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twitter.com/warwickboar theboar Wednesday 26th November, 2014 Student Publication of the Year 2013 Est. 1973 | Volume 37 | Issue 5 Rugby to be barred from SU events? THE PULLOUT

cannot comment further until an been much information or expla- Ann Yip outcome has been reached on this.” nation given on the potential ban. It is understood that the decision Members of the Rugby club have was prompted by a video which complained that the SU’s decision The Men’s Rugby Union Club showed an ‘odd’ initiations event has been unfair and that it has (WURFC) has been facing the featuring male freshers dressed in come due to the University’s and possibility of being barred from maid outfits and man-kinis. the SU’s dislike for club initiations all Students’ Union (SU) events. There were allegations that the and adoptions. The decision to ban the club initiations shown in the footage be- There have also been complaints from events was made on Thursday longed to that of the Men’s Rugby that the club is being targeted as a 13 November. However, an appeal Union. Neither the SU nor the club result of being regarded an ‘arche- was made four days later by the have denied the claims. type of lad culture’. rugby club on Monday 17 Novem- The SU have however asserted ber. that the decision was not based A conclusion had The SU have officially stated: solely on the video and that they been expected for Nov 25 “the club are appealing the decision took other factors into account. Check online for updated made by the Discipline Commit- While the disciplinary process information: tee at the Students’ Union and we has been ongoing, there has not theboar.org/news the single most important thing you will do Find out about opportunities with teachfirst.org.uk/graduates

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» Photo: Free Education Warwick students join national Free Education protest Lauren Garvey cut back, we say fight back”. They When asked what his main crit- tion which will take place next year. what people will be able to do with Sarah Longmore expressed their views on placards icism was with the current system We need to push free education to it .” and banners to emphasise their regarding higher education fees, get it talked about in the political Throughout the rally, speakers agenda. Mr Franklin said: “What bothers sphere. We haven’t forgotten, so expressed the belief that education The Student Demonstration for Ed Franklin, a third-year English me is the stubborn denial that there they shouldn’t either.” was a basic fundamental human Free Education took place on No- and Theatre student at Warwick, isn’t any alternative. Students gathered outside Parlia- right, especially in developed coun- vember 19 in Central London. stated that the importance of at- “Politicians will confidently tell ment at 2.30pm for the rally, which tries like the UK. The protest follows student tending the demonstration was to you that this is the only way. featured guest speakers from sup- Many argued that because it was demonstrations four years ago be a visible presence. “The White Paper which was porting campaigns. free 30 years ago and remains to be in 2010 regarding the increase in He said: “Talking is one thing. It’s signed by hundreds of academ- Speakers included MP Caroline so in countries such as Germany, higher education fees from £3000 another to join with others who feel ics shows alternatives for funding Lucas who stated that three quar- the question for many was why it is to £9000 a year. the same dissatisfaction that we do. which doesn’t necessitate chopping ters of students leaving university currently denied. Warwick students gathered He recalled the demonstrations off those who can’t afford it like an will be unable to pay off their debt Amelia Womack, leader of the at Gower Street at noon to join in 2010 and said that he regretted infected limb.” in thirty years, making it an “illit- Green Party, showed support for students from other universities not being able to participate: “I had Another demonstrator from erate policy and morally bankrupt”. the cause. across the country. Masses of peo- the feeling that I had missed out Warwick, Grace Holme, a fourth- She praised the students attend- She described the increase in ple proceeded to march through on making a stand at an important year English and Theatre student, ing for “doing politics and changing university fees as “inter-generation- the streets to reach the rally point moment. saw the demonstration as a possi- politics.” al robbery”, and expressed her con- of Westminster. “The main thing is that we do bility for thousands of students to She continued: “Education is not cern that the younger generation is The protestors were accom- not give up. We need to make a join together as one voice. a commodity. too busy paying off debt rather than panied by a marching band and point that there is enough money She said: “My motivation for “Perhaps they are afraid of giving planning for a future. chanted slogans like “when they say for education to be free. participating is the upcoming elec- free education as they are worried theboar Editorial Team GAMES Gabriella Watt Editor Rebecca Myers NEWS Ann Yip [email protected] Joe Baker [email protected] [email protected] Rosie Hurley Samuel Lovett Deputy Editors Raghav Bali Arthi Nachiappan MUSIC Sam Evans [email protected] Daniel Cope Connor O’Shea [email protected] Jacob Mier Sian Elvin April Roach TV Laura Primiceri Sub-editors Samantha Hopps COMMENT Hiran Adhia [email protected] Ellie Campbell [email protected] Shaquille Basar [email protected] Sandeep Purewal Hannah Campling Helena Green MONEY Marc Barac SCIENCE & TECH Cayo Sobral Sophia Schoepfer [email protected] Osman Hassan [email protected] Florence Vane Junaid O’Balogun TRAVEL Samantha Hopps Director of Business Alessandro Presa FEATURES Rami Abusamra [email protected] Farah Chaudhry [email protected] [email protected] Roxanne Douglas SPORT Luke Brown Head of Sales Pamela Rajadurai LIFESTYLE Bethan McGrath [email protected] Warren Muggleton [email protected] [email protected] Chloe Wynne

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WE WANT YOU! SUHQ, Floor Two theboar is printed on 100% recycled paper University of Warwick Leave your paper for someone else when finished To write for your student paper University Road Coventry theboar is the University of Warwick’s CV4 7AL editorially independent student newspaper Email the section editors above if produced entirely by and for students. Except where otherwise noted, theboar and the you want to write for the paper works in theboar are licensed under: [email protected] http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/2.0/uk theboar.org/News | @BoarNews | NEWS 3 3 News theboar.org News in Brief Rachel Meehan

ll the motions at the All Student Meeting in Week 7 were carried, on a turn- out of 688 individual vot- Aers. In total, 2,462 votes were cast. ​ Students voted for the Students’ Union to work towards reducing waste on campus and to lobby for increased representation of un- derrepresented groups in various university decision-making bodies. The Union strategy for combating increasing living costs was estab- lished as a separate policy, and ex- isting policy on hidden course costs was amended as a standalone cam- paign. The Students’ Union’s cur- rent affiliations were also approved.

isabled students’ officer Jenny Wheeler has cre- ated a Facebook page called ‘Spotted at War- Dwick: Dozy Parkers.’ It posts photos of vehicles parked in ways disrup- tive to disabled students and staff at Warwick, such as over dropped curbs or in spaces reserved for dis- abled drivers. Members of the Uni- versity community can also post photos on the page. The stated idea of the page is to raise awareness of the issue rather than victimise the parkers themselves.

eamington’s Christmas » Photos: Lauren Garvey and Sarah Longmore lights lit up the town on Sunday 16 November. The annual event attracted hun- Ldreds of people this year, accord- UCU marking boycott suspended ing to the Coventry Telegraph. A yuletide market ran all the way academic and academically-related were initially proposing. mensely. down the Parade with a stage at the Rachel Meehan staff in UK universities. “We do not believe that they “We hope that a reasonable com- top. Various acts, including dance UCU and UUK have now also were justified on an objective ba- promise can be worked out.” groups and cast members from the agreed to a series of negotiating sis. We consider that many of their Royal Spa Centre’s Cinderella pan- The University and College Un- meetings before the JNC meeting, assumptions are unduly pessimistic tomime, performed on the stage ion’s (UCU) marking boycott over with a view to reaching agreement and overly prudent and their neo- before the lights were switched on university pensions has been sus- on reforms to the USS. liberal economic reasoning is intel- at approximately 5pm. pended in a joint agreement be- Their joint statement affirms lectually mistaken.” tween UCU and Universities UK that they are both “committed to Mr Leech believes that should (UUK). seeking a joint proposal for reform the reforms go ahead they will have n ongoing Warwick stu- A joint statement published on that offers an affordable, sustaina- bad consequences for universities. dent-led campaign to both UCU’s and UUK’s websites ble and attractive pension scheme, He said, “These cuts will be so bad ‘twin’ all the Students’ this morning states that the boy- for both current and future mem- it will mean that the pre-92 univer- Union toilets with 94 toi- cott, affecting Warwick and 68 oth- bers.” sities (including Warwick and the Alets in developing countries raised er universities, will be suspended It adds that both parties are rest of the Russell Group) will be £893.35 from a 12-hour sponsored from today until after a Joint Nego- pleased that the early suspension of offering much worse pensions. squat on the piazza on Novem- tiation Committee (JNC) meeting the boycott will mean it has not ad- “This is in comparison with the ber 18. The Warwick campaign is scheduled for January 15 2015. versely affected students and staff post-92 universities (such as Cov- part of an initiative, called Toilet will not have had their pay deduct- entry University), and will materi- Twinning, organised between the “We welcome the fact that ed for partaking. ally undermine their competitive charities Cord and Tearfund. The the employers did not press Peter Dunn, head of press and advantage.” money raised will enable people ahead with the very severe and policy at the University, told the He added: “Nobody goes into living in poor communities to have detrimental changes that they Boar that the University welcomes academia or university adminis- clean water, a decent toilet and will were initially proposing.” both its suspension and, “the cur- tration for the money. What has al- encourage learning about hygiene. Dennis Leech rent constructive negotiations on ways made the career worthwhile is In addition, the Warwick cam- the pensions issue.” the expectation of a secure pension paigners, led by Emily Boyce and UCU and UUK are currently Dennis Leech, president of War- at the end of forty years. Jess Docherty, also held fundrais- in dispute over UUK’s proposed wick UCU stated: “We welcome “If this is taken away it will make ing events outside the library and at reforms to the Universities Super- the fact that the employers did not it more difficult for universities Pop! on November 19, World Toi- annuation Pension Scheme (USS), press ahead with the very severe to attract the best staff which will let Day. In total, they need to raise the principal pension scheme for and detrimental changes that they harm UK higher education im- » Photo: Plashing Vole / Flickr £5640 to twin all 94 SU toilets. 4 News theboar.org/News | @BoarNews | NEWStheboar.org 4 Are unpaid internships unfair? Young workers Charity says that working for no wage is only affordable for the richest struggling with rent Arthi Nachiappan for those who are unable to afford as firms within the two cities who to sustain themselves for a period take steps to make their internships Laura Cunliffe-Hall young people today are having a of months without an income. more inclusive, said first-year Eco- much tougher time than their par- The living costs of working for no The rise in popularity of unpaid nomics undergraduate, Timothy ents ever did. The message from the wage are unaffordable for all but internships allegedly comes from Lynch: “Some [banking] internship Thousands of young workers many young workers who told us the richest in society, according to increased competition on the grad- programmes I was looking at of- across the UK have been severely about their housing experiences is education charity, Sutton Trust. uate job market, with employers fered accommodation as part of the affected by extortionate housing that it’s unaffordable and insecure. 31 percent of graduates take on placing increasing value on gradu- contract”. prices. This is yet another indication unpaid internships, according to ates with work experience. The issues “make unpaid intern- An online questionnaire by the that the assumption that each gen- the Trust’s reading of government Beth Newman, a first-year His- ships a serious and pressing prob- Trades Union Congress (TUC) eration will be a bit better off than statistics. With the large majority tory undergraduate from Leeds, lem for social mobility,” said the and Generation Rent, an afforda- the last has now come to an end.” of internship opportunities located stayed with a family member in study. ble housing campaign group, found The growth in popularity of in Britain’s two largest cities, this London for a work placement The Trust makes three key rec- that the average young person has websites such as SpareRoom.co.uk, comes with significant living costs. with an employment law solicitor. ommendations to make the intern- had to pay over 40 percent of their launched in 2004, highlight the The average monthly costs of Speaking to the Boar about how ship system fairer: salary on rent. TUC’S Big Youth multitudes of young people strug- living in London and Manches- the experience helped her apply for 1. Interns working for longer Debate in London, on Saturday 15 gling to find the means to attempt ter are £926 and £788 respectively, university, she said: than a month should earn the na- November, focused on discussion to rent their own properties. accounting for rental for a room “It cost a considerable amount tional living wage of £7.85 per hour topics including the negative hous- Of the 26 percent of respondents in a shared property, council tax, to get into London every day, but (or £9.15 in London), or at least the ing experiences of young people, who had bought their own home, household bills, food, and miscel- for how much I gained from the national minimum wage (£6.50). directly responding to the results of more than half had required finan- laneous expenses (which include experience in terms of my skills, 2. Internships should be adver- their questionnaire. cial aid from friends or family to broadband, clothing and cleaning and how it could help me with the tised “publicly, rather than being meet the inflated house prices. products). things I want to do in the future, it filled informally.” “The fact that even if you do start Such figures have raised con- The study calls into question the was worth it.” 3. The process of recruiting in- earning, most of your wages will cerns in the housing sector and impact for graduates who live out- There are opportunities outside terns should be more “fair, trans- be spent on rent is worrying.” amongst the general public. Alex side of London or Manchester, and of London and Manchester, as well parent and based on merit.” Ryan Weissler Hilton, Director of Generation Rent, has argued that if the rising One of the issues raised was the rent-to-salary ration continues, large amount of young adults forced politicians will “face the anger of a to continue living with parents or generation.” relatives. Of the questionnaire re- Students at Warwick have backed spondents, 44 percent claimed that Hilton’s words. Ryan Weissler, a where possible they would prefer to second-year Engineering student rent their own property, but most commented: “It’s hard enough to simply cannot afford to. think about finding a graduate job Meanwhile, respondents also at the moment. The fact that even if drew attention to issues with you do start earning, most of your housing contracts and tenant ex- wages will be spent on rent is wor- ploitation by landlords. Reports rying.” of eviction threats and the refusal Both the TUC and Generation of landlords to repay deposits has Rent have continued to monitor the been the catalyst for action for or- housing situation of young people. ganisations like Generation Rent. The 2015 General Election is their TUC general secretary Franc- focus for the improvement of the » Unpaid internships make it hard for students to afford living costs. Photo: Nietnagel / Flickr es O’Grady sympathised: “Many private renting sector. Tougher measures push students to collect bins might also lead to accidents and en- Alex Ball vironmental hazards. This action was instigated by complaints from residents in the Warwick students living in Can- Canley and Gibbet Hill areas. ley are facing tougher measures Councillor David Skinner, the against failing to fetch their bins City Council member for the Cov- as students are being urged to re- entry told the Coventry Telegraph: port their peers. “I certainly hope this will work. Warwick Accommodation sent “[I am] totally for anything an email to all residents of their which prevents inconvenience and properties on Centenary Road and prevents danger to disabled people Charter Avenue asking them to re- and people who are visually im- port fellow student tenants who do paired.” not fetch their bins on time. Warwick University spokesper- son Peter Dunn also stated: “There “[I am] totally for anything are concerns from residents about which prevents inconvenience bins being left out. and prevents danger to disabled “We don’t know if it is students people and people who are or not who are leaving the bins out visually impaired.” but I won’t be surprised if some of the bins belong to students.” David Skinner Some doubts have been raised about the effectiveness of the meth- There were concerns that leav- od. ing bin bags on the pavement after A 21-year-old ex-resident from collection time would lead to ac- Charter Avenue told the Coventry cessibility problems on streets, and Telegraph: “I don’t think anyone in my house would have taken much notice of that. I don’t think anyone How important is bin would have bothered to report peo- collection to you? ple to the Accommodation Office Tweet: @BoarNews about bins.” » Warwick students face tougher measures regarding their failure to collect bins. 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WARWICK.AC.UK/SPORT theboar.org/News | @BoarNews | NEWS 6 4 News theboar.org SU responds to abuse directed at NUS Black Students’ Officer Rosie Hurley motion. healthy and necessary for politics and behave with care, for the con- The statement highlighted: Bouattia reportedly stated: to function. sequences of our words and actions “The misrepresentation of her “Condemnation of ISIS appears to “This is, however, different to often go beyond ourselves. politics is an unfortunate Warwick Students’ Union (SU) have become a justification for war the abuse that Malia Bouattia has We have a duty to reflection of the vul- issued a statement last month and blatant Islamophobia. been subjected to, which has taken our fellow officers nerability of Muslim condemning the recent abuse di- She added: “This rhetoric exac- the form of threats of death, rape and colleagues to officers across the rected towards Malia Bouattia, erbates the issue at hand and is in and violence. While political disa- conduct our ac- country.” the Black Students’ officer for the essence a further attack” on those greements happen all the time, for tivities in a way The sabbat- NUS. they aim to defend. them to culminate in an onslaught that does not ical officers At an NUS meeting in Septem- This statement of opposition of abuse and harassment is com- harm some- affirmed their ber, Bouattia spoke out against a resulted in Bouattia becoming pletely unacceptable.” one’s welfare, support for the motion that called for the condem- the target of a virulent campaign Bouattia, who is a student at and does not issue, by add- nation of the militant group ISIS of hate and Islamophobic, rac- the University of Birmingham, result in an ing: “While no on the grounds that it advocated ist and sexist abuse from various has previously been awarded the individual liv- student lead- Western intervention and Islamo- groups. She was also allegedly on Media Diversified’s #EightWomen ing in fear.” er should ever phobic sentiments. the receiving end of death and rape award, and has started several or- With regards have to be sub- The motion, which called for threats via social media. ganisations including Black Wom- to the specifical- jected to this level students to express solidarity with In the wake of this, Warwick SU en’s Forum UK, the West Midlands ly Islamophobic of harassment, the the Kurds struggling against ISIS in released a statement on their web- Pan African Students’ Union and abuse that Bouattia nature of these threats Iraq and Syria, was put to the NUS site in October strongly condemn- the West Midlands Palestine soci- has received, the SU also against an elected woman National Executive Council as an ing the abuse that Bouattia re- eties Forum. highlighted the irresponsibility of representative is particularly trou- act of condemnation of the rebel ceived. The SU sabbatical officers The SU commented further on those who suggested that she was bling, and we condemn this behav- group. commented: “All student officers the duties of students when engag- aligned with ISIS, saying that it was iour wholeheartedly.” However, a group of students, occupy a position which opens us ing in student politics, they urged: insulting to her dedication to stu- headed by Bouattia, opposed the up to criticism - criticism that is “We have a responsibility to speak dent politics. » Malia Bouattia. Photo: NUS Rising number of UK students move to study in the US April Roach gathered by the US State Depart- offer: “At Berkeley I was able to take I have at Warwick and believe that, Factors preventing UK students ment’s Bureau of Educational and classes in Spanish, Jazz Theory and as a humanities student, you get a applying to the US involve cost and Cultural Affairs. Performance Theatre. […] I like lot more contact time at US univer- visa barriers. Ms Meehan com- The number of UK students The figure is taken from the first to think I have benefited from the sities, generally.” mented: “I think cost is the major moving to study in the US has batch of students to face the tre- contrast.” There are 886,000 international barrier to UK students studying in increased for the sixth successive bling of England’s tuition fee caps The most popular universities students in the US. Though stu- the US. If I had to pay Vanderbilt’s year, as revealed by annual figures to £9,000. for these UK students include, Har- dents from the UK make up the tuition fees for my year abroad, they from the Institute of Internation- According to the BBC, the UK vard, Columbia, New York Univer- largest group of European students could have cost me up to $41,088 al Education. students are estimated to be worth sity, University of California Berke- studying in the US, the 10,191 UK for that year alone. More than 10,000 students from £216 million to the US economy. ley and Yale. students who went to the US last “Most of those funds had to the UK attended US universities Alex Millen, a fourth-year Eng- Rachel Meehan, also a fourth- year are a small portion of the total. come from my parents, as my UK in the year 2013-2014, marking an lish undergraduate at Warwick was year English undergraduate at War- China, India and South Korea student loan only covered a frac- eight percent increase from the pre- attracted to American universities wick, added: “I had about double account for about half of all of the tion of them. Vanderbilt’s expenses vious year, according to the figures because of the breadth of study they the contact time at Vanderbilt than international students in the US. also did not include fairly major expenses like my plane ticket and visa!” Katie Moores, a fourth-year English undergraduate who stud- ied at the University of California, Santa Barbara for a year, pointed out that the costs vary depending on whether the university is private or public: “What I realised while I was out there is that, while private univer- sities are incredibly expensive, the public universities are not so bad. “Especially now that the English fees have been raised, I expect more people will study in America.” In comparison, there are also more US students choosing to study in the UK. The most recent figures reveal more than 36,000 in » Columbia was one of the US universities favoured by UK students. pPhoto: InSapphoWeTrust / Flickr UK universities. Campus campaigners: Warwick UNICEF fast for change Joe Lester of £8,264.29 through bake sales, proud of our members and how Monday 10 November, ran until paigns] received a lot of backing online donations and bucket col- much they have provided. Thursday 20 November, coinciding from the SU – sabbatical officers lections. This exceeded previous “As it stands the money we’ve with Universal Children’s Day. This have even changed their profile Warwick UNICEF on Campus records for both Warwick and na- raised has provided 263 families in aimed to raise money for the world- pictures and the official SU ac- took part in two charitable cam- tional UNICEF on Campus cam- threat of Ebola with protection kits wide protection of children’s rights. count have been posting about our paigns last week to raise funds paigns. providing a crucial lifeline for those It follows a number of similar events.” for UNICEF’s Ebola Crisis Appeal The event supported the Ebola most vulnerable.” social media projects, including the She added: “Even UNICEF UK and the protection of children’s Crisis Appeal, which aims to help Warwick UNICEF on Campus’s highly successful ‘Ice Bucket Chal- tweeted about us yesterday, which rights worldwide. families and health workers in the most recent campaign, ‘Mini Me’, lenge’ and ‘No-Makeup Selfie’ cam- is a first for all ‘on campus’ socie- The society held a sponsored fast worst hit areas of West Africa by encouraged Warwick students paigns this year, which raised mon- ties!” called ‘Mission24’ and a social me- donating aid supplies to vulnerable to change their Facebook profile ey for the Motor Neurone Disease The society generally aims to dia project known as the ‘Mini Me’ children and raising awareness of pictures to a photograph of their Association and Cancer Research promote and raise awareness of in- campaign. the disease in order to prevent its younger selves. UK respectively. ternational children’s rights at the The ‘Mission24’ event, during spread. Students were invited to to also Jacqueline Man, President of university, supporting the charity which members of the society took Commenting on the campaign’s donate £3 and nominate three Warwick UNICEF on Campus, said UNICEF UK through campaigns part in a 24-hour sponsored fast, success, Molly Fleming, vice-presi- friends to do the same with the that both the Mission24 and Mini and donations on campus. Dona- was held on 15 November. dent of Warwick UNICEF on Cam- hashtag #minime. Me campaigns have been received tions can be made through a link The campaign raised a total pus, said: “We could not be more The campaign, which began on well, she commented: “[the cam- provided on the society’s official 4 News theboar.org/News | @BoarNews | NEWStheboar.org 7 Energy conference lights up Warwick Leading academics and professionals talk about current challenges in energy production Hiran Adhia three talks from Shell, one of the Sammy Hasan, a second-year the room were very engaging and the announcement of the new largest oil companies in the world; Engineering student, said: “The we are looking to create a more sus- Technology Conference that will Warwick Manufacturing Group, venue was a bit intimidating at first tainable partnership with Warwick take place in January of the New The Zeeman Building was host to one of the leading innovative arms to have a discussion, but it was in- in the future!” Year. the annual Engineering Society of the Warwick in solving some of teresting to get an insight into the David Elmes, of WBS, com- Michael Andronicou, President Energy Conference that attracts these energy efficiency problems; complexness of projects that some mented on the future of energy of the Engineering Society, said: some of the leading academics and the Warwick Business School of these companies are working on. demands: “We have a lot of choic- “We are extremely excited and and industry professionals to talk (WBS). “It would have been good to get es for energy in the future. We can proud to announce this venture as about the current challenges in Despite the fear of protest from a panel together to really drill down do something a little different, as the first of its kind at Warwick this energy and how to solve them. some anti-fossil fuel pressure into the details of these solutions the landscape itself has gone from year. A crowd of 375 participants, groups on campus, the event was and see what we can do to be a part quite stable to more chaotic in re- “It really develops on from what with 33 percent of them being from free of protest and without much of it.” cent years. we have been trying to achieve as other institutions independent of disturbance. Executive, Neil H. Nersesian of “Warwick itself has already in- a society over the past year and Warwick, sat down on Wednesday It was also attended by ABInBev, ABInBev congratulated the Engi- vested £10 million into a heat and we are really looking to go from afternoon and discussed the ener- a leading beer brand management neering Society. power plant on campus that enables strength to strength in the run up gy trilemma: what is the best way company, and Teach First who led He said: “The turnout was amaz- us to make the most of waste ener- to our flagship event.” to establish affordable, stable and interactive sessions looking at the ing. The students and interaction gy, it looks to reduce energy costs Tickets go on sale this coming efficient energy resources? challenges of energy on a more lo- that we had is very valuable to what by thousands of pounds a year”. week, and are priced at £9 for the The conference was split up into cal and ground level. we do. The conversations outside of The close of the event marked full day.

» Photo: Photo: James Rhodes Locals pay tribute to war Ethnic diversity on the trading heroes by planting trees floor could deflate stock bubbles well-loved member of the commu- prices in order to identify bubbles pirically measured. Jack Prevezer nity, each tree will represent a spe- Mallika Vaznaik as soon as they appeared to meas- “It’s disappointing to think that cial group of people.” ure their exact magnitude. in such a globalising world there is Mr Tucker has also stressed the The researchers then randomly still underlying suspicion between Over 10,000 trees will be planted dual emphasis placed on “secur- Research from the University of assigned participants to ethnically ethnicities.” throughout the West Midlands ing future woodland” and remem- Warwick has shown that markets homogeneous markets or ethni- Dariaa Mykhailyshna, another to commemorate the First World brance. of ethnically diverse traders are cally diverse markets, letting them first year PPE student, remarked: “I War’s centenary. They claimed that “local tree much less likely to suffer stock trade stocks to earn cash. think that if findings of this study The Woodland Trust, a UK planting events help us work to- bubbles. When trading began, the re- can be confirmed by further re- based conservation charity, is lead- ward our target of doubling the The research was led by War- search found that homogenous search, they may be used in politi- ing the project. amount of native woodland we wick’s David Stark and Columbia markets were more likely to bub- cal and social debates by those who The scheme is part of a larg- h av e .” University’s Sheen Levine. Their ble than ethnically diverse ones. support immigration and ethnic er programme being launched This is significant as the UK findings were published in the sci- In contrast, market prices fit true diversity.” throughout the UK which aims to currently has “less woodland cover entific journal Proceedings of the values 58 percent better in diverse This research experiment high- develop four ‘Centenary Woods’ than the rest of Europe,” comment- National Academy of Sciences. markets. lights the benefits of ethnic diver- in England, Wales, Scotland and ed Tucker. The study has revealed that trust Christina Stuart, a first year stu- sity. It also questions the practical Northern Ireland by 2018. The charity’s lead partner, Sains- in irrational behaviour, one of the dent of Philosophy, Politics and significance of the findings in light 10,170 saplings are expected to be bury’s, is supporting the project. proposed causes of behind stock Economics (PPE) said, “Coming of the fact that many trading envi- transferred to schools and commu- Money raised through products in- bubbles, is far more frequent in from an ethnically diverse back- ronments, including Wall Street, nity groups across the West Mid- cluding Woodland free-range eggs, markets made up of traders who ground, I find it stunning that the are not very ethnically diverse. lands. chicken and turkey will be contrib- are ethnically the same. distrust between races can be em- The initiative seeks to combine uted towards the scheme. Traders are more likely to accept the refurbishment of local areas Mike Coupe, Sainsbury’s group transactions without asking too with a tribute to fallen war heroes. commercial director and CEO many questions when doing busi- The Woodland Trust is calling delegate, has said that the cause is ness with ethnic peers. for locals to get involved as the am- “important to our customers and In comparison, the scrutiny bitious project will require a £20 colleagues, and commemorative to needed to avoid stock bubbles is million investment. According to the 350 colleagues who fell during more commonly based in ethnical- the charity’s website, through lo- World War One.” ly diverse markets where the dis- cal participation the project aims Sainsbury’s has donated £1 mil- trust between ethnically different to provide a “legacy for the whole lion to the scheme, along with con- people is more prevalent. country” which “will stand for all tributions from partners including The study was conducted by t i m e”. WHSmith and Wilko. constructing experimental secu- John Tucker, the Woodland This has enabled the Woodland rities markets as a laboratory for Trust’s Woodland creation director, Trust to provide over 3,000 free bubbles. has praised the scheme, remark- tree packs to schools, youth groups The true value of a stock could ing: “Whether planted for a family and communities over the coming be pinpointed in this experimental member, former school pupil or spring. set up and compared with market » Photo: Alberto Carrasco Casado / Flickr Sponsored by: theboar.org 8 Editor: Hiran Adhia 8 [email protected] Twitter @BoarComment COMMENT fb.com/groups/BoarComment READERS’ RESPONSE Angus Taylor “Give Warwick’s sports clubs their due ” recent barrage of negative press in the local and na- tional media has focused on Editors’ Letters Aunruly and sexist behaviour exhib- ited by university sports clubs. Last issue, the Boar reported allegations of misogynistic chanting on the Uni Express and ‘odd’ behaviour during sports initiations. This is “Being angry the latest in a splurge of coverage “What is The depicting sports clubs as propo- is the key to nents of ‘lad’ culture and breeding Big Issue?” pits for anti-social behaviour. Having been part of sports clubs change” throughout my university and school careers alike, I understand Rami Abusamra Eloise Millard how enthusiasm can often turn to Features Editor Deputy Comment Editor reckless behaviour. However, those reading articles on the subject think the number one thing propriate reaction to reading about e’ve all done it. You’re erty. should balance increasingly nega- people need in their lives is an- a hate crime or something similar is ambling down the I’ve started buying The Big Issue. tive reports on incidents involving ger. I’m not saying we have to “this is disgusting, this is angering”. high street and above I don’t know if you’ve ever picked sports clubs with the incredibly Igo through life literally blind with Because when we have that, when the clamour of the one up, but a recent copy I’ve got positive influence these groups rage, attacking random people on we know that something is wrong, Wbusy crowds, you hear the dread- has an Alt-J interview, an article have. Sports clubs have become the street and enthusiastically bit- like a society where a hate crime ed: “Big Issue, please?”. You stutter on that Nick Cave film my house- easy targets for stereotyping with- ing things, that’s just stupid. I’m can be reported and all the under- “Um, sorry, not today” and walk mate won’t shut up about, political out proper recognition of the role saying that if we never get angry, if lying structures that foster that ha- away faster than you would if you cartoons… it could give the Boar a they play in our community. we don’t see things and go: “What tred ignored, it can give us the will were trying to catch a U1 on a Mon- run for its money! You’re helping It’s no coincidence that many in fuck’s name is going on here?”, to make people aware of it. day morning. Or worse, you ignore a vulnerable person move away students describe sports clubs as then we will never have the impetus Anger is active. It makes us try it. from life on the streets AND get- the most enjoyable part of their to get up and change it. to spread as much information I’m not ashamed to admit, I used ting some top-notch content. £2.50 university experience. As a student There’s this myth that love is to as many people as possible. It to be that person, until I met a ven- seems steep when you can peruse caller, I regularly phone graduates what makes things change, that makes us get on a bus to London dor of The Big Issue that, without BuzzFeed to your heart’s content and never tire of hearing stories if you love someone or a group of with thousands of other students sounding melodramatic, changed for nothing, but it’s not even the about sports clubs. It’s no wonder someones, that’s enough to make to demonstrate for free education,. my world view. price of a pint. If you haven’t got graduates come back to Warwick them realise the error of their ways. It makes us volunteer to give help I met Will in July. I had a job the change to spare, having a chat years after they graduate for “Old But love has never given us libera- with school subjects for kids who interview on Leamington’s Parade can be a welcome break for a ven- Boys” events, Warwick Relays and tion. Love doesn’t make us get up don’t get help at school. At the less and I was outside having a ciga- dor from a day of being continually such. It demonstrates how strong and go “Excuse me, this is bullshit useful end of the scale, it makes us rette. He came over and asked if he blanked when they’re just trying to their affiliation to sports clubs is. and I would like you to change it.” write short articles to get other peo- could have one. I obliged. He noted do their job. Sports clubs breed friendships That’s not to say love and anger ple angry too. my smart attire and asked if I was The £1.25 vendors earn from which continue long after universi- are mutually exclusive. I’m sure In Ferguson, MO, USA, people on my break. I told him about my each sale of the magazine goes to- ty. Furthermore, members of sports you’ve simultaneously loved some- are still protesting against the in- interview, and he wished me luck. wards rebuilding their lives. They clubs benefit from help provided one and wanted to punch them in stitutionalised racism that lead to I didn’t think anything of it; I just can open bank accounts, access by older students or alumni at their the face. Love isn’t what makes the death of Michael Brown, an un- dismissed it as polite small talk, as healthcare, find accommodation... club on anything from academic things happen though it’s a passive armed teenage boy. The policeman thanks for the cigarette. All the things we’ve never thought work to career advice. force and, however powerful it may who shot him, Darren Wilson, is I got the job. So began my career twice about. There are around The reach of sports clubs pro- be, it won’t make people stop in still free and on paid leave. We can of selling school trousers and posh 2,000 vendors of The Big Issue in vides a medium for students to give their tracks and really start seeing make people aware of that racism, butties, and a great friendship with the U.K. 50 percent of them are back to the community and raise what happens around them. and we can look at our own society Will. We would talk everyday. One supporting families. money for charity. Every year, rug- That’s anger’s job. No one will in Britain and make people aware day, Will asked me about my de- I still see Will pretty often; we by union members dedicate hours listen to anything that isn’t forceful, that we’re not much better. If we gree. Naturally, I started moaning catch up and it genuinely brightens teaching the sport at local schools no one will listen to anything that have the money, we can even do- about Virgil. I ended up in such a my day talking to him. Next time and hockey’s Movember campaign doesn’t take no for an answer. We nate to the people who are trying to deep conversation about The Ae- you’re forking out for a Starbucks raises hundreds for testicular can- can’t stand back and accept what provide food for some of the kids neid, I was late for work. Will is a caramel brulée latte with whipped cer. goes on around us with a tut and in Ferguson who don’t have access fountain of knowledge, and it was cream and sprinkles to boot, re- I’m not defending the behaviour a “well isn’t that a shame.” The ap- to it. then that I had the ultimate light- member: £2.50 goes a long way. of those who step outside the realm bulb moment: no one chooses pov- of what is acceptable. But let us be wary of scapegoating sports clubs, and recognise the valuable role they Dapper Laughs has choked on his last with ITV play. We should be aware that the behaviour criticised in the media Nick Buxey by catcalling women, was being en- ist or degrading to women.” Have ured out how to turn the TV on. and punished by students’ unions dorsed by a major network. When they forgotten when he tweeted Before anyone hails Dapper as a is by no means confined to sports someone complained, ITV had the “Remember, it’s only sexual harass- working-class hero, don’t. Equating clubs and is displayed throughout ver the last few weeks, Dap- nerve to insist that he was “respect- ment if she’s more attractive than misogyny with the working-class university campuses across per Laughs – real name ful” to women. In the same sen- you”? is offensive, and downplays the so- the UK. Daniel O’Reilly – has really tence, they claimed he’s just helping Dapper represents a persis- ciety-wide problem we have with Ohit the headlines. I’m sure I don’t men to “pull” women. tent and ugly strain of our society equal rights, no matter how much need to tell anyone why. Suffice to Nobody actually tries to ‘pull’ as someone who genuinely finds we like to dismiss it. say, he’s not the greatest example of someone these days. Doing so im- harassment funny. He encouraged Luckily this odious, vile and hu- feminism that we have in today’s plies the object of your affections people to think that shouting ‘com- mourless man has been banished to society. But what’s confusing was is just that. Not a person with feel- pliments’ or dry-humping motions the realms of anonymity. ITV’s original determination to ings and opinions, but a vessel to be are acceptable, even funny. stand by someone accused of using used and abused. All you have to do So why was ITV continuing to After a series of complaints, ITV “banter” as a veil for his misogyny. is lure them in. support him? One can only assume axed ‘On the Pull’ on November 10 What’s worrying is that someone They went on to further insist that Dapper’s fanbase represents a so cretinous, who had built a career that Dapper himself was “not sex- demographic that hasn’t quite fig- theboar.org 9 9 |

IN COLLABORATION WITH WARWICK PRIDE Cartoon Corner Luke Dyson “Why we need Pride” f you didn’t already know, LGB- TUA+ Pride is both a protest and a celebration. It is a movement Iagainst discrimination and violence towards members of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans*, Undefined, and Asexual queer community and promotes self-affirmation and equal rights of minority groups. It can take the form of many different inclusive events which aims to increase the visibility of the queer community at large and celebrates our diverse sex- ualities and gender identities that we are usually made to feel ashamed of. Warwick hosted its first “Gay Week” in 1983 which was later renamed “Awareness Week” up until 2009. As the co-ordinator of Pride Week this year, I have been asked why we need such a week, and here’s why. Living in a cis heteronormative society, being LGBTUA+ (the other) can be an isolating and lonely exist- ence. It is important that the com- munity is visible to show others that they are not alone. In mainstream media there is a major lack of LGB- TUA+ representation, especially for queer people of colour. And when we are represented, we are most often portrayed negatively which propagates many stigmas people hold against us. We grow up in a culture that tells » “Movember” Cartoon by Rachel Elfassy Bitoun us we are unnatural and even re- volting, reaffirmed again and again in PE changing rooms and at the dinner table. For many of us, these Meditating on the values of others negative feelings and insecurities are incredibly difficult to overcome. Even after I came out, I became anx- Rebecca Myers discusses the openness of Warwick Hindu Society at a recent ‘aarti’ event ious to defend and prove myself to ast Monday evening, fresh just been so busy recently!” were ting to understand all the different is. The Hindu Society didn’t have to my peers. Despite not being heter- from watching the cold dusk evident newbies: a couple of awk- faiths on campus. To that end, she invite the meditation-goers to wor- osexual, we are made to feel scared set in over the Soviet-bloc ward hippies, some nervous-look- was hoping to try out an event from ship with them, they didn’t have to of appearing anything else, and dis- Lviews from Library floor three, I ing postgrad students, two guys every faith society. invite us to awkwardly watch them miss those that are less conforming. found myself sat, cross-legged on inexplicably wearing their Freshers Suddenly finding Warwick’s as they went about doing what they Up until coming to Warwick, I did the floor of the Chaplaincy, under 2K14 t-shirts (never did get to ask Andy from Headspace didn’t seem do every Monday evening. But they not have a group of non-straight a big sign that said ‘Warwick Hin- them why), and me. As the so important to me. This did. And in a multi-faith communi- friends. With little exposure to sim- du Soc in partnership with Warwick room filled up, most girl’s awesome odys- ty like Warwick, that extension of an ilar people, I decided to join War- Buddhist Soc’… trying desperately of us who realised sey to learn a little invite can make all the difference. wick Pride. Making a group of queer to be invisible. we were sat alone more about what I am really grateful to Hindu Soc friends challenged many ignorant As a fourth year, there are not and didn’t makes War- and Buddhist Soc for hosting such a beliefs I held and made me feel more many buildings in central campus know anyone wick’s diverse fantastic event, and for inviting me, confident in expressing myself. I ha- left unchartered by me in my vari- – or any- religious the nervous postgrads, the awkward ven’t looked back since. ous wanderings to “find the lecture thing about communi- hippies, and even the guys in Fresh- All spaces in our society are by room”. Except the chaplaincy. Not what might ty tick had ers 2K14 t-shirts, to worship with default heterosexual, unless explic- even the lure of free paninis and ensue – struck me them, and to have a little taster of an itly specified otherwise. Even the toasties had seen me enter their migrated as truly understanding for how they interact one local gay bar we have in Coven- doors in the full three years I have closer and wonder- with their God. try is over-run with bigoted straight bumbled round Warwick campus. closer to- ful. With We are privileged to live in such people. Pride week is a reclamation And now, here I was, clearly in the wards the no real re- a multi-faith, diverse, and accept- of the safe space we are repeatedly middle of some enormous existen- edges of the ligious affil- ing community at Warwick, but it is denied. tial crisis that I myself didn’t fully room, until I iation of my rare that many of us see each other’s From verbal abuse to physical as- understand, psychologically prep- found myself own, it was rare experiences. sault and murder in some instances, ping myself to take part in a Hindu almost literally that I ever en- If you do one thing before term our struggle is far from over. LGB- prayer session, when all I thought sat under the en- countered the faith ends, I would urge you to seek a TUA+ individuals are much more I’d come for was a slightly more IRL trance curtain. societies on campus. little enlightenment, and take your likely to suffer from depression, version of Andy from Headspace. As I battled with the art While I thought I had own understanding of religion out- substance abuse, and experience Upon arrival to ‘Introduction to of sitting this unbelievably close to signed up just to sit and tell my side its comfort zone. homelessness in their lifetime. Pride Meditation’, I had been informed the exit but not being trodden on, mind off for wandering for an hour Much like the girl speaking to me is not just a gathering; it is a protest that the Hindu Society’s ‘aarti’ the girl next to me thankfully struck in front of a man in an orange dress, from my hidey-hole behind the cur- against an oppressive heteronor- would be taking place, as it did up conversation. “Are you new to I had actually been invited to par- tain, we should all aim to learn more mative patriarchal society. Until we every Monday, before the medita- this too?,” she asked, clearly need- take in a prayer to God, and an of- about each other’s relationships with achieve real equality and accept- tion session began. lessly. She went on to tell me the last fering of light that Warwick’s Hindu God and the world around us. And ance, there will always be a need for Peppered among the contented thing she had been to recently was community do every Monday. we are lucky that there are societies Pride. greetings of regulars and the chat- an ‘understanding Islam’ event run It struck me that evening what an on campus happy enough to let us terings of “oh my god I know – I by the Islamic Society, and that this enormous privilege being invited to in to see. used to come all the time but I’ve was part of her way, she said, of get- observe someone at worship really » Photo: Warwick Hindu Society 7 theboar.org 10 | A letter from a Third James Huxley Beavis says YES Eloise Milard says NO Culture kid espite being seemingly tacted the Students’ Union (SU), t made my week. It was too early challenge out of charitable spirit, obvious why Raising And other University RAG societies, on a Thursday, I was hungover or was it just to see a friend utterly Hiba Ahmed Giving (RAG) deliver- and myself since April to support from Pop! and my lecturer was humiliated? Dies are a positive element within student’s welfare throughout RAG Iwaxing lyrical about Arthurian Ro- I feel some of the RAG week de- fundraising at Warwick, I have week. He championed the option mance... until a giant dolphin in- liveries follow suit. I wonder how ear non-expat, been asked to construct an ‘argu- to remove oneself from receiving terrupted her mid-sentence to give many people would put a fiver First of all, do not under ment’ for this, but first, let me use deliveries in a professional manner her a lap dance with a little help into a bucket rattle compared to any circumstances, insist this as a platform of positivity and that allows students confidentiali- from Marvin Gaye’s ‘Let’s Get It how many would fork out as much Don knowing where said foreign congratulate the RAG exec, their ty to be maintained. Not only this On’. Albeit hilarious, every time the to see their mate clingfilmed to a kid hails from. If they feel like tell- volunteers, and the hundreds of but working with the union, RAG dancing dolphin burst through the tree. You can opt out of being a ing you the whole story, they will. students who have donated to created a mandatory workshop, door, I stared at my lap and whis- victim of RAG week deliveries, If they feel like saying “I come what is the most successful RAG allowing only those union trained pered to myself “please, not me.” but I feel this is a little known fact. from Birmingham” but look like week on record! able to perform more complicated Warwick Raising And Giving There’s a disclaimer at the bottom they’re from Kolkata, you respect I have to admit, I have lim- deliveries. They have reinforced (RAG) are a fantastic society. They of the email which was sent out their choice and leave it there. To ited knowledge of the ‘just say this diligently, with deliveries can- raise around £250,000 per annum to all students about RAG week. put it politely, it is none of your gNOme’ micro-campaign other celled without the appropriate vol- for charity a year, and RAG week is However, if you’re anything like damn business. Nagging insist- than holding the belief that the unteers. They have worked hard, only a small part of their amazing me, you missed that whilst rum- ence in knowing where said for- individuals involved have nothing both within social media and on efforts throughout the year. maging through emails about Fri- eigner comes from will result in but the best intentions for a posi- their emails, to promote this opt- Charity is defined as “the volun- day’s JaegerMonster and innumer- you being labelled a ‘prat’ by said tive outcome. Two years ago, I ran out process, aiding awareness at tary giving of help, typically in the able careers fairs. person of colour and, unless the RAG week: a week where the Uni- the potential cost of funds raised. form of money, to those in need”. Rereading what I’ve written, I origin of the person in question is versity saw a diverse collabora- RAG works relentlessly to help If this is true, why is it lots of peo- feel like a huge buzzkill. Despite vital to your well-being, you real- tion of students working together those most in need throughout ple expect something back for an my rather negative tone, I love ly don’t need to know everything to raise much-needed funds for the year, and RAG week has raised act of supposed kindness? the fact RAG week encourages the about it, and neither are they Children in Need. Not only did more than £4,500. The spreading The RAG week shenanigans, university community to come obliged to tell you. we pour our hearts and souls into of campaigns of negativity, with- particularly the surprise lap danc- together for a good cause. I just Secondly, the question “How this week, but we saw a tangible, out constructively approaching es and ‘gnoming’ are reminiscent don’t know when charity stopped did you end up here?” is not quantifiable difference with RAG sensitive issues, lacks profession- of the ice bucket challenges plas- being about helping those in need appropriate small talk with a membership rising dramatically, alism. I understand that these in- tered all over my newsfeed this and became about humilating oth- stranger. Whether said individ- and campus buzzing with a phil- dividuals have good intentions, summer. The Telegraph revealed ers. Charity should only affect two ual is the offspring of wealthy anthropic ambiance. but we are already working hard, that around half of Brits who parties: those reaping the benefits, diplomats with several countries Unfortunately in this week I alongside the SU, to consistently braved their icy fate didn’t actu- and the person who put their hand of residence on their metaphor- also made mistakes. There were a be far above the requirement for ally donate any money to charity. in their pocket. My definition of ical notch, or an ex-refugee, not minute handful of deliveries that student welfare. Imagine the op- Nevertheless, while the ice-bucket charity contains no humiliated everyone is comfortable sharing were unwished for. Thankful- posite end of the spectrum, where craze raised millions for a more middle man. For me, I’ll stick to their ‘story’. You are asking a deep- ly, Andy King (current Warwick these campaigners took more than than worthy cause it begs the bake sales, sponsored runs, and all ly personal question to a stranger RAG President) is not as igno- £4,500 away from teenagers suf- questions: were people nominat- that hegemonous charitable carry- and exotifying something deeply rant as I. He has consistently con- fering from cancer and their fam- ing their friends to undertake the on. intimate and life-changing, hence some people’s reluctance to share said ‘amazing story’ with you. Re- spect the foreign person’s space Energy is a problem that isn’t going away and personal integrity, and know when these questions are appro- priate. Hiran Adhia » Photo: Courtesy of James Rhodes greater need for the development Thirdly, the question “Do you of sustainable solutions. feel more new nationality or eth- This was emphasised by Da- nic origin-?” is never, ever accept- he problem with energy is vid Elmes, of Warwick Business able. Growing up between two that it is usually too big a School, who called for a greater cultures is never easy, and your, challenge to comprehend. It shift of investment from the sup- maybe well-intentioned, question Toften consists of complicated pro- ply side of energy to consumption. has undoubtedly been asked one cesses, big numbers, and question- Put more simply, the onus should too many times. Kindly back off able multinational companies who be on the individual to make and rethink of new, safer topics to seem to have all of the answers. It smarter decisions about how discuss such as the weather, foot- was reasonable to say that I was they are using their energy, rather ball, or Game of Thrones. sceptical of the Engineering Socie- than relying on the profit-makers Last but not least, the subject in ty Energy Conference before I took to make these choices for them. question is often marked out by my seat. However, I was pleasantly Speaking to him aftewards, he their inability to just ‘fit in’ to put surprised. said; “currently we are involved in it straight. There is no need for Not by Shell though. When an energy trillema: a need for af- you to further racialise them, and, William Lindsay, a chief engineer fordable, stable and efficient ener- while your intentions may be pure in their new Carbon Capture Stor- gy...and we need to start creating and your curiosity natural, it is age technology, stood up to speak relationships with the big compa- only fair to respect that some peo- and explain the finer details be- nies in order to do this...they have ple simply don’t want to discuss hind the pilot project, it seemed the real investment to make a tan- these topics. You, as an acquaint- as if everything was going swim- gible difference.” ance or even a virtual stranger, mingly. He calmy talked through Belgian spades. The owner of six boilers in your student houses in It falls upon us, then, as con- are not entitled to anything and his presentation and welcomed of the biggest global beer brands, Leamington and Canley to those sumers of energy, to challenge the should therefore not act as though questions. Although, it seemed they were incredibly on the ball that are switching off the lights in current status quo that relates to you are. that he was unable to answer that when it came to current energy their kitchens on campus, energy the energy problem. Consider- I hope this small guide of do- many - ignoring, or rather refus- challenges, but from a very fresh is an issue that isn’t going to go ing we are very much part of the nots helps you in your quest to ing to comment on the recent perspective. Executive Neil H. away. problem, with the level of wastage form a larger circle of acquaint- developments in fracking that I Nersesian claimed that: “Beer was In a room full of aspiring engi- increasing on a daily basis, are we ances without rubbing someone asked about, because it was simply the first social network and we are neers, it was clear that these chal- ready to form part of the solution? up the wrong way or stepping ‘not my area of expertise.’ There bringing together people with our lenges were going to need the in- It seems like a long gulf to jump on some very swollen, virtually may have been no active protes- brands.” put of those sitting and listening across, but I am glad that we are down-trodden toes. tors at the event, but the compa- This was a recurring theme intently to these conversations. having the conversation. We have ny presentation did little to quell from the event - the appetite for a The environmental damage of the Engineering Society to thank What is it like to be some of the fears that many in the collobrative approach to the chal- fossil fuels, as well as the sudden for that . Unless we start speaking a third culture kid? room had about the future of the lenges that we face today. It is clear changes in the worldwide climatic to the key influencers in the in- Find out more on big oil company. that energy itself is a very emo- picture, are likely to have the big- dustry now when they are in the Facebook What Shell lacked in enthu- tive topic. From those of you that gest impact on our current gener- process of getting cleaner, we have siasm, ABInBev made up for in are currently braving the broken ation, which pushes for the ever no chance of getting on board. theboar.org 10 Editor: Rami Abusamra 11 [email protected] Twitter @BoarFeatures FEATURES fb.com/groups/BoarFeatures Binary code, binary clothes Tamsin Paternoster looks back on Halloween and the significant problems it brings up us from such a young age: cowboys for boys, fairies for girls. The fact that these costumes are categorized in terms of gender is damaging for our society, and leads to miscon- ceptions about gender that are en- trenched in our minds from far too early an age. Not only do these categories not allow mobility between genders, re- inforce the gender binary, or allow options beyond stereotypes, they also lead to sexism. The idea that women must show as much skin as possible in order to be sexy, or find a decent Halloween costume, is presented to us in the media day after day. When a women is half- naked and writhing on a TV screen in order to sell cola or perfume, it’s dehumanizing whatever way you look at it. Connecting women with products bolsters this idea that women are there to be consumed. Equally, why must women adapt to primarily male fantasies in order to present sensuality? On the flip side, the fact that men must live up to a masculine ideal which abhors any sign of weakness can be rigid and uncomfortable. How fragile is masculine power when it can be threatened by any sign of feminini- ty? The obsession mainstream me- dia has with boys pulling as much and as often as possible leads to the notion that sex is a game, men must ’get’ and women must ‘give up’. Sexism is prevalent when the idea of a boy who has not lost his virginity becomes laughable. This is most clearly seen in the case of » Connecting women with » Photo 1, 3: John O’Nolan / products that bolster this Flickr idea that women are there Photo 2: Comrade Foot / Flickr to be consumed make the narrow choice between overt masculinity, usually associ- ated with violence (think gangster Elliot Rodgers where, even after he suits and toy guns) or dressing in massacred six people, was still pre- ith everything from to the human imagination when costumes? The answer is noth- drag is simply outdated and bor- sented flippantly in newspapers as Emma Watson to Mala- you discover the range of costumes ing. There is nothing particularly ing. The fact that when men dress a ‘sad virgin’. la Yousafzai to Reeva you can find which adhere to the harmful about a woman dressing up as women it is usually met with This may seem a little far-fetched SteenkampW monopolizing our TV idea that women must show as provocatively if she wishes to, nor shrieking laughter shows us how for a discussion about Halloween screens and Facebook feeds, sexism much skin as possible. It’s a wonder is there anything wrong with a far our culture has to go in accept- costumes which are, after all, for is as relevant today as it was when women don’t get prosecuted for in- man relishing his deluxe Superman ing the link between men and femi- fun. Really though, these costumes Mary Wollstonecraft first put quill decent exposure. On the other side costume with added chest muscle. ninity beyond a ridiculous, fancy say a lot about the way we per- to parchment. In times like these, of the gender spectrum; men can be What is wrong is that these cos- dress context. ceive and interact with each other. another article about gender is not powerful and intimidating. Above tumes provide a narrow-minded What about those people who More than costumes, it’s about how only suitable, but entirely neces- all else, men’s Halloween costumes perception of gender, and don’t of- are unsure of their gender, or don’t narrow-minded we are as humans sary. fer any possibility of mobility. want to be confined to the gender when it comes to categorizing Pretty much every crudely obvi- Gender is socially constructed. binary? In all honesty, is any one of things. Gender is one of the major ous gender stereotype can be ob- A sexy mouse, a sexy horse, Halloween costumes are essen- us actually sure of our gender un- categories that we identify with, so served by taking a visit to your local a sexy Groucho Marx, wom- tially saying what society says: this til we’re buttoned up in pink from why make it so constricting? fancy dress store. Cast your minds en are told they... must con- is your gender, now conform. The head to toe and thrust in the direc- back to Halloween, when costumes form to ideals of femininity problem is not with a girl dressing tion of the princess costumes? Or and the narrow-minded gender as a sexy mouse, but the pressure stuffed into superman outfits com- Are you angry about conventions they promote, were on her to dress in a certain way. As ing in shades of blue and red and gender representation in everywhere. For women, there are a sexy mouse, a sexy horse, a sexy repeatedly told we’re ladies men today’s society? a huge variety of characters or in- Groucho Marx, women are told whenever we absently stare in the pitch an article today: animate object you can imitate with avoid anything typically considered that the way they dress must con- general direction of a girl. What is [email protected] clothes, yet there is one consistent to be feminine. form to those ideals of femininity. so worrying about Halloween cos- theme: sexy. In fact it’s a testament So what is so wrong about these Equally, the idea that men have to tumes is that they are presented to theboar.org/features | @BoarFeatures | Features 12 It’s okay not to be okay Anxious? Catherine Pearson knows just how you feel, and she’s here to say that it’s absolutely fine

y name is Catherine Mental Health Organisation de- office. I was painfully concerned exhausted. But, once I composed I pay for not having disclosed my and I suffer from anxi- scribes anxiety as “under-reported, about what everyone there thought myself, I would walk back into the problems with mental health on the ety. That’s already much under-diagnosed and under-treat- of me and I didn’t want to get un- office like nothing was wrong. No day I called in sick. moreM than some of my closest e d ”. one was any the wiser. I suffered in silence because I friends at home know about me. We have all been anxious. You Unfortunately, it transpired that feared how people would react if I It feels a very big thing to admit, know that feeling before a job my colleagues were not all that spoke up. Hiding my anxiety meant and so for many years I have kept it interview or an important nice anyway. I turned to I was denying myself a happy life quiet; I don’t want people thinking meeting with a tutor? You’re my cognitive behaviour- but I now see that I didn’t deserve there’s something wrong with me. waiting outside the office, al therapist to help me the treatment I received. However, a few recent experienc- palms sweating, heart manage my reactions; I Now I’m here at Warwick, at the es have changed my mind about thudding, you’ve got a needed to believe that age of 22, and I was so disappoint- keeping up the long silence. I want dry mouth and a bit I wasn’t the dreadful ed to find that my ‘fight or flight’ to speak up for those who are also of a dodgy stomach. person I convinced response kicked in as soon as I ar- struggling behind closed doors, Your body is respond- myself I was each rived on campus. After over a year and I feel the start of a new life at ing as though you’re time I received a pas- of getting better and feeling back on university is the perfect time to do about to face a threat, sive aggressive email top of my life, panic took hold and it. and the adrenaline is from a colleague about I was very firm that the only place I The problem with having one surging to make sure how they’d noticed I could function again was at home. of these ‘invisible illnesses’ is that you’re alert and prepared to was out a bit longer on With the help of Student Support you run the risk of being disbe- handle what’s coming. Well, my lunch break today, or Services, some CBT techniques and lieved, misunderstood, or, worst of the best way to describe anxiety pointing out minor errors a lot of experience with my own all, you’ll have someone tell you to as a condition is that it’s like living in my work and copying the anxiety and how I react, I have man- “just think positive”. It’s incredibly every moment of your life in those manager into the email. I forgot to aged to get myself to a place where I frustrating given anxiety is a condi- horrible couple of minutes before order some sticky labels once and am feeling comfortable again. I may tion that, according to the Mental the big interview. » Photo: rennett stowe / Flickr an extensive email came my way live largely on my anxious energy, Health Foundation, as many as 9.7 The ‘fight or flight’ response is explaining the inconvenience I had but I’m channelling it to make sure percent of the population experi- spoken about a lot when explain- der anyone’s feet, so every morn- accidentally caused. I was in pieces. I make the most of my time here so ence in one manifestation or anoth- ing anxiety. It’s the idea that your ing I sat at my desk with my heart I can live the life I want, not the life er. That makes it one of the most body is gearing you up for some- pounding, praying I wouldn’t em- that my anxiety dictates. prevalent mental health problems thing dangerous coming your way, barrass myself, and dreading that I sing, I act, I can talk I sing, I act, I can talk to big to big groups; people affecting the UK population. only with anxiety this intimidating someone would ask me a question. would assume I’m quite groups; people would assume that I should begin with a disclaimer obstacle you’re confronting may be I knew my job well, but my body confident I’m quite confident. They wouldn’t that my description of anxiety is talking to someone or walking to was gearing me up for something have any idea what goes on under purely based on my own experi- the shops. The problem with call- dreadful. I had a heavy weight on the surface. It goes to show that this ence. Anxiety is a condition with ing this condition ‘anxiety’ is that my chest. I couldn’t breathe. Talk- condition can affect anyone, and many branches; you’ve probably it’s already a word used to describe ing to my colleagues left me in a Anxiety is in many ways a chem- it’s not uncommon to find that it’s heard of Obsessive Compulsive an emotion we all feel from time to state; my cheeks would burn red, ical reaction, but the good news is a chatty, sociable person who is try- Disorder (OCD) and Social Anxi- time – like just before an interview I would get so light headed that that there are a number of options ing to keep their head above water. ety Disorder to name a couple, but – and so it can be confused with be- I would see colours, I became so for people who are struggling to It’s impossible to make everyone people have different triggers that ing slightly worried or nervous. aware of myself that even walking cope. cognitive behavioural ther- like you, no matter how hard you they respond to in their own way. I have had problems with anxiety to the photocopier was something apy (CBT) works by delving back try, and that’s okay. It’s also okay to This is quite possibly the reason since the age of 13. Around 2012, at I had to prepare myself for. I felt into childhood experiences to try say no to someone so you can say why it is so overlooked and why the the age of 20, I was working in an exposed and apologetic for being to pin down; where the anxious yes to yourself. It’s important you there. feelings originate from and uses a do, because you are worth every Once the working day was over, variety of practical techniques to minute you spend in the pursuit I would begin my evening ritual of employ when you face a situation of your own happiness. There’s making sure I hadn’t done anything that usually kick-starts your ‘fight no shame in admitting you have a wrong throughout the day. I would or flight’ response. Counselling problem, it is part of who you are sit on my bed into the early hours, is also a very popular route to go and, if you are getting through each systematically running through down, as is group counselling or day with the anxiety monster on every conversation I’d had that day. the use of free online anxiety fo- your back, then I salute you. You It was a mental list of self torture. rums where members offer support are strong. You are brave. It’s okay I scanned each conversation for and encouragement so you that can not to be okay. two main things: could anything I take those first steps out of your said have offended the person I was comfort zone. For more information on anxiety, talking to, and did anything I say I left my job under very difficult or help and support if you suffer from anxiety, check out these links sound stupid or embarrassing? If I circumstances. I needed to take a found that something I’d said had day of leave to sort myself out and www.anxietyuk.org.uk the potential to be misconstrued, cited sickness as the reason. A few I’d panic and frantically plan out weeks later I explained my difficul- Nightline how to undo the mess the follow- ties to my boss and management Phone: 02476-522-199 ing day. This began a vicious cycle swiftly issued me with a discipli- email: [email protected] of little to no sleep and locking my- nary meeting. Despite a doctor’s or drop in, between old and self in the staff toilets each morn- letter confirming my condition, new rootes. » You aren’t alone. Photo: jessicahtam / Flickr ing, slumping to the floor. I was they were determined to see that Want to write for Features? Let us know! E-mail [email protected] to pitch your ideas 14 Editor: Bethan McGraththeboar.org 13 [email protected] Twitter @BoarLifestyle LIFESTYLE fb.com/groups/BoarLifestyle “Yes, I am an aggressive drunk” Alcohol and I - an anonymous writer tells us about her troubling alter-ego lcohol changes people. agree. It seems to me that people stupid things. Guys are usually the It certainly changes me, just become delusional, and what victims here; drunk me often re- for the better and for the they say pels every decent male in the vicin- worse. I would say I’m an ity with comments like, “Are you Aaggressive drunk. Not aggressive in gay? You’re wearing too much per- the sense that I would assault some- fume!” Hopefully something they one or act violently (although I won’t take personally – or won’t have on instances crushed shot remember. glasses with my bare hands, Luckily, my friends are al- accidentally broken a glass ways there to save me and A no to mo-ing on my friend’s foot, and al- have stopped me from mak- most knocked out my teeth ing a few mistakes that I Why Will Tucker is refusing to take part in Movember by bumping into a wall would really regret – like due to hysterical laughter). getting with a stranger who What I mean by aggressive under the flashing lights of he annual tradition of lot like my dad. In fact, more than drunk is that I would say Smack was a ten, but is really growing a moustache for quite a lot - we look very, very simi- anything to anyone and act a two (that may have actually the whole month of No- lar. In the 1980s, when he was in his in a way that I never would if happened once or twice…). vember, and being spon- 20s like I am now, he had a mous- I were sober. No one can keep Yes, I have been escorted Tsored to do so under the auspices of tache. I must report that from the me down and I refuse to listen out of a club, and sometimes ‘Movember’, is becoming increas- photos I’ve seen it looked absolute- to anyone; I just abrasively talk need my friends to make sure I ingly popular. But like a child who ly dreadful. over them. don’t accidentally kill myself while claims they can’t do Games today Seriously. He looked like a cross After a couple of shots kick in, crossing the street, but surprisingly because they’ve got a note from between Super Mario and a War- the normally shy me can easily I’ve never done something I regret their mum, I think I have a reason- saw Pact athlete, or what would converse with total strangers. I too much. Usually my drunken able excuse not to take part in the happen if a dark brown caterpillar make dozens of friends when I am state provides my friends with the practice. got hopelessly lost in mid-80s Shef- like this (many of whom I don’t night’s entertainment. There is a whole other debate field and refused to leave him alone. remember the next day). I I don’t know if being an aggres- about whether the practice is dis- Given his penchant for jogging, he’s usually end up enjoying the sive drunk in the way I am is re- criminatory towards men who lucky the 118 118 adverts weren’t party singing and dancing ally such a bad thing. I usually can’t grow facial hair (several of my around then. loudly and blissfully with have fun! My friends however, friends and my brother fall into this Have you ever heard of that pro- complete strangers. This may disagree. The best advice category) or those who normally gramme ‘The Nazis: a Warning is the good point. After a I can give myself or anyone have facial hair due to their culture. from History?’ Much like how we couple more shots I start else who might turn into an Perhaps - but this is not the point have the societal memory of World to completely lose my in- aggressive drunk is to know I’m making here. Nor will I dwell War II to guide our decision-mak- hibitions. when to stop drinking and on the fact that the event may be ing in the modern era, I have grainy I am aggressive in that I keep your behaviour in check becoming less relevant given that pictures from thirty years ago of impatiently want everyone – no one likes to look after a some think we are reaching Peak a time where people dressed en- to do as I please and act like liability every night. Beard in the general cycle of facial tirely in denim and one man had a total diva- I once tricked a fashion – Stephen Crabb recently the ‘nonplussed’ emoticon forever stranger into singing ‘Mr. became the first bearded Tory cab- stuck on his face. Dad’s moustache Brightside’ by The Killers, with me » Photos: Christian Senger, Aziz inet minister since 1905 (Labour is my own warning from history, promising he could share my cab, J. Hayat / Flickr have had no such qualms, with Da- though fortunately it went the same but didn’t follow through- I just vid Blunkett and Robin Cook both way as many other institutions by needed someone to sing with me! shouldn’t Are you an aggressive sporting chin and lip furniture). being scrapped during the Thatcher I usually have a filter that stops be taken seriously – I certainly drunk? Have some No, the reason I won’t be doing years. To paraphrase Mrs T, you mo me from blurting out stupid things, don’t often agree with what I’ve said funny stories or just ‘Movember’ any time soon is the if you want to. But this man’s not for but it completely disintegrates with when I remember the next day. plain embarrassing sort of thing psychologists love: it’s mo-ing. a few drinks. Some say that people Unfortunately, I tend to acciden- ones? Tweet them to us because of my father. I look quite a » Photos: Warwick MRC are honest when they drink - I dis- tally offend people by blurting out @BoarLifestyle Songs, sexism and “skinny-shaming” Bianca Lopez discusses the presentation of small women in the media, tackling society’s sexism and embracing body positivity ith the release of trayal of one body type as more able, yet the treatment they suffer type, which can then be dangerous- surely about celebrating every size, curve-celebrating desirable than others: skinny. On is surely less oppressive than that ly idealised by young girls, wom- figure and woman out there and songs, such as Nicki catwalks worldwide we see dan- which curvier girls experience. We en and men everywhere. We need by supporting this mantra we can Minaj’s ‘Anaconda’ gerously thin models parading the need to look at the issue in light of to take the conversation from the eradicate the ridiculous element of Wand Meghan Trainor’s ‘All About most stylish up-and-coming de- intersectionality; “skinny-sham- majority to the minority and over- competition between women creat- That Bass’, alongside musician Dip- signs, in magazines we wor- ing” is a sexist and oppres- come “fat-shaming” by represent- ed by the media. lo’s recent petition to ‘Get Taylor ship articles dedicated sive tool, but “fat-sham- ing alternatives to the norm as just Women are constantly pitted Swift a Booty’, the prominence of to helping us find the ing” is tied to sexism, as desirable. against each other in the eyes of “skinny-shaming” in the media has perfect diet and we fatphobia and the subse- Here lies a problem though: body the media; only one kind of woman risen dramatically. It has even been spend weeks trying quent hatred produced positivity embodies all shapes and can be celebrated and only one kind criticised by some for being inher- the new, Rihanna-ap- in our society, sizes. Phrases such as “only a dog can be successful. Let’s ensure that ently against the idea of body pos- proved ways to ditch thus adding a wants a bone” are not only repul- curvy girls are heard, but let’s please itivity and for portraying one body ten pounds in a fort- further dimen- sive and nauseating, but are mere- not merely displace the negativi- type as more desirable than others. night. Undeniably, sion of oppres- ly shifting the negative focus on ty onto another set of women. We Others, however, have denounced thin women possess a sion suffered some female body types from body should instead tackle the inherent the significance of the issue when more privileged position by women who shape to another. It is not solving underlying sexism and misogyny compared to “fat-shaming”, claim- compared to that of curvier are victims of the underlying issue – the over-sex- in the media, take the true mean- ing that such comparisons cannot girls when it comes to the media’s “fat-shaming”. ualisation of women to the point ing of body positivity and embrace be made because of the media’s treatment of them. When we We need to cre- where they become mere commod- it. All women are to be celebrated – heavy favour for skinny women. observe the media’s manipu- ate conversation and ities and only their appearance is regardless of shape and size. Flicking through Cosmo, Glam- lation and commodification speak about curvy wom- something which is celebrated, but, our and essentially any other main- of their bodies it is still clearly en to ensure that the focus again, only if it is the “right” kind » Photo: Pink Sherbet stream media, there is a clear por- sexist and quite simply unaccept- is not just centred on one body of appearance. Body positivity is Photography / Flickr 15 theboar.org/Lifestyle | @BoarLifestyle | LIFESTYLEtheboar.org 14 Warwick’s own Cleo-thing line Remembering De la Renta Boar Lifestyle chats with Cleo Forstater, the founder of fashion line, Clee Clothing t only 21, Cleo Forstater trying to say. BL: How do you balance your has a pretty busy life; not BL: Do you think your age has studies with your work? only does she manage a worked to your advantage or dis- CF: The balance is a difficult degree in Sociology here advantage? one, I can’t say I’ve perfected it yet. Aat the University of Warwick, she CF: My age has definitely been I just take my time very seriously, runs her own clothing line – Clee an advantage. I started Clee Cloth- so I try to waste as little time as Clothing. Boar Lifestyle chats to ing just before I started college, and possible, procrastinate as little as this one-woman working machine. I was living at home. This gave me possible, and I don’t have much of Boar Lifestyle: How did you the freedom to experiment and try a social life to be honest... Any time start your clothing brand? new things without the pressure of I’m not spending quality time with Cleo Forstater: I started Clee having to pay bills. The only ways people, getting work done, or en- Clothing in a sort of accidental my age has ever been a negative is gaging in activities that better me, w a y . I was 16 and started printing occasions where people haven’t tak- I feel is wasted time. some t-shirts for en me seriously because of it. A lack BL: Where do you hope to be in myself. People of experience has been a barrier at five years’ time? Looking back on the life of an iconic designer started asking for times, but Clee Clothing became CF: In five years... I hope to be them so I started my experience. in a place that I can’t even imagine ast month the world her sense of practicality but making them to BL: Would you recommend right now. I hope that the work I’m lost a style icon. On desire to be beautiful.’ Oscar sell, and it just grew starting your own business to oth- putting in now will open doors for October 20 2014 the himself stated that “I want to from there. It grew er people at university? me, and open me to opportunities world renowned fash- make clothes that people will very organical- CF: I would definitely recom- that aren’t in my consciousness Lion designer Oscar De la Ren- wear, not styles that will make ly, but because mend starting a business if there’s right now. I’d like to be getting paid ta passed away at the age of 82 a big splash on the runway”. of the lack of something you are passionate about for doing something that I love, I’d due to cancer. Today we look Of course, it’s unlikely to see a planning I and you’re willing to put the time like to be doing something creative. back on his life and work, girl in a club twirling in a floor didn’t really in. Realistically, you’ll have to put a That’s as un-vague as I can get! and pay homage to the man length gown, but in identifying have a strong lot of time into it so areas of your who thought it an honour to his target clients as ‘sophisti- brand or a social/family/work/academic life “make beautiful clothes all cated working women’, a first purpose. So might have to suffer, but if you feel Clee Clothing has an exclusive of- year round.” lady attending a ball, for ex- at 18 I decid- like what you’re doing is worth it fer for Warwick students: De la Renta was born and ample, is perhaps the perfect ed to rebuild then you’ll make time. It’s really im- 1. Like the Facebook page at face- raised in the Dominican Re- setting for one of his creations it from the portant to understand how hard it book.com/clee.clothing public. In his early twenties, to make an appearance. foundations is going to be - it’s a constant strug- 2. Inbox the Facebook page with having impressed the wife of De la Renta’s work has a and work gle and challenge but if you allow it your university email address the U.S. ambassador to Spain, timeless elegance to it that out exactly to push you and stretch you, there’s 3. Use the exclusive discount sent to he was commissioned to de- doesn’t often appear on high what I was so much to be gained from it. you on ASOS.mp/CleeClothing sign a dress for her daughter fashion runways anymore. which later appeared on the Fashion now tends to demand cover of U.S. magazine ‘Life.’ over-exaggeration, edginess This was the moment that and shock factor to be deemed Women and work: the problem of equality brought De la Renta to the unique. This is seen most dis- attention of the fashion world tinctly if you peruse some of Sophie Shaw talks pay disparity, maternity leave and female injustice and began his career as an ac- the looks of 2013, such as Al- claimed designer. exander Wang dressing one or every pound that a man negotiating salaries could finally women less. Then you have to fac- His passion for dress design of his models in oversized earns, a woman earns 80 bring pay disparity to an end. tor in women’s life after childbirth, led him to train with the likes fluffy boxing gloves or Jeremey pence. Those are the cur- Unfortunately, the issue with pay taking time off work for child sick- of co turier Cristóbal Balen- Scott’s emoticon dress worn by rent figures released by the is not this simple. The biggest rea- ness, school plays, school holidays ciaga and Lanvin’s Antonio a model with rainbow-colour- FOffice of National Statistics. The son that women are paid less than etc, and some women leaving work del Castillo, before going on to ed hair. Both of which, I might gender pay gap has been widened men is not due to something which for good. The chief executive of work for Balmain. However, it add, looked neither like cou- for the first time in five years, with can be changed in a seminar, but, Thomas Cook remarked that wom- was his work creating ready- ture nor high street fashion, women now earning 15.7 percent rather, is to do with an employer’s en’s careers would suffer if they to-wear clothes with Arden but the work of an overexcited less than their equivalent male wish to get their “money’s worth” took a year’s maternity leave. It’s an that allowed De la Renta to toddler. Why is it now that get- colleagues. Effectively, women are when it comes to their staff. You unfair, but very real truth. climb the ladder and eventual- ting noticed in the fashion in- now working 57 un-paid days a don’t have to dig deep into statistics So how can we solve this? Well, ly launch his own label. dustry has become associated year, which comes as a surprise to realise that childbirth is a con- it seems that empowering women Dressing every First Lady not with beauty but brutality? considering that nearly 60 years tributing factor towards the gender may be the way forward after all. throughout his career, from Is it really so wrong for women ago the principle of equal pay for pay gap. The gap between women’s Women need to be able to feel al- Jackie Kennedy to Michelle in the 21st century to dream of equal work was written in the EU and men’s wages gets drastically lowed to speak up and spark open Obama, as well as a host of being dressed in classic gowns Treaties. The EU Commissioner wider in the years after most people debates about gender inequalities A-list starlets and U.S. social- that hark back to the days of for Justice, Fundamental Rights start having children. With wom- in the workplace. Powerful wom- ites, his gowns make regular Audrey Hepburn? and Citizenship, Viviane Reding, en being able to en in industry are the role models appearances at the most talked What made De la Renta so recently commented: “It is high take 52 weeks for young girls and conversations about events of the year. They outstanding as a designer was time that it is put in practice every- of maternity regarding raising children along- can be spotted at the Met Gala, his ability to understand every where”. With gender equality being leave, and side progressing in careers need to the Oscars and the BAFTAs, individual woman he dressed, such a hot topic in today’s society, 39 of those be initiated in order to move away and his hugely popular Fash- so as to accentuate her beauty it’s rather shocking that a difference weeks being from inequality. The introduction ion Week shows garner enor- no matter her body shape. His in pay is even an issue anymore. paid Statuto- of more affordable childcare will mous media attention. gowns gave women such con- So why is there still a gender pay ry Maternity enable more women to be wel- Furthermore, De La Renta fidence that they naturally dis- gap? B.J. Epstein, a lecturer in Pub- Pay, it might comed back to work, as most wom- made Jackie Kennedy the style played a graceful disposition. lic Engagement, says that sexism seem obvious en say the reason they take time icon of the 60s, and Sarah Jes- Oscar De la Renta’s stunning plays a big role, but also believes why employ- off or leave work is due to the re- sica Parker the talk of the town gowns will go down in history, that women’s own reservations are ers pay alisation that sending a child to at the 2014 Met Gala, proving along with their creator’s inge- a reason for the inequality. He ar- childcare is less financially himself a timeless presence. nuity, as the perfect epitome gues: “women are less likely to ap- viable than going back to His trademark style is tra- of the American woman. I for ply for pay increases or promotions work. This, along with ditionally conservative dresses one hope to see a resurgence of or higher paid jobs; women tend to new legislation being that reveal a little skin, beau- this type of nostalgic, elegant feel that they need to have all the brought in (which will tifully intricate lace work and, fashion on the runways next skills/requirements before doing allow couples to split most uniquely, his signature year, rather than the predict- so, whereas men often feel that they 12 months of paren- incorporated into the fabric. able ‘tomboy chic’ that is be- might as well apply and see what tal leave in the way De la Renta has been hailed coming so commonplace. happens, regardless of whether they want) endors- as the first designer to make Ruby Glessing they meet the requirements.” From es the allowance of dresses that are, as journalist Epstein’s perspective, it would women to be paid Tanya Basu expresses, ‘undeni- » Photos: Steve Wilson, seem as though empowering wom- the same as men ably American’ and ‘focussed Stanley Yeo / Flickr, Matti en and teaching them invaluable for their equal on the American woman, her Hillig / Wikimedia Com- knowledge about confidence and work. needs, her cultural outlook, mons, kris krüg / Flickr 13 Editor: Mark theboar.orgBarac [email protected] 15 Twitter @BoarMoney MONEY fb.com/groups/BoarMoney How to be your own boss and take control Editor’s Column: Mark Barac talks to the CEO of MobileCity on how he started up his own business Student salary gone on rent

he housing experiences of young people across the UK have recently been under Tscrutiny with students expressing discontent at many issues. This dissatisfaction has been reported in a survey by TUC and Generation Rent, where more than 2,300 young people responded to a request to share their housing ex- periences via a web questionnaire. Young people are concerned as they face unaffordable housing costs, insecurity of tenure and ex- ploitation by private landlords. In terms of the demographics of » Photo: Kohei314 / Flickr the survey, half of the respondents were renting, a quarter had bought their own home and just under a ick Mason started his own ny as the mobile phone market was der Conversion Rate) which I be- simple concepts to innovative and quarter were living in someone business, MobileCity (at the bigger and more lucrative. lieve comes from good marketing technologically advanced products. else’s home. age of 16. Since then Mobi- and comparatively low prices. As a creative person I recognise Of those respondents renting and NleCity has grown exponentially and BM: What was the biggest hurdle that Mobile City (despite its profit- in work, the average rent-to-salary now has a turnover of more than which you had to overcome? BM: What are your plans for the ability) is the kind of enterprise that ratio (the proportion of a person’s £60000 per annum. Boar Money near future? will never break new boundaries pay taken up by their rent) is 41 per talks to him on how he has grown NM: The biggest hurdle to over- and create new markets. For that cent, which for single earner house- the website. come was the fact that most small NM: Short term I plan to tidy reason I want to create something holds is well above the 33 percent start up businesses rely on one up the new website and then work completely new, something the household income threshold for Boar Money: Tell me about your thing: a niche in the market which on developing new ways of online world has never seen before. affordable housing recommended business, what gave you the idea they can then exploit. I did not marketing through social media by Shelter. for the business and how did it have that: if you look online there sites such as Facebook and Twitter. BM: What one piece of advice Regular rent increases also ap- come about? are a abundance of mobile phone I then want to take the marketing would you give to other young en- pear to be a problem with nearly a websites: Carphone Warehouse, one step further through creating a trepreneurs starting out? third of respondents who rent (31 Nick Mason: The business came Phones 4 U, Vodafone etc. In order promotional video that will initial- percent) saying had a rent increase about when I was sixteen: my birth- to emerge in the market as a com- ly be launched as an online advert. NM: Be bold. Don’t take no for an in the last year. day was rapidly approaching and petitor, I had to have an extremely If this strategy is successful, I could answer. Keep trying: hard work and These rent increases have con- for it I asked my parents for £150. I efficient price structure. I provid- broaden my adverts to mediums persistence always pays off. I live tributed to an overall high cost of then invested this £150 into starting ed extremely competitive prices such as radio and television. Mar- by the motto of Marshall Mathers: housing. Consequently, many re- up a business: I started on Amazon for consumers. Another challenge keting is costly but it’s crucial in “You only get one shot, do not miss spondents have been forced to live as a reseller mainly dealing with was obtaining a reliable supplier in drawing new customers to Mobile your chance to blow. This opportu- with their parents or in a relative low price electrical goods such as the industry as this market is con- City. nity comes once in a lifetime yo”. or friend’s home. Those living in headphones and gaming products. trolled by many large firms. another person’s home are general- Within 3 months I turned £150 into BM: And taking a broader view, ly dissatisfied in doing so, with 44 over £1000. The company was ac- BM: What single thing helped you what are your ideas in the long What do you think percent of people said they would tually initially called Headphones the most? term? is the best way to like to rent but could not afford to. Shop UK due to its specialist focus start up your own Whereas renters are suffering, on headphones at the time. For 6 NM: Through persistence and NM: In my view all the great- business? young buyers of houses can be op- months I developed my market hard work, I managed to establish est companies have evolved from Tweet: @BoarMoney timistic with low interest rates are trader portfolio, increasing my connections in the industry with currently making mortgages cheap- product base and obtaining on site a distributor within the European er than rents for many young peo- positive feedback. From this I re- Union. This connection enabled ple. This is shown by the average alised my passion for trading: the me to lower costs, increase mar- mortgage-to-salary payment ratio quantity of profits was far great- gins and became a true competitor for home-owning respondents be- er than any money I could have in the market. Networking is key: ing 38 percent, a slightly lower fig- earned in a part-time job. That make sure you network, network ure than the average rent-to-salary said, I did have a part-time job at and network. ratio found by the questionnaire. the time, but all the money made As well as the high cost of hous- from this went to funding my com- BM: In terms of business, how has ing, respondents highlighted prob- pany. These were the preliminary this calendar year been? lems of housing tenure insecurity stages that led to the company that and landlord exploitation. Ten I have today. NM: My profits vary in the year de- percent of private renting respond- pending on my personal academic ents said they have been threatened BM: When did the shift in focus workload, as I do not have the ca- with eviction, and 39 percent said a occur from headphones to mo- pacity to work on the business full landlord had refused to repay their biles then? time at university. Most of my prof- deposit or made unreasonable de- its are obtained during holiday pe- ductions. NM: In 2013 I decided to move into riods. However, this summer I have Alex Hewetson, second year PPE a more profitable market, selling seen a great surge in orders through student at Warwick, added on this mobile phones and accessories. the development of my new web- issue through stating: “Personally With this idea in hand, I creat- site. The website currently has over I have had bad experiences with ed a website myself using a web a thousand new visitors a month. landlords. I was once put in a stu- development platform. I stopped I have also recently updated the dent house which had damp in it. selling headphones completely be- SEO platform on the site which will It was horrible and the landlord did cause the profit margins were not hopefully lead to further expansion nothing about it. Only when the high enough. Now I focus solely and even more new customers. All council got involved did anything on mobiles and gaming consoles. in all I am pleased with the current improve.” Through moving into this new levels of interest. In addition this market I could expand the compa- interest has led to a high OCR (Or- » Making connections is crucial. Photo: reynermedia / Flickr theboar.org 14 Editor: Cayo Sobral 16 Editor:[email protected] Ellie May [email protected] @BoarSciTech SCI & TECH fb.com/groups/BoarSciTechTwitter @BoarSciTech WarwickTECH hosts hackathonfb.com/groups/BoarSciTech Cayo Sobral interviews Alex Bucknall, president of a new tech society on campus Boar SciTech: How did WarwickTECH the early days of programming; to work with/ competitive such as Bloomberg’s giveaway realtime data for commodities and goods. come about? create code. A hackathon is a collaborative prizes of their Parrot mini-drones, the main The idea of the game was to increase both the Alex Bucknall: WarwickTECH was formed programming event that often runs for mul- focus of the event was to provide an environ- happiness and wealth of your chosen country over the summer of 2014 following a con- tiple days at a time, where individuals aim ment where individuals can meet like-mind- by selecting a range of options that you could versation highlighting the lack of technical to develop themselves through learning and ed programmers and work with one another apply to your country as well as an opposing students present within Warwick’s existing teaching. with the end goal of building a fantastic pro- country. One example, humorously, was an entrepreneurial societies. I was soon after ap- Hackathons can often be themed events ject. option where you could sell Justin Bieber to proached by a couple of my peers with the with specific target goals or just simply a way another country, which increased the happi- proposition to found the society. ness of your country, decreased the happiness We positioned it to fit somewhere be- of the receiving country all whilst decreasing tween Computer Science, Engineering and the overall wealth of both countries! Warwick Entrepreneurs, drawing elements from all. The society was then founded on BS: What advice would you give to some- the slogan of “For makers, creators and in- one with little or no previous program- novators” and designed around developing ming experience who might be interested STEM students into entrepreneurs with both in such an event? the talent and skills to build products as well AB: My advice would be, come along! War- as bringing them to market. wickHACK as well as all of the hackathons in the MLH League are open and accessible BS: What does your association with Major to beginners. We have mentors on site who League Hacking (MLH) bring to the table? can help you get going as well as breakout AB: Our partnership with MLH gives us a sessions to help beginners work out where fantastic opportunity to tie into a network to start. We get a number of experienced of highly regarded and successful Hacka- programmers attending our events who love thons across the world. We were proud to to help first time hackers out and are more announce our partnership with them, as this than willing to bring you on board with their is the first year they have run their league in teams to help you learn along the way! Our the UK. Being an MLH-affiliated Hackathon devotion to encouraging beginners to attend brings us huge advantages such as access to is reflected by our free event tickets. We re- their immense hardware lab (including tech- fuse to impose any sort of barrier to entry nologies from Oculus Rift, to Leap Motion for our Hackathons as we want to engage as and more), their affiliated sponsors (this year much of the community as possible! Bloomberg, Sendgrid, Twilio, to name a few) as well as fantastic support and advice from » Hackers hard at work during last weekend’s event. Photo: WarwickTECH BS: What’s next for WarwickTECH? their team of veteran Hackathon organisers. AB: WarwickTECH will be going on to host for individuals to express themselves through BS: What were some of your favourite pro- a multitude of events including yet another BS: What does a Hackathon entail? the creative mediums of programming and jects of the weekend? hackathon in the MLH spring season. We AB: It’s a common misconception that a innovation. WarwickHACK is very much a AB: I think my favourite project of the week- are working closely with the Schools of En- ‘hackathon’ is an event that’s attached to theft free form event where individuals are pre- end would have to be the continental em- gineering and Computer Science to bring a and destruction of software/hardware. This sented with a selection of tools, mentors and pires game by a team of students from both variety of technical development events to is about as far as you can get from the real technologies then given 24 hours to produce the University of Warwick and Nottingham. campus. Make sure to find us on Facebook definition of a hackathon. something amazing. Although we had some They had created a strategy game using the and at our website, warwick-tech.co.uk, for The original meaning of hack comes from specific elements that made the event more Bloomberg API to draw upon historical and more information. One giant leap for neurology Shana Kandola reports on a new medical breakthrough that could help paralysis sufferers n July 2010, Darek Fidyka, a Polish fire- attention, as they retain the ability to improvements in sensation. Following tics and critics to sink their teeth into. Dr. Si- fighter, was stabbed several times in the promote the formation of new nerve rigorous therapy, he has now taken his mone Di Giovanni, chair in Restorative Neu- back with a knife, and was paralyzed cells into adulthood. In Darek’s spine, first steps with the aid of a frame. He roscience for Imperial College London warns from the chest down. Four years later, they enabled the growth and re-joining has also reported a progression in bow- researchers, “extreme caution should be used IDarek walks again. of the severed nerve fibres, a phenome- el, bladder and sexual function. when communicating these findings to the A group of scientists from University Col- non that was previously believed to be In response to his recovery, Mr public in order not to elicit false expectations lege London and surgeons from Wroclaw impossible. Fidyka stated that “When you can’t on people who already suffer because of their Medical University in Poland pioneered the More nerve cells were tak- feel almost half your body, you highly invalidating medical condition.” crucial surgery that has allowed Mr. Fidyka en from his ankle, to provide are helpless, but when it starts The scientific and medical community un- to walk again. It is a procedure that holds a framework across which the coming back it’s like you were derstand that this is a big step in a long pro- promise for victims of paralysis worldwide OECs could grow and rejoin the born again.” cess. But the first steps of a paralyzed man and it is a marvel that has been dubbed “more spine. Because all the cells were Professor Geoffrey Rais- due to the cells in his nose, lead us to ques- impressive than man walking on the moon”. taken from the patient’s own man, leader of the UCL neu- tion our ability to manipulate the mechanics The treatment involved the use of olfacto- body, any risk of an autoim- rology team who discovered of the human body. ry ensheathing cells (OECs) These are cells mune response was eliminated, the technique said “We be- These are mechanics that evolution has that transmit sensory smell information be- and overall adverse side effects lieve that this procedure is taken millions of years to engineer, but that tween the nose and the brain. OECs were re- were minimal. the breakthrough which, as science has been able to command in a mat- moved from Darek’s own nose using a crani- In the five months follow- it is further developed, will ter of decades. So can science really reach into otomy, in the first of two surgeries. The cells ing the surgery, Mr. Fidyka had a result in a historic change what we believed was impossible? If so, then were then cultivated in laboratory conditions marked improvement in neurolog- in the currently hopeless this may indeed be a ‘scientific miracle’ and and in the second surgical procedure, were ical function. After 19 months, he outlook for people disabled we must ask ourselves - what comes next? inserted into the spinal column just above experienced improved core stabili- by spinal cord injury.” and below the severed site. ty. Now, two years on, he has recov- But has he spoken too But what’s so special about these nose ered partial voluntary control over soon? This breakthrough has » Photo: BruceBlaus / Wikimedia cells? Recently, OECs have attracted a lot of the lower extremities, as well as opened up a debate for scep- Commons 8 theboar.org Warwick International Development Summit: the pullout

“The power of partnership”

Rebecca Myers Editor hen WIDS first ap- proached the Boar and asked us if we would like to be their Wofficial media partners for 2014, I must admit I was sceptical. As the largest student-run sum- mit on international development in the country, WIDS gets attention from the nationals, their speakers were bigger than I was hoping to interview in the next five years of my career, and their refreshments far fancier than at any other Boar interview I’ve done. Why us? WIDS’ idea was simple: to unite students. The summit was run en- tirely by students, so why not the journalism too? Our partnership has been abso- lutely fantastic. It was a weekend for showing off the very best that War- wick students can do when they put their minds together, and it was a real privilege to be part of that, to showcase what we are achieving right here at Warwick. This weekend was about work- ing student-to-student, about cel- ebration of students by students. Not just the students who organ- ised the summit, but the students who attended, who engaged, who put their minds to solving difficult global issues. After all, we are the next genera- tion who will be working on inter- national development. I have never felt so confident that it is in good hands. “The summit superpassed all our expectations” Stephanie Ifayemi, WIDS president, on why international development and the Millenium Development Goals are worth thinking about evelopment is central to Since being established in 2006, gave us a remarkable insight into World Bank. talks, as well as give further insights international discussions we host a yearly summit on global the global role of pharmaceuticals, Additionally we enabled attend- into their view on development. of progress in tackling development and every year has a while Abdel Bari Atwan delivered a ees to network whilst enjoying fan- I am truly proud of the dedica- some of the world’s most specific focal point. passionate talk on the Middle East tastic lunches and a wine reception, tion and work contributed by the Dpressing issues. It is a topic that re- This year was entitled, ‘Develop- and Ken Banks, on the role of in- facilitating careers discussions and #WIDS2014 team this year, and I lates to us all, regardless of where ment through the Lens of Diversity’ novation and technology in devel- allow the important exchange of believe that the summit surpassed we come from, and as global issues as we very much focused on creat- opment. advice on pursuing professions in all our expectations. impact us all, it is our task to be en- ing a multidisciplinary platform for The summit this year allowed development, a difficult sector to It was a phenomenal event that gaged in the dialogue. discussion, and invited speakers attendees to hear from some of the gain access to. both celebrated and critiqued the During the summit weekend, from a diverse range of fields. world’s leading specialists in the In addition to widening the Millennium Development Goals, Professor Ann Stewart spoke of the We hoped to widen our scope development sphere, including our scope of discussion, we were keen whilst putting forth a number of duty to ‘care’, and this is a respon- of engagement, and show that the keynotes Dr. Norman Finkelstein to expand our outreach for the ideas and perspectives on how to sibility we should all adopt. As we development dialogue is not limit- and Professor Sir Richard Jolly. summit. approach the Post-2015 Sustainable approach the end of the Millenni- ed to the few traditional sectors of We created seminars that gen- By establishing a media partner- Era. um Development Goals, the War- Politics and Economics, but can be erated a more intimate setting, ship with the Boar, we created an We hope to build on these suc- wick Development Summit aimed broadened to facilitate various per- where students could speak with exciting collaboration between two cesses throughout the year, and to encourage engagement, innova- spectives such as Law, Engineering, and question speakers and organ- student-led bodies. We managed continue to inform, engage and in- tion and collaboration between stu- Medicine, History and Business. isations such as the Institute for to interview all of our speakers to spire students as the development dents, professionals, academics and From Medicine, Dr. Allan Pamba, Justice and Democracy in Haiti serve the purpose of expanding on hopefuls of the future. practitioners. Vice President of GlaxoSmithKline, (IJDH), IMC Worldwide and the some of the points raised in their » Photos: Karishma Gulrajani 7 theboar.org Panel Event Report: “The world requires radical solutions” Restructuring Aid Rebecca Myers, Hiran Adhia and WIDS talk to Norman Finkelstein about Israel/Palestine, and working together for change Sian Elvin The ‘restructuring aid’ panel, on orman Finkelstein has much more difficult in this world the Saturday of WIDS, was split seen it all. He’s been to be ugly than Jewish! There are into two parts, the first discussing banned from a country, a thousand disabilities… would what is wrong with the current aid he’s been in academic you rather be short or Jewish? I’d system, and the second working Nfeuds, and – most worryingly for rather be Jewish! out how to fix it. us – rumour has it a student speak- You get my point. There are Professor Abhinay Muthoo, ing to him once cried. In his WIDS many things people have to live from the University of Warwick talk on how to solve the Israel/Pal- with – that’s just the nature of hu- Economics department, chaired estine conflict, he had made people man relations – which are much the discussion, and was joined by gawp, cheer and, above all, think. more onerous and burdensome David Axelsen, a Philosophy aca- But what would the king of contro- than being Jewish, so I just can’t demic at Warwick, Bryony Everett, versy have to say to the Boar? get carried away with it. associate director at IMC World- wide, Michael Hershman, presi- The Boar: How does interna- Boar: When we first invited dent and CEO of the Fairfax group, tional development relate to the you to this summit there was and Professor Franklyn Lisk, a vis- common student? Why should I some backlash from some soci- iting professorial research fellow to care about it? eties, some of whom were Jew- Warwick University. ish, who were not happy with Professor Muthoo gave a brief Norman Finkelstein: There are you being here… they see your introduction to the discussion, ex- theoretical answers you can give, views as somewhat radical. Do plaining that in the last year alone, and then you can give practical you believe that these opinions more than three trillion dollars answers. I think the practical an- are accurate or have you been were spent on aid globally. swer is the most compelling, and misrepresented? He stated some ideas which set that answer is that it is about the some grounds for debate, asking people at your university. It’s not NF: Well there are two aspects the panel to consider whether aid an abstraction. The people here to that: in the Israel/Palestine is corrupt, if it is bureaucratic, and represent by their physical pres- conflict actually my views are whether it in fact empowers cer- ence a lot of the most horrible quite conservative – I support tain individuals in communities. places to live in the world today. international law, resolving the Professor Lisk kicked off the It’s not a pretty picture to be in conflict according to internation- discussion, saying that the current the Sudan, it’s not a pretty picture a regular nine to five job – they’ve and the issue of war and peace. al law… if you read my writing, key issue with aid is that it does not to be in Somalia, it’s not a pretty just disappeared. They have two That brings together a very large people to the point of tiredness say address fundamental disabilities. picture to be in Eritrea, in Ethio- or three jobs, a little bit here a lit- constituency that I think can work ‘he keeps referring to the interna- He said that aid should be all about pia. tle bit there – they don’t have any together; it’s a very tough job but I tional court of justice opinion on partnership, and he believes this There are people here – your normal jobs any more… the prob- think it has to be done. the Israel/Palestine conflict, the partnership is currently flawed and friends, your classmates – who lem is the future is very bleak for opinion they gave in 2004.’ I keep not strong enough. manage to put a good face on it, your generation, it may not be as Boar: This summer quite a lot pointing out that all 15 judges Ms Everett stated that “aid is a they look happy, and they’re very bleak as if you were living in Haiti of pro-Palestine protests in Eu- agreed on the basic principles for big word. Some bits of it work, and nice and they’re very decent, but but there is a common bond. rope often turned into anti-Sem- resolving the conflict. So in the Is- others don’t.” She added that some- they’re coming from terrible, ter- The economic system has run itism. I think a lot of young Jew- rael/Palestine conflict I’m about as times there is sometimes a general- rible places. I didn’t mention Pal- out of steam… now there’s no hope ish people in Europe are facing a radical or as conservative as the 15 isation of what could be considered estine, I didn’t mention Pakistan. on the horizon that the system will problem with a rise in anti-Sem- judges in the international court ‘a i d ’. All of these places – these are your be able to provide what any system itism in the wake of Israel/Pal- of justice. I said they all agree how After each of the experts had classmates, these are your friends, is supposed to do: a better future estine. What advice would you to resolve the conflict, I agree with given their initial opinions on the it’s not really an abstraction. for the next generation than the give to young Jewish people who them: case closed. So on that par- debate topic, the floor was then You can make abstract claims generation that preceded it. The maybe find themselves against ticular issue, if you look at the ac- opened up to questions from the about injustice – there’s injustice system doesn’t seem to be capable Israel’s actions? tual content of my words, they are attendees. anywhere, there’s injustice every- of even providing the same future, not particularly radical. Host Professor Muthoo hoped where – they have some rhetor- it’s going to be worse. NF: I think the best advice in: On the other hand, as a basic that the questions would stir up ical value but I don’t know how So I think here self-interest is a then speak out against what Israel fact, a general principle: the world some contention, as the panellists much they actually resonate with place to begin. There are common is doing, so people won’t confuse is radically wrong; it needs to be appeared to have been in agree- people in their practical lives, how issues that now face large parts of Israelis with Jews… the more Jews radically righted. The problems ment so far. much they care about injustice an- humanity – not just what we used who speak out, the less people will facing us are not ones that are Questions asked by the audience ywhere, everywhere. But I think to call the Third World, but also assume that if you are Jewish you amenable to little reforms; these included whether giving aid un- in terms of students coming to see the so-called developed world. support what Israel is doing. So are serious problems now on the dermines what the government is what their fellow students have ex- The other issue is the climate the best way to fight anti-Semi- horizon. So I think the world re- trying to achieve in that country, perienced, and their families con- change. And a third issue that is tism is to speak out from true con- quires radical solutions if it’s going and how economic growth in Af- tinue to experience – I think that’s effecting more and more people in viction that was Israel is doing you to survive. So in that sense I’m a rica over recent years has changed a way of reaching people. “I’m different ways is the fact that the don’t support. radical. But the question is: what the dynamics of aid. from Somalia” – disaster! Disaster You have to have a realistic do you mean by ‘radical change’? In spite of some of the conten- area. Or Haiti. So it was for me a picture of the world. Next to the As I pointed out this morning, tious issues raised, the panel still real revelation to see here just how problems of 90 percent – 95 per- force can mean many things: it appeared to maintain a united people manage to transcend that “99 percent of humanity cent – of humanity, the problem can be violent force, non-violent front on the whole. and function as normal human of anti-Semitism does not loom force, armed assistance… what The debate was concluded with beings. would love to be Jewish!” very large. Jews are doing very do you mean? And certainly I a two minute statement from each I think it’s a way to relate: come well. They’re by far and away the would say I fall on the end of the of the experts on what they thought meet your fellow students, come wealthiest ethnic group in the spectrum which says we have to needed to be done to fix the prob- see what they’ve gone through. world is falling apart – you want United States, they enjoy great be very, very cautious about the lems surrounding the current aid to call it anarchy, whatever you positions of power, privilege… means we use because here I agree system. Boar: What can our genera- want to call it – there are dramat- 99 percent of humanity would with Gandhi: Gandhi would say Mr Axelsen suggested: “Aid tion do to start to work towards ic changes. The map of the Mid- love to be Jewish! We have to have ‘the relationship between means needs to be removed from national a world where the Israel/Pales- dle East has changed. Whether it some perspective; the world is so and ends is the same as the re- hands and given to completely in- tine conflict is resolved, to start will be permanent, many people filled with hunger, disease, death, lationship between a seed and a dependent international organisa- to work towards a better future? think there will never again be destruction: in that context, to tree. The means that you use will tions.” an Iraq or a Syria… for the first talk about anti-Semitism can be decide what kind of ends you pro- He added that the issue of aid NF: Here I think there’s no dan- time in a hundred years, the map a form of navel-contemplation. duce; the seed decides the tree. needs to be heavily promoted: “If ger in starting from principles of has changed. These are significant It just doesn’t rank when you see And if you use means which are the people care, then politicians self-interest. The problems of the developments that at some point what’s going on in the world. Yes, corrupting, then you’re going to will.” climate, the problems of employ- will begin to affect us because the it’s not pleasant sometimes, when have a very corrupt end… Hershman stated he believes ment – in the United States in US is going to be sending over you think ‘maybe somebody The world requires radical solu- that aid is currently steeped in far your age cohort, 25-35, I almost troops. So the problems in my doesn’t like me because I’m Jew- tions but we have to be very care- too much bureaucracy, and the sys- never – I know it’s hard to believe opinion can be political issues, are ish’ – ok, you know what, if you ful about the means we employ tem needs to be fully restructured – I almost never meet a young the economic issue which is focus had a choice in the world between in order to achieve those radical in order to improve the present sit- person in your age cohort who has on jobs, the climate change issue, being ugly and being Jewish, it’s solutions. uation. 8 theboar.org What can we do, Sir Richard? Hiran Adhia and WIDS caught up with Sir Richard Jolly to talk about why international development is relevant to students nternational development has always been a difficult sell. Especially to stu- the Boar and the WIDS, we were able to pose dents. Speaking to a variety of people the question to Sir Richard himself: over the last few months, it has made me The Boar: You are an absolute giant of Irealise how little most of us know about the development. There is a reason that you impact that the global community has on the are the keynote here and that you filled out decisions that we make every day. Not only a room in that lecture hall to come here to this, but with the number of international hear you speak. But at the same time, in- students that we take in every year, it puzzles ternational development is one of those me how we don’t take more of an interest in things that can be quite a hard sell at this the world beyond our borders. university, to fill a room with. So my ques- The Warwick International Development tion to you is: how do we make such a com- Summit was an eye opener for many reasons. plex issue like this with so many different It opened up a forum where there were not variables and with so many people’s lives at financiers or business sitting at the table, but stake relevant a generic Warwick student? humanitarians and grassroots organisations. How do you get them to walk through the Nevertheless, the table was propped up by door? some of the biggest names that are ever like- ly to visit Warwick. The most notable for me Sir Richard Jolly: “I think one has to play was Sir Richard Jolly, who may not be one up the global nature of virtually everything that rolls off your tongue, but has played a that goes on in any national country in the vital part in development for more than 20 world today. Ebola, is just the obvious cri- years. sis, but in technology, in trade – all of these He was the Assistant General Secretary things are international and they need much for the United Nations, which is enough in more creative global policies in global insti- itself, as well as being special advisor to the ally lost an understanding Richard focused on what tutions for that. I am surprised if most stu- administrator UN Development Programme of the sanctity of life. With mattered – the individ- dents, at this great university of Warwick, (UNDP) and heavily involved with UNICEF. millions dead, and health ual human being. He don’t see that. If they don’t, I think they may When you type the words ‘international de- epidemics a serious threat emphasized three stages: be partly echoing a very narrow perspective velopment’ into a search engine, it is unlikely to the future of many de- “Human rights, human of their disciplines, which often are still na- that Sir Richard would be that far down the veloping countries, the focus and human devel- tionally focused, and then there may be two list. UN itself became a portal opment” which were the extra lectures in a term on the international However, this being said, the UN itself has for national self-determi- three pillars to a more co- dimensions. That’s the world that was. The been heavily criticised in recent times for be- nation. gent partnership between world that is, is a world of global importance; ing outdated and possibly useless in a world It was a platform for the countries that have and of culture, of economics, of threats and where nations take the onus on themselves to the little guy to have his already signed up to this we must just find a way of dealing with that. make decisions about international affairs. say on the world stage. constitution. If anything, What can you do? Okay, you can try and ex- So with the outlook looking decidedly uncer- And the Assembly very these are much more rel- pand the development group here which is tain, it was the perfect time to sit and listen to much remains one of the evant now as it seems that important and I wish you luck. But I think all the man who has been at the forefront of the most notable successes of there are some conflicts, of your members in whatever subject they’re debate since many of us were born. the United Nations move- such as the struggle be- studying here, particularly if they are second In his keynote speech, he spoke heavily ment – a path away from tween Israel and Palestine, and third years, should be asking how the about the history of the UN and how impor- colonialism and conquer. Yet this sentiment which some believe may have forgone any global international dimensions come into tant it has been in shaping the global land- has somewhat faded. The early passion for opportunity for resolution. my area of study. scape in the last 50 years. He was no stranger global cooperation has been broken down But we remain optimistic. There is no The future may not be so bleak if we take in saying that it has been turbulent. Follow- with conflicts in the Middle East, Eastern other option than to look at the Post 2015 it upon ourselves to make international de- ing on from the devastation of World War Europe and North Africa which has called Development Agenda other than with fresh velopment relevant, rather than just a relic. Two, there was definitely a need to rebuild into question the authority of an organisa- eyes. The only question is to ask what we as The agenda isn’t set by others; it is finally in the peace, not just amongst the countries tion that was supposed to be the adjudicator. Warwick students can do to be a part of this our generation’s hands now. So grab it before fighting, but amongst humans who had re- With all of these questions in mind, Sir vision. Fortunately, in a joint interview with it is too late.” “They had a desire to inspire young people” Sian Elvin heads to the WIDS seminars to find out how we can really action change The second day of the Warwick Interna- the moment,” the “Richard Jolly’s Ms Petie also spoke about what she tional Development Summit (WIDS) saw pair added. seminar was re- thought of WIDS in general: “I think there the day of talks split up with some individual After a short in- ally interesting as were a lot of really exciting and inspirational seminars and workshops led by some of the troduction they he and Neil Buh- ideas presented across the weekend, but for Summit’s keynote speakers. accepted questions ne talked about me the highlights were the panel discussions Workshops were held in the Social Scienc- from those in the the human devel- as these really explained the issues and gave es building and allowed small groups of room, and went on opment reports, rise to some different opinions. Summit attendees to engage in more person- to discuss particu- something I hadn’t “The one on Saturday about aid was really al conversation with some of the experts. lar issues concerned heard discussed interesting and I particularly liked the struc- Each attendee signed up to take part in a with human devel- much before. ture of the discussion not only looking at preferred seminar of their choice. The Boar opment, particu- “It was real- what is wrong, but also at how we fix it.” sat in on the most popular workshop of the larly security and ly great how they Ms Petie is the president of the Interna- day with Sir Richard Jolly. gender. touched on career tional Development Society at Newcastle, Between 30 and 40 people attended the Sir Jolly said: advice for students and said she attended the Summit to gain seminar where the leading development “Developing coun- as it showed they some knowledge and ideas from Warwick economist discussed both the human devel- tries are much more really understood about how to lead her own event. opment report and gave advice to students concerned about their audience and a She added: “We can’t thank the team at wishing to get a job with the United Nations income equali- desire to inspire the WIDS enough for offering us such a lovely (UN). ty than wealthier young people in the stay and a really interesting Summit. Alongside Neil Buhne, director at the Ge- countries.” ro om .” “The theme of our own topic is similarly neva Liaison Office, Sir Jolly spoke about hu- Olivia Petie, a The two experts about the tipping point in development we man development and the background of the third-year Human suggested to those find ourselves at as we enter 2015, so I think Human Development Report. Geography and wanting to get into it’s really inspired myself and the other mem- Mr Buhne suggested: “Human develop- English Literature the UN that they bers of the committee to hopefully make our ment is all about a human approach, and at Newcastle Uni- should also focus conference really successful too!” provides a sharp contrast to the neoliberal versity, spoke to the on gaining work ex- economic approach.” Boar about what she thought of the work- perience at other institutions, as the UN likes “It is not being taken seriously enough at shop. to see a wide variety of placements. » All photos: WIDS 30 theboar.org Baela Raza Jamil on education, the Pakistani government, and Malala Rebecca Myers, Hiran Adhia and WIDS talk to Pakistan’s education heroine about what the future looks like for Pakistan’s eduation system The Boar: How have you found the talks and I was amazed well just withdraw the girl when she reaches and the summit so far? when I asked the puberty, because it’s not safe for her to go – girls this question: a middle school will be miles away – so the BRJ: On the one hand it’s been extremely what they think parents are very disappointed with the lack diverse, you’ve had a really diverse range of about Malala. And of response by the public sector and others, speakers but I think there are also common Malala had just whoever the providers are, that they have threads running through ever talk and that’s been awarded the not been able to bridge the gap of transition important. I’m really fascinated by the way Nobel Peace Prize. between primary and secondary. people have conceptualised it and the way it They said they were They want all the way: they want oppor- is rolling out. It’s a rich session – the ones so delighted and tunities which are safe, which are accessible. that I’ve been attending since yesterday have that how she’s a role Pakistan has failed in that sense: to provide all been very rich and very stimulating… It’s model. Even moth- those opportunities which are safe and ac- very important [for speakers to bring differ- ers who had never cessible beyond a primary level. So that’s ent things to the table] – and yet, as I said, been to school – really the biggest challenge for us, that now we’ve been looking at issues of justice, issues they felt so proud we are facing. What that then gets converted of equity, of also growth, of innovation and that she belonged into is when parents say: “sorry we are not so on, so I think that’s been a good thing. to their land. So I sending a child – a girl – to school after think that says it Grade 5.” Boar: One of the big stories recently has all in terms of how Because if there’s a school there you will been about Malala and she’s been a pioneer people perceive her. never see children not going; you’ll see the of education especially in Pakistan and also But I think her highest number of children in pre-primary, across the world. What do you think the im- value relies more but then they get so depressed because ei- pact of figures such as her – especially having and more over time ther there are not sufficient teachers, or the won the Nobel Peace Prize – has on a place ... She’s still a young facilities are not in place. And gradually we like Pakistan, where education to a certain kid, she’s just 17! But see children [not going]. Not because the extent is quite a contentious issue, especially she’s incredibly ma- parents didn’t want it, but because the supply with gender roles? ture. Pakistan has is not right, and it’s not sufficient in terms of had several women the level of education that the government BRJ: First of all, Malala has been amazing who have done should be giving. in the way she has articulated for girls’ edu- some incredible From 2010, just lie in India, we now have cation and her whole passion for education. work. And I think the right to education: under Article 25 this In that sense it’s a very authentic conversa- contrary to the per- is a fundamental right – an obligation by the tion and a very authentic human resource ceptions outside Pa- schools, government for 5-16 years of age. Which is that we have. And I think by and large eve- kistan generally I have wonderful!... We are delighted as human ryone’s very proud of her, there are some seen little discrimina- » photos: Karishma Gulrajani rights people in education. voices which tend to marginalise people like tion when it comes to 16 means up until secondary. And 16 is Malala, as they did with our first Nobel Lau- girls education. you have only one middle school. And for when you begin to see that, if kids can get reate – Abdus Salam – partly because she’s a There is a desperate need for girls’ educa- every 80 middle schools, you have only one education, and girls particularly: there is no girl and the fact that people think that she’s tion because the economic conditions are secondary school. So where will the kids go? stopping them. been hijacked by the west and these con- changing: you need two pairs of hands and The parents are up in arms in Pakistan to In every medical college the government spiracy theories, but actually these are very brains to be able to go and work and bring say: the point is not that we don’t want our is now having to put in quota because almost bogus ways of describing her efforts. income, just like anywhere else. But the real girls to be educated, but tell us: where will 70 percent of the positions are taken up by I think she’s amazing and I think she in- crisis is that there is no facility. they go after Grade 5?! And what good is a girls. There’s no stopping girls once they get spires many. I was in a remote village not I was looking at data for one particular Grade 5 graduate? What good other than just past Grade 8, but it is how to get them there. too many weeks ago, conducting a survey, district the other day: for every 40 primary to go into the labour force? So we might as “Fine, first five, ten years, go make a couple of million. But then go become a politican” Professor Abhinay Muthood talks about why he wants to see less Warwick students in the private sector here’s something unique about War- the country, so I think to a certain extent world’s problems – local problems, national to that? There are so many Warwick stu- wick that we can host a globally ac- there’s a lot more you could do both as an problems, international problems need this dents we see going into finance and bank- claimed, enormously successful sum- individual and a department in terms of kind of multidisciplinary approach… to ad- ing… mitT on international development and, development, not just at the university, but dress inequality we need a multidisciplinary during a speech by one of the world’s lead- on a national level. Where do you see not approach. I’m pushing myself and my col- AM: Tell me about it! We can’t force any ing economists, hear the sentence “it’s nice to just Warwick students, but the department leagues to think in that way. student to apply to the civil service rather see you outside of an 8am lecture.” Not only being a cog in this engine of international We’re trying to get civil servants, journal- than an investment bank. But we can incen- did WIDS bring together movers, shakers, development? ists, intelligentsia tivise them, we can inspire them to do so. and thinkers from all over the world, but we across the world At the moment I think it is the case that imported them from the very nearest port of AM: I think we as to come and en- around 80 percent of our students go into call: our own departments. a department are very gage with us, not private sector - I think I would like to see that Such was the case with Professor Abhinay strong in international just for summits reduced... I would like to see more Warwick Muthood, who gave a brilliant half hour talk development, we have and events but students going to non-private sector, or at on the role of politics in economics, of norms a research centre that engage with us in least having an ambition to do that later on. in different global economies, and of finding is focused on inter- terms of working Fine, first five, ten years, go make a couple economist’s solutions to poverty across the national development with us, solving of million, but then go and become a politi- world. We caught up with him after his talk and there’s a lot of problems as a new cian. The thing about taking political office is to probe him a little more on what Warwick good research going model… Not just really crucial; I think that across the world – and its students in particular could be doing on and in the curricu- scholarly impact, not just in the UK – are students going there to tackle global issues. lum we teach... That we want real world and running for political office, and then said, we as a depart- impact… Engaging making a difference while they really can? The Boar: What are you looking forward ment, for the reasons with smart jour- Some students say they want to be a jour- to for the rest of the summit? you pointed out, we nalists who are on nalist – that’s great – raise your voice through could be doing much the frontline, find- what you write, engage. So I’d like to see more Professor Abhinay Muthood: I am look- more in communicat- ing out what really Warwick students do that. How do we go ing forward to seeing students – I’m hoping ing the importance are the constraints. about doing that? By inspiring them. they will be inspired. As a member of the uni, of, for example, inter- Bringing that to the By doing it with what we teach… More ap- that’s a key objective from my perspective on disciplinarity in co- university, so basi- plied modules - the change is happening on what the summit should do... it’s about the ordinating and work- cally the university the ground. students starting to think about these issues ing with colleagues in is closer. A coming I think it will take five maybe ten years be- in a different way I guess. politics and sociology, I think we could lead down from the ivory tower kind of approach. fore we see this proportion of students going the way in trying to influence other econom- into the non-private sectors really having an Boar: I know you’re the head of the Eco- ics departments around the world to think Boar: In terms of the vision you’ve just impact. nomics department here and it’s the best in in that broader way, in order to address the described, how do Warwick students fit in 30 theboar.org With special thanks to Stephanie Ifayemi and the WIDS media team: Luksha Wickramarachchi, Alexandra Karlsson, and Daisy Sibun

Photos: WIDS and PAIS theboar.org 30 Sponsored by: Deputy Editor: Cath Lyon 22 [email protected] Twitter @BoarArts ARTS fb.com/groups/BoarArts Arts column IATL supports student producers The changing nature of IATL is supporting student theatre with its new Student as Producer schemes, Cath Lyon reports opera and ballet s all of Warwick’s drama societies ing Henrik Ibsen’s classic Hedda Gabler in an ment or the drama societies often enables are constantly busy directing as attempt to reinvigorate some of the life and students to take more risks and experiment well as creating new student work, scandal that contemporary audiences of the more freely.” the Institute for Advanced Teach- piece experienced: “When Ibsen was writing There are three different grants that stu- Aing and Learning (IATL) is also involved at the end of the 19th century, his plays were dents can apply for under the Student as Pro- considerably in the creation of student per- surprising and radical… If you look online ducer scheme: Research, Collaboration and formance. Through its Student as Producer at images of various productions of Hedda, Performance. These allow a student to either programme, an application process which they all look the same. We’re trying to inject research a particular area outside of the cur- allows students to create their own work in this 120-year-old play with the shock of the riculum that they are interested in, consider a no-holes-barred interdisciplinary envi- n e w.” the method of collaboration in performance ronment, IATL has funded three projects George’s project plays on the drama soci- (while focusing on IATL’s key themes) or to re opera and ballet elitist? This was which will be culminating in performances ety title with A Piece of Cod which focuses on create a performance while having access to the question asked by the panel for at the end of this term. Ed Franklin and Jack the need to have total freedom of inspiration IATL’s resources, room spaces and advice. If The Big Question, a series of talks Morning-Newton, both third-year English and creation when devising a piece. “Starting successful, an applicant will also receive a held in 2013 at the Royal Opera and Theatre students and Sam George, a a devising project is immensely difficult due grant in order to support the project. “IATL AHouse. The debate asked experts to consider second-year Theatre and Performance stu- to the uncertainty around what a perfor- gives you some great rooms to rehearse in, whether the boundaries that exist between dent, are all producing their own work after mance may look like and how and £200 to spend on whatever you opera and ballet, and the rest of the theatri- receiving funding and support through the rehearsals will work when need, which is really good! Also cal world, are fictitious constructs or is there IATL scheme. the idea is first formed, Jonny and Amy in IATL are something genuinely unapproachable about and Piece of Cod aims really supportive and the ‘elite’ duo. “The IATL Student as Producer to help people get fun,” says Morning- The fact that a debate like this took place projects showcase and celebrate projects on their Newton. proved that big opera companies understood feet.” Morning- “These projects they were being perceived as inaccessible, a student creativity, often being the Newton’s pro- demonstrate the stigma they are working hard to shake off. first step towards professional theatre ject too focuses ways in which The Royal Opera House has developed a free collectives” on the form of IATL is a wel- Student Scheme, where all students have ac- Jonathon Heron, IATL creation from coming space for cess to tickets priced from £1 to £25. There nothing, but good ideas and are also four performances a year where the “There’s a great deal of freedom working with a much challenging per- entire amphitheatre is reserved for students, with IATL,” says Franklin. “Part of what I more direct formance work,” within that same price bracket. This is just really wanted to do with this project was to theme. “Our Heron comments, the tip of the iceberg when it comes to what give actors ownership over the production project is a de- “I wish Ed, Jack they offer students to break down the inac- as much as over their performances. There’s vised piece at- and Sam the best of cessibility stigma. nobody designing set or lighting for us, no- tempting to ask luck for their perfor- This scheme is all part of a movement of body sourcing props or stage-managing the questions about mances this term, and leading opera houses trying to reach out to show: the whole process has been a conver- community in 21st I invite other students students and engage them in an exciting art sation between me and the cast.” Morning- century Britain and to apply for spring term form. Opera houses endeavour to look out Newton agreed that building a show through the globalised world. We projects by the deadline of for exciting new writing that they feel will IATL allowed them a lot more creative free- are trying to make a show Wednesday week 10.” excite students and also foster their newly dom with his piece: “We liked the idea of do- which is primarily an artistic re- Franklin also told the Boar about found interest. The creation of operas like ing it through IATL because of the flexibility sponse to this question, rather than very aca- the significance of this creative freedom to Mark-Anthony Turnage’s Anna Nicole, which that it offered us in terms of defining what demic.” Although this play is not yet named, students: “At a time when it feels like ideals focuses on the life of Anna Nicole Smith, our schedule would be.” apparently the title Cake: 4 Realz is currently of creativity and imagination are being con- known as the first famous-for-being-famous Yet George points out that the focus on the main contender. sistently devalued - by our own university celebrity, is a good example of this move- the interdisciplinary was also an important Jonathan Heron, who works closely with management and by politicians like Nicky ment, and was in fact the opera that opened aspect of IATL’s appeal: “We felt like devis- IATL and the student productions that are Morgan who seem to think that the arts and the autumn season at the Royal Opera House ing projects would be helped by finding supported by them, believes that the secure, humanities are dead - it’s vital that IATL con- this year. Tongue-and-cheek writing and a influences from interdisciplinary sources - creative yet professional environment that tinues working to fight the corner of inter- saucy story line combined with world-class politics, life sciences, music… It has been a this scheme can provide allows students to disciplinary study, collaborative study and singers showed that opera and ballet are not learning process and was always intended to flourish theatrically: “The IATL Student as artistic learning.” an ‘elite’ duo, but an art form that is constant- be so, and IATL was a very supportive envi- Producer projects showcase and celebrate ly redeveloping and seeking to redefine how ronment for this.” student creativity, often being the first step All three of these performances will be it is perceived. Although the focus for each of the student towards professional theatre collectives (re- shown November 26 – December 5, email producers has been creating a piece from cent examples include Fat Git Theatre and [email protected] if you are interested Alexa Tamsett scratch, the projects could not be more dif- Barrel Organ). Having a space for perfor- in seeing them. ferent from each other. Franklin is reinvent- mance projects outside of your home depart- » Photo: Codpiece What is this magical and mysterious thing? It has suddenly appeared on campus - but what is The Pool? s part of the Art Centre’s 40th anni- the installation says, “Users play on concen- versary, head of programming Matt tric rings of circular pads that communicate Burman wanted to engage and re- with each other. As users shift their weight or ward the Centre’s regular visitors. move from one pad to another, their motions APart of this birthday present includes several are reflected on pads with color and move- external art installations which will be pop- ment.” ping up throughout the year around the area The piece is dependent on the number and of the Koan. quality of interactions on the pads at once. The most recent installation is called The The more interaction, the more colour and Pool by artist Jen Lewin, who has taken this movement the piece creates. the more beau- installation to many cities around the world, tiful the art becomes. including all over the United States last year. “This dynamic interaction between indi- 100 interactive platforms are powered by viduals and The Pool creates environments LED lights in order to create a piece of inter- ranging from curious and playful with few active art that is currently being enjoyed by participants to energetic and competitive all ages after dark on campus. with many participants.” “The Pool is an interactive environment The piece will be in place until December 2, where movement creates swirling light and so don’t miss out on your chance to get in- color.” The online brochure which explains volved! » Visitors enjoying the pool at the Arts Centre. Photo: Cath Lyon theboar.org/Arts | @BoarArts | ARTS 23 30 theboar.org

Another Arts Column Is theatre the new real-life video game?

traditional theatrical experience is somewhere between watching TV and being in a football stadium. The audience watches, en masse, Aas a story unfolds before them, often re- Shakespeare heads to the highway sponding in their own individual manners, but spectating with a broadly collective eye Deputy editor Sian Elvin reports on Paul Prescott’s trip to find Shakespeare in the US that keeps the energy and logic of the perfor- mance world intact. » Out on the road - Paul Prescott heads on a quest to find Shakespeare in the US. Photo: Paul Prescott Many pieces of theatre now provide an ex- perience closer to an open-world video game. 0,000 miles, 63 days, 14 festivals, 44 pro- BA: Was it everything that you expected to ding of these two guys, their actor friends Felix Barrett, artistic director of Punchdrunk, ductions, 150 interviews. And that was see in each state? put on a production of A Midsummer Night’s compares their immersive performance of just one summer for Dr Paul Prescott of Dream as a wedding gift. It was a brilliantly Drowned Man to exploration-based video the University of Warwick English de- PP: I think the festivals had more in com- inventive production, and gives me goose- games like Skyrim and Gone Home. Drowned partment.1 He led a team on a project called mon than I realised, because they tended to bumps just thinking about it. It was a great Man, a performance that took place over Shakespeare on the Road back in July, and has be constituted of people with broadly similar example of how such a simple idea can four floors in Temple Studios, London, al- caused ripples across the world of literary re- ideals. And yet, within that, there are mas- change the resonance of all sorts of things. It’s lowed the audience to wander around the search ever since. The Boar’s deputy editor sive variations between going to see Shake- the opposite of heritage Shakespeare; instead performance at their own leisure, either fol- Sian Elvin caught up with Paul for the Arts speare in a barn in Texas and going to see of going to see Shakespeare as a cosy exercise lowing single characters to find a linear nar- section, and discovered the highlights and Shakespeare in Central Park in New York in nostalgia, it takes it to a slightly different rative, or simply to explore and take in the future of his epic road trip. City. All of that will change the dynamic of end of the spectrum. performance world. This open-ended expe- the encounter. If you’re seeking to account rience, shaped by the audience, has more in Boar Arts: So what exactly did you do over for a phenomenon, you need to get down to BA: And what are you doing with the re- common with explorative video games than the summer? the grass roots, hit the road, and just talk to sults of your research? a traditional experience of watching theatre, people. A very important part of the project and Edinburgh Fringe this year demonstrat- Dr Paul Prescott: Last summer I undertook is that it’s an oral history project. If you’re PP: We have just opened an exhibition of ed how much this mentality is seeping into a slightly demented project which involved asking why Shakespeare, why America, you photography in Harvard House in Stratford- new work. an enormous amount of travel around North need to ask the thousands of people who are Upon-Avon, which is free and open for the Huff a performance aimed at children, America, particularly the United States. My making it happen. next two months. People can look at some of took the audience on a tour of the world of team and I travelled around 10,000 miles, the photos we took on the trip, which give a the Three Little Pigs and the Big Bad Wolf. mostly by car, between 14 different Shake- BA: How was a typical day on the road for very instant sense of some of the things we We were allowed to open drawers, look speare festivals. you? were interested in capturing. We’re creating through windows, lie down and listen to a physical archive in Stratford-Upon-Avon music in order to find the implicit narrative BA: What did you want to achieve from it? PP: The itinerary was exhausting, and emo- of production materials relating to all of the in the piece. Not in itself complicated, but tionally draining, but so stimulating that you 14 festivals, so if anyone in ten or even 100 symptomatic of a theatrical world in which PP: We started the project because there is always managed to get back up in the morn- years, wants to know how Shakespeare was video games are becoming so much of an in- a remarkable and largely untold story about ing and do another day. You’re travelling being produced in the US in 2014, they can fluence that young children’s performances what happens in America every summer. through an endlessly renewing and chang- go and consult this time capsule. An outcome are being tailored to fit this model. Even on From local parks, to 2,000 seat theatres, to ing landscape that just wards off all fatigue, I’m really excited about is next summer I’ll a more basic level, shows such as comedian replica Globes, Shakespeare just bursts out somehow. There are various guesses as to be helping with a production of The Taming Andy Zaltzman’s Satirist for Hire are having all over America in a way that is unparalleled how much coffee was consumed over the of the Shrew in one of the parks we visited in their subject matter chosen by the audience and unprecedented in any other country, or course of the trip, though! Montana. in order to hand over some creative agency. any other history. There are more Shake- Perhaps the most interesting experience speare festivals in California, for example, BA: Which production would you say was BA: Finally, any plans to go back on the to discuss with this in mind has been Forced than there are in the UK. I used to work on your favourite and why? road in the future? Entertainment’s Speak Bitterness. Lives- one in Florida a few years ago, and that was treamed for free while being performed in what first alerted me to what a strange and PP: It really is impossible to choose, but off PP: Yes! I want to do Shakespeare on the Road Berlin, Speak Bitterness was a six hours of ubiquitous phenomenon this was. And it was the top of my head I liked a particular pro- 2 (and this time it’s personal), and that will be performers reading out confessions. The so ubiquitous, it was almost invisible. People duction of A Midsummer Night’s Dream in in Europe. While I’ve got these relationships audience, however, played a unique part in took it for granted, or it seemed to me, in the Stratford, Ontario. It was in a big theatre, a with American festivals, I want to do some- the performance by retweeting moments of States that they could go to their local park matinee, families were there, and I wasn’t thing similar across Europe in 2016, which is the performance that stood out to them and on a summer’s evening and watch As You really expecting to be astonished. The per- the next big anniversary year for Shakespeare creating their own confessions - the audi- Like It. I wanted to get under the skin of this formance’s framing device was that we were (he died in 1616). That’s very exciting because ence turned Speak Bitterness into something phenomenon and ask a big question about present at a barbeque following a same-sex it will allow, for the first time, a proper inter- resembling an online game. Retelling and why America has such an enduring love af- marriage in 2014, and, to celebrate the wed- national comparison. enhancing the world of the performance, fair with Shakespeare. the audience became an online community, discussing, exploring and shaping the perfor- BA: Do you think there is a stronger love mance in their own ways. affair with Shakespeare in the US than in While theatre will never be the same as England? video games, nor should it be, the tools for shaping theatrical experience are being PP: I think Americans are, as a culture, gen- handed over to audiences more and more. I erally speaking, better at celebration than we am very excited to see the next step on this are in the UK. There’s a lack of irony about an transitional path. approach to Shakespeare that celebrates him Sam George and the greatness of his works. There’s also a kind of optimistic belief that these works can make a community better, can transform the lives of individuals, and can make the coun- try a more civilised place to live. It is com- Check out Sian’s whole plex, but, straightforwardly, one of the things interview with Paul Prescott: we learned was that there seems to be a more theboar.org/arts democratic impulse, and political impulse sometimes, about the work that’s being done You can find out more about the road trip by around Shakespeare in the US. » The team headed to many states, including Texas and California. Photo: Paul Prescott visiting shakespeareontheroad.com. Editor: Emily Nabney theboar.org 2430 [email protected] Twitter @BoarBooks BOOKS fb.com/groups/BoarBooks The greatest short stories ever written Three Books writers argue why these short stories are the best they’ve read Signs and Symbols by Vladimir Nabokov Loss of Halo by Charles Baudelaire or the fourth time in as many years, they were confronted with the prob- qually famed for his prose and his lem of what birthday present to take poetry, Baudelaire is the archetypal to a young man who was incurably painter of modern life, with a snap- Fderanged in his mind.” shot style of writing that seeks to cap- Nabokov’s short story concerns the visit to Eture the transient beauty, the beautiful transi- a sanatorium by the parents of a young man, ence, of life in the metropolis. where they are told that their son has again Baudelaire’s shorter-than-short story Loss attempted to take his own life. Concerning of a Halo is more a vignette than a full-scale the young man’s motivation, we are later told narrative, much like the rest of the Paris that, “What he had really wanted to do was to Spleen prose-poetry anthology. His tales are tear a hole in his world and escape.” The par- momentary glimpses into other lives; they ents head home, in despair of the “invisible plunge you into the urban crowd and bring giants hurting her boy in some unimaginable mother is looking through a photo album: you up close to its oft-ignored members: the fashion”. “Here was Aunt Rosa, a fussy, angular, wild- fool, the clown, the beggar. High literary cul- The fictitious condition that afflicts the eyed old lady, who had lived in a tremulous ture, says Baudelaire, need not have high sub- boy is called ‘referential mania’. We are told world of bad news… until the Germans put ject matter to be of value. that, “In these very rare cases, the patient her to death, together with all the people she The short story is, by name and by nature, imagines that everything happening around had worried about.” a succinct form. As such, the finest examples passing for an average Joe, “can now go about him is a veiled reference to his personality And yet Nabokov has performed his own are those that give the most information in incognito, be as low as I please and indulge in and existence.” He is not, however, merely literary sleight of hand. The prose is abnor- the smallest space, in the most creative ways. debauch like ordinary mortals”. paranoid about the whispers and glances mally precise and accomplished, even by his Baudelaire spends less than one hundred Whether he is mocking or in support of directed at him by strangers. He appears to high standards, and scholars have penned words crafting a perfectly ordinary meet- this claim we do not know, but Baudelaire make no distinction between a human and hundreds of pages in an attempt to elucidate ing between two old friends, before cheekily proffers the view that to be human, no matter his surroundings, and his condition even and decode its myriad symbols, allusions and and casually undermining the normality of how low, is worthy of an angel’s jealousy. And extends to being convinced that his “inmost references. And so it can be a little unnerving the situation by having one speaker recount: yet the story’s denouement almost immedi- thoughts are discussed at nightfall, in manual when one eventually realises that Nabokov “My halo slipped off my head and fell into the ately undercuts this celebration of humanity. alphabet, by darkly gesticulating trees”. has, in the form of the “incurably deranged” mire of the macadam.” It’s too late for us to The angel fantasises about how “it is perfectly I can only implore you all to go and find patient, drawn a portrait of his own readers. question this divine development; we are too delightful to think of some bad poet picking a copy of this story immediately, and I expect By reading too much into the story, we be- quickly borne along by our own curiosity. [the halo] up and brazenly putting it on”. Yes, to be thanked in broken tones. Apart from come convinced that there are hidden mys- the angels think much of us, but for God’s the hauntingly absorbing plot, the story also teries contained in apparently opaque sen- sake don’t get smug about it - even if you are contains some of Nabokov’s very best writ- tences. We as readers have become sufferers His tales are momentary glimpses into Baudelaire himself. ing. Nabokov and his Jewish wife actually of ‘referential mania’ tricked and misled by other lives; they plunge you into the The charmingly bracketed structure of had to flee Nazi Germany in the ‘30s, and this Nabokov’s signs and symbols. Loss of a Halo does wonders for flagging up story contains one of his very rare references urban crowd and bring you up close to a wide range of philosophical queries in a to the Holocaust, which appears when the Jordan Hindson its oft-ignored members self-contained scenario, while also giving the readers the pleasure of following them A Real Doll by AM Holmes up and filling in the gaps in our own heads. “Think of X! Think of Z!” urges the angelic Real Doll is a story about a lit- by herself, she hold conversations and acts As if the absurdity of seeing an angel hang- narrator – an instruction that, thanks to the tle boy who undergoes a sexual independently of her ‘boyfriend’. But as the ing out in a Parisian drinking den was not freedom of thought it offers, feels impossible awakening by experimenting with relationship becomes more explicitly sexual, enough, Baudelaire further subverts our ex- to ignore. his sister’s Barbie dolls. It’s an un- the narrator’s fantasies about Barbie start to pectations with characteristic brevity. The Anerving rabbit-hole of a story, which swings crumble away. Barbie’s remarks start veering unnamed angel seems delighted that he, now Phoebe Demeger back and forth between relatable forays into into the kid of clichés you hear from every a young boy’s innocent experimentation, pornographic video every shot, and the kid and an alarming glimpse into the mind of admits that, yes, he knows she’s not really an abuser-in-training, self-medicating with talking and he’s making all of Barbie’s dia- Boar Books short story competition dangerous doses of his mother’s Valium and logue up. But he doesn’t stop. t Boar Books, we are very pleased lished before, either in a magazine, on your losing himself in an impossible fantasy. to announce our first short story blog or other publications. Our narrator practices dating with Barbie competition, held in conjunction three times a week. In the beginning he’s too The story about a little boy who with Writing Society. I want to submit, what do I do now? nervous to touch Barbie’s waist; he has to undergoes a sexual awakening by AWhat is the competition? ■■ Save your short story in a Word carry her around by her feet. He frets that experimenting with his sister’s Barbie We are looking for the best short story document, with your name and the word he’s no good at kissing and feels like a sloppy of 3000 words or fewer. The winner will be count clearly marked. St Bernard. But AM Holmes makes sure you published in an issue of the Boar next term, ■■ Email it to [email protected] with can never get your footing whilst reading this giving exposure to literally thousands of peo- the subject title as ‘Boar Short Story Compe- story. Our innocent narrator ‘drugs’ Barbie ple across campus. The 1st, 2nd and 3rd place tition’ with crumbled up Valium and plies her with The commentary of a boy being roman- entries will also be published on our website. ■■ We will be replying to every submis- increasingly aggressive sexual behaviours. tically involved with a literal object should The story can be any genre (comedy, ac- sion, so if you don’t get an email, we haven’t As soon as you think be pretty evident here. This is a story about tion, horror, romance, steampunk etc.) and received it! you understand the char- possession. Our child narrator continuously about anything. However, it must be appro- acters, they do some- pushes the boundaries, trying to understand priate for a general audience, so no graphic The deadline for entries is 11.59pm on thing completely unpre- to what extent he can really ‘own’ Barbie, and violence or sex, excessive swearing etc. If you Monday 1st December (week 10). If you have dictable and you have to his interest in her doesn’t die until he finds have questions regarding this, please email us any questions, please email books@theboar. re-evaluate them entirely this limit. to ask for clarification. org. in order to follow what This is one of my favourite short stories What are the conditions? Looking forward to reading your submis- happened. Reading this because it is so unabashedly weird, and gives ■■ No more than 3000 words! We have sions! story is a pretty helpless you more to think about than you can man- to be very strict with word count because of experience; you just have age in one sitting. It’s obsessive, dark and the space in the paper Emily Rose Nabney (Books editor), Lucy to let the events unfurl magnetic, and it has a lot of reread value be- ■■ You must be a current student of the Skoulding and Carmella Lowkis (Deputy and accept that you have cause there are so many nuances to the nar- University of Warwick and a member of the Editors) no idea where it’s going. rator’s character. Boar. To be clear, Barbie is Warning: you’ll never look at a Barbie doll ■■ The story must not have been pub- characterised as reason- the same way again. ably autonomous. While » Photo (clockwise from top left): Frank Smith / Flickr, wikipedia.org, Freddycat1 / she doesn’t move around Hannah Frogatt Flickr, Frank Smith / Flickr theboar.org/Books | @BoarBooks | BOOKS 25 16 theboar.org Book awards: a celebration or a farce? Pint of purple Film editor, have voted in the opening round, when there individual preferences. There are no clear Paulina would have been more options to choose guidelines for everyone to consult, which Sohini Kumar from, and I could even have nominated my makes the task of finding the ‘best’ book dif- Dregvaite, own favourites. ficult. takes the mong the many emails that arrived But this got me thinking: there could easily Nevertheless, the awards are an opportuni- in my inbox last month, one was be others like me, who, not having read any ty to appreciate books and encourage people plunge into unlike any other. of the shortlisted books, wouldn’t be able to to read. They are a celebration of literature, purple “Vote in the Semi-final Round of participate in the awards. Even worse, they and a way of bringing the community of Athe Goodreads Choice Awards!” it com- could make uninformed votes based on what readers together: according to the Goodreads manded. “Vote for your favourites!” In- others are voting for, or on what they have website, more than a million people voted in What book are you reading at the moment? trigued, I decided to investigate. heard about the book or its author elsewhere. the opening round of the awards for close to As someone who loves books, I was surprised Would that not defeat the aim of these 14000 books. Readers who are interested can I’m one of those people who reads multiple to only then find out about the book awards. awards? take this chance to discuss different books, books at the same time and gets lost in be- Every year, competitions are hosted by web- More importantly, I wondered what gives and can even use the list to decide what to tween them. At the moment I’m reading Su- sites like Goodreads, Booktrust, The Guard- us the power to say: “this book is the best.” read next. In this way, the awards expose us san Sontag’s Illness as Metaphor. AIDS and its ian, Costa, and more. Books are nominated What makes anyone qualified to make this to a variety of genres and authors. metaphors in which she talks about the my- for different categories, either voted for by judgement? Does someone need to have a de- As well as that, the book awards put the thology of illness, particularly TB and can- readers or by a panel of judges, and winners gree in literature or experience in publishing? spotlight on new authors through categories cer. It’s a fascinating read, seeing her unpack are selected over a period of time. If I disagree with them, does that mean I’m dedicated to them. The Costa competition, these cultural constructs. Looking at the advertisements for these wrong? Are their opinions more valuable for instance, has a ‘First Novel’ category, I’m also reading China Miéville’s The City awards, it’s hard for a bookworm to not feel than mine? which makes sure that new authors are con- and the City. It’s a detective unlike any detec- excited. So, I obeyed the email and proceeded Furthermore, what criteria are we sup- sidered amongst the already well-known. tive novels I’ve read before, set somewhere in to pore over the different categories. posed to follow when voting? The judges’ Competitions also have rules concerning eli- Eastern Europe – a mixture of Hungary and Hmm, ‘Fiction’ is a good place to start, I jobs, according to Costa, is to “select gibility; for example, books must be pub- Romania, I’d say. It’s a brilliant book, abso- thought. But wait: I hadn’t read any of the well-written, enjoyable books that they would lished within certain dates to be qualified for lutely transfixing. books on the list. Never mind, I’ll take a look strongly recommend anyone to read.” How- nomination. This ensures that the same nov- at ‘Fantasy.’ Nothing. ’Young Adult Fiction?’ ever, they can’t guarantee that everyone will el doesn’t win every year, and focus is shifted Who is your favourite literary character? Nope. Okay, maybe I’m not that familiar with consider the same books ‘enjoyable’, as re- to newer books. Although people may be in- the most recent books. Or maybe I should sponses to books are personal and based on clined to vote for more renowned authors, That is a tough question. I adore all the char- the awards are a good way to make them acters in Max Frei’s Labyrinths of Echo series. aware of new writers. Also, it is impossible not to love Woland from Some competitions also have several cate- Mikhail Bulgakov’s The Master and Margari- gories, which means books of different gen- ta. And, speaking of Woland, Behemoth, the res get a fair chance at winning. If one book massive mischievous cat from his entourage. can’t find its way into the ‘Fiction’ category, it Wish I had a cat like that. might be shortlisted for a more specific one. Despite their merits, however, the awards What is the first book you remember read- may ultimately be pointless because their ing? main goal is unattainable. It just isn’t possible to pick the best book, because there isn’t one; I remember books being read to me... but differences in opinion and preference pre- the first book I read and really enjoyed – the vent that. In fact, competitions like this, book that made me fall in love with books, which pick out the ‘best’ books of the year, actually – was Harry Potter and the Cham- may end up pulling attention away from oth- ber of Secrets. It showed that reading can be er, equally great works that couldn’t make it exciting. onto the list. So, when participating in these awards, What is your all-time favourite book? perhaps keep in mind that the results are not absolute. Certainly, the competitions are an Now that is an almost impossible question opportunity to celebrate literature and to find to answer. There are books I re-read every new books to read, but remember: we don’t year like Isabel Allende’s House of the Spirits, need any specific events in order to do that. Carlos Ruiz Zafón’s The Shadow of the Wind, Erich Maria Remarque’s The Arch of Tri- umph... But I wouldn’t call them my all-time » Photo: northlondonreadinggroup / Flickr favourite books. Actually, I don’t think I have an all-time favourite book; but a book that has greatly affected me recently – affected the way I write, talk and think – is Chris Kraus’s The flight of the cyber-pelican I Love Dick. It tackled my whole idea of what literature is and what it can do; and, actually, reference, or share it immediately on social art as a whole. Carmella Lowkis media. Unfortunately, this is currently only available on desktop devices, but Pelican as- If you wrote an autobiography, what sures us that the feature will soon be available would be the title? fter a successful re-launch in May, on mobile too. Lane himself described the series as “the Pelican Books is taking flight into a Every element of each of these books has true everyman’s library for the twentieth cen- ‘Let’s talk about trees’. Because I like trees. fresh medium. Earlier this month, been meticulously re-worked for digital tury”. the non-fiction paperback imprint reading, with footnotes embedded in-text, Five titles are currently available through Kindle vs. book? Aof Penguin Books unveiled its new website and maps and diagrams re-drawn in full col- the website – nothing like the thousands of www.pelicanbooks.com, which offers an in- our and optimised for the web. It is apparent books published by the imprint before its al- Book book book. Book. novative way to read books digitally. that design has been a key focus for Pelican’s most 30-year-long hiatus, but a strong start. Pelican’s digitalised books can be pur- entire re-launch, with the project led in- Six more are planned to be added to the se- How much is a pint of purple? chased and read on their website across a full house by Matthew Young, taking input from ries in 2015, starting with Classical Literature range of devices including: smart phones, Fiasco Design in Bristol. The website itself is by Richard Jenkyns, which will make its de- Haven’t visited the Copper Rooms in over tablets, and widescreen monitors. Handily, easy to navigate and attractive to look at, with but towards the end of next January. While a year now… £2? Was less in my days, but any book’s text will adapt to offer the op- a simple design in the imprint’s characteristic the re-born imprint is still very much in its prices do keep rising. timum reading experience, regardless of turquoise. fledgling stages, there can be no doubt that it screen size. On top of this, the website auto- The Pelican value of accessibility is clearly will one day soar again. matically bookmarks your reading position, a driving force in this project – by embracing synchronising it across all of your devices, the popularity of e-reading, it makes its books so that you can pick up from where you left easily available to a wider readership. This is Want to win a set of free off, no matter how you’re reading. This is a just what Allen Lane, the founder of Penguin, pelican books? brilliant idea for on-the-go readers: there will originally intended when he created the im- Tweet: @BoarBooks be no more wishing you had brought a book print in 1937. In its heyday, Pelican sold over #pelicanbooks whilst waiting for the U1. 250 million copies of its books, which aimed Pelican also offers a highlighting feature so to combine intellectual authority with prose » Photo: TexasEagle / Flickr that you can mark a passage of text for future that could be understood by the lay reader. theboar.org 26 Editor: Sam Evans [email protected] Twitter @BoarMusic MUSIC fb.com/groups/BoarMusic there appears to be an unsurmountable gulf in calibre. Boar Take 2013, generally regarded as an excel- lent year for a number of new, indie bands who broke out into the mainstream. Think of names such as HAIM, CHVRCHES (what’s with all the capitals, guys!?), then slightly Jukeb x poppier outfits such as Bastille and The 1975 - who all released their debut albums that year - and you have an idea of which bands could be topping the bill at a festival near you any We’ve got it covered time soon. These Radio 1-friendly, poptastic groups were not exactly who I had in mind when considering who could fill the shoes of A BBC poll recently placed Pet Shop the likes of Led Zeppelin, Depeche Mode, or Boys’ cover of Elvis’s ‘Always On My The Cure. That ultimately may come down Mind’ as the people’s favourite. Un- to the growing superficiality of pop music, convinced by the results of a nation- and the commercialisation of the industry - wide poll, we wanted to share a few which is a sad reality that’ll probably have to picks of our own: be accepted. [Headliner goes here] It’s also important to realise there’s no use in rushing bands to a stage (literally and Ellie Goulding: ‘All I Want’ (Kodaline) metaphorically…) that they are not ready for A cover of a modern hit makes the origi- Stephen Paul questions if legacy acts have earned their place at the yet, and neither for that matter, are the au- nal stale in comparison. Beautiful distressed top of the festival bill, or whether some new artists deserve a go dience. In the last two years, Reading and vocals from Goulding allow the feeling and Leeds festivals have been headlined by Biffy meaning of the track to shine. The soft pi- t’s that time of the year again, when the material, though? And whether the material Clyro and Queens of the Stone Age amongst ano and guitar plucking throughout builds first festival line-ups begin to be an- which has been released by other bands has others. Their headline performances at the later with the addition of strings, allowing nounced, and all the speculation with been of that same high standard (I’m looking UK’s second largest festival represent the sort the track to remain glowingly poignant. The regards to the feast of bands we’ll gorge at you Kiss…) is questionable. Another, more of slow, measured rise to the pedestal that is pacing middle eight turns into an ethereal Iupon come next summer’s sun, subsides. important question must be asked instead: headlining a festival as historic as Reading, stream of operatic vocals and mystical, yet The most recent announcement has seen does this mean there’s a drastic shortage of that is a fine template for other bands who subtle strings. It is so perfect that it brings a Slipknot, Muse and Kiss all confirmed to bands emerging these days who can achieve hope to inch their way up line-ups to those tear, or twenty, to your eye. headline next year’s Download festival at that same status as these bands before them, same heights; bands such as Florence and the Jay Chauhan Donnington Park. The three bands have a go on to usurp them, and successfully be- Machine, Two Door Cinema Club and The combined lifespan of some 80 years. You come ‘huge’? Vaccines may eye similar rises. Jose Gonzalez: ‘Heartbeats’ (The Knife) know, for that reason, I think we may have In the end, the success or failure of fes- A cover of The Knife’s electropop track, a problem... tivals may not come down to the quality of Jose Gonzalez’s cover of ‘Heartbeats’ strips There seems to me, and others too, to be a When I begin to think of bands which bands on show at all. That might be just as the song down, transforming it into an acous- pervasive culture of relying on heritage and have come to the forefront in recent well. Instead, it looks as if though it will come tic lullaby. Simple in its production, the emo- legacy acts to headline festivals. Download’s years, I struggle to name a couple, if any. to rest on what else they have to offer. Glas- tive lyrics of the track are laid bare, revealing announcement, in that respect, is unfortu- tonbury’s late night attractions, once all the a haunting and heart breaking blend of love, nately not dissimilar to that of many other bands have stopped, such as Shangri-La, are regret, reflection, and nostalgia. Despite the festivals. You only have to call to mind Glas- streets ahead of any other festivals’. They are simplistic arrangement, Gonzalez’s dream- tonbury’s 2009 headliners; if Neil Young, Isle of Wight festival organiser John Gid- catching on though; T In The Park is start- like, ethereal vocals transform the song into Bruce Springsteen and Blur don’t constitute dings certainly seems to think so. Describing ing its own version at 2015’s festival. These something multi-faceted, and strangely com- a vintage, old-school headline billing, then I Ed Sheeran as “boring”, Giddings bemoaned are the showstoppers which ultimately pull plex. A highlight of his album Veneer, ‘Heart- don’t know what does. Their combined career the fact “we’re not building headliners any- in the masses and generate the ticket sales. beats’ stands out due to its sheer beauty and lifespan at the time was a total of 113 years, more”, and that “if acts like him [Sheeran] Michael Eavis, alas, not for the first time, is poignancy. for goodness sake. Michael Eavis, the found- are the future, then we’re all screwed”. Well, ahead of the game: “we’re moving away from Ellie Campbell er of Glastonbury festival, acknowledged this not quite. But Giddings has a point. Nobody the idea of the headliner being the whole sto- problem himself, stating he wouldn’t be sur- wants to be watching The Rolling Stones or ry, [and] we’ll still have a hell of a show that Casey Abrams: ‘I Put A Spell On You’ (Scream- prised “if we run out of headliners in three AC/DC headline festivals for years to come; people want to come to” and, I for one, can- in’ Jay Hawkins) or four years’ time”. Worrying signs, indeed. until they decay to the point their bodies not blooming wait for it. Casey Abrams, jazz genius/god from the Nevertheless, it might be argued that, as shrink and shrivel to bone and dust right be- American Idol franchise (back when they long as those acts have released quality mate- fore our very eyes on the Pyramid Stage, as Have some acts really had showcased real musicians), sang a Nina rial consistently over their respective careers they headline Glastonbury for the 27th time. their day? Simone-inspired version of ‘I Put A Spell up until relatively recently, they deserve to When I begin to think of bands which have Tweet: @BoarMusic On You’ four years ago, and that’s when remain at what is the pinnacle of live music come to the forefront in recent years who I found my favourite cover of all time. performance: headlining festivals. When was might offer us a fresh alternative, I struggle Abrams incorporates just the right amount the last time The Libertines offered us new to name a couple, if any. Largely because »Above: (Newer Acts Can’t Get No) Satis- of screeching and growling required by the faction Photo: Wikipedia.org sinister undertone of the melody and the Album Reviews lyrics of this classic from the 50s. If the last two syllables of his performance don’t melt Foo Fighters Roo Panes The New Pornographers you, I don’t know what will. Sonic Highways Little Giant Brill Bruisers Eshani Vijh   

The Futureheads: ‘Hounds of Love’ (Kate The Foo Fighters once Folk singer-songwriter The follow-up to the un- Bush) again break the mould Roo Panes came into the justly underrated ‘Togeth- Gloriously eschewing the convention for with their eighth studio public view by way of a er’, the Pornos’ sixth effort a ‘faithful’ cover of this classic track, Sun- album. Recorded in Burberry acoustic and is yet another consistently derland’s finest turn the pained weirdness eight different, cultur- modeling campaign. ‘Lit- solid release. The album of Bush’s original into an indie-punk thrash, ally relevant US cities, tle Giant’ is a collection refuses to deviate from complete with Mackem accent and crashing the assets from each of melodious folk songs the winning structure power chords. The sense of vulnerability in location are highly that mix Roo’s gentle vo- that every album of theirs the lyrics fits well with both artists’ oeuvres, prominent, channelled through the essence cal range and a simple ensemble of acoustic has been built on: tracks led by Destroyer and adding the sense of anxiety and urgency of what makes Foo Fighters distinctive. style instruments. However, this album drifts frontman Dan Bejar crop up every once in that is the Futureheads’ hallmark makes for a Over the eight tracks, the quality that you lazily into danger of becoming a very mid- a while, providing a palate cleanser from the cover that is almost as good- albeit in a com- would expect from a band of Foo Fighters’ dle of the road debut folk release. The album brilliant power pop of AC Newman and co. pletely different way – as the original. reputation does not dip. However, there is is largely successful though, and serves as a There aren’t many surprises here, but, when Will Tucker sadly decidedly nothing remarkable about good showcase of England’s new wave of folk. the music’s this good, does there need to be? the record. Ellie Campbell Abi Browning Sam Evans Editor: Laura Primiceri theboar.org 30 [email protected] Twitter @BoarTelevision TV fb.com/groups/BoarTV Crimes against television Kambole Campell asks whether in an age of torrents and piracy, is internet streaming damaging TV? owever you feel about internet sion: broadcast networks, particularly in the Who would have thought that people prefer son, see all the ads everywhere for the new piracy, there’s not many ways to US, are still pulling in millions of viewers a instantaneous, ad-free television? season, talk to your friends at the office about prevent it – or at least, not many night. That said, there isn’t a grand, bloody bat- how excited you are.” It seems that people are reasonable ways. There are already Recent launches of TV shows particularly tle between networks, Video On De- beginning to tire a little of this culture built Hblocks and attempts at censorship in place affected by file sharing have also con- mand streaming services and around scheduled waiting and scheduled from governments worldwide, the most in- tinued to see incredible ratings, the dreaded internet pi- viewing, or don’t have the time for it. famous being from China. Closer to home, such as the CW’s pilot for rates. If anything, the One of the reasons piracy isn’t as serious the US and the UK governments use court superhero spin-off show increased popularity a problem for television is that people are orders to attempt to block sites such as The The Flash, which, despite of services such as actually more than willing to pay when it’s Pirate Bay and Kick-Ass Torrents, as well as having its pilot leaked Netflix and the the easier option — £5.99 a month for on- attempting to persuade search engines to months early, held usage of bit tor- demand access to hundreds of shows is more omit such sites from their search results. the largest debut and rent and ille- appealing than installing satellite TV, in the Of course, the existence of proxy servers, most watched epi- gal streaming same way some may prefer to use satellite or backups and in particular The Pirate Bay’s sode the network has indicates the cable TV. move to the cloud means that it’s near impos- had in years. quite natural The problem, for (stubborn) cable and sat- sible to permanently cut off access for peo- One of the main future end of ellite providers anyway, is that it is becoming ple who really don’t want to pay for content causes of pirating the manner in easier and more hassle free to use internet (both of the sites mentioned still work with- lies with ease of ac- which we watch services. Several channels in the UK and US, out proxy on multiple ISPs). cess. HBO’s Game of television, and although there are region blocks, have video Thrones, the most pi- even then, it won’t on-demand services and use the internet to rated show of all time, is be all that different expand their audience rather than punish It’s nearly impossible to permanent- mostly downloaded by its to now. BBC iPlayer people for having other things to do than ly cut off access for people who really international audience due to already exists, as well as watch TV according to their schedule. There don’t want to pay for content the cost and difficulty of watching hundreds of other on-de- is no reason that a station can’t adapt, the new it legally. mand, catch-up television sites; streaming-only service, HBO GO, in the face Netflix of the vast number of illegal downloads of has proved » Internet pirate? Time to walk the plank. photo: flickr / Charlie Walker Game of Thrones, being proof of that. Additionally, the issue of internet piracy is to be a So is there a broadcast television apoca- a complex one. This is because people may particularly powerful force in television in HBO now have a streaming only format. The lypse looming? Not necessarily. Ironically, use a mixture of legitimate and illegitimate the past five years, with its expansion from problem lies with the broadcasters, who are increased interconnectivity has, without means to acquire music or television, and- simply being another DVD rental option, going to have to adapt to survive. a doubt, made us a bit less patient – many people on the same connection may differ in to a worldwide, award winning producer of Netflix CEO and ‘binge watching enabler’ people don’t feel like waiting the extra hour their habits, making it hard to pinpoint who multiple immensely popular shows. Yes, peo- Reed Hastings has pointed out the revolution or couple of hours for something to go on- is acting illegally. As such, there is no abso- ple still pirate Orange Is The New Black, but against what he called “managed dissatisfac- demand or on a torrent site, and choose to lute solution to the problem of piracy. the numbers are miniscule in comparison tion”, stating in an article to GQ that “you’re watch live. Those that can’t, pirate. There’s But there is no sign of an imminent, over- to those sharing broadcast TV - many more supposed to wait for your show that comes something of a balance, for now at least. whelming revolution in how we access televi- people with a Netflix subscription watch it. on Wednesday at 8 p.m., wait for the new sea- Downton Abbey: going downhill? e left Downton Abbey in 1923- The culmination of the war memorial sto- ing any real degree of character development. That’s not to say there haven’t been some Rose had been presented to the ryline wasn’t satisfying, and there have been Lady Rose’s (Lily James) hasty marriage to truly engaging moments in season five. The king, Edith had given birth to inconsistencies in individual characters’ will- Atticus Aldridge (Matt Barber), as likeable older cast, particularly Penelope Wilton, Jim her illegitimate daughter and ingness to embrace change: the Earl of Gran- as he is, closes off some of the more interest- Carter and of course Maggie Smith, have Wwas plotting to secretly raise her, and Mary tham (Hugh Bonneville) was aghast at the ing avenues that they could have taken her been consistent scene stealers whenever they was still caught between the affections of prospective of a wireless in Downton in the character down. Even the promisingly in- are featured. Tony Gillingham (Tom Cullen) and Charles second episode, but was totally fine with the dependent Miss Bunting (Daisy Lewis), the The tender friendship of Ms. Baxter Blake (Julian Ovenden). idea of secretly raising his daughter’s illegiti- local school teacher, has felt more like a plot (Raquel Cassidy) and Mr. Molesley (Kevin Downton has long been a fixture of Sunday mate child by the end of the season. device to develop her love interest Tom’s (Al- Doyle) featured some of the best acting the evenings, and has in its four seasons become Downton Abbey has become somewhat len Leech) character than her own person. show has ever featured, and their potential a British cultural icon. However, the quality reliant on its cameo appearances, enjoy- Clearly something’s wrong here. romance is one of the reasons that I still have of the latest season of Downton Abbey, as the able though they may be. Anna Chancellor’s hope for the show. Thomas Barrow’s (Rob Crawley household move into 1924, has been memorable turn as the predatory Lady Cath- James-Collier) attempt to cure himself of his uneven to say the least. erine and Richard E. Grant’s lovelorn art his- A dependency on star quality to get homosexuality through electroshock treat- The most exciting elements of Downton torian Simon Bricker have been high points ratings simply isn’t sustainable in the ment was horrifying to watch, and the death Abbey have always been historical; the varied in the series, but have felt like evidence of the long term. of Isis, the Crawley’s beloved family dog, was reactions of the aristocracy to the changes show’s desperation. genuinely heart-breaking. of the early 20th century is what drew many I’m not going to pretend that I’m not ex- What season five has lacked more than fans to the show. Yet the show’s forays into cited by the appearances of Matthew Goode anything else, therefore, is consistency of historical issues this season have been patchy. and George Clooney in the Christmas Spe- Season five’s biggest problem was the em- quality. The frustrating thing about Down- cial this year (let’s just say that my attention phasis on the Bates and their troubles af- ton Abbey is that it’s capable of truly fantastic will not be entirely focused on the plot), but ter the death of Mr. Green. Anna’s (Joanne moments, but fails to deliver this regularly. a dependency on star quality to get ratings Froggatt) rape plot was hugely controversial It’s far from the show it once was, one whose simply isn’t sustainable in the long term. when it was first introduced, and it wasn’t magnetic appeal was that it shied away from Downton Abbey’s problems with its female wholly unsuccessful. Writer Julian Fellowes showing the most emotional moments, and characters are growing more numerous, par- has correctly given Anna’s trauma the atten- instead focused on the micro-expressions ticularly regarding romance. Mary’s dalli- tion it deserves, aided by Froggatt’s perfor- and nuances of the actors’ performances. ances with her seemingly never ending line mance. However, the needless tragedy porn All restraint has left the show, and so of suitors are taking up more than their fair of the Bates family marks a serious decline in watching Downton Abbey is an enjoyable ex- share of Michelle Dockery’s screen time, time Downton’s quality- a repetitive murder sto- perience, if you can accept it for what it truly that would be better spent on her effortlessly ryline culminating in Anna’s arrest that is a is— something frothy, melodramatic, and snarky repartee with her sister. Edith (Laura lazy attempt at dramatic symmetry to mirror sensational. Carmichael) too has been marginalised into Mr. Bates’ (Brendan Coyle) arrest in season Bethan Ackerley a figure of mawkish loneliness, lamenting the two. So much misery has been piled upon loss of her lover Gregson (Charles Edwards) the two characters that it’s almost hard to feel » Photos: flickr.kmoliver and their infant daughter, without ever show- sorry for them. 20 theboar.org 28 Editor: Paulina Dregvaite [email protected] Twitter @BoarFilm FILM fb.com/groups/BoarFilm The slow-paced beauty of Ida REVIEWS Andrew Russell reflects on the aesthetics of the recent Polish feature Fury

ury is, in one word, frustrating. It’s been a while since I’ve seen such an impeccably written, directed, and acted World War II film that was not Fan exploitation film like Dead Snow or In- glourious Basterds. But in many ways, Fury is the most exploitative of them all. We just don’t see it, because Fury very much belongs to the type of propaganda filmmaking that was coming out of Hollywood in the 1940s, during the actual course of WWII. Saying that though, the film is a lot grittier, mean- er, and nastier than any of those Bogart / Wayne flicks. It at once seeks to thrill and to transcend, and whilst the effort is valiant, it doesn’t necessarily accomplish either com- pletely. Andrew Sztehlo da attempts to return us to a time and collaborated with the Nazi occupying forces isn’t expressed through action in order to place of early 60s Poland where the to sell out Ida’s mother - Wanda’s sister. While show personal and national wounds. Instead, Get On Up memories and bones of World War II the search occupies the narrative, Ida is by through the framing, long shots and relative lay barely covered by snow and earth. no means action-oriented. The odd framing lack of movement we are confronted with no AnnaI (Agata Trzebuchowska) is a young often situates the characters at the bottom simple way to view the story. Ida’s trained soon-to-be nun who is directed by her Moth- of the screen, cutting off the side of a face or restraint gives the viewer very little to work er Superior to visit her sole surviving relative, only showing the eyes, while the rest of the with which excellently guides us with her her aunt, before taking her vows. On first screen is filled with a roof or an out-of-focus through this contemplation, this attempt to meeting Wanda (Agata Kulesza)m Anna is doorway, dragging the viewers’ eyes to the take in the world she is confronting. Though told with a detached flippancy that pervades edges of the screen. These shots are counter- this potentially would have very different ef- Wanda’s actions that that her original name posed to exterior long, static shots showing fects for a Polish audience. was Ida Lebenstein and that her parents were very little movement. This lack of simplicity does not entail any- Jews murdered during the Nazi occupation thing necessarily complicated, but rather an of Poland. Ida’s response is indicative of her interesting way of engaging with a story that learned habits: her dark, expressionless eyes avoids the reduction to a conclusive narra- widen, but she remains almost unmoved. Where Ida really shines is in this move- tive. The ultimate lack of any real or conclu- his James Brown biopic brings the Wanda initially plans to return Ida to the ment between shots that draw out time im- sive progression for either character presents funk: it deftly sidesteps the problem convent the next day, but instead they set out mensely, slowing us down and opening up us with an ending that slips between the of trying to structure someone’s life on a journey to discover the fate and resting a new filmic space divide maintained throughout the film be- like a Hollywood screenplay, by en- place of Ida’s parents and brother in order to tween the world-denying Ida and sad hedon- Tergetically leaping back-and-forth through- lay their remains in a family grave. ism of Wanda. out time, to give a sense of the singer’s spirit Shot in stark black and white and 1.37:1 ra- Here there is an escape from any path of rather than a straightforward account of his tio, Ida seems to attempt to place the viewer While it is imminently clear that memo- necessary action, of something that would life. It’s messy, it outstays its welcome by a in its time period, but this seems like a purely ries of the Holocaust occupy the characters, be willed in order to fix a scarred world. I’m good 20 minutes, but it’s got style, warmth, formal shift that is overwritten by many other the framing and sublime shots, reminiscent reminded of Adorno’s invocation that poetry and humour. In other words, Get On Up is factors. While the high-quality image may of Cartier-Bresson, allow space for a sombre cannot be written after Auschwitz. Ida seems the perfect film for James Brown. make some recall the polished look of Czech reflection on the characters’ muted interior- to skirt that issue by taken a path as yet un- One of the best moments of the film is a New Wave films, I still saw the film as a con- ity, and time seems to expand in these deep, known. The final shot is a vital ethical shot sequence where a young Brown is lined up temporary look at the past rather than a dive languorous shots. along these lines. alongside other black children with num- into the past itself. Despite this, the framing Yet as the film develops, the contrast be- I’m left searching for paths between the bers painted on their chests, who are forced and lack of colour results in stunning shots tween Wanda’s flippant nihilism and Ida’s common divides of spiritual and bodily ex- to fight each other for the amusement of the that highlight Wanda’s detachment from the removed asceticism is complicated as Wan- ploration, between personal memories and rich, white upper classes. Brown is strug- world around her as a small time judge (she da has to face the realities of the recent past experiences and the often dominating na- gling until he sees a group of black musi- flatly informs Ida that she was once referred more and more and Ida confronts a world tional narratives shown to us; to which I hope cians performing reluctantly. A different to as ‘Red Wanda’ for the numerous people she has never inhabited; one of jazz, men and Ida has found one out of the divide between film about a different person might have she sent to death during the Stalinist regime). drinking. religious devotion and memory and Wanda’s stressed the monstrosity of the scenario, but Wanda seems self-assured in her detach- Where Ida really shines is in this move- nihilistic forgetting. here the musicians rise to their feet and play ment: chain smoking; drinking frequently; ment between shots that draw out time im- a funky jazz number. Brown is propelled enjoying jazz; sleeping with men and gener- mensely, slowing us down and opening up back up and wins the fight, his face lit up in ally seeking out whatever pleasures she can a new filmic space, and the short sharp ac- Is Ida Oscar material? triumph. Get On Up is a film all about the while on this journey to excavate the brutal tion scenes that continue the plot. There is a Tweet: @BoarFilm music, and I wouldn’t have it any other way. past. definite lineage betweenIda and the films of Ida, in contrast, watches everything un- Tarkovsky and to an extent Bergman, while Sam Gray fold as her family history is revealed to her working through character interaction in a and us, staying quiet as Wanda sharply con- very different way. Ida does something new » Photos: Top, Artificial Eye; Top right, Read the full reviews and more at: verses with the locals, including the family with this legacy through the clear but mut- Sony Pictures; middle, UPI media; theboar.org/film who now lives in the old family home and ed history that surrounds the film and that middle right, film-reviews-and-news.com 21 theboar.org/Film | @BoarFilm | FILMtheboar.org 29 Theory of Everything: Sneak peek Olivia Cole investigates the new Hawking family biopic and finds it lacking Director: James Marsh This in itself is no fault, but an issue occurs when Stephen’s breakthroughs as a theoret- Cast: Eddie Redmayne, Felicity ical physicist become majorly side-lined in favour of the struggle Jane faces as a partner Jones and carer. It feels as if the producers are one step away from writing ‘This is no ordinary Length: 123 minutes love story’ on the film’s promotional materi- al, which already pitches the film as a visually he Theory of Everything, the semi-au- stunning production with two beautiful and tobiographical film inspired by Jane very promising young British cast members. Hawking’s biography, documents It is a real shame that The Theory of the relationship between her (played Everything works at this angle, because the Tby Felicity Jones) and her husband Stephen story of the real life Hawking couple is so Hawking (Eddie Redmayne). It is what all much more than an unconventional love American journalists will inevitably, at some story. It is largely uncharted territory: two point, tag as ‘a quintessentially British mov- incredibly intelligent individuals who togeth- ie’. This definition is possibly simultaneously er attempt to re-evaluate their futures in the the film’s greatest strength and greatest fail- face of incurable illness and an ever-shifting ure. The difference lies in what the audience predicted life-span, all while dealing with is expecting to watch: if you are coming to never-ending public attention, comment and see an against-all-odds narrative with an approval. Stephen’s scientific breakthroughs emotive piano score paired with beautiful are acknowledged and occasionally briefly » The romance sans science?Photo: UPI Media cinematography, then you will not be disap- explained through use of food at the dinner pointed. However, anyone with a genuine cu- table, but it feels as if the film is worried that vocal decline, to the point where it becomes British acting talent, and a no-nonsense ap- riosity regarding the life of the world’s great- the audience will be alienated by all the sci- hard to remember that Redmayne himself is proach to immense pain and difficulty. How- est cosmologist will feel that they have been ence. It is largely a sense of intelligence that an actor with full capacity of his body. ever, given the incredible intellect of its sub- presented with a pretty puff of smoke, rather we are missing; some of the most fruitful Felicity Jones is also revealing herself as a jects, it is disappointing that it fails to grant than a concrete product. scenes are in the opening third of the film, tremendous actress, now that she has final- anywhere near the same level of intellect to The reason this divide feels so evident is where we get to witness a young, promising ly outgrown the child-like face which has its audience. A pretty film which makes one due to the story of Stephen and Jane, which Hawking at Cambridge, rapt in his educa- plagued her casting opportunities for years. take a moment to appreciate the basic ease of is both heart-breaking and uplifting, painful tion. While the audience cannot engage in Her only weakness is perhaps that Jane Hawk- their own lives, but ultimately lacking in any and invigorating, full of love and mess. Hawk- all that is being taught, we can engage in Ste- ing is just too perfect – while Jones brings risk-taking or creative punch. ing, diagnosed with motor neurone disease phen’s own passion regarding his subject, and as much depth to the role as possible, she is at 21, had publicly led an incredibly success- it is a pity that this is disregarded further on constrained by a screenplay which presents ful and influential life set against a private in the film. Hawking’s dedicated wife as a ‘so-good-it-al- Does this film treat backdrop of complication and tragedy. The While the film is nowhere near as intelli- most-becomes-irritating’ partner. audiences as unintelligent Theory of Everything is most concerned with gent as it should be, it is still undeniably beau- Overall, The Theory of Everything encapsu- in favour of romance? this personal history, exploring the effect of tiful and emotive. Eddie Redmayne’s perfor- lates much that is especially valued in British Tweet: @BoarFilm the double-edged sword of Stephen’s geni- mance is flawless. An outstanding effort is cinema: aesthetically stunning landscapes us and disability on his devoted wife, Jane. made to accurately chart his physical and and cinematography, breadth of upcoming Nightcrawler: the dark side of media Redmond Bacon looks into a compelling depiction of the L.A. underworld Director: Dan Gilroy iniscent of Robert De Niro in The King Of Comedy. Some of the funniest scenes come Cast: Jake Gyllenhaal, Rene Russo from Bloom’s inhuman way of relating to people: he does not treat them with empathy Length: 117 minutes but as business opportunities, in one scene using his parodic empty business speech to Country: USA convince a colleague to sleep with him. It is deeply disturbing yet disturbingly funny, hen we first meet Lou Bloom and Gyllenhaal treads the line between the (Jake Gyllenhaal) he is cutting two perfectly. This is a perfect showcase for wire from a fence, planning to his acting talents, and seeing him here after sell it. This is a man so desper- Prisoners, I’d say he’s on the next level of his Wate to make money that he is willing to do acting career. literally anything. That night, when he wit- He takes on homeless man Rick (Riz nesses a car crash, and the freelance ‘string- Ahmed) as his ‘intern’ and they traverse the ers’ filming it in order to sell it to the local streets at night, gorgeously lit-up in that clas- news company, he finds his vocation. What sic L.A. Noir way by cinematographer Rob- I learned about the media wasn’t anything ert Elswitt (Magnolia, Boogie Nights). Lou new, having seen it before in satires such as Bloom works his way up the ranks as a night- Network and Ace in the Hole, but Nightcrawl- crawler, commanding better and better pay- er is still a highly enjoyable journey through checks, but soon finds that if you have the » Gyllenhaal’s steely expression. Photo: Entertainment One the seedy L.A. underworld of video news-re- right ‘framing’, the ratings are higher, leading porting, where “if it bleeds, it leads”. him to make some horrendous decisions that The moral message here is that these types than celebrate landing on a comet. What makes this film compelling is a ca- are both horrific and darkly comic of shameless jobs only exist because this is Nevertheless, the anarchic, amoral joy of reer-best performance by Gyllenhaal, who, Nightcrawler makes you laugh despite what people want to see. Rene Russo stars as the night-crawling scenes is threatened to be obviously going for the Oscar nomination, yourself, and has some thrilling moments Nina, the news programmer who distorts the lost in some of the self-congratulatory, over- lost 20 pounds for the role, and exercised that crackle with tension. One involves a truth and ignores the facts in order to spread ly-didactic scenes in the news station, and at heavily in order to create Bloom’s bug-eyed Chinese restaurant, which is suitably walled fear into middle-class, white suburbia. She’s times the screenplay is a little on the nose. look. He is one of those heavily-accomplished entirely by glass so we can see everything worried about ratings, and knows that this is This obviousness is what holds back Night- actors who knows how to throw his body that goes on inside yet our perspective is the sort of thing that sells. It’s an old truism crawler from being great, a touch of subtle- weight around and use facial expressions from Bloom and Rick holding the cameras, that no one cares about good news, and no ty would serve it well. However, this film is in order to create meaning, making Bloom making us view what happens as if we are one cares about bad news if it doesn’t affect worth seeing for Gyllenhaal alone. Night- a uniquely weird character. Bloom appears watching it on TV. The effect is to make us them. That’s why right now Western people crawler shows a delightfully immoral charac- excessively nice, not in a genuine way, but in complicit in what is happening, showing that would rather get scared over Ebola and ISIS, ter with a deft humour only Gyllenhaal could an OCD, passive-aggressive manner, rem- this isn’t a mere satire, it has a didactic edge. or complain about Kim Kardashian’s behind bring out. www.twitter.com/WarwickBoar wwwfacebook.com/WarwickBoar 23 Editor: Gabriellatheboar.org Watt [email protected] Twitter @BoarGames GAMES fb.com/groups/BoarGames

Vive la Révolution! Max Elgar takes to the Parisian roofs in true Assassin’s Creed style » Photos: assassinscreed.ubi.com ince its beginnings in 2007 the As- mechanic makes free-running feel smooth ly introduced as an extension of the similar each other but are bizarre and unique, such sassin’s Creed franchise has been able and precise, an additional problem arises in ship system in Black Flag and improves the as the duckfoot pistol. to polarise the gaming public whilst the difficulty of controlling Arno through pacing of Unity. Previous entries in the fran- Whilst Unity is undoubtedly a joy to play receiving relatively positive reviews the extensive interiors of the game from out- chise (I’m looking at you, Revelations) have it does slip up in certain areas, as all ambi- Sfrom the press. The newest entry into this side. When I realised I merely needed to hold had a terrible sense of repetition without the tious games do. Glitchy combat elements, long-standing, much loved franchise, Assas- down the left trigger to automatically tran- feeling of achievement that can come with it. falling through the map and bad hit detec- sin’s Creed: Unity, is no exception. It has been sition to interiors this problem disappeared, I really enjoy games that take a simple con- tion in finishers become irritating but never accused of being rushed, glitchy and perhaps but it took a long time to realise this when the cept and repeat it indefinitely in pursuit of game-breaking. These problems also have worst of all, the culmination of Ubisoft’s re- game instructs you to press. However, trigger an almost unattainably large goal (normally reduced dramatically with swift and exten- cent move towards becoming the ‘new EA troubles do not take away from the consid- outside of the actual storyline). Other good sive patches, several released in the first week games’ (AKA: riddled with micro transac- erably improved free-running mechanic, and examples of this include the Dynasty Warri- alone. tions). Whilst these accusations are all based the increased distance of Arno’s leaps, while ors franchise and Shadow of Mordor. Assassin’s Creed Unity is a promising con- on real issues with the game, none hold water ultimately unrealistic, made for a much more Unity succeeds where Revelations and AC tinuation of the series. I’ll refrain from spoil- when put to the test. empowering experience. III did not in making minor activities and ing the story, but I would advise all players Unity has clearly been designed with in- Combat is another much improved aspect side missions enjoyable. In fact, I found the to go in remembering the failures of AC III novation and improvement in mind. Doubt- of Unity. Unlike previous games, in which the story itself took a back seat to my explora- and Revelations, rather than the soaring lessly Ubisoft developers ran into difficulty in only real challenge came from glitches, Uni- tion, money-making and random fights with emotional heights of Black Flag. It starts off attempting to top Assassin’s Creed: Black Flag, ty allows you to both trick your way out of Templar fanatics. The level system facilitated rather clumsily but confronts some arguably one of the best pirate games of all combat when overwhelmed by using smoke this by allowing the player more freedom to very interesting concepts that time and certainly the most unique entry in bombs or it gives you the option of contin- explore areas that challenged them appropri- hark back to the highlights the franchise so far. Unity goes back to the se- uing the fight at your own peril. If you con- ately. of Ezio’s story in AC II. ries’ roots, addressing an ongoing set of prob- centrate and have the right gear equipped for The ability to customise one’s experience lems – storylines that are too short, free-run- your fighting style and enemy’s level, a chal- in games is the ning that is never entirely under the player’s lenging and rewarding fight will ensue. most innovative control and combat that is enjoyablebut sim- Granted, the combat is not as challenging aspect of gaming to- plistic to the point of being ridiculous. For or rewarding as that in Dark Souls, but that day. Nearly all major example, in Black Flag the player could easily isn’t what one expects or wants from an As- franchises are now moving in defeat an enemy frigate by themselves, taking sassin’s Creed game. Instead the game allows this direction. In Unity this is embodied maybe a single hit at most. you (once you have practiced and carefully in three different weapon types, six armour The free-running mechanic at the fran- selected gear and skills) to destroy enemies types, four small skill trees and four different chise’s core has been revamped in a simple in a way that previous games in the franchise stats to advance in line with the players pre- but revolutionary way. The protagonist, haven’t, making it feel like you’ve earned this ferred playing style: Melee, Health, Stealth Arno, can fluidly free-run down as well as up, power. A difficult feeling to create in a game, and Ranged. Arno can be kitted out as a tank, easing the process of leaping to the ground but one that Unity delivers in spades. a ranged scout, a melee creeper - or all of the and preventing needless deaths. Whilst this The aforementioned level system was like- above. The weapons aren’t carbon copies of Rebel with Pokémon Insurgence - a fanmade pokémon game Reece Goodall new version of them – a Pokémon game play- and Insurgence promises to be equally grip- ver, your chosen companion will follow you able on your computer with all the perks of a ping. throughout the game, echoing Pokémon Yel- t’s a good time to be a Pokémon fan – console experience and the added backdrop In regards to the Pokémon themselves, low and undoubtedly pleasing many fans in Pokémon Alpha Sapphire and Omega of a Reddit community of support if you so we have been promised all 721 of the little the process. Ruby are just around the corner, allowing require it. guys and as The game runs on Generation At the moment, a release date is to be gamers to relive their journeys through There are options to incorporate the 6 mechanics, we will get Mega Evolutions, confirmed, but a demo is likely to be up IHoenn. Players will be able to enjoy the clas- built-in challenge modes throughout the Fairy-types – anything you’d be used to from online soon - the makers are hoping it will sic adventure whilst exploring further into game – things such as Nuzlocke, Random- X/Y. There will be three starters, apparently be up before November 21. It looks to be as the mystery of Mega Evolution and unlock- izer and Egglocke – and the game promises all fairly unexpected – the previous games close to without limits as a Pokémon game ing the secrets of Primal Reversion. All the to be challenging, forcing gamers to use their had Bellsprout, Magby and Horsea, to give will achieve – it will not be plagued by re- old features are back – the ability to make se- brains in order to progress. As fun as the you some idea of what we’re dealing with. gion locks, for example – and the team be- cret bases and Pokéblocks among them. Pokémon games are, the trickiest non-battle The official page is unsure about whether it hind it are promising so much that I feel any However, if you don’t have a 3DS, then moments are often simple rock pushing puz- will include Fakemon – I’m hoping not, as I Pokémon fan would be missing out if they you could voyage into the darkest realms of zles in caves. There will also be an engaging feel it would clash a bit too much with the chose to ignore it. If it is anything like Zeta/ the internet and find another new release, story – the previous instalment pitted the realistic vibe they’re aiming for – and Delta Omicron, you will» photos: not be above, disappointed, plus.google; and Pokémon Insurgence. If you’re familiar with hero against a terrorist organization exploit- Pokémon, taken from the trading card game theleft, interaction decultures, with facepunch, the creators zeldaeternity, promises a Pokémon Zeta and Omicron, it is essentially a ing the power of Pokémon to become Gods and a carry-on from Zeta/Omicron. Moreo- Pokémon fan gamemognetcentral.wordpress like never before. 24 Editor: Samantha Hoppstheboar.org [email protected] Twitter @BoarTravel TRAVEL fb.com/groups/BoarTravel Cosmopolitan Christmases Six writers explore Christmas in different countries, their unique traditions, and what makes them special kets everywhere you look, beautiful lights adorning every street. When Dubai we arrived, the apartment had been Eindhoven decked out in complete Christmas xtravagance and excess are attire, and I was in full-on excit- hristmas in the Netherlands is the key elements in any Du- ed-child Christmas spirit. a quiet affair. The real fun be- bai Christmas celebration; six In Italy, children do not expect gins on December 5 with the hours of eating and drinking in one Santa Claus on Christmas Eve, but Dutch holiday event known as Eof the many luxurious hotels is a must and Befana, a witch, so instead of hanging CSinterklaas. Santa Claus arriving on a dhow is standard out stocking, they hang out a broom- Sinterklaas or ‘Saint Nicholas’ wears a practice in the city which has the eternal stick-shaped sack. On Christmas day, I red gown embroidered with gold and a aim to out do every other city in the world. woke up to find my parents had given red pointed hat with a cross. In his hand Of course, one could also take a stroll on me one of these filled with lumps of he carries a long shepherd’s staff. Instead » Photo: wikipedia.org the beach in the morning and end their day sugar-coal. of a sleigh and reindeer, Sinterklaas rides looking up at the stars wearing little more To top off the Italian Christmas, we his white horse, Amerigo, through the ‘Zwarte Pieten’ to carry sacks of sweets. than a bikini, and why not, it’s 24 degrees af- had pizza for lunch in a little pizze- streets of the Netherlands. If Sinterklaas’ book reveals that a child has ter all. There may not be snow or Christmas ria with red and white chequered He lives in Spain and travels to the not behaved well, Zwarte Piet is allowed to carols following you everywhere, but there tablecloths on a backstreet of Rome, Netherlands on his steam ship, all of carry the children off in his sack. Zwarte Piet is certainly Christmas spirit as the shopping which we stumbled across while which is covered live by ‘Sinterklaas translates as ‘Black Pete’ and they are the sub- malls try to surpass each other in who can trying to find shelter from journaal’, a daily news chan- ject of an ongoing debate in the Netherlands. drag in and decorate the largest tree to please the rain. nel dedicated to the Many think that the people who paint the punters and hang giant cardboard bau- Samantha Hopps event. their faces black and wear thick black curly bles and glittering snowflakes from the ceil- Instead of Elves wigs to be Zwarte Piet are continuing a racist ings. But if you miss the snow and the cold, China Sint has his tradition from years ago when slaves used to there’s always England. size of a small mischie- help Sint. Emily Ward child’s head that vous help- Personally, I agree and was quite shocked he song “Frosty reached well past the first ers, the at my first Sinterklaas at the sight of these the Snowman” floor. brightly clad figures who throw sweets into Rome still gives me Hyatt and Sheraton had classrooms. nightmares. one too, along with a log cake However, many of the Dutch fiercely de- magine a stereotypical Christmas: ex- TheT hotel had a total of ten that went all the way around it. fend this tradition and the children love to travagantly-decorated Christmas tree, songs it played on repeat every Outside you wouldn’t realize sing songs for the Zwarte Pieten and receive streams of presents spilling out from un- day from the start of December it’s almost Christmas. their ‘Pepernoten’ and ‘Speculaas’. derneath, twinkling lights and Christ- until just past Christmas, includ- Only the big western chains like On December 4th, Dutch children leave Imas music surrounding you. Now imagine ing this creepy children’s choir ren- Starbucks had put up decorations, their shoe at the door to be filled with goods that, but with the Colosseum as your back- dition of Frosty. and even then it might just be so from Sinterklaas, and sometimes a carrot for drop. Rome is beautiful at the best of times, The exception was the Christmas they could sell you their Christmas Amerigo. but at Christmas it has a magical, ethereal tree lighting evening, when the lo- drinks. If you happen to visit the Netherlands, quality about it. There are Christmas mar- cal international school choir came The local stores had already I recommend trying some of the delicious and sang Christmas songs for an started cautiously putting things Pepernoten biscuits and getting involved hour instead before the giant tree out for Chinese New Year, and with the Sinterklaas festivities which are just in the lobby was lit. the big Christmas tree, too, will as anticipated as Christmas is in England. Venice It wasn’t an actual tree – be gone the day after Boxing April Roach those supposedly bring bad Say to make space for the red here comes a point when the endless as- luck – but a plastic replica lanterns. stream of DFS sales, Dr Who hype, so- decked with lights and It’s not a holiday here: and screaming ex-singers from c i a t e baubles the most people are still at ‘Atomic Kitten’ shaking the finest w i t h school, or at work. New Years’ fire- Tand cheapest turkeys becomes slightly over- the festive Maaike Spieker- bearing. season, with man When you reach that stage of bitterness hummed carols works in London against the British Christmas, it might be floating through time to broaden your horizons and travel the air and flecks of atching the the fireworks are so bright the whole screen somewhere a bit more…subtle. snow when I arrived. London fire- turns white. That happens in real life too. Venice is the embodiment of chic, San Marco Square, the city’s hub, works at mid- The display is incredible close-up, and see- the urban equivalent of the tux- is oddly filled mainly with locals night on New ing it onscreen doesn’t compare to the sensu- adorned romancer, clenching in contrast to the city’s summer, Years’ Eve has beenW a family tradition years, al onslaught of the real experience. a scented Calvin Klein rose creating that sense of the every- so I was pretty excited about going to Lon- There’s so much smoke and noise, and the between his teeth. day. don to see them live for the first time. electric atmosphere coupled with your own After staying there Gondolas continue to flow It takes dedication to get a riverbank po- gratified anticipation makes the whole thing around the Christmas and the atmosphere is altogeth- sition; the police prohibit access from 9pm. pretty euphoric. I’ve been back every year to period several years ago, er more restrained, which may We arrived at 7pm and claimed a spot by date. it dawned on me that for be connected to the country’s picnicking on it, but the people by the rail- Hannah Froggatt Venetians, the holiday is greater religious emphasis on ings had arrived hours ago. less about gorging upon the festival. We were only a few feet behind them, mince pies with cracker res- Venice represents a quieter al- where the pavement met the road, directly idue embedded in your hair, ternative that I would thoroughly opposite the London Eye. but instead maintaining an aura recommend, as it finds the balance be- We saw camera men cruising downriver of normality. tween festivity and relaxation, shrugging and reporters doing interviews, and one guy Inevitably, festive lights were a ubiquitous off the wave of consumerist insanity that who had climbed a tree and refused to come sighting and crowds gathered around festive seems to envelop Britain every year. down. market stalls but as soon as you arrive, it be- Why settle for a mince pie and custard Once the gates closed, the partying began. comes apparent that there is a reliance on when you can delight in Venetian tiramisu or Music and a live DJ blasted over the speakers, understatement. fresh gelato? Give it a thought. and everyone was dancing. » Photo: Chris Chabot / Flickr The subtler approach to Christmas brings Jack Prevezer As it got darker and colder, people started Venice much closer to the old cliché people to flag, but most people perked up as mid- Have you been anywhere night approached. amazing for Christmas? » We’re dreaming of a white Christmas. Photo: Inset snowflakes: Alexey Kljatov / Flickr On TV, there’s always a moment when Tweet: @BoarTravel theboar.org/Travel | @BoarTravel | TRAVEL 33

Happy days, expensive nights: » Photo: Benh LIEU SONG Birmingham Christmas market

Aneesa Patel

s the countdown to Christmas be- gins, I’m pretty sure that control over those purse strings has been completely lost. With the Christ- Amas sales and present-buying, and the end of term fast-approaching, it’s likely that account balances are probably at their lowest. How- ever, there’s still a lot festive fun to be had, despite the presence of what I call a mere fi- nancial inconvenience. Imagine bright lights, busy crowds, Christmas music, the smell of cinnamon, gingerbread, mulled wine, melted Thailand: elephant lovers or not? chocolate - it can only be one thing; the Bir- mingham Frankfurt Christmas market! Henry Cosby examines the cruel practice of taming elephants for riding The market is the biggest and longest o start with such a bold title means people. With that in mind, and the fact that unless an animal rights law is passed in Thai- Christmas Market outside of Germany, with that my motives must be quickly the University of Warwick attract the next land, elephant tourism is too influential in German food, drinks, toys, decorations, jew- explained. Let’s just say, I am not masterminds of Britain, influencing our gov- Thailand’s economy to be completely wiped ellery and crafts all on offer. trying to preach, I am not looking ernment, media, private industry, univer- out, so she needs to find a way to change the Tto blame nor am I asking you to overlook the sities and future generations, it is vital that treatment rather than eradicate it. many human rights problems in the world to we know what happens out there around the Therefore, I urge you to take action in the help only elephants: my only aim in this arti- world. same way Lek asked us to— simply pass this cle is to inform. One specific example of the horrific life message on. She does not want protests, vi- In June this year, I took part in a week-long that many elephants endure in Thailand olence, angry letters, she simply wishes that volunteering programme in Chiang Mai, is that of Meadow. I first met Meadow at more people know. Thailand. Like most visitors to Thailand, I Chiang Mai’s ‘Elephant Nature Park’. After reading this, if you feel like you want noticed the supposed respect that the Thai lo- Meadow’s working role was to move logs to help these beautiful, intelligent and majes- cals had for elephants, with various elephant through a forest for her Mahout. One day tic animals (as well as having the best week’s » Photo: Bob Hall / Flickr statues, branding and even an elephant on the Meadow had an accident and broke her back holiday you could wish for) then why not Siam flag. The Thai people depict elephants left leg. At this point, her Mahout decided check out the ENP website for volunteering The main feature is definitely the food and as knowledgeable, royal and lucky animals. Is that she was useless as a logging elephant and programmes. Whilst you are there, you will drink sector, where German delicacies such this why in many countries, the elephants let therefore he could make more money from be not only helping out by collecting food as Bratwurst and Brezel (white or red sau- people ride them, walk along busy city streets her future offspring, so forced her to mate. for the elephants, feeding them and bathing sage in a certain type of bread - popular in with them, and do circus tricks or even paint The mahout did this by tying her to a tree them but you will also have the opportunity Austria and South Germany), Lebkuchen (a (as the BBC showed them in 2010)? Because and then introducing her to a male elephant to eat great food, learn more about Thailand, biscuit similar to gingerbread, often sold in the elephants feel this respect from the Thai who immediately mounted her. Despite her the individual elephants and the park. heart shapes with iced messages) and Christ- people? I’m afraid to say it is not. limited mobility she tried to fight him off. Finally, if you are lucky you might get a stollen (fruit cake), are all available. Drinks Male elephants can be very aggressive by na- royal visit from the inspirational one and include Glühwein (mulled wine,) German ‘The crush’ lasts for three weeks, in ture and over a two or three day period he only Lek. beer, mulled cider and hot chocolate, among which the elephant is beaten, blinded forced himself upon her and beat her to the For more information, visit www.ele- many others. and abused by its Mahouts point where one of her hips was broken be- phantnaturepark.org At the same time, the Christmas craft fair yond repair. boasts hand-crafted items, but also an out- It’s not all bad news though. Meadow door ice rink and carousel ride in close vi- now rests safely in Chiang Mai’s Ele- » Photo: Grim cinity which adds to that Christmas vibe and If at any point an elephant is in a public phant Nature Park, run by the most Optimist / Flickr makes your day out all the more fun! From open space i.e. not in the wild or in captivity, kind-hearted and brave person I have tasting fantastic food and drink, purchasing with a person or people (usually known as a ever met, Lek. Lek is famous amongst lovely handicraft items, seeing the illumi- Mahout or elephant trainer), then that ele- Thai and Burmese Mahouts and the nated, beautiful, bright lighting as darkness phant would have gone through some form Thai government for her strong be- falls, immersing yourself in the busy, friend- of submissive training. This stands for every- liefs in human and animal equality. ly atmosphere and inhaling the Christmassy where in the world. It is not in the nature It was a real pleasure to meet her scents that surround you, this atmosphere is of an elephant to let people ride them. Ele- and hear about her journey not one to be missed! phants are aggressive, territorial, protective, from the first elephant she The market is located at Victoria Square, wild animals, but if they are obeying the con- rescued to now running a New Street, Centenary Square & Chamber- trols of any human then that elephant would sanctuary for 40 elephants. lain Square, and is open daily from 10am- definitely have gone through a horrendous Her project has been 9pm from November 13 to December 22. and brutal training programme which in around since the 1990s Entry to the market is free of charge and an Thailand is called ‘the crush’ in order to make and aims to always be able open return from Coventry to Birmingham them submissive. to provide a sanctuary to can cost as little as £3.50 when booked online In Thailand and Burma this lasts for abused elephants to simply and in advance with a railcard. Buying on the around three weeks, 24/7, and involves be- retire gracefully and happily. day, a return ticket is roughly a fiver, again ing chained in a small wooden cage being The staff’s latest efforts to train with a railcard. Money will be spent only on beaten, blinded and abused by their Mahouts the elephants is through positive food and drink, market goods and perhaps who will ‘care’ for them for the rest of their conditioning. Although this is not to ride the carousel or skate around the rink. lives. This is generally done with the inten- ideal, as it means the elephants are How little or how much you spend is com- tion of using the elephant for tourism, log- still under the control of humans, pletely in your control, so for a full day out ging or breeding. Videos are available on- it is a step in the right direction in that can cost as little as £3.50, why not? line, however they are definitely not for the giving the elephants an element of If you have a suggestion for a great student faint-hearted to watch. choice. day out that costs less than a night out, and At the beginning of the 20th century there Lek makes it clear that the Ma- would like to see your name in the Boar, were over 100,000 elephants in Thailand, but houts that beat their elephants are not cruel email [email protected] with your idea. now there are only an estimated 3,000-4,000 people, they are merely uneducated in the left, with half of these elephants working for ways of animal training. She is realistic that Editor: Ife Akinroyeje [email protected] Twitter @BoarPhotography PHOTOGRAPHY fb.com/BoarPhotography My world, my uni, my personal catwalk Patrick Sambiasi and Sonia Khan capture Warwick’s most fashionable through the lens

» Dhuha Ali // photo: SK » Karina Revenco // photo: PS » Tala Esber // photo: PS » Shingi Mururike // photo: PS The Autumn/Winter Ethical Lookbook ecause of the fashion indus- an Autum/Winter Ethical Look- Are you a budding photogra- try’s imposed beauty stand- book, whilst emphasising that no pher? ards, a lot of people do not matter what size, ethnicity, gender feel comfortable modelling or age you are, you can still be fash- Join the team and share your Bfor style and fashion photo-shoots. ionable and fit the role of a model. work around campus and online. This time, Vintage and Upcycling Email: photography@theboar. society collaborated with two Words / Pictures by Angela Gui org amazing vintage shops in Leam- and Pija Indriunaite ington Spa, ‘Braderie, Vintage and New’ and ‘Blighty Bazaar’ to create

» Ainul Apri

» Chloe Wynne » To see more beautiful photographs by Vintage Society check out our Facebook: @theboarpho- » Frederick Bratley, Jemie Fergusson, tography Bhavin Ashra, Lewis Merryweather » Yelim Jun theboar.org/Sports | @BoarSports | SPORTS 35 27 theboar.org Absolute Boarginners: rugby union making me scrum! Cath Lyon tries out rugby union with one of Warwick’s smallest, but friendliest, sports clubs y flat mate, who is the a better team than WWRFC (War- winger for the women’s wick Women’s Rugby and Football rugby team, had been pes- Club); there is such a team spirit Mtering me for ages to come and join here”. the team for a training session. So I It’s a good job really, as the ses- thought: what would be better than sion was centred around one of the going along and then writing an ar- scariest aspects of rugby: tackling. ticle for Boarginners! Training for this at one point in- That said, I must admit: I was volved literally tearing the ball out nervous. I have never really been of the other person’s hand, the ob- one for sport anyway. I was always ject being to show how, when you the fat kid at the back of the cross- want the ball, you will get it. country run, so the concept of run- I don’t know about getting a ball, ning into several muscle bound but I was ready to drop after ten Amazonian-type women— all 5’5 minutes of ball wrestling. As you of me— made me slightly appre- can imagine, hilarity and awkward hensive. positions ensued, there is certainly However, I was surprised to turn no room for modesty here. up and find that all of the team were Speaking of which, that after- actually not far off my size. In fact, noon the girls had been shooting there were all shapes, sizes, colours their section of a naked calendar on and creeds. the Cryfield pitches, which, I was “We’re one of the smallest teams,” assured, didn’t include little black my flatmate, second-year law stu- pants. In fact it didn’t include any- dent Katie Thomas, kept telling me. thing, apart from socks. Yet despite And she wasn’t joking, as I couldn’t what some may be thinking, there imagine that the girls, at the size is no sense of pressure within the that they were, could pack much of squad, no awkwardness about body a punch against, for example, the image, sexuality or any of the cur- much larger Harper Adams’ team. rent issues that Warwick Sport’s teams have been recently criticised for. There is no sense of pressure In line with Warwick Sport’s in the squad, no awkwardness adoption policy, they have also cre- about body image, sexuality, ated “families” between themselves or any other issues who not only have days out togeth- er, but also make sure that the older members look after Freshers who Not only were they smaller in may go a bit too far. stature, but a much smaller team, Yet, despite this sense of sports- too. Latest numbers signed up to manship that the club provides, the the club amount to thirty players, girls have recently experienced a the lower limit to qualify for War- reluctance by Warwick Sport (WS) wick Sport. Much worry had beset to provide resources for them. the older girls of the team, who They never have a bus big thought that reluctant Freshers enough, have only just recruited would be scared off by the butch a second coach, despite asking for and lesbian stereotypes. one for many past seasons, and However, around half of their were emailed by WS last week with team is now made up of Freshers, the threat of closing the club be- with more than half being interna- cause they had failed to reach the » The rugby team in action (below), and the 2013/14 squad pose for a picture (above). photos: Keri/ Flickr tional students, or of a non-British minimum number of players for origin. And for the record, yes, they contact side really quickly - I was seem reluctant to support them. Mondays and Thursdays each week are a mix of sexualities too: gay, bi, “The girls on the team are even called a natural by one of the Old timer Amy Petrie, a fourth- until Christmas, before playing ac- straight, and other - the whole love- amazing... and it’s a great team members! year Mechanical Engineer, felt that tual games in the New Year. ly set. stress relief as you get to “The girls on the team are amaz- this was the team’s most unique If you fancy a go, come along; And they are very proud of it, tackle people.” ing,” said first-year Law student trait, “Having played for years I they are always looking for people too. Even the warm up was full Dian Umutoni Dian Umutoni, “and it’s a great have always found that women’s to join, or just head along to their of innuendos with moves such as stress relief as you get to tackle peo- rugby is a game for anyone and matches on a Wednesday after- “opening the gate”, and equally the club. WS’s lower limit is 30, the ple.” everyone, no matter your skill or noon. You definitely won’t be dis- “closing the gate”, although it’s all girls had 29 players signed up at the I certainly felt better for it. That size. Our players range from danc- appointed – they are Varsity cham- in good humour and I felt totally time. is, until I woke up the next morning ers to martial artists and everyone pions after all. As long as you don’t comfortable with everyone in the They had better watch out with a stiff EVERYTHING! But, I brings a different dynamic to the mind some pain and bruises the team immediately. though, as the girls aren’t ones to had a great time with the girls. I team. It’s the diversity and team next day, you’ll be fine. Plus, they Annie Rankin, a second year be messed with. We were tackling loved the friendly, fun atmosphere, spirit which it brings that really have great socials - I’ve even been Chemistry student and mem- and running around constantly, which helped me to forget that aw- attracts me to the game and this invited on Wednesday…help me! ber of the club, also felt that “ever before splitting in half for a mini ful competitive side which I had ex- team.” since joining, I have felt welcome match, which was the best part of perienced at school. And it defined So, I am now a rugby girl and as one with the team. I can the whole session. It built mine and sportsmanship, despite the fact that (I’ve bought a gum shield and Fancy being a honestly say I have never been in other Freshers’ confidence with the it seemed to me that Warwick Sport everything) and will be training on Boarginner? Tweet: @BoarSport

CMD Dance for Sport Relief Sportsperson of the week Disabled Sport Festival Your Boar Sport The Contemporary Modern Alice Gill, from the ladies hockey The Discover Disabled Sport Sports Dance society hosts their annual team, has been voted sportsperson Festival took place on Saturday No- You can continue writing and dance for Sports Relief on the No- of the week. Alice played back to vember 22. The event is designed submitting articles for the Sport vember 28. The campus-wide com- back matches for the hockey first to help create links with disabled section of the Boar right through- petition sees 13 sports teams battle and second teams last weekend, as sports clubs in the local area, as well out the end of term and Christmas news it out to be crowned Warwick’s well as playing for the second team as to educate Warwick students on holidays. With Varsity 2015 rapidly ultimate dance troupe, with the during the week. Sports Officer a range of disabilities. The festival approaching, when the section pro- winner voted for by the watching Ruby Compton-Davies praised her proved a success, giving students duces a special pull-out, there has audience. Sports teams competing “non-stop running up the wing” the chance to try sports such as: never been a better time to get in- in brief include: Snow, Surf, Athletics and and congratulated her on Facebook blind football, sitting volleyball and volved with the section. We accept and Hockey. Tickets cost £4.00, and for a “fantastic week in which she wheelchair tennis. submissions on both university and the event kicks off at 7pm. performed outstandingly”. national sport - so get writing! theboar.org 32 Sponsored by Editor: Luke Brown [email protected] Twitter @BoarSport SPORT fb.com/groups/BoarSport » Photo: Templeton

Warwick netball put arch-rivals Cov in their place Warren Muggleton watched on as Warwick moved further up the BUCS table in impressive fashion

here was disappointment for as they applied constant pressure way point 18-9 up. wick, the team with the greater uni- Selected Results the Men’s Third Team foot- on Coventry. With strong support There was a change of GA for the ty and confidence, had this in the ball outfit today as their cup from the stands, the team were able third quarter and some signs of los- bag. 19th November 2014 Trun was cut short in a close-fought to counter-attack with great pace ing focus were apparent, and Cov- Yet again, Warwick continued battle against the Bedfordshire and accuracy. entry were allowed into the game. their high pressure and fast coun- Badminton fourth team. In the first quarter, Coventry suf- However, despite the game opening ter-attacking game, and they were Once again, Coventry Universi- fered an injury four minutes in as up, Coventry’s GK and GD contin- rewarded with a period which saw Men’s 1st H Sheffield 1st 4 4 ty were put in their rightful place, the player went down on her ankle. ued to make mistakes and the play- 10 points in a row over 10 minutes. Men’s 2nd H Nottingham 3rd 8 0 as the Women’s Netball first team Whether that affected the outcome ers further up the field lost focus, After a warning from the refer- Women’s 2nd A Aston 1st 4 4 thrashed the Coventry first team of the match, we cannot be sure. allowing Warwick to continue with ee to the crowd on 11 minutes, the 41-20 on Wednesday 19 November, However, Warwick shot out of the their fast counter-attacking style game began to open up but it was Football which included 10 points in a row traps after that, giving Coventry no throughout. With confidence high too little too late from the Coventry in a period of 10 minutes. opportunity to protest that the in- in the Warwick camp, the teams ladies. The final whistle blew and Men’s 1st A Loughborough 3rd 2 3 Up to this point, the first team jury was the deciding factor of the separated at the end of the quarter the score was 41-20, Warwick more Men’s 3rd A Coventry 2nd 1 1 had come under scrutiny after a match. with the score at 29-16. than doubling the amount of points poor start, and had lost to Lough- Coventry were outclassed across Coventry had managed to accrue. Golf borough in their previous league the court - their shot accuracy was The first team now sit fifth in the fixture. However, these demons poor, their reading of the game was At 41-20, Warwick more than BUCS table and will hope to carry Mixed 1st H Lincoln 1st 3 3 were well and truly put to bed in off and the defence made too many doubled the amount of points on this good from into their next the Desso Hall. mistakes in dealing with Warwick’s that Coventry had managed to match away to Oxford first, who Hockey GS and GA. accrue are, intimidatingly, first in the table. This continued into the second This was a very entertaining fix- Men’s 1st A Birmingham 4th 3 1 Warwick played the game quarter straightaway with the score ture and, in my opinion, the wom- Women’s 1st A Birmingham 1st 4 3 against Coventry with a at 8-5. The contrast was even clear- At the beginning of the previous an of the match must go to the Goal Women’s 3rd H Lincoln 2nd 2 1 fast counter-attacking style er as Warwick were much closer to quarters, both teams had started Attacker, Meghan, who didn’t seem throughout the Coventry players, made more with a huddle and ‘hands-in mo- to miss a shot! Lacrosse interceptions and averaged four ment’ to shout either “go Warwick!” passes per third to get the ball from or “go Coventry!” respectively. At Men’s 1st H Northampton 1st 31 0 After a shaky start which in- their third to Coventry’s third. Af- the beginning of the final quarter, Would you like your Men’s 2nd H Nottingham 3rd 5 1 volved conceding three points very ter a short break 11 minutes into the only Warwick did this. Although a BUCS fixture covered Women’s 1st A Loughborough 2nd 10 13 early on, it did not take long for second quarter, Warwick’s focus netball match is still losable from by the Boar? the team to get into their rhythm did not break and entered the half- this point, it was clear that War- Tell us on Facebook Netball

Women’s 1st H Coventry 1st 41 20 Kyprianou nets hat-trick in Midlands Cup clash Women’s 2nd A Oxford Brookes 1st 18 59 Tim Arstall reports as Warwick progress in the Midlands Conference Cup Rugby League arwick Men’s First Team Andreas Kyprianou, before drill- with slight controversy as Notting- Seeing the game all but won, War- Men’s 1st A Birmingham 1st 14 10 survived a Nottingham ing a low shot at goal that bounced ham’s manager insisted that the wick continued to pile on the pres- fightback to progress into in off the wrong-footed keeper. If referee shorten the half-time break sure and sealed the win in dramatic Rugby Union Wthe BUCS Midlands Conference there was an element of fortune in to account for potential light prob- fashion. Kyprianou took command Cup third round with three second the first Warwick goal, the second lems, but the official stood firm un- of what looked like an innocuous Men’s 1st A Harper Adams 1st 15 20 half goals. was pure class. Attacking-Mid- der regulation and waved away the centre-left free kick from 25 yards, Men’s 2nd A Coventry 1st 5 36 The stage was impeccably set at fielder Mark Claremont prodded complaints. but stunned the opposition keeper Women’s 1st H Lincoln 1st 51 0 Cryfield on a frosty Wednesday af- a perfectly weighted ball through Warwick recaptured their early with a dipping effort that flew into ternoon as Warwick prepared for to Kyprianou, who curled the ball intensity in the second half, im- the top left corner. Squash what on paper at least, seemed to be effortlessly past the keeper into the posing themselves in the midfield With both momentum and luck a routine cup match against lower bottom corner. and final quarter. The Red and on their side, Warwick went on to Men’s 2nd A Coventry 1st 1 4 league opposition in Nottingham’s At this point the one-way traffic White kit worn by Warwick bore score a fifth and the affectionate- Women’s 1st H Northampton 1st 2 2 fourth team. After a short delay, in Warwick’s favour started to wa- a striking resemblance to Arse- ly nicknamed ‘Drake’ earned his the team thankfully arrived even- ver and an element of complacency nal and this comparison definitely hat-trick. A moment of confusion Table Tennis tually dispelling fears of a cancella- creeped in. Nottingham ramped up rang true with the highlight of the saw a deflected shot bounce into tion and it soon became clear what the pressure and went close first match: a passing move that yielded the Nottingham net, but play was Men’s 1st H Leeds 1st 12 5 a fantastic game both sides would from a free kick, expertly saved by the game’s fourth goal. Stuart Bry- pulled back for a penalty. Kypri- Men’s 2nd A Nottingham 4th 12 5 have missed out on. Luke Simpson, then from a cross an headed down a high ball to Alex anou calmly stepped up and rolled Lining up with a creative 4-2-3-1, which clipped the bar before going Roberts, who nodded it first time the ball into the bottom left corner Tennis Warwick dominated the early play over. Simpson showed more he- to Kypriano in similar fashion. The of the goal. as deep lying midfielders Alex Rob- roics shortly after, producing two striker took two touches, lofting Nottingham did score a late con- Men’s 1st H Loughborough 2nd 8 4 erts - who captained the team - and ‘De Gea-esque’ saves with his legs the ball left to the onrushing Mark solation goal, a close range effort Women’s 1st A De Montfort 1st 12 0 Matt Tavesson were able to pull the in quick succession, but was una- Claremont, who checked his stride into the top corner on the half-vol- strings and distribute the ball with ble to prevent Nottingham’s break- and rifled a low shot in on the half ley, but this failed to tarnish what Volleyball ease. The pressure soon paid off as through - a lofted free-kick nodded volley, capping off a technically was an undeniably strong Warwick Tavesson charged forwards from in at the far post from close range. flawless team move and bright in- performance and hopefully the Men’s 1st A Exeter 1st 0 3 midfield playing a one-two with The half time break was marred dividual performance. start of a prosperous cup run. Women’s 1st H Nottingham 1st 3 0