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“Keep the Cat Free” ISSUE 1518 FELIX 18.05.12 The student voice of Imperial College London since 1949 Imperial researcher... and playwright Doctor’s new play explores the Arab Spring: Page 18 Hall senior Neville Miles POLITICS prospects in doubt Frustration about future of ac- Obama and same- commodation for seniors sex marriage Page 15

Matthew Colvin from College, and it has negatively im- pacted on the Seniors.” Hall seniors at Wilson House have The capacity of accommodation for been left questioning the future of their next year’s intake across Imperial ac- traditionally guaranteed accommoda- commodation has also been taken into TELEVISION tion. question. College are actively seeking As reported last week, it emerged 65 extra bed spaces externally in order that Wilson House had been removed to guarantee the required number of from Imperial’s accommodation web- spaces for fi rst year students, with war- site for prospective students ahead of dens across Imperial being discouraged a refurbishment next academic year, from recruiting more Hall Seniors until with new Waterloo-based hall ‘Xenia’ the situation is resolved. being posted in its stead. Hall Seniors The Wilson House-based student hired by Wilson House last term have continued: now been informed that they may not “Students shouldn’t be the ones in- be guaranteed accommodation, even convenienced - especially if they have elsewhere. to unexpectedly search for accommo- Join the Band of Students at Wilson House have ex- dation during exam time. Some indi- hibited their frustration with the ongo- viduals have had to cancel their plans Brothers ing situation. One Wilson student in- to live with groups of friends in private volved closely in hall life, who wished accommodation to take on this op- Page 24 to anonymous, commented on the lack portunity. It seems that the College is of communication there has been from happy to leave people hanging.” the College on the issue. The student was also keen to stress “There had been hints for a long the fact that Hall Seniors now have to time about Wilson’s refurbishment, but pay for their accommodation like any the impression given [by College] was other hall-based resident, and so do BOOKS that any hired seniors while not being not take on the role “for any fi nancial able to stay in Wilson next year, would gain.” defi nitely be required elsewhere.” Not only Wilson House has been re- “There has been no clear guidance ...Continued on Page 3 Wilson House, Paddington

Exhibition Road-based venue under threat Polish Club The ultimate antidote of closure. Petition online attracts support: to Twilight under threat Page 5 Page 27 2 Friday 18 may 2012 FELIX HIGHLIGHTS What’s on We need Classiﬁ eds. The cancer genome: an We know that it’s Exam Season, autobiography but surely someone must need to

Peter Campbell of the Wellcome Trust Sanger In- stitute: Hinxton, delivers a lecture on encoded sell something? Or need some- DNA. Followed by a wine reception. Open to all, contact [email protected] for further infor- thing in general? #,,, mation. The Classiﬁ eds Section is feel- – $# A. de Rothschild LT, 2nd Floor St Mary’s Campus ing a little lonely. If you can help, Join us for the biggest street collection ever - help to raise funds to 22 May 17:00-18:00 email [email protected]. address the issues that face young London. Flash mobs, singing and busking, be part of this historic event. Come for the whole day or an hour - we need you.

Date: 21st JUNE 2012 What to do: Collect or Busk Brains, trains and Time: To suit you Venue: City of London Follow: Alexandra Rose Youth Project automobiles @ARC1912 www.alexandrarosecharities.org.uk Alexandra Rose Charities SIGN UP: 1912-2012 Professor Stephen Gen- tleman talks about the The Royal College of Radiologists – Free Public Lecture link between traumatic brain injury and neuro- Radiation & smart drugs: degenerative disorders Homing in on cancer’s Achilles’ heel Will of the week such as Alzheimer’s. Tea and coffee will be served Date: Monday 18 June 2012 from 16.45 in the Reyn- Time: 6.30pm - 7.30pm Location: The Wellcome Collection, Euston olds Building. Open to For further venue information and location please click here all. Registration required in advance. Contact We warmly invite you to attend a free public lecture hosted by The Royal College of [email protected] Radiologists on Monday 18 June 2012. to register. We are delighted to welcome Dr Kevin Harrington from The Institute of Cancer Research, who will give this lecture on ‘Radiation & smart drugs: Homing in on cancer’s Achilles’ heel’.

Glenister Lecture Theatre “In the last two decades, we have begun to understand the importance of genes in preventing and causing cancer. As Charing Cross Campus part of this process, we have identified specific abnormalities in cancer cells that make them very different from normal cells. Importantly, some of these changes (or mutations) in 22 May 17:30-18:30 cancer cells make them resistant to the standard treatments, such as radiation and chemotherapy, that have been used for many years. However, because cancer cells come to rely on these mutations to allow them to survive, grow and spread, they represent a potential weak spot in a tumour’s defences. Therefore, by developing new drugs that attack cancer cells Programmable light through their Achilles’ heel, we may be able to improve the effects of radiotherapy in treating a range of tumour types. In Learn how the manipulation of light using comput- this lecture, I will discuss a number of examples that are already allowing us to achieve better treatment results and will er programs is opening up a world of new optical introduce others that hold enormous promise for the future.” techniques at Professor Mark Neil’s inaugural. Dr Kevin Harrington, The Institute of Cancer Research LT1, Blackett If you would like to join us for this lecture please RSVP to South Kensington Campus [email protected]. For further information please call Joanna 23 May 17:30-18:30 Humphries on 020 7299 1130.

Felix, Beit Quad, Prince Consort Road, London SW7 2BB. Email: [email protected]. Tel: 020 7594 8072. Fax: 020 7594 8065. Printed by Iliffe Print Cambridge, Winship Road, Cambridge. Registered newspaper ISSN 1040-0711. FELIX Copyright © Felix 2012.

Editor-in-Chief Matthew Colvin Editor-in-Prowling Tim Arbabzadah Deputy Editor Charles Betts News Editors Sophia David Alex Nowbar Reporters Aemun Reza Maciej Matuszewski Jonathan Peek Features Editors Katy Bettany Stephen Smith Sports Editor Indy Leclercq Sports Rookies Gabriel Oppetit Johnny Wong Science Editors Kelly Oakes Alexander Karapetian Business & Finance Editors Will Prince Deepka Rana Politics Editors Rajat Jain Joseph Letts Technology Editors Chris Bowers Feroz Salam Comment Editors Tim Arbabzadah Samuel Horti Arts Editors Will Prince Eva Rosenthal Music Editors Mark England Ross Gray Simon Hunter Íñigo Martínez De Rituerto Alex Ramadan Fashion Editors Saskia Verhagen Alice Yang Television Editors George Barnett James Simpson Film Editors John Park Lucy Wiles Games Editor Laurence Pope Books Editor Maciej Matuszewski Food Editors Anastasia Eleftheriou Michael Krestas Travel Editors Dushi Arumuganesan Chris Richardson Online Editors Philip Kent Jonathan Kim Puzzles Admiral James Hook Photo Editor Miles Robertson Copy Editors Carol Ann Cheah Philip Kent Jonathan Peek Annina Sartor Honorary Copy Editor Jack Hewitt FELIX Friday 18 may 2012 3 News Editors: Sophia David Alex Nowbar [email protected] NEWS Confusion reigns at Wilson House Neville Miles ...Continued from Front Page moved from the list available to prospective students on the Imperial website. Orient House, based in Fulham, has also been removed. “There has been no clear guidance”

When speaking to Felix in Febru- ary, Graduate Students’ Association President Robert Tang said that en- suite rooms at Orient House would be offered to postgraduates for the next academic year “at around £199 [per week]” should postgraduate accommodation Clayponds Village close. The accommodation website currently continues to lists one of its ‘Hot Topics’ as ‘Current Clayponds Village Warden Vacancy’, however following this link only leads to the Col- lege’s main announcements page with the post relevant of the period August 2011. This news arrives following several upheavals in Imperial student accommodation. Fisher Hall on Evelyn Gardens has also been earmarked for closure after a planning permission request late last year from College dem- onstrated the intent to shift the use of the building from student accommodation to elderly care. Seniors have found frustration from the ongoing situation

General Meeting date announced Sponsored Editorial More student cuts Union President seeks discussion on future changes to the College environment Discount haircuts for Imperial

Aemun Reza paring for the changing environment that are to be discussed are minor, the students at Fresh Hairdressers over the next fi ve years at Imperial. Sabbatical team decided that there Following on from his comment ar- Some of the points that will be dis- should be a separate location to talk ticle published on 2 March, Union cussed are the removal of universal about the rationale behind any deci- More student cuts for Imperial To book an appointment, President Scott Heath has confi rmed sions. As well as ask questions and students at South Kensington’s call 0207 823 8968. Ask for a a date for the General Meeting. The debate the implementations of these FRESH Hairdressers. student discount and bring your meeting will be held on Wednesday 6 “The main aims of changes. Men’s cuts £22 Imperial ID. June in SAF Lecture Theatre G34. The Sabbatical team remits will Women’s shampoo and cut The General Meeting is an open fo- the meeting involves be reviewed, where they were last and shake dry £28 rum that can be attended by any union changed since the split of the Edu- Women’s shampoo, cut and member. With a usual attendance of preparing for the cation and Welfare roles. Also, the blow-dry £38 200 members, any person can add an membership of the Trustee Board and All of our cuts are done by item to the discussion agenda. The changing environ- other union committees will be as- highly experienced stylists. last General Meeting at Imperial was sessed and how the union functions as Tuesday to Fridays 9.30 to held fi ve years ago. ment at Imperial” a whole will be discussed. 4.30 (sorry no discounts on Scott Heath said that the purpose of The materials relating to the pro- Saturdays). the meeting was to discuss alterations posals and discussion of the General We are only 70 metres from to the constitution. This constitution lunch times, the development of the Meeting will be released in the week South Kensington tube station will be passed formally in the Union co-curriculum and the implementa- of 28 May to give members suffi cient Council on Monday 11 June. The tion of £9k tuition fees. time to read it through before the ac- main aims of the meeting involve pre- Even though some of the changes tually meeting. DIGGIDY DAWG F E L I X M U S I C N I G H T SUNW I T H T GLITTERSH E I N C R E D I B L E “[Sun Glitters’] pitch-shifted vocals and chopped-up melodies create a compellingly itchy, glitchy R&B” – the Guardian HENRYA L S O F R WUO M X& V EI VERMEANR E C O R D S

LOVE T. Williams Mary Anne Hobbs Alexander Nut LOVE

4 X V I “Really good vibe” “Superb” “Sounding large!” 4 X V I

16 JUNE ONLY £3 FELIX Friday 18 may 2012 5 News Editors: Sophia David Alex Nowbar [email protected] NEWS Polish Club at risk of being sold Petition to protect popular cultural and social venue attracts support

Sophia David mense loss and damaging to the Polish Community. We feel that the directors A petition has been set up to save the of Ognisko Limited have not explored Polish Club, Ognisko Polskie, based in the full range of business options to Princes Gardens, which is at risk of be- make Ognisko Polskie ﬁ nancially vi- ing sold. The South Kensington club in- able once more.” cludes the Ognisko restaurant, popular with staff and students from Imperial. Ognisko Polskie has existed for sev- “It seems a pity enty-one years, promoting the Polish culture in London, and has held a range that such a cultural of cultural and social events including lectures, concerts and art exhibitions. and historical venue Jill Cook from Friends of Imperial College said, “The club is used by many should no longer ex- Poles living in London as well as by other nationalities and by local residents ist” in South Kensington, and it seems a pity that such a cultural and historical venue should no longer exist.” A decision will be taken at the AGM She added that, “It is the only pleas- of the Polish club on 27 May which will ant venue for meals and drinks close to seal the fate of the club. Imperial College.” The petition can be found online at: The petition states that, “The pro- https://www.change.org/petitions/ posed sale of the building will be an im- ognisko-polskie-polish-hearth-club. Ognisko Polskie is situated opposite the main entrance of Imperial College Now is the story all about how Will Smith was at Ethos Hollywood superstar visits sports centre and trains with members of Team GB

Matthew Colvin quick bout, Smith entertained the assembled press with his disarming and Hollywood big-hitter and modern day still resolutely fresh athleticism. renaissance man Will Smith was to be found at Imperial’s very own Ethos Sports Centre on Princes Gardens last “A vast amount of Wednesday morning. Smith was visiting the centre as part secrecy surrounded of a promotional tour for the upcoming ﬁ lm Men in Black III, but man- the event” aged to eschew the usual promotional duties in favour of demonstrating his sporting prowess alongside some A vast amount of secrecy surrounded of Britain’s Olympic hopefuls from the event, with knowledge of Smith’s Team GB. arrival privy to only a select few, including Union President Scott Heath. Few, including Felix itself, were “Smith entertained aware of the presence of the Fresh Prince until the event had concluded. the assembled The presence of Team GB marks the impending arrival of the Japanese press” Olympic Committee for the entirety of London 2012, who will be accommo- dated on the South Kensington Cam- Also taking to the gym hall were pus. The Switzerland Open Swimming GB Basketball captain Drew Sullivan, and Triathlon team will also be stay- triple jumper Yamile Aldama, super ing at the South Kensington campus heavyweight boxer Anthony Joshua during the event and using the Ethos and hurdler Perri Shakes-Drayton. swimming pool for training purposes. Engaging in a few shots of basket- Team GB will be also using the pool Obviously, things didn’t pan out this way. If we had smuggled a photographer in though, it would be an entirely ball, a leap over the hurdles and a for training. different story 6 Friday 18 may 2012 FELIX News Editors: Sophia David Alex Nowbar NEWS [email protected] Cold Fusion@London: even

Fallout as event loses over £15,000

Tim Arbabzadah Bank, and smaller companies, retailers, very well. The HalloweenHalloween Ravi Pall and clubs being the Silver and Bronze themed Masqueraderade Ball,Ball, sponsors. which was held at Café de com-com- The fi nancial outcome of the charity The nature of the event itself has Paris and featuredd 2-4-1 ccock-ock- mitments.mitments. event Fusion@London has fi nally be- been described as a creative amalga- tails, raffl es, and prprizesizes for besbestt It was statedstated come clear. As reported previously in mation of fashion, music, and dance. It dressed, made nearlyarly ££5000.5000. This inin theirtheir contracts thatthat Felix, there was initially a long, slow, is a show entirely organised and per- was used as the llaunchaunch party, and FusionFusion couldcould not have them,them, and confusing period of uncertainty as formed by students primarily from IC signifi ed the only point when Fusion or accept an alternative, alternative if they had to exactly what the situation was. Up and involves a cast of at least 100 and a was in the black. fi lming commitments. Therefore they until as recently as 1 May, there were committee of 16-18. It had several mu- As the opening night for the event were not paid and a replacement, the still invoices that needed to be paid. sical headline acts and was supposed drew closer some problems were in- musician Sarvi, had to be arranged However, the loss is now known and to be presented by three of the stars of curred. The Made in Chelsea stars could through Max Clifford. On Sunday eActivities (the online record of trans- Made in Chelsea – Spencer Matthews, not all make both nights. On Saturday, night Hugo and Spencer turned up and actions for clubs and societies) cur- Hugo Taylor and Binky Felstead. all three dropped out due to fi lming were subsequently paid. rently gives an accurate representation Much like the loss-making Summer of the fi nancial failure of the event. In Ball of 2011, Fusion was jointly held total, the event lost £15,506.91. by institutions, in this case Imperial Fusion@London, founded by Angela College London Union (the Union), Udemba, who is a PhD student at Im- University College London Union perial, is not the fi rst event under the (UCLU), and King’s College London 0 Fusion name. The concept and fi rst Union (KCLSU). As stated in the origi- show was in York in 2005 and Angela nal article, neither UCLU nor KCLSU Udemba became the creative director were fi nancially responsible in any way in 2008, when the show was still at for the event. This meant that the only -£5,000 York. The York events were success- student union actually risking money ful and so she brought the idea to Lon- was Imperial College London’s Union, don. This year marked the fi rst London i.e. the Union. When asked why UCLU based Fusion event, which were held at didn’t put any money in for the event, -£10,000 The Troxy in Limehouse on Saturday the reply was that “[UCLU] don’t Fusion Masqqueradeuerade BallBall 25 and Sunday 26 February. The web- believe they [Fusion] asked”. Some site for the event states that: “At the societies from the other Universities -£15,000 heart of Fusion@London is an extrava- were involved, although they carried gant annual fashion music and dance none of the fi nancial burden. UCLU Fusion Budget Approved by Fusion Tickets go fundraising event”. The aim was to said that some of their students were raise money for the charity Cancer Re- involved and that “Fusion were espe- -£20,000 Executive Committee on sale £18 - 37.50 search UK. The fundraising target was cially keen for the involvement of [the] stated on the website as being £50,000. Dance Society”. However, they had SponsorshipSponsors A large amount of sponsorship from other commitments and were therefore various different companies was ac- unable to commit much to the show, -£25,000 quired. The total amount from the and the Dance Society didn’t want to plethora of sources was £8,400. The participate in Fusion as an offi cial so- main sponsors were Ernst & Young, ciety activity. with the Gold sponsors being Deutsche Initially, everything was progressing FELIX Friday 18 may 2012 7 NEWS nt fails to reach critical mass

Various ppiecesieces of sound The ticket sales for the event, which income, and so an exact fi gure is hard targets were not met. tion was dismissed, with the examples equipment at The Troxy were previously not known, have also to say. Of the night specifi c tickets, 17 When searching for reasons for the of M Night and others previously men- were brbrokenoken oonn one of been reported and the income gener- and 14 tickets were bought on the door failure of the event and the low ticket tioned used to justify that the structure tthehe nightsnights of thethe event, ated has been added to the money to on Saturday and Sunday respectively. sales, many different possible prob- was sound. anandd the vvenuee is update the fi gure. The total capacity Fusion has been planned since before lems were given. Monya Zard said that The original treasurer had to drop charging £3,972 of the event was 2,045. Tickets were the start of this academic year. Over it was “location, the fact that there’s so out, due to work commitments, and so fforor it. Henry sold through the box offi ce at The the summer, the incoming Sabbatical much to do in London, and that there Heather Jones, former Deputy Presi- WWhittaker,hit t Troxy as well as via Time Out, KGB offi cers were made aware of the event were other shows going on at the same dent (Clubs & Societies) stepped in. tthehe TTechni- (an organisation that sells tickets, not by the previous year’s offi cers and time”. The distance of the venue was She said that she was “surprised that cacall Direc- the Russian secret service – unless they Monya Zard, Deputy President (Clubs dismissed, as The Troxy has worked such an ambitious budget had been totor, said are moonlighting in a sushi restaurant, & Societies) had regular meetings with well in the past. The price of the tickets approved”. The reason given by the tthat the which they aren’t), in physical form Angela Udemba. Monya Zard said (£18-40) was also blamed, as possibly Union for such a large scale event be- bblame to family and friends of the perform- that Fusion had a “tremendous amount putting students off buying a ticket. ing approved was that Angela Udemba rrestede ers and organisers, and available for of support” from the Union, with her The fact that the main show took place had already run an event of a similar wwithith eithereit the purchase on the door. The box offi ce and Michael Foster, Deputy President at the same time as many of the other scale, and that many senior, experience sound engineere tickets were night specifi c; the other (Finances & Services) having regular big societies were having their annual members of the Union were heavily in- from ClementClement Marfo pre-event tickets were not. For the Sat- meetings with Fusion (namely Angela events (such as East Meets West, M volved in the planning and execution (who(who were one of theth head- urday show, 362 tickets were sold with Udemba, Heather Jones and Chris Night, and I Night) was also pointed to stages. She did, however, comment that linersliners of the night) for “incom-“ Sunday garnering 236 ticket sales by Darby – the producer of the event, as a contributing factor. Also, Monya Fusion’s expenditure was “ultimately petencepetence and/orand/or the venue,venue, for not the box offi ce. Time Out and KGB tick- who eventually dropped out). Before Zard said that it may not have had “an under-budget”. Heather Jones stated havingh a correctly confi gured system”. et sales were 38 and 95/96 (which of Christmas, after the Masquerade Ball, established member base, but it did that she felt her role as treasurer was TheT Union were asked for assistance in the numbers is still not known) respec- Fusion and the Union had a meeting have 150 people who were trying to to: “ensure the budget passed by A&E recoveringr the loss of the PA breakage, tively. Paper tickets are estimated to be to discuss “mitigating risk and set up sell tickets” and so could have been as Exec (the board that govern activities however,h at the time of writing, they roughly 80, but the income from them a timescale for how and when [they successful as M Night and other simi- and entertainments) was adhered to”. haven’th responded to the request. was intermittently streamed into other would] meet ticket sales targets”. The lar events, which have an almost guar- According to her, the task of managing anteed base attendance. She dismissed so many transactions was diffi cult, and this possible factor as “not necessarily made much harder by the “limitations the reason why the ticket sales were of the Union fi nance systems”. low”. When asked why the event was Fusion does not consider the event to successful in York and not successful have been a complete failure and will in London, Monya Zard said that it be hoping to continue. If the event goes was due to the difference in the enter- ahead next year it will have to start tainment scenes of the two cities, with from the loss it has made and hope to there being much more variety in Lon- make the money back. There may be an don. afterparty, or some other such similar The Masquerade Ball was described event, to attempt to make back some of as a “massive party”, which a large the money. amount of people enjoy. The main Felix will be trying to fi nd out what event was a show, which was sug- safeguards will be put in place to en- gested to the Union to be not as in tune sure similar loses are not incurred by with what manner of event students other events, such as the upcoming realistically like to attend. This sugges- Summer Ball. Graphic showing the filled seats (green) and empty seats (red)

Made In Chelseah stars dro ppout out Fusion Tickets Reducceded ttoo £10££110

10 Friday 18 may 2012 FELIX Science Editors: K e l l y O a k e s Alexander Karapetian SCIENCE [email protected] In brief Fashion to ﬁ ght malaria

Inventor of confocal microscope Cornell University Zara Shubber develops new giant lens A Kenyan scientist and a Gambian clothes designer have joined forces to fashion a gar- ment that has the power to repel mosquitoes and beat malaria. The one-piece multi-coloured bodysuit comes with an anti-mosquito mesh hood and a cape that contains mosquito repellent that has been bonded with the fabric’s fi bres at the mo- lecular level. Because the repellent is embedded in the gar- ment’s fabric using nanotechnology it does not dissipate like regular skin-based insecticides, according to the scientist and clothes designer Nerve cells captured with Amos’ mesolens from Cornell University in New York. The ‘binding technology’ even allows up to three times more insecticide to be embedded Brad Amos, who contributed signifi cantly to the within the fabric compared to normal sleep- development of the laser scanning confocal mi- ing nets, which are only dipped in solution and croscope while working at the Medical Research usually need to be replaced or re-dipped every Council in Cambridge, has developed a new gi- six months. ant microscope, the ‘Mesolens’, that allows the Malaria, which is endemic in large parts of imaging of an entire mouse embryo in subcellular Africa, is a killer parasitic disease transmitted detail. to humans through the bite of infected mosqui- Amos hopes that his new Mesolens could make toes. It kills more than half a million people imaging in developmental biology much simpler every year. In Africa, a child dies from malaria because the lens’ huge fi eld of view removes the every minute. need to stitch many small images together, re- The creators of the hooded bodysuit, Fred- ducing image acquisition times from a day to an erick Ochanda and Matilda Ceesay, have both hour. witnessed family members fall ill with malar- The confocal microscope, the current gold ia. They hope that their innovative design will standard in biomedical imaging, is successful instigate further technological advances in the because it allows biologists to obtain an image battle against Malaria. from inside a thick specimen, a technique known Scientists are already working on a fabric Get cape. Wear cape. Beat malaria...? as optical sectioning. It does this in two steps: that can potentially detect changes in tempera- the sample is illuminated with a small focused ture or light and so can secrete the amount of laser spot; this spot is then focused onto a tiny repellent needed accordingly. This would, for ger, longer lasting and more effective insecti- “People are still getting sick and dying. We hole placed in front of a camera. In this way, only example, provide more protection at night cide-treated bed nets. can’t get complacent. I hope my design can light that has come from the focused laser spot when most mosquitoes prefer to feed. “Although there are already mosquito nets show what is possible when you bring together contributes to the image. The laser spot is then At the very least, Ochanda and Ceesay hope being used, the solution isn’t foolproof,” Cee- fashion and science and will inspire others to scanned around to obtain a full image. that the technology can be used to craft stron- say said, speaking at Cornell University. keep improving the technology.” Traditional microscope objective lenses in confocal systems are small, which means that only small images can be obtained. To build an image of a 6mm object, hundreds of these small images would need to be stitched together. To get around this, Amos had to make his lens half A cheaper way to make hydrogen a metre tall - ten or twenty times larger than a normal microscope objective. In addition, some of the elements inside the lens need to be posi- Philip Kent produce the required level of catalytic ability. tioned within micrometer-accuracy. A proposed solution was to add nitrogen to al- To manufacture something so large this ac- A promising way to power vehicles and appli- ter the electronic state of the alloy, which has curately is clearly not going to be easy. Despite ances in the future is through use of hydrogen been proven to work in the macroscale. In the this, previous bad experiences with commercial fuel cells. These, however, require a source of nanoscale, it was found that applying nitrogen organisations have led Amos to attempt to manu- hydrogen to work, and obtaining this hydrogen via exposure to an ammonium environment facture his giant lens in his own back garden. He has typically been an expensive process. caused 2D nanosheets to form. These sheets hopes that the Mesolens will cost no more than The most common method to obtain the gas have a greater catalytic ability thanks to the a commercial confocal microscope. is to split water into oxygen and hydrogen. increased surface area, and hence the mixture The fi rst confocal images from the prototype This is an operation that requires a catalyst, has a catalytic ability similar to that of plati- Mesolens were shown to the Royal Society in and the catalyst must be such that it reduces num, but with a reduced cost. January this year. the energy necessary for the reaction to occur As well as providing a cheaper yet effec- James Clegg as much as possible. The lower the energy that Hydrogen car being fi lled up tive method to produce hydrogen, this re- is required, the more effi cient the system, be- search is signifi cant for seeing the production cause it means there is more energy left over to of nanosheets, when only nanoparticles were actually power your system. Hence, platinum searchers at the Brookhaven National Labora- expected. As nanosheets have an increased catalysts are often used due to their excellent tory in New York have developed a promising surface area (and thus increased availability Want to write for Felix Science? catalytic ability. candidate. of reactive sites), this may lead to developing A problem with platinum, however, is its One of the best features about platinum is its even faster catalysts using other materials. In Email us... ever-rising cost: something that has been seen high electron density. A cheaper catalyst, nick- the aim to produce synthetic catalysts as fast with many rare metals as their availability el, does not have such a high density, though as natural enzymes, such improvements are [email protected] becomes ever reduced. Hence, alternatives in- this can be alleviated somewhat using mo- always welcome. volving cheaper catalysts are needed, and re- lybdenum. This alloy still, however, will not DOI: 10.1002/anie.201200699 FELIX Friday 18 may 2012 11 SCIENCE A recipe for disaster? Brainy gene Fiona Hartley

Philippa Skett weighs up the pros and cons of publishing research on H5N1 A recent study published in the journal Cell has identifi ed a major genetic com- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ponent of human brain development, he online publication of a though no measures as of yet have been with implications for research into au- controversial article out- suggested to counter possible bioterror- tism and schizophrenia. Scientists at lining potentially damag- ist situations. The Scripps Research Institute have ing data about the infl u- The same sort of dilemma came found that the gene SRGAP2, the pro- enza virus fi nally went alongside stem cell research when it tein product of which is responsible for Tahead recently, after a signifi cant delay. started to gain popularity. Eventual forming neuronal connections in neo- Nature, after careful deliberation, pub- bans were placed in some countries cortical development, has undergone lished the paper much to the dismay of such as Germany and Finland over em- two human-specifi c truncated duplica- several offi cial bodies, after the case bryonic stem cell use, despite results tions. was brought to a hearing in April by the having long term potential to make a One of the duplicates has been named US Senate. With scientifi c research be- huge difference in medicine. Although SRGAP2C, and appeared in the ge- ing increasingly hindered by outside in- the issues with stem cell research were nome about 2.4 million years ago, dur- fl uences, is it time to make an absolute ethical as opposed to safety-related, ing the time in which human lineage decision over what exactly can be pub- both situations highlight how the gov- separated from nonhuman primates lished once and for all? Or would this ernment can take control of scientifi c (a related paper published in the same be detrimental to scientifi c advances? Pretty deadly: a transmission electron micrograph of the H5N1 virus (gold) activities and even halt them altogether. issue of Cell covers the recent evolu- The paper, containing methodology Legislation is made on a case by case tion of SRGAP2). SRGAP2C interacts and data covering artifi cial generation basis, but is it time a more universal set with the original SRGAP2 to inhibit its of a strain of H5N1 avian fl u, that has stated after that “A paper that omits there is a possibility of it escaping a lab of laws were put into place to protect functions, delaying the maturation of the ability to transmit between mam- key results or methods disables subse- and infecting the public. The US Sen- both the ability to advance in science dendritic spines on pyramidal neurons. mals, was deemed initially unsuitable quent research and peer review” and ate voiced its concerns over the extent and the general public? Or is our scien- Dendritic spines are crucial for integrat- for publication unless highly censored as such, went ahead and published the to which the research could be used to tifi c understanding expanding at such a ing synaptic signals from other neurons. by the US National Science Advisory paper as intended, with no censorship. aid bioterrorism should it get into the rate that we can no longer predict what Far from having a negative effect Board for Biosecurity (NSABB) last The paper itself justifi es the research wrong hands. Both concerns are justi- scenarios may arise in the future? At this on brain development, SRGAP2C ul- November. However, such recommen- in the abstract, by explaining that now fi ed, but are the best solutions simply to point, research and its consequences are timately results in a higher density of dation was only advisory; Nature still the ability to create and recognise this keep such information under wraps? varied as different scientifi c discoveries dendritic spines on the neurons when went ahead with the publication in full, transmissible strain has been exercised The World Health Organisation has spark different dilemmas, so perhaps a they mature – a human-specifi c trait. entitled “Experimental adaptation of an in full, possible pandemics can be dealt been encouraged to release guidelines law that fi ts all is unrealistic. However, Conditions like schizophrenia and au- infl uenza H5 HA confers respiratory with as time effectively as possible. about international standards for bio- with clashes between law and science tism in humans feature atypical neuro- droplet transmission to a reassortant H5 Issues involved were whether those safety in laboratories, which hopefully increasing in frequency, it seems that nal connectivity; studying human-spe- HA/H1N1 virus in ferrets.” who repeat the investigation will be will minimise the risk of laboratory it may only be a matter of time before cifi c gene duplications like SRGAP2C Nature, a highly infl uential journal, entirely safe in their attempts, and if based strains becoming dangerous, al- something has got to give. may allow such diseases to be effectively modelled in mice, and unravel some of the mysteries surrounding these and other neurodevelopmental conditions. Green light for JUICE-y space mission DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2012.03.034

est moon which is 8% larger than the planet Mercury. JUICE will make close measurements of the surface, sub-surface, magnetic and plasma environment of the giant moon. Multiple fl ybys of Callisto and two fl ybys of Europa will also be performed. Professor Dougherty said, “There are four conditions required for life to form. You need water; you need an energy source – so the ice can become liquid; you need the right chemistry – nitrogen, carbon, hydrogen; and the fourth thing you need is stability – a The three moons of Jupiter that JUICE will visit: Ganymede, Calisto and Europa (not to scale) length of time that allows life to form. “The great thing about the icy moons in the Jupiter system is that we think Sophia David with instruments, will take eight years which would see the creation of the those four conditions might exist there, to reach Jupiter, spend another three largest X-ray telescope ever built. and JUICE will tell us if that is the The European Space Agency (ESA) is years studying the system before crash- Ganymede, Callisto and Europa are case.” to lead a billion-euro mission to Jupi- ing into the surface of Ganymede. all suspected to harbour deep oceans The fi nal budget for JUICE is ex- ter and its icy moons. The Jupiter Icy UK researchers including Professor of water below their icy crusts which pected to be approximately 1.1bn euros. Moons Explorer (JUICE) spacecraft is Michele Dougherty of Imperial Col- could be conducive to microbial life. This includes the cost of manufacturing scheduled to launch in 2022, arriving in lege, lead scientist of the JUICE mis- To investigate whether Jupiter and its the spacecraft, launching the satellite the Jupiter system in 2030. sion, played a central role in gaining moons could provide habitable envi- and operating it until 2033 and JUICE’s A fi ve-tonne satellite will be sent out approval for the mission. The JUICE ronments, JUICE will study the stormy eleven instruments. to Jupiter in order to make a series of concept was chosen over two other atmosphere of Jupiter and its magnetic The ESA Science Study Team for close measurements of the giant planet ideas, NGO, which would place three and charged particle environment. JUICE includes researchers from Im- and three of its moons: Ganymede, Cal- high-precision satellites in space to de- However, the main focus will be on perial, Oxford University, University of listo and Europa. The satellite, packed tect gravitational waves, and Athena, Ganymede, the solar system’s larg- Leicester and UCL. A pyrimidal neuron and dendrites 12 Friday 18 may 2012 FELIX Comment Editors: Tim Arbabzadah Sam Horti COMMENT [email protected] FELIX The great election farce

Accommodation and Communication

Last week Felix commented that it could be worthwhile to focus on improving the ‘student experience’ from within rather than from focusing on comparison with other Jack Hewitt universities. If anything, it has emerged that focusing internally would indeed be beneficial regarding the current Wilson side from enthusiastic House hall senior situation. voting, record turnouts, With seniors originally under the impres- balloons and chicken sion that they would be guaranteed accom- suits (not the medics modation somewhere as Wilson undergoes mascot, another one), refurbishment next year, those that have thisA set of sabbatical elections has been recruited for the position have been been about what’s not gone accord- told that this could be untenable, with the ing to plan. The results for two of Polling booth, or toilet stalls with low privacy - Caption, or satire... This shit just got meta plans of many of these individuals thrown the Sabbatical positions were deliv- into turmoil, and rooms potentially being ered late – one because of disputes sought externally to reach the guaranteed between candidates, one because of member of college staff was oversee- amount of accommodation for next year’s a technical fault and the subsequent ing the election, as is demanded in ThatThat tthethh Returning intake. actions to ‘resolve’ it. There is yet to the Constitution (the text by which At the heart of the issue, it falls to Col- be any formal communication from the Union is run and managed), was Officer was only lege and what has been described as “a the Union over the former or latter also strange, and something that will, severe lack of communication” on their – the nature of the complaints and hopefully, be avoided in future. made aware of part with the Wardens of Imperial in order disputes, or what exactly had gone It was agreed that this wasn’t fair to keep those most at risk of losing out in wrong. When the brand sparkling new on that person, it’s their employment the issue in the the loop with ongoing developments. After website, stick fi gures, and #voteicu next year that’s at stake and this is an “ all, miscommunication on this level cannot are set aside, there’s one blunt truth: issue that does actually matter to some election he was be, in any way, shape, or form, be benefi- the system wasn’t checked before it people, and it was decided that any- cial for the ‘student experience’. went up, and nobody was on-hand to one who voted before when his mani- supposedly running Wardens and those holding senior posi- fi x problems when they arose. The festo went ‘live’ have their vote struck tions in halls of accommodation should voting website did indeed work, you off (it was claimed that they wouldn’t when told about it be the first to be made aware of events could put numbers in boxes, see peo- be able to vote again). This was point- such as refurbishments rather than being ple’s names and photos, and, for the ed out to be (a) unfair on the people by that candidate...didatedidate...... the first to hear of “hints”. After all, people most part, manifestos (the 250-word whose votes were discounted (and have chosen to live in this fashion, provid- ‘vote for me’ segment people write) thereby ignored, and democracy isn’t is far from idealdealdea ing help to those who need it, and being would be ‘in-line’ with their names. about that), and (b) unconstitutional, kept in the dark with respect to this is sim- But, unfortunately, in some cases you by a number of people. He agreed to ply not beneficial for any kind of mutual couldn’t see their manifestos, and it it because he hadn’t been told about relationship. instead said ‘no manifesto submitted’, any of the other options that had been affected candidate was only 7 votes Students are the first to suffer from the which in some cases was incorrect, considered, as did all the other can- behind the eventual winner (out of lack of knowledge that their seniors and or mixed them up for people running didates. over 4000 cast, or under 0.2%). That wardens can provide. The wardening sys- for multiple positions. Not submit- From here, the judicial body gov- candidate ended up losing” to the DPW tem at Imperial is an important facet of ting a manifesto can be interpreted erning the Union (whose job is to elect by 61 votes (so if only 31 out of the community, especially for Freshers as not caring enough to write one, or uphold the Constitution of the body, 4500-odd, or under 0.7% of votes cast and their adjustment to a new way of life standing as a joke, and candidates are which one of the Sabbatical Offi cers had gone to the affected candidate, he and independence. Anything that could po- given ample warning about by when it had gone against through that action) would have been the winner), leaving tentially damage the relationship between should be written. But, this wasn’t for said that (a) you can’t go against the it at a victory by a margin of 6% of the the wardening team and students goes all the candidates; as has been done Constitution like that, and (b) that the disputed votes. to ultimately damage the ‘student experi- in the last years, when you had to go candidate was disadvantaged at no When he requested an apology over ence’. It is important that during the next through the extra effort of clicking on fault of his own. It was decided that the incident from the Returning Offi - stages of any potential hall closure and the their name to see them. One of those a rerun of the election, which two of cer over (a) his manifesto not being Wilson House refurbishment that there is affected was running for a Sabbatical the four candidates had asked for (one on the website initially (this despite clear communication between the relevant Role, and over 500 people had voted was opposed due to having put too him jumping through all the hoops parties, and that there is full and clear . for the DPW position (nearly 1000 in much work in to do it again, the other required), and (b) an admittance that Otherwise, dissatisfaction will be an easily total had voted for a variety of posi- wasn’t present and had given no rea- it was unfair, he was refused on both apparent prospect. tions) before that problem was fi xed, son for his absence) wasn’t possible, counts. The closure of various halls of accommo- 11.6% of those cast in that election. and that nothing would be done about That candidate, who lost an election dation that has been regularly touted as an That the Returning Offi cer was only this farce aside from measures (which that was deemed unfair on him, is me. option throughout the year begs the ques- made aware of the issue in the elec- possibly should have already been in Why have I written this? To get the tion as to why Imperial should be in this po- tion he was supposedly running when place) being prepared so it can’t hap- truth about it across, given that it’s sition in the first place. The circumstances told about it by that candidate as he pen again. not going to be done otherwise, and to that led to a shortfall in the required rooms was walking into the offi ce that morn- The next day the results were re- give it from the perspective of some- for next year’s intake must be heavily ing (the candidate was making prepa- leased (so these decisions were come one on the receiving end of these un- considered. rations for the charity bike auction to to before any results came out and fortunate occurrences. It’s not to spite be held that afternoon in Beit Quad), were thus come to independent of any or antagonise anyone, more just to say is far from ideal. That no impartial result). In the fi rst round of voting, the my piece about it all and move on. FELIX Friday 18 MAy 2012 13 COMMENT Post exams party against austerity

he ﬁ rst twelve months of in 10 different cities from Central Lon- austerity saw Tory HQ get don to Middlesbrough. With the Jubilee smashed up and students and Olympics fast approaching, and the taking to the streets in their prediction that we should all be told to thousands against rising hold good old community street parties Ttuition fees. Town halls were occupied like we were for the royal wedding last as the budgets detailing the severity of year, UK Uncut want us to show there the cuts were passed, half a million peo- are more important things to come ple marched in London and hundreds of together for as central roads will be tax dodging stores were occupied by the closed by thousands of people. direct action group UK Uncut. But re- The last time the deficit was as high Luke Sheldon cently this anger has all died away and was post war, a time also of street par- turned to disengagement as grown men ties. But it was also a time of progress dressed as penguins get higher votes as the NHS was formed, welfare sup- than the Lib Dems in local elections port began and truly affordable housing which less than a third of the population was actually being built. With this came even bothered to show up to (if we’d all a rapidly shrinking inequality gap be- rocked out maybe the penguin would tween the richest and poorest and with Skrillex won’t be there, but if there is a YouTube video of the party there’s have won). that a closing difference in education sure to be a comment about how he “sucks major donkey dick” Maybe this is because we’ve realised and health. Now health inequalities are “there is no alternative” and decided to at a level not seen since the 1920s with stand down and bear the government men in Glasgow living on average 13 Waterloo to make a stand against the in criticism through withdrawing legal austerity. However with the Institute of years less than those of our surrounding unprecedented welfare cuts. This is aid and their avoidance of Freedom of Fiscal Studies reporting that only 25% Kensington and Chelsea. timely, with it leaking last week that Information requests whilst they take of cuts have actually happened yet, and The central London street party will Cameron is planning to magic an extra payments off big business and maintain with the professed economic growth be leaving at 11am on Saturday the 26th £25 billion pounds out of the already cosy relationships with the corporate not wanting to appear, the pain has from four different locations, highlight- bare budget. The idea of attacking the media mafia has lead to the true deficit PovertyPoverty and barely begun. On top of this, over the ing four different areas that are being welfare budget when there’s such high being one in democracy. last 3 years the wealth of the 1000 rich- decimated by the government unnec- unemployment defies logic. How can This may not seem much to party inequalityinequa are not est people increased by £155bn, greater essarily, to then convene on a secret people relinquish their “dependency” about, but then that’s all the more rea- than the deficit over this time. This is location (see the UK uncut website for on welfare when there are simply no son to carnival with the idea of the soci- facts of society... a mocking fact destroying any possible details). There will be a bloc represent- jobs to do so? People don’t seem to ety that we want. Poverty and inequal- perception that in any way we could ing the NHS, which is being turned understand the alternative to welfare is ity are not facts of society to which but something even slightly be “all in it together” as into a machine for corporate profit by mass starvation. there is no alternative, but something “ the wealthiest amass pointless fortunes the NHS reforms whilst having cuts And finally the real democracy bloc people have changed before and will people have whilst the services for the poorest are equivalent to the budgets of 40 large will meet at parliament. The Tories change again! And so I invite you to ruthlessly closed. NHS hospitals. There is one for wom- promised during the election they would one of the four starting locations to join changed before Next Saturday (the 26th) the anger en, to highlight how the cuts are falling look after the NHS to then promptly in standing up to the cuts. People will that begun the anti-austerity movement hardest on women, through higher un- start the process of ripping it apart days descend on the final secret location with and will changeange will mature into the need to celebrate employment, the closure of children’s later; whilst not even allowing us to games, comedy, food to share, a vision the future we could have had. UK Un- services and crisis centres as well as see the risk register detailing the trav- of the future not dependent on kicking again cut has promised a summer of anti-cuts benefit cuts. esty they will leave behind. Combined the poorest the hardest, music and most street parties kicking off next weekend The welfare group will leave from with this their unwillingness to engage importantly... bunting.

” Letter to the Editor Give Boris bikes a chance D ear Sir,

I would like to nominate Pro- should be on Transport for Lon- liking to it – my debit card falls into this to somewhere I could have easily walked fessor Chris Toumazou FRS don’s pay roll. Why? Because the category. If you’re lucky though, you’ll to in half the amount of time, I get angry. FREng for the vacant position times that I have helped people be issued with a bicycle release and then This happens to me too frequently and I of President of Imperial Col- release bikes from Boris’ blue have a limited amount of time to grab a know the drill. You end up paying twice. lege and Professor Donnal stands are innumerable. The peo- bike. Sounds easy doesn’t it? Well, the There surely is an easy way around this, Bradley CBE FRS for Provost. Iple requiring assistance are mostly tour- problem is that if a bike has a red light for instance they could issue you with Chris is a front man with great ists, whom I often have little patience illuminated by it, it will NEVER be re- a slip allowing you to get on the next people skills and would be ide- with. So what is it that makes their plight leased, no matter how many times you bus for free. And provide free coffee for al for the external affairs role. so important to me? correctly type in the code. Pushing in a those poor people who tried the bus only Donnal has the right blend I love Boris bikes, but I’m the fi rst to pound coin where the membership key is after the bikes failed them… of academic and managerial admit that there is nothing user friend- supposed to go doesn’t help either. Since So, should we bother dwindling our experience for the internal af- Stephanie Walton ly about them; I can’t stand the sight no one ever seems to grasp these things money on buses and bikes? In this ever- fairs portfolio. of people excitedly parting with their fi rst time, this results in many an unaided persistent rain, buses’ benefi ts surely out- money only to get stuck trying to re- tourist’s downfall. weigh their short fallings. But come the Yours faithfully, lease a bike. The fi rst stumbling block, If TfL were ever to recognise my ser- summer, whenever that may be, do try Mark Lee of course, is conveying your credit or vices to Boris bikes, I would use it as an to get a Boris bike. If you’re successful: Materials (1986-1989) debit card details. This acts as a sort of opportunity to air my views about buses. cycle through the park along the south of deposit. If you’re American and don’t If I get on one of these splendid vehicles the Serpentine, west to east. Yes it is like own a card with a chip in it, you’re stuck and it says it’s going to Battersea Bridge the M25 at rush hour, but at other times it Send your pieces in to: immediately. Even if you do have a chip South Side, only to tell me two stops is one of the most scenic and best experi- [email protected] in your card, the machine can take a dis- later that it’s changed its fi nal destination ences TfL has to offer. 14 Friday 18 may 2012 FELIX Comment Editors: Tim Arbabzadah Sam Horti COMMENT [email protected] Think about it: are you nomophobic?

as it ever occurred to you in Australia, stay connected with child- just how much of our hood friends who would otherwise be modern lives are lived complete strangers… it’s actually hard via screens? I am sit- to think of any aspect of life that some ting here writing this on sort of screen can’t help you with. Hmy laptop, which has been switched on But are we becoming too reliant on ever since I decided to watch a cheeky this kind of thing? Perhaps even to the episode of Green Wing over breakfast. extent that we are actually afraid if we My mobile phone has been within a two are out of contact with our virtual lives. metre radius of my person all day. My A recent article published in the Tele- housemates and I are considering pop- graph (who am I kidding, I read the Elen Newcombe ping to the cinema later. No doubt the Evening Standard version) states that lectures I will attend this week will be two thirds of the UK population suffer conducted via a projector screen. Even from this fear, one aspect of which has if I wanted to escape, I would no doubt been catchily termed nomophobia (no be bombarded with screens and moni- mobile phobia, offi cially defi ned as fear tors in supermarkets, tube stations, and of losing or being without your mobile even just walking innocently down the phone). If you delve further into the re- street. sults, 77% of 18-24 year olds (that’s us) My question is whether this is a bad are nomophobic; and women are a little Good news: we got a great picture. thing? Should we be worried about our more afraid than men, however this is Bad news: someone in the Felix office needs a new phone. Sorry... ever-increasing reliance on this virtual reportedly only because men tend to world? When a seven-year old has a tan- have a second spare phone knocking trum on the tube because she has been about. The problem has become so ter- til that point, lost a fi ght with a pint of I would read a book on the way home, I was rrecently forced to wait three seconds too long for ribly grave that an advice website has Fosters and never recovered. Now for or just take time to look around or out of her top-of-the-range mp3 player, I think been launched to help people cope with the fi rst few days I was indeed in a mild the window. It was on one of these oc- withoutwithou a phone... there may be something wrong. the extreme stress and anxiety caused state of shock and feeling horrendously casions that I realised that a total of fi ve Don’t get me wrong, modern technol- by this condition. Even though the site disconnected from the world, but af- people out of the nine in the back seat once I was out and ogy has the potential to enrich our lives is extremely basic and low-budget, I’m ter a while my sense of panic began to of the bus were glued to iPhones, even in countless ways. Google Earth is about almost entirely sure that it’s not in fact diminish. I started arranging to meet a pensioner who looked like she could about I did feel to launch a street view type simulation a piss-take. Instead of giving pointers people at specifi c times and places, in- barely see. And I wondered: are these “ of the Great Barrier Reef, allowing you on getting these people some seriously stead of the usual “call me when you get people actually doing something mean- a certain sense to dive down and ‘virtually’ explore to needed perspective into their lives, the there”. I spent more time on Facebook, ingful on those phones? Or are they depths of up to a hundred metres, all ‘Top Tips’ section on nomophobia. as a result, sure, but once I was out and just fi lling time by browsing pointless of liberation that from the comfort of your own home. com offers “some immediate protec- about I did feel a certain sense of the websites or messaging people unneces- The wealth of scientifi c knowledge on tion from nomophobia by [avoiding] a liberation that technophobes and hip- sarily? Because now that I have fi nally technophobes and the internet is endless, meaning that range of the most common reasons why pies are always banging on about. In- got round to replacing my phone, those most of us at Imperial probably use the people lose mobile phone contact”. stead of thinking about my phone all the are the things I’ve gone back to doing hippies aree always library about 10% as often as we access I was in fact recently in the unfortu- time, whether I had a message or a no- on my boring bus rides home. And al- online resources. Restaurants are re- nate situation of being without a phone tifi cation, I was actually listening to the though I’m feeling better connected, I banging onn aboutabout placing waitresses with iPads. You can for a few weeks. My poor faithful brick people I was with. Instead of burying kind of hope that I will never become a shop online, deliver fl owers to relatives of a phone, so sturdy and reliable up un- my nose in my mobile while on the bus, nomophobic. The ”puzzling problem with ponderings

’m in the grips of a dilemma. Oh pable of no end of trouble. If idle hands And then there’s the perfect joy that dicaments show there is still room for dear. are the devil’s playthings, they must be comes when the veil of fog lifts, the ﬁ sh improvement, which is great! No mat- But yet I’m strangely glad: I like Hotwheels. An idle mind then is scales fall away and at once, with the ter how good today is, knowing that to- like being in trouble; I like hav- like handing the devil the keys to his utmost clarity, you can see the solution morrow can be better still is something ing a problem to solve. This dad’s Ferrari. before your eyes. It’s all so simple – worth getting out of bed for. Argu- Imay sound odd. After all, if I’m content But it’s more than that. If I were how you didn’t see before is a mystery, ably, if life were perfect, without even with my situation, is there even a prob- without a problem to mull over, a but that becomes irrelevant when you the smallest of problems, then things lem at all? Technically, no. But I’m not mental crumb stuck between the teeth marvel at the beauty of it. The giddy could only go downhill – which itself content with my situation, that’s why of my consciousness to tongue relent- euphoria you feel is twofold; not only is quite the conundrum! Society only there’s a problem – what I’m glad of is lessly, I’m quite sure I would get bored have you done away that pesky thorn moves forward to get past its succes- having the problem. Confused yet? So very quickly. And as a good medic, in your paw but because you worked it sive problems. Stone tablets were great Rhys Davies am I. Is your left arm tingling and do I know that the brain is a muscle – I through all by yourself, it feels doubly but a bit heavy so we invented paper. you feel a bit nauseous too? No? Oh, didn’t say I was a smart medic – and good. In that strange microcosm of life Handwritten books were OK but mass must be just me then. like any muscle, if you don’t use it, you that is the morning commute on the dissemination was a bit tricky so we There are a few reasons why I en- lose it. Like a large proportion of Im- Piccadilly line, completing the sudoku created the printing press. Sexy women joy a good dilemma. For one thing, it perial College, I have vested interest in is as the sweetest ambrosia. We haven’t are sexy but they don’t like talking to keeps me busy. They say idle hands are keeping my mind in peak mental condi- created the drugs – or the words – yet to us much in bars so the chat-up line was the devil’s playthings and this is true. tion and nothing keeps it in shape like properly describe the high that comes born. But hands can only do so many things. a tough, tricksy teaser. It’s like a good with the mythical feat of cracking the And the dilemma that spurred all of They’re practical, yes, but they lack round on the bench-press, except with- cryptic crossword. this? Should I really write an article imagination. But the mind is limitless out the sweating, straining and short, A problem is also a reminder that about dilemmas? On reﬂ ection, I don’t in its possibility and an idle mind is ca- short shorts in public. things can be better. In this sense, pre- think so. FELIX Friday 18 MAY 2012 15 Politics Editors: Joseph Letts R a j a t J a i n [email protected] POLITICS One small step for POTUS European Troubles

Not so cozy anymore? Obama’s evolution of thought on same-sex marriage Rory Fenton

REUTERS / Joshua Roberts Same-sex marriage in the US of A

Legal – New York, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Iowa, Vermont, and New Hampshire, District of Colum- bia, the Coquille Indian Tribe, and the Suquamish tribe Is this the queue to topple Sarkozy and wipe Civil Partnerships and similar that smug smile from his face? I would just unions – California, Colorado, Dela- prefer somebody taller, that’s all ware, Hawaii, Maine, Maryland, Ne- Last week French citizens in South Kensington, vada, Oregon, Rhode Island, Wis- France and the rest of the world voted eagerly to consin, Illinois, Washington and New bring the reign of Nicolas Sarkozy to an end, repla- Jersey ceing him with new French President François Hol- lande in what to some may seem as a vote of no Banned/ Not Legal – Alabama, confi dence for Europe’s austerity plans. Hollande, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Colora- leader of the Socialist Party has immediately be- do, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Idaho, gun to make waves in what is an already turbulent Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisi- time in Eurpoean politics. As well as seeking to re- ana, Michigan, Minnesota, Missis- nege on Sarkozy’s agreement with the rest of Eur- sippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, poe tying France into a path of austerity, he also North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, has not let go of plans to tax high earners with a Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South €1m pay packet by 75%. As well as piddling over Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Chancellor Merkel and former President Sarkozy’s exas, Utah, Virginia, West Virginia, method for recovering Europe’s debt and saving Wisconsin, Wyoming the Euro he has also criticized the UK for placing Seriously, there’s a moth behind you! I’m just lookin’ out for you... too much hope on our fi nancial services industry, signalling support for an EU-wide tax on fi nancial transactions and a push for tax harmonisation. Joseph Letts with his fi rst step being removing the HIV the President had in fact made his decision travel ban, a move that had been initiated by some time ago and had planned to express Greek Tragedy Last week was unusual in politics, with a poli- the outgoing George W. Bush. Then as well as his views to the public closer to the election, tician making a clear statement about their po- repealing the DADT Act, he and several senior however they admitted that they felt the epi- After an attempt by sition on what to some is considered a contro- offi cials declared that the Defense of Marriage sode with Joe Biden and the resulting media the temporary tech- versial topic. Barack ‘Big O’ Obama clarifi ed Act (which defi nes marriage as the union be- pressure had forced their hand. nocratic Greek gov- what he had previously described as his evolv- tween one man and one woman) was unconsti- While Obama’s thoughts on same-sex mar- ernment to reduce ing attitudes to same-sex marriage, fi nally say- tutional and pressured the Justice Department riage are personal, as the President of the government spend- ing in an interview on US channel ABC, to stop defending said law. United States his opinions do carry serious ing and follow the “It is important for me to go ahead and However, some people believe that Obama’s weight both domestically and internationally. terms of their bail- affi rm that I think same sex couples should decision to publicly show his support for In the United States gay marriage laws are de- out loans, the Greek be able to get married.” same-sex marriage was purely a calculated cided on a state-by-state basis, with 6 states people showed their With this action Obama has become the fi rst political move. Since his Vice President Joe along with the District of Columbia (Wash- displeasure by an sitting US president to support gay marriage Biden has announced his own support for ington D.C.) currently have laws which al- uneven spread of and has received a large amount of praise from same-sex marriages earlier in the week, so a low same-sex marriage while other state laws votes in the recent America’s gay community. While Obama has few people have suggested that Obama was range from accepting civil unions to a com- elections. With no historically been reticent on his opinion on forced to come up with a public response, lest plete. Most recently the state of North Caro- party receiving a gay marriage, some thought that the potential he lose favour in the upcoming elections. Oth- lina approved an amendment to their consti- marjority and talks political fallout might have caused him to stay ers have remarked that the Obama 2012 Presi- tution (by a majority of 22% of votes) that between parties his hand. However with his work on repealing dential campaign is running with less energy banned same-sex marriages and other unions, looking to form a coalition government falling fl at, the “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell” policy in 2011 he than the 2008 campaign due what may seem adding to their statutory ban. a new election is set to be called sometime in the has been seen by many as friendly to the no- as a disappointing track record as President As one politician steps forward, it seems an- near future. Keep an eye out for the New Democ- tion of gay marriage, if not an open supporter. compared to the hopes stirred by is previous other steps back. Disappointment struck the racy party (Greece’s major conservative party) who However Obama has always expressed that image as a fresh –faced senator and bringer of UK’s gay community when in the Queen’s won the most votes in the last election, as well as his Christian belief has made him diffi cult to change. It is implied that by supporting gay Speech in the House of Lords there was no Syriza (the Radical Coalition of the Left) who came instantly accept the concept of gay marriage, marriage the Obama campaign might attract mention of the expected bill on same-sex second in the elections, but are adamant to reject although he revealed last week that his wife more of the youth vote which gave it the mo- marriage. It seems while David Cameron is the bailout. had a hand in his fi nal acceptance. The Presi- mentum that carried it to the White House, in favour of legalising gay-marriage, after a Joseph Letts dent has clarifi ed that this is his personal view, especially since it is a subject, which is sup- beating in local elections a fortnight ago and not a federal position and he will not interfere ported much more by the younger generations fi rm dissention from the Tory grassroots, his with how the states choose to form their leg- than the more politically static older genera- government has decided to put the issue on Got something to say? Send your articles to: islation. tions. the backburner along with the House of Lords Unlike the assumed impulsive leap, this The Obama campaign denies all accusa- reform, preferring to focus on less controver- [email protected] viewpoint seems to have developed slowly, tions of political manoeuvring, insisting that sial topics. Jason’s Donation Guide 1) Stop Facebook stalking for 3 minutes. 2) Open a new tab in Chrome (because all Jason is other browsers are inferior). 3) Go to http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/ JasonParmar 4) Hit Donate Now and donate as much as you skydiving want to. 5) Depending on the amount of your charitable donation, either write a message with your name to show off how charitable you are OR for RAG click anonymous and/or hide your sponsorship amount. 6) Feel good and smug for about 30 minutes* to enjoy my gratitude (*time of feeling good and smug is variable). 7) Add/Tell other people to do the same (not the Facebook stalking, they do that anyway) – yes, I unashamedly stole that from Tim, the Felix Editor Elect – and what?

Got Facebook? Join the event at http://on.fb.me/J2UHWQ Individuals and groups needed for Centrefolds! [email protected] 18 Friday 18 may 2012 FELIX Arts Editors: W i l l P r i n c e Eva Rosenthal ARTS [email protected] Competition Winners Prophet and Loss Taiba Suddek talks to Hassan Abdulrazzak, one of IC’s own, about his new play exploring the Arab Spring

hroughout history a number of believe it I received a handwritten letter with great artists have also been sci- his home address printed on it!” Hassan tells entists. “Anton Tchekhov himself me with excitement. Having also included a was a practicing physician” Has- sample of his writing in it, Hassan mentions san Abdualrazzak, researcher at that Pinter’s letter had been encouraging. He TImperial College and playwright tells me in also declares that he would like to write in a the Junior Common Room at Imperial where more abstract manner, although his two up- we met for the interview. He continues to say coming plays are both realistic and political. that scientists make good playwrights due to The fi rst one he mentions is A Fire Blaz- the huge analytical skills needed to write a ing Brightly, a bigger, more “epic” play, once good script. This may go against the stereo- more set between London and Iraq, that he Having waded through the tens of entries and type that scientists are rigorous, working only hopes will be bought by one of London’s after several heated debates late into the night from hard facts while artists are eccentric, run larger theatre companies. The second play, over who should win, the Editor selected the win- by their emotions and impulses, however as titled The Prophet, and premiering on the ner of our π-curious competition. So we’d like to many before him Hassan has disproven this 14th of June at London’s Gate Theatre came congratulate Georgie Graham on her winning en- stereotype by remaining a successful scien- about differently: artistic director, Christo- try, for which she receives tickets for herself and a tist whilst producing award winning work. pher Haydon commissioned Hassan to write friend to see π-curious herself at The Bloomsbury His fi rst play “Bagdad Wedding” was wildly a play about the “Arab Spring” with Egypt Theatre on 21 May. praised, premiering at London’s Soho the- as its focus. The international reputation of atre, and also reproduced by BBC Radio 3, as The Gate is one of the main reasons for Hay- Special commendation must also go to Jane Lang- well as in theatres in Sydney and New York. don’s choice of Hassan, as instead of bring- don-Davies, Achuthan Balasingam and William Bagdad Wedding focuses on the lives of three ing in and translating European plays, he had Smith, samples of whose work below, along with professional Iraqis. The play moves between found an international writer in the UK: “ I Georgie’s winning haiku. London and Bagdad where the wedding of was born in Prague, I grew up a little bit in the main character, Salim, a doctor and writer Dr. Hassan Abdulrazzak Bagdad, I grew up a little bit in Egypt, Nige- The winner is... of adult fi ction is taking place. On the way to ria… and then I came here. Because of my the wedding Salim’s cousins fi re gunshots up background, I ‘qualify’ for a theatre like The Sex life is constant. into the sky (a traditional occurrence at Iraqi one of the main reasons for his success as a Gate”, Hassan explains. Study at Imperial: weddings), attracting the attention of Ameri- playwright. Differentiate. can soldiers. Believed to be a terrorist, Salim Growing up in a family of academics and is captured and tortured. The play starts with intellectuals Hassan thought his uncle, a “He continues to say ...and some of the best: Salim’s death; his friend, Marwan, looks back novelist, to have the most interesting job of at their relationship and how they met at Impe- all. As a child he had seen the uncle work that scientists make Open interval rial College as students. Hassan tells me that on old typewriters, manuscripts being almost Impulse expensive ice-cream one of the scenes in the play takes place at the holy mystifi ed objects, out of reach and touch good playwrights” Without its endpoints base of Queen’s Tower where Marwan and for his young hands. As a boy he had writ- his love interest Luma, an outgoing, energetic ten stories in Arabic, his mother tongue, and A Mobius strip Iraqi medical student, are talking about the had considered pursuing writing as a career. Hassan continues by describing the plot Is not orientable. tower and admiring it. Luma returns to Iraq af- However, upon leaving Iraq and arriving to of The Prophet and how he and Hayden had Idea for a boob tube. ter her father’s death to practice medicine in an the UK at the age of thirteen he was led into bounced ideas off one another until coming under-equipped hospital. One of the themes in the path of science because his English was up with the concept of using the metaphor Real analysis the play is her adjusting to her new job which not developed enough and he was unable of a couple – Leila and Hisham – trapped in Is a really hard subject. requires her doing things such as putting on a to take courses such as English literature at their marriage, to describe the situation in I’m doomed for exams. hijab in order to fi t in. GCSE. Throughout the years, and as his Eng- Egypt, a country trapped by Mubarak’s rule lish improved, he took up writing again. At and unable to move forward. The play fol- Tax on my pasty. fi rst, it was short stories he would show to lows a day in the life of this couple: that day David Cameron is a git. “Hassan’s characters no one, except maybe a trusted friend. In the is the 28th of January 2011, the start of the Pie remains constant. meantime he received a PhD from UCL and Egyptian revolution. According to Hassan; drink work, fall in love proceeded to work at Imperial as a postdoc “Most people say the revolution started on A Pretty Titty in stem cell research. He went to Harvard for January 25th, but the 25th was a small dem- Like Poisson Distribution and have insecurities.” a short while on a one-year contract, but his onstration; on Friday 28th over one million Imagination stay there was cut short after 9/11 because people came out on the street, and that’s re- he no longer felt safe staying in the country. ally when the revolution properly began.” Homeomorphism. The main concern of the play, and possibly When asked about where he gets his in- Who could have guessed that in the labs Mum said I should’ve done French. of Hassan’s upcoming work in the depiction spiration from, he mentioned names such as of Imperial such a theatre talent was hid- Wish I had listened. of his characters, which shows ordinary Iraqi Arthur Miller, Kafka and British playwright den? Hassan is not only ambitious and hard- people educated, interested in art and lead- Anthony Neilson, who according to Hassan working, he is also down to earth. As a treat Big up Team GB. ing seemingly normal lives, contradicts com- writes “dark twisted funny plays, that are for the theatre enthusiasts at Imperial Hassan But wait! in cinemas now, mon beliefs and images from the media that almost like fairy tales for adults”. Hassan, has arranged discounted tickets; all you need my fi lm, Men in Black. only show the disaster, tragedy and religious being a humble person, proceeded to tell to do is call up The Gate and say the word fanaticism. Hassan’s characters drink, work, me about how he had chosen to write a let- ‘Iraq’ to get a discounted ticket of £10 until Ready for exams, fall in love and have insecurities. They are ter to Harold Pinter in the ‘90s after reading the 28 June! I have bossed the problem sheets: seemingly alive and human in every possible his book opposing the fi rst Iraq invasion in Go hard or go home. manner. The ability to capture the multiple ‘91; “I have to write him a letter I thought, The Prophet runs at the Gate Theatre, layers of humanity combined with telling it doesn’t matter if he doesn’t answer, so I Notting Hill, from 14 June to 21 July. See history by depicting everyday life may be wrote a letter to the publisher and would you www.gatetheatre.co.uk for more details. fromf producers of the Big Chill comes a wonderland of art and music...

Small and beautiful, just 5000country in a garden!Sussex

5th – 8th JULY 2012, BIGNOR PARK, PULBOROUGH, WEST SUSSEX

tUnE-YaRdS / Ghostpoet / Jessie Ware / Norman Jay / The Dø / Phenomenal Handclap Band / Fink / Speech Debelle / Crazy P / Fionn Regan / The Staves / Soul Jazz / Reeps One / Late Night Tales with Belle and Sebastian (DJ set) / Zero 7 (DJ set) / Howie B ‘Myths, Monsters and Legends’ by Rankin and Damien Hirst / Doug Fishbone’s Adventureland Golf with Jake Chapman and David Shrigley

Super Nova Cocktail Bar Krystal Klear, Sofar Sessions Anna Phoebe, Indigo Earth, The Midnight Barbers, Joker And The Thief, Valley stage Jessie Ware, Ghostpoet, Norman Jay, Psychemagik, Duffstep, The Good Times Bus, Soul Jazz Sound System, DJ Food, Hexstatic, Cheeba, JFB, Bird Radio plus surprise guests Fink, Speech Debelle, Crazy P, tUnE-YaRdS, The Dø, live and unplugged Jono McCleery, Fionn Regan, Kinny, Reeps One, We Were KeepUp, DJ Shep Dog, Toby Fluffy Logic, Tim Love Lee, Evergreen, The Staves, Phenomenal Handclap Band, Pathaan, Leggo Beast, Nest Collective Campﬁre Sessions Carrie Tree, Mother Feather, Chris Coco, The Roundhouse Choir, Nova Arms Pub Aidan Larkin’s Big Ten Inch and late Vic and Tina Smith, Tim Cumming, Ballina Whalers, Sam Stumblin’ Slims and The Black Kat Boppers, Late Night night chilled sets from Mixmaster Morris and Brookes, Magic Lantern, James Morgan, City Shanty Tales with Belle and Sebastian (dj set), Zero 7 (dj set) Pete Lawrence Band, Mick Sands

‘Myths, Monsters and Legends’ by Rankin and Damien The Pick of the Pleasance: Late Night Gimp Fight, Charley Boorman, Rankin, Paul Trynka (David Bowie Hirst (featuring Dani Smith), The Hunger, Doug Abandoman, Doc Browns, Pappy’s Max & Ivan, biographer), Clive Arrowsmith, Tony Grisoni, Ben Fishbone and Friends’ Adventureland Golf with Jake The Beta Males, Ginger & Black, Delete The Banjax, Rivers, Andrew Kotting, Gustav Temple (founder Chapman, Brian Grifﬁths, Gary Webb, Zatorski & Sheeps, Battersea Arts Centre: Nurse Knows Best, editor of The Chap zine), Neil Palmer (‘Rockhunter’), Zatorski, Pete Fowler and David Shrigley, Jem Finer’s Home Correspondence, And The Birds Fells From Peter Hancock (aka comedian Jinx Jones), Katy ‘Still’, David and Peter Adjaye, Andrew Logan, Dynamic The Sky, Gooseparty, Pop Up Casino, Green and Darby (‘The Whores’ Asylum’), Neil Ansell (‘Deep Junk, 12 Months of Neon Love by Lucas & Wheater... Pleasant Land, Red Sarah, John Hegley, Teatro- Country’), Michael Smith (‘The Giro Playboy’), plus late night illuminated art in the woods Saurus, Kubla Khan Coffee House, stalking poets, Joe Dunthorne (Submarine) and Rachel Lichtenstein prowling postmen and more surprises in the woods!

Creative salons, The Roundhouse Choir - flash mobs open rehearsals, London Drawing life Yoga Sonic presents Tandava Daze, Soul Pads drawing classes, Afrikokoa drum sessions, Blink Ben Rivers, Andrew Kötting, Tony Grisoni, The for Deep Tissue, Aromatherapy, Thai massage, Arts craft salons, cocktail making with Bompas Flicker Club, The British Guide To Showing Off - live! Shiatsu, Acupressure, Reflexology, Indian Head, and Parr, Jewellery making with Andrew Logan, Late night screenings Reiki, Tui Na, Bliss Domes for sound and light foraging, cooking, burlesque, photography, painting, baths plus Yoga, Wild Run and Hot Tubs filmmaking and much more…

plusplus muchmuch moremore -- checkcheck thethe websitewebsite forfor details…details…

www.novafestival.co.uk Communal dining, cooking classes with Disappearing Dining Club, Hurly Burly, a world-wide feast, top notch Tickets from Ticketline: £139.00 students £100. www.ticketline.co.uk/nova-festival cocktails from Bompas & Parr, Nova Arms - stocking local beers & ciders... plus twisted pub entertainment Join the action on and 20 Friday 18 MaY 2012 FELIX Music Editors: Íñigo Martínez de Rituerto Alex Ramadan Ross Gray Mark England Simon Hunter MUSIC [email protected] 5/4 Respect: A Tribute R.I.P. Adam Yauch to Math Rock Pt. III - Don Caballero Ross Gray remembers the legendary MCA of Beastie Boy fame

irst off, I apologise for the lateness most ubiquitous riffs, samples and rhymes in of this article. I felt that the eulogy history, including the hilarious ‘Fight For Your of such an important fi gure wasn’t a Right’: a parody on the moronic hard rock being writing to be rushed. Adam Yauch, churned out at the time, meatheads still turned better known as MCA, passed away up their gigs and went mental, not realising they onF the 4th May, aged 47. His death immediately were being lampooned. Perhaps even more fa- sent ripples through the world; statuses and mous, what party is complete without surfaces tweets lamenting the loss of such a talent, along and bottles being smashed in a ruckus incited by with simple R.I.P.s, abounded as soon as the ‘No Sleep Till Brooklyn’? Or, in the case of my news hit. If you want to read a eulogy that mine social circle, fi ve of us drunkenly shouting the could never live up to, check http://beastieboys. lyrics and kicking things while everyone else at com/. A New York native, MCA’s music career the wine tasting looked on in disgust. Perhaps Don Caballero have adopted a wide range of really started when he founded a hardcore punk it’s solely due to the release date but I found sounds (and line-ups) over the years, but arguably group known as Beastie Boys. To The 5 Boroughs (2004) to be particularly it was their early albums that were the most infuen- It’s not hard to see the infl uence that their prominent throughout my early teenage years, tial. They are one of many math bands, and most years as a hardcore group had on the Beastie especially the nerdy rhymes laid down within certainly the best, to have come from Pittsburgh. Boys sound. Their debut album, Licensed To ‘Ch-Check it Out’. The explosive opening Adam Yauch (8.5.1964 – 5.4.2012) The band first formed in 1991 with Damon Che Ill (1986), was perhaps the fi rst example of rhymes of ‘Intergalactic’ (Hello Nasty, 1998) on drums, Mike Banfield on guitar and Pat Morris “rap-rock” in history. Breaking through as the are also permanently burned into my memory on bass. Ian Williams joined the band a year later. fi rst white rap group of any note, Licensed To from Beastie Boys’ brief appearance (actually City independent distribution company, Os- A highly revered drummer, affectionately known Ill went platinum – the fi rst ever rap album to not featuring Yauch, sadly) on Futurama. cilloscope Laboratories. As if this still wasn’t as ‘the octopus’, Che was a large reason for the do so - and then some, although it was attacked Many of their most successful singles were enough contribution to the world, he was also band’s success. It was his use of unusual time by some critics and die-hard hip-hop fans as be- accompanied by phenomenal videos. Above an active Buddhist, and campaigned heavily to signatures, switching between them at a split sec- ing culture pirating; the Beastie Boys viewed mentioned ‘Intergalactic’ features a giant robot free Tibet. Instead of focusing on the negatives ond’s notice that allowed them to adopt the math as Frat-boy and macho. This album, and many destroying a city by popping while the boys of losing a great artist, rapper, and all-round per- rock sound and produce some of its best work. It (if not all) of their later releases would become rap, and was directed, along with other greats son, I propose that we all take an hour out of is only fitting perhaps that Che is the only constant staples in every suburban white kid’s musical such as ‘Body Movin’’, ‘So Watcha Want’, and revision season to stick on our favourite (if you member. They released their debut album, For life story. ‘Ch-Check it Out’ by MCA under his pseud- don’t have one, now seems like an ideal time to Respect, the next year. The band, who had initially Constantly penetrating into my and, I assume, onym Nathanial Hörnblowér. MCA was get one) Beastie Boys album and pay homage to planned to hire a singer, remained instrumental your lives, Beastie Boys produced some of the heavily involved in fi lm, running a New York the one and only MCA. due to their success without one. The album was characterised by a beefy crunch of guitars and big riffs with occasional more relaxing moments. For any other band, this would be their opus, but with subsequent releases, Don Caballero 2 and What Burns Never Returns, they expanded their sound, Howler rip up The Garage adding more melodic touches, but maintaining the experimental time signatures and even making them more technically challenging. Simon Clark Despite their immense talent as a creative unit, their work was made with a seemingly revolving With the NME/Q provided hype train fully door of bassists and eventually, in 1998, Mike Ban- derailed circa February, exactly how much field left the band. Instead of replacing him, Don ‘howl’ do the Minneapolitans still have? To Cab took the bold move of remaining as a trio and my surprise on a tepid Tuesday night in High- using Akai headrush loop stations to compensate bury, ‘the pseudo-strokes’ still have some fi re for Banfield’s absence. Thus, American Don was left in their collective belly. made, an album that continues their previous di- Support was offered by four piece Canadian rection, with some very catchy riffs and meandering indie rock outfi t Hooded Fang who were by soundscapes. This album reminds me a lot of the all accounts, rather good. Dynamic from the Check out Howler at some festivals this year including Benicassim and Latitude work Williams would go on to do with Battles. How- start and easily catching the slowly building ever, as with every other Don Cab line up, it came crowd’s attention (and keeping it) as they to an end, when Williams and Che fell out. blitzed through some powerful up tempo pop- of sweat are easily visible amongst the audience. The band was finished until 2003, when Che as- py-rock numbers. An act to look out for down ence by the time the count in for the second The set fl ies by and I found myself checking sembled an all new line up. Normally a recipe for the bill in the festival circuit over the summer. track ‘America’ has begun. The tracks from the watch in disbelief as they announced set disaster, this actually led to an album of just as As Howler come on to the stage (uncharac- their debut, America Give Up, which has been closer and single ‘Back Of Your Neck’, but much quality as their previous efforts, World Class teristically on time) it is not hard to see why so on the shelves for fi ve months now, lack the thanks to some timely stage invading and a Listening Problem. Che’s impressive fills remained, many comparisons have been drawn with the freshness that endeared them to critics and little help from Hooded Fang guitarist, they along with a very talented band playing around NYC post-punk indie godfathers I alluded to record label executives alike last summer but manage to muster up an eventful encore with them, formed from fellow Pitsburghers, Creta Bour- at the beginning of the article. From the way- due to the catchy nature of the drawn out gui- a new unnamed track. By the time they have zia. Finally, they released another album in 2008, farers lazily drooped over lead singer Jordan tar melody’s and relentless enthusiasm shown exhausted every last bit of material and on- Punkgasm, everybody’s least favourite Don Cab al- Gatesmith’s doe eyes to the seemingly multi- by the band itself (despite the lead guitarist stage booze they have, the band look almost bum, featuring unpopular attempts at vocals. How- plying bottles of San Miguel lazily drooped admittedly recovering from a nasty bout of as disappointed as the crowd as they vacate ever, mini epic, ‘Loudest Shop Vac in the World’ is over the stage, the aesthetic parallels with Ju- shingles) the entire room is very much en- the stage. worth admission alone. lian and co. are patent. At the risk of annoying gaged. Particular highlights of the set are the Although the potential of Howler is hardly In short, if you like your music intelligent, catchy Howler, you and myself anymore, I will no crescendo building ‘Beach Sluts’, alt-rock bursting at the seams anymore they still have and technically proficient or are just curious to hear longer refer to The Strokes in the article. ballad ‘Too Much Blood’ and Mustang-riding a lot to offer in terms of a good old fashioned the band that spawned Ian Williams, you can get a Despite the ominous signs of inebriation, ‘Pythagorean Fearem’. Jordan keeps a good rock n’ roll live experience. With eyes fi rmly serious kick out of Don Caballero. they open the set with a spotless rendition rapport with the crowd, even at liberty to dis- fi xed ahead and talk of a new album already Riaz Agahi of ‘Wailing (Making Out)’ which immedi- cuss where he acquired his burgundy chinos rippling amongst the remaining faithful, the ately works the crowd into fervour. Beads to the more inquisitive members of the audi- boys from Minnesota aren’t done yet. FELIX Friday 18 MAY 2012 21 MUSIC Breaking the frame Reviewed in 60 seconds Íñigo Martínez de Rituerto dissects Surgeon’s latest Demdike Stare/Hype Williams album ahead of his appearance at Bloc Meet Shangaan Electro 2012

urgeon has been a staple of the ware- house scene since his early involve- ★★★★✩ ment in the depths of techno at the Honest Jon’s Records have recently released turn of the 90s. His sound, and that this EP and all the others from the Meet Shan- of those he has infl uenced, is what gaan Electro series on CD. Also featuring con- youS might imagine tearing through the night tributions from the likes of Actress and Oni Ay- deep in between the concrete walls of some dis- hun, these tracks lend a new light to the spirit used building. While the musical infl uences cited of Shangaan, a ridiculously upbeat style of tribal include industrial and krautrock pioneers such dance music from Southern Africa. as Faust and Whitehouse, inspiration from the Demdike Stare deliver perhaps their most visual and literary works of David Lynch and sober bass line to date, while the drums haunt William S. Burroughs are immediately appar- like a paranoia, reminding of midnight rituals in- ent in the obsessive monotony and enveloping volving the skulls of ancestors and very heavy pscyhoacoustics of his records. liquids. The second take, or ‘Version’ in dub This is endurance techno. The very essence that talk, loses the drums in favour of more vexing defi ned the dance music underground. A blurry atmosphere, set by obsessive chants and dis- soundtrack for questionable encounters on dark, tant birds. smokey dance fl oors. No sun glasses, no glow Hype Williams’s offering opens with a hypnotic sticks, just the throbbing undertones of a stub- reggae jerk under dropping drums. Not long af- born kick drum and gargantuan bass. This is tran- ter the fi rst cries of Muscovite Inga Copeland, scendental dance music for introverts. A dose for the sleepy bassline falls and lulls the remainder zealous party-goers who would rather stare at the of the track, amidst confessions of “Never felt a bright light and let the sound consume them. day when I don’t look back...” Yet with his Nth release and already 6th full- Íñigo Martínez de Rituerto length album, Surgeon has done exactly what he says on the tin, Breaking the Frame. More than just a techno record, this is a document of transcendence. The attested mold of heavy 4/4 is buried beneath an archaic craft of electro-acoustic Portico Quartet magnifi cence. The kick drums sound like smash- Portico Quartet ing concrete blocks with your head. The harmon- 2012 ics, when they appear, are a tear through the heavens, somewhere between a burning sitar and a Surgeon’s year 6 art project, aged 11 crying machine. It is the sound of industrial music post-Blade Runner. If Gaspar Noé’s psychotropic ★★★✩✩ epic Enter the Void were set in Mordor, you might a single track. Their juxtaposition with the pum- of ‘Presence’ disappear in a sudden drop, the 6 have found the Uruk-Hai pulling shapes to this. meling 4/4 gives these instances room to breathe minute interlude ‘We Are Already Here’ disperses In this, their third album, the Hackney based boys The ominous atmosphere that permeates the and melt into one another. This is best character- the air in an unfamiliar cacophony of infi nite bells move in a slightly different direction. Many of Por- hour is apparent from the start. After the gener- ised by the fi rst track on side C, ‘Presence’, which and stained glass. tico Quartet’s trademark sounds are used more ous introductory swathes of ‘Dark Matter’, track opens with a stuporous breath of a kick, before The closing track ‘Not-Two’ is something of an sparingly; searing soprano saxophone lines riding two sets off with a bassline that bubbles like an the tantric cycles of an Oriental string instrument opus. As if walking back into the piercing light over the blissful hang melodies are less preva- octopus throwing a tantrum. This weight which wraps around the listener like an enchanted snake after an out of body trip, fi eld recordings of bum- lent than in Knee Deep in the North Sea or Isla, has become such a signature of Surgeon’s pro- disappearing in fog. per cars and arcade games in a carnival give you replaced instead by various synthesised efforts. ductions is also painfully apparent in the sparse Whether he has sampled an Indian hurdy-gurdy a somewhat drunken feeling before they suddenly I think it was right for the band to move in this tribal drum which runs throughout ‘The Power of or a Balinese gamelan or simply mirrored them in disappear again under a blanket of drawn-out direction as there was little room to manoeuvre Doubt’ and in the cascading frenzy of ‘Radiance’. his own studio remains a mystery. The sheer pres- choirs and eternal ringing. Scenes from the movie with the sound that they had forged on their fi rst However, his inner ear for complex yet subtle ence of these sounds is overwhelming. They seem Enter the Void come back to mind. An inebriated two albums. However the fi nal product isn’t quite rhythms has really expanded on this record, as to envelop you and take hold, removing you from introduction to The Tibetan Book of the Dead, in a accomplished to the level with which artists like he delves in the space between the numerous your physical environment and elevating you to room decorated by abstracted streaks of paint, just Bonobo fuse the organic with the electronic. polyrhythms which rear themselves the length of some other space. After the mesmerising cycles before another hit and a trip down the rabbit-hole. Don’t get me wrong, this is a good album, but I’m left wondering how good this could have been had they really nailed the fusion of their amazing musicianship with the extra dimension electonic White Denim Micachu noises can bring. Be sure not Simon Hunter HMV Forum The Shacklewell Arms

to miss... White Denim are one of the best live Watch Micachu’s debut DJ set (her bands around at the minute; the com- of Micachu and the Shapes fame) Bloc Competition Mark England bination of their raucous garage rock as she supports Emika at this trendy and their Texan charm will defi nitely East London venue. She is a classi- Well done to the winner of the Bloc Weekender Two gigs battle for your win you over. Their music fl ows from cally trained musician but is known tickets: Jesse Felix dirty, scuzzy rock to (dare say it) free best for her wonky electronic pop We will email you soon to confi rm details. attention on Tuesday 22nd jazz. Recent album D has been a hit performed with crazy instruments Commisserations to all those of you who entered. with the critics and they will want to made from vacuums and broken If it makes you feel any better, everyone got the May give it the send off it deserves. bottles. correct answer. 22 Friday 18 MAY 2012 FELIX Film Editors: John Park Lucy Wiles FILM fi [email protected] Depp & Burton: a match made in heaven

Dark Shadows, currently out in cinemas, marks the eighth collaborative effort between one of Hol- lywood’s most versatile, talented leading men – Johnny Depp – with his boss/friend/director – Tim Burton. And in honouring their batch of wonderfully weird, eerily eccentric movies, Felix Film takes a look at their lengthy ﬁ lmography

1. Edward Scissorhands (1990)

It started back here with Depp and Burton, with Depp being cast in his debut Burton role after Tom Cruise, Tom Hanks, Robert Downey Jr., and William Hurt were all considered for the role. The transformation Depp undergoes may frighten some, but there is a much richer, incredibly touching love story that runs under the tale of an artificial creation with scissors for its hands. Bur- ton was initially unfamiliar with Depp’s previous roles but thank heavens the quiet yet sympathy-arousing Depp was chosen for the role. Because without this feature, there might not have been the 7 more films from this unique pairing.

2. Ed Wood (1994) 3. Sleepy Hollow (1999)

Often dubbed “the worst director of all time,” Ed Wood (Depp) Severed heads, witchcraft, humour, this combination can only was known for his low-budget genre films and failed to win over be the work of Burton and Depp. After a vengeful headless war- the respect of the industry, but following the release of a biogra- rior arises to brutally decapitate individuals in a small village, phy that shed new light on his life, career, and love for cinema, an off-beat forensic investigator (Depp) is sent to the town of he was given new-found appreciation. Filmed in black-and-white, Sleepy Hollow to track down this haunting creature. What he dealing with a long-forgotten story must have contributed to why digs up is a community full of disputes, family troubles, back- this barely made its mark at the box-office despite its strong stabbing and even more decapitation than he’d anticipated. critical acclaim. Still, Martin Landau deservingly won his Best Burton’s gothic crime thriller has its moments of gore, shock Supporting Actor Oscar in his role as Bela Lugosi, a frequent col- value and paying homage to the traditional films of the Hammer laborator of Wood later in his acting career. Films Productions, his visuals also received a lot of praise.

4. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (2005) 5. Corpse Bride (2005)

Leave it to Burton to turn a beloved childhood bedtime story Burton had always been interested in the animation genre, giv- into a visually dazzling, somewhat creepy adaptation. Aside from en his involvement in various projects such as The Nightmare the fact that Depp looks like a disturbing man-child luring chil- Before Christmas, James and the Giant Peach, and Mars Attacks! dren into his enormous factory, Burton’s family-friendly outing is but his first full-length, stop-motion film came with this one. a vibrant, colourful and energetic piece of work that works de- After a wedding proposal practice in the woods goes wrong, an spite the lead actor’s distracting performance. One of the main unlucky groom-to-be (Depp) unwittingly gets himself engaged to strengths here is the young Freddie Highmore, who was picked a corpse bride (Helena Bonham Carter). He’s not so sure about after Depp’s recommendation (the two had previously worked this sudden development, but she appears to be hopelessly together in Finding Neverland), in the role of Charlie, providing devoted to him. There are bizarre yet charming moments as the the effective, sweet, central emotional core. unlikely couple start sharing a genuine connection.

6. Sweeney Todd (2007) 7. Alice in Wonderland (2010)

The current outstanding production playing at West End might Arguably the weakest offering from the Depp/Burton team, somewhat diminish the efforts from Burton’s fi rst and only musi- while you cannot deny the oddly brilliant portrayal of The cal but his stylishly bloody and darkly witty adaptation that frank- Mad Hatter from the consistently reliable Depp (but the less ly lacks a single memorable tune is still an impressive one, mak- that is said of that silly little dance at the end, the better), ing singers out of actors. Depp, fi lled with anger and vengeance, Burton’s portrayal of Wonderland, and Alice’s (a blank Mia slashes the throats of anyone who gets in his way, whereas Hel- Wasikowska) pointless adventures feel strangely detached, ena Bonham Carter completes the perfect crime by making pies owing to the plodding pace and repetitive plot strands. The out of the bodies. Sounds horrifi c, and it is, which is exactly what wonky 3D conversion, combined with the uninspired script you would expect from Burton. and a disappointing fi nal showdown, make for an uninvolv- ing fantasy outing. FELIX Friday 18 MAY 2012 23 FILM

Soapy, sappy, sleepy shadow Top 10 Box Ofﬁ ce ﬁ lms in the UK this week

1) Avengers Assemble – 12A – Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Jeremy Renner, Chris Hemsworth

2) American Pie: Re- union – 15 – Jason Biggs, Seann William Scott, Aly- son Hannigan

3) Dark Shadows – 12A – Stop right now, thank you very much, I need somebody with the human blood Johnny Depp, Eva Green, Michelle Pfeiffer Dark Shadows is not at all familiar with, such as the advantage of, as Barnabas learns that it familiar names, hardly anyone is given big letter M signalling a McDonald’s is possible for women to become doc- proper attention to, and among the most 4) The Lucky One – 12A Directors Tim Burton restaurant, and his careful mistrust of tors, and 15-year-olds do not generally wasted of the ensemble is Carter, who – Zac Efron, Taylor Schil- Screenwriters Seth Grahame-Smith, the newly laid-down concrete road, he get married and become pregnant de- is barely seen, does hardly anything ling, Blythe Danner John August, Dan Curtis makes his way back to Collinswood, spite the fullness of their childbearing memorable, and is tossed aside, never to Cast Johnny Depp, Eva Green, only to discover his beloved mansion womb. He also insists The Carpenters be seen again. Miller is also given vir- Michelle Pfeiffer, Helena Bonham Carter, Jackie Earle Haley, Jonny Lee almost in ruins. The residents include are not singers but individuals dealing tually no time to shine, and he too, is 5) Beauty and the Beast Miller, Chloë Grace Moretz, Gulliver his four descendants, Elizabeth (Pfei- with woods. In the gothic setting of its gone in a rushed subplot. The two chil- McGrath ffer), her brother Roger (Miller), Eliza- run-down mansion, impossibly white- dren remain insignifi cant throughout, 3D – U – Paige O’Hara, beth’s daughter Caroline (Moretz) and powdered stars, and constant shots of whether it’s the rebellious Caroline or Robby Benson, Angela John Park Roger’s son David (McGrath), their the death-inviting cliff and the waves the innocent David. Lansbury butler Willie (Haley), family psychia- crashing into sharp rocks to remind Making something out of her sup- For a vampire who was cursed and trist Dr. Julia Hoffman (Carter), a very us of a foreboding future, Burton fi nds porting role is the divine Pfeiffer who, buried alive in the late 1760s, the year old nanny (Ray Shirley) whose purpose time for humour, mostly centred around as the strong head of household, adds a 6) Safe – 15 – Jason Sta- 1972 is understandably a strange and throughout the fi lm isn’t entirely clear, the shock Barnabas encounters as he touch of class and glamour to the cast, tham, Catherine Chan, mysterious world. This is the challenge and fi nally the new family governess starts experiencing a completely differ- and as the only character who has any Chris Sarandon that Barnabas Collins (Depp) is faced Victoria (Bella Heathcote). ent world. substantial relationship with Collins, with. Born to rich parents who own a Despite her reserved feelings for in- But there is a drastic shift in tone as Pfeiffer strongly holds her own, and she large fi shing business as well as their viting a vampire into her home, the Angelique enters the picture. The com- also doesn’t look too shabby confi dently 7) Salmon Fishing in the own Collinswood Manor, Collins in his family matriarch Elizabeth welcomes edy is tragically cut short, and we enter protecting her home and family from Yemen – 12A – Ewan Mc- youth makes the mistake of having a the return of her ancestor, and fi lls him an even weirder femme-fatale, Fatal invaders with a shotgun. Gregor, Emily Blunt, Kris- short fl ing with the dangerous and jeal- in on what he’s missed over the past Attraction-esque love-hate interaction Burton tries to manage a lot of genres tin Scott Thomas ous witch Angelique (Green). Failing two centuries. Basically, the fi shing between the vampire and the witch. here, but whilst doing so, he cannot to return her love, he irks the talented business Barnabas’ parents worked so The icy Depp and fi ery Green make quite grasp a single one correctly. Is this sorceress and fi nds out there is noth- hard to build is no more, ever since An- an interesting pair at fi rst, but once it a comedy? A gothic horror? Supernatu- 8) Piranha 3DD – 18 – ing scarier than a woman scorned. First gelique the cursing witch took over al- becomes clear that there is really noth- ral fantasy? He dabbles with far more Danielle Panabaker, Ving manipulating his true love to fall off a most everything, exacting vengeance on ing further to develop between the two than he can handle, which can also be Rhames, David Hassel- cliff, she transforms him into a vam- a family she despises. Always putting characters, even the wild “sex” scene said for the underused cast he has as- hoff pire, forcing him to suffer the loss of his bloodline fi rst, Barnabas swears in which the two of them fl y and crash sembled. Dark Shadows remains faith- his loved one forever. Turning the torch to restore their business to its former around Angelique’s offi ce for some pas- ful to Burton’s well-known and praised and pitchfork-wielding villagers against glory, and so begins the Collins fam- sionate hugging (that’s all they do) to a visual fl air, but the content never stays 9) How I Spent My Sum- him, she succeeds in burying him alive. ily’s extreme makeover backed by the classic Barry White song, feels stale. strong throughout, and the overblown mer Vacation – 15 – Mel His freedom comes nearly 200 70s megahit, The Carpenters’ ‘Top of Although Green looks the part of an ending with its sudden necessity to Gibson, Peter Stormare years later when a group of construc- the World.’ unforgiving wench, her powerful witch produce some kind of a happy end- tion workers accidentally break him So far, Dark Shadows looks and doesn’t have much to do. She acts as ing is a bit of a letdown. Still, Depp is out of his coffi n, and incidentally all sounds like an offbeat comedy in the tough CEO of her company, but she as impressive as ever, proving there is 10) The Hunger Games - get sucked dry by the thirsty vampire. which the goofy and stiff Depp does never makes the adequate villain, and no contemporary actor who can come 12A - Jennifer Lawrence, After a few comical confrontations he and says the oddest things. There are it’s a wonder why anyone needs to be close to skillfully tackling the roles he Josh Hutcherson shares with modern developments he priceless moments that Depp takes full afraid of her. Given the large cast full of does on a regular basis. 24 Friday 18 May 2012 FELIX Television Editors: George Barnett James Simpson TELEVISION [email protected]

This week on YouTube Band of Brothers will blow you away George Barnett reviews HBO’s epic mini-series Not strictly television...but worth espite being released over ten same way as Band of Brothers. They don’t even town. The shock to the American’s when liber- a watch anyway years ago, Band of Brothers come close. Having a total run-time of nearly ating the barely living detainees combined with holds it own in the TV hall of twelve hours is probably partly to thank for the backdrop of the camp, scores of bodies and fame. Beautifully fi lmed and this. But, perhaps of greater importance is the the shells of people who managed to survive exquisitely produced – as you’d connection between the real veterans (who in- certainly act as a striking and stark reminder of Cameron Sent ‘Lots Of Love’ Dwell hope with an estimated budget of $125m – troduce each episode) and their characters. It what so many gave their lives for. it’s an absolute tour de force. gives the series meaning and a certain feeling During the fi nal fi ve minutes of the mini- Texts To Brooks Labelled as a TV mini-series, it consists of of actuality. You imagine these people, nigh on series Major Winters sheds light into ten episodes, each about an hour and quarter in seventy year ago in the very same situation - if the strikingly different post-war lives David Cameron reveals that he really doesn’t have length, following the journey of Easy Company not worse – living the horrors of war that you of the soldiers and their attempts to a clue what’s going on. LOL, oh well. of the US Army 101st Airborne division during watch from the comfort of your living room. fi t back into society, into a world WWII. Band of Brothers was inspired by a book Being devoid of any sort of subplot – no so completely different. After of the same title by Stephen Ambrose, which romances left at home, no ongoing friction announcing the war offi cially documents the actual journey of Easy company between soldiers – we see a deeper side of over to the company, the screen through the war. war; how it changes people, relationships, darkens and the surviving vet- The plight of Easy Company begins with ba- mental states. Soldiers form bonds greater erans are fi nally named. In a sic training in Georgia where they are trained to than that between brothers. They suffer from manner which evokes so be the best under the ferociously harsh Captain shell shock, losing limbs, losing friends many emotions they give Sobel who forces them to run up the infamous and towards the end of the war; alcoholism. their fi nal narration and ‘Currahee’ mountain many-a-time. We fol- thoughts on the war, with low Easy Company to England for their fi nal Carwood Lipton notably preparation before they land frantically strewn “There are many great recalling the famous Saint over Normandy as part of Operation Overlord. Crispins’s day speech; “From Following this we see them losing men in a fi lms about WWII...none this day to the ending of the It’s a witch! No wait...it’s Rebekah Brooks heavy battle whilst liberating the French town world, we in it shall be remem- of Carentan. of them immerse you in bered, we lucky few, we band Easy Company are then dropped into the of brothers. For he who today Netherlands as part of Operation Market Gar- the same way as Band of sheds his blood with me shall be Henri 2, Paw de Deux den where they are tasked with liberating Eind- my brother.” Henri the existentialist cat considers life, relation- hoven. Later the company is called to Bastogne Brothers” I know no other television se- ships, freedom and whipped cream amongst other to fi ght in the Battle of the Bulge and have to ries in the same league as Band of Brothers. topics. French with English subtitles. survive the treacheries of a harsh winter and We see the progression of soldiers being scared It stands head and shoulders above anything low supply levels. Having endured the winter of, to accepting death and its inevitable place in else. I implore you to buy the DVD and watch in Bastogne Easy Company carries out a dan- war. Captain Speirs memorably tells a comrade it, if not only for the quality of the series gerous mission in Haguenau. In the penultimate that “the only hope you have is to accept the but also to keep alive the memo- episode, aptly named ‘Why We Fight’, we see fact that you’re already dead. The sooner you ries of those that sacrifi ced the troops enter Germany and discover some- accept that, the sooner you’ll be able to function so much. thing unimaginable; the Landsberg Concentra- as a soldier is supposed to function: without tion Camp, containing over 5,000 prisoners mercy, without compassion, without suffering from famine, disease and exhaustion. remorse. All war depends upon it.” Finally the company captures the Eagle’s Nest Particular scenes of note in- and discovers the house of Herman Goering. clude the aforementioned They later move to Austria where V-E day (Vic- discovery of the Lands- tory in Europe day) is announced. Some troops berg Concentration are sent home whilst others begin training to go Camp, stumbled Henri le chat to war in the Pacifi c. upon during There are many great fi lms about WWII that a patrol of are somewhat humbling including my favou- a newly rites Saving Private Ryan, Schindler’s List and captured The Fast Show - Best of Swiss The Pianist. None of them immerse you in the German Toni

Swiss Toni gives his classic advice on women. Pay attention and work your charm when you’re next in Metric. Like a boss, naturally. Oh, so where can I watch this fantastic sounding series? Well as you asked so politely; get it from www.play.

The ultimate ladies man, after Matt Colvin of course com, it’s only £13.99 – bargain of the century! Whilst you’re at it get The Paciﬁ c boxset as well. FELIX Friday 18 MAY 2012 25 TELEVISION Better than Friends? Lucia Podhorska recalls just How I Met Your Mother

reated by Craig Thomas and Each episode is actually a fl ashback, as future rest of the cast is also great. Jason Segel Carter Bays, this hit US sitcom Ted tells his teenage son and daughter the story is charming as an aspiring environmental has been on the air since 2005 so of how he met their mother. lawyer that believes in the supernatural it might seem a bit strange to be On the surface this may sound like a Friends and together with Alyson Hannigan they reviewing it so far into the story. rip-off and in some ways perhaps it is: Ted is are the most solid on-screen couple I have TruthC be told, I’m a bit of a late-comer to How I a hopeless romantic in search of The One and seen in a while. Fans of the American Pie Met Your Mother – I only started watching it in Robin is the Rachel to his Ross, only smarter. movies will get to see the actress behind January, when exam revision should have come Lily and Marshall resemble the Chandler and band geek Michelle show off her comedy fi rst – oops. I have managed to catch up with the Monica from later seasons, while Barney is skills. Cobie Smulders I wasn’t too sure rest of the world and happily sat down to watch similar to womanizing Joey. The only character about for a long time, but she’s grown on the season seven fi nale yesterday – but more on missing is Phoebe. MacLaren’s is quite clearly me and I applaud the writers for taking her that later. a replacement for Central Perk. The show even character down a more serious path this sea- To those unfamiliar with this show, it centres debuted very shortly after Friends fi nished son, thus allowing the audience to appreciate on the character of Ted Mosby (Josh Radnor), its run. The success of Friends clearly proved her acting even more. Josh Radnor as Ted is an architect living in New York. At the start of that friends living together and supporting each a great fi t, although he’s my least favourite the show, he is living with his room-mate from other through the ups and downs of adulthood is character – but this has nothing to do with college Marshall Eriksen (Jason Segel) and a popular formula and it managed to work out the actor portraying Marshall’s girlfriend of nine years, Lily Aldrin quite well for HIMYM, which is still one of the him. (Alyson Hannigan). Together with Barney Stin- most popular TV shows even after seven years. As I men- son (Neil Patrick Harris), Ted’s “best friend”, Personally, I think it’s better than Friends. tioned at they can frequently be found in the local bar As is the case with many shows, the fi rst MacLaren’s where Barney comes up with outra- couple of episodes don’t do the series justice. geous ways to pick up women. The pilot epi- I tried watching it when it fi rst came out, but sode also introduces a new love interest for Ted didn’t fi nd any of the characters particularly in the form of aspiring Canadian reporter Robin engaging or interesting, so gave up. Recommen- Scherbatsky (Cobie Smulders). dations from numerous friends made me change my mind and give it a second chance and I’m glad I did. I guess the writers and cast simply needed some time to fi nd a rhythm that works for everyone and the writing has been solid ever since. The writers have given us some truly memorable moments and catch-phras- es, whilst also making sure that the characters develop over the years as they pass from their late twenties to early thirties. The thing that actually got me hooked on HI- MYM is an element that I haven’t often found the in this genre, namely cliffhangers. It’s true that begin- they are nowhere near as gripping as those from, ning of this for example Lost, but they have kept me on the article, the last edge of my seat nonetheless throughout the 159 episode of the episodes that have aired so far. The biggest cliff- season aired this hanger and mystery is, of course, the identity of week and brought the mother. It’s been seven years and we still with it a revela- don’t know who she is and based on the last epi- tion that audiences sode of the season, we won’t be fi nding out for a have been wait- while. Teasing the audience like this is common, ing for since this Frasier managed to talk about but never show time last year. With the character of Maris for eleven years while we an ending like that, I are also yet to meet Howard’s mom on Big Bang can’t wait for season Theory. It keeps viewers coming back, although eight this September. I wonder how much longer they can keep it up. All this being said, if you It’s impossible to review any show without haven’t yet watched this commenting on the actors that bring the char- series, the end of exams acters to life. Although he’s not the main char- and the beginning of sum- acter, the star that really shines is Neil Patrick mer is a great op- Harris as Barney. His escapades are out of this portunity to do so. world but he manages to deliver every line with I guarantee it will a straight face and provides us with most of the be legen – wait for laugh-out-loud moments. That being said, the it – dary!

Exams, what exams? Go on, write us a review, you know you want to. Drop us an email at [email protected] 26 Friday 18 may 2012 FELIX Games Editor: Laurence Pope

GAMES [email protected] Starcraft: the Revolution of eSports Carol Yang discusses why Starcraft has become such a phenomenal success

“ he lights of the metropolis shine brightly on the clear summer night. Down on the bay, a crowd gathers around a giant outdoor screen. Spot- lights fl ood the area as the audience, Tnow exceeding 50,000 people, work themselves into a fever pitch. The two teams come out on stage to deafening cheers. Teenage girls scream as one idol from each team is chosen for the fi rst round of combat. They each enter a booth. The music swells, and the video game begins. “It sounds like a science fi ction story from the future. But this event actually happened in the past, in a place where such things have been com- monplace for over ten years. This was the 2006 Proleague fi nals held in Seoul, South Korea. The game being played was StarCraft.” — The Dawn of Starcraft, eSports comes to the world stage, by Jeremy Reimer, arstechnica. Starcraft was released in March 1998, closely followed by several expansions with the third and fi nal release in November 1998. Together, they would become an all-time best-selling game for the PC, with 11 million copies sold worldwide. The game is a sci-fi real-time strategy game, with three distinct races that can be played. It is said to have revolutionized the standards for RTS games, Two enemies set aside their differences to fight off an advancing Zerg Swarm perhaps due to the insane skills required to compete at the top level. It triggered the creation of the world’s fi rst major eSports (electronic-sports) Economic balance is vital. You need enough So far, you might be asking the question, why generated from knowing something the players tournaments starting in 2002 in South Korea, and workers to maintain a high income, and the gath- is it different to any other RTS? Well, there are don’t – in your head, you scream “Attack NOW, spreading throughout the world today. ered resources must all be intelligently spent. three main elements to this. The fi rst is its fully before his advantage kicks in, now is your ONLY Starcraft II: Wings of Liberty is the long-awaited Decision-making is the most crucial part of the integrated multiplayer ladder system. All players opportunity!” Every moment is packed with dra- sequel, released on July 10th 2010. It follows the game— choose what buildings to invest in to pro- are given a rank in a league, and winning games matic tension, because any moment could decide same lore as its predecessor, seeing major changes duce the right army composition to engage at the in multiplayer allows you to climb the ladder and the game. in only the outdated graphics and speed. Certain best time in the most advantageous way. eventually be promoted. There are seven leagues The other factor is the strategic brilliance of units were removed, added, or altered drastically, All the above is referred to as “macro”— any- from bronze to Grand Masters – GM being the top the players. In the game, intelligence and prepa- but the mechanics of the game remain untouched. thing that involves considering the overall game 200 in a region. ration are by far the most important attributes of There are several elements of the game to mas- and maintaining a good play. Its counterpart is the players. High-level play is full of mind games. ter; conceptually simple, but extraordinarily dif- “micro”, which focuses on the intense second-by- Professional competitors will study their rivals’ fi cult to do all at once. Like most RTS games, second unfurling of game-changing battles. There “There are over 30 play styles months in advance in order to fi nd and players build armies and fi ght to kill their oppo- is a lot to do in any one battle: certain units have exploit the smallest of weaknesses. The “wow” nent — but the resources the players are required abilities toggled by hotkey and must be cast in the tournaments a year; the factor is in the stunning decision-making and out- to gather are spread about the map, and you can’t right place at the right time, target-fi ring power- largest ones offer a prize smarting of your opponent, with each player hav- see what your opponent is doing unless you scout ful units to minimize damage taken, and splitting ing a unique approach to the game. them out. groups of units to avoid splash attack damage. pot of up to $120,000.” To celebrate this wonderful world of Starcraft, Imperial’s own Starcraft Society was formed ear- Fighterforum lier this year as a sub-society of Gaming. We have The second is the game’s ongoing development. held six tournament and screening events so far, Starcraft is constantly being tested and developed, each incredibly entertaining and successful. The with changes made following the evolution of the most fantastic aspect is just having a community, metagame. Patches are brought in to maintain the being able to discuss and participate in a game you “balance”, making sure no single strategy is too love, with others who share that feeling. Further- “overpowered”. more, there exists a Collegiate Star League where The third is the satisfaction received from Star- universities all over Europe compete on Starcraft. craft 2 as a spectator sport. At eSports tournaments, An Imperial team was formed at the start of this hundreds of professional players pit themselves academic year, by Ben Thomas, a fi rst-year Physi- against each other in a thrilling battle of wits, cist. We placed third this season, out of 22 teams pushing their skills to the limit. The matches are including Oxbridge and University of London. shown live, with audiences hundreds of thousands So, if you feel you wanna get involved in an strong, all over the world, watching the game un- awesome game with an awesome society, join our fold. Accompanying this is play-by-play commen- Facebook group “Imperial Starcraft Society”, and tary by knowledgeable and entertaining casters, come along to our next event, a live screening of who expertly blend enthusiasm and comedy into a pro-tournament, MLG Spring Arena 2! Hosted every event. There are over 30 tournaments a year; by ICU Cinema Society, we will be in the Union the largest ones offer a prize pot of up to $120,000. Concert Hall this weekend from 5.00pm Saturday In the games, there are countless preparations a and 5.30pm Sunday. The tournament is hosted in player can make in order to surprise their oppo- America, so they will go on until the early hours nent. Usually, this makes the player more vulner- of morning, pop by whenever to catch a glimpse of The audience of the Starcraft: Brood War Proleague finals in Seoul, South Korea, 2006 able to attack. There is a high-pressure excitement the eSports phenomenon! FELIX Friday 18 MAY 2012 27 Books Editor: Maciej Matuszewski [email protected] BOOKS Werewolves, vampires and lots of guns Ivan Ho reviews Monster Hunter International – the ultimate antidote to Twilight

t’s not everyday that you get to the form of bullets, fl amethrowers, and throw your boss out of a 14th- even grenades without even batting an story window, but that’s exactly eyelid. Which brings me to my next how this story kicks off, and point. There is a lot of gun talk in the from the start till fi nish, it’s one book, and I mean a lot. Larry Correia Iheck of a thrilling roller coaster ride. clearly knows his guns, and it shows. No, it’s not a story about an insane, While it’s true that I’ve seen people stressed accountant fi nally breaking complain about how he goes overboard “Whilst cool and down and deciding to test out Newton’s with his gun descriptions, I can honestly law of gravitation on his boss. In fact, say that, even though I’m not a gun per- edgy, it has also given all the crazy stuff that goes down son, I thoroughly enjoyed the book. And in the book, the protagonist, Owen Za- if any of you actually like guns, then all grown rusty in the stava Pitt is actually quite a sane guy. the better! With this book, Larry Correia has last twenty years.” created a dark urban fantasy world that “like watching a doesn’t cease to amaze. Combining Lovecraft’s Cthulhu Mythos with zom- blockbuster movie” bies, werewolves, vampires, a secret government bureau, a monster hunting You see, the boss in question had company, a tough as nails protagonist very recently morphed into a werewolf and lots of fi repower, the author paints and was actively trying to rip Owen’s such an action packed scenario that guts out, so it wasn’t exactly an over- reading the book is literally like watch- reaction to decide that he really needed ing a blockbuster movie, except it’s all some fresh city air. I know. Werewolves packed into the 700 odd pages of this sound awfully familiar. In fact, they immensely entertaining novel. were featured quite prominently in a Finally, I would like to point out series that I have never read, and prob- that this book is not a thought provok- ably won’t be reading anytime soon – ing, deep piece of literature. And it Twilight. Heck, there are even vampires doesn’t pretend to be one. This is one in Monster Hunter International, loads of those books that you actually read of them, but that’s where the similari- just for entertainment, and that feeling ties end. of ‘wow, that was awesome’, followed There’s nothing remotely sexy about by a strong urge to buy the sequel. So vampires found in the world of Monster if you’re even mildly interested in ur- Hunter International. Their skin doesn’t ban fantasy settings, monsters, guns, or glow and shine, and they certainly don’t maybe all of the above, this is the book try to seduce teenage girls. What they for you. Heck, I’ll even recommend this do try to do however is rip your heads book to anyone who just wants a good off, all the while taking a lot of hurt in fun read fi lled with jaw dropping action! Monster Hunter International – looks like a friendly bunch A heartwrenching and powerful read Emma Donoghue’s Room – an exploration of the psychology of isolation and abduction

Maciej Matuszewski not short of moments of tension, this onists and only the most heartless of like a natural progression of the fi rst. grammar is somewhat nonstandard, is, for the main part, a subtle and in- readers could not strongly empathise The major criticism of those who adding to the feel that this is really I don’t usually read a lot of contem- trospective look at how being trapped with them by the end of the novel. did not like this book has been Jack’s the internal monologue of a small porary literary fi ction but I’m always and isolated from society for over half What really positively surprised narration, with some calling it dis- child, but I got used to very quickly. looking to broaden my horizons and so a decade can affect a person. The sub- me about the Room is that it contin- tracting and annoying while others In fact, for me, the narration is one I happily picked up Emma Donoghue’s ues for almost two hundred pages af- saying that the vocabulary and sen- of the main selling points of the book. Room when it was selected by the Im- ter what in many other books would It provides a viewpoint that interest- perial Book Club as our latest read. “A subtle look at how be considered the climax. Donoghue ing and rarely seen in fi ction. Jack The novel is narrated in fi rst person shows herself to be a truly superior “You get a real feel is free of many of the preconcep- by Jack, a fi ve-year-old born after his being trapped and writer by going on to consider the tions and prejudices held by adults mother was abducted and abused by a consequences of her resolution to the for the emotions of and so looks at the world in a more man who he calls Old Nick. The two isolated from society problems set up in the fi rst part of the innocent and much clearer way. are kept confi ned in the titular room, can affect a person.” novel while at the same time provid- the protagonists.” Room is an intelligent and power- actually a converted shed in the man’s ing a whole different viewpoint on ful book. It is no surprise that it has garden, with Jack’s mother letting the established characters. There is a won numerous awards and received the boy believe that this is the entire clear divide between the two halves tence structure is not really believ- widespread praise. If you are look- extent of the world in order to help ject matter is dealt with both realisti- of the book, but Donoghue’s skill able for a fi ve year old. I can only ing for a serious read be sure to pick him deal with the diffi cult situation. cally and sensitively. You really get a shows through in that they fl ow to- say that I found the book perfectly up this book – you’re sure to fi nd While certainly very absorbing and real feel for the emotions of the protag- gether – with the second part feeling readable and convincing. Sure, the it a deeply rewarding experience. 28 Friday 18 MAY 2012 FELIX Puzzles Admiral: James Hook

PUZZLES [email protected] Last Week’s Help Felix Solutions Nonogram – Standard Crack the Da

1 Vinci Code 1 2 Ever since we discov- 1 1 1 2 1 1 3 1 2 2 2 2 On Wednesday, Felix received ered that last week’s 2 2 2 10 10 3 2 2 2 the following anonymous mes- 2 2 4 3 10 2 2 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 2 2 2 9 sage consisting of the charac- Wordoku contained a 1 ters (dash not included): te67r- t67r67e567er6754675674567456746 grave error we’ve lost 9 While most of the ofﬁ ce think it’s nothing but spam, a select few have other all conﬁ dence in our 2 2 ideas. What could it mean? Is it the mother own abilities and are of all tip-offs? Revelations that could 3 6 2 threaten the very foundations of soci- currently embarking ety? The Rector’s Steam ID? The pos- 2 7 2 sibilities are endless. on a pilgrimage to We need your help. Crack the code 1 2 2 1 and receive massive points and/or an Tibet. incredible reward. Or, you know, just let us know that 1 2 2 1 it’s spam. We’ll only feel a little let down. Get hacking! Solutions will be 1 2 2 1 back next week, as ever, once we’ve car- 1 5 1 ried out enough ex- 1 6 1 tensive soul search- 1 2 3 1 ing. 1 2 3 1 Remember, if you 2 2 2 2 ever want to submit 2 2 your own puzzles 2 2 to the section, just 9 email puzzles.felix@ The cells in a grid have to be coloured or left blank according to numbers at the side of the grid. The numbers measure ! how many unbroken lines of filled-in squares there are in any given row or column. The overall solution should yield But let’s face it, it’s probably imperial.ac.uk spam some sort of picture. As usual, answers to [email protected].

323 SLITHERLINK FUCWIT 2 2 3 1 2 Slitherlink, a bigger celebrity than League Leader Board any of those wannabees who fre- 3 2 3 03 quent Ethos or Eastside. TTeams:eams: The aim with Slitherlink is to The Felix University/Col- Elbowfart 151 lege-Wide Invitational 3 33make one continuous closed loop The Jailbaits 126 Tournament League is 2 2 121 1 by connecting the dots. The num- both new and improved, bers in each square indicate how Pegasus & Parrots 103 with prizes for both the 2 3 2 many edges of the square are part Paddy Got Bummed 55 winning team and the of the loop, so if it contains a winning individual. “2”, you know that two and only Cum Puzzling Sluts 47 3 1 1 2 Points are awarded for two out of four edges have lines. Team Nuclear 56 each puzzle solved, 1 3 32That’s all the info you need to get Ludibrium Lads 14 double if you’re the ﬁ rst the one logical answer (though correct solution. waiting a week to see the solution 2 31 IIndividuals:ndividuals: Send your solutions to will also do). Answers to puzzles. Jeremy Neale 138 puzzles.felix@imperial. Wish you were here 2 2 3 3 [email protected]. We can’t ac.uk! get enough of your answers, genu- Wael Aljeshi 46 inely. FELIX Friday 18 may 2012 29 [email protected] HANGMAN 2.0 WORLD EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH WILL SMITH

So Felix might not have known about Will Smith’s surprise visit to Ethos on Wednesday, but that didn’t stop Hangman from having a few select words with the man himself: NEXT WEEK... Hangman: Hi Will. Will: Hi there. H: So are you a big sports fan? W: Sure. Don’t forget to come and see my latest ﬁ lm, Men in Black III, when it opens next Friday 25 May! robert de niro visits the library cafÉ H: Always a pleasure, Will. 30 Friday 16 march 2012 FELIX Sport Editor: I n d y L e c l e r c q

SPORT [email protected] Bank Holiday Boat BUCS IC Boat Club Elizabeth Richards rial a run for their money and clung on Spencer Jones/Goodier/cox: Johnson) Boat Club – ICBC took the gold medal by a mere took centre stage. Frustration reigned 0.48s (6:28.3). As the lightweights over the crew as they were squeezed The annual three day BUCS regatta came into the landing stage, Kimber- out of the direct fi nal place by the Uni- at Nottingham’s Holme Pierrepont is ley and Richards continued the BUCS versity of East London. After the heat, usually a test of endurance, both physi- tradition of jumping out of one boat Spencer Jones could be found hover- cal and mental, and this year was no into another. The Championship eight ing around the bushes as a week of ex- exception. With competitors entered (cox: Libby Richards/Johnny Rankin/T ams and illness mixed with two days in multiple events on a single day and Richards/Ben Spencer Jones/Ali Hud- of intense racing had pushed him be- with weather ranging from pouring son/Matt Pointing/Henry Goodier/ yond the limit. The diffi cult decision to rain to brilliant sunshine, ICBC was Kimberley/Rory Sullivan) were wait- scratch the boat before the impending put through its paces from start to fi n- ing ready to head onto the waves for repechage was met with disappoint- ish. By the end of the weekend, 126 the last fi nal of the day. After a tight ment, frustration and understanding in BUCS points had been accumulated as race with UL in the heat, the guys were equal measure. well as an array of medals, many com- hunting for blood. Unfortunately, the For the fairer half of the squad, it was ing from the lightweight men. might of Newcastle, Durham and UL time for the Championship eight (cox: Saturday seemed quiet due to the just squeezed the guys out of the med- L Richards/Weaver/Connell/Lily Bea- absence of all novice competitors. The als, despite a storming row (5:52.2). dle/Patterson/Cat Buizza/Cross/Siân Tim Richards and Wilf Kimberley bask in the glory of BUCS organising committee had decided that, Thankfully the weather had decided Morgan/Maddy Whybrow), the fi rst after the multiple sinkings of last year time ICBC has had a senior women’s and the horrendous weather forecast, eight at the regatta since 2009. They London, generally to prepare for those made it to their fi nals to take fourth they would chancel beginners’ racing. “Our fortunate es- did not have the easiest of routes to the little annoyances called exams. The place and bring another silver medal In the end, the conditions were rowable fi nal. In the repechage, they learnt their numbers dwindled even more once home to ICBC, respectively. The two with a solid tail wind leading to rapid cape sparked a re- most useful skill – rowing through Sullivan was hit by the same bout of doubles then combined to make the times. Never fear, though, there was crews. Having left the blocks slowest, sickness that had struck Spencer Jones Championship coxed four (str: Weav- plenty of racing to be had, especially markable comeback” the eight crept through the fi eld, break- the day before and so the lightweights er/Connell/Cross/Patterson/cox: L for the women’s squad. The champion- ing Bristol and Glasgow, one at a time were left to hold the honour of the Richards). They qualifi ed third for the ship quad (str: Louise Connell/Klara and just inching ahead of Edinburgh in club. The gangsta lightweight dou- fi nal and, although the fi nal standing Weaver/Harriet Cross/Hannah Patter- to turn to bright sunshine with a slight the crucial fi nal 150m. A similar story ble (T Richards/Kimberley) and pair start probably wasn’t in their best in- son) brought home the fi rst piece of tail wind by Sunday. The lightweight unfolded in the fi nal as they gradually (Kimberley/T Richards) won both time terest, they showed the same resolve as silverware, taking second place in a men were with the eight (cox: Jess rowed through Exeter and had Durham trials and got lucky lane one for the fi - the women’s 8 the previous day. They straight fi nal behind Reading (7:02.3). Johnson/Kimberley/T Richards/Tom in their sights but the fi nish line came nals. The pair went without a hitch as steadily walked through crews from Another medal followed quickly from Pearson/Brown/Myles Holbrough/ too soon and Imperial took fi fth place they led from start to fi nish, adding an- the back of the fi eld. In the fi nal 400m, the Intermediate pair (str: Cat Buizza/ Paul Jones/Elliot Jennings/Martin Eb- (7:01.0). other bit of gold bling to their ever glit- they overtook Cambridge to earn the Harriet Cross). After a convincing win ner) easily winning their heat. There By Bank Holiday Monday when tering collection (7:14.1). The double bronze (7:42.4). in their heat, the girls continued to was stiff competition come the fi nal, most people are nursing a hangover, was running the same course until the Despite injuries, sickness, a dwin- dominate the fi eld as they won the fi rst as three well drilled lightweight crews Imperial were beginning to feel the fi nal moments when Loughborough dled squad size thanks to exams and gold of the weekend after a storming from UL, Cambridge and Nottingham strain. The weather had turned, the sun decided to shoot them down, beating fi eld trips, multiple entries per athlete, second half of the fi nal (8:02.8) – a feat fought it out for the medals. Impe- disappeared, and fog, wind and pelting the guys to the gold by just 0.8s. Con- and the dismal conditions, Imperial replicated by many Imperial women’s rial’s scratch crew, containing two rain arrived in the miserable Midlands. solation can be taken from the fact that soldiered on to take four gold, three sil- crews over the weekend. novices, performed admirably taking Racing was postponed and, in another Kimberley and Richards took home ver and one bronze over the weekend. For the testosterone-fi lled side of the fourth place (6:16.8). The lightweight BUCS tradition, racing format was re- more gold medals each than several ICBC was fourth in the Victor Ludo- club, the Championship Lwt four (str: quad (str: Kimberley/T Richards/Hol- jigged to 1500m time trials with the universities. rum, fi fth in the medal table, and have Wilf Kimberley/Tim Richards/Tom brough/Jones) demolished the compe- fastest six crews going through to six Continuing miserable conditions hit racked up a total of 250 BUCS points Pearson/Gareth Brown) proved their tition winning their heat by nearly 10s lane fi nals. The wind caused only the the women’s doubles (Championship – in the 2011-12 season. Now all eyes might as they won their heat by more and the fi nal by another 6s (6:30.2). occasional problem in the time trials Weaver/Patterson, Intermediate – Con- move to the rest of regatta season and than 10s and progressed into the fi nal, The heavier side of Imperial were in pushing crews out of their lanes. The nell/Cross) during their time trials as the relative comfort of Dorney Lake, where they met rivals University of slightly smaller boats as the Champion- remaining men of ICBC were few and the heavens opened with a spectacular and the pinnacle of the summer, Hen- London. The boys in purple gave Impe- ship coxed four (str: Rankin/Sullivan/ far between as many had returned to deluge, just as they were racing. Both ley, in less than 50 days’ time. Tri-ing for Imperial at BUCS championship

ICTri Stephen Cooper Swimming in a heady mix of chlo- amongst the Imperial team, averaging of the top ten competitors meant that the Triathlon rine and sweat from the 300 previous 33km per hour over a windy and hilly BUCS champion was only determined competitors is unenviable stuff but course. once those involved in the shenanigans A 6-strong team from TriIC donned Andrew Gordon, in particular, made The fi nal element, a 5km undulated were handed time penalties. Naughty their lycra (or to be precise a pleasant it look very comfortable, covering the run saw three of the team run under 19 boys ! For the team event, with 60 uni- Nylon-Spandex mix) to compete in the distance in an impressive 11:31. Three minutes placing them in the top 50 for versity teams qualifying, Imperial ‘A’ 340-strong fi eld of May’s BUCS sprint other team members (the Captain Ste- that disciples: Rueben Bogg (18:12), fi nished 25th and the ‘B’ team 52nd. triathlon championship. Arriving at the phen Cooper, new-comer Luke John- Andrew Gordon (18:54), Sam O’Neill TriIC have a number of informal and sunny Wiltshire in the morning, avoid- ston and Will Palmer) were coinciden- (18:55). And it was these three who led formal training sessions for all begin- ing the wealth of carbon time trial bikes tally placed in the same lane, allowing home the TriIC team overall. ners to experts. Any men and women in the car park, the task of 750m of for the convivial competition over the At the top of the leaderboard, some out there who would like to join in then swimming, 25km of cycling and 5km next 85 minutes or so. The next disciple high-jinx (in the form of cycling in a please see www.union.ic.ac.uk/acc/ of running lay ahead. saw Andrew again set the quickest time group which is not permitted) from six triathlon/. FELIX Friday 16 march 2012 31 SPORT Cryptic Crossword 1,518

Hat-trick heroes 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

IC Snooker 9 10

11 12 13

15 16

18 19 20

22 23

25 26 27

28 29 Left to right: Nitesh Mehta, Elwin Carlos, Lawrence Wild, Hari Arora (C), Bogdan Cozmaciuc (Second team: Jonathan Hoong (C), Stanley Cheng, Julius Guth, Rex Tan, Grace Yip) Across Down Elwin Carlos effectively a best of 10 frames match. fi nal – a race to 3 rubbers in which Snooker We lost 6-4 to Warwick 1s but re- each team member contested a best- 1. Imaginary number, perhaps? (7) 1. Tense model (7) sponded with a 5-5 draw against a very of-3 frames rubber against an oppos- 5. Molko fooling around with Catholic, 2. Immersing themselves later, these Imperial College 1s came back from strong Southampton 1s followed by a ing team player – we were unfazed one of Wells’ worst people (7) people spat at basin originally (11) the brink in a pulsating fi nal against 9-1 trouncing of Cardiff 2s. and confi dent of securing that historic 9. Synthesis director starts to rehearse 3. Leaving book (6) Warwick 2s to triumph in the 2012 The defeat to Warwick 1s resulted in hat-trick. next act (1,1,1) 4. Stretches out dated pieces of music BUCS Snooker Team Trophy competi- them pipping us to second spot in the However, having lost the fi rst two 10. Public love group is not working (10) tion, becoming only the third univer- group and a Championship quarter fi nal rubbers, Imperial 1s then came within (3,2,6) 5. Poor player needs something to keep sity in recent history to win three titles place, leaving us to once more contest a millimetre of defeat when Warwick’s 11. Size up and eat value meal (8) hands warm (4) on the trot. for the Team Trophy – a tournament we Matt Ansell attempted an audacious 12. Bum wipe (6) 6. Gollum’s “nice and cool” items Victory also provided the perfect had won for the previous two years. double on the black, which ricocheted 15. Thank you, thank you, and found in natural aquarium (4,4) ending to a glorious career for fi rst Meanwhile Imperial 2s, carried by off the cushions four times and looked goodbye! (2-2) 7. University unit makes agreement for team captain, Hari Arora, who has pot- captain and frame-winning machine, to be heading for the middle pocket. 16. How the hare and the tortoise got French (3) ted the winning ball in each of the last Jonathan Hoong, progressed all the Yet the snooker gods were on our on? Yes and no! (10) 8. Former Lib Dem leader is victim of three seasons and is now the club’s way to the semi-fi nals of the Team side and the black stopped just short of 18. Kids’ TV character confused with assassination (7) second most decorated player behind Plate, where we were unfortunately the pocket, allowing Bogdan Cozmaci- stamp on tap (7,3) 13. Insomnia theme tune? (6,5) semi-pro, Jonathan Fulcher. overcome by Kent 2s. uc to reduce the defi cit to 2-1. 19. Probe drain (4) 14. Scuba amateur initially quit, fl ailing After a strong showing at the Mid- Our fortunate escape then sparked a 22. Where Central Station is bracketed underwater (10) lands Cup in February, hopes of suc- remarkable comeback as Elwin Carlos by Depardieu stonkers (6) 17. I’m spanking but unable to come (8) cess for the two Imperial teams at this “Our fortunate es- came from behind to beat Chee Han 23. Inclined to put oneself down (8) 18. Current grant (7) year’s Championships were high as 36 Tan, leaving Captain “Super” Hari-o to 25. Like diarrhoea, for instance, might 20. Knight errant quietly beheaded Cru- teams from 20 universities arrived in cape sparked a re- fi ght it out with his Warwick counter- this be irregular? (11) saders’ chief opponent (7) Leeds for the season fi nale. part, Mike Williams, for the team gold. 27. Bar man (3) 21. Climber, we hear, is sizeable but di- Such hopes were raised further by a markable comeback” Hari “Potter” easily claimed the fi rst 28. Characters playing thereat? (7) rectionless (6) string of solid performances in the In- frame of the rubber before a tense black 29. Hanging cloth cut short with fi nal 24. A fair lot, reportedly (4) dividual Trophy by the second team. ball fi nish ensued at the end of the sec- alteration (7) 26. Prompt’s line heard (3) Most notably, Stanley Cheng was in The second team’s exit meant it was ond. top form during his run to the quarter- down to Imperial 1s to bring home With a combination of near misses, fi nals while old-timer Grace Yip did some silverware. terrifi c safety shots and high drama well to reach the last 16. A comfortable 6-1 victory over Bir- that was reminiscent of the 1985 World That was in contrast to members of mingham 1s in the Team Trophy quar- Snooker Championship fi nal, breaths SB Imperial hit Victoria the fi rst team, the majority of who were ter-fi nals set up a last four clash with were baited as Hari was eventually knocked out in the fi rst round of the In- Nottingham 1s, who took us to 5-5 and presented with a quarter-ball cut to the dividual Championship thanks to some a one frame shootout to decide who middle with the cue ball just an inch off and Clapham Common tough draws and a somewhat conten- would continue on to the fi nal. the top cushion. tious decision for Nitesh Mehta to have Step up former U-19 Romanian Displaying all the composure that a frame docked for arriving “late” to Champion, Bogdan Cozmaciuc, who epitomises his game, Hari coolly rolled his match. Only Lawrence Wild pro- played a near-fl awless frame, including the black in to prompt celebrations of a ...Continued from Back Page weather for skating. Not too hot, not gressed to the second round before los- a ridiculous run from yellow to blue, to truly memorable hat-trick! fi nd that off-putting or inspiring is up too cold and with the prospect of a ing a very close deciding frame on the steer Imperial into yet another Trophy Ironically, with that 3-2 victory, Im- to you. long vacation just around the corner. fi nal black. fi nal. perial join Warwick 2s on the all-time Now with exam season upon us, So if ever feel like skating/BMXing Fortunes improved for Imperial 1s in And so to the fi nal itself, where War- list of Team Trophy winners with three it’s easy to let skating peter out into a post on our Facebook group ‘SB Im- the team event, where the format con- wick 2s stood between Imperial and titles each, behind only QUB, who distant memory. However, I can only perial’ and check out our new blog at sisted of two teams of fi ve pairing off snooker immortality. have eight. urge you to try and keep it up. Spring imperialsb.tumblr.com. Don’t forget to play 2-frame rubbers in what was Even with a different format for the Something for us to aim for, surely?! offers (or should be offering...) perfect to keep riding. SPORTISSUE 1518 18.05.12

Ed Brial

Imperial SB: One term on Bart Andrews reports on Skateboarding and BMX highlights from the term gone by

whole term has now included concrete classics such as ence once you’re able to hit all the of support. still has a mini-ramp if you want it, but passed with Imperial Meanwhile and Stockwell as well as lines. The huge cradle (London’s fi rst) Also new in London last term – the layout of the whole park is really having its very own new offerings such as Victoria and is a great addition if you can pluck up Clapham Common skatepark. This fun to try and string into a line. Apart Skateboard/BMX soci- Clapham Common. the courage to ride it – same goes for skatepark has had a complete overhaul from the dubious decision to leave ety so here are all the Victoria skatepark (see crazy up- the absolutely ridiculous deep-end of recently and it’s defi nitely for the bet- half the surface as tarmac and the lack Agory details as to what’s been going side-down BMX photo) was really a the bowl (upwards of 10ft). With the ter. This isn’t your typical skatepark of fl ood lights, Clapham Common is on. Last term, we managed to skate/ lot of fun to ride. Although it suffers Olympics just around the corner, a though. With funky new additions like always a good skate. Note, however, BMX a good chunk of the skate- from a severe infestation of little kids skatepark like this is exactly what the the pole jam and the huge concrete the standard here is high. Whether you parks that London has to offer. These at peak times, it’s a brilliant experi- East End needs. It defi nitely has a lot bump, it’s a pretty unique ride. Sure, it ...Continued on Page 31 SCIENCE ARTS MUSIC FILM GAMES

Fight fashion with Science, Art, and A tribute to Adam A brief history of The world of malaria the Arab Spring Yauch Burton and Depp Starcraft Page 10 Page 18 Page 20 Page 22 Page 26