33 minute read
REGULARS
CUTTING DOWN SCREEN TIME I have had generalised anxiety since I was seven years old. As a teenager, I developed depression. As a result, my brain constantly pops off with new and nonexistent concerns. At the Grapeshot’s resident health guru, Eleanor Taylor, battles her social media addiction by cutting down her screen time and discussing the results.CHALLENGE same time, I battle to find any motivation to deal with actual issues. Because of this, whenever I try to sleep, it feels as though my brain goes into overdrive. I can’t stop thinking about everything. It’s like I wander through my brain, searching every inch of it for things to keep me awake. So far, the biggest thing that’s helped me with sleeping has been exercising almost every day. If I’m not working out, I’m walking the dog or doing anything to keep myself active. Although working out has been a game-changer for me, I was still struggling with sleep at night, often staying up for hours after I went to bed. Then, I spoke to my psychologist, who suggested that I reconsider my technology habits, especially in the evening. I immediately brushed this off because I am sick of hearing people treat social media like the critical driver behind anxiety, even if it comes from an expert’s perspective (in hindsight, I wonder if because I was addicted to my phone, I was more defensive about big tech and the entertainment value it provided). Despite my attempt to shrug her tech concerns off, I found myself becoming more aware of my habits. For starters, I spent nine hours a day on my phone. Five of those hours were on Tiktok. Next, I realised that the first and last thing I did every day when I woke up and went to bed was check my phone. As soon as I woke up, I rolled over and went through all my messages and socials. My default activity seemed to be looking at memes. This concerned me because I have always seen myself as someone who values efficiency and practicality.
Next, I fell down an internet rabbit hole about technology, and I discovered through the Addiction Centre’s page on “Social Media Addiction” that social media addiction is, in fact, a real thing. The website described it as “obsessive” and “compulsive” use of social media, which I thought was interesting, seeing as I also have OCD and clearly had a strict routine (even though I hadn’t realised it) where I was checking my phone to start and end my day. The definition they provided for social media addiction is “being overly concerned about social media, driven by an uncontrollable urge to log on to or use social media, and devoting so much time and effort to social media that it impairs other important life areas”. My phone was definitely impairing other parts of my life, and I always felt this urge to log on whenever my hands were free. I realised at this point I had developed a pretty severe issue and the sense that I should probably do something about it.
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I also thought the explanation of what happens in our brains when we use apps like Tiktok was fascinating and terrifying. Essentially, apps like Facebook, Instagram and Tiktok are dopamine-inducing environments that produce constant neural activity similar to gambling or drug use. This continuous content stream causes the brain to trigger a reaction similar to taking cocaine. They also compare it to injecting dopamine straight into your body. When we engage in addictive activities, our brain produces lots of dopamine, making us happy. We learn to associate the activity with that happiness. It’s difficult to see the long term impacts of heavy social media use because it is a relatively recent phenomenon. But I am boldly assuming that being addicted to social media use is harmful in the long run.
Now, I had to make a plan of attack. Using my phone’s digital well-being controls, I opted to set app timers for all my social media; one hour for each social app. After that point, my phone locked them. Despite the Samsung app timers, you can just go into settings and disable them if you want to keep browsing. I was both determined to stick with this and lazy, so I found that I could not be bothered to mess with settings. My screen time was now down to around five hours a day, still a lot but a significant improvement on my previous nine hours. This was really difficult to keep doing. I realised just how often I felt like I needed to be on social media and how I would habitually go to it whenever I needed some form of stimulation. But I stuck it out and, after a week, made another big cut. I set my timers to 45 minutes per app, giving me three hours of entertainment.
It was at this point that I actually decided to stop checking Instagram. I quit cold turkey for about a month, and I also uninstalled TikTok. I could not look at them without going overtime, and I was almost ashamed at how little control I had over my phone. It’s weird to consider how despite inventing phones for our own convenience, I was now relying on mine like some sort of weird iPad addicted toddler. The following month sucked, and I kept reinstalling and uninstalling apps because the urge to look at my for-you pages was constant. Gradually, it got more manageable, and I just forgot about Instagram. My best friend also started sending me links to the TikToks she felt I absolutely needed to see (what are friends for?).
The most significant instant benefit I saw from this was that I had so much more time than I knew what to do with. I was able to extend my gym sessions and focus on other hobbies like
painting and reading. Reading was something I meant to do but never did because I felt like I couldn’t find time for it. Winding down for bed now, I was sitting with my kindle and tea and reading until I went to sleep. I also decided to put my phone on a charger upstairs; I have a smartwatch I use as an alarm clock and figured that I would go longer without it if I had to get out of bed to check my phone. I had cut my total screen time to two hours a day through these strategies. It was a massive improvement for me, as I was now waiting at least 40 minutes before I checked my phone in the morning, and I was not using it anymore after 9:00pm at the latest.
During my second month, I noticed that mindfulness, a practice heralded by therapists everywhere as the cure to all forms of mental illness, much to the chagrin of their clients, was much easier to achieve. I felt this level of awareness comparable to when I run. My attention is just on my body, breathing, and the environment around me. I went outside and sat on my balcony for half an hour in the sun one day, and I did not do anything out there. I was just able to sit in peace and focus on the sensations. This was a more gradual and subtle shift that took a while for me to notice. But it was the most unexpected part of limiting social media for me. With my newfound ability to tap into mindfulness, I found myself becoming less anxious, and when I was stressed, I felt more control over my emotions; I became less snappy and irritable, and when I got upset, I was able to process it and move on way faster than before. This has been the most significant benefit of this challenge; I can now sit and just be with myself without any distractions and feel less tension throughout the day.
Lastly, we need to address my original issue, being sleep deprived and cranky. I have taken sleep medications my entire life and still had problems. I can now say hands down that changing how I deal with technology has been the most significant contributor to my improved sleep. I sleep like a log; I now get into bed and just pass out. It’s wonderful. You don’t have to quit social media and become a hermit to discover tranquillity. You just need to stop using your phone within two hours of going to sleep.
Unfortunately, progress isn’t linear, and in life, we go through phases in all areas as our well being continually fluctuates. Although I have yet to return to nine hour screen time, I go through periods where I spend too much time on my social media apps and have to delete them again because I struggle to incorporate my phone into a healthy lifestyle. For the most part though, I mainly just use my phone for crosswords now.
DISCLAIMER: I don’t think social media is evil (I hate big tech though) and I am not shaming anyone who finds it entertaining or genuinely positive. For me, social media doesn’t contribute to my life or make me happy enough to justify the negative impacts. I personally acknowledge that my propensity for mental illness is probably a huge part of why I struggle to maintain control over my tech habits.
I don’t know the key to enlightenment or fulfilment, but I think not losing track of what’s going on around you is an integral part of it. If you struggle with sleep, overthinking, or just want to be present in your own life, I would highly recommend investigating your phone habits and reconsidering them. That’s all from me. I will now attempt to use my newfound spare time to learn how to paint like a renaissance master because this seems realistic.
Want to learn more? Visit: https://www.addictioncenter.com/drugs/social-media-addiction/
By Eleanor Taylor
ILLUSTRATED
When transitioning from high school into university, it’s easy to feel lonely, confused and a little homesick for the comforts of a five-day school week.
As you trek through the throng of strangers on Wally’s Walk, it’s inevitable you’ll wonder “Where the hell am I?” It’s a given that seeing unfamiliar people from different walks of life makes one feel isolated and small. Especially as a brand-new first year student.
No matter how strange these people may seem, there’s always those who fit ever so perfectly into the following uni student stereotypes. Seeing these familiar social reference points around campus is bound to bring a ting of comfort during your first week of uni.
Lauren Knezevic takes you through the five types of people you’ll see in the first week of uni.
1
EAGER BEAVER
They’ve memorised the campus map and their timetable, not to mention the quickest routes to their lectures - which are probably at 9am. You’ll catch them networking with all their tutors and lecturers, as well as hitting the books every day in the library. Whether it’s prepped readings, sudden questions from tutors or a class discussion, they’re never caught off guard.
They have signed up for all of the extracurriculars from United Nations to Writers@ MQ, to build up their already impressive resume. When channeling their inner Rory Gilmore, the determination and passion Eager Beavers have for school can almost be aggravating but will always be admired.
• Most likely to be found in a quiet classroom or in the library •
2 4
SLEEPING BEAUTY
They’re often found half asleep in a pile of books in the library, or in the back row of lectures looking more confused than ever. These Sleeping Beauties make up a lot of the university population.
Most of the time they’re late to their classes, but fear not, they will always have a drink in hand. Whether it’s a Boost Juice, Chatime or a coffee, it is a form of emotional support that must be respected. You’ll mostly see them rocking up to 11am lectures and afternoon tutorials in sweatpants and a hoodie. If you ever want to befriend a Sleeping Beauty, just buy them a coffee or give them a summary of the two-hour lecture you spent together.
• Most likely to be found in a corner of the library or in the Central Courtyard getting their drink •
That Person from your Primary/ High School
What was their name again? Was it Brandy? Brandon? You’ll either be in the exact same units together or completely different degrees. You might make small talk during O-Week and promise yourself it will never happen again. You’re most likely to find them in the Central Courtyard with a whole new gang of friends. Try and join them, and you’ll probably be confronted by awkward glances, smiles, and death stares. Are we just going to ignore that we experienced life together before university? Works for me.
• Most likely to be found in the Central Courtyard with new friends or by the lake studying •
3
PARTY ANIMAL
It’s hard to miss this wild child with their sunnies on in lecture halls trying to hide their hangover. O-Week is a golden time for these party animals. You’ll catch them at the toga party, the boat party, the neon party… you name it, they celebrate it! They’ll rock up to the first week somehow already knowing everyone around them, most likely from using their popular kid charms. Their perpetually scattered state and abundance of wild stories will be a laugh...until you’re paired with them for a group project. Make sure to hit them up on a Saturday night for a party with the Kanye West Appreciation Society.
• Most likely to be found a bit drunk buzzing around at Ubar or sometimes at the Leisure and Aquatic Centre •
5
Sib from Another Crib
During the first day when you’re completely lost and want to cry, these angels will take care of you. Usually, they are second or third years who are always happy to lend a helping hand. Do you need a pen? Notes from their previous years? Advice on the best coffee on campus? The sib from another crib will take you under their wing and might develop a tiny superiority complex from it… But you’ll love them anyway.
• Most likely to be found sober at Ubar taking care of everyone on Friday nights or by the lake contemplating life •
By Lauren Knezevic
I DON’T GET IT CRYPTOS AND NFTS
Unless you live under a rock or have an aversion to being involved in pop culture, you have probably heard about cryptocurrency and NFTs. In June 2021, a doge meme NFT was sold for 4 million dollars, and a single Bitcoin was equivalent to thousands of dollars. That is when the world really started to notice and has since been asking, what are these curious things? NFTs’ would not exist without crypto as they operate on a decentralised blockchain. The making of these instruments has been happening since the 1990s. Both of these financial products are the results of the digital age, mistrust of traditional institutions, and as always, capitalism. This mistrust and aversion to traditional financing happened after the Global Financial Crisis in 2007-2008. In America, Banks were hesitant to issue mortgages to individuals because of the high risks. So banks created bonds. Bonds are bundles composed of thousands of individual mortgages. This was better for banks because there was more security. This meant that the bank wanted to create more mortgages for, of course, more money. For larger loans and more significant bonds, banks built larger houses that were expensive. They made lots of homes for a middle class that was virtually non-existent. Unemployment was up, the economy was in decline, and many people were struggling. There
Rayna Bland explains the recent hype around digital were a lot of houses that stood empty. People could not afford currency and the the homes on the market, and social climate which because the mega-rich were buying more houses than they has led to its boom needed, a false scarcity was in popularity over the created. This led to people defaulting on their mortgages past few years. and lots of bonds breaking. The banks were in big trouble, but they knew they would be okay because they had woven themselves so deeply into the functioning of the American economy they knew they would get a bailout. And they did. The Obama administration made a bailout of 16.8 trillion dollars. Not a cent of that went to any worker or person in need - it went straight to the banks. The people were pissed. This is a pivotal moment in history. The deeply capitalist move enraged many and triggered a significant distrust in financial institutions and the government, hence why many people have turned to the digital market. Cryptocurrency is described as a ‘digital asset’ and can be used in metaverses. It acts in a decentralised way removing the pesky middle man (the bank or government). It can not be traced. This makes it perfect for the dark web. You can buy drugs, weapons, porn and only God knows whatever else using cryptocurrency. Cryptocurrencies are also stored digitally in crypto wallets to view your investments.
Created in 2009 by Satoshi Nakamoto, Bitcoin is the largest and most well-known cryptocurrency. When it was first made, it was worth about $0.30, now in 2022, it is worth $40k, according to DigitalCoinPrice. This is for two reasons: hype and scarcity. The hype is the virality of it all which has drawn the attention of the ultra-wealthy, crypto-bros and wealth wannabes. With more people buying it has become more expensive. The creation of new crypto coins is also decreasing, so the currency is becoming rare. These two factors explain the crazy inflation of the price of crypto. Unfortunately, this has made it a rich man’s trade and isn’t a fair game for everyone. It is also fertile ground for scammers to make their lucky day. In 2021 scammers stole $14 billion from buyers. This was double what they took in 2020. This was released in blockchain data firm Chainalysis’s “2022 Crypto Crime Report”. At the beginning of the crypto wave, some people genuinely found wealth and went from poor to rich. The bubble has now burst for most people as it has become too rare and expensive to afford.
Blockchain is the foundation of cryptocurrency. Very simply, a blockchain is a list. It is a list of transactions that anyone can view and verify. NFTs run on the blockchain too. NFT stands for Non-Fungible Token. Having an NFT means you are a certified owner of that digital piece of art. It certifies the authenticity and ownership of a token through the blockchain. “Non Fungible” means one of a kind, and the “Token” part of the name refers to the NFT being certified proof that the owner is the sole possessor of the digital property. An NFT can be anything digital - art, a GIF, or even a screenshot of a tweet. Keanu Reeves has criticised NFTs as Art is not about ownership, and NFTs can be easily be replicated by copying and pasting.
NFTs have been in the spotlight since the digital artist, Beeple (real name Mike Winkelmann) sold his now-infamous NFT Everyday – The first 5,000 days for a massive $69m. But are they really valuable? There is a scheme in NFTs called ‘the Greater fool’. A creator of an NFT will buy their work and sell it back to themselves, increasing the price each time. They will then fool the next buyer, so they think the piece is more valuable. Lots of luxury brands and high profile celebrities are into NFTs, but just like crypto, you must ask yourselves, “is this a rich person’s game?”
Not only are NFTs random enough as it is, but it also turns out the environmental impact is staggering. The verification process behind each NFT requires a massive amount of energy, as does storing all of this data. Cryptocurrency and NFT infrastructure rely on fossil fuels, which is quite the problem. ArtStation, an online marketplace for digital artists, even cancelled their plans for an NFT platform after severe community backlash from people who think dealing in crypto art is environmentally unethical. An artist on Twitter (@willowsquest) summarised crypto and NFTS as an “ecological nightmare pyramid scheme”.
Do not be alarmed if you don’t 100 per cent understand, because I barely understand myself. But what is important to understand is that Crypto and NFTs are products of our age that reflect the effects of capitalism and the digital world. I think these products are around to stay; whether they collapse or replace traditional financial institutions remains to be seen.
By Raina Bland
YOU ARE HERE PYMBLE
In 1823, a colonial settler named Robert Pymble was granted land on Sydney’s leafy North Shore. He used this clay-ridden soil to grow fruit orchards and gather timber. And so, the suburb of Pymble was founded.
Pymble is located within the land of the Ku-ring-gai Indigenous clan, in which the broader council area was named. The Cammeraygal people would sometimes camp at the corner of Selwyn and Merrivale Road, an intersection I have often driven or walked by. What is there now is substantially more boring: trimmed lawns, streetlamps and infrequently used bus stops.
Boring is the theme that comes to mind with the word Pymble. My most notable thesis was in my year nine geography project on the suburbs we lived in. For Pymble, the most notable thing about it was how astoundingly boring it was. So no, unless you’re attending Pymble Ladies College, you have no need to put Pymble on your list of must-visit Sydney suburbs.
During my teenage years, I had come to resent this suburb for how boring it was. It seemed so small and inconsequential. None of my friends lived close by, the train station was a 30-minute walk away. I felt isolated from everything exciting and worthwhile. I dreamt of moving closer to the city, closer to anything at all.
And then the Pandemic. We learnt a whole new way of learning, living, and connecting during the Pandemic. The world seemed to come together online in solidarity over our shared experiences. We fought harder than ever for human connection, even when the Zoom calls began to wear on us, and we battled pandemic fatigue.
None of it prevented the fact that our worlds were intractably physically smaller. Gone were the days of plentiful trains whizzing me to nights out in the city. No more Chatswood coffee meetups, or Botanic Gardens picnics. The Harbor Bridge was reduced to an image on the TV traffic report. All I was left with was Pymble.
It was in the lockdowns that I became most keenly acquainted with Pymble and came to know it as more than a suburb without a proper place to shop. I learnt to slowly forgive Pymble for all the boringness it obliged me through. When left with little else to do and nowhere else to be, I reluctantly opened myself up to all the things Pymble does actually have. Slowly, daily mental health walks turned into miniature observational adventures. The suburb has a lot to offer when you listen and look.
Pymble residents are keen pet lovers and keen believers in animal freedom. Lockdown walks gave me the opportunity to meet Billy the golden retriever, who was simply out for an evening stroll. The cats in Pymble are free to roam their territory like small, scary lions. Next door is the Ginger cat who always hisses at my dog. By the park is a grey longhair cat who luxuriates atop the same sandstone fence pedestal on sunny days.
Even the cats, however, have no jurisdiction over Bannockburn Oval where the Kookaburras swoop. We have one Kookaburra with blue feathers in his wing who patrols the Oval, keeping a watchful eye over the children in the playground and rowdy dogs on morning walks.
In the 2021 June-October lockdown, I became keenly acquainted with what spring looks like in the suburb. We may not have had a coffee shop within walking distance, but 5 minutes in any direction, in early September took you on a tour of blooming Agapanthus, variegated cherry blossoms and Japanese maple trees. One neighbour took to writing sidewalk chalk haikus about spring all through September.
My dog, Jax, is also a keen observer and stands dead still when he sees anything of interest. In this way, he showed me where to look for rabbits, butterflies and the lizards that scuttle through bushes. What was most rewarding about walking Jax during lockdown was when we crossed paths with other dog walkers. We met Lousie, a tiny Cavalier King Charles Spaniel who rolls on his back whenever he sees Jax.
Jax and I became keenly acquainted with a Groodle named Dougie who lives next door. In our travels, we came across a few uncommon breeds, like Airedale Terriers, Cockapoos, and Irish Wolfhounds. Jax also introduced me to a family of brushtail possums who live in a tree near our house. I can’t say the friendship between Jax, and the possums were reciprocated.
Now on the other side of those two years of on and off lockdowns, I no longer feel so restrained by Pymble. My partner and I are currently looking at apartments, but I’m in no hurry to move to the city. The city may have bars and clubs and restaurants, but Pymble has a few of its own charms too.
By Isabella Trope
The Kardashians are a true force to be reckoned with. They’re one of the most famous families in the world, the original material girls, business moguls, and subjects of worldwide ire. Their show Keeping Up with the Kardashians rewrote the script for reality television. Eleanor Taylor explores the meme mine that is Keeping Up with the Kardashians, its past oeuvre and its reiteration on Hulu.
Premiering in October 2007, Keeping Up with the Kardashians was produced by Ryan Seacrest and Bunim/Murray Productions, and follows the antics of the Kardashian-Jenner (KarJenners for short) family. The show originally focused on the sisters Kim, Khloe, and Kourtney, but in the latter part of its 20-season run included younger sisters Kylie and Kendall. Viewers got to watch the two younger sisters mature from tweens to adults.
In 2007, the family were famous for Kim’s sex tape, her connection to Paris Hilton, her Olympic Athlete stepfather (then Bruce Jenner, now Caitlyn) and her deceased father Robert Kardashian (OJ Simpson’s lawyer). The show charts the family’s rise to fame, and how they went from ‘famous for being famous’ to icons of the 2010s.
Referred to as the “Hollywood version of The Brady Bunch” by the Los Angeles Times, Keeping Up with the Kardashians was critically panned throughout its run. Its longevity on television and in cultural memory was bolstered by its insanely high viewership. Audiences were entranced by the seemingly natural chaos of the Kardashian family. They watched the Kardashians navigate fame, sheer stupidity, and epic one liners like Khloe’s “The bigger the hoop, the bigger the hoe.”
Between running off to Mexico for a pornographic photoshoot without telling their father, Khloe’s failed marriages and DUI arrests, the sisters’ schedules are drama packed. And then there’s the sex tape.
I want to make a note on the sex tape because this discourse surrounding the Kardashians irks me. It is commonly stated that Kim Kardashian’s sex tape, which was filmed with ex Ray J, is the number one reason she’s famous. Whether or not leaking the tape was a deliberate move by Kris Jenner (Kardashian matriarch and “momager”) is unknown. However, Kim herself has stated it was leaked without her consent. It is bizarre to me that in this #MeToo age where believing women is
emphasised, many believe Kim leaked this video. Not only do they deny Kim’s claims, but many also consider this violation of her autonomy to be the event that defined her career. The Kardashians have done so many other things to maintain their relevance. To focus only on the sex tape is a sexist exclusion of their other accomplishments. Love or hate them, it’s no accident their fame has lasted decades.
Despite the discord that seems to define Kardashian life, viewers also watch the show to see them work together. Mom Kris Jenner effectively ran the show and featured in every episode managing her daughters’ feuds and trying to boost their careers. She stated: “I’ve actually trademarked the term ‘Momager,’ which is what I am.” She’s also iconic for attending Kim’s Playboy photoshoot and spawning the “Kim, you’re doing amazing sweetie” meme, which I still reference 15 years later.
Side characters such as Scott Disick become more and more important to the show due to their popularity with the audience. Scott — Kourtney’s boyfriend and baby daddy — was an instant hit and often viewed as the only sane person in the fame obsessed clan. His witty ‘truth telling’ moments made him a loveable stand in for the audience.
As the show progresses, we get to see the Kardashian sisters attempt to make something more out of their fame, with mixed results. The sisters started the clothing store D-AS-H in 2007 which was ultimately a failure but foreshadowed their future success with brands like SKIMS and Kylie Cosmetics. Shoutout to Rob, the brother everyone forgets about who started a fun sock company which is still chugging to this day! It’s clear from the start of the show that in between sexy photoshoots and failed relationships, there is a maintained interest in entrepreneurship.
We also witness years of growth and emotional development. Kim goes from doing nude photoshoots and not much else to getting married, becoming a mother and founding KKW Beauty and SKIMs, two highly successful brands. We also see more long-term family drama such as Khloe revealing that she’s always treated as the ugly sister and Kim’s long running disputes with Kourtney over parenting.
The audience for Keeping Up with the Kardashians is a mixed bag. Most people I speak to say the Kardashians are thoughtless, useless, or just famous for a sex tape. Yet lots of these people are still guilty of watching their show. It creates a weird, ironic cycle wherein people watch the show, laugh at the Kardashian’s stupidity while asking how they became famous, but in doing so boost the show’s ratings. They’re the ones making the Kardashians more famous.
That the show has lasted this long shows that being ‘thoughtless’ has worked in the Kardashians’ favour. Other celebrities active in the same period tried and failed to break into reality television. Paris Hilton who also had a sex tape leaked had four failed shows. Hilton only saw success with her show The Simple Life.
The success of Keeping Up with the Kardashians goes beyond sheer luck. In an interview Barbra Walters once said, “You are all often described as famous for being famous.” Khloe famously replied, “But we’re still entertaining people.” This gets to the core of the show: we watch it because it’s entertaining and feels organic. The Kardashian-Jenner family are naturally dramatic and comedy comes easily to them in their interviews and their interactions with each other.
Lauren Lazin, a veteran reality television producer, said about the show: “A lot of reality stars, they’re fantastic in their first season, then they get very self-conscious on their second season… It’s hard to maintain that kind of longevity, and not come across as phony or calculating or not interesting anymore. We didn’t understand at that time that was a talent.”1 Lazin also attributes the KarJenners’ success to understanding how to interact with social media and dominate new platforms.
In April, a reiteration of the original show called The Kardashians will premiere on Hulu. It was announced just after Keeping Up with the Kardashians finally ended last year. The show is expected to follow an older, wiser, and much richer family as they grapple with their businesses, family life, and drama. Despite how long they’ve been in the limelight, there is always more chaos around the corner for the Kardashian clan.
By Eleanor Taylor
MEET THE GRAPESHOT TEAM !
Editor-in-Chief: Saliha Rehanaz Bachelor of Medical Sciences
What plant would you be and why...? I would like to say I am a cactus. I get a long with everyone, just like how anyone could take care of a cactus. I don’t need much usually, and can withstand most tough situations. But once I’m broken, it’s quite hard for me to ever be the same way and I become quite different, just like a cactus would become. Most used emoji: The heart emoji <3 Favourite Movie/TV show quote: “Good morning starshine, the Earth says hello.”
Deputy editor: nikita byrnes Bachelor of Arts (English and Journalism) / Bachelor of Laws
What plant would you be and why...? I am a goldfish plant (Columnea nematanthus) because I only flower once a year and even then only for 2 weeks max. Most used emoji: Favourite Movie/TV show quote: “Oh, I know what you’ve got; the ‘L’ word.” “Yeah, leprosy.”
DESIGN assistant: stephanie sutton Bachelor of Arts (interactive design)
What plant would you be and why...? I would be a tree fern. Fern leaves start off curled up tightly and slowly unfurl, the way I come out of my shy shell after getting to know someone. Most used emoji: Favourite Movie/TV show quote: “I Brake For Birds. I Rock A Lot Of Polka Dots. I Have Touched Glitter In The Last 24 Hours! And That Doesn’t Mean I’m Not Smart And Tough And Strong.”
DESIGN assistant: Lorenzo meli bachelor of commerce / bachelor of psychology
What plant would you be and why...? bonsai because i am short :)) Most used emoji: Favourite Movie/TV show quote: “Mostly i hate the way I don’t hate you, not even close, not even a little bit, not even at all.”
DESIGN assistant: Liz to Master of Creative Industries
What plant would you be and why...? I don’t know because I don’t like plants. But I’d love to be a tree, one with a big trunk and huge shades that looks like they’re a thousand years old and carries so much history and secrets. That is awesome! Most used emoji: Favourite Movie/TV show quote: “What day is it?” Asked Pooh “It’s today.” Squeaked Piglet “My favorite day.” Said Pooh
News editor: olivia chan Bachelor of science / bachelor of law
What plant would you be and why...? Aloe vera, it’s cool Most used emoji: Favourite Movie/TV show quote: “DisgUrsting Shet”
What plant would you be and why...? A centenarian fig tree. I like to provide shade for other pale people like me. Most used emoji: Favourite Movie/TV show quote: “I look like a pencil.”
FEATURES EDITOR: RAYNA bland Bachelor of Arts and media
What plant would you be and why...? A Venus Fly Trap. Unique, daring, alluring and determined. Most used emoji: The laughing emoji that sits on a diagonal just because I’m whacky. Favourite Movie/TV show quote: “Is your refrigerator running? Well you better go catch it!”
Repeat offenders editor: eleanor taylor Bachelor of Ancient History Specialising in Egypt and the Near East
What plant would you be and why...? I am a fern because I drink lots and lots of water and can always find something to complain about. Most used emoji: Favourite Movie/TV show quote: “You don’t hear much about syphilis these days. Very much the MySpace of STDs.”
MARKETING DIRECTOR: Unnati Tayal Master of Management
What plant would you be and why...? Money plant in autumn. Because like the plant I’m round, plump and broke Most used emoji: Favourite Movie/TV show quote: “And I knew exactly what to do. But in a much more real sense, I had no idea what to do.”
online editor: jaime hendrie Bachelor of arts / bachelor of primary education
What plant would you be and why...? A cactus because they thrive on a lack of attention. Most used emoji: Favourite Movie/TV show quote: “So let’s say you and I go toe to toe on bird law and see who comes out the victor”
marketing assistant: tess marsden Bachelor of Laws / Bachelor of Arts in Social Justice
What plant would you be and why...? One of those houseplants that wilts and droops, and looks like it’s about to die at any second, but 10 minutes after you water it, it’s completely and 100% fine. Living for the drama. Most used emoji: ☺ Favourite Movie/TV show quote: “that is the stupidest fucking thing I have ever heard”
advertising manager: angelo andrew Actuarial Studies / Applied Finance
What plant would you be and why...? Catnip, so I can finally get my cat to love me :( Most used emoji: Eyes, it’s the best emoji to stay neutral in things Favourite Movie/TV show quote: “Sometimes you make choices in life and sometimes choices make you”
What plant would you be and why...? Cactus. Reflects the wounds and traumas I’ve endured but also that I’m alive, I’m still here and that I’m growing, finding more about myself as I peel back the tough layers. Most used emoji: Favourite Movie/TV show quote: “There are nearly thirteen million people in the world. None of those people is an extra. They’re all the leads of their own stories.”
editorial assistant: nam do Master of Media and Communication
What plant would you be and why...? A Banyan tree Most used emoji: :v Favourite Movie/TV show quote: “Are they both mad? or am I mad? or is it the sun? ”
editorial assistant: Bodie Greatbatch Murphy Bachelor of Arts / Bachelor of Education (Secondary)
What plant would you be and why...? Venus Fly Trap. I really hate flies Most used emoji: Favourite Movie/TV show quote: “YEAH BITCH! MAGNETS”
editorial assistant: Lauren Knezevic bachelor of arts / bachelor of education (primary)
What plant would you be and why...? A little succulent! I find they’re tougher than they look and are just so cute!! Most used emoji: Favourite Movie/TV show quote: “May the best of our lives be the rest of our lives”
editorial assistant: Isabella Trope bachelor of ancient history / bachelor of archaeology
What plant would you be and why...? Gasteria ‘Little Warty’. It is small, hates the cold, and has an odd nickname but is still cute as heck, just like me! Most used emoji: puppy dog eyes Favourite Movie/TV show quote: “that is the stupidest f**king thing I have ever heard”
editorial assistant: Anthea wilson Bachelor of arts in creative writing
What plant would you be and why...? I am a sunflower. Maybe a dwarf sunflower because I am quite short. Not only are they my favourite flower but they face the sun to grow. I’d like to think of this as a metaphor for myself that I am growing towards a bright future. Most used emoji: Favourite Movie/TV show quote: “So be it”
editorial assistant: jasmine joyan Bachelor of arts / bachelor of law
What plant would you be and why...? Albaida because it loves mediterranean weather and lounging around- much like me. Most used emoji: Favourite Movie/TV show quote: “Maybe. Maybe not. Maybe fuck yourself.”
