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twitter.com/warwickboar theStudentboar Publication of the Year 203 Wednesday 8th June, 204 Est. 973 | Volume 36 | Issue 2

Samuel Lovett Ann Yip

A student who has been identified Fascist leader leaves Warwick as the leader of a fascist group is to withdraw from the University of Warwick. The student was identified as 19-year-old Alex Davies, a first- • Warwick fresher Alex Davies identified as fascist leader year Philosophy undergraduate, in an article published by the Sunday Mirror on June 7. Mr Davies is one of the leaders of • Students protest against fascism on campus the National Action movement, an openly anti-semitic and self-pro- claimed racist fascist group. The group disrupted a Warwick • Davies “has asked to permanently withdraw from the Anti-Sexism protest earlier this year and had been putting up post- ers around campus. University” According to the Mirror, Mr Davies was “fiercely” protective of his identity, but after an investi- gation which involved a reporter posing as an anti-Semitic student interested in joining the group, the newspaper found that Mr Davies’ emails were sent from a server at Warwick University. Davies told the Mirror: “I don’t want to say what I’d like to do to Jews – it’s too extreme.” Davies joined Young BNP (Brit- ish National Party) at 1 but found it in “disarray”. As a result, he de- cided to form the National Action group. The University has been active- ly examining allegations about the activity of the Warwick fresher which, if true, would be in breach of the University’s dignity at work and study policy. On June 12, Peter Dunn, spokes- person for the University, told the Boar: “The student has confirmed that the substance of the allegations is true and he has asked to perma- nently withdraw from the Univer- sity with immediate effect, and his withdrawal is now being actioned.” Warwick Anti-Racism Society (WARSoc) held a protest against the presence of the National Action group on Thursday 12 June outside Senate House. There was an esti- mated 150 people at the demonstra- tion. WARSoc told the Boar: “Differ- ent students will feel differently about the effects of a fascist group on campus. But it’s not okay to go around sticking up posters and us- ing campus to hold the movement. “We want to make sure campus remains a safe place.” The Boar has approached Mr Davies, but he was not available to comment. Continued on page 2 » Students protest against fascism photo: Warwick Anti-Racism Society

Sponsored by: 2 News theboar.org/News | @BoarNews | NEWStheboar.org 2 National Action leader drops out of Warwick University Continued from front page of an organised fascist group… and are in daily dialogue with them According to the Mirror, Davies “UCU Warwick would like to over this matter. claimed that he was ready to go to affirm that there is no place for fas- “While we appreciate the un- What did Warwick students think? jail for his beliefs, saying: “If we can cists at this or any other university. ease created by this situation, we stay out of prison we will. But you “We call on University manage- trust that the student body under- “I was pretty shocked, he (Alex “It’s disgusting. It’s a threat to stu- have to consider race-hate laws. ment to publicly state what meas- stands that we are not in a position Davies) lives in the flat above us. dents of any minority background They’re quite ambiguous, so it is ures it plans to take to protect the to disclose or discuss any specifics I couldn’t believe it when I found and has no place here. It doesn’t possible some of us would go to safety and freedom of all BME relating to an individual student or out.” make the university a safe place.” prison. But we’re prepared for that.” (black and ethnic minority), LG- students. He said: “We’re targeting univer- BTQ and Jewish students and staff “Student safety is of the utmost Ella Hattey, fi rst-year Jamie Sims, second-year sities regularly. That’s something on campus, in the face of explic- concern for both the Student Un- Sociology Philsophy, Politics and the BNP never had. We’ve built it threats by the National Action ion and the University, and we are Economics something in a few months the group that intends to ‘exterminate’ doing all that would be expected to BNP didn’t have in 20 years.” Jewish and ‘non-white’ people in ensure the safety of all of our mem- “I’m completely disgusted, this is He also told the Mirror: “I’m not the UK.” bers.” the twenty-first century. “I believe it’s giving the university concerned what your readers think Warwick Students’ Union issued The national newspaper also a bad name. It’s not something I about me. All you should know is a statement saying: “Warwick SU unveiled Benjamin Raymond, Es- “The scary thing is that I know want to be associated with.” that we aren’t going to stop.” stands firmly opposed to any form sex University graduate, as a leader people who, as ethnic minorities, The University College Union of racism, sexism, homophobia, of National Action. Mr Raymond have interacted with him. He’s put Finny Quigly, fi rst-year Maths (UCU) passed a motion on June 11. transphobia, ableism or similar dis- claims to “love Hitler” and believes on a facade when really he’s had and Economics It stated that the “UCU supports the criminatory behaviour. that non-whites and Jews in Britain these views all along.” anti-fascist demonstration organ- “We have conveyed our views in need to be exterminated. ised by Warwick Anti-Racism soci- our position as student represent- The group has an estimated Eloise Millard, fi rst-year “It was very surprising how Davies ety in protest against the presence atives strongly to the University, membership of 0 nationwide. English Literature was trying to recruit people and how violent and anti-Semitic he was. I don’t want to say there is no “I don’t think there is much of a risk but we have to face them as risk of this affecting us. It’s a very they appear... [on the other hand] international and multi-cultural We can’t be hysterical.” university. Mark Best, second-year Maths “However, if nothing is done, it could become a risk. I could see it appealing to some people, not “It runs the danger of spoiling the necessarily in the university, but atmosphere at Warwick. There is in its surrounding where they’ve talk of anti-Semitism and physical been holding recruitment drives.” violence which is scary.” Artin Giles, fi rst-year History Kate Orlandi, fi rst-year » Warwick students protest against National Action on campus. Photo: Samuel Lovett and Politics English and French theboar Editorial Team

Editor Rebecca Myers [email protected] NEWS Ann Yip FILM Paulina Dregvaite Deputy Editors Raghav Bali [email protected] Tom Lewis [email protected] Ellie Gill [email protected] Daniel Cope Euan Long Sian Elvin Samuel Lovett GAMES Gabriella Watt April Roach [email protected] Joe Baker Sub-editors Samantha Hopps [email protected] Clare Crossfield COMMENT Hiran Adhia MUSIC Sam Evans Rachel Knight [email protected] Nadeine Asbali [email protected] Jacob Mier Jack Simpson Director of Business Alessandro Presa SCIENCE & TECH Cayo Sobral [email protected] FEATURES Rami Abusamra [email protected] [email protected] Desi Ekzarova Head of Sales Pamela Rajadurai Bethan Riddell TV Laura Primiceri [email protected] [email protected] Chiara Milford LIFESTYLE Bethan McGrath Joshua Murray Head of Marketing Kate Mant [email protected] Scott Harris [email protected] Ailsa MacLachlan TRAVEL Samantha Hopps [email protected] ARTS Josh Payne Photography Editor Giulia Zecchini [email protected] Julia Dorrington SPORT Luke Brown [email protected] [email protected] Chloe Wynne BOOKS Emily Nabney Head of Logistics & Distribution Derin Odueyungbo [email protected] Lucy Skoulding [email protected]

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Warwick5566_011_DB_Banner_265x36_B.indd 1 Labour and Anti-Racism society in dispute24/10/2012 17:23 April Roach statement containing our disap- for both incidents was “coerced” The executive member claimed state that Warwick Labour did not Ann Yip pointment that Labour would ‘apol- and unapologetic for “attempting that Warwick Labour were asking taken any action at the Question ogise’ with apologism for racism. to justify those ‘racist terms’”. for an apology from WARSoc and Time event this year: “There was There has been a dispute be- “Warwick Labour then reported A former executive member of that their allegations “have been no action taken at the time, no one tween Warwick Labour and Anti-Racism Society to the SU and Warwick Labour spoke to the Boar, proven false and defamatory”. stepped in, no one condemned the Warwick Anti-Racism socie- claimed that we were being libel- and claimed that the offensive com- He also said that “a number of sentiments there and then.” ty (WARSoc) concerning al- ous. Both societies are now cur- ments were made by a former War- people on a national level have got A meeting between Warwick La- leged offensive comments made rently under investigation.” wick Labour member running to in touch with former exec members bour and WARSoc was held in the by Warwick Labour members. WARSoc posted on May 27 be an executive, and that they were and have been vitriolic and aggres- first week of June. The dispute began when WAR- claiming that a Warwick Labour ex- made during a regular group chat sive, and the record needs to be cor- The dispute remains ongoing Soc recently refused to host a joint ecutive member who made offen- meeting at the Terrace Bar. rected.” as the societies struggled to find a event for Black History Month sive comments towards the Muslim On June , WARSoc issued an solution. with Warwick Labour. The refus- community in 2012 received no dis- “There was no action taken amended statement which stat- The Students’ Union comment- al was made on account of com- ciplinary action by the society. at the time, no one stepped ed that their earlier statement was ed: “We are working with all parties ments made by current and for- The statement continued to con- in, no one condemned the factually wrong with regards to the to resolve this issue satisfactorily, mer Warwick Labour members. demn a Warwick Labour panellist sentiments there and then.” lack of disciplinary action taken by and last week we facilitated a con- WARSoc stated: “WARSoc re- at LGBT Question Time for mak- WARSoc Warwick Labour in 2012. fidential discussion between the quested an apology... in order ing racially offensive comments It stated: “Due to these differing societies chaired by an impartial to feel comfortable about work- earlier this year. It claimed that the accounts of action that was taken third-party. ing with [Warwick Labour]. panelist used the term ‘coloured He also said that he believed no and Warwick Labour’s failure to “Following this, we will be work- “They were incredibly hes- people’, was nonchalant about say- one in the current WARSoc socie- clarify what happened… we were ing closely with both societies over itant to [make an apology]. ing ‘I’m not about to say something ty was actually present at the group led to believe that no action was the coming weeks to try and reach “WARSoc told them the apol- racist...’ before being stopped before chat and therefore would not have taken.” a solution. It would, therefore, be ogy had to be satisfactory, other- he did so, and left the room laugh- witnessed the incident first-hand. WARSoc claimed that “quite a unfair for us to comment further at wise a collaboration would not be ing when a question of racism came The case was allegedly brought few” of their members gave ac- this time.” possible and that we would release up. to SU societies officer Matt Rogers counts of the 2012 incident and that Warwick Labour similarly com- a statement about the incidents. It also stated that one of their ex- and democracy and development they were told of it by a member of mented: “As this investigation is “Warwick Labour eventually put ecutive members faced “personal officer Chris Luck at the time, and Warwick Labour who was present ongoing, we feel it is not appropri- out a statement on their website character attacks and tone policing” the accused member of Warwick at the time. ate to comment in any more detail that included racism apologism, from a Warwick Labour executive Labour was allegedly removed In WARSoc’s amended state- at this time. We look forward to which was counteracted by [our] and that Warwick Labour’s apology from the society within 2 hours. ment however, they continued to seeing the outcomes.” Concerns over Halal meat on campus Samantha Hopps has been investigating the sourcing of meat at campus eating outlets they died, according to the UK slaughtered without being stunned that the SU had taken to using only been very critical without knowing Connor O’Shea Food Standards Agency. Stunning first. Halal chicken and lamb. the facts behind Halal meat. We before slaughter is considered the However, in recent years efforts A first-year Ancient History have to be careful when discussing most humane method in the Unit- have been made to improve slaugh- student stated: “I know historical- it .” Samantha Hopps, second-year ed Kingdom. ter methods and the UK now uses a ly there have been problems with She also added: “It’s also unlikely Literature student, has been in- There have been concerns stunning technique which does not Halal meat and animal welfare. The that the SU will pay extra for nor- vestigating Halal meat and the throughout the nation over the instantly kill the animal, allowing SU needs to be able to tell us as stu- mal meat. That will have to be in- slaughter ethics of meat on cam- slaughter methods of Halal meat. for the animal to still be killed in dents that it is getting meat from troduced over time.” pus. The Qur’an dictates that the ani- the Halal method. the best place possible’ Other students were less con- Ms Hopps investigated the mal must be alive at the point of While the SU Food and Bever- Saveena Mangat, first-year Eco- cerned about the provision of Ha- sourcing of meat at the Bread Oven, slaughter and each animal must ages department have yet to pro- nomics student, was concerned lal meat. First-year Engineering the Dirty Duck, and Xananas. She be slaughtered individually while a vide Ms Hopps with the full data, about the provision of Halal meat student Mekaeel Malik said that met with the Food and Beverages prayer is spoken. she said: “The Food and Beverage with regards to her religion: “We although the variety was limited, department at the Students’ Union Traditionally, this has caused Department were really willing to should have an option, why make “there is enough available”. (SU). concern for some as Halal meat was meet with me and discuss the mat- all the meat Halal? Warwick SU’s Food and Bev- Ms Hopps discovered that all of not stunned before slaughter, as is ter and were incredibly helpful. “In my religion (Sikhism) we’re erage manager highlighted that a the chicken and lamb used at SU common practice with standard “The SU should be an ethical or- not actually allowed to eat Halal move away from serving solely Ha- outlets were Halal. meat in the UK. It was also exclud- ganisation, I feel that we as mem- meat. By providing Halal meat, you lal chicken and lamb could cost the She also found that 88 percent ed from The Welfare of Animals bers should be able to hold it ac- are excluding a whole religion.” SU “tens of thousands of pounds” of chickens slaughtered for Halal (Slaughter or Killing) Regulations, countable for its policies.” A Christian first-year Politics while potentially slowing down meat in 2011 were stunned before which meant that it could legally be Some students remain concerned and International Studies student service times in outlets such as the commented: “It’s disgusting that Bread Oven. only Islamic meat is provided and SU president Ben Sundell no others. How is it acceptable for stressed: “The SU does not support me to eat blessed meat of another one group over another.” religion that is different to my own? Meanwhile, the University’s own “To effectively impose a monop- food outlets stock mainly non-Ha- oly on my choice leads me to ques- lal meat with Halal options availa- tion whether their religion (Islam) ble by request. is prioritised over my own.” Kelly Parkes-Harrison, a senior Cindy Asokan, first-year Politics press and communications man- and International Studies student ager from the University, revealed and Warwick Anti-Racism Society that 1.2 percent of total meat pur- member, commented: “The con- chased was Halal. cerns towards Halal meat can be She added: “The remaining pu- legitimate but when the discussion raw meat is Red Tractor Certificat- accidentally becomes Islamopho- ed and British sourced.” bic, that becomes a problem. The Red Tractor certification en- “People have a right to know sures that the meat is provided by what they are eating, but lately me- suppliers who comply with strict » There have been concerns over the slaughter methods of Halal meat. Photo: Jonny Hughes / Flickr dia outlets like the Daily Mail have animal welfare guidelines. 4 News theboar.org/News | @BoarNews | NEWStheboar.org 4

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5566_011_DB_Banner_265x36_B.indd 1 24/10/2012 17:23 Parents failing to finance students at university? News in brief Derin Odueyungbo sities is only provided for 10 percent “I rely on my parents on top of National Scholarships and Bursa- Tom Lewis of students, despite more students my maintenance loan, and as a ries programme offers non-repaya- needing funding thanks to the 2012 young adult you don’t want to real- ble support to students to help with Parents ‘fall short’ at supporting rise in tuition fees. ly be doing that but there isn’t much course-related costs. Bursaries of children through university. choice.” up to £,000 are offered, dependent One in every three university Solomon Bamidele, a first-year on household income. students feel that they do not re- Engineering student, commented: Jake Butler, editor of Save the ceive enough financial support £ “As students we can never really Student, commented: “The gov- from their parents, statistics from a afford to live the life we want to. ernment must increase the mainte- national survey have shown. e average amount a student Some have enough and some don’t, nance loan amounts to cover basic The National Student Mon- but thankfully I’m comfortable for living costs. ey Survey, conducted by student spends every month n ow.” “It’s a thorny issue of how much advice website Save the Student, Kiki Nartey, a first-year German parents should contribute to the shows the average student in 201 and Politics undergraduate, told the shortfall, and it entirely depends to spend £75 a month, whereas the Boar: “There is this wild assump- on individual circumstances. Ul- new learning system has typical maintenance loan covers For many students, maintenance tion that those who do not come timately I don’t believe parents been developed by a Uni- only £58. loans provided by the government from low income families have am- should have the expectation put versity of Warwick PhD stu- Almost a fifth of students ad- are not enough to cover living ex- ple savings, which they can rely on upon them. Adent, and could soon be providing mitted to relying on their parents penses. to fund their university living costs. “However with hearing daily children with easy access to mul- for financial support, with one in Miles Baker, a first-year Law and “Whilst low-income families de- horror stories of students living on ti-lingual educational materials. six having a part time job. More Business student, said: “The main- servedly receive grants and bursa- the breadline, I feel it’s still impor- The system, called M-Thuto, is the than 0 percent of students who tenance loan is barely enough for ries to support their lifestyle, why tant that parents are made more brainchild of Ms Mmaki Jantjies, took part in the survey claimed that students, and people forget that a must it be assumed that families aware of the situation their child at and works by providing children their diet had suffered due to a lack lot of us have responsibilities on top who earn more are casually able university may be in.” with multi-language educational of money. of studying which is why so many fork out large sums of money to For more information on the materials on their mobile phones. The survey also found that fi- are forced to get jobs which can im- fund their children’s student life?” survey, visit http://www.savethes- nancial support offered by univer- pact on their studying. The Warwick Undergraduate tudent.org/money. ibbet Hill Road is set to be closed from June 2 for major roadworks aimed at Universities found to Locals urge students to Grelieving traffic congestion in the area around the University. The roadworks will disrupt travel to and use ‘gagging clauses’ leave Leamington tidy from Warwick University campus, but are scheduled for completion Connor O’Shea be expected.” Samantha Hopps currently are. by the beginning of October, before Postgraduate Chemistry student He said: “While students leaving the new academic year begins. Alexander Parker, argued: “As an rubbish piled outside their houses A recent BBC Radio 4 broadcast institution that is essentially pub- Leamington residents urge stu- has been a problem in the past, ul- has revealed that most UK uni- licly funded, using money [for set- dents not to leave all of their rub- timately I think the majority of the swarm of angry bees forced versities have used non-disclosure tlements and legal expenses along- bish on the streets when they leave blame lies with the landlords. the suspension of a golf agreements (NDAs), commonly side NDAs] is quite deceptive to the for the summer holidays, accord- “They are running businesses, tournament in Coventry for referred to as ‘gagging clauses’, to public. ing to the Leamington Observer. businesses that are making lots of Aover an hour on Thursday 12 June. placate angry members of staff. “I would rather see the money Warwick District Council are money, and they can afford an ex- A number of players and officials The broadcast stated that the used on facilities and services to sending out ‘moving out packs’ to ternal agency to get rid of the rub- suffered stings as they retreated University of Warwick, alongside improve the student experience.” around 500 student residences in bish themselves.” from the twelfth tee of the PGA most other British institutions, had Peter Dunn, head of communica- the area telling them of the differ- He added: “I think landlords Powerade Assistants’ Champion- used an NDA to restrict what a tions at the University, urged: “The ent ways that their rubbish can be should have a greater, more positive ship at Coventry Golf Club in Fin- member of staff could say following University does not, and would not, disposed of. and more active role in the disposal ham. an employment dispute. employ such agreements in relation Warwick Students’ Union is of waste when students leave.” Typically a NDA prohibits the to any matter that would be deemed running a campaign on its website Alice Dodden, second-year involved party from discussing the to be in the public interest.” called ‘Leave Leam Tidy’, which French and History student, com- team of researchers from matter apart from with close family Mr Dunn added: “Many large also outlines the ways in which stu- mented: “We don’t have a lot of the universities of Warwick, and legal advisers. organisations, including ourselves, dents can get rid of their rubbish. rubbish in our house as we’ve been Leicester, Aston and the Moreover, such agreements gen- find these agreements of value and It includes a moving out guide throwing things out all year. AOpen University are soon to start a erally prevent disgruntled employ- will continue to use them where which offers information on what “I understand why the council research project to look at the often ees from publicly criticising the and when appropriate.” to do with bulky items, with sug- are urging students to get rid of “unstable and fragmented” experi- university. While Warwick has employed gestions to take as much as possible their rubbish, because there will ences of young people as they begin According to statistics from Ac- the use of NDAs as part of four staff to charity shops. undoubtedly be a massive influx of their careers. The researchers pre- ademic Freedom of Information employment disputes, other high The guide also suggests how to rubbish in the next fortnight, espe- dict that unpaid work could soon (FOI) requests, the University of ranking institutions have also used get deposits back and what to check cially with all of the cans and bot- become the norm for all young Warwick has been involved in 12 the ‘gagging clauses’ to a far greater before leaving the house. tles from post-exam drinking. people trying to enter the job mar- employment disputes over the past extent. In areas with the highest student “It’s something they need to deal ket. three years. In the past three years both the population around Clemens Street with as a town council – they’re The University ended four of universities of Manchester and Bir- and George Street, there will be five here to deal with the needs of the these disputes prior to a full hear- mingham have resolved over 20 extra textile and bric-a-brac collec- people in the town.” arwick Crop Centre has ing by offering a settlement which employment disputes with settle- tions. Another student who lives in been awarded a five year included a NDA. ments which include a NDA, ac- A spokesperson for the council Leamington said: “To be honest, contract from the De- A FOI request has revealed that cording to FOI requests. remarked: “We are encouraging we’ve been fairly lazy with recycling Wpartment for the Environment, the University has paid out £27,750 residents to dispose of their house- all year. If there’s an overflowing re- Food and Rural Affairs to continue as settlements across these four cas- hold waste using their usual door- cycling box and an empty rubbish to host the UK Vegetable Genebank es. step services and as such we are not bin, then we’ll chuck recyclables in at the University’s Wellesbourne In addition to this, the Universi- organising or promoting any addi- the bin. Campus. The Genebank is an in- ty has spent a total of £215,9 on tional collections of non-recyclable “I’m fairly sure 99 percent of ternationally significant collection legal expenses relating to these pay- waste this year.” students are smart enough to work of almost 1,000 seed samples from ment disputes. A resident of Tachbrook Road out how to throw their rubbish out different vegetable crops including Cherise Hume, a first-year Bio- told the Boar that he thought land- - the majority of these leaflets will carrot, onion, lettuce, cauliflower, medical Sciences student, stated: lords should be taking more re- probably end up, ironically, being cabbage and broccoli, and closely “It’s disgraceful to be honest, but to » Photo: Warwick Media Library sponsibility for the issue than they thrown straight into the bin!” related wild species. 4 News theboar.org/News | @BoarNews | NEWStheboar.org 5

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5566_011_DB_Banner_265x36_B.indd 1 24/10/2012 17:23 Students dissatisfi ed with teaching A third of graduates standards in higher education secure employment 24.3 percent of Warwick students were dissatisfi ed tween £1,000 and £21,999. Euan Long The research also covered oth- er aspects of university. 71 per- cent of recent graduates and A third of recent graduates 79 percent of current finalists have found full-time employ- said that university enhanced ment and 57 percent earn under their chances of employment. £16,000, according to a national Furthermore,  percent of report published by Endsleigh. graduates said that universi- Students who graduated from ty had set them up for the wider Warwick in 201 are above the world and 79 percent said that national average in both grad- university had helped them to uate employment and gradu- build their self-confidence in ate salaries, according to sep- meeting people and socialising. arate research carried out by Practically, 55 percent said that Warwick Student Careers & Skills. the experience had taught them 80 percent of Warwick under- how to manage their own mon- graduates went into graduate-lev- ey and 7 percent said that it el employment or further study. helped to widen their interests in Of those in further study (28.5 the world outside of university. percent), 5.9 percent were do- Katie Gorman, a 201 University ing a taught course at a higher of Warwick graduate in Classical education institution and 1. Civilisation who went travelling percent were aiming for a post- soon after graduating, comment- » A fifth of students described teaching standards as “poor” photo: teddy-rised / Flickr graduate diploma or certificate. ed: “I figured a good degree from The average Warwick under- Warwick would stand me in good Samuel Lovett classes. In comparison to the sup- satisfied with my course’s teaching graduate salary was £2,000, with stead for getting a job but I’ve port offered by other universities, standards. employers including Deloitte, NHS, mostly found people don’t care, Warwick University fared relatively “Obviously there are some lec- Teach First and Jaguar Land Rover. they want experience, not a degree! A recent nationwide survey has well. tures which can be disappointing Nationally,  percent of re- “I think travel has giv- found that a fifth (19.6 per cent) The survey found that at Cam- but in general I’m happy with what cent graduates have found full- en me more to put on my CV of students described the teaching bridge University, 0 per cent of is on offer.” time employment within 12 than my university career did.” standards at their universities as students felt that they weren’t pro- In contrast, Raveena Kaur, a months of graduating. 8 percent Gabriella Fryman, a 201 MORSE “poor”. vided with sufficient support to first-year Politics student, stated: of those said that their current graduate at Warwick, told the Boar: The survey, undertaken by the help them with their studies and “Whilst there are no doubt some wage is lower than they would “I felt that when I started university Student Hut, asked more than stress. good lectures, it is always so hit- have expected before graduating. that my life would just fall into place. ,00 students in its user-base to Dan Lever, founder of Student and-miss, there is no consistency 59 percent of current final- “I went straight from sixth rate, review and score their univer- Hut, remarked: “Students need ac- to the teaching standards on my ists said that they expected to be form into university and ful- sity course modules. cess to more information before course.” in full-time employment with- ly expected to go straight into Alongside “poor teaching stand- they make decisions about univer- She added: “I think it is bad how in 12 months of graduation. This a job. I overlooked the fact that ards”, a fifth (20.8 per cent) of stu- sity. the lecturers are always striking - it is nearly twice the number of many people have degrees. dents also complained about the “If they feel that experiences are puts our education at risk.” recent graduates who actually “A degree isn’t lack of support offered outside of not living up to expectations...then Mr Lever hopes to develop Stu- managed to secure employment. enough for employers.” lectures and seminars. we are not doing enough to help dent Hut as a university equiva- The research found that Lon- The Endsleigh report was based 2. percent of students surveyed them.” lent to “Trip Advisor”. He believes don-based graduates earn the on national data from the NUS at Warwick were disappointed with When asked about the Uni- that the “pooling of information most, with 8 percent earning Services Research Department. the University’s teaching standards. versity’s teaching standards, Will highlights problems areas, so that £1,000 or more, compared to the The survey follows the news Only 17.1 percent believed that Harvey, a first-year Mechanical universities can take measures to national average of 8 percent. that named the University of there was not enough support out- Engineering undergraduate, com- improve the quality of the course Approximately 21 percent Warwick as the most target- side of their lectures and seminar mented: “As a whole I am pretty modules that they offer.” said that their salary was be- ed university by top employers. 3-D printed gun a “catastrophic failure” Tom Lewis The tests were broadcast by the The problems the firearm suf- BBC and drew the conclusion that fered included the barrel breaking the -D printed weapon is more of apart, with fragments of the pis- Tests conducted by the Univer- a danger to the shooter than the in- tol found subsequently embed- sity of Warwick have resulted tended target. ded in the roof of the firing range. in a 3-D printed gun being la- Further tests will be conducted belled a “catastrophic failure.” by Warwick researchers to under- The gun, named the Libera- stand the causes of these failures. tor by its American developers Head of NABIS, Detective Chief was tested by Warwick School of Superintendent Iain O’Brien, re- Engineering’s Dr Simon Leigh. marked: “There is a curiosity fac- Dr Leigh was working in collab- tor with D printers and those oration with the West Midlands Po- interested in playing around lice’s National Ballistics Intelligence with the technology may not re- Service (NABIS) department. alise the danger they are facing. Speaking to the Independent “Producing a firearm in this Dr Leigh commented that dur- way is illegal and could cause inju- ing the tests the gun: “Ranged ry to the person holding the gun.” from small failure to com- plete catastrophic failure.” » Photo: Wikimedia Commons » Photo: Jens Schott Knudsen / Flickr 8 Sponsored by: theboar.org 6 Editor: Hiran Adhia [email protected] Twitter @BoarComment COMMENT fb.com/groups/BoarComment STUDENT SOAPBOX Daniel Mountain theboar “A retread on retard” Retard” has to be one of the most commonly used adjec- Editors’ Letters tives. Your mate who forgot his “ID even though you were going to a student night? What a retard. The following 15+ vodbulls no doubt got you absolutely retarded. I’m sure that the terrible coffee you bought after for your hangover was “Billiards: a “Debate is not also priced retardedly high. Over the course of an afternoon in the library, I counted one person blokes’ game?” optional” use the word more than 20 times. I held my tongue because I didn’t want to be the super-liberal thought police. I wish I had said something. I think we need to start calling peo- Ann Yip Hiran Adhia ple out on this stuff more. News Editor Comment Editor Trust me, I get that language is a fluid thing. I know that using hy on earth is billiards My most upsetting experience of I became Comment Editor to I imagine that this will not sit “retard” as a pejorative isn’t delib- considered a lads’ or gender discrimination was when I promote opinion, and specifi cally, well with all of you. Some things erately insulting the intellectually blokes’ game? And why was (gently) excluded from sever- student opinion. Over the past year, are just ‘wrong’ – but we all need disabled. And while it should be Wdo men feel the constant need to al pool games by my guy friends it has been my pleasure and privi- to learn to be a bit more educated obvious that this association be- uphold or protect the ‘laddish’ no- as a girl. The logic was that a girl lege to see the growth of this sec- about the opinions that don’t match tween intellectual disability and all tion of billiards sports? would drain the fun out of a lads’ tion, with some stunning articles our own and learn to deal with dis- that is terrible and disappointing Every time I walk into a pool game; if a guy were beaten by a girl, being written about very controver- crimination in a cleverer way than is horrible, I’m not going to go at hall, I cannot help but notice a that would be embarrassing, and sial issues. Th e mantra that we tell just shouting. Th ese columns pro- length to explain why. It should be male-dominated room of ‘lads’ if the girl simply wasn’t any good, our writers is: be provocative, not vide us with a way to have a con- clear. commenting on that ‘hot’ seminar the game would not be challenging off ensive. I fi rmly believe that we versation, because shouting never What concerns me is the level tutor or that girl who was ‘pretty fit’. enough. This shows one kind of have succeeded in this endeavour, solves anything. of understanding and awareness There is, of course, the occasional discrimination that can arise from and so I do not want people to stop Let’s start having conversations; that people have of disability. For female pool player among her ‘lad’ a masculine culture of billiards. writing. in my opinion, debate is not op- example, before uni I’d never had a friends or significant other, but I Being a female billiards player Recently there has been a lot of tional. We can’t pick and choose disabled friend or family member. have yet to see just a group of girls is an incredibly lonely and isolated controversy over stories we’ve re- when we discuss these issues, be- There weren’t any disabled kids at enjoying pool together - other than position; it is hard to find friends or ported on here at the Boar. Issues cause that implies that they can be my school. Frankly, disability con- my own friends. Why? Because bil- peers to share your love of the game such as the Best Snapchat Warwick solved or eradicated quickly and fused and scared me. liards still exists as a game for men. with or to practice against. As a page and the National Action cov- easily - and they are much more Now I’m an active volunteer at a I used to think that, surely, per- billiards-lover since the age of thir- erage. Th e piazza has always been complicated than that. club for young people of all abilities. ceptions of billiards as a “man’s” teen, I have become accustomed to a buzz of activity but, by the time So this is my request to you as I get to spend every other Thursday game is really not such a bad thing. playing by myself, simply because you are reading this, it will have you read through these pages. Don’t hanging out and playing games It’s not exactly barring women from there was no one to play against been fi lled with students standing just listen to the conversation; start with some hilarious kids. What I’ve the sport. It is only recently that I most of the time. It is not hard up against racism and discrimi- one. learned is that the disabled are not came to realise that by upholding to imagine then why women are nation. Th is is a fantastic example Open yourself up to understand- The Disabled. A 1 year old with billiards as a “man’s” sport, billiards seemingly “less able” in such sports of student activism that should be ing perspectives ; try not to close autism, is still a 1 year old. They has become something more than a and why many professional female promoted, but that does not mean the door on the discussion and try still have a name, laugh and have sport: it has become a norm of mas- players are unable to compete in that the debate is over. to understand how people think, horrendous mood swings. Disabil- culine culture. the top snooker or pool leagues. Th e point is that the debate is even if it does not sit well with you. ity does not make you a different Believe it or not, women, espe- Some women may even see such never over, and that all opinions If I let my own opinions infl uence kind of person, it simply makes you cially professional players, experi- a gendered notion of billiards as up- should be heard. I am categorically what I publish in this newspaper different. ence the most explicit kind of dis- lifting as they break social bounda- against racism - and I am an eth- then a lot of these pages would be I still see people talking to adults crimination. It was only a few years ries and engage in a “man’s” sport, nic minority student myself - but I empty! like they’re children simply for be- ago that Reanne Evans needed but the truth of the matter is that think we would be foolish to com- Have a voice. Write it down. ing in a wheelchair. I still see people special permission to compete in a it can be more difficult than exalt- pletely dismiss these bigoted opin- Send it to me and I’ll publish it. Be being held up as an “inspiration” West Midlands League because the ing for women who do really want ions without at least trying to un- provocative, not off ensive. simply for choosing to get out of club had a strict men-only policy. to engage in such a “man’s” sport. derstand them. bed in the morning despite having dwarfism. Nobody seems to understand disability. “Retard” is such a prev- Britain First: how hate groups are using Facebook to balloon alent insult because the inherent to reach a whole new demograph- most worrying, as it allows them to sciousness. Isn’t it all hate speech? harm falls on disabled ears, as if Nicholas Buxey ic by utilising Facebook to bring in quickly spread stories that are usu- Last time I checked, discriminat- that somehow removes the sting. a whole new generation of bigots, ally false, or place undue exaggera- ing against a religious group wasn’t Count how often you use the word. spurred on by the twisted and falsi- tion on facts that are often merely okay, but this is Facebook and they If the number seems high, then acism and far-right ideology in fied headlines which often go viral. incidental. are notoriously slow to act. start asking yourself how much you general is undergoing some- It’s easy to dismiss them as a While social media, like Twitter, Of course, that isn’t to say that know about disability. thing of a resurgence, accord- fringe group, as one of the many can be used as a positive campaign- people aren’t already moving Fing to the media. From the Golden purely out to shock, unchecked in ing tool, Britain First represents the against it. The fantastic “Britain Dawn in Greece to National Action, the wilderness. And that was my flip side of the social media coin. Furst” group provides a satirical right here at Warwick, hate groups opinion until a few days ago, when They convince many that Britain is angle, mocking the people who seem to be mushrooming. And yet one of their stories popped up on virtually about to adopt Sharia law, support the original, and creating online, one stands out. Britain First, my newsfeed. creating an ever-more poisonous stories that are somehow even more a group which espouses specifically And sadly, this isn’t an isolated society riddled with tension. ludicrous than those shared by the anti-Islamic ideology, is uniquely incident. Although I argued with Much of its power exists thanks official group. As Mel Brooks has skilled when it comes to social me- a few, it proved futile. After all, to Facebook, and without the on- recently shown, humour is often dia. how can you argue with stupidity? line presence it enjoys it would the most effective way of neutralis- Social media allows Britain First Their presence online is one of the surely disappear from national con- ing repugnant people. theboar.org 9 7 | After Newark: What is the real cost of skipping seminars? UKIP watch Michael Perry asks whether attending classes should be made compulsory mid the golden memories most of us have still missed at least Indrakesuma highlights that at- tunate to be granted a little extra Reece Goodall and intellectual enlighten- a couple of lectures in our time. tendance requirements disengage influence over how our learning is ment of the end of another True, our fees cover a variety of di- students by making their own organised. As long as we are able to Aacademic year lurks one slight- versions beyond the courses them- choices appear limited, and render- demonstrate our knowledge and he results of the Newark ly sheepish question: how guilty selves, but primarily, we enrol to ing higher education as a non-ne- expertise when it is required, surely by-election are in: a comfort- should we feel about the amount of continue our intellectual pursuits, gotiable process. Indrakesuma it is excusable to miss one or two able win for the Conserva- classes we have skipped this year? and at no small financial cost. So cites the University of Indonesia’s sessions, especially if we feel that Ttives, with UKIP coming in second. One hardly needs to consult should we feel obligated to attend attendance policy as an unfavour- there are more beneficial ways in This is an important outcome, with official statistics to be aware that every single class to which we are able example, wherein students which to use our time. Where this Nigel Farage hoping that his party most students have been guilty of assigned? are required to attend 80 percent does become a problem, however, would secure their first seat in par- skipping classes — on a weekly There is fierce debate regarding of classes in order to be eligible for is when cutting classes becomes liament on the back of their success basis in some cases. Given the bus- the notion that attendance should examinations. He claims that mat- less about making pragmatic choic- in the European elections. Howev- tling nature of university life, and be made compulsory. University ters are not this simple: there is no es, and more about apathy. er, with this result, many Tories are simply knowing what students are of Sussex alumnus and Guardi- dependable correlation between Student absence is not always gladly proclaiming the UKIP bub- like (What can we say? We do love an contributor Joshua Feldman an individual student’s attendance indicative of disillusionment with ble has burst, with the momentum a good lie-in), this doesn’t really has expressed his own opinion on and their final grade, since merely a particular course or module, but of the party grinding to a halt. They come as a surprise. However, it’s why such a measure should be im- attending a class does not guaran- there are instances in which this is claim that they have stopped the likely to raise a few eyebrows when posed in British universities, and tee a student’s ability to withhold or the case, which is an issue which so-called ‘people’s army’, though we consider how much these de- the comment thread of his article deploy the information provided. needs to be addressed. it is worth noting the town was grees are costing us. demonstrates how hotly contested Nevertheless, university is a site flooded with Conservatives during A university degree is a highly the issue is. One reader has posited for discovery, and therefore, wher- the campaign, eager to ensure this valued asset, and rightly so. And that “making lectures compulsory Th echoice over whether or ever possible, the responsibility pivotal outcome. yet, in spite of this — and the rais- infantalises students and discour- not to attend should be left to should lie with the individual when So, what now for UKIP? All ing of caps on tuition fees, ages active learning”, while anoth- the individual. it comes to making choices regard- this effort has proven the threat of of course — er argues that to skip classes is to ing the organisation of time, in- UKIP is a powerful thing, and they squander the opportunities covet- cluding the attendance or non-at- will be all-out to make even more ed by unsuccessful universi- tendance of classes. gains at the general election ty applicants. On the cusp of graduation my- It is when reasons for absence next year. Whether their previ- However, in his own self, I agree with his argument that are grounded in apathy or laziness ous success can be transferred article for The Ja- it should not be one size fits all that the issue requires investiga- is a different matter though. karta Post, Taufik R. mentality. The choice over wheth- tion, and perhaps the focus should Both Labour and Lib Dem voters er or not to attend should be left shift from preventing absences al- used their say to vote Conservative » Photo: Flickr/Images_Of_ to the individual. Those of us for together to scrutinising the condi- in a conscious effort to keep UKIP Money whom attendance is not compul- tions of those absences at a more from victory, but Cameron’s seem- sory should consider ourselves for- focused level. ingly shallow promise of a referen- dum if he wins the next election played into their hands, fuelling both the anti-immigration ideas of some voters and the feelings of be- Sink your teeth in ing ignored that some others hold. Some delectable delights I personally hold right-wing from Boar Comment viewpoints and feel a Conservative majority would be the best thing online for our country – the success of the coalition is evidence of this and, SUMMER without the shackles of the Liber- al Democrats, I feel more advanc- es could be made. However, this is unlikely if the UKIP situation is not dealt with. UKIP is not a minutia to Active Sports Courses be filed away for later – even with th the controversies over their policies We are running various Sports Courses over the Summer from 30 June and candidates, it is undeniable that onwards. Choose from the Big 5 Weight Lifts, Bootcamp, Cardio Tennis, Farage has a charisma that attracts EU Elections 2014: e Climbing, Fitness Fusion, Golf, Pilates, Swimming, Tennis, WattBike, voters fed up of the political norm; a bunch of public schoolboys with Failure of the UK’s Elitist Volleyball or Yoga. Our Courses are a great way to socialise, have fun and try no real world experience. System something new. For more details and online booking, visit our webslte. Farage wants to reclaim power Bettina Wolf from the EU, and to have foreign criminals deported. He wants to make sentences mean what they Lifestyle Classes say, and he wants to end the bar- Our Classes are open to everyone on campus, but if you are a member rage of political correctness that of Warwick Sport you get the benefit of online booking up to 7 days in blights the country. These objec- Fitting In: How the In- advance. Members also have the option to purchase an Unlimited Class tives may be based on misinforma- ternet Responded to the tion, are not completely unworka- Pass for Summer which is priced at just £49. View the New Summer ble in practice, but they reflect the California Killings Classes timetable online. views of a public that increasingly Ibtisam Ahmed feels ignored by the government, regulated by foreign bureaucrats and lost in their own country. They Membership Offers represent a breath of fresh air, and Get access to all the premier sports facilities on campus from now until many people feel about ready for Why are you voting? 28th September from just £55. Other options include Climbing, the Lifestyle one. I don’t think UKIP have the Nicholas Buxey Gym including Unlimited Classes and a new Family Offer so take full power to make significant gains at advantage this Summer. Buy Online. a general election, but they certain- For this and more head to ly have the power to ruin things for the Conservatives. This result has theboar.org/comment given them a complacency they simply can’t afford. » Photos: Flickr/Robdeman; Flickr/kilo66; Flickr/ kcivey 10 theboar.org 8 | Marks and Cartoon Corner Module Choice Tim Pottle

t is that time of year again, where we are bombarded by emails from our departments Isaying that registration is open and it is time to choose modules for next year. Lists of modules are dis- played on our computer screens; we begin to read the overviews, the prerequisites, the course reading, the assessment methods, and then the final tab, results. What, though, is our real moti- vation for choosing a module? A module may be stimulating and perfect for your area of interest: just the type of course you envis- aged yourself doing at university. Alas, the average is a 2:2, so you click the back button and carry on scrolling through the list, deciding to start the next ones by checking the results summary. Whilst I understand that univer- sity is often seen by many as just a vehicle to enter the job market, and although I have no direct op- position to this, I do not feel that students’ choices in this period of their lives should be constrained by worries of performance in compar- ison to their peers. Many will often say that some » “The Fall of Pistorius” Cartoon by Richard Belton degrees are harder than others, and so people doing X get more firsts than people doing Y. That, though, is not the problem. Employers are aware of the discrepancies in sub- Dissing Coventry is dangerous ject marks. However, a first class degree in X looks better than a How many of us have ventured beyond the chip van outside Kasbah? 2:1 degree in X regardless of what modules you took. Employers see ‘Warwick’, despite the majority of have a much greater impact on the up almost 1 percent of the pop- subject X on two certificates and George Ryan campus being in Coventry rather city. Between them both Coventry ulation in Leamington, which is a sensibly feel they can make a direct than Warwickshire, creating an and Warwick University have huge proportion. Overall relations comparison between candidates. initial distance between over 50,000 students. between students and other towns- Everyone is aware of the increasing arwick students have a students and the city. Coventry could, folk are harmonious and students pressure and difficulty in finding problem with Coventry; This mentality is amongst Leeds have a positive effect on the place, graduate employment. Now more this is something that is exhibited when and Sheffield, but as the pressure of the demand than ever there is huge pressure Wtaken as a given. the rush for stand as one for affordable housing stock con- on students to achieve the highest We’ve all been guilty of saying off-campus ac- of the best tinues to be outpaced by students mark possible and give themselves disparaging things about the city commodation student cit- wanting to live in the town, will the best possible start for the future. on our doorsteps. Whether it is be- leads straight ies in the this always be the case? For example, take a comparison rating the brutalist concrete tomes to Leaming- country. This may be slightly radical an- between two second-year modules of the skyline, the perceived lack ton. Any thing I n s t e a d yway. Uprooting Warwick students in the economics department. One of ‘history’, or some other (unwar- else is seen as the allure of from Leamington and plonking has an average mark of 57 percent, ranted) prejudice, Coventry has al- a failure – if white Geor- them in Coventry is unlikely to with 15.15 percent of students scor- ways been viewed as ‘the other’ in you’re late to the gian facades happen any time soon. What could ing a first. In contrast, the other British history. To be ‘sent to Cov- game you’ll ‘end up’ in Leamington is be done though is encouraging module has an average of 9.5 entry’ is an English idiom meaning in Coventry... (and we too strong for most more open-mindedness about the percent, with over 58 percent of to deliberately ostracise someone. wouldn’t want that?!) - to resist. This is despite city: many pass judgement before students attaining a first. Many may In fact it seems to be Warwick stu- Coventry is seen as second best, the average Warwick student even stepping foot within it. It has a argue that the scores are higher not dents who are deliberately ostracis- somewhere to be avoided at all rarely venturing past the Church lot to offer - a mix of new and old, a because the content is easier, but ing the city itself. cost. bus stop except for the clamber up vibrant and growing cosmopolitan due to the differing assessment for- The bombing of Coventry dur- In reality though, how much ef- to Smack on a Tuesday. Choosing population and many pubs, clubs mats, whether that be essay-based ing the Blitz is emblematic of the fort have we taken to get to know to live in a town ten miles away and bars to explore. answers or shorter style questions. general disregard for the city. the city? Like any city Coventry has from campus is almost unique Our views on Coventry are Nevertheless, this still leads to stu- Churchill ordered that no defen- its problems, but it also has masses compared to any other universi- largely based on misperception. dents on the same course being im- sive measures should be taken to of hidden treasures which are ig- ties around the country. Sure, it’s a The best way to overcome this is to mediately disadvantaged in com- protect Coventry, lest the Germans nored by students at Warwick be- pretty place with good amenities, hop on the bus and explore the city parison to their peers. suspect that their cipher had been cause of our initial prejudice. but if students chose to live in Cov- for yourself. You never know, you Consequently, students are left broken. This was one of the most The automatic rejection of Cov- entry more, surely these facilities might even change your mind. with a choice between pursuing a destructive raids in the war on the entry by Warwick students is dan- would follow. » Photo: Flickr/ ell brown course of genuine interest, or opt- British homeland and has had a gerous. We are creating barriers Students in Leamington seem ing for a module where they are marked effect on Coventry in the between the people of Coventry to be reaching a saturation point. Are you a fan of the more likely to achieve a higher national consciousness. and the University. Warwick stu- As the fervent rush for Spa Town city of Coventry? mark. This is not a choice I think The root of student disaffilia- dents are already worth £222m real estate increases so too do calls Tweet us: @ any student should have to make; tion stems from the naming of the to Coventry, although if students from residents and the council to BoarComment students should base their decision university. Taking its name from fully embrace the city, we could curb student lets. Students make on a genuine interest, and not their perceived result at the end. theboar.org 9 9 |

Ibtisam Ahmed says Milo Barnett says YES “Banksy needs NO t this moment, Banksy, the to shake up his anksy is the most popular great recluse and sole ar- and sought out artist in 21st tiste (with an e, thank you) art so his attacks Century Britain and indeed Awhose preferred medium is graffi- Bthe world. His works have tried to ti, is being celebrated with a series can be more express what he sees in contem- of auctions, a gallery retrospective porary Britain, which is not only by one of his former acquaintances eff ective” stinging but resonates with disil- and a series of LEGO recreations. It lusioned people as well. Whether is a sign of the movement he rep- this is an authoritarian police state resents that the last of the three or the rise of consumer society should be the most fitting tribute. dominated by brands and global In reality, however, Banksy is no business, we are yet to fully discov- longer as subversive as we would er. like him to be. Yet recent ironic trends with Th is is because rebellion has been Banksy’s work being sold off to made mainstream, and it is diffi - the highest bidder...the same com- cult for anyone as radical as him panies that used to critique his to maintain their vision for such a work now own it. His work due long time. Punk fashion went from to its nature means that it can be being about deconstructing bound- claimed and sold off with ease. aries to being taken up by designer Banksy wishes to keep his art for labels as a theme. Th e intellectual the public and therefore his artistic left became radicalised to the point integrity needs to actively promote where they are either misunder- his art rather than giving up on it stood or submissive. once the paints dry. Artists need to With Banksy, his co-option by commit to his or her work and if the so-called practitioners of “high you let it get bought by a bank than art” happened the minute it be- you aren’t doing enough. came unforgiveable to paint over Banksy’s artistic bold and orig- his work. inal style has also become very For the record, on a purely am- mainstream by his popularity and ateur basis of understanding art, I shown by how much it can be sold can admire the beauty in his work. for. He needs to shake up his art so If I take the politics out of it, I can that his attacks can be more effec- objectively agree with the idea of tive and can show people the true putting his work in the Tate Mod- nature of this nation state. An art- ern. At the very least, I can agree ist needs to have integrity especial- with the decision to keep his work ly one which cry’s out against the intact. Th e problem is that Banksy corporate nature of Britain and the is supposed to be so much more art of the YBA set. than that. Banksy is an artist for the pub- His pieces tackle very heavy top- lic and being a public artist means ics; the surveillance state (One Na- one has to protect their art from tion Under CCTV), the Arab-Israe- those that seek to make a few quid li confl ict (murals on the West Bank for it. Th is means that we as a soci- Barrier), and sexual health (Naked ety should be protecting it whether Man) are all areas he has looked at. that’s keeping it where it was cre- As an outspoken critic of capital- ated or moving it to a gallery for it ism, his entire process is based on to be preserved for future genera- the idea of taking over public space, tions. a form of guerrilla warfare against Yet Banksy hasn’t condoned the the class system in which the elites selling of it and by ignoring it he have to come face-to-face with eye- becomes part of the problem. He sores. has numerous options with this While individual critics do resort whether that is setting up his own to calling him a vandal, Banksy’s gallery or indeed just donating it art is among the most sought-aft er to the public. My main argument pieces in the contemporary world. is that art, especially public art, be- He wants to help dismantle cap- longs to the public and we need to italism. Good for him. I wonder act. He is widely admired and if he how well he is achieving it when wishes to remain so has to act as his his pieces are being so shamelessly art doesn’t have legitimacy if it ap- commoditised. pears that he has sold out as an art- At the same time, graffi ti as a ist. Artist are meant to convey the whole is still considered vandal- emotions of people and the time; ism, which is one of the loudest, and their art preserves these emo- and weakest, arguments against the tions and yet they remain silent dismantling (or relocation) of the if they simply remain skate park in South Bank. locked up in Canary It would be wrong of me to Wharf. say that Banksy has directly sold himself out. At the end of the day though, it does not matter. As soon » Photo: Flickr/archedroof as his work went from being “graffi - ti” to “art”, we lost him. Do you think Bansky has sold out? Tweet us @BoarComment » Photo: Flickr/niznoz 8 Sponsored by: theboar.org 0 Editor: Hiran Adhia [email protected] Twitter @BoarComment COMMENT fb.com/groups/BoarComment Cartoon Corner “Can you see what it is yet?” by Reece Goodall A selection of our finest cartoons for your perusal

There has been a lot of specu- lation recently about entertainers and celebrities in the 1970s in the BBC dressing rooms. However, when Rolf Harris’ name was re- leased by police and his subsequent charges, there were many that were shocked and appalled by the news. Reece Goodall hopes to get across the two sides of Harris’ character in this cartoon: the once-beloved chil- dren’s entertainer and the alleged peadophile. »

Following the Isla Vista massacre in Santa Barbara, there has been an overwhelming response on Twitter about the culture that surrounded the motives behind Elliot Rodger’s attack. It has been fascinating to see how many women suffer in silence at the hands of many men who think it is acceptable to act in a sex- ist, misogynist manner. To a certain extent, there is a claim that our so- ciety is so shaped around these in- justices that people simply cannot tell the difference between what is acceptable and what isn’t. This has been wonderfully satirized by one of our resident cartoonists, Sophie White. »

Freya: “I don’t know if you had the misfortune of watching ‘My “ GrannyEscort” Granny the Escort’ last night on channel  – I know I’ll never look “ YesAllWomen” by Sophie White by Freya Verlander at old people in the same way again

– but I made» a cartoon on that theme”. 10 theboar.org  Sponsored by Editor: Rami Abusamra [email protected] Twitter @BoarFeatures FEATURES fb .com/groups/BoarFeatures If ve-gan, you can too Hiran Adhia interviews Daiana Mizrafi e-Ahi about her veganism

s we walked into Costa for your life because it is all to do with your food – there is no restriction. our interview, I understood your mind and outlook.” Th is is Meat and milk are not food and what it was to be a vegan extremely important. It seems that they are not a part of my life any- Afi rst-hand: diffi cult. Aft er ordering being a vegan isn’t purely about more.” But don’t you miss the taste a soy latte and being greeted by an your dietary requirements, but a of the things that you previously indiff erent shrug from the barista full lifestyle choice that changes the enjoyed? Were you not tempted who seemed uninterested by Dai- way that you look at the world. to go back? To which she astutely ana’s request, we settled for green According to Daiana, “Everyone replied, “Are you a vegetarian for tea and sat down on the comfy so- is a vegan. We love animals when taste reasons? Taste changes. And fas. I for one would have been an- we are children. It is only when we no, I have never been tempted to noyed by the reaction of ‘Richard’, grow older that we socialise animal go back. You can’t crave something but I suppose she must have seen it selection.” What she meant is that that doesn’t belong to you and isn’t a thousand times before and so she by our teens, society has decided yours.” Th at told me. dealt with the situation gracefully for us which animals are going to It rapidly became clear to me before we got into our chat. be our pets and which are going to that being a vegan is being part of But before we even started talk- be dinner. She calls this ‘speciesism’. a bigger cause, and I think that this ing, it dawned on me. Th ere are I had never come across this term is the thing that scares people away. many people that turn their nose before, but she regards it as a form When is unfounded. Modern vegans, tery farms because, as she says: “All up at veganism, as they believe of prejudice in the same way as rac- w e im- especially students, are smarter animals are important, not just the there is a pretentiousness about it ism or sexism, and I agree with her. and more normal that we would domesticated ones.” I think her an- that cannot be ignored or avoided. 80 percent of beef comes from like to admit and that is prob- swer was relevant and achievable. To a certain extent, I used to be a dairy farms, which is a fright- ably even scarier. Because And at the same time, there are so part of this club. However, it can’t ening statistic. it means that we can’t many good alternatives to the food be easy to walk into any eating es- However, the argu- brush them to one that we get from animals that there tablishment knowing that 90 per- ment is not only a side. really is no excuse not to try and at cent of the menu is off -limits and moral one, but a “I can’t not least consider veganism. you might have to tell the waiter to health one, too. share my I am one of the converted. Hav- change a few bits and bobs with the Daiana is fervent knowledge ing a vegan fl atmate and aft er being remaining ten percent so you can in her convic- with other inspired by Daiana, I am seriously actually eat it. Being a vegan takes tion that since people – it considering surrendering cow’s guts. Although guts are strictly off becoming a aff ects your milk for a soya-based alternative, the menu. vegan, her diet lifestyle and skin have choice. “You can’t crave something drastically Vegan is a “I understood what it was i m p r o v e d . part of my that isn’t yours” like to be a vegan fi rst-hand: “Th e health belief sys- - Daiana Mirzarafi e-Ahi diffi cult” benefi ts are tem, but unfounded – people dis- you feel aware miss it be- and more cause they and I think I have been convinced Th e one thing that I gained from awake” which is don’t see precisely because it hasn’t been my hour with Daiana was defi nite- something that that,” and this rammed down my throat. Th e ar- ly principle. She said that she was impressed me con- is absolutely guments are intelligent, sensible drawn to veganism last April aft er sidering I thought true. We dismiss and forward-thinking. It just takes discussing it with a fellow student the vegan diet was the things we don’t willpower and a change in attitude vegan. Th ey never pushed her to very one-dimensional. or won’t understand. to really change the way that we ap- join the crowd, but purely piqued Being a vegetarian myself, But the fact is that these proach food and the world. Daiana her interest. Aft er doing her own I am very aware of the restric- arguments can no longer has already convinced her mother research, she decided to take the tions that I face when it comes to be ignored. Th e plentiful sup- and sister to take the plunge, and plunge… and she hasn’t looked nutrition and how getting protein ply of meat cannot last while live- hopefully through this article, and back since. into my body can sometimes be a agine ve- stock farming continues to ruin with my hour with Daiana, you “When you turn vegan, you struggle. gans, we see the same tree-hugging arable land and starve the poorest have gone some way to taking that change inside,” she told me, “It has Nevertheless, as Daiana puts it, hippies that don’t believe in show- populations of the world. I would plunge yourself. a positive impact on other parts of “Food is very cultural. You broaden ers or good sense, but that image like to say that the world will be ve- I want to say a massive thank you gan… but vegetarianism seems the to Daiana Darlene Mirzara e-Ahi most likely option with the world for sparing her time and allowing growing as it is. me to pick her brain. If you want to learn more, then please join the Ani- mal Ethics society or follow her blog “I am one of the (highly recommended) at www.dai- anadarlene.wordpress.com. converted” » All photographs on this page courtesy of Daiana Mirzarafi e- Ahi

When I asked Daiana what she would do if she had the power to Interested in learning change or infl uence anything, her more about veganism? answer was forthcoming without Visit Daiana’s blog hesitation. Make speciesism illegal. www.daianadarlene. Make more of an eff ort to curtail wordpress.com the use of slaughter houses and bat- 10 Features theboar.org 2 Elliot Rodger, My Twisted World Redmond Bacon tackles Elliot Rodger’s hard-to-read manifesto, posted just before his killing spree

» The world was shaken by the actions of the 22-year old UCSB student who outlined his motivations in detail on YouTube Photo: digitaljournal / Flickr ometimes great works of lit- drome, and his world view came my miserable youth. This was a scent into murder, makes for an ag- of them were lying. The manifesto erature can come from people from a vast misapprehension of the very dark day.” onisingly depressing read, although captures extremely well the pain with whom you don’t agree world around him. It’s a tragic fact He found refuge in World of punctuated by brief moments of of feeling like an outsider, that you Swith morally, or even straight-up that there are too many mass kill- Warcraft, a fantastic game I would unintentional comic levity, such as will never belong, and that you will despise. On May 2, before killing ers in the world, and most of them never recommend, because the when he recalls only travelling to never, ever, get laid. My refuge was seven people, including himself, do not attract much lasting interest. addiction levels are ridiculous. I England so he can fly first-class. books (spot the cliché), and I read on the Isla Vista, California, as re- But here we have a boy compelled am eternally grateful to my father I wonder what a single kiss could voraciously. When my wonderful venge for a lifetime of torture, El- to commit a massacre, merely be- for not renewing my account after have done. It may have altered his English teachers noticed this, they liot Rodger emailed a manifesto cause of not getting laid. The whole the two week trial. I didn’t think life forever. encouraged me to do better, and I explaining why to his parents and thing seemed absurd yet familiar, it then, but he made the right de- He mentions feeling euphoric at soon became the best English stu- friends. At 11 pages, and available and I had to read his manifesto to cision. Increased addiction to the 19 when a mysterious girl merely dent in the school. I went to War- online, My Twisted World is a fas- see how he came to such a tragic smiled at him. But this was trag- wick, finally got laid, and finally cinating insight into the mind of a decision. edy, and he never even won a kiss. didn’t have to lie during ‘Never mass murderer. My Twisted World The story starts at birth, and “When puberty arrives, However, this pity dissipates near Have I Ever’. The trick was to put isn’t great, but it’s not terrible either. his early years, remembered with the end of the story, as the hatred all this energy spent getting into One thing can be said of it; it’s au- remarkable clarity, are filled with catastrophe begins” became almost unbearable to read. trouble towards becoming a better thentic. The psychological interest bliss, before he had to meet any Especially difficult is knowing that person. Alcohol helped. of this book lies in how terrible ide- girls. His favourite film was The this isn’t fiction: this is real. With Like Rodger, I wrote about my als find themselves manifested in Land Before Time and this was met- his disgusting imagination, he de- own life, trying and failing to un- one individual through his misin- aphorical for his desire to go back vised a world in which women are derstand what it all means, but I to a place before girls were cruel to game coincided with Rodger’s con- sent to concentration camps to die, like to think my material offers a him: “This was perfect, and this is fusion towards women, and the un- and only a few of them are kept for more encompassing view of the Rodger killed six people and how life should be.” bearable fact that other friends at artificial insemination. The boy universe. Rodger’s fatal flaw was himself in California in late His feelings of inferiority began school were apparently having sex was terribly twisted inside, and his to internalise this anger, breed- May when he realised that he is not as whilst he wasn’t. Soon he found he ing an essentially negative view of tall or as strong as the other boys, was missing out on the essentials of the world around him; eventually feelings that remained throughout life, going to parties, getting with “Rodger told himself a story achieving its end in bloodshed. the rest of his life. He felt alien- girls, hanging out with friends, and in order to die” Ultimately tragedy comes from terpretation of the world. ated from others, and ashamed of find the whole thing unfair; that he within, and that is certainly the Elliot Rodger is the true heir to his part-Chinese heritage. When is seemingly condemned to a life of case here. You could blame World Ted Bundy as a postmodern killer. puberty arrived, catastrophe be- misery. Of Warcraft, or television, or soci- He was presciently aware of himself gan. He had seen someone watch- A friend told him: “No girl in this ety, but these views seem more an as a brand, and of the infamy he ing pornography in Planet Cyber, whole world will ever want to fuck words are pathetic and vile. effect than a cause. He is to blame, would bring. Watch ‘Elliot Rodger a local online gaming store, and you.” He went to university and sex Reading through this, I real- and nobody else. His friend James – The Supreme Gentleman’ on You- was filled with a bizarre mixture of still managed to elude him, despite ise that I had a similar childhood, is a useful contrast in the book. He tube, in which clips of him driving trauma and arousal. the addition of alcohol to his life. It and so have, I suspect, many other is also a Warcraft-playing virgin, around are soundtracked by ‘A Real He writes: “Finding out about was here that his thoughts turned people. Most of the time was spent but does not display the same dis- Hero’ – the soundtrack from Drive. sex is one of the things that truly steadily towards the macabre, as he outside teachers’ offices, waiting to satisfaction with life as Elliot. A The reality of his murders are being destroyed my entire life. Sex... sought revenge on all girls, and the be reprimanded, feeling inadequate book like this shows that maybe shamelessly soundtracked by fic- the very word fills me with hate. I ‘brutes’ who were able to sleep with and misunderstood. Girls made character is destiny. tion, giving it a haunting cinematic would always hunger for it, I would them. He called his revenge the me feel especially awful about my- “We tell ourselves stories in or- quality. His delivery is reminiscent always covet it, I would always fan- “Day of Retribution”, and was be- self, but unlike Rodgers, they also der to live,” Joan Didion writes at of Patrick Bateman, and his sadness tasise about it. But I would never ing called a hero among misogynist make up my most transcendent the start of ‘The White Album’. El- sounds almost ironic. But he’s not get it. Not getting any sex is what trolls online. moments. Everyone seemed to get liot Rodger told himself a story in being ironic. He had Asperger syn- will shape the very foundation of My Twisted World, in its sad de- laid before me, now I realise half order to die. Want to write for Features? Let us know! E-mail [email protected] to pitch your ideas 14 theboar.org 3 Editor: Bethan McGrath [email protected] Twitter @BoarLifestyle LIFESTYLE fb.com/groups/BoarLifestyle Could you survive on £ a day? Emily Dunford discovers what it’s like to live below the line Tête à tête: or £1 you can buy a packet of what it’s like, the budgeting and Tattoos of four Double Decker Bars. penny-counting can give a slight For some of us, the thought idea. Rather than “playing at pov- of buying and eating the en- erty” as critics have claimed, this is Ftire pack in one sitting somewhere taking an active approach to engage Take ownership of your body between lunch and dinner is totally in conversation about privilege and normal. the allocation of resources in the Rebekah Holland But what if I told you that for £1 world. Th is year, taking the Live Be- you could feed yourself for a day? low the Line challenge for Oxfam, ’ve heard all of the criticisms Tattoos are a way for people £1 for breakfast, lunch and dinner. my meal plan consisted mainly of before: “getting a tattoo will to express themselves - they’re a What if I told you that 1/7 of the spaghetti with frozen vegetables, reduce your employabili- form of art. Whilst many people world’s population are living on watered-down porridge and lentil ty”, “it will look awful when might argue that you can express less than the equivalent of £1 per soup. Iyou’re older”, even that, “it’s just yourself without “destroying” day, due to living under the inter- I’ll try to give you as brief an ac- unnatural!” However, tattoos your body, I’m a strong believer in national extreme poverty line? For count of my experience as I can, be- these days are not uncommon self-ownership; it’s my body and these people, £1 has to stretch much cause the emotions and refl ections - more people are opting to get if I want to have someone draw further than the food bill, covering that ran through me as I took the “1/7 of the inked and the negative attitudes all over it then I will. Most peo- education, medical costs and much challenge could fi ll several pages. towards them are becoming more ple get tattoos that have a deep more. Th is might seem impossible Day one was easy, although writing world’s popula- and more outdated. meaning to them; as a reminder for us to imagine - in the UK the essays without the comfort of choc- Th e notion that people who of loved ones or a particularly sig- average household spend is £89 olate felt unnatural (my chocolate tion are living have tattoos are unemployable nifi cant time in their life. For so per week alone. addiction is defi nitely becoming is entirely untrue. Th ey have be- many people they are much more Th e international extreme pov- a problem). Day two was hard- on less than the come much more socially accept- than just a ‘drawing’. Yes, there’s erty line is drawn at the equivalent er. Everyone seemed to be eating able over the years and employers always going to be someone who of $1.25 in the US, calculated using luxury cuisine, and I had to make equivalent of £1 are now much more open mind- got a camel inked on their big toe Purchasing Power Parity. Th is is ap- do with lentil and courgette soup. ed when it comes to an applicant when they were proximately £1 in the UK and scaled Th e problem wasn’t that it lacked per day” with tattoos. Th e idea that a tat- in Maga, but accordingly to diff erent countries. fl avour, it was the lack of choice in too indicates irresponsibility - or to say that 1.2 billion people live in extreme general; in the UK, supermarkets whatever other attribute your all tattoos poverty. Th at’s roughly the same can provide us with food at a very mother tells you when trying to are stupid amount as the entire population of low cost but this oft en lacks the dissuade you from getting inked - is a gross India. In Chad, Liberia and Haiti, nutrients which the average adult is wholly outdated. Unless you’re generali- 80 percent of people live below the needs to stay healthy. Hunger isn’t applying for a position for which sation. poverty line. Th is is not something categorised as simply the quantity appearance is of the utmost im- that’s confi ned to less economicaly of food but also the quality- if you portance (i.e. don’t get a full torso developed countries though. Far ate an unlimited amount of oats, tattoo if you want to be a model) fewer people in the UK live below you’d be full but not nourished. employers are more likely to be the international extreme poverty On days three and four I had to paying more attention to what’s line, but around 1 percent of the turn down several off ers of a pub on your CV. population live in relative poverty. lunch, which I would usually accept Th e Global Poverty Project have without a peek at my bank balance. a vision to end extreme poverty by Th ere are very few truly free activi- Don’t embarrass yourself 200. Th eir Live Below the Line ties to allow people to socialise, and campaign, now in its fi ft h year, for those without funds, life can be Hiran Adhia raises money and awareness for extremely lonely. People in poverty 5 charities including Oxfam, Save have low access to goods and ser- “My meal ou are not David Beck- on image. What looks good, rath- the Children and Restless Devel- vice, leading to exclusion from so- ham. When you see a er than what means more. So by opment by encouraging people to ciety as a whole. With these things plan consisted sleek H&M poster of all means, if you are serious about spend £1 per day on food. Partici- to consider, it seemed selfi sh on Golden Balls pushing getting one and you have spent pant online profi les are set up with day fi ve to be thinking about what mainly of spa- Yhis next range of underwear, with time and eff ort looking for a de- blogs and sponsorship links, mak- I’d be spending once the challenge his arms and chest covered in sign and artist that gets it, then I ing it easy to donate to the cause. In was over. Aft er all, for one in sev- ghetti with fro- neat ink, I would forgive you for have no qualms. 201, £822,28 was raised for these en, living below the line is a per- thinking you could pull it off. But I am talking to those people charities and as of May 2th 201, manent part of life. Looking ahead, zen vegetables, the strong likelihood is that you that get the Chinese letter for £85,980. I’m aiming to reduce food waste can’t, so please don’t kid your- ‘soup’ tattooed on their arse and Th e rules of the Live Below the and consistently buy from sustain- watered down selves. After having this conver- claim it is ‘purity’. Th e people Line challenge are relatively sim- able sources which give workers sation with numerous friends, it that upload pictures of their ink ple. Over fi ve days, participants a fair wage. Also, to get a better porridge and is clear that tattoos are an attrac- to Facebook expecting waves of must only spend £5 on food and understanding of the issues, next tive prospect but are never fully likes. If you want to draw atten- drink (tap water is free) and there year I’ll be living below the line for lentil soup” thought through. tion to yourself, do something is a cap of £1 per day, in accordance a month. If you allow yourself to And the chances of them com- more useful and less permanent. with the International Extreme be immersed in this challenge , by ing off how you want them to Because the chances are, when Poverty Line. Accepting “freebies” researching extreme poverty and look is slim. Superstars spend you sober/grow up, you will look is not allowed, but participants are supporting the organisations work- thousands of pounds on ridicu- down and ask encouraged to shop wisely to fi nd ing to put an end to it, it can change lously talented artists and spend yourself what discounts and cheap deals. With your life for the better. months craft ing the perfect look- possessed the exception of items commonly Visit www.livebelowtheline.com ing print on their skin. Th is is way you to do found in the cupboard, like spices, to read more information and sign out of most people’s budget and something the whole price of a product must up to take the challenge alongside timescale and so we settle for the so expen- be taken into consideration. Th is thousands of other people. Th e of- guy on the high street who looks sively stupid. means that you can’t bulk buy to fi cial Live Below the Line challenge like he has done a good job on a Save yourself reduce costs, so if you buy twelve week was April 28 - May 2 but the friend of a friend, so he’ll do. No. that embar- eggs, they all have to be accounted website will be open to new par- I understand the reasons be- rassment. for in the £5 budget. ticipants until June 0. Try it with hind it. Tattoos are brave expres- Sounds like a lot of hassle right? a friend and pool your money to- sions of body art that have deeply It is. Although for those of us out- gether to make the challenge a little personal connotations for the side of poverty, who cannot possi- easier. Good luck and bon appetit! person getting one. However, bly get a thorough understanding » Photos: Flickr/karne roe these days there is too much focus theboar.org theboar.org/Lifestyle | @BoarLifestyle | LIFESTYLE 1415 Scent-suous or scandalous? The nightclub Derin Odueyungbo uncovers the truth about expensive fragrances hese days the price of per- cheaper price, yet even tax-free, the ny. Although it may vary according survival kit fume has become a sub- actual contents of a perfume bottle to each fragrance, the packaging ject of discussion, as the are the least costly thing in produc- of a perfume costs approximately Essentials for every savvy student’s post-exam night out pocketpinching nature of ing the fragrance as a whole. As- £2.50 to make, with the bottle cost- Tthis “magic juice” causes us to ask toundingly, the value of the liquid ing around £.50 and sometimes xams are over, and now it ily stuffing your bag before a night ourselves how much these fancy perfume in a bottle can be as little just £1 for the liquid concentrate. seems that every student out, a mini stapler can turn out to fragrances actually cost to make. as  percent of the fi nal cost. Let’s not forget where else our mon- is on a mission to kill their be a life-saver in the case of an out- “Oh, don’t you smell lovely”, we We know that the manufacturers ey is going – manufacturer’s profi t, few remaining brain cells in fit disaster. Got a rip in the seam of hear people say, but at what cost? are making big bucks at our ex- retailer profi t, marketing, royalties Ean alcohol-fueled clubbing spree. your bodycon dress? Staple it. The Some of the finest perfumes we pense, but in a western world that (in the case of celebrity fragrances) Be it Kasbah, Smack, or Pop! (yes, handle of your bag has come off? wear can range from anything in is becoming more and more capi- and sales commission all make up some of us do like the SU), if you’re Staple it. A really creepy guy won’t the £0 region to well over £100. talist, aren’t these statistics pretty the price that we pay for our belov- not out every night, then you’re leave you alone? Staple his - ahem, With consumers spending £0 commonplace? As consumers, we ed fragrances. clearly not doing term three right. maybe don’t use it for that... million a year on perfume, it is no may be paying £0 for that cheaply While words such as “extortion- Along with your banter, there are Plasters surprise that all the big sports stars made bottle of Jean Paul Gaultier, ate”, or “scam” may be used in dis- a few other things you shouldn’t You know it’s going to happen but can we complain? Th e prod- cussions about perfume prices, it is leave at home if you want to ensure - someone in the group is going uct we are paying for doesn’t fail worth remembering that the very a successful night out... to get horrendously drunk and Th e majority of perfumes are to serve its intended purpose. It corporate world in which we live Credit Card cut their foot open by falling up manufactured on low budgets wouldn’t be the fi rst thing we had is motivated by the drive for high Yes, you may have stuffed a few the stairs, slipping on the sweaty, in industrial factories paid for that costs a ridiculous profi t margins – which consumers fivers in your bra before heading alcohol covered dance floor, or amount more than its cost to man- may be liable to. In this case, the out, but the chances are you’ll be stumbling out of a taxi in their stu- ufacture. Lest we not forget about consumer has a choice. Perfume is out of pocket within the first hour pidly high heels. To save all of your the shiny iPhones in our pockets or a luxury, not a necessity: if prices thanks to the extortionate prices outfits from becoming stained, and celebrities have started making the designer shoes we have spent were unacceptably extortionate we of taxis/club entry/drinks. Oh, and wipe up most of the gore with a their own fragrances. months saving for. may see this market begin to dwin- thanks to that friend who never tissue (which, of course, you have We all know those who rush to Th e majority of perfumes are dle, but up until now, this has not has cash and asks you to pay for also brought) and slap on a plaster. the airport hours early so they can manufactured on low budgets in been the case. their taxi/club entry/drinks. Everyone will commend your pre- visit Duty Free and get their fra- industrial factories based in Amer- Tissues paredness and you may even get a grances at a considerably ica, Japan, Switzerland and Germa- The situation is all too familiar free drink out of it. - you’ve been queuing to use the Mini Deodorant loo for what seems like an hour, A small roll on perfume will to find that only one cubicle is also suffice. After a few hours of usable because of a drastic loo roll twerking downstairs in Smack, shortage. Imagine being that girl the chances are you’ll be smelling to whip out a packet of Tesco’s a little more ripe than you’d like Satin Soft and hand them out to that guy over there who is giving your fellow comrades waiting to be you the eye to know. After a quick relieved. Bring a packet on a night (discreet!) spritz of your scent of out and you’ll be the hero of the choice you’ll be smelling sexy in toilets all over Leamington. no time. You’re welcome. Mini Stapler Bethan McGrath Whilst this may not be the first » Photos: Flickr/ I-5 Design & thing to come to mind when hast- Manufacture & Bethan McGrath Sorry, I didn’t intend to be ‘skinny’: the complaints of a foodie Self-confessed food lover Ann Yip tells us why being called skinny is not always a compliment ’m not really sure how many and instant milk tea on a day to day model, being skinny implies pow- er of healthy eating. So when my of food bursting with flavour, spic- girls out there would share my basis - I am not really sure if I can erlessness or an empty stomach. ‘slimness’ becomes an emblem of es, salt and all the ‘horrible’ kinds opinion, but as a petite girl, I still qualify as a ‘healthy eater’. Having grown up as an ambitious healthy eating, I feel like I, as a per- of seasoning: street food, fast food, die a little inside when some- One of the biggest reasons why I athlete, this is of course not an ideal son, am being misjudged. I am not pub food, restaurant food, you Ione compliments me for being get a bit glum when being compli- way to be viewed by anybody, espe- saying that healthy eating is bad, it’s name it. Of course, I would rather ‘slim’ or ‘in shape’ and comments mented as ‘skinny’ is that, for me, cially when I do eat. just not me. I identify myself as an we talk about the importance of that I mustn’t eat a lot, or that I far from the idea of looking like a Secondly, I am not a preach- absolute food lover; I love any kind healthy eating another day - or not must have a very healthy diet. My at all. response is often: “but I like fried I am not trying to be vain and say chicken!” that I can still be ‘in shape’ (what- So to prove that not all ‘skinny’ ever that means) and eat whatever people go on diets or eat ‘right’ I want. In fact, I envy larger girls, (whatever that means), I decided which is a feeling I don’t get with to undertake a project: to count my girls skinnier than me, even if I do calories for five days. I have actu- appreciate that they look great too. ally undertaken this experiment as From my exhaustive calorie accurately and honestly as possible counting attempt, I wanted to prove and have not been purposely stuff- that not all ‘skinny’ people eat less ing myself. The results are summed or eat healthily. But perhaps more up in the chart below. can be deduced from this — that As seen above, I am far from be- sometimes we are not always what ing the ‘skinny chick’ who eats un- we eat. So large girls, stop thinking der 2000 calories every day, the rec- that you need to eat less to achieve ommended daily intake for women. a ‘slim’ physique and skinny peo- Instead, I eat an average (or mean) ple, stop trying to make yourself of 220 calories every day, a 12 per- fat to look ‘normal’. Sometimes, our cent surplus for women. In fact, I physiques are what they are and we don’t actually care how many calo- might not be able to change them ries I eat every day, which explains as radically as we like. the weird fluctuation of numbers. Sadly, in this research, I have also » Photo: Ann Yip (adapted pho- had to reveal the kinds of food I ate. tos - pita: Flickr/ Jason Toney; Yes, I actually eat processed sausag- curry: Flickr/Albert Huynh; cake: es, instant noodles, chips, chicken Flickr/katbert; chicken and ribs: nuggets, spicy food, instant coffee Flickr/Mike McCormick) 30 theboar.org 5 Sponsored by: Editor: Josh Payne [email protected] Twitter @BoarArts ARTS fb.com/groups/BoarArts “Good evening from Radio Supermoon” Boar Arts meets WSAF Deputy Arts Editor Catherine Lyon met Emily Dunford reviews Fuel’s new rooft op production in association with the National Th eatre the team behind Warwick Students’ Arts Festival

Th e Warwick Student Arts Festival has its tenth birthday this year, and the festival has become bigger than ever with over 150 programmed events both on- and off -cam- pus. But who is behind the running of the festival? Lauren Clarke and Polly Hayes – Co- ordinators: Having been in the position of Workshops Coordinator last year, Lauren was very pleased to have gained the place of co-ordinator for WSAF’s tenth anniversary: “I wanted to run to make sure the festival had a sense of continuity. It’s always good having a couple of members with experi- ence.” Polly seems to think she has a great relationship with Lauren: “We work really well as a team – me as the old duck with the » The Roof: Soaring to new theatrical heights or does it have a few loose narrative tiles? (photo: Paul Hampartsoumian) technical know-how, and her as the one with ituated in Doon Street Car Park, the opportunity to keep going.” Reading the pro- skyline look incredibly easy and sustain their all the new ideas!” arena for Fuel Theatre’s 0° panoramic gramme description of The Roof led me to video-game personas throughout. Although spectacle The Roof is a gamer’s fantasy. fear that the piece would be so far removed there aren’t the extravagant tricks you might Jennifer Kou – Deputy Co-ordinator: Jen- SIt comprises various rooftop scenes and lev- from conventional theatre that it would err expect to see in a parkour showcase, the nifer is currently studying for an M.A. in elled platforms, complete with a scoreboard on the side of pretentious. Yet as soon as the clean-cut movements are hugely effective. Creative and Media Enterprises and like the and which is utilised fully throughout the spectacle began this fear was immediately As the show progresses, a clear structure rest of the WSAF team wants to get as many show as performers dance and run freely swept away. When the show begins, the au- is laid out. The hero must pass a number of people interested in this year’s festival as high above the audience. The creative team dience are thrust into a video-game world challenges in order to progress to the next possible: “WSAF is such an exciting event all have years of experience and include set thanks to the binaural sound system and level. Towards the end though I feel as though that allows everyone to enjoy the beauty of designer Jon Bausor who created the vision sharp lighting design. You’re told that you I’m not fully understanding what’s going on. art, and it’s great fun to be a member of this of the 2012 Paralympic opening ceremony. alone are important, that the performers are I have an idea, and as I leave the arena it’s year’s exec team. I really enjoy working with The experience and creative expertise is won- speaking directly to you. I look around and clear so do the other audience members, but Lauren, Polly and all the managers to make derfully evident in The Roof’s stunning arena. everyone is engrossed. The script itself is in as nothing is explicit in the plot I’m unsure this year’s festival the best yet.” Upon entering, I am handed a pair of keeping with the surreal game world; it’s very what I was supposed to realise. Nevertheless, headphones and stand in the centre of the witty but also accessible. A 12 year-old boy by building up a recognised structure and Kay Heenan – Marketing Manager: Th e sec- space listening to the quirky music that loops stood near me is grinning from ear to ear, as slowly breaking it apart, The Roof still man- ond year International Management student before the show begins. I stand next to a cou- is his mother, when the hero embarks on a ages to be meaningful and even rather mov- has started turning the campus purple this ple of press photographers and ponder with monologue about the biscuit in his pocket. ing at the conclusion. year! With “posters, fl yers, programmes, T- them over the capacity of the venue, which All elements of this show work together shirts and even wristbands, as well as using eventually fills so that the audience is tightly to immerse the audience in a world that, at the digital screens round campus”, her work is cut out trying to involve as many people packed in. We estimate 50 people, though e R o o f manages to be meaningful times, seems a little like ‘Battling Seizure Ro- we can’t be sure. 9.0pm comes and goes with bots’ (the Japanese cartoon on the Simpsons in the festival as possible. “We are very excit- no sign of the show beginning. I wonder for and even rather moving at the that gives viewers seizures), complete with ed about this year’s festival and the breadth a moment whether The Roof is just a terribly- conclusion. guns and bizarre antagonists. As I watch a of talent it will showcase. Come and fi nd us marketed silent disco and I’m missing the sinister man with a giant, yellow pyramid for on the Piazza during the festival to fi nd out point. Suddenly a screen is lifted to reveal a a face pursue our hero, I realise for a moment more! Look out for the purple polos!” dancer in a red jumpsuit and it all begins. The how ridiculous The Roof is. It’s a unique spec- performance is twenty minutes late to start in To complement the script there are Mighty tacle and even if you don’t come away with a Izzy Beaumont – Deputy Marketing Man- the end and although this doesn’t bother me, Boosh-esque songs excellently composed by new moral outlook on life, it’s undoubtedly a ager: As a member of the part of the exec the weather becomes increasingly chilly and I Dave Price. The dancing that accompanies lot of fun. in charge of spreading the WSAF word this regret not bringing a pair of gloves. them is minimalistic and oddly hypnotic. The Roof is a production by Fuel in asso- year, fresher Izzy is one of the most enthusi- Directors Frauke Requardt and David Masked rabbits in suits sway from side to ciation with the National Theatre and is on at astic members of the team when it comes to Rosenberg have taken the essence of thea- side, the lady in the red jumpsuit is doing a Doon Street car park opposite The National getting as many people involved as possible: tre to the next level. They wanted to create variant of the Twist. Of course, it’s the park- Theatre until June 28. “I’m really enjoying being on the exec for a multi-player game “in which all the rules our that’s the main attraction of the move- WSAF as I feel that I am a part of something have been lost and all you can hope for is the ment. The cast make tumbling across the really exciting, unique and fun!” Emily Dunford – Events Manager: Having thrown herself into working for the Student What’s on Festival in Scarborough this year, as well as many on-campus student productions, NT Live: A Small All Th at Is Solid Red Forest Cézanne and the Art and Life Fathers and Sons organising the programme for one of the Family Business Melts Into Air Modern biggest student festivals in Britain was the next logical step for this eager fresher: “It’s a 24 June, Until 21 June, Until 5 July, Until 22 June, Until 21 Sep Until 26 July, lot of work so I have to be super organised WAC Mead Gallery Young Vic, Ashmolean, Oxford Dulwich Picture Donmar Warehouse, all the time. It’s all worth it though, we’ve got £10.50 FREE £10 £7 for students Gallery, From £7.50 a cracking schedule and I can’t wait for the Rampant self- A personal look at The award-winning Extraordinary mas- £6 for students Fathers and Sons festival!” interest takes over the impact of the Belarus Free Theatre terpieces by artists of Looking at speaks of the heart- and comic hysteria Industrial Revolution production created the Impressionist and pivotal figures in the break of being a par- builds to a climax in on culture, and its from true stories Post-Impressionist evolution of British ent and the compro- Check out the whole article online: Ayckbourne’s play. influence today. around the world. movements. modernism. mise of growing up theboar.org/arts 22 theboar.org 6 Editor: Sam Evans [email protected] Twitter @BoarMusic MUSIC fb.com/groups/BoarMusic All good things must come to an end... Two previous Boar Music editors have a look back at the way music has defi ned their Warwick experience... Michael Perry ack, back, way back in the autumn of 2011, I rocked up to campus with Arctic Monkeys’ Suck it and See ring- ing in my ears, having little clue as to Bhow extensively I’d go on to embrace the mu- sical sphere of university life in my all-too- short experience of it. Many major epochs of my time here have a corresponding me- lodic memory, and I’m able to play back my soundtrack to Warwick with great fondness and nostalgia. In the dizzy months of Fresherhood, I bagged the role of Head of Music at RaW 1251am (partly due to an off-the-cuff pun involving Laura Marling’s ‘Rambling Man’), and the subsequent year of working on the radio station’s exec team opened up a vast range of opportunities for discovering – and sharing – new sounds. The serendipity con- tinued into second year; the day I became the editor of this very section coincided with a trip to Manchester to catch Yeah Yeah Yeahs’ explosive show at the O2 Apollo. Finals year has heralded countless other » Hats off to another fi ne year for Boar Music... photo: warwick.ac.uk highlights, including hearing Kanye’s ‘Black Skinhead’ everywhere from Smack to after- the opportunity to go beyond the safe bubble Curiositea, my listening habits started to feel noon picnics, and mere hours after putting Sam Carter of indie rock that I used to occupy. Childish strangely refined – something that’s sure to my pen down on top of my final exam pa- Gambino and Chance the Rapper helped me change as I join others in trying to recreate per, I was swaying in Camden’s Roundhouse, The first time I walked into the Copper vaguely get into rap for the first time, and first year during the final weeks of post-exam completely transported by the terribly beau- Rooms, it was with what I can only describe albums like Random Access Memories and bliss. tiful sounds of Neutral Milk Hotel. And that’s in hindsight as an embarrassing amount of Channel Orange remain two of my all-time For now, Harris et al. have regained their before I’ve even got to how music became excitement. I was the epitome of freshness – favourites today. temporary place on the Spotify rota, and an essential catalyst for sparking dozens of Example was my alarm clock, Calvin Harris there are few things in life that can match the friendships, whether bonding over tacky ’90s was my ringtone, and POP! and Skool Dayz simple joy of sticking Toto and Tom Jones on anthems in the Copper Rooms, or debating ensured that the only thing more saccha- I was the epitome of freshness - the Kelsey’s jukebox. It’s safe to say that the favourite albums well into the night in pubs rine than my listening habits was the Pur- Example was my alarm clock, Calvin music that has soundtracked my university all across Leamington Spa. ple everyone was drinking. Throw in a few Harris was my ringtone life hasn’t always been the best – in fact there Warts and all, being a student at Warwick cheesy Bon Jovi sing-alongs and the bizarre have been times when it’s been downright has been a beautiful ride, and the future thing that was Ms. Dynamite at the Summer shocking. If nothing else, it’s been a great way still looks tuneful beyond graduation. With Party, and first year was a strange time for to remember three of the most hectic, unpre- Latitude and Green Man slated for this sum- musical habits. Soon enough, the third-year haze of dis- dictable, bonkers years you’re likely to have. mer, and a music catalogue now bursting at It would never last, of course. Evolve has sertation-writing and exam revision was the seams, these three years have left me in since been renamed to Neon, Top Banana subject to a more sombre backdrop of The good stead for a future of further discover- soon became Drop, and it has to be said National and Laura Marling, with the occa- Share your Warwick that my second year was a comparatively sional Hans Zimmer soundtrack thrown in musical experiences ies, as well as giving me a soundtrack for the Tweet: @BoarMusic memories which I’ll always hold dearly to mellow affair. They say university’s all about for particularly frenzied late-night sessions. my heart. broadening your horizons, so I tried to use Along with catching a few acoustic gigs at Album Reviews

Die Antwoord Liars Lykke Li tUnE-yArDs Donker Mag  Mess  I Never Learn  Nikki Nack 

After the booming singles Mess sees Liars head fur- Playing like it was re- Impressively theatrical ‘Cookie Thumper!’ and ther into the world of corded in a storm, Swed- and captivatingly spo- ‘Pitbull Terrier’, the third murky synths and innu- ish singer-songwriter radic, tUnE-yArDs’ Nikki album from the South merable vocal effects that Lykke Li’s third album Nack is one of the most ar- African, grimy psychedel- characterised their previ- is her strongest yet. De- resting albums of the year ic rap duo pales in com- ous effort, WIXIW. The spite lacking somewhat so far. Merril Garbus has parison to their previous first six or so tracks are in the hooks department complete command over efforts. It’s very much a compelling dance-punk Li instead captures the her audience, similarly mixed bag, both in terms of genre and songs: numbers that could soundtrack a night at an raw burn of unwanted loneliness through to fellow spotlight-stealers Lady Gaga and whilst the aforementioned singles live up to otherworldly Smack, before the album de- an ideal balance of release and restraint. It’s Kanye West – though Garbus is yet to break the Die Antwoord name, some tracks are tours into a more ambient second half. Mis- an album of mood rather than narrative: the big in the same way. Musical partner Nate barely worth a listen at all. The skits detract steps aside – ‘Darkslide’ is particularly dull gothic production of the album exhibits a Brenner is her partner in the playground from the album as a whole, and make listen- – but overall Liars prove themselves again to sensitivity to the profound evocations of the that is this album: thirteen songs resembling ing to the LP in order a somewhat unpleasant be one of the most compellingly weird and style, and it transforms her simple ditties into some of the strangest nursery rhymes imag- experience. weirdly compelling bands of the moment. something altogether more unique. inable, all set to chaotic, intelligent pop-hop. MP : ‘Pitbull Terrier’ MP : ‘Mess on a Mission’ MP : ‘Gunshot’ MP : ‘Water Fountain’

Alice Cornelius Sam Evans Jacob Mier Michael Perry theboar.org/Music | @BoarMusic | MUSIC 17 22 theboar.org Coff ee House Sessions: Hudson Taylor Boar Following the fi nal Coff ee House Session of the year, Sam Carter speaks to Irish folk duo Hudson Taylor about working with family, summer music festivals, and scatting... Jukeb x he Curiositea queue is taking a de- Moving On cidedly different trajectory this May bank holiday. Crammed in the café’s Another year’s coming to an end, undergrowth of bunting, chandeliers and whilst it might be tempting Tand assorted nic-nacs are Hudson Taylor, the to get swept up by nostalgia, have Dublin brothers that, for a couple of hours, a listen to these forward-looking have become far and away the biggest names tunes instead... on campus. They’re standing at the end of a line for autographs and selfies that’s winding Heather Small: ‘Proud’ its way past the stage after the university café It’s rare for a 20 year old male to admit he played host to its biggest act yet. likes M People but come on; we’ve all heard It’s not hard to see why demand is so those CDs your mum listened to on repeat high. The duo – completed by Alfie and in the car, and the music of our school run older brother Harry – launches into an just happened to include questionable 90s opening salvo of clean two-part harmo- pop, okay? Even if I was brainwashed into nies and a lush acoustic sound that slices liking Heather Small’s incredibly moti- straight through the mid-exam gloom. Har- » Hudson Taylor: BNOCs. photo: nessymon.com vating lyric “what have you done today to ry, thoughtful and lanky, cuts a muted figure make you feel proud”, it’s still one of the best next to the effusive Alfie, but their different point, mind.“To some people [our rise] ic moment of the afternoon; Harry, usual- things to hear if you want to knock tomor- appearances do little to hamper their in- might seem quick – it definitely hasn’t been ly so calm and collected, leans backwards row out of the park (even if Small should fectious on-stage chemistry. They seem to quick for us,” Harry tells me, pointing out as the duo – and more than a few members probably have heeded her own message giv- do everything in unison, from bobbing up that they’re about to reach a total of six EPs of the audience – belt out the memorable en her career’s future). and down between strums to sipping on and 2 songs on Spotify. Raised on a diet of refrain of “we’re all just cynics on the run.” Joe Baker their respective bottles of Volvic and pref- classical and Beatles records, they set about With a parting reminder to check out their acing each transition with a knowing nod. busking together for pocket money dur- upcoming album (due for release in Septem- Klaxons: ‘Golden Skans’ They squeeze every ounce of sound ing their teenage years before moving on ber), the pair down tools and prepare for the For songs that have a view beyond the from their stripped-back setup for ‘Put to adding some “jiggery pokery” (Harry’s inevitable post-gig niceties, countering the present, look no further than Klaxons’ de- Down Your Weapons’. Harry is all muted words) to songs they recorded on an iP- subsequent onslaught of compliments with a but Myths of the Near Future. Any of these chords and percussive strums while Alfie hone. “It’s nice when you’re writing songs hearty “thanks a million!” It’s all part of the J.G. Ballard inspired tracks could offer a takes on the melodic highs, finding varia- with your brother. You’re not trying to write routine for two brothers who remain relent- perspective on things to come, but the third tion within the blur of guitar strings. The it for anyone except yourselves,” Alfie adds. lessly unassuming in the face of stardom. single from Myths... ‘Golden Skans’ offers former even mentions that they’re tempt- After a ghostly cover of Nirvana’s ‘Come the most golden outlook: “From the night ed to write a song while on-stage. “We like As You Are’, their set finishes with new sin- to the light, all plans are golden in your to scat,” he says. “We just sit and play a gle ‘Battles’, a mixture between the Irish Have a read of the rest of the hands”, Righton kindly enlightens us. So jam and something will come out of that.” folk tradition and the pop sensibilities of interview online: get the glow sticks and fluorescent paint out It’s taken them a while to get to this Mumford and Sons. It’s the most frenet- theboar.org/music because this indie-pop, art-rave floor-filler will have you jumping and gyrating and dancing into the near future. Stephen Paul

LCD Soundsystem: ‘All My Friends’ Given that it’s my favourite song of all time, it’s a struggle to do justice to the indel- ible power of ‘All My Friends’, but for what it’s worth, there’s one particular lyric which encapsulates how I feel in the face of leav- ing university: “I wouldn’t trade one stu- Summer Party Rundown pid decision for another five years of life.” I could’ve done things differently, taken more Boar Music presents a short guide to the biggest music festival the Bubble has ever seen initiative, and accomplished more with my time. But ultimately, I wouldn’t change a » So big the name could barely fi t into the banner.photo: facebook.com/warwicksu/photos taken by Jonathann Higgs thing about the friendships I’ve made here, because those are what I’ll remember in 50 head of what promises to be a sun, Be’ storming to the top in January (you might mother told her she’d had (presumably in- years’ time, rather than whatever the hell fun and alcohol-fi lled Summer Par- have heard it more than a couple of times in volving some bushy-tailed canids), Louisa Jameson was trying to articulate. ty, Boar Music brings you a run- Kasbah). Rose Allen once aspired to training as a beau- Michael Perry down of some of the talent set to ty therapist before moving to London, where Astorm the stage on June 22nd. Nick Mulvey she attended the Institute of Contemporary Foxes: ‘Youth’ Performance. The singer’s breakthrough This song resonates with me as a young Mulvey got his start playing music profes- came with a guest vocal feature on Germany adult on the cusp of a new phase of my life. Clean Bandit sionally in Cuba, where he moved to study electro producer Zedd‘s track ‘Clarity’, which The song is neither particularly optimistic music and art. He then moved back to Lon- reached the top 10 in the US Billboard Hot nor pessimistic, as lyrics like “Now I’m just Clean Bandit met as undergrads studying don to study Ethnomusicology, which 100 chart and sold double platinum chasing time with a thousand dreams I’m at Jesus College, Cambridge: indeed, play- provided an insight into the theory in Australia. This international holding heavy” show. It really reflects how ing at Warwick, which only scraped the top and context of music from across success was followed up with I feel about the future and its yet untapped ten of the Guardian University league table the world. Here he formed the the appearance of ‘Youth’, potential: like Foxes I have a bit of a Peter earlier this month, might be a step down for jazz quartet Portico, erm… her debut single under the Pan complex, and I’m convinced that my the clever chaps. After bonding over a love Quartet, with a number of his Foxes moniker, on the youth has only just begun. of both electronic and classical music, they fellow SOAS students. How- soundtrack of teen T.V. Christine Wong formed Clean Bandit; the name itself is, ac- ever, greater things beckoned, drama Gossip Girl. cording to Wikipedia, apparently a transla- and he soon left the group to Some work with Fall The Black Keys: ‘Gotta Get Away’ tion of a Russian phrase meaning “complete pursue a more acoustic-based Out Boy and an avalanche Travel songs often look to the future, but bastard”. Luke and Jake Patterson, Grace solo career. His debut album of ‘Youth’ remixes later, ‘Gotta Get Away’ races full pelt towards it. It Chatto and Milan Neil Amin-Smith (yep, First Mind was released this year, Foxes released her debut really feels like the start of a long-anticipat- definitely from Cambridge) created the entering the Top 10 immediately full-length album Glorious ed road trip, and captures the dreamy gaz- tracks ‘A+E’ and ‘Mozart’s House’ in 2009, upon its release. Given the current this year on RCA. The record es of a group of friends looking out down which laid the foundations for their recent proclivity towards singer-songwriters spawned another hit, ‘Let Go For the open road. Tinged with resignation, success. at the moment, it’s hard to imagine Mulvey Tonight’, which brought Allen her first top 10 Dan Auerbach’s gravelly guitar riffs ride the The tracks were eventually released as won’t see continued success in the future. chart success in her homeland. blacktop from San Berdoo to Kalamazoo, singles in 2012 and 201 respectively – ‘Mo- Having won plaudits the world over with away from heartbreak and towards an illu- zart’s House’ in particular was a bit of a hit Foxes her lustrous, singalongable odes to youthful sive new start. last year. However, it was only this year that hedonism, Foxes now brings her upbeat pop James Haworth the band dominated the charts, with ‘Rather Owing her stage name to a dream her anthems to Warwick. 16 Editor: Emilytheboar.org Nabney 8 [email protected] Twitter @BoarBooks BOOKS fb.com/groups/BoarBooks What are we reading this summer? With exams coming to a close, four writers give their picks for books they will be diving into Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy Stoner by John Williams have not read for pleasure or recreation aving spent a year reading very, since I was 1. Even then, I was read- very lovely (but very, very long) ing books specifically surrounding my nineteenth century novels, this personal statement in order to prepare summer I am in the mood for Ifor my university applications. Since then it Hsomething a bit different. Although I have an seems like every book I have read has been impossibly long list of books I would love to to prepare for something, from building an read, the one book I will be sure to make time English Literature personal statement to al- for over the summer break is Stoner by John ways reading for either the year ahead at uni- Williams. versity or the week ahead… ahem. Stoner has been on my list for about a After finishing my degree, the first thing year now because of the the recent hype sur- that I turned to was Leo Tolstoy’s Anna Ka- rounding it. As a so-called “Lazarus-novel”, it renina. I have always loved big novels, there’s is a key work in the growing publishing trend something about sitting on the train with a for discovering fantastic forgotten classics huge spine on display (size does matter, in which are out of print. Despite the fact that this instance) and losing yourself in a fiction- it was published almost fifty years ago and al world for a few hours. The kind of book then promptly forgotten about, it became the you can put down and feel that you’ve been Waterstones Book of the Year in 201 and has on a journey, that you’ve achieved something. been praised by many people, from Ian Mc- After having seen the film I was enam- Ewan to Tom Hanks. It takes a special kind oured, and I had to get my hands on the of novel to be raved about by critic, authors original source of this beautiful story. It is a and casual readers alike, and as far as I can nineteenth century novel that defies social tell Stoner seems to be that almost mythical customs and explores a broad and intricate combination of accessible, important and set of themes. It has everything – intrigue, want to see what writers away from England moving. It sounds like the perfect summer in love with literature. It’s a simple, tragic but affairs, love, politics, gender, class, morality, were doing in a time period that has always read for someone who wants something not heartfelt tale of one forgotten man’s life and religion… and there has to be a reason it is on fascinated me. To be an English Literature too linguistically taxing, but still wants to feel his love for the power of words. the European Novel reading list. student who has never read Tolstoy seems to moved and challenged by a quiet, understat- Occasionally, when I am struggling my I have spent the last three years reading be like sacrilege. ed but deceptively powerful novel. way through some epic 900-page master- Victorian poetry, Victorian novels, Victori- It may not be the lightest summer read, After reading doorstop novels such as piece at am and wondering why on earth I an articles, all based in England. I love the but out of my huge list of ‘books to read Bleak House and Anna Karenina all year, it is am studying for an English Literature degree, Victorian era of literature, but after a while post-graduation’, it stood out, and I cannot sometimes a good idea just to step back from I feel like I need to take a breather and have the repetition of the Brontë’s, Austen and wait to get stuck in. the drawn-out epics and focus on a simple, a satisfying reminder as to why I fell in love Gaskell becomes tiresome. Now that I have yet moving story. The book (from what I can with literature in the first place. It seems like the time and energy to explore the literary Katherine Price tell from online reviews and the blurb) fea- Stoner might just be that reminder. worlds apart from those that I am studying, I tures a plot no more exciting than a single man’s career through academia. But most im- Bethan Smith portantly, the book seems to be about falling  by Anthony Burgess n 1978, Anthony Burgess wrote , re- Floating, Brilliant, Gone by sponding to George Orwell’s 198, writ- Franny Choi ten in 199. Got it? Good. f you have not had the unutterable pleas- IAs a fan of Orwell, and dystopian literature ure of experiencing Franny Choi’s po- in general, discovering Burgess’ novel filled etry, now is definitely the time to start. me with excitement. He takes the original The award-winning spoken word poet, concept and reimagines a future based on Iwho has featured as a finalist at three of the the trends visible to him, with the benefit of largest adult poetry slams in the world, writes twenty nine more years of history. Colour me stirring and sensitive work concerning a wide intrigued. range of themes. The unflinching and honest Burgess’ vision of the future predicts the bravery with which she treats personal sub- dominance of trade unions as absolute pow- jects, like the death of a boyfriend and her ex- ers, and the expansion of Islam. Admittedly, periences with racism, transforms each poem it looks like he didn’t get everything right, into a confession, leaving you to make sense and maybe somebody needs to write a third of the emotional wreckage she leaves behind. version, perhaps called 208. The remarkable Even though Choi has released written thing about Orwell’s classic is that it was an poetry before, Floating, Brilliant, Gone is astonishingly accurate prediction of regimes her first debut collection published by Write such as The Soviet Union, and contemporary Bloody Publishing, the same publishing North Korea. I am still optimistic that Bur- house who manages the work of other slam gess’ attempt may expose some salient truths something not directly relevant to my degree, stars like Andrea Gibson, Anis Mojgani and about the way we live now. guilt sets in, because there’s a pile of novels Sarah Kay. The collection was released in late When you first open , you are con- for my course saying, “You won’t get good March to positive reviews and incorporates fronted with a piece of real Soviet propa- grades if you read that book. Read me in- both new work and other older slam poems ganda: “2+2=5”, referring to the possibility stead”. Not even holidays are completely safe such as Pork Fried Rice and Pussy Monster, of completing the first Five Year Plan in four from feeling judged, so choose novels wisely! a fascinating subversion of the Lil’ Wayne years, if workers put their backs into it. These When I found  in the bookstore, I song of the same name. I am really interested authors knew how governments warp truth knew that it would be the first thing I read af- to see if the immense power of her perfor- to fit their own purposes. This is the only ter my exams. It would be mentally engaging, mances transfers onto the page. I watched page of the book that I have read so far, and if whilst not being a part of my degree. Or at her performance of Notes on the Existence Megan Hills you’re anything like me, an Orwellian failure least, that’s what I thought. In an ironic turn of Ghosts two years ago and still cannot for- in arithmetic for Russian propaganda pur- of events, it is on the list of texts for one of my get her stunning descriptions of leaves on a » Photos: lavorwire.files.wordpress.com, poses is a great first page. potential modules next year. Great. pavement: “Like the ghost of a letter press contentreserve.com, cargocollective.com, Literature students seem to have the least still whispering up from a page, a sidewalk is e-readervergelijker.nl time to read for pleasure. Whenever I read Oliver Neil-Smith a deeply haunted thing.” 16 theboar.org/Books | @BoarBooks | BOOKStheboar.org 19 The Only Way is English Literature Pint of purple Deputy Editor Three writers explain why their degree is the only one you should be studying Raghav Bali English Literature and English Literature and English Literature answers our bookish Creative Writing French questions in this here’s something about reading great f you love English, you probably love eing an English Literature student is week’s column works of literature that can’t help learning about other cultures (after all, like being the ultimate time traveller, but inspire me to create my own. I literature allows us to travel indefinite- but one who relies overmuch on their What book are you reading at the moment? find it impossible to thumb through ly without leaving the comfort of our trusty copy of Travelling around the Introductory Econometrics by J.M Woolridge Tsomething like Ibsen’s A Doll’s House without Ibedrooms) and you’re likely to be fascinated BWorld for Dummies. In the beginning, it can – the characters are a bit one-dimensional, thinking “I want to be this good one day,” or – by language and the different ways it can be be a whirlwind of experience. You hop from the plot is quite long-winded but I’m still in the case of Conrad’s Heart of Darkness – “I used. It’s pretty clear, then, that studying Eng- place to place, the dust barely settling before hoping for an explosive climax. Before the could write something better than this with lish with a foreign language is the best degree you’re off again, and always in the back of exam period though, I finished Roger Ebert’s my eyes closed!” choice. your mind you have to look for something. memoir Life Itself. It’s a really insightful read Reading and writing are two disciplines Studying both English and French doesn’t That something, I have discovered, is what I from a man close to some of the cinematic which go hand-in-hand. Studying one is reduce the time I get to spend engaging with like to call the big ‘why’ of English Literature. greats like Martin Scorsese, Werner Herzog bound to increase your knowledge of the oth- literature. In fact, it gives me more opportu- Why do you bother reading? Why do writ- and Errol Morris. He was arguably the most er; why else were they lumped into a single nities to do this, and offers the advantage of ers bother writing? Why should we care? We famous film critic in the world, but he was subject in primary school? There’s no better studying a greater literary scope, given that care because we are human. Our literature is without doubt an inspiration for a lot of cine- way to understand an author’s horribly con- texts from a completely different culture human literature. philes like myself. voluted metaphors than being an author who form the basis of half my studies. The most There is a reason why we look at literatures writes horribly convoluted metaphors your- valuable and unparalleled advantage of stud- from all times in all the hidey holes of the Who is your favourite literary character? self. ying English and another language is that by world; it is because we are all united in a joint It’s probably a toss-up between Captain Had- The effects of different metrical patterns reading the books in their original language, enterprise of living. No matter what specific dock and Professor Calculus from The Ad- are so much easier to understand when rather than the translated versions you might pathway you take in English Literature, you ventures of Tintin. Haddock taught me the you’re using them to write poetry. Analysing find on an English course, you improve your are irrevocably forced into an international beauty of swearing and the perils of drinking a play’s structure becomes a doddle when understanding of, and fluency in, a second discourse on human behaviour, because this while Calculus is just undeniably hilarious in you’ve played around with plot arcs. Besides, language. international discourse has always existed. so many ways, so I guess it could go either how can you comment on a writer’s choices This opens realms of possibilities in terms It is the English Literature student’s role to way. unless you know what it’s like to make those of future travel and career plans, which are provide an analysis of the choices? This is why I believe that English simply not available to those without a good continuously changing What is the first book you remember read- Literature is unequivocally better when taken grasp of another language. What I love about face of humanity, and ing? in conjunction with Creative Writing: getting the English and French degree is the way it theorise an answer for Well when I was very young I was pretty inside a writer’s mind is a walk in the park if gives me the opportunity to fulfil the love of the ‘why’. rubbish at English comprehension so my you yourself are a writer. literature I’ve had since childhood, whilst de- dad pulled out a random book from the lo- veloping a newer skill that gives me a much Ahlam Al Abbasi cal Borders (RIP) and made me underline Carmella Lowkis wider range of options for the future. every word I didn’t know the meaning of. That book happened to be Harry Potter and Emma Jones the Philosopher’s Stone and once Harry got to Hogwarts there was a lot of underlining.

What is your all-time favourite book? Love is in the air is and coming to the cloud The closest thing I have to a favourite book is probably Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishig- Karishma Jobanputra investigates Mills and Boon’s newly developed app uro. I’m a sucker for any kind of storytelling that involves some sort of dystopia, but it’s here can be no debate that the digital percentage of the profits, but this app cuts tomers that can be reached outweighs the incredible how subtly the idea is placed in age has had colossal repercussions them out of the process. disadvantages for a publisher like Mills and the story. It also never really fits the bill of for the publishing industry and the However, Mills and Boon face challeng- Boon. one genre. It’s sort of a quasi-science-fiction- way people now read. Gone are the es in sales, as the app they have developed Will smaller publishers be following this coming-of-age novel, but to talk too much of Ttimes when you see people pull out books will only allow reading on smartphones and example and creating their own apps to sell the plot would be to ruin the experience. All for enjoyment (everyone would much rath- tablets. This means that those who swear by directly to readers? As Mills and Boon are I’ll say is that the book will emotionally crip- er watch the film or television adaptation) Kindles will still be buying from Amazon. well known for romantic fiction, they already ple you by the end. and those who do, seem to favour the ease Despite the potential problems which could have an in-built fanbase of loyal readers and convienience of Kindles rather than the arise, there has been an increase in the num- ready to download the app. If you wrote an autobiography, what would physical version. ber of people who read e-books on smart- be the title? It comes as no surprise, therefore, that phones and tablets, meaning that the venture It’s only really the rich and famous that write publishers are looking to the digital market could well pay off. autobiographies isn’t it? Then maybe some- to ensure they stay current. Mills and Boon, Looking at the number of bookshops that Mills & Boon have created their own thing along the lines of: From Rags to Riches. known for their romance novels, have creat- are closing and the rise of e-books means app to cut out the middle man in Of course I’m going to have to insist on hav- ed their own app to cut out the middle man that this is just another step towards inevita- e-book distribution ing Penguin Classics publish it for that added (essentially e-book distributors like Amazon ble digital domination. The potential profits tinge of narcissism. and Apple). Mills and Boon will gain makes it very like- This streamlines the process, allowing ly that other publishers will be joining them Kindle vs. Book? customers to buy books directly from pub- in this initiative and the ease of puchasing a Kindles make for good coasters I guess. In all lishers, rather than companies like Amazon. book on a smartphone. However, smaller publishers who do not seriousness, why would I give up the experi- Currently, for every e-book downloaded, Despite the costs needed to create, main- have such a strong brand identity, and may ence of smelling a pristine new paperback or Amazon and similar companies receive a tain and improve an app, the number of cus- find it difficult to entice readers away from a dodgy old copy from the charity shop over Amazon and Apple because of this. For big a Kindle that’ll likely just smell the same all publishers, this will become the way forward. throughout it’s life? Digital publishing has already changed the way that people buy and read books, and will How much is a pint of purple? now affect how books are published and the £12 for 8. That’s how everyone meduim through which they are sold. buys it, right? And my opinion? A smartphone versus a Kindle, Amazon versus a publishers app… who needs any of it when you can choose to actually pick up a book (a real, tangible book, remember those?) in a bookshop? There’s no denying the reality we live in though, and e-books will most definitely continue to rise in popularity. I am almost certain that there will be love in the air for the Mills and Boon app, and I » Photos: fastcompany. don’t imagine we’ll have to wait too long to net, unexpurgatedme.com see other big publishers following suit. 20 theboar.org 20 Editor: Paulina Dregvaite [email protected] Twitter @BoarFilm FILM fb.com/groups/BoarFilm REVIEWS The Two Faces of January

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Hossein Amini’s The Two Faces of Janu- ary is being served to audiences as an obvi- ous counter-programming option; a ma- turely envisaged thriller in thrall to classical Hollywood etiquette. It’s impeccably solid fare, peppered with flourishes of incredible tension and intrigue, yet assembled with a traditional framework in mind. Amini makes it easy to become invested Malevolent Malefi cent in the fraught three-hander, brought to life with nuance by Viggo Mortensen, Oscar Nicholas Buxey asks: has Disney reduced the mistress of all evil to a scorned woman? Isaac and a career best Kirsten Dunst. It’s a joy to encounter a film this polished, with- out ever feeling the weight of overwrought » Angelina Jolie proves to be equal parts sinister and striking photos: left : upmovie.net, right: blogs.indiewire.com & nerdist.com showmanship or excessive style seep into the experience. ately, Disney seems to be reworking fit it in to the new story!? And through this version (or for that matter, the book) needs any and all of the animated canon that ‘humanisation’, Maleficent loses what made to go and watch them again. You can stuff all Daniel Kelly has made it into one of the biggest her great. What’s happened to ‘Mistress of all the Johnny Depp and Helena Bonham Carter film studios in the world. Maleficent is evil’? She’s been reduced to the saddest of ste- into a film yet it doesn’t make it automatically Lthe latest offering, and if you liked the origi- reotypes, a scorned woman. disturbing. Edge of Tomorrow nal Sleeping Beauty (1959) at all, then I do not That’s right, a film that is lauded for its Whilst I’m mentioning Helena Bonham recommend watching it. For some reason, the feminist overtones has taken a villain who is Carter, I’ve heard that she’s been cast as the House of Mouse has taken a classic, marked one of the greatest ever produced in film his- new Fairy Godmother in the upcoming Cin- by distinctive animation and gorgeous music, tory and reduced her to merely a heartbroken derella film. You know, that really warm, and turned it into another mediocre flick with woman. Sure, it gives her a reason, but why grandmotherly character? Sounds perfect. CGI that makes your eyes bleed. Admittedly, did we need one? Why couldn’t she be evil for But let’s move onwards and upwards. I’ve Angelina Jolie makes a star turn as the titular evil’s sake? rewatched both the other films in order to re- villain, but even that can’t rescue a film that fresh my memory, and noticed something: all leaves you wanting. of the villains are motivated by love. In Alice Leaving aside the numerous questionable Hollywood is only confirming the idea in Wonderland, the Red Queen only tries to c a s t choices and unnecessary behead Alice when she fears that the Knave name changes, which that women are only motivated by love doesn’t love her, although admittedly the Red only serve to further and emotion Queen isn’t motivated solely by love. confuse the links be- In Oz, the jealous woman trope has be- tween the two films, come more apparent. Theodora is manipu-  the biggest issue is lated thanks to Oz’s betrayal, and it is jealousy the story. Whilst I Before I start sounding like a sociopath, I that drives her to transform into the Wicked The central premise of Edge of Tomor- wasn’t expecting a should expand my line of reasoning. By giving Witch. Thanks to Disney, we now have anoth- row can be boiled down to a sci-fi-tinged shot-for-shot re- her this unbelievably trite backstory, Holly- er classic villain who needed no motivation Groundhog Day. And while it certainly make, the changes wood is only confirming the idea that women mangled into a stale stereotype, the embit- wears this comparison on its sleeve, the way were so sweeping are only motivated by love and emotion, mak- tered and jealous woman. in which it portrays its concept within its that it seems al- ing the cool exterior that Maleficent exudes I’m the first to admit that many of the clas- environment, allows the idea to feel fresh, most impossible to seem unstable. She’s no longer the greatest sic princess films don’t give the greatest les- inventive, and most importantly, fun. connect the two. fairy in the kingdom, she’s just the angriest. sons to girls. But they were the products of For those of you who are of the mind-set Where was the fi- I won’t discuss the poor casting choices their time, which could also be said of these to write off this film due to the fact that it is nal battle? Where elsewhere (who thought Imelda Staunton live action remakes, which are rife with a a Tom Cruise movie, then I have one thing was the Forest of would make a good fairy!?) and I could write more subtle sexism. The lesson in these films to say; shame on you. Cruise has always Thorns? Some of endless words on how it hasn’t done justice to seems to be that if a man breaks your heart, been a dependable leading man, no matter the greatest ani- the original, such as the lacklustre score and the only logical reaction for women is to go what you may make of his personal life, and mation ever, and ridiculous characterisation. But I won’t. In- on a murderous rampage. This is the greatest Edge of Tomorrow proves to be one of his they couldn’t stead I would like to examine the other films problem plaguing these films. strongest action movies to date. It is not only find a way to that Disney has recently and inexplicably In the new language of Hollywood, women in the design and execution of the film, it is twisted into live-action affairs – Alice in and psychotic evil seem to only be joined by in Cruise himself. Wonderland (2010) and Oz: the Great heartbreak, which is hardly something we and Powerful (201). need to be teach the next generation. Andrew Gaudion Both are mere shadows of the films they aim to emulate, and Al- ice is worthy of discussing in par- Did Male cent cast a For the full reviews ticular, if only for starting this trend spell on you? of ‘moody’ remakes. Although Burton Tweet: @BoarFilm Go online: pours all his quirkiness into the film, any- theboar.org/fi lm one who thinks that it is trippier than the 1951 30 theboar.org 2 Editor: Laura Primiceri [email protected] Twitter @BoarTelevision TV fb.com/groups/BoarTV WWW: the wacky world of webisodes Four writers present their favourite web television series from across the internet Dr Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog Shaycarl and the SHAYTARDS hat to do when writing is your great tue of its format very easy to follow. It’s acces- feel like the time has arrived for me to em- what attracts me to the series the most. As passion, but the Writers Guild of sible, it’s bitesize and it’s darned entertaining. brace my addiction, fess up and tell some- you keep watching you feel as if you have America is on strike? Joss Whedon It’s also a stab at the very same producers one that I have been watching the life of a become part of the family - you have experi- Wteamed up with his brothers Zack and Jed and studios who were the target of the strike, Ifamily online for half a decade. A family that enced their struggles and been proud of their to write Dr Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog. They showing them what writers can achieve with- I do not know – and that I’m never going to successes. On any given day you can be at the produced all three brilliant acts with just un- out the bankroll and vast marketing arms of meet. birth of a child, travel with them on holiday der $200,000. a studio. For those unfamiliar with the concept of or walk next to them down a red carpet. This The resulting musical tragedy-comedy is For me, this 2008 masterpiece – and in- ‘daily vlogging’ such a statement may sound mix of private intimate moments and specta- blissful. I could watch the 2-minute perfec- ternet-based television in general – repre- like the beginnings of a George Orwell nov- cle are what keeps the family closer to their tion on loop for a whole day quite happily. sents the start of something of a revolution el or a pretty unavoidable restraining order audience than any television character ever Its songs are delightful and the story is in how we watch, how we engage with case. However for Shay Butler and his could. perfectly told through the acting and how we consume content. family, it’s perfectly normal. The SHAYTARDS is more than talents of Neil Patrick Harris, Audiences have since sought The Butlers have been up- just a webseries – there is a Felicia Day and Nathan Fil- entertainment from different loading a video to YouTube continual stream of new con- lion. It somehow success- sources and have sought every day for the last five tent, whether it be the vide- fully couples vlogging with greater control over what years broadcasting their os themselves, podcasts or musicals and engaging ac- they watch. close family moments to an Twitter updates – you nev- tion sequences. If you’ve somehow not international audience of er miss out on anything. I I fell for the series at the seen Dr Horrible’s Sing- over one million subscrib- admire their transparency opening number of ‘Laun- Along Blog, I suggest you ers. and ability to share so much dry Day’. The song intro- correct that immediately. The family consists of with their viewers – the fam- duced the simple premise: My personal favourite Shay and Collette, a young ily not only make videos to Billy (Harris), angry with song of the Sing Along Blog couple from Idaho, USA and entertain, but have repeatedly society and unable to engage is the duet ‘My Eyes’ in Act II, their five children. You get to meet said that they wish to inspire oth- the attentions of Penny (Day), a true triumph for Joss, Zack their extended family, many of which ers in pursuing their ambitions. They decides to become a supervillain. and Jed’s writing. The closure of have also started to make videos following certainly accomplish that. We’ve all been there. the third act is also one of the most the success of the ‘SHAYTARDS’ channel I can’t recommend enough that you check Every supervillain needs a superhero and harrowing moments of its medium. It knocks and all of whom have turned their hobbies out the Butler family on YouTube, partly so this pantomime affair has Captain Hammer the wind out of me every time. into a career. Carlie - Shay’s sister - makes fit- you can see that I am not insane but also (Fillion), who is every bit the douchebag The piece is a triumph for writing and a ness and style videos, while his brother Casey so you can experience the uniqueness their you’d hope someone calling himself “Captain triumph for online distribution. makes films about hunting. Unlike most oth- self-documented reality brings. Hammer” could be. With all the pieces in Robin James Kerrison er reality programmes, it is rather refreshing Greer Riddell place, the saga plays out beautifully. to be watching likeable characters for once. There’s an undercurrent of social com- » Photos: clockwise-comicvine.com, fan- That is the difference however – the fam- Do you have a favourite mentary, as anyone familiar with Whedon’s pop.com, tansyrr.com, entertainment.ie ily aren’t characters – they are real people webseries? Let us know! work would expect, but Dr Horrible is by vir- living their real lives and this authenticity is @BoarTelevision School of Thrones The Lizzie Bennet Diaries f you watch Game of Thrones, you will ternet meme humour. t is a truth universally acknowledged that with Darcy, she also decides to set up her know that it has a lot of layers to it. Like However, the jokes are funny and the par- the works of Jane Austen are still widely own media company. an onion that makes you cry the more you allels, while a little obvious, make for some read and adored today. Perhaps this is due I must admit that at times, the character Icut into it, the series has spawned multiple excellent comedy. The family drama between Ito Austen’s remarkable understanding of how of Lizzie comes across as a little annoying – tributes and interpretations, ranging from Stannis and Renly is particularly amus- society works. We still relate to her stories. and a little mean. When, in episode 9, Mr the believable (as a parable to the Wars of the ing. Special mention needs to be given to The Lizzie Bennet Diaries is a series of Collins asks Lizzie to be his business partner, Roses) to the insane (the Bollywood retelling the opening credits as well; if only our high short video blogs based on Austen’s Pride and she rudely rejects him. When Darcy declares of a certain recent death). school doodles were half as artistic. Prejudice. The series has gone on to achieve his love for her in episode 0, Lizzie is once One of the most entertaining off -shoots has For fans of the webisode medium, there strong acclaim: according to The Guardian, again spiteful. I feel that in the novel, Eliz- been the excellent web series School of is something of an A-list quality to the it’s “the best Austen adaptation around”. abeth remained polite and respectful r o n e s . cast and crew. The incredibly tal- Did the series live up to its hype? at all times – even when rejecting Replacing the warring fam- ented Mary Kate Wiles (Squares- I certainly think so. The vide- strange men. ilies of Westeros with the ville, The Lizzie Bennet Dia- os recapture the wit and the A nice deviation from warring cliques of Westeros ries) plays Sansa Stark while strength of the original while the novel, however, is the Valley High School, the Starkid’s Joey Richter (A successfully placing the change in Lydia. At the three episodes follow var- Very Potter Musical, A Very characters in a modern set- start of the series, Lydia is ious characters on their Potter Sequel) is Theon ting. However, rather than a melodramatic and im- quest to win the coveted Greyjoy. seeming cheap and cheesy, mature young girl. How- titles of Prom King and Even the behind-the- as many modern adaptions ever, through the course Prom Queen. scenes crew consists of do, the vlog remains com- of the series her character The Starks are now hip- YouTube veterans, for ex- pelling and entertaining. It is challenged and devel- sters, the Lannisters are ample show producer Whit- is a strong piece of entertain- oped, and in the end she the bullies, Renly and Loras ney Milam. ment in its own right. and Lizzie have grown clos- are the cool kids, Stannis and Despite some obvious flaws, The female characters are er. This is certainly not true of Melisandre are the convert bri- School of Thrones is a lot of fun to shown to be far more independ- the novel where, despite the pain gade, and the Greyjoys are the swim watch. ent than in the 200-year-old novel. that she has caused, Lydia remains team. Dany arrives in the midst of this brew- Given the particularly gruesome nature of Lizzie assures her audience that she, and her silly and ignorant. After sticking with the ing hormonal conflict as the new kid trying its inspiration, this makes for a nice change fellow characters, will fulfill their dreams. Diaries for so long, this certainly makes for to navigate the dangerous politics of high really and, unlike other online parodies such These dreams are not, however, of finding a satisfied viewing. school. as the College Humor 8-bit games, it success- rich husband. Charlotte, a familiar character, All in all, I think that The Lizzie Bennet Di- It does need to be said straight off the bat fully takes adult elements out of the source dreams of becoming a successful film-maker aries is an excellent adaptation of Pride and that the show is not massively original. The material while retaining its strengths. Now if and we watch her come closer to achieving Prejudice. It tastefully captures the essence of plot tries to be Mean Girls-esque and one of they would only make a Season 2! this when she lands a job with Mr Collins. Austen without merely ‘fan-girling’. its most divisive points is the (over)use of in- Ibtisam Ahmed Likewise, while Lizzie gets her happy ending Sandeep Purewal 24 Editor: Gabriellatheboar.org Watt 22 [email protected] Twitter @Boar Games GAMES fb.com/groups/Games.TheBoar

Hack the system, control the city Luke Whitticase reviews new cyber-punk title Watch Dogs » photos: above, xboxachievements.com; below, watchdogs.wikia.com

ince it’s unveiling at E 2012, Watch socio-political themes of privacy invasion are ful. As with the best stealth games, the most the game still manages to dazzle on the Play- Dogs has received a considerable cast aside and the larger picture behind the satisfying achievement is in others not know- Station . The smallest details, such as leaves amount of hype and anticipation in scenes seems far more interesting than what ing that you were even there. The use of vid- and litter blowing in the wind and sparks its favour. Even as delays, controver- is ultimately presented to us. The side char- eo cameras to invade entire locations without from nearby fires really astound the senses Ssies, and reports of graphical downgrading acters are not a massive help either, with very entering is a spectacular challenge. Driving with particle effects, and the lighting engine spread, the game continued to be fiercely little personality beyond borrowed tropes, es- is the most disappointing mechanic, feeling and water properties really add to the world’s marketed as a pushing point for eighth gen- pecially one character seemingly lifted from a heavy with slow reaction times, but you may environments. eration consoles. Now the game is finally re- David Fincher film. The missions themselves eventually get to grips with this aspect. Overall, despite leased and the public can finally have their have variety but, from a storytelling perspec- The side missions come in an interesting some gleaming say on one of the biggest releases of the year. tive, they never feel totally immersive. variety of ways, with many to be freely dis- visuals and me- Does it really live up to expectations? The open world representation of Chicago covered, the most involving of which are the chanics, the The story is a revenge tale, following the is as detailed and large as we have come to ex- crime prevention missions. The digital trips story lets it exploits of Aiden Pearce, a computer hack- pect from Ubisoft Montreal. Although hefty are also fun little distractions too, although down. That er in search of the people responsible for and impressive, it lacks such verdant archi- probably not something to which you’ll de- said, the game the death of his niece. Set in a near-future tecture as Assassin’s Creed II’s base-jumping vote hours. The multiplayer aspect of game- feels very much Chicago, the entire city is run under a sin- renaissance landscapes, so the parlour me- play is a very well handled enterprise. It has a like a founda- gle operating system (ctOS), allowing Aiden chanic feels a little limited. The city is dense- fitting place within the world, with outsiders tion layer, the ability to hack into, and alter, different ly populated with a variety of NPCs to inter- invading your own world to steal informa- and leaves technologies and locations through the use act with and vehicles to steal or order. The tion. It’s a fun and stimulating approach as room for of his smartphone. Unfortunately, that’s all much-touted hacking mechanic is integrated spontaneity often leads to further ingenui- much im- that there is to say about it. Disappointingly, easily and organically to gameplay at the push ty on the player’s part, carrying an aesthetic provement. it follows the same revenge plotline through- of a button and really opens up opportunity meaning within the game’s context. Some It feels as if out, pursuing basic themes of redemption for resourcefulness when the player finds may find the invasions a chore, but others Ubisoft have and alienation from the people around him. himself in a sticky position. When integrat- will surely relish the competition. been trying Aiden’s journey never feels unique, despite ed into the combat mechanics it works even The game’s graphics have been one of the to deal many his saggy, expositional inner-monologue that better, along with the character’s fluid move- biggest push factors for Ubisoft and while not of their best tries to convince you otherwise. The possible ments. The stealth elements are also wonder- totally living up to anticipated specifications, cards too Exams: struggling to ‘hack’ it? s a pro-hacker and one of the next Setting off the Library Fire Alarm ed “Traffi c Light Control” ability of Watch generation’s coolest new protago- Dogs will unsurprisingly give you the power nists, Aiden Pearce has to overcome No matter how comforting you try and make to make every traffi c light on your journey all kinds of obstacles in his quest for that Library, it’s a bleak place when exams roll green. A dangerous and unnecessary action Avengeance, but has he ever had to face any- around. Aft er a year of boring other people to other road users maybe, but I’m sure they thing as stressful as exam season? With the with their degree, hundreds of students real- would be happy to know that at least you ha- recent release of Watch Dogs, Boar Games ize they now actually have to be assessed in ven’t missed out on 15 cats because of their has come up with a number of ways in which it, leading to a crammed, pressurized work- obvious right of way. Aiden’s set of skills could come in very handy space in which you can only fi nd a good seat when dealing with those Term three blues. if someone on a quiet fl oor happens to die Eavesdropping on Library Stairwell Phone from stress. Luckily, with Aiden’s ctOS Pro- Calls Hacking Campus Vending Machines fi ler there is another way: evacuate the build- they ing through a hacked fi re alarm while hiding Who are these people with their lives beyond actually do “Eat properly and take regular breaks during behind a bookshelf and then coolly “retake” a tightly scheduled revision timetable? Now anything on cam- Term three” read patronising TV monitors your seat like the Th omas Crown of revision. you are able to fi nd out. One of Watch Dogs’ pus but “overhear” around campus. Unfortunately, it’s a Aiden Pearce might have better reasons for most intriguing mechanics before its release things. message lost on most students, who causing such a diversion, but hey; that First was Aiden’s ability to listen in on random ci- Joe Baker purchase brain-stimulating confec- isn’t going to magic its way onto your CV. vilians’ phone calls at any time to gain new tionary by the bucket load and spend more information and access to side missions. money on coff ee than it would cost them to Unibus Infl uence Comparatively, there is arguably less reason What would you have a hit of cocaine every now and again. for hacking into someone’s phone in the real do with the power Access to free vending machine goodies via Getting the bus in early is already a typical- world, unless you are Rupert Murdoch, but to hack on cam- hacking would certainly be a help in this ly lovely experience in third term, what with fi nding out which students are taking per- pus? campus-wide excuse to eat rubbish all day, Stagecoach being known for their eff ortless- sonal calls and which are just procrastinating Tweet although the Grumpy Mule would probably ly reliable and punctual service. Still, one’s through the medium of gossip would defi nite- @BoarGames be a bit grumpier for the sudden lack of busi- greatest fear is having to sprint into an exam ly make for an interesting revision break. Th is ness. late because your bus got stuck behind a slow is one for those students who post on Over- driver on the motorway. Th e much-tout- heard at Warwick so much that you wonder if 14 theboar.org 23 Editor: Cayo Sobral Editor:[email protected] Ellie May [email protected] @BoarSciTech SCI & TECH fb.com/groups/BoarSciTechTwitter @BoarSciTech .com/groups/BoarSciTech Dawn of the web: The internet and tech zombies Are computers turning us all into brain-dead zombies? Helen Th omas explores the role of technology in society he last few decades have seen com- pression, isolation and insomnia, all of which puter technology escalate at an un- can be linked to heavy technology usage. The precedented rate. Today’s society lack of privacy brought on by technology can heavily relies on computers to func- also be distressing; we are constantly under Ttion, and many advances in science and en- surveillance. Online and phone traffic can be gineering owe themselves to the digital age. monitored and collated by intelligence agen- Last year Dennis Burton, a professor of Im- cies, which can lead to paranoia and exacer- munology & Microbial Science, made the bate existing conditions such as schizophre- first concrete steps towards a HIV vaccine nia. using computational modelling and imaging The dangers and consequences of a devel- techniques. NASA sent a car-sized rover to oping digital world are very real and steps are Mars in 2012; it has been exploring, analysing already being taken to combat them. In 2009, and picturing the planet ever since. Astrono- a retreat for those suffering from online ad- mers in the US have recently used a computer dictions was established in the USA. The simulation to depict 1 billion years of cosmic programme offers a 5-day rehab treatment evolution - the first example of a virtual uni- for the excessive and compulsive use of the verse. internet, gaming, and texting. Smartphones have over a hundred thou- Technology is ubiquitous in society, and sand times more memory than the comput- has brought with it tremendous advanc- ers of 0 years ago and the proportion of the es and benefits to modern life. However, it UK population walking around with these seems clear that it can also contribute to, and powerful pocket computers is expected to » Younger generations will not know a life without internet Photo: Jean Dalbéra compound, mental illness. An average child reach 75 percent in 201. Most of us would born today in the UK will have spent a quar- feel lost without our phones even for just one will surely blow the minds of any children phones and tablets are all perfect procrasti- ter of their life in front of a non-work-related day, but are we really becoming ‘zombified’, and grandchildren of the future. The internet nation tools. Netflix automatically plays con- screen by the time they are 80, exploring me- as satirical humour would suggest? With an- is a portal to education, sightseeing, commu- tinuous episodes without pausing for breath, dia which will bombard them with glorified swers and amusement always at our finger- nity, entertainment, and escapism. Within a superb selection of ‘birds with arms’ can be celebrity lives and sensationalised horror sto- tips, our minds and bodies can become lazy, this web of knowledge, the answers to life’s found on Google images, and the ‘100 most ries. The resulting damage to social develop- as we choose to engage with devices rather important questions can be found – why are important cat pictures of all time’ is a must- ment, esteem, and general anxiety can be sig- than with those around us. Why travel to the the numbers on a phone and the numbers on see on Buzzfeed. nificant. As with most things in life, it seems Louvre and queue for hours to see the Mona a calculator the opposite way round? Exactly If technology has become such an essential technology is best in moderation. Lisa? Google it and you’ll see it in seconds. how fast do hotcakes sell? And why are fun- part of our everyday lives, how do more vul- The world’s first website was created by sized chocolate bars so small? There is noth- nerable people cope? With the aid of technol- Professor Tim Berners-Lee in the US, and ing fun about getting less chocolate. ogy we can be contacted anytime, anywhere. How long would you go went live on the 20th of December 1990. This Most technology is devised to make our And yet, despite being more in contact today without technology? means that, as a postgraduate student, I am lives easier and more efficient, but in some than ever before, people are showing greater Tweet: @BoarSciTech officially older than the internet; a fact which ways the opposite is true. Computers, smart- susceptibility to stress, anxiety, addiction, de- A working world of sleep-seekers Rebecca Myers documents her struggle with an all-too-familiar problem: not getting enough sleep rianna Huffington, queen of online thought, and the motto “the bedroom is only more efficiently. But, after the exciting honeymoon peri- journalism and all things social, for sex and sleeping”, attempted – and failed My first purchase was Sleep Cycle. It al- od, my love for Andy began to wane, and my has just released a book, with a gold – by many. legedly wakes you up at the ‘lightest’ part of exhaustion began to kick in once again. No nugget of wisdom at its core. Every- Self-help shelves are lined with theories on your sleep cycle, so you don’t feel too grog- matter how chilled and mindful I was when Aone’s talking about it, everyone wants to try how to get the perfect forty winks, and we gy. Despite nailing a good 8-9 hours a night, I went to sleep, no matter how many herb- it – the key to success in your modern, busy, have hit saturation point on the ul- this has always been my problem, al teas or yogic stretches or deep breathing I chaotic, crazy life. Sleep. They want more of timate irony, with apps com- and for a while, this solved tried, I could never sleep efficiently enough it, better of it, respect for it. ing out in droves to tackle it. However, after grow- to get by on less than  hours without feeling To the upper echelons of successful en- the problem of... well, ing up with a nana who knackered. terprising, or indeed the exam-battered being on apps before reads the Daily Mail And then the scientists started talk- Warwick student, the “right” amount and bed. and, therefore, an ing about natural light. It felt very much as quality of sleep is, ironically, but an elusive Despite taking inherent fear of though they were ridiculing us – and rightly dream. The western world is now a world of or leaving most my iPhone’s dead- so. How did we expect to get away with ig- insomniacs, talking and reading about sleep of the App Store, ly “radiation”, noring thousands of years of evolution? far more than they ever actually manage to I’m a self-con- the prospect of It was with this nod to the rhythms of na- experience it. fessed app addict sleeping with it ture that I surrendered. Until I understand Scientists have increasingly released warn- when it comes to next to my head my inherent human nature to switch on and ings to us, the workaholic/socioholic genera- sleep. I have al- every night just off with the light patterns around me, I will tion, to pay attention to our bodies’ reactions ways slept rather to monitor how forever be fighting a losing battle. Gone is to natural light. After thousands of years of well, but, being a much I toss and the struggle for efficiency, as efficiency, I re- evolution telling us to wake up as the sun ris- yogi and all-round turn seemed less alise, is going to bed before midnight and not es and sleep as the sun sets, is it any wonder hippie, have dabbled and less appealing. fighting my body’s natural desire to wake up we’re tired when we sleep 1-10am? in gentle exercise and Next up was Head- around 7am. Hormones and body temperature have even CDs of the sea and Space. I had often used Arianna Huffington’s particular take on been found to be directly controlled by light ‘rain on a tin roof’ to per- meditation to get me off to the sleep issue was: get enough. In fact, get exposure, and, in turn, directly affect our fect my mindset before getting sleep in the past, and the con- lots. Sleep equals success. It’s not as pertinent sleep patterns. A part of the brain called the my shut-eye. cept of HeadSpace and its cool, ex- a scientific verdict as our friends onto natural suprachiasmatic nucleus effectively acts as a However, after leaving home and with it the Buddhist-monk creator Andy Puddicombe light, but it is, perhaps, no less clever. Both hub for controlling these, and thus our sleep more natural rhythms of family life, I found appealed to my inner yogi enormously. So are ultimately ignored by most of us in our movements; in our modern, technological myself fighting against my body’s needs and, Andy and I started our love affair – he came permanent wars against deadlines, exams, world, it isn’t half having a hard time of it. in turn, found it harder and harder to wake with me to work, to uni, on the bus, home and Smack nights, and both are, ultimately, More recently, studies into ‘blue light’ up feeling ready for the day. I couldn’t be a for dinner, even into the shower. He was for still an elusive dream. produced by mobile phones have led to the university student who needed 8-9 hours of naps or for a full night’s sleep. Andy was the » photo: flickr/MarsmettnTallahassee ‘screens off half an hour before bed’ school of sleep a night! I would have to simply sleep way forward. 24 theboar.org 24 Editor: Samantha Hopps [email protected] Twitter @BoarTravel TRAVEL fb.com/groups/BoarTravel Festival fever: a traveller’s guide Jasmine Johnson gives us her guide to some of this summer’s best festivals across the British Isles ike the majority of students, this year the ‘queen of arts festivals’. As well as a feast my four months of freedom will be of great artists, Latitude plays host to some spent juggling my time between an great comedians such as Dara O Briain; the unpaid internship and part-time Lavish Big Screen, presenting a selection of Lwork, leaving little time or money for wan- contemporary artists’ film and video; plus the derlusting around the world as I would like. Buttoned Down Disco, the UK’s largest indie Determined not to let my commitments deny dance festival armed with giant balloons and me the sun-filled, free-spirited summer that glitter cannons! months of hard work have earned me, I have designed a master plan, that you too could V Festival, Hylands Park and Weston Park, take on. This plan is creatively entitled ‘The 16-17 August, tickets from £89 Summer of Festivals’ - trust me, hard work The menu for this tasty number includes went into that title - and with each festival the likes of Lily Allen and Example for start- costing under £100 they’re set to provide an ers, Justin Timberlake and The Killers for unforgettable array of experiences and mem- a satisfying main course, and if that’s not ories without breaking the bank. enough, a sweet dessert of Bastille, Sam Smith and Manic Street Preachers. Lovebox, London, July 18-19, tickets from £60.95 per day or £88.95 for the weekend Reading and Leeds, 22-24 August, tickets Located in East London, this July Lovebox from £99.50 Festival maintains its reputation for com- Whilst this one only just fits below the bining chilled boho vibes with an eclectic £100 mark, no pennies will go to waste. Over yet explosive line-up. This year, headliners three days the festival puts together a glori- include Chase & Status, M.I.A and Nas. If ous line-up. Queens of the Stone Age, Par- those aren’t enough, the stages will also be amore, Arctic Monkeys and Blink-182 are graced with the presence of A$AP Rocky, bound to guarantee extreme symptoms of Annie Mac, Breach, MNEK, Crystal Fighters festival-fanatic-syndrome, including lack of and many, many more. Hands down, this is voice, ‘dead legs’ and all-out fatigue, and if the festival I am most excited for! Alongside you aren’t experiencing any of these after one the performers, this weekender also features day at this festival, I highly suggest you attend unique experiences including a ‘70s inspired another. roller disco, an Arabian palace for the VIPs, » Ha Long Bay, Vietnam, a pirate captain’s paradise. Photo: Grant Matthews/Flickr and ‘The Parlour’, a converted ice-cream van Festival of Colours, London, 28-29 June, that provides festival-goers with glamorous tickets from £29.99 makeovers using Swarovski crystals, gold If you’re planning on sharing your festival leaves and glitter! photos via Instagram this summer, I can per- Travel solo and “find yourself” sonally promise that no filter will be needed Wireless, London or Birmingham, 4-6 July, here. Taking inspiration from the Indian Holi “Only those who will risk going too far can possibly find out how far one can go.” tickets from £68.75 festival, this extraordinary experience gives - T.S. Eliot With demand so high, the organisers of you the chance to get immersed in vibrant Wireless festival have expanded from their shades of safely coloured powders whilst any people I’ve spoken to are pinch yourself to check you aren’t dreaming! London base to cater to those in the north. dancing to the likes of Zane Lowe, Drunken shocked, and consider me ‘so Travelling alone also means you can take Kanye West, Pharrell, Drake, Rudimental, Masters and Crookers. This will definitely brave’ to explore parts of South- the route that you want at pace you want. Bruno Mars and Outkast take the main stage, create amazing memories and will without East Asia alone for two months You don’t have to worry about pleasing your performing on alternate days across the three doubt be a festival like no other! Mthis summer. Part of this comes from being a friends and missing out on what you want dates. With two of the London dates sold out 19-year-old female, and part of it comes from to do. Perhaps your friend isn’t the daredevil already this is guaranteed to be a great one. The Craft Beer Festival, London, August the trouble that is currently plaguing Myan- that you are and isn’t ok with spending their 14-17, tickets from £35 mar and Thailand. None of my friends had days jumping off cliffs or throwing them- T in the Park, Scotland, July 11-13, tickets For those who love the excuse for exces- the money to join me on this trip, and I saw selves out of an aeroplane. On your own, you from £82.50 sive drinking that festivals provide but aren’t going alone as no reason to cancel such an can do as you please. With three days to choose from, T in the up for staying on their feet all day, this beer adventure. Independence here I come! In addition to this, without a friend by Park is sure to find a way to play sweet music festival is ideal. With the ticket price includ- So, why travel alone? One of the great your side, you are forced to become organ- for your ears. Whether or not Arctic Mon- ing entry, four pints of free beer, a free glass things about travelling alone is that it forc- ised in order to avoid missing out on the best keys, Bastille, Disclosure, Bombay Bicycle plus the chance to learn a bit about how the es you to go outside of your comfort zone: to places to see or stay. Last year I left a lot of the Club, Ed Sheeran or The 1975 tickle your beloved beverage is made, this will certain- make an effort to socialise, or risk spending planning to my friend as she really enjoyed fancy, T in the Park epitomises the festival ly be a fun experience. And don’t think the your days alone. For this, a hostel is high- doing it, whereas I prefer to generally go with experience and gives you an excuse to do focus on beer means the attention to mu- ly recommended, as you will meet many the flow. However, this year, it’s 14 days be- some sight-seeing in the beautiful county of sic has gone amiss: the lineup here includes like-minded solo travellers. Last summer, my fore my trip begins, I have no route and I am Kinross-shire, Scotland. Plus the £50 deposit French electro-pop band We Were Ever- friend and I allowed ourselves to stay in bed likely to miss out on a lot of the popular hos- scheme provides you a little extra time to get green, vintage-sounding Amber States plus and watch TV as there was comfort in know- tels and miss sign-up for trips to other places your money together. London-based singer Ursa Minor. ing both of us were too burnt and lazy to if I don’t pull my act together! move! However, alone, to avoid going crazy, There is a constant pressure to please peo- Latitude, Suffolk, July 17-20, Tickets from Real Food Market, London, throughout the your social skills are guaranteed to improve. ple when at home. One of the wonderful £77.50 summer, free entry What’s also nice about travelling alone is things about travelling alone is that nobody The Black Keys, Two Door Cinema Club, I know for certain that one of my favourite that you have a lot of time to reflect on what’s knows who you are. I hate myself for what Kelis, Haim and Damon Albarn make their features of a festival is the herd of indulgent really going on. My favourite memories from I am about to say as it is so clichéd, but the way to Henham park this year to make up the food trucks that accompany it. The South- travelling include times when I have been reason it is said so much, is because it is true! music portion of what has been described as bank Centre is known for hosting its Real completely alone. Sat on the top deck with Travellers have no history to judge you on Food Market on selected weekends through- my legs dangling over the edge of a boat in and no grudges to hold, allowing you to find out the year and with the next three week- Ha Long Bay, I was in awe at how lucky I was out who you really are or who you really want One of my favourite features of a ends guaranteed to give ground to an array and how surreal the whole trip had been, to be. Perfect. festival is the herd of indulgent food of wine, cheese and chocolate plus heavenly but at the same time being reminded of how So, as the famous Mark Twain once said, trucks that accompany it burgers, buns and baked good there is no beautiful the world was and how much I had “Sail away from the safe harbour. Catch the chance of leaving this one on an empty stom- left to see. Often, isolation reminds you how trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. ach. lucky you are as it gives you time to think Discover”. I beg you not to be deterred from about all your friends and family who might going alone! never see this sight. Sometimes you have to Scarlett Mansfield 24 theboar.org/Travel | @BoarTravel | TRAVELtheboar.org 25 Returning to England: ‘culture shock’ isn’t just a one-way street For two countries that share the same Sportiness crous. not even trying I guaranteed failure. I don’t language, the US and the UK are remarka- On average, America is worryingly obese I never expected that living in America believe in the ‘American Dream’ mentality bly different. I experienced a lot of culture and the UK is following in its slow, plod- would make me healthier, and I wish that that anything is possible if one works hard shock during my time in the American ding footsteps on that front. But whilst the more young people in the UK would make enough. I suspect that the drive to succeed Deep South as part of a year abroad for my average American’s waistband leaves little to the most of their youth by incorporating over there is often fuelled in large part by a degree. Very generous tipping for nearly be desired, American college students are a physical activity into their daily lives. It fear of financial failure in a country with such every service imaginable took some getting different species entirely. The majority of my means that the occasional cream tea can be a weak welfare state. Sometimes, America is used to, as did toilet cubicles with disturb- classmates had played competitive sports for enjoyed guilt-free for many more years of our too self-admiring. There is simultaneous- ingly large gaps between the doors and their a chunk of their lives, and at college it seemed lives. And really, who doesn’t want that? ly a glorification of the ‘self’ as possessing frames. I had prepared myself to have to as though most people worked out regularly. limitless potential, and a glorification of the adapt to a lot of new things, and it worked The standard outfit at my host university was Self-deprecation: a blessing and a curse American people as some kind of gift to the out just fine: I had the time of my life! What athletic-wear, adapted to the seasons, and I love the British sense of humour. It’s dry, rest of the world. But if we could only harness I hadn’t expected was that once I moved the gym on campus was rammed for several clever and disparaging. I felt a rush of patri- a little bit of their go-get-’em attitude, I think back to the UK, I would experience a kind hours of the day, every day. Perhaps all the otism when I was sat in a cinema and I heard we’d be pleasantly surprised at what we could of reverse culture shock. physical activity is to offset typically poor nu- Americans crack up at the understated wit achieve. By this I mean that things I once took to trition, or perhaps it’s something to do with of a Richard Curtis rom-com. Our humour My time in America has affirmed my love be normal and acceptable, I now consider America’s competitive spirit. is often fuelled by a kind of dourness and of many things in British life. Public trans- strange and in need of change. Granted, Whatever it was, I found that unlike back self-deprecation that has come to be seen as port. Pubs. The NHS. Tea (in the American there are things I won’t miss about life in home, staying active was the norm. I spent a distinctly British. South, they have black tea over ice with an America. I found the ethics underpinning fair amount of my time socialising through It’s great in small doses; the ability to laugh alarming amount of sugar - it’s all kinds of the US healthcare system deeply worry- playing sports or getting outside to go hik- at oneself is healthy and attractive in a per- wrong). But it’s too easy to lambast the US ing, and the cost of university over there is ing, climbing or running. The ‘Turkey Trot’ son. I’ve begun to think, though, that perhaps without stopping to consider that maybe absurd, but America was a gracious host to is a fun-run held every Thanksgiving Day in we do it too much. It’s only since living in they’re doing some things right. Not tea, me, and there are two main things I wish the places all over America; the thought of the America that I’ve realised I have been guilty though. We’ll always win on the tea-making UK would learn from its neighbour across British public getting out of bed at 7am on of psyching myself out of things in the past; front. the pond. Christmas morning to go for a run is ludi- I focused on the possibility of failure, and by Helena Green Working nine-to-five and having the time of my life I suppose I could be the metaphorical whore husband I discovered (after some googling) in travelling terms: I’ve been around. I’m ad- was in the top 00 list of the largest fortunes dicted, and those who have picked up the in France. A lot of super-rich French busi- craving will sympathise. Money has restrained nessmen move to Brussels due to the more me to Europe so far (apart from a very British elite-friendly tax system. So as you see, it re- trip to Thailand with my family as a teenager) ally is the luck of the draw when it comes to and that indeed probably links to the motives au-pairing. I had a wonderful time in Brus- behind finding work abroad. I always put aside sels from then on, acting more as a babysitter a good part of my loan so I can go and visit than a nanny, and the fact that I was native friends during the holidays. English was indispensible. I cannot think of When working, you support yourself and any other job that allows you to earn a decent can spend extended periods of time in anoth- wage, yet provides you with the benefits of er country. Most importantly for me, as I am free accommodation in a nice postcode, of- hooked on learning other languages, you are ten free food, and access to household appli- totally surrounded by the language, culture ances. However, unless you fit into the family and traditions of the country you are working like the missing piece or are thoroughly in- in. This is no gap-year-volunteering-in-Kenya dependent, you will end up feeling tired of or rafting-in-Laos kind of experience. Here is being the outsider observing another family’s » Photo: Frank Friedrichs/Flickr a summary of my main experiences working life after one year. A year is definitely enough! Working as an au-pair in Brussels abroad, and a caveat to some of the perils… Door-to-door towns I wouldn’t have been able to otherwise stabbing, deceit, unrequited love and jeal- Au-pair work One of the most challenging jobs that I and had a glimpse into real Italian life. My ousy amongst the staff, it was more inter- Straight out of sixth form, an 18 year old, had abroad was a door-to-door position for Italian improved dramatically, perfecting esting as a social study. The barman was an wide-eyed Francophile, I found an au-pair the national energy company when I was liv- my use of formal address, but the main, and extravagantly camp 0-year-old man who job in Brussels through aupair-world.co.uk. ing in Italy. Our job was to tour the council huge, drawback was that my pay never came complained about having to lift a finger and What I experienced in the capital of euroc- estates and poorer areas of different towns through. They were complete crooks. I can- tried to get me to do all the sweeping. There racy was far from the boring reputation that in the region in Liguria making sure that all not stress the importance of looking after had been tension before and one staff mem- precedes it. However, I often reflect that even the residents had the right energy plan. Not your own interests when taking on a part ber ‘accidentally fell’ down the trap door in if I had escaped to Tenby it would have been only did I learn how energy provision works time or casual job, especially abroad. the bar and seriously injured herself. The ec- equally as exhilarating as it was my first taste but in the space of a month I went into more centric expatriated English night watchman of freedom, having flown the nest. than 100 Italian houses, and met the strangest Hostel and I observed the antics. I landed in the four-strong brood of a bald- characters. We were plied with coffee, ciga- The most recent experience I had abroad My French improved and I also realised ing Belgian marketing executive with anger rettes and home-made liqueur (which wasn’t was some work experience this Easter in a that I really wanted to find work in music problems and a Jekyll and Hyde-esque doc- a problem for most of the salesmen who were youth hostel in France. I was desperate to get production, inspired by stories of France’s tor, his wife. To cut a long story short, they all chain-smoking alcoholics who started the abroad to France as soon as possible before abundant music festivals. I feel that I was wanted my blood and a pound of flesh under day with a spiked coffee and a glass of Pro- the summer. The 18-year-old Francophile useful at the hostel and also in other jobs due the terms of what was essentially a slave la- secco). We were threatened and welcomed had been replaced by an Italian-loving stu- to the fact I spoke English and other languag- bour contract. I left. in, signed a contract with a man on proba- dent. I felt like I was cheating on the French. es. I then stumbled upon my next family, the tion under house arrest, I visited places and My year on the Erasmus scheme in Genoa, Work abroad. If you are a linguist or even Italy, was a heady mix of delicious food, ex- if you just speak English, there are so many clamations and gesticulations, sunsets and possibilities and you have such a strong ad- Hidden Gem: O Cesteiro, Portugal new emotions. I fell head over heels in love vantage. I met a girl in Genoa who had done with Italy and didn’t speak much French for a TEFL course. She earned enough to pay f someone offered to take you out to how you would like it cooked – the staff will a year. That made me hesitant to do so back her rent and save a considerable amount of dinner in a shopping centre, you’d be advise you on how to get the best out of your at Warwick as I felt so rusty. The work expe- money working four hours a day teaching forgiven for imagining greasy fast food, fish. Although it can be pricy, you pay by rience was meant to be a re-awakening of my English. cafeteria style service and plastic cutlery. weight, so you can choose exactly how much love for French, to get me speaking again. If you want to travel and have a more gen- IHowever, in a complex off of Villamoura’s to spend! If, like me, you love fish but hate I sent out CVs and covering letters to uine experience in that country, find some marina is O Cesteiro, a fish restaurant which the bones, the staff will even fillet the fish di- about twenty youth hostels in France and work, and totally immerse yourself in the blows all of those preconceptions out of the rectly at your table (they make it look incred- this was my only positive answer. The re- language and culture. Trust me, it’s worth it! water. After walking up a metal staircase and ibly easy!) Not only is the food fabulous, the ceptionist work was standard - I had already passing through an unassuming side door, balcony has brilliant views over the marina, worked as a receptionist in the Alpine resort Arran Turner you are greeted by incredibly friendly staff so you can see all the action whilst enjoying of Valfréjus, and was well accustomed to the who show you the enormous selection of fish your meal. If you’re ever visiting Villamoura, dips and peaks and the need to be constantly available. From prawns to turbot to dorado, make sure you stop in at O Cesteiro – you’ll on the ball in several languages. Have you got any tips for fi nding work abroad? O Cesteiro is every fish-lover’s dream. First, never get a better meal in a shopping mall. However, there was nothing youthful Tweet: @BoarTravel you choose your seafood, then you choose Helena Moretti about this hostel. There was so much back- theboar.org 27 theboar Student Publication of the Year 203

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[email protected] theboar.org 32 Sponsored by Editor: Luke Brown [email protected] Twitter @BoarSport SPORT fb.com/groups/BoarSport Boat Club aim for an extra-oar-dinary regatta Warren Muggleton spends a wet summer’s day with the Warwick Boat Club before the annual Henley Regatta

here are several sporting There are a huge variety of tro- events to look forward to phies to be won at Henley Royal this summer. Between 2nd Regatta and this year the University andT th July, one such event will of Warwick Boat Club’s 1st VIII will take place, an event which brings be hoping to compete in the Temple people from around the world to- Challenge Cup, for student eights. gether, down by the River Thames. Before the big occasion, I went This event is the Henley Royal Re- down to the boat club on a typically gatta, a key fixture in the summer damp British summer day to have a sporting calendar. chat with the crew. The event began in 1839 as part Last year, the crew qualified for of a fête put on by villagers in Hen- the Temple Challenge Cup, one of ley, but soon after it came to focus 15 successful crews from the 45 exclusively on competitive rowing. who entered qualifying, in what In this year, all the races took was described as a “decent row” by place on one afternoon- the next the cox, Natalie Kernan. year that increased to two after- Warwick were then drawn noons. In 1928, the event became against Virginia University, one so popular, it was over-subscribed of the favourites from America. and qualifying was introduced. In Disappointingly, on the day of the 1986, the event adopted the form it Warwick crew returning to the takes today, with five days of racing. Temple Challenge Cup after a three With such an illustrious histo- year absence, they lost to Virginia ry, it is clear to see why the event by a considerable distance. gained royal patronage in 1851 un- So what has changed this year? der H.R.H. Prince Albert. “The load has increased by about Today, there are 90 races over five 25% from last season” said the sen- days, covering five types of rowing ior men’s captain, Lee Rawlings. » The Henley Royal Regatta is a key fixture in the summer sporting calendar. Photo: Warren Muggleton and sculling. Henley is a unique re- The crew started training again in gatta because it is the only one not the middle of July, two weeks after and only get to cheer on the crew who they would be drawn against. to 22nd June 2014. subject to the jurisdiction of British Henley 2013. Matt Dabell, who sits for a fraction of the time. Whilst the captain would be very In October, a new coaching sys- Rowing or the world organisation in two-seat, earnestly added “the At Henley, however, crowds con- proud if the crew got through to tem was implemented for the wom- of rowing, FISA. training has increased from 7 to 12 gregate along the whole distance, Thursday, others would be happy to en. “With 12 sessions a week, and a There are 20 events which have sessions a week.” making for a consistent noise of actually qualify. However, everyone squad of 20 girls, this year has been attracted people from all over the “Each session has been given support, adding to the sense of oc- agreed that having a good row on a watershed for Warwick women,” world at different levels. From more structure with a clear goal” casion. the day was most important. said senior women’s coach Patrick schoolboys to international squads, bow-man, Chris Young, told me. “I would love for the crew to have Hinton. Henley offers a unique opportunity This has been aided by the intro- a fast and consistent pace with a lot So there we have it. Those com- to brush shoulders with both the duction of Oliver James as the sen- “With  sessions a of aggression,” said Oliver James. peting at Henley commit to the established stars and hot prospects ior men’s coach, who coxed the LTA He also spoke about how event fully, with months of training, of the rowing world. Mixed Four at the World Champi- week, and a squad of everything builds up to this one come rain or shine, in order to have The course is just over a mile and onships in Korea last year.  girls, this year has race. “It acts as a motivation to get the best possible chance of success a quarter long, which surmounts to “Rather than going through the been a watershed for us from one session to another,” the at this summer sporting event. motions there seems to be more Warwick Women” crew said. On this “prestigious”, “beauti- reason to our training,” the team Patrick Hilton From spending some time with ful” and “lush” course, rowers of all said. the crew on Wednesday, it is clear to countries and levels come together  e 2014 Henley Regatta When I asked the crew why see how tight-knit they all are. The to try and put their names in the boasts 90 races spread over Henley was a unique rowing event aim with rowing is for all members history books.  ve days, covering  ve di er- in the racing calendar, several rea- of the crew to do exactly the same This is a British summer sport- ent types of rowing and scull- sons were given to me. “As well as Only two BUCS rowing events thing at exactly the same time. The ing event which I think needs more ing the beautiful older ladies, there is are fully recognised on the stu- crew unsurprisingly do everything recognition because there is so a chance, as semi-professionals, to dent university calendar. In both together- train in the morning, eat much on offer from so many com- brush shoulders with gold medal- my opinion and the opinion of the breakfast, study in the Learning petitive crews- although not every- about 2120m if you want to try that lists,” said Paddy West, the three- crew, Henley offers both a high Grid or Library and train again. For one can win, it is a special event not on the rowing machines! The event man. quality of rowing, as well as a stun- Lee, “being a rowing captain has to be missed. is not like the Olympics where 6 Thomas Lister, who sits in the ning social event. Also, there are been the best thing at university,” as crews race each other- it is a head- five-seat, quoted Steve Redgrave only 32 crews or less in each event; he has seen the crew progress. to-head, straight knock-out; there in describing the event as “the therefore Henley offers a crew the However, it is not just the boys Keep up to date with is no room for error. equivalent of an arena” as people chance to race with crews from going to Henley. This season, the our progress at the The course is marked out clearly can watch the race throughout the America and Europe in a very se- women’s squad has seen a great deal Regatta by following us with solid white booms on either whole distance. At Dorney Lake, lect group. of success throughout the year and @BoarSport side, acting both as a help and po- for example, most people are sat It was difficult for the crew to give they are now aiming for more at tentially a hindrance to the cox. along the last 300 metres of the race an aim for Henley without knowing Henley Women’s Regatta from 20th 32 SPORT theboar.org 27 Highlights of the 2013/2014 sports season Five Boar Sport writers reveal their favourite university sporting moments of the academic year

The biggest highlight of the men’s tainly the biggest positive to come After the new freshers were basketball season for me was reach- from this season. The tournament welcomed by the University of ing the semi-finals of the BUCS was another resounding success, Warwick’s Women’s Football Club Midlands Conference Cup. After and the development of the next (UWWFC) veterans, the fantastic beating Leicester in the Last 1 and generation is something we eagerly mini-tour in term one was planned Nottingham Trent in the Quarters, anticipate. to kick off the year’s social life. It we matched up against our biggest Oliver Hopkins, Dodgeball did exactly that, and throughout rivals of the year: Loughborough Captain the entire year circles were integral 2nds. to the weekly schedule. Unfortunately, we did not pull When it came down to the through with the win, but the football, this has been UW- lads fought hard until the last WFC’s most successful seconds of the game. War- year thus far, with wick Basketball’s men the 1st team plac- and women’s teams ing joint second also won their Varsi- in their league » Photo: Chris Beck ty matches against and the 2nd luck to the leavers, they will be tru- Coventry, and the team coming ly missed. trigue and extensive BBC coverage. games had a huge third. There Helen Babalola, UWWFC The match was fantastic, really attendance with was also a competitive and physical, and in phenomenal top per- The Varsity ice h ockey match the end I think it’s fair to say that support from formance was brilliant this year. We may have Warwick were worthy winners. the crowd. from the won Varsity for the past 2 years in Considering that Coventry usually Phil Reeder, futsal a row, but Coventry almost always beat us in this particular event, to Basketball t e a m , get the better of us in ice hockey. win was even more satisfying. Captain as they The atmosphere was electric and The atmosphere was engaging won the the pace of the game frenetic. The and hilarious in equal measure, and The greatest futsal 1A lead changed hands several times I discovered a burning inner hatred achievement League. before we eventually won 7- with for Coventry within me that I pre- of this season The Salou a last-minute goal. viously hadn’t realised existed. On came at its gen- tour and I was lucky enough to commen- that note, I’d like to take this oppor- esis. The men’s the very tate on the match for RaW and it tunity to apologise to the Coventry freshers will have successful was the perfect introduction to two supporter directly opposite me, to go a long way to charity tour- weeks of Varsity mayhem. whom I yelled “SCUM” at whenev- surpass the dizzying nament were Isaac Leigh, Sport Editor er we made eye contact. heights they achieved great ways to 2013/14 It was wrong of me and I’ve in their first ever tour- end an awesome certainly learnt that to make such nament. Demonstrating year. UWWFC I think I’m going to have to copy sweeping generalisations is nothing skill and maturity beyond managed to raise Isaac and say my favourite sporting short of ignorant. Even if you do their years, they took home over £1,00 for its var- memory of this academic year is go to an institution for people who the coveted University Cham- ious chosen charities over the Varsity Ice Hockey. Varsity nev- can’t play sport very well. pionships trophy in a memorable the year. Simply put, any sum- er fails to entertain and it’s basically Luke Brown, Sport Editor day. The progress of our freshers mary of UWWFC’s year would as big as the World Cup, just with- has been sensational, and most cer- not do it justice. Farewell and good out the corruption, political in- » Photo: Warwick Basketball Elena Baltacha: “You will always be missed” Ibtisam Ahmed pays tribute to the tennis star, who tragically passed away from liver cancer earlier this year In a sport dominated by players her titles on home soil. All of this was a serious consideration, given sie results, however, she hit an- dreams by representing Team GB who have noticeable personas off- amounts to a perfectly respecta- both the complexity of post-oper- other roadblock when she needed at the 2012 London Olympics. She court, often accompanied by lucra- ble career, better than many of her ation rehabilitation and the health to undergo back surgery in 200. called it the most memorable and tive media deals, it is refreshing to compatriots and definitely better risks of continuing on tour with her Having worked hard to climb back emotional moment of her career, see someone whose sole focus is on than the vast majority who pick up condition. up the rankings, she dropped back and her infectious smile during the what happens from the coin toss to a racquet professionally. Instead, Baltacha returned to the down – and she still refused to give athletes’ parade remains one of her the call of “Game, Set and Match.” This all sounds commendable tour in January 200. She surprised up. After coming back in 2007, she most enduring off-court images. That Elena Baltacha was able to but a little ordinary. To understand everyone with solid showings in continued to rack up ITF wins over Having paved the way for players maintain that level of commitment what made Bally so extraordi- ITF tournaments, a memorable the next three years to go alongside like Anne Keothavong, Heather despite seemingly unsurmountable nary, one has to take a closer look. match against Jennifer Capriati at her ongoing enthusiasm for the Fed Watson and Laura Robson, she fi- odds is a reflection of her strength At Wimbledon 200, she played Wimbledon and a strong commit- Cup. Her hard work finally cul- nally retired in November 201. of character, and it is truly heart one of her most memorable and ment to the sport by participating minated in an unforgettable 2010 She married coach Nino Seve- breaking that this piece has to be hard-fought matches – and winning – in multiple Fed season. Following her rd Round rino in December, before getting written as an epitaph. against Jelena Dokic, Cup ties. Dedication to the LTA result in Melbourne – tied for her diagnosed with liver cancer in Jan- Bally started her professional ca- forcing the former was a particular trait of hers, and best Grand Slam run – she chalked uary of this year. A patron of the reer in 1997. Between then and her semi-final- her Fed Cup heroics definitely won up her two biggest victories to date, Children’s Liver Disease Founda- final match in 201, she was able to i s t to three over the hearts of many fans who beating reigning and future French tion since 2010 and a warrior since notch up 11 tournament victories, sets b e f o r e are normally used to seeing players Open champions Francesca Schia- the age of 19, Elena Baltacha sadly as well as a slew of impressive wins b o w i n g out. put individual ambitions ahead of vone and Na Li, both Top 10 players succumbed to the disease on the against higher ranked opponents. Following the betterment of the sport. at the time. Those results, com- th of May, 201. Her ranking peaked at No. 9 in her loss, Baltacha 2005 saw her reach the bined with deep runs at multiple Tennis lost a trailblazer. The September 2010, and she was the underwent invasive rd Round of the ITF and WTA tournaments, led to world lost an inspiration. RIP Bally, British No. 1 for three non-consec- surgery to find the cause Australian Open, a her highest ever ranking. you will always be missed. utive years. Although she failed to of lifelong health problems. result she would The next three years saw her liv- make the second week at Grand Her ranking fell all the way repeat in 2010. er condition flare up again, as well Tweet us your Slams, she still thrilled the British to No. 7. More worryingly, Between as time off for foot injury which tributes to Baltacha fans, with one of her best Slam re- it was discovered that she had a those two Aus- required minor surgery in late @BoarSport sults coming at Wimbledon (rd chronic liver condition that affect- 2012. Nonetheless, Bally was able Round in 2002) and the majority of ed her immune system. Retirement » Photo: fl ickr/n8xd to fulfil one of her life’s biggest