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“Keep the Cat Free”

04/10/13 Issue 1554 felixonline.co.uk

Imperial’s TSU moves to UCL THIS ISSUE... Despite pleas by students College transfers Translation Studies Unit CAREERS Nida Mahmud News Editor

n Wednesday 2 September, Imperial and University College London offi cially announced that the OTranslation Studies Unit (TSU) at The international Imperial will be moving to UCL. h e TSU will be moving to UCL’s IAESTE experience 37 School of European Languages, Culture and Society, within the Faculty of Arts and Humanities. h e school is well known internationally and it encourages interaction and TRAVEL exchange amongst specialists across the Arts and Humanities. A spokesperson from Imperial said the move of the unit will “capitalise on its existing long-term collaboration with translation experts from [UCL], allowing it greater scope to develop its research and education activities in the future”. Earlier in February of this year, the College declared that the activities undertaken by the unit would be Death-defying reviewed, as they were thought not to be “integral to the delivery of Imperial’s activities in La Paz 28 academic strategy”. h erefore the TSU has dodged the worst case scenario of closure. h e TSU was founded in 2001 and primarily deals with science ARTS translation and has over 50 MSc

students and 25 PhD students. GOOGLE PLUS h e Head of the TSU, Dr Jorge Díaz-Cintas commented: “We are The move to UCL comes despite continued petitions by TSU students which were supported by the Union Council very excited about the opportunities that this move to another world- the last 12 years.” Professor Debra Humphris, Pro However in a meeting on the twelfth class institution like UCL will bring h e Dean of UCL’s Faculty of Arts Rector (Education) here at Imperial of February students from the TSU for us. UCL has a great track record and Humanities, Professor Jonathan responded with: “This move draws presented a paper to the Union Council in translation and we have been Wolff , stated: “I’m delighted to the TSU into a greater critical mass of detailing their concerns about the way collaborating with them for many welcome the Translation Studies Unit translation expertise and enables it to go the decisions were bring carried out years. We are really looking forward to UCL. We have been long-standing from strength to strength in the future. and the impact College’s actions would to working with our new colleagues to admirers of their work, and believe We wish all of the Unit’s members the have on current TSU students. This Looking at the make sure that translation continues that together we will provide world very best in their future work.” lead to the Union Council offi cially to be as highly successful in our new leading expertise in audiovisual, At the time of writing the Union supporting the student run campaign Fourth Plinth 16 home as it has been at Imperial during technical and literary translation.” had yet to release an offi cial response. against the proceedings. 2 FRIDAY 04 OCT EDITOR’S PICKS

FOOD - 30 CLUBS & SOCS - 32 PUZZLES - ? Farmers Market USA! USA! Missing :( Daas Kaluvan reviews the new Our champion Chess Team Looking for some puzzle com- South Kensington Farmers’ (who new we were British Uni manders with a cryptic gaze Market on the Imperial campus Champions) takes over the and a love for mystery. Also, and cooks pan-seared pigeon American Chess scene in style why haven’t you solved last breast. Yum! with their trusty steed. week’s word search? Huh?

Mingle Moments Are you a Fresher or someone who just wants to see Freshers’ being First Week Back slightly tipsy or silly? Have you seen the Mingle Moments videos? STOIC (Student Television of Imperial College) fi lmed both nights of the Mingle which can be seen on youtube, along with their previous productions like last years televised “Big Elections Hustings”, the College vs. Medics Varsity match and several episodes of IC News. Joe Letts Editor-in-Chief youtube.com/stoictv o, who knew that prepar- Union this year as a free alternative for in 1948. Since its start after World War ing for the Freshers’ Fair people who didn’t want (or were too II as a way to encourage academic ex- would only leave two days young) to drink during their fi rst event change between universities IAESTE to produce and send off a out for the year. The event was quite has gone on to host over 300,000 newspaper? Certainly not successful (with music organised by students in over 80 countries. For Sme, despite my Imperial education, IC Radio), with over 500 attendees those of you considering applying for sometimes it makes you wonder what and live performances from Jazz ‘n a Paid Summer internship you should Erratum I actually did. Rock, Crystal X and a band composed consider going to IAESTE’s London Felix would like to apologise for an error in last week’s print edition. Due to a There’s an interesting paper for you of wardens from Beit hall. However welcome event this Sunday. You also mistake in the editing phase we accidentally printed a truncated title. What to read this week with an update about Felix believes this has accompanied a have until December 10th to register was “As Hitler once said: Execute” we meant to print “As Hitler once said: the Translation Studies Unit’s move noticeable increase in vigilance by the for the scheme, so if you’re keen I’d Execute Plan Z!” Felix would like to apologise for the mistake both to the to UCL despite student campaigning Union at events that contain alcohol, stop reading and do it now! author our readers. and the Unit’s profi table performance. especially in regards to events where While you’re reading this issue, you Additionally on the opposite page minors might show up. As it stands might see things that you think could there’s an interesting article about the Union has released a new Alcohol have been done better or viewpoints the shocking conditions at Fisher Code of Conduct for Clubs, Societies we’ve completely missed out. That’s LOLCAT OF TEH WEEK: I’ve been told to bring these back... House. You would think that students & Projects this week that explicitly great, we’re still looking for more at such a highly regarded university states that a number of new under- people to join the Felix team and if would be treated a bit better and at graduates are underage and warns you email in I won’t mind adding your the very least not be left to walk along Club, Society and Project chairs that name to our mailing lists, it will seem a corridor with exposed wiring, sur- they have a responsibility to ensure simple after I’ve upload the names rounded by electrical equipment that that U18’s do not break the law during from the Freshers’ Fair this weekend. hasn’t passed safety tests in several CSP events. Looking forward we hope to get years and heaters that have the curi- We’ve also launched the new Ca- some more features in the paper, in- ous power of bring able to set off fi re reers section in this edition, go and cluding a look at College’s exciting alarms. There are some serious con- have a look, go on! We’ve managed Horizons program for fi rst and second cerns about student welfare that need to get a guest column about effec- year undergraduates and some inter- to be addressed by Campus Services, tive networking from the helpful staff views of unsuspecting individuals I’ve regardless of whether these problems at the Careers Service, an alumnus been planning for some time have been fi xed since the pictures profi le (thanks Androula Alekou) and Finally, as this is my second issue, were taken in June. an article by a former Imperial student I should really thanks the people who However, this issue also contains about the International Association for made it all possible, including Tim more pleasant content, live pictures the Exchange of Students for Techni- Arbabzadah (who helped immensely from the Mingle and the new Alter- cal Experience (IAESTE), an exchange with Issue 1) and Rory Fenton the man native Mingle. The Alternative Mingle scheme celebrating it’s 65th anniver- in the cat suit. was a new concept developed by the sary since it was founded by Imperial

Felix, Beit Quad, Prince Consort Road, London SW7 2BB. Email: [email protected]. Tel: 020 7594 8072. Fax: 020 7594 8065. THIS BROUGHT Printed by Iliffe Print Cambridge, Winship Road, Cambridge. Registered newspaper ISSN 1040-0711. Copyright © Felix 2013. WEEK WASTO YOUBY Editor-in-Chief Joe Letts News Editors Aemun Reza, Nida Mahmud Features Editors VACANT Business Editor James Tsim Science Editors Philippa Skett, Keir Little, Fiona Hartley Politics Editor Kartikeya Rana Food Editors Carol Ann Cheah, Michael Chung Comment Editors Eoghan J. Totten, Tessa Davey Arts Editor Arianna Sorba Books Editors Maciej Matuszewski, Eva Rosenthal Music Editors Simon Hunter, Riaz Agahi, Stuart Masson, William Stocker Television Editors John Park, Emily Fulham Film Editor John Park Games Editors Maximilian Eggl, Calum Skene, Imran Rashid Technology Editors Maximilian Eggl, Yong Wen Chua Travel Editor Chris Richardson Sports Editors VACANT Online Editors Philip Kent, Annina Sartor, Stephen Ball Puzzles Commanders VACANT Copy Chief Annina Sartor Copy Editors Annina Sartor, Stephen Ball FRIDAY 04 OCT 3

Editors: Aemun Reza, Nida Mahmud [email protected] NEWS

not currently unsafe despite the date having passed. All circuits and fuse Fisher Halls are Fishy boards are scheduled to be tested this term, and any remedial work will be carried out as required.

‘The Jail’ halls get secret inspection Fixed appliance testing was carried out in Fisher hall in September 2012, the asbestos is safe in doors which testing date. h ey become extremely the college states halls will be kept at including on the wall mounted heat- Ben Fernando receive such strong knocks and are hot to the touch and when left on, whilst occupied. ers shown in picture 2. h e next test Reporter damaged in places. smell distinctly smoky and are even When a Hall Supervisor inspected is due later this month. It appears that In addition, the lack of central reported to have set off the fi re one room, the only fl aw in an otherwise the heaters have not been stickered Aemun Reza heating means that many of the alarms. Sometimes, they tend to fail sub-par room was the origami birds correctly. Imperial’s electrical con- News Editor rooms are heated with wall-mounted in the winter, which leaves the room hanging from the fi re tube. She stated tractors now tend to keep electronic fan heaters, which are past their PAT at a temperature below the 20°C that that they were ‘very dangerous’ and records/registers rather than apply ‘must be removed immediately’. All stickers, which tend to fall off . h e uch of last year’s other serious issues with the room accommodation team should have ar- #AgainstActon went by unnoticed. ranged for old stickers to be removed, campaign focused In addition to not adhering to the however. on the impending college’s promises on electrical safety, closure of Evelyn Fisher Hall currently presents a poorly h ere were a number of telephone MGardens’ Fisher Hall. h e huge kept environment for students to live junction boxes in the Hall that are re- campaign lasted months but the plans in and is a completely diff erent image dundant (photo 6). h ese have already to create the halls were continued. from the immaculate rooms in Prince’s been removed or are in the process of In 2011, the college announced that Gardens that are shown to prospective being removed, as per picture 4. the Fisher Hall was no longer required. students on Open Days. h is was due to the completion of (As of June 2013) Damage to the window frame pic- Prince’s Gardens halls, which means tured is due to condensation. Accom- that there was a surplus of bed spaces. modation staff continue to monitor As a result, they and the Wellcome Update from Campus Services the situation and students with any Trust (the owners of the building) concerns can contact their Hall Su- submitted a proposal to convert Fisher pervisor if they have any concerns. Hall into a care home. h e College routinely carries out Similarly damage to the ceiling, as A couple of years later, in 2013, maintenance to ensure students’ ac- shown in one of the photographs, was the college surprised the Union by commodation meets required safety due to a defect on the roof, allowing announcing that more bed spaces were standards. water through. h at defect has been now needed as they would be closing Updates on some of the issues iden- fi xed, the peeling paint removed and Garden Hall too. To make up this tifi ed in the photographs: the accommodation team are closely defi cit, they put forward a proposal monitoring it. to build a 700-bed accommodation- h e date shown on the 2012 stick- only campus in North Acton, which is er is a recommended timeframe. It is College Spokesperson a 40 minute commute each way from South Kensington. BEN FERNANDO h e College claimed that it would This looks quite like the inside of an Imperial engineerʼs brain Sponsored Editorial cost around £10 million to refurbish the hall for students, and thus the conversion into a care home was more Student Discounts At fi nancially viable. It is well known that Fisher Halls’ current state is less than adequate and could be seen as Fresh Hairdressers unsuitable for the elderly and disabled. h e director of Campus Services, 70m from South Kensington tube Jane Neary, told Felix in 2011 that the reason for the closure was ‘not that [the hall isn’t] good enough, it’s completely legal [in terms of upkeep]’, adding that ‘we’ve done all the urgent work’. Men’s cuts £22 (normally £35) Upon inspection by an Imperial All over clipper cuts from £10 student, it was noted that there was Women’s cut and rough dry £28 a large area of exposed wiring on Women’s cut and salon fi nish one of the stairwells. A large number blow-dry £38 (normally £55) of electrical components did not Highlights from only £40 appear to have been tested in line with these regulations. h e testing Sorry CASH only! certifi cates indicated that they were due for testing in August 2012, but as FRESH hairdressers are offering of June 2013, the certifi cates had not BEN FERNANDO the best haircuts, prices and Appointments available Tuesday to been replaced. Some appliances were The expiry date is older than the milk in the fridge of Felix Offi ce service in South Kensington. Saturdays 9.30 to 6.30 three years past their due date. h e college states that “all college owned Please call 0207 823 8968 to We are only 70 metres from appliances are tested annually and all book an appointment and ask for South Kensington station at 15a wiring is tested every fi ve years”. a student discount. Please bring Harrington road, South Kensington, Asbestos is another concern in your student ID we look forward to SW7 3ES 0207 823 8968. Fisher hall. A second year Physicist seeing you. explains that he is uncomfortable with We use the best styling products Check out our website: the asbestos-fi lled fi re doors. “You from Wella, Moroccan Oil, L’Oreal. www.freshhairdressers.co.uk push them and they bang against the wall and then hit you in the face” he BEN FERNANDO says, explaining that he’s not sure that Maybe the engineers were too busy volunteering at the Olympics? 4 FRIDAY 10 MAY

Editors: VACANT FEATURES [email protected] Felix @ the Mingle © 2013 Accenture. All rights reserved.

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Editors: VACANT FEATURES [email protected] ...& the Alternative Mingle FRIDAY 04 OCT 7

@feliximperial

FelixImperial WHAT’S ON Coming this week... Careers Service 13:30-15:30 - Book in person at Friday 11th Saturday 5th Monday 7th Seminar: Create a Winning CV Careers Service - £10 deposit required Careers Service Graduate Student’s Union Careers Service 16:15-17:15 (Book via JobsLive) (correct change only) Pop-up CV Check @ SAF (Foyer) 11:00 @ Queen’s Tower Seminar: Intro to Assessment Centres 12:45-13:45 Free guided walks around Central 16:15-17:15 (Book Via JobsLive) Imperial Cinema STOIC Bring a paper copy of your CV, fi rst London 18:30 @ IC Union 15:00-17:00 @ Media Studio, Beit come, fi rst served. Workshop: Preparing for Assess. Cntrs. World War Z Quad West Basement Postgraduate Mingle 12:30-14:00 (Book via JobsLive) 20:45 @ IC Union Live fi lming of IC News Seminar: Interview Skills Seminar 19:00 @ IC Union Man of Steel 16:15-17:15 (Book via JobsLive) Tickets Buy One Get One Free Pop-up CV Check @ JCR Tickets available online or at the door. 12:45-13:45 Snooker & Pool Club Bring a paper copy of your CV, fi rst RCSU 12:00-14:00 @ Snooker Room, Beit come, fi rst served. 21:00-03:00 Thursday 10th Sunday 6th RCSU Autumn Ball Quad Tickets at £12 online, inc. 3 FREE Careers Service Free drop-in session to talk about the IC Union IKEA Trip RCSU double mixers Workshop: Preparing for Assess. club and play some snooker 12:00-17:00 Meet @ Beit Quad RCSU Presents: A Very British Tea Party Centrs. -Presentation skills Coach transport provided to IKEA 12:30-14:00 (Book Via JobsLive) Wembly. 17:00-19:00 @ Union Activity Space 2 Enjoy a free cup of tea and some cute Wednesday 9th “Want to advertise Tickets (£7.50) available from the Careers Talk: h e Japan Exchange and cakes at the RCSU Tea Party. Careers Service Union website. Teaching (JET) Programme your event in the Free Boxing Club Taster Workshop: Preparing for Assess. 13:00-13:50 (Book Via JobsLive) 16:00-18:00 @ Union Gym Centrs. - Group activities 12:30-14:00 What’s On page? Two free taster classes for all abilities. (Book Via JobsLive) Seminar: Create a Winning CV 16:15-17:15 (Book via JobsLive) IAESTE Welcome Event Tuesday 8th Careers Talk: Daiwa Scholarships: Lan- 19:00 @  e Vault Bar, EC2M 4NR Careers Service guage Learning, Homestay and Work Careers Sector Forum: Energy Industry Email: A change to meet IAESTE alumni Workshop: Group Mock Interview Placement in Japan Forum 13:00-13:50 and learn more about it. 12:30-14:00 (Book Via JobsLive) (Book Via JobsLive) 18:30-21:00 (Book Via JobsLive) Free, apply online Careers Talk: Opportunities in [email protected]” Investment Banking Employer-led Skills Workshop: How to Space Society Introductory Event 13:00-13:50 (Book Via JobsLive) Crack a Case Study (Oliver Wyman) 18:00-19:00 @ Skempton 164

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Get involved in making your student experience the best it can be. STAND 28 September - 13 October

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Editor: James Tsim [email protected] BUSINESS Axe VAT for the hospitality industry Pushing for cheaper food and drink in pubs and restaurants!

VAT for hotel accommodation, this promises to boost the size of James Tsim while 13 countries had a reduced the industry whilst lowering the cost Business Editor What do you rate to cafés, pubs, restaurants and to us customers. So join supporters think about catering services. h e cost of living in of this campaign such as Pret a hotels is a danger to the UK tourism Manger, Weatherspoons, Subway, How can reducing VAT help the VAT? industry and we must keep prices and TGI Fridays, Pizza Hut etc, economy? In 1974 VAT competitive with those abroad. and campaign for fair VAT rates. In order to bring this campaign With high unemployment levels and was reduced to light, the VAT club organised a increasing diffi culty in fi nding jobs, to 8%. Tax Parity Day. h is was held on the the job market in the UK along with 25th September 2013, where over 44 the economy needs boosting. One VAT currently businesses (15,000 outlets) across the Join the method suggested by the VAT club country took part in campaigning founded by Jacques Borel is that a stands at and participating in Tax Parity Day. reduction in VAT would increase 20%. h ese included JD Weatherspoons Felix sales and employment, bringing and Punch Taverns. All businesses long term benefi ts to the economy. (40% restaurants, 60% pubs) which Business VAT (Value Added Tax) is the tax possibly higher salaries for employees annum, there would be less under- took part in the event lowered their on the purchase price of goods. and better training, therefore reporting of cash receipts (‘Tax Gap’) prices by 7.5% in support of a VAT cut. h is is an indirect tax, which is increasing the quality of service. and as such higher income tax yields Borel claims “If we compare with what Team enforced on all people regardless of Another argument for the reduction as a result of less under-reporting. has happened in Germany, Finland, their wealth; a poor person would of VAT for the hospitality sector Belgium and France, if you make a Today! be taxed the same amount on a is to keep it fair and in line with h e question we must ask is: 7.5% price cut, you will have 25% more product as a rich person would be. supermarkets. Currently pubs and How much will a reduction in VAT clients, which is very signifi cant.” According to Jacques Borel, one restaurants pay 20% VAT on food cost the economy? Borel also says that 10,000 pubs have sector which would benefi t widely and drinks, whilst supermarkets pay closed and many others are suff ering from reduced VAT is the hospitality 0% VAT. h is has led to many people, A reduction in VAT from 20% - 5% through insuffi cient investment.” Are you sector. h is particular sector mounts especially students deciding to eat would result is a direct loss of £5.5 h is project however has not had an incredibly strong argument for the in rather than out, meaning fewer billion (excluding alcohol). However, much reception by the treasury. interested in reduction of VAT. h e total number people supporting the on-trade and the research suggests that once the In short, we should all consider of jobs in the hospitality sector in the the jobs created there. h ey claim that indirect gains from the reduction of supporting lower VAT for food and fi nance or UK is approximately 2 million and the it is not fair that supermarkets pay a VAT has been taken into account, the drink in the hospitality industry, as industry is particularly important in fraction of the tax pubs pay per pint. net fi scal cost would be between £0.7 business within providing fi nancial stability to young, However, a reduction in tax would and £3.1 billion. h e research also unskilled, and disadvantaged workers. lead to a direct decline in income for suggests that the reduction in VAT jounalism? h e Association of Licensed Multiple the treasury via VAT receipts. Jacques would create between 290,000 and Retailers job tracker research showed Borel suggests however that this 670,000 jobs. An example of this was that licensed hospitality created 1 in 6 diff erence would be made up for by in early 2012, when President Nicolas jobs for 18-24 year olds. h e expansion higher income tax, National Insurance Sarkozy declared the VAT decrease Send an email of this sector is relatively easy, with payments, higher corporation tax had saved 30,000 cafés and restaurants pubs, bars, and cafes with low barriers receipts, saving in unemployment that were struggling fi nancially. to: of entry. Lower VAT rates would be benefi ts and through the fact that One other sector which could able to stimulate the creation of new more businesses will end up paying benefi t enormously from the decrease felix.business@ businesses and jobs in the sector. tax. h is is because there will be less in tax is hotel accommodation. As On top of that, the VAT reduction incentive for small businesses to stay of January 1st 2012, 22 European imperial.ac.uk would lead to lower prices in food, below the tax threshold of £77,000 per countries had a reduced rate of Imperial Plus Developing your skills

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Editors: Philippa Skett, Keir Little, Fiona SCIENCE Hartley [email protected] Skett’s science corner Blood, snot and students Philippa Skett Science Editor Fiona Hartley tells us why scientists will soon be adding a new weapon to our arsenal against fl u

Welcome to Felix Science! If this is your fi rst time I’m sure several of you are suff ering Grail’ for infl uenza researchers. Last Professor Lalvani called the fi ndings reading these pages then congratulations are in order; with freshers’ fl u by now, as I am, be- week Imperial demonstrated its dedi- a “blueprint” to guide future vaccine managing to tear your eyes away from the centrefold cause sharing your germs via sniffl ing cation to this goal when Professor Ajit development. h eir study contains and pursuing something a bit more academic, and so and/or coughing on your unfortunate Lalvani and his team published their precise information about the char- early on in the year too, is no mean feat. To all our peers in lectures is akin to physical in- conclusions from a two-year long acteristics of the protective T-cells regular science enthusiasts (we know who you are, timacy here at Imperial. You’d rather study of the health of 342 staff and stu- and this can be incorporated into the all ten of you) welcome back - we are hoping to hit be healthy, or at least in bed, as you dent volunteers in Nature Medicine. testing of novel infl uenza vaccines, as harder than ever this year and make sure we deliver up sip your Lemsip Max and wish that h e study began in the autumn of well as potentially leading to a vaccine to date science with a minimum of one pun per title. you hadn’t shuffl ed through crowds 2009 when the swine fl u pandemic that stimulates a T-cell response large I’m Philippa and I make up a third of the science of virus-laden students in the QTR at was starting. Previous models had enough to have the desired protective editorial team alongside Keir, a charismatic chemist Freshers’ Fair. suggested that T-cells, the little lym- eff ect. and Fiona, a bubbling biologist like myself. If you are While Freshers’ fl u is basically a bad phocytes which are crucial in the cell- So your nasal secretions contain a physicist, a mathematician or even an engineer, cold that makes us feel a bit shit right mediated immune response, could more value than you might fi rst think. get in touch and start writing for us! Otherwise it is when we want to be out on the town recognise core proteins within the in- And while I’d prefer a greater number going to be articles alternating between the ecology enjoying ourselves the annual fl u epi- fl uenza virus and perhaps confer some of volunteers to have been part of the of guppies and scandals involving titration curves. demic is a much more serious aff air. protection against symptoms of fl u. study, I think it’s great that students My top science story this week is that of the chemist Infl uenza always poses a potentially h e team used the pandemic to ex- were indirectly involved. Imagine be- who was recently jailed for killing her husband. Akin serious risk to our health and that re- plore this theory. Once the volunteers ing one of them, smug in the knowl- to the Breaking Bad storyline in that basically lab mains a fact despite sensationalised had donated blood samples and nasal edge that the disgusting river which supplies were stolen and someone then dies, Tianle Li news reports claiming the latest pan- swabs, they were sent a health survey dribbled out of your nose four years from New Jersey slowly poisoned computer engineer demic will kill millions of people. (I ever three weeks and asked to donate ago infl uenced the advancement of Xiaoye Wang when their marriage disintegrated. do realise that I’m guilty of the same another nasal swab if they suff ered science… Unlike Breaking Bad, this chemical crime did not pay thing, referring to war in the title from any symptoms of infl uenza. h is is good news for the future of off in thousands of dollars and hundreds of Emmy of this article – but how else do you h e group found that the volunteers fl u vaccination and our general health. nominations, but instead resulted in a life sentence for make a future fl u vaccine sound excit- who suff ered from milder symptoms It will be many long years before infl u- the mother-of-one after a science-savvy nurse worked ing? Please tell me…) of fl u when infected had a greater enza is a thing of the past, however; I out that his symptoms pointed to thallium exposure. A vaccine that is eff ective against all number of CD8+ T-cells in their suppose it will be even longer before h allium ions are chemically similar in size to strains of fl u is described as the ‘Holy blood at the beginning of the study. we see the back of freshers’ fl u. potassium ions, rendering the cellular channels for potassium useless in distinguishing between them both. h allium is able to enter cells and disrupts the normal ion movement of potassium, causing a whole host of biochemical issues. Only one gram of thallium can kill New form of matter created from photons a human, and as it causes a large range of symptoms, poisoning may not be diagnosed until it is too late. Although Li pleaded not guilty, the research she conducted with biopharmaceutical company Bristol-Myers Squibb was centred on the eff ect Keir Little of thallium on humans, so accessing the banned Science Editor substance would have been just too easy. h allium is soluble in water, so administration would have been straightforward, too: a slip of the wrist by seemingly h e Harvard-MIT Center for innocent Li would have been all it took to get the Ultracold Atoms has created substance into her husband’s drink with dinner. “photonic molecules” by binding Since it can be diffi cult to diagnose, by the photons together, as published in time Xiaoye’s symptoms were linked to thallium Nature last week. poison there was no time to get the rare antidote, h e team, led by Harvard’s Professor MIKHAIL LUKIN, VLADAN VULETIC/NATURE Prussian blue, and the damage was done. Mikhail Lukin and MIT’s Professor So if writing about that latest pathogen pathway Vladan Vuletic, fi rst cooled an When two photons are fi red in, we’re pushing the frontiers of science, doesn’t fl oat your boat, consider diving into the extremely rarefi ed gas of rubidium they exit joined together, as if in a but it feeds into the bigger picture of decidedly dark side of science instead. Get in touch, “It’s not an atoms to a few degrees above absolute molecule. h is is due to an eff ect what we’re doing because photons write about your favourite toxin and share your science inapt analogy zero, then used weak laser pulses to called the Rydberg blockade, which remain the best possible means to stories: anything that packs a punch is sure to be printed. to compare fi re single photons into the gas. disallows atoms near to each other carry quantum information. h e this to light In this medium, the photons are being excited to the same state. When handicap, though, has been that sabers” slowed considerably by interacting two photons are in the rubidium photons don’t interact with each with and giving energy to the rubidium cloud, one must move forward after other.” atoms. “When the photon exits the exciting an atom so that the second h e eff ect could be used to make medium, its identity is preserved,” one can move in and excite other photonic switches or logic gates for Lukin said. “It’s the same eff ect we see atoms nearby. h us, the photons pull use in quantum computers, or for Want to write for us? with refraction of light in a water glass. or push on each other as they move laser cooling and information transfer h e light enters the water, it hands through the medium. applications in current computers. Email to get involved: off part of its energy to the medium, “It’s a photonic interaction that’s “It’s not an inapt analogy to compare and inside it exists as light and matter mediated by the atomic interaction,” this to light sabers,” Lukin added. [email protected] coupled together, but when it exits, it’s Lukin said. “h at makes these two “When these photons interact with still light. h e process that takes place photons behave like a molecule, and each other, they’re pushing against is the same, it’s just a bit more extreme when they exit the medium they’re and defl ect each other. h e physics of - the light is slowed considerably, and much more likely to do so together what’s happening in these molecules is a lot more energy is given away than than as single photons. similar to what we see in the movies.” during refraction.” “We do this for fun, and because FRIDAY 04 OCT 11

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FelixScience SCIENCE Link found between HIV and cocaine Phillipa Skett writes about the latest fi ndings in HIV research

It is a drug whose users come from threat as effi ciently and as successfully across all walks of life; from traders in as possible. h ey “help” the immune the big cities to celebrities in the bath- system in getting its act together, to rooms, cocaine is a substance com- combine forces and tackle the infec- monly associated with excess, confi - tion head on. dence, and power. h is week scientists HIV is so potent because it breaks also drew links between this Class A down the prime defence mechanism drug and something far less desirable; the body has against infection, eff ec- research conducted by University of tively bringing the enemy down from California, Los Angeles (UCLA) has the inside. HIV infects the CD4 T- found that cocaine use may increase Cells, causing them to burst or be tar- the possibility of successful HIV in- geted by other cells for degradation. fection, and not just due to lifestyle h is causes the number of CD4 choices alone. Cells to decrease, weakening the abil- h e report, published by the Journal ity of the diff erent cells within the im- of Leukocyte Biology, demonstrated mune system to join forces together that CD4 T-Cells, key immune cells and fi ght off future infections. h is found throughout the body, become is why HIV doesn’t kill patients di- more susceptible to the Human Im- rectly Acquired Immunodefi ciency munodefi ciency Virus when in the Syndrome (AIDS) is when the CD4 presence of cocaine. Because of the T-Cell count drops so low the patient overlapping lifestyles that can be as- has, as the name suggests, a defi cient sociated with both cocaine use and immune system and cannot fi ght off HIV infection, this is a particularly infections. h ese opportunistic infec- worrying new piece of research, and tions can be caused by a whole host of indicates that cocaine users are more microorganisms, and lead to adverse at risk than previously thought of con- symptoms when there is no immune tracting the deadly disease. system to stifl e them. Usually, HIV functions by infecting h e scientists who conducted the CD4 Cells, which are a type of T help- study collected blood from human er cells. T helper cells are white blood donors that were healthy, isolated the FORCOLLEGEANDCOMMUNITY cells that, upon detecting infection, CD4 T-Cells and then exposed them The HIV virus. activate other immune cells around to cocaine over a period of three days. them by releasing chemical messen- h en it was simply a case of watching signifi cant diff erence in infection rates cocaine, rendering cells more suscep- of other drugs too, and as of yet it is gers known as cytokines. h ey trigger and waiting- the researchers moni- and subsequent new viral production tible to HIV infection, but as is the unknown if these too may increase the a cascade of immunological activity, tored the progression of the HIV life- to those that remained cocaine free. case with many of these things, more possibly of HIV infection for such es- bringing together other components cycle, and saw that in cells bathed in a h is may be facilitated by receptors research is needed. Worryingly, these sential immunological cells. of the immune system to remove any cocaine-derived solution, there was a on the CD4 cells that are agonists for receptors are agonists for a plethora DOI:10.1189/jlb.1112566

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Editor: Kartikeya Rana POLITICS [email protected] US GOVT. SHUTDOWN WHO ARE AL SHABBAB? 2006. h e government and other in- terim forces eventually defeated these Disaster strikes as bipartisan talks break down forces but the group still remained as a terrorist force. h ey have planned and successfully executed various insur- inevitable fi ghting. gent and other suicide attacks. h is shutdown not only aff ects the US According to various sources, they but also the international community recruit people, sometimes forcibly, as a whole. As a result of globalisation, to take part in these terrorist attacks. economic problems faced by the US Some claim that young men are forced has had the tendency to cause trou- by circumstances to join this group to ble elsewhere as well. A lot of coun- conduct their operations rather than tries have shown fear as a result of the Kartikeya because of an ideological support. shutdown. Rana h e Al Shabbab is more nationalis- tic in nature than other terrorist or- My take: Politics Editor ganisations. h ey tend to have most I am disgusted to see how the US con- of their operations against the TFG gress has dealt with the budget. Just (Transitional Federal Government of because of an ideological standpoint, Somalia). h e Al Shabbab has bitter congressmen seem to be ready to al- A devastating attack in a shopping sentiments against the KDF (Kenyan low a large part of their population mall in Nairobi took place on the 23rd Defence Forces) for being present in to be rendered jobless. I don’t believe of September. Gunmen killed 67 peo- Somalia. h is animosity has led them that the Republican Party has pro- ple, according to government sources to attack innocent civilians in Nairobi. vided any concrete reasons to be fum- , in the Westgate Mall. h ese militants In fact, they have promised to inten- ing about the health care reforms. If were said to belong to the extremist sify their attacks in Kenya if the KDF they feel that the scheme will cost too group originating from Somalia called does not budge from Somalia. “h ere much, they should provide with eff ec- Al Shabbab. will be pools of blood”, one spokesper- tive measures to reduce such costs. But who are these peddlers of terror? son for the Al Shabbab stated. Presi- Asking for a further delay on this is- h e Al Shabbab is the political wing of dent Uhuru Kenyatta stated that the those who are willing to pay the pen- sue, however, is simply a means to the Somali Council of Islamic Courts, KDF would stay in Somalia until there Kartikeya alty for not subscribing. prevent a solution. h ey already had which took over much of Somalia in is order restored in Somalia. Rana Why are the Republicans against Oba- a year to provide eff ective alternatives macare? to the so called- ‘high cost measures’ Politics Editor h e opposition has given a number of but decided not to provide them. reasons as to why they are against this new Law. Firstly, they believe that the passing of the bill will increase health h e non-essential services provided care spending for the government. by the US government have grinded h is will mainly be caused by the cov- to a halt as there is disagreement in erage provided for the poorest 18 %. Congress about the current budget. Furthermore, they believe that it is h is not only weakens the country not right for the government to force fi nancially but also shows the ineffi - people to subscribe to something that ciency US congress has to deliberate they may not particularly want. and compromise in situations where However, supporters of Obamacare ideologies clash. state that the Republicans are opposed h e main cause of the budget not to it because they fear that it may ac- being passed is Obama’s new health tually work. h e people who benefi t Does Politics care reform which has been abbrevi- the most from Obamacare belong to ated to ‘Obamacare’. h e offi cial name red states such as Texas. interest, of this reform is Patient Protection As a result, the opposition has shown and the Aff ordable Care Act. h e act serious outrage towards the budget fascinate or is designed to give those Americans and has prevented it from passing who are not covered by private health through the Senate. Since the deadline downright insurance coverage. By doing so, the for passing the budget was missed, the government plans to prevent malprac- government has been put through a frustrate you? If tices of various insurance companies. partial shutdown as per the Ameri- h e plan is also meant to provide cov- can constitution. h is has resulted in yes, then felix erage that could not be provided with various non essential services being privately bought health insurance. closed. h ese include museums and needs you! h ese include plans to provide yearly national parks. Join our team of award-winning check-ups and maternity care. People An estimated 700,000 people will face If you would like who are part of Medicaid (poor and unpaid leave if a compromise is not student bloggers! disabled) have added benefi ts from met on the budget. Senior offi cers of to write for us this law. Anyone earning less than American spy agencies have shown Simply send us 600 words about your start of term experience, 31,000$ per year receives free Medic- some fear due to this shutdown. then contact us whether you are a fresher or a returning undergrad or postgrad. aid. About 70% of intelligence workers will Alternatively, submit a photo-blog entry about Welcome Week – However, people who do not qualify lose their jobs. h is will cause, they don’t forget to add captions! for Medicare (senior citizens) and believe, a grave danger to American at : Medicaid, and don’t have private in- national security. Send your submission by noon on Monday 14 October surance have to pay for Obamacare. President Obama can decide on a to [email protected] h is is the part of the reform which ‘stopgap’ budget to prevent such a had to be passed through the 2013- shutdown from taking place. h is will 2014 fi nancial year budget. Even then, be a one-week spending bill which felix@ £www.imperial.ac.uk/studentblogs 20 million people will not be covered will allow the non-essential services to as the law exempts those who are in- function. However, he refused to go imperial.ac.uk carcerated, who belong to certain re- with this proposal when he stated that ligious groups, illegal immigrants and the ‘stopgap’ budget will only delay the

14 FRIDAY 04 OCT

Editors: Eoghan J. Totten, Tessa Davey COMMENT [email protected]

Freshers week Ed Miliband: Ethics Over Dogma? The great equaliser

Tory recasting of Ed Miliband…the hundred members in an eff ort to in- ist thinker and father to Ed) by h e Tessa DaDaveyvey Eoghan J. Tottenotten message of the labour leader had to stall Katie Murphy as party candidate Daily Mail. h ey released an article Comment EditorEditor @eoghantotten shift from him being ‘hopeless to dan- resulted in a major rift between La- entitled “h e man who hated Britain”. Comment Editor gerous’ as the public has sympathy bour and Unite. h e comments of un- Ken Livingstone and Alistair Camp- for ‘hopeless’ people because they are ion General Secretary, Len McClus- bell (former Director of Downing seen as underdogs.” key, cemented the rift. He announced Street Communications under Tony his article was catalysed by It could be argued that the meet- that he was, “obliged to uphold the in- Blair) were among the politicians to I’ve had a pretty typical freshers the recent conference of ing’s focus typifi ed the crux of mod- tegrity of Unite and I can no longer do jump to his defence. Ed Miliband’s an- week. h e Conservative Party held ern Tory politics, where voters are so on the basis of…Labour…in which I ger was plain to see in a televised in- I’ve attended about a million wel- in Manchester, where volu- regarded as pawns on a political can place no trust.” terview with the BBC. It harmonised come talks that go along the lines minous Government policy chessboard. h is is evident in context Ed Miliband’s speech at the recent with his letter to Labour newsletter of “You’re the best. You’re going Twas proposed and discussed. h e of many initiatives spearheaded by the Labour party conference in Brighton subscribers. He stated, to have to work fucking hard. But ‘Work for Benefi ts’ plan proved to be coalition. David Cameron’s veto of the also sparked controversy. His pledge “h is isn’t about me and my fam- YOLO!” I’ve spent days without a a topic of discussion as Chancellor, recent European Treaty, attempts to to impose two year energy price freez- ily – this is about doing what’s right.” swipe card, struggling to tailgate George Osborne, revised the criteria redact the Human Rights Act, zero- es from 2015 to 2017 kick-started a Ross Hawkins, a BBC political corre- into every building, because I’m for Jobseeker’s Allowance Qualifi ca- hour contracts, the bedroom tax and welcome surge in opinion polls (La- spondent reported that there was no avoiding the queue at the ID card tion. the trimming of disability allowance bour’s UKPR polling average of 39 “sure-fi re way of knowing…how many offi ce. I’ve signed up for dozens of His proposals (in relation to long- convey to voters that there is always with respect to the Tory’s 32). Indeed voters share his outrage.” mailing lists that I’m only going to term unemployed British citizens) someone beneath them, burdening when commenting to h e Guard- For me, it was good to see some unsubscribe from (if I ever fi gure were threefold. First off , he intends both themselves and the UK fi scally, ian the chief executive of Lightsource genuine emotion from a politician; if out how), and woken up in a nest of to galvanise candidates towards work even morally. Renewable Energy, Mick Boyle, com- anything, I found it endearing. Recent leafl ets with details of the available placements, including roles such as h e effi cacy of these initiatives can mended Ed Miliband’s eff orts to rum- political developments on the global pastoral care, and even the times “cleaning up litter”. Secondly, provid- also be called into question. Depart- ble the oligopoly of ‘the big six’. platform, capped by the shutdown of for the men’s rugby tryouts. Where ed that this measure failed to be em- ment for Work & Pensions fi gures “We don’t agree with his price- the US Government, prove that poli- did that even come from?! bellished and augmented, daily Job demonstrate a 10% success rate for the freezing proposals…but a breakup tics is a delineated and complex col- I worried way too much about Centre visits would become compul- 2011 ‘Compulsory Work’ scheme. It will see more investment in the UK, lection of catacombs where an indi- what to wear on my fi rst day that sory. h e fi nal proposal encompassed is possible that intricate layers of bu- not less.” Similar sentiments partially vidual is hard pushed to adhere to his would convey that I had more im- participation in compulsory skills reaucracy serve as a buff er, preserv- assisted the Labour leader in evading or her fundamental principles. h is portant things to do than worry training. To cite George Osborne, ing the true wealth among the few. By the anti-business label stamped on is an accepted reality and one that about what to wear (but show that “h ere is no option of doing noth- adhering to the party and not to the him by the Government. It proved in- fuelled Ralph Miliband’s pioneering I’m eff ortlessly cool anyway, of ing for your benefi ts, no something- people, politicians may be perceived suffi cient to stave off the scepticism he 1972 work ‘Parliamentary Socialism’. course). And then I berated myself for-nothing anymore.” to be laying the seeds for a British plu- received from many quarters. Many He believed that Labour was rendered the next day for not being both- “h ey will do useful work to put tocracy. pragmatists, including students of Im- ineff ective by the confi nes of Govern- ered to wash my hair. I overslept something back into their commu- In my opinion this provides a cru- perial College London, will be acutely ment, forced to adopt increasingly on my second day, meaning that nity; making meals for the elderly, cial opening for Labour politics and aware of the projected energy surplus empirical politics. I probably missed something im- cleaning up litter…and for those with its leader Ed Miliband. With twenty of the UK (marginal, less than 2%) by Ed Miliband, diff ering from his fa- portant, like fi nding out where I’m underlying problems, like drug ad- months to go until the 2015 general 2015/16. Some may even harbour a ther by moving towards the centre supposed to be. diction and illiteracy, there will be an election his opinion polls are begin- grave concern for impending ‘black- left, accepts this empiricism as a good I met the people who I’m going intensive regime of support.” ning to gain momentum. Despite outs’. thing. Time has told us that an indi- to spend the next three years with, To my mind the Chancellor’s com- many accusations that he is unfi t to be In sum, it is Ed Miliband’s evasion of vidual entering politics will always and tried to resist the urge to wrap ments appeared condescending to the next Prime Minister, he continues concrete statistics that may prove to succumb to compromise and, ulti- my arms around them and whis- the many millions of people beneath to weather the political storm. be the fatal wound to his election cam- mately, disrepute. If Ed Miliband can per needily in their ear, “You’re the breadline across the UK. While In spite of this one cannot ignore the paign. On the fl ip side his ethics, com- continue to reveal his ethics at a dis- stuck with me now, you have to be honouring the mantra of h e Con- severe implications of the Falkirk seat bined with his academic background, tance from politics and display genu- my friend!” Okay, that’s not (quite) servative Party (‘For Hardworking row regarding Labour’s crucial link may prove to be his saving grace. h is ine concern for the needs of the UK true, but I have made a lot of People’) they unilaterally demon- to trade unions. Allegations that the was highlighted by the recent slander electorate, Labour opinion polls may slightly awkward, stilted conversa- ise those people receiving benefi ts. Unite union recruited upwards of one of Ralph Miliband (prominent Marx- further surge. tion, and in nervous hysteria told h ere is no mention of the thousands a few too many stories that might of overly-qualifi ed denizens (with in- have made me come across as a bit fi nitely many prefi xes to their names) strange. who, locked into the benefi t system I failed at cooking spaghetti, al- by circumstance, fi nd that there is no though that’s probably due to all place for their skills within a fragile the free beer I picked up some- British economy. George Osborne where along the way, and I dis- has instead chosen to uniformly played an embarrassing lack of denigrate the fi nancially unfortunate, public transport smarts by nar- caricaturing them as unskilled and rowly avoiding getting my bag debauched; all because they are de- dipped in a major station while I pendent upon the State. managed to make the automated Where unemployment benefi t was ticket machine not sell me a travel- once conveyed as a compassionate, card. humanitarian safety net, it is now Hi, my name is Tessa, and I’m a misconstrued as a burden to the Brit- fi rst year PhD student. h is is the ish taxpayer. beginning of my sixth year at Im- Meanwhile the Health Secretary, perial. It turns out that no matter Jeremy Hunt, addressed the Forty how together you had everything Group (MPs with slender majorities last week, things never change in their constituencies), putting for- when it comes to starting some- ward a fi ve point plan for ‘routing’ the thing new. opposition. To quote Mr. Randeep Do you think you can write better than Ramesh of h e Guardian, me? Do you have a lot of opinions? “h e most striking thing was the Email us at [email protected] to get involved! FRIDAY 04 OCT 15

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FelixImperial COMMENT

Imperial Men: How To Talk About Gender

compared to the science, engineering Last week a mini Twitter storm they really did try, but this is hardly Rory Fenton and medicine departments in the broke out over an upcoming science the fi rst panel event on science to be rest of the UK, we have slightly more event in the Excel Arena of Olympic all male, and maintaining the status Columnist equal gender ratio than average. h is fame. h e event features 6 panelists quo allows a self fulfi lling prophesy does not mean, however, that there including Richard Dawkins and whereby men gain higher profi les is nothing to be discussed. When Bill Bailey, which is a very cool and from speaking at events which leads posters went up last year in the original combination. Less original them to be invited to more events. ost students at chemistry department showing the is the gender makeup of the panel, It may not be up to this particular Imperial are men. I proportion of female researchers in all 6 speakers are men. As with event to “fi x” this, but to brush it away don’t imagine this the diff erent groups, it was graffi tied Imperial, it is not the fault of the Graffi tied Gender Stats In Chemistry as a non-issue is wilful ignorance. comes as much of with “So? Problem?” Posters inviting organisers if these were genuinely Men of Imperial, we can do better a surprise to most female physics students to a female- the best candidates. Where they and Facebook, that’s what they’re than this. To question why the gender MFelix readers. While this gender only event were graffi tied with messed up was with the FAQ on their for. We’re actually very disappointed imbalance is as it is not to question imbalance is obvious from the comments calling the event “sexist”. website, which addressed lack of that none of our female invitees whether any one of us deserves to fi rst day of Freshers Week, what it h ese comments are massively women. h ey said; “I am a fanatical, accepted, but that is just how it was. be here or to suggest that College means and how to talk about it can unhelpful and entirely miss the point. misandristic ‘feminist’. May I drone As scientists we have no choice but discriminate in favour of women be more challenging. Whispered It can be tempting to think that simply on about the lack of women in the to accept reality. Wanting something students and employees. Students remarks about “h e Ratio” can be removing legal barriers to female line-up and despatch bigoted, mis- to be otherwise does not make it so.” are right to challenge the status quo heard on most courses and jokes academics is suffi cient to right historic spelt, ungrammatical missives to Yes, this is supposed to be and make active eff orts to encourage abound about the sexual frustration wrongs. A glance at the progress of the organisers and presenters?” “No. comically exaggerated language women scientists in College and of Imperial’s males; the straight ones African Americans since the end of Please save your talents for Twitter but even ignoring the labelling of further afi eld. Dismissing these at least. But beyond this, any serious legal segregation in 1954 suggests those who complain of the lack of eff orts as “sexist” is lazy. h e Excel discussion of gender among students otherwise. It is quite right that we women speakers as “bigoted” and event told us that “as scientists we can often be dismissed. We can be make a particular eff ort to encourage “misandristic”, the FAQ’s message is have no choice but to accept reality.” pretty poor at talking gender and schoolgirls to be interested in science “Men of Imperial, quite clear; put up and shut up. We h is is a strange defi nition of science. it’s we men who seem to do it worst. and for women undergraduates should do neither. It is quite right Rather, as scientists we examine h e low proportion of women to pursue their subjects further. we can do better” and reasonable to wonder why the reality, come to understand how it students at Imperial is not the When we men are dismissive of organisers failed to fi nd a single woman works and fi nd out how to change it. College’s fault and in fact when the idea, we serve the status quo. panelist. It may indeed be the case that Scientists do not simply accept reality.

New courses to broaden your education and enhance your potential

Make sure you enrol by 2.00pm Monday 7th October 201

For all irst year undergraduates. Find out more: www.imperial.ac.uk/horizons 16 FRIDAY 04 OCT

Editor: Arianna Sorba ARTS [email protected] Six Ideas for Trafalgar Squareʼs Fourth Plinth

Really Good – David Shrigley Arianna Sorba Unmade Monument – Marcus Coates Arts Editor

A 10m tall elongated thumbs-up sign, h e seemingly random rock cast in bronze. What’s not to like? h e fourth plinth in Trafalgar formation proposed by Londoner Really Good is a brilliantly sarcastic Square has been a source of Marcus Coates is in fact an exact idea from David Shrigley, a controversy practically since replica of a stone outcrop that the Glaswegian artist known for his the day it was built. After sitting artist spotted in Yorkshire. h e deliberately naive deadpan humour. empty for over 150 years due outcrop, formed over hundreds of Apparently Shrigley hopes that the to “insuffi cient funds”, since the millions of years by natural processes, sculpture, if made, will become a late 1990s it has been home to would contrast with the rigid, man- self-fulfi lling prophecy, and “make some of the most talked-about made stone structures in the square. Trafalgar Square, London, the contemporary artworks that Although abstract, it is practically UK and the world a better place”. Londoners have ever had the joy impossible not to see features or fi gures But there’s always something a bit (or despair) of witnessing, from in the rock, as it is human nature to unnerving about aspects of the a life-sized fi gure of Christ to a search for such patterns in an attempt human body taken out of proportion giant ship in a bottle. h e Fourth to make sense of the natural disorder. that means it might not be popular. Plinth Commissioning Group h e sculpture would be a monument It’s also possibly, for the younger announced last week the 6 piece to creativity and power of nature, generation at least, a bit too ‘Facebook’. shortlist for the 2015/16 display, outside of a human context. Or from which two will be selected. perhaps it would just be a lump of rock.

So which is your favourite? Do you prefer Leckey’s surrealist structure or Lijn’s dancing duo? Or perhaps you’d give Shrigley’s The Dance – Liliane Lijn idea the thumbs-up? Visit the Moon Mask – Ugo Rondinone website or scan the QR code  e Dance is the only work in the current to cast your vote now – results ‘Our connection to other people is shortlist created by a female artist. announced in next week’s Felix! our face. Our alternate self is a mask’, h e brainchild of American-born says Swiss artist Ugo Rondinone. artist Liliane Lijn,  e Dance would tinyurl.com/ofqfwhn h at’s why he proposes a giant mask, involve two identical aluminium modelled by hand, as a universally cones powered by motors, their recognisable icon for Trafalgar Square. sections slowly moving and h e mask is intentionally abstract rotating towards and away from and basic, with no specifi c cultural each other, as though dancing. references or origins. Viewers are free h e faux-futuristic materials and slick to identify any artistic associations or space age design make it oddly beautiful personal emotions in the mask’s blank to watch these two beings engage with steel face, from African tribal masks, each other in such a peaceful way. to Cubist infl uences, to their own But there’s some tricky logistics to individual projections, as they peer consider. For example, what happens through the window-like apertures. when one cone inevitably breaks However this simplicity is also down and – heaven forefend – the Models of the six proposals are on possibly its greatest failing, as it may other ends up dancing on his own? show in the crypt of St Martin in the render the structure bland, and rather Fields church in Trafalgar Square uninteresting to view from behind. until 17th November. Admission free.

Gift Horse – Hans Haacke Larger Squat Afar – Mark Leckey

Some critics are calling German- For Larger Squat Afar, Turner Prize American artist Hans Haacke’s horse winner Mark Leckey has combined the most suitable idea, as it references aspects from across Trafalgar Square the statue of William IV astride a to make one single structural entity. horse that was originally intended for Details from the James II and Admiral the fourth plinth all those years ago. Jellico statues, the central fountain Meanwhile the electronic ribbon and the plinth itself have all been tied in a bow around the horse’s incorporated into the absurdist front leg displays a live ticker of the design. Even the title is actually London Stock Exchange, bringing the an anagram of Trafalgar Square! sculpture fi rmly into the 21st century Leckey has often used elements of and turning it into a gift for the nation. collage in his artwork, but more usually Haacke’s works are often political, in video and music installations. as he examines the relationships However here he has attempted to between art, power and money in We wwillill one dadayy have create an actual physical structure, his art. It seems this Gift Horse, ttoo ssayay ggoodbyeoodbye ttoo thethe that is visually and emotionally bbigig blblueue coccockk currentlycurrently with the somewhat grave and on ddisplayisplay greater than the sum of its parts. lonely imagery, is no exception. FRIDAY 04 OCT 17

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FelixImperial ARTS The Artistic Infl uences of Mountain Sitting Clara Clark Nevola reviews the latest from Imperialʼs art gallery

What: Sitting With The Qualities of a Mountain Exhibition Where: Blyth Gallery, Sherfi eld Arianna’s Offers Building, Imperial College When: 2nd Oct - 1st Nov 2013 More sweet deals from world-re- Price: FREE nowned dance and theatre venues that can get you cheaper tickets, better seats and more. Sign up for ext time you’ve got a 20 free! minute break around college, head up to h e Old Vic the 5th fl oor of the “PwC Under 25s Club” Sherfi eld Building, to Under 25s can get £12 tickets Nthe Blyth gallery. for seats across the auditorium In case you are unfamiliar with it, for every performance, plus the the Blyth is Imperial’s very own art exclusive opportunity to attend gallery, and holds exhibitions and Q&As and backstage tours workshops throughout the year. h e small collection currently exhibiting there is titled Sitting With English National Opera h e Qualities of a Mountain, and at “Access All Arias” fi rst sight, there is really very little 16-30 year olds and full time to see. h e ten artworks showcased students can book a discounted are all slightly underwhelming, the ticket for themselves plus a guest of most eye-catching piece being a any age to any performance at the microphone caked in clay wired up to London Coliseum a speaker (What Can Clay Hear? by Rita Evans). However, I urge you to take a closer h e Barbican Centre look. Viewed as a collection, rather “50% Wednesdays” than individual artworks, the pieces Like Orange Wednesdays only give a coherent view of the human with more class. Students get 50% qualities that we attribute to natural off any advance tickets bought for a materials. It is human nature to Wednesday performance anthropomorphise the world around BLYTH GALLERY us, and the soft organic shapes of A painting of a lumpen knot of thumbed clay maps out the awkward spread of entwined fi gures, alluding to clay, mud and stone lend themselves the charged emotions that such an embrace could induce... Or something like that. perfectly to being rendered human. Damien Meade’s Structure III, a painting of entwined rolls of clay, comes out and boldly says what the to life to gaze longingly out of the pleasing, almost feminine quality. And bang in the middle of the room suggests the intimacy of an embrace exhibition is actually about: we, as window. Also exhibited, on the other Framing the two sides of the is Patrick Guns’s YHVH. H.O.O.Q.- without any human reference – a humans, would actually like the side of the room, are Rita Evans’s three gallery are also Stuart Cumberland’s can’t really help you with this one but double vision of a pile of mud and a inanimate world around us to have small installations. Rocks (geologists large black and white oil paintings, apparently the bones are meant to be human gesture. feelings, and willingly imagine the rejoice!) are placed against pretty seemingly random black lines which bonobo bones. Do let me know if you Annabel Elgar’s Companion (4) earth from a fl ower pot springing colours and mirrors, thus taking on a swim into focus as human body parts. have an insight on it.

Coming next week, a review of the TEDxAlbertopolis event, a look at the union between the worlds of science and art in our everyday lives. arts. 18 FRIDAY 04 OCT

Editor: Maciej Matuszewski, Eva BOOKS Rosenthal [email protected] Soho Literary Festival Maciej Matuszewski discusses an entertaining and interesting event

Notes from my first literary festival

Rather embarrassingly for the editor of the books section, I had never before been to a literary festival. I therefore jumped at the opportunity to visit the Soho Literary Festival, a small event being held, for the third time in as many years, at the Soho h eatre. Having never really been that much into modern literary fi ction I stuck mainly with the more historical and political talks – see the other side of the page for more detailed reviews of the events that I attended. h e programme, however, had a far greater breadth – with events ranging from Quentin Blake’s talk on h e Uses of Illustration to John Sweeny’s investigation into the Church of Scientology. I was greatly impressed by enthusiasm and eloquence of all the speakers. Most of the events that I attended were packed with people and seemed to go down well with the audience – I found them all both engaging and The Age of Profumo: Sex, Class The History of Syria The Classics Quiz informative. and Power Dan Snow Questionmaster: William Fitzgerald I am sure that the general atmosphere of this event Panel Chair: Piers Brendon Team Captains: Harry Mount and Rachel was very diff erent to that of larger literary festivals. Panelists: Richard Davenport-Hines and Tragic recent events have turned the eyes Johnson h ere were certainly fewer high profi le guests and Christopher Hampton of the world on Syria. However, as histo- side events than at, say, Edinburgh or Hay-on-Wye. rian Dan Snow – fresh from making a BBC I was somewhat apprehensive going in to An advantage, however, of being small is that Soho h e Profumo Aff air is now regarded by documentary on the country – explained, this event – having not studied Classics for Literary Festival was far friendlier and more intimate many as a little more than a historical foot- the roots of the confl ict are deep and com- over fi ve years. And while it did turn out than you would expect such an event to be. h ere was a note. However, when it broke, the scandal plicated. that I had forgotten almost all of my GCSE very refreshing air of informality and the speakers were had a profound and long lasting eff ect on Syria has always had an advantageous Latin it was still a lot of fun, and probably more than happy to mix with the audience in the bar the political establishment. In 1961 Brit- geographic position. Boasting much fertile the best event that I attended at the Festival. before and after the talks. ish War Secretary John Profumo began a land and located at the crossroads of several h e quiz consisted of two teams of four All in all, this was a very pleasant experience – one sexual relation with the socialite – and al- trade routes made it, for several millennia, answering questions on the Latin language that I would be very keen to repeat next year. leged mistress of the Soviet spy Yevgeny an extremely rich land. However, this has and ancient Roman history. It was, how- Ivanov – Christine Keeler. Profumo would led many empires to see the region a valua- ever, a very informal aff air with wit, both later explicitly deny the relationship before ble prize – leading to much strife and politi- on the part of the questioner as well as the Parliament but when the truth came out he cal instability. h e region has been ruled by contestants, counting for at least as much was forced to resign and the public’s confi - countless powers but Snow traced the most as the facts. dence in the Conservative government was immediate cause of the recent problems to A particular highlight was the Latin fatally wounded. the British and French colonial eff orts in motto’s round, in which contestants were h e panel discussion was a fascinating the Middle East. Both countries deliberate- asked to identify, among others, the motto look at the Aff air. All of the participants ly created unstable conditions in the region of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wiz- were keen to stress its importance – not to benefi t their own interests and, after de- ardry; and in which I found out that the only in helping to bring down the belea- colonisation, Syria was left with no legacy motto of the Carlsberg Brewery is “labore- guered Conservative government, which of self-governance or democracy – a recipe mus pro patria” – “let us work for our had already been weakened by the earlier for disaster. country”. Another highlight was the round Suez Crisis – but also as a start of a new, h is was a very complicated topic to cov- asking contestants to identify the unpleas- less deferential era towards the political er in an hour and, by his own admission, ant means of death of Roman Emperors. establishment. h e discussion also pointed Dan Snow is not an expert in the region. While Rachel Johnson was unable to pro- out parallels to contemporary events – both However, in my opinion, he performed ad- vide the answer to which Roman Emperor police corruption and press sensationalism mirably. h e talk covered, in a clear man- was eaten by worms she was able to give greatly helped to exacerbate the Aff air. ner, all the most important points of Syria’s the Ancient Greek for the phrase “eaten by h is was a fascinating panel – making an long history. It gave me a new perspective worms”. event that took place long before I was born on the current confl ict and made me want h is was a great event, reigniting, for one seem fascinating and relevant. to learn more. hour at least, my passion in the Classics.

Want to see your name in print? Send your book reviews to [email protected] FRIDAY 04 OCT 19 Editor: Simon Hunter, Riaz Agahi, Stuart Masson, William Stocker MUSIC [email protected] A Punky Reggae Party Simon Hunter reports on the band keeping Bob Marleyʼs legacy alive

On Monday night I spent the evening behind Bob Marley but over the dec- Could You Be Loved in the Millennium Dome and came to ades the band has morphed, with only sprung from Barrett’s the conclusion that it should be lev- the bassist, Aston Barrett, remaining guitar that the crowd elled. It may no longer be called the from the original line-up. h is isn’t began to rise from Millennium Dome and it may now necessarily a bad thing; there’s little their seats. Up stood have an array of soulless bars/restau- more awkward than watching a gang a girl, dancing away rants, but the fact remains: it’s a large of septuagenarians holding them- but watching the show tent with the character to match. selves up with mic stands while croon- through an iPad that h is was rather unfortunate as the ing breathlessly. was held 5 inches from Wailers played here (in the IndigO2) We arrived in time to catch the last her face. However, at on Monday, and a band with such his- few chords of the support act and take least when she occa- tory really deserved a venue with a our place at the bar. Unfortunately, sionally put the thing bit of soul. Last time I was at the In- our spot prevented any sight of Bar- down she knew how to digO2 I saw Westwood play about 30 rett, or ‘king of the reggae bassline’ as dance. seconds of lots of songs at a student we were frequently reminded by Bob By half way through radio awards show. Continuing with Marley’s 2013 replacement. On the the show, most people the bizarre range of musicians that plus side, we had a great view of the were on their feet. At the venue attracts, both Hanson and audience. I don’t think I’ve ever been least, the people round Chas & Dave are to grace the stage to a gig with such a range of ages in the edges were. h ose before Christmas. the audience; a testament, I suppose, that had obviously h e Wailers originated as the band to Marley’s music. Having said this, been online, hammer- the median age ing F5, when tickets upstairs where went available and had The Wailers, including original member Aston Barrett (front). the seats are lo- bagged themselves cated was defi - nice, central seats didn’t budge for the gae music, it’s impossible not to fi nd thought should have been used more, nitely some- entire show. Bizarrely, it seemed that it infectious. Buff alo Soldier had me such were her obvious vocal talents. where north of a cross-section of the most rhythmi- bouncing along, but the highlight of I still believe that the IndigO2 isn’t a 50. cally challenged people in London had the night really was the encore. h ere great venue for the Wailers. h e level h e show decided to turn out. From a lady who was an energy in those last few songs of corporate bullshit that comes hand- started slowly looked to be undergoing some kind of that for some reason didn’t seem to in-hand with the O2 seems to detract with renditions vertical electric shock treatment, to a pervade the rest of the performance. somewhat from what Bob Marley and of Is h is Love guy who was fl ailing about like it was Exodus and Punky Reggae Party were his music stands for. However, at the and No Wom- 3am in TigerTiger. iPad girl, they were particularly good. A mention should end of the day, it may be what is need- an, No Cry. It not. But who am I to judge? h ey were also go to Cegee Victory, the female ed when a large proportion of their wasn’t until loving it. vocalist who added some beautiful fans now prefer a comfortable seat the bassline of Regardless of what you think of reg- harmonies to the songs, but who I over a beer and a blunt. On tour with the National Youth Choir

For our fi rst few concerts, we Daniel Marx combined forces with a couple of Music Writer Irish choirs and the National Youth Orchestra to perform the monumental Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony and I spent the fi rst two-and-a-half weeks the slightly-easier-to-sing Toward of August singing. Well, not constantly, the Unknown Region by Vaughan but almost. Now, this was not just a Williams. We performed these very long rave, although I certainly both in Northern Ireland and in the did have a lot of fun. No, this was BBC Proms at a packed Albert Hall. perfectionist music making with the If these concerts were characterised National Youth Choir (‘NYC’ amongst by their energy and excitement, the friends) where singing a note with the next few concerts were all about wrong vowel placement was just as intimacy and blend. Without the bad as singing the wrong note. I have Irish choirs and with no orchestra, we been involved in this organisation for were a much smaller group and we The NYC singing during the Royal Albert Hallʼs summer Proms a long time now, but what was special set about achieving our characteristic about this course is that it was truly ‘NYC sound’. h is abstract concept national. During our 19 days together is one we are always trying to chase but at the end it really is transformed. our free time and in rehearsals, and “Want to write for music? as a choir of about a hundred, we and we literally spend hours trying h ere was a lot of work, but plenty there were far too many in-jokes email us at music.felix@ explored York, Londonderry, Belfast, to reach this goal. It is not unknown of play too. I recall with fondness a to keep up with. I have no doubt London, Cardiff , Edinburgh and for us to spend an hour or so just great evening at a funfair in Cardiff that I shall remember the great gmail.com with a review Suff olk, performing in seven concerts. working on a couple of lines of music, bay. Banter was abundant, both in time I had for many years to come. and weʼll get in contact!” THE TECHTONICS: ALL MALE A CAPPELLA

Music stripped down to just the voices thetechtonics.co.uk 20 FRIDAY 04 OCT

Editors: John Park, Emily Fulham TELEVISION [email protected] 2013 Emmy Awards Who were the winners and losers? Drama category

Best Actor: Jeff Daniels - h e Best Actress: Claire Danes - Best Supporting Actor: Bobby Best Supporting Actress: Anna Best Drama Series: Breaking Bad Newsroom Homeland Canavale - Boardwalk Empire Gunn - Breaking Bad Sad that your favourite show ended? Breaking Bad fans, look away now Booooooriiiiiing: after what was less Breaking Bad fans, look away again - Breaking Bad fans, it’s safe for you Let this be somewhat of a consolation- your favourite meth dealer didn’t win than a stellar season of Homeland, this man beat not one, but two of the to look now, as one of your beloved winning the top gong at this yaer’s this year. Daniels did, for beautifully the bipolar Carrie Mathison wins cast members of your show. In his cast members took home the gold Emmys, toughing through some stiff handling Aaron Sorkins’ complex again, when it really should have speech he gave a shout-out to Rose for acting- she even triumphed over competition from cable channels only. screenplay in the new HBO drama. been Kerry Washington (Scandal) Byrne calling her the love of his life... the mother of dragons- a class act. Comedy category

Best Actor: Jim Parsons - h e Big Best Actress: Julia Louis-Dreyfus Best Supporting Actor: Tony Hale Best Supporting Actress: Merritt Best Comedy Series: Modern Family Bang h eory - Veep - Veep Wever - Nurse Jackie Four seasons, four Best Comedy Predictable winner? Yes. Repeat h is marks Dreyfus’ 4th acting Perfectly complementing the And the prize for the shortest, Series wins, America’s favourite family winner? Yes. h e most deserving? Emmy win, and I stopped trying to incompetent Selina Meyer, i.e. Veep, sweetest, and downright best speech mocumentary comedy has the perfect Absolutely. Not even Alec Baldwin count how many nominations she’d is Gary, her loyal assistant, played to of the night? Wever’s, who fi nally score when it comes to winning - in his fi nal season of 30 Rock can garnered over the years (so 10+). perfection by Hale - and the two of them got recognition for single-handedly your luck will run out soon enough. come close to what this man does. h is woman is a comedy goddess. are an invaluable asset to the show. delivering the funny scenes of her show. FRIDAY 04 OCT 21

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FelixImperial TELEVISION A bewildering journey into Ancient Greece Emily Fulham reviews the latest fantasy offering from the BBC

With the demise of Merlin, the sculpted by angels, is apparently BBC were clearly in the market for not too bright, as upon enter- a new family-friendly fantasy dra- ing Atlantis (now, unfortunately, ma to fi ll the Saturday evening slot. clothed) he manages to piss off a Enter Atlantis, a retelling of the two-headed lizard into chasing him legend of Greek hero Jason, best around the marketplace, leading to known as leader of the Argonauts much unnecessary destruction and and slayer of the minotaur. Well, disruption. He’s fi nally rescued ‘retelling’ is perhaps a slight ex- by a young man his own age, who aggeration: in reality, Atlantis fea- introduces himself as Pythagoras. tures a bizarre mish-mash of Greek It’s at this point that the show’s mythology with real historical fi g- decision to confl ate the entirety of ures, with an extra dash of time Greek mythology with actual an- travel to keep things interesting. cient history becomes jarring: I’m If the above sounded confusing, completely on board with magic then welcome to my reaction as I underwater portals to legendary settled down to watch the fi rst epi- cities, but Pythagoras was a real sode. We open in the present day, historical fi gure born circa 560 with our young hero Jason pre- BC, whereas the story of Jason paring to journey underwater in and the Argonauts is set around search for his father, lost at sea in 1300 BC, a generation before the a submarine accident. As the un- Trojan war, and was already being derwater vehicles ventures into the told as a bedtime story in 800 BC. depths, Jason fi nds himself sucked Any further semblance of adher- into an oracle (helpfully labelled ing to historical accuracy is thrown ‘Oracle’) which is apparently a out of the window when Pythago- portal to the ancient city of Atlan- ras introduces his housemate, the tis - before it sank into the sea, that demi-god Hercules - now a washed nual sacrifi ces to the local mino- the hero and saviour of Atlantis, quest sailing around the Mediterra- is. This portal has the additional up, chubby alcoholic, played by taur results in Jason volunteering showing remarkably little concern nean in search of the famed Golden feature of stripping its user of all Game of Thrones’ Mark Addy. in the young mathematician’s with getting back to everyone he’s Fleece which will restore his right- clothes, leaving Jason washed up, Jason and Pythagoras become place. After slaying the minotaur left behind in the modern world. ful throne. Personally, I’d like to stark naked, on an empty beach. best mates after a Hunger-Games- with some help from a beauti- Presumably, at some point the see the episode where, according Jason, although having a body style ceremony to select the an- ful princess, Jason is accepted as show will build up to Jason’s epic to legend, Pythagoras goes men- tal and kills a load of his follow- ers because he can’t get his head around irrational numbers (to be fair, I struggled with the concept as well), but I have a feeling that this is another part of ancient Greek history which will be shelved. For anyone who watched Merlin, the similarities are plain to see - lots of talk about destiny, a vaguely ho- moerotic friendship between two young men from different walks of life, some less than stellar CGI monsters - and at times, Atlantis does seem to be lacking in original- ity. Perhaps I’m being too harsh on what is, after all, the fi rst episode of a family show designed for light entertainment; The Iliad it ain’t, but Atlantis is entertaining enough, if you’re prepared to throw logic out of the window and go along with the ride. For that reason, the show may be worth sticking with for a few more episodes to see if it picks up; if nothing else, to see how many other Greek mythological fi g- ures they can fi t into the one show. A friendly conversation takes a sudden turn for the worst when Pythagoras gets asked to fi nd the square root of two... 24 FRIDAY 04 OCT

Editor: John Park FILM fi [email protected]

The Blue Woman Group

this here with every character. h is Michael S. Martin establishes an interesting problem Writer for the audience as we sympathise with everyone despite the fact that they all hate each other. Woody Allen directs a good cast, but in this case Blue Jasmine it’s his fantastic script that has to be credited for establishing convincing Director: Woody Allen relationships between the fi lm’s many Writer: Woody Allen characters quickly enough that the Starring: Cate Blanchett, Sally story keeps moving forward. Hawkins, Bobby Cannavale, But the fi lm’s success lies squarely Louis C. K., Alec Baldwin on the strength of Cate Blanchett’s Runtime: 98 minutes performance. She’s vapid, elitist, and Certifi cation: 12A self-absorbed and it’s these traits which make her entertaining to watch, but they aren’t so overpowering that it completely dehumanises her. In the end we -maybe not like her- but tolerate her and want her to turn her Runner Runner, this film is a mess Jasmine French (Blanchett) is a hard life around. It’s this subtle balance character for Imperial students to which makes the fi lm. h ere are times relate to: she’s rich, she wants to go though when the fi lm feels like it is of the plot, relatively important events into interior decorating, she knows stuck and the characters’ development Michael S. Martin are either forgotten or postponed to nothing about fi nance, and she’s a isn’t progressing, something that’s Writer accommodate another scene of Richie woman. h e fi lm intercuts scenes crucial in a fi lm that’s exclusively and Ivan having a party. h e one from two periods of her life; one shows about character development. Not plotline that stays consistent is one the ostentatious life she leads paid for that the fi lm is too long but a couple of of the dullest romantic subplots ever by her banker husband Hal Francis scenes, particularly in the last third of Runner Runner put on fi lm, between Richie and Ivan (Alec Baldwin). h e other happens the fi lm, could’ve been cut. Block’s colleague Rebecca Shafran after her husband is sent to prison Quirky characters (like a loveable Director: Brad Furman (Arterton). for fraud and Jasmine fi nds that she sound engineer played by the brilliant Writers: Brian Koppelman, David h ere is at one point a small sliver is useless without him, or rather his Louis C.K.), funny dialogue, upper Levien of hope that Ivan Block will turn out money. She’s then forced to move in class white people drinking martinis... Starring: Justin Timberlake, Ben to be a sociopath, which would make with her sister Chili (Cannavale) and it’s a very Woody Allen fi lm, but it’s Affl eck, Gemma Arterton it somewhat interesting to see how live modestly while she tries to get her also accessible. After a very bumpy Runtime: 91 minutes a sociopath would operate within old life back. Meanwhile, Chili has ride with him over the past decade, Certifi cation: 15 the extreme corruption and brutal trouble with her many relationships his fans will appreciate it as one of his policing of Costa Rica. But then he (something Imperial students will also recent best though I fear that the level doesn’t. Meanwhile, Justin Timberlake have trouble relating to). of his earlier work is sadly behind him plays the same character he played in It’s one of Woody Allen’s best abilities now. For someone who isn’t familiar h e Social Network without the sharp, to make the audience identify with with his work, this is a very good place Aaron Sorkin dialogue that made a character who would normally be to start. I was reasonably hopeful going his scummy persona entertaining. overly irritating. Impressively, he does into the cinema. Ben Affl eck has Without it he puts on a performance been very cautious choosing which so wooden he should’ve been credited fi lms he acts in lately; since 2010 he as Justin Timberocean. has only been in fi lms he directed In the end, while some bits of it himself and a Terrence Malick drama. are abysmal, nothing in the fi lm Justin Timberlake hasn’t quite had a is off ensively bad. At least in that breakout performance, but he’s been case there would be some reason consistently solid in every fi lm he’s to recommend it. Instead it is just been in. And director Brad Furman very, very dull. I have a soft spot for had previously directed the very well gambling fi lms, even ones that are received thriller h e Lincoln Lawyer. admittedly not good. But at least h ere was nothing to suggest this fi lm those fi lms have a clear idea of where was going to be as awful as it turned they start and where they want to go. out. Runner Runner starts everywhere and Runner Runner is the story of Richie goes nowhere. Furst (Timberlake), a savvy university student who tries to win enough money playing online poker to pay for his tuition fees. But then it isn’t. h en it’s the story of how he is cheated out of his money and has to go to Costa Rica to fi nd the poker website’s shady owner Ivan Block (Affl eck). But then it isn’t. h en it’s the story of him having to work in the corrupt, Costa Rican gambling-based economy. But then... you get the point. With seemingly no focus on anything resembling a plot the fi lm trudges along, scene after scene in which stuff happens but none of it matters. Characters jump in and out FRIDAY 04 OCT 25

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FelixImperial FILM BFI London Film Festival: it’s a New World after all...

Even from its opening scene, New his cool even in the most unfavour- World means business. An already John Park able scenarios for his character, and bloodied man gets further beating Film Editor with his suave demeanour he rattles whilst being interrogated. Those hold- the criminals - he is an actor of pure ing the hammers and crowbars are charisma, something he puts to good convinced that he’s a snitch, report- use here. Jung-jae Lee also shines in ing their gang’s activities to the po- New World the lead, as a man ready to crack under lice. And herein lies the film’s main the enormous pressure. premise - shifting loyalties between Director: Hoon-jung Park But the actor taking the acting cake good and bad, and a lead character Writer: Hoon-jung Park is without doubt Jung-min Hwang - reluctantly stuck in the middle of an Starring: Jung-jae Lee, Min-sik his unmatchable knack for handling impending war. Choi, Jung-min Hwang, Sung- the outrageously hysterical as well as A cross between Infernal Affairs/ woong Park the deadly serious in one clean swoop, The Departed and The Godfather, Runtime: 134 minutes is a talent showcase for Hwang who this highly sophisticated and styl- Certifi cation: 18 consistently steals every scene he’s in. ish gangster film is the latest offering When it comes to the action that from South Korea, a part of the Asian no doubt got its 18 certificate from, market that excites the international director Park dreams small, but is al- movie industry with some excellent ways intricate in his design and set-up. new offerings - of which this is cer- down when the syndicate’s boss dies even more backstabbing and betrayal day one as old rivalry resurfaces, one Even the briefest moment of stand-off tainly one. in a sudden traffic accident. than he is prepared to handle, as even that can only be settled when blood is is a hugely tense one, a gun-fight of Ja-sung (Jung-jae Lee) is an under- With no clear sign of leadership or the good guys appear rather shady spilled. a few minutes is extraordinary, and a cover police offcer who for the past guidance, an internal power struggle with their own intentions and mind- And yes, plenty of blood is spilled knife-fight in a parking lot is a sight to eight years or so, dedicated his life in- soon ensues, something the police are games with the syndicate members. throughout, but the film is more in- behold. filtrating one of the biggest, most dan- also interested in - as they also have The two big names eyeing a po- terested in dialogue between these The closing scene is one that is gerous crime syndicates in Korea. His a stake in who they can control more tential takeover for power are Jung fascinating, layered characters played hugely reminiscient of The Godfather, handler Chief Kang (Min-sik Choi) conveniently with whatever leverage Chung (Jung-min Hwang) and Joong- by some of the top acting names in and much like its inspiration, here’s promises an end to this delicate nature they have up their sleeve. gu (Sung-woong Park), and this com- Korea. a gangster/crime film that delivers of his job - but everything turns upside Suddenly Ja-sung is thrown into petition is headed for disaster from Min-sik Choi is excellent at keeping much of its power through words. Come see the hunks in action

towards acceptance of his identity Forster puts the fi lm’s astronomical are £3 for members and £4 for non- Imperial Cinema and his destiny. We also see familiar budget (reported to be $200 million) members, buy on the door. faces from Superman folklore such to spectacular use; depicting scenes Tickets for a double-bill are £5 for as Lois Lane (Amy Adams), General of anarchy and carnage on a colossal members and £7 for non-members. h is week we have two more massive Zod (Michael Shannon) and Jor-El scale, they feel chillingly authentic. £5 Membership includes one free fi lms for you all to see over at (Russell Crowe). Along with stunning Whilst the fi lm may require a little fi lm and cheaper ticket prices all year! Imperial Cinema: the newly rebooted cinematography and special eff ects, ‘cognitive estrangement’ there is Buy it here: Superman fl ick Man of Steel produced what elevates Man of Steel from an overpowering sense of suspense tickets.imperialcinema.co.uk by ‘Batman Saviour’ Christopher being a formulaic origins story is the lacking from many summer Nolan featuring hunk of the month excellent casting. Boardwalk Empire’s blockbusters. Autumn Line up: Henry Cavill and Brad Pitt VS. zombie Michael Shannon is perfect as the Tuesday 8th October apocalypse in World War Z malicious Zod and Amy Adams’ Lois 18:30-World War Z 15th/17th October: Despicable Me 2 Man of Steel explores the making Lane is brilliantly feisty (a welcome 20:45-Man of Steel 22nd/24th October: Pacifi c Rim of Superman/Kal-El/Clark Kent from break from previous incarnations). h ursday 10th October 29th/31st October: h e World’s End his auspicious arrival in Kansas from World War Z stars Brad Pitt as a UN 18:30-Man of Steel 5th/7th November: Elysium & h e Krypton, his adoption by Jonathan and do-gooder trying to defeat a global 21:15-World War Z Wolverine Martha Kent and his gradual journey zombie pandemic. Director Marc Tickets for individual screenings 11th November: Kick-Ass 2 26 FRIDAY 04 OCT

Editor: Maximilian Eggl, Calum Skene, GAMES Imran Rashid [email protected] Awesomenauts! Awesomesauce! This side-scolling sci-fi adventure shooter is amazeballs!

In each battle the goal is to destroy the real fun is online. Finding a game is overwhelmed at the beginning by all controls as walking. I’m not usually Calum Skene turrets of the other team, with your short! I hardly had to wait anytime at the options. As you learn by playing a fan of multiplayer battle games but Games Editor 3 teammates, while defending your all. h e game gives you a lot of options games you also get better characters Awesomenauts is both casual enough turrets. Drones are also spawned to for personalisation. From choosing and more options. Besides all this for me and competitive enough for my help you out. As you destroy and kill your character (and skins that you levelling up is always a satisfying critical friend that we both enjoyed it. the other team you will earn solar can purchase for them) to special experience. Visually Awesomenauts I would recommend this game to For a long time Awesomenauts had a which you can use to upgrade your abilities you will be able to spend solar is a very pretty cartoony game. h e anyone who wants a fun multiplayer lonely existence in my Steam library. character. Once the turrets have on in the game you can really fi nd music, also great, helps to give it experience. It’s a great game to have I picked it up in a sale and then there been destroyed you work to destroy that perfect combination that works a kids TV battle programme kind for just killing 30 minutes here and it sat unplayed. One day prompted the drill core of the other team for you. Completing games earns of theme which really works well! there or for an evening of fun. For by fellow editor Max I fi nally played which wins the game for your team. you XP which enables you to level Where this game really stood the price of £6.99 this game is a steal! it and realised the mistake I had h ere is a short tutorial which up which unlocks more characters, out for me was playing with your made! Straight from the opening teaches you the basics, after that you options for your characters and friends. h ree people on each team titles I knew I would love this game can choose to play against AI, but the maps. h is helps you to not feel means you can easily get two other so sit tight for my “AWESOME! people to game with you and this will Win something AWESOME! AWESOME!” review. provide hours of fun. I enjoyed a very Awesomenauts is a side-scrolling eventful session of being shouted at Felix Games has 2 copies of multiplayer battle game developed on Skype, sadly a game experience this game, so do you want to and published by Ronimo games. I am used to when playing with this win a copy of Awesomenauts h is is a game unlike any I have particular friend, while being killed for yourself? Describe in 300 played before, but immediately I in increasingly embarrassing ways. words your most interesting am a fan. h e premise is that you It doesn’t matter whether you are game experience of the are a mercenary hired by a drilling winning or losing, Awesomenauts summer. Send it in to games. company to mine solar. However is always hilarious. Even when my [email protected] and get another drilling company has also keyboard broke I was able to keep yourself published as well! hired mercenaries so it quickly playing thanks to the controller escalates into a battle for control. It support. Playing with a controller combines strategy with some real is intuitive and easy despite the fact Felix Games Team time fi ghts, and does so successively. that aiming is done with the same Gaming by creating games; deep! Max Eggl discovers that, woah, he can totally develop games

Every so often a steam discount/sale process is very clear and enjoyable. are able to release your own console beginnings is one of the most 20 hours, if even that. However comes along and I see a game for a You basically just click on your sitting after yyour h umble satisfying things I did! considering the price I paid for the price I cannot refuse. Surprisingly guy, get some options and then choose I do have to say though that the game, it was completely worth it. enough this happens more than I from those options. You can choose reviewers criticism seems a bit h e graphics of this game are quirky wish it would, and so I end up with anything from the name to the layout random, in the sense that I had two and cartoony, meaning that while you a boatload of games that I have of the quests for your game. h is lead games with all the same options will not see anything that will blow your absolutely no time or energy to spend me to create some really hilarious however one bombed, and one mind, it will run pretty much on any on them. Game Dev Tycoon was one games (e.g. A time travelling adventure succeeded. h ere was only minimal computer without any problems or lag. of these games. An absolute bargain at called “Save Jesus”, for some reason it variation between the two and yet they On a positive note, this game runs on the time (£7), I had seen lots about this bombed...I still haven’t fi gured out apparently totally diff er in success. PC and Mac and is available on steam, so game on the internet and so I decided why!). Furthermore this complete However once I checked out the wiki it easily accessible and downloadable. to buy it. However it was lying around modifi ability allows for a lot of replay ((there is an entire wiki!), it made a It seems that Felix Games editors in my library for about a week before value, for if you want to go through bbit more sense to me. h ere are fall to the curse of the indie game I even had the chance to start it up. each diff erent combination (let ssome neat algorithms behind addiction, and I can already see the Game Dev Tycoon is a indie game alone come up with names) it tthe reviewing process. fi rst symptoms. h is is already my created by Greenheart Games last will take you a very long time! However since this game second indie game review, and to my year, and revolves around you creating h e “story”, if I may call it is quite repetitive, in the dismay I am hoping it is not my last. a successful games studio. Starting such, is quite immersive ssense that you are pretty Indie games like this blow originality out in your parents garage in the 80s and the releases of actual mmuch doing the same and new ideas into this stagnating it is your mission to make a successful real consoles over the thing over and over fi eld, where only certain formulas company that can withstand pretty years really does make aagain, I can see a seem to be released annually. Anyway, much anything. Pretty much it feel like you are a llimited amount if you are a fan of the indie game everything is up to your imagination, game developer who of hours that you community check it out. Otherwise, you can name your company, the is struggling to make a can pour into it. have a look anyway and you may be games you want to develop, etc. mark. h e progression Furthermore with pleasantly surprised! I mean, when h e gameplay itself is very simple of research is also brilliant, no updates or DLC are you ever going to get the chance to and intuitive. I did not need any sort as it makes you work for pplanned, the original is create a game, name it whatever you of tutorial to fi gure out what was going something as well as allowing what you are stuck with. want (and I mean WHATEVER you on from the start. h e game creating for a goal. I mean the moment you h erefore I don’t see myself pushing want) see it become ultra successful? FRIDAY 04 OCT 27

@felixgames

FelixImperial GAMES

I’ve forgotten why I like Amnesia... This world is a Machine. A Machine for Pigs. Fit only for the slaughtering of Pigs.

Machine for Pigs, an indirect sequel to game mechanics from the original through voice acting, which is superb, Calum Skene Frictional Games h e Dark Descent. are not present in the new one. Even and hidden diary entries which slowly Games Editor After a short period in which you learn mechanics that I thought made h e illuminate you to the terrible things the games only controls; crouching, Dark Descent the great game it is! you’ve done but can’t remember… picking up items, opening doors A Machine for Pigs off ers very little A Machine for Pigs is a very story A low drone sounds. “Dadddy, and running (which you will do if in terms of puzzles and gameplay. driven game. None of it is particularly daddy, please don’t kill me.” crouching fails), you are immediately Gone are h e Dark Descent days of hard gameplay wise, but when you Children begin to sing and a thrust into a world of terror. Unlike having to light candles, and fi ll up are scared it’s very easy to panic and great machine starts up. “Daddy! the original this game is developed by your lantern to keep your sanity levels world is as beautiful as it is horrifying make mistakes. h e story is excellent Daddy!”… You awake in your bed, h e Chinese Room (who previously up. Your inventory is gone, and now which keeps you immersed and keeps and alone is enough to make you and go off in search of your children. did Dear Esther). h is is probably you must carry around various items you with a feeling of unease. Not once want to play on despite the challenge. h us begins the 5-6 hour horror responsible for the diff erence between much like you would in Portal. You in this game did I feel safe. I was always For one play through the price of experience that is Amnesia: A the two games. Many of my favourite can even use your lantern as much as expecting things to jump out at me but £12.99 is good, although I’m sure you want without worrying about it was never ready for them when they most people will play through it more running out (although you will want did. You will jump and more than once! than once which makes the price to turn it off nearly as much as you Nearly everything about this game is even better. I would get this game want it on!) A Machine for Pigs does terrifying, down to the amazing music if you are a fan of horror, and like not satisfy my needs for another h e which suited the game perfectly. From the idea of an interactive terrifying Dark Descent, but it does provide a creepy orchestral music, to children experience. From a gameplay point gripping interactive horror story that singing nursery rhymes, the organ in of view, this game isn’t challenging at will keep you entertained, terrifi ed the chapel and the sounds of the great all. If you are looking for a challenge and, at times, a little disgusted. machine (which you spend most of the I would recommend the original, h is game handles very smoothly, game interacting with), it all adds to which also has user made stories which is important for a game the experience. h roughout the game and the mini expansion Justine. that relies almost solely on you you travel through many locations; experiencing the world. Everything your house, the attic, the roads of from opening doors, to turning wheels Victorian London, and then the meat Did you brave Amnesia without and picking up fuses feels intuitive and processing factory that hides a terrible screaming? Then contact games. simple. h ere is even has controller secret as you descend into it and come [email protected] and tell us My dear chap, There seems to be something wrong with your barbeque! support should you want to use it. h e to meet the machine. h e story is told how much of a badass you are! European Bus S(t)imulator 2012 Calum Skene learns the differences between GTA and real life Being games editor is a new job for that there was a demand for games codes and passwords, select a route realised the door was open. OK, I say, sense of achievement. European Bus me. Part of my expectations be- such as Chemical Spillage Simula- and which direction you will drive it all I need to do is close the door, that’s Simulator is a relaxing game once you fore agreeing to this role was that I tor, Stone Quarry Simulator or Truck in, partake in the complex setup of num pad 1, which my laptop does not get the hang of it, but is not without would get games given to me to re- Simulator. Keen to dive in to this new turning on the engine and on board have. So I change the binding to left some pretty major faults. h e fi rst view. I didn’t mind which games, but world of Simulator games, I picked circuitry, take the parking breaks off , click as there seems no other key that glaring mistake for me is that you can thought it would be nice to not have up European Bus Simulator 2012 change gear and drive off … Sadly this isn’t bound to a control in the bus. choose your name, your age and your to pay for every game I review. I ac- and began my educational journey. is where I met my fi rst diffi culties. For Only later would I realise that when- gender, but once the game starts my cepted the role and on my fi rst trip to h e premise of European Bus Simu- half an hour I sat, refusing to open ever I clicked on a button in my bus character really doesn’t strike me as a the Felix offi ce found the pile of free lator is that you are a bus driver in a the detailed 30 page pdf that comes the doors would open. Nevertheless, 1 year old girl called Frank Schmidt. games that could be reviewed. To large German town. h is game suc- with the game. Why wouldn’t my bus doors closed, I drive my bus away, In fact I look like a 40 year old man. my surprise, I had not heard of even ceeds at being a Simulator as every- drive off ? After all, I had completed which I have chosen to be a school While driving the bus I got points one of these games, but this is prob- thing to do with the bus is very real- the in-game instructions, which cur- bus. After driving around the Ger- off for being early, and also points ably because I have never played a istic. You’ll be required to walk over rently told me to accelerate. I had a man town I run into more diffi culties. off later on for being delayed, but I Simulator game before. I didn’t know to it in the garage, type in your driver look around my bus and eventually I can’t seem to fi nd any children or didn’t get points off for running over anyone in the game that will in fact my passengers, driving on the wrong get on my bus. h is problem took side of the road, fl ipping over a car in a signifi cant amount of time to fi x; a pretty severe car crash, charging my however, 2 hours into the game, and passengers the wrong amount or giv- no longer a school bus, I was ready ing no change from 20 Euros. I would for my fi rst route as a bus driver. have thought a game which relies As you might be able to tell, every on accurate simulation would have detail to do with the bus can be con- payed close attention to these details. trolled, down to the air conditioning Also it’s a German town and so all the which needs careful control so the console controls are in German, but windows don’t fog up. I didn’t know all the passengers speak perfect Eng- much about bus driving before this lish to me. Since when did German game but I’ve come away feeling edu- people say “Good Evening Sir”? Since cated. Driving around my route and when were bus customers so polite? picking up passengers while wearing Overall all I can say is, Dazed, Mary decides to call the police after the bus driver refused to give her a ticket my pyjamas (in real life), gives me a it’s been an experience. 28 FRIDAY 04 OCT

Editor: Chris Richardson TRAVEL [email protected] Some guys just can’t handle La Paz Dismantling the death-defying activities on offer in Boliviaʼs capital

Chris Richardson Travel Editor

olivia isn’t exactly a fresh addition to the Latin American gringo trail – it features heavily in countless itineraries B(indeed, I even ran into an old Felix editor whilst there) – yet it’s managed to retain an essence of individuality whilst neighbouring countries have started to subside. h e population of the entire country is barely larger than London’s, with 60% of the population calling themselves indigenous: it is a vibrant place bursting with culture and epic, Martian landscapes. Close to the northern border with Peru sits La Paz, the world’s highest administrative capital. h e city is situated in a crater, the surrounding hills of which are sprinkled with suburban dwellings, and framed by massive, snow-capped peaks, which one can climb if one is so inclined. As with most cities, La Paz Like Peter Parker, but with no powers Itʼs way more terrifying in reality “I have no idea what Iʼm doing” Like a tiny baby carrot in gravy gets an incredible range of reviews, depending on who you’re asking, and rban Rush he death uayna tannum how bad the weather was when they road Potosi Boutique were visiting. Personally, I found that I feel obligated to go Hotel it sucked me in, until I eventually had beyondU a glowing TripAdvisor review T H S to throw myself on a bus just to get and give the guys at Urban Rush a Of course, no trip would be If jumping out of buildings or out and see more of the continent. special mention here. If you’re in complete without mountain biking downhill biking isn’t your sort of One of the fantastic perks of visiting A discussion of the city would be the neighbourhood, put this on your down the world’s most dangerous thing, then you probably won’t be an up-and-coming destination like impossible without at least a passing to-do list. And if you’re not in the road. Dubbed so because of the keen to tackle Huayna Potosi, the La Paz is that there are still priceless reference to cocaine. San Pedro neighbourhood, get rerouting. h e hundreds of travellers who would 6110 metre mountain situated just gems to be found at ridiculous prices. Prison, situated in a beautiful plaza in concept of Urban Rush is simple: dress fall and die annually whilst using north of the city. h e peak has been Forget the hustle and bustle of the the centre of the city, rose to notoriety up in a ridiculous costume, clip yourself the road, it now mostly serves as a dubbed “the easiest 6000er in the city’s dingier hostels and opt for thanks to Rusty Young’s book to a rope, and throw yourself face fi rst tourist attraction that still has its world”: not a refl ection of a lack of Stannum. Despite being in its infancy Marching Powder, which outlines the from a seventeen storey building. h e fair share of fatalities, which is why technical diffi culty, but due to the ease it’s already the top rated hideaway life of convicted traffi cker h omas owners assure me that nobody has again it’s important to get your eight of acclimatisation thanks to La Paz’s on TripAdvisor, and boasts elegant McFadden, highlighting the extreme sustained any injuries to date, but I’d hours, and even more important to staggering altitude. In any case, it’s contemporary design combined levels of corruption, as illustrated highly recommend getting your eight identify a reputable company with certainly not for the faint-hearted. h e with classical details, not to mention by the fact that he was able to off er hours before giving this one a go. solid equipment that won’t fail you only reason I bothered was because I outrageous views over the beautiful tourists excursions inside the jail. h e costumes on off er cater to most as you zip along the cliff ’s edges. was waiting on a custom-made leather city from its endless glass panels. More recently, Route 36 has been tastes, whether you fancy yourself as h e whole trip takes a day, starting jacket from the blue market and had h e rooms are comfortable, the staff dubbed “the world’s fi rst cocaine Spider-Man or a deranged patient with an early morning bus ride that three days to kill. Not that I regret it, are friendly, and the bartenders serve bar”, allegedly off ering backpackers from Amityville, but if you’re not dumps you at the top of a huge, but I defi nitely should have looked up some truly lethal concoctions the sort of service you could expect fi xated on travelling light you could continuous downhill stretch that into what it entailed a little more. (especially at that price). Check out from any of the pretentious west even pack your own and add a bit of begins in the cooler altiplano before h e entire excursion takes three stannumhotels.com for more details. end London clubs, but with even variety to your photos. After a quick descending into rainforest. h e days. Day one is strictly for training: more cocaine. But one would hope but informative training session, majority of the route is single-lane, getting accustomed to using your La Paz rocks. Too many people that for the seasoned traveller, the you suddenly fi nd yourself dangling and runs alongside drops of hundreds crampons and pickaxe on a glacier marginalise it as a stopover between endless legitimate attractions on off er from the building, about to embark of metres, all without the protection close to the lower base camp. Day Uyuni’s salt fl ats and darkest Peru, but would be incentive enough to visit. on your forward-facing abseil. And of guardrails. h at said, most people two involves lugging all of your it’s great in its own right. Admittedly when you get to the tenth storey, who avoid excessive recklessness equipment (travel light) to the upper the handful of activities described it’s time to leap out from the wall manage to complete the route without base camp in time for sleeping at here are a limited selection: I haven’t and let go of the rope, putting your as much as a graze. Most tours the upper base camp at 6 p.m. Day even discussed the colourful markets Love to travel? life in the hands of a stranger as conclude at Senda Verde, an animal three begins at midnight, when off ering everything from high your plummet to your death. h e refuge where volunteers can work you wake up and climb in order to quality crafts to llama foetuses, or Well drop us an email. Weʼd love to sensation is pretty bizarre, but it’s with a variety of animals including summit for sunrise. h e views were the availability of Michellin-starred hear about it. Weʼll even teach you perfectly safe and makes for some several species of monkey, and/or spectacular, and there’s a certain restaurants that’ll set you back as how to score plenty of freebies when youʼre planning your next big trip. pretty sweet photos (as well as boring a booze-fuelled pool party where credibility about completing a 6000 much as an Orange Wednesday at stories to share with strangers in the revellers bask in the fact that they’ve metre peak at a time when too many Pizza Express. Get it on your list, smoking area of your next night out). actually managed to survive the day. people are raving about Kilimanjaro. and give it the time it truly deserves. FRIDAY 04 OCT 29

Editor: Maximilian Eggl, Yong Wen Chua technology.felix@imperial. TECHNOLOGY ac.uk The crippling effect of Technology Max Eggl ruminates on the repercussion of our device addiction

h is is a very interesting question couch, no one talks to you, and you I found myself talking about with pull out your phone. However how a friend recently. Is technology much is that really going to help you really making us weaker, mentally socialize? Without even trying, you and physically? If you consider that are never going to learn anything! technology is part of the human All these points are unstudied or condition, then you would disagree at least unproven, and yet when I and I would be on your side. All the look at them they do seem to have brilliant things that humans have some ring of truth. Even if they are invented really do make everything not true, what would be the problem better (or do they? Sorry just had to with putting your devices and gadgets put that cliché in). However if we only once in a while? Do something that consider the human as the biological our ancestors have managed over entity that makes him, is there a thousands of years! diff erent story? What I am not saying is that we Anytime new technology has come should do away with technology along, it has eased the segment of lives completely. Technology itself is a very it aff ects, otherwise it would not really useful tool that really does help. It have been invented. h rough making has enabled humans to do so much. pretty much everything easier and in the US as well as the map of the easily everything is accessible from solving skills, I mean if you never However the tool itself is not intrinsic doable, some people say that it has percentage of commuters that drive, literally everywhere. Some studies actually have to resolve anything, why good or bad, it is only as good as the expanded the human border as well shows some striking trends. Is it claim to show that this leads to a would you ever learn how to? purpose that it is used for and therefor as enhanced the every day persons then that perhaps due to the ease and lower attention span. When you have In contrast to confrontation, also what the human intends to do with it. capabilities. Airplanes and cars have speed of driving a car, that exercise instant access to anything you want, normal conservations seem to have In our society of instant gratifi cation, revolutionised travel, Internet has (e.g. biking, walking) is shunned and games, blogs, facebook profi les etc., as suff ered. Recently I haven’t had humanity has fuelled its addiction changed the way we communicate this leads to a negative impact on the well as it being short and snappy, then a single conservation that wasn’t for pleasure with the easy way out. and exchange information and human body? I think that most of when you really have to concentrate interrupted at some point by a text, However as always humans do it tablets have changed the way we you would agree. However driving on something that may not be done tweet or facebook notifi cation. I without any kind of restraint. As the interact with media. h ese are just cannot be solely credited with causing in a similar manner may be very off mean, its a form of comfort zone saying goes, too much of anything is a few examples of how certain areas obesity. Other factors also often putting. when you are sitting at a party on the never a good thing that are a fundamental part of the linked with obesity like eating habits h e last thing I would like to point average human life have been aff ected and lifestyle. However there also other out is the eff ect that the internet, radically. In fact most of these eff ects technology factors that I could have and its easy sharing has had on our The News Bubble have been very positive, giving us mentioned instead, which would have communication skills. Firstly, due the possibilities to travel, talk and shown similar trends! to a rise of text speak, which I know General news from around the tech world, so you can keep up to do things that would not have been Given that nomophobia, a now all of us use, this current generation date with the newest, weirdest and most futuristic things around possible in such scale even 50 years recognised phobia that can lead to is more accustomed to using these ago. stress and anxiety in those that are abbreviations than the correct h e big question I always have in without their phones, was prevalent in English. I have stopped counting how Shocking! Lighting powers phone mind though is that, has technology roughly half the population sampled many times I actually had to correct on its own made the human being by YouGov, implies a interesting my “you’s” from “u’s” in proper emails Researchers at Southampton with Nokia engineers have managed to charge fundamentally weaker, more trend, since the smartphone as such etc. . Maybe this is just the evolution a telephone using lightning. Similar to creation of the monster Frankenstein dependent on the devices and only really exists only about 10 years. of the English language, but it does and powering of the DeLorean in Back to the Future, the scientists created machines that surround them? h e smartphone has become such a seem to be leading to a weakening a lightning bolt at the telephone. Surprisingly enough the phones battery Probably one of the most obvious useful appendage that, even though of the beautiful vocabulary that each manage to do something with the high voltage, and was charged! Lets hope ones is probably the eff ect that cars it really does not add anything new to language possesses. Another aspect of this electrifying discovery will actually come to some use in the future. have had on the human body on our lives, the lack of it is very apparent. being on the internet permanently, is the whole. h ere have been some Another interesting aspect of the the fact that avoiding confrontations, interesting studies that seem to show smartphone with respect to our is so much easier. If you want to escape a link between driving and obesity. dependency on tech and perceived a fi ght you just leave the site. h is BlackBerry goes private! Overlaying a map of obese adults resulting weakness is related to how can lead to an erosion of real confl ict After several unsuccessful attempts, BlackBerry has fi nally bitten to Left we have Obesity Rates in the US, on the right we have amount of drivers the bullet to the glee of this editor. On the 23rd September this failed technology giant announced that it will be bought by a consortium of investors at a value of $4.7 billion. Considering that at its all time high this Canadian company was once worth $84 billion, this is rather cheap. h e only thing that still remains up Blackberry’s sleeve is its wealth of patents, which it could use to potentially use to either license or sell on in a bid to remain relevant. However one thing that seems sure, the hey day of this once powerful manufacturer seems to absolutely grounded.

Maximilian Eggl Yong Wen Chua Technology Editors 30 FRIDAY 04 OCT

Editor: Carol Ann Cheah, Michael Yat Kit Chung FOOD [email protected] Farmers’ food at the doorstep Daas Kaluvan proves that quality food exists outside supermarkets

You might have seen the signs around campus already – there is a new farmers market on Queens Lawn every Tuesday. You will be surprised by how much fresh vegetables and fruits this is. Apart from the expected English strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, plums, apples and pears, there are also Downland Pigs famous free range hog roast, Brambletye Farm’s organic eggs and sweet and savoury goodies from Queen of Cakes. None of which you will be able to get from your local Sainsbury’s.

And with my goodies from the market I made something special for dinner:

Pan-seared Pigeon Breast with Stuff ed Courgette Flowers and Oven Roasted Potatoes

It’s simple, yet it looks restaurant- level gourmet due to the not-quite- common ingredients - you get amazing fl avours and a mix of colour. You also get to experiment a bit with pretty cheff y techniques, so this recipe is perfect for those who’ve never tried stuff like deglazing pans to make gravy, etc. We’re in-between seasons at the Bloomsbury Marina O Connell talking to customers at the stall. Probably about all the yummy food on offer! moment, so sadly courgette fl owers are sort of on their way out (they’re the heated oil + desired seasoning is golden brown. Cheese should be a summer thing) - but gamey pigeon on your tray to give a nice light heated through and somewhat melty- breast is perfect for the autumn/winter. coating, then return to the oven. ish, but don’t cook these veggies to h e beauty of this dish is its death! Remove and arrange on plate. fl exibility - there are no food police! While waiting, lightly season the If you can’t fi nd courgette fl owers, pigeon breasts with salt and pepper, By this time the potatoes should be sub with your own veggies (preferably then place skin side down on a hot pan ready as well - you should time the the stuff that’s more in season) - and cook for a few minutes. Don’t move courgette fl owers to be cooked a few no need to pan-fry with egg wash it about after it fi rst makes contact minutes before the potatoes are done. necessarily. Or for something just as with the pan; you want it to develop a h e sauce should have suffi ciently impressive, blackberry and game are nice sear and colour. Like duck breast, reduced as well, so turn off the oven known to go quite well together so pigeon should not be cooked to death/ and the stove, take everything out you can toss blackberries and salad greyness - you still want it pinkish, and and just plate up - then tuck in! leaves, dress, and serve with this it’s not going to take long. Turn over dish. Adjust amounts for a starter or after a few minutes and cook the other With special thanks to Wild Country main, tweak it to make as fi lling or side in the same way, then remove Organics for providing the courgette as light as you want depending on from pan and let rest on a plate. fl owers. Pigeon meat from the South how in-between-seasons you feel. Downs Venison and Game stall. Deglaze the pan with a splash of Ingredients red wine, then add a bit of the 2 potatoes lingonberry/raspberry jam and stir 4 small pigeon breasts until well combined. Continue to 4 courgette fl owers heat on medium until it reduces, Share your 1 egg, beaten adding some of the resting juices from Plain fl our for egg wash the pigeon breast midway through A tart berry jam (we used IKEA’s (you’ll see them seep out - just throw yummy recipes Lingonberry, but raspberry works) them back into the pan.) You want ½ ball mozzarella the gravy to be a bit tart and thick, with fellow Red wine for gravy so adjust jam amounts with care. Salt and pepper to season While your gravy slowly reduces, rinse and dry the courgette fl owers. Imperialites! Preheat your oven to 200 degrees Cut up your mozzarella ball and stuff , Celsius, popping a tray of olive oil then dip in beaten egg wash, drip off in to heat through. Peel and dice any excess and dust with seasoned the potatoes into medium chunks, fl our (it’s easy - just mix plain fl our then parboil in salted water to give a with salt and pepper.) Heat a second Email headstart on cooking, but not until pan with a bit of oil and pan-fry the Mmmmm.... fully tender. Drain and toss with courgette fl owers until the coating [email protected] If this doesnʼt make you want to visit the market I donʼt know what will! FRIDAY 04 OCT 31

@feliximperial

FelixImperial FOOD What does Gousto mean? Carol Ann Cheah got the answer through the post

It’s not everyday that the Felix Food the fresh stuff stayed nicely chilled un- Not too long after we had the fi nal and as not-chemically-laced as I can); mind - but it’s only because they need crew gets to review something that til I managed to fridge it up, and we meal of the pack - rump steak with but this is a major plus. time to source and prepare ingre- was featured and acclaimed on BBC’s all agreed it looked fantastic. It was gremolata. Phil likes his cooked a bit - Great balanced recipes that change dients. Understandable, but if there Dragons’ Den. Back in August I was only after bringing the box home that more towards medium/medium well, with the season - extremely well- were some way to reduce how far trawling through FEAST at Batter- I’d noticed one of the Dijon mustard but I like mine medium rare or rare; written, concise, but doesn’t skimp on ahead people need to decide (even if it sea Park with the just-as-much-of-a- mini-containers had somehow come the instructions only covered cooking detail like prep/cooking time + back- was a few days less), it would be even foodie (if not more) boyfriend (in fact apart and left some mustard inside till medium rare. Luckily this wasn’t ground info to help you plan ahead. better. You can’t have it all though, Battersea was his idea, I was busy re- one of the ingredient bags (boo!), but quite my fi rst steak, and I do cook - Nothing crazily fussy, so they’re not which is fair. vising for resits and UROP-ing at the it wasn’t the end of the world. Every- quite a bit of it with my boyfriend forcing you to use insane cheff y tech- - Not every recipe is next-day-friendly, time to think of Food-related press.) thing came nicely labelled (with the (well he cooks it more), but it would’ve niques or spend hours in the kitchen but they’re operating on the impres- Prior to that we’d heard of Gousto odd bit of wit, not unlike Innocent been nice to see a bit more detail on (30-40 mins most from start to fi n- sion that you’re cooking for two and being mentioned on the interwebs a juices), so there was no reason to goof getting diff erent levels of steak done- ish, then however long you take to eating it all there and then! However if few times, and decided to drop by the up with the wrong ingredient - or ness. Can’t however fault this being a eat). Just the kind of food that’s simple you’re buying the box just for yourself, stall to leave our contact details. h ey wrong portion sizes for recipe, as two great recipe to introduce steak virgins enough to get you cooking regularly, that’s the only thing you can do atm. soon got in touch, and we agreed to a of our recipes shared a few ingredients to cooking and prepping it. yet great tasting to keep you from a h ey’re hoping to off er single-person review box - not long after, we were like potatoes. All in all we did come away with a rut. boxes though, so watch this space… watching Duncan Bannatyne display We had a 2-person box and picked good impression of Gousto, and we - Good way to try something new, his cooking prowess with one of the three recipes: Bavarian Fleischpfl anz- think it’s a great product - but it might be it an ingredient or recipe or tech- General verdict recipes we’d picked. Talk about strik- erl (fancy way of saying meatballs) not be for everyone in our readership nique. h ere’s always something new Would heartily recommend, but not ing gold, we say! with sauteed rosemary potatoes, due to cost (students, I’m looking at to learn! for everyone. Perhaps ideal for busy Food delivery boxes - be they snacks rump steak with roasted potato wedg- you.) Some of us would also like to see Imperial staff who don’t like thinking a’la Graze or fresh fruit/veg/meat es and Italian gremolata, and *that* some one-person boxes happen in the What we didn’t dig about food shopping or portioning boxes by the Riverford crew - seem to famous honey mustard glazed trout future, though personally as a “cook - You only get 3 meals for 2 people (6 things up, but still want to cook. For be gaining quite a bit of traction with fi llet with summer salad, a’la Duncan ahead and eat leftovers for lunch” portions) per week (there’s a 4-person students, maybe a once-in-a-blue- us Brits. Now I really should use “us” Bannatyne/BBC. All the portioned-up person (and because cooking for one option though) - though if you’re will- moon thing only because of budgetary loosely, not being actual Brit myself; grub came with their corresponding produces just as much mess) I’m not ing to fork out a bit more, you can pri- reasons (it’s cheaper to do your own but I digress - when you’ve lost count recipes in the form of lovely cards, sure how feasible that might be. Be- vately arrange for a 5-meal box food shop and put a bit more fore- of the number of friends using such which can be kept and re-used should low we’ve made a bit of a pros and - It’s 42 quid a week for the above box thought/learning) - Carol will how- services (a former Food editor be- you like the recipes enough. cons list/recap, but it’s up to you. We’d (vegetarian boxes cost 3 quid less), ever certainly be on the lookout to see ing a Riverford customer, and a bajil- On day 1 I was alone, so I made the love to see where the Gousto boys - which comes up to 7 quid a meal - if something unique comes up on the lion mates including your housemate trout salad in one go and decided to Timo and James - take this concept quite a hefty tag, though the premium weekly recipe rotation... being massive Graze fans), it’s hard test how well it kept the next day. Sure to...g’luck, chaps! is because all the ingredients are or- to not pay attention to this concept enough Duncan and the fellow Drag- ganic/free-range and you’re also pay- Dislaimer: Gousto sent us a com- mushrooming about. ons weren’t amiss when they lapped What we loved ing for someone to do the legwork of plimentary box back in Sept 03 for Gousto (pronounced goo-stow) is up the salad, and I discovered with - Little to no food waste. It’s probably portioning/thinking what to cook for review and consideration - special one such company, but instead of just this recipe that I actually like beet- the key selling point here. you. thanks to Aidan Willcocks at Gousto giving you a ton of purely fresh pro- root (having never tried it before, - Quality produce and ingredients. - It’s not as spontaneous (Kelly Hop- for arranging this for us! All opinions duce like Riverford, they’ve gone the how odd!) h at and Dijon mustard h ey just speak for themselves - I’m pen, you read my mind) - you have however are our own - our duty is to extra mile of portioning it up with - the recipe broke whatever miscon- not a food snob, I’d happily eat not- to decide by Wednesday night what you, the reader. other ingredients/seasonings - and ceptions I had about crappy yellow quite-organic/free-range produce (I you want for the next Tuesday, which giving you recipes to cook it with. h e mustard, as I didn’t like it much when know my budget, but I buy as local doesn’t help if you then change your Learn more: www.gousto.co.uk best part? Little to no food waste, so younger. It should also be said that the good for those of you who are clueless salad tasted just as great (if not bet- on portion sizes and need a bit of hand ter) the next day, as the fl avours had holding (new fresher cooks, I’m look- more time to mingle - I had fridged it ing at you.) You don’t need to provide and brought it with me to get through much apart from salt, oil, pepper and my UROP lunch hour. h e salad itself maybe a bit of milk/butter depending was fresh, zingy and appetising, full of on the recipe, but they’ll tell you if you yummy stuff to hit your 5-a-day with- need to have anything extra (and it out making you feel like a wannabe won’t be a huge ingredient.) It’s quite WAG pushing a lone leaf about on simple - you go on their website, or- a plate. It’s actually a salad for salad- der your box by picking your 3 recipes haters. for the week (they list ingredients so if A few days after we test-drove the you don’t eat meat/fi sh you can avoid Bavarian Fleischpfl anzerl, with my those) and Bob’s your uncle - just wait housemate Phil as a willing guinea for your box. Like Graze, you can pig. Now Phil eats a bit more than I pause deliveries if you’re away, or stop do (and I can eat quite a bit), but we’re altogether whenever you feel like it. happy to report that the portion sizes It seemed after that Dragon’s Den were just nice. I do wonder how they’d episode the excitement over our box’s cater for customers who are bottom- arrival was infectious - when we col- less pits of huge appetites, but I sup- lected our box from the Felix offi ce, pose these customers have their ways! it was already open...a certain Union We’re not too sure what we could’ve staff member had been too eager to done about the meatballs falling apart see what was inside that she got our a bit, but they were still yummy - and ed-in-chief to open it and let her have the recipe did get you making them a peek. Nevertheless the packaging from scratch, which is a nice thera- was impeccable - produce and ingre- peutic plus. dients arrived pretty much intact, all Extra points for environmental friendly box and the lovely message! 32 FRIDAY 04 OCT CLUBS & SOCS

Volunteering @ Imperial Hardcore Pawn: IC Ches Max Eggl tells the tale of Imperial Chess He Ben Fernando Charity Editor RAG Treasurer fter a very successful year dominating Brit- ish chess, the British Uni and London Uni So no doubt you’ve been accosted by various charities Champions (your resi- at the Freshers’ fair. If, like me, you signed up to all dentA chess team) decided that they their mailing lists and are completely lost as to who needed a new challenge. So when ex- does what and can’t decide what to do because you’re President Sam “Sporter” Porter began not sure what they do and don’t do, then this is article organizing the trip to the US, a lot of is for you. excitement and anticipation started to Broadly speaking, there are three types of not-for arise. With big names like Princeton profi t work that go on at Imperial. I have about 400 and Columbia on the menu, Impe- words left to describe them all so apologies if I miss rial Chess was really looking forward anyone out! to making a name for themselves out there in the land of opportunity. In 1) RAG “Are you a fact we set out with a very strong team RAG is the largest student group at the part of a club with big ambitions, including our union – you’re all members! (we don’t give you a or society? own FIDE Master (FM) Ryan Grif- choice - we just sign you up, muhahahaha). We’re Or do you go fi ths and El Presidente Arijit Gupta. responsible for the fundraising at the Imperial. We do clubbing? Are h e night before was spent in this through the traditional pounce-on-you-in-the- you sociable? preparation, with a gathering of half ICU CHESS street-until-you-beg-for-mercy-and-give-us-your- Do you like the team: Sporter, Baron Luke Bar- Did I ever tell you about the time I was arrested in the USA for graffi ti? change method, but most of our funds come from our projects? Yes, ron, FM Ryan and myself playing ex- events like the Freshers’ Ball, the Bungee Jump, Rubix Yes, Yes? Then change (a very enjoyable variation of h e morning after, still infl uenced tive (he was shaking and with less Cube party and so on. We also take care of a number write in with chess which allows even the weak- by severe jetlag (at least some of us), than 30 seconds on the clock) he of smaller groups on campus like Save the Children something est players to beat extremely strong we found each other and recounted nonetheless managed to beat his op- and UNICEF, and the challenges abroad (like Kili). interesting players) and drinking in the Union, of our nights escapades, for me this ponent. However once El Presidente If you’re interested in what we call FUN-raising then about your and generally just bouncing strate- included a surprisingly comfort- tried to win some actual money, his drop us a line at [email protected]. club, like a two gies off each other that we would use able evening spent next to Luke, chosen opponent decided to medi- page report to destroy our opposition. However who went as far as calling it roman- tate instead of lose his money! What 2) CAG on a Chess since our fl ight was relatively early tic, on a sofa bed. We spent the day an outrage! Another benefi t of our Community Action Group is responsible for Tour! Who on the next day, we decided to call it chilling, chilling Princeton style. A stay at Washington Square was the the volunteering at Imperial, that is, things that don’t knew these a day and reconvene in the airport. breakfast of pancakes (which were fact that Alex (Gandalfi ano) Galli- explicitly involve raising money. You can volunteer to guys were so h e next day dawned rainy and amazing), a visit to Walmart, as well ano (our second board) managed to do just about anything through one of their projects - good?” cloudy, however that did not damp- as some games of footie and chess join us. Without any hesitation he sat from gardening, teaching, helping refugees, teaching en the spirits of the Chess team as on the beautiful Princeton campus down at one of the tables and superb- kids to code to building schools and designing we all arrived early (or perhaps not were all used as welcome relaxation ly checkmated one of the hustlers. solutions to environmental problems. Lots of their so early in some cases) and without and were drumming up quite a lot After our dominating display, none of activities are similar to the Imperial Hub’s, so contact much hassle we all boarded the plane. of local interest. After a rather fi ll- the hustlers wanted to play the Knight either of them at [email protected] or president@ Soon the infl ight entertainment sys- ing burrito and an introduction to Riders anymore, so it seemed like the imperialhub.org tem was discovered, with its option the triangle game (which to my abso- time to leave. Luckily Baron Luke had of multiplayer chess and movies, lute delight has still not been solved met and talked to (as he does with eve- 3) Everything else! and the fl ight was soon played away. by some), we once again separated ry stranger) the president of the Mar- h ere are a huge number of miscellaneous Once we arrived in the US things to return to our beds/sleeping bags. shall chess club, who luckily enough not-for-profi t activities that go on at Imperial. Some quickly became more complicated. h e second day saw the Knight Rid- invited us to a tournament there. are run by departments (i.e. Physics’s ‘Communicating Due to a very absent-minded border ers take on New York. After some h e Marshall is a world famous club Physics’ course); others by faith groups (Islamic Society security guard, Sporter, El Presidente, initial diffi culty parking the Knight which boasts several famous person- are insanely good at raising money!) and a few are run Aditya (Adi) Gupta and Akshaya Ahu- Rider (resulting in a $115 fi ne, ages throughout its illustrious history, by random individuals. We’re planning to put together ja all took at least 30 minutes to pass YOLO), we started our tour of Man- including Stanley Kubrick, Hikaro a full database of these programs in the coming year. through, while the rest of the team hattan. We did do the obligatory walk Nakamura and Bobbie Fischer. In fact slowly got more and more worried that through Central park, however the it is also the location where Fischer In short you can do just about anything. h e various they had all been interrogated. How- two things that were on every Chess contested the game of the century! groups help people from all over the world, ranging ever after that slight complication, geek’s mind were: 1) Chess Hustlers Sadly we were not able to make the from Kensington to Kenya and from El Salvador to (plus a few more), we fi nally made it to of Washington Square and 2) h e beginning of the tournament itself, East London. If you fi nd that something that isn’t our monster of a minibus which was Marshall Chess Club. h erefore with- after failing to park the Knight rider supported, no worries! Anyone can set up a society subsequently named the Knight Rider. out much further ado (and with the in the busy New York streets. How- or project at Imperial, and there is funding to help With some trepidation we approached cliché panorama picture), we made ever we did manage to see the last worthwhile causes. the twelve seat, 4 meter beast, and, as our way to the Chess Hustlers. What two rounds, and in fact there were 4 I suspect that many of you have got to the end of this I was the one who had to drive it, with we saw there did not disappoint. We Grand Masters in attendance, so we and have decided that it sounds really cool but you’re a lot of fear. A lot of trouble was had were pretty much overwhelmed by were not disappointed! Since it was just too busy. Or not! You can’t get away that easily! getting out of the parking lot, however a circle of Chess tables with various getting late though, Princeton was a Both RAG and CAG can take people for shorter once all the start-stop crap had been people in diff erent states of disar- bit of a drive and the fact that we were volunteering stints, from half an hour a week for the overcome it was as smooth as a pawns ray sitting at these tables crying out: going to play the current Ivy League super-busy up to about fi fteen hours a week (yes, that’s top. h us the knight riders were born! “Chess Plaayyyyers, 3 Dollars a game, champions, the big match of the tour, how long I was spending on RAG in the run-up to We duly arrived in Princeton, after 5 for 2!” nicely complemented by some the next day led to the decision that RAG week!). having our fi rst real American meal, soft jazz playing in the background. the knight riders should call it a day. Next week I’ll go through some of the reasons why namely McDonald’s, and were met So with quiet confi dence FM Ryan And without much further ado (how- it’s worth joining in the volunteering at Imperial, but by Austin and George, two members sat down and destroyed his opponent, ever a stop for greasy New York pizza until then email me if you have any questions! rag. of the Princeton chess club. We were upon whose face you could slowly see was included), we made our way back [email protected] – I promise I don’t bite. put into diff erent dorms of various the dawning realisation that he had to Princeton and split up once again. h ere’s a brief guide to charity at Imperial in 529 hosts, as well as the house of one of absolutely no chance. Next Baron h e next day arrived duly, and even words. Do get involved! the student’s chess tutors Johnny (who Luke decided to give a chess hustler though some people (Adi and El Pres- turned out to be an absolute legend). a try. While his win was less asser- idente) had problems getting up, the FRIDAY 04 OCT 33

@feliximperial

FelixImperial CLUBS & SOCS ss Takes the Americas by storm erosʼ campaign in the land of Freedom. Ah, ʻMurica

rest of the team was up bright and early last in the beautiful US of A, every- to face the day. After being given a tour one agreed that we should get up as of Princeton, attending a BioChem early as possible (AKA 8 O’clock), lecture and pretty much stealing eve- so we could see as much as possible. rything possible at a careers fair (I am However that plan was shot, when looking at you Alex Gandalfi ano), we everyone decided that 8:00 was way then made our way to Philadelphia to to early, and the Guptas decided that meet our fi rst adversaries. Overcom- in fact 10:30 itself would be too early ing traffi c and parking diffi culties we as well. After several threatening Fa- fi nally met the president of the UPenn cebook messages, as well as going off Chess club as well as Anup, one of our without them, they managed to sprint team mates and old ex-presidents of and catch up to us at the amazing the clubs, who was living on his own Bagel place we went to for breakfast. in New York, and commenced out MAXIMILIAN EGGL h ings we did on that day includ- fi rst game of the tour. In a very tense The Knight Rider stands tall as the Chess Champions destroy American Chess step by step. Well, mostly. ed: Brooklyn bridge, Wall Street and match with a very strange time control Ground Zero. However it was the (1 hour plus 5 seconds for each move), as the one to end all Chess problems. Cafe, and then were split up once a message that they could not get a Staten Island Ferry (free by the way) Imperial managed to edge out the Ivy After a good night’s rest, and a ho- again. h e Guptas (El Presidente and team together, and thus conceded which stood out. However on the jour- League champs 5-4. Highlights of this agie (an absolutely better version of Adi) stayed together, and the rest all defeat against the superior British ney back, most of the team decided that match include Gandalfi ano “grind- a subway sandwich) we were ready slept in Matthew’s Dorm. Before we opposition! In actuality this was a a game of Secret Queens was in order ing down his opponent, until he was to play Princeton. However it seems hit the hay, we had a pretty amaz- blessing in disguise as we were still (which Baron Luke won against Aksh- in an utter desperate and hopeless we became overconfi dent. Losing ing time chilling and playing Chess. knackered from the previous match aya) or some much needed nap time, mess”; Sporter coming from com- something embarrassing like 12-6 h e fi rst thing on the agenda on the so we made our way to Times Square instead of having a second look at the pletely lost with a few pawns down, over two matches, we were quite next day was waiting for the Guptas to do some good-old fashioned site Statue of Liberty! What an outrage!!! to swindling himself up a rook and down after this episode. When asked to fi nally wake up. Once they did we seeing! Congratulations should go Anyway, after this really outstand- winning the game in the end and Luke about their games Baron Luke re- had a very enjoyable breakfast con- to Alex and Luke for remaining un- ing, yet tiring day we had our last meal beating his opponent in 18 moves, marked: “Not enough time to press sisting of pizza provided by Colum- beaten throughout the whole tour. in the US, which was none other but saying: ‘she basically couldn’t play’. home an attack against the ‘thug bia before we commenced our game Times Square, while very impres- some classic McDonalds yet again! h e general consensus after the lyfe’ ” and Adi attributed his loss with two time Ivy League champions sive, was extremely packed for some h ereafter, we trudged over to New- game was that we had been domi- to “h e women’s charm”... ohh Adi! Columbia. Sadly we lost 7-2 yet, how- festival, so after a quick stroll and peak ark Airport once more. Without much nating, and in fact should have won However we quickly had to prepare ever given the nature of the games, we around the area we decided to vacate it hassle we boarded the plane, and pretty much on all boards. h is con- ourselves for a bigger loss, because it can say we actually did rather well. I and look at other things. At this point commenced once again in using and clusion and the fact that we were was time not only to leave Princeton, myself was playing a much higher Sporter (actually the Chess club) was abusing the in-fl ight entertainment! now North Atlantic Chess champi- but also to give up the Knight Rider. rated player, and, until I started hav- feeling very generous, so it was decid- Before you knew it, the Knight Riders ons allowed us a heightened sense Our big baby couldn’t and wouldn’t fi t ing time problems had him very ed that $10 would be subsidized to eve- had touched down in Britain again! of achievement and were looking into the New York parking spots, and well contained. All our resident FM ry player for their dinner. h e chosen Much thanks goes to Matthew, Aus- forward to our next opponents. so with some reluctance we gave the would say though is: “Banter right...?”, venue was Applebee’s and we were not tin, Johnny and all the other hosts and Since our game took quite a bit of Knight Rider back to Hertz, and then which pretty much sums up his game. disappointed! With pretty much the organizers of the US Universities as time we arrived returned rather late made our way to Columbia Univer- After this somewhat disappoint- entire table ordering the 1800 calorie well as Stu from the Marshall chess to Princeton and missed out on their sity, for our second stage of the tour. ing loss, where the result belied the Mac and Cheese with bacon, as well class! Lastly I would like to thank all club night! However this was no big- Very well organised and friendly, actual performances, we rushed over as another diabetes inducing dessert, my brilliant tour mates, as well as Sam gie, as we would be meeting them the we were met by Matthew, the Colum- to Washington Square to play NYU. we were pretty much all very sated! Sporter Porter who did so much to next day in the match that was billed bia Chess President, at the Columbia However on the train, Sporter got Since the next day would be our make this possible! Till next year folks! Oranges and Lemons say the bells of St. Clement’s

Sophie Middleton David Phillips

University of London Society of Change Ringers

ou fi nd yourself in the TOM SIBLEY DAVID PHILLIPS library; you have an exam/ deadline tomorrow that h e ancient English art of bells you have, the possible changes We practice on a h ursday evening Practises are always followed by has made your stress levels campanology involves bell ringers and methods grow exponentially; at the Church of St Olave’s, Tower visits to a variety of pubs (sometimes reachY a new high. Hyped up on pro pulling ropes. h ese are attached as anyone who has done statistics Hill, though there are constant consecutively) and Sunday morning plus and red bull, a heavenly chorus to wheels to turn bells through 360 would know. h is means that even weekday and weekend quarter peals ringing is usually followed by a drifts in from Queens Tower and the degrees, not like the Mars advert. though bell ringing was started organised throughout the year. If you ‘Spoons breakfast and more drinking. melodic chiming of the bells makes h is mechanism allows the ringers in the 17th century there are new are wondering, a quarter-peal takes We also hold several ringing tours and everything seem alright… Who am I to control the bell, allowing them to methods discovered every day and approximately 45 minutes, 1260 social events over the year, the climax kidding? Anybody with Facebook or ring the mathematical permutations many, many more yet to be realised. changes to be precise, and is rung for being the swanky annual dinner. Twitter is accustomed to the tirade that form change ringing. Founded in 1945, the University of important occasions. A full peal is So do you fi nd ringing a-peal-ing? of complaints about ‘noise pollution’ Most towers have 6 or 8 bells though London Society of Change Ringers 5060 changes and is usually reserved Interested in learning the ropes? If and their suddenly sensitive ears. But some, such as Queens Tower, have (ULSCR) is the only bell ringing for very special moments, such as the you like it, why not put a ring on it? ever wondered what is really going 10. h ey are arranged from smallest society available for students in Royal Baby, due to the colossal stamina Okay, I’m all out of puns. For further on up there? What is change ringing (‘the treble’) to largest (‘the tenor’), London. And yes, even though it required to concentrate for 3 hours. information about the society and and who are the mythical bell ringers? usually in a diatonic scale. h e more is UoL, Imperial students can join. However, it’s not all about ringing! events please visit www.ulscr.org.uk 34 FRIDAY 0404 OCT

HANGMAN [email protected]

The Hangman’s Week GUEST EDITORIAL

The Hangman topless pictures of myself doing very it and we ended up gallivanting around Hangman Editor stereotypical male things like riding the streets of London wrestling with Captain Takeout horses, chopping down trees and our muscles oiled and shining in the Hangman Guest Editor fi shing. city lights. Of course the next day once In order to reinforce these I realised that they had tricked me gender stereotypes I plan to release into spending the evening with some ammit! After my article last week it Hello, my name is the Captain. I new pictures of my topless body actors they had hired I was annoyed, seems as though the Editor is keeping eat twenty horses for dinner and ride surrounded by other men dressed but eventually I realised that they were an eye on me this week. He let the kids eggs every day before breakfast. After in the uniform of traditional male just playing around, the ultimate Lads! from “h e Turnip take over and gave writing an exclusive guest editorial in workers, such as a police offi cer, a It is unfortunate that the female my editorial to Captain Takeout. Also an American newspaper the Hangman cowboy and of course a construction Lode couldn’t join us, but we still had DI must take the time to pledge allegience to our all- took the liberty of inviting me to worker. In this way I plan to guide our a lot of fun on our exciting adventures powerful President Godlsmith, may his rule reign discuss the plans for the upcoming children towards a more “normal” around London. Seeing them again forever. Seriously, the dude is scary with a baseball bat! Homophobic Games that I’m hosting perception of human sexuality. made me realise how much my life Were you at the Freshers’ Fair this week? Did you see in my domain. h at’s right, I said it out Eventually our children will grow to has changed in the last 15 years since the Felix stall? No? Good! It was kinda embarrassing, loud, there’s nothing you can do about understand to see a “harmless” male I stopped wearing my dungarees and we had these sweets that literally nobody wanted. it. couple holding hands as dangerous straw hat while going clubbing to It was all OK in the end though, the Editor needed “Think you h e theme for the Winter while they will grow to look forward those specialist all-male clubs. It’s a dinner so I handed the sweets to him and told him can make Homophobic Games 2014 is of course to seeing bigger and better pictures shame those times had to end, but it’s they were dieting pills. He lapped it up like a cat in a up a better hatin’ on people with sexuality I just of me in various poses, occasionally all part of the experience I want for milk factory. Let’s see if the Copy Editors spot that one! horoscope? can’t understand. Now don’t get me covered in oil. the next generation: A strong sexual So I also made it the Alternative Mingle last weekend Email wrong, I do enjoy a bit of Supermarket I also had the opportunity to come identity and an ability have a lot of fun to see what the Union’s latest jaunt had to off er. I can hangman. Sweep and the Graham Norton Show along to the Freshers’ Fair in your with your peers, both in a physical and see why it was “Alternative”, having an event with no felix@imperial. is simply divine, however I strongly institution (I have to admit the name emotional sense produces mentally alcohol can only be seriously proposed if you’re high ac.uk and give believe that we should make sure is fantastic, “Imperial” presents a very healthy adults who are able to engage on some kind of substance. Nevertheless despite my it a go!” that these people do not infl uence strong presence) and I was surprised in fulfi lling lives fl avoured with the misgivings it was pretty popular, even I got into the our children while they are growing to see some of my old Stonemason insecurity and sense of unease that mood and had a cracking time (no pun intended). up and developing. Instead I believe friends. We had some great times, has helped me become the person I Surprisingly the “main” Mingle had a slow start the best policy is to give them strong I remember the time I visited their am today. Oh, and I also believe that on the second day, must have sucked more than gender roles to learn from, which is Lode with a bottle of champagne, a your country is small and insignifi cant (insert standard University of London reference one of the reasons I like to publish toothbrush and a sock. h ey ran with so tell your boss to stop calling... here, default: UCL) for the bands that performed to an empty room. Well does the sound crew count? First black Felix Editor awarded Nobel Prize for Literature

Swedish kroner prize to pay down The Hangman the debts incurred by erstwhile Hangman Editor sabbatical offi cers over the past year. In his speech Joe stated that he feels “extremely surprised and deeply nly a few weeks humbled” and that this was a huge into his tenure as part of his Bucket List checked off . Felix Editor, Joe “Now all I have to do is get sued Scumbag fresher: Goes to Mingle, misses live music Letts (Pictured) for libel. Seriously, I won’t have has been awarded made it as a journalist without Look, I’m sure you can tell I’m starting to get bored Othe Nobel Prize for Literature. a libel suit to pin on my lapels. with being bloody nice, I’m starting to get the shivers h e awarding committee cited his On that note, I would like to tell you and the dog in the corner is starting to laugh at me. ‘inspirational leadership in restoring all that I was once spent a night with Instead of boring you with my tired ramblings as I try to confi dence in student journalism’. Harry Styles. I think we both had a fi ll up space so the Editor won’t try to take my guts for Mr Letts announced that he will fantastic time, I’ve even got some garters I’ve instead decided to end my post with a meme be using the entire 10 million pictures if you’re willing to pay enough.” from the defunct Imperial Memes facebook group. MILEY CYRUS ENSURES FUTURE OF MTV

Within minutes, the world exploded The Hangman in a furious torrent of empty Hangman Editor words and poorly thought-out opinions, as part of the greatest attention harvest since the Beatles. or centuries, groups of MTV Chair Akash, High people have gathered Priest of the All-Engrossing together to sacrifi ce young One, made a public statement: girls to Pagan gods in order to ensure a good “We are delighted that the sacrifi ce Fharvest. h is year was no diff erent, of Ms Cyrus has yielded so much as MTV thrust a dancing girl into the attention. With any luck, we centre of a baying, cheering crowd should be able to channel this in order to appease the ancient into an entirely new TV channel. Celtic god of attention, #Hashtag. h is one is just going to be about music. h e girl, identifi ed by many as For a while, at least. I hear there’s an Miley Cyrus, was drunk on honey- up and coming LA fashion designer wine and dizzy from inhaling who’s just been arrested for assaulting the thick incense backstage in her husband, so naturally we’re going BUSINESS INSIDER the temple’s inner sanctum. to have to give her a slot in peak time” FRIDAY 04 OCT 35

@feliximperial

FelixImperial HANGMAN

EVERYONE TOO AFRAID the turnip Alternative Mingle TO TALK TO FRESHERS Hangman’s Finest College News Source fter months of heady banter, Misses the Point second and third year A students have set their targets for just how many freshers they plan to sleep with during fresher’s week. US Government to Treat Unfortunately, the Hangman can offi cially report that every single Itself to Autumn Getaway one of these students has failed to hook up with a fresher despite their Shakespearean chat-up lines:

“So, what do you study?” “You look foreign, where are you As the traditional IC Union Mingle organisers of the Alternative from?” was going on, so was a so-called Mingle exactly how a separate event “What hall do you live in? Does your ‘Alternative Mingle’, for people who encouraged people to mingle, and window face the street?” don’t like the sort of music played we received the following statement: at the Mingle, hosting a series of “h e Alternative Mingle is for Britain’s leading expert, Dr. Tom MIKE SEGAR/REUTERS live music acts instead of a DJ who people who don’t want to go to Perignon from the Institute Following months of debate about ally allow us to chill out”. “I think we still insists that he is 27 despite the Mingle because they might for Pretend Sociology says that the federal budget, the entire US gov- really deserve that” he added. Whilst, his grey hair and faded tattoos. not like it. We understand that this is to be entirely expected. ernment has today decided to take a there has been a split amongst elected h e Union was not best pleased with it’s all about meeting new people, “Our latest research shows that much-needed autumnal holiday. In- offi cials as to whether to go on a holi- the presence of the Alternative Mingle. but really, who wants to meet even a few months at Imperial is stead of agreeing to a bill to fund the day or simply lounge around at home, A Union spokesperson said, “h is is someone that likes diff erent things?” enough to cause a person’s social state, every one of the 100 Senators all were agreed that the downtime completely missing the point of the “Next year, we’re hoping to have skills to completely atrophy. Like and the 435 Representatives decided was well-earned. “You know, we can’t Mingle. h e Mingle has been carefully several alternative alternative mingles a muscle, social skills waste away to simply let the October 1st deadline agree on all the details” said Minority designed by a team of sociologists to so that people can only go to things if they are not used often enough. run out. “We realised we were becom- Leader Mitch McConnell before add- create an environment in which people they like with people that like the same Interestingly, many students develop ing obsessed with the new budget. It ing “the important thing is that we all can make as many friends as possible.” thing. It’s the best way to meet people” a coping mechanism known as ‘Nerd was unhealthy” said speaker of the get a decent rest”. At press time, Presi- “h is is achieved by making the “h e long term goal is to have an Elitism’ where they refuse to talk about House, John Boehner. President of dent Obama has been seen taking night as awful as we can so that individual mingle for each person, anything that does not interest them. In the Senate, Joe Biden was similarly ef- some time to mow the White House people have no choice but to buy one that is tailored to their favourite severe cases, these students arbitrarily fusive “It’s easy to get all het-up about lawn. Vice-President Biden, however, drinks and talk to one another.” activities. You know, a bit like the hate those that do not know how to these things. Taking a step back and has been sighted getting off a plane in Our Hangman journalist Timothy Mirror of ERISED from Harry Potter.” play all of the songs from Ocarina letting the current deal expire will re- Ibiza. McSweeney asked one of the of Time on a touch-tone phone.” CANCER GEMINI TAURUS VIRGO ARIES LEO

This week, being the crazy This week you go to Reyn- This week, you’re a super awe- This week you’re too shy to talk This week you return from your This week, you fi nd the fabled fresher that you are, you de- olds for the fi rst time. You some RAG committee member to people so start chatting to year in Industry, fl ashing your fresher on your course that cide to steal a traffi c cone. fi nd yourself actually enjoy- welcoming fresher students. your illegal rice cooker instead. easy-earned cash from being “totally rejected Oxford,” and Whilst heavily intoxicated you ing sitting on vomit stained As you hug some drunkard, You name it Wilson, and tell it the Goldman Sachs coffee listen to how he just can’t wait carefully select your roadside fl oors, chanting in unison he slowly gurgles snakebite- the hopes and dreams you har- bitch. You attempt to pay for for the awesome London party trophy, drag the dead weight with other air-headed “medi- tainted puke down your back bour of getting that fi rst. A Sub- your coffee (espresso) with a scene that Oxford could only back to halls and triumphant- cal students,” as some guy that blends in perfectly to your warden fi nds you dry hump- fi fty in the library cafe, only to dream of. You fi nd him later ly pass out. You wake up downs a litre of Tesco value violently pink polo shirt. You ing it four days later, whilst it have some PhD student steal after a night in Metric, slowly searching for your prize, only vodka. Expect to be hated by don’t realise until two days boasts a face made out of your it from you, manically cackling sobbing into his framed ac- to fi nd you dragged home hall mates for the rest of the later when you feel a pigeon blood... after not eating properly all ceptance letter as he tries to

a dead tramp in a sleeping year when you fail to shut up pecking chunks of it from your CAPRICORN summer. transfer back last minute. bag by mistake. about it. shoulder. AQUARIUS SAGITTARIUS SCORPIO PISCES LIBRA

This week, you proudly hang a This week you form vapid, You read out the previous horo- This week fi nally met the Doc- It’s been a long week and This week you search in ear- red lanyard around your neck. empty, temporary friendships scope to your kitchen as you tor at the Freshers’ Fair! Go you’ve almost done an all- nest for the Masturbation Soc You’ve made it! You can fully with the people in your kitchen predrink for another wild night you! You ask him to take you nighter. As you walk back to- at Fresher’s Fair, after some buy discounted coffee! Impe- by bonding over A-level exams at Fabric, and you all laugh at away to a distant place and wards your room at 7 AM you second year told you it was a rial is the best place ever! A and failed Oxbridge interviews. how untrue it is and how you time only to fi nd out that you see the eager Sabbs arriving key part of the Imperial way of cynical second year student You change your profi le picture are all going to be friends for- have to do him a favour fi rst. for work. Oh wait, they’re go- life. After asking everyone you jumps you and cuts it off, to one of 200 group photos from ever. An awkward pause fol- After you climb out of the Heart ing home as well, having been meet where the stall may be, severing your carotid artery a night out, with the caption lows, whilst you all contemplate of the TARDIS, remove your kept awake all night by their you fi nally realised you misun- in the process. Red spreads #Freshers2013, whilst secretly the utopia of true friendship you pink tutu and stop shivering pink t-shirts. They jump you derstood just what that student from the lanyard through that hoping to meet better people desperately hope to discover he takes you to the future. Wel- and fi ght over the scraps of said, and shuffl e sadly to your freshly ironed shirt. and dump this group of airheads one day. come to Exam Week! your fashionable shirt. bedside drawer instead. 36 FRIDAY 04 OCT

Editors: VACANT CAREERS [email protected] IAESTE - A journey without a

Enrico Fantoni IAESTE London Vice-President Imperial Chemistry Alumnus Marc Sloan IAESTE London Sarah Thickett IAESTE London

t was something as innocuous as an online search where I discovered the International Association for the Exchange of Students for Technical Experience I- or IAESTE (eye∙ee∙es∙ta) –during my second year reading Chemistry at Imperial College London. I’d already considered a number of similar schemes, all off ering undergrads the opportunity to work abroad for 6-12 weeks during the summer IAESTE LONDON (sometimes a year) with full pay, but often only in business, language living abroad is the isolation one same IAESTE passion in UK students commitment. A big reason to be a IAESTE to potential employers. assistance, the tourism industry or can face upon arrival. I was certainly and those international trainees part of it is that committed members In the London LC we are heavily with some other caveat or restriction. disheartened during my fi rst couple lucky enough to land on our shores. are rewarded with a guaranteed committed to improving the skills of IAESTE on the other hand, which of days and I experienced culture If you’re interested in experiencing IAESTE internship the following our members. A training weekend is is run by the British Council in the shock, but it was a challenge that a new culture and applying yourself, summer, which is signifi cant given held in October annually, introducing UK (the same folks who manage the IAESTE helped me to overcome. then look out for us at your next how competitive securing placements attendees to the organisation of well-known ERASMUS) is focused h e Danish and UK IAESTE offi cers career’s fair or on our website. During can be. However, the majority of our IAESTE and the London LC and on science, technology and applied were on hand for any occurrence the autumn term we allow students to members are drawn to the LC simply teaching them how to communicate arts placements i.e. exactly the kind and every other international trainee register their interest on our website because the experience is fun: besides with employers. Moreover, we of work experience that is relevant to in Copenhagen was only alone for as before the December 10th deadline. being rewarding, the spirit of the group fund our members’ attendance at me. IAESTE has been running for 65 long as it took to discover one another. h en in February, we contact those – the “IAESTE spirit” – is openly social. international seminars throughout the years, operates in over 80 countries In each major IAESTE city there who have registered with a list of Last year the London LC organized year – last April we were in beautiful and organises more than 4,000 student is a Local Committee (LC) made up available overseas job placements, exchange trips (“twinnings”) with snowy Oslo courtesy of the Norwegian internships every year at over 1,500 of local students, typically IAESTE and applicants submit a complete, Istanbul, Zagreb and Split; we held IAESTE team and in September we’ll companies and institutions globally. alumni, and Copenhagen was no formal application including CV and barbecues, a New Year’s Eve party, a be sunning ourselves in Malta. Aside Many of these organisations are leading diff erent. Every Tuesday the DTU references. Finally, those who succeed Christmas dinner, attended festivals from the fun, cultural activities that universities and industrial fi rms. LC organised a social event for the in their application are helped with and concerts and many more events. these trips involve, their purpose is Fast forward a year, my plane is 20 international trainees to mingle any visa, travel and accommodation  e LC is fi rst and foremost a group also to instruct attendees on how the departing from Copenhagen airport and meet with local students. Each issues and given pre-departure of friends that is open to everyone. international organisation IAESTE is and my eyes are glazed over thinking weekend involved a Danish-inspired training prior to their placements. What’s more, the London LC is an run and to help foster international about the summer I’ve just had. Two activity, ranging from a stroll through international organization. It has a relations. Upon returning from months earlier I had started at the the capital, making the most of the Local Committee: an experience worldwide reputation and is proud these seminars, members are highly Danish Technical University (DTU). fl at landscape to cycle or visiting the worth a thousand internships to attract members from other LCs energized and ready to get hands-on My project concerned molecular museums around town. h e rain globally, giving all of its members experience building IT platforms, modeling of the energetics of the never stopped us from attending the I like to refer to my involvement endless opportunities to experience promoting, marketing and raising interaction between an enzyme and many festivals which Copenhagen is as a volunteer in the London Local diff erent cultures, to challenge placements in a time and cost-eff ective a variety of lipid substrates. It was famous for: we listened to everything Committee as my IAESTE Plus stereotypes and to obtain fi rst-hand manner, organizing large events, my fi rst exposure to working in a from live jazz to punk-rock beats, experience. My internship was the global experience. h is results in an budgeting, recruiting and selecting a research group, to interdisciplinary learned how to dance to the rhythm tip of the iceberg; the organisation LC that is dynamic, rich in perspective strong team of volunteers and so on. collaboration and to the challenges of salsa and stood silently before the itself holds an enormous amount of and ideas and a skills-enhancing, h e LC is a volunteer-led posed by approaching a new beauty of the moonlit Kronborg castle. potential for a person. h e scope of the international working environment. organisation that is run professionally, research fi eld. It introduced me to h e person that landed back in LC is wide-ranging. Our immediate requiring a talented team comprising Computational Chemistry, a fi eld London was not the same one who had role is as an ‘on-the-ground’ outpost Building a network, building skills a number of diff erent skillsets. Being that I knew little about. I had the left eight weeks earlier. h is person of the British Council IAESTE part of the LC leads to numerous opportunity to compare the British had a newfound understanding of offi ce, being the faces and smiles of Part of the package that comes with chances to practice public speaking university system with the Danish other cultures, a clearer idea of the IAESTE in welcoming new students LC involvement is the gargantuan and presentation skills, it teaches one, to converse with local PhD path they wanted their academic and preparing those who are leaving number of international contacts how to report and to draw statistics students about their motivation and career to take and the knowledge to go abroad. During the summer, that one builds: from peer students based on one’s actions, how to ambitions and to make friends with that IAESTE could off er even more. we take care of the international across many disciplines to IAESTE account for expenses and to plan students from around the world. My experience was unique, yet not trainees resident in the UK, arranging alumni that are now leaders in a budget. h e LC uses modern IT My accommodation was in the singular. I discovered that a group of summer trips, weekly socials and technical and non-technical fi elds; systems to exchange information, university student halls, which were like-minded IAESTE alumni were cultural events. For the remainder from the British Council staff to plan meetings, keep records and conveniently located on campus. I setting up a Local Committee in my of the year, you’ll fi nd us at careers many academics and industrial to communicate transparently. was surprised to fi nd that Danish very own city. h e group shared the fairs promoting IAESTE, networking employers around the globe. We Being a member of the LC isn’t halls of residence provided every same IAESTE spirit and I’ve since with employers and institutions speak to people, we work with them, just about improving your internship kitchen utensil that a professional found myself carried away by the trying to secure new placement we exchange ideas and build trust. chances or fl eshing out your CV, we chef could dream of. And that all ambitious project of setting up the opportunities and working in On top of that, those of us involved are an ambitious group that does students enjoyed en suite rooms group in London, expanding it in collaboration with the British Council. in raising placement opportunities real work that shapes our members for a very reasonable price. size and endeavoring to instill the Joining the LC is a fl exible gain valuable experience in selling and their futures. Ultimately, One of the biggest challenges of FRIDAY 04 OCT 37

@feliximperial

FelixImperial CAREERS

NETWORKING FOR SUCCESS Alumnus Profile Yo Yo, listen up! We got the Careers Service in to give you some hints and tips an end for essential networking practices you can use to land that new job or competi- tive internship. Remember who got you that Lambourghini... -Ed.

It pays to prepare

Careers Service Always read the programme for an Imperial College event as soon as it is available, usually a week before the event in hard copy or on the careers website. It will here are some common usually give you some background “Did you misconceptions about information on the companies know that networking, such as that it’s attending, what they do, what graduates IAESTE was diffi cult and only works for they recruit and into which roles. founded at charismatic personalities It is also a good idea to check out Imperial in Twho are good at schmoozing, or is their website, especially their graduate 1948 as oart basically a back door process for careers pages. When approaching a of a post- Dr. Androula Alekou, Physics PhD asking infl uential contacts to give you company representative at a fair it war effort to Accelerator Physicist at CERN a job. Wrong. Networking is all about doesn’t give a great impression if your promote culture creating a mutually benefi cial web of opening gambit is “what does your fi rm and learning relationships, which is transparent, do?” or “so what kind of jobs do you exchanges What did your PhD involve? honest and allows you to refi ne your have?” Getting this basic information between career ideas and help you fi nd suitable in advance means that when you universities?” Simulations and R&D of a future project (cooling opportunities. Simply, it involves do speak to the representatives channel of a Neutrino Factory). I had to learn many developing your own personal you can have a more meaningful diff erent programming languages and softwares. Also brand and raising your profi le, and conversation and come away with had the chance to participate in other experiments (like connecting with professionals in your the added detail to help you with IAESTE LONDON MICE) that were ongoing and thus had the chance to fi eld of interest to learn more about any applications. h is background participate in shifts and work on hardware, in addition to your sector, career paths, qualifi cation research can also help you to decide data analysis routes and potential vacancies. which companies you really want to the sense of working towards a target. At very large events it may not greater understanding of the world, Describe the career path you took to your current Make the most of campus events be possible to speak individually to empowering other students and role. every company so a “hit list” is a good allowing people to create bonds Making contact and networking idea so that you maximise the time. across international boundaries I had my BSci in Physics in Cyprus (that lasts four with employers couldn’t be easier is what makes it worthwhile. years). For my fi nal year project I was chosen to go to on campus, where a wide range On the day Fermilab for a few months and worked on a particle of careers talks, skills sessions, To get involved, contact one of the physics experiment (fi nished the project back in Cyprus). presentations, fairs and forums are • Remember that fi rst impressions UK Local Committees: I have no Masters. h en I applied for PhD’s in the US/ organised by the Careers Service on count. London and England “IAESTE has UK/Italy and chose to come to Imperial. h ere we (my a daily basis. Employers are actively • h ink of some questions that you ([email protected]) exchanged classmates and I) started with MPhil (6 fi rst months, targeting and specifi cally interested can ask the company representatives. Wales over 300,000 this is why a Masters is not required) and then got into in networking with Imperial students: • Avoid questions that you should ([email protected]) students in research. My research partially involved accelerator already know the answers to. Glasgow and Scotland more than 80 physics and partially particle physics. Before the end of ‘Imperial is one of the top universities • Remember the company ([email protected]) countrries” my PhD I started applying for post-doc positions in the in the country, it makes sense to build representatives are often recent Edinburgh US/UK/EU and was hired as a CERN fellow at CERN (i.e. a relationship with students, go to the graduates themselves so now is the (abi.johnston@iaeste-edinburgh. I am not affi liated with any university). Here I work as an careers fairs and presentations, where ideal time to fi nd out what their co.uk) accelerator physicist on a future project called LAGUNA- those targeted group of students are’ experience has been so far, what the Belfast and Northern Ireland LBNO (i.e. working on R&D and simulations) while at the (Luisa Dunn Graduate Recruitment training programme was like, what ([email protected]) same time getting involved with other small projects that at Cisco). support were they give, what is it require me to do some shifts and data analysis. really like to do that role, work for Visit www.iaestelondon.org.uk and It is vital though that students that company etc. fi nd out how to join our Welcome How has what you learnt at Imperial helped you approach employers in a way that is • First impressions also include Event at the beginning of the new in your career so far? both constructive and professional appearance so if you are serious about academic year. when attending a careers fair or forum: a company or are in the middle of During my PhD at Imperial I learnt not to give up no an application process with them For more information on the IAESTE matter how hard a project seems/is; that I should keep ‘We recommend that students it might pay to turn up at the fair programme, both if you are a student working until a problem is solved. My self-motivation do their research and fi nd out looking smart and presentable. or an employer you can also contact: skills were improved signifi cantly and this had a direct what the companies do so you can • Remember fairs are not a [email protected] impact at my work now; many times you feel you are at spend your time wisely at the event’ university version of a supermarket a dead-end and you need to fi nd ways to get out. Having (Emma Britton, Graduate sweep. h ey are not organised for a PhD is completely diff erent than having a BSci. You Recruitment at Citi) you to see how many freebies you can are required to work alone, to come up with ideas, to grab in the shortest space of time. If you would like be motivated and organised without necessarily having ‘It is imperative that you have • Even if you haven’t started to someone telling you what to do. You don’t have one text questions ready when networking so actively job hunt you will be surprised to fi nd out more book that you have to study from in order to do well at that it is obvious to the employer that how well recruiters remember names the exams. You have to think on your own what steps are you’re interested’ and faces. Making a good impression about IAESTEʼs paid needed to fi nd the solution to a problem that has not been (Steph Ahrens, Graduate Recruitment now could make your job hunting internships why not encountered before. h e PhD experience in total was very at Morgan Stanley) easier in the future. benefi cial as it helps you become stronger, work well as go to their London a team-member and deliver what you are required to by So, think about the type of For a full guide on networking a specifi c deadline. What I learnt that has been the most information and insights you’re with employers, tips on what to welcome event this useful to me is that no matter how diffi cult things seem to hoping to gain, as well as the ask them and advice on how to Sunday (6th Oct)? be, you have to keep swimming with the head outside the impression you want create. Plan build your personal brand, visit water and you will (sooner or later) fi nd the shore (or a your questions in advance and make our Quick Guide to Networking at: rock to relax for a bit before starting to swim again). sure present yourself as professional, Details available online. confi dent, engaged and positive. www.imperial.ac.uk/careers WHAT IF... YOU COULD WIN THE TRIP OF A LIFETIME?

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Register today. Submit your ideas now. www.shellideas360.com/food FRIDAY 04 OCT 39

Editor: VACANT [email protected] SPORT

Cross Country and BREAKING BAD: ICU Athletics run around Wales Snooker & Pool 2012-13 Cue sports club cooks up a storm at national tournaments

ICU CROSS COUNTRY & ATHLETICS ICXC&A grinning in the scorching Welsh summer sun.

goes into a club tour. Cross Country Isabel Holding and Athletics captain Chris Bannon, ICXC&A Social Secretary who was unable to run, came along re- gardless of his injury and his upcom- ing exams. Harriet Nerva and Antoi- n Saturday the 7th of nette Hardijzer, both also had other September twenty- important commitments that week, two members of the but didn’t want to miss all of tour and Cross Country and so ended up staying for half the time. Athletics Team gath- Despite having to make their way back Oered outside the Union to depart on on their own, they are both insistent ICU SNOOKER a week- long running adventure to that the long train journey was worth ICU Snooker & Pool have an interesting array of jumpers. We really need a few sport editors, can you tell? Pembroke. As a group of keen run- it! ners, we naturally considered jogging h ere was so much hype about this Imperial 2 topping their group and Onto an enthralling weekend there, but soon decided to travel the tour, we even had triathlon committee Max Chalmers securing their progression to the in Leeds for BUCS Snooker 240 miles by minibus instead. h e members, Siân Morgan and Ed Hallet, ICU Snooker & Pool knock-out stages. Undoubtedly the Championships where Max Chalmers, van, eff ortlessly navigated and driven join us. Peter Spence also deserves a star of the weekend though was Mr making his snooker debut for Imperial by Matt Douthwaite, was loaded up special mention here. Speller who reached the semi-fi nals 2, had the longest run of all Imperial with trainers, sports bags, games and As our designated cameraman, he h e 2012/13 season for ICU Snooker of the Individual Championship players in the individual event. His twenty odd obligatory contributions was bold enough to take his camera and Pool, which brought about the only to be beaten by the eventual eventual elimination came at the hands of home baked goods. everywhere we went and even faced big name change from ICU Snooker, runner-up, Jin Foulger (Exeter 1). of a player from Kent, a side who we Upon arrival we were welcomed by a runs along the steep, rocky coastal sparked to life with our annual fun- Many of these star performers will enjoy a good relationship with having spacious, seven bedroom house; with paths, with only one free hand. fi lled Freshers’ Pool Party at Rileys be returning for the coming season played a friendly against them at our two sitting rooms and two kitchens, However we witnessed another type Victoria. Many new stars burst onto the so the team can take great confi dence snooker room, in the Union building, attached to a backyard with a terrace, of commitment on tour too, namely scene including the ‘Shermanator’ (aka into next season’s competitions! earlier in the year. h is match proved a lawn and a pond. Not to mention the the commitment to the sport. While Yi Xuan Zhang), for his ambidextrous h e same month brought a trip to a to be great practice in preparation pool, optimal for resistance training the rest of us were playing beach vol- snooker prowess, and eventual bitterly cold Great Yarmouth with the for BUCS - whilst the experience and the hot tub, ideal for muscle re- leyball; or in the case of Richard Ben- Internal League runner-up and prolifi c Vauxhall Holiday Park providing both was relished by both sides - Imperial covery. All this and only minutes away nett, who was merrily letting himself pool player Rob “Rob-ot” Speller. the venue and accommodation for the 2 losing out to Kent 2 but Imperial 1 from coastal running paths! be buried in the sand, Liam Smith was After a tight team trial, our 8-ball 8-ball team competing in the BUCS victorious over Kent 1. Sadly, neither Although the focus throughout the engaging in interval training along- English team was sent to the fi rst 8-ball English Pool Championships. Imperial team carried this success into week lay with running, we had many side the water. Similarly while some tournament of the season, the English h is proved to be a surprise-fi lled their respective team events at BUCS activities unrelated to XC on off er of us were having a lie in and recov- Universities Pool Championships weekend with the narrative of the but, make no mistake, the club is in too. Everyone was keen to contribute ering from a late night, Laurence Tse in Nottingham, where we improved tournament dominated by missed a good position this coming season in whatever way they could to fi ll our and Matthias Knop were already tying considerably on our debut clearances, tactical errors and pot to ensure that this is an anomaly. time with fun and new experiences. up their trainers and getting ready to performance in the perpetually luck. When the tale of the tournament Our continued investment in Vicki Solly held an introductory yoga head out on a morning run. competitive tournament. Although we was fi nally told, Imperial had narrowly beginners’ and advanced coaching class, in which she had us bending In total six out of the twenty two didn’t escape our group the club can missed out on a place in the knock-out sessions for the 2013/14 season will and stretching in ways previously un- tour participants were freshmen. An- take heart from this showing when we stages of the Team Shield, fi nishing 3rd play a vital role in this. h ere are known to many of us. As relaxing as it dreas Ekholm and Duncan Ingram take part in the inaugural Southern in their group. However, a young side many new and exciting opportunities was at the time, this session left most both joined XC&A at the start of au- Universities tournament in October, with a much improved performance on the horizon including the usual of the participants sorer than after the tumn term 2012. Equally Harveen which this year we aim to win! from the previous season gained Freshers’ Party, where we will have 12 km run from the previous day - Hayer, Oliver Ashe and I joined at this Cometh the fi rst major snooker invaluable experience in the BUCS 3-time European pool champion Rico proving to all sceptics that yoga is not time and have now all taken on com- event of the season, Midlands format. For the guys involved, it was Diks teaching fun trick shots, along just posing as a sport. mittee positions. h is goes to show Snooker Championships 2012/13 in an unforgettable experience (although with playing BOTH snooker and pool James Ellis conducted hill reps and how quickly one feels integrated in Coventry, cometh the “Shermanator”. not necessarily for the right reasons!) and free food! An Imperial Women’s Alwyn Elliot taught some basic Kung the club and just how welcoming the h e man from Shanghai took down fi lled with great banter. h is proved to 8-ball English pool team may also be Fu, as well as the vital skill of lighting a members of XC&A are! Having said all some of the most high profi le names, be a necessity to survive the freezing formed this season and competing at log fi re. Sophie Kirk planned the din- this, it would be great to see some new including the now notorious Ben cold caravans, as most of the team BUCS so watch out for that! If you’d ner menu for each day of the week and faces at our runs. Give XC&A a go and Parslew (Manchester 2) who has cozied together by the warm fi re in like to be a part of this exciting and it goes without saying that we were who knows, come next year, it may be dismissed many of Imperial’s fi nest the living room, while only the elder dynamic club, you can see our FREE very well fed! you eagerly putting down your name stars in the past! Overall, it was a statesman of the club, Elwin Carlos, Freshers events at: union.ic.ac.uk/rcc/ It is always fantastic to see the level for the XC&A Summer Tour 2014 sign strong showing from the team, with braved the unheated bedroom! snooker_billiards/events/calendar.php of commitment and enthusiasm that up. Game to edit? Be Sports Editor, email [email protected] “Keep the SPORT Cat Free”

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gave us our fi rst chance to see what and stumbling around with alcohol for club paddling. Canoe Club Summer Tour these parts of Europe had to off er, and on his breath lead to a great camping We drove to Switzerland where we notably this early success had to have deal being struck. h is also marked came to a crossroads in our journey, travels to 3 countries repercussions, as only later that day, a the welcome arrival of the Clissold’s. with the minibus preparing for its fi - bandy group of wanderers went loco It was July the 4th, and an overly pa- nal few days in the Alps, and Messrs, and walked several kilometres down a triotic Joe Bibby seemed to be the only Ralph Evins and Alex Robinson com- President Reece Blunt reveals all road, notably never heading towards one in the party mood as his annual ing out to meet us for the extra week the river. When we had fi nally reunit- celebrations began. Not forgetting his of gnarl that was set to follow. ed, carnage commenced, and along- Yeti costume. h e next day can only be Engadine, an area fi lled with gor- side early face plants, we also man- described as one of the most exciting geous gorges of diff ering variety, was aged longs swims of rapids (Helen) of the tour for most people, since it the scene for the end of the trip, and and not one but two losses of paddles, was their fi rst experience of the truly boy did it deliver. An epic adventure which inevitably meant more swims big and bouncy white water that this down the 4+/5 graded Giarsun Gorge further down. part of the world is known for. set the mark for some of the most Before heading off on leg two of After another day of boating and ad- committing rapids the country has to our adventure, it has to be noted Jake venture, the car of Alby, Ally, Rachel off er, followed by the S-Chamf Gorge Reynolds had an awful time caught and Rik, came across the minibus left past the campsite, a stunningly scenic on a branch underwater after he vulnerable to attack in the car park of gorge with technical rapids, and beau- swam, and our eff orts on rescuing him a Spar, seeing that the only sensible tiful overhead rocks, before our fi nal seemed to cause more distress, until, thing to do would be to use their spare section on the Schuls section of the man of the hour, Alby Roseveare live keys to manoeuvre it to another more Inn. With some short grade 4 rapids ICU CANOE CLUB baited himself out to perform a res- suitable location, a marvellous joke dotted throughout before a fi nal seri- cue. I myself can’t wait for the GoPro that left half the club in tatters, others ous grade 4 rapid ‘against the wall’ that h e faffl ess foursome (Alby, Tom, that night. footage. in stitches, and the local Police laugh- demonstrated a real testament to club Reece and Patrick S.) had arrived in h e next few days in the beautiful We left Slovenia with warmth in ing and mocking us in their native paddling, and showed how ICCC once Bovec at 2PM and had already pro- Soca valley of Slovenia were savoured our hearts, with its only setbacks the tongue, after it had eventually been again pushes the boundaries. A hugely ceeded to buy beers and paddling per- by all, as they brought a real relaxa- language barrier, and its odd choice in found. We moved to the Innsbruck successful end to the trip and 12/13, mits, paddle a grade 3 river, and make tion and joy to some of the kayaking road signs. On arrival in the Isel val- area to paddle the well-known section yet it opens the door for next year to a start on the fi rst and certainly not that would ensue. On day 2, a four ley in Sud Tirol in Austria, a surreal of the Inn, the Imst gorge and other go one further. last conspicuous looking meal, just man mission to take on a section of encounter with the campsite owner tributaries, but left after two short Did I forget to mention Mo Farah? in time for the minibus to arrive later the river the locals regarded as deadly, who was clad in lederhosen, red faced nights after fi nding it not very viable

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