Verve Magazine Winter Edition

WINTER 2019/20

tips top r u o : s s e cc Exam su e love artists w the best f o s r Footballe

Editor’s Letter ‘Tis the season to be jolly! The festive break is right around the corner, a wellearned rest and time to spend with loved ones is here. And if you’re a timetraveller and reading this in January - Happy New Year! But before we raise a toast, we present to you a special edition of Verve Magazine…

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Happy th birthday to Verve! London Met’s student publication is celebrating a decade since its inception, how time flies! We have a special article looking at its history, going back to the early 20th century. Before Verve was Verve it went through a myriad of changes - have a look on page 4.

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Contents

Thanks to Verve, this edition is dedicated to the number . . We thought this was a fitting tribute to Verve, as we mark this auspicious decade and prepare to enter 2020. With this in mind, Deputy Editor Emily Wilkinson looks at the evolution of the iPhone over the past decade, over on page 8. And Feature Journalist Nikos Papanikolaou looks back at global changes over the last years, pin-pointing some of the world-altering developments over on page 12.

4. 10 years of verve 8. evolution of the iphone 10. social media

And as exam season is fast approaching, writer Adijat Anifowose provides you with ways to beat exam stress on page 20. This issue also features brilliant artwork from of the most talented students at The Cass, whose work we’re very proud to display. Head over to page 34 for a terrific four-page spread and don’t forget to check out ways to go green on page 14 and the top footballers to watch on page 38 and much more. We’re sure you’ll agree that this special Verve edition is a perfect out of .

12. a decade of change 14. going green is easy 16. dark crystal 18. can you trust wikipedia

I sincerely hope everyone enjoys themselves over the holidays and takes a wellearned break. Remember to eat lots of food and return in the new year with the gym in mind… or not! Next article: ways to get back in shape...

20. 10 ways to beat exam stress 23. students’ union pull-out

Best,

Aaron Patel

34. 10 artists you’ll love 38. 10 football players to watch

Editor-in-Chief

Disclaimer: All concributions included in this magazine are those of the writer ONLY and NOT those ofLondon Met Students’ Union or its associatedtrademarks, websites and services. LondonMetSU does not necessarily endorse, support, sanction, encourage, verify or agree with anycomments, opinions or statements or other content provided by contributors.

If you would like to contribute to the next edition of Verve get in touch: vervemagazine@londonmet.ac.uk

Contributors Aaron Patel 3rd year Journalism BA Editor-in-chief

Kimberely-Rino Lightfoot 3rd year Journalism BA Sub-Editor

Jack Barry Creative Writing MA Film Journalist

Louis Parker 2nd year Journalism BA Feature Journalist

Nikos Papanikolaou 2nd year Journalism BA Feature Journalist

Emily Wilkinson 3rd year Journalism BA Deputy Editor

Jamie Bhalla 2019 Graduate Digital Media BA Designer

Giulia Busellato 3rd year Journalism BA Feature Journalist

Xhulio Zeneli International Relations (MA) Sports Journalist

Minttu Monika Marjomaa 3rd year Journalism BA Lifestyle Journalist

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Adijat Anifowose Digital Media MA Feature Journalist

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years of Verve Magazine and beyond Unbeknownst to many here at London Met, Verve Magazine turned years old this year. For the last decade, Verve has developed and grown to become what it is today: the flagship student magazine here at the country’s most unique and diverse university.

February 2009 marked the first ever edition of what is now known as Verve Magazine. Since then there have been countless students over the span of ten years who have contributed to the magazine.

But before Verve’s current incarnation - before we knew the magazine as it is now - there is a storied history. Verve was previously known as Vervezine.

This publication was released more often than Verve is now, and contained very different content to what it does today.

In stark contrast to what the publication’s content is today, a lot of the magazine was politically based. This was particularly true during the 1980’s, which was a very transitional period for the country, in a lot of aspects.

Before that - in the 1990s - we didn’t have Verve. Instead, we had City Reflections and Gecho.

In the early part of that decade, we had Fuse, and rewinding back to the 1980s, it was called Graffiti. Today, Verve is Verve the mag we know and love!

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September 2012

But before Verve’s current incarnation before we knew the magazine as it is now - there is a storied history

The earliest incarnation of the student magazine was The Londinian, as a copy was presented to us dated December 1914. At the time, the institution was known as City of London College, before merging with Sir John Cass College in 1970.

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Whatever name you give it, Verve is still the predominant mag for those in the know. With input from the Students’ Union and many star Journalism students, it’s a must-read for everyone at London Met. ABOVE AND LEFT: Previous covers

By Aaron Patel

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Evolution of the iPhone: The last years Today the iPhone is a household name, which is not surprising as there are over 728 million iPhone users worldwide.

But just how did we get here? We’re proud to bring you a timeline of the last years of the iPhone, to celebrate our favourite magazine entering the double digits

2014 – September 19th marked one of the biggest changes to the design of the iPhone. The iPhone 6 and 6 Plus dropped, available in grey, silver and gold. These iPhones had yet a bigger display screen, the 6 measuring 4.7” and the 6 Plus 5.5”.

As well as this, 128 GB of storage was also available, the largest storage yet.

2015 – September 19th came and not a lot had changed. Although on this day the 6S and 6S Plus were released, they looked practically identical to their predecessors. But Apple added rose gold to the choice of colours, as well as 3D touch, and 2GB of memory was also a new feature. The popularity of the iPhone continued to increase and sold 13 million in the first week.

2016 – March 16th saw the iPhone SE arrive on the market. It had a similar design to the iPhone 5, but without 3D Touch was an affordable option. Later in the year, on 16th September, the iPhone 7 and 7 Plus launched. These iPhones had memory space starting at 16GB as well as the introduction of the jet-black colour. Perhaps one of the most memorable changes was the removal of the headphone jack, meaning users had to use the same port to charge the phone and use headphones.

2009 - On June 19th, Apple launched the iPhone 3GS. To some, this model is a somewhat ancient design. Nonetheless, it was extremely popular at the time, with one million sold in the first week. This model introduced voice control but not the Siri we know and love today.

2017 – September 22nd was the next big drop, and it really was big. The iPhone 8 and 8 Plus dropped. The 8 Plus measures 158.2mm with a 5.5” screen, one of the largest yet. The newest aspect of these phones was the glass covers on the back, creating a new look for the iPhone. Then, later on November 3rd, Apple released the iPhone X, a new design which got rid of the iconic home button.

2012 – September 12th marked the introduction of the iPhone 5. This iPhone had a bigger screen and a more sophisticated and sleek design, and was available in two colours. It was thinner, lighter and had more memory than ever before.

2010 – Almost exactly a year later, on 24th June, the iPhone 4 was released.

This was the first iPhone with a front camera and ultimately the trigger of the selfie trend. This cemented the rise of the iPhone’s popularity, with 1.7 million sold in the first week.

2011 – On October 14th, the iPhone 4S arrived.

This is when we first meet Siri, and s/he’s here to stay. Visually, there is nothing noticeably different from the previous iPhone, but it was what’s inside that made the real difference. The camera quality drastically improved, going from five megapixels to eight. This iPhone sold a whopping four million units in its first week.

2013 – This was a big year for Apple.

September 20th was the launch of not one, but two iPhones: the 5S and 5C. The 5S bought us touch ID, slow-motion video and dual flash. The 5C didn’t have touch ID but it was available in five different colours. Both of these sold a whopping 9 million in the first week.

2019 – Finally we have the most recent addition to the iPhone family. September 11th saw the release of the iPhone 11, 11 Pro and 11 Pro Max. The 11 is available in six colours and features two cameras, including one with a wide and ultra-wide lens. The 11 Pro and Pro Max have three cameras, with the addition of a telephoto lens.

2018 – September 21st saw the drop of the iPhone XS and XS Max. This gave the opportunity to take pictures in portrait mode using the front camera as well as the back. As well as this, the battery life was longer lasting than any iPhone before.

Then, on October 26th, came the iPhone XR, which comes in six different colours.

By Emily Wilkinson

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Social Media etiquette: the dos and don’ts If you fancy yourself a social media guru, it’s important to play right. Follow these top tips to ensure you stay safe online, keep your friends - and don’t lose your job 1. Who’s reading your stuff? Avoid oversharing This is not news to anyone who’s grown up in the digitised world but it bears repeating - the Internet is forever. There are lots of rules about what not to share, such as not posting anything you wouldn’t want your mum/ grandma/professor/future employer etc. to see. The best way to do that is just to steer clear of any explicit, illegal or offensive content.

2. Your privacy should be your Number One priority This should come as no surprise but never share your financial information or personal contact details on social media. Open invites should be avoided as well, especially if your account is public. Posting “Having a house party at 00 Benwell Road, NW1 8EG, come join us!” can lead to unwanted guests - and seriously expensive consequences. There might even be police involved.

3. Think before you tweet Just because you’re not a famous comedian looking to host the Oscars (like Kevin Hart last year) doesn’t mean you won’t lose a job because someone discovers your old social media posts. On top of (obvs) avoiding any racist/ sexist/homophobic comments, think twice about posting a political joke or a biting take on a controversial subject. These can be taken out of context or very easily misconstrued.

4. Never rely on social media as your only news source To be fair, this is coming from a journalism student, but fake news has some very real consequences. It’s better to go straight to a trusted media outlet to get the latest coverage in a factual and balanced way.

Turn on the TV or the radio or go retro and pick up an actual newspaper - you won’t regret it.

5. Don’t neglect basic human decency Ghosting, orbiting (not replying to messages but still watching Instagram/Snapchat stories), online bullying or harassment... these social media faux pas happen when you forget that you’re dealing with actual human beings and not just avatars. A good dose of empathy always helps.

6. Don’t trust that people are who they say they are Another much repeated but nonetheless essential rule: anyone can be anyone on social media. This is an important reminder for dating apps but good to keep in mind when making Internet acquaintances.

A Google reverse-image search and some basic detective skills will usually catch a catfish but just in case, schedule all first meet-ups in public places. The person you’ve been talking to probably isn’t an axe murderer or an illegal organ-harvester but you can never be too careful.

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7. Comparing and obsessing will harm your mental health Social media platforms give everyone a chance to show their idealised, or sometimes fictionalised, selves. An Instagram feed is no indicator of how great and fulfilling anyone’s life is. And now that technology has given everyone from your dentist to your supermarket cashier the ability to airbrush and filter their pictures like a professional photo editor, comparing your real self to someone’s profile is absurd. If seeing someone’s posts makes you feel bad about staying in with Netflix and a cup of instant noodles, unfollow them. You’re not missing out.

8. Avoid airing your dirty laundry online Using personal drama to gain sympathy or popularity on social media is in bad taste. Even though sharing your personal experiences can be empowering in itself, take a moment to consider before posting gossip or anything vindictive or insulting - no matter how hurt you feel or how much you think the other person deserves it. Screenshots of private conversations should also - in almost every case - stay private, even with the names blackened out. Being known for sharing one-on-one conversations with your followers just makes people doubt if they can trust you. Don’t be a drama queen.

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9. It’s not all black and white Social media platforms are rife with tribalism. Sometimes it’s good to just take a breather and let the storm pass. Not every issue needs your take; you don’t always have to choose sides or engage in the feud.

Instead of giving your opinion straightaway, why not stay on the fence and take time to educate yourself to get to the bottom of the issue. Having a neutral view of something is not fashionable nowadays but the “us vs. them” thinking doesn’t leave much space for nuance or real discussion.

10. Look behind the motives of social media companies Social media apps are designed to be as addictive as possible so they can get your eyes on their ads and other kinds of monetised content. You’re not paying for them, and therefore not their customers. This is not to say that you shouldn’t use them - social media can be a great way to network, keep in touch, express yourself and entertain - but you should remember that there is a real world outside of it. The only way to experience things is not through your phone camera. You can stay on top of things without scrolling. Try going an hour, a day, a week, a month, without looking at your phone. See what you’ve been missing all those hours spent staring at a screen.

You might discover a new world.

By Minttu Monika Marjomaa

A decade of change

Verve was born years ago.

The decade has witnessed earthshattering events, including the elections of Obama and Trump, the deaths of Prince and Amy Winehouse, and the births of Princes George and Louis. Nikolaos Papanikolaou takes a look back in this fascinating retrospective…

How long does ten years feel like to you? If you are in your 20s, ten years ago you were probably still playing with Lego. Or Barbie. If you are a bit older, like I am, ten years ago you were probably anxious about your future, the future which is now the present.

Considering that we are all part of a big family called London Metropolitan University, I assume we all did well. Or even better, we all did great.

Regardless of your age, regardless if things in our lives and the world keep changing, regardless if students and lecturers come and go, there is one thing that stays stable at London Met. That’s the

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magazine you’re holding in your hands right now — Verve.

Verve started publishing in 2009.

In 2009, I was back in Greece, dreaming of becoming the chief editor of the NME. Ten years later, I’m not the chief editor, but I’m privileged and excited to write for Verve Magazine on its tenth anniversary. My main ideas were writing about grave issues, such as Brexit. Then again, I thought that anniversaries should be fun – and no one really knows anything about Brexit, so why bother?

We’ve changed a lot in the last decade. I’ve changed a lot. But can we really remember what

That same year, James Cameron’s “Avatar” was released in the US, becoming the highest-grossing film of all time

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was happening to the world ten years ago? Or even nine years ago? I can’t, and I bet most of you can’t either. I remember I had an awful hairstyle. Don’t blame me; it was the fashion.

But that’s the only thing I can remember. That’s the reason I thought that it would be fun to take a trip down memory lane. My goal: to realise how the world has changed, but mostly to understand how important it is that then years later, Verve magazine is still here.

In 2009, the year the first issue of Verve was issued, Barack Obama was inaugurated as the 44th President of the United States of America, becoming the first African-American president.

That same year, James Cameron’s “Avatar” was released in the US, becoming the highestgrossing film of all time. Popstar Michael Jackson died aged 50 after a cardiac arrest. Also, superstar football player Neymar made his professional debut for Brazilian team Santos, aged 17.

A year later, in 2010, Barack Obama repealed a 17-yearold policy banning gays from serving openly in the US military.

One Direction was formed during the X-Factor, and “Toy Story 3” premiered - the first animated film to earn $1 billion.

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Clinton, despite the fact she received 2.9 million more votes.

Leicester City achieved a miracle by winning the English Premier League title after starting the season at 5,000-1 odds. Music fans mourned for the loss of two great artists, David Bowie and Prince.

The black hole is in the galaxy Messier 87, and the hole is some seven billion times the mass of the Sun

In 2011, Fidel Castro resigned from Cuba’s Communist Party Central Committee after 45 years of being its leader. One of the most-watched TV shows premiered on HBO. Its name?

Game of Thrones. One of the most talented voices in the world, Amy Winehouse, died at 27 from a drug overdose. Cofounder of Apple, Steve Jobs, also died aged 56.

It was 2012 when Kim Jongun was officially appointed Supreme Leader of North Korea.

A week earlier, the American Episcopal Church became the first to bless gay marriages. The same year, the music world lost three talented musicians: Adam Yauch of the Beastie Boys, Donna Summer and, of course, Whitney Houston.

In 2013, The European Space Agency revealed that the universe is 13.82 billion years old. Four months later, Prince George of Cambridge, son of Prince William and Duchess Catherine, was born in London.

Two significant figures of world history, Margaret Thatcher and Nelson Mandela, both died.

One of the biggest mysteries in aviation took place in 2014.

Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370 with 239 people lost contact and disappeared, prompting the most expensive search effort in history. The entertainment

world mourned the loss of three significant, beloved actors: Philip Seymour Hoffman, Robin Williams, and Shirley Temple Black.

Barack Obama and Raúl Castro met in Panama in 2015, the first meeting of US and Cuban heads of state since the Cuban Revolution. Two months later, Donald Trump launched his US presidential campaign. In December, the COP21 climate change summit in Paris reached a deal between 195 countries to limit the rise in global average temperature to less than 2°C above pre-industrial levels.

Leonard Nimoy, best known as Commander Spock on Star Trek, died aged 83.

In June of 2016, the United Kingdom voted to leave the European Union, and Brexit became a part of our everyday life. Five months later, Donald Trump was elected US President, defeating Democrat Hillary

In 2018, streaming music services overtook worldwide sales of CDs and vinyl for the first time 13

In 2017, The New York Times published an investigation into sexual misbehaviour by Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein. Actress Alyssa Milano tweeted “If you’ve been sexually harassed or assaulted write ‘me too’”, resulting in a tsunami of replies across all social media.

The BBC announced the firstever female Doctor Who, played

by Jodie Whittaker. Also, one of the most famous serial killers of all time, Charles Manson, died.

In 2018, streaming music services overtook worldwide sales of CDs and vinyl for the first time according to IFPI. Prince Louis of Cambridge, son of Prince William and Duchess of Cambridge, was born in London.

Famous for his black holes theory and Singularity theorems, Stephen Hawking died aged 76.

This year, Verve Magazine turned ten. 2019 was also the year that we saw a photo of an actual black hole, taken by the Event Horizon Telescope. The black hole is in the galaxy Messier 87, and the hole is some seven billion times the mass of the Sun. On Earth, a fire destroyed the Notre Dame cathedral. The people of Paris watched with horror as the fire burned for nine hours. Firefighters stopped the fire spreading but couldn’t save the 13th-century wooden roof which collapsed during the fire.

Greta Thunberg’s movement gained traction, and the Extinction Rebellion took off.

What will the next ten years bring? Who knows – but Verve will still be going strong.

By Nikolaos Papanikolaou

Go green - it’s easier than you think!

The countdown is on. Tackling climate change before we reach the point of no return should be a priority for everyone. The process doesn’t happen overnight, so we’ve put together a list of easy-peasy swaps that the planet will thank you for 1. Say no to plastic bottles and single-use coffee cups Did you know that plastic coffee cups cannot be recycled because they have a layer of wax coating?

The solution: bring your own Thermos or coffee cup with you.

The coffee shops at uni give you a 20p discount on coffee when you carry your own vessel, and other companies do the same. A stainless steel water bottle keeps cold things cold and hot things hot. Carry your own Americano or tea when you’re cash-poor.

2. Say yes to reusable food wraps Stop using plastic or aluminium foil to wrap up your food.

Reusable food wraps are made from natural materials such as cotton, beeswax, tree resin and jojoba oil and are also very easy to clean - just wash them with a wet dishcloth and some soap.

Wrap your sandwich, fruit and veggies and don’t worry about the contents leaking into your bag as the warmth of your hands softens the wraps enough to allow them to close properly.

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3. Buy in bulk at supermarkets It’s very hard to avoid plastic in big supermarkets such as Sainsbury’s and Tesco. If they’re the only place near home where you can grab your groceries, avoid those six packed apples and grab the bulk ones. Do the same with courgettes, peaches, aubergines, carrots, potatoes, peppers, kiwi, mangoes, cabbage, broccoli, oranges etc.

Some shops sell items packagefree, but often the products are more expensive.

4. Avoid plastic straws When ordering drinks, say no to plastic straws. Carry reusable straws with you - some are even foldable. There are plenty of choices as well, from bamboo to glass and stainless steel. Don’t worry about them getting sticky and dirty - most come with a cleaning brush. Better yet, get used to drinking without a straw - yes, it can be done!

5. Carry cutlery with you Plastic cutlery cannot be recycled. That’s why it’s such a good idea to bring your own cutlery from home. Purchase reusable cutlery online from as little as 96p, or go all out and buy a designer knife, fork and spoon for £15 and up. Be a fashion icon and buy cutlery in different colours to match your outfits - the possibilities are endless.

Tartan spoon, anyone?

6. Choose bamboo Your bathroom is one of the rooms with most plastic in the house. One of the biggest changes you can make is buying a bamboo toothbrush. They are compostable, natural and they look cool. Next time you have an - ahem - overnight guest, think how impressed he/she will be with your bamboo brush. Next thing we know you’ll be looking for a bamboo toilet brush as well (hint: nothing puts a woman off more than a dirty toilet - you know what we mean - and you know who you are).

7. Swap your face wipes Make-up wipes can take up to 100 years to break down, and if you love to cake on the old slap you know how many wipes you can get through in just a few days. Swapping disposable wipes for reusable organic cotton or bamboo ones not only helps the environment but saves you tons of money. After using, just rinse them out with water and throw them in the washing machine with your weekly wash. Good as new in no time!

8. Glass food containers are best Replacing cheap plastic containers with glass containers is, quite honestly, life-changing.

Glass is much more durable than plastic and cheaper in the long run. If you don’t feel comfortable with glass containers, opt for bamboo or stainless steel. They look nicer in the kitchen and are a fab way to carry your leftovers to uni - another way to save the planet and look cool to others.

9. Boo to plastic cotton buds Plastic cotton buds are among the top ten items found on beaches, according to the Cotton Bud Project, which is campaigning to encourage people to switch from plastic to paper and save wildlife. Replace these nasty little ear cleaners with compostable cotton buds.

The Greta Thunbergs of today and your ear canals - will thank you. Think about other products you can do without.

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10. Switch to a safety razor Few people realise that the plastic in a disposable razor can be recycled. Maybe that’s why literally billions of disposable razors are sent to landfill yearly. Here’s a thought: men should grow long beards and women should let the hair on their armpits and legs flower in abundance. If that doesn’t appeal, why not invest in a sustainable eco-friendly razor, made from bamboo?

Alternatively, purchase a straight blade - not for the scared or squeamish. Practice on a banana before you nick your neck.

By Giulia Busellato

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The Dark Crystal (1982) was ahead of its time Jim Henson’s fantasy classic The Dark Crystal was released in 1982 and quickly became a cult hit. What really made Dark Crystal a hit was not its incredible puppets, nor its fairytale-like story but all the ways in which it was truly ahead of its time 16

1. Philosophy The Dark Crystal took inspiration from Eastern philosophies focussing its moral core around seeking balance instead of the classic good vs evil conflict. In today’s political climate, which is more divided and vitriolic than ever, Henson’s message of finding balance over destruction is more meaningful than ever.

2. Fake News and Truth Henson’s Dark Crystal considered Truth a fundamental value on which the world is built.

Truth is not simply factual but a spiritual experience, a knowing of the self, that allows individuals and society to function. Henson’s truth can only be found not by division but by conjunction.

3. Gender Politics The world of The Dark Crystal is not divided by the male/ female binary but by the spiritual vs. physical, and so Henson’s world depicts a largely ‘postsex’ landscape. Many of the characters are intersex, nonbinary, or define their gender not by their genitalia but by other characteristics. Masculineidentifying characters wear traditionally feminine clothes and make-up, and some female-identifying characters have ‘male’ attributes like moustaches.

4. Eco-Sustainability The Dark Crystal is a film

interested in eco-sustainability.

The villainous Skeksis have laid waste to their home through misuse of its natural resources and recklessly drain the life of the planet. Sound familiar?

Henson’s warning against irresponsible use of natural resources is chillingly fitting to our modern climate.

The Skeksis fully realise this philosophy. They are horrendous: fat and physically wasted, with toothy beaked mouths, scraggly hair, and small hate-filled eyes.

They torture and humiliate their own allies for entertainment.

Many fans love Dark Crystal in part because of how much the film frightened them as children.

5. Practical Effects Most films you see will benefit in some way from computergenerated graphics, however, as the cinematic landscape has become swamped with often lacklustre CGI we find ourselves looking towards a practical effects renaissance. In this way Henson’s insistence on, and love of, physical sets, practical effects, and most importantly puppets, was way ahead of its time.

8. The Self-Destructive Nature of Genocide Having committed a genocide, the Skeksis are experiencing the effects. They live in a dying world, the natural order of which has been irrevocably damaged by a removal of one part of the whole.

By harming others, the Skeksis have harmed themselves - an important lesson for all of us.

6. The Economy The UK has one of the most highly regarded practical effects work-pools in the world, with film-making companies coming from all over to seek out our talent. Keeping the art of puppetry alive doesn’t only benefit puppeteers but every creative and craftsmen behind the scenes working in the film industry to produce models, sets, prosthetics, characters designs, and practical effects.

7. Fear The Henson Company believes that children should be scared.

Henson’s insistence on, and love of, physical sets, practical effects, and most importantly puppets, was way ahead of its time 17

9. Risk-taking in Film-Making On an early draft of the film, the Skeksis spoke entirely in their own language without subtitles.

This tested poorly with viewers and so they were dubbed over in English. Henson’s willingness to take risks is a testament to his film-making. Films that have sections in foreign languages without subtitles have been released since - see for example Lord of the Rings!

10. Cinema for Children Henson made Dark Crystal for children but with the mindset that he was creating cinema and so the film is not only entertaining but a beautiful piece of art that continues to hold value. Henson’s investment into the world and artistic value of Dark Crystal showed respect to his child audience that we should all imitate as we aim to raise children that prize art, craft, and beauty.

By Jack Barry

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Should you trust Wikipedia?

Students often rely on Wikipedia for information. But how reliable is this “news” source? It’s been years since Wikipedia reached their three millionth article - a fascinating piece about a Norwegian actress and director, Beate Eriksen

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Now the collaborative “free encyclopedia” has reached a colossal 5,810,460 articles, equating to around 3.6 billion words (according to itself). But, in the age of fake news, can we trust anything we read on Wikipedia?

Sverker Johannson, 53, has written over 2.5 million Wikipedia pages. He created a software which generates Wikipedia posts (as much as 10,000 a day) which he then edits himself.

He said: “There’s no source which is 100% reliable for everything, but before you trust Wikipedia or anything else, you could use some common sense.”

The old rules still hold good. Always ask yourself: How do I know this? Who is telling me? How does it benefit them?

Johannson, who’s a physicist who lectures in physics at Jönköping University in Sweden, said he uses Wikipedia a lot, “especially for background information”, he said, “where you have a critical mass of people who care about the subject, it will be reliable - you will get an average opinion”.

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According to its website, Wikipedia says: “While some articles are of the highest quality of scholarship, others are admittedly complete rubbish.

“Also, since Wikipedia can be edited by anyone at any time, articles may be prone to errors, including vandalism, so Wikipedia is not a reliable source.”

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According to research by the firm YouGov, 64 percent of respondents said they trusted Wikipedia pages to tell the truth “a great deal” or “a fair amount”—more than can be said for journalists at the Times or the Guardian, and also slightly above BBC News.

How exactly would 10-foot lizards be secretly running things?

Victoria Neumark Jones, who teaches journalism at London Metropolitan University and presented a paper on fake news at the World Journalism Education Council Congress in Paris in July, said: “The old rules still hold good. Always ask yourself: How do I know this?

Who is telling me? How does it benefit them?

“Is there another independent source which verifies this information? Does it make sense with everything else I know in the world? How exactly would 10-foot lizards be secretly running things?”

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By Louis Parker

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Our ways to beat exam stress Exams are daunting and can often leave you feeling down.

So cultivate a calm attitude weeks in advance, to help you revise and also do better on the day 1. Believe in yourself The main reason we quit tasks as often as we do is down to self belief. We often think that because we can’t see ourselves in a certain position, we are incapable of reaching it. Believe in yourself and your vision, even before you get there.

2. Have a hearty breakfast A car cannot run or function with no fuel. Similarly, it’s very important to have a healthy breakfast and keep well-hydrated throughout the day. It is scientifically proven that men need about 3.7 litres of water a day and women need around 2.7 litres to actively stay balanced. It’s hard to think smart and make good decisions when your brain is dehydrated.

3. Get active Endorphin is a positive energy chemical reaction the body releases. Endorphins energise the body and give the brain a channel for positive thinking, thus reducing the feeling of being stressed and overwhelmed. Staying active is the best way to reduce the prospect of being stressed.

4. Talk to people you trust Talking to the right people gets you answers from different perspectives. Family members can support you and provide much needed confidence to face any task ahead. Talking to your course tutor about any issues can also clear up any confusion. Keep in mind that lecturers often respond better to students who ask questions than those who don’t.

5. Take a break Before the big day, take time to do something you love, such as a hobby or just going for a walk. It will help! Distracting yourself for a few hours from what you are scared of facing is a really good way of resetting the brain clock.

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6. Prioritise your work Break down a big task into micro tasks. Select the most important job on the list and work your way down to the least important. With bigger tasks out of the way you’ll feel better.

7. Be positive Stress and anxiety go hand-in-hand with negativity. But it’s when we think positively about a situation that we find the correct solution.

Relax and tell yourself you ‘will’, tell yourself you ‘can’, tell yourself you already ‘did’. Push any negative thoughts from your mind and embrace your full potential.

8. Set goals Setting achievable goals is a real confidence builder, as ticking off that checklist of targets is often all the validation you’ll need. When you have that physical proof in your hand - such as your degree you’ll immediately realise that it was all worth it - and you’ll wonder why you were so anxious in the first place!

9. Stay calm If an event takes place that is out of our control, the only thing that can get the task underway again is the way we react to the situation.

Acting on impulse doesn’t always get good results, so it’s important to stay calm and collect your thoughts.

10. Practice until perfect Use an online quiz or ask friends and family members to quiz you.

Challenge yourself and ask someone to practice exam questions with you. If you do this frequently you’ll notice the areas you need to improve on - and you’ll do better in the long run. Making flashcards is also a fun way to memorise important facts. Remember: Wikipedia is not always your friend (see previous article). Good luck!

“

Acting on impulse doesn’t always get good results, so it’s important to stay calm and collect your thoughts

By Adijat Anifowose

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Student Feedback has led to

24 hour library at Holloway during exam time

Read the student newsletter for everything that's happening across the University and make the most of your time at London Met Offers, events, competitions, success stories and important updates in your University emails every second and fourth Thursday of the month

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A message from the Deputy Vice-Chancellor Dear students, This term has been a busy one for all of you and for all of our staff. I joined London Met in the summer and since then, I’ve had the pleasure of meeting lots of you and working closely with Diini, Chrystalle, Jessica and Nakole. I’ve been amazed by you all. The hard work, creativity and dedication that you all bring to the community, along with the passion and energy of the staff that work here inspires me on a daily basis.

In my first term with you, I’ve listened to many of your experiences and have worked hard to develop initiatives in partnership with you. We’ve already made changes in response to your feedback, and in partnership with the Students’ Union, we’re excited to implement further improvements to your experience in the coming months.

Here are a few of the things we are doing to improve your experience: The Holloway Library will be open 24/7 during exam times We’re setting up a new centre for Outcomes, Equity and Inclusion to tackle the degree-awarding gap between White and Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic students and do more to ensure that London Met is sector-leading for its inclusive approaches.

We’ve developed a student success strategy in partnership with students.

We’ve worked in partnership with the Students’ Union to develop action plans for each course to further improve the student experience.

We have improved our student newsletter ‘On Campus’ to include your voices and to respond to your thoughts and concerns. Please do read it on the second and fourth Thursday of the month so that we can stay in touch more regularly.

And we’re just getting started!

I look forward to meeting many more of you next term and celebrating your successes.

Professor Donna Whitehead Deputy Vice-Chancellor

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London Met launched its new six-year strategy which is focused on student success.

The strategy builds on the many strengths of London Met and sets out the way we will run the University for the next six years. In the strategy, we outline the work we’re undertaking, that has academic achievement and financial sustainability at its heart.

Our goals are to: Engage all students as partners;

Create a world-class academic offer that meets the evolving needs of our highly diverse student body;

London Met has a great deal to be proud of: the 2020 Guardian university league tables ranked art third in London and seventh in the country, and economics was second in London and 15th in the country. Sixteen of our courses scored 90% or higher for overall satisfaction in the 2019 National Student Survey (NSS).

Strengthen the infrastructure that helps all of our students to succeed.

londonmet.ac.uk/strategy 32

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artists

you’ll love

Ever wondered what really goes on inside the art studios at The Cass? These students are proud to give us a glimpse into the amazing work they do…

Artist: Romi Sloboda, MA Fine Art

Shanzay Subzwari, MA Fine Art

Title: “London, Untitled #2” (2019) Size: 50cm x 40cm Medium: Sumi ink and mixed media on paper

Title: “If something made sense for a change” Size: 97.5cm x 42cm Medium: Gouache and mixed media on digital print “Often with Wonderland as a metaphor for life, and storytelling as my aim, my work investigates and ponders existential ideas and coming-of-age struggles in conjunction along with themes of deception, political ambiguity and popular culture. Aspects of the psychological are almost always present in my work. I comment on the human condition, history and society, and how the past, present and future are linked in a strangely complex but fascinating way.”

“I have always been intrigued by patterning and recently I began exploring ideas around order and chaos—or the building and breaking of pattern within organic systems by referencing cellular structural patterns. Long-time interests that continue to inform my work are botanical elements and organic patterning, as well as ceramic vessel forms. In addition to developing my studio practice through postgraduate studies at The Cass, I am also a member of the MFA artist collective #magnificentcusstard.”

Tim Murphy, MA Fine Art Title: “Metropolis” Size: A2 Medium: Digital photograph “Ironic mimesis is not a critique it is the mentality of a slave.”

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Frances O-H, BA Fine Art Title: “3 of 9 Oral Tradition” Size: A4 Medium: Print “My works are heavily influenced by how my Intersectional Identity clashes with my environment. I see Art as more than what is aesthetically pleasing or something to solve. It can heal, it can build bridges and aid communication with people. And even go on to create a safe haven.”

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Farzana El-Syed, BA Fine Art Title: “Aquamarine” (2019) Set of 3 Size: 21cm x 14.9cm Medium: Acrylic paint on acrylic paper “I am a Contemporary/Conceptual artist based in London, expressing concerns about mental health, light and space and how it can affect our mood. My work expresses the notion that we are embodied in light and space within every environment we carry ourselves into, from indoor space to outdoor space, from light to dark and from smaller scales to larger scales. Within every second that we are walking through space, through light, shadow or darkness and whatever we see is what is stored in our subconscious, which may well affect our mood in the latter. My paintings were created by painting geometric shapes by using the masking technique; using light and dark shades of colour to create an optical illusion of a 3D effect: the manipulation of light, dark, shadow and space which causes a mental strain and confusion.”

Artist: Nundni Patel, BA Fine Art Title: “Mystical Horse” Size: 61cm x 45cm Medium: Felt tip on canvas

Tamsin Spargo, MA Fine Art Title: “It Might Have Been”, 2019 Size: 87cm x 63cm Medium: Charcoal, graphite, and soft pastel on paper

“Inspired by a childhood story combined with the idea of creating a piece with the powerful chant ‘Swaminarayan’ and a famous hymn that narrates the scenery and description of this scene. Created with an outline of 343 words of Swaminarayan and 20 full hymns repeated in the inner body of the image, all written in the core language of my religion; Gujarati.”

“My work is currently in a state of flux. Working primarily with the human form, I am increasingly researching the disparities between the commercial value and visibility of male and female artists and nudes.

My work explores diverse drawing techniques, pursuing ambiguity, distortion, and contradiction.”

Miia Stranden, MA Fine Art Title: “A vessel for growth” Size: Not necessary Medium: Mixed media “I a mixed media artist exploring themes around environment, sustainability and social justice in my practise. I am both an artist and educator. As an educator, I stand for children’s right to have access to art education while several schools are narrowing their curriculum, cutting the art subjects out.”

Jason Brindley, MA Fine Art Joel Chernin, MA Fine Art

Title: Untitled Size: Work in progress (WIP) Medium: Digital

Title: “City 6” Size: 60cm x 60cm Medium: Acrylic

“A keen interest in the human form, anatomy and figurative work means that people (and sometimes places) feature heavily in my work. A painter and drawer by trade, I’ve recently began to use the medium to explore modern ways of seeing - in particular the effect of webcams and smart phones, on our perception of others.”

“My paintings explore pattern interference.

Fields of dots are overlapped in and out of phase to create new patterns. These patterns are caused by disruption. The resulting images are a blend of graphic

design and fine art research.”

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football players to watch in the Premier League The 2019/20 Premier League season is now well under way. As every season, several players take more attention from the media and fans for their performances and importance in their team. Here are Premier League players to watch this season Alisson Becker

He is rated as one of the best goalkeepers in the world

One of the first players to start with is Manchester City player Raheem Sterling. The English international has been an important player for his country on the international stage, but also for his club. He has matured a great amount, becoming one of Europe’s best players, and arguably the world.

Another player to take into consideration is Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson Becker. The Brazilian had a great first season in English football, winning the Champions League with the Merseyside club. He is rated as one of the best goalkeepers in the world, so it will be interesting to see if he will maintain his performances this year too, as the Reds fight for the Premier League title.

Tottenham player Heung-Min Son is also one to keep an eye on. He has been one of the most important players for Spurs, with his two-footed ability, pace and expert finishing. It will be interesting to see if the South Korean will continue his performances this season.

A young player who has

image source: thesun.co.uk

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attracted attention so far this season is Daniel James from Manchester United.

His performances haven’t gone unnoticed, especially considering this is his first season in the senior squad in one of the biggest clubs in world football.

Chelsea striker Tammy Abraham has been shining bright under manager Frank Lampard. The west London club were forced to build a team around their younger players due to a transfer ban. Abraham has been one of the bright prospects from the club’s academy, hitting double figures already this season.

Finally, Crystal Palace player Wilfried Zaha has the spotlight on him, as always. Once considered to be one of the greatest talents for the future, his light seems to be ebbing in recent seasons. Due to his inconsistent performances, a lot of people doubt that his future is as bright, and he has been overlooked. It will be interesting to see if he is actually capable of showing his true ability to spectators this season.

image source: talksport.com

Wilfried Zaha

An interesting player who is in his second season in the Premier League is Leicester City midfielder Youri Tielemans.

The former AS Monaco man looks like a bright prospect for the future. The Foxes have been flying this season and his performances have contributed to a strong start, for Brendan Rodgers’s side, who have occupied the top four for the early part of the season.

Proving his worth last season and capable of showing more this campaign is Wolverhampton Wanderers midfielder Ruben Neves. It’s not a surprise that the Portugese’s performances has been attracting interest from some big clubs.

A new player who has come this season into the league is Arsenal midfielder Dani Ceballos.

During his time in Spain, he has shown a lot of positive qualities and arrived in England with an excellent reputation. It will be interesting to see if he can adapt to life in the Premier League and settle comfortably.

Everton striker Richarlison known by one name - is still a fascinating one to watch. During his time in England he’s shown great skills, but has also been inconsistent in his performances.

We should wait and see if he will be more mature and consistent as he plays this season.

Dani Ceballos image source: talksport.com

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By Xhulio Zeneli