FR IDAY, 24TH MAY, 2019 – Keep the Cat Free – ISSUE 1722 Felix

The Student Newspaper of Imperial College London

NEWS

Imperial and The Times host event to tackle air pollution PAGE 5

COMMENT

Pointless, homophobic protests PAGE 6

LIBERATION Fireworks light up the South Kensington campus // Imperial College London Is the Summer Ball "unsustainable"?

Following dissatisfaction of student societies, Felix questions the sustainability of the Summer Ball in its current format Ramadan NEWS Dance Imperial, A our slots, drinks vouchers Live Music Society and email sent to them on 3rd Reflections Capella and Big Band and free entry to the main DramSoc, echoed the May. This was acknowl- PAGE 12 Andy Djaba societies were amongst event and the afterparty. sentiment of performers edged by the Union's Editor-in-Chief the societies to express But, this year, they said feeling de-prioritised and Events and Conferences SEX SURVEY their dissatisfaction at the that we'd have to pay £5 undervalued by the Union, manager, Jess Harrison, changes, which have been to go to the afterparty and stating: "I'm performing who, when asked what brought about by budget that we'd also only get one at an event and I shouldn't should be changed in reparations for constraints. DramSoc, Im- free drink each, which have to pay to get into the the organisation of the Imperial College perial's dramatic society would have to be a specific event; the ticket should be Summer Ball for future Union's annual which is particularly thing. A lot of people that free and that shouldn't be years, told Felix: "Defi- Summer Ball, crucial to the setting up would be playing might a bonus." nitely communication Pwhich is set to be held on and running of the event, end up having to spend A large source of the with CSPs [Clubs, Socie- Saturday 22nd June, re- also raised health and more money than they dissatisfaction stems from ties and Projects] earlier". cently hit a snag as many safety concerns. were earning throughout the relative lack of notice The disenfranchised Felix Sex of the involved student DJ & Production So- the whole thing." given to the clubs and societies have since societies threatened to ciety's Sean Davies told Adam Collins, who societies, as they were held meetings with the Survey 2019 is pull out over changes to Felix: "Previously each is involved in multiple only informed of changes Union's Summer Ball back! this year's event. year we'd get paid for societies, including to the Summer Ball in an PAGE 24 Cont. pg 3 FR IDAY, 24TH MAY, 2019 FELIX FELIX ISSUE 1722

EDITORIAL NEWS [email protected] CONTENTS Happy Birthday Lauren EDITORIAL 2 Is the Summer Ball "unsustainable"? NEWS 3-5 The Felix Team NEWS Although the dispute venue as a "wonderful COMMENT 6 auren Dennis, jaba – Felix knew I could count on you seems to have been idea" and revealed that y D Ed Editor-in-Chief (cont.) who sadly nd ito to back me. You jumped Andy Djaba resolved in most cases, serious discussions are POLITICS 7 passed away in A r in the car, we headed to • it raises the question of being had about the October follow- King's Cross and danced Deputy Editor Project Team - Kristie whether the Summer possibility of making this TECH 8 Ling a battle with bowel the night away to 90s Joanna Wormald Knapp, Helen Bhandari, Ball is sustainable in its change for future years. cancer, was a Chemistry R&B tunes. • Jess Harrison & Claudia current format. When Jess added: "If it were MUSIC 9 student at Imperial, a It's funny because it News Editor Caravello - and a suitable this question was put to my decision, I would have great friend of mine Joanna Wormald compromise seems to really doesn't sound like • Jess, she told Felix: "No. moved us already but it's FILM 11 and the strongest per- the most eventful of days Politics Editors have been reached in the It's not fair that there are all linked in with finance son I know. Tomorrow but, looking back, it's Avirup Banerjee majority of cases. parts of that student ticket and risk... it's slightly LIBERATION 12-13 (25th May) is Lauren's moments like that - you Divyen Vanniasegaram One such issue that that go toward paying higher than me." birthday; she would be feeding me McDonald's Juan Rubio Gorrochategui has been resolved is the for the fencing, paying After making a loss in Could this year's Summer Ball be the last held on campus? // Imperial College Union GAMES 14 turning 24 so I wanted chips while I tried not • afterparty, which was for carpet... instead of previous years, this year's to take this oppotunity to crash, with Bryson Comment Editors described by some as that going on an artist Summer Ball has seen the same this year but annual Imperial Festival - after Summer Ball, means ARTS 16-17 to dedicate this Editorial Tiller blaring in the back- Aida Manzano Kharman previously having a "very or more fireworks, more more pressure to ensure suppliers, who do a lot as reported by Felix, this that the team had to Charlie Titmuss to her: ground - which I'll forever • bare schedule", with fairground rides, which is the event breaks even. for us and this event, their year sees the introduction reschedule many aspects SUSTAINABILITY 18 Yoo Lauren, wys? cherish. Science Editors Spotify playlists playing honestly what we'd rather The additional budget costs go up every single of the larger "Great regarding the set-up and As per, I wanted to start Much love my G! Rosie Dutt in many of the rooms, to put the money on." contraints led to many of year. Carpets, security, Exhibition Road Festival clearing up of campus C&S 19 this how I started every Eyad Abuelgasim the chagrin of many of Jess described the the changes which caused bar staff, stewards, the 2019" - has also posed following the ball. conversation with you. I Henry Alman the student societies per- prospect of the Summer dissatisfaction amongst fireworks, the fairground a logistical challenge to HANGMAN 22 can't lie man, I still strug- Sânziana Foia forming. There will now Ball moving from Impe- the CSPs. Explaining this rides, everything goes up the Summer Ball Project gle to talk about you but I • be DJs performing at the rial's South Kensington to Felix, Jess added: "The a percentage each year". Team. The festival, which Tech Editor PUZZLES 23 felt slightly better after the mum always tells me, you drink, sleep, repeat, Shiji, afterparty. campus to an external ticket prices have stayed The changes to the is to be held the weekend Krithika Balaji last letter I wrote to you so wanted to be remembered, Isaac and I made our way Haaris Asghar here goes. I miss you. It's not mourned, so I thought: over to yours for the carrot • been pretty difficult since what better way to remem- cake you'd made me to Arts Editors Felix Office Beit Quad, Prince Consort you passed and I think ber you than to reminisce celebrate. After raiding Claire Chan Road about you everyday. about one of my favourite your fridge as per, we Helen Money-Kyrle London, SW7 2BB I've been agonising for memories with you? headed to the studio, you Vaishnavi Gnanananthan Tel: 020 79548072 the last month or so about Taking it back to 24th jumped on the podcast • Email: [email protected] Books Editors what I even wanted to March 2018. I'd just and we spent the after- JJ Cheng felixonline.co.uk say to be honest. Having finished my disastrous noon catching jokes about @feliximperial • said that, my procras- Final Year Design Project, Kanye West memes. Fast Music Editors Printed by Mortons Media tination is still peak. A a project that can only be forward a couple hours Simran Kukran Group, Boston Road, Horncastle, Lincolnshire month's planning and described as a harrowing and I was getting ready Adrian LaMoury I'm still here, hours after ordeal, the deadline of to head to my cousin's Henry Eshbaugh Registered Newspaper th Asad Raja ISSN 1040-0711 the print deadline. Let's which was on 19 March, birthday party. My sister hope the printers allow my 22nd birthday. After had already flaked, as • Copyright (c) Felix 2017 Film Editors me. Anyway, like your a five day cycle of sleep, had Isaac and Shiji, but I Mikhail Demtchenko Lauren Dennis Sung Soo Moon Aidan Chan • Investment Editor Imperial’s magazine, formerly known as Tom Alston PHOENIX, • Food Editors Eva Tadros returns...with a twist! Julia Dąbrowska • Travel Editor Joana Correia • If you are interested in Grime Sustainability Editors Artur Donaldson & Black British music, we want Monami Miyamoto • to hear from you! Puzzles Editors Lorenzo Silvestri Lisa Hey • Sports Editor What does Grime mean to Imraj Singh Fergus Johnson you? • Copy Editors Rhidian Thomas Calum Drysdale If you’re interested, please email [email protected] Chimdi Igwe 2 3 FR IDAY, 24TH MAY, 2019 FELIX FELIX ISSUE 1722

NEWS [email protected] NEWS [email protected] Imperial College to publish results of latest staff Imperial and The Times host event tackling air pollution consultation regarding pension schemes NEWS cigarettes per month. School league table: Andy Djaba A searchable dashboard NEWS A previous consultation Editor-in-Chief for checking air quality in held in March proposed schools within the Greater Joanna Wormald two options, both of which London area. Deputy Editor are included in the current Digital essay: An inter- consultation. The “upper Attendees were told of active story looking at the bookend” approach would the important need for steps which could be taken increase total contribu- to improve air quality in Deputy Editor, Joanna "balanced" messaging tions to 33.7%, with 23% around air pollution in the UK. The digital essay, Wormald, provides coming from employers inspired by the click- the latest update in and the remaining 10.7% the latest of a series of through storytelling of In- the ongoing pension from staff. Universities collaborative events in stagram Stories, features UK, which represents partnership with The case studies of how cities saga the country’s higher ed- elsewhere in Europe are ucation institutions, has Times tackling the air pollution previously said this would problem. mperial College be “unsustainable” and will next week an “undeniable threat to onday publish the results investment and to jobs”. evening “Together, of the latest staff saw Im- Iconsultation regarding perial and Sam and Ryan changes to their pension “Universities MThe Times collaborate schemes. to host the latest joint showcased This latest phase in the UK, which event in their year-long The Times' long-running dispute that represents partnership. saw countrywide strikes The event, titled "How air pollution last year adds a third the country's can we fix London's air (Left to Right): Sam Joiner, Ryan Watts and Dr. Audrey de Nazelle sat on the panel at the event // Fergus Burnett option to the 2018 valu- pollution problem" and campaign, ation of the Universities higher consisting of a presenta- for a panel discussion pollution' on a death cer- with The Times confirmed redeem their free one-year Superannuation Scheme. "The long-running dispute that saw countrywide strikes last year" // Flickr tion and panel discussion, 'Clean Air for and Q&A session, which tificate but we know that it to feature in the Great digital subscription to Currently, “significant in- education This is to ensure that the explored the media's role All'” followed the presenta- is a significant contributor Exhibition Road Festival The Times are advised to creases” in contributions recovery of the USS’ The USS has now It is not clear how this in communicating the tion. Amongst the areas to many serious illnesses." 2019 from 28th to 30th contact thetimespartner- from both employers and institutions, deficit (£3.6 billion as “The planned put forward a third way. contribution would be impact air pollution has of discussion were: the June. Imperial staff and [email protected] via employees are scheduled has previously of March 2018) is not This would see increased split between employers on our lives. "The main challenge importance of including students who are yet to e-mail. for October 2019 and hampered. However, this increases in contributions of 30.7% and staff. Proceedings got with these interactives communities in deci- “Death is April 2020. The rises – said this approach would require October 2019 (21.1% from employers Responses from staff underay with a presenta- was translating the topic sions about tackling air which would see staff further negotiations, and 9.6% from staff) come were collected by the tion, jointly delivered by to our readers in a way pollution, the challenge the tip of the contributions increasing would be which would not be com- and April 2020 into effect in October College last week. Impe- Sam Joiner, Interactive that was relatable and of changing engrained Forget Brexit: What is being from 8.8% to 11.4% and pleted until summer 2020. 2019. This would increase rial’s formal response to and New Formats Editor easily understandable", behaviours and attitudes iceberg” employer contributions 'unsustainable' This means the planned would still go to 34.7% in October 2021 the consultation will be for The Times and Sunday explained Ryan whilst such as overreliance on ignored? increasing from 19.5% to and an increases in October 2019 unless a new arrangement published ahead of next Times, and Ryan Watts, highlighting The Times using cars and the vital 24.2% for a total increase and April 2020 would still ahead” is agreed following week’s deadline of 30 Interactive journalist at and Sunday Times inter- role the media plays in A special opportunity The Times has launched a competition to give from 28.3% to 35.6% – 'undeniable go ahead. another valuation in 2020. May. The Times and Sunday active team's aim to create communicating the seri- for an Imperial student to one Imperial student the chance to write for Red would be unsustainable Times. Together, Sam content which enhances ousness of air pollution to write for The Times' Red Box, The Times’ award-winning political newslet- for many staff at Imperial. threat to and Ryan showcased the reader's comprehen- the public and policymak- Box newsletter was also The Times' air pollution sion of a story in visually ers alike. Chief amongst announced at the event. ter, once a month for a three month period. The investment campaign, "Clean Air for compelling ways. Sam these discussion topics To enter the competition, winner will also meet Matt Chorley, the editor “The rises - a All", which launched in concurred and echoed this was the significance of which closes on Monday of Red Box, to find out what it’s like working in and to jobs'” rd early May. During the sentiment, adding: widescale public realisa- 3 June, students must Westminster. total increase presentation, Sam and "Scientific language tion and aknowledgement send a 500 word sub- Ryan walked those in alone doesn't always of the tangible and detri- mission via e-mail or the from 28.3% The “lower bookend” attendance through three work well, that's why mental health impacts that competition webpage. The If you’re interested, start thinking about what to 35.6% - approach would set con- interactive resources we thought about using air pollution can have. winner will be announced are the issues which are important to you that tributions at 20.4% from which they created for the cigarettes as an equiva- Dr. de Nazelle left the on 24th June. are being overlooked while politicians are dis- would be employers and 9.3% campaign: lent, for example. It was audience contemplating a The year-long partner- tracted by Brexit? What is the one law you would from staff for a total of The National Picture: something we can all get sobering message: ship between Imperial and pass if you were prime minister for the day? unsustainable 29.7%. However, this An air pollution postcode our head around." "Death is just the tip of The Times, which has seen approach is dependent on checker enabling people Sam and Ryan were the iceberg. Air pollution a programme of activities What is happening in health, education, hous- for many staff being able to guarantee to see how polluted the later joined by Dr. Audrey also affects birth weight, with the aim to "stimulate ing, employment, welfare, the environment, at Imperial” that extra “contingent air they breathe is. The de Nazelle, Senior lec- asthma, cancer, cognitive debate, provoke curiosity transport, the arts, sport and family life? And contributions” would be dashboard offers powerful turer in the Faculty of development, diabetes, and explore the future of what will be the long-term impact on Britain if available in the event of metrics, including the Natural Sciences, Centre and there are even links to science, technology and the problems are not tackled soon? an economic downturn. USS' response to the last consultation //USS equivalent number of for Environmental Policy, obesity. We can't put 'air culture", will continue 4 5 FELIX ISSUE 1722

COMMENT [email protected] Pointless, homophobic protests

Comment editor Charles Titmuss argues that the protests outside the schools are not only unneccessary, but also definitely homophobic

COMMENT Charles Titmuss Comment Editor

he introduction of the No Outsiders programme to schools in TBirmingham has resulted in significant nationwide protests. The goal of the programme was to teach children about the protected characteristics in the Equalities Act 2010, including LGBT+ groups. Following its in- troduction, some parents objected to the content present in the lessons and, after talks with the school broke down, they began protesting outside the school. These protests have increased in size up until the present, with up to 80% of parents at the school withdrawing their Protesters being homophobic// Guardian/Getty Images children from the lessons. lessons will somehow a range of worldviews left to be taught at home Most of the protesters at “proselytise homosexual- and systems of morality or not at all and that the consent. This is a very in homosexuality but the school in question ity.” Parental opposition as possible. Ultimately, introduction of these important topic given that that does not make us come from an Islamic to the introduction of it will be up to them as lessons at such a young over a four-year period homophobic.” Believing background, and the pro- these lessons is based on free individuals to choose age would be inappropri- there were almost 30,000 in homosexuality is as tests have even spread to the idea of “my child, my how to live, and neither ate for children not mature cases of children sexually unnecessary as believing other schools. choice.” Parents reserve their parents or the system enough to deal with such abusing other children. In in gravity. It is well doc- the right to remove their of education should not adult themes. the modern day, it is vital umented behaviour in the children from classes restrict that. In this case I believe that the to introduce children to animal kingdom as well “Protesters are that they feel would be it seems as though the concerns about these these concepts as early as a feature throughout inappropriate or that they parents are being more lessons being age ap- as possible to ensure that human history. It was concerned that disagree with on a moral restrictive than the ed- propriate are unfounded. they behave appropriately acceptable behaviour basis. ucation system and our The lessons within the and know what to expect in Ancient Greece, the the lessons will Parent’s personal reli- judgement on this case programme are based from others. Roman Republic and the proselytise an gious beliefs form a critical should reflect that. on a book featuring two Most importantly, early Roman Empire, part of their identity and it The age at which these same sex penguins raising these protests can best and became less socially immoral way is important for many to lessons are being given a chick as well as a dog be qualified as a colossal acceptable with the rise pass these beliefs on, so is also a matter of con- that doesn’t quite fit in. overreaction. to what is of Christianity. Unfortu- of living” that their children can live siderable concern for the This seems like a fairly a minor change to the nately for these protesters, an upstanding moral life. protesters. The lessons are reasonable first exposure curriculum. Although it they live in an age in the For a society and the gov- currently being given but to the nightmarish idea of is important to take the UK where homosexuality Concerns amongst the ernment to impose their there are additional plans a same sex couple raising parent’s concerns seri- is a perfectly acceptable protesters range from how beliefs on the children of to introduce sex education a child. ously, they are unfounded way to live your life. They these lessons will spread the parents, this reeks of lessons for children from The protesters reaction and they have managed are proudly bearing the a version of morality not tyranny. However, in my the age of five by 2020. to the The proposed to be hugely homophobic flag of homophobia that in accordance with their opinion it is important to Many believe that this lessons contain significant whilst protesting. To bigots the world over have own, as well as that the expose children to as wide type of content is best emphasis on the need for quote, “we do not believe borne for millennia. 6 FELIX ISSUE 1722

POLITICS [email protected] A Policy View of Abortion

The ethics behind abortion have been debated over and over. Think about it policy-wise instead.

POLITICS around and agonises over a 1973 landmark Isabelle Zhang decision by the U.S. Comment Writer Supreme Court, Roe v. Wade, which estab- lishes that a woman’s decision of abortion is ast week, the protected by her right to Alabama State privacy. And since this legislature ap- ruling, there has been proved a bill that an unrelenting effort Lwould limit a woman’s by conservatives to try access to abortion at every and overthrow the legal stage of pregnancy and precedent established make it a criminal offence by Roe. It seems, like for doctors who provide most issues in America, the service. This measure this is a little too deeply has been the most dras- embedded in cultural tic move by American and partisan divides for pro-lifers to challenge a actual policy discussions woman’s right to choose around it to surface and to end her own pregnan- be taken seriously. cy; whereas recent bills The anti-abortion passed by other states to argument is simple and restrict abortion access uncomplicated, as its have included exceptions basis is mostly in the for pregnancies caused by religious belief that rape and incest, Alabama’s life begins at concep- has no such concessions. tion when God creates The March for Life protest outside the Supreme Court, January 2019 // The New York Times The Republican law- us in the womb, and makers who authored because abortion in hand-in-hand with woman’s freedom to attractive process to diseased children, so this bill are well-aware even the earliest stages demanding increased choose abortion should put themselves through; that they don’t see the of its extremity. Indeed, of pregnancy would availability of sexual ed- be an available choice, women who choose disability/disease as a they are hoping that the be to end that life, ucation, contraceptives, and that other policies abortion do so because burden heavy enough to unconstitutional nature of abortion is effectively and family planning, can be made to tackle they believe it is what’s deter them from having their proposal can bring murder. The case for which would decrease the reasons why one best when compared the child at all. the ethos of abortion back allowing abortion is the rate of unwanted might require abortion to the alternatives they As for Alabama and into the Supreme Court’s understandably less easy pregnancies that con- as an option. face: being financially Roe v. Wade, it currently deliberations. to argue for, there isn’t tribute to a significant I’ve mentioned some unable to support the seems unlikely that their The abortion debate is a straightforward way percentage of abortions. of those policies – family child, having to raise the bill will be brought to multi-faceted. Whether to capture the implied Because fundamen- planning and contracep- child alone, knowledge the Supreme Court. If or not one views abortion beliefs of what pro- tally, nobody actually tives – and to further that the child will be they do decide to take on as morally acceptable choice is in a similarly believes that abortion is this argument let’s say born with physical or this issue next year (the does not always dictate cohesive manner. My good if it is unnecessary. we’ve perfected those mental health complica- Court operates on a sort whether they think it perspective, at least, is Advocating for women policies but, because tions. Restricted access of cycle where judicial should be always legal. that pro-choice policies to be given this choice accidents happen, the to abortion is not at all orders and opinions are And of course, religious implicitly demand social is not synonymous with woman gets pregnant a policy that addresses released around June belief, the weighing of a trust in pregnant women the casual disregard anyway. Since women the root of their problem every year), the outcome mother’s right to bodily to be well-informed of for a fetus, nor does it can’t just magically that led them to choose will have significant in- autonomy against the their options and their represent an encour- un-pregnant themselves abortion. Instead, solu- fluence over the looming fetus’ right to life, the respective outcomes, agement for women to (which would definite- tions should improve 2020 elections. Regard- scientific determination and that they do not disregard contraceptives ly be preferable over the ability of the welfare less, the most effective of when life begins, abuse the freedom of and be careless about abortion), it then makes state to support low-in- solution for either side fetal viability are all choice through irre- pregnancy, nor a disre- sense that the option of come or single-parent of the American public factors lumped into the sponsible and reckless spect for one’s religion; abortion is an option households in raising is also the simplest: discussion. In America, behavior. instead, it is simply an women should have. No a child, and even more vote. however, the public Nonetheless, believ- understanding that, for woman sees abortion as support for parents discourse only revolves ing in pro-choice comes the greater good of a an inherently pleasing, raising disabled or 7 FR IDAY, 24TH MAY, 2019 FELIX

TECH [email protected] Impromptu Part II - How to Get Off the Ground

Founders of Impromptu share advice on creating a tech start up

TECH through resources, such as Datamonitor and Statista, Sahir Khurshid amongst a host of others. The data gathered from Tom Burgoyne archives is highly impor- Impromptu tant but often does not paint the entire picture. In some cases gleaning relevant information is Background research simply impossible. Sur- veying is invaluable in this This is where a regard and is a powerful background in an ana- tool for determining lytical discipline comes whether your app idea is up trumps. Think of this valid or not. It also helps Impromptu is launching to Imperial students in two months’ time // Impromptu as a research project. Is you refine your ideas and Select a suitable location, there a demand for your functionality in line with if your target audience is Business Model to fund based upon the concern and there is no proposed idea? Look into the demand of your target the student demographic projected return on their guarantee of success. The how unique your idea is, audience. then of course, target the Your business model investment. A model that general rule of thumb is what your selling points There are many free walkways at university. refers to the means by signifies a 10x profit over that you cannot protect an are and how viable your templates available The data you gather will which you make money. the course of three years ‘idea’ and that anyone can idea is. Will it be possible online. Select the format help you formulate your Common approaches is the minimum threshold come along and replicate to monetise your idea? Is which suits you and take business model and finan- involve paid downloads, for commercially oriented it. In fact, there are large there any competition? Is to the streets! In person cial projections. paid added functionality/ apps. Metrics to bear in groups that specialise in this competition fully es- questionnaires are the features and advertising. mind include; retention mimicking fresh or suc- tablished? Can you offer most rewarding (although Video games constitute rate, churn rate, CPI (cost cessful ideas and throwing something different or an Facebook and other “The current the majority of ‘paid for’ per install), DAU (daily greater economic might incentive? These are key platforms allow you to apps. The current trend is active users) and MAU behind their version or questions you should be survey larger population trend is for a for a ‘freemium’ model, (monthly active users) simply launching in a thinking about. sizes without leaving your whereby the app download amongst others. Don’t different market. It’s crucial to have a room). Prepare a host of ‘freemium’ and basic functionality forget to budget for con- In the UK, you can target audience. Another questions that allow you to model, are free with additional tingencies by anticipating however protect your app term thrown around validate your hypothesis. features being paid for. things that may go wrong by trademarking your is market width. This Do not lead those being whereby the The details of how and and how much money you branding (both your name simply implies how many surveyed. Be as impartial when you monetise are may need to deal with and logo) and copyright- people can benefit from as possible. Keep the app download laid out in your financial them. ing the overall way your your proposed app. Is questions open-ended and projections. app has been put together. your idea limited to a let the subjects talk. Start and basic These spreadsheets are This involves elements specific demographic? It with friends and family. functionality the most important thing “Don’t forget such as the colourways is important to research Bear in mind they will that you will possess and you use, your page tran- how wide your potential find it hard to be impartial are free” can be thought of as a to budget for sitions and images for user base may be. This is in your presence. The turbocharged profit and example. This will limit simply a matter of mining general public less so. loss sheet. You will need contingencies the ability of another to project things like your by anticipating party ‘cloning’ your app number of users, how and will form part of your often they will use your things that intellectual property (IP). app, how often they will Having these matters in utilise paid for features (or may go wrong” place is crucial to running how much you will gain an app and also to poten- from advertising based on tial sale later on down the their traffic). You will also Patent road. need to detail costs for a Be sure to picky up a host of things including This depends on your copy of Felix next week! staff, specialist expertise, geolocation. Here in the We discuss how to practi- servers and storage, mar- UK and indeed through- cally make these concepts keting and office space out Europe and Asia, apps a reality..... amongst others. are not eligible for patent Potential investors will protection unless they fit want to see projections very specific criteria. If for a minimum of three you fit within this limited Sahir Khurshid (Left) and Tom Burgoyne (Right), Impromptu Co-Founders // Impromptu years and will decide framework, cost is a major 8 FELIX ISSUE 1722

MUSIC [email protected] Mac DeMarco’s Indie-Indie-Label Breakthrough The Cowboy delivers one of his most intimate efforts yet.

MUSIC might be one of his indoors on a rainy day HERE COMES THE COWBOY most minimal yet. And or soothing a post-New indeed it is, as DeMarco Years-scale hangover — pushes the successful but this cowboy ain’t riding straightforward formula through the Wild West. Artist: Mac DeMarco. that has come to define Don’t let the simple Label: Mac’s Record Label. his style (the self-labelled production fool you, Top Tracks: Nobody, “jizz-jazz” consisting however: while the album Finally Alone, All of our of unprocessed vocals, might be a reduced version Yesterdays, Skyless Moon. a couple of guitars, of the Mac we know, and For Fans Of: Ariel Pink, simple drums, bass, and does drag in a place or Homeshake, Kurt Vile, King a sprinkling of synths) in two, the highlights on Krule. 47 minutes a further stripped-back this record showcase the direction, picking up essence of what earned Neel Le Penru from the acoustic-guitar- DeMarco his status as Music Writer and-dreamy-synth-based a modern poster-boy of tracks that formed a key indie — Here Comes the part of 2017’s This Old Cowboy features some Dog. of Mac DeMarco’s finest ere comes the Here Comes the work to date. cowboy / Here Cowboy was recorded in a comes the couple of weeks this past cowboy / Here January, out of DeMarco’s “This might be Hcomes the cowboy,” ad garage in a rainy LA (you infinitum. The lyric(s) of can even hear the rain one of his most the album opener and title petering in and out of a track of Mac DeMarco’s few tracks on the album). minimal yet.“ fifth full-length studio Such a scene goes hand- record — and his first in-hand with the sound under his own label rather and songwriting on this Part of that has to do than long-term partners record, which is perhaps with the lyrical content of Captured Tracks — leave also best enjoyed as the this album: the semi-in- I really don’t see what this cover has to do with cowboys. // Mac’s Record Label one thinking that this soundtrack to chilling trospective, casual rumi- nation on love and life plaints of a privileged of their own actions), no turning back, might on this album might not celebrity, DeMarco’s laments not being able to as well continue making seem much different from songwriting feels particu- be “nobody” for once. the most of it, right? any on Mac’s past work, larly authentic, thanks to On the flip side, In addition, there are a but look closer and you’ll the restrained production DeMarco hasn’t missed few tracks, ‘All of Our see that this cowboy is and instrumentation, the opportunity of his Yesterdays’ in particular, also singing about being which often foregrounds label-freedom to give us that really feel like classic fed-up with the com- his voice (his crooning a few wild and outrageous Mac, even with their fairly plexities of modern life on ‘Skyless Moon’ is moments on this album hands-off production. All (perhaps explaining some a personal highlight) (I won’t spoil them all), of this makes for an album of the basic writing and -- and the fact that we as from his bold decision to that, in its totality, might production choices on the listeners have directly start the record with the seem like a watered-down album) and burden of his witnessed the growing same phrase repeated over version of the same-old to own fame. Across the cuts fame underpinning many and over for a perfect three some fans, and too-laid on this record Mac sings of the lyrics on this minutes, to his mimicking back to others, but none- about how “there’s no album. Further, moments a steam engine on ‘Choo theless contains material turning back to nobody” on this record feel like an Choo’. It might be out to appeal to both. This and “no second chance” admission of regret from of place, ridiculous, and isn’t Mac DeMarco’s for “the creature on tel- the ever-cool-cowboy musically non-ground- best album, but it does evision”, being “sick of over actions taken in the breaking, but one can’t merit a few listens, which the city” and wanting to public eye. help enjoy seeing Mac will hopefully reveal to be alone, a mind being DeMarco might not be let go and enjoy himself the listener that some “filled” with “bullshit”, asking for our sympathy, on this record, be that in tracks really do marry and the bittersweet feeling but it’s hard not to feel these bizarre moments or composition, production, that a “dream” isn’t over some when a figure who the album’s bare-bones, and lyrics well enough to even when “all of our has become somewhat of garage-DIY production make them highlights of yesterdays have gone.” a reference point in con- that leaves each track at his career thus far. The Cowboy himself, Mac DeMarco, tuning up to lay But far from seeming temporary meme culture the mercy of its songwrit- down some janky rhythms. // Tree Music Festival like the whinging com- (admittedly at the result ing only: since there’s 9 ICU Shorinji Kempo facebook.com/icusk FELIX ISSUE 1722

FILM [email protected] Vita & Virginia Review

Chanya Button’s film adaptation of the play about literary lovers prioritises style over substance

FILM the Bloomsbury Group VITA & VIRGINIA to which both Sackville- West and Woolf belonged. This is not mirrored by the rest of the film which remains resolutely staid. Dir: Chanya Button. Script: In antithesis to Button’s Eileen Atkins, Chanya 2015 debut, Burn Burn Button. Starring: Gemma Burn, Vita and Virginia Arterton, Elizabeth Debicki has a curiously stilted 110 minutes quality, particularly as the first meeting gives way Indria Mallik to exposition. This is no Film Writer small part to its heavy reliance on lifting words directly from the letters that the two novelists ometimes called wrote each other. “I am the longest reduced to a thing that love-letter in wants Virginia” wrote history, Virginia Sackville-West to Woolf SWoolf wrote Orlando, in one such exchange. On the fictional biography of the page these letters are a gender-bending, time electrifyingly passionate; travelling Elizabethan as dialogue, they become Vita & Virginia // Thunderbird Releasing nobleman, as a trib- heavy, and overwrought, letters come across not entirely otherworldly. ute to her friend, and losing something of their as lovelorn confessionals When the two are apart, they are given precious a panic attack a vast sometimes-lover, Vita brilliance. Eileen Atkins but as performative mon- the movie flags. The little to do other than push cloud of crows plummet Sackville-West. Based to originally developed Vita ologues. It is easy to see supporting cast includes Vita and Virginia together, towards Virginia’s head as a great extent on the letters and Virginia as a play, and how this would’ve been a roster of stars including or endeavour to keep them she cowers in the garden. that the two acclaimed here, the script adapted by successful in a theatre, apart. We are often told of These superficial render- novelists wrote each other Atkins and Button for film but on film, the lack of the scandalous free spirit- ings do not do justice to over twenty years, director still clings to the vestiges naturalism serves only to “The film edness of the Bloomsbury Woolf whose life’s work Chanya Button’s film,Vita of the stage. create distance with the Group, yet seldom see this was an articulation of and Virginia, explores the Debicki and Arterton audience. occupies the for ourselves beyond catty things hidden beneath the complex relationship the take turns to perform the Vita and Virginia hits exchanges over painting surface. two women shared, and its stride in its latter third grey middle sessions and raunchy Vita and Virginia is a the conception of Woolf’s when the two protagonists ground dancing at parties. visually beautiful film, seminal novel. “It is to come together as lovers, The undercurrents filled with wide, sweeping Ostensibly a period spending their nights in between a of tension between landscapes and moodily the beat of piece, beginning with Vita’s ancestral home, character Sackville-West’s aris- lit interiors shot by the meeting between synth heavy Sissinghurst Castle, tocratic upbringing and Carlos De Carvalho, but Sackville-West (Gemma which will later form study, and Woolf’s middle class we are left uncertain of Arterton) and Woolf (Eliz- electronica the setting of Orlando. socialist background Button’s intentions. The abeth Debicki) in 1922, Their brief romance is a period are left relatively un- film occupies the grey the Vita and Virginia that Vita and tender, propelled by the explored. Any mention middle ground between attempts to take a page out chemistry between the romance of the former’s own, a character study, and a Virginia’s eyes of Sofia Coppola’s 2006 lead actresses who lend without quite wildly successful writing period romance without biopic, Marie Antoinette. meet across a enormous charisma to career quickly falls by quite committing to It is to the beat of synth their roles. Arterton is committing to the wayside. Perhaps being either. A little more heavy electronica that smoke filled winsomely flirtatious, yet most crucially, the movie irreverence from Button Vita and Virginia’s eyes retains a chink of coldness being either.” doesn’t know quite what would’ve elevated this meet across a smoke filled dancefloor.” that manifests itself later to do with Woolf’s ailing from a run of the mill dancefloor. Whilst Isobel in the film. Debicki is mental health; in lieu Woolf and Sackville-West Waller-Bridge’s musical luminous in a vulnerable Emerald Lilly Fennell as of nuanced dialogue, biopic to a truly percep- interjections bring text directly to us, the portrayal of Virginia; rail Vanessa Bell, and Isabella Button opts for fantastical tive portrayal of the lives urgency to the narrative viewer, their faces par- thin, holding her body Rossellini who shines allegory. Long strands of of these two remarkable and serve to highlight the tially obscured by gauzy, with awkward tension, in a bit part as Baroness ivy threaten to overwhelm women. modernism of thought and soft-focus camerawork. she looms over Arterton, Sackville, Vita’s extreme- her whenever Virginia sensibility amongst the Delivered in this way, the capturing a sense of being ly well heeled mother, but feels anxious; during 11 FR IDAY, 24TH MAY, 2019 FELIX FR IDAY, 29 TH SEPTEMBER, 2017 FELIX

LIBERATION [email protected] LIBERATION [email protected]

Even a smile, which the Aminah Ali Sharmin Akbar Ramadan Reflections Prophet teaches us is itself a charity. Ramadan completely Your mum coming in Thus, by serving changes my life for one and waking you up before A series of reflections from Imperial students on experiencing this Ramadan Allah’s creation, we are month every year, but I dawn, sleepily walking to not only serving and love it! It’s a chance to the dining table to gobble pleasing Him but also increase my faith, fix my down whatever food is put serving ourselves as Allah bad habits and remind in front of you, while your LIBERATION marathon comes to an end, promises us reward. I myself of my duty to help mother is walking around we try to maintain what guess my point here is the poor and needy whose making sure that everyone Ambreen we practised in Ramadhan that giving back is really everyday reality consists is eating and drinking Muhammed for the rest of the year. a chance to help yourself of feeling hungry and enough. The aim being that each too in showing gratitude. thirsty. For many young people Hind M Arekat Ramadhan is better than This Ramadan, I find As part of my disserta- this is how mornings in the last as we strive to myself eager to go that tion this year, I explored Ramadan, the 9th month of Khadijah Mahmoud work on ourselves as extra step to help those intermittent fasting and the Islamic calendar, and Muslims and as students around me, knowing that, its beneficial effects on the month of fasting, look. Aminah Ali at university. with every good deed, ageing and disease. I was Ramadan is a spiritual Most importantly, Allah will only increase amazed by what I read. time for Muslims. It is Sharmin Akbar Ramadhan is a month to what I am already blessed Although I was aware that a time for prayers and Islamic Society reflect on my relationship with in this holy month fasting was good for my self-reflection. But it is with Allah (God). Religion and the eleven others. soul, I was not so knowl- also a time for family. A is ever fluctuating; there edgeable about how good time of togetherness. will be times when you it was for my body! “It’s a chance to increase my faith, fix my bad habits and remind myself of my duty to elow are some feel invincible in your “Ramadan is I’ve been fasting since help the poor and needy” // A’yunie Anwar personal reflec- religion and others when I was 11 and always knew “Ramadan is a In most families, the perfect tions submitted it can waver. This month it was a good thing to do spiritual time whether you eat together relatives or your family Muslims it is the high- on Ramadan, is often a time of spiritual time to strive spiritually. However, after the rest of the year or not, can easily make you light of the year. That is Bthe holy month in which high for many, as com- discovering the many during Ramadan you are feel isolated and lonely. probably the day on which for Muslims. Muslims fast from dawn munities come together to be the best health benefits, I felt like sure to eat every meal Especially when the only the reality of being away to sunset in order to gain for late night prayers and I could now completely It is a time for together. Even when that thing you seem to be from family strikes the consciousness of God iftaar (breaking the fast Nightly prayers and free food for Imperial staff and students every night on campus // A’yunie Anwar person you appreciate why it is one of meal is eaten at 3.00 am. doing beside eating and most. The best remedies in all their actions. We at sunset). This spiritual the five pillars of Islam. prayers and Praying and going to the praying is studying for for the loneliness on Eid is could be, build hope this article can show high encourages me to Hind M Arekat we are taught to value for soul searching, doing deeds. Those nights serve Fasting has been prac- self-reflection. mosque together, visiting your exams. organising to go to the Eid that, whilst Ramadan is a increase in the number of knowledge. During this good and seeking spiritual as an opportunity to thank up good habits tised for both religious relatives, having a lot Not living with your prayer together with some prescribed month, we all good deeds I do, whether Mercy is attributed holy month, studying fulfilment. Him for what we have. and medical purposes for But it is also a of guests over, are just family does not mean friends and then treating experience it in our own it be helping the homeless God in many ways. This and keeping up with It’s the perfect time to As He says in the Quran: and keep them thousands of years and I some of the examples that you have to miss yourself to some amazing personal ways! or giving charity. The aim acts as a reminder for the workload can prove find purpose in everything “If you are grateful, I will think it’s amazing that re- time for family. how families spend their out on the whole family food! is for these good deeds to Muslims: no matter how challenging, but neverthe- you do. surely increase you in up after the searchers are discovering Ramadan together. experience. You can still Whether away from Ambreen be continued throughout much we mess up, neglect less striving to gain that To me, Ramadan is a favour.” For me, this is an the effects of fasting on A time of This experience do things that remind you family or at home, I Muhammed the rest of the year to help our religion or get caught knowledge at this valuable month of giving back. incredibly special verse as holy month ageing and ageing-associ- looks different for the of home. wish everyone a blessed me improve my character, up in our daily life, God is time would make the diffi- it reminds me of His gen- ated disorders. togetherness.” many students who live For example, since I Ramadan! Ramadhan is often well not just to deprive myself always waiting to forgive culties worth it. The heart Khadija Mahmoud erosity. If we just spend has passed” away from home during am lucky enough for my known as the Islamic holy of food and drink for a us and bestow His mercy is re-charged by becoming some time thanking Him Ramadan. mother to live relatively month when Muslims month. upon us. Ramadan is a more compassionate; we For eleven months of for what He has blessed us close to come around for “For the past around the world give up special time of year for are taught to be grateful the year we live in Allah’s with, then He is so pleased a week, she flew over in food and drink. For me, us. It’s the time of year for the blessings we have, blessing; our health, our with our efforts that He “If you are April to prepare some three years, Ramadhan is more than “It is the when one is encouraged to consequently motivating family, our success and not only maintains but samosas and other snacks missing the Imperial just having a growling month of start over and turn a new us to do and spread good even our failures, whereby increases our blessings. for me so I would not miss stomach and parched page. It’s an opportunity through the simplest acts we are given the ability to However, our chance hectic and out. And whenever I am College’s mouth, it’s a time of reflec- improvement to engage in the worship of charity. At this blessed move past them and, in to give back doesn’t eating alone I try to video tion on the year just gone of God, not only to follow time our community of doing so, only strengthen just stop there. As the joy filled call home. Islamic Society and planning for the year in your the rules of the religion, brothers and sisters come our resolve. For another Prophet Muhammad If you are missing ahead. The way in which but to understand its very together, flourishing with month we’re given so said: “Whoever relieves Iftaars with the hectic and joy filled has organised we control our hunger and character, in essence. love and hope. The soul many chances to give a believer’s distress of the Iftaars with your whole your whole Iftaar for thirst is similar to the way how you treat It’s the time of year is re-charged when we back as we seek to purify distressful aspects of this family: Iftaar at Imperial in which we are advised to to re-charge one’s body, engage in prayers with our bodies and souls and world, Allah will rescue family: Iftaar is an amazing alterna- every day of control our thoughts, what people, the mind, heart and soul. The the most genuine of inten- acquire piety. Ramadan. him from a difficulty tive. For the past three we say and how we act. body is re-charged by tions, knowing that The The month where rewards of the difficulties of the at Imperial is years, Imperial College’s Ramadan” For me, Ramadhan amount of teaching it self-control. All-Hearer, All-Seeing, are multiplied; a perfect Hereafter.” Relieving the Islamic Society has or- is like training for a When fasting from food All-Knowing, is waiting time to give back, not distress of others isn’t an amazing ganised Iftaar for every marathon; it is the month charity that and water, they are no to grant us peace, patience just through serving just limited to paying day of Ramadan. It might of improvement in your longer priorities, and so and guidance. Allah as we spend nights for a family’s iftaar in alternative” not be your “real” family, character, in how you you give and our bodies become more Ramadan is the perfect standing in prayer but in a developing country, but with all the hugs and treat people, the amount disciplined. The mind time to strive to be the serving His creation and, giving back can start laughs, eating and praying of charity that you give your own is re-charged when we best person you could be, in doing so, Him. Those much closer to home. We Besides missing out together, you are sure to and your own relationship relationship read the Qur’an, attempt build up good habits and nights where His doors can be rewarded in every on delicious home-made find a second family. with God. As Ramadhan to learn it and apply its keep them up after the of mercy are wide open, part of our day; the simple Iftaar cooked by mum, Then there is Eid, the comes to an end, just with God” wisdom to our daily life. holy month has passed. calling to His believers to acts of kindness that can “Religion is ever fluctuating; there will be times when you feel invincible in your reli- eating alone in your celebration at the end as your training for a As Muslim students, It’s the perfect time approach with their good make other people’s day. gion and others when it can waver” // A’yunie Anwar room and not seeing any of Ramadan. For many 12 13 FELIX ISSUE 1722

GAMES [email protected] Smash Corner: Marth – the Weeb Swordsman

GAMES his friend may not have notably effective and always made the cut, powerful if you manage to Michael Cognet Marth appeared in every hit this sweet spot. Games Writer following Smash game Marth’s special moves and is now viewed as the complement his kit very signature swordfighter of well. His neutral-B is the brawl. With a standard his Shield Breaker, a have avoided Fire weight and decent speed, charged shield busting Emblem for so long, he uses his long blade to stab with great range. His but there is only so hack, slash and react to his up-special is the Dolphin much I can do versus opponent’s moves from a Slash, a simple vertical Ithe 3rd biggest franchise reasonably safe distance. recovery which cuts in Ultimate. That’s right, Even if he is still a through anyone above today we’ll be talking close-combat character, him. Marth’s down-B is “It’s not a phase Mom” // Nintendo about swords, swords and Marth’s sword gives him a crucial part of his kit, multiple low jabs to have even more swords with an incredible range which his Counter. If you get the an unusual number of each of your attacks to To conclude, Marth is the fighter that started allows him to have an edge timing on point, it blocks hits. And holding to the make the best of them. an extremely powerful it all, #21 in the roster: on other melee fighters. any incoming attack and side is a great kill move, To do so effectively, you swordfighter thanks to his Marth Furthermore, his sword counter-strikes with a knocking back opponents must keep a sharp eye on great reach but requires a Marth is the central has a unique property: the matching force. Last but with a powerful last blow. your opponent’s moves skilled and precise player protagonist of the tip of the blade deals more not least, the side-special The key to playing to punish them with a to lead him to victory. original Fire Emblem damage than the hilt. This Dancing Blade is a 4 hit Marth is observing, quick slash or Counter This makes Marth one of game, Shadow Dragon means that with every combo with very useful positioning and reacting by swiftly moving in the the hardest characters to and Blade of Light, first normal, tilt, smash or versatility, as tilting the to your opponents. His correct position once master but brings him to released in 1990. Now aerial attack, you ideally joystick changes the unique sword rewards they’ve missed or ideally, high tier once you do. So considered as the mascot want to hit your opponent finishing move. Up will you for keeping your by predicting them. In if the difficulty doesn’t of his franchise, he made from as far as possible. make Marth perform an distance and hitting your general, this must be done scare you then I suggest his first appearance in This allows you to inflict upward slash, throwing enemies with just the tip for every fighter but it is you take a stab at him the Smash Bros series a large amount of damage the opponent in the air to of the blade. It is hence particularly important for and in no time, you’ll in Melee, alongside the whilst at a safe distance. follow up with an aerial. crucial not to get too close Marth’s quick and precise be spamming: “I won’t lesser known Roy. Whilst Marth’s neutral-air is Down, mixes it up with and to know the reach of game style. lose!”

14

FELIX ISSUE 1722 FR IDAY, 24TH MAY, 2019 FELIX

ARTS [email protected] ARTS [email protected] AI: More than Worth It An interview with Anna Ridler, the artist behind Mosaic The Barbican’s new exhibition, AI: More than Human, is a colourful sandbox of AI-related treats with plenty of Virus and Myriad (Tulips) surprises and none of them unwelcome. Anna Ridler, recipient of the 2018 European Media Art Program and the winner of the 2018-2019 Dare Art Prize,

ARTS cliché’. to show the new and shed as I laid waste to a rural takes us through her latest art pieces to be displayed in Barbican’s AI: More than Human exhibition. The moment I stepped light on the lesser-known. English village), or record into the exhibition gallery, Gone is the gentlemen’s snippets of sound for AI to I realised I was right to club narrative of comput- render as music. Among be excited. What AI: ing history, replaced by these pieces designed ARTS rally all fell together and torical parallels from the of the year). process of creating the a lens. Where? Barbican More than Human gets a markedly more diverse to inspire a giddying, I feel that it has become a ‘tulip-mania’ that swept dataset took around four th When? Until 26 August right more than any other cast of characters. Even childish glee, are more Syon Lee really natural way to draw across the Netherlands in It must’ve been months. By choosing Do you ever feel How Much? £11 (students) exhibition I recall going to chess, the Western think- serious works exploring Arts Writer together lots of different the 1630s and the specu- to make it a separate wary of technology is the sense of scope. The ing-man’s game oddly ethical issues such as bias, aspects of my practice. lation currently ongoing exhausting work, work that is displayed in Syon Lee emphasis is not bound by prominent in computer confidentiality, and truth. around crypto-currencies. taking 10,000 relation to the video work, and automation Arts Writer modern interpretations lore, was deemphasised in The final section is A lot of your research is “Mosaic” is the name of photographs of tulips. I draw attention to this act encroaching on For those unfamiliar of computers or artificial favour of go, chess’s wild focused on how art is the virus that causes the What was the process of categorisation – and human expression as intelligence but rather Chinese cousin. Another with your work, how stripes in a petal which also the human element perceived or validated like and how did you some people believe? our attempts at creating a highlight in this section “The final would you introduce increased their desirabil- of it, by handwriting through a scientific make it through? t has almost been thinking being. With that includes Google PAIR’s yourself and describe ity and helped cause the each of the labels. I can No, for me it is very seventy years since angle, the exhibition opens project, Waterfall of section is lens. Could you briefly speculative prices during use it to start to have much a tool and a process. your artwork? Alan Turing pub- by exploring our curious Meaning, where you can describe what ‘art’ the time. In this piece, It was a very time discussions – particularly I don’t find it encroaching lished the hugely history with golems and submit words to trickle titled Endless the stripes depend on the consuming process! But in non-technical commu- on human expression, I Iinfluential paper other creatures brought to down the screen, veering Evolution, I’m an artist. I like to means to yourself? value of bitcoin, changing what was quite nice is nities – about the fact that find it a way of expressing ‘Computing Machinery life. Kode9’s newly com- left and right depending on work with technology, over time to show how the the even though this is a there is always a human myself more fully, in and Intelligence’ where missioned sound instal- its association with binary hypothesising but not just because it is This is a hard question! market fluctuates. very digital piece, there is decision somewhere ways that I was never able he first posits the basis of lation spits out snippets concepts such as good/ there. I think about what I suppose in short art is I want to draw together was a very natural rhythm along the chain of using to before. what we now know as the and samples of stories bad and male/female. not only the it can do and how it can something that has intent ideas around capitalism, to it – I stopped making AI and that it is not this Turing test. In a mere life- about artificial entities in Anna Ridler’s tulip-cen- next chapter of add to what I’m making, – you’re trying to question value, and the tangible my dataset because the absolute correct thing... What thoughts or time, computers have gone an eerie fashion. In fact, tred pieces take another about its associations the world through a and intangible nature of tulip season ended. I even something as simple impressions do you from purely machines the whole first section, approach, combining our species but and the connotations of medium and a process. speculation and collapse went to the flower market as a tulip is difficult to put of calculation to pock- The Dream of AI, has history, economics, com- using it: how can all of from two very different one weekend and there into discrete categories – hope your audience et-sized marvels capable a slightly chilling buzz puting, and even politics the possibility these different things go What are your major yet surprisingly similar were no more tulips, is it white or pale pink, is will leave with after of mirroring sentience about it. Sound permeates (see overleaf). Both these of the creation in and help amplify or influences for yourmoments in history and only peonies, so I had it orange or yellow – and seeing your works at to an uncanny degree of the gallery, accentuating projects remind us of how construct the message I’m I found tulips a way to to stop. So even though how if it’s difficult for the Barbican? success. Barbican’s new the often-grotesque much influence humans interested in and make it work? do this. It also updates it’s a very digital piece, something as simple as exhibition, AI: More depictions of artificial still have over AI and of new species” Myriad (Tulips) by Anna Ridler // Anna Dabrowski conceptually stronger. another tradition – one of it was very much driven a flower, imagine how than Human, hopes to life forms imagined in how far away we are from I think my background the very first dataset used by the rhythms of nature. difficult it will be for I hope that they can see tell the story of humanity film and projected as a creating an independently androids (to be explored worn-out story and giving Was technology in literature – I’m con- for computer vision was Also – and this shouldn’t something as complex as the poetic potential of this and computer’s shared supercut of sci-fi horrors. thinking machine. titled Endless Evolution, further in a future issue). a fresh perspective on something that you stantly reading fiction made from irises. have surprised me given gender or identity! It has as a medium! evolution, setting its bar Even Doraemon makes a Data Worlds, the third hypothesising not only Unfortunately, with its something that is already – has given me a really Furthermore, there is the context – but it was become parallel work, high as an “unprecedented guest appearance in the the next chapter of our bare, robotic body and so familiar to us. What’s always wanted to good grasp on narrative a tradition of tulips in art actually extremely diffi- unpicking ideas to do Finally, do you have survey of creative and exhibition, reminding us own species but the genderless, ageless face, more, I didn’t once see incorporate in your and trying to tell a story. history. Tulips featured cult to find striped tulips with labour, technology any ideas for future scientific developments in that the dream of AI is “Gone is the possibility of the creation I could only see the cast the buzzword ‘big data’ artwork? Also the type of books prominently in Dutch and I ended up going and categorisation and artificial intelligence”. It’s not just in the past and of new species. True to of the next generation of thrown around callously that I like to read tend still life at the time, the all over the Netherlands also the humanness that projects and is there an ambitious pitch given that we have a long way gentlemen’s its premise, this is also uncanny valley horror as the question and I’ve always been to be about quite minor so-called ‘vanitas’ paint- trying to find stripey ones! is behind every algorithm, any technology that the collective obsession to go before realising said club narrative where we see the most movies. Not only do answer to everything, and interested in using data things that still reflect ings that illustrated that Making this dataset every decision made by an you’re hoping to use in with this subject – it dreams. I was slightly experimental work. synthetic humans feature that is perhaps the greatest and technology, and major issues and I think beauty and treasure are was so important to this AI. later works? seems that you can’t go disappointed they went of computing Massive Attack mark the but also synthetic insects, triumph of all. as machine learning this reflects back in my only fleeting. This piece project. I worked testing But despite all of this more than two weeks with clips from the more 20th anniversary of their such as Yoichi Ochiai’s become more prevalent work. I also read a lot of will update this tradition the dataset in order to categorisation it is a I’ve making a new without a new AI-centric recent 3D-rendered Stand history” album Mezzanine by artificial butterfly and and barriers to using it random science facts as I but with a twist. The GAN get the type of output I mistake to think that I project with Opera event popping up at a by Me Doraemon but it encoding the album as The Synthetic Apiary, dropped, it became a find these to be really in- [generative adversarial wanted – and that changed have control. It is impos- North that will debut in museum, art gallery, or suits its purpose in linking strands of DNA stored in a a possible solution for natural way of exploring spiring to give new ideas network] constructs an what type of flowers I sible to predict what will the autumn. It’s really even the theatre (usually past, present, and future spraypaint can. Although the honeybee population this existing interest. My and directions. image not of a real tulip, was buying, what shape, come out in each of the exciting to push the work proclaiming in a rather just fine. section, is perhaps the the artist boasts each problem. background is in literature but what it thinks a tulip what colour. The other stills – I can guess, but I I’m doing but using sound temporally-challenged The second section, most interactive of them spray to contain around There’s very little to and linguistics as well so I’m really excited to should be, much like how thing that I had to do for cannot know. And this to and performance. fashion that “the future Mind Machines, is a all. Visitors are encour- one million copies of fault about AI: More the other quite nice thing seventeenth-century still this was categorise every me is really exciting. It is here”). Fortunately, slightly more conven- aged to build the perfect Mezzanine-encoded ink, than Human. It’s a rare is if you look at how see Mosaic Virus life pictures do not show single photograph by is these ‘mistakes’ that given the Barbican’s past tional exploration of cities out of LEGO, I’m still not sure a) how instance where there machine learning systems and Myriad (Tulips) actual displays of flowers hand. What colour, what drive me to use this as successes and its record modern computing with have a spin on a driving the album was encoded really is something for work in labelling things, – at the Barbican in but imagined bouquets (it type of tulip, how striped a material – it becomes of great exhibitions, I was an interactive timeline as simulator which tracks into base pairs and b) why every demographic re- deciding when a thing is person. What is the would be impossible for it was, whether it was in weird and eerie in a way excited to see if the new its backbone. However, driver emotions as they anyone would want to tag gardless of age, gender, a thing – it all just came some of the bouquets in bud or dying. This was that I wouldn’t be able to exhibition would prove even in the relatively encounter different situa- a wall with album DNA. race, and understanding together, which is why I significance of tulips still-lifes to exist in reality an insane amount of work do myself, and draws on to be not just “more than straightforward set-up, tions (my drive consisted Here we also see Alter of computer sciences. It’s think I find it so enjoyable for you? as the flowers shown and it is usually work the history of time-lapse human” but ‘more than there was great care taken almost entirely of horror 3, the next generation of a masterclass in retelling a to work with. It just natu- Mosaic Virus draws his- bloom at different times that is hidden. The whole photography but through 16 17 FR IDAY, 24TH MAY, 2019 FELIX

SUSTAINABILITY [email protected] In response to Big Daddy Oil

An analysis of Saudi Aramco for decision makers of the 21st century

SUSTAINABILITY on both the natural and that “oil and gas is respon- As is shown in a chart of the man-made worlds sible for much of today’s the top 500 companies Artur Donaldson already, only by correctly economic growth, and reproduced below, leaving Sustainability Editor quantifying natural cap- indeed future growth”. aside recent speculation ital and environmental However, the premise about Saudi Aramco, the feedbacks will financial economic growth being three top tech companies: reports be of value in the of value to society is put Apple, Samsung and recent article 21st century. According to rather to question when Alphabet all have larger in Felix, “Big the Carbon Accountability this economic growth is in net incomes than Royal Daddy Oil Institute Saudi Aramco is fact causing loss of human Dutch Shell, BP, Total or outearns Apple responsible for 3.4% of life and the eradication indeed any oil company. Aand Google, wants more”, cumulative global man- highly populated areas of Secondly, traditional reported on records made greenhouse gas financial analysts are seen by the Financial emissions since 1885. too short-sighted to try Times which assert that It is disappointing to “According to quantify ecological capital the state-owned oil find an article in a student (such as oil) and account- company Saudi Aramco publication presenting the Carbon ability for the environ- has a greater net income a favourable analysis of ment (such as coral reef Alphabet, Apple and Samsung all have larger net in- than any other company an oil corporation while Accountability bleaching and disruption comes than Royal Dutch Sell, BP, Total or indeed any oil worldwide. Since many neglecting any considera- Institute Saudi of climate systems) as a company aside from Aramco // Financial Times of the graduates of this tion of environmental and result of companies’ oper- university, and readers of social values, or the fact Aramco is ations. It will take a great that they will obviate their tive every time we make Felix, will in the future that its primary product deal of labour in order primary function of fossil an analysis and every become decision makers is a finite natural resource responsible to accurately account fuel extraction is foolish. time we take a decision. in consultancies and in- with detrimental environ- for these factors, but it As Nasser said last year Without understanding ternational organizations, mental impacts. These for 3.4% of this would be of value to “I am losing no sleep over natural capital and the I urge you to take a per- factors will strongly affect cumulative society, certainly more so ‘peak oil demand’”, while environmental impacts spective appropriate for the prospects of the oil than creating short-sight- BP has stated in its most of organizations, we will the 21st century. Reports industry. Rather than global ed reports. Saudi Aramco recent energy outlook value the exploitation on companies must talking of diversifying is the largest extractor of that “trillions of dollars of natural resources for include a consideration their portfolio to petro- man-made oil and gas and despite of investment in oil is short-term growth and of the reliance on natural chemicals and renew- putting up a smoke screen needed” over the next wonder what happened capital and environmental ables, investors should greenhouse of small projects such as twenty years. to our belief in a better accountability. Because instead consider whether gas emissions carbon capture, it has in Though it is easy future. until recently, natural companies plan to cease fact increased its emis- to fall into the trap of capital could be treated oil extraction altogether in since 1885 ” sions and its oil output. using language loaded as infinite, and environ- line with scientific reason. Even comparing with the in positive connotations mental feedbacks on the In response to questions oil industry, the emissions for companies with economy negligible, about peak oil, the CEO coastal land as a result of of Saudi Aramco are the large sums of money, economic analyses tra- of Aramco, Amin Nasser, increased greenhouse gas worst of any oil company. such as “impressive” net ditionally ignore these said that “fewer and emissions. While other oil corpo- income or “healthy” cash factors. However, in light fewer of our stakeholders The environmental and rations have ceased to flows, there is nothing of scientific consensus that accept logic and facts” political dimensions of increase their emissions, impressive or healthy man-made climate change at a meeting of Davos in Saudi Aramco indicate as shown in a figure from about Saudi Aramco. The is having ramifications February this year arguing its alleged financial the Climate Accountabil- expansion of this exploit- advantage rests on shaky ity Institute, year-on-year ative organization is a call foundations. Even if Saudi Aramco churns out even to arms for students and Aramco’s records are more into the atmosphere. future decision makers, completely honest, which Do we value this? When rather an opportunity to I will leave to others to a company burns limited practice the same finan- verify, the company has capital and produces gross cial reporting that has led limited prospects. Other increases in emissions to loss of natural capital industries are moving to to sustain its financial and degradation of the take over from oil in the income, it is clearly not environment. Students 21st century. Tech com- a healthy sign for invest- at world-leading univer- panies, whose primary ment. Despite playing lip sities such as Imperial resource is information service to renewables, the College have the potential and creativity, as opposed fact is that Saudi Aramco’s to create a responsible to a limited resource environmental impact has economic system. This derived from geograph- only deepened. Investing can only occur if we learn Cumulative emissions of ical circumstance, are into an oil and petrochem- as students to consider the top four oil companies

CO2 & methane emissions \\ Climate Accountability Institute the giants of this century. ical company in the hope environmental perspec- 1885-2014 // J. You, Science FR IDAY, 24TH MAY, 2019 FELIX

CLUBS & SOCIETIES [email protected] Belly Hoop

CLUBS & SOCIETIES When: 18:00-20:00, Tuesday 4th June Where: Activity Space 1, Floor 1, Union Building Charlotte Rapley Tickets: £5 for members, £7 for non members – on the door or on the Imperial College Belly Dancing Society President Union website

Union Building (£7 otd this exciting Belly Hoop to try it out. So, if you’re for non-members). experience. You may up for a challenge or want s previously Here’s what to expect remember they ran this to try something new, featured, from our third workshop workshop last winter come along to the Belly during the of term: Belly Hoop. at the Dance Imperial Hoop workshop. summer term This workshop is a little workshop weekend and it Unfortunately, there is AICU Belly Dancing hosts different to others where was a complete hit, so we a limited number of hoops a summer workshop series we will be learning some decided to bring it back! which will be given out on instead of regular classes, belly dance moves and Rani will be leading you a first come, first served due to the disruption that some hooping moves and through some basic belly basis so book your place “Andrea will be bringing along her LED hoop” // IC Belly arises from exams happen- combining them! We’ll dance moves focusing on fast if you would like to Dancing Society ing at different points in be starting right from the technique and style and try this fun and challeng- the style! You can email term across departments. basics so don’t worry if Andrea will be teaching ing workshop. The final bellydancing@ imperial. lydance and a YouTube All of our workshops are you’ve never belly danced some basic hooping skills workshop in the series is ac.uk if you would like channel: ICBellydance. suitable for beginners, or hula hooped before. involving some static, “vintage combos” tribal details on any of our We also have a lot of info so even if you’ve never This will be an exciting dynamic and travelling fusion workshop on 18th activities. on our website: www. danced before, you’re class that will help you steps. Together they will June, keep an eye out for You can follow us on union.ic.ac.uk/rcc/belly- more than welcome to practise your isolations then demonstrate how to more information on this social media to keep up dancing, so do check it join us! The series con- and gives you a great combine belly dance with workshop. Our regular with our classes and per- out! tinues in two weeks’ time workout. Rani (our treas- hooping. To finish the classes will start up again formances. We have Ins- on Tuesday (4th June) at urer) and Andrea (the workshop Andrea will be in October, when we will tagram: icu_belly_dance, 6-8pm with Belly Hoop founder of Belly Hoop at bringing along her LED run a weekly beginners’ Twitter: @ICUBelly, a in Activity Space 1 in the Imperial) will be running hoop if anyone would like class for newcomers to Facebook page: ICbel-

19

FR IDAY, 24TH MAY, 2019 – Fake News! – ISSUE 1722 Hangman Desperate student sets off fire alarm to avoid sitting exam for useless degree

HANGMAN student, was reported Building for enhanced Friends of the alleged to have suffered from interrogation further ques- perpetrator say that the Negafelix “instantaneous insanity”, tioning. “It’s all worth- attempt was completely Editor-in-Chief during her 2-hour Fash- less!” she cried, “why the out of character. “Yeah, it ionable Toiletries exam, fuck am I learning optimal doesn’t make any sense,” when she allegedly shot ways to wipe shit??” said Enrico Gasparelli, up from her seat, decked third year Aeronautical haotic scenes the nearest examiner and Engineering student. were seen broke the fire alarm , “Des Eng isn’t “Des Eng isn’t even that outside the screaming “I’m a Nervous difficult – how hard is it to Dyson School of Wreck, Get Me Out of even that sketch a toilet brush?? Do CEngineering, after a fran- Here!” they even have to sharpen What do they even learn in there... // Imperial College tic student attempted to NegaFelix was unable difficult - how their own pencils?” set the fire alarm off, in a to conduct a full inter- hard is it to Irene Reykjavik, whilst scrolling through whilst adding value to the bid to avoid taking exams view with Ms Mills, but Vice-Provost (Subjuga- her Twitter feed, “all the College. Wait, did I say for her subject. was able to obtain some sketch a toilet tion) was not pleased at courses here are perfectly that right?” Veera Mills, a third comments prior to her the news. “What a load tailored to maximise stress year Design Engineering being taken to the Faculty brush?” of rubbish,” she remarked and minimise wellbeing,

ARIES TAURUS GEMINI CANCER LEO VIRGO

This week you’re Nigel This week you’re Andrea This week you’re the This week you are both This week you finish your This week you’re Jamie Farage. Leadsom. Your group Felix Editor. Not much sleep-deprived and fed up final exam at Imperial. As Oliver. You decide the project is going to shit, in the way of content this of this bullshit. you’re now technically best way to keep your Turns out your milkshake and you’re not about to term. not a student, you restaurants going is to does indeed bring the stick around as project Are you a student or just subsequently lose your diversify your offerings. boys to the yard. lead when it happens. Looks like the paper’s Theresa May’s publicist? purpose in life. going to be one large Turkey Twizzlers maybe? Time to bounce. Sustainability section. Is this a mid-term crisis? The irony of it all.

LIBRA SCORPIO SAGITTARIUS CAPRICORN AQUARIUS PISCES

This week your friends This week you realise you This week you are an This week, you’re the This week you stll This week Pluto is snake you and get a house have 36 hours of lectures alumnus. You’ve finally, Horoscopes writer. haven’t managed ascending, meaning your without you. left to cover and only 10 after booking one in to secure a summer bank account should be hours before the exam. first year, got your Clearly whatever internship. seeing a positive cash Looks like you might just Counselling appointment. connection you had with flow. live in the library next Well, if the writers of the Universe is broken, Good thing too, ‘cos the year. Game of Thrones can do Perfect - you’ve got because these have been way exam season’s going Wow, you might just even it, so can you. Just don’t plenty of trauma to work shit for a while. Time to you’re going to need the get back up to zero! expect rave reviews. through! get a life, pal. free calendar. 22 FELIX ISSUE 1722

PUZZLES [email protected]
     FUCWIT 1 Trollheim 193   2 DQ 189 SUDOKU 3 Yeet Infection 186 Fill all the boxes with a number between 1 4 Maxiane 177 and 9. A number can only appear once in a 5 O1G 159
row/colum, and only once in each sub-box. 6 Wooloomooloo 148 7 Big H’s Boys 126
 8 Rock, Flag & Eagle 108



 9 S. B. S. 95     10 Quizlamic extremists 87 11 KBLB 82  
12 Fleesh and the tooters 80

 13 Computer Magic 79   14 Shark 74 15 Luncheon Pals 72  Send your solutions to fsudoku@imperial.



ac.uk before Wednesday midday to take   part in the leaderboard!

 Points available  
Crossword 5    Gogen 3 Sudoku 3 
Shikaku 2 Nonogram 3 CROSSWORD Down Total 16 1. Preferred orbit for TV satellites (13) Across 2. Impenetrable (8) Last week’s solutions

7. Scenic route (6) 3. Bishop or nemesis pro. (4)


 
    


           8. Furry aquatic mammal (6) 4. Twin words (8)




     
9. Does not exist (4) 5. Put away (4) 
           




 10. Scam (8) 6. It’s leviosa, not levio-sah (13)       
 


            11. Deliveroo, Just Eat, ... (8) 12. Fought many battles (3,5)
     

 13. Small horse (4) 13. Person dear to the Beatles (8)  
    
     14. Best to keep them about you (4) 17. Live beef (4)





              15. Lover of the Russian queen (8) 18. Circular currents (4)     16. Statistically insignificant evidence (8)
         19. Consumes (4)      20. Curvy crustaceans (6)
       21. Human body troubleshooter (6) NONOGRAM   
        
  Colour in some of the squares to make a picture.     
  Each number represents a block of consecutive black       
squares within that row/column. Each block needs to 
      be separated by at least one white square. 
        
    GOGEN      
 Write letters into each circle to    
         form the listed words. Letters can
          
be linked by moving between SHIKAKU 
adjacent cells horizontally, verti- Divide the square into rectangles, such that   cally or diagonally in any direc- each rectangle contains exactly one number.  5 tion. You may use each letter in The numbers given represent the area of the 
the alphabet only once. containing rectangle.  FELIX  
 
 PUZZLES      ARE    

RECRUITING        o ou like a ood rida pules ad cill   
s is pae e ili of our eek   
  
a o e more ioled 

 s eas AGO HOAX TIDAL   BUN JUNK WAIVER  ie us a sou o [email protected] CLEF MALES  EQUITY SLOP
23 COMPLETE THE SURVEY NOW: BIT.LY/FELIXSEXSURVEY2019