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Seaspiracy: a wake-up call or vegan propaganda?
Rachel Diamond
A new documentary about the fishing industry and its environmental and humanitarian effects has caused great debate. Seaspiracy, now streaming on Netflix, is a genuinely shocking investigation into the state of our oceans. Directed and narrated by vegan filmmaker Ali Tabrizi and produced by Kip Andersen, known for his all-exposing documentary Cowspiracy, it’s fair to assume that Seaspiracy was created with an agenda in mind. It tackles themes such as bottom trawling, unsustainable hunting practices, and even slave labour on Thai waters.
The film certainly makes a good case for veganism. Our eating habits are causing a tangible effect on the oceans, more than single use plastic or climate change. The idea of sustainable fishing is completely rejected by the documentary. Supposedly sustainable ‘dolphin-safe’ tuna labels are discredited. Tinned tuna is awarded a dolphin-safe label on the assurance that no dolphins have been harmed in the fishing process. In reality however, we discover that it’s difficult to guarantee that the tuna truly is dolphin-safe. Experts tell us how observers can be bribed and a lot of the time are not even on board. The exposé of the fishing industry continues around the globe, from shark fin soup in China, to infested salmon farms in Scotland. Viewers are overwhelmed with fast-paced, dramatic stories throughout. The result is somewhat exhausting and enough to put anyone off fish for at least a little while. Perhaps more disturbingly, we learn that fish are more sentient than most people would presume, with research suggesting they have the capacity to experience pain and fear. While we see fish being chopped up in front of what we can only assume are its family and friends, biologist Jonathan Balcombe narrates about the complex social lives that fish lead. The imagery is harrowing.
Seaspiracy (Samantha Fulton)
The imagery is harrowing
At our current rate of consumption, the outlook looks bleak, but the film does offer a solution: to simply not eat fish. In Western society this seems simple: New Wave Foods is one company featured in the documentary. They offer plantbased alternatives created from sea plants which are “just as delicious, just as healthy for you, but better for the environment”. Helpfully, there is also a plant based meal planner linked from the Seaspiracy website, albeit costing a monthly subscription charge. It seems ignorant to assume that this is an easy solution globally however. Over 50% of the world’s traded seafood comes from developing countries, many of these communities relying on fishing for food and an income. Tabrizi fails to acknowledge this, perhaps assuming his viewers on Netflix will have the means to access fish alternatives. Naturally the response from some critics in the industry has been overwhelming negative, with some even questioning the integrity of the film. Perhaps one of the most contested claims is the fact the oceans will be empty by the year 2048. This terrifying statistic appears in huge red letters across the screen around 38 minutes into the film. However, numerous fact-checking organisations have claimed that this fact is wrong. The director fails to acknowledge the cost of a fish-less diet on developing countries
They cite that the original author, Professor Brain Worm, has pointed out that the research is old and the conclusions probably dated. The claim originates from a paper published in 2006. The official Seaspiracy website however still maintains that “the 2006 study has not been corrected or retracted”. Even some of the experts featured have since spoken out in opposition to the film. Mark J. Palmer is featured as a spokesperson for the Earth Island Institute, which is the organisation that provides dolphin-safe labels for tuna. He asserts that his statement was taken out of context and distances himself from the documentary. There is an increasing movement towards conscious, sustainable choices, a trend that Seaspiracy is capitalising on. But when we face conflicting opinions and half-truths from different sources, it’s difficult to know what to do. It’s even possible that Tabrizi’s militant attack on the whole fishing industry could cause more rifts and turn people away from organisations who are only trying their best to do some good. Personally, I will be trying to do more ‘fish-free Fridays’ in the future, but I am reluctant to take this documentary as gospel truth.
Editor’s Note
Elise Garcon SciTech Editor
As we begin summer term, and reach the last two print editions of Palatinate, it is hard to reflect on this year without thinking of the impacts it has had on student journalism. As a relatively new editor, I have not experienced Palatinate at its full force: the loss of funding, Epiphany Term’s online editions, and Zoom editorial meetings are examples of ways that life has changed. Despite this, we have adapted. SciTech has increased its print pages from one to a consistent three. We have featured incredible, student focused content. Most recently, we have been nominated for Best Science Section or Publication at the Student Publication Association Awards. This section has taken impressive strides this year, and I am especially grateful to you, the contributors and the readers, for this progress. The growth of the contributor group lead us to create social media for our section, where we can spotlight your work. I can only ask that as the world opens up, that we continue to work together to cover its progress.
SciTech Sunshine: Mother Nature's mood booster
Katherine Deck
We are all aware of the Sun’s importance for life on Earth. Not only is it our key provider of energy, allowing us to stay warm and plants to photosynthesise, but it also delivers a variety of human health benefits, ranging from increased bone health to a strengthened immune system. This is thanks to the Sun’s role in our body’s synthesis of vitamin D, commonly known as the “sunshine vitamin”.
Perhaps a somewhat unexpected side effect of regular exposure to sunlight is that it acts as a natural mood booster. Sunny days often bring with them a feeling of calm and content, but why is this? Our mood is largely governed by the neurotransmitters serotonin and dopamine. Specifically, serotonin is essential for the maintenance of mood stability and sustained wellbeing, while dopamine, known as the ‘happy hormone’, is a key player in the brain’s reward system. Aside from their critical role in mood maintenance, among cognitive functions such as learning and memory, these hormones can have additional effects in the human body: serotonin is largely produced in the gut and can have a significant impact on gut health if in shortage, while dopamine is involved in the regulation of pancreatic function. What’s more, vitamin D, which is produced in the skin upon sunlight exposure, is shown to be linked to the regulation of serotonin itself. Both serotonin and dopamine have been shown to increase in response to sunlight exposure, which explains the Sun’s ability to impact our mental health. There are several examples illustrating the detriment that a lack of sunlight can bring to someone’s health. Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is characterised by bouts of depressive symptoms at a particular time of year, usually winter, when the daily hours of light are limited. When it gets dark, the brain produces melatonin
Interestingly, the use of highintensity light boxes is emerging as a popular technique to combat SAD; this form of light therapy may be able to reverse the effects of a lack of sunlight. Similarly, shift workers who are consistently awake during the night, and asleep during the light hours, are at an increased risk of developing mood disorders. The phenomenon known as Shift Work Disorder is brought on by the disruption to the circadian rhythm, one of the body’s natural internal clocks. Normally, our sleep-wake cycles are in sync with the variation of light in our surroundings, so that when it gets dark, the brain starts to produce melatonin, the hormone acting as a cue for sleepiness. In contrast, light sends signals to the brain that result in feelings of alertness. Sustained disruption to the circadian rhythm, as seen in shift workers, not only leads to sleep problems, but can also lead to low mood and irritability. Although light therapy is not a comprehensive cure for mood disorders, it is without doubt that the Sun’s rays can have a positive impact on how we feel. So make sure to get yourself outside next time the Sun is out!
Making some Vit D (Verity Laycock)
“It’s like heroin”: gaming addiction at play
In our featured long read, Paul Davis takes us inside the addictive world of computer games
Paul Davis
“It’s like heroin, but it’s not heroin.”
That is how my dad describes the experience of his two youngest children’s addictions to video games. My little brother currently struggles with gaming addiction, exacerbated by confinement during the pandemic; I went through it some years ago, too. My dad went on to list some of the specific behaviours he has observed across both of our experiences: “Unwarranted aggression, disruption of family dynamics, unauthorised use of credit cards, disappearance of cash, nutritional issues, hiding of food in the gaming room, lying, manipulation, falling school results, foul language, disinterest in family activities, dental hygiene neglect, weight gain, sloth…” My brother currently struggles with gaming addiction; I went through it some years ago
Digital substance abuse
Private clinics like Priory and Gladstones list eerily similar symptoms on their websites regarding the condition. They also point out the parallels between this behavioural addiction and substance abuse-related maladies. Consequently, they always wins.
Gaming and gambling: a fine line
The convergence of gaming and gambling and the monetisation of in-game progress are issues of growing concern. Some games include trading cardstyle mechanics, such as FIFA’s Ultimate Team, where players earn the ability to use footballers randomly through draws, similar to loot boxes. A certain genre of games, “gacha games”, has this as its core mechanic. Early Pokémon games were partially censored or had their age ratings bumped up in the west for their inclusion of the Game Corner, a direct reference to Japan’s Pachinko parlours. Infamously, basketball game NBA 2K20 included a not-so-subtle slot machine that served the same function as FIFA’s Ultimate Team, rewarding players with playable basketballers.
approach treatment analogously, offering a range of counselling services such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and family therapy, self-help groups, 12-step rehabilitation programmes, and residential treatment programmes. Now, private practices are not alone in trying to tackle this modern affliction. In 2018, the World Health Organisation officially defined gaming disorder as “a pattern of gaming behaviour characterised by impaired control over gaming, increasing and continuation or escalation of gaming despite the occurrence of negative consequences.” Soon after, the NHS set up the Centre for Internet and Gaming Disorders as part of the National Centre for Behavioural Addictions to help young people like us grappling with gaming addiction. Claire Murdoch, the NHS’ National Mental Health Director, said, “Compulsive gaming and social media and internet addiction is a problem that is not going to go away when they play such a key part in modern life. The NHS is rising to the challenge, but tech giants need to recognise the impact that products which encourage repeated and persistent use have on young people, and start taking their responsibilities seriously too.” This puts the UK amongst countries like South Korea, Japan, and China, where governments and companies have begun to act on growing numbers of gamingrelated disorder cases. South Korea’s, Japan’s and China’s governments have begun to act on growing numbers of gaming-related disorders
The role of gaming companies, as pointed out by Claire Murdoch, is one of delicate corporate social responsibility. Some developers deploy addictive features and tactics in their games to keep players engaged. Free-to-play games, ones without an upfront cost associated with downloading and starting the game, are known for this. In particular, mobile games use time-gating systems such as “energy” to encourage microtransaction spending for continued access. Established gaming franchises are not free of this, however. EA (Electronic Arts) has been the subject of legislative discussion in Germany over the similarities of its almost ubiquitous “loot box” mechanics to gambling. In essence, players earn or pay for ‘packs’ that contain randomised equipment, cosmetic items, or gameplay advantages. There is a very low chance that players will obtain the item they want, and a very high chance that they will receive diddly-squat. The House
More commonplace aspects of mainstream games could also be considered addictive tactics. High scores were brought in during the arcade era to encourage continued use. Social constructs like teams, clans, rivals, and communities fuel engagement in MassivelyMultiplayer Online (MMO) games. Clear challenges in the forms of levels or missions that are difficult enough to be interesting, but easy enough to be doable, along with an intriguing narrative, keep players glued to screens.
When entertainment is too entertaining...
Writing in The Guardian, Alex Hern points out a surprising realisation. Fortnite, a highly successful free-to-play game considered as “the poster child” for video game addiction, does not employ any of these tactics. There are no loot boxes, no energy system, no timers, and no ‘pay-to-win’ microtransactions. Individual games are short, and the rewards are purely cosmetic. Publisher Epic Games is seemingly in the minority of developers of free-to-play games who “hope to make more profit from 100 million happy players than a million exploited ones.” Hern continues, “this cuts to the core of the debate around gaming disorder. If the poster child for the condition can be linked to that dubious term despite avoiding the exploitative techniques that have been adopted by its peers, what are games supposed to do to protect players from themselves? Can entertainment just be too entertaining for its own good?” The scientific jury is still out on that one.
