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STUDENTS ON THE USU ANTI-SEMITISM IN SYDNEY THE BEST OF PALM SIBLING RIVALRY Love Happy Sad
Anger
Grief
Grief
Sad Anger Love
Envy
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Have the courage to own your own truth
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Grief
Live with a deeper sense of intention
Sad
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Happy
Happy
Anger
Love
Sad
Anger Envy
Sad
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Love
Grief
ove
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You don’t become what you want, you become what you believe
The deeper the pain, the greater the opportunity
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Turn your wounds into wisdom Envy
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ISSUE 07, 2011
...AND HOW DOES THAT MAKE YOU FEEL? IS POP-PSYCH DANGEROUS?
Clubs & cieties o SAAWARDS WARDS W WAR WARD AARDS RRDS DDSS NOMIN NOMINATI NOMINAT NOMINA N NOMINATIONS NOMINATIO OOMI MINAT ATIONSS
SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION TO THE C&S OFFICE NO LATER THAN 5PM, FRIDAY 16TH SEPTEMBER 2011
NOMINATION FORMS AVAILABLE AT C&S OFFICE OR VIA ORION ONLINE
For more information please contact clubsandsocs@usu.usyd.edu.au or visit usuonline.com
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News Columns Competitions What’s On Interview Campus Chatter Student Lifestyle Travel Health Food & Booze Sport Science & Tech Entertainment Reviews Mindgames The Bull Pen Caught on Campus
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Photo by Jeremy Yao
ISSUE 07 CONTENTS
ART IN YOUR PALM
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EDITORS
Paul Karp Alex McKinnon Kira Spucys-Tahar Anne Widjaja Lewis d'Avigdor usubullmag@gmail.com CONTRIBUTORS
Adam Farrow-Palmer, Mala Waldhera, Grace O’Neill, Tom Cashman, Bryant Apolonio, Drew Rooke, Bronte Lambourne, Raihana Haidary, Dom Bowes, Casey Cunningham, Lydia Feng, Connie Ye, Ashling Lee DESIGN
Carl Ahearn Anjali Belani PUBLICATIONS MANAGER
Chris Beaumont WWW.USUONLINE.COM LIKE US FACEBOOK.COM/USUBULLMAGAZINE The views in this publication are not necessarily the views of USU. The information contained within this edition of Bull Magazine was correct at the time of printing. This publication is brought to you by the University of Sydney Union and The University of Sydney. ISSUE 07, 2011
POP-PSYCHOLOGY AND SELF-HELP GURUS
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ANTI-SEMINITISM: HERE, TODAY?
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ART IN YOUR PALM
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SIBLING RIVALRY
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CONTENTS
BULL USUONLINE.COM NEWS
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1 Sleepyhands took out the coveted Band Comp crown.
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2 A new campaign is sweeping campus, are you with us?
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NEWS
will also carry many gluten-free items and foods to cater for other dietary requirements, such as halal and kosher. The new outlet replaces the heath bar on level 3 of Wentworth, moving downstairs into the food hall, a popular lunch destination on campus.
INTERFAITH WEEK AHEAD SLEEPYHANDS WIN BAND COMP Forty bands contested for forty nights (well, over a couple of months) for the ultimate prize of Sydney Uni Band Comp champions, and after a hotly contested grand final at Manning Bar, it was seven-piece Sleepyhands who took out the top prize. Sleepyhands, who describe themselves as “a furtive union of voices and harmonic hooks”, won the judges’ approval at the Grand Final held on 1 September during the Verge Festival. Capping a successful night for bands with slumber-themed nom de plumes, indie-punk outfit Sleep Debt took out second place. Psychedelic noise-pop group, Black
Springs rounded out the podium with third place. Sleepyhands went home with the winner’s cheque of $2,500 and will go forth to compete in the State Band Competition
NEW HEALTH BAR OPENS ON CAMPUS Between burgers and kebabs, healthy food on campus was hard to find, but the USU has moved and improved its health-food bar to the Wentworth food court, with a new name – Raw – and a new menu of healthy selections. Raw, so named after a poll on Facebook, will offer fresh salads specially-made juice and smoothie blends as well as a number of other healthy meal options. The outlet
The USU is getting ready for Interfaith Week, a new week-long festival that will celebrate the diversity of faiths represented on campus. Interfaith Week, held in week 11 (10-14 October) will aim to facilitate debate and communication among the many different faith and religion-based Clubs on campus – of which more than 1,000 students are members. A number of events both fun and thought-provoking will form Interfaith Week – including a Faith Fair, Poetry Slam, a Launch Brunch, Great Debate, Sports Comp, workshops and other events across campus. Visit the USU website for more details on Interfaith Week and events.
WHO’S WITH US? A new, campus-wide movement has been launched, asking one and all on campus to raise their hand in support of the USU. The wellpublicised negotiations between the University and the Student Union has been a process more than a year in the making, and while publicly-available details are thin on the ground, indications are that the talk at the negotiating table is set to continue. So as the negotiations proceed, the USU’s Student Board of Directors have turned to the students themselves to show their appreciation of what the Union has provided for them. The ‘Are You With Us’ Facebook page (facebook.com/areuwithus) was launched recently – open to anyone who wishes to put their support behind the USU in a positive manner. The Facebook page’s info section explains the reason behind the campaign, reading, “Forget student politics, this is about student life.‘Are you with us’ is the campaign to spread awareness about the University of Sydney Union and what it does for the student experience. It started in recognition of how much the USU does to make our student experience exceptional” It goes further: “At Sydney, we’ve got the most comprehensive student programmes and services operation of any Australian university. Not to mention that every cent they make is reinvested in making the student experience bigger and better. That’s the way we like it, and that’s why we’re speaking up for the USU.” More updates on the campaign are being posted regularly on the ‘Are You With Us’ Facebook page, so – hitch up your internet-cart and mosey on down for a look.
ISSUE 07 COLUMNS
COLUMNS EDITOR’S NOTE PAUL, ALEX, KIRA, ANNE & LEWIS
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PRESIDENT’S DESK SIBELLA MATTHEWS The USU is an evolutionary organisation. Being student-run means that we can quickly respond and adapt to changing needs of the student community, and that’s why it’s so important that we hear from you on how we can make things better. In October, the USU will unveil a number of new Kosher-certified menu items available at Snack Express in the Wentworth Building and at Footbridge Station in the Holme Building. We aim to ensure that all within the University community are properly catered for, and we are proud to offer Kosher food to the Jewish community on our campus. The USU is constantly striving for greater food diversity on campus, and this can also be seen in the introduction of our new health food bar, Raw, on the ground level of Wentworth. The USU will also be reviewing our coffee supplier within the next year as our current coffee contract is due to expire at the end of 2012. Our coffee tender process will include a thorough evaluation into Fair Trade and organic options, in response to student movements on campus. This process is assisted by the USU’s Fair Trade Working Party, established after the Fair Trade Referendum was held during the 2010 Student Board Election. We are constantly assessing our own performance in delivering services and responding to student wishes, particularly in light of the current USU-University negotiations regarding our commercial operations. We’ve been providing quality food and beverage services on campus for 100 years and we’re always listening to your valuable feedback so we can continue to provide these services how you want them. Don’t hesitate to share your thoughts – after all, it’s only through your input that we can become a stronger, more relevant student Union. Leave your comments and thoughts at http://yourunionboard.blogspot.com or email me at president@usu.usyd.edu.au.
ello there! Welcome to the penultimate issue of Bull Magazine for 2011. If penultimate sounds a little like ultimate, there’s a reason for that: it’s synonymous with awesome. This month we examine the vexed question of the proposed University takeover of the University of Sydney Union’s commercial operations. If you’re enjoying Bull at Manning or Wentworth, or killing time in class waiting for your third coffee, then you’re probably using the Union. But rather than tell you what to think or gaze into our crystal ball we took it to the streets (well, Eastern Avenue) and asked you what you knew and thought about the negotiations. The variety of views from passionate student voices is STUDENT PROGRAMS fascinating. ALISTAIR COWIE In other articles, we explore the controversial Quite a lot of my time is spent writing recommendations in support world of pop-psychology (sorry Oprah), the of students’ applications for clerkships, scholarships, bursaries and influence of birth order on siblings’ character; employment. When the federal government changed hands in 2007, I had the onward march of science in eradicating nasty great fun with ASIO reference checks for several alumni who were moving positions in Canberra. diseases; and the personal experience of a Muslim into The Rhodes Scholarship selection criteria include proven intellectual student during the holy month of Ramadan. Oh, and academic achievement, integrity of character, interest in and respect and I think we went to Indonesia too. for others, the ability to lead, and the energy to use their talents to the full. Cecil Rhodes hoped that scholars would ‘esteem the performance of public This month we’re into the thick of the the as [their] highest aim’. The Rhodes Trust hopes that scholars will fiercely competitive elections for the SRC, Honi duties play an influential part in the betterment of society, Soit, the SRC President and NUS. Fortunately Similarly The Menzies Foundation, another generous scholarship Bull HQ, hidden as it is under an ice volcano, supplier, looks for academic excellence, leadership – including potential leadership, extra-curricular activities, ability to contribute to the life of a is not a polling place, but we sympathise with and interest in the service of others. everyone making the mad dash through the pack university You’ll note in both these prestigious awards, academic capability is at Fisher. but one box to tick. Now, obviously the Rhodes and the Menzies are Just pick up a copy of Bull while you’re there. aiming pretty high, but they can be taken as exemplars for other pursuits. I employ a lot of recent graduates and of course, working in a University, And learn, too, I suppose. I’m interested to see how they’ve done academically, but I also want to Love, the Editors. see what makes them tick; how they react to others; and what sort of ISSUE 06 FEATURE
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STAGEDELIGHT THE USU’S ANNUAL REVUES ARE NOT JUST FUN FOR THE AUDIENCE, THERE’S FUN TO BE HAD ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE CURTAIN DISCOVERS PAUL KARP AS HE CATCHES UP WITH CAST AND CREW OF SOME OF THIS YEAR’S REVUES.
t’s that time of year again when students who are light of heart and brave of spirit warm up their tonsils, strap on the dancing shoes and tread the boards. That’s right, it’s Revues Season time; those student-produced (and written, directed and performed) parody and pun machines that give notoriety to the famed genre of ‘undergraduate humour’. They trade off a time-honoured formula of impressions, skits, song-and-dance numbers and, yes, the obligatory (no really, obligatory) nude sketch.
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Last issue, we wrongly attributed Tim Lee as the producer of this year’s Queer Revue in the article ‘Stage Delight.’ In fact, Amy Butterfield was the producer behind the excellent show, The Queen. Tim Lee was the producer of last year’s show – and according to a letter, he says “It’s an exaggeration to say that Queer Revue is the brainchild of myself and Mat Whitehead – it was Mat’s idea, I was just an early and massively enthusiastic supporter of it.” Apologies to Tim, Mat and Amy - and well done for two years of an exceptional production!
contribution they want to make to their society. There are no dummies at Sydney University. There, I said it. You’re all brilliant and 15,000 of you graduate every year. So, how you are going to distinguish yourself from the other 14,999? How are you going to demonstrate your leadership qualities, your integrity and your respect for others? In written and verbal references I am always asked about a person’s character and preparedness to think and work beyond the confines of a simple set of rules. Involvement in USU activities – and of course those of the SRC, SUPRA and the Sports Union – provides you with the opportunities you need to support your academic credibility. Take advantage of us; join a Club; lead a team; run a ticket. Be engaged....and be engaging.
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BULL USUONLINE.COM COMPETITIONS
WIN A $50 COLES GIFT CARD Thanks to Coles, we have got your shopping sorted with a handy $50 Coles Gift Card to give away. Use it to buy the essentials for the week – or buy a whole bunch of chocolate and ice-cream and go on a sugar-fuelled rampage. Maybe buy a dozen cans of shaving foam and throw a foam party in your own house?! Whatever, it’s your $50 to spend at Coles!* *Cannot be redeemed at Coles Online or Coles Express, Terms and Conditions of gift card apply.
Access Members can get 5% off Coles Gift Cards when purchased at the ACCESS Desk! Conditions apply, visit accessbenefits.com for details.
WIN !
For your chance to win the gift card, email your wittiest caption along with your name and details to usubullmag@gmail.com
ISSUE 6 WINNER! “The steroids had taken their toll. Her hands made it look normal-sized again.” Congrats to LAUREN CHURCHILL – winner of the Double-Pass to Stereosonic!
WIN TICKETS TO AESOP ROCK AND KIMYA DAWSON! Indie-rap surrealist, Aesop Rock is stopping in at Manning Bar on his Australian Tour with singer/songwriter Kimya Dawson. ‘A Night With Aesop Rock and Kimya Dawson’ will be like nothing you’ve ever seen before. Friday 14 October will be a night of folk-jam, hip hop and sheer awesomeness at our lovely Manning Bar. Now for the best part – we’ve got TWO DOUBLE-PASSES to the show up for grabs! To go into the draw to win one of the passes, simply email your name and details to usubullmag@gmail.com
WIN!
Tickets are on sale at manningbar.com
Entries for all competitions close 7 October 2011.
COMPETITIONS
NSW Permit no. LTPM-11-00367
CAPTION COMPETITION
Join us today for just $55.
7ITH THREE ON CAMPUS HEALTH ĂžTNESS CENTRES over 30 recreation courses and more than SPORTING CLUBS WHETHER YOUmRE A SOCIAL SPORTSMAN OR AN /LYMPIC ATHLETE OUR ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP GIVES YOU ACCESS TO AN AMAZING RANGE OF BENEĂžTS AT AN UNBEATABLE PRICE
$ROP IN TO ONE OF OUR FACILITIES VISIT www.susf.com.au or call: Sports & Aquatic Centre: 9351 4978 The Arena: 9351 8111
8
BULL USUONLINE.COM WHAT’S ON
WHAT’S ON YOUR GUIDE TO THE PLACES TO BE ON CAMPUS. WE’LL GIVE YOU THE WHEN AND WHERE – YOU SHOW UP AND ENJOY. TO SEE EVERYTHING THAT’S GOING ON (AND THERE’S A LOT) VISIT WWW.USUONLINE.COM AND CLICK THE CALENDAR.
WEEK 9 TUESDAY 20 SEPTEMBER WOSOC AGM 5pm, Meeting Rm1, Manning House
WEDNESDAY 21 SEPTEMBER WEDNESDAY MARKETS 11am, Jane Foss Russell Plaza
SCISOC AGM 12pm, Meeting Rm1, Manning House
MEDICAL SCIENCE SOCIETY (MESSY) AGM 1pm, Barnard Eldershaw Room, Manning House
SYDNEY UNIVERSITY PHARMACY ASSOCIATION MEETING 2pm., SUPA Office
SOULXPRESS GENERAL MEETING 6pm, Lvl 4, Wentworth
SPARKSOC AGM
SATURDAY 24 SEPTEMBER OM USYD HINDU SOCIETY AGM
SPL (USA) + NOAH D (USA) LINE UP: SPL & NOAH D, DROID 1pm, Bernard Eldershaw Room, SECTOR, GILSUN Manning House 9pm-3am, Manning Bar
WEEKLY POOL COMPETITION 4pm, Lvl 4, Wentworth Building
STUDENT LIFE AGM 5pm, Physics Lecture Theatre 4
SU ASSOCIATION OF MALAYSIAN STUDENTS AGM 6pm, Quadrangle
SU SINGAPORE STUDENTS’ SOCIETY AGM 6pm, Bodhan Bilinsky Room, Holme Building
SYDNEY UNIVERSITY WIND ORCHESTRA PRESENTS: SHOWCASE! 7.30pm, Stanmore Baptist Church, 140 Albany Rd
7pm-1am, Manning Bar
STUCCO SOCIETY AGM 7pm, Stucco – 197 Wilson St, Newtown
THURSDAY 22 SEPTEMBER SYDNEY UNIVERSITY CREATIVE ANACHRONISTS AGM 12pm, Sunken Lawns, Manning House
VIETNAMESE DYNAMIC STUDENTS GENERAL MEETING 2pm, Isabel Fidler Room, Manning House
SU FILM SOCIETY AGM 3pm, Meeting Rm1, Manning House
CHINESE CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP AGM 3.30pm, Reading Room, Holme Building
USYD NETWORK FOR INVESTING AND TRADING AGM
CLUBS & SOCIETIES AWARDS NIGHT
6pm, Badham Room, Holme Building
7pm, Manning Bar
FRIDAY 14 OCTOBER THURSDAY 6 OCTOBER
A NIGHT WITH AESOP ROCK & KIMYA DAWSON FEATURING ROB 4pm, Lvl 4, Wentworth Building SONIC & DJ BIG WIZ WEEKLY POOL COMPETITION
MID-SEMESTER BREAK MONDAY 26 SEPTEMBER
FRIDAY 7 OCTOBER
EVERY TIME I DIE – SPECIAL GUESTS: THE ACACIA STRAIN + THE WORD ALIVE
7pm, Hermann's Bar
7pm, Manning Bar
4TH INTERNATIONAL FREE LINGUISTICS CONFERENCE
WEDNESDAY 28 SEPTEMBER SYDNEY UNIVERSITY PHARMACY ASSOCIATION MEETING 2pm, SUPA office
SUPERCAUSE CAMP QUALITY FRIDAY 23 SEPTEMBER BENEFIT CONCERT
OCF AGM
1pm, Electrical Engineering 6.30pm, Moore College Common Room, Lvl 4 Elec Eng
SATURDAY 1 OCTOBER
POSTGRAD TRIVIA NIGHT
SATURDAY 8 OCTOBER
8am-6pm, Eastern Avenue Auditorium Complex
MONO WITH SPECIAL GUEST NO ANCHOR 8pm-12am, Manning Bar
SELF IS A SEED 8pm-12am, Hermann’s Bar
SUMS PRESENTS: NOX AETERNA 6pm, Great Hall, Quadrangle
ASSEMBLAGE 23
WEEK 11 WEDNESDAY 12 OCTOBER SU CIVIL ENGINEERS AGM
8pm-12am, Manning Bar
SATURDAY 15 OCTOBER THE BOROUGHS FEATURING NEW YORK DOLLS 7pm, Manning Bar
WEEK 12 WEDNESDAY 19 OCTOBER WEDNESDAY MARKETs 11am, Jane Foss Russell Plaza SYDNEY UNIVERSITY PHARMACY ASSOCIATION MEETING 2pm, SUPA office
THURSDAY 20 OCTOBER WEEKLY POOL COMPETITION 4pm, Lvl 4, Wentworth Building
8pm-2am, Hermann’s Bar
1pm, PNR Drawing Office 2
JACK LADDER AND THE DREAMLANDERS
LO! THE MATADOR, WE LOST SYDNEY UNIVERSITY PHARMACY ASSOCIATION MEETINg THE SEA, ADRIFT FOR DAYS
FRIDAY 21 OCTOBER
8pm - 12am, Manning Bar
2pm, SUPA office
8pm, Hermann’s Bar
WEEK 10 WEDNESDAY 5 OCTOBER
THURSDAY 13 OCTOBER
SATURDAY 22 OCTOBER
WEDNESDAY MARKETS 11am, Jane Foss Russell Plaza
SYDNEY UNIVERSITY PHARMACY ASSOCIATION MEETING 2pm, SUPA office
WEEKLY POOL COMPETITION 4pm, Lvl 4, Wentworth Building
STORYTELLING: TALES FROM THE UNION ART COLLECTION EXHIBITION OPENING 6pm, Verge Gallery
AGENT ORANGE WITH SPECIAL GUESTS: THE CELIBATE RIFLES, LOS CAPITANES, THE TURPS 7.30pm, Manning Bar
ISSUE 07 WHAT’S ON
TOP PICKS JACK LADDER AND THE DREAMLANDERS Saturday 1 October Manning Bar, 8pm - 12am
COMPETITION & APPLICATION DATES Show off some mad skillz and win some great prizes!
USU BLUES/HONORARY LIFE MEMBERSHIP Nominations Close: 23 Sep
NEW STUDENT POINT OF CONTACT SPOCS 2012 Close: 30 Sep
KICK START GRANTS APPLICATION Close: 07 Oct/04 Nov
USU LEADERSHIP POSITIONS Bull Editors Tuesday Talks Coordinators Postgraduate Students Internship International Students Internship Campus Culture Directors Verge Festival Directors Women’s Student Events Coordinator Queer Student Event Coordinator Art Collection Officers Open: 22 August/Close: 10 Oct
INTERNATIONAL STUDENT POINT OF CONTACT ISPOC 2012 Open: 4 Oct/Close: 12 Nov
Spring has now well and truly sprung and while the evenings may still be crisp and cool, this is definitely one Saturday night where you should haul yourself out of the house. Playing tracks from their new studio album, Hurtsville, Jack Ladder and The Dreamlanders will take Manning to another realm with their melancholic, ethereal sound. In 2008 Ladder was nominated for the Australian Music Prize for his album Love Is Gone, but this intimate gig will unveil an atmospheric new direction. Songs of heartbreak and longing, unraveling with slow, hypnotic beauty will provide a cosy night at one of your favourite haunts.
A NIGHT WITH AESOP ROCK & KIMYA DAWSON FEAT. ROB SONIC & DJ BIG WIZ Friday 14 October Manning Bar, 8pm - 12am Aesop Rock and Kimya Dawson are set to bring their new collaboration to Sydney’s own Manning Bar. It’ll be a night packed to the brim. Indie-rap surrealist Aesop Rock will perform a set with Rob Sonic and DJ Big Wiz featuring both Aesop’s solo material and music from their new group Hail Mary Mallon. Kimya Dawson will perform a solo acoustic set and then another set with Aesop Rock. Staging musical performances with an artistic edge, these amazing artists will create an intimate folk jam session combined with a hip-hop flavour that’s not to be missed.
CLUBS & SOCIETIES AWARDS NIGHT Thursday 13 October Manning Bar, 7pm - 11pm Don you boardshorts and grab a cocktail: it’s Clubs & Societies Awards Night and it’s time to get lei’d. The theme this year is ‘Luau’ so come in your Hawaiian finery – there’ll be prizes for best dressed! Surf over to Manning where they’ll have the usual awards for Clubs in a variety of categories and winners will be announced on the night. With complimentary food and drink this is the perfect celebration for all the hard-working student executives. Entertainment will be provided by this year’s outstanding Revue casts so you can guarantee you’ll have a chuckle too. Don’t miss out on this highlight of the C&S calendar! Details correct at time of printing but may be subject to change. Please check www.usuonline.com for current details.
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BULL USUONLINE.COM FEATURE
F
or more than a year now, the University of Sydney Union and the University have been locked in negotiations regarding the future of how the USU will be run. Information has been scarce, but Union President, Sibella Matthews assures us that the USU’s student Board has been working hard at the negotiation table – trying to both appease the issues raised by the University and protect the Union’s autonomy that many take for granted “Our biggest priority in the current negotiations is seeking out the best outcome for our members,” says Matthews. “But there’s only so much the Board can say to the University to convince them that students really do value an
FUTURE
TALK PAUL KARP GATHERS SOME OPINIONS ON THE CONTROVERSIAL USU – UNIVERSITY NEGOTIATIONS.
“I think clubs and societies are the best thing – not just about the Union, but about being at university!” Chloe Paul
“I like discounts most of all, I’m a member of a few societies as well.” - Brynley Pfull
“I like the Access benefits the USU provides most. I’m also a member of lots of clubs and societies like French and Spanish Soc and the Union is great at supporting them.” - Julie Abdalla “I think the best thing about the Union is that they provide subsidies for important student activities like debating which help people get more involved.” - Sara Smylie “I like Access benefits, particularly the way there is unity across all facilities and universal discounts.” - Tom Arkell
“I think the Union is really prominent: they are there for students; they provide clubs and societies; and are part of the student lifestyle.” - Ema Karavdic
Q: WHAT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT ASPECT OF THE USU? “I like subsidised beer.” - MichaelYoung “I like that the Union is run by students for students and that it’s not for profit. I like clubs and societies and the food options.” - Alex Peters
* * * “The best thing about the Union is that it is run by students.” - Bron Lee
“I think Union does a lot for students: clubs and societies; discounts; and events like O-Week.” - Ivan Cerecina
* * *
* * *
“I like savings on food, support to Clubs and Societies, and the Verge festival.” - Carly Tod Hunter
“I think that the Union provides great facilities and social options. It’s also a political space for students to contribute to.” - Maddie Davey
“I like discounts most, and Clubs and Societies.” -Yeree Kim
ISSUE 07 FEATURE
independent, student-led Union. We want to know our members’ thoughts and advice, because it’s only with their input and voice that we continue to improve.” “The members,” she says, “are our strongest asset, and it’s time we need their help.” With the President’s words in our ears, we took to the campus streets and asked a number of students – USU members and nonmembers – for their thoughts on the matter.
“Both the negotiations and communications about them have been substandard. I think the university is dictating terms and it’s not an actual negotiation. The university in particular should explain directly to us what their justification is for the move. What are their motives?” - Sam Molloy
“I know negotiations are happening but not what they might mean for the future. Maybe they will lead to a better outcome, but nobody has tried explaining to students why they might.” - Solange Handley
“I haven’t heard about the negotiations…” - Yeree Kim
“I read about the negotiations in Honi Soit and Bull. I hope the result is that student culture and experience is preserved.” - Chloe Paul
Q: WHAT DO YOU KNOW ABOUT THE NEGOTIATIONS BETWEEN THE UNION AND UNI? WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THEM?
Most of what I’ve heard has been from proUSU propaganda, especially from Facebook groups decrying the evils of the takeover. I hope the Union works with the Uni in negotiations, because the Union has been so reliant on the Uni since voluntary student unionism. It would be different if the Union were self-reliant but we all know they’re not.” - Sara Smylie
“I think the only information out there is quite biased, for example the platforms of the Union Board Candidates. I would like more information and more objective explanation. It’s especially hard to know where to look and find out about this stuff because I’m a first year.” - Ema Karavdic * * * “I don’t think students are listened to enough in the negotiations. It seems like consultation happens after things have been decided and seems like it is done for appearance’s sake. It’s quite tokenistic.” - Carly Tod Hunter
“I’ve read a bit in Honi, my overall impression is that there have not been enough student involvement in negotiations.” - Maddie Davey
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BULL USUONLINE.COM FEATURE
“I don’t like the sound of the takeover, I would be concerned the Union would be less independent and students would have less influence on how it is run.” - Julie Abdalla
“I am concerned, particularly about the financial viability of the Revues. Subsidies might be lost and students would miss out on great shows. Science Revue had to sell 1600 tickets this year to break even! Without funding, these shows are at risk.” - William Nelson
“I think clubs and societies are the best thing – not just about the Union, but about being at university!” - Chloe Paul
“I would like the Union to remain studentcontrolled, it should be their space to have their say.” - Carly Tod Hunter
“I’m very worried about the prospect of a takeover. Union buildings should be student run, we should decide who goes in there. Smaller groups might get less money, even though they provide a valuable service. For example the Food Cooperative doesn’t make any money but it does break even, and that sort of group might be squeezed out if the Uni takes over.” - Stuart Brotherhood
FUTURE
TALK “I think students need control of the Union. However, the Union needs money from the university anyway. It’s not clear that the takeover would necessarily mean cuts to the Union’s budget, I think it is likely that they could get the same amount of help from the university.” - Sara Smylie
“Yes, I am concerned. I worry it would not be run as well and that student interests would no longer be a priority because the services will be more corporate and run for profit.” - Maddie Davey
“I am a little concerned; the Union would not be as ‘fun’. It would not be based on student experiences as much as it is now.” - Lisa Lee
Q: ARE YOU WORRIED ABOUT THE POSSIBLE TAKE OVER BY THE UNIVERSITY OF THE UNION’S COMMERCIAL OPERATIONS? WHY OR WHY NOT? “Yes, I’m worried by the takeover. It’s a threat to students’ control of student affairs, and also the income of the Union.” - Bron Lee
“I think the student experience would be worsened. It is supposed to be by students, for students after all.” - Brynley Pfull
“I don’t know a lot about the subject, but it might impact the expense or whether the services are poorly run. It could go either way, it could be better.” - Sam Hunter
* * * “I don’t have any strong opinions on it. I think I just don’t know enough.” - Sujin Jang * * * “I am a little bit worried. It won’t necessarily mean worse services: it could be good, or it could be bad. One thing I can say is there is likely to be reduced accountability to students.” - Sam Molloy
“I would worry about things like cuts to staff and the quality of services.” - Alex Peters * * * “I am a little bit concerned about the possibility of a takeover, I don’t really know enough about it though.” - Jevon Sabapathypillai
“I want clubs and societies to stay alive, that might be less likely if the Union is not student-controlled.” - Chloe Paul * * * “I think the takeover would be bad. Students might be disadvantaged by getting fewer discounts, which would be tough for a uni student because things like food are expensive already.” - Bronte Barhan
ISSUE 07 FEATURE
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POP
GOES
THE WEASEL ANNE WIDJAJA LIKES TO SEEK HELP IN ALL THE WRONG PLACES.
Love Happy Sad
Anger
Grief
Grief Anger Love
Envy
Anger
Have the courage to own your own truth
Envy
Grief
Live with a deeper sense of intention
Sad
Sad
Happy
Happy
Anger
Sad
Anger Envy
Sad
Sad
Love
Grief
Love
Sad
You don’t become what you want, you become what you believe
The deeper the pain, the greater the opportunity
Envy
Happy
Sad
Happy
Grief
Envy
Love
Happy
Anger
Envy
Grief
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BULL USUONLINE.COM FEATURE
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here comes a time in everyone’s life when it’s no longer sufficient to call on Mum for life advice. Potential ‘your mum’ jokes aside, in the land of academia; this search for an understanding of the trials and tribulations of human behaviour is a legitimate science. In the Oxford English Dictionary ‘psychology’ is defined as ‘the scientific study of the human mind and its functions’. However, there seems to be a distinct difference between what you’d learn at university and that busy engine driving daytime TV - ‘pop psychology’. For decades, the easily digestible pop-psych formula has dominated daytime TV schedules and helped book publishers pump out guaranteed best-sellers. Thanks to generations of self-described ‘experts’ and countless tears shed on TV sofas, pop-psychology has become some kind of Frankenstein’s monster. Two parts pseudoscience facts and one part plain baloney, pop-psych has left the general public and qualified psychologists alike bewildered as to how to even begin separating the real evidencebased knowledge from the myths and feel-good falsehoods. To start to unravel the tangled cords of disinformation, it’s best to go straight to the source. Dr Anthony Grant is the director and founder of the world’s first Coaching Psychology Unit at the University of Sydney. Dr Grant has made several appearances in the local and international media, most recently as the lead psychologist on the ABC’s reality show Making Australia Happy. Dr Grant comments that the term pop-psychology is often used in
a “slightly derogatory” sense and suggests a more constructive definition of the term puts it in either of two alliteration-friendly categories; “publically-available psychology entertainment that passes for psychology,” or “publicallyaccessible psychology that has entered a public space”. Unfortunately, Dr Grant believes that the latter is rare. “Psychology is a discipline which has really failed the public,” he says. “We’ve sort of retreated into the academic towers and put fortresses around the knowledge and said that this is special stuff that no one else
predators. Dr Phil has also been criticised for his overly confrontational methods, which a recent USA Today article described as ‘emotionally abusive’. Yet there are an equal number of psychologists that praise the good doctor’s bravado for doling out challenging advice and aspire to achieve his level of infamy in the field. The American Psychologist article also captured the love/hate relationship that Dr Phil has cultivated within the academic field - a relationship that is representative of the field’s paradoxical relationship with the media in general. In 2006, the APA invited Dr Phil as to deliver a speech to ‘highlight the effective communication of psychology to the public’ and presented him with a glowing Presidential citation that read: ‘Your work has touched more Americans than any other living psychologist’. While Dr Phil’s methods may be disputed, is it better to have more like him open up discussions about psychology in a publicly-accessible manner, or does it potentially harm those that are legitimately seeking help? Cynics would argue that commercialism has ruthlessly exploited our emotional anxieties
PULP-PSYCHOLOGY There are some self-help books out there that can help you, here’s Dr Anthony Grant’s recommendations: - Sham by Steve Salerno - Optimal Human Being by Kennon Sheldon - 8 Steps to Happiness by Anthony Grant
TIP “Make sure you look for books that are well grounded in behaviour psychology, look for references at the back!”
can know. The result is that people that don’t really know what they’re talking about have been given a lot of air in a commercial space”. One of these ‘people’ Dr Grant refers to is one of the biggest names in talk show television – Dr Phil McGraw. With his southern drawl and finely-groomed moustache, Dr Phil has attracted millions of viewers since his talk-show’s debut in 2002. However, there has also been persistent criticism levelled at the feel-good guru regarding the legitimacy of his advice. Contrary to some sceptic’s beliefs, Dr Phil is in fact a qualified psychologist (having completed his doctorate in clinical psychology at the University of North Texas), but several academics argue that his methods are far from scientifically sound. A recent journal article from the American Psychologist suggested that Dr Phil has made a number of claims that contravene current scientific evidence, such as his wrongful endorsement of the polygraph test as a ‘foolproof’ technique for identifying sexual
by selling us endless quick fixes.You only have to look through the ‘Personal Development’ section of any bookshop for a hundred different ways cure your latest heart ache. The profitability of the self-help book industry certainly doesn’t suggest these writers are purely motivated by their desire to help lost souls. In the United States alone, the self-help book market is currently worth a staggering $10 billion a year. Stephen Covey’s The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People became so popular that it spawned an entire publicly-listed company in the US. However, high sales doesn’t necessarily equal high effectiveness. Steve Salerno’s novel Sham-How the Self-Help Industry Made America Helpless revealed that publishers market to
ISSUE 06 FEATURE
customers on an ‘18-month rule’. This rule states that the biggest buyers of self-help books are those who have just bought a self help book 18 months ago. Salerno also argued that buying these books can just lead to self-blame for not being able to achieve the promised positive outcome. He also pointed out, most importantly, the cleverly listed or numbered ‘theories’ in these books haven’t been tested scientifically. Dale Carnegie, who wrote the ever-popular How to Win Friends and Influence People, was a salesman for bacon, soap and lard before he began his career in lecturing self help seminars. Psychologists are also particularly critical of self-help ‘scams,’ such as Australian TV producer Rhonda Byrne’s The Secret, which claims to be based on positive psychology and visualisation. A rave recommendation from Oprah Winfrey boosted The Secret’s sales into multi-million-dollar territory. Dr Grant warns that the thinking behind such literature is fundamentally flawed. He explains that the myth that you create and change your reality by thinking is dangerously simplistic. “On one level it’s quite attractive,” he says. “But if we create our own visible reality through our thinking, that means that all the starving children in Africa wished themselves into a life of deprivation and starvation, and I can’t buy into that story.” When you start exploring the rise of many popular psychology icons, it’s quite startling that more often than not, it traces back to one person. Behind it all is one, very influential woman - the big ‘O’. Oprah Winfey. Oprah had an immense role in raising Dr Phil’s profile – having also produced the show with Harpo Studio – and has also endorsed countless selfhelp books during her reign as queen of talk show television. If there is one lesson that Oprah would teach us, maybe it is more important to feel inspired and to have hope than to have
100 per cent accurate facts. Oprah herself never claimed to be a psychologist, and yet on every episode of her show it seemed like she was saving and changing lives with her words of wisdom. Pop-psychology may be guilty of promising us empty secrets for our hard-earned dollars, but the power of a coherent and positive message never goes astray. This doesn’t change the fact that using the term ‘psychology’ to endorse this type of material is offensive to those that have dedicated careers to rigorous scientific research within the field of psychology. Scientifically-based findings should not be confused with writers and media personalities that teach ‘psychology’ with no academic grounding in their messages. However, for once, the media is not all to blame. Psychologists themselves need to try and circulate relevant information about more accessible sections of psychology, such as personal development psychology, to safely inform a public that has, as Dr Grant describes, “an insatiable thirst for that sort of psychological knowledge”. While writers and TV personalities should be held accountable for the messages that they propagate in the popular media, as consumers of popular culture we should also be more discerning. Dr Grant believes that “good psychology encourages people to think critically about psychology and self-help genres... I think that could be one of the field’s biggest contributions”.
“Psychology is a discipline which has really failed the public,” - Dr Anthony Grant
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ISSUE 07 INTERVIEW
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n 2007, accomplished Melbourne anthropologist, Fiona Graham made history when she became the first ever Western geisha in the Japanese tradition’s 400-year history. After extensive formal training, Graham, now known as Sayuki, made her official debut in the Asakusa geisha district, becoming a very unique woman in a very unique profession.The only other Western woman who came close was American scholar Liza Dalby who trained as a geisha in the 1970s, but unlike Sayuki, Dalby never attained official status. A talented musician, Sayuki’s main art is yokobue, (bamboo flute), a skill honed under the tutelage of a teacher from Japan’s elite music university. Sayuki’s story swept through the media, she appeared on Oprah and numerous magazines such as Marie Clare, but she remained dedicated to her duties and shared the work that resulted from the publicity with her fellow geisha. Today, she works as an independent geisha in Tokyo. Anne Widjaja caught up with her during her recent visit back in Australia.
CAN YOU DESCRIBE WHAT A GEISHA ACTUALLY IS AND HOW THEY DEAL WITH CLIENTS? I first started off my journey into the geisha world as an anthropologist conducting fieldwork and as a director planning to make a documentary, but I received permission to stay on as a geisha. Geisha means ‘artist’ and geisha are traditional dancers and musicians who give both large public performances and entertain select groups of customers at small scale banquets. WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO GO THROUGH THE PROCESS OF BECOMING A GEISHA? At first I was planning to make a documentary but it just didn’t work out that I could do anything in that world with any short cuts. I had to spend a year before my debut training in the arts and also training at a tea-house, and at the end of the year, having invested so much time and so much of myself into the project I wanted to, and asked permission to, continue.
SAYUKI
WHAT IS YOUR OPINION OF THE PORTRAYAL OF THE LIVES OF GEISHA IN THE FILM ‘MEMOIRS OF A GEISHA’? WHAT RESPONSE DID THE FILM RECEIVE AMONGST THE GEISHA COMMUNITY? It is important to remember that Memoirs of a Geisha is a fictional book set in a very different era, not a non-fiction portrayal of the geisha world today. Although much of it was based on interviews with a geisha it was not written by an insider in the geisha world. THE BIGGEST WESTERN MISCONCEPTION ABOUT GEISHA IS THAT THEY’RE ROLES ARE SIMILAR TO THAT OF ESCORTS. HOW DO YOU RESPOND TO THESE TYPES OF MYTHS? Geisha are free to fall in love with anyone they please whether they meet them on the job or not. But paid sex has never been part of a geisha’s job. AS A GEISHA DOES YOUR WAY OF LIFE COMPLETELY CHANGE? ARE YOU EVER ABLE TO JUST BE FIONA GRAHAM FROM MELBOURNE? Geisha nowadays can have very modern lives. I can have lunch in Western clothes and go out for an engagement in the evening as a geisha. I am Australian but was brought up in Japan and I will always have both of those cultures in me.
INTERVIEW
WHEN YOU FIRST STARTED AS A GEISHA, WAS YOUR GEISHA DISTRICT OPEN MINDED ABOUT YOU BEING FOREIGN-BORN? HAVE YOU EVER HAD ANY KIND OF CULTURE CLASH IN YOUR TIME IN JAPAN? I came to Japan very early - at just 15 - so I spent part of my childhood growing up here. There are always difficulties in being the first foreigner to do something culturally significant. I am very grateful to the Asakusa district for allowing me to debut and to work there for more than three years. AS GEISHA BEGIN TO DIMINISH AROUND JAPAN, WHAT DO YOU THINK GEISHA HOUSES NEED TO DO IN ORDER TO KEEP THE TRADITION ALIVE? The geisha population has been declining for the last 90 years and in some ways that is normal as it moves from being a popular mass culture to an elite, high-end traditional culture. But it is not necessarily about to disappear entirely yet. The task for this generation is to ensure it stabilises. I am trying to do something to help towards that aim by running an intern program for girls who would like to be hangyoku/maiko from my kimono shop (sayukinokimonoya.com). I would especially welcome Japanese girls who have studied abroad. HOW DOES YOUR ACADEMIC BACKGROUND INFORM YOUR JOB AS A GEISHA? Every part of my life to date has informed my job as a geisha: journalism and media, my work experience in Japanese organisations, having played flute as a part-time job as a student, many things. But perhaps being the first geisha to have an MBA (from Oxford) is significant because it means that I can see opportunities that might help the geisha world to retain its beautiful traditions without being forced to go downmarket or Westernise.
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BULL USUONLINE.COM SECTION HEADING FEATURE
IN THE WAKE OF THE MAX BRENNER CHOCOLATE CAFÉ PROTESTS, ALEX MCKINNON LIFTS THE LID ON AUSTRALIAN ANTI-SEMITISM.
W A & C O H C Photos by Peter Boyle
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ISSUE 07 FEATURE
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“I’m a lesbian, and from a Jewish family. I’d rather be outed as a lesbian than a Jew.” - Rose -
It’s the Jews, mate! Murdoch and those bloody politicians in his pocket, all of them! Jews! Tell me I’m wrong!” So proclaimed a middle-aged bloke I encountered recently, voicing his theory on the News of theWorld scandal. It may surprise you to learn that, contrary to the expert political analysis of ‘Mal’ the cab driver, neither the Murdoch clan nor British Prime Minister David Cameron subscribe to the Jewish faith; and my attempts to enlighten Mal of this fact only let what had been a pleasant conversation rapidly degenerate into the world’s most unpleasant sober taxi ride. In Australia, overt anti-Semitic displays like Mal’s seem to mercifully rare, and cabbies rank right up there with sandwich-board Doomsday prophets as arbiters of public opinion. But being Jewish in Sydney - even at the University of Sydney - is far from a carefree existence.
‘Rose’ (real name not provided) is a second-year Arts student from St Ives who grew up in a Jewish school. “Kids from other schools would taunt us sometimes,” she recalls. “‘Hitler’s gonna get you,’ stuff like that. There’d be swastikas spray-painted around the school.” She reckons anti-Semitism is more of a problem than the average Australian is willing to admit, and says she still has difficulty ‘coming out‘ as Jewish to new acquaintances. “I’m a lesbian, and from a Jewish family. I’d rather be outed as a lesbian than a Jew.” Rose thinks St Ives’ large Jewish community cuts itself off from non-Jews. “The Jewish kids at my school never went to non-Jewish parties; they’re all doing the same courses at the same universities as one another so they don’t have to mingle. They’re living in Sydney, but they’ve cut themselves off. They can’t separate themselves that much.” This situation hasn’t been helped by a highly-religious dispute that took place in St Ives not so long ago. In August, Ku-ring-gai Council turned down an application for an eruv around the suburb after more than 1,200 residents signed a petition against it. An eruv is a ritual Orthodox enclosure, a series of unobtrusive poles and wires that would encircle the suburb and permit Orthodox Jews to go out of doors and carry and push objects like prams on the Sabbath, which is otherwise forbidden by the Torah. One of the petition’s points of opposition to the eruv was that its construction would turn St Ives into a ‘religious enclave’. The local Jewish community has been fighting for the
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eruv’s approval for seven years now, and has appealed the council’s ruling in the Land and Environmental Court. Rose is actually happy the eruv’s not going ahead. “There shouldn’t be an eruv. I don’t want to live somewhere that’s so overtly religious, I think it’s inappropriate.” Bickering over religious boundaries is one thing, but many young Jewish people have had to put up with far worse. Joel Einstein, president of the Sydney Uni branch of the Australian Union of Jewish Students (AUJS) has dealt with cases of violence against Jewish students on campus. “There have definitely been times when Jewish students, AUJS representatives especially, have felt less than safe. Over the years there have been a number of incidents where Jewish students have been targeted by members of far-left groups,’ Einstein recalls. “A few years back a student with Down’s Syndrome was attacked and kicked whilst walking through campus in an AUJS shirt.” Thankfully, university administration was quick to act, and sent a strong message condemning violence of all kinds against its students. “The uni was incredibly helpful,” Einstein says. “They were behind us 100 per cent”. Attacks like these tend to coincide with spikes in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and a corresponding rise in anti-Israeli sentiment, especially in strongly pro-Palestine suburbs like Newtown. Some of these ‘far-left groups’ have been active lately in picketing the Max Brenner chocolate restaurant chain, accusing the Strauss Group -the chain’s parent company - of supporting the Israeli occupation of Gaza. The protests have been extraordinarily controversial. Jewish Labor MP Michael Danby went as far to compare them to the Nazi-sanctioned boycotts of Jewish businesses in 1930s Germany, and 19 people were arrested outside a Melbourne franchise in July after fights with police. Joel Einstein is pretty sceptical of the issue. “I was at one of the Newtown protests, and I think most of them wouldn’t be able to tell you what Max Brenner does that’s so terrible. Max Brenner is owned by a Jewish person who sends happy-birthday chocolate packages to Israeli soldiers.” Einstein believes the Max Brenner protests are misguided at best. “There’s a distinction between being antiIsrael and anti-Jewish, but it’s a blurry line that these protests have come close to crossing by targeting a Jewish business that has nothing to do with Israel.” Whatever justification or otherwise behind the Max
Brenner protests, they’re sure not dying down; if anything, they‘re getting more heated. In September, a protest along King Street was corralled off by police to avoid violence between the protestors and several counter-protest contingents from the right-wing Australian Defence League and the Australian Protectionist Party. “The fascists are waiting for us,” one of the lefty protestors said brightly in reference. “The fascists and the Zionists.” Bizarrely, that statement is not without truth; the APP is led by one Darrin Hodges, who was allegedly once linked with the neo-Nazi organisation Stormfront. When you have hard-right activists defending Jewish businesses from left-wing antiIsraelis – and both sides are accusing each other of being anti-Semitic, it‘s understandable to feel a little confused. As high as emotions ran in Newtown, they’re nothing compared to down the road in Marrickville. The protest against Max Brenner is not an isolated incident, rather its part of the Boycott Divestment and Sanctions movement, a global campaign started by 171 pro-Palestinian organisations in 2005 aiming to boycott companies who either ‘support Israel’s military occupation of Palestine or profit from it’. Marrickville Council’s decision to join the BDS in March made international news and sparked a political firestorm, drawing furious criticism from Jewish bodies, the Daily Telegraph, former Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and New South Wales Premier Barry O’Farrell, who threatened to sack the council. Marrickville Mayor Fiona Byrne and other councillors allegedly received death threats, and in the run-up to the state election, posters of Byrne, who ran as the seat’s Greens candidate, were vandalised with swastikas and phrases like ‘watch out for the
“A few years ago a Jewish student with Down’s Syndrome was attacked and kicked while walking through campus.”
Nazi’. The overwhelming response forced the council to cancel the boycott in April, despite warm praise from international figures like John Pilger and the Archbishop Desmond Tutu. From a disinterested point of view, it’s strange the incident received such massive coverage, and not just because it’s probably the most attention a local council has ever gotten about anything. Australian businesses and organisations seeking to boycott Israel is nothing new. Last year, the Australian Council of Churches asked its members to ‘consider a boycott of goods produced by Israeli settlements,’ and several trade unions have already signed up to the BDS.Yet the sheer amount of vitriol provoked by the Marrickville boycott was something else, a sign that Australians are deeply divided over the Israel/ Palestine conflict. Whether some of those divides even need to exist is questionable. “Being pro-Palestinian and anti-Israel aren’t the same thing,” says Einstein. “Making the two sides binary opposites just perpetuates conflict - you don’t help Palestinians by attacking Israelis and you don’t help Israelis by attacking Palestinians.” It’s weird to think that this is happening at all in Australia. We’re not Europe; it’s kind of hard to compare what’s happening now, with huge rallies and a certain toothbrush-moustached Austrian madman. Here in Australia, we haven’t seen a resurgence of far-right parties like Norway or Denmark; nor have paramilitary skinhead groups like the English Defence League in the UK gained anything resembling media recognition or mainstream tolerance. But in their own way, the Max Brenner protests and the vicious nature of the Israel debate are as corrosive to Australia’s racial and religious harmony as the Cronulla riots, One Nation’s anti-immigration rhetoric or violent attacks on Indian university students. Whatever side they’re on, the Mal the cab drivers and Australian Defence Leagues of the of the world aren‘t making it any easier to be an Aussie Jew.
ISSUE 07 FEATURES
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Photography (Environment - People) Shortlisted - Daylight Sights 53 by Evan Noga
BOOK OF
PALM E
Art (Abstract) Winner - Appeeling 3 by Ingrid van der Aa
Photography (Abstract) Runner Up - Graphing the Mood by Evan Noga
ach year the USU hosts the Photography, Art, Literature and Music Awards – the annual showcase of fledgling artistic talent on the University of Sydney campus. This year was the 51st year of the competition – PALM really is a pillar of student creative expression. This year, a total of 262 pieces were submitted to PALM from 52 young artists. The works were, as usual, a rich assortment of creations that captivated the eyes, ears and minds of those who strolled through the Verge Gallery during the exhibition. Several judges from within the industry handed down their decisions on the winners, while an online voting system opened things up for the popular vote. So, while Verge still lingers in memory, we thought it appropriate to show off some of the great visual pieces that made PALM 2011 another sterling year for student art.
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BULL USUONLINE.COM FEATURE
Photography (Environment People) Shortlisted - Venice Beach Cricket by Kimberley Low
PHOTOGRAPHY AWARDS ENVIRONMENT/PEOPLE Winner - Liam Cameron Runner-Up - Kimberly Low Photography (Abstract) Winner - Tram 1 by Peter Rolfe
ABSTRACT Winner - Peter Rolfe Runner-Up - Evan Noga
Photography (Environment - People) Runner Up Rasta Gaze by Kimberly Low
Photography (Environment - People) Shortlisted - One Helluva Tumbleweed by Ben Bramble
ART AWARDS
MUSIC AWARDS
ENVIRONMENT/ PEOPLE
CLASSICAL COMPOSITION
Winner - Bart Oswald Winner - Adam Adelpour
Winner - Samuel Pender-Bayne Runner-Up - Roman Benedict
ABSTRACT
POPULAR COMPOSITION
Winner - Ingrid van der Aa Runner-Up - Adityo Pratomo
Winner - Ben Bramble Runner-Up - Laurence Rosier Staines
Art (Abstract) Shortlisted - Blue Scar Pendant by SaďŹ ra Blom
ISSUE 07 FEATURE
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Art (Environment - People) Winner Untitled (St John&#39s College Library) by Bart Oswald Art (Environment - People) shortlisted - Vicky by Cecilia Castro
Photography (Environment - People) Shortlisted Tokyo Skyline I by Matthew Willem
Photography (Abstract) Shortlisted - Cloudy by SaďŹ ra Blom
LITERATURE AWARDS POETRY Winner - Samuel Pender-Bayne Runner-Up - Shaun Colnan
PROSE Winner- Heilok Cheng Runner-Up - Hannah Lee
DRAMA Winner - Shaun Colnan
Art (Environment - People) Runner Up - Image Fulgurator by Adam Adelpour
To see all the pieces, including the music and literature - head to
usuonline.com/ palm
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BULL USUONLINE.COM.AU CAMPUS CHATTER
CAMPUS CHATTER I’M NOT A STALKER, BUT...
TO THE GUY ON MY TRAIN WHO DROPPED HIS KEBAB ON THE SEAT AND KEPT EATING IT, Dude, you are foul, I cannot believe you had sweet chilli sauce on a kebab! Seriously? You sicken me. Grossed outt TO THE HONI CAMPAINGERS, I don’t like orange or blue… I don’t know what to do! Torn
TO THE COUPLE ARGUING IN VICTORIA PARK, I agree with your boyfriend, your new hair-do does make you look like a lamp. Eavesdropping a truth bomb
TO THE BUSKER HANGING OUT NEAR MARKET CITY, Clarinets are shit – oboes for life! Swan Lake Theme, Bee-i-atch! TO KANYE WEST, Where the crap were you at your own musical? I’m so bitterly disappointed by your absence I’m thinking I’m about to go HAM… Too busy watching thrones TO THE BROWN-HAIRED BOY WHO BORROWED MY PEN IN THE SOC TUTE, I saw you chewing it you jerk! How dare you return it to me after slobbering all over it! Lucky you are ridiculously hot or else I might be mad or something. Whimsy
TO MY SWEETEST LOVE-AFFAIR COFFEE, Get outta my dreams and into my pants. Always, Your unworthy slave.
TO THE CANADIAN RUGBY TEAM, Why don’t you guys have a haka too? I want to see that. RWC fan
TO THE MANNING GRILL CHEF THAT SERVED ME ON TUESDAY NIGHT, I don’t know if it’s the Cajun burger talking but you’re smokin’ hot. You can flip me anytime. Your Manning Monty
TO THE GUY RUNNING FOR THE BUS ON PARAMATTA RD, Haha there was like, three of the same buses right after that one. You made my afternoon with your seagull-like running stlye! Bronte
TO THE CHASER GUY RUNNING FOR SENATE, Really? Disenchanted TO THE HOT BLONDE FROM LAW REVUE, Can I get a private re-enactment of the nude skit? This time more naked, less funny. Fangirl TO THE GUYS THROWING GLITTER, WTF. I have glitter in places where glitter really shouldn’t be. UnintentionallyVagazzaled
SOMEONE CATCH YOUR WANDERING EYE? SOMEONE ANNOY THE HELL OUT OF YOU? SOMEONE MAKE YOU LAUGH DERISIVELY? LET US KNOW AND SEND YOUR MESSAGES TO:
usubullmag@gmail.com
ISSUE 07 CAMPUS CHATTER
GOT BEEF WITH SOMETHING? SPILL YOUR GUTS IN 400 WORDS OR LESS TO USUBULLMAG@ GMAIL.COM
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PLEASE, HAVE A COW BRONTE LAMBOURNE DOLES OUT A HARSH GRADE. After years of sitting through excruciating ‘how to study’ seminars and ‘learning2learn’ classes (yes, private school elitism thrives on meta-education), what have I learnt? Not much. But I can still remember one message that was resoundingly clear: apparently, students have different learning styles. So why, in a system that heralds flexibility and autonomous learning, do we need to be condescendingly supervised by mandatory class attendance and participation? As university students, we’ve all elected to pursue further study. If we decide to visit the university petting zoo rather than attend class, it may be misguided, but it’s still our choice. While it may be deemed negligent to
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elcome to Bull’s Variations on a Scene, where we encourage YOU to get your creative writing skills out and help evolve our story. It’s simple; read the current edition’s story and take one element of it – be it an object, setting, character, theme etc - and submit your own creative piece. Here is this issue's instalment – you take it from here!
EMAIL YOUR STORY VARIATIONS TO USUBULLMAG@GMAIL.COM STORIES CAN BE NO LONGER THAN 300 WORDS...
let readings accumulate, those 8am – 10pm library cram sessions in week 13 are a surprisingly efficient study formula for some. We’ve no doubt heard the legend of the student who topped their subject and then absent failed. The logic is unfathomable. If a student is capable of digesting and deploying the content themselves, why should they be punished for learning differently? Many of us rejoice at the thought that your class participation is a guaranteed mark without any real work, but this strikes at the heart of the problem. In my view, marks are stolen from logic and research on paper and granted to moronic, spur-of-the-moment ejaculations. The concept mass produces douchebags by rewarding obnoxious twats who can’t recognise the difference between constructive participation and the word ‘vomit’ for the sake of it.
This unjustly penalises not only the introverted student, but also the contemplative one. Scholars almost universally advise against class participation grading. Participation marks are an impressionistic fudge factor. But my indignation isn’t an excuse for lazing around for the first half of semester, I’m frustrated because the system has turned me into one of these people, and to be honest, I want to shove a sock in my own mouth. There will always be students who require class discussion to learn, but there is no reason to extend this obligation to all and then grade them on it. Discussion without fear of academic judgement is the most productive. When flipping through the subject handbook at the start of each semester, most students look for the class without an exam. I search for the one without participation marks.
VARIATIONS ON A SCENE BRYANT APOLONIO “First time I went driving with me dad, we hit a dog. Killed it, bang. Dead.” This is not something the passenger wants to hear from the driver of his taxi, a man named Franklin, at 2:26am on a Saturday morning. The passenger adjusts his seatbelt, too tight against his solar plexus. He reminds Franklin to bear left. “This fella scampers across the road. A cockerspaniel yelping something awful: too late. I was sixteen, couldn’t brake so quickly. Short legs. I don’t know.” Franklin shakes his head as he says this, eyes locked forward, like he is watching a pendulum. In the taxi, lounge funk is playing from the radio at a low volume. Franklin peels his fingers from the wheel and drums a beat. The passenger leans his head against the window but the rattling makes it impossible to sleep. “I was driving this old Hyundai,” he continues. “Tore the fender up. We had a goddamn wreck; dad had a fit.”
Whenever Franklin mentions his father, he grins as if he had a secret. The passenger doesn’t notice this, if he noticed he wouldn’t care. He is no longer drunk. The beer has stopped working, its warmth has receded and, with it, that sheen—that glow of sentimental approval for any person whom he had something even remotely in common with. He has nothing in common with Franklin. “What happened was we had to clean it up. Dragged the thing off the road, past the curb and near a tree, to bury it. Right there, buried it. Mulch and soil and all that, buried the poor bugger.” The passenger remains silent. He shifts his weight to one side, extracts a thin-pressed wallet from the back pocket of his jeans, quietly thumbs through his extant banknotes: pink, pink, blue.
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SIBLING MATTERS KIRA SPUCYS-TAHAR ASKS: DOES BIRTH ORDER AFFECT YOUR PERSONALITY AND FUTURE SUCCESS?
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ibling dynamics. From The Brady Bunch to the Malcom in the Middle, the sibling thing has been milked for so many TV plotlines that we can’t help but believe the order in which we exit the mother’s womb and enter the world determines a large part of our fate.
ISSUE 07 FEATURE
Long has there existed the theory that older and only children are more likely to be academicallysuccessful, bossy and organised, whereas those born further down the order tend to be better at creative careers, risk-takers and natural comedians. Until recently, it’s been impossible to determine if there’s any truth to this. Studies have always been too small or purely anecdotal. It wasn’t until 2007 when Norwegian scientists found a minor, but reliable correlation between IQ and birth order. Of 241,000 subjects, firstborns had an average IQ of 103, middle children 101 and the Cindy Bradys of the world, 100. It doesn’t
seem like a big difference, but some researchers say that in countries such as the United States, it could mean the difference between attending an Ivy League college or settling for a second-tier institution. As American psychologist Frank Sulloway told Time Magazine at the time of the study, “In many families the firstborn is going to get into Harvard and the secondborn isn’t.” It’s possible this comes down to the differing educational opportunities among children. Sometimes a family is only able to send one child to private school or pay for extra private tuition. A survey conducted by Vistage, an international organisation of
CEOs, also suggested birth order seems to affect who rises at the top. In the boardroom, 43 per cent are firstborns, 33 per cent middle-children and 23 per cent last-borns. Firstborns and only children tend to be appointed an heir-apparent status by their parents as they devote more energy and attention to their first baby. Anecdotal evidence suggests family scrapbooks and albums are usually stuffed with items from the firstborn and become successively less so with each subsequent child. Generally speaking, firstborns will also often take on positions of responsibility and guardianship of their younger siblings whilst still
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growing up – giving them an earlier taste of maturity. Angus, 21, is the oldest of five children. “I definitely think being the eldest has made me more responsible. I help my parents out with the younger kids and have a more adult role in the household. I get privileges my 19-year-old sister doesn’t. ” It’s not all bad being younger though. According to Time, “Younger siblings… are looser cannons, less educated and less strapping, but statistically likelier to live the exhilarating life of an artist or a comedian, an adventurer, entrepreneur or fire-fighter.” Those born later down the chain are also more likely to receive
“Firstborns and only children tend to be appointed an heir-apparent status by their parents.”
LIFE LOTTERY FIRSTBORNS PRO: It’s commonly claimed eldest children are natural leaders and problem solvers due to the extra responsibilities imparted by their parents in helping with younger siblings. They also have strong organisational and reasoning skills and are often the most motivated in a family. CON: Eldest children can be prone to anxiety as they feel the weight
The jury is still out on sibling science, but for those who are curious (most likely you quizzical last-borns) – here are some common psychological theories:
of family expectations to be successful. They can feel as though they’re a ‘third parent’ rather than another child in the family. FUN FACT: 21 of the first 23 American astronauts were firstborns. Famous first borns include US President Barack Obama, talk show queen Oprah Winfrey and Hollywood heavyweight Sylvester Stallone.
MIDDLE-CHILDREN PRO: Sandwiched between the other siblings, middle-children are said to be great negotiators with
laidback attitudes and realistic life goals. CON: Some children are said to suffer ‘middle-child syndrome,’ where they wilt in the shadow of their elder sibling and feel
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some free inter-family tuition in the form of an older sibling’s school or lecture notes. What about those single-child families, the so-called ‘lonely onlys’? Some believe an only child will miss out on learning negotiation or teamwork skills and feel intense pressure from their parents as a little prince or princess. Ariane, 20, is an only child. “I get on really well with my parents and I have family close-by, so I still grew up surrounded by other children. I don’t feel like I’m pressured to do well, they want me to do what makes me happy – follow my passions. It’s very hard to generalise family situations.” No matter your sibling situation, be thankful you’re human. If you think it’s difficult managing your family issues, imagine what it’s like in the animal kingdom. Some birds decide on their favourite children before they’re even born. Egrets lay multiple eggs, but rather than nesting them all in the same way so they’ll hatch together, the mother begins by incubating her first and second eggs before laying any
more. This causes the baby birds to hatch over successive days, meaning the first arrival gets first dibs on the food and a head-start on growth. The second might not have too much trouble catching up, but the fourth and fifth baby birds will get pushed aside if food or shelter is in short supply. That certainly makes for a complex family tree. By their very nature, family statistics are imprecise. There is of course also the matter of family size. The firstborn in a family with two children is going to have a vastly different experience to the firstborn in a family of 11. Similarly, being the youngest in a large, extended family will not be the same as being the youngest in a small, tight-knit family. It seems rather arbitrary that of all the things that shape who we are, the sequence in which we are born should play a role. While it’s great for television, the reality is, who you are has more to do with your genes, your education and the lifestyle and choices of your parents than your
standing in the sibling hierarchy. All children are inherently different. In this case, it probably really is nurture rather than nature.
ONLY CHILDREN
YOUNGEST CHILDREN PRO: Often the most relaxed children in the family due to the experience of their parents, younger children are usually very outgoing and charming, and choose to embark on creative pursuits. neglected at the expense of their younger sibling. This is said to make middle children prone to rebelliousness and competitiveness. They can also be unfocused or indecisive in an attempt to carve a distinct personality from their other siblings. FUN FACT: According to a careerbuilder.com survey, once settled, middle-children are more likely to be most satisfied with their professions. Famous middle-children include: J.F.K, Bill Gates, Princess Diana and Madonna.
CON: Lastborns are the least likely to be disciplined and more likely to be spoiled. They can also be manipulative in trying to get their own way and be dependent after having everything been done for them. FUN FACT: Angelina Jolie and Michelle Obama are both youngest children who married first-borns. Other famous youngsters include Cameron Diaz, Billy Crystal and Jim Carrey.
PRO: Contrary to popular belief, most only children are not dependent but rather highly self-reliant and independent. They are usually academically-successful due to having their parents’ full attention and resources focused on their education. CON: Only children can feel incredible pressure to be successful, hate criticism and can be perfectionists. FUN FACT: Famous only-children include athlete Lance Armstrong, politician Condoleezza Rice and ol’ blue eyes Frank Sinatra.
ISSUE 07 STUDENT LIFESTYLE
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STUDENT LIFESTYLE Life In The Fasting Lane RAIHANA HAIDARY GIVES US AN INSIGHT INTO THE DAY OF A STUDENT DURING THE ISLAMIC MONTH OF RAMADAN.
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So the Post-Mao economic reforms shaped the future of China’s…” the lecturer’s voice echoes across the tiered Bosch room, silencing my stomach grumbles. Don’t think about it. Only four more hours... Oh Azzuri crepes and Taste croissants… Gah - must concentrate. “…And when they launched Operation-” Uni Brothers kebabs and Subway subs… Stop it. Stop it now.
As I slowly begin to slug off to my next class, avoiding Manning at all costs, a friendly face bumps into me. “You free for lunch?” I accept hesitantly. More like I’ll watch you eat food whilst my parched lips yearn for a sip of water, and my superman-like sense of smell is overwhelmed by the whiff of hot chips and bread. “Actually, I have to get to class. Next time, yeah?” Welcome ladies and gentlemen to the Holy Month of Ramadan - the Usyd version. Since it’s something you might not know about, I’ll do the Wikipedia tour for you. Every year, right around July and August,
Muslims participate in the month of Ramadan. Between dawn and dusk, Muslims refrain from drinking and eating in order to achieve patience, humility, worldly abstinence and spiritual sustenance. Its significance for Muslims is exemplified by its rank as the fourth of the five pillars of the Islamic faith alongside faith, prayer, charity and the pilgrimage to Mecca. It is considered an auspicious month on the Islamic calendar because Muslims believe Ramadan to be the month in which the first verses of the Quran were revealed to the prophet, Muhammad. Ramadan is also a unique opportunity for Muslims to seek forgiveness and repentance from God. We are instructed to make peace with those who have wronged us, strengthen ties with family and friends, and do away with bad habits - essentially to clean up our lives, our thoughts, and our feelings. There’s a little more to it than just abstaining from food and water. Observation of the five daily prayers is compulsory during your average month, and its significance is heightened during Ramadan. Now, I know what you’re thinking - how am I meant to find a prayer room to break my fast properly every day
“We are instructed to make peace with those who have wronged us, strengthen ties with family and friends, and do away with bad habits - essentially to clean up our lives, our thoughts, and our feelings.”
of the week when I’m at uni? Well lucky for me (very lucky actually, otherwise I’d be praying somewhere in Fisher library), the Muslim Students Association runs a prayer room down in one of the buildings on Manning Road, equipped with dates, water and warm food come iftar (that’s what we call the moment we break our fast). It’s a bit of a stretch if your last class is in the Engineering rooms, and you have a 10 minute break between classes to run (well walk as fast as you can - energy is lacking) down to Manning Road - but hey, it’ll do. As the tutorial whiteboard becomes all fuzzy, you stare at your watch. 5:30pm. Nothing makes Ramadan tougher for the average Muslim student than night classes. In fact, I’m actually hoping my teachers read this so I won’t have to keep explaining my 15-minute long absences during sunset. Or perhaps my peers will now understand why I randomly walk out with a water bottle and a muffin, only to return stuffed and satisfied. Oh, and if you were wondering why those Muslim kids in Sci-tech always look so sleepy these days? Well apart from the fact that you are energy deprived from the lack of calories in your body, Muslims are instructed to wake up at approximately 4:30am to eat a small meal just before the Sunrise Prayer. But don’t worry, the month will soon be over and your Subway/Taste/Uni Brothers/ Azzuri lines will once again snake into the horizon as we indulge in food, glorious food. Well, maybe not quite. Maybe I don’t need those gourmet paninis and coffees every day as my staple food. Maybe Thai La Ong doesn’t require my presence every week. Maybe I will begin to appreciate how lucky I am, to be a citizen of a developed country, met with such an abundance of food and clean, safe drinking water. Maybe. But for now, please excuse my general out-of-it-ness as I attempt to participate in what is the holiest month for the Muslim population.
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ISSUE 07 TRAVEL
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Joyful Java DREW ROOKE JOURNEYS TO THE ARCHIPELAGO OF ADVENTURE.
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tretching 5,000km across the equator, Indonesia encompasses over 17,000 different islands. The archipelago is a smorgasbord of cultures, traditions and languages. The diversity of Indonesia is very difficult to experience in just one trip. But if you had to choose one island to begin your first of many trips back to Indonesia, it would certainly be Java. COUNTRY INDONESIA Java lies at the heart of the islands. Its very name means ‘home’, and it is on this island where Indonesia’s soul lies. Java is dwarfed in size by its neighbouring island of Sumatra, Borneo and Sulawesi.Yet its relatively small size is what makes it such an exciting place to explore. There is so much crammed into the island; dense jungles both natural and urban, rumbling volcanoes and unspoilt beaches - an ideal destination for any intrepid traveller that wishes to go beyond the well-trod tourist trail of Bali. Scarily, just because the volcanoes are active does not mean that they aren’t accessible. Gunung Bromo stands out as one of the most impressive and the most periolous. It was only when I found myself standing at its steep, sandy summit, in awe of the dense smoke elegantly
rising out of the crater, that I really came to appreciate the Indonesian phrase, ‘berbahaya kecantikannya’ (‘dangerously beautiful’). Whilst you’d think that volcanic eruptions would just destroy the natural landscape, they’ve made Java’s land incredibly fertile and gorgeously lush. Borobodur, the largest Buddhist temple in the world, is surrounded by sprawling green hills and palms; a setting as impressive as the temple itself. The tranquil tea plantation in Malang and the jungles of Kawah Ratu National Park of West Java are just some of the island’s other natural beauties. In contrast, Indonesia’s capital Jakarta is an urban durian: a giant metropolis that despite its many flaws (especially its stench), is still quite delectable. Endless traffic jams and skyscrapers shrouded in pollution make up the cityscape concealing the city’s sweetness. Charming colonial Dutch architecture characterises Kota (the old quarter), an area where I ended up spending the day singing and sharing a mysterious alcoholic drink with friendly Indonesian Rastas. Although the slums of north Jakarta were, as expected, very confronting, my encounters with some of the most selfless, resilient and friendly locals made it a memorable experience which I would relive.
In certain areas, Javanese locals have a tendency to stare at bulehs (‘foreigners’), particularly those travelling alone. Upon my arrival in the city of Solo I was welcomed by stares and surprised whispers of ‘buleh’. These were even more apparent when I hitchhiked through central Java and found myself sitting in the back of a ute in a local village. Although a simple smile would always warm the locals and their stares would soon became beaming grins. These smiles can be found across all of Java, and not always do they follow awkward stares. Strangely, my cheap backpacker look did not even deter Javanese royalty from being as welcoming as the rest of the locals; I even found myself in the Kraton (royal palace) of Yogyakarta, having lunch with the Queen of the province! The warmness of the locals was contagious. Upon my return home, I strolled down Eastern Avenue, smiling as I would if I was walking down any Javanese street. The ‘who is that freak?’ looks that were returned to me made me realise that the folk of Sydney University should smile a little more.
TRAVEL
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BULL USUONLINE.COM HEALTH
Dr Feelgood ALEX MCKINNON INJECTS SOME GOOD NEWS INTO YOUR EYEBALLS.
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eading a health page in a magazine is usually either really scary or really depressing. We’re always being told the next Great Pandemic is going to turn the world into an apocalyptic wasteland, where we kill each other Mad Max-style for precious medical supplies. Remember SARS? Bird flu? The ebola virus? The Y2K bug? Exactly: all horrifying, and all bollocks. So here, finally, is a feel-good story from the world of health: in June we officially eradicated a disease (rinderpest) for the second time ever. It’s an amazing example of how human ingenuity and compassion is fighting some of the world’s deadliest diseases, and kicking their arses. SMALLPOX
RINDERPEST
Smallpox is the only infectious disease unique to humans that has ever been completely eradicated, which is great, because smallpox was freaking nasty. With a 30 per cent mortality rate, it killed between 300 and 500 million people in the 20th Century alone. That’s more than World Wars One and Two, AIDS and the KFC Double Down put together. A preventative cure was discovered in 1798 when English doctor Edward Jenner noticed that people who worked around lots of cows didn’t catch smallpox. Being a proactive kind of guy, he started infecting people with cowpox and called the procedure ‘vaccine,’ after the Latin vacca for cow. Jenner was mocked as a nut until people noticed that his idea actually worked really, really well. It took another 150 years or so before the World Health Organisation finally embarked on a mission to eradicate smallpox forever. The program was amazingly successful, completely eradicating smallpox from the world’s poorest countries by 1978. That’s pretty damn impressive considering more than 50 million cases a year were being reported just 25 years prior. Nowadays the only smallpox samples reside in bunkers in the United States and Russia, no doubt guarded by squadrons of goons and lasers.
Aside from sounding like a failed metal band, rinderpest was the cow version of smallpox, only worse, killing pretty much every cow that caught it. Humans have been trying to eradicate rinderpest for the last century, which was going pretty well until a fresh outbreak in the 1980s killed millions of cows in Africa (kind of unfair considering Africa’s not a foodie’s delight at the best of times). A rinderpest vaccine was invented in 1999, and the international community once again proved it was good for something, heading into the Horn of Africa to track down the last known cases. It worked: on June 28 this year, rinderpest joined smallpox as the only other disease we humans have completely eradicated. We and cows are officially cool now.
“With a 30 per cent mortality rate, it killed between 300 and 500 million people in the 20th Century alone. That’s more than World Wars One and Two, AIDS and the KFC Double Down put together.”
NEXT IN LINE: POLIO/MEASLES/MALARIA Polio was the target of a ‘Great Race’ after waves of epidemics in the early 20th century left thousands of kids paralysed. The invention of a vaccine in the 1950s basically eliminated it as a widespread disease, but it’s proving darned stubborn to beat to death for good. Malaria’s the next big one: it’s already been wiped out in a number of places, but was still responsible for 780,000 deaths in 2010, mostly in sub-Saharan Africa. Preventing the spread of malaria is hampered by the lack of a vaccine, but big improvements have been made using good old insect repellent and mosquito nets. Measles may seem like
HEALTH
a pretty namby-pamby thing to go after, but over 750,000 people died from measles in the year 2000. The target is to have a 95 per cent reduction by 2015, and so far signs are positive, despite sporadic outbreaks and an epidemic in Europe a few years back. We can reasonably expect measles and the rest of these nasty customers to be completely eradicated in our lifetimes. Tell me that doesn’t make you feel all warm and fuzzy.
ISSUE 07 FOOD & BOOZE
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FOOD & BOOZE
Diner Delight PAUL KARP FINDS COMFORT FOOD LIKE SOMEBODY ELSE’S GRANDMA USED TO MAKE.
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here once were simpler times. Music came from a jukebox not an iPod, customers were served by perky waitresses on rollerskates, rather than lazy service with no wheeled footwear at all. And the food! The food was so good. Before anyone was supersized, before sodas were sugar-free, and when deep fried was not too fried but not fried enough. Come and see what remains of eating, diner-style.
1. ABERCROMBIE HOTEL
2. BETTY’S SOUP KITCHEN
CORNER OF ABERCROMBIE ST AND BROADWAY The famous Abercrombie Hotel has recently been revamped and reopened to now offer diner-style eating in addition to your favourite brew. For those willing to get over the pointless nostalgia for popular weekly feature events Purple Sneakers and BritPop, it is an exciting new type of venue for uni students. Gone are the pokies, grimy couches and urine-stained graffiti. In their place: bookshelves, tartan patterned booths and an assortment of curious Scottish memorabilia. We came on a Friday lunchtime, suffering, as most students do, from the affliction known as hungry-thirsty, for which there is only one known cure: beer and $10 pub meals. The list of $10 lunch specials is long, and gives a few classic meals a hearty, comfort food twist, such as the chicken parmigiana covered not with napolitana sauce and cheese, but rather a scoop of spaghetti bolognese. The ribs were another standout. Never has a confusing melange of multicultural cuisines tasted so good. And that’s before you discover the deep-fried golden gaytime tempting you on the menu. There are dinner specials every night too, including $3 taco Wednesdays. For those still inclined to dance, regardless of the colour of their footwear, the Abercrombie is open to the early hours on Thursday, 1 Friday and Saturday nights with a DJ spinning tunes. I loved Purple Sneakers as much as the next first-year, and it was certainly surprising to discover that sunlight was even capable of entering the now-respectable courtyard, but Sneakers can live on in a new venue leaving students with the benefit of a unique food option near campus.
84 OXFORD ST, DARLINGHURST Betty’s is best described as cheap and cheerful. The décor is dated in a welcoming and unpretentious way: mismatched wooden tables and chairs in a large pastel-painted room. Offering a $10 bowl of soup and salad bar special at lunchtimes, it hits the spot but not the hip pocket nerve. The menu is quite limited, so if you didn’t feel like a pie or soup then you’re probably out of luck. I had a passable, but slightly sweet shepherd’s pie; soups are a better bet, particularly the cold potato and leek soup. Desserts are similarly simple but tasty, such as chocolate cake and ice-cream. Service is friendly and meals come with free damper rolls. Betty's brings you some reasonable home-style cooking, but nothing to write home about. 2
3. JAZZ CITY DINER 238 CROWN ST, DARLINGHURST If you’ve wandered out of Pocket on Crown St and lost all sense of the concept of value, then this diner might be the place for you. Milkshakes (malts) are $10 and most mains, even just soup or a burger, are at least $18. No pub-lunch specials here. We were enticed inside by the bountiful choice on the menu: jambalaya; Texas chilli cheeseburgers; and Coca Cola ribs – amazing all-American comfort eating. The inside is surprisingly sterile and small for a diner, we were greeted by little black booths in a totally empty restaurant at lunch time. It’s new, though, only opening eight months ago and we’re assured by the waitress that it’s really swinging by night. We ordered up what we thought would be a storm of food, if the price tag was anything to go by. But serving sizes of mains were ungenerous for what they cost. The chicken and andouille (pork sausage) gumbo was delicious but comically small. The Texas 3 chilli cheeseburger was a little more filling, with a salty, spicy and juicy explosion of flavour that slightly redeemed the visit. It is ironic that in trying to capture nostalgia for foods of another time (and place, too, because I don’t imagine people were eating much gumbo in Australia, even in the 60s) Jazz City Diner has lost the qualities that made diners attractive in the first place. Good food quickly, the diner credo, has given way to good food expensively.
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BULL USUONLINE.COM SPORT
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couple of months ago, former University of Sydney student Dom Thurbon set a world record. Thurbon’s feat was in the AFL – though not as a player, or coach or anyone directly associated with the sport at all. Thurbon scored the highest ever weekly score with his AFL dream team. His score of 2,833 shattered previous bests by more than 200 points. He is, like an increasing number of average joe footy fans, a fantasy football manager.
Finals Fantasy DOM BOWES EXPLAINS THE APPEAL OF SPORTS FANTASY COMPETITIONS.
While it may not be a story to crack out on a first date, Thurbon has been dining out on this fortunate confluence of skill and luck. In the short run it seems unlikely to be broken. Many managers benefited from the unusual results that week, particularly when Geelong won by a whopping 186 points. The premise of fantasy sport is undeniably geeky. Players pore over statistics and arrange ‘teams’ consisting of players from across real world competitions. Each league has it’s own rules and formulae, but essentially, each player on your fantasy team earns points via varyingly complex statistical measures based on their real-life performance each week. These teams then compete in leagues against their mates, battling to glory while trades allow players to improve their side over the course of the year. Then, when September rolls around and finals footy begins, fantasy almost becomes real when top managers compete for prizes as fiercely as the players out on the park. Fantasy comps have boomed in popularity in recent years. In 2004, AFL Dreamteam had 50,000 members, today there are over 300,000. The trend is paralleled in the NRL. In the US more than 25 million people play one fantasy game a year. The average player is a man, aged between 16 and 44 and they spend around three hours a week on team management. Crucially, very few players close their accounts after just one year. As tipping competitions and betting move online, more and more sports fans are using the net to get in touch with their favourite code. Fantasy sports in particular cater to an underlying obsession with statistics. By their nature, cricket and baseball have long rewarded fans and coaches alike with easy, statistical ways to measure the performance of individual
players. Fantasy sports is a way to bring this joy to football fans. It encourages players to track their sporting idols and re-affirm who are well and truly the best at their respective trades. Perhaps more importantly for the sports-obsessed, it encourages you to following the fledgling careers of rookies and debutants who fill up your imaginary bench. Those 18, 19 and 20-year-olds may make you feel you’ve achieved nothing yet in life, but they are a key component of the game. Fantasy sports are big business. Most are free to enter and with relatively limited prizes (there are only prizes for being the best of 300,000 participants over any one week or the whole year). Fantasy sports are run quite profitably. In Australia the Daily Telegraph and Herald Sun run their own comps in addition to those administered by the AFL and NRL sports bodies themselves. In the US they are owned by the likes of ESPN and Yahoo. ESPN also recently bought out the Australian tipping website footytips.com.au for $4 million. The US even has a Fantasy Sports Trade Association that collates data for the industry. They estimate the industry as a whole to have an annual economic impact of $3-4 billion directly and indirectly. A key reason for the astounding profitability is the huge web traffic to affiliated websites. During the week, fantasy managers need information about players, their injuries, their selections and score updates over the weekend. More indirectly, but perhaps more importantly, fantasy sports encourage sportstragics to be (at least a little) invested in each game over the course of a round. Where typically some fans may only watch their own teams, fantasy gets them somewhat emotionally invested in most fixtures. Even if the result of a game becomes obvious in early on, it’s the fantasy fans who keep on watching ’til the final siren. While certainly at the margins, these increased ratings contribute to the huge revenue deals that are being struck for broadcast rights in sport. The AFL’s new $1.3 billion dollar deal with Fox and Channel Seven requires the scheduling of three games on Saturdays to allow the true obsessives to watch nine hours of straight football. The same goes for NRL’s three-game ‘Super Saturday’ on Fox Sports. For those who have never played, the process of watching a sports match to crunch numbers and focus primarily on individual players is a bizarre concept. Fortunately for those of us addicted to fantasy sports, we are increasingly not alone.
ISSUE 07 SCIENCE & TECH
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Word Up ADAM FARROW-PALMER DOTS THE I’S, CROSSES THE T’S AND BOLDS THE HEADINGS ON WORD PROCESSING SOFTWARE.
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ou have just purchased a fancy laptop to complete the never-ending pile of assessments. Then you realise that before you can even begin writing (or procrastinating), you also need to purchase word processing software. The real shock comes when you realise this can be almost as expensive as the laptop itself. Microsoft Word, the word processing behemoth that most of us are familiar with, can be up to $190 – even with the student discount. While a single purchase usually allows for up to three legal copies, it’s nevertheless still an expensive option for most students.
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But there are free word processing programs out there. Both Microsoft and Apple offer humble text editors, ‘Notepad’ and ‘Textedit’ respectively. These programs offer a simple white screen and blinking curser for your typing joy. By eschewing any attempt at customisation, they reign supreme when it comes to speed, efficiency and compatibility. If you want to get words on the screen in the fastest way possible, Notepad is your friend. Many writers swear by these programs as the best way to beat writers-block. There is no chance of being distracted by layout, fonts or even spelling, as those functions simply aren’t offered. All you can do is type. However, while this may work for the budding novelist, it won’t be enough for most students. Unfortunately, spell-check, layout and footnotes are standard tools of the trade. However, there are a few free options for those who can’t afford to pay (or don’t want to) top dollar for Microsoft office. LibreOffice (libreoffice.org) is a recent off-shoot of the 20-year-old OpenOffice project. In resembles Microsoft Office, but has a smaller footprint. Unlike its older, clunkier cousin, Libreoffice is entirely compatible with Microsoft. Sometimes, even more so when it comes to mucking about with .doc and .docx- files (go figure). However, it’s brutal utility can be a little ugly and off-putting for those used to Microsoft Word. Moreover, there is no Excel equivalent. But at the price of zero dollars, it is definitely worth checking out. If you use multiple computers for the same project, frequently collaborate or are analretentive about saving drafts, then Google Docs (docs.google.com) may be your cup of tea. This
A
online-only service could very well see the death of the thumb drive. It automatically saves to the ‘cloud’ as you work and retains all the history of who wrote what and when.You can forget the hassle of e-mailing documents to yourself or elaborate naming systems to keep track of every edit (Kant Essay 2nd draft version 3.docx anyone?), because Google does it all for you. If you were an early adopter but stopped using Google Docs because of the limited functionality, have another crack - new
features have been appearing regularly, including footnotes, file compression and PDF compatibility. If you are worried about the company taking over yet another aspect of your digital life however...[auto-redacted by Google Truth]. This is not a rant against Microsoft Office. For many, it will be a necessary buy. Before you fork out your hard-earned, however, it is wise to have a look at these free alternatives.
SCIENCE & TECH Q: ARE WE LIVING IN THE FUTURE YET?
• There are multiple brands of robotic vacuum cleaner. CPU released this year for the consumer market will have 2.6 • billion transistors. Sprinter with carbon-fibre legs competed in the International • Athletics Championship. People carry around touchscreens that can • do anything. It is not unreasonable to want a car that will automatically • reverse park. It is possible see a photo of a friend’s entree before she has • taken the first bite. And she’s in Belgrade. • An F1 driver can crash at 300 kph and walk away uninjured. You can pay to go into space (well probably not you, but people • with money can). • A computer beat Ken Jennings in Jeopardy!.
A: YES.
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BULL USUONLINE.COM ENTERTAINMENT
ENTERTAINMENT Simply Red ALEX MCKINNON SITS DOWN WITH UP-AND-COMING ROCKERS REDCOATS.
I
s your iPod playlist sounding a bit tired? Vanilla Ice’s Greatest Hits somehow just not cutting it anymore? Fear not, gentle music-lover; we’ve tracked down a band you should be keeping an eye on. They’re called Redcoats, and while they’re babies on the Aussie music scene, they look set to be kind of a big deal. Drawing influences from Black Sabbath and Kyuss, their brand of dark, atmospheric heavy rock is turning heads and getting some serious attention.
We have a really organic way of writing together, so we like having a bit of isolation, no distractions.” – Emilio Mercuri
In July Redcoats released their self-titled debut EP and hit the road, supporting Calling All Cars along the east coast throughout August and September. Aside from some end-ofyear festivals, the tour capped off a big year for the Melbourne four-piece. For a band that hasn’t even released an album, Redcoats have been gathering some serious cred, selling out gigs at the Evelyn and the Tote, collecting some rave reviews of their live performances and EP. BEAT Magazine praised their sound to the rafters, describing the band as “genius…they sound like they’ve been playing together for 30 years”. Redcoats take the praise in their stride. “It’s pretty gratifying, I guess, especially after kicking around the Melbourne scene for so long,” says lead singer Emilio Mercuri “Getting airplay on Triple J has helped out a lot too, we’re really grateful to those guys.” It’s not the first time Redcoats have found themselves punching above their weight. In March they had a month more established bands would kill for; first the band released their debut single ‘Dreamshaker’, which went into high rotation on Triple J, then they were off supporting grunge legends Stone Temple Pilots on their first Australian tour a week later. “Touring with [Stone Temple Pilots] was amazing,” says Emilio. “Those guys have been around for 20-25 years. We took a few leaves out of their book.” It’s taken a while for Redcoats to come together. First forming in 2007, it took the arrival of Emilio and drummer Neil Wilkinson in 2009 for the band to take the plunge into the Melbourne live scene. After a year of making the rounds and building hype, the band members decided to make Redcoats a full-time deal. “It was an easy choice to make,” remembers Emilio. “Eventually, we just reached the point where we all knew this was something we wanted to do.You have to go for it while you’re young. We thank our lucky stars we did it.” Since making Redcoats their day job, the band have taken a few extended periods off, retreating into the Victorian bush to regroup and pen some new material. “We like to isolate ourselves when we’re writing, just the four of us. We have a really organic way of writing together, so we like having a bit of isolation, no distractions.” Speaking of new material, the band’s got big things on the horizon. “We’ve been writing heaps, just stockpiling songs,” Emilio reveals. “I think we’ll write a few more before heading to the studio at the start of next year. Hopefully we’ll have our first album out this time next year, around August.” Keep an ear out for it; if it’s of similar calibre as the EP, Redcoats are set to make 2012 a very big year for rock indeed.
COMING UP JACK LADDER + GHOUL
1 OCT
+ TEETH & TONGUE
FAMINAID FEAT. SUPER FLORENCE JAM & MORE…
7 OCT
8 OCT
+ NO ANCHOR + SLEEPMAKESWAVE
A NIGHT WITH AESOP ROCK & KIMYA DAWSON (USA)
14 OCT
15 OCT
MONO (JAPAN)
NEW YORK DOLLS (USA) + THE STRAIGHT ARROWS + BOVINES (HAMISH & BRAD FROM THE VINES) + FAIT ACCOMPLI + BLOODY LOVELY AUDREY + THE SALVAGERS
21 OCT
JAMIE KILSTEIN (USA) + MICHAEL HING + JACK DRUCE. HOSTED BY MATT OKINE
OCT 22 – AGENT ORANGE (USA) + THE CELIBATE RIFLES + LOS CAPITANES + THE TURPS // OCT 28 – PAPA VS PRETTY + THE VASCO ERA // NOV 5 – THE MAD MAD MUIR MUSICAL TOUR FEATURING INFECTIOUS GROOVES + CYCO MIKO PLUS SPECIAL ST 6-PACK // NOV 11 – THE CASUALTIES (USA) + TOPNOVIL + THE RUMJACKS (NOTE NEW DATE. TICKETS PREVIOUSLY PURCHASED ARE VALID FOR THE NEW DATE) // DEC 1 – THE MISFITS (USA) // DEC 6 – MUDHONEY (USA)
MANNINGBAR.COM USUONLINE.COM
40
BULL USUONLINE.COM REVIEWS
REVIEWS FILM CAPTAIN AMERICA: THE FIRST AVENGER JOE JOHNSTON
Captain America:The First Avenger is solid, old-fashioned blockbuster entertainment. At its very heart, this is a movie dedicated to the action and romance of the story, with many high-tension scenes and more than its fair share of explosions and fights. From the beginning the audience is confronted by the, bold, bright colours of this valiant hero. At ComicCon 2010, director Joe Johnson told reporters the film is an international story about “what makes America great and what makes the rest of the world great too”. However the strident U-S-A themes in the movie make some scenes a bit over-the-top for the Australian moviegoer. Having been in development since 1997, with two script revisions, the 14-year-long process is highly evident with a plot and movie that is captivating and to the point. This is the fifth Marvel Cinematic Universe movie so far with more to be expected until we have the full formation of The Justice League. With a sequel already in the making, Captain America is a movie that lives up to the hype. It is an excellent two hours - just make sure you go in expecting to see more than a little patriotic American bravado.
CASEY CUNNINGHAM
STAGE MARY POPPINS RICHARD EYRE
DVD NEVER LET ME GO MARK ROMANEK
FILM JANE EYRE CARY FUKUNAGA
No.17 Cherry Tree Lane is home to one of the world’s most beloved nannies. Based on P.L. Travers’ captivating tale about a stern yet sprightly governess, Mary Poppins: The Musical is currently gracing the stage at the lavish Capitol Theatre. Featuring a stellar cast, stunning set and elaborate costumes, it’s no surprise it was awarded an impressive eight gongs at this year’s Helpmann Awards, including Best Actress in a Musical for Verity Hunt-Ballard’s flawless portrayal of Poppins. Director Richard Eyre does not shy away from a showstopper. Every scene is filled with rambunctious energy and technical wizardry. The musical retains all the magical delights that captivated viewers of the 1964 film, including Poppins’ famed bottomless carpetbag. However it is Bert the chimneysweep, played by Matt Lee, who steals the show. His fleet feet give Tap Dogs a run for their money with his rendition of ‘Step in Time’, tapping away on the floor, walls, even the ceiling. The musical is a sure to be a hit with wide-eyed youngsters and older generations will be pleasantly surprised. As the lady with the magical umbrella ascends to the heavens in the final scene, the hearts of every audience member soar as we recall those fond childhood memories.
Haven’t had enough of the stiff British upper lip yet? Don’t worry, there’s plenty of immobile lowerface (in)action in this beautifullyshot adaptation of Kazuo Ishiguro’s bestselling novel, Never Let Me Go. Director Mark Romanek has teased out appropriately tender and, above all, restrained performances from Carey Mulligan, Andrew Garfield and Keira Knightley as Kathy, Tommy and Ruth - a young, naïve trio fostered by a world primed to ultimately exploit them as human organ donors. In this alternate reality, there’s a jarring tension between the comforting English boarding school in which they grow up and the eerie indoctrination that attempts to preserve their innocence from an ugly fate. Kathy, Tommy and Ruth are themselves, at once, portraits of humanity and an exercise in successful scientific engineering. The film does well to bring out the ethical questions of organ farming and the heart-rending choices between personal pain and greater good, but leaves us with no doubts as to where its sympathies lie. Unfortunately for the novel diehards, Romanek makes no secret of the trio’s status as human spare parts ‘modelled on trash’ right from the beginning, which robs viewers of the slow burning self-realisation that made the novel so devastating. That said, Never Let Me Go is an unreservedly intelligent, grave and deeply sensitive tear-jerker.
Plain Jane is no more. Despite countless previous adaptations, Carey Fukunaga’s Jane Eyre is by far the best, revitalising the classic Bronte novel. Though following the life of an orphan girl turned governess may appear unappealing on the surface, Fukunaga has chosen to tell the tale in an exquisitely invigorating manner, whilst remaining loyal to the original. With resilience and courage forged through a strict education and a lonely childhood, Jane Eyre begins work as governess for the wealthy Mr Rochester at the isolated Thornfield House. However, her limits are soon sorely tested when she learns of a grave secret she cannot escape. From its opening we are swept into the heart of Jane’s world, simultaneously subjected to her every plight. In what is probably her most moving performance yet, Australia’s own Mia Wasikowska owns the role of Jane Eyre. Wasikowska’s Jane is still, yet powerfully poignant when needed. Opposite Michael Fassbender’s hasty, charming Rochester, the pair boasts an unprecedented sexual chemistry on screen, which requires nothing more than eye contact across the room to be felt. The film’s visual beauty equals its enchanting cast performance and storyline, appealing to more than just fans of Bronte’s work.
LYDIA FENG CONNIE YE
ASHLING LEE
ISSUE 07 REVIEWS
41
FILM
Win Win
Thomas McCarthy GRACE O’NEILL Tom McCarthy is certainly active in the world of cinema. Not only has he starred in some (admittedly awful but nonetheless famous) movies, including 2012 and The Lovely Bones, but he’s also a producer on the new hit series Game Of Thrones. In his latest venture McCarthy has adapted his own novel into a Sundance recognised film. WinWin follows the story of Mike Flaherty (played by the magnificent Paul Giamatti), a slightly overweight lawyer who is failing miserably at balancing his struggling legal clinic, his young family and coaching the abysmal high-school wrestling team. In a somewhat complex turn of events, Mike finds himself the legal guardian of elderly Leo (Burt Young). He is left housing Leo’s 16-year-old grandson, wellmeaning delinquent Kyle (Alex Shaffer), who is left homeless after his mother is sent to rehab. As the film develops we see that not only are Mike and his wife (Amy Ryan) a blessing for the troubled Kyle, but that Kyle, with his hidden talent for wrestling and awkward adolescent charm, is a blessing for the Flaherty family. Following the same approach of his previous films TheVisitor and The Station Agent, McCarthy makes the lives of ordinary people extraordinary and feels no need to play on Hollywood clichés or over-sentimentality to
create an interesting story. As usual, Paul Giamatti’s dry wit is wonderful, as are the performances by his two wingmen, Terry (Bobby Cannavale) and Vigman (Jeffrey Tambor). Amy Ryan is great as his ‘superwoman’ wife and Alex Shaffer is
brilliant as the conflicted, unassuming wrestling champion Kyle. The film doesn’t leave a deep impact after watching, with the plot a little too contrived at times, but overall it’s a solid film, and it’s always enjoyable to see something a little different to the modern Hollywood blockbuster.
It’s a rare but wonderful thing to go to a gig that leaves you liking an album a thousand times more than you did before. Sydney University’s own Seekae did just that at their first headline gig at the Metro, which ‘impressively sold out’. completely. A quick disclaimer: I’m new to the world of electronic music. I still don’t know what dubstep is. For me, Seekae is study-music for when you want to absolve your distractions. Sometimes electronica can perhaps seem too intellectual. It is hard to get the point without cheap tricks like, you know, choruses. But live, the experience was more visceral and altogether different. Seekae’s beauty comes from their special mix of beats that are often quite short and placed sparely with delicate melodic, spindly guitar woven in under sounds that grow up and over,
ever expanding. Throw in some bass that drops way down now and then and you get a real sense of how spacious these sounds are. Then it goes to groove-town. At the same time it never loses its introspection. There’s plenty of drama there. Most of all, you leave with a real sense that these guys are master craftsmen, weaving together quiet layers that shimmer in a way that is oh-so artfully executed. Credit also has to go to the great venue. The Metro’s smoke and light magicians had Seekae’s tunes streaming out in clouds of purple and blue. Seekae seemed at home here, transforming the Metro, a venue so familiar to many Sydneysiders, into something else entirely. We could imagine we’d been transported to some subterranean cavern on a distant planet for an hour or so. All in all, an amazing night.
GIG
Seekae
Metro Theatre MALA WADHERA
Indian Classical Dancing Greek Dancing Indonesian Contemporary/Hip-Hop Middle-Eastern And more!
FOR MORE INFORMATION International Student Lounge, Lvl 4, Wentworth Building or Call 9563 6094
ISSUE 07 MINDGAMES
43
CROSSWORD 1
2
3
4
5
6
7
18
19
8 9
10
11 12
13
14
15 16
17
20
21
SUDOKU 22
5
23
ACROSS
DOWN
01 05 09 10 11 14 15 17 20 21 22 23
01 02 03 04 06 07 08 12 13 16 18 19
Close (4,4) Leap in the air (4) Bundles (5) ___ and lows: phrase (5) Restriction (10) Idle (6) Lively Spanish dance (6) Supervisory (10) Constructed (5) Conspicuous feather (5) Boundary of a surface (4) Exterior of a motor vehicle (8)
1 4 8 3 2
Cries (4) Unattractive (4) Sad (12) Fish (6) Uncontrolled after launching (8) Place (8) Art of planning a dance (12) Atrocious (8) Prickling (8) Dual audio (6) Greek spirit (4) Look for (4)
8 3 4 2 1
3 8 5
9 4 1 3 6
1 3
4 8 5 7 2 9
CALCUDOKU
WORD PYRAMID
7+
12x
6x
2รท
72x
Golf peg 15+
Adolescent 2-
Go in Complete
1-
5+ 2x
Group of attendants
11+
15+ 3-
Rebellious person 6รท
9+
Not deserved
MINDGAMES
FREE ENTRY FOR POSTGRADS FABULOUS PRIZES COME WITH A TEAM, OR WE CAN PUT YOU IN ONE ON THE NIGHT!
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ISSUE 07 THE BULL PEN
45
THE BULL PEN Ball Game TOM CASHMAN DOESN’T REALLY GET RUGBY LEAGUE .
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n Sydney, when you turn on the TV at a time when Rugby League is scheduled to be on, there’ll almost invariably be some Rugby League on.You know the Rugby League, it’s the one with the ball, where the ball has to be put on the ground. Not on just any ground. No, no. On a very specific section of the ground i.e. the side section of the field.
“These points seem pretty worthless though; they can’t be redeemed for movie tickets or CDs or anything.”
Here’s the catch though, the powers that be insist that each team stands on the opposite side of the team that is putting down the aforementioned ball. Sorry, I should clarify, there is only one ball. So while the two groups of fellas seemingly have a lot in common, their interests are very much opposed. Only one team at a time gets to try to put the ball on their bit of ground. There is certainly enough time for everyone to have a go, however, someone has decided that the putting of the ball down should be rewarded with points. These points seem pretty worthless though; they can’t be redeemed for movie tickets or CDs or anything. In fact, the only reason for these points seems to be keeping track of which group of buff blokes has done the most ball-puttingdown-on-the-ground action. The entire thing has been completely engineered to create some sort of excuse for a competition. Apparently, it all began in the spirit of aligning two groups’ recreational interests, only to lead to the design of a situation where half of them were always going to end up disappointed. Even if, by some freak coincidence, each group gets the same amount of fake points, the men paid to observe and maintain this debacle often insist that the competition continues until one group of men is finally shown to be conclusively rubbish. This seems unnecessarily bleak; the equivalent
of reiterating the importance of tomatoes to some toddlers, handing them each a hammer, then throwing one tomato between them. The whole situation could just be a load of laughable nonsense but, just like in the toddler analogy, these meetings typically get quite physical. Like really, really physical. This is worsened further by the fact that the participants in this dangerous charade seem completely oblivious to the futility of their struggle. Logic would suggest that these behemoths should organise a group hug, roster the putting down of the ball to include each of them and shoot off for a post-game milkshake.Yet, despite the disturbingly exploitative nature of the current situation, players seem emotionally invested in the accumulation of pretend numerical rewards by way of putting a ball down. In fact, it is this baffling commitment to what is openly described as a game that attracts hoards of uninvolved people to watch. The real evil is that not one of these spectators thinks to tell the players what’s actually going on. Scared that any other arrangement would be less entertaining, depraved onlookers play along, even buying things like hats and big foam hands to legitimise this televised farce. Really, it all boils down to one point. I really much prefer Rugby Union.
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BULL USUONLINE.COM CAUGHT ON CAMPUS TRIVIA GETS TOUGH HITTING UP HOGWARTS
WHERE’S THE ENCHANTED CEILING?!
HARRY CATCHES THE GOLDEN SNITCH!
ENOUGH WITH THE FUN, THIS IS SIRIUS!
SAY BUTTERBEER!
PHOTOS BY JEREMY YAO
6 SEPTEMBER 2011 VERGE FESTIVAL: HARRY POTTER TRIVIA
I
n a battle of the brains, teams of students tested their knowledge learned through hours of childhood spent reading the works of J.K. Rowling. The grand Great Hall played host to houses Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw and Slytherin as well as Hogwarts schoolmaster, Dumbledore. Witches and Wizards mingled with Muggles, House Elves, Dementors and magical creatures. It was truly a magical evening.
CAUGHT ON CAMPUS MUGGLE MADNESS!
ACCIO ANSWERS!
DUMBLEDORE’S POSSE REDUCIO CROOKSHANKS!
BERTIE BOTT’S BEANS APLENTY!
NOW HIRING MOVERS SHAKERS THINKERS LEADERS THE USU IS LOOKING FOR SOME DRIVEN, MOTIVATED, INSPIRED INDIVIDUALS TO LEAD THE WAY IN 2012! Positions are now open for 2012, including: Campus Culture Director, Bull Editors, Debates Director, Student Program Coordinators (Queer, Women’s, Tuesday Talks), Art Collection Officer and Verge Festival Directors, plus Internships for International and Postgraduate Students as well as various committee positions. If you want to shake things up a little and get involved on campus – don’t miss this opportunity!
APPLICATION CLOSING DATES Committee positions - 23 September All other positions - 10 October Forms available from usuonline.com and the ACCESS Desk, Level 1 Manning House.
INTERESTED? Attend our STUDENT EXPERIENCE INFORMATION SESSION on 22 September at 1pm in the Isabel Fidler Room, Level 2 Manning House.