G-YOU: October Edition - Retrospect

JUSTY

NOVEMBER 2013

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Front Cover: Catrin Stephen

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Contents Formalities Editorial

From the Board

Alumni Column: Rob McMillan Politics

'Tis the Season...

Attempted Colonization

In retrospect - Brexit The Debates

The Referendum....

Culture and Opinion

Ms. Margo: Resident Agony Aunt

Vintage Glasgow

Nobody Puts the 80's in the Corner

Scotland- Land of the Non-Believers Lifestyle and Features

Glasgow's Gangs

Glasgow Urban Legends Art

West End- Then and Now Science

Science: Old Vs. New

The Changing Faces of Tech CEOs

The Western Infirmary: Out with the

Old, in with the New Sport

Old Opposition or Firm Friends?

GUSA Over the Years Welfare

Calling People Psychos is Madness

CONTRIBUTORS Ryan Christy Rob McMillan Natalia Melenteva Teresa Quijano Valeria Gorbatova Emil Eleftheriotis Olivia Swarthout

Michael Cartledge Grace Saunders.

Alison McIntyre Grace Morton Fiona Johnston Miles Lockhart Ciaran McMonagle

WELCOME

Hello reader, Welcome to the October Edition of G-YOU, chock packed with articles all reflecting on the past, and how it has shaped the present.

Often while studying at university we get caught up at looking at "what comes next", or how this is "shaping who you are for the future". We rarely take a moment to reflect on where we've come from. If I take a moment to look back over my younger-years, I see a guy completely different to the one writting here now. The personal growth we go through is monumental through our high-school and early university years.

So the next time you stress out while looking into the future, stressed about deadlines, job prospects, relationships - Just take a look back and see how far you have come, and remeber that you still have a lot of growing left.... Lord knows I do....

Whatever comes your way, you'll be able to weather it, because look what you overcame when so much younger and inexperienced. You made it through puberty in one piece, so university should be a breeze...

However, if it does start to seem a little too much remeber you are not alone. Don't bottle up the stresses, speak to friends, your doctor or even a tutor that you feel comfortable with.

This month G-YOU has made a pledge to keep talking about mental health year round, in the hope we can erode the stigma around it even a little.

So sit back, take some time to yourself, and flick through this months awesome issue. Enjoy!

Owain Campton Co.Editor-In-Chief Convener of Libraries

EDITORIAL TEAM Co. Editor-in-Chief Co. Editor-in-Chief Design Editor Politics Editor Culture and Opinion Editor Arts Editor Science Editor Sports and Wellbeing Editor Lifestyle and Features Editor

Owain Campton Isabelle Thornton Catrin Stephen Bethany Tallulah Howard Daisy Thomson Skye Brettell Lucy Rawbone Laura Hannah Lucy Donaldson | 3

FORMALITIES

FROM THE BOARD

What’s happening readers! Thanks for picking up a copy of this Even though this is how I coped, everyone deals with what they’re outstanding G-You magazine and taking the time to read my little going through in their own way and at their own pace and that’s addition. okay! Even if you don't have any mental health issues yourself, the I hope everyone has settled into their new university year and is en- chances are you will know someone that is and the best advice I joying their studies as much as is possible! It can be daunting star- can give is to simply be a good friend. Offer to walk to class with ting a new course, module, placement or even new university if this them, organise lunches together, keep them in the loop with your is your first year at the University of Glasgow. You can feel homesick, plans even if you know they won’t be interested, be happy to talk to lost, alone or completely overwhelmed by the newness of everything. them if they want and most importantly, be happy to listen. It was This is nothing to be ashamed of. World Mental Health Day has the friends I made who got me through my harder times at university been and gone however the topic is not confined to a single day, so I and can honestly say I am now having the time of my life! would just like to remind everyone to look after themselves mentally If you want an excuse to get out of the flat this month, as per we as well as physically. have our usual events such as the Quiz, Open-Mic, Speaker TraiI felt out of my depth in my first year of university and to be quite ning, G-YOU events as well as a whole host of other activities and frank, terrified. I shut myself off from friends and family and allowed functions being held in the Union! Keep an eye out for some spooky my thoughts to take control of me. It was a tough time and took me Halloween nights coming up also!! a while to figure out how to regather myself. What helped me was Just remember, keep talking, keep listening and keep your head up! the Union; it was a place I could go to have lunch with friends, have To everyone facing tough times, you are not alone and help is out a drink if I fancied it, study in a quieter space and eventually this led there! me to join the Games Committee which I have now been involved in -Ryan Christy, Convener of Games for 3 years.

Alumni Column - Rob McMillan Granted there were clear material differences, broadband was both new and uncommon whilst WIFI didn’t exist, mobile phones could do little more than make calls, if you wanted to see your pictures from the night before you had to go to boots and get them developed and most importantly a vodka and coke was only sixty pence.

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ixteen years ago, I loaded some belongings into my mate’s car and we set off for Glasgow. I was seventeen years old, leaving home to live on my own for the first time and moving into the then newly built Queen Margaret halls of residence. Needless to say, I was like the proverbial pig in shit. A world of opportunity lay at my feet and I couldn’t wait to get started. A couple of days later I visited the GUU for the first time and found what would be my favourite haunt throughout my nine years at university.

Over a decade and a half later I am still involved in the union as an FSM on the board and I am often asked by the students about how different things must have been back when I was a student just after the turn of the century and my general view is that in all honesty things were much the same.

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Despite these clear differences student life is generally exactly the same.

University is a melting pot of young adults who spend their week contemplating how to spend as little of their weekly budget on food, so they can get rinsed on a Thursday night. Student activist still have the righteous indignation they have always had and think that a petition and a protest can fix the world’s problems. All-nighters spent ploughing through coffee and hastily cobbling together essays still seem to be the norm. Campus boasts dozens of clubs, societies and teams allowing students to come together and use a vague common interest as an excuse to party, meet people and drink to excess.

And above all mocking the john street tech, the Buchanan street bus station uni and the arseholes from Edinburgh is a Gilmore hill rite of passage.

Four weeks ago, I became a father for the first time and I hope that one day my daughter will be downing strawpedos in the Beer Bar and enjoying stu-

dent life. Whilst undoubtedly the technology and popular culture will be unimaginably different it is reassuring to know that the principles of student life will remain the same as they were in the time of her parents and every generation before that.

-Rob McMillan

FSM Former Convener of Entertainments MA (Hons) Economic and Social History 2006 BN (Hons) Adult Nursing 2011

POLITICS

‘TIS THE SEASON TO BE REVOLUTIONARY

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101 YEARS SINCE THE RUSSIAN REVOLUTION

ne-hundred-and-one years have passed since the February and October of 1917 changed Russia and uprooted every layer of society; but for many abroad, the events still remain an enigma. The collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991 has created a similar myth in modern history. The point of this article is not to analyse the good or bad of any regime, but rather to shed light upon changes happening in every level of the society. So, let’s begin to unravel the mystery of the months that changed the world irrevocably…

Retrospectively, the history of Russia has always been tumultuous: in less than 100 years it has seen not one, but two states collapsing. From an Empire to the Soviet Union to the Russian Federation – revolutions and unrests have transformed the state and there is still no clarity on how to come to terms with the past.

By 1917, the Tsarist regime was rotten and needed change – an impossible feat with a weak and unpopular reigning monarch, Tsar Nicholas II. Many factors such as poverty, hunger, social inequality and war resulted in people assembling together and taking to the streets in February 1917. The Tsar then abdicated, effectively ending the rule of the Romanov dynasty of over 300 years. The imperial family was executed brutally in July 1918 after lengthy imprisonment.

But, those who overcame the Tsar in 1917 were not much better: the masterminds of the revolution with the blood of millions on their hands. It was the October Revolution in 1917 that saw the Bolsheviks, under Vladimir Lenin, take power and cause the outbreak of the Civil War between the White Army (Anti-Bolsheviks) – and the Red Army who were fighting for the Bolshevik cause. The Reds won because of a strong leadership and a united cause, which the Whites simply did not have. The Civil War was to last until 1920, and 1922 marking the beginning of the Soviet Union, which then in turn collapsed in 1991 under Mikhail Gorbachev.

1917 and 1991 both introduced a completely new way of life to the people of Russia, of a different economic system and of different moral values, and even different spelling after 1917. When the existing structures collapsed, it left many displaced and lost, and raised new questions of loyalty and belonging. And while many saw the collapses as a beginning of

a new era, full of hope for changes; for plenty of people it was a personal tragedy, a goodbye to what they knew and believed in. Not everyone was able to transition from system to system successfully: after 1917, those who did not fit into the ideology were killed or exiled and in 1991, many (especially of older generations) were not successful in adapting to new economic and life structures.

The execution of the imperial family is often romanticised at home and in the West, just as it is impossible to analyse the years of Communism objectively. Both resulted in the feeling of loss for a life that there once was and consequently there still exists the struggle of regaining that something from the past. Post-revolutionary literature often proves to be either extremely critical, or sentimental. Streets and cities have been renamed multiple times during the Soviet rule and after, most notably Leningrad and Stalingrad, which we today know as St. Petersburg and Volgograd. And yet, the Soviet names will forever be connected to some of the bloodiest and most significant losses and victories of the Soviets during the Second World War. The Russian Empire and the USSR are still an enigma abroad. There are thousands of books, movies and personal accounts, and yet, there are no two same opinions, especially in the case of the more recent history of the USSR. But even within Russia, one will hear a million different stories about the times of Soviet rule and none of them telling the same tale. Modern day Russia is still trying to find an identity that is not overshadowed by its imperial or communist past - a task seemingly impossible.

Both have made irreversible impacts on the society, culture and infrastructure, whether good or bad. There is no one solution on how to deal with the past as difficult as Russia’s, but the country cannot be held back by it.

We must look into Russia’s future by learning from history, so what is the state of it in 2018? The current elite is feeling as untouchable as the nobility did once before 1917. It is also true that the current state of the country is infinitely better than it was leading up to the Russian Revolution.

As bloody as the conflict turned out after 1917, as tumultuous as the years after the fall of the Soviet Union in 1991 were, it is difficult to imagine what the next big social uprising would look like. Today, when people abroad speak of Russia, many only consider the most visible part of it: the European territory. In reality, 22 republics of all religions, ethnicities and languages make up the Russian Federation.

In just 100 years, Russian people have seen so many revolutions and wars that they want changes to be peaceful and without uprooting the entire country once again.

The Soviet Union ideology proved to be a failed experiment, just as the elite of Russian Empire were failing the people 101 years ago. The Russian Federation is a new country with its own path. History does not simply repeat itself, it adapts to times and circumstances and most importantly, to the people.

And so it is this generation’s responsibility to create and shape a country they can socially and economically grow and believe in.

-Natalia Melenteva

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POLITICS

Attempted Colonization

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Scotland’s brief liaison with Darien, Panama

t is safe to say, that the Scots were probably the first ones to suggest a more viable and unchallenging way of trading with Panama based on the idea of creating a link between East and West. This idea was fundamental because it created a more practical way to travel and exchange goods, instead of traveling through Cape Horn, Argentina, saving almost 13,000 kilometers and making it much safer. This link between East and West is in Panama: a very small province called Darien that connects South America and North America. An ambitious Scotland once tried to settle a trading colony there, but the result of this precipitated idea was loss of life, economic crisis and the origination of the Act of Union of 1707.

The whole idea came from a guy named William Patterson in 1693, a Scot originally from Edinburgh who was also one of the founders of the Bank of England, and set up the Scottish Darien Company. Patterson believed that Darien, a bay with abundant, fertile soil on the Isthmus of Panama, could be Scotland’s new trading colony. Due to Panama’s narrowness and strategic position in the globe, it seemed a pretty good idea, at first.

Patterson collected the money, which was not at all difficult, since it became a very popular and promising project. At first, the Scottish Darien Company received financial support from the English, but they later on withdrew from the project because of pressure and fear from the East India Company who risked losing their monopoly in trade. The Scottish Darien Company was able to raise 500,000 pounds, which at the time was around half of the national capital available.

The first expedition landed in Darien on the 2nd of November of 1698. After 4 months at sea, 70 people died in the first ships, including Patterson’s wife. The reality was much crueler than expected: the mosquito-infested land was almost inhospitable, the Indians were not interested in what the Scots had to offer and the land was not suited for agriculture.

Seven months after landing, 400 Scots were dead. The bad news did not travel fast and unfortunately more ships sailed towards Darien. To make it worse, the amount of supplies and food were not enough for the amount of people settling there.

It was a disaster: 2,000 dead and almost all of the investment lost. The promised land was not at all promising, and dreams were rapidly crushed. The economic disaster was so bad that, less than a decade after, Scotland opted for the Act of Union in 1707, joining with England and becoming part of Great Britain.

I do not want to say that there is a morale to the story, because there is not. Well, maybe do a little bit more research before investing in a huge project. But, to be fair, up to this 6 |

day, the Darien Gap has been nearly impossible to cross.

It is probably in the same conditions as 300 years ago. It is actually a paradox, because Panama is known for successfully connecting the world through its airport, which has a huge amount of international flights leaving and arriving every day; and also through its Canal, which represents 40% of Panama’s GDP and handles 6% of the world’s maritime commerce. It is a hub for biodiversity, culture and connectivity. Yet, it has not been able to fill in the gap in the Pan-American Highway, the 48,000 km of road stretching from Alaska to Argentina.

It was up until 1960, that a Panamanian team of researchers underwent the adventure in a Land Rover nicknamed “The Affectionate Cockroach”. It took them almost five months at just 200 meters per hour, but their journey was definitely worth the while because it helped with the development of the Darien National Park, which is part of the Unesco World Heritage Site.

As a Panamanian, it is amazing to think how one small part of my country could have had such an important impact in what was becoming the British Empire at the time.

On the other hand, Scotland’s premature idea of linking the Atlantic to the Pacific Ocean came to be the starting point from which the Panama Canal construction started. Today, the Panama Canal is one of the most important maritime, trading ports in the whole world.

The Darien Scheme is remembered by being a failure, but we cannot dismiss the fact that Scotland, even though they were unbelievably hopeful and naïve, were pioneers for the idea to make the most of Panama’s unique and strategic position in the world. This idea materialized in 1914, when the Panama Canal was built; and since that day, I can personally say, we have been very successful and incredibly thankful.

-Teresa Quijano

POLITICS

In retrospect – Brexit Better In or Out? t seems that since the 23rd of However, the idea that leaving the ternatives, which is relatively easy

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June 2016 everyone is suddenly into politics. People that have no idea what Brexit stands for involve themselves in violent debates, turning the substandard students’ hangout areas into an atmosphere similar to that of the British parliament. So, let’s have a closer look into the “rocky” relationship of Britain and the EU, or as I like to call it: their friendship with benefits. First, we shall go back a few decades and evaluate the dilemma of how Great Britain tried to get over its imperial hangover, and as a result, the start of its political, economic and juridical liaison with the EU. The most popular consensus as to why this liaison formed is that Britain became very weak and economically unstable; its GDP falling between 1945 and 1972. Britain was stripped of its resources and left absolutely denuded after the second World War. Quite frankly, during this period, it became evident that it was not the best idea to battle solo with the Cold War. So, they chose to join up with the big friend - the EU - and use/borrow their resources, power and technically anything else they needed from it. Ironically and perhaps hypocritically, Britain was doing everything that it doesn’t want EU countries to do to it now.

Skipping the highly politicised media fodder surrounding this subject, it is interesting to know the exact reason why, after all that has been done for it, including the Budget Rebate that boosted Britain’s trade and overall prosperity, the UK now wants to leave. Looking at it from the perspective of the mass of its citizens receptible to the political advertising and fear-tactics going on during the EU referendum campaigning, people thought that leaving the EU would reduce immigration, improve the job security of people in Britain through not having their jobs “taken”, and help to protect Britain from terrorism.

EU will suddenly resolve the above issues is very unrealistic to say the least. As Nick Clegg, former leader of Britain’s Liberal Democrats once tweeted: “It’s a bit like staring at a building site and saying we’ve made progress because we’ve made a cup of tea”.

What is already established, however, is that the negative externalities and socio-political consequences will fall heavily on Britain’s shoulders: failing currency, disruption in trade, the widening gap between rich and poor and the list goes on.

What makes things even more alarming is that over 1,000 lecturers and professors, three-quarters of continental EU academics in the UK said they are more likely to leave the country following the Brexit vote. This follows on to my next question; how will the decision of “British exit” affect us as students and our education?

In October last year, home secretary Amber Rudd announced several consultations on student visas, in the context of a series of strategies to reduce overall immigration numbers. She outlined a possible economic system in which ‘tougher rules’ would apply to students enrolling in ‘lower quality courses’. This brings up certain issues including the increasing risk of inequality that younger people will be subjected to.

Where do we draw the line according to who should be able to obtain education in the UK and who will have less freedom to make such decisions? Furthermore, in the longer term, it seems likely that EU students will have to pay the higher fee rates that currently apply to those from outside of the EU. This supports the concept of “survival of the fittest” or, in this case, the richest. Thus, to put it simply, less EU students will be allowed to get in and they will have to pay more. Abolishing the right to gain education for free would mean that students would have to find al-

considering countries like Sweden, Denmark, Finland and others that provide education for free. On the contrary, however, the UK itself will face a deficit in spending and thus a decrease in economic growth.

What does it mean in the long term for everyone? Potentially less jobs in the market, higher prices, and a further increase in migration from the UK due to these conditions.

That doesn’t sound like much fun to me. On the bright side for the EU nationals, the pound’s fall in value, if sustained, will continue to make studying/working in the UK more affordable for all the international students currently studying there right now.

In conclusion, I believe that the current situation around Britain leaving the EU is very controversial due to lack of an established case scenario about the future of politics. Consequently, the future of European and International students is also uncertain in terms of cost of education, eligibility to enter UK as well as obtaining jobs afterwards. I have friends in Europe not taking a gap year as they are afraid that they will not get the education they want; I have friends in the Cypriot army that are already planning to go elsewhere as they have no idea what the academic future holds for them.

Britain leaving the EU would mean that there will be a lot more bureaucracy, and in my opinion there are far more important global issues that governments needs to focus on, including terrorism, environmental catastrophe and the macro-economy.

-Valeria Gorbatova

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THE DEBATE

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he Union has a rich history of debating, steming from its founding. However, only a few know about it or get involved. This column is intended to stoke discourse outside the usual set of Union debaters, as well as invite you into join with them. You can find them in the Bridie Library, Tuesdays at 6pm during term time, or on Facebook - @guudebating

-Owain Campton, Editor-in-Chief

This House Would Not Have Set The EU Referendum

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Opposition

Proposition

divided Britain, racism on the rise and the perpetrators of this, nowhere to be seen. We are left with little direction, in a country with extreme hatred on both sides of the divide. Politically, prior to the referendum we were more stable, with the Conservatives holding a majority in parliament and a viable opposition. The question of Scottish independence was off the table, and xenophobia, although an ongoing issue, unlikely to boil over. However, when David Cameron made the concession to the United Kingdom Independence Party by promising a referendum, he put fear into the heart of over 2 million EU nationals working in the UK and brought the future of the very country that he was representing into question.

The day after the referendum, the First Minister of Scotland, Nicola Sturgeon, spoke in her ministerial office, Bute House, with a statement that brought the question of Scottish independence back into public debate. You may argue that this was not solely the fault of the EU referendum however it was this referendum that brought the issue of the union back to the forefront of Scottish politics. It is no surprise that a referendum as divisive as one on the question of continuing membership of the EU, will bring other divisions to the surface. Polling prior to the referendum showed that Scotland was strongly in favour of remaining in the EU. Surely, with only two years having passed since the referendum on Scottish independence, the decision to hold another, highly contentious, referendum, in a country that had seen a hugely belligerent vote so recently, was a decision made not for the betterment of the whole of the UK. Rather the result is the opposite– it has only created more uncertainty and anxiety, making the chances of an economic catastrophe more likely.

The uncertainty brought about by this referendum has led to investors investing less, less job creation and less growth in a country recovering from an economic crisis. Additional to the divisions created across the union, the referendum sowed the seeds of division along lines of ethnicity and race. Since the referendum, there has been a considerable rise in reported cases of Islamophobic and xenophobic hate crimes. It can be argued that this was because, the referendum was based on creating a discourse of us (British nationals) against them (immigrants to the UK). The reasoning behind this was simple. The referendum was called by a Conservative party that put their desire for electoral victory ahead of the stability of the country. It allowed UKIP, a notoriously anti-immigrant party, the right to push for a referendum that wasn’t wanted by the majority of the country. By letting an anti-immigrant party frame the debate, a clear division between immigrants and those against immigration has emerged.

This house would not have held the EU referendum for this was a vote that broke more than it fixed.

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-Emil Eleftheriotis

Though the outcome of the 2016 EU Referendum may have divided the United Kingdom, that such a divisive issue had gone so long unaddressed is precisely why the matter of EU membership needed to be brought directly to the people. The power a referendum has to bring about a turning point in the legislation of a democratic state has made this form of vote among the most effective ways for a state to put power directly into the hands of its subjects, both in the UK and abroad. Following the definition and direct translation of Democracy as “rule by people”, it is crucial that governments and elected representatives not only adhere to the ideologies of their parties but play their part as agents of the will of those citizens who supported them with their vote and entrusted their country’s government to them.

In 1975 the European Communities membership was put to the popular vote as the first national referendum in modern British history; an acknowledgement that Britain’s participation in such a union would see such extensive and long-lasting effects on the country and all citizens that the matter should rest in the hands of the citizens themselves. Indeed that may be one thing that the opposing sides agree upon: whether in or out is better for the UK, EU membership affects every Brit. In 2017, the UK contributed over £8 billion to the EU Budget, and as one of the tenets of membership British employers and manufacturers are subject to EU regulations, even those parts of the economy not involved in trade with the EU. While London Mayor Sadiq Khan estimates 500,000 lost jobs with a so-called “Hard Brexit”, Eurosceptic think tank the Bruges Group claims pulling out of the EU would actually create 1,000,000 jobs in the UK. Thus it cannot be denied that the most just and democratic way to solve the question of EU membership was to put it to the popular vote.

With billions of pounds, millions of citizens, and thousands of jobs in play, the British people deserved their say.

It was not in fact until after the referendum passed with the controversial decision to exit the EU that the legitimacy of having such a referendum to begin with was even called into question in ways that the 1975 never was. Had the UK voted to remain, this very motion would not have been put to debate to begin with.

Although the UK has arguably begun to feel negative effects of Brexit already and there may be more consequences to come, with the referendum several years behind us now the time to question its validity has long passed and distracts us from the question of how to best navigate the coming years as Britain prepares for the big shift.

-Olivia Swarthout

Ms. Margo Y

CULTURE AND OPINION

ou are a student,

you probably have problems....

Why not write to the G-YOU's resident agony aunt? Scan the QR code, ask for help, then keep an eye out in the Ms. Margo articles online or in magazine, for some person advice!

I

“I think I’m in love with my best friend – but he’s at uni in a different country! Help me please...”

suppose I’m meant to be romantic and say love will always find a way, follow your dreams and everything will work out, but life isn’t actually a rom-com (much to my constant disappointment) and I think it’s sometimes my job to bring the agony to the agony aunt. So, it worth endangering your close friendship to take the risk?

There are two questions that need answering here. Firstly, what is the likelihood your feelings will be returned?

Sometimes crushes are requited, but not always – if that wasn’t true the world would have a lot fewer angsty teens in it. But, you know your best friend better than anyone, certainly better than the person you’re sending anonymous questions on Facebook to. In your gut/heart/soul/star sign (delete as appropriate), you probably have a pretty good idea of whether the feeling is mutual. If you really don’t know try some text flirting and see if they reciprocate, making sure to keep it subtle so you don’t make things weird if they get suspicious.

So now you’ve established if they like you back, now you need to decide if the relationship would be worth the possible break-up and ending of the friendship. The choice is yours, but I would say no. Friendships are chronically undervalued in our society. If they’re done well they can be just as supportive and fulfilling as romance, if not more so because they tend to be more stable. As uni students we aren’t the most skilled Lotharios ever, and at this age our tendency to not know what the hell we’re doing means a lot of uni romances are short-lived. The end of a relationship with your best friend turned partner could be twice as painful as the normal not particularly fun heartbreak, because you would be losing your partner but also not be able to talk to your best friend to get through the pain.

Finally, there’s the question of long distance, being miles from your object of affection makes building and maintaining intimacy harder, and it does make the relationship more likely to fail. All that being said, obviously if you feel this is your soulmate, you’re great at long distance and ready to commit, then go for it! There is no point having regrets in life, just embrace the risks. However, I would recommend trying to move on from those feelings, and recognise that they have developed because you have a brilliant friendship with this person. You are creating a romantic fantasy based on a genuine connection, but the things you love about them as a friend might not translate over into a compatible partner.

“My flatmate is super loud at night when her boyfriend is over, and keeps me up, but I don’t know how to tell her, help!”

L

iving independently has many advantages: no rules, no-one to judge your fifth takeaway of the week, and you get the opportunity to live with your best friends, but one of the almost inevitable side effects of living with your closest friends is that you get to know them on a whole new intimate level. Look on the bright side, it could be worse, at least you’re not listening to your parents get down and dirty like you might be if you were living at home.

Telling someone you’ve heard them shag (and not only that, but that it’s unbearably loud or graphic) is probably one of the most awkward conversations you can have – the best way to approach it would be to start by joking about it and then use that to casually lead into the “Actually if you could keep it down a bit that would be great...” part of the conversation. Ultimately though you just have to bite the bullet with that conversation and be honest and tell her.

If your flatmate and her boyfriend always come to your flat, it might be easier to suggest that they alternate between flats more. You could even do this by making it an issue of her boyfriend not contributing towards expenses, rather than her upsetting sex life, if you’re really uncomfortable with bringing up the issue head on. | 9

CULTURE AND OPINION

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Vintage Glasgow: A Buyers Guide or the discerning shopper, Glasgow offers a great deal in the way of vintage clothing. But for those new to the city, you might be unsure of where to go. Well, I am here to take you through my favourite places in the West End to find vintage apparel, including a scoring rating and my favourite item I’ve found from each place - the personal touch that we here at G-YOU are so proud of.

1. The Glasgow Vintage Company (4.5/5) Arguably the most obvious place to look, but for good reason, the GVC offers a good range for anyone and everyone. Located on Great Western Road, this place offers two floors with sections meeting all requirement for anyone, be it vintage suits, dresses, t-shirts, jeans, shoes, you name it, they’ll probably have it. Never forget, they offer a 10% student discount.

4.Hillhead Bookclub Vintage Fairs (3/5) A hidden gem of the vintage clothing world, the Hillhead Bookclub, just off Byres Road, holds vintage fairs which are rarely advertised, save for a sign on the day. However, they have an excellent range of unique suppliers selling vintage clothing, along with their own creations. There’s little way of telling when they will happen, but when they do, they’re usually worth a look.

Favourite Item: Royal Stewart Tartan waistcoat

Favourite Item: Black watch, bowtie, and cummerbund set

2. Vintage Kilo Sales (3/5) Common enough in Glasgow, though run by different companies and in different locations, vintage kilo sales can be useful for those operating on a budget. As the name suggests, you are charged not by the item, but by the kilo, meaning you can buy a lot of light items for less than you otherwise might be able to.

Operating from such varied venues as the Traders Hall and the Royal Concert Hall, they can often be found on any given weekend within the city.

5.Byres Road Charity Shops (4/5) Not a vintage supplier, but still a goldmine if you know what to look for, Byres Road is full of charity shops, from Save the Children at one end to British Red Cross at the other. Finding genuine vintage in them is not common, but it is possible, and you can often find some really good items if you’re diligent enough.

Even if you’re not looking for vintage, taking a stroll up Byres Road and looking through them all is a very cleansing activity (I should know, I do it at least once a week)

Favourite Item: Navy greatcoat, with military epaulettes

Favourite Item: Black fedora (I do love my fedoras)

3.Vintage Events (4/5) Vintage Events is run by students of our very own university and holds pre-loved vintage clothing sales around the west end, often near Gibson Street. The nature of being pre-loved means that you can often pick up items for less than with mainstream retailers. Occasionally not as well stocked as its high street rivals, its true, but it more than makes up for it with a very friendly atmosphere.

6.Great Western Charity Shops (4/5) I’ve covered Byres Road, so I may as well give Great Western the same courtesy. True, there are less charity shops along here (3 in total), but you can still often find something useful if you look. Notably the Shelter near the Botanic Gardens often has some very nice vintage items in, if you’re willing to pay the money (I’m often not, but then I’m a cheapskate).

Favourite Item: Green and orange chequered jacket (it looks better than it sounds)

Favourite Item: Tuxedo lapelled dress coat (which I bought cheap due to lining damage and restored)

That’s all I have to say on vintage shopping in Glasgow. But feel free not to listen to me and go out there for yourself. There are other places I’ve not included on my list, such as Starry Starry Night, off Byres Road and Retro, off Great Western (both of which were omitted simply because I’ve not bought anything from them yet). Forge your own path, explore new places, dress however you want and if people can’t handle it, it’s their loss. Stay safe, stay splendid.

-Michael Cartledge, Critic-at-Large 10 |

CULTURE AND OPINION Johanna Crighton Joint Head Painter 2017

No-one puts the 80’s in the Corner

T

here’s no denying that history repeats itself. All you need to do is open a copy of Vogue and see our parents’ fantastic clothes in the photographs they’ve shoved under their bed in embarrassment.

Or, you could walk into a fluorescently-lit Murano flat and hear a multitude of students standing on the table projecting “Annie, are you okay?” in Kendrick Lamar’s, King Kunta. That’s all you need to see to understand that past popular culture comes into style on repeat.

a quest to find a crystal skull belonging to an extra-terrestrial life form. The movie received mixed reviews because of the difference to the previous plotlines. While I enjoyed it, many I know didn’t enjoy its new alien theme, describing it as “trash”, or “s***”. But, others I know appreciated the film and how much of a “DILF” Indiana Jones was.

On the other hand, the revival of cinema and the recreation of these pieces most likely boils down to generational feelings of nostalgia. Already having a devoted audience (think Ghostbusters (1984), Beetlejuice (1988) and the cartoon favourite The Transformers: The Movie (1986)), the recreation of these classics appeal to a certain demographic. It allows these people to relive their twisted experience of adolescence, without having to endure the spandex and crimped hair. Refashioning these films intrigues younger generations, educates them on debatable topics and encourages them to challenge the society in which they’re ingrained.

We can’t talk about the revival of the 80s without paOf course, the same can be said for film. One of my ear- ying homage to the most hyped piece of 80s-influenliest memories is sitting in my auntie and uncle’s house, ced, 21st century pop culture. Drawing themes from them showing me and my brother copious amounts of defining films such as Aliens (1986), Akira (1988), and important 80s films. These still made their mark on me Back to the Future (1985), it epitomises the archetypal today. By introducing me to the likes of John Hughes 80s lifestyle which we so heavily romanticise. with his 1985 film The Breakfast Club, and Spielberg’s Stranger Things.

The Goonies (1985), I became aware of the defining teenage years seemingly everyone struggled with. The This spectacular science fiction piece encapsulates the defiance of these characters was appealing – they conti- spirit of 80’s youth adventure, from its idealised clonuously broke the rules and went against their parents. thing styles to its adorable outcast characters. Ex-HeaIntrigued, I watched more: Dead Poets Society (1989), thers (1988) protagonist Winona Ryder as a hysterical Dirty Dancing (1987), and Stand by Me (1986). The- mother is simply the icing on the cake. With the use se exuded deep personalities and enticing storylines of of malfunctioning electricity, walkie-talkies and Toto’s rebellion, whilst emerging topical (and controversial) Africa, we are immersed into the lives of the bicycle riissues such as suicide, teenage pregnancy, and parental dings young heroes, who learn the meaning of friendspressures. hip along the way. If that doesn’t scream Spielberg then I don’t know what does.

You’re already sold on the film because 80s pop So, there. Now you’ll understand why you culture is already deep-seated in your life. stand in line at the Grosvenor in 2019 So, why do the themes of these films come back into waiting to see the new sequel of Indiana fashion? Why do we continue to watch them? Why do Jones. Or, when you’re sat down in the we recreate them? Some may claim it’s a lack of crea- front row after paying a month’s worth of tivity - why go through the effort of trying to create a rent on one cinema ticket, cracking your new storyline when we can re-use an old one and im- neck to see Beetlejuice 2, wondering why?

You’re already sold on the film because prove it with CGI? 80s pop culture is already deep-seated in You could argue that this is what they’ve done with clas- your life.

-Grace Saunders sics – for example, the revival of Indiana Jones with The Kingdom of the Crystal Skull in 2008. The adventure tale depicts the protagonist Indiana Jones, played

by Harrison Ford, and his battle against the Soviets, in | 11

CULTURE AND OPINION

Scotland...

I

...Land of the Non-Believers

n 2017, for the first time, more weddings were conducted by the Humanist Society of Scotland than the Church of Scotland. A remarkable transition in a country in which religion (and religious tension) once dominated statehood and societal life. Humanism aims to be an ethical life stance in which humans give meaning and shape their own lives. Through ethics and values Humanists work towards building a humane society without theistic or supernatural views of reality.

yet legal in England and Wales prompting many couples to cross the border for marriage in Scotland. Categorised as ‘non-religious belief ceremonies’, humanist weddings have the same legal status as church-based and civil marriages.

What changed?

Now institutionally secular, Scotland was not so long ago a country in which most people had association with an organised religious body. However, throughout the 19th and 20th centuries the spread of literacy and increased sense of ‘mastery over fate’.

A Humanist wedding (unique and tailored to each couple) will set you back £410 plus a £43 annual membership fee. Legalised in Scotland in 2005 and this year in Northern Ireland humanist weddings are not Where previously disease was met with fasting, prayer and bible readings throughout the 20th centuries the population increasingly turned to government welfare and called for greater investment in a national health system and medical research. Sense of control over one's life meant that serving a ‘judging’ God was less appealing.

Religious diversity was also important in Scotland’s shift towards an overwhelmingly secular population. A state church was once vital to shared national identity and provided the accepted status quo. Throughout the second half of the 19th century and into the 20th century the Church of Scotland fractured into many different sects operating independently.

On top of this, Irish Catholic

immigration only added to the pluralist religious scene. Initially, Irish Catholics relied on their church being a familiar community in their new land, one which provided the comforts of a recognisable ritual and language.

As the Irish Catholic community prospered and became less socio-economically distinctive and more culturally integrated, naturally the population grew away from the church and were able to become more selective in their religion.

The removal of organised religion from the centre of Scottish public life meant that social values diverged from religious ones.

The church no longer represented the views of the general public: the Catholic stance on contraception, LGBTQ+ rights, and the institutional failure of the Catholic church in child abuse scandals have all worked to distance the general public from Christian bodies.

Last year the Church of Scotland conducted 11% of all Scottish weddings, Professor Callum Brown a historian at the University of Glasgow believes that Scotland has the highest rate of humanist weddings in the world. With 42% of church goers over the age of 65, the church attending population is dying out faster than it recruits new members - a crisis for Christianity or simply a new chapter in Scotland's history?

-Alison McIntyre

LIFESTYLE AND FEATURES

Glasgow’s Gangs

Murder Capital to the UK’s Friendliest City You may have heard the rumours that Glasgow’s notorious razor gangs, creators of the infamous ‘Glasgow smile’ (a curved cut from the corners of the victim’s mouth to their ears... I think that paints the eerie picture) are to appear in the fifth season of the ever-popular series ‘Peaky Blinders’. After researching the history of Glasgow’s gangs the Gold Dust boys, the Tim Malloys, the brutal Redskins of the 1930s (their weapons of choice being machetes and hatchets) - series creator Steven Knight concluded that the hardest gangs of the time were based in Glasgow.

became an especially dangerous area, gaining its reputation as the roughest place in the country. Soon, Glasgow was to adopt the nickname ‘murder capital’.

A gradual process over the last 15 years has seen astounding results in lessening the levels of gang violence in Glasgow. Youth clubs, community centres and initiatives such as ‘FARE’ (Family Action in Rogerfield and Easterhouse) have turned the lives of many young people around. Offering anti-gang programmes and opportunities to gain employability skills, it’s not surprising FARE released statistics Glasgow’s gang culture dates right back to the 1800s. Over that there’s been a 58.9% reduction in youngsters from the years, gangs have emerged and spread throughout the Easterhouse becoming involved in gang violence. city, demarcating their territories and indicting violent clas- Knife crime is now treated as a public health issue as oppohes, often on Glasgow Green or in the city centre. Extreme sed to a police matter. Offenders are now faced with the squalor and widespread poverty in industrial Glasgow, was realities of the devastation of their assaults, as mothers a direct cause of this violent, defensive attitude to life. speak to them openly about losing their own child to knife During the harder economic times of the 1920s and 30s, crime. Between April 2011 and April 2016 no children or Glasgow’s gang culture flourished. ‘The Bridgeton Billy teenagers were killed as a result of knife crime in Glasgow Boys’ were one of the most renowned razor gangs of the in contrast to 15 deaths between 2006 and 2011.

1930s and boasted 800 members. Just one of many gangs Despite the massive improvements, poverty in Glasgow is of the time, you can see begin to get an idea of just how still a huge issue. Easterhouse is still rife with some of the highest levels of poverty in the UK. However, the progress uncontained Glasgow gang culture was.

As unemployment rose and living conditions worsened, made should fill us with the optimism that we can and are gang culture became increasingly more organised as thou- making change. Glasgow Live’s recent survey showed that sands of men found themselves jobless, poor and without ‘97% of people living in areas at one time synonymous purpose. The gangs of the time seemed to have a look of with territorialism and violence, think that fewer youngsters than ever before are becoming involved with gangs’ higher social status. and ‘71% feel their communities are safer as a result’. In Appearance became a key aspect to their lifestyle, and November 2016, Rough Guide readers voted Glasgow the members began to dress in smart clothes – an attractive ‘World’s Friendliest City’, and I’m sure we’re all familiar image to those who were jobless and penniless. with the phrase ‘People Make Glasgow.’ To move from nicDuring the 1940s and 50s overcrowding, particularly in knames such as ‘murder capital’ and ‘scar city’ to this, is areas such as the Gorbals and Blackhill, became so unli- certainly something to be proud of.

-Grace Morton veable that three huge housing schemes were introduced out-with the city – Castlemilk (South), Drumchapel (North) and Easterhouse (East). The houses were bigger, containing the luxury of an indoor toilet. But alas, the schemes seemed to have forgotten some necessities - shops, a community centre, even a pub. With a total lack of amenities, nothing but long streets of grey houses, gang culture continued to thrive. Soon, Easterhouse became even more egregious than the Gorbals.

Knife crime and homicide was at an all-time high in Glasgow in the 1960s. Singer Frankie Vaughan had developed a soft spot for city and was unhappy with the way it was being represented in the media. He visited Glasgow in order to hold a knife amnesty and a meeting with the gang leaders attempting to organise a peace treaty. Mixed feelings brewed for the event as some viewed it as a publicity stunt.

Nevertheless, after Vaughan’s visit, gang violence seemed to decrease for a brief period.

Violence continued throughout the 70s, 80s, 90s and 00s.

‘Young teams’ emerged from impoverished backgrounds of disenfranchisement, negligence of the government, | 13 drug abuse, unemployment and hopelessness. Easterhouse

LIFESTYLE AND FEATURES

5 of Glasgow’s Spookiest Urban Legends Sightings of ghosts and ghouls have been terrorising Glasweigans for centuries. So, with Halloween just around the corner, we’ve compiled 5 of the creepiest urban legends from around the city over the years.

1.The Clatter Glasgow’s Subway opened in 1896, making it the third oldest underground railway in the world. Though extensively refurbished in the late 1970s, it still runs on more or less the same route, and has accumulated a good few ghost stories over the years. Perhaps the oldest one associated with the system is ‘The Clatter.’ The Clatter was the name given to a strange phenomenon that occurred when workmen excavated the tunnels between Shields Road and West Street Stations during the 1890s. As the work went on, the soil began to take on a strange texture, with fragments of human bone and teeth appearing. The workmen soon realised they were tunnelling through a medieval plague pit. Reports allege that a small orb of light began manifesting in the sector, growing larger and larger until it engulfed the area. Those caught up in it, reported seeing disembodied faces of lost souls. The light was also accompanied by a loud banging, likened to the sound of pots and pans, hence the name ‘The Clatter.’

2.The Gorbals Vampire In 1954, beneath the backdrop of a huge iron foundry, burning late into the night, schoolchildren from Glasgow descended upon the city’s Southern Necropolis. Armed with knives and stakes, the children sought out a 7ft tall vampire with iron teeth, allegedly responsible for killing and eating two young boys. ‘The Gorbals Vampire’ culminated in the 1955 Harmful Publications Act, as gaudy American horror comics were blamed for the hysteria. There’s speculation that the idea of the vampire is also closely linked to ‘Jenny wi the airn teeth,’ a Glasgow legend from the early 20th Century.

3.The Grey Lady of Shields Road

‘The Clatter’ isn’t the only creepy tale originating from Glasgow’s Subway system. The Grey Lady ghost references a maudlin looking figure believed to originate from an incident during the 1920s where a young woman, clutching a little girl, fell into the path of an oncoming train. The station master was able to save the little girl, but not the woman.

Sobbing, whispering and footsteps have been heard in the station.

Artist: Laura Schröter 14 |

LIFESTYLE AND FEATURES

4.The Mystery Man of Dalmarnock Bridge

Terrified witnesses have reported seeing a young man, staring over the side of Dalmarnock Bridge before jumping off and vanishing. His description has been consistent between witnesses each time, a man in his 30s, wearing black clothes, but no one has ever been able to identify him.

5.The Blind Beggar of West Street A return to West Street underground for our final story. The ghost of Robert Cobble is also associated with West Street Station. A popular member of the local community, Cobble came from a rich family, but somehow found himself impoverished after suffering mental illness and alcoholism.

One night, he was viciously attacked and left to die, huddled in the doorway of West Street Station, seeking respite from the cold weather. His shivering apparition has been sighted numerous times at the station entrance since.

Maybe I’ll just take an Uber from now on?

-Lucy Donaldson, Lifestyle and Features Editor

Write for G-YOU

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o you like writting and are interested in having your work published in the magazine or online, then come along to our open ontributor meetings, Monday at 5pm, in G12, or email;

libraries@guu.co.uk | 15

ART

Glasgow’s West End- Then and Now

Hillhead subway, c. 1950.

Glasgow’s oldest and busiest subways stations, Hillhead was built in 1896, 122 years ago. This photograph, published by scotcities.com, features the station before its refurbishment in 1977. In the corner you can just see “The Curlers’ Tavern”, known today as The Curlers’ Rest, a popular west end pub and subcrawl destination.

Great Wester Road, c. 1913.

This view down Great Wester Road was taken in 1913, featuring many familiar haunts such as what we now know as Viper, BRGR and Coopers. Most seem to have been grocery shops in those days.

Benalder Street, c. 1996.

One of many notorious night clubs, the “Volcano” club has since been destroyed and turned into a modern block of flats on Benalder street at the bottom of Byres Road. This venue was featured in the hit 90s film “Trainspotting”, becoming the location where Renton first meets Diane. -Skye Brettell, Arts Editor 16 |

ART

Inn Deep, c. 1885.

Another popular haunt for Glasgow students, Inn Deep bar, a dog friendly and constantly busy pub. This photo from 1885 predates most buildings around the Kelvin Bridge- shortly after this photo was taken, the stone bridge was replaced by the cast iron structure we know today.

Cleopatra's, c. 1995.

While the student population still mourns the loss of the West End’s second best club, we come with an obituary.

Formally the notorious “Cleopatra’s”, or “Clatty Pat’s” night club, this fine establishment became The Viper at the turn of the century, as its now owners thought that a viper killed Cleopatra (it was actually an asp, sorry folks).

-Skye Brettell, Arts Editor | 17

ART

Botanic Gardens, c. 1842.

A popular destination for sunbathers in the good weather, the Botanic Gardens moved to Hillhead from Sandyford in 1842, and hasn’t changed much since. One notable change is the decommissioning of the gardens’ two railways, Botanic Gardens Station and Kirklee Station. The disused structures of both can still be seen today.

Glasgow University Union, c. Aeternum.

And last but certainly not least, the Glasgow University Union- a historical and central establishment in the lives of most Glasgow Students since 1885. The infamous old HIVE night club was a sticky place close to the hearts of many Glasgow alumni, many of whom were devastated at its closure in 2013. As the refurbishment was underway for the new HIVE, which opened again in 2015, the Beer Bar lived on, keeping our GUU addiction going. The beer bar has provided beverages to many notable patrons, such as Andrew Neil, Donald Dewar and Charlie Kennedy.

Your Art, Here!

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o you want to see your artwork featured in the magazine or online?

Send us an email; we are more than happy to support student artists!

libraries@guu.co.uk

18 |

SCIENCE

Science: Old Vs. New

S

cience is everywhere. It impacts every part of our daily lives. Without science we wouldn’t have any electricity, mobile phones or social media. Science is constantly changing at the speed of light with new developments every day. But how much has science changed in the past hundreds of years?

Some of the earliest recordings of Science can be traced back to early as 3500 to 3000 BC in Ancient Egypt. Originally science was the pursuit of knowledge. In the past, people simply wanted to understand how the world around them worked.

From the 16th century to the 20th century, scientists focused on a progressive accumulation of knowledge so proven theories could replace old superstitions and beliefs.

Nowadays, science is an exquisite art focused on results. Something that was once done out of curiosity is now driven by corporate organisation looking to make a profit.

In the past, experimentation had no rules; it relied simply on the inquisitiveness of the scientist. Many of the scientific discoveries which have shaped our modern lives were simply a stroke of serendipitous luck.

When Alexander Fleming didn’t wash his petri dishes he accidentally discovered penicillin. Without this we wouldn’t have access to a range of antibiotics that has changed the face of modern medicine.

If Wilhelm Röntgen had not been experimenting with Cathode Ray Tubes we would not have X-Rays as we do today, which have become a paramount part of Medicine and Diagnostics.

If Constantin Fahlberg hadn’t forgotten to wash his hands after a day experimenting with coal tar he wouldn’t have discovered saccharine. Without that we would have any sweetener to add to our coffee or tea!

And if Marie Curie’s experiments hadn’t led her to discovering radioactivity we would have access to clean energy or sterilised medi-

cal equipment and food that have now become essential parts of our everyday lives.

On the other hand, modern science is a refined art which focuses on a stratified method. This involves proposing a hypothesis, testing the hypothesis and then collecting the results. Modern science strives for a multi-disciplinary method which incorporates physics, biology, chemistry, and mathematics to attain a common goal. It has allowed us to create Artificial Intelligence, understand the origins of the Universe and delve into the mysteries of our individual genomes.

Modern science utilises sophisticated equipment giving scientists access to a wide range of techniques. This has vastly improved the quality of research carried out and has also reduced the occurrence of laboratory-related errors. With such a broad range of techniques available modern science has harvested a team science approach that encourages group work and collaboration.

However, modern science has brought about an ever increasing dependency on technology, one which is reflected in our everyday lives. With this comes a limitation.

Unlike in the past laboratory work is now highly regulated. Many scientists now work for corporations or universities meaning that their work is decided for them.

Whilst Modern Science has brought about some amazing discoveries the creativity and curiosity of experimentation has been lost.

Science will always been an ever-evolving field. Whilst old science focused on broad reasons and produced a more holistic approach; modern science has produced a reductionalistic approach concerned with results. We can be certain though that science is still the pursuit of knowledge. While our equipment has vastly improved and our understanding of the world greatly expanded we can be sure that the pursuit for knowledge and the thirst for answers will always remain.

-Fiona Johnston

| 19

SCIENCE

The Changing Faces of Tech CEOs

I

n the past ten years the number of electric cars on the road has grown at an incredible rate. Leading the charge in this rush to abandon fossil fuels is Tesla, the American based company founded by tech mogul Elon Musk. Tesla is an extraordinary company, it produces less than 50,000 cars a month – for comparison Ford produces more than 550,000 - yet it is ranked higher than Ford as one of the ten most valuable car companies in the world by market capitalisation. As a brand the company has reached cult status, when its newest vehicle, the model 3, was launched over 500,000 deposits were placed at that point the production rate meant that some customers could be waiting until 2020 to receive their car.

In August 2018 he sent a tweet which claimed that he had acquired funding to take the company private, valuing shares at $420 around $70 per share higher than the share price on the day the tweet was posted. The next day the Tesla had a near record day on the market with a stock of $387.46.

The funding never appeared and the company was never taken private, in the aftermath the Security and Exchange Commission, a US financial regulator, took action and sued Musk for fraud. A settlement was reached at the end of September, Musk and Tesla would each pay $20 million and Elon Musk would step down as the chairman of the board.

The aftermath of this episode allowed for much analysis of Musk’s management style and performance as the leader of the car company, he Much of the hype surrounding the is a self-professed “nanomanager” company can be attributed to the ac- who’s obsessive work ethic has appations of its maverick CEO and foun- rently led him to sleep on the factory der Elon Musk, a South Africa born floor. entrepreneur who founded his first tech company at 24 having dropped He belongs to a class of tech CEOs out of a PhD programme at Stanford and moguls who were lucky enouUniversity and has since amassed a gh to come of age during the tech personal net worth of $19.8 billion. boom, they began their careers in Musk has grown both his personal start-ups and never looked back. brand and that of his various com- Their start-ups grew, were sold off panies through a mixture of stunts and new companies were founded, like creating and selling a “flame- their only experience of the worthrower” and genuine technological kplace is as the boss, the CEO, the innovation for example reimagining founder, the revolutionary genius. space flight using reusable rockets Another example of this kind of leawhich are able to land after laun- der is Travis Kalanick the erstwhile ching. He has a prolific presence on head of Uber who was forced to step social media, which he uses to inte- down from as CEO in 2017 during ract with his millions of fans but it a slew of mismanagement claims, indoesn’t always benefit him. cluding several allegations of sexual harassment at the management level. These executives are celebrities, especially in the case of Musk, their companies rose to prominence at the same time as social media giants like Twitter and Facebook let them communicate easily with their public. Of course they are not the only celebrity CEOs, Steve Jobs of course comes to mind, but the prominence of social media in their careers can’t be overlooked.

luable company and ultimately, the richest person in the world. Bezos began work on Amazon less than a year before Musk started his first company, he had however had years of experience as a developer and director of customer service at a telecommunications company as well as a product manager at a bank. Bezos shepherded his company and avoided major controversy and he has remained in charge throughout.

Tech companies strive to be disruptors, shaking up stagnant industries: Uber is disrupting the taxi industry; Tesla is causing turmoil in the vehicle industry and Amazon began by changing the way people bought books. These companies are vastly different and so are their CEOs, only time will tell if Tesla will become the success its investors and fans believe will be: there are challenges ahead, the company has debts amounting to around $2 billion dollars will mature in the next couple of years.

There may be a more interesting question in the long run: is Elon Musk an outlier, an ingenious celebrity entrepreneur who uses his fame to aid him in his business pursuits in a way that no other could or is this the model that tech founders and This stands in stark contrast to a pre- executives will follow in the future: vious generation of tech leaders, in presumably however they will stop many ways personified by Jeff Bezos short of behaviour that can be des-Lucy Rawbone, Science Editor the founder of the world’s most va cribed fraud.

-Ciaran McMonagle

20 |

SCIENCE

Out With the Old and In With the New

The Glasgow Western Infirmary stood for 141 years finally closing its doors to patients and students in 2015.

This teaching hospital was crucial in the University’s move from the city centre to the West End, abandoning the nearby Royal Infirmary as this was now considered too remote for the proposed new site. It was made clear in 1878 that the University would provide the land for the new hospital (Western Infirmary) on the condition that it could be re-acquired should the site be no longer used for healthcare. In recent years the university has paired up with NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde to construct and develop the Queen Elizabeth Teaching and Learning Centre that is found on the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital campus. This brand-new facility somewhat overshadowed the Western Infirmary providing new state of the art learning and teaching environment for Glasgow’s medical and nursing undergrads as well as other clinical science postgraduate programmes looking to train the next generations.

discoveries as it is often found that technology is halting development and not so much scientific knowledge now.

The research hub would look to intertwine different disciplines from medicine, engineering and law to progress stem cell technologies, pharmaceutical production and quantum imaging and sensors to name a few.

To conclude, yes, the University may have demolished an iconic piece of architecture in the West End of Glasgow that will never be forgotten. However, with the QEUH taking over, more than adequately, the number of beds and services offered to patients as well as teaching and learning of a University Hospital was it becoming less invaluable to University. Furthermore, it is important to remember what is going in its place, a state of the art research hub that will keep Glasgow University at the forefront of research and development, attracting people from across the world.

-Lucy Rawbone, Science and Technology Editor

Is knocking down the Western Infirmary really the worst thing in the world though? Although it is argued that there is ‘hardly a building as fine as the old G block on every corner’ and ‘you can see glass anywhere,’ it does not mean that the new building will be of lesser value. In its place the University of Glasgow is developing a £113 million Research Hub that will bring together 600 academics including postdoctoral researchers and PhD students. The research will be spread over a broad spectrum from Technology for Life to international development. This is particularly important in current scientific advances and

SPORT

Old Oppositions or Firm Friends?

Nobody can argue that Scottish football has seen better days. The national team consistently has the nation in a state of despair and the SPFL is becoming increasingly overshadowed by its older and frankly more exciting brother, the Premier League. However, an aspect that will always keep the league somewhat interesting is one of the oldest and most dramatic footballing rivalries in the world; the Old Firm. Celtic and Rangers football clubs have headlined the newspapers for decades mostly for all the wrong reasons.

From knife crime to alcohol-induced brawls, the fans of these two clubs have struck up quite the reputation, with most impartial opinions being, they are both as bad as each other, a sentiment that each side would argue against. However this history of hate is not as ancient as most would assume and to the surprise of many the teams actually began their careers as what might be described in Glasgow as good pals.

The origin of the title “The Old Firm” actually comes from a comment made by a commentator at their first meeting in 1888 He stated that the two sides were “two old, firm friends”. This blossoming friendship lasted a mere twenty or so years before religion and politics divided the city of Glasgow. In 1912, Belfast shipbuilders opened a shipyard in Govan that threatened the harmony between the teams, and consequently Irish politics became the influence of the rivalry with the Catholic community following Celtic and the Protestant, Rangers. Although this was the beginning of violent and destructive meetings between the clubs, it was soon noticed that this was where the money was. Financially there wasn’t any other clubs in Scotland that came close to Celtic or Rangers, and the infamous hostile relationship benefited both teams as joint sponsors rolled in. In 2003 Carling lager signed a 12m-pound sponsorship deal with the two clubs, with another

multi-million pound deal coming to them from Tennents in 2010. Both sponsors stated that the reason for the deals was the world-renowned reputation the Old Firm held, a reputation that neither club would have without the other.

Sponsorship is just one of the aspects of the Old Firm’s mutualistic relationship.

Besides this, the vast crowds that each match draws and the adrenaline fuelled atmosphere when match day comes around, should be enough for both clubs to admit the benefits the other brings them. However this is not so much the case. In 2012, Rangers plc entered liquidation and were subsequently relegated to the third division, meaning that for the first time in 120 years, there were no Old Firm fixtures to be seen. Although the news of Rangers’ downfall was met at first by cheers and celebration from the Celtic fans, Parkhead began to suffer, losing an estimated 10 million pounds per | 21 season.

SPORT

Continued Although there is argument that the demise of Rangers helped Scottish football become more than just about the Old Firm, there is no denying the figures. Crowds and engagement from fans dropped and although Celtic fans continued the “Rangers are dead” façade, absence did make the heart grow fonder. In 2016, after 4 long years, the fans (perhaps begrudgingly) were ready once again for an Old Firm derby and although Celtic went on to win 3 out of 4 of their premiership clashes, it was well established the old rivalry was back and better than ever.

their best when they are together, they keep Scottish football exciting and relevant and although neither side would admit it, deep deep down they know that they wouldn’t be what they are today without the other.

-Laura Hannah, Sports Editor

Within every footballing community and every divided city, the chants and jeers are what are heard. The passion for your own team and hatred for the opposing drives competition in professional sport and with culture and religion as thick as that within the Old Firm, it is no surprise that these two clubs are opposed the way they are. Whether they were friends as they were all those years ago or rivals as they are now, one thing cannot be argued; these teams need each other. They are at

GUSA: Over The Years

A

s you will so often see around campus, Glasgow University ‘welcomes World changers’.

While we may not all be so, the University’s oldest student body, GUSA, is significantly progressing with the times to change the inclusivity of sport and the image that sport currently possesses. This is not just a recent revolution, however. In 1974, the association voted in its first female president with Anne Blythe famously sneaking into the GUU, as women were not yet allowed into the Union.

This speaks volumes for the progress that GUSA were making at the time, under the name of Glasgow University Athletic Club.

GUSA is determined to tackle the stereotypes that come with sport in the modern world. As Eve Cobbett, the GUSA alumni convenor explains, not only do they encourage clubs to think about the potential barriers stopping the LGBTQ+ community from participating in their sport, but GUSA “are always striving to be leaders on campus educating Glasgow’s students on how exercise, even for those who are not typically ‘sporty’, can 22 | be a great and simple way to improve mental health”. The association are

beginning to see their aims come to fruition, for example, with the Men’s Rugby club captain aiming to organise matches this year with The Glasgow Alphas, a gay-inclusive rugby team. Furthermore, GUSA have urged clubs to raise awareness of mental health problems and appoint a welfare convenor position so members have a specific point of contact. Not only do they do this, but they run campaigns throughout the year such as exam de-stress and their welfare committee and convenor also help to run Starfish, a peer-led support group for eating disorders. “GUSA has followed suit as society has started to discuss mental health more openly and has become much more focused on de-stigmatising mental health.”

Just as FIFA has announced its aims to double global participation in women’s football to 60m by 2026, GUSA is continuing to progress as the wider society does. Since Anne Blythe’s historic appointment as President, the association has continued to de-stigmatise the previously misogynistic concept of women in sport. It annually runs campaigns such as ‘Glasgow Girls Can’ to highlight women involved in sport at Glasgow, taking example from the national ‘This Girl Can’ campaign. Not only this, but clubs such as Weightlifting welcome all genders and abilities who wish to try out this sport without feeling intimidated by the ‘gym-lads’ who fill the weights room in the Stevenson building.

As the association moves on from the past, it is accompanied by the recently

renovated, state-of-the-art Stevie Building. Containing a 25m swimming pool, numerous gym halls and squash courts, a gym and private studios the facilities are second to none and, better yet, right on campus, only a short walk away for most students. With the range of gym classes available and drop-in sessions, GUSA has a centre to be proud of, offering members a fantastic rate per month so as anyone can be involved as much as they would like.

This pride should stem into all the students involved in sport at the University. Although these topics may seem obvious and not particularly ‘modern’, confronting them and improving awareness of them is a far cry from the image that sport possessed in Blythe’s days as President. To have a student body that has progressed so significantly since its creation and continues to do so sets the perfect precedent for what sport should be like in wider society. Not only this, but GUSA are available to provide support on issues away from sport, topics which have taken decades for sport in general to discuss and confront.

-Miles Lockhart

-Skye Brettell, Arts Editor

WELFARE

Calling People Psychos Is Madness

W

e here at G-YOU have pledged to keep talking about mental health year round; because it is far too important an issue to just mention during marked days or during the exam period. We are aware it may do little, but we hope that one day the stigma around mental health will finally be eroded away.

T

his month marks 26 years since the first World Mental Health Day. The theme this year was Young People and Mental Health in a Changing World. It was reported last year by the Institute for Public Policy Research that the number of students disclosing a mental illness when they arrive at university has risen by almost 500% in the past decade. Although this is thought to be partly due to the current contexts such as social media, that young people live with exacerbating mental health problems, vast progress has been made on how willing people, particularly young people, are to talk about mental health and listen to those who need support. Yet, the conversation is not entirely positive and genuine.

Mental health terminology such as psychopath, OCD, PTSD, and depression are becoming more commonplace in our day to day language but sadly they are not always being used appropriately. All of these disorders can be diagnosed according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders which is currently in its fifth edition, DSM-V. But when you mindlessly call your ex a “psycho” do you really think they meet the DSM-V criteria of a psychopathy diagnosis? Or the last time you walked past an exam hall and claimed to have PTSD, have you experienced flashbacks, nightmares, hyperarousal, and emotional numbing? Probably not. And are you really depressed that the person on your course who you’re madly in love with didn’t get put in the same group as you, or just a bit disappointed? Is not knowing what you’re going to wear for this night out really giving you anxiety?

It is great that the conversation around mental health is growing and we have moved past the days when “mental” was used as an all-encompassing term for anyone with any disorder, who sooner or later would be off to the funny farm.

However, we shouldn’t undermine this progress by trivialising mental health disorders which make life insanely challenging for those who actually have them.

It all boils down to the issue that mental health is still not yet considered as important as physical health; mental health disorders are just as real as asthma, diabetes, motor neuron disease, and cancer. Whilst there are few people who would hysterically laugh with their friends speculating that their classmate with thinning hair has cancer, too many of us think it’s acceptable to throw around mental health disorders as derogatory labels for people we don’t particularly like. Or equally disrespectful, catastrophize our lives and use them about ourselves if we do not actually believe we are experiencing that disorder. All of this contributes to the stigma surrounding mental health which often prevents people from coming forward when they need help. According to YMCA research, 70% of young people say mental health stigma has made them less likely to talk to others about their mental health. Often the goal of these inappropriate comments seems to be comedic value through exaggeration but the next time you feel paranoid that the room isn’t warming to you, strive a little higher than flippantly throwing around mental health disorders for cheap laughs.

However, this tendency to ignore the seriousness of these terms and the severity of the illnesses they refer to is no new thing. You might not realise is that the previous generation of mental health terminology has integrated into our day to day language and lost its original meanings. A few of which have been sprinkled throughout this article: Madly ADVERB in a way that shows that you have a mental illness Insane ADJECTIVE OLD FASHIONED suffering from very severe mental illness so that you cannot be considered legally responsible for your actions Hysterical ADJECTIVE suffering from the medical condition of hysteria Paranoid ADJECTIVE suffering from the mental illness paranoia These terms are now so embedded in our language that they will never be untrivialized but when it comes to psychopathy, PTSD, depression, anxiety, OCD – specific mental illnesses with medical diagnoses, think before you speak and take these words seriously because you never know when you might suffer with one of these illnesses for real.

-Catrin Stephen, Design Editor | 23

BE SOUND, KEEP IT DOWN! The GUU has neighbours, so whenever you leave the Union please respect those who may be sleeping.

Save the weird noises for afters

24 |

At the Request of the Board of Managment