felixonline.co.uk @felixImperial /FelixImperial felix@imperial.ac.uk Keeping the cat free since 1949 Issue 1600 March 6th 2015

Issue 1600 2 06.03.2015 THE STUDENT PAPER OF IMPERIAL COLLEGE LONDON FELIX This week’s issue... [email protected] Felix Editor Philippa Skett CONTENTS EDITORIAL TEAM Volunteers make the Union go round Editor-In-Chief PHILIPPA SKETT News 3-6 Deputy Editor his week, I’ve been blown away THIS WEEK’S EDITORIAL it’s not the Sabbatical roles that PHILIP KENT Comment 7-14 by the amazing efforts of my should be commanding all the Teditorial team to put together attention – the roles that are done Treasurer Science 15-22 this momentous issue. Issue 1600 has in her own section alone, alongside purely by volunteers can be infinitely THOMAS LIM been talked about since the beginning a great spread in Culture about plus more challenging and carry more Technical Hero Games 23-24 of last term, and how we planned to size fashion. of a direct impact than some of the LUKE GRANGER-BROWN celebrate this Felix milestone has My copy editorial team have been student sabbatical roles. Politics 25 been constantly evolving. This final reading, chopping and correcting all It was a group of volunteers that News Editors form has taken hundreds of hours to day, with only minimal intervention brought together the Meet the CAROL ANN CHEAH Welfare 26 do, and we’ve been in late every night on my part, and my Deputy Editor Candidates program on Wednesday; KUNAL WAGLE and the weekends to get everything has also churned out the manifesto it was a complete group of volunteers Comment Editor Culture Pullout 27-70 done. layout for this year’s Big Elections. that ran ICSM RAG week that TESSA DAVEY I am especially proud of my Arts In fact, every member of the team managed to raise so much money, Elections Special 73-80 Editor, Fred Fyles, who took control has been outstanding this week: sorry and it is volunteers that day on day Technology Editors JAMIE DUTTON of our multi-section pull-out, Culture; to be mushy but I am so proud of keep our Union ticking. OSAMA AWARA Hangman 81-87 without him it wouldn’t be nearly my students that keep me sane and So if you do decide to vote as impressive! Fred is a medical functioning each week, and make my tomorrow or next week, make sure Science Editors Puzzles 88-90 student, and has managed to balance job so exciting and fun and worth you spend some time thinking about LAUREN RATCLIFFE hospital rotations with planning doing even when slowly dying. what people you think would be JAMES BEZER Clubs & Societies 91 and putting together forty beautiful I literally have no idea how they do the best to fill the volunteer roles Games Editors pages; something he’s managed to do it; I’ve spent the week in a flu-induced of next year; choose people who are MAX EGGL Sports 92-95 in a week, but something that took haze, and have watched in seemingly dedicated, hardworking, but also CALUM SKENE me weeks to do when laying out the slow motion as the office has buzzed passionate. Fresher’s issue. around me, bringing Issue 1600 Joke candidates are great for a bit Arts Editors FRED FYLES I am actually slightly concerned together and in seemingly good time of light relief, but remember that for KAMIL McCLELLAND What’s on this now my editorial team have began to too; I might actually have an early every joke candidate elected, that is week: surpass me in skill and dedication; it night tonight. one role that cannot contribute to the Music Editors is only a matter of time before they I would like to say a great big thank wider club, society or project they are GRACE RAHMAN realise I’m really now just an office you to my volunteers that go above a part of. Television Editors Voting opens for the accessory, overthrow me and take and beyond their roles to support me Volunteers make the Union GIULIA GABRIELLI Big Elections over Felix completely. as an editor and keep the paper in tick; they run your clubs, your JOHN PARK Big shout out to Ben Howitt, who check. I could not do this job single- representation network, your sports Mar 6th, 12:00, Online has managed to work some sort of handedly, especially when knee deep teams and ultimately your student Film Editors InDesign magic into our templates, in ibuprofen packets and trying to voice.Vote for someone who you ELLEN MATHIESON JACK STEADMAN The usual amazing whilst copy editing like a machine, stop my lungs from escaping from my know can do the job, do it well but JOHN PARK assortment of stats are still finding time to campaign, do his mouth. also loves what they do; they may be around too. degree and even find some spare time This week, we’ve been watching the rallying for your vote this week, but Web Editor to run all his clubs and societies. Big Elections with quiet scepticism in the end you’ll be thanking them JUNE GAN Education Day: I would also like to praise my – with a lot of roles uncontested, it for making your student experience dedicated and talented Comment is difficult to take candidates that so much more than it would be Fashion Editor Students as Partners CECILE BORKHATARIA Editor Tessa, who has managed to are likely to win too seriously and without them. Mar 11th, 13:00, SAF command eight whole pages this week scrutinise them properly. However, PHILIPPA SKETT Food Editors CAROL ANN CHEAH The role of students in Coffee Break Editors education will be discussed TESSA DAVEY by College staff and students. ELLEN MATHIESON Register online. Have you voted? Travel Editor MTSoc Spring Show: Or are you not going to? YUNG NAM CHEAH Merrily We Roll Along Politics Editor JOSHUA RENKEN Mar 11th, 19:00, Union Concert Hall Welfare Editors Tell us , DIBA ESBATI who you voted for CHANON WONGSATAYANONT Showing Wednesday to Saturday inclusive, tickets Clubs and Societies Editor are £6 for students and £8 for or why you don’t vote in our BEN HOWITT non-students, buyable online. Sport Editor confidential exit poll! KUNAL WAGLE

COPY EDIT TEAM SKETT’S BOX OF SHAME Copy Chiefs www.bit.ly/felix-poll STEPHEN BALL We got nothing wrong last ELLEN MATHIESON week, apparently. Copy Editors This is probably a mistake Felix, Offices Printed by Iliffee Print Cambridge, Winship BEN HOWITT in itself. Especially in 96 Beit Quad, Prince Consort Road, Road, Cambridge. JUNE GAN MICHAEL FAGGETTER pages of Felix this week. London SW7 2BB JACK STEADMAN Registered newspaper ISSN 1040-0711 CECILY JOHNSON Do email us if you spot Email: [email protected] Copyright © Felix anything wrong with Felix: Tel: 020 7594 8072 [email protected] www.felixonline.co.uk Front page picture: Wiki commons FELIX THE STUDENT PAPER OF IMPERIAL COLLEGE LONDON 06.03.2015 3 News [email protected] News Editors Carol Ann Cheah, Kunal Wagle Election hopefuls grilled at Meet the Candidates

PHILIP KENT mostly written by the ICTV team, asked about their willingness to evening was with the discussion of charge during their term. Candidate DEPUTY EDITOR with a number of other questions become legally responsible for the Union President, for this is felt to be Lucinda Sandon-Allum confirmed submitted by viewers via the hashtag Union, while candidates for Deputy one of the most prestigious roles at that she would consider moving to #voteicu. President (Clubs & Societies) debated the Union. Woodward, while Luke Armitage said ednesday once again saw Whilst a number of the positions about how the Union interacts with Host Lim questioned the he would not. the annual broadcast of had either only one person running, clubs. As part of this, the Union’s candidates as to whether they would The whole recording is available WMeet the Candidates by or only one person able to attend the decision to move a number of club live in Woodward Hall in North to watch again online at www. Imperial College Television (ICTV), live broadcast, a good degree of debate elections into the Big Elections was Acton if they were to win next year – imperialcollege.tv, with separate where candidates for the various was had for many of the positions. hotly discussed. sabbatical officers are allowed to live videos also available for each Officer Trustee roles, as well as Felix Candidates for Student Trustee were Possibly the highlight of the in College accommodation free of position. Editor, Council Chair, and Student Trustees debated live on air as part of their campaigns to win the election. The production, which was also one of the first collaborations between IC Radio and ICTV in the refurbished media basement, also featured a “pundit panel” made up of former sabbatical officers for the first time in recent history. The panel consisted of Matthew Colvin (Felix Editor 2011-12), Jason Parmar (Deputy President (Education) 2011-12) and Marissa Lewis (Deputy President (Welfare) 2013-14), and was chaired by Mechanical Engineering student George Butcher. The show itself was chaired by EEE finalist Thomas Lim, who also produced the show alongside Pete Brook. Whilst viewers were treated to a rare glimpse of the ICTV control room in the West Basement of Beit, the main focus of the show was on watching candidates answer questions posed to them. These questions were Thomas Lim (right) quizzes the potential Student Trustees at Meet the Candidates. Photo: Imperial College Television Do you want to name a satellite?

EMMA WILLS of satellites to designed for this for the project is £43,000. Once the unnamed. Like the rest of the project, will be picked and then voted on. NEWS REPORTER purpose, but these were developed prototype and design have been its name needs to be something To enter, simply email your name in the seventies and haven’t been completed and tested, this summer eye-catching to help the project catch suggestion to cubesat@vehicledesign. updated since. This project aims to the project will be pitched to space the attention of space agencies. This co.uk. mperial’s Vehicle Design Society show how the existing system can be agencies to gather the remaining is why the students have set up a The winning name will become are currently in the process of improved with minimal investment, funds it needs for completion and competition to name the satellite. what the project is called, and will Idesigning and building what will though it also hopes to test several launch. They are asking for people to submit hopefully in a couple of years will be hopefully be Imperial’s first ever other engineering ideas, for example Even at this early stage of the name ideas, from which a shortlist orbiting the Earth! student satellite. an origami-based deployable solar project, it has already taught the The type of satellite being built is a panel, never before tested in small students involved much about the CubeSat—a tiny and relatively cheap satellites. processes involved in the real-world satellite, just 10cm cubed in volume. “This project is a first-of-its kind in space industry. Invented in the nineties in America Imperial,” said Javier Maurino, the ‘This project is fascinating because to teach students about the basics project manager. “Developing a nano- it enhances the understanding of a of satellites, these tiny standardised satellite is a unique way to promote real industrial process, and being units are now making it easy for space exploration and science, but it is led completely by students also many more diverse groups to access also very challenging. However, when teaches the importance of internal space at low costs. you have scientists and engineers organisation and teamwork,’ said This project will in fact be more like from very different backgrounds Andrea Vivaldi, head of logistics and a RectangleSat, as it consists of three working together towards the finance. CubeSats stuck together. Its aim is same goal, the results are simply David Cava, systems team leader, to put into space a camera with the incredible.” said: ‘Having something flying highest resolution of any CubeSat to This project has brought together around the Earth developed by a date, at 1.5m of the Earth’s surface almost a hundred Imperial students group of students sounds to me per pixel. from many departments, all with more as science fiction than real life. Its ultimate goal is to be able to the hope of putting this satellite into Determination and lack of fear are aid search and rescue missions space. Money has been secured from required for this project and that is by detecting and locating distress the university to design and create what I like the most about it.’ People are being encouraged to suggest names for the satellite, which is signals. There is currently a network a prototype, but the total budget So far however, the satellite is being built by the Vehicle Design Society Photo: Vehical Design Society 4 06.03.2015 THE STUDENT PAPER OF IMPERIAL COLLEGE LONDON FELIX News [email protected] News Editors Carol Ann Cheah, Kunal Wagle Medical Student Union RAG week raises more than £10,000 Philippa Skett reports as the money is donated to local charity

he Imperial College School that was screened on the night. Entry of Medicine (ICSM) Student fees from the door went towards the TUnion’s RAG week made growing RAG Week total, with £350 over £10,000 earlier this term; an raised in total on the night. incredible figure that pays testament Throughout the week clubs also got to the amount of work that went into involved; ICSM Jazz Band performed running the week. at Chelsea and Westminster hospital, ICSM RAG week kicked off with whilst Music Soc, Light Opera, Dance their annual RAG Games, which took and Drama came together to put on place at the Reynolds Bar, Charing the Arts Revue 2015 show at the end Cross campus. of the RAG Week, with all ticket The games involved various proceeds also going to RAG. challenges students could volunteer Felix spoke to ICSM RAG Treasurer themselves to do, before the infamous Rhys Smith, about the events they ran “FourSkins” head shaving session and the money they raised. took place later in the evening. He filled us in on how the week Second year students from four of went, and also the upcoming events the Medicinal sports teams gallantly that students can still get involved offered up their hair in return for with. donations, raising £3124 in total. RAG Dash took place last weekend, Several students are picked from as 162 students, plus the ISCMSU Hockey, Rugby, Water Polo and committee, were let loose across Football and nominated for the Amsterdam. Said Rhys: “The only head shave, and students can donate stress was really talking to people money towards individual students who ran the hostels our students were – the student that has the highest staying in, everything else went very amount donated for them has to get smoothly!” on stage and is shaved, However, the biggest event left On Tuesday, they held a club night in the RAG calendar is the RAG Photo: Rhys Smith at Kona Kai, Fulham, raising around Fashion Show, which takes place £400 from ticket sales. The Medics next week at Clapham Grand. The an inclusive event, with students and so many students said they had fundraiser. RAG Valentine’s Ball, located at the show features clothes from local and from a whole range of clubs taking had fun getting involved too, which “Despite all the scrutiny the media Phoenix Arts Club, Piccadilly, also small designers, all donated to the part. From sports students through is great. We hope even more people puts on students nowadays, it is raised around £1250 in ticket sales. students taking part. The show sold to those in arts and performance want to get involved next year as a amazing to see everyone putting their Thursday saw the first ever “I’m a out its first batch of tickets within societies, it attracts lots of support result!” money forward for a great cause.” Club Captain Get Me Out of Here!” minutes, although another 150 will from the entirety of the medical Said Dariush Hassanzadeh-Baboli, ICSM RAG are donating the money event take place at Reynolds too, soon be released nearer the date. So student cohort.” ICSMSU President: “I am really proud raised to COSMIC (Children of St which featured Live bush tucker trials far around 300 seats have been sold Rhys said about the week on the of the students at ICSM for getting Mary’s Intensive Care), a local charity as club captains competed to win in total. whole: “The committee has become a so involved in RAG. We doubled the that looks to support critically ill £100 for their club. Club Captains Rhys told us how so many close knit family as we worked hard number of attendees to our annual children and their families who are from various Sports teams also put students come together to help planning and running these events. Dash, and we raised a huge amount being treated at the local hospital together a one-hour special show with the fashion show: “This is such “Everyone enjoyed themselves through our annual head shaving based in Paddington.

Photo: Rhys Smith Photo: Rhys Smith FELIX THE STUDENT PAPER OF IMPERIAL COLLEGE LONDON 06.03.2015 5 News [email protected] News Editors Carol Ann Cheah, Kunal Wagle Imperial College researchers to crowdfund LSD brain-imaging study

CECILY JOHNSON Nutt, director of the certain areas of the brain which might Carhart-Harris. “Once we’ve done and very much less than alcohol. But NEWS REPORTER Neuropsychopharmacology Unit in normally play a role in constraining that, we want to look at how these no research [has been] done on them.” the Division of Brain Sciences, the normal processing, enhancing drugs can be put to good use”. “Despite the incredible potential team has already completed the first connectivity and communication Professor Nutt, speaking at a of this drug to further our cientists from the Department of stage of the project. 20 volunteers between different regions of the briefing in London, spoke out understanding of the brain, political Medicine are reaching out to the were injected with a moderate dose brain. It is believed that LSD may against the restrictive attitude of the stigma has silenced research”. If the Spublic in an attempt to source of LSD before functional magnetic behave in a similar way. government to research involving team is successful in securing the the funding required to complete resonance imaging (fMRI) and “We think it’s essentially important illicit substances. “Interesting necessary funds, they may be able to the final phase of their research. magnetoencephalography (MEG) to understand how these drugs, that drugs that we’ve been researching share the results of the study by the The study hopes to generate the first scans were performed. are widely used and seem to have like MDMA (ecstasy) and LSD are end of this year. The crowdfunding ever images of the brain activity of a The process of analysing the data this therapeutic potential, work in relatively low in terms of harms, campaign will run for 45 days from person experiencing the effects of the obtained has already begun, but the the brain” said study coordinator Dr considerably less even than cannabis March 5th on Walacea.com. psychedelic drug. full findings cannot be determined LSD and other psychoactive until more funding is secured. drugs such as psilocybin, the active Funding bodies have historically chemical in magic mushrooms, been cautious to provide grants for have been the subject of a number of research involving illegal drugs. The recent studies in the UK and US. The scientists have turned to the start- drugs are believed to have potential up science crowdfunding platform benefits for patients suffering from Walacea in an attempt to raise the depression, anxiety and alcohol £25,000 required to complete the addiction, but research into these study. therapeutic properties previously Initial funding was provided by stalled after they were banned in the Imperial College and the Beckley UK in 1971. Foundation’s Psychedelic Research The controlled status of LSD has Programme, which conducts made clinical research difficult to pioneering work in understanding conduct, requiring a Home Office the way psychoactive substances license and approval from a research operate in the brain, as well as their ethics committee. therapeutic benefits. The same team The first of its kind ever conducted, is running a study this May into the latest study hopes to investigate psilocybin and its potential to treat the mechanism behind the way LSD patients with depression. works in the brain. Recent research has suggested that Led by Professor David psilocybin suppresses activity in One of the study’s participants prepares for a brain scan. Photo: The Beckley Foundation New Dean of Medicine announced

CECILY JOHNSON appointments.” the Faculty of Medicine and would “The Faculty of Medicine at the clinicians of the future and use NEWS REPORTER “Gavin is a passionate advocate like to thank Professor Kelleher for Imperial hosts an extraordinarily our expertise in basic and clinical of the opportunities at Imperial his vision, energy and commitment talented body of staff and students. science to change lives. I look forward to improve health and wellbeing to advancing the Faculty’s aims and It has been a great privilege to to working with my colleagues to rofessor Gavin Screaton has by working in multi-disciplinary ambitions, including those with new work alongside colleagues from maximise the impact on health and been named as Imperial College collaborations across the College national and international partners all disciplines at Imperial, where wellbeing that I believe the College PLondon’s new Dean of the and with partners externally. I look and collaborators.” we combine our talents to educate can bring to bear”. Faculty of Medicine. He will take forward very much to working with over the role from Professor Dermot him and his team to advance the Kelleher from 1st March 2015. academic mission of Imperial College Professor Screaton is currently London”. Vice Dean (Academic Development) Professor Screaton held a range in the Faculty of Medicine. He first of clinical academic appointments joined Imperial in 2004 as the Chair and fellowships at the University of Medicine, also serving as Head of Oxford and the John Radcliffe of the Department of Medicine and Hospital, Oxford, before he joined Campus Dean for Hammersmith Imperial. As a clinical investigator, before taking up the position of Vice his research focused on the Dean in 2013. immunology of infectious disease, The Provost of Imperial College particularly dengue virus infection. London, Professor James Stirling, As chair of the Faculty Board, made the announcement in a letter Professor Screaton has had a addressed to staff and students. significant role in staff recruitment “Since joining Imperial over a decade and strategic and financial planning ago, [Professor Screaton] has made across the College’s Academic Health a significant contribution to the Science Centre partnership with success of the Faculty through his Imperial College NHS Trust. leadership within a succession of Professor Screaton stated: “I’m Campus, Departmental and Faculty honoured to be appointed Dean of The St Mary’s Campus is one of the many medicine campuses Photo: Imperial College London 6 06.03.2015 THE STUDENT PAPER OF IMPERIAL COLLEGE LONDON FELIX News [email protected] News Editors Carol Ann Cheah, Kunal Wagle Election hustings debate tackles education

JOSHUA RENKEN were reviewed. in £280 billion being added to the NEWS REPORTER In the election hustings debate national debt by 2030. Liam Byrne confirmed that Ed Mr Clark accused Labour of Miliband and Labour still see a adopting an “unprogressive” policy he only pre-election debate graduate tax as the right “long-term” and told the audience that the on higher education that policy for university funding despite Institute for Fiscal Studies had said of Tfeatures key representatives announcing £6,000 fees as their Labour’s £6,000 policy that it “would from all of the three main parties in short-term goal. benefit the highest earning graduates Westminster took place on the 2nd Mr Byrne said “I don’t think when they are in their 40s” and “put March. the Liberal Democrats or the universities back on the dependence Photo: Times Higher Education The event, which was chaired Conservatives have said definitely of an annual handout from the by Open University Chancellor that fees will not rise in the next Treasury”. money would be to “put it towards the funding, and we got the first tranche Baroness Lane-Fox and hosted by Parliament.” The minster said: “I’m sorry that we cost of living for students…that is the of that in the autumn statement.” Times Higher Education, the Higher The shadow minister asserted have ended up with a disagreement… thing that will get rid of the barriers However these postgraduate loans Education Policy Institute, the Open “although we can’t promise free because I do think universities have students actually face”. are not currently available for University and Universities UK, put education over the course of the next benefitted from the confidence and Criticising Labour’s £6,000 policy, anyone over 30 years of age. Huppert questions to the panel consisting Parliament, we do think the right stability that’s come from the fees Mr Huppert said: “The money reiterated that it “should only be a of Liam Byrne (Labour shadow long-term shift is to a graduate tax.” system.” that is available, I would not use it first step” and that if the loan system minister for universities, science He added: “I know that there are Mr Huppert declared that preferentially to help students who works well the programme should be and skills), Julian Huppert (Lib many people in the higher education ultimately he would like fees to be will go on to make lots of money. I expanded. Dem science spokesman) and Greg sector who would like the current abolished but admitted, “I simply would use it to help students at the Although he conceded that “you Clark (Conservative minister for system to stay. But I have to say to don’t know how to get funding for same time they need it.” may have to find a way to adjust the universities, science and cities). you it would be criminally naïve to that” and wouldn’t want the taxpayer The panel also discussed the repayment process.” Labour’s pledge to reduce tuition ignore the time bomb that’s about to to pay for higher learning in full “if introduction of postgraduate loans. It is clear that higher education is fees to £6000 was the biggest talking go off.” it meant destroying the quality of Huppert explained that: “I did going to be a central element of this point in the 90-minute discussion, Mr Byrne attacked the status quo, education”. quite a lot of work with NUS and all year’s election campaign and this but other issues such as free speech claiming that the current £9,000 The Lib Dem science spokesman sorts of others to argue the case for hustings debate helped to clarify the in Universities and overseas students student loans system would result argued that the best allocation of the income contingent loans for graduate positions of the three major parties. FELIX THE STUDENT PAPER OF IMPERIAL COLLEGE LONDON 06.03.2015 7 Comment [email protected] Comment Editor Tessa Davey Is Imperial changing for the better? Tessa Davey looks back on seven years of Imperial and Felix

TESSA DAVEY COMMENT EDITOR

’ve been at Imperial for seven years, which is quite a long Itime – longer than most. In that time, I’ve seen a lot of change. Some of these changes are ones I never imagined happening, like the loss of Evelyn Gardens, which was my home as a fresher, but they’re mostly overwhelmingly positive. Imperial can sometimes seem like a bit of a depressing place. For the vast majority of your time here, you’re stressed and overwrought, and, from what I’ve seen, it can seem like a really negative place to be a lot of the time. When people ask me why I’ve stayed here so long, and done three different degrees, I often compare it to Stockholm syndrome, and that I’ve This place always has, and always will be my first love.. Photo: Imperial College eventually come to love my captors. But I’ve really enjoyed my time at concept stage to fruition. The people publication, and that I would have the reason that I’ve always read the Imperial. Some years have been better currently protesting the future nothing of value to contribute to it. Comment section so avidly, and why than others, and I’ve hit many pitfalls closure of Weeks Hall will probably But now I realise that it’s not. It’s I jumped at the chance to edit and along the way. I’ve experienced some have left by the time it comes to pass, just a bunch of students, sitting in an write this section. For the 1600th truly unacceptable things, from in the same way that most people who office, using their free time to write issue, we tried to contact him, on the blatant unapologetic sexism, to ran the #AgainstActon campaign articles, because they enjoy it. off-chance he was still checking his unfathomable lacks of empathy, but won’t be here to see Woodward open As times change, Felix does too. old email account, to see if he wanted I’ve also seen Imperial change and in October. But students do make a When I arrived at Imperial, copies of to write something. What came back grow and develop into something far difference, and if you’ve stuck around Felix were distributed to the rooms was beyond my highest expectations, greater than it was before. as long as I have, you can start to of every fresher in halls, and right and I’m honoured to be able to print When I did my undergraduate see that all these little things do add from the moment you arrived, you it. degree in physics, the vast majority up to a positive, albeit slow, change. started reading it. It was an Imperial Angry Geek rejuvenated the of the lecture courses didn’t supply Imperial isn’t perfect, not by a long institution; in Friday afternoon Comment section, directly inspiring notes, so if you didn’t go to lectures, stretch, but it’s full of well-meaning lectures, everyone had a copy open, articles that brought it back from that was it. We didn’t have printed students who want to make it better, which is sadly no longer the case as non-existent to overflowing. Reading notes (available online), which is and that counts for a lot. print newspapers fall out of fashion. back through his old articles in the usually the case now, and we certainly I used to really dislike Imperial, and If I look at the archived issues archives, I’m reminded that he wasn’t didn’t have the lectures recorded being a part of Felix has definitely from my undergraduate years, I just an angry bastard, but someone for later viewing. Our tutorials been a huge part of my unalienation. remember so many of the articles in who truly cared about expressing were practically non-existent, and "When In a way, it’s opened my eyes to some the Comment section starting heated opinions, and that is a heritage that I definitely didn’t constitute the people ask of the darker sides of College and the discussions (often had out in whispers want to uphold. I’m so touched that increased compulsory contact hours Union, and the injustices that take during lectures), and none more than he still reads Felix, and that he’s proud that students have now. It gives me a me why place, but it’s exposed me to so many those of Angry Geek (or A. Geek, as he “I wish I’d of the section as it is today. I’m glad warm happy feeling to see things like I’ve stayed people who I would otherwise never was originally known). I’m constantly been brave he’s still angry, and using his anger Panopto go from crazy ideas to being here so have met, with nothing in common surprised every time someone hasn’t for good things. I hope there are still fully implemented and used. Tuition but a desire to voluntarily give up heard of him these days, but of enough people who remember him around fees may be higher now, but people long..., time to produce something purely for course, he hasn’t graced our pages to get to read; his article has brought me are definitely fighting to get more for I often the entertainment of other Imperial with his impassioned words since involved to tears every time I’ve read it, and their money, and it is working. compare students. 2012, which means that his legacy is I don’t think I’m the only one for with F.elix Universities have such rapid it to I wish I’d been brave enough to get beginning to be forgotten. whom this article will be poignant. turnover, and it’s sometimes hard to involved with Felix years before I But Angry Geek meant a lot to years Angry Geek, I still don’t know who feel like anything makes a difference Stockholm did, because now I realise that there me. He wrote from 2007-2012, before I you are, but if you want to get a drink when you come and go so quickly, syndrome." was nothing to be afraid of. I used which covered my entire time as did” and bemoan the rising cost of drinks never seeing anything go from the to think that it was an untouchable an undergraduate. He is probably at the Union Bar, I’d love to meet you. 8 06.03.2015 THE STUDENT PAPER OF IMPERIAL COLLEGE LONDON FELIX Comment [email protected] Comment Editor Tessa Davey It’s time for football fans to reap the benefits Kunal Wagle thinks that a gesture is due to those of us who care

fortnight ago, the Premier League unveiled their latest A deal for broadcast rights in the United Kingdom. In an increase of a massive (and unexpected) 70%, the deal for 2016-2019 is valued at £5.1 billion. This keeps the Premier League comfortably at the top of the revenue charts of football leagues around the world. In fact, its two nearest rivals for that title – the KUNAL WAGLE Bundesliga in Germany and La Liga SPORTS EDITOR in Spain – will only receive £1.8 billion and £1.7 billion respectively. Sky, who have again bought the majority of the rights, have agreed to pay more than £11 million per game, while secondary broadcaster BT will fork out £7.76 million, and this deal sells only the rights in the United Kingdom. The Premier League prides itself on being one of the world’s most marketable sports leagues. In fact, it’s third in the list of most valuable leagues in the world, behind the National Football League and Major League Baseball in America. However, once the international rights are sold, the figure for the Premier League is expected to rise to a humongous £8.8 billion. Football fans have started to fight back against the increasing ticket prices. Photo: David Price/Arsenal When I first heard about the size of the new television rights deal I How does this relate to the latest TV remaining 25% is distributed as a significantly cheaper tickets and had two thoughts. The first was that rights deal? It was announced as part ‘facilities fee’ – effectively a fee per aren’t suffering one bit. we should be ecstatic that we have a of the BBC survey that ticket prices match televised per club. Under the The Premier League will point to football league that is truly global. in the Premier League had increased deal, the team finishing last each attendances (and quite rightly too) It’s a league that the whole world is by 13% on average since 2011. That’s season will earn at least £99 million, to show that the system is working. watching. Most footballers speak of almost double the rate that the living whilst the champions will get £156 Premier League attendances are at an their dream to come and ply their wage has increased (6.8% over the million as a minimum. all-time high. Despite this, the seeds trade in English football – and one same time period). As a Manchester Those numbers make remarkable of discontent are beginning to show would suspect that that’s not just United season ticket holder, I have reading when put in the same context through. Manchester United have about the money. been pleased that my ticket to the as ticket prices. It is estimated that lost numerous season ticket holders The other thought is the ticket Theatre of Dreams has been at the the windfall from the new television to nearby rebel club, FC United of prices. same price for the last three years, rights deal could pay for a reduction Manchester, while fans from Arsenal The BBC run a survey every year – and has not increased in price like at in each and every Premier League have staged protests against the The Price of Football – in which they other clubs. But I feel it is now time ticket by £40 without decreasing extortionate prices to see football ask every club in the professional for clubs to make a gesture. A gesture their revenues, when compared to at the Emirates. Crystal Palace fans leagues of English football questions to fans that have been there for their this season. Speaking about this exact unveiled a large banner at Selhurst about their ticket prices, and the team through thick and thin. A scenario, Conservative MEP Dan Park two weeks ago, captioned “£5 prices at their concession stands. It gesture to fans that want to be there Dalton summed up my thoughts billion in the trough yet supporters found that the average price of the for their team, but simply can’t afford perfectly. He said: “This may be still exploited. Share the wealth, cheapest adult ticket at a Premier it. A gesture for those who care. implausible, but substantial cuts pigs.” And in June 2013, fans from League game was £28.80. The most Last season’s bottom club, Cardiff for tickets should be a priority. Put Tottenham, Liverpool, Arsenal and expensive ticket was at Arsenal at a City, was awarded more than £62 simply, clubs can afford to help their Manchester United descended on price of £97. million from TV rights and prize fans and communities at this time.” the Premier League headquarters If we were to compare this to prices money. That’s more than the previous It’s obvious that Premier League in London, shouting, “You greedy in Germany, there is a shocking season’s champions, Manchester clubs can’t decrease their ticket prices bastards, enough is enough.” Clubs difference. The BBC surveyed the United, were awarded for their title- by such an amount – they have to in the Premier League need to decide top four German clubs from the last winning efforts. Given the numbers use some of the money to create an whether they’d be comfortable "the seeds of season, and the results put English involved with TV rights and prize advantage for themselves against looking into the eyes of their fans as football to shame. The average money, it is inconceivable to think Europe’s top clubs (otherwise what’s they try to justify increasing prices discontent are cheapest ticket price of those four that ticket prices have to be increased the point?). By this day two years again in the face of this new deal. clubs is as low as £12.12, with the for clubs to survive. from now, all twenty Premier League We are at an exciting crossroads most expensive ticket priced at The Premier League rights deal clubs will be amongst the world’s in the Premier League. The new deal beginning to £54.82 at Bayern Munich. The prices is split into three parts. 50% is top 30 richest clubs. They will all will bring higher wages and therefore in France are even cheaper – the divided equally between clubs, be members of an elite set of clubs better players. show through." average cheapest ticket from the top 25% is awarded based on a club’s at football’s richest table. But all Let’s just hope the fans don’t get left four clubs is just £9.79. final position in the table, and the the other clubs in those top 30 have behind. FELIX THE STUDENT PAPER OF IMPERIAL COLLEGE LONDON 06.03.2015 9 Comment [email protected] Comment Editor Tessa Davey Goodbye Imperial, and thanks for having me The Union and College need to keep working together for the future ’ve now spent four years studying they’re all Oxbridge rejects – none of as an undergraduate at Imperial. those things have actually come to IThat feels like a long time – I fruition, certainly not as a problem. don’t really remember the anxious People who go on about ‘the ratio’ are teenager who arrived here in 2011, probably boring so it’s an easy way to who was unsure of how to organise find out if you’d want to keep talking a weekly shop and do the laundry. to them. It is expensive, but worth I seem to have regressed in my it - Imperial’s bursary scheme does a organisation of chores, as my life good job of helping those who need has filled up with report writing, it, and I’ve loved being able to make project work and the whole ‘clubs and friends with people who come from GEORGE BUTCHER societies’ thing on which I sometimes completely different backgrounds to COMMENT WRITER spend more time than my degree. me, all over the globe. I’ve had a great time at Imperial. It’s bizarre to think how different Imperial is always going to be a place of hard work. Photo: Imperial College It’s worked me hard, and caused me my life would be now if I had gone stress near exams or when coursework to a different University. I could University and an online course is As we build up Imperial West, seems to just pile up on top of me. so easily have not made the grades the people. The academics and staff move students to live in North Acton It’s marked me down for the most and ended up at Southampton, or who help me with my projects, the and become more ruthless with what inauspicious of reasons, and some of had an offer from Cambridge and members of the clubs I’ve been in we fund and how, we shouldn’t forget the lecturers need to be put back in been pressured into going there. The over the past four years, the lifelong this. We somehow need to get clubs the 1980s from whence they came – people I know now would be carrying connections. and societies available to North Acton but after all that it’s served me well. on without me and I’d (hopefully) be These are the things that are unique and Imperial West students. We need I think back to the worries I had with a completely different group of to University and that Imperial to keep people working together, and when I arrived, the horrors I’d heard friends, who are now just strangers somehow manages to get so very not create a two-tier Imperial. The from people back home about coming to me. right. I learn so much more from Union needs to play its role in that, to London. It’ll be too expensive, But the biggest thing University working with other people on a but also College needs to recognise they’ll make you work too hard, has taught me is that it’s about project, whether on my course or as the importance of it and help it to there won’t be any women, it will the experience, not just the grade. part of a society, than I do from any happen, or the students there will not be full of international students, The difference between a physical amount of time reading a textbook. have the experience that they deserve. Is there inequality in Kensington and Chelsea? Fatima Iftikhar thinks it’s time that we get involved with our area ou may or may not have seen graduate scheme in the City and enter have come, lived in, and left that Imperial Hub recently an even bigger bubble. However, once Kensington and Chelsea, without even Yran a social action #Resolution you pop the Imperial bubble you’ll knowing about the serious problems campaign. Well, a couple of weeks ago quickly realise that your university is that it faces? Students around the we were all over campus asking people situated in a Borough facing some of world have proved over and over to come up with a resolution for how the most serious challenges and social again that they have such amazing they will contribute to making the inequalities in London. potential to make a difference in their world a better place in 2015. On the On one hand you have 45% of local communities, and I know that Monday I was running a stall where, children living in poverty in the four Imperial isn’t any different, so why in exchange for making a resolution, most Northern wards of the Borough, isn’t it happening here? we gave people a free cup of tea or on the other you have rows of empty Is it that students are not curious coffee. properties owned by millionaires. enough about where they live? FATIMA IFTIKHAR One guy asked for some examples The average income can go from Do they feel they have too high a IMPERIAL HUB PRESIDENT of resolutions that he could make. £13,500pa to £100,000pa as you workload to lift their heads from? So I said: “Well it could be about cross a road. There is a discrepancy of Is the College not doing enough to cutting your food waste, starting to do eleven years in the life expectancy of get students informed and involved; some regular volunteering, learning residents in the North and South of there doesn’t seem to be much on the about inequality in Kensington the Borough. Enough facts? I could "Students website other than a rather outdated and Chelsea...,” which is where he keep listing them for quite a while. around the page about volunteering? Or do interrupted with a laugh. “What do I hope by now I’ve convinced you students just not know where to even you mean inequality? Between the that there is a problem that needs world have begin and get involved? millionaires and the billionaires?” to be addressed; if not, just google, proved over Whatever the reason, I think it’s Now you might be thinking, he’s ‘inequality in Kensington and and over time for each and every one of us to right though, isn’t he? Doesn’t every "What do Chelsea’ for some further reading again that stand up, as individuals, and take other car driving around this place you mean material. some responsibility. We all need to seem to be a Lamborghini? About a The fact is that as a University, they have take some time to think about how year ago, before I got involved with inequality? we’ve been given a home in a place such an we can use our time at University Imperial Hub, I probably would have Between the that we just aren’t giving enough back amazing to make a difference to our local been nodding along with you. millionaires to, a home that frankly deserves a community. People say University Studying at Imperial, it is easy to whole lot better than us. potential will be some of the best years of your enter a bubble and not leave until and the How is it that so many young to make a life, and this is your chance to make you graduate three years later, when billionaires?" people from all around the world, difference" them some of the most meaningful as you will probably join a high-paid with amazing skills and experiences, well, so don’t let it pass you by. 10 06.03.2015 THE STUDENT PAPER OF IMPERIAL COLLEGE LONDON FELIX Comment [email protected] Comment Editor Tessa Davey Who wins these head-to-heads from Imperial College Union Debating Society? Do you agree or disagree? Tell us which argument you think is most convincing online, or by using the QR codes below! This House would create an unelected legislative of science technocrats PROPOSITION OPPOSITION

ANITA CHANDRAN NIALL JEFFREY

he problem with our alternatives. cience is above politics. That course of action. The government Government is that good Coming from a wide range of is not to say that the results can, of course, ignore this advice, Tsuggestions, sensible ideas, legitimate research, these bodies are Sof science don’t have political but the scientific community can and reasonable policy are lost to able to make decisions which are ramifications, but the results then publicly campaign against the populism, the desperation for voter grounded in research and evidence- themselves are true or false, whether government. Voters can therefore buy-in and the lack of political based methods. They can, therefore, or not they affect the world. trust that scientists are not changing consensus. choose cost – and energy – efficient For each of the issues we are the facts for political gain, and so Moreover, the Government is strategies. discuss – climate change, drug are unlikely to support politicians stunted by apathy in wide swathes of Furthermore, they are more able to policy or reproductive medicine – who actively oppose the scientific important issues, from green policy look into the nooks and crannies of it is important that the science is mainstream. to parts and segments of the financial policy, while prioritising their areas deliberated in a setting with as little This balance of power is not true in sectors: simply put, the voters care of research, instead of pandering to interference as possible. the US for many potential reasons, about rising immigration levels and solely political agendas. By giving an unelected body but the effect is that science becomes the NHS, and our discussions about This is especially effective for those of scientists power over people’s a topic for political debate. Politicians sensible energy policy never happen. policies which get very little public lives, we irrevocably destroy the have confidence to argue the scientific What happens instead is discussion. impartiality of science. This takes case rather than the political. When problematic. In as much as each of these away the little influence that science unelected scientists in the UK become Firstly, issues such as NHS funding scientists has an incentive to has in policy, by politicising scientific part of the political decision making become highly polarised, with maintain their own credibility, they fact. process, British politicians are forced disproportionate amounts of funding are self-regulating, and best placed to Under the status quo, scientists act to engage on these kind of terms. going to certain, emotively appealing understand highly technical policy as advisors, and can affect policy by The public will now no longer see sectors (such as cancer research), decisions. telling the government the correct the difference between the politics leaving others (stroke and emergency and the science. When people pathways) in the lurch. understand the political incentives Secondly, it becomes much easier that could be affecting the decisions for politicians never to be challenged of these technocrats, they no longer on their more subtle policies, trust in the scientific opinion. especially in ‘unpopular’ legislative People will not trust these scientists areas. on the science, whether or not they Lastly, political parties are able have been politicised. Any doubt at all to make attractive sounding but will diminish support for things like potentially economically terrible climate change from the ground up. pledges (“we’re going to fix all energy "they are So overall we get a collapse of prices” – sorry Labour, I love you, support, and no political capital but I don’t buy it). more able within Parliament to engage with These problems could be mitigated to look impending threats like climate by including a technocratic authority into the "funding change. But what about trust in in our parliament. These technocratic cuts and science?The day that people can no bodies would be comprised of nooks and longer support scientific endeavour respected scientists, selected from crannies fear of without doubt will precede the day a wide range of disciplines and of policy... political when science itself can no longer universities around the country. instead of bias will progress. The backlash; funding cuts Individuals on this body would and fear of political bias will continue have to be knowledgeable about pandering continue to to destroy the scientific community the political system and would face to soley destroy the for as long as this technocratic body is periodic review. They would be political scientific allowed to exist. allowed to veto policy and legislation, community" By doing this we would lose both as well as proposing their own agendas." But will change be for the better? Photo: John Ditchburn good policy and good science. FELIX THE STUDENT PAPER OF IMPERIAL COLLEGE LONDON 06.03.2015 11 Comment [email protected] Comment Editor Tessa Davey Who wins these head-to-heads from Imperial College Union Debating Society? Do you agree or disagree? Tell us which argument you think is most convincing online, or by using the QR codes below! This House would accept an offer from Imperial College London PROPOSITION OPPOSITION

BRUCE WEAVER KRISTIAN LENDING

e are all aware of else, but at least here they know their orget ‘Education’ – what “Imperial grads get the highest Imperial’s academic stuff, even if they’re not great at matters is your ability to salary”. One word: banking. If you Wreputation. I think the explaining it. Fget a job, be well paid for it, came here with a genuine interest academic benefits of attending I have met some of the most and what you go through to get it. in your subject, you can forget that Imperial College London are not interesting and enthusiastic people I We’re told that Imperial is great salary. Sorry. What do I say to those disputed, so I will instead focus on have ever met here. There is a genuine for this. That’s overstated. What’s who are looking to shuffle code why I think the College is good for us, sense of community here because we understated is the unnecessarily 12 hours a day for Barclays? You and how the problems are just as bad all have so much in common: we’re laissez-faire process to get there. need free time to spend money, so at other Universities. If we were not all nerds, we all love science. Imperial 87.8% employability? That’s inflated my advice is to find a contract that at Imperial we would be at another allows us to occupy our weird niche by the huge Medic population, which, includes some. Russell Group University doing the together and we will never get that thanks to the NHS, are gifted with So the idea that ‘Imperial degrees same hard degrees. anywhere else. 100% employability, both here and are harder to get but it’s worth it in If we went anywhere else we would Looking back it’s clear that the at twenty of the other thirty medical the end,’ quite frankly, dies a death. be working just as hard, however 17 year old me got four out my five schools in the country. In other Given that you don’t get anything unlike at Imperial, most people UCAS options completely wrong. words, if you’re not a Medic the figure from your degree unless you pass, wouldn’t be. If half of your flat is The one I definitely got right was is lower, and if you are, you gained it therefore seems futile to choose going out three nights a week while Imperial. nothing by coming here. somewhere that seems so willing to you have to stay in doing work, that is drop you if you can’t keep up. worse for you than if they’re all stuck What about societies? Perhaps we inside doing problem sheets, because can have a great time along the way? you don’t feel anti-social or lonely. In It’s great that there’s loads of variety, fact, working at Imperial becomes a but that doesn’t make a difference if social experience. No friend is better you only have time for one. But it’s than the one you make at 03:00 in the nice that you can aspire to the top library, because you have something sporting societies who are welcoming to bond over. to Freshers, avoid blatant sexism, and The other complaint I often hear is reject the “lad culture”. Oh wait... how the College does not care about And what do we pay for this? its students. Tuition may be capped, but rents sure Every University has this problem. aren’t. Bear in mind that Queen Mary I have heard about things happening students commuting from Stratford at other Universities that I can’t pay on average 40% less rent that imagine happening at Imperial: you do commuting the same distance lecturers forbidding students from from Hammersmith, and that’s asking questions, ridiculous rules on without leaving Central London. transferring between courses. The "Imperial So you pay loads, work hard, and College may be ineffective but at least allows us to get a degree that is little better than it seems like it’s trying, and that’s a "you pay anywhere else. So if we could go back damn sight better than most places. occupy our to when we got our offr? This house Imperial actually stacks up quite weird niche loads, work would not accept. well against other Universities. together hard, and It is no more anti-student than get a degree If you like these head-to-heads, or the likes of Manchester, and it’s in and we if you think you could do better, a beautiful part of one of the most will never that is little join ICU Debating Society. They amazing cities on Earth. The facilities get that better than meet every Tuesday at 6.30pm in are excellent, and it’s full of brilliant anywhere anywhere SAF, and anyone is welcome to go people doing amazing science. The else." along. Alternatively, email debate@ lecturers are as variable as anywhere else." Queen’s Tower is definitely a plus point. Photo: Imperial College London imperial.ac.uk 12 06.03.2015 THE STUDENT PAPER OF IMPERIAL COLLEGE LONDON FELIX Comment [email protected] Comment Editor Tessa Davey

Angry Geek returns... one last time? Hello, readers. It’s been quite a now I’m a little sad at how far I went: while. I’m still a part of Imperial, just I joked that the economic inequality hanging onto the edges here, but it’s in South America at least led to my been years since I last graced these coffee being cheap, for instance. pages. New writers have to come Fortunately, after a few weeks of not in, and old ones have to shrivel up actually getting a rise out of anyone, and quietly die in the corner under I took the column over properly. a pile of back issues – it’s the way Angry Geek wasn’t a character any it’s always been. It also helps that more: it was me, and I realised just you’re all a fucking disgrace and I how angry I was. I imagine anyone probably would’ve burned several who remembers those pieces is long key departments to the ground by gone from Imperial now, but I’m now in complete disbelief at the genuinely sorry if I offended anyone. pathetic and cynical way they’re run. Only for the first three articles, But mostly it’s the new writer thing. obviously. If you think I give a shit It’s Felix’s 1600th and so we’re about offending someone’s feelings reflecting on the past of the about Canary Wharf then we’re publication. Felix has always been clearly on the wrong page. a mix of good and bad: it’s a place Imperial is a nasty place, and where people can go to be creative the longer I wrote this column, in a shitstorm of “I Fucking Love it became more obvious to me Science” fetishism and coiffured how nasty it is. After those first arseholes reading the Financial few, ill-advised pieces were out of Times and pretending to be the way, I wrote about the shady intelligent. On the other hand, it can influence of the financial sector over also give people the opportunity graduate employment, the toxic to air harmful views in the name attitudes of superiority among the of ‘comment’ or being a contrarian rich and privileged students, and arsehole. I’ve seen people defend the uncomfortable state of student sexism, spit on the poor and laud the loans. Some things don’t change, financial sector in columns on the it seems – years may have passed, Comment pages over my years – and but Imperial remains the same. I’ve I’ve also been part of the problem since become a postgraduate, still myself, especially in my early days. working at Imperial, and am still You might not know this, but uncovering things I dislike about Angry Geek started off as a way to this place with each day that goes by. revitalise Felix Comment. We wanted Mindblowing elitism, short-sighted to encourage people to write in, and "... a obsessions with money and rank, I figured that a mysterious, polemic mysterious, and a more blinkered view of the writer might help. The first few world than a particularly narrow- columns were more or less entirely polemic minded horse who’s just fallen nonsense trying to get a rise out of writer" down a ditch. Imperial’s sickening people, and looking back on them obsession with being the richest and FELIX THE STUDENT PAPER OF IMPERIAL COLLEGE LONDON 06.03.2015 13 Comment [email protected] Comment Editor Tessa Davey

Angry Geek returns... one last time? the most respected, at the expense where the working class are talked of anyone else: it’s an obsession that about as pathetic subhumans, and its students tend to pick up. where Islamophobia is treated as Mrs. Geek (yes, we’re still happily acceptable japes. It’s tempting to be together, holding hands as we reasonable, to talk and explain your bitterly hate the world) still has objections, or perhaps to simply fondness for Imperial, mind you. She say nothing at all. Unfortunately reminds me that it still has lovely this often doesn’t send the correct people inside, and it still does great message, and in a place as set in things. She’s actually what spurred its ways as Imperial, it never will. me to write this anniversary piece, Getting angry, shouting loud and because for all the hate I’ve built up passionately about things that aren’t about this godforsaken University, I right, protesting and disrupting and am reminded that Felix was always making yourself heard – this is what a place where good things had people need. I hope there are lots of the potential for happening. A lot angry geeks among you. of talented people, working long I’m sorry this column wasn’t nights after all their degree work, very angry on my behalf; I barely to do something creative and push invented any insulting similes. out entertainment for thousands I’ve not mellowed, but my anger of students. Coming back to it now, is displaced now: I’m angry at the after a long hiatus, it’s heartening field I now work in, the companies to see the state of Felix Comment I interact with, the horrific diversity today – full of pieces talking about problems that plagues every domestic violence, climate change organisation and event I go to see. and denouncing GamerGate. It The world hasn’t gotten any less makes me ashamed that I tried to ugly, and I haven’t gotten any less get cheap shock responses, but very angry, but unfortunately Felix’s happy that there are good people seventeenth century of issues isn’t writing for such a great paper. my time or place any more. I might I’m also happy that many of these pop in from time to time, like now, new writers are angry. Anger, as I and I’ll always be reading from eventually learned, can be a very a distance, but it’s time for new good thing. Imperial is an unjust people to take my place. To lash place, full of privileged bottom- out at everything wrong with this feeders who could not care less "Anger, as I University, this city, and the rest of about anyone else. More than this, eventually this planet. I hope you’ll be as angry it is shaping a generation that will learned, as I am, and I hope you’ll continue run the world one day, pumping out to support Felix along the way – future politicians, business leaders, can be a keep the cat free, its claws sharp, scientists and policymakers. This is very good and firmly latched onto the nether happening in an environment where thing." regions of everything wrong in the rampant sexism is considered funny, world. Thanks, everyone. 14 06.03.2015 THE STUDENT PAPER OF IMPERIAL COLLEGE LONDON FELIX Comment [email protected] Comment Editor Tessa Davey Dare to dunk How do you like your tea? Deputy President of Crisps and Snacks (DPCS), Abi de Bruin is a dunker. Here are her Joshua Renken is really pedantic about making tea recommendations. Digestives Dunkabilitea: 9 fresh cup of English Breakfast Integritea: 4 tea is truly something to Tasteaness: 7 A behold. It is the liquid of the Best served with: Earl Grey Gods and the chosen tipple of this great nation. Make no mistake; to sip Rich Tea a piping hot mug of English breakfast Dunkabilitea: 8 tea after a parched stretch is to know Integritea: 6 true pleasure. In the last few years I Tasteaness: 8 have picked up a few tips on how to Best served with: PG Tips best prepare ones cuppa, regardless of which type of breakfast tea you drink. Hobnobs So, laid out before you is a handy cut Dunkabilitea: 9 out ‘n’ keep guide to optimising your Integritea: 8 brew, if you are interested. Tasteaness: 10 Firstly, try your private best not to Best served with: Yorkshire Tea add sugar. With sugar, tea is reduced to a sweet solution not fit for man or Chocolate Digestives beast. To those of you who add sugar: Dunkabilitea: 10 I used to be like you. But one fateful Integritea: 7 day my mother helped me see the Tasteaness: 10 matter in its proper light. She told Best served with: Yorkshire Tea me “Try your tea without sugar for What goes in first, the tea or the milk? Photo: silversurfers.com a week and then make up your own Custard Creams mind.” This maternal counsel wasn’t so after you have poured the boiling type of milk available in order to Dunkabilitea: 7 just diplomatic; it was downright water, with the tea bag already in. prevent the tea from acquiring too Integritea: 6 wisdom. After only a few short days, I cannot stress this point enough. much of a sickly taste. Tasteaness: 8 virtue had triumphed. I implore you Tea, you see, is a dried herb. And in But for heaven’s sake pour the Best served with: Tetleys to try this for yourself. "It is the order for tea to release its intrinsic boiling water in before the milk and Secondly, pour the boiling water liquid of qualities, it requires to be infused. "Don’t let don’t add any sugar. Grasp only this, Maryland cookies into the cup before the milk. Here I This infusion will only occur if the anyone and the time I’ve earnestly frittered Dunkabilitea: 3 am assuming that everyone puts the the Gods water is boiling when it hits the tea. away on this article will have been Integritea: 5 tea bag in before anything else. Some and the So if you put the milk in the cup first tell you we worthwhile. Tasteaness: 9 find that the addition of milk detracts chosen you have removed all possibility of don’t cover So there you go, the perfect cup of Best served with: Milk, tea just isn’t from the taste of their tea, but most genuine infusion, not to mention the big tea. Apart from everything else, what as good. people are inclined to reduce the tipple of that you will almost certainly pour could possibly be more important strength and bitterness of their cuppa this great too much. It’s difficult to gauge these issues here than that? Don’t let anyone tell you Ginger Nuts with a modest splash of milk. When nation." things. As an aside, I would also at Felix." we don’t cover the big issues here at Dunkabilitea: 3 it comes to adding milk, always do recommend using the least creamy Felix. Integritea: 9 Tasteaness: 7 Best served with:Blossom Earl Grey

Shortbread This purist likes their tea and biscuits kept separate Dunkabilitea: 5 Integritea: 9 Tasteaness: 9 entle reader, I’m certain that sex similarly naked. Best served with: Tetleys I am only the latest in a long When someone proposes dunking Gline of commentators to biscuits into my tea, I am aghast! Fruit Shortcake compare two of the greatest influences At first thought, to be sure, it Dunkabilitea: 9 in our British lives: tea and sex. While seems a happy convergence: are Integritea: 10 these might initially appear to have two enjoyable things not more Tasteaness: 6 as much in common as, say, fashion enjoyable together? There are, alas, Best served with: Vanilla Earl Grey sense and Islamic State, there’s a less happy ramifications: chocolate great deal of common ground. Like and the sweat inevitable to bedroom Golden Shortie JEE DARLING tea, sex can be enjoyed alone but is activities are not happy bedfellows. Did not complete. COMMENT WRITER best enjoyed in company. Sex can be While it encourages licking, it diverts All over let down, like Chris Kaye in the delightful when black, white or even attention and diminishes sensitivity. bedroom (probably). Chinese (do try them all!). Like tea, In short, a chocolate digestive in my things are surprisingly nice when they tea is like chocolate body paint in my get fruity (or even herbal...). bedroom - surprisingly sticky and an Now, gentle reader, you may "Like tea, inevitable source of brown mess. wonder why I am bringing this to sex can be I won’t pretend that I don’t like tea "sticky your attention. While, as scientists, and biscuits together, nor that I’d and an we know that symmetry suggests enjoyed kick someone out of bed for bringing common physical laws, in fact I wish alone but chocolate, but I think we can all agree inevitable to use this to illustrate a problem is best it’s better for everyone if the twain source with a common habit in the tea- never quite meet. Do us all a favour, of brown drinking community. Readers, your enjoyed in stop dunking – unless you’re prepared commenter is a purist. I enjoy my tea company." to take responsibility for cleaning the mess." with nothing added and I enjoy my sheets (er, table). ScienceScience Editors: James Bezer and Lauren Ratcliffe

Inside: Busting the myths surrounding climate change Robert Winston on three parent babies A new treatment for Dengue fever? Hope on the horizon for HIV Go with the flow: renewable energy on the rise in the EU 16 06.03.2015 THE STUDENT PAPER OF IMPERIAL COLLEGE LONDON FELIX Science [email protected] Science Editor James Bezer & Lauren Ratcliffe Climate Change is like an unwashed dish. Don’t believe me? Lauren Ratcliffe gets you up-to-date and busts some common myths surrounding this global conundrum

ou guys already know that major impacts of global warming Around 11.5-13 thousand years ago, global warming is not a myth, and what’s going on in the world of as the planet warmed after the last ice Ynor an April fools trick. It’s a politics to stop it. age, melt from polar ice caps caused growing concern that we and future a great ocean circulation current, the generations are facing. Earth’s Climate change 101 Gulf Stream, to shutdown, making blood, so to speak, is on humanity’s European temperatures plummet 6 hands and it is our responsibility to Just so we’re on the same page. degrees into another ice age. The Gulf acknowledge, understand and find Greenhouse gases (GHGs) come in Stream is what’s responsible for west solutions to this challenge. I talk a variety of forms, creating a pretty Europe’s mild climate and recently about ‘humanity’, but in reality it is damaging chemical cocktail. This scientists have found evidence to the actions of every individual, both lethal recipe includes infamous support the theory that the melting you and me, which shape the course carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous of major ice sheets such as Greenland of our amalgam. oxide as well as some harder-to- and West Antarctic due to global In the last 3.5 billion years, Earth pronounce chemicals: sulphur warming could make the Gulf Stream has harboured the lives of 4 billion hexafluoride, hydrofluorcarbons and shutdown again and ironically cause species in all their myriad forms. 99% perflurocarbons. Their emission into another glaciation period. of these species have gone extinct the atmosphere is primarily through Also, what’s interesting is not and one day, Homo sapiens’ time industrial outsources, car emissions, what’s changing but what’s staying will come. What remains in question shipping vessels, domestic appliances the same. The North Atlantic though is how will we compare to and deforestation. Oscillation Index (NAO), a two-way all those by-gone species. Will we So how do they cause climate pressure system that partly controls fight to survive? Or will we bury our change? Well, about ¼ of all Europe’s climate, has two phases – heads in the ground as we juggle our anthropogenic carbon dioxide positive and negative. The strength individual lives around and hope that has gone into the oceans where it and position of these pressure someone else deals with it? reacts with water to form carbonic systems usually changes from year Popular amongst scientists and acid, which readily dissociates to year. However, since 1970s, as a politicians, you might hear about a to create ionising hydrogen ions result of increased GHG emissions, ‘safe operating space for humanity’. and bicarbonate which causes the NAO has remained in the positive These are nine arbitrarily defined ocean acidification. On top of this, phase meaning that both the low biophysical boundaries that increased GHGs in the atmosphere and high-pressure systems have should not be crossed in order to contribute to a thickening of the intensified. ensure Earth is able to sustain and greenhouse gas layer, which increases This causes the sea level to rise and provide for our persistence and re-radiation of heat back to Earth’s increases ocean warming, resulting wellbeing. Ones that have already surface and the lower atmosphere, in reduced nutrient upwelling as been surpassed are biodiversity increasing ocean warming and well as other things, depriving fish loss, climate change and acquisition atmospheric warming. Voila. of essential food resources. These and alteration of nitrogen and fish include species that we expect phosphorous cycles, and increasingly Climate change is natural to see on supermarket shelves and we are creeping up and stepping over and normal. It's happened in fishmonger markets. In addition, the limit for habitat destruction and before… right? the NAO controls seasonal variation land-use change. and its persistent positive phase Climate change is undisputed Yep. Climate change has happened has caused a shift towards earlier but the world isn’t going to freeze in the past, but it’s not been pretty. Springs and later Autumns creating overnight or be plagued with some Also, crucially, it is the undisputed phonological mismatches. terrifying disease, that can all be left causal link between increased GHG It’s also important to consider for a Friday night in front of the TV emissions and changes in Earth’s the magnitude of change. Change with a bag of popcorn. What I’d like climate as well the relative change could have happened in the past but to do right now is to bust some myths and magnitude of change that are the the rate and amplitude varies. The and give you a low-down on some issue here. Southern Oscillation is another, Obligatory photo of a sad looking polar bear. Photo: Zasavki

arguably greater contributor to global climate patterns and is responsible for the periodic El Nino/La Nina climate fluctuations in the East Pacific that are characterised by a 0.5 degree increase or decrease in ocean temperature, respectively. Since the industrial revolution and increased atmospheric warming, the amplitude and frequency of El Nino cycles have increased and if we look back to the 1997/8 El Nino, which wreaked havoc for Peruvian anchovy fisheries, decimated the native wildlife on the Galápagos Islands and cost the US $20 billion dollars in damage, this is no light matter. Projected changes in surface temperature. Higher latitudes are predicted to be most affected Photo: IPCC, 2007 So it is true that climate change FELIX THE STUDENT PAPER OF IMPERIAL COLLEGE LONDON 06.03.2015 17 Science [email protected] Science Editor James Bezer & Lauren Ratcliffe Climate Change is like an unwashed dish. Don’t believe me? Lauren Ratcliffe gets you up-to-date and busts some common myths surrounding this global conundrum

activity. Most deniers said that there Bush rejected participation in the was either no evidence for global Kyoto protocol and you can see warming, or that the recent warming we’re going in the right direction. of the Earth was due to natural Obama here also hits on something climate variability. In contrast, 87% that is very important. Historically of scientists from the American humanity cannot be trusted with Association for the Advancement of the future tense, trading short- Science (AAAS) surveyed believed term gain for long-term pain. So that the burning of fossil fuels international agreements are needed has caused climate change. The that emphasise the effect of climate American public’s ignorance and the change to us now, rather than in some gap between scientists and general distant future. society’s opinion highlight the need to One of the most important promote a greater understanding and international actions against climate public engagement in climate change. change in recent times has been the Kyoto Protocol, which binds member Small but mighty states to reducing GHG emissions. This international agreement First appearances can be deceptive. recently evolved during the Lima So you’ll hear a lot of statistics being climate change conference back in flown about, such as atmospheric December last year. Ever since the temperatures have increased by 0.74 UN Framework Convention on degrees over the last decade. Perhaps Climate Change was signed in 1992, you’ll think “so what?”. However, countries’ obligations have been these seemingly insignificant changes defined according to their level of environmental conditions can have development in that year. The rich much greater consequences for the so-called ‘Annex 1’ countries have Earth and humanity than you may had compulsory obligations, while initially think. poorer ‘non-Annex 1’ were required Increased emissions of strongly to attempt voluntary efforts. ionising chemicals (nitrous oxides and However, this division has grown sulphates) cause ocean and freshwater ever more obsolete as developing acidification, which directly impacts countries such as Brazil, Russia, biodiversity, destroying coral reefs India and China are getting more and any calcified organisms around. A industrialised and becoming major projected decrease of 0.4 units on the emitters of GHGs, so they are all pH scale in the forthcoming decade now being committed to compulsory may not seem much but considering obligations. In addition, the that the scale is logarithmic, this ubiquitous limit to global warming translates to a 100-150% increase in of 2 degrees above pre-industrial acidity which is more than we have level has been agreed on. It’s worth seen over the last 50 million years. knowing that this threshold has not The two major ice sheets that are actually been agreed by scientific melting at an accelerating rate are advisers but by politicians. Greenland and West Antarctic, We’ve also seen the disinvestment contributing an 8 and 6 mm/year movement grow from strength to rise in sea surface levels respectively. strength in the last few months Overall the sea level has increased as environmental policy changes Obligatory photo of a sad looking polar bear. Photo: Zasavki 1.5m in the last decade and is threaten to render fossil fuel predicted to further rise 0.75-2m investments worthless in the has happened in the past and it is the observed increase in globally pretty terrifying. This also touches during our lifetimes. This may also forthcoming years. One to watch out a natural part of Earth’s history. averaged temperatures since the mid- on another myth that should really seem pretty puny but will have for this winter is the next United However, the difference this time is 20th century is very likely due to the be squashed flat. Temperatures can huge consequences for regions such Nations Climate Change Conference; that it is us that have caused these observed increase in anthropogenic go up and down month-to-month, as New Orleans and Miami. None it will be interesting to see how changes. greenhouse gas concentrations”. year-to-year, but the overall trend of the Maldives is more than 1.8m different nations will agree to limit Of course there are always sceptics is upwards. It’s true, this February above sea level, and according to their greenhouse gas emissions. So Not all scientists agree out there. Just this week Senator has been the capital’s coldest in 36 IPCC predictions the island will be watch this space. James Inhofe, a Republican from years but that holds no ground as rendered uninhabitable by 2100. Climate change is like an unwashed Nope, they do. Well, the majority of Oklahoma and long-standing climate evidence to undermine the argument dish, left in your bedroom, pushed them anyway. In 2013 a survey of denier, threw a snowball in congress that greenhouse-gas emissions are So, what's being done? under a bed and forgotten about. thousands of scientific papers taking to prove that global warming was warming the planet over the course of Tackle it straight away and you’ll a position on climate change found a myth. His facile argument was decades. Climate change is now taking more save yourself a lot of trouble in the 97.1% of the scientific community that if it’s cold enough to snow At the end of this January a major of the limelight within international long-term. Leave it and surrender believed that humans were causing in Washington, D.C., then global survey of around 4,000 US citizens’ political agendas. Obama wisely said to blissful ignorance and you’ll find climate change. In addition, the warming must be a hoax. This is not opinions on global warming revealed “this isn’t something in the distant yourself with the marigolds on, latest assessment report from the just some nut off the street, he could that only half the population agreed future, climate change is already disinfectant in hand, scraping away Intergovernmental Panel on Climate potentially be a leading controller of with the IPCC that climate change affecting us now.” Compare that to fungal growth or throwing out the Change (IPCC) stated “most of environmental legislation, which is was mostly driven by human 2002 when former president George dish altogether. 18 06.03.2015 THE STUDENT PAPER OF IMPERIAL COLLEGE LONDON FELIX Science [email protected] Science Editor James Bezer & Lauren Ratcliffe “This does not threaten the fabric of our society”

Professor Robert Winston talks to James Bezer about the vote to allow ‘three-parent babies’

his does not threaten the critical of those opposed on religious particularly. fabric of our society in grounds, and was keen to emphasise “So the first thing is the autonomy, “Tany way whatsoever: it’s the ethical principles that had the second thing is that it is an individual choice for someone influenced his decision. encumbered upon us to be beneficent, who’s watched a child die of a horrible “I think that in a pluralistic, to try to do good, and to my mind, disease”. democratic society, responsible if you can prevent a child dying For Robert Winston, a pioneer of individuals should have their horribly, and having a healthy life IVF and one of the country’s most autonomy respected, and I don’t in consequence, that’s beneficent. famous doctors, the recent decision think it’s any business of parliament The main thing is not to do harm, so by the House of Lords to approve to say: “yes, you should have this you’ve got to look at the side effects, the creation of babies using donated treatment” or “no, you can’t have this and after the extensive research done mitochondria was an emotive one. treatment”. in Newcastle, I’m fairly happy that “Most children with Leigh’s “My impression of the women the chances of serious side effects are syndrome, for example, go floppy, who want this treatment was that much less than the benefits. go blind, have fits, have steady brain they were requesting it because they “Lastly is the issue of justice: what’s deterioration and die by the age of 2. did not want to have a termination the just solution for these people? The few that survive will have muscle of pregnancy, because they thought The just solution for them is to have weakness and muscular dystrophy this was morally wrong, so it seems the treatment they think they need”. and blindness. to me to be utterly wrong for a Despite the vote, Winston says the “The one thing worse than losing parliamentarian who’s opposed to first baby born in the UK through your own child is losing your own abortion, for example, to get up and this method is still a long way off. child after a hideous disease.” impose their view about somebody, “What will now happen is that Mitochondria are structures in who doesn’t want abortion either, but any person who thinks that they every cell that produce ATP, the actually wants something which is a may have mitochondrial disease molecule that powers chemical lesser injury, which is to get rid of the and doesn’t want to watch their reactions within the body. Genetic damaged egg. baby die can apply to a unit that’s mutations, however, can cause “The mitochondrial diseases that prepared to do this treatment, and mitochondria to work ineffectively, affect child-bearing families are this unit can then apply for a license causing these severe illnesses. actually pretty rare, so this regulation to the regulatory authority, the In the new technique approved by would only apply to a few families. HFEA (Human Fertilisation and parliament, the nucleus of a fertilised “Essentially, I think there are Embryology Authority). egg is removed and implanted in four principles we must consider “That authority will take into the cytoplasm of a donor egg from a ethically: one is the respect for the account a whole range of things healthy woman. autonomy of the individual, who’s including their expertise, the kind It’s been described in the media as requesting something, and that of research they’ve done, the kind creating “three-parent babies”, but it’s means informed consent, so you of precautions they’ve taken and One of the pioneers of fertility treatments, Robert Winston was a key figure in getting the vote through the House of Lords. Photo: essentialparent.com not a term Winston especially likes. listen to their problems and you they may or may not grant a license, “When I’ve had a blood transfusion, explain the difficulties and the but it will probably be done on an think since then there’s been a lot I got far more foreign DNA in dangers to them, and that you respect individual case by case basis.” more research into trying to do my body than any ‘three-parent their confidentially, which is quite In the late 90s, Jacques Cohen and nuclear replacement and spindle baby’ would have, so the name is important, and you respect their his team in New Jersey developed a replacement in human embryos. The nonsense, obviously. Admittedly, it’s opinion. Now occasionally, of course, similar technique to implant healthy problem, of course, is that there isn’t permanent, but it’s a permanent cure, it might be that, for example if I was a mitochondria into embryos. They an animal model for mitochondrial unlike my blood transfusion, which religious Catholic, I might disagree, in were trying to allow older mothers disease, so you can’t test this in a cow, will only cure my anaemia for a few which case, the correct thing for me to who had struggled to conceive a for example, and see whether it will weeks”. "The one do would be to send them to another way to have healthy children. 17 have an effect. The vote enjoyed broad support in thing doctor. babies were born, and while two had “One of the issues I think about the Lords, passing with a majority of “This is not a diatribe against chromosomal defects, this may have mitochondrial disease is that there 232. The decision has been severely worse than Catholics. I deeply respect been due to the age of the mother, may be a nuclear DNA component, criticised by the Catholic church, losing your Catholicism, but I think nonetheless, rather than the treatment. so these people with mitochondrial however, and in the preceding own child it’s important that we don’t try and "The name Despite the early promising results, disease might not only have debate, several members criticised impose our minority view. I’m a Jew, ‘three- mitochondrial replacement has been mitochondrial mutations, but also the treatment for ethical and safety is losing and I wouldn’t dream of imposing banned outright by the US Food mutations in the DNA of the nucleus, reasons, as well as for the speed with them after a Jewish view on someone with parent and Drug Administration since which you’re not treating. So it could which the decision was being made. a hideous mitochondrial disease. Actually baby’ is 2002 because of safety and ethical be that they may be still affected by Lord Winston was one of the most disease" the Jewish view would be to treat nonsense." concerns. the disease, but less so. vocal supporters of the treatment them, although I don’t think many “I don’t know whether it was the “Of course there’s a risk of in the debate, and was particularly rabbi’s have really spoken about it right decision,” says Winston. “I something going wrong with any FELIX THE STUDENT PAPER OF IMPERIAL COLLEGE LONDON 06.03.2015 19 Science [email protected] Science Editor James Bezer & Lauren Ratcliffe

The media coverage of the decision has highlighted the important relationshiop between science and politics, and raised questions about where genetic treatments could lead. In the future, germ-line gene therapy could treat diseases such as cystic fibrosis, by replacing faulty segments of nuclear DNA in the genome of a fertilised egg. The research is at a very early stage at the moment, and concerns over safety and ethics are much more profound than for mitochondrial transplants. “I wouldn’t be happy with germ- line gene therapy, because I think the problem with that is that you are very likely to have an effect on other loci in the genome, which may start to perform differently from what you expected, because, as we know, upstream and downstream of any mutation, there will be other signalling areas of the genome, micro RNAs for example, which may actually end up producing something which is completely unexpected. The likelihood with mitochondria is that, because their role is so specialised (they’re really just concerned with energy metabolism) that it’s a reasonable gamble, if you like. “I don’t see anything wrong with playing God. To my mind, if you are religious, playing God is what you should do, because actually what I believe is that if you are playing God you are actually imitating God, using your God-given intelligence to try and better the world. “The issue then is not playing God, but trying to supplant God, which becomes much more an issue of how you use wisdom and judgement to make a good choice rather than a bad choice, and I think that’s what we all do as scientists all the time, which is a universal concern for all of us at Imperial College. “If you’re doing physics, for instance, there’s all sorts of implications, medical physics is a good example, nuclear physics would be another one. There are times when physicists have stood back and said, well actually this may be going in One of the pioneers of fertility treatments, Robert Winston was a key figure in getting the vote through the House of Lords. Photo: essentialparent.com the wrong direction, because we’re doing something which we feel very treatment, and don’t forget that when “I think the media coverage has correspondent of the Mail was very uncomfortable with. we did IVF for the first time, we were been pretty gentle really,” said measured in what he said about “So I think making a wise choice actually standing on the edge of a Winston. “The ‘three-parent family’ Fukushima. He said this was not a is right. Now of course with precipice: we had no idea for certain level was inevitable, and it’s a silly cause for abandoning nuclear fission, hindsight you could say that perhaps that we were going to have a normal label, but it’s a convenient piece of this was an aberrant response to an Oppenheimer, say, made the wrong baby, although all the experiments shorthand. But actually, very few aberrant piece of building, and even choice in making the atomic bomb, that had been done would suggest journalists produced shock horror, beforehand we could have realised but of course that was at a time that. and I think journalists talked it up we were doing something that was of conflict when there were very “Our lab at Imperial did the first because they thought it was going to probably not wise. different issues going on. pre-implantation diagnosis, actually be very big. “I think actually, Mike Hanlan’s “In peacetime, during the normal biopsying a cell, taking cells away for “To tell you the truth, I think the response in a tabloid newspaper was workings of a democratic society, genetic analysis. That had never been media coverage for a huge number highly refreshing, and is somewhere that wisdom of how to make the best done before, so, even though we had "I think of scientific things has improved I think even 10 years ago, we would choice is part of what we have to do tested it in various animals, again, it’s the media massively in Britain over the last 5-7 have had a much more aggressive, as scientists: that’s why I think we a leap in the dark, but you know you coverage years. You see it even in the biggest much less measured view. I think "I don’t see need to be very much more aware had done the best you could.” comic of all, the Daily Mail, which British scientific journalism has anything of a breadth of knowledge, not just The decision has generated a huge has been is classically the one newspaper improved immeasurably and I think, knowledge of a narrow area of our amount of media coverage, much pretty you would not regard as scientific actually, to some extent, that’s had wrong with own discipline, and to my mind, of which has been focused on the gentle" journal: don’t forget that when the a knock on effect right through to playing one of the things we have to do as ethical criticisms levelled by many Japanese nuclear accident happened, the sort of journalism that you do in God." scientists is to keep aware of the broad opponents and religious groups. Mike Hanlan, the chief scientific Felix.” implications of the work we do.” 20 06.03.2015 THE STUDENT PAPER OF IMPERIAL COLLEGE LONDON FELIX Science [email protected] Science Editor James Bezer & Lauren Ratcliffe Hope on the horizon for HIV Nefeli Maria Skoufou Papoutsaki asks whether the virus could be eradicated

IV (the Human Immunodeficiency Virus) His one of the most lethal viruses. Since the first case in 1959, 39 million people have died from HIV related diseases (including AIDS, the disease caused by the virus, and other co-infections such as Hepatitis C). However, much progress has been made in both the detection of the disease and in developing some potential treatments or vaccines. There are also reasons to believe that the virus will become less lethal in the coming years. The HIV virus targets the cells of the immune system. More specifically it targets the T cells, white blood cells that have as a primary role to kill infected cells and develop memory cells that can be quickly formed if the same virus/bacterium infects the body again. The virus is sexually transmitted and causes the widely known disease AIDS. The final stage of AIDS is the loss of immunity, so patients can die even from a common flu, this is why the HIV virus is related with other co-infections. Fortunately, leading researchers are working on the HIV and AIDS problem. One of the most important HIV under the microscope: New treatments in the past 20 years have significantly reduced the number of people dying of AIDS. discoveries was the understanding of Photo: imgkid.com how HIV replicates. David Baltimore, an American biologist, along with his hospitals in Africa, there is a 50% process is more effective when both associated neurocognitive disorders colleagues, discovered the enzyme drop in HIV testing, treatment and “arms” bind the spikes. In HIV cells (HANDs), usually found in patients reverse transcriptase that can make entry into care, since doctors focus these spikes are fewer and in much over 50 years old. DNA from RNA, for which they won more on the Ebola infection. This larger distance so the “arms” of the The virus prevents the cell from the Nobel Prize for Physiology or may create the need, now more than antibodies cannot reach two spikes clearing its damaged proteins, in Medicine in 1975. ever, for a simple and quick diagnosis at once. a process known as autophagy. This is the enzyme that that people can even conduct on their What this group did was to develop Disrupting autophagy can cause retroviruses, such as HIV, use. They own. antibody based molecules that can the death of the cell when all these do so because after entering a host Generally, when people are bind both their arms at a single spine. damaged molecules accumulate in cell, they need to add their genetic diagnosed and under medical care The successful molecules managed high concentrations. The cancer drug material into that of the host cell, they are 94% less likely to transmit to neutralize the HIV 10-1,000 times rapamycin that enhances autophagy which is in the form of DNA. Many the virus: something that underlines more effectively than the naturally has been tested in HIV patients and antiretroviral therapies (ARTs) can the importance of an early diagnosis. occurring antibodies. indeed reduced damage of neurons inhibit the replication of the virus, A group of researchers at Columbia Recently a drug candidate has been was observed. now that the mechanism is known. University have developed a low cost observed that could be potentially Hope is also seen on the horizon for At the Conference on Retroviruses smartphone accessory that can detect used as a vaccine for HIV, since it is the HIV pandemic since the virus has and Opportunistic Infections (CROI), in 15 minutes from a blood sample the most effective inhibitor found so been found to evolve in less aggressive which took place this February in whether the patient is HIV-positive or far. It can block every strain of HIV-1 forms in Africa. One reason for that Seattle, many important research whether he has syphilis. The next step and HIV-2 that has been isolated may be because of the wide use of the findings were announced including is to bring the accessory to developing from humans. HIV drugs which can decrease the improvements on current treatments countries, after modifying it, since Another point of the HIV cycle possibility of transmission. as well as scientific breakthroughs. most people there do not possess a that is usually targeted by drugs is Another reason for that may be that Focus was given on the smartphone. to prevent the entry in the host cell. the virus is evolving in a form that improvements in care of both "When Concerning the treatment of HIV, This drug can bind to two points of would result in a slower infection so AIDS and Hepatitis C, an infectious people there is a substantial problem that the HIV simultaneously to more that the hosts can survive for longer disease affecting the liver. HIV- may have been overcome recently effectively prevent this entry. Also, and thus make it more likely for the positive people are also susceptible have been by a group of researchers in the if an adeno-associated virus that can virus to be transmitted to others. to Hepatitis C due to common routes diagnosed, University of California Technology: easily be weakened is injected, it can Although this is may not be the of transmission, such as sexual they are 94% why natural antibodies don’t work in turn cells into factories that produce case of the evolution of virus in the intercourse. less likely to the treatment of HIV. "HIV can also this drug candidate that can last for Europe and the US, at least patients The relationship between the Ebola Antibodies are Y-shaped proteins have effects years; even decades. there can benefit from all the other outbreak and the effects on the HIV transmit the that attach to the surface of viruses in As well as its effects on the immune advances in treatment and diagnosis treatment were also discussed. It virus." the receptors or spikes they have in on the brain." system, HIV can also have effects mentioned before, if all these actually has been observed that in certain order to destroy the viral cells. This on the brain. There are many HIV work in vivo. FELIX THE STUDENT PAPER OF IMPERIAL COLLEGE LONDON 06.03.2015 21 Science [email protected] Science Editor James Bezer & Lauren Ratcliffe Go With the Flow: new EU policy supports renewable energy Joshua Emden discusses the impact of flow-based market coupling

his article comes with a health Loop Flow warning. We will be discussing TEU legislation and, as with all It is true that electricity will always things EU, there will be a wealth of flow along a cable. But if you have a unhelpful acronyms and terminology lot of those cables in your network, fired at you, none more so than it may not flow exactly where you those forming the Commission’s want it to go, choosing the path of new ‘Energy Union Strategic least resistance over a ‘busy’ line. Framework’, officially revealed last This phenomenon in the networks is Wednesday. Briefly speaking, this referred to as a ‘loop flow’. hugely ambitious plan intends to Somewhat unhelpfully, loop flows unite gas and electricity markets in are sensitive to the variability of solar the different regions of Europe and, and wind generation, where the more eventually, Europe as a whole whilst renewables that come onto the grid facilitating the growth of renewables the more likely it is these loop flows at the same time. will occur. This is because if a grid It must be said that the process operator is forecasting anticipated of integration is complex, from demand for the day ahead, the real- physically connecting all countries time situation on that actual day may together with big cables, to wading be quite different if, say, the wind through the minutiae of new trading blows more than expected. rules and regulations that will have If the day-ahead prediction to be implemented. But this process, is indeed inaccurate, the extra a once in a generation infrastructure electricity generated can ‘flood’ upgrade, is also fascinating. I will transmission lines in neighbouring spare you every tiny detail; I don’t countries that might be less know half them myself. But I will congested. Since the bulk of market pick up on one particular morsel trading occurs within national of policy: that of the obscure, but borders or cross-border markets rather wonderful Flow-Based Market that do not correspond with the Coupling (FBMC – acronym number transmission lines through which 1). this electricity may travel, these forecasting errors can create price Coupling Countries imbalances within and between countries. Uniting gas and electricity markets, a new challenge for the Energy Union Strategic Framework. First, let’s put this all into context, From an EU perspective, this is Photo: Shutterstock one of the cornerstones of the potentially disastrous as it drives a Commission’s Energy Union is wedge between the Commission’s countries (e.g. Feed-in Tariffs in Plain or Intuitive? Smart Grids the idea of ‘price convergence’ via work on market integration and Germany) the situation is only likely market ‘coupling’ between countries their push for renewable growth, to get worse. FBMC is not without its demons. In When people talk about ‘smart grids’, – essentially making sure electricity two things which the Energy Union It is in this light that FBMC some circumstances, the algorithm I often find myself struggling to prices being traded across borders Strategy would dearly like to see as becomes so critical. In very brief on which FBMC is based can end up describe exactly what one might look are the same or very similar. To compatible. Yet it does not matter terms, FBMC replaces the old notion sending electricity from a high price like, let alone what the technologies achieve this you can do two things: how well designed your market that Available Transfer Capacity area to a low price area in order to involved might be. With FBMC build more interconnecting cables system is, you cannot tell electrons (ATC) should be calculated separately maximise overall welfare across a though, the notion that electricity and manage those interconnections to follow price signals if they have a to the price at which electricity is region. As a response to this, there is can be controlled by a computer, better. The first option is, for the perfectly free transmission line to go traded. In this way there is a much currently a great deal of discussion sent in different directions all across purposes of this article, relatively down. closer alignment between the within the CWE region regarding different borders, and produce lower straightforward. Build more cables direction of prices in the market and whether or not FBMC should be prices as a result certainly seems very between countries and you can Going in the Wrong the direction of the electricity across ‘plain’ or ‘intuitive’. smart. trade more electricity back and Direction the cable itself. As such, through In the latter instance, rules would be Even better from the Commission’s forth, meaning you get closer to an clever algorithms that I will not even set such that prices would always flow perspective, FBMC is exactly the sort equilibrium price in both countries. To highlight the problem, between begin to unveil (or understand) in from low to high across borders, but of methodology that could adapt to In Germany and France for example, 2011-2012, according to Thema this article, FBMC is even able to recognising that there may be a loss the variability of renewables as their wholesale electricity prices were the Consulting, out of all of the manipulate the flow of electricity to in overall welfare. Ultimately, FBMC proportion of generation throughout same 67% of the time in 2011. electricity flowing between Germany suit those market prices. is problematic if only because of just the EU increases and the movement But how do you pursue option and the Netherlands, some of it was Through such a method, the IEA how complicated it is. Having first away from fossil fuels combustion for two and go about managing physically flowing in the opposite predicts that price convergence been proposed and agreed by grid energy production commences. Of interconnections better? More direction to its destination 74% of within the Central Western European operators in 2007, it is only now being course, as with most EU ‘packages’, importantly, what is so problematic the time. Between Switzerland and (CWE) region could increase from approved as we speak. Assuming no FBMC will be just one of a number that it requires management to be France, this happened 95.5% of the 58% to 90%. Researchers have even further delay, FBMC is expected to of complicated reforms in the grand better in the first place? When you time. Whilst the quantity of energy gone further, to suggest that if by be implemented in CWE in ‘early Energy Union plan. want electricity, doesn’t it just flow wasted in these cases varies, with 2050 FBMC is not fully implemented, 2015’. The computational ICT needs, But when we paint a picture of the through the cables without a hitch? renewable growth being promoted the EU could end up paying €590 depending on the scale of future future of Europe’s grids, it just might Well not exactly. by financial support in different billion more than it would need to. implementation, are astronomical. be the smartest. 22 06.03.2015 THE STUDENT PAPER OF IMPERIAL COLLEGE LONDON FELIX Science [email protected] Science Editor James Bezer & Lauren Ratcliffe New antibodies could treat dengue fever Utsav Radia on Imperial research that could lead to the first vaccine

esearchers from the Department of Medicine at RImperial have identified a new class of antibodies that is effective against the virus that causes dengue fever. Dengue is a mosquito-borne viral infection found primarily in tropical and sub-tropical regions around the world. However, in recent years, transmission has increased predominantly in urban and semi-urban areas leading it to become a major international public health concern with an estimated 400 million infections occurring annually. Over 2.5 billion people (over 40% of the world’s population) are now at risk from dengue and the World health Organisation (WHO) estimates there may be 50-100 million infections worldwide every year. The primary vector of dengue is the Aedes aegypti mosquito, which lives in urban habitats and breeds mostly in man-made containers. Unlike other mosquitoes, Ae. aegypti is a daytime feeder, with the females biting multiple people during each feeding period. Initially, the virus is transmitted from infected humans to uninfected mosquitoes, the virus subsequently incubates for 4-10 days in the mosquito, after which the infected mosquito is capable of transmitting the virus for the rest of its life. Patients who are already infected with the dengue virus can transmit the infection for usually 4-5 days (max. 12) via Aedes mosquitoes after the onset of symptoms; the virus The Aedes aegypti mosquito: dengue fever causes severe flu-like symptoms, but no vaccine currently exists. Photo: Wikimedia Commons cannot be transmitted from person to person. distinguished from each other by as being foreign, so it can attack them In a second paper, published in Dengue fever is a severe, flu-like their surface antigens. Recovering and neutralise their harmful effects Nature, the researchers analysed the illness that can affect people of all from infection by one provides on our body. structure of the antibodies, which ages, but seldom causes death. It is lifelong immunity against that In the study, published in the forms the basis of developing a suspected when patients have a high particular serotype; however, if an journal Nature Immunology, the vaccine. fever accompanied by two of the individual were to be infected by scientists analysed blood samples of Professor Screaton, lead of the following symptoms: severe headache, another serotype, cross-recognition infected patients in Southeast Asia to study, expressed that “current vaccine pain behind the eyes, muscle and by the immune system of the examine the antibodies produced by trials [for dengue] have shown some joint pains, nausea, vomiting, swollen other one may only be partial and their immune systems. In the process, promise but do not fully protect from glands or rash. Symptoms usually temporary, increasing the risk of the scientists identified a previously infection…this new class of antibodies persist for around one to two weeks. developing severe dengue. unknown epitope, referred to as points the way for a new approach to Occasionally, dengue fever can Fortunately, researchers from the “envelope dimer epitope” (EDE) a dengue vaccine design which we are develop into a more aggressive form the Department of Medicine at which ‘bridges’ protein subunits on pursuing”. called severe dengue (also known as Imperial, in collaboration with mature virions (the infective form Up till now, there was no dengue haemorrhagic fever) which scientists from the Institut Pasteur of the virus, as inside the body) specifically directed treatment for is a fatal complication as it can lead in Paris, have identified a new class "This new and is common to all four strains. dengue apart from paracetamol, to shock (a sudden drop in blood of antibodies that is effective against class of Monoclonal antibodies, characterized replenished fluid intake and resting; pressure), bleeding and organ failure. all four serotypes of the dengue virus. in the study, to the EDE showed a this new antibody approach has As there is no vaccine as yet for the Antibodies are proteins produced by antibodies strong response across all four strains opened many further treatment dengue virus, the best way to prevent "Over 2.5 immune cells (B-lymphocytes) that points of the dengue virus. avenues for exploration. So it seems infection is using common sense billion can recognise and selectively bind the way These antibodies could potentially like we may not be far off from being precautions – such as hand washing, to specific parts (called epitopes) of be used either directly in the able to greatly enhance our armoury wearing protective clothing and using people are foreign objects called antigens. for a new prevention and treatment of dengue in tackling the rising incidences mosquito repellent – whilst travelling now at The binding of the antibodies to approach infections or in the development of of dengue virus infections and to high-risk areas. risk from antigens on microorganisms such as to a dengue subunit vaccines that could be used complications in the near future. The dengue virus has four differnt bacteria and viruses are what help vaccine." to stimulate the immune system to DOI: 10.1038/ni.3058; strains, called serotypes, which are dengue." our immune system recognise them produce antibodies to the EDE. 10.1038/nature14130 FELIX THE STUDENT PAPER OF IMPERIAL COLLEGE LONDON 06.03.2015 23 Politics Politics Editor Joshua Renken [email protected] Politics Editor Joshua Renken Why don’t more young people vote? Off his tits on politics, Joshua Renken tackles the issue of low voter turnout amongst the millennial generation.

Left: Comedian and political activist Russell Brand has been encouraging young people not to vote and has written a book on modern politics titled Revolution. Right: TV Presenter and political activist Rick Edwards works with the Swing The Vote initiative and recently gave a TED talk called ‘How to get young people to vote’ Photos: 2014 Getty Images

ith just 61 days to go home or a sixth form college, 99% of One reason why lots of young urge people to express their political 5.6 million 18-24 year olds in the until polling stations campaign managers will say you’ve people don’t vote is that many of preferences in the current system. UK; that’s 11.3% of the population. Wopen across the United got to go to an old people’s home.” them are not exposed to political Discussing political, social and If the opportunity is seized, the Kingdom, party election campaigns There is an asymmetry of voting discussion. There is very little, if any, electoral reform is imperative and millennial generation could make a are well under way. In 2010, voter influence on our representatives and formal political education in schools. there are huge problems that need to decisive difference in what is a very turnout was at 65%. The over-65’s it’s only getting worse, with an aging This means that if a child’s family be addressed, but change will never tight race. 18-24 year olds represent demographic had an overall turnout population and fewer young people does not discuss politics at the dinner come about if people do not organise. a huge amount of latent political of 76%. Amongst 18-24 year olds, voting. table then there is no initial stimulus Otherwise they lose their influence. leverage that could tip the balance however, turnout was only 44% and Politics is where principle clashes for that child to even think about it. Politics is far more interesting than strongly in their favour. Politicians recent polls indicate that number will with pragmatism, and young people And there’s evidence to suggest that it sometimes appears to be, and the would have no choice but to respond be even lower on 7th May. are the victims. And this is simply if people don’t engage in politics early decisions made at the top make huge by catering better to the needs of this This is a big problem in UK politics, due to politicians responding to on, they never will. If this continues differences to the quality of people’s demographic and real change would and a relatively recent phenomenon, incentives. There’s no conspiracy then a few decades down the line we lives. be made. with only a 4% difference in turnout here. No evil plotters behind the might live in a society with a passive Politics is also very complicated, Most young people are not between the young and old in 1987. scenes. But that almost makes the majority who don’t vote or even voice and large sections of the mainstream apathetic. They are angry and In our democracy politicians have to situation even more depressing. their opinions about the issues that media have done a poor job of alienated. We are disproportionately focus their efforts to maximise votes, So why don’t more 18-24 year affect all of our lives. untangling the issues and informing ignored by the powers that be and so they will inevitably dangle more olds vote? Many reasons have been Russell Brand has tapped the electorate, which is vital for a those that do vote feel demoralised voting incentives to the segments of put forward. Some believe that into the public’s widespread healthy democracy. After all, the under this administration, but the the electorate that are more likely to young people are simply too lazy to disenfranchisement and frustration first step in solving a problem is only way to change that is for young get out and vote. participate in politics. They think with Westminster and the ‘political recognising there is one. people to start flocking to polling When you look at the disparity that we are too busy texting, taking class’, and has done a good job of Politicians could certainly do more stations en masse. in voter turnout between the young pictures of our food and ogling Kim drawing people’s attention to causes to bridge the gap between themselves To those people who have problems and the old, it’s no surprise that in Kardashian’s arse to look up and that would otherwise be overlooked and young people, but we can only with the status quo in this country this government University tuition think about who runs our country. by the mainstream media. But for place so much blame on the media but don’t vote or get organised: you fees have increased when the welfare But this explanation is a lazy all his well-meaning intentions, and public officials. Now we have to have limited scope to complain. entitlements of pensioners have stereotype and completely untrue. Russell ‘fuck-the-system’ Brand deal with the problem ourselves and Because, and there’s no easy to way to been steadfastly protected. Young It is abundantly clear that across the is not helping the situation when get young people engaged in political say this, you are part of the problem. people are being disproportionately country there are young people who he encourages people not to vote. discourse, because the problem of Despite what some people say, it neglected because there aren’t enough are fiercely passionate about social He talks about bringing down our voter turnout amongst the millennial matters who is in power. We have votes to persuade those in power to action. current democracy without offering generation is self-perpetuating. The the collective ability to decide who shift their focus towards them. The It could be argued that young a viable alternative and argues that less young people vote, the more determines the future of the United silver vote gets courted while the people don’t vote because they don’t people shouldn’t bother voting until politicians will be able to ignore their Kingdom but if people do not get out youth of today get hit hardest. And yet feel as though they have a stake he gets his revolution. concerns without being punished at and vote the government will never it is a worrying reality that this only in wider society, and that it is only What’s so alarming here is that the ballot box. The less politics has to receive a proper mandate from the makes young people even less likely as a person begins to settle down and the people who agree with Russell offer young people the less likely they people. The millennial generation to cast their vote on 7th May. have children that they sense that about not voting are not doing it out are to turn up to polling stations the needs to vote, for all our sakes. The Shadow Secretary of State for they have a direct interest in issues of apathy, but out of anger. Russell next time round. It’s a circle, and it’s You can register to vote in the Justice, Sadiq Khan, recently summed such as affordable housing, taxation, undoubtedly has some good points vicious. Which is why they call it that. constituency of either your home or up the situation: “If you have got a healthcare, education, the job market, to make but in the time between the This May millions of young people term-time address. Make sure you’re on candidate with an hour spare and transport and childcare – the bread upcoming general election and his will have their first opportunity to the electoral register before the April a choice to go to an old people’s and butter subjects of politics. desired parliamentary revolt he must vote in a general election. There are 20th deadline. 24 06.03.2015 THE STUDENT PAPER OF IMPERIAL COLLEGE LONDON FELIX Games [email protected]@imperial.ac.uk Games Editor Max Eggl & Calum Skene The Magical World of RPGs The expert himself, Sanchit Sharma, introducing you to a world that you definitely want to join

PG is an arguably misleading the former are normally one player term, which stands for “Role- and have a single storyline, the latter RPlaying Game”. The reason focus on player interaction and often I say it is arguably misleading is have ever-changing storylines where that there are very few games, both each player can have an impact on the tabletop and otherwise, in which the game world. player does not take on a role. Yet the Tabletop RPGs are a completely term roleplaying game nevertheless different beast. In a tabletop RPG, one has a very precise definition. An RPG player takes on the role of the “Games is, specifically, a game in which the Master”, or GM, which is effectively player takes on the role of a specific taking on the role of the computer character and controls that character in the other types of RPGs. The GM through various encounters. Often, controls any characters not controlled the character is represented by various by the players, the world around them, numbers and statistics, but the key and sets the difficulty of tasks – it’s part is that RPGs are about each player not an easy job to do! Often, these controlling a single character. tasks have a randomisation element to Broadly, I split RPGs up into determine whether or not the player three groups: cRPGs, MMOs, and succeeds. The simplest version is to tabletop RPGs. cRPG is a term used roll a die, add a number representing to mean computer RPG – that is, any the character’s ability, and compare roleplaying game that is a video game. this to a number set by the GM In these, stats are very important representing the difficulty of the task. and you have a fixed goal to achieve. There are a few things you need Examples of cRPGs are Neverwinter to do if you want to get started with Nights, the Elder Scrolls series (of RPGs. You should be aware of the which Skyrim is the latest), and the role of the GM, and decide whether Final Fantasy series. MMO stands for or not you’d be willing to take that Massively Multiplayer Online, and role on (remember that a GM is an MMORPGs are very similar to cRPGs arbitrator, not an opponent!), you (technically being a subcategory of need to find people to play with, and them). But the difference is that where you’ve got to have an idea of what sort of game you want to play. RPGs can be split into three categories (as well as combinations of them), and this can really help narrow down what players like in a game. The first of the three categories is ‘gamism’. In essence, these are the RPGs where there is a strategic choice to make in what you do – most commonly in combat. Gamist RPGs often have combat ‘minigames’, which make up a decent chunk of any given session. Rather than encouraging a player to play true to a character, games in this category Photo, clockwise left to right: gamebooks, nerdist, wikipedia, psiplayhouse, essencerpg,wargaming, rpggeek, boardgamegeek "Broadly, often encourage players to create “Gamist I split characters in an “optimal” way, which RPGs are involved in the scene and where they The final category is narrativism. don’t necessarily line up with choices might actually change their plans With narrativist RPGs, the plot is the RPGs up that make narrative sense, but instead where based on what you say. Simulationist most important thing. Where gamist into three allow the character to perform better. there is a games often have very large rulebooks, characters often have optimal setups, groups: If you like to be able to ‘win’ an RPG, strategic as they have to account for a large narrativist ones don’t – and people gamism is for you. number of possible situations even who play narrative RPGs a lot might cRPGs, Simulationist RPGs focus on choice to if they take place in very specific even choose to create characters that MMOs, and what would be realistic (within their make in settings. Don’t be put off by this – you give them disadvantages relative to tabletop universe) in any given situation. what you don’t need to read these books cover everyone else (not in terms of stats, RPGers Heaven: Orcs Nest RPGs." These are the games where you can do.” to cover! If you want your RPG to be but in terms of plot) because they find Photo: Sanchit Sharma argue with your GM about the physics realistic, simulationism is for you. it more fun to play games where their FELIX THE STUDENT PAPER OF IMPERIAL COLLEGE LONDON 06.03.2015 25 Games [email protected] Games Editor Max Eggl & Calum Skene

are pure gamist are closer to board this category is the Warhammer 40k games than RPGs. But the one that series of RPGs (starting with Rogue I know of which fits this criteria is Trader), which take advantage of the Warhammer Quest – it is essentially rich backstory of the Warhammer standard Dungeons and Dragons in universe to create a sci-fi compelling the Warhammer universe, but with universe for the players to explore. the focus on going into dungeons Simulationist-Narrative: This is and beating up monsters. It is also, a difficult combination to pull off. apparently, incredibly difficult to Eoris is an example of this kind of progress. Sadly, Warhammer Quest is game, but it isn’t well executed. Whilst now out of print, but the Dungeons and it provides a rich and compelling Dragons (see below) board games often universe in which magic is consistent give a similar feel, if you want to try with modern science, the rules are these out. messy and incomplete. There are Pure Simulationist: The best a lot of criticisms of the game and example of this is probably the most are valid – but it is nevertheless Battletech/Mechwarrior series of a salvageable system. However, this RPGs, in which players take on combination hasn’t yet been done well the role of mech pilots in the 31st as far as I am aware, and so I would century. Another (arguable) example personally recommend that if you is GURPS, the General Unified like both simulationist and narrative Role Playing System, which makes styles, pick one or the other (or play different abilities more or less single session games and switch difficult to gain and thus involves between the two). a lot of looking things up. The best Narrative-Gamist: A big example thing about GURPS is that the books is the FATE system, which combines give such detailed setting-creation action-RPG combat with a heavy focus information that it can be adapted to on character development and plot. any system. It’s a very fluid system, but puts a lot Pure Narrative: This is my thing, so of stress on the GM relative to other I’ve got a few examples for you. Itras games. There is no fixed setting. By is my personal favourite, which is a Now that you have an idea of what 1920s surrealist game, but the system kind of game you want to play, you is so neat and concise that it can be need to find people to play it with! adapted to any setting with very little There are three major RPG groups difficulty. Mystic Empyrean is your in Central London – Darksphere, standard sword and sorcery setting, the London Indie RPG meetup, and but the system prevents character (of course), the Imperial Tabletop optimisation by giving other players Gaming society. Darksphere is a store control over how your character that takes about 20 minutes to get improves. The idea is for it to be based to by tube. The focus in the store is on how you play. Finally, Fiasco is Magic: The Gathering, but they run a GMless game designed for single Dungeons and Dragons games every sessions in which every character sets wednesday evening. The Indie RPG up an elaborate plan to get their way, group meet up a few times a month and it all ends up in (you guessed it!) near London Bridge, and focus on a fiasco. single session, narrative games. Gamist-Simulationist: The most They’re a great place to go if you enjoy common is Dungeons and Dragons, "Welcome narrative games! widely considered the first ever RPG. to the Finally, if you’re interested in It’s a standard swords and sorcery type playing RPGs at Imperial, we run game. It is worth noting that the latest wonderful single sessions on alternating Fridays iteration of this game is an attempt world of and Sundays. Send me an email for the to switch it to a Narrative-Gamist tabletop details. RPG, which is an interesting change. And welcome to the wonderful However, another popular game in RPGs!" world of tabletop RPGs!

Photo, clockwise left to right: gamebooks, nerdist, wikipedia, psiplayhouse, essencerpg,wargaming, rpggeek, boardgamegeek

characters do badly. Additionally, in general if you like making stories), pure narrative games are sometimes narrativism is for you. GMless (or GMful) – where the role Here are some examples of each of of GM is either not needed, is shared the combinations of style, with a bit of by all players, or done by the game info on each one. Each RPG I mention "If you like itself using some sort of simple here is either widely available, or I making algorithm. If you enjoy realising that have access to it personally (if the your character is not about to die, latter, feel free to contact me to stories), but rather that events have conspired borrow my copy). narrativism to create a situation so horrific that Pure Gamist: This is a difficult one is for you." death would be greatly preferred (or to place, because most RPGs that Photo: Sanchit Sharma 26 06.03.2015 THE STUDENT PAPER OF IMPERIAL COLLEGE LONDON FELIX Welfare [email protected] Welfare Editors Diba Esbati & Chanon Wongsatayanont

Mental health How to live in an international flat helplines and resources Chanon Wongsatayanont offers advice on peaceful coexistence If you are concerned about your own mental health, or that of a loved one, there are people out ou’ve probably had a flat mate who’s from a different culture. there you can talk to who can YFor some of you, it might have give you advice, or will be there gone like this. Day one, things were to listen. going well. Day seven, tensions began with unwashed dishes. Day twenty- Helplines five, both sides mobilized for war over a party that had turned the corridor If you are distressed and need into a disaster-ravaged scene. someone to talk to : When people from different Samaritans (24 hr helpline): cultures live together, standards of Phone: 08457 90 90 90 how to live clash head on. What’s OK Website: www.samaritans.org. and not OK for each culture will be tested and challenged, and everyone uk will have to adjust. Eventually someone will have to give in and Anxiety Help : accept that’s the way things are going Anxiety UK to be. Settling on who’s going to do Phone: 08444 775 774 that without making things blow up is the tough part, especially when you (Mon-Fri 9:30 - 17:30) both started off as complete strangers. Website: www.anxietyuk.org.uk Flat mates coming from the same country would know that conflicting No Panic habits are frustrating, to say the Phone: 0808 800 2222 least. I mean, some people are used to ‘borrowing’ milk at home but if (daily, 10am - 10pm) you’ve been living alone for a while, Website: www.nopanic.org.uk your stuff is your stuff. When these two people meet, it can start off Eating Disorders: irritating, but it can also make life Beat hell for the whole flat if they decide to If you see this in your kitchen, you know there’s an international student (most likely Asian) living with you. make it personal. We’re students; I’m Photo: Creative Commons Phone: 0845 634 1414 sure you’ve heard horror stories of (Mon - Thurs, 1.30pm - 4:30pm) flats that have become warzones. Now add cultural differences to times to do that, it often becomes an There is no harm in asking! to come to a better understanding Addiction: the mix. Wacky food smells, strange unspoken way of doing things. That’s and your flat mate will remain that Alcoholics Anonymous condiments lurking around the the origin story for the super-neat As students from another culture are caricature for the rest of your time kitchen, language barriers, they add Asian stereotype. probably used to their way of living, there. Phone: 0845 769 7555 whole new dimension of things you’ll Meanwhile, the Western parenting they’d probably not notice that their It’s kind of a self-fulfilling prophesy. (24 hour helpline) have to cope with. Worse, racial method is usually more laid back, lifestyle is bothering anyone else. For example, if you think that your Website: www.alcoholics- stereotypes aren’t going to help with where cleaning up can be left In this case, a nudge and a friendly flat mate is so anti-social that she anonymous.org.uk understanding each other either. for tomorrow morning or later, reminder is usually enough to change only hangs out with her international Once you begin labelling another depending on the home. You can see someone’s way of doing things. Much friends, you’re probably going to ignore person as ‘that typical anti-social how the habit would clash against better than muttering under your her every time you see her around Narcotics Anonymous Asian’ or ‘that noisy Westerner’, how an international student has breath and gossiping about ‘that the flat. Now to her perspective. If she Phone: 0300 999 1212 chances are they’ll stay that way for been brought up. goddamn flat mate’, huh? thinks that you’re giving her a cold Website: www.ukna.org the rest of your time together. You Being brought up in Thailand For example, I used to have some shoulder, she’d think that there’s no might have just misunderstood then, myself, I’ve been through some sweet-smelling (opinions may vary) one else she can hang out with apart College Resources but more on that later. adjusting. I used to live in a flat with green curry paste in the fridge. Of from her friends from home. See how Here are some of the ways to three other British students and I course I didn’t notice it since no one that works? Student Counselling Service smooth out the ride with your remember how my flat mates would ever minded back at home. One day, Granted, initially she might be a Phone: 020 7594 9637 international flat mates: soak dishes in soapy water for a my flat mates told me that they’ve bit shy. She might just be anxious in a e-mail: [email protected] night before cleaning it up the next been discussing among themselves new country and faced with language Address different day. Believe it or not, that’s the first and decided to tell me that the curry barriers, but that doesn’t mean she’s Imperial College Health Centre expectations time I’ve seen someone soaking their is stinking out the fridge. I was anti-social and unfriendly. Give her a dishes. I thought they were just being mortified, apologized and quickly chance and try socialising. She might Telephone: 020 7584 6301 This is the easiest way to get to the lazy; I didn’t even know that it was bought some cling film to cover it up. be relieved to find a friendly flat mate e-mail: [email protected] root of the problem. You’ll have to the norm here until I asked them. The curry’s sweet smell is now kept that can help her settle into the new remember that being from different It doesn’t hurt to ask how things all to myself. The problem is solved country! You can also go to your cultures means that you have are normally done where your flat painlessly. academic or personal tutor different assumptions about how mate was originally from. Even if Living with people from overseas things are done. So sometimes, the they don’t change their behavior, No racial stereotyping isn’t always a pain as long as you’re regarding pastoral issues, annoying neatness or messiness of you can at least understand where willing to reach a more understanding especially if you think your people can be a matter of culture. they’re coming from which would I’ve mentioned this briefly earlier in position. It can also be more rewarding mental health might be For example, in Asian countries, make it more tolerable or even the article. Why not? That’s because than you thought. You can hear stories affecting your academic usually under the guidance of change your thoughts. Without the it would leave the flat chilly for the from their hometown that you’d get to performance. demanding parents, dishes have to understanding, you’d probably think rest of your time there, widening hear nowhere else. And if you become be cleaned immediately and the table that they’re doing it to piss you off, the chasm between you and the best mates, you can even get a chance to can’t be messy when you’re done easily making it a personal thing international students you’ve visit their country and stay with them using it. After being enforced enough rather than cultural. branded. There would be no chance too! Felix 1600

Culture 28 06.03.2015 THE STUDENT PAPER OF IMPERIAL COLLEGE LONDON FELIX

Culture Celebrating the 1600th issue of Felix My Favourite... The Felix Culture Editors tell us about the culture that inspired them ...Author — Margaret Atwood FRED FYLES and a return to nature; on the inner Instead of giving her Oryx and Crake ARTS EDITOR thought of artists, and writers, and trilogy the moniker of science-fiction, paleontologists, and students, all she instead calls them speculative he first book that I can brought to life thanks to Atwood’s fiction, telling us in no uncertain remember being upset at deft wit. Reading Atwood’s novels, terms that there are “no martians”. Tfinishing, not just sad, but so many of them are concerned This slipperiness, this struggle against actually physically hurt, was Margaret with rural Canada, a dichotomous conformity, which has continued Atwood’s The Handmaid’s Tale. A environment of majesty and fury, throughout a career that has entered story of a future in which radical beauty and pain. They made me yearn its fifth decade, is what sets her work Christians have transformed America for a country I have never visited yet apart, lifting her higher than any into a theocracy, and the declining could clearly picture, for a place that writer currently working fertility rate has led to the remaining could not be more different from my Sometimes, if I am feeling down, fecund women being enslaved as North London living room but which I get up a picture of her on my ‘handmaids’, The Handmaid’s Tale still seemed familiar. computer screen; she’s the only kick-started in this prepubescent boy Her body of work is enormous, person I know in whose physical a love of dystopian fiction; 1984, Brave not only in scope but volume too: features genius is manifestly evident. New World, We, these all followed fourteen novels; fifteen books of It’s there, in her eyes. A glimmer. A in rapid succession, but none could poetry; nine short story collections; gleam. And in her mouth too, the way match the joy I felt when reading three libretti; the list goes on. Her her lips curl slightly upwards at the Atwood’s carefully crafted prose. novels wilfully defy categorisation. ends, as if constantly laughing at her Luckily, I found a fellow confidante When people started saying that she own private joke. in my mother: a big fan of Atwood, was a feminist writer, she politely They give an indication, a her collection stood proud on our corrected them: “The Edible Woman, suggestion, of a mind at work; a bookshelves, their green spines and [Atwood’s first novel] is protofeminist mind that’s constantly ticking over, bitten apple logo indicating that they rather than feminist: there was no scheming, laying out plans, keeping were printed by feminist publishers women’s movement in sight when itself busy. A mind for which we Virago Press. And so I gorged. Gorged I was composing the book in 1965... should be thankful. A mind that myself on cannibalistic rituals though like many at the time I’d makes the world so much bigger than involving women made of cake; on read Betty Friedan and Simone I can possibly imagine. themes of Canadian nationalism de Beauvoir behind closed doors”. ...Album — The Shape of Jazz to Come KAMIL McCLELLAND that completely blow the artform instrument as opposed to playing ARTS EDITOR wide open. Retrospectively, this the ‘correct’ notes. In fact in 1954 he album is by no means free jazz, not started playing a plastic saxophone, 959, probably the most at all free of the musical shackles unable to afford a metal one, giving important year in the history defined by jazz and blues standards. his playing an extremely unique 1of jazz, a turning point away In fact, you can certainly hear the sound that is a lot drier and more from bebop and its roots in blues and influences from Thelonious Monk piercing than other saxophonists. dixieland, towards a new path for and Charles Mingus in the album. However, whilst his work can jazz: free jazz. In the same year Miles However, you cannot doubt how sometimes be quite affronting, it is Davis released Kind of Blue and Dave avant-garde it was at the time, with also some of the most emotionally Brubeck came out with Time Out, a Miles Davis describing Coleman after rich and complex that I have ever lesser known artist called Ornette its release as “all screwed up inside”. come across. From a hyena-like Coleman came out of the shadows to Yet he was simultaneously described cackle to a lamenting weep, he release his album The Shape of Jazz to as a genius by Leonard Bernstein, truly encompasses the beauty of Come. The implications of this album such was the controversy of the dissonance. Harmony is unimportant cannot be underplayed; it heralded album’s release. to him, emotion through melody and the advent of free jazz: more a way of How bold a statement to call an timbre are what counts, embracing thinking than a genre in itself, that album ‘The Shape of Jazz to Come’! a raw energy rarely seen in any jazz would revolutionise music for the rest Coleman originally wanted to entitle artists before him. He also did not of the 20th Century. it ‘Focus on Sanity’ but fortunately view pitch in the same way as his Jazz is often seen as either lounge just in time, his producer suggested artistic counterparts. He appreciated music or so abrasively complex as to the name, recognising the album’s it was a spectrum and made use of make it effectively unlistenable. The potential for revolution. It was also microtones like no other, insisting Shape of Jazz to Come was my gateway just in time for Coleman in another the same pitch should sound different drug that took me beyond this way. For before this producer, at each performance depending on misrepresentation. It contains just Nesuhi Ertegun, picked him up, he the context and mood. It was truly enough of the old school of jazz and was considering abandoning music revolutionary thinking! conventional harmonic structures to altogether and becoming a pastor. And this is why I love this album make it enjoyable and not completely Coleman had always been an so much, the work of a maverick baffling, whilst simultaneously innovator as a saxophonist, much innovator miles ahead of the curve – introducing new musical concepts more interested in the timbre of the truly the shape of jazz to come. FELIX THE STUDENT PAPER OF IMPERIAL COLLEGE LONDON 06.03.2015 29

Celebrating the 1600th issue of Felix Celebrating the 1600th issue of Felix Culture ...Musical — Next To Normal

BEN HOWITT Their scenes, culminating in Diana status of a caregiver. And it fails the C&S EDITOR being led to attempt suicide, are made Bechdel Test. Which, given how much more worrying by the fact that it else Natalie and her mother might isn’t until the middle of the first act have to talk about, is quite upsetting. ext to Normal, with book and that we even find out he’s died, and The music, though, is wonderful. lyrics by Brian Yorkey and it becomes clear just how far Diana’s It doesn’t have the richness of Nmusic by Tom Kitt, follows psychosis has progressed. Bernstein, nor does it require the Diana, a bipolar depressive with a This is not to say that the musical vocal gymnastics required for works dead son, a rock star psychiatrist, a is altogether depressing. Diana’s by Jason Robert Brown. Despite this, daughter she describes as “a freak” daughter Natalie and her boyfriend, it stands up as one of the strongest (and her stoner boyfriend)... and Dan, Henry, have some incredibly sweet examples of a rock musical score her husband. moments as he tries to pull her out I have heard to date, making it a When it was on Broadway of her own spiral towards substance worthy winner of the 2009 Tony for during 2009-11, the production abuse and depression. Their arc, Best Original Score. controversially won the Pulitzer ending as it began, with the word “I The show taps elements of the Prize, and also gained a cult following could be perfect for you”, is tinged human experience that we don’t get on YouTube and Twitter, before with a bittersweet acceptance of the to see all that often, filling a void closing in January 2011. other. left unattended since Jekyll and Hyde Bipolar depression is not an Even Dan and Gabe find a was released in 1997. It’s not perfect easy topic to write a musical about resolution of sorts. Natalie and her – it’s not normal – but it opens out – and the pain felt by many of mother reconcile, and we are left with the scope of musicals beyond what’s the characters is scarily real. The a more balanced, if disparate, family, been done before and since. Yorkey various attempts made to manage searching for “the light in the dark”. and Kitt have done well with Bring Diana’s condition correspond to real Is Next to Normal misogynistic? it On, the musical based on the little life treatments for bipolar II, and Maybe. It’s certainly true that Dan cheerleading squad that could, and watching each of them try, and fail, to is presented as a sympathetic figure If/Then, which starred Wicked and heal “the cut, the break... in your soul” and Diana as something of a home Frozen’s Idina Menzel. Maybe they is terrifying to watch. wrecker. Natalie is similarly seen to could use some of this success to The addition of Diana’s son Gabe be unable to handle things without launch a full British production? into the mix lends something of a the strong hand of Henry. Even the Only time will tell. The case of award-winning musical Next To Normal Credit: Craig sinister, seductive aspect to the show. end of Dan’s arc relegates her to the Schwartz ...Play — The Importance of Being Earnest

run that Wilde and Queensbury’s plot – as mentioned – is absurd. JACK STEADMAN feud made its way to the courts. The characterisations are often FILM EDITOR Earnest marked the pinnacle of flimsy. The satire is, these days, Wilde’s career, with the downfall borderline toothless, and the capacity have such an obvious fondness that must follow such a claim coming to introduce new relevance – as in for Arcadia – and for Stoppard’s brutally swiftly. 86 performances Shakespeare – is limited. I work in general – that my picking later, Earnest closed. Public opinion And yet, when put in the hands it as my favourite play seems like a was no longer on Wilde’s side. of a skilled cast, it springs to life; foregone conclusion. So let’s side step Despite that, Earnest endures. jokes that seem dated on the page are that conversation by turning straight Despite all the controversy suddenly hilarious; there’s enormous to my second-favourite play. Now surrounding it, despite the space for physical comedy; the comes the requirement to actually depressingly short original run, it interplay between the characters is a think about the answer to this. continues to find itself being revived joy to behold when the lines are being There are quite a few candidates on a near-constant basis, regularly thrown, rapid-fire, between skilled – Jez Butterworth’s Jerusalem and appearing in some new form in the actors. Mojo spring up as early contenders, West End. Earnest is the ultimate example of alongside the brilliantly funny One The reason for that can be found a ‘fun play’. It’s hugely entertaining Man, Two Guv’nors by Richard Bean. in the sheer joy of seeing Earnest with a good cast, and from the other But the winner is probably Oscar performed. Described in its full side it’s a treat to perform. It’s a far, Wilde’s last – greatest – play, The title as “a trivial comedy for serious far smarter play than its surfaces Importance of Being Earnest. people”, this is a play that takes suggest – I stand by all my claims of There’s a lot of history surrounding neither itself, the audience, nor its toothless satire and limited relevance Earnest, not least the part it played apparent targets seriously. It’s as – because its apparent lack of any real in Wilde’s eventual trial and much a farce as anything, dealing as it subject is the whole point. imprisonment for “gross indecency”. does with multiple cases of mistaken Earnest is as much Wilde’s two- It was at the opening night that the identity – each of them equally fingered salute to the literary Marquess of Queensbury, father improbable – as well as ridiculous establishment of the day, and it’s of Wilde’s lover (and somewhat fascinations with names as a reason a salute that holds true now. As an displeased at this arrangement), for marriage. artistic point alone, it’s fantastic. The attempted to present Wilde with Taking the text itself and fact it’s fun to perform and watch is Portrait of Oscar Wilde, Napoléon Sarony, 1882 Credit: Creative a bouquet of rotten vegetables (he examining it, there’s not always simply a bonus. Commons failed), and it was during the show’s much to recommend Earnest. The 30 06.03.2015 THE STUDENT PAPER OF IMPERIAL COLLEGE LONDON FELIX

Culture Celebrating the 1600th issue of Felix ...Comic Series — Sex Criminals

GRACE RAHMAN smut. Behold Sex Criminals. Forget platform comiXology. This was a MUSIC EDITOR stolen kisses between Superman multifaceted error on their part; and the odd mermaid, Sex Criminals people weren’t stopped from viewing won’t lie, I don’t know shit about provides it hard, fast and from page the first issue after Apple realised comics. I only started frequenting 1. With drawings by Chip Zdarsky they didn’t want to publish the I Soho’s GOSH! Comics for the who’s just been given the reigns by second and this arguably fuelled sexy men and proximity to good Marvel to reinvent Howard the Duck, people’s intrigue. record stores. Before I started lurking and words from Matt Fraction of Like anything forbidden, it in the graphic novel section of Hawkeye fame, it’s a fantasy comic became far more interesting. Plus, Waterstones, I thought comics simply by people who admit they don’t have quite embarrassing for a forward provided fuel for Marvel Studios a lot of loyalty towards the genre. thinking company that prides itself to re-hash into a new blockbuster And I think this shows, for the most on empowering creative types to every summer. Don’t get me wrong, part, making it a nice introduction have banned Time magazine’s Comic I know my Aquaman from my Iron for the comic novice. There are no of the Year. Most importantly, Man, but beyond the necessary backstories to get bogged down in, no the decision was ill-informed. Sex general knowledge to get me through arguing in the forums over nuances Criminals is not for getting off on. a rogue DC/Marvel question during implied way back in ’87 and it passes Zdarsky uses his mates as models for Mastermind, I just wasn’t interested. the Bechdel test. The first volume, Susie and Jon, which he says limits And I’m still not interested in the ‘One Weird Trick’, introduces our the amount of gratuitous sexiness world of superhero comics, despite main characters, Suzie and Jon, who since he has to direct his friends into recent expansion from the cis feel like the world stops when they get simulating said acts (Love Actually- white male template that the genre down on it. Except it literally does, so style). It’s certainly not all smut, and traditionally serves so well. The latest they decide to rob banks during their the second volume that came out incarnation of Ms Marvel, written by post-coital bliss. last week sees Jon and Suzie move a female Muslim convert, is a teenage This premise alone sold it to me, beyond the honeymoon phase. The Pakistani living in New York. Her and as well as straight up sex jokes bank robbing has lost its shine and parents are terrified she’ll have sex or throughout, the subtle background the young couple are suffering under not become a doctor. puns make it a re-readable buy. all the strains that being able to stop Despite these totally identifiable Zdarsky’s futuristic and downright time when you climax brings. There themes, the stories themselves do sexy layouts are the perfect was more depth and humour than I little for me. I like sci-fi, but I also complement to the cheeky content. was expecting in my first dalliance like comedy and beautiful pictures. At one point, Apple deemed it too with comics, even if it’s too rude to I want mature stories, an exciting rude to read on their devices, and read on the tube. premise that can be snappily summed prevented its download on iOS via Sex Criminals: Volume 2 is out now on Sex Criminals: Volume 1, our Music Editor’s comic of choice Credit: up in a sentence and a little bit of iTunes or the huge comic viewing Image Comics Image Comics

...Musician — Taylor Swift

TESSA DAVEY those who say that they don’t are liars. over-emosh, for falling in love too COMMENT EDITOR You see, Taylor Swift appeals to hard and then writing songs about it, the very essence of the female being. and while people might laugh along, nyone who knows me will I’m going to be very cis-hetero- there’s no denying that Taylor Swift know that I have a particular normative here, but I’m pretty sure is SO relatable. Apenchant for Taylor Swift. this actually extends to all genders/ Don’t you think that it’s incredibly Whether I’m posting new Swifty sexes/sexualities/etc, but I can only liberating to be completely honest (while I realise that Swiftie is the speak for myself. And Taylor Swift, about how you’re feeling, to admit tumblr-accepted spelling, I prefer it obviously. that you completely illogically want with a y, okay?) videos on people’s Taylor Swift is the manifestation to get back with your ex who didn’t walls on Facebook with overexcited of girl-cray. She is the feelings treat you right, because you miss the captions, OMG!!!1! ITS SO GOOD I that you would love to display, the excitement, or to confess that you DIDNT THINK TAYTAY COULD obsessiveness that you’re a little bit spend most of your time fantasising OUTDO HERSELF BUT SHE DID ashamed of, she is all the emotion about your best friend breaking up OH MY GOD, or forcing the entire that society tells us that makes girls with his girlfriend, because obviously Felix office to listen to nothing but crazy and they should suppress. you are really the girl for him. Taylor Swift for an entire day, I don’t This is obviously ridiculous, and an Swifty’s latest album has several exactly keep my love to myself. example of our patriarchal society’s songs where she addresses her cray I know Taylor Swift isn’t exactly female-shaming, or even alpha-male- reputation, mocking people who the epitome of cool, and I would love emotion-shaming. Everyone feels this say she’s just an overly attached to name one of the generic indie way – whenever someone is upfront maneater. But Taylor Swift isn’t bands that I generally listen to, in about it, they are lauded for their crazy, she’s just honest. And on top order to maintain some pretence of honesty – but for some reason, people of this, she’s a little bit basic bitch sophistication, but actually, when it try and hide it as much as they can, embarrassing, which she’s not afraid comes to TayTay, I’m not sure that and are ashamed if they let it show. to embrace, and her songs are hella I care if people know that I love her. Taylor Swift is honest about it. She’s catchy. And that makes her better And look, isn’t she just so gosh-darned pretty? Credit: Taylor Swift Every girl loves Taylor Swift, and frequently mocked for being a bit than us all. FELIX THE STUDENT PAPER OF IMPERIAL COLLEGE LONDON 06.03.2015 31

Celebrating the 1600th issue of Felix Celebrating the 1600th issue of Felix Culture A Wonderfully Inappropriate Comedy Fred Fyles takes on Desiree Akhavan’s New York sexual romp

Desiree Akhavan in Appropriate Behaviour, which chronicles a bisexual Iranian woman’s life in Brooklyn Photo: Gravitas Ventures

hen asked where she obviously indebted to Annie Hall equally strong. The ex-girlfriend your life” watching YouTube, you’re bluntly, but never aims to be mean; gets her oddball sense – Akhavan has herself admitted as is a particularly difficult role, but actually helping the independent instead it is just a gentle reminder Wof humour from by the such – we follow Shirin as she tries Henderson shines in it, managing cinema industry. Take that mum!). that a narcissistic streak is inevitable, interviewer, Desiree Akhavan pulls to forget that she was once loved to make Maxine somewhat brittle One thing that Akhavan does not just for Generation Y, but for all no punches: “My genitals,” she by making a series of increasingly nature seem utterly sympathetic. brilliantly is draw attention to young people. replies, “my humour comes from unwise, and hilarious, life decisions. Within cinema, there seems to be the navel-gazing, self-indulgent While the break-up comedy my genitals.” Akhavan is here, being As a second generation immigrant, a trope that true love cannot exist tendencies of millennials, within genre will inevitably be bittersweet, interviewed at the ICA, to promote Shirin is walking precariously along within a relationship that has gone both the queer community, and the Akhavan manages to keep things her debut film Appropriate Behaviour, a tightrope, one day attending a sour; that if their love were ‘real’, if general population. Alongside the from becoming cloying thanks to an a drama-comedy revolving around an Persian new year’s party, the next neither of them were ‘bad people’, gags about pretentious art shows and acerbic wit that is both oddball and Iranian bisexual woman living and heading to an art show to see a then why would they ever break up? taxidermist roommates, there is a cynical, a fact that sets Appropriate loving – or at least, attempting to – in friend “dress up like a farm animal Akhavan and Henderson use their subtle commentary on how perhaps Behaviour apart from other, similar hip New York. While the film has and touch herself”. It is this strain, performances to make it clear that, Akhavan’s generation is horrifically films. As mentioned earlier, Girls is received numerous comparisons to magnified by the fact that Shirin sometimes, shit just happens like that, self-involved. In one scene, for an easy reference point, as is Noah Girls, no doubt helped by the fact that has a ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ policy and their relationship isn’t any the example, Shirin attends a workshop Baumbach’s Frances Ha; after all, Akhavan has a recurring role in this with her parents when it comes to less for it. on queer justice, which she knows they all feature slightly off-beat season of Lena Dunham’s brainchild, her sexuality, even when they are The film has an episodic structure, Maxine will also be attending; as one 20-something year old women it is clear from the beginning that confused as to why their daughter which is clearly due to Akhavan’s man tells the group how the ‘Crime trying to make their way through Akhavan’s vein of humour is more is living with another woman in a experience producing her online Against Nature’ laws resulted in him life in Brooklyn. But while it is easy brash, nuanced, and utterly unique. one-bed apartment, that leads to web series The Slope; made with her being branded a sexual predator, to see such films as merely more The indie comedy equivalent of the break-up of the relationship. As then-girlfriend Ingrid Jungermann, Maxine and Shirin ignore him content in an genre that probably a triple threat, Akhavan has both part of the healing process, Shirin The Slope revolved around the and argue in the corner about the reached its peak when people gave written and directed the film, and decides to get a new job, taking up lives of a couple of “superficial, plans they have made, until Shirin up $3 million to ensure Zach Braff appears as the main character Shirin, the offer of the friend of a friend homophobic lesbians” living in eventually puts her hand up and asks can make another film ($3 million!), who we first meet as she collects her to teach filmmaking to a group of Park Slope, Brooklyn. Brilliantly the facilitator – a law professor at Akhavan has created a piece that is stuff in preparation for moving out “really talented, clever Brooklyn accurate, the pair received a great deal NYU – out for a drink. In another not only welcome, but downright of her girlfriend Maxine’s (Rebecca children”, who turn out to be a group of media attention thanks to their scene, Akhavan reveals the two- vital. With her background as a self- Henderson) apartment; throwing of 5-year-old boys. With her grief and open willingness to be hypocritical, facedness of Maxine, showing her to identifying bisexual Persian woman, the whole lot in the bin, she then libido increasing, she soon begins to confusing, and messy individuals. be a woman who makes her girlfriend Akhavan is the very definition of reconsiders, pausing to retrieve a regress to her students’ level, pulling It was this attention that helped read a copy of Stone Butch Blues for intersectionality, and it is up to strap-on, which she half-heartedly ever more immature stunts to try and lead to the generation of Appropriate self-improvement, but will also call people like her to commit their carries along the streets of a summer- make Maxine jealous. Behaviour, something for which we Shirin’s bisexuality “just a phase” in experiences to film. time Brooklyn. Told through a While Akhavan is the obvious should all be thankful (so remember, one of the most chilling scenes of the Appropriate Behaviour is out now on series of flashbacks, a move that is star here, the supporting cast are when you’re “constantly wasting film. Akhavan shows this all quite Peccadillo Pictures. 32 06.03.2015 THE STUDENT PAPER OF IMPERIAL COLLEGE LONDON FELIX

Culture Celebrating the 1600th issue of Felix Celebrating the 1600th issue: best films Celebratingof 1600th the issue:1949 best – films 1981

1949: The Third Man 1960: The Apartment 1971: McCabe & Mrs Miller Joseph Cotten and Orson Welles It deals with a relatively serious Julie Christie, who Al Pacino called star in this atmospheric Cold War subject matter of infidelity given the “most poetic of actresses” is a thriller masterpiece that was the most when this was made, but it remains real standout here as the titular successful film at the British box timelessly funny, sweet and upbeat Mrs Miller, smartly fighting for her office in the year of its release. even to this day. corner in a male-dominated society.

1950: All About Eve 1961: The Hustler 1972: The Godfather Fasten your seatbelts. It’s going to be The darker the themes get, the better, Many consider this the greatest a bumpy night. Get ready for Bette as greed, alcoholism, gambling, and film of all time, and Francis Ford Davis on her snarkiest, bitchiest form addiction all taint the clean-cut image Coppola’s mafia movie certainly lives as Margo Channing, an ageing actress of the idealistic hopeful pool player up to the high expectation, starring threatened by a young star. Eddie Felson (Paul Newman). the great Marlon Brando as the Don.

1951: A Streetcar Named Desire 1962: Lawrence of Arabia 1973: The Exorcist Led by a quartet of unforgettable The grandest epic of epics, David Linda Blair, voiced by Mercedes performances from Marlon Brando, Lean’s big-scale sweeping masterpiece McCambridge, will forever remain Vivien Leigh, Karl Madden and Kim is remembered fondly for its as one of the scariest, most terrifying Hunter, this tragic play gets the enormous dessert action sequences incarnations of cinema. All other perfect screen makeover. and the brilliant Peter O’Toole. children have nothing on Regan.

1952: Singin’ in the Rain 1963: The Great Escape 1974: The Godfather Part 2 Gene Kelly’s iconic singing and Steve McQueen riding a motorbike With a clever structure of parallel dancing in the rain will forever be as he flees from an impenetrable narratives set in two different time remembered and treasured, as will Nazi prison camp during the Second periods, there is further enrichment Donald O’Connor’s intense ‘Make World War solidified his status as the of the strong characters we have come ‘Em Laugh’ sequence. ‘cool’ dude of cinema. to love from Part 1.

1953: Roman Holiday 1964: Dr Strangelove 1975: One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s The perfectly cast Audrey Hepburn Stanley Kubrick’s outrageously funny Nest and Gregory Peck share something satire, poking fun at the Cold War A hugely important and influential special here: a chemistry so natural and international politics, benefits film, the public’s perception of the and convincing that it makes the from having the talented Peter Sellers world of psychiatry has never been finale all the more bittersweet. take on three principal roles. the same since its release.

1954: On the Waterfront 1965: The Sound of Music 1976: Taxi Driver As a low-life bum destined for a life There is no family more coordinated “You talkin’ to me?” is the defining of crime, Marlon Brando’s award- and musically talented like the moment of Martin Scorsese’s winning struggle for a better path von Trapps, and their sweet sound hypnotic vigilante film, starring is the kind of acting magic you will of music lives on, even to this day, Robert De Niro in a period where his never see again. almost fifty years later. career was rocketing to new heights.

1955: Rebel Without a Cause 1966: Who’s Afraid of Virginia 1977: Annie Hall James Dean’s effortlessly cool look Woolf? In the titular role, Diane Keaton is is something that can never be Four people get drunk, shout and utterly delightful, and has the chance duplicated, whilst the radiant Natalie scream at each other, arguing to show off her singing, too. She and Wood provides lovable support along over various things, most of them Woody Allen make a funny, quirky, the way. stemming from marital strife. and touching couple.

1956: The Killing 1967: Bonnie and Clyde 1978: The Deer Hunter A carefully laid out plan to steal Faye Dunaway and Warren Beatty It may be heavily one-sided in its 2 million dollars goes terribly bring to life the two notorious harsh portrayal of the aftermath of wrong with exhilarating twists and criminals who robbed banks and a brutal war, but there is undeniable unexpected outcomes thrown in there eventually met their tragic ends power in Michael Cimino’s lengthy, for good measure. because of it. but completely gripping war drama.

1957: 12 Angry Men 1968: The Lion in Winter 1979: Apocalypse Now Sidney Lumet’s claustrophobic Katharine Hepburn’s fiery One of the most unforgivable legal drama set entirely in a jury’s performance that earned her one travesties of the Academy history deliberation room is a quietly tense, of her four Oscars is reason enough is how Kramer vs. Kramer managed incredibly detailed and layered to give this entertaining medieval to beat out Francis Ford Coppola’s courtroom film. historical romp a look. audacious, haunting Vietnam picture.

1958: Vertigo 1969: Midnight Cowboy 1980: Raging Bull There is something deeply hypnotic, Unexpected friendships arise from all One of Scorsese’s finest directorial sinister and confusing about detective sorts of places, but nothing is more achievements, it stars Robert De Niro John Ferguson’s (James Stewart) surprising than one that develops in his second Oscar-winning role, search for the truth in a highly between a prostitute (Jon Voight) and for his intense portrayal of a violent complex case. a conman (Dustin Hoffman). downward spiral of self-destruction.

1959: Some Like It Hot 1970: MASH 1981: Reds There has never been a better As a war-time black comedy set Actor/director Warren Beatty and screwball comedy ever since Jack during the Korean War, it has that Diane Keaton (what a performance) Lemmon and Tony Curtis decided to strange mix of being as hysterical play real-life political journalists dress up as women and both fall for as it is often depressing, directed by Jack Reed and Louise Bryant who are Marilyn Monroe. Robert Altman. hopelessly in love. FELIX THE STUDENT PAPER OF IMPERIAL COLLEGE LONDON 06.03.2015 33

Celebrating the 1600th issue of Felix Celebrating the 1600th issue of Felix Culture Celebrating the 1600th issue: best films Celebratingof 1600th the issue:1982 best films – 2014

1982: E.T. 1993: Schindler’s List 2004: Million Dollar Baby Steven Spielberg’s revolutionary Painful to watch, but essential A hard-hitting boxing drama, sci-fi film about everyone’s favourite viewing: Steven Spielberg’s harrowing Eastwood is steady both in front of friendly alien from outer space is Holocaust drama is a difficult one to and behind the cameras, and as his a rousing crowd-pleaser. A sequel beat in terms of the sheer power and leading lady Hilary Swank is terrific wisely never happened. emotional resonance it gives off. as a determined female boxer.

1983: Scarface 1994: Pulp Fiction 2005: Crash The final shoot-out is one hell of an Also known as the film that revived This layered, intelligent hyperlink intense sequence, and Al Pacino is John Travolta’s struggling film career, drama looking at various potential utterly gripping throughout. Also it also features the best, most iconic racial issues in downton Los Angeles added in the mix is the sizzling work of actor Samuel L. Jackson, who was the rightful shock ‘Best Picture’ Michelle Pfeiffer, in her first big role. quotes the Bible like no other. winner at the Oscars.

1984: Amadeus 1995: Heat 2006: Pan’s Labyrinth Led by two assured performances The definition of an adrenaline- The Spanish Civil War seen through from F. Murray Abraham and Tom pumping action cop thriller, we get Al the eyes of a young girl who still Hulce, this stunning period piece Pacino, Lieutenant Vincent Hanna of believes in the world of fairies and packs in so much stylish substance the LAPD, chasing Robert De Niro, monsters is a fascinating vision that into its narrative. career criminal Neil McCauley. drifts in and out of the real world.

1985: Back to the Future 1996: Fargo 2007: No Country for Old Men The first of a franchise that sent The Coen Brothers’ quirky, violent Javier Bardem makes a terrifying Michael J. Fox into superstardom black comedy sees a struggling car villain despite his character’s odd in the film industry, it is a funny, salesman arrange his wife’s kidnap, hairdo, in this Coen Brothers’ award- inventive time-travel adventure that and a pregnant police chief heading winning, pulse-pounding crime has for sure stood the test of time. up a murder investigation. thriller.

1986: Stand By Me 1997: L.A. Confidential 2008: Slumdog Millionaire There is great chemistry and a strong A cleverly plotted film based on the It is every bit as dazzling and exciting sense of camaraderie between the book of the same name, it features as you would expect, with director four young actors, which is why the three mismatched cops (Kevin Danny Boyle expertly juggling many ending is an effortlessly nostalgic, Spacey, Guy Pearce, Russell Crowe) years’ worth of narrative, putting it bittersweet one. investigating a series of killings. all together for one flawless film.

1987: The Princess Bride 1998: The Thin Red Line 2009: Up in the Air Can you believe that good old Saul Terrence Malick’s grand, Director Jason Reitman’s most Berenson (Mandy Patinkin) from unexpectedly beautiful and accomplished, balanced film yet, this the TV series Homeland is the same thought-provoking World War II is so much more than seeing George guy who made the “prepare to die” drama features a quiet, effective Clooney obsess over his air mileage speech? How time flies. performance from Jim Caviezel. and firing people for a living.

1988: Cinema Paradiso 1999: American Beauty 2010: The Social Network A sweet, tender film about a boy’s It is in the closely observant, The story of how Facebook came to be love for cinema, it brings pure joy carefully structured narrative that involves complex characters, moral from start to finish following the life Sam Mendes’ film pieces everything dilemmas and tough legal battles over of Toto, as the mischievous young lad together so successfully. Perfectly ownership. Far superior to The King’s roams around his Italian village. cast, and smartly written. Speech, which won the Oscar that year.

1989: When Harry Met Sally 2000: Requiem for a Dream 2011: The Artist Meg Ryan will forever be Darren Aronofsky’s gutsy, energetic A black-and-white and silent film remembered as that woman who and unflinching directorial style piles that is truly worth your time, Michel faked an orgasm so well in that diner on the uncomfortable, gut-wrenching Hazanavicius impressed everyone that spawned the line “I’ll have what images. One to watch if you are with his massively appealing picture she’s having.” thinking of dabbling in drugs. that no-one thought would work.

1990: Dances with Wolves 2001: Moulin Rouge! 2012: Beasts of the Southern Wild A heart-felt, earnest story told with Australian director Baz Luhrmann A relatively small, low-budget stunning scenery and powerful reintroduced the musical film genre film that is not to be ignored, it is performances; this is generally what for the 21st Century with his flashy, a vibrant, highly energetic indie, is needed to win an Oscar, which over-the-top extravaganza that is a much like its excellent young star, director/actor Kevin Costner did. feast to the eyes and ears. Quvenzhane Wallis.

1991: The Silence of the Lambs 2002: Far From Heaven 2013: 12 Years a Slave Anthony Hopkins immortalised the Julianne Moore excels in this period An unflinching, brutally honest role of Hannibal Lecter, the non- drama set in the beautifully shot look at one of the most horrendous blinking, cannibalistic psychiatrist 1950s, as she always does, in a role chapters of history, Chiwetel Ejiofor toying with the police to help them that won her a whole bunch of awards is heart-breakingly good, as is the catch a serial killer. that should have included an Oscar. stunning Lupita Nyong’o.

1992: Unforgiven 2003: The Return of the King 2014: Boyhood Clint Eastwood directs the Western A fitting finale for an epic fantasy So it ended up losing a lot of the key of all Westerns, featuring an all-star trilogy, Peter Jackson managed the awards to Birdman, but the legacy of principal cast members, in a story almost impossible and directed a Richard Linklater’s ground-breaking that sees a retired gunman coming final chapter that tops the quality of film will no doubt live on, as the back for that one last job its predecessors. greatest coming-of-age story ever. 34 06.03.2015 THE STUDENT PAPER OF IMPERIAL COLLEGE LONDON FELIX

Culture Celebrating the 1600th issue of Felix Once more into the lens: The History of Projection Ellen Mathieson takes you through the last one hundred and fifty years of projection, film, and sound in the cinema industry

he field of optics was had the images painted onto the It was the Blair Camera Company film industry, as this meant that all founded during the scientific glass, while later ones would print the that supplied the Edison labs with projectors were built to the same Trevolution, leading to outlines and then do the colouring film stock. Originally they only specification, so for example a film large improvements in lenses. by hand. supplied film that was 40mm recorded in the US could then be Photographic paper was first It is thought that this device is wide, which would then be cut and played anywhere in the world. developed in the 19th century, one of the main inspirations for the perforated to 35mm wide with four It was around this time that around the same time that the first kinetoscope, the first commercial perforations that allowed the film celluloid began to be replaced, due to phonographic sound recordings were film exhibition system, where the to be moved through the camera. the fact that it had the unfortunate happening. Once these three existed, moving pictures would be viewed Eventually Blair began supplying problem of spontaneously it was only a matter of time until by by looking through a spyhole. film that was already cut to size. The combusting above 150°C, a they were combined to make the first Though the original concept was size and perforations were patented temperature that could easily be moving pictures. suggested by Thomas Edison, it was by Edison, forcing the other film reached in a projector. It had the The very simplest form of moving actually mostly developed by one producers in the US to create 68mm added problem of creating its own image is one that has been made by of the employees in the Edison labs, film and a friction feed method oxygen supply as it burnt, meaning every primary school child for the William Dickson. They also created to move it through the camera. In that even if placed underwater past century, the zoetrope. A cylinder the kinetograph, one of the earliest 1902 a court decision invalidated the film would continue to burn. with vertical slits along the side, film cameras that could be used to the patent claim, allowing anyone to Acetate cellulose film was developed with series of images pasted onto the create films for the kinetoscope, use the Edison format, as has been to combat this issue, first being inside, zoetropes would then be spun and a few years later released happening in Europe where no patent produced in 1909, with several to create the illusion of movement. the kinetophone, combining the had be filed originally. revisions over the next few decades. These were very popular with kinetoscope with a phonograph, the At this time there were many The safety of acetate film meant Victorian children and adults alike, first film-sound system. projectors based on similar concepts, that there was a large boom in the and are still a popular gift. Celluloid was first invented as moving the film past a lens which home cinema industry. In 1923 The first true projector was the "Once Parkesine in 1856, and was made into would focus light onto the film, Kodak released 16mm wide film, as zoopraxiscope, invented by Eadweard these three photographic film by thinly slicing which would then be projected onto a a cheaper alternative to 35mm. This Muybridge in 1879. It is based on existed, it blocks of celluloid then using heated screen. However different companies was followed up by a standard double a similar concept to the zoescope, pressure plates to remove the slice would build them slightly differently, 8mm wide film in 1932 as an even projecting images from a set of was only a marks. These were then coated with so the film would have to perforated cheaper alternative. This worked by rapidly rotating glass disks. It was matter of a photosensitive gelatin emulsion. slightly differently depending on "Even if first filming on one side of the film, the zoopraxiscope that created the time until This process was perfected in 1888. what equipment a cinema would placed then flipping the film in the camera first moving picture of something they were It was a 380mm wide strip made have. The Edison format was the underwater and filming onto the other side of in real time, rather that using staged combined by this process that was used in the dominant version, and this was the film. These would then be cut in photographs. The first example was kinetograph. However this was too chosen by the Motion Picture the film half and spliced together to form a of a galloping horse, and was actually to make the stiff to meet the needs of motion Patents Company in 1909 as the would continuous 8mm film to be projected. developed to see if a horse had all first moving picture photography, so more flexible official standard, along with a 1.33 continue to In 1965 an improved version known four feet on the ground at the same pictures." celluloids were developed to be used aspect ratio. This standardisation burn" as Super 8 was released, which had time whilst galloping. Early models by 1889. had an enormous impact on the far better visual quality and did not

A modern zoetrope, to be veiwed by looking through the slits A kinetoscope, the first commercial exhibition system A single frame of 35mm film, with the soundtrack at the top Photo: Wikimedia Commons Photo: Wikimedia Commons Photo: Wikimedia Commons FELIX THE STUDENT PAPER OF IMPERIAL COLLEGE LONDON 06.03.2015 35

Celebrating the 1600th issue of Felix Celebrating the 1600th issue of Felix Culture Once more into the lens: The History of Projection Ellen Mathieson takes you through the last one hundred and fifty years of projection, film, and sound in the cinema industry

need to be reloaded. This was quickly originally intended, and is thought by having an audio signal as two distributors followed suit, with fewer taken up by the public, and remains to be a large contributing factor in lines running parallel with the film. and fewer films being printed on a very popular medium for amateur Fantasia’s poor original run. The lines grow thinner or wider 35mm. In 2013 it was estimated at filmmakers. It is usually converted The earliest films were all in depending on the magnitude of the that 92% of US cinemas had switched, from film to video to be more easily black-and-white, but in 1906 the first signal. A light shined from a lamp and the last of the large UK cinemas, worked with, a process known as colour process was developed. Known called an exciter is passed through Vue, had converted. By January 2014 telecine. as Kinemacolor, it used commercially the film, and the intensity is detected most major UK distributors began The soundtrack was still mostly from 1908-14 and worked by by a photosensitive element which distributing films only in digital sound-on-disk at this time, photographing and projecting is then turned into sound. This formats, with Disney and Warner, being played on separately on a a black-and-white film behind was originally black-and-white, the last two companies stopping phonograph at the same time at the alternating red and green filters. The but due to the pigments being soon after. Now only directors with film played.The first method to put second commercially process was environmentally unfriendly this was enough clout in the film world can the soundtrack directly on the film the very widely used Technicolor, switched to a cyan dye in the early get their films printed on 35mm, and was phonofilm, which was patented which was used to develop films in twenty first century. As cyan dyes do it is thought that Christopher Nolan’s in 1919. This recorded sound directly Hollywood until 1952. It’s distinctive not let infra-red light through, the Interstellar could be the last film in onto the film from a microphone as saturated colouring was found in exciter was switched to a red coloured the UK to be printed in the format. a series of parallel lines. This would such classics as the Wizard of Oz and LED or laser, which are backwards It is possible that soon in the then be turned back into sound at Snow White and the Seven Dwarves. compatible with earlier prints. The future these digital projectors could the other end this. It was mostly used A large problem with many film Academy optical system suffered themselves become obsolete, with to film musical numbers, especially prints throughout the twentieth from somewhat poor audio fidelity. large amounts of money going into opera singers, and political speeches. century is what is commonly known This problem was solved in 1975 with research into laser projection. This Though the sound quality improved as “vinegaring”. When films are the introduction of Dolby Stereo, a would mean that the films would over the years, it could never match stored in humid conditions the system that was widely adopted by be projected much brighter, with a the quality of the sound-on-disk "the sound acetate turns into acetic acid causing cinemas world-wide and used with greater range of colours. systems and was no longer used by quality it to turn brown and become brittle; Star Wars and Close Encounters of the The current main issue with this is 1929. improved not only does this mean the film can Third Kind in 1977. Dolby Stereo was that a vast cooling system is needed Disney, in association with RCA no longer be played, it also degrades supplanted by the Dolby Digital AC-3 to keep the projector at a constant Records, also attempted to create over the the image quality mean the film can format and the first film to use the "soon in temperature as this leads to a colour a sound-on-film system for called years, it no longer be copied either. This has system was Batman Returns in 1992. the future change, obviously a large problem Fantasound for the original release could never caused the loss of many film prints as In 2002, newly produced digital these digital with film projection. However lasers of Fantasia in 1940, which had a match the it an irreversible process, and led to projectors were tried out in cinemas. projectors are being developed that are based multi-channel soundtrack recorded quality of the development of cellulose nitrate These had issues with pixelisation in on different technologies that are on a separate strip of film. This never and other film types throughout the some scenes. By 2006, this had been could much easier to keep cool meaning really took off as many cinemas did the sound- late twentieth and early twenty first solved, and the projectors themselves themselves the challenges of keeping the laser not pay the expense to update their on-disk centuries. became much smaller. Only a couple become at a constant temperature would be equipment. This meant that not systems" Sound-on-film, based on the of years later cinemas began to make obsolete" fewer. Until then, the screen belongs many cinemas could play Fantasia as Academy optical system, worked the switch to digital, and the film to digital.

An example of vinegared acetate film Photo: Wikimedia A scene from Wizard of Oz, filmed using Technicolor. Lasers that have been used in a laser projection demo. Photo: Commons Photo: Victor Fleming/MGM Wikimedia Commons 36 06.03.2015 THE STUDENT PAPER OF IMPERIAL COLLEGE LONDON FELIX

Culture Celebrating the 1600th issue of Felix Plus-size fashion need not be boring and unadventurous Tessa Davey explores the beauty in fashion for the plus-size woman, and the politics behind it

ess Munster, also known as Tess most famous plus-size models in Nadia Abhoulosn is a fashion Holliday, has recently become the world, with a huge following on blogger and designer from New Tthe largest model ever to be Instagram. However, she experiences York City. As well as modelling for signed to a major modelling agency, a vicious backlash on social media in American Apparel, Boohoo, and MiLK Model Management. Her response to each post, which accuses many other brands, she (and her size being a UK 22-24, and 5’5”, she her of promoting an unhealthy blog) have been featured in many describes herself as a “body-positive lifestyle. Throughout this, Tess is an magazines including Teen Vogue. activist”, and is most well known unfailingly positive presence on the Along with Tess Munster and Gabi for her #effyourbeautystandards internet. Gregg, she created the music video movement, created to encourage She regularly hosts events all #everyBODYisflawless, promoting larger women to accept and love over the world to help women with body positivity. themselves. their personal body acceptance. She Despite being bullied for her was named one of the top plus- Dress: Posh Shoppe appearance throughout her life, Tess size models in the world by Vogue Shoes: Aldo started plus-size modelling when Italia; her career is spiralling wildly Necklace: Asos she left school. Now she is one of the upwards, making history.

Photo: gabifresh.com Photo: kathastrophal.de

Gabi Gregg has a fashion and style Kathastrophal is a computer science blog, GabiFresh, which is based student from Wiesbaden, Germany, on rejecting fashion’s “rules”. She who blogs about fashion, cooking, and believes that people should reject the craft in her spare time, considering it idea of dressing for their body type. her own little corner of the internet. After seeing the positive reaction to a She is adamant that you can look and bikini photo she posted, she went on feel beautiful no matter what your to design a hugely successful range of body shape is. plus-size swimwear. Blazer: Missguided Jacket: Maurices Blouse: New Look T-shirt: H&M+ Shorts: Dorothy Perkins Trousers: Forever21+ Clutch: Asos Shoes: Steve Madden Tights: Evans Photo: Girlie Show Photography Necklace: ASOS Photo: nadiaaboulhosn.com Ankle boots: Jana Shoes

t’s safe to say that the items like dark stretchy t-shirts, as bloggers, many women have started of race, gender and disability, why is have launched ranges that allow world of plus-size fashion though there was no market for having the courage and confidence it still seen as okay to look down on women to find the pieces that they Iis rapidly accelerating at an exciting clothes for fat girls. Any to embrace fashion, and dress the overweight? Why is the general want to wear, and let them have the unprecedented rate. It’s not plus-size girl can list the set of rules more boldly. There is a huge body attitude of the fashion industry – freedom of choice of what to put on difficult to see why. Over the last that are ingrained in us by fashion positivity movement, helping larger and the general public – that if you their body. While the choice doesn’t few decades the average size of magazines and clothing stores: women who have always been are not thin, you don’t deserve to come close to that of “straight women (and men) has increased, “Nothing tight or body-hugging. ashamed of their bodies to accept have glamorous clothing; you don’t fashion” (regular sizes), it’s getting and regardless of the reasons why No crop tops. No loud colors. No themselves, and acknowledge that deserve to stand out? Luckily, these better every day, and there is much they’re getting larger, people still patterns. No horizontal stripes.” they are worthy of nice clothes. body positivity movements have less shame associated with buying need clothes. This doesn’t leave much room for There is also opposition; many had an overwhelming response, and clothes in larger sizes. So why is the fashion industry imagination and experimentation, people consider this acceptance to millions of women all over the world But the world of high-end fashion playing catch-up now, after years leaving plus-size women no option be a promotion of obesity, or are are starting to embrace their bodies is lagging behind. There is still of swelling waistlines? but to cover up, and hide their even simply offended by seeing and show them off, instead of hiding discrimination among high-end Historically, it has always been bodies under swathes of dark people proudly baring their rolls them away. designers and retailers, and while very difficult to find fashionable fabric. Why have larger women of fat and cellulite. Somehow, the Over the last few years, the high some are starting to welcome clothes in sizes above a UK 16. traditionally been denied the world has been so conditioned to see street has started to catch on to the plus-size women as customers Most high street stores didn’t opportunity to express themselves thin as attractive that it is actively vast demand for more interesting and models, the world of high- stock larger sizes, and those that in this way? repulsed by anything different. With items, and many brands such as end fashion largely remains an did only sold very plain, basic Inspired by plus-size fashion movements to stop discrimination Asos, New Look, and Forever 21 unfriendly and inaccessible place for FELIX THE STUDENT PAPER OF IMPERIAL COLLEGE LONDON 06.03.2015 37

Celebrating the 1600th issue of Felix Celebrating the 1600th issue of Felix Culture Plus-size fashion need not be boring and unadventurous An interview with plus-size fashion blogger, Natashia Judge Tessa Davey explores the beauty in fashion for the plus-size woman, and the politics behind it atashia Judge is a blogger who constantly promotes Nbody positivity and wants to Callie Thorpe is a blogger from spread happiness through pretty South Wales, who writes about her things. She also likes feminism, food, adventures and life in London. and cats, and has hella selfie game. She originally started her blog to You can, and should, find her at document her dieting woes, but teafortash.tumblr.com. now posts her outfits, offers body- shame-free fashion advice for Have you always been into fashion? plus-size women, and writes about her journey to body acceptance. She As a child I always felt has been featured in Vogue Italia, The uncomfortable about my body and Times, and has even participated in out of place and hid underneath a television debate with Channel baggy t-shirts and sportswear. As Four’s Jon Snow. soon as I could afford to, I started experimenting with clothing and Jumpsuit: Stories… by Kelly Osbourne found it helped me express myself. Throughout school and university my style was always very eccentric and colourful, and my goal was to enjoy clothing as much as I could, never fearing shapes or colours.

What inspired you to start posting your outfits online?

I started using tumblr in 2011; I was in the final year of my photography degree and had a big collection of images that I had saved for inspiration: tumblr seemed like the ideal outlet for me to share these and discover more. I slowly stumbled Photo: fuzionmag.com upon the fashion side, promoting body positivity and it was everything Chastity Garner is a plus-size blogger I needed but hadn’t realised! I had Photo: teafortash.tumblr.com from Georgia, who blogs about spent my earlier years reading Elle her fashion inspiration and gives avidly and never seeing anybody above it, though, as personally I try quirky clothing in those sizes. style advice. She started an online that looked like me; looking at to promote happiness and positivity Evans have some exciting items on campaign against the clothing chain, people online now who had the and be a supportive person to their website, but their stores are Target, as she felt that plus-size same body type experimenting people of all sizes. If somebody else very plain and safe. I don’t want a women were treated as second-class with clothing opened up my eyes, feels their purpose in life is to tear wrap dress or an oversized t-shirt customers. Following this, Target and gave me a wonderful sense of others down, I would ask that person emblazoned with the word Diva! expanded their plus-size ranges belonging and identity. to examine why and to understand Fat people want to look good, if significantly, one of which Chastity that it won’t help them. you push the boundaries with your now models. She has been interviewed Why do you think it’s important to clothing we will come and buy it – by Vogue Italia in a blog featuring see plus-size models represented? Where do you like to shop? you only have to look at Gabifresh’s some of her best looks. She promotes sellout plus-size bikini line to see! plus-size fashion to create demand to I think representation is a crucial My ultimate favourite retailer is Asos Photo: fromthecornersofthecurve.com drive the industry towards change. thing. It was so overwhelming for Curve. Their sizes are accurate, and Why do you think that there’s a lot me to see people who look like me they are bold and fashionable whilst less out there for plus-size men? enjoying fashion and celebrating still being affordable. I get very a larger woman. Plus-size women their appearance, because I frustrated being told that I should This isn’t something I had realised can enjoy fashion, but in the had never seen that before and only wear certain styles because I’m until recently, I’m not sure whether knowledge that these clothes are "Many members previously felt isolated as a fat fat, and I feel like Asos Curve agree it’s because fashion isn’t as specifically “not for them”. woman who loved clothes. I think with me! I like Simply Be and New orientated towards men or whether But although it’s still rare, plus- of the public are the media should aim to represent Look Inspire although they can be men are surprisingly self-conscious size women are beginning to be all sizes, races and genders, so that a bit hit and miss with sizing. I also about accepting their bodies and featured in magazines such as even offended people who may feel isolated with wear larger sizes from brands such enjoying clothing... either way, I Vogue, and plus-size fashion weeks their appearance or identity can see as H&M, Primark, Tesco and Asda. think larger men should have more are springing up all over the world. simply by seeing others that look like them and feel a Sizes vary so much from store to options of expression and shouldn’t It’s a case of changing attitudes sense of belonging and pride. store so I think sometimes it’s just be afraid to embrace fashion! towards fat women, and people in people proudly important to try things on and give general. When everyone, be they How do you feel about the it a go! What are your aims as a plus-size plus-size, disabled, transgender, baring their negativity that many plus-size blogger? or anything that they identify as, is models face? Is it difficult to shop for plus-size seen to be as worthy of nice clothes rolls of fat and clothes on the high street? To promote happiness, positivity, as the waifs that traditionally I find it incredibly disheartening, and love to people of all sizes, races, grace runways, then the world of cellulite" considering all they are trying to It really is. A lot of stores stop at and genders and to help spread the fashion will be truly inclusive and do is promote beauty in diversity. I UK 16, and even stores that stock message that everyone is deserving representative, as it ought to be. think it’s important to try and rise 18 or 20 often don’t stock their of respect, love and nice clothing! 38 06.03.2015 THE STUDENT PAPER OF IMPERIAL COLLEGE LONDON FELIX

Culture Celebrating the 1600th issue of Felix House: A Post- Mortem Joshua Renken offers a final retrospective on this long-running medical drama

f you have never watched House, time spare to mull over the patient’s I envy you. It is one of the most condition (they work case-by-case), Inuanced and intelligent shows gossip with Wilson about Cuddy and ever created, and there are 177 investigate into the private lives of episodes for you to enjoy for the first his team. A stubborn and principled time. In the eight years that House man who thrives on conflict, he ran (2004-2012) it was distributed to believes that his employees will The cast of Season 4 of House Photo: FOX over 60 countries and at one point work best in a chaotic environment had the highest worldwide viewing where they are constantly trying to in one episode knocking on Wilson’s figures of any television series. While outdo one another. With each batch door and declaring, “I know you’re the idea of a new medical show of employees he quickly creates a in there. I can hear you caring.” It is for Fox network originated with competitive environment and under mentioned that Wilson has a Messiah Paul Attanasio, it was David Shore, House’s tutelage his fellow physicians complex; if true, then in contrast credited as creator, who conceived the learn to distrust what their patients House has the Rubik’s complex. He titular character that made the series say. He encourages them to stand up just wants to solve the puzzle. Highly so captivating. for what they believe and fight for manipulative in his relationships, The series centres on the life of their ideas. The team bend the rules House often tests those around him Dr. Gregory House: a misanthrope if if they feel that it is not in the best to find their breaking points. He loves ever there were one. House is a drug interests of the patient and often to play mind games with Wilson, and addict who depends on Vicodin pills break into the patient’s home without the duo often prank one another, to manage the pain caused by an permission. Perhaps unsurprisingly, often escalating until Cuddy has to infarction in his quadriceps muscle House’s favourite mantra is intervene. five years prior. His reputation as “everybody lies”. House is a deeply depressed something of a medical genius carries Each week there is a new case, which character with a very cynical outlook weight at Princeton Plainsboro House typically solves after a few on life; for all his existence he has Teaching Hospital, an institution erroneous diagnoses, but the team been an antisocial maverick genius headed by Dr. Lisa Cuddy (Lisa screw up regularly enough to keep who struggles to connect with people. Edelstein). Leading a team of elite you guessing. It is explained in the With a penchant for medical puzzles, diagnosticians at PPTH, House takes pilot episode that House is one of the playing the piano, Vicodin, alcohol, on the cases that other doctors have best in the country at finding medical and hookers, House is simultaneously not been able to solve, in an attempt ‘zebras’ when other doctors are immature yet perceptive in his to “diagnose the undiagnosable.” looking for ‘horses’. He has a knack conclusions about life. He reacts At the beginning of the show his for solving obscure medical puzzles on impulses and is only selectively team consists of Dr. Chase (Jesse that most other doctors could not. rational. He strongly believes that Spencer), Dr. Foreman (Omar Epps) House is a series that regularly deals people are purely self-interested, and Dr. Cameron (Jennifer Morrison), with contentious issues including that everybody lies, that religion is a but the composition of his diagnostic rape, abortion, religion, faith, and joke and that thoughts don’t matter. team undergoes several changes. This adultery. The momentum of the show Only actions. He thinks there is no chopping and changing of characters stems from the intriguing cases which objective purpose to life and dismisses kept the series fresh in the fifth and provide a bottomless source of ethical the lives he saves. It is through his sixth series, a point at which many dilemmas and thought provoking solving of medical puzzles that he shows begin to think about finales. topics for the characters to debate. attempts to find deeper meaning, but But really this show is all about Dr. House frequently reaches he describes the lives he saves as “just House. The team primarily serve to an epiphany when in entertaining "House was collateral damage.” create talking points for our troubled conversation with his confidant one of the This series gets darker as House’s protagonist, who regularly probes and only friend Dr. James Wilson behaviour becomes more extreme. into their personal lives in an attempt (Robert Sean Leonard). Wilson is the first series He is always unstable and the people to understand his employees better; Head of Oncology at the hospital, to put an closest to him, Wilson and Cuddy, very attentive when it comes to the and acts as a sounding board for anti-hero are in constant fear that he will go behaviour of his team, there is rarely House to bounce ideas off; in many off the rails. They try to provide an something he misses. House expends ways he is House’s conscience. House as the main atmosphere where House is given a huge amount of energy avoiding his relentlessly mocks Wilson for caring protagonist" enough freedom to do his best work as Hugh Laurie, who stars as the title star in the long-running series House, which bowed out at the end of its eighth series in 2012. responsibilities as a doctor, so he has so much about the people he treats, a doctor, but not so much that he kills Photo: FOX FELIX THE STUDENT PAPER OF IMPERIAL COLLEGE LONDON 06.03.2015 39

Celebrating the 1600th issue of Felix Celebrating the 1600th issue of Felix Culture himself. Forever popping Vicodin pills in his mouth as though they were tic-tacs, in later series House begins to blur the boundary between physical and emotional pain, at one point justifying his substance abuse to Wilson by saying, “the pain doesn’t discriminate and neither do the pills.” His actions become more radical and lead to stints in both a psychiatric hospital and a prison. It would be fair to say that House is more of a meditation on misery or a deep character study of a compromised genius than it is a medical procedural drama. House himself is an enigma. His brain means everything to him and he has recognised that solving obscure medical cases somehow lessens the chronic pain in his leg – as though he were too busy with the puzzle to think about his physical vulnerabilities. While House portrays himself as very lazy, he often goes The cast of House (L-R): Jesse Spencer, Olivia Wilde, Hugh Laurie, Robert Sean Leonard, Lisa out of his way to prove a point or be Edelstein, and Omar Epps Photo: FOX in control; he rarely takes the path of least resistance and is always his about their achievements to lose mainstream adoption of this new own worst enemy. House is reluctant their punch, but it has to be noted direction for television; we have seen to form relationships because that Hugh Laurie puts in a truly a huge influx of more conflicted, it makes him vulnerable and is mesmerising performance as House. damaged and all round realistic constantly evading and deflecting in As discussed above, the titular central performances ever since conversations. He tends to make light character is one of the most nuanced House’s premiere way back in 2004. of morbid situations and never fully and demanding parts that has ever The quality of television has never opens up to communicate honestly been played on the small screen, and been higher than it is now and House with those around him. This means Laurie delivers in full. is one of the shows that forged the that despite his inner demons, House Hugh Laurie has said that when he path towards this exciting new era. is often very funny. first read an early sample of the script When the producers announced Forever trying to escape his clinic he instantly felt that he understood that the eighth series was going to be hours – where he actually has to this cranky doctor. Assuming that, the last, fans were not demanding for meet patients face to face – House due to House’s personality and the show to continue – instead, many also generally avoids visiting his conversational style that, he was of them were appreciative. Despite non-clinic patients, since he believes planned to be a “quirky” side member adoring the characters and the that removing emotional biases of the cast, it came as a surprise to concept, the audience recognised that and keeping objectivity makes him Laurie that House’s life, work, and it was time for people to move onto a better doctor, an opinion not opinions were in fact the whole new projects. Millions of people were disproved on the show. The short foundation of the show. heavily invested in House and wanted clinic scenes, however, provide light David Shore explained that when closure. Some went as far to say that relief and make great use of Hugh he and others got hold of Laurie’s House should not have continued Laurie’s comedic sensibilities – the five minute audition tape, one of the past the sixth series, as it had lost series will make you laugh more executive producers said, “See, this is its freshness and sense of humour. thank you might think, largely due what I want; an American guy.” This Regardless, the show’s commitment to the hugely satisfying ‘Houseisms’ is impressive in itself, but even more to character development gave House that grace the series. In one episode so when you consider that Hugh is in a limited shelf life. an inspector remarks, “Dr. House, I’ve fact about as quintessentially British The pilot episode was titled heard your name.” to which he replies as it is possible to be. ‘Everybody Lies’, a phrase that is “Most people have, it’s also a noun.” The rest of the cast put in a uttered countless times throughout In one confrontation over a colleague, universally top rate performance the eight seasons that make up this House tells Cuddy “I don’t want to say and the quality of the writing never nuanced medical procedural drama; anything bad about another doctor... dropped. The scripts remained as the final episode was appropriately especially a useless drunk.” witty and thought provoking as they titled ‘Everybody Dies’. House has an uncanny ability to were at the beginning, an incredible A hospital whodunit with a twist, ‘read’ people and diagnose their achievement when you consider the House’s enlightened cynicism and ailments simply by looking at them; sheer number of episodes. addictive tendencies made him this talent is just one of the many This series was nothing if not an endearing character that you similarities between House and the bold, being one of the first television empathise with. This series was fictional detective Sherlock Holmes. series to put an anti-hero as the main amongst the most thought provoking House’s intelligence, deductive protagonist. Before the turn of the and intelligent pieces of television reasoning skills, social awkwardness century the vast majority of leading in recent history and there is over and powers of observation are near "House is men and women were depicted 125 hours of it to experience. All identical to Sherlock’s. Furthermore, one of the as moral supermen. House wasn’t told, House was a hugely successful both House and Sherlock play the first, but it was certainly one and influential medical drama that instruments, take drugs and have one shows that of the very best shows to embrace deserves to be watched. Even if true friend (Wilson/Watson). House forged the idea of having a leading role its ideas are never executed to the even lives in flat 221B, essentially the path that on paper the audience should same exceptional standard, House’s making the series a modern day dislike, if not actively hate. House’s television legacy will be felt for a long Sherlock, albeit with a medical degree. towards this character was a controversial figure, time to come. It is often the case that actors do new era of steadfastly holding views that were Hugh Laurie, who stars as the title star in the long-running series House, which bowed out at the end of its eighth series in 2012. a great job in their roles, and it is TV" not all that popular and often taboo. All eight series of House are now Photo: FOX easy for the compliments made But the show’s success has led to the available on Netflix. 40 06.03.2015 THE STUDENT PAPER OF IMPERIAL COLLEGE LONDON FELIX

Culture Celebrating the 1600th issue of Felix ICTV? In my West Basement? It’s more likely than you think ICTV’s output may have peaked with the release of High Hopes go to the Brit Awards, a show in which two students snuck into the backstage area of the Brits to harass Lionel Ritchie, Damon Albarn and some knob from the X-Factor, but you may not have heard that they’ve also been putting out a load of short films this year. Pete Brook takes us a few of the year’s highlights... The Archivist

o firstly, The Archivist, a short this time was terrifying as every spectre of a reporter hangs over him The Archivist Sound and Music: dreamy thriller, and – full other film in the programme had a with a grudge and starts playing odd Sam Dudley Sadmission – my own film. I big budget for a short film, probably mind games with him. Writer, Director and Co-Editor: wrote the first draft about a year and in the order of thousands of pounds. Without ICTV’s old decrepit studio Peter Owen Brook Crew: a half ago, we shot it March 2014, and Mine didn’t have a budget and was I’d have had no place to shoot, and Cinematographer and Co-Editor: finished editing, colour grading and shot in the pre-redevelopment West without the crew I was able to find we Jamie Topp Kelvin Choi sound mixing in October 2014. It was Beit basement and an abandoned wouldn’t have had the opportunity Nathan Barker first publicly shown as a part of the office kitchen we managed to sneak in the first place. The three days Nick Farmer London Short Film Festival in January into over a weekend. shooting was simultaneously the Starring: Cem Hurrell this year and sitting in the back The Archivist is a film that follows most stressful and fun time I’ve had Fahdi Kanavati row of the Hackney Picturehouse a few days with a news video here, and I’m really proud (probably Ross McNamara Aleksander Pacnik I felt like I was going to implode. I archivist who, whilst ingesting old too proud) of what we all made Lilly Brando don’t like watching my films with footage, starts seeing himself in the together. Roseanne Lynch The Archivist is available to watch on an audience at the best of times but background of old spools of film. A Paul Cosmo YouTube now. FELIX THE STUDENT PAPER OF IMPERIAL COLLEGE LONDON 06.03.2015 41

Celebrating the 1600th issue of Felix Celebrating the 1600th issue of Felix Culture Nuisance

ahdi Kanavati has been an he can hear the true awfulness of it was impossible to get all the cast drawings. It was written for after- Starring: ICTV regular for the last year; a this flutist’s sound. He is constantly for long enough meaning that not all effects.” Tiberiu Chis Ffilmmaker who’s had his shorts followed about the maddening flutist the actors could be in the final scene Thanks Fahdi, we appreciate the Max Falkenberg Mcgillivray shown at the Cannes Film Festival, until it starts to destroy every aspect at the same time. However using endorsement! Jonathan Masters Kanavati is committed to making of his life. his ability with after-effects, and a Sophie Stromback great, fun films – at the expense of his Kanavati, a man of many talents, canny shooting technique, Kanavati Nuisance 1st AD: Ferogh Ishan PhD, fingers crossed his supervisor both wrote and directed this film; managed to overcome this issue. doesn’t read Felix. he found the crew – both newbies The ability to overcome the odds no Writer, Director & Editor: Camera Operators: Alex Ionnou + Ferogh Nuisance is a dark comedy about and old hands – at ICTV’s regular matter what happens is surely the Fahdi Kanavati Ishan a studio engineer who is forced to film crew meets, and we utilised sets sign of a great director Music: Lighting Coordinator: Don Ma record a flautist who he thinks is available in the media basement and I asked him for a quote about this Sanha Lee Sound Technician: Vanya Zheludev terrible, only everyone else disagrees: elsewhere. Film-making can often be film and he unhelpfully replied: “Yes, his boss thinks he is great; his a gruelling task, where anything that without ICTV the film would only Script Supervisors: Nuisance is now available to watch on girlfriend thinks he is great; only can go wrong, goes wrong; in this case have ended up being in stick figure Diljot Grewal, Don Ma YouTube Lost In Transbola

ost in Transbola was the tourist who comes to London and Station Manager of ICTV, it is really shooting in the next few weeks, so Lost in Transbola winner of ICTV’s 48-hour learns about an Ebola outbreak, Lost exciting to see new students come keep a look out! Lfilm competition, held in in Transbola was a comedic highlight through and produce something, What this film shows is that if you Sister: Lucy Luo October. The rules were to make a of this year’s programme. The tourist especially when it’s done as well as have an idea and make the effort Brother: Joseph Huang film that was set at the end of the desperately tries to cross London to this, and generates a few genuine to write, shoot, and edit, it doesn’t TV Presenter: Ferogh Ishan world, including the phrase “This meet her brother while encountering belly laughs! take much experience to make Director/DOP: Oli Bauer is how I die” and an example of the worst place for a clean-phile in The director Oli Bauer is currently something truly great. If you want to Producer/Audio: Jonathan Masters dramatic irony, a technique whereby London: the underground. working on a comedy about 3 get involved please send a message Chief Editor/ Scripter: Ivan Zheludev the audience knows something the Although this was a first attempt at students who steal the waxwork of to [email protected], and we can characters don’t. filmmaking for many of the students Tony Blair from Madame Tussauds put you in contact with the people Lost in Transbola is available to watch A comedy about a germophobic involved, it really doesn’t show. As after a drunken night out; it will be making the next production. on YouTube. 42 06.03.2015 THE STUDENT PAPER OF IMPERIAL COLLEGE LONDON FELIX

Culture Celebrating the 1600th issue of Felix House Of Cards Series 3: Worth the wait, worth your weekend Joshua Renken gives a brief overview of the latest 13-episode instalment of the hit US web television series. In short: less sex, more politics

Francis Underwood (Kevin Spacey), Claire Underwood (Robin Wright), and Doug Stamper (Michael Kelly) in Netflix's House of Cards Photo: Netflix

Warning: this review contains spoilers now a case of maintaining the power candidates – it’s not paranoia if they thrilling in the series, and means that and winning popular support with a really are out to get you. House of Cards has a very real-world fter a year of waiting, the view to the upcoming 2016 election. It may sound like a strange sting in its tail. much anticipated third series This new season picks up three comment to make about House of One of the starkest differences in Aof House of Cards has finally months after Frank’s swearing-in as Cards, but this new series is very, this series is the frequency with which reared its head. The 13-episode president, with less than two years very political, with strong parallels Frank swears. This might seem like season was uploaded to Netflix at before the next election; since Frank between the political landscape in a small detail, but it makes a real 08:00 last Friday, and no doubt was never voted in by the public it series three and what is going on "The impact in the dialogue. Most of the millions of people decided to spend will be an uphill struggle to make today. The politics extends beyond politics swearing is delivered within a threat their weekends binging on the web "No doubt his short time in office count so that domestic policy and reaches as far as or in one of Frank’s angrier fourth television. millions he has something to present to the Russia and the Middle East. President in season wall breaking monologues. This new series was always going of people American electorate come poll time. Petrov (Lars Mikkelsen), effectively 3 extends In one tense discussion with to be rather different to the previous Frank’s big policy is the ‘America a carbon copy of Vladimir Putin, beyond another democratic presidential two, because Frank’s position has spent their Works’ job programme that will mirrors the situation we see today; candidate, Frank ends a phone call fundamentally changed. Before weekends spend $500 billion to find jobs for they discuss actual events such as domestic with this splendid bit of prose: “I the end of the last series he was binging every single able-bodied person in rising Middle East tensions and the policy, have only one thing to say: go fuck constantly on the offensive, fighting on the the country. Mr and Mrs Underwood Pussy Riot protests, while creating reaching as yourself.” He then turns to the tooth and nail to take down Walker are acutely aware that public image is a fictional gay rights activist whom far as into camera and explains “Christ that felt and snatch the top spot for himself. television everything, and they must focus their Carrie is trying to get released in good”. In the next monologue, Frank But now that Frank and Claire have series" efforts on quashing the campaigns Russia. These meetings between Russia" declares that his opponent “can go achieved what they set out to do, it is of other democratic presidential Underwood and Petrov are the most after me but if she goes after Claire FELIX THE STUDENT PAPER OF IMPERIAL COLLEGE LONDON 06.03.2015 43

Celebrating the 1600th issue of Felix Celebrating the 1600th issue of Felix Culture Frank seemed to be able to glide over West Wing. Frank’s formidable and all problems with unrealistic ease. principled democratic opponents Now he is noticeably more troubled also demonstrated an attempt to stop and has met worthy adversaries and painting all politicians with the same truly challenging obstacles. The brush. Sure, Frank’s evil. Sure, Claire’s situation seems much more critical evil. But not all politicians are that than it did in the first 26 episodes, as morally bankrupt. we are exposed to the ugly reality of Series three is slightly less addictive the American Presidency. to watch than the first two seasons, As with the previous series, there probably because the chase is up and is no shortage of ‘what the fuck?’ now it is about staying in control. superficial shock factor moments that There is still plenty of scheming, but House of Cards so regularly employed it is more reactive than proactive. during Frank’s rise to power. These Nevertheless, series three is another short scenes once again do nothing eleven hours of delicious drama that for the overall storyline and come doesn’t disappoint. It’s a bit of a slow across as a lazy attempt at character "Season burner at first but becomes more nail development. Despite this, House of three is biting than ever as it crescendos to cards is nothing if not confident in its the peak, with more than a whiff of execution; the performances are first another Shakespearean tragedy to it. rate and Spacey continues to own his eleven The two previous series set a high character with exacting standards, hours of bar and season three is doing a while also subtly indicating the remarkable job when you consider monumental strain of high political delicious the audacity of the project. After all, office. drama that what greater stage is there than the This series marked a change doesn't Oval office? in the dynamic, and felt like a disappoint" more realistic representation of House of Cards Season 3 is now available Washington politics – a darker on Netflix

Arch-manipulator Claire Underwood, played by Robin Wright, in Netflix's House of Cards Photo: Netflix

I’ll slit her fucking throat in broad audience want to know about. daylight.” You’ll probably agree, The latest episodes do a better job there’s a tad less poetry to this than than the second series of making the prose Underwood used to share each plot strand equally attention with the audience in seasons past. grabbing. Doug’s storyline is more It is also true that in this series stimulating this time round and you Frank’s straight-to camera even take an interest in the guinea monologues are altogether less pig wielding cyberterrorist. Despite grandiose than his early soliloquys. this, his departure from the show Less wisdom is imparted and instead would still be welcome, as to allow Frank’s mood and opinions are the writers can distil House of Cards more commonly vented through down to the essence of what we discussion with Thomas Yates (Paul really care about: Frank, Claire, their Sparks), the popular novelist who the "House relationship and the presidency. In president entrusts with writing his of Cards that order. autobiography. Yates is an interesting Speaking of the relationship addition to the ensemble of conniving never between Frank and Claire, this is the politicians and his interactions with reveals why central theme that this series will the presidential couple give the series Underwood be remembered for. The cracks are some extra momentum and intrigue. appearing as the pressure of high One of the greatest issues with House is so hell office takes its toll on the couple and of Cards is that the series does not bent on the final episode leaves their delicate attempt to reveal anything about why acquiring relationship on a cliffhanger. There the Underwoods are so hell bent on power" is no doubt that this series puts to the acquisition of power, but Yates bed one of the biggest issues with the Francis (Kevin Spacey) and Claire (Robin Wright), in House of Cards. They're probably begins to ask the questions that the previous two series, which was that plotting something Photo: AP/Netflix 44 06.03.2015 THE STUDENT PAPER OF IMPERIAL COLLEGE LONDON FELIX

Culture Celebrating the 1600th issue of Felix FKA twigs, Feminism, and Female Sexuality on Video Fred Fyles compares the different approaches FKA twigs and Sia take when it comes to their controlling their public image in music videos

ast month, in her debut at gruesome configurations, while in London’s Roundhouse, British ‘Elastic Heart’ she dance-fights with Lauteur FKA twigs brought her Shia LaBeouf in a giant cage. Instead unique vision to a crowd of 3,000. of presenting herself as a visual Entitled Congregata, a latin word for object, Sia subverts the audience’s ‘gathering’, the two hour spectacle expectation, delivering instead a saw twigs put her indomitable singing piece of carefully choreographed and dancing talents to good use; she performance art. What makes her vogued alongside a dancer in fishnet decision – prompted, she says, by a stockings, was tossed up in the air desire “to not be famous” – all the by burly men with topknots, and more interesting is the fact that for all changed outfits whilst contortionists previous albums she has done she has kept the crowd entertained. It’s a far shown her face quite willingly. You cry from her London debut, which only have to go about halfway down took place at Hoxton’s Courtyard the first page of YouTube results that Theatre, a little less than a year ago, pop up when you search ‘Sia’ to find in front of an audience of just over her face: a video of a 2007 SXSW 100. While at the Roundhouse she performance in which she addresses was front and centre, at the Courtyard the audience head on, telling them she was kept shielded from the in an excited voice that they were audience by a swirling mist, through “radical”. So what changed? Perhaps which you could make out the petite FKA twigs looking bug-eyed in her video for Water Me, from 2013's EP2 Photo: YouTube the songwriting interval between her figure who has become one of the fifth and sixth albums, during which most important voices in the British circuit of performances, photoshoots, turns away from the audience, her time she penned ‘Pretty Hurts’ for music industry. What was kept and interviews, she has remained shoulderblades shuddering as she Beyonce and ‘Diamonds’ for Rihanna, constant between the gigs, however, wilfully – and delightfully – obtuse in exercises her fearsome vocals. Like gave her the opportunity to get used was her sheer gratitude at being able "While such how she chooses to present herself. In anything on the internet, if you want to eschewing the limelight. to perform; at the end of Congregata, visibility what could be described as a publicity to see her face that much you can In terms of music videos, twigs twigs breaks character, telling the seems near- stunt, but really deserves the title google it, but Sia’s damn sure not "FKA twigs' seems to stand in direct contradiction audience in a breathy voice that can of performance art, Sia has refused going to present herself up to you to Sia; while Sia’s rise to fame has barely contain its excitement how inevitable, to show her face whilst performing willingly. video for led to her shielding herself from happy she is to be there. As if any singer for the last year. Instead, she has Siegler has become some sort of Pendulum the public, as twigs has become other outcome were possible. Sia has put the spotlight on Maddie Siegler, an avatar for Sia, the precocious is erotic, increasingly popular, she has chosen As twigs has become more and a 12-year-old dance prodigy from preteen presented as a public face sensual, and to reveal herself more and more. In more popular, her presence in our managed a the TV series Dance Moms; Siegler for Sia’s music. In the video for ‘Hide’, for example, one of the first visual landscape has become nearly different takes centre stage alongside a range ‘Chandelier’, Siegler flings herself achingly singles from her excellent debut EP1, inescapable; if you don’t spot her approach" of celebrity cameos, from Lena around a dilapidated apartment, beautiful" she is only visible from shoulders to staring you down on the Summer Dunham to Kristen Wiig, while Sia twisting and contorting her face into knees; wiggling around to the beat 2014 issue of Dazed Magazine, of the song, she tenderly caresses her backcombed hair making her an anthurium, clasped between her look like she’s been plugged into thighs, whose phallic spadix thrusts an electrical socket, you’ll see upwards. Even when she first decided her looking out at you on a tube to reveal herself to the world, she advert, a crimson mark covering, used technical trickery to add an like some form of stigmata, a face uncanny valley element to her image; photoshopped to look like porcelain. on the cover of EP2, her neck is Of course, with her relationship subtly lengthened, and in the video with Robert Pattinson nearing the for ‘Water Me’, the lead single from 6-month mark, you are even sure that release, twigs’ already wide eyes to find her gracing the Daily Mail’s are enlarged, until she resembles ‘Sidebar of Shame’ every now and something not-quite human. then. As time has gone on, it seems that While such visibility seems twigs has become more comfortable near-inevitable in our social media, with revealing herself: covered instagram-as-verb, post-panoptic in glitter, she is simultaneously world, Australian singer Sia has strangled and caressed in her video managed to take a different approach; for ‘Papi Pacify’; sitting upon a while acknowledging that promoting throne like an ancient Egyptian her sixth album 1000 Forms of Fear goddess, she is surrounded by an necessitates the required media The steamy, sensual video for FKA twigs' Two Weeks, from 2014's LP1 Photo: YouTube army of mini-twigs who krump and FELIX THE STUDENT PAPER OF IMPERIAL COLLEGE LONDON 06.03.2015 45

Celebrating the 1600th issue of Felix Celebrating the 1600th issue of Felix Culture – as her choice of presentation would connects with many, but looks inward suggest – lose herself with a crowd. In as a starting point. ‘Big Girls Cry’, for instance, Sia speaks While the two musicians may have about her experiences of loneliness diametrically different approaches – “I come home/on my own...I may to how they choose to present cry ruining my make up...and I don’t themselves, what they have in care if I don’t look pretty” – before common is an unbending refusal to she bursts into the chorus, exclaiming allow themselves to become a pawn over crashing drums and icy synths in another’s game. They both have how “big girls cry when their hearts complete creative control over how are breaking”. She explicitly aligns they present themselves, something herself with a general group of people that is rare for any woman, let who have gone through similar pain, alone those in an industry that is as thereby allowing her song to strike obviously sexualised as the music a chord with individuals whilst business. Speaking in 1982 about how maintaining a sense of generality. her record company had presented twigs takes a different approach, her in the promotion of her debut LP sticking – almost aggressively – to The Kick Inside, Kate Bush said: “The the deeply personal. The nature of media just promoted me as a female her lyrics make it little surprise that body. It’s like I’ve had to prove that the most commonly used adjective to I’m an artist in a female body”. describe her music is “intimate”. In Sadly, it seems that little has ‘Pendulum’, for example, the lyrical changed; women are still presumed closeness is offset by the cavernous to be unable to create great music spaces between beats, which allow without having a man behind twigs to open up to herself, as she them, a fact lamented by musician- confesses the extent to which she extraordinaire Bjork in a recent yearns for another: “I’ve got time interview with Pitchfork. but you’re tired of waiting/you only It is therefore up to trailblazers want me in open spaces/come fill like Sia and twigs to try and change your gaps with people/I know no-one” things. Their approaches towards she sighs, in a heartbreaking paean what they do with their bodies and to unfulfilled desire. Similarly, in their images are completely different, ‘Lights On’, she achingly sings of her but that’s ok; in a complex world that fear of connections: “I shy away in is getting more and more convoluted my mind/in hopes that I could share every day, it is not my place to say this place with you...when I trust you "It is up to which approach is better, or even to we can do it with the lights on”. Is trailblazers try and suggest that there is a ‘better’ she exploring bodily insecurities she approach. All I can do is be thankful experiences when becoming intimate? like Sia and that we have such artists, who will Or is she despairing at her issues twigs to try go to any lengths maintain an with trust, her inability to reveal her and change autonomous control over their image, secrets to a confidant? Either way, she thereby protecting their creative is treating her music as a confessional, things in visions; it is these visions, these bravely whispering her innermost the music vital, meaningful, unapologetically feelings into a microphone. Like Sia, industry" confident visions, that we need most Maddie Siegler and Sia Furler at the 57th Grammy Awards, held earlier this year Photo: she manages to produce music that right now. Kevin Mazuria/Getty Images

gyrate, in the Nabil-directed video for allowing herself to be transformed ‘Two Weeks’. into an object of desire, but we are In her most recent video for also meant to covet other features ‘Pendulum’, possibly the best track of the video: the manor house with off her stellar debut record LP1, twigs extensive grounds, through which a is hung, nearly nude, from a set of limousine slowly prowls; the bowls ropes braided from her own hair; a of fresh fruit at the breakfast table, world away from Fifty Shades of Grey, presumably arranged by the high- the video is erotic, and sensual, and fashion maid; the wide array of just heartbreakingly beautiful. As she luxurious lingerie, most of which is slowly unties herself from the bonds encrusted with jewels. In ‘Partition’, she has created, the camera glides Beyonce explicitly presents us with an over her skin, taking in the grooves array of objects that scream ‘wealth’, and imprints caused by the tight and thereby implicitly makes a knots, until she is completely free, her direct connection between capitalist waist-length hair flying like a tribute and sexual desire. In contrast, twigs’ to liberation. videos seem divorced from time and What sets twigs’ expression space, instead presenting themselves of female sexuality apart from as mere fragments of her overactive her contemporaries is the fact imagination; for her, the context for that her videos lack a sense of "Both the videos is her own mental space, aspirationalism; they stand on artists have as opposed to anything that exists in their own, and are contextualised the physical realm. twigs allows us by mental as opposed to material complete the opportunity to look inside her desire. To make a comparison: in creative fantasy world, but not to inhabit it. Beyonce’s video for ‘Partition’, the control over There is also a key difference in how most overtly sexual piece from her Sia and twigs place themselves within fifth album, and perhaps from her how they their own songs: twigs takes herself entire oeuvre, we are shown a world present as the starting point, creating music of consumerism and wealth. Sure, themselves" that seems as personal and specific as FKA twigs' erotic video for Papi Pacify, from 2013's EP2, which saw her being strangled by a Beyonce is expressing her sexuality, someone’s diary, whereas Sia tends to male dancer Photo: YouTube 46 06.03.2015 THE STUDENT PAPER OF IMPERIAL COLLEGE LONDON FELIX

Culture Celebrating the 1600th issue of Felix Jazz: A Revolutionary Chapter In Music Kunal Bhanot explores what the term ‘jazz’ really means to us today is a noble one however – a lack of proficiency on your chosen instrument could quite easily lead to a lack of expression. Great jazz pianists such as Bill Evans were classically trained from the beginning, which gave them a technical foundation that comes through so beautifully in their Jazz playing. This leads me to talk about Oscar Peterson – perhaps the most technically gifted jazz pianist ever to have lived. It is a well-known fact that Peterson would sit at the piano from 4 to 6 hours a day, with a large proportion of this time devoted to technical advancement through meticulous attention to scales and arpeggios. What he did so well though, contrary to many accomplished classical pianists of today, was challenge himself musically with these technical exercises. The result of this was a breath-taking display of virtuosity and creativity that wowed audiences across the world. From his freakishly fast runs down the piano, to his subtle reharmonisations of popular standards, Peterson was a fine example of how jazz gave musicians an extra dimension to their playing. The art of improvisation would give great jazz musicians such Credit: Pablo Records as Peterson the ability to let their emotions fuse with the music, which ook up the word ‘jazz’ in the was hindered by the dominance of gives a piece of music a sense of in turn gave every performance its dictionary and you come to compositional music at the time. identity, but repeat an idea for too own unique touch. For Peterson, this find a whole host of definitions What is it then that has led us to long and you’ll soon find the listener stayed true throughout his life, as an L th ranging from “a type of American believe that jazz was born in the 20 in a state of boredom. On the other unfortunate stroke in his later years music with lively rhythms” to century with ragtime? For me, it hand, if you’re presented with a did not prevent him from performing “meaningless or foolish talk” or lies with the fact that ragtime was particular melody but don’t return solely with his right hand. In fact, indeed anything in between. If we a form that allowed musicians to to it, you leave finding yourself many (including myself) would stick with the former definition, jazz congregate and perform with fewer uninterested, no matter how brilliant still argue that a one handed Oscar could be assumed to have its roots restrictions that written music may the compositional or improvisational was better than his two handed in ragtime music, whereas with the have unintentionally placed on techniques used. Jazz has lessened contemporaries! latter we are left to question whether them. It comes as no surprise that the degree of predictability in music So the 20th century certainly saw jazz should be confined to a sole musicians who were unversed in and has given way to innovations in jazz’s rise in popularity. Whether genre within the realms of music. reading music formed the foundation music that leaves the listener wanting it was the two-step genius of Scott Some of us, for instance, imply that of this ‘birth’. Their musical ideas more. Where a Beethoven symphony Joplin or the unparalleled virtuosity ‘jazzing’ something up is the process were largely developed through may be satisfying to listen to multiple of Oscar Peterson, jazz gave rise of making it more interesting. Be the process of combining western times, we subconsciously learn that to a greater degree of spontaneity it in a musical sense or not, jazz harmonic ideas with traditional the motifs within the piece will not in music. Where is jazz in 2015 fundamentally reflects the art of African rhythms. A main theme may change whether it is played today or then? In a good place, it seems. I spontaneity, an art that gained have been evident, such as that in tomorrow. was fortunate enough to see Cuban popularity at the beginning of the Joplin’s ‘The Entertainer’, but this The only varying factor in the trumpeter Arturo Sandeval at Ronnie 20th century. could be altered in numerous ways, performance is the technical ability Scott’s recently, only to be stunned This is not to say that master akin to traditional call-and-response of the performer and his or her "Peterson by his wonderful command of his improvisers did not exist in the 1800s: drumming rhythms found in early emotional interpretation of the piece. was a fine instrument across a wide array of quite the opposite in fact. The likes African music. The regular use of This is one aspect of classical music styles, ranging from modern funk of JS Bach were known to perform "Many syncopation in ragtime gave a taste of that has remained unchanged for example to traditional Cuban folk. Based on encores lasting for hours with no classical what was to come – greater freedom many years, and perhaps ‘jazzing’ it of how this, jazz could almost be considered written music in sight. Come forward in expression, be it rhythmically, up from time to time wouldn’t do it jazz gave to be too broad to be a ‘genre’ as such. 100 years from this and you’d musicians melodically, or harmonically. any harm. As talented as they are, Instead, we should look at it as a still find the likes of Liszt altering of today There is a reason, however, that many classical musicians of today musicians licence to express oneself, even if it is Chopin’s themes to his own liking, have written music had prevailed for so are so intent on achieving technical an extra in the context of Bach’s counterpoint albeit angering him in the process. lost the long. After all, the sense of familiarity perfection that they lose the essence dimension melodies written many hundred Based on our earlier definitions in a melody or harmonic structure of creativity – something that Chopin to their years ago. we could therefore argue that jazz essence of gives music its appeal, one could and his contemporaries seemed to No matter what your trade as a has its roots in classical music even creativity." argue. This is certainly true to some have in abundance. playing." musician, keeping things jazzy can though the improvisational art form extent; a melody that is memorable The pursuit of technical excellence only be a good thing.

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Celebrating the 1600th issue of Felix Culture Live by the fringe. Die by the fringe. Grace Rahman takes us through the five best bangs in pop music

Long before Kate Moss brought the fringe back into the mainstream in 2007, these indie babes were rocking some seriously vision- impairing styles. Forget Cara Delevingne; where we’re going there are no eyebrows. It’s not about seeing the audience anyway, as long as they can see your fringe and you can see your guitar, and the rain doesn’t hit it, you’re away.

Lily Allen

Arguably leading to a whole era of indie chicks running down to Headmasters clutching a copy of the NME, Lily Allen circa 2007 starts the billing with her heavy set, statement bangs. They 1start high, making them a real commitment; when it starts sticking to your forehead two days into Glastonbury, all the Kirby grips in the world aren’t going to stop this mother from flowing Lily Allen at the 2007 BRIT Awards. Note how the gaudy bow draws attention to her razor- free. Add hoop earrings and sing in a mockney accent to disguise the fact that you actually went to sharp barnet. Credit: Press Association Bedales. Klara Söderberg

It’s well known that the more dominant sister in First Aid Kit commands attention through fringe presence alone. This eyelid skimming look is teamed with mermaid length in the rest 2 of the hair, which can only be achieved by constant attention. It might not look like it, but this woman is braver than all of us; she is a genuine hair’s breadth away from total blindness. A small price to pay to sell out the Royal Albert Hall. A fringe can be difficult look to pull off when your head slopes majestically like a Swedish mountain peak. Klara clearly has no fear. Credit: Micke Bayart

Bat For Lashes What was the boldest thing about Natasha Khan’s (AKA Bat for Lashes) cover for of The Haunted Man in 2012? Was it the naked man she had in a fireman’s lift, whose skinny limbs 3were only just covering her modesty? The shift in her musical style from sweet, feather-and- unicorn-inspired folk to a darker, much more grown-up chamber pop? No, it was that blunt fringe Button nose? Check. Doe eyes? Check. A fringe that can kill a man without a second thought? and bob combo that really filled column inches. Fucking check. Credit: Coup de Main Kate Nash Back in the days (and fringes) of Myspace, relationships could be made or broken by the order your mate decided to put you on their friends list. So too, could careers, and when veteran 4fringe Lily Allen put Kate Nash at number eight on her list, she was instantly catapulted to stardom. The twee-as-can-be debut House of Bricks aided this endeavour, as did her fringe. Nash has had quite a style change of late; her last record saw her favouring a ‘40s quiff or perfectly rollered fringe; but back then she was the indie archetype: naturally ginger with a scruffy side-swept fringe – Like a carefully constructed bird’s nest, this fringe may appear messy, but has a structure all the ultimate in low-maintenance. of its own. Bow down, bitches. Credit: Creative Commons VV Brown When it comes to the evolution of fringes, few women have achieved what VV Brown has. Much like the total overhaul of her 2009 debut sound, her image (read: fringe) has changed 5 dramatically. Her 1950s pin-up fringe was epic and perfectly suited to the sickly sweet ‘Shark in the Water’. Not just a structural achievement, but with flicks and attitude, it was a fringe of the moment. Then in 2013 she emerged with a new album and look. It had higher aspirations than the Like the existence of aliens and the Bermuda Triangle, VV Brown’s fringe is a mystery. Does first; the retro bangs had been replaced with a staple choppy style and with cheekbones that high, it curl over or under? We will never know. Credit: Capital Records she simply couldn’t go wrong. 52 06.03.2015 THE STUDENT PAPER OF IMPERIAL COLLEGE LONDON FELIX

Culture Celebrating the 1600th issue of Felix and scientific pieces of music of any degree of complexity”, thereby also affording her the title of the mother of electronic music. However, it wasn’t until a century Women. later that a woman composed a work scored for electronic instruments; Johanna Beyer, a German-American composer who moved in circles with other luminaries like Henry Cowell Music. and John Cage, premiered her work The Music of the Spheres in 1938. An atonal masterpiece, the work’s ominous high-pitched drone seems Power: A to precede the work of György Ligeti in Stanley Kubrick’s 2001: A Space Odyssey. In fact, Kubrick had a strong relationship with the electronic music scene, enlisting composer Century Wendy Carlos to perform the scores for two of his most popular films: A Clockwork Orange and The Shining. Carlos became well known for her album Switched-On Bach; first released of Female in 1968, the album consisted of JS Bach pieces performed on the then- novel Moog synthesizer, and helped contribute to a significant interest Electronica in electronic music. It evidently captured the public’s imagination, becoming one of the first classical Fred Fyles takes us on a music albums to sell over 500,000 copies and picking up three Grammy Awards along the way. tour through the history The 1970s saw an explosion of interest in electronic composition. of the early pioneers of It was during this time that Laurie Spiegel gained invaluable experience Portrait of British computing mastermind Ada Loveleace. Margaret Sarah in electronics, working for audio electronic music Lovelace, 1836 Photo: Creative Commons synthesiser laboratories. Spiegel’s work is beautifully intricate, ecently, an image has been feature 3 women-only acts, out of a producers. “I want to support young generated using complex algorithms, widely circulated on Twitter, lineup of nearly one hundred? girls who are in their 20s now. You’re and in 1977 her interpretation of Rshowing what the Reading/ Many defenders of such practices not just imagining things,” she said, Johannes Kepler’s Harmonices Mundi Leeds 2015 lineup would look like have argued that there is an inherent “Everything that a guy says once, you became the opening track of the if all the male-only bands were problem with the genre of ‘rock’ have to say five times.” golden record sent off in the Voyager removed. Published by the music as a whole, and festival promoters Bjork, whose achievements are too spacecraft. In August 2012 Voyager I blog Crack In The Road, it makes for can’t feature woman-lead guitar many to list but include 14 Grammy passed into interstellar space, making a grim indication of the modern music if there simply isn’t any. Award nominations, a Cannes Film Spiegel one of the furthest reaching music industry; a wealth of band Aside from the fact that there are Festival prize for Best Actress, and an composers in human history. names has instead become a sea of innumerable incredible women upcoming Museum of Modern Art What all these women had in vibrant yellow, like an garish alarm guitarists working currently (Annie retrospective of her 30-year career, common was a strong academic warning us, “there is a problem”. This Clark, anyone? Anna Calvi?), such has carved out a space for herself in a background, something that is year, 89.6% of the festival’s lineup an argument just reminds me of genre that is, perhaps, most open to understandable considering the consists of solo men, or all-male defences of Rockism, that mating call gifted women wanting to make music prohibitive cost of early synthesizers, bands; remarkably, this isn’t actually of the NME journalist that strives on their own terms: experimental which meant that only large that bad – feminist organisation for ‘authenticity’, only insofar as electronica. Although the genre’s institutions were able to afford them. female:pressure, a collective of that translates to ‘white, straight openness towards women may be The fact that educational equality musicians and artists pushing for men with guitars’. In his seminal explained by the fact that anyone did not enter into US public law until equality, have stated that “nowadays, critique of this industry bias, The Rap with a laptop can produce music now, the Women’s Educational Equity Act a 10% proportion of female artists Against Rockism, journalist Kelefa the relationship between women and was passed in 1974 only makes the can be considered above average”. Sanneh argued that Rockism actually electronica actually runs far deeper, achievements of these composers all Although we are now 15 years into amounts to little more than an excuse all the way back to the 19th Century, the more impressive. the new millennium, it seems that for sexism, racism, and homophobia. and Ada Lovelace. And it wasn’t only in America that festival organisers, music promoters, “[Rockism] reduces Rock and Roll to Lovelace, often described as the the relationship between women and and – indeed – many arts journalists a caricature, then uses that caricature world’s first computer programmer, electronics was fruitful; in 1958, at the are still stuck in the last century. as a weapon... could it really be a worked on Charles Babbage’s request of composer Daphne Oram, However, this isn’t seen as a coincidence that rockist complaints Analytical Engine; her notes describe the BBC Radiophonic Workshop was problem by Melvin Benn. Current often pit straight white men against what is now known as the first founded to provide compositions managing director of Festival the rest of the world?” "The algorithm designed to be carried out "What these and sound effects. Oram set up Republic, the UK music promoter When it comes to how the music relationship by a machine, and pointed out a flaw women on her own after less than a year, who organises Reading and Leeds industry, I feel that Benn would in Babbage’s equations, making her establishing her own studio where she festivals, Benn has denied the idea do well to listen to actual female between the world’s first debugger. Described composers perfected the ‘Oramics’ technique, in that music festivals have a problem musicians, such as Icelandic artist women and by Babbage as the “Enchantress of had in which drawings on cellophane film with women artists. “The idea that Bjork; in an interview with Pitchfork electronica Numbers”, she saw the potential common are translated into abstract electronic female bands are sidelined is just not earlier this year, the creative auteur for computers to be used as a social, compositions. Oram’s mantle would there,” he said to Gigwise earlier this lamented the bias against women runs back collaborative tool, as opposed to was a strong be taken on by Delia Derbyshire, th year. “Gone are the days where a band within the industry, mentioning to the 19 merely a means of calculation. academic who transferred to the Radiophonic was four guys. It’s genuinely gone.” multiple instances where her work Century" In her notes, she speculated that background" Workshop in 1962 and a year later And so why does his festival only she had done was credited to male computers may “compose elaborate produced the iconic theme tune for FELIX THE STUDENT PAPER OF IMPERIAL COLLEGE LONDON 06.03.2015 53

Celebrating the 1600th issue of Felix Celebrating the 1600th issue of Felix Culture

Fatima al Qadiri in New York's Chinatown. Her debut LP Asiatisch is out on Hyperdub Records Photo: Tim Knox/Guardian

single of her recent EP Chorus is he did [Yeezus], he got all the best built from foraged audio clips of beatmakers on the planet at the time YouTube and Skype, arranged to form to make beats for him... Yet no one a throbbing, foot-tapping monster of would question his authorship for a track. a second.” This double standard is Herndon has spoken about endemic to the industry, but it is sad attitudes towards gender within the to see it begin to filter into a genre industry, and remains optimistic that has historically been a safe space about the future for women for women composers. But people producers. Speaking to Dazed are beginning to fight back; while Magazine in 2014, she said that: “The the internet has created a forum for community of artists I find myself people to express their frustrations involved with are pretty enlightened at the lack of diversity, last year’s with regards to gender issues, and I’m Wysing Arts Centre’s festival of Delia Derbyshire, of the BBC Radiophonic Workshop, hard at work in the studio Photo: rarely made to feel overly conscious art and music saw a line-up almost Creative Commons of it when in the company of peers.” exclusively focussed on women in However, this attitude does not seem experimental and electronic music the Doctor Who series, leaving an garnered a nomination for the Polaris to extend to the general public, or and art. They called this year’s indelible mark of British culture. Prize; Laurel Halo, a classically those in charge of the music industry, iteration Space-Time: The Future, a The long line of exceptional female trained musician whose switch to who hold women to a higher standard direct allusion to how women will composers has continued to this electronica is a boon for us all, gifting than men. Speaking of Kanye West, shape the genre’s future, just as they day, with numerous women creating us with albums like Quarantine, a Bjork said “With the last album laid its foundations in the past. music that transcends the boundaries combination of jazzy instrumentals, of art and music. For some of these sludgy drones, and skittering dubstep; artists, such as Planningtorock, the and Fatima Al Qadiri, an American- political struggle for equality is at based musician and visual artist, the front and centre of their music; whose upbringing in Gulf War-era their most recent album, All Love’s Kuwait fed into her Desert Strike EP, Legal, directly confronts the unequal and whose 2014 debut LP Asiatisch power structures at the heart of aims to take us on a “virtual road society. ‘Misogyny Drop Dead’, for through an imagined China”. example pairs lines like “degenderise One of my favourite artists all intellect” with a funky bassline working right now, however, is Holly and skittering drums, while ‘Let’s Herndon, an American composer Talk About Gender Baby’ has singer who has divided her time between Jam Rostrum mistily invoking Berlin and Mills College, California. gender politics over stabbing The resulting music has a sensibility synths. Planningtorock have also that lies halfway between academia collaborated with Swedish sibling and euphoria, like Stockhausen duo The Knife, whose Shaking the taking on the 02:00 set at Berghain Habitual was a highlight of 2014, [the Berlin nightclub]. Herndon refutes lauded in both the mainstream and the widely accepted opinion that alternative press for its innovative "Holly computers are cold and impersonal, "The use of abrasive sounds. Herndon's arguing instead that the laptop not internet On the Hyperdub label, perhaps one only has the ability to unlock many of Britain’s’ best known experimental music lies people’s musical potential, but also has created electronic record labels, there are half-way forms a personal documentation a forum a number of women producers between of the self. To that end, her music for people represented: Jessy Lanza, for example, revolves around the intimate. Her whose debut album Hold My Hair academia debut LP Movement uses gasps to criticise Back was hailed on its release in 2013, and and breathing as a basis for tracks, the lack of praised by Pitchfork for its “sense euphoria" weaving them around densely layered diversity" Experimental composer Holly Herndon, renowned for her combination of of self and attention to detail”, and abstract electronics, while the lead the synthetic and organic Photo: RVNG Intl 54 06.03.2015 THE STUDENT PAPER OF IMPERIAL COLLEGE LONDON FELIX

Culture Celebrating the 1600th issue of Felix Hitting The Right Notes: ICSO at Cadogan Hall Kamil McClelland reviews the Symphony Orchestra’s Spring Concert

The interval came and went in no time at all, and as I made my way back to my seat I readied myself for a short but sweet trip across the serene grasslands of Central Asia. Borodin’s symphonic poem tells a simple but elegant story: that of a trading caravan of horses and camels crossing the vast emptiness accompanied by Russian soldiers. This manifests itself as a complex blend of Western and Eastern melodies, an amalgam of a gentle Russian tune with “bizarre and melancholy notes of an oriental melody”. And through this all is the continuity of the desert winds and the trudging of pack animals. It is a truly beautiful story, requiring respectful and vivid playing. This was generally well done, with beautifully flowing strings and flute, serene and peaceful. However, in parts it did not feel suitably delicate, as if the players did not have in their minds the specific vision of the piece, resulting in parts being too coarse or loud. And finally, the pièce de résistance: ‘The Firebird’ Suite by Stravinsky. This is the score that catapulted Stravinsky into the limelight and Imperial College Symphony Orchestra at Cadogan Hall for their Spring Concert Photo: Ian Gillet represented the start of his very fruitful partnership with ballet onight was a first in two French capital in the 1920s and a emotions with no clear overarching patron Sergei Diaghilev which led respects; not only was it my “spasm of homesickness” in the theme, was chosen. You do not to the production of ‘Petrushka’ and Tfirst time attending a concert form of syncopated rhythms based experience music as a singularity, it is ‘The Rite of Spring’. Thus the piece’s in the gorgeous Cadogan Hall but around the twelve-bar blues format. all about context. Hence, by placing significance cannot be underplayed, it was also in fact the first ever time It truly is a beautiful tune, full of all of these pieces together, I felt I was with Diaghilev even saying of the I had seen the Imperial College the excitement and dynamism of not able to truly witness their depth young composer that he was “a man Symphony Orchestra (ICSO) perform. the Roaring ‘20s, done justice by this of emotion – a real shame. on the eve of celebrity”. And you can And so, as you can imagine I was impassioned orchestra. How lucky we Next we were transported back to fully understand why this was said of suitably excited. are to have such a talented group of 18th Century Vienna, and Mozart’s him on the debut of its performance This was their Spring Concert, musicians on our doorstep! ‘Piano Concerto in D Minor’, a in 1910 for the Ballets Russes a celebration of a term of hard To criticise them, I have to hold considerably darker piece than company in Paris. It is absolute work and careful planning. For our them to the highest of standards — Gershwin’s jolly little number. The genius. enjoyment they were performing perhaps they did not flow as well as fearsome strings build up to a forte It was by far the most interesting Gershwin’s ‘An American in Paris’; a truly integrated orchestra might, along with the rest of the orchestra, piece of the night. Emerging out Mozart’s ‘Piano Concerto in D unable to fully embody the dreamy powerful in their presence on stage. of the rich murkiness of the cellos Minor’; ‘In the Steppes of Central state of the piece, the vivid whirlwind Then the young virtuoso Bartlett and double basses like a primordial Asia’ by Borodin; and finally the of sights and sounds every person takes the lead, with the orchestra sludge, you are enraptured by incendiary ‘Firebird Suite’ by experiences when they visit such an in accompaniment – a tremendous Stravinsky’s imagination, truly the Stravinsky. It was a crammed and exciting city. I wasn’t completely pianist with a deft touch on the keys pinnacle of early 20th Century art. It very varied schedule, designed to transported away to this foreign effortlessly glinting beneath his was also the best played of the night; illustrate the broad range of the land though not for a lack of effort; fingers. He certainly doesn’t lack the brute force of the percussion orchestra’s repertoire. I was also the singing strings did a particularly charisma; you can read the emotion and brass gave it real punch when it eager to see Martin James Bartlett, an excellent job manipulating my in his face and body language as was most required, simultaneously 18-year-old pianist and winner of the emotions every which way. The well as in his music. This showman as the harps rushed back and forth BBC ‘Young Musician’ Award in 2014, problems lay mainly in a lack of time style of solo piano playing is not across the soundscape, a marvellous about whom I had heard great things, and dynamic manipulation, but then one I particularly like – perhaps his experience to behold. perform alongside the orchestra on I am picking at the smallest of holes. masterclass with Lang Lang rubbed "The brute What a way to end it! Does the Mozart concerto. "How lucky However, as Gershwin himself off a bit too much – however, you force of the anything compare to modern Expectations were running high as we are to admits, “it’s not a Beethoven cannot deny his skill. works like this? Why ICSO insists the orchestra took their place on the Symphony, you know” but instead a The piece is incredibly lyrical, percussion on including the likes of Mozart in stage in front of me. have such “light, jolly piece”. Can this piece ever taking us on a journey from the and brass their lineup when they could have a And so, we dived straight into a talented be more than that, merely a pleasant sombre to the joyous, with ascending gave it whole night of 20th Century works I Gershwin’s classic, a symphonic group of collection of notes, a musical in the arpeggios vaulting up from the do not know. But it was a wonderful poem laced with generous helpings world of operas? Thus, as we went instruments into the music hall. real punch night overall and I would thoroughly of jazz melody. He described it as musicians next to Mozart’s piano concerto, Having said that, it is not my when it recommend anyone to attend ICSO’s “the impression of an American on our an incongruous pairing for certain, favourite piece; sometimes boring, was most future performances, provided they visitor in Paris”, simultaneously doorstep!" I wondered how this selection of often repetitive, at least it was required." can create better cohesion with their absorbing the atmosphere of the pieces, a complete mess of genres and performed well. choice of repertoire. FELIX THE STUDENT PAPER OF IMPERIAL COLLEGE LONDON 06.03.2015 55

Celebrating the 1600th issue of Felix Celebrating the 1600th issue of Felix Culture 1600: A Year To Go Down in History Clara Clark Nevola takes us through the life of Giordano Bruno

tenuous numerical link is people for beliefs that we today enough to lead us from the uphold as scientific and liberal. significance of the grand The heretics of yesteryear are the A th history of Felix, now its 1600 issue, saints of today – Galileo is a prime to 1600 AD, a year in the life of example in case. With Giordano Early Modern Europe. In dear old Bruno, the case is not so clear. Both Blighty, Elizabeth I is on the throne, his life choices and his writings put busily destroying the Armada and him on an ambiguous boundary maintaining her virginity. Martin between science and religion: there Luther has aired his doubts on the is a lunar crater named after him, big guy in the Vatican, and protestant yet his commemorative statue in reformers are giving Europe a good Campo de’ Fiori shows him in his shake-up. The Church’s astronomical Dominican robes. He upheld the dogma, already feeling touchy after Copernican view of the universe Copernicus going public on the at a time when very few did, and whole sun-centric thing, is further went beyond that to suggest that all challenged by Tycho Brahe pointing starts were suns, each with their own out that a new star (the supernova planets around them; he stated that SN 1572) had appeared, and that the the universe was infinite, without celestial sphere isn’t so immutable a centre and containing multiple after all. Amidst all this, on the 17th of worlds. Is he the forbearer of modern February 1600, a man was burned at cosmological theory and a martyr of the stake in a small square in Rome. the multiverse hypothesis? Should we, Think of this as an obituary, almost young disciples of a science-centric half a millennium out of date. The atheism, herald him as our patron obituary of a man on the border saint? If you’re nodding vigorously between science and religion, a man and preparing a little shrine for him both heretic and martyr. This is the in your room, know that you are not story of Giordano Bruno. alone in your new-found realisation. The story starts in 1548, in the town And yet, before you buy flights to of Nola – then part of the Kingdom Rome to go on a pilgrimage to his of Naples – where Bruno was born. death-site, think on this: Giordano He became a Dominican monk at 17 Bruno probably never carried out an in a monastery in Naples, where he astronomical observation in his life. was a bit of a performing monkey Yes, he was a proponent of thanks to his outstanding ability to Copernicus’ heliocentric theory. memorise stuff (think Sherlock’s Yes, he wrote a book called On the mind palace, but better). But he Infinite Universe and Worlds. But wasn’t the top of the class for long. his many worlds theory was, above Forbidden literature was found in his all, a pantheistic interpretation of loo (a self-annotated copy of Erasmus’ the universe. The scientific theory writing, not a 16th century copy of is a metaphor for a philosophical, Nuts magazine) and he developed a spiritual approach to existence. Had reputation for supporting free speech he been a brilliant mathematician – the horror! – as well as spreading who used thorough astronomical certain non-Catholic views. observations to formulate a theory The Kingdom of Naples wasn’t on the existence of other solar a particularly liberal place at the systems, chances are that he would time so Giordano deemed it best have been burned as a heretic none to leave the monastery and start the less, as the Pope was none too travelling towards the more liberal open to new ideas concerning the Venice. From here he wandered universe. But Giordano Bruno wasn’t around for more than a decade, a scientist by any standard. Is he crossing into France, Britain and a saint for Cosmology? No. Did he Germany. He taught in Universities; uphold ideas that questioned the visited monarchs, diplomats, and restricted, hemmed in doctrine of intellectuals; and published a his time? Yes. Did he have a lasting good deal of critical pamphlets on effect in promoting a philosophy that philosophy, religion and astronomy emphasised the centrality of human that didn’t make his too popular with The Statue of Giordano Bruno, Campo dei Fiori, Rome Photo: Creative intellect? Also yes. So if you’re buying many of his contemporaries and "Think of Commons/Remi Jouan "He upheld your tickets for Rome, go ahead colleagues. this as an ideas that and count me in, because I’m a fan He eventually returned to Italy weren’t the only thing coming for with a wooden block to stop the girl. But let’s remember Giordano after he heard news of a job offer as obituary, him: the Inquisition got wind of his public hearing his dangerous questioned Bruno for who he was and what he Professor of Maths at the University almost views and decided to crack down. opinions. So that was that. the promoted: the importance of free of Padua. He didn’t get it; Galileo was half a A seven year trial, dotted with End of life, end of story. Another restricted speech, and the tolerance of views hired instead. I’m sure he got that imprisonments, culminated in a heretic got rid of. And yet, in many based both on spirituality and insight standard email about how the quality millennium death sentence. He was publically ways, the story of Giordano Bruno doctrine of alongside those based on observation of applicants had been very high that out of date" burned at the stake in Rome, in started in 1600 with his death. The his time" and measurement. Both have their year. But career disappointments Campo de’ Fiori, his mouth filled Inquisition tortured and murdered place in our world. 56 06.03.2015 THE STUDENT PAPER OF IMPERIAL COLLEGE LONDON FELIX

Culture Celebrating the 1600th issue of Felix An Ode to Medicine, Mortality, and Art Jingjie Cheng explores the interaction between art and science

n his poem Larynx, Pablo Neruda disease, something so dynamic, into implored of Death: a particular representative drawing, I is creative interpretation in and of itself. Call it perhaps a morbid Why are you following me? fascination, but I think the appeal of What do you want with my skeleton?... these medical illustrations lie in an Why do you have to take me? innate drive to understand ourselves. What business have I with Heaven? Looking at all the hair-raising Hell doesn’t suit me – diseases staring almost too placidly I feel fine on the earth.” from the pages reminds me of how impermanent health and youth is, The anxiety of the speaker upon and how powerless our bodies are in learning of a possible laryngeal the face of such ravages. tumour – “a small seed of death” – Thus, in appreciating the aesthetics speaks for any patient who discovers of health, I find that there is beauty he has a serious illness. The fear, in how basic chemical molecules denial, rage, the stubborn will to live come together to form a sentient (“I wanted to be a cyclist | to pedal being. Where there is beauty, there is out of death’s range”) reflects more art. The New Objectivity movement about human nature than it does in photography, for example, focused of the science of medicine itself: it on capturing nature for its objective is the human nature which is about beauty divorced from any sentiment. standing up against trying times that Perhaps the aesthetics of the human art so often attempts to capture. body holds similar sway. Neruda, who is far better known Yet, despite its objective fascinating for his passionate love poetry than qualities, in the past disease and the ruminations on mortality, is only one human body make such attractive of thousands of artists and writers artistic inspiration perhaps also who have based their creative works because of its unknowability. Disease on medicine and the art of healing. might have been represented as bad Love and death, medicine and art, spirits swirling around patients, or are not greatly different after all – demons trying to break free. Our history is replete with examples of knowledge of disease increases by marriages between art and medicine, the day and such representations, from Da Vinci’s Vitruvian Man to far from dying out, simply become Rembrandt’s famous painting of metaphors. We can understand The Anatomy Lesson of Dr. Nicholaes perfectly that infections, poor diet, Tulp, now almost an icon of medical or wayward cells cause disease, but The Scalpel 2, Barbara Hepworth, 1949 Photo: Tate education. Illness, struggle, healing, that doesn’t stop us from seeing and death make profound and our ageing and weakening bodies fills. theatre was a very immediate way of personal subject matter for creativity, as an affliction on ourselves as a Medicine is so crucial to society; provoking discussion on our over- but there is also the simple aesthetic whole rather than in the scientific it is also an institution, especially stretched healthcare system and the appreciation of the human body mechanisms of disease. in modern times. Thus, more than working environment our healthcare both in health and in illness – an In a scathing criticism of the just inspiring art on a personal level, workers have to deal with. externalised observation of our medical profession’s obsession with medicine and healthcare institutions I have never been able to decide inherent vulnerability. cutting things up and in the process have also inspired social and political whether I am more of a “science There is a Mandarin saying that dehumanizing medicine, Dannie commentary in art. What is disease? person” or an “arts person” – a sums up life as “birth, age, illness, Abse, a British physician-poet- What is madness? What is sanity? In line people often like to draw – but and death”, painting a picture of life playwright himself, writes in his One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, Ken I think being able to appreciate as basically a gradual submission to poem X-ray : Kesey questions what madness is, the relationship between the two the forces of age and disease. Perhaps criticising the medical profession’s makes life a lot richer. Perhaps it is this universality of sickness and Some prowl sea-beds, some hurtle to a monopoly over its definition. Art medicine and disease make ripe healing that makes medicine such a star allows us to stand in the shoes of creative material precisely because it popular inspiration for artists, more and, mother, some obsessed turn over others, and good art allows us to straddles the middle ground between so than any other profession. We all every stone understand different points of view the two worlds, a space of multiple understand it; we see it in our own or open graves to let that starlight in. vividly – crucial in attacking the possibilities and fresh ideas. More bodies, in the struggles of loved ones, There are men who would open anything. status quo. than that, I also think that it is our and in the work of doctors. Last month, I caught Nina Raine’s undying obsession with our own I picked up a book recently titled Harvey, the circulation of the blood, revival of her 2011 play Tiger Country mortality that elicits such varied and The Sick Rose: Disease and the Art “There is and Freud, the circulation of our dreams, – a snapshot of life in the NHS "Art allows fascinating artistic exploration. I am of Medical Illustration, a display somehow a pried honourably and honoured are with everything that was wrong us to stand of the opinion that art actually has of exquisite, unsettling drawings sanctity of like all explorers. Men who’d open men. thrown in. “Tiger country” refers something to contribute to our larger of sickness from the Wellcome to dangerous situations in surgery in the understanding of medicine as a whole Collection. Created in the time the human There is somehow a sanctity of the where the surgeon knows that a shoes of as much as medicine provides for before colour photography, most body that human body that makes one averse slip would cause death. In the play, others – artistic inspiration. After all, as the of the drawings were done with the makes one to breaking it all down, and it is this the whole hospital is tiger country crucial in ancient Greek physician Hippocrates purpose of educating physicians wholeness that art captures. The nuts for those trying to navigate it. As wrote, “Life is short, and art long” of the past, rather than as creative averse to and bolts of disease may very well be a medical student, watching it was attacking – we will always be transient beings works. But any viewer would be able breaking it left to science, but afflictions of the utterly depressing, but I must admit the status despite the medical profession’s best to appreciate the skill that went into down” body is more than that; it affects the that it was a fantastic and timely quo" efforts, but art immortalizes this them. To me, the crystallization of a person, and that is the void that art poking-of-holes in the NHS. Clearly, very human struggle. FELIX THE STUDENT PAPER OF IMPERIAL COLLEGE LONDON 06.03.2015 57

Celebrating the 1600th issue of Felix Celebrating the 1600th issue of Felix Culture The White Square — An LSD Rhapsody Anonymous explores a secret operatic world previously out of reach

About Yellow, Bridget Riley, 2013-2014, Oil on linen Photo: Bridget Riley

ave I just made the stupidest experiment: this opera, one I already some people – “if that guy can get an abyss. mistake of my life?” I know and love and almost 6 hours away with doing that then I can get I walked to the bar but there was Hwondered as the white square long, the same duration that the drug away with a lot more”. I sat patiently nowhere to sit so I stood, painfully dissolved in my mouth and passed has an effect. I felt I could make a cuttings of conversation falling awkward. I returned to my seat to down my throat. I reassured myself, potent experience even more so, and onto my ears. I was overwhelmingly tuck into the chocolates and drinks the whole thing was thought through thought that I might be able to read curious but I stayed put. “Shit” – over I had brought. I didn’t feel hungry – and the plan was bullet proof. I between the lines. I had read so much there, “do I know that person? Is he but surely my body would be? – it was stepped out of the bathroom and an about this work, I had played it on looking my way?” I tried to look busy difficult to tell, but the timing seemed usher passed a few angry words in the piano, analysed the score. But and wrote some notes to myself about right, and besides, the chocolate my direction. I didn’t hear what she now I was ready to really experience the opera. tasted good. said, but surely it wasn’t possible that this work of art. I made my way to People filtered back into the A man sat down beside me, I tried she knew? “The men’s toilets are over my seat, my bag was full of food and auditorium and the second act began. to continue looking around, but the there” she pointed. drink for the long intervals. All that On stage were two houses; a village inevitable happened and he spoke…. Drugs are a taboo issue so I’ll was left for me to do was sit back and scene. Beautiful floral patterns It surprised me how freely I took part explain myself. Psychedelic drugs enjoy. seemed to me projected onto the in his conversation. As I watched him alter perception and thought and Just as the overture crashed into roofs, swirling and dancing, but prattle on I felt detached but the right they’ve been used in spiritual and being, the drug started to take effect; actually painted, motionless. “Relax”, responses simply flowed from my religious settings for millennia. Some it was pure euphoria, and I was utterly I thought, “Enjoy what you’re seeing”. mouth. I even fancied myself to be of the oldest known cave paintings captivated as the orchestra segued The plot wound its way onwards, witty at times. depict, for example, the connection into the first scene. The people on twisting through its tensions As the third act started the man and between man and mushroom. A study either side were forgotten, melting – people all wanting the same I wished each other a pleasant time. at John Hopkins reported that almost away to leave only the action in front thing, or wanting different things I felt that the effect of the drug was everyone given psilocybin recounted of me. Everything that happened I and opposing one another. “The wearing off, although I wasn’t sure it as one of the most significant noticed, every glance and gesture Hegelian dialectic manifests itself at first. I didn’t mind. In fact, I was a experiences of their lives. These of the singers seemed momentous in everything!!!”, I scribbled in the little relieved – the purgatory of the compounds are also of great scientific and full of meaning. No detail of next interval. For the first time interval was difficult enough so what interest and are investigated for their the dense musical texture escaped since learning about the dialectic in would I do when the opera finished? potential to break addictions and cure my attention and its relevance to "I felt I philosophy I understood it; it actually "No detail Still, I was a small bit disappointed depression, amongst other things. the stage action was obvious. At the could make made sense to me. of the that I might not feel the ecstasy of However, outside of the therapeutic moments of greatest power, my knees The opera was funny as well and the finale as I had the overture. As a setting, ‘recreational’ users are trembled and became weak. Before a potent laughter was a great feeling, of almost dense way was found to a happy conclusion, interested in their power to enhance I knew it, the first act was over but I experience absolute freedom and joy. With the musical I simply enjoyed it as I usually do. emotion and facilitate connections in was still revelling in it. even more chuckle of the man next to me, I felt texture I couldn’t help but feel that there thought. As everyone made their way out to as if we were sharing something great. were some secrets, previously in Psychedelics are tools, and should the bar, I stood to let them pass. Was so ... I was The act was over too soon and the escaped my reach, that were now being kept from be used as such – I believe that before I being awkward? It became hard to ready to next interval, 40 minutes long, was attention me. It was frustrating – so much of using them, an experience should be tell, but I glanced at the note I had left really rife with potential dangers. and its the experience was wasted on those curated with a known trajectory and myself on my hand — ‘nobody knows experience I waited until everyone had left and relevance interminable stretches of interval, predictable effects. For me, one of or cares’. It was helpful to remember finished my maddened philosophical but every other moment was pure the most powerful and intellectually that no one pays attention to anyone this work analyses. I looked around me. I was was magic. satisfying things I can do is to see an else, and as I looked out into the stalls of art." tripping now, hard, and the shapeless obvious." I reminded myself – it was an opera, live. It seemed like a perfect I was amused by the behaviour of interval stretched out before me as experiment after all. 58 06.03.2015 THE STUDENT PAPER OF IMPERIAL COLLEGE LONDON FELIX

Culture Celebrating the 1600th issue of Felix Press Nights – The Absurdity Of It All Kamil McClelland gives us a tour of a world of tweed, gossip and wine

ne of the perks of writing for the Felix Arts section has of Ocourse got to be all of the free tickets we get: plays, exhibitions, opera, you name it (even puppetry…)! I still find it amazing to think that these art establishments actually somewhat value our work, even if it is just that free publicity trumps empty seats. It is certainly a very odd experience going to a press viewing, sat there awkwardly in the corner with your biro and notepad feeling completely under qualified to be in this position (how did I find myself here, I’m a medical student, aren’t I? I didn’t even do A-level English!). And then in come the big dogs – Times, Guardian, Time Out – effortlessly at ease as if they own the place. Elbow patches, greying hair, weary eyes – a lifetime of experience. How could I possibly add something to this conversation? However, behind this respectable veneer of critical journalism – the glossy façade – a less nuanced figure emerges. It is not what one would expect. Yes, perhaps pretension still infiltrates their manner, but surely amongst the top culture critics in the land one would envisage finding more refined conversation than what I was overhearing; no Kant and Nietzsche, more Kathy and Nigel. It was fascinating. I had never heard anything quite like it – just wall to wall gossiping! It seems only quite a small clique of reviewers visit all of London’s latest shows, whatever Statler and Waldorf from The Muppet Show. Photo: Creative Commons newspaper, website or blog they might write for. On the Monday, a acrid glass of the complementary of service. Yes, they may have the viewer experience. they’re at the National Theatre for chianti. I didn’t particularly like the experience but how could people like That is why it is disappointing the latest production, the next day main actress, she didn’t have the stage these possible make commentary that we are either shunned away the Barbican and the day after that, presence needed for her role. But the relevant to today’s world? They could to the worst seats in the house, the Royal Court! I guess they must stage design was br... hardly see beyond their drooping barely able to even see the stage, or get to know one another pretty well. “Oh, did you hear about Rachel? I eyelids and cataracts. You can sometimes even flat-out refused It is also the perfect networking heard her and John broke up.” understand why I felt utterly out of press tickets as a matter of course by opportunity, surrounded by your “But they’ve been together for place in this whole environment. certain institutions (*cough* Royal counterparts at the rival newspapers, years! Well, I always thought she was We may be quite a humble Opera House *cough*). Not only each person vying like vultures for too good for him anyways.” production, little old Felix tucked does it harbour poor relations with the next job opening more senior that It is one of those freelancers again; away in the basement of Beit Quad, students, but it also decreases the art their current one. To get into this as I carry on listening, the plot however I am going to argue that we house’s exposure amongst their most inner circle where everyone knows thickens even further. It transpires do actually hold quite an important important demographic, the future. everyone, and every single part of that the freelancer, a very slick, well role in the world of art reviews. For So whilst only the snooty reporters their lives, you need to be able to talk turned out man, has also recently not only do we have access to a very who are becoming part of the the talk and walk the walk. been made a bachelor of sorts (“It’s important cohort, the capital’s future furniture, at one with the brocade, are Then you have the freelancers, the just that I’m always too busy flying art consumers, but we also provide being invited to press shows, we will mavericks of the group working only between London and New York, it a rare perspectival counterpoint still only get one aspect of the artistic a few nights a week and charging wasn’t a sustainable relationship”). As to the homogenous and formulaic picture; a picture that is purely double for their reviews. These "Elbow soon as the other man finds out, ever pieces much of the country’s press aimed at rich elderly white men, who guys are sharply dressed, cocky, and patches, so subtly, he starts hitting on him, is coming out with. Yes, I may not funnily enough make up the large usually look at you with an even more dropping compliments about his new be able to contextualise this piece of proportion of the critics. And until upturned nose than usual. This is an greying haircut or shoes or making sexual meta-theatre in the history of Eastern things change, I shall still be the industry where to survive, you must hairs, jokes. It was quite extraordinary. I European interpretive dance, but "You can minority, shoved off into the corner, either know the right people or back weary backed away from the conversation; it the utility of a fresh set of eyes on a understand just me and my complimentary white yourself so much that you’re able to was getting too awkward even for me. production cannot be underplayed. wine. fake it to make it. eyes — a Alongside them, you had the classic We have not been tainted and why I felt We are always looking for new It’s the interval, twenty minutes of lifetime of Statler and Waldorf type art critics, influenced to as great an extent by a utterly out reviewers. If you have a love for free press respite and time for me to reflect on experience" hardly able to keep their eyes open, status quo, and can provide a much of place." tickets and cheap chianti, drop us a line what happened in the first act over completely dulled by half a century more instinctual review based on our on [email protected]. FELIX THE STUDENT PAPER OF IMPERIAL COLLEGE LONDON 06.03.2015 59

Celebrating the 1600th issue of Felix Celebrating the 1600th issue of Felix Culture Ban Bland: In Defence of Popularity Fred Fyles on populism, cultural criticism, and Kim Kardashian

opularity. If the innumerable as proud declarations of ignorance: the kind of person who would rather American coming-of-age films ‘Beyonce’s new album? Of course I read real books than magazines, who Phave taught us anything, it’s haven’t listened to it. Kanye West’s would prefer to be in bed watching that popularity is a double-edged latest antics? Why should I care?’. The a movie than out at the club, who sword; to be popular is to be both phrase ‘the wise man knows that he shares be-bop interpretations of loved and loathed in equal measure. knows nothing’ may sound good, but Meghan Trainor on Facebook with Nowhere is this more true than I fear certain individuals have taken the caption “this is REAL MUSIC, in the world of music and film, it to heart, feeling that their refusal take me back to the ‘50s!”, then, well, where popularity often leads to an to engage in popular culture is an unfortunately you’re part of the immediate critical reaction that admirable personal trait. problem. Looking at the past with is completely divorced from the Now, I am not saying that spending rose-tinted spectacles, it is easy to feel content itself. The phrase “I liked it all day on TMZ is a better use of that back then what was popular was before it was popular” has become someone’s time than reading Virginia also authentic: Kubrick’s films, the so ubiquitous as to enter into Woolf, but both activities are in some Great American Novel, The Beatles cliche, forming – alongside listicle, way educational; your judgement just – these were what everyone enjoyed hipster, and cereal cafe – part of our depends on how you value culture. back then, right? Well, The Shining post-postmodern cultural lexicon. In an ideal world I would know all was accused of destroying all that With the internet ushering in an about Sartre’s philosophy, the work was suspenseful in the original novel, unprecedented era of hype, whereby of Marie Curie, and what happened James Agee only received acclaim acts can boom and bust in the time between Solange and Jay-Z in that for A Death in the Family following it takes to get through an episode of elevator, but this is impossible; we his death in 1955, and the highest Girls, as well as a collective hive- simply don’t have enough time, selling single 1967, the same year mind insatiable in its appetite for and knowing everything is an Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club was think-pieces, our relationship with impossibility. However, it is one released? ‘Release Me’ by Engelbert popularity is only going to become thing to recognise this fact, and Humperdinck. It seems that things more and more complex. quite another to actively enjoy not are no worse today than they ever I am writing in defence of knowing something, willingly refuse were. popularity. In defence of the idea to be clued-in. They are people who I feel that, having come this far, I that something being popular and believe that it’s impossible to love should include an addendum: I am a something being high quality are both Martin Heidegger and Made In massive snob. I am a cultural critic, not mutually exclusive. Just because Chelsea, Taylor Swift and Thelonious so this is to be expected, and I am something is liked by many people Monk; in our post-internet age, where completely proud of my aversion to all over the world, it doesn’t make it a wealth of culture is available at our certain elements of modern life, a bad – to me this seems like a simple fingertips, such an attitude is simply number of which correspond with fact, but I have lost count of the outdated. what is popular. However, there number of times that people willingly That said, I understand such an is a key difference: I don’t hate reject certain aspects of our culture attitude, and sympathise; it is easy things because they’re popular; I based on how present they are in to convince yourself that refusing hate them because they’re populist. our landscape. Furthermore, their to engage with the popular is not a The difference may be subtle, but attacks never form part of a critical character defect, but instead makes it’s there. While a piece of music, discourse, but instead act generally you a special snowflake. If you’re theatre, or prose achieves the title of popular simply by being enjoyed by a large number of people, something is populist if it has been specifically engineered to appeal to the widest possible number of consumers. To be populist is to devalue what art means, reducing it cynically to a mere product – a sweet pap made to appease a broad swath of the population. Kim Kardashian at the 2013 Met Gala, New York Yes, it is true that there is a Photo: Getty Images crossover between what is populist and what is popular; just look as but instead to generate controversy, Sam Smith, who recently won four something it surely achieved. In Grammy Awards for his soul- contrast, Kate Middleton couldn’t without-Soul – blandishments for be further from Kim K; Middleton’s the bland. However, there is a key personal style, which generally difference, which we must recognise consists of various outfits from and appreciate. Kim Kardashian, for "I don’t Whistles and Riess, was part of what example, who is perhaps the closest hate things led acclaimed author Hilary Mantel "Popularity we have to a deity of the digital because to describe her as “designed by a and high age, is popular, but certainly not committee and built by craftsmen, populist – her image may be carefully they’re with a perfect plastic smile”. In quality curated to generate online clicks, popular. I this way, Middleton perfectly are not but it is certainly not designed to be encapsulates the word populist: appeasing. Her recent cover of Paper hate them inoffensive, safe, and boring. It is this mutually because exclusive Magazine, which ‘broke the internet’ that we must fight against – if I am thanks to Jean-Paul Goude’s decision they’re going to be a snob, then by God, I’m Kate Middleton’s first official portrait, by Paul Emsely, which was qualities" to cover her derriere in baby oil, populist" going to be the right kind. The only described as ‘pretty ordinary’ Photo: National Portrait Gallery was not intended to be inoffensive, other option is boredom. 60 06.03.2015 THE STUDENT PAPER OF IMPERIAL COLLEGE LONDON FELIX

Culture Celebrating the 1600th issue of Felix Britain’s Greatest Living Playwright Jack Steadman champions Tom Stoppard’s right to the title

o call anyone “Britain’s greatest play every year or two continued living playwright” is a bold from 1966 through to Hapgood in Tclaim. Competition for the title 1988, the first play that really felt like is fierce, and ever-growing – a simple it failed to strike that balance between glance at the work coming out of the science and emotion. Ostensibly a likes of the Royal Court shows the piece of spy fiction, Hapgood deals strength of new talent. in quantum mechanics (not least But one name has been at the the uncertainty principle), and forefront of British drama since his doesn’t quite succeed in striking the debut play, first staged at the 1966 classical Stoppard notes. Critics (and Fringe and promptly picked up and audiences) reacted negatively, and the produced at the Old Vic Theatre play never really took off. (in its National Theatre days) in A five-year theatrical silence London. followed. Then along came Arcadia. After Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Set in an English country house, are Dead!, a re-telling of the events of Arcadia follows events in 1809 Hamlet from the perspective of the and 1993 in parallel, using the titular courtiers, mere bit-parts in the interactions between its characters original, was a storming success, Tom to explore the very concept of the Stoppard’s name was made virtually past and how we perceive it, as well overnight. as the likes of the second law of Rosencrantz and Guildenstern was – thermodynamics, iterated algorithms is – an intoxicating blend of dry wit, and the shift in gardening techniques sly re-purposing of existing plotlines, across the centuries. and deep metaphysical conversations. It’s an impossibly complex With such extensive discussions maelstrom of competing ideas, dominating the play’s runtime, it plotted to the nth degree, to the point runs the risk of being too scientific where throwaway lines are key plot (if such a thing exists), of coming off points. Yet, somehow, it never works cold and inhuman, but somehow to the detriment of the play. manages to sidestep it all. There’s The sheer chaos of the play’s plot a heart pulsing beneath the play, simply serves to demonstrate its and it occasionally rears its head in larger themes, which the characters Tom Stoppard, perhaps the greatest living playwright? Photo: Laura Hynd beautifully eloquent fashion. themselves are more than happy to Just take Guildenstern’s final vocalise. The conflict between science speech: and the humanities comes to the fore At the same time as The Coast subject had been a long time coming “No…no…not for us, not like that. more than once, with one character of Utopia was earning its Tony, – “I don’t use a computer, so I take Dying is not romantic, and death is spurning scientific progress with Stoppard’s next play was opening at lots of [newspaper] clippings. Some of not a game which will soon be over. the gem of a line “quarks, quasars, the Royal Court. Rock ‘n’ Roll was one the oldest ones date back to the 80s.” Death is not anything… death is not. big bangs, black holes – who gives a of Stoppard’s more political plays, He also, being Stoppard, couldn’t It’s the absence of presence, nothing shit?” before going on to remark that dealing with the socialist movement avoid some typical wit. When asked more. The endless time of never “I’d push the lot of you [scientists] in Czechoslovakia under the Soviet why he waited so long to publish the coming back. A gap you can’t see, and over a cliff myself. Except the one in Union, and rock and roll’s part in that play, he remarked “I didn’t wait, I when the wind blows through it, it a wheelchair, I’d lose the sympathy movement. procrastinated.” makes no sound…” vote before people had time to think The idea of dissidence through art, The Hard Problem shares many That blend of eloquence and it through.” A serious conversation, specifically against the Communist traits with Stoppard’s earlier works, emotion, warmth and wit is a veiled in comedic insults. Stoppard Party of Czechoslovakia, was one not least its delightful blending of continuing trend throughout was back on form. Stoppard dipped into from time highly technical discussions with Stoppard’s works. Arcadia still stands as what is, most to time, although Rock ‘n’ Roll is deft humour and emotion, but The balance varies from play to likely, Stoppard’s greatest work, arguably his largest work to tackle it. also marks a slight shift away. The play – early play Jumpers (another Old but that’s not for lack of trying in It’s here worth noting that Stoppard scenes are shorter, and the play runs Vic production in 1972) is designed the years since. 1997’s The Invention is Czech by birth, although his through with no interval. It’s all got as a farce, and bears the comedy to of Love, based on the life of A. E. parents fled the country when he was faster, more reminiscent of a film – match, but also wields philosophical Housman (the poet), was equally two during the Nazi invasion. maybe Stoppard’s screenplay work discussions over morality (“what’s so well acclaimed, while Stoppard’s After Rock ‘n’ Roll, the plays has finally started to seep into his good about Good?”). reputation outside the theatre was stopped. theatrical ventures. Travesties, which followed two years cemented for eternity when he won The non-theatrical work That’s not a criticism. Far from later courtesy of the RSC, tells the an Academy Award for his screenplay continues to pour out, however, it. Change is always exciting, and tale of a production of The Importance with Marc Norman for Shakespeare with screenplays for the television Stoppard pulls off The Hard Problem of Being Earnest in Zurich during in Love. adaptation of Ford Madox Ford’s with aplomb. It’s another successful, the First World War, featuring 2002 saw a trilogy of plays, The Parade’s End and the film version of brilliant work in a list stretching back an eclectic cast of characters that Coast of Utopia, split into Voyage, "Quarks, Tolstoy’s Anna Karenina, as well as the decades. includes James Joyce, Lenin and Dada Shipwreck, and Salvage, and dealing quasars, radio play Darkside (another entry in "No-one Stoppard’s influence is undeniable founder Tristan Tzara. With roots with events in late 19th century Russia. a long list of Stoppard’s radio plays). out there – a brief glance at plays such as The in realities, Travesties ends up being Running nine hours in total, the three big bangs, Then came the announcement of Nether (currently in the West End) an examination of art and war, albeit plays opened in quick succession in black holes a new Stoppard for 2015 – The Hard manages proves that much – but there’s still one riddled with puns and ingenious the National Theatre, winning a Tony - who gives Problem – which promised to wander quite the no-one out there who matches up. nods to the events of Earnest. Award after their Broadway debut into the realms of consciousness. In same trick." No-one out there manages quick the Stoppard’s trend of producing a four years later. a shit?" interviews, Stoppard revealed that the same trick. Maybe no-one ever will. FELIX THE STUDENT PAPER OF IMPERIAL COLLEGE LONDON 06.03.2015 61

Celebrating the 1600th issue of Felix Celebrating the 1600th issue of Felix Culture Et in Arcadia Ego, Unfortunately Jack Steadman is less than entranced by Stoppard’s classic drama

disclaimer, before this sitting in the tank, so I’ll let it slide. review goes any further. I Sadly, the first two scenes rather A have extraordinarily strong quickly threaten to squander every feelings and opinions about Arcadia. last drop of that goodwill. There are I studied the text for A-Level, and some positive moments – the scene directed the show for DramSoc change is nicely handled, with the in the summer of my first year of characters from past and present university. It’s been a huge part of crossing paths with each other on my life for the past few years, and stage, drawing attention to the it’s only fair to the English Touring similarities between the two eras. Theatre production that I make that Some of the cast members are simply plain before passing comment on stellar in their performances. Others, their show. less so. Originally appearing in 1993, Flora Montgomery deserves Arcadia is easily Tom Stoppard’s particular praise as Hannah Jarvis. most popular play, if not one of In a role created by (and written for) English literature’s most popular Felicity Kendal, she makes it her plays – a claim acknowledged in own, perfectly capturing Hannah’s the programme notes for this latest blend of external Classicism and large-scale production, where it is internal Romanticism. In the past revealed that it came near the top scenes, Kirsty Besterman makes an of their audience poll of future play impact as Lady Croom. The role is ideas. It’s an exquisitely composed a treat for any actress, providing work set entirely in the large drawing ample opportunity to dominate the room of a country house, with scenes stage, and Besterman runs riot with transitioning between 1809 and 1993. it, taking full advantage of Croom’s This single-set approach is usually unwavering control of the scene. It’s a cue for the set designer to go just a pity that neither actress really overboard with extravagant designs gets decent sparring competition – at for the room and all its furniture, least not to begin with. and on first glance this production There’s a weird sense of lethargy appears to be no exception. A vast permeating the opening scenes, wall occupies the upper third of starting with an oddly subdued the stage, with enormous windows Dakota Blue Richards as Thomasina, looking out onto the gardens of the prodigal daughter of the house, Sidley Park, home to the aristocratic and spreading from there. At times, Dakota Blue Richards (Thomasina Coverly) in Arcadia by English Touring Theatre Photo: Coverly family. The room is large, it’s only the sheer joy of the script Mark Douet and the expansive table squatting that saves proceedings, with the jokes in the centre of the room does little themselves, if not their delivery, of physical comedy a second later, different audiences) the whole cast to cover the swathes of empty space prompting occasional outbursts of however, and suddenly I’m sold. will find their feet and be able to hit surrounding it – but that’s fine. The laughter. There is some defence for Everyone seems to wake up, and the ground running every night. room’s emptiness is explained away this, in that while the later scenes do a everything speeds up enough to This production of Arcadia, then, by the script at one stage, and as the lot of the heavy lifting for explaining revive the play’s flagging momentum. is very much a mixed bag. Gorgeous play progresses the table (and by (relatively) complicated scientific Nakay Kpaka’s Ezra Chater, the yet un-intrusive lighting design, extension the room) rapidly becomes or mathematical principles, the would-be poet, finally becomes minimalist (arguably to the point of more cluttered and disorganised, early scenes have to do a lot of the the incompetent, flouncing comic detriment) set design and adequate echoing one of the key themes of groundwork for making those ideas relief he’s supposed to be. Faced sound design combine with a the play. Unfortunately, no excuse make sense in the context of the play with a livelier companion than the masterful script and various calibres is given for what lies on the other as well as – obviously – introducing subdued Thomasina, Wilf Scolding’s of performance to produce something side of the aforementioned large all the key players. Septimus comes alive, revelling in ultimately watchable, and enjoyable, windows. The gardens are revealed But that defence doesn’t the Byronesque wit of his character. albeit with some almost unbearable to simply be the rear wall of the really stand up when an early Even the 1993 scene that follows low points. It’s the embodiment stage, in all its undisguised glory. No confrontation, traditionally the part feels livelier, with Ria Zmitrowicz’s of ‘hit and miss’, and at no point is painted backdrop, not even a black where the play springs to life after a effervescent Chloe Coverly standing this more obvious than in the very tab. A grey wall, replete with cabling lengthy dialogue between Thomasina in stark contrast to her counterpart last moments. The play’s soaring and sockets. Whatever the reason and her tutor Septimus, fails to ignite. from the past. emotional crescendo, as Thomasina for this particular set choice, it’s not Much of the comedy is lost, leaving This recovery continues unimpeded and Septimus waltz in the past to exactly the most auspicious start to the script to fight for itself. To its by the interval, making for a far more the strains of modern-day music, is proceedings, considering that the eternal credit, it succeeds, proving the competent second act, and meaning "When the played perfectly and strikes exactly house opens with the set (and the wall theory that it’s impossible to make the play feels like a much stronger case settles, the right tone – only to be undone by beyond it) clearly visible to the entire "Much of a bad show out of Arcadia. It’s just production overall than the early the majority the appearance of the other characters audience. the comedy possible to do Arcadia badly. moments would suggest. When the in the background, looking on. It’s So far, so unimpressive. But having Another scene change later, and cast settles, the majority find their hit the notes an artistic decision that feels slightly heard the director Blanche McIntyre is lost, I’m starting to have second thoughts roles and hit the notes just right, just right, off, and undermines such an intimate speak about the play, expressing her leaving the about this production. Is it just my although there are enough miscast although moment that was done so well. It’s a love for its complexity and how she script to personal bias, the intrinsic “this roles to unbalance the show and huge shame, as the bum note of the and the cast spent hours unpacking is how Arcadia should be done” leave a distinctly wonky feeling. But a wonky final moments can’t help but taint the all of the science behind it to ensure fight for that comes from directing it, or touring a show is always hard on any feeling good work that came before. This isn’t they could fully convey the themes to itself" is something genuinely off with cast, and hopefully with a few more remains" a bad production of Arcadia. It’s just the audience, I’ve got a lot of goodwill this show? One glorious moment performances (in front of some very not a very exciting one. 62 06.03.2015 THE STUDENT PAPER OF IMPERIAL COLLEGE LONDON FELIX

Culture Celebrating the 1600th issue of Felix Tom Stoppard: Not so Hard After All Jack Steadman wraps his head around the playwright’s latest

to suggest the setting – and it’s to the Parth Thakerar as Amal, the arrogant credit of all involved that it works driven rival to Hilary for a job at the wonderfully. The design allows Krole Institute for Brain Science. for the play to focus on Stoppard’s The character’s interactions provide typically glorious dialogue, forcing the show with momentum that isn’t the attention onto his words and the necessarily provided by the plot itself. actors delivering them, rather than It’s a surprisingly straightforward their surroundings. affair – still well put-together, The bars and wires hanging over certainly, but nowhere near as the stage turn out to be a touch meticulously composed as the likes of more exciting than just a mysterious Arcadia. sculpture, coming to life in the scene Stoppard admitted in interviews changes. As classical music plays over that he adopted a tactic akin to the darkness, the bars and wires pulse, “write and see where it goes” for (at flickering with the music. It’s clearly least parts of) The Hard Problem, in intended to evoke images of brain contrast to the extensive mapping- activity, but mostly it just comes out of previous plays. It makes across as a pretty light show. for an interesting experience, The rest of the play’s dealings as the play runs for a hundred with brain activity are somewhat uninterrupted minutes, providing a more effective. The opening gambit more streamlined and brisk Stoppard is classic misdirection, as tutor experience. The content and general Spike (Damien Molony) tells Hilary style may not have changed, but (Olivia Vinall) “you’re looking at two the overall form has, and it’s no bad years. The jewellery was under the thing. floorboards. The police have nothing Does The Hard Problem match up to to connect you to the scene of the the expectations piled upon it by its robbery.” very nature? Easily. There were a few As the discussion unfolds, it’s design choices that felt slightly off – revealed they’re talking about the the scene change music in particular ‘Prisoners’ Dilemma’, a psychology had a nasty habit of either starting scenario that Hilary attempts to late or running on for too long – but deconstruct. It’s immediately, nothing that actually harmed the classically Stoppard, discussing show. high concepts in an engaging – and Stoppard’s latest play is another Olvia Vinall (Hilary) and Anthony Calf (Jerry) in Tom Stoppard’s The Hard Problem Photo: Johan Persson supremely enjoyable – manner. gem, quite possibly his best since The cast are having a ball playing Arcadia (it always comes back to that, om Stoppard’s latest play has internet – although he acknowledged with Stoppard’s dialogue to boot, doesn’t it?), and the director and cast been a long time coming. His in a later interview that he “might and it’s that which really helps the that have been enlisted to bring it to Tlast work to grace the stage as well have credited Leibnitz” for show succeed. Vinall thrives as life do an impeccable job. As Stoppard was 2006’s Rock and Roll at The coining the term. Hilary, graduating from leading himself put it, “I think the play’s been Royal Court – and his last work at There’s an added incentive to be roles in Shakespeare (Cordelia and done really, really well.” the National Theatre was four years hopeful in the form of the location Desdemona in King Lear and Othello, before that, with The Coast of Utopia for Stoppard’s return to the stage: the respectively) to what could arguably The Hard Problem is on at the in 2002. Nine years since his last play. Dorfman Theatre at the National. A be called the modern-day equivalent. National Theatre’s Dorfman Theatre To call expectations high might just redevelopment of the old Cottesloe Other standouts are Damien until 27th May. Tickets from £15. be an understatement. Theatre, it’s a wonderfully versatile Molony as the charming Spike, and Early signs are promising. The play space, offering multiple possibilities is shaping up to be quintessentially for staging. Stoppard, blending meaningful Add in the fact it’s directed by discussions of complex scientific Nicholas Hytner, in his last show ideas with eloquence and wit. Where at the National before departing as Arcadia tackled the second law of its Director, and the anticipation is thermodynamics, and Rosencrantz almost unbearable. and Guildenstern are Dead dealt with At first glance, the set design existentialism and free will, The does little to reward or spurn that Hard Problem turns to the notion of anticipation. A collection of vertical consciousness. bars, entangled in a mess of wires, The titular Hard Problem (capitals loom over an empty stage. The first wholly necessary – as one character scene rapidly reveals how this is going explains, “we do brain science. "We do to play out from a visual perspective, There is only one Hard Problem.”) brain as a minimalist approach to set is one of explaining consciousness, design evokes the settings rather than explaining our first person, subjective science. outright stating them. experiences, phenomena such as There A bed and a desk comprise a "I think the colour or taste. In the programme is only bedroom, some chairs and a coffee play’s been notes, Stoppard credits the Australian table indicate a waiting room, and philosopher David Chalmers for one Hard so on. Bar the occasional use of a done really, the phrase – as would most of the Problem." backdrop, it’s left to a few items of really well." Olivia Vinall (Hilary) and Damien Molony (Spike). Photo: Johan Persson furniture and the work of the actors FELIX THE STUDENT PAPER OF IMPERIAL COLLEGE LONDON 06.03.2015 63

Celebrating the 1600th issue of Felix Celebrating the 1600th issue of Felix Culture It All Could Have Been So Beautiful Joshua Jacobs is let down at the National Theatre’s new production

A scene from the National Theatre’s Behind The Beautiful Forevers Credit: Richard Hubert Smith

ehind the Beautiful Forevers, this play is set. childish, and thus distracted further deconstructed and reconstructed, was based on the non­fiction book At points I doubted the legitimacy from any serious political discussions mostly based on a large turntable, Bby Katherine Boo, and adapted of the characters; this was not due to that occurred on stage. If this was an meaning the characters could walk for the stage by David Hare, is the actors ability, but instead because employment of Brechtian practices - from one scene to the next without currently on at the National Theatre. of a confused subtext. The characters’ something I doubt - it only served to leaving the audience’s sight. Aside Hare’s adaptation is principally behaviour was not validated by make the experience less enjoyable, from the turntable, it felt gimmicky mediocre, and does very little but what they were saying, and instead and it was done in vain. Not only was and - like the majority of things leave me wanting. Set in a slum I felt like there was a collection there no distinctive discussion, but in the play - still couldn’t distract outside the Mumbai airport, the of ideas and context that filtered the audience were again overly aware from the flimsy script. I feel that play begins with a stage littered with down from the original book, via of being in a theatre. Rufus Norris’ direction and David refuse, waiting to be collected, along the playwright and director – some The staging was ambitious: early Hare’s adaptation failed the book, with a backdrop of crude temporary of them were coherent, some were on in the play, masses of rubbish the cast, and the audience, resulting buildings. Shane Zaz’s character now confused, and others weren’t fall from above the stage, to cover it in a staging that could do little of Abdul Husain is anchored at present at all. If you are going to yet again, as it was in the first scene; but distract the audience from the centre stage sorting rubbish, whilst adapt a book, and cannot recreate it in the closing scene a character aforementioned failures – this play other young characters run around without losing some of the content, performs a jump from scaffolding, to is an excellent example of artistry collecting what they can, thus clearing we need to consider whether the play highlight the risks that the characters not correlating with size of budget. I the stage. This scene foreshadowed can stand alone apart from the text. made to earn money; and the don’t, however, doubt the brilliance the tone of the first half of the play, It is important that references and most exceptional part of the whole of the book, and I would love to see not only in that it shows the frenzied behaviours which become spurious production was when lights and another adaptation of it, as I am nature of the characters’ lives, but in the script and production are sound flew a plane over the audiences sure the stage could be an effective also the insincerity of the production, removed, otherwise the play loses it’s heads. Although the latter device was "Norris’ medium through which to discuss the which extends to the whole play. "I doubted integrity and becomes confused, as exciting and by no means mediocre, direction topics involved and for telling such a Booming electronic Indian music the this play did – allusions were made to it only served as a counterpoint to story. Rufus Norris is the incoming attempts to corroborate and internationalisation and the effect it the rest of the play, and each event and Hare’s Director of the National Theatre; I justify the pace of this scene, as the legitimacy has on local communities, tolerance just seemed like an attempt to wow adaptation hope this is an anomaly in his work, characters frantically run to and fro of the of different religions, and disabilities the audience. Although they were fun failed and the bathos pervading this play across the stage. However, the balance characters in India, but they were trivialised to watch, it felt disjointed from the does not extend to his further work at of the music forcefully reminds the by the illegitimacy of what else was bulk of the play. Further to the plane the book, the theatre. audience that they are in a theatre, because going on stage. flying over the audience, the lighting the cast, and that the characters moving of the This is a major shame, as such issues was particularly clever, and effective and the Behind The Beautiful Forevers is on at around on stage are performing for confused are current and highlight why the at creating different spaces on a large audience" the National Theatre’s Olivier Theatre, them, undermining any possible subtext" book was successful. The comedy open stage. until May 5th. immersion into the world in which within the play was inelegant and The set, which at points was Tickets from £15. 64 06.03.2015 THE STUDENT PAPER OF IMPERIAL COLLEGE LONDON FELIX

Culture Celebrating the 1600th issue of Felix Mark Rylance - Long Live The King Kamil McClelland takes in the Sam Wanamaker Playhouse’s atmosphere

t is easy to forget how magical London is at night but as I crossed IMillenium Bridge to reach the Globe Theatre, perfectly perched on the riverside, this feeling rushed back to me. With St. Paul’s Cathedral illuminated behind, I was suspended in a state of wonderment as I entered the Sam Wanamaker Playhouse, the Globe’s new indoor theatre space. Created to extend the working life of the open air theatre beyond sunny summer days, the Sam Wanamaker Playhouse is a truly mesmerising indoor theatre space, built entirely of wood in a late Elizabethan style: intimate, hand painted and lit solely by candlelight; I have never been to a theatre quite like it. However, this did come with a few downsides. It seems there weren’t many people who were 6’ 4” in the 17th century, which made fitting my knees into the cramped rows a bit of a mission. That, combined with uncomfortable benches, reports of dripping candle wax, and poorly positioned columns meant that, although certainly authentic, it wouldn’t be for everyone. Having said that, it was the perfect venue for Claire van Kampen’s production of Farinelli and the King, a story about fame and the curative power of music. It recounts the tale of Farinelli (Sam Crane), an 18th century castrato, and his relationship with Mark Rylance as King Philippe in Farinelli and the King. Photo: Marc Brenner the King Philippe V of Spain (Mark Rylance). Philippe, disabled by his director. However, this is no ordinary Farinelli character. His performances nature, he is able to do the same in us depression and unwillingness to rule, play, as it’s musical components play of Handel’s arias, such as the final as his ethereal notes sooth us to our is on the cusp of being kicked out of an almost equal role to the spoken ‘Lascia ch’io pianga’, are breathtaking. core. And just as Farinelli’s talent, the office by his advisor De la Cuadra word, both adding integrally to the Never have I before looked across product of a lifetime of pain, is able to (Edward Peel). In desperation, the progression of the plot. It also just so at other audience members, grown ease the King’s ailments, reciprocally queen Isabella Farnese (Melody happens that Rylance, in the title role men amongst them, mouth agape the King provides Farinelli with a Grove) travels abroad in search of of King Philippe, is van Kampen’s in complete wonderment or eyes worthy audience, not obsessed with the famed Farinelli, the best singer husband. Although some may argue glazed over by the haunting beauty societal games, completely divorced of the era. Once found, through his that this seems a bit iffy, all I can of his notes that float through this from the realities (ironically) of voice, Farinelli is able to enliven the say is that the resulting partnership wooden hall so perfectly. It was a holy upper class life. The King provides king from his depressive slumber, between them is sublime. Rylance experience. Farinelli with perspective, showing and each of them learns to rely on the fills van Kampen’s characterisation of However, this was not simply a case him that his depression and duality other for emotional fulfillment. It is a the King perfectly: charming, hard- of highly talented actors and singers is not a unique case, but rather a tale of fame, duty and the therapeutic headed, and witty, it may in fact be carrying a poor libretto on their commonality amongst all people power of music. that their close relationship helped shoulders; van Kampen has created in his position, raised to fame and It was my first visit to the develop the character even more a story full of rich philosophical fortune by factors beyond their Playhouse and it reminded me how fully. discussion and oppositions. Through control. much of the artistic experience One simply cannot fault the acting the king, Farinelli is able to largely set And as the chandeliers once again is lost in large venues, where the performances in this production. aside his stage persona, a self-division rose up, dimming the candlelit personal nature of the art is lost Rylance, behind languid eyes and a visually portrayed by the dual casting "Grown stage in a subtle changing of mood, due to your acute awareness of your "Intimate deep sadness, is delicate and sensitive of Crane and Davies as Farinelli, both men, I was left with the same restorative surroundings: the man coughing and hand in his humour, and you cannot dressed identically but each playing feeling the King himself experienced, two rows back; the lady flapping her help but empathise with him – an an opposite aspect of his personality. mouth through the music, singing, programme to the left of you. And painted, unwilling king shunted into a role he As well as discussing issues such agape in acting and venue. It was overall to walk in to live harpsichord music, it was the never wished to fill. Crane as Farinelli as fame, this play also raises the complete an extremely worthwhile theatre there is truly nothing that compares! perfect is equally witty and charming in his importance of music in the treatment experience that I would recommend This is true of the music interludes sadness, yet has a hardened exterior and alleviation of all kinds of wonder to anyone else. that stud the whole play, disguising venue that comes from the humiliation mental illness, from schizophrenia at the Well, as long as they are not as tall the scene changes expertly. for van of his castration and his hollow to depression. And just as Farinelli haunting as I am! This is in fact van Kampen’s debut Kampen’s fame in the limelight. Best of all is is able to dissolve these feelings beauty of as a playwright, although it seems a production" the simply phenomenal counter- of deep-seated misery in the king, Farinelli and the King is on at the Sam natural progression of her previous tenor Iestyn Davies, performing the making him realise once again the his notes." Wanamaker Playhouse until 7th March. work as a composer and musical singing roles of the duality of the transcendent beauty of art and Tickets start from £10. FELIX THE STUDENT PAPER OF IMPERIAL COLLEGE LONDON 06.03.2015 65

Celebrating the 1600th issue of Felix Celebrating the 1600th issue of Felix Culture Tokyo No-Go: When acting goes wrong Arianna Sorba finds bad acting deflates Harajuku Girl’s fine script

she slowly compromises more and more of herself in order to achieve her dreams, was written perfectly convincingly; the only slight irony is that Mari’s dream is to go to acting school. Even the seedy male characters of the play are well rounded; through the use of increasingly sparing dialogue, Tunly convinces you to almost forgive them their creepiness, revealing their humanity. This was especially effective due to the immense talent of Nomo Gakuji, who managed to play both Mari’s father and her client at different points in the performance with such confidence and skill that it didn’t quite make me queasy watching it. The staging of the play was also nothing short of spectacular, especially given how little space the theatre provides, a testament to what can be achieved when the cast are willing to do some heavy lifting. In a bold and incredibly effective decision by the director, Jude Christian, the main cast members often switched costume on stage during a scene change, still in character. The moments where Mari was helped into her clothes by her best friend, before checking her make-up in the ‘mirror’ that was the audience, were Haruka Abe (Mari), Nomo Gakuji (Mr Okada), and Meg Kubota (Mrs Okada) in Finborough Theatre’s Harajuku Girls Photo: some of the most poignant of the Alexander Newton whole performance, despite the fact that the walls were moving around ’m pretty obsessed with Japanese script (another press ticket perk) and got worse as the script became more her and it didn’t quite make sense culture. I’m also an ardent sure enough, one of the actors had demanding. The moment when Mari with the storyline. There’s inevitably Ifeminist, and I’m constantly accidentally jumped ahead a good tells her father “I love you but I don’t something incredibly character moaning to anyone who’ll listen page and a half of dialogue. even know you” was over-egged to the revealing about the way a woman about the lack of interesting female Once the cast regained their extent that it simply just highlighted takes her dress off. And the designers characters in modern literature. confidence the quality picked up, the cliché of the sentiment, rather managed to perfectly recreate an So I was more than ready to love but never so much as to be really than the subtlety. Meanwhile the authentic Tokyo atmosphere with Harajuku Girls, a new play about three convincing. Like I said, I’m a character Yumi, played by Kunjue Li, their choice of music and props, women growing up in modern day committed feminist, so I don’t say the was meant to be both innocent and without ever over-doing the kawaii Tokyo, treading the line between following lightly, but of the five main simultaneously painfully self-aware Hello Kitty cliché. empowerment and victimhood cast members, the three women were of her own low prospects, telling her But all this cannot save a play as they take up work in Tokyo’s definitely less believable than the two friends “it’s not my fault I’m stupid” when the main characters just aren’t notorious red light district. Heck, men. Perhaps this was simply because and aspiring to work as a lift operator. played well enough to convince. It’s they even gave me a free pint with the women had more complex, But she was played with such naiveté not as though I didn’t enjoy myself; my press ticket. When I settled in to demanding roles than the two men that her complexity of character was in fact there was one particularly my excellent seat at the Finborough did - and for that I give immense lost almost completely. (It didn’t help dark scene where I was briefly Theatre, a tiny venue above a pub, I credit to the scriptwriter, Francis that at one point the director literally genuinely terrified – although come was already glowing with admiration Turnly, for writing such interesting dressed her in a spotty onesie.) to think of it, the moment broke as for the whole thing. characters - but often the female In fact, there were moments soon as someone spoke. It was just Alas, it was short-lived. It turns actors seemed somewhat panicked by throughout the play where I felt that so frustrating to watch a wonderful out that no amount of intelligent the immensity of the opportunity, the excellent script was somewhat script with such exciting potential direction, clever staging, and “No and ended up overcompensating, let down by the nervous actors, "There were being wasted by uncomfortable actors excellent scriptwriting can amount of rushing through dialogue, or stepping since Francis Tunly has managed to moments talking over each other and overusing compensate for plain old bad acting. on each other’s lines. create truly exciting, interesting, and their eyebrows. Perhaps a few nights And I mean painfully bad acting. intelligent This was particularly true of believable characters with this work. where the later in the run, the cast will get over The opening scene was probably the direction the main character, Mari, played As the three childhood friends grow excellent their nerves and finally deliver. If worst. After an incredibly awkward and clever by Haruka Abe, who incidentally up, their developing relationships script was they do, then perhaps this team will pause where one actress clearly just features as the main role in Clean are portrayed with such an authentic finally have a true gem of a play on forgot her lines, the rest of the cast staging can Bandit’s ‘Rather Be’ music video. combination of support and jealousy let down their hands. seemed to take the entire scene to compensate For the simplest of lines, like that I was genuinely surprised to find by the recover, so I was too busy cringing for bad “you’re going to be late for work”, out that the scriptwriter was a man. nervous Harajuku Girls is on at the Finborough to really gather what was going on. acting her emphasis was all wrong in a The gradual transition Mari makes actors" Theatre until 21st March. Tickets start I later had a quick flick through the school-play sort of way, and it only from schoolgirl to sex worker, as from £14; available online. 66 06.03.2015 THE STUDENT PAPER OF IMPERIAL COLLEGE LONDON FELIX

Culture Celebrating the 1600th issue of Felix Art History From A New Perspective Aleksandra Berditchevskaia goes behind the scenes at the all new View Art Festival recently came across an opinion something was merely fulfilling public less partial to the topics of insight into the Tate’s upcoming piece in Art Review magazine a desire to rub shoulders with the conservation and collections, the Sonia Delaunay retrospective, I that discussed the crisis of the continental art crowd. There were ‘Avant-Gardes and Precursors’ delivered by the curators of the contemporary within art, particularly free short talks running throughout strand also had plenty to offer. Parisian rendering of the exhibition. focussing on the difficulty in the day on Saturday, complemented The star draws were probably the The Institut Français provided a finding a suitable label for the art by debates of a longer form to lead Saturday night appearance of the particularly appropriate setting for of the present day. With ‘modern’ on from the challenge posed by the inimitable Jeremy Deller, winner of this discussion about Delaunay and art confined to a temporality at the Friday night opening discussion the 2004 Turner Prize and Britain’s her ideology – one of her colourful beginning of the 20th century, and on ‘Redefining the Artistic Canon’. representative at the 2013 Venice abstract tapestries normally hangs the use of both ‘postmodern’ and The billing featured contributions Biennale, and a screening of the above the main staircase of the ‘contemporary’ rapidly falling out from many respected curators, art Dadaist film Entre’acte on Sunday entrance hall. of favour, a new word is being called historians and other representatives afternoon. Constrained by a short-talk format, for. The author drew attention to the of the French and British art Anyone who managed to attend the the speakers provided a regrettably increased use of the term ‘now’, which establishment. My favourite elements ‘My Night with Philosophers’ event brief overview of the work and life has seemingly been employed to of the programme related to the "Delaunay hosted by the same organisation two "She of this doyenne of modern art. A resolve this problem. At first glance, Preserving and Restoring focus, cultivated years ago would be able to understand represented key figure of the European avant- the organisers of View Art Festival with questions such as ‘How do my nervous anticipation of the garde, she defied easy categorisation. at the Institut Français, were not preservation and restoration of art her own queues I was likely to encounter, a stark Despite engaging with the numerous faced with confronting this dilemma. works determine the course of art version especially in view of the quality of the contrast emergent movements of the first After all, their ambitious programme, history?’ under discussion by the best of what programme. However, on entering to the half of the twentieth century, which took place over the weekend minds in the field. the main building of the French including particular intimacy with linking February and March, was The concurrently running series of it meant cultural centre early on Saturday Russians the Parisian members of Dada, Sonia concerned with discussions around student-led ‘salons’ with intriguing to be an afternoon I was surprised to find who were and her husband Robert remained the topic of art history. titles along the lines of ‘The Tales of artist in the staff to visitor ratio peculiarly motivated at a distance and cultivated their The variety of events on offer the Killer Rabbit’, on the other hand, the modern balanced to oppose my expectations, by Socialist own version of what it meant to ensured that there would be ensured that a fresh perspective on and the atmosphere surprisingly be an artist in the modern world. something to suit anyone with a art theory from the next generation world." subdued. ideology." Delaunay’s understanding of this mild interest in the arts, even if that of critics was also voiced. For a I was there to attend a fascinating transcended the boundaries of aesthetic art and allowed her to engage with fashion, interior design, traditional craft, theatre and film as media for delivering her message. She often modelled her own designs at social events, almost suggesting an early version of performance art. For Sonia Delaunay a line between art and life was unnecessary; all of her activities and collaborations bled into and complemented each other, continually drawing attention to her other work. The curators argued that this warm embrace of self- advertising coupled to an interest in the industrialisation of design processes reflected a utopic vision which had capitalism at its core. In this way, she represented a stark contrast to the similar developments amongst her Russian contemporaries, the Constructivists and Suprematists, who were motivated by socialist ideology. The talk was supported by images of the exhibition, which along with the persuasive rhetoric of the speakers helped to generate a genuine excitement for the opening of this show in April. Apart from paintings, the exhibition is set to feature tapestries, photographs, costumes, furniture and books – a feast for the senses drawn from the richness of the oeuvre of this remarkable artist. In contrast to the talks, the guided tour listings seemed to be the more popular events of the Festival, with all of the options selling out well in advance of the opening night. I was lucky enough to reserve a place on a Wooden aircraft windtunnel model in the Science Museum’s Blythe House. Photo: Creative Commons ‘Behind the Scenes’ visit to Blythe FELIX THE STUDENT PAPER OF IMPERIAL COLLEGE LONDON 06.03.2015 67

Celebrating the 1600th issue of Felix Celebrating the 1600th issue of Felix Culture

Hand-coloured pochoir by Sonia Delaunay. Photo: Goldmark

House, which is home to the archive only a tiny proportion of the visit to those rooms. Whether your funding makes that possible, we must collections of the British Museum, curiosities that the museum has to passion lies with telescopes, planes, place our faith in the curators of the V&A and Science Museum. The offer. Our guides around the treasure ships, or the history of medicine Science Museum exhibitions as they tour description promised items that trove were two dedicated members of or the development of modern select which of those items should be had never been on public display, the collections and curatorial team, technology such as telephones and brought out of hiding to best tell the which, coupled with 15 person cap on whose unlimited enthusiasm and audio speakers, there is much to take inspiring stories of science. participants, helped to instil a sense background knowledge ensured that your breath away. Our whistle-stop Considering my own of excitement from the outset. we were entertained throughout. (two-hour!) tour concluded with overwhelmingly positive experiences The almost palatial grandeur of We worked our way through the a visit to the conservation studio at the festival, I can’t help but think the Grade II-listed Blythe House different levels of the building, where museum staff were busy how much of a shame it was that the tucked behind the Kensington descending from the top floor storage cleaning old calculators in time for event did not attract more attention. Olympia exhibition hall, seemed aptly dedicated to Space and Aviation their appearance at a new exhibition Did the programme not pack enough a world removed from the bustle to the ground floor rooms housing "Whether dedicated to Mathematics. The of a punch? Or is it more likely that of the Hammersmith Road that the, often bizarre, peculiarities your presence of a Biosafety Hood and the organisers of an art history festival led me to it. Its illustrious history, collected by Sir Henry Wellcome strong smell of chemicals in the room (even if one of the themes deals with the source of numerous anecdotes of the Wellcome Trust. This passion almost brought to mind a typical lab the subversive avant-garde) will from our vivacious hostess Rebecca, "Perhaps medically-themed part of the tour lies with space at Imperial! always be faced with the burden of was enough to satisfy most of our to remain included an entire room of wooden telescopes, It felt incredibly special to be shedding the stuffiness and highbrow appetites for an exclusive experience prostheses, while another was filled allowed to freely wander around scholasticism that is associated with even before we made it through the relevant, with statuettes of saints associated planes or those rooms and inspect the objects; the term? Perhaps to remain relevant foyer to start viewing the collection. art history with wellbeing and ancient sacrificial medicine, I can’t help but echo the sentiments and interesting to a new generation of Blythe House holds 85% of the objects needs objects intended to promote health there is of Sir Roy Strong, a former director art lovers, art history needs to engage owned by the Science Museum, with and fertility. much to of the V&A, who argued that the site with the wider debate of the art world only “anything larger than a washing to find Many of the objects in the “should be not just a dumping ground and find its own version of ‘now’. I machine” being allocated to a more its own collection hold a purely aesthetic take your but an exciting new complex for the just hope that View Festival survives spacious storage site in Wroughton. version of beauty and I don’t doubt that breath public” when the original bids for the another year in order to lead the way. Overall, this means that the public “now”. anyone interested in the history away." space were first being put together. The View Festival was on at the galleries on Exhibition Road hold of modern design would relish a I guess that, until an increase in arts Institut Français, 27th Feb - 1st March. 68 06.03.2015 THE STUDENT PAPER OF IMPERIAL COLLEGE LONDON FELIX

Culture Celebrating the 1600th issue of Felix Goya’s Grotesques: The Image and the Fury

Fred Fyles is horrified and awed by this display of Goya’s lost album

arely has there been a painter One such example is Wicked woman, pictures have travelled a long way to who represents the darkest which truly is the most unsettling be here, and to have them assembled Rrecesses of humanity more image in the whole gallery – a witch, in a single room is breathtaking, skillfully than Spanish artist whose face resembles nothing more allowing us to take in the full breadth Francisco Goya. Making his living than a skull, over which skin seems of skill on display in Goya’s work. as a court painter for the latter half to be merely draped, grasps at a With a deft use of little more than of the 18th Century, it wasn’t until baby, its spine twisted, intent on black ink, washes of watercolour, and 1793, whilst recuperating from feasting. These are all nightmares. a razor, Goya has conjured up some a disease that would leave him It is as if Goya were gripped by a of the more profoundly affecting permanently deaf, that he began to malarial fever dream, ink pot in hand, drawings I have had the privilege paint the violently disturbing scenes consumed by the desire to record of laying eyes on. A combination for which he is best known today. his unholy visions. The blank space of the figurative and the abstract, Saturn Devouring His Son; The Sleep of that surrounds most of the figures, these pictures, which range from Reason Produces Monsters; the entire which are isolated in the centre of the the supremely delicate to the The Disasters of War series; all of these page, only reinforces this off-kilter, unapologetically bold, simply cement are deeply unsettling visions of the nightmarish quality, conveying a Goya’s already-solid reputation as blackness fundamental to human sense of supreme loneliness. a fundamental bridge between the nature, and it is for these, more than While the paintings themselves are romantic and the modern. I am for his masterful court scenes, that he magnificent, what is truly inspiring is thankful to the Courtauld Gallery, is most celebrated today. the skill with which the curators have and particularly to the efforts of As part of his convalescence, he assembled the pages of the album, Wilson-Bareau, for assembling the began painting a series of private which have been scattered across the Witches and Old Women album, and albums; these works contained globe. Furthermore, expert analysis allowing us to experience the full, neither preparatory sketches nor has allowed the original order to be magnificent, terrifying glory of a diary of what he saw, but instead deciphered, knowledge which had Goya’s darkest visions. acted as a record of thoughts, previously been lost thanks to heavy- dreams, and fantasies – they were, handed cropping of the images, which Goya: The Witches and Old Women in other words, fundamentally led to the numbers denoting the Album is on at The Courtauld Gallery private. However, whatever qualms progression being removed. until 25th May. Tickets £7.50 adults; £3 one may have about prying into Berlin, New York, Paris; these students. another’s personal work is swiftly quashed by the sheer magnificence of The Courtauld Gallery’s latest exhibition. In an astonishing feat of curatorial adventuring, Juliet Wilson- Bareau, one of the world’s leading Goya experts, has brought together all the extant drawings from a single one of Goya’s albums, presenting it - for the first time - as a complete whole. The result is nothing short of magnificent. The Witches and Old Regozijo (Mirth), red chalk and scraping. 237 x 148mm. Francisco Goya Woman Album - not a name chosen (1746-1828) Image: Courtauld Gallery by Goya, but rather by art historians, thanks to its themes and subject arms out to his sides, while the other matter - is a collection of 22 works of gazes up, her legs akimbo and her watercolour and ink, whose small size mouth twisted into an exaggerated belies the emotional power they hold. underbite. They follow the themes Some are grotesque, such as Unholy explored in his earlier set of prints union, in which a grinning figure, clad Los Caprichos, a selection of which in a flamenco-style dress, carries away are presented in an anteroom in an a snake-bound man; others are pitiful, effort to give historical context which like Can’t go on any longer at the age is interesting, albeit unnecessary: of 98, whose central, ancient figure the Witches and Old Women album is shuffles forward, back bent double, strong enough to stand up on its own. supported by two worn sticks. While Goya’s work in this album Goya may not have been particularly repeatedly returns to a number of favourable in his portrayal of the key themes. Chief among these is elderly, with a penchant for wizened nightmares: Goya draws a direct link "What crones and toothless hags, his work is between dreaming and the grotesque, unmistakably humanistic, conveying bringing to mind Freud’s saying that is truly "Goya’s inspiring all the joy and misery of life. work is ‘dreams are the royal roads to the This duality is reflected in his rising unconscious’. Some, like He wakes up is the skill and falling figures, a popular feature humanistic, kicking and I can hear snoring, directly with which of his work – in Regozijo (Mirth), two allude to the process of sleeping and conveying the curators figures are shown suspended on an all the joy waking, while in others the contents expanse of white paper, seemingly are so horrific that we have little have floating. One figure, who appears and misery choice but to conclude - or perhaps assembled to be a man, although nothing is of our lives" hope - that they must be the products Cantar y Bailar (Singing and dancing), brush and black and grey ink with certain in these works, stretches his of bad dreams. the album" scraping. Francisco Goya (1746-1828) Image: Courtauld Gallery FELIX THE STUDENT PAPER OF IMPERIAL COLLEGE LONDON 06.03.2015 69

Celebrating the 1600th issue of Felix Celebrating the 1600th issue of Felix Culture The Indian Queen — Purcell’s Final Flourish Kamil McClelland reviews Peter Sellars’ contemporary take on a classic

o call this production of The story; it is the story, as integral to Indian Queen at the ENO it as any other part. He manages to TPurcell’s opera might be seen embody the rich artistic heritage of as unfaithful to the extent to which Latin America, from the dazzling Peter Sellars has reinvented the work. colours to the naturalistic designs to First performed in 1695 only a short the anthropomorphic animal-god walk away at Theatre Royal in Drury figures boldly defined on canvas, Lane, The Indian Queen was Henry simultaneously bursting with energy Purcell’s final work, for he was to pass and static, like a relief on the side away tragically prematurely later that of a Mayan pyramid at Chichen year. Based on a libretto of the same Itza. They impose themselves upon name written thirty years previously the stage with all the epicness of by John Dryden, Purcell was unable pre-Columbian temples, as if the to finish the work, and hence it has whole opera is being performed in a been largely left abandoned from vast religious space, with dramatic the contemporary repertoires of shadows projected onto them from the world’s great opera houses. Yet, the clever front-lighting. It is a as brilliantly illustrated in this wonder to behold, well worth the interpretation of the piece, Purcell’s visit, let alone the accompanying music still carries all of the weight genius of Purcell’s music. I really and majesty of his original vision, do hope for further collaborations proving to any listeners that he was a between graffiti artists and opera true master of Baroque opera. houses, whether Gronk or someone But why do I act as if Sellars’ version else. No other group of artists have of the work, originally performed in such a command and understanding 2013, is almost an entirely new work, of decorating space, whether it be our or at least one that would be largely daily architectural surroundings or a unrecognisable to the great Purcell West End stage – they are masters of himself? Well, in typical Sellars the mural. fashion he has turned his nose up at In the past, Sellars has been orthodoxy, creating a work as unique criticised a number of times for as his colourful dress sense or spiked straying too far from the creators up hair. From the colourful stage original vision, reinventing the opera design by Angeleno graffiti artist as his own as opposed to simply Gronk, to the accompanying text by enhancing themes that already Nicaraguan writer Rosario Aguilar, exist in the work. However, I don’t overflowing with emotion, this is a mind too much and I don’t think collaboration of the arts in the truest Purcell would either. In this work, sense, full of intrigue and excitement, Sellars has created something truly once again showing why Sellars is one unique, not only a gesamtkunstwerk of the most highly acclaimed opera that incorporates music, singing, directors of our time. art, spoken word and ballet, but also, This production forms part of unusually, an opera from a female Sellars’ six month residency at perspective, thanks to Aguilar’s the ENO, one that he described beautiful text. I had not realised as “very exciting” due to their Maritxell Carrero and Julia Bullock in The Indian Queen. Photo: ENO / how alien this idea was, an opera “consistent artistic excellence” and Richard Hubert Smith about women, until I actually saw “lack of orthodoxy”. As well as this this work; I suddenly realised that production, he took on Adams’ The novel by Rosario Aguilar telling the Williams, occupying the stage with every single opera that I had ever Gospel According To The Other Mary, story of Mayan colonisation from a all the majesty of the gods they seen was from the male perspective which ran during last November female standpoint. It is the tale of an represent. of an event, with female characters and December, to great success. I was Indian Queen, performed incredibly And how does 17th Century merely adding colour to the script. It excited to see what The Indian Queen sensitively by Julia Bullock, married baroque music from Western Europe was shocking, and highlighted to me held for me. I couldn’t honestly off to a sadistic Spanish general, possibly accompany a story like the underlying sexism that pervades say that I knew the work well at all whom she then falls helplessly in love this, dark and full of pain? Well, to much of Western art – thank beforehand, but I knew that whenever with as he continues to destroy the my utter disbelief, perfectly! I think goodness for Sellars! He has created Sellars gets his hands on something it culture and heritage of her people Sellars describes it perfectly when a work that is refreshing in every is going to be interesting. around her. It is an agonising insight he says Purcell’s score is “the most sense and is yet another example of Whilst Dryden’s original text tells "Once into a story lost in the annals of emotionally overwhelming music I "They his innovation in the field. And we the story of Latin America before again history. have ever put on stage”. Incorporating impose mustn’t also forget to acknowledge the Spanish Conquest, Sellars has The opera opens with a series both the original music as well some the ENO in all of this: their tireless completely rewritten it, describing showing of Mayan creation scenes, of Purcell’s other religious works, a themselves support of operas that break away it as “unrevivable” due to its highly why Sellars contextualising the rich spiritual soundscape is created that is at one on the from the conventional, even as they stylised take on the theme, as if is one of heritage that existed when Spanish moment ethereal and in the next, stage with struggle for their existence due to it were some kind of French love forces, emotionless with their camo heartbreaking – truly breathtaking. the Draconian limitations imposed story. Instead, he has transported the most gear and assault rifles, arrived. I cannot leave this review without all the on them by Arts Council England, the story forward a generation, to highly In turn, panels painted by Gronk going into more depth about graffiti epicness deserves to be celebrated. Lets hope it the horror and barbarism of the acclaimed descend from above like a deity, a artist Gronk’s unbelievable stage of pre- survives long enough to put on many conquistadors, raping and pillaging as directors of monolith akin to Kubrick’s creation design. Each panel that descends Columbian more of Sellars works. they went. And not only that, but he myths in 2001: A Space Odyssey. Ballet from above, as if from heaven, is an The Indian Queen is running at the has reformulated it using text from our time" dancers act out these tales, elegantly artwork in itself, not merely some temples" English National Opera until 14th March. The Lost Chronicles of Terra Firma, a choreographed by Christopher prop to aid understanding of the Tickets from £12. 70 06.03.2015 THE STUDENT PAPER OF IMPERIAL COLLEGE LONDON FELIX

Celebrating the 1600th issue of Felix Culture

Felix 1600: Culture The road towards the Felix 1600: Culture Section has been long and arduous. It was our editor, Philippa Skett, who first suggested the idea; given that the output of Arts, Film, Music, TV, and Fashion had been of such consistent high quality this year, Philippa felt that a bumper ‘Culture’ section would be a good call. Over time this swelled, from 24 pages, to 32, and finally to the 40 page behemoth you are holding right now. We couldn’t be more proud.

Of course, we haven’t done this alone, and the Felix Culture team would like to thank the following: Contributors

Aleksandra Berditchevskaia, Kunal Bhanot, Pete Brook, Jingjie Cheng, Clara Clark Nevola, Tessa Davey, Fred Fyles, Ben Howitt, Joshua Jacobs, Ellen Mathieson , Kamil McClelland, John Park, Grace Rahman, Joshua Renken, Arianna Sorba, and Jack Steadman Editors/Layout

Tessa Davey, Fred Fyles, Ellen Mathieson, Kamil McClelland, John Park, Grace Rahman, and Jack Steadman Copy Editing Team

Stephen Ball, Ben Howitt, Cecily Johnson, Ellen Mathieson, and Jack Steadman

Finally, a few quick shout-outs: firstly, massive thanks to the various takeaway outlets who have kept us fuelled throughout this project (we’re looking at you Number 10); also, the security guards at the South Entrance to the V&A for not confiscating our giant cat head during our hijinks; finally, thank you to our editor, Philippa – we couldn’t have done this without your drive, your vision, and your insatiable appetite for children’s cough syrup. Get ready! Voting opens 12:00 Friday 6 March

Cast your vote at: imperialcollegeunion.org/vote

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Union President Lucinda Sandon-Allum

Your time at Imperial should be that Netball club member and 2 years in career choices and successful - ‘Recommend a House’ scheme to of a versatile world-class institution. the RAG committee. applications. make the process of ‘house hunting’ However, 29% of you feel the Union My main aims: - ‘Find a Sponsor’ event for Clubs, easier. is not the voice for students; I can - Ensure students feel supported by Societies and Projects; ensuring equal - Bring together Imperial’s diversity be the one to change that, as the the Union. and enhanced opportunities for IC at an annual ‘Celebration of Culture’ platform for representation of all - Increase the ease of access to and ICSM CSPs to obtain funding. evening. students. Union services and activities for all - Amplify the support for the - Strengthen communities within I’ve been fully involved in students. setting-up of new societies and the Imperial through integrated the Union throughout my 3 - Greater student engagement. running of student-led campaigns. undergraduate/postgraduate events. years studying Biology. I have - Strengthen the student - Greater transparency and Visit www.votelucinda.co.uk to find gained insights, knowledge and community. communication of matters that affect out more! understanding of a diverse group of To achieve these aims, I will: us, by implementing a consultation If you want me to be YOUR voice, students, through my experience as - Introduce ‘work weeks’ and skills platform for students to express their make me YOUR choice. RCSU Vice-President (Activities), workshops, allowing for informed views, before decisions are made.

Union President Luke Armitage

Fact: I am faster than 80% of all on campus. No crofters to be seen about this? Undeniably winning the election. snakes. anywhere. Answer: Vote for me to find out. Kills all other competition. Whenever I’m about to do Fact: Nobody has ever been into Fact: Beer cost the union 68 pence Extremely the best. something I think ‘would an idiot do university on a Thursday. Therefore per pint to purchase. Therefore sell all that?’ and if they would, I do not do removal of all contact hours on pints for 70 pence. that thing. Thursday. Fact: Ronnie O’Sullivan has never How would I describe myself? Fact: There is not enough Snooker visited Imperial. Three words: Hard-working; on campus screens. Fact: Cider makes things less Alpha Male; Jackhammer; Merciless; Fact: There are still no dip-dabs. boring. Therefore the union will Insatiable. Fact: Nowhere on campus can I buy supply free cider to council meetings. But that’s enough about me. Beets. Fact: Transparency. Fact: There is not enough Cider Question: What are we going to do Literally the best.

Deputy President (Clubs and Societies) Benjamin Howitt

I’m currently the treasurer of the And, of course, I am a member of a check-ins on what clubs are up to. in Acton and on other campuses a Recreational Clubs Committee (RCC), whole host of clubs too! I am heavily - make people approachable; I reality. and look after the finances of over involved in Pole Dancing, Musical believe sabbs should spend at least a I love promoting and celebrating 45 clubs, with a combined turnover Theatre, Cheerleading and Felix, as day a week available to students. I’ll the amazing things clubs and societies of £420,000. I’ve supported the the editor of the Clubs and Societies also move my office in with the rest do, making me a perfect candidate creation of dozens of clubs this year pages, so I have a wide spread of of the student activities team. to represent your views, full time, as as a member of the New Activities experience and ideas. - form a focus group of students to DPCS next year. Committee. I want to: see how we’re doing on a regular basis. I’ve also worked at the Union bar - improve support for new clubs Students tell me they don’t know how and the Union reception, so I have a and committees by adding to training to tell the Union there’s a problem, great working knowledge of how our for club and society volunteers and and I aim to fix that. Union operates. committing to regular cross-campus - commit to making C&S activity

Deputy President (Clubs and Societies) Isabelle Barrett

Hi, I’m Issie. I’m a third year studying you would be in safe hands: understand the issues that concern - Continue the fight to protect biology, but I think you’ll agree - This year I am chair of IC Big clubs of different types and sizes. No training grounds. there’s a lot more to university than Band, also sitting on the Arts & matter how big or small, social or - Encourage inter-society events. academia… Entertainments board. competitive, your club matters! I am keen to interact with you From speed skating for Imperial to - I am current director and As DPCS I would: directly to solve any issues that arise, posing naked for Felix with nothing founding member of Take Note a - Support smaller clubs and and will fight for what I believe is best but a saxophone, I have become well cappella group, and tour organiser of societies. for you! and truly integrated in clubs and A Cappella society. - Continue the review and overhaul For more details of my manifesto societies. I believe extra-curriculars - I have held Skate Society of management boards. visit www.challengethecarrot.co.uk are vital to people’s welfare, happiness committee positions over the past two - Review and encourage an overhaul and success at university, so I want years. of room booking systems. them to be the best they can be. I have experience running - Review and adjust eActivities to With me as your deputy president societies from bottom to top, and improve accessibility. 74 06.03.2015 THE STUDENT PAPER OF IMPERIAL COLLEGE LONDON FELIX

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Voting opens midday, Friday 6th Deputy President (Clubs and Societies) Tom Rivlin

As Social Clubs Committee Chair, I’ve clubs I’ve joined, and I’d love to give interacts with it when making claims - Defend the autonomy of all clubs overseen the development of over 60 something back to make your time through the mysterious eActivities, - Tailor Union training material to highly varied clubs with a turnover at Imperial as great as mine has been. or when being nagged to attend best explain what your role is of almost £150,000. This has given In my four years here, I’ve gained management group meetings. I - Increase transparency of the me insight into how the Union works ideas for improving all clubs, societies will ensure that every member of Union’s inner workings at the highest levels, and the skills and projects. I’m passionate about every club enjoys a user-friendly - Advertise higher level meetings to needed to manage large budgets and the Union, dedicated to its clubs, and experience. The Union is here to serve more students groups of clubs. well-organised in managing projects its members, and my door, inbox, and - Complete the Management Group I’m a physics student, Felix and emails. Skype will always be open to you. restructure started by the DPCS this contributor, and former chair of the Students generally see the Union as As DPCS, I will: year Sci-Fi Society. I’m running for DPCS a monolithic, opaque organisation. - Produce a definitive, up-to-date Visit voterivlin.co.uk for a full because I’ve benefited from all the Often, a club committee only guide to eActivities manifesto.

Deputy President (Finance and Services) Ali Lown

If you would like to see your daily life simple Union tasks can be, so want to purchase expensive equipment, or If you vote for me I will make your made easier then vote for me! to change things to make it easier for build up reserve to draw on if you run interactions with the Union quicker I have organised over 100 events you. into problems in the future. and easier, letting you get back to for more than 40 clubs as the I will make your annual budgeting I will make your financial socializing, running your clubs, or Dramsoc Technical Director, giving process easier so that you can get it transactions easier and quicker by whatever else you fancy doing to me a unique insight into how a large done faster and more easily predict reducing the need for management avoid your degree! variety of societies run, and how to how much funding your society will group approval so you don’t have to make their high-value, high-risk receive each year. wait for them. events run smoothly. I will improve long-term club plans I will make it easier for you to Having been treasurer to multiple by allowing you to save money across book rooms by making the booking societies, I know how infuriating multiple committees to make it easier schedule freely available so that you know which rooms are free when.

Deputy President (Finance and Services) Christopher Kaye

Vote Chris Kaye for experience: events such as DRI. I will review Union catering, and If you like what you’ve heard, please As a trustee of the Union this year, Vote Chris Kaye for new ideas: lobby for fresh and improved pizza vote Chris Kaye for DPFS. I have been jointly responsible for a I will work to implement Gift Aid bases made on-site at the Union. charity with a turnover of £7m. on donations to the Union. This can I will continue the incumbent I lobbied to help level the playing add up to 25% extra to donations DPFS’s work to lobby College for field for women, by successfully when received from taxpayers. greater transparency and fairness reducing the cost of feminine hygiene I will work to implement a donation in its fees and charges, such as products in Shop Extra. button for all clubs and societies international bank transfer charges. Working with the Commercial union webpages, so it is easier for I am certain that my experience Services team, I have championed clubs to get donations direct from coupled with my new ideas will bring inclusive, non-alcohol focussed alumni and benefactors. a positive impact to the Union and to your student experience.

Deputy President (Finance and Services) Elizabeth Campbell

I’m Lizzie, a final year physicist. I’m run events that enrich students’ lives. - Make it easier for smaller societies important to IC students. currently chair of Skating Society, This is obviously easier when finances to utilise union spaces such as the - Make sure that the bars remain a a role in which I’ve learned a lot can be managed easily and efficiently, Union Bar and Metric. For many pleasant space to meet with friends, about how to budget for a society, and that’s what I would be there to societies the minimum spend is and a place where you would like to and the issues which societies face help with! unattainable, but they would like to spend time. with regards to money. I’ve also been As DPFS I would promise to: hold an event with a bar. I’m sure a I’m mathematically literate, secretary of FemSoc for two years and - Make the process of applying compromise could be found that suits love a good spreadsheet and most secretary of Skate Soc in the past two for tour budget clearer and easier, both parties financially. importantly I really care about years.. These societies have made my and concentrate on maximising - Maximise financial support to the Union and want to help it run time at Imperial immeasurably better the amount of money available to campaigns. Student run campaigns smoothly. and I want all societies to be able to societies. are an excellent idea, and can make real change on issues that are FELIX THE STUDENT PAPER OF IMPERIAL COLLEGE LONDON 06.03.2015 75

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Deputy President (Welfare) Jennifer Watson

VOTE FOR EXPERIENCE - Undergraduate training in Student Counselling and lobby for a Officers - Experience as ICSMSU psychiatry and sexual health more extensive system - Review personal tutor Welfare Officer supporting - Launched a national - Lobby for increased selection and training individual students through a broad campaign to improve student provision of mental health support in - Increase support for range of challenging experiences funding for senior medics College student-led campaigns across all including mental health issues, - Personal experience of - Extend peer support liberation zones housing/finance difficulties, many of the difficulties of university networks already proving successful - Revisit Safe Space Imperial problems with home/family and life after 5 years at Imperial in ICSM to the whole of College initiative for sexual harassment gender issues. - Suffered and overcame - Increase awareness of reporting - Member of several own mental health problems. I have support services available in College Vote experience. Vote compassion. committees/boards within College, experienced the flaws in the welfare and the wider community Vote dedication. VOTE JEN Faculty of Medicine and ICU system first hand. - Hold open forums with as Full manifesto: https:// - Close links with Citizens THE FUTURE’S GINGER many student groups as possible to www.facebook.com/ UK and involvement in their project - Fight further halls closures identify and tackle unreported issues. events/836780536380272 to tackle the lack of affordable and lobby for more affordable rooms - More support and training housing in West London. - Unfreeze funding for for constituent union Welfare

Deputy President (Welfare) Diba Esbati

Over the past four years, I have are available. I’m also familiar with want to work on two key areas: Accessibility – come to realise just how critical how the union operates due to my Mental Health - - Hold welfare events at other student welfare is. With the amount current roles as both an academic - Set aside my lunchtimes to talk to campuses so that medics and other of pressure we’re all under on a daily representative and a club secretary, students regarding the mental health students not based primarily at South basis, it’s essential to have the support which have given me the necessary resources available, and help them Kensington can benefit from them of the union behind us. expertise for the position. find the best options - Have better personal tutor As you might know, I started Most importantly, through my - Deal with the abysmal NHS training to help support students running a regular Welfare section in own experiences, I have come to waiting times by running more with welfare issues Felix this year because I believed we know exactly where the system fails therapy-based group sessions - Provide more training for the needed to reach more students and to provide students with the support - Work with and/or lobby college Welfare and the liberation officers help raise awareness while letting that they need. to expand the counselling services - Create resources to address more people know what welfare resources So what do I plan to do about it? I offered minority specific issues

Deputy President (Education) Chun-Yin San

My name is Chun-Yin and I am building opportunities for the standard’ practices learning concerns - you shouldn’t the current ICSMSU Academic Biomedical Science program. - Personal tutor support: To have to be strategic in order to be Officer (Science Years). Over the As your Deputy President introduce – as minimum– pastoral heard past year, I have had the privilege (Education), I aim to deliver on groups of ~6 students and 2 staff I have many more ideas, so do get to represent 400+ students across several areas to improve your members, ensuring regular tutor in touch via email (cys12@imperial. 16 cohorts. Together with my Reps learning, strengthen your academic meetings and promoting face-to-face ac.uk). On Friday 9th 12:00-14:30 I’ll and working with the Faculty, I support, and increase your time between students and staff have a drop-in at SAFB, and on the have been able to realize improved education’s value, including: - Feedback: To introduce – as 3rd/9th/12th 13:15-14:00, I’ll be at Co- learning experiences for my students, - Best practice: To conduct a ‘census’ minimum– a ‘3 good/3 bad things’ Curricular Studies (3/F Sherfield) so including roll-out of Panopto before and at my term’s start, so to framework in assessment feedback do come and have a chat! recordings, strengthened academic base my agenda on the issues that - ‘Hop-on’ representation: To make welfare support, improved teaching, you care about, and to work with it clear that you can contact anyone and the introduction of new career- College on identifying/sharing ‘gold in the Rep hierarchy if you have

Felix Editor Grace Rahman

I’m currently Felix’s Music Editor, the reins next year and, if elected, I to make news articles instantly lunchtime to get your fix. and I’ve always enjoyed reading, plan to: accessible. Revive our gaming magazine writing and getting involved with Improve our online presence by Make Felix more open to all ‘Another Castle’ to accompany our student paper. I’ve written press creating a new website from scratch, by running workshops on news ‘Phoenix’ and ‘I, Science’. releases for the House of Commons, revamping the app and extending reporting, editing and design. I’d Get Felix back into halls for first so have a good understanding of how our social media reach to ensure we also increase the diversity of our years so a copy is in their rooms on journalism operates outside of the attract as many readers as possible. contributors; more photographers the day they move in. university environment. I’ll increase our online advertising and illustrators on board would add Continue to hold the College to Felix has massively improved this scope and reinvest the profits into the depth to our reporting. account, keeping Felix free from the year, but there is always scope to go paper to increase its quality. Get Felix out by 10am every Friday, Union’s influence. that extra mile! I would love to take Recruit an online editorial team so you don’t have to wait until 76 06.03.2015 THE STUDENT PAPER OF IMPERIAL COLLEGE LONDON FELIX

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Voting opens midday, Friday 6th ICSMSU President Maredudd Harris

ICSMSU is a fantastic asset to our can’t keep but you can expect high improve education at ICSM. I aim to Imperial. education. I want to make sure this commitment, communication and a implement an essay competition to - ICU has fantastic asset is kept as strong as ever and well run Students Union from me. hear your feedback and experiences. opportunities that are often less well continues to serve the needs of the If elected these are the things I aim - There has been a lot of advertised within ICSM such as the student body. to implement: discussion over the use of The volunteer recognition awards would I have been on committees - Jenny Watson is doing an Reynolds Bar. I aim to foster a be well suited to our students who throughout my four years at ICSM. incredible job in highlighting the continuing open dialogue between offer their time so readily. These have included RAG, Boat Club, need for better funding for 5th and faculty, bar and the students about its I look forward to answering any Rugby Club and ICSMSU as Clubs final year students. I will continue to use. questions at hustings and Societies Officer. I have learnt support this campaign. - I aim to better publicise a lot about the running of ICSMSU - ICSMSU and the faculty the work the officers do and the from these. I don’t make promises I are continually looking for ways to support the SU can offer you whilst at

RCSU President James Badman

Hi! current Rifle and Pistol Club Captain, relief and more throughout the year competitions and a Europe trip My name is James, a 3rd year a role which requires a high degree of to cater for more aspects of student (at last!) alongside delivering the Chemist running for RCSU President! responsibility and organisation due welfare. traditional events such as the seasonal I have been on the RCSU committee to the nature of the club! • Re-form some of the balls and bar nights, and expanding for the last two years, as Secretary As President I would: RCSU’s sports clubs to give members the more popular events. and current Treasurer and have • Make the RCSU a an opportunity to play casually as • Build on this year’s success gained a great amount of experience community driven by you, rather well as trying to re-start inter-faculty of Broadsheet and improve Science over this time. I have learnt a lot than just an events organiser, creating sports competitions. I would also look Challenge, making it more accessible about the workings of the RCSU as more opportunities for people to into starting non-sports clubs where and varied, whilst keeping its core well as where it can improve, and I offer feedback. there’s a demand! values. would love make these changes as • Introduce workshops for • Introduce new events Thank you for taking the time to next year’s President. I am also the skills such as study techniques, stress including inter-departmental read this and don’t forget to vote! :)

CGCU President Andrew Olson Gallardo

Hi everyone! good Welcome dinner and “casual” working with societies and campaigns I’m Andrew Olson, your current events like the City and Guilds Week that provide student support. CGCU Events Officer. This year and mince pie parties. I bring experience and I´ll make however I will be running for -Strengthen our relationship with sure that every member of the CGCU president. I believe that I can make a the other constituent unions (Royal has a say in how things are run. I hope difference on how the CGCU is run, College of Science Union and Royal I´ll have the pleasure of being your and build on what Tim has done this School of Mines) by organising joint president next year! year. My three main aims for the events. Increasing the presence of the Cheers, following year are: CGCU in the Union, giving a stronger Andrew Olson -Increase the presence of the CGCU voice to all engineers. CGCU Events Officer on campus by organising more and -Increase student support by better events, with a great focus on a promoting welfare sessions as well as

CGCU President Ze Tan

I am Dave and I am currently followed up every request thus far. the Faculty of Engineering I think as a CGCU President, I can Representative for Undergraduates as definitely do more for our College well as the Electrical and Electronic and I aspire to work harder to provide Engineering Year Representative. better education for you and I. With the involvement and opportunities I already have to obtain feedback and seek a more holistic education for all, I would like to run for the CGCU President to improve and lead CGCU. Having obtained regular feedback time to time, I had FELIX THE STUDENT PAPER OF IMPERIAL COLLEGE LONDON 06.03.2015 77

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RSMU President Madeline Hann

Since falling head over heels in RSM community are founded The prolific history of the RSM union. I aim to ensure the RSM runs love with the RSM in my first year, through outstanding participation is part of what makes it so special. smoothly and unscathed through I have spent this year fulfilling in DepSoc, Sports Club and RSMU The RSMA provides a vast network these challenging times. As President, two committee positions. As Tour activities and events. I intend to of alumni, with wonderful stories I would sit on a number of ICU Secretary for RSM Hockey, I have ensure our activities and events and invaluable advice. If elected committees presenting your views been involved in all major decisions remain illustrious and inclusive to President, I will work hard to and upholding the reputation of the and every day running of the club. all. I will make certain all events are continue strong links with the RSMA RSMU. I am ideally suited to this as I I have also played a key role in thoroughly publicized to Materials and look in to holding new events have the ability to be calm and listen establishing RSM Netball, and have and ESE, especially promoting the with them. in high pressure situations, whilst recently been made Social Secretary. Hill Cup to encourage interaction This year has seen the RSMU keeping the RSM firmly in my head The strong bonds linking the between departments. come under the watchful eye of the and heart.

RSMU President Matthew Wetton

During my three years at the RSM I workings within the RSM. Last year • Increase the involvement within the RSM to see what events are have experience sitting on a number as sponsorship officer for the DLB I and identity of the DepSocs and ahead. of committees. This year as president raised £400 from Premier Oil for the sports teams within RSM life through • To be approachable and of Geophysics Society I successfully autumn tour. The experience I have the co-hosting of events, such as bar welcoming to all within the RSM. put in place a significant number acquired through these positions nights, between the RSM committee Thank you for taking the time to changes; I more than doubled the stand me in excellent stead for the and a DepSoc or sports team. consider me and I hope that you will attendance of talks and socials and role of RSM president. • Ensure the minutes of trust me to maintain the excellent planned the upcoming Mount Etna My main polices are: all future RSM executive meetings standard we have all grown accustom Tour. This position has also allowed • Increase attendance to RSM are public, by posting them on the to. me to become a vocal member of the socials through the combination RSM Facebook group, ensuring the RSM Love RSMU committee enabling me to of newer events with the current decisions made within the RSMU are Matt x obtain a strong understanding of the favourites. made with transparency and allow all

RSMU President Samuel Argyle

The RSM has made a huge went smoothly. I also worked hard union bar night. understanding of how the RSM impression on me over the past with Jan Cilliers and Neil Alford to I hope to continue the increased functions as a community and I am three years, not only academically make The Pit more inclusive and attendance by Materials and ESE certain I can drive the RSM in the but socially too. By listening to our accessible so that it fell in line with students we have seen this year, so direction it needs to be led to keep it students, each year’s committee the interests of the college at the same that eventually the RSM will become such an incredible place. ensures that they keep the RSM time as representing the students. more cohesive and inclusive of all such a friendly place. Having sat on We even held Freshers’ Dinner at the of its students. I would also like to the committee as Pit and Publicity Rembrandt Hotel with no mishaps! work closely with the RSMA to host Officer I have seen great progression I wish to continue to show ICU that a networking day for all students, in this year in the RSM. I played an the RSM can maintain its fantastic the hope of furthering our options integral role in organising The traditions problem-free, whilst after education. Bottle Match to guarantee the day embracing new ideas such as Tri- I have developed a clear

GSU President Patrick Naccour

Yalla Vote Habibi 78 06.03.2015 THE STUDENT PAPER OF IMPERIAL COLLEGE LONDON FELIX

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Voting opens midday, Friday 6th Council Chair Alexander Mytenka

My name is Alex Mytenka and I am representative, as well as being the new situations. ability for the best of the union. currently a third year Earth Scientist former assistant station manager I am confident I can make an As an RSM member I know what in the RSM. I am a running for of ICV and secretary of the Media instant impact in this role and will change and progress looks like. I council chair because I have a passion group. Other past experiences include ensure that each policy brought believe this gives me an edge to lead to help others and aspire to make a being a vital member of a disability forward are considered in depth and this council successfully into the difference to university life. councillor team at an American every voice listened to. I will ensure future. I have an excellent track record summer camp, and 15 years as master that the executive branch are held of success, achievement and of ceremonies at my local parish. accountable at all times and that they determination to be the best. These all emphasise my confident fulfil their election promises. I have demonstrated these traits leadership, commitment, flexibility, I accept the challenges that this both academically and outside of my responsibility, ability to be a crucial role will require me to face, and will studies: I am currently ESE 3rd year team player, and ability to thrive in act accordingly and to the best of my

Council Chair Jasper Menkus

Since the beginning of this make Council more transparent. is an efficient and impartial Chair: potential next year. academic year, I have served on We have also formulated ‘official’ someone who is familiar with the If elected, I will encourage a Council as an Ordinary Member. Union positions on issues as diverse Union ecosystem, someone who greater variety of students to You may not know much about as tuition fees, the Counterterrorism wants to ensure that everybody has submit papers to Council. I will also Council, but its proceedings affect and Security Bill, fossil fuel their voice heard. I believe that I am strive to improve communication all of you who are reading this. So divestment and ethical investment, that person. From two years serving between Council members and the far this year, we have set the rent postgraduate experience, and bursary on various committees (and two communities that they represent, ratio between Acton and South Ken funding. Many of these proposals terms on Council) I have the skills which has been lacking of late. halls, reduced the price of feminine were brought to Council not by Sabbs and experience necessary to navigate Vote experience. Vote dedication. hygiene supplies in the Union shop, or Council members, but by ordinary the turbid bureaucratic waters of Vote Menkus. kept the sabbatical officers in line, students. the Union, and the commitment to and changed our own voting rules to At the heart of an effective Council ensure that Council reaches its full

Council Chair Richard Cameron

I have been involved with the as chairing regular meetings of the important decisions for the student to chair Council meetings impartially Union for 4 years now (first as an RCC to keep the clubs up to date with body, from overseeing the sabbatical and responsibly, for the benefit of undergrad, and now doing my PhD in happenings in the Union. officers to even setting rents in halls students, and to welcome input from the Physics department). I currently In addition, this role has required next year. As the Council Chair also across the student body in my role as sit on the Union Council and chair me to sit on both the Union Council sits on the Union’s Board of Trustees, a Trustee for the Union. the Recreational Clubs Committee, a and the Clubs, Societies, & Projects taking on this position is a huge group of around 45 clubs & societies Board – the panel governing all clubs responsibility. in the Union with over 2,600 at Imperial – as well as a variety of Having experience of chairing a members. other Union and College committees. large group within the Union, as This requires me to help with the While Council is quite removed well as experience on Council itself, I running of RCC clubs and to liaise from the student-facing side of the believe I would perform this role well. between them and the Union, as well Union, it makes many of the most If elected, I would simply promise

We’ve interviewed many Take part in our exit poll, of the candidates too! Read or tell us why you won’t online: vote this year! www.felixonline.co.uk http://bit.ly/felix-poll

This year, one candidate for the positions featured here in Felix did not submit a manifesto. This is Rupert Belsham, who is running for Student Trustee. FELIX THE STUDENT PAPER OF IMPERIAL COLLEGE LONDON 06.03.2015 79

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Student Trustee Benjamin Fernando

I’m Ben, the current RAG Chair. In this time, I’ve seen what we do review, so that you can make your I will also make sure that we I’ve been at Imperial for three years well, but perhaps more importantly, voices heard. To further increase improve our guidance to clubs on now and have experience in a variety what we need to improve on. On transparency and accountability I what to do when things go wrong, to of Union positions, including three Union Council, I was able to pass a am happy to answer questions or take avoid repeats of some of this year’s years as academic representative paper that led to all representatives’ criticism from any student. incidents. in Physics, former captaincy of the voting records are made public – so I will also serve as your voice on the So, please trust in my experience University Challenge Team and that you can check we are doing our Trustee Board, making sure that we and vote Ben! Treasurer and then Chair of RAG. My jobs properly. do things with proper consultation roles in RAG have given me a good In terms of student engagement, – for example, I would have voted understanding of charity law, so I can I will also push for the long- against this new, unconsulted policy make sure that the Union as a charity promised ‘e-petitioning’ system to that forces large clubs to hold their meets its legal requirements. be introduced in the next democracy elections electronically.

Student Trustee Henry Harrod

The Union needs change. In order I’m a second year Mechanical by working closely with the DPCS, result. for anything meaningful to be Engineer, and am heavily involved change looks to be implemented in My experience, drive and achieved, a change must be passed by in the Union. This year, as the A time for the next academic year. As significant passion for improving the Trustee Board, which ultimately Cappella Chairman (and a committee your Student Trustee I would push the Imperial student experience governs the Union’s actions. The member of A Cappella group ’The harder for a full review of Union hopefully makes me a good candidate Student Trustees sit on this board and Techtonics’) I’ve had the chance to get funding strategy, enabling fairer for Student Trustee. enable the student voice to be heard to know the Union right to its core. distribution of grants. Vote for a better Union. Vote for at the highest level of the Union and I believe that there is an issue with I am also a member of the LGBT Harrod. College. Two student trustees will the way in which student activities community and would ensure that be chosen in the Big Elections, and are funded. This year I’ve been Imperial’s minority groups’ voices I hope to be one of those with your campaigning to establish a clearer be heard at the highest level, and help! and fairer tours funding policy and, establish a strong line of action as a

Student Trustee Michael Edwards

As a Student Trustee, I will strive to communication between College and • By evaluating the space role diversity through the schemes make the Student Voice of the Union students have proven that our current on campus and talking with Clubs we have. By branching out and College louder and clearer, engaging paradigm doesn’t satisfy students, and Societies, I intend to see that forming new volunteer partnerships with every aspect of Union provision. and that our elected Officer Trustees effective study space expands to through Community Connections I am dedicated to the success of the cannot be expected to cover all the meet demand during exam periods; and the Imperial Hub, we can boost Union in its plans and long-term bases and be infallible. Support for for those who have the resources to participation in an activity that is targets and will put time and effort increased student representation has facilitate their revision and need only valuable to both the local community into seeing them fulfilled. My policies come from faculty members, Officer a conducive atmosphere for revision, and our future job prospects. for the 2015-16 period include: Trustees and even a Vice-Provost, so I intend to push for later opening of • Better student the time is right to push for increased departmental buildings and use of the representation on College Boards. student representation where our larger Union venues. Recent developments surrounding experiences and issues are concerned. • Improving volunteer

Student Trustee Nida Mahmud

Hey I’m Nida, a PhD student and - Have through oversight and push ALL students, which means a change the current Graduate Students’ Union for transparency in new changes and in strategy so students feel their voice President. I’ve previously been the pre-existing procedures. is being heard. International Officer, a News Editor - Ensure the student voice is heard - Develop a long term robust for Felix, a Hall Senior, a year rep, at all levels. That includes good strategy that caters for the needs of all and a member of numerous College/ representation of Postgraduate and Imperial Students Union committees. International Students as well as #VoteNida I have also been a part of the every other student at Imperial. Provost’s 2015-20 College Strategy for - Support campaigns against Imperial and would love the chance to government policies that impact be a trustee. students the hardest. If elected, I promise to: - Ensure the Union is engaging with 80 06.03.2015 THE STUDENT PAPER OF IMPERIAL COLLEGE LONDON FELIX

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Voting opens midday, Friday 6th Student Trustee Shun Kobayashi

Hi, I’m Shun Kobayashi, currently in the second year of my physics degree. As a student trustee, I (and my other trustees-elect) would be given a great deal of responsibility regarding the operation and compliance of the Union. I aim to serve with integrity and dedication in all areas, giving particular thought to the future strategic plans for the union.

Student Trustee Serena Yuen

The Trustee Board is the highest heard; that is the role of Student Education and Representation how the Union works at both a society governing body in the Union – Trustee. Board, and Community and Welfare and Constituent Union level. My it defines the Union’s strategic As the current RCSU President, Board. Additionally, Student Staff experiences will provide the depth direction, ensures the Officer I represent 2900 students in the Committees and Faculty Teaching and perspective to the student voice Trustees and senior management are Faculty of Natural Sciences at Committee meetings have allowed that the Trustee Board desperately held accountable for their actions various levels in the Union and me to voice student opinions to needs, and help me be a reliable, and finalises high-level decisions. College, and the position has given College, understand problems from responsible and representative These could significantly impact me the experience and confidence College’s perspective and push for Student Trustee. the Union for years to come, both in speaking out in the interests of transparency in College’s decisions. Trust me to be your trustee; vote legally and financially, so to ensure students in the RCSU. Prior to RCSU President, I was Serena. they are made transparently and with I have direct insight into issues the Physics Society Treasurer; my students’ best interests at heart, we students face as a result of being involvement in these committees has need to be consulted and our voices a member of Union Council, given me a good understanding of Student Trustee Yuhang Huang

Hello everyone, resources correctly and is financially I am Davies from China. I am viable and ultimately is acting within currently Computing department the law. first year student representative. As I belive I would be a good Student a member of union, I want to devote Trustee, vote for me please! myself to improve the union. So I ps: I am also running for DocSoc want to stand for Student Trustee. I Treasurer & CGCU Welfare Officer, fully understand the role of Student please have a look and vote for me :) Trustee is to ensure that the Union is meeting its aims and objectives, sets the long term strategy, ensures that the Union is using its financial

Student Trustee Zain Rizvi

I’m sorry. of Weeks Hall? What about the students, have a right to be involved and keep your interests at heart. I’m not here to make false promises. move of ICSM sports facilities from in College matters through a Union Very cheesy, very cliché and I’m sure I don’t want to brag about all the Teddington to Heston? You might which represents our interests. The you’ve heard it all before, but I’m experience I have. I am neither be thinking, so what? who cares? You fact of the matter is, we haven’t. confident that now is the time we infatuated with Tom Wheeler nor should, my friend!! There’s an absence Whilst this may hindered by those take action, rally together and make a interested in cultivating my CV. I’m of communication, transparency & individuals who claim to have no difference. running as student trustee because as accountability between our union, interest in Union proceedings, here’s Vote for Zain, because as you may a student body, we need help! the College, and its students - this is a the solution - Vote for somebody who have heard before: Currently, how involved do you feel cause for concern. does. #NoZainNoGain with ICU? Do you feel you have a say Now, lets be frank, I’m not Student Trustees represent YOU, in Union and College matters? Were playing the blame game here. I’m when you can’t be there. We fight you consulted regarding the closure highlighting the problem - We as for your needs, voice your concerns FELIX THE STUDENT PAPER OF IMPERIAL COLLEGE LONDON 06.03.2015 81

No. 1600 6th March - 13th March 2015 FREE SHOCK ANNOUCEMENT AS DEPUTY PRESIDENT (HUGS AND TAMPONS) RUNS AGAIN FOR DEPUTY PRESIDENT (MONEY AND SWAG) 82 06.03.2015 THE STUDENT PAPER OF IMPERIAL COLLEGE LONDON FELIX Housemates forced to listen to student having sex, interrupting takeaway dinner and Take Me Out: The Gossip

tudents in a house in and then literally five minutes later Hammersmith were left the moans began. Sboth uncomfortable and “I can only speculate that they slightly aroused after hearing their either burnt their tongues downing housemate have sex for five hours the hot beverages before copulation, straight. or they were left on the side, wasted”. Rob Carling, 22, was in the living Rob became more distressed room watching a rerun of Take Me however, as the sounds did not cease Out: The Gossip, when the noises for hours, long after Take Me Out: started filtering down the stairs in The Gossip had finished. He told us their terraced house behind Charing how he was offered a brief respite Cross hospital. The uncensored as Caringdon went to get a glass of moans of passion and pleasure water from the kitchen, but once he started at around 20:15, just as Dick returned up the stairs, the noises was tucking into his Tesco Finest began again almost instantly. ready meal (Spaghetti Bolognese). Rob then contacted their other The housemate in question, housemate, Jessica Late, 23, as he was Luke Caringdon, 22, brought the at a loss at what to do over the noises. unsuspecting female home around Jessica told Hangman: “I didn’t know 19:20, after going for a drink with her what to do either: I was working late at the local pub on Fulham Palace in the office, so luckily wasn’t present Road. The identity of the female to hear the noises in person, but I was remains uncertain, as sources tell scared to go home”. Hangman that Caringdon’s mate of Jessica confirmed with Farmer choice was met online. that the noises had stopped before Rob told us: “He came out the flame, although as to why he would he refused to comment, although he Rob told Hangman more about the going home, although sounds ceased bedroom and downstairs wearing continue to wear them around the did tell housemates he didn’t know ordeal: “It was actually very sudden; around 01:00 – at which point Bratt a pink dressing gown, and some house after copulation we can only he was being too loud, and enquired he made a cup of tea for himself and left the room again, sporting a fluffy slippers. We can only assume speculate”. as to whether it sounded like the girl her, then they disappeared upstairs, “suspiciously short robe”. he acquired these from a former Hangman contacted Caringdon but was having a good time.

A candidate Lecturers ban Elections comes up to you You read a Someone throws candidate shout in the library café, manifesto Haribo at you in outs after lectures bingo disturbing you as promising SAF café begin to run 15 you eat a jacket “transparency” minutes late t may be a new year, potato a (basically) new set of candidates, and a You spot I You get followed You read a Cafés and new election, but what candidates by an election manifesto that common rooms to expect never changes. holding up the twitter account, starts “Since become awash We’ve made you this printers handy BINGO board to which itself has 12 my first day at with black and and guillotines in cut out and keep, and we followers Imperial…” white flyers the library suggest you take a few copies for subsequent The Union sends years if you are a younger you three spam You spy Someone irons a The Union student. That way you can transfer onto their struggle through the two emails in a day, someone ripping shop sells out of weeks of campaigning hell reminding you to down a poster t-shirt backwards maoams knowing what’s still yet to vote come. Have you managed to make it to the JCR Someone comes Someone asks without seeing a poster, Someone makes to do a shout you to change Someone being thrown a sweet, or a god-awful spotting a homemade out at the end of your profile photo promises in their election video... t-shirt? Such tranquillity the lecture, but to their campaign manifesto to make will not last for long! then asks you to everyone just gets photo. You ignore eActivities faster share it up and leaves them FELIX THE STUDENT PAPER OF IMPERIAL COLLEGE LONDON 06.03.2015 83 Exclusive: We interview this year’s From the Felix message DP ENIS candidate boards Members of the Felix readership (all eight of them) comment online about the major issues of, well, the last issue

Student elections open for voting

This year we see a lot of the big roles uncontested, how do you guys feel about it?

Lol I was only gonna vote for the fit ones anyway -Such_a_Lad_69

Eugh I for one could not give a shit. I got invited to about 100 events for stupid elections of students who are just doing it because they don’t want a normal job, or their CV is shit. The less idiots clogging up my news feed the better I say -ThirdYearApathy

I know rite they shud get an internship or smth instead lyk normal students have to - GoldmanSacsMan

I’m not even gonna vote, fucking CGCU never does ne of the more unlikely are scared students may move in H: Do you think College need to anything decent like RCSU balls candidates in the election this permanently. listen more attentively to students Oyear, Don Ma, is running for about the library? -A_Screw_Loose the newly created position of Deputy H: But isn’t one of your manifesto President (Engagement of Naturally promises to actually put bunk beds DM: I really do, and I feel that they That’s coz there are no girls in CGCU so why would Introverted Students), or DP ENIS. into the library, especially now they are too busy dilly dallying around The position was introduced last are closing Weeks hall? rent prices and hall demolitions to you even bother going lol year as a way to address the 43% of realise that the main centre of all -Touch_my_balls_PLEASE the student body that fail to interact DM: That is very true. I think we student life is in fact the library, and with the Union but instead live in the need to accept that Weeks is going it should be treated as such. Why do library. to close, but look for the best we only have one library café? Why I personally think it is appalling. Sabbaticals are paid The role of the DP ENIS is partially alternatives, and for those students do we have 18 printers, 24 scanners, an extortionate amount to represent the student body, to research and address why these who already spend most of their three lifts but no toilets? and it is decisions like Acton and Teddington that are few nomadic dwellers never interact time in the library, they might as well These are the issues that these with students outside of the library, be encouraged to move in full time. neglected students face day in and made without student consultation, because in reality but also to actually go and visit these Then those who live further out but day out, yet all the other sabbs just the sabbs elected are too spineless to do anything students now and again, to make prefer studying in departments or worry about storage space for clubs, about it. Makes me sick sure they are washing and eating at home can move into the rooms the price of pints and consultation correctly. that those that now live in the library platforms or frameworks or - Extra_OrdinaryCouncilMember Don Ma has pledged to donate a used to occupy. It’s win-win. whatever. That is why this role is key; third of his salary to pay for washlets, it actually seems to care about the But this is the first time we could have a female red bull and desk fans for these H: If people are going to live in the issues that matter to students. neglected students, and his long- library, won’t that make it harder to President in years thank fuck the patriarchy has been term goal is to finally install air encourage the students to interact H: Naturally introverted students pulled down a peg or two conditioning across all study areas. with the Union? are hard to engage with; they -Feminist_and_shouting_about_it We spoke to Don Ma, to hear what can be quite shy. Do you have any he thinks he can bring to the role. DM: I think we need to accept the experience you can draw on to inevitable, and think about moving ensure that this large demographic Actually, I think you will find that a record number Hangman: Hi Don, nice to meet Union outlets to the library instead. gets the attention it deserves? of students have stood in these elections, more you! What made you excited over I remember a few years ago, DP ENIS? there was a competition to name DM: I’ve learnt a lot about than any other year. If you are trying to say student Metric, and most people wanted to introverted students during my engagement is low, then I have the figures that say DM: Well, as a previous library actually call it the Library, so there internship as a park ranger; they are otherwise. You are wrong. dweller myself, I know what it can is a demand there for a night club very similar to hedgehogs – they be like to basically live within the that embodies the elements of the like to hide away or curl up in a ball. - Diego_UnionOverlord confines of the fifth floor of the library that students have become They are quite prickly too, and must library. I know how distant everyone accustomed to. be handled carefully. I will approach Have elections even started? else can seem when you trudge up Some people say they tried to these students the same way I there at 9am, sit there for 14 hours name the nightclub after the Library handled the hedgehogs; wearing -Wolfson_Suite_For_Lyf straight, and only leave your desk as a joke, but I feel that in reality gloves, offering up saucers of milk to go and get some coffee from the there is a deeper rooted attraction and talking in hushed tones. I think Lol I guess it means I don’t have to actually library café. to the building that we now need to that way they will then be brave Now that hot drinks are allowed embrace, not fight. enough to let me pet them – I mean, campaign. BELLO in the library, you don’t even have Although saying that, one of my talk to them – and I can ensure they -Do_you_fancy_a_bit_of_D(PW) an excuse to sit outside on the points is to literally pay people to are all happy and healthy. lawn for ten minutes or so; the only go to Metric; people often do stuff if reason we don’t have showers in the they get money in return I’ve heard, Thanks Don Ma, and good luck in Great stuff guys! - Felix Editor library right now is because College so it might be worth exploring that. your campaign! 84 06.03.2015 THE STUDENT PAPER OF IMPERIAL COLLEGE LONDON FELIX

What is going on inside the Blue Cube this week

We have an exciting stretch ahead of us, with lots of chances to come together and Blue News truly collaborate, propelling ourselves into The weekly newsletter of the Faculty Building the bright future. All-Staff Group Trust Meeting On Monday at 12pm, there will be our monthly Group Trust meeting, where we Hello all, Provost Post will be learning the importance of synergy and balance. of the Week We hope you are all having a productive and forward thinking week here in the Faculty Building! We have a lot of news since last week, so take a Don’t forget your yoga mat! Green Tea will Every week, a member of breather from your heavy workload of consulting, communicating and be provided. (All staff must attend) our esteemed Provost board fiddling amenities fund expenses to catch up on the latest Blue News! shares their thoughts with Sweeping Statements Masterclass our collaborative, cohesive On Tuesday, College Communications community. This week, we The most exciting news this week is that we finally have decided what to welcome Dee Creaserent, do with Garden Halls! This will be our new staff canteen, serving a variety are running a seminar you are welcome the Vice Provost (Hall to attend, about the importance of Demolition), who has been of healthy foods and beverages, and will also feature a staff gym and communicating Campus Portfolio working extensively with sports hall, for Compulsory Cube Squash sessions on a Saturday. the student body on what Evolution. matters to them. With these provisions in place, we can now move Ethos’ equipment to There are murmurings of disquiet What a month it has been! Estates, our wondrous Heston, freeing up even more space for our ambitious Central Services concerning Weeks hall, but rest assured, development team, and myself takeover of the north side of Rising Prices Gardens (whoops! Freudian these changes are all part of the optimal have been looking at all the slip there!). Ten Year Plan. Come to this seminar at 2pm ways we can improve our to learn all about how to deal with specific new beacon of hope, Imperial inquiries about the present with sweeping West, to ensure it offers the We also plan to announce the exciting news of our new halls, Imperial best facilities for world-class statements about the future. research, based in the heart Very West (Heathrow Campus), next week to the rest of our community. of the metropolitan sprawl With our Heathrow based halls, we will be able to offer accommodation of White City. If it is good Note: students in the building on enough for our flagship British for even more first year students at the low price of £148 a week, and Wednesday Broadcasting Corperation, it is they’ll only be 60 minutes away from all the exciting, London based On Wednesday, there will be a meeting on certainly good enough for our the second floor and several students are scientists! action. We had another ribbon invited to attend, so do not worry if you cutting ceremony there only We can’t wait to hear what our active, vocal and attentive student body spot any wandering the corridors. Politely last week, where we celebrated point them towards the lift and they will no the thousandth breezeblock to will say when we tell them the good news! be laid at the site, yet another doubt drift away. milestone worth mentioning in the ongoing Imperial West In sad news, we are saying goodbye to Vice Provost (Student Voice) as we These students are “elected” Sabbaticals development. decided their services are no longer needed. We hope they will be very I was a guest on the students’ from the Union, meaning they are the very own little television show a happy at one of the “lower-ranking” universities (not that rankings are cleanest and most polite of the student few weeks ago, which they just the be all and end all! Unless we come second, but I jest!), but one that body, so do not be alarmed. loved. I spoke to many students about our amazing work in values student experience nonetheless. building the new halls, and how We advise you keep contact to a minimum; we have kept our longstanding Since all of our students are so happy here, we don’t need to waste so the students are here for our biannual promise of making rents much money on a pointless role, and can use the funds to pay for the “consultation” meeting, and we will be reasonable at Woodward, our discussing our continued dedication to 24 new and exciting state of the art installation of a fountain for the foyer. Research shows that free flowing accommodation in the heart of hour library access, a topic we know they Acton, another up and coming water features install a sense of purpose into the office environment! are continually concerned about. part of the metropolitan sprawl out in West London. I also gently reminded our Have a productive, cohesive, collaborative and happy day! What is going on outside the students that we all need to embrace change, we need to blue cube this week be continually evolving, or else we will never improve and Alice Gast: Thought of the Week Peace and tranquillity throughout campus never grow! Resisting change no doubt! is resisting excellence, and “To move forward as a World Class Institution, although we have made some we must collaborate, communicate, consolidate tricky decisions now, they will and collaborate again. Only through acheiving We here are sure your walk through Dalby form the basis for world-class excellence in these fields, along with our alumni, Court at the end of the day will reveal to facilities in the future. you many a smiling student face, all excited We will now be looking with friends, supporters and rich alumni friends, what to do with our new site can we continue to be excellent in the world of to be on the same path to excellence once we have demolished research. Oh! And Education. We need to try to we are embarking upon as a world class Weeks Hall: onwards and be good at Education too. If we have time.” institution. upwards I say! FELIX THE STUDENT PAPER OF IMPERIAL COLLEGE LONDON 06.03.2015 85 Students become territorial over library spots as exam season nears

angman can reveal that the bid to take over the best study Hspots in Imperial College Library has officially begun, as hoards of broken stationary, dummy notes and sometimes empty sport bags are being left strewn across desks. The disarray of junk began appearing earlier this term as mid term exams took place. With many students saying it can take years to find the ultimate library study spot, it is no wonder that those who find academic nirvana within the confines of the library are doing anything they can to hold onto it. The first spots to be claimed ring binders and the odd biro were fortnight ago, coveted because when floor that are now being occupied in first year have died, but at least we were the coveted window seats on reported to have appeared on these the sun rises, the light hits these shifts. Hangman spoke to one of the are now averaging a 2.1.”2.1”. the silent level 2, highly regarded as early as last month. chairs and tables first. students present, who explained how Spots that are still up for grabs due to the ambient temperature, The second spots to slowly This is considered especially him and his housemate are taking include most of those on fourth floor the view over Queens Lawn (albeit disappear were the single study advantageous for those that are turns to use the spot, as one prefers (unless near a fan) and the entirety of slightly tinted) and the lack of noise. spaces in the Wolfson Suite in the night owls and are unlikely to come to work early in the morning and the fifth floor, as medical students don’t Thesenoise. Thesespots are spots perfect are perfect for intense for first floor, favoured for those that into contact with direct sunlight other works throughout the night. start working until the beginning of revisionintense revision periods, periods and, being and, close being prefer studying into the night and unless they prefer to cycle home “Although we live together, Easter. It is expected that these too enoughclose enough to the to library the library café, are café, are many final year biology students midmorning. I actually only see him during will be claimed by the beginning of great for rehydration and energy who have taken to living in the The latest spots claimed from library handover. Our flat back in May at the latest, so it is advisable replenishment. library before exams. Spots nearest now until the end of the year are the Hammersmith is a state and all our those who “Just can’t work at home,” Old Casio calculators, empty the window were claimed nearly a group study rooms also on the first house plants we stole from halls in start staking out their spot now.

Who should be the next Union President? You decide!

Lucinda’s flowing blonde locks Luke has slightly shorter locks, and Boris is the unlikely candidate for Tilda Swinton dips her jagged tips Taylor Swift is a big fan of pure can only do her favours in her run rumours have it he uses the classic this year’s Union President, but it in ice cold water every morning for eucalyptus oil, squeezed directly for Presidency. Insiders say she conditioning technique of bathing is well documented that he only three minutes, before towel drying from a cactus. She then “shakes conditions twice, and blowdries, his bangs in beer fortnightly, giving shampoos (using Johnson’s own and taking to the road. This ice it off” before blow drying and but never straightens her perfect them a slightly fizzy yet soft feel. shampoo, obviously) then lets his treatment toughens Tilda up for a styling. Look out for this blonde bob flowing mane. She also dips the The rumours he then sucks the tips locks dry naturally as he cycles to day of campaigning hard in the JCR. handing out fliers on the walkway. ends in coconut oil. Fruity! dry are unsubstantiated. Gassy! the Town Hall. Athletic! Democratic! Mainstream! 86 06.03.2015 THE STUDENT PAPER OF IMPERIAL COLLEGE LONDON FELIX “Meat the Candidates” claims several casualties

n a new and startling move to try and increase student engagement, IImperial College Union launched a #MeatTheCandidates; a televised session where students could come and throw large chunks of animal flesh at the candidates running for sabbatical positions. After recent surveying has shown that many students actively loathe those taking part in the elections, the Union made a rash decision to channel this anger towards candidates directly, in an effort to dispel it. Students were offered buckets containing steaks, chicken breasts, chicken nuggets after also admitting repeatedly after wanting to increase empathy”. Despite many of the candidates chicken wings, pork chops, sides that he thought the Union Council money for clubs and societies, Presidential candidates suffered leaving feeling bruised, those who of salmon and chicken nuggets. had the power to decrease pint but not knowing where this extra worst; one took a heavy blow from came to throw the meat said they Students attended in droves, prices. money will come from. Someone a whole turkey after stating that were a lot happier with the elections and took to flinging the food at The student running for Deputy also threw part of a shepherd’s pie at they would ensure College wouldn’t season, and also felt they had truly candidates after they were unable to President (Education) suffered from another DPFS candidate’s face, after close Weeks hall. Their opponent engaged for the first time in years. give suitable answers to questions several blows from a wrack of BBQ suggesting the Union could still do received the most painful attack of Said one final year student: “I’ve over their policy points. ribs after stating they would reduce away with entry fees. the night, when they stated that they never voted in the four years I’ve been There were several casualties of the ratio of students to staff in Deputy President (Welfare) fared would introduce a new consultation at Imperial, but for the first time ever the night. A Council Chair candidate tutorials; many of the BBQ ribs were considerably worse; after promising framework, despite the current I feel I’ve been able to constructively was struck down by a 9 oz steak after actually thrown by overstretched to reform the personal tutor system, one left untouched and unused for communicate my views to the Union admitting that he had never actually academics who don’t have the spare someone threw a whole salmon at months now. over the issues that matter to me. been to a Union Council meeting. He time to teach more. her face, knocking her off a chair and It took two people to throw the hog Nothing says “student dissatisfaction was left feeling raw and disillusioned, A student running for Deputy leaving a fishy grease stain down roast at the poor girl, and she was with student coursework deadlines” and was unable to recover in time President (Finance and Services) took her top. Said the student who threw knocked out cold before a stretcher like throwing a whole fish at a before suffering a hailstorm of a flurry of chicken wings to the body the fish: “You can’t teach academics came to carry her away. sabbatical candidate.”

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allowing Provost Board again closing halls weaponry into most hated after studentlast hall reducing the pocket Union Council to in London “condemn” money for first year students FELIX THE STUDENT PAPER OF IMPERIAL COLLEGE LONDON 06.03.2015 87 Industry-wise conspiracy Candid Candidate – Hangman gets an to make windows more exclusive interview with a DP (Lad) breakable to catch out candidate here was complete apathy rich sports teams in Imperial College today Tas one of the candidates running in this year’s Big Elections leading coach company has coach driver, who asked to remain revealed their motivations for been caught replacing their anonymous. “We’d all had enough of running were “I can’t be bothered Awindows with sugar-glass those students having a good time to find a job”. in an attempt to make them more and being a bit noisy on our coaches, In a tell-all interview with breakable, it was revealed today. so we decided to get our own back, Hangman, the candidate claimed The replacements appear to have and make a bit of money on the side.” “it doesn’t look that hard, all you been part of a plan to ensnare unwary Said another coach driver: “We do is sit on your arse all day and student sports clubs, with any minor actively let students drink on our pretend to be busy whenever a impact on the sugar-glass windows buses now, to maximise the chances student walks in.” continue. As the conversation culture”. causing them to fracture. of them leaning on the screen and Hangman got things going by turned to their opinion on the Big We ventured a suggestion According to leaked documents breaking it. Once it shatters, we asking if the candidate actually Elections, the candidate rapidly that this probably wasn’t a valid seen by Hangman, the coach call their Union straight away, and had any experience that they felt became more animated. “It’s well manifesto point, so the candidate company then planned to cover the demand as much money as we would make them a reasonable easy to get elected,” they roared. promptly emptied their pint over coaches in various alcoholic detritus, reckon they have.” candidate for the position. They “All you have to do is promise to our head. such as empty bottles of port stashed “Sometimes, we even contact pointed us to their extensive make eActivities faster and put Lured back by the promise of yet under the seats to “maximise the their student newspapers too, to experience as the social secretary some waffle about transparency more pints and a free Tube ride damage-to-student ratio.” really drive up the student-hating for a popular sports team, citing and accountability. Everyone loves (clothing optional), the candidate The company would then demand hype. That way we come across as their many emails to the club’s that stuff. allowed Hangman to query why compensation for the cost of cleaning a the victim, and people are more mailing list as proof of their “Plus it turns out I’m running no-one else ran for the position. and repairing the coaches from the inclined to send us more money as laddish credentials. unopposed anyway, so who cares? At this, the candidate just sports club, as well as “lost earnings”. compensation.” “I even got my emails published I could smash a window or shake chuckled and beckoned us closer. The money this brought in would A police spokesman confirmed the in that rag the college publish, so a small child and everyone would “That’s totally my fault, actually,” then be added to the insurance launch of Operation CoachGate 3.0 I’m totally internet famous now,” still have to vote for me. Actually, they revealed. “I just started a claim, leaving the coach company Rugby, an industry-wide investigation they claimed. I might put ‘Shake a Small Child rumour that Kris Kraye was going significantly better off, and the into the practice. When asked to specify which Saturdays’ on my manifesto.” to run for it, and everyone else unfortunate sports clubs out of They found illegal warehouses club they were referring to, the ‘Shake a Small Child Saturdays’ was too scared to challenge him. I pocket and in disgrace. developing the sugar glass, alongside candidate laughed and muttered would in fact be only the knew he wasn’t going to, because It is believed the change was part several hard drives filled with student something about “balls” before third point on the candidate’s he told me in the bar last night of an industry-wide insurance scam, details and scanned copies of a old refusing to answer any further manifesto, which Hangman was after our twentieth pint that he with several leading coach companies Felix and Daily Mail articles. The questions. allowed an exclusive first look wanted to be DP (Money and apparently complicit in the scheme. investigation continues, and so far After much coaxing (and a few at before publication. The first is Swag). “We were all doing it,” said one eight teams have been reimbursed. pints), they were convinced to quite simply to “bring back Lad “What a lad”. HOROSCOPES CANCER TAURUS GEMINI VIRGO ARIES LEO

This week you campaign for This week for the 1600th issue This week you DJ for a friend’s This week you decide to do This week in celebration This week you decide to raise president; printing posters we finally complete the hotly party, investing a large amount a 24 hour radio broadcast to of Felix’s 1600th issue you funds with a bit of kidnapping with your face and some sort of anticipated fishcake recipe: in professional DJ equipment feed Fen Bernando. After decide to go for it and be the on the side; but after nabbing pop culture reference because Dip the cakes into the egg, then (by which you mean stealing caffeinating yourself to within centerfold. Unfortunately you your fluid mechanics lecturer apparently that constitutes a press into the breadcrumbs all it from IC radio). A problem an inch of your life, developing don’t realize that the group you realize the library locks its campaign, and forcing all your over. Fry for 5 mins each side becomes apparent at the party diarrhoea, you decide to shave who’ve booked the slot is the printer drawers so you can’t friends to help. Then a rugby until golden. Remove and serve when you reveal your 70s your head. People start to call Alice Gast appreciation club, send a ransom note. Outlook captain makes a joke candidacy with lemon and watercress. playlist – your compilation of you egg head, and someone in leading to you being pictured refuses to find the right person for his penis and wins 68% of I know no one found these Rolf Harris, Gary Glitter, and the JCR tries to dunk toast into with a load of nude middle to send it to, so you have to the vote. At least Kris Kraye funny but fuck you, I write the the Jim’ll Fix It theme doesn’t your skull. You look like a cute aged women. Rumors spread use IC Secrets, after which the will provide fresh pizza bases. horoscopes here, not you. exactly go down well. Phil Mitchell though. and your granny disowns you. police find you. Pint? CAPRICORN SAGITTARIUS AQUARIUS SCORPIO PISCES LIBRA

This week you run ICTV’s This week you hit Metric This week, after forgetting I like to think someone will This week in an attempt to This week you decide to run Meat the Candidates on; you hard, inviting 100 of your to donate a third of your someday look over these and combat global warming you a paper that is 100 pages accidentally invite David friends who say they live in paycheck to charity like you wonder about the writer and decide to start pissing in long, but forget that you are Cameron, and after seeing Beit in order to get in free. promised, you realize that what they’re doing. Nothing bottles, saving wasted water in scheduled to have bronchitis there’s only one opponent he When you return home you your rampant addiction to constructive probably – I hope the toilets; however you fail that week too. The days pass shows up. Sporty Mcsports apply for a union position and vinyl PVC catsuits has left you to become president of Surrey to take into account the sheer in a strepsil-induced haze, drinks too much cider and subsequently win; however as a with considerably less money University so that when they amount you piss, amassing 5 and it is only on Friday when decides to fight Cameron on middle class white Surrey boy, than you thought. You decide send rejection letters, it’ll read gallons in the first day. You you realise you’ve actually live television, creating the your electorate don’t really to sell a kidney – luckily your “Surrey, you didn’t get a place”. bring a girl back to your room submitted 100 pages of love most sensational student TV connect to you as black and medic roommate has a black Might go to Uruguay a few forgetting the piss. Luckily poems, dedicated to an angry broadcast ever; 6 whole views! ethnic minorities officer. market organ trade on the side. years. Looks nice on the TV. they enjoy a tad of watersports. Northern fresher. 88 06.03.2015 THE STUDENT PAPER OF IMPERIAL COLLEGE LONDON FELIX Puzzles [email protected] Puzzles Editor Michael Faggetter Word Star Weekly Quiz QuizSoc

1) Find 5, four-letter words using the clues written below. This quiz has been brought to you by QuizSoc, who write a new quiz each week! 2) Fit them all into the star (the arrows indicate the direction in which the word is read). If you need a quiz for your event, you can contact the society! Contact [email protected] for more information. WORD STAR 1 1) The Fine Arts What is the name of the famous and much referenced Grant Wood painting of a farmer Clues: holding a pitchfork with a woman next to him in front of a house? 1) A river that starts in Burundi 2) World History 2) One of the Monopoly tokens Which decisive 1645 battle of the English Civil War was fought in Northamptonshire and 3) Bigger ___ a breadbox effectively ended the war in favour of the Parliamentarians? 4) Bridge fee 3) In the News Which F1 driver was left concussed in a crash and is not expected to drive in the Australian 5) Shove off GP? 4) Obscure Nerd Trivia Which Star Wars race with brain-tails includes Jedi Master Aayala Secura, lovable street urchin Mission Vao, and belly dancer Oola? 5) World Geography Which Arab country has capital Muscat? 6) Other Languages To which language do we owe the words bamboo, junk (as in the type of boat), and gong? 7) Making Your Science Degree Work For You WORD STAR 2 What class of numbers is represented by the letter Z? Clues: 8) Sex, Drugs and Rock and Roll With what name is the mix of cocaine and heroin for intravenous use known? John Belushi 1) Inventor of Tupperware and River Phoenix are some that have died from this very dangerous concoction. 2) Ovaltine 9) This Day in History 3) A valley On the 6th of March 1834, the Canadian city of York was officially renamed. With what 4) Suffix for skin name is it known today? 5) Blue, type of duck 10) ...and if you got all the others correct, their initials spell out... 16th century physician Andreas Vesalius was what specific kind of doctor, one of the first of its kind?

Cross-Number

This was so popular a couple of weeks ago... so here is another one! This one should be just as challenging. For those of you who didn’t get this last week, the aim is to fill in the grid (right) with the numbers 0-9, using the clues below. Good luck! If you need somewhere to start, check out the ‘Last Week’s Solutions’ section for a hint.

Across 27) 7 across plus one. 12) 4 across plus 7 across. 1) A cube. 28) Its digits total fourteen 29. Same 13) First digit is the sum of the 3) See 5 down. as 6 across. others. 4) 11 down minus three. 30) Two same digits. 15) Last digit is the sum of the 6) 12 down plus 27 across 7. See 12 31) See 14 across. others. down 17) Mean of 3 across and 8 down. 8) 30 across squared. Down 18) A square. 10) Its digits total 24 down 13. 1) 14 across minus 20 down 2. 15 19) Consecutive digits unordered. Consecutive digits in order. down squared plus a thousand. 20) Three times 21 across. 14) 31 across times 15 down 16. 1 3) 23 down squared. 21) 12 down times 13 down 22. 10 across squared. 5) 3 across squared. across minus 13 down minus four. 21) 13 across minus 2 down 25. A 8) 29 across plus 12 down. 23) 8 down plus 11 down. square. 9) 27 across plus 30 across plus ten. 24) Mean of 4 across and 27 across. 26) Consecutive digits unordered. 11) A square. FELIX THE STUDENT PAPER OF IMPERIAL COLLEGE LONDON 06.03.2015 89 Puzzles Puzzles Editor Michael Faggetter [email protected] Puzzles Editor Michael Faggetter Dingbats: UG Halls of Residence 4pics1word What is the one word, which encompasses all four pictures?

Slitherlink Word Search

The objective of this logice puzzles is to connect dots with horizontal and vertical lines to How much time do you spend on the internet? Here is a fun test. form a single continuous line/loop. There are a total of 25 common memes hidden in the grid. e.g. “Anti-joke Chicken” In addition, the numbers in the grid indicate the total number of adjacent segments within Good luck! the loop. 90 06.03.2015 THE STUDENT PAPER OF IMPERIAL COLLEGE LONDON FELIX Puzzles [email protected] Puzzles Editor Michael Faggetter Quick Crossword Jamie Dutton and Ben Harvey

Across 26) Eternal (7) 1) Sound intensity unit (7) 4) A variety of bet (4,3) Down 8) ____ Mayweather; American boxer 1) Embezzle (7) (5) 2) Member of newspaper production 11) Gestured (5) team (9,6) 12) Idiotic (7) 3) Small hotel (3,3,9) 13) Yet to be married (5) 5) In any circumstance (4,4,2,5) 14) Information (informal) (3) 6) Voluntary community 15) Donkeys (5) organisation (6,9) 16) Hold back from (7) 7) Jewish language (7) 19) Serbian-American inventor; Nikola 9) Musician Benny Goodman _____ (5) nickname (4,2,5) 20) The ___; British rock band (3) 10) City in Minnesota (11) 21) Style of the recent past (5) 17) S Club 7 member; Rachel _____ 22) Nationality of former F1 driver (7) Mika Häkkinen (7) 18) Football manager; Brendan ____ 23) In addition (5) (7) 24) Desensitize (5) 25) Pool; pot the cue ball (7)

FUCWIT Word Ladders For Issue 1600 there are three pages of puzzles! This is a serious Climb down the ladders by placing four-letter words in the gaps, changing a single letter each time. opportunity to get ahead in the FUCWIT league. Once again, just a reminder that to keep this section going, we need your support! If you have any ideas for puzzles that you would like TOFU COOK JUMP HARD to see here, or want to get involved in any other way, then please just drop us an email! As always, don’t forget to send in your completed puzzles. Points are awarded for each correct solution, bonus points (in brackets) are awarded to the first correct answer! Points avaliable this week: 3 6 1 5 2 4 Weekly Quiz 4 points (+2) 2 5 4 1 6 3 1 2 3 6 4 5 Word Stars 3 points each (+1) 5 4 6 3 1 2 Cross-Number 4 points (+2) FILE MEAT BARN 6 3 EASY2 4 5 1 Quick Crossword 4 points (+2) 4 1 5 2 3 6 Word Search 2 points (+2) 3 6 1 5 2 4 6 4 2 1 3 5 Word Ladders 1 point each (+1) Wreck, 2 5 4 1 6 3 5 1 3 2 6 4 Sudoku 2 points (+1) Tangle! Last Week’s1 2 3 Solutions6 4 5 1 2 4 3 5 6 4pics1word 1 point (+1) 5 4 6 3 1 2 3 5 6 4 1 2 Slitherlink 3 points (+2) 6 3 2 4 5 1 2 3 5 6 4 1 4 1 5 2 3 6 4 6 1 5 2 3 HoR Dingbats 2 points (+3) Sudoku 3 6 1 5 2 4 6 4 2 1 3 5 2 3 5 1 6 4 2 5 4 1 6 3 5 1 3 2 6 4 1 6 4 5 2 3 Leaderboard 1 2 3 6 4 5 1 2 4 3 5 6 6 5 2 3 4 1 5 4 6 3 1 2 3 5 6 4 1 2 4 1 3 2 5 6 Teams: 6 3 2 4 5 1 2 3 5 6 4 1 3 2 6 4 1 5 Individuals: 4 1 5 2 3 6 4 6 1 5 2 3 5 4 1 6 3 2 1. Adam Stewart 106 1. Fully Erect 128 2. Jem Ong 40 2. L3Gendary 74 6 4 2 1 3 5 2 3 5 1 6 4 3. Catmelon 39 3. Mindsuckers 48 Weekly5 1 3 Quiz2 6 4 1 6 4 5 2 3 4. Kebab King 21 4. WG 27 1 2 4 3 5 6 6 5 2 3 4 1 5. Sach Patel 11 5. pintosRules 23 31) Lisergic5 6 Acid4 1 2 44) Stadium1 3 entrance/2 5 6 7) Green Party 6. Angus 8 6. Dapper Giraffe 15 2 3 5 6 4 1 3 2 6 4 1 5 4 Diethylamide6 1 5 2 3 5 exit4 1 6 3 2 8) Hydroxyzine 7. Gene H. 7 7. AnyonebutKofi 8 2) Italy 5) Lemniscate 9) Elizabeth Taylor 8. Fengchu Zhang 3 8. Ebolalala 7 23) Mork3 5 1 6 4 6) Into The Wild 10) Limelight 9. Gabriel Quek 2 9. Aerodoku 2 1 6 4 5 2 3 10. Guang <3 Le 1 6 5 2 3 4 1 7a, Nvnumber two in binary. Nvnumber two Cross-number hint: 7a, 4 1 3 2 5 6 3 2 6 4 1 5 5 4 1 6 3 2 FELIX THE STUDENT PAPER OF IMPERIAL COLLEGE LONDON 06.03.2015 91 Clubs and Societies [email protected] C & S Editor Ben Howitt Geeks with Frickin’ Lasers Miles Taylor-Robinson’s improbable Mission with Hackspace and Robotics Society

n a collaborative first, the Imperial home around 21:30, full of new ideas. College Advanced Haxckspace Over the course of the week we I(ICAH) and the Imperial College sourced components for all the teams’ Robotics Society (ICRS) teamed up devices, including a smoke machine to put on a brand new hackathon (seemed legit). We also ran a midweek entitled Mission: Improbable. hack in the ICRS lab for the teams to The theme was inspired by classic get some help from Josh and Aksat. heist and adventure movies, from Ocean’s 11 to Indiana Jones. First, The Mission Improbable each team was tasked with designing Finals! and building a security device to protect a precious idol on display in a Saturday 28th February began bright museum. Sadly, the British Museum and early as the early risers ambled were unable to lend us any suitably into the ICRS Lab at around 09.30. By valuable items from their collection, around 11:00 there was at least one so we went with 3D printed Yoda member from each team beavering heads instead. At the end of the week away on their hacks. The last four (with a strict time limit of 3 minutes) hours were an increasingly frantic each team had the chance to steal blur of hurried chatter, laser cutting from a rival team’s device undetected. and soldering; with a bacon buttie The emphasis of the brief was on breakfast break in between. detection rather than prevention. Just before the 14:00 deadline our We wanted there to be no physical panel of judges started to arrive. We barriers to hacking; teams won points had Keith from Aviva with his son for the openness of their design. James, Shaun from Resin.io, Munir The more the inner workings of the from Imagination and Imperial’s very devices were accessible, the better. own Mark Witkowski. With everyone The onus was on the participants to assembled, we pried the last of the use clever electronics as the defence teams from their desks in the ICRS mechanism. lab and headed over to the Skempton Lasers really do make literally everything cooler. Photo: Miles Taylor-Robinson The event kicked off on Friday lecture theatre where the showdown 20th February with an open evening was to take place. With fully open electronics, they used multiple layers to the security. simulate the practical realities of in the EEE building. Josh Elsdon, Amazingly, all 7 teams had theramins to sound the alarm if an Drawing from a hat, each team was life in a museum. This was also to multi-talented ICRS Lab Manager managed to complete their devices. intruder came too close. Team Force assigned their target device. Over demonstrate if a device was too detailed the rules to the assembled The first half of the afternoon saw created a beautifully laser cut triangle lunch the teams grilled one another sensitive to false positives. The test hackers. We then brought out a box each team explain the ins and outs plinth with strips of mirrored acrylic about the specifics of their devices; was threefold and involved testing of pre-purchased parts to get the ideas of their devices and field questions to bounce lasers all around. the competition rules mandated full for minor vibrations, gusts of air and flowing: everything from lasers and both technical and comical (“Is it ‘Team Furry Shoe’ went for a novel disclosure! Some headed to the Pink torch light directed onto the idol. pressure sensors to mirrored acrylic waterproof?”). no stone was left approach- building their plinth out Room to make widgets to help them After a short description of the and development boards. Next the unturned. of lego they enclosed their electronics hack. By 16:30 everyone was ushered plan of attack, the hack teams had drinks came out, plus enough pizza to It was great to see such a variety in a motorised spinner, thus making back into the lecture theatre to begin 3 minutes to steal the Yoda bust wallpaper the entirety of the Business of systems used in the Hackathon. hacking a difficult prospect! All seven the hacking phase. undetected. The excited crowd School. The teams started to take ‘Team Aether’ went with an elegant teams had interesting and exciting For each device we ran through a alternated between raucous noise and shape and the last participants headed design which fitted the brief perfectly. designs, most of which included system of simple disturbances – to pin drop silence; is there anything more tense than absolute silence followed by the solitary sound of wires being cut? Once all the hacks had been completed, the judges adjourned to make their decisions. While each team produced a strong entry, the winner chosen was ‘Team Force’ for their beautifully realised laser plinth plus their successful hack. In second place was ‘Team Invulnerable’ and in third came ‘Team MD’. ‘Team Furry Shoe’ took the Haribo prize. A big thank you to Aviva, Resin.io and Imagination for their generous sponsorship of the prizes, plus special thanks goes to Josh and Aksat from ICRS for all their hard work in the lab Left: Competitors assemble to discuss their plans for protecting Master Yoda. Right: a laptop running the security team is bypassed bya rival team. and Eifion for his fantastic videos! Photos: Miles Taylor-Robinson 92 06.03.2015 THE STUDENT PAPER OF IMPERIAL COLLEGE LONDON FELIX

Sport Editor: Kunal Wagle Royal School of Mines wins the Bottle Match for the fifth year in a row Nick Farmer reports from Harlington, where RSM come from behind to retain the bottle

or the fifth year running but losing 6 and the match to a CSM ending 10-1 to CSM. Imperial’s Royal School of side featuring several players who The mens hockey went better for FMines were victorious in the are allegedly no longer students. the RSM, who took an early 2-0 Bottle Match against Camborne RSM were also unlucky in the lead from an excellent aerial in School of Mines, held at the netball, with a strong CSM team to the D from Rowan Hedgecock Harlington Sports Ground on featuring a particularly tall goal tucked in behind the keeper by February 21st. attack pressing their advantage, and Chris Thomas, followed by a flying Teams from the two mining the match ending a 72-22 loss of goal from Richard Price, assisted schools went head to head in RSM. Despite the scoreline the RSM by a well worked pass across goal by Will Murray. Although CSM drew level again by half time, the second half saw RSM pull back ahead with a spectacular reverse stick finish from Murray before Anthony Vaquero sealed the match, putting the ball into the top of the net from a dummy drag flick from Bottle Match veteran Ben Bell. The match ended 4-2, with RSM retaining (and briefly losing in the Union) the Sharpley Cup. As in previous years, the football was not particularly auspicious for RSM, with the match ending in a loss despite an enthusiastic performance from an RSM team who surprised CSM with a good press at the start, and delivered a Photo: Matt Pike much tighter game than reflected in the the 3-0 scoreline. badminton, squash, netball, hockey, were vocal in support of the team, The contest for the Bottle itself, football and rugby in a weekend- with high hopes for the rest of Bottle the rugby, started with a few long event hosted by the RSM, Match. worrying moments for RSM, with with a large contingent of CSM An early start on Saturday saw CSM taking an early lead. However, supporters making the journey up a highly enthusiastic but not RSM soon came to dominate the from Cornwall by coach. particularly experienced RSM game, under the leadership of top Friday saw the squash and womens hockey team take an Hollister model Freddy White, with badminton matches, held at Ethos. unfortunate loss despite a goal from tries from David Nielsen-Scott, Ed While RSM dominated the squash fresher Alice Tidwell. The team kept Durkin and James Cox. Despite a 5-0, they were not so fortunate in their heads high and defended to the solid effort from the CSM team, who the badminton, winning 3 games, end, but to no avail, with the match had two disallowed tries, the match The RSM celebrate the retaining of the bottle, a feat they have managed for the last five years. Photo: Matt Pike

Photo: Matt Pike Photo: Matt Pike Photo: Matt Pike FELIX THE STUDENT PAPER OF IMPERIAL COLLEGE LONDON 06.03.2015 93

Sport Editor: Kunal Wagle

What they said about the weekend The scores in full “Once again the Bottle proved to be a tough physical match. We had done Badminton 6-3 CSM a lot of preparation for the day but we were naturally a little nervous due to the history of the Bottle Match. Even after going behind in the first 20 Squash 5-0 RSM and with 2 yellow cards I knew the RSM had the player quality to get the job done. I’d like to thank the entire squad for the effort they put in; many Netball 72-22 CSM played through injuries and illness, toughing it out for the team.” FREDDY WHITE, RSM RUGBY CAPTAIN Womens Hockey 10-1 CSM

“Winning the Sharpley cup for the second time in as many years was a Mens Hockey 4-2 RSM huge moment for the RSM, since it was only the 3rd time in the recorded history of the trophy (over 40 years) that the RSM have prevailed against a Football 3-0 CSM historically much stronger CSM side.” BEN BELL, MENS HOCKEY VETERAN Rugby 19-7 RSM Photo: Matt Pike

Photo: Matt Pike

ended 19-7, with RSM retaining the Matches would not be tolerated, had what was thought to be an Bottle for the 5th year running. with Sammy the Bouncer in offensive weapon confiscated, but The Bottle Match is one of the attendance to keep everyone in line, on closer inspection this proved to social and sporting highlights of and dire threats of the cancellation be a costume prop. Speaking to Felix the year for both RSM and CSM of future matches if the College and about College pressure to police the students, with an after party hosted Union were unhappy with students’ behavior of supporters, who this by the RSM in Metric. However, conduct throughout the day. year included staff and alumni as supporters and players from both Fortunately, these fears proved well as students, an anonymous institutions were warned that the to be unfounded, as no serious source within the RSMU said, excesses of alcohol-fuelled behavior incidents of antisocial behavior of “hopefully next year they will get The RSM celebrate the retaining of the bottle, a feat they have managed for the last five years. Photo: Matt Pike that had marked previous Bottle injury occurred. One CSM student off our case”.

Photo: Matt Pike Photo: Matt Pike Photo: Matt Pike 94 06.03.2015 THE STUDENT PAPER OF IMPERIAL COLLEGE LONDON FELIX

Sport Editor: Kunal Wagle

Imperial Falcons finish third in Loughborough

Ashley Ng carries on from last week, reporting on the second day of the tournament

n the second day of the M1 Series the four run lead. As the clock ran Tournament, the weather looked down, the umpire announced that no Iominous as dark clouds rolled more new innings would be played. in following the Falcons’ arrival This left the Falcons needing to in Loughborough. Thankfully, the score four runs to stay in the game weather held for their first game and Loughborough finally brought against the Loughborough Thunder on one of their more experienced and the Falcons got off to a decent pitchers to close out the game. start, opening the scoring with a run Despite the stronger pitching, the coming in off a passed ball as lead-off Falcons came out strongly as catcher hitter Ashley came round to score Ashley got on base off a walk and after drawing a walk and stealing eventually came round to score on two bases. Centre fielder Chris and a passed ball after having stolen to shortstop Edoardo also managed third. Chris then gave up the first out to get on base but were unlucky as he struck out swinging on a 1-2 to get tagged out at home in two count. Edoardo then drew a walk and consecutive plays before the inning stole second before taking third as ended with left fielder Stephane Ben got on base off a K-E2 (dropped grounding out to shortstop. The strike out ball). With one down, the lead was short-lived however as the tying run, Rhys “The Beast” Jones Thunder’s return salvo at the bottom stepped up to the plate and hit a of the inning yielded four runs and line-drive between first and second gave them a commanding three run to score Edoardo. Ben however was lead. tagged out at home trying to close The Falcons failed to score in the the lead as Rhys made an ill-advised second, despite right fielders Min and attempt to lengthen his single into Chris both drawing walks, as rookie a double that resulted in an easy debutants Hriday and Zayd grounded double play for the Thunder to close out before Edoardo popped out to out the game and shutdown the the Thunder’s catcher. The Falcons Falcons’ hopes of turning the game made up for the abysmal hitting around. however with a strong defensive With the score now at 7-5 to the inning to hold the Thunder to single Thunder, the bottom of the inning Photo: Baseball Softball UK run in the bottom of the second. The was played out due to the tiebreak third inning started off slowly with rule, with Loughborough hoping on the skies above the field. Despite for the Falcons as they needed to throughout the pitch. As the fateful pitcher Ben Hollis grounding out to to lengthen their lead and increase the weather, the Falcons started score three runs in the bottom pitch left the pitcher’s fingers all short. Rhys and Stephane however, their run differential. This was strongly off some strong pitching half of the inning to tie the game. eyes were on Chris as he turned and managed to draw walks to get on base not to be however, as the Falcons from their ace, Edoardo Lisi. They The inning started off with Rhys brought the bat to bear. The next few before stealing to third and second finally found their groove and shut held Nottingham to only one run getting on base off a walk before moments would come to highlight respectively. With runners in scoring down the Thunder offense, holding before hitting a mercy rule inning Vincent popped out to second. the Falcons’ M1ST experience as the position, the Falcons’ rookies came them to zero runs with two strike to take a commanding 5-1 lead off He subsequently stole to third as hard-hit line-drive sailed over the out in a big way with two consecutive outs delivered by reliever Vincent consecutive over-the-fence ground Stephane drew a walk to get on first. Thieves short stop and dropped for RBI hits to bring in 2 runs for the “Demon Pitcher” Li. rule doubles from first baseman Ben Rhys then came home on a passed a single. With Hriday safely home Falcons and make it a two-run ball As the Falcons took a 20 minute and second baseman Rhys. ball to bring the Falcons within two and the game tied, Ashley rounded game. breather before their next game As the second inning came round, runs as Stephane stole to third. The third without breaking pace and Despite the mounting pressure against Nottingham, the first drops the weather grew progressively Falcons hope were dealt a huge blow went full speed into home plate to as the Falcons closed the lead, the of the previously forecasted rain worse and the Falcons slowly started however as rookie third baseman score the fourth run and take the Thunder came out strongly in the started to fall. As the game started, to freeze. This was reflected in Zayd was put out to bring the Thieves game for the Falcons. With the game, bottom of the inning to score two the weather grew more menacing their fielding as the Falcons gave within one out of sealing the game. and third place safely in the bag, the runs of their own and re-establish with ever darker clouds closing in up three runs to allow the Thieves With two outs, debutant right fielder Falcons then rushed to pack their back into the game at a score of 5-4. Hriday stepped up to the plate and equipment before making a beeline Fortunately, the lead wasn’t the only drew the walk to load the tying run for the warmth and dryness of the thing to disappear in the inclement on first and bring the Falcons back to Loughborough University Fitness weather as the score sheet dissolved the top of the line-up. With the tying Centre to celebrate their emphatic in the rain, taking away all record run at the plate, the tension was victory in what was effectively a of the abysmal inning. The Falcons palpable as Hriday stole second to third place playoff. offense then failed to replicate their put the tying run in scoring position. Despite losing out on a spot in the first inning success, scoring only The Falcons’ shortstop then hit a final by only two runs, the Falcons one run while giving up three easy blistering line-drive that careened will take a lot of positives from outs to the Thieves. With the rain off the left field fence and scored this competition with the strong now in full force, the Falcons offered Stephane to bring the Falcons within performances of debutants Hriday to end the match then. However, one run of tying the game. and Zayd as well as greatly improved the northern-bred Thieves would With Hriday on third, centre hitting from the team in general. not give up, and banking on their fielder Chris took the strike to let With these encouraging signs, cold-resistant northern blood, Ashley steal second and get the the Falcons will train even harder they proceeded to hit in a mercy winning run in scoring position. A over the next month and return rule inning of their own to take a missed swing later, the Thieves were to the Spring Cup with the aim of commanding three run lead. now one strike away from ending the finally bringing home that coveted Photo: IC Baseball Things were now looking dismal game and the intensity could be felt championship trophy. FELIX THE STUDENT PAPER OF IMPERIAL COLLEGE LONDON 06.03.2015 95

Sport Editor: Kunal Wagle

Shots fired at BUCS: Rifle and Pistol win silver Ernest Lo reports from Sheffield as the Imperial A team finish second

ver BUCS weekend at the end of February, six Obrave Imperial souls left the comfort and warmth of their London flats to compete in the BUCS Smallbore Rifle Finals. After a hearty Chinese takeaway dinner, something of a team tradition, they set off for Sheffield ready for the upcoming two days of individual and team shooting. Smallbore is a rifle shooting discipline that involves a small calibre round (5mm wide by 20mm long) fired over short distances between 20-100 yards. Indoors it is shot over 25 yards. Smallbore shooting encapsulates the pure marksmanship aspect of rifle shooting, disregarding external factors such as wind, weather and lighting conditions, as well as the use of a more controllable firearm due to its reduced power. It is the most popular rifle shooting discipline owing to its simplicity and accessibility, forgoing the need of large outdoor ranges. For this very reason, many fullbore rifle shooters, those who shoot long distances outdoors, frequently train with smallbore shooting, especially during winter. Smallbore training at the ICRPC range Photo: Rifle and Pistol After a few hiccups and delays with some of the other teams 88/100 and 99/100, over consecutive The team won second place by 1 Also worth mentioning is the fact shooters of all levels, from those (*cough* ULU *cough*), shooting rounds, showing that shooting is point. To put that in perspective, if that the Imperial B team, led by who have never held a firearm got underway. The Imperial A team just as much about mental stamina one shot out of the forty by any of Goronwy Tawy, won first place in before to national level athletes. In led by Laura Stokes, emerged with as the physical stamina. There our shooters was off the mark by an the BUCS smallbore division 3 fact, our very own A team member, silver medals on their necks and were a few competitors from other extra half-millimetre, it would’ve league bringing back gold medals Alex Taylor, is on the GB U19 relief after such stiff competition. teams who felt the need to show off knocked the team down to bronze. and further motivation to our fullbore rifle team competing in This is the highest Imperial has their impressive rifles with extra Gold ultimately went to mostly fresher B team. South Africa this Easter. Our state placed in our known competition long barrel extensions, perhaps Southampton University, winners Imperial College Rifle and Pistol of the art facilities and helpful history, having come fifth the to compensate for their lack of of the title eight times out of Club is one of the oldest societies community of shooters mean we’ve previous year and fourth the skill. However that wasn’t the case the past ten years, also the alma at Imperial College, dating back consistently had over 150 members, year before. A notable mention and the competition was tightly mater of one of our best shooters, to before the merging of the many of which start their lifelong was our illustrious club captain, matched. The point margin between postgraduate medic Lawrie constituent colleges. As a club, we shooting passion with us. So if James Badman, who shot both the 2nd place and 6th place was ten Greenfield, owner of the infamous offer every discipline of shooting you want to try something new, best and worst score of the team, points out of a maximum of 2400. all-black “Darth Vader” rifle. that is available in this country, something a bit different, why not BUCS competitions are shot as smallbore rifle, fullbore rifle, air give it a shot? a league throughout the winter, pistol and clay pigeon shooting, We can be found by our Facebook with the top teams and individual most of which have corresponding (rifleandpistol), twitter (ICrifle) and shooters progress onto the finals. Olympic events. We cater to on the Union website.

ICRPC Smallbore A Team Photo: Rifle and Pistol Clay Pigeon shooting against LSE Photo: Joe Wilson