Back FRED FYLES Barbican Centre’s production of Henry IV KAMIL MCCLELLAND SECTION EDITORS Prince Hal and his band of miscreant Henry IV, Part I friends from the taverns of Eastcheap. The new year brings with it an As opposition bubbles over into open opportunity for new beginnings: reviewed by Kamil McClelland rebellion, the king must try to reunite a chance to plan for the future, to his fractured country as well as his make new goals, to set out on a path fractured lineage. into a brighter tomorrow. But it’s he Royal Shakespeare What makes Shakespeare plays so also a chance to reflect, to look back Company has shown once genius is of course the playwright’s on what has happened over the last Tagain that it defines how phenomenal command of the year. This process, of looking back Shakespeare should be performed. English language. This was perfectly and looking forward, is central to Unusually at the Barbican as accentuated here by stellar acting the world of art, and the progression opposed to the Globe, the restraints performances, especially from of creativity. of performing in the round were lovingly and poetically inebriated Sir George Santayana said that “those removed, opening up more options John Falstaff (Antony Sher). However, who can’t remember the past are for staging and props. This allowed during battle scenes towards the condemned to repeat it”. This may be a realistic scene to be set, engrossing end of the play, it unfortunately true for the vast majority of cases, you more fully in this world of felt as if the dialogue took more of but in art those who know the past debauchery and rebellion. a back seat in place of too great an Joshua Richards, Antony Sher and Youssef Kerkour in Henry lV Parts l are able to learn, be inspired by, and I don’t usually find Shakespeare emphasis on dramatic stage fighting. and ll Photo: Tristram Kenton indeed repeat it. history plays all that exciting. Admittedly not entirely the fault With that in mind, we spend our Although just as excellent as his other of the production, the beauty of the giving Sher a chance to show off his first issue of the year looking pieces, they sometimes feel bound in language felt overpowered by clichéd Henry IV, Part II obviously considerable acting talent – forward to the coming months, and their creativity by the need for at least sound effects of clashing swords does very little to drive the plot along; taking a trip back through artistic some historical accuracy. And despite and roaring armies. Scenes like this reviewed by Fred Fyles we lurch from one Falstaff scene to history. We start with a review of this somewhat being the case here may have been better at the Globe, another, as the drama is consigned to one of Shakespeare’s histories, Henry later on, the performance showed that stripped back with a greater purity, the background. IV, which reinterpreted, and was it needn’t be so; not for a second did I where you cannot hide behind cheap adly, the exciting first half gives It also means that when drama based on the story of the 15th century feel bored in this gripping portrayal sound effects and the lyrical mastery way to a much less nuanced does occur it simply feels out of place. king of England. Given that there of the king’s troubled life. has space to soar. Sproduction of Henry IV Part It’s all fun and games with Falstaff, are two parts, and two arts editors, The play tells the story of newly Thus, I felt the production was II. The set-up is largely where we and then suddenly we are reminded we decided to tackle a section each, crowned Henry IV and the many generally extremely good, as one left off from Part I; after crushing that there is a bloody war going on, giving our differing opinions on issues he faces, both personal and can always ensure with the Royal one rebellion, King Henry IV must dragging us into the action abruptly. each. political. From the north comes Shakespeare Company and their fend off a second one, led by the The ending of the play is particularly This year sees a very special opposition from the previous king’s excellent troupe of actors. However, Archbishop of York, whilst also disappointing; Prince Hal, taking anniversary, which seems to have elected heir, Edmund Mortimer, whilst the new setting had its fighting illness. Prince Hal has advice from his father and the Chief been overlooked by all but the as well as from impulsive Harry upsides, some of the simple beauty – much to his father’s chagrin – Justice, spurns Falstaff’s advances, Whitechapel Gallery; they celebrate ‘Hotspur’ Percy. On top of this, the of the Globe was muddled amongst resumed his philandering with the barking at him ‘I know thee not, old the centenary of Malevich’s Black king must deal with his depraved son distracting additions. aging Falstaff. Beyond this there are a man’. This is supposed to be a crucial Square, a work that ushered in an couple of subplots, although they take moment of the play, a spine-chilling era of abstract modernism, and up far more time than is necessary, reminder of the death of innocence, changed the artistic world forever. meaning that the political intrigue of and the fickle nature of human We let them take us on a journey the first half is more or less removed. kindness. The preceding action means through the past century, seeing Instead, we have an increase in bawdy that the line has very little impact; it how the square has touched all our humour, painted in much broader is tossed aside, like a piece of garbage; lives in a myriad of ways. strokes by Antony Sher, and while I it deserved better. A large part of the world of theatre understand that Shakespeare can be Henry IV is certainly a difficult is looking forward, trying to predict difficult to understand at the best of play to put on. The balance between what is going to be the next big times, gurning to the audience and comedy and drama is a fine line, that production, or the next Meryl Streep. breaking the fourth wall does not a is – as we saw tonight – easy to cross. With that in mind, we’ve sent Max witty comedy make. While most of the performances were Falkenberg around London to try We do have a number of stand- wonderful, the experience had a weird and discover the best and brightest out performances in this half, none disjointed feel, when it should have in small theatres. These are plays more compelling than that of Paola flowed like sack from Falstaff’s cup that may have slipped through the Dionisotti, who plays the Eastcheap (but then again, maybe after 5 hours net, not having the same publicity tavern owner Mistress Quickly with of theatre anyone would begin to as other, larger productions. As we verve and aplomb; stalking the stage feel the strain). It is also unfortunate see from his reviews, there may be a like a sinewy version of Eastenders’ that Barbican are putting on the reason that this is the case... Peggy Mitchell, her impressive play so shortly after Phyllida Lloyd’s We then finish this week’s section performance has all of us completely critically-acclaimed, radically with a term preview of arts, letting captivated. reinterpreted version of Henry IV you know what the hot tickets Ultimately, this move towards was on at the Donmar Warehouse are going to be in the world of art, a more mainstream comedy does and inevitably comparisons will be theatre, dance, and opera. With such the play a disservice in two ways: made. If you’re a bit of a perfectionist, a large range of options on offer in first of all, the scenes are simply who insists on seeing things in the capital, it can be confusing to less interesting. Rather than being a their entirety, then go along to both know exactly what to go for; luckily political drama, in which Falstaff is parts; just bear in mind that – like we can give you a little nudge, included as light relief for those who the warring factions of Middle Age letting you know what is coming can’t tell their earls from their dukes, England – the road to unity can be a up over the next couple of months. Henry IV Part I, 2014, Antony Sher and Alex Hassell Photo: Kwame the second half quite simply becomes bloody one. Onwards and upwards. Lestrade ‘The Falstaff Show’, which – although FELIX THE STUDENT PAPER OF IMPERIAL COLLEGE LONDON 16.01.2015 23 Arts [email protected] Arts Editors Fred Fyles & Kamil McClelland Pig Girl – A Murder Most Foul Max Falkenberg explores Finborough Theatre’s gruesome new production

“People don’t disappear into thin air. Not game. Lyne’s physicality perfectly in this country. Not in Canada.” matches the nervousness and mental instability of the killer, but also ig Girl is a gruesome story we’ve highlights how he is emotionally heard all too often. Although damaged in a very similar manner Pa work of fiction, the play to his victim. While the killer and is inspired by the disappearance his victim’s story develops over a and murders of predominantly number of days, the sister and police indigenous women over a number officer’s story unravels continuously, of years in Canada. Plagued by poor spread over a number of years. What communication and the indifference starts a plea for attention from the of police forces, the carnage led to sister, played by Olivia Dornley, turns the deaths of thirty three women at into an officer seeking her help after a single pig farm on the outskirts of years of uncertainty. Placed either Vancouver. side of the victim and her killer, The play depicts the interactions their conversation accompanies the between a dying woman and her violence from a perspective even killer, the pain and devastation of the more painful for an audience since it woman’s sister and a police officer’s feels so much closer to what could be role in the investigation. Staged at the our own experiences. intimate Finborough Theatre, the Generally, the delivery of the story audience watches as the killer slowly and the commitment of the actors unfolds his desire to hang the woman give the story a powerful and effective by a pig hook, as he has done with narrative. However, the script does countless women before her. little to show real development in The desperation of the dying the characters. Except for the police woman is beautifully played by officer, played superbly by Joseph Kirsten Forster whose mentality Rye, the characters feel like they Dying Woman (Kirsten Foster) and Killer (Damien Lyne) in Pig Girl. Photo: Finborough towards her captor is fascinating from are emotionally at the same place Theatre start to finish. Perfectly balanced throughout the performance. While between anger and a necessity to for Dornley, this seems to be a result more risks throughout the staging. without at any point feeling plead with the killer, the comforting of the writing, the more graphic This said, the limitations of the space overbearing. stories she tells from her childhood moments between the woman and make it understandable that some Although not a production which only seems to deepen the pain her "The script her killer are at times stunted from images could not have been achieved should be seen for enjoyment, the sister feels recounting the same does little the difficulty of portraying violence from a practical standpoint. "The overall show is definitely worth seeing for its stories to the police. to show real in such a small, intimate space. The overall result is a dark, result is realistic depiction of such a horrible In contrast to his victim, the Likewise, the use of the pig hook feels powerful production which has a dark, story. killer, played by Damien Lyne, has development unconvincing. Although I appreciate all the hallmarks of an excellent Pig Girl is showing at the Finborough an incredibly harrowing, obsessive in the hanging an actress upside down is psychological play. Colleen Murphy’s powerful Theatre until 16th February. Tickets are consistency in what almost feels characters" not easy, I feel the director Helen script does a good job of balancing the production" £18, £16 for concessions like an out of control fetishistic Donnelly could have taken a few emotional stance of all the characters

Office Politics - A Car Crash of a Play wo days before I went to see Office Politics, I Ok, I admit, it hasn’t exactly been a glowing start to was hit by a car cycling home. Unfortunately… this review, but there really were very few redeeming Tit would not be the only time I came close to features. The show is made up of three twenty minute death that week. plays which stand-alone and link with the office theme. In my time writing for Felix I’ve seen shows which Although the theme is clear, the three plays display were great, and some which were mediocre, but nothing little story. Rather, the plays form stories about the has come close to the complete travesty of Ben Worth’s characters interaction with colleagues. In principle, Office Politics at the Theatre 503 in Battersea. Maybe this is not a bad thing, giving the play an opportunity I’m boring – after all a hefty chunk of the audience to play with straight and comedic characters. But laughed throughout, but crass, poorly stereotyped, instead, everyone seemed to linger in the middle. None immature rubbish just doesn’t cut it for me. were really funny enough to justify the abysmal story Office Politics is a play about… wait for it… Office line, and equally, none were serious without seeming Politics. Mindblowing, I know. Now, think of all the "None completely farcical. standard, boring office stereotypes you can think of; were really I could go on but very little remains to be said. While the whiny jealous woman; the coke fuelled banker; the the show was generally let down by its writing, none slightly less attractive, less coke fuelled, less successful funny of the ensemble cast really stood out, and the staging, banker; the posh private school boy whose ‘daddy’ got enough to while suiting the venue, was an almost blank stage him an internship; the ‘chav’ who’s gotten the same justify the throughout. It is a shame considering the theme has internship; and the slightly ditsy bimbo who’s sleeping great potential for situational comedy (Ricky Gervais’ with her boss. Now put them all together with dialogue abysmal The Office etc.), but on this occasion it simply wasn’t Office Politics was performed at Theatre503 in written by a hyperactive fourteen year old, and the story line." worth it. Battersea result? You guessed it, Ben Worth’s Office Politics. MAX FALKENBERG 24 16.01.2015 THE STUDENT PAPER OF IMPERIAL COLLEGE LONDON FELIX Arts [email protected] Arts Editors Fred Fyles & Kamil McClelland Black Squares: A Century of Celebration,

Black and White. Supremacist Composition, Kazimir Ma- levich, 1915, Oil on Canvas Photo: Moderna Museet, Triumph, Stockholm

abstraction is all about objectivity and coldness; Flavin and Andre are and Tears following in the footsteps of early constructivists like Vladimir Tatlin, for whom materiality and non- Fred Fyles heads down to objectivity were the focal points of modernism. The key historical marker from the Whitechapel Gallery which Whitechapel take their cue is Petrograd’s 0.10 exhibition of 1915, as they take an abstract in which ten key artists displayed their vision of the future, among them Malevich, Popova, and Tatlin. adventure through the ages. This started a boom of abstract art that would spread around t’s not really a square. That’s square became a null void, sweeping the world like wildfire. With the my first impression when faced away the conventions of art history, movement’s emphasis on objectivity Iwith Black Square, the Kazimir making way for a new vision of a and abstraction, a new means of Malevich work from 1915 that starts modern utopia. communication was formed through off the Whitechapel Gallery’s Even within these four works, the use of manifestos and artistic retrospective of abstract art. It’s more a myriad of themes emerge, all of publications, a huge number of which like a slightly squished rectangle, and which are explored throughout are on display here. after all the hype, it’s actually pretty the exhibition. The curators have Unlike some other exhibitions, small. However, its size belies the made sure not to place one type of these are not useful for mere huge impact that this little artistic work above the other, and there is historical reference, but are works gesture has had on modern society; no hierarchy of medium; thus Anni of art in themselves, exemplifying over the last hundred years the Albers’ geometric textile work, the modernist emphasis on graphic black square has gambolled through representing the pinnacle of Bauhaus design and typography that came to Europe, zipped along the highways arts, sit happily alongside Lebanese a head with Moholy-Nagy’s work on of America, and spread its influence modernist Saloua Raouda Choucair’s ‘typophotos’. The space left behind across the entire globe. The title of rarely seen sculptures, which face by cutting out all unnecessary detail, the exhibition – The Adventures of the a wall of Alexander Rodchenko’s leaving behind only line and colour, Black Square – is therefore fitting; we dramatic photography. The works has been filled with ideas, texts, and are invited to join this unassuming may seem disparate when seen apart, debate, creating a new visual lexicon canvas as it charts a novel path into a but the Whitechapel manages to show of artistic theory. bright, uncertain future. that all have been touched by the These ideas were not only spread We begin with four key artists, magic of Malevich’s utopian ideals. through texts, but also through who were producing work in the This huge range of material is best teaching, a process which is captured 1910s and 20s, introducing us to shown by the work of the American beautifully by the gallery; the first the main themes running through abstract artists working in New York area of teaching we encounter is the this retrospective; Lyubov Popova, in the 1960s: Dan Flavin’s neon Bauhaus, that veritable behemoth of the Soviet constructivist whose piece ‘Monument’ for V Tatlin can be early modernism. As fascism became work represents the intersection viewed whilst walking over the giant more and more powerful, artists such between abstract art and the built lead blocks of Carl Andre’s 10 x 10 "Over as Anni and Josef Albers moved to environment, catchily termed Altstadt Lead Square. Steel and neon. New York, where they taught students Architectonics; Gustav Klutsis’ Lead and glass. This celebration of the last from all over the world. Thus we have abstracted illustrations of modernity is a direct descendent of 100 years exposure to a whole globe of artists, loudspeakers, influenced by the early abstract photographers like the black shattering the myth that abstraction increasingly complex world of László Moholy-Nagy and Alexander was solely a Western phenomenon; communication; Sophie Taeuber- Rodchenko, whose dynamic images square has from Argentina we have Tomás Arp, whose textile work reveals of pylons, typewriters, and machinery gambolled Maldonado’s bright minimalism; the innumerable ways abstract art transform mechanisation into an through from Israel come Zvi Goldstein’s infiltrated everyday life; and finally aesthetic virtue. It also forms a Europe." tableaus inspired by the iconography 'Monument' for V. Tatlin, Dan Flavin, 1966-1969, Flourescent Tubes and Metal. Photo: Stephen Flavin/Artists Rights Society (ARS), Kazimir Malevich, whose black counterpoint to those who feel that of communication; and from Iran we New York FELIX THE STUDENT PAPER OF IMPERIAL COLLEGE LONDON 16.01.2015 25 Arts [email protected] Arts Editors Fred Fyles & Kamil McClelland

have Nazgol Ansarinia, whose cut and paste versions of Tehran’s newspapers draw a direct line from the dadaists to today. Another interesting aspect of the exhibition is the focus it places on women artists. The majority of the art world is largely focussed on male artists, mostly dead, nearly universally white – the abstract modernist movement is no exception. For many art historians, the story begins with Malevich, and ends with rugged American minimalists like Flavin and Richard Serra. Slipping through the cracks are innumerable women artists, particularly those of a minority. Luckily, the curators of this exhibition have clearly undertaken meticulous research, and can offer us a wealth of little-known artists. A personal favourite of mine is Dora Maurer, a Hungarian artist who defied the official censors of the 1970s by refusing to conform to the Seven Rotations 1-6, Dora Maurer, 1979, Gelatin Silver Print Photo: Dora Socialist Realist movement; instead Maurer she pursued her interest in abstract photography in her Rotations series. the original Russian constructivists pyramid, spouting beams of bright Initially holding up a blank square, seeing their art as a means of light in rainbow colours. He turns the she repeatedly photographs herself, furthering the dictatorship of the black void on its head, and by doing twisting the camera around until her proletariat, and therefore it should so reveals the bright new future that form dissolves into a kaleidoscopic be no surprise that the political is it promises. Abstraction has always mirage of shape and form. Another intertwined with the aesthetic. Even had a sense of humour and fun at its Eastern European artist, Běla with this expectation, however, core, as well as a never-ending hope Kolářová, explores the role that the dearth of art coming out of for a brighter, better tomorrow; the feminine articles can play within Altin America during the years of Whitechapel Gallery has recognised art, creating abstract compositions numerous military juntas is still this, and avoided the po-faced with cosmetic samples and clothes harrowing, leaving a noticeable gap in seriousness that often accompanies fastening; by using such material, the time-frame of the exhibition. discussion of the abstract art traditionally dismissed as frivolous We end on a brighter note, with movement. We are invited along for and immaterial, Kolářová makes us an exploration of the legacy of an adventure that charts a century of reinterpret what we mean when we the black square by Scottish artist creativity, chaos, and celebration; I make such judgements. After all, David Batchelor; he attempts to suggest that you go along for the ride. what could be a better representation oppose the overwhelming tendency of Soviet industry than the miniscule for chromophobia among the arts Adventures of the Black Square: poppers, meticulous in their detail, community by filling the blank space Abstract Art and Society, 1915 - 2015 that make up her work? with expanses of colour. He takes the is running from 15th January until 6th It is easy to overlook the political square apart, filling it with coloured April. Tickets £11.95 adults; £8.85 and social connotations of abstract baubles; a black triangle becomes a students. art. From our vantage point, it is difficult to see Malevich’s Black Square as anything other than a playful jibe at traditional art, let alone a severe political threat, but this is not always the case. Malevich could feel the rising tension in the USSR, and fled the country in 1927, leaving his work to be destroyed by the censors. Klutsis never got out; he was murdered by officials under the order of Stalin. This atmosphere of tragedy is one that never quite leaves the exhibition, but there is youthful optimism in there too. These artists believed, and still believe, in a better future through abstraction. Modern political links are explored through the work of American artist Jenny Holzer; in TOP SECRET 24 the black square becomes areas "An of censored documents, the text redacted by the US government as atmosphere part of their war on terror. What of tragedy was in 1915 a symbol of hope and never quite optimism now has become a tool used by an oppressive regime, a powerful leaves the reminder that art is a tool for both exhibition, liberalism and totalitarianism. The but there is 'Monument' for V. Tatlin, Dan Flavin, 1966-1969, Flourescent Tubes and Metal. Photo: Stephen Flavin/Artists Rights Society (ARS), very spirit of abstract modernism has optimism" Composition with Yellow, Blue, and Red, Piet Mondrian, 1937-1942, Oil paint New York its roots in revolution, with many of on canvas Photo: DACS, London/VAGA, New York 2014 26 16.01.2015 THE STUDENT PAPER OF IMPERIAL COLLEGE LONDON FELIX Arts [email protected] Arts Editors Fred Fyles & Kamil McClelland Your Spring Term Guide to Art Arts editors Fred Fyles and Kamil McClelland share their picks of the best things on in London in the next couple of months Theatre ow can you survive something as dehumanising as war? How do you come to terms with what has happened? These are the questions a num- Hber of plays showing this Spring try to answer. Liberian Girl @ The Royal Court This tells the story of a teenage girl’s that forces you to confront the survival in her country’s civil war, in issues raised. And when the issues the face of unfathomable evil. This include death, sexual violence and the production scares me; it is a standing distortion of a child soldier’s mind, performance, immersive and you can only leave a changed man. intimate, a straight 95 minutes with Until 31st January. Tickets £20, no intervals, the kind of performance Mondays £10

Fireworks (Al’ab Nariya) @ The Royal Court

Another production at the Royal at how war affects childhood and Court, Fireworks (Al’ab Nariya) gives us insight into the long terms follows a similar theme. It tells the effects the siege of Palestine will have story of two Palestinian children on a country where over 50% of the under siege in an apartment block. population are children. How does a child conceptualise war and death? What is it like to live in 12th February – 14th March. Tickets £20, Juma Sharkah, Landry Adelard & Valentine Olukoga in Liberian Girl. Photo: Johan Persson these circumstances? This play looks Mondays £10 The Rise and Shine of Comrade Fiasco @ The Gate Theatre Finally, a play about Zimbabwe’s the story of the war. But in doing so, war for independence. Fiasco is they are forced to reflect on their own a freedom fighter, unaware that scarred memories of the conflict and Zimbabwe had been freed from whether it was worth it. colonial rule. It is up to Chidhina, Febi and Jungle to explain to him 26th February – 21st March The Eradication of Schizophrenia in Western Lapland @ Battersea Arts Centre

You wouldn’t expect a play with this into the shoes of a schizophrenic as name to be just another production. they deal with the change of their new Put on by the Battersea Arts Centre, life, all the while dealing with strange the play is more of an experience auditory hallucinations. than anything else. Gaining critical acclaim at the Edinburgh Fringe, the 3rd –14th February. Tickets £15, £12 work aims to transport the audience for concessions

Multitudes @ Tricycle Theatre

Lastly, a work that is extremely belonging. This play does not shy relevant in light of recent events: away from addressing sensitive issues Multitudes at the Tricycle Theatre. of multiculturalism and diversity. Islam, British identity, immigration There are even post show Q&A’s and and military intervention in the discussion events associated with the Middle East, the play explores the show, which acts as a springboard for different ways British muslims debate more than anything else. make sense of the world they live in 19th February – 21st March. Tickets and gives insight into their sense of from £11 The Eradication of Schizophrenia in Western Lapland. Photo: Ridiculusmus FELIX THE STUDENT PAPER OF IMPERIAL COLLEGE LONDON 16.01.2015 27 Arts [email protected] Arts Editors Fred Fyles & Kamil McClelland

Art Rubens & His Legacy @ Royal Academy

This term, the Royal Academy to have the opportunity to explore the present a full-scale retrospective mark that such an artist left on the of the Flemish master Peter Paul world, and for those of you who are Rubens, whose baroque work sick to death of 17th Century art, fear emphasised movement, physicality, not; the exhibition runs all the way and sensuality. Looking beyond the from Rembrandt to Bacon, taking on fleshy nudes for which he has become Picasso, Delecroix, and Gainsborough most well known, the exhibition will along the way. display a number of his masterpieces, along with work that has been 24th January - 10th April. Tickets £15. inspired by his legacy. It is refreshing Concessions available. Marlene Dumas: The Image As Burden @ Tate Modern This long-awaited retrospective of more exciting. Her paintings are South African artist Marlene Dumas both delicate and imposing; blurred has been a long time coming. Dumas, faces, contorted bodies, and garish who first came to prominence in the hues, they look like a cross between a 1980s and 90s, uses the figurative David Lynch fever dream and some portrait to explore ideas of gender, of Francis Bacon’s most grotesque class, race, and sexuality. Often visions. With their arresting qualities, described as ‘The Artist’s Artist’, they pack a supremely powerful Dumas has remained a closely punch protected secret of the art world, 5th February – 10th May. Tickets making this retrospective all the £14.50 adults; £12.70 concessions. Pan and Syrinx, 1617. Peter Paul Rubens Credit: Museumslandschaft Hessen Kassel

Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty @ V&A

Finally, McQueen returns home. designers, whose work went from This long-awaited retrospective of strength to strength before his suicide the late British designer first opened in 2010. It is difficult to think of a at the Metropolitan Museum of Art better tribute than this exceptional in 2011, becoming one of the most tribute in his home city. Already visited exhibitions in its history. taking bookings, this show – like Four years later, the show comes to Bowie before it – will be the hottest London, the place McQueen called ticket of the year. Grab yours now, home, where he nurtured his artistic before it’s too late. talents. Known for his subversive, gothic vision of beauty, McQueen was 14th March – 19th July. Tickets £16 one of the most important British adults; £9 students

Human Rights Human Wrongs @ The Photographers’ Gallery

Taking the Universal Declaration Europe, alongside numerous other of Human Rights as its starting large-scale and small-scale conflicts. point, this exhibition explores the The relationship between camera and link between conflict, rights, and conflict is a strong one, which will photography in the 20th and early-21st be fully explored in this exceptional centuries. With an incredibly broad show. scope, the gallery will take on the civil rights movement in America, 6th February – 6th April. Tickets £4.50 struggles for liberation across the adults; £3.50 students; free Mon-Fri African continent, and protests in 10.00-12.00 Magnificent Obsessions: The Artist As Collector @ Barbican Centre Rather than looking at the work obsessions of modern artists such artists produce, the Barbican Centre as Damien Hirst and Andy Warhol. has taken a different approach, After the triumph of their recent instead focussing on what artists exhibition, this is set to be a key show collect. in the season This helps to reveal key aspects in their personalities, and can give 12th February - 25th May. Tickets £12 us a rare insight into the personal adults; £10 concessions; £8 students Helena's Dream, 2008. Marlene Dumas. Kunsthalle Bielefeld. Photo courtesy of Peter Cox 28 16.01.2015 THE STUDENT PAPER OF IMPERIAL COLLEGE LONDON FELIX Arts [email protected] Arts Editors Fred Fyles & Kamil McClelland Dance Opera

Sadler’s Wells Theatre Royal Opera House

aking up a position round the production of Atomos (13th & 14th s its name would suggest, but then again, maybe some things corner from Angel station in February; tickets from £12), which the Royal Opera House is are better left alone. You are pretty TNorth London, this theatre received a rapturous reception on its Athe place to go for opera in much guarenteed to have outstanding forms one of the centres of London’s premier in 2013. London. They start this season with singer, incredible costumes, and killer dance scene. Their plans for this Finally, they take a step back a passionate tale of love, rebellion, arias from the Queen of the Night. season are set to combine stalwarts of from cutting-edge dance, instead and the French Revolution. Andrea If modern opera is more your thing, classical dance with the very freshest inviting the English National Chénier (20th January - 6th February; you are going to love Bertolt Brecht of new talents. Ballet to perform Modern Masters day tickets available) was written by and Kurt Weil’s eerily poignant work They start off with Plexus (22nd (10th - 15th March; tickets from Umberto Giordant in 1896, and tells Rise and Fall of the City of Mahagonny and 23rd January; tickets from £12), £12), a celebration of three of the the tale of a young poet’s quest for (10th March - 4th April) at the Royal a new commission conceived for the 20th century’s most influential love across the barricades. Opera House. A satire on the fickle Japanese dancer Kaori Ito, who will - choreographers: Jiří Kylián, John We then have an opportunity to see nature of consumerism, this opera is over the course of an hour - explore Neumeier and William Forsythe. one of the earliest operas by that great as relevant as ever ninety years after a forest of shimmering strings that This caps off what is set to be a very master, Richard Wagner; Der fliegende it was originally produced. Telling seem to float over the stage. exciting season. Holländer (5th - 24th February; day the story of the founding of a city They then move on to a celebration Although on after the end of tickets available) is a dark exploration of consumption and excess and its of Richard Alston Dance Company term, it is worth noting that Sadler’s of trust and posession. It centres eventual decay, you can easily draw (26th and 27th January; tickets Wells will again be welcoming the around The Flying Dutchman, a parallels with many of the new cities from £12), whose energetic, vivid Tanztheatre Wuppertal Pina cursed man who can only come emerging in the East. choreography has made them one Bausch, the brainchild of the famed ashore every seven years. His only Finally, we finish the term with of the most respected institutions of late German choreographer. After hope for redemption is in the love of another pillar of the opera world: contemporary British dance. Taking a decade’s absence their production the beautiful Senta. Puccini’s Madama Butterfly (20th on four pieces, this promises to be an of Ahnen (23rd - 26th April) is being This classical theme continues, March - 11th April; tickets on sale 27th explosion of high-impact dance. revived, along with a piece never with a production of one of the most January), which spins a wicked tale February sees the celebration of before seen in the UK, Auf dem well-loved operas of all time: Mozarts of East against West, modern against some of Sadler’s Wells’ freshest Gebirge hat man ein Geschrei gehört Die Zauberflöte (23rd February - 11th classical, tradition against industry. talents, when three of their (15th - 18th April). While Bausch’s work March; day tickets available). A firm Centring around the abortive Associates – Hofesh Shechter, Crystal has always been hugely popular, the favourite amongst opera-goers since relationship between an American Pite, and Kate Prince – take to the last couple of years have seen a surge WNO Walther (Raymond Very) & its premier, this mystical story has soldier and his Japanese bride, we stage to present their latest works (5th - in interest, and therefore it is highly Hans Sachs (Bryn Terfel). Photo: found a home in the ROH; don’t promise that this will leave you in 8th February; tickets from £12). likely that these tickets will sell out. Catherine Ashmore expect many radical reinterpretations tears. Later in the month sees Wayne Book early to avoid being let down! from this version by David McVicar, McGregor return to the stage with his Barbican Centre Royal Opera House rom the Barbican Centre, we for this season. The work tells the he other big daddy of London fare on offer here; February sees have the London premiere of story of the artist Hiroshige and his dance, the ROH generally a welcome return of Ballet Black Nicola LeFanu’s opera Tokaido journey along Japan’s ancient Eastern th th F th Tcommissions more traditional (10 - 14 February; tickets from £8), Road: A Journey after Hiroshige (25 sea road from Edo to Kyoto. In an work, focussing on ballet and opera. who present a dynamic programme February; tickets £10, £5 for conces- amalgamation of art, music, mime This season is set to be no exception, of mixed dances from some of the sions) performed for one night only. and poetry, LeFanu has created a starting off with their production of world’s leading choreographers. It’s quite rare for the Barbican Centre fusion of East and West in what Don Quixote (Until 22nd January; day The company, which is made up of to put on an opera - they are perhaps promises to be possibly the most tickets available), created by Cuban- classically trained black and Asian better known for their theatre and interesting opera production on show born dancer Carlos Acosta - perhaps dancers, forms a refreshing change dance - but this should be a hot ticket this term. the closest thing the dance world has from the stereotypical image of most to a superstar. This promises to be an ballet companies. evening of Spanish flair and pasion, This contemporary theme is English National Opera played out across the stage. continued in their production of We then have something more Draft Works (24th & 26th February; his season is looking to be an in an untenable position, forced to classical: John Cranko’s 1965 day tickets available), in which the exceptional one for opera. defend her lover’s reputation. A tragic adaptation of Pushkin’s novel Eugene Royal Ballet perofrm choreography The ENO is once again tale of the moral demands society th th T Onegin. Onegin (24 January - 27 still in the making. Eschewing the experimenting with reinventions places on women, it is an opera that February; tickets from £5) features traditional lighting and costumes, of classics with their take on still resonates today. a range of different dancing styles, this should be a stripped back Wagner’s comedy The Mastersingers Their next production also has ranging from sensuous ballet duets to appraisal of the power of modern of Nuremburg (7th February - 10th a woman at the centre, a rarity in modern and folk, all set to music by dance. March; tickets from £16). It is always opera, and one thing that makes The Tchaikovsky. Finally, we have something much a pleasure to see how truthfully Indian Queen (26th February - 14th The love for Tchaikovsky is more provocative from the ensemble the ENO manages to conserve March; tickets from £12), on show continued into their next centrepiece: Ballet de Lorraine, who perform the character of the original work at the ENO, so special. A personal a revival of Swan Lake (10th February Cover (11th - 14th March; tickets through translation but in the hands perspective on Europe’s first - 9th April; tickets from £6). Surely from £5), a new ballet from Israeli of critically acclaimed director encounter with the Mayans in the one of the greatest of classical choreographer Itamar Serussi. Set to Richard Jones, I am sure it will New World, director Peter Sellars ballets, this production uses the music from Berlioz, this production maintain all the epicness of Wagner’s has combined Purcell’s score with 1895 choreography, and features a will tell the tale of a young artist score. new text inspired by Nicaraguan wealth of lush costumes reflecting whose passion for a woman drives ENO follow on with La Traviata author Rosario Aguilar, all on a set the opulence of the Imperial Russian him to euphoria, and eventually to Jennifer Hayes, Nathan Goodman, (9th February - 13th March; tickets designed by LA graffiti artist Gronk court. the edge of madness. and full Richard Alston Company from £12), Verdi’s epic, in which the – a blending of art forms that will However, it’s not just classical Photo: Chris Nash beautifully brittle Violetta is placed guarantee a unique experience. FELIX THE STUDENT PAPER OF IMPERIAL COLLEGE LONDON 16.01.2015 29 Television [email protected] Television Editors Guila Gabrielli & John Park Inside Charlie Brooker’s weird and wonderful mind Giulia Gabrielli reviews the Black Mirror Christmas Special will say one thing: this article Normal people are put through will be biased. Biased because mental torture by a society that has I I love Charlie Brooker, biased simply grown too big for its boots. because I want to be Charlie Brooker, Joe (Rafe Spall), who – if you hadn’t biased because I enjoyed the first two guessed from his name – is an seasons of Black Mirror so much that everyday guy, has few worries in life. it would physically pain me to have to Happy enough in a stable, if boring, criticise it. relationship, he drinks too much and Luckily, there is no need to lie. enjoys karaoke and taking stupid We’ve seen what Christmas is selfies. Sounds familiar? However like in the head of this great – if Joe’s life becomes a nightmare when quite abrasive – man, and it is evil his girlfriend harshly blocks him, and wonderful. Not only was the dragging him through an emotional Christmas Special as brilliant and spiral of rage and desperation which subtle as the rest of the show, it eventually comes to a climax in a also starred a very special main terrible event. character: Jon Hamm, of Mad Men His story is narrated through a fame. Since whenever Don Draper conversation with a dark, and frankly enters the scene one can’t avoid being dodgy, companion (Jon Hamm) while transfixed, it is no surprise that the the two share a lonely Christmas combination worked. meal in a far away hut. Since there Brooker decides to take a stab at is nothing more introspective than social media (shocking) by creating a a desolate hut, Joe reveals way too society where people can be blocked much, while we learn few, disturbing in real life and prevented from elements of the other character’s life. interacting with others; a simple idea, This adds a great veil of mystery to with harrowing consequences. Hamm, who obviously wasn’t sexy His is a world where a person’s enough to start with. brain can be exploited to discover Whether it was meant to provoke their habits and secrets. A world or entertain, I must say that Black where eyes that show everyone what Mirror: White Christmas definitely we are looking at exist and where struck a chord. Maybe I spend too mini-copies of our identities act as much time Facebook stalking? Maybe slaves for their larger owners. I read too many “Top 10 Celebrity” Even so, it is not a futuristic world. Buzzfeed articles? Maybe I form too Technology doesn’t look foreign many of my opinions from trending and alien. It is a reality like today’s, hashtags? I guess once again, Charlie with products surprisingly similar to Brooker has served his purpose. His Apple iPhones, and where something latest work is a masterpiece, or at least Rafe Spall, an admirable performance, despite not being Jon Hamm. Photo: Channel 4 has gone terribly wrong. a thoroughly entertaining choice.

Goodbye Miranda!

So Miranda Hart has decided to wave goodbye to Of course there is a romantic ending, one which the her beloved eponymous character and pursue less fans will find very satisfying (and which we won’t reveal typecast roles. And Christmas Day and New Years were to maintain the magic, but it is far from surprising). the chance for loyal fans to salute this great woman of Even so, the focus really is on the main character freeing comedy for the final time. herself from her mother’s protection and from the The event in itself was slightly disappointing. With the quirks we are used to, in order to become an all together last two episodes of the sitcom Miranda, which started less ridiculous human being. What is the only problem? in 2009 and gave us classics such as the human gallop, A less ridiculous human being is also a less entertaining proving more of a look on past gags and happy times one, and Miranda’s humour, which was largely based on rather than a new entertaining plotline. slapstick, fails to mature with her. Season 3 left us last Christmas with a surprising cliff- Nevertheless, in memory of the lovely times spent with hanger: romantically challenged Miranda gets asked for this show and because, after all, it’s only the last two her hand in marriage by two very eligible bachelors. symbolic episodes, I feel like complementing the effort. However, these final episodes were less about who This really was a Christmas bonanza for the whole family Miranda was going to get with and more about who she – one to watch when the tummy is slightly too full and was going to develop into as a person. With actress and the remote is slightly too far. creator Hart claiming she wanted Miranda to “grow up”. GIULIA GABRIELLI 30 16.01.2015 THE STUDENT PAPER OF IMPERIAL COLLEGE LONDON FELIX Travel [email protected] Travel Editor Yung Nam Cheah The colder and darker side of Prague Yung Nam Cheah visits the infamous Christmas Markets and more

Christmas tree beaming like a beacon, nuts. Traditional hams, sausages and the sights, too. Head to Charles Bridge brimming with all manners of lights fried potatoes are amongst the other after dark (which shouldn’t be that and baubles. A stepped stand allowing food stuff you will find dotted across hard at all), where the fog will descend tourists and locals alike to climb up the markets. In terms of shopping, giving the medieval bridge a sinister and admire the views on a vantage stalls usually sell souvenir, winter vibe. You might argue that you can point, there is even a petting zoo for accessories or Christmas decoration. see the bridge in the summer during children on one side of the square. Wooden figurines, baubles, lace night time, too. However it would The surrounding trees and green cutwork or the typical magnets, never feel the same as when you see space is filled with lights of all kind; most stalls sell very similar, tourist it in the cold, dark night of winter. angels blowing trumpets to sheep and targeted items. If you are looking Legend has it that the statues of the three wise men. If you want a better for more than just the usual tourist bridge come alive during the night view of the whole square, you can hideouts, try the Christmas Markets and roam the city, and it’s not hard at climb up the astronomical clocktower at Namesti Miru (Namesti means all to imagine the weathered figures adjacent to the square and tour the square) in district two. stepping down from their centuries- heritage site. Aside from the Christmas markets old place and stretching their stone A mere five minutes’ walk away and decorations, the cold, wintery limbs like a scene out of Night at the is the Wenceslas Square. Spanning times brings out a different side to Museum. across several blocks, it hosts two markets on either end. Though stands The main Christmas Market at Old Town Square Photo: Yung Wing Cheah are fewer in number, and decorations less extravagant, a smaller Christmas Despite the chills and long nights, lightings virtually everywhere, and tree and a novelty stand were present there’s something amazing about almost every square spots a Christmas in area. Europe during December, when tree. Unless you live under a rock, it’s Here’s where I introduce you to the festive spirit of Christmas is at near impossible not to notice that the two best buds that will keep your its highest. One such destination Christmas is near. energy and temperature up: Svarak is Prague, who, with its medieval The main Christmas market is and Trdelnik. Whilst they might cobbles stone streets and squares at the Old Town Square, with an sound exotic, Svarak is actually just flocked with wooden stalls, will get impressive backdrop of churches, traditional Czech mulled wine, and you into the joyful holiday mood in palace and historical houses. Every Trdelnik is a Transylvanian snack no time. The Czechs have spared no effort was made to bring Christmas consisting of a roll roasted on a bit expense, putting up lavish Christmas to the Old Square; with a towering and dredged through cinnamon and The gloomy Charles Bridge at night Photo: Yung Wing Cheah

Why traveling should be your New Years’ Resolution

It is the start of another New Year, you a break from the gloomy weather though for many of us that just mean of London. it’s getting close to exam time, or course work deadline. New Years’ 3) Time Resolution? Who has time for that! However, whether you had time to jot Believe it or not, you are never going a list that you vow to adhere to for the to be more free, or more free of rest of the year; or merely re-wrote the responsibility in your life. You can one from last year, here’s some reason go wherever you want to whenever as to why traveling should be on your you want to (providing you don’t run list! out of cash or miss too many classes) without having to explain to your boss 1) Student/Youth discount why you suddenly need an extra week off. That’s something every student should be familiar with. Your student 4) You can endure the hardship card is actually worth more than you think. You get discounted tickets or This might sound a bit dodgy, but even free entries to major sites and trust me, as you grow older you get museums. I saved thirty euros alone more picky and fussy. You don’t want when I was in Athens. to stay at a cheap hostel, you want your own room so you can have some 2) It is an experience like no other privacy, or you can’t walk as much, or stand cramping on a tiny seat for ten This might sound cheesy, but traveling hours. is one of the few things you can buy that would make you richer. It will 5) Because the world is beautiful open your eyes to a whole new culture, From top left clockwise: a view of Prague from Castle district; Santorini donkey riding; famous shipwreck widening your horizon. It also gives bay on the island of Zakynthos Photo: Yung Wing Cheah and Yung Nam Cheah YUNG NAM CHEAH FELIX THE STUDENT PAPER OF IMPERIAL COLLEGE LONDON 16.01.2015 31 Travel Travel Editor Yung Nam Cheah [email protected] Travel Editor Yung Nam Cheah Volunteer experience: my month with YBS in Jakarta

Chris Richardson shares his how-to guide for living and volunteering in the ‘Big Durian’

unsurprisingly, I was pleasantly before you hop on. In general, taxis surprised. As a tourist, sure, there’s are nicer for longer journeys or if very little for you here, unless you’re there’s rain brewing. Ojek, on the a big fan of sightseeing. But once other hand, are perfect during rush you’re rooted here for more than a hour, as they can weave through the few days, Jakarta starts to get well and cars and get you to your destination truly into your veins. Let’s quickly in a fraction of the time. cover the basics: Food: Jakarta caters for all price Accommodation: YBS were brackets – from $0.50 street snacks extremely helpful in helping me to through to decent restaurants that’ll secure a spare room just two minutes’ still set you back less than $10 walk from the office, at $125 (US) for a main. I got into the habit of for the month (yes, month). For stocking up on breakfast from the that I got a spacious room with a supermarket, grabbing lunch from double bed, en-suite bathroom, and a nearby local restaurant ($1), and air conditioning. Mr Halimah and then heading out with friends for his family were lovely and ensured dinner in the evening. There are so my stay was comfortable. There many dishes to try: nasi goreng (fried are countless host families in the rice), rendang padang (beef curry), neighbourhood – just a stone’s and sate (grilled meat skewers) will throw from popular expat hangout become your staples, always served Kemang – and all the other amenities alongside a hearty dollop of fiery (supermarkets, laundry services, sambal (chilli sauce). But there’s also Children gathering for story time. Photo: Chris Richardson malls) you could need within a fifteen the multinational names you see minute walk or two minute cab. If everywhere, but at a fraction of the spent a few weeks working with designing the study, through to data you’d rather opt for something else, cost you’re probably used to – a large the Foundation for Mother and collection and analysis, responsibility there’s always CouchSurfing, which Domino’s pizza will set you back I Child Health – Yayasan Balita I doubt I’d have been given at a we’ll come to now. about $3.50. Sehat (YBS) – in Jakarta, and thought larger organisation. The team were Social scene: As soon as you arrive, So I think that just about covers I’d share my experience with any incredibly helpful throughout the get onto CouchSurfing and have a look it. Overall I loved my project at YBS would-be volunteers out there. Jakarta process, especially when translating for events in Jakarta. At the time and made some brilliant friends in is a destination that most avoid from English to Indonesian, and of writing, there’s a hugely popular Jakarta who I hope to keep in contact like the plague, but I think that for interviewing the mothers invited to Wednesday pub quiz held at de Hooi with for a long time. The experience seasoned Londoners the downsides participate in the study. in Pondok Indah, with a perfect was a fantastic one that I would (traffic and crime risk) are tame at There are also plenty of blend of locals and expats to keep you recommend to anybody: Jakarta is best and offset by the benefits: I met opportunities to get involved with entertained. I went in my first week a happening city and YBS is a cause some brilliant people, did some cool as much as you’d like alongside your and never looked back. From that worth being a part of. Use the above stuff, and in general had a great time. main project. Whilst there I went out initial evening out I made some great "YBS is as a guideline, but I’m sure if you It was a solid experience, being in an on site to visit beneficiaries in their friends and had invitations to more stitch together various sources with interesting place and working for a homes, as well as visiting a factory social events than I could attend: a a cause some information on the ground, useful cause. outside of Jakarta to see a health weekly indie movie night, a weekly worth you’ll find the perfect blend of things education session in action. I also ran Sunday fun run, and various one-offs. being a to keep you entertained. Working at YBS a couple of smaller projects on the My top 3 times are probably catching To find out more about YBS, visit YBS is an NGO focusing on mother side but, most importantly, had fun a decent DJ from the top floor of a part of." fmch-indonesia.org or contact the and child health. They’re based spending time with the children who skyscraper overlooking the city, a Editor. in a small office in Cipete, South come to the pre-school every morning weekend snorkelling trip away to the Jakarta. As it’s a relatively small – a much more fulfilling break than Thousand Islands, and a tour of the team, you’ll quickly get to know the trivial water cooler chat I’ve Google offices. I cannot stress enough names and faces, and everyone is encountered at other offices. just how easy CouchSurfing will make extremely accommodating. Based Given that work fills so much of your social life in Jakarta. on your experience and interests, the your day, it’s important that you Transportation: I’ll admit that I team will make sure your project is enjoy what you do. I loved working never got around to taking a local bus. interesting, enjoyable, and useful. on my project, and have no doubts But that’s because the taxis and ojek And they’ll be sure to put your nerdy that subsequent volunteers will have (motorcycle taxis) are so cheap. For Imperial skills to good use. similar positive experiences. taxis, you’ll want to aim for either The main focus of my time was a Blue Bird or Express (2 reliable to run a project on social impact Living in Jakarta companies), and expect to pay $1 (5 measurement, looking at the three I tend to be an open-minded guy minute) to $5 (1 hour) – just wait on main programmes at YBS in order when it comes to travel destinations. "Jakarta the street and flag one down. Ojek to assess their effectiveness. This But everyone I spoke to on the road should be easily spotted by their will be useful for YBS to work as told me some variation of “don’t is a signposts, but if you’re stuck just ask successfully as possible, and also bother with Jakarta”. Twin that happening the nearest local and they’ll point you allow them to better showcase their with the city’s nickname – the Big city...." in the right direction – remember to work to sponsors. I developed this Durian – and you’re left with some ask a friend roughly what to pay, and Nothing makes your day more than making someone project from the initial research and pretty low expectations. But, perhaps negotiate the price with the driver happy. Photo: Chris Richardson 32 16.01.2015 THE STUDENT PAPER OF IMPERIAL COLLEGE LONDON FELIX Welfare [email protected] Welfare Editors Diba Esbati & Chanon Wongsatayanont Time to beat that homesickness Chanon Wongsatayanont shares his first experience living away fromhome

s this is the second term for the Welfare section, let’s start Athings in a different direction! As an International student myself, I’m going to talk about what it’s like to come study abroad and how I learned to cope with it. England is a strange place to live in and while the experience can be exhilarating, it can also result in major homesickness. For those of you who’d never been away from your home country before coming to University, the second term might start with pangs of homesickness, especially if you’ve gone home for Christmas and New Year surrounded by old friends and family. This is completely understandable. I’ve been studying in England for nine years now and I still find myself missing my warm home and the local cuisine in the first week of coming back here. But let me tell you from experience that it does get better and easier. Though sometimes a certain shift in perspective will help you get there faster. I’ll share my experience so you’ll see what I mean. I came to study in a boarding school here when I was thirteen years old and that was probably the biggest change in my life at that point. I was pretty attached to my home in Phuket, Thailand then, never leaving home for more than a few weeks at a time. So when I have to move to an all-boys boarding school where the majority of students are British, I call that a bit of a culture shock. I was immediately homesick. I wanted to go back to somewhere I can speak without an accent and After the Christmas break where you're surrounded by friends and family, it's natural to miss home. Photo: Eli Fosl not be constantly greeted by “So where are you from again?” or “Where’s Thailand on the map?”. about me. and the interactions became more I should add that there are many Not to mention how I was always the Initially, I preferred that to the genuine. Before I knew it, I began ways to go about it: becoming sociable smallest boy in every class when I was constant attention I got from being to have friends and a sense that I or pushing yourself out of your average height back at home. different. But in my second year, I belonged there. comfort zone doesn’t have to be a Having moved from tropical began to ask about what I was even Then, after every holiday, on my scary prospect. Find a community Thailand, British weather is another doing in England. flights back to England, I found that or club where you fit in comfortably kind of shock. At first enjoyed the Of course, I still think a lot about the best cure to homesickness is to and join that. This can be a hobby way steam came out of my mouth when I’m next going home, but have something to look forward to or a group of people from your own when I spoke, but I soon missed the I began to realize that enduring in the place far away from home. In country. It would go miles towards boiling sun and rains that didn’t last homesickness was not as good as a sense, I feel that it’s about making making you feel that you belong here. for days. I even missed the very air adjusting and coping with it. that place your new home with a new Granted, it would be good to try in Thailand since the dry British air I knew I would be in England until group of friends and activities or something new and go out of your really irritated my skin. the end of high school at least, so I societies you can do there to make comfort zone, but for most people I did not cope well at all in my first should do something about being “I began to you feel that you belong there. that’s the second step. The first is to year abroad. I actually shut myself homesick every moment I spend here. The most difficult part that led me “The most actually settle in somewhere they’ve in instead of trying to adapt to my That was when I began to do realise that to snap out of homesickness was the never been before and make it new environment, burying myself stuff outside of regular classes. enduring shift in attitude from “Oh please let difficult possible to live there. beneath books, games and piles of Unfortunately, there were only a few homesickness me go home because this place will part that Dealing with homesickness is a international call bills. Thai students in my high school so I was not never be home” to “This is not home, led me to part of that first step. And once that’s Luckily there was another Thai boy didn’t get to join up with them, but I but I’m stuck here so might as well try done and you’re feeling ready, the who was having a first year abroad did talk to British students and tried as good as make it one.” coping with joy of trying out new things in a new like me, so I ended up socialising only to make friends (albeit much later adjusting and This is not a conscious switch and homesickness country will begin in full force. with him. It did not take long for my than everyone else). coping with it’s not easy (took me a whole year) was the shift If you’re homesick now, don’t British classmates to dismiss me as At first, it was awkward as hell, but but I think it’s an essential first step in attitude.” worry. The fun will start as soon as “that quiet Asian nerd” and forget I was slowly overtaken by curiosity it.” to deal with homesickness. you’ve made this new place home! FELIX THE STUDENT PAPER OF IMPERIAL COLLEGE LONDON 16.01.2015 33 Welfare [email protected] Welfare Editors Diba Esbati & Chanon Wongsatayanont

Helplines Let’s score a goal for equality and resources Kyle Hellemans wants to know your experience in sport If you are distressed and need someone to talk to : Samaritans (24 hr helpline): Phone: 08457 90 90 90 Website: www.samaritans. org.uk Anxiety Help Anxiety UK Phone: 08444 775 774 (Mon-Fri 9:30 - 17:30) Website: www.anxietyuk. org.uk No Panic Phone: 0808 800 2222 (daily, 10am - 10pm) Website: www.nopanic.org. uk Eating Disorders Beat Phone: 0845 634 1414 (Mon - Thurs, 1.30pm - 4:30pm) Enjoyment of sport shouldn't be barred by sexual orientation and the survey will take a shot to address homophobia on the sports field. Photo: Wikipedia Addiction

n 1990, Justin Fashanu was each National Governing Body of research the experiences of students Alcoholics Anonymous the first English professional each sport having a different stance who take part in sport at Imperial. We Phone: 0845 769 7555 Ifootballer to come out as gay. or policy. want to find barriers to engagement (24 hour helpline) Throughout this, he faced abuse from What about University sport and or if there are positive experiences of Website: www.alcoholics- his teammates, fellow players and students? LGBT students feeling accepted and anonymous.org.uk even his manager. He committed A recent survey carried out by welcomed as part of a team. (We want suicide just eight years later. the National Union of Students to celebrate those!) Narcotics Anonymous Equality in sport has come a long called ‘Out in Sport’ found that Feeling accepted regardless of way since Justin Fashanu’s death. nearly 50% of LGBT students who sexuality means that students will Phone: 0300 999 1212 From 23 openly lesbian, gay and do not participate in sport find the feel more comfortable and able to Website: www.ukna.org bisexual Olympians competing at the culture around sport alienating or focus on their sport, and will be able Olympics in London, to role models unwelcoming. to play better. College Resources such as Jason Collins in basketball, Furthermore, almost 20% of Once we have the results of the Robbie Rogers in football, and Tom LGBT students who participate in survey, we will look to identify Student Counselling Daley in diving. Add in Casey Stoney team sport are not open about their changes we can make to ensure that Service who has captained both Arsenal and sexuality to anyone, and of those a teams feel supported in tackling Phone: 020 7594 9637 England’s women’s football team, and further 20% are worried it might homophobia in their sport, or e-mail: [email protected]. you can see that there definitely has result in verbal or physical abuse on creating an easier method of been a change. account of homophobia, transphobia reporting incidents of homophobia, uk However, there is still a long or biphobia. or running a campaign where we ask way to go to challenge perceptions Sport is such an integral part of sports teams to come out for equality. Imperial College Health and problems facing lesbian, gay, many students’ life at university. You can take part in the survey Centre bisexual and transgender sports Whether one competes in the elite of “Feeling via the recent ‘Inclusive Sport at Telephone: 020 7584 6301 people. Thankfully, there are groups their field, joins a club or a team to Imperial: Survey’ post on the Union e-mail: [email protected]. and campaigns such as “Football vs develop their skills or make friends, accepted website. uk Homophobia” and “Pride Sports” “Nearly 50% or just gets together with students regardless All responses are confidential and which are working to challenge these of LGBT from their class, research group or of sexuality most questions are optional should issues. halls to play a game in Hyde Park, the you uncomfortable with disclosing You can also go to your Yet it is still not uncommon to hear students fact is that sport does an excellent job means that certain types of information. academic or personal tutor homophobic slurs on the side-lines of who do not at bringing people together. students will Furthermore, we will be holding regarding pastoral issues, some large sports matches or sporting participate Every student at Imperial, feel more in-depth interview sessions to further especially if you think your professionals using homophobic who wants to, should feel able to comfortable our research, so please do your note remarks behind the scenes. in sport find participate in all the sport offered down your email if you are interested. mental health might be Often transgender people who want the culture through our huge number and and able to Alternatively, you can contact me at affecting your academic to be involved in sports face huge around sport wide variety of teams and clubs at focus on [email protected], along with any performance. barriers too, and it is often unclear Imperial. their sport.” questions you might have regarding on how they can be involved with alienating.” As part of this, we’ve decided to this survey. FELIX THE STUDENT PAPER OF IMPERIAL COLLEGE LONDON 31.10.2014 34 31.10.2014 Puzzles [email protected] Puzzles Editor Michael Faggetter

Word Search Paul G. Gogen Stephen Ball

Y T P S Y C H O A N A L Y S I S K I B Y

G O H S N S C I T E N R E B Y C Y L O H Find 50 areas of study hidden in the grid horizontally, vertically or diagonally. O X O E S C I T U E C A M R A H P I T P All the words to be found of seven letters L I T N R Y M O N O R T S A P E Y N A A or less are listed below, but it’s up to you O C O I D M E R S G S R A A S M H G N R to discover the longer ones.

N O G S R T O M E C N I R Y O I P U Y G When all the words have been found, the remaining letters, taken in order, will I L R U Y C O D I C O G G T N S O I G O spell out three places of education

R O A B G L M T Y C O O A P I T S S O E

C G P R O E E T I N L N H E C R O T L G ALGEBRA O Y H G L N O G A O A O I N S Y L I O N ANATOMY ART D G Y G O L O E H T W M S C I V I C R I BOTANY CIVICS N R S H O L C C E C N E I C S I H S O R CONICS E U P G Z O Y G E N E T I C S V P E E E ETHICS GREEK N L Y H I S T O R Y S R U N S C I H T E HISTORY LATIN I L I O P T I C S I V Y G O L O R U E N Fill in the missing letters of the alphabet so that the following words LAW can be formed by moving between adjacent letters either vertically, C A R I T H M E T I C A L C U L U S M I LOGIC horizontally or diagonally. OPTICS I T O P H T H A L M O L O G Y K E E R G SCIENCE SONICS ACQUITS MUTED D E N T I S T R Y R E F I W D I M E R N ZOOLOGY BORAX PETS FIDGET SOLVENT E M S I M S I T E N G A M O R T C E L E INKED SWATCH M Y G O L O I D A R B E G L A T I N T Y JUDICATORY

Quick Crossword Jamie Dutton & Ben Harvey

Across 1. An attempt with little prior knowledge Down (1,4,2,3,4) 1. Yuri ______- Former leader of the Soviet 7. _____ Wright - British film director (5) Union(8) 9. Mix (4) 2. Shrub with edible green pods (4) 10. Caribbean Island(7) 3. Metrical foot in poetry (4) 12. Rock containing mineral (3) 4. Novel by E.M. Forster (7,3) 13. City in Florida (7) 5. Decrease in amplitude of flux through a 14. Home of Santa Claus (7) medium (9) 16. Explode (3) 6. Systematised arrangement of chromosome 18. Smooth (4) pairs (9) 19. Organic compound containing a basic 8. Biblical man (4) nitrogen atom (5) 11. ___ Cheadle - actor (Iron Man and Ocean’s 20. Cease (4) series) (3) 22. Biblical woman (3) 15. British political party (5,5) 23. Amble, walk leisurely (7) 16. Dying (9) 26. Assume, distrust (7) 17. Submarine optical instrument (9) 27. French electronic music duo (3) 21. Too pleasant (8) 28. Shouting (7) 24. Consumed (3) 31. Press (4) 25. Anger (4) 32. Spooky (5) 29. Winter sport (4) 33. British long-jumper (4, 10) 30. Brand of foam-based weaponry (4) 35 31.10.2014 THE STUDENT PAPER OF IMPERIAL COLLEGE LONDON FELIX Puzzles [email protected] Puzzles Editor Michael Faggetter

Benedict Cumberbox Nonogram Stephen Ball

2 2 4 2 2 4 1 2 2 2 5 4 2 3 2 1 4 5 5 5 4 5 5 5 5 2 3 9 6 3 2 2 1 3 3 3 3 2 2 2 2 2 5 4 3 2 2 5 4 1 7 2 2 1 3 3 3 2 1 2 1 7 4 5 2 2 7 7 8 7 4 2 4 5 5 5 8 8 1 2 4 7 4 4 5 2 5 3 5 26 4 8 10 7 18 10 3 4 7 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 7 9 14 1 1 11 18 19 18 17 16 15 26 6 18 5 4 13 1 2 6 9 2 1 2 6 3 5 3 1 10 3 4 2 3 1 8 3 4 2 FUCWIT 1 9 6 2 18 6 1 1 Send in a scanned copy of your completed puzzles to 18 4 4 1 [email protected]. 4 7 2 3 1 3 4 6 3 2 2 1 Points are awarded for each correct solution. 2 5 3 3 1 Bonus points (in brackets) are awarded to the first 2 7 4 2 2 7 correct answer! 2 7 4 3 7 Points avaliable this week: 1 7 2 5 7 Quick Crossword 3 points (+2) 1 10 8 7 Word Search 2 points (+1) 1 19 8 Nonogram 2 points (+1) 1 1 2 13 8 1 2 11 8 1 1 3 9 9 Leaderboard 1 2 3 2 9 1 2 3 8 2 9 Sadly, the FUCWIT Leaderboard is still enjoying its 1 2 2 9 1 9 Christmas break and hasn’t bothered to check its 4 2 10 1 9 emails. 4 2 10 1 9 4 2 10 1 9 Check back next week for the updated scores, and 3 2 10 1 7 remember to submitt your solutions for this week’s 2 2 9 3 5 puzzles. 1 8 3 0 Issue 1582’s solutions Acrostic Grid 1: LAME (MEAL) 6: SEND-OFF (OFFENDS) 2: IDEAS (ASIDE) 7: INSURE (URSINE) 3: MEANLY (NAMELY) 8: NAKED (KNEAD) 4: ORDAINS (INROADS) 9: EARL (REAL) 5: UNDERFED (REFUNDED) LIMOUSINE

Word Search Suduko Quick Crossword ROMANSCH SWAHILI ALBANIAN ERIE LUO ————————————————— AFRIKAANS EWE SERBO-CROAT CHEYENNE FRENCH |W A F|O E K|S N L| FARSI MALTESE SAMOAN ALEUT PORTUGUESE |K L E|S N W|A F O| FORTRAN MANX VOLAPUK PHOENICIAN TAMIL |O N S|F L A|K E W| SIOUX INCA VIETNAMESE UTE SANSKRIT ————————————————— XHOSA HACK LAO PROTO-INDO- COBOL |E W K|A S N|L O F| LATIN HURON CZECH EUROPEAN URDU |F O L|W K E|N A S| LOZI HINDI FAEROESE IGBO LANGUE D’OC |A S N|L F O|W K E| GEEZ CASTILIAN MANDARIN KHMER PERL ————————————————— ARABIC CORNISH YORUBA CHINESE FILIPINO |S K W|E A F|O L N| OSAGE TATAR CREOLE ETRUSCAN WINNEBAGO |L F A|N O S|E W K| ENGLISH DUTCH CURRY GERMAN INTERLINGUA CATALAN GREEK HAUSA ANGLO-SAXON EFIK |N E O|K W L|F S A| CHEROKEE GAELIC MAORI ALGOL BURMESE ————————————————— JAVA SCOTS BASQUE HERERO GOSU Triple Word AVAR THAI LADIN ERSE The remaining ARMENIAN KOREAN TWI BRETON letters spell out Missing Letter: O Words: Rainbow, Stepover, Elastico ITALIAN SWEDISH CHAM HEBREW RHYMING Link: Football Skill Moves IDO MOTU NAGA ZULU SLANG 36 16.01.2015 THE STUDENT PAPER OF IMPERIAL COLLEGE LONDON FELIX

HANGMAN [email protected] Student actually prepared Number of Imperial students who take the bus for post-Christmas exams increases by 4600%

s the last greasy drops of festive cheer are inexorably Awrung from the common Imperial student, Hangman took a brief moment this week to glean superior knowledge from that most rare of beasts - a student thoroughly prepared for their post-Christmas examinations: “I wouldn’t say I’m arrogant, but I’m successful in literally everything I do.“ So says third year biology student Sergey Van Hamme, whose current position of choice is lounging on a cream Chaise Longue in his Fulham riverside penthouse. “Everybody keeps complaining about how hard these exams are, especially following a festive break. his Tuesday, industrial action “It was terrible,” she told Hangman I just don’t understand why, and it’s taste in film, he praises recent departmental award, obviously. I’m by the trade union Unite saw a in a coffee shop on Notting Hill Gate, not because I’m the best student in Benedict Cumberbatch hit The a modest guy, but my limitless talent Thuge upswing in the proportion with Queen’s Tower visible in the the year.” Imitation Game as “the funniest deserves the sincerest adoration.“ of university students who take the middle-distance over Hyde Park. So what’s the secret? What drives comedy of the year.” It’s not all fun and games for the bus. “Try as I might there was no possible this incandescent prodigy to be the “What made the humour so on savant, conceding that envious rivals Exam officers in every department way to get to the department in time best? Nothing, apparently: “To be fair, point was the way in which this guy are always around the corner. currently holding mid-year tests for my exams.” I don’t even need to revise. You know kept on struggling and struggling to “This ingrate who doesn’t even have been inundated with emails Meanwhile, undergrads in other those horrifically irritating people break this big code. Clearly, if it was have the vaguest understanding of from bus commuters who were years were left to attempt a day’s who do next to no work, but end up real life, all you’d need is a couple of N-terminal myristoylation sites in otherwise completely cut off from experimenting alone across several top of the class? They’re entirely hours with a pencil, some paper, a plant proteins said that he wanted to campus. faculties. “My lab partner just texted below me.” bottle of Cava and some Beethoven break my nose last week. One first year aero student from to say he can’t make it because of the But it’s not all about thoroughly on the radio. God knows I’ve cracked So I turned around and told him Pembridge Gardens found herself bus strike,” a third year was quoted undeserved top grades; Sergey has a harder – and easier! Like these that I hoped he got hit by a bus – a unable to reach college, with the as saying, “which I guess would be life too! exams.” bus of knowledge and intelligence, industrial action rendering the 52 okay, but we live in the same flat. On Keen to emphasise his “patrician” Next up for Sergey? “A that is.” and 452 busses out of action. Fulham Road.” Hangman interviews the anonymous admin behind Imperial’s most recent Facebook page

n anonymous student has fringe obscuring his face. He had a bravely decided to sacrifice MacBook open in front of him, and Ahis revision time over the had already started sorting through Christmas holidays to run a Facebook the messages he had received that page for Imperial students, despite day. having three final year exams to “I mean, I just really feel like I am tackle later on this week. making a difference,” he told us, The page, Imperial Humans Tell whilst trawling through the Google Someone in the Central Library their document submissions. “People come Secrets about the Fourth Floor, has to this page to really discuss how they over twenty posts detailing various feel, and I think people appreciate anecdotes, worries and shameful that.” secrets from Imperial students, all He highlighted a post calling out submitted via an anonymous Google someone in Beit Hall “a fucking now. I’ve never really lived out of He opens the page, and shows us a I’m out of the country, you know?” doc set up by our hero. useless wanker,” and published it to halls before, and in second year I was previous post, which features a link to He re-adds the girl’s name to the Not only that, this valiant figure the page, before taking a bite from failing my degree.” a picture of someone’s faecal matter drafted post, pauses, then adds, “Fuck has decided to remain anonymous his jacket potato. “People at Imperial He toys with removing her name, in a sink. “People don’t have to hide you, you skank!” before pressing too, despite numerous people need an outlet where we can be whilst continuing with his train who they are anymore.” submit. calling for his identity to be ourselves, connect as a community, of thought. “I decided to sort my He picks a thread from his beige He leans back in his chair, and then revealed. However, Hangman can and maybe share a bit of banter too.” academic record out, so basically trench coat absentmindedly as he muses, “Everyone loves free speech, exclusively announce that this elusive He shrugged, before dragging moved into the library on the fourth tells us how he plans to return home eh? People appreciate that we tell the engineering student has granted us another post into the status bar, floor. It was then I got the idea for the to Singapore soon, once he graduates. truth, even if it hurts.” an interview, to really find out what which names and shames some girl in page, and it seems to have taken off We ask him what will happen to his He collects his notebook, oversized makes this admin tick. Wilson who had apparently slept with since then.” page after, and he tells us of his plans headphones and camera, and we We met up with him in the Central numerous people on her corridor. He pauses, then decides to delete to continue to run it remotely. shake hands before he leaves to Library café, where he was slunk low “I’ve always been a bit distant, elusive, her name, before adding, “I feel like A sly smile crosses his face, and he return to the library. “I would just say, down at one of the desks, his black and separate from Imperial before people almost trust me, you know?” leans in. “College tutors can’t get me if don’t hate, appreciate, yeah? Bless.” FELIX THE STUDENT PAPER OF IMPERIAL COLLEGE LONDON 16.01.2015 37

HANGMAN [email protected]

Diary Of A Fresher aged 18 3/4 Saw Dorothy getting a jacket potato during a revision break, she’s on crutches now and has an eye patch, but she looks good. Saturday 10th January If I sleep for two hours I should be able to get up at 5am then revise another four Packing to go back to uni now, and it is taking forever as I don’t want to leave lectures. I have a plan, it should be fine. any Christmas presents behind in case Mom gets offended. Like, I don’t need a lamp desk or another dressing gown but she might start crying again about me Tuesday 13th of January leaving. So ready to go back to uni though, I have missed my hallmates so much Overslept and was nearly late to my exam. It was a disaster. I ran to campus and got there Sunday 11th January sweaty and out of breath, then spent the first twenty minutes trying to calm down before asking for some water. It was kind of odd being back in halls, with a roommate and a single bed. The fridge is a state in the kitchen and not full of free food and I forgot how cold it So embarrassing. I also could only answer like one question but I waited long enough so it is without heating. I forgot that weird musty smell all the corridors seem to have would appear I had just bossed it by leaving early, although now I am like what if I fail and don’t get back in. Maybe the next one will go well? Whatsapping home friends straight away about being back in London and how crap it is. They are taking the piss as apparently all I spoke about at home was Might google UCAS final deadlines just in case how good London was but I dunno I thought I was pretty modest and humble about living in the city. Wednesday 14th of January

I unpacked then went straight to the library (fourth floor). Am still here. Just missed UCAS final deadline

Monday 12th of January Been in library for about eight hours and literally did nothing. I think I was staring at some point on the wall for around 2 hours before snapping out of my daydream and realising that Have been in the library for 23 hours and no longer can focus on the page. maybe I am fucking thick and university was way too ambitious. maybe I could do a BTEC or Exam is tomorrow and I only managed to do 80 out of the 600 hours I needed to something? cover each lecture twice then do outside reading. Have literally only revised about 10 lectures out of 50 but have spent all of today working out what is most likely to Thursday 15th of January come up then reading a load of random wiki pages surrounding the topic. Second exam. Went just as bad. Want to cry. Now very drunk at the union and saw Kris That should pull me through, right? I ran into my lab partner in the library and Caye on the screen and just bawled and bawled and bawled. Am now crawled up in a ball he said he had only really looked at his notes a bit, and hadn’t really revised at all. scrolling through our old whatsapp messages. He reckons he will scrape a 2.1 he said, which he said he is cool with because its literally only 60% which is basically a low B and he got three A* at a-level anyway Hall mates are knocking on the door asking if I want more sambuka but I think I will literally be this sad forever. I want to go back home. I miss Mom HOROSCOPES CANCER TAURUS GEMINI VIRGO ARIES LEO

This week you start your New This week you return home to This week you post to Imperial This week you’re on Jeremy This week you’ve got your This week, you’re stuck on Years resolutions. You’ll go find out that your housemate Secrets. “A girl I’ve had a Kyle because at New Year, first exams at Imperial. You Level 4 of the library, when to all your lectures, do all the has decided to switch rooms thing for for days just told you accidently kissed your didn’t do much revision over you see someone walk past problemsheets the day they with you, leaving you with me she’d never want the D… girlfriends mum rather than the Christmas holidays, but without shoes on. At first are set and spend at least three the tiny box room that your PW. I’m currently crying her, and now she’s pregnant it’s not like the exams are you’re disgusted, but as the hours a day writing up notes. furniture doesn’t really fit into, heartbrokenly in the toilets.” with your baby, and no-one is going to be that much harder hours drag by, your toes start It’s been a couple of days and and he’s somehow changed the Of the twelve responses, the talking to each other. Oh well, than A-Levels. You leave the calling out to you. When you you’ve only had one lecture. locks to. To get revenge upon nicest is “Shut up wanker” could be worse, at least your exam room in the knowledge answer their siren song, you You’ve already failed. him, you decide to take the teeth mostly fit in your mouth. that if you get everything you delight in the moment of sweet only course of action available answered completely right, it’s relief before the cheesy smells to you, and jizz in his milk. still only 30%. Bless. wafts up to join you. CAPRICORN SAGITTARIUS AQUARIUS SCORPIO PISCES LIBRA

This week you come home after This week everything has been This week you miss out on a This week you’re woken up This week you are completely This week your film is snubbed the Christmas holidays, to find going great! You’re exams are PhD. The reason? Over the last by the sound of the postman heartbroken. The person most by the Oscars. Despite what your house an absolute tip. over, your girlfriend has finally year you have slept with every ringing the doorbells. He important to you throughout you’ve been trying to convince There are maggots in the sink, agreed to try anal and you’ve member of the research team. hands you a mysterious your childhood has betrayed people for the last few months cockroaches in the bathroom, finally got the biggest room in As you tell your friends this, package which, when you open you. You don’t know what to through the medium of very mice in the hallway and you the house off the housemate who they are not sure whether to it, turns out to contain glitters do or who to trust any more. catchy song, it turns out find a dead rat in your bedroom. wasn’t really there that much judge you, congratulate you, or that goes all over the hallway. They’ve changed the chocolate that not quite everything is Your housemates are delighted anyway. The only slight problem worship you as their god. As you and Henry team up to in Cadbury Creme Eggs. awesome. by the discovery, they’ve finally is that your Frosties tasted a bit clean up the mess, you try to Everything is over. hit pest bingo. Only six months strange this morning. figure out who could have sent to go… it. 23 possibilities so far. friday 16 january

ynold re s cocktail club Every Friday from 17:30

Every Friday we will be transforming Reynolds into a cocktail lounge with a chilled atmosphere, relaxed music and a new venue layout. Come on down and let our newly trained mixologists whip you up some classic cocktails, plus our very own creations and specialities! comingimperial up!collegeunion.org/reynolds Date Event Time Location Monday 19 Nice ‘n’ Spiky present Live Comedy 20:00 - 23:00 The Union Bar Friday 23 Spin 20:00 - 02:00 FiveSixEight & Metric Friday 23 Reynolds Bop 18:00 - 01:00 Reynolds

Every Tuesday Super Quiz 20:00 - 22:00 FiveSixEight

Every Tuesday Reynolds Film Club 19:00 - 22:00 Reynolds Every Wednesday CSP Wednesday 19:00 - 01:00 FiveSixEight & Metric Every Wednesday Sports Night 19:00 - 00:00 Reynolds Every Friday Reynolds Cocktail Club 17:30 - 00:00 Reynolds imperialcollegeunion.org/whats-on FELIX THE STUDENT PAPER OF IMPERIAL COLLEGE LONDON 16.01.2015 39 Clubs and Societies [email protected] C & S Editor Ben Howitt A Week in The Life of: Felix Ben Howitt on the daily life of the student newspaper

e decided to ‘start strong’ with Felix, under the Wassumption that we could write most of this over the break. I started writing on Monday morning . Saturday/Sunday The Union staff have already been back for a week, and the news that’s come in over Christmas means we have things to reprt on other than rugby clubs misbehaving. IC Radio & LeoSoc take over the Felix Office for their weekly meetings. More organised section editors have already sent out their commissioning emails, leaving the rest of us trailing in their wake. Skett is excited, and tweets about it. Monday Content is starting to be written, with other section editors in as well. This week the Food Editor’s busy on an essay. Typical Mondays are usually admin and social media updates, as well as sourcing stories. This is also when section editor’s meetings take place, as most people tend not to be writing up stories. Tuesday Content keeps being written, the keyboards (and writers) sounding a Scenes from a newsroom's mind. Photos: Thomas Lim/Twitter little more tired and harassed. Skett asks us in an email to tell her how collaborative pieces are written in spectacular fashion – I quickly in (hint: it shouldn’t), and whether or to fill the issue! many pages we have by 18:00 or “I’ll today. realised that I have absolutely zero not avengement is a word (hint: it’s The print deadline is at 23:00, and cut your fucking section”. As this is talents as a photographer. I collar the isn’t). we agree that it’s looking like a late still being written, I have little idea Wednesday next person through the door and Tardy section editors wonder finish. how long this piece will be. Layout day! Arts are in early as pressgang them (thanks, Tom!). exactly how much more of this they The never-ending cycle of always (7 pages this week). Most of can take before snapping, and decide Friday searching for non-stock images starts the content should be (read, isn’t) in Thursday to stay late on Wednesday from now The paper arrives from the printers in earnest, to finish on Thursday now, so all that’s left is fitting it onto We go to print this evening. Copy on. on Fridays, and the web team come when all of the high quality versions the page. Pretty much everyone picks Editors start coming in to go through News is still being written, and in to upload News and Comment. have been found. Wednesday to lay out, or, often, the paper, although there are only Skett decides again that we really Angry emails arrive to complain Today there’s been a long dicussion write their editorial. two of us at the moment. Usually we need to get some more News writers. about the Issue (more on this next on Charlie Hebdo, as there’ll be a I pick up the camera that’s barely reach 11:00 before the first We receive a picture of A Fresher’s week!). comment piece going in this week. lying around in the office, having shout of “Why can’t they spell?!” Diary from an anonymous source, Commissioning emails are sent A few people usually come in realised that my glorious plan of goes out – highlights from last term and everyone gathers around the out. The cycle of looking for pictures on Tuesday to start layout, and doing excellent photojournalism included an in depth conversation on computer for a reading. starts again. many of the comment articles and throughout the week has failed whether 4000 should have a comma We have sourced enough pictures Skett is tired. And tweets about it. Give Felix a Go! Earlier this week, Abi (the DPCS) put up a blog advertising the Give-it-a-Go (GIAG) events that Clubs and Societies are running this term. Felix are also running a challenge to give new writers a chance to get their first article published. Here’s how it works: 1) Email us at [email protected] with the subject line The only rules are that events cannot be run by a society of which you’re already “GIAG Challenge” a member and events must be on the Union What’s On Calendar 2) Come to the Felix GIAG event on Monday 26th January, 12:30-13:30. The challenge is also open if you don’t want to write about it (although we 3) Attend as many GIAG events as you can, and keep us updated of your total. would really appreciate it. 4) Write a 400-500 word article about one (or more) and send them into us! Looking forward to hearing from you! Issue 1593

[email protected] Sport Editor: Kunal Wagle KP, Southampton and Roger Federer. What have you missed in sport? Kunal Wagle recaps some of the major stories from the holiday

lot has happened in football over the Christmas holidays. A From a position of relative strength, Chelsea drew against Southampton and lost to Tottenham to allow Manchester City back into the title race. After the Tottenham defeat Chelsea and Manchester City could in fact only be separated by alphabetical order. Since then, though, Chelsea has opened a two- point gap. Just behind them in the table is Southampton, who won at Old Trafford for the first time in 27 years to overtake Louis van Gaal’s side and go third. Manchester United are now in fourth, two points behind Southampton, and one ahead of Arsenal. The bottom of the table is also very close, with just three points separating twelfth placed Everton and nineteenth placed Queens Park Rangers. The other two teams in the relegation zone are Hull City and Leicester City. The manager merry-go-round as Chelsea have seen their lead in the Premier League cut significantly since Christmas. Photo: Getty Images already started. Neil Warnock and Alan Irvine have been sacked and Test Match cricket after the third He beat a top-four player for the first in 1992. Federer demonstrated the replaced by Alan Pardew and Tony test against Australia in Melbourne. time since the Wimbledon final in immense form he is currently in with Pulis respectively. Newcastle are Dhoni had played 90 tests in his 2013 when he thrashed Rafael Nadal a 39-minute victory over Australian currently looking for a manager. career. His replacement as captain, in the semi-final of an exhibition hopeful James Duckworth in the Wilfried Bony has completed a move Virat Kohli, became the first person tournament in Abu Dhabi. He quarter-finals. Federer said of the to Manchester City from Swansea for to score three centuries in his first would go on to win the tournament, 1000th win: “I’ve played a lot of £28m. tennis over the years so to get to 1,000 Ched Evans is still searching for a wins means a lot to me. new club to play at after a proposed “It’s a special moment, no doubt deal with Oldham Athletic fell about that. I will never forget this through. Oldham had contacted match.” sponsors to inform them that a deal Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and US Open had been agreed, but reversed their Champion Marin Cilic have pulled decision in light of sponsors backing out of the Australian Open due to out and a 40,000 strong petition. injuries. Evans, while still maintaining his Photo: Getty Images Photo: Getty Images In a light-hearted moment, Serena innocence, would later apologise. Williams, having lost the first set to The previous day he had released a three innings as captain, when he as Novak Djokovic pulled out of Flavia Penneta 6-0 at the Hopman statement saying that he blamed ‘mob scored 147 in the fourth test in the tournament having fallen ill. Cup in Perth, asked the chair umpire rule’ as the talks were terminated. Sydney. Australian captain Steve Djokovic then suffered a shock if it was against the rules to have Smith scored a century in each test defeat at the hands of 35-year-old Ivo a coffee. She would later order an as Australia won the series 2-0 to Karlovic in the quarter-finals of the espresso from a ball girl (citing jet lag reclaim the Border-Gavaskar trophy. Qatar Open in Doha. as the issue), before going on to win Sacked England batsman Kevin Roger Federer created history when the match convincingly. Pietersen caused a stir during a he secured his 1000th career win on In rugby, Ben Morgan has been commentary stint in the Big Bash the ATP tour. The milestone victory ruled out of the Six Nations with a "I know that in Australia. Pietersen said “I know came for Federer in the final of the broken leg. Saracens lock George the current that the current [one-day] captain "It’s a Brisbane International. He beat Kruis was cited for a tip tackle and captain would love to have me in the England special Milos Raonic in a hard fought match subsequently banned for three would love... team.” He later added: “I want to play moment. I that went the distance, with Federer weeks. He will be available for the Six for England. I honestly believe I am eventually prevailing 6-4 6-7 (2-7) 6-4. Nations. Photo: Getty Images me in the batting as well as I have ever batted at will never Federer is the third person to reach And finally, Paula Radcliffe has England the moment.” forget this the landmark. Jimmy Connors was announced that she will run the In cricket, Indian captain team" In tennis, Andy Murray has been match" the first, while the most recent player London Marathon in April, but that Mahendra Singh Dhoni retired from seeded sixth for the Australian Open. (Ivan Lendl) reached the milestone it will be her last ever race.