Popping Your Culture Contents P.4. From The Board - Paul Baird P.5. Hotlist P.6. Features - Celebrity Obsession & This Month at GU P.7. Features - A Month of Games Tale P.8. Lifestyle - Ladies Who Lunch P.9. Lifestyle - Intern: Just for the Rich? P.10. Politics - An Aussie’s Insight P.11. Politics - What are You Afraid of Boys? & Political Pop Culture P.12. Culture - Ex Direction & Obsess-a-Taylor P.13. Culture - Oscar Snubs 2015 P.14. Column - Erasmust & Humans of GU P.15. Column - Should Your Life Be Online? P.16. Societies -GUCFS P.17. Opinion - Beer Bar Chat P.18. GUSA Update
Our Contributors Romy Berits Taggy Elliott Lucy Keown Rachel Bean Paul Baird Adi Childs Harriet Johnston Annabeth Wilson Alice Cockburn Ryan Stodart
Matei Botez Romain Ricchi Hannah Burgess Lizzy Linklater Kathryn Stevenson Chloe Turner Alexandra Poulios Olivia Collison-Owen Aisling Holling Jack Ryden
A Word From The Editor February is, without a doubt, the month of pop culture. Besides the horrendousness that is the dreaded V-Day, awards season is in full flow in the form of the Oscars, Grammys, BAFTAs, BRIT Awards, and many many (many) more, giving us plebs a chance to see the talented and not so talented (cough Kim Kardashian) strutting their stuff, plastic surgery and trophy partners for all the world to see. Nothing is more pop culture than Kanye ruining another acceptance speech - sorry Beck. This issue has all that and more, with political commentary from Down Under; the quest of two students to become Ladies Who Lunch; and chat from the Beer Bar on the most embarrassing romantic moments. Plus, information on why GUCFS Presents After Dark is a cause worth supporting. For me, February is turning out to be the month of many assignments. If you’re in the same boat, I hope G-You will provide you with some light relief in the library. Enjoy!
Lucy Keown Editor-In-Chief GUU Convener Of Libraries
The Editorial Team Editor-In-Chief: Lucy Keown Features Editor: Harriet Johnston Politics Editor: Kathryn Stevenson Lifestyle Editor: Annabeth Wilson
Column Editor: Hannah Burgess Design and Cover Editor Rachel Bean Layout and Photography Editor: Romain Ricchi
We welcome new talent in the form of writers, photographers, designers and more to contribute to G-You. Every week we hold an Open Meeting on Mondays at 5pm in the Bridie Library of GUU - make sure to come along and introduce yourself, getting involved has never been easier!
If you’d like to contribute to the magazine in any way (editorially, writing or photography) e-mail: libraries@guu.co.uk The opinions expressed in this publication do not represent those of Glasgow University Union. Find us online:
gyoumagazine.wordpress.com issuu.com/guuimagazine
G-Your Board
From the Board
Hello everyone and welcome to the second G-You of 2015! I am the Debates Convener here at Glasgow University Union. Hopefully we’ll have seen you at one of our many debating events this year but, if we haven’t, there’s still time for you to get yourself along and sample the unique debating atmosphere that GUU offers. I head up a cracking team of five other busybodies who dedicate many of their waking hours to running various events at GUU, from our weekly Speaker Training sessions which are open to all speakers of all abilities; to our huge Parliamentary Debates
elections to the Board of Management open on Monday 23 February and close on Thursday 26 February. Election day itself is on Thursday 5 March. What you’ll need: a proposer; a seconder; loads of posters; loads of pals in your brightly coloured, spray painted t-shirt; and loads of sweets as bribes for the voters as they stream in to the building, usually in their droves at lunchtime. A place on the Board of Management has been one of the most enjoyable and informative experiences of my, admittedly quite long now, time at Glasgow University. It most definitely would be
which we hold five times
the same for you. You’ll
a year; to our black tie
be given projects to run
dinners and debates;
for the GUU, regardless
and many more besides. Debating
at
GUU
of what position you
is
run for; funds to spend
something unique that
on
many other universities
held
speaking
at
presentations
success of the GUU. Of
academic or
course, it isn’t all hard
job
work and toil; there’s
interviews, and teaches
plenty of credit and
you how to take people on
in
an
appreciation
argument
slog
whether you’re down
membership who call
despatch boxes in the
this place home.
Chamber
in the rowdy, bustling
Debates. I’m also here to tell you all about election season at GUU, or at least that’s what the Editor-in-Chief told me to tell you about... Come February and March time, the whispers have been going around about who’s running for what and who’s contesting who. February and March is when stuff actually starts happening. Campaign pages start going live on Facebook and spamming you with post after post; jostling for votes begins with people desperately seeking your help and votes; and the general madness and ridiculousness that only a student election can generate takes over for a few weeks before we all go back to normal and pretend nothing happened. It’s all tremendous fun, really. That’s why you’ll want to be getting involved! Nominations for
4
Board
are available for the
the moment over our
and aspirations, there’s something for everyone within GUU
the
the
all aspects of the Union
pints or in the heat of
middle of a Parliamentary Debate. Whatever your abilities
that
for
puts in to ensure that
the local for a few
Debating
accountable
and responsible for the
skills, even for just being better
those
members; and will be
It allows you to hone public
making
projects work for the
in the UK don’t offer. your
Paul Baird
There
are
loads
of
student positions to run for at GUU. Just check out our mugshots in the front foyer if you don’t believe me. Regardless of what you run for, you’ll have an absolute blast. The GUU and being on the Board of Management has been one of the most rewarding and enjoyable experiences of my life. What makes this student union so incredible is the ethos that is generated by our student elections and by the folk that get involved in running everything. If there’s one thing you do as a GUU member, I’d advise that it be this. You won’t regret it! Hopefully see you on the front steps on election day! Paul Baird GUU Convener of Debates GUU Convener of the Night
Hotlist
Lucy Keown
Your definitive list of what’s hot and what’s not this month
UP - Awards Season: the world’s finest actors and musicians are out in full force, hoping to win prestigious awards for their creative efforts, and show off on as many red carpets as possible. There are usually some musical collaborations (see 2014 Grammys for Pharrell, Daft Punk, Chic and Stevie Wonder greatness), but the real highlight is the hosting of the shows. From Stephen Fry’s consistent wit, to Tina Fey and Amy Poehler’s refreshing feminism, and even Anne Hathaway and James Franco’s car-crash of a job, the hosts make stellar TV viewing. - The Six Nations Championships: UNDOUBTEDLY THE GREATEST SHOW ON EARTH. Every single year. This time is no different, with Ireland (in my biased opinion) showing the most talent, in every sense of the word. Rob Kearney please marry me asap. - Katie Hopkins: we’ve all seen her rants on This Morning and hated her in equal measure, but after her stint on Celebrity Big Brother, Katie has changed the public’s opinion of her so drastically that she now has a fan base. Personally, I think she’s always been very savvy, using controversy to create a name for herself, which in turn sold loads of her books and made her a ton of money. Clever lady.
DOWN - The Weather: I mean, come on, 2 hours of snow and it doesn’t shift for weeks. I’M TIRED OF FALLING EVERY TIME I WALK DOWN KELVIN WAY, ALRIGHT? Get warmer already. - Beyonce at the Grammys: Please don’t accuse me of sacrilege, as I am a huge fan of Queen B. However, her performance at the 2015 awards show not only failed to impress, but genuinely kind of annoyed me. What were all those backing ‘singers’ with no microphones about? Is she morphing into Whitney in her hymn phase? WHY didn’t she sing 7/11? It was all a bit random. Not your finest, Bey. - 50 Shades Fever: I am all for watching 1.5 hours of the beautiful Jamie Dornan, but this film looks downright diabolical. I’ve already booked tickets to see it (please don’t judge me), but the more reviews I read and trailers I watch, the less and less keen I am for it. My head already hurts with all the cringing I’ll be doing. - Russell Brand’s Mighty Opinion: I genuinely could not care less what you think about the state of the world Russell. Not even a wee bit. Please stop annoyingly spreading your annoying voice and general annoyingness in my vicinity. Cheers.
5
G-Your Features
Celebrity Obsession
Hannah Burgess
I
famous.
Spears when she shaved off her hair or
feel slightly ashamed to admit it, but
Would you?
Miley Cyrus being caught selling illegal
it’s true. Do we feel this because we
substances. Definitely not their finest
know nobody is following us around?
Like it or not we live in a world obsessed
hours, but these were stories which
Is it because our relationships play out
were on the front covers of most of our
behind firmly closed doors unless you
celebrity magazines.
choose otherwise? Or is it our knowledge
wouldn’t want to be
with popular culture. It’s a fact. Entire sections of our press and magazine are dedicated to the pedestal that we have placed our movie stars, sports people and famous individuals upon. Gossip from tinsel town is a multi milliondollar industry.
We have reached
a stage where there are probably more celebrity magazines out there than factual ones. On that note we have reached a point when celebrity ‘stories’ are beginning to be considered alongside world events and sometimes
that we can go to Tesco’s in peace You know when the obsession has
without having a journalist somewhere
gone to far when the obsession comes
analysing the items in our trolleys?
with the risk of developing ‘Celebrity
Who knows! Regardless of underlying
Worship Syndrome.’ I mean really?
reasons, some of us follow the lives of
We have reached a point where it is
imaginary best pals more closely than
hard to know if the media are giving
we follow our actual friends, sat in front
us what we want or whether we are
of the TV like we are a member of the
simply consuming the information that
Kardashians rather than simply a fly on
they are providing us with. It’s a vicious
the wall.
cycle. There’s no getting away from the fact that we are obsessed with the
Having said this maybe celebrities and
celebrities become modern day gods.
rich and famous. It provides an element
our obsession with them has a positive
of distraction from the realities of our
effect. They hold in their hands the
I’m not going to lie, it is a world which
day-to-day lives. Instead of a world of
power to influence social change.
inflation, crime, terrorism and job losses
Emma
to name only a few evils of the 21st
campaign for one, and Angelina Jolie
century we can turn our attention to
as a UN Ambassador are only two
someone else, someone with a ‘more
examples. Whether we like it or not
interesting’ life than ourselves. It’s a form
celebrities have a very powerful voice
of escapism!
and as long as they use it in the right
side lining them to take the headline, as
I became immersed in far too quickly, checking the Daily Mail online and Buzzfeed for gossip more often in a day than I’d care to admit. There has been a blurring of the lines between private and public life. We are not only obsessed by celebrities ‘achievements’ and day to day lives but even more absorbed by the events where they are
torn
down
by
the
paparazzi
doing something stupid or caught in a moment of emotional turmoil. Think about the storm that followed Britney
Watson
and
the
HeForShe
way who are we to condemn them. We follow our modern day heroes as they are declared bankrupt, as their
So perhaps our fixation with pop culture
relationships fall apart and as their own
in the form of the celebrity and their
friendships are compromised. It’s all too
culture is just an inherently human
easy to get a thrill out of their misery.
peculiarity or maybe it is a sign of
Even typing that sentence makes me
the changing nature of our society.
This Month at GU GUU MONTH OF GAMES at Glasgow University Union Check out the dates in our Month of Games article over the page - with events every week, there’s sure to be something to get involved in! GUCFS - After Dark, Saturday 21st February, Hunter Halls This Glasgow Uni first is going to be amazing, so snap out the limited remaining tickets! The Fourth Parliamentary Debate, Friday 20th February, Glasgow University Union Come and join a club, or watch the action unfold from the World’s most successful debating institution
6
A Month of Games Tale Harriet Johnston
Bigger than the Olympics…
better than the Commonwealth games… it’s time for the infamous Month of Games. Yes you’ve read that right, every year February plays host to events like Valentine’s Day and Pancake Day, which are truly overshadowed by the phenomenal month of shenanigans run by those pesky Games Com guys and gal. A full month of games, I hear you say, well that certainly sounds like something I’d be interested in. WELL fear not, here is a brief history of how the Month of Games was created and a full rundown of the fabulous events you can get involved in. Many years ago on a snowy blustery evening at the end of February, a group of students crept into the attic of the GUU. They made a pact, vowing that February – month of depressingly dark mornings, sickeningly sweet couples flaunting their love and the greyest of skies – would become the greatest month of all. It would become Month Of Games, four weeks of tomfoolery and fun. The first boy, a guy who loved his pointless facts almost as much Stephen Fry, suggested a new HUGE quiz, just like the quiz there was every Monday but bigger and better than ever before. Whilst the boy loved his facts, he wasn’t the most creative at thinking of names, and thus named this event The Month of Games Quiz. Mint. The boy cemented this by strawpedo-ing a yellow WKD, and thus Month of Games Quiz was created. The second of the team was a lover of wielding a stick and balls about, and gazed around the expansive attic. He
this huge Month of Games. The others simply nodded and the four, one after another, finished off their drinks as fast as they could. They each carved their names into the beams overhead to remain in the union forever. Now up in the attic there was a selection of disgusting objects; tins of food which had been lying about for months, the remains of old and mouldy vegetables and, finally, little animals who had sadly passed away up there. The group by this point in the evening were growing fairly merry and a little hungry....hence Iron Stomach was born, a test for those with the toughest tummies to see who can eat certain delicacies the quickest. The next day the four were feeling a little worse for wear, but none the less, continued on their mission to think of incredible events for Month of Games by running around the west end hunting for various objects, rushing about the union with a drink in hand in one incredible Big All Day Game Event (or BADGE as it is fondly known). Nursing their head in their hands, the gang held a party in the union, celebrating the finale of their Month of Games and celebrating it’s magnificent creation, of which the four were very proud. Month of games has existed ever since, with the names of its winners inscribed forever on the plaques in Beer Bar. The four friends became the renowned ‘Games Com’ and for their adventures in the dark attic donned themselves in black tshirts to stay camouflaged whilst their debauchery continued.
suggested it became a billiards hall, the biggest and best in all of Europe. He said Month of Games should host a huge Pool/Billiards competition, and his events were introduced with the chinning of a pint of the mighty Tennents. The third friend felt a little uncomfortable in the attic; much preferring the room in the basement that the group had named the Beer Bar, and suggested some classic Pub games were introduced to month of games. Her ability to hit the bullseye, no matter how many pints she’d drunk, was one the rest of the friends could barely contend with. Her pokerface was known for miles around. She drank a yard of ale, and with that darts and poker were ingrained in Month of Games history forever. The next friend was a slight fellow who bounded around the attic throughout this antics, dipping and diving around before announcing the necessity of a dodgeball competition within
PS: in case you missed it, here’s full rundown of the events you can expect to see during the Month of Games, and what to watch out for -
Month of Games Quiz – Beer Bar – 2/2/15 – 8pm Pool – Billiards Hall – 4/2/15 – 2pm Snooker Billiards Hall – 4/2/15 – 6pm Darts – Debates Chamber – 5/2/15 – 8pm Poker – Bridie Library – 11/2/15 – 7pm Dodgeball – Debates Chamber – 12/2/15 – 7pm Iron Stomach – Beer Bar – 19/2/15 – 7pm B.A.D.G.E. (Big All Day Games Event) – Debates Chamber/West End -25/2/15 – 3pm Month of Games Grande Finale – Reading Room – 5/3/15 – 7pm
7
G-Your Lifestyle
Ladies Who Lunch Ryan Stodart & Jack Ryden
“Drinking good wine
with good food in good
company is one of life’s most civilized pleasures.” - Michael Broadbent
choose from over all three courses. The combination of luxury ingredients like caviar and truffle, alongside more commonly seen ingredients prepared in unique ways, give you the sense that you live in Park Circus. In reality your flat is littered with empty 2 leets, has a broken bedroom window and usually an Irish drunk in his pyjamas. For those of you who feel the need to reject millions of years of intelligent evolutionary design the choice of vegetarian options are far more imaginative and exciting than the generic mushroom risotto, so often the bane of a vegetarian’s life. If you feel like treating yourself to three courses, or need the comfort from loneliness that a dessert provides, we would recommend you choose one lighter dish, as the portion sizes are generous. While alcohol can quickly turn an affordable meal into a more expensive proposition, a boozy lunch isn’t really the same with a jug of water replacing the wine. Enjoy offers lots
Ryan and Jack on their culinary adventure The market menus that litter the West End are perfect for a good value romantic meal for two, or a weekday gossip over a glass of Prosecco with the other West End mums. But what about those of us who’ve been a little unlucky in love in recent years, and don’t have children with names like Constantine, Hugo or Ciabatta to boast about with the other ladies, yet enjoy the daytime booze, gossip, and fine dining these lucky few do? For years, we both longed for a kindred spirit, who envied those whose lunchtime hours were not defined by solitude, despair and hunger... until we found each other. We have quickly come to realise that while loneliness is perhaps likely to always characterise our lives - particularly when considering one of us stands at 4 ft 7 and the other is extremely nasal we can still enjoy great food at affordable prices. We aim
of options, but it’s possible to get a good bottle for around £15. We recommend the Vina Carrasco Merlot. Enjoy may not have the same reputation as some of the West Ends more well established restaurants, but with the quality of food and service provided there is no reason it should not be. Jack’s Choices Stornaway black pudding, slow cooked duck egg and chorizo crumble Beef shin crepinete, heritage carrots, kale and chervil root puree Ryan’s Choices Aberdeen angus corned beef, crispy ox tongue, onion rings, mustard and confit egg yolk Pan roasted hake, velvet crab bisque, samphire and caviar cream
to provide an honest guide to some of the many lunchtime menus the West End has to offer in a world of couples, yummy mummys and loneliness. This month we ventured east of the Kelvin to a fantastic family run restaurant named
Enjoy,
located a stone’s
throw away from the university. Owned by an infinitely wise Kosovan named Sebo, who is constantly buzzing around the restaurant - always a nice touch in the increasingly faceless world of the restaurant business - Enjoy puts an emphasis on freshly prepared, locally sourced and wonderfully presented contemporary Mediterranean cuisine. The interior, designed by Sebo’s architect wife, is casual, but remains classy with huge ceiling to floor windows flooding the restaurant with natural light, which made a nice change from the shithole Ryan and his single energy saving lightbulb currently inhabits. The market menu boasts an impressive range of dishes to
8
Lunch
–
12-3pm.
Main course: £8.95, 2 courses £12.95, 3 courses, £15.95 Enjoy
Restaurant,
393-395
Great
Western
Rd,
Kelvinbridge,
G4
9HY
Intern: Just for the Rich? Annabeth Wilson
Every summer, thousands upon thousands of
interns descend upon the big cities – for example London and New York – in order to work for nothing. They rely on friends and even distant acquaintances to find a sofa to sleep on. They file papers, get coffee, and try to make themselves noticed, but not too much so. The question is, how can any company get away with ‘employing’ unpaid workers? Particularly in London, where the extortionate price of rent is all anyone can talk about at the minute. It seems as though the only few that can elbow their way into the coveted industries are those with money. How are young graduates, students and the average joe supposed to live in the capital city and support themselves with no or low income, all the while attempting to gain that much needed experience demanded by numerous employers? Studies carried out through The Guardian have shown that taking an unpaid internship can cost an individual £926 a month in London or £804 in Manchester. The Sutton Trust has discovered that a third (31%) of graduate interns are unpaid, suggesting that approximately 22,000 interns may be working for nothing. However, can banning unpaid internships reduce
Statesman magazine. As someone who had only just turned 17, I was expecting it to be the kind of work experience where I had to make tea and open the post. While I did indeed have to open the post most mornings, I was lucky enough to do some really interesting things. Firstly, I got to experience an editorial meeting, where I sat next to Jemima Khan (an associate editor of the magazine), who was lovely and very funny. I also got to attend a roundtable meeting Westminster, where I heard Andy Burnham MP (the Shadow Secretary of State for Health) share his thoughts on various issues, including the NHS. Moreover, I transcribed an interview with Dr Christian Jessen from a reporter’s phone, which sounds boring but was actually fun to listen to. Most excitingly, I was given the opportunity to write on the magazine’s website. I got to choose exhibitions, films and music to discuss on a blog, which led to me getting to write my own article for the culture section. I had such an amazing experience during this internship, and totally recommend that anybody interested in journalism tries to be an intern at some point. It looks really good on your CV and you’ll get to work in a professional environment which is really eye-opening, plus it shows your future employers how dedicated you are to having a career in a competitive field.”
experience opportunities for new graduates? Lena Dunham, the writer, actor and producer and overall mastermind behind the hit show Girls made an open casting call for creatives to be a part of her 11-city tour to promote her new book - “Not That Kind of Girl”. Nearly 600 people responded, including a sand artist, a ukulele player, a cappella singers, gymnasts, performance artists and standup comics, even some exceptionally charismatic babies. And what for? The 600 people auditioned to be Lena’s warm-up acts. And they are expected to perform free of charge, with their only payment represented in the form of the experience they gain. With an estimated annual earning of $6 million, Lena Dunham is more than able to compensate these creative ‘interns’, especially as the 600 was narrowed down to a mere 7. Interestingly, following severe backlash from this unpaid intern scandal, Lena has agreed to compensate these performers, as was revealed through her active Twitter account. Apparently she is the ‘kind of girl’ to show remorse - who knew! Obviously, not all intern experiences are horror stories. Taggy Elliot, who interned at the New Statesman, had positive remarks about her time there; “In 2013 I was lucky enough to intern for a week at the New
Internships commonly represent the first step in the ladder towards a professional career in the most competitive sectors, encompassing fashion, journalism, politics, law and finance .Because these areas are so competitive,
many
employers feel able and within their right to offer internships as completely unpaid positions. Under the terms of the National Minimum Wage Act 1998, if you can be defined as a worker, and you are not being paid at least the minimum wage, your employer is breaking the law. A beneficial as interning is, you should always be paid for your work. Internships should not be exclusive to the elite, but open to all.
9
G-Your Politics
An Aussie’s Insight
Alexandra Poulios
policy reforms. In the case of the Liberal party, these supporters appear to be ministers who have been scaled as “moderates”, conflicted against the party that they are a part of whilst potentially wanting to challenge and change the government’s current scheme.
The sixteen month premiership of Australian PM Tony Abbott has been highly contentious. Recently, rumours speculating a leadership vote to rid Abbott of his premiership emerged. The rumours speculated an organised spill motion to ambush Abbott, after senior MP members were rumoured to have been surveying their own support as potential leaders amongst the party. A leadership spill is the act to open a change of leadership within a political party. When a spill notion is conducted within a government in power, this results in the change of Prime Minister under the parliamentary system of government. These rumours have proven true, with a party spill motion occurring on 9 February. The Liberal National party voted 61 to 39 against the leadership spill, making Abbott the majority preferred leader amongst the Coalition abolishing any chance for a change in Prime Minister. Political blogger Paula Matthewson perfectly encapsulates the current state of Australian federal politics by noting that “there is blood in the water, an off-the-radar battle is taking place between the right-wing who want to protect the government’s current agenda and the moderates who seek to change it”. The current agenda that Matthewson is referencing are the highly controversial public policy proposals that have been peddled by the current government. These policies include reforms to education, such as the deregulation of higher education fees and abolishing some aspects of the governments existing loan schemes, to introducing co-payments for Australians accessing medical services under Medicare, Australia’s equivalent of the NHS. Although Australia’s government is currently right-wing, disillusionment towards the Liberals is starkly evident. The 2014 Victorian state election saw the defeat of a liberal government after only one term. More recently, the 2015 Queensland state election, Australia’s most conservative state, saw the abolition of the Liberals from power in preference for a Labor government. The voting for a spill notion amongst the Liberal Nationals is indicative of many things. Perhaps it’s worth considering that this struggle between stark right-wing ministers with conservative ideologues and policy agendas are at threat by a rising number of supporters for more socially progressive
10
Recent commercialized polling of a two party preference between the Liberal Party of Australia and the Australian Liberal Party show a 57.5% preference to the ALP, against a 42.5% preference for the Coalition. Although popular public support for the ALP is strong, the immediate rise of support for the Australian Greens Party is at an unprecedented high. In the midst of the current government, new support for the Greens is increasing. Similarly to the Greens Parties that exist in the UK, the Australian Greens Party (Greens) supports and advocates socially progressive policy issues; such as social justice, environmental protection, health care and education. The party seeks to represent and speak for demographics that are typically underrepresented within parliament, such as the interests of children, refugees, students and individuals and families living in poverty. The new wave of support towards the Greens was seen in the 2014 Victorian State election, with the first ever seat won in the Lower House for the seat of Melbourne, with a second seat won in the Victorian electorate of Prahran. The seat for Prahran was seen as a historic feat, as it was the first time the Greens had defeated the Liberal/National Coalition for a seat in the Lower House. The monumental and historically ground breaking emergence of support for a minor party under a right-wing government indicates the high levels of support in some areas of Australia for more progressive politics, currently not seen under the current government. Within Britain, the emergence of a right-wing populist party is evoking concern for some. The UK Independence Party (UKIP), popularly known for its avocation for the UK to leave the European Union, must be considered as more than a one issue party. In addition to their effort for UK independence from the EU, UKIP opposes same-sex marriage, while supporting tighter immigration laws and the grammar school education sector. In 2014, the vast support UKIP has gained was evident in a commercialised Observer/Opinion poll that showed a staggering 31% of voters would be prepared to preference their votes to UKIP should they believe that they could win within their own constituency. Concern surrounding the increased support for the UKIP should not overshadow the success of other parties on the leftish side of the political spectrum. In the case of Australian politics, it is possible to see progressive policy and leftwing groups succeed even in the midst of a conservative government.
What are you Afraid of Boys?
Chloe Turner
The decision that UKIP's leader Nigel Farage should be allowed to take part in the live televised debates in the run up to the general election has sparked outcry amongst the Green Party. They have surpassed both UKIP's and the Lib Dems membership yet they still aren't allowed to take part in the debates. Well, Green party leader Natalie Bennett and Caroline Lucas MP have had enough. They have a released a poster challenging the other parties taunting at them: 'What Are You Afraid Of, Boys?' while they stand confidently smiling at the camera. David Cameron has shown support to the Green's demands saying that if they don't appear in the debates then he won't either. This decision has been opposed by labour, UKIP and the Lib Dems. Although this isn't such a sacrifice for Cameron seeing as he personally has no political incentive to attend the debates; not exactly the knight in shining armour the greens wanted or needed. Discussion has begun amongst the major broadcasters.BBC and ITV to offer a seven-way debate including the Conservatives, Labour, Lib Dems, Greens, UKIP, SNP and Plaid. The difficulty arises in now knowing when to stop. Where is the cut off point? Do we let any parties speak as long as they have some sort of membership? It's a tricky question to answer. However, I, for one, would still rather have more choice than less. It is time for more choice and information in our British politics. The same three (well only two really) choices over and over again are taking us round and round in circles. It's time to liven things up, get some new ideas in and give people more choice. So I stand with the Greens and ask 'What Are You Afraid Of, Boys?'
Political Pop-Culture
Hannah Burgess
Politics. Popular Culture. Two completely parallel universes, yes? Actually, they are fast becoming far too intertwined for my liking. The U.K. has one of the most established political systems in the world, full of history, pomp and ceremony. Yet the politicians who we are represent us and, by association, the politics which they take part in are fast becoming far too present in the world of popular culture. You probably think I’m bonkers right now but let me explain. It is no surprise that the growth of social media has placed British politics in a whole new arena for scrutiny. There are currently 459 UK MPs on twitter. Facebook and Instagram are used similarly with political articles a constant on Buzzfeed. Nick Clegg even has a You Tube account under the name ‘deputyprimeminister’ should you ever find yourself in dire straights on the procrastination front. With their increased appearance in our lives through social media as well as the press and television, the political world is beginning to look more like an episode of X Factor than a democratic election process. The unarguable defeat Gordon Brown suffered in the General Election Debates of 2010 is a prime example. Although a skilled and experienced politician, beside a smooth polished Cameron and Clegg, he appeared out of touch and slightly out of date. However, there is a political phenomenal and it comes in the form of the blonde haired, aristocrat Boris Johnston. The
public are all too aware of his Bullingdon Club antics from his days at Oxford, yet love him regardless. Boris seems to be the exception to these new political rules of looking like a waxwork and always having a perfectly fine-tuned catch phrase at the ready. Oh no, if Boris isn’t falling off one of his ‘Boris Bikes’ or saying something inappropriate like, “voting Tory will cause your wife to have bigger breasts and increase your chances of owning a BMW M3" then we just wouldn’t love him in the same way. Boris expels this new merge of politics and pop culture. So much so, that he accidently births a new version of it. Boris is hardly the definition of a polished politician, probably due to his unapologetic glass of red wine at 10 o’clock in the morning, but his ability to separate himself from the TV personality politicians is breath of fresh (or in Boris’ case, cigar-filled) air.
11
G-Your Culture
Ex Direction
The last 60 years
have seen a few
bands and musicians who caused mass hysteria with their popularity. The band that springs to mind most recently is One Direction, whose success in the last five years has been phenomenal. I’m going to admit right now that I used to be one of those hysterical fan girls - a Directioner if you will - so I feel like I am in a unique position to explain why Harry, Liam, Niall, Zayn and Louis have managed to become the first ever billion-dollar boyband whilst being so disliked by a significant portion of society.
for ‘Global Success’ two years running. This is presented to the act with the highest international sales minus UK sales. The band’s $1 billion net worth is just a further testament to the limitless possibilities available to artists with a mass following and an excellent marketing strategy. In the modern era, the likes of YouTube, Spotify, iTunes and Vevo are key to making your mark on the music industry and One Direction can be seen to be a prime example of how all these forms of exposure can greatly raise your following. One Direction have relied on the dissemination of their work in this manner
Their management’s decision to directly market solely to their young fans using specific channels such as Twitter has led to the band being commercially viable despite significant disinterest from the general population. Their debut single “What Makes You Beautiful” became the most pre-ordered song ever released by Sony Music. It was an instant number 1 in the UK and has sold over 5 million copies worldwide. Thus, ruminating their popularity and global success even from the infancy of the band’s induction into the music scene. Further evidence for their success is that they have won the Brit award
to build up an army of fan girls that buy all their merchandise and tickets for their world tours. Having been one myself, I can tell you that die-hard fans of One Direction are terrifying, owing to their knowledge of the boys and their dedication to them. I’m actually ashamed that I was so obsessed, as I can still sing along to their first two albums and tell you each of their birthdays. Sometimes I hate my 14 year old self for becoming so infatuated with for One Direction, but they wouldn’t be anywhere without me or their other fans. Kudos, Mr Cowell, kudos.
Obsess-a-Taylor
When I heard that Taylor
Swift
was
removing her music from Spotify my reaction was, “Pah, well everyone is just going to stop listening to her then. Good luck Taylor!” From that moment on she has successfully made me eat my words and I have gone from a Taylor hater to a full blown obsessed fan. Not only did I purchase her album, 1989, but I then listened to it on repeat for at least a week (or three) afterwards. Taylor
Swift
unstoppable
has
become
an
force,
making
the
world fall deeper in love with her with everything she does. 2014 saw the cutesy girl Taylor turn into a woman with sass, a sense of humour and let’s face it, unbelievable PR skills. She has become firmly established as one of the world’s nicest pop stars – from reaching out to bullied fans to sending a lucky few of them ‘Swiftmas’ presents. By the simple act of writing a cheque to help a fan pay off her student loans, Swift has again secured wall-to-wall coverage around the world. Oh, and the fact that the cheque was for the deeply meaningful sum of $1,989 (1989 – get it?) does no harm.
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Taggy Elliott
Aisling Holling
If that wasn’t enough to convince you then maybe her response to a news reporter rudely suggesting she would be going home with lots of men will. During an interview before The Grammys Nancy O’Dell from Entertainment Tonight said, “You’re going to walk home with more than maybe just a trophy tonight, I think lots of men.” To which Taylor replied, looking cold and extremely unamused, “I’m not going to walk home with any men tonight… I’m going to hang out with my friends and then I go home to the cats.” Taylor’s next step towards world domination, however, might not go down quite so well with the fans. Rumour has it that she has applied to trademark lyrics from her album, 1989, such as “This Sick Beat” and “Nice to meet you, where you been?” along with several others. This means that if Topshop wanted to sell a t-shirt with the phrase “This Sick Beat” on it for example, Taylor could sue their asses. However, knowing Taylor – like we all do of course – I wouldn’t be surprised if she manages to turn this into her next PR win. Look out for her newest single, Style, video released on Friday 13th February. Coincidence? I think not.
Oscars Snubs 2015
Matei Botez
Lights,
camera,
action…
The wait is almost over for film fans around the world: in a few weeks, the biggest movie event of the year will unfold its red carpet at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. It’s the 2015 Academy Awards, better known to the general public as the Oscars. Following a year with no shortage of amazing productions, the event honoring the best achievements in cinematography has generated a good amount of controversy among specialists and fans alike regarding the nominations in major categories. In the middle of this hot debate, we will present the most obvious mishaps of the Academy members, the actors and movies which came remarkably close to scoring a nomination, but ultimately did not succeed.
night is usually the most disputed, with movies
claiming
recognition
among the nominees; however, there is no doubt that the biggest absentee in this category is Foxcatcher, the sports drama about the eccentric real life millionaire John du Pont and his ambivalent relationship with Dave and Mark Schultz, the latter whom he is training to become an Olympic wrestling
won a Golden Globe). The winner for
the nominees. Clint Eastwood not
the biggest and most surprising snub
being recognized came as a bit of
goes to none other than Jennifer
a shock considering that the 84-year
Aniston. The famous actress takes a
old director’s movie, American Sniper,
dramatic turn, far different from her
was nominated in many categories,
usual comedic fare in the movie Cake,
including Best Picture, Actor in a Leading
playing a woman with chronic pain who
Role and Best Adapted Screenplay.
becomes fascinated about the suicide
However, the biggest disappointment
of a member of her support group and
for film fans was that Angelina Jolie did
decides to find out more about her
not score a Best Director nomination for
story. Plenty of Oscar buzz had been
her work in Unbroken. The war drama
building for the actress in recent months
follows the incredible life story of Louis
thanks to critical acclaim for her role, a
Zamperini who survives in a raft for 47
press tour and nominations for all major
days after a near-fatal plane crash in
movie awards: SAG, Critic’s Choice and
World War II, only to be caught by the
Golden Globes. However, although her
Japanese Navy and sent to a prisoner-
performance was praised, the movie
of-war camp. Considering the intense
itself divided critics’ opinions and was
marketing campaign and the fact that
not considered worthy enough by
Jolie was recognized in many prestigious
Academy voters.
awards, it is surprising to say the least
Best Picture – The major award of the many
year, with notable omissions among
champion.
The
movie
launched in May 2014 at Cannes Film Festival, where it was nominated for the Palme d’Or, and upon being released worldwide in January, it received very positive reviews from critics. Despite being nominated for almost every major movie award preceding the Oscars, from Golden Globes to SAG Awards to Producers Guild of America, and despite receiving Oscar nominations for Best Director (Bennett Miller), Actor in a Leading Role (Steve Carell) and Actor in a Supporting Role (Mark Ruffalo), it ultimately failed inexplicably to secure a nomination for Best Picture. Best Director – The not-so-unpredictable category did reserve a few surprises this
that the movie only got nominated for
Out of all movies, Selma undeniably
Cinematography and Sound, being
suffered the most snubs: not only was
ignored at the director’s department in
director Ava DuVernay robbed of a
the favour of Wes Anderson and Morten
Best Director nomination, but the film
Tyldum.
received no nominations whatsoever in the acting department. This would
Actor in a Leading Role – Comments in
be the first time since 1999 when all
the media could not stop flowing after
nominees for best actor or actress
nominations had been announced,
are white, causing a fair amount of
revealing that Jake Gyllenhaal was
controversy in the media, who accused
omitted for his complex, troubled role in
the voters of racism. The historical drama
Nightcrawler, in what many considered
portrays the marches led by Martin
to be a great injustice. Starring as a
Luther King Jr. in the 1960 for voting
sociopath journalist in Los Angeles, who
equality, and was particularly praised
takes photos of nighttime crime in the
for David Oyelowo’s performance in
city in order to sell them to newspapers
the lead role.
and become famous, his role was acclaimed by critics and audiences,
As
you
can
see,
ever
since
the
who felt that the actor was robbed of
beginning Oscars decisions have been
the honorary, explicable to a certain
surrounded by controversy, and this
extent due to the other highly talented
year was no different. However, that
nominees in this category.
is part of the entertainment, and the ever expanding cultural influence of
Actress in a Leading Role – This is
this movie event. In the end, voters will
arguably the most blatant category
keep making questionable or at least
in terms of who was snubbed by the
debatable
Oscars this year. Forget that Amy Adams
nominees, making people talk in the
received no recognition whatsoever for
process and increasing the popularity
her role as the painter Margaret Keane
of these awards.
in Tim Burton’s Big Eyes (for which she
decisions
regarding
the
13
G-Your Columns
Erasmust Lizzy Linklater
I am a study abroad student with a difference, the difference
and the German language assistant, Sandy Ernst. Being the
being I don’t actually study. I moved to Châteauroux, France
youngest of all the assistants by about 3 years has been a
at the end of September to teach at the Lycée Pierre et Marie
bit of a discussion point during my time here. The teachers
Curie. I had been travelling the whole day and was met at
are all pretty shocked when they realise I’m only 20. I have
the station by a French teacher from the High School and my
whole classes where I am the youngest person there and my
Spanish soon to be Flatmate. Conversation was limited and
students range from 20-25…often prompting the “You are
I was pretty exhausted. We drove through a dead town with
only 20 years old, oh lá lá…my little bruzzer is 20!”
no one out on the streets, despite it being 2pm on a Monday
However, being only 20, I feel now is the perfect time for such
afternoon, a far cry from the hustle and bustle of the West
an experience. I have learnt to become truly independent;
End, until we arrived at my new home for the next 7 months.
falling ill in a foreign country without medical insurance was
PMC was full of French teens milling about looking at, what
certainly an eye opener, and have experienced the French
appeared to be, a new Scottish exchange student. But no, I
culture from the inside. I also haven’t missed the opportunity
was to be their English Language Assistant, and bar that first
to travel as much as possible around France on my weekends
massively overwhelming day, I have enjoyed every moment
and holiday; Toulouse, Bourges, Orleans, Tours, Paris, Poitiers,
since.
Angers & Clermont-Ferrand to name but a few towns & cities.
I only work 12 hours a week, although when you’re not trained
With only a few months left here I can honestly say that I’ve
as a teacher and are given a full class of French kids from the
had a ball and made some lifelong friends. If any of you get
ages of 14-18 twelve hours is more than enough believe me.
the opportunity to do something similar don’t even think
I live with the Spanish language assistant, Gonzalo del Pino,
about it, just do it!
14 14
Should Your Life Be Online? NO - Alice
YES - Taggy
- Taggy Elliott
- Alice Cockburn
of
About a year ago I decided
Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr
to change my name on my
and
As
an
avid
user
it’s
Facebook profile. I decided
obvious
that I wasn’t such a fan of
that I am ‘for’ having a life
allowing anyone who knew
online. However, I do have
my name to search me and
some reasons behind why I
find my profile. It has also
think being active on social
meant that I no longer get
probably
Instagram, quite
media is a positive thing.
random adds from people who search a certain word,
Social media is a brilliant form of communication. I can
which also happens to be contained in my surname, as
contact my family in Kent, my best friends in London and
a joke and find me! Many people on my newsfeed have
Aberystwyth or my boyfriend in Sydney whenever I please;
recently done something similar, often because they don’t
I can send them all messages and phone them for free on
want prospective employers or children they teach to be
Facebook, which is particularly useful with international calls
able to see certain aspects of their private lives. This seems
as it would be really expensive otherwise. You can also keep
particularly relevant to us as University students. There are
in contact with people you don’t see much of anymore and
the Murano pre-drinks pics, the tagged Viper pics, the ‘I
can get a glimpse into their day-to-day lives. On another
passed out and my friends took advantage of me’ photos.
level, Facebook and other forms of social media with private
You wouldn’t show them to your parents and they certainly
messaging services are really useful for arranging meetings,
won’t impress a recruitment department.
events and asking people for help with assignments.
Employers are increasingly turning to social media to screen
Furthermore, you can express yourself online. You can share
prospective employees and a study carried out by North
links to your favourite songs, post photos of your meals or
Carolina State University found that while companies are
share your opinions on matters such as politics. These are
checking Facebook profiles, they are doing so without a
possible on all social media platforms, and this is a positive
real understanding of what they see. Rather than looking
aspect of them, especially for people who find it easier to
at comments or posts, which may give a clearer idea of
share their thoughts online rather than face to face as it is less
personality, they often make snap judgements based on a
embarrassing for them. Obviously this has a negative side too,
picture. A study carried out by a social media monitoring
especially on Tumblr. Anonymity sees people send abusive
company found that up 91% of prospective employers will
messages to others that can have dreadful consequences.
check Facebook, Twitter or LinkedIn, often at an early stage
This is why there are privacy settings on social media, so that
in the employment process, and 69% said they had rejected
we can protect ourselves.
a prospective candidate based on what they saw. However
I feel that by sharing your feelings you can release any stress
it’s not all so bad, 68% said that what they saw on social
you might be feeling after a long day. Plus, scrolling through
media encouraged them to hire the candidate. To me,
one’s newsfeed can actually be really entertaining if you find
the risk seems too high in the current, hostile graduate job
a good Buzzfeed article (usually multiple) that someone’s
market. So at the very least become privacy setting savvy
shared on Facebook or the drama on Twitter. Moreover, you
and think twice before you upload that hilarious photo of
can meet people with similar interests to you, which can be
you dancing in the beer bar booths with your luminous pint
really lovely. Obviously you need to be wary of the people
of fun.
you’re in contact with and who you share personal details
So much personal information is available and it goes beyond
with, but there’s nothing wrong with a harmless conversation
Facebook to Tumblr, Instagram, Twitter and many more.
about a mutual love for a certain band or author.
Many of these platforms are public in some form, for instance
Yes, procrastination is an issue when it comes to being active
anyone can view a tweet or follow you on Instagram and
online- it’s the reason why it’s taken me so long to write this
Tumblr. At times we forget this, when needing to vent our
article- but if used wisely, social media is no bad thing.
anger or celebrate a deadline, we simply hit upload and allow anyone to see our lives, documented nice and neatly. All too soon information is out of our hands.
15
G-Your Societies
GUCFS
On the 21st of February the Glasgow University Charity Fashion Show will be taking over the Main
Building to hold an event unlike anything this University has seen before, in aid of the world leading cancer research charity- The Beatson Pebble Appeal. All profits made from the event will go to the charity. The Beatson Pebble Appeal Every two minutes someone in the UK is diagnosed with cancer. The west of Scotland has a particularly high incidence of cancer with 10,000 new cases of cancer registered in Greater Glasgow and Clyde every year. The cancer incidence rate in Greater Glasgow and Clyde is higher than the Scottish average and among the highest in Europe. The University of Glasgow has an outstanding reputation for world class cancer research. Sir George Thomas Beatson pioneered cancer treatments in the city in the 19th Century, with Glasgow continuing to develop ground-breaking scientific research in the 21st Century.
Romy Berits & Annabeth Wilson
The result of this investment is a multi-disciplinary environment of world-leading scientists and cancer-specialists housed in state-of the-art facilities to address the latest challenges in cancer diagnosis, research and treatment. Built with the help of £10 million in public donations, raised through the Beatson Pebble Appeal, the Wolfson Wohl Cancer Research Centre opened in May 2014. This cuttingedge new Centre, located at Garscube Estate, complements The Beatson Institute for Cancer Research, which studies the mechanisms of cancer development and how it spreads, and the Beatson West of Scotland Cancer Care Centre, which provides treatment and support to patients, clinical research and clinical trials. Scientists at The University of Glasgow have made significant breakthroughs over the past 10 years. Our scientists have gained an improved understanding of the mechanisms that control cancer cells and have identified some of the processes by which cancer cells invade and spread. Philanthropic donations to The University of Glasgow have played a crucial role in developing our understanding of cancer. These
advances
would
not be possible without the support of our donors. With
your
support,
we
can continue to push the boundaries
of
research,
cancer exploring
areas that would not be possible through traditional research grants. With your help, we can continue to attract the best scientists to
Glasgow,
them
with
advanced
provide the
most
technology
and fund ground-breaking research. This will have a
transformative
effect
on the future of cancer research. The first Chair of Oncology in Scotland was established in Glasgow 40 years ago. Since then, there have been significant advances in research and treatment of cancer. The University of Glasgow's research in Cancer Studies has been rated in the top five in the UK and the best in Scotland. We have made research into cancer one of our major priorities and, over recent years, have invested over £20million in new facilities to maintain our leading contribution to understanding cancer.
16
If you haven’t purchased your tickets yet for this phenomenal event, GET TO IT. They are selling out fast, and this is not a night you will want to miss! Tickets being sold most days in the GUU, check the Facebook page for updates!
www.gucfs.co.uk Email: secretary@gucfs.co.uk
Beer Bar Chat
Harriet Johnston & Annabeth Wilson
When
you want to get honest answers to pressing questions from the students of Glasgow Uni there is only one place to go: our beloved Beer Bar. This month we wanted to know all about your WORST
romantic moments, and got some very embarrassing answers...
"There are so many embarrassing moments I don’t think I could pick just one" Jonathon, 2nd year, Immunology "I know a guy who took a girl to mcdonalds on their first date and made her pay for his happy meal" – Callum, 2nd year, Psychology "I sneezed in a guys sandwich in the Great Western Sandwich shop while he was at the loo and didn’t know what to tell him so I just let him eat it" - Claire , 3rd year, History "I came onto my girlfriends sister when I was really drunk at SubClub once" – Josh, 1st year, Geography "I thought it would be sexy to rip off a guys shirt on valentines when we went back to his… he was not impressed" – Joanne, 2nd year, English Lit "I gave up carbs in prep for this fancy date, but the guy then orders the most carbalicious thing on the menu. My stomach just couldn’t handle it and I ended up farting the whole way home. He knew it was me . I knew he knew, It was awful" - Jade, 2nd year , History of Art "Went out for drinks with this really hot guy – I was running late so I didn’t eat beforehand . He ordered soo many drinks and I got so smashed that I had to run to the loo to throw up. When I come back, he tells me that I had something in my hair. IT WAS VOMIT" - Hannah, 4th year, Philosophy "Met a guy on Erasmus and we started going out. When I left Spain, we tried long distance. He came over to see me for 2 weeks , but two days in I realised I didn’t like him anymore so broke it off. He had to stay with me for the remaining 12 days, and we didn’t talk the whole time. I was essentially living with my ex, it was a total nightmare" - Amy, 2nd year, Spanish
Keep an eye out for us in the Beer Bar next month so you can tell us all of your chat, whether it's shite or not - we want to hear it!
17
GLASGOW UNIVERSITY SPORTS ASSOCIATION SPORT & WELLBEING WEEK REVIEW
This year’s Sport & Wellbeing week was a huge success, with students and staff taking advantage of free gym access and a wide range of classes and events. The yoga masterclass was extremely popular, with 100 participants filling the Activity Hall to learn the basics of yoga. Other events included a session with Commonwealth Games judo gold medallists, Kimberley and Louise Renicks, as well as Mindfulness taster sessions, first aid classes and a foam roller workshop. Throughout the week there were also personal trainer consultations, massages and herbal teas on offer. The week was rounded off with the annual Superteams event, which saw 20 teams compete for the title in events including swimming, cycling, rowing, agility and tug of war. Well done to Hell Hounds, the winning team of Sport & Recreation staff, as well as all the individual event winners!
GUSA BALL 2015 The annual GUSA Ball was a resounding success, with 800 guests gathering at the Hilton to celebrate the achievements of the previous year. The Blues & Colours Reception recognised the performances of athletes at national and international levels, and the dedication of club members over the years. This was followed by dinner and a ceilidh, and the announcement of prize winners. Congratulations to all of the Blues & Colours winners, as well as the following award winners: The Talking Stick - Julie Omner (Director of Sport and Recreation) The Drinking Horn - Candice Lindsay (GUSA Welfare Convenor) Justin Langham Award for the Development of Sport - Emily Gray (Netball) Justin Langham Award for the Most Outstanding First Year Undergraduate - Sarah Francis (Cycling) Rebecca Cooke Award for the Most Outstanding Sportswoman - Camilla Hattersley (Swimming) Bob Wilson Memorial Trophy for the Most Outstanding Sportsman - Kyle Adam (Kickboxing) Millennium Team Trophy - Rowing: Womens Double Sculls (Emma McDonald and Rebecca Lightfoot) William Ross Cunningham Memorial Trophy for Club of the Year - The Cycling Club