Cambridge Alumni Magazine Issue 84 – Easter 2018 What a snooze fest: why boredom could actually be good for you. Scandi flatpack buildings fit for the Ottoman Emperor. New books, old books, little known books: the summer reading list. Immersive tours of the East; from temples in Varanasi to tea gardens in Kanazawa From India’s Mughal palaces to Japan’s temple gardens, our iti neraries Illustrati on: aquati nt c. 1830 aft er a drawing by Robert Melville Grindlay. across Asia celebrate the cultural achievements of some of the world’s most extraordinary civilisati ons. Explore the Buddhist temples of Varanasi and sail Vietnam’s Perfume River. ‘Every day we got up thinking Interpret the ‘art of the fl oati ng world’ in Kyoto and the exquisite treasures it couldn’t possibly be as good of Ming and Qing Beijing. as the day before, and it was. In all fi ve countries of our Asia programme our expert lecturers enliven Diff erent and wonderful.’ ancient philosophies and dazzling landscapes with their eruditi on and enthusiasm. Expect, equally, high standards of accommodati on and Contact us: privileged access at key sites. +44 (0)20 8742 3355 Our dozen tours in Asia include Sacred India, Kingdoms of the Deccan, Bengal by River, Indian Summer, Ming & Qing Civilisati on, Essenti al China, Japanese marti nrandall.com/asia Gardens, Samarkand & Silk Road Citi es and Vietnam. ATOL 3622 | ABTA Y6050 | AITO 5085 Editor Immersive tours of the East; Mira Katbamna Commissioning editor Steve McGrath from temples in Varanasi to Design and art direction Rob Flanagan University of Cambridge tea gardens in Kanazawa Morven Knowles Cambridge Alumni Magazine Issue 84 Easter 2018 02 INBOX Publisher The University of Cambridge Development & Alumni Relations Campendium 1 Quayside, Bridge Street 30 Cambridge CB5 8AB Tel +44 (0)1223 332288 07 DON’S DIARY Dr Andrew Grant. Editorial enquiries Tel +44 (0)1223 332288 08 MY ROOM, YOUR ROOM [email protected] Caroline Wilson (Downing 1989). Alumni enquiries 10 BRAINWAVES Tel +44 (0)1223 332288 Professor Zoe Kourtzi. [email protected] alumni.cam.ac.uk 11 SOCIETY facebook.com/cambridgealumni Impronauts. @Cambridge_Uni #camalumni Advertising enquiries Tel +44 (0)20 7520 9474 Contents Features [email protected] 12 SUMMER READING Services offered by advertisers New books, old books and little-known are not specifically endorsed by the editor, YBM Limited books: our definitive list for 2018. or the University of Cambridge. 20 ALWAYS ON MY MIND The publisher reserves the right to decline or withdraw Professor Giovanna Mallucci explains advertisements. what her groundbreaking research Cover means for Alzheimer’s patients. Photography by Lydia Whitmore; 24 ON BOREDOM styling by Vicky Lees. Before the internet, boredom was Copyright © 2018 feared. Today, experts are beginning The University of Cambridge. to ask whether it might be good for us. CAM is published three times a year, in the Lent, Easter and 30 CABIN FEVER Michaelmas terms, and is sent 12 free to Cambridge alumni. Forget IKEA flatpack furniture. When It is available to non-alumni you’re the Ottoman Emperor, the height on subscription. For further of chic is a flatpack Scandi house. information please email 36 A STUDENT’S GUIDE [email protected]. The first student guide was written The opinions expressed in CAM From India’s Mughal palaces to Japan’s temple gardens, our iti neraries Illustrati on: aquati nt c. 1830 aft er a in 1863 – a tradition that continues are those of the contributors drawing by Robert Melville Grindlay. and not necessarily those across Asia celebrate the cultural achievements of some of the world’s to this day. of the University of Cambridge. most extraordinary civilisati ons. ‘Every day we got up thinking Extracurricular Explore the Buddhist temples of Varanasi and sail Vietnam’s Perfume River. CAM is produced for the it couldn’t possibly be as good University of Cambridge Interpret the ‘art of the fl oati ng world’ in Kyoto and the exquisite treasures 43 SHELFIE by YBM Limited. ybm.co.uk of Ming and Qing Beijing. as the day before, and it was. University Librarian, Dr Jessica Gardner. Diff erent and wonderful.’ 44 STUDENT LIFE In all fi ve countries of our Asia programme our expert lecturers enliven Applying to Cambridge. ancient philosophies and dazzling landscapes with their eruditi on and 45 SOUNDTRACK enthusiasm. Expect, equally, high standards of accommodati on and Contact us: Julian Gregory (St John’s 2009). privileged access at key sites. 47 UNIVERSITY MATTERS +44 (0)20 8742 3355 Heather Topel, Project Director, Our dozen tours in Asia include Sacred India, Kingdoms of the Deccan, Bengal North West Cambridge Development. by River, Indian Summer, Ming & Qing Civilisati on, Essenti al China, Japanese marti nrandall.com/asia IMAGES FROM TOP: JOE SNOW; RACHEL WARNE; LYDIA WHITMORE AND VICKY LEES 48 CROSSWORD Gardens, Samarkand & Silk Road Citi es and Vietnam. ATOL 3622 | ABTA Y6050 | AITO 5085 EASTER 2018 | CAM 84 1 Welcome to the Easter edition of CAM. Kierkegaard Porters thought it the root of all evil. Mary Renault The porters were definitely the cornerstone of our college considered it intellectual defeat. Jean Baudrillard – I remember every single one declared it the world’s second worst crime. But where of them and everything they did for me. From stupid (sometimes boredom might once have been something to fear, drunken) problems, to enquiring about my Nana’s health and today we are never truly bored. In an era of social Inbox counselling my work stresses, I’m media, smartphones and non-stop notifications, forever grateful. @Cambridge_Uni Leah Crimes how can we be? But could boredom actually be good (Homerton 2004) for us? On page 24 we examine the evidence. Will never forget my bike Of course, if you are an Ottoman Emperor, boredom breaking at 1am on the way back from a party. I carried it as far as isn’t really much of a problem. Intricate diplomacy, Wolfson, where the night porter tried to fix it. When he couldn’t, complex politics and, of course, the small matter of he rang the main lodge, and one running an empire keeps you fairly busy. But if that of them came to rescue me (and Editor’s letter the bike) so that I wouldn’t have isn’t quite enough, how about building a flatpack to walk home in the dark. Definitely above and beyond. Swiss-style chalet in your back garden? On page 30 Sarah Reynolds Dr Deniz Türker tells the story of how a 19th-century (Girton 2002) global craze for timber buildings would come When I came up to Cambridge in 1946, you were to define the domestic architecture of Istanbul. expected to grit your teeth and Elsewhere, on page 12, Cambridge alumni cope. It never occurred to me to go to my tutor. As for bothering and academics share their summer reading lists, the porters…! Later, as librarian of the Department of Geography, and on page 20 Professor Giovanna Mallucci explains my experience prompted me to why her latest research has the potential to transform watch out for any students who did not seem to be settling in. care for patients with Alzheimer’s disease. Sometimes I provided humbugs. Geoffrey Willett Finally, we are now able to include – opposite (St Catharine’s 1946) and online – far more of your letters, emails, tweets In 1984, I came back to and Facebook posts. However you choose to join St John’s for the first time in 21 years, along with our son, then the debate, we look forward to hearing from you. 18. We stopped at the Lodge, there to be met by Bob Fuller. “Ah, I remember you – Brown A,” Mira Katbamna (Caius 1995) he said and turning to our son: COPELAND KATE ILLUSTRATION: 2 CAM 84 | EASTER 2018 Write to us We are always delighted to receive your emails, letters, tweets and facebook posts. [email protected] CAM, 1 Quayside, Bridge Street, Cambridge, CB5 8AB @Cambridge_Uni Facebook.com/cambridgealumni Please mark your letter ‘For publication’. You can read more CAM letters at alumni.cam.ac.uk/cam. Letters may be edited for length. “I could tell you quite a few tales all resources can be recovered if them, having ice on demand to review the possibility of using about your father if you’d like we really need to, ie when prices (which of course the Osokool fully biodegradable wrapping. to come back and hear them...” rise to a level making recovery couldn’t produce). However Andrew Brown worthwhile. (Oil will be replaced there are many principles like I really enjoy reading (St John’s 1960) with other energy sources, and this, which may serve when need CAM. Your selection of content that is growth.) calls, and whose value may is really engaging and has great Ian at Queens’ was the Stopping growth while the change as energy costs coverage, from the humour of the embodiment of what porters population is growing means continue to rise. porters to heavy-hitting articles should aspire to. He learned increasing poverty. And if the Charles Greenough on misconduct. my name the first day, always present use of resources must (Queens’ 1972) Loona Hazarika cheered me up, and exuded decrease at the same time, then (Fitzwilliam 1988) confidence and competence. there is only one way to do it Campendium I felt so at home because of him. and that is by reducing the Society Graham Shea population. But taking away I enjoyed the Two-Minute (Queens’ 2011) food from people is just as much Tripos article but what a pity Cambridge Underwater genocide as bullets.