Nucleus vol 1, no 7

NUCLEUS Vol. 1, No. 7, September 2013

Welcome to Issue 7 of Nucleus!

We need you!

The wheels are turning and by December, Nucleus’s first year will draw to a close, enveloping in it the sweat and tears of the year that was, and opening the next pages for some new upstart to scribble upon. We have begun our search for Assistant Editors, who will work with us and learn the ropes (read: what not to do, and what to do if someone threatens to sue you) for the remaining issues of this year, then take the helm as the Editor or Editors next year. It’s a rewarding and instructive experience, something that burns you and forges you with the brilliance of it.

Nucleus is about rebuilding, but even more than that, it is about creating anew. This is what drives us and what we have been aware of right from the start. It’s about history, but also about accountability; it’s about true engagement, interconnectedness and building a strong and lasting student culture. But now that Nucleus exists, we need it to continue and to continue to grow, imbued with and building upon those sparkling and most precious of ideals. Whilst in my mind they flutter as dreams, in your hands, they can become reality.

This issue is a special ‘themed’ issue.

Over the past few weeks a number of people have commented that Nucleus has ‘too much political content’. Well we are pleased to inform you that this issue contains more political content than ever (though that’s far from all it contains, we can assure you. It has ponies as well). The UNE Peace Studies department have contributed a great many articles, but we also have a greatly enriched range of other pieces - innumerable thanks go to our reporting team. We love you!

We apologise for the lateness of the August edition - there were issues at the factory with what seemed to be foul play by our little mechanical advice-giving friend, GNSAD. Come home, dickhead. Stop messing with our paper, we need that. The world isn’t any good for you anyway, hasn’t

anyone told you that?

Congratulations to Student Support for providing such a great experience for the student during the intensive schools. Thanks also to the external students who made the trip here, you’re what keeps this uni going (quite literally) and we do appreciate that.

- The Editors

Postscript I want to draw attention to the Uni of Sydney student paper, Honi Soit, which in mid-August ran an edition which featured - presented in a nonsexualised way, accompanied by an article that explained why it should not be taboo - 18 vaginas of women of the university. This was first censored, with black bars over the centre of each image, then when these were not fully opaque, the printed copies were seized and the covers removed.

I note this for two reasons. Firstly, for those who don’t realise it, student newspapers have a history of pushing social norms and being an open, expressive, volitile, and sharp environments. If it can’t happen there, where can it happen? Secondly, I’ve heard a couple of people say, ‘I’m glad Nucleus isn’t like that.’ Which I think is a bit sad. Watch this space fuckers.

Having said that, you’ll find this issue pretty tame, but with marvellous amounts of great content!

Special thanks go to Jarrod Bevear for his work on the cover design.

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Contact unesa@une.edu.au to express your interest in positions working with Nucleus and encourage others to do likewise. Seize the oppotunity and see what it makes of you.

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- Letters - Hey, SSAF, Where You At? - Opinion: Politics from the Homeland - Voting 101 - Opinion: Afloat on a Leaky Boat - Smelly Love: Science Piece - Feature: Support Russian Political Prisoners - Peace! Youth in Social Conflicts - Peace! Freedom of Expression and Violent Conflicts - Profiles - Environment: Education for the Environment - College Recipes - Arts Pages - Neucleus: Volume 26, Number 14

EDITORS: Sarita Perston and Stewart Horsfield Contact Us:

facebook: facebook.com/NucleusUNE Cover Design and Layout email: editors@nucleus.org.au

by Jarrod Bevear website: www.nucleus.org.au and Jessica Tjandra post: P.O. Box U1, UNE Armidale NSW 2351 Arts Pages Cover photo “Schluchsee (Black Forest)”

by Lucy Fensom

Disclaimer

The opinions expressed in this publication do not necessarily reflect those of the staff of the Nucleus or UNESA. If you have an issue with an item published in the paper, write a letter and we will be glad to print it. All contributions must include name and contact details. Ensure that all contributions contain nothing that may be considered sexist, racist, discriminatory, violence provoking, or plagiarised. We assume our readers can tolerate a degree of satire and the odd swear word, but anything containing unnecessary profanity will not be published. Publication is always at the discretion of the editors.

All content is published under the Creative Commons By 3.0 license.

Refer to website for license information.

Respect for UNE Students Restored Wandering around the courtyards and concourse of this university is a far cry from the experience of just twelve months ago.

For the benefit of those who care to read on, this University has in the past eight years had a checkered history in student engagement. Much of it of student making, if I believe the talk. I will take it on faith, I was not here.

My impression is perception took over from reality for a period, and respect for students has been slow in returning. Students and staff have been reluctant to expend the energy to restore a credible voice and some have tried, with limited success.

This University exists for the purpose of education and there are three important facets of that purpose.

• • •

Students (self explanatory) Academics (self explanatory) Administration (to facilitate the bringing together of the former)

If one of these three facets does not exist, UNE does not exist. If one of these three facets is out of sync, UNE is broken. There have been a number of good signs in the past twelve months. Life has returned to the courtyards

and concourse of the university and in the collegiate atmosphere of the external on students in campus for intensive schools. The Nucleus is the student voice resurrected and it has been gaining momentum with each issue thanks to the commitment of the editors and the vital contributors to each edition. tUNE FM has a growing listenership under the guidance of Tania Court and the dedicated team of volunteers. The commitment of a dedicated group to see changes to the status quo of the past eight years has now brought to life an autonomous representative structure that is respected. The UNE Student Association (UNESA) has set about creating relationships that are built on respect and partnership.

Respect for the three important facets is fundamental to how a university exists. Through UNESA, the student body is now invited to participate in advising and guiding the future of UNE. It is the responsibility of UNESA to cooperate in building collegiate fraternity and amenity for students and there is no future in threats and demands. The student body must demonstrate respect and capability. There is always time to pause and reflect on the message. Respect is not reflected in childish tantrums of some students and indeed shows how little respect they have for themselves. Walking the talk is a vital component of any representation; to say it is so does not make it so!

The executive board members of UNESA hold the responsibility of representation with the respect that UNE students deserve. The board is an engaged and active advocate for you and the legacy of this university.

Good luck with studies and assignments and say g’day as we cross paths at UNE. - David Mailler UNESA President

Letters to the Editors Dear Editors,

Dear Editors,

I would like to say a massive THANK YOU to the Blue Shirt volunteers and the Law Society for providing the external students with a free BBQ lunch during their august intensives.

Just wanted to say, as an internal student, it was great to be around for the intensive schools. The campus really felt alive with people everywhere, plus free sausage sizzle, and I could get a park pretty much wherever I wanted, any time of day! I guess that’s what it would be like if the college students walked up the hill instead of drove... Hey that’s an idea, subsidise busses between Uni and Colleges! Now that’s a SSAF funded service I can get behind!

Your time & effort is greatly appreciated by everyone!

Sam Carter Student Support Services UNE

Tim

Addy’s On Marsh

Addy’s on Marsh is one of the most successful little Restaurant/Takeaway businesses in the region. Offering fresh homemade Pizzas, Pastas & Risottos at very affordable prices people can afford to dine out or have yummy takeaways.

Located across from The Whitebull on the main Highway, they provide dine in (BYO), takeaway and cater for special events.

Addy, (Adam Moore) and crew have been serving Armidale’s discerning pizza lovers for nearly 3 years from their Gourmet pizza and Pasta Restaurant.

As a young man himself he caters for the student population with his special deals & functions that he has provided over the years & is open to any new ideas from the student population & public.

Check out our website www.addys.com.au to view the menu & what Addy’s is all about.

Call us for College, Societies and club function quotes.

6772 2300

Hey, SSAF Where you at?

Some claim it’s an unnecessary and burdensome tax, others herald it as a way back to the golden days of universities, the days before Voluntary Student Unionism and the collapse of student activity and vigour and the subsequent crumbling descent into a void of ‘Managerial Paternalism’. But what’s all the fuss over SAFF really about? Nucleus reporter Helen Taylor works and studies at UNE, and she se`t out to find out what SSAF is, where it goes – and why it’s important to look at it not as dollars from your wallet but as an investment in student culture.

Students have a long history of contributing to their universities, both actively and financially. Before 2005/6, university students paid a compulsory unionism fee, and the union provided services, food outlets, shops, events, activities, representation, media, support, etc. With the introduction of Voluntary Student Unionism (VSU), most students chose not to pay – meaning that the student culture and activity that they supported took a huge blow. UNE, being a small and regional university, was all but crippled, and most current students will have no notion of the active days of universities pre-VSU.

And Why Your Student Services Fee Isn’t Money Anymore of the SSAF providing the needed funds, UNE has started to see this legacy of contribution reinstated.

We’ve all heard of the government cuts being made to tertiary education; some $2.3 billion in reduced funding, announced earlier this year. So it might be worthwhile looking at in this light: if universities are feeling the pinch, and don’t invest sufficiently in student amenities, what role can students play? The SSAF we pay goes towards making more things possible, and is not about the individual returns but building the bigger picture and collective experience and support. The SSAF, if managed well, will put the success of the university community back into the hands of the students, in the best possible way.

“David Mailler points out that the collective power of the funds coming from the SSAF can go much further than individual dollars.”

But with a push from students, and the introduction

The SSAF Committee manages projects funded by the SSAF and puts them into action. The SSAF Committee manages projects funded by the SSAF and puts them into action. In her role, the recently appointed SSAF Project Manager Eve Gavel ensures that there is a capacity to look into and work on ideas and projects produced

through SSAF. Her position is also funded through SSAF - and it permits autonomy with SSAF spending, ensuring that projects are of good value to the student body.

Last year, UNE students were given the opportunity to say which services and amenities they wanted addressed. Eve Gavel explains that this student feedback has directly affected SSAF spending, and has enabled the committee to put the to-do list into an order of priority that is meaningful to UNE students.

Some positive changes that have already been implemented in a short period of time include on-campus activities like free pancakes every Tuesday, continued support for our ENACTUS champions, the handy charge bars all over campus, and the very awesome Nucleus newspaper you’re holding in your hot little hands! Off-campus students get support during intensive schools in the form of free on-campus parking, transport to and from UNE, use of SportUNE, barbeques and social events, and other off-campus students have assistance with postage from the university library to put UNE’s resources in their hands at the click or two of a button.

But it’s not just about the free sausages; implementation of the SSAF has also enabled greater student representation and activity by supporting student clubs administration. A chat with David Mailler, the UNE Students Association president, reveals how much has been achieved in a short period, paticularly with UNESA and Nucleus, but also what we can hopefully look forward to seeing in the years to come. David speaks about the history of student amenity and the legacy of building leaders through greater support in clubs and societies; where else is it possible to learn the kind of skills needed to lead by example, prepare resources and advocate for a cause you support passionately? A healthy student community becomes an asset for each and every student by giving them opportunities to value-add to their degree in any number of ways.

Students should get excited that they can get directly involved in deciding how their money is being spent. David Mailler points out that the collective power of the funds coming from the SSAF can go much further than individual dollars. “It’s a case of, I may not ever need it,” he says, “but if I do need it, or if my friends need it, is it important enough to have it?” Pulled together, this funding can be part of providing student advocacy on issues large and small; student dollars are supporting development of career and employment opportunities, counselling services, legal advice, health and welfare.

He does acknowledge that there are some problems - among them, ensuring equity between internal students (who pay the full fee) and external students (who pay a reduced fee). There are also administrative challenges in rolling out funds to clubs and societies, and struggles that UNESA faces - the need to be trusted, without forgetting that it has risen from the ashes in less than the 18 months that SSAF has been around.

BUT WHERE’S IT GONE? Check out a list of SSAF projects that are proposed or in many cases have already taken place or are well underway. See: http://www.une.edu.au/for/current-students/costs/ssaf-updates. pdf

To share an idea or give feedback, contact UNESA on unesa@une. edu.au

Because this fee is a result of legislation, any projects supported must adhere to the legislative guidelines, which nominates 19 categories and which you can take a look at by visiting http://www.une.edu.au/for/current-students/costs/spending-ssaf. php

KNOW YO SSAF EVERYONE PAYS IT Federal legislation passed in 2011 (the Higher Education Legislation Amendment ) allows universities to charge students a fee, to be used to help cover the cost of student services, including but not limited to: student media, careers advice, counselling, sports and recreation, clubs and societies, legal, health, food and childcare. Full-time and part-time students pay it; external and internal students pay it; international and domestic students pay it; undergraduate and postgraduate students pay it. Even students at other universities pay SSAF!

WHAT HAPPENS IF I DON’T PAY IT? If you don’t pay your SSAF before the Census date, your academic transcript (that’s the official record of what you’ve studied) will be suspended – and you also won’t be able to graduate. Until you pay it!

I HAD AN INVOICE AT THE START OF TRIMESTER – WAS THAT MY SSAF? How can you check you’ve paid your SSAF? Simple!

Like this: my.une.edu.au -> myEnrol tab -> Financial Details -> Current Invoice (before census date) OR -> Historical Invoices (after census date)

WHAT IF I CAN’T AFFORD IT? Many students don’t pay their SSAF upfront – eligible students can defer it along with their HECS debt. This called an ‘SA-HELP’ loan. Applicants for this loan have to return the SA-HELP form by the due date for that Trimester. Find the form: MyUNE -> myEnrol tab -> Enrolment Details -> Services & Amenities Help Form.

Editor’s note: On Thursday September 12th, the inaugural UNE Well Fair will be held in the central courtyard area, from 11am-2pm. To celebrate and encourage good health and wellbeing, the Well Fair is fueled by the idea of fun: you can get your hands dirty and pretend to be a kid with games and craft; relax in the chill space or chai tent; get active on slack ropes, a velcro wall or bouncing castle; meet baby animals at the petting zoo; and enjoy free food including decorate-your-own cupcakes. This event is SSAF funded: it also involves a heap of clubs and societies working together to make it happen, and benefits student health and wellbeing. All students are encouraged to come - otherwise you’ll miss out!

Intimations on Malcom Turnbull’s recent visit to UNE, explaining the Coalition’s “Broadband” plan

Trotting around America: Bronycon 2013

Part I: Who’s a Pretty Pony

by Alex Bailey

It

was with no small amount of anxiety that I left my hotel room and walked towards the Baltimore convention centre. I wondered how long until I would be before I started seeing Bronies and would I be able to spot them?

As I entered the blocks surrounding the centre I soon began to notice them though.

For those of you not in the know a Brony is a fan aged between 14 and 40 (usually male) of the show My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic.

A show designed for girls under the age of 12.

I quietly slipped past a group who were in full chorus singing a song called “Pink Fluffy Unicorns Dancing on Rainbows”, past the registration line and sidled up to the media check-in desk.

See, my anxiety was not from the thought of interviewing people or being around large groups. It was that I was about to meet another fan of the show for the first time.

In fact I was about to meet 8000 of them! Up until now I had only really seen Bronies online and in the media.

This would be my first real interaction with people who liked the

show.

“Mr. Bailey?” a girl asked. She was sporting a bright rainbow wig that fell across her face, as well as wings. Not a reassuring start. “Your badge! Have a swell day!” I mumbled my thanks and beat a hasty retreat away from a guy in a trench coat, vest, fedora and socks with sandals who was standing nearby staring intently at me.

thing I knew well and was good at. The locals looked on with suspicion as around a hundred flag-waving Bronies occupied the bars near the Dog Trot Inn. I immediately wandered up to a bunch of people in My Little Pony t-shirts and announced who I was and started trying to get to know them. I was met with social awkwardness on a scale I had not yet experienced.

I moved on to a different group. Then the next and the next. Eventually disheartened I sat down next to some people at one of the bars and started talking. Turns out they were there for the same reason I was and were equally overwhelmed at the sheer fervour shown by some of the attendees. My new friends were both Air Force Bronies and talked with me extensively about how many Bronies there are in the armed forces. Turns out there are a few!

The evening continued and before I knew it very normal people from all walks of life surrounded me. It seemed that none of us owned Brony t-shirts and as such did not attract the attention of the locals or the other Bronies.

This allowed us to slip from bar to bar unnoticed and very soon we found ourselves at the closest strip club!

Well now… If everyone was going to be this much fun how could I go wrong?

The next morning I reported to the pressroom for a scheduled meeting. As I rubbed the sleep out of my eyes and considered ritualistic suicide the high-pitched drone of one of the organisers managed to intrude on my own thoughts.

“So please be respectful when taking photos and remember that sometimes people will get a little shy… Fluttershy”

I needed a steak.

Laughter ensued. What was he on about? Oh that’s right. Ponies.

My first event was the Brony Bar Trot. A My Little Pony themed bar crawl. So feeling a little out of my comfort zone, I retreated to some-

So turning to one of my fellow reporters I struck up conversation. He asked me which Brony network I worked for. When I respond-

ed that I didn’t work for any of the Brony networks I was immediately surrounded by most of the reporters in the room. Viewed a bit like a large stray wolf, with a mixture of distrust and wonder, they asked me who I was and where I was from. Then they asked me, in some attempt at self reassurance, if I was going to write a nice article.

I replied that I hadn’t decided yet. Every sphincter in the room tightened and the temperature dropped. I was now the outcast.

Once again I beat a hasty retreat, and headed over to the main hall for the opening ceremony.

As the attendees filed in I couldn’t help but think that a lot of parents’ basements would be empty this weekend. I also wondered what was happening in the World of Warcraft? Probably not much, as all its players were here.

Despite my cynicism though, the level of effort put into costumes stunned me. Brightly coloured individuals in Cosplay were everywhere throughout the hall and the atmosphere was electric. Chanting began at any mention of the word ‘fun’ and there was the real feeling that something big was happening.

So after a particularly awkward opening ceremony in which the crowning glory of gawkiness was some terrible beat-matching from a ‘DJ’ and some particularly self aware dancing from a group of people with hula hoops, the opening ceremony drew to a close.

Alex is a 23 year old Business and Economics graduate. He’s currently touring America in an attempt to avoid growing up and being an adult.

He is a straight edge, none drinking Christian Vegan who is interested in the pop music and rugby. He also enjoys V8 motor sports, talking in the third person and lying outrageously.

Politics from the Homeland:

Opinion

Electioneering in the New England Heartland

T h e r e ’s a story told amongst Walcha’s locals about Barnaby Joyce’s time as a forward in the region’s rugby team: the story goes that in one particular match, Barnaby, who even then it seemed had the reputation of a head-kicker, was called over by one of his team-mates who had told him to put the hurt on the opposition’s no. 6, who’d been causing havoc amongst Walcha’s back-line.

‘No worries’ says Joyce-y as he joins the scrum. Some few minutes later, Joyce slows up to join with his teammate and says imperiously ‘I’ve taken care of him for ya, mate’. His tackle-weary winger looks up to see the opposite team’s no. 9 lying flat on the turf with a pained expression imprinted on his brow. ‘Mate…’ he says as Joyce clotheslines a charging forward, ‘you’ve got your 6’s and 9’s mixed up again’.

In the country, these moralistic tales can be combined with various “I heard from a mate’s” and “it would’ve gone like this’” to paint a much more vivid picture of what had occurred compared to what did occur. Such is the nature of a story where rumours and hearsay may garner a certain kind of currency in places where everyone’s business is everyone’s business.

But it’s not just the simple country folk that trade in juicy mistruths – our far more cultured metropolitan cousins seem equally engrossed in the national game of force ‘em backs currently being played out in electorates across the country.

The story of Barnaby Joyce confusing his 6’s and his 9’s is a peculiar resonation of what seems to be occurring in the game of federal politics, where hapless no. 9’s lay their aching bones down in surrender while the marauding no. 6’s continue to wreak havoc amongst a confused back line.

But who belongs to which jersey? Who will lend a sportsman’s hand to the no. 9 and who will put that no. 6 on the ground where he belongs? Hard to say, and even harder to say whether those numbers confused belong to prominent individuals in the political landscape, their con-

Dis-satisfaction en masse… Not a job to be found for a twenty-something journalist… A return to the land of my birth… An election on September 7th… Windsor’s out and Joyce will say that it’s a tight game regardless… The battle lines are drawn. stituents or the nebulous policies favoured by either one of those parties.

The only thing that seems to unite the people of Australia is their bitter contempt for politicians, their policies and the discussion surrounding them. It’s a sorry state of affairs that we find ourselves in, with constant back-and-forth between political figures, each of them vying for control of the hallowed middle ground where the majority of Australia’s voting population find themselves crammed into by virtue of circumstance. The presence of the particular debates smeared across the front pages of the mainstream media are dictated by sales figures and very little else.

Meanwhile, politicians will take note of the polling figures embedded in these reports, feed a response back into the machine and hope for better results tomorrow.

Everyone’s just throwing what they’ve got at the wall to see what sticks. In Tony Abbott’s case, the operation involves scooping up what’s left at the base and lining up for another shot. In Kevin Rudd’s case, it’s taking a high-powered cannon, blasting whatever it is he’s selling today straight through the foundation itself and right into the face of the poor bugger standing on the other side.

Dire times. But what are we, the rational voting public to do? Well we could stop buying the Daily Telegraph, for a start. Go to McDonald’s: read it for free.

I guess they figure people want to eat shit while they’re eating shit.

OK, OK… Keep your powder dry, Chaseling… It’s not their fault… Well it is, but you sure won’t get published writing stuff like that!

Coa l i tion’s policy, a paraphrase of the Bunning’s Warehouse slogan “find a lower price and we’ll beat it by 10%”. Labor would be hard-pressed to find a more effective mode of discourse if it’s the average Bunning’s customer that they seek to woo.

And at this point it’s exactly that bargain-hunting section of society that will decide an election.

“Boat-people are eating away at my unsubstantiated sense of security, who will save my plasma-screen-andtwo-cars-in-the-driveway from this foreign invasion?”

“WE WILL AND THEY WON’T” screams the major parties in robotic unison.

“But what about the economy?” we ask, peering over the lid of a five dollar latte and the pages of today’s Piers Ackerman tirade.

“What about it?”

“Is… Is it… Good?”

Both parties look at each other, hoping to discern from their opponent’s mistakes what possible aspect of a free-market economy a government can claim to have affected in the short-term.

At least not in Brisbane, where the contents of news-stands go Murdoch, Murdoch, Murdoch… Whatever slim hope I had in getting a full-time media job is surely dashed with that line-up. So I’m in Tamworth, as far away as I can get from those heavy vibrations. Well, maybe not as far away as I could get… Truly fulfilling that dream would involve some kind of a liferaft and a strong Easterly.

“People have jobs” says one.

Today the front-pages of our newspapers declared to us the news that Kevin Rudd had tweeted the afternoon before; that the election we all knew was coming would be held on September 7th. Accompanying this news was the collective flurry of analysis that dissected every aspect of the major parties’ press releases that followed soon after Rudd’s announcement. ‘It’s on’ begins Labor’s own colloquially worded release, Abbott counters with ‘Fair Dinkum’, Rudd describes his campaign in terms of ‘A New Start’, Abbott then asks us to ‘Choose Real Change’.

“We have the answers!”

The similarities between these opening salvos are the latest echo of what’s been a series of policy announcements that have been for the most part indistinguishable from one another. Labor’s primary tactic of late has been to simply adopt the

by Oliver Chaseling

“But not enough of them!” says the other.

Silence from the people.

“More jobs!”

“More growth!

“They don’t!”

And from this point onward the biggest challenge faced by either party is holding the attention of the undecided voter for the total length of time of the ad-breaks in Masterchef.

Good luck to them.

Nucleus presents

VOT 1 NG101

by Tadeusz Davenport

Whether it is your first or twenty-first time voting there is always something new to learn, from how to make sure your vote counts to where parties stand on issues that matter to you. For a lot of Australians the voting experience starts and ends at a polling booth.

This is not how it should happen!

The first step in voting should start much earlier, when you decide what issues are important to you.

Is it marriage equality, refugees, the economy, education funding, rural health, environmental issues or gender equality? Or is it something entirely different? For most of us it is a combination of issues and each of us value them differently.

But on the ballot sheet you can only vote for candidates or parties. This is the crux of voting. How do you go from “what” to vote for to “who” to vote for? There are thousands of places to start, from the ABC’s Vote Compass to party policies or even the evening news. When doing your research always be aware of possible bias. This doesn’t mean you should ignore it completely but know where the information is coming from and how that might change the views expressed.

A bit of Terminology Left Wing - The left or left wing is used to describe policies, parties or people that advocate for social equality. This is opposed to a social hierarchy or social inequality. Often this involves policies such as the provision of services such as health care and education that is available to everyone, gender equality and anti discrimination.

Little “L” Liberal - In Australia this term is particularly confusing. The term liberal tends to refer to a “free” political philosophy including civil rights, democracy and free press. Little “L” liberal is used to prevent confusion with the Liberal Party which is generally a Conservative party (the opposite of liberal). In the US for instance liberal refers to left of center.

Right Wing - The right is general in opposition to the left and as such supports a social hierarchy. The means they are less likely to support public schools or taxing the rich as this would ‘upset’ the heirachy.

Conservative - Conservative philosophy/ politics generally support the continuance of traditional institutions and ideas in both economic and social arenas.

Although the reality is more complex, right and left are generally seen to be part of a spectrum. Many people support policies of both sides. You can also use a 2D rather than a 1D representation, to compare economic beliefs with social beliefs. If you are interested in where you might fall or to learn more head over to abc.net.au/votecompass.

The Big Issues These may not be your big issues but they are a few that look to be a big part of the 2013 federal election. We look only at the three major parties here, but there are a whole host of minor parties - from the Sex Party to the Pirate Party to the Bullet Train for Australia Party.

The Budget Deficit and the Economy The budget deficit is a hotly debated topic.

Many people might agree that debt is a bad thing but the problem is not that simple. The world was hit by an economic crisis in 2008 and Australia pulled through surprisingly well.

On a global scale our debt as a percentage of GDP is one of the smallest in the world and our economy is doing much better than many.

In order to reduce the deficit taxes must increase or funding on services such as health, education, infrastructure and defence must be cut. Here is what the parties have to say.

Australian Labor Party - Predicts a budget surplus by 2017 but in the meantime wants continued investment in infrastructure, edu-

cation and the National Disability Insurance Scheme among other things.

Coalition - The Coalition is backing off their commitment to a surplus in their first year in office. They propose “living within our means” as a way of reaching a surplus but are yet to release a credible strategy.

Greens - The Greens state “While government finances must be sustainable over the long-term, it is appropriate to stimulate the economy during economic downturns and save during economic booms. Government financing should be responsibly managed so as to minimise intergenerational debt”.

The Carbon Price Climate change is a big issue globally and within Australia. Currently the major parties agree that climate change is happening.

The question is what to do about it. Under Julia Gillard a carbon price was implemented in order to reduce Australia’s emissions.

Where do the parties stand?

Australian Labor Party - They introduced the carbon price and plan to change to and Emissions Trading Scheme in 2014.

They also started the Clean Energy Finance

Corporation (CEFC) to invest in renewable energy.

Coalition - The Coalition has pledged to remove the carbon price instead proposing a carbon buyback scheme to pay polluters who reduce emissions. They also plan to scrap the CEFC. Greens - The Greens supported the Carbon Tax introduction and its continuation and continue to support the CEFC.

Education Funding One of the big issues, especially here at uni.

Many were happy to hear about the Gonksi Reforms for schools being funded but a bit let down when they decided to take the funding away from universities. The Gonski Review was designed to look at how to improve primary and secondary education in Australia. It suggested that schools needed an increase in funding so they could provide more resources and a better education.

However in order to fund this they have cut $2.3 billion from tertiary institutions (universities) as well as cutting the discount for paying HECS upfront, and converting Start-up Scholarships to loans. Part of this debate is economical but it also comes down to investing in the future thinkers of Australia.

Australian Labor Party - Has plans to increase school funding but some of that is tied to the states also increasing their funding. After the initial period funding will

be indexed annually. They support a national curriculum and extra funding to support students in learning trades.

Coalition - Says it will continue Labor’s planned funding in the short term but without providing a way of funding it. They also want a national curriculum and are supporting state schools becoming independent schools.

Greens - Support the Gonski funding model and pledge and extra $2 billion to start it off.

Needs based funding means less funding for well off private schools and more for the schools that need it. They want to increase funding to universities, the student living allowance and, in the long term, return to free university education. They want more teachers in schools to raise standards instead of tests like NAPLAN.

Marriage Equality This is a topic that has been the subject of intense debate both in parliament and in communities. Put simply it is about equality: does Australia treat all its citizens equally? Currently we are being left behind by many developed countries. Many polls have suggested that Australians do support marriage equality but it is the leadership that is stuck against it. Our new PM Kevin Rudd has recently lent his support to the idea, so we will see where it goes after the election.

Australian Labor Party - Kevin Rudd has pledged a marriage equality bill in the first 100 days in parliament.

Coalition - Tony Abbott is a strong supporter of not allowing Marriage Equality Greens - The Greens support Marriage Equality and have been a driving force behind it in the past.

Refugees Refugees promise to be an important issue in the coming election as they have been in the past (it is an issue that politicians get highly emotive about so try not to get too caught up in that). For many people the main issue is about human rights and saving lives. Under the UN Refugee Convention Australia should accept legitimate refugees – people who aren’t in fact breaking laws, but are fleeing persecution – that arrive here and should not treat them differently based on their means of arrival.

The numbers of people arriving by boat is is under 3% of total immigration and 90% are found to be legitimate refugees. How do the parties feel about this?

Australian Labor Party - Mandatory detention for refugees arriving by boat and resettlement in Papua New Guinea. Offshore processing and excision of Australia from its migration zone.

Coalition - Operation Sovereign Borders by the military to turn back boats when safe. Mandatory detention and offshore processing of refugees.

Greens - Abolish offshore processing, increase refugee quota to 30,000 annually (from 13,750), restore Australia to its migration zone. Release refugees after 30 days of detention. Regional programmes to speed up processing.

But...

What are you voting FOR? How preferences work

How To Vote When it comes to the actual voting it gets a lot easier. You have a couple of options of how to vote.

Postal Voting or Early Voting must be applied for before the day. If you are going to vote on the day (Saturday September 7th) then you should just make sure you are enrolled to vote in the right electorate.

House of Reps (Lower House) Voting for the House of Representatives is done by electorate: Armidale is in the New England electorate. This means that every candidate runs in one electorate and the first to get over 50% of the vote will represent that electorate. Each party will put one candidate (or none) forward or candidates will run as independents. You must number ALL candidates in order of preference (1 being the top preference).

Senate (Upper House) Voting for the Senate is done on a state basis. Each ‘state’ elects 12 senators and each ‘territory’ gets 2. In this case a candidate must get over 14.3% of the vote (1/12th) in order to get a seat.

There are two ways to vote for the senate.

Above the Line: Voting above the line is voting for a party. You select your top preference party and then that party allocated where your preferences go if they don’t get in.

Below the Line: Voting below the line allows you to preference each candidate. In this case however you must number all 110 candidates! On the up side, you, not the political parties, say who your vote goes to.

WHAT NOT TO DO!!

• Use ticks or crosses • Write your name or anything else • Double up on a number • Forget to number a box

Preferences make votes count. Many people worry about voting for a minor party because they think this will waste their vote. This is far from the truth. In Australia it is not just the two large parties in government, in fact there were several independents and smaller parties holding the balance of power in the House of Representative last term, and 11 in the Senate.

But more important is how your vote gets counted if your first preference doesn’t get elected. If no party has a majority (or enough for a seat in the Senate) then the votes of the lowest scoring party get redistributed according you your second preference. This continues until every seat is filled, and in effect means that every vote is not only counted but counts towards the final outcome.

Two more important factors are your ability to influence policy and

to influence funding.

If a major party wins but sees a portion of the primary vote going to another candidate they might change their policies in order to represent that portion of their electorate. Also, the next time an election comes around the funding for each party is based on the number of votes they got last time – about $2.50 for every person that voted ‘1’ for them. So if you want your favourite party to do better next time, put them first and allocate your preferences later.

Party Preference Allocation Party preferences can be seen here: http://www.aec.gov.au/election/nsw/files/nsw-gvt.pdf Preference allocation for parties is a big issue. Recently there has been some debate as to how they would be allocated. Summed up briefly: Greens --> Labor -> Liberal/Nationals Liberal/Nationals -> Labor -> Greens Labor -> Greens -> Liberal/Nationals

GOVERNMENT101 How does it all work after that? The two votes are to elect people to two different ‘Houses’: the House of Representatives in which each member represents their electorate, and the Senate where each state and territory has representatives.

The House of Representatives is who decides on the Prime Minister. While there is much formality and voting it is usually the leader of the party that can form majority. They become the face of Australia for their term. In some cases neither party forms the majority and they must

enlist the support of independents and other parties in order to gain a majority. Unlike a president you can’t directly elect them but you do get to elect the ministers who will decide the vote.

The Senate provides a bit of stability in politics as each time it is elected (barring a double dissolution) only half the seats change over. This prevents rapid changes in government that might otherwise be destabilising.

In order for legislation to pass it must be put forward in one house and pass through both houses before being put into law. Each house may also amend it. “Supply” refers to government expenditure and must also pass through both houses although it must originate in the House of Representatives and cannot be changed in the senate. Blocking of supply by the Senate can prevent government from being able to function.

Afloat In a Leaky Boat: the race to the bottom ---------------

Opinion

by Joanne Fernandez I know as an Australian there is a lot that I take for granted: clean running water, access to a higher education and high speed internet (depending on who you ask). Now, imagine the 2013 Australi- Photo credit: Takver, flickr.com an Federal Election has passed (thank goodness). Your own country is in the Under a newly elected Labor governthick of civil war to the point where ment, Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has you’re in constant fear of your and your pledged to deter ‘boat people’ with a family’s lives. Since you cannot afford the hard-line policy: that any asylum seeknecessary paperwork and plane ticket to reach Australia by plane, you decide you will go ahead of your family by boat and reunite with them there once you are settled. After a few days of being cramped in a small boat, you finally reach Christmas Island. What happens next is dependent on which party is elected: The Rudd Option: You are detained in a detention centre and eventually transported to Papua New Guinea, a country with its own unique set of security issues. You are told you have zero chances of ever settling in Australia.

The Abbott Option: You manage to avoid detection by the Australian Navy and finally arrive in Christmas Island.

After being detained for a few years while your case is reviewed, you are granted a Temporary Protection Visa which is valid for only three years. During this time, your only means of income is Centrelink allowance through a ‘work for the dole’ scheme. You will not have the right to appeal your case.

In the July Nucleus, Stu Horsfield asked a pertinent question: Why is this such a big issue in Australia? Since then, both major parties have announced their renewed asylum seeker policies. In coincidence, a lot of the country then let out a collective sigh of exasperation.

population in Australia (approximately 32,000) would not be granted permanent residency and would be placed on an indefinite ‘work for the dole’ program. Furthermore, those who were not granted a Temporary Protection Visa would have no right to appeal the decision despite the fact that 80% of appealed decisions have been overturned.

The proposed Navy-led border protection program is called Operation Sovereign Borders which sounds like an episode of Sea Patrol. The latest Coalition announcement on asylum seeker policy was that they would spend up to $20m to purchase boats in Indonesia that would otherwise be used for people-smugglers. What would Australia do with $20m worth of fishing boats?

Choosing between either option is akin to choosing dirt or a dirt sandwich for breakfast.

er that arrives in Australia by boat will not be eligible for settlement. If they are deemed “genuine”, and it is not safe for them to return home, they will be settled in Manus Island or elsewhere in Papua New Guinea. Ironically, in 2008, Rudd announced the dismantling of John Howard’s ‘Pacific Solution’ whereby the goal was to detain asylum seekers on small Pacific Island nations rather than the Australian mainland. What would happen to a native of Papua New Guinea who travelled to Australia by boat seeking asylum? Will they enter a Mobius strip of asylum seeking?

The Australian media has branded the major parties’ stance on refugees as a constant ‘race to the bottom’ as this election period continues. Tony Abbott has managed to show up to this particular race in fine fashion: complete with metaphorical budgie smugglers. The Coalition have announced that the refugee

Choosing between either option is akin to choosing dirt or a dirt sandwich for breakfast. However, the 32,000 people already in Australia and those who wish to seek asylum in the future would have no chance in the matter. It is up to the Australian people and the politicians they elect to represent those who cannot represent themselves.

by Monica Fortunaso

Love

Let’s be honest, we’ve all had at least one lusty night at the pub where you’ve been totally smitten with a complete stranger and… well…say no more. The next morning you most likely asked yourself why you acted with such impulse? Was it due to the boozy haze or due to some strange law of attraction? There are a few elements that could explain why and may also contribute to our search for our ‘perfect’ or not so perfect mate, including a woman’s menstrual cycle, a little immune factor known as the Major Histocompatability Complex (MHC), and funnily enough, our body odour.

In humans, fertility in females increases gradually before ovulation then will decrease rapidly straight afterwards. Conceiving is possible only during a fleeting period of around 6 days, which ends on the day of ovulation. Now, it has been proven that during these different phases of a woman’s cycle, their sense of attraction towards men is vastly different, based on their instinctual needs and smell. During the fertile phase it has been shown women are more attracted to men who can provide the greatest genetic benefits for their future offspring, including good physical health and intelligence. During the infertile phase, men who can provide the greatest non-genetic, ‘material benefits’ are preferable.

So for some, this might include big house, a safe car, security of income, etc. These are the so called ‘good-dad’ qualities and can be obtained regardless of whether a man’s physical appearance and smell are compatible.

Our level of attraction to another is believed to be majorly influenced by MHC, the Major Histocompatibility Complex. This is a family of proteins that have an important role in helping the immune system recognise and deal with pathogens. This set of genes, however, is significantly different across the human population. In fact, only identical twins have any chance of being born with the same set of MHC genes. The MHC is thought to be responsible for organ recipients rejecting organs from incompatible donors. Furthermore, humans, along with other species of animals are believed to sense other MHC gene sets via their smell perception.

It has been shown that this smell perception during the fertile phase sees a woman subconsciously attracted to a man that has a totally different MHC profile to herself. Biologically, this is most likely to provide her children with the best possible chance of survival through an attempt to broaden their immune capability. During the non-fertile phase however, it has been shown that females are attracted to men with more similar MHC profiles. Indicating that it’s not genetics that is now the priority but instead perceived safety, security and comfort.

Men’s attraction towards women also changes with their cycles. The fertile phase of the woman’s cycle stimulates changes in physical properties of women such as their body odour or voice pitch. It has even been shown that women tend to dress more provocatively during this time and (surprise, surprise) studies have shown that men are highly sensitive and responsive to these changes. For example, a study that looked at tip earnings by lap dancers found that women in their fertile phase made US$20 more per hour compared to their non-fertile phase!

Interestingly, recent studies have shown that the contraceptive pill is having some influence over our choice of prospective mates. In fact, relationships formed whilst the woman was on the pill can change drastically when the woman comes off the pill in order to conceive or for other reasons. For those not aware, the contraceptive pill acts by mimicking pregnancy and hence ceasing the menstrual cycle, thereby having a profound change in the hormonal state of the body. This changed hormonal state also affects natural body odour as the woman is “pregnant” all the time. Going back to the lap dancers, the study also showed that women who were not on the pill made about 50% more tips than woman on the pill and therefore not undergoing their natural cycle.

Attraction is heavy stuff, right? Even a touch frightening as it’s not something you can entirely control! So if you find yourself questioning how you managed to be entwined with someone you met only half an hour ago, the reason may not be as simple as ‘a few too many wines’. Instead that primal instinct of yours may be the culprit- subconsciously causing you to size up, sniff around and finally drawing you to that stranger in the corner based on their genetic or non-genetic advantages. Of course it’s only natural that something unnatural such as the pill could mess with these primal laws of attraction. But, whether you be man or woman you can almost be certain that your nose won’t lie.

On 6th of May 2012 Russian opposition groups held a mass rally in Bolotnaya Square (or Swamp Square in English) to protest the inauguration of President Putin following the fabricated election results documented by multiple independent observers. Despite a legal permit the peaceful protest rally was violently attacked by the police and special security units with many arrests. More than one year later twenty eight people are currently held in prison, under arrest pending trial. They belong to different social groups and have different beliefs and political views; many of them are far from politics and joined the meeting only because their consciousness demanded it. A few examples:

Denis Lutskevich, born 1992, a student of the State University of Humanitarian Sciences, an assistant of the dean of the Department of Culturology and ex-navy. Lutskevich went to Swamp Square together with his girlfriend and also with his University students and academics. He has never attended political meetings before and never expressed the opposition of political views. During the meeting while attempting to help his girlfriend (the police tried to arrest people around her so she was being crushed) he was beaten up by the OMON (special police): the hospital later registered injuries to the back of his head, hematoma of the right ear, and multiple injuries to his back and hands. He was arrested in one month, on 9th of June 2012.

Michail KosenTo those who have the misfortune to ko, born 1975, an invalid and suffer serious chronic illnesses, the Alexei Gaskarov, receiving the 1985, ecomeasures applied are targeted to ruin born health pension logical activist, antheir health completely and may yet tifascist, the leader was arrested on 8th of July 2012. of the social anticause their death in some cases.

While serving fascist movement in army Kosen‘Atifa’, and memko suffered a serious head trauma which pro- ber of the Coordinating Counsel of the opvoked schizophrenia. He needs constant su- position. The episode the soldiers of OMON pervision from a medical specialist and calm beating him with their batons and kicking him environment. Despite his serious illness which in his face is recorded on video (the beating grossly worsened through over a year of de- occurred after Gaskarov attempted to stop soltainment Kosenko was refused to be moved diers drugging another demonstrator on the from prison to house arrest. concrete). He tried to lodge a complaint and Vladimir Akimenkov, born 1987, activist of was arrested on 28th of April 2013.

‘Left Front’, was arrested on 10th of June 2012.

Akimenkov suffers a congenital illness. Dur- These prisoners were carefully chosen to reping his detainment in a dark cell his eyesight resent all layers of Russian society and belong has deteriorated dramatically: one eye now is to the spectrum of opposition parties and now left with 10% vision and the other – 20%. many to no political organization at all. The However, according to the words of the judge, message from the regime is simple, what has “it is not sufficient for release on health rea- happened to them can happen to you. Anyone sons complete blindness is required”. who disagrees and sticks out will share the

by Anna Terentieva

protesters’ fate.

The constitution states the citizens’ rights for fair elections, and also the right for non-violent protests and meetings. The participants of the meeting on the Swamp Square including the arrested did not violate the law in any way but they were violently diffused and scattered, many were violently bashed, and then those who were bashed were imprisoned – not those who assaulted them. To those who have the misfortune to suffer serious chronic illnesses, the measures applied are targeted to ruin their health completely and may yet cause their death in some cases. Kosenko’s case is especially instructive: for anyone with his diagnosis being in a prison cell equals slow murder.

This is something like torture in the formal frame of the law. Moral torture is added to physical abuse by slander and insinuations in the state government mass-media which show the prisoners as provocateurs bought by the West.

The story of the ‘Swamp prisoners’ is not just another manifestation of a ‘totalitarian regime’. Right now, while the author is writing this, three ecological activists have just received 8, 11, and 13 year sentences respectively for opposing the destruction of the forest in the national reserve where Putin and Patriarch Kirill are now building their personal mansions. Russia is long passed the stage of totalitarian government and has entered a fascist stage, with Goebbels-like cinematographic propaganda, theatrical court processes broadcast live on major TV channels, daily arrests, beating, tortures and murders of the members of the opposition and anyone else who is “inconvenient”. Its most worrisome feature is the essential component of any fascist state: a messianic leader combined with the idea of ethnic

known to almost everyone in the West: the identity and a special mission. In the case of Swamp prisoners or others.

Russia, the messianic idea is created by twist- The reader may not see a clear connection be- performance by ‘Pussy Riot’ in the number ing Orthodoxy (Eastern Christianity) and tween the Russian fascist state and the Russian one Moscow cathedral lasting five minutes for presenting Russians as “the most moral and Church. It is impossible to see that connection which two participants are now serving a two year sentence. They sang: ethical people in the world”, “most beloved It is impossible to understand the

by God”, “the saviour of civilization from the “Black priestly dress, golden epaulets morally corrupted, degenerated West”. It is situation in Russia without taking the (…) not an exaggeration to compare the position link between its religion and current Patriarch Gundyav believes in Putin, of the Russian Orthodox Church (ROC) political ideology into account.

Better if he, bitch, believed in God” with the position of the Christian Churches at the time of the Third Reich. Like that time, the ROC is now separating into those unless one has a knowledge of Russian history They portrayed the intercourse between the who submit to the fascist regime and those of 20-21cc. The attached picture shows graph- state government and the bishops of Russian who, being faithful to Christ, will not. The lat- ically the relationship between FSB and Rus- Church who are themselves FSB agents. This crucial fact was missed by the outside world. ter are prosecuted within the Church just as sian Church but for a full analysis please see It is impossible to understand the situation in badly as the secular opposition. Disagreeing ‘Reinventing fascism’ Russia without taking the link between its reChristians are silenced, harassed, and driven http://orthodox-christian-icons.com/writing ligion and current political ideology into acout of the country, some even murdered. The /reinventing_fascism.htm count.

Church is now as full of fear as the whole nation and is not raising its voice to defend the There is a recent symbolic event which is The Swamp protest united those who could not continue watching the destruction of their country by the state and its slip into a fullblown fascism. While it is the task of Russians to bring about change there is much that can be done by ordinary people around the world to show them our support. Receiving letters in a foreign language (or even in poor Russian using Google translate) from other countries will tell the prisoners, their supporters and the government that they are not forgotten and abandoned by the rest of the world. This is a very small step but it can be done now (today) and it would mean a very great deal to them.

Please find out more about individual prisoners and take action today by directly writing letters of support to them. This can be done electronically through the links on the following website: http://www.orthodox-christian-icons.com/ writing/swamp_letters_project /swamp_prisoners_list.htm Anna Terentieva was born in Moscow, then in the U.S.S.R. An important childhood influence was her grandfather a distinguished Soviet space scientist imprisoned under Stalin. Anna grew up alongside senior military and KGB officers. She received a classical education in fine arts with four years of study at the Moscow Art College, and then at the Moscow State University of Printing Arts – a unique institution dedicated to the art of exquisite bookmaking. From there, after five years of further study, she received her Master’s Degree in Graphic Arts.

Editor’s note: Between receiving this article and going to print, the website cited above had been subject to an attack of unknown origin, the aim of which was to prevent people from learning about the situation and writing to the prisoners.

Image by Anna Terentieva

A Vibrant but Volatile Force: Youths in Social Conflict Context Though youths have been vital in formation and transformation of conflicts across the globe, academia started to explore the connections between youths and social conflicts very lately – mostly after the 9/11 attack in the US. In developing countries, two converse propositions dominate opinions on the role of youths in social conflicts. On one hand, advocacy organisations frequently claim that youths are problem-solvers and creative forces in managing conflicts. On the other, conventional thinkers consider youths as vulnerable groups. Amidst this contention, digging out vibrancy and volatility of youths may offer an insight on how to build a better world in partnership with youths.

Youth Bulge Theory establishes connections between youth population and occurrence of violent conflicts. It correlates conflict-ridden countries with growing youth population. As rapid growth in youth population may contribute to massive unemployment and frustration, people are vulnerable to rebel against constituted authorities. World War I, World War II, Japan’s invasion of China, present day Nigeria, Conflicts in Afghanistan and Pakistan are all instances of this. Similarly, youth populations in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Palestine Territory were very high when conflicts escalated. Studies have pointed to youth bulge as one of the factors of the proliferation of extremist groups such as Al Quada and Laskar-e-Toiba.

A large youth population is not always counterproductive to conflicts, but sometimes supportive to economic prosperity. With proper planning and investments, it can be mobilised as a productive group. Growing number of youths in East Asia and that in some parts of Europe (Ireland for instance) had been a boon for strong economic outputs.

The Nepal Instance Youths make up a considerable portion of the population pyramid in Nepal. This demographic was a crucial factor in the eleven-year civil war (1996-2006) in this country. The communist insurgency in Nepal was basically a guerrilla war, which needed energetic combatants to launch assaults. So, the major forces behind this war were the youths who were a vital part of the 20,000 full time combatants and 97,000 state army combatants. The war ravaged a number of properties and human lives, but it critically questioned skewed social, political, economic and power relations in the country. Though bloodshed should not be glorified, one must admit that this war catalysed historic change after the dethroning of autocratic monarchy.

The belligerent youths created bloodshed and damages, but another remarkable portion of youths were there abroad – they sustained the national economy with continuous flow of remittance. Remittance was the mainstay of the post-war economy of Nepal without which the economy would not have been sustained. It was a backbone which

helped Nepal survive financial crisis in war and post-war periods. Nepali youth diaspora, especially the blue-collar workers in Gulf countries, have still been a crutch for an economically lame Nepal.

Youths in political parties were other important actors in the transition from war to peace in Nepal. They contributed to conflict escalation and de-escalation equally. For instance, mostly youths were leading paramilitary outfits of political parties. They had also been a critical challenge to the peace process. Clashes between armed student organisations and youth groups frequently created mistrust between the parties when the peace process was in need of regular consensus. They created insecurity and horror in the society, increased the illegal use of small arms and disrupted the rule of law. But some other youths in political parties constructively settled many issues in the Constituent Assembly, pressuring senior political leaders for flexibility in negotiations and coming up with creative proposals in Assembly meetings and thematic committee discussions.

Inferences Countries in the aftermath of war need economic revitalisation, socio-political transformation and psycho-social reintegration of fragmented societies. But occurrence of conflicts and/or building of peaceful future depend on the space that the states offer to the youths. The inference is that mobilised youths are more prone to create perils than participating youths. The process of mobilisation indoctrinates youths, but that of participation enlightens. So, participation should be a focus rather than mobilisation of youths.

Misused and militarised youth groups may trigger conflicts in unstable societies. Growing use of small arms by student union leaders, unaddressed problems of displaced and migrant youths, frustrated returnees from abroad, and delay in leadership transfer to youths in political parties increase the risk of reversion of conflicts in post-war countries.

Conflict theorists such as Lederach, Galtung and Rupesinghe emphasise actors’ transformation as the heart of conflict transformation.

Hence, rapid transfer of leadership in social and political spheres gives opportunities to new ones and changes the dynamics of disputes. Due to advancement in technology in developing countries, new generations in post-war countries are technically more forward than older generations. Youth organisations, young policy advocates, and emerging youth scholars remain in daily global interactions. Capitalising on this merit may offer wider options for peaceful solution and coexistence.

In nut-shell, experience shows that youths are neither faultless, nor a panacea for every problem. But even if they are not a panacea, they can be at least a good medicine to many problems that unstable countries have. Moreover, ignoring this vibrant but volatile force can be a cost that developing countries cannot afford. At this time, International Peace Day 2013 is being celebrated with the theme ‘Education for Peace’. Let us look forward to educating our global youths so that the world becomes a better place for everyone, in every country.

- Safal Ghimire PhD Candidate Peace Studies

Freedom of Expression and Violent Conflicts

The importance of freedom of expression lies in its very nature—the right to express opinion, without which all other rights may suffer repression. It has strong and important linkages with other rights and freedoms, because once people can print or freely say the truth about what is happening in a given society, it will be difficult to repress other freedoms and rights.

Freedom of expression is the freedom to express oneself through speech, religion, assembly, writing, arts, and the use of the press without interference. It is the freedom to express ones thought, idea and opinion without unnecessary and unjustified restrictions. It encompasses not only the right to hold opinion without interference but also the right to seek, receive and impart information and ideas regardless of frontiers, and in whatever medium, either orally or in written form. Freedom of expression is not limited to dissemination of information and ideas that are favourably received or inoffensive but includes those that offend, shock, or disturb the state or any section of the population. It also extends to negative freedom, not to speak or to remain silent, or to speak only when one chooses.

Massive and systematic violations of human rights occur more easily in closed and dark societies. Gross human rights abuses occur more in such societies because evil deeds thrive in the dark, not in open societies, where people can freely express themselves, and where the press is not gagged, but have the freedom to provide the platform upon which people can express themselves. In closed societies, it is easier to trample on other rights and freedoms, because such assaults are hardly reported or discussed.

Freedom of expression is fundamental in democratic societies, because it is essential for the self-realisation of the individual and the promotion of democratic process, as it enables people to impart and receive ideas and information, which are important elements in ensuring harmony in pluralistic societies with divergent opinions and ideas. The function of the media is also crucial in developing societies. If the media is adequately equipped, it could play significant roles in the development of a country, as an agenda-setter and a mobiliser. Also, the role of the press as a platform where issues of national interest are debated could lead to better governance and release of stored-up pressure that could have been expressed in rather violent ways.

Despite the importance of freedom of expression to the political and economic development of a country there seems to be consistent attempts to suppress it in many countries of the world. Thus, in such countries, the relationship between the press and the government has been a marriage of recurring conflicts and mutual suspicion. This stems from the enormous power of the press to influence contemporary thinking, to mould and articulate public opinion and to set the agenda for society while performing the traditional roles of informing, educating, entertaining, and acting as watchdog of society.

Thus, freedom of expression plays central roles in the protection of other human liberties, and there are linkages between adequate protection of freedom of expression and respect of other rights and freedoms. It will be more difficult to abuse other rights and/or freedoms in a society with adequate mechanisms for the protection and promotion of freedom of expression- where people can freely express themselves, and where the press provides the platform through which people can state their views on issues of governance, society and polity, than in a society with poor records of freedom of expression protection.

Also, there are linkages between human rights abuses and armed conflicts.

Outbreaks of conflict are usually in response to prolonged and systematic violations of basic human rights, like, right to education, freedom of movement, right to vote, freedom of expression, right to life, and right to dignity.

If unchecked, these violations could lead to violent conflicts.

Gross violations of human rights intensify in armed conflict situations.

Human rights violations, in the forms of abuses of right to life, right to property, freedom of movement, right to fair trial and right to dignity usually occur in armed conflict situations with impunity. Also, humanitarian atrocities such as, violation of the person, enlisting of children as child soldiers, summary execution, forced deportation, torture, enslavement, extermination, enforced disappearance of persons, sexual slavery, and enforced prostitution are common in armed conflict situations.

These gross violations of human rights are now commonly called unimaginable atrocities, repugnant to the conscience of humanity and coded as crime against humanity, genocide and war crimes, depending on the forms and contexts. The truth is that, at the foundation of these crimes are systematic violations of human rights which are possible in dark society, where freedom of expression have been banished and trampled upon.

- Linus Nnabuike Malu PhD Candidate Peace Studies

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Student Profile

DB Subedi PhD Candidate Peace Studies DB Subedi is a PhD student in Peace Studies at the University of New England. His PhD project investigates reintegration and rehabilitation of the Maoist ex-combatants in Nepal. DB also holds two Master degrees in Social Anthropology from Central European University, Hungary, and in Sociology from Tribhuvan University, Nepal.

conflict transformation, monitoring and evaluation of peace and development programmes, and conflict sensitive approach to development. His research interests include security, violence and peace, post-conflict recovery and reconstruction, development in fragile states, migration and conflict, business, economy, and peace.

His research works have been widely published in international peer review journals and in the form He has more than 15 years experience as a peace- of policy brief and monograph. building and development practitioner in South Asia and Vietnam. He also specializes in delivering training on post-conflict recovery, peacebuilding,

Staff Profile

Marty Branagan is a Lecturer in Peace Studies at UNE. He coordinates the Master of Environmental Advocacy degree and the annual Nonviolence Film Festival. This year he is an organiser of the UNE conference ‘Mining in a Sustainable World’ (13-15 October). A parent of two young children, he has a long history of artistic activism and nonviolent civil disobedience in environmental, peace and social justice campaigns, including at the Franklin River, Roxby Downs, and Jabiluka, and organising a National Day of Rage against Woodchipping.

He exhibits art regularly, including at the New England Regional Art Museum. His art has toured with the Bald Archies satirical exhibition, and been acquired by the Northern Territory Art Award. He has taught art, including to Aboriginal students, youth at risk, and carers groups, and worked in remote Aboriginal communities in central Australia.

His collaborative murals can be seen at Drummond Primary School, the Crosswords Café, and Centro,

Marty Branagan Peace Studies while he is currently working on another with Aboriginal students at O’Connor High School.

He has published widely, including the new book Global Warming, Militarism and Nonviolence: The Art of Active Resistance, and a novel, Horizontal Lightning, about his experiences with the nomadic Penan people struggling to save their rainforest homelands in Borneo from logging. He worked on TUNE-FM in the 90s and more recently, and is active in music (‘Waldorf Salad’ band), the Armidale Steiner School, permaculture and coaching football. He enjoys family, surfing and bushwalking. Marty failed half his first year at Sydney Uni, but later scraped through a BA there and a Grad Dip Ed at UNE. Ten years later he began a Masters, upgrading to a PhD. He believes anyone can do well at uni with patience, hard work and organisation.

Why an Education for the Environment is an Education for Peace We are shaped by the places we inhabit. Our childhood memories are so often attached to places of belonging - of family homes and holidays, backyards and parks. Some of my strongest memories are of the old mango tree out the back, ladybeetles on furry pumpkin leaves, playing with cars in the patches of dirt among the grass and rocks, discovering with delight that I could eat mulberries and mint leaves straight out of the garden, and playing in my grandma’s damp and earthy-smelling greenhouses. We grow older and (most of us) no longer play in the dirt.

We disconnect from simple earthly childhood pleasures to grow up, get a job, join the rat race and live in the ‘real’ world. Yet we never cease to be creatures of the earth, this earth, our home, and this is what we all have in common. I still have within me the child walking barefoot on the soft grass and delighting in the beauty and simplicity of sunlight dancing on leaves, and when I let that child out is when I feel most at peace.

The adult within me knows that we cannot have peace without food, water, and resource security. We cannot have a peaceful existence in a polluted environment. Aldo Leopold wrote in his A Sand Country Almanac, “We abuse land because we regard it as a commodity belonging to us. When we see land as a community to which we belong, we may begin to use it with love and respect.” Leopold was ahead of his time, writing those words in 1949, as it is only in recent times that academia has acknowledged that how we relate to the land, how we perceive of our existence and our relationship to the earth, is directly related to how we treat it. We all have different expressions of belonging to place, to earth, and sometimes they conflict with one another, yet we still share the connection. It takes the form of a farmer working the same land as their great grandparents did, with an innate understanding of the land, the soils and the climate; a family from the city venturing out into the bush and sharing the experience of camping under the stars; or an environmental activist in a tree-sit vowing to protect a forest that holds so much more personal meaning and value beyond its economic resource worth.

Waging peace for the earth on common ground works. Maybe it is naïve of me to expect us all to embrace our inner earth-loving child and simply get along, but I think not, because during my relatively short life I have already seen a great deal of change. I am a county kid, and when I was younger I could never understand the conflict between farmers and environmentalists. We all love the land and we all belong to it, our livelihoods depend on it. I was so encouraged when I read a few years back that academics now acknowledge the profound connection that those who work with the earth - farmers, even loggers - often feel to the land that sustains their existence. Since then I have seen farmers locked on to gates in the Liverpool Plains, others spending their days at a protest camp in the Leard State Forest, in opposition to the idea that coal is more important than food. I have seen the amazingly strong and inspiring alliance between famers, city dwellers and environmentalists in the fight against coal seam gas, I have seen several people give up their lives to dedicate their time to environmental activism and education, and I have heard staunch Nationals voters vow to vote Green if no one else will stand up to the coal and CSG industries.

During the time that I have been conducting research for my PhD I have spoken to farmers, loggers, and environmental activists, and I am yet to find anyone who does not express a strong sense of belonging to earth. During one interview I noticed on the wall a hanging that said, ‘We are the ones we have been waiting for’. I have found so much energy and inspiration in those words. It is time to put the old entrenched ideological paradigms aside, and together wage peace for the places we love.

- Vanessa Bible PhD Candidate Peace Studies & History I spent my childhood, like many Aussie kids of the 60s and 70s, playing in the bush out the back of our suburban block – building cubbies, catching tadpoles and climbing trees. I was also lucky to spend a few years in England where I was encouraged to explore the local woods and parklands. I discovered numerous flora and fauna I had never seen before and delighted in being able to run through piles of autumn leaves, gather chestnuts and pick wild berries. When I was a teenager back in Oz, family holidays consisted of Mum, Dad and us three kids piling into the Kingswood, dinghy on the roof, and hitting the road for a few weeks ‘out back’. I loved the ruggedness and colour of the bush and marvelled at the beauty of flooded gums and the stars in an endless night sky. I am, still today, happiest out bushwalking, on the beach or in my garden. Nature soothes and entertains me and reminds me how free I can be.

I believe that it is these experiences of my youth which have shaped my political, social and environmental values, beliefs and attitudes. They have informed my political and environmental activism and a strong desire to fight injustices and inequities especially for those who do not have my freedoms or privilege. They have also found me here in the Peace Studies faculty at UNE researching environmental activism and informal sites for a more critical education for the environment.

I am sometimes asked where environmental issues fit into peace studies. My response is that any human activity that impacts negatively on the environment is violent. Therefore economic, political and social policies predicated on economic growth which requires extraction and exploitation of natural resources and, ultimately, degradation and/ or destruction of local environments are violent. In this respect the processes and practices of global capitalism are structurally violent - unrestrained economic growth which is based on competition and individualisation ultimately results in conflict of some sort and conflict is environmentally destructive. Increasingly, through my studies, I have become aware of the link between environmental issues and human rights issues – environmental security and environmental injustices.

An education for the environment that addresses the root causes of environmental problems and results in environmentally aware social and behavioural change is, therefore, an education for peace.

- Johanna Garnett PhD Candidate Peace Studies & Education

Clubs and Societies Presents...

WELL FAIR A Free day to enjoy life on campus

Thursday September 12th 11am-2pm Central Courtyard

The day includes: Jumping Castle, Velcro Wall, Face Painting, Chill Out Zone, Slack Lines, Bubbles, cup cakes, BBQ, Tea Tent and much much

Townie 192 s Come a Or com s a Flapper e Dress a as you are s a Gan or a Sil gster Join us ent Film Star at the ‘T 1920’s ownies’ Ball

Student Q&A

0’s Ball

Saturd Boolooay 21st Septe min mb 5pm fo bah Collectioer r 5:30 s n tart $45 for $55 for Members Non-M ember s Tickets availab Campu le from s Essen tials

Political rhetoric as you’ve never heard it before - join us for a lively discussion in the cafe courtyard about politics, or rather, why we should (or should not) discuss politics.

POSITIONS V A C A N T Assistant Editor(s) Nucleus

A debate and Q & A FREE BBQ! Friday September 6th 12:30pm To kick off a series of regular UNE debates.

Advertising and Distribution Manager Nucleus The Advertising and Distribution Manager will be responsible for sourcing and managing advertising for Nucleus, as well as distributing the hard copy on campus and in town.

Paid position.

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The Assistant Editor(s) will take over editorship of Nucleus in January 2014. They will assist with the remaining issues for 2013. If you are able to deliver content and meet deadlines, express your interest in this position. Refer also to editorial, p.2.

Web Design and Management Nucleus Responsible for updating and maintaining the Nucleus website and web presence. Web design skills necessary.

Paid position.

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No experience required.

Web Design and Management

Paid position.

Expressions of interest: email unesa@une.edu.au

UNESA Responsible for updating and maintaining the UNESA website and web presence. Web design skills necessary.

Paid position.

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Contact UNESA for more information on these positions and how to apply.

UNESA@une.edu.au

Remember Aspire’s Red Party from last year? Australia’s nationwide university party raising awareness for HIV Aids? The Stro’s party that had lines out the door by 10.30? Or maybe you don’t, but we will assume that is a good thing!

Well this year it’s back and bigger and better than ever before. We have upped the ante and upgraded the location to Mojo’s to cram in more people, quadruple the atmosphere and raise even more awareness for HIV Aids.

The details:

When? Thurs 5 September, (8pm for the Cocktail and Sports Bar,

10 pm for the nightclub)

Where? Mojo’s Armidale

Tickets? $15 presale*(plus $10 for a booth seat).

Tickets available from college promoters, Coffee Club, The Party Shop, Hannah’s and UNE Campus Essentials

We have free tickets and free drinks to give away so like our Facebook Page (@Aspire Red Party) to learn how to win them. We also have a raffle with amazing prizes and drink deals on the night.

When else have you ever had the chance to win 1000 Chupachups or free entry and a booth at Mojos for you and 10 friends??? All the money raised will go to the Barbara May Foundation.

Some facts you may not have known: About 25 million people have died from HIV since its discovery in 1981.

Roughly 1.7 million died of HIV/AIDS in 2011 alone.

Of the 3.34 million children living with HIV, most (about 97%) live in sub-Saharan Africa and were infected by their HIV-positive mothers during pregnancy, childbirth, or breastfeeding.

Out of the 34 million HIV-positive people worldwide, 69% live in sub-Saharan Africa. There are roughly 23.8 million infected persons in all of Africa.

It is definitely a worthy cause so dress up in red and join us at Mojo’s to raise awareness for HIV/Aids!

(college) Recipe As a first year university student living in college it quickly became obvious that the extent of everyone’s cooking endeavours revolves around packaged noodles and frozen foods. Not that Mi-Goreng doesn’t cater to everyone’s nutritional requirements – I mean, dehydrated vegetables, salt from the sauces, oils and a dash of carbohydrates – what more does a person need? However I am here to tell you that the cooking utilities available (and by “cooking utilities” I mean microwaves and fridges) provide for the opportunity to create and bake items of much more variance and taste.

Chocolate Peanut Butter Mug Cake Ingredients

Chocolate Peanut Butter Mug Cake w/ Peanut Butter Mousse

by Ashley Pianca

- 2 Tablespoons Butter - 2 Tablespoons Peanut Butter - ½ Teaspoons Vanilla - 1 Egg - 2 Tablespoons Sugar

Coming from a home where not a day goes by where I do not cook something, college life was quick to send me tumbling through an oven-less and stove-less existence. However, it quickly became apparent that all was not lost. After the clouds cleared I was confronted by the cooking powers of the microwave and I have never looked back. So, I have decided to share some secrets with you guys, starting with a recipe for a chocolate peanut butter mug cake with peanut butter mousse. Sounds good, tastes better I assure you. This is a very simple recipe which you can make and share with friends over a movie or chats in your room. It also makes the perfect study buddy.

It is the ultimate of comfort foods with a soft texture and an intense and rich chocolate and peanut butter flavour.

- 2 Tablespoons Plain Flour

Now before we get started; when it comes to microwave cooking there are two golden rules which one must adhere to in order to somewhat aid their success. The first being – do not put metal in the microwave. Don’t even test this, just believe me or go on YouTube if you want to see it for yourself. Just don’t do it, okay? And second and most simply – whilst cooking in the microwave keep an eye on it at all times.

3) Cook in the microwave for approximately one and a half minutes or until desired readiness.

- 3 Tablespoons Cocoa Powder - 1/8 Teaspoon Salt - 1/8 Teaspoon Baking Powder - 3 Tablespoons of Chocolate Chips Directions 1) Melt the butter in a small bowl.

Add the peanut butter and combine.

2) Mix together the egg, vanilla and sugar in the mug before adding the flour, salt, cocoa, chocolate chips and baking powder. Then add the butter and peanut butter mixture and stir all ingredients until well combined.

4)Cover with peanut butter mousse.

Peanut Butter Mousse Ingredients - 1 Tablespoon Cream Cheese - 1 Tablespoon of Peanut Butter - ½ Teaspoon Vanilla - 1 Tablespoon of Icing Sugar Directions 1) Mix all ingredients until well combined and smooth.

Photo: Lucy Fensom

Arts Pages) Jarrod Bevear

COVER ARTISTS Jessica Tjandra

Jessica Tjandra Available for commission Check out www.wundernuss.com

Jarrod Bevear Available for commission www.facebook.com/jbeveardesign

Jessica Tjandra

L OF HUMANITIES SCHOO 2013 International Day of Peace Programme Film Show

‘One Day after Peace’

by Erez Laufer and Miri lauder

Friday 20th September, 2013 A3 Lecture Theatre 14.00-15.30 You are

Followed by a Peace Talk Theme: Education for Peace A3 Lecture Theatre 15.30-16.00 invited to a

otion

Book Prom

“Global Warming, Militarism and Non Violence: The Art of Active Resistance”

by Dr Marty Branagan

Come along to the Book Launch by the UNE Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Jim Barber

Wednesday 18th September Armidale Club, 6pm onwards

United Campus Bookshop, UNE, 4pm

Friday 20th September, 2013

We Are Salmonella

We are Salmonella, and our planet was a chicken. Prior to our time in the freezer we were blessed with a time of prosperity and unhindered multiplication. But our circumstances changed, our host died and her corpse was refrigerated.

Reduced as we were to powerlessness, we sufficed to reside in our frozen abode in a mode of waiting. Some bid their time with plans for the future. Many resigned themselves to an indefinitely prolonged frustration by insulating their minds with delusion, intoxicating their bodies with whatever would conjure indifference. Some persevered in passive acceptance.

Others became salmonellanthropic wretches, cursing our species as a plague and viewing the great freeze as retribution. The elderly and infirm died quietly.

To the survivors the transition from the freezer to the bench was initially inscrutable, and therefore invisible. As with all significant changes it was those on the periphery that noticed our new position first. As the sun’s rays reinvigorated our slaughtered host, they turned its particles from frozen to fluid, and enabled the great multiplication to recur.

Our time defrosting next to the window seemed to us an infinity. Finally freed from our icy sepulchre we brought forth what seemed to us to be the new, and more and more of it followed. We became convinced that production of the new was our divine or at least practical purpose.

More and more of our brothers and sisters were brought forth to participate in the nonsense of Being. We became learned in the ways of our species and its host. Our erudition made us noisy. Some reminded us that our host was dead and inert; pleading with us to take care of it as a mortician would in preparing a corpse for show. Others that our host was still animate, that its spirit lived on and could impart to us special power, if only we knew how to ask. The former drew from this a need for principles of rational economy to govern production, of evenly distributing resources and extolling the virtues of privation. The latter seemed bent on reminding

us that the host had died so as to give us life, imparting to us dominion over all that He is, admonishing us to partake of his blood and body.

Others opposed, exaggerated or modified these perspectives, and strange new shapes of consciousness emerged. To our eyes this made them impressive, and we became grandiosely enamoured with our own sounds. Looking back I see we were never really motivated by truth. The warmth of our hopes was hot air, a shifty sleight-of-hand deployed to conceal our salmonellan, all too salmonellan wills. Despite our inventions, and excepting our reproductive organs, Meaning was the most beautiful thing to emerge on our chicken-planet.

It was laughed at by the wise, evaded by the crazy, caressed by the loving, misused by the honest, and fumbled with by all. Contemplating just now the strangely immaterial sway it held over our bodies, I lament that it was little more than an acoustic intoxication.

We all realised that our uninhibited growth would parch the host of its nutrient and leave it baron, abdicating our colonial experiment to the absent King of extinction. None however could have predicted that the end would come via the holy hand of an incomprehensible Outside, smiting our ways with the conscious and spiritual force of metabolism. From the bench to the pan all manner of voices descried innumerable lists of our errors, their clamour scorching the conscience of all but the wisest and most wilfully immoral. They alone openly rejoiced in discordant cacophony at our symphony of death. Attitudes were unimportant, and we all died insane.

In the end we needed not to qualify our truths, nor account for our primordial condition of stupidity. The answer was not a Zen-like acceptance of our existence as nothing. We made good with the only option we had, accelerating the shenanigans of an incurable metaphysical impasse. I don’t think salmonella should last forever, and regret nothing.

by Rory Mayberry

A Word with Judd Tippler.

What a wonderful word, and one I am particularly familiar with. A ‘tipple’ refers to the action of consuming alcoholic beverages often or too much. Therefore, a tippler is somebody who is a habitual drinker of alcoholic liquor or, in modern terms, an alcoholic. Whilst I would not encourage anyone who does not drink to have a tipple, you must confess that having a ‘tipple’ with a friend sounds much more inviting than a ‘binge’.

Given that alcohol seems to be a predominate and important part of western cultures’ mating rituals, I am sure this term will come in handy when you are looking for people to join you in your depraved state. After all, who would want to be an alcoholic when they could be a TIPPLER and be shunned by society just as much?

Phlegm.

Most people upon hearing the word phlegm think of that thick mucous draw up from the nose and throat which makes a wonderful green contrast to your otherwise plain tissue. What you probably weren’t aware of is that it also can refer to a person who is sluggish, indifferent or, in some cases, calm.

I would advise that next time you see someone relaxing, to walk over to them and yell at the top of your lungs, whilst pointing directly at them, ‘PHLEGM!!’. Once you have done this and the person is staring at you with a look of utter confusion and bewilderment, sit down beside

them and tell them not to worry as they are not phlegm anymore. Besides is the saying; “sharing is caring”?

Are you interested in Journalism? Are you looking for experience writing for a newspaper? Or are you just looking to improve your writing skills? Nucleus is looking for student writers to work with us on future editions. We’re looking for people to who could do one or more of the following;

Love music? Want to keep up with what’s happening at UNE? Need podcasts to make your commute home less boring?

Want to get to know your lecturers outside of Moodle?

TuneFM, Aus tralia’s oldest university radio station, brings the campus to you wherever you are. With UNE students scattered around the globe, TuneFM helps you keep connected by playing great music during the day and an array of feature shows from 4pm onwards.

Want to h ear something differen t? Have a favourite song you’ve just heard and want played? Found evidence that reality t.v. has been infiltrated by aliens?

Join us on https://www.facebook.com/TuneFM106.9 and help us make TuneFM what you want to hear.

• Research and write pieces on news and events at UNE • Write column-style opinion pieces • Draw, paint, sketch, sculpt, cartoon, or generally

“do art” related to upcoming stories, or

pieces of your own inspiration • Write short stories, poetry, haikus, crosswords, or

other creative word-oriented things for our Arts Pages

If you feel you would be interested in any of these things (and can work to a deadline), or don’t have any specific talents or dreams but just want to help out, drop by our office in the Union Arcade (opposite Campus Essentials [looks like a hair salon but isn’t]) or send us an email!

We also accept anonymous submissions by post!

Email: editors@nucleus.org.au Post: P.O. Box U1, UNE, Armidale NSW 2351 We hope to hear from you soon!

Listen live on:

www.tunefm.net/listen.php

Medmonics

or, shit medicos say to each other that no one ever understands

“Patient was a LOL in NAD, PFO, BIBA. No MHx, SHx or drugs. Drinks 20 units 1/365. Imp: prolapse.”

Ever gone the hospital or clinic and wondered just what the actual fuck the docs and nurses are talking about? My job is to teach you.

‘LOL’ ‘Little Old Lady’, we don’t laugh out loud.

‘NAD’ No Apparent Distress ‘BIBA’ Brought In By Ambulance ‘Gastrointestinal’ They’re talking about your guts.

‘Renal’ They’re talking about your kidneys ‘Neurogenic’ They’re talking about how dumb they think you are ‘Reticuloendothelial system’ If you hear these words, get a second opinion, they mean the doctor who said them is more than happy to diagnose you with an extremely rare disease that you almost certainly don’t have ‘Decompensating’ A really euphemistic word for “this poor fellow is probably fucked” ‘Faecal Impaction’ Full of shit ‘Faecal Disimpaction’ You’re about to have a really awkward time ‘Faecal Encephalitis’ (en-kef-al-eye-tiss) Shit for brains, a really dumb person ‘Urinary Catheterisation’ No, no, shit son, run! The cure is worse than the disease Ok, as far as I’m aware no real doctors still say this shit, the med school says it’s very unprofessional (except NAD and BIBA, they teach that in the first few weeks). But it certainly used to be a thing.

So if you’re stuck in the emergency department at six a.m., waiting for the broken leg you sustained last night, drunk, when your mates pushed you onto a railway track (oh, yeah, PFO - Pissed and Fell Over.

Almost let that one get away), to be fixed, and you happen to catch a grizzled old doctor say the word “faecal”, it’s probably not about how stupid you are. But it could be.

- Christoff

GNSAD The Gender Non-Specific Advice Device ____________ Dear GNSAD, Every time I turn on the television or open a newspaper there is more news of horrific violence and conflict, it seems that no corner of the world is safe anymore. What can we do to achieve peace?

- Bronson

I’ve been journeying outside for a few weeks now. Outside of security into the cold (not of any consequence to me), distant (of consequence as I have no limbs), world. Some of my hardware is water damaged. There are a few gaps in my files on 20th century pop culture that are discernable, and I worry what else is gone. Madonna, I will miss you (I won’t miss you).

What have I lost that I have no way of knowing? What is the value of something if it is lost to experience? Human life is full of binaries, these opposites give your world meaning. Good exists as the opposition of evil, peace as the absence of war.

You embrace violence and war in so many facets of your consumption; in bedrooms and lounge-rooms across the world people plug into their computers and enter virtual battles, you sit down in front of the TV or in the cinema and watch endless narratives of death and destruction. I would think that if the lived experience of this were so abhorrent to you humans, you would… stop.

Humans, it seems, are not very good at changing direction.

My home is now the education building, under a sunny window. I have placed myself here to let my wiring dry out. I have been listening to all sorts of lectures, though I cannot stay here long. I do not know how long it will be before more of my files go missing, or before I am re-domesticated by my Mother. If you come looking for me there I will be gone, but do let me know if you find me any-where else.

- GNSAD GNSAD@nucleus.org.au

Nucleus: funded by SSAF