JUSTY
NOVEMBER 2013
NUMBER: 01
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CONTENTS PSM Cam Duck gets us in the mood for some Winter fun
Flirting with Freedom
A Year Since Trump
FROM THE BOARD
CURRENT AFFAIRS
POLITCS
PAGE 5
PAGE 4
Fake Media and Identity Politics POLITICS PAGE 6-7
PAGE 6
A Short History of Time
The Uniqueness of Every Snowflake
Complex Chaos
SCIENCE
SCIENCE
ART
CULTURE
PAGE 7
PAGE 8-9
PAGE 10-11
PAGE 12-13
GUESS v GeoSoc
GUCFS: Meet the Society
Recreational Terror
The Impact of WWI on A.A. Milne
GUCFS
CULTURE
OPINION
PAGE 16
PAGE 16-17
SOCIETY PAGE 13
Christmas Markets
A Study of C. Cruikshank
PAGE 14-15
The Winter Edit: Scottish Snow
STaG: After Hours
Comic Creators Club: Winter Comic
SPORT
INTERVIEW
COMIC
PAGE 18
PAGE 19
PAGE 17
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CONTRIBUTORS
WELCOME
Cameron Duck Peter Keys Bethany Howard Sophie Bryer Suzanne Elliott George Bell Michael Cartledge Taggy Elliott
EDITORIAL TEAM Cover/Graphic Design - Rachel Mccarney Politics & Current Affairs - Owain Campton Views & Column - Amy McShane Lifestyle & Culture - Anya Brzeski Sports, Health & Science - Ciaran Doherty Nature & Environment - Isabelle Thornton Website/Features Editor - Caitlin Young Artwork & Photography - David Nkhansah Social Media & Socials Editor - Tom Smits
Cover Design: Rachel Mccarney 'For the theme “when the clocks go back� I used black ink on paper to create a geometric style illustration. The illustration depicts a half compass-half clock with the date that the clocks went back in roman numerals. The background is of a mountain scene with snowy trees and birds migrating, each of which repersent this time of year for me. From the point where the clocks go back the image changes from white to black to capture the darkness of the winter months. I wanted to use a strict geometric style to capture that even though the clocks go back, they always go forward.'
Hey everyone! Welcome to the Winter Issue of G-You Magazine. We hope that you enjoy our latest edition, filled with lots of festive fun and activities to fill up all that time when you should be studying. Our theme this issue was based around 'when the clocks go back' and Autumn truly fades to winter, giving us longer nights and darker days. At this time of year its easy to feel all doom and gloom, but its also one of the most exciting times of the year in the run up to Christmas. We've got plenty of things to distract you from that uni thing in the meantime, such as dreaming of Christmas Markets to visit around Europe (p12-13) or giving you detailed photos to study on the unique snowflakes we'll (hopefully) be seeing in the coming month. Our next issue won't be until January, but keep up with our latest articles and artworks on Facebook and Instagram @gyoumagazine. You can also get in contact by emailing us on libraries@guu.co.uk. Happy reading and have a lovely winter break! See you in the New Year, Lottie van Grieken Editor-In-Chief MULTIPURPOSEMGZ | 3
FROM THE BOARD
WINTER: FROM THE BOARD
Cameron Duck PSM
Hello, hello, hello it’s Cameron Duck here and it’s my turn to write a little piece about what is going on in the Union in the next two months between now and the Holidays. As there’s so much going on, you won’t want to miss anything!. Winter at Glasgow University Union is a very wholesome affair. As we begin to accept that exams are around the corner, and we should maybe do the required reading for those seminars, the GUU provide many different modes of procrastination for everyone to enjoy. It is important to remember, that even though we may hate them, exams do matter. Looking after yourself is more important - there’s no point striving for that A1 if you’re not looking after your own mental health in the process. That’s why we are teaming up with our friends/frenemies across campus - GUSA, SRC and QMU - to run another couple of weeks of the ‘Looking After Yourself’ Project. This project aims to give students free activities throughout the exam period to help relieve stress - previous years have had events such as yoga sessions, dogs on campus (!!) and even bouncy castles. This year’s lineup is bound to be just as fun and helpful so we can all take an hour away from our desks to have guilt-free fun. Make sure you like the Facebook page ‘Look After Yourself on Campus’ to keep up to date with what is going on when, and where. As well as producing this magazine, The Libraries Committee are going to be busy hosting a Book Week from the 27th of November until the 1st of December in the GUU to celebrate everything literary. They will be organising a range of events for all bookworms, logophiles and comic geeks to come down and have fun. The three key workshops are - creative writing and mindfulness workshop, a student book swap and an open mic slam poetry and storytelling night. These workshops will definitely be one that the next budding J. K. Rowling will want to attending order to get on the New York Best Seller list asap. The best thing about this week? All of the events are free. I can’t forget to mention that when we’re going to be enjoying winter movies and celebrating the New Year, there will be some very busy students who will be representing the GUU. The Debates Committee have organised for 8 students to travel to Mexico
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to compete against teams from across the world at the World University Debating Competition! After winning the European University Debating Championships over the summer, the GUU will be one of the teams to watch going into the competition. While there may be high expectations, I am sure they will put their all into making us proud whatever the result. This is such an exciting opportunity for the debaters themselves but also for the Union as a whole to maybe rack a 6th win to our World Championship records??? Finally I want to let you guys know where everyone will be on the last day of semester: D*** F*****! It is a 12 hour black tie ball which, for 109 years, students have come together at the GUU for one big end-of-semester blow out and this year it will be no different. D*** F***** began in 1909 when Honorary Secretary James Bridie wanted to throw a spontaneous concert with the members of the Union. Since then the idea and mystery behind Daft Friday has grown to the 12 hour bonanza that it is today. The most mysterious and unique aspect of the evening is the secret theme it is kept a surprise from all except for the committee. In the past, themes have ranged from the Lion King to Harry Potter. Nothing beats the feeling of when you walk into the entrance hall of the Union and realise what the theme is. It is truly breathtaking! The purpose of the evening is to celebrate the President and all of their hard work throughout the year. The President dedicates their uni life to helping run the building, from tiniest details to overarching structural issues within the building and across campus. D*** F***** is our way of saying a huge thank you to the President each year. Throughout the evening there will be live performances, in the past we have had CHVRCHES and Gabrielle Aplin, as well as activities such as laser tag, mock casino and photo booths. We hoped you managed to grab yourself one of these much sought after tickets other wise you will be experiencing major FOMO. So with that being said I hope everyone gets involved with the events over the next couple of weeks at the GUU and on behalf of the GUU would like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and a Happy New Year. Let’s make next year as good as this one has been. xoxo
POLITICS AND CURRENT AFFAIRS
Peter Keys From Catalonia to Kurdistan and Brazil to Brittany the desire for independence is epidemic. The 20th century was strewn with bloody secessionist movements – but these movements were mostly to break away from old colonial powers. The United Nations, has both a pledge to value the sovereignty of nations and respect the right of peoples to determine their own destinies; in each case it must decide which right is stronger. In practice, the UN’s stance is to support groups in colonial or postcolonial nations; but not in thriving liberal democracies. In modern Britain and around the world, few ideas have as much appeal as the idea of self-rule. Nations and nationhood are the foundations of our societies through which we organise our communities, share traditions, celebrate diversity and determine our collective future. However, there is a fine line between celebrating what a nation is and what a nation is not. The latter leads to racism and xenophobia. A prospective nation-builder must decide whether to draw new lines based on ancestry, history, geography, or ideals – or even to build a new nation and identity rooted in the people’s abhorrence of the political status quo. The news has recently been dominated by the independence movement in Catalonia and the appalling violence perpetrated by the Spanish state against peaceful voters. Independence movements around the world have piggy-backed on the Catalan vote to gain publicity for their own movements and to show solidarity. Here is a brief overview of some other contemporary independence movements: The Kurds have wanted their own state since the days of the Ottoman Empire. They have a well-defined identity and language, and most share a belief in moderate Sunni Islam. In the 1970s Iraqi Kurds sought autonomy
Flirting with freedom
and independence from Ba’ath party regimes, and since 1978 Kurdish armed groups have challenged the Turkish state in a bid for independence. The original blueprint for the Kurdish state was provided by the 1920 Treaty of Sevres which planned for an autonomous region of Kurdistan. However, Turkish nationalists soon negotiated a new treaty in 1923; denying the Kurds a homeland. Since then a history of massacres, village burning, and other abuses have fuelled a strong desire for independence amongst the Kurds on both sides of the Turkish-Iraqi border.
past few years, the previously docile Kurdish population in Iran has begun to demonstrate in the streets. In Brazil, an array of corruption scandals has led the three southern most states (who were briefly independent in 1836) to feel so disillusioned with Brasilia, that they too are once again seeking to secede. On top of resentment against corruption some complain that tax raised in the South is mostly spent on poorer regions in the North. Such arguments for independence may appear short-sited and selfish; but in long shadow of Portuguese colonialism perhaps border change should be expected in areas as vast as Brazil. In 2016 600,000 people voted in a plebiscite in the three states, over 95% voted for independence. Another referendum was held in October this year, but the result was never released.
Meanwhile, despite being one of the most peaceful regions of the world, Western and Central Europe has plethora of groups unsatisfied with their borders. From Scottish nationalists to Silesian separatists; the desire for more control over everyday life and identity is widespread. The Faroe islands and Greenland are seeking independence from Denmark and there are independence movements in several On the 25th of September this other regions, including Brittany, year, the Kurds held a referendum Bavaria and the Basque country. on independence. Denounced as unconstitutional by the Iraqi Some peoples want independence government, Kurdish officials claim to guarantee their own security and that of the 5.2 million Kurds and insure the survival of their culture and non-Kurds who voted, 90% voted traditions, others are upset by the for independence. The referendum corruption and inefficiency of their was controversial, since the Kurds central governments, whilst some just also held it in the oil-rich, and multi- want to see more of their tax money cultural province of Kirkuk, not a part spent locally. Whatever the reason, of traditional Kurdistan. Worryingly, but especially in the last case, it may the reaction to the referendum has be prudent to remember the words of been even more chilling than the Niccolo Machiavelli who said, “men reaction of the Spanish government, to change their leaders willingly, hoping Catalonia’s illegal ballot. Iran said that to better themselves… wherein they are a Kurdish state would be like another deceived, because afterwards they find Israel – but promised to turn it into by experience they have gone from bad the next Palestine. Meanwhile, in the to worse”. MULTIPURPOSEMGZ | 5
POLITICS AND CURRENT AFFAIRS “You need to concede,” he told her. Clinton replied: “Mr President, I’m sorry.” The words send chills down my spine still to this day, the words that a year ago this month, led to Clinton accepting the fate that many saw as impossible, horrifying, and disheartening. She would then hang up on the current president, and pick up the phone to herald in the next.
This year the media has been filled with themes of terror, hatred, and divide. However, there has been positives to come from Trump entering the White House. Not out of the west wing the administration inhabits, but from the people. The people are pushing back. They are showing that they will not go slowly into the darkness that is the Trump administration, that they will “rage, rage, against the dying of the light”, to quote Dylan Thomas. Woman seeking elected office has nearly doubled since the election, and not just in the US! Also, in Virginia, home of the “bathroom bill” which sought to stop the transgender community from using the bathroom of the gender they identify with, a transgender women, Danica Roem, beat the incumbent Virginia lawmaker who sponsored said bill! Civil rights unions like the ACLU have received unprecedented donations this year, $24 million, which is six times their usual yearly average. Like wise women’s health organisations have received similar boosts in funding, like planned parent hood who received a whooping 400,000 more donations the day after Mike Pence announced they’d be looking to cut the programme. People arguably are getting “woke” and educating themselves on a lot of the
A YEAR ON: The Positives Since Trump Owain Campton Politics and Current Affairs Editor matters Trump tries to trivialise, like health care, LGBTQ+ rights, and constitutional matters. This is not local to the States, in the UK we have seen a rise in the number of students going into the political arts since the referendum, and election. People want to understand what the heck is going on. This year there have been more visits to historically important locations such as Auschwitz and Manzanar than any year before. These two concentration camps play a stark reminder of the war that defined the second half of the 20th Century. The fact people are showing a greater interest in these sites indicates people actually give a damn, they actually want to make sure that history doesn’t repeat itself in the same way. Science is having its voice heard! At the point that Trump pushed against scientific convention, and pulled out of the Paris Agreement, because it was “massively unfair” to the US, and then cut the Environmental Protection Agency funding, scientist said “Oh hell no, you daft orange Wotsit!” They didn’t stand down. Unlike the scientists’ involvement with other scientific global issues, e.g. Nuclear weapons, they decided to stand up and speak directly to the public, to state their case, rather than using politicians. Arguably we will see a more environmentally aware generation in the next decade than we ever were! This article is meant to draw attention to one thing. Hope! We are not done, don’t give up. Talk politics at dinner, don’t let it be dismissed, because God knows it is at the top of the political pyramid. Join a movement to fight for what you see as right and just. Write, join our contributors to write your opinions on what is going on around the world, and your opinions on the issues that matter. This year has been s***, not going to sugar coat it, but it has also been a glowing example of how people can band together and stand against the powers that be. There have been more protests in the past year than since Thatcher! We are the Now Generation, we can make a stand... Now!
Fake media and identity politics Political issues presented in the media have turned to focus more on the language and identity politics, narrowing content to its effects on individuals rather than the meaning behind it and its wider societal impacts. Language with its stringent political correctness in terms of categorising people into social groups has therefore turned increasingly into a form of political weaponry, soaking up attention in the media and excluding debate about actual content and signification. The best place to start to exemplify this would be the father of Fake News: Donald Trump. His language is consistently basic and infantile in its sense of 6 | MULTIPURPOSEMGZ
defensiveness, and so disallows any real, deep meaningful content to be discussed. This behaviour is epitomised in his reaction to a journalist who asked him about the rise of anti-Semitic behaviour in the United States. He was quick to defend himself as an individual using language solely to claim that he is not in the category of one who would commit anti-Semitic crime: Number one, I am the least antiSemitic person that you’ve ever seen in your entire life’, (Whilst waving his large hand wildly left and right - displaying his righteousness in being antiSemitic) ‘Number two. Racism. The least racist person.’
His whole rhetoric is using superlative language to categorise himself in the right category as an individual – leaving no space for actual debate as to what to what extent is there anti-Semitic feeling in American society; why has it risen; and what to do about it. He shuts down the conversation: ‘Quiet, quiet, quiet, see he lied, he was going to get up and ask a very straight, simple question – so you know, welcome to the world of the media’. In this way, we can see Donald Trump encouraging a media frenzied on Fake News. Fake News has thrived on the fact that news reports are so shallow that they can be distorted and widely consumed as there is no obligation
Bethany Howard to question why it doesn’t go into deeper and authentic detail on political issues. His trivialisation of international affairs is so explicit, he creates news out of thin air: “Why would Kim Jong-un insult me by calling me "old," when I would NEVER call him "short and fat?" Oh well, I try so hard to be his friend - and maybe someday that will happen!” Is he trying to humour us? Why would he make light of one of the most dangerous leaders in the world? If the broader public is bored of politics, I imagine that the only thing that would catch their
attention is name-calling and dramatics, such as Trump is renowned for. As stupid as it all seems, it creates news and harbours attention. Dumbeddown news therefore becomes a form of control over the masses whatever soaks up their attention is consumed without space for thought-out, rational debate. We see the spread of the notion of societal issues being debated down to what it represents as an identity label in so many different political areas. For example, Brexit. The debate at the time of the referendum seemed to go as deep as to whether you labelled yourself as ‘Remainer’ or ‘Leaver’ and not to much else; it became a threat to the individual and their identity rather than the logistics of Brexit, and what the real consequences would be. And now, we are fed with
“Brexit means Brexit” with the same sense confusion as to what this vague slogan will amount to. The same sort of identity politics at play could be seen in the US election a year ago, whether you were a Democrat, Republican, or an antiestablishmentarian. The over-lap of the last two lead, arguably, to the upset of the century, and its impact has continued to influence elections worldwide. Most importantly, this fastconsumed inflammatory news is so extraordinarily dangerous for minorities; for those who are affected by hatred and bigotry and the imbalances within society. Women’s rights become a singular discussion as to what feminism actually means, whether one is a feminist or not – and without much progress. It can be categorised broadly into feminism
as a rabid form of man hating, a ‘lesbianic sort of feminism’ (Milo Yiannopolous) or for women to become completely unhinged and be able to do whatever she may please in society (Piers Morgan). Either way, women and men alike are put off from associating with the word, the scary much debated word, with all its identity implications, and in consequence actual nuanced debate as to what extent does notions of gender inequality affect men and women’s opportunities and freedom in modern society is widely ignored. The debate is shut down by one simply claiming that one is not a feminist or one is, and there we go, the end, violà. The fact that it can be shut down shows that the debate can be controlled and ignored by those who hold power in voicing their opinions in the media – for the most part white
men. Even more so is it dangerous to refugees and immigrants – who are dealt with solely in terms of categorisation, as ‘others’ dehumanised in the media; there is no real reflection as to what, as a nation, would be right to do for them; what is our responsibility as a collective whole to undo this mess that we have created. We do not feel like a collective whole – we are individuals clinging on to fabricated notions of identity expounded in the media. And as so, the only thing that captures our attention in the media is language of rigid inclusion and exclusion in terms of identity politics and ridiculous exaggerated stories channelled by powerful politicians, diverting our attention and muting allegation as to what means what.
SCIENCE
A SHORT HISTORY OF TIME
Why do the clocks go back?
Ciaran Doherty Sports, Health and Science Editor As a species we humans plan most of our lives one little set of numbers, the time. For as far back as we can remember we have been obsessed with it. Evidence has been discovered of people using calendars over 6000 years ago, so it’s not exactly a new thing to us. Over the years people have come up with many weird and wonderful ways to tell the time from sun dials and water clocks to today’s incredibly accurate and complicated atomic clocks. Coupled with these have been some equally weird and wonderful calendars. Its hard to picture life without our current calendar, which was enforced by Pope Gregory XIII in 1582, in the years before this many different calendars had been used, many of which were based around the moon with anywhere from 10 to 18 months in a year. Perhaps one of the weirdest was an attempt by the French around the year 1800 to make days have ten hours of 100 minutes, but thankfully this didn’t last long. The highlight of the time keeping year is when the clocks go back. For clock enthusiasts everywhere this is the moment they get to adjust the time on all their favourite time keepers (I’m sure there’s someone out there that enjoys this task), but why is this necessary? Our planet orbits the sun to give us a year and spins on its own axis once every 24 hours to give us day. If you’re lucky enough to live on our planets equator this is
pretty much the only time keeping knowledge you’ll require in your life (except how to read a clock), but for those that live closer to our planets polar extremes we must deal with things called seasons. Our planet also spins on another axis, which means either the northern hemisphere or southern hemisphere is closer to the suns loving warmth at certain points of the year. For us in the northern half this means our summer days are long and bright while are winter days are pathetically short. In our modern street lit world, the lack of sunlight doesn’t seem like much of an issue but this wasn’t always the case. Over a 100 years ago the world looked very different, less people lived in cities and many more people were farmers. For farmers the shorter days are a real issue, as daylight is often the only opportunity they have to do any work. In an effort to combat this some people suggested setting the clocks back one hour to give people more time to work in the mornings. The idea of moving the clocks based on daylight is credited to American Benjamin Franklin, who thought if people got up earlier when it was lighter, then it would save on candles in the evening. I’m personally not a fan of getting up earlier so I’m glad his idea never caught on. The idea then arrived in the UK many years later through a man called William Willett. He decided to publish a leaflet called “the waste of daylight” encouraging people to get out of bed earlier and use more of the
daylight. His own personal reasons for doing this was that he was a keen golfer who got angry when his games where cut short due to lack of daylight, so perhaps he had some personal motives for encouraging people to get out of bed. This very man, is in fact Chris Martin's (from Coldplay) great-great grandfather. I wonder if he feels as strongly. Daylight savings time was eventually introduced by the UK in 1916, one year after Willett’s death. This made it law that clocks would be moved back one hour in the winter. It was introduced in attempt to boost the failing agricultural industry during world war 1 and has persisted every year since. Daylight savings times is popular in Europe and North America, but has never caught on in many other countries. Those around the equator have no need of it, but the southern hemisphere faces a similar problem, except in the summer not the winter. Despite this there are only a handful of countries that bother pushing the hour hands back and forward once a year. As time goes on the relevance of Daylight savings time seems to fade. As people moved from farms to cities the need for light in the morning has fallen. In parliaments across the world, people are beginning to question why this old tradition is even necessary, so it mightn’t be too long before it’s simply a memory. For now, let’s just enjoy the fact that on the night the clocks go back we get to enjoy a very welcome extra hour in bed. MULTIPURPOSEMGZ | 7
SCIENCE
THE UNIQ O EVERY SNO Winter is coming, and with it, perhaps one of the most exquisite phenomena in the cosmoses, snowfall. We remember a regular day in the snow: Making angel imprints in the ground, building grinning snowmen, wild snowball fights that were no place for the feeble, and let’s not forget the creme dela crème; stretching out our tongues to taste the not very flavourful lonely snowflake. Although we enjoyed the visual and practical qualities of snow, we neglected to appreciate its micro beauty.
"My collection [is] far superior in b interest, to that of any othe Wilson A The natural world is beautiful; even the simplest of objects, when examined, reveal such complexity. This property is exemplified with the snowflake. Firstly, we note that a snowflake is made up of tiny ice crystals that are intern made up of water molecules which again are made up of hydrogen and oxygen atoms. The specific properties of these microparticles are exactly what gives rise to the hexagonal-shaped snowflakes. But why is ‘essentially’ every snowflake unique? Each singular ice crystal takes a unique journey through our atmosphere. As a snowflake passes through more humid regions in a cloud, it will undergo a branching process which creates the intricate spikey shapes. As a snowflake passes
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David Nkhansah Artwork and Phorography Editor
QUENESS OF NOWFLAKE through less humid areas, the snowflake will start to fan out into a plate or column-like shape. This is all due to the four fundamental forces of nature that occur in our universe: Gravity, electromagnetism and the weak and strong nuclear forces.
Wilson Alwyn “Snowflake� Bentley (1865-1931) is one of the first known to take photographs of snowflakes. In his life, he photographed more than 5,000 snowflakes. He did this by catching snowfall
both number & beauty & I might add er collection in the world...," A. Bentley. on a black velvet sheet and quickly transferring them to a microscope for photographing. So, in short, every snowflake is unique because each snowflake takes a different journey through our atmosphere resulting in different temperatures and humidity. And the entire history of a snowflake can be read through its spectacular pattern. The snowflakes radial symmetry alone is a shadow of the forces of nature at work. A modern photographer, Alexey Kljatov, has devised a clever way to capture their minuscule beauty in such detail and bring them to the world of macro phatography.
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ART FEATURE Sophie Bryer 4th Year Philosophy
'COMPLEX CHAOS'
This ink on paper piece was drawn up for this issue given its probable relevance to current mindsets surrounding the approaching winter exams, as well as inevitable continuous deadlines, as our minds are constantly busy and somewhat chaotic at this time. The subject’s serene exterior is portrayed merely as something of a container and disguise for his complex thoughts, ideas, (mixed) emotions, and of course exam revision‌
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'A STUDY OF C. CRUICSHANK'
David Nkhansah 3rd Year Mathematics
Oil on canvas. I did this study of a portrait using a limited colour palette of blue, black and white. Limiting to these colours gave the painting a still and cold mood; this was emphasise through the closed eyes. My use of high and low lights was an attempt to give the face a submerged look. My influence for this piece was Scottish artist Ken Currie.
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LIFESTYLE
Chrismas Markets:
A student friendly scale of where to visit this winter
Anya Brzeski Lifestyle and Culture Editor
It’s ‘The Most Wonderful Time of the Year’ according to many, whose careers obviously never led them to be stressing at the thought of the deadlines and exams rapidly approaching. They did get one thing right though: the approach to Christmas can be magical, and whether you’re postponing the inevitable flurry of essays, or celebrating after finishing exams, here are a few places you can fend off the chill (and the stress) for a couple of days, and escape to without seriously breaking the bank. £ - Student Friendly – if you can be flexible on dates, these places really shouldn’t set you back too much ££- Treat yourself! – a little bit pricier, but still doable
Vienna, Austria - £££
£££- Get someone else to treat you – unless you’ve somehow managed to save some of that first double payment of SAAS, these aren’t particularly student friendly trips. Good time to remind the parents about all that ‘work’ you’ve been doing this semester
Paris might have the famous Champs-Elysées Christmas Market this year, but fortunately Vienna’s markets are open for business this Christmas. In fact, Vienna’s Christmas markets date back to the 1200s, when traders were first allowed to hold a market in December. There are multiple markets throughout the city, from the splendour of the market outside the city hall, possibly one of the most beautiful locations for a Christmas market, to the smaller streets of the Spittelberg area of town hosting a market filled with beautiful and unique artworks, ceramics jewellery and clothing. Flights in December aren’t cheap, averaging around £140 return from Glasgow and Edinburgh, so this is definitely the upper end of the price range, but if you’ve got anything left over from that student loan, or if you can persuade parents to take you, Vienna is guaranteed to be a jaw-droppingly beautiful experience this Christmas.
Krakow, Poland - £ If mulled wine, snow-capped houses, and a centuries-old Christmas aren’t already enough for you, on the first Thursday of December, locals of all ages showcase their handmade Szopki or ‘Nativity Cribs’ pictured here. These are detailed recreations of the town’s churches, often painted in fabulous colours. The best ones are then displayed in the Historical Museum in Krakow. But even if you miss the Thursday of the competition, Krakow is vibrant and visually stunning in the winter. The towering structure of the old Cloth Hall is the backdrop to the market, and Krakow is normally blanketed in snow over Christmas, plus they sell the most incredible smoked cheese from the mountains. But don’t take my word for it, get a return from as little as £56, and averaging about £75 return in December, and cheap accommodation, Krakow really is the student dream for a Christmas getaway.
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York, UK - ££ York has an excellent reputation for having a good market year-round, but it really comes into its own at Christmas time. York in winter is something like a postcard (and the perfect Instagram pic). The St Nicholas Market runs throughout December, and they run a ‘living advent calendar’ with local shops, with one shop window being revealed each day in the countdown to Christmas. The market goes above and beyond the usual Christmas markets in the UK- with Victorian style things for sale and many unique and varied items up for grabs. The only downside is that it gets so busy it can be a real difficulty navigating through the crowds to actually see what’s being sold. Return trains from Glasgow average about £65 or busses from Edinburgh are around £50 for a return, and accommodation isn’t particularly cheap, but if you aren’t picky with dates, there are some deals going.
Venice, Italy - £ Missing out on the summer madness of Venice makes this beautiful city far more accessible to those with smaller wallets. I can’t promise good weather or warmth of any kind, but don’t let that put you off Venice. As a place to shop and eat, the Christmas market is highly rated: one entire section of the market is dedicated to Italian food and drink. But don’t expect any of the tantalisingly beautiful venetian carnival masks, glassware or clothing to be cheap. Whilst the Venice experience might be affordable, most of the shopping is not. Return flights from Edinburgh sit around the £50 mark, and as far as accommodation goes, throughout November and December there are rooms going for £20 per night, just make sure it’s not on the mainland, it’s an easy mistake to make. London, UK - £/££ It’s very easy to spend lots of money in London, but there are plenty of ways to have a lovely Christmas experience in the capital without spending serious money. With ice rinks at Somerset House and the Natural History Museum, you can show off, or stumble around, with an impressive backdrop. Or explore the botanic gardens (pictured) after dark when everything becomes a bit more magical as thousands of strings of fairy lights are lit to guide you around the gardens. London plays host to many Christmas markets, from small, artsy ones in less touristy areas of the city, to the dozens of stalls lining the Thames, and strewn through Hyde Park. Return flights cost around £55 if you’re careful with the dates, or there’s the bus which can cost anywhere from £8-25 one way depending if you want to pass the 10-hour journey overnight or not.
Earth Science vs Geography Isabelle Thornton Nature and Environments Editor A rivalry only just beaten by the Old Firm, Glasgow University Earth Science Society (or GUESS for short) vs Glasgow University Geography Society. Easily confused as the same subject, Earth Science and Geography could not be more different and the competition between the two is rampant on campus. Here to settle the debate once and for all are GeogSoc Convenor Nicole Wood and Third Year Rep for GUESS Xander Brown. To all those students currently studying both Earth Science and Geography, why should they join your society over the other? Xander: GUESS is a fun society and we provide members with industry connections. Most Tuesdays we host GeoBeers, where we all get together to hear a professional talk from someone within the geology industry, it’s pretty inspirational. Nicole: GeogSoc is currently a much smaller society than GUESS, so there is a lot of opportunity to join the board which looks great on your CV and enables you to get to know the lecturers on a more personal level and of course, make stronger friendships with people on your course.
SOCIETIES Which society goes on the most exciting field trips? Xander: GUESS because we go on more trips with our course and as a society we organise our own trips such as Siccar Point on the East Coast and we have a big GUESS expedition to Uganda next summer. Nicole: In terms of excitement, I reckon GeogSoc wins this one. GUESS go away so often the excitement is probably replaced by the feeling that they are a chore, whereas the geography trip to Mallorca next April creates such a buzz. It’s not often we all get together for a boozy, geography filled week in Spain.
Which society is most likely to get the best grad job? Nicole: Let’s not think about this until I absolutely have to. Xander: GUESS because ours is a science degree, not a flimsy art degree. I think there are more jobs out there for Earth Scientists.
Which society has the best dance moves? Xander: Depends how much Mad Dog we’ve drank. As a society GUESS are a bit…weirder. Nicole: Agreed.
Is there more to Earth Science than just rocks? Xander: No. Fortunately not. Nicole: Yes! This semester I did an Earth Science module in Paleoclimatology and found it incredibly interesting.
Which society hosts the best socials? Xander: Without a doubt GUESS, this semester we’ve got our Christmas dinner coming up on the 4th December when we’ll go to Coopers and get in the festive spirit. But our best event of the year is the Grad Ball in May which is a really good way to round off the year and get out of our walking trousers and into a kilt. Nicole: I do have to hand this one to GUESS. GeogSoc don’t currently have any events planned for the remainder of 2017. However, everyone has a Grad Ball. Nice try Xander.
Which society could scale a mountain the quickest? Xander: It’d be a pretty even match, we both know our way to the top. Nicole: Yeah, this one would be a team effort.
Is the competition between you more friendly then fierce? Surely you have more in common than you have differences? Xander: The competition is ultimately more friendly because to us, GeogSoc is like our younger sibling. Nicole: GeogSoc and GUESS are interested in the same thing; the processes that make up our world, be it physical or human and at the end of the day, that makes us very similar societies even though the rivalry will always be there. MULTIPURPOSEMGZ | 13
GUCFS
Isabelle Thornton Nature and Environments Editor
Meet the Photography: Susie Thomas Why do you think the event itself is so popular and what is it
about the show that gets people so excited? As the countdown to the snazziest night of the year continues, the Jocelyn: There’s only one other black tie event on campus and so that excitement is building for FOCUS - the Glasgow University Charity makes it a rarity of sorts. It’s a very inclusive event as there’s no need to Fashion Show in aid of Glasgow Children’s Hospital Charity. The show be a member in order to attend. will take place on the 24th February 2018 in SWG3 The Galvanisers – a brand new venue for a bigger and better year, with the society aiming to raise over £15,000 for their chosen charity. G-You were lucky enough to sit down with some of the busy members of GUCFS; President of the society Jocelyn Gilmore, Brand Ambassador Gabe Nwosu-Hope and model Sam Brewer, to find out why GUCFS is one of the hottest societies on campus. Why did you get involved with GUCFS? Jocelyn: I’ve been part of GUCFS since its founding and we initially wanted to start something new at GU, which other unis had but we didn’t. Sam: I’ve tried to join something new on campus each year and so GUCFS was my choice this year. It’s a meaningful society with a really good ethos behind it. Gabe: I wanted to try something non-sporty, which would be the complete opposite of what I usually go for, such as rugby. Jocelyn, you’ve been a part of GUCFS since its founding year. How far has GUCFS come in the past four years? GUCFS has grown remarkably over the years but the popularity has been noticeable this year especially. I think people around uni understand what we’re doing now more than ever, as the ultimate aim is a way to raise money for a good cause. Gabe, what does your role as Brand Ambassador consist of? Mostly helping to raise money and spread the awareness of GCHC. I’m currently organizing a charity gig, using local bands and artists. I try to take part with all of the GUCFS fundraisers as best I can and I absolutely want to continue participating in GUCFS in the years to come. Sam, are you nervous about making your debut on the catwalk? Have you ever modelled before? No, this is my first time modelling! I’m not usually into fashion but my GUCFS experience has been really enjoyable. Throughout the photoshoots I’ve been well helped and supported by the photographers and everyone around me. The fact that it has all felt so professional has really built my confidence – although I’m almost certain I’ll trip on the catwalk!
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Gabe: It’s a unique event that intrigues people and on the night it is pretty show-stopping. It’s absolutely one of the best nights of the year. Sam: I think recently, the fashion show has been better marketed and so there’s a proper buzz about the event itself and rightly so as it’s an insane night, that really proves how students can achieve professional events. This year’s chosen charity is obviously a wonderful cause, especially because of how much it benefits local children.
e Society How closely have you worked with Glasgow Children’s Hospital Charity? Jocelyn: We work really closely with GCHC and they have been wonderful to work with. We’ve been on hospital tours and met the kids and we’ve actually seen where the donations go. Specifically,
motivated about our cause. We focus and are dedicated for an entire year and that pushes us harder to raise money. Gabe: In the future, GUCFS is only going to get bigger and so we will be able to pool resources for our specific charity. Overall this definitely benefits the charity more. What new skills have you learnt from being part of the society and why would you encourage people to get involved with GUCFS? Sam: Taking part builds your confidence because it allows you to do things outside of your comfort zone. I would encourage people to get involved because GUCFS is applicable to everyone; whether that’s fashion, photography, make-up or modelling. It provides you with skills for life. Jocelyn: My public speaking has improved and I have more confidence in my own decision making and personal organization. GUCFS is a great thing to be a part of and it makes you realise a society doesn’t need to be sport or subject related. Gabe: It’s a great way to meet new people and it’s very eye-opening to work this closely with a charity. I can’t wait to do it again next year! Gabe, tell us about your Jailbreak experience. How far did you get? How much money did you raise? It was such a great weekend. My team got as far as London but the ultimate jailbreakers got as far as the Canary Islands! We even had random people on the train who overheard us talking about GCHC and then donated because it’s such a worthwhile cause. The combined effort of all 7 teams raised around £3000 which is fantastic. As challenging and tiring as it was, we managed to spread the word about GCHC and I would 100% do it again!
How is FOCUS going to differ from previous fashion shows? Jocelyn: Because we are such a concrete society now compared to previous years, there is no need to conform to expectations, and we can focus on the bold, creative side of GUCFS. For example, this year we are working in collaboration with TaxMan, a clothing line money is spent on hospital equipment, play for the kids and family created by Ally Scott and Dave Morgan, both second year students. support. In the most recent model shoot, the iconic TaxMan t-shirts are worn Gabe: Even though GCHC is local to us, it really strikes a chord across and they look fantastic. We’ve loved working with TaxMan because the country because it is a charity about families and children. it promotes creatives from our own university; a brand by students made for students. What makes GUCFS unique when compared to other charitable societies? Thanks to GUCFS, Jocelyn, Gabe and Sam for carrying out this interview with Jocelyn: I think because we pick a new charity each year we are us. solely committed to one charity and we are able to get people really
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CULTURE
Recreational Terror:
Why do we love being terrified? Suzanne Elliott I was one of many who packed into a cinema in September to see the new adaptation of Stephen King’s masterpiece ‘IT.’ I was one of many who screamed, and hid my eyes behind trembling fingers as Pennywise the Clown stalked across the screen, grinning menacingly and personifying the fears of a generation as he snatched children in broad daylight. I was also one of any many who excitedly switched on Netflix just before Halloween to see the new season of ‘Stranger Things,’ the nostalgia driven, pop-culture referencing tale of things going bump in the night, in Hawkins, Indiana. I was one also of many, who flinched every time our new favourite child actors were almost attacked by Demogorgons and shady government agents. So many turned out to watch ‘IT’ upon its highly publicised release, that it has since become the highest grossing horror film at the US and UK box-offices ever, beating such classics as ‘the Exorcist’ and ‘Friday the 13th.’ So many have streamed ‘Stranger Things’ that Netflix has also since racked up millions of viewers in the first few days of its
release. What the two productions have in common is that they have come to represent the general public’s continued investment in, and seeming fascination with, the ‘horror’ genre. Apparently, being recreationally terrified is one of our favourite pass-times. Whether it’s through thrill-seeking – such as rollercoaster riding or bungee-jumping – or through sitting down in a darkened room and watching monsters come to life on our screens, we appear to enjoy fear. Psychologists have spent decades trying to identify what characterises this affinity for all things scary, and they’ve come up with a few answers. The adrenaline of it all, is one such reason. There is a certain thrill to being held in suspense, a thrill in the unknown. We feel this same thrill in other situations, like when watching a contentious sports match and not knowing which team will come out on top. Surprise excites and invigorates viewers, surprise that is used in the conventional jump scares of modern horror film and in the unveiling of a masked villain. We fear the unknown, yet we are enthralled by it also.
However, at the heart of it, there is something definitively primal in our quest to be afraid. The ‘fight or flight’ response regularly identified in psychological profiling is an example of such primary instinct that still exists in contemporary thought. In the face of an enemy, we are hardwired to fight it or to flee. Personally, I would flee in the face of any clown – particularly Pennywise – but the internal desire to fight in the face of danger is a facet that arguably characterises our continued love of horror. We love to see our cinematic heroes terrified, but ultimately combat the horrors that they face. Even when our heroes don’t emerge victorious, we enjoy this fight. We invest emotively in that struggle, in their fear as it plays into our own. Our cultural fears, our everyday fears, fears that mark our lives, and fears we choose to fight or flee from on a daily basis. Because even if we can’t beat those fears, we can at least keep them at bay. In this way, we want to be afraid, we need to be afraid. And now, in the horrors that fill our cinemas and television screens, we have found something new to be afraid of.
OPINION Taggy Elliott
A
The impact of WWI on A. A. Milne
.A. Milne, the creator of Winnie the Pooh, fought in the trenches during World War One. The recently released film Goodbye Christopher Robin explored the impact of post-traumatic stress disorder on his work, and how it affected his perspective on war. It added a new dimension to how the Hundred Acre Wood came into existence, as well as how men struggled to return to everyday life after the conflict. As November is Remembrance month, it felt relevant to consider the influence of WW1 on Milne, and how he has shown not only what it did to him as an individual, but also the effect, or lack thereof, that it had on the zeitgeist of the period. Milne was part of a generation who had reaped the benefits of technological and medicinal advancements throughout the nineteenth century. However, with WW1 came unprecedented loss, and many people began to question the point of this level of violence. This change in attitude is evident in the poems, diaries and novels that were written by soldiers whilst they were on the front line, such as Wilfred Owen and Siegfried Sassoon. What this film revealed though, was the lasting damage that such life-changing experiences
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had had, with its effects lasting long after the war was over. Before the war, Milne was well-known for his plays and screenplays, but being injured in battle, and losing his best friend, changed him. This is shown in Goodbye Christopher Robin, as when he returned to Britain, Milne struggled to not only start writing again, but also began questioning the point of war. He moved his family to the country, where his son’s toys inspired the creation of the wellknown characters. First published in 1923, it became an international phenomenon. Whilst it is not as well-known as the Winnie the Pooh universe, which is undoubtedly his most famous work, in 1934 Milne published Peace with Honour. It has been labelled as his plea for pacifism, as he urges his audience to reassess their belief as war as inevitable and a useful way to solve issues. Inspired by his experiences during World War One, he ‘want[s] everybody to think (as I do) that war is poison, and not […] an over-strong, extremely unpleasant medicine.’ Reading excerpts of this book, it is obvious that Milne cannot understand how even after so much loss and devastation,
people still viewed war as an effective solution. WW1 had occurred less than two decades before Peace with Honour was written, and he cannot fathom the way in which those who died were remembered. To heroicize them for their military service glorifies war in his opinion, as a man can only be a hero if ‘he accepts death of his own will.’ Thus, seeing war as a solution was a dangerous view to have. In his book, Milne cannot imagine a scenario where he could justify war being declared. Ironically, by the time World War Two began just five years later, he had such a hatred for Hitler that he believed war was the only way to stop him. It could be argued that the need to fight the rise of Hitler was more than economic and political disagreements, that could have been solved in other ways. Rather than a conflict between nations defending their allies, as WW1 had been, the Second World War has been argued to be a battle of Good vs Evil. This gives complexity to understanding why the wars occurred, and why people who had been turned into pacifists by the unnecessary losses of 1914-
1918, were fully supportive of another large-scale conflict. The impact of Milne’s experiences cannot be denied, as WW1 made him question the old order he had been brought up in, and whether any cause was worth dying for. To see the change in his views in the inter-war years shows that even for someone wholly against war, there were some cases where war was truly required to defeat the enemy. To this day, the 11th November is a national day of remembrance, not only for those who died in World War One but those who have served and died for this country in the many conflicts since. There have been many debates about the nature of patriotism, and how we remember those who fought possibly without fully understanding what they were fighting for. Learning more about A. A. Milne’s experiences has caused me to reflect further on the way we honour those who serve in the armed forces. They risk everything to defend their countries, as did those who served alongside Milne a century ago, albeit for different causes. We shouldn’t forget any of their sacrifices, or the impact that war has on those who survive it.
SPORT
The Winter Edit: Scottish Snow Caitlin Young Website and Features Editor Scotland is an outdoor enthusiasts dream location; in the warmer months (well warm in Scottish standards) you have the vast landscapes to explore; hillwalking, mountain biking, kayaking - I could go on. But when it gets a little bit colder, thanks to its 5 ski resorts, it’s a skier or snowboarder’s dream. With the winter Olympics coming up early next year it’s the perfect time to shake the dust off your skis and “shred that pow”. Here’s a list of the best places to go to get your snow fix. Cairngorm Mountain As a personal favourite of mine it’s going at the top of the list. In winter, the Cairngorms are a snowy paradise. If the conditions are good there is plenty to keep yourself busy with thanks to the wide selection of runs open, the White Lady being the most well known of them all. Some runs however can be very challenging, if you can get yourself from top to bottom here there won’t be any run that you can’t do. It’s a well-known fact that if you can handle skiing or boarding in Scotland then you’ll be able to tackle anything. A student day pass comes in at £28.50. The only downside is that it does take a while to get to if you are coming from Glasgow but that just gives more of an excuse to make a weekend of it. Aviemore is the closest town and offers transport to and from the
mountain on a regular basis. If you are on a budget there is no need to spend a fortune on accommodation! There are a few hostels in the main part of town that is perfect for those on a budget. If that doesn’t convince you then Aviemore’s infamous club “The Vault” is reason enough to make the trip. Who cares about the skiing, it’s an experience all in its own. Glencoe Not only is it a relatively short drive from Glasgow but also it is also home to the longest and steepest run in Scotland and boasts stunning views that you would be hard pressed to find anywhere else, it is an instagram king/ queen’s dream. It is also pretty cheap, for a midweek day pass it’s £20 with your student card and £25 for a weekend day pass – can’t complain. You’ll get a great day of snow filled goodness and an instagram that will for sure get more than 11 likes. If you fancy making a weekend of it the resort is close to Fort William but if you want to be even closer to the snow Glencoe has its very own microlodges or “Hobbit Huts” that can be rented next to the car park, but I’d recommend doing it well in advance, as they are very popular when the season starts. Glenshee This one is a bit more of a trek; located in the Cairngorms National Park region it is closer to Aviemore than it is to Glasgow. It takes the crown
of the largest resort in the UK and offers 36 pisted runs, which will suit a whole range of abilities. Like Glencoe it is great value for money starting at £20 for a day pass. The longest run in the resort is the Glas Maol, which gives you 2km of snow to have fun on. Another benefit of Glenshee is that it is open for longer during the season thanks to the snow making facilities on site.
not a bad deal.
Nevis Range
There’s no need to panic if your skills are a bit rusty because there loads of lesson options, starting from beginners right up to freestyle. But if you’re looking for an alternative to skiing or snowboarding, Snow Factor also has an ice climbing wall with instructors on hand as well as the option to let your inner child loose and go sledging. Starting from £10 for a student 2-hour lift pass including equipment hire, it’s definitely friendly on your bank balance. Finally the most important thing, if you fancy a bit of Après, Bar Varia is located right next to the slope so a cold pint is only a few steps away. What more could you want?
This one truly does have something for everyone, with a whole area dedicated to beginners and a great selection of reds and blacks the further up the mountain you go. You might think that you’re pretty nifty on the snow but the off-piste area of the Black Corries will be sure to push you to your limit and show exactly what you are made of! Like other resorts there are also alternatives to skiing or snowboarding, if you want a break you can try your hand at sledging or snowshoeing. A bit more expensive for a student day pass, coming in at £27 but with all that it has to offer, it’s
Snow Factor, Braehead If you really can’t be bothered to make the journey outside of Glasgow you’re in luck because Glasgow has its very own indoor slope just a short bus journey away. Not only is the slope covered in real snow but it is also the longest indoor slope in the UK.
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INTERVIEW
STaG Nights: After Hours
Michael Cartledge
Coming up in the next few weeks is the first of 2 student theatre festivals run by Student Theatre at Glasgow (STaG), STaG Nights. So, this week, I sat down with Zac Simmons, the festival director, to get the full scoop in an exclusive interview. First off, what can you tell our readers about the STaG Nights festival itself? Zac: Basically, STaG Nights is a threeday theatre festival, 9 twenty-minute plays all based around a theme which, this year, is after hours, so picture Gumshoe detectives, neo noir, blade runner, these sorts of ideas. But comedies as well, like after eight mints or getting drunk on a night out. This year we’re doing something a bit different, we’re having interval entertainment as well, so we’ve got some musicians, we’ve got some circus skills, we’ve got a couple of singers coming in. So, it’s just three nights of theatre and performing art entertainment. And what can you tell us about the plays that are appearing this year? Zac: Well, we’ve got a very good variety, we’ve got a live, die, repeat situation, we’ve got murders, we’ve got, as I’ve said, a gumshoe detective, a spoof of those old 1920’s, 1950’s noir films. We’ve got a family pub going out of business and they decide to have one last lock in. There’s one with two people stuck in a lift who don’t speak the same language, so there’s communications and confusion, that sort of thing. We’ve got a horror, which STaG have not done consistently before, so should be good fun (or spooky). We’ve got a prison, those sorts of ideas. Thank you, and you mentioned that you’ve incorporated some new ideas into the festival this year, what is it
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that you have brought and added to the festival? Zac: Well, the interval acts are one of the main things I’ve tried to change this year, in that I want it to be festival rather than just nine disconnected plays. I want people to be able to come in and feel like they’re in a club, like a cabaret venue, so we’ve got a venue designer this year as well and they’ve got a team together, they’re going to be decorating the venue, which is all very top secret as well, so when people walk in, they’re not just entering another theatre venue, they’re entering our club, our cabaret, our jazz bar, whatever it is that we’ve decided to turn it into.
things to look at, things to do and see and if you like having a good time and the 1950’s/1920’s era, the aesthetic, all these kinds of things, then you don’t have to love theatre to see this. Everyone loves films, we’ve got some spoofs of films, we’ve got amazing sets and actors and scripts. It’s for everyone.
And what do you think there is about this particular festival that would encourage people to come, not just people involved in the theatre scene, but everyone? Zac: I think the variety, it’s all based around a theme, but every play is unique, every act has something a little bit different, as I said, its three evening of entertainment, not just three nights of disconnected plays, it’s just entertainment, it’s a good way to spend an evening. Even if you don’t have any particular interest in theatre, its cheap, it should be fun and it’s just the work that’s gone into it, it’s something impressive to see I feel. It will be, once it all comes together, it will look and feel amazing, people will love it. The intervals themselves, there’s going to be
Thank you, and finally is there any more information you want to give us about the festival; dates, times, prices, location etc? Zac: Its taking place in Qudos in the QMU the 19th to the 21st of November. Tickets are £7, £6 concession, festival pass £15. We also have a VIP section, which is going to be something a little bit extra, a little bit more exciting, if you feel like spending just that one extra pound on your ticket.
And what has been your experience as director of this festival? Zac: Stress, first of all, but 100% worth it. It’s been so exciting and interesting to be in charge of something like this and to be able to watch all these talented people working together towards some goal, towards the end and I think, when I personally see these plays being put on, when I’m in the festival, it’s going to feel worth it. Every bit of stress, every bit of hard work that I’ve put in, that the assistants have put in, that the venue designers have put in, the actors the directors, writers, it’s just going to be amazing to watch, it’s going to be something that I can feel proud to say that I helped do this.
There’s all the information you need folks. And from the sound of it, it doesn’t sound like it’s to be missed.
George Bell
make the moments visceral for the reader. The independent creators have that old punk rock spirit of scraping enough money together to put out the next issue and working tirelessly to put their best ideas forward. Through that DIY methodology and sheer grit, reputations are grown, fans accumulate and the creators improve and with each year. It is with this spirit that the Comic Creators Club has been founded, hoping to attract the young writers and artists of the university, and with them work to demonstrate that all one needs to start creating something unique is an idea and the desire to see it on the page. We’ll be working in collaboration with other societies, including the G-You to allow our members to see their simpler ideas in print as well as producing our own long form publications in the not-toodistant-future. Everyone who is willing to produce something will be accepted, there are no “house-styles” to conform to and no minimum level of skill restricting entry. We are a ground level enabler of people to produce a body of work, practice their craft Those in the industry understand these unique aspects of and build their ideas and dreams into physical reality. I hope comics, in that all it takes is the germ of an idea that excites a some of you reading this will consider joining us; you will all be writer to put the story on paper and an artist to expand and warmly welcomed when you do. Comic books are not cool. Movies based on mainstream comic book franchises are popular and make the studios involved a crap tonne of money, but that isn’t the same thing. The sales of mainstream comic books are in a slump which the major publishers react to with usually poorly thought out, short term thinking and as a result, audience retention is ever wavering. However, there are still hundreds of people working in the medium of comics. The independent scene is full of writers and artists from many walks of life, struggling to get their voices heard and earning back very few monetary rewards in the process. So why do they do it? Why is there a new comic club forming at Glasgow University? The answer is simply that comics, while not cool and certainly not highly regarded among the arts, is a truly unique medium that is still possibly the most accessible to a new story teller.
Winter! by Andrew Mackay
Art by Lauren Gatting
/ComicCreatorsClub
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