COMMENT
Features
SCIENCE
The Big Debate: Did Dylan deserve the Nobel Prize? >> p7
Sexual consent classes should be mandatory >>p9
The Great Barrier Grief: Bleached to extinction >>p23
the
Badger
FR
EE
The Official Weekly Term-time Newspaper of Sussex’s Student Union The Official Weekly Term-time Newspaper of Sussex’s Student Union
Funded by the Student Union • Edition 7 • 24th October 2016 • thebadgeronline.com • Twitter: @TheBadgerNews • Facebook: /thebadgersussex • Printed on recycled paper
1 in 4 students see sexual assault in clubs
Freya Marshall Payne and Tom Robinson Editor and News Sub-editor
Sussex to open new campus abroad says Vice-Chancellor page 3 >>
not just another nightclub, ARTS “It’s it stands for so much more”
Content warning: sexual violence One in four students have seen someone sexually assaulted on a night out according to a survey done by the University of Sussex Students’ Union’s (USSU). The Night-time Safety Report, released last week, surveyed 201 students about their experiences on nights out in Brighton. Although the report shows that 86% of students surveyed believe they are safe on a night out in Brighton, the perceptions of harassment and assault are high; more than half of students perceived sexual harassment in Brighton at night to be commonplace, with one in five believing levels of sexual assault in town to be high. The report says: “These two results suggest a concerning normalisation of sexual harassment and violence, whereby students are aware of high levels of both, but still consider themselves ‘safe’ regardless”. The news comes at a time when sexual assault is in the public eye on campus. The focus is now shifting into town in the wake of last year’s USSU survey and Badger investigation which revealed that sexual violence on campus
was widespread and 25 students had experienced unwanted penetration while at university. USSU Welfare Officer Grainne Gahan said: “One of the most shocking conclusions of our research into nighttime safety is that sexual violence seems to have been accepted by many students as just a normal part of a night out. “This isn’t the case. Sexual violence in the nighttime economy is the active perpetuation and reinforcement of sexism and other oppressions. “Students shouldn’t tolerate it, or treat it as a fact of life.” The report also showed that a third of students have seen someone have their drink spiked, with 8% seeing this happen more than once over the last 6 months. In addition, 21% have seen someone being sexually harassed more than twice over the last 6 months. In response to the report, the Students’ Union has launched the Nighttime Safety Charter. The Charter proposes four measures to tackle sexual harassment and abuse in a nighttime setting: a zero tolerance policy of sexual harassment and assault to be established in venues, staff to take Good Night Out training to prevent and deal with sexual harassment, consent campaign materials to be displayed in venues, and to ensure... Continued on page 3 >>
Fabric’s Closure p15 >>
2 the
The Badger 24.10.2016
BADGER
Editor-in-Chief Freya Marshall Payne
badger@sussexstudent.com
Badger Time Capsule 8 May 2002.
Deputy Editor Glenn Houlihan
News of two protests hit Badger headlines 14 years ago. It was the four year anniversary of the tragic dealth of a Sussex student and political activist on his first day working at Shorham Docs. He found the job through an agency which gave him no training before assigning him to unload cargo from a ship, and in 2002 The Badger reported that the anniversary was marked by a national day against the casualisation of labour and dangerous working conditions. The Badger explained that a campaign group had been set up in his name to ensure this same situation wouldn’t happen to anyone else. Protests as well as occupations of the companies involved and the Department of Trade and Industry following Simon Jones’ death led to “the first successful judicial review of a decision not to prosecute for manslaughter over a workplace death.” The Badger reported that protesters convinced the agency to close for a day out of respect. The second big news story was about a huge May Day rally, the “largest show of feeling in 50 years”. 10,000 people took to the streets in central London and The Badger ran with the amusing line: “police and the media annoyed at protesters enjoying themselves in the sun, not rioting”.
Online Editor Remel Logan Crichlow badger@sussexstudent.com
The News Team Daniel Green Luke Richards Tom Robinson
badger-news@sussexstudent.com
The Arts Team Bianca Serafini thebadger-arts@sussexstudent.com
Miles Fagge thebadger.theatre@gmail.com
Rosie Dodds thebadger.culture@gmail.com
Lucie Andrau thebadger.culture@gmail.com
Monica Cherrie thebadger.film@gmail.com
Lauren Wade badger-music@ussu.sussex.ac.uk
The Comment Team William Singh Devin Thomas
badger-opinion@sussexstudent.com
Letters Editor Fraser Coppin
badger-letters@sussexstudent.com
Features Editor Charlotte Tuxworth-Holden
badger-features@sussexstudent.com
Lifestyle Alex Carter badger-lifestyle@sussexstudent.com
Science Editors Duncan Michie Kate Dearling badger-science@sussexstudent.com
The Sports Team Aaron Stephen Daniel Parker badger-sport@sussexstudent.com
Events and Publicity Coordinator Sophie Clark
badger-publicity@sussexstudent.com
Proof Reader: Billie-Jean Johnson Front page headline image: ADP Architects. All other images: credited on the article they illustrate within the paper.
Editorial: Freya Marshall Payne It’s Edition 5: we’ve been back at university for what feels like a long time now, and deadlines are building up as the leaves begin to change colour and fall from the trees across campus. Hopefully by now all everyone will have settled back into the rhythm of university life. We have certainly got into the swing of a new year at The Badger - a year in which we’re bringing new ideas to the drawing board and reviving the very best from older years of the paper. It is this continuity with the past, and the chance to build on it and improve, which becomes so interesting in the fast-paced rhythm of a weekly newspaper constantly trying to break the best news and
remain engaged with readers. In the spirit of shaking things up, we’ve launched themed editions for this year - and we have one coming out next week! Our next edition will be the America Edition. We’ll be exploring many facets of American culture and politics, but maybe most importantly we’ll be seeking to shed a light on all things presidential with the elections looming. In conjunction with the print edition, we are hosting a Big Debate Live co-hosted by the Debating Society. On Wednesday November 2 between 7pm and 9pm in Arts A02, come along and listen to students battling out Clinton’s and Trump’s ideas. The America Edition will only be as good as it deserves to be if
we get lots of fabulous and varied content about all the aspects of what America means as a nation, a symbol and a home... So please, American students, students of American studies and anyone else who cares about America, get in touch and pitch us your ideas! This week hold some important news stories - amongst them, the Student Union’s study which found that 1 in 4 students have witnessed sexual assaults while on nights out in Brighton. This same thread of unwanted advances and what can be done to prevent them in Brighton carried into Features, where we publish a piece arguing the importance of mandatory consent classes. Elsewhere in the paper, we have a discussion of Glastonbury - is
Badger fact: With the Nobel Literature prize in the headlines, we’re thinking of a slightly different award: the spoof Ig Nobels. An Oxford University researcher who lived as a badger in a hole in a welsh hillside won an Ig Nobel this year!
it really worth the hype? - and an analysis of mental health portrayals in film. We also have a selection of science pieces to peak your interest, ranging from the problems facing the Great Barrier Rief to a study showing that our “milennial” generation works as hard as anyone else. All in all, as we reach the half way mark in the first semester, this is a wonderfully varied edition and we hope you enjoy it!
3
The Badger 24.10.16
NEWS
Sussex sets sight on potential overseas expansion Luke Richards News Sub-editor Sussex could open a campus abroad in an effort to deal with budgetary constraints according to Vice-Chancellor Adam Tickell. In a wide-ranging interview with The Argus, the Vice-Chancellor announced the possibility that Sussex could open a second campus in the next 5-10 years, potentially in another country. The current campus is running near capacity. He said: “In terms of expansion of numbers here, I don’t see we have an option so that means we need to look, if we expand, at how we expand and where we expand, it might be in a different location”. The number of students being taught at Sussex is set to increase to 20,000 by 2020 with the university
making steps to improve and expand facilities and housing on campus. However, the A27 road on one side and the protected Sussex Downs on the other, constrains how much more Sussex’s campus can grow. The reason given for the need to expand the numbers of students at Sussex is that the university has to deal with rising fixed costs relative to a stagnant income. The size of Sussex is small compared to other universities. For example, The University of Birmingham, where the Prof Ticekell was previously the VicePrincipal, is twice the size. Increasing the number of students would provide the university with a larger source of income. A university spokesperson said: “[The Vice Chancellor is] open to all
ideas and is keen to explore what opportunities we may have for working with others as well as how we can make better use of our own space [and he’d] really like people to share their ideas with him as part of the Strategy 2025 discussions and consultation”. Other avenues for growth could include the use of technology, reducing the need for students to be physically present on campus. The university currently has a £500 million ‘master plan’ that sees Sussex raising the number of Students from its current 14,000 to 18,000 by 2018. This is to partly offset increasing competition in the higher education sector. Universities could also face challenges to their funding as the UK withdraws itself from the European Union.
At the time of publication, the university could not provide figures to state how many students it would need to be completely self sustainable. The university is planning on hold-
ing a consultation on the future of the university through its Strategy 2025 programme, information on which can be found on the university’s website.
University of Sussex
USSU launches ‘safety charter’ to stop sexual assault Continued from front page ...there is a procedure to take care of students as they leave clubs. Nationally, 1 in 3 female students have experienced some form of sexual assault, abuse or harassment according to the Telegraph’s findings in January 2016. 1 in 8 male students had been subject to the same, and 1% of all students surveyed nationally had been raped at university. Venues that meet these conditions will be added to a list of those meeting the requirements of the charter and will be promoted by the Student’s Union. Ms Grahan added: “We’re asking the Brighton community - and particularly venues - to come together to prioritise the safety of students by all taking forwards a package of measures... It’s our hope that by taking these small steps together we can produce a better, safer night out for everyone”. The report also recommends a night-time welfare team to be set up and funded by the university. The team will be located in “hotspots”
the
offering assistance to vulnerable students. Including helping students get home, giving them water and signposting safe spaces and services for reporting harassment and abuse. Susuana Amoah, the USSU Consent Campaign Facilitator will be organising the zero tolerance policy training for the Student’s Union as well as playing a role in getting clubs to sign up to the Nighttime Safety Charter. She said: “I think it’s alarming that we’ve seen such a large percentage of students stating that they’ve seen and experienced sexual harassment and assault and this is normalised. Its unacceptable that methods of reporting these incidents are not accessible for so many students. The training that the Good Night Out campaign offers is designed as an interactive workshop that covers a range of topics. This includes: how staff can help create an environment that doesn’t tolerate harassment, how to respond to someone disclosing harassment or sexual assault and practical ways to deal with a situation of harassment.”
Badger
Above: Graph showing perceived levels of sexual assault in Brighton clubs (in percent)
Complete the Badger drugs survey at tinyurl.com/badgerdrugssurvey
All answers are completely anonymous and will not be shared with third parties
4
The Badger 24.10.2016
NEWS
The public don’t want to lose international students Lucy Browett Only 24% of British adults view international students as immigrants, according to a new poll conducted by ComRes for Universities UK. The survey of 2000 adults also found that 75% would like to see the same number, or more, international students in the UK, which increased to 87% once the economic benefits of international students were explained to them. Research shows that international students at British universities support over 170,000 jobs in local communities across the UK. International students are also a major UK export, currently worth over £10.7 billion to the UK economy. It has also been revealed that 91% think international students should be given the right to live and work in the UK for a period of time after
their studies are complete. This poll comes after Home Secretary Amber Rudd’s announced proposals to place new restrictions on international students at the recent Conservative Party conference. These include the possibility of a multi-tiered visa system, distributing rights such as the right to work based on the supposed quality of the university an international student is coming to the UK to attend. In her speech, Rudd said: “A student immigration system that treats every student and university as equal only punishes those we should want to help. “Our consultation will ask what more can we do to support our best universities – and those that stick to the rules – to attract the best talent … while looking at tougher rules for students on lower quality courses.” Nicola Dandridge, Chief Execu-
tive of Universities UK, said: “These findings are a clear indication that any new policies aimed at lowering net migration figures by reducing the number of overseas students will not address public concerns over immigration.” “International students come to the UK, are welcomed by British people, study for a period, and then the overwhelming majority go home after their studies.” “It is very clear that a majority of the public recognises that international students are valuable, temporary visitors that make an important economic and cultural contribution to the UK.” Sussex University vice-Chancellor Adam Tickell said: “We think this poll is important – indicating that many people in the UK understand the huge contribution that international students make to this country.
“The UK must be able to continue to thrive as a world leader for education and research - and one that promotes internationalism. “Together with our umbrella organisation, Universities UK, we are doing everything we can to make clear to the UK government the many benefits of welcoming interna-
tional students. “Earlier this month we welcomed the important clarification from the government that EU students wishing to apply in 2017 will be able to receive the current funding they are entitled to for the duration of their studies here, regardless of when the UK leaves the EU.”
Wikimedia Commons
LGBTQ+ Club Explores Brighton’s Queer Past
Magda Calheiros
Magda Calheiros Brighton LGBTQ+ History Club has invited people to “uncover the stories of our cities queer past” in its monthly meetings. The second session took place at the Brighton Museum and Art Gallery investigated first-hand history of queer culture. It was given a voice by guest speaker Melita Dennett, who had set out on Twitter to talk about Brighton’s response to section 28 in 1988 & beyond. In 1988, Section 28 of the Local Government Act made it illegal to “promote the teaching in any maintained school of the acceptability of homosexuality as a pretended family relationship”. Dennett started her speech by apologizing for using binary lan-
guage during parts of her presentation. Explaining that it was due to the language in the law itself referring exclusively to gay men and gay women, she said: “So if it sounds like I am stuck in the 80s, it’s because these were the 80s.” On the conceptions of sexuality and gender in the 80s, she added that for the government “bisexual people had just been invented and trans people didn’t exist at all.” Dennett went on to address the historical changes in English Law concerning prohibitions on sex between two men. This only ceased to be a crime in 1967, and only in 2001 did the age of consent for men having sex with men become the same as for everyone else.
The majority of the speech focused on Section 28 and the oppositional action that it found in LGBTQ+ activist groups, with a focus on the Brighton case, which counted on the support of teacher unions. This law was seen by many in the LGBTQ+ community as a step back in comparison to the decriminalisation of sex between two men in 1961 and fuelled protests. Dennett showed pictures from the demos in Brighton and shared some of the stories about LGBTQ+ activism in this city. The monthly meetings started in September, at the Marlborough Pub and the following two events are scheduled for the 20th of November and the 11th of December in a location yet to be announced.
Government plans for-profit universities Accidental email sparks Tom Robinson News Sub-editor For-profit institutions will be able to award degrees for the first time in the UK, as part of the controversial Higher Education and Research Bill which has been labelled “dangerous” by the NUS. The bill will devolve public administration of universities to a new Office for Students (OfS), who will also be able to override university Royal Charters and remove the right of institutions to award degrees, or call themselves universities. Set to be overseen by government appointees, the OfS will not include any student representation. The OfS will also oversee the new Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF), set to allow some Universities to charge tuition fees of £9,250 in 2017/2018. The bill has come under heavy criticism from both students and academics, an open letter published in the financial times and signed by over 70 academics, who said: “the bill entrenches the notion of universities as suppliers of courses rather than as educators.” “Experience in this country, and
spam in students’ inboxes
Wikimedia Commons particularly in the US, suggests extreme caution is needed to protect the reputation of British universities and to ensure students are not exploited by dubious organisations out to make a fast buck.” USSU Undergraduate Edcuation Officer Savannah Sevenzo said: “This is a very dangerous step. Once you let private providers enter the higher education market you are removing any conception of education as a public good. “The future of higher education is not looking good unless something radical is done to change the direction we are going in at the moment.” In a statement, the NUS said they will “fight any rise in tuition fees and work to ensure students are protected
from the dangerous reforms proposed in the Higher Education and Research Bill.” Student activist group, National Campaign against Fees and Cuts said: “This bill will usher in a fully marketised Higher Education system, one where teaching will be measured on meaningless market metrics that will be used to raise fees even further, where students will be seen as nothing more than consumers, where universities will be forced to battle one another in a chaotic education market, and where the Government will drive public universities to go bust, then help for-profit companies take their place.” Sussex Students’ Union launched the TEF Off campaign in response to the changes to legislation outlined in the bill.
Daniel Green News Editor An email sent by mistake sent to all students at Sussex triggered a chain of spam mass emails. The message, apparently sent by a Sussex student, invited students to an event at the Meeting House, but the email was inadvertently sent to all undergraduate and postgraduate students. Despite an email from the university apologising for the message, it provoked some students into abusing the system to contact all students. Messages sent to all were made up predominantly of people ‘trolling’ by asking when is the meeting and what it is. One response, by a doctoral researcher begging people to stop responding to the messages, said: “For the love of black Jesus - stop responding to this pointless email.” A spokesperson for the university said: “We realise this is very frustrating for students who are receiving
these emails and we apologise for any inconvienance caused.” The university are now said to be moderating the mass email lists and are urgently investigating the issue. At the time of going to print, the mass emailing of students had slowed to a stop. The incident, dubbed Meetinggate by some, is not unprecedented; in 2014, an email saying only ‘Bello’ was sent to all 29,000 students of University College London. Students used the email address to sign up to websites, including PornHub, OkCupid, UKIP and a mailing list for Coldplay. A frustrated third year politics student at Sussex said: “I have important things I need to access in my emails, and having an endless stream of spam hide important messages slows down my capacity for work significantly.” However, a second year sociology student said: “The emails lent a must needed level of banter to our otherwise stressful lives.”
5
The Badger 24.10.2016
NEWS
The News Where You Aren’t Deputy Editor Glenn Houlihan and News Sub-editor Luke Richards review some of the big stories from campuses across the country this week Scotland - Tuition fee rises
Tuition fee rises at the University of Edinburgh and the University of Glasgow are set to increase for English, Welsh and Northern Irish students. Fees currently stand at £9,000 per year, but this will increase by 2.7% next year to £9,250. The University of St Andrews said they were also planning on increasing their fees in line with other Scottish institutions. The rise has been condemned by Glasgow University’s students representative council. Students residing in Scotland are unaffected.
Glasgow - far right feeds homeless
The student newspaper the Glasgow Guardian has reported on the Neo-Nazi organisation, Direct Action, holding a “soup kitchen of hate” in the city. The group held what they referred to as a “white rescue” campaign, where they were said to have fed white homeless people crisps, tins and bottles. Direct Action, an offshoot of far right National Rebirth of Poland (NOP) claim they provide “direct support to white people sleeping rough across the UK.” Pictures on their website show them doing so in Glasgow under a banner that roughly resembles that of Oswald Mosley’s British Union of Fascists. Police were called to the scene but didn’t take any action since the group had not broken any laws.
Warwick - Bus(es) Stop
Cardiff - Studends warned of crime
Students in Cardiff had to be reassured after the Complete University Guide named the city as having the highest level of crime in Wales. The figures came after data on robbery, burglary and violence and sexual crime was crunched according to the term time addresses of students. These crimes were chosen as they were seen to be the most relevant to students. In the areas Cardiff University students live in, there were 52.48 crimes per 1000 in 2015-16. Cardiff Metropolitan University, also found within the city, had the accolade of coming second according to the guide.
Exeter - Red card as Varsity fans cause anti-social behaviour
Exeter University was forced to issue an apology after a Varsity match between Exeter and Swansea ended up causing widespread upset among local residents. The match, hosted at Exeter City FC’s St. James’ Parl, has been criticised for stimulating anti-social behaviour, with residential areas left covered in rubbish after the fixture. As detailed by Exepose, broken glass and bottles of urine littered streets surrounding the stadium, and noise complaints were also raised with local press. Litter was still reported on the streets some two days after the game finished.
Badger
the
needs you!
Now, a story that may feel all too familiar for Sussex and Brighton students. The main provider of transport for Warwick students has faced catastrophic problems since the beginning of term, with many buses overcrowded, late, or completely absence. In addition, queues of up to 30 students have trailed out of the Stagecoach Travel Shop, as students attempted to purchase term passes. Prices for the 3 term pass have risen from £297 to £301 this year, further frustrating student commuters. When contacted for a response by The Boar, Stagecoach failed to respond.
Bristol - Students express(o) regret
Heralded as the end of a golden era for lovers of complimentary coffee, Waitrose has begun rolling back its much loved “My Waitrose” free hot drinks scheme, with customers in selected stores now asked to buy a product before receiving their warm beverage of choice. As reported in Epigram, the Bristol branch on the Clifton Triangle is now enforcing the new rule, trigging an uproar on social media. Students accustomed to their free fix of caffeine were quick to lament to change, with one Twitter user chastising “broken Britain”, while another blamed “Bloody Brexit” for the heartbreak. Alternative sources have been debated online, with banks among the most likely provider of complimentary drinks; if, of course, you’re willing to open an account every morning.
Contributors’ meetings Friday 11am-12pm in Falmer Common Room
We want to meet writers and photographers interested in every section, as well as creatives Pitch your ideas and sign up to take on stories
6
The Badger 24.10.2016
COMMENT
THE BIG DEBATE
‘Bob Dylan should not have won the Nobel Prize for Literature’ AGAINST
IN FAVOUR
add insult to injury by awarding the prize to a musician, and one who harbours no pretensions, even, of being an actual writer of literature should merely Miles Fagge be considered insulting. Bill Sedgwick Theatre Editor Dylan’s music has certainly been Bob Dylan is undeniably a poet, and unreli- impactful - hence his induction into the I want to start this by stressing that I Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1988. am not seeking to argue that Bob Dylan ably a good one. Spanning his career of That lifetime achievement award was necessarily deserved to win this award numerous decades, Dylan has stagnated more than the others in contention for - perhaps awarding him this honour at the more than enough, surely. To give the singer/songwriter the astonishingly it. As much as I may love the work of height of his powers several decades ago revered title of ‘Nobel Prize winner’ is Bob Dylan I don’t have the knowledge would have been justifiable, but now it unnecessary and speaks more for the of the other potential winners to make comes as a hollow gesture. quality of the judging process than the that argument, nor is that the focus of The Nobel committee is egocentrically quality of the artist in question. much of the criticism of Dylan gaining and pretentiously attempting to keep their In short, to include a singer whose the award. award relevent; it’s a desperate cry of “we’re impact on American politics and Instead this criticism seems to stem still cool!” in a world where interest in litconsciousness has already been widely from the fact a musician has won the erature, outside of Fifty Shades of Grey and acknowledged and largely praised into award, specifically a singer songwriter, as the Hunger Games, has hit an all time low. Music can be language - and literature is linguistic in nature. But while Dylan’s music may be good, his lyrics - isolated - are easy to pick apart. Whether defending convicted murderers of police in the vast and self-servingly important lyrics to Hurricane or speaking soulfully to the thirteen people who still care enough to listen to his thirty-seventh studio album Fallen Angels - released this year and immediately forgotten - Bob Dylan is so inconsistent in his musical ramblings that his Nobel Prize could just as well have been given to forty different ‘poets’ in his stead. “Fairy tales can come true, it can happen to you/ If you’re young at heart/ For it’s hard, you will find, to be narrow of mind/ If you’re young at heart”, Dylan croons on the opening lyrics to his latest album, giving evidence for just how unoriginal in their writing a man can be when he is tantalised by only the thought of a guaranteed paycheck provided by those who are stuck in the sixties.
‘Dylan is tantalised only by the thought of a guaranteed paycheck provided by those who are stuck in the sixties’ Though critical response to this uninspired and boring album fell predictably into the ‘decent-but-not-amazing’ standby that music journalists fall back on when they do not wish to admit that their heroes are now merely churning out dull cash-grab records aimed at a dwindling audience of middle-aged losers, the most avid and long-term fan of Bob Dylan would likely be forced to concede that this album is ‘just okay’. The Nobel Prize has long been criticised for its judges’ inability to award non-male and non-white writers with the award - to
recent invention, and was regarded by ‘serious critics’ as a lesser form than that of poetry when it emerged in the early 18th century. It also went through many formal shifts, ranging from serialisation into weekly or monthly instalments (most of Charles Dickens’ work reached its audience this way), two volume novels, three volume novels and so on. The simple Penguin Classic we now regard as the epitome of ‘literature’ is the product of a long and varied history, and it would be naïve to assume this will always remain the standard. I do not wish to bore you with a history of literary forms, but simply to show that our conception of ‘literature’ and what that tag entails is nowhere near as solid as some may assume.
if that craft is somehow undeserving of the tag of ‘literature’, and that it cannot be considered in the same league as highly regarded novelists. It is this point of view that I will argue against. Literature is often regarded as some lofty and immovable part of culture, a constant and a given, but this could not be further from the truth. Our very conception of what literature means is a product of history and of our own cultural moment. This is perhaps best exemplified by looking at the novel as a form, which is regarded by many as the primary literary form and even as the pinnacle of it. This was not always the case. The novel itself is a relatively
“Though I know that evenings empire has returned into sand/ Vanished from my hand/ Left me blindly here to stand but still not sleeping/ My weariness amazes me, I’m branded on my feet/ I have no one to meet/ And the ancient empty street’s too dead for dreaming”. These words are as poetic and powerful as many great works of literature, just like so many others I could also quote if I was spared the shackles of my word limit. It is wrong to say these do not qualify as ‘literature’ simply because they did not originally reach us in a form we would immediately recognise as such. I’m a third year English Literature student, and way back in the rosy days of first year, amongst many memories, some of which are admittedly blurry, one from my first proper lecture stands out here. When arriving there was a sheet of quotations awaiting us, and one of those was from Dylan’s Tangled Up In Blue, off the unbelievably brilliant album Blood On The Tracks. The lyrics were:
Wikimedia Commons the coveted collection of Nobel Prizewinning writers of literature is not just insulting, it is damning to those who wish to hear their own accomplishments acknowledged - who perhaps are not already so priveleged and respected, and so would benefit more from hearing their work acknowledged, and inspire in turn a greater diversity in contribution to the literary canon. Bob Dylan, it can be conclusively shown, was a terrible choice of winner for the award, and one which highlights how out of touch the Nobel Prize really is.
literature for me – the use of language in ways that provoke, move, entertain and engage. How this language is presented varies, but at its heart it is the power of words to make us feel something. In light of this, Dylan is as deserving of a literary award as anyone else who has ever dived to the depths of language and returned bearing beauty. Sometimes in songs it feels as if the lyrics are secondary to the music, but Dylan is an example of how the two can be wonderfully matched. I could pick so many of his songs to quote, but one verse that has always stood out is from Mr. Tambourine Man:
Indeed, the very idea of the printed word as ‘literature’ is a slippery one. Most evidence suggests that most of the classics including The Iliad and The Odyssey, attributed to Homer, were born of an aural tradition, sometimes even chanted or sung. Likewise, Shakespeare is seen as the archetypal literary great, yet very few of his contemporaries would have experienced his work on the page but instead in the flesh on the stage. So the idea that literature must be locked to a page is a questionable one. So far I have looked at how literature is not one isolated form but instead a rich and varied discipline, but what links these all together is language. It is this that defines
‘Then she opened up a book of poems/ And handed it to me/ Written by an Italian poet/ From the thirteenth century/ And everyone of them words rang true/ And glowed like burnin’ coal/ Pourin’ off of every page/ Like it was written in my soul/ From me to you/ Tangled up in blue’. These words appearing here next to recognised greats of literature did not seem glib or sarcastic, nor did they seem out of place. It seemed a perfectly apt way to start three years of intensive interaction with literature- these words about loving literature were in themselves literature. As with so much of Dylan’s work they felt powerful, profound, and well deserving of any accolade handed their way.
7
The Badger 24.10.2016
COMMENT
Marmite-gate and why Parliament should vote on Brexit terms Frank Murphy There has been no clearer indication of the economic effect that a hardBrexit would have on the UK’s economy than Marmite-gate. For those unaware of this hideous scandal, Marmite, among other brands, was briefly pulled from online sale last week by Tesco due to the supplier, Unilever, wanting to increase its wholesale price by 10% in order to compensate for the Pound falling off a cliff after the referendum vote- the currency’s value changed approximately from $1.47 to $1.21 last week. Don’t get me wrong- I didn’t personally view this as a tragedy because marmite is, in my humble opinion, a vile substance that belongs in the fiery depths of hell. The dispute has since been resolved; however, the implications of this event are worrying. It seems we should all get ready to pay more for items both as horrendous as Marmite and not quite as horrendous as Marmite in the near
future, especially if hard-Brexit oc- gardless of the economic cost this curs. would have on ordinary working people. Don’t get me wrong, although “It’s right to respect I was and remain passionately in the democratic result favour of membership of the Euroof the referendum. But pean Union, I believe it is right to it is completely hypo- respect the democratic result of the referendum, however small the macrotical for the arjority for leaving may be. rangements for leaving That being said, however, it to be left in the hands seems to me to be completely hypocritical for the arrangements for
of an unelected Prime Minister”
Hard-Brexit, a term that only seems to have become mainstream since the Tory party conference, means leaving the European Union without staying in the single market. If Hard-Brexit occurs then Marmite-loving cretins will have to pay significantly more for that vile substance. The Prime Minister, Theresa May, David Davis, and the rest of the Bullingdon gang seem intent on pushing for a Hard-Brexit re-
leaving to be left in the hands of an unelected prime-minister, who has previously banged on about respecting the democratic vote to leave, along with a bunch of Tories who represent only about 36.9% of the population. That is why I’m supporting the efforts of Ed Miliband and others to require a vote in parliament on membership of the Single market when Britain eventually leaves the European Union. Many people, both on the left
Flickr: Jeff Djevdet
Wikimedia Commons and the right of British politics voted to leave the European Union for completely different reasons, be they immigration, democratic principles, money or a host of others. To that end, why on earth should we be giving an unelected Prime Minister a total free-spending ticket on behalf of not only those that voted leave, but everyone that voted remain too? It’s dangerous, completely undemocratic and fundamentally wrong. Marmite-Gate may well be just the start.
We should not pull up the drawbridge on immigration Fraser Coppin Letters Editor On June 23 2016, the British public made the momentous decision to leave The European Union. As a result The Conservative Party has been taking steps, some controversial, towards eventually leaving the union by 2019. Their policies concerning migrants in particular, such as severely reducing numbers and forcing companies to publish a list of all their foreign workers, are quite worrying. It is worth remembering now more than ever that many claims made by those that want to reduce migration are simply not supported by evidence. For a start, Amber Rudd’s claims that migrants are “taking jobs British people could have” is nonsense. There is no statistically proven link between migration levels and unemployment in the UK. Migrant workers tend to either be low skilled or high skilled, with most of the native population falling somewhere in between. This results in migrants complementing the native workers, not competing with them. High skilled workers that we have a shortage of such as doctors, engineers and consultants, are absolutely essential for the economy. Low skill workers are great for sectors such as agriculture and hospitality, and without them these essential jobs (that most British workers don’t
want to do) may not get done at all, or would at least lead to far more expensive products for consumers. Migrants, then, aren’t taking our jobs, but are they a burden on the state? No- quite the opposite, in fact. A University College London study found that since the year 2000, the taxes migrants payed in were greater than the public funds they took out. Those from countries that joined the EU in 2004 like Poland and Lithuania paid in almost £5 billion, and those from other EU countries over £15 billion. The same UCL study also found that migrants are 43% less likely to claim benefits than native Brits.
especially when you consider that the NHS relies on thousands of doctors and nurses from both EU countries and elsewhere. Indeed, not only are migrants not overstretching healthcare, they are essential to its long term sustainability. The UK has an aging population- at some point we’re all going to get old and we’ll need to be looked after. As we’ve already established, migrants pay more in taxes than they take out, so a steady influx of foreign workers
and New Zealand. Why not also do this with migration? Being in the EU has effectively forced us to prioritise European workers at the expense of those from elsewhere, and once we leave this will no longer be the case. We should be welcoming people from India and China just as willingly as we welcome those from Germany or Poland. The Commonwealth in particular would be a great place to start, as the people in Commonwealth countries share centuries of history and culture with us and are proficient English speakers, so they would fit right in here in Britain.
‘We should be welcoming people from India and China just as willingly as we welcome those from Germany or Poland’
‘Many claims made by those that want to reduce migration are simply not supported by evidence’ Of course many on low pay are entitled to things like housing benefit and child tax credits, but those who do claim are more than made up for by those who work and pay in. But even if migrants aren’t paying taxes, surely they’re overloading our beloved NHS? While it is true that the NHS is under pressure, you can’t blame immigration alone for causing this,
tion, and the result on June 23rd certainly reflects this. We live in a democracy, and those people who are concerned should be listened to. Instead of complete freedom of movement with the EU, we could perhaps opt for a slightly tighter work permit system. We can encourage migrants to come to Britain, but prioritise those with impressive qualifications and high skills that would make a great contribution to our country, as well as workers that
Wikimedia Commons from abroad is a great source of tax revenue to keep these services running in the future. Reducing immigration certainly wouldn’t help our NHS: if anything it would make things much worse. The economic case for migration is overwhelming, but politically it can be a harder sell. The British public has long been in favour of stricter controls on immigra-
are desperately needed in areas like agriculture. There is a difference between “taking back control”, and pulling up the drawbridge altogether. In addition, part of the government’s post-Brexit strategy is to seek trade agreements with other countries around the world, including Commonwealth countries like Canada, Australia
The Brexit vote has presented us with a crossroads. We can go down the Theresa May path of protectionism, xenophobia and potentially economic disaster. Or we take Brexit as an opportunity to welcome people from Europe, The Commonwealth and elsewhere, growing our economy and having a truly international and open outlook. We should make sure that we choose the latter.
9
The Badger 24.10.2016
FEATURES Sexual consent classes should be mandatory Consent is an issue that affects us all. We need to stop victim-blaming and scapegoating to confront the issue openly.
Augusta Oliver
U
p to 50% of reported crimes affecting students per 1,000 residents in England and Wales are of a violent and sexual nature, according to The Complete University Guide. The statistics were gathered from July 2015 to June 2016 and ranked university towns based on their incident rates from lowest to highest according to crimes that would affect students the most. Defining consent may appear easy and obvious, but having attended an I Heart Consent workshop last September, I realised how broad the definition actually is. Consent is much more than simply saying yes or no and rape is not the only issue surrounding sexual assault. Having spent my formative years on a small island, I was shocked when I heard or read the numerous complaints made by women about being cat-called or sexually harassed in public. It was something I had never been exposed to. It appears in modern society that men are the main perpetrators of sexual assault. Even looking at the student union’s webpage on consent, the fourth paragraph begins, “University ‘lad’ culture is becoming increasingly common throughout UK universities, and Sussex is no different.” Although there is a lad culture present, is it ethical to mention it and a subtly blame men for sexual assault on campus in such a way as a result? University welfare officer Grainne Gahan said: “It is important to recognise that university lad culture is a contributing factor to sexual violence on campus, but it is definitely not the only factor. I Heart Consent aims at educating everybody about consent, and give them the tools to recognise, call out, and report sexual violence whenever they see it in any context.” She also said that she believed it would be great if the workshops were mandatory, but explained: “It is important to also have an option to opt out of the sessions in case people find them triggering or uncomfortable, as we need to protect survivors.” Two members from last year’s Men’s Rugby committee, Jamie Dorman and Daniel Quinn, spoke about the clubs’ relationship with the campaign, their views on whether classes should be made mandatory and the experience of attending one as a male student. “Some lads might view it as an admission of guilt, it’s not, it’s unfortunately part of everyday life.
In 2014, the club was told that every club had to attend a workshop but only we did. “The workshops are constantly changing, 2014 was more of a seminar but last year was less formal. They should be more conversational as it is less patronising. “It should definitely be part of freshers week as students are joining a completely new environment.” Despite the unions best efforts to remain neutral, it appears more could be done to protect male students as well as their female counterparts. In 2014, Siobhan Fenton wrote for the Telegraph that one in five male students were victims of sexual assault at university the year before and 37% of female students were. Women are subjected to sexual harassment more frequently than their male counterparts. However, women are also guilty of objectifying men and there is still a high percentage of male students who have experienced sexual issues. As a female student, I can appreciate why workshops and society focus on consent issues surrounding women being the victims. We do face harassment on a more regular basis. There is a constant thought in the back of your mind about what you
wear and how it might be perceived due to what we get taught in school, as well as victim blaming in rape cases because of their clothing or behaviour. In regards to whether consent workshops should be made mandatory, there are mixed reviews but the majority of those interviewed agreed that they should, including the vice chancellor, Adam Tickell. He said: “My instinct is that we ought to make them a mandatory class as part of the university introduction but it is complex.
“Consent is much more than simply saying yes or no and rape is not the only issue surrounding sexual assault” “The best evidence is that workshops should be run by independent facilitators rather than students partly because often you find the conversation can be very traumatic. “I’d like to do it as soon as we can because my view is that there is
an urgent problem at every university in the country and it’s not just universities. I think we have a deeply dysfunctional set of cultural morays in the country. But universities are places where young people come together away from lots of the boundaries of constraints and there is a problem on university campuses up and down the country.” Consent campaign facilitator, Sarah Houston, wrote: “Personally, I would love it if in the future we can make consent workshops mandatory in freshers week. I think that attending one of the I Heart Consent Workshops allows for a space where all different types of people are challenged to examine how certain stereotypes and larger cultural stigmas (ex. slut shaming or victim blaming) may affect them without them thinking about it.” As three students who have attended a workshop, myself, Jamie and Daniel agree that consent classes should be made compulsory, showing that they are informative and important. Building on from Sarah Houston’s point that students may not be aware that they are being affected by certain stigmas and social pressures, I found that after attending a work-
Writer Augusta Oliver and vice-Chancellor Adam Tickell Photo: Alexandra Fulton
shop I viewed my role in relationships completely differently. It may sound ignorant, but after talking to a number of my female friends I realised that we all thought that a relationship meant constant consent. However, the reality is that it does not mean that and it is not okay for a partner to give periods of silent treatment or manipulate you until you give in and sleep with them. Having written an article on consent before, I was shocked by the negative reaction I received as a result. One would assume that everyone would find sexual harassment and consent an issue that needs to be discussed, rather than a taboo. Comments ranged from being told if their child ended up with views like mine, the commenter would kill themselves, to the opinion I had given women a bad name. A lot of the comments were made by men on the article which highlighted that this is an issue we need to resolve not just for women, but also men. It is important that men feel more comfortable discussing their views or experiences, rather than feeling attacked and going on the defensive. One comment was that the notion of consent classes exposed problems with the educational and parental systems as we should be taught about consent long before we reach university. This point is valid as many young people choose not to go on to further study, but there is not a lot we can do at this level other than educate those we can and alert those in higher positions of the community on the benefits of learning about consent, especially at a young age. It is clear to me that we need to work together to create greater gender equality. Instead of blaming one gender more than another we should accept there is an issue with society’s general understanding of consent. However utopian this notion may be, mandatory and neutral classes appear to be the best solution to an increasingly dangerous problem. It is an important time to think about consent as head of communications, Alexandra Fulton explained: “Halloween is actually a time of year when there is a peak in sexual violence.” A consent week is being held this week, where there will be many events such as: consent workshops, a themed night at Skint and booklets that will be handed out for all students. Consent Week: Open Minds Open Mic is being hosted at Room 76 on Monday October 24, 7.30pm
9
The Badger 17.10.2016
ARTS
Is Glastonbury Worth the Hype?
Rosie Dodds Culture Editor With over 2 million people attempting to access the website before tickets went on sale this October, Glastonbury Festival proves to be a sell out each year, even with 135,000 tickets up for grabs. This year, tickets sold out in just 50 minutes, and in other years the race has ended by as early as 9.25am. None of those trying for tickets will know the full lineup for at least six months. With previous headline acts including David Bowie, Radiohead and The Rolling Stones, it’s understandable why so many people try for tick-
ets. The sheer size of Worthy farm at 1,200 acres is enough to undermine any other festival that Britain has to offer. I attended the festival last June for the first time. Having missed out on the resale the year before, instead spending the infamous weekend sulking in front of the T.V. and slamming doors around the house, I was determined to go in 2016. Getting tickets was perhaps, in terms of all the trivial things that I have ever found to be stressful, one of the most agonising experiences of my life. Your hand aches from refreshing the website page over and over again despite staying at the
loading screen, your phone gets bombarded with panicked messages from everyone else in your ticket group, and god help the person who doesn’t wake up in time- they will pay. Yes, Glastonbury is a great festival. But why at 9am on a Sunday in early October is there suddenly an overwhelming urgency to get tickets? I did have a good time this summer; despite the lineup being somewhat underwhelming, there was always something entertaining to do. But really, I can’t help but having left a little disappointed. Perhaps it was because the weather was awful, or that I was on too strict a budget, or even that my expecta-
bbc.co.uk
The Royale Heading for The Tabernacle Miles Fagge Theatre Editor
New Black and Sons of Anarchy, and directed by Madani Younis, the Bush Theatre’s Artistic Director. Set entirely in a boxing ring and split over six rounds, the form creatively reflects the content in telling the story of this remarkable athlete. The Bush Theatre will be shut for renovations, so instead the performance will take place at the beautiful Notting Hill venue The Tabernacle, a
“The stress surrounding getting tickets, it seemed, had infiltrated into the festival itself; no one appeared to be enjoying themselves anymore.” In reality though, the festival was so busy that we could only get into Shangri-La on the Thursday, and on Saturday we walked for about two hours to find every entertainment tent full. The stress surrounding getting tickets, it seemed, had infiltrated into the festival itself; no one appeared to be enjoying themselves anymore. Of course, there’s so much more than the music at Glastonbury, and it’s such a big festival that you can’t hope to see and do everything that you set out to. But I did find that with Glastonbury, there’s an attitude of needing to be there rather than wanting to be there. I found that when people asked me about what an “amazing time” I must have had,
I felt forced to agree, despite the fact that embarrassingly enough I’d had a much easier time at Bestival the year before. There’s something almost infectious about the culture that surrounds Glastonbury. Even if you aren’t bothered about the lineup, come June when you’re watching Coldplay performing for the umpteenth time at home, there’s still a hint of jealousy to be felt. However, if you weren’t lucky in getting tickets this year, don’t lose sleep over it, I’m certainly not.
Do you have something to say about the cultural side of life in Brighton? Send us your ideas here! Contact our Culture Editor Rosie Dodds at thebadger.culture@ gmail.com
Upcoming SMuTs.... Indra Dryden-Shaw
society’s relationship with our present-day cultural heroes and the responsibilities that are thrust upon them when they find themselves outside of the ropes.” The show has already completed a sell out run last year to very positive reviews, including four stars from The Guardian. An exciting prospect for anyone with a love for theatre or boxing, this looks set to be a show well worth seeing. The Royale runs from 3rd-26th November at The Tabernacle in Notting Hill. Tickets are available online now.
Based loosely on the story of boxer Jack Johnson, the first black heavyweight champion of the world, The Royale will be gracing the stage at The Tabernacle this November. The play is written by Marco Ramirez, an award winning American writer who has also worked on hit television shows such as Orange is the
“The Royale examines society’s relationship with our present-day cultural heroes”
tions were just too high. However, when you put yourself through the stress of getting tickets, fork out well over £200, and queue for hours in the rain, you expect to have a pretty flawless time once the weekend starts.
Richard Davenport grade II listed building, which also hosts amateur boxing matches making it a fitting venue for the play. The cast includes Nicholas Pinnock in the lead role, as well as Patrick Drury, Jude Akuwudike, Franc Ashman and Martins Imhangbe. Described as a play which “through the sights and sounds of the early 20th century boxing circuit, The Royale examines
MILES NEEDS FRIENDS Send Miles your comments or content ideas at thebadger.theatre@ gmail.com
Sussex Musical Theatre Society (SMuTS) will be returning for its 25th anniversary year with a bang, promising not one but three musicals, alongside a rich calendar of fundraisers and social events. Feeding from the success of last years The Amygdala Affect and musical adaptation of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, SMuTS is kicking off this year with a showcase of parody musicals inspired by well known and loved cult TV shows, entitled Guy Love and All Men Must Sing: A Parody of Ice and Fire. Running from the 23rd-26th of November, it is unique in SMuTS history as it features the first original screenplay written by a member of the society, for the society. Also coming up this term are fundraiser events including an open mic night on October 27th in Room 76 and the iconic Christmas Cabaret variety night in early December. These events exist as an opportunity for non-members of the society to showcase their talents – check the SMuTS Facebook group for more
information. Coming up in term two is the main SMuTS production of West Side Story, which will run from March 29thApril 1st. A re-telling of Romeo and Juliet set in 1950s New York; the story follows lovers from rival gangs, with a focus on social issues surrounding racial prejudice. In honour of SMuTS’ 25th anniversary, the last week of April will see the SMuTS 25 Concert, an evening which will celebrate old and new with performances from all generations of SMuTS members past and present. As well as featuring musical numbers from SMuTS’ past productions, the concert will encapsulate the performing arts community at Sussex, with performances from Big Band, Show Choir, Folk Society and many more. SMuTS 25 is set to be an unmissable event, so watch this space and the SMuTS Facebook page for tickets, as well as for all upcoming SMuTS events.
10
The Badger 17.10.2016
ARTS
Film Becky Snowdon
Mental health on screen
The depiction of mental health on screen has been, much like the treatment of the illnesses in reality, rather inadequate for quite some time. In recent years, however, the portrayal of people with mental health problems has become far more realistic. Unfortunately, this is not always the case and the link between how mental health is shown on film and the reality of living with an impaired mental health remains fairly tenuous. Oftentimes, filmmakers exclude the duller aspects in favour of romanticising and exaggerating the experience. We owe our gratitude to the development of depictions of mental health in film to British cinema, specifically the Social Realism movement of the sixties, where the focal point was to represent life as it is, including the gritty aspects. Thanks to the relaxation of censorship, characters had sex lives, money worries and social problems. British auteurs like Karel Reisz, Tony Richardson and John Schlesinger dealt with prostitution, abortion, homosexuality, alienation and relationship problems. Here were factory workers, office underlings, dissatisfied wives, pregnant girlfriends, runaways, the marginalised, poor and depressed. This fixation on portraying the darker aspects of everyday life eventually led to a more honest form of filmmaking where people were able to see characters and storylines that they could relate to. Before we got to the satisfactory depictions of mental health we’ve seen in recent years with the likes of The Silver Linings Playbook, we first had to wade through one-dimensional caricatures that were seen as crazy with no redeeming qualities. Sufferers were almost always violent, usually killed or maimed innocent victims and were not infrequently triggered into carrying out savage deeds by innocuous events such as a full moon, Halloween, or Friday the 13th. These films stigmatise those who carry the illnesses. For example, most films that depict a character with schizophrenia
are horror films where the person with the illness terrifies the audience with their supposed need to wreak havoc (Psycho, Silence of the Lambs, Black Swan, The Roommate). Nowadays, with more and more understanding, films are able to present the various dimensions pertaining to mental health more accurately and fairly. Mental health disorders are being recognised and accepted and treated in a way never seen before. People are open about their experiences, there’s an International Mental Health day, mainstream celebrities are unashamed to admit they struggle which can give normal people the incentive to seek help too.
“The audience can really get into the mind of the depressive, and see the darkness of the world that overcomes sufferers” The importance of removing the stigma associated with mental health makes it vital for filmmakers to be sensitive and accurate when producing their story, otherwise it just causes more melodrama and negativity surrounding sufferers. Lars Von Trier’s Melancholia delves deeply into severe depression and Kirsten Dunst plays the role of depressive Justine impeccably. The film is claustrophobic, and gets more and more so as it progresses, engulfing the audience in Von Trier’s world. It is psychologically disturbing and miserable. Justine gets no pleasure from anything, including her wedding. She is emotionally and physically drained and exhausted. When she eats, the food tastes like ashes in her mouth. She takes a nap during her reception because she can no longer keep herself going. She struggles to do simple acts like getting in the bath, everything is slowed down and difficult, her speech monotonous. The audience can really get into the mind of the depressive, and see the darkness of the world that overcomes sufferers. Girl, Interrupted explores
the world of mental hospitals in the sixties, in particular the youth experience with mental health. In some ways, it semi-glorifies mental illness or makes characters such as Angelina Jolie’s come across as more sadistic than actually ill. The Hours is a consistently bleak film inspired by Virginia Woolf’s “Mrs Dalloway” and deals with mental illness in three women over three different time periods. It centres on Virginia Woolf and her attempt to finish “Mrs Dalloway” whilst also dealing with her mental health issues, which are now recognised as bipolar disorder and depression. The sadness and drama is enhanced by the knowledge of her suicide and reading of her suicide note to her husband Leonard within the film adds to the deep misery of her life. There is also Laura, the depressed 1950s housewife who considers her own death and is reading “Mrs Dalloway” at the time, and Clarissa, whose depressive symptoms are heightened by the loss of her AIDS riddled friend. None of these women are living in a world well equipped to treat them, and the depressive cycle flows throughout and makes for a harrowing and stressful watch. By portraying fictional characters alongside one of the most famous female writers, the story becomes more real and its depictions of suicide and mental illness are some of the most accurate seen in film. Inside Out deals with mental health amazingly for adults and children, personifying the different aspects of a person’s personality; joy, sadness, disgust, anger and fear. It deals with the struggles of growing up and the conflict of emotions young people face while developing into adults. In conclusion, the portrayal of mental health on screen is moving in a direction where we will soon be better able to understand and even experience what it is people go through in reality by looking through the voyeuristic keyhole into the artistic depiction of reality.
Columbia Pictures
Universal Pictures
Why Tate Taylor should have kept The Girl on the Train in the UK Rosie Dodds Culture Editor This year’s bestselling-summer-readturned-film slot in cinemas has been handed over to Tate Taylor, the director in charge of the adaptation of Paula Hawkin’s 2015 debut novel “The Girl on the Train”. Hawkin’s novel centres around the unlikely heroine, Rachel Watson, who travels on the same train from Oxford to Euston, each day observing a seemingly perfect couple through the back of their London, terraced home. Tate’s film adaptation on the other hand removes Watson from the grey disappointment of London, moving her and the other characters of Hawkin’s novel to the bright lights of New York.
“Hawkin’s characters are not to meant to mimic the polished and robotic characters found in Gillian Flynn’s Gone Girl, they were written to be British, gritty, and depressing” However, what Tate has failed to understand is that it is the quintessentially British nature of Hawkin’s novel that makes it so readable. In a genre that is incredibly saturated, Hawkin transformed the mystery novel into a grim world battled by M&S gin in a tin and bottles of Whistlestop chenin
blanc. In America it’s illegal to even drink in public, and it’s highly unlikely that you would be able to find gin in a tin at a station, let alone find somewhere to buy alcohol. Moreover, Rachel’s problems are all very British. Her pessimistic, self-indulgent nature seems fundamentally off against the All-American, culturally saturated, expensive suburbs of New York that Tate’s train flies past. British actress Emily Blunt plays Rachel in Tate’s adaptation, but the characters still seems off. Hayley Bennett hasn't nearly enough character to play troubled Megan, and Justin Theroux is far too clean-cut to pull off Tom, the book’s antagonist. Hawkin’s characters are not to meant to mimic the polished and robotic characters found in Gillian Flynn’s Gone Girl, they were written to be British, gritty, and depressing. Following it’s release in September, Tate’s film hasn’t been torn apart by critics, but there have definitely been mixed reviews. Rotten Tomatoes have averaged 173 reviews at a not outrageous 5.4/10, and CinemaScore have given the film a comfortable B-. However, had Tate stuck to it’s original setting, perhaps The Girl on the Train in it’s cinematic form would have followed in Hawkin’s more successful footsteps.
Send us your comments or any ideas you may have for any future articles! thebadger.film@gmail. com
11
The Badger 24.10.2016
ARTS
Reviews Film My Scientology Georgia Grace Much-loved British journalist, Louis Theroux made his big screen debut recently with his feature-length documentary My Scientology Movie. In the wake of Theroux’s turn to darker subject matter – such as alcoholism and brain damage – the film suggested a return to his earlier work which examined some of the zaniest and most enigmatic corporations and phenomena of recent decades: the Westboro Baptist Church, extreme wrestling and the porn industry. However the documentary is somewhat lacking in Theroux’s classically gawky, school boy charisma that make his other works so endearing. Accompanied by very little actual investigation into the Church of Scientology, its beliefs or its current members, the film leaves the viewer feeling a little empty. Theroux reveals at the beginning of the documentary that the Church of Scientology have adamantly ignored his invitations to be involved with the documentary. Given the enormously secretive nature of the organisation, this puts a pretty significant obstacle in the way of his challenge to investigate Scientology – an obstacle that he doesn’t really overcome. He settles on relying on evidence from the Church’s few and far between public promotional videos and interviews, information already uncovered by previous journalists and, most centrally, a handful of ex-Scientologists. These deserters tell a chilling tale of the violence and intimidation tactics allegedly circulating among the upper levels of the Church, focusing primarily on its leader, David Miscavige. Theroux brings these incidents to life with a team of LA actors working on semi-improvised scenes informed and overseen by ex-
TV
Homeland Season 5 Bianca Serafini Arts Editor Premiered on October 2015, the fifth season of the award winning Showtime series Homeland, once again left us hanging as Carrie Mathisen looks into the light of the opening door of Quinn’s hospital room, blinded by “A False Glimmer”. This season focused primarily on Carrie departure from Langley and into the private sector, working now for the Düring Foundation, a philanthropic organization in Berlin with
Scientologist, Mark Rathbun. These exercises work not only as dramatisations, but also as investigations into the sociological effects of the Church’s alleged practises, whether it’s the disciplinary action at their punishment facility – ‘the Hole’ – or the use of their lie-detector-resembling E-meter machine. In a similar vein to the 2012 documentary film, The Act of Killing, which explored the mind-sets of former death squad workers for the Indonesian government, these exercises also examined Rathbun’s reaction to coming faceto-face with the acts he defended and likely perpetrated during his time with the Church. As much as these instances make for an interesting viewing experience, you can’t help but feel that they are of little value to actually investigating Scientology or its Church. Indeed, the documentary seems to focus largely on a couple of individual members and allegations, which for someone with little prior knowledge of Scientology, can be disappointing. It also makes Theroux’s announcement at the beginning that it is his goal to understand the true nature of Scientology feel out of place and a little insincere. Some of the most exciting parts of the documentary are the handful of skirmishes between Theroux and members of the Church of Scientology itself. Angered by Theroux’s attempts to document them, the Church sends him a series of threatening letters, and then proceeds to stalk him, pursuing him in broad daylight for miles along the highway and standing outside the film studio with video cameras. These instances result in bizarre, absurdist stand-offs with cameras facing cameras and Theroux repeatedly asking his pursuers who they are and what they were doing, all to no avail. “You’re harassing me!” announces one woman, finally attempting to leave under the pressure of Theroux’s questioning, to which he politely points out that she is the one who has turned up outside
his building to record him. These instances bring out Theroux’s brutal sincerity and daring to prod sticks where others wouldn’t, something that makes his documentaries so exciting. But in truth, the nature of the documentary just doesn’t allow for enough of that direct confrontation that Theroux is so renowned for. While not a poor documentary in itself, it simply doesn’t have enough of Theroux’s distinct prowess and charm to live up to expectations. Come to think of it, it doesn’t really have enough Scientology either.
questionable morals. As usual this season also included real-time storylines such as the war on terrorism, the European migrant crisis, and the Snowden fiasco, along with our favourite recurring cast members Rupert Friend (Quinn) and Mandy Patinkin (Saul), who never disappoint. Filled with schemes and plots, hidden motivations, spying, explosions and action as always, Homeland was able to sustain its political thriller genre for five entire seasons, seldom ever skipping a beat. (The first part of Season 3 might be considered the only time the show flopped–– Tower of David, really guys?). I find that the appeal of Homeland continues to be the interest audiences have in what’s going on in real life, especially recently with
the seemingly never-ending attacks and state proclamations on the war on terror; more and more people are intrigued by this terrorism-drama, pioneered by films such as Argo (2012) and Zero Dark Thrity (2012). These shows and films arguably water down, temper and theatricalize the real life atrocities of this time, the same way House of Cards amplifies, exaggerates or downplays Congress’s most confidential conversations and actions. In the past, critics of Homeland have commented on how negatively Islam is (often times) represented, to which I agree, but other times it also creates a larger dialogue about culture many people wouldn’t be aware of. Arguably, it helps create a sphere where an audience can see a little hollywoodian glimpse of what life
Music This Month @ Patterns Glenn Houlihan Deputy Editor Patterns brushed aside Brighton’s summer hangover with a stellar first week of October, countering the shortening hours of sunshine with a vibrant seven days of gigs and DJ nights. Julio Bashmore showcased his nuanced catalogue on the 1st, selling out the venue long before the evening arrived. Following confident support, Julio appeared on stage around 2am, the exultant crowd nodding their approval as he spun a mix of original material and transfigured house. Sprinkling his time at the desks with the expected assortment of distorted vocal cuts and pulsating basslines, he personified Pattern’s enchanting neon lights, the dancefloor reaching peak capacity as he gathered unassailable momentum. A set worthy of his glittering reputation. Oscar brought his distinctly per-
sonal brand of charm to Brighton’s seafront on Monday night, assisted by the wonderfully brazen pop-princess assassination of GIRLI. After overseeing the repair of a faulty speaker, the London based artist exhibited an avantgarde mix of astute lyricisms and choreographed dance, all set over beats which sounded like what would happen if Nintendo crossed paths with Pablo Escobar.
“Will Lister provided the soundtrack to upstairs shortly after midnight, and his confident, ebullient set showed exactly why he is turning so many heads around London” Oscar’s set was a fitting sequel, with both sharing the same inclusive, pro-co-operation mentality that our country has so senselessly shed. “We’re all waiting for good things to happen, everybody knows it's true” shouted back a love-struck crowd, as Oscar modestly smiled and thanked them. GIRLI returned for her lightening verse during ‘Breaking My Phone’, and a very special night culminated with the bittersweet brilliance of ‘Daffodil Days’, a ballad destined for popular adulation. Saturday night witnessed a dream combination of band and DJ, with the dreamy art-indie of Beach Baby followed by the techno heavy mixing of German Zenker Brothers. Beach Baby, channelling the 80’scool aesthetic of Stranger Things, delved into the intricacies of romance with effortless enchantment. ‘Hot Weather’ exemplified their honest, self-deprecating philosophy, while the hazy layis like in the non-western world and therefore makes one sympathize and admire Islam more than it does superficially stereotype a deeply complex religion.
showtime
ers of ‘Smoke Won’t Get Me High’ slalomed between the ambience of Gengahr and Kid Wave’s feedback driven alt-rock. ‘Bug Eyed And Blonde’ was the surprise stand out track of the evening, a gentle, seductive beast which flickered and burned, melting the audience with coats of sincerity. “Moving with the handbrake on” echoed through patterns among vocal harmonies, guitar merging with synth as the song drifted to a poignant close. We caught up with the boys over a beer after their set to discuss their recent tour of America; affable as ever, they’ll be shooting up bills as the year progresses. Will Lister provided the soundtrack to upstairs shortly after midnight, and his confident, ebullient set showed exactly why he is turning so many heads around London.
juliobashmore
Zenker Brothers played to a packed-out downstairs, and their bass heavy, experimental techno was exactly was the crowd wanted; they featured choice extracts from their Ilian Tape label, alongside the songs currently flowing through Germany’s buzzing underground scene.
In other words, Homeland successfully shows that war always goes both ways, only sometimes and (more specifically in the series’ smaller sub-plot) can one say a certain group was “bad” while the other was “good.” Whether you like this kind of genre or hate it completely, the fifth season of Homeland was by far one of the best directed, and Claire Danes’s portrayal of bipolar manic is one of the most chilling displays of this mental health issue seen on screen, a characterization she hasn’t lost at all from Season 1. Season 6 comes out January 17th 2016, apparently in New York City this time….
12
The Badger 24.10.2016
ARTS
Music
Fabric: More than just a nightclub
Fin Evans On the 7th September 2016, Fabric, arguably London’s best nightclub, had its license revoked and subsequently closed its doors for the foreseeable future. Its name has been added to the growing list of venues that have been shut down in the capital city over the past decade. The reason? The supposed drug-related deaths of two teenage customers this summer, which the metropolitan police have blamed on lack of adequate searches when entering the 2,500 capacity club. In the weeks following the decision that was announced at Islington Town Hall, there has been an uproar from the club’s fans, and a host of world famous DJs and artists have spoken out, all arguing that closing Fabric is not the answer. Ian Miller from the Night-Time Industries Association told Mixmag that “Fabric upholds a gold standard of professionalism in their operations, and what has happened tonight is a demonstration of kneejerk reactions to close down our businesses and cultural centres”.
“Fabric upholds a gold standard of professionalism in their operations” The underground venue has been referred to in the past as a “beacon of best practice” with strict searches on entry already in place, including
the use of drug sniffer dogs. Since the club opened in 1999, over five thousand of the worlds best DJs have passed through it’s three rooms, many of them rating the experience of playing there as one of the best in the world. “Its not just another nightclub, it stands for so much more” – Huxley Respected names in the music industry are calling out to the public to come together and save the venue, which has played a massive role in introducing a generation of musicians to the underground scene. Many believe that it is a hub for the UK’s electronic music culture, and inspires young people to begin making music, with Nick Grimshaw describing Fabric as “an institution”. Without it – London’s thriving underground music scene could very quickly begin to decline.
“It’s not just another nightclub, it stands for so much more”
“As a parent, my heart goes out to the family and friends of anyone who has lost loved ones at such a young age”, Emily Thornberry, MP for Islington, posted on Facebook. “But we must guard against the assumption that dangerous drug use would cease simply if we were to close a nightclub like Fabric.” Currently on the Fabric London website, they are asking for donations towards the campaign to reinstate their license. As of today, nearly £300,000 has already been raised, with some of the biggest donations coming from the likes of CODA Music Agency, The Warehouse Project, Jamie Jones and Seth Troxler, who combined have donated tens of thousands of pounds. As little as £10 will get your name added to a piece of ‘bespoke fabric campaign artwork’. For £30 you can bag yourself a ‘#savefabric’ T Shirt as well. ‘Night Life Matters’ are also fight-
ing hard against the closure of clubs in the UK. On their website they are currently running a petition to help save nightlife across the country. By entering your details, an automatic email will be sent to your local councillor, making them aware of the importance of nightlife to the local community.
“We must guard against the assumption that dangerous drug use would cease simply if we were to close a nightclub like Fabric”
Gigs this week Oct 24 Public Access TV The Hope & Ruin £7.70 Oct 24 Penelope Isles The Green Door Store £5.00 Oct 25 Clean Cut Kid The Prince Albert £7.70
50% of London’s venues have been shut down in the last 10 years. It would be sad to let another one slip. The court date for Fabric’s appeal is set for November 28th.
Oct 27 Spring King Concorde 2 £11.25 Oct 30 Honne The Haunt £13.20
Bill Brewster describes the club in a new promotional video for the campaign as “an important incubator of new musical genres” and jokes that he “met [his] wife on the very first night that [he] played in Fabric”. Andy C, owner of RAM Records, also mentions that he is “absolutely devastated” about the closure, and that there’s a “sense of mourning” amongst people.
Oct 30 High Tyde Concorde 2 £8.80 Fin Evans Xavier Clarke
MØ storms Concorde 2 show
Abi Aldred The Danish alt-queen, MØ, last week descended in Brighton on the first leg of her UK tour. The sold-out gig saw revellers eagerly packed into Concorde 2 with a real feel of anticipation and excitement in the room. Last summer MØ was thrust into the limelight following her collaboration with Major Lazer and arguably the biggest pop anthem of 2015, ‘Lean On’. But her 2014 album, ‘No Mythologies to Follow’ was where I first started my love affair with the electro-pop singer. I have raved about her album to anyone who will listen and heralded it as one of my favourites of recent times. With that in mind, I couldn’t wait to see some of my favourite pop tracks brought to life on stage. Without doubt I had expected a much younger crowd drawn in pri-
marily by MØ’s chart success but had underestimated the loyal following MØ has gathered, and the audience was a real mix of demographics. As darkness fell on the crowd and lights on stage started to flash in the shape of a large M and Ø, the songstress was welcomed on stage with rapturous applause and adoring fans.
“Last summer MØ was thrust into the limelight following her collaboration with Major Lazer” The set started with ‘I Don’t Wanna Dance’, an ironically upbeat track that settled the crowd into the dancing spirit. The audience’s enthusiastic singing-along only confirmed the love MØ’s fans have for her. She followed straight into the more wellknown track ‘Waste of Time’ and the
power of her hits and the attitude she brought on stage reverberated around the room. MØ is fairly unique in her style. Driving electric rhythms, poetic lyrics, catchy pop riffs and a soulful voice created a distinctive performance on the night. I was most in awe of how well MØ can actually sing and the way she dances on stage, captivating her audience and keeping them in the palm of her hand. Highlights also included ‘Walk this Way’ and the more recent ‘Kamikaze’. the communal dance spirit created a liberating atmosphere in the venue. As a whole, MØ’s performance was fluid as she moved through songs seamlessly. Care had been put into partnering songs together and the set-list was well thought out, balancing new and old tracks effectively. MØ’s trialling of new material was well received, showcasing her talent and securing her future prominence in the world of pop music with more
chart success surely to follow. She dedicated one of her new tracks to the females in the room and engaged well with the crowd throughout.
“Catchy pop riffs and a soulful voice created a distinctive performance on the night MØ closed her set with the appropriately titled ‘Final Song’ only to come back with a three song encore, giving the fans what they wanted and more. As the familiar intro to ‘Lean On’ started up, signifying the final song of her set, the response from the audience was thunderous as people cheered and applauded. MØ threw herself into the audience and began to sing whilst crowd-surfing, a welldeserved celebration at the end of an incredible set.
Nineteen songs and two hours later, MØ said her final goodnight after a stylish and energetic performance. It was a very intimate gig for the scale of the artist and she filled every corner of the venue with her upbeat electropop. Despite the ambiguities on how to pronounce her name, MØ’s performance was definitively strong and certainly unforgettable and her performance ensured she needs nobody but herself to lean on.
Lisette Jenson
13
The Badger 24.10.2016
ARTS
The Street
Some of Brighton’s most captivating aspects can be found in its colourful streets; you can find just about anything over here, all you have to do is look. On this Street corner we will be displaying Sussex students’ very own creative work, and just like the streets of Brighton, it will be truly one of a kind. We’re always looking for new submissions — poetry, photography, cartoons, and everything in between — to showcase any and all creative talent. Contact Help us fill up this new page! Lucie Andrau
at thebadger.street@ gmail.com for any contributions
– friends, family or even passer-by. I love walking on the street and just letting my feelings direct my body. After my degree I would like to find a place to exhibit my work, and continue to produce art.
Sherwin Wong, Media Practice student, 3rd year.
‘‘ I have been doing photography for 7 years, and I am particular interested in film photography. Most of my photos are taken with film cameras, I like the texture and surprise film can give me. And I am always carrying a camera around. I find everything around me inspiring
My project is called PingYao Romance. PingYao is very much small and peaceful like a little village, people are nice and the food is cheap. I find this city really romantic because of the red lanterns and yellow lights that decorate most of the night market stalls. It somehow reminds me of Wong Ka Wai’s movie scenes, lanterns and time fading and moving slowly in the wind. I chose the photos after I developed them – there were around 400 of them – so basically I chose the ones that made me say “Oh yeah, that’s the PingYao in my mind”. ’’
14
The Badger 24.10.2016
the
Badger
NEEDS YOU!
Want to have your say on the world around you? Work with The Badger We are almost unique in the country as an award-winning weekly newspaper. Last year we broke stories which later went on to be covered by the national press, and recent members of our team have progressed to writing for the Huffington Post, The Guardian and other national daily papers - including The Sun. So come and join us - it could just be a fun way to meet new people, or it could even be the start of a career in journalism!
Come to our contributors’ meeting every Friday from 11am to 12pm in Falmer Common Room
Check out our content and keep up-to-date with our online exclusives on http://thebadgeronline.com/ Find us on facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/thebadgersussex/
Drop us an email to be added to our mailing list to sign up for articles: badger@sussexstudent.com
Join our ‘Badger Writers’ facebook group in case you can’t make it to meetings: https://www.facebook.com/groups/299802243472462/
Twitter: @TheBadgerNews Instagram: @sussex_badger
15
LIFESTYLE The Badger 24.10.16
Astrology for the Sussex sceptic: understanding the stars
Cheyenne Kathleen
Cosmopolitan or Grazia only consider a small part of someone’s chart. Personal astrology takes a snapshot of the solar system the moment you I’ve been studying astrology for four years now, and it is one of those sub- were born; the position of every jects that’s easy to learn but will take planet, every moon, and even every asteroid. People usually only know a lifetime to master! When people their sun sign (specific to the month hear that I study astrology they noryou were born in), which is a good mally respond in one of three ways: “NASA say there’s a thirteenth star place to start, but there’s a lot more to astrology than the position of sign, so has my sign changed?” the sun. For example, I was born on “Can you tell me about myself?” October 16th so, when I was born the and “I don’t believe that rocks in space can pigeon hole me into one of sun was in Libra. But the moon was in Aries, and Venus was in Sagittarius, twelve categories. Anyone can relate and so on and so on with all the planto any sign. You’re wrong!” ets (yes, even Pluto). So if you can’t To address the first question, no, your sign has not changed. Nasa, who relate to one aspect of your sun sign, it’s because there’s a whole lot more know everything about astronomy to you and your chart. and nothing about astrology, have The Sun has the greatest gravity tried to disprove astrology by menand the strongest affect in astroltioning Ophiuchus, a constellation ogy, followed by the Moon, the other that astrologers have known about for thousands of years. Western tropi- planets still have a gravitational cal astrology (the branch of astrology effect and so affect the Earth. Each planet corresponds with an aspect that you and I are used to) goes by the movement of planets. Each of the of yourself, the sun is yourself and twelve signs get 30 degrees of a circu- main concern, the moon is emotion, lar chart beginning at Aries and end- Venus represents love etc. Therefore ing with Pisces. Astrology dates back I myself am a Libra, my emotions express themselves in an Aries way as far as recorded history. The oldest and I love in a Sagittarius way. The scholars of the subject from ancient Greece, Egypt, China and Mesopota- second layer of astrology relies on mia have classically been regarded as knowing your exact time of birth and some of the most respected people of places planets in to houses that show a second aspect to these areas as well their time. as show interactions between planets Most people are basing their by mapping them to an accurate knowledge on astrology from the degree. So it’s a very complicated and horoscope they read at the back of mathematical pseudo-science that a trashy magazine and most people goes way beyond placing anyone in to assume astrology limits them to one sign. In fact, each person actually has just one sign. Done properly astrola chart made up of 24 different signs ogy can tell you things about yourself only you could know, as well as help that come together to make up their explain interactions with others. own personal ‘natal chart’. I started studying astrology to Horoscopes like those found in
keep me busy and help myself make friends but throughout the four years of critically using it as a tool to guide me It’s always been extremely accurate and helpful. If you’re still reading this and thinking skeptically, astrology just allows you to think about yourself introspectively, in the same way that many religions do however rarely gets the same amount of respect. this stems from the church many years ago wanting more control over people so demonising astrology as evil. I can see the moon’s physical effect on the tide with my own eyes and humans are 60% water after all… In response to the final question, I will be writing a monthly sun sign based horoscope for The Badger to lighten up the mood of the often depressing news we are faced with daily! Until then here are the characteristics I love about each of the signs: Aries: Good leaders, confident and aren’t afraid of childlike fun- The true Peter Pans of us all.
Taurus: Laid back drama avoiders who are loyal and love food- more so than any other sign!
Cancer: Loving, maternal/paternal, a wildflower; understanding and supportive.
Leo: Have the best hair (Lusciousthis is really proven!), they are briliant friends; protective like an older sibling, loyal and dependable.
Virgo: Their critical mind makes them perfectionists and they are very level headed and stable people.
Capricorn: Cool, chilled nature and incredibly fun to be around. A Capricorn is also hard working and mature.
Aquarius: The quirky aliens! They are rebellious and very progressive thinkers.
Pisces: Kind, caring and are the most spiritual of them all.
Libra: Charming, charismatic and social. Beautiful, peaceful souls.
Scorpio: Mysterious and sexy, we normally find ourselves captivated by Scorpios.
Gemini: Very sociable and talkative, the biggest chatterboxes of them all. Sagittarius: Adventurous, independVery creative, often very popular and ent and honest. They can teach you provide the best gossip. so much about yourself and the world around you.
Interested in writing for Lifestyle? We want to hear from you! Please contact Lifestyle editor Alex Carter at ac572@sussex.ac.uk All pictures : Wikimedia Commons
Pumpkins aren’t just for carving or transporting you to the ball An easy autumnal recipe using the big orange fruit.
Alex Carter Lifestyle Editor Pumpkin soup Ingredients:
turn golden. 2) Pour 700ml vegetable/chicken stock into the pan, then season with salt and pepper.
4 tbsp olive oil 2 onions, finely chopped 1kg pumpkin peeled, deseeded and chopped into chunks 700ml vegetable stock or chicken stock if you are vegetarian 142ml pot double cream Wholemeal seeded bread Handful of pumpkin seeds to serve
3)Bring to the boil, then simmer for 10 mins until the pumpkin is very soft. Pour the 142ml pot of double cream into the pan, bring back to the boil, then purée with a hand blender. If you have any other blender/ smoothie maker- this will work just as well! The soup can now be frozen for up to 2 months. (Great for us students who often let things go mouldy in the back of the fridge!)
Method 1) Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large saucepan, then gently cook 2 finely chopped onions for 5 mins, until soft. Try not to burn them! Add 1kg peeled, deseeded and chopped pumpkin to the pan, then carry on cooking for 8-10 mins, stirring occasionally until it starts to soften and
4)While the soup is cooking, slice the crusts from 4 slices of wholemeal seed bread, then cut the bread into small croutons. Heat the remaining 2 tbsp olive oil in a frying pan, then fry the bread until it starts to become crisp. Add a handful of pumpkin seeds to the pan, then cook for a few mins more until they are toasted. Reheat the soup if needed,
taste for seasoning. Some may prefer their soup with a hint of spice, so feel free to add some chilli flakes for a kick! Nutmeg is also a great addition. 5) Serve scattered with your crispy croutons and seeds and drizzle with a dash more olive oil, if you like.
Wikimedia Commons
We are looking for students to write to our new
Agony Aunt
with their problems and worries. The Badger Agony Aunt wants to help you so if you are troubled with love, friendship, studies, health, sex, you name it...our Agony Aunt has the answers. Email : sussexagonyaunt@gmail.co.uk You can remain anonymous!
LETTERS
16
The People Have Spoken: Brexit Should Mean Brexit
Dear Badger, Four months have passed since the British public voted to leave the European Union. A staggering number of 17.5 million people cast their vote to leave the EU, making it the biggest mandate in British political history. Despite the significant outcome of the vote, Article 50 has not yet been triggered, and a large section of the business and political elite have been fighting to keep it that way and reverse the wishes of the British public. From large corporations and law firms to individual politicians, ever since the outcome of the referendum, powerful interests have been fighting to block the invocation of Article 50, the process by which the UK will leave the EU. This came into action last week when investment banker Gina Miller, took PM Theresa May to court over her prime ministerial powers regarding the royal prerogative: a law by which the PM can take certain decisions without the approval of Parliament. Ms Miller is arguing that the PM has no legal power in triggering Article 50 of the Lisbon treaty without Parliamentary approval, after May announced that she would begin negotiations by the end of March 2017. Miller stated, “I’m questioning whether the Government has the right to bypass Parliament and use this royal prerogative so that she and a handful of ministers will be able to trigger Article 50 without any sort of legal certainty or scrutiny in Parliament.” However, what Gina Miller is missing is that 17.5 million people in the UK voted, and won the outcome of the referendum to leave the EU. My question to Gina Miller would be, what makes you think that you
have the right to bypass democracy and therefore the wishes of the British public? Theresa May herself campaigned for the remain side, however, this is no longer about which side you were on before, but about enforcing democracy and enacting the outcome that the people voted for. So far the politicians have failed to take responsibility with the outcome of the referendum, and Theresa May is doing the honourable thing by following through with what should be, the democratic process following the vote. The majority of MP’s campaigned for the remain side and have openly expressed their concerns with invoking article 50. The case at the high court is convenient for MP’s as they can use it as an excuse to shift the blame on to anti-Brexit activists (if the case does win) whilst also allowing it working in their favour as they see Brexit to be a huge inconvenience. The problem with Miller’s campaign is that it completely and utterly betrays democracy. This interference with democracy should be of concern to everyone as this is no longer about which side you voted for, but about fighting to uphold our liberal and democratic values. When democracy is undermined, it marks the beginning of a slippery slope into an increasingly authoritarian establishment, and it is for that reason that what’s really key, is where we go from here, and whether we decide to enact the decision of 17.5 million ordinary people against the powerful interest that seek to thwart it. Yours, Deniz Karaman
Let’s Talk About AntiSemitism Dear Badger, Recently the House of Commons Home Affairs Select Committee published a report on AntiSemitism in the UK. This report specifically referenced The National Union of Students (NUS), as well as its president Malia Bouattia. Bouattia was elected as NUS president at the annual conference last year, and was a controversial choice to say the least. Her election prompted an open letter signed by over 57 heads of student Jewish societies across the country, asking her to explain her “extremely concerning rhetoric”. This includes, but is not limited to, referring to the University of Birmingham as “something of a Zionist outpost” in 2011, and claiming in a meeting hosting by SOAS that the governments Prevent policy was created by “all manner of Zionist
and neo-con lobbies”. Concerning rhetoric indeed, but perhaps more alarming is that our own undergraduate education officer at Sussex, Savannah Sevenzo, has added her name to an open letter expressing solidarity with Bouattia, and condemning the select committee report. USSU’s safe space policy states that it is “committed to creating a safe, tolerant and inclusive environment.” This applies to Jewish students as well, who are growing increasingly concerned about rising AntiSemitism on our campuses, and the rhetoric being used by our elected officers. These people are supposed to represent all students and quite frankly, should know better than to incite hatred in this way. Yours, A Concerned Student
The Badger 24.10.2016
Why is No One Laughing?
Dear Badger, systemic oppression isn’t funny, it’s completely violent actually. white privilege is dense and always unaddressed. the loud instances of islamaphobia, xenophobia and antiblack racism manifest themselves in so many ways, like when white people grab people of colour’s hair or can’t seem to remember their names. transphobia stains our language and pulses through our violent surveillance of those who exist outside gender binaries. ableism gets steeper with every cement step and more injurious with every panel of able-bodied policy maker who fail to check their ableism. rape culture is thick and sits everywhere from between my thighs to my law lecturer casually mentioning sexual violence as a trendy example in class. patriarchy, misogyny and a general obsession with effacing self-identifying women and trans/non binary folkx underlies all our practices and postures. and all of this happens to stand on a world that is heating and cracking under our very feet; resources, access and vitality is kept from the most impoverished and marginalized. these are just a few examples of the daily injustices of this world. but you already knew that, especially if you are from sussex and can marx your way in and out of any conversation. it then makes sense that we have grown serious and are struggling with various mental health problems: this world is fucked. i’ve noticed in my own life that this has a direct impact on how much fun i allow myself to have. i always think about how to be a better vegan, human, lover, anarchist, co-op flatmate, activist, writer, resistor, ally and student (not enough, do more, do better). it turns out I’m not laughing anymore. the more i think about it, the more i realize that laughter is something i have trivialized and resisted: if i know about oppression and privilege, there is no time to laugh. but that is a scary thought and as
I started looking at my own stuff, i wondered why we aren’t allowing ourselves, as individuals and communities, to howl, giggle, burst and roar with laughter? it seems like for some, especially activists and those who engage in dismantling these disgusting systems of oppression, there are a lot of Very Straight Faces, which is valid. why should we be amused? this shit is depressing. i actually just want to nap until white supremacist capitalist heteropatriarchy is over. in the same breath, i see this really scary internalization of fear and violence play itself out within ourselves and within relationships, which seem to impair the way we have fun; how we shake our limbs; and how we enjoy our falafels without politicizing the ethics of chickpeas. sometimes (and not always), it’s necessary to carve out time in your day to laugh and to find refuge in taking absolutely nothing seriously. if anything, it can be taken as an act of self-care: to laugh in the face of a world that so badly wants to harden us is radical. for me personally, as a white middle class queer who goes to university and has a passport, i am leaking with privilege. this privilege comes with serious responsibilities. however, taking things too seriously doesn’t help me either. every once in awhile, i want to howl and be gross and watch water leak from my mouth while i try to contain laughter. it all makes me think that maybe we should start challenging ourselves, as activists or even just as people who are existing in a really shitty world, to carve out space for humour, giggling, teasing, softening and exhaling. i think of aldous huxley’s words: “it’s dark because you’re trying too hard. lightly child, lightly. learn to do everything lightly” Yours, nicole lachance
The views and opinions expressed in this publication do not necessarily represent those of the Student’s Union, unless explicitly stated. University of Sussex Students’ Union Falmer, East Sussex, BN1 9QF
#TheBadger
The best tweets of the week @Yowan: The media doesn’t even need to rig this election, Trump’s constant insanity is doing all the work for them @GaryLineker: The treatment by some towards these young refugees is hideously racist and utterly heartless. What’s happening to our country? @frasercoppin: My road is blocked by an Ocado lorry #Brightonproblems @esaoperations: #MarsExpress signal acquired! The ESA Deep Space Antenna #Cebreros reports a clear signal from @ESA’s veteran Mars mission. #ExoMars @MattTurner4L: Really happy that @jeremycorbyn challenged the disgraceful mental health cuts that we are seeing from the government at #PMQs. @ThatMiriam: It’s 9am and I’m already angry at ableism in activism! Gonna be a great day!
Tweet us at #TheBadger and you could be published here next week!
WRITE US A LETTER Read something in The Badger that you want to respond to? Have an opinion on a topical issue? Or just want to complain about something? Write us a letter! Feel free to email submissions to badger-letters@sussexstudent.com or join the Badger Letter Writers Facebook group.
17
SCIENCE
The Badger 24.10.2016
Sophie Clark Publicity and Events Manager
The Great Barrier Grief
David Bowie, Alan Rickman, Terry Wogan, Britain’s relationship with the EU, to name but a few: 2016 has been a year full of painful losses thus far, so the news of the ‘death’ of the Great Barrier Reef that emerged recently seemed like just another name on the sad list. Outside Magazine published an obituary for the world’s biggest living organism, mourning the loss of it after 25 million years. The report spread like wildfire, making its way onto many blogs and news outlets, and was shared countless times on social media, with the inclusion of countless sad face and fish emojis, to truly demonstrate the extent of the grief felt. However, it has since been realised that the obituary appears to be Outside’s attempt at thoughtprovoking satire, as scientists – actual ones, rather than the food and environment writer of the viral
piece – have confirmed that the Great Barrier Reef is indeed dying but not dead, for now at least. For many years, the Reef has been in an extremely concerning state, with 93% of it being affected by bleaching, to the point that almost a quarter of it has died from such damage. Coral bleaching is when changes in conditions, currently caused by global warming, causes the coral to expel the algae that live in their tissues, resulting in the coral losing its vibrant colour and eventually dying. Not only does this mean the death of the Reef itself, but the ultimate loss of it would be disastrous for the hundreds of species of fish that live among it. Yes, the Reef is a beautiful thing to look at, photograph, and scuba dive among, but more importantly, its death stretches beyond that. Perhaps then, Outside was on the right lines with its ‘obituary’. Some think that the hoax will inspire action and more thought for the impressive feat of nature, as
Alzheimer’s Disease soon to be a forgotten memory? Researcher led by Dr Ashe at University of Minnesota have reversed Alzheimer’s Disease in mice- a breakthrough that brings us closer to a cure.
Hannah Richards The research team at University of Minnesota spent 10 years analysing the foundations of the disease and recently discovered a natural enzyme that appears to have a key role. The enzyme in question is called caspase-2 that attacks neuronal protein, specifically a protein called tau. In Alzheimer’s disease tau forms aggregates that accumulate in neurons and thought to disrupt synaptic connections, this has been the main focus of research. However, more recently soluble forms of tau have been implicated in synaptic impairment. Dr Ashe and team found that caspase-2 cleaved tau producing a small and soluble tau fragment, which was found to be elevated in brains of those suffering with Alzheimer’s. Results found that this small tau fragment was responsible for synaptic disruption and consequent memory problems seen in the mice rather than tau aggregates. These findings shed light on a new target for treatment, that blocking caspase-2 might restore synaptic function and memory in
patients with Alzheimer’s. Further investigation found that mice with mutant tau that resists cleavage by caspase-2 had no synaptic impairment or memory problems. Additionally, reducing the levels of naturally occurring caspase-2 in mice restored memory of mice who had existing memory defects. These results suggest a novel strategy by which synaptic function and memory can be restored in patients suffering from Alzheimer’s Disease- this is a significant step towards a cure. Dr Ashe has already announced collaboration with drug developers to translate their findings into treatment.
USDA
it offers a glimpse into what could be. However, scientists seem to disagree with this interpretation, due to the message of doom and lack of hope that the original article and subsequent articles convey. Surely by telling people it is too late, they will not be moved to action but instead to dismay? Surely this approach dismisses the important and intense efforts that many people are putting into saving the Great
Barrier Reef? While the jury is out about whether or not it is too late to save it, considerable work is being put into attempting to, and organisations such as the ARC Centre at the University of Queensland and the Australian government believe that it can be done. The hoax is a perfect example of humans being as susceptible to bait as the fish that inhabit the Reef’s corals, but more than that, we
should take from this the original message of the need, and desperation, to save the Great Barrier Reef. With estimations saying that it could be gone for good within 40 years, it could very easily be within our lifetimes that the obituaries, RIP hashtags, and broken heart emojis could be flooding our timelines for real if we do not work together to save it.
Oregen State University
Millennials Work As Hard As The Rest
Kate Dearling Science Sub-Editor
I am writing this article at 8:30pm on a Sunday evening, having spent my entire weekend sat at my desk revising for an exam – I am a Millennial and according to some research I don’t work very hard. The accusation that the younger generation is lazy has always been readily dealt, probably out of concern for changes that may occur when the next generation joins the workforce or due to a lack of understanding for the new challenges that the younger generation faces. The evidence for actual generational differences in work ethic has been mixed but now that three generations have started working together (Baby Boomers, Generation X and Millennials) there is a need for some solid answers. Researchers at Wayne State University examined 77 studies that reported work ethic and average sample age. They chose to focus on a particular measure of work ethic – Protestant Work Ethic (PWE). The 7 features of PWE are placing work at the centre of life, the belief that hard work yields successful outcomes, morality/ethics when dealing with
others, distain for time wasting, avoidance of leisure activities, ability to delay gratification and being selfreliant. It has long been contested as to whether there are generational differences in PWE. The study compared 3 generational cohorts: the Baby Boomers born between 1946-1964, Generation X born between 1965 and 1980 and Millennials born between 19811999. Each generation shares significant life events that have helped develop a unique personality and set of values shared between members of that generation. For example Baby Boomers were born in times of economic expansion and typically view work as a meaningful part of life that leads to self-fulfillment. Millennials on the other hand, have grown up with more influence from technology and consequently know that they have the freedom to work from anywhere, this may be why they place more value on work-life balance than any other generation. So what are the results? After 3 phases of hierarchical regression analysis they found no generational differences in PWE. This means that no generation has more of the attributes associated with being hard
working than the others. PWE is particularly relevant to our current work environment as the most common 21st century skills including collaboration, problem solving and the ability to perform non-routine and interactive tasks, require high PWE. For example someone with low centrality of work is less likely to preserve with a problem at work than someone with high PWE who views work as central to his or her life. The research has many implications for employers. Firstly any company planning to change company practices in order to suit the “very different” Millennial generation is likely to be wasting money. Also seeing as PWE traits are key for the mastery of 21st century skills any programs aimed at building 21st century skills should no longer be concerned with generational differences in PWE. Now that this research group has made the first step, similar studies should follow using data from different countries or focusing on a different form of worth ethic such as the importance of work-life balance or the need for job stability.
18
The Badger 24.10.2016
SPORT
Esports: A glimpse into the future? Vishal Padhiar What exactly is eSports? You may have heard of it but not quiet understood what it is. Well, for a platform that just a few thousand people followed 10 years ago, it has become a phenomenon with millions of followers worldwide. Without a doubt, it is definitely something to keep your eye on. eSports quite simply stands for Electronic Sports. It is a form of competitive gaming that grips and entices fans in a very similar fashion to that of traditional sports. eSports spans across many genres of games, from strategy games such as Starcraft, to first person shooters such as Counter Strike. This year, Counter Strike GO held an international tournament in Cologne known as ESL One. The winning team of the tournament received $1,000,000 in prize money; showing the status that these kind of tournaments have already reached. Those who are lucky enough to go to tournaments like this and witness the gaming live are in for a phenomenal atmosphere. Similar to that of traditional sports, there are jerseys, chants and trophies, traits that certainly place eSports alongside the calibre of more traditional sports.
Patrick Isitt A “higher power” is what Lewis Hamilton - backtracking on earlier comments made after an engine fault at the Malaysian Grand Prix - claimed he had meant when he
One other huge similarity between traditional sports and eSports is the television coverage they receive. In South Korea, for example, the eSports exposure on television is just a big as traditional sporting coverage, with channels on national television dedicated solely to eSports. Here in the UK, the League of Legends world championships were broadcasted on BBC Three in 2015. More commonly however, the main viewer base is found online, being streamed and watched on Twitch. The total number of viewers of the finals match was close to fourteen million, with those watching live packed out Berlin’s 17,000 seat Mercedes Benz Arena. The same tournament two years before had eleven million overall viewers and the increase in viewers has shown eSports’ growth in the competitive sport category. Could we eSports ever being as big as football in the UK? Can we go as far to say it could become an Olympic Sport? Though eSports has many merits, and sets an example to traditional sports in its ability to attract viewers, like most traditional sports, it has its dark aspects too. One in particular is the exploitation of younger viewers. Due to the platform being based on
gaming and being primarily online focused; it is mostly teenagers that are drawn to eSports. Indeed, many teenagers not only follow the sport, but actively take part too. As has been witnessed, this allows companies to focus on the teenage market and target them for financial gain, such as with CSGO betting sites. These sites promote teenage gambling with weapons and other in game items for money. In turn, these companies sponsor big teams in the league with the money they have made. This promotion of gambling to a younger audience is highly unethical and has led to the recent closing down of many of these sites. However, this then affects the teams who are sponsored by them, resulting in the money and support for some the teams to decrease. The argument still lingers as many say the system should be monetised more rigorously, whilst others believe it should not exist at all. Not all the companies involved within eSports are viewed as bad as the betting sites. Big names such as Monster, Intel and even Samsung sponsor teams. Samsung have multiple pro game teams of their own in South Korea, one of which won the LCS world championship in 2014.
Flickr-wuestenigel Overall, this reflects the platform’s growing status as major companies, such as Samsung, who have previously sponsored UK football teams, have taken their money towards supporting eSports. With eSports’ rise in popularity, there has been a backlash from many discouragers arguing it is not a sport and should not be taken seriously. Yet the statistics and follower base shows that the only direction for eSports is up. Its critics have argued that it will have
a negative impact on the already widely discussed child obesity issues in the UK and America. But for every critic there is a supporter who adds the community aspect is helping the issues of childhood depression and anxiety. The debate continues as the popularity continues to grow. Will eSports reinvent the sporting world? Or will it fade and be shunned as merely ‘a phase’? Only time will tell for this young, but major, sport.
Has Lewis Hamilton lost his drive? stated that “somebody, or something, doesn’t want me to win this year.” A comment, disruptive in the world of F1, that perhaps suggests something’s not quite right with one of the sport’s most successful drivers as we reach the final races
Flickr-ongchihang
of the season. Before the weekend’s US Grand Prix, Hamilton needed to overcome a 33-point-gap between himself and Mercedes teammate Nico Rosberg, a task you wouldn’t put past a man that many would argue is a better driver than the latter. But Hamilton’s almost childish approach to the media in recent weeks has led some to question the integrity of the 31-year-old’s ambition, despite claiming he will give “everything” to claim a third title is as many years. Though it appears a huge points gap, a Lewis Hamilton at the top of his game has already recovered a similar points gap this season; reducing 42 points to 11 between Monaco and Austria in just four races, a repeat of which would leave Rosberg only one-point-up. For Hamilton to do the unthinkable, and assuming both do not suffer any setbacks during the remaining four races, Rosberg can finish second to Hamilton at each Grand Prix and still claim the
title when the curtain falls on Abu Dhabi on November 27. So, what’s behind Hamilton’s fall from the top? He is a man who has undoubtedly suffered a fair share of bad luck this season, but is it naive to suggest that it’s only a matter of luck. The Brit caused a social media backlash during the Japanese Grand Prix, when he spent the duration of the pre-race press conference on his smartphone, behaving like a child on Snapchat, which many deemed disrespectful. He later used his social media presence to respond to suggestions of discontent. “It’s been the same for 10 years. It’s not the media or mediator, it’s the format. Fans should be asking the questions!” You can’t help but feel like Hamilton’s antics are taking the attention away from what has been an impressive season for teammate Nico Rosberg, who seems to be taking it one race at a time in search of his first F1 title.
Hamilton needs to switch back on and rediscover the ambition and personality - that has made him so successful and admirable in recent years. Certainly, with his current diversion of media discrepancies, a difficult season on the track could deteriorate further if he loses fans, media support and his title. The best thing Hamilton can do is to put all his focus on the final four races of the season, and hold his head high if Rosberg is victorious in Abu Dhabi.
Would you like to write a sports article for the badger? If so get in contact with our sports editor: badgersport@sussexstudent.com