The Chronicle 2023

MIRROR-TOUCH SYNAESTHESIA

THE BUSINESS OF RELIGION

THINGS

AREN’T ALWAYS WHAT THEY SEEM

IS THE NUMBER 13 REALLY UNLUCKY?

RETURNING TO THE MOON

Ethics

Saudi Arabia’s Legal System and The Disappearance of Political Activists - Jemima*

Roe vs Wade - Isabel*

Does evil and suffering allow for God’s existence? - Michaela*

Gentrification - Elisa*

School dress codes are inherently sexist - Alyssa*

The business of religion - Sienna*

Has Google now gained more power over people than their own government? - Lucy*

Science

Perfection: The Opposite Of Evolution - Cyra* Returning to the Moon - Imogen*

Why are humans afraid of insects? - Coraline

Impacts raised by the emergence of humans - Nicole*

Medicine

Mirror-touch synaesthesia - Natacha*

Does our gut bacteria control us? - Isabella*

The Efficacy of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) - Michelle

How unconscious bias can discriminate against patients and affect their care - Grace*

How realistic is it to develop a small molecule therapy for Covid-19? - Harriet*

Is it ethical for junior doctors to go on strike? - Phoebe*

Psychology

Gender bias in design: how does it affect us? - Myrtle*

Are Parasocial Relationships Advantageous? - Claudia*

The benefits of playing in a netball team - Lilia*

Is The Number 13 Really Unlucky? - Alice*

How has social media influenced body dysmorphia in our society? - Jamie

Society

Energy crisis - Faith*

Has the modern conservative party has moved away from the principles of Thatcherism? - Romilly*

Things aren’t always what they seem - Alex*

Is Latin a dead language? - Sylvie*

Why You Can Only Become An Absolute Professional If You Have The Money To Pay For It? - Jess*

What is Ender’s Game and why is it famous? - Elyssa*

Cities: Dysfunctional to Dystopian - Roseanna*

Barriers to women entering F1 - Morganne*

I have been at Malvern St James for almost four years. These four years have shaped me and given me the opportunity to discover my own interests. As a seventeen-year-old girl I still know very little about the world so, each day I try to learn something new. I hope that this edition of the Chronicle can help you find that ‘something new’; giving you the opportunity to explore and develop your own interests.

I wanted our issue to initiate a new relationship between subject and enthusiast. I wanted to give back to those who have passed their knowledge onto others and, those who hope to one day sit in the same seat. As you approach the closing page, I hope you leave wiser and well-read, as you continue to better our faltering world.

Florence and Laila (Editors-in-Chief)

The 2023 Chronicle editorial team

Saudi Arabia is situated on the Arabian peninsula in Western Asia; with a population of 35 million, it is the fifth largest country in Asia.

It is a high-income country with a GDP averaging $1.5 trillion in 2022. It is the world’s second largest oil producer behind the US and is the world’s largest exporter of oil. It is the only Arab country to be part of the G20 major economies.

There are many concerns about the legal system of Saudi Arabia being unjust. It includes long periods of detention without charge or trial and there is a denial of legal advisers and assistance, with courts frequently relying on torture-based confessions as the sole basis of conviction.

Moreover, the prison conditions are overcrowded, unsanitary, and have a lack of sheets and beds; as a result, many inmates sleep on the floor. There is no medical care. There are torture rooms, isolation cells, and solitary confinement. In many reported cases, there is ill-treatment including slapping, beating with a belt or stick and electrical devices are frequently used during interrogations. However, the UK government recently published a statement describing Saudi Arabia’s prison conditions as being ‘relatively good’. It is likely that this is due to diplomatic reasons and economic relations. Saudi Arabia is one of the UK’s allies.

According to the UN, implementing death sentences following trials that do not provide the required “fair trial guarantees” is prohibited by international human rights and humanitarian law and “may amount to a war crime.” Moreover, the death penalty is “incompatible with fundamental tenets of human rights and dignity, the right to life and the prohibition of torture”.

Saudi Arabia frequently uses punishment methods such as the death penalty, amputations, stoning, or retaliatory punishments. In 2019, Saudi Arabia recorded 184 known executions. This means that it is possible that there were many more executions off the record. Public executions are often held weekly and carried out by hanging, shooting or beheading with a sword. Elsewhere in the world, public executions have been abolished. For example, the last public execution in the UK was in 1868, and in the USA in 1936. Although some countries such as the USA, China, India and Singapore still have the death penalty, many no longer have public executions.

Perhaps most shocking statistic of all; in March 2022, the beheading of 81 people in a single day, all of whom were charged with terrorism offences.

Another cause for concern is the increase over the last decade of missing political activists in Saudi Arabia. It is clear that Saudi Arabia does not tolerate dissidents, such as outspoken journalist

Jamal Khashoggi, who, having criticised the regime openly, fled Saudi in 2017, and was assassinated at the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul the following year, whilst his fiancé waited outside the building.

Another distressing example is Mohammed al-Qahtani, a human rights defender who was arrested in 2011, tried before the notorious Specialised Criminal Court in Riyadh, and sentenced to a ten-year prison sentence for his peaceful human rights work. His family suspects that the Saudi authorities are not allowing him to contact them, and are refusing to reveal his whereabouts. He has effectively disappeared.

Yet in early 2021, Saudi Arabia announced new judicial reforms and the movement towards the modification of its legal system, but in a period of over 18 months, no changes have been made.

In conclusion, although Saudi Arabia has issued encouraging statements promising improvements, it is unclear as to what steps are being made. One reason could be the power of resources that Saudi Arabia has available, but is it ethical to ignore their government’s crimes in order to secure supplies of resources such as natural gas and petroleum?

Will Saudi Arabia simply keep to a system that is stuck in the past, or is it possible that they will catch up with the legal systems used in other countries?

...the prison conditions are overcrowded, unsanitary and have a lack of sheets and beds; as a result many inmates sleep on the floor.

Saudi Arabia’s Legal System and of Political Activists

By Jemima

Roe vs Wade

Pro-life vs. Pro-choice. Life vs. death. Roe vs. Wade. Abortion. A human right? The overturning of this fundamental U.S. statute threatens the lives of many U.S. women in a way that has not been legal since the 1970s.

The right to a safe abortion. A human right? The 1973 Roe vs. Wade Supreme Court case thought so, but clearly, ‘modern’ views on the subject don’t agree. Norma McCorvey, under the pseudonym ‘Jane Roe’ challenged the U.S. Supreme Court in 1970 for the legal right to abortion in the USA. She claimed that not having access to a safe and legal abortion violated a woman’s privacy, which stood against the Fourteenth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, which states ‘…nor shall any state deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law.’ She challenged Henry Wade, who was the district attorney of Dallas County, Texas, where McCorvey lived at the time. The act was passed, which decriminalized abortion in the USA up until about 24 weeks of pregnancy when the unborn child would have, ‘capability of meaningful life outside the mother’s womb’.

by Isabel

‘Pro-choice’ is the term used for people who believe that whether someone has an abortion or not is the choice of the person having it done, even if they wouldn’t have one themselves. People who are ‘pro-choice’ campaigned fruitlessly against the overturning of Roe vs. Wade, specifically using the catchphrases ‘My Body, My Choice’, and ‘Keep Your Bans off our Bodies.’ Several celebrities and major politicians also spoke out on the issue at the time, such as Lizzo, Selena Gomez, Taylor Swift, Billie Eilish and Olivia Rodrigo. Rodrigo sang a very pointed cover of a certain aggressive Lily Allen song that was directed at the members of the Supreme Court, who had voted for the overruling, when she performed at Glastonbury. After the overruling was officially passed, Michelle Obama, former First Lady of the United States, posted a touching and eloquent letter to her social media, saying: “I am heartbroken today. I am heartbroken for people around this country who just lost the fundamental right to make informed decisions about their bodies.” I feel that this statement really sums up the tragedy of the situation, and expresses the feelings of the nation, and most of the world.

The majority of the Supreme Court, and supporters of banning abortion in the USA, consider themselves ‘pro-life’, which means that they believe that abortion is unconstitutional and unethical, even in a life-threatening situation for the mother. On the website Planned Parenthood, the problem they feel is that many ‘pro-lifers’ also support the death penalty and oppose child welfare legislation. The term ‘pro-life’ also does not allude to the fact that the only life that ‘pro-lifers’ care about is that of the unborn child, as the overturning of Roe vs. Wade would ban abortions even if the mother’s life was forfeit. Pro-life – really?

I am heartbroken today. I am heartbroken for people around this country who just lost the fundamental right to make informed decisions about their bodies.

I believe that these terms are a very black-andwhite way of thinking and end up creating ‘sides’ or ‘teams’ in a human rights debate, which I believe is wrong. Roe vs. Wade and abortion rights should be discussed, but there should be more open-mindedness in the topic. I believe in the importance of making your own decisions, and not having them made for you. Especially by people, who seem to have little to no idea how important access to a safe abortion access is. On a court of six men and three women at the time, the vote was 6-3 on upholding a Mississippi law that went against Roe vs. Wade and Planned Parenthood vs. Casey. A subsequent vote on whether to overturn or preserve Roe vs. Wade and Planned Parenthood vs. Casey was 5-4 in favour of the overruling, which resulted in protected abortion access being removed across the USA.

What the Supreme Court overlooked is that people will still seek abortion care. It will just be unsafe and possibly cause more deaths. They didn’t stop abortions, they stopped them being safe and legal. The result could be that teen pregnancy numbers skyrocket as well as homelessness, especially for women, and probably an increase in single parenting as well. It isn’t illegal to travel between states for an abortion, but many people are unable to travel or cannot afford to. In Alabama, the prison sentence for a doctor who performs a rape-related abortion is 99 years, or effectively a life sentence. There is no predetermined sentence for rape, which can range between 10 and 99 years. What do you think? Are rape and abortion the same in terms of the severity of a crime?

In conclusion, I believe that the right to choose whether you have children or not is your own, and nobody should be able to dictate what happens to your body. Whatever your stance on abortion, there are a number of organisations that support women including GP services and charities.

References:

Roe v Wade: What is US Supreme Court ruling on abortion? - BBC News About the Court - Supreme Court of the United States 19-1392 Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization (06/24/2022) (supremecourt.gov)

Jane ROE, et al., Appellants, v. Henry WADE. | Supreme Court | US Law | LII / Legal Information Institute (cornell.edu)

Roe v. Wade | Summary, Origins, & Influence | Britannica Can you explain what pro-choice means and pro-life means? (plannedparenthood.org)

The Supreme Court Has Struck Down Roe v. Wade | Vanity Fair Roe v Wade: Which celebrities have spoken out against the Supreme Court’s abortion decision | The Independent

Does allow for

By Michaela

The problem of evil and suffering was first developed by Epicurus in the 3rd century BC. He proposed the inconsistent triad, which questions: if God is perfectly good (omnibenevolent) why does He allow suffering, and if He is allpowerful (omnipotent) why does He not end suffering? Therefore, as C.S Lewis defines “God lacks either goodness, or power, or both”.

To clarify, as Karen Armstrong states, the God on trial is the “God of classical theism.”

Augustine of Hippo (354 – 430), also known as Saint Augustine, was a theologian, philosopher and the bishop of Hippo Regius in Numidia, Roman North Africa. Augustine seeks to justify the goodness of God, given the fact of evil and suffering, using his theodicy (an attempt to justify the goodness of God given the fact of evil). The Augustinian theodicy begins with a literal interpretation of Genesis 1-3, and the philosopher Aristotle’s (384 BCE – 322) belief that a thing is good if it fulfils its nature and purpose.

Augustine argued we must have free will to be able to choose to love and worship God, otherwise our devotion and choices lack meaning. Only humans can choose to be less than they were intended to be, because when God made the world it was perfect. Man’s abuse of freewill causes moral evil. Augustine argues that evil is an absence (not a substance) of good, and a privation (something you should have but lack) occurs when something falls short of what it should be. For example, a human with glasses is evil to the extent that they cannot see. He, also, argues that God is just in allowing natural evil to continue because it acts as a punishment for original sin thus God’s power and goodness are left intact and, as Genesis states, in the beginning when God created the world it was perfect. As free will accounts for both moral and natural evil, God is no less omnipotent or omnibenevolent, so exists. Evil remains an absence of good (privation), so not created by God and He remains all-loving because punishment for original sin is just.

Yet, Augustine’s theodicy presents several issues. His argument relies on a literal interpretation of Genesis, and as Friedrich Schleiermacher (1768 – 1834) states, if the world is not perfect now, then God could not have created the world perfect at the beginning of time, therefore undermining God’s omnipotence. Thomas Aquinas (1225 – 1274) argued that Augustine’s argument for natural evil does not show a loving nor just God because people today should not be punished for the wrong doings of the first human beings, and instead natural evils such as earthquakes should be seen as fulfilling their purpose and nature. But, even when Aquinas’ position on natural evil is adopted, as Edward Pearce questions in a BBC Oxford Debate, it can be argued that surely Hitler was a good Hitler because he was fulfilling his purpose. Although it can be argued he was a bad human so not fulfilling his purpose, it is likewise hard to understand how a person that wears glasses is evil to the extent they cannot see or that natural disasters causing suffering are good because they are fulfilling their purpose.

Another of the main theodicies differing to Augustine’s argument, is the Irenaean Theodicy provided by Irenaeus (130-202) and developed by John Hick. Taking a different approach to Augustine, he claims that God is the source of all evil, and suffering is a way of soul making so as every human can reach their moral and spiritual potential. God uses it to bring about the highest good and for humans made in God’s image to grow into His likeness. Free will is essential as belief in God has to be a choice for humans to spiritually grow and for the belief to have meaning. If God stepped in every time someone made a wrong choice and put right the evil that had been committed, then this would be the same as removing the freedom of choice. For example, in the Book of Job, Job is faithful to God and a “good man”, yet he experiences extreme suffering,

including the death of his children and a dreadful disease. Job never stops believing “my redeemer lives and one day I will see him”. John Hick, then, begins with a different passage from Genesis to Augustine: “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness.” Moral evil enables people to develop virtues to grow into the likeness of God by choosing to do the right thing using free will and, likewise, natural evil allows humans to develop virtues by making good in light of evil and suffering. For example, an earthquake is not good in itself, but provides the opportunities for humans to develop virtues. As a result, humans gain eternal peace in heaven, with no evil and everything being resolved in the end. However, an omnibenevolent God is not maintained, because it is not logical for evil to be seen as an expression of divine love nor is it possible for young children to gain virtues through suffering. Neither would Jesus’ death on the cross to save mankind have been necessary. Consequently, God cannot be all-loving, and so the problem of evil remains.

Alternatively, the English philosopher Richard Swinburne (b. 1934) provides a modern theodicy, arguing that natural evil is a precondition of moral evil and a logical necessity for humans to know what to do and to make the right choice. He states everyone’s choices are influenced by past experiences, so there must have been a first evil, such as the first murder. The first murderer must have known from hearing of murder or experiencing murder, and this experience comes from natural evil (therefore, preserving our free will). However, it is hard to imagine an all-loving God who allows and causes natural evil so as people can make the right moral choice. Although Keith Ward argues our free will is worth the price of suffering and evil is a necessity to have free choice because of the Fall (as Alvin Plantinga explains in his free will defence), D.Z Philips believes that any suggestion of evil as part of God’s plan and a logical necessity is nonsense and creates the definition of the Devil.

Philosopher C.S. Lewis presents further arguments for the existence of God in the presence of evil and suffering, beginning with perhaps the world we live in is the best possible world and therefore is perfect. His omnipotence means that God can do everything that is within his own nature and which is logically possible. Therefore, His omnipotence is not limited. J.L Mackie believes that God could have limited the amount of evil humans can inflict and God has limited the amount of evil. God delivers to us what He has, not what He has not. However, we have limited human understanding, so God’s nature is unknowable and not understandable to us. Therefore, we should just assume the world must have evil and suffering for humans to have free choice. However, for most, this is an inadequate and reductionist solution.

In conclusion, neither Augustine’s theodicy, the Irenaeus theodicy, Swinburne’s modern theodicy nor C.S Lewis’ argument provide adequate explanations for the existence of God with the presence of evil and suffering. Whilst this is perhaps the best possible universe and evil is necessary to use free will to choose to maximise goodness, a just God of love would not test humans using suffering and if the world had to be created with the presence of evil, God is not omnipotent. Therefore, the problem of evil and suffering does not allow for the ‘God of classical theism’.

Evil remains an absence of good (privation), so not created by God...

Gentrification

/ˌdʒen.trɪ.fɪˈkeɪ.ʃən/ noun: The process whereby the character of a poor urban area is changed by wealthier people moving in, improving housing, and attracting new businesses, often displacing current inhabitants in the process.

By Elisa

The Good, the Bad and the Ugly

What is Gentrification?

The term ‘gentrification’ was first coined by British sociologist, Ruth Glass, who said, ‘Shabby, modest mews and cottages—two rooms up and two down— have been taken over, when their leases have expired, and have become elegant, expensive residences ... Once this process of ‘gentrification’ starts in a district it goes on rapidly until all or most of the original working-class occupiers are displaced and the whole social character of the district is changed.’ However, gentrification had been happening long before then, going as far back as Ancient Rome, where small shops were replaced by large villas. The topic of gentrification has always been one that sparks controversy. Some claim it improves neighbourhoods and beautifies the community. Others claim that it ruins countless lives and destroys culture. So, which one is it? Is gentrification good or bad? To answer this question, we must first fully understand the effects of gentrification on both society and its people.

The Good

One of the most obvious benefits that gentrification brings about is urban regeneration. Generally, gentrified areas are often old and declining. Urban renewal can increase the quality of the neighbourhood, thus attracting more people to come, improving the economy. It would reduce urban sprawl which is better for the environment and increase the population density in urban areas.

According to a study done in 2020, it shows that gentrified areas tend to have a lower crime rate than those which are not. However, this could also be due to wealthier residents moving in after gentrification; who therefore would not be desperate enough to turn to crime just to survive.

The Bad

Most people, when they think of gentrification, will associate the term with high-rise luxurious buildings, a rapid rise in retail shops, or the restoration of brownstone buildings built in the 19th century and the Victorian era. While these factors may be an aspect of gentrification, they don’t show you the full picture of what it is and the effects it has on people. In truth, the realities of gentrification are much more complex than that.

By gentrifying an area, you essentially make it look better, but also raise the housing price in the process. As we’ve already mentioned above, gentrified areas tend to be old and falling apart, which usually means that the people who live there are unable to afford better living conditions. Through gentrification, you would be forcing the original residents out of their own homes. It would destroy the cultures that were established; the histories that were created; as well as the communities that were built. A recent study has shown that gentrification has a much bigger impact

on racial minorities when compared to white people. American sociologists Jackelyn Hwang and Lei Ding had studied neighbourhoods in Philadelphia and found that black people are often displaced and must move to more unfavourable neighbourhoods in order to afford housing prices. As more areas are gentrified, the number of residential options for the less advantaged reduces, leaving some homeless; while the choices for the more advantaged residents expand.

The Gentrification of Barnsbury

Britain is no stranger to gentrification, having to undergo it since ancient Rome. Though recently, much of Inner London has been reported as going through ‘super-gentrification’, which requires an even higher amount of wealth than gentrification.

One of the most prominent examples of this is Barnsbury, two miles away from central London. Barnsbury was a middle-classed neighbourhood built around the 1820s. During those times, housings were cheap and many shared accommodations. However, when World War 2 ended, the upper and middle classes fled to the suburbs, away from the working class in London. As a result, the housing prices had gone much higher, and the people who can’t afford it anymore had to move out.

Revitalisation without Displacement

Now we have looked at and understood a bit more about gentrification, I think we can agree that the biggest problem with it is the displacement of the original residents. So, what can we do about it? Is urban regeneration without gentrification possible?

The most important part of this is for the neighbourhoods to plan ahead. They will have to work out the delicate balance between improving the neighbourhood and keeping it affordable. It is also essential for everybody to work together on this, no matter their race, gender, income and so on and thus are all able to reach a compromise, and nobody would get left out.

In an ideal world, the plan would be about more than simply trying to keep low-income residents in the neighbourhood. It would be about building a local economy based on the strengths of the residents and discovering how it can contribute to the welfare of the community.

Conclusion

In the capitalist economy that we are in now, regenerating urban areas without gentrification would perhaps always be difficult. Inequality would continue its reign and the cycle rages on. However, if people don’t start working together, nothing will ever change.

References:

Parkins,

Smith, Lewis (1 September 2006). “There’s plain gentrification ... and then you have Islington”. Timesonline.co.uk. (Retrieved 6 January 2023)

School dress codes are inherently SEXIST

By Alyssa

References:

https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2015/sep/10/school-dress-codesreinforce-the-message-that-womens-bodies-are-dangerous

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2961480/Teacher-tells-Ohio-schoolgirltold-cover-arms-Valentine-s-Day-dance-sexual-objects.html

https://blog.apaonline.org/2021/07/28/youre-wearing-that-from-school-dresscodes-to-rape-culture/ https://www.lovetoknow.com/parenting/teens/school-dress-codes

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/education/education-news/toiletsecondary-school-pupils-drinking-water-dirty-unsafe-funding-cutsessity-a8891641.html

The difference between a uniform and a dress code is that a dress code is guideline rather than a rigid rule. Having a code provides more than one option to students when it comes to choosing what to wear. However, strict guidelines and protocols against women in terms of a dress code can come with the excuses such as of professionalism and modesty.

Some examples of guidelines for both genders with school dress codes is that while boys cannot wear clothes with vulgar or obscene words, it seems that they can often get away with it. Some examples of guidelines for what girls cannot wear include leggings, the wrong skirt or jeans. They also cannot show their shoulders, or let people know they have chest or even skin in general. Most schools with dress codes can therefore send you home if they see so much as a bra, as if it is a stigma or a secret that no-one is allowed to know and heaven, forbid you saw a collarbone, what on earth could you do? Except perhaps mind your own business and let a student continue with their learning.

Ari Waters, a 7th grader in Ohio, chose a kneelength yellow dress to wear to her school’s dance. Appropriate. However, when she walked into the dance, Ari was told to put on her jacket back on because her dress was sleeveless. When the mother asked how her daughter was violating the dress code by wearing this dress, the school’s vice principal said her bare arms were “sexual objects” and cannot be shown.

This article is a personal response to dress codes and argues that the baseline for school dress codes is the misogynistic act of prejudice against women.

This proves that sexism can exist in schools when a schoolgirl, a child, can be told to cover up because an adult has sexualised them. This links to the idea of modesty and the threat society gives girls that if they don’t cover up. The message is that they are to blame.

In another example a school banned halter tops due to a 2nd grade boy touching the bare back of a 2nd grade girl who was wearing such a top. One mother at an elementary school asked the principal if banning the halter tops would stop boys from touching girls without their consent. It seemed to the supposed feminist principal that by banning halter tops and spaghetti straps, then boys would stop touching girls. This is obviously not the case and shows that sexism is connected with school dress codes, in fact:

“The normalization of the policing of girls’ bodies by way of clothing often includes the normalization of the racism of policing black and brown bodies, typically, though not only, by banning dreadlocks or other hairstyles. Violating the dress code is classified as a general conduct violation, which could result in suspension from school.”

Some people may think that school dress codes are designed to keep us safe and that items are banned so that pupils do not use it to not cause damage

to school property such as spiked jewellery, and wallet chains, although unfortunately some people will do that anyway. Although, in terms of safety, in the UK more than half a million pupils are said to have not drunk during the school day so they could avoid using the toilets, as they complained about the dirty and unsafe facilities which didn’t even provide toilet roll or soap.

So, are school dress codes are designed to keep anyone safe or are they are another way for women to be suppressed? Interestingly, it isn’t just males who are part of this oppressive system, it’s women as well. In the UK 2018, a headmistress sent a girl home because her skirt was “too short” because it did not go past her fingertips, and in protest 100 boys from her school posted selfies of themselves in skirts with the hashtag, #not too short.

If you still believe that school dress codes are not inherently sexist, ask yourself these questions:

1. If men can wear jeans, baggy or ripped or straight, then why can’t women?

2. If men can wear leggings or shorts, then why can’t women?

3. If men can wear tank tops and vests, then why can’t women?

4. If a man is permitted to wear so many things, and a woman cannot, then I believe that is sexism and that this is the current baseline of school dress codes.

The business of religion

This article is not intended to be a criticism of religions, nor does the author intend to disrespect or offend those who align with their values.

Religions are the biggest businesses in the world. Simply look at the enormous international business that is the Catholic church: you will see that Catholicism is one of the richest “corporations” in the world with a mouth-watering amount of assets and an income in the billions. Although money is crucial for any corporation to run, is this amount of money necessary for a religion to function? Every religion has core values and charitable actions These values are the main principles that affect the daily decision making of the religious members. They help people weigh the ethics of their actions and thoughts.

Religion is a crucial aspect of human existence. It helps society cope with the turmoil that life can create, and with the unanswered questions about life itself. Having a higher figure to rely on is incredibly comforting to many and helps them to sustain them. Whether or not a higher power exists, the idea of their existence provides a solace that nothing else can replicate.

Although it could be argued that religion is inherently good, ironically, such is the nature of humanity, that people are able to corrupt even the purest of ideas. Like an iceberg, an ominous glacial mass can hide just below visibility and some branches of churches can be corrupt for example using tithing to fund questionable actions. I do not say this to suggest that this happens in every church or religion.

by Sienna

In December 2019, a whistle-blower alleged that the LDS (Mormon) church holds over $100 billion worth of assets. With some of the most influential peoples net worths only being a fraction of this, this amount is quite surprising. Many huge industrial corporations don’t have a net worth even close to that number, so how do these churches do it? The truth is that it is often from donations or tithings that churches can gather from perhaps ‘susceptible’ individuals and also loyal members of the church. The Catholic church acquires most of its wealth from donations by parishioners.

For every four dollars donated in the US, three dollars are donated to religions, making them the wealthiest businesses in the world. In the UK, “Religious organisations received 19 per cent of all the money donated in 2018 — more than £1.9 billion.”

But is this multitude of money completely necessary? Do they really need all this money just to survive? Perhaps we need to be more aware of what happens to these donations?

Could religions just be exploiting people’s want to do the right thing and people’s fear of the unknown? If I was guaranteed an afterlife in heaven, then maybe, I could spare a bit of money and donate as well.

References: BUSINESS IS RELIGION, RELIGION IS BUSINESS | The TechRim

The TechRim (2022). BUSINESS IS RELIGION, RELIGION IS BUSINESS | The TechRim. [online] The TechRim. Available at: https://thetechrim.com/business-is-religion-religion-is-business/ [Accessed 24 May 2023].

Riess, J. (2019). How persuasive is whistleblower’s claim the LDS church is hiding wealth from the IRS? [online] Religion News Service. Available at: https://religionnews.com/2019/12/17/whistleblower-claims-the-lds-church-is-hiding-wealth-fromthe-irs-but-is-the-evidence-persuasive/ [Accessed 24 May 2023].

Riess, J. (2020). The Mormons’ $100 billion fortune is not about the money, stupid. [online] Religion News Service. Available at: https://religionnews.com/2020/01/20/the-100-billion-mormon-fortune-is-not-about-the-money-stupid/ [Accessed 24 May 2023].

Churchtimes.co.uk. (2023). Religious causes receive lion’s share of UK giving. [online] Available at: https://www.churchtimes. co.uk/articles/2019/10-may/news/uk/religious-causes-receive-lion-s-share-of-uk-giving [Accessed 24 May 2023].

“Business is religion, and religion is business. The man who does not make a business of his religion has a religious life of no force, and the man who does not make a religion of his business has a business life of no character.”

Clergyman Maltbie Davenport Babcock

By Lucy

As recent as 40 years ago, the Government saw little competition on how to govern its citizens.

If terror struck, it was usually left primarily to its government to rekindle the pieces of society. The Government could control nearly every aspect of their citizen’s lives, and still receive little obstruction from anything else. But, on 4. September 1998, something changed. Larry Page and Sergey Brin founded Google, now the largest search engine on the planet, connecting one side of the world with another, providing news, emails, shopping, and sharing ideas. It created devices, bought companies, and rapidly advanced through the online world, influencing billions of people. A study has shown that 67% of these users feel heavily influenced by this application, but is it possible that Google has become overly powerful? Has Google now gained more power over people than their government?

Google’s goal is not to make the most money per device, but to get everyone using their hardware.

Google’s plans for the future include an emphasis on ‘ambient computing‘, which is a combination of hardware, software, user experience and machine/human interaction and learning, part of Google’s aim to get you to use them 24/7, no matter where you are or what you are doing. They are doing this by integrating products everywhere. Future generations are more likely to use Google, due to the invention of the practical yet affordable Chromebook, and there have been predictions that Google will try to buy Amazon to strengthen its ecommerce. Google also allows other manufacturers use their operating system for their devices. Google’s goal is not to make the most money per device, but to get everyone using their hardware. Google’s power in the online world has been likened to a type of cyber-government.

And Google itself has stated that it is not entirely safe, mentioning that Google can easily steal personal information from users and install malware onto computers.

Our daily lives are controlled by the UK government, whether it’s the homes we live in, the food we can buy, or the standards for the water we drink. The British government prides itself in leading a safe country and only using computer systems that are for our own safety. For instance, if you experience some difficulties while visiting a foreign country visiting an embassy run by your Government will provide assistance. The embassy will not share your information with others, but there have been great concerns over Google’s privacy settings which makes you wonder that, if the government is using Google, just how confidential our information really is.

On the other hand, Google’s formidable power is in some aspects, very much an illusion. It may seem as if Google have been retaining your personal information, but deleting your Google Account will provide no retention of information by Google and there are, of course, alternatives to Google, such as Bing or Yahoo! You could buy alternatives to Android devices, such as the obvious Apple counterparts. Google provides us with many aspects, such as a calendar, maps, shopping, travel and videos, but it does not mean that you have to use them, whereas the Government sets laws that have to be followed. Just because Google allows us to access the world around us, it does not mean it has more direct control. The Government sets the laws that citizens are expected to abide by. If laws are broken then there will be legal consequences. The Government is definitely, in this way, more powerful than Google. Google only gives us options on what we should do whereas the Government enforce rules.

In this world today, two forces try to control people’s lives. These are Google and the Government. One creates power by controlling the cyber-world, the other, the world outside of it. From now on, we may find ourselves governed partially by an appliance such as Google, and partially by our own government. Both worlds provide opportunity with some potential danger, but we need to engineer our society to overcome these dangers and prosper in both worlds.

References:

https://policies.google.com/technologies/retention?hl=en-US

by Cyra

Perfection: The Opposite Of Evolution

Evolution shows how tiny adaptions, or changes over millions and millions of years, explains this incredible level of complexity. Some changes are lost immediately, some are possibly unnoticeable and ineffective whereas others can be destructive and few changes can lead to huge leaps forwards in evolution. Nature itself is messy and evolution is just a part of this process. It is a mechanism that functions with an almost unfathomably slow process.

Now that technology is developing, we are able to marvel at even smaller structures, such as cells and biological molecules including DNA. There is no surprise that these are also incredibly complex and, many believe, carefully built for incomprehensibly intricate functions. But this idea, that the perfection of nature cannot be comprehended, is false. It is easily exposed by many theories, the main one being the theory of evolution.

The Theory of Evolution relies on the concept of natural selection. It suggests that individuals with advantageous traits, that enable them to be better adapted to their environments, are likely to survive and pass on their genes to the next generation. Similarly, those with less advantageous traits are less likely to survive or reproduce. The more advantageous traits will, therefore, become more frequent in the population. Eventually, the population will evolve into a new form that carries these new characteristics that enabled the survival of their ancestors.

We have been able to see the complexity of nature for millions of years. Eyes, ears and other structures that humans display seem perfectly and expertly crafted for their function.

The Theory of Evolution relies on the concept of natural selection.

These adaptations are random and could be almost imperceivable, such a species of monkey having a slightly longer tail, or cats with slightly bigger ears. An interesting example of an animal adapted to its environment is the cuttlefish. This creature has the hypnotizing ability to change its colour and form in a flash to, hide from predators, attract mates and hunt. This ability seems beyond even modern human technology, and the concept that nature produced such a power can be a hard pill to swallow. Imagine however, over 150 million years ago, that a very similar looking creature to the current cuttlefish exists, but without the ability for camouflage. It also has a significantly smaller brain. Over the ensuing millions of years, this creature’s brain grows slightly bigger with every offspring formed. Eventually, a Cephalopod is born with the ability to very slightly, and possibly unnoticeably, change the colour of its skin by contracting and expanding small ‘pixels’ on the surface of its skin.

This individual continues to breed and pass on this trait which, over the next few generations, starts to become more noticeable and effective. Eventually, all individuals of the cuttlefish population have this ability to deceive predators and manipulate their form. Those that hadn’t evolved, to outsmart the competition, are easier prey and have trouble attracting a mate, so they eventually cease to exist in the population. It is, as I’ve already stated, an incomprehensibly slow process, but also a very uncalculated one. These changes are all by chance. The cuttlefish didn’t become more camouflaged because they thought it would be useful or because they needed to, it happened due to the circumstances and as a result was advantageous to them. Similarly, we didn’t use evolution in order to grow ears and hear. We developed a form of hearing, it was advantageous, so we kept it and then evolved further. These changes happen as a result of evolution. Evolution is not a means to a goal. The process has no foresight and is in no way of planned.

When we look even deeper into biological structures, we find small molecules, cells and mechanisms that seem impossible and yet exist. A good example of this is DNA. If you search, you’ll find some information roughly along the lines that DNA carries the coded instructions for all living organisms and that its structure is a simple double helix, but actually it’s not that neat and it’s also not perfect. The idea that these molecules are so perfectly designed for their purpose is a misguided one, as well as the idea that they were all formed on the first attempt, as though they were produced using tools and a manual. Natural selection can only build upon what it already has. There is no model and no final outcome. In reality, DNA is a mess. There is repetition everywhere. There are long stretches that appear redundant, remnants of viruses (almost half the total), and hulks of decaying formerly functional structures on the helix. Scientists and researchers are still learning more about the molecule everyday but, from what we currently know, DNA is a perfect product of the natural world. It is like a homemade patchwork quilt as it is always being added to and picked apart. As Steve Jones says in Darwin’s Island, ‘inelegant, redundant and wasteful as biology might be, it works well, but only as well as it must.

References: Steve Jones. 2009. Darwin’s Island. Abacus. https://www.mpg.de/12363924/1017-hirn-080434-elucidating-cuttlefish-camouflage, accessed 30/01/23 http://www.bristol.ac.uk/news/2017/february/evolution-of-the-squid.html, accessed 30/01/23 https://www.livescience.com/474-controversy-evolution-works.html, accessed 30/01/23 https://www.genome.gov/about-genomics/fact-sheets/Deoxyribonucleic-Acid-Fact-Sheet, 30/01/23

By Imogen

Returning to the Moon

It has been 50 years since the last time mankind stepped on the moon. Why haven’t we returned? In this article I will be discovering the near future plans of multiple space exploration agencies, finding out how long it is expected to be before humans walk on a lunar surface again and talking about why it has been so long since we last visited the moon.

NASA’s plan

NASA is currently working on developing lunar landing systems to become more sustainable whilst beginning their Artemis missions. They are getting ready to take humans back to the moon including the first woman and the first person of colour. They are preparing for regular moon landings and long-term scientific explorations along with many new discoveries. There will be many small missions and background work, such as providing the requirements needed for other companies interested in developing moon landers. This work will then set the path for multiple companies across the globe to take opportunities for re-occurring moon landings beyond the Artemis missions.

NASA are preparing for the first long-term presence on the moon in order to gather research and new discoveries so they can send the first astronauts to mars! We are not only returning to the moon for these reasons but also for economic benefit and ‘inspiration for a new generation of explorers’ (the Artemis generation). NASA are aiming to build a global alliance to explore ‘deep space’, whilst keeping an American leadership in this modern space race.

Artemis

With the Artemis missions NASA are hoping to build a community around and on the moon. By doing this, they will open up thousands of new jobs and careers, therefore expanding the lunar economy.

During the Artemis missions, a base camp will be built for the many astronauts that will be part of the program. Within the camp there will be a mobile home, a rover and a modern lunar cabin. This camp will be situated on the South Pole of the moon. There will also be a ‘Gateway’ in lunar orbit where the Astronauts will transfer between the Orion (a spacecraft that will be able to carry astronauts to and from lunar orbit) and the lander. Through these missions there are a myriad of discoveries that will be made and mankind will learn a lot for future space exploration missions. The space company says that, “None of this is simple or easy, but nothing in our history ever has been.” The first Artemis mission, Artemis 1, is set to launch no earlier than November 2022.

Moon Village

The ESA (European Space Agency) is also working towards what they are calling a ‘moon village’ and so far there have been 2 main designs for this base. The first design are dome shaped buildings, connected by tunnels, with natural resources from the moon layered on top. The second, newer design, is a more modern approach with the equivalent of skyscrapers connected by tunnels.

The more modern designs have been described as having, “flexible architecture that can be reconfigured as needed, and also high floor to ceiling space”. Both of these ideas are inflatable meaning they can quite simply be packed away tightly, taken to the moon, and then blown up. However these designs are not final and are being worked on constantly. Prototypes are being made by multiple space agencies who are working together towards the one very important goal of long-term missions on the moon.

SpaceX

NASA have selected SpaceX to carry the next 2 Astronauts to the lunar surface. At least one of whom will be female and will make history as the first female to step on the moon. The extremely powerful Space Launch System rocket will launch the Orion spacecraft into orbit with four astronauts on board. Two of the crew members will then transfer at the Gateway to the SpaceX human landing system. They will then spend roughly a week exploring the surface before returning to the other astronauts on the Orion and then heading back to earth. NASA is collaborating with the main space agency’s to make these missions a reality and then to make them regular. We have already taken a step into the future by creating a hotel, unlike any other, in space.

Voyager Station

The new space hotel named the ‘Voyager Station’ is currently being built by the company ‘Orbital Assembly’. This hotel will have many features including bars, restaurants and gyms. The hotel will undoubtedly be made with windows so that the passengers/guests can constantly enjoy the spectacular view. This hotel is aiming to be opened in the year 2027, this seems very optimistic as it is quite hard to just build a hotel in space. The eye opening experience includes a trip to the hotel in a SpaceX rocket, then a 3 night stay at the magical hotel before then returning home in one of Elon Musk’s ‘reusable’ spacecrafts. The hotel can accommodate up to about 440 guests and is estimated to cost the casual price of $5 million for a three day stay. This is the first hotel in space but it definitely wont be the last, and who knows, it could be the next step towards holidays on the moon.

References:

https://www.nasa.gov/specials/artemis/

https://www.esa.int/Education/Teach_with_the_Moon/ESA_Euronews_Moon_Village

https://www.nasa.gov/press-release/as-artemis-moves-forward-nasa-picks-spacexto-land-next-americans-on-moon

https://orbitalassembly.com/voyager

https://www.insider.com/voyager-station-first-ever-space-hotel-set-openin-2027-2021-3

Have you ever thought of whether the aversion to insects is innate or learned? There has been much debate about it. Isn’t it interesting as, although we know rationally that most of these tiny creatures can’t hurt us, we shriek when they land on our skin?

The fear of insects, which is also known as entomophobia, is a common issue due to the lack of interaction with nature. In 2016, a survey conducted by Chapman University revealed that about 25% of the respondents were afraid of spiders or other insects. This is a huge number of people who suffer from this fear. On the other hand, spiders, and insects impact humans directly. Insects and arachnids make up between 65% to 85% of all known living organisms, they pollinate 85% of crops, and are vectors for a lot of diseases such as malaria, typhus, and sleeping sickness. Also, there are approximately 1.4 billion insects for every person on Earth.

The evolution of insects may have started with a type of venomous crustacean known as remipedes that originated on Earth around 480 million years ago. Insects were also the first animal to develop the ability to fly. The diversity of insects changed along with several global climate changes. In the Carboniferous period, the largest insect ever to have existed, meganeura with a wingspan of 75cm, exist due to the moistness of the environment and much higher oxygen concentration in the atmosphere than today. In the Permian period, a mass extinction occurred where 30% of all insect species became extinct.

At the end of the Cretaceous period, huge extinction ended the age of the dinosaur. Some geological evidence suggests an 10km diameter asteroid hit the Earth and produced an enormous dust cloud that reduced the amount of sunlight reaching the Earth’s and might have caused widespread wildfires. Insects and spiders are very tenacious as they survived through it. For example, the cockroach has a flat body which means that they could shelter in tiny soil crevices, which provide excellent protection from heat.

A research found that during 2000–2017, a total of 1,109 deaths from hornet, wasp, and bee stings occurred in the US. Whereas the number of traffic-related death in the US was 39,888 in 2016. It is rare to see snakes and spiders that bite people and cause death in cities, but cars can. However, we rarely see people being afraid of cars and cigarettes because these things are so close to our daily lives that we have no time to establish reaction mechanisms in the brain from birth. In addition, the fear of insects doesn’t fit the usual criterion for a threat in the animal kingdom where size is a factor. This might be due to some insects and spiders being poisonous as they have significant venom. They can cause harm to humans and carry devastating diseases.

The first human species was believed to split off from their oldest living ancestors, at around 7 million years ago to form Sahelanthropus tchadensis. Human history on earth is much shorter than in insects.

Why are humans afraid of insects?

By Coraline

Insects and arachnids make up between 65% to 85% of all known living organisms..

Ancestors who were more sensitive to the dangerous potential of being bitten by a poisonous insect would have had a reduced risk thereby giving them a slight advantage over non-arachnophobes in terms of survival. Ancestors, who had entomophobia may have been more likely to survive as they had a lower risk of dying from being bite. The successful human ancestor that survives is more likely to reproduce and pass on their successful genes to their offspring. Over time, these characteristics become more common in the population. It is a form of self-preservation.

The fear of spiders and insects involves not only emotional responses but also the way we perceive the world. Firstly, a study in 2001 found that humans detect the images of spiders more quickly among images of flowers and mushrooms than detecting images of flowers or mushrooms among images of spiders. This indicates the high level of recognition for potential hazards such as spiders or insects. Furthermore, Scientists at the MPI CBS in Leipzig and Uppsala University have discovered six months old babies feel stressed when seeing a spider as their pupils enlarge. This has given evidence to the view that the fear of insects and spiders could have been embedded in the brain.

Moreover, urbanisation contributes as it reduces people’s people chance of seeing insects. Most of us view insects as uninvited guests as most of our interactions with insects is where they are seen as invading our homes and our private spaces. Also, insects’ physical forms are so unlike us and other creations. Mammals, reptiles, birds, fish and amphibians are vertebrates with endoskeletons (skeletons inside their bodies) whereas insects and spiders have skeleton outside their bodies and are invertebrates. They also have too many legs and too many eyes.

On the other hand, there is another view that spiders and insects won’t influence human evolution. For example, insects eating is common to culture in Central and South America, Africa, Asia, Australia, and New Zealand. Moreover, in South Africa, humans started to eat edible insects since prehistoric times (2.5 million years ago to 1,200 B.C.) Currently, Eighty percent of the world’s nations eat insects between 1,000 to 2,000 species.

In conclusion, both spiders and insects have a long evolutionary history and they have coexisted with humans for a long period. Currently, there is no evidence to prove that the fear of insects or spiders is innate, but there are many pieces of evidence that indicate humans do have a fear mechanism that responds quickly to insects and spiders.

References:

https://blogs.chapman.edu/wilkinson/2016/10/11/americas-topfears-2016/

https://www.gresham.ac.uk/watch-now/insect-diseases

https://www.royensoc.co.uk/understanding-insects/facts-and-figures

https://www.nhm.ac.uk/discover/news/2014/november/intricaciesinsect-evolution-revealed.html

https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/68/wr/mm6829a5.htm?s_ cid=mm6829a5_w

https://humanorigins.si.edu/evidence/human-fossils/species/ sahelanthropus-tchadensis

https://www.cbs.mpg.de/Fear-of-spiders-and-snakes-is-deeplyembedded-in-us

https://environmentjournal.online/features/why-eating-insectscould-be-the-key-to-a-sustainable-planet

It was only 12,000 years ago that Homo sapiens were the only humans remaining on Earth. It is a comparatively short time as it has taken roughly 6 million years to become what we are today. Homo sapien means ‘wise man’ in Latin. But can you imagine the earth without humans?

Around 430 million years ago, oxygen in the atmosphere reacted to form ozone. This became a protective barrier to the sun’s harmful rays, allowing plants to colonise the land. This aided the evolution of first land vertebrates. 250 million years ago, reptiles evolved into dinosaurs, but unfortunately, they were wiped out by an asteroid after dominating the Earth until 90 million years ago. However, there was no physical proof of their death from an ice age. This theory has been discarded for one reason: scientists have not found any evidence of an ice age occurring during the life of the dinosaurs.

by Nicole

raisedImpacts by the emergence of humans

Their extinction could be a result of atmospheric debris blocking out the sun creating a ‘nuclear winter’, causing them to starve and die from hunger. Instead, they believed that the birds we see evolved from an ancestral dinosaur. These remain mysteries.

6 million years ago, the tribe of hominini split into genus ‘Homo’ and ‘Pan’- which includes chimpanzees and bonobosand our relationship with apes ended. Around 2.8 million years ago, the genus ‘Homo,’ the first human, emerged. 800,000 years ago, they discovered fire. Cooking with fire boosted their brains’ development from nutritious food which helped them become survival specialists. Later, Homo sapiens emerged in Africa 300,000 to 200,000 years ago. Around the same time, Homo neanderthalensis and Denisovans emerged in Europe, Western Asia and in New Guineans, Oceania respectively. We all evolved from a common ancestor Homo erectus that originated in Africa.

Close to 50,000 years ago, it was the beginning of civilisations. They use advanced language, make sophisticated weapons, and develop complex cultures. They agglomerated, building defence systems, and practising agriculture. Villages developed into powerful empires which overshadowed the thriving wildlife. However, 10,000 years ago, the Neanderthal and Denisovans disappeared without evidence. In fact, modern humans, who evolved 130,000 years ago, had survived the last ice age. To survive the glacial period, closer cooperation in large groups was needed. They preserved their knowledge and passed their key to survival over generations. However, this process was achieved through genes, which was very inefficient. Therefore, this might be the reason for the extinction of the Neanderthals and Denisovans as their evolution is slower than Homo sapiens.

Despite the disappearance of the other species of humans, the extinction rate on Earth today is more than 100 times what it would be without humans. We had driven the extinction of the woolly mammoths, dodo birds, the Tasmanian tiger and 100 others through our relentless activities such as overhunting and destruction of habitats in the past 500 years. Agriculture made the land less fertile for the animals to feed on. Fertile soil is maintained by large animals moving seeds and nutrients around through eating and defecating. The transportation of elements has declined by over 90% through extinctions of large animals. The earth could have been covered with vast thriving forests and lush grasslands. Oceans would be crowded with aquatic creatures. Elephants would be thriving in areas in Europe. North and South Americas would have had a huge diversity of mammals roaming its land.

What we cannot control is mutation as this happens through evolution as advantageous traits are passed onto offspring for survival. Growing populations are causing more damage to this fragile planet. The burning of fossil fuels has raised the average global temperature by about 1.8 degrees since the beginning of the 20th century. A study in 2016 concluded that humancaused warming will postpone an upcoming ice age by at least 100,000 years, although it was not due for another 50,000 years. Global warming increases disturbance such as rising sea levels, glacial melts, and extreme weather. In the past, there was nothing had impacted the landscape of the Earth to this extent until the COVID-19 pandemic hit us.

References:

https://royalsociety.org/topics-policy/projects/biodiversity/decline-and-extinction/ https://www.carbonbrief.org/human-emissions-will-delay-next-ice-age-by-50000-years-study-says/ https://www.nasa.gov/feature/goddard/2020/drop-in-air-pollution-over-northeast https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/how-covid-19-has-changed-the-face-of-the-natural-world

COVID-19 had a severe negative impact on human health. Countries went into lockdown, shutting down most of the economic activities. Decrease in transport activities reduced the demand for oil and on the bright side, changes could be seen in nature. NASA suggests that the emission of nitrogen dioxide from burning fossil fuels reduced by 30%. Additionally, an unprecedented ‘healing’ of the ozone hole was observed during the period of lockdown.

The ozone layer can become thinner due to pollution. Protocols signed by countries that regulate the use of ozone-depleting substances such as CFCs and a decrease in emissions has led to an increase in the ozone concentration above the Arctic regions. Moreover, animals made a comeback onto streets globally. For instance, an African penguin was spotted walking near a beach in South Africa. There were also said to be a decrease in the roadkill rate. A study in March 2021 of hedgehog-roadkill rates in Poland were 50% lower compared with pre-pandemic years, helping to reverse the decline of European hedgehog populations.

Nature has pressed the reset button and rejuvenated its wildlife during the lockdown. This positive impact on the environment may be temporary, but governments and individuals should learn from this lockdown and think about how to reduce the impact of humans as the damage to the Earth is deadly, sadly permanent if we continue on this path. How would you like the earth to look in the future? Do you want to see nature being eroded by humanity? It is up to us to decide.

Therefore, this might be the reason for the extinction of the Neanderthals and Denisovans as their evolution is slower than Homo sapiens.

Although it sounds complicated, many of us experience low-level synaesthesia, the most common type being grapheme-colour synaesthesia, in which one associates certain letters or numbers with a colour. In a survey I conducted, 77% of people said that they associated a colour with a day of the week: when asked to identify a colour with the day ‘Thursday’, 57% of people said that they associated it with some shade of green, while 28% of people linked it to a blue, and the rest chose their own colours. Although of course not all of these people are clinically diagnosed synesthetes, the phenomenon of connecting two different inputs (such as colour and day of the week) is more common than we might think.

MIRROR-TOUCH SYNAESTHESIA

References:

https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/10400419.2019.1631637?journalCode=hcrj20

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Synesthesia

https://www.bbc.co.uk/bbcthree/article/13a3affc-839d-4743-a5aa-738f9c8a6615

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22981809/

Synaesthesia is an uncommon but fairly well-studied phenomenon in which people experience an additional sense or concept from the stimulation of another sense or input.

But where does this ‘sixth sense’ come from? It is suggested that it comes about during the developmental stage, when we are first learning abstract ideas, and we may create an increased communication between different sensory regions of the brain. In addition, people with synaesthesia (or synesthetes are they are referred to) often share another type of neurodivergence, such as autism. An elevated rate of synaesthesia within the autism community is significant as it suggests that both stem from the same thing, which is theorised to be a gene that codes for overconnectivity in parts of the brain.

However, there is a type of synaesthesia that is often not the first one to be mentioned: mirror-touch synaesthesia. Empathy is a human emotion that is the foundation of our society, but this condition takes it further, causing people to physically feel what others are experiencing, for example, if someone was to step on a stone, synesthetes would too experience this sensation of stepping on a stone. If someone was to touch their own arm, the person with mirror-touch synaesthesia would also feel their arm being touched. The intensity of this condition is dependent on the individual. Some report intense feelings that feel completely real, while some report an ‘echo’ of the feeling. This may seem like some medical mystery that would be the topic of a TV hospital drama, but it is estimated that 1.6% - 2.5% of the general population have this condition.

Interestingly, people with mirror-touch synaesthesia have higher empathy toward other people’s physical pain, but not necessarily emotional empathy, which could be used as evidence that as humans we are inclined to empathise more strongly with issues that impact us, or that we can relate to.

The most intriguing part of this phenomenon is when it is acquired by people who cannot feel certain parts of their bodies. A man given the alias D.N. had a stroke, and unfortunately completely lost sensation on the left side of his body. However, when he was shown a video of a doctor touching somebody’s arm and told it was his own in real-time, he stated that he could feel a sensation along his left arm. This was due to ‘mirror box treatment’, in which the image of the remaining limb is reflected so it looks to the amputee like they have both their limbs, therefore sometimes tricking the brain into feeling sensations. This is similar to the idea of ‘phantom sensations’ in amputees. This can occur when people lose a limb, commonly feeling as if they can feel something touching it at random times of the day. When doing the ‘mirror-box treatment’ many amputees can feel the sensation of where their missing limb would be, and this is categorised as mirror-touch synaesthesia, as the brain is imagining a sensation due to visual input.

Professors at Oxford conducted a study, suggesting that mirror-touch synaesthesia is a result of an impairment of selfother recognition, meaning that these people struggled with differentiating between actions that were their own, and those that were others. This self-other recognition is the base of human psychology, yet it appears that it is so fragile. Raising the question, how can we know what is real if our body is capable of creating such convincing sensations that shouldn’t exist from the input given?

Raising the question, how can we know what is real if our body is capable of creating such convincing sensations that shouldn’t exist from the input given? by Natacha

Empathy is a human emotion that is the foundation of our society.

gut bacteria Does our us?control

By Isabella

What is our gut microbiome?

Your microbiome is made up of trillions of microorganisms and their genetic material. They live inside our gut and are mainly comprised of bacteria. They are critical to our health and wellbeing as they play an important role in our digestive system. They help with absorbing and synthesising nutrients too. Extending beyond this, they are vital to our metabolism, immune regulation, brain function and mood. We all have our own unique make up of bacteria, but this can be separated into three enterotypes which are similar to the different blood groups. Enterotypes are based on the bacterial composition of the gut microbiome. Our gut bacteria start to develop very early on our lives and some research suggests that it even begins while we are still in the womb.

How is our gut connected to our brain?

The gut contains a mesh like structure of neurons called the enteric nervous system or ENS. It communicates with our brain via the vagus nerve which stretches from the brain all the way down to the colon. The ENS is often referred to as the second brain because it operates independently and allows for direct, two-way communication between the neurons in our brain and the neurons and microbes in our gut.

Does our gut bacteria affect what we eat?

Gut bacteria may also control us by telling us what to eat. An idea is that types of bacteria that feed off a certain biomolecule, like sugar, may influence our eating habits by telling us to eat more sugar so they can get more of the substance they need. If this is true, then some of our food cravings may be caused by the collection of microbes living in your gut. Some researchers speculate that unhealthy habits could be due to the gut microbiome’s preference rather than a lack of willpower.

Does our gut bacteria change our behaviour?

One theory is that members of the gut microbiome actively manipulate our behaviour for their own benefit. For example, they might change our behaviour to make us more sociable to increase their likelihood of transmission to new hosts. However, considering evolutionary theory, the idea that our brains are manipulated by the microbiome is very unlikely given the immense diversity

References: https://rightasrain.uwmedicine.org/body/food/gut-microbiome-behavior https://foodandmoodcentre.com.au/2016/07/what-is-the-gut-microbiome/ https://www.ox.ac.uk/news/2018-04-26-can-microbes-manipulate-our-minds https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20190218-how-the-bacteria-inside-youcould-affect-your-mental-health

of microbial species and strains inhabiting the gut. This is due to the fact that any extra energetic cost invested by the bacteria producing a chemical to manipulate its host would make it vulnerable to being outcompeted by other microbes not making this investment. So rather than viewing our gut bacteria as puppeteers manipulating our behaviour, the behavioural effects of gut microbes are more likely the result of natural selection between microbes to grow and compete. As the host of these bacteria, we also depend on them when facing natural selection as having a better microbiome ensures us a better chance of survival.

How does gut bacteria influence our mental health?

In one study, Chinese researchers took a sample of the gut microbiota from patients with Major Depressive Disorder and planted them in germ free mice. These mice were quicker to quit on a swimming task which is a behaviour similar to the lethargy and hopelessness found in depression. When these mice were placed a box, they spent less time exploring the central areas and instead stayed close to the edge where they felt more secure.

Certain species of gut microbes can protect the gut wall, helping to maintain its mucus membrane that stops the contents from spilling into the blood stream. Without that barrier, you may suffer from a leaky gut. This can trigger the release of proteins called pro-inflammatory cytokines. These proteins increase the blood flow around sites of infection and regulate the body’s immune response. This reaction is crucial to fight infection however these cytokines can also lead to a low mood and lethargy. They cause us to feel tired when we are ill, which is beneficial for when we need to save energy to fight an infection but over a long period of time can lead to depression. Stress can also increase inflammation and as the brain is connected to gut in a direct pathway it can affect the microbes that live there also producing this response. When the gut microbiome becomes imbalanced or disrupted, by different factors like stress, this is called dysbiosis.

...the idea that our brains are manipulated by the microbiome is very unlikely...

What is CBT?

Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is a type of psychotherapy that focuses on the cognitive and behavioural aspects of mental illnesses, identifying the relationship between irrational thoughts and their consequent behaviour. CBT is most commonly used for depression, anxiety, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), eating disorders and psychosis, including schizophrenia. Aaron Beck’s theory of the negative triad and Albert Ellis’s ABC model helped contribute to the development of CBT, targeting and challenging negative irrational thoughts by replacing them with rational and positive thoughts. During CBT, the patient will have to complete ‘homework,’ such as keeping a diary and questioning the irrational thoughts. These activities will help the therapist to identify and break down the patients’ problems and aid them in working out their own ways of tackling present as well as future problems and how to practise these skills even after CBT has ended. According to the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), CBT is the firstchoice psychological treatment for Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), depression, and phobias where anxiety is the main issue1 however, it is also often used alongside antidepressants like fluoxetine to maximise the efficiency of CBT in reducing the individual’s symptoms.

Is CBT as effective as it seems?

Since the advancements in drug therapy, many psychologists have questioned the efficacy of CBT as a treatment for depression. Several meta-analyses and systematic reviews have been done to further investigate the claim that CBT is not as successful as it seems. The meta-analysis done by Cuijpers et al. investigated whether the effects of adult CBT are overestimated by publication bias. Their statistical tests have shown that there are strong indications of publication bias, leading to their conclusion that this was the main reason for the overestimation of the effects of CBT.2

Some psychologists have also questioned if the standard 12 sessions of CBT are sufficient for a significant decrease in depressive symptoms. A case study into the effects of CBT on Puerto Rican teenagers who suffer from depression demonstrated that the standard “dose” of 12 CBT sessions is not effective for a high percentage of adolescents, and over 1/3 of adolescents in the clinical trials continue to exhibit symptoms of depression. The researchers have acknowledged that some patients are responsive to the standard 12 sessions, but that others require additional sessions to significantly reduce depressive symptoms or to maintain the treatment response.3 This emphasises the importance of individual differences in the patient’s

response to psychological treatment as the mental illness can be affect each person in a different way, making it difficult to set an effective standard “dose” of treatment. This emphasises the importance of individual differences in the patient’s response to psychological treatment as the mental illness can be affect each person in a different way, making it difficult to set an effective standard “dose” of treatment.

Unlike other types of therapy such as Client-Centred Therapy (CCT) and psychodynamic therapy, CBT focuses on present life events and challenges. While it is suitable for patients whose current circumstances are not ideal, it may not be as effective for patients who are aware that specific past events are responsible for their depression, instead psychodynamic therapy may be a better choice of treatment. CBT may also not be suitable for all cases of depression and patients who suffer from Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) may not benefit from the regular CBT sessions, due to their feelings of hopelessness and lack of motivation.

Alternatives to CBT

CBT is often used alongside pharmacological treatments such as SSRIs and other antidepressants. However, studies have mentioned that drug treatments may be more effective than psychological treatments for MDD and dysthymia.4 Due to the rise of social media and online resources, online CBT has also become an alternative for patients with mild depression, providing many people with the help and guidance they need. Other than CBT, psychodynamic therapy can be used to treat depression as it focuses on the individual’s past and unconscious mind that affects their thoughts and behaviour.5 Interpersonal therapy (IPT) is another effective treatment for depression and is commonly recommended for adolescents and children. IPT puts an emphasis on the patient’s relationships and how their symptoms affect those relationships. IPT aims to improve social interactions and reduce symptoms.

Although CBT is the most commonly used treatment for many mental disorders, it may not always be as effective in all cases of depression, such as patients suffering from MDD. Fortunately, alternative psychological and pharmacological treatments can be used in place of CBT that are both efficient and costeffective. This means that patients can be provided with the help and treatment they need..

References:

1. Blenkiron, P. (2022) Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT): Royal College of Psychiatrists, www.rcpsych.ac.uk. Available at: https://www.rcpsych.ac.uk/mental-health/treatmentsand-wellbeing/cognitive-behavioural-therapy-(cbt) (Accessed: October 17, 2022).

2. Cuijpers, P., Smit, F., Bohlmeijer, E., Hollon, S. D. and Andersson, G. (2010) “Efficacy of cognitive–behavioural therapy and other psychological treatments for adult depression: meta-analytic study of publication bias,” The British Journal of Psychiatry. Cambridge University Press, 196(3), pp. 173–178. doi: 10.1192/bjp.bp.109.066001. (Accessed: November 1, 2022).

3. Jiménez Chafey, M.I., Bernal, G. and Rosselló, J. (2009) “Clinical case study: CBT for depression in a Puerto Rican adolescent: Challenges and variability in treatment response,” Depression and Anxiety, 26(1), pp. 98–103. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1002/ da.20457. (Accessed: November 7, 2022).

4. Cuijpers, P., Straten, A. van, Oppen, P. van and Andersson, G. (2008). Are Psychological and Pharmacologic Interventions Equally Effective in the Treatment of Adult Depressive Disorders? A Meta-Analysis of Comparative Studies. The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, [online] 69(11), p.1297. Available at: https://www.psychiatrist.com/jcp/depression/arepsychological-pharmacologic-interventions-equally/ [Accessed: November 11, 2022].

5. www.mentalhealth.org.uk. (n.d.). Talking therapies. [online] Available at: https://www. mentalhealth.org.uk/explore-mental-health/a-z-topics/talking-therapies [Accessed: November 13, 2022].

The Efficacy of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)

by Michelle

Discrimination exists in all aspects of life, including in Health and Social care. Everywhere we look, we see different types of people from different backgrounds, and these differences can lead to a prejudice; a pre-formed negative judgment or attitude towards someone who is different to ourselves. So, how can these prejudices affect the care we receive, and how can we overcome them in today’s society?

An unconscious, “bias is a prejudice in favor or against a thing, person or group when compared with another, usually in a way that is considered unfair.” This can also be known as an implicit stereotype, and is the opposite to having a conscious bias. “Social stereotypes about certain groups of people can form outside of our own consciousness and awareness”, and can lead to someone thinking better of someone else as they are alike, or worse if there are differences between them. This can often materialise in the form of age, race, gender or religion, and can have many impacts on the way in which society operates. In the healthcare industry, this can have a significant impact on the quality of care patients receive. Research has shown that unconscious biases can influence healthcare providers’ interactions with patients, their perceptions of patients, and even their clinical decisions. This article will explore the concept of unconscious bias and its effects on patient care, including its impact on the doctor-patient relationship, patient outcomes, and the healthcare system as a whole. By understanding the role of unconscious bias in healthcare, we can work towards creating a more inclusive and equitable healthcare system.

Unconscious biases are mental shortcuts that our brains take in processing information. They are a form of System 1 thinking, and we are often unaware of their existence. These biases can manifest in small interpersonal interactions and have broader implications in various sectors of society, including the medical field. This can result in microaggressions, which are subtle and automatic actions that communicate prejudice and discrimination. Unconscious biases can be formed by various factors such as gender, race, age, religion, interests, and sexuality. There are common types of unconscious biases, such as affinity, attribution, beauty, conformity, and gender.

The human brain forms biases as a means of categorizing new people and information and connecting them to past experiences, allowing us to process information quickly. Furthermore, biases can be influenced by those around us, such as family and friends. Understanding the effects of unconscious biases on patient care is important in creating a more inclusive and equitable healthcare system. By recognizing and addressing these biases, healthcare providers can provide better care to all patients, regardless of their background or identity.

So, how do unconscious biases impact our everyday views and decisions?

Unconscious biases are unconscious prejudices that we hold, which can influence our decisions and actions. These biases happen outside of our control and are triggered by the brain’s automatic response to quick decisionmaking, such as when forming a first impression of someone.

Unconscious biases can affect various aspects of the workplace, such as evaluating talent, performance, assignments, and promotions. In the workplace, these biases can have negative impacts on recruitment decisions, slow down employee development, and impair diversity and attraction. This can result in a workplace that is not inclusive or equitable, hindering the growth and success of employees and the organization as a whole. It is important to be aware of and address unconscious biases in the workplace. By acknowledging and working to overcome these biases, organizations can create a more

inclusive and diverse work environment, where employees are evaluated fairly and have equal opportunities for growth and success.

Racial discrimination is a widespread problem in the healthcare systems of many countries, including the United States and the UK. “This has negative consequences for both patients and healthcare workers, leading to higher risks of illness and in some cases,

Studies have shown that this discrimination can manifest in various forms...

lower standards of care for people of color.” Studies have shown that this discrimination can manifest in various forms, such as unequal treatment, misdiagnosis, and lack of trust between patients and healthcare providers. The problem is further compounded by the fact that some patients may have biases towards being treated by doctors of a certain gender or race. This can result in a lack of trust and prevent patients from seeking the care they need. These biases can lead to lower standards of care for certain populations and can have serious consequences for their health and wellbeing. It is important to address racial discrimination in healthcare systems to ensure that all patients receive equal and high-quality care. This can be achieved through training for healthcare providers on cultural competency, promoting diversity and inclusivity in the workplace, and engaging in open and honest conversations about racial discrimination and its effects on patient care. By working to eliminate racial discrimination in healthcare, we can create a more equitable and just healthcare system for all. It is important for healthcare providers to be aware of and address their unconscious biases in order to provide the best possible care for all patients. This can be done through education and training on cultural competency, engaging in open and honest conversations about unconscious biases and their effects on patient care, and promoting diversity

and inclusivity in the workplace. By doing so, we can ensure that all patients receive equal and high-quality care, regardless of their background or identity.

Eliminating unconscious bias in the workplace is crucial for creating a more inclusive and equitable environment for all employees. This can be achieved through several strategies, including:

1. Raising future generations differently: This can be done by promoting diversity and inclusivity from a young age, through education and exposure to different cultures and backgrounds.

2. Hiring people from different backgrounds: This can help to diversify the workplace and ensure that employees have different experiences and perspectives. This can also help to mitigate the effects of unconscious bias by allowing caregivers to relate to their patients in different ways.

3. Normalizing different races and genders working in different roles: This can help to break down stereotypes and promote equal opportunities for all employees, regardless of their background or identity.

Additionally, it is important for organizations to engage in ongoing conversations about unconscious bias and its effects on the workplace. This can be done through education and training programs, regular check-ins and assessments, and creating a culture of inclusivity and diversity. By doing so, we can help to eliminate unconscious bias in the workplace and ensure equal treatment for all employees and patients.

To conclude, unconscious bias is a form of prejudice that occurs outside of our control. It can affect our interactions with others and impact important decisions, such as evaluating talent, performance, and assignments in the workplace. In the medical sector, unconscious bias can also negatively impact patient care by leading to microaggressions, unequal treatment, and subpar standards of care for people of colour. To eliminate unconscious bias in the workplace, organizations can raise future generations with more exposure to different cultures, hire people from diverse backgrounds, and normalize different races and genders working in different roles. Additionally, it is important for organizations to engage in ongoing discussions about unconscious bias and create a culture of inclusivity and diversity through education, training, and regular check-ins.

How unconscious bias can discriminate against patients and affect their care

References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Implicit_stereotype# https://diversity.ucsf.edu/programs-resources/training/unconscious-bias-training https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/racism-in-healthcare

By Grace

How realistic is it to develop a small molecule therapy for Covid-19?

By Harriet

Could such a therapy be rolled out in a timeframe that it could have an impact on the current pandemic?

viruses.

Small molecules can target essential viral live cycle processes by: blocking receptors, preventing the virus from binding with the cell thereby preventing viral entry; preventing the virus from replicating once it is inside the cell, stopping the infection from gaining momentum causing more severe disease; killing the virus outright. Small molecules, as opposed to antibodies and peptides, are more stable in biological fluids and have a high immunological tolerance and are less complex to manufacture, less expensive and more stable to transport.

To understand how small molecule therapy can influence the COVID-19 pandemic, we must first understand the replication cycle of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and whether there are points at which we can inhibit the virus from progressing any further.

Structure of SARS-CoV-2

SARS-CoV-2 (Figure 1) is an enveloped, positive sense, single stranded RNA virus. Its main structural glycoproteins include its: spike, membrane, nucleocapsid and envelope. The spike protein is divided up into two subunits. The first subunit is the site that binds to the angiotensinconverting- enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptor on human cells, whereas the second subunit controls the fusion between the virus and the host cell. The membrane glycoprotein is the structural protein determining the shape of the viral envelope. The nucleocapsid glycoprotein binds to the membrane protein stabilizing the nucleocapsid protein-RNA complex inside the virion, thus aiding the viral assembly. This glycoprotein is bound to the ribonucleic acid (RNA) material of the virus meaning it has a major role in any process related to the viral genome, replication, or response of the host cell to viral infections. The envelope glycoprotein is the smallest in size and is involved in the assembly, budding, and pathogenesis of the virus.

The genetic material is then released through a fusion pore formed of the helical bundles allowing the viral genome to transfer into the host cell.

The viral entry process is the first target for small molecule therapies. This can be done with inhibitors such as Camostat, Nafamostat or Umifenovir or organic dyes as researched by the University of Miami.1

First tested in mice, both Camostat and Nafamostat were previously known to directly inhibit the enzyme activity of TMPRSS2 and related serine proteases. Both inhibitors were found to reduce SARS-CoV-2 infection in primary cultures of human airway epithelial cells. Nafamostat was shown to be fifteen-fold more potent than Camostat, significantly reducing viral loads. Studies show that it is best for the inhibitors to be administered early in the viral infection course as after the treatment window has passed, the drug will no longer be impactful. Both of these compounds were approved treatments for other medical conditions and thus drug repurposing is an attractive idea. Nafamostat is currently in many clinical trials, however, there was found to be no significant difference in time for clinical improvement between patients treated with Nafamostat and those without. Invulnerable COVID-19 patients, however, there was found to be a shorter median time for clinical improvement.

Umifenovir is thought to influence the negatively charged phospholipids, thus altering the host cell’s membrane. In a study containing five other drugs used to treat influenza, Umifenovir was the only one to be found to effectively inhibit the replication of SARS-CoV-2. A double-blind randomised placebo-controlled Phase III clinical trial carried out with Umifenovir found that it was safe to use and that it was statistically significant in mildly symptomatic to asymptomatic patients to improve recovery. Its effect on moderately symptomatic patients was not statistically significant compared to untreated individuals. The group size in this case was limited, and a larger group would therefore be needed to come to a definitive answer on its usefulness in more severe cases.

In review of these three inhibitors, Nafamostat looks the most promising to affect patient mortality from COVID-19 and although Umifenovir was found to help in milder cases, it is unlikely to affect the overall outcome of the patient.

Targeting Viral Entry

The first stage of the replication cycle of SARS-CoV-2 is the binding of the viral molecule to the cell though the ACE2 receptor. Upon binding to the receptor, the virus enters the host cell through the fusion of the viral membrane and the host cell membrane by the proteolysis of the spike protein by the protease TMPRSS2 on the host cell. This exposes the second spike subunit containing a fusion peptide and two hydrophobic regions which self-assemble into a stable helical bundle, bringing the virus and the host cell’s membrane together for fusion.

Small molecules are chemical compounds made of 20 to 100 atoms that enter the cell and affect biological processes inside the cell. They have also been at the forefront of therapeutic strategies for various viral models such as influenza, Ebola, Zika, Hepatitis B and Nipah

Figure 1: Structure of SARS-CoV-2

The roll out of these medicines currently would be difficult as they have only been available as injectables making them relatively inaccessible to the average person at home or away from hospitals and are thus unlikely to make a difference in the pandemic’s outcome.

Targeting Viral Replication Inside the Cell

After the release of the viral RNA into the cytoplasm of the host cell, the cytosol viral replication is started through the translation of the replicase gene on the viral mRNA. Some of the non structural proteins form replicase-transcriptase complex (RTC) in double-membrane vesicles formed by RNA-dependent RNA polymerase and helicase containing subunits. The RTCs encode the structural proteins and other accessory proteins. The nucleocapsid protein remains in the cytoplasm and forms complexes with the genomic RNA. The viral structural proteins are translated and transported through the membrane of the rough endoplasmic reticulum (RER), into the RERGolgi intermediate where the genomic RNA-nucleocapsid complexes are moved to the cell surface by vesicles and released in exocytosis.

Viral protease inhibition is the second point of attack for small molecule therapy. By targeting synthesis and release of new functional proteins the virus cannot replicate and cause disease. This can be done with small molecules such as Lopinavir with Ritonavir. These are both protease inhibitors and have been repurposed from treating HIV. The invitro trials were promising and there have been multiple clinical trials. One open label randomised study showed that the combination of Lopinavir with Ritonavir caused a higher viral load and other studies saw no difference between their control groups as compared to the group given the combination. The overall consensus was that there are no benefits in treating COVID-19 with Lopinavir and Ritonavir.

The third main point of attack is the inhibition of viral RNA replicase. This prevents the virus from replicating and thus spreading throughout the body. This is arguably the most successful, in practice, form of treating COVID-19. Small molecules such as Remdesivir, Ribavirin and Favipiravir have all been researched as potential therapies.

Remdesivir is a drug that is designed to easily pass though the cell membrane and efficiently deliver its active metabolite. The Remdesivir monophosphate is rapidly converted into its active triphosphate once it has entered the cell because it can avoid the inefficient and time consuming stage of the first phosphorylation step. Once active, Remdesivir triphosphate (RDV-TP) acts as a substrate for the viral replicase and thus competes with endogenous RNA strands. This causes the RNA synthesis of the virus to stop because RDV-TP induces a delayed termination of replication. A double blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial showed that Remdesivir was a beneficial small molecule therapy showing a reduced recovery time (median 10 days as opposed to 15 days) and a shorter length of initial hospital stay as well as a slightly reduced mortality rate (11.4% as opposed to 15.2%). Other findings were that there was a lower incidence of required oxygen supplementation and fewer days of subsequent oxygen supplementation if required.

A lower level of patients needing higher levels of care was also seen and thus the use of this drug has the potential to lessen the burden of COVID-19 on the healthcare system. This has led to the USA, amongst other countries, temporarily approving it for emergency use to treat COVID-19.

Disappointingly, the manufacturer Gilead has set the price at £318 per dose (10mg) whereby one vial is administered once a day after the first two vial doses. The cost to make 10mg is £101. It can be seen that this is an expensive drug to use widely; and few countries will be able to utilise this drug due to cost.

Figure 2: Small molecules and where they act

Remdesivir is a drug that is designed to easily pass though the cell membrane and efficiently deliver its active metabolite.

To put this into perspective, 10mg of Nafamostat costs £83.00. The World Health Organisation has advised in November 2020 against the use of Remdesivir in hospitalised patents as they believed that there was no evidence to suggest that it improves survival. The drug can only be administered via injection and so again poses difficulty in roll out to those who have COVID-19 and need treatment.

Favipiravir is an oral pyrazine that inhibits the RNA dependent RNA polymerase by competing with adenosine triphosphate and guanosine triphosphate for the incorporation into the new RNA strand causing a chain termination. It also works as a competitive inhibitor for the viral RNA-dependent RNA polymerase and thus favipiravir triphosphate triggers the accumulation of random point mutations leading to lethal mutations of the virus, causing its death. This small molecule works with virus families such as paramyxovirus, human metapneumovirus among others, thus demonstrating versatility. It was, however, shown to have a low activity in response to SARSCoV-2 in vitro. It still went on into open label non-randomized trial where it was tested against Lopinavir with Ritonavir and showed to have a significantly shorter median time (4 days compared to 11 days) for the time of viral clearance. The general overview of Favipiravir’s performance is that it has a high promise for the treatment of COVID-19 especially among mildly to moderately symptomatic patients because of its ability to promote viral clearance and clinical improvement in trials.

One other advantage that Favipiravir has against almost all other small molecules mentioned is that it can be taken in oral form. Consequently, distribution and administration of the medicine is straight forward and thus should be more accessible. The cost is £105 per 50mg and thus is more economical than other small molecules, making it more accessible for less developed health care systems, countries, and lower income households.

Another drug supposedly used to treat COVID-19 is Ribavirin its efficacy against SARS-CoV- 2 was limited and was not carried into in vivo trials. Working in a similar way to Favipiravir by competing for incorporation into the new RNA. Its efficacy against SARSCoV-2 was limited and thus investigations were not carried on to clinical trials.

Other Possibilities for Combatting SARS-CoV-2

There are some unexpected medications that seem to be promising for treating COVID-19 such as Chloroquine or Hydroxychloroquine. Chloroquine has been used as an antimalaria drug whereas Hydroxychloroquine was used to treat rheumatic diseases as it has beneficial immunomodulatory effects.

Over the years Hydroxychloroquine has been considered as a therapeutic agent of bacterial and viral infectious diseases because of its ability to inhibit several intracellular microorganisms. It is not entirely understood how these small molecules treat COVID- 19, but their non-protonated forms enter the cell where they become protonated and accumulate in acidic organelles (Golgi vesicles, lysosomes etc.) where they increase the pH because of their biochemical behaviour and exploit three antiviral techniques. Firstly, they use low pH dependent inhibition the virus shape, preventing fusion of the virus to the host cell. They also modify the processing of the translated glycoproteins. As well as being thought to interfere with the histocompatibility complex presentation. Both have been shown to act as an antiviral compound in many viruses. The in vivo studies for Chloroquine were promising, showing that viral reproduction was reduced. Chloroquine is considered to be a safe drug and well tolerated. More research is, however, needed to solidify that conclusion. It is an inexpensive medicine and so can be readily available for a wide range of people.

It is clear from the above-mentioned molecules that efficacy is not the only consideration then deciding on whether to use of these molecules for treatment. The cost of these molecules is very high and require administration by injection with injectable products, staff are required for transport and safe administration, safe disposal of consumables and monitoring add to the overall cost of treatment.

In conclusion there are many potential small molecule therapies that could be promoted and used but due to lack of research and understanding of SARS-CoV-2 we are yet to demonstrate a reliable and effective treatment. Wider clinical trials with Favipiravir, Nafamostat and Remdesivir looking into their effectiveness and safety is now warranted and we therefore won’t be in the position to know if they could influence the pandemic yet. The logistical burden of the administration and delivery of small molecule therapies to patients with COVID-19 has to be adapted for patients who are not currently in hospital as most therapies require injection. This poses issues with cost and staffing, health and safety, and safe disposal of the sharp syringes amongst others. Given our position with the pandemic, I do not believe that roll out and production of small molecule therapies can be done in time to influence this pandemic in a significant way unless more cost effective and low-tech delivery methods are found. The future of small molecules and their relatives for the treatment of viral infections and future pandemics is, however, promising, as with time and research, cost, efficacy and delivery will become more tenable.

References: 1.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8130611/ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7165108/ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8406266/ https://www.economist.com/briefing/2020/03/12/understanding-sars-cov-2and-the-drugsthat-might-lessen-its-power https://www.thelancet.com/journals/eclinm/article/PIIS2589-5370(21)00449-1/fulltext https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8056786/#:~:text=The%20 Lopinavir%2Dritonavir%20combination%20is,like%20protease%20enzyme%20%5B1%5D https://www.thelancet.com/article/S0140-6736(20)32013-4/fulltext https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/nejmoa2007764 https://www.bio-techne.com/p/small-molecules-peptides/remdesivir_7226 https://www.bio-techne.com/p/small-molecules-peptides/nafamostat-mesylate_3081

https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanres/article/PIIS2213-2600(20)30568-3/fulltext

https://bmcinfectdis.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12879-021-06164-x

https://www.who.int/news-room/feature-stories/detail/who-recommends-against-theuse-ofremdesivir-in-covid-19-patients

https://www.bio-techne.com/p/small-molecules-peptides/favipiravir_7225

https://www.rcpjournals.org/content/clinmedicine/20/3/278

https://www.embopress.org/doi/epdf/10.15252/emmm.202013105

https://dopinglinkki.fi/en/info-bank/doping-substances/risks-intramuscular-injection https://virologyj.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12985-019-1182-0

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/covid-drug-to-cost-1-900-for-five-days-9zn5vbr0c https://www.frontiersin.org/files/Articles/606393/fmolb-07-606393-HTML/image_m/ fmolb-07-606393-g001.jpg

(All accessed on 08/03/2022)

By Phoebe

Is

it ethical

for junior doctors to go on strike?

Junior doctors are vital members of the NHS workforce. A junior doctor is a doctor who has graduated medical school and is in foundation or specialist training, before becoming a GP or consultant. Their role involves requesting scans and tests, taking patient notes, making drug charts, and making discharges. This makes up a lot of the administrative work, so they are highly valued, although many do not think this is represented in their salaries, resulting in strikes.

The reason for the proposed strikes is the 2019 junior doctors’ pay deal. This was a review of junior doctors’ 2016 contracts, that led to a fixed 2% annual pay rise over 4 years. However, this pay rise does not keep up with inflation. Inflation is when the cost of living and the cost of goods rises meaning everyone has lower spending power so, effectively, junior doctors have been getting a 30% pay cut since 2008.

The DDRB, which is the Review Body on Doctors’ and Dentists’ Remuneration, advises the government on how much dentists and doctors should be paid. They advised giving doctors a 4.5% pay rise, however, as junior doctors were on a fixed rate, this new deal did not include them.

A vote on October 1st from the BMA’s (British Medical Association) junior doctors committee has agreed a ballot will be voted on for industrial action in January 2023 because the government did not respond to their demands for pay restoration and improved working conditions. The government only gave junior doctors a 2% pay rise in 2022 whilst other NHS workers got 4.5%.

However, these strikes do bring ethical issues. If doctors are on strike, patients have no medical treatment and decisions, and therefore the quality of care they receive will be greatly impacted. If doctors are to strike, it is likely that all elective procedures will be cancelled and only the emergencies will be dealt with by a stripped-back team of doctors.

This will, in turn, lead to a large patient backlog even with just a few days of strikes. This lack of patient care defies one of the pillars of medical ethics: beneficence. If the doctors are not present, they cannot be ‘doing good’. In addition, these strikes could give healthcare staff a bad name, causing them to be less trusted by the public and therefore causing more problems down the line. In addition to this, the first rule of first aid is to ensure your own safety before assessing the patient. These pay cuts potentially undermine doctors’ own safety, meaning the patients will not be assessed.

On the other hand, there are many advantages of going on strike with the main one being that doctors could be given pay restoration. After all, it is extremely expensive to become a doctor. There are at least 5 years of university costs, memberships to medical boards and further exams that must be paid for therefore, doctors should be rewarded. Doctors work for long hours and are required to make life-dependant decisions which can be extremely stressful. It only right they should be paid their worth. It is important to note that junior doctors do not necessarily want to go on strike. It is only a last resort and is avoidable if the government gives full pay restoration.

To conclude, although it is understandable that junior doctors have decided strike for better pay in return for their hard work, I ultimately believe that the strikes are unethical as they leave the hospital unattended and the patients uncared for (defying the pillars of medical ethics) and therefore, it would be best for junior doctors to seek alternate ways of amending their contracts.

References:

https://www.bma.org.uk/media/2000/bma-junior-doctor-contract-comparison-jan2020.pdf

https://www.bma.org.uk/pay-and-contracts/pay/junior-doctors-pay-scales/fair-pay-forjunior-doctors-in-england (Accessed 17th November 2022)

https://www.bmj.com/content/377/bmj.o1590

https://www.bmj.com/content/379/bmj.o2384 (Accessed on 21st November 2022)

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/19202985_Ethical_issues_of_a_doctors’_strike

A junior doctor is a doctor who has graduated medical school and is in foundation or specialist training, before becoming a GP or consultant.

Gender bias in design:

By Myrtle

References:

Invisible Women by Caroline Criado-Perez https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-62877930 https://www.designcouncil.org.uk/our-resources/ archive/articles/does-design-have-diversity-issue#: https://hbr.org/2019/05/voice-recognition-still-hassignificant-race-and-gender-biases

Image credit: wikicommons

Not only the products themselves are gender biased, but the ergonomics and the anthropometric data used on the product.

how does it affect us?

Since the 1970s, crash dummies based on the average male build and weight have been used to determine car safety. This is just one example of the endless designs for men. In this case, this results in the safety of women being jeopardised, meaning they have a higher fatality risk in the event of a car accident. The difference in this case is that a team of Swedish engineers have recognised this and developed a crash dummy based on the body of an average woman, aiming to protect women drivers.

One common misconception for the explanation of gender bias in design is the popularity of product design/resistant materials subjects in schools, and design/engineering courses at university. However, this is not the main issue. Women make up nearly two thirds of students studying design at university, yet the design industry in the UK is 78 percent male. This male influence is then transferred into decision making, ultimately creating products for the male market despite company requirements for inclusive design. For example, the apple iPhone screen has increased in size to be used comfortably by a male hand – larger than female hands. As well as this, voice recognition is tailored to male voices, so females do not get the same use as males, yet they are being charged the same amount for the phone.

Not only the products themselves are gender biased, but the ergonomics and the anthropometric data used on the product. (Ergonomics is the scientific discipline concerned with the understanding of interactions among humans and other elements of a system. The field of anthropometry encompasses a variety of human body measurements, such as weight, height, and size, including skin fold thicknesses, circumferences, lengths, and breadths.) For example, male hand wingspans tend to be 9-10 inches wide, yet female hand wingspans are 7-8 inches wide. This influences things such as handles in unisex products, like on a kettle. The ergonomics fit male hands, meaning males have easier use of the product. Considering they also have much higher grip strength and overall upper body strength, they have it much easier than females in this case. So once again, females are paying more for a product which is not as useful to them as it is to their male counterparts. This also seems ironic as, stereotypically, women would look after the house and guests, using the kettle a whole lot more than men. Another example is a unisex helmet for sports. Males and females have distinctly different shaped skulls, meaning that a ‘unisex’ helmet will not properly fit a female as it has been designed based on male measurements and comfort, once again jeopardising female safety. You would think this might be picked up, considering the danger of head injuries and the extent people are going to prevent them.

Luckily, as the average build and weights of the population have changed over time, e.g. the average height of women has increased from 150cm in 1970 to 162cm in 2022, the anthropometric data has been revised, often now including the measurements of females. This development, though, should have come from the lack of design inclusivity being noticed, not a natural occurrence which happened to force change. It is a step forward that population changes are being used, yet it highlights the subconscious bias people had (and still do have) and how this influences product design. However, the question of whether this bias is in fact subconscious is an interesting conversation to be had for another day, and one that reaches much wider than the realms of design.

Are Parasocial Relationships Advantageous?

I would like you to picture an idol of yours, a sports team you adore or a celebrity whom you admire. Now, the chances are you probably have a parasocial relationship with this person, but what is a parasocial relationship?

I would like you to picture an idol of yours, a sports team you adore or a celebrity whom you admire. Now, the chances are you probably have a parasocial relationship with this person, but what is a parasocial relationship? It is a relationship that is onesided, where one person extends emotional energy, interest, and time, but the other party or persona is completely unaware of the other’s existence. These relationships exist primarily online and increased internet dependency has been linked with leading to more parasocial relationships. Parasocial relationships are usually with celebrities, organisations such as sports teams or any other television personalities, but they can also include inanimate objects or fictional characters like video game characters. The main difference between balanced interpersonal friendships and parasocial relationships is the power imbalance however, these relationships can share similarities.

Take, for example, the news about Her Majesty the Queen’s death, millions of people all over the country flocked in to deliver flowers or sweet memorabilia to her coffin. Across the globe countless people stopped what they were doing and tuned in to watch her funeral. Many may have even experienced the five stages of grief because of the loss. Even though they have never personally met her, and she was unaware of their existence, the fact that they had a parasocial relationship with her provoked this emotional response from so many people. The same emotional reaction happened with the death of Kobe Bryant, Princess Diana and when the pop-groups One Direction and the Spice Girls split. We also feel sympathetic when we watch charity adverts that have emotional stories. We even personify inanimate objects and can feel genuine sadness if that object is lost or gets broken, and children are particularly prone to this.

Are there any benefits to parasocial relationships though?

Of course, and they can be advantageous for both the person with the parasocial relationship and the person unaware of the other’s existence. Politicians that are naturally comedic, seem personable, likeable or seem as if you could ‘get a drink’ with them, are far more likely to win your trust or vote, even if they may not be best for the role. Studies have shown that the same goes with advertisements. When an influencer advertises a product, if people feel as if they are being directly spoken to or have a personal connection with a person (especially youtubers and vloggers) they are more likely to trust the person and buy the product. Parasocial relationships can also provide us with companionship and specific emotional-regulation needs, for example having specific people who bring us joy in times of sadness and people who soothe our anxiety.

These are called emotionships. Watching content we really enjoy has been proven to release as much dopamine as spending time with a best friend and the more emotionships we have, the happier we are and the less lonely we feel. Parasocial relationships can also reduce prejudice and bias because when somebody with preconceived prejudice develops a socioemotional bond with someone that is a positive representation of that group, it helps reduce bad and harmful attitudes.

There are of course also some negative outcomes of parasocial relationships. These all mainly come when someone develops a stage 3 parasocial relationship with them. Stage 3 parasocial relationships are borderline pathological, where absorption turns into addiction. The relationship is very intense and the person with the parasocial relationship takes the worship to an extreme. They can have obsessive fantasies about the person, spend copious amounts of money to obtain merchandise or memorabilia and may engage in stalking and other illegal activities. Obsessive behaviours such as stalking can have legal consequences and unhealthy addictions can easily turn into toxicity. When this extreme reliance on something unaware of your existence occurs and the other side can no longer provide the emotional fulfilment you require, it can make you feel genuine grief, can leave you feeling incredibly alone and be detrimental to your mental health. Examples of this include, if a character is removed from a show or game, if a creator or musician stops providing content, if a sportsperson is medically unable to play the sport you adore or even if a celebrity passes away.

So, to conclude, are parasocial relationships advantageous? Overall, I would say that they are and so do many experts, or people that study parasocial relationships, thoroughly agree. Parasocial relationships can be healthy, and everybody experiences them. They can be great in helping people feel less alone and help people to find refuge in the other party as long as they do not develop an emotional reliance on the thing unaware of their existence and develop a stage 3 parasocial relationship with them where the boundaries of the other are crossed, especially illegally. Although stage 3 parasocial relationships can leave you experiencing grief or addiction, which can be exceedingly difficult to deal with and may lead to self-analysis and require therapy, I believe that having parasocial relationships are healthier than not having them.

By Claudia

References:

https://www.simplyneuroscience.org/post/getting-real-withparasocial-relationships

https://gamequitters.com/parasocialrelationships/#:~:text=On ce%20the%20person%20adoring%20their,satisfactory%20as%20 real%2Dlife%20interactions.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c9YJKLxd2UU

https://www.findapsychologist.org/parasocial-relationshipsthe-nature-of-celebrity-fascinations/#:~:text=Parasocial%20 relationships%20are%20one%2Dsided,sports%20teams)%20or%20 television%20stars.

https://labs.psych.ucsb.edu/gable/shelly/sites/labs.psych.ucsb.edu. gable.shelly/files/members/files/cheung_gardner_anderson_2015.pdf

https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/0093650219900632

https://www.tutor2u.net/psychology/topics/levels-of-parasocialrelationships

..if a sportsperson is medically unable to play the sport you adore or even if a celebrity passes away..

in a

The benefits playing team netball of

By Lilia

The team we have not only is talented, but tight-knit and has a good mindset.

The first team had us working hard from the whistle. While they skillfully weaved between our team, threading the ball amongst each other, our players persevered but struggled to keep possession away from our strong opposition. However, following a slower start than we would have liked, the second half was much better, and we played as a unit, passing between each other capably and scoring goals as we went. Despite this successful second half, our efforts weren’t quite enough to overcome our strong opposition. By the end of the match, the whole team were fatigued and obviously a little disappointed by our loss, but alongside the encouragement of our coach, we strode into our next two matches with a positive mindset and confidence, and consequently were victorious, playing with pace and precision, and convincingly won our following matches. Overall, we came 2nd in the tournament, but we couldn’t have done so without our determination and perseverance following our first loss.

The team we have not only is talented, but tight-knit and has a good mindset. This ensured that we were able to remain positive throughout our subsequent matches, not letting our disappointment reflect on the next games.

From this account we can see that competing and training in a team sport such as netball is greatly beneficial for the whole team in several ways. Firstly, it builds strong friendships as we have similar interests and from the time we spend together on and off the court. This has benefited us because it means that we can work more effectively as a team and enjoy our sport more because we are playing with friends. Most importantly, being part of a team benefits both our physical and mental health. Physically, playing a team sport ensures that we are healthy. Research has shown that team sports improves many things, such as strength, cardiovascular endurance, and bone density. It is helping us, in the long term, to pursue healthier lives with a reduced risk of health problems.

Mentally, playing in a team sport has also been hugely beneficial for the squad. Research has also shown that team sports increase longterm happiness, partly down to their social and hormonal elements. Being on a team creates a sense of belonging and self-identity. Playing also releases hormones, such as endorphins, which make us happier. Research has also shown that team sports can help to improve academic success since playing stimulates new neurons and improves the flow of neurotransmitters among brain cells. This, in turn, can help to improve memory and focus, develops problem-solving skills, and stimulates creativity. In school, each member of the team studies a range of subjects, but actually playing as a team every week has helped us to achieve the highest grades we can.

Overall, playing netball at Malvern St James has been successful both on and off the court for the whole of our team, as well as all those who attend the netball club. On the court it gives us both enjoyment and good results, and off the court it benefits us physically, socially, mentally, and academically.

All students are welcome to attend sports clubs at school. There are also many clubs and groups that offer opportunities to participate in a team sport, so why not give a team sport a try? With so many benefits available, it is a great way to spend an hour in the week.

References: https://www.webmd.com/mental-health/benefits-of-sports-for-mental-health

On the 8th of November 2022, Malvern St James hosted an under-16 netball tournament for the local schools in the area and our team enjoyed friendly competition, playing short matches against each team.

Is The Number 13 Really Unlucky?

By Alice

The number thirteen has plagued the Western World for over 200 years. The effect of this unlucky number has caused buildings to remove the floor thirteen and the room thirteen. Two phobias also developed because of this dreaded number: triskaidekaphobia, the fear of the number thirteen, and paraskevidekatriaphobia, the fear of Friday the thirteenth.

One of the main causes for the fear of the number thirteen originates from the year AD33 – the year in which the last supper occurred. The last supper was the final religious meal shared by Jesus and the Apostles before the crucifixion. Thirteen people were seated around the table, and it was revealed shortly afterwards, that Judas was a betrayer of Christ. The dislike towards the number thirteen was also followed by monks. They scheduled religious events based on the lunar calendar. The phases of moon take 29.5 days to complete, meaning that there are 354 days or twelve full cycles. It is now known that there are 365/366 days in a calendar year, so every two and a half years there are thirteen full moons.

Religion is not the only contributor to the dislike towards the number thirteen. History also affects the perception of this number. Many frightening figures in history had thirteen letters in their name, including Adolf (Adolfus) Hitler, Theodore Bundy, Jeffery Dahmer and many others. The failed mission of Apollo 13 led more people to consider thirteen as an ‘unlucky’ number. The failure of this mission was caused by an oxygen tank that ignited and exploded. Fortunately, no one was harmed.

However, the number thirteen has had less of a serious impact on the world than many think it has. It has benefitted the world, especially in pop culture. Famous Korean Pop band BTS debuted in 2013 with one of their members Park Ji-min having a birthday on 13th October 1995. In addition to pop-culture, the number thirteen was considered holy by two civilisations: the Mayans and the ancient Greek civilisations. It was considered holy and venerated by the Mayans as this was the number of original gods that existed. In ancient Greece, Zeus was considered to be the most powerful and the thirteenth god. Many religions also favour the number thirteen. In Judaism, when a child turns thirteen they receive the same treatment as adults, and are able to participate in all areas of Jewish life, including communities, religious festivals and tradition.

The number thirteen is considered a lucky number in mathematics. A lucky number is a natural number in a set which is generated by a specific type of ‘sieve’. This begins with a list of integers starting with 1, followed by every second number in the list, leaving only odd integers. Every third number which remains in the list is eliminated. Finally, every seventh remaining number is eliminated, leaving the numbers: 1, 3, 7, 9, 13 etc. It is also considered a happy number. This is a number which eventually reaches 1 when replaced by the sum of the square of each digit. In addition to being a happy number, it also a member of the Fibonacci sequence, whereby each number is the sum of the two before it: 0, 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13. These numbers are strongly related to the golden ratio and appear biologically, for example in the arrangement of a pine cone’s bract.

Is thirteen really unlucky? No it is not, although many cultures do have ‘unlucky’ numbers. In China, the number four is considered unlucky as the word for the four resembles the word death. As humans can find it difficult to take responsibility for their actions, they will often attempt to find something to blame for things that have happened including the number 13.

Reference: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Last_Supper

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/13_(number)#

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lunar_calendar

https://www.rmg.co.uk/stories/topics/what-blue-moon-how-often-does-it-occur https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apollo_13

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Significance_of_numbers_in_Judaism https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lucky_number https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Happy_number

https://www.history.com/news/whats-so-unlucky-about-the-number-13 https://www.livescience.com/14147-number-13-bad-luck.html

https://u.osu.edu/vanzandt/2019/04/12/is-13-really-that-unlucky/ https://www.bbc.co.uk/newsround/16543009

https://www.history.com/news/whats-so-unlucky-about-the-number-13 https://www.allure.com/story/why-is-number-13-unlucky https://m.economictimes.com/sunday-et-thirteen-things-that-make-number-13-unique/ articleshow/17811147.cms

With many social media platforms and easy internet access, social media has, without a doubt, become a major part of our daily lives. We interact and connect, express and promote innovative ideas, hear the news, and enjoy entertainment, all through online platforms. Social media impacts our modern society both positively and negatively. It also impacts us both physically and mentally.

How has social media influenced body dysmorphia in our society?

By Jamie

It has been acknowledged that social media plays a role in contributing to body dysmorphic disorder (BDD), a condition where an individual becomes obsessive about a perceived flaw, whether it may be real or imagined, in their appearance. (D’Amore Mental Health, 2020) People struggling with BDD experience great emotional distress involving shame, judgment, and embarrassment about the way they look at themselves, and how they think the others are viewing them. BDD is not only a person being insecure about a feature of their body, but an obsessive-compulsive cycle that can affect a person’s daily life and one that is likely to impact their mental health. (NHS, Body Dysmorphic Disorder, 2020)

Although social media does not have the sole responsibility for causing body dysmorphic behaviour in our society, it plays a compelling role in encouraging its continuation. Endless content is available on social media platforms and, with the current phenomenon of people spending hours on the Internet, anything we see online may subconsciously alter our values. This especially true for the most vulnerable including adolescents, who are going through puberty, under academic pressure, struggling with life distractions and are easily influenced (Adkins, 2018). With the rise of social media influencers and TikTok-famous celebrities, people can become more obsessed with the idea of achieving the ideal aesthetic, and particularly in relation to body types.

As viewers, we are perhaps not always aware of the fact that the photographs that we see on our feeds are carefully selected to show the best version of the person who owns the account. As we are under constant exposure to so many edited photographs, we may feel an unhealthy pressure to reach unrealistic body goals. All these highly curated photos have an authoritative effect on teenagers to perceive ‘trendy’ body types as a perfection to achieve, instilling and playing on their own body insecurities.

To conclude, BDD is so much more than just being insecure. It’s a type of obsessive-compulsive disorder that can heavily affect a person’s daily life, leading to anxiety, eating disorders and depression (NHS, Body Dysmorphic Disorder, 2020). People suffer from BDD can feel like they are stuck in a cycle of feeling hopeless and lost. It is very important to seek help, even though it may be difficult or feel embarrassing. Getting treatment is a way to heal the relationship with our body, but it is just as crucial to be aware of the information we consume in the first place. Recognising the impacts that stem from unrealistic ideas online, then practicing self-care and mindfulness, we can be more cognisant of dealing with body dysmorphic thoughts. However, all things considered, social media inevitably promote false ideals and influences ways of thinking. This further explains the increased rate of disorders over the past couple of years. So, instead, why make good use of social platforms and spread self-love and body positivity?

What is body dysmorphia, or body dysmorphia disorder (BDD)?

The condition where an individual becomes obsessive about a perceived flaw in their appearance, where the issue may be imagined or unnoticeable to others, causing the person great emotional distress.

It involves judgment, shame and embarrassment about the way people look at themselves.

Those who struggle with BDD attempt to ‘fix’ the problem with excessive exercise, dieting, or cosmetic procedures.

Current phenomenon on the use of social media, and the roles social media play in causing BDD. A lot of comparison leading to adolescent girls developing higher rates of body dissatisfaction, promoting certain body types as the ‘ideal’ or ‘trendy’ ones, and unrealistic beauty standards as an aesthetic.

Provides endless content

Instilling insecurities, especially in young people It is an authoritative force that can greatly affect perception of oneself.

How is BDD usually developed in adolescence? Adolescence is most susceptible to suffering from insecurity and depression.

Can be caused by social pressures encouraging individuals to change their appearance, unhealthy pressure to achieve unattainable body types, resulting in BDD behaviours.

People don’t realise what they see on social media is only a very small part, or highlighted part, of someone else’s life, but it has massive impacts on the way people perceive themselves – interpreting messages subconsciously and unconsciously.

Become obsessed with the concept of perfection, to get the ‘ideal’ aesthetic, to meet the unrealistic beauty standards.

How does BDD affect us?

Lack of confidence, and acceptance of their body.

Is there any actions to be taken against this issue? Body positive’ movement on social media — feeling confident in their skin.

Positive eating disorder recovery, supportive community along people’s journey and possibly dissuading the idea of pro-eating disorder.

The world is facing an energy crisis. Prices for oil, gas, and electricity have been rising in recent months, putting a strain on household budgets and businesses. The crisis is having a range of negative impacts, including increased pollution, reduced economic growth, and higher energy prices.

There are several factors that have contributed to the energy crisis, including:

The COVID-19 pandemic: The pandemic disrupted supply chains and led to increased demand for energy, as people have been staying home more and using more energy for things like cooking, cleaning, and working from home.

The war in Ukraine: The war in Ukraine has disrupted global energy markets, as Russia is a major exporter of oil and gas.

Climate change: Climate change is leading to extreme weather events, such as droughts and heat waves, which are disrupting energy production and increasing demand for energy.

The energy crisis is having a number of negative impacts, including:

Higher energy prices: Energy prices have been rising in recent months, which is putting a strain on household budgets and businesses.

Reduced economic growth: The energy crisis is slowing economic growth, as businesses are forced to cut back on production due to higher energy costs.

Increased pollution: The energy crisis is leading to increased pollution, as people are using more fossil fuels to generate electricity.

However, fortunately things can be done by Governments, businesses and companies to address the energy crisis, including:

Investing in renewable energy: Renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind power, can help to reduce reliance on fossil fuels and make energy more affordable.

Improving energy efficiency: Energy efficiency measures, such as weather proofing homes and businesses, can help to reduce energy consumption and save money.

Developing new technologies: New technologies, such as carbon capture and storage, can help to reduce emissions and make energy production more sustainable.

The energy crisis is a serious challenge, but it is one that can be overcome. By investing in renewable energy, improving energy efficiency, and developing new technologies, we can create a more sustainable energy future.

In addition to the above individuals can do their part to help address the energy crisis on a personal level:

Drive less. Walk, bike, or take public transportation whenever possible.

Use energy-efficient appliances and light bulbs. Unplug electronics when they are not in use

Plant trees.

Support renewable energy initiatives.

By taking these steps, we can all help to reduce our reliance on fossil fuels and make a difference in the fight against climate change.

Energy crisis

Causes, Impacts, and Solutions

By Faith

References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Energy_crisis# https://energysavingtrust.org.uk/why-are-energy-bills-going-up/ https://energysavingtrust.org.uk/what-is-the-october-prize-freeze/ https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-58558645 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2021%E2%80%932023_inflation_surge https://www.thenationalnews.com/world/europe/2022/08/26/ britains-gas-squeeze-forces-80-rise-in-fuel-bills-for-winter/

The crisis is having a range of negative impacts, including increased pollution, reduced economic growth, and higher energy prices.

Has the modern conservative party

moved away from the principles of Thatcherism?

By Romilly

Thatcherism represents a belief in free markets and a small state.

References https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/statement-from-thenew-prime-minister-theresa-may https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/10/05/theresa-maypatriotic-speech-conservative-party-conference-live/ https://www.alevelpolitics.com/ukpolitics/evaluate-the-view-thatthe-current-conservative-party-has-moved-decisively-awayfrom-thatcherism

https://www.alevelpolitics.com/

Thatcherism was a political and economic philosophy of the Thatcher government back in the 1970s and 80s which called for the deregulation of the marketplace. Margaret Thatcher introduced a range of measures and policies to remove nationalised industries and bring them into private ownership, for example, she put into private ownership gas, electricity, water, telecoms and British Airways. Many of these companies were put on the stock exchange with shares made available for purchasing, which was called popular capitalism and was part of the Neo- liberal revolution that reflected regional economics as both Thatcher and Reagan declared that the marketplace should be free.

Thatcherism has been a long shadow over British politics and one of the accusations against Tony Blair is that although he came from socialist roots he really endorsed the basic philosophy of Thatcherism, the idea that the free market should be the dominant way in which you could get goods and services to the people. Competition became extremely important to the degree that Tony Blair introduced a swathe of competitive elements into public services such as healthcare and education, so that private companies could make profit from these public industries. This is important as the Johnson government is not seen to follow the same rules and policies as the Thatcherites.

Thatcherism represents a belief in free markets and a small state. Rather than planning and regulating businesses and people’s lives, it is believed that the Government’s job is to get out of the way. It was believed that the Government should be restricted to the bare essentials: defence of the country and the currency. Everything else should be left to individuals, to exercise their own choices and take responsibility of their own lives.

Theresa May’s famous speech, made in 2002, was a way of distancing the Conservative Party from the politically toxic memory of the social division under Thatcherism. May had also been more interested in supporting women’s interests, supporting the adoption of female conservative parliamentary candidates through the pressure group women2win, in a way that Thatcher never did.

May spoke of making Britain, ‘a country that works not for a privileged few but for every single one of us’. The 2017 Conservative manifesto condemned, in an un-Thatcherite phrase, what it termed ‘the cult of selfish individualism.’ Yet May’s philosophy was unquestionably more dominant than Thatcher’s. At the 2016 party conference, she stated that, ‘where markets are dysfunctional, we should be prepared to intervene’ and reminded her audience of, ‘the good that government can do.’

Stopping privatisation of state owned industries was at the heart of Truss’ brief premiership, but Truss’ plan was not renationalization in the conventional sense. Instead, it was the state being used to prop up the profits of several very large companies, shielding and protecting them from the market. It came with the government directing investment towards new energy sources and infrastructure, as it aimed to detach the UK from chief energy markets of Russia. This continuing approach is likely to extend beyond the energy sector, with public funds being funnelled towards supporting British companies in a bid to decrease the UK’s reliance on imported goods.

Many Thatcherite ideas relating to self-reliance and the obligation to, “ride one’s bike to find a job” without depending on the State have changed in tone and emphasis under the modern Conservative Party, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. £73 billion was given by the Johnson Conservative government to help out individuals and businesses through programs such as the furlough scheme which paid for 80% of the wages of 9.5 million people. This signified a large shift towards Keynesian economics and a return to the welfare state that acts paternalistically, very different from the Thatcher era which saw a drop in public spending from 44.6% to 38.9%. An added £127 billion given to the NHS also meant further state intervention and aid to public expenditure, something Thatcher would have been wary of. These policies show how they have moved on from Thatcherism.

In February 2022 (Boris Johnson Government) CF industries, which owns 65% of the carbon dioxide supply in Britain, stopped production because gas prices have gone up by 250% and so the company argued that they cannot carry on production due to costs; the problem is that so many key industries relied on this CO2 company. Johnson’s Government then negotiated with the company, and it was agreed that a subsidy would be put in place so they would continue to be able to make carbon dioxide. This is an example of antiThatcherism, as it is believed that if a company goes bust then other companies need to step in and fill in the gap. The problem is that the company went down not because it was competitive, but because gas prices have gone up internationally causing a shortage of production.

On the other hand, Thatcherite policies were still implemented in government policy for many national industries in the early 2010s under the Conservative Party. Thatcher was very much proprivatisation. 40 UK state-owned businesses in coal, gas, steel and even telecommunication, employing 600,000 workers, had been privatised during Thatcher’s premiership, totalling £60 billion in sale of national assets. This economic policy was also adopted by David Cameron during his premiership and in 2013, the Royal Mail was privatised.

I believe that the modern Conservative party has moved away from the principles of Thatcherism to a certain extent. May, Johnson and somewhat Truss distanced and even in some cases contradicted what Thatcher had said and her policies that she stood for. However, Boris Johnson offered subsidies and other forms of Government intervention to many throughout COVID 19 in hopes to keep the economy and Heath care service running.

References:

https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/statement-from-the-new-prime-minister-theresa-may https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/10/05/theresa-may-patriotic-speech-conservative-partyconference-live/.

https://www.alevelpolitics.com/ukpolitics/evaluate-the-view-that-the-current-conservative-partyhas-moved-decisively-away-from-thatcherism

https://www.alevelpolitics.com/ Image credit: wikicommons

Things aren’t always what they seem

By Alex

Have you ever done a “small waist in two weeks workout” or an “hourglass body in a month” challenge? There are hundreds of videos with similar titles on YouTube and a lot of girls have done or do them. I think that Youtubers like Chloe Ting and Daisy Keech are profiting off young girls’ insecurities. Lots of girls have fallen into the trap of these workouts. While there are lots of good workouts on YouTube, most people will go for the ones where it claims to have quick results. YouTubers will use a photo where their body looks amazing for the thumbnail of the video and claim that if you do their 20-minute workout for a few weeks that you will get that body. But most of the time they either have that body because they have good genetics or they eat really well and do a lot more that a 20-minute workout for a few weeks. They probably have been living a healthy lifestyle for years. They do not tell people this because people want quick results. Sometimes YouTubers even edit their videos so their body looks better.

This is not good because lots of girls see these videos and believe that if they do the workouts for a few weeks, they will get the body of the YouTuber. This will not work though because everyone’s body is different. Not everyone can have a small waist and an hourglass body because of their bone structure. It can make people very insecure when they don’t achieve the body they want. If you want to do workouts, you should do ones from certified exercise instructors like MadFit or Joe Wicks. You should research the workouts you’re doing, and it is usually a good sign if the YouTuber isn’t showing off their body or claiming you’ll get a certain body in a certain amount of time. These YouTubers don’t actually want to help people workout, they just want the views. They want you to click on their video because they get money. If you want to work out, I suggest that you research exercises will actually help you and don’t just believe an unqualified YouTuber.

By Sylvie

Is Latin a dead language?

Agenda. Succumb. Impromptu. These are three Latin words that many of use daily when speaking English. Latin is regarded by many as a ‘dead’ language that is pointless to learn, so why is Latin still a useful language that students should have the option to study in school?

Firstly, it is a good basis for learning English and many other languages. For example, 90% of vocabulary in modern foreign languages comes from Latin, so therefore it helps students to understand the form of the language, as well as the history and revising the vocabulary. As someone who is studying both Latin and a modern foreign language, French, at GCSE, I find Latin extremely helpful when learning vocabulary and also the grammar or structure of the language.

Secondly, Latin is a highly organised and logical language, that is often compared to the study of Maths. Latin helps to sharpen the mind and cultivates mental awareness and, in a time were we are often to reliant on obtaining our information from the internet and social media, these skills are essential. It also helps to create keener attention to detail and develops critical thinking, as well as enhancing those who study its problem solving abilities which is a skill that is essential in jobs such as accountants, police officers and computer analysts.

Thirdly, Latin helps to strengthen English literacy skills. For example, the words ambidextrous and ambiguous stem from the Latin word ‘ambi’. One Latin root word can generate ten English words, so ten Latin words

References: https://classicalacademicpress.com/blogs/classical-insights/10reasons-to-study-latin

https://prolingo.com/blog/is-latin-officially-a-dead-language/ https://www.mentalfloss.com/posts/why-is-latin-a-dead-language

generate roughly one-hundred words. By learning Latin words, children are able to extend their vocabulary, learn word definition with more ease, and improve their reading comprehension.

Although many could argue that the study of Latin is useless, perhaps the fact that it is useless makes it so pleasurable to learn; being able to learn a language just for intellectual pleasure without having to be a slave to its application is perhaps even more rewarding than learning a language that is in active use!

Lastly, Latin prepares students for scientific, medical and legal careers. Most medical terminology is derived from Latin words so it is extremely valuable for those who intend to become doctors or healthcare professions. Similarly with medicine, Latin also can help those who intend to go into the Legal field as there are numerous Latin words and phrases that are used in Legal discourse.

In conclusion, whilst Latin may not be the native tongue of any community, it is the language that never dies. It was reborn and now lives through languages such as French and Spanish, the Romance languages, which are hugely influential today. It is still important that it is studied and appreciated by people today a it provides us with a new perspective on our own and modern foreign languages. Latin is not a dead language, for it is invisibly and indelibly thread through our modern-day English.

The first example is learning a musical instrument. It is possible to learn music theory, be able to press notes on piano, or strum songs on a guitar without too much expense. However, multiple variables restrict the ability to reach full potential. To achieve a top-quality sound and stylistic range, a high-quality instrument is needed. Some professional pianos cost up to £80,000 so an extortionate amount for most people. The differences between these professional pianos and cheaper models is the difference in sound quality and the difference in the ease of playing the piano. Other expenses that also need to be taken into account are paying for a tutor. The Society of Musicians did a survey in 2020 and found that, “most private teachers charged between £28.50 and £40 per hour with the mid-point being £32. Fees quoted ranged from less than £10 per hour to £85 per hour.” Learning an instrument also takes a lot of time so it is a big investment. For Grade 1 it takes about a year of prior learning and then about 3 months to prepare for the exam. The other grades tend to increase in amount of time needed for preparation with grade 8 being taking roughly a year. I play piano and it’s taken me about seven years to get to grade 8 standard. Another cost is purchasing music and although online resources and sites allow some free tutoring or free sheet music, this is restricted.

Why You Can Only Become An Absolute Professional If You Have The Money To Pay For It

The free resources are usually not of a high standard and the sheet music is usually basic, with limited access to professional pieces. These factors, therefore, contribute to the fact that it is difficult to perfect an instrument without a relatively large budget.

The next example is academics. Firstly, the cost of education means that money is needed to become professional. Universities in the UK can charge up to £9,250 a year for tuition that is almost always necessary to become advanced in that field. Secondly, can be the cost of specialist equipment, much like with a musical instrument. For example, with the study of microbiology, a microscope is usually necessary. A new scanning electron microscope can cost up to £1,000,000 and to become an expert, you will need access to this level of equipment so having the professional qualifications will enable you to get a job and perform research at a wellequipped laboratory.

Another example is sports. Good quality equipment makes playing of a sport easier and allows the player to access more skills. Such equipment can be over £300. Alongside equipment comes places to practise for example, a hockey Astro or a tennis court. In addition, there are coaching fees in fact, “The British Lawn Tennis Association estimates it costs about £250,000 ($385,000) to develop a player from age 5 to 18.” This is a lot of money.

In conclusion, one underlying cause of the difficulty to reach professionalism is the sheer expense.

By Jess

References: https://www.thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk/student-advice/ finance/university-tuition-fees-and-financial-support-in-england https://www.bloomberg.com/news/features/2015-08-28/costs-ofnoah-rubin-becoming-the-world-s-631st-best-tennis-player

To be completely advanced at an area of study you require the most advanced equipment and teaching for said area, otherwise absolute professionalism cannot be achieved. To understand this, we must look at the core branches of study; music, academics, sport and art.

What is Ender’s Game and why is it famous?

Ender’s Game is a sci-fi novel by Orson Scott Card, published in 1985. The basic plot is as follows: Aliens tried to invade the Earth, nearly succeeding, however the sacrifice of the commander saved the earth. The threat of another invasion is strong, and the military has one hope to save humanity: gifted children. They monitor and assess intelligent children, intending to send them to Battle school where they learn fighting and strategy. Young child Ender is sent to Battle school under the belief that his strategy and empathy could make him the new commander to save the earth from alien invasion.

Ender’s Game is famous for exploring a new idea in a very accessible manner with an exciting, twisting plot. Ender’s Game explores whether the ends justify the means, how gifted children are treated, and how humanity views and interacts with the idea of aliens. The series continues, but I believe the first book is more famous (and, in my opinion, better) because the language isn’t overly complex, the plot moves quickly and it’s an original and striking idea.

How realistic are the Wiggin siblings?

The Wiggin siblings are Peter, Valentine and Ender. Peter is angry, violent, and bordering on being a psychopath. He causes great distress to his other siblings, giving them multiple death and violent threats. However, when he grows older, Valentine can get him to channel this into politics instead showing that he possesses nearly as much intelligence as her. I believe that Peter is realistic in his development and, I would argue, that rather than his extreme characteristics making him unrealistic, they are real in some people and his development shows that they also don’t define him, although they remain present.

Valentine is one of my favourite characters in Ender’s Game. She has amazingly strong empathy and love (especially towards her younger brother Ender), but her less celebrated abilities include intelligence, critical thinking, and a strong desire to make a positive change. Although the strength of her empathy is difficult to relate to (she understands people so well that at points she completely loves them as they love themselves) her other traits make up for this. I would argue against her being completely unrealistic, drawing attention to incidents where she gets carried away by her political success, searches to find where she feels like she belongs and is at peace, and gets heated and angry over topics that hit close to home.

Are the characters in Ender’s Game realistic and does the movie portray them correctly?

By Elyssa

References: https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/enders-game-2013

Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card

She is a great support to Ender, and I think that, although she can be hard to relate to in some ways, she is very much human in others.

Ender is the main character, as is obvious from the title. He thinks with perfect strategy and a similar empathy to Valentine. His concerns about turning as ruthless as Peter are understandable, as are how he feels about being isolated. He remains relatable, realistic, and understandable while allowing the reader to understand how gifted people think. Seeing as he is the main character, he has the most development, giving him more chances to be realistic.

How realistic are the background and side characters?

I think that Ender’s Game develops the background and side characters well for the short time they appear. My other favourite character in the book is Petra, who is one of the few girls in battle school. This gives her unwanted attention and drives her to make friends with other social rejects such as Ender. What I find the most realistic is her perfectionism in Command School (after graduating from Battle School). She tries so hard not to make mistakes that she eventually completely exhausts herself. With the help of her friend Bean, she begins to learn not to berate herself for every mistake.

The characters of Alai and Bean are realistic enough for the amount of time they have to develop. Both are considerate but with a good sense of fun. Dap isn’t mentioned much, but when he appears he seems to have good intentions.

Many of the side characters become more important further on in the series, and the first book sets them up well.

Does the movie portray the Wiggin siblings well?

Peter and Valentine have sadly little screen time due to time constraints. Because of this, both are only shown with their unrelatable and unrealistic characteristics and not how they go on to develop. I would’ve loved to see the parts with Peter and Valentine entering politics and showing their intelligence on screen, but there was so much to pack into the film anyway.

This is annoying to those who read the book first (such as me) and makes them appear very unrealistic to those who watch the film first.

Ender’s grasp of strategy is portrayed excellently in the film. He explains some of his decisions and we see the consequences of many of his strategic decisions playing out well. He seems nicer in the movie, making the message harder to convey, and showing how children are affected by the decisions of adults. I understand that empathy is harder to show on screen, but it isn’t mentioned much until far into the film. This should have been kept as a constant throughout so that, like the book, we can see how it affects his relationships and choices.

Does the movie portray the background and side characters well?

Petra is portrayed well in Battle School, showing her feisty side and how she is hurt by being a social reject. However, in Command School the film fails to show her perfectionism and recovery. This is slightly made up for by her reaction to various revelations, which are consistent with her character.

Bean is brought in early due to time constraints, which is understandable. What I was annoyed by was how they transferred a scene between Ender and Alai to Ender and Bean instead. This made the two characters completely interchangeable, especially as they cut out how Ender and Bean met, which set out a lot of Bean’s character and made him make more sense. I prefer Alai as he is more considerate of others, but in the film, he was made a much simpler and less important character.

The character of Dap was completely changed to be loud, angry, inconsiderate, and bossy towards the new Battle School recruits; whereas in the book he offers them the help they need and then leaves them alone. The film made the strange choice of bringing him back multiple times- I think he played the role of a ‘shouty military guy’ when they needed one.

Roger Ebert describes the film as, ‘too kind’ for the characters...

Cities: Dysfunctional to Dystopian…

By Roseanna

9 million people. 100% renewable energy.

500m tall. The future has officially started.

In July, Saudi Arabia unveiled the design of the megastructure. The Line which is to be included in the futuristic city of Neom, a mega-economic zone along the Red Sea. The Line is a ‘civilisational revolution’ that puts humans first that aims to provide an ‘unprecedented’ urban living experience. Drone footage shows that construction has already started. It will supposedly run on 100% renewable energy and comes with extravagant promises of sustainability. The construction will also, allegedly, ‘blend with nature’, but how will a 1.7-kilometre-long city that’s taller than the Empire State Building blend with nature? The city will be surrounded by a mirror glass facade, to allow it to blend in ‘perfectly’ with the natural environment, and 95% of the land will be preserved for nature.

‘For too long, humanity has existed within dysfunctional and polluted cities that ignore nature. Now, a revolution in civilization is taking place. Imagine a traditional city and consolidating its footprint. Designing to protect and enhance nature’ (Neom, 2022).

How does Neom aim to achieve harmony between urban development and the preservation of nature? The Line is designed around people rather than cars, resulting in zero carbon emissions after construction. The Line will eventually accommodate 9 million residents and will be built on a footprint of 34 square kilometres, which is unprecedented when compared to other cities of similar capacity. This will not only preserve nature but simultaneously solve some of the upcoming problems with the population growth that Saudi Arabia is expecting. With sustainability at the core of the project, 95% of the land will be preserved for nature and all energy from Neom will be 100% renewable. Solar, wind and hydroelectricity, will ensure that it is an urban environment free of pollution.

Furthermore, Neom has announced a year-round temperate micro-climate with natural ventilation, which has very low energy consumption and thus very limited CO2 emissions. The communities will be organised in 3 dimensions. Residents will have access to all their daily needs within a 5-minute walk, and it will be possible to travel end to end in 20 minutes on the high-speed rail.

References:

https://www.neom.com/en-us/regions/theline

https://www.dezeen.com/2022/10/19/line-megacity-under-construction-saudiarabia-drone/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Line,_Saudi_Arabia

https://gizmodo.com/video-mbs-saudi-arabia-dystopian-city-utopialine-1849331062

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0kz5vEqdaSc

Image credit: Neom.com

Urbanistically, The Line inevitably raises doubts, for example, how is this immense project sustainable given that its construction will produce more than 1.8 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide, which is equivalent to more than four years of the UK’s entire emissions. Will this project lead to high levels of surveillance and control and how will this affect personal freedom?

Neom released another promotional video, showing the city from the perspective of a woman flying through the environment, along to a disturbing cover of Louis Armstrong’s ‘It’s a Wonderful World’. While the promotional video attempts to give the development a utopian feel, it could come across as extremely dystopian. The video shows residents living in glass pods, completely autonomous services, and people separated into ‘unique communities’. In fact, it is hard to differentiate between this promotional video and a trailer for a dystopian movie. Passengers and Divergent don’t seem so dystopian anymore, do they?

So, will the Line create ‘new wonders’ for the world, or is it the start of a dystopian reality?

Like nothing seen on earth. Like everything seen in dystopian films.

Formula 1 is the highest class of international motor racing. Consisting of 23 races in the current season, Formula 1 travels the globe competing at different tracks in 20 countries on five different continents. With the highest speeds, skill, and glamour in motorsport, F1 is a captivating sport that is constantly growing in popularity, with a current global audience of over 445 million viewers. F1 has the most technologically advanced cars in history, with top speeds of over 370km/h and corner forces of 5G, which is similar g-force felt on a space shuttle launch. F1 is a team sport, consisting of ten teams of two drivers, and behind the scenes each driver is supported by a crew of mechanics, engineers, and strategists to ensure the car performs at its best at every race.

There are no rules preventing women from competing in Formula 1, but the current grid is exclusively male. A female driver has not competed in a Grand Prix since Lella Lombardi in 1976. Lella Lombardi was an Italian racing driver who participated in 17 Grands Prix. She is one of only two female drivers to qualify for Formula One and is the only female driver to score points in a race. F1 first started in 1950 and it is difficult to believe that of the 774 F1 drivers throughout its history, only two women have had the talent to race. This suggests there are other reasons for the lack of female representation.

When asked about the absence of female drivers in Formula 1, former F1 driver Nico Rosberg stated, "It’s a combination of things, first of all, I think there’s some equality issues. Females do not get the same chance to have success and grow through the ladders. But also, there’s naturally a little bit less interest from women in our sport, unfortunately, but that’s the way it is." I partly agree with this statement, it is much more difficult for women to gain an F1 seat, however the second part of his statement represents how motorsport is still very much considered a man’s world.

There are multiple reasons that suggest why female drivers are not competing in Formula One.

Equality has improved considerably in the past decade. However, there is still much to be done. Most modern Formula One drivers begin karting by the age of 6, however, motorsport is considered dangerous, so parents often show reluctance in letting their children, especially girls, start racing.

Barriers to Women

As a result of girls discovering the sport later in life, they tend to start karting too late and it becomes extremely difficult to catch up with the skill set of their male counterparts.

Motorsport is one of few sports where, in theory, both men and women can compete as equals. However, this is rarely seen at mid-level competitions and currently never at the highest level. There are multiple reasons for this; young girls do not see themselves represented in the sport therefore they may not consider this as a potential career. Up until very recently, the most prominent women seen at the Formula One race were the Grid Girls, which sexualised the role of women within the sport.

Embarking on a career in Formula One is expensive for everyone as to reach F1 you must first compete in F4, F3 and F2 championships. Because of this you either need extremely wealthy parents or an exceptional talent to encourage sponsorship from an early age. Despite female talent, the lack of female racers at the top-level means that there is no precedent for sponsoring them, and therefore the vicious cycle continues. There will be no female racers at the top level without sponsorship. Sponsors simply do not want to risk millions investing in something ‘unproven’.

Towards the end of 2022, F1 announced the 'F1 Academy', a new all-women series. Funding and sponsorship have traditionally been an issue for female drivers, so this new academy will be financially backed by the same company that runs the F1 World Championship with a €150,000 subsidy for each car. This does not solve the issue of female representation within F1; however, it does offer more opportunity for women to gain more racing credibility in a series that supports their progress and provides them a platform to race at a higher level with hope for future female F1 racers.

References:

The Human Race. (2021). Why are there no female F1 drivers? [online] Available at: https://thehumanraceblog.com/2021/03/07/why-are-there-no-female-f1-drivers/ Research. Tremayne, D. (2022). Trailblazing racer Lella Lombardi remembered, 30 years on from her death | Formula 1®. [online] www.formula1.com. Available at: https://www.formula1.com/ en/latest/article.trailblazing-racer-lella-lombardi-remembered-30-years-on-from-herdeath.6zz9pupcxc97yy5SEL1kkR.html Research.

Welle (www.dw.com), D. (2022). Why is Formula 1 not ready for a female driver? | DW | 28.12.2021. [online] DW.COM. Available at: https://www.dw.com/en/why-is-formula-1-notready-for-a-female-driver/a-60136317 Research.

www.autosport.com. (2023). How women are tackling barriers in motorsport. [online] Available at: https://www.autosport.com/general/news/how-women-are-tackling-barriers-in-motorsport/10425377/.

www.formula1.com. (2022). F1 Academy: Formula 1 announces F1 Academy, a new allfemale driver series for 2023 | Formula 1®. [online] Available at: https://www.formula1.com/ en/latest/article.formula-1-announces-f1-academy-a-new-all-female-driver-series-for2023.6EAcJceyDTqjKkMcPMwk9e.html research.

Entering F1

By Morganne

Year 9

Alex

Isabel Year 10

Elyssa

Elisa

Sylvie

Imogen

Faith

Claudia

Year 11

Natacha

Grace

Roseanna

Jemima

Alyssa

Sienna

Lilia

Alice

Year 12

Romilly

Isabella

Myrtle

Jessica

Morganne

Nicole

Coraline

Jaime

Year 13

Michaela

Harriet

Lucy

Cyra

Phoebe

Michelle