FR IDAY, 19 TH OCTOBER, 2018 – Keep the Cat Free – ISSUE 1701 Felix

The Student Newspaper of Imperial College London FR IDAY, 19 TH OCTOBER, 2018 FELIX EDITORIAL CONTENTS EDITORIAL 2 Letter to Lauren NEWS 3-5 irstly, I want jaba – Felix forever miss your infec- The Felix Team y D Ed POLITICS 6 to take this d ito tious laughter and how An r Editor-in-Chief opportunity to you showed everyone Andy Djaba COMMENT 7-9 congratulate how to live and love. • Feverybody that grad- I know you wouldn't Deputy Editor SCIENCE 10 uated from Imperial want us to be sad so, Joanna Wormald in Wednesday's although I'm heartbro- • TECH 11 Commemoration Day ken, I want to end this News Editors undergraduate graduation by thanking you. I will Joanna Wormald Frank Leggett BOOKS 12-13 ceremony. It was some- forever be grateful and • thing of a bittersweet blessed to have been able Politics Editors FILM 14 moment for me. Although to call you a friend. Thank Avirup Banerjee I was obviously extremly you for allowing me to get Divyen Vanniasegaram MUSIC 18 happy to collect my close to your family and Juan Rubio Gorrochategui degree and finally see the friends, who are some of • ARTS 19-22 fruits of four years' worth the most amazing people Comment Editors Aida Manzano Kharman of hard labour, the day was I'ver ever met. Thank you Charlie Titmuss GAMES 23 also tinged with extreme for everything. • sadness. I couldn't stop The world was lucky Science Editors FOOD 24 thinking about one person to have you. You were the Rosie Dutt that should have been strongest person I know Eyad Abuelgasim INVESTMENT 27 there celebrating with us and I pray that God rests Henry Alman all; my close friend and your beautiful soul. Like Sânziana Foia HANGMAN 28-29 • the strongest person I a loss for words. There How could someone have you said to me countless Tech Editor know, Lauren Dennis. aren't any words that can the strength to keep that times, you're my G. Love Krithika Balaji PUZZLES 30 On the evening of do you justice, nor are beaming smile on their always, Haaris Asghar Monday 15th October, there words to describe face at all times? How Andy • SPORTS 31-32 I was told of Lauren's how I'm feeling right now could someone going Arts Editors passing after an 18-month but it's somewhat cathartic through so much still Claire Chan battle with bowel cancer to put what's in my head care enough to ask me Helen Money-Kyrle and, if I'm honest, I down on paper. It doesn't how my day was going? Vaishnavi Nathan Felix Office • Beit Quad, Prince Consort haven't been able to think really feel real. It was less Or how the next issue of Books Editors Road of much else since. Lauren than two weeks ago that Felix was coming along? London, SW7 2BB JJ Cheng was a Chemistry student we were planning how If you were here today, I'd • Tel: 020 79548072 at Imperial. I wanted to to celebrate graduation probably be complaining Music Editors Email: [email protected] take this opportunity to and you said you would about the parking ticket Simran Kukran felixonline.co.uk dedicate my editorial to use it as "motivation to I got this morning while Adrian LaMoury @feliximperial her memory with a letter improving fam". Even you laughed, saying Henry Eshbaugh Asad Raja Printed by Mortons Media to Lauren: when I came up to visit something like, "Read the Group, Boston Road, • Horncastle, Lincolnshire Yoo Lauren, wys? you in hospital in Wol- signs Andy..." Film Editors I wanted to start this verhampton last Tuesday You touched so many Registered Newspaper Mikhail Demtchenko ISSN 1040-0711 how I started every con- after you called and let me lives and you will be Sung Soo Moon versation with you. Don't know the doctors had said sorely missed by everyone Aidan Chan Copyright (c) Felix 2017 worry, I won't be sharing the cancer was terminal, who had the pleasure • any memes this time. I was almost certain the of knowing you. I will Markets Editor To be honest, I'm still at doctors had got it wrong. Lauren Dennis Tom Alston • Food Editors Eva Tadros Julia Dąbrowska • Felix is recruiting! Puzzles Editor Lisa Hey Lorenzo Silvestri • Sports Editor Imraj Singh Fergus Johnson • Cover Photo Joe O'Connell-Danes • Copy Editors Andrada Balmez Ash Pattar We want you – yes, you! We’re looking for writers, photographers, editors, illustrators, report- Rhidian Thomas ers, computer experts and grammar nerds to join our team. No experience needed – we’ll teach Katherine Milton Shervin Sabeghi you everything you need to know. If you’re interested, send us an email on [email protected] Artur Donaldson 2 FELIX ISSUE 1701

NEWS [email protected] Ede & Ravenscroft accused of “anti-competitive” business practices

Students are seeing increases in the cost of graduation due to the company’s alleged “near monopoly” on gowns

NEWS the country. Contracted Andy Djaba universities, such as Im- Editor-in-Chief perial, insist that students must wear the "official supplier's" garments. The universities are paid de & Raven- commission, in some scroft, the cases 20 per cent per robe, company allowing them to accrue which provides thousands of pounds from Egraduation gowns for the arrangements. Imperial’s (and other Students are essentially universities’) annual being denied choice of graduation ceremonies, robe supplier by their has been accused of universities and are, driving the cost of gown subsequently, unaware of rental up through “an- incentives and missing out ti-competitive” business on cheaper suppliers. One practices. such supplier, Churchill In the week that saw Gowns, gave Felix the fol- more than 2500 under- lowing statement: “We are graduate students collect selling directly to students their degrees from Imperi- and cutting out the middle al College London in the man (the University) who university’s annual Com- needlessly take a cut out memoration Day ceremo- of the students pockets. ny, Felix reports that Ede Now that students are & Ravenscroft has been spending upwards of 30k Commemoration Day// Imperial College London accused of holding an to graduate many feel it bottles which are not only Ede & Ravenscroft alleged “near monopoly” unethical and needlessly more ethically made but gowns range from numbers of students can’t A spokesman for Ede over the gown market. As rapacious of any uni- much more affordable”. £45-£50 to hire, while afford to attend their own and Ravenscroft said that first reported in national versity to squeeze more students can be charged graduation ceremony. it operated in a “compet- newspapers including the money in the form of back between £30-£150 for Robert Halfon, chair of itive market” and denied Telegraph and Daily Mail, hand payments from robe “Students are photographs. Oxford and the Commons education claims that its success Ede & Ravenscroft was makers. Ultimately we are Cambridge are believed select committee, labelled was due to students being the subject of a complaint trying to offer students essentially to be the only universities the claims 'deeply con- “obliged to do business for allegedly “eliminat- choice.” Churchill Gowns in the country which have cerning'. with us”. He continued to ing” and “deterring” com- claim to be “disrupting the being denied arrangements in place say students can choose petition by entering into industry” by offering stu- choice of with multiple suppliers. to hire their gowns from exclusive contracts with dents gowns made from Two Oxford Universi- “Two Oxford whichever supplier they 109 universities across “100% recycled plastic robe supplier ty-accredited retailers wanted to and added University- by their charge just £9.99 for the firm won contracts undergraduate robes and accredited because of their 'compet- universities £7.99 for a mortarboard. itive pricing'. Ede & Ravenscroft instead retailers They also said man- and are, insist that students hire ufacturing gowns for a a full package of gown, charge just single university can cost subsequently, hood and cap meaning more than £250,000. £9.99 for unaware of that cheaper substitues for some elements cannot be undergraduate incentives and used. The alleged lack of robes and missing out free market composition has led to students paying £7.99 for on cheaper over the odds to rent their graduation gown mortarboard” Graduation// Imperial College London suppliers” and, as a result, large 3 FR IDAY, 19 TH OCTOBER, 2018 FELIX FELIX ISSUE 1701

NEWS [email protected] NEWS [email protected] Joe Biden, the former U.S. Vice-President, visits Imperial College London takes part in the first Green Imperial GB Week

Imperial College London played host to a number of different events and activities for different audiences during the first Green GB week The 47th Vice-President of the United States delivers inaugural cancer research lecture at Imperial

NEWS groups, and charities to enterprise in Great Britain to ensure that innovative NEWS and had helped foster new explore how clean growth and Northern Ireland. approaches can flourish in collaborations with coun- Andy Djaba will change our futures In his speech to the every corner of the globe. Andy Djaba tries all over the world. Editor-in-Chief and others can contribute Green GB Week Clean In this Green GB Week… Editor-in-Chief The former Vice Pres- to action on climate Energy Innovation it’s your turn to take that ident urged scientists to change. Spearheaded by Summit at County idea you’ve always kept at collaborate in ways that the Rt Hon Claire Perry Hall, Sam Gyimah, the the back of your head and haven’t existed before, his past week MP, Minister of State Science Minister, said start bringing it into the oe Biden, the US calling for data to be made saw Imperial for Energy and Clean the following: “The UK real world.” Vice President more widely accessible play an active Growth, the government may be home to some of Imperial hosted three during Barack and for the creation of a role in the first initiative is led by the the brightest minds in the events as part of Green Obama’s admin- cancer research and care TGreen GB Week. Department for Business, world, but it doesn’t have GB Week, including the Jistration, paid Imperial system that the public Green GB Week is a Energy and Industrial a monopoly on great ideas. launch event on Monday a visit on 9th October deserves. He then went on week of events and activity Strategy (BEIS) and aims Nor is climate change a 15th October. This event, to deliver the inaugural to compliment Imperial’s bringing together busi- to highlight the successes solely British concern. the European Launch of lecture of the Imperial “impressive” work in nesses, schools, colleges, and opportunities of clean, So we’re working with the Intergovernmental Cancer Research UK the fight against cancer, universities, community low-carbon business and friends around the world Panel on Climate Change (CRUK) Centre. saying: “I’ve never seen (IPCC)’s Special Report Vice President Biden folks as bright and who on 1.5°C, included short spoke of the “urgency of work as hard as all of you. speeches from the IPCC now” as cancer research You are the most talented Chair and leading authors realises a radical, highly community in the world”. on the key findings of the collaborative and pro- Vice President Biden report, as well as a session gressive step-change, warned that, by 2025, there on its implications for surpassing that of the Nix- will be almost 20 million business and the interna- on-era “war on cancer”. new cancer cases and 11.4 tional community. This Green GB Week // Green GB The lecture was hosted million deaths around was followed by a discus- unprecedented access by Professor the Lord the world every year. He sion on how to avoid the to students through Imperial College London's Darzi of Denham, the added: “We need to use worst effects of climate careers, compulsory hub for climate change Imperial CRUK Centre’s all the expertise we have change. Divest Imperial, course modules, talks and and the environment, and Director and director of working together to take After his talk, Vice President Biden stopped to take a selfie with Imperial students // Owen Billcliffe an Imperial College awards. Research partner- John Lewis & Partners on Imperial’s Institute of down this disease”. Biden Union-affiliated environ- ships help companies such Wednesday 17th October. Global Health Innovation, also added: “We cannot report [Review of Health lecture, Imperial’s Presi- President to Imperial and team. We can make hope mental campaign group, as Saudi Aramco, Shell The Grantham Institute and Alice Gast, President accept disparities of and Care].” dent Alice Gast said: “You said he had “brought ex- real. As President Obama has described Imperial’s and Qatar Petroleum drill also hosted an exhibit at of Imperial College outcomes by race, gender Encouragingly, Vice have helped us today to traordinary leadership to once said – yes we can.” involvement in Green GB ever deeper. Management the Westminster offices of London. Vice President and geography. We cannot President Biden said that launch a landmark collab- the fight against cancer”. The Imperial CRUK week as an “eye watering refuse to divest Imperial’s BEIS. Biden met President Gast accept unaffordable treat- we’ve begun to “make oration between Imperial, Lord Darzi said: “You Centre is a research col- display of hypocrisy” and roughly £9m holdings Thursday 18th October and Lord Darzi to discuss ments. We cannot accept real progress” in the fight the Institute of Cancer have joined the fight laboration between Impe- gave Felix the following in fossil fuel companies, saw Imperial, the Imperial's new cancer failing to adopt policy to against cancer, saying: “I Research and Cancer against cancer in the US rial College London, Im- statement: and our President is on Grantham Institute and centre, explaining that the address risk factors such can see the day where pre- Research UK. Everyone and around the world perial College Healthcare “The IPCC 1.5 report the board of directors of Climate-KIC, the EU’s initiative was “changing as obesity, smoking and vention is more effective, here is united in their and we are so glad you NHS Trust and Cancer being launched today on an oil major. We will no main climate innovation the way we do business in alcohol consumption, as when care is personalised determination to win the have become part of this Research UK that brings our campus urges deep longer accept the com- initiative, jointly host the cancer research and care” Lord Darzi wrote in his and side effects are less battle against cancer.” team. You have spoken so together scientists, clini- and rapid cuts to carbon plicity of our university “Greenovate” showcase, harmful. When children Vice President Biden movingly about the tragic cians, engineers and phys- emissions in order to in climate breakdown. We showing how innovation are vaccinated against also detailed how the loss of your son Beau. icists in the fight against avert devastating human are calling for Imperial to and new ideas could cancer. When we can Biden Cancer Initiative, Your personal story has cancer. The Centre, which and ecological impacts fulfill its stated purpose help address the major identify through markers established in 2017, is touched us all. There is no brings together interdisci- of climate breakdown. - working to solve human- environmental issues we in the blood cancers that building on the work of the better example of turning plinary experts, has two Oil companies’ business ity’s greatest challenges. face on both global and haven’t developed yet. Obama Administration’s a private grief to public key themes: reducing plans send us way past This means an end to local scales. Finally, the When we can identify Cancer Moonshot that good than Biden Cancer the burden of cancer and this threshold. We urge its uncritical support for Grantham Institute hosted early signals of cancer in raised billions of dollars to Initiative. Here at Im- increasing the precision of Imperial College and climate-wrecking com- an open discussion on the blood through frag- rapidly accelerate cancer perial we bring together cancer treatments. the UK government to panies, starting with full London’s air crisis and ments shred from cancer research. The Bidens’ son researchers from a range heed this call to action divestment of its £8.8m how we can bring about cells. There is hope.” Beau, a decorated Iraq of distinct disciplines to and stop enabling fossil fossil fuel holdings.” change. President Gast spoke of war veteran and attorney transform patient care fuel industry expansion. Other events hosted the discoveries Imperial is general of Delaware, and this is exemplified by Imperial’s ties to the fossil by Imperial included a making that will change died in May 2015, aged the new centre. We can fuel industry pervade Breakfast Seminar on outcomes for cancer 46, after being diagnosed achieve so much more every aspect of campus Business and the Envi- patients. Thanking Vice with a brain tumour. Lord working together than life. Companies like ronment, jointly hosted Joe Biden visits Imperial // Owen Billcliffe President Biden for his Darzi welcomed the Vice apart – we are one global BP and Shell are given by the Grantham Institute, 4 5 FELIX ISSUE 1701

POLITICS [email protected]

War at the world The recently released report on global warming by the IPCC does not include good news. If we want to keep our planet and live long lives, we must ensure that the system changes.

POLITICS understood. that our generation does not resign to the fate of Juan Ignacio Rubio a ruined planet, where Politics Editor “So, after many species and ecosys- tems have been wiped out understanding and hundreds of millions hat dif- of people have become ference the victims of global warming does half implications or the conflicts provoked a degree by it. What can you do? Wmake? It doesn’t seem like of all this, Well, the most important much, right? After all, you thing to remember is don’t notice if the water in what can that individual action, your sink has gone from while important, won’t 35 ºC to 35.5 ºC when you humankind be enough to stop climate are washing the dishes. do to avoid change. So yes, it will But half a degree is much help if you decrease your more important than what reaching the consumption of meat you may think. It is the (specially beef) and you difference between being feared 2 ºC avoid using private cars or able to save 25% of coral planes. But you have to do reefs or none at all. The warm?” a lot more for it to make fate of millions of people a difference. You have to in the most vulnerable and Retreating glacier// Wikimedia put pressure on your poli- poor regions of the world 1.5 ºC in the global mean Scary, isn’t it? The ticians, especially in these rely on half a degree. And temperature compared to present level, would be 10 So, after understanding changes that will have days as climate change we are now surer than pre-industrial levels, and cm lower under a 1.5 ºC the implications of all to be carried out if we denialism has become ever. the feasibility of limiting warming compared to a 2 this, what can humankind choose the less bad the standard position of the increase to ‘just’ that ºC warming. This would do to avoid reaching the scenario would be of governments of countries value. The report also be quite a difference for feared 2 ºC warm? Well, tremendous magnitude, of the magnitude of the “The fate included as a terrifying the numerous inhabitants we would have to change to the points that it looks USA. You have to demand reference the theorized of many coastal com- our entire production very unlikely that the that further regulations of millions implications of the tem- munities, the difference model, our lifestyle and most industrialised econ- are applied to companies, perature increasing half a between staying in their our consumption choices, omies in the world (led by as 70% of all global emis- of people degree more, to 2 ºC. ancestral lands or being in addition to embarking the USA and China) will sions are caused by them. in the most What are the main forced to flee. in profound changes to be able to comply, without You have to engage with differences between the our infrastructure, all in even factoring their will- your friends, and family, vulnerable and two? Well, 1.5 ºC will be the span of less than 15 ingness to do so. To add and the wider members bad, but is pretty much in- “The report years. The report conclud- to the pile of terrifying of society, and convince poor regions evitable at this point. 2 ºC, also included, ed that for the increase to news, the IPCC report them of threat that climate of the world which isn’t, would be cat- be stabilized around the didn’t look at the effects change poses to all of that. astrophic. For starters, we as a terrifying 1.5 ºC value, CO2 emis- that tipping point factors The transformation that rely on half a can look at the probability sions will have to be cut would have in the whole we will have to make in of extreme weather events reference, to 55% of what they were process. These include the our lifetimes cannot and degree” (i.e. droughts or torrential in 2010 (!), transitioning positive carbon feedback must not be curbed by the rains) occurring under the the theorised into a gradual phase out as the retreating Arctic actions of a few greedy two temperatures. While that eliminates emission ice releases millions of individuals. Because the exact figure could not implications altogether by the time we tonnes of methane to the remember, the world is at Last week, the Inter- be calculated, scientists reach the equator of the atmosphere, or the melting war, and our enemies are governmental Panel on know with high confi- of the millennium. If these plans of Siberian permafrost. presently in power. Climate Change (an UN dence that such events temperature are not carried out, it will Some studies suggest that affiliated organism that would be much more be impossible to stop at we may already be too late monitors climate change frequent if the world heats increasing half 1.5 ºC without engaging to avoid that, which would and its potential effects up to the higher tempera- in colossal projects of lead to an outcome where on all aspects of human ture. In more quantifiable a degree more, geoengineering, like solar a 2 ºC increase would be society) released a report aspects of nature, it was radiation managements, the optimistic scenario. on the potential conse- also reported that sea to 2 ºC ” whose potential side But one cannot lose quences that an increase of level, while still above effects are not yet well hope. It is very important 6 FELIX ISSUE 1701

COMMENT [email protected] Grumpy Bastard on the Royals

Comment writer, Grumpy Bastard, has set his sights on the Royals this week

media obedience as they about the post-nuptial own. No one really knows question is what colour desperately chased any ceremony where bride “At this point exactly how many eggs the crest will be. Most shred of story about our and groom sacrifice the each Royal queen lays in Royals seem to be born COMMENT scaly overlords. At this poorest person in the land in time, we a single batch, but what with a brunette colour, point the only image that between them in an orgy is known is that only the except for Harry that has Grumpy Bastard adequately represents the of lizard related violence. have been strongest survives each a ginger skin and bone Comment Writer British media would be With the current high obsessing hatching, with the other structure. Although this a man with his testicles rates of homelessness, it hatchlings providing the calls into doubt his noble nailed to his forehead is often hard to determine over the fuel for it to reach it’s lineage at least one thing omeone once told as the Queen belabours exactly who the poorest first moulting. This is the is certain: he is a danger- me that bad news him about the face with a is, but compromises are mating rites point where the official ous man-eating lizard. come in threes. cricket bat, demanding to made. It is of course only photos are taken, as the Some people might say That person, like know whether he put in at the financially poor that of Princess reptile puts on its first that this is a pure fantasy, Sall people, was almost least a page about Diana. the reptiles can consume Eugenie human skin. A significant and I am imagining things definitely wrong: there is Fuck. in this way. If it were amount of speculation purely for my own gratifi- no limit on the number In case you didn’t emotional poverty, Brit- and faceless has been made as to the cation. Well, if there was of bad things that can know, the Royals are ain’s CEOs would have skin colour of the next one thing that the Brexit happen at once. As an ex- lizards. something to worry about. white guy no. Royal baby. As always the campaign taught me, ample, this week featured How the fuck did it However, as most of them colour will mostly depend it’s that the electorate is an announcement that come to this? At this point are at least admirers of 2779000” on what other infants are easily fooled. Not me, not the Brexit negotiations in time we have been the cult of Royalty, it is available. The Royal’s this time. I recognise the will be extended, that obsessing over the mating possible that they would preference for white skin Royals for what they truly a Saudi journalist was rites of Princess Eugenie not object too much. and Harry announced that mostly stems from the fact are: parasites. killed and two Royal and faceless white guy At the same wedding, they will be expanding that broods are hatched at announcements. One no. 2779000. I mean, no as most of you are the Royal bloodline by the exclusive private wing can only admire the newspapers have talked probably aware, Meghan beginning a brood of their of St Mary’s. The real Want to be on the Felix team this year?

Felix is recruiting new section editors and copy editors for this year! If you’ve enjoyed reading the paper, and want to help create it each week, apply to join the team! All training is provided, as well as weekly cake, so come and join us! If you’re interested, please email [email protected] 7 FELIX ISSUE 1701 FR IDAY, 19 TH OCTOBER, 2018 FELIX

COMMENT [email protected] COMMENT [email protected] Kavanaugh: The aggressor or the victim?

Theodor Videnberg Henry Eshbaugh Theodor Videnberg Henry Eshbaugh Comment writer HEAD-TO-HEAD Music editor Comment writer HEAD-TO-HEAD Music editor

The legal system works under the It’s a job interview, not a criminal corroborating witnesses. of a gang rape ring and vote of 50-48 to the US Court - they’re supposed it’s kind of ironic that this charge of the real estate principle that one is innocent until case. You don’t have to prove guilt. After a thorough and named 4 witnesses: 2 of Supreme Court amidst to have something of a portion of the testimony division, during the Great deep investigation, the them did not respond to hostile and violent moral compass. Funny was about his drinking, Recession. Trump was proven guilty, Also, did I mention he sucks ass? FBI produced a several interview requests, one protests of #metoo- how that was sealed and because it seemed to me at the time well-known hundred page long report was already deceased activists. Meanwhile Dr. never a matter of discus- (a student, and thereby to be a bad businessman; that found: nothing! No and one plainly denied Ford has backed down sion for the senate. one who drinks) like he he was on the verge of hree weeks He had passed 6 FBI were high schoolers in hree weeks ago, limited in scope to the wise (in other words, the corroborating witnesses, knowledge of any such her claims and does not How about the fact that knocked some scotch sinking, and he was saved ago Henry background checks Maryland. She asked to I wrote an article point where corroborating SDNY probe into Trump’s no evidence, if all want Judge Kavanaugh if you really wanted to back over lunch. How do by - guess who? There’s a Eshbaugh wrote previously and answered have the issue treated titled “Stuck in witnesses were barred shitty finances is barred Kavanaugh’s credibility to be impeached should repeal Roe v. Wade, you you make these comments funny clip where Trump’s an article titled a total of 1297 questions confidentially and remain my Kava-craw” from testifying by the too). If he gets his nom- was strengthened and “The burden the Democrats win the could just appoint Allison sober? just finished a State of the T“Stuck in my Kava- in the Supreme Court anonymous. The case Tabout how badly this executive that nominated ination he’ll have a free the credibility of the of proof is on US House elections. Eid? Just play the idpol Hell, how about the Union address -- he shakes craw” about US supreme hearings. On July 30, remained secret until 13 CHUD sucks at his job. him. Folks from the FBI judge in the pocket. Real three accusers severely She has now walked game, you nitwits. Watch fact that he perjured Anthony Kennedy’s hand court nominee Brett Dr. Christine Blasey September when her letter And yeah, I hit the notes in senate testimony essen- nice, guys. I wonder why damaged. the one who away with 700 000 USD the libs squirm - this himself multiple times and mostly talks about Kavanaugh. In the rather Ford, a professor of got leaked to the media (by on his multiple accusers tially noted that this probe Trump, a president who’s Dr. Ford had named 3 from the GoFundMe- is the American “left” during his testimony? how great his son is. Does polemical piece he Feinstein?) and several pointing to sexual mis- was a farce, politically facing a state and federal witnesses of the alleged declares, not website. It is unlikely we’re talking about, and There are supposedly something smell funny to called Kavanaugh “non- outlets like Washington conduct in multiple cases motivated to the core, and probe into his shady party where supposedly she will be prosecuted privileged as they are, criminal consequences to you? human”, “a nympho “The FBI Post, New York Times over many years. This essentially useless insofar dealings, and a guy with Kavanaugh tried to rape on the one for her uncorroborated they seem incapable of this. What do you think Or what about the who raped people” and The New Yorker isn’t a criminal case. He’s as “proving guilt” goes. authoritarian leanings, her: Mark Judge (he who denies” accusations. talking about economic they wrote up Bill Clinton obscene debts developed and a “perv”. Henry produced ran stories on her. Since not going to go to jail. This This was obvious to any would want to stack the denied that the party The justice system is injustice in any fucking for? He should have been from “buying season claimed that there were then two other witnesses, isn’t a matter for the fuck- spectator not marinading court in his favor? had ever happened), PJ based on the principle of form. Y’ever wonder why censured by the senate tickets to baseball games” multiple credible and a several Deborah Ramirez and ing justice system. He’s in Breitbart. Doesn’t it seem strange Smyth (also denied this “innocent until proven Hillary lost? and summarily dismissed, that definitely weren’t corroborating witnesses hundred page Julie Swetnick came just not going to get the But hey, if you wanna that this is his unique party ever happened) and guilty” (Latin maxim: We don’t even need to but unfortunately, we live gambling debts? Does it against the US Supreme forward with allegations job. Or, he wouldn’t, if the regurgitate alt-right selling point over anyone her best friend from high ring or incidents. ei incumbit probatio qui go there. How about the in Hell. seem strange to you that Court nominee. long report against Kavanaugh who government wasn’t full of talking points you licked else on the shortlist, and school, Leyland Keyser. Similarly, the FBI dicit, non qui negat; the matter of judicial temper- What about the shady these were paid off by a I want to get the vehemently denied all spineless partisan hacks off the grass: we don’t it would’ve been cake Keyser responded under could not find any burden of proof is on the ment? “I’ve never blacked way in which these pro- dark-money group (like facts straight: On that found: accusations. In the wake acting in bad faith and even need to talk about to retract his nomination oath she did not even corroborating witnesses one who declares, not out, senator. Have you?” ceedigns started? Why did the one that paid Collins July 9, US president of the #metoo-movement, trying to cover their own these allegations. There and vomit up some other know Kavanaugh and had from an incident at Yale on the one who denies). Fucking please. I get to Anthony Kennedy resign? six figures for her vote up). Trump nominated nothing!” a media spectacle started. ass with a SCOTUS ap- are fairly trivial points nitwit, but the Republi- never been at a party with University that Deborah I would like to ask spout shit because this is Something smells; he Where was the pointed Judge Kavanaugh to Both Dr. Ford and pointment. There’s clearly against him. cans decided to fight a him. Dr. Ford could not Ramirez had described. everyone to adhere to that the Felix comment section, hired clerks for next term line of questioning? the US Supreme Court. Judge Kavanaugh made a much lower standard for How about the fact pitched battle to get him remember any details of The interviewees that the principle and give Brett and being entertaining is already, so this was clearly I know Latin too, you Kavanaugh had served psychology at Palo Alto statements in front of disqualification here than that Kavanaugh was the appointed? the party: Where was the FBI asked, denied any Kavanaugh, a man of high therefore something of my a spur-of-the-moment know -- to close, I’ll the previous 12 years on University and registered the US Senate Judicial my comment compatriot only guy on the Federalist But we don’t even need house? Which year did it knowledge of any incident character and academic job. Does this seem like decision. It definitely provide my own; thank the 2nd most important Democrat, wrote a letter Committee, repeating would lead you to believe, Society shortlist who to go there. How about the happen? Who brought her involving Kavanaugh and credentials, whose name temperment worthy of the doesn’t have anything Henry Beard for the trans- US court, was a lecturer at to Democratic senator their initial statements. and the whole complaint believes that 1. there fact that Kavanaugh was to the house? Who brought Ramirez. Requests by and reputation were higest court in a nation to do with the fact that lation. Te oportet futuere Harvard Law School and Dianne Feinstein, Amidst the controversy, is essentially that the shouldn’t be federal a part of the Bush white her home? Whose house FBI officials to give more wrongfully demolished of 300 million people, a his son was at Deutsche tete. Tu tibi futuendus es. had otherwise flawless claiming that Kavanaugh the senators decided to government is currently probes into misconduct by house - a dude who wrote was it? Did she confide evidence, were ignored by on the altar of vile, lifetime appointment? He Bank (recently fined a Velim te futuas. Te rogo ut academic credentials and had tried to rape her in open a FBI investigation made up of unprincipled sitting presidents (conven- legal briefs defending in anyone? Nothing. Only Ramirez’s lawyers. heinous, unsubstantiated obviously doesn’t have a historic sum for launder- futuas te ipsum. a brilliant CV. the 1980s when both into the matter and find dipshits. ient for Agent Orange), torture? Don’t tell me thing she remembered: it All accusations against und uncorroborated suitable temperment. Hell, ing Russian money), in Cheers, bud. Furthermore, the FBI and 2. there shouldn’t be a guy like that deserves was Kavanaugh and she Kavanaugh came down accusations and whose probe he points to was double-jeopardy state- a place on the Supreme had one beer. crashing like a house wife and daughters got The second accuser, of cards. On October 6, death and rape threats, Julie Swetnick, said Judge Kavanaugh was what he deserves: respect Kavanaugh was the leader confirmed with a senate and an apology.

US Supreme Court Justice Brett M. Kavanaugh (centre) is sworn in by Chief Justice Kavanaugh’s accuse, Christine Blasey Ford swears at her testimony // Flickr John Roberts (right). He is surrounded by his wife and daughters // CNN Trump and Kavanaugh shaking hands// Vox Protesters supporting Christine Blasey Ford // Flickr 8 9 FR IDAY, 19 TH OCTOBER, 2018 FELIX

SCIENCE [email protected] Birth of words Baeless, faved and yaas – if you use Twitter, you will have already seen some of these newly created words. But where do they come from?

SCIENCE as the posting time. This Phoenix (the Southwest). proximity. the language. allowed Professor Jack Although it might seem Professor Grieve and Paula Rowińska Grieve and his group to that we can predict the his team acknowledge Science Writer identify the birth regions patterns of word creation the main limitation of of emerging words: the and migration by the pop- this study: Twitter repre- team of linguists West Coast, the Northeast, ulation density, the Deep sents only one variety of and geographers the Mid Atlantic, the Deep South is an exception. In American English. New from the Centre South, or the Gulf Coast. this region the linguistic words created for example for Corpus Researchers observed innovation is mostly in science cannot be re- AResearch at the University some interesting patterns driven by the culture. For flected by this analysis. of Birmingham traced of linguistic innovation. example, Atlanta, a city “This is the first time the geographical roots New words tend to appear much smaller than Los that such a large sample of emerging words in in densely populated areas Angeles or New York, of emerging words or any American English. Among of a particular region and shows a lot of creative type of linguistic inno- 8.9 billion words used in spread to similar areas power. Scientists attrib- vation has been mapped 980 million Tweets posted in other regions of the uted this effect to a large in one language”, com- in the US they identified country. For example, Los African American pop- mented professor Grieve. 54 new words, which Angeles and San Francis- ulation in the capital of Modern data science and were rare in October 2013 co are the most creative Georgia, as they observed computational tools are but common in November parts of the West Coast, the quick spread of words changing the field of lin- 2014. from which words diffuse between areas with large guistics, so in the future Every time you tweet, to Seattle and Portland populations representing we can expect more large the app records your (the Northwest) as well as this culture, irrespective studies answering many precise location as well San Diego, Las Vegas and of their geographical burning questions about Twitter users see a great number of new words//Flickr Dark cores (not a new Ben and Jerry’s™ flavour) “…I know they seem a little narcissistic, but they’re actually a really good person...” – maybe not, states recent research from the University of Copenhagen, which identifies a common denominator across many malevolent human behaviours: a dark core.

SCIENCE Analyses of these data tendency. traits may seem more carry other malevolent standards do not apply to identified positive -cor The nine traits are con- acceptable than others, traits. The researchers oneself; Photini Knoyle relations between all ceptually distinct, but in for example narcissism note that this finding has 4. Narcissism: self-ab- Science Writer nine traits, signifying a practice they have many versus psychopathy, important implications for sorption, a sense of supe- common origin, or “dark more aspects in common but people possessing criminology, in particular riority; n day to day life we all core”. Importantly, the than aspects setting either trait have the ascertaining whether an 5. Psychological enti- encounter people who observation of any indi- them apart. Some dark same disposition to individual will reoffend, tlement: consistent belief consistently exhibit vidual trait can predict or even partake in more that one is entitled to more morally questionable with equal certainty the harmful behaviour. This than others; Ibehaviour. Psychologists presence of other dark research can also inform 6. Psychopathy: su- describe these individuals traits, an incident termed future studies into the perficial charm, lack of as possessing one or more the “indifference of the cognitive patterns and empathy; “dark” traits. Previous indicator”. brain physiology of indi- 7. Sadism: deriving studies have shown that The dark core is defined viduals possessing dark pleasure from inflicting these traits relate to one as the general tendency traits and help identify the pain; another - but do they toward maximising one’s risk factors and triggers 8.Self-interest: share a common denom- own goals at the expense for their development. ambition to better one’s inator … a “dark core”? of others, accompanied by The nine dark traits status, without regards for Recent research from the beliefs that justify these researched in this study: others; University of Copenhagen behaviours. The dark core 1. Egoism: motivation 9. Spitefulness: mali- has found evidence that can manifest in many to only serve one’s own ciousness even at personal this may actually be the different forms, includ- interests; expense. case! ing the nine dark traits. 2. Machiavellianism: Want to know the extent The presence of nine However, the Copenhagen callous manipulation of of your own dark core? dark traits was identified study demonstrates that Rotten to the core: nine malevolent human traits found others; Head on over to http://qst. in over 2,500 participants these are all expressions to be correlated in a recent study by the University of 3. Moral disengage- darkfactor.org/ using questionnaires. of the same dispositional Copenhagen //Photini Knoyle ment: belief that moral 10 FELIX ISSUE 1701

TECH [email protected] Your hours are numbered – Emit style! Tech Editor Krithika Balaji writes about Emit, a start-up by graduates from Imperial, who have designed a clock that counts down time as a way to stop people from procrastinating.

TECH graduates - Stephen Titus and Thushaan Rajaratnam Krithika Balaji - from our university have Tech Editor not only acknowledged this problem, but have created their solution e honest with - Emit. me - how many times did you pull an “Urgency is Ball-nighter last year? How many times did you start what we best an assignment at the last minute, this questionable respond to, decision justified by thanks to the saying that “diamonds are made under pressure”? ingrained We are three weeks into college and some of us ‘fight or flight’ have already found that sticking to the promise response” of being up-to-date with all our work is harder to do than to vow. What is it? Urgency is what we best respond to, thanks to the Emit is a new line of Emit counts down to key events //emit ingrained ‘fight or flight’ smartwatches that counts response. When we look down the time to a certain time. time fly away before it’s would count down to your matic Bluetooth syncing at our watch/smartphone, event, instead of showing too late”. Emit succeeds death. Later, after more of selected events on your our perception of the it as an absolute value, “Our mission is to help in this by simply showing serious consideration, phone with emit. This amount of time we have in the hopes that people people accomplish their multiple countdowns they thought that playing works with many calen- can differ greatly from would improve their most important goals and programmed into it by the with the psychology of ders (for instance, google reality. Two MechEng perception of the value of dreams by proactively user without the distrac- scarcity could make users and microsoft) and is allocating appropriate tion of apps. appreciate the “value and compatible with iOS and amounts of time to each irreversibility” of time. Android. of them.” They started work on “The best way building the watch this Specifications Some people might January. argue that timers on to prioritize So, before you buy the smartphones can be used Features watch, what are the basic instead of this. While goals to specifications you need to smartphones are un- have a “clear Emit has many differ- know? The color of the doubtedly useful for brief ent features that can help watch is black and weighs tasks, they are ultimately and focused you make a day be more roughly sixty grams with distracting when used for productive. They are: a multi-touch screen. long periods of time. If mindset” is you were to keep track of Day/night cycle - this Next Steps time through your phone, to keep plans shows the countdown you would be subjected and execution to the start and end of Emit is going live on to the constant traffic the day. You can switch Kickstarter, the world’s of information through simple ” effortlessly to see another largest funding platform Whatsapp, Snapchat, countdown by tapping on for creative projects, Gmail, Facebook, In- the screen. on Monday the 22nd of stagram, Twitter, etc. Inspiration October. The Kickstarter According to the founders Multiple times - you tiers are aggressively of Emit, the best way to behind Emit can create multiple timers priced at $99, $119 and prioritize goals to have to take into account events $139, depending on how a “clear and focused According to the like breaks, meetings, ex- early in the campaign you mindset” is to keep plans founders, initially, they ercises, lectures, etc. get them. Can this watch and execution simple. had joked about creating really end procrastina- Watch out, it’s stylish as well! //emit This way, you “won’t let a “deathwatch” that Phone sync - Auto- tion? Time will tell. FR IDAY, 19 TH OCTOBER, 2018 FELIX FELIX ISSUE 1701

BOOKS [email protected] BOOKS [email protected] The Man Booker Prize 2018: a rundown of the shortlist ineman The Overstory, by Richard Powers He iam ill The Man Booker Prize is one of the most prestigious and closely-watched literary prizes in the world. The 2018 W // his was the book most touted to win, which his 12th novel, and a long one at nearly 500 pages. winner was announced on Tuesday, and goes to Anna Burns’s Milkman. Felix Books editor Jingjie Cheng gives a Ladbrokes had at 5-2 the day before the The environmental message is heartfelt and timely. rundown of this year’s six shortlisted books. awards ceremony. This is a book that spans Critics have described the writing in The Overstory as centuries and nine characters, with the wonder beautiful, lyrical, and of a richness that reminds one ofT trees – yes, trees – to connect the various storylines. of Thoreau and Emerson. Despite its lofty theme, Powers won the National Book Award in 2006 for The individual characters are well-developed and their er r & Fab Milkman, by Anna Burns abe Echo Maker, but is generally less well-known in Europe interweaving stories described with sensitivity and //F nna Burns is the first Northern Irish writer to in the novel – instead, it uses voice to align the reader’s than in the States. Some commentators have said insight. These are characters related to plants, trees win the coveted prize – previous Irish writers sympathies to the narrator and paint a picture of what that the judges would hesitate to award the prize to and ecology in one way or another, coming together have all been from the Republic. She is also it is like to live in the time of the Troubles, under the the third American in a row. This might be true. Often against the backdrop of the history of migration to the first female writer to win since 2013, constant threat of terrible violence. According to the writing about the expanse of nature, The Overstory is America. Awhen Eleanor Catton won for The Luminaries. The judges, it is a very current novel, addressing issues of Booker’s chair of judges, philosopher Kwame Anthony a divided society and sexual harrassment. It is not an Appiah, called her book “incredibly original”. Indeed, easy book to get through – Appiah admitted that it it is the most experimental of the shortlist. The story was “challenging”, but “enormously rewarding” if one is narrated by an unnamed 18-year-old girl, known as persisted till the end. It remains to be seen if Milkman “middle sister”, who is being pursued by a much older becomes widely popular, but it has certainly shaken Everything Under, by Daisy Johnson paramilitary figure, the “milkman”. There are no names the conventions of genre. verything Under is Daisy Johnson’s first that “there are more beginnings than there are e p novel, and had she won, she would have endings to contain them”, a line befitting a novel a C become the youngest-ever winner of the that weaves around memory, histories and the n a h t prize. She didn’t, but this is still an incredible complexities of life. Johnson rose to prominence a

n

Washington Black, by Esi Edugyan o debut novel, a reworking of the Oedipus myth J E in the literary scene with her instant classic Fen, / il / a T in the context of a troubled mother-daughter a collection of short stories tied together by the ’s ritics have unanimously acknowledged after abolition. Based on a true story, this novel t n e relationship. Unlike the more experimental wilderness of the fens and their inhabitants. Her p the power of Esi Edugyan’s tale of slavery is as much of a page-turner as it is sensitive and r

e

S shortlists of recent years, Johnson’s novel is very debut novel has the same shape-shifting quality,

/

and escape. The eponymous protagonist, ambitious in scope. Edugyan was last shortlisted / readable, but at the same time illuminating and full an attempt to quantify loss and change but in the Washington Black, was a slave on for the prize in 2011, for Half Blood Blues, which of unsettling twists and unexpected dark corners. end realising the impossibility of such a task and Ca 19th century sugar plantation in Barbados was about a black teenage music genius in Hitler’s From the beginning, the narrator, Gretel, writes basking in its beauty instead. before escaping and hopping from continent to Germany. If the Booker is increasingly seen as continent, job to job. This is less a book about losing touch with what might be popular on slavery than the burden, responsibility and guilt the ground, the shortlisting of this book proves of personal freedom in a time of slavery, and later, otherwise.

The Long Take, by Robin Robertson

/ The Mars Room, by Rachel Kushner /J / on /P a ic th a a d he Long Take is experimental in a way that is The protagonist, Walker, is a soldier who survived n o C r a different from this year’s winner Milkman. the invasion of Europe, only to return home to find p his book had the longest odds of the entire Kushner is well-researched, and describes prison e It is a mixture of lyrical prose and beautiful himself out of place in a world busy again with its shortlist before the announcement of the life with sensitivity and detail. This book is less poetry, challenging the idea of what a obsession with money and power. In his postwar winner, at 7-1. Like Milkman, Kushner’s about the individual lives as a comment about Tnovel can be. Robertson is a celebrated Scottish odyssey he travels across America, and Robertson novel is also incredibly experimental, the American justice system, where no one has poet, and The Long Take has the quality of an epic describes his journey as an ode to the land. The bothT in theme and form. The Mars Room is not choices and everyone is guilty, especially the poor poem. It is a poetical fiction narrative of over writing is beautiful, and Walker a masterpiece of an easy read, being about mass incarceration in and socially disadvantaged. Everyone is trapped 200 pages modelled after the black-and-white characterisation. This is a book most definitely the United States. It follows the story of Romy in their circumstances. In spite of its difficult Hollywood films produced around the 1940s and considered a work of art. Hill, a 29-year-old single mother serving two subject matter, this is a book that stays with one 1950s, such as Out of the Past and Kiss Me Deadly. consecutive life sentences for killing her stalker. on a deeper level.

13 FELIX ISSUE 1701

FILM [email protected] Go Watch The Wife, If Only for Glenn Close

FILM and domestically. “I am a kingmaker,” she says “...all the Aidan Chan without hesitation. She Film Editor never doubted her own supressed ability and she knows that her husband will never energy is he Wife, directed have a career without her, released by Björn Runge and she wants to be recog- and starring nised for that (“Everyone volcanically in Glenn Close and needs approval,” she tells TJonathan Pryce, is a story her husband). However, an emotional about Joan Archer, the at the same time, her love wife of Nobel Prize in and respect for her spouse and absolutely Literature recipient Joseph becomes an obstacle for enthralling Castleman (Jonathan her. When Nathaniel Pryce). Glenn Close, as Bone (Christian Slater), finale” The Wife// IMDb the eponymous “Wife” the journalist who keeps proves to be the most trying to persuade Joan the suppressed energy is with quite some shining formances and captivation stunning and transcendent to let him write about her delivers this dissonance released volcanically in an moments. Together, the of the film. Especially feature of the film. husband’s fraudulence, of emotion very clearly emotional and absolutely entire cast’s performances at times when the story As opposed to Frances she firmly forbids him. through a calm facade. enthralling finale. create a very engaging seems to wander a bit, McDormand’s explosive This may be testament to And that’s the brilliance That is not to under- chemistry which suc- putting Glenn Close at the performance last year her unwavering respect of her performance, mine the rest of the cast cessfully carries the film dead centre of the frame which won her an Oscar, for her husband’s legacy, because despite all the and crew. Jonathan Pryce through its slower and is a very correct choice. Glenn Close in The Wife or she simply does not suppressed emotions, the is great as the narcissis- more dragging parts. Because her dedication to portrays a collected and want to be in the spotlight. audience never fails to un- tic husband, and Max In terms of the direc- the character and metic- internal character. Joan In any case, she struggles derstand her. Her presence Irons, who plays the son tion, for me, the camera ulous performance alone Archer has a very con- to gain the approval she is like waves which grow of Joseph Castleman, is mostly a relatively is enough to provide the flicting personality. She is does not know she needed in magnitude as the film portraying an aspiring passive and conservative film a burst of momentum regularly shunned aside as until her husband gets a progresses until it builds writer with desperate need presence, which in my for it to hit its final high “the wife”, both publicly Nobel Prize. Glenn Close up into a tsunami and all of a father’s approval opinion augments the per- mark. Masters of the Melancholic Movie Music

FILM beautiful visuals and along to a showing of the motifs he crafts and characters you’re imme- Spirited Away by my dad their constant appearance Guthrie Ruby diately invested in. I still and becoming hooked. at just the right moments. Film Writer remember being dragged I pop in the first DVD, The motifs always the title comes up and it manage to perfectly match hits me like a train. That the theme of the story and month ago, in melancholic feeling in my change in their intensity the throes of “The motifs chest warms just from the and tone as the characters feeling ill and always music in the title screen. go on their journey. in the dumps, I As the movie goes on I If it’s a story about a Aturned not to Netflix but manage to realise that despite it being woman breaking past the my old DVD collection. years since I’ve seen it, exceptions society has of After wiping away the perfectly the music is still burned her, then the score is a dust and sifting through into my memory. At one waltz – perfectly repre- Spirited Away // IMDb the selection, I found, match the point I even muted the TV senting the dance she is tightly tucked at the back theme of the just be sure, the moment stuck in where she does I’ve specifically not and by the end, the warm of the drawer, a bunch of the music left the feeling not lead. Then in her most mentioned any names of melancholic feeling was DVDs all created by the story and did too. powerful moments the the films I’ve seen because almost like a burning. So most celebrated Japanese The mastermind behind score swells with a full or- they are all exceptional. much emotion is packed animation studio. change in their the studio’s scores is chestra behind it demon- This is just my opinion into so few melodies and At some point in your Joe Hisaishi. He’s had strating her newly found so I encourage you to go themes. The simplicity life I’m certain you intensity and a lifetime of awards for strength. Or a story about watch one for yourself, and power is exactly will have seen or heard tone as the composition and musical a boy having to triumph and you may even feel why over a decade from about a Studio Ghibli influence, including over an evil he doesn’t melancholic despite never my first viewings I still movie, most likely characters winning the Japanese understand. Start with having seen one before remembered every last Spirited Away or Howl’s Academy Award for Best the motif being dark and (true review from my note, and I’m sure that Moving Castle. They are go on their Music seven times. sinister and as the movie mate Liam). another decade from now, incredibly well-crafted The beauty of Hisai- progresses have it become I watched all the I still will. stories with exceptionally journey” shi’s scores stems from light and triumphant. movies I had on DVD 14

IC Wine Soc FELIX ISSUE 1701

MUSIC [email protected] Mutation as a form as music Tim Hecker warns of an apocalyptic dawn with transcendental acceptance.

MUSIC if it were the mutation of KONOYO sound as music. Perhaps it is even lazy to charac- terise his brand of music as “ambient”. Hecker’s Artist: Tim Hecker. Label: output, as he states, is an Kranky. Top Tracks: This extension of his “obses- Life; Is a Rose Petal. For sion with ether and things Fans Of: William Basinski; that aren’t fully formed”, Fennesz. 59 minutes and is “fog-based”, almost embodying a life Suraj G of its own. His albums Music Writer are entirely encapsulated, almost as if it is one song, as he conjures abstract ules are suf- soundscapes with what focating, their seems like an endless mere existence palette of sonic textures. a constraint, With the seminal Rbound by our own mach- Ravedeath, 1972, we saw inations. To create is to Hecker incorporate more liberate. To break rules is live music into his compo- to break free. Bach should sitions. Among the distort- be terrified of Ornette ed drones and aggressive Coleman, and I’d reckon synthesisers, we occa- Chaplin would be dizzy sionally caught glimpses after a Harmony Korine of a piano - though dis- film. figured and mutated. Each Ambient music exists release thereafter would at the very end of the seek to feature more spectrum, and by defini- instrumentation and live tion alone, it is fiercely recordings, with Virgins post-modern and non-mu- sical in every traditional sense. Coined by Brian Eno, it disposes of struc- “A dramatic ture and composition in departure favour of features it deems more important, such as from the texture and atmosphere. Bizarrely, such an obtuse sound that form of music would It’s lit. // Kranky become near ubiquitous dominated as it got relegated to the the majority 9th Century. Japanese art form. “There language is profound the year’s music. Hecker function of background Konoyo’s stylistic was so much restraint in and abstract, as he pieces pulls more from the post- music. It’s mood music, of his previous origins are traceable to the the music of Gagaku, and together a collage of rock cookbook than ever something to relax to. It’s late Jóhann Jóhannsson, just this kind of power.” sharp, glassy synthesisers before and presents one of soft and simple. output” as Hecker revealed in an Konoyo sees Hecker with ominous ceremonial his most thought provok- You wouldn’t hear interview with The Japan working with the improvi- instrumentation, narrating ing and complete works Tim Hecker playing at Times. During his record- sational compositions a disorienting, dissonant to date. Konoyo is futur- an airport or the dentist. ing sessions with Jóhanns- of a group of Gagaku rendition of the apoca- istic while nostalgic, it is Hecker eschews the being centred around son, who provided choral musicians. Recorded in a lypse. The soundscapes hopeful yet despondent, idioms of ambient music haunting piano phrases arrangements for Love temple in Tokyo, his latest swirl patiently while foreboding yet majestic. which easily cast it, by and Love Streams manip- Streams, the composer in- album is a dramatic depar- gliding synthesisers Here, he perfects what he the disinterested listener, ulating choral samples. troduced him to the music ture from the sound that wail. For Hecker, the ultimately failed to do in as muzak. Throughout Konoyo takes this one of Gagaku. With this dominated the majority world does not end in a Love Streams. The music his career, spanning step further, stepping into album Hecker sought to of his previous output. On blinding blaze of heat. It on Konoyo wails painful- various albums and styles, electro-acoustic territory, subvert the “super-dense, Konoyo we are equally is however, cold, and we ly, but I’m not quite sure Hecker’s brand of ambient with its music heavily kind of effect-laden” privy to passages of suffer slowly, and accept- what Hecker is trying to music is loud and pur- influenced by Gagaku, the sound he had put forth in live instrumentation and ingly. tell us. Perhaps that we are poseful, strictly requiring imperial court music of albums prior, and explore synthesised distortions. An impressionist mas- slowly crumbling away, your attention. His music Japan that had its heyday notions of negative space, The Canadian musician’s terpiece, Konoyo stands day after day. I think he’s is amorphous, almost as in the Heian Period, in the as inspired by the ancient new-found compositional tall amongst the rest of right. 18 FELIX ISSUE 1701

ARTS [email protected] A Tale of Two Halves: Measure for Measure at the Donmar Hayley Atwell and Jack Lowden alternate roles in a retelling that tackles abuse of power and gender politics.

ARTS clemency on behalf of her on again, Isabella has been brother who has been sen- reinvented as a deputy tenced to death for sexual prosecutor in the modern misconduct. Angelo, who day who is to be promoted. has a reputation of being The story is retold, with Where? The Donmar an austere and pious man, the roles of Angelo and Warehouse agrees, but only if Isabella Isabella reversed; clois- When? Until 1st December yields her virginity in ters become courtrooms, How Much? Tickets from exchange. At first her and the chains of office £10; free for students with saviour appears to be the are metamorphosed into YOUNG+FREE Duke (Nicholas Burns), red lanyards carrying the who has promoted Angelo key cards of power. Now Indira Mallik in order to test him. When it is Isabella – renamed Arts Writer the Duke, disguised as a Isabel – who has the upper monk, witnesses Angelo’s hand and Angelo, a young abuses of power go un- Christian, finds himself as Truth is truth, and checked, he is determined her victim. power is power. In her new to thwart him using any What this second half staging of Measure for means possible. role reversal is meant Measure at the Donmar, The character of the to highlight is a bit of a in which Hayley Atwell Duke is seen to be some- mystery. In some respects and Jack Lowden alter- thing of a divine interven- nate their roles, director tion in most performances A Power Play// Manuel Harlan Josie Rourke sets to out to of Measure for Measure, “Cloisters show that some things are but here Rourke turns the sion, the play is more than scene when it was Isabella her trial takes on a nasty universal. character on its head. We become court- a little muddled. In the who was being exploited misogynistic edge when During an evening’s come to realise, that far period staging, the narra- was not so dismissive). a recording made without performance, the stage – from being altruistic, the rooms, and the tive is taut and incisive. Yet the staging does not her permission of her which is dominated by a Duke only helps Isabella chains of office “Who will believe thee, go far enough – Angelo having sex is uploaded to backdrop of bars, recalling in order to ingratiate Isabel?” counters Angelo the novice is never put the internet to humiliate the literal and metaphor- himself with her and ulti- are meta- in one scene when Isabella in the same position of her. Rourke brings up in- ical imprisonment of the mately to hold his power threatens to expose him. powerlessness as Isabella teresting questions about play’s characters – is both over her. Having helped morphosed Present day headlines the novice; we never hear female rage, revenge and 17th century Vienna and Isabella indict Angelo in echo in those words. With his howl of pain when re- what it is to be a woman in modern day London. We open court, he proposi- into red #MeToo, Harvey Wein- power, but does not give first meet the characters tions her. Realizing that lanyards stein and the Kavanaugh the themes enough space in 1604, the year of the she is once again trapped, hearings so fresh in the “The modern to develop. play’s first performance. her answer is a howl of carrying the public consciousness, the Nevertheless, there is retelling goes Isabella (Atwell), a young desperation and anguish. key cards of performance feels very little fault to be found nun pleads with Angelo The stunned theatre timely. When left to draw some way in where the acting is (Lowden), the recently is pitched into darkness; power” our own modern parallels concerned. Atwell is a promoted judge, for when the stage lights flash from the period setting, highlighting commanding presence there is far greater clarity and even as the naive of intent than when the the plight of novice, holds sway over Rourke seems to be saying narrative is transposed to the stage. In both incarna- men too can be victims of the present day. male survivors tions of Angelo, Lowden sexual assault, and that The modern retelling is splendid, his charm power corrupts irrespec- goes some way in high- of sexual curdling into sleaziness in tive of gender, though it lighting the plight of assault” the first half, and cracking could be read as Isabella’s male survivors of sexual into vulnerability in the revenge fantasy – her assault. It’s a subject that second. “measure for measure”. needs tackling, a fact Rourke’s staging is I considered the former made abundantly clear by alising that he has escaped a complex, immersive more likely as I watched the audience’s laughter the deputy only to be retelling. Even with its the play unfold, but in at the scenes in which exploited by the Duke. missteps, it’s well worth a hindsight the latter has Angelo struggles to tell his Similarly Isabel the watch. seemed more plausible. brother that he cannot give deputy never commands In either case, there is in to Isabella’s demands the same power as The Modern World// Manuel Harlan no getting away from the to save his brother’s life Angelo in the same role. fact that after the intermis- (the reaction to the same Her juniors mock her, 19 FELIX ISSUE 1701

ARTS [email protected] Bottom: A queer bildungsroman

Written and performed by Willy Hudson, his one-man show Bottom shares funny, awkward and entertaining experiences.

he made the action, the the LGBT+ community humour, integrated with audience was transported may not understand the consistent and high quality into the scene as panic full depth of the topics audience participation, rises over the character being discussed. Particu- made the experience about why he is unable larly focussing on the core much better than anything to get stimulated. The theme of the play which I would have expected. lights change and Hudson is bottoming and sexual My only qualm was moves from centre stage positions, Hudson is that at points the flow of to stage left where he somehow able to address the otherwise amazing begins to speak into the the issue with an air of play was interrupted and microphone about erectile humour yet seriousness may have caused some dysfunction disorder. This at the same time. He confusion. I was unsure change in tone where he whether Hudson purpose- speaks about a topic from ly broke character as part his life or queer culture “Whilst this of the play or if it was by is a theme which carries accident. At certain points, on through the play and may seem the lights changed and lit allows Hudson to have up a different part of the more flexibility about the like a raunchy stage, and Hudson made range of topics he can tale of sexual an audible realisation that touch upon. he was supposed to move The play continues to crisis, Hudson on, but this didn’t register describe Hudson’s story as smoothly as it could A coming of age play about the queer experience // Pleasance Theatre of meeting up with a guy was able to have done. However, I on the gay dating app do commend the use of Theatre, and also at Edin- little jokes about the Grindr, and explaining hit many key breaking the fourth wall. ARTS burgh Fringe, the intimate pattern on his socks, until how the date had gone notes about During one scene the setting allowed Hudson to he proudly dons a t-shirt terribly wrong, especially character is attempting to connect with the audience with a head-to-toe picture as he, who has only the LGBT+ demonstrate his desire for more easily and involve of Beyoncé printed on bottomed in the past, now being a top on the man- them as part of his show. it. Within these first few fails to get an erection in experience...” nequin on the stage but is Where? Pleasance Theatre He begins the show minutes, the general the one situation where unable to do so. Hudson When? 12th-13th October immediately breaking the theme and nature of the he tries to top. Whilst this breaks character and asks How Much? £10 students fourth wall, by popping play has been defined as a may seem like a raunchy speaks on the obsession the tech director for what his head out of the curtain comedic display of queer tale of sexual crisis and of describing one’s sexual he was supposed to do and stopping the music culture. trivial matters of preferred position preference on and she replies from the as he says he’s not ready sexual position, Hudson dating apps, degrading back of the room asking Gurdip Uppal yet. He shuffles onto the was able to hit many key other men to just their whether he would like Arts Writer stage through a side door “...wearing notes about the LGBT+ holes, and how the to try again, to which he wearing nothing but a nothing but experience and queer imminent question of ‘top eventually asks to move neon pink towel wrapped culture. or bottom?’ will always on. This seemed very real around his waist and a neon pink Throughout the play he appear early on when in the moment and added ottom. A term dragging in a big pink bag touches upon topics such speaking to someone on a new layer to the play. used to describe with his props. Joining his towel wrapped as how straight women these apps. But Hudson Overall, this was one a person in a simple set of the lower half sometimes use gay men doesn’t hesitate to dig of the best amateur plays gay relationship of a mannequin wearing around his as toys for their own en- even deeper and exposes I have seen, and was very Bwho prefers to be the boxers on one side, and a waist...” tertainment (referred to as the internalised homo- well suited to the small one penetrated. However, microphone stand on the fag hags), the concept that phobia that many gay size of the theatre. It was this simple expression of other side, the focus is tops or bottoms can be men have in idolising the honestly a pleasure to which sexual position one on the partially nude man predicted based upon their butch men who can give watch! prefers has many other standing in front of you. Hudson begins to talk external appearance and them the shred of fantasy deep rooted connotations He proceeds to ask an about his recent sexual en- attitude, and the internal- of being in a ‘normal’ and assumptions within audience member to pass counter where he runs into ised homophobia within heterosexual relationship, queer culture. And it him his underwear from the bathroom as he feels the queer community and subsequently degrad- is these themes which under their seat, and gets very embarrassed that he when it comes to giving ing other men for being Willy Hudson brilliantly two other people to hold is unable to become erect. more respect to ‘straight too femme. addresses in his one man his towel tightly as he Using perfectly timed acting’ butch gay men. I The play was extreme- show Bottom. starts getting dressed. We tech cues to play the feel that in some respects ly enjoyable and truly a Performed in a small wait as we watch him sound of a door locking viewers who are not part pleasure to watch. The room at Pleasance get fully clothed, making and turning on the tap as of or closely related to themes explored and the 20 FELIX ISSUE 1701

ARTS [email protected]

Siân Brooke and Liza Sadovy // National Theatre I’m Not Running runs out of steam Too many issues, too little time.

ARTS ine’s relationship with that is so overtly political conversation with Pauline right after sleeping with suddenly having a heart an old boyfriend from and puts a touchy political about female genital Pauline while his wife attack mid-conversation university, Jack Gould, subject – the direction of mutilation. These are was away. with Pauline due to a who has worked his way the NHS – at its centre, it important issues, which Sian Brooke does a congenital heart condition to material comfort as a is disappointingly shallow means that throwing them good job as Pauline, that no one knew about Where? National Theatre lawyer, become an MP, in its portrayal of these in without further explo- bringing out her transfor- before. She dies, which is When? Till 31 Jan 2019 and is now also eyeing issues and is one-dimen- ration seemed cursory, mation from idealistic uni- also curious considering How Much? £18 - £67 the Labour leadership. sional in its commentary. and detracted from the versity student to realising someone of her young Their divergent paths It is happily assumed that focus and momentum of that in order to change age, right next to a qual- and on-and-off fraught saving a small provincial the play. the world, she has to ified doctor, should be the Jingjie Cheng relationship is the vehicle hospital with limited What the play did have step into partisan politics exact kind of candidate Arts Writer for many an exposition resources is the right thing going for it, however, herself. Alex Hassell is for successful CPR. about the issues raised in to do, when there are, in was the characterisation slightly affected as Jack, I’m Not Running is a auline Gibson is the play. fact, many good reasons of Jack and Pauline’s re- but Joshua McGuire puts play that tries to do too a young doctor, I’m Not Running is to concentrate specialist lationship, and their indi- on a strong performance much all at once. While having served in David Hare’s 17th new resources in healthcare. vidual characters. One of as Sandy, Pauline’s loyal the cast is strong and the a small provincial play for the National These were hardly men- the earlier scenes, of when press secretary and the characters relatable, its Phospital for most of her Theatre, a thinly-veiled tioned in the argument the two were arguing in only easily likeable char- skirting over a wide range career. When the authori- parallel universe that between Jack and Pauline, a university dormitory acter in the play. of political issues does it ties threaten to close down comments on and some- where Jack raises only room, was perhaps one of It seems to me that no favours. The result is the hospital in order to times satirizes the current simplistic economical the more sensitive ones in the concrete issues of the a structure that has too concentrate resources and state of British politics. reasons for his support of the play. We get a sense of play and the interpersonal many weakly-related services, she finds herself With wide-ranging issues the hospital closures. how emotionally guarded relationships portrayed components for its own campaigning against such as the state of the Other issues were only Pauline is, her difficult are two distinct matters – good, lacking momentum its closure, becoming NHS, single-issue politics, touch and go, which made relationship with her alco- it does well painting the and focus. something of a national the Labour party, domestic the play feel like it lacked holic mother, and Jack’s characters but falls short celebrity in the process. abuse and feminism all direction and was trying tendency towards control. in exploring the issues She succeeds, the hospital jostling for attention in the to take on too many things As their paths diverged, they are embroiled in with I’m Not Running will is saved, and now as an play, watching it felt like at once. It is hinted that we see Pauline standing any insight. The character be broadcast by National angel of the NHS, Pauline a quick browse through there was some violence for her principles, head- development, which is Theatre Live on 31 finds a political career today’s newspaper. in Jack and Pauline’s re- strong and stubborn, while fairly well done, fails to January 2019. before her, first becoming The downside of ad- lationship back in univer- Jack strives for material integrate itself seamlessly an independent MP and dressing so many issues sity, and some domestic comfort and an outward into the political commen- then considers running for in two and a half hours abuse between Pauline’s display of stability and tary, which is a shame. Labour leadership. is that inevitably, each parents. Meredith, a polit- ‘perfection’. “I love my There are also some scenes This, however, is issue is not explored ically-conscious aspiring wife very much and she that are curiously improb- complicated by Paul- sufficiently. For a play journalist, has an extended is perfect,” he declares, able, such as Meredith 21 FR IDAY, 19 TH OCTOBER, 2018 FELIX

ARTS [email protected]

Queen // Victoria Sin DRAG at the Hayward Gallery A wide-ranging exhibition that showcases the variety to be found in the art form.

ARTS much about what the in mainstream media. which had been heavily ‘Tell me everything you upon many topics such gallery was displaying, This exhibition included edited. These often saw, and what you think as the AIDS crisis, gay I was taken aback by the a plethora of different intimate pictures added a it means’ by Victoria Sin rights and many other simplistic, minimalist types of drag, displaying new layer of closeness to who is a hyper queen political movements from Where? Hayward Gallery layout of the exhibition both drag kings and drag the topic of drag within (a cis-gendered female the 1960s to the modern When? 22 Aug - 14 Oct room which wasn’t some- queens, androgynous the exhibition, where doing drag in the style of day. Unfortunately, I felt How Much? Free thing you would usually pieces of work, over-the- it was not being used typical male drag queens). that this was not clearly associate with drag. With top performance drag as merely as performance, In this piece, Sin poses explored when viewing Gurdip Uppal bare white walls sparsely well as more politically but explored artistic lying down, propped up the pieces of art, leaving Arts Writer decorated with simple driven types of drag. depth and sometimes on one arm, remaining the viewer bewildered black line art, the room Whilst the majority of the the political motivation incredibly still aside from about the meaning behind Over the past few years, design offset the eccentric media used in the exhibi- behind the pieces. Along the gentle blinking of her the pieces. This was a the concept of cross-dress- pieces being displayed, tion was photography and one wall of the exhibition eyes. This is accompanied particular problem with ing and the art of drag avoiding complete videos, the odd painting was a series of TV screens by a spoken word piece the abstract pieces, which has become a popular sensory overload. The and even a makeup wipe (some older box-style encouraging the viewer to would have benefited from topic and, indeed, almost pieces were not set out in TVs) which integrated look carefully at her body, some commentary about mainstream. With the any kind of chronological “Truly an the crucial feature of the softness in her posture, what the artist was ulti- increasing popularity of order or themes, which performance drag into the and the exaggerated mately trying to explore. the TV competition show I felt was fitting given exhibition showroom. One played features of her makeup. As no such commentary RuPaul’s Drag Race, the free and unbounded a part of Rose English’s She warns the viewer that was provided (other than the audience exposed to nature of drag. I felt that about drag comedy performance ‘My you will soon no longer a few guided tours), I left the once underground the choice of art being and not just Mathematics’, where she be able to see her, and to feeling slightly under- culture of drag has rapidly displayed was enjoyable donned excessively long take a final look. Yet once whelmed, not having fully increased. However, the not only in the variety of drag queens” false eyelashes and went the screen goes black, you understood the meaning multifaceted world of mediums being used, but on to offer members of remain entranced by the behind all the pieces. All gender-bending is perhaps also the range of themes the audience a gentle soft voice of the narrator in all, I felt that while not effectively portrayed which were tackled. (with a face of drag butterfly kiss or “violent describing how she exits DRAG was successful in through a TV show which This was truly an makeup painted on) was lashings from her lashes”. the frame and walks out showcasing many features focuses primarily on drag exhibition about drag and also displayed. This Other videos included into reality. of the drag world, the lack queens and the drama not just drag queens. The diverse range of themes funny drag makeup tu- Whilst I did enjoy the of explanation made it which ensues between concept of drag is to have and art styles made the torials, weird black and exhibition, I found that difficult to enjoy the exhi- them. This was the exact fun and make a mockery experience non-repetitive, white silent films, and a I left seeing some very bition to its full potential. issue which I felt the of the unstable societal and much more enjoyable. collection of performance pretty pictures and being DRAG exhibition at structure of gender and The beautiful art by the legendary Leigh entertained but not much Hayward Gallery handled gender roles. This is not photographs ranged from Bowery. However, my more than that. According very well. limited to gender-bending stunning self-portraits to favourite by far was the to the exhibition descrip- Not knowing men as is often portrayed strange, conceptual pieces spoken word performance tion, the pieces touched 22 FELIX ISSUE 1701

GAMES [email protected] Buck up for the Bronco: Red Dead Redemption 2 It’s the return of your favourite spaghetti western simulator, in a hopefully fantastic sequel!

GAMES being mentioned it’s time to take a look at what Connor Winzar the single player has to offer, with Dan Houser Anthony Onwuli also stating that the final Games Editors script for RDR2 spans 2000 pages and if the dialogue for additional ith the rising content was included and storm of stacked, the paper stack hype brew- would reach eight feet ing around high (15cm taller than WRed Dead Redemption basketballer Yao Ming). 2, we thought we’d shed But even better than this, a light on some of the Rockstar recently released features being added and a description of the plot: what you can expect from “America, 1899. The the game. The majority end of the wild west era of the information we’ve has begun as lawmen hunt got here is straight from down the last remaining the horse’s mouth, in outlaw gangs. Those particular the developers who will not surrender or themselves, with news succumb are killed. After of the game having over a robbery goes badly 300,000 animations, wrong in the western town What’s that coming over the hill? // Rockstar 500,000 lines of dialogue of Blackwater, Arthur and 1000 voice actors for Morgan and the Van der RDR2 brings back all from such a depressing actions in RDR2 . Given before its release, similar NPCs, suggesting that Linde gang are forced to the gameplay elements topic, the game will be their overabundance to that of Telltale. Dan RDR2 has a good chance you loved from RDR priced at £50 upon release, in Rockstar’s previous Houser promptly respond- of being Game of the Year and puts you into a much with the special edition/ game GTA V, which has ed with a tweet, a section by sheer amount of effort “300,000 grander expansive world collectors edition being made $6 billion off of of the tweet reads “After put in. animations , to explore. We can only priced at £75 which also its original $265 million working on the game for However, no matter tease some of the new ad- includes a special edition budget since its release in seven years, the senior how much effort was 500,000 lines ditions, but these reveals printed map and various 2013. Fingers crossed that put in, there are growing will keep you waiting in other content. There is the game isn’t a complete concerns over how much of dialogue anticipation. also an ultimate edition cash grab, however, con- “Dan Houser storage space this will Be prepared to dive which is priced at £90 sidering recent news of take up on the PS4 or and 1000 voice fully into this world as and contains a plethora how much effort is being also stating Xbox One, with rumours/ actors for you can play the game of story mode and online put into the story it’s a that the final leakers stating that the literally through the eyes content, along with a possibility that the single game takes up over NPCs” of Alex Morgan with printed version of the player at the very least is script for RDR2 100GB of hard drive the first-person option. world map and a steelbox likely to be spared from space; so you may have to With this feature you can version of the game. But microtransactions. spans 2000 say goodbye to 1/10 or 1/5 flee. With federal agents appreciate the 200 species the pièce de résistance is Moving on from one of your console’s storage. and the best bounty hunters which will populate the the Red Dead Redemption problem that is plaguing pages” But for such a block- in the nation massing on world as you try to hunt 2: Collectors Box which the gaming industry to buster of a game it seems their heels, the gang must for food or avoid getting includes the game and is another; Telltale as many like there’s not going to rob, steal and fight their bitten by a poisonous priced at £179.99 , which know, recently went writing team, which be many big name voice way across the rugged snake. includes a metal lockbox bankrupt which resulted consists of four people, actors, with Rockstar heartland of America in with a lock and key, col- in the mass layoff of Mike Unsworth, Rupert co-founder Dan Houser order to survive. As deep- lectable challenge coin, employees many of Humphries, Lazlow and stating “We don’t bring ening internal divisions Merchandising double-sized puzzle, six which without severance myself, had, as we always in named actors anymore threaten to tear the gang Set to release for shooter bandana, treasure and no payment for their do, three weeks of intense because of their egos apart, Arthur must make October 26th, RDR2 will map, pin set, catalogue overtime! A similar fright work when we wrapped and, most important of a choice between his own be released on PS4 and from ingame and collect- was given when Dan everything up. Three all, because we believe ideals and loyalty to the Xbox One. Unfortunately able cards. Houser tweeted a state- weeks, not years.”, the we get a better sense of gang who raised him.” the game will not be on ment that included “We rest of the tweet then goes immersion using talented Featuring a young PC, so say goodbye to were working 100-hour on to discuss how that actors whose voices you John Marston in the gang, your fantasy of using a Controversy weeks”, resulting in a the 100 hour work weeks don’t recognize.” . the story does seem like texture pack of Thomas For the fantastic content massive backlash as were a decision made it’s going to be quite the the Tank Engine on trains, that seems to be coming, people speculated that purely out of affection rodeo. I’ll see myself out. with the Biggie Smalls there are indeed some employees were being for the series and by their Story remix of its corresponding rising scares about the forced to do overtime in own volition. With already so much Gameplay theme. Teetering away presence of microtrans- order to finish the games 23 FELIX ISSUE 1701

FOOD [email protected] Low-fat, reduced fat and fat-free foods: a healthy choice or a myth? Replacing everything in your fridge with low-fat alternatives? You may want to think twice...

FOOD – take cream cheese, for example. A reduced fat Eva Tadros one still contains more Food Editor than 3% of fat (and thus a high fat food), but we Julia Dąbrowska buy it, thinking it’s a lean Food Editor choice. Next: what do these modified foods really contain? Since the fat ey, could you content is limited, they please grab a must be prepared differ- Greek yoghurt ently than the original. when you’re in A common technique is HTesco? Just make sure it’s replacing animal fats with the low-fat one - thanks!” unsaturated vegetable Sound familiar? oils; sounds healthy, right? Nowadays, we’re con- However, their structure stantly surrounded by a is often altered in order myriad of fat-free, low-fat for their properties to suit and reduced fat products the product’s purpose, in a as the food industry’s process called hydrogena- attempt to maximise tion. profits gains momentum – This greatly increases taking a toll on our health. the levels of trans-fats: Berry Pavlovas // Flickr @Alpha But why? Weren’t we the unhealthiest kind due a potentially higher taught that the less fat you to their artificial nature calorific content, but also “fats (despite losing your mind. Liter- them altogether. Full-fat eat, the more weight you and lack of potential to be in elevated blood sugar ally. Babybel, here we come! lose, while reducing satu- utilised in the body. levels and subsequent all those The conclusion? Read rated fat improves cardio- risk of type II diabetes or the label before you buy vascular health? In theory, cardiovascular disease. Daily Mail modified fat options to see kind of. In practice, with “A reduced Various additives and rumours), what it is being replaced all the emerging products chemicals may also be by, and decide whether on the market promising fat one still incorporated. So much for are actually it’s worth it. Hint: if you a ‘healthier lifestyle’, ‘healthy eating’. can’t be bothered or don’t this turns out to be more contains The simplest argument good and understand half the ingre- of a misconception than for avoiding these dients, it might be easier something to preach. more than products is that fats necessary” to just stay away from The first problem is the 3% of fat, but (despite all those Daily difference between the Mail rumours), are types of labels (who am we buy it, actually good and neces- I kidding, does anyone sary, as long as they’re the care about wording when thinking it’s a right type. you want whipped cream? Healthy fats provide Anyway, read on to find lean choice” essential fatty acids such out). as omega-3 or -6, which • ‘Reduced fat’ foods - are used for making cell 25% less fat than the You may be wondering membranes, hormones, regular counterpart why modified products neurons in the brain and • ‘Low-fat’ – less than still taste good – after all, central nervous system, 3g of fat per serving flavour is eliminated. and more. Ingestion of • ‘Fat-free’ – less than Well, to keep the food these is vital because 0.5g fat per serving edible, sugar levels are the human body cannot amped up like crazy in synthesise these itself, so Labelling can hence reduced fat products. if you’re trying to lose be extremely misleading This results in not only weight this way, you’re Watching your waistline? //MaxPixel 24

FELIX ISSUE 1701

INVESTMENT [email protected] Rising Fed rates puts pressure on markets

INVESTMENT

Tom Alston Investment Editor ICIS Editor in Chief

ince the fiscal stimulus of tax cuts that the Trump administra- Stion has implemented this year, the US economy on the surface has been doing great. It has notched a 4.1% annualized growth rate for Q2, which is considerably faster than the 2% growth rate that has been standard since 2001. Then in mid-August US stocks hit an all-time Fed will increase rates to an estimated 2.5% next year // Fortune high as the S&P 500 of the dollar and US double digit increases in broke its longest Bull run economy. EM fared well inflation. Despite this this discounting downgrades liabilities of governments its strongest allies it in history. Naturally then, after the financial crisis doesn’t mean investors from Moody’s and S&P… or the effect of struggling threatens to break up the Federal Reserve and when record low treasury should completely exit The market believes that emerging markets global cohesion that is many investors became and Eurobond yields their positions in EM the government has set slumping world growth. needed to maintain a sceptical that this growth as well as programmes economies. Prices for EM a spread of 400bp as a However, currently I stable economy. was sustainable, and such as quantitative stocks are plummeting target, but at 3235bp to think the market is strong. that the US economy easing caused investors to fresh lows and the 350bp we expect to see Central banks have started was ‘overheating’. So, to flood money into EM brave investor could short covering as the to increase policy rates “Equity it didn’t come as a sur- economies as they sought find a bargain. Equity market discounts the and we are beginning to prise when The Federal higher returns. However, valuations are trading in game plan and we think reduce our dependence valuations Open Market Committee recent tightening of US excess of 40% discount eventually a comprise will of quantitative easing, increased the Fed funds monetary policy and the to the US market in term be found between govern- but the greatest threats are trading in rate by 25 basis points subsequent rise in the of P/E ratios according to ment and the European to the global economy is excess of 40% to 2.25%. However, the dollar has caused money Mobius Capital Partners. Commission’. political. Ironically, the dawning realisation that to flood out. Furthermore, This may be the time as So is an economic Trump administration is discount to the Fed could increase with the majority of EM’s well with the European downturn approaching. not only the cause of the rates further was met having debt denominated bond market looking Yes. Inevitably there will booming economy but the US market with anxiety. A ferocious in dollars rather than the precarious with the Italian be a market correction at also its biggest threat. government sell off of local currency, means that yield crisis. The European some point, whether that By imposing tariffs not in term of P/E sovereign bonds that as the dollar strengthens Commission and Rome triggered by the growing only on China but on ratios” started at the beginning of it becomes harder and are currently in a spat and this month, has started to more expensive to pay the new Italian populist pinch at the equity markets back their debt. This has government plans to run as investors are worried caused EM with large a higher budget deficit. about the implications of current account deficits After officials agreed a higher treasury yields. [a high dependency of deficit target of 2.4%, Last week what began as a foreign investment] and busting the 2 % maximum gradual sell-off escalated high external debt like that Finance minister into a violent dive causing South Africa, Turkey, Giovanni Tria said he’d brutal losses in Asia, in Brazil and Argentina to accept, yields on the particular the tech-heavy suffer considerably. So Italian bond soared a Taiwanese market, trick- far this year the Argentine whopping 40 basis points ling through to Europe peso is down 50% against to 3.3%. Consequently, and then coming back the dollar, the Turkish lira Investor’s negative bets to the US market again. is down almost 40% after on Italian government At the market close last President Erdogan raised debt have peaked, indicat- Thursday $1.7trn had been economic tensions after ing that these new budget wiped off the S&P 500. his controversial com- proposals have fuelled Curiously, the emerging ments on interest rates concern. Filippo Lanza, markets remained un-af- which he called a ‘tool of chief investment officer fected which is surprising exploitation’ making the at London based hedge as they have been battered central bank wait months fund Numen Capital, said by the rising strength to raise rates, despite ‘Italian bonds are already Emerging market currencies are suffering from a strong dollar // Financial Times 27 FR IDAY, 19 TH OCTOBER, 2018 – Fake News! – ISSUE 1701 FELIX ISSUE 1701

HANGMAN [email protected] Hangman So... you graduated... congratulations and welcome to the world of graduate unemployment!

HANGMAN dents strode across the shame if it were to freeze Royal Albert Hall stage while in contact with the Negafelix to collect their degrees ice queen). Editor-in-Chief and take the first step Wednesday also marked into the murky world the day Imperial College of graduate unemploy- Union set a new October ment. Congratulations graduation revenue £60,000 for a from Negafelix! record of £30,147.10, a handshake... was it all Wednesday also marked 19.98% increase on the worth it? the day that you plucky previous record, 2017’s band of fresh graduates £25,481.39. If the £60,000 realised that Imperial just scam of a university edu- managed to charge you cation weren’t enough, at ednesday £60,000 for a handshake least Imperial was able to marked with President Alice Gast squeeze the last penny out Imperial and her sideman. Was it of you before you left this College worth it? Congratulations place for good. Congratu- WLondon’s annual Com- on keeping the handshake lations again! You all have memoration Day un- with the President brief the brightest of futures dergraduate graduation enough that you managed ahead of you... ceremony. More than to leave with your hand 2500 undergraduate stu- intact. It would be a real President Alice Gast // Imperial College London

Dogecoin // Dogecoin ARIES TAURUS GEMINI CANCER LEO VIRGO

ChainGang, Imperial’s blockchain hackathon This week you use your This week you’re the Bar This week you’re Alice This week you discover This week, as you walk This week, you drink phone to say ‘LUV U Manager at the Union: Gast. To your surprise you’re prone to across the graduation after graduation - not in MUM’ to the graduation you didn’t seem to think you can finally relate sleepwalking. You wake stage to shake hands with celebration, but regret. HANGMAN of currency. furtively, and quickly values in SHA sums? in negation. “Protein “Ugh, listen - we’re all camera on. Sadly the people would celebrate to the average Imperial up in the library café at 3 your Dean, you trip and Who begged you to work “Our beginnings were inhales two of them. “My Surely that could be used folding is all well and monkeys who stuck our lockscreen comes, and leaving Imperial that student. Why do you AM trying to get a packet fall flat on your face. hard for a first? Should’ve Negafelix humble,” says Fistula. life fucking rules. I’m to model climate change, good, but it doesn’t really thumbs up our assholes everyone can see your much. even have to come in? of McCoy’s out of the Well, at least you went been doing case practice. Editor-in-Chief “I’m a self-made man. John Belushi!” or fold proteins, or some- fold my protein, if you get and thought about what notifications. Congrats, No more cups? Just give Graduation is recorded. vending machine. out with a bang. Grew all my own peyote. Stooge concurs. “Cryp- thing.” what I’m saying. Only me, it meant to be human. you just got a new Tinder them conical flasks. Muscle memory? Or a thud. Sold it door-to-door, tocurrency promises to my seven sister-wives, We’re mammals on a rock match! Negafelix catches up walking six miles from really disrupt the way we and my rotating stock of a hundred million miles with a pair of crypto the farm to John McAfee’s live our lives. At first we “Besides, concubines can do that. away from an uncon- chucklefucks house with no shoes and a thought it was mundane You wanna talk nonces, strained nuclear reaction big sack full of mescaline. - ok, cool, you can buy these crypto come ‘round the farm smack-dab in the middle Soon, the operation ex- drugs on the internet. But sometime.” of a vast cosmic void. Did panded - I hired a police that doesn’t really serve chucklefucks Suddenly, Fistula’s you really expect them of mperial is sponsor- force, bought some child the people with means - aren’t really phone rings. He answers, all people to figure it out?” ing ChainGang, a slaves (any wage the they have people to buy and grows pale. He blus- I demurred, and he “hackathon” dedi- market decides is fair), drugs for them. What we that different ters off in a hurry - “Sorry, noticed my hesitation. cated to producing kicked back, and began need is radical. Money gotta run, my child slaves “Besides, these crypto LIBRA SCORPIO SAGITTARIUS CAPRICORN AQUARIUS PISCES Inew cryptocurrency living the Ayn Randian laundering, hiding taxable from the are revolting, and I don’t chucklefucks aren’t really technology, in Shored- dream. Now, not even funds from governments, have any rebellion insur- that different from the itch this November. For the local police force can paying off hitmen, empowered ance!” empowered few in the This week, with the This week, you’re a This week, you’re Deputy This week you get This week your funding This week, for the first the inside scoop, I talked touch me - I paid them breaking the mould. Now few in the Wanting to know more status quo - just a lot more College launching its disgruntled PhD student. President (Finance & ready to turn up at the runs out. Desperate time in your 3 years here, to two representatives off too!” Fistula exuber- that’s disruptive free en- about their anarcho-capi- hedonistic. Forgive them, Equality, Diversity and Tired of undocumented Services). No one ever graduation afterparty. for money you end up both library doors are from disruptive cryp- antly gestures, and in the terprise.” status quo ” talist worldview, I spoke for they know not what Inclusion Strategy, you’re undergrads coming into appreciates your work. For some reason, you applying for one of open. Is this an omen of to-startup EthCoinLite, process, seven half-full I interjected: “But what with Laszlo Polis, a reader they do.” happy something is being h-bar, you believe it’s Pissed, you poke holes in forgot everyone here still those dodgy clinical great things to come! Dick Fistula and Randy bags of cocaine fall out about all the computing in political science at- God help us all. done to make the rich time for h-bar to leave all the cups in the Union. went to Imperial. Not trials advertised in the Not for you apparently, Stooge, about their rad- of his pocket. He scoops power that’s been com- large in the University of people like you feel like the Union. Referendum Let them drink Bud so much turn up as turn SAF toilets. Who needs you get a 2:2 on your lab ical ideas for the future them up quickly, glances mitted to finding nonce Fistula shook his head London system. you belong. anyone? Light. around where possible. olfaction anyway? report. 28 29 FR IDAY, 19 TH OCTOBER, 2018 FELIX

PUZZLES [email protected]
      FUCWIT 1 Luncheon Pals 33  1 Maxiane 33 3 Sudok-urself 29

   4 Cat Ladies 28    5 Yeet Infection 22 5 CHZYNo.1InMy<3 22


   7 M 15     7 Purple T-Shirts 15
 7 KBLB 15   7 Flo 15



 7 DQ 15   12 HoneybunnySnugglePuff 14
  12 Lunar Lunacy 14 14 Ed, Edd & Eddie 13
 
   15 Saskatchewan 11 15 Soggy Biscuit Society 11  17 Los Pollos Hermanos 5 Sudoku 18 OSucks 4   Fill all the boxes with a number Send your solutions to fsudoku@imperial. between 1 and 9. A number can ac.uk before Wednesday midday to take only appear once in a row/colum, part in the leaderboard! and only once in each sub-box.   Points available Crossword 6 Across Down Sudoku 4 1. Exposed, naked (4) 1. Northern English city, previously known for its production of wool (8) Slitherlink 6 3. Easygoing, friendly (8) 2. Sport known at Imperial for its questionable antics (5) Bridges 5 9. Increase (7) 4. Cattle body part, in culinary terms (6) Total 21 10. Gets remunerated (5) 5. To compel, urge (5) 11. Hall, entrance (5) 6. Weapon allowing rifles to be used as spears (7) Last week’s solutions 12. Opposite of coastal (6) 7. Wide-..., cross-... (4) 14. Remorse, worry (6) 8. Legal directive (6) 
        16. Type of roof covering (6) 13. Charm, magnetism (8)
      19. Quiet (6) 15. Vessel, first used by the Spanish (7)
     
 21. Type of snake (4) 17. Capital of Cuba (6)     24. In front of (5) 18. Sayings (6) Slitherlink          25. Artillerymen (7) 20. Beg, informally (5) Connect horizontally and vertically adja-     26. Shoe brand, occasionally 22. Implore (5) cent dots so that the lines form a simple     
   worn by basketball players (8) 23. Substance often used by climbers (4) loop with no loose ends. The number in-  

27. Thought (4) side a square represents how many of its  

 four sides are segments in the loop.    
          








      





      


     




  
       


   
    
      


      

 

    
  

     





     


   



 
    

   



 
 

 
 
  


    











     

 Shikaku   
   

Divide the square into rectangular and 



 
   

square pieces such that each piece 
     


contains exactly one number. The 



      
   

numbers given represents the area of




 the pieces.     




 

30 FELIX ISSUE 1701

SPORTS [email protected] ICURFC 2nd XV: ICURFC 2nd XV: Welcome back Sylvia All hail King Thornton, SPORTS the Queen Mary’s centres. time when they bundled Lord of the 3s Despite this early period over after a mistake at Daniel Kirrane of pressure, Imperial were the lineout from Imperial. Imperial 2nd XV unable to make it count The Queen Mary’s fly half SPORTS electric speed, darting for back, making it 10-5 at the and Queen Mary’s cleared subsequently missed the the line. The SOAS de- break (I think). their lines. As the game kick and we went into the Simon Thornton fenders caught up to him After SOAS took the progressed and the effect sheds 5-0 down. A half Imperial 3rd XV but they were no match lead early in the second 7 5 of our extended warm time chat focusing on for the superhuman power half with a converted try, Imperial Queen up became apparent, the being more accurate fol- of Thornton, who carried Imperial found them- 2nd XV Mary 2nd Queen Mary’s forwards lowed, and a fiery speech three of them over the line selves back on the front V XV employed a strong pick- from new 2XV captain 34 27 with him; an exceptional foot. The ball went out and-go game that put our Gustave RDB meant that SOAS 1st Imperial individual try. to the backs, and after Imperial kicked off the XV V 3rd XV ICURFC later found some silky handling Tom he first game of second half re-energised. themselves under Watson used his pace to the 2XV’s season “The shining Strong carries from the pressure within their own round the defence and was a home forwards allowed for 22. Following a strong finish well under the posts. match against sun allowed cleaner ball and the 2XV rriving with a defensive effort and a Marco, who later punched TQueen Mary’s, a side rumbled towards the line. squad of 19 to SOAS’s very own Nish who last season were 2 for intense and Cynical play from one of Regent’s park, Khumar, converted for the leagues above us. Due quick rugby to the Queen Mary’s players and conditions “The SOAS extras, 17-12. to this theoretical gulf in resulted in him being Alooking ideal for a game SOAS were struggling quality, the Queen Mary’s be played and sent off, and a number of running rugby, the stage defenders to defend against the side decided to turn up 45 of dominant scrums built was set for what promised strong ball carries from minutes late, leaving little Imperial began momentum for an eventu- to be a tough first game caught up the likes of Ed Peterson, time for a warm up. Little al score by Rory Horder. against a rather unknown to him but James King and Si-Woo, did they know that this at a ferocious Daniel Kirrane converted SOAS 1st XV. but managed to level the 2XV side were fired up pace” to put Imperial into the As SOAS went through they were no scoring with a breakaway and ready to go after their lead by 2 points with 10 phases following kick off, try. Following a scrum 2 hour warm up, and had minutes to play. The final Imperial’s defence was match for the inside the SOAS 22, a a passionate fan base in quarter of the game was an proving difficult to break number 8 pickup saw the 1XV supporting them defensive discipline and example of the maturity down thanks to the focus superhuman Thornton clear the line on the sidelines for added fitness under pressure. this 2XV side has devel- on defensive structure power of for his second try of the motivation. The shining Queen Mary’s used this oped over the past few in training last Saturday afternoon. I won’t go into sun allowed for intense tactic effectively and seasons, with the game and Monday. Following a Thornton, too much detail but it was and quick rugby to be a few penalties meant closing out with little turnover, it was Imperial’s as amazing as his first. played and Imperial began that Imperial were now incident. Celebrations turn to attack, utilising who carried With a fully drained at a ferocious pace, going down in their own 22, followed as the freshers strong carries off the bench as a result of through several phases in defending their line. were introduced to Sylvia number 9 before moving three of them injury, tired legs showed the opposition 22. Sorrell Some solid tackling from and the 2XV extended the ball wide with success. over the line for Imperial, with SOAS Cowen in particular was all repelled the Queen their purple patch, losing It was scrum-half Shuya scoring a few more making breaks for fun, reg- Mary’s attack, holding only once in the past two who finished for the first with him; an towards the end of the ularly chopping through out until just before half seasons. five points of the game. second half. I’m told the Shuya had an overall solid exceptional final score was 34-27 in game, demonstrating his favour of the home side. attacking flair that will individual try” Based on the final score, no doubt be an asset this it’s clear someone else season. scored a try at some point Imperial doubled their turnover, Marco cleared. during the match though I lead when Thornton The chase was strong and can’t remember who and scored a magical try. Will Ridge turned over they didn’t claim it when A crash ball off 9 with their isolated full back. the 3s group chat was nothing really on. A player After a couple of phases, consulted. who can create something it was Ridge who finished There were plenty of out of nothing, he blasted the move; however positives to take away through the first line of referee Matt Blackett from Wednesday’s game defence like the defenders disallowed the try. After and it promises to be a were cardboard cut-outs. a few forced injuries (in- good season for this group Stepping the full back cluding the captain) and of players. If we all keep with such elegance isn’t many tired legs, the final the effort up in training a skill you can teach – it’s ten minutes of the half we will be where we want something you’re born were a test of fitness and to be in no time. with. This gave Simon squad cohesion. SOAS 2nd team player making some sick moves // ICURFC the space to exhibit his capitalised and pulled one 31 FR IDAY, 19 TH OCTOBER, 2018 FELIX

SPORTS [email protected] Imperial Dominates Duathlon with VeloPark Victories

SPORTS background in only one of the triathlon holy trinity Mark Pollock of swimming, cycling or Triathlon Treasurer running. Some had never raced running or on a bike before (special mention he morning goes to Liv Papaioannou started with an who was unable to change alarm sounding gear for the first two laps at 6:30AM – not of her bike leg), and many Ta particularly cruel time had never done a triathlon for a triathlete, but for transition before – yet many students it was a everyone learnt on the job relaxed Sunday morning and finished the race! lie-in. Undeterred by the Despite the course rain and forecast thunder- being suitably saturated storms, they made their way over to the Velopark in Stratford. Travelling on “With the tube with a non-folded bicycle was experienced thunderous for the first time by many, with a few hardy support from members seeking to save the crowd, The squad that set out to the duathlon // Triathlon themselves the hassle and cycle the twelve miles to Imperial were three would complete the now faced another run. to a photo-finish. who both produced star Stratford instead. Imperial one-mile circuit a total of Mercifully this run was Romain was living up performances despite Triathlon had twelve dominating” 27 times. half the distance of the to his nickname on the learning it all on the go. teams of three entered into The first leg began first. bike with his fastest lap The fastest mixed team the competition, which at 9:30, starting with The first-timers to averaging 38km/h, but went to Greg Jones, Fergus meant that just shy of half with water, the rain fortu- the run. Pre-race hype duathlon quickly noticed it was only just enough Johnson (who had the the field was filled with nately held off for the start combined with thinking that running after cycling – Imperial came out on fastest run split of the day), Imperial’s finest. of the race. The duathlon the course was shorter is much more difficult top with a two-second and Liv Papaioannou. Many of the Imperial consisted of a two mile than it was (figure-of- than running before win in a staggering time After the first few teams athletes had never done run, six mile cycle, one eight courses can be cycling, and the phenom- of 1:45:50. The women’s had finished, everyone a duathlon before, with mile run for each person, deceiving) meant pacing ena known as ‘heavy-leg race was still led by gathered together to cheer most coming from a meaning the team of among the front-runners syndrome’ was experi- the remaining duathletes, was somewhat optimis- enced by all. with a particularly ebul- tic. After two laps of With the expected “It was no lient applause for the last the course the first few downpour still to materi- runner to finish. entered the transition area, alise, the relay transitions surprise that With everyone home which can either make or began to occur, at which and dry, the medal break a multi-event race. point everything became they took ceremony followed. With This time everyone a lot more confusing. home more such breadth and depth in passed through transition As competitors were at the Imperial cohort it was without trouble and different stages of the than their no surprise that they took mounted their bikes race it was not really clear home more than their fair without hiccup or hesita- who was beating who, or fair share of share of medals, with six tion. Six bike laps were which lap they were on, Imperial teams appearing next on the agenda for which made for some medals, with 6 in the top ten. the duathletes, with the unexpected surprises later Imperial teams The team then began wet conditions and tight on. Imperial’s ‘all the the long journey home – corners making this a gear and no idea’ team appearing in tired, proud, and in want relatively technical ride. featuring Edmund Jones, of a shower. Overall, a Yet with thunderous Ed Clark, and Romain the top 10” highly successful outing support from the crowd, (the Rocket) Barnoud for Imperial Triathlon Imperial were dominat- thought they had the win both in terms of experi- ing. in the bag when they were Marion Artigaud, Marena ence gained and medals IC were holding first over one lap ahead of 2nd Gray and Alex Mundell won. place in the men’s, mixed place. Only problem was who held their lead and The next duathlon is and women’s teams. Club the 2nd place team (which ended up winning the Hillingdon Duathlon on captain Edmund Jones were sadly not Imperial) race. Sunday 11th November, was first into the final were actually on the The club wishes to email the club account transition of the first leg same lap and it became give a special mention to [email protected] athletes, where he (and apparent the men’s race the fastest freshers Angus if you want to join in the The winning womens team! // Triathlon everyone behind him) was going to come down Philips and Emma Walsh, fun! 32