The ye ar of physics Going underground New year nightlife Flying daggers Celebrating science in 2005, The Caving Club’s expedition Ringing in 2005 with some Felix Film takes in a page 7 to Slovenia, page 11 psy-trance, page 14 beautiful movie, page 16

The student newspaper of Imperial College ● Established 1949 ● Issue 1310 ● Thursday 6 January 2005 ● www.felixonline.co.uk

The tsunami On Boxing Day, countries sur- rounding the Indian Ocean Union will campaign to free former were struck by one of the worst natural disasters in history. student imprisoned under terror laws There are six articles on the tragedy, including details of Imperial College’s response By Dave Edwards and how an early warning Editor system could have saved thousands of lives. Imperial College Union has uNEWS page 2 resolved to actively support uSC IENCE page 7 the ‘Free Babar Ahmad’ cam- paign. Library loss? Mr Ahmad, a former stu- The popular mechanical engi- dent and staff member at neering department library Imperial College, was arrest- and reading room may close ed in December 2003 under in the near future. The area the Terrorism Act [see Felix is seen as “a potential solu- issue 1279] and subsequently tion to a series of conflicting released without charge. He demands for space”. was rearrested in August this uNEWS page 4 year on allegations of involve- ment in acts of terrorism and Accountability is currently awaiting extradi- The Imperial College Union tion to the United States. His President and other offic- case is due to be reviewed in ers have been criticised for the near future. a perceived lack of account- Mr Ahmad’s supporters ability and communication. believe that he was abused Students raised serious con- by police while in custody, his cerns about the way in which human rights may be under the Union has been run so far threat if he is extradited, and this year. he should be given a fair trial uNEWS page 3 in the UK. At a Union Council meeting Dangerous Devils at the end of last term, when One ice hockey match, three the decision was made, Colin fights. Smith, the Union’s Welfare uSPORT page 20 Campaigns Officer and one of the motion’s many seconders, was ejected after shouting obscenities when it appeared that the proposal supporting Mr Ahmad was about to fall. Clockwise from top left: Kareem Osman makes his case for why Imperial College Union should campaign to free former In a moment of high drama, student Babar Ahmad; the Council considers the proposal; security guards surround Colin Smith (third from left) after Mr Smith called the Council he is asked to leave the meeting; some of Mr Ahmad’s many supporters gather to discuss the issue “a f***ing disgrace” and was asked to leave by Danny Simon Rawson, Chair of bers abstained from voting, however, argued that the tion into the alleged assault Sharpe, chair of the meeting. the Arts and Entertainments probably due to a reluctance Union’s backing was neces- on Babar [Ahmad] by the Mr Smith initially refused to Board, added: “I don’t disa- to engage in a campaign they sary and appropriate because police officers who arrested The IC Devils leave the room, and at one gree with this policy, but I feel viewed as political and not Mr Ahmad had studied and him”, “to campaign for his stage a total of eight College deeply uncomfortable about directly affecting current worked at Imperial, and human rights to be respected security officers were present the Union politicising itself in Imperial College students. because any current student in court proceedings” and for THIS WEEK as various people attempted this way.” The paper’s supporters, could potentially suffer simi- Mr Ahmad to be given a fair News page 2 to defuse the situation. Mr Smith, before his depar- lar problems in the future. trial in the UK. Science page 6 The meeting was adjourned, ture, had referred to the large Mr Smith later called the Several Union clubs and Comment page 8 Mr Smith finally left, and number of people attending decision to campaign for Mr societies have already begun the Council then voted on a the meeting in support of Ahmad’s release “a victory to campaign on Mr Ahmad’s Letters page 10 proposal to not consider the Mr Ahmad: “By the strength for democracy”. behalf, and a week of events What’s On page 12 Babar Ahmad paper due to its of feeling in this room, we The Union also resolved has been scheduled for Nightlife page 14 “inherently political nature”. owe it to everyone who has to “ensure that any form of February. Arts page 15 John Collins, President of turned up here to vote on this discrimination experienced Film page 16 the City and Guilds College motion”. by Imperial College students, ● Editorial, page 9 Coffee Break page 18 Union, said: “My members Eventually, the motion both on and off campus, is ● Colin Smith, page 9 ● Sport page 19 say that the Union should not was considered and passed, dealt with thoroughly”, “to Letters to the Editor, take a political stance.” though most Council mem- Babar Ahmad in custody campaign for a full investiga- page 10 Felix 2 www.felixonline.co.uk Thursday 6 January 2005

NEWS: TSUNAMI [email protected]

Issue 1310 Indian Ocean struck by one of Editor Dave Edwards Business Editor world’s worst natural disasters Numaan Chaudhry

Science Editor By Emily Gwyer Indonesia, India and Sri reached 140,000 and the tsunami, as the College has Eurasian plates of the Earth’s Darius Nikbin and Dave Edwards Lanka, it became clear that number of people left home- significant numbers of stu- crust. A series of huge waves this was a serious disaster. less has grown to five million. dents from several of the then spread across a large Music Editor At 1am on Boxing Day, an In the hours and days that The aid that has been so gen- affected countries, includ- portion of the Indian Ocean. Andrew Sykes earthquake in the Indian followed, we realised it was erously donated is only just ing Sri Lanka, India and The worst affected countries Ocean sparked off the possibly the worst ever, the reaching the survivors, as Thailand. However, with tens were Indonesia – with over Nightlife Editor most dangerous tsunami for wave so powerful that it even the infrastructure for deliv- of thousands of people still 94,000 confirmed dead – and Simon Clark decades. hit the shores of Africa. ery has been washed away. missing and the spring term Sri Lanka. As the wave rolled on As Felix goes to press, The lack of clean water and only just begun, it is impos- ● Donate online to the Arts Editor towards the shores of the death toll has officially sanitation mean that cholera sible to judge the disaster’s Tsunami Earthquake Paola Smith and typhoid are serious risks, impact on the Imperial popu- Appeal at dec.org.uk which could further increase lation at this stage. Books Editor the number of dead. The tsunami was caused ● Forces of nature: how Martin Smith Dramatic scenes have by the biggest earthquake tsunamis form, page 7 been witnessed on televi- for 40 years, which occurred ● Science, religion and Film Editor sion screens throughout the between the Australian and history repeated, page 7 Alan Ng world, as people in the affect- Games Editor ed regions struggle for sur- Alex McKitrick vival and scramble for food supplies. Felix After teasing ourselves with Early warning Beit Quad disaster movies for years, we Prince Consort Road were finally faced with the London SW7 2BB real thing and realised the full horror. No-one could out- system could Telephone: 020 7594 8072 run this wave or save their Email: [email protected] sweetheart, there was no dra- Web: www.felixonline.co.uk matic music, and the leaders of the world did not all rally have saved lives Registered newspaper round immediately. Science ISSN 1040-0711 did not win the day, and there By Tom Simonite few hours. Less specific Copyright © Felix 2005 was no early warning system Science writer warnings and timings are to limit the number of victims. issued for an area defined Printed by Sharman and The wave just quietly rolled The human cost of the by the distance the tsunami Company, Peterborough on and on, sweeping up eve- submarine earthquake on could travel in a subsequent rything in its path. Boxing Day is still being time period. If equipment Jack Straw, the Foreign counted. No-one was monitoring sea levels actu- Secretary, said that 199 expecting the quake or the ally detects a tsunami wave Britons are “highly likely” to subsequent wall of water, then a wider warning is have died in the disaster. Mr but thousands of lives could issued to the entire Pacific Straw added that “many of have been saved if an early Basin. the bodies of the dead may warning system had been Issuing the necessary never be found”. Kofi Annan, in place. information to national the United Nations Secretary While earthquakes are authorities is only the begin- General, said that affected impossible to predict, it is ning of a successful warn- areas could take up to ten possible to implement sys- ing. Governments need to years to recover. tems that provide imme- be able to coordinate the Imperial College students diate information on their evacuation of people at risk Two of the many scenes of devastation caused by the and their families may well severity and an advance quickly. Members of the recent Indian Ocean tsunami have been affected by the warning of tsunamis. TWS, particularly richer There are two key com- nations, have managed to ponents to such systems: do this. Pacific states of the instruments to monitor US have tsunami sirens in What can we do now? Imperial’s response quakes and tsunamis, along place to warn the public. with a framework able to Japan has been able to rap- By Emily Gwyer hour by the public. By Chris Jackson where collecting tins will be communicate the necessary idly and effectively evacu- We can demand that the RAG Chair issued. warnings to the local gov- ate populations at risk in In the aftermath of the worst money promised by the world RAG aims to help people ernments of those at risk. response to warnings issued humanitarian distaster in actually gets there – aid agen- In response to the world- to organise their own events, The Indian Ocean lacks by the PTWC. recent times, what can be cies warned this week that wide appeal, many clubs and using our experience to both. The non-existence of simi- done to help those affected western governments have societies as well as individu- remove the paperwork bur- Richer nations around the lar systems in the Indian and prevent similar occur- an unfortunate habit of prom- als at Imperial have mobi- den and offer advice. Pacific Basin do have such a Ocean has not been a secret. rences in the future? ising millions and then forget- lised to raise funds and offer The RAG website (see system – 26 member states UN-approved plans to place Well, many of us have ting to deliver them. assistance to the victims of address below) has been belong to the Tsunami new monitoring equipment already done it – donate We can push for early warn- the tsunami. updated to provide up-to-the- Warning System (TWS). in the Indian Ocean have money at www.dec.org.uk or ing systems to be put in place RAG and City and Guilds minute news regarding the Seismological and tidal sta- faltered due to a delay in at a collection box. We can all around the world. If such have combined resources to collection and to list events tions throughout the Pacific the necessary funding, and send clothes and household a system had been in place in co-ordinate activities across that are being carried out. provide data on quakes with the poverty of the nations in things to Oxfam, who will Indonesia, the vast majority the campus, so that clubs and Anyone planning an event is the potential to cause tsu- the region. A lack of politi- deliver them to people who of lives lost would have been societies can concentrate on welcome to use this space to namis, and any that are pro- cal harmony between these have lost everything. saved – the wave took an hour collecting money. RAG will publicity, by emailing a sum- duced. The Pacific Tsunami countries has also been We can rail against George and a half to reach land. And provide collecting tins and mary to [email protected]. You Warning Center (PTWC) cited as hampering the Bush and Tony Blair, who although 80% of tsunamis count the cash as it comes in. can also follow the link from near Honolulu, Hawaii, pro- inception of a warning sys- do not see the worst disas- occur in the Pacific Ocean, Clubs and societies and the main Union web page. vides tsunami warnings to tem that could have saved ter for centuries to be reason we should not be complacent individuals interested in help- Please help the appeal national authorities in the many lives. enough to interrupt their holi- – we need to set up a system ing are invited to contact by giving your time or your Pacific Basin. Now, in the wake of the days. Indeed, this has already too. Just in case. Being over- [email protected] or go to the City money to the collectors you Criteria of location and still-unfolding tragedy, lead- begun in America, where there cautious doesn’t seem so bad and Guilds office (room 340, will see around College. You magnitude of an earthquake ers of the affected countries was outcry over the original now, does it? mechanical engineering). can also make donations by are used to predict whether and from the wider interna- offering, which was half the We can carry on visiting the Anyone wanting to collect visiting the City and Guilds a tsunami is likely. A warn- tional community are com- amount the Republicans plan affected countries, which will should also head to the office, office. ing is issued in the form of mitting to ensuring that an to spend on Bush’s inaugu- need our money more than predicted arrival times of early warning system is cre- ration. The amount donated ever in the next few years. the wave at selected coast- ated for the Indian Ocean. by the British public shamed We can pray for the survi- al communities within the Sadly, it will be too late for our government after Tony vors and the families of the Visit the RAG website for details of news and events: geographic area defined by the tens of thousands of Blair’s pathetic original offer- dead, and hope that nothing http://www.union.ic.ac.uk/presidents/rag/tsunamiappeal.php the maximum distance the victims of the Boxing Day ing of £1m was donated every like this ever happens again. tsunami could travel in a disaster. Felix Thursday 6 January 2005 www.felixonline.co.uk 3

NEWS [email protected] President attacked over accountability as ‘Beit Masterplan’ is discovered

By Dave Edwards Sharpe, was mandated to Editor “ensure a reliable up-to-date copy of the Constitution” is With an overwhelming major- posted on the Union website ity, Imperial College Union “within one week of passing Council has passed a paper this motion”. He must also aiming to improve account- “re-open the investigation ability of Union officers and into the financial irregulari- communication throughout ties... and ascertain whether the Union as a whole. there is a case to answer that The President, Mustafa Arif, the President may have acted received particular criticism irresponsibly to the point of in the paper, and must now gross misconduct”. reveal “his exact timesheet Finally, an amendment and whereabouts... and the was made forcing the min- purpose of those activities for utes from the high-level the benefit of the Union” from Management and Planning 1 September to the present. Group to be made public. He has also been mandated to apologise to the Council “I accept we for irregularities surrounding recent elections. could have The paper raises sev- eral serious concerns about handled this a the way in which Imperial College Union has been run lot better...” so far this year, highlighting MUSTAFA ARIF the following issues: the dis- appearance of the constitu- Tom Tibbits, who pro- tion from the internet; bad posed the paper, told Felix: management at elections; an “The main thing I wanted to under-represented Executive achieve was that the account- Committee; alleged inappro- Mustafa Arif (centre), President of Imperial College Union, gives an initial response to allegations of impropriety ability of the Union is restored priate involvement of perma- to where it should have been. nent staff members in Union porate into the redevelop- ly a “starting point for discus- Strategic Review Advisory and that “the snooker room The students will now be activity; a less accountable ment an enhanced catering sion”, no decisions had been Group, told Felix: “We should not be converted into consulted about the future of style of taking minutes lead- and dining facility on the first made, and no money had wouldn’t have spent all our a Council chamber”. their Union. ing directly to a less account- floor”, move the offices to been paid to any architects. time and effort talking to stu- The President is now man- “I was absolutely gutted able decision-making process; the third floor, create a “non- Dan Lehmann, a mem- dents, putting up posters and dated to “explain how a docu- about the lack of transpar- and unauthorised increases alcoholic drink area”, build a ber of the Union’s Services writing articles if the Review ment outlining the desired ency that the Union has in staff costs. “local authority type council Committee, said: “Most peo- had already been written. I plans for the Union building achieved so far this year. I’ve The paper argues that “the room” on the third floor in ple believe the Masterplan want the students to get what dated November was passed got to say that Mustafa Arif in President appears to be in a place of one of the snooker and the Strategic Review have they want. When the actual to three architectural firms, particular has been grossly position... where he cannot rooms, and “strip out the already been written”, imply- Masterplan is drawn up, it whilst the consultation period negligent in his capacity as fulfil his duties effectively” existing gym”. ing that senior Union officers will not be the same as the amongst students did not end President to represent the and that recent management Mr Arif insisted that the and staff had already made document from Estates.” until December”. students and not himself.” restructuring “goes explic- document was “only a draft, their own decisions about the In a separate motion, He must also “update Responding to the sweeping itly contrary to the spirit of asking Estates to come up future of the Quadrangle, and the Council subsequently Council on the progress made condemnation of his actions, democracy in the Union”. with some proposals, so that that students’ views would resolved that the gym would with regards to finding the Mr Arif said: “I accept we It goes on to make the con- after the Strategic Review we not be taken into account. “remain in its present loca- estimated £37,000 shortfall on could have handled this a lot troversial claim that the Union can choose an architect and Sameena Misbahuddin, the tion and not be converted for the management restructur- better... [but] I did not lie to is in breach of the Education move forward”. He stressed Deputy President (Finance any other use unless specifi- ing process”. anyone in any aspect. Act 1994, with reference to its that the document was mere- and Services) and chair of the cally authorised by Council” The Council Chair, Danny “I can understand why financial situation. people think that the Union One key issue raised is suffering from a lack of by the paper was the ‘REDEVELOPMENT MASTERPLAN OF THE BEIT QUADRANGLE’ accountability and democra- ‘Redevelopment Masterplan According to a draft document dated November, The Union’s Strategic Review process, in which cy, but that view is misguided. of the Beit Quadrangle’. A Imperial College Union wishes to: students were consulted on these issues via a The Union suffers from over- draft document, prepared ● Build new offices on the third floor questionnaire, did not finish until December – long governance, and... sometimes by Imperial College Estates ● Create a local authority-type council room after the draft document was produced you need to realise that dem- in November, says that the on the third floor in place of one of the snooker ocratic processes can actu- Union has already agreed rooms “The draft document is merely a starting point for ally hold up democracy. to make various large-scale ● Strip out the existing gym discussion. Nothing has been decided yet” “I look forward to the changes to the Quadrangle ● Change Da Vinci’s into a non-alcoholic drinks – Mustafa Arif, Union President opportunity to put together a before receiving any respons- area, a “Starbucks type café” response and to disprove the es from its recent Strategic ● Incorporate into the redevelopment an en- “Most people believe the Masterplan and the allegations of impropriety in Review questionnaire. hanced catering and dining facility on the first Strategic Review have already been written” the paper.” The document states: “The floor – Dan Lehmann ● State of the Union, Student Union wish to incor- page 8 New Kensington hotel to offer accommodation from just £35 per week By Dave Edwards as an easyHotel, providing stay in hotel accommodation Sam Rorke, Imperial A spokesman for easyGroup no-frills, low-cost accommo- and, potentially, save large College Union’s Deputy said: “You will be interested A hotel in Kensington could dation. Customers can book amounts of money. President (Education and to hear that even without provide the solution to rooms on a website with a Hall fees currently range Welfare) told Felix: “I’d like advertising or marketing, the Imperial College students’ credit card, on a ‘book early, from £54 to £127 per person to see what’s on offer for £5 power of the brand is result- accommodation problems, pay less’ basis. Prices will rise per week (approximately), a day.” Comparing the cost ing in reservation requests offering beds from just £5 per in periods of high demand. and renting in the private of staying at the easyHotel arriving regularly.” night. With Imperial students’ sector can cost a student well to that of living in a hall of The hotel in Kensington The hotel, in Lexham hall fees and rent costs ever- over £100 per week. Compare residence, Mr Rorke added: is due to open in the sum- Gardens, was founded by increasing, the development this with £5 per night, and “There’s more to living in mer, with around 30 rooms. Stelios, the serial entrepre- of the hotel has raised the therefore £35 per week, dur- halls than just a bed. There’s In due course, the com- Can Imperial students save neur and owner of easyJet, possibility that students could ing the cheapest periods at a community, there’s security, pany expects to expand on accommodation costs by easyCar and other related book rooms for months at a the easyHotel, and you can and there are social activi- easyHotel into more cities, booking rooms at the new companies. It will be known time. They would be able to see the attraction. ties.” countries and continents. easyHotel? Felix 4 www.felixonline.co.uk Thursday 6 January 2005

NEWS [email protected] Mechanical Engineering library and reading room may close

By Dave Edwards ticularly important to have Editor all projects, exam papers and solutions available, and that The mechanical engineer- this access would be lost in ing department’s library and the central library as staff reading room may close in the would not be able to give spe- near future, in order to create cific advice. Also, students space for other departments are able to borrow journals or administrative staff. from the department library, The library holds books, but this is not permitted in projects, exam papers and the central library. solutions in a convenient loca- Miss Dawson told Felix: tion, and the adjacent read- “The library is an invalu- ing room is a large open-plan able source to students at space with natural light. Both all stages of their education are popular with students and at Imperial. Undergraduate are usually full to capacity and PhD students alike rely during exam periods. Felix on the personal service from understands that high-level Nasim Jensen, which will be discussions on the matter lost if everything is moved to began last term and are set the central library. to continue over the coming “It’s not only mechanical weeks. engineering students who use A petition against the clo- the library and the reading sure, signed by over 400 room – bioengineering and mechanical engineering earth science engineering students, has been given students are regular users of to the head of department, the space.” Professor Roderick Smith. Prof Smith said that stu- When asked whether or not dents had been “prema- the library and reading room ture” in their response and would close, Prof Smith told had acted only on the basis Felix: “I don’t know... we are of rumours. However, he at a very early stage of dis- emphasised that their views cussion”. would be “noted and taken He continued: “It may be into account”. moved, because other people In an email to Felix, want to use the space. There Richard Martin, the Faculty is a huge shortage of space on of Engineering’s Deputy campus”. Operating Officer, said of One option is to move the the reading room: “It is one collections to the central area, among many across the library, but this is almost South Kensington campus, guaranteed to be unpopular that is being looked at as a with students. potential solution to a series In a letter accompanying of conflicting demands for the petition, Helen Dawson, space.” the mechanical engineering Mr Martin confirmed that department representative, no decision had yet been outlined the reasons why the taken, and that if the area library and reading room are was converted for a differ- so valuable to students. The ent use, alternative working In a controversial move opposed by the signatures of over 400 students, the mechanical engineering department library letter claims that it is par- space would be provided. (top) and reading room (above) may close to free up valuable space on the South Kensington campus Ideas Challenge prizes awarded By Beccy Knights graduate, from a variety of in Mechanical Engineering THE WINNERS AND THEIR IDEAS Entrepreneurs Challenge disciplines. room 220. The New Business Manager Simon Barnes, Director of Challenge is the second Kathie Wong, Ee Ling Heng (Medicine) Home testing kit for STDs the Entrepreneurship Centre, stage of the competition and The Ideas Challenge prize hosted the evening and offers students the opportu- Ryan Kerstein, Christian Fellowes (Medicine) Disposable tourniquets giving event took place at the David Begg, Principal of the nity to present a full business end of last term. Ten runners- Tanaka Business School, plan and win a first prize of Robert Stanley, Richard Matthews, Alex Stewart, Energy saving one touch activation for house- up and ten winners’ prizes awarded the ten runners-up £25,000 in cash and services, Suzie Imber, Jeremy Brackpool, Artur Tsobanjan hold appliances were awarded to the most prizes of £250 and ten winners one of two runners-up prizes (Physics) innovative entries. of £1,000. of £5,000 in cash and serv- The Ideas Challenge Each of the ten winning ices, or a finalist cash prize Katie Goodwin, Adam Sutcliffe, Robin Chilton System to combat spread of hospital acquired is the first stage of the teams bravely delivered their of £1,000. (IDE) infections Entrepreneurs’ Challenge, one minute elevator pitch to Come along and find out Imperial College’s student the audience to try to con- how you can get involved. Peter Brewin, William Crawford (IDE) Concrete canvas business plan competition, vince them of their idea – an Last year’s winners, Jargon, where students are asked to extremely nerve-wracking will be presenting their busi- John Latham, Thomas Ehrman (Mech Eng) Appliance for commercial kitchens for soft submit a 2-3 page summary task, but they all did a fan- ness idea and sharing their boiling eggs of a business idea. This year tastic job! experience of entering the we had an exceptional 161 The next event in the Challenge. Ex-Imperial Pauline Brocard, Leon Brocard (PhD) Ski wheels entries from 374 of Imperial’s Entrepreneurs’ Challenge student and ‘Technology brightest and most entrepre- calendar is the launch of the Entrepreneur of the Year Ningyu Ran (Elec Eng) Audio and video interactive online broadcasting neurial Imperial students, New Business Challenge at 2004’, Charlie Muirhead, will both undergraduate and post- 6pm on Monday 10 January provide the inspiration. Kok Hin Henry Goh (Mech Eng) Weighing machine for travellers

Etienne Von Lavante, Emily Michie, Jonathan FUSE (Fast Ultrasonic Software Environment) If you would like to learn more about the Entrepreneurs’ Challenge, visit Woo, Sam Law, Gavy Lau, Kenny Cheung (ISE, www.ic.ac.uk/business/challenge or email the Challenge team at [email protected] Materials, ME, Comp Sci) UBSA • EU457 Felix 22/12/04 2:55 pm Page 1

An internship with UBS leads to a winning partnership. You and us.

Do you thrive on challenges? We seek highly talented The FIRC business provides a broad spectrum of products individuals who can bring something different to our and innovative solutions to corporate, institutional and organization. At UBS, not only is one in every five of our retail clients in all major markets. With over 2,200 employees a technologist, but we also directly target professionals employed around the world, we offer our Computer Science and Engineering students for roles in clients a seamless global service. Information Technology, Equities and Fixed Income, Rates & Currencies (FIRC). Our intention is to extend and enhance our position in these demanding fields, which translates into exciting Information Technology has revolutionized financial career opportunities. services, and UBS is at the cutting-edge of applying it globally. For us, IT means more than just writing To apply for an internship with us, the closing date is: innovative software. We are consultants, communicators, 21 January 2005 integrators, analysts and project managers. To apply for a position, please visit our website: UBS has a market-leading equity business, not just in www.ubs.com/graduates. terms of market share, but with respect to client rankings and profitability as well. Our trading activities provide our clients with liquidity and efficient execution of large orders in all major markets.

Wealth Global Asset Investment Management I Management I Bank

© UBS 2004. The key symbol and UBS are registered and unregistered trademarks of UBS. All rights reserved. Felix 6 www.felixonline.co.uk Thursday 6 January 2005

Science [email protected] When to resort to shock tactics News As a treatment for depression, electroshock therapy has a bad image. Basil Safwat explains it may yet be the most effective treatment around in brief

After Prozac stopped work- character as little more than Californian ing, Anna tried everything to a vegetable, or Requiem For cure her suicidal depression. A Dream, where a charac- biotech firm sells Eleven types of antidepres- ter does not receive muscle first cloned kitten sants. Two courses of talk relaxants prior to treatment therapy. ‘Life enhancers’ and experiences a set of spec- such as frequent exercise and tacularly disturbing convul- A California firm that ear- a good diet. sions. lier this year launched the When the constant cycle of These images of ECT may world’s first cat cloning serv- failing antidepressants and have stemmed from its rather ice has announced its first ineffective therapy became sinister history, which seems sale: a cloned male kitten too much to bear, she had one to have pervaded all subse- named ‘Little Nicky’. Genetic option left to her. She was put quent consideration of the Savings & Clone – based in under general anesthetic at treatment. Italian neurosci- Sausalito, California, and Charing Cross hospital and entist Ugo Cerletti first docu- financed by billionaire John given a muscle relaxant. Two mented it in the 1930s, after Sperling – announced that it electrodes were fixed to her observing pigs being given had sold the kitten to a Texas head, and a small electric woman for $50,000. current was passed through “For the short term her brain, inducing a mas- treatment of depres- sive grand mal seizure. She returned the next week, and sion, ECT has been, in ‘Atom school’ in after only three courses of trials, observed to be first Israeli reactor treatment, she emailed her support group to explain how more effective than video she felt: drug therapy” “Truth is, I feel amazing. Israel has released the first Not 100%, that would be too electric shocks before slaugh- video footage of its Dimona much, too soon, but I feel bet- ter; following the shocks, the nuclear plant in an apparent ter than I’ve felt in ages. defi- pigs would become manage- attempt to promote a positive nitely better than I’ve felt in able and quiet. He began image of what experts believe a long long time. Yesterday, testing this finding on human to be an atomic bomb factory. I was driving home from subjects, and discovered that Depression: electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) has proven to be an effective treatment, but Channel 10 television said the stables with my mum, they were rendered calm in scientists still do not understand how it works its tape of the plant showed and I found myself thinking the same way as the pigs. technicians in various non- that ‘if this change of mind Unfortunately, he performed side effects associated with hand, and so fewer are likely its effects. military activities – mingling is going to be permanent, I his experiments without ECT. Early use of ECT saw to prescribe it. It’s a very odd feeling – like on the lawn, inspecting lab may have to rethink my posi- anesthetic or muscle relax- application of the electrodes Despite all the controversy, something is missing. then equipment and lecturing at tion on whether I want to be a ants, causing violent, uncon- across the whole brain (‘bilat- however, the reply from those when I ask myself what’s an ‘atomic school’ for disad- parent’. My position up until trolled spasms, during which erally’), which often seemed psychiatrists still advocating missing, the only thing is vantaged youths. now has been that I can’t patients would often snap to result in some short-to-mid its use is as simple as it is that dark and awful sense make the commitment to try bones or break teeth. It term memory loss. For this true: ECT works faster than of helplessness and hopeless- to stay alive, so I can’t com- became something to dread, reason, current ECT is usu- drugs, has fewer side effects, ness which has become my mit to being a parent. So this and was sometimes used as a ally performed unilaterally, and doesn’t hurt. While they constant ally. Today I spent Russia to stop free is quite a turnaround.” method of punishment in psy- with the electrodes placed on may have little clue as to why a whole day where this feel- space trips for US The treatment she under- chiatric wards for this reason. the right hemisphere of the it works, the brewing storm ing was remarkable by its went was electroconvulsive Some reports suggest that head. Studies show that there over anti-depressant side absence. astronauts therapy, or ECT. It is used ECT was even adopted by is no associated memory loss effects may force both doc- For some patients, like by doctors to treat a variety the Nazis for human experi- with unilateral treatment. tors and patients to re-exam- Anna, the effects can be life Russia’s cash-strapped space of mental diseases, primarily ments. Such scientific studies are ine their opinions on ECT and altering. agency said it would stop severe depression, and is Pig murder, broken bones, rebutted by mental health giving US astronauts free widely accepted as being an Nazis; already a wonderful charities such as Mind who rides into orbit in the future. effective and safe treatment advertisement for any treat- have published surveys with Russia has single-handedly by the medical community. ment. The major obstacle to very different findings. In a serviced the International Indeed, for the short-term ECT acceptance, however, 2001 survey, they reported Space Station, a $95 billion treatment of depression, ECT turns out to be far simpler that 40.5% of their respond- orbiting laboratory, for almost has been, in trials, observed than any of these reasons. It ents complained that they two years since the United to be more effective than is a simple lack of knowledge had experienced ‘permanent States grounded its Shuttles drug therapy. Despite these – that is, no one knows how memory loss as a result of after the fatal Columbia findings, there are no waiting it works. Shock a depressed ECT’. This illustrates the accident. lists for ECT. A patient diag- person, and 60-80% of the huge differences between sci- nosed with severe depres- time, they will become hap- ence’s view and that of the sion is unlikely to be offered pier, instantaneously. Ask a general public. ECT until it is an absolute psychiatrist why, and he may While a scientist would Quake may have last resort, after drugs have mention something about probably point out that people made the Earth failed and failed again. And electrical current stimulat- cannot remember what they the numbers of patients pre- ing the production of certain cannot remember and so a wobble scribed ECT treatment is neurotransmitters; but in survey is a largely redundant dropping. truth this is mostly conjec- method of testing memory, The deadly Asian earthquake Why should this be so? The ture. If they could prove this one could reply that if people may have permanently accel- problem, like so much these link then they could say that perceive a treatment as hav- erated the Earth’s rotation, days, lies in marketing. The ECT “works like Prozac” and ing harmed them, then this is shortening days by a fraction popular view of ECT is that leap some of the hurdles to little different from it actually of a second. Richard Gross, of a barbaric treatment, with acceptance. Without this cer- having harmed them. Despite a geophysicist with NASA, vague connotations of tor- tainty, however, the treatment the efforts in this area, then, theorized that a shift of mass ture, connotations not helped retains a sense of mystery the gap between scientists toward the Earth’s centre by media portrayals such as that is unsettling for both and the public is once again during the quake caused the Jack Nicholson’s treatment in patient and doctor. exposed. And as fewer people planet to spin three microsec- One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s This is not to say that agree to ECT, fewer doctors Jack Nicholson’s depiction of a patient receiving electro- onds faster and to tilt about Nest, in which ECT leaves his there are no documented are able to see its effects first- shock has contributed to the treatment’s negative image an inch on its axis. Felix Thursday 6 January 2005 www.felixonline.co.uk 7

SCIENCE [email protected] Forces of nature: Science, religion and a how tsunamis form case of history repeated

By Tom Simonite By Darius Nikbin one knew that Sumatra was a imminent”. A Muslim cleric Science communication Science Editor loaded gun.” But nobody took has said: “The disaster is their advice on board until it God's way of testing human- Although most commonly was too late. kind.” Little consolation, little depicted and imagined as Mistaken philosophers who Apart from being one of solace for the victims. towering waves with a foamy cry “All is well”, the most densely popu- In the Abrahamic religious crest, tsunamis are actually Approach, look upon these lated regions of the world, texts, there are numerous more like a rapidly rising tide frightful ruins, the afflicted areas were also natural disasters such as able to quickly and forcefully A hundred thousand wretch- amongst the most religious. floods and plagues of locusts flood coastal areas. They do es swallowed by the earth, Without doubt, the disaster that were caused by the wrath not have a developed wave Bleeding, torn, with hearts will have shaken the founda- of a supernatural bogeyman face like the typical ocean still beating, tions of their faith. Since reli- (as that prophet of science breaker. The reason is the Buried beneath their roofs, gion cannot begin to explain Richard Dawkins so often very different ways these two In racking torment end their why or how over 140,000 inno- puts it). Today, however, we kinds of ocean wave are cre- stricken lives... cent lives were lost, people have a better understanding ated. will inevitably, as they did of how such events occur. We In the same way that blow- in Lisbon over two hundred know exactly how tsunamis ing on a cup of tea causes rip- In 1755, an earthquake struck years ago, demand a more occur and we also know why ples to form, a normal wave is Lisbon, causing the deaths of satisfactory explanation and they occur. We also have the created by the action of wind over 100,000 people. The city scientific measures to pre- technology to predict when on water. Wind travelling over centre was ripped apart by vent losses from such disas- they will occur, and we could the ocean creates ripples on giant fissures and an enor- ters in the future. have saved thousands of the surface. These give a bet- Unlike Hokusai’s depiction of the ‘Great Wave Off mous tsunami devastated the The leaders of the affected lives. We also know why there ter ‘grip’ on the water so the Kanagawa’, tsunamis are more like rapidly rising tides harbour. In the ensuing days, countries have now called for are global economic imbal- wind can have a still greater religious priests roamed the installation of an early ances and why so many peo- effect. The stronger the wind, tsunami would have initially and dramatic receding of the the streets hanging people, warning system. This is too ple live in poverty and do not and the greater the distance been undetectable from air water to expose hundreds of accusing them of heresy and little, too late. It has emerged have access to the informa- it blows the waves across the or sea. While tsunamis trav- metres of sea bed. A large blaming them for the earth- that, for decades, they had tion that should have saved surface, the larger the waves el at around 450 miles per number of people who ran quake. At the same time, the ignored scientific advice. their lives. become. The distance a wave hour, they have a wavelength to get a closer look at this Marquis decided to commis- So the most shocking thing So the answer is that there has travelled is called fetch of hundreds of miles and an unusual phenomenon, or to sion a scientific study of the about this event is not that is absolutely no excuse. The – the larger the fetch, the gather fish stranded by the disaster. This decision lead it happened, but that many tsunami disaster was a global bigger the wave. British surf- “While tsunamis travel retreating sea, were early vic- to the birth of the science deaths could have been pre- catastrophe and this time we, ers flock to the north Cornish at around 450 miles tims of the subsequent wave. of seismology, as well as a vented from happening. The not God, are all responsible. coast, where the waves have When tsunamis move into giant leap forward for the chances are that if the same travelled across the expanse per hour, they have a shallower water, their ampli- European enlightenment tsunami had approached the of the Atlantic. The English wavelength of tude increases as the leading period, as writers like Voltaire coast of Japan, most people Are you going to say in the Channel is markedly less hundreds of miles and edge of the wave is slowed demanded a more humanist would have been evacuated. face of the semi-formed cries popular. by friction with the sea floor response to the tragedy. So who provides the Of their expiring voices, in When an underwater earth- an amplitude of just a and the rest of the wave piles History repeats itself, but answers in the face of such the face of the spectacle quake occurs, a very different few feet” up behind it. The decrease humans never learn. This cataclysmic events? In cen- Of their smoldering remains: wave is generated. The move- in speed is more marked, time, the earthquake occurred turies past, people used to “It is the effect of necessary ment of the sea bed displaces amplitude of just a few feet. although, as amateur videos in south-east Asia. Scientists explain natural events by laws a large amount of water. In Although it is the peaks of dramatically testify, the waves knew it was going to happen saying that it was caused by That require this choice of a the case of the Boxing Day the wave that cause destruc- still move much faster than a and that when it did, it would God’s wrath or perhaps some God that is free and good”? quake, hundreds of cubic kilo- tion on reaching shallow person can run. The increase be devastating. According other supernatural power. An metres were rapidly shifted waters, the troughs often get in size is not a large one – the to scientist Brian Atwater Anglican priest was quoted as as the seabed jumped several there first. In many places largest wave to hit shore on of the US Geological Survey, saying after the tsunami that Excerpts from Poem on the metres upwards. Despite the hit by the Boxing Day tsuna- Boxing Day was 30 feet high, “Sumatra has an ample his- “disasters were part of God's Lisbon disaster, Voltaire scale of the disturbance, the mi, the first sign was a rapid with most much smaller. tory of earthquakes... every- warning that judgment was (1694-1778) 2005: a year dedicated to physics By Anushri Patel Croatia, Germany, Italy, the ple about physics, dispelling Physics department Netherlands, Poland and common myths and high- Switzerland will be just some lighting the contribution of When asked to name a prom- of the countries involved. modern-day physics to soci- inent scientific equation, Amongst the participating ety. Activities will encom- E=mc² comes to mind. A countries outside of Europe pass a range of contempo- hundred years down the line, are South Africa, Australia, rary physical concepts, from this equation still echoes the Korea, India, Malaysia, meteorology to gravitational scientific brilliance that was Pakistan and the USA. This waves. Events will also be Einstein. is very much an international organised locally by schools, As a schoolboy, he was affair! universities, museums and never regarded as a ‘gen- As the UK and Ireland’s community groups to make ius’, but at the age of just contribution to the world physicists, and the work that 26, Albert Einstein had pub- celebrations, 2005 will be they do, more visible to the lished three papers in a known as Einstein Year. This public. Einstein Year is also renowned German physics is being co-ordinated by the supported by many well- journal that made him one known celebrities, including of the most legendary scien- “...motivating young personalities such as Carol tists of all time. The papers people, dispelling Vorderman and Sir Patrick focused on Brownian motion, Moore. the photoelectric effect (for common myths and As well as events run which he won the 1921 Nobel highlighting the contri- by local groups, there will Prize in physics) and spe- also be some national out- Feynman, Einstein and Newton’s ideas will be celebrated during 2005, the year of physics cial relativity. These papers bution of modern-day reach activities for second- were published in 1905 and, physics to society” ary school pupils. The pro- Week also takes place during your area. volunteer for various activi- in that memory, 2005 has gramme is still under devel- mid-March, and many of the You can also get involved ties set up by other socie- been named the World Year Institute of Physics, and hun- opment, but current plans activities during that time will by organising your own ties. PhySoc will be running of Physics. dreds of events and activities include a poetry competition, be physics-related, including events, and if you have plenty of events throughout More than 40 physical soci- throughout Einstein Year a Rambert Dance Company a celebration of Einstein’s any fantastic ideas, email Einstein Year, so get in touch eties around the world will will promote physics to the production, a paperclip phys- birthday on 14 March! Check [email protected] with and volunteer. You’re bound be taking part in the celebra- general public. ics competition, a lab in a out www.einsteinyear.org/ your plans! to find something you’ll enjoy, tions. In Europe alone, the Einstein Year will be focus- lorry and an international events for further details and Even if you don’t have any and I guarantee it’ll be inter- UK and Ireland, Austria, ing on motivating young peo- poster competition. Science to find out what’s going on in plans of your own, you can esting and fun! Felix 8 www.felixonline.co.uk Thursday 6 January 2005

Comment [email protected] Six months to go...

Happy new year! I don’t have any Sameena has written an update students who have been affected, the College’s planning application particular message this week, so I’ll (below) on the Strategic Review STATE OF and many more who will want to to demolish Southside and build run through my top ten priorities process. It’s now really important help in some way. The RAG Chair new halls of residence. There is (as they came out of my head) for that we use all the information THE UNION has written a piece (see page 2) a serious chance that the Council my remaining six months in office gained to agree and develop a busi- on some of the fundraising activi- may block the application to keep (and this term in particular). ness for the Union for the next ties that are going on around the local residents happy. Expect an College planning cycle. Union. I expect much more to email from me this week... Postgraduates happen over the coming weeks – Casual payroll especially when we start getting Rees Commission – Top-up The Union lacks a properly ground- confirmed information on how fees in Wales ed postgraduate representation Several hundred students work on many Imperial students have been structure. To some extent, the a casual basis in various College directly affected. The Union will be sending a submis- Postgraduate Society provides a departments (catering, confer- sion to the Rees Commission which social forum but the Union really ences, ICT, etc) as well as at the Beit Masterplan is looking at the possible implemen- needs to establish a Postgraduate Union. They used to be paid weekly, tation of top-up fees in Wales. This Association akin to the Faculty however last term they were moved Contrary to what some Council impacts Imperial students because Unions. I hope to have this in place on to a monthly pay system. Along members thought, there is no the situation in England will be before I leave. with implementation problems, this MUSTAFA ARIF ‘Masterplan’ (yet) and students reviewed in 2009. If, by that time, has caused significant hardship UNION PRESIDENT were always going to be consulted. the Welsh Assembly Government QAA Institutional Audit for many of the most financially- That will now happen, as per the has developed a successful alterna- pressed students at the College. I original timetable (ie after the stra- tive funding model then that could Thank you so much for participat- hope to have this resolved within lem is that the Union is over-gov- tegic plan is finalised) and will be an well be replicated here. ing in the Union’s online student a month. erned. There are too many rules exciting opportunity to look at how survey last term. We achieved a that are never enforced (and impos- we can make best use of the Union Babar Ahmad good response. This will be the sin- Union governance sible to do), especially for clubs building in Beit Quad. gle most important opportunity to and societies, and too many layers Union Council passed a motion improve the student experience at There are various parts of the of decision-making that hinder, not Southside requiring the Union to campaign for Imperial for the next five years (see Union’s governance that are ‘bro- help, the democratic process. the release of Babar Ahmad. I hope Sam’s update below). ken’. Lack of support of postgradu- The College needs help from stu- we can use this opportunity to look ates is one area. The structure of Asian tsunami dents (who are registered vot- at some broader issues affecting Strategic Review and Union the Life Sciences Faculty Union is ers in Westminster) to write in to Imperial students that I have hinted plan another. However the biggest prob- Inevitably there will be many Westminster Council in support of at in previous columns. The joy of... quality assurance

Quality assurance is one of those nate. Year reps speak to their class, College conducts every term to the process, the QAA has asked the pieces of jargon that seems to crop ascertain any problems that stu- UNCLE SAM monitor student satisfaction with Union to submit a “student written up more and more these days. dents are having with a particular undergraduate courses and lec- statement”, representative of the If you’ve ever worked in indus- course, lecturer or facility, and have turers. Thanks to the 50% of you views of the student body, concern- try, you are almost certain to have a quiet word in the ear of the course who took the time to complete this ing their educational experience. heard it used, but you may not nec- director. If the problem cannot be valuable exercise. Your department This has been compiled, based on essarily see the point of it. Quality solved there and then, it may be or your representatives should let the responses to the recent ques- assurance (QA) is a programme necessary to involve the depart- you know the results of the survey tionnaire, and students’ opinions for the systematic monitoring and mental rep, and possibly raise shortly. If they don’t, chase them up, gleaned from focus groups, in addi- evaluation of a service to ensure the issue in a forum such as the because it’s important! tion to concerns fed through by the that standards of quality are being staff-student committee. If the Quality assurance is particularly representative system. A draft has met. problem is of a general nature, pos- pertinent at the moment, because been written, and is available at But why am I boring you with sibly affecting students in other the College is undergoing an www.union.ic.ac.uk/qaa. This is not this? Well, Imperial College takes it departments, it may be brought to institutional audit by the Quality the finished article, as it will still seriously and goes to great lengths my attention either at a meeting, Assurance Agency (QAA), an inde- go through the relevant commit- to ensure student involvement in or by email. I spend much of my SAM RORKE pendent body set up to safeguard tees, on which your representatives its QA process. That amounts to me time sitting on College-level com- DEPUTY PRESIDENT the public interest in sound aca- sit, and eventually to the Union spending a considerable amount of mittees whose whole purpose is demic standards. This is done by Council. However, if you are keen my working day fulfilling a quality quality assurance, and I give this (EDUCATION & WELFARE) carrying out reviews of standards to comment on the document, assurance role. feedback to those who can imple- and quality in higher education or on any other matter, please One example of this is the rep- ment change. assurance is the Student On-Line institutions. get in touch with me directly at resentation network that I co-ordi- Another example of quality Evaluation (SOLE), which the In order to gain student input into [email protected]. Remember that online survey?

Well thank you to all those who data and preparing the statistics and activities. The strategic plan ward. We will use this information took part. It was the first time we began, as did the focus groups, which will also be the starting point for to improve areas of the Union that had done such a project on such a were the second stage of informa- the Union’s budget and plans for the were reviewed. We will be looking scale, and we had a great response tion gathering – small groups of dif- next few years. through all the results of the survey – around 3,500 students taking part. ferent cross sections of the student In addition, the information will and comments that were made, and We also had a good response to the body. These were brainstorming and be used to form the brief given to we will use these to improve the questionnaire completed by clubs discussion sessions (on the issues architects for a design for the Union Union to better serve you. With so and society officers. Your responses covered in the survey), a method building. Next week, a decision as to many participants, we have a lot of will be central to the way the Union often used in industry. Thank you to which of three competing architects valuable information from students, develops over the next few years. those who took part, especially so will be used is being made by the which we want to use to improve The winners of the Playstation close to the end of term! Union executive committee, based the Union. and other prizes have not been Using the information from the on the firms’ ability to design appro- Information about the Strategic drawn yet, but this will happen in survey and focus groups, a strate- SAMEENA MISBAHUDDIN priately for a students’ union of our Review can be found at www.union. the coming week and the results will gic plan for the Union will be sub- nature. ic.ac.uk/strategicreview. be published. mitted to the College’s planning DEPUTY PRESIDENT From the surveys we will also be After the online surveys were round, where we will bid for greater looking at the feedback we have closed, the process of analysing the investment in the Union building (F INANCE & SERVICES) got and what ideas were put for- Felix Thursday 6 January 2005 www.felixonline.co.uk 9

COMMENT [email protected] Happy new year from all at Felix

Welcome to the first Felix of 2005. been saved. siderable amount of debate, not our students’ union be campaigning I hope you managed to make the It was pleasing, however, to see EDITORIAL least at December’s meeting of on other political or civil liberties most of the short Christmas break. students starting Imperial’s fund- Union Council. Should our students’ issues too? raising effort before the term had union come to the aid of a former The tsunami even begun. We will be filling up a Imperial student and staff mem- Felix collection tin in the Felix office and ber, who many believe has suffered Where to begin? I can only offer covering fundraising events around terribly at the hands of the police This term, our plan is to continue my condolences to anyone reading College as they happen. Turn to and the Government? Or should we to take your student newspaper for- this who has been affected in any Chris Jackson’s article on page 2 to steer clear of issues like this and ward, bringing you more articles, way by the tragic aftermath of the find out how you can get involved. only concentrate on matters directly more detail, more interest and more earthquake in the Indian Ocean on affecting our current members as entertainment. Boxing Day. Babar Ahmad students of the College? Convincing A new version of our website (www. On pages 2 and 7, we have done arguments can be made by both felixonline.co.uk) will launch very our best to give suitable coverage to In the morning of Tuesday 2 sides. Conflicting opinions appear soon, allowing us to improve the an issue that has, quite rightly, been December 2003, I received a tip-off on this week’s Letters page (page online side of the newspaper. Full almost the sole focus of media atten- about an incident in the mechani- DAVE EDWARDS 10), while Colin Smith (below) gives details will be announced shortly. tion for over a week. It may be sev- cal engineering building. I went EDITOR more information about Mr Ahmad If you would like to get involved eral weeks before we learn whether over and discovered that a room and the Union’s campaign. with Felix, in any capacity, I would or not any Imperial College students was being secured and searched We broke the news on the Felix It remains to be seen whether like to hear from you. We have or their families were in the area at by police officers. A member of website that afternoon. Other news the Council’s decision to campaign opportunities in all areas, though we the time. We offer our deepest sym- Imperial College staff had been organisations would soon take up for Mr Ahmad’s release will have especially need reviewers and proof- pathy to any reader with relatives taken into custody. On the same day, the story, which continues to this any major effect, since several clubs readers at the moment. If you’re who have died or are still missing. the Metropolitan Police confirmed day. The man arrested was Babar and societies would have done so interested in joining us, email me at It is particularly tragic that, had that four men had been arrested Ahmad, a former student and staff anyway. Given his links with the [email protected]. the tsunami struck richer nations in south west London and detained member at Imperial College, whose College, this could prove to be a If you have any comments or sug- with early warning systems instead “on suspicion of involvement in the situation is now the subject of a rather unique situation. On the gestions about Felix, don’t hesitate of poorer countries without such commission, preparation or instiga- Union campaign. other hand, it might set an interest- to get in touch. Finally, best wishes aids, thousands of lives could have tion of acts of terrorism”. This matter has generated a con- ing precedent for the future – will for a happy and successful 2005. Freeing Babar Ahmad

At the last Union Council meeting is getting involved with an issue as arrested under a new extradition reviewed in the near future, and of term, as has been reported on important as the defence of Babar. law (which allows suspects to be with the recent backlash against the front page, the Council con- The campaign itself was extradited to the US without evi- the ‘anti-terror’ legislation follow- sidered a widely supported motion launched several weeks before, at dence of their alleged crime) for ing the recent, and in my opinion (www.union.ic.ac.uk/meetings/files/ a large meeting hosted by three supposedly being involved with long-awaited, departure of David paper1-179-1497.pdf) to support the Imperial College Union socie- terrorist activities. He had been Blunkett, there is much to be done. ‘Free Babar Ahmad’ campaign at ties: Islamic Society, Imperial arrested a year earlier for simi- In addition to supporting the regu- Imperial College. After a lengthy Against Imperialism and Amnesty lar reasons, and released without lar protests in London, as well as discussion and much debate, the International. Over 160 students, charge due to lack of evidence, but at the prison where Babar is being motion was passed. from a wide range of backgrounds, not before being subjected to what held, action is being planned on This all took place at the most packed out a lecture theatre to his supporters believe was extreme campus. A week of events, hosted widely attended Council meeting I hear Babar’s father, convenor of physical and verbal abuse at the by several of our clubs and socie- can remember, with the large audi- the Stop the War Coalition Lindsey COLIN SMITH hands of police officers. The Union ties, and possibly a central Union ence of students almost unanimous- German, and Yvonne Ridley talk has resolved to support an inves- event, have been scheduled for ly in support of the campaign. There about the ‘war on civil liberties’ WELFARE CAMPAIGNS tigation into this alleged abuse. February. Prior to this, there will be was some controversy surrounding since September 11 2001, in particu- OFFICER There is still no evidence against an organising meeting for any indi- the motion, mainly around wheth- lar with reference to Babar. Babar, and he is now facing a fur- viduals or society representatives er or not our Union should take a The speakers talked about Babar like to echo the speakers and urge ther violation of his human rights who want to take part in the cam- stance on issues such as this one. being just one of a huge number of everyone to join the forthcoming as he waits to hear whether he will paign, to put their heads together I hope that once you have looked Muslims who have been victimised demonstration in central London on be extradited to the US, the land of and draw up a plan of action. The into the case, and if you have ever in the Government’s attempt to jus- 19 March, the second anniversary of the death penalty and Guantanamo meeting is likely to be held in the sat through the frequent farcical tify their so-called ‘war on terror’, the start of the war on Iraq. Bay, in a move that could set an near future, and anyone who wants debates that take place at Council the disastrous effects of which are For those of you who haven’t been extremely dangerous precedent. to be kept informed about this, or to (something I would wish on very clearly being felt at home as well following his case, Babar Ahmad For more information, visit www. get involved in any other aspect of few people indeed) then you, like as in countries like Afghanistan and was a former student and member freebabarahmad.co.uk. the campaign, should email me at me, will be proud that our Union Iraq. It is for this reason that I would of staff at Imperial before he was With Babar’s case set to be [email protected]. Times are a-changing

The new year has brought some achieve quite well – we are here as ● Personal safety when you are all looking for some- changes for the Imperial College an information giving service and ADVICE SERVICE ● International student issues where else to live and the end of Union Advice Service. not just somewhere to come when ● Information on sexual health the term. Firstly, the Advice Service has all else has failed. We aim to be a The Information and Advice You may also see the new been re-located to the East Wing one stop shop for students’ wor- Centre also has a comprehensive Information and Advice Centre pub- basement of Beit Quad, which is ries or queries, whether this be a leaflet library on the above areas licity around campus. We feel that now the all-new Student Services major case or you would just like and also on other subjects, such as the changes will help us to con- Centre. We have moved to a new some information on a certain drugs, health issues and student tinue to give you comprehensive office which is more appropriate for subject. funding. advice and information on a range of an advice service and should be We will still cover the following The Information and Advice subjects. more comfortable for students to advice and information areas: Centre produces its own pub- If you have any comments on be in. ● Academic advice (appeals and licity on student issues. We have these changes or if you feel that The new year also brings with it a complaints) already produced the International you need to use the Information and new name: the Advice Service will ● Housing rights advice Students’ Guide, and in the new Advice Centre then please feel free now be known as The Information ● Employment rights advice term we are producing an all- to contact us on 020 7594 8066 or and Advice Centre. We feel that ● Debt advice NIGEL COOKE new Housing Rights Guide, which email [email protected]. this sums up what we are trying to ● Consumer rights advice STUDENT ADVISER should be available just in time for Hope you had a great holiday!

The Information and Advice Service is part of the new Student Services Centre in the East Wing basement of Beit Quad Felix 10 www.felixonline.co.uk Thursday 6 January 2005

COMMENT [email protected] Letters to the Editor

Exam anguish been altered for this current year correct in saying: “We’re not asking dition, while it may seem unjust ● These comments on only, to make their life difficult. This for anything that hasn’t been given he must be kept in prison. While Babar Ahmad are taken from Dear Dave, is just not the case. in the past”. it has become all too trendy to be www.felixonline.co.uk. Visit the web- Mr Message states that “they are Mr Message was by no means the highly cynical of our government’s site for more discussion and debate. I’m a 3rd Year Geology student and not asking for anything that hasn’t only student to raise a complaint anti-terror campaign, at the end of quite frankly it’s a miracle that I can been given in the past” but that is about this issue. Revising for six 20- the day it boils down to a matter of write to you, our Christmas period not true. The 4th year has ALWAYS lecture courses in two weeks would trust. Do you trust the government? is a joke, we do a modular degree so been given 2 weeks over christmas seem to be an extremely difficult The world is not perfect, and at the every year we have exams the week to revise for the exams. As Prof task. end of the day if the only way of CSFB reorganisation after Christmas, it sort of sucks but Hillier said, it is actually more to Our ‘disgruntled rock hunter’ keeping us safe is for the govern- makes the summer easier so that’s do with coordination with subjects also finds him/herself in an unen- ment to incarcerate a few terror- Sir, okay. This year however with a large shared by 3rd year and exchange viable position this week. I would ism suspects without trials / formal Mapping Dissertation project to do students than anything else. Also encourage any student with simi- charges, so be it. Surely the human Numaan Chaudry journalsim on top of other modules some stu- 4th year projects (which count for lar problems to make their views right for someone not be blown up is regarding the re-organiseation of dents have half (8 of 16 modules) around a ninth of the entire course) known to their departmental rep- greater than that of someone not to CSFB makes a mockery of Felix’s either to be submitted or examined start almost immediately after resentative and/or to the Union’s be locked up. attempt to offer business news. in the week after Christmas. the exams. If Mr Message would Deputy President (Education and While all the above to some extent Firstly, to suggest that prospective Due to modular weighting if you are like less time to do the most criti- Welfare) at [email protected]. Some is debatable, the following is not: interns should not consider the firm doing the 3 yr BSc course this could cal project of his degree then i’m people don’t care, but others do, The Union has no right to cam- indicates total lack of research into count for a third of your degree, with sure he can have more time for the and change really is possible in paign for his release. The union is the matter. CSFB remains a leading just two weeks to ‘prepare’ (See last exams. Unfortunately then, I am the future if enough students make not elected under political grounds. player in the industry, indeed only weeks Felix Front page), whereas sure students would be upset about their voices heard. There is no way of checking whether yesterday it was appointed advisor to over the Easter break you can have not having enough time to complete the council’s views are representa- Telecom Italia Mobiles in the $27bn only a third of your year to do after the critical project. tive of the college in general. dollar buyout of the remainning 44% a 5 week break. With some modules I am certain that many students Unlike tuition fees, where the not held buy Telecom Italia. It may being split and run twice (once in actually find that the time given for union could presume to have the interest him to know that Goldman autumn term and once in spring final exams in Aero is just about Babar Ahmad unanimous support of the college, Sachs has been retained solely to term) with different students, some enough to get the revision done on here they cannot. This is not spe- offer a “fairness opinion”. In terms students are at an advantage due to time, in mind of the fact that the Dear Editor, cifically a student issue. The union of layoffs, two to three hundred are timetabling decisions. exams only count for 40% of the would not be acting democratically. set to go, which from an organisa- The two week break wouldn’t be so 4th year – the coursework counts The Union also campaigns against The union represents all of us. All tion of 16,000+ is hardly a blood let- bad if the department could actually 60%. I know that many students also top-up fees, which is inherently of us do not support this issue. Unless ting, futhermore CSFB is still widely produce an acceptable exam timeta- get their highest marks during the political. In that case, they use the the union could prove through some hiring and paying in line with the ble! Initially one exam was due to be course in their 4th year, so I would reasoning that it affects students referendum that a sizable major- rest of the street, indeed total of 25 sat on Monday 3rd (a Bank Holiday!) suggest that the guys just get on directly, and campaigning is thus jus- ity backed this issue, or any other new investment banking analysts – surely someone timetabling the with it and hand in a sterling project tified. In the case of Babar Ahmed, it political issue for that matter, it can- were hired into the London office for exams would have seen this! It was report and presentation. also affects a student directly, and not champion this cause. 2004, with the number of new hires duly moved but after negotiation I am proud to have been a CAD is thus similarly justified. As a pes- It sounds to me like a weak willed for 2005 set to be 35. with the students involved it couldn’t and Fortran tutor to many of the simist, I have my doubts that the council bowed into intimidation... I would argue that his lackadasical be timetabled in the exam week current 4th year in Aeronautics and campaign will have any impact, but approach to journalism has served – students suggested the Monday I think that almost all of them know I am proud of the fact that it is being TR only to undermine the position of morning of the next week when all me quite well. I would not tell them fought, and believe very strongly one of the worlds leading securities were free, however the department to get on with something if I didn’t that it is necessary to fight it. houses in one of the world leading chose to timetable it on the Monday think it were reasonable (they are talent pools, which is disappoint- lunchtime (see Felix headline two free to challenge me on that point). Federhirn Please note that article 30 of the uni- ing, and hopefully not indicative of weeks ago?) which clashed with I am sorry that the exams revision versal declaration of human rights the standards of the journalism that some students humanities lectures. time is so short but I know that states that no human rights can be Felix hopes to espouse. When this was pointed out, they Prof Hillier would NOT allow some- used as an excuse to violate others. were given the option of sitting the thing that was truly unreasonable. The difference is that top up fees The idea that the right to life comes Sincerely, exam on the Monday afternoon MANY other years have survived directly affects students at the before the human rights of a suspect – this of course clashes with depart- and actually gone on to get really college. When Babar Ahmad was hence stands in direct conflict with Charles Cassidy ment lectures. The option left to good degree marks despite this final arrested he was no longer a student the universal declaration of human students is therefore which lecture exam problem. So I do feel that of Imperial College. He was not even rights. to miss to do an exam! Stephen Message and his friends a member of staff as he had left by The reason why the declaration is This kind of general incompetence should really just get and finish the the time he was arrested. The union correct here, is in my mind, twofold: Numaan Chaudhry, Business Editor, is typical of the fluid nature of exams exams the best they can and real- is not there to support everyone that - cruelty is never justified from a replies: and coursework and the lassiez faire ly concentrate on the final project has been a student in the past. moral perspective Please tell me where I have under- attitude of staff in our department which counts for so much more. There are several outside organi- - going against human rights mined CSFB’s strength as a global and, as recent articles in Felix have sations that are campaigning on Mr increases the risk of terrorism, as leader, its number one rankings shown, other departments across Good luck 4th years! Ahmad’s behalf, and I do not see the hearts and minds of muslim or indeed the strength of the above the university. With the rector say- Cheers why it was deemed necesary to drag communities here and eslewhere is divisions (equity research, securi- ing that students shouldn’t be repre- ICU into the issue when our effect lost, and terror recruitment increas- ties origination). sented on College Council and that Shumit Das will be minimal and the majority es. We are seeing this at this very Let me make it clear; I am well british students aren’t really very PhD Student of students are not in favour of it. moment. aware of CSFB’s position and good you really have to wonder if Dept of Aeronautics It is worth noting that the union On the contrary, a more honour- growing prowess in many divi- anyone in this college really cares... cannot legally spend any money on able and level-headed approach, i.e. sions within investment banking. the campaign either and seeing as charging when there is evidence Now I assume that because of your Yours, Sabbs are paid as soon as they give and using surveillance whilst gath- affiliation with CSFB, whatever A Disgruntled Rock Hunter Dave Edwards, Editor, replies: any time to it we have spent money ering evidence, would better serve that may be, you are a professional The article on the difficulties suf- on it. All in all, its a bit of a mess up to protect the citizens safety and and I was expecting you to voice fered by fourth year aeronautics and I predict not a lot will happen ideals. your opinions in a less extremist students was a fair representation as a result. We cannot judge the veracity of fashion. Overloooking that, let me Dear Editor, of the situation, featuring com- the charges against Babar, but the now get to the crux of the issue. ments from students, staff and the Chris J well-tried rule of law entails a due The fact of the matter is, and no My name is shumit das and I am departmental representative. legal process that can. Babar should doubt any linguistics expert will currently finishing my PhD in the It was never suggested that the be either freed or charged in such a support my view, that when I said aeronautics department. I gradu- department had aimed to make stu- process. ‘reconsider your options’, the con- ated from the MEng course in Aero dents’ lives difficult; rather, it was The US extradition request is no joke. It is reasonable for the union to be text in which this is said makes it in 1997, which is the same course made clear that this year’s unusual Babar Ahmad has been accused of a involved as Babar and, not unlikely, clear that students should reconsid- that Mr Stephen Message [see Felix College term dates were a major long list of terrorist activities includ- other Imperial students/staff are er whether they should be applying front page, 9 December 2004] is cur- factor. ing: operating websites inciting and affected. to these divisions; CSFB’s reputa- rently in his final year of. In each of the past four years, funding terrorism and planning an Hence I support this important tion has been left untainted. I would like to respond to the students have had at least three attack similar to that of US Cole in campaign, both for Babar and for I expect this clears up the con- article about Exam stress, in the weeks over the Christmas break to the gulf. The list goes on. society as a whole. fusion and hope that you have context of Aeronautics as I have revise for exams. It follows that the If it is a question between Babar the courage to apologise for your personally had to go through the present situation is highly unusual Ahmad being released or impris- Oscar Dahlsten unjustified use of ‘mockery’ to Felix same process, along with many pre- and Stephen Message was entirely oned without a trial pending extra- volunteers. vious year groups. I felt the article Finally, in any future correspond- to be an unfair representation of the ence, could I ask that you address workings of Aeronautics as a whole. Send your letters to [email protected]. This is the page where you can make your voice heard on just about any topic. me properly by spelling my sur- The article was written in a way that Letters may be edited for length but not for spelling or grammar, and are printed at the Editor’s discretion name correctly. suggested the exam timetable had Felix Thursday 6 January 2005 www.felixonline.co.uk 11

Clubs & Societies [email protected] Going underground in Slovenia PHOTO: JARVIST FROST CAVING CLUB 15 minutes and watched the snapshot to illustrate a sin- impossibly small orange dot gle day’s experiences while above me float down as gently on expedition with the cav- By Jarvist Frost as a feather, with the lightning ing club. There is no way to blue flash burning an image squeeze the many activities Nine months after I first went into my retina every minute enjoyed during four weeks in underground with the Imperial or two. I don’t think I’ve ever Slovenia into a single article, College Caving Club (ICCC), I felt quite so peaceful, quietly but I hope that this tiny sliver unclipped from the rope at biding my time sitting on a may kindle your interest. the bottom of Concorde pitch, shelf of rock surrounded by deep within the mountain moonscape. About the Club Migovec in western Slovenia. After packing the camera As enormously taxing as the The white of the floor was and eating some chocolate, sport is, both physically and breathtaking, polished smooth we readied for the ascent – psychologically, caving is by the annual flow of snow 400m of rope to climb, nearly neither competitive nor melt. I was perhaps the 20th five times the height of the macho. The aim is to use person to stand here and see Queen’s Tower. Over eight people’s different skills in the colours, the shapes and hours of solid climbing later, I cooperation to further com- the sheer scale of this enor- finally flopped out of the cave mon goals of exploration and mous stone cathedral, every and sniffed at the strange enjoyment. No prior experi- last facet of it formed by water ozone smell of the vegetation, ence is required and all train- and gravity. gazing up at the star-framed ing is done within the club, Connecting me to the world silouttes of the mountains drawing on the experience above, and leading ever deep- across the valley. of our mature members. All er, were hundreds of lengths My buddy, who had been trips are tailored to the skills of rope secured by literally dilligently waiting at the bot- and wishes of those taking hammering into the rockface tom of pitches as I climbed part, and you will never be – years of effort by students in case I struck difficulty (not asked to do things that you from ICCC and the Slovenian once grumbling as he read are unhappy with or that we JSPDT. 120 pages of his paperback do not feel you are ready for I could just see the faint sitting in the cold), joined me yet. orange light of my caving after a few short minutes. We Imperial College Caving buddy 70m above me. I built a stumbled back to the Bivvi fol- Club runs regular weekend cairn of rocks as a substitute lowing the string as it snaked trips to caving destinations for a tripod, and balanced my around the many hazards on around the UK, usually cost- old Soviet camera at an angle the plateau. I was so utterly ing £25 to £30 inclusive of all I hoped would cover the whole exhausted that I had to be training, equipment, trans- pitch. Dousing my light and helped out of my caving kit, poration, accomodation, food opening the shutter, I shouted but was soon warmed by the and leadership. As well as “rope free!” fire and refreshed with hot our summer expedition to I sat absolutely still (so as chocolate and plates of chilli. Slovenia, we have a week-long not to to nudge the camera) The photo came out and is tour during the Easter break in the perfect darkness for reproduced here (right) – a to somewhere warm and long weekends to destinations around Europe in the spring and summer. We meet weekly on Tuesdays in Southside upper lounge from 7.30pm and practice rope-climbing in the trees in Princes Gardens on Wednesday afternoons from 1pm. Drop by at some point for a chat and we’ll do our best to answer any questions that you have. Browse our large pho- toarchive, read trip reports and keep up with the latest news at www.union.ic.ac. uk/rcc/caving or email The Caving Club in Yorkshire, ready to go underground [email protected]. Clewin Griffith descending Concorde pitch, Gardener’s World, Slovenia Members sought for revival of Railway Society

RAILWAY SOCIETY ly the surviving club tank- whereabouts, please contact Imperial College – Kim Winter meeting. Our guest speaker Any club or society wish- ard), its last president was the author!) and John Barnes – rediscov- will be Adrian Shooter, chair- ing to be officially recognised ‘inscribed’ in 1981. Far from being a trainspot- ered the ICRS through their man of Chiltern Railways. needs at least 20 people to By David Horton ters’ club (‘trainspotting’ then links to the narrow-gauge Amongst the post-privati- put their names to paper A brief history of the a socially acceptable hobby Ffestiniog Railway in North sation train operating com- (and preferably more). You Thursday 24 February 2005 club like any other, now almost Wales and decided to attempt panies (TOCs), Chiltern don’t have to book a place will mark the first meeting of The earliest evidence of the universally viewed as tan- a revival. I met them through Railways is a relatively ‘small at the lecture, but if you are what is hoped will eventually society so far discovered tamount to mental illness), almost pure luck, and togeth- fish’ but has been highly suc- interested in attending and become the revived Imperial dates from 1956. They had the society had a truly var- er we have now got the ball cessful, both financially and becoming a member, I would College Railway Society their own magazine, Review, ied social calendar for those rolling. operationally. There can be like to hear from you! Having (ICRS). their own constitution and interested in railways. Events few people more qualified to those all-important 20 sig- I say ‘revived’ because it even their very own steam included talks by eminent fig- Members! talk about ‘running a success- natures also enables us to seems that the ICRS never locomotive named ‘Dymphna’ ures in the industry, site vis- On Thursday 24 February ful railway company’. More obtain a small advertising officially died. It is not known which was run on occasional its, volunteer weekends and (6.45pm, room 342 Mechanical details will emerge nearer budget specifically to boost exactly why or when the soci- Sundays at a club track in main line excursions. Engineering), we invite YOU the time, but it would be great the inception of this society. ety disbanded, folded or just West London (the search con- – any interested person, stu- to get as much support as If you are interested, please faded away, but according to tinues to find this train, and if Revival dent, staff or alumnus – to possible. This is where our email me as soon as possible the archives (predominant- anybody knows of its current Two members of staff here at come and attend our first appeal hinges. at [email protected]. Felix 12 www.felixonline.co.uk Thursday 6 January 2005

What’s on [email protected] UNION EVENTS FRIDAY STA TRAVEL QUIZ NIGHT ALL WEEK 8–10.30pm 7 JANUARY Beit Quad FILMS: VUE CINEMA, Running an event? FREE FULHAM BROADWAY UNION EVENTS The quiz is a bit of a tradition Student discount ALL WEEK SCHOOL DAZE at the Union, with cash and THE AVIATOR (12A) Tell us about it! 8pm–2am beer prizes on offer. Get a Daily: 1.30pm, 5pm, 8.30pm. dBs, Beit Quad team together and see how Sat and Sun only: 10.10am. £3 much you really know. ALEXANDER (15) Vodka and mixer £1 in dBs Contact: [email protected] Daily: 12.30pm, 4.15pm, 8pm. Felix will print your listings free of charge. while stocks last. Half price WHITE NOISE (15) entry in your school uniform! Daily: 2pm, 4.20pm, 6.40pm, Contact: [email protected] 9.10pm. Fri and Sat only: Just email [email protected] and tell us: WEDNESDAY 11.50pm. VERA DRAKE (12A) • the name of the event TUESDAY 12 JANUARY Daily: 12noon (not Sun), 2.50pm, 5.30pm, 8.15pm. Fri 11 JANUARY UNION EVENTS and Sat only: 11pm. • who is running it TO BE CONFIRMED THE HOUSE OF FLYING UNION EVENTS 8pm DAGGERS (12A) JAZZ & ROCK Beit Quad Daily: 1.10pm, 4pm, 6.50pm, • the time JAM NIGHT £1 9.30pm. Sat and Sun only: 7pm Contact: [email protected] 10.20am. • the location dBs, Beit Quad LEMONY SNICKET’S A A night of live music. Bring an SERIES OF UNFORTU- instrument, turn up and play! NATE EVENTS (PG) • the cost (if any) Contact: THURSDAY Daily: 1.20pm, 3.50pm, 6.20pm, [email protected] 8.50pm. Sat and Sun only: • a brief description of the event 13 JANUARY 11am. UNION EVENTS THE INCREDIBLES (U) PARAMOUNT COMEDY VERY IMPORTANT Daily: 12.50pm, 3.40pm, • a contact email address ON TAP FELIX PUBLISHED 6.30pm, 9.20pm. Sat and Sun 8pm 10am onwards only: 10.10am. Reynolds Bar, Charing Cross Pick up the next issue of your THE PHANTOM OF THE Hospital student newspaper from your OPERA (12A) CHRISTMAS WITH THE OF REASON (15) ing the Christmas break, Featuring Howard Read, department or the Union Daily (except Thurs): 5.50pm, KRANKS (PG) Fri and Sat only: 11.40pm. and unfortunately there Ian Moore and Hils Barker. building. 9pm. Fri and Sat only: 12midnight. is no-one around to tell us Arrive early to avoid disap- Contact: [email protected] THE POLAR EXPRESS (U) Sat and Sun only: 11.30am. We apologise for the short ‘what’s on’. The first week pointment. Daily (except Thurs): 1pm, BLADE TRINITY (15) What’s On section this of term is also less busy due Contact: 3.30pm. Sat and Sun only: Fri and Sat only: 11.20pm. week. This issue of Felix to exams. Normal service [email protected] 10.40am. BRIDGET JONES: EDGE has been put together dur- will be resumed next issue.

www.felixonline.co.uk the online student newspaper of Imperial College new site coming soon

Felix 14 www.felixonline.co.uk Thursday 6 January 2005

Nightlife [email protected] Psychedelic student union...? Psy-trance is about as extreme as dance music can get. This New Year’s Eve, in search of some psy, I found myself at a rave organised by some of the city’s biggest names on the scene, held at the London Metropolitan University’s Union CLUB REVIEW

IMAGINE: New Year’s Eve The Rocket Complex, Holloway Road HHHHI

The names Pendragon, Pickle and The Gathering might sound more like characters from some role-play- ing card game you enjoy with your science fiction buddies, but they are also the names of three of London’s biggest rave promoters. With dec- ades of collective experience, these three hold psy-trance-oriented events all over London and beyond. They have a loyal set of fans who are always up for a party, so what better place could there be for a psy-guy like myself to spend New Year’s Eve than around like-minded people, get- ting rocked and twisted by what I find to be one of the most extreme forms of dance music? In my years at Imperial I have always found that clubbers, especial- ly those with similar tastes to mine, are incredibly thin on the ground. Since my (only) stalwart club buddy had flown east to sunnier climes, I was forced to ship in reinforcements from my renowned and beautiful home county of Essex. Actually, they invited me out, but I’m the one writ- ing the review. So off we trotted, up to the north side of town and Holloway Road, in search of The Rocket Complex. Having gone the wrong way once, we proceeded to walk right past the Hmm... anyone look Pickled to you? place then around the block before eventually arriving. Yes, it had been crazy music. Originating in Goa, are way past the attitude, front, and the air, and gradually we were drawn New Year’s Eve getting off my face. I a very long year. Luckily there was India in the late eighties and early ‘cool’ you find in more mainstream onto the dancefloor. The music here do know it was a great night though, no queue at all. The door staff were nineties, this kind of music was first clubs with more mainstream music. was more of the psy, though subtlely and my friends and I stomped all friendly (even if the bouncer search- produced by the people who stayed in They dance exactly as you should different. There were more break- through the night. The place had ing me did insist on announcing eve- Goa after most of the hippies had left, – like no-one’s watching! Close your downs, more opportunities for laser- filled up nicely, still being spacious rything he could feel in my pockets) to mess around with music, practise eyes, let yourself get lost in the music, reaching, as the sound went up and and airy enough to let loose with the and entrance was no hassle. yoga and probably take lots of drugs. and your body will follow. Limbs go down into and out of big, euphoric dance moves without fear of smack- The Rocket Complex is a students’ The resulting style of music, known anywhere and everywhere, people breakdowns. The beats were more ing a fellow reveller in the face. union building located on London as Goa trance, and more recently as spin around and jump and bounce varied too, with the odd break here There was only one real problem Metropolitan University’s north the sound has spread, psy-trance, is (facilitated by the relative emptiness and there. As we danced around, throughout the night, that big-ass campus. The place consists of sever- one of my favourite styles of dance. of the place at this point). It’s a sight enjoying the freedom of movement sound system I keep going on about. al downstairs bars, but for nights like It’s generally a bit faster than other to behold. you get when you’re not jammed in It was just too loud. Don’t get me this they also hire out the upstairs, a styles, and usually includes an Exploring further, we found a par- like sardines, the place was filling wrong, a big system is essential for sports hall. Add drapes, some disco arpegiatted chugging bassline, as ticularly quiet chill-out area and up. Clearly the hardcore ravers were a good party, and the sound wasn’t lights, two high-powered lasers and well as as much aural envelopment snack bar, and a second room of only just starting to arrive. distorted, but the volume was just vast stacks of speakers putting out as possible – squelchy sounds, dis- music, this time much more sensi- By 12 o’clock, the room was pretty a little too much. At about 3am my about the same level of sound as a torted acid-tinged riffs and random ble and a fair bit slower than before. full. Still nowhere near capacity, but friend, guessing that the sound pres- small jet engine, and you have all vocal samples. The resulting wall of Funky house is the best way to enough people to carry the atmos- sure level was pushing 140db (that’s the ingredients for a great night out. sound is a relentless attack on the describe it – mostly vocal led, poppy phere whilst leaving plenty of room the same as a jet plane at 30m) sug- Except, that is, for the most impor- ears and feet. In clubs with speak- sounding tunes. It’s all good stuff, for flailing body parts. At the stroke gested we try to find some earplugs tant ingredient – the people. ers at opposites sides of vast rooms, but tonight the psy was the apple of of midnight, a large net of balloons rather than go deaf. To the credit of We arrived just after 10pm, so all the sqeaks and beeps sound like my eye. Or, ear. was released over the crowd. To the organisers, we were able to pur- admittedly the place had only been they’re flying round your head, at Our next mission was finding the give you an idea of just how bloody chase some at a stall for 50p – noth- open for an hour, but even so it did your head, in your head, whilst the third room. After a few laps of down- loud it was, whilst standing bang in ing compared to a potential lifetime seem to be particularly empty. First beats and bass leave you only one stairs, and investigation of a few the middle of the floor, the balloon I of tinnitus. we explored the downstairs areas, option – dance like a mentalist! corridors that turned out to be the was holding was vibrating so much All in all I was incredibly impressed coming first to the main downstairs This was exactly what they were ladies’, we eventually asked some- a could use it to tap people on the by the venue and the night. bar. Looking around the place it playing downstairs, and it sounded one who pointed us to the upstairs, head. The mood was great and the Were there any hassles? No. Did I really could have been any union, great. Unrelenting, with few break- where the main room had been set party was ready to kick off and keep go wild on the dancefloor? Yes. Did save for the extra decorations and downs, with extra sounds from a up in the aforementioned sports kicking for the next six hours. And the DJs rock the crowd? Yes. Were the day-glo cyber kids wandering keyboard, it had the few people that hall. Since it was still early, this vast kick off it did. the crowd exciting, interesting and around. In this room we found what were dancing early on going wild. arena seemed incredibly bare, but I have to confess that much of up for it? Yes. Do I wish they held we’d been waiting for – pulsating, Crazy round-your-head sounds an the scene was set and 2005 was what came next is a bit of a blur to events like this at our union? Oh my psychedelic sounds. pressing beats mean crazy dance only hours away. The gigantic PA me, since I was indulging myself god, yes. Simon Clark Psychedelic trance is really quite moves. People who like psy trance was booming, the lasers scanned in the age-old tradition of spending Nightlife Editor Felix Thursday 6 January 2005 www.felixonline.co.uk 15

Arts [email protected] Beethoven, Bach and Mozart Better late than never: ICU Choir’s concert just before Christmas

egos, however I’ll leave this to the ICU Choir reader’s own opinion). Friday 10 December 2004 A word on the acoustics of the Great Hall Great Hall and the size of the choir Beethoven, Bach, Mozart are appropriate at the point. At some point in one’s career at Imperial, one I realise that this review is a little on must spent some time in the Great the late side, but I wouldn’t want to Hall for one reason or another. I deprive people of these, albeit brief, think that we would all agree that reflections on the Imperial College the place is large and not the most Union Choir’s concert at the end of beautiful of spaces. (At this point I last term. must apologise to my Russian class The concert was something of a as they’ve all been privy to this new experience for me, as I was particular rant.) The Great Hall has sitting in the audience this time absolutely no acoustic – it has the instead of being up on the stage with unique ability to crush any sound my fellow ladies of the alto section. trying to make its way from one The choir is vast, and in all hon- region to the next. This unfortunate esty what people say about things effect is most harmful to singers’ sounding completely different away from the source of the sound is true “Bach is always – only in the audience can you fully appreciate the sound of each sec- wonderful; the man tion and the way they overlap and interact in the interpretation of the was genius” music. The concert began in jubilant efforts. Soloists sing their hearts fashion with the Hallelujah from out only to have at most half of what Beethoven’s Mount of Olives. A won- they are trying to convey reach the derfully fun piece to sing, I remem- audience. ber enjoying it greatly. The choir The choir, while it is admirable looked confident and as though they that so many people want to sing, is were enjoying themselves, and the now almost too large; the bass sec- mood carried over into the audi- tion is now set so far back from the ence. A very successful way to start audience that, at times, between the the concert. distance and the Great Hall effect, Some Bach followed in the form you almost miss them, particular- of the Magnificat. Bach is always ly when they are singing lower in wonderful; the man was a gen- their voices, which is a shame. The Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives, by Frederic Edwin Church ius, his music flows with glorious sopranos, on the other hand, the layers of sound from all quarters largest section in the choir, at times version of the score performed by However, by this point in the concert but the alto was altogether another – the orchestra, the soloists and completely overpower the rest. Yes, the choir was the latest ‘comple- the taxing nature of the programme, matter, sounding completely out each section of the choir all have more often than not they have the tion and updating’ by Robert Levin, and perhaps also the overzealous of place when she wasn’t drowned their chance to shine. Again the tune, but there is a lot more going and had some interesting changes nature of some singers, was defi- out. performance was confident. There on in the music that one would ben- from that which we are used to nitely beginning to tell in the tenor The choir gave a good perform- were a few moments of restrained efit from hearing. hearing. The various ‘updatings’ of section which at times sounded ance of rather varied pieces, show- panic when the music’s deviousness Following a brief interval, the the score do not change the melo- hoarse. ing that they can do the whole range almost requires it, but nothing dire. choir capped off their concert with dies, but rather, for the most part, Just a quick note on the soloists, from jubilant forte to solemn piano, The tenor section did themselves Mozart’s Requiem. The Requiem make subtle changes to the orches- before I finish; for the most part not to mention stay together while proud – rather lacking in numbers, was never completed by Mozart tration. they were wonderful, but there was following the conductor’s break- they definitely made themselves himself, and so it has been the task Again, the performance was one weak link. The soprano, tenor neck speeds in fugues. heard (which can be attributed to of others over centuries to try to confident and at times the choir and bass were all great, in fact the Paola Smith their, some would say, overpowering fathom what he meant to do. The were clearly enjoying themselves. soprano was truly awe-inspiring, Arts Editor Quite a lot of ramblings this week... it has been a while, humour me Donizetti’s most famous opera being Opera’s production, the cast being the chance they ought to be seen. Now, briefly back to opera. I think the somewhat more serious Lucia about as amusing as watching paint Firstly, there is the Raphael show it’s quite obvious that I love the di Lammermoor which was per- dry. All I can say is that the reviewer at the National Gallery. This may be opera, as was picked up by my fam- formed last season. This particu- obviously lacked a sense of humour your only chance to see so much by ily this Christmas. The most curious lar outing of a Donizetti opera was or had perhaps suffered a similar the artist in one place – of course, item of opera paraphernalia that I given something of a mixed, and fate as the eponymous Don. The travelling throughout the world to received was a set of comic book confusing, reception, especially by production was cleverly designed, see the individual pieces of the col- opera adaptations from my brother. The Times. the action being set in an over-sized lection at the galleries from whence While the selection of operas in the The Times, for reasons known only dolls’ house, and every word could they came would be highly enjoy- collection is a little on the eccentric to its editors, chooses Don Pasquale be understood and their meanings able, but in the spirit of practicality side, those that have been included as one of their arts events not miss clearly conveyed by the cast. Unjust why not see it all at once? have received a very good treat- one Sunday, then runs a review accusations were also levelled at Secondly, there is a lovely little ment. So, for anyone thinking about PAOLA SMITH berating everything about the per- the singers portraying Norina and exhibition in the Sackler Wing of going to the opera for the first time, formance, and then the next week Ernesto. Making her debut at the the Royal Academy of the work of or, I think more usefully, for some- ARTS EDITOR is once again full of praise for the House, Tatiana Lisnic was most def- the British artist William Nicholson, one who is trying to convince some- opera. initely up to the standards expected a review of which will appear next one to go, this particular treatment A few words on some other arts- Fortunately, I had booked tickets to by the patrons and, quite frankly, week. You will probably recognise may have more success in generat- related topics before I declare that see for myself (it was a tough choice; Juan Diego Florez, a Peruvian tenor, his print of Queen Victoria and some ing interest than a copy of Kobbé’s. I’ve said what I’m going to say this see some amusing Donizetti or some has one of the most beautiful voices of those from his series of the alpha- The colourful pictures are some- week. I’ll start off with opera, and go tragic Puccini with Gheorghiu). I around – he may not have the power bet, but his work is not restricted to what more enticing than the very via a couple of exhibitions to a novel found the performance to be thor- of some of his fellow tenors but this medium – a number of paint- detailed but slightly dry information treatment of opera. oughly enjoyable and very funny. his voice carried perfectly well and ings are also featured. If you don’t contained in this rather heavy tome, The Royal Opera recently did a run The highly unfavourable review technically he was very strong. fancy seeing something quite as (though I do recommend Kobbé for of performances of Donizetti’s opera had said that there was absolutely Two exhibitions are about to close ‘mainstream’ as the Raphael, the later use, as almost everything is buffa, a comedy, Don Pasquale, nothing amusing about the Royal here in town, and should you get Nicholson is rather interesting. covered there). Felix 16 www.felixonline.co.uk Thursday 6 January 2005

[email protected] Film Film listings: see Carrey steals the show again What’s On, page 12 Snicket’s excellent fantasy moves seamlessly from page to screen

Lemony Snicket’s A Series youngest of the three, likes to bite things. Of Unfortunate Events The children are now the Director: Brad Silberling Baudelaire orphans, after a mysteri- Starring: Jim Carrey, Meryl Streep, ous fire killing their parents, mean- Jude Law, Emily Browning, Liam ing that Violet will inherit a huge Aiken fortune on her eighteenth birthday. Length: 104 minutes The orphans are sent to their uncle, Certificate: PG Count Olaf (Jim Carrey), who is only HHHHH after them for their huge inherit- ance and will do anything to get it. It It seems everyone wants to make is up to the children to stop him. a film from a kid’s book these days, The director, Brad Siberling, made and why not? They are often the an excellent adaptation of the book, best, and Lemony Snicket’s A Series Of Unfortunate Events is no excep- “Each scene is full tion. One of Lemony Snicket’s famous of fantasy and books has come to life thanks to Jude Law. He plays the author him- imagination” self, reading the story in the most mystical voice, providing all the producing a film with magnificent enchantment and magic the film scenes and an otherworldly feel. needs. The film occasionally cuts Each setting is beautifully twisted out to Lemony Snicket’s shadow as from one of the pages of the book. he tells the terrible tales. Each scene is full of fantasy and Snicket sets the scene with: “This imagination. All the characters are is not a happy film. If you wish to cast perfectly. Jim Carrey (centre) as Count Olaf in Lemony Snicket’s A Series of Unfortunate Events watch a film about a happy little elf Another example of the great then you still have time to leave the adaptation from book to film is that This brings me on to Jim Carrey. Violet and Klaus portray the chil- story – everything is not always cinema.” I was excited – this wasn’t in the books baby Sunny’s quarks He overshadows everyone else in dren in the most mature way, really happy and rosy in Lemony Snicket’s going to be the usual type of movie. and ga-gas are given as translations, the film, yet again stealing all the suiting the parts they are playing. A Series Of Unfortunate Events, as The Baudelaire children are but in the films they are subtitled best lines and every good scene. It Just like all good fantasy films, there the title tells you. exceptional. Violet Baudelaire and provide many laughs. This was would not have been the same film are quirky and unusual characters There are a lot of unfinished end- (Emily Browning) is an inventor. the first time I had ever laughed at a without him – no one else was up everywhere that will keep you enter- ings, which can leave you slightly Klaus Baudelaire (Liam Allen) toddler in a film for their humorous to the standard to play the intense, tained. Uncle Monty (Billy Connolly) agitated. However, this is a family reads books, millions of books, and lines, even though the youngster in overpowering Count Olaf, who is and Aunt Josephine (Meryl Streep) film that will introduce a lot of peo- remembers the contents of every Look Who’s Talking did come very brought to life in a powerful and pas- are two such characters. ple to the books. A good fantasy film single one. Sunny Baudelaire, the close. sionate way. This is not your traditional kids’ for all. Melissa Parkinson More flying ninja warriors Zhang’s new release is breathtakingly beautiful but has its flaws

House Of Flying Daggers Many movies have combined a love linear approach to storytelling. story with martial arts action, but Zhang has proven that he is a mas- Director: Zhang Yimou the love story has to be compelling ter at turning celluloid into canvas. Starring: Zhang Ziyi, Takeshi to work well, and this one doesn’t Coupled with sparse dialogue and Kaneshiro, Andy Lau really take off until the movie is straightforward narratives, his films Length: 119 minutes almost over. Even with all the grav- are comprised of frame after frame of Certificate: 15 ity-defying leaps and the charac- breathtaking beauty. Unfortunately, HHHHI ters’ superhuman abilities, the most he succeeds in neglecting a crucial unbelievable element in Zhang’s film point of character development, one Zhang Yimou’s House of Flying is the love story. In spite of that, it’s that cannot be compensated for by Daggers takes place during the still a movie worth seeing. fast-paced fight scenes or gorgeous decline of the Tang Dynasty in 859AD The movie places a lot of emphasis swirling snow. and follows captains Leo (Andy Lau) on style and it is certainly gorgeous, The most notable missing element and Jin (Takeshi Kaneshiro) on their especially Mei’s dance at the begin- from the crew of Hero is cinema- mission to bring down one of the tographer Christopher Doyle, who most prolific rebel groups in China, “A marvellous and brought so much to the look and the House of Flying Daggers, who, feel of Hero. Without him, the action like Robin Hood, steal from the rich beautiful film...” scenes are filmed with far less style “There are plenty of action set-pieces involving flying ninja warriors...” to give to the poor. and flair, and the colour palette Jin and Mei (Ziyi Zhang), a ning. Other highlights are the Echo seems more muted, sticking to the and landscapes. All are sublime. It’s an impressive undertaking, to woman from the House of Flying Game, in which Mei stands within earthier greens, yellows and browns The fights are amazing ballets, combine music and dance, sumptu- Daggers, disguise themselves in a circle of upright drums which she found in nature. There are plenty but what was breathtaking in The ous visual design and violent action order to seduce each other in mutu- has to strike with the exceptionally of action set-pieces involving flying Matrix and Crouching Tiger, Hidden – reason enough to see it on the big ally opposed attempts at infiltration, long sleeves of her robe in the same ninja warriors and, of course, some Dragon is getting old. If your heroes screen, as it just won’t be the same entrapment and ambush. Both plans order as they’re struck by pebbles. I serious dagger-tossing, but the focus can literally do anything, it tends to on your television – but the material work, but Jin and Mei also fall in love know it doesn’t sound like much, but on Jin and Mei makes it feel quite suck the tension out of their confron- is kitsch. with each other, which screws eve- trust me, it’s the film’s most memo- drawn out. tations. It also leads to unintentional On its own, House is a marvel- rything up. We never find out what rable moment. Don’t get me wrong, House is a laughs, as in the bizarre case of lous and beautiful film, but follow- the political outcome is; the movie This is only Zhang’s second wuxia gorgeous film, almost as striking as a character that won’t stay dead, ing on the heels of Hero and even concentrates on the complications film. Once again, he uses a minimal Hero. Avoid getting too distracted which in my opinion really ruined Crouching Tiger, something is lost. between Jin and Mei, as well as cast of characters, but those that trying to keep track of the charac- the film by turning it into a comedy. Instead of being another truly great Mei’s other love interest Leo, also a found Hero’s narrative somewhat ters’ changing agendas, and enjoy How many death scenes is one per- film from Zhang, it’s simply a very double agent. confusing will appreciate his more the production design, costumes son allowed, anyway? good one. Haj Alttahir Friday 7 January, 8am-2am (Bar closes at 1am)

Something for the ladies...

An evening to raise money for Breast Cancer Awareness

Ann Summers Party (sorry no boys!) Lingerie fashion parade Auction of Imperial’s most eligible bachelors Blind Date

dBs from 7pm on Thursday January 20th

Tickets (include raffle entry): £3.50 on door £3 in advance

Contact: [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Felix 18 www.felixonline.co.uk Thursday 6 January 2005

Coffee Break [email protected] We overdid the NYE celebrations a bit last week, so it’s just a mini Coffee Break FUCWIT LEAGUE edition this time. Normal service will be resumed next week Top Exam Tips 2004-5 1. You Booze, you lose. Answers Tempting as it is to mask out Smith & Wesson 170 points the pain of the coming exams with Issue 1308 Issue 1309 a bit of the amber nectar, it’s not Management Slackers 127 points going to make you any smarter. Man vs. Beast Good Year / Bad Year 10. Winter Wonderland However, your answers will be Team Willy J 93 points Everybody seemed to put the Blue This was nice and easy. Abi Titmuss 11. Lonely This Christmas hilarious, and you might have a Whale as the biggest here, and they was a nurse last year, George W 12. White Christmas chance with that foxy lab assistant Araldite Sniffers 91 points were all wrong. It’s a big boy, but for did Coke at Camp David, Micheal 13. Fairytale Of New York with the short skirt. its size, it’s nothing special. Jackson’s monkey is called Bubbles, 14. Santa Claus Is Coming To The Illegitimate Bionic Progeny of 1. Elephant and Rebecca Loos wanked off a Town 2. Revise in advance Jeremy Beadle 69 points 2. Horse pig. 16. Auld Lang Syne People who only start revising 3. Hippo 17. Little Drummer Boy while catching the bus to College Schoolboy Error 59 points 4. Dog SMUXLQ 18. Ding Dong Merrily On High will never pass anything. Instead 5. Cat I thought you’d all struggle with this, 19. I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa we recommend you start early, Team Robin 52 points 6. Pig but you all seem to know your stuff. Claus sometime around 1997, if you want 7. Blue Whale Or your cheesy christmas songs at 20. Mistletoe And Wine to be fully prepared. Team Bulwer 42 points 8. Man least... 21. Wonderful Christmastime 9. Chimp 1. Let It Snow 22. Merry Christmas Everyone 3. After the exam Oliver Carson 29 points 2. I Wish It Could Be Christmas 23. Santa Baby Afterwards it’s almost certain Hollywood’s Finest Everyday 24. Deck The Halls that everybody will say the same The Schist ones 21 points Much better here, everyone did very 3. Last Christmas 25. Sleigh Ride “It was really hard, I only wrote well, so congratulations all round. 4. Frosty The Snowman 26. Jingle Bell Rock half a line” stuff, therefore appear- KPN2 11 points 1. Jennifer Aniston 5. Silent Night 27. Do They Know It’s Christmas? ing modest and cool. Don’t be like 2. Brad Pitt 6. It’s Begin To Look A Lot Like 28. Jingle Bells them, remember, you’re Imperial, Natasha Kundi 10 points 3. Catherine Zeta-Jones Christmas 29. We Wish You A Merry you’re better! Smug self-satisfac- 4. Eminem 7. Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas tion is the way ahead. Laugh at 5. Kirsten Dunst Christmas 30. Mary’s Boy Child them, poke them, and remind eve- Send in your entries to 6. Sarah Michelle Gellar 8. Merry Christmas Everybody 31. Happy Christmas (War Is ryone just how clever you are. [email protected] 7. Sigourney Weaver 9. Rudolph The Red Nosed Over) 8. Britney Spears Reindeer

Felix Crossword 1310 by Fishface

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Across Down 1. Blasphemy converted, cries one 1. Most depressed initially, seven 8 leg! (9) plus 15’s opening (7) 8. Transaction, we hear, or 2. Separate informal goodbye, 9 seaman (6) posh bloke! (3,3) Happy new year! And welcome to 9. Discover one Victory in Europe, 3. Bring upon oneself ruin, 100 the first cryptic crossword of 2005. 10 policeman! (9) ruined (5) It’s a fairly simple offering com- 10. Thin northern headless 4. Submit peculiar one in veg (4,2) pared to our usual puzzles, so I 11 12 marrow (6) 5. Excavate 1000 after beginning of expect lots and lots of you to send 11. Royal Academy offer is parable model (8) your answers to coffee.felix@ic. 13 14 fanatical (5) 6. Blazed seventies trouser style ac.uk or bring them to our office. 13. Secure lockable container (4) (6) You see, for each time you give us 14 15 14. Sealer modified breeding 7. Book about western queen, head a correct solution, your name will without example (6) of Yorkshire drinks be placed into our prize draw at the 17 15 16 17 15. The organization adapted his factory (7) end of the year. Last time around, best lament (13) 12. Middle Eastern citizen, for we gave away such lovely items 20. Times of darkness are chess example, living in Ankara as digital radios and USB storage 18 17 18 19 pieces, I hear (6) bungalow (4) devices. 23. Elaborate ruse operator (4) 16. Skill, one without French crafts- Well done to all those who com- 20 21 22 23 24 25. Thrills boots (5) men (8) pleted Snufkin’s giant crossword in 27. Fat lubricant (6) 17. Thaw kebab containing bird (4) our Christmas issue. Fishface 24 25 26 28. Weird, ‘cos tables are barriers! 18. Cuddle broken leg guns (7) (9) 19. Stimulated one soured bitterly Issue 1309 solution 27 29. Fifty innings without two points (7) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 inside of garment (6) 21. Colours sneer gracefully, P L A Y D O U G H P S E U D O N Y M 28 E L E R I R L E O I 30. Doctored sud sender took its initially upturned (6) 11 12 P R I N C E O F P E A C E C O R I N clothes off! (9) 22 Good French pursues big back- P B O P P N G L W C 29 13 14 ward ape (6) E M I G R E S O R C H I D A C E A E 24. 100 seals damaged the R A I P E A I G P 15 16 17 30 weighing instruments (6) P O C A T E L L O D E C E M V I R I O H I U T A A E 18 19 20 21 26. Reptile sneaks shrewdly, minus T E R R O R S A T A L L E V E N T S a second (5) I N M U E W 22 23 24 25 J E S U S C H R I S T H E N C O O P The Giant Crossword winner is Joe Walding, Physics IV E T I O E N O S 26 27 28 29 R U M B U T T E R G R A N D A D D Y Send your answers to [email protected] or bring this page down to the Felix office in U A L C U R D I C 30 31 32 the West Wing of Beit Quad. Each week, we’ll choose a winner and print their name, thus S U S Q U E H A N N A P H A R A O H A T L H R P I G R O 33 34 providing them with almost unlimited kudos and self-satisfaction. Everyone who provides L A R V A I R I S H T E R R I E R S us with a correct solution will get an entry into our prize draw at the end of the year E E T K O E C A T I 35 36 M T E V E R E S T D R E A M L E S S

Crossword writers required Think you can do better than Snufkin, Jabberwock, Fishface or Cactus? We need people to write cryptic and quick crosswords. If you're interested, email [email protected] Felix Thursday 6 January 2005 www.felixonline.co.uk 19

SPORT [email protected] Wye triumph in Imperial head-to-head

RUGBY girls were not going to be were outweighed and out- so far! back line was no match for nitely a brilliant team effort, defeated without a fight. sized, however the Wye pack Hetts played superb the slower, less powerful certainly one to be proud of. Imperial Women’s 1st 10 Aggression and team spirit still managed to stand their rugby throughout the entire Virgins. Wye left a lasting impres- Wye Women’s 1st 20 were soaring, and they own ground and turn over a match, deservedly scoring Em had a cracking match, sion on the Virgins, literally! needed to be, facing the big few scrums. a try. The frightening tack- side-stepping her way down This was Wye’s first league By Suzanne Horn Virgin forwards. The incredible lineouts ling and mauling strength of the pitch to score two great away win, and with a per- The Wye girls were not were not quite up to their the flanker, Pike, earned her tries. Lil and Death also have formance like that, it will ulti- This was the match Wye had afraid by the Virgins’ Martin usual standard. In spite of Wye’s player of the match to be mentioned for their fear- mately not be the last. been waiting for: an Imperial Johnson quotes. Definitely this, the pack redeemed award. less tackling. Kipling scored Wye face Kings in the next College head-to-head. ‘all talk and no action’, as themselves with their awe- The backs, as a whole, had a blinding try, set up from a match in the league. Let’s With two consecutive wins Wye’s tackling was in a dif- some rucking and mauling. an amazing game. The sheer driving maul powered by the hope they won’t take away under their belts, the Wye ferent league. Our forwards By far the best of the season, speed and athleticism of the whole pack. This try was defi- our crown.

SEND US YOUR SPORTS REPORTS

If you’ve played a match, been on tour or entered a VOLUNTEERS NEEDED! competition, why not write about it for Felix? Send your reports to Why not get active in the community whilst you’re at Imperial [email protected]. If you can include a good College London? It doesn’t matter if you work or study in quality photograph, you will get a bigger article Imperial – volunteering will have always something to offer and it might even appear on the back page. you! We have over 250 volunteering opportunities in our Please tell us who has written the article database, so there should be a project for you.

The easiest way to get regular updates about volunteering is SPORTS by signing up to our mailing list. You will receive all the latest RESULTS opportunities on a weekly basis, directly to your email inbox. WILL Simply send us an email to [email protected], RETURN SOON clearly stating that you want to receive the weekly news bulletin and we will do the rest! Most of the College sports teams have an extended Christmas break. We will continue to bring you results from Imperial College and Imperial Volunteer Centre Imperial Medicals teams as soon as they are back email phone check out volunteering in action. We expect to 020 www. Imperial Volunteer Centre @ 7594 imperial.ac.uk/ have a full results service imperial.ac.uk 8141 volunteering South Kensington campus back on these pages in Union Building two weeks’ time Beit Quadrangle East Basement Linking opportunities Prince Consort Road IN PARTNERSHIP WITH IMPERIAL COLLEGE UNION London SW7 2BB Felix 20 www.felixonline.co.uk Thursday 6 January 2005

Sport [email protected] Devils and Warwick battle on ice

ICE HOCKEY Warwick 1st 12 Imperial 1st 2

The IC Devils descended upon Lea Valley ice rink for a league game against the Warwick Panthers. There was a motley crew from Imperial, including four players who had never played a match before. The standard bunch of criminals showed up on behalf of Warwick, including a prepubescent Canadian. The match started with a bump, and before a goal was scored, the first of three fights broke out. Carlos was cow- ardly rammed from behind against the wall, and justly retaliated. The Warwick play- ers’ strength was in numbers, and two of them joined the fray against the IC Devil. However, the Devils decided that it was (a) a long way to go for a punch up, (b) Carlos didn’t need any help, and (c) Carlos didn’t deserve any help, so they stood back and watched the ramming develop until the King Sized Ref separated them with a crowbar. Carlos earned him- self five golden minutes in the penalty box for his efforts, as did the Warwick player. The game was scrappy, with the Panthers using every dirty trick in their very dirty book Imperial’s ice hockey team: probably the friendliest bunch of Devils you’ll ever meet of filthy tricks, and due to some ambiguous offside calls from Ilya at an unbelievable retaliate [and kick their heads another goal by the IC Devils anyone who played for the support us (anyone is wel- they managed to sneak in two angle pulling one back for the in]”, his honour was tarnished team, scored from point first time, goalscorers, and come) then email us at goals on the break (then they good guys. However, proving and needed to be regained. by Tom Andrews, but the especially Carlos for spend- [email protected]. We des- got a few more). that there is no fairness in The subsequent action saw Panthers did get a few more, ing more time in the penalty perately need players. Don’t This led to the valiant Devils this life, the Panthers scored a few more players involved, leaving the final score at 12-2 booth than everyone else in be intimidated by the game being 5-0 down at the end of a few more, before the next and after bashing them off, in their favour. the building combined. – it isn’t violent (unless Carlos the period. The second period fight broke out. Yingke had the referee sent Yingke off for Congratulations must go to If you are interested in plays) and you don’t even saw a great start for the his head smacked into the a well-earned rest. (wo)man of the match Ruth joining the ice hockey team, need to be able to skate. You Devils, with a blinding strike ice, and despite cries of “don’t The third period lead to C, the ‘keeper, and also to or just want to come and want proof? We can’t...

Quick Crossword by Fishface

1 1 2 3 4 5 6 Across Down 1. Overweight yellow cartoon character 2. Small ovum (5) 7 8 (5,7) 3. Pace (6) 8. Country in South America (7) 4. Very rich or powerful person (5) 8 9 10 10. Someone doomed (slang) (5) 5. Producing sounds (7) 11. Final letter of Greek alphabet (5) 6. Childrens’ poem or song (7,5) 12. City in India (5) 7. Histrionic (12) Send your answers to 11 12 13. Races featuring several competitors on 9. Daily record (5) each team (6) 14. _____ Democrats, political party (7) [email protected] or bring 15. Inflatable boat (7) 16. Enter data (5) this page to the Felix office in 18. Knocks (5) 17. Accompany (6) the West Wing of Beit Quad 13 14 15 16 20. City in western Australia (5) 19. Half note (music) (5) 22. City in northern Italy (5) 21. Native of Rome (5) Issue 1309 solution 16 17 18 23. Ideal value (7) A B N O R M A L E L A R K 24. 1950s musical film starring Doris Day R A E L E C B A T E P U E 18 19 20 21 (8,4) M O T I F U D E S T R O Y Y I B B E E U E H P I C B N F A B R I C G I G L O O S S L P A S T R R N O E A L I L A C S G S T U P O R 22 23 A R I S R R T A A E R B D C Y C L E E H O C K E Y E 24 K N A C A L R I H Y F L U J U J I T S U U I D E A S 24 A G U I E G S M N N C A E W I N D A T H W A R T E D