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twitter.com/warwickboar theStudentboar Publication of the Year 2013 Wednesday 2nd October, 2013 Est. 1973 | Volume 36 | Issue 1

Boar student The science behind Student film book swap a pint of Purple festivals p. 20 p. 30 p. 22

COMMENT page 10 LIFESTYLE page 16 MONEY page 17 GAMES page 24 Uni life: work hard, play hard? Putting the ‘sex’ in homosexual Prepare for application season To game, or not to game at uni Fresh anxiety: no room on campus • 200 undergraduates asked to share rooms on campus at the start of term due to course oversubscription • Some postgraduates have been put up in University conference facilities and in a hotel in Coventry • The Students’ Union has accused the University of putting potentially vulnerable students at risk Full » A number of students are being made to share permanent accommodation in Sherbourne, Benefactors and Rootes, and temporary rooms in Westwood. Photo: Sian Elvin rarily being put up in Felden, part many students will complete their the University have overreached friends in that time and find a pri- George Ryan of the University’s conference facil- first term. on places and have not accounted vately owned house independently ities. Mr Dunn stated: “It is because for the impact that this has on stu- within that time. A shortage of bedrooms on cam- Others are being housed in a ho- we appeared to be an outstanding dent welfare during the crucial first “This is not an easy task given pus has left many students arriv- tel in Coventry. popular choice in clearing this year term, and year, of study at Warwick. the lack of private accommodation ing at the University this week This year the rules around the we actually had to pull out of clear- “This is a grave oversight, and now available so soon to the start of finding out that they are sharing clearing process changed, which ing after just 12 hours of operating is especially worrying for interna- term. a room. allowed universities to take on un- our clearing hotline.” tional postgraduates who do not “Students have already resorted Over 340 students have been limited numbers of students who Cat Turhan, welfare and cam- have the support network in this to signing risky and costly con- asked to share rooms on campus. achieved AAB or higher in their A paigns officer at Warwick Students’ country to overcome the practical tracts for houses advertised on the Around 140 have been allocated Levels. Union (SU), has expressed concern and emotional difficulties this situ- internet.” permanent twin bedrooms in Sher- Peter Dunn, the University’s about the situation: “We are deep- ation is likely to carry with it.” Shatarupa Saham, a first-year bourne, Benefactors and Rootes head of communications, acknowl- ly concerned about this develop- Ms Turhan added that postgrad- student who will be sharing a bed- and 200 are temporarily sharing a edged that there are more students ment, particularly as we feel these uate students who are being tempo- room in Westwood, is pleased by room in Westwood. at Warwick this year than in previ- arrangements put vulnerable stu- rarily housed in conference facili- the situation: “I’m actually quite Many postgraduate students ous years, but the University is un- dents at risk. ties and a hotel are being asked to happy about the room-mate situa- have been left without a permanent able to give a clear figure until later “We believe that this has arisen move out in three weeks. tion. room on campus and are tempo- in the term once it is known how because the departments within “They are expected to have made Continued on page 5

Sponsored by: 2 News theboar.org/News | @BoarNews | NEWStheboar.org 2 Coventry University: league table adversity Executive Team Former polytechnic is quickly climbing national and international league tables

[email protected] George Ryan Nicole Davis Abbey Lewis Helena Moretti » The University has gone from strength to strength in recent years photo: Flickr/ Herry [email protected] Sian Elvin It has been the sixteenth year “It also ranks third globally in is all a bit of fun… This certainly Georgina Lawton Rosanna Hiscock running that the University has the new top 50 universities aged shows that Coventry [isn’t] afraid Ann Yip topped the Times and Sunday Times under 50 list in the QS World Uni- of catching up with Warwickers!” university rankings for the Mid- versity Rankings.” The universities are often seen [email protected] Both the University of Warwick lands region. Coventry University has also to compete in sporting and social Dan Mountain and Coventry University have The Times and Sunday Times said recently been voted the UK’s best events such as the annual Varsity Daniel Cope been ranked highly in the QS of the University: “The University modern university. The Times sporting competition during the Charley Kai John World University Rankings 2013. of Warwick is still the top dog in Guide ranked Coventry University Spring term. The University of Warwick re- the West Midlands. a s 45th in the UK, making it Coventry student Tom Greene [email protected] “The most suc- the highest ranking said: “I think that Coventry being Georgia Harris cessful of the modern univer- awarded this accolade will certainly baby boom- sity estab- raise the profile of both the Uni- [email protected] er univer- lished since versity and the city, and encourage Roxanne Douglas 45th sities of the 1992. even more people to want to come 1960s, War- One sec- and study here. Maybe Warwick [email protected] Coventry’s ranking in UK- wick has ond-year won’t be as smug now and will take Rebekah Ellerby wide Times Good University never been English Coventry more seriously.” Chloé Booyens Guide outside of the Literature top ten in the student at [email protected] Sunday Times Warwick com- Poppy Rosenberg or the Times mented on the Jess Devine tains its high academic status as university league recent figures and Is Coventry Uni Lillian Hingley one of the top ten universities in tables – a feat it has the friendly rivalry really catching up the UK, and the top West Midlands managed to maintain between both univer- with Warwick? [email protected] university in the newly combined in the new combined sities: “The competition Tell us on Facebook Michael Perry Times and Sunday Times Guide. guide. between both universities Sam Carter [email protected] Warwick opens new £5 million Phytobiology facility Sam Steiner [email protected] Wellesbourne, which has a more get plants which have resistance to world hunger: “As a University we Raghav Bali Robin James Kerrison traditional glasshouse. diseases,” Professor Thomas added. intend to rise to our part of that Hayley Westlake The research conducted by Vice-Chancellor Nigel Thrift challenge. School of Life Sciences in the Gro- has also stressed the importance “This £5 million investment [email protected] Warwick University’s latest state- Dome and the controlled environ- of research into sustainable food sends a clear signal of how serious Tolga Kuyucuoglu of-the-art Phytobiology facility ment chambers will look to develop production and the elimination of we are about this.” Richard Brown opened on main campus earlier sustainable food sources in the light this month. of the planet’s burgeoning popula- [email protected] The Phytobiology Facility repre- tion. Maya Westwick sents a £5 million investment from Professor Brian Thomas, deputy the University into food securi- head of the School of Life Sciences, [email protected] ty research and is operated by the told the Boar that the new facility Philly Betts School of Life Sciences. is “probably more suited to some The two-storey building consists of the research projects where you [email protected] of a ‘GroDome’ located above ‘con- perhaps better temperature control Ellie May trolled environment chambers’. The in the glasshouse than you would Cayo Sobral futuristic GroDome, developed by get at Wellesbourne.” Unigro, is designed to be four times On the importance of integra- [email protected] more energy-efficient than tradi- tion with other departments, he Isaac Leigh tional glasshouses. said: “The idea was to move the Tom Ward Features of the GroDome in- plant scientists to main campus clude a heating and cooling sys- because nowadays plant science is [email protected] tem through which temperature is very multidisciplinary.” Ellen Buckerfield controlled entirely by manipulating One potential goal of the re- Louise Machin airflow and a polycarbonate roof search conducted in the Phytobiol- Clare Crossfield which insulates better than glass. ogy Facility is to lead scientists “to Josh Denoual The new facility complements understand plants’ natural defences Rachel Knight the School of Life Science’s exist- against diseases and how we can Daryl Yam ing Warwick Crop Centre based at use plant genetics in particular to » The Phytobiology facility opposite Claycroft. Photo: Sian Elvin [email protected] Aditya Pappu Students’ Union, (SUHQ) The Boar is the University Except where otherwise noted, Alexander Bunzl The Boar is printed on University of Warwick Alessandro Pressa of Warwick’s editorially the Boar and the works in the recycled paper. Gibbet Hill Road Oliver Siemek Coventry independent students’ Boar are licensed under: CV4 7AL newspaper produced http://creativecommons.org/ [email protected] entirely by and for licenses/by-nc-sa/2.0/uk Warwick students. theboar.org News 3 theboar Student Publication of the Year 2013

Welcome Meetings Wednesday - Weeks 2 & 3 in H0.52 | 14.00 - 15.00 Find out how to get involved with your student newspaper News theboar.org 4 Deutsche Bank Financial support can only take you so far db.com/careers 4 | Agile minds know how to go further

5566_011_DB_Banner_265x36_B.indd 1 24/10/2012 17:23 Leam club ‘evolves’ into Neon “I thought the Neon ‘world The nightclub Evolve has been given a make-over and new name premiere’ was actually solve that problem” said Luke Co- a third-year currently on Erasmus Flo Forster hen, a third year Maths student. in Berlin said: “The name Neon supposed to On the club’s official Facebook just suggests the nights are going to page, locals and students had ques- be even more gaudy and tasteless. entice people to return...” The popular Leamington night- tioned whether the the poles in the Evolve indicated a possibility for club Evolve has been renovated, upstairs room would be continue to change. and relaunched itself as Neon on be a permanent fixture – but club “That said, if I were in Leam- Georgina Lawton Saturday September 21. organisers declined to comment. ington this year I would go to the Although the club organisers “I think they should keep them launch night to check it out. It refused to comment on the exact [the poles],” said Luke, “It makes a might surprise us all.” Neon’s grand opening night on maybe an 80s strip club. changes, the Boar has learned that nice change from the normal danc- Second-year Politics Philsophy Saturday September 21 cement- Presumably that is the theme the club is equipped with a new ing in the other part of the club, and and Economics student Rapha- ed the club’s position as the most the owners were trying to emulate light and soundsytem, as well as a it’s entertaining.” el Levy is also pessimistic: “Clubs memorable student haunt in when they chose to illuminate the dramatically different interior de- One second-year EPAIS student are sweaty, cramped, alcohol filled Leamington Spa. phrase ‘’you make my cock hard’’ cor. who did not want to be named, wel- places that should all be outlawed” Indeed there is something quite in purple lights on the far left wall. The biggest student event at the comed the renovations, comment- he said. unforgettable about the iced-up And what kind of club has a club will still be Jagermonster on a ing that the former club lacked “Frankly, renaming it doesn’t overpriced drinks, Euro-house launch night with no drinks deals? Friday night, running in Weeks 1, 3, “soul and style”. change the fact that it is sweaty, playlist on repeat, and congested If anything, prices seem to have 5, 7 and 9. There were also questions raised cramped and alcohol filled nor cattle-mart like dance floor in the gone up, along with the number of The new club will showcase new over the new name. Abi Awojobi mean that it shouldn’t be outlawed.” main room. ice cubes per drink. student DJs in the front room and It almost feels as if I have been Maybe that’s my fault for expect- the main room will still be playing here before. In fact, it is almost as if ing to pay anything less than £3 for house/commercial music. there has been no marked changed- a vodka mixer on a Saturday night, Warwick students had mixed re- from Evolve whatsoever. but I thought the Neon “world pre- sponses to the renovations. Apart from replacing the wall in miere” was actually supposed to Some agreed that Evolve had the front room with a glass panel entice people to return. been in need of revamp. (presumably so you can witness Even one of the bouncers com- One criticised the bathrooms how unbearably sweaty the main mented: “It’s exactly the same club, and smoking area. dance area is before condemning innit.” Pascale Dorey, a second-year yourself to an evening elbowing However, in a somewhat egal- Politics, Philosophy and Econom- past the side-steppers), removing itarian move, Neon has stated on ics student said: the dancing poles upstairs, and their facebook page that “there will “I would say that Evolve is prob- plastering the bathrooms with the be no more VIP bollocks”. It’s nice ably the biggest nightclub in Leam- gaudy, Vice-Cityesque ‘Neon’ logo to know that at least we’re all being ington, so they could definitely – it is pretty much the same soul- collectively mugged off now. invest in better and bigger bath- less nightclub. rooms, bars and smoking area”. To avoid public outcry the club Some students also dislike how has been adorned with a pletho- sweaty and cramped the main ra of tacky lights – to match their What do you think of room was in busy periods. name, geddit? Neon? “It gets a bit uncomfortable some Lights that would not look out Tweet: @BoarNews nights, so a new layout could help » Evolve has been refurbished and is now Neon. Photo: Michael Allen of place at a Laser Quest branch, or #NeonLeamington PAIS students complain that exam feedback is unacceptable Many have said that the feedback was delivered late, not at all, had marks changed or had spelling mistakes feedback before that! The PAIS They claimed that others wrong- timing of feedback, but that marks spelling mistakes, but added: “We Sian Elvin department have a deadline which ly assumed that exam feedback had been changed in many cases, have been pursuing a policy of con- they’ve set themselves, and this has is covered by the University’s 20 and some of the comments con- tinuous improvement in the deliv- already passed. working day turnaround policy: tained spelling mistakes or were ery of feedback. Students who took modules in the “In my opinion, all students “Finally, we only release marks completely illegible. “As part of the improvement Politics and International Studies should receive feedback on the and then feedback close together Another student who has taken strategy, we look forward to sharing (PAIS) department last year have same day, and if they haven’t got – when the marks have completed a module in the department said: their reports with the Student Staff complained about the quality of it for all, they should release it for their journey through the internal “The feedback was given quite late, Liaison Committee (SSLC) and dis- their exam feedback. none. PO107 is not an enormously and external moderation processes and the department didn’t provide cussing further enhancements. Many students believe that the popular module and there is no ex- – as we consider this best practice. any precise information before that. “We also look forward to discus- department has failed to deliver cuse for this.” “Most of the marks that were sions with the faculty representative acceptable feedback, with some re- Another second-year student “All students should receive initially given to outside students about the outcomes of his recent ceiving it late or not at all. said he received immediate feed- feedback on the same day.” through their own departments at survey of departmental practices.” The module Introduction to Pol- back for the World Politics module, PAIS undergraduate the end of June were later changed Social Science Faculty SSLC itics, or PO107, generated the most but nothing about PO107 for weeks. – it is the case for me and two Representative Miguel Costa Matos negative response from disgruntled The Boar contacted the PAIS friends of mine, but I have also seen said: “The department’s clueless- students, particularly those who department about the issue. Chris “This may be a little later than PPE students complaining about it ness about how many students had were in their second year at the Hughes, the head of department, other departments that issue feed- on Facebook. or had not received feedback is un- time of taking the exam. Andrew Reeve, the director of back with either no mark or uncon- “Personally I was more bothered acceptable. One of these students was a Phi- learning, teaching and assessment, firmed provisional marks. by the change of mark than by the “PAIS blames students for not losophy, Politics and Economics and Justin Greave, the director “This means that if students are d e l ay.” communicating the issue, but the (PPE) undergraduate, who anony- of student experience and pro- given PAIS marks earlier by other An Economics, Politics and In- burden of making sure that feed- mously told the Boar: “I’ve contact- gression, responded saying that departments’ systems they can only ternational Studies student com- back is sent is on the department, ed the PPE and the PAIS office in the department had actually met be provisional.” mented: “I had some spelling mis- not students. person and by email, but have re- the deadline for the return of sec- They insisted that if anyone did takes in my PO107 feedback which “While it’s excellent that PAIS ceived very vague responses. ond-year marks, which was the not receive feedback on time and was frustrating, as I feel that in sub- offers individual exam feedback, it “Someone told me that I should week beginning July 15. had contacted the department jects like Politics, being advanced needs to make sure they keep the not expect to receive feedback un- The department said that a num- about the issue, it was rectified im- in English is essential for grasping standards expected of a world-class til October, which is unacceptable. ber of students had misinterpreted mediately. linguistic nuances in an essay.” department. Imagine if I’d been someone who the deadline date, and had thought However, others complained that The department did not com- “We, the students, will settle for had to re-sit and I couldn’t access that the deadline was July 15 itself. the problem was not only about the ment on the changed marks or no less.” theboar.org theboar.org/News | @BoarNews News| NEWS5 5 Warwick transport cheaper than UK average Capacity of Nine out of ten respondents told the Boar that they spend between £200 and £300 campus full of the respondents felt that the bus- student commuting is £640 million Their research also found that Rachel Meehan es were unreliable and frequently per year. one in seven off-campus students Continued from front page late. Santander is offering a four-year now commute to university by The Santander research also Railcard to full time students who train. “It’s kind of American and I get a Four out of five full time under- found that the average off-campus open a student current account shot at having a ‘best friend’ for the graduate students live off campus student faces a 22-mile round trip with them. first time ever, whatever that term and spend an average of £600 to lectures. entails. It’s also half the rent.” a year on their university com- 13 percent of off-campus stu- Yaschal Rao, another first-year mute, according to research from dents travel more than 40 miles in a student sharing in Sherbourne, Santander Current Accounts. day to attend university, which may said: “At first I wasn’t keen on the Although this means that the explain why some students spend idea because I’m not the most so- average student spends around over £100 per month on commut- ciable of people, but then saw it as a £50 a month on their commute, ing. potential gift because at least that’s the research adds that 13 percent of Despite the cost and distances, one person I’ll know immediately off-campus students spend around 20 percent of students living away and I get a roommate for the first double that amount. from home said they were consid- t i m e .” However, research conducted by ering accommodation further away Students sharing in Westwood the Boar suggests that the average from their university campus for will be offered the chance of mov- cost of commuting is far less for this academic year to save money. ing to a single room as soon as they off-campus students at the Univer- Hetal Parmar, Banking Head become available on campus. Stu- sity of Warwick. of Santander, commented: “Not Asked to calculate how much all students can afford to live near “[I] saw it as a potential gift they spent last academic year on their university and many face a because at least that’s one person commuting to and from campus, time-consuming and costly com- I’ll know immediately and I get a nine out of every ten respondents mute. roommate for the first time.” gave the answer between £200 and “The cost of attending universi- Yaschal Rao, first-year student £299.99. ty puts most students under a great The Warwick respondents in- deal of financial pressure, so having cluded postgraduate as well as to cover the rising cost of transport dents in shared rooms also pay a undergraduate students and most is likely to be a real burden.” reduced rate of rent. specified that they normally used Santander’s findings are based Those who are in temporary ac- the Stagecoach Bus services. on a recent YouthSight survey of commodation have been allocated However, only around a third of 1,000 full time undergraduate stu- £75 on their ‘Eating at Warwick’ Warwick respondents felt that the dents and 2010/11 Higher Educa- cards for each week that they have amount they paid to commute was tion Statistics Agency data on the been affected. “acceptable”. total number of these students in Ben Sundell, president at War- 42.1 percent and 26.3 percent the UK. wick SU, said: “Whilst I can under- considered the amount to be “high” Using that data, the report cal- stand the real difficulties of manag- and “very high” respectively. Many culates that the collective cost of ing applications through clearing, » Many off-campus students use the train. Photo: Flickr/ dichohecho the University needs to be a lot more stringent in making sure that it doesn’t oversubscribe. “If it does want to increase stu- Grant given to Italian job Uni offers free online courses dent numbers, it needs to find a much more robust way of ensuring publications and materials includ- the project. enrolments are matched by ade- Samuel Lovett ing journals, literature and photo- Andreas Avraam “Offering free taster courses quate accommodation provision graphs. online is a no-brainer. Universi- for first year undergraduates and The creative responses of com- ties shouldn’t be afraid to open up international postgraduates.” The Arts and Humanities Re- munity groups living in bilingual Warwick University is one of the teaching and research, either in the A number of students have al- search Council has awarded a £1.8 or multilingual environments will twenty top UK universities to of- UK or beyond. ready been asking on the official million grant to a project that will also be examined to further under- fer free online courses to anyone Learning never stops and as the Warwick Freshers’ group if anyone examine the development and standing of cultural and linguistic around the world. economy’s demand for higher skills wants to swap rooms. influence of modern Italian cul- interaction. The degree-level courses will be rises, universities should be in the Any students who wish to move tures throughout the world. Overall, the project aims to accessed through an online hub vanguard when it comes to provid- accommodation must discuss the Italian researchers at Warwick, identify the cultural associations called FutureLearn, a private firm ing new opportunities. issue with their current residential Jennifer Burns and Loredana formed by each Italian community owned by the Open University. “Making courses accessible on- tutor and fill out an online transfer Polezzi, will be taking a central in the various nations they’ve set- While Massive Open Online line, on mobiles and tablets means request form. role in the research headed by the tled. Courses (MOOCs) are already very that people can fit their studying This form will become available University of Bristol’s Professor It will additionally seek to en- popular across the Atlantic, it is un- around their lives, rather than their on the Warwick Accommodation Charles Burdett. hance public understanding of the derstood that this is the first time a lives around study.” website from Monday 14 October The research project will aim to role of modern languages and their UK organisation has been set up to Universities Minister David Wil- (Week 3 of Term 1). set the precedent for future studies cultures at both a localised and offer them. There is a £35 transfer fee and into modern languages hoping to global scale. Warwick Business School at “People can fit their studying transfers will only occur if a suita- emphasise linguistic and cultural Awarded by the AHRC under its Warwick University will be run- around their lives, rather than ble room becomes available. interaction between differing na- Translating Cultures scheme, the ning a course called ‘The Mind is their lives around study.” However, those who are in tem- tionalities. £1.8 million grant will also estab- Flat: The Shocking Shallowness of David Bell porary shared accommodation, Due to its history of migration, lish the project as a model for other Human Psychology.’ such as Westwood, will not have to the Italian culture provides “an ex- languages, with an view improving Leondrea Tan, a second-year pay this fee when a free room be- ceptionally rich example for any overall communications between English Literature and Creative letts sees the development as “excit- comes available. study of cultural and linguistic varying cultures. Writing undergraduate at Warwick ing”, and believes it is an important The SU suggests that anyone translation,” according to Professor The results of the study will be University, thought that the pro- step for the UK to stay at the top with serious concerns should visit Burdett. shared in a series of books to be gramme could offer many benefits end of the education scale interna- their Advice Centre. Italian communities have been published, an online website and in to the international community. tionally. established all over the world from a number of international confer- She said: “Yeah, I think they are “I encourage all our institutions the UK to South America, thus en- ences. good! [It] definitely helps the uni- to explore the opportunities offered suring a great deal of cultural varia- versity to reach out and spread its by new modes of technology, such tion for the researchers. name. It is a good idea to use the as MOOCs. Warwick academics, alongside Get involved with internet to encourage learning.” “This will keep the UK ahead in Tell us your the Universities of Bristol, St An- our team: David Bell, vice-chancellor at the global race to deliver education experiences of sharing. drews and QMU, aim to assess the facebook.com/ Reading University, whose course in worldwide markets.” Tweet: @BoarNews “linguistic and cultural translation” BoarFreshers is expected to be based around pro- #WarwickFreshers of these communities through gramming, was enthusiastic about 6 News theboar.org/News | @BoarNews | NEWStheboar.org 6 Fewer students granted special exam consideration Freedom of Information Request reveals that students requiring special exam arrangements has decreased The Boar has received informa- corded roughly the same figures for Sian Elvin tion on students with special ex- both academic years. There was a Tom Lewis amination arrangements in seven fluctuation of five students or less subjects from 2011/12 to 2012/13 in a in Engineering, English Literature, Freedom of Information Request to Physics and Law. There are a decreasing number the University’s legal department. The greatest change was for Psy- of students being granted special English Literature, Maths and chology, with the number reduced consideration for their exams, a Psychology all saw significant de- by 18 from 30 students granted spe- Freedom of Information Request creases from 2011/12 to 2012/13. cial examination arrangements to submitted to the Information The number of students requir- 12. Engineering, 65 Compliance Office at Warwick ing special examination arrange- Maths also recorded a fall of 16 University has revealed. ments in Engineering, Law and students, from 43 to 27. Special examination arrange- Physics went up slightly in the same Second-year History undergrad- ments are organised through the period, while there was no change uate, Alex Schiphorst, commented Engineering, 70 administrative bodies of individual in the French department, with 22 on the overall decrease: “The fact Psychology, 30 subjects. students across years one to four in that special consideration in exam They can grant students extra as- both years. situations has decreased can be sistance in their exams with the use In the last two years, the overall seen in a positive light as it shows French, 22 Psychology, 12 of a computer, extra time to com- number of students granted special that the process is stringent and not plete the exam, and a scribe should examination arrangements in these being misused in order to benefit French, 22 a student require them due to med- subjects decreased from 213 to 204. from it. ical or personal difficulties. In 2011/12, 68 of these were fe- “However, it is important that Physics, 38 male and 145 of these male, while access to this special assistance is in 2012/13, 63 were female and 141 not too restricted, and it is essential Physics, 39 were male. that all students have the right to Of the seven subject depart- use it should they need it.” Law, 32 ments sampled, Engineering grant- Second-year English and Cre- ed the most special examination ative Writing undergraduate, An- Law, 37 arrangements to students. dreas Avraam, added: 70 Engineering students success- “The fact that the amount of stu- Maths, 43 fully applied for special circum- dents getting special circumstances stances in 2012/13, 31 more students has gone down possibly indicates Maths, 27 than for Physics, which had the the system is becoming stricter, second most successful applicants. which could be good if they are This figure accounts for over five specifically targeting those who re- Literature, 35 Literature, 30 percent of the total student body of ally need help. around 1280. “It’s all fine as long as no one who However, all seven subjects re- needs help is being left out.” 2011 2012 US student visa rules tightened SU democracy row New immigration bill may affect student exchange to the US In a response to these concerns Amathul Farhath Cosmo March, the SU Democracy programs which would take away a be justified, she answered: “If it’s an and Development Officer, has de- Ann Yip 13-year pathway to citizenship for anti-terrorism act, it makes sense. nied that there is a lack of student about 11 million people living in the But if the reason is because they are The Democratic Challenge is be- interest stressing that Warwick’s US who overstayed visas or entered trying to stop bombings, then not ing organised by Miguel Costa SU has “more Societies (242) and Student immigration and student illegally. really.” Matos, the Undergraduate Social Sports Clubs (72) than almost every exchange to the US may be af- Ali Mortlock, a second-year Siobhan Brennan, second-year Sciences Student Staff Liaison other Union”. fected by recent immigration bill Psychology undergraduate, is con- English Literature undergraduate Committee Faculty Represent- Mr March admitted the SU had amendments to tighten US stu- sidering studying a postgraduate commented: ative, in an effort to highlight “some way to go” in reaching their dent visa rules. degree in the US after graduating. “As a student who’s interested in how the the Students’ Union (SU) personal target in relation to accu- In May this year, the US Senate She said that the tightened stu- taking a year abroad in America could be made more transparent, mulating student engagement, but Judiciary Committee amended the dent visa rules would “probably not next year, I think these restrictions and democratise it further. immigration bill in reaction to the [deter me from studying in the US] “When were you asked are a bit harsh. “When were you asked whether whether you wanted to Boston Marathon bombings. as I would plan to leave after my “I don’t think it will deter anyone you wanted to be ripped off at the be ripped off at the Dirty The committee members agreed visa expires.” from going, but it would probably Dirty Duck? to clamp down on student visa Ms Mortlock, however, had no be a lot of unnecessary hassle to a “Since when have you been con- Duck?” fraud. plans to live and work in the US. lot of students who haven’t done sulted on what to do with the nearly Miguel Costa Matos An amendment that passed re- She said that she wanted to study in anything wrong.” £7 million the SU takes into its cof- moved a 30-day grace period to al- the US “because they have a really There were also debates on fers every year?” said Mr Matos on found Mr Matos’ opinion about low students to correct their status good university [Stanford] for my whether or not immigrant workers his event page. student participation “unfair”. when their visa was terminated. subject.” would be beneficial or harmful to Mr Matos wants the SU budget Mr March said: “No officer “This will plug a loophole in the When asked whether or not the the economy as they could impact to be brought to Council by sabbat- makes a decision without insight tragic Boston Marathon bombings,” tightening of student visa rules can wages and incur costs to taxpayers. ical officers for approval to guaran- into students’ needs but that if de- said Charles Schumer, Democratic tee full “democratic accountability”. cisions are made, they are always New York senator. The budget would be taken to ap- made with the interests of students The amendment was made in proval in Student Council as well at the centre of the discussion.” response to Azamat Tazhayakov’s as the Trustees allowing everyone In response, Mr Matos said that case, a criminal involved in the to scrutinize “how money is spent”. whilst the Sabbs are full-time dem- Boston bombing who had been al- Mr Matos is campaigning for ocratically-elected representatives lowed into the US in January even this change to prevent “faceless/ of students and are meant to be the though his student visa had ex- anonymous bureaucrats” making executives of the SU, students still pired. the decisions. lack sufficient representation as Another amendment would He believes there is a lack of stu- there are failings to deal with their impose stricter penalties for ed- dent interest in SU politics because opinions in regards to the SU’s op- ucational institutions engaged in students are not able to be involved. erations. student visa fraud and tighten re- He said : “The issue is about the SU Mr Matos has said that answers quirements at flight schools, like democracy and [the SU] is a £7 mil- are not provided when one contacts those used by the September 11 hi- lion turnover charity. This grants the SU about creating a financial jackers. the SU enormous power. plan for change in the workings of Other amendments to the immi- “If only there was some scrutiny the organisation. gration bill involved tougher bor- on how the money was spent”. der control and new guest-worker » University of California, Berkeley. Photo: Curtis Cronn / Flickr theboar.org News 7 theboar.org 2 Editor: Dan Mountain [email protected] Twitter @BoarComment COMMENT fb.com/groups/BoarComment Boris Boar .org theboar Boris’ views on the campus news.

t would seem that the days of the dog habitually eating the home- Editors’ Letters work are beginning to end. Per- Ihaps the canine’s palate is full of humble pie and is trying to teach its owner one simple thing: the art of perseverance. With Warwick stu- dents less frequently appealing for special considerations in exams we “Watch your “Third year can can see a clear shift toward a more hardened academic system. Not an slanguage!” be a good time” inhuman system, not something that ignores the genuine consid- eration of students but a system which puts faith in its students to perform well despite the problems Nicole Davis Isaac Leigh that they may be facing. Special Deputy Editor Sports Editor consideration and extenuating cir- cumstances should always be there s a student of English litera- sandwiches. Where, for instance, hile first-years arrive at ple and try activities you haven’t but it should remain exactly that: ture, language is at the core does the word ‘merked’ originate? Warwick with a sense of before. That’s what university is special, reserved for genuine prob- of my education. I absorb I too am a culprit of littering my excitement, for finalists it about. lems. This shift is good, no mat- Aantonyms, eat metaphors for break- sentences with far too many ‘likes’ Wis widely accepted that you should ter whether it is with this ethos in fast and lap up lyricism. I suppose or ‘LOLs’ and often begin using a approach your final year with a mind or not, because we can now you could say I have somewhat of word ironically, only for it to sur- sense of trepidation. University is a fantastic but all- give greater discredit to the old say- a love affair with words. And I con- reptitiously slip its way into my Spending free time crafting job too-brief step in our lives; why ing “exams are getting easier”. Now sider the English language worthy regular vernacular. applications, and then staying up write off a year of it? down rover! of being preserved and perpetuat- It sums up our utter laziness with all night to work on your degree? ed throughout generations, rather language. Our entire lives seem That’s just the way it is, we are told than being replaced and erased by by wizened ex-finalists, whose ow do I take somebody back slang. erstwhile expressions of joy are re- It is important for third-years to to my room now!? Let the I understand that colloquial- There’s none of the finesse, ro- placed by grave seriousness. keep an eye on the future, but so awkwardness commence! isms are there to reflect culture mance or etymology that ac- Well, I disagree. The fact is that many direct their whole attention HIf you find a somewhat jarring dy- and change. What’s a night with- companies ye olden language finalists still have a significant role towards the ‘next step’, casting aside namic with your new roomie then out a good twerk? How else could to play beyond being chained to the the here and now. University is a you will have to set up a code. Per- I describe that latent roast dinner ‘next step’ of their life. They can rise fantastic but all-too-brief step in haps when stumbling home from and extra helping of apple crum- to the pinnacle of their chosen soci- our lives; why write off a year of it? POP! with an, erm, companion, ble causing my belly to protrude predicated by time, never having eties, helping to integrate freshers. Once you are in the ‘daily grind’ of in tow at two o’clock in the morn- over my waistband but as a ‘food enough of it and always rushing to They can keep playing their sport employment, you truly will be in a ing you might want to shout really baby’? And how will anyone know meet a looming deadline. Abbrevi- and performing in plays. Hey, they regimented routine. loudly, “I was not expecting this!” that I’m living my life to the abso- ations are a mere symptom of this can even go out and enjoy them- This is really a call to all finalists This should give your roommate, lute fullest if I don’t #YOLO when culture. Who wants to text with selves once in a while. not to troop back to Warwick with who is studying with a hot cuppa, I tweet? grammar and proper syntax when I believe final year is about evolu- a sense of defeatism. Enjoy the fact plenty of time to conveniently di- But with such a wealth of vocab- you can brb because atm you’re tion rather than revolution, namely that there will be new experiences vert their all-nighter to the learning ulary within our reach, it seems a totes busy? embracing the foe of many stu- ahead of you, the twists, turns, ca- grid. Just make sure you keep your waste for it to be usurped by such But maybe, just maybe we dents, ‘time-management’. Third- lamities and triumphs that every fun to your own bed – after all, you vulgar surrogates. ‘Noob’ for in- should encourage a resurgence of year for me will be about eschew- year at university brings. do have to live with this unfortu- stance sounds like it belongs on the proper, descriptive and tradition- ing the allure of a Sunday watching Of course there will be times nate for a whole year. Oh who am I Teletubbies, whilst saying some- al language. We should celebrate the US Office on Netflix (not easy when the stress and pressure of kidding Freshers? If you are sharing thing is ‘sick’ still brings to mind those words that have been creat- to do) and admitting that it would looming exams and graduate then you are probably screwed, or images of vomit, no matter how ed, thought out and sculpted over probably be better spent doing scheme applications become sig- alas you probably aren’t. Oh to not much we now associate it with thousands of years to perfectly de- something more productive. nificant. But cross that bridge when be fresh again. something brilliant. scribe the appearance or shape of But this doesn’t mean that third- you come to it. Make the journey to There’s none of the finesse, ro- something. year is some kind of purgatory be- the bridge as varied and enjoyable mance or etymology that accompa- Because in my opinion there’s fore the dizzying heights of a paid as you can, rather than accepting as o I see that the Dirty Duck has nies ye olden language, such as how nothing quite like eloquence. Why job. It can be interesting and fun; gospel the rumours that final year got some fancy new pergola ‘companion’ means ‘with bread’, be amazeballs, when you can be you are allowed to meet new peo- is horrible. Live your life! going on outside. Clearly the suggesting that friends are basically amazing? Smanagement has some suburban aspirations! Hopefully this will mean that we’ll finally get our one pound pints. After all, if the Duck can afford a middle-class refurb, then surely it’s got enough spare change lying around to give us some cheap pints. After all, what’s really going to draw the students in to the pub? A handy bit of deck- ing and, ooh, how about a fire pit to go by the ornamental, terracotta flamingoes? Or some cheap booze? Maybe it’s about time the Duck ac- cepted it’s lack of style and started to try it’s hardest to saturate our livers with some sweet, sweet sub- stance. theboar.org 3 © 2013 Accenture. All rights reserved.

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318527_TheBoar_332x265[+3mm].indd 1 27/09/2013 13:25 4 theboar.org 10 | A universal education Josh Denoual

here is a tendency to precon- ceive your university life as unravelling in a pattern of, to Tborrow a phrase from David Guet- ta, “work hard, play hard.” You im- agine an existence where your life is completely categorised and des- ignated into separate areas. Dur- ing the days of the week you will spend hours in the library, trawl- ing through dusty books, tackling complex mathematical problems, honing your ideas on some of the biggest problems in the world; dur- ing the evening you’ll be found four vodka Red Bulls down, lying on the stairs of Evolve, trying to find your way back to the dancefloor. However, university education comes not just in the form of lec- tures, notes, and exams. It comes in the form of learning to look after yourself, to organise your own life, and to generally be an adult human being rather than the precocious teenager you’ve enjoyed being for the last five years. So you’ll learn as much by simply talking to the many other intelli- gent people around you as you will from studiously reading everything placed on your syllabus and making » “See no evil, hear no evil” Cartoon by Charley-Kai John detailed notes on it. After all, one of the best methods of learning mate- rial the university has to offer is the seminar; essentially, an hour where you sit and discuss that week’s topic Russia and China blind to Syria with the others in your group. And you’ll soon discover that if you en- gage in that situation, you’ll find The inability of certain nations to remain objective needs addressing you know and understand more much more subtle, but nonetheless with each of the other Permanent purpose if, as an organisation, it about what your are learning than Jack Simpson serious. Security Council members – the becomes unworkable as a source you realised before you walked in At the root of its difficulties lies role of an absolute moral arbiter in of decision-making and merely an- the room. the ability of any of the perma- global affairs, able to determine the other route for powerful states to Seminars work best when every- he United Nations has been nent members of the UN Security course of global affairs, e.g. regard- one is open and willing to talk critical in preserving the Council to veto a resolution. Upon ing human rights in Syria, even but often, in an educational envi- post-1945 international set- first examination, this may seem when ill-disguised self-interest is The Security Council will have ronment, with an imposing tutor Ttlement. Indeed, it cannot be a like a logical requirement to en- often at the heart of their motiva- little purpose if, as an organi- monitoring the course of discus- coincidence that the world has en- sure that actions undertaken by the tions. This constrains the ability of sation, it becomes unworkable sion people are not. However, take joyed an extended period of peace international community carry a the UN to arrive at meaningful de- as a source of decision-making a group of people and find them in between the major powers since broad consensus. Practically, how- cisions and so threatens to erode its the Dirty Duck that evening, with a the end of the Second World War ever, it is a requirement that authority. few drinks down them, and they’ll and that, throughout this time, does much to undermine There needs to be some be offering new theories on Ulysses, global affairs have been governed the UN’s standing. acknowledgement within safeguard vested interests abroad. reanalysing the fall of the Roman by an institution far stronger and This has been stark- the UN’s decision-mak- None of this is to deny the im- Empire, and providing a Grand more decisive than its League of ly apparent in the case ing process that members portant work that the UN does in Unified Theory of Everything while Nations predecessor. of Syria, in which per- of the Permanent Securi- maintaining the balance of interna- they’re at it. This isn’t to encourage manent Security Coun- ty Council are not impar- tional relations and seeking a level you to run off, down a four pack of cil members Russia and tial jurors, but imperfect of consensus in the hugely impor- Special Brew, and set to work on Russia and China have, China have, throughout nation states with their own tant matters over which it presides. your dissertation – it is the princi- throughout the crisis, con- the entire history of the cri- agendas and foreign policy am- However, there is a difference ple that matters. sistently vetoed resolutions to sis, consistently vetoed resolutions bitions. between striving for consensus and When people are relaxed, and condemn the violence. to condemn the violence inflicted This means making the abili- protecting against unilateral action, not self-conscious, they will more by President Assad upon his own ty of Permanent Security Council on the one hand, and making it dif- openly offer opinions or ideas people. Even now, after the US and Members to veto a resolution more ficult to arrive at any meaningful that they are not entirely confi- Russia have brokered an agreement circumscribed, in recognition of decisions – and becoming vulner- dent about but which can stimulate However, the divided reaction of to rid the Syrian government of its the fact that isolated, dissenting able to manipulation by individual great discussion – discussion that the world’s most powerful nation chemical weapons supply, Putin members are quite probably being members – on the other. can only be made more interest- states to recent events in Syria has threatens to veto any resolution obstructive not out of reason, but If the UN’s internal structure ing when you have a diverse mix of brought into sharp focus some of that contains the possibility of mil- of calculation, and effectively hi- continues to err on the side of the people. So try not to saddle your- the structural problems which be- itary action, rendering the diplo- jacking the UN for their own ends. latter, then it will be the loser. Such self with the idea that you will learn set the UN and which threaten its matic ‘solution’ toothless. Of course, clear provisions must a consequence would be unfortu- in one environment and relax in long-term credibility. It takes limited deduction to remain in place for resolutions to nate for the whole of global society. another; the whole three years are Of course, this does not mean recognise that Putin’s primary con- be vetoed by the Security Council; your education. You should aim that it is headed the same way as cern is not the protection of human the UN would otherwise lose much Do you think the to leave university, not with just a its earlier incarnation in failing to rights in Syria, but a desire to prop of its purpose as an international UN is still effective? degree, but with the confidence prevent a destructive world war; up a key ally in the region. Yet the decision-making body. Tell us on Facebook that your are prepared for the real the challenge facing its authority is UN bestows upon Russia – along However, it will also have little world. theboar.org theboar.org/Comment | @BoarComment | COMMENT 511 STUDENT SOAPBOX Lacking in-Clegg-rity Matt Davies Module choice woes modules we take are chosen for there to protect the most vulner- “Old and Miguel Costa Matos us. Core modules make up a large Lewis Merryweather able, yet it has fallen to Labour to part of our degrees. Many depart- oppose the Bedroom Tax Bill that forgotten” ments offer only full-year 30 CAT is ravaging the lives of the vulnera- ick your modules wisely. modules. Many of these modules Education is the key”, stat- ble, whilst Clegg and the Lib Dems o, clinging on like a cat on a Your choice of modules today could be split into two one-term 15 ed Nick Clegg in his speech prop up the Tory government who branch, I’m back at Warwick. greatly affects how motivated CAT modules, giving all of us more in Glasgow on September 18. imposed it, barely kicking up a Only this time it’s different. Pyou are during the whole year. choice over what we study and to “Lovely. So why is it that many feel fuss. The behaviour of a politician SI’m no longer one of the masses. Obviously, pick modules that what depth. an uneasy sense of distrust and dis- and party who have restored their I’m starting again, but with all the interest you. No matter how easy Students could be given even belief as they read this statement? integrity? Or does this smack of a scars, emotional and physical, of modules may appear, if it doesn’t greater module choice by allowing Perhaps because Clegg promised party desperate for a place in gov- three hard years of university al- engross or inspire you, it’s likely all students to take extra credit. students would retain this key ernment? ready with me. I hold a degree in you’ll give up on doing the work While this idea might seem ridic- three and a half years ago, then However, Clegg’s stance on Equal one hand, and a cup of coffee in the needed to achieve those high ulous, many students take over 120 wrenched it from our hands in the Marriage Rights highlights a glow- other. I’m studying for an MA. I am marks. CATs worth of modules. form of upping tuition fees after ing yellow slither of integrity push- a postgraduate. Look closely at how the module’s It’s a way of covering pre-req- swearing blind he wouldn’t, creat- ing it’s way through the otherwise Despite my allusion to clinging assessed. Some of us cope better in uisites they need in the future or ing a huge financial burden for rather cold, blue Tory shell on, this isn’t an attempt to avoid the exams and some doing coursework. learning about something you’re students across the country that seems to encompass real world. I’m studying something Coursework questions and past pa- interested in. For years, students in and marring the Liberal’s him. Also, Clegg’s recent interesting and relevant, more pers can easily be found to give you the Sciences and Maths Faculties previously trustworthy plans for free school specific than my bachelors. This a notion of exactly what you’re go- have been allowed and given cred- exterior. meals for all children in isn’t a 12-year course in applied ing to be asked to learn and answer. it for extra modules they take on, Clegg’s speech de- Primary Schools does basket-weaving, this is a one-year Finally, bear in mind contact hours through the Seymour Formula. clared the Lib Dems radiate a certain glow course, and then I’m out again, for and who’s delivering it. Unfortunately this too has have a sense of individ- of genuine party specific real this time, with more expertise. The best advice anyone can of- stopped and freshers this year will uality, a debatable state- policy. However, if claims So, in this one extra year, where fer is: Try it! If you’re still not sure not be able to take extra credit. ment. After the tuition fee that this policy was a trade do I stand? I’ve received a lot of cor- about the modules you’ve chosen Seeking greater (and better) fiasco, has the party done off for the Conservative’s respondence from the university, for this year, try other ones. You module choice is an important part enough to win back the » photo: Married Tax Breaks policy but none of it really seems to take have until week 3 to change your of improving our academic experi- trust of the nation’s peo- Liberal Democrats are true, Clegg’s integrity into account I’ve been here before. I mind. Don’t worry about what ence. Students need to fight to bring ple? Has the party’s integrity been is sent spiralling back downwards. know the best time to visit the Ter- you’ve missed out. You’ll miss back Seymour, but for all Faculties. restored? Clegg claims that the Lib Dems race Bar. I remember the breakfast out a lot more if We should strongly encourage de- Clegg claims that the party have aren’t any party’s “little brother”, special. I have already paid homage you stick with a partments to create more 15 CAT stood up to the Conservatives they are their own party with their to the Koan. They’re treating me as module you don’t modules. Above all, our SU needs regularly since 2010. This means own beliefs. So why does it seem if I’m new blood, when really I’m like. to be more proactive in advising Clegg believes the steady selling off the Lib Dems are cruising their old hat. Do I just carry on as I did Unfortunate- students on module choice. Our of the NHS privately is acceptable. way through government as the before, just with more work to do? ly, a lot of the fight for a better education starts Clegg has the audacity to criticise Tory’s puppets? It seems they have Or is it entirely different? now – because modules matter. Labour’s lack of policy on the NHS, not done enough, particularly for I feel that Freshers’ events are yet he stands idly by and allows the students, in recompense for selling meant for those with boundless Are you miserable Tories to begin a process of priva- their souls at the 2009 general elec- teenage energy, not for suave and about module choices? tisation. tion. It will take a lot more than a sophisticated early twenty-some- theboar.org/comment At the Lib Dem party conference, few shiny showpiece polices to re- things. I’m left with questions. How Clegg claimed that the party were store Clegg’s integrity. many times can I hear about ‘Tony » photo: Flickr/m00by Lee XXX comedy hypnotist’? Is it socially acceptable to go to POP!? Will I dare go? (The answers are Burkaphobia: the irrational fear of clothing a. once is too much b. no, and c. probably). I’m not sure it’s quite the same. But, does it need to be? Nadeine Asbali lends her voice to the current debate around the Niqab Maybe I should just respect the nce more, an item of cloth- about women’s rights. There is idea that we need less social engi- ing over (some) Muslim clearly an anti-Islam dimension to neering at this age. After all, most women’s heads has sparked such discussions. Certain news- freshers will never have experi- Ocontroversial debate and fiercely papers, for example, seem to be enced anything like university, be- polarised media coverage. Amidst exercising selective feminism: sug- ing thrown into a new environment relentless economic, political and gesting that the Niqab is abhor- and being forced to adapt quickly. humanitarian crises, the British rent, archaic and draconian, yet In fact, maybe I should be glad I get media is busying itself with the is- simultaneously refusing to tackle to choose my own friends, and at a sue of the Niqab (aka Burka or Veil) the issues of female degradation less frenetic pace. and whether it should be banned. and objectification in their own It’s difficult being one of the Admittedly, the Niqab is some- consistent publication of ‘page 3’. old guys. It’s easy to stick to your what of a ‘foreign’ concept to West- In a liberal democracy, is it cor- work, feeling everything else is a ern culture; it is antithetical to the rect to shackle the free will of oth- young person’s game, only pausing media – encouraged and social- ers, in order to maintain the one-di- occasionally to sigh, look out the ly enforced ideals of beauty and » photo: Flickr/carlos_en_esos_mundos mensional ideals of the majority? A window and shout out that “I was sexuality. It confuses people, and poll by the Sun newspaper recently the future once!” Maybe though, confusion – when not quenched lieve, the vast majority of Muslims Some see the absolute rejection of estimated that 61% of people sup- it’s possible to not be so resigned. by self-education – breeds ig- pressures to conform to a particu- port an outright ban of the Niqab. I get to live life at my own pace, norance, which gives rise to the lar fashion sense and body image. This frighteningly echoes a ‘tyr- knowing where I am, what I’m very fear that fuels such debate. It is highly patronising to It is highly patronising to assume anny of the masses’ which should about, and what I’m doing (most of Those who support a Niqab ban assume that all women cover that all women who cover their face, be antithetical to a multicultural, the time.) – be they far right fascists (who their face due to force do so due to force. Furthermore, it liberal democracy such as ours. Maybe being the old guy isn’t a would probably rather all Muslims is nothing but arrogant to presume The very idea of a Niqab ban is bad thing. Ask me in a year. in general revoke their ‘Muslim- that Muslim women, even in this futile. It will not ‘liberate’ Muslim ness’ entirely) or the overly ea- around the world do not support ‘safe haven’ of the West – which it- women, but criminalise them. It ger far left, plagued with saviour such derogatory contempt for a self is not devoid of misogyny – are will force Muslim women into a complex – all seem to be missing female’s free will, any more than not able to make such decisions position whereby religious and na- an aching irony: to dictate what they support terrorism, female for themselves. Ironically, it is at tional identities suddenly become a woman cannot wear is as im- genital mutilation or child brides. the hands of intrusively inquisitive mutual exclusives. After all, it is pudent and oppressive as it is to It remains an irrefutable fact strangers, who insistently assume not only immigrant females who dictate what a woman must wear. that many women can, and do, that my father/husband/broth- wear the Niqab, but also many Brit- It goes without saying that the choose to wear the Niqab and for er forced me to cover that I (and ish Muslims – including converts. Niqab is sadly not a matter of a plethora of reasons, at that. Some many other Muslim women) expe- choice for many Muslim women see it as an outward manifestation rience more ‘oppression’ than from Read Nadeine’s full around the world. Yet, contrary to of inner piety. Some simply be- family pressure or religious dogma. piece, and more, at what the likes of the English De- lieve it to be religiously mandat- Let’s not pretend that this de- theboar.org/comment fence League would have one be- ed (although many more do not). bate arose from genuine concern 6 theboar.org 12 | Yes Tête à Tête No Will Tucker Is UKIP still “on course to be a force” in the next general election? Lucy Webster uch are the vagaries of Britain’s bizarre The election will be won or lost in a few he recent surge in support for UKIP is jority of new UKIP supporters are just disgrun- first-past-the-post voting system that marginal seats. And the most recent polling an undeniable fact; the party did in- tled conservatives, and are likely to return to the party currently polling third with of these by Lord Ashcroft is eye-opening. deed take a large proportion of votes in their former party if it seems to be enjoying Saround 13%, the UK Independence Party In the 32 seats in which Labour came TMay’s local elections. But success in 2015 is some success. (UKIP) could end up with no seats at the the closest behind the Tories in 2010, not a self-fulfilling prophecy. Much can This is especially true given the recent prom- 2015 general election, and the fourth-placed Labour is on 43%, down one since change in two years (remember Har- inence in the media of the conservatives’ an- party, the Liberal Democrats, could win 2010, the Conservatives 29% old Wilson’s saying that “a week is a ti-immigration policies – particularly the vans around twenty with their current 9% of the (down six), UKIP 11% and the long time in politics”?). Already the bearing ‘go home’ which were driven around vote. So it may seem strange to suggest that Lib Dems on 8%. Given that 60% political landscape is markedly dif- heavily immigrant areas of London. UKIP are on course to be ‘a force’ in 2015. of UKIP’s support is gained from ferent to what it was five months Even their most pressing concern – with- But it depends how you look at it. 2010 Tory voters, it is not hard to ago and current trends suggest that drawing the UK from the EU – has been ad- The majority of UKIP’s support comes see that UKIP’s vote share is seri- UKIP will soon return to its place on dressed by Cameron’s promise of a referendum from disgruntled Conservative voters in ously affecting the result. the fringes, peeking into the arena of on the country’s membership, should he win the South of England, annoyed with the Of course, the irony of UKIP, serious government. the election. The traditional conservative sup- party’s apparently more liberal instincts based in the idea that the mod- This is mainly because – maybe – porters right now feel they are being listened nowadays, feeling that David Cameron has ern Conservative Party is not the economy is finally getting bet- to and are flooding back, away from UKIP’s betrayed the party’s values on issues such as right-wing enough, de- ter. Since the 2008 crash, eccentricities, and the referendum gives them gay marriage, renewable energy, immigra- priving the Tories many have felt that a strong incentive to make sure Cameron stays tion and defence. They also garner some of the votes they the main parties are in power. support from disaffected Labour voters in need to get over equally incompe- It is also important to remember that it is the North, and some from people who do the line in 2015 tent when it comes mathematically difficult for UKIP to do well in not normally vote at all. But these two latter is doubtless not to money matters. a general election, regardless of circumstance. groups are not nearly as significant. lost on some at For too long, La- This is because Britain’s electoral system is Very often, the Westminster commentar- Tory HQ. But bour denied the based on constituencies, meaning support for iat acts as a glorified echo chamber. ‘Labour many UKIP- need for cuts, a party must be strong in a particular area for it in Crisis!’ read a thousand headlines, de- pers don’t while the new to win the associated seat. spite that party’s solid poll lead. ‘Conserv- care; they’d conservative Labour and the conservatives benefit from atives oversee economic recovery!’ go some rather make government this, UKIP and other small parties lose out more, despite it being unclear who is ben- their point went too far because their support tends to be spread out. efiting from a potential house price boom, than keep and hurt the Thus, even if UKIP remains popular, it will falling living standards and insecure jobs. Cameron in living standards probably only get one or two seats. We are not ‘Lib Dems set for wipe-out!’ is the received office. UKIP of society’s most about to see the end of Britain’s odd two-and- wisdom, despite evidence that they actually are still on vulnerable members, a-half-party system. do rather well at holding seats where they course to be a as well as constraining Perhaps most importantly, people do not already have a big presence (see the Eas- force in 2015: not the economy’s capacity view UKIP as a serious party. They are the dar- tleigh by-election). by winning seats, for growth. People were ling of the protest voter; fine for elections for The constant reference to nationwide but by stopping the forced to look elsewhere. the European Parliament or the local council, opinion polls maintains this. Due to the Tories winning and Now that things are but not suitable to play a part in grown-up aforementioned voting system, it sadly does putting Ed Miliband looking up, however, Westminster politics. not matter what people think in solidly La- in Downing Street. this may change. A ma- Come 2015 Nigel Farage won’t be holding bour or Conservative seats. a ministerial briefing box – » photo: Flickr/freedomassociation he’ll still be clutching a pint. Australia: GMT+10 - 60 years Electing Tony Abbott has sent Australia rocketing back in time to the dark ages section, that might well be how “There may not be a great job for merely picked the party that would bloodline. Abbey Lewis he would begin. It’s a direct quote indigenous people, but whatever do it with the least drama. Since Ancient history, 20-somethings from the head of Australia’s Liberal it is they just have to do it – and if winning the election, Abbott has voters might think, but in May Party, who was elected Australia’s it’s picking up rubbish around the planned the launch of Operation 2012, UN visitors to Australia de- “I think it would be folly to expect Prime Minister on September 7th. community, it just has to be done.” Sovereign Borders, which turns clared the “reality for indigenous that women will ever dominate or Some other great soundbites It’s like Mitt Romney and George back any vessels carrying asylum peoples one of unacceptable condi- even approach equal representation from the man himself: Bush had a son in the 50s and the seekers. He will also abolish the tions, that requires urgent action by in a large number of areas simply “I think there does need to be Australian people decided that son carbon tax Gillard introduced: he governments across the globe”. The because their aptitudes, abilities, a give and take on both sides, and was who they wanted running their doesn’t believe climate change is truth is that Australia is a deeply and interests are different for physi- this idea that sex is kind of a wom- country. scientifically proven. Australia is racist nation, only recently aware ological reasons.” an’s right to absolutely withhold, Voting is compulsory in Aus- extremely wealthy and one of the that its treatment of its indigenous If Tony Abbott were writing an just as the idea that sex is a man’s tralia and has been since 1925, so only ‘developed’ countries to sur- population is globally deemed un- article for the Boar’s Comment right to demand I think they are it’s not even as though the blame vive the recession, but Abbott will acceptable. both, they both need to be moder- can be placed on low turnout or a cut the nation’s foreign aid by 4.5 Under Julia Gillard, socially pro- ated, so to speak.” politically unengaged society, the billion Australian dollars. gressive Australians were piecing “Same sex marriage? I’m not latter of which would surely have It’s a sad and angry shame to together scraps of hope. Despite the someone who wants to see radical returned a re-election of the oppos- see Australia recede into the so- sexism she faced from the Austral- change based on the fashion of the ing Labor party to the same seats. cially backwards reputation it was ian media, public, and opposition moment.” But Labor, newly led by Kevin just starting to shed. It’s long been led by Tony Abbott, Gillard spoke “I won’t be rushing out to get my Rudd who has done nothing effec- known as a state that fails to respect up for white women and intro- daughters vaccinated against cervi- tive since effectively overthrowing or recognise the rights of both duced policies that moved them cal cancer.” Julia Gillard, lost a record number Aboriginals and new immigrants, towards better and stronger rep- “Abortion is the easy way out. of votes. with an irony paralleled only by resentation. It’s hardly surprising that people The truth is that Australians white America’s treatment of Native However, she did very little to should choose the most convenient didn’t feel as though they had a lot Americans and newer immigrants. improve the lot of indigenous Ab- exit from awkward situations.” of choice. Once Julia Gillard was The abhorrent practice of ‘Abo originals, and took a disappointing “Jesus didn’t say yes to everyone, ousted and it was Kevin v. Tony, hunting’ continued well in to the stance against allowing ‘boat peo- Jesus knew there was a place for Australians were essentially look- latter half of the 20th century, as did ple’ into Australia. Still, a few steps everything and it’s not necessarily ing at the same candidate. Both the removal of ‘half-caste’ or light- forward, some thought. With the everyone’s place to come to Aus- men ran on the promise of a tough er-skinned Aboriginal children to election of Tony Abbott, the Aus- tralia.” stance on asylum seekers who came be raised in white communities, in tralian government takes a giant photo: Royal Australian Navy to Australia by boat. Australians an attempt to ‘dilute’ the Aboriginal leap back. theboar.org 7

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theboar.org 8 Sponsored by Editor: Roxanne Douglas [email protected] Twitter @BoarFeatures FEATURES fb.com/groups/BoarFeatures Living with anorexia Beth Quiligotti tells us about coping with an eating disorder whilst studying at university or someone with an eating disorder, and staying in my room all day meant I could flat mate and stay together!) and the sports university can either make you or break avoid the kitchen at all costs – bonus! or societies I joined gave me less time to ob- Beth’s top tips for Freshers you. It’s something I know about well, I knew I was continuing on a downward sess and more time to be happy and enjoy havingF lived with an eating disorder for the spiral, but I also knew I would be completely university like everybody else. After all, not TELL SOMEONE: Tell your accommodation past 3 years of my life. The blessed independ- and utterly happy if I just budged an extra having the energy to get out of bed gets a bit representative. They can be a really big help, ence that we receive at university means it few pounds. What I wasn’t admitting to my- boring after a while. University has made me trust me! If you’re lucky with yours, they’ll be is now our responsibility to look after our- self at the time, although I knew fully well, finally want to get better, which was always a great help and will be there whenever you selves, and it is up to us how we use it. Mov- was that I was slowly going down the wrong the major problem with previous treatments need to talk, and everything you say is con- ing to university meant I had the perfect op- route – the one I had hoped I wouldn’t take. I have received – I didn’t want to. For now, I fidential. You should also tell a flatmate or portunity to use this independence to start Those reading this with an eating disorder have just begun sessions at ‘Coventry Eating friend you feel you can trust. Friends and es- afresh and finally try to recover. Instead, I know that is a coping mechanism and largely Disorder Service’, which has some of the best pecially flatmates will pick up on things such initially chose the wrong route. I used this based on control, and so you really are most results in the world and hopefully this is the as eating habits and unusual behaviour, so freedom in the wrong way: as an opportunity vulnerable when undergoing changes in your last treatment I have to go through. sometimes it is better to let them know how to be in charge of my food intake with no one life. Freshers: while coming to university can to help you. Everybody at university has their checking up on me, and essentially as a cop- In fact, research has found adolescent be so exciting, it can also be very stressful. own problems, and keeping it to yourself will ing mechanism for this huge transition in my girls aged 15-19 have the highest incidence Moving away from home for the first time only make it worse – you never know how life. of eating disorders. On top of that, Anorexia and learning to look after yourself on top of confiding in someone may also lead them to My first weeks as a fresher were the same Nervosa has the highest mortality rate of any establishing a social life can be overwhelm- confide in you. as most others: meeting new people, a lot of other psychiatric disorder, with between 15- ing for anyone, let alone someone with an drinking and a lot of hangovers. The meet- 20% who develop the disease eventually dy- eating disorder. New stressors, unfamiliari- TELL YOUR GP: Register with the health ing-new-people part I loved. The only differ- ing from it. What a great way to end univer- ties and uncertainties may replace the nor- centre and let your GP know. If you haven’t ence from most others was that the drinking sity – not. mality of home life and bring into play those told anyone before, don’t worry, anything you Whilst I may have started out painting a particular coping mechanisms that make you tell your GP is again confidential. It is so im- pretty miserable picture of my first few weeks feel safe. We both know they aren’t safe, so portant that you let them know so that they What I wasn’t admitting to myself at at university, obviously I was having the best don’t waste your time. can keep an eye on your bodily functions and the time, although I knew fully well, time of my life alongside these personal prob- It will be a challenge, but hopefully one most importantly electrolyte levels. For those was that I was slowly going down the lems. As time progressed, university showed you can overcome. I know it’s easier to say, suffering with bulimia, if potassium levels wrong route me that there is so much out there that an not do, so all I can say is to really use your drop too low all of a sudden this could lead to eating disorder stops you doing: throwing independence and self-control wisely. Don’t cardiac arrest. It is better to routinely get your yourself into a new hobby, going out for a obsess. Don’t have such high expectations of bloods checked to keep an eye on everything. meal with friends, going to lectures. But yourself. Don’t be a perfectionist. Don’t use Secondly, you can get referred to the ‘Coven- often ended in tears and the hangovers were at the end of the day, avoiding doing these freedom in the wrong way because in the try Eating Disorder Service’ if you feel this is spent alone in my room. In fact, I remember things will get you nowhere; avoiding things end you’ll be anything but fre e. Do use it to best and you want to engage in treatment. my flatmates joking about how I only came won’t make you friends just like missing lec- make new friends, new memories and have out at night and asking whether I was a vam- tures won’t get you a degree. the best years of your life. University is for GET INVOLVED: Get involved with things pire – awkward. In reality, I would have been With that said, despite everything going making memories that you’ll remember for as soon as you feel comfortable. Push your- in my room all day regardless of the hango- on, there is no doubt that the past year has the right reasons! self, but not too much, as you don’t want to ver or not, spending my days completely been the best of my life, and that’s because overdo it and end up overwhelmed when obsessing over every flaw, weighing myself I eventually learnt that my eating disorder dealing with your own problems. Living with constantly, showering and getting ready, ob- doesn’t define me like I thought it did. Even an eating disorder is not only mentally tir- sessing again, re-showering and re-getting though I still struggled, and still do, the How do you feel about the ing but also time consuming. Fill up your ready. Obviously, I had no time for lectures friends I made, the amazing support from stresses of university? time with something else. The more you get with all of this going on – more stress. Oh, my boyfriend (proof that you can get with a Tweet: @BoarFeatures involved, the more busy you are, the more friends are made, and less time spent dwell- ing on unimportant things!

DON’T LOCK YOURSELF AWAY: Get to know your flatmates straight away. If you are feeling shy and self conscious, act like you’re not. The quicker you get comfortable around them the better. You are living with them for the next year after all!

SUPPORT GROUPS: Look out for eating disorder support groups on the SU website and campaigns during mental health aware- ness week. Mental health is huge at Warwick, and it is great that it is seen as not something to be ashamed of.

From now on, I will be writing a regular column in the Sci & Tech section about my treatment at the ‘Coventry Eating Disorder Service’. I am hoping that the information I provide will help those who aren’t ready to seek treatment yet themselves.

Useful links:  Beating Eating Disorders: http://www.b- eat.co.uk  University of Warwick Student Support: http://www2.warwick.ac.uk/services/stu- dent-support-services » Living with mental health issues can be a real challenge at university photo: Jo Carter/flikr theboar.org Features 9 Straight from the hack’s mouth Nicole Davis and Michael Perry dish out some tips from journalists at this year’s NUS Student Media Summit

» Spot the Boar member! The Student Media Summit is bought together by NUS and Amnesty International photo: via nationalunionofstudents/flikr t the end of August, two members of 5. Be charming! “It’s easy to get a reputation 10. Be compassionate; remember it’s not just whilst others will take the highway straight to the Boar team had the privilege of at- as a pest, but use persistence and charm. En- a story, but someone’s life. You are a person the top. There may be diversions, distractions tending a student media summit in chant people” first, and a journalist second. and rejections, but if you want it enough, you AShoreditch. Jam-packed with some of jour- Lizzie Catt Narveesh Puri, BBC News will keep trying. Every speaker here had a nalism’s biggest names, free sandwiches and Flutter those eyelids, flick that hair, be in- different story and a different setback to the opportunity to network, the atmosphere teresting! If only it were that easy. But Lizzie And the ones that everyone seemed to men- share (Simon Hattenstone described his ap- of excitement was beyond tangible. has a point and if you’re polite and engaging tion: proach as “cack-handed”), placing a different Over the course of two days several talks you’re more likely to make a good impres- amount of value on what you need to make and workshops were offered, ranging from sion.  Constantly refine your writing. the cut – some prioritise education, others sports journalism and interviewing skills to  Be accurate. recommend experience at your local paper. photography and newsgathering. No matter 6. Focus on ignored or neglected issues and  Have an opinion. what speciality or format you’re interested in, carve out a niche in that area to give you a  Sell yourself! Not literally of course, Ultimately it’s down to you to work at it. the same basic advice kept cropping up. We unique angle. but don’t be afraid to tell editors why you’re And university provides the best opportunity bring you the sagest snippets straight from Owen Jones, The Independent the best person to write that article – what for you to do so! From blogging to the Boar, the equestrian mammal’s mouth. When you’re trying to break into national unique perspective do you offer? to other media outlets and creative writing publications as a student, be smart about it.  And be prepared for rejection and very publications throughout campus, the time 1. “Write in 3-D”: make it direct and visual They employ hundreds of writers to cover little money... (But then as students, you’ll be to write has never been so, well, right. You Simon Hattenstone, The Guardian the big stories, so it’s unlikely you’ll get those used to that already!) can test the water to see if you like it, hone Using a wealth of imagery: “articles are like gigs. But student type issues, or stories per- your skills, get feedback from other students fast-moving rivers”; feature-writer Simon sonal to you – you’re in a unique position to It’s a tall order of to-dos and what not-to- and get the opportunity to attend such events emphasised turning your article into a nar- cover. dos, with the possibility for slip-ups at every as this one. And you don’t even have to be rative. At the end of the day it has to grip the turn. But the event reminded us that there charming to do so. reader, so get those 3D glasses on and get typ- 7. On interviewing: do your homework! isn’t a singular route to journalism; some of ing. Preparation will inform your questions. But us may have a more scenic journey there, equally don’t over-think it and forget to ask 2. Get out there and PITCH PITCH PITCH the obvious questions. (AND PROTECT) YOUR IDEAS) Ronke Phillips, ITV Ramita Navai, Unreported World Ronke Phillips has interviewed some big Ramita is a straight-talking, awe-inspiring names and in all sorts of countries, and won journalist who has made documentaries awards doing so. So if she says prepare, I and covered events in Egypt, Zimbabwe and would go in knowing who you’re interview- Libya. Pitching your articles is her sure-fire ing and what to ask. way of getting started, the more you get your ideas out there, the more likely you are to get 8. When contacting potential employers, ask a response. questions such as “what’s your online rate?” or “what’s your word rate?” Don’t let editors 3. Report FACT with ZERO interpretation assume you’re willing to write for free Deborah Haynes, The Times Paris Lees Another frontline female journalist who has With the rise of the unpaid internship, Paris visited conflict zones such as Iraq, Afghani- has a point. If you don’t ask, you don’t get. stan and Libya. Deborah’s straight-talking advice is targeted mainly at news pieces, as 9. On websites: Understand your audience: opposed to comment or opinion writing. WHO are you targeting, and WHAT are you offering them? 4. “If you’re a journalist and you love your Anna Doble, Channel 4 job, you must work every day.” To think oth- You wouldn’t send your Grandma a snapchat erwise is “FUCKING BOURGEOIS.” of you twerking... Cater to your audience – Iain Cobain use the right terminology, tone and style and Pretty to-the-point, laziness is not for jour- they’re more likely to come back for more. nalists... » The Student Media Summit in full swing photo: Flickr/ vnationalunionofstudents Want to write for Features? Let us know! E-mail [email protected] to pitch your ideas 16 Editor: Maya Westwicktheboar.org [email protected] Twitter @BoarLifestyle LIFESTYLE fb.com/groups/BoarLifestyle Room Renovations 101 Putting the sex in homosexual o you’ve had a week of living in your Daniel Cope expresses his no holds barred view on what it means to be gay university accommodation, unfor- tunately, some of you will be find- ing yourselves in small, cramped up Srooms. Luckily, there are ways to fix this: Make your room brighter

During the day, have your curtains ‘as open as possible’. Not only does this allow more sunlight into your room, but it also makes your room feel less confined and gives the illusion of a bigger room. Don’t be afraid to open your sheer cur- tains as well - unless you really want your own privacy. But so long as you are not na- ked or picking your nose all day, so what if people can look into your room? I prefer tak- ing down the sheer curtains or twisting them then hanging them up by the curtain railing. At night, make sure your lights are bright enough. If your ceiling light looks a bit dim, change the light bulb(s)! Look for a power-ef- ficient light bulb with a relatively high lumen measure. Remember to check the maximum power intake and buy a light bulb with the correct screw end. Lamps are also a good way to light up a room. So if your room does not have one al- ready, consider investing in one. » photo/Flickr: Guillaume Paumier Use light colours e love sex. It’s not exactly pro- Watch porn…no seriously, watch Just because you meet somebody Try to use lighter colours for your room found gospel to say that our porn! with the same sexual orientation for a more refreshing ambience and to make consumption of sexual com- does not mean you have to ‘do’ any- your room feel less confined. This means modities such as, the startling Unfortunately, the sexual activities of the thing with each other. using lighter coloured duvet covers - I am a Weroticism displayed in perfume adverts, is LGBT community can often be perceived as big fan of white beds - or consider getting prevalent among 21st century living. Neither alien in the light of every-day ‘reality’. People This attitude is far more abundant on cam- light-coloured curtains. If possible, a simple is it original for me to say that we are sold a are aware of it but refuse to acknowledge it. pus than you might first believe. “Everybody light-coloured desk and chair is also a good particular type of sex: the sex of heterosexu- So I say to you if you don’t get the answers who is gay seems to know each other!” is an idea. ality. From dating shows to gossip columns from your media, your role models or your example of observations friends have made to If your room walls are painted in a dark you can place a hefty bet as to where the ball peers then go watch porn. The myths and me in the past. They might be being slightly or depressing colour like grey, I recommend of sexuality will land. stigmas of sexual attraction should be un- dramatic but it is a fair observation. Societies asking your landlord to have your walls re- In schools sex education also favours het- derstood as much as they possibly can before like Warwick Pride exist so that the LGBT painted. erosexuality. If you couple this education individuals become active themselves. The community can network and share com- with the media’s sensual sales, it comes as lit- questions that you’ll be too embarrassed to mon experiences. It isn’t a dating society so Reduce clutter tle surprise that heterosexual kids are already ask will be explained with um… a practical it shouldn’t therefore, be perceived as some in the know before the infamous ‘birds and demonstration. If you can prevent yourself sort of real-life Grindr. It might be tempting Too much clutter can make a room look bees’ talk. Where then, does that leave homo- from internalising the misogyny inherent in to ‘get with’ somebody’ in a club once you re- more confined, suffocating and smaller than sexual young adults? Thoroughly confused the porn industry then it will be your best bet alise you both swing the same way, but ask it really is. Try to keep most of your things and riddled with doubt if my experience is for understanding the nitty, gritty details of yourself, is it worth it? If the only common out of sight. Store things away properly, use anything to go by. homosexuality that British sensibility likes to denominators between you both are ‘homo- your drawers. Organise all your clothes in I’m wary of trying to appear as a voice for gloss over. sexual’ and ‘fit’ then chances are this hook-up your wardrobe and avoid leaving them hang- the definitive homosexual experience, since won’t be a very good starting point or secure ing around. Use small corners in your room there is no such thing. However, I would like Don’t worry about answering: “who way of demystifying your own sense of sexual or the space under your bed to hide things. to give out some advice that I wish I had been is the ‘boy’/ ‘girl’ in the relation- self. Never jump the gun. It’s a good idea to keep your shoes under your given: ship?” bed too. Aim to have more walls and floor If you’re smart then sex should be space showing. Gay sex is NOT any less healthy I’ve asked my boyfriend this very question. a bit scary no matter your orienta- It is important to keep your desk tidy as than heterosexual sex He doesn’t like it. “We are both men” he says. tion. well, with only the essential things on there: He is right. The urge to put a heterosexual la- your laptop, your current work tidied up into This one is pretty obvious but it’s worth bel on our relationship is irrelevant; we both We all have habit of being frightened of neat piles - and maybe a bottle of wine! noting nonetheless. I don’t want to patron- like each other for the gender we are. Just be- things we don’t understand. This is why If you have a sink in your room, try to keep ise when I say that contraception is valid no cause one of us might have qualities that are homophobia and gendered stereotypes like that clear too. You only really need your hand matter what team you are batting for. How- stereotypically ‘feminine’ or ‘masculine’ does the promiscuous ‘femme fatale’ exist. How wash, toothbrush and toothpaste out - maybe ever, the way something like a condom was not in fact mean we are the relationship’s does a woman use her sexuality if she doesn’t shaving cream for guys. Moisturiser can go in sold to me as a young child was something equivalent of the ‘girl’ or ‘boy’. A relationship have a penis? Gay sex can’t really be natural; the drawers. that stopped a girl getting pregnant. Maybe quickly makes you appreciate the pointless it can’t possibly work can it? If you want to get It may sound extreme, and true, I am a bit I was a naïve and ignorant child but it took attribution of words like ‘butch’ and ‘camp’ as all biological determinist then, no, perhaps of a perfectionist and a minimalist, but these me a while to understand that contraception a descriptive of personality. homosexual sex isn’t ‘natural’ in that way. are just suggestions and the main point of should be a requirement for safer and health- And yes, that is a little disconcerting if you this article is that there are ways to improve ier gay sex too. So the lesson here is that, are gay. But it shouldn’t be treated as an extra what you’re given. So if ever you find yourself provided the relevant safety precautions are problem. Treat it as you would a mathemat- in a room too small for your liking, stop wail- observed, welcome to the world of gender ical equation or complex bits of prose, if you ing and get working fluidity and have fun! will, treat it as a learning curve. We ALL get Ann Yip Want to share your nervous initially; we are ALL a bit confused opinions with us? and rubbish, some people are just good at Tweet: @BoarLifestyle putting on a face and pretending otherwise. theboar.org Editor: Georgia Harris17 [email protected] Twitter @BoarMoney MONEY fb.com/groups/BoarMoney Brace yourselves, the applications are starting Ben Shaw gives his top tips for securing yourself that elusive dream internship s studying a degree at one of the tion of what their job would in- strate in your application that would be successful, and what mo- that’s the point of them. Companies best universities in the world volve. Dig a little deeper, and they you’ve at least read their website. tivates you. Find out what qualities want to see whether you actually enough to secure your future will resemble a fish out of water. I the company is looking for in their want to work for them. They know Icareers? Unfortunately, with jobs should know, I was one of the ma- 2. Learn to sell yourself employees, and think of examples that you will be applying elsewhere, harder to come by, it’s simply no jority when I started. I didn’t have Firstly, get your CV and cover in your experiences up until now but you should still spend time and longer sufficient to be able to count a clue what an Investment Banker letter checked by the right people; to demonstrate that those are the effort trying to impress them. It’s yourselves amongst the intellectual was, yet, I wanted to be one. Sign recruiters receive thousands of ap- qualities you have. a little game they like to play with elite. up to all of the presentations you plications every day, they will look you. You both know what’s go- With many graduate positions can, look out for society events and over your CV in 30 seconds, and 3. Prepare at every stage ing on, but it happens anyway. It’s being filled by previous interns of your knowledge will quickly build make a decision as to whether or Although all are different, most far better to apply for a select few any given company, a lot of you will itself up. You’re reading the Money not they like you. All it takes is one applications will involve several placements and take your time with be looking at these internships as section of the campus newspaper, spelling or grammar mistake, and stages. Online forms, competency the applications, than to apply for your entry route. As a little intro- that’s a good start. that will be all that the recruiters questions, numerical and verbal as many as you physically can. A duction to the whole affair, here are Try to think of a unique reason as reasoning tests, interviews, and small number of applications will my top five tips on landing that in- to why you want to be in your cho- assessment centres. As best you be far stronger than a handful of ternship that you’ve always wanted, sen industry, and please don’t say can, prepare for every stage. Take rushed ones. or at least, wanted since you heard “it’s the money”. There’s always one. Try to think of a unique rea- the online tests for instance. A lot about it. Speak to senior students, they’ve son as to why you want to be in of people will not do any practice 5. Get it done early been there, and worn the shirt and your chosen industry. before hand. Mess one of these tests Go! Now! Before it’s too late! I 1. Do your research tie, they’ll be able to help you out. up, and your whole application know of a number of companies It sounds obvious, but you’d be The chances are, there isn’t only is over, no matter how long you that have already closed applica- surprised at the number of appli- one company you are applying for, spent explaining your extravagant tions for spring, summer and grad- cants who have no idea what they and recruiters will know that; but, remember from your application. work experience placement in Ne- uate placements. Be the eager bea- are applying for. even so, it’s vital that you’re able to Ask other people to check your ap- pal. Spend time preparing for each ver, and you will be rewarded. In a lot of popular career choices demonstrate why you want to work plication for you, and make sure re- stage, and your hard work will be here at Warwick, *cough cough*, for that company, and no one else. cruiters only take away good things rewarded. All that’s left to say is good luck, Investment Banking, *cough Make sure you know what makes about you. hopefully the work done now will cough*, the majority are only able them different from the other com- Again and again, you will be 4. Set aside enough time pay off in the end! to regurgitate a textbook defini- panies in the industry and demon- questioned as to why you think you These applications will take time;

» Canary Wharf photo: Dave Straven

Macroeconomic review: where Britain stands The economic scene was so bleak experience a double-dip recession, place those on the lowest incomes attracted much attention, is now Alex Bunzl that Chancellor George Osborne and GDP has been rising impres- at a disadvantage. boasting higher manufacturing found himself comparing Britain to sively since. Are they, however, missing the activity. HSBC raised its Purchas- the Southern European countries, Most recent reports show growth point? In light of the annual rais- ing Managers’ Index of the sector’s ho could blame the av- simply to adopt a positive outlook. of 0.7 percent in the second quarter ing of the tax-free threshold, the health to 51.2 from 50.1. God for- erage commentator for It was all well to emphasise that of 2013, with employment increas- government is relieving the poorest bid that the Chinese may slip back looking on the past year Britain, unlike France, maintained ing by 0.2 percent. This progress is workers and promoting work si- a notch and grow only 7.5 percent Wnegatively? At first sight, Britain’s the highest possible credit rating, in spite of despondent reports that multaneously. rather than 7.7 percent! economic experiences over the past until Fitch alone upheld this judge- expect a curbed work ethic and de- Of course, the British cannot take So, assuming that the latest twelve months seemingly warrant ment – much to the amusement creased international investment. complete credit for their progress. round of statistics are correct, the title ‘Year of Discontent’. of the French commentators. Os- The Olympics saw Osborne booed Germany grew at its highest rate for their reliability having previously During this time, Britain was es- borne even found a new scapegoat and former Prime Minister and ar- two thirds of a year whilst France, rivalled that of our Deputy Prime timated to have suffered two quar- in the form of snowy weather. Ad- chitect of current British debt lev- albeit less impressively, expanded Minister, Britain’s future doesn’t ters of negative growth; Moody’s mittedly, the winter weather made a els, Gordon Brown, cheered. Per- too. As eurosceptics regularly need look too bleak and the golden tinge and S&P alike deprived Britain of slightly lesser antagonist than Mili- haps the inverse would have been reminding, these nations are major of the Noughties may soon be in her AAA rating; growth estimates band and Balls, who send a chill more fitting. trading-partners. As such, they de- sight again. were lowered, and a triple-dip re- through the House of Commons The Labour Party, on the other termine the fate of our economy in cession was forecast. In a time of on a weekly basis. hand, stress that many families are conjunction with any governmen- Should we be uncertainty, the notable consisten- The message to take away, how- still worse off than before the 2008 tal macroeconomic instrument. cy was inflation, an increase in the ever, is that the signals were mis- optimistic about Financial Crisis. They are quite Step back and observe a world- future growth? price level that remained above the leading, the statistics false, the neg- correct. The increase in the regres- wide recovery. China, whose Tweet: @BoarMoney 2.0 percent target. ativity unfounded. Britain did not sive VAT to 20 percent continues to dwindling increase in growth had 18 Editor: Rebekah Ellerbytheboar.org [email protected] Twitter @BoarArts ARTS fb.com/groups/BoarArts Kiss me, kill me: Othello at the National Theatre Jessica Devine reviews Nicholas Hytner’s stellar production starring Adrian Lester and Rory Kinnear

» Cast of Othello at the National Theatre (photo: Johan Persson) acting made the emotions and themes of the production The Dark at the Top of the Stairs.) Kinnear and Lester together onstage was en- his year marks the 10th anniversary of play seem relevant and realistic. That being Despite the play being entitled Othello, ergetic and tense; it fulfilled everything you Nicholas Hytner’s role as Director of said it managed to remain non-hyperbolic, the character who dominates is Iago and could want from the relationship of Iago and the National Theatre, and over the last a trap I have found other, more traditional there are plenty of critical debates surround- Othello. Tdecade he has set a precedent for witty, intel- productions falling into. ing Shakespeare’s decision to name the play Emilia is a character it’s easy to forget ligent productions that are both innovative Vicki Mortimer’s design was both styl- after its tragic hero rather than the fiendish about, but Lyndsey Marshall played a pas- and effortlessly cool – his most recent pro- ish and innovative. The very original idea manipulator. Kinnear stunningly executed sionate and strong performance that made duction Othello being no exception. of staging the eavesdropping scene, which the role and the moments when Iago fears me take notice of her for all the right rea- Othello is one of those plays that speaks is the final catalyst for the tragic dénoue- he is losing control stood out as the only sons. In addition, it was interesting to see for itself; the story is well-known and well- ment, in a common bathroom captured the glimpses of the character’s firm and vulner- Emilia presented as a fellow soldier, rather loved. While it would remain popular even lad-esque culture that was subtly employed able humanity. His false smiles and asides to than just a lady’s maid, which added a differ- without a stellar cast, casting is still critical to further the idea of rumour and hyste- the audience were chilling and allowed Oth- ent dynamic to the relationship between her and I was excited to find out that the roles of ria. Othello’s paranoia was heightened by ello’s fall from power and grace to appear all and Desdemona, as well as her and Othello, Iago and Othello were being played by Rory the claustrophobic set, with locked doors, the more tragic. during the climactic final scene. Kinnear and Adrian Lester respectively. The enclosed walls and the threat of imminent Though Kinnear’s portrayal was brilliant This is a clever and cool production that last time I was at the National was to see danger outside the camp, which left Othello and contemporary, it had perhaps too much strips the play of both glamour and melodra- Kinnear in Hytner’s acclaimed production trapped with his torturer Iago. emotional motive behind it. This is not nec- ma, transporting you to a very present and of Hamlet, so I was expecting great things. The colour scheme was austere and cold, essarily a bad thing, but I have always seen real world in which Iago’s quest for revenge Luckily, I was not to be disappointed. The in keeping with the military themes but also Iago as a sadist; a sociopath who does the takes centre stage. contemporary realism of the production that perfectly juxtaposing the bright and sunny things he does not because of some humanly extended to the set, costumes and direction disposition of the charming Desdemona, logical reason but simply because he can. Othello is at the National Theatre, London transformed the 1603 play into the realm of played extremely well by Olivia Vinall (an This criticism is down to a matter of per- until Friday 4 October, or catch the encore modern warfare. This heightened sense of actress nutured by the Belgrade Theatre in sonal taste and otherwise Kinnear was flaw- NT Live screening on campus at Warwick the presence and the ultra-naturalism of the Coventry, where she starred in their recent less in the role. Particularly, the action with Arts Centre on Sunday 13 October. What’s on compiled by Rebekah Ellerby and Chloe Booyens 1984 The World Turned Leamington Millet to Manet: late Ghosts Australia Broken Richard Serra: Editor’s Star Choice Upside Down Comedy Festival c19th French prints Drawings

1 -5 Oct Oxford 4 Oct - 14 Dec, 12 - 19 Oct until 12 Jan 2014 until 23 Nov, until 8 Dec 2-4 Oct until 12 Jan 2014, Playhouse; 15-19 Mead Gallery, Royal Spa Centre, Barber Insitute, Almeida Theatre, Royal Academy, WAC, Courtauld Gallery, O c t WAC FREE Various FREE £16 for Students £9 for Students £11 for U26s FREE for Students Risk-taking Buster Keaton, Lee Mack headlines French prints from Richard Eyre directs Demonstrates the Examines our A minute exhibition Headlong explore Sculpture & The a fantastic line-up, the late 19th century Ibsen’s play about scope of Australia’s broken relation- of 12 recent, radical Orwell’s ever Absurd: his films’ including Seann with a handful of the ghosts of the art, from its abo- ship with the earth drawings that relevant, perhaps influences on Walsh, putting Leam famous Impress- past riginal origins to the in athletic dance & promises to be timeless, dystopia conceptual art on the comedy map sionists modernists digital imagery something special theboar.org 19 19 2 + 2 = 5: 1984 comes to the Arts Centre Harley Ryley reviews Headlong’s radical, multimedia production of Orwell’s dystopian masterpiece stage adaptation of George Orwell’s ing elements, whose dynamism more than 1984 was never going to be an easy made up for the monotony of the character task. Its world in which even thoughts portrayal. The set’s disintegration into Room Acan be a crime under the totalitarian forces 101 was momentous and incredibly well of Big Brother, has become the ubiquitous choreographed. Its sparse emptiness poign- example to pair with stories of over-surveil- antly replaced the corporate scene of the rest lance and obstructions to human freedom. of the production. Coupled with an interest- Deemed a seminal work of twentieth centu- ing, if at first predictable, use of pre-recorded ry fiction, expectation from the adaptation’s videos, which took the story’s theme of sur- creators Robert Icke and Duncan Macmillan veillance and experimented with it even on- was so high that producing something truly stage, the set added dimension to often two- impressive was always going to be, in my dimensional characters. opinion, quite a challenge. In their adapta- I think I speak for most audience members tion, Headlong have done many things right when I say that the torture scene was breath- but even now, as I sit to contemplate it almost takingly perfect. It was tense; it was unnerv- a week later, I can’t work out if I enjoyed it ing; and I more than once had to close my or not. Now before you panic and think eyes against the visual effect of the staging. about cancelling the ticket you just bought, Winston came into his own in this scene, fi- let me elaborate a little, because there were nally evoking our sympathy, surrounded by many elements of the production that were the ominous brightness of Room 101. engaging, innovative and excellently staged; The concept of1984 ’s legacy was interest- elements which in themselves make the pro- ingly used by the production, as it opened duction worth a visit. and closed with a contemporary book club All of this said, for the most part, my is- discussing Winston’s diary, for them a piece sue with this adaptation was the conviction of history, and what its message could be. I of its characters; I felt at times that I didn’t could see, by the end, that this was trying to believe the characters were fully committed achieve an idea of resolution in the future but to their actions. Winston, though played well I felt that the opening scene was ‘tacked-on’ by Mark Arends, was cast too young for the to justify the final scene. The link, therefore, role and Harra Yanas’ Julia lacked character felt tenuous, and the effect was disorientating depth throughout. Winston and Julia’s active for the audience. At just £6 for Warwick stu- undermining of the Party’s regime seemed at dents when the play tours to Warwick Arts times a half-hearted attempt, and at others Centre, I advise you to go and simply make as though they were doing it because that’s your own judgements about this radical pro- what the script prescribed. I didn’t believe duction. Perhaps, for my part, I simply didn’t that the two people on that stage were there, ‘get’ the characters. Even if you were to agree in that situation, so the action lacked the with me, it is at least guaranteed to be an in- compelling tension that I found in the novel. teresting evening’s entertainment, by a fan- Though O’Brien was probably the most life- tastic company who have managed to pro- like character, whether Tim Dutton brought duce another memorable piece of theatre. It anything new to the role is questionable. I will keep you thinking, which, of course, is wanted the characters to grow and develop, its point! but as the play drew to a close I quickly re- 1984 is a co-production by Headlong and alised, with disappointment, that this wasn’t Nottingham Playhouse Theatre Company, going to happen. which tours to Oxford Playhouse (1-5 Oc- However, despite issues with the acting, tober) and later comes to Warwick Arts » Tim Dutton (O’Brien) and Mark Arends (Winston) in 1984 presented by Headlong and I was firmly impressed by Chloe Lamford’s Centre (15-19 October). Nottingham Playhouse Theatre Company (photo: Tristram Kenton) set design, which was composed of mov- Hobgoblin Leamington Comedy Festival A fantastic line-up of comedians, including Seann Walsh and Lee Mack, puts Leamington on the comedy map, says Isaac Leigh ollowing on from last year’s hugely suc- night will be hilarious guitarist Mitch Benn, Live at the Apollo. The 26-year-old is hurtling and has been adapted for 2013. Written by cessful debut festival, featuring stand- as well as the quirky George Egg, described towards international recognition at quite a Adam Long, Daniel Singer and Jess Winfield, out performances from Terry Alderton by The Guardian as ‘a hugely entertaining pace, and it is worth seeing him now, while this is a rapid romp through the Bard’s com- andF Lee Hurst, some even bigger names will variety turn’. The finale will be compered by he is still relatively unknown. plete works which promises to make you see be making appearances this year. Tiernan Douieb, a rising star hailed by many And we still haven’t talked about Rich- Shakespeare anew. 45-year-old Mack headlines the star-stud- a comedy expert for his audience interac- ard Herring, whose early work consisted of On top of all that, there’s Leamington ded line-up. The Southport-born comedian tion. a double-act alongside the hugely popular Underground Cinema, a performance from has starred in TV shows including Not Going On the Friday night, last year’s headliner Stewart Lee, brings his show We’re All Go- CBBC favourite Justin Fletcher and the Pun Out and Would I Lie To You, as well as guest- Terry Alderton will unleash his magnificent ing to Die! to Leamington Spa. Not afraid Run (Tuesday 15 October), a huge audience hosting Have I Got News for You and Never combination of noises and voices. Alderton, to ruffle a few feathers, Herring has tackled favourite in both London and at Edinburgh Mind The Buzzcocks. He will bring his quick- who was signed as a goalkeeper by League politics, religion and genitalia in shows thus Fringe. witted set, peppered with one-liners, to the Two football team Southend United in 2004 far, and now adopts the theme of death as his In other words, there is something for eve- final night of the week-long festival (Satur- after performing brilliantly in Sky reality se- companion on the Comedy Festival stage. A rybody at the Hobgoblin Leamington Com- day 19 October). But he is by no means the ries The Match, rose to the top of stand-up show not for the faint-hearted but certainly edy Festival. Diversity is rightly a buzzword only big name in tow. comedy via the long route. Originally a tel- for those who appreciate wit and that old in comedy, but the best thing about this ex- Arthur Smith, the much-loved British evision presenter, Alderton was voted as The chestnut, ‘comedy outside the box’. ample of diversity is that it has not come at broadcaster, writer and comedian, will be Sun’s Comedian of the Year in 2011, and has Outside stand-up, there are all sorts of the expense of calibre. performing on the same day. Smith has ap- also appeared on Michael McIntyre’s Com- activities to get your teeth stuck into. The Visit www.leamingtonspacomedy.com peared in shows such as Grumpy Old Men, as edy Roadshow. A bundle of energy and en- opening day (Saturday 12 October) sees a for more details: I’d get your tickets now, if well as panel shows QI and Have I Got News dearing weirdness, Alderton is truly one of face-painting workshop and a performance I were you. For You, and is well-known for rejecting an a kind, a blur of imitations and impressions by popular theatre company Maison Foo, award from the Perrier Awards in 2005. In that will leave you in stitches – so good that while the Reduced Shakespeare Company his words, “basically, they wanted to tell me he was described as a “f***ing genius” by no are putting on a thrilling and humorous ex- less an authority than Frank Skinner. hibition of all 37 Shakespeare plays in just 97 I was old and cool; well, I know that already, Been to any of these shows? and anyway, my ego is bloated enough.” This That’s not all, though. Rising star Seann minutes called The Complete Works of Wil- Tweet: @BoarArts veteran of Edinburgh Fringe is sure to bring Walsh appears on Wednesday 16 October to liam Shakespeare. The show appeared at the the house down. build on the phenomenal success of Chan- West End’s Criterion Theatre for nine years, Alongside Mack and Smith on the final nel 4’s Stand Up for the Week and BBC One’s making it London’s longest-serving comedy, 20 Editor: Poppy Rosenbergtheboar.org [email protected] Twitter @BoarBooks BOOKS fb.com/groups/BoarBooks Keep your wives and swap your books Over the summer students agreed to swap their favourite novels and try a completely new genre

Non-Fiction Fantasy

Andy King tackles literary criticism and Hanif Kureshi’s Phoebe Demeger muses on the king of fantasy Terry thoughts on multi-culturalism Pratchett and his novel Small Gods “Being a child at all involves resolving, or synthesising, at least two different worlds, outlooks and positions.” It’s not that fantasy and I don’t get along, per se; we’ve just Hanif Kureishi’s The Word and the Bomb might be de- never had an especially strong relationship. For example, de- scribed as an evolving opinion on race relations and multi- spite enjoying The Lord of the Rings film trilogy as much as culturalism in Britain. The child of a Pakistani Muslim father the next person, I’ve never felt any need to delve fully into the and a white British mother, Kureshi describes his parents’ world of Tolkien, or more recently George R. R. Martin. outlooks ‘clash[ing]’ within him, causing him to not really Thankfully, Pratchett in his Discworld series (Small Gods side with either. With this position, he scrutinises both cul- being the thirteenth instalment) creates a well-realised alter- tures and their interactions with one another. The text con- nate universe while keeping heavy-handed description to a »Small gods Picture: Dedroidify tains extracts of the author’s work, including the entirety of minimum. His laconic and witty prose leaves you no choice My Son the Fanatic and a chronological list of essays. but to suspend disbelief and immediately invest yourself in Kureishi’s non-fiction reads as eloquently as his prose the fate of a once-powerful God trapped within the unlikely Horror without losing any clarity of meaning. At under a hundred form of a sassy tortoise. It’s refreshing to see a genre novel not pages, it can easily be read in an afternoon. However, whilst taking itself too seriously; or more accurately, an author who Rebecca Myers prepares to be terrified as she reads his words are well-spoken, I’m unsure they had a lasting ef- doesn’t take his genre too seriously. Bradbury’s Something Wicked This Way Comes fect on me; the sermon-like statements about my “human Yet that’s not to say that the novel is solely a light-hearted duty” not to be blinded by religion felt, to me, like he was romp. It also serves as a caustic warning of the dangers of No matter how many years of reading you have behind preaching to the choir (if you’ll pardon the pun). That isn’t to institutionalised religion, and what happens when that reli- you, and how ‘open-minded’ you consider your liberal lit- say the book isn’t enjoyable, just that I felt it was targeted at a gion becomes too powerful. Moreover, through the journey erary taste, there comes a moment when someone recom- demographic I don’t belong to. taken by the underdog hero Brutha, it poses the underlying mends a genre to you that you’ve probably never heard of. This is possibly the first non-fiction book I’ve read cover to question: is it better to trust and believe in gods, other people, Now was my time. cover. I’m usually very fiction, if not fantasy, focused: stories or oneself? Eagerly engaging in the genre swap, I wondered: what fascinate me and I doubted non-fiction’s ability to provide To sum up: a philosophical and witty book, with just could someone throw at me that I hadn’t even dipped my a satisfying narrative arc. Kureishi proved me wrong to an enough fantastical elements to entice you into the next in- well-read tootsies into before?! – I hit a bit of a wall. ‘Horror’I extent. His voice is rich and his evolving argument about the stalment. Thanks to Pratchett, I’m feeling ready to take on the drew, and ‘horror’ I had never, never read before. need for multiculturalism provides an arc-of-sorts. I would Discworld, and maybe even Middle Earth someday. What did horror entail? Was it like The Woman in Black - I not say that I am a converted non-fiction reader, yet I enjoyed was absolutely praying not, because when I saw The Woman the prosaic segments (such as My Son the Fanatic) more than in Black I had a fever and slept walked for about three nights the essayistic chapters. Whilst my preconceptions weren’t Try the book swap challenge! afterwards. Which brings me to another point: I, Rebec- entirely accurate, I haven’t been convinced of the worth of ca Myers, am a scaredy-cat. So what would I do if the book opinion over those truths that can be gleamed from fiction. @BoarBooks made me sleep with the lights on for the rest of the academic year? #BookSwapChallenge When I received the book, I must say I was less than im- pressed. Book reviews can’t all be good, and I was starting to worry mine really wouldn’t be. A neon green design, with the silhouette of a man in a tophat, and a spattered effect – it looked like a children’s book from the outside. The reality was no book for children, except perhaps the ‘inner child’, if you can so call the inner devourer of new words and mesmerising imagery. Words like ‘itchweed’ and phrases like ‘somewhere in him, a shadow turned mournfully over’; images of a young, pale boy called Jim Nightshade, a duo called Mr Cooger and Mr Dark, and a world in which there is such thing as a lightning rod salesman. If you want to reawaken tingling nerves and spell-bound vocabulary that conjures forgotten worlds of slime and shad- ows and cold winters, delve into the world of Something Wicked This Way Comes. People often look for a novel to refresh their reading list, to give them a change of literary scene. Few novels and few genres will be able to do this for me ever again after the imaginative overhaul I embarked on with this dark volume. As for the rest of the genre, who knows? I can say only this: I have been spoiled by being given the true horror to end all horrors, the ‘timeless rite-of-passage’ of the master Ray Brad- bury.

» Summer swappin’ had me a blast Flikr/baddogwhiskas theboar.org 21 Science Fiction Una Shah delves into the wonderfully weird mind of Philip K Dick Pint of purple

I’d tried reading a bit of science fiction before taking part in this Deputy Games project – a little time travel here, some dystopia there. However, Editor Richard I’d never read anything like Philip K. Dick’s Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? Set in a post-apocalyptic Earth ravished by nuclear Brown takes on our war, Rick Deckard is a bounty hunter hired to ‘retire’ six runaway bookish questions in androids in order to own the greatest status symbol: a living animal. As the title suggests, Dick’s novel contains pretty much every sci- this week’s column Classics fi cliché out there, and by the time I’d finished Chapter One I was already bored of reading long descriptions about synthetic mood What book are you reading at the moment? Rhianne Poole took on Oscar Wilde and the genre of the Classics organs, World War Terminus, and electric animals. However, as the I always like to have two or three books go- story got going I found myself enjoying it more and more. Although ing at once so you can flick back and forth When I received Oscar Wilde’s The Picture of Dorian Gray, I couldn’t my attention did slip at times, I was always inclined to keep reading and keep it fresh. I’ve got a few course books wait to lap up the corruption, debauchery and excess of Wilde’s only – the plot was gripping and easy to follow, the action was fast-paced, at the moment. I’ve just finished 100 Years of published novel. Reason one: I’m a big fan of the fin-de-siècle, Victo- and the character interaction was well written and interesting. Solitude which was incredible and now I’m rians, and all things decadent. Reason two: it’s on the reading list for plodding through My Antonia which is…less one of my modules next year. incredible. What makes the novel a great classic to me is that despite its surface Literature can appeal to everyone no matter which genre you contextual significance, Wilde deals with a more universal issue: what prefer, and it’s always worth trying something new every once in Who is your favourite literary character? effect does sin have on man’s soul? a while. Okay this is going to sound like a strange Dorian Gray’s portrait begins to bear (and bare) all of his sins. In- one but hear me out. I’m going to say Patrick dulgence in unspeakable desires transforms only his picture, leaving Bateman from American Psycho. He’s the his corporeal beauty and youth unmarred. The novel documents Do- perfect mixture of exterior cool, the suits, rian’s adult life, from the initiation of his corruption by Lord Henry One of the common preconceptions about science fiction is the business cards, and internal turmoil. Wotton, to the shocking consequences of sustaining such a immoral that it’s mindless – you know, like aliens coming down to Earth Once you get to grips with the violence, it’s double life, denying his senses nothing whilst remaining a “gentle- and blowing everyone up, that sort of thing. But I was pleasantly a brilliant book and Bateman, as shallow, ob- man” in polite society. It was certainly an engrossing, if not quick, surprised to find that Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? was sessive and loathsome as he is, is an equally read. The plot drives the narrative down to its expected dénouement, actually a very thought-provoking read. The novel explores a num- brilliant…hero? Anti-hero? I don’t know. whilst the unspoken activities of Mr Gray shroud the life of its protag- ber of questions that are relevant to today’s society: what it means onist in a veil as dense as the opium smoke which clouds his senses. to be human, the distinction between man and machine, and the What is the first book you remember read- However, having not read many of Wilde’s works, I was quickly issue of social manipulation. In terms of both entertainment value ing? challenged by his characteristically embellished style, and to me it and intelligent writing, Dick definitely exceeded my expectations. I think it was George’s Marvellous Medicine. I became quite tiresome. The prose is littered with theatrical cynicism, I’m usually a bit of a snob when it comes to litera- remember after I read it, when I was proba- lavishly tripping from the golden tongue of the corruptive influence ture. My genre of choice was ‘classics’, but despite my snob- bly about seven or eight, my sister and myself of Lord Henry Wotton. “You cut life to pieces with your epigrams”, an bery, I actually preferred Philip K. Dick’s modern sci-fi to decided to make our own. I don’t think my insult of Dorian’s, confirms my reading experience of the annoying many of the books considered essential to the literary canon. mum was hugely impressed when we poured excess of such phrases. OK, it wasn’t the best book I’ve ever read, and I don’t think sci- most of the fridge into the bath, mixed it to- Although the style is a bit tough going, the plot and ‘moral of the ence fiction is ever going to become my genre of choice. But despite gether and left it for a few hours! story’ ascends the difficulty. I’d definitely recommend Dorian Gray to my initial presumptions, I enjoyed Do Androids Dream of Electric anyone looking for a read which raises that general problem of mo- Sheep? a lot more than I thought I would. It just goes to show, lit- rality, and what happens when you’ve gone too far over to the dark erature can appeal to everyone, no matter which genre you prefer, What is your all-time favourite book? side… and it’s always worth trying something new every once in a while. Whenever anyone finds out you’re an Eng- lish student you get asked this question, and to this day I haven’t come up with a decent answer. There are so many books that could be my favourite for different reasons, but if I So you want to work in publishing? had to pick I’d probably go with The Heart is a Lonely Hunter by Carson McCullers, which I first read in book club at school (oh yeah, Louisa Vivienne ponders about the seem to go hand in hand with the pub- have only completed I’m the kid who was in book club). The pro- publishing world lishing world and was told that “we have a bachelor’s degree. tagonist is a deaf mute and throughout the to drink so we forget how poor we are.” So book, McCullers hits this amazing balance In a post-university world of around 85 ap- there’s that. But a stream of open bar par- As with almost between loneliness and hope. plicants chasing every grad job, building ties is a plus, a few of which I attended even any job, you have up your CV is crucial. Many publishing as a lowly intern; which brings me onto… to be prepared for If you wrote an autobiography, what would houses offer unpaid work placements, such some mundane be the title? as Random House and Penguin (where NETWORKING. You have to do it, and tasks, and this is es- I think even I, never mind the rest of the I’ve spent my summer in the Publicity and it pays to be shameless. Talk to editors, pub- pecially true for in- world, would find it hard to take my autobi- Marketing departments, respectively). Of licists, marketing directors; basically, spy terns. I can’t tell you ography seriously. I’ve had a pretty mundane course, getting internships is competitive, the people talking to the authors and try how many books I’ve summer so if I was writing it now it would as this is where the catch-22 of employment to slide in gracefully. Exploit social media stuffed in envelopes to send to bookshops have to be “Cheese, Jeremy Kyle and Sleep- comes in; can’t get work without work ex- and email or tweet the relevant people to or reviewers. Department depending, you ing: Richard Brown Uncut” perience, can’t get work experience without say: “Hi. I’m a big fan of your books and may also be asked to do things like writ- getting work. So this is where every ‘skill’ would love to work for you. Are you aware ing press releases, compiling press packs, gets shamelessly twisted for your CV: It of any positions or internships?” The worst proof-reading and copy-editing. However, Kindle vs. Book? might be a bit of a stretch to point to your they can do is say “no” (or more likely not there are also plenty of creative aspects, I’ve got a Kindle and it’s useful, especially as performance at Wednesday night circle as reply at all). But it won’t make you less such as overseeing the design of book jack- a student, because so many of the books are evidence of team-building skills, but hope- likely to find a position. There are many ets or advertising campaigns. There are also ridiculously cheap, but you can’t beat a book. fully we’ve all done a few things that will websites out there to help you get experi- some hidden perks; Summer Fridays for ex- As pretentious as it sounds, there is some- make us unique, vibrant candidates. In ence or a job in publishing; the listings on ample. This is a fairly common publishing thing special about having a book in your my case it was website editing, speaking TheBookSeller.com, BookMachine.org and practice which allows you to go home after hands that no amount of technology will be French and ahem...writing for the Boar. BookBrunch.co.uk are updated regularly. lunch every Friday of the summer - sim- able to match. ple, but brilliant. It’s also fairly likely your Once you’ve got your foot in the door, For most employers, your degree discipline colleagues will be adorable book-nerds. How much is a pint of there are a few more things to keep in is not crucial to securing a job, but a back- purple? mind. Firstly, you can’t expect to earn a lot. ground in the humanities can demonstrate Along with the aforementioned wine abun- Although most of my infre- Entry level positions pay around £15,000 the necessary enthusiasm for all things dant parties, it’s an enjoyable, exciting and quent nights at Pop are a bit - £23,000 which doesn’t go very far in books. However, if you wanted to work in ever-changing work environment. Perhaps of a haze of fancy dress and London where the majority of publishing a specialised publishing sector such as le- most importantly, you get to be a part of bad music, I have a sneak- houses are based. It’s only really the big- gal, art or science, a relevant degree may the world that created every book you ever ing suspicion that it’s £1.50. dogs in senior or directorial roles who earn be necessary. There is also little evidence loved or were inspired by, a world that competitive salaries. I once commented on to suggest that candidates who have a Pub- will continue to inspire for generations. the endless parties and book launches that lishing MA progress more than those who 22 Editor: Raghavtheboar.org Bali [email protected] Twitter @BoarFilm FILM fb.com/groups/BoarFilm

No Lights, One Camera, Action! Raghav Bali offers a guide to some of the best film festivals in the country for students

» Disclaimer: This picture may not accurately represent student film festivals. Cinemas used will almost never look as beautiful as this one but one can wish! photo: australia.com

Flatpack Film Festival Watersprite Festival Cinematique! Featuring film, animation, optical illu- Hailed as one of the most prestigious stu- November is the best time to be a film fan Led by former Warwick students Jennytha sions, music, improvised sound and image, dent film festivals, the Watersprite Interna- with an impatience to escape the University Raj and Daniel Montanarini who helped de- live performance, installation and even a tional Student Film Festival is designed to cel- bubble. Which is why one of the UK’s most velop the yearly Keeno Kino Warwick Film pedal-powered cinema, Flatpack proves to ebrate student filmmaking from around the talked about events, the Aesthetica Short Film Festival, Cinematique! provides the perfect be one of the most diverse film festivals this world, and is held annually at the University Festival will fill that void, retuning for a third platform exclusive for all student film-mak- side of the North Sea and English channel. of Cambridge. The festival culminates with a year in York from 8-11th November. Aesthet- ers, especially those new to the game, to get The inception of Flatpack occurred in June weekend of events in the beginning of March, ica is not specifically a festival engineered by their work to an open audience. The festival 2003, as a monthly film night at the Rainbow in which famous speakers from the worldwide students but rather an experience that can eas- itself self is quite small in scale taking place pub in Digbeth, Birmingham, and now the film industry are invited, with the likes of Bill ily be absorbed by one. The festival celebrates in a bar and screen on one warm summer wheels are turning to start the gear of the 8th Nighy, Kevin MacDonald and David Yates, independent cinema with a shorter time day in London. But don’t be fooled. the pro- festival in March 2014. Warwick University to give talks and workshops, alongside the frame and a multitude of genres varying from fessionalism and organisation is on par with cinephiles can revel in being part of Birming- awards ceremony, celebrating and screening drama to music video to experimental. Akin any another festival, and you’d be surprised to ham’s cinematic history while sitting in the the winning entries. The festival is not-for- to Glastonbury the festival takes place over a hear that the event itself is free. Last year the festival’s spiritual home, The Electric Cinema, profit but even so its short-film competition weekend, with the option to acquire a three- festival invited Rob Savage the writer-director the oldest working cinema in the UK. The attracts entries from 41 countries, across six day or one-day pass. However instead of fork- of the micro-budget feature Strings for a Q&A highlights from last year included The Leba- continents, garnering a strong support from ing over £200, Aesthetica provides tickets for session about filmmaking and working the nese Rocket Society, a documentary charting BAFTA. Shortly moving into its fifth year, the a modest price of £27 for access to all the ven- festival circuit. Savage himself screened his the implausible forgotten story of a group of festival also provides people from numerous ues and screenings over the whole weekend film at the prestigious Raindance Festival in Armenian students who tried to build a space film departments, including make up, screen- – perfect for those on a student budget. Ac- London and even internationally at the Rome rocket in 1960s Lebanon and also a simple writing, scoring, and post production, the companying the usual festival frolics are the Film Festival. Without the hassle of fees and black and white animation, Plug and Play that platform to indulge in their early experience master classes that provide the opportunity to the competition of film-makers outside of ed- combines love, desire and the coulomb cur- in the industry as well as sharing the secrets of engage with industry professionals. This year ucation, Cinematique! is not only providing rent into one electrifying whole. Luckily what all these different tools of the trade. The festi- Alice Lowe, who has appeared in some of the a fantastic environment with the purpose of it lacks in overriding themes from its art in- val’s name derives from their first ever Film of best British cinema has to offer like Hot Fuzz showcasing what students have to offer in the stallations and films it gains in the form of a the Year, Who’s Afraid of the Watersprite? di- and Sightseers comes to Aesthetica to discuss world of film but also giving those interested welcoming atmosphere and spirit that heart- rected by William McGregor. The 18-minute screenwriting and subsequently bringing the in cinema the opportunity to meet others and ens the feeling of excitement and enhances short, a hauntingly beautiful coalescing story words to the screen. But what easily sets Aes- network within a casual setting allowing the the shared viewing experience in the festival of a sick mother, her little girl, a blacksmith thetica apart from other film festivals are the possibility of future collaborations with oth- community. So pack a coat, bring a buddy and an old man, went on to receive universal unique screening locations. You could catch ers. and prepare yourself for a week of cinematic praise and won 9 international awards. In es- yourself laughing your head off in a 300 year- enchantment. sence, it’s a perfect place to get make that dis- old manor or weeping silently in an old cloth- tant dream of yours into an impending reality. ing shop hidden down York’s cobblestoned alleyways. Aeshetica Short Film theboar.org Editor: Sam Steiner23 [email protected] Twitter @BoarTelevision TV Facebook: TV, The Boar Aussie Update

Keep on keeping up This summer, the TV section sent Joshua Murray Down Under to report on the un- discovered world of Australian TV. He came home with an unexpected new obses- sion. am afraid that I must start my final year here at Warwick with a confession. I am a Blockhead. By that, I don’t mean that I am a die-hard fan of Ian Dury’s rock andI roll band – although Hit Me With Your Rhythm Stick was a focal point of my Fresh- ers’ playlist. I am admitting to a television ad- diction that I picked up this summer on the other side of the world.

The Block is an Australian renovation show that follows five couples as they compete to turn rundown buildings into luxury housing and win a massive cash prize – sounds ad- dictive right?! This year’s version, The Block: Sky High, saw the contestants renovate an old hotel in the heart of South Melbourne, turning it into a stunning five-storey luxury apartment block. Each couple were given the task of refurbishing two rooms every week on a budget. Once the rooms were finished, expert judges ranked the results, with the top three couples each week receiving a mon- etary boost to their budgets. At the end of the competition, each apartment was opened to the public for a series of auctions. Every dollar of profit was won by the contestants, with the largest profit winning one couple an extra AUS$100,000. » Kim and ko. on the red karpet – but is the family worth keeping up with? Don’t be a snob, admit you love them... photo: Forbes.com Have I sold it to you yet? No? I am not usually a renovation programme enthusiast ent need for drama and attention, I believe ity show, this one follows a family who truly either, but within a week of being Down Un- Poppy Rosenberg that in celebrity culture, with the spotlight love each other. The dynamics between the der, I was hooked on The Block. continually shining on the family, their deci- siblings, especially the three sisters, I can re- sion to be entirely open, thus removing the port as being very, very close to the reality; Whereas most shows like it focus overly ow, I’m not usually one to admit danger of rumour is near genius. You need from the tears over being ‘left out’ to the tan- on the renovation work being done, often al- to my guilty pleasures – I am cus- only look to the press attack the family suf- trums about clothes being stolen, these girls ienating viewers such as myself who would tomarily inclined to fall into the fered after a slight absence of media coverage are the real deal. So even when they are ar- struggle to construct an IKEA bookshelf, The snobbery of an English literature and openness to see the wisdom in their usu- guing, the Kardashian sisters provide a good Block is more interested in how the stresses Nstudent – however, when it comes to the Kar- al approach.Whilst you may disagree with laugh by revealing the seldom-discussed re- and strains of the renovation process affects dashians I am shamefully unabashed in my their decisions and status, once you watch the alities of being a part of a large, loud family. the relationships between the couples. In the dedication and affection. If you’re not too show itself it becomes clear that each of them claustrophobic atmosphere of the building busy stewing in your own superiority, read takes responsibility for their actions and 3. They aren’t thick site, even something as simple as deciding on to find out why Keeping Up With The Kar- are prepared to deal with the consequences on curtains for the master bedroom can sud- dashians is a wonderful addition to television right in front of you. With the Kardashians This may seem unlikely, and you may be denly become a traumatic choice. and the best reality TV show out there. the drama is real, and for better or worse you beginning to think I am a bit krazy (sorry), have to respect that. but seriously they (can) make some insight- The Block is not just confined to the televi- 1. It’s real ful points! The Kardashians may seem ditsy sion screen either – it is a quasi-religion to 2. The family dynamic and materialistic, but they are very aware the passionate viewers. Any of the products Unlike the blatant staging of Made in of these criticisms and reflect on this in the used on the programme, from oil paintings Chelsea, or the controversially contrived The Unlike shows like The Hills and Made In show. Frequent discussion is had on the im- to a state-of-the-art fridge-freezer, are made Hills, Keeping Up With The Kardashians is a Chelsea, which at their cores are essentially portance and role of money and status in the available to viewers on the show’s website. no-holes-barred documentary following the voyeuristic excercises organised around family – it is no secret that Kim likes shop- When the apartment block was opened to lives of an undoubtedly ‘k-razy’ (sorry), but negative gossip-mongering, bitching and ping, but this is embraced and discussed the public in early July, thousands of people very real family. I have to admit to the admi- hostility, KUWTK has, at its center, a very from philosophical and moral standpoints waited in line for a chance to meet the star ration I have for the Kardashians and for their close and loving family. Coming from a close as well. In a particular episode, Kendall Jen- renovators of the show. press tactics. Instead of allowing speculation family myself, and being one of three sisters, ner herself discussed the discomfort she feels and often-destructive rumour, their form of I can say that their dynamic and affection is with her privilege amidst a community who I wish I could chuckle at those people for press control is simply to have no secrets. We heart-warming and, more importantly, ac- are suffering from economic recession. She their obsession with a television programme have been privy to the emotional rollercoast- curate! Over the course of the series we get was 15. – I really do. Unfortunately I cannot. I was ers of Kim’s infamous relationship with Chris to know the family through fly-on-the-wall I could go on, but I won’t. In short: you re- one of the eager Humphreys and there is no attempt to gloss footage and direct interviews. Whilst there is ally must Keep Up With The Kardashians. fans who braved the over the harsher, personal areas of life – one of course bickering between the sisters, this Melbourne rain for needs only to look to Khloe’s on-screen bat- only adds to the endearing quality the show a photo with Trixie tle with fertility to see that this is very much has as a documentary on a family. Khloe Kar- Do you keep up with the and Jono from Floor the case. Although there is a huge amount dashian has herself spoken out to say that this Kardashians? Or any other 5. My name is Joshua of criticism, most recently from Kim’s baby- is the reason she believes the show has been a guilty pleasure show? Murray, and I am a daddy Kanye West, about the family’s appar- success: contrary to almost every other real- Tweet: @BoarTV Blockhead. 24 Editor: Tolga Kuyucuoglutheboar.org [email protected] Twitter @BoarGames GAMES fb.com/groups/BoarGames

Retrospective Fable: Don’t game at Uni The birth of a Gabe Hurst justifies the decision to continue gaming at university legend: Grand Theft Auto III

Richard Brown

itting prostitutes with baseball bats, mowing down innocent ci- vilians, flying over the city and ob- serving your wanton destruction. HAhh, those heady days of youth. The Grand Theft Auto series always has been, and always will be, an unapologetically controversial beast. While people, arguably rightly, have concerns with the morality of the games, it cannot be denied that GTA is both critically and commercially, one of the greatest fran- chises in the history of video games. But while GTA V breaks records and wows fans left, right and centre, I want to look back to the game that revitalised and reimagined the GTA series and made it the enormous behe- moth it is today.

It seems incredible that it has been 12 years since the release of Grand Theft Auto III, the first game in the series to utilise a 3D game engine and the iteration that planted the seeds for subsequent successes with Vice City, San Andreas and GTA IV and V. » Is there a place for gaming at University? photo: Warwick SU The widespread acclaim the game received took GTA from a low-key success story to efore I started my first year of univer- sation runs dry. Free-to-play games like Star a sphere of mainstream dominance. Even sity, there were many questions that Wars: The Old Republic and Secret World are now, GTA III is regarded as one of the best I found myself contemplating; what a brilliant option here because playing them games to grace the PS2 and video games will it be like? Will I have a good also saves money and means you can keep in magazine even claimed that “the game’s Btime? What should I bring? Would it be okay contact by using Skype or TeamSpeak in the open-ended gameplay elements have revolu- to bring a games console and/or a gaming background. tionized the way all video games are made” laptop? When speaking to my friends about Some people may find having their pre- While now, it would be easy to look back to it they all came to the same conclusion re- cious console at university a little stressful as San Andreas and more recently, Los Santos, ally. Why would I want to stay in and game there often isn’t as much security as there is a variation of San Andreas, as the pinnacle when I’m supposed to be enjoying the best at home, so if you are to bring a console it is of the GTA cityscape, it was GTA III’s Liber- and most social years of my life? I actually lis- a good idea to insure it. Even though some ty City that set tened in my first year to people who said this, people argue that gaming could hold you the benchmark people who seemed to believe that gamers fresher’s week forced-fun you can settle down back at university, if gaming is how you have for open world are a strange breed of social recluse. Actually, in the privacy of your room and work out fun, then why not include it in your universi- sandbox gam- your stresses on something you won’t get a ty experience? ing. While the prison sentence for. city may lack Bringing a games console or gaming But on a less cynical note, bringing a games the personality console or gaming laptop will not only give of later games, laptop will not only give you a break you a break from your social life but it can it became from your social life but it can also also give you an alternative one. For a start a home for give you an alternative one there are thriving communities of gamers at creativity and university, the largest unofficial society being freedom. Bulbasoc founded by Jack Bliss. If you are a fan of Pokemon games make sure to bring The location is your DS for meet-ups and trading opportuni- coupled with if you have the appropriate insurance, bring- ties on the Facebook page. People who don’t a typically ing a console to university is a really good have a DS but do have a laptop are bound to stellar cast of idea for a multitude of reasons. find people to LAN with. It is also a good characters, a fun and evocative soundtrack, Personally I do dislike socialising a lot of idea to bring a console for more casual social complete with numerous radio stations to the time and even though some people do go gaming because despite the initial investment browse and effectively, limitless possibilities out non-stop I found it comforting to be able this is a cheaper alternative to having a night for mayhem. The choice to complete mis- to lock myself in my room and play the games out and can even be a pre-drinks option a sions at your own free will, a indepth set of I could at home. Some games are cathartic little more interesting than a game of “never side missions away from the main storyline; really. Even though everyone encourages have I ever”. If you don’t want to share your Do you fancy writing your these are things we take for granted in the Freshers to take part in as much as they can, console with your new friends at university own article for the section? modern era of the sandbox game, but many the pressure to do so sometimes can be over- you can use online gaming to keep in touch Tell us on Facebook of the features we now see regularly owe whelming and having a good lot of games with friends and long distance partners, put- a great deal to Rockstar’s first major hit: with you means that even when nothing is ting your thumbs to better use than twiddling Grand Theft Auto III. going on or you’re too tired to join in the them on Skype all evening when the conver- theboar.org theboar.org/Games | @BoarGames | GAMES25 25 Controversy for two dimensional gamers Adam Lloyd examines the hysteria surrounding the new Nintendo 2DS

ike hearing news of the death of Mi- out of your pocket would come the darndest ture that was undermined by the infamous vocal minority that chael Jackson – or Princess Diana be- bit of gaming nostalgia ever. You’d flip up that 3D ‘sweet-spot’ of older models. Stereoscopic believe every facet of fore him – I doubt that any of us will screen and the envy of everyone in the room 3D and movement don’t mix. 2D, however? the gaming industry ever forget where we were when Nin- was palpable. It was a better time, an age Tilt that console any which way you please. lives or dies on the Ltendo announced the 2DS. For my part, I was where Nintendo strode across the world of I was frightening myself – not only was I back of its appeal to sitting in my mate’s lounge with a number of handhelds like Titans. Now everything lacks beginning to think that the 2DS was an ex- them personally. friends, flicking through the Kotaku gaming a hinge. Now everything sucks. cellent marketing decision, I was starting to I’d like to think that blog on my laptop. I told them as soon as the Only that wasn’t the case, I quickly realised. convince myself that it had the potential to all those who reacted news broke; like many of you, we stared at Despite our fears, the 3DS and 3DS XL mod- win over the imaginations of their targeted with bewilderment at those pictures, mouths agape, trying des- els were still in production and hadn’t imme- audience: the children. “Could it be that we the 2DS reveal fell into perately to make sense of the situation. For- diately crumbled into dust; they were not yet only liked the Gameboy Advance SP because the former category. tunately, DeathSoul2000 of Gamefaqs was a thing of the past. You could, in fact, walk we were easily entertained by cool looking That would make on hand to break the tension. “Look at that straight into a shop and purchase one when- things?” I uttered, “Could the 2DS be the the whole thing so doorstop form,” he quipped. ever you wanted. The hinged option was still same for today’s 10 year olds?” much easier. Be- We laughed. He was right, of course. It open to us. The moment that thought hit me, They stared at me, eyes burning with fury. cause Nintendo fall does vaguely resemble a doorstop and we’d the most curious of things occurred: ‘This is nothing like our beloved SP and into that brilliant been too slow to notice. It was the sort of writing on Kotaku’s ‘Talk Amongst you know it,’ they seemed to tell me, platform of broad ap- witty, bitingly satirical comment that only Yourselves’, young parent Marsh before faltering, ‘we’re not sure why, peal that is enjoyed by he could make. “Taking away the 3D from Naylor revealed, somewhat furtively, but it isn’t.’ Thankfully, Kotaku commenter film studios such as the 3DS? Next thing you know, they’ll cre- that his 12 year old really wanted a Zackasaur was able to make their point for Pixar and Studio Ghib- ate a 1DS,” said one of my friends, smiling 2DS. And he agreed. them: “These look even MORE like li: Mario and Pokemon form a nervously, “And it’ll just be a line of pixels His shame was understand- Fisher Price products…” nostalgic part of our childhood and continue or something, there won’t even be a screen.” able, given the situation, h e lamented. “Ahh to be enjoyed by children and adults alike. We didn’t laugh quite so much this time; his but the reasons were all yes,” their misty eyes Nobody over the age of 15 is embarrassed joke was awkward and forced, spoken with the more surprising. implied to me, “that to admit they like Nintendo games. But that an air of desperation. But we acknowledged “This kid likes the 2DS must be why we hate does mean that there will come a time when his point: 2 is certainly less DSs than 3. It had because it looks a bit it. people have to admit they are no longer part to be inferior in every detail. My friends were like a Nintendo are just of Nintendo’s core demographic. They used quickly bemoaning the lack of a hinge on this becoming a toy com- to be, and everything seemed so cool; now new slab of plastic, and I nodded sagely. “Ei- p any.” they are not, and everything looks twee and ther I’m getting old,” another added, “or Nin- childish. Nintendo, they will realise, makes tendo is really going downhill.” There was no products that are not for them. And they may need to confer on this point. We all knew it not like metaphorically letting go. But they’ll was the latter; it had to be. The evidence was get over it in time. right there on the screen. However, the general caterwauling sur- “How could Nintendo have gone astray so rounding this reveal demonstrates more than quickly?” we pondered, still shaken by the re- this, I think. Even major gaming news outlets veal. We cast our rose-tinted gazes upon the tab- My friends seemed were at pains to point out that it was ‘the con- Gameboy Advance SP, a marvel of handheld let,” I told my friends, “and his placated by this; not I, sole no-one wanted’. Bemused gamers failed ingenuity that was cool for one simple rea- dad likes it because it’s cheap. however. “What’s wrong with to see how the console would appeal to them, son: that glorious hinge. I mean, sure, it also Also, you know, there are Zelda and Fisher Price toys?” I demanded, missing the point entirely: that there exists introduced the backlit screen (which leant Pokemon games coming out soon.” Instantly “They’re fine. Does this man frequent the a market beyond them to whom this might the console perfectly to gaming marathons I knew that I’d said the wrong thing. Fisher Price forums demanding more edgy appeal. That hardware on the market already under the blanket of night) but, most impor- Their eyes darted around the room like designs from their Chatter Telephone line of covers their needs. Ironically, despite their tantly, the screen folded down. When you angry flies looking for someone to blame for products? Does he begrudge 3 year olds their nostalgic attachment to older hardware, they were 10, having a console that looked like a this affront. The 2DS was stupid. It looked Popper Walkers? If not, why?” I suspected didn’t seem to understand how goofy quirks shrunken laptop or chubby Motorola was un- like a wedge of cheese from a 1950s Tom and the reason was that he accepted that he was of design might appeal to younger age brack- speakably brilliant. Luckily, it didn’t need say- Jerry cartoon. It deserved no defence. no longer part of Fisher Price’s core demo- ets. Some even felt cheated by the existence ing. A mate would come over to you and ask: Yet once this moment of clarity had graphic. My friends’ conversation had moved of a console iteration that is not for them. It’s “Hey, want to trade Pokémon?” and you’d re- washed over me, the floodgates opened. Sud- on, however. not what they want, but it cannot merely be ply: “Sure, let me just get my console…” And denly I realised that the lack of hinge gave the Why, then, the hatred for a Nintendo con- ignored with a shrug; it must be mocked and model a greater structural integrity, making sole blatantly aimed at children? Nintendo ridiculed into oblivion. it more child-friendly; the eschewing of the has targeted the younger demographic for a So am I saying that the 2DS announce- 3D feature allowed the model to launch at the good few decades. I could understand con- ment highlights a small group of sad, entitled surprisingly low retail price of £110 (or $130); fusion at Nintendo’s business decisions gen- idiots who begrudge – and actively want to and, yes, the console looked a bit like a tablet. erally, but anger? These feelings of betrayal steal away – the future gaming nostalgia of It was the boon for cash strapped mothers, that permeated the internet forums and vulnerable ten year olds? That’s for you at the affordable handheld whose form could comment sections? As I sat there surrounded home to decide. But the answer is yes. tap into the imaginations of today’s children by cackling Nintendo dissidents, I narrowed rather than the children of a decade ago. I it down to two possible conclusions: couldn’t stop myself from imagining the new These people are older Nintendo fans that Want to weigh in on the possibilities the lack of 3D focus offered to bitterly wished they were still Nintendo’s debate about the 2DS? the console’s gyroscopic tilt controls – a fea- target audience; these people are an entitled Tweet: @BoarGames 26 Editor: Michael Perrytheboar.org [email protected] Twitter @BoarMusic MUSIC fb.com/groups/BoarMusic Boar Jukebox: Mercury reverence...? Ready to Start Picking holes in the shortlist for the 2013 Barclaycard Mercury Prize As we knuckle down for the new academic year, our panel of student musos presents a clutch of tunes best suited to get term off to a flying start. Drake: ‘Hold On We’re Going Home’ Pulsing drums and chilled synths lay the groundwork for Drake’s sensuous vocals as he croons about taking (yet another) girl home. What makes the song work is that Drake abandons rap and goes full pop, pro- ducing his best out-and-out tune since ‘Find Your Love’. An instant classic, this is the per- » These New Puritans: cruelly omitted? fect song for lowering stress levels and trig- photo: dewmagazine.com » photo: danceyrselfclean.com gering that vital spark of inspiration to get those essays in on time. upposedly, the Mercury Music Prize f there’s anything this year which has a here’s no point ranting about Mercu- Redmond Bacon was once the heroic advocate of the true chance of sounding nothing like ry Prize absentees. At its basis (be- left-field, and champion of the musical anything you’ve ever heard before, it’s yond the pungent fear of industry Britney Spears: ‘Work Bitch’ subculture. But considering that the These New Puritans’ Field of Reeds. in-trading and politics like so much “You wanna live fancy? Live in a big man- S2013 shortlist poses the odious possibility that IAn award that is supposed to champion Tworld-wide-compost), what happened is that sion? Party in France? You better work, - by some incalculable travesty - Foals or Ru- the most forward-thinking music outside some people picked their favourite records of bitch.” So purrs Britney on her latest venture dimental might ascend to the same throne- the mainstream, the Mercury Prize is of- the last twelve months. That’s it. into socio-economic inspired music... and room as the likes of Portishead, PJ Harvey ten noted for not quite getting it right, and See, the real issue with the Mercury Prize it’s certainly tough to argue with those lyr- and Gomez, one has to question the award’s boundary-pushing / game-changing albums - and it’s an increasingly prevalent and neces- ics. Armed with a Swedish House Mafia-fla- self-description as a celebration of the most are overlooked almost every year. But the sary one - is quite simple: what do they stand voured beat and a British accent, Ms Spears “urgent” and “reflective” releases of the year. fact that records such as The xx’s debut and for? If anyone can do what they do (and sure- is firmly on hand to destroy any slumps of While Kevin Shields of My Bloody Val- PJ Harvey’s Let England Shake have bagged ly, most music connoisseurs do), then what is laziness and laurel-resting you may have en- entine sounds a bit like a paranoid, wound- the generous £20,000 prize in previous years the purpose of this institution now? countered over the holidays. Come to think ed lamb, bleating about the “sinister forces does suggest that an eye for ground-breaking Independence, perhaps? Sadly not: as of it, it’s a mystery why the library doesn’t re- at work” behind the Mercury Prize’s leering soundscapes does exist amongst the panel’s Kevin Shields recently pointed out, the rules peat this on its PA system... corporate agenda, he ultimately has a point. set of judges. exclude those who don’t have a distribu- Faizan Sadiq It’s a sorry state of affairs when subservience Just as xx did in 2009, sonically, Field of tion deal. Celebrating critical and commer- to the mass market (the subtext behind the Reeds fills a musical void which no-one ever cial crossover capabilities? For every Dizzee Arcade Fire: ‘Reflektor’ fuzzier stipulation for a “digital and physical really knew existed, and successfully sustains Rascal, The xx or Arctic Monkeys, there’s a The highly-anticipated fourth album from distribution deal”) is a qualifying feature of a a peerless world of its own. An art-rock album Speech Debelle, Roni Size or Talvin Singh. Canadian maestros Arcade Fire has kicked landmark album release. composed largely of classical arrangements Diversity, maybe? No such luck: the album its autumnal campaign off in fine form, with mbv wasn’t the only casualty of the 2013 (alongside the incorporations of Portuguese choices for 2013 have an overwhelmingly ob- the release of its titular track exceeding the shortlist. If Everything Everything’s debut singing, the sound of smashed glass, and the vious allegiance to the indie-rock genre. Oh, heavy expectations which have been steadi- Man Alive was recognised in 2011, the omis- recording of a hawk), it wouldn’t be neces- and for good measure, the nominations of ly building during the past three years. The sion of their sleeker sophomore is nothing sarily wrong to dub it a pretentious compo- Laura Mvula and Rudimental smack of the septet have risen to the challenge with poise short of mystifying. Meanwhile, the likes of sition. Indeed, you certainly won’t be likely to kind of Big Society multi-culturalism which and panache by producing an upbeat (yet Jake Bugg and Rudimental seem to have been hear ‘The Light in Your Name’ soundtrack- snuck into BPI’s Cameron-endorsed G8 mix- dreamy) throwback to the ’80s. Oozing with copied and pasted straight out of the Top 40: ing BBC election coverage anytime soon. tape. Tin-hat aside, one can’t help but suspect cool instrumentation (thanks in no small radio-friendly enough, but hardly innovators But Field of Reeds arguably manages what all that Ms Mvula in particular has been plonked part to an appearance by a certain David of their fields. If there is any gram of justice, great art should achieve: it pushes the listen- into the running like the previous (and now Bowie) and dark, insightful lyrics, ‘Reflektor’ the prize will go to Savages or James Blake, er, challenging him or her to rethink their frustratingly absent) token classical / jazz is a fundamental track for any back-to-work whose 2013 releases offer a scintilla of the own preconceptions about music’s possibili- nomination. / energy-inducing playlist. verve that boundary-pushers Melt Yourself ties and capabilities. In a way, the annual shortlists offer up an Flora Havelock Down or Factory Floor harbour by the barrel. Bound together by evocations of (and ide- irritatingly wonderful hodgepodge typical of as concerning) the east-English countryside, these isles. Sonic epochs change, as do judg- Hot Chip: ‘How Do You Do?’ the record also meets PJ Harvey’s magnum ing panels, and accordingly, the latter may be The entirety of In Our Heads (Hot Chip’s opus on a similar plain thematically, display- ahead of (or far behind) the curve on occa- fifth – and strongest – album) is a Techni- Rechristened in 2009 as the Barclay- ing attention to detail and a vision which is sion. Some of the bands could desperately use color electro marvel, fusing elements of mul- card Mercury Prize, its very name nods astounding for a group only three albums into the £20,000, whereas others won’t even have tiple genres into a gloriously uplifting whole. to the sands of systemic commercialisa- its career. Moreover, with concerns about the the cost of their private jet to the ceremony But when it comes to selecting five minutes tion that it has built its house upon. destruction of the environment appearing to covered. In comparison to the faux-glam- of concentrated euphoria, simply make a creep back into public consciousness with our of the Grammys or the Brits, it’s actually beeline for the pinball pop of ‘How Do You increased potency and urgency in the past rather tolerable to see acclaim being given to Do?’. Keyboards bubble over the surface of The Mercury Prize, short of answering the couple of months, Field of Reeds’ defamiliar- actual song-writers, and to several outré art- skittering rhythms, Alexis Taylor’s thin fal- qualms and conundrums of contemporary ising depictions of the complex relationship ists who’ve possibly never had the chance of setto has never sounded more life-affirm- music, has sparked off an exasperated ream between ourselves and the natural world are being interviewed by Fearne Cotton. ing, and the whole thing pings from hook to of questions this year. Questions such as: perhaps now more relevant than ever. But in short, the Mercury Prize doesn’t hook so seamlessly that it’s borderline hilari- “what about Fuck Buttons?” And also: “is this Overall, this year’s shortlist isn’t exactly stand for anything, and fundamentally, it ous. Whether heading for the Learning Grid the Brit Awards?” Rechristened in 2009 as shambolic, and recognition of the UK’s in- doesn’t matter. The discussions that the Mer- or the indie disco, never stray far from Hot the Barclaycard Mercury Prize, its very name creased recent shift towards dance / electron- cury Prize creates between you and your Chip. How do they do (how do they do) that nods to the sands of systemic commerciali- ic music is marked through commendable friends will be more valuable than the prize thing they do? Who knows, but it’s frickin’ sation that it has built its house upon. Rather inclusions of Disclosure, James Blake and itself. awesome. than tapping into the wellsprings of talent Jon Hopkins. And yet, while Savages, Bow- As a side-note, I’m hitching up my Michael Perry occupying the fringes of British music, the ie, Foals and Laura Marling have each pro- taste-wagon to Jon Hopkins. He probably Mercury Prize seems to have mutated into duced great albums, can any be said to have won’t win. But then, maybe I don’t want him a well-manicured hand, stroking the egos of produced something as genuinely innova- to: there’s always, of course, the infamous Which songs blow your established names and well-heeled industry tive, pertinent, astonishing and down-right “curse”. So, in that case, hopefully Jake Bugg mind open wide? fatcats. strange as Field of Reeds? will win. Tweet: @BoarMusic Sophie Monk Ed Graham Christopher Sharpe theboar.org theboar.org/Music | @BoarMusic | MUSIC 2727

Manic Street Preachers Nine Inch Nails Album Reviews Franz Ferdinand Rewind the Film ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Hesitation Marks ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Right Thoughts... ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ n recent years, the autumnal season has garnered something of a reputation as a prosperous time for big album releases. Clocking in at a meagre Rewind the Film is more Trent Reznor claims the Last year saw The Killers, Grizzly Bear, 35 minutes, Franz Fer- gentle, yet just as sophis- molten vehemence laid MumfordI & Sons and Green Day release new dinand’s latest wastes no ticated as the Manics’ pre- bare on his earlier re- albums within the space of a few days. time in reminding listen- vious works, indicating cords is still present, but 2013 looks set to continue the trend, with ers of the group’s spiky that with age comes true that “the rage is quieter”. the likes of Arctic Monkeys and Kings of rock credentials. ‘Right maturity. Characterised Indeed, the self-hating Leon dropping new material at the same time Action’ drags us back into by thoughtful melodies masochistic creepiness of as bright young hopes Chvrches, HAIM and their heyday amongst and simple guitar lines, old of has been replaced Factory Floor. If you’d like to get involved clattering riffs and guttural yelps, and the it conjures images of rolling country land- by a middle-aged man, who is perhaps no with helping us dissect the oncoming surplus strutting hooks of ‘Evil Eye’ add some throw- scapes. Some tracks – such as ‘(I Miss the) longer sure what to be angry about. Hesita- of new music, get in touch with the Music back dancefloor cool to the mix. There’s a Tokyo Skyline’ – do occasionally slip into tion Marks is absolutely worth a listen for ex- section via [email protected]. raw weight to this sound that resonates in to- oversentimental territory, but these are gen- isting fans, but it’s a shame that Reznor’s best The uncut version of each album review day’s setting; a veritable sledgehammer next erally acceptable blips on an album which is songwriting days seemingly dissipated with printed here can be found at The Boar’s on- to the dentist’s drill of modern indie. so thoughtful and rewarding as a whole. the anger that coursed through his veins. line Music page: http://theboar.org/music/. MP3: ‘Love Illumination’, ‘Bullet’ MP3: ‘Anthem for a Lost Cause’ MP3: ‘Copy of A’ Sam Carter Patrick Lavin Joe Wallace

Arctic Monkeys Kings of Leon MGMT Zola Jesus AM ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Mechanical Bull ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ MGMT ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Versions ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Arctic Monkeys’ fifth re- Despite conveying a MGMT’s third album As an epic revamp of a veals the band to have group of musicians in a is subtly difficult to put handful of tracks from further pursued and re- happier state of mind, one’s finger on, possibly Conatus and Stridulum fined the murky, expan- Mechanical Bull finds the because one is suddenly II, Versions never once sive aesthetic initially Kings still in the midst of unaware such fingers ex- plays it safe. The album’s heard on Humbug (with artistic indecision. Fol- ist. A showtune collapses greatest virtue is that album opener ‘Do I Wan- lowing an enjoyably rau- into a hallucinatory ex- Nika Roza Danilova’s ex- na Know’ exemplifying cous opening, the major- perience during opener traordinary voice – usu- this most perceptibly). Joshua Homme’s in- ity of the album is made up of mid-tempo ‘Alien Days’, before a half-hour exploration ally caked in effects – is finally unbound to fluence is evident throughout AM, with the songs, which the band seem to be far more of synethetic psychedelia leads into the won- take centre stage. However, in this grand band producing irregular minor-scale riffs, comfortable producing in bulk. While pleas- derfully ethereal closer ‘An Orphan of For- thematic shift towards voice and narrative, high vocal harmonies, and a deliberately antly melodic, the likes of ‘Beautiful War’ fail tune’, whose uplifting tones manage to give Versions loses some of the grit which infused oozing pace. This is a night out on which we to develop into satisfying crescendos, instead the entire piece something which feels over- the originals, held together only by the bare would all want to tag along. fading away just as quietly as they arrive. whelmingly like meaning. bones of JG Thirlwell’s string quartet. MP3: ‘No. 1 Party Anthem’, ‘Snap Out of It’ MP3: ‘Tonight’, ‘Temple’, ‘Rock City’ MP3: ‘Introspection’, ‘An Orphan of Fortune’ MP3: ‘Fall Back’, ‘Seekir’ Hari Sethi Hari Sethi Robin James Kerrison Sophie Monk

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Get involved with your student newspaper theboar.org Editor: Philly Betts29 [email protected] Twitter @BoarTravel TRAVEL fb.com/groups/BoarTravel A vegetarian abroad Samantha Hopps discusses the trials and tribulations of a vegetarian lifestyle on holiday

hile walking along a bustling tions, but that when you chose one, you wer- Quorn or tofu in European supermarkets, meat, was impressed by the selection and harbour in Crete, full to the en’t sure whether it was vegetarian or not. you’re more likely to get results searching for quality of the food. brim with restaurants, we are It wasn’t that the Greeks were determined a three-headed dragon. When we got back to the villa, I googled spoilt for choice for dinner. to turn me into a meat-lover, but rather that And yet, in Greece, on an island where the restaurant, finding adoring comments WWhen I ask if there are vegetarian meals, a tall the language barrier caused some things to there were restaurants stretching along the from hundreds of relieved veggies on the Greek waiter answers the question. With his get lost in translation. That, and the compe- harbour as far as the eye could see, not one restaurant’s facebook and various travel web- big, innocent eyes and very convincing tone, tition of many other restaurants means that seemed to offer me anything more varied sites. It seemed I wasn’t the only one who was I am sure that I have come to the right place local business owners are desperate for your than those delicious but over-eaten spinach grateful to have found somewhere to eat out. and I choose the meal that he ‘highly recom- custom and will say anything to get you to pies or a Greek salad. However, I chanced Although I’d never considered it before, there mends’. He scuttles into the kitchen with our eat at their restaurant. On top of that, when upon a tiny restaurant with a sign outside are plenty of other vegetarians with the same order, only to come out a few minutes lat- a dish appears by all accounts to be meat- that shone like a beacon of hope in a land problem: wanting to travel the world AND er with what I presumed to be a vegetarian free, there’s nothing to say that it hasn’t been of very, very little Quorn! The sign simply still be able to eat. These crazy vegetarians moussaka but, after tasting, I can be certain cooked in beef stock or fried in animal fat. read: ‘Traditional Organic Vegetarian Res- had the crazy idea of setting up a website to that it contained meatballs and mince. As other well-travelled vegetar- taurant’, and my heart did a little tell you where to find vegetarian restaurants ians might agree, you don’t jump of joy. the world over! The best one I found was realise quite how accom- So after some convinc- http://www.happycow.net/ . Simply type in modating Britain is ing, I dragged my fam- the your location and the site will list all of It wasn’t that the Greeks were deter- to vegetarians until ily to this restaurant the vegetarian-friendly restaurants in the vi- mined to turn me into a meat-lover, you’ve been abroad. and it was fantas- cinity! but rather that the language barrier Examples of this in- tic. We asked the In short, travelling as a vegetarian is not clude a margherita owner to bring without its fall-backs, and you must be pre- pizza I ordered us a selection of pared for meat to occasionally land on your in France that dishes –an ex- plate. However, more and more people are With a family of devout carnivores, I was turned up with citing prospect, choosing a vegetarian lifestyle, so with a bit of alone in my horror at being handed a plate lardons hidden as vegetarians research in advance, your chances of finding of lamb. I was also upset because aside from discreetly under are rarely able to somewhere vegetarian-friendly are getting the condition of ‘no-animals-on-my-plate- the mozzarella, tuck in without improving. For now, be thankful that you live please’, I’m an open-minded eater, and I enjoy and in Italy when asking questions in Britain, because never in England have I trying different cuisines. At the end of our I was promised beforehand. It was told someone of my vegetarianism only to be two-week holiday and 52 spinach and feta ‘a lovely little dish’ all delicious - even asked, ‘do you eat chicken?’ pies later (a delicious local delicacy, but only only to end up with my step-father, who in moderation) I never wanted to see another three roasted sparrows is baffled by my dietary bit of feta again. I concluded that in Greece, adorning my plate. As for choices and refuses to eat the problem wasn’t a lack of vegetarian op- buying vegetarian products like anything I cook as I don’t cook » Spinach and feta pie - tasty in moderation. photo: flickr/efatimas Racism in the Baltic states peatedly witnessed. in Latvia. The far-right nationalist party Visu Jack Waterlow This came in many forms. We received Latvijai won their first parliamentary seats many stares and annoyed looks from the lo- in 2010 showing that nationalism and xen- cals but we initially wrote this off as a reation ophobia have significant support among the atching my friend get ap- to a large group of tourists. More direct inci- electorate. proached by a friendly looking dents quickly drew our attention to the real The three Baltic States had a troubled old woman who told him in no issue. In a restaurant a waitress casually im- twentieth century. They experienced over uncertain terms that she was plied that my friend was from the jungle and fifty years of occupation from 1940 until the Wuncomfortable with him being in the super- on a night out we were asked if some of the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991. They market was something that I didn’t expect to group were our slaves. While these comments have faced invasions by both the USSR and see. The reason for this was that he is of In- were clearly offensive, others were far worse. Nazi Germany. The deeply affecting Museum dian descent. We were in Riga, the capital of The most shocking moment for us was at bar of the Occupation of Latvia in central Riga Latvia which, along with its neighbours Esto- in Riga, when we were approached by a man is a chilling reminder of this. My friend Liva nia and Lithuania, still has a serious problem who shouted in Russian that we should ‘go who grew up in Latvia says this can give us a with racism. home’. This was racially motivated aggression real insight into why. As she puts it, the peo- Earlier this year a group of twelve friends that threatened to turn to violence. There was ple of the Baltics are suspicious of outsiders and I visited the capitals of Lithuania, Lat- no reaction from anyone else in the bar as we and those who are different. The experience via and Estonia. The blend of Russian and left and I think we were all slightly shaken by of occupation demonstrated how fragile a Scandinavian cultures create an experience the experience. nation’s freedoms are and with only a mere unlike any I have seen before. You can feel Estonia is by far the most progressive of twenty-two years of independence it is un- like you are in a Northern European capital the three countries, something reinforced by derstandable that many are afraid of losing like Stockholm or Oslo one moment then its close links to Finland. In Lithuania, how- it again. Although their animosity towards minutes later, witness a country more akin to ever, the issue of racism isn’t widely acknowl- non-white visitors is misplaced their histo- Soviet Russia. There is no shortage of things edged. The murder of a Somalian immigrant ry brings us a little closer to understanding to see - from visiting a genuine Soviet bunker following his appeal about the situation in where these attitudes come from. near Riga to the beautiful Aleksander Nevsky the country brought race into the public eye, Despite our experiences being marred by Cathedral in Tallinn there is plenty for lovers but little has been done since to deal with the racism, we did enjoy our time in the Baltics, of art, history and culture. For these reasons, problems. In Latvia, the media have shown and travellers should definitely try to visit. It I cannot recommend the Baltics enough for themselves to be more aware, particular- seems that the issue is becoming more visible any adventurous traveller. However, this ar- ly since in 2005 a speaker at the European to the public, but racism still has a firm grip ticle is about the animosity towards the five Commission against Racism and Intolerance on the Baltics. non-white members of our group that we re- stated that racism was a ‘feature of daily life’ » The Aleksander Nevsky cathedral in Tallinn photo: flickr/suomi_star 30 Editor: Ellietheboar.org May [email protected] Twitter @BoarSciTech SCI & TECH fb.com/groups/BoarSciTech Purple: Our favourite drink - but why? Hayley Simon explains the science behind Warwick SU’s pint of purple, and why students love it ith the new academic year fast ap- charge. It is this polarity that gives rise to the via the small intestine. Once absorbed, alco- In the brain, alcohol acts on nerve cells. proaching and the SU gearing up unique chemical properties of alcohol. hol dissolves into the blood and the ethanol Specifically, it alters neurotransmitters, the for Freshers’ Fortnight, one drink When most people use the term ‘alcohol’ molecules are carried throughout the body. chemical messengers used by nerves to com- Wis sure to be back in high demand. A mix- they are not talking about a class of mole- Bodily tissue contains water into which the municate. Alcohol suppresses the excitatory ture of Strongbow, Carlsberg and an inordi- cules. Instead, the word is used in everyday ethanol dissolves. This happens everywhere neurotransmitters which stimulate the brain nate amount of blackcurrant squash, nothing language to specifically describe the mole- except fat tissue, which alcohol cannot dis- and increase the activity of inhibitory neuro- says ‘Welcome to Warwick’ quite like a pint cule ethanol. solve in. It is this property of fat that means transmitters that balance mood. By enhanc- of Purple. Ethanol is produced by fermenting sugars women are affected by alcohol more than ing one type of neurotransmitter and weak- Whether they like it or not, the new crop with yeast and has been drunk by hu- men. A man of the same height, weight ening the other, a person will begin to appear of first years will soon learn to love this War- mans since the Neolithic Era. and build as a woman would have sluggish. wick staple. Be it a stack of three pints at cir- Most cultures in the world more muscle and less fat. The Not all areas of the brain are affected at cle or a cheeky eight pint tube in the Terrace manufacture some type same amount of alcohol once. As more alcohol is drunk, more centres Bar, we manage to drink our way through of alcoholic bever- would be more diluted of the brain feel its influence. Memory loss is gallons of the stuff. Last year alone the SU age, from the Rum in the man. As a result, caused by the alcohol’s affects on the limbic sold over 60,000 pints of Purple, enough to distilleries of the the woman would system, while behavioural inhibition results fill the average-sized shipping container. Caribbean to the have a higher blood from alterations to the cerebral cortex. Grad- But what is it about Purple that makes Vodka guzzling alcohol level and ually, as more of the brain surrenders to al- Warwick students go crazy? Baltic States. she would feel the cohol, more symptoms of drunken behaviour Regardless of effects of the alco- appear. its country of hol sooner. With every pint of purple downed, the stu- Once absorbed, alcohol dissolves origin, no al- Absorbed eth- dent brain descends further into the abyss of into the blood and the ethanol mol- coholic drink anol in the liver an alcoholic stupor. But this drunken daze is ecules are carried throughout the is 100% pure is converted into not only achievable with purple. It can be ob- body ethanol. This is acetaldehyde in a tained with any kind of liquor, so why are we because alcohol process called oxi- so keen on Snakebite and black? is a poison. The dation. The acetalde- The real magic of purple is that you never The predominant ingredient in Purple is human body can hyde is then oxidised quite know what to expect. When you look alcohol. In chemistry, the term alcohol refers only process one unit for a second time, trans- close enough you realise why - no two pur- to a family of molecules that contain oxygen of alcohol per hour. If the forming it to acetic acid, the ples are ever the same. atoms covalently bonded to hydrogen atoms. blood-alcohol level gets too main component of vinegar. The electrons in this bond are not shared high, it can prove lethal. In Eng- This is the process by which ethanol equally. The oxygen atom pulls on the elec- land in 2011, 360 people died of accidental is removed from the body. If more alcohol trons more strongly than the hydrogen, caus- alcohol poisoning, so it’s best not to overdo it is taken in than the liver can cope with, the Do you think purple is ing it to develop a slightly negative charge. during Freshers! blood alcohol concentration will rise. As it the best student drink? Meanwhile, the hydrogen is left with too After alcohol is ingested, about 20% is increases, the ethanol molecules inside the Tweet: @BoarSciTech few electrons, resulting in a slightly positive absorbed in the stomach and the rest enters tissues will begin to have an effect. » The highly alcoholic Purple is one of this university’s most popular drinks, with Warwick SU selling over 60,000 pints to students last year photo: flickr/mfajardo The summer of scientific breakthroughs Ellie May gives us an insight in to the biggest scientific advancements over the past three months

Stem cell research Voyager leaves Solar System Lab-grown meat False Memories Stem cell research may be a controversial Dispatched 36 years ago, the NASA space- Scientists have successfully grown meat Scientists have successfully implanted topic, but has shown impressive potential craft has finally left our solar system and within a lab. By taking cells from a cow, false memories in to the brains of mice. this past summer. In July, two men were reached interstellar space, 12 billion miles they were able to grow strips of muscle. The mice were placed in a box and the found to be completely cleared of the HIV away. It takes 17 hours for a radio signal In August, using the lab-grown muscles, brain cells forming memories were tagged virus after receiving a stem cell transplant sent by it, the spacecreaft, to reach us on they produced the world’s first burger cre- and made responsive to a flash of light. – a breakthrough in HIV treatment unlike Earth, and has travelled further than any ated without any slaughtering of animals. The mice were then placed in a different anything before. Stem cell research has other man-made object in history. When the burger was sampled by food box, had their tagged brain cells activated, also made several other breakthroughs. Voyager was sent to study the outer plan- critics it received largely positive reviews, and given an electric shock. Placed back Scientists have grown the first functional ets of our solar system but after it complet- saying that the burger tasted good but not in the first box, the mice showed fear as liver from stem cells. The liver has also ed its task in 1989, it just kept travelling. entirely like traditional beef. The scientists they now associated the first box with the been successfully transplanted in to mice, Although it is travelling at an impressive say that it may be several years before the shocks, despite never receivng shocks in working well and increasing the lifespan 100,000 mph, it will not reach another star burgers reach the market, and in this time there. This showed that the mice now had of the mice with previous liver failure. for over 40,000 years. they will hopefully perfect the taste. an entirely false memory of the first box. theboar.org theboar.org/Sport | @BoarSport | SPORT 3131 Liverpool top of the pile? Welcome to 1973 Josh Murray takes a look back at sport 40 years ago, from the Five Nations tournament to US winning the Ryder Cup hether an interview with On June 6, Sir Alf Ramsey’s side tournament with a 1-1 draw at Wem- Rugby Union – Five Nations: ed fans are beginning to fear their the men’s hockey captain slumped to a 2-0 defeat against their bley. The annual Five Nations Champion- club’s invincibility, perhaps this story ahead of a Varsity clash Eastern European opponents in Brian Clough had branded oppo- ship (which became the Six Nations will ease some of the worry. At the withW Coventry or a nostalgic look Chorzow in a World Cup qualifier. sition goalkeeper Jan Tomaszewski Championship in 2000 with the ad- end of 1973, United goalkeeper Alex back at the London Olympics, The Perhaps the most astonishing el- a “clown” before the match, but the dition of Italy) ended in an historic Stepney was joint top-scorer for his Boar has been providing insightful five-way tie – the first time in the side with two goals after a torrid start articles on the biggest stories in sport tournament’s forty-four year history to the season. Moaning about David for 40 years. that the entire quintet of teams ended Moyes? It could be so much worse. So let us cast our minds back to the on the same number of points. first year of this very publication, and Between January 13 and April 14, take a look at the main events that the five participating nations of Eng- made the back page in 1973. land, Scotland, Wales, Ireland and Football: Liverpool began their France won both of their home fix- domination of English football under tures and fell to defeat in both away Bill Shankly as they claimed the First fixtures to ensure every side finished Division title. on four points. The Reds’ strike-force of Kevin England lifted the Calcutta Cup af- Keegan and John Toshack scored 39 ter Peter Dixon’s brace of tries helped goals between them to help their side them to a 20-13 victory against Scot- edge out Arsenal by three points and land at Twickenham. Don Revie’s Leeds United by seven. Golf – Ryder Cup: The Old Muir- It was the first time that Liverpool field course in East Lothian played had been crowned champions of the host to the Ryder Cup as the US top tier since 1966. overcame Great Britain and Ireland In Europe, Shankly’s men add- by a score of 19-13. ed the UEFA Cup trophy to their The American team, led by cap- league title after beating Borussia tain Jack Burke, Jr., were locked 8-8 Monchengladbach over two legs. with their opponents at the end of In the European Cup, Brian the second day’s play, but provided Clough’s Derby County reached the a dominant display in the Saturday semi-final stages, defeating Eusebio’s singles event to maintain an incred- Benfica on the way, before being con- ible unbeaten streak stretching back troversially knocked out by Juventus to 1957. – it was later proven that the Italian Great Britain and Ireland’s star giants had bribed the referee. ement of the match was that it con- custodian pulled off a number of golfer Bernard Gallacher contract- At the time of writing, England tained two glaring errors from argu- spectacular saves to defy England. ed food poisoning at the end of can seal qualification to the 2014 ably the greatest English footballer Despite having 35 shots, only Allan the first day to cut his tournament Which sports do you World Cup in Rio, Brazil, by beating of all time, Bobby Moore. Arsenal Clarke managed to beat Tomasze- short, whilst the great Jack Nicklaus want to get involved? Poland at Wembley - but they should midfielder Alan Ball was also sent off. wski. A few months later, Ramsey amassed 4 ½ points for Team USA. Tweet: @BoarSport take heed of England’s complacency In October, Poland put paid to was sacked by the Football Associa- And finally… in 1973. England’s hopes of qualifying for the tion. At a time when Manchester Unit- Olympic coach gets to grips with Warwick Judo perfect,” he explains. “You’re the Robert Demont only one who has to have all the answers. It’s not like at internation- al level, where you’re working with verybody has a special memory from the Olympic Games. three different tiers of coaches.” One of mine is the semi fi- I ask Warner what it was like to E work with Gibbons at the Olym- nal of the women’s 78 kg judo com- petition. Great Britain’s Gemma pics. Gibbons defeated her opponent to Like a skilled judoka who has secure her place in the final and, just been sent crashing down onto with it, a guaranteed silver medal. the mat, he is laid back about it all. Judo was not an event I expected “It was a great experience, espe- to stick in the memory, but Gib- cially being at a home Olympics. bons’ performance was one of the The crowd is more behind you and most iconic of the entire Games. there is more riding on it. But the Last week Warwick Judo Club matchday routine has to be the benefitted from the same quali- » Great Britain, pictured here against Hungary, are out of Eurobasket 2013. photo: kpc same as any other. “Obviously we were delighted for ty of coaching as Gibbons herself “Having worked at such a level, irritating flea. At least it’s only the they’re tugging at you, give them received, with her coach, Darren Gemma. She went from having 30 he just sees things differently to warm-up. a push. The esteemed coach has Twitter followers to about 30,000 Warner, coming to the university to everybody else,” says president An- Warner steps in, heralded by his made it all clear in one simple lead their training session. overnight. Instead of desperately toine Remond-Tierez. call of “matte!” Apparently, that demonstration. rooting around for money to go I was invited to take part in the “It’s especially great for those means ‘stop’. Lesson number one. Despite now being based in session myself, to observe just how out, she was being paid to be seen who haven’t tried judo before – He explains in more detail how Brighton, Warner spent much of in places. As a coach, it suddenly the club benefits from having such who better to give you your first to correctly grip your opponent’s his professional judo career in Cov- a decorated judoka as a guest at the becomes a case of keeping them in. impressions of judo?” clothing, and introduces the exer- entry, and says he relishes the op- “But the athletes deserve that re- club. My first impression of taking cise that clarifies the whole premise portunity to come back each year Prior to training several Olympic ward for all the hard work they put part in a judo training session is a of the sport in one fell swoop: use to lead the students at Warwick - in.” and Paralympic athletes, he himself reminder of just how scrawny I am, your opponent’s body weight and although he admits that coaching was a British champion, competing Perhaps he trained the judo star as I put all my weight into a push, balance against them. beginners is actually harder than of the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Games for many years at international lev- which my opponent shrugs off as a In other words, if they’re push- internationals. el. at Warwick last week – only time dog might shake off a particularly ing you back, pull them further. If “You have to be so technically will tell. theboar.org 32 Sponsored by Editor: Isaac Leigh [email protected] Twitter @BoarSport SPORT fb.com/groups/BoarSport Warwick coach leads GB to silver medal Director of Warwick Sport, James E It is widely accepted in football- what we call the ‘human being ing circles that the pinnacle of man- element’. It was so important the agement is to take charge of your players knew how to handle their country. free time.” So it may surprise you that a It was a strange start to the member of staff at Warwick Sport tournament, as GB’s first oppo- has twice steered a Great Britain nents Algeria failed to show up side to second place in an interna- for their first match, giving GB a tional tournament. 3-0 win. James Ellis, the acting director “I didn’t tell the players at the of sport at Warwick, guided the time, but I had heard they were GB football team to a silver-medal struggling to arrive on time,” Ellis finish at this summer’s World Uni- admitted. versity Games in Russia, a global “In the end they didn’t make tournament open to any talented it. It actually made it harder for footballers who are studying at uni- us though, as we knew we would versity. have to win at least one of the oth- This followed a similar achieve- er games against Italy and Malay- ment in Shenghai, China, in 2011. sia. Ellis was also assistant coach in Bel- “We beat Malaysia 2-0, which grade in 2009, where GB finished was great, but Italy absolutely fourth. smashed us and won 1-0 (Feder- The opening ceremony in Mos- ico Masi, a centre-back who plays cow hosted 160 nations and 10,000 for Serie B club Bari, scored). student athletes, while 27 differ- “We knew the quarter-final was ent sports were represented in the always going to be tough, as GB competition itself. The World Uni- had never beaten Ukraine before versity Games is the second-largest in this tournament.” Thanks to a second-minute penalty from Forfar Athletic’s Gavin Malin, Ellis’ side narrowly Fabio Capello wanted to broke the hoodoo. By contrast, come into our changing room their semi-final opponents, host to congratulate the players. nation Russia, cruised through The players were amazed their quarter-final with Canada, winning 4-1. “It was really intimidating play- multi-sport event in the world after ing in that semi-final, with all the the Olympics. crowd behind Russia,” said Ellis. After watching numerous Blue “I had to make some mas- Square Premier and Conference sive decisions in the penalty games to select a squad of 20 for the shoot-out, but it was great to go 2013 tournament, Ellis helped the through.” team through a tricky group stage Indeed, after Mickey Rae’s late with Italy, Malaysia and Algeria, equaliser, Ellis made the unusual before edging past Ukraine 1-0 in decision of taking off goalkeep- the quarter-final. er Tim Horn and replacing him After beating hosts Russia in the with James Belshaw, who was on semi-final – improbably for a Brit- the bench after being concussed ish side, the win came in a penalty in the group stages. shoot-out after a 1-1 draw in nor- “He wasn’t really allowed to mal time – Ellis’ men were beaten play, because the doctor didn’t 3-2 by France in the final. want him playing within a week Despite this, the former Lough- of suffering concussion,” Ellis ad- borough University director of mitted. football’s manner unveils to me that “But in training we’d practised he remembers July’s competition taking penalties against James, »A close-up shot of where GB’s finest student footballers lived in Russia. photo: wikimedia commons with great fondness. and I knew he could save a “stock “It was an absolutely magnificent penalty” to his left-hand side. By contrast, Ellis was denied the pundits on Eurosport, who provid- doing well in life. spectacle,” he said. “I can’t even de- “After the game, the opposition services of players such as Partick ed a live broadcast of the final. “My focus is now trying to create scribe the opening ceremony. There coach walked away and wouldn’t Thistle midfielder James Craigan But the former Nuneaton Bor- an environment where people can- were 45,000 people there, including shake my hand. Suddenly (Rus- and Sunderland’s Duncan Wat- ough and Kettering Town coach, come and talk to me about anycon- (Russian president) Vladimir Pu- sia and former England manag- more, whom Paolo di Canio signed who has previously worked with cerns.want sport and exercise to be tin, and it was very much like the er) Capello came down from the in the summer from Altrincham. Charlton Athletic midfielder Brad- a way of life for people at Warwick. London 2012 opening ceremony. stands and pushed the guy, as if to Great Britain ultimately slipped ley Pritchard in non-league foot- “Eventually I’d like to get back “We prepared for the tourna- tell him to shake my hand. to a 3-2 defeat against France in the ball, confirmed that he would now into Conference football, but it ment at the CSKA Moscow train- “He then came up to me and final, which Ellis admitted was “a be stepping down from the role in would have to come at the right ing ground, which had quite basic asked if he could come into our game too far”. order to concentrate fully on his t i m e .” facilities but helped us acclimatise. changing room to congratulate the But he said he was proud of the role at Warwick. But it is clear from the numer- We then lived in the athletes’ vil- players on their performance. The players’ attitude, and particularly “It’s time for me to stand aside ous souvenirs – from medals and lage, which was brilliant. players were amazed.” their commitment to passing foot- now,” he said. “I absolutely love the pictures to videos and slideshows – “The players did get a little bit The win was all the more re- ball. coaching side of things, but I also that James Ellis will not forget the bored, but we did loads of research markable given the calibre of the The second-minute winnerlove the day-to-day role of develop- summer of 2013 in a hurry. to make sure that they were living Russian side. Goalscorer Vladimir against Ukraine came before their ing people. with the right people. Dyadyun has been capped by the Eastern European opponents had “I moved to Warwick (from “We had to be really ruthless. national team and plays for Cham- touched the ball. “You wouldn’t see Loughborough University) because What do you Some extremely gifted players pions League regulars Rubin Ka- the senior England side doing that,” the University has massive poten- think about this? missed out, not because of their zan, while eight of the players have Ellis smiled. tial, and a great community of stu- Tweet: @BoarSport footballing ability, but because of appeared for the under-21s. He also appreciated the praise of dents who are on a journey towards