Mind's Eye 2021 by cobwebcreative

MIND’S EYE 2021

Stealing a MARCH

Encore

MACRON? BURNING Questions

CHURCHILL on

TRIAL

P A S T ABUSE Touch

Mind’s Eye | July 2021

Nannie Helen Burroughs was an educator, orator, religious leader, civil rights activist, feminist, and businesswoman. In 1909 she founded the National Training School for Women and Girls in Washington, DC. Burroughs’ objective was at the point of intersection between race and gender.

Mind’s Eye | July 2021

Contents 88

60 | I Predict a Riot Finn Sawyer

64 | Just a Word Funbi Okenla

68 | The Missing Link Sophie Bloom

74 | Prove It Vera Loika

78 | A Poor Show Samantha Yeung

82 | Ladies Please! Grace Chester

88 | Small Mercies Carmen Wu

92 | Staying Afloat

Jack Pelling

6 | Enough is Enough

30 | No Morals

Natalya Hoare

Thea Bloom

10 | Storm in a Cup

33 | Too Much Information

Theo Amies

Nick Clarke

12 | Life After Trump

36 | Past Abuse

Oli Hinnells

Rosie Raikes

16 | Touch & Go

40 | Striking Chords

Felicia Wild

Medomfo Owusu

18 | Churchill on Trial

42 | Stealing a March

Giorgio Boiteux

Alex Lahiri

22 | Down to Earth

46 | Unnecessary Evil

Edric Wong

24 | The Covid Effect Cameron Manney

26 | Live & Let Die Eva Shen

28 | The Great Divide Fiona Li

Izzy Karran

49 | Burning Questions Barnaby Carter

52 | Encore Macron? Philippa Ströem

58 | Digital Danger Miles Packard

82 Editor: Anthony Lyons Design: CobwebCreative

Mind’s Eye | July 2021

Editorial What do the writers of this annual chronicle care about in 2021? Well, they object to a number of things, for a start, such as the suffocating wallto-wall multi-media coverage of Covid, and far-right zealots anachronistically cherry–picking prejudice in the ancient world to justify their own bigotry. Nor are they keen on the wastefulness of big-time boat races, the refusal of big fashion brands to take a proper look at colour and put their house in order, or the way the rich have exploited the pandemic to widen the gap between themselves and the poor. The Big C provokes other concerns too, such as how a hot date could sneeze over dinner and put you in hospital, and how we can no longer take for granted the meaning of certain words. Death rears its ugly head again when we are reminded that euthanasia is a good way to make people disappear. Other writers are worried that the big baby just kicked out of the White House still has enough toys left in his arsenal to bruise more of his republican kin before they finally expose him on a capital hillside, that the former Burma might bite the hand that fed it democracy, and that the rising tide of China is about to swamp the world. The philosophers are out in force this year, asking why aliens are made in our image, how free will and language make us human, why science will always need philosophy to keep it honest and why, if you follow the science, you’re likely to go over a cliff. And amongst all those musings is a meditation on the nature of evil itself. The politicians are here in numbers too. According to them, the storms at Stormont are far from over; when the paint-slinging ceases Churchill will still be considered a great Briton; and if he’s not careful Macron will rise to shake hands with everyone and find he’s lost his seat. Some sociologists also have their say. Violence online is still violence and still bad for children; feminism was born to raise women, not lower men; and music heals us not just emotionally and psychologically but politically as well. And two crystal-ball gazers see light at the end of this long dark tunnel of modern times when one snubs climate change by raving about floating cities, and another says genome editing will one day be to Dolly the Sheep what splitting the atom was to candles. There’s even a piece about Shakespeare, which claims the lady who leaves Shylock in the dirt is more perfidious pooch than Porsche.

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THE BIG C PROVOKES OTHER CONCERNS TOO, SUCH AS HOW A HOT DATE COULD SNEEZE OVER DINNER AND PUT YOU IN HOSPITAL.

And yet every one of these writers is under eighteen. Mind’s Eye 2021 www.mindseyemagazine.com

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Mind’s Eye | July 2021

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TWO CRYSTAL-BALL GAZERS SEE LIGHT AT THE END OF THIS LONG DARK TUNNEL OF MODERN TIMES.

Mind’s Eye | July 2021

NATALYA HOARE argues that freedomfighter Aung San Suu Kyi may not be perfect but she is the best chance Myanmar has of keeping a grip on democracy.

fter the recent military coup in actions in trying to promote reform and Myanmar, Burma, Ms Suu Kyi, an icon stand up against the military. She eventually of democracy, is once again in the re-entered the political process in 2012, spotlight of the media all over the world. when she won 43 out of 45 seats in the Perhaps now is the time that we ask how an election and became an MP and leader of internationally recognised Nobel Peace Prize the ruling government. winner turned from a hero comparable to Nelson Mandela to a hugely controversial The Rohingya Crisis has shaped Ms Suu leader accused of genocide. Could Kyi’s reputation hugely. Myanmar sees the responsibility actually lie with Rohingya minority as illegal the rest of the democratic immigrants and denies them world who are letting her and citizenship, so many of them her country down in this rare have fled the country to INSPIRED BY OTHER opportunity for human rights? escape persecution. In 2017, CIVIL RIGHTS LEADERS, for example, 700,000 fled to INCLUDING MARTIN First of all, let’s backtrack Bangladesh while thousands LUTHER KING AND to 1988 when Ms Suu Kyi of others were killed in a MAHATMA GANDHI, SHE began her struggle against military crackdown. When TRAVELLED AROUND THE the oppression in Myanmar she appeared in front of the COUNTRY ORGANISING from the ruling military International Court of Justice RALLIES... government. Inspired by other in 2019, Ms Suu Kyi denied all civil rights leaders, including allegations that the military Martin Luther King and Mahatma Gandhi, had committed genocide. This made her she travelled around the country organising a very controversial figure and she is now rallies to stand up for peaceful democratic viewed as an enemy of freedom by many reform and free elections. Sadly, her protests around the world. But how much control did were crushed by the military and she was put she really have over these matters? under house arrest for the first, but definitely not the last, time on her path to freeing the Although her party was leading the country, country. the military held a quarter of parliamentary seats as well as controlling key ministries Eventually in May 1990 the military including defence, home affairs and border government called for an election which Ms affairs, giving them a substantial piece of Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy control and power. Of course it cannot (NLD) won. However, they refused to hand be ignored that she personally defended over control and once again Ms Suu Kyi was the military and even in the past referred put under house arrest. She was awarded to the generals in her cabinet as ‘rather the Nobel Peace Prize in 1991 and was finally sweet’, but it could be questioned whether released in 1995. From September 2000 to these relations are just political rather than November 2010, she was put in prison once personal, particularly since one of these very and was put under house arrest a further generals has now arrested her and staged a three times, all of which were related to her military coup. Her denial of the crisis in front

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Mind’s Eye | July 2021

SHE WAS PUT UNDER HOUSE ARREST FOR THE FIRST, BUT DEFINITELY NOT THE LAST, TIME ON HER PATH TO FREEING THE COUNTRY.

NYAUNGHSWE, MYANMAR, 17 FEB 2021: MYANMAR PEOPLE TOOK TO THE STREETS TO PROTEST AGAINST THE MILITARY COUP.

Ms Suu Kyi may not be the perfect leader, but Myanmar was (and still is) a country crying out for help and she stepped up.

Mind’s Eye | July 2021

of court may simply have been due to her unfortunate circumstantial options. Admitting that these allegations were true would have immediately turned a very powerful military against her, who have previously thrown her out evidence? Protestors are now being of the country and locked her away killed on the streets, the Rohingya are many times. Denying the allegations still being oppressed and persecuted, damaged her reputation but for and Myanmar’s only democratic leader the mean time kept is once again under democracy in her house arrest on The Rohingya are country. ridiculous charges still being oppressed regarding the and persecuted, Ms Suu Kyi may not and Myanmar’s only ownership of walkie democratic leader is be the perfect leader, talkies. Meanwhile but Myanmar was once again under house cities around the world arrest on ridiculous (and still is) a country are taking down their charges. crying out for help honorary plaques and she stepped up. for Aung San Suu Kyi Many other countries including Britain whilst simultaneously criticising the have stated that they are against the military coup. Something has clearly recent military coup but they also gone very wrong and it is a mistake previously condemned and put up for to lay the blame solely on Myanmar’s trial the only democratic opposition political parties. and possibly the people of Myanmar’s only hope of freedom. In the 1960s, In conclusion, there are many reasons when Nelson Mandela was in prison why Ms Suu Kyi is a controversial and South Africa was suffering under leader, from the allegations of the the crisis of Apartheid, members of the Rohingya Crisis to her actions towards UN began to call for sanctions against international journalists. She is by no the country. This international pressure means the democratic icon everyone seriously contributed to Mandela’s thought she would become but in release and the President’s pledge to a country where she is still hugely end Apartheid. Ms Suu Kyi did meet popular, shown by the protests President Obama, who agreed to lift happening right now, there is obviously sanctions in return for democratic a clear opportunity and chance for reforms in her country as she rose to democracy that other countries do not power, but where was the international have. As the UN now finally expresses help in 2020 when her incredible win a need for the world to help, we must in the election was disputed with no question whether it is too late and whether the world truly has let down a country that was so close to freedom.¢

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WE MUST QUESTION WHETHER IT IS TOO LATE AND WHETHER THE WORLD TRULY HAS LET DOWN A COUNTRY THAT WAS SO CLOSE TO FREEDOM.

Mind’s Eye | July 2021

m r o t S in

Cup THEO AM IES tot s up th cost of e the Ame r i cas Cup and wonders if the bil lion do llars couldn’ t be be tter spent.

America’s Cup yacht race in 1901. J. Pierpont Morgan syndicate’s COLUMBIA was challenged by Thomas Lipton’s SHAMROCK II 10 Mind’s Eye | July 2021

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WITHOUT THE INNOVATION THEY ENCOURAGE, THE WORLD WOULD GRIND TO A HALT.

hese days there’s a great urge for speed and spending. A company releases the latest version of their product and the minute it hits the shelves, a more advanced version is released. However, when traveling at 90 km an hour in a sailing yacht barely touching the water, there appears to be very few negatives, at least on the surface.

he would happily trade his four Olympic gold medals for one win of The Americas Cup is the oldest continually running The Americas Cup. Is it so inspiring sporting event in the world. Since 1851, the cream of that young sailors will be motivated to reach for the sky? Or the sailing world has chased each other are they just chasing a high? If so, it comes around in million-pound boats in order at an enormous price. The estimated cost of to be crowned the fastest sailor on the the whole series is over 1 billion US dollars: planet. Teams pay an eye-watering from the design and manufacture of the WHAT IS THE POINT entrance fee, and then spend hundreds boats, to transport, to the $400 million the OF SPACE-X SENDING of millions optimising the laws of physics government of Auckland, New Zealand, the THOUSANDS OF to design and build racing yachts like no host of the Cup, has poured into the event. SATELLITES INTO SPACE... other. WHEN A THIRD OF THE Wouldn’t all this money be more useful WORLD’S POPULATION This series’ class was set as the AC75, a in helping a developing country improve DOESN’T HAVE ACCESS TO its education system or general standard foiling monohull that until four years ago BASIC SANITISATION? didn’t exist in anyone’s wildest dream. of living? Couldn’t it go to better use reTwo 1.2-tonne wings (foils) are lowered building homes and livelihoods that have to allow the boat to rise out of the water and launch it been destroyed by a hurricane? Every year, vast sums of to previously unimaginable speeds. Design concepts in money are invested in global sporting events, such as this craft have the ability to change sailing for decades Formula 1 and the Olympic Games, which only widen the to come. gap between first- and developing-world nations. What is the point of Space-X sending thousands of satellites into So why do they do this? Is it for the prize, the historic cup space to improve global internet connection when a third and the title that goes with it? When interviewed, Sir Ben of the world’s population doesn’t have access to basic Ainsley, the leader of the British team, told the camera sanitisation let alone a television?

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Events like these are important. Without the innovation they encourage, the world would grind to a halt. But we could at least divert some of the effort to improving everyone’s lives, not just the elite democracies of the West. It might be worth looking back once in a while to help the rest of the world that hasn’t quite caught up yet. After all, the tortoise did beat the hare. ¢

Since 1851, the cream of the sailing world has chased each other around in million-pound boats. Mind’s Eye | July 2021

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THE FORMER PRESIDENT WAS ONE OF THE MOST CONTROVERSIAL AND DIVISIVE PRESIDENTS IN AMERICA’S HISTORY.

Mind’s Eye | July 2021

Life

After Trump

OLI HINNELLS surveys the damage done by Donald Trump to the Republican cause, and wonders if its shellshocked members can make the old party grand again.

he Republican Party was created in It has gone through monumental shifts in its 1854, and it began by fighting for the ideology, and it is currently in the midst of end of slavery and the destruction of another decisive moment in its history. the Confederate States. So the GOP (Grand Old Party is another term for the Republican Surprisingly, Donald Trump has an iron grip Party) has clearly gone through many shifts over the GOP. The former president was one in character. Initially it of the most controversial was the progressive party, and divisive presidents It is hard to see how focusing on higher taxes to in America’s history. He is they have rallied support those who could the first president to be themselves around a not support themselves, impeached twice, faces man with criminally low and promoting the idea significant allegations on a reverence for the oath of pluralism, arguing that of his elected position... number of fronts, created prosperity should be shared detrimental rifts in American by all ethnic and religious groups. No other society, sought to undermine the most president had promoted such an idea before recent election, contrary to over 60 court William McKinley, a Republican president, in rulings, and he has lied – the Washington 1896. Post reckons over 20,000 times – on the grandest of stages. For a party that bases However, under Eisenhower, Goldwater itself on constitutionalism, tradition and and Nixon, the party took a huge turn, protecting democracy, it is hard to see how promoting itself as the conservative, prothey have rallied themselves around a man gun, constitutionalist party that appealed to with criminally low reverence for the oath of Southern State evangelicals. It has continued his elected position, yet this seems to be the with this positon and rhetoric, winning the case. largest victories in presidential election history, notably when Ronald Reagan won a We must not forget that Trump won nearly record 525 out of 538 electoral votes. Today’s 75 million votes in 2020, showing that he GOP supports lower taxes, free-market can rile up the Republican base like no other. capitalism, strong national defence, gunHowever, what it also shows is that he can rights, deregulation and capital punishment. rile up the opposition base more successfully

Mind’s Eye | July 2021

than he can his own, since President Biden won a monumental 81 million votes. This is another example of why it is so confusing that the Republican Party has decided so solidly to stick with him. Sarah Cupp, a conservative political commentator, puts it best: ‘Trump wore the Republican Party like a rented tuxedo. Now they face the drycleaning bill.’ For a man who wants to be seen as a winner, Trump is the GOP’s biggest loser: he lost the White House, been demonised by many in the GOP the House of Representatives and the for frequently speaking out against Senate. The GOP still has a strong pro- Trump. Whether or not one agrees with Trump base, yet it also has high-profile Romney’s political beliefs, he has been leaders who want to escape his grasp. consistent in his moral, political and Both sides seem to religious standards. be stuck with one The GOP prides itself Mitt Romney has been another, for now. on tradition, yet one demonised by many in of the only senators the GOP for frequently The GOP has recently who has lived up speaking out against been punishing to that standard is Trump. its members for being demonised and expressing certain ostracised by the very views, a surprising turn for a party same party. Further, the lack of care that claims to protect freedom of for the public shown by some of its speech. This has been the case with Pat members is a life-threatening problem. Toomey, Richard Burr and Bill Cassidy, For example, senator Ted Cruz, who all Republican senators censured ran on the campaign slogan ‘TrusTed’, by their party for voting to impeach abandoned his constituents during Donald Trump. And Mitt Romney has Texas’ most serious storm in decades,

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‘TRUMP WORE THE REPUBLICAN PARTY LIKE A RENTED TUXEDO. NOW THEY FACE THE DRYCLEANING BILL.’

Mind’s Eye | July 2021

leaving them to ‘Trust’ in the New York Democrat Alexandria Ocasio Cortez, who raised nearly $5 million for Texans struggling to deal with the horrendous catastrophe. Senator Cruz has still failed to thank AOC for the money she raised. Such a lack of respect is endemic within the party, and until that problem is solved it will be hard to see a thriving GOP. Every democratic political system needs healthy opposition but scarily this voice of opposition now seems at its most vulnerable point. It is important to focus on how Trump won, so, whether Republican or Democrat, another egotistical demagogue does not abuse the American system for their own gain. It was quite simply

through a broken political discourse, meaning beliefs were not discussed before the voting booth and were not challenged or scrutinised. People who voted Trump didn’t care about his personal life; he just gave them a reaction to Obama and to the status quo they felt had failed them. Trump promised change and to make it easier to put food on the table. This is something the Democrats have failed to understand. Each party seems to have strayed away from helping people, to promoting populist leaders who play politics, leaving the American people to pick up the pieces. So, what actually is the future of the Republican Party? The options are few but likely to be successful if taken. One is ‘polished populism’, led by Marco Rubio, a former presidential candidate. This promotes the idea that politicians should avoid the antagonistic language of Trump yet pursue similar policies: limit illegal immigration, reduce over-taxation and promote an ‘America First’ foreign policy. While some of Rubio’s policies might be controversial, they did gain Trump an

While some of Rubio’s policies might be controversial, they did gain Trump an enormous amount of support. enormous amount of support, but hopefully this time it might introduce respect for elected positions, stop the bold-face lying and not let an individual’s ego get in the way of good governance. Conversely, it could also continue on the path started by Reagan in the 1980s, and continued by Bush in the early 2000s, of traditional conservatism. The priorities included are small government, strong national defence, religious values and somewhat bland political personalities but strong political convictions. Each approach has strong support in the Republican base, and both are likely to unify the currently divided party. However, it is hard to see the GOP escaping from Trump’s iron grip. All we can do is watch and wait. ¢

PEOPLE WHO VOTED TRUMP DIDN’T CARE ABOUT HIS PERSONAL LIFE; HE JUST GAVE THEM A REACTION...

EACH APPROACH HAS STRONG SUPPORT IN THE REPUBLICAN BASE, AND BOTH ARE LIKELY TO UNIFY THE CURRENTLY DIVIDED PARTY.

Mind’s Eye | July 2021

Touch

& Go

FELICIA WILD says Covid means dating is no longer a walk in the park.

hivering on a park bench, sipping wine through chattering teeth, sitting a government-mandated 1.5 metres across from a stranger I had allegedly bared my soul to over text in the past two weeks, I found myself asking, ‘What’s the point of dating anymore?’ With the removal of physical platforms for chance meetings and mingling, such as bars and cafés, online platforms have taken the reins in the dating world. The online dating industry, predicted to be valued at $3.5 billion by 2025, has reshaped dating in a post-Corona world for better or worse. As a result of the subsequent lockdowns freeing up our social calendars, this past year 16

Mind’s Eye | July 2021

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has meant a lot of uncomfortable desired outcomes from a relationship, and inescapable introspection. a longer emotional attention span and Dating habits that a cherishing of human once dictated our life’s connection. Surely rhythm, whether that’s enough, after a few matching and meeting months of sporadic and almost instantaneously, fruitless meetings with THE IMPACT OF or building a foundation strangers in parks, I too LOCKDOWN SELFof friendship before began to crave a deeper REFLECTION HAS LED TO even considering a connection. Although BETTER COMMUNICATION relationship, are now quickly forming intense OF BOTH PARTIES’ called into question. romantic attachments DESIRED OUTCOMES and wanting to take on FROM A RELATIONSHIP... According to Logan Ury, the burden of emotional a behavioural scientist commitment was never and the Director of Relationship my style, the combination of delaying Science at Hinge, the impact of immediate sexual gratification and lockdown self-reflection has led to of the possibility that this could be better communication of both parties’ the last date before another Corona

wave hit, and of the massive emphasis on conversation throughout dates, had momentarily turned me into a hopeless romantic. Retrospectively, I realise that this was an artificial reaction to the months I’d spent alone without friends to rationalise my ‘feelings’. And yet, this sudden change in scenery from someone’s bedroom ceiling to austenesque strolls in the park had been a thought-provoking experiment in how I approached online dating. But this rose-tinted and optimistic perspective of the effects that Corona has had on dating is tainted by claims made by Shar Dubey, CEO of Match Group (the company owning the largest portfolio of online dating services), who has noticed that members of online dating services now prioritise relief from loneliness over finding love. The exponential increase in loneliness and touch deprivation during the past lockdowns has negative repercussions on both the dating world and health. Whilst the emotion of loneliness itself has been proven to increase inflammation in

After a few months of sporadic and fruitless meetings with strangers in parks, I too began to crave a deeper connection.

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MEMBERS OF ONLINE DATING SERVICES NOW PRIORITISE RELIEF FROM LONELINESS OVER FINDING LOVE.

the immune system, a singular warm touch can combat this by calming cardiovascular stress and releasing oxcytocin aka the ‘love drug’. The beneficial effects of touch has been known for centuries (Michelangelo once said, ‘To touch is to give life.’) but sociologist Dacher Keltner of the University of California, Berkeley, also asserts the importance of touch as the fundamental language of connection. The lack thereof often results in a Corona-age phenomenon called ‘turbo-dating’ in which a relationship whizzes through its stages at lightning speed, fuelled by the fear of loneliness.

The emotion of loneliness itself has been proven to increase inflammation in the immune system...

The future of dating, whether the ‘courting’ period experienced in lockdown stays or not, is unclear. Historically, the horrors of the First World War were purged with the parties of the ‘roaring Twenties’, and indeed widescale crises are often followed by an era of hedonistic excess and promiscuity. People will most likely immerse themselves in faceto-face experiences, fully reviving hookup culture, but the period of introspection that lockdown has offered will at least leave many asking what they really want out of relationships. ¢

Mind’s Eye | July 2021

Churchill on

trial

GIORGIO BOITEUX assesses the evidence for and against recent denunciations of Hitler’s nemesis, and finds the accused not guilty.

n light of recent events, set off by the white supremacy was ‘how it was meant to horrific murder of George Floyd, the be’. Charmley says Churchill believed that mass movement around the world whites are superior to the ‘red Indians of has shone a spotlight on some events and America or the black people of Australia’, characters from the past. For example, and that colonisation is legitimised because Edward Colston had his statue taken down ‘a more worldly-wise race…has come and in Bristol because some taken their place.’ people were enraged at the Some people are glorification of a cruel and The worst allegation against confused about the oppressive slave trader, who Churchill is the tragedy of outrage surrounding subjugated thousands of the Bengal famine. During Churchill and the innocent people. His statue 1943, there was a disastrous comparisons of the stood to commemorate his famine in which over three ‘greatest Briton ever’ role as a wealthy merchant million people perished, to Colston. who founded hospitals and sparked by the Japanese a boarding school, while occupation of Burma the year donating all ‘his’ money to charities when before. Churchill was heavily criticised for his he died. Nevertheless, all of this ‘generosity’ inaction and his insistence that exported rice was funded by the trade of about eightyfrom Australia went to Europe for storage, thousand innocent men, women and rather than India’s starving citizens. Out of children from Africa to the Americas, helping context this is a horror, but Churchill was consolidate the slave trade. No amount of fighting a world war, the most important money can buy back their lives. in human history, and was trying to keep soldiers healthy while trying to combat Some people are confused about the outrage Britain’s vulnerability to starvation. His surrounding Churchill and the comparisons priorities were to win the war so order and of the ‘greatest Briton ever’ to Colston, peace could be restored, rather than helping because Churchill is still seen as a national India. It is unfair to blame him for the famine hero, even a hero to the world! However, because he was not preoccupied with the people are beginning to investigate him and allocation of food, and he had ministers beneath his romanticised past not is all as it who should have pre-empted this crisis. seems. According to John Charmley, author Churchill’s own agenda was full. Some call it of Churchill: The End of Glory, Churchill inhumane, but others say he had other, more believed in racial hierarchies, claiming that important priorities. Mind’s Eye | July 2021

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HE WAS ACCUSED OF ANTI-SEMITISM BUT THE FACTS TELL US HE WAS A ZIONIST, BELIEVING WHOLEHEATEDLY IN THE IDEA OF A JEWISH STATE.

His priorities were to win the war so order and peace could be restored, rather than helping India.

CHURCHILL WAS HEAVILY CRITICISED FOR HIS INSISTENCE THAT EXPORTED RICE WENT TO EUROPE, RATHER THAN INDIA’S STARVING CITIZENS. Bengal famine of 1943

Mind’s Eye | July 2021

Also, Churchill had views that were the norm of the times, with low-level anti-Semitism and an attitude towards Islam that were once standard but are appalling in the 21st Century. Although these were the main beliefs of the British people in Churchill’s era, his cabinet in 1940 set aside money and effort. His most celebrated speeches built a mosque. He was accused of anti- were all during the period of the fall Semitism but the facts tell us he was of France. His ‘We shall fight on the a Zionist, believing whole-heatedly in beaches…’, ‘We shall never surrender…’, the idea of a Jewish state, and playing a ‘Blood, toil, tears and sweat…’ and pivotal role in the creation of Palestine. ‘This was their finest hour…’ are Using a 21st Century moral compass to eternal. But the idea that his only judge figures of the past would result in contributions to the war were speeches everyone being guilty. It is ludicrous. When Neville will be the same for us in It will be the same for Chamberlain resigned as one hundred years, when prime minister following us in one hundred some of our current the failure of the years, when some of norms will become Norwegian campaign, our current norms outdated, outrageous will become outdated, Churchill stepped in, and ‘politically incorrect’. outrageous and but insisted that he His history with the ‘politically incorrect’ . should become Minister Irish is also rather of Defence, facilitating controversial because he repressed him to make the decisive decisions the IRA with air power. Nonetheless, it regarding the developments of the war. would be unfair to call him anti-Irish when he had expressed support for Numerous people argue that anyone Home Rule as early as 1912 and played can give speeches, disregarding an instrumental role in the Anglo-Irish Churchill’s war contributions. Events Treaty of 1921. in late May 1940 are lesser known, but they decided Britain’s role in the All of these faults have arguably been war, and without Churchill Britain overshadowed and exceeded by his would have sought peace with Hitler. great many achievements. He is known Lord Halifax, foreign secretary, argued for his boldness and leadership through that Britain could only avoid German plausibly humanity’s greatest test so far invasion and defeat by striking a deal – the Nazi threat to liberal democracy. with Germany. His solution was to People remember Churchill as a man negotiate a peace treaty (mediated who made grand speeches, lifting the by Mussolini) that would ensure the morale that contributed to the war country’s safety against the looming

prospect of invasion. The financial position seemed precarious and the United States were showing no imminent signs of entering the war, further decreasing hope for the British. Churchill was not unequivocally opposed to Halifax, but Churchill knew that he would be offered harsh terms when Hitler wanted to make the superpowers pay for the humiliation of Germany in the Treaty of Versailles, increasing Britain’s potential humiliation. The proposal of peace with Hitler was becoming a serious possibility, being considered as a solution in the War Cabinet as this debate was fracturing the cabinet into factions on how the war should be fought. To shut off Lord Halifax’s push for ‘peace’, Churchill summoned the ministers in his cabinet, where he disputed and won his debate, convincing his ministers that the British ‘shall never surrender’. As a result of Churchill’s ruthless determination and powerful persuasion, Britain will not be remembered in history as a country that capitulated to Hitler. The monumental decisions which he made The Nazi war machine had taken over half of changed the war. He was at the vanguard of Europe and was steamrolling through France the Mediterranean front. Without (one of the superpowers in the the oil he acquired (leading to Had he not stood tall, world at the time). Churchill was the rerouting of the German war Europe would have now surrounded, abandoned by machine to Stalingrad, when they been reduced to an his former ally, France, which was needed resources), Britain could now collaborating with Germany. underdeveloped, have fallen under Nazi control. poor continent, not Britain was vulnerable, with little During The Blitz, Churchill kept the one we so dearly chance to fight off the Nazis. cherish today. up morale by staying in the public Thanks to Churchill’s resilience and eye, criss-crossing the country. He determination not to give in to the essentially kept British citizens motivated when Nazis, the USA was able to acquire a platform they wanted to ‘get them (the Nazis) back’. Near from which they could aid Britain in their attack the end of the war, Churchill had meetings with on Nazi-occupied Europe, leading to the events of Stalin, discussing spheres of influence over D-Day. As a result of his actions, the Soviets were Europe, dividing Europe in two. This allowed not able to defeat the Nazis singlehandedly, and Western Europe to be free of the Soviet influence gain an overarching sphere of influence over all to a certain extent and enabled a democratic of Europe. Had he not stood tall, Europe would and prosperous Western Europe. have been reduced to an underdeveloped, poor continent, not the one we so dearly cherish today.

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PEOPLE REMEMBER CHURCHILL AS A MAN WHO MADE GRAND SPEECHES, LIFTING THE MORALE THAT CONTRIBUTED TO THE WAR EFFORT.

Churchill’s unrelenting courage and willingness to fight led to the world we know today, a liberal, democratic, independent society. Regardless, people accuse him of crimes against humanity, because he was the prime minister at the time of the Bengal famine, but he is an easy scapegoat. Should he be condemned for not taking personal care of his colonies during the most significant conflict of our history? I believe that his accomplishments eclipse all of his shortcomings. This heroic man saved civilisation. ¢

Mind’s Eye | July 2021

Down

to EARTH

EDRIC WONG wonders why, whenever we think of alien life forms, we imagine versions of ourselves.

hat do we imagine aliens look like? And why do we assume that they look that way? Although everyone has their own image of how an alien would look, most conform to a similar trend. The most common that springs to mind is a humanoid creature with a bald head, green skin and pointy ears. With an occasional antenna, or a third eye, they look suspiciously like the green aliens in Toy Story. These are the common features that we associate with extra-terrestrial creatures. People expect aliens to possess human characteristics, but why? First, I think we can all agree that if God created humans in his own form surely he wouldn’t be boring enough 22

Mind’s Eye | July 2021

to waste another six days duplicating we have to take a look at science everything. And if we took a scientific fiction. In science fiction, whether approach the steps of evolution that it is about intergalactic warfare or humans have taken are very specific to space explorations, the main aim is to our own environment explore the relationship and there is a very slim between humans chance that this could and extra-terrestrial be repeated on another creatures. However, on THE TRUTH IS NO ONE planet. the path to achieving HAS EVER HAD ANY this, it is often easier to ENCOUNTERS WITH But the truth is no depict aliens with certain EXTRA-TERRESTRIAL one has ever had any human characteristics. CREATURES AND ALL encounters with extraThese human features THE INFORMATION WE terrestrial creatures make it easier for the GET ABOUT THEM IS and all the information audience to accept COMPLETELY FICTIONAL. we get about them is and understand these completely fictional. So foreign creatures why do we anthropomorphize these through their facial expressions and creatures? To address this question, bodily movements.

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The most universally recognised science fiction, Star Wars, took a total worldwide box office revenue of over $US 10 billion. There are hundreds of different species in Star Wars, but most of them share similar characteristics to creatures on Earth. Whether it is their appearance or their behaviour, we have a lot in common. As Neal Scanlan, the creature supervisor on the four newest Star Wars films, said in an interview, ‘It’s important to [base alien species on familiar animals we know on Earth] because it makes us feel like these worlds aren’t so different from our own. This is one aspect of Star Wars that makes it really engaging.’ This approach is not only limited to Star Wars. Looking at the rich biodiversity of Planet Earth, where creatures come in all shapes and forms, it seems absurd to assume that aliens would have anything in common

People expect aliens to possess human characteristics, but why?

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HUMAN FEATURES MAKE IT EASIER FOR THE AUDIENCE TO ACCEPT AND UNDERSTAND THESE FOREIGN CREATURES THROUGH THEIR FACIAL EXPRESSIONS AND BODILY MOVEMENTS.

with humans. However, researchers and scientists might disagree. The theory of Universal Biology was introduced in The Equations of Life by Charles Cockell, Professor of Astrobiology at the University of Edinburgh. In this theory, Cockell states that the fundamental laws of nature exists throughout the universe, limiting the variations of life into a narrow scope of evolution. This suggests that, although aliens might be living in a completely different solar system with the same physical, biological and chemical laws, these extra-terrestrial creatures would exhibit at least some of the features found in animals on Earth. ¢

The fundamental laws of nature exist throughout the universe, limiting the variations of life into a narrow scope of evolution.

Mind’s Eye | July 2021

Covid Effect The

CAMERON MANNEY suggests that Covid has not only changed the world of work and the world of love, but also the world of words.

he past year and a half has been one miniscule amount of a common virus spread of the worst times in many lives. Loved around a small group of people. The people ones have been lost, mental health would be separated from others for a short has deteriorated and while while the virus died, many are starting to feel and then they would be back extremely restricted. This on their way. However, this is something that nobody word has changed over the alive has experienced before, past year. We have used it to BEFORE IT WAS, ‘I WISH and because of this we are imply mass lockdown and I WAS A BILLIONAIRE’ OR all beginning to have new restrictions rather than the ‘I WISH I COULD FLY’ BUT feelings and start to do new initial use applying only to NOW IT’S A SIMPLE ‘I things. This has inadvertently small groups. WISH I COULD GO TO THE created new words and PUB’. phrases, but also resurrected Finally, we have the word some that were invented years ‘wish’. This one is a little ago after having not been used for years. It’s different as we use it very often in daily changed the language we speak today. life but the wishes of many people have changed drastically over the 12 months that As the past year has come and gone, many have passed us. Before it was ‘I wish I was a things have gone with it – trends, beauty billionaire’ or ‘I wish I could fly’ but now it’s a products, toys etc. but what has come, but simple ‘I wish I could go to the pub’. This shows not gone, is language. Old words have been us that while new words are flying around, resurrected from a long slumber in which there are some which have just completely they were submerged. One example of this changed because of context. is the word ‘furlough’. This word was initially used in the navy in WW2. If costs on the ship In fact, it’s not the language that has changed were rising, the government would ‘furlough’ but the context of the words themselves. some of the staff. After the 1940s this word Something as normal as speaking has was almost completely forgotten, until Covid changed the mentalities and mindsets of brought it back from the dead. everyone in the world, and has shown us that words are far more powerful than we ever Another example is the word ‘quarantine’. could have imagined. ¢ Before Covid, this word was used when a

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Mind’s Eye | July 2021

Live & Let Die EVA SHEN worries that euthanasia will become a popular way out, but for all the wrong reasons.

Mind’s Eye | July 2021

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SUICIDAL BEHAVIOURS WITHIN ONE’S FAMILY, PEER GROUP, OR THROUGH MEDIA REPORTS OF SUICIDE CAN RESULT IN AN INCREASE IN SUICIDE.

uthanasia seems a good choice when you’re facing terminal illness, but it’s not all roses. When patients come to the end of their life, they usually suffer ‘increasingly frequent and longer seizures, severe head and neck pain, and stroke-like symptoms’, according to a stage-four cancer patient. Switzerland, Belgium and several other countries have already legalized euthanasia but there are some serious consequences after euthanasia is equalized. Although the law requires the choice to be completely voluntary, quite a large number of people make irrational choices and are sometimes pressurized to make the choice.

Suicide contagion can also affect patients. This means suicidal behaviours within one’s family, one’s peer group, or through media reports of suicide can result in an increase in suicide and suicidal behaviours. The sociologist David Phillips showed that, after legalizing euthanasia, society would witness a broad spike in suicides. This has been corroborated Insurance companies may force QUITE A LARGE NUMBER recently by the spike in youth suicidality patients to go for euthanasia instead of OF PEOPLE MAKE following the airing of Netflix’s 13 Reasons medication. According to Dr. Callister, IRRATIONAL CHOICES Why. The data from Oregon showed that, insurance companies are choosing profit AND ARE SOMETIMES in November 2014, the number of similarly over protection of life, denying life-saving PRESSURIZED TO MAKE situated individuals in Oregon who ended treatments while pushing clients to opt THE CHOICE. .their lives by lethal ingestion more than for assisted suicide instead. When PAS is doubled. From 1998 to 2013, the number not offered as a choice and coverage for of lethal prescriptions written each year increased at care is denied, the patient is left with no control over an average of 12%. The sad fact is that some people are their medical choices, especially when poor. Palliative doing euthanasia only because they think it is a consensus care and medications are way more expensive than stereotype. euthanasia. If the patients are poor, they have no control over their life in terms of terminal illness. So there is a potential slippery slope. People with nonterminal illnesses have been legally euthanized at Morphine is a common drug used for patients to their own request in countries for nearly 15 years. This decrease pain. The use of morphine can have a number of has included certain eligible patients who have only side-effects on mental health: it can trigger depression, psychiatric disorders. In 2002, Belgium, the Netherlands mental clouding or abnormal thoughts. With mental and Luxembourg removed any distinctions between health problems, patients are unable to make rational terminal and nonterminal conditions, between physical decisions. Researchers at Baylor University Medical suffering and mental suffering, for legally permitting Center believe depression affects up to 77 percent of euthanasia. Between 2008 and 2014, more than 200 people with a terminal illness. psychiatric patients were euthanized by their own request in the Netherlands. Many of these patients had a diagnosis of personality disorder or had refused treatments, and some hadn’t even had an inpatient stay. When asked the primary reason for seeking PAS, 66% cited ‘social isolation and loneliness’. When euthanasia is legalized, people without terminal illnesses will also opt for euthanasia, but only because they are impulsive. This may then allow unfettered access to euthanasia for the public. ¢

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Mind’s Eye | July 2021

The

t a e r G

e d i Div FIONA LI examines how the pandemic has made the poor poorer and the rich richer.

ince the first outbreak of Covid-19 in January 2020, the world has gone through a process of eradication, sending countless vulnerable companies into bankruptcy and discharging innumerable employees from their jobs. Policies, fines and regulations have been implemented with the aim of containing the virus while still promising sufficient economic growth. This has affected each and every one of us, from corporations to corner shops, on vastly different scales. While some suffered unemployment and are relying on governmental benefits, others have experienced billions of profit growth at the same time. The virus has not only been one of the greatest influences to economic instability since the Great 28

Mind’s Eye | July 2021

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Depression, but has also elevated already-existing inequalities.

hospitality and retail which encompass many low-skilled jobs with little pay. In order to further Due to social sustain themselves, distancing measures, businesses have the closure of shops had to furlough or THE VIRUS HAS NOT ONLY and restaurants, and discharge workers, BEEN ONE OF THE GREATEST the shut down of throwing them into INFLUENCES TO ECONOMIC particular sectors in unemployment. While INSTABILITY SINCE THE businesses, many lowthese people struggle GREAT DEPRESSION, BUT HAS paid workers have to make a living, the ALSO ELEVATED ALREADY become unemployed. rich just keep getting EXISTING INEQUALITIES. According to the richer. Jeff Bezos has IFS, ‘most people made more than $70 in the bottom tenth of the earnings Billion during the pandemic, with distribution are in sectors that have lockdown sparking a boost in online been forced to shut down – compared shopping. with only a quarter of the highestearning tenth.’ Those that have been Something interesting to note is hit hardest largely work in industries of that the rich tend to spend lots in

recreational activities which provides a living for the less well off. The fact that lockdown is limiting the amount the rich can spend on these activities means that those workers receive little pay or become unemployed. We often look at relationships between the rich and poor as if they were in opposition, the rich taking advantage of the poor. In this case, though, we realize that the two may also work in a coherent manner, basing off of each other, creating positive results. The availability of healthcare for each individual depends on their income, as well as the allocation of resources in areas where they live. During Covid-19, this inequality has been exacerbated along with the problem of rising income inequality. Unemployment has affected the ability of workers to pay for their medical needs, along with their ability to afford the location of their living. Consequently, those on the lower end of the income scale, or those who live in more deprived areas, will have less access to essential goods during the time of a pandemic, leading to higher mortality rates for the less well off. Social distancing regulations have forced the closure of schools and the switch to remote learning. Some schools have the capability and resources of doing so with little issue, while others have faced lots more trouble. The availability of online education to people also depends on their income levels and access to computers or other electrical devices. Children who have the

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THE AVAILABILITY OF ONLINE EDUCATION TO PEOPLE ALSO DEPENDS ON THEIR INCOME LEVELS AND ACCESS TO COMPUTERS OR OTHER ELECTRICAL DEVICES.

capability of entering in online lessons usually belong to the more well-off families, while those who struggle to enter are amongst the lower end of the income tier. This becomes an issue as education can change one’s career path and affect one’s future. Inequality of education not only accentuates the difference between peers during the present, but taking away that possibility also builds further inequality in the long term. On a worldwide scale, the inequality between countries has also been affected by the pandemic. Wealthier countries have access to advanced medical equipment and often yield more affluent healthcare systems, both of which can stabilise the spread of Covid, protecting the economy. Poorer countries are not as competent, and some will have to borrow from other countries in order to sustain their society. This may cause debts, even collapsing economies. Countries also rely on different factors to contribute to economic growth. Those that are dependent upon just a few, such as tourism or certain exports, may encounter problems when decreases in demand for what they offer will influence their economy notably. ¢

While these people struggle to make a living, the rich just keep getting richer.

Jeff Bezos has made more than $70 billion during the pandemic, with lockdown sparking a boost in online shopping. Mind’s Eye | July 2021

No Morals

Mind’s Eye | July 2021

THEA BLOOM reckons moral definitions of character can never be black and white.

an a human being be evil? And is there such a thing as a good person? Do the values we see in a good person fit in everyday life?

what societies sanction as right and acceptable. But what happens if what society thinks is right isn’t right? A few years ago society thought that women weren’t equal to men but that turned out to be wrong. So, in reality, we think we know what is morally right and wrong but we don’t. We just tend to follow someone else’s view.

First, what does evil mean? Google defines evil as an adjective meaning profoundly immoral and wicked. As a noun: of profound immorality Stealing is morally and wickedness, especially when regarded as wrong but what a supernatural force. I define evil as someone happens if a boy has who does a terrible inhumane thing. So most a poor family and his sister is dying of definitions of evil are relatively the same.

When you search for evil people one person comes up often – Adolf Hitler. We know Adolf Hitler was a German dictator known for his cruelty towards the Jewish community starvation and he steals sending them to concentration camps. A some food? A phrase that is constantly found in big movement he caused made him an evil definitions of evil is ‘morally wrong’. When person but is it okay that one big action can I scavenged the internet to find meanings of evil most of change the status of being a good or even an okay person to them contained those words. But what is morally wrong? As an evil person? Coming from a philosophical point of view humans, we have different views on what is morally wrong. humans look at each other and only see the negative parts Stealing is morally wrong but what happens if a boy has a and announce they aren’t a good person, when we don’t poor family and his sister is dying of starvation and he steals want others to know the bad things we have done in life. some food? Is that morally wrong? On the surface, it isn’t But what happens if a person does something evil but does since he is doing it to save someone’s life. But he is doing so many good things in life that they will weigh it out and something morally wrong, which is stealing. Morals refer to make him a good, evil or okay person? Personally it doesn’t Mind’s Eye | July 2021

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HITLER STARTED HIS MOVEMENT IN ORDER TO SAVE HIS COUNTRY AND GET REVENGE.

A FEW YEARS AGO SOCIETY THOUGHT THAT WOMEN WEREN’T EQUAL TO MEN.

Mind’s Eye | July 2021

matter as they did the action and must receive consequences. Some actions have consequences and humans should now realise it. Hitler started his movement in order to save his country and get revenge because America, Britain and France made the Treaty of Now let’s look at the other side. Is Versailles blaming Germany for World there such a thing as a good person? Now the values of a War One and bringing good person, in my consequences to them. We all have done bad mind, don’t fit into Germany was ripped things in our life, some our daily lives and the apart and left broken. worse than others, and challenges we face. Hitler was doing it for we wouldn’t like it if One value to have his country. Was that a people labelled us with as a good person is bad reason? But what just one word, being being truthful. But he did to the Jews was evil. if a shooter asks you morally wrong and where someone is you terrible. He went out of have a dilemma. Being truthful is one his way and made a plan to murder all of the values of being a good person innocent Jews. but saving someone’s life is more My opinion is that humans can be evil important. As you experience it you but it isn’t right, in my opinion, to label experience the pain, the suffering, the someone with just one word. One word reward, the power etc. We shouldn’t be doesn’t sum up the person and their living in the idea or concept of being actions. We all have done bad things in a good person and respond to the our life, some worse than others, and present moment while being true and we wouldn’t like it if people labelled us honest to ourselves. ¢ with just one word, being evil. And isn’t it wrong to not let a person change and improve themselves, but most can’t as they are labelled with just one word? Evil.

Too

Much

Information NICK CLARKE reckons Covid has taken over enough of the real world already, thank you very much, without taking over the world of TV as well. Mind’s Eye | July 2021

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I THINK TV PRESENTS A SORT OF ESCAPISM, AN ESCAPE FROM THE REAL, DEPRESSING AND BORING WORLD WE FIND OURSELVES IN.

Mind’s Eye | July 2021

ovid 19 has made a monumental change to how we live our daily lives, the likes of which we have not seen since World War Two. Hand sanitizer and face masks are everywhere one looks, and we are unable to go to concerts and sports matches and Zoom has become the new norm for business and education. These changes may be impossible to escape, but I just can’t stand being reminded.

the name of the virus. And it’s not just Grey’s Anatomy. Shameless and South Park also based whole seasons on the pandemic.

So why do we watch TV at all? The simple answer is for entertainment but I believe there is something deeper In lockdown I was watching a lot of TV than that. I think TV presents a sort (like the rest of the world) and often of escapism, an escape from the real, an advertisement from BT entailing depressing and boring world we find a video call with Wiourselves in. To prove Fi issues would be this, we can look at the played. After a while two highest-grossing This desire to escape this started to bother movies of all time: has been amplified by me as I was consistently Avatar, a sci-fi film the pandemic because being reminded that set on a tropical alien the world we live in has my education had gone planet; and Avengers been radically altered. online, and I dealt in Endgame, a film with a video calls and online chemically enhanced assignments. I was looking to TV as an soldier, a god and a genocidal alien. escape, a way to be transported to the Neither of these films are based in way things used to be, a world without reality. This desire to escape has been Covid, yet every 20 minutes I was amplified by the pandemic because brought back to a reality I had learned the world we live in has been radically to despise. altered for the worse so that we are all left wanting to go back to how things I started to look for other examples of were before, and TV can be a way to do Covid 19 invading our television sets. that. When sports returned, the viewers were constantly remined of how amazing it Obviously the advertisements are not was that our favourite sport was able really part of the shows we are watching to continue. I even saw this in fictional and only come in the middle and at programmes. Grey’s Anatomy’s 17th the end, and of course all advertising season was entirely based around how should be relevant to what’s going their hospital coped with the Covid 19 on in the world, but this does make a pandemic, and they didn’t even change case for streaming services with no

advertisements. Within sports it is impossible to shy away from the pandemic because they are live events but with no crowds in the stands. So, if we excuse reality and non-fiction television such as the news, there is still a good case to be made against fictional shows and movies recognising Covid. A strong argument against my escapism point is that there have been many successful TV programmes and movies set in the real world. A good example is The Office, a show originally written to emulate office life. But these shows deal with either the good or the mundane parts of life, never the more depressing realities of the world. So, when we look at Covid we are seeing a part of life that we want to end and escape from, something unlike office or school life. When I was researching for this article, I found a BBC worklife piece that delivers a pretty strong counterargument: ‘People often want to see their experiences reflected in what they’re watching.’ That was from an article by Matthew Grizzard, an assistant professor at The School of Communications at Ohio State University. Drea Letamendi, a successful psychologist based in California, shares the same opinion as Grizzard. So, in this situation I will accept that my opinion may be less valuable than these two highly educated people, me being a 15-year-old who has not studied psychology and has no real intentions of studying it in the future. But I, along with my family, a few of my teachers and some of my friends all feel that we would rather not be reminded of this Covid reality. I’ve alluded to TV advertisements as an issue for me, and I think this brings about a larger point

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THERE IS STILL A GOOD CASE TO BE MADE AGAINST FICTIONAL SHOWS AND MOVIES RECOGNISING COVID.

in the advantages of streaming services. Covid has in many cases accelerated the inevitable. We have seen this with many high street shops going out of business, the implication of technology in schools and workplaces, and wealthy successful businesspeople moving into the country and commuting less often into the cities for work. But perhaps what has been most monumental has been the rise of streaming services. Over the past decade, streaming services such as Netflix, Amazon Prime and Disney Plus have grown to dominate modern media. This has been amplified by the pandemic as the whole world has been stuck at home with nothing to do but watch TV. And it is clear to see why they are so popular. You can watch any show or movie in their catalogue (which is more than big enough) instantly, with no ads or extra costs. And in the pandemic that is all that has mattered. Recently implemented features mean that the next episode plays immediately after the one you just finished, so you don’t even need to press a button. This cuts the wait for the next episode from one week to just five seconds.

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I WAS LOOKING TO TV AS AN ESCAPE, A WAY TO BE TRANSPORTED TO THE WAY THINGS USED TO BE, A WORLD WITHOUT COVID, YET EVERY 20 MINUTES I WAS BROUGHT BACK TO A REALITY.

So, I still do not agree with the very well qualified opinions against me, and I will be moving most of my viewing to Netflix and Amazon Prime. With the exception of sport, in that case I will just turn the volume down and look at my phone when the ads come on. ¢

Mind’s Eye | July 2021

ROSIE RAIKES laments the way right-wing online hate groups hijack the Classics when peddling their bigotry.

he alt-right is a nationalist group that came about in 2015 and has been growing ever since. A corner of the internet is riddled with these predominantly white male supremacists peddling their views and revealing an idealized view of ancient culture that they use to validate their key beliefs.

claiming feminism is radical and distasteful. They see the current social norms and laws as oppressive to men and their goal is to eliminate them.

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With the key views of these groups in mind, we can investigate how they view the classical world. To the white males in In terms of the alt-right, these groups, THEY SEE THEIR OWN BELIEVED they use the idea of ‘western when looking culture’ as an appropriate GENDER POLITICS AND A LARGE back at the way of saying ‘white culture.’ AMOUNT OF THE LITERATURE ancient world, They view ancient Roman CAN BE EASILY TWISTED TO they view these and Greek cultures as THEIR IDEOLOGIES. revered white building blocks for their men as the basis ideologies of ‘western culture.’ They of ‘our’ culture, philosophy, art and use history to glorify their ideas of literature. They believe that as these masculinity and whiteness and build dead white men’s descendants they upon ancient premises. They embody deserve to be in charge and obtain toxic masculinity, with subgroups such power. The most attractive part of as the pick-up artist community (PUA) the classical world to the alt-right is a or Men Going Their Own Way (MGTOW), reflection they see of their own believed whose ideals centre around patriarchal gender politics and a large amount of and regressive views of masculinity. the literature can be easily twisted to These groups focus themselves around their ideologies, with an intense view of attempting to reverse society into a misogyny shown throughout ancient more male-dominated society again, literature.

Mind’s Eye | July 2021

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A CORNER OF THE INTERNET IS RIDDLED WITH THESE PREDOMINANTLY WHITE MALE SUPREMACISTS.

Aristotle is renowned in the world of philosophy but some of his more misogynistic and racist viewpoints lend themselves well to the people in the alt-right communities.

Aristotle is renowned in the world of philosophy but some of his more misogynistic and racist viewpoints lend themselves well to the people in the alt-right communities. His theories Another key part of Classics that the altof natural slavery and the inferiority of right appropriates is stoicism. Stoicism women, which are considered some teaches one to reach self-control and of the most philosophically incorrect fortitude by means of controlling ideas by classicists, is glorified by the one’s emotions and logical thinking. alt-right community, such as an alt- The epitome of stoicism is becoming a right publisher who wrote an article sage, which even stoic teachers might called ‘Feminism comes full circle into not have reached but it is the eventual goal. People of the embracing Aristotle’s alt-right are attracted Natural Slavery.’ The The epitome of stoicism to stoicism because Greek poet Hesiod, is becoming a sage, it provides them with who is said to be one which even stoic of the first Greek poets, teachers might not have a community and its ideals are how shows a view that men reached but it is the to improve oneself. would be better off eventual goal. Quintus Curtis was a without women, seen frequent writer on the in two of his surviving epics: Theogony, which is about how now-shut-down alt-right chat room, the Olympian Gods came to rule the The Return of Kings, which endorses cosmos and Works and Days, which stoicism by writing it ‘attracted the is about peasant life. In Theogony, he best men everywhere it took root’ writes about how Zeus made women and that it ‘still attracts men today for as a punishment for Prometheus giving the masculine resonance and austere humans fire, the woman being Pandora, grandeur of its precepts.’ Through this who discovered ‘the destructive tribe of statement we can perceive his elitism. women’ and that women were created His reference to men alone can be ‘as an evil for mortal men.’ These texts perceived as stoicism being less well give the members of the alt-right their precise view back at them and they ignore the progression that this modern-day society has gone through, with regards to gender politics.

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BY EXAMINING THESE GROUPS AND THE WAYS THEY MISINTERPRET GRAECOROMAN SOCIETY, WE CAN FIGHT BACK AT THEIR REGRESSIVE BELIEFS.

Mind’s Eye | July 2021

suited to women. The key ‘take home point’ for the alt-right community from stoicism is that it advocates that men are naturally more rational and less emotional than women, but this view is somewhat a manipulated view of the ancient stoic texts. Seneca is a good example of a Stoic who believes that both women and men have equal opportunities to be sages. In his work Consolatio ad Mariam he writes, ‘They have vigour and skill at acting justly equal to men, and if they have experience then they endure pain and labour as we all do,’ showing Seneca’s positive viewpoint on female stoicism. Another Stoic, Musonius Rufus, who is said to be the most feminist Stoic, lectures on why both boys and girls should have equal education and says that women have the same desire for virtue as men. However radical this would seem in antiquity, he is still only referring to women’s virtue as being good in the household, so the systematic sexism is still prominently present. Although these texts are somewhat feminist, according to Donna Zuckerberg ‘these texts discussing the possibility of female virtue are fundamentally antifeminist by virtue of being aimed at male audiences.’ I am fascinated by this subject due to my love of Classics and it can relate to the modern era. The issue of systematic misogyny is something that has come to light recently in the media and is still

going issue. By examining these groups and the ways they misinterpret Graeco-Roman society, we can fight back at their regressive beliefs.

This is only a slight touching on the subject that deals with the alt-right and their appropriations of the Classical world and there are many more areas that the altSystematic misogyny is right still use as a mirror to their something that has come own ideals. Donna Zuckerberg to light recently in the media and is still a strong says, ‘But the ties between racism and Classics exist in other places on-going issue. outside the internet. There’s a painful reckoning happening in a strong onClassics as a discipline as we try to confront our own complicity and do the hard work to make the study of Classics truly welcoming to all, not just a discipline where white men see their values reflected back at them.’

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SENECA IS A GOOD EXAMPLE OF A STOIC WHO BELIEVES THAT BOTH WOMEN AND MEN HAVE EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES TO BE SAGES.

The study of Classics can be complicated in a progressed society, but one should study it for the fascination of the ancient world and to learn about the patriarchy and subsequently challenge these ideals. There is a whole world on the internet dedicated to challenging these ideas, such as Pharos and Eidolon, which are online groups dedicated to doing Classics justice and abolishing the appropriation it gets. I would also highly recommend Donna Zuckerberg’s book Not All Dead White Men if you have a further interest in the trolling, racism and misogyny that is proliferated on many of these online hate groups. ¢

Mind’s Eye | July 2021

MEDOMFO OWUSU celebrates the healing power of music.

hroughout history, music has been a platform for ideas. Music is used to challenge existing beliefs and practices. For example, it provides the framework to use melodies to capture the essence of injustices. There are three ways music was used to challenge three forms of injustice linked to PanAfrican and African history - lynching, segregation and colonialism. I will start with the practice of lynching of African-Americans. Despite journalists such as Ida B Wells reporting against lynching in the 1890s, the Jim Crow laws legalised this behaviour during the segregation years. Singer Billie Holliday provoked and inspired the change through song-writing. Her song ‘Strange Fruit’ conveyed this powerfully, with the juxtaposition of the graphic lyrics, the minor tonality, and the eerie emotion of Billie Holliday’s voice. This didn’t sit well with many audiences, and the song was even banned on certain radio stations. But Holiday transcribed her observations into music, opening the doors of lynching and racism to be challenged further.

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HOLIDAY TRANSCRIBED HER OBSERVATIONS INTO MUSIC, OPENING THE DOORS OF LYNCHING AND RACISM TO BE CHALLENGED.

When it comes to segregation in the USA, for the African-American musician it was the battle of survival versus pursuing justice. Choosing to perform in segregated spaces was very problematic amongst black musicians in the early half of the 20th Century. One singer, who was strongly against segregation, was Josephine Baker. She was so insistent that she wouldn’t perform in front of segregated audiences that live entertainment venues in the Las Vegas Valley, Nevada, were integrated. This

seemingly simple act challenged the accepted norm of racial injustice. I am inspired by Baker’s stance to perform in the American South after being a victim of continuous racial discrimination from hotels in the 1950s. And, finally, on the issue of colonialism Western influences were so strong on the African church that anything linked to African heritage, e.g. drums, clothing and dancing, were disapproved of during worship. Composer, teacher and preacher Ephraim Amu from Ghana challenged this viewpoint by uplifting Ghanaian heritage in church and worship as much as possible. His choice of wearing Ghanaian prints instead of European clothes when preaching caused controversy, resulting in him never being ordained. It was this rejection that led him to focus on composing and being recognised as the first African composer of choral music in African languages. For Amu, he believed in the power of representing his Ghanaian heritage in Christianity. So musicians have the platform to protest against societal ideologies through their music. Music is a powerful tool to heal wounds and build bridges. Through music, musicians can invite their audiences to re-evaluate their viewpoints on injustice. ¢

JOSEPHINE BAKER WOULDN’T PERFORM IN FRONT OF SEGREGATED AUDIENCES. Mind’s Eye | July 2021

Mind’s Eye | July 2021

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CHINA IS INTENT ON CULTIVATING A SPECIFIC GLOBAL IMAGE, AND SCRUTINY OR SULLYING OF SAID IMAGE IS SWIFTLY ACTED UPON.

ALEX LAHIRI measures the length and breadth of shadows cast by the relentless expansion of China.

s of the past decade, China has increasingly become a about its actions in the Pacific. Known as The Quad, the group key figure on the world stage for its economic prowess will collaborate on both military and economic interests in the in the manufacturing sector, and more recently for region. For context, Australia faced recent tariffs on barley and its more infamous activities in Xinjiang Province with coal from China over calling for independent investigations the detainment and genocide of Uyghur Muslims, being into the Wuhan COVID-19 outbreak. Minerals are a main recognised this year by the UK government. export for Australia, and while the nation’s The country is frequently flexing its military biggest main mineral exports to China were muscles too, with naval activities in the South unaffected, this displays a clear overreaction China’s economy China Sea and the creation of artificial islands to minor statements on internal Chinese currently is forecast expanding its contested claims in the region, affairs. China is intent on cultivating a specific to overtake the US in much to the ire of neighbouring countries. global image, and scrutiny or sullying of said size within the next China’s economy currently is forecast to image is swiftly acted upon, as shown by few years. overtake the US in size within the next China’s 2019 ban of NBA basketball coverage few years, and this, coupled with its recent due to a team’s manager expressing support military activites, indicates a nearing global threat to Western for Hong Kong protests. The implication of a universal ban interests in not just the Pacific but in other continents, such of the league’s coverage due to the actions of one team’s as Africa, while China expands its influence abroad. manager does display a characteristic overreach by China in addressing and acting against perceived ‘threats’ to its Initially, this may sound like a bold claim to make, but recent image. Hong Kong is another example of a threat to China’s events do corroborate this concept. March of 2021 saw US image due to widespread unrest, while on the other hand President Joe Biden form a multi-national Pacific alliance of being a quintessential example of China’s desire to extend the US, India, Japan and Australia to seek to confront China its influence over the Pacific region through actions such as Mind’s Eye | July 2021

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CHINA’S PLANNED CREATION OF A DAM ON THE BRAHMAPUTRA RIVER WILL ALLOW CHINA CONTROL OVER THE MAJORITY OF NORTHERN INDIA’S WATER SUPPLY.

IN 2019 CHINA BANNED NBA BASKETBALL COVERAGE DUE TO A TEAM’S MANAGER EXPRESSING SUPPORT FOR HONG KONG PROTESTS.

It is not difficult to envision a fostering geopolitical bloc arising to rival The Quad if left unchecked.

HONG KONG MAY 2020: POLICE FIRE TEAR GAS ON ANTI-NATIONAL SECURITY LAW PROTEST IN HONG KONG.

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the National Security Law. Protesters are detained and disappear; prodemocracy advocates suddenly appear in mainland China for trial, and electoral disruption through recent laws quickly erode the freedoms residents of the island had enjoyed in the past. Conflicts with another Quad member, India, display China’s ability to assemble key port areas in and around India and military countermeasures at a speed other areas of the Pacific as a part of that is almost unfathomable. Indo- the ‘String of Pearls’ strategy allows for Chinese conflicts in the Himalayan rapid missile strikes anywhere along region saw China developing multiple the Asian coastline and indeed into airbases, highways and rail links into central India, effectively allowing China to cripple Indian trade, the region, with India seeking to counter Developing countries military installations and infrastructure at any time. by creating rail links. receive targeted The country is playing investment in central Construction in Pakistan, catch-up, with China infrastructure projects Burma and Bangladesh is also underway, and if left having already created to direct countries’ to be completed, could highspeed rail-lines and trade towards the Chinese market. grant China an untold other projects years amount of political and previously, thus being able to rapidly deploy troops for wider militaristic influence in the region, claims to the region. While conflict there securing its claims inside the nine-dash has only been in the form of fistfights line in the Pacific. This allows China rather than actual armed combat, the to more easily claim oil reserves, fish situation could change at any time. stocks and trade routes in the region, This comes with China’s planned and in the context of its artificial island creation of a dam on the Brahmaputra creation in the Pacific China’s military River, allowing China control over the hold over the Asian-Pacific would be majority of Northern India’s water nearly uncontested. supply, further cementing China as holding a large degree of leverage over Outside of Asia, China is growing its India in the future. Given time, China influence through more economic could deploy irrigation methods to methods, particularly its Belt and Road divert the river, crippling agricultural scheme, wherein developing countries interests in Northern India and receive targeted investment in central wreaking havoc on local communities. infrastructure projects to direct Furthermore, Chinese purchases of countries’ trade towards the Chinese

market. Chinese firms are sent in to construct the infrastructure, while China offers loans for construction for these nations to finance the construction. Africa will particularly benefit from the scheme, with projects targeted strategically to maximise the potential for these nations’ economic development, with low-interest loans ensuring China’s sustained profit from currency issues in Zimbabwe and other African these nations’ development well into the future. nations giving cause to these concerns, Western Furthermore, countries with outstanding loans hesitation to provide loans allows China to create will be particularly susceptible to a greater hold in the continent. Chinese influence as the countries seek warmer relations in hopes Chinese influence therefore is Countries with of further infrastructure projects. undoubtedly growing at a worrying outstanding loans China will become rapidly tied to rate, with economic development will be particularly development on the continent as a projects and rapid military susceptible to result of the scheme, and resultantly development creating a substantive Chinese influence. hold a greater influence over the threat to autonomy within the area. Conversely, Western nations Pacific, but also to an extent in will lose sway in the region due to the prevalence developing African nations. China will soon be of more conditional aid structures offered by able to export its brand of leadership through its Western nations, and higher rates of interest future trade ties, while cementing control over due to concerns over economic instability. While its home turf in the Pacific, claiming valuable these concerns are not unfounded, with recent trade fees and primary products for itself solely. With this influence, it is not difficult to envision a fostering geopolitical bloc arising to rival The Quad if left unchecked, and what with China’s displayed ability to rapidly develop strong military and economic leverage over errant nations such as India, Western nations should be concerned. ¢

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PURCHASES OF KEY PORT AREAS IN AND AROUND INDIA AND OTHER AREAS OF THE PACIFIC AS A PART OF THE ‘STRING OF PEARLS’ STRATEGY ALLOWS FOR RAPID MISSILE STRIKES. Mind’s Eye | July 2021

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IZZY KARRAN looks afresh at the ageold problem of a perfect god creating an imperfect world.

must include the desire to do evil, the ability ould God ever allow genocide? This to do evil and the opportunity to do evil. is a question akin to the ones that Without this, free will is merely an illusion. theologians have puzzled over for Plantinga builds upon this by arguing that centuries, ones which concern the a world with free creatures is certainly more relationship between God’s nature and valuable than a world without them. This the existence of evil. The issue stems from is because freedom alone is the thing that Christians’ assertation that God is all-loving, makes any form of delight worth having. all-powerful and all-knowing. Yet if this is the Without freedom there is no achievement case, why is evil so prevalent and pervasive? and no real happiness because we would We experience natural evil through never know otherwise. Moreover, it is pandemics, floods and plane crashes. These important to note that some suffering is evils are brought about by natural forces, valuable to human development, so free over which we have little control, but that will is not the only reason why God would can be immensely destructive. We are be justified in allowing evil. This is because also the victims of moral evil perpetrated some forms of suffering bring about greater by other individuals committing awful goods and these goods are more valuable actions or negligent inaction. The extreme than simple pleasure. Ultimately, Plantinga extent to which people will go to harm and shows that humans cannot oppress each other has been always choose good whilst demonstrated throughout The extreme extent also being morally free. history. If God created to which people humans and the universe, will go to harm This leaves us with two then he is also responsible and oppress each options: we can either be free for the existence of evil. The or encounter no evil. Which is Free Will Defence argues other has been preferable? Wouldn’t most of that preserving free will is demonstrated us say a life of meaning? I’d sufficient reason why God throughout history. argue that a valid response allows evil to exist. This is to the evidential problem of because good has to be freely evil, or the issue of the quality and quantity chosen, and in order to bring about the most of evil present in the world, can also be meaningful goods in life (eg. compassion), incorporated into the FWD. This line of we have to be free to choose the opposite argument originates from Hick, who claims vices. If God controlled or removed evil, that all evils are a matter of degree, so if we then nothing in our lives would have value remove the worst evils like genocide then because we would be robots programmed the second-worst evils will become the to choose only good and we could not worst. Imagine a society where the worst experience anything contrary. Therefore, the evil is gossip. What today is a normal feature FWD leaves humans morally responsible for of conversation would suddenly become evil while God is absolved from any blame. restricted and repressed. Then, the more evil that is removed the less moral freedom The major strength of the FWD is, Mackie humans are left with. This defeats the argues, that free will is worth the price of evil. purpose of allowing evil to exist in the first This is because it teaches us to be morally place. responsible and allows us to love each other. We experience pain and, in our response, It has been said that the existence of natural we can choose to develop qualities such as evil is the biggest challenge to the Free compassion and courage. Genuine free will Mind’s Eye | July 2021

Will Defence, but I would argue that natural evil doesn’t exist, so it cannot be a weakness. Natural occurrences are often the most difficult form of evil for Christians to accept because natural evil cannot usually be blamed on humans. If God is the omnipotent creator, then he is the one to blame. Yet I would claim that nature cannot be ‘evil’. Whilst natural disasters may harm humans, nature is not a moral agent and has no intent to harm, which means it cannot be immoral. If this is the case then natural disasters are akin to accidents, and no justification is expected, or blame involved, in the occurrence of accidents. Then, if God created an imperfect world (which includes moral evil and natural events) as the price of free will, God does not have to be held accountable for so-called ‘natural evil’. This means that there is no flaw that significantly damages the FWD, so long as one agrees with its claims that libertarian free will exists and that free will is worth the price of evil. Therefore, if one agrees with its premises, then I would argue that for many Christians the Free Will Defence is a theodicy that justifies God successfully. Altogether, this means that God would permit genocide, however cruel that may seem. ¢

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What today is a normal feature of conversation would suddenly become restricted and repressed .

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THE MORE EVIL THAT IS REMOVED THE LESS MORAL FREEDOM HUMANS ARE LEFT WITH.

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BARNABY CARTER says that the report of philosophy’s death is an exaggeration, largely because science is a child that needs its parent.

hroughout history, human beings have sought to make sense of things that they have had no explanation for. This meant filling the deep gaps in our knowledge which we have always had, and still do (though considerably smaller than they once were). People have tried to fill the gaps with many lines of thought, such as religion, logic and science. These are things that people rely upon constantly in their day-to-day lives. In 2010, Stephen Hawking proclaimed that philosophy is dead. Scientists, he said, rather than philosophers ‘have become the bearers of the torch of discovery in our quest for knowledge.’ This provoked much debate among philosophers. Yes, things have changed much over the past 200 years, during the Age of Enlightenment (the time period when the world was changed by scientific discoveries 50

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such as Newton’s theories), but both weapons. Nuclear weapons are made philosophy and science have changed through the knowledge provided by with them. Perhaps science, but the way metaphysics, the branch we use them should be of philosophy dedicated guided by philosophy. to understanding the mysteries of nature, In recent times, more PEOPLE HAVE TRIED space and time, is and more so since the TO FILL THE GAPS now less relevant, Age of Enlightenment, WITH MANY LINES OF replaced by science. science has become a THOUGHT, SUCH AS However, many areas of chief authority, and it RELIGION, LOGIC AND philosophy cannot be has answered questions SCIENCE. replaced, for example that we could not ethics, political theory have hoped to answer or aesthetics. As well as this, philosophy through any other method. Most world needs to be applied to scientific leaders now base their country’s actions discoveries if those discoveries are to on science when religion might have be beneficial. For example, genetic once been used. This is a much different modification and the introduction of approach to the general consensus 700 artificial intelligence both need ethics years ago, when the average person to guide their application, as they would seek to understand the world could cause much suffering or unrest through their religion. if they are kept unchecked. The same argument can be applied to nuclear

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Most of the questions asked in philosophy cannot be answered by science. Many of the philosophers of history, such as Descartes, had ideas that are doubtful to today’s society. For example, one of the main problems that Descartes struggled with was the marriage of matter and soul/mind, but since the 19th Century scientists have begun to think that the world is entirely made of energy. As well as this, how can there be a soul in science (though most contemporary philosophers also no longer believe in the concept of a soul)? Does the mind magically generate an entity which supposedly lives on after death? Both philosophy and religion are now less fundamental in global politics, because politicians refer to science to guide their actions. This has been especially true in the time of the COVID with repeated references to ‘following the science’. Science and philosophy are not like two different theories to the answer of a problem; it is not that one is right and the other is wrong. Most of the questions asked in philosophy cannot be answered by science. For example, science cannot answer questions of morality, and philosophy cannot answer exactly where a probe will land after travelling 5,000,000,000 miles through space (as NASA could for the Mercury probe). They are two very different subjects, and so Hawking’s claim that philosophy has been replaced by science cannot be verified.

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IN 2010, STEPHEN HAWKING PROCLAIMED THAT PHILOSOPHY IS DEAD.

Hawking seems to be taking the view that philosophy is dead simply because it is not physics. Science is not the only valid field of research, even if it might be the most important. Along with this, Hawking frequently talks about the philosophy of science (what is science, how should science be applied, what are the boundaries of science and what is a valid scientific theory), and the two subjects intertwine and rely upon each other. For example, utilitarian philosophy believes that the morally right path of action is the one where the greatest number of people are happier, and to minimise suffering. Pain can be measured in a Dol, a unit made possible by science. The discoveries of science should be ethically applied to the world, which is why science needs philosophy.

Genetic modification and the introduction of artificial intelligence both need ethics to guide their application.

In an age when we are increasingly concerned about the ethical applications of our actions, philosophy is just as alive as it has always been. Of course, philosophy has evolved, just like any other academic field. And of course, philosophy from the 1500s might now be irrelevant and dead to today’s society, just as a 16th-Century doctor’s advice might be. Though philosophers may no longer be the leaders of the search for some of society’s solutions, philosophy is a long way away from death’s door. ¢

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Encore Macron? PHILIPPA STROEM assesses the chances of the French President doing it again.

n 2017, Emmanuel Macron, a former banker and former member of the government of Francois Hollande, the least popular French president in history, surprised everyone by winning the French presidential election by defeating his greatest adversary, Marine Le Pen, with 66% of the votes in the second round, with his own political party, no less – La République En Marche, a centrist and liberal party.

A factor that will affect Macron negatively is the ongoing pandemic. France has recorded almost 100,000 deaths and 4.85 million cases since the pandemic began, and the vaccine rollout was slow, revealed when fewer than a hundred people were vaccinated in the first three days and France has only just passed giving out 10 million first doses. France is a very vaccinehesitant country in general. In fact, it is the most anti-vax country in Europe and, according to a survey published by the World Economic Forum, French people were found France ended up with only 25% of to be least likely to voters approving their president’s accept taking the handling of the epidemic. vaccine.

Even though Macron is yet to announce whether he will run next year, attention is already being placed on him and those confirmed to be running, namely Marine le Pen (The National Rally), Xavier Bertrand (Miscellaneous Right), and Jean-Luc Mélenchon (La France Insoumise).

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There is also a lot of doubt over the AstraZeneca vaccine, over which the

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president has produced many doubts. However, the big problem is that France does not have the number of doses to fulfil the requirements to change Macron’s popularity, which can be proven by a recent YouGov survey. France ended up with only 25% of voters approving their president’s handling of the epidemic, putting them second to last. France held out on going into a third lockdown at the beginning of 2021 in the hope of giving the economy a chance to recover. But this failed, and they went into lockdown on March 31st, and it is also rumoured that Macron is secretly fighting with his top scientific advisors. Doctors aren’t happy with him either – hospitals in Paris have to airlift patients to other hospitals and ICU wards are quickly reaching their limit. It is obvious the pandemic has affected him with his approval ratings dropping to the 40s. France is home to Europe’s largest Muslim community and there has been a lot of media attention surrounding the bill that targets said community. Macron’s party is centrist and liberal but has begun shifting towards the right regarding Islam, with new bills aiming to be passed by which hijabs would be banned for minors and mothers going on school trips but also prohibiting patients from choosing

SYLHET, BANGLADESH 4 NOVEMBER 2020: ACTIVISTS DEMONSTRATE AGAINST FRENCH PRESIDENT EMMANUEL MACRON OVER HIS CONTROVERSIAL REMARKS ON ISLAM. a doctor based on gender and/or religion and more. The law (called the ‘separatism law’ by many) will affect the 5.7 million Muslims living in France, and it is intended to reinforce the nation’s republican values (liberty, equality, and fraternity) whilst also cracking down on radical tendencies. There are some very divided opinions on this bill. Some believe the French government could be seen as having a white saviour complex and that Macron saying Islam is a religion experiencing

A PROTESTOR WEARS A MASK DEPICTING FRENCH PRESIDENT EMMANUEL MACRON DURING A DEMONSTRATION PRIOR TO A NATO SUMMIT IN BRUSSELS, BELGIUM ON 13 JUNE 2021. 54

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a crisis across the world was unacceptable because it is the radical people in crisis and not the religion, while others feel that his approach in tackling radicalization was balanced and that they did not feel oppressed at all. An example of the latter is Anissa Khedher, a National Assembly member, who supports the bill, saying many people in France and abroad have tried to vilify and twist this bill and that this law is not against Islam or about Islam. Macron has expressed beliefs that Muslim headscarves did not go in accordance with French ideals and a part of the bill would be to ban hijabs and veils for under-18’s to ‘empower women’ and assumptions that women in headscarves are oppressed but women cannot be empowered if one is taking away their free will and right to choose what to do with their bodies. It is entrenched in the supremacy principle that minority women are repressed and that they need to be saved. However, Christian nuns can still cover their heads with veils and the age of consent for sex is younger than the age for wearing a hijab would be. This will definitely cost him and Marine Le Pen, a known nationalist and unwelcoming to all immigrants.

For Macron to get the votes from the farright he will need to get a lot tougher.

For Macron to get the votes from the far-right he will need to get a lot tougher when it comes to crime and radical Islam as they consider him too soft. One cannot deny that this approach will attract voters from the moderate to the conservative right-wing but for it to appeal to far-right voters there would need to be more outright migrant or Muslim condemning.

The law (called the ‘separatism law’ by many) will affect the 5.7 million Muslims living in France.

The factor that will affect him the most will be the economy. Macron, a former investment banker, has had one of the biggest effects on the French economy. The pandemic, employment rates, and pension plans all play big parts in this. France was hit very heavily by the pandemic; the Bank of France expects a recession of 9% and the public debt has been raised too – from almost 100% of their GDP before the pandemic to over 120%. The French government has already spent 100 billion euros on national recovery plans and 460 billion euros has been paid out in furlough grants. With the addition of the third lockdown costing up to 11 billion euros per month, it is clear that France’s economy has taken a pretty big hit – the deepest blow since the Second World War. Before COVID hit, the unemployment rate was down to 7.8 – almost reaching their 2022 goal of 7%, but has now risen to around 9%.

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FRANCE HELD OUT ON GOING INTO A THIRD LOCKDOWN AT THE BEGINNING OF 2021 IN THE HOPE OF GIVING THE ECONOMY A CHANCE TO RECOVER.

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MACRON, A FORMER INVESTMENT BANKER, HAS HAD ONE OF THE BIGGEST EFFECTS ON THE FRENCH ECONOMY.

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The biggest economic element will be his approach to pensions. Macron has promised to straighten out and regulate 42 separate public and private pension schemes into one strategy. The official retirement age in France is 62 but fluctuates across their complicated system. Ballet dancers can retire at 42 and train drivers at 52 but the president wants to change their current system turmoil. The national rally is an example into a point-based system. He began – broke and in debt. The most likely with one type of reform but, seeing adversary, Marine le Pen, has failed to the protests increase, he changed it. broaden her core support. She has also been described as the The new scheme has French Trump but has been stopped by the The collapse of typical since separated herself pandemic and there conservatives and from him after the have been multiple the implosion of the socialist party in 2017 Capitol invasion. And demonstrations around left the French political she compares herself the country since 2017 landscape in turmoil. to Boris Johnson. Her to protest against these plans now include changes. With the continued unhappiness against this feminism, political unity, protecting change, his opponents could use this the environment and reforming the to their advantage and gain popularity European Union, and she has even even though Marine Le Pen would been called ‘soft’ on radical Islam by Gerald Darmanin (the interior minister). probably attempt to force it through. The softer her image, the more modern The politicians running against him if he she appears. Politics aside, she even does decide to run again will play a key became a licensed cat breeder role. Macron does have an advantage throughout the lockdowns and runs an over them because the opposition Instagram account for her cats. is completely divided. The collapse of typical conservatives and the In January polls, she took the lead over implosion of the socialist party in 2017 Macron by 1 percent (25% compared left the French political landscape in to his 24%) and Xavier Bertrand came a faint third with 16%. Most voters would

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MOST VOTERS WOULD NOT LIKE TO SEE A MACRON-LE PEN REMATCH.

not like to see a Macron-Le Pen rematch, but she seems to have a good number of voters who would vote for her in 2022 but did not in 2021 which would also limit Macron’s chance of getting to the second round. The situation is looking positive for Macron regarding the left – still deeply divided and looking unlikely to rally behind one candidate, which would work in his favour. If the left does produce a candidate who can be deemed worthy of reaching the second round, then Macron will lose a section of his left-wing voters and put him in a position of disadvantage. An election is never predicted a year early and Macron could be the first of the last three presidents to run again and be re-elected. Still, 2017 saw a wild card happening and it could happen for 2022 but (like the former British Prime Minister Harold Wilson once said) a week is a long time in politics, and a year is even longer, and in that time a lot could happen. It could also be the time for another president to be elected but we will not know for sure until after the election. ¢ Mind’s Eye | July 2021

MILES PACKARD warns parents not to expose their children to media violence.

he 20th Century brought about many things – priming, arousal and mimicry. The first stage, priming, the internet, cell phones and countless other is caused by triggers that are seen in violent media, for inventions, but the main online invention was example a gun. These triggers set off reactions in the social media. The first social media site was created in brain like cognition, emotions or behaviour. 1997 and so my generation has grown up surrounded by social media and the changes it has brought about. One However, it has become difficult to avoid these triggers of these changes has been the ability to connect with in everyday life, especially in social media. The second others in ways that were not possible before. Whether process is arousal. This is when watching media causes this is a good thing or not is debatable, but it has also an immediate reaction where you become excited and brought an era of danger which didn’t if you do not use up this emotion it can exist before. Now, we are all taught about cause you to act more severely when internet safety and the online world’s provoked. The final process is mimicry. threats, but the real danger is when we In recent years there has been mounting IN ORDER TO UNDERSTAND evidence that young children mimic their don’t even realise what we are being WHY THIS IS SUCH A exposed to is affecting us. surroundings through observation, so THREAT TO OUR MODERNwhen seeing violent media they tend DAY SOCIETY WE MUST Media violence wasn’t invented by social to mimic it. This causes the long-term FIRST SEE HOW VIOLENCE media; it’s been around a lot longer than effect by which it becomes normalised IN FILMS CAN INFLUENCE that. It first started in the film industry for the child to act violently because they YOUNG PEOPLE. with films like Scarface and it was more have observed it so often and become heavily introduced over time and now desensitised to it. This is one of the main almost every film features some form of violence. As TV threats of social media to young people because it is progressed, it became a part of daily life for developing raising people who are used to seeing violence and so children, absorbing all of this into their growing brains. peace will become the unnatural thing to practise. Although it is dangerous for a child to be watching violent media, it is not the only cause of physical violence. Over the years mounting evidence has been produced Physical violence can be due to many things: where you showing that consuming violent media is dangerous for were brought up, who you were brought up by and children because it has many effects, some beyond our your environment. Also, people are often born with an understanding. However, unless we find a way to limit the aggressive personality. For example, a study found that number of violent media we create and consume, there most adults who commit violent crimes were violent as is no real way of stopping this issue, which is becoming children. And so by increasing children’s exposure to more prevalent by the day. I believe that there is no real violent material on social media we are raising the risk way to change the way our brains develop but it is our of them being violent as adults. In order to understand job as a progressive society to create an environment why this is such a threat to our modern-day society we which can handle the consumption of violent media and must first see how violence in films can influence young adapt to its consequences. Otherwise, we will become people. savages and the foundations of the peace we cherish so greatly will no longer be sturdy enough to support us. So, The effects of violent media can be described in the short I warn future parents to steer clear of the toxic absorbing term and the long term. According to many theorists, of violence which has become so normalised in our day the short-term effects come in three different processes: and age. ¢

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I Predict a

Despite the relative peace in recent decades, says FINN SAWYER, the buried tensions in Northern Ireland are sure to erupt once more.

n the 3rd May this year, Northern Ireland paramilitary group known as the UVF (Ulster celebrated its centenary since the Volunteer Force). Coincidentally £12 million republic was formed in the aftermath of worth of Class B drugs were seized just the Irish War of Independence. The country days before the recent riots, leaving many has undergone decades of violence since sceptical about the true intention of Unionist then, most notably during ‘The Troubles’ rioters. in the late 20th Century, and although the tensions have calmed following the signing Along with the seizure of drugs, there has of The Good Friday Agreement been a massive increase in in 1998, many factors have strength and support for the caused a recent resurgence republican movement in the of violence between Catholiclast decade. While Unionist BREXIT MAY BE THE Republicans and Protestantparamilitary groups still CAUSE OF THESE RIOTS Unionists. fight amongst each other, IF TAKEN AT FACE republican paramilitary VALUE BUT DIGGING In the last couple of months groups have started to unite, A LITTLE DEEPER CAN violence has erupted in with the NIRA (New Irish REVEAL OTHER FACTORS Northern Ireland once again, Republican Army) being INVOLVED. with Unionists taking to the created in 2012 when the streets to show their disdain RIRA (Real Irish Republican for a trade-border set up between Northern Army), RAAD (Republican Action Against Ireland and the mainland UK because of Drugs) and other smaller paramilitary groups Brexit. Brexit may be the cause of these riots merged to create a stronger and unified if taken at face value but digging a little organisation. deeper can reveal other factors involved. In the last nine months millions of pounds’ In the Northern Irish assembly, the DUP worth of drugs have been seized by the (Democratic Unionist Party) has also seen PSNI (Police Service of Northern Ireland) a massive decline in support. In 2011 they with connections to the infamous unionist held 10 seats more than the main republican

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political party in Northern Ireland, known as Sinn Féin. Now, however, they only hold one seat more and with the DUP falling apart due to a leadership crisis following the forced resignation of their leader, Arlene Foster, many people have lost faith in the party, indicating a surge in support for Sinn Féin. It will be interesting to see the results of the next Northern Ireland Assembly vote, happening in May of next year. This year in a poll commissioned by the BBC Northern Ireland Spotlight programme, 49% of people said if a vote were to happen today then they would vote to remain a part of the UK, 43% said they would vote for reunification and the last 8% said they were undecided. 55% of people said that they believe Ireland would be reunited in 10 years. This

55% of people said that they believe Ireland would be reunited in 10 years. shows a massive increase in support for Irish unity in the last decade, with a poll from 2014 showing only 6% of people would vote for unity as soon as possible and 24% saying they would vote for unity in 20 years. Whatever happens in Northern Ireland, the situation will always be a sad one. Regardless of what happens there will always be violence and tensions: if Ireland does not unite then the Republicans will riot; if Ireland does unite then the Unionists will riot. ¢

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VIOLENCE HAS ERUPTED IN NORTHERN IRELAND ONCE AGAIN, WITH UNIONISTS TAKING TO THE STREETS TO SHOW THEIR DISDAIN FOR A TRADE-BORDER. West Belfast, Northern Ireland,UK; February, 1994; Girl running with plate of chips past wall where two IRA Volunteers were killed by British soldiers

Anti-Brexit protest along Whitehall

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Language may be the skill that divides us from other animals, but FUNBI OKENLA suggests it is both a blessing and a curse.

he first time we opened our mouths was 70,000 to 30,000 years ago, and we were, as ever, latecomers to the party. Other animals, such as birds, probably communicated a long time before our existence, using a specialised organ called the syrinx to produce alarm calls and mating calls. Dolphins’ language is more complex, using clicks, whistles and physical contact to deliver a message. But this still does not compare to human language. While a dolphin can warn his group that an orca was sighted this morning on the shore, he cannot convince them to pray to the orca in order to ensure their survival. It is the complexity and depth of our communication that has enabled us to go where no animal has ever gone before.

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Language is why numerous cultures Typically, the more individuals within value social skills over brute force. a social coalition, the more unstable If nature is ruled by it becomes. Yet survival of the fittest, humanity completely humanity is ruled by defies this rule. China success of the orator. has a population of WOMEN IN GREEK MYTHS Undeniably, the 1.3 billion that is only WERE DEPICTED IN A LESS monarchs, emperors expected to increase. THAN SAVOURY MANNER. and rulers of history Such a large number TAKE, FOR EXAMPLE, were made successful by of human beings PANDORA, THE FIRST WOMAN their military prowess. coexisting and united WHO SINGLEHANDEDLY But it is rhetoric and the would have been UNLEASHED ALL THE WORLD’S ability to inspire loyalty unimaginable to our EVIL. in others that laid their Palaeolithic ancestors hands on ever-expanding territories. A who lived in groups of 150. Any larger lion can create loyalty through violence than that and conflict would be but he cannot inspire millions of other inevitable. lions to give their lives for him in the name of ideology. And because of Ask a patriot of China why China exists, this inability to organise movement and they are likely to tell you the tale on a mass scale, there is a limit to the of their ancestors who founded it, as numbers he can have in his ranks. well as the intelligence and capability

Other animals, such as birds, probably communicated a long time before our existence. of Chinese people throughout the ages. But this explanation will overlook one crucial factor – the means through which they are communicating this to you: language. And before this interaction, it was likely the use of rhetoric by a leader that instilled this message in them. And so, through the use of rhetoric a leader can inspire over a billion people to believe in the myth of a country, and that its stability is worth maintaining. It is not just leaders who do it, but corporations too, who spend millions of dollars per year hiring business psychologists to advise them on the best way to inspire purchases. The tale of individualism is perhaps one of the most important beliefs the Western world holds. Companies can’t help but appeal to the ego in marketing campaigns. Nike tells us to ‘just do it.’ Burger King tells you to ‘have it your way.’ It is hard to imagine they would be successful in winning our pockets without the cult of individualism. When we place the individual as the highest and most important being in the universe, it is easy to excuse the exploitation of children in sweatshops in distant lands for a pair of trainers, or the suffering of countless animals for a lipstick. After all, claims L’Oréal, ‘You’re worth it.’

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WHILE A DOLPHIN CAN WARN HIS GROUP THAT AN ORCA WAS SIGHTED THIS MORNING ON THE SHORE, HE CANNOT CONVINCE THEM TO PRAY TO THE ORCA IN ORDER TO ENSURE THEIR SURVIVAL.

Again and again language is used not only to justify but to oppress. Women in Greek myths were depicted in a less than savoury manner. Take, for example, Pandora, the first woman who singlehandedly unleashed all the world’s evil. When taking this story as fact, it is not hard to see why Pericles stated that ‘a woman’s reputation is highest when men say little about her, whether it be good or evil.’ In practice, it explains why their right to personhood, choice and education were withheld, a state of existence that modern believers of the individual could not possibly withstand.

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SUCH A LARGE NUMBER OF HUMAN BEINGS COEXISTING AND UNITED WOULD HAVE BEEN UNIMAGINABLE TO OUR PALAEOLITHIC ANCESTORS.

Stereotypes are another type of myth. Even after the end of the Atlantic slave trade, the beliefs that justified it continued to be perpetuated. Black people were simultaneously labelled as

Companies can’t help but appeal to the ego in marketing campaigns. Mind’s Eye | July 2021

lazy, despite having worked hour upon hour on plantations. Due to this stereotype, a black person was less likely to be hired, even when in competition with an equally competent white candidate. This meant they were more likely to earn less and perhaps be unable to afford adequate schooling for their children and since those children are more likely to be less educated than their white peers it’s not impossible they will end up in the same situation as their father did. Thus a generational curse is passed down, and the stereotype is reinforced. It is language that allowed and continues to allow us to perpetuate such cognitive dissonance, and as well justify gaining from oppressive systems. Black people were simultaneously labelled as lazy, despite having worked hour upon hour on plantations.

It is language that allowed and continues to allow us to perpetuate such cognitive dissonance. Language in all its forms is what has propelled the human race to heights no other organism could conceptualise. Through the inspiration of collective beliefs, humans across history have been motivated to fight, innovate and teach, as well as ostracise and excuse. With the development of social media an increasing proportion of the human race has the means to project any and all of their ideas to others. Whatever the consequences of this mode of widespread communication may be, it is guaranteed they will be more historic than can be put into words. ¢

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AGAIN AND AGAIN LANGUAGE IS USED NOT ONLY TO JUSTIFY BUT TO OPPRESS.

Mind’s Eye | July 2021

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LANGUAGE IN ALL ITS FORMS IS WHAT HAS PROPELLED THE HUMAN RACE TO HEIGHTS NO OTHER ORGANISM COULD CONCEPTUALISE.

Mind’s Eye | July 2021

THE

Mind’s Eye | July 2021

SOPHIE BLOOM assesses the vices and virtues of juggling with the building blocks of Nature.

ver the last 50 years, scientists have discovered the hopes of something working to a much more sophisticated many benefits of being able to alter the genetic code. (and accurate) way of deactivating individual genes or even However, the question posed now is: how much further changing specific nucleotide bases. can we go with human evolution if we could apply these radical ideas in the real world? Although the technology is These new improvements to the field all came about due not at this stage yet (and it probably won’t to the discovery of the CRISPR-Cas9 system be for the next couple of hundred years, at in the bacteria E. coli. Although there are least), the theories are sound and raise a lot of multiple different methods that have been Could we reach a point where all major ethical and moral concerns. Could we reach refined in order to mediate genome editing, I genetic diseases a point where all major genetic diseases are will mainly be focussing on the use of CRISPR, are completely completely eradicated? How soon will the as it is the most recent, the least expensive eradicated? average consumer move towards using this and most accurate. technology for vanity purposes? What will happen to the human gene pool because of During the 2010s, in the lab of scientists this? Could it be irreversibly altered to create a superhuman Jennifer Doudna and Emmanuelle Charpentier, a groundrace? breaking discovery was made that allowed humans to begin altering genes on a much larger scale and with much more Put simply, genome editing is just the name given to the accuracy than ever before. Scientists already knew about branch of science that looks at ways to alter an organism’s the existence of the CRISPR-Cas9 system because it was genetic code. Technology to aid with this has been around discovered in 1987 during a study of the bacteria E. coli. It is for over half a century, but only recently has it taken the an immune response hidden in the bacteria’s genetic code leap from a mindless bombardment of radiation in the that has revolutionised the scientific field. Mind’s Eye | July 2021

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THE IMPLICATIONS OF SUCH A HUGE DISCOVERY STRETCH FAR INTO THE IMAGINATION.

Scientists already knew about the existence of the CRISPR-Cas9 system because it was discovered in 1987 during a study of the bacteria E. coli.

Mind’s Eye | July 2021

CRISPR is short for Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats. It essentially describes a system present in the DNA of bacteria to prevent recurring attacks from bacteriophages. To try and understand the complexity of this system, I find it easiest to analyse the name for it: ‘short palindromic repeats’ refers to small sections (usually around an invasion in order to capture the 20-40 bases long) of DNA arranged in incoming bacteriophage DNA (that a repeating palindromic pattern (i.e. wants to hijack and insert itself into the read the same forwards and backwards organism’s genetic code) and destroy e.g. race car). ‘Clustered regularly it. Before this, however, it copies and interspaced’ refers to stores the foreign DNA these sections being within the spacer DNA Our knowledge of arranged at regular sections of the CRISPR the genome and intervals. Scientists later system, thereby new discoveries into discovered that the having easy access to how it can be altered spaces between these it in the instance of have been increasing sections contained a an attack by the same exponentially and will non-repeating section or a similar group of continue to reach new of DNA that did not bacteriophages. If horizons. seem to match at all another attack occurs, the CRISPR sections; they named a copy of the spacer DNA is made as it ‘spacer DNA’. It was found that crRNA (CRISPR RNA) which binds to the spacer DNA matched that of different Cas9 protein, forming a complex. [There bacteriophages so that the organism is another RNA copy called tracrRNA could effectively identify and prevent which forms a tracrRNA-crRNA chimera another attack. and holds the crRNA in place within the protein. Altogether this is referred That was quite a lot of big sciency to as the sgRNA (single guide RNA) words to get through… Fortunately, and provides the information for the for the avid biologists reading there’s location of the required DNA.] This more to this intriguing system. Now Cas9 complex identifies the section of that we have somewhat understood bacteriophage DNA that corresponds what CRISPR is and its role in immune to the crRNA and uses its two nuclease response, it’s time to take a look at domains to make a double strand cut Cas9. Cas stands for CRISPR associated of the gene, thus deactivating it. The genes which is code for Cas proteins; bacteriophage has failed in hijacking the most common one used for the host organism and replicating genome editing is Cas9. These proteins itself – the bacteria is now safe to live are transcribed and translated during another day.

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Doudna and Charpentier, as well as a team of other talented scientists, were the first to make the first successful modification of the CRISPR-Cas9 system found in E. coli and use it to alter a chosen section of DNA by inserting a modified RNA strand into the Cas9 protein and letting it carry out the function it was made for. The implications of such a huge discovery stretch far into the imagination of what the future for humanity could look like.

THE INTRODUCTION OF GMO CROPS FROM 1988 REVOLUTIONISED THE WORLD OF AGRICULTURE.

Now that we have all of the biological technicalities out of the way describing the structure and function of the CRISPR-Cas9 system, it’s time to look at the history of genome editing as well as the aspirations. Although CRISPR is a new technology, genome editing has been around for quite a long time. Following the discovery of DNA and genetics, the field progressed rapidly. In 1981, Thomas Wagner and his team genetically engineered the first-ever transgenic animal (gene of a rabbit inserted into a mouse). In 1982, scientists were able to artificially synthesise insulin, saving millions of animals previously used to harvest hormones and diabetics that needed regular doses of affordable insulin. PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) was developed in 1983 and the first human recombinant vaccine for Hepatitis B was put on the market in 1986 and paved the way for the discovery of countless more vaccines that we use today. As you can see, the medical benefits of genome editing are immense. Additionally, the introduction of GMO crops from 1988 revolutionised the world of agriculture. Corn was modified to contain the gene of a bacteria that made it resistant to the tobacco mosaic virus, increasing crop yield massively. Our knowledge of the genome and new discoveries into how it can be altered have been increasing exponentially and will continue to reach new horizons we can only imagine. Advancements in human trials are in their foetal stages, with the controversial He baby scandal causing uproar. These new doors open

a series of ethical and moral arguments on the importance and dangers of genetic modification, especially if put into the wrong hands. What was once considered science fiction has recently become the new normal for us living in the 21st Century. We have all collective knowledge available to us at the touch of a button on a handheld device, we have successfully put a man on the moon and continue to explore the cosmos further. We have cures for diseases that used to wipe out millions, vehicles that can run on electric power alone, the ability to communicate with someone half a world away in a fraction of a second and so much more. Less than a century ago all of these things would have been considered impossible and the stuff of fiction. So, is it really so farfetched to begin imagining the

possibilities that progress in genetic modification could bring for the future of humankind? There have already been some studies into the treatment of HIV by using CRISPR-Cas9 technology to cut out HIV DNA from human cells in 2015. Although it has not yet provided a cure for the disease, it opens the possibility of one day eradicating HIV completely; and if it is possible for HIV, it may also one day be possible for countless other diseases linked to genes, such as herpes and even cancer. According to a study conducted by Cancer Research UK in 2015, 1 out of every 2 people in the UK will be diagnosed with cancer at some point in their lifetime, with 60% of all cases being in those aged over 65. Imagining a world totally cancer-free is impossible with today’s technology, but CRISPR could make it all a reality Mind’s Eye | July 2021

one day. Furthermore, over 3000 inherited diseases ranging from fatal to extremely uncomfortable are caused by a mutation in just one nucleotide base in the genome – refining the technique of identifying and modifying their genome could change everything for the people suffering. We could solve the ever-increasing global obesity crisis by modifying our digestive systems to better cope with a diet high in saturated fat and sugar. Moreover, scientists are beginning to explore the possibility of curing ageing. The cumulative mutations that occur in DNA due to increasing replications and the breaking down of the DNA that codes for proteins to fix these mutations is largely believed to be the main cause of ageing. If we can isolate these mutations and ‘fix’ them using genome editing tools, we could potentially prevent people from growing old. Perhaps some further research into certain animals that don’t appear to age (e.g. giant tortoises, Greenland sharks) could also provide an answer to this question. Humans could potentially evolve to live for hundreds or even thousands of years thanks to genetic modification. I could keep writing about the endless beneficial possibilities genetic modification may lead to in the future, but I think the pattern is clear through the examples I’ve given. Medically, the

WHO SHOULD DECIDE WHO AND WHAT GETS MODIFIED? IS IT ETHICALLY WRONG TO PRESELECT AN ENTIRE HUMAN RACE?

advantages would be unimaginably huge, and it would change the human gene pool forever.

wrong to preselect an entire human race? Will we still be able to consider ourselves ‘human’?

Despite the potential positive outcomes from genome editing technology, there is also a nasty side. What would happen should the tech fall into the wrong hands? Who should decide who and what gets modified? Is it ethically

We already have the ability to do prenatal tests on embryos to see if there are any medical defects, and the mothers are given the choice to abort the baby after these results. Every day two babies are aborted because they

RESEARCH INTO CERTAIN ANIMALS THAT DON’T APPEAR TO AGE (E.G. GIANT TORTOISES, GREENLAND SHARKS) COULD PROVIDE FURTHER ANSWERS. 72

Mind’s Eye | July 2021

Humans will quickly make the jump from modifying the genome solely for medical purposes to using it for vanity.

have Down’s Syndrome, according to statistics given by lifecharity.org. This is the beginning of the preselection of the human race, one that no longer has certain conditions that used to be introduced into the gene pool by chance. There are already numerous ethical arguments against the law that allows this. How many more would there be if almost every genetic disease could be identified from birth? This also introduces the idea of a society that ostracises those not genetically modified with a ‘superior’ race of humans leading the world. Humans will quickly make the jump from modifying the genome solely for medical purposes to using it for vanity once the tech is able to do so. For all of human existence we have been battling over racial issues; who’s to say this clear divide intellectually and physically won’t lead to a similar, maybe even more extreme segregation? Even more terrifying than this is the thought that totalitarian regimes such as North Korea could get their hands on this tech and produce armies of ‘super-soldiers’ quickly and efficiently. Imagine if Hitler really did have the ability to create an entire Aryan race! For now, this is merely science fiction – like the clones in Star Wars mass-produced to create an army of dispensable soldiers from the DNA of an ‘ideal’ soldier – but fiction does have an uncanny ability to creep into our daily lives.

Through this article we have gone on a journey, beginning with exactly what genome editing is and how it works through the discovery and improvements to CRISPRCas9 systems originally found in bacteria. We saw the benefits that genome editing has already given to the medical community and hypothesised on the potential advantages it could have on future generations, and we ended on the harsh reality that humans (as they often tend to do) could end up using this technology to promote an unjust and dangerous society. My intentions for describing all the negative effects that genome editing could introduce into our society was not to scare any aspiring biologists who might want to further explore this field, but to open up the crucial conversation that needs to be had over the potential downsides of development in genome-editing technology. Only by talking and theorising can we, as the future generation of scientists, make sure we regulate this field effectively and take necessary measures to ensure the safety of the population. Science is supposed to excite and inspire all, but it is also vital to take precautions when exploring new frontiers. ¢

WE ALREADY HAVE THE ABILITY TO DO PRENATAL TESTS ON EMBRYOS TO SEE IF THERE ARE ANY MEDICAL DEFECTS. Mind’s Eye | July 2021

VERA LOIKA claims that science is just our latest attempt to give the world some meaning but, like religion, which failed to deliver, it’s just another myth.

Mind’s Eye | July 2021

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HOW DO WE KNOW THIS MODEL WE ALL FOLLOW ISN’T A HUGELY DISTORTED OR JUST SIMPLY WRONG VERSION OF THE WORLD IT’S INVENTED TO EXPLAIN?

cience is fascinating because it allows the real world to boarder with at times fictional theory. But what if it’s just another very elaborate myth, a lie, a model we sheepishly believe while not really bothering about understanding the proof behind it? And, if so, why do we agree to believe it? Today science has become a new religion – the ultimate answer to our confusing world. But how do we know this model we all follow isn’t a hugely distorted or just simply wrong version of the world it’s invented to explain? How do we know Newton’s Principia is more reliable than the Bible or the Quran?

Finding this line, where the two extremes, things people assume are universal and simple and, on the other hand, more complicated theories that on paper could be easily mistaken for science-fiction, meet and, despite coming across as very distant at first, are in reality very closely intertwined with each other, Although it is often thought the opposite HOW DO WE KNOW might bring you to questioning your of the humanities, science appears to be NEWTON’S PRINCIPIA IS scientific beliefs. The concept of states of not that remote from commonly believed MORE RELIABLE THAN matter seems pretty simple at first: we useless philosophy. Reading about some THE BIBLE OR THE all know there are solids, liquids, gases hypotheses, proven or not, you can QURAN? and maybe plasma, right? Well, quarkalmost classify science as an exceptionally gluon plasma, superfluids, Bose-Einstein imaginative art. Take, for example, the condensates, fermionic condensates and photonic matter world ice doctrine. It argues that ice is the fundamental are here to prove this wrong. And, of course, that’s not the building block of the universe, with icy celestial bodies full list. and icy ether that permeates everything. This bizarre cosmological model originated from the dream of an The same astonishment might be triggered when you Austrian engineer. At that time this was an alternative discover that something you have learnt at school and model to the theory of relativity and, as Albert Einstein assumed true without questioning is practically disproven wasn’t well regarded by the Nazis for his Jewish origins, by a theory that looks at the same process a bit more inAdolf Hitler himself was a notable proponent of the depth, starting with the myth about milk making your world ice doctrine. bones stronger and finishing with how black holes are neither black nor invisible but, in fact, are glowing.

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A peculiar thing about science is, though, that the perspective from which it is taught to us is as it were terminal truth. This certainty is based on repeatability and reproducibility of a scientific experiment, the qualities which, although they provide strong evidence, aren’t exactly proof. You can never be sure that the experiment

THE SAME ASTONISHMENT MIGHT BE TRIGGERED WHEN YOU DISCOVER THAT SOMETHING YOU HAVE LEARNT AT SCHOOL AND ASSUMED TRUE WITHOUT QUESTIONING IS PRACTICALLY DISPROVEN.

Mind’s Eye | July 2021

resulted in a specific way only for the reason that supports your argument no matter how many times the experiment is carried out, how many independent variables are changed and how many controlled. Another vantage point from which experiments are evaluated is maths – also pure theory, even though it is sometimes argued to be otherwise, as in the famous question about whether maths was invented or discovered. If it is thought critically about (critical evaluation – something that is always taught to us in science lessons but ironically is never encouraged to be applied to the material learned in class), things we all as humanity accept are actually not certain at all, these universal truths are constantly changing and evolving. If we compared science 300 years ago to what we know now, we would see a drastic change, perhaps even laugh at something that people thought was correct then, but what we have now come to believe is false and ridiculous to fall for. Take, for example, the fact that mercury was being widely used in medicine. It became popular in the 15th Century as an antidote to syphilis, and mercury ointments continued to be used for almost five more centuries. A thousand years ago religion had the same revered status science has now: in the eyes of its followers it had a colossal

IF WE COMPARED SCIENCE 300 YEARS AGO TO WHAT WE KNOW NOW, WE WOULD SEE A DRASTIC CHANGE. level of trust and immunity to any type of criticism. Taking into account the accelerating rate of our development we will probably experience another scientific reformation in a yet shorter period of time. Therefore, nothing should be treated as irrefutable, since even now our knowledge is far from absolute and our theories are thoroughly imperfect. There are surprisingly few proven facts in science. Instead the discussion is led about how much evidence there is for certain

theories. Even the thing from the school curriculum every person knows, Earth having a layered structure, is based solely on the measurements of the speed of waves as they travel through the ground and is not considered proven. Sometimes scientists face errors that can make one doubt the results of an experiment, or errors that undermine all the previously existing concepts: for instance, the well-known, mysterious

MERCURY BECAME POPULAR IN THE 15TH CENTURY AS AN ANTIDOTE TO SYPHILIS, AND MERCURY OINTMENTS CONTINUED TO BE USED FOR ALMOST FIVE MORE CENTURIES. 76

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SCIENCE IS STILL ONLY ONE OF COUNTLESS WAYS IN WHICH HUMANITY HAS TRIED TO FIND A GREATER MEANING OF LIFE.

and inexplicable by classical mechanics double-slit experiment, the result of which alters depending on the presence of an observer and has in it the heart of quantum mechanics. If looked at from this standpoint, science is still only one of countless ways in which humanity has tried to find a greater meaning of life or a laconic explanation of it. People have always been in need of a sense of purpose. And a search for a universal answer to life, a unified theory that could describe everything happening, seems excellent to fulfil this need. The evolution of technology and thought gives us a false feeling of progress, a reassurance of having a future. It is fair to claim that this improvement is make-believe as, for example, ancient Greeks had a civilisation not much different from ours and they existed millennia ago. History is cyclical and so, in practice, no major advancement is possible. This sense of progress, however, is essential for us all as a species, because it gives us the motivation to carry on. In all this, science has a key role as the deceptive tool that allows for creation of this imaginary awareness of growth. This is why science has become such a popular belief, a belief sometimes more dogmatic than religion. ¢

Sometimes scientists face errors that can make one doubt the results of an experiment.

The evolution of technology and thought gives us a false feeling of progress, a reassurance of having a future. Mind’s Eye | July 2021

A Poor

Show

SAMANTHA YEUNG laments the way some fashion giants think they can get away with racism.

Over the last couple of centuries, the NA’, clearly mocking the ‘chinglish’ accent. As world has been plagued by epidemics the enforcers of the law, the role of police of both diseases and diseased thoughts. forces is to set a good example for people In recent years – months, even – racism to follow. What example are they setting has claimed the public spotlight more and here? That it’s perfectly alright to dismiss the more consistently, revealing the festering actions of a murderer? When an institution wounds that underscore society but, like any such as the police force is being represented pandemic, are hidden until it is too late. Most by inherently racist people, it shows the significantly, the Black Lives Matter (BLM) world that this behaviour is condoned. The movement in 2020 forced the issue of racism institution of law enforcement was designed back into the limelight following incessant to protect its people but rifled with racism and institutionalised racism since the and starting to be represented by racist formation of The Americas. Alongside this in people it continues to fail its purpose when recent weeks and resulting directly from the nearly 40% of the US population are people most outrageous presidents of colour. This is just one in US history, Asian Americans of many examples where The institution of law have seen a worldwide spike prejudiced establishments enforcement was in racist attacks, both physical designed to protect its repeatedly allow their and cultural. A pandemic members to get away with people but rifled with within a pandemic, racism these things. racism and starting and racially motivated attacks to be represented on Asians have been on the One might think that fashion by racist people it rise. Subjected to violence, brands, who enjoy one of continues to fail. racial slurs, discrimination, the highest percentages of and a whole host of other Asian consumers, would be terrible things, AAPI (Asian Americans and excluded from the numerous culprits of Pacific Islanders) communities have been these atrocities. But alas they are not. Dolce suffering. Racism has been rearing its ugly & Gabbana, one of the biggest household head since the beginning of time, and in names in the fashion industry, gracing the light of recent events, it seems as though it is streets of Fifth Avenue and the Champsstill very much around. Élysées alike, committed one of the biggest faux pas as an international brand. Back Most recently, in the 2021 Atlanta Spa in 2018, Dolce & Gabbana released an ad shootings, out of the eight people killed at campaign that provoked public outrage the three spas and massage parlours, six in China when promoting The Great Show, were Asian women. Following the nowtheir upcoming runway show in Shanghai. famous ‘having a bad day’ fiasco whereby an Sources say the intention of the campaign official spokesperson dismissed the obvious was to bridge Italian and Chinese culture; race attack, the internet played its usual role this is of course, backfired. The campaign and found the spokesman’s Facebook posts in question? Three short clips released on endorsing shirts that dubbed the Novel the Chinese streaming platform Weibo Coronavirus an ‘IMPORTED VIRUS FROM CHYfeatured Asian Model Zuo Ye (who claims 78

Mind’s Eye | July 2021

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IN THE 2021 ATLANTA SPA SHOOTINGS, OUT OF THE EIGHT PEOPLE KILLED AT THE THREE SPAS AND MASSAGE PARLOURS, SIX WERE ASIAN WOMEN.

Mind’s Eye | July 2021

the campaign ‘nearly ruined’ her career as a model) attempting to eat pizza, cannoli, and spaghetti using chopsticks. The clips included a voiceover that instructed the model how to use ‘these small stick-like things to eat our great pizza margherita’, deliberately mocking the Chinese pronunciation of Dolce & Gabbana. He continued to ask, ‘Is it too big for you?’ when the woman was presented with a particularly large cannoli using a condescending tone which, despite being overtly sexual, plays on the idea that chopsticks are notoriously difficult for westerners in particular to use. As well as this, model Zuo Ye released a statement following the disastrous campaign detailing her account of the ad shooting where ‘the director told her to show first shock and disbelief, then roll her eyes, and eventually delight and satisfaction at the presumed tastiness of said Italian dishes.’ Despite the fact this happened in 2018, it has become recently relevant due to Diet Prada, an Instagram account dedicated to being a fashion watchdog, revealing that Dolce & Gabbana filed a lawsuit holding the account responsible for ‘their lost revenue and other harm to [the brand] and co-founder Stefano Gabbana after [they] criticized their 2018 advertising campaign on Weibo for its stereotypical and sexist depiction of a Chinese woman, and revealed anti-Asian remarks originating from Gabbana’s Instagram account.’ So, let’s recap what exactly happened to Dolce & Gabbana following this disastrous campaign: although D&G took down the campaign, the Weibo hashtag #DGTheGreatShowCancelled was viewed 870 million times; sales in China went down by 98%, which had a tremendous impact on the company, 30% of whose $1.3 billion in earnings came from the Asia-Pacific region; the show itself was cancelled and protests were sparked at the brand’s flagship location in Milan, with many demanding refunds; not only this, but D&G products were pulled from China’s e-commerce giants, Alibaba and JD.com, and from Hong Kong’s retailer Lane Crawford. 80

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INSTAGRAM ACCOUNTS SUCH AS DIET PRADA AND ESTÉE LAUNDRY HAVE BEEN FORCED INTO FRUITION IN AN ATTEMPT TO POLICE AND HOLD THE FASHION INDUSTRY ACCOUNTABLE.

This might seem disproportionate, but it is one of the few times a company this large has been penalised for its problematic behaviour. It is problematic because a company such as D&G is expected to conduct itself and its campaigns in a certain way and should not be running campaigns that are racist and insensitive to other cultures. It begs the question how did a company like this not see how their campaign was as bad as it was? And whose responsibility, if anyone’s, was it to monitor this project? According to this writer’s research, a selection of companies employ external marketing firms while some

may do their marketing internally, and others may adopt a hybrid method of both internal and external marketing, but this is entirely designer-dependent. These firms are designed to vet the campaign and weed out anything vaguely problematic, including cultural and racial insensitivity. However, it has been proved time and time again that the only vetting they do is in terms of the marketability of the campaign, which allows problematic features to pass through undetected. Filling the role as the racism watchdog, Instagram accounts such as Diet Prada and Estée Laundry have been forced into fruition in an attempt to police and hold the fashion industry accountable,

It begs the question how did a company like this not see how their campaign was as bad as it was? which seems laughable but is unfortunately necessary. It seems as though fashion brands think themselves big and bad enough that they are above the idea of racism, and that the power of their name is greater than any consequences they can face. We could give them the benefit of the doubt and assume that certain things do not get noticed during the planning stage of the campaign, but at the same time they could simply be intentionally overlooking it and only focusing on the profits it would garner. Either way, the fact that these campaigns exist and persist is inexcusable. They need to be held accountable, and it is downright ridiculous that they are not. The racism bell needs to be rung. Moving forwards, diversity has to be the priority at every level, from the designers to the boardroom, but it is not the only solution. It prompts the question why must we rely on diversity hires to navigate the racial waters when the actual solution is to simply not be culturally insensitive and not appropriate other cultures? Without voices at the figurative table

saying no, it is easy to see how ideas end up being shot for campaigns. As a Chinese person on the receiving end of these campaigns it feels wrong for me to watch them. It leads me to believe I am being mocked, and that a part of me, my culture, is being mocked too. Not only is it insulting to me and my culture but the campaign takes a part of my identity and twists it into something I don’t recognise. It also spreads racial stereotypes – something that we need to put a stop to. Beginning from diversity within intern programmes, future leaders in not only the fashion industry need to be fostered and mentored from the base level. And when creative agencies hire marketing firms to shoot campaigns, it is important to select diverse agencies, allowing ideas to be considered from all angles. Although it is upsetting to see that this is an issue that has not been resolved so far, it has to be, and hopefully within the near future. ¢

Not only is it insulting to me and my culture but the campaign takes a part of my identity and twists it into something I don’t recognise.

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THE ACTUAL SOLUTION IS TO SIMPLY NOT BE CULTURALLY INSENSITIVE AND NOT APPROPRIATE OTHER CULTURES.

Mind’s Eye | July 2021

Ladies

Please!

Mind’s Eye | July 2021

GRACE CHESTER condemns a widespread plot to slag off feminists as manhaters.

eminism is a belief in the social, political that were rife in the 1920s are still prevalent. and economic equality of the sexes. Feminism is associated with hating men, a This seems uncontroversial and yet in lack of femininity, bra-burning, being ugly, Britain less than one in five young women opinionated, obnoxious, angry, complaining, referred to themselves as feminists in 2019; and lesbianism. It is hardly surprising that there is still a gender pay gap with eight young women do not want to say they are out of ten women in the UK feminists if people equate working for an employer that this to a raging man-hater; it pays men more; in Europe, is not the best way to make working women still spend friends! THE NEED TO DEBUNK an average of 15 hours a week EGATIVE ASSUMPTIONS more on unpaid domestic Often when someone says THAT COME WITH SIMPLY labour than men; only 34% something ‘feminist’ they feel CALLING YOURSELF A of parliamentary seats are the need to caveat it with FEMINIST REFLECTS held by women; two-thirds assurances that they do not THE KIND OF RESPONSE of girls have experienced hate men. Women worry that MANY FEMINISTS FEAR unwanted sexual attention in calling themselves feminists PROVOKING. public; and women are being will mean they are seen disproportionately affected as unattractive to men or by the pandemic, because women are overhumourless. In Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s represented in insecure, hourly employment influential TED talk ‘We Should All Be and in sectors which have suffered the Feminists’ she half-jokes that she used to call most, such as hospitality, leisure, retail and herself a ‘happy African feminist who does tourism, which means more women than not hate men and who likes lip-gloss and men have lost their jobs or been furloughed. who wears high heels for herself not for men’. It’s obvious feminism is still necessary today Although this was light-hearted, the need to in the UK. So why do so few people identify debunk all these negative assumptions that as feminists? Why are people scared of come with simply calling yourself a feminist feminists? And why has feminism been reflects the kind of response many feminists demonised to such a great extent? fear provoking.

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One of the reasons why many young people do not call themselves feminists is to do with misconceptions about feminism. In 2015, 19% of respondents to a YouGov poll thought the term feminist was an insult. Even today, many of the stereotypes about feminists

A lack of clarity over the definition of the word ‘feminist’ also contributes to its unpopularity. One in ten teenage boys say they don’t know what ‘feminist’ means, and 16% believe it means putting greater importance on the rights of women than on

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those of men. Feminism’s bad image has come from years of politicians, social commentators and journalists portraying the radical elements of the feminist movement as representative of the mainstream, which helps explain why for some ‘feminist’ is interchangeable with ‘feminazi’. This would suggest that much of the alienation with feminism could be solved if everyone knew its definition and these misconceptions were not so widespread. Affinity with the term feminism can also depend heavily on race and class. From its origins the feminist movement has alienated many potential feminists because of their race or social class. Nearly a third of people from the top social grade ABC1 referred to themselves as a feminist in a 2018 poll, whereas one in five people from grades C2DE were feminists. This does not necessarily mean that people in lower income households are less likely to support equal rights, but that they are more likely to object to the word itself, with eight out of ten people from both groups in agreement that ‘men and women should be equal in every way’ in a 2015 poll. Recently, there has been greater support for the term ‘intersectional feminism’. In 1989 Kimberlé Crenshaw coined the term ‘intersectionality’

FEMINISM’S BAD IMAGE HAS COME FROM YEARS OF POLITICIANS, SOCIAL COMMENTATORS AND JOURNALISTS PORTRAYING THE RADICAL ELEMENTS OF THE FEMINIST MOVEMENT. to describe how varying systems of oppression are linked and overlap to create different experiences for people who face oppression in multiple ways. This highlights that for many the feminist movement equates to white feminism; they feel it is not truly inclusive, which shows that for some people their objection to feminism is to

the white feminism that has dominated the movement rather than the concept of feminism itself. For women of colour their oppression could not be seen as exclusively due to racism or sexism because the two are not mutually exclusive and they are affected by both. Chimamanda Ngozi

EVEN TODAY, MANY OF THE STEREOTYPES ABOUT FEMINISTS THAT WERE RIFE IN THE 1920S ARE STILL PREVALENT. 84

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CHIMAMANDA NGOZI ADICHIE SPOKE ABOUT HOW WHEN SHE SAID SHE WAS A FEMINIST IT LED PEOPLE TO BELIEVE THAT SHE HAD ‘BEEN CORRUPTED BY WESTERN BOOKS’.

Adichie spoke about how when she said she was a feminist it led people to believe that she had ‘been corrupted by Western books’, and that it was ‘un-African’. Mainstream feminism often ignores black women’s issues. For example, black women are five times more likely to die in childbirth in the UK than white women and in 2018 there were only 25 black British female professors in UK universities. Whilst all women face gender discrimination, our experiences of this are not equal. Black women are held to a much higher standard; for example, Beyoncé has faced a lot of criticism in the past from white women for not being a feminist because of the way she dresses or because they believe her lyrics contain anti-police rhetoric. This is an example of white feminists being unsupportive of Beyoncé the moment that she protests against an issue that affects black women (police brutality), rather than all women. Yet Beyoncé employs the greatest number of women of any artist and she celebrates her sexuality in the same way that is celebrated in many other celebrities as empowering. This does not mean that the issue is with the terminology but with

people’s mindsets and the prioritising of white women in the movement. If your feminism does not include all women then you are not a feminist. Why does it matter? One of the most frustrating things that women say when it comes to feminism is, ‘I am not a feminist, but I believe in equality.’ Aside from being a contradiction (feminism is the belief in the equality of the sexes), to me this phrase says, ‘I want to distance myself from women who are outspokenly fighting for equality, and will be under attack as a result, but I still want to enjoy the benefits of their actions.’ It manages to somehow divide women despite having a common goal. The disillusionment with the word ‘feminist’ matters because it shows that a section of the media has succeeded in perpetuating ageold misconceptions about feminism. Popular public opinion has been shaped by the media demonising feminism as a movement

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BEYONCÉ HAS FACED A LOT OF CRITICISM IN THE PAST FROM WHITE WOMEN FOR NOT BEING A FEMINIST.

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One in ten teenage boys say they don’t know what ‘feminist’ means, and 16% believe it means putting greater importance on the rights of women than on those of men.

of radicals who do not want equality but seek power over men. To give in now is to accept defeat at the hands of sexists who have worked tirelessly to redefine feminism negatively. To rebrand as equalists would just be yet another example of women having to accommodate men by making sure that men do not feel threatened by a woman who wants equality.

the purpose of feminism. The most important thing is that you are fighting for equality and women’s rights regardless of what you call it, and as long as you do not bring down women who do call themselves feminists, or suggest that the feminist movement should be renamed, then that is fine.

Feminism is named as such because it aims to give back women the rights Feminism does not and opportunities suggest that women To quote Chimamanda that they have been deserve greater Ngozi Adichie again: denied for so long. It privilege than men, just “Feminism is, of course, does not suggest that that they are generally part of human rights in women deserve greater the underprivileged general – but to choose privilege than men, just gender. to use the vague that they are generally expression ‘human the underprivileged gender. In the same way we say ‘black rights’ is to deny the specific and lives matter’ not ‘all lives matter’, we particular problem of gender. It would use ‘feminism’ rather than ‘equalism’ be a way of pretending that it was not not because any group of people women who have, for centuries, been deserve more privileges than others excluded. It would be a way of denying but because they don’t have them yet. that the problem of gender targets Changing the name of the movement women. That the problem was not suggests that there is something wrong about being human, but specifically about being a female human. For with it and there is not. centuries, the world divided human To change the name means no longer beings into two groups and then celebrating the history of feminism. proceeded to exclude and oppress one The negative image of feminism also group. It is only fair that the solution to matters because it stops people from the problem should acknowledge that.” fighting for equality for fear of being labelled a feminist. Ultimately, debate There is power in reclaiming the word over the name is a distraction from ‘feminist’. ¢ 86

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IF YOUR FEMINISM DOES NOT INCLUDE ALL WOMEN THEN YOU ARE NOT A FEMINIST.

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Mercies 88

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CARMEN WU suggests Portia’s triumph in The Merchant of Venice is a pyrrhic victory that opens the floodgates to sophistry-laden injustice.

Portia, from the Merchant of Venice. Alexandre Cabanel, 19th Century.

here are few plays that have higher Antonio, as the hero of the tale, has a relatively renown than the Shakespearian good reputation with Shakespearian readers comedy The Merchant of Venice, written but there exists another side to this allin the 1590s, where the most incisive wisdom righteous, all-benevolent protagonist. While is displayed along with the most memorable Shylock is condemned for usury, Antonio is trial in the Venetian pivot of trade. Readers yet more to blame for being narrow-minded often recognise this play by the admirable and disrespectful. Did he not, at the first bravery and intelligence of Lady Portia encounter with Shylock, call him a ‘cutthroat of Belmont, and her sagacious judgment dog’ and spat upon his Jewish gaberdine? against the antagonist Shylock. And yet Did he not give Shylock an insult to his in the crevices of blinding victory, there dignity, whereas Shylock merely sought his are flaws to the common physical pain? Is vilification perception of this piece so and obloquy no better than Antonio, as the hero of devastating that the final cutting a pound of flesh the tale, has a relatively resolution would simply turn out of the body? At the very good reputation with invalid. end, Antonio demands that Shakespearian readers Shylock is to convert into but there exists another side to this allThe play is set in the streets a Christian – does that not of Venice, the centre of righteous, all-benevolent give him the double blow protagonist. merchants and enterprises of material and spiritual as early as the Ninth Century. attack? Shylock merely took a Despite it being among the freest and most measure of vengeance to retrieve his dignity. powerful cities of Europe at the time, the And was that not justifiable? Venetians still share a significant disdain towards the alien minority of the Jews. The And yet Antonio was foolish enough to seek common stereotype for Jews were usurers refuge from his arch-enemy, merely for his – people who lend money at exorbitant friend Bassanio to woo a rich lady. Where interest rates. It was this tradition that there were countless other people (even gave them their notorious reputation for other Jews) to borrow from, Antonio chose being cunning, insidious and sly. Antonio, a Shylock, who was probably going to seize merchant who makes money through hard this chance of vengeance. In short, Antonio work, despises Shylock for earning out of deserves to pay for his rashness. exploitation. Moreover, even if Shylock should be However, the Jews did not voluntarily choose condemned for proposing such a malicious this path of high-interest lending. With deal, he made his intention and hatred their difference of religion and nationality, obvious. Whatever spiteful thought he was Jews were shunned, forced to live in back conjuring, he made it clear to all in broad street alleys, not allowed their own stable daylight. This is very much identical to the property, and were not allowed to work Code Duello of 1777. Despite using swords with Christians. Under the double attack of or pistols to resolve conflict is apparently religion and secularism, the Jews enter the atrocious, duelling has its own intrinsic field of usury to earn a living. Moreover, there etiquette; though it may be simpler to stab is no specified Venetian law that prohibits your enemy in the back, being willing to usurious loans, and the only identical laws settle a dispute in the open has an admirable apply only within Christianity. This leaves spirit to it. Same goes for the Dollars Trilogy, Antonio no reason to condemn Shylock for where each shooter must simultaneously his means of living. draw to decide the winner. These examples Mind’s Eye | July 2021

of duelling etiquette all show a spirit of commitment and frankness; this also applies to Shylock’s scenario. Shylock made his proposition clear and did not conspire in the dark, but Antonio, having agreed to the bond in full consent, backpedaled and broke his vow upon being demanded to fulfil his promise. The greatest flaw of all lies within Portia’s fallacy. Portia disguises herself as a man, impersonates a Doctor of Law, and abuses power to execute the final order of a court without having the right, and yet she condemns a man who never violated any law. And as for the final creed she proposed, the fact that Shylock ‘attempted to seek the life of a citizen’ was evidently inaccurate. It was a matter of total chance: Shylock couldn’t guarantee that Antonio’s ships would go missing, and there is a great chance that Shylock wouldn’t have his way. The ships could have come back unscathed and the deal would have ended perfectly. If Shylock was really as insidious as we expect him to be, he could have simply killed Antonio unobtrusively. Portia famously tells Shylock to ‘Take thou thy pound of flesh; but in cutting it, if thou dost shed one drop of Christian blood, thy lands and goods are by the laws of Venice confiscate unto the state of Venice.’ Whilst many people celebrate

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IN THE EXECUTION OF THE BOND THE POUND OF FLESH MUST ALSO CONTAIN BLOOD.

Image: William Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice directed by Michael Radford, Sony Pictures / AF archive / Alamy Stock Photo.

her divine wisdom in this, her judgment was evidently erroneous. In the bond, the ‘pound of flesh’ was intended to be flesh with blood, only this concept was a hidden premise. Just because the bond doesn’t specify a premise doesn’t mean it didn’t exist. The bond must be interpreted within the range of stereotypical conception in a normal context. It is common knowledge that

all flesh must contain blood, so in the execution of the bond the pound of flesh must also contain blood. Imagine if I were trading a canoe with you. We agreed that you may have my canoe for $400, but I propose that you can take my canoe without taking a single piece of wood, for the presence of wood was not stated in the bond. We

Image: William Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice directed by Michael Radford, Sony Pictures / AF archive / Alamy Stock Photo.

ANTONIO, HAVING AGREED TO THE BOND IN FULL CONSENT, BACKPEDALED AND BROKE HIS VOW. 90

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Social groups may despise one another; but in front of the law, all are meant to be equal.

naturally assume that canoes must have wood, so this proposition would be flawed. Supposing that Portia’s theory was correct, then countless other theories would simply collapse. To bite on every word literally, like Portia does, would be sophistry, not proper debate. Is it ever right for sophistry to win over valid indenture and law? Ironically, it does. The root of these flaws originates back to the same concept of anti-Semitism. It was demonstrated throughout the play, forming the stereotype of all Christians being good and all Jews being bad. But this was not always the case. Shylock’s daughter Jessica elopes with the Christian Lorenzo, but leads a luxurious and dissipated life, exchanging her father’s turquoise ring – the gift from his deceased wife – for an exotic pet; and yet Antonio asks Shylock to bequeath half of his property to them only because they are Christian. The strongest moment reflecting the persecution and bias towards Jews should lie in Shylock’s famous speech, ‘Hath not a Jew eyes?’ As well as being a memorable moment and an epic declaration, this speech is, indirectly, a desperate fight for equality and open-mindedness.

Image: William Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice directed by Michael Radford, Sony Pictures / AF archive / Alamy Stock Photo.

All conflicts, not only in this play, can eventually be traced back to the dispute in religion, culture and value. Due to having these differences, social groups may despise one another; but in front of the law, all are meant to be equal. As we can infer from this play, when the law is under confinements of parochial prejudice, scenes of injustice would unceasingly take place. To settle a fundamental dispute as this one would require a universal set of laws based on equality, beyond religion, race and nationality, which should be applied to this chaotic world in order for our species to live side by side in peace. For it is only in achieving harmony in diversity that all earthly conflicts can be dissolved. ¢

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ALL CONFLICTS, NOT ONLY IN THIS PLAY, CAN EVENTUALLY BE TRACED BACK TO THE DISPUTE IN RELIGION, CULTURE AND VALUE.

“Is that the law?” Drawn and etched by Robert Dudley. From The Illustrated Library Shakespeare, published London 1890.

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With the prospect of rising sea levels drowning coastlines, JACK PELLING explores the radical concept of floating cities.

ea levels will rise by a minimum of twenty six inches by the end of the century owing to climate change. To say this is a problem is a understatement, and we have a responsibility to solve and adapt to this rising crisis. More than two billion people live in coastal areas and are exposed to being affected by rising sea levels; that’s close to forty percent of our population now. But there has been a concept solution to overcome the problem: living on the ocean.

things were ‘not quite feasible from an engineering perspective.’ Despite this the company still continued with its mission, and in 2017 the President of Seasteading, Joe Quirk, cofounded with Blue Frontier a startup involving the French Polynesian minister of tourism, Marc Collins, and an agreement was signed that year with the government of French Polynesia to develop a floating city, described by Quirk as a ‘start-up colony’ near the island. But the agreement did not survive and in 2018 the French Polynesian Government The origins of water living reneged on the deal and let Obliteration offers have been formed under its MOU with Seasteading and a blank slate for various cultures around Blue Frontier expire due to the world that have lived ambitious new building criticism from local residents. projects such as The on water for centuries. The But at this point Chen was Barbican. Uros people in Peru live on no longer playing an active reed islands woven together part in the organisation and the Bajau people, often and following the blow to called Sea Nomads in Southeast Asia, still Blue Frontier Chen left the company that live on house boats. The prospect of living November of 2018 to found Oceanix, giving on water captured the imagination of floating cities a new perspective. In a 2019 renowned entrepreneur Peter Thiel, along meeting with the United Nations, Chen, with Patri Friedman and Marc Collins Chen, accompanied by a team of specialists, who formalised plans to develop large-scale including zero-waste experts, proposed cities and communities sustainably to aid their idea of what floating cities should those at risk of rising sea levels whilst not encompass, and their plan has been damaging the local environment. discussed and is now in its development. In 2008 Patri Friedman, a libertarian theorist, founded a company called Seasteading Institute, a non-profit dedicated to creating autonomous floating cities, funded with $1.7 million from Peter Thiel. From here the Seasteading Institute started making plans for a colony off the coast of French Polynesia. Later, in 2011, Peter Thiel resigned from the board of Seasteading institute because

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There are many standards a large city has to reach, especially on water, and Oceanix’s model characterises the latest designs and developments of such cities’ structure and how it would function. The Oceanix city was designed by the renowned Danish architect Bjarke Ingels along with dozens of experts from other institutions like the UN and MIT. According to Ingels, residents on the floating

IJburg, Amsterdam

cities will use 100 percent renewable energy, eat only plant-based foods and produce zero waste. Another of his most important aims is that housing and renting costs on these floating structures are affordable for all, not just for those who can afford it. Although most cities struggle to accomplish even a handful of these goals, Ingels and Collins are confident that they can be achieved even in this new challenging oceanic environment. The plan involved 4.5-acre hexagonal floating islands with each building initially being able to accommodate up to 300 people. These islands will be the base foundation upon which settlements and cities will be built. One village will be formed by combining six of these islands via an

Oceanix’s concept states that each of these islands will operate an essential service such as healthcare and education

THE UROS PEOPLE IN PERU LIVE ON REED ISLANDS WOVEN TOGETHER. Bokod lake, Hungary

open port, holding 1,650 people. This village can then be added to many more to build up a city of around 10,000 people. Oceanix’s concept states that each of these islands will operate an essential service such as healthcare and education in order to make the settlements function. Chen claimed that marine life would not be threatened or damaged, and one of the aims of this project is heavily dedicated

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THE FUTURE OF FLOATING IS UNIQUELY INTRIGUING BECAUSE IT PROVIDES A BLANK SLATE TO BUILD UP FROM.

Lan HaBay, Vietnam

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THE ORIGINS OF WATER LIVING HAVE BEEN FORMED UNDER VARIOUS CULTURES AROUND THE WORLD THAT HAVE LIVED ON WATER FOR CENTURIES.

Malacca Straits Mosque on the manmade Malacca Island, Malaysia

It may sound counterintuitive but floating architecture provides many big advantages.

Nassauhaven port, Rotterdam

to changing our ways with nature in order to support it, not impair it. Chen went on to evaluate further claims from Ingels that these floating islands are designed to be self-sustainable with energy, food and water production and ideally they would also be efficient with repurposing their own waste and fuelling all operations with energy floating cities, the approach Oceanix produced by themselves in a closed has proposed is to adapt to what the loop system. Structurally each platform countries want as opposed to saying we would like to build a will be anchored to floating infrastructure the ocean floor using because we have this biorock, a material Floating cities can aid reasoning, hoping that harder than concrete ecosystems by allowing that can be grown using them to be grown under the countries will give us permission. This minerals found in the with food and shelter. increases the chances ocean, which could make of implementation. the anchor more secure Though not all ocean over time. These anchors may also serve as seeds to rejuvenate city developing companies use the same model as Oceanix, they are all aquatic ecosystems under the cities. very similar and work together to Other designs for the cities show promote this new frontier. them acting as multi-use services and places, like having a marine reef on the Another complicated factor that is anchors below attracting tourists and being addressed is how Law and Politics bringing income and this leads on to will be involved in the running of these each platform being designed for the cities. Overall some agreements with community’s needs. An example of this floating cities will give them their own that Ingels mentioned is that barriers specialised governing framework, could be built to reduce the impact of so effectively some settlements and waves whist taking their kinetic energy settlers will be able to have their and using it to create electricity from own governing models outside the absorption panels, barriers that also act jurisdiction of any nation, but this is as a defence against waves and storms dependent on the country, the location in areas with rough weather. In order and their desires for existing nations to to achieve the plan of introducing follow. There are many uncertainties Mind’s Eye | July 2021

Image: www.oceanix.org

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COLLINS AND INGELS ARE OPENING UP THE CONCEPT OF FLOATING COLONIES, IN ORDER TO PROVOKE AN ADVANCEMENT OF SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT.

Image: www.oceanix.org

about how these places will be run and developed but their governance will mainly be built up from the existing order and geography of the oceans and countries. In December 1982 the UN established a competence for the oceans, though it only applies to United Nation countries, but it still acts as the main structure of how our seas are organised today. In the context of floating cities there are a few possible options for how law and order will affect them in different waters. The UNCLOS agreement enforced multiple areas or layers of sea bands around countries with regulations on how they are controlled. Out to 44 km from a country’s coastline sit three of those sections, being Territorial waters, Archipelagic waters and finally a Contiguous zone 22km out. Generally in these areas moving vessels and other small structures are allowed to move around freely but the resident country in that area has more control over these waters and can set laws to a certain extent, but the agreement did state that each country would have less control over waters as they got further out in stages up to the edge of the Contiguous zone, so effectively, from prediction, in these waters a floating city would have to have a special accord with the resident country if it was a nongovernmental set-up colony. Further out from these waters sits the EEZs or Exclusive Economic Zones followed by the natural continental shelf line. These

areas are basically international waters and have no real laws for settlements so at the moment the UN has not stated that any floating settlements will have to abide by enforced governing, meaning they could be independent. Many advantages and new options do come with the prospect of floating cities. It may sound counter-intuitive

but floating architecture provides many big advantages. First, and most obvious, it creates land that allows cities and people not only to expand but adapt to the crisis of climate change and rising sea levels. The creation of land is predicted to be cheaper than land reclamation, which displaces water to create more space whilst in the process possibly damaging ecosystems that lie on the coast since it usually means sand is dumped on the sea bed, killing organisms below. In contrast, and adding to a second advantage, floating cities can aid ecosystems by allowing them to be grown under with food and shelter, the biorock helping organisms to establish communities and live. Paired with this, these floating cities are mobile and can adapt to changing conditions if necessary. Their ability to be mobile in sections allows for easy management along with adaptation, so they can move if a natural disaster is predicted and won’t be heavily affected with no base and living on a fluid able to absorb shocks. That is just one example of many scenarios where a floating city has an advantage over a land-established city.

Much of the technology required to make it possible needs to either be invented or adapted to fit the need of ocean living. Though the design and technology of ocean living may be vague and in its infancy, the future of floating is uniquely intriguing because it provides a blank slate to build up from and part of the main focuses to involve in these cities includes adapting to our sea levels and changing our relationship with nature, which is essential, along with developing on the basis of UN sustainable development Goal 11, making cities inclusive, safe, resilient, affordable and most importantly sustainable. If done right and managed well this new frontier has the ability to have a major positive impact on the development of humanity towards a sustainable and innovative future. ¢ Image: www.oceanix.org

On the other hand, at the moment feasibility is a problem and it hinders its implementation. Much of the technology required to make it possible needs to either be invented or adapted to fit the need of ocean living, and in the present day most of the infrastructure and technology is in its infancy, such as passive desalination and high-efficiency wave-power generators. So Collins and Ingels are initially casting the floating city as a kind of incubator for the sustainable technologies of the future, and that’s the main reason they are opening up and sharing the concept of floating colonies, in order to provoke an advancement of sustainable development. Political hurdles also stand in the way, as included above, though it is not too clear how other colonies and cities will be run. Oceanix has planned to moor their constructions about a mile off the coasts of major cities under the control of existing governance. The communities in water would be treated as a new borough or separate city. Most of the political and governance questions have been avoided at this stage, but as Victor Kisob, deputy executive of UN Habitat, noted, they are of critical importance to the project’s success.

Image: www.oceanix.org

Anchors may also serve as seeds to rejuvenate aquatic ecosystems under the cities.

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The floating village of Uros on Lake Titicaca, Peru

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