Impact Magazine Issue 219

STUDENT PUBLICATION OF THE YEAR

ARE BOOBS NEWS?

WWW.IMPACTNOTTINGHAM.COM

ISSUE 219 NOV 2012

WEEK ONE PHOTOS

ARE YOU INSIDE?

NAKED ROYALS AND PAGE 3 GIRLS

UNITED

MEET THE STUDENTS SAYING ‘I DO’ AT UNI

EDIT RIAL It’s the start of a new issue: cue pretentious opening...

F

or Freshers this is the end of the beginning. For final years this is the The response from our guests on the day was overwhelmingly positive and we’re keen to expand the conference in the future to encompass as broad a beginning of the end. range of media as possible. We also hope that anyone who missed out this Regardless of whether you’re settling into life in a new city, finalising year will have the chance to go in 2013. your last grad scheme application or reflecting on recently getting engaged (see our lead feature), the question “what’s next?” may well be wedged on But what’s next, period? repeat in life’s proverbial playlist.

At a time when Freshers and final years alike will be asking themselves the It is for us at Impact. The questions “what’s next for print media?”, “what’s next same question, it seems that the most pertinent message to finish with is this: for aspiring journalists after university?” and “what’s next for Impact?” were what’s next is a selection of Impact’s finest. posed at our inaugural Impact Media Conference late last month.

Until next time, enjoy.

It was with an eye to the future and with a handle on the past that we invited eight alumni to host sessions on various elements of student and national media. I would like to thank Rob Barham, Hattie Hamilton, Jessica Elgot, Libby Galvin, Alex Hoban, Ian Steadman and Dan Townend for an inspired series Oscar Williams of talks. I’m also indebted to Dave Jackson, who chaired our final forum and Editor-in-Chief without whom the idea would never have taken off.

WE WROTE, YOU RESPONDED Craig

Elena

Stephanie

on NUTS Lose Use of University Server

on Does My Book Look Big In This?

on The Reality of Camp America

“Together URN, NUTS, the New Theatre and Impact are a package of services which I’m certain have attracted students to study at the university in their own right, especially ones looking for careers in the media. Maybe no one has told the staff but these are powerful forms of media and great marketing tools which the university should be getting behind and looking to expand, rather than throwing random obstacles in the way.”

“How do you sleep at night with these problems?

I’ll gather the community and start a charity in your name. We’ll run a BBC fundraising appeal that will have weeping widows, puppy dogs and slow violin music playing in the background. We’ll get some generic Hollywood actor who thinks he’s Mother Theresa, because he drives an electric car on Tuesdays and recycles cartons now and then, to look into the camera and proclaim that every three seconds a student has to carry a bigger bag than usual to university. Step aside genocide and cancer. Let’s tackle the big problem of luggage.”

“I’ve never been to Camp America but I’ve heard similar stories from people I do know who have been, and I’ve also been abroad with an NGO under the premise of doing conservation work, only to be very disappointed in the details the website missed out. It’s good to read an article exposing the truths about such organisations because most of the time their real objective is making money, not giving you the fabulous life experience they promise.”

Join the discussion at www.impactnottingham.com...

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CONTENTS FEATURES Editorial News Comment Sport

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United

REGULARS 14 18

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How Britishness might be the key to a more tolerant society.

25

Uncle Sam

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Need a one night stand? Sam’s your man.

Our generation’s unique relationship with the internet.

A Positive Role for English Nationalism

Alumni Focus: James Robinson The Guardian reporter who helped break Murdoch’s empire.

Impact interviews the author of ‘How To Get A First’.

This Is For Everyone

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The campaign against Page 3.

Can getting engaged at uni work?

Confessions of a First Class Graduate

Are Boobs News?

22

Impact Columnists

27

Exposure Style Food Science Travel Arts Film Music Last Words Heard in Halward

30 32 38 40 42 48 52 56 62 63

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NEWS

BOAT CLUB PRESIDENT RETHINKS POSITION ON AU FUNDING The former President of the Nottingham we will accommodate a discussion in an University Boat Club has withdrawn plans appropriate forum.� for a petition to change the allocation of The initial article sparked a debate on Athletic Union funding.

Impact’s website and the Heard in Hallward Last month, Impact published a leaked Facebook page, with students supporting email sent by Harry Laughland, the then both sides of the debate.

President of NUBC, which asked fellow Some were worried about potential elitist clubs competing in British Universities and UDPLĂ€FDWLRQV DQG TXHVWLRQHG WKH LPSRUWDQFH College Sport (BUCS) whether they agreed of BUCS rankings to the overall student that only BUCS clubs should receive funding body. One commenter pointed out that, “one from the AU. If this suggestion had gained of the the great things about the Union here enough support, Laughland planned to take is the huge variety of clubs and societies a petition to the University. on offer – literally the ability to cater for all +RZHYHU /DXJKODQG ODWHU FODULĂ€HG KLV tastesâ€?. position and admitted his previous views Others questioned how the University had gained little support. While still in his H[SHFWHG WR UHDFK WKH WRS Ă€YH %8&6 role as President, he issued a statement on rankings if it didn’t provide more funding to Impact’s website, published in full below.

BUCS clubs. “The real story is in the lack Laughland’s original view was that BUCS of funding for performance sportsâ€?, one WHDPV ´DUH WKH RQO\ FOXEV ZKR GLUHFWO\ EHQHĂ€WÂľ commenter said. the AU and more funding would “ensure Laughland has since resigned from his the University climbed higher in the BUCS position. Impact understands that this is for ladderâ€?. The University of Nottingham itself entirely unrelated reasons. is keen to see this happen, with Assistant Director of Sport Nigel Mayglothling saying Harry Laughland issued a response to the WKDW WKH 8QLYHUVLW\ DLPV WR UHDFK WKH WRS Ă€YH article and the comments it prompted: in the BUCS rankings.

Athletic Union President Jonny Bell stated at the time that, “We received via a third party Harry’s email. From my perspective this goes against the Athletic Union’s ethos of ‘sport for all’, catering from grassroots through to elite level sport. That said, if Harry decides to pursue this petition, 4

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of my argument. It is only after having this explained to me that I realised the error, and thus a large part of my argument fell down. “The email was never suggesting that any clubs would be cut as a direct result. It was purely used to garner opinion on an issue that I feel passionately about, and I am very glad to hear the feedback even though it appears my ideas at the time have no support. That is what feedback is for, and it is with that feedback that I will look to develop my argument and thoughts surrounding the topic. “Even though it has been claimed through this article that I do not value ‘Sport for all’ I can assure everyone that this is genuinely my feeling now, having had responses on the topic that have made me rethink my position. I think “Sport for allâ€? is an admirable policy although I would still argue though that it is very hard for this to be matched with WKH 8QLYHUVLW\Ň‹V VWDWHG DLP RI EHLQJ D WRS Ă€YH BUCS club - but this should be a question of more funds, not reallocated funds.

“I apologise to anyone who I offended or who felt victimised as a result of my email, “I would like to offer a response to this it was never intended to do either, merely to article. As mentioned, my email was an engender discussion and debate around the initial enquiry into whether people shared topics involved.� similar feelings regarding sports funding To see the original article and the response at Nottingham University. I included in to it, visit the Impact website. my email some statistics which I have Ellis Schindler since withdrawn, these were formed from misleading information and were the basis

SU SAFE TAXI SCHEME:

The SU has set up a ‘Safe Taxi Scheme’ with DG Taxis, in order to offer students, who have run out of money on a night out, a safe way to get home.

costs. Fitted cameras inside the taxis will DOVR KHOS WR FRQĂ€UP SDVVHQJHUŇ‹V LGHQWLW\ Students who have lost their student card will still be able to use the system.

A FREE RIDE HOME...

AT A COST

University of Nottingham students will need to call DG and quote the scheme, in order for the SU to cover the cost of their ride home.

The morning after the night before, the SU will receive an email, listing the students who have used the scheme and will contact everyone to check that all is well and to remind them to pay the amount owed.

Upon collection, the taxi driver takes note of their passenger’s student number before issuing a receipt, which needs to be taken WR WKH 68 RIÀFH ZLWKLQ D ZHHN WR VHWWOH WKH

UoN AND TRENT JOIN FORCES FOR POLICE CHIEF ELECTION On the 15th of November elections will be Teshuva went on to say that “the police held across England and Wales for 41 new commissioner election is just the start.�

Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs).

The SU believes that a high student voter 7KLV LV WKH Ă€UVW WLPH SROLFH DXWKRULWLHV ZLOO EH turnout in this election will indicate to MPs HOHFWHG 7KH +RPH 2IĂ€FH VD\V WKDW WKLV ZLOO that students should be taken into account “give the public a voice at the highest levelâ€?. as a large part of the electorate.

PCCs will set their regional force’s agenda, Although students constitute 10% of the determine budgets and have the power to population in Nottingham, they are allegedly dismiss and appoint the chief constable. being under-served.

Although PCCs must swear an oath of Register to vote on aboutmyvote.co.uk. impartiality, two of the candidates standing 9RWLQJ IRU ÀUVW \HDUV LV LQ WKH $WULXP 3RUWODQG to lead the Nottinghamshire force have Building. Other years will receive information DIÀOLDWHG WKHPVHOYHV ZLWK SROLWLFDO SDUWLHV on polling stations once registered. including Paddy Tipping, Labour and Tony Roberts, Conservative.

Emily Tripp Two independent candidates are also running in Nottinghamshire: Raj Chandran and Malcolm Spencer. Spencer recently won over students at a debate on campus, according to a straw poll.

7KH 6WXGHQWVҋ 8QLRQ LV IRU WKH ÀUVW WLPH attempting to carry out a campaign to encourage students to register and vote in the election. The last election in Nottingham, the referendum for city mayors in May this year, had a turnout of 24%.

Working with Nottingham Citizens, UoNSU and NTSU want to see 1,000 students vote in the Nottinghamshire election.

15 of the largest groups within UoNSU are involved in the campaign. SU President Amos Teshuva told Impact that more than 300 students have been registered through Week One alone. www.impactnottingham.com/news

Lorna Stone

CLEGG QUESTIONED DURING NOTTINGHAM VISIT Nick Clegg recently visited Nottingham for a question and answer session with residents and students, held at Nottingham Trent University.

Sian Green, the SU’s Accommodation DQG &RPPXQLW\ 2IĂ€FHU DVNHG &OHJJ about the Council’s policy on parking permits for student residents. He said that they were a “blatant discriminationâ€? against students that “chips awayâ€? at the right that students have across the country not to pay Council Tax. Clegg also assured the audience that over the next three years half a million young people would be supported by the Youth Contract scheme, aimed at securing work experience and apprenticeships for young people.

When asked about the economy, Clegg likened the banking system to a “body without a heart�, pointing to policies that are to be announced over the next year that would ensure economic security.

Read a full account on the Impact website, along with a comment on the visit by UoN’s Politics Society President, Ryan Holmes.

Emily Tripp IMPACT 219 215

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NEWS

ÂŁ9K A YEAR, LITERATURE NOT INCLUDED MOST STUDENTS WANT TEXTBOOKS INCLUDED IN FEES 81% of UK students think that textbooks should be included in tuition fees, according to a survey conducted by CourseSmart and the NUS. This survey corresponds with an Impact poll, in which 73% of Nottingham students questioned said they supported subsidised textbooks.

One of the main arguments in favour of this is that students who cannot afford textbooks will be at a disadvantage. However, there are a number of alternatives available to students. Financial provision is provided for students who cannot afford textbooks, and bursaries, grants and means-tested maintenance loans help the poorest students with vital academic materials.

It has been suggested that only those without the means to pay for their textbooks should have them subsidised, rather than

a blanket provision that would cost the needed for their course when they need University at the expense of other services them is absolutely vital. Investing in more copies of library books or electronic copies it provides. of core textbooks would both allow students A problem also lies in the extent to which access to the books for their course and reading lists vary between different also allow the University to spend money on subjects. The humanities often have long other facilities and resources. That said, it reading lists and demand a large number of is just as important that books are able to books. Conversely, science subjects often be borrowed for long enough as is needed ask for fewer books, perhaps requiring the and more copies requested if supplies are purchase of only one or two core books at shown as low. the beginning of each year. “Students will naturally be expecting more 7KLV GLYHUVLW\ ZRXOG FDXVH GLIĂ€FXOW\ LQ from university when they are paying ÂŁ9,000 deciding who is eligible for what textbooks, per year and it is important that, whether with some students potentially receiving this means including books in tuition fees PXFK JUHDWHU Ă€QDQFLDO DVVLVWDQFH WKDQ or ensuring access to library copies, the others.

University is able to respond to this.�

(GXFDWLRQ 2IĂ€FHU 0DWWKHZ 6W\OHV Rob Moher commented that, “Students being able to access the core textbooks and resources

UNI GLAMOUR MODEL HITS OUT AGAINST PAGE THREE CAMPAIGN Glamour model and University of Nottingham student, Emma Kuziara, has spoken out against a campaign to ban topless models from Page 3 of The Sun, which has rapidly gained support over the past few months.

at Courtney, 21, from Warrington’s bare breasts,’ in the middle of the 6 O’ Clock News. ´3KLOLS DQG +ROO\ GRQҋW à DVK XS SLFWXUHV RI Danni, 19, from Plymouth, in just her pants and a necklace, on This Morning�.

The nineteen-year-old Sociology student, Holmes’ campaign has rapidly gained from Derby, has been modelling since she support over the past few months. Over was sixteen, and has posed for a range of 40,000 people have signed the petition to publications including The Sun, The Daily ban Page 3 girls and the campaign has Star, The Sport, Nuts and Zoo Magazine.

The ‘No More Page 3’ campaign began over the summer when actress and writer Lucy Holmes wrote to The Sun, expressing her disappointment that page 3 models were given more space in the newspaper attracted backing from several MPs, as well than medal-winning female athletes during as newspaper columnist, Caitlin Moran. the Olympics.

Kuziara, however, has spoken out against Holmes appealed to editor of The Sun, the campaign, saying, “I just don’t see why it Dominic Mohan, saying “enough is would harm anyone. enoughâ€?, and told him to “stop conditioning [his] readers to view women as sex ´,I \RX GRQŇ‹W ZDQW WR ORRN DW LW WKDWŇ‹V Ă€QH MXVW skip the page. It’s become one of the main objects.â€? features of the paper and to get rid of it just She went on in her letter to argue, “George seems a bit pathetic really.â€?

Alagiah doesn’t say, ‘And now let’s look 6

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Emma has featured as a page 3 girl in The Daily Star six times and, according to Zoo, she is one of ‘Britain’s sexiest students’.

Emma believes that the majority of people who buy The Sun buy it to look at the infamous Page 3, and said that, “if you really are against it, just don’t buy those papers.�

Antonia Paget with additional reporting by Hannah Murray and Emily Tripp

NEWS ACROSS THE GLOBE

‘JACK SPARROW’ HIJACKS DEVONSHIRE BOAT

PIGS WITH BEEF

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Police in Oregon are investigating the death of a farmer who was eaten by his pigs. Terry Garner, 69, never returned from a visit to the pig pen after going to feed the animals. His dentures and parts of his body were later found in the pig enclosure.

It has been reported that one of the pigs had previously acted aggressively towards Garner, suggesting some form of vendetta against the farmer. However, police have not ruled out the possibility that he’d collapsed from a heart attack and the pigs then mistook his body for a tasty treat.

A 51-year-old Lambrini drinker, who seems to hold Jack Sparrow as some form of corrupt muse, has been jailed for 122 days for hijacking a boat. On September 10th of last year, the mischievous sea dog, Alison Whelan, decided to conclude her two-day bender by boat-jacking the 100-seater ferry ‘Dart Princess’ in Dartmouth, Devon, claiming to be Johnny Depp’s infamous pirate character.

8QGHU WKH LQĂ XHQFH RI FKHDS DOFRKRO DQG VXVSLFLRXV foliage, she instigated a chase involving the police, coastguard and local lifeboats, which culminated in ÂŁ1,500 worth of damage to the Dart Princess and several other vessels.

Suzi Collins

Kimberlee Tidswell

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EMERGENCY SERVICES SAVE DOLL FROM DROWNING

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When beach goers in Turkey raised the alarm and called emergency services after witnessing a woman in distress out at sea, rescuers in the Northern Samsun province rushed to the scene – where they were promptly left feeling a little GHà DWHG :KDW UHVFXHUV KDG VFUDPEOHG WR VDYH LQ KDVWH ZDV LQ IDFW DQ LQà DWDEOH VH[ GROO Despite the considerable time and effort put in by the crew to save her, the sex doll was unfortunately not spared in the most tragic of outcomes. Once escorted back to shore, her fate lay in the hands of her rescuers who decided that the best option was to simply throw her into the garbage.

Rebecca Meeson-Frizelle

SUSPICIOUS ‘PACKAGE’ IN INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

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Three men were recently arrested for trying to VPXJJOH VPDOO à XII\ ORULVHV RQ D WUDQVLW à LJKW between Dubai and Bangkok. While in New Delhi, security guards noticed an impressive bulge in one passenger’s crotch area, but discovered a rather unexpected package on closer inspection – a 7 inch long endangered primate tucked into a pouch.

The lorises are being treated for post-traumatic stress and, while waiting for further investigation into the incident, the men are certainly less happy to see the security guards than they originally seemed.

Lorna Stone

www.impactnottingham.com/news

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7

COMMENT

WILL EMPLOYERS WANT TO ‘HEAR’ MORE ABOUT STUDENT LIFE? Why the Higher Education Achievement Report might hinder, not help In the not too distant future, most universities are expected to adopt a set of radical changes to the way in which future employers are able to assess students’ abilities.

Universities will provide a much more detailed account of students’ achievements, UHFRUGLQJ QRW RQO\ GHJUHH FODVVLÀFDWLRQ but individual modular and paper marks as well as details of extra-curricular activities such as societal, musical and sporting involvement.

reading and sometimes, allegedly, scanning them through a computer for certain words or phrases. So is a document of up to six pages in length actually going to be read?

More to the point, what positive data will it evidence that could not go on a CV? It is perfectly possible to list extra-curricular activities, in either a CV or covering letter, if they are applicable to the job in hand, and, if not, what use would an employer gain from knowing about them?

“It may well place This document, to be known as a Higher more pressure Education Achievement Report (HEAR), will on students to get be held by the university in electronic form. involved in societies It will be updated during the student’s period and sporting of study at university with consultation teams, which could between the student and university as to indirectly detriment what is included. Once the student has their academic graduated, however, it cannot be altered, performance� acting as a permanent digital footprint of a student’s time at university. The system has been extensively piloted (with individual It is unclear precisely what a student can university permission), with 45,000 HEARs choose to omit from their HEAR but, since produced this year. no-one is going to include something controversial or negative if it is possible to Professor Burgess, Vice-Chancellor hide it, will HEARs not just amount to an of Leicester University, has said: “The extra CV listing how great a candidate is? In HEAR is designed to encourage a more this case, it seems unlikely that prospective sophisticated approach to recording employers will be able to derive any real students’ achievements in the 21st Century.� nuggets of valuable information about an Questions have been raised, however, over applicant which they would not already have whether the document will provide anything received via a CV/covering letter. above and beyond what employers already receive.

Universities Minister David Willetts has Employers are currently so over-bombarded said HEARs will enable employers “to with CVs and covering letters when any make more informed choices about who vacancy becomes available that they barely to employ, rather than relying on degree have time to read through CVs, at best skim- class alone.� Well, if degree class is all that

matters, why has everyone been wasting their time writing CVs and covering letters, and how will HEARs change that? Does a great HEAR and a 2:1 override an average +($5 DQG D ÀUVW" Carl Gilleard, chief executive of the Association of Graduate Recruits, believes it will allow students to present a fuller picture of themselves. It is true that it will provide D PRUH URXQGHG DFDGHPLF SURÀOH ² PRGXOH and paper marks could give employers an improved insight into student’s abilities. But, suppose he/she had an off day, messed up their exam and received a poor mark, is it fair for a student to be discounted for one slip-up anyone could make? Surely the ZKROH SRLQW RI D GHJUHH FODVVLÀFDWLRQ LV WR give a balanced, overall assessment of an individual’s abilities.

While HEARs may remove the pressure of WU\LQJ WR DFKLHYH D ÀUVW LW PD\ ZHOO SODFH more pressure on students to get involved in societies and sporting teams, which could compromise their academic performance.

Is a further piece of accreditation the answer, or is the answer to reduce the number of students nationwide by encouraging and promoting more vocational, apprenticeship DQG LQWHUQVKLS W\SH TXDOLĂ€FDWLRQV" It strikes this observer as the wrong answer to a nonetheless valid question: how to distinguish between so many seemingly HTXDOO\ TXDOLĂ€HG FDQGLGDWHV" It is widely acknowledged that, in the words RI &DUO *LOOHDUG ´WKH GHJUHH FODVVLĂ€FDWLRQ V\VWHP LV QRW Ă€W IRU SXUSRVHÂľ KH GHVFULEHV LW as “a blunt and inconsistent measureâ€?.

However, as a response to the less than VDWLVIDFWRU\ GHJUHH FODVVLĂ€FDWLRQ V\VWHP HEARs raise more questions than they answers, seem merely to duplicate useful experiences that could otherwise be highlighted in a CV/covering letter, and overload employers with excessive (and sometimes irrelevant) information. The SURSRVDO QHHGV DW OHDVW FODULĂ€FDWLRQ DQG DW best a total rethink.

Stephen Gilmore

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THE US ELECTIONS: WHY THE TRUTH NO LONGER PREVAILS

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n Tuesday 6th of November, Americans will decide whether to elect Democratic incumbent, Barack Obama, or his Republican challenger, Mitt Romney. The election of the latter would mark a fundamental shift towards more conservative economic and social policy. The outcome will change the ZRUOG DQG LQĂ XHQFH RXU RZQ SROLWLFV 7KH repercussions of those choices on our ZRUOG ZLOO EH VLJQLĂ€FDQW EXW WKHVH DUH QRW the only important issues that you need to worry about.

It’s true that America’s economic recovery has been uninspiring yet steady and that there are ways a more spectacular upswing can be enacted – although economics students will argue about the details, meaning and consequences of each action or inaction until the end of time. It is also true that if America sets the wheels in motion on rapid growth, we too will undeniably be buckled in for the ride.

A sudden positive trend in jobs numbers and the feel-good factor that follows, just in time for our 2015 general election, ZRXOG LQHYLWDEO\ EHQHÀW WKH JRYHUQPHQW This could provide the short-term evidence required to claim a mandate for greater ideologically grounded change in British political life, affecting our national infrastructure from health and transport to the economy and education. However, this Mystic Meg moment isn’t the issue gnawing away at my concern for British politics here.

Consider instead the way that America’s political arena has been set out over the last few years, and how the election is being fought by Romney and the Tea Party Republicans. For better or worse, we arguably already see the consequences of the Republican Party’s lurch to the right-wing extremities of their ranks, with the British Conservative Party’s outlying voices becoming accepted more widely by the party’s leaders, even being adopted into the party’s core (witness Nadine Dorries’ steady drift away from the political periphery, and appointment of Maria Miller as minister in charge of Women and Equalities).

In turn, the opposition responds by shifting

www.impactnottingham.com/comment

to the left to demonstrate difference and energise their core voters. Consequently neither side occupies the centre ground with as much conviction as the wider electorate may wish for. Debate becomes polarised and entrenched along party lines, rather than being openly and democratically explorative, let alone progressive.

Roberts’ blog post points out that traditionally, when a politician is presented with proof they lied, they’ll maybe apologise, correct themselves, or at least stop telling that lie. But what if those rules go out the window and they just keep repeating the lie? What is the role of the media when they hold people to account but are summarily dismissed as irrelevant The Republicans, in Presidential opposition by campaigners? How do we engage with but holding the majority in the House of that?

Representatives, have taken off the gloves in their vow to ensure Obama is not re- These questions and so many more are elected in 2012 (the party’s ‘prime purpose’, being raised as a result of the American according to Senator Mitch McConnell election campaign, and the outcome of the from Kentucky). Not only do they employ vote next month will determine the path of Ă€OLEXVWHUV DQG UHMHFW ELOOV IRU MREV JURZWK future election campaigns in the USA and – in order to keep Obama’s good news given our major parties’ recent eagerness minimised, they have fully embraced ‘post- to adopt US style campaign tactics – here truth politics’. too. If post-truth politics is seen to take the win next month, we could be in for a rough Political journalist David Roberts of ride in 2015.

GRIST argues that in an era of ‘post-truth Paul Farrant politics’ electoral candidates choose to base campaigns on misinformation.

He asserts that the Romney/Ryan campaign has “lied with abandon�.

The media, of all political leanings (even the hard-line faithful Republican drum-beaters at Fox News), have confronted the Republican campaign with their regular lying, and the response is pretty much “Yeah? So what!�.

As one campaign spokesman stated, “Fact checkers come‌ with their own sets of thoughts and beliefs, and we’re not going to let our campaign be dictated by fact checkers.â€?

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9

SPORT

AU Spotlight:

ULTIMATE FRISBEE

such as football in order to retain credibility. This is awful, as everyone should have a certain pride TRAINING TIMES: in representing the University in everything they do. Wednesdays 1.45pm behind Willoughby Hall But Frisbee, or Ultimate as it should be known (though this promotes further jokes), is in fact a freeflowing, fast-paced and fast-growing sport pushing for greater recognition, a recognition it deserves.

It may be an almost solely amateur recreational activity, but its nature as a self-refereed sport is unique. This provides an expectation that players will not only play by the rules but by principles of the game (the so called “Spirit of the Game”) ensuring disputes are settled to give a true, fair outcome, thus discouraging the “cheat to win” attitude often fostered on a football pitch. This is, however, one of the stumbling blocks to Olympic participation.

After a summer dominated by sport, it may be that you believe you’ve seen and heard all that exercise has to offer. However, with the Euros and the Olympics dominating, many sports have slipped under the radar. Although you probably missed them, this summer also saw the World Championships of Ultimate Frisbee, a sport that divides opinions but one that many of us have had University Ultimate is also a particularly closea crack at down the park or have seen via YouTube knit community, not just within the team but also videos of ridiculous trick-shots. the region due to being forced to discuss onI’ve been told time and time again that “frisbee is pitch decisions rationally in order for games to for dogs” or that “it’s full of hippies” and, to many proceed. It is also fast growing and provides many people, Frisbee is certainly not considered cool. I’ll opportunities to compete across the country in even admit that on occasion I shamefully denied Open, Women’s and Mixed events both indoor and that I played Frisbee and instead decided to say I outdoor. The training and commitment put in by all was competing for the University at a different sport players is rewarded with a marked improvement

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that is visible within the first couple of months of playing.

Although skills may at first be difficult to grasp, the EDVLF UXOHV DUH VLPSOH \RX FDQҋW PRYH KROGLQJ the disc and by passing the disc to teammates the aim is to score in an end zone marked at the opposition’s end of the pitch. The pitch is either a basketball court (indoors) playing five-a-side or a football pitch outdoors playing seven-a-side so the fitness aspect of Ultimate is taxing but worth it.

UoN teams this season actually won mixed indoor regionals in their division and the women achieved success coming fourth outdoors. The Outdoor open team also qualified for Nationals and came 11th in their division. Team GB are also a top side, coming 2nd to the USA at the Worlds Outdoors this year.

If you fancy giving Ultimate a go, join the club behind Willoughby Hall on Wednesday afternoons at 1:45pm.

David Lang

HALL OF FAME: FERENC PUSKà S Growing up, Ferenc Puskås had one ideal, one principle, and one creed – to be the best at football. But to achieve this in an era à DXQWLQJ VRPH RI WKH JUHDWHVW HYHU SOD\HUV 3XVNiV FRXOGQҋW MXVW VXFFHHG KH KDG to dominate.

1HYHU RQH WR UHOD[ DQG OHW VXFFHVV ÀQG LWV own way, Puskås began playing professional club football at the age of 16 and went on to debut for the Hungarian national side merely two years later. He began his national career as he intended to proceed by scoring a goal. In 84 games for Hungary, Puskås would tally an astounding 83 goals, D SKHQRPHQDO ÀJXUH ZKLFK H[SODLQV KLV OHJendary status in Hungary.

Although I am loath to compare across generations, I can’t help but point out that goalD JDPH IRUP KDV RQO\ UHFHQWO\ UHGHÀQHG ҊSUROLÀFҋ ² 5RQDOGR 0HVVL +XQWHODDU DQG Van Persie all spring to mind. Back when Puskås was playing, his international record ZDVQҋW SUROLÀF LW ZDV OXFUDWLYH (YHQ 3HOp couldn’t keep up with him.

It was this free-scoring form which provided the pointed foil to Hungary’s innovative ‘Mighty Magyars’, widely regarded as one of the best – if not the best – international sides ever. Designed around the prodigious abilities of PuskĂĄs, their style was an early form of ‘Total Football’, later adopted and UHĂ€QHG E\ WKH 'XWFK ,W ZDV DQ XQIDPLOLDU www.impactnottingham.com/sport

style which proved impossible to deal with sanctuary in the West. for most, including England.

The repercussions hit them hard. UEFA On the 25th November 1953 an arrogant banned all Honved players who had defectEngland side, undefeated at their home HG DQG DIWHU Ă€IWHHQ PRQWKV RXW RI WKH JDPH ground Wembley, fancied themselves as 3XVNiV VWUXJJOHG WR Ă€QG D QHZ KRPH &RQinvincible. Upon seeing PuskĂĄs, an Eng- sidered too old and too fat by most, Real lish coach remarked, “Look at that little fat Madrid took a risk and offered him a place chap. We’ll murder this lot.â€? To an extent, on their team. The risk paid off. Hailed as the coach was right – PuskĂĄs’ ‘women and the greatest team to have ever played the wine’ lifestyle meant he was stocky as well game, Los Blancos destroyed opposition at as short. But England’s eminence was a home and abroad for the next seven years. myth. PuskĂĄs scored twice en route to a PuskĂĄs, Di Stefano, Gento, Zarraga: the resounding 6-3 victory which sent shock team sheet reads like poetry. Surrounded waves throughout the footballing world. Co- by a plethora of legends, PuskĂĄs easily talincidentally, English clubs began to adopt lied 157 goals in 182 games before leaving continental coaching and tactics soon after Real. the defeat.

Today PuskĂĄs is remembered as a renBack home, PuskĂĄs’ club team Kispest had egade, a playboy, and one of the most been adopted by the Hungarian army and naturally talented players in history. Short renamed Honved. Therefore, to be part of and overweight with a stubborn refusal to the team was to be a part of the Hungar- use his right foot for anything other than LDQ DUP\ $W Ă€UVW WKLV VHHPHG RI OLWWOH FRQVH- balance, doubters repented every time he quence and the fans and press revelled in JUDFHG WKH Ă€HOG 7R SUHYHQW \RXQJHU JHQlabelling their talismanic forward ‘The Gal- erations from forgetting the virtuoso, Hunloping Major’. However, while Honved were gary’s national stadium was renamed Pusin Spain for a European Cup tie against Ath- kas Stadium, and FIFA introduced the FIFA letic Bilbao, the 1956 Hungarian Revolution PuskĂĄs Award, gifted for “the most beautiful entangled the worlds of football and politics. goalâ€? of the year. At the age of 79 PuskĂĄs Aware of the precarious position they now succumbed to pneumonia and his nation occupied as soldiers, PuskĂĄs and a hand- observed a national day of mourning. The ful of the Honved squad realised it was im- UHEHO ZDV IRUJLYHQ E\ +XQJDU\ WKH JHQLXV possible to return home and opted to seek was exalted by the world.

Peter Klein IMPACT 219

11

SPORT

OUT AND ABOUT:

Your Guide to Off-Campus Sports

In coming to the University of Nottingham, you are not only part of a fantastic university sport set-up, but you’re also in an amazing sporting city. Steeped in success and history, sport in Nottingham is world class and also affordable. Here’s a quick guide to what to expect this year.

Live Football and Rugby Football has a massive following and history in Nottingham, with its two rival clubs Nottingham Forest and NottsCounty. Although Forest can boast of being in the Championship and have two European Cups to their name, County stake their claim in the history books as the oldest professional league club in the country.

Despite a questionable campaign last year, with the signings of Simon Cox and Billy Sharp, the return of Jermaine Jenas - as well as the experienced Danny Collins shoring the side up defensively Forest’s intent for the season is clear. With this year promising to be an exciting footballing season, Forest have introduced a new student membership for the year, free of charge, entitling full time students to reduced tickets at various prices. Simply fill out the form online and start going for less! The City Ground is only about a twenty minute walk from the city centre and with the bus from campus only costing a pound, you are ensured a cheap but very entertaining event.

A stone’s throw from the City ground sits Meadow Lane, home of the Juventus-inspiring Notts County. The famous story of the side getting their kit out to Italy has led to a potential visit from the Serie A side later this year. Like Forest, County have been very active in the summer transfer 12

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window with a wave of free signings, strengthening the squad in preparation for a serious promotion challenge. Players with a wealth of lower league experience such as Jamal Campbell-Ryce, Gary Liddle and Enoch Showunmi add depth to an already impressive squad, and manager Curle clearly has them playing to get results. Located directly opposite the City Ground, tickets for County games will set you back just £15 in the aged 16-21 category. County even advertise some games for

their games at Meadow Lane alongside Notts County, but with incredible prices for students at a maximum of £3.50, well worth it for a side on the edge of the top tier of English professional rugby.

Andrew Cotterill

Water Sports If you’re more of a water sports kind of person, again, Nottingham is the right place for you. The National Water Sports Centre at Holme Pierrepont offers a truly world class facility, hosting a rowing course and white-water canoe slalom course. Prices again start from just £15 so if this is something you have never tried before, it is well worth it – and it’s right on your doorstep.

Andrew Cotteril

Powerleague a mere £3. See the website for more, as special offers will often pop up for certain games.

In the spirit of the ‘ball in hand’ game, Nottingham Rugby Football Club also offer an attractive option to students. The Club currently play in the second tier of the English game and finished just outside the play-off spot last season. The club also play

Powerleague Nottingham is the place for all the Lionel Messis - or Emile Heskeys - of our University to show off. It has a student/under-23 league system at discounted prices which consists of many leagues to cater all levels, so ability doesn’t matter. Pre-season grading tournaments ensure you’re entered into a league that matches your team’s ability. With roll-on, roll-off substitutions, fiveaside squads can be large enough to deal with any

Gyms in Nottingham GYM NAME

PRICE PER MONTH

SPECIAL FEATURE

DISADVANTAGE

DISTANCE FROM CAMPUS

OVERALL RATING

ROKO

ÂŁ42.95

Swimming Pool and Spa

Strong impetus on being a family gym

3.4 miles

5/10

THE GYM

ÂŁ10.99

24/7 access

Basic

1.5 miles

10/10

DW FITNESS CLUBS

From ÂŁ19.95

Classes included in membership

Possibly too retail orientated

6.5 miles

7/10

PURE GYM

ÂŁ10.99

No contract

Opens Dec 2012

3.6 miles

8/10

FITNESS 4 LESS

ÂŁ14.99

Work out in a cinema

ÂŁ25 Joining Fee

2.6 miles

9/10

DAVID LLOYD

ÂŁ90

Extensive Racquet Sport facilities

Extortionate

2.3 miles

4/10

UNIVERSITY CAMPUS GYM

ÂŁ16.59

Required for joining some AU societies

Often overcrowded

On campus

9/10

RAW PHYSIQUE

ÂŁ10

Boxing Ring

Restrictive weekend Opening Times

1.3 miles

8/10

lack of fitness issues, so there’s no excuse not to be found there! Leagues run on Wednesday and Sunday evenings. If it’s a casual kickabout you’re looking for, pitches can be rented at student prices outside of league nights. The pitches are located on Thane Road next to the playing fields at Grove Farm, which cater for the University’s inter-mural, faculty and society football and rugby matches.

Taxis to and from Thane Road are easy, and especially when taxi-sharing as a team, the fare is minimal. As prices vary between seasons, make sure you call 0115 986 7890 or email nottingham. web@powerleague.co.uk if you need to clarify costs before booking.

Shaun Gibbs

to the Capital FM Arena. Tickets will be limited and prices go from anything between ÂŁ20 and ÂŁ60. The tour sees the USA championship match between Zack Ryder and Antonio Cesaro and also features John Cena against CM Punk.

Nottingham’s biggest sporting event of 2012 sees Carl Froch return to his home city to defend his IBF World Super middleweight title against Yusuf Mack of America on November 17th. Froch became champion at the Arena in May and will be hoping

Capital FM Arena The Capital FM Arena is a place you must visit if you love sport and want to see something a bit different.

The Arena hosts the successful Nottingham Panthers ice hockey side which has won the Challenge Cup for the last three seasons in a row.

They currently have NHL’s Anthony Stewart who has joined from the NHL’s Carolina Hurricanes. The season continues until the end of March and ticket prices range from between £8.50 and £18.50.

November sees the WWE Raw World Tour come www.impactnottingham.com/sport

the home support will spur him on to defend his title.

The wrestling continues as the TNA ‘Road to Lockdown’ Maximum Impact V tour comes to the Arena in January making it the first steel cage match ever in the UK. The likes of Kurt Angle and Jeff Hardy will all be in attendance and you can get tickets online from ÂŁ22.50.

Yannick Mitchell

Trent Bridge Cricket With the County cricket season already closed down for winter and everyone’s focus being firmly on the Twenty20 World Cup in Sri Lanka it may seem strange to be focusing on Trent Bridge. But it’s time to unearth your diaries and plan what you are going to treat yourself to in 2013. Home to one of the top County teams, Trent Bridge offers a panoramic viewing experience and with the first matches programmed for early April it would seem like the perfect excuse for a day off revision.

The crown jewel in the Trent Bridge 2013 Calendar comes in the form of the most heated rivalry in International cricket. Hosting the opening Test Match between England and Australia on 10th July 2013, Trent Bridge will hope to prove a fortress from which England can kick start their defence of the Ashes. With a new look team under the leadership of the inexperienced but fresh-faced Essex boy Alastair Cook, this Ashes is an exciting prospect.

Tickets are already going for between ÂŁ140-ÂŁ700.

How to get there: Indigo bus to Maid Marian Way 6WRS 0 :DON WR 0DLG 0DULDQ :D\ 6WRS 0

Green Line bus to West Bridgford, Hound Road.

Ben Munson

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13

UNITED

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“We still have our dreams. The only difference is we want to be doing it together.”

Finding love

at university is not uncommon: if anything, it is expected.

Recent figures by London South Bank University estimate that a quarter of all students find their life partner while studying for a higher education degree.

What’s more, 20% of women and 17% of men said that they expected to find their future spouse at uni.

living together at University throughout second year with uncertainty, Tom is optimistic. “When you’re a and towards the end of that I began thinking that I student you have all these wild dreams. ‘I want to do wanted to marry her.” this, I want to do that, I want to travel.’ Both of us have Tom and Nicola’s story is a traditional one by most still really got that. The only difference is, we want to standards. After a chance meeting in Freshers’ be doing it together.”

Week, the pair made it official shortly before Valentine’s Day last year. This placed the incipient couple in an awkward position. “We’d only been going out a couple of weeks so it would be weird to buy a massive present. She got me some Cadbury However, the face of young love is changing.

Crème Eggs and I think I got her some bread and Seeing couples on campus may be a regular butter puddings.” feature of student life, but there is now a sizeable portion of the 18-21 population going one step But how has (nearly) married life affected them? further, disavowing the single life in exchange for an For the past two years they have been living in a engagement ring and a promise to marry - prior to shared house with three other students. However, Tom insists the dynamic is the same as before. graduation.

“You know, I can’t say whether some other married Leaving behind the stereotype of spontaneous couples have a hard time with housemates, but flings and one night stands, Impact met with four ours have always been really accepting and young couples who are balancing study guides helpful.” with wedding plans and posed the question: is it He also believes that being engaged is no different possible to get married while at university? from being in an ordinary relationship as far as your social life is concerned. Before getting serious, the THE MARRIED COUPLE NEXT DOOR When third-year Tom Mackay told his mother that two of them still made time for each other. “When he and girlfriend Natalie Razavi had big news, she you are sharing a house with other people you need to make sure that you set aside time for just immediately assumed the worst. you two.”

“She thought we were having a baby!” laughs Tom, “I remember she had this look of fear on her face Despite being an atheist, Tom credits his religious – and then I told her we were engaged. She was upbringing with shaping his attitude towards relationships. “I was a Christian before I came to relieved to say the least.” university, and that partly influenced my decision to Earlier that week, Tom surprised his girlfriend of study Theology” he says. “However I prefer to think 18-months with a proposal during a group holiday my background didn’t affect my decision [to get in the windswept mountains of Northern Wales. The engaged] at all. Even if I had been raised without ground was so rocky, the leading man had trouble a religion, I would still have gotten engaged young.” bending down on one knee. “Funny thing was she was not expecting it at all”, he says. “We’d been As other third-year students gaze out into the future

www.impactnottingham.com/features

A FOREIGN AFFAIR A lifelong relationship often begins in the most ordinary of circumstances. For Aaron and Jess, it was the decision to study the same subject at A-level which first bought them together.

It wasn’t until they decided to go on the adventure of a lifetime, however, travelling for six months across the globe, that they realised things were getting serious. At the time they’d only been together three months. They were placing not only their money but their relationship on the line.

Spending an extended period of time in the company of just one person is tough, even when that person happens to be the love of your life. But being immersed in a foreign culture unsurprisingly presented its own challenges to their fledgling relationship.

“We had times when we couldn’t afford food, or we didn’t know where we were going to sleep that night. We had a few major arguments but we had some really, really good times as well. I think you get to know people’s bad side and good side, because you’re together the whole time.”

Far from driving the couple apart, these difficulties only served to draw them closer together. “It either works or it doesn’t. When you spend six months with someone, you’ve got to come out the other end. Travelling created a bond.”

It was when they were away from home that Aaron realised that Jess was the person with whom he

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15

“Living together is important.

I don’t think you can know someone unless you do that”

wanted to spend the rest of his life. “When you spend six months with someone, twenty-four hours a day, it’s going to work,” he says. “It’s that cheesy thing when you know you’ve found the right person, you take the plunge.”

Ever the gentleman, Aaron waited until they had returned to England so he could ask Jess’ parents for their permission before popping the question.

And when he did, on a trip to Knighton, Powy, a few months later, it was certainly unforgettable.

important decision in itself with an emphasis on commitment from the very beginning.

The pair took their time in making the decision to begin a relationship. With a serious perspective from the outset, Pete explains that there were “a few months between telling Anna that I liked her and beginning our relationship. I was working in East Africa at the time, and we thought about what a relationship would mean to both of us, and we realised it would mean a lot”.

Anna, who comes from an army family, says that their “perception of a relationship is quite a serious one”. Despite being close friends for over two years, they had “already spent a lot of time praying and asking God His opinion” on their relationship, “I kind of sat there for a minute just like, with my seeking guidance before making the decision to mouth open, thinking ‘oh my god’. Then I said ‘yes’ become an item. She remarks, “I see relationships as a way of working out whether you want to marry straight away.” someone or not, rather than just having fun”.

Aside from the obvious consequences of their time spent travelling together, it also served to develop Although most couples mainly look for shared Jess’ ideas about relationships on a wider level. “I interests when choosing a partner, for Anna really think that living together is important. I don’t and Pete uniting their faith was something that think you can know someone unless you do that.” influenced and shaped their relationship with each other considerably. Pete tells us how “knowing For Jess and Aaron, the gamble paid off. Their Jesus loves me enables me to love Anna so much experience abroad, while not without difficulties, more. Rather than worrying about myself, I find my strengthened their relationship in a way in which security in Him and that allows me to put her first”. they could never have foreseen. It was by Anna chimes in, “I’m utterly convinced that God overcoming those challenges together, that they delights in our relationship and that’s what He wants now have confidence to embark on the most and I wouldn’t have wanted it to be any other way”. exciting adventure of all - married life.

Besides religion, tradition also played a significant role in this case of young love; Pete sought HOLY MATRIMONY For some young couples, faith plays a significant, permission from his fiancée’s father three weeks if not pivotal, role in their relationship. For Anna before he proposed. The proposal itself took place and her fiancée Pete, becoming a couple was an in a flawlessly romantic setting, during a holiday in “We went to a log cabin and we got completely snowed in. It was so beautiful - we had a hot tub and a wood fire. Aaron made us an indoor picnic and he put on a cute cheesy song and he got down on one knee and proposed.”

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“I see relationships as a way of working out whether you want to marry someone or not, rather than just having fun”

France on the bank of the Dordogne River. With candles, fairy lights adorning the wooden beams of the house, champagne and a lake covered with floating lanterns, Pete recalls how he asked Anna to be his wife, “I took her up onto the balcony, told her I loved her and asked her to marry me. It was amazing”.

45% of marriages end in divorce Half of all divorces happen in the first 10 years of marriage 60% of marriages between under-25s are unsuccessful

Anna observes how long before they were a couple 67% of graduates rate university as one of the most influential she still “felt that Pete and God were trying to make me go out with Pete.” Suitably, their Christian faith times of their lives will play a prominent part in the marriage ceremony Source: The Office for National Statistics next September, as well as in their relationship. “It’s not just our day,” Anna points out, “it’s our union with God, a promise before God and we’d like to Contrary to expectations, the age difference and come to accept it. His mother in particular had acknowledge that”. its attendant responsibilities were never really an reservations, and one of the issues she brought up issue for the two. As Charles points out, “Age has was her son and daughter-in-law having children.

THE AGE GAP nothing to do with it – it’s about being in a stable, “The thing is we do want [that],” he says “and we will try. But I know that if we can’t, I will accept that.”

The whirlwind romance of Charles and his wife loving partnership. For me, that’s all I care about.”

Cécile in the French capital reads like a chapter Fairly soon, however, their relationship began Being in a relationship with an older woman – a from the ultimate Parisian romance. Yet despite the attracting the wrong sort of attention. Female woman who has three young children of her own couple’s fairytale beginnings, there were problems colleagues would supposedly snoop around while – certainly brings serious responsibilities. Charles pretty much from the outset. they were out of the office, looking for evidence of explains how he learned to balance university life At 23, young Charles wasn’t exactly used to the pressures of married life. Only months earlier, he had been settling into his studies while on a year abroad as part of his degree course. But he soon started to develop strong feelings toward one of his co-workers, a 48 year-old woman named Cécile.

Beginning as friends, things soon escalated:

their affair. “They searched my personal belongings, with the experience of being an adoptive father. “I read my personal papers” says Cécile, “It’s been a had to grow up very quickly, but I wanted to do this” he adds. “I didn’t feel pressured at all. I love them as very painful experience for me” This resistance has in many ways shaped the if they were my own. They’re my family.”

couples’ outlook on life. Charles admits that “the whole experience has made me a lot less selfconscious. I’ve learned not to care what people “We were sitting together, looking out toward think. I’ve become a very open, proud person and the Seine and we could see the Notre Dame nothing can knock me down.”

Cathedral, the Musée d’Orsay, the Louvre… We But what about reactions closer to home? He were just talking and then it suddenly hit me that I describes the situation with his parents as a was in love,” says Charles. “delicate matter”, but says that they have gradually

www.impactnottingham.com/features

Against adversity, Charles and Cécile have built a life together. “Sure, we are going to reach different stages of our lives at different times,” he says with an optimistic smile. “But to be honest, I don’t care.

I’m just really happy that we’ll be together.”

Sarah Murphy, Rosie Feenstra and Izzy Scrimshire Images by Magdalena Šteflová

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17

CONFESSIONS OF A

1

st

CLASS GRADUATE

Many people claim to have written ‘the’ book on success. Michael Tefula, on the other hand, actually did. In his Amazon bestselling HowTo Get A First: Insight and Advice from a First Class Graduate, Michael uncovers the hidden secrets to succeeding at university. Drawing from real-world evidence and statistics, this how-to guide could very easily make the difference between a 2:1 and a first.

BIO Name: Michael Tefula

Education: Bourneville Secondary School

Alma Mater: University of Birmingham

Earlier this week, Izzy Scrimshire sat down with the author, now working for one of the Big Four consultancy firms, to discuss all-nighters, unemployment and how to get the most out of your time at university.

In your opinion, what is the biggest challenge facing students today?

I would say getting value for money out of your degree. We can see that university fees are going up, the economy is not doing that great, competition for jobs is absolutely fierce. Students must make sure they get the most value out of the university experience. Achieving a first-class degree is one aspect of it.

Impact ran an article last issue about value for money in higher education. Some of the educators we spoke to believed students have a negative approach to employment since the recession – “I can’t get the job I want, so why bother”. Do you think this is an issue for students?

Absolutely. In my book I try to stay as positive as I can – but when you read the reports talking about students struggling to find jobs, there’s kind of a defeatist attitude that’s being portrayed in the media right now. But opportunities are still out there and students just have to work a bit harder. It’s not easy.

But there are opportunities to be had and there are certain things students can do to stand out more 18

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Work: &RUSRUDWH ILQDQFH DXWKRU

Random fact: Produced music professionally while at university

use that time for various things and I think it just comes down to how well you can balance your A big part of your section about coursework workload. is about setting personal deadlines. Was there ever an occasion for you when you pulled an Is it possible to succeed without compromising all-nighter the day before it was set to hand in? one’s ethics or values?

Yes - there’s a story about it in the book. Ethics is a big issue in the financial sector right Procrastination has always been a big issue with now. To be successful – that is, to have sustainable me. The important thing is making sure you start success – you really have to be an ethical person. as soon as you can. All-nighters end up happening We’ve already seen what happens when people because people keep waiting for that motivation to are not ethical, with the recent recession and all kick in. But by the time it does kick in, it can be too these issues with the banks. late.

Did you have any reservations about pursuing You say in your book that anyone can achieve your line of work? a first and it’s all simply a case of work Not really, you get scandal in all sorts of industries.

I suppose the financial sector has had more media management. Is this realistic?

Totally. People who don’t focus enough or who don’t exposure but scandals happen in all sorts of different manage their time properly are the ones that end up sectors. For example, the oil industry is one. The struggling the most. Loads of first class graduates media industry has all sorts of issues too. Ultimately, I’ve seen have done so many different things while it all comes down to you as a person – what kind of at university and still got a high grade. It really does integrity can you bring to the industry. come down to time management. There’s a lot of free time while at university – you’ve got weekends, Work experience is a tough market in itself. you’ve got three months summer vacation. You can In your book you pulled the statistic that 60% and improve their employment prospects.

In between working at Apple, internships and operating your own t-shirt business [it flunked], it sounds like you work pretty hard. Are you worried you will burn out?

I did worry about that in the third year, and I dealt with that by cutting out a lot of other commitments. I VWRSSHG ZRUNLQJ SDUW WLPH E\ WKDW SRLQW P\ EXVLQHVV FORVHG , HDVHG RII WKH PXVLF SURGXFWLRQ VLGH RI things. I was still Vice-President of Birmingham Entrepreneurs, but my final year was fairly intense.

Achieving success in each area was very difficult so I made sure to focus on penning a good dissertation and getting a positive end result.

Isn’t success today a numbers game?

Numbers play a big part. I applied to loads of different internships in my second year, and the more you apply for the more experience you get. And the more interviews you have the better you can be at interviewing. I’ve had friends who were lucky enough to have one interview and landed the job right away. But for the rest of us, we had to apply for loads of different jobs and had to go through loads of different interviews just to get work experience.

It’s interesting that you draw attention to all the jobs you didn’t get instead of the one that you did. You wrote an article for Forbes last year in which you accused the media of romanticising failure, saying that headlines surrounding ‘successful failures’ like J.K. Rowling and Steve Jobs “diverts focus away from learning how not to fail and places it on lessons to be learned from war wounds”. But, as someone who went through the motions as a jobless graduate, you have to agree that failure can be a powerful learning experience.

Failure can be one of the biggest motivators and it definitely does humble you. The most important thing to remember is failure teaches you a lot more than success can. If you go to an interview and get a job straight away, sometimes you’re not sure how you managed to do it – but it’s a lot easier to learn from something if you didn’t get it. Then you can work on those areas and come back prepared.

of employers would disregard a candidate without it. How should students make themselves stand out when applying for internships?

A lot of students come to university and they don’t really think about internships until second year. If students had a little bit more awareness in terms of how the whole process worked in the first year they might be better equipped. Students who have the grades but have not done anything else outside of education look plain when it comes to the CV. So any sort of prior experience that the student can bring to the table, any sort of committee position students might have, any involvement with events management – put that on the CV. That really helps employers find out a lot more about you.

Did you drink and party a lot at university?

(Laughs) You know I think I did my fair share – especially in the second year. I certainly didn’t party less than any other student, but it wasn’t excessive.

www.impactnottingham.com/features

What’s the brass ring right now?

I’m working on one more book. It might be my last book, who knows! I want to school more students about the finance industry and help more students do better.

How much money are you making?

(Laughs) I can’t really say to be honest. Let’s say I’m comfortable.

Define success in a sentence.

Setting an objective for yourself and achieving it.

Michael Tefula’s book ‘How to Get a First’ is out now.

Thanks for taking the time to speak with us.

Thanks!

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19

THIS IS FOR EVERYONE On 25th December 1990, Tim Berners-Lee had a very productive day.

Whipped up in a vortex of technological vocabulary none of us could understand, three precious words were written across a page linked between a Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) client and a server.

In that moment, Berners-Lee created a network of information, a spinal cord of communication and several generations of social networking nerds. In all its unpredictable glory, the World Wide Web was born.

We

are the Internet generation. Ignore or avoid as much as you like, but the fact remains that if your birth years falls after 1989 you will be unable to remember a time where there was no World Wide Web. From that special Christmas day, a society that was operated by wired telephones, address books and signed cheques changed forever.

Amid the storm of electronic mail and online messageboards, and the format wars between AOL and Internet Explorer, we gradually became accustomed to

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watching Internet pages slowly unfold down our computer screen. As our generation grew up, our addiction to the online lifestyle became worse. What some may call an obsession, we recognise as a childhood companion that developed alongside us.

If change is good, then the future is bright.

Obvious as it may be, the purposes of our Internet consumption are divided equally between our social networking habits and education-fuelled research. The use of the Internet in 16-24 year olds grew in tandem with the development of social media and internet-based technology, encouraging us to draw parallels between them.

While the launches of MySpace in 2003 and Facebook in 2004 grabbed our attention, it wasn’t until 2006, after the YouTube and Twitter were

introduced – and the release of the first iPhone by Apple – that we took a real interest. Evidently, with 83% of young adult users online 2006, a figure that increased to 90% in 2007, the growing trend of social networking was (and still is) the main reason we log online.

But it’s not all fun and games. Knowing the Internet like the back of our hand enables us to manipulate it towards greater uses, such as education or even towards improving our lifestyle.

Although students after us will have the same advantages of Wikipedia and Jstor, they could

potentially lack the same sentimental-laced notion of respect for what these websites have done for them.

Our generation, arguably, will make use of these resources with a faded memory of life before them, remembering those exhausting childhood trips to the library and hefting around encyclopedias.

As of October 2012, Wikipedia has over 23 million individual articles and Jstor is reported to have received 90 million searches in 2010. This convenience enables us to spend more time actually working (or so we’d like to think), thus advancing our methods of learning drastically – something our older siblings and parents would have desperately appreciated.

However, not all the advancements since this glorious revolution are worth celebrating. The problem with an all-accessible vortex of information is that it can be manipulated towards a purpose that is far less productive than what was originally envisioned. With the exploitation of pornography, online film and infamous phishing scams, not only are the naïve targeted and exploited with sophisticated hacking technology, but billion-dollar industries are undermined, resulting in large scale losses and a decline in the industry overall.

Moreover, the fact that hackers were able to access US officials’ Gmail accounts in June 2011 demonstrates the awkward paradox between our dependence on Internet access, the abuse of said network and simple cases of mistaken identity.

Considering topics close to home, the suspension of University of Nottingham lecturer Dr Rod Thornton and the arrest of a Masters student and a member of University staff, Rizwaan Sabir

www.impactnottingham.com/features

and Hitcham Yezza respectively, hosts a prime example. The University flagged the downloading of an al-Qaeda training manual and Sabir and Yezza were held in custody for six days without charge on suspicion of terrorist activity. Although the document was publicly available on a US government website and was downloaded for the purpose of academic study, this incident illustrates the essence of the difficulty we face as we live and work within a network that stands for a very risky notion of freedom of speech.

through every generation to come. We can recall the slow pace of life before broadband Internet and, although the online advantages have erased the importance of some sentimental hobbies, the advantages of email, social networking and file sharing are considerably more important that the preservation of a life already lived. Although we might not know what exactly Berners-Lee was trying to accomplish back in 1990, the results of his efforts changed the world forever and we’ll always be thankful for that.

In contrast, there is the pending issue that many of our parents hold dear to: what about life outside a computer screen? We may be a generation of technological nerds, but with the advancement of the Internet it seems that other recreational hobbies have been left behind. Sport, reading, artistic pursuits or unique skills are what sculpt us into well rounded individuals and are the all-important conversation starters with future employers.

Furthermore, few things are more awkward in life than a blank looking CV and an empty glaze when asked about your recreational hobbies. We may have grown out of our weekly tennis lessons but, as it stands, we’re less creative as a generation because we’ve simply forgotten to log off from our online persona, addicted to killing time with the likes of 9gag and Tumblr.

Rosie Feenstra Image by Andreas Billman

Sadly, we can’t go back now. Much like an additional limb, the Internet is an absolute necessity for most of our daily routine. While our favoritism may seem misguided by the older generation, the sentimental value it holds for both our personal and professional lives is set in stone, a relic to be passed down

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For years nationalism has been synonymous with the far right. But Will Hazell believes a firmer sense of Britishness could help make us a more tolerant society.

If asked to consider the word “nationalism”, most people would probably conjure up images of fascism and hatred. Human history is rich with obvious indicators of nationalism’s tendency to promote disunity and violence. But is this what nationalism is about?

We cannot claim that a modern globalised world has made nationalism irrelevant – an odd thing given that the English are some of the most rootless people on the planet. Unless you spend your time supping ale at folk festivals, it is unlikely that our ancestral songs and stories have a place in your life. Other than wry mentions of tea and queuing, it’s arguable that our national sentiment lacks a healthy output.

This confusion means that nationalism often appears in its most ugly form – and misplaced pride can just as easily ally itself to crude chauvinism.

This is more than just unpleasant, it causes the vast majority of the population to oppose any sentiment vaguely nationalistic. What we need is a cultural progression that allows England (and Britain) to participate in a multicultural world, while still retaining a strong sense of self.

A modern example of this is the current Scottish National Party – a good natured, self-confident nationalism that sits happily alongside centre-left politics. England doesn’t have an equivalent political force because there isn’t an obvious influence to resist: the SNP can position itself as a Scottish entity separate from Westminster, while English nationalism itself has no obvious place to push.

Consequently, some choose to aggressively fight Islam, others the European Union, but neither two possess the ability to truly hold sway over England’s cultural trajectory. The real threat to our cultural make up is that of our closest ally – the United States of America.

The idea of going without the vast quantity of culture imported across the Atlantic is absurd. However, we do require a stronger sense that these are cultural influences from a country with a different history and outlook. There is no need for shallow antiFor this to happen, patriotism has to be torn away Americanism, instead a wider acknowledgement of from its link with reactionary conservatism. For British identity separate from the United States. too long national pride has been the dominion of the right, characterised by flag waving and dreary A week ago, I asked people around Portland militarism. In his 1940 essay ‘My Country Right or Building if they recognised the names of various Left’ George Orwell wrote: “Patriotism has nothing historical figures, half British and half American. to do with Conservatism. It is actually the opposite Abraham Lincoln was recognised by every of Conservatism, since it is a devotion to something participant and Franklin D. Roosevelt by 90%. In that is always changing and yet is felt to be mystically comparison, Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli was noted by 30% and Clement Atlee by only 15%. This the same.” isn’t an issue that requires protests in the street but 22

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it goes some way to demonstrating just how large America’s shadow is.

If nationalism can be reclaimed from the reactionary quotient of society and a firmer sense of British identity constructed, then the gains could be substantial. At present, society is defined by division: the gap between the poor and the super-rich is increasing, the south dominates the north, black people are 28% more likely to be stopped by police than other races. This level of social fragmentation is at the heart of many of the problems we face today, a fact made worse by the absence of an apparent solution.

We are constantly being told that Britain is becoming a more hostile and unpleasant place.

Dealing with Britain’s problems is no easy task, but the goodwill evident at points throughout this year could potentially enable us to move beyond ideological confrontation to a cultural landscape capable of dealing with the modern world. Over seventy years ago George Orwell wrote that we “cannot see the world as it is unless one recognises the overwhelming strength of patriotism, national loyalty. In certain circumstances it can break down, at certain levels of civilisation it does not exist, but as a positive force there is nothing to set beside it.”

He lived in a different world, but his words still ring true today.

Will Hazell www.impactnottingham.com/features

“WE ARE CONSTANTLY BEING TOLD THAT BRITAIN IS BECOMING A MORE HOSTILE AND UNPLEASANT PLACE.”

ARE BOOBS NEWS ?

The Public Demand For ‘News In Briefs’ In recent months, one of the biggest news stories from the UK has been the publication of topless photos of DuchessofCambridgeKateMiddleton.

The world’s reaction, it would seem, is a mixture of disapproval, shock and disappointment – not in Kate herself, but over the decision to publish the photos by the French edition of Closer magazine.

tions, yet Kate has hardly been untouchable in the media. Gossip columns are often poking holes at her weight loss with shock headlines such as ‘Kate Middleton too Skinny to Have a Baby’, so why such a fuss now? Could it be that our attitude has changed?

It’s easy to say that we’re horrified by the photographs of Kate Middleton or reviled by the daily publication of topless young women in The Sun – but our actions tell a different story. Despite the thousands of people online who say that “boobs aren’t news”, the market is clearly there. According to the Daily Mail, about 20 per cent of adults in Britain with access to the Internet have viewed the intrusive pictures. Meanwhile, The Sun is branching out its page 3 feature for an online audience with ‘Page 360’ – an An obvious and rather useful event to compare this interactive Page 3 girl who you can spin around for to is the recent emergence of nude photos of Prince a 3D close-up .

Harry in Las Vegas. The public reactions to these events were quite different, however, with a royal So, are we really fighting for more equality for womspokesperson identifying the “grotesque and un- en in the media? The fiery passion of anti-Page 3 justifiable invasion of privacy” in the Middleton case, advocates is largely made up of younger social mewhile most others found Harry’s incident vaguely dia users and it is probable that the campaign hasn’t amusing and the publication of the photos no major quite reached the vast majority of The Sun’s 2.6m issue, despite threats of legal action from the palace. readers. As a result, it is virtually impossible to know how they feel about the issue, but we can only asIt is worth mentioning that the contexts of these sume, as Britain’s biggest selling daily newspaper, candid photographs are vastly different. We know that at the very least readers aren’t morally offended Prince Harry likes to push boundaries to have a by it. laugh (remember the Nazi uniform?), and his reputation as a hell raiser features heavily in his public It’s difficult to say whether this progressive surge of image. The Royal Family, however, has gone a feminist activism is really progress at all, or just a way to present the Newbury-born Duchess with little small wave of interest in a media that continues to more than a hair out of place. What’s more, the pho- depict women as sex objects and take advantage tographs were taken on a private holiday using a of their insecurities and vulnerabilities. An apparent super-long distance lens, 1.3 kilometres away from waning interest in objectifying women is certainly the private complex in Southern France where they positive but, with the recent media attention given were staying. The Sun’s Lorraine Kelly seemed to to Kate Middleton’s photographs, it is not entirely speak for many people when she said Harry “let convincing. It seems the upset has been caused by himself be humiliated” whereas Kate was attacked her status – not her right to privacy – and that our nation’s lust for objectifying women remains as pasby the “sleazy” paparazzi. sionate as ever.

It is easy to think it was just the circumstance of Kamiah Overaa these scandals that sparked such different reac24

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ALUMNI FOCUS CLASS OF ‘94: JAMES ROBINSON Each month Impact profiles a former Nottingham student. This month, we bring you James Robinson.

Journalist and author James Robinson is best known for his coverage of the phone hacking scandal during his time as media correspondent at The Guardian.

He graduated from Nottingham in 1994 with a degree in Politics and became a reporter at The Birmingham Post and Sunday Business. He was also deputy Business Editor at the Sunday Express. He married Labour MP Gloria De Piero earlier this year, and has just released his first novella, ‘Hacked to Death’.

“

I wasn’t a great example of someone who takes advantage of all the things offered at university. I didn’t really get involved in student media or any other societies. I could have done a lot more but I just wasn’t like that - I studied and I played hard.

I started at the bottom of the ladder. My first job in journalism was as a research assistant at a property magazine. I then went freelance in London and I wrote for lots of trade magazines, lifestyle magazines and national newspapers. In about 1978 I worked for the Birmingham Post as a reporter.

I sound like a dinosaur. When I started my first job in journalism we didn’t have the Internet, there was only a very basic system of email, and the fax machine was the central point in the office that churned out hundreds of thousands of pages every day. Everything was slower, and a lot more was done face to face.

You had to speak to people, get to know people - because the more you know people, the more they trusted you - and you trust them - and the more high quality information you get.

Journalism was a lot more boozy back then. There was a lot more drinking, and sometimes that was fine, but sometimes it was tragic. There were editors who were basically just alcoholics. Now the industry is a lot more professional.

I did break some significant stories on phone hacking. It’s the most interesting thing I’ve done, but I don’t want to overplay my own role in it - I was a supporting actor in it all. It is the pinnacle of every journalist’s career to be involved in a story of that magnitude. Looking back on it now, I do think that pulling back the covers on Rupert Murdoch was extremely courageous, and I do think our country’s better for it because Murdoch’s power has absolutely been curtailed in this country. I thought it would never happen – I thought no one would stand up to Murdoch, but standing up to bullies is one of the things journalists can do. Standing up to them by exposing their behavior, shining a light on what they do.

Time is the greatest asset a journalist has. All that distinguishes a journalist from anyone else in society, in any job, is that they are paid professionally to go out and be nosy. That’s all we do. Everyone else has a nine to five job to do, they don’t have the time to go and find stuff out.

That is the essence of journalism.

There is clearly no substitute for getting out and reporting in the traditional style. I think there’s an awful lot bad about technology nowadays. In the news industry Twitter, Facebook and social media have become a place of contacts. I think it’s just cheap for news organisations to employ junior reporters who rely to a greater extent on social media to make their contacts and get their stories. It’s such a shame.

I want to be a writer. I want to continue writing, whether I make a great thing out of it, or whether I don’t get anything out of it, that’s what I’m going to be concentrating on for a while. Plans could obviously change.

‘Hacked to Death’ is available as an eBook on Amazon.

” Antonia Paget

www.impactnottingham.com/features

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[ Naughty Nottingham ] We came, you confessed, we copied it down into our notepads. In awe of Nottingham’s previous scandalous shenanigans, Impact’s curiosity braved the rain and bitter weather to bring you the latest disclosures of filthy frivolities. One might scold you for such terrible behaviour but where’s the fun in that?

Ocean is home to one of the biggest student nights of the week. Whilst a good time at the Big O is certain for all, Impact was determined to go one further and preserve the secrets you told us you’d rather forget.

“I was found after a night out face down in a snow “I got drunk once and jumped into a lake to try drift with my pants down” and hug a duckling”

“One time someone was going down on me “Once I ran across campus to my boyfriend’s house and was sick. I told them to clean it up and carry wearing nothing but a coat” on” “I was drunk and tried to break into a girl’s “Last time we were here, I peed in the queue” room. It’s not what it sounds like.”

“In Rugby tryouts I had to stick my finger up another guy’s bum” “She slept with a PROPER GINGE on holiday “My friend had sex on her period because she was THAT desperate!”

“I went home with a random guy. He made me this summer!” eggs and bacon and then I ran away”

“I traded a BJ for some OJ...”

“I didn’t pay for my URN membership”

Ask Uncle Sam Dear Uncle Sam,

Equip yourself with the essentials:

It is my final year in Nottingham. I have got with plenty of girls since coming to university and I’ve been in a long-term relationship.The only thing I have yet to do is have a one night stand. I have heard they are amazing. How do I make this happen?

* Condoms * Lube * A pen and paper (for later)

Yours, GaggingForIt Dear Mr. Romantic, The ‘One Night Stand’ is a rite of passage for every student. If you leave University without having one, you might as well not have come here at all. However, to become a true Sexual Sensei, preparation is key and will ensure you go home that night with some big breasts rather than a Big Mac. You have to be confident. Psych yourself up in the mirror beforehand with a few pelvic thrusts to get the rhythm going.

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Once inside your chosen club, survey the scene with the grace of a ninja. You must present yourself with clear intentions. Approach girls slowly, moving your hips from side to side while adding in a few of the rehearsed pelvic thrusts, indicating your interest.

Instigate the mating ritual by sticking your tongue down her throat. 8 minutes of this is acceptable alongside small talk with a maximum of 5 questions.

With the ice sufficiently broken, suggest leaving the club and dazzle her with your best seductive smile.

If she agrees, go forth! Hail the nearest cab and flee together, in almighty pursuit of bodily pleasure.

Once the act is done, it is time to sleep, celebrating your success. Approximately 3-7 minutes of cuddling is admissible but then you must turn towards the wall and rest yourself, weary warrior.

As soon as you can sense dawn breaking, it is time to retreat. Subtlety is essential here or else you may have a potential girlfriend on your hands. Call a taxi and tell them to come immediately. Finally, with the pen and paper, leave her a note reading “Thank You”. A little sophisticated courtesy will seal the deal, leaving your reputation intact.

You must now fly like the wind out of this place and vow never to return, finishing the deed with a celebratory fist pump.

Enjoy the beginning of manhood!

Uncle Sam

And so it is time for some sweet, sweet lovemaking.

Resolve any uncertainties beforehand with Channel 4’s documentary “The Virgin School” for an in-depth Do you need Uncle Sam’s trusty advice? Send analysis on everything ranging from gentle petting to your dilemmas to features@impactnottingham.com full on sexual intercourse.

IMPACT COLUMNISTS:

Ben Macpherson The ‘Yes’ Man

For example: one of the great loves of my life is improvised comedy. And the founding principal behind all improv is accept and build - saying yes and seeing where it takes you. This principle is necessary because the moment you start saying At university, you are presented with a world of no to ideas, the scene falls apart. If you run with a opportunities you never knew existed. But in a culture new idea and develop it you usually end up with when your options are limitless, too much choice something quite funny. can be a bad thing. You must force yourself to make a decision – yes or no. Examine the possibilities and I’ve said yes to several new things this year, the ask yourself, “Will I take this opportunity, or won’t I?” first of which you are reading – being a columnist for Impact. I have no “best laid plans” for what I am They say that on your deathbed you regret not what going to write in the coming months, but I said yes to you did, but what you failed to do. While this is an the chance and now I’m going to build on it. incredibly cheery topic to bring up as you’re enjoying the start of a new term, it is worth bearing in mind To use the word adventure is probably melodramatic when considering the opportunities that a fresh year but to some extent it is true. Fantastic memories brings. Shall I join a new society – Yes. Should I come from doing things, taking the plunge. If we try using oregano in this meal – Yes. Voulez vous said no all the time we wouldn’t get anywhere. So coucher avec moi cest soir? Yes. Don’t regret what let yes be your creed as you go into this year of university. You never know where you’ll end up. you haven’t done.

I would imagine most of you have felt that weird sensation that something monumental is coming: that an epoch is about to roll by or a milestone in your life is about to be reached.

Suzi Collins Bruised Momentos

www.impactnottingham.com/features

There are many unsolved mysteries in the world. coordination when I’m intoxicated and don’t just What is the meaning of life? Why do printers never belly flop my way home? work when you really need them? Why are Jedward I can only assume that when I’m drunk objects a thing that still exists? which are normally static magically come to life and I’m here to discuss one of the biggest mysteries of place themselves in my path. Sofas suddenly shift them all: how do you acquire random bruises on a a good few feet, so when I drunkenly decide that night out?

I want to watch Come Dine With Me on the telly I I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve woken find myself sprawled by the coffee table, surrounded up after a hard-earned night in Crisis only to find a by sofa cushions. Cupboard doors which I don’t patchwork of bruises scattered about my arms and remember opening suddenly spring into action, legs. To glance down at my hand during a lecture ready to hit me in the face when I’m making a cup of and find a small purple mark blooming on my wrist. tea. Once I decided that I wanted to make cupcakes Where do these marks come from? What do they upon my arrival home. I opened the oven and then almost immediately tripped over it. I crawled to bed, mean? defeated, cradling a 12-pack of crisps.

Obviously some bruises are more easily explained than others. Casually tripping over the doormat upon Having said all this, I can’t help but think that arrival home will most likely result in some form of sometimes it’s better to let drunken injuries remain grazed knees. Missing the door and walking straight a mystery. Once I awoke after a night out with a into the wall can result in bruises to the elbows, legs huge scratch across my middle finger. It remained and face (all three if you’re particularly unlucky and unexplained until a friend informed me that she had uncoordinated). But it’s the bruises in strange places found me floundering in a bush declaring, “There’s which confuse me: a bruise on the back of my arm an owl in here! An owl! I saw it!” To be honest, I’d or on my stomach. I know I’m a clumsy person even rather that mystery had remained unsolved. when I’m sober but surely I maintain some form of

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COSTA coffee to Go! Take Liberties at Mooch Pick up your free Mooch privilege card to enjoy these exclusive offers: - Discounted entry to our very own night club The Saturday Night Project - Mooch-only drink offers every Monday - All medium hot drinks only £1

Great news!! your Students’ Union Portland Building shop has a new Costa Express gourmet coffee machine!

This means that you’ll be able to quickly and easily pick up a Costa, and just pay at the till with the rest of your shopping! Here’s the science bit: • Drinks are made from the same sustainably sourced Costa Mocha Italia beans used in Costa stores.

• Fresh semi-skimmed milk and freshly filtered water is used in every cup.

• Prices are £2 for regular and £2.30 for large – including a free flavour shot if you fancy it.

• Options available are Cappuccino, Caffe Latte, Americano, Mocha, Vanilla Latte, Hot Chocolate and Caramel Chocolate.

What goes really well with a nice cup of coffee? A Danish pastry? A muffin maybe? You can get both plus lots more (fresh bread & rolls; filled baguettes; hot savouries; breakfast baps and burgers; topped and filled doughnuts) at the Portland Building Shop new in-store bakery. We know how to spoil you…

- Mooch offers and vouchers direct to your email

Get one absolutely free Take lib at Mooc erties * 2012 – 13h * ENJOY

EXCLUSIVE OFF ERS

Be safe & BE SEEN! In case you’ve forgotten, on Sunday 28th October, the clocks will go back, which means an extra hour in bed!

It also means that you will need to make sure you’re seen when you’re out and about on your bike at night; so we recommend you get yourself some bike lights and are also appropriately dressed. University of Nottingham Security staff are also enforcing fines for students cycling on campus without lights. So…get in there early and buy your bike lights from your Students’ Union shop in the Portland Building and at Jubilee Campus:

£5.99 for a set of front & back lights Sign up for your card at

www.su.nottingham.ac.uk/takeliberties

2012 to

2013

Sign up CLUBS to your favourite Didn’t get chance to sign up to a sports club, society or other student group at Freshers’ Fair?

Never fear, you can sign up online any day, at any time and throughout the whole year!

1. All you need to do is go to the Activities

page of the Students’ Union website www.su.nottingham.ac.uk/activities, (you’ll need to be logged in using your University login details) and have a gander at the choice on offer.

We have over 200 societies, 74 sports clubs and 10 Student Networks, as well as all these lovely student-run groups: NUTS TV URN Impact Magazine TEC PA and Lighting

throughout the WHOLE YEAR

These groups are always looking for enthusiastic students to get involved, why not find out more?

There are also plenty of options if you’re based at our Derby or Sutton Bonington Campuses, or if you’re a Medical student.

2. If you see something you fancy getting

involved in, but would like a bit more info before you join, you can contact the President of the club or society and ask your question. There are contact details on the right hand side of the page. They’re all lovely peeps, so don’t be shy!

3. Once you’ve found something you want to

CD Library Karnival The Nottingham New Theatre Nightline

+SOCIETIES

join, simply click on the ‘add to basket’ link on the type of membership you’d like to have and follow the instructions from there.

It’s as simple as that!

Visit our website www.su.nottingham.ac.uk

Find us on Facebook www.facebook.com/UofNSU Follow us on Twitter @uonsu

EXPOSURE

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Images by: Charlotte Albert, Emma Charalambous, Magdalena Steflova, Ben Tynegate, James Boucher, Sam Wordsworth, Callum McLarty, Chris Dixon, Jose Pope, Marianne Chua, Helen Miller

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STYLE

CATWALK TO CAMPUS: Back to Black

After a season of eye-popping brights, winter is looming, the skies are getting darker and so are our wardrobes. Having stormed the catwalks of Westwood and Givenchy, Gothic opulence is set to be the trend of the season.

Whilst this McQueen number may not be practical for your 9am lectures, Gothic luxe needn’t be 32

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S

E L TY CLOSET Clockwise from top: Bag by Zara. Skirt by River Island. Bracelet by Sophia’s Closet, £44.95. Boots by Office, £80. Black Skirt by Primark, £14. Dress by Asos, £150. Red Shoes by Zara. Gloves by Zara.

reserved for the runway. Channel your inner darkness with these high-street buys. Keep it sophisticated as opposed to scary: subtly seductive and delicately romantic.

Pair your cosy knits with these Gothic-inspired skirts or add a touch of black magic with these accessories.

By night look out for edgy biker-girl leather, dark velvet, layers of lace and studded heels paired with dramatic eyes or red lips.

Hannah Wilkinson, Grace Fleming and Ashiana Pradhan

HOW TO...

WEAR LEATHER Your guide to mastering the season’s hottest trends.

Your Leather Forecast: Add sparkle to a pair of basic leather shorts for a touch of Gothic glamour..

Team your chunky knits with a leather jacket for effortless chic..

(Left) T-shirt: Backlash Vintage Shorts: Topshop Necklace: Topshop Shoes: Primark

(Right) Jacket: Zara Jumper: Topshop Denim shirt: Topshop Boucle shorts: Zara Boots: Office

CAUGHT ON CAMPUS University of Nottingham hottest gothicinspired Campus looks...

Clockwise from top left: Lauren Saving: 3rd Year Politics. ASOS Dress. Zara Bag. Chantal Carlstein: 4th Year Chemistry. Zara Jumper Anna Petrosian: 1st Year Philosphy. Office Creeper Shoes.

Emily Village: 1st Year Industrial Economics.

Vintage Jumper Lucy O’Boyle: 1st Year History and English. Tassle Bag with Studded Loafers.

Images by Chantal Carlstein, Grace Fleming, Hannah Wilkinson www.impactnottingham.com/style

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STYLE

Joseph Todd wears Jeans: H&M. Polo Neck Jumper: H&M. Gown: Vintage. Shoes: Vintage. Scarf: Zara Stephanie Rew wears Dress: Topshop. Necklace: Topshop.

Shoes: ASOS. Fascinator: Primark Amy Butterworth wears Dress: H&M. Faux Fur Jacket: TKMaxx.

Shoes: Vintage. Necklace: Vintage

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Hair and Makeup: Emily Craig Styled and Directed: Grace Fleming and Hannah Wilkinson Images by: C. Albert, E. Charalambous and M. Šteflová

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35

STYLE

A FASHION TRICK OR TREAT? How fine is the line between frightful and fabulous? This month two of our contributors go head-to-head to discuss the influences of all things monstrous and strange on style culture.

Welcome to the world of ‘Horror Fashion’.

TRICK:

TREAT:

Jodie Marsh and her tasteful ‘belt’ outfit. Christina Aguilera’s leather pants in the infamous ‘Dirty’ video. Marilyn Manson’s Gothic overkill. What were they thinking?

7KHUHŇ‹V QRWKLQJ PRUH IULJKWHQLQJ WKDQ WKH VHGDWH DQG RUGLQDU\ %ULWLVK FLWLHV today are flooded with people who all sound and dress the same in one macrocosm of dullness. Last year I stumbled out of a metal concert covered LQ OHDWKHU IDNH EORRG DQG JOLWWHU , FRQWLQXDOO\ HQY\ P\ SDUHQWV IRU JURZLQJ XS surrounded by artists like Judas Priest and Alice Cooper who took horror by the throat and encompassed it into every aesthetic they could.

Let’s take you back to the 80s, the dawn of a beautiful love affair between horror and fashion, the emergence of Punk, all things studded, spiked and latex. This firm friendship was soon to be ruined through the development of a culture obsessed with shocking the masses and gaining attention by always reaching that one step further. The question begs, where do we draw the line?

The press scoff at Lady Gaga for her apparently crazed dress sense, yet how can her bold involvement in Thierry Mugler’s 2011 Autumn Show in Paris be heralded as anything other than fabulous?

Let’s get practical. In this fast-paced modern society it is just not appropriate to run from lecture to lecture in a latex body suit or those infamous, superhigh McQueen heels which reportedly were the cause of Lady Gaga’s severe leg swelling last year.

Embracing the wonderment of individuality - all tight mesh, piercing eyes and slicked back hair - is the perfect mix of repulsion and attraction. Horror can be fear, and fear can be power, so why should we be boxed into one night a year to push our fashion experimentation to the limit?

Stay true to your own individual style rather than being consumed by the need to be different. Keep your meat for your Sunday roast rather than adorning your body in it in a desperate attempt to be noticed!

Abby Robinson

I would prefer to be the one person to take it too far rather than fall into line with the countless clones. One of September’s most beautiful shoots was Karlie Kloss in W Magazine - Nick Knight photographing with painful elegance the sugary wigs and silky feathers paired with fierce black tulle and a hard stare, like a doll from a late 80s horror film.

Alexander McQueen’s Spring/Summer 2013 collection has had its own horror transfusion with chain-mail stockings, wire cages and faceless models. Halloween is for children and reality is dark and messy, so why are we chastising those who show a little of that truth? Horror is more than darkness - it’s madness. And like all great artists considered mad, perhaps the future will look back at us and wonder why we did not encourage them more.

Isabel Davies

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44 Teams. 11 Universities. 1 Amazing Prize.

Win the ultimate internship and see banking differently The Future Leaders Development Programme was created to find and develop people who can lead thinking and drive innovation at Barclays. Now here’s your opportunity to experience it for yourself. Challenge Africa is an amazing competition that offers one team the ultimate internship in Africa. Show us genuine potential as a future leader through a number of stimulating challenges, and you could be heading off on the internship of a lifetime.

Learn more and enter by visiting www.seemore-bemore.com/challengeafrica All successful applicants will be invited to our campus challenge at C11 Portland Building on 31st October between 6.30 – 8.30pm.

Retail and Business Banking

FOOD

FOCUS ON:

F

URP D JODQFH WKH &URFXV &DIp LV D VPDOO VHHPLQJO\ QRUPDO FDIp VLWXDWHG LQ WKH Lenton area. If you take the time to have a closer look, however, you’ll see that there is nothing RUGLQDU\ DERXW WKLV SODFH DW DOO 7KH &URFXV &DIp LV a non-profit social enterprise organisation, which means that they are entirely reliant on donations, volunteers and the kindness of the council and local businesses to keep going.

CROCUS CAFÉ community is behind a project like this.

locally, as often as possible, companies such as Joel was also able to tell us of the difficulties the Fred Hallam Ltd. in Beeston are invaluable and try FDIp KDV UHFHQWO\ EHHQ IDFLQJ $V D QRQ SURILW their best to provide produce at the best possible organisation, one of the most difficult challenges SULFH IRU WKH &URFXV &DIp \HW PRUH HYLGHQFH RI WKH WKH &URFXV &DIp IDFHV LV WR UDLVH HQRXJK PRQH\ support this project has. What’s more, it is not just to pay bills for the rent of the unit, electricity the food that is sourced locally, repairs are as well. and other essential resources for running the 6SHQGLQJ WLPH LQ WKH FDIp ZLWK -RHO LW ZDV HDV\ WR enterprise. Recently, however, the council has see that the feel good attitude behind this place been extraordinarily lenient in allowing rent to roll doesn’t just extend to how they source their food, it If this isn’t enough of a challenge, they also aim to RYHU ZKHQ WKH FDIp KDV EHHQ XQDEOH WR PDNH UHQW H[WHQGV WR WKH UHDO KHDUW RI WKH &DIp LWV YROXQWHHUV provide fair-trade, healthy, organic vegetarian and payments.

From the moment you step inside its clear to see vegan options, which above all is affordable.

Acts like this that go to show what the Crocus the people who volunteer here don’t do it out of a We spoke to Joel Lambert, one of the directors of &DIp LV DOO DERXW FRPPXQLW\ :LWKRXW WKH sense of obligation, they do it because they want WKH &URFXV &DIp HQWHUSULVH ZKR ZDV DEOH WR JLYH XV essential funding and support this fantastic little WR 7KH\ VPLOH WKH\ FKDW LW SURGXFHV D IDQWDVWLF KLV LQVLJKW WR WKH FDIp DV D FRPPXQLW\ SURMHFW 7KH place simply couldn’t exist in a world of corporate atmosphere to revel in. When we asked Joel about &URFXV &DIp KDVQŇ‹W DOZD\V EHHQ D FDIp LW EHJDQ DV companies and big brand names undercutting the volunteering experience in the Crocus Cafe he a bakery eight years ago and has since diversified the competition. Maintaining fair trade and organic emphasised that “we try and put people where they LQWR D FDIp SURYLGLQJ D ZLGHU UDQJH RI FKRLFH WR LWV REYLRXVO\ DGGV H[WUD FRVW WR WKH SURMHFW EXW WKH FDIp want to be whether that is marketing, events or in visitors. Run by a board of eight directors covering doesn’t skimp on upholding this aim. All manner of the kitchen. The whole idea is to make the volunteer D UDQJH RI DUHDV IURP ZRUNLQJ ZLWKLQ WKH FDIp LWVHOI things are fair trade: from the more obvious such experience the best we can, helping people to grow WR PDUNHWLQJ HYHQWV DQG ILQDQFHV WKLV VPDOO FDIp LV as tea, chocolate and sugar to a wider range of and progress.â€? But support can only go so far, and a testament to what people can achieve when the baking goods. When trying to resource everything money, sadly, is what makes the world go round.

Emma Drabble

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Pumpkin Soup With An Asian Twist With Halloween finally here, carving pumpkins is a must. But rather than throwing away the pumpkin flesh, why not make a beautiful soup out of the fruits of your labour? Here is a pumpkin soup recipe with an Asian twist, requiring the addition of both curry and five-spice powder. To be enjoyed by all, including vegans. ٘ One medium sized pumpkin

٘ 2 teaspoons vegetable stock

٘ One medium sized onion

٘ Pepper/salt

٘ One small potato (or medium/ large for a thicker consistency)

٘ 1 tablespoon olive oil

٘ ½ teaspoon curry powder

٘ A blender

٘ Pine nuts

٘ ½ teaspoon five spice

THE WHITE RABBIT TEAHOUSE You could easily have passed by this gem on your escapades into the city centre, however I recommend you take the time to hunt The White Rabbit Tea house out.

From the outside it looks quaint but don’t be deceived into thinking this is the sort of place that only your granny would like.

From the moment you step inside, the service is friendly and personal. While the menu doesn’t have the plethora of options you might receive in larger chains, the quality of the homemade products far supersedes the mass produced food you might find elsewhere. I had the pleasure of tucking into a warm, homemade pepper and mushroom quiche, which considering the weather outside, is enough to make you want to hanker down for winter in this cosy little tea house. The fact that they have a delicious selection of cakes and scones doesn’t do any harm either! %XW WKH IRRG LVQҋW WKH RQO\ DWWUDFWLRQ RI WKLV SODFH WKH GpFRU looks like you’ve fallen into the Mad Hatters Tea Party, with floral prints covering not only the walls but the china too! Each teaspoon has its own individual charm and this attention to detail even extends to salt and pepper shakers in the guise of small rabbits. It’s also not ridiculously overpriced. While the place might be slightly more expensive than Greggs, it’s unlikely to break the bank.

1.

Chop up the pumpkin, remove the seeds and cut the pumpkin flesh away from the skin.

6.

Leave soup to simmer for a good 15-20 minutes until the pumpkin and potato have softened.

2.

Roughly chop the onion and sauté it in olive oil.

7.

3.

Add the pumpkin pieces and the chopped up potato.

Blend the soup until achieving a smooth texture.

8.

Season with salt and pepper.

Roast pine nuts over a low heat in a pan until lightly golden.

Emma Drabble 4.

Boil approx. 1 ½ litres of water and pour it over the pumpkin and the onions.

9.

5.

Add the curry powder, five spice and vegetable stock.

10. Serve up the soup and lightly sprinkle the pine nuts on top.

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39

SCIENCE & TECH

A UoN Student Took This Photo Impact interviews Adam Cudworth

T

his magnificent photo depicting the curvature of the Earth and the blackness of space was taken in August this year.

What is remarkable is that this is one of a sequence of photos captured not by a NASA satellite, but by University of Nottingham student Adam Cudworth, and not using millions of pounds worth of equipment, but a camera bought for £30 from eBay. Economics student Adam had the idea for his project after hearing about a similar story a couple of years ago: “I set myself the challenge to do a similar project and capture even better photos”.

Since then, Adam has been working on the HABE project (High Altitude Balloon Experiment), and in 2011 he made his first launch. HABE1 had a successful flight, but Adam was left disappointed: “The camera failed to take any photos after shutting down once the startup routine had been run – a mistake I wouldn’t make again!”

Four experiments later, the launch of HABE5 returned hundreds of incredible photos, which have been reported in newspapers and magazines the world over.

Even more impressive is that the photos were 40

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achieved on a budget of £200. The second hand £30 camera was carried in an insulated box also containing a radio, temperature sensors, solar panels and a radio tracker, built by Adam himself.

The helium-inflated balloon used to fly the device is similar to those used by the Met Office for weather monitoring.

just a hobby on the side.” His only assistance was from the UK High Altitude Society (UKHAS), a group of around 10 people working on similar projects who shared advice and information on the launch of high altitude projects.

Adam’s device was recovered in a farmer’s field, 30 miles from the launch site near his home in At the altitude the camera was to reach - 33km Worcestershire. The balloon burst at around 33km above Earth - temperatures dip to -60°C. Maintaining above the Earth, near the edge of space, before performance of equipment in these conditions was hurtling to the ground at speeds of up to 150mph. one of many challenges Adam faced. “When I We asked Adam how he felt when he saw the initially started out there were a huge number of pictures HABE5 had taken. “To put it simply – questions in my mind: how hard will it be to convince wow. I knew similar photos were possible but the CAA (Civil Aviation Authority) to allow me to fly actually obtaining them yourself makes them seem this? Where is it going to land?” even better. At last, the conditions were right and The radio tracker was at the crux of a number of everything worked as it should.” problems. Even if the launch was successful and This isn’t the last we’ll see of the HABE project: the camera worked without fault, Adam needed Adam is currently working on an Autonomous to find and retrieve the balloon after landing to get Return Glider to attach to his device, which should hold of the photographs. Tracking the balloon wasn’t automatically glide back to a predetermined site quite as simple as installing a SatNav: “Many GPS when the balloon bursts. “The only thing that is modules stop working at 18km in altitude, to prevent currently holding me back is the CAA’s rules and their use in inter-continental missiles.” regulations… hopefully I can get them on board and The launch of HABE5 has been covered by the carry out some tests – it’s a work in progress!”

Steph Harris media worldwide, but Adam remains modest: “It’s

The Wife of an Alien: Doris* realised her husband was an alien 5 months ago. An alien clone to be precise: who spoke, dressed and acted exactly like her husband, but was not the man she married.

I met Doris on a home visit as part of my four-year medical attachment in Elderly Psychiatry. She greeted the community nurse and I with a warm smile and offered us stale biscuits and warm tea.

Having been diagnosed with dementia nearly 10 years ago, Doris appeared a bit scattered. She’d lost chunks of her memory and flicked between eras randomly.

It was when Doris started justifying her belief that her husband was an alien by getting me to feel his cold hands that I realised I had no clue what was going on. Doris had gone far beyond what we had been taught was ‘normal’ for a person with dementia. It wasn’t until later, when I was in the car with the nurse, that I discovered what was happening. Doris has developed the extremely rare but fascinating ‘Capgras delusion’.

Sufferers of the psychiatric illness Capgras are convinced that those close to them have been replaced by identical imposters. Such delusions (abnormal fixed beliefs) are commonly associated with dementia, but can also be found in stroke or schizophrenia cases.

As with all of psychiatry, there are many theories floating around about the cause of &DSJUDV KRZHYHU RQO\ RQH LV ZLGHO\ respected. Ramachandran’s ‘theory of dissociation’ suggests that people with Capgras can recognise the faces of loved ones perfectly but cannot relate the faces to the emotional centres of their brain.

So Doris recognises her husband as someone she should know and thus has stored emotions relating to him (love/hate/anger etc.). The lack of emotions but the familiar face forces the brain to come to a strange (but logical) conclusion - that this man is just someone who looks like her husband www.impactnottingham.com/science

Have you ever wondered‌ and that is why she feels nothing when she sees him.

Capgras is a beautifully tragic condition with unfortunately no decent treatment. Before I left, I asked Doris how she coped with the belief that her husband was a Martian imposter. She reached into her purse and placed a torn photograph in my hand: a fresh, bright, young couple stepping out of a church door, confetti raining down on them from unseen hands, “He’ll come back.�

WHY DO MEN HAVE NIPPLES?

*Name changed Karrish Devan Image by: Alshaima Alhinai

You’ve just downed your fifth or sixth drink and are busy contemplating the many mysteries of life. Well don’t worry yourself too much – we’ve got the answer to one of them right here.

Humans are mammals and so they develop mammary glands that have the ability to produce milk that are used to suckle their young. Of course, we all know that it is females that do this, so why females have nipples is quite obvious. But why do males?

The answer is to do with the changes that occur during our early development as an embryo.

For the first few weeks as the embryo develops, it follows a ‘female’ pattern. If the embryo is genetically male with a Y chromosome present, after six weeks it begins to develop the male characteristics, when a part of the Y chromosome called the SRY gene becomes activated. But nipples develop before this differentiation occurs – at about five and a half weeks. So even though the embryo becomes male, it is still left with nipples and some breast tissue.

So the next time someone tells you that men are from Mars and women are from Venus, remember that at one point in the womb we were all very similar. And I guess you boys will always have a little reminder of your feminine side.

Faiza Peeran Image by: Charlotte Albert IMPACT 219

41

TRAVEL

A New Perspective: Student Life in the Netherlands

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The stereotype that the Dutch have a brilliant command of English certainly proved to be true, as I was met with perfectly formed replies while attempting to navigate my way around the city - very useful indeed when you have a sense of direction as terrible as mine. Of all the places in Europe, the Netherlands in my opinion is probably the easiest place for a British student to settle in. While there aren’t many cities in England where I would willingly walk around alone at 3am, it certainly wouldn’t be a problem in Utrecht. The streets are clean, and generally seem a lot safer. The biggest threat is actually the thousands of cyclists that seem to pour Although I was slightly worried about the prospect out onto the streets from all directions. of spending my 21st birthday alone in my room, with only a bottle of wine for company, fortunately In terms of food, I wasn’t overly impressed by Dutch that turned out not to be the case. There was cuisine, having regrettably tried a questionable no excuse not to experience the famous Dutch bacon and apple flavoured pannekoek (a type nightlife for my 21st, which was perfectly timed to of Dutch/Belgian pancake). Yet eating out at one fall on a weekend. Bonding with other students on of the many restaurants by the medieval canal is the various courses was unbelievably easy and something special, and the very reasonably priced availability of Kriek, and other Belgian fruit beers, the best part of my stay in Utrecht. would delight any beer-lover.

In a striking contrast to England, the lecturers encouraged us to go out as much as we could and The idea of choosing to study at a Dutch university even joined us for drinks. The relaxed environment was brought to my attention by a BBC news of the course came as an extremely welcome article highlighting the ever-increasing popularity departure from a frantic year of deadlines and of the country’s universities with British students. seemingly endless essays. It was brilliant to be According to figures this year, the number of British studying purely for enjoyment and without any ‘refugees’ who are fleeing the hike in tuition fees, pressure. his summer, instead of setting off to the beach for a well-earned spell of relaxation after a taxing second year, I decided to take on yet more studying - at Utrecht University summer school. Why, you might ask? I simply missed learning about history and wanted to have a study abroad experience with all the socialising that comes with it. Two weeks in Utrecht - a small but picturesque Dutch student city, provided the perfect opportunity to revisit a subject that wasn’t my degree course, without the stress that goes hand in hand with an undergraduate degree.

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has led to quadrupled applications to some Dutch universities. This trend is expected to continue and understandably so, as the country boasts several top-100 globally ranked universities, offering degrees taught entirely in English for a fraction of the price.

Remarkably, in the Scandinavian countries such as Denmark, Sweden, and Norway, tuition fees for EU students (that includes us) are zero. These nations are home to well-respected institutions that also teach courses in English. There are of course steep living costs in the Nordic nations to also factor into consideration, but even with these included, the overall strain on the purse is markedly less. Knowing all of this, it is a wonder that almost everyone isn’t applying to European universities.

So for those thinking about taking a Masters, why not look to Europe? &OHDUO\ VWXG\LQJ DEURDG LV QRW VXLWHG IRU HYHU\RQH especially those who get easily homesick or are horrified at the prospect of missing Ocean Fridays.

Yet if you are willing to spend two weeks of holiday time there, it really is a great experience and an easy way to discover - if you have doubts - whether studying abroad is right for you.

Sedef Akademir

Without the safety net of a welfare state the poverty in India is all encompassing and it hits you in the form of an all-consuming mass of people. Sticking to the warnings I’d been given not to give money to child beggars proved to be painful, though (I reminded myself) not as excruciating as the daily lives lived by many of India’s poorest. To be so fully surrounded by poverty, by wide eyed thin children, with sad faces and open palms and yet to be so incapable of helping in any significant way was exasperating. I found myself darting out of the way of the small children pulling on my clothes.

It dawned on me that I was frightened: scared of their poverty and of the glaring differences between the difficulties that mark their lives and the indulgence that marks mine. Any attempt to help seemed to smack of first world arrogance and traces of imperialism.

INDIA’S CLASS DIVIDE

A blend of spices, cows, cow pats, sewage, chickens and incense combine to perfume the streets. Downpours of monsoon rain interrupt scorching 40 degree days in Rajasthan and take over completely in the cool mountains further north. Vibrantly-dressed women, children and men fill the streets, walking in-between vegetable and fruit sellers. A rush of waterfalls, swaying PRXQWDLQV DQG IDVW PRYLQJ ULYHUV ,QGLD LV DOLYH DQG EHDWLQJ LW LV XQOLNH DQ\ RWKHU FRXQWU\ , NQRZ Gregory D Robert’s best-selling novel Shantaram claims that: ‘In India your heart always guides you more wisely than your head’. He goes on to say: ‘There’s no heart like the Indian heart’, and as far as I can tell he’s onto something. India is overflowing with sounds and sights: some heartwarming, others heart-breaking. Together they form India’s pulsing core.

As a tourist traveling in India you are bombarded by images of poverty. It follows you everywhere you go and pervades everything you do. Infants playing by the sideEW of the road, children dressed in rags holding the hands of younger siblings, women begging for food, men with mutated limbs and malnourished bodies. Girls and boys tugging on your clothes and the sheer number of people with a barely concealed agenda to part you from your money are enough to ensure that you can’t visit India without some awareness of the extent of India’s poverty problem.

It is important not to be disillusioned and disheartened by India’s seemingly endless social and economic issues. While huge divisions between those who have and those who have not still exist, this budding middle class, volunteer charities, a growing economy and government initiatives to supply food and basic necessities at controlled prices, ensure that the gap is increasingly closing. 300 million Indians now EHORQJ WR WKH PLGGOH FODVV RQH WKLUG RI WKHP KDYH emerged from poverty in the last ten years. India is on track to cut poverty statistics in half, from 1990 to 2015.

India has so much to offer, and travellers should not let their fears persuade them against visiting this incredible country.

Hannah Pupkewitz

In amidst all of the smells and smiles it’s easy to forget that 30% of India’s population live in poverty - 360 million individuals, each living without full access to food, water, shelter, education or health services.

India is a complex country with a long history of oppression of the poor. While India as a nation is experiencing tremendous economic growth and new businesses mean a new middle class is slowly emerging, its wealth is largely reserved for the educated, the urban and the social elite.

Large colonial style hotels and houses are situated adjacent to city slums, palatial apartments sit side by side with makeshift housing, there is no physical separation of the rich and poor, they walk and live RQ WKH VDPH VWUHHWV DOWKRXJK WKHLU GLIIHUHQFHV LQ quality of life ensure that they are worlds apart. www.impactnottingham.com/travel

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43

TRAVEL

SOUTH AFRICA Diversity is a term that is strongly associated with South Africa - a region where eleven languages are recognised as official, with just as many ethnic groups, and where community leaders range from rugby players to rabbis. Palatial homes sit next to mud huts, while traditional healers work alongside stockbrokers.

After years of oppression under a white minority government which only came to an end in 1994, South Africa is now in the process of establishing itself as a democratic culture. It is sad that many local customs and traditions have been eroded over years of Westernisation, but there is now a sense of great diversity as the country plays host to a variety of cultures and practices from around the world.

J.M COETZEE John Maxwell Coetzee, reclusive writer and man of letters, is internationally famous for having been at the forefront of anti-apartheid literature in South Africa and, since the apartheid government’s fall, as a novelist who has charted the journey of South Africa’s reconciliation with its grim and recent past.

Of Afrikaner descent, Coetzee’s work has seen him win the Nobel Prize for Literature in 2003 and the Booker Prize twice, in 1983 for his work ‘The Life and Times of Michael K’ and again in 1999 for his seminal work ‘Disgrace’, a chilling novel showing the fall and disgrace of a white South African Professor as a nation struggles to form a new identity in the wake of apartheid.

Coetzee’s work succinctly blends contemporary politics and African issues with the lives and thoughts of South Africans themselves.

TRANCE FESTIVALS Located on the southernmost tip of the African continent, Cape Town is the perfect haven for lovers of trance. The outdoor psytrance season runs from September through to March, when the city plays host to over thirty trance festivals.

Vortex music festival is a three day event located in a mountain sanctuary - with panoramic views, plenty of forest and an ‘endless’ river, this beautiful location is the ideal space for days of psychedelic adventure.

Trance is a genre that developed in the 90s and is characterised by hypnotic patterns and shifting textures.Described as the music of consciousness, the ‘psychedelic trance journey’ stimulates the mind and draws you into a universe beyond time and space. Deeply reflective, trance music encourages a virtual voyage into uncharted realms of the brain.

Other popular Cape Town trance festivals include Earthdance, Organik, Beartrap and Mother Earth.

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OSTRICH RACING Oudsthoorn, located in the Western Cape Province of South Africa, is home to WKH ZRUOGҋV ODUJHVW SRSXODWLRQ RI RVWULFKHV unsurprisingly, a unique culture has grown around these flightless birds. As well as a vast array of ostrich cuisine, including scrambled ostrich eggs, ostrich steak, or ostrich sausage, visitors have the chance to ride and race ostriches. Wild ostriches can reach speeds of up to 70km/h, but the ostriches that can be raced won’t be running quite as fast.

However, the town isn’t just about eating and racing ostriches. The ostrich farms offer tours and focus on education too, showing visitors the development of these birds whilst the chicks are cared for and bred into maturity.

Richard Collett & Helena Murphy

PAUSE

,

46 WHAT’S ON GUIDE The best Arts, Film and Music events in Notts this month

48 ARTS

A Day in the Life of....Northern Ballet’s Wardrobe Mistress

52 FILM&TV

Have the Bond films been shaken or stirred?

56 MUSIC Impact introduces...Dog is Dead

WHAT’S ON GUIDE: NOVEMBER Impact's selection of the biggest and best Arts, Film & TV and Music events in Nottingham this month WED 31ST OCT

SUN 4TH NOV

Kafou: Haiti,Art andVodou:

TUE 6TH NOV

THURS 22ND NOV Andy Bryant (Red Bee Media):

Halward Screening Room Director of Creative at Red Bee Media is giving a Mayhem Film Festival: Polica: talk from 6-7pm in the Hallward Screening Room Broadway Rescue Rooms (Room 140), with information about internships Nottingham’s very own horror film festival, Coming off the success of both a series of shows at within the ‘Creative Student Network (CSN)’. showcasing the best and newest in alternative this year’s SXSW in Austin, Texas and their debut cinema. See page 54 or the Impact website for album, Give You The Ghost, Polica look to be one SAT 24TH NOV details. (Until Sun 4th Nov.) of the best new acts of the year.

Nottingham Contemporary A journey through the history of Haitian art and culture from the 1940s to the present day. Vibrant colours and bold shapes speak of slave revolution, political struggle, Vodou belief and celebrates the resilience of the Haitian nation following the 2010 earthquake. A range of guest speakers, discussions and events will be held throughout the exhibition period, including regular, free Spot Talks on the artwork. Free. www.nottinghamcontemporary.org (Until Sun 6th Jan.)

FRI 2ND NOV Rustie:

Rock City Alternative 90s Piano Rock trio, Ben Folds Five bring ‘Tis Pity She’s AWhore’: their reunion tour to Nottingham this November, Theatre Royal, Nottingham audiences are invited to relive the highs of their Cheek By Jowl return to Nottingham with their breakthrough album Whatever and Ever Amen. modern take on the dark Jacobean tale of two siblings and their descent into hell. Past productions MON 26TH NOV by the company have included laser light shows DQG RWKHU PXOWLPHGLD HIIHFWV WKLV VKRZ LV ZHOO Elbow: anticipated by many and not to be missed! Student Capital FM Arena tickets £15 (Tuesday and Friday performances National treasures Elbow bring their massive only). www.royalcentre-nottingham.co.uk/ (until Sat anthems to the almost as massive Capital FM 10th Nov) Arena: it will be bloke folk at its finest.

Business Film Season:

Broadway In conjunction with University of Nottingham's Stealth Scottish Electronic sensation Rustie comes to Business School (From the 6th Nov onwards) ‘dollop’ at Stealth, Nottingham’s best DJ night of the month. Accompanied by the likes of Eats THU 8TH NOV Everything and George Fitzgerald, this is a must for any hardcore electronic fan.

Performance: Antenna Mick Jagger plays a dual role in this experimental SAT 3RD NOV 70s crime drama. Part of the ‘Kino Klubb’ film club.

Directed by Donald Cammell & Nicholas Roeg The Killers: Capital FM Arena Las Vegas’ The Killers arrive in Nottingham off the SAT 17TH NOV back of their 4th studio album ‘Battle Born’. Expect this and all the indie hits that made them such a Buzzcocks: success.

Rock City Post-Punk pioneers The Buzzcocks are reliving the Nottingham GhostWalks: highs of their career this November as they keep the Ye Olde Salutation Inn spirit of the seventies alive.

Take a unique tour around Nottingham this spooky season and experience the joys street theatre has to offer. Led around tourist hotspots by some rather unsavoury characters, learn the gruesome stories haunting these places and view Nottingham in a completely different light. £5. Every Saturday 7pm until 1st Dec. www.ghost-walks.co.uk.

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Ben Folds Five:

TUE 27TH NOV Iceage: Bodega Not one for the fainthearted, Denmark's finest export in post-punk and noise rock Iceage are bound to bring a lively show to the Bodega.

Elixir by Sadhana Dance: Lakeside Arts Centre Art meets science in this physical exploration of water. Inspired by the South Indian dance style Bharata Natyam, Sadhana Dance company has been working with visual artists and composers to put on an all encompassing performance. There will be a post-show discussion chaired by BBC Radio 4’s Material World presenter Quentin Cooper about behind the scenes workings of the show. £12. www. lakesidearts.org.uk

FRI 30TH NOV Anchorman: Broadway Charity screening in aid of Movember. Moustaches mandatory.

FILM RELEASES Impact’s picks of this month’s releases: The Master

Love

Friday 2nd November Adrifter becomes enamoured with an organised religion and its enigmatic leader, only to find all isn't as it seems. Dir: Paul Thomas Anderson (There Will Be Blood). Stars: Philip Seymour Hoffman, Joaquin Phoenix, Amy Adams.

Friday 16th November This unmissable, heartbreaking Palme d'Or winner sees an ageing couple whose marriage is tested when one of them falls ill. Dir: Michael Haneke (The White Ribbon). Stars: JeanLouis Trinignant, Emmanuelle Riva.

Argo Wednesday 7th November The true story of a CIA specialist who conducts an operation to rescue American prisoners hiding in a Canadian embassy during the Iranian revolution. Dir: Ben Affleck. Stars: Affleck, Bryan Cranston, John Goodman.

Silver Linings Playbook Wednesday 21st November A recovering mental patient moves back into his parents’ house and tries to reconcile with his ex-wife, but is challenged when he meets a mysterious girl. Dir: David O. Russell (The Fighter). Stars: Bradley Cooper, Jennifer Lawrence.

GO DOWN IN HISTORY AS THE PERSON WHO CURED BLOOD CANCER Registered charity no 803716/SC038827 www.impactnottingham.com/features

The Hunt Friday 30th November A schoolteacher falsely is accused of being a child molester. Dir: Thomas Vinterberg (Festen). Stars: Mads Mikkelsen.

Blood cancer. Be the cure.

You could save the life of someone with blood cancer by donating your bone marrow. So achieve greatness. Join the Anthony Nolan donor register – all you need to do is spit in a tube.

Your local Marrow group will be signing people up to the register on 15 October in the QMC. Or you can sign up today at www.anthonynolan.org/bethecure Fancy helping us find more lifesavers at your university? Then get in touch at nottingham.marrow@gmail.com Facebook: Nottingham Marrow

Working with Anthony Nolan IMPACT 215

27

ARTS

TXT TLK: THE ADVENT OF MODERN LITERATURE? Txting has changed the way we communicate and the way we perceive literature. Creative play with boundaries of grammar and laconicism are the only limits within this emerging genre.

A

s the media would have it, apparently my ‘m8s’ are filling up my inbox with ‘ C U @ pub?! :) :) XxX’. It is often a topic of heated dispute whether we are desecrating the English language in our youthful exuberance or if the older generation should just get with it. The irony is that my mum uses text slang more than I do. My phone is more likely to be struck with a case of ‘WHR RU??XXX’ from my parents than my peers. There is a patent difference between the perceived use of language in text message and actual use, and consequently we could be in danger of overlooking an emerging text-literature movement.

Either in an effort to talk to me in my own language or maybe out of a self-indulged love of abbreviation, the baby boomers have failed to notice my lack of ‘txt tlk’. According to linguist David Crystal, 70-80% of texts are written in Standard English. Yet texting remains an undeniably lazy student-friendly method of communication, allowing us to procrastinate hours away, find our friends in crowded clubs or spinelessly dump significant others.

With the rise of unlimited text messaging it is no longer necessary to cramp messages into 154 characters in an effort to preserve credit. But the concept of condensed communication had lingered. Inspired by a casual context in which we can play with language and disregard grammar FOLFKpV WH[W LV EHFRPLQJ DQ DUW IRUP LQ LWV RZQ ULJKW Thanks to the media panic over the corrupting influence of text, mutinous competitions have sprung up celebrating text as an art medium.

From The Guardian to T-Mobile (yes…that very same Guardian that published ‘The Horrors of Text Speak’) text competitions which encourage a complete neglect of grammar are becoming widespread, with fabulously diverse results.

The winning entry in the Guardian’s text poetry competition highlights this wonderfully (far right).

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Poignant poetry has been created through deliberately deviant use of grammar. Their shameless abuse of syntax is a beautiful and striking feature. The prosaic has become the poetic.

Yet the abbreviations that are such a distinct feature of Emma’s poem are markedly absent from my own inbox. Dr Kevin Harvey, discourse and corpus expert at the University of Nottingham, told us that research has shown the rebus is in fact uncommon in text message use. Text literature is not only fast becoming a distinctive art genre but is diverging from actual text messaging.

‘Txting’ has changed the way we communicate and the way we perceive literature. Creative play with boundaries of grammar and laconicism are the only limits within this emerging genre. Indeed the weekly ‘Txt Lit’ competition makes a point of not using ‘the abbreviated language associated with mobile phones’. Dr Harvey comments that “using abbreviated form is a source of creativity” and “compels you to be compact and succinct”.

These skills are reminiscent of the haiku. A flattering comparison - haikus are notoriously brief and notoriously difficult to compose. As time is increasingly escaping us in our fast-paced lifestyles it is no coincidence that the up-and-coming art form can be read in seconds.

Born from a method of correspondence itself, text literature has the power to communicate intimate, poignant and disquieting messages in fewer words than it takes to order a Dino’s. As Harvey says “There is no reason a text cannot be inspiring”.

Jenna Hutber

I LEFT MY PICTUR ON TH GROUND WHER U WALK SO THAT SOMDAY IF TH SUN WAS JST RIGHT & TH RAIN DIDNT WASH ME AWA U MIGHT C ME OUT OF TH CORNER OF YR I & PIC ME UP (Emma Passmore)

A DAY IN THE LIFE OF....

Northern Ballet’s Wardrobe Mistress Working in theatre for twenty years, Mikhaila Pye, on tour with Northern Ballet’s production of Madame Butterfly, takes Impact backstage at the Theatre Royal to explore the inner workings of Wardrobe…

“There’s no such thing as a typical day on tour. As the Wardrobe Manager, my team and myself start on the Monday and do a ‘get in’, set everything up from a bare stage, do the washing from the last venue. We might need to do some repairs.

We make sure all the cast has the right costume out and during the show we oversee the costume changes. At the end of the week, we pack it all up and it’s on to the next venue. People in offices do SKRWRFRS\LQJ , GR LURQLQJ DQG VHZ RQ EXWWRQV µ How did you get involved with the Northern Ballet?

I did Business with Environmental studies so obviously I became a Wardrobe Mistress! That was more of a back up because this is not a steady industry. I started out as an usherette and then started doing some dressing at some theatres. My friend was Wardrobe Assistant with the Northern Ballet and she left to have a baby. They were splitting the wardrobe role between two and I just got the job here and have been here ever since.

But I have always sewed and my Grandma was a seamstress.

Is it hard to manage so many cast members?

We have four casts that work on rotation for Madame Butterfly. Principles usually do get their own costumes but this is quite a big sharing show.

For the kimonos one size fits all. When we’ve got www.impactnottingham.com/arts

people with injuries that can be quite challenging We do try and cover eventualities so we do have back up outfits. We have had to chuck some people out in some random things but that’s only in an emergency.

Can you give away any backstage secrets?

All the girls’ underwear and the boys’ socks have to be washed after every show. We bring our own tumble driers and I know some of the commercial tours travel with their own washing machines.

When we do costume transformations we are actually on stage, all dressed in black, on a moving truck or behind a screen. In fact I have a bruise on my leg because for Beauty and the Beast we have a little stool to climb up on and I missed it and hit myself on the leg!

How many shoes does each cast member actually have?

It isn’t true that everyone goes through a pair a night but it is possible for the girls to wear three pairs in one show and the boys wear ‘flatties’. They are handmade and the soles are cut so they bend and then they’re varnished. We buy pointe shoes and even though you can buy them in different colours we tend to paint or dye them to match the exact colour we want. For The Ugly Duckling they were dyed bright orange.

What is the best thing about your job and is there a downside?

You get to see lots of countries. We’ve been to China and Greece so travelling around and doing the shows in different places are highlights. I don’t ZDQW WR VRXQG FOLFKpG EXW ZH DUH MXVW OLNH D IDPLO\ It’s a very friendly company. But then on the other hand, the travelling and long hours can be a downside too.

Finally, what advice would you give to anybody interested in pursuing a career like yours?

You need to be adaptable, have some common sense and it is good to have some sewing skills.

You don’t necessarily need a fashion degree or to know what Dior was designing this week. Get some experience at your local or student theatre or within a company like the Northern Ballet doing some dressing and costume work. If you want to do this for the glamour or recognition then you’re going to last about three weeks! Nobody’s job is glamorous. Our Tech Manager actually said to us ‘I like the wardrobe department. We don’t even know you’re there’ and that’s the point!

Interview by Kiran Benawra www.northernballet.com http://www.northernballet.com/ Lauren Wilson and Kiran Benawra IMPACT 219

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ARTS

THE DESCENT OF THE BOOK “Out of scribbling with ink and a quill came the pen and then keyboard; each advancement improved the next. However, is the evolution of book to eBook really advancing and improving the words themselves?�

It is 2012 and talk of Kindles and eBooks is common place – we see them on TV, in shops, on wish lists and on the tube. We may also see them in numbers: an increase by 188% in digital fiction sales in the first half of 2012, while physical book sales are dropping by 0.4% year on year. Stepping back from instinctive sentiments to defend the book, we have to remind ourselves that civilisation is driven by progress.

Out of scribbling with ink and a quill came the pen DQG WKHQ NH\ERDUG HDFK DGYDQFHPHQW LPSURYHG the next. However, is the evolution of book to eBook really advancing and improving the words themselves?

The purpose of a book is to be read and this can be achieved whether the words are legibly printed on wallpaper or hundreds of china bowls. Reading Pride and Predjuce on a screen will not improve the story.

Yet, there are several more practical aspects of this Kindle vs book debate which need addressing, particularly for students who rely on books for their course. Sometimes we can’t afford to be romantic about things.

I was not aware how much of a money-saver a Kindle could be until I worked out the sum total of books for a single Autumn module. Physical books reach a figure of ÂŁ199.68 compared to the Kindle versions (plus the cheapest Amazon kindle at ÂŁ69) 50

IMPACT 219

at ÂŁ157.00, a difference of over ÂŁ40.

Yet for all these statistics and technical attributes the Kindle is still uniform and flat and no amount of personal covers will save them from being robotic clones: cold, dull silver slabs.

They do not give us the musty scent of a second hand book nor the fresh smell of a new Blackwell’s classic. Aesthetically, there is a great satisfaction in the mishmash of colours on a shelf of books.

To hold a book in your hand seems more solid, more physical and also gives you the pride in seeing the bookmark shuffle along the thick pages. A book LV SHUVRQDO HDFK WKXPE IOLFN HGJH HDFK VPXGJH makes a copy unique. The Kindle’s metallic shine Practical improvements are coupled with these is certainly more wearing and protective, but its ILQDQFLDO DQG HQYLURQPHQWDO JDLQV ILUVWO\ .LQGOHV technological stillness sucks the personality out of are much lighter – for an English student this the book. means not having to drag around that 1,344 page Shakespearean Anthology. Secondly, using a Although eBooks have become a popular and easy Kindle allows you to read whatever you like in public medium of reading, and for a student the financial and practical perks are inviting, we cannot forget (not to mention in a seminar). the boxes and the shelves and attic and libraries We may pause to wonder whether Fifty Shades of of books we, as a society, have collected over the Grey which became the first book to sell more than years.

Statistics of environmental improvements continue WR JLYH WKH .LQGOH DQ DGYDQWDJH LQ ILYH PLOOLRQ hard copies of Harry Potter and the Order of the phoenix the equivalent of 150,000 trees, were sold.

one million copies on Amazon’s eBooks, would have shot up in popularity if its physical cover had The physical book may share the spread of literature betrayed and embarrassed its readers. The Kindle with the eBook, yet it should not be left to fall into gives the reader more privacy, where blazing book extinction. covers could reveal all.

Eve Wersocki-Morris

FROM PAGE TO SCREEN: Three books you should read before you see the film!

GREAT EXPECTATIONS

MIDNIGHTS CHILDREN

Many readers have begun Midnights Childeren almost as many have given up halfway through. It is unsurprising that so many have started it, for the premise is a compelling one. 1,001 children are born in the midnight hour on August 15th, 1947, the first hour of India’s independence. These children are all endowed with magical powers. Our narrator, His privileged status leads him to become snobbish Saleem Sinai, is able to bring the other ‘midnight and, although he never completely loses his children’ together inside his mind, thus enabling decency, he remains a convincing illustration of the them all to communicate with each other. dangers which prosperity bears to one’s nature. Like Dickens’ other novels, this one is vastly peopled and One expects from this description an extravaganza the characters are among his most memorable: of stories in the style of the Arabian Nights – note the none more so than Miss Havisham, who has been number of midnight children – but instead the novel in the same state since what should have been is characterised by digressions - any reader picking her wedding-day, when ‘The day came, but not up the book for its compelling story will quickly find the bridegroom.’ Still in her wedding dress years themselves inundated with obscure allusions, afterwards, she and everything around her falls into narrative deviations, verbal acrobatics and political decay, providing one of the most haunting images satire. in all literature.

Midnight’s Childeren is consequently sometimes Dickens always was the most vivid of storytellers, too rich in content for its own good and it is hard to and Great Expectations is no exception to the imagine this richness translating well into a film. That rule. As a result no novelist’s work has been said, the screenplay is written by Rushdie himself, filmed as often as Dickens’s, but the adaptations and a second (more prepared) attempt at the are usually excellent: so should this one be. novel shows him to be a true magician with words.

A difficult read, but one which repays the effort it requires.

No English novelist is more well-known than Dickens, and Great Expectations is one of, if not the, best of his works. In it we follow the fortunes of Pip who is granted a sizeable annual sum from a mysterious benefactor, and thus changes himself from a blacksmith’s apprentice into a gentleman.

THE HOBBIT ‘In a hole in the ground there lived a hobbit’. Starting with this famous opening Tolkien was to take his readers on an adventure that none expected, not least the hobbit in question. Bilbo Baggins was the epitome of the hobbit lifestyle, in that the Bagginses were respected precisely because ‘they never had any adventures or did anything unexpected,’ until the wizard Gandalf knocked on his door.

Soon joined by a company of thirteen dwarves, Bilbo is whisked off on a quest to recover the treasure-hoard of the dwarves from the dragon, Smaug. Exhilarating though the adventure is, it is not the peak of Tolkien’s achievement here. This is our first contact with ‘Middle-Earth’, a world which, to quote Tolkien’s friend C. S. Lewis, ‘seems to have been going on before we stumbled into it.’

The book’s strength lies in the depth of this created world and the awareness that this story is but one of many that could be told of it. If the film can show something of this depth, as the Lord of the Rings films managed, we’re in for a veritable feast.

Joel Davies

Impact Arts introduces Creative Writing

Calling all writers! We need contributions for Impact’s new creative writing section, giving aspiring authors and poets the chance to get their work published. Send us 500 words of your best prose or poetry to arts@impactnottingham.com and we will chose the best to go on the Impact website. www.impactnottingham.com/arts

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FILM & TV

FORYOUR EYES ONLY

“Skyfall marks the 23rd film in the Bond franchise and the stakes couldn’t be higher”

Over 45 years, the Bond franchise has been consistently reinvented and reinvigorated to appeal to contemporary audiences. Over time, however, the series had grown somewhat stale and formulaic.

ingredients from the previous movies and added much-needed “real emotion” to the character of Bond, giving him a sense of credibility that garnered sympathy and, for the first time, there was also an open ending to be continued in subsequent films.

Even the producers realised the films had become too CGI-heavy, neglecting plot for spectacle, and with the success of the first two Bourne films it became apparent that post 9/11 cinema-goers were ready for a more down to earth hero. The decision was made to take Bond back to his roots.

But its greatest strength was in its casting - not just Craig, who delivered the dialogue with a sharp wit and suaveness not seen since Connery - but also Eva Green as fellow agent Vesper Lynd, herself strong, sophisticated and very much an equal to Bond, unlike previously more empty-headed Bond girls.

After much deliberation and outcry from fans, the blonde-haired, rough-faced Daniel Craig debuted as the sixth Bond in 2006’s Casino Royal. It was helmed by veteran Bond director Martin Campbell, who previously reinvigorated the franchise eleven years earlier with Goldeneye. The gamble to reboot the franchise proved worthwhile when the film became the highest-grossing in the series and achieved almost unanimous critical acclaim.

The plot of an unscrupulous banker fixing the stock market in order to finance world terrorist organisations proved highly relevant. Successfully managing to find the balance between wellchoreographed action sequences and engaging espionage, the screenplay took the greatest 52

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Craig reprised his role in 2008’s Quantum of Solace but falling victim to the writers’ strike, Craig describes how he and director Marc Forster were forced to write several scenes themselves. Solace continues directly where its predecessor left off, but without a polished screenplay the story felt lacklustre and at times confusing.

Seemingly trying to emulate the handheld shooting style of The Bourne Ultimatum, the action scenes were too frantic and failed to capture the same adrenaline and excitement. Its biggest triumph is the teasing of an enigmatic organisation, which appears to have infiltrated intelligence agencies

and governments across the globe yet manages WR VWD\ XQGHU WKH UDGDU DQ LQWULJXLQJ FRQFHSW WKDW will hopefully be developed in the new instalment, Skyfall.

Skyfall marks the 23rd film in the Bond franchise and the stakes couldn’t be higher. A highly impressive creative team lies behind it, boasting talent such as Academy Award-winning director Sam Mendes (Americian Beauty), as well as frequent collaborators in composer Thomas Newman and cinematographer Roger Deakins.

The cast could hardly be stronger, featuring Bond newcomers Javier Bardem, Ralph Fiennes, Albert Finney as well as returning stars Craig and Judi Dench as M. Undoubtedly one of the best crews behind a Bond film to date and with Deakins’ unique visual eye, this looks like a return to form.

For Mendes, who has only dabbled with larger budgets, pulling off a great action spectacle while maintaining the small character moments was always going to be a challenge. But by achieving this, the film could potentially elevate the series and surpass the high bar set by Casino Royal.

Sam Todd

THE RISE OF THE SILENT SPY

acted, its portrayal of a complex world where one direction, into the murk of 1970s espionage as could never reveal one’s true motivations out of fear much as in explosive noughties thrills and allowing is brilliantly observed. real people’s vulnerabilities to surface, as well as the dilemmas they face. Could this mean that the future This is echoed by this year’s Shadow Dancer, of the spy genre lies in silence and subtlety rather where an IRA agent is tracked down by MI5 and than in crash-bang-wallop? asked to become an informant, or risk losing her son. This slow-burning drama, with emotions Only time will tell, but for now the silent spy is settling constantly simmering underneath the surface, is a in nicely next to the super humans, capable of thrill to watch. accomplishing acts just as significant as those of any Bond or Bourne. A great balance of emotion It seems that we are going backwards as much as and action is currently being struck, and long may forwards in order to find inspiration for the genre’s it continue.

Alex Nicholson

You might think that a spy film needs action, explosions and cheeky banter.

But silence is golden and it has proven to be just as much a part of the genre as our more entrenched expectations of the espionage flick. The silent spy is on the rise.

This is perhaps most evident in the 2011 adaptation of TIinker Tailor Soldier Spy, where a former MI6 agent is tasked with finding a traitor within his own ranks. Facial expressions speak volumes and the emphasis is as much on the characters’ humanity as it is on them being spies, with their own anxieties constantly being put aside as they hunt for the traitor amongst their colleagues (and friends). In a time of stretched loyalties, it is repressed emotions and words unspoken that reign supreme.

The 2006 German film The LIves of Others is very similar in that it features an unlikely hero (a Stasi agent) being pushed to do incredibly difficult things in 1980s East Germany, back when one’s every move was monitored by the Secret Police. Very strongly

FINDING THE LUDICROUS When Daniel Craig was announced as the new 007 in 2005 it was clear that the Bond series was returning to its roots, with darker plots and more serious characters. And whilst Craig’s films are superb, there is still something to be said for the older incarnations of the character. with metal claws for hands and a make-up covered Voodoo priest that wore a top hat. Go figure.

The 007 films of the past were campy, eccentric and EL]DUUH , IRU RQH ORYHG WKHP <RX FRXOG QHYHU EH Q branch also seems to have been â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;nerfedâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; slightly. sure what you were getting - where the films would No longer do Bondâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s cars have amphibious be set, who Bond would be fighting and, most capabilities. His watch no longer shoots lasers and his pen doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t explode. In fact the only â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;gadgetâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; importantly, what his gadgets would be. present in Bondâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Aston Martin in Casino Royal The perfect example of this is the change in Bondâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s was a defibrillator, and how is that meant to help him adversaries. In Casino Royal, 007 is intent on outrun a North Korean battle hovercraft? tracking down an accountant for war criminals. In Live and Let Die, however, Bond fought both a man Of course, James Bond isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t the only example ZZZ LPSDFWQRWWLQJKDP FRP Ă&#x20AC;OP DQG WHOHYLVLRQ

of the loss of the ludicrous. Crime films in general VHHP WR KDYH EHFRPH RYHUO\ VHULRXV RI ODWH WKHUH is no more Inspector Clouseau stumbling through crime scenes destroying everything in his path and it has been years since we last heard Austin Powers deliver his trademarked innuendo.

So when youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re sat in the cinema watching Bondâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s latest escapades, spare a thought for jetpacks, the hovercraft gondola and, of course, Sean Conneryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s terrible Japanese disguise.

Frank Green IMPACT 219

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FILM & TV

STAFF SCRAPBOOK RETURNING TV SHOWS THE WALKING DEAD (Season 3) After a satisfying second season, one of the biggest cult TV shows in America is back for a third. Having just had a pretty bad week, even by the standards of a post-apocalyptic zombie world, Rick Grimes is finding himself in a frustrating situation. Add in a horde of zombies ruining his countryside getaway and a wild goose chase leaving group morale at an absolute zero, there is only so much one sheriff can take before the nice guyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Stetson comes off. The Walking Dead has always known how to make you come back for dessert, and if Andreaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s last scene isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t enough to make you grab your spoon then nothing will.

With new, intense characters such as the Governor and Michonne, and a new abode that seems like a very dodgy idea, this season looks set to top the previous one. The Walking Dead has a significant advantage of being based on a comic book with a solid storyline already created, all energy is put into FX and production, and the finished article is undoubtedly one of the best thrillers currently out there.

Jack Vincent

THE BIG BANG THEORY (Season 6) Intellectual, loveable, geeky scientists - whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not to love about The Big Bang Theory? I, along with milOLRQV IHOO LQ ORYH ZLWK LWV VRFLDOO\ DZNZDUG FKDUDFWHUV WKH PDLQ DWWUDFWLRQ RI FRXUVH EHLQJ WKH LQIDPRXV Sheldon Cooper, with all of his quirks. I hope for great things from the sixth season, especially since the fifth was somewhat of a let-down. With the inclusion of two new major characters the group dynamic was altered, undercut by relationship issues and slightly formulaic humour. Nevertheless, I will certainly be watching the newest this autumn to see how Howard survives his escapade in space and to see if Raj will finally get his dream girl. Plus, after guest appearances from the likes of Stan Lee and Stephen Hawking, one wonders who else will climb aboard the Big Bang ship. Letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s hope that the writers have returned to the basis of the show, including more classic Sheldon-Leonard-Penny banter in the apartment, and the four musketeers getting their geek on together. The Big Bang Theory may not be perfect but I think itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s genius. Ahem.

Sangeeta Jheinga

DOWNTON ABBEY (Season 3) Julian Fellowes struck gold with period drama Downton Abbey. It has received critical acclaim and swept prestigious television awards, becoming a hit with audiences worldwide, making it British televisionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most successful export to the US in recent years. Over the course of the first two seasons, several parallel story lines saw the wealthy Crawley household make its way from 1912 to the end of the First World War. Having survived several crises along the way, the Crawleys now find themselves awaiting the roaring 20â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s. The acting has always been top-notch, particularly the indomitable Dame Maggie Smith who has the best lines bar none. The addition this year of Shirley MacLaine should make for some brilliant exchanges between the two. The remaining cast members are perfect for their roles, but some storylines in the second season relied on convenient coincidences for resolution. Hopefully, Fellowes will return to his brilliant form from season one. In any case, Downton is an absolute joy to watch, and I know I am not the only one who waits for Sundays with bated breath.

Ibtisam Ahmed

PARKS & RECREATION (Season 5) Parks & Recreation is already in its fifth season in just three and a half years. The sitcom which shares the writers of The Office (US version) has become a firm fixture on NBCâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Thursday evening of comedy.

The show, fronted by Amy Poehler, tells the story of Leslie Knope, a small town government official in the Parks and Recreation department of Pawnee, Indiana. Eternally optimistic and tenacious, Knope is aided in her political efforts by pragmatic but naĂŻve nurse Ann Perkins (Rashida Jones), the endlessly apathetic Tom Haverford (Aziz Ansari), lovable nerd Ben Wyatt (Adam Scott), literally the most hilarious hypochondriac on TV Chris Traeger (Rob Lowe) and absurdly Libertarian boss Ron Swanson (Nick Offerman). The eclectic cast develop well across the series as their eccentricities and nuances are explored. Season five opened with a somewhat surreal series of cameos in the form of California Senator Barbara Boxer, Maine Senator Olympia J. Snowe and Arizona Senator John McCain (yes, that one).

Things, it would seem, can only look up for this cultish comedy series.

Ben James 54 52

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IMPACT INTERVIEWS:

CHRIS COOKE Looking for something to do this Halloween besides trick-or-treating? Bored of repeatedly watching Saw sequels on Film4? Well look no further. Mayhem, Nottingham’s local horror festival, is back from October 31st with one of the best line-ups it has ever seen.

Hosted by Broadway Cinema, Mayhem was RULJLQDOO\ D VKRZFDVH IRU KRUURU VKRUWV D ZD\ LQ which up-and-coming directors could exhibit their work to an audience that really appreciated them.

“We wanted something that would recreate that atmosphere you get from a horror all-nighter,” explains Chris Cooke, one of the directors of the festival, “but we wanted to properly celebrate the genre and invite guest film-makers and writers to VSHDN EHFDXVH ZH KDG DQ LQWHUHVW LQ WKDW WRR ZH wanted our approach to be more interactive.”

This year Mayhem has managed to gather an impressive number of guest speakers. Ben Wheatley, along with co-writer and star Steve Oram, will be talking about SIightseeres, Wheatley’s followup to the brilliant Kill List On the same night we’ll be treated to a Q&A session with Irish director Jon Wright after a screening of his new horror comedy Grabbers, in which aliens attack and the only way to survive is to get very, very drunk.

To begin the festival in style on Halloween itself, ZZZ LPSDFWQRWWLQJKDP FRP ÀOP DQG WHOHYLVLRQ

Broadway’s Cinebar will be hosting a free ‘live horror stories reading’, featuring The Nottingham Writer’s Studio, novelist Niki Valentine and TV archive classics of Christopher Lee, Tom Baker and Robert Powell reading a selection of ghost stories by M. R. James. Other highlights include BBC director Joe Aherne coming in to talk about his new series The secrets of Crickley Hall and also a special screening of ghostly chiller The Casebook of Eddie Brewer, with talks from the director, producer and lead actor.

On top of that, the festival has a wide selection of international horror: Dead Sushi (a Japanese film in which sushi can rip your face apart), Rabies (Israel’s first horror film) and Manic (a French film that stars Elijah Wood as a serial killer).

One of the more unusual events to look out for is An Experiment in Fear, which will take place on the Friday night. “We don’t want to give too much away,” Chris teases, “but not everyone can take part in it. You tick a box on the download application and you’ll be selected by a group of people. They’ll take you down to Broadway studio and you’ll be subjected to a brief experiment. That’s all I can say.”

Horror is an extremely rich and diverse genre, so whatever your interest in it - whether you like the screaming, gore-drenched thrillers or the subtler, more unnerving films - hopefully Mayhem has something for you to enjoy. And besides, “it’s Halloween. Everyone is entitled to one good scare.”

Head to www.impactnottingham.com for the full “We always want audiences to come along, get interview with Chris Cooke... involved and sit back and watch great films,” Chris continues. “These are all preview films. They’re Felix Taylor not out until 2013 or the end of the year, so we want to give people the best in brand new KRUURU ILOPV DQG LQ VKRUW ILOPV the shorts are very important to us and we love that.” Although, it’s not just new films that’ll be VKRZLQJ DW WKH IHVWLYDO WKH OLQH up also includes several genre classics to enjoy. The Shining, Kubrick’s masterpiece, will be screened in its uncut entirety RYHU WZR KRXUV ORQJ DQG DV a tribute to director Ken Russell who sadly died last year, Altered States, one of his best genre pieces, will be presented by local cult collective Kino Klubb.

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MUSIC

IMPACT INTRODUCES

DOG IS DEAD

The Nottingham music scene is really going through quite the purple patch right now. Described by a Guardian article as one of the most interesting music scenes in the UK at the moment, Nottingham has a lot to be excited about for its musical talent.

Dog is Dead are one of the most exciting bands from the Nottingham music scene and have always been very proud of their West Bridgford upbringing.

In the build up to the release of their debut album All Our Favourite Stories, which is reviewed opposite, Impact was lucky enough to chat to lead singer Robert Milton about life in Dog is Dead.

We open our chat by talking about the band's upcoming debut album. At the time Rob admits to being "pretty scared but proud of the album" and full of confidence that everyone was going to

“Every single song on the album represents to us a different part of our growing up” 56

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enjoy it. He suggests that the album "seems like quite a bipolar album" due to it being a result of the inevitable highs and lows that come with being a band growing up together.

When I press Rob on this in greater detail, he puts forward that "every single song on the album represents to us a different part of our growing up and in that sense it has the universal idea of love and loss". This album really feels like a rite of passage for the whole band and it is therefore clear to see the emotional attachment that goes with this record for the band.

whole thing. "We didn’t really ever feel any pressure [from the media] and we made sure we signed for a label that shared our vision for the band. What we’re doing with the album is the same as the last 5 years, just on a bigger scale".

We then move the discussion onto upcoming live dates and the band's plans for the future. Rob is very excited about the album launch party at the historic Boat Club in West Bridgford: he seems to see this as the ideal springboard for the album and "a special gig for Nottingham".

I follow this up by making the obscene suggestion that the band might fancy putting their feet up after the hard work of their debut album, but Rob jokes "if we just had a few days off we’d probably already have written the 3rd and 4th records". Dog is Dead seem to absolutely love touring the country and have also recently announced a homecoming show at Rock City for March, which could prove to I ask the band about potential pressure from both be a joyous return for some of Nottingham's most WKH PHGLD DQG $WODQWLF UHFRUGV WKH PHGLD KDYH exciting talents. built Dog is Dead's debut release up a lot and Liam Coleman Atlantic records see it as one of their most important releases. Rob, however, is pretty relaxed about the In terms of the sound of the album, Rob has a very basic philosophy. "The only real influence on our sound seems to be music in general,” he explains, “We obviously listen to a lot of music so take in a sound from there but we could never name any particular influences".

Album Review: Dog is Dead All Our Favourite Stories Saddled with the mantle of being the first indie band to successfully emerge from Nottingham since, well, ever, you’d expect Dog Is Dead to be brimming with positivity on their debut record. Apparently not.

“I’ve got misery on my mind” laments frontman Rob Milton as ‘Get Low’, the opening track, cranks slowly into life. Cheer up lads! It can’t be that bad to be leading the region’s music scene and gain increasing kudos from respectable figures in the music industry, can it?

soaring vocal harmonies and Milton solemnly declaring “if we don’t stop now we’ll be dead by summer”. ‘Hands Down’ follows, essentially utilising the quiet build-up/euphoric-sounding chorus formula that dominates the record, albeit in this case shifted up a gear.

These aren’t overbearingly repetitive songwriting methods as such but there is a distinctly tidy and safe feel about many of the songs on the record. It could be argued, albeit cynically, that this polished approach aims to pander to the bigwigs in charge of the Radio 1 daytime playlists, who have given bands like Bombay Bicycle Club and Mystery Jets (whose influence is clearly etched onto All Our Favourite Stories) the opportunity to showcase their unassuming output to a wider audience.

To give Dog Is Dead credit where it’s due, however, they embody a youthful exuberance in their songwriting that is oft-forgotten by similar acts overladen with seriousness about their craft. They don’t appear to have moved far beyond their roots as suburban teenagers who started a band purely for enjoyment: an ethos epitomised by the infectious and collective refrain of ‘Glockenspiel Song’ that is a fitting ode to the eye-opening period of being a selfcritiquing teenager at odds with the real world (“we are a mess, we are failures, but we love it”).

The question is, however: do Dog Is Dead bring anything new to the plate with All Our Favourite Stories? There are radio-friendly choruses in abundance (‘Teenage Daughter’ and ‘Talk Through The Night’), with our sing-a-long-ometer going off approximately 5.7 times per song. They have a pop at Arcade Fire territory on ‘Two Devils’, which boasts

This record won’t exceed expectations, arriving instead at what the band and their fan base desire: a fairly solid collection of tracks that appropriately sums up the pleasant appeal of Dog Is Dead, providing a platform of sorts for them to go onwards and upwards.

Sam Moore

Live Review:

contingent of their fans at the gig and they were certainly very prominent throughout.

Dog is Dead album Launch Show, Nottingham Boat Club

The show followed a very simple structure: the debut album played in its entirety. This did not mean that the show stank of predictability though. The gig eased the audience in with the slow building ‘Get Low’. However by ‘Teenage Daughter’, the raucous third track of the album, Dog is Dead threatened to bring the Boat Club to its knees, with almost the entire venue being dragged into a large scale mosh pit.

West Bridgford’s finest debut album might be making waves but one of the most important questions for any band hoping to make it in the current music industry is can they cut the mustard live?

This continued for much of the gig. It was clear that they were loving the reaction of the home crowd and they seemed to thrive on the adoration of their fans. This gig was meant to be the springboard for the album and it certainly served as that. If the The album launch show was held at the historic crowds elsewhere in the country give Dog is Dead Nottingham Boat Club, where the likes of Genesis the same enthusiastic reaction that they received and U2 have played. Launches are often laden in West Bridgford then these young lads from ZLWK LQGXVWU\ ILJXUHV DQG YHU\ IHZ UHDO IDQV 'RJ LV Nottingham could go a long way.

Dead, however, insured that there was still a large Liam Coleman

www.impactnottingham.com/music

IMPACT 219

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FROM BUTTONS TO BEATS British comedian Marcus Brigstock once quipped, ´,I 3DF 0DQ KDG DIIHFWHG XV DV NLGV ZHҋG DOO EH running around in dark rooms, munching pills and listening to repetitive electronic music.” As insightful as Brigstock was, I doubt anyone would have imagined that the most recent iteration of the series, Pacman Championship Edition DX, would have contained such a dance floor ready soundtrack of soulful tech-house remixes as it did.

The hedonistic world of clubbing and the geeky world of video games may seem at first glance to be two diametrically opposed sources of entertainment, but video games and club culture have always had a close relationship with one another. There are a substantial number of games that use electronic dance music as an integral part of their mechanics.

7KLV UHODWLRQVKLS ZRUNV WZR ZD\V WKRXJK ELJ '-V from all the spectrums of electronic music reference and sample video games within their music.

Club culture and dance music had firmly entered the mainstream by the mid-90s, at around the same time that the launch of the original Sony PlayStation marked a new era for console video games in the west. Games such as Wipeout combined fast-paced futuristic racing with popular ‘ravey’ electronica artists of the time. Partiers would hike back to post-club after-parties and carry on the experience with the neon lights and repetitive rhythms of Wipeout.

This was the first time that dance music had been recognised directly by the games industry.

A soundtrack was even released with other electronica acts that weren’t actually featured in the game to drum up support. Replaying the earlier games while being familiar with dance music’s many

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IMPACT 219

overwhelming micro-genres provides not only an accurate retelling of video game history but a timeline of the progression of dance music as well as culture.

For relatively modern games such as Wipeout, the inclusion of electronic music was a design choice, which gave those games a certain futurist character. Yet in gaming’s infancy electronic music was anecessary inclusion if the designers wanted to incorporate sound at all because of the limits of the hardware. The bleeps we now affectionately refer to as chiptune music are now considered staples of the 8 and 16 bit consoles.

Limitation often forces innovation and this fortunate historical connection between early games relying upon crude electronic chips to produce music and the rise of popular musicians taking advantage of similar (yet substantially more advanced equipment) cemented the worlds together. I believe however though that the link between these two cultures is stronger than thematic similarities and the coincidence of the two cultures maturing together as siblings.

These games are perfect examples of the intimate relationship between cultures because the designers recognised the link between retro games and their use of electronic music, and produced the games in an era when the inclusion of that music wasn’t a necessity.

Unfortunately though, the most obvious example of these two worlds colliding failed to live up to expectations. DJ Hero by Harmonix didn’t succeed in my opinion to capture the joyous experience of DJing by

restricting the amount of musical freedom the player has. Ironically, Harmonix’s earlier more abstract attempts Frequency and Amplitude, which don’t rely on peripherals, create a much more engaging experience by allowing players to remix songs and have an enjoyable amount of control in which elements of music they want to bring into play.

The games that successfully merge the two cultures together are in my opinion those that do not try and imitate the process of performing electronic music but those that glorify the abstract nature of combining button presses to translate into electronic beats.

This niche of dance music focused games and the huge libraries of game inspired songs may not appeal to all gamers. The games require a real insight from developers to intimately understand the ins and outs of electronic music and regrettably many of these games have underperformed.

The future isn’t entirely bleak though, as with the rise of indie and downloadable titles there will hopefully be many more of these unique artistically rich games that will excite those of us who can’t stop dancing with controllers in our hands.

William Warren

WHO'S AFRAID OF THE UNIVERSAL-EMI MERGER?

The financial crisis has been the subject of grudges and grumbles for the past four years now, but not everyone has done so badly from it. After all, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the reason that Universal Music Group is able to continue crunching its way to global music domination, and the latest target is iconic British label EMI. A victim of the crash, EMI has been passing hands since its financial difficulties were laid bare back in 2007. On the 28th September of this year, Universal Music Group officially announced its successful acquisition of fellow â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;big fourâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; music company EMI Recorded Music.

Whilst Universalâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s proposed takeover has not gone unchallenged, its recent approval by the European Commission has sent a shudder throughout the music industry.

The industry giant will now be able to boast an estimated 38% share in the global music market, just 2% shy of the threshold beyond which the commissioners would deem dangerous for FRPSHWLWLRQ 7KLV KDV FRPH DW D SULFH WKH Â&#x2026; billion purchase was made with the stipulation that parts of the corporation be broken up and sold off in the hope of preventing Universalâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s monopolisation of the market.

It may come as no surprise that artists signed with these labels might be unhappy to be traded DURXQG OLNH 3RNpPRQ FDUGV WKHLU WDOHQW ILOOLQJ WKH pockets of an ever more remote organisation. www.impactnottingham.com/music

Universal now benefits from the lucrative ownership of The Beatles back catalogue, as well as the contracts for the likes of the legendary Rolling Stones and U2 to top grossing international artists such as Rihanna and Jay-Z.

of the underground music scene. Promoted online via YouTube and shared through P2P networking, fledgling acts riding the crest can catapult to success almost instantly. Tired of the same sounds and always searching for fresh talent, popular demand for new artists is often combined with an allergy to anything considered too â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;commercialâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;. Recent years have brought us the likes of Adele and The XX, both acts achieving international acclaim on independent label XL, part of The Beggars Group, a collection of independent record labels attempting to combat the autonomy of the major labels.

Whilst these transactions may seem a little immaterial to the average consumer, they signify a big shift occurring within our generation for which we only have ourselves to blame and which we will ultimately suffer from. The economic crisis isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t the only thing weakening the industry in general: itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s an ugly truth that most students donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t bother to pay for music anymore. Why would we, when we are on However, whilst these Internet and independent a budget and itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s easily obtainable for free via the outlets may have diversified the industry, their effect on record sales endangers the benefits we wonderful World Wide Web? reap from them. Free downloading runs the risk of Failing to pay for music has reduced the influence fuelling a kind of disposable culture whereby music, of individual artists and labels, now increasingly obtained all too cheaply, can easily be discarded. bunched together under the umbrellas of large multiThe majority of music that is purchased nowadays national corporations. In doing so they can pool their is acquired via iTunes, with whom Universal now resources and gain strength as a group. Whilst this enjoys an incredible amount of influence as it claims may be advantageous in rescuing the sinking ships such a large share in the industry.

RI VRPH YDOXHG DQG UHVSHFWHG HVWDEOLVKPHQWV it results in the decreased ability of those left In order to avoid seeing the same people deciding swimming outside to bid for the benefits of fresh what music merits investment, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s time to start new talent, promotional facilities and distribution investing ourselves and paying for the music we networks. Music in general is becoming more and download. Supporting the labels you love and more commercialised as these associations tighten purchasing from their own websites can help ensure their survival without the need to sell out to up and close in. the big bad bosses.

The outcome of this is not wholly negative. Wider Bella Mackenzie developments have made waves in the flourishing IMPACT 219

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WEEK ONE FINALE

AN INSIDERâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S PERSPECTIVE Over the last week, Impact has been in contact with an unnamed member of the Week One Exec. To protect the identity of the informant, they shall hereby be referred to as Jim. Jimâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s tale is a savage journey to the heart of Freshersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Week. What follows is an account of his experiences within the inner circle of the Week One Finale.

J

im surveyed the empty arena, soon to be filled with a thronging mass of thirsty first years. The responsibility of capping Week One with a bang weighed heavy on his mind. First there had been Woodstock, then there was Live $LG DQG QRZ KHUH KH ZDV D ORW ZDV ULGLQJ RQ WKLV night for Jim. It was the place where dreams were made or crushed. Jim felt he was one of a select few who could tame the beast that was the Week One Finale. Sleepless nights, endless phone calls, FRXQWOHVV HPDLOV DQG PHHWLQJV IRU -LP WKLV ZDV make or break.

before Zane Lowe was due on stage, the prodigal son was nowhere to be seen. He lit a cigarette and inhaled sharply, looking to the stars as he puffed.

A quick glance at his watch told him that time was VKRUW LI WKH '- PDHVWUR GLGQŇ&#x2039;W DUULYH VRRQ WKHUHŇ&#x2039;G be hell to pay. Just as Jim was beginning to panic, he saw two lights shining through the fog. Emerging from the dark night, the â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Lowe-riderâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; pulled up alongside him. Zane stepped out, took one look at Jimâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s awe-struck expression and moved past him ZLWKRXW VR PXFK DV D KDQGVKDNH QR RQH WRXFKHV Zane Lowe.

Sipping his coffee, he pondered the pool of musical talent he had assembled: Zane Lowe, Ms Dynamite and Wretch 32, a line-up to leave the Glastonbury organisers spitting feathers. Blood, sweat and tears had gone into this night, and now he was about to relinquish control, hand the evening over to the music Gods. He hoped everything would go well, but then again, with Ms. Dynamite on the bill, who needs hope?

Jim caught up with Zane, who had proceeded straight to the buffet backstage. Jim had put a lot of work into the buffet â&#x20AC;&#x201C; it had after all made up a quarter of the budget. Caviar, quailâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s eggs, olives arranged in the shape of Ms. Dynamiteâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s face (ironically more expensive than the artist herself), Jim had really gone to town on the catering. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Where are the party rings?!â&#x20AC;? exclaimed Zane, smashing through the meticulously arranged platter. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I specifically requested party rings!â&#x20AC;?

Time was ticking for Jim. With just a few minutes 60

IMPACT 219

Momentarily suppressing the cutting despair of the buffetâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s destruction, Jim put a consoling hand on Zaneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s shoulder and ushered him through to make-up, where his neatly-procured goatee was air-brushed and his hip-hop cap tilted to the perfect degree. Through the stage door, Jim could hear the IUHVKHUV ED\LQJ IRU D '- =DQH KDG WR JR RQ â&#x20AC;&#x153;Are you ready Notting-ham? Zane Lowe is on board!â&#x20AC;? yelled the maverick disc-spinner as a fanfare of flashing lights marked his entrance. Jim watched on, his nails already bitten down to the flesh.

Minutes later, Jim found himself running hell-forleather through murky corridors to dressing room number two, more than a hint of perspiration appearing on his brow. Zane Lowe had gone down like a hot spanner. What had happened? This was the new John Peel, the saviour of Radio 1. Instead of a thrill-a-minute set, the crowd had been dealt a heavy slice of grubby dubstep and sloppy mash-ups, and Zaneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s tame attempt at banter had come over like a lonely hobo screaming at traffic. The fate of the evening now rested on an artist who had come to define a generation. Jim should have known Zaneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s club hits wouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t wash with the Freshers â&#x20AC;&#x201C; what they really wanted was a touch of the avant-garde, an artist who can only be described in legendary terms. An artist with longevity, with flavour, with sex appeal.

J

im burst through the dressing room door to find Ms. Dynamite in the lotus flower position.

It had slipped his mind that the R&B diva often engaged in a three-hour ‘meditation’ ritual before each performance. Somewhat taken aback, Jim spluttered an apology but insisted she had to go on right away. With Ms. D grumbling something about “breaking the spell” under her breath, Jim helped her throw on her trademark denim hot pants and hoisted her onto his shoulders for a lift, knocking over cups of coffee and the remains of the buffet in the process.

minutes, he couldn’t put his finger on why. Her urban stylings had peaked with the set’s opening track, the nostalgio-hit ‘Dy-na-mi-te-ee’, but had quickly GHVFHQGHG LQWR 5 % FOLFKpV DQG DQ LOO DGYLVHG IRUD\ into grime. The night had gone from bad to worse IRU -LP WKHUH ZDV QRZ RQO\ RQH PDQ ZKR FRXOG WXUQ things around.

Wretch 32: grime royalty, master sampler and urban icon. Where all those around him had failed miserably, surely this giant of the genre would succeed. A party-starter of the highest order, Jim had no doubt that Wretch would blow the roof. He had always been intimidated by hip-hop acts, the posses, the champagne, the models. You could never rush a rapper, but Jim was going to have to try.

As he timidly knocked on dressing room door three, Jim went over in his mind the gratuitous hedonism he was bound to discover.

As Ms. Dynamite sauntered onto stage moments later giving no hint of the bedlam that had come before, Jim took a moment to reflect on the calibre of artist he was watching. This was a woman who had compromised her meditative preliminaries and dealt with the frantic backstage panic like a true professional, a true artist. Nothing could ruin the Inside however, Jim found not a party but the sight evening for him now. of Wretch sobbing into a box of Kleenex over the Yet somehow, something did. It had taken more end credits to ‘Titanic’. Wretch turned to Jim and than five years of touring and promotion for her whispered simply, “Why did she let go?” before Mercury Prize-winning album to make a splash, but collapsing into a second fit of blubbery. As if things in less than half an hour tonight, Ms. Dynamite was couldn’t get any worse for Jim, he was now cradling drowning in the waters of mediocrity. Jim knew the his headline act in an uncomfortable embrace performance had sucked, but clocking in at just 26 as tears continued to stream down the rapper’s

cheeks. In a moment of dawning realisation, Jim VDZ WKDW KH ZDV WKH RQH LQ FKDUJH KH ZDV WKH RQH running the show, not these self-important hicks.

Grabbing Wretch by the scruff of the neck, he gave him three sharp cracks across the face, shoved a mic into his hand and hurled him on stage.

3am. Jim sat on the end of the stage, his legs dangling limply over the edge. All that remained were the empty glasses and broken dreams of a long night. Wretch’s erratic set had capped a GLVDVWURXV HYHQLQJ IRU -LP KLV EODQG JULPH SRS had been spineless and pedestrian, his on-stage demeanour flat and lifeless and his selection of samples merely demonstrating an appreciation for artists more creative than himself.

Jim thumped his fist against the hard, cold stage floor and turned to leave. The janitor stopped him before he reached the door. “You’re leaving Jim? But what will we do, where will we have next year’s Freshers Finale?” Jim looked him up and down and said, “Frankly my dear, I don’t give a damn”.

Disclaimer: The authors would like to make it known that they were determined with this article not to let the facts get in the way of the truth.

Jack Dixon & Ben James Images by Charlotte Albert & Callum Mclarty

All by Sam Wordsworth

www.impactnottingham.com/music

IMPACT 219

61

LAST WORDS

FROM THE EDITORS’ DESK ONE DOES NATION ANYBODY DEMOCRACY HERE FEEL LIKE AN ADULT?

Two articles that recently appeared in Impact set me to thinking about the wider implications of things and how it is often easy (perhaps necessary?) to ignore the big picture for the sake of the argument.

The first, Chloe Wenman’s ‘A Divided Summer’, looked into corporate organisations jumping on the bandwagon of national patriotism and made some excellent, considered points. I completely agree that the corporate aspect of the Olympics was particularly unsavoury, no matter how necessary the funding was, but I don’t think that reflects the broader picture of how patriotism and nationalism are currently being used across the board for selfish gains, be they monetary or political.

When a country is in crisis, nationalism and the concept of ‘Britishness’ tends to find favour in the public psyche. Politicians inevitably seize on this as ‘popular’ territory and are determined to exploit it for their own ends, hence Ed Millaband’s ‘One Nation politics’ pledge and the Tories’ refrain, “We’re all in this together”.

The corporate aspect wasn’t pleasant and yet the mindless nationalism on display – the blatant, childish one-upmanship and increased insularity of thought – was worse. The idea that we can drag ourselves out of this economic mess by using some stern British fortitude is the political equivalent of pulling the covers over your head after a heavy night in Bodega and pretending that your course doesn’t exist.

This huge push for ‘Britishness’ is the hallmark of a set of politicians under pressure. Recession is back. More austerity is on the way. Coalition is faltering. The opposition still lacks a clear manifesto.

This brings me on to a piece on Democracy 2015 by Dylan Williams. I agree with Williams that it is an interesting political development, just not that “it can only cause fearful politicians to sit up, take notice, and re-engage with a disenfranchised public.”

This is unlikely to be true. Politicians across the spectrum will cling to patriotism, old political thought and count on voter tribalism to get them back into power.

Unfortunately, that strategy is likely to work out perfectly for them.

There are times in every student’s life when you suspect that you might have turned into a grown-up. These moments range from the trivial (such as getting excited about buying oven cleaner) to the academic (attempting to understand Derrida) to the more significant (signing the contract for a whole house). Yet none of this can compare to getting married.

If you turn to page 14 you can read interviews with students doing just that.

We’re a magazine that’s more used to reporting on student protests and life in Lenton, so this is a very different kind of lead story for Impact DQG LWҋV not just heart-warming, it’s also fascinating. For an age group that still gets excited when a friend goes ‘Facebook official’, the idea of teens and young 20-somethings doing something quite so grown-up as getting engaged is actually a bit frightening.

We’re all legally classified as adults, but I don’t think many of us feel fully comfortable with that title yet. I did a straw poll in the Impact office by shouting “Does anybody here feel like an adult?”. The response was overwhelmingly either “No” or “Not even close”.

Unfortunately, there’s no denying that people grow up quickly at Uni. We can’t afford to be left behind. As final years, my fellow coursemates and I are going to spend the next few months attempting to get good degrees whilst vying for jobs in a horrendously competitive market. As one of our editors put it: “Fun is for freshers and adults - and we’re somewhere in between.”

You can find ‘A Divided Nation’ by Chloe Wenman in issue 217, while Dylan Thomas’ ‘Democracy 2015 - People Politics or Party Politics?’ can be found on impactnottingham.com

I think that ‘somewhere in between’ is the best way to describe Uni. Your first few months here are likely to be a crash course in independence coupled with some very juvenile antics - and I don’t think this mix of levels of maturity will change until we’re all uniformly wearing our graduation gowns.

University is both a strange and wonderful place to make the transition from your teen years to the rest of your life. But in terms of adulthood, we’re all in limbo.

Ben McCabe

Fiona Crosby

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IMPACT 219

HEARD IN HALLWARD

OVERHEARING YOUR EVERY WORD AT ‘HEARD IN HALLWARD’ ON FACEBOOK!

I like men that look like young boys.

My mum is always drunk and like, begging me for weed!

=EL - NYWX HSR·X YRHIVWXERH [L] XLI] HSR·X HS &EWMGW IPHIVÀS[IV GSVHMEP

I’m going to get get a Wispa Gold and calm down.

I’m not trying to say I’m a BNOC, but, like, I know everyone.

My girlfriend is holding a party where you have to dress up as something beginning with the letter P, I’m thinking of going as Jimmy Saville.

They wouldn’t let us into Ocean... I mean, my mate had only technically pissed himself.

1: They look just like horses! 2: Have you never seen geese before?

Two of the girls from my halls went to A+E for Freshers’ Flu...

1. So has anyone in your corridor had sex in Crisis yet? 2. No but apparently the girl that lives next door got ¿RKIVIH XLIVI

+IX QI 2MGO +VMJ¿R·W RYQFIV

[Boy advising his friend to not get too cocky about landing a job interview] You’ve got the bitch’s panties off but you haven’t fucked her yet.

I found him attacking the washing machine with a metal rod.

[Overheard at the urinals] Boy 1: I really don’t like my penis, it’s tiny. Boy 2: What are you on about? You have a lovely penis; it’s much bigger than mine!

1: Gosh, I can’t get used to getting the bus everyday! 2: Yah, it’s basically like commuting.

I heard there’s a tunnel between Trent and Portland - but no one knows about it!

Isn’t Alex Salmond just Jools Holland’s evil twin?

My ex-boyfriend was hung like a Pringles can.

Don’t question it, just enjoy it.

Machiavelli might have been a dick but he was also a massive lad.

Steven Seagal should be the next Bond.

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Fiona Crosby, Ben McCabe

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CONTACT Impact Magazine C40 Portland Building University Park University of Nottingham Nottingham, NG7 2RD Tel: 0115 8468716 magazine@impactnottingham.com

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chief@impactnottingham.com

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editor@impactnottingham.com

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CONTRIBUTORS

Hannah Murray, Rob Moher, Kimberlee Tidswell, Rebecca Meeson-Frizelle, Suzi Collins, Stephen Gilmore, Paul Farrant, David Lang, Andrew Cotterill, Ben Munson, Yannick Mitchell, Shaun Gibbs, Will Hazell, Kamiah Overaa, Uncle Sam, Ben Macpherson, Abby Robinson, Isabel Davies, Claire Belilos, Karrish Devan, Faiza Peeran, Sedef Akademir, Hannah Pupkewitz, Eve Wersocki Morris, Joel Davie, Jenna Hutber, Sam Todd, Alex Nicholson, Frank Green, Felix Taylor, Jack Vincent, Sangeeta Jheinga, Ibtisam Ahmed, Sam Moore, William Warren, Bella Mackenzie, Jack Dixon.

APOLOGIES

managingeditor@impactnottingham.com website@impactnottingham.com features@impactnottingham.com

To Ryan Brodie, whose article ‘Would You Pay for Facebook’ was misedited in the last issue.

images@impactnottingham.com Web Editor

Thomas Mackay

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IMPACT 219

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