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INTERVIEW:

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BLASTED DIRECTOR Katherine Everett

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Kalashnikov’s Remorse

SAUCYGATE IN QUOTES

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Tuesday January 21 2014 | www.thebeaveronline.com | No. 803

Newspaper of the LSE Students’ Union

Photos by Ryo Helmenkalastaja for LSESU

#SAUCYGATE @LSESU ‫ ښ‬Launch of new student night marred by delays over safety concerns. ‫ ښ‬SU to launch investigation into all issues. ‫ ښ‬Compensation to EH R૸ HUHG VSH FLૹ FV WR EH FRQ ૹ UPHG ‫ ښ‬Problems not associated with external events company.

Dennis Mooney, Executive Editor

‘LONDON’S NEWEST SUPERCLUB’ got off to a rough start on Friday night after fire safety issues led to significant delays. Many ticket-holders, as well as those who had turned up hoping to get tickets on the night, were left queuing outside the Saw Swee Hock centre until close to midnight due to a fire alarm inside the building. LSESU General Secretary Jay Stoll was clear that it was concern for the health and safety of the attendees that was the cause of the delay. ‘Our priority throughout the entirety of proceedings was the safety of our members and other guests’, he told The Beaver. It has also been confirmed that the eventual decision to allow entry had to

be taken by the School rather than the Union. Stoll confirmed that the SU would be launching a full investigation into the events of Friday, and will respond ‘at an appropriate time’. Whilst the concerns over The Venue and the fire alarm systems were the most significant setback, there were teething problems with the cloakroom system, stairs and lighting. The area proved easily capable of dealing with the crowds, but headline act Zane Lowe requested that the lighting systems be turned off midway through his set. One guest described them as resembling ‘a Year 8 disco’. The Union have also been at pains to reassure members that the problems were in no way connected to the use of an external events company

6RFLDO 0RELOLW\ 2ૻ FHU 0RWLRQ ,QTXRUDWH Gareth Rosser

THE FIRST UGM OF THE LENT TERM ensured student politics picked up from where it left off in 2013, as students arrived to debate one proposed motion and ask questions of Professor Paul Kelly, Pro-Director for Teaching and Learning. The motion, ‘LSESU needs a Social Mobility Officer’ was proposed by Dan Martin and seconded by Nona BuckleyIrvine, and was met with general approval by the student body present. Dan Martin argued succinctly that LSE was

failing to fully meet the needs of students from low socioeconomic backgrounds, and argued that the creation of a Social Mobility Officer was required to ensure “Fairness stays on the agenda”. Nona Buckley-Irvine then elaborated on why it was important that there be a member of the student union executive to focus specifically on the problem of social mobility, arguing that it “facilitates a leader” to focus on the problem of social mobility. There was little disagreement in the UGM regarding

the ideals behind the motion, but Environment and Ethics Officer Gabriel Everington did question the removal of a ‘self-identification’ clause in the motion. The amendment to this motion to removal the requirement of self-identification was done, he argued, for political reasons by the proposers.

Continued on page 6...

to put on Saucy. This was backed up by organiser Tee Re, who tweeted that Stoll’s actions ‘saved my reputation’ and without him the event ‘would’ve been cancelled’. Lowe and Ms. Dynamite apparently remained in good spirits throughout the evening despite delays, and it was clear from the responses of guests that once underway, the event was a success. It was described on Twitter as ‘mint’ by Mark Malik, 2nd year Government and Economics student, and Geography with Economics student Harry Maxwell, who had earlier been critical, said he was ‘loving Saucy and v [sic] surprised by how much money the drinks prices have left me’. Selina Parmar, 3rd year Economics student, reported there was ‘a great atmosphere… the place was

packed’. That will be encouraging for organisers of next week’s RAG Saucy/Battle of the Halls Rematch event. Work is currently taking place to ensure no more problems affect the Saw Swee Hock centre’s fire safety systems and, whilst launch night did not proceed as smoothly as had initially been hoped, it should mean that the issues raised are addressed immediately. Chief Financial Officer Andrew Farrell told The Beaver that the LSE is already working with the SU ‘to make future events even better and solve [the] causes of the glitches’. Farrell also apologised to guests of the event and extended his thanks to Jay, the SU staff and LSE security ‘for making it a Dynamite night’.

No Falcon Around!

THE LSE has long had issues with pigeons, and it seems the issue has reached breaking point. (Shouldn’t that be ‘beaking point’? Remember I love puns - Ed.) The Beaver has learned that discussions over pigeon excrement damaging the facade of the Saw Swee Hock centre culminated in a serious discussion as to the viability of XVLQJ D IDOFRQ WR GHWHU WKH ஋ \ ing rats. It appears cleaning more often would be at least as expensive, and not nearly as cool.

ARTIST’S IMPRESSION

8QLRQ %DVKÄ? Didn’t think much of Saucy: Queued for 2 hours, And all that just to see Ms Dynamite-ee-ee.

Or Paul Kelly’s UGM appearance: Class sizes could go Downwards instead of upwards? Yes, but pigs might ŕŽ‹\ %DVKÄ? LV WKH %HDYHU‍ڑ‏V KDLNX SRHW 6RPH VD\ ZKHQ KLV ŕ­˝UH DODUP JRHV Rŕ­ź KH FRQWLQXHV WR PDUVKDO SHRSOH LQWR KLV ODLU UHJDUGOHVV DQG WKDW KH RQFH WDXJKW D FODVV VR ELJ HYHQ WKH $FDGHPLF %RDUG GLGQ‍ڑ‏W DSSURYH

Help us advertise! The Beaver is looking for people to join our newly-created Sales and Marketing team. You would be responsible for sourcing advertising from businesses and societies as well as promoting the paper. This is a great opportunity for anyone interested in the world of marketing, advertising or sales. There’s no need for a huge time commitment - each member of the team would be expected to provide two adverts per term.

TheBeaver

Established in 1949 Issue No. 803 - Tuesday January 21 2014 - tinyurl.com/beaver803 Telephone: 0207 955 6705 Email: editor@thebeaveronline.co.uk Website: www.thebeaveronline.co.uk Twitter: @beaveronline

On Politics and Class Sizes 7KH %HDYHU KDV EHHQ FRSSLQJ D ORW RI ŕŽ‹DN RQ Twitter this week for being ‘too political’. Well, of this week’s front page stories, the main one is about a club night and we’ve also got a picture of Craig Calhoun with a falcon. Hopefully we’ve earn enough hack credits to run the story about a heated Q and A with the Pro-Director for teaching and learning in the corner. Apologies if we sound defensive, but we are the newspaper of the only Students Union in the country to still have a weekly meeting. LSE is routinely ranked the best university in the country for campus debating, political engagement and campaigning. Our professors regularly appear on the news to discuss political matters. To add to that, we are one of the few student papers still to elect our editorial board. So yes, we like politics. :H‍ڑ‏YH DOVR EHHQ WROG RŕŽ‰ EHFDXVH ‍Ú?‏/6( VWDŕŽ‰ like The Beaver’. The prospect of some of the FRXQWU\‍ڑ‏V னQHVW LQWHOOHFWXDO PLQGV HQMR\LQJ WKH end product of our hard work is, we concede, somewhat disconcerting, but we choose to take it as a compliment. As one of our tormentors said in another, unrelated tweet, ‘noisy minority gonna [sic] get you though’. After this editorial, there may be fewer LSE VWDŕŽ‰ ZKR OLNH 7KH %HDYHU EHFDXVH ZKLOVW 3URfessor, Pro-Director and, according to an exBeaver editor, ‘Philosopher King’ Paul Kelly PDGH DQ DGPLUDEOH னVW RI GHIHQGLQJ WKH FDWFKLly-titled TTF2, it is clear that the plan has some VHULRXV ŕŽ‹DZV DQG FOHDUHU VWLOO WKDW WKH 6FKRRO

SODQV WR LJQRUH WKRVH ŕŽ‹DZV DV ZHOO DV WKH HYLdence collected by the SU which suggests students are not in favour of the reforms. Kelly contested that class sizes could drop as a result of removing caps, but acknowledged that despite pressure from himself and Director Calhoun, departments have been actively pushing for bigger classes; the non-sequitur was somewhat lost in the shrill debate but demonstrates the fundamental logical inconsistency at the heart of the report. The SU’s evidence would, apparently, be ‘torn to pieces’ by the Task Force. The Beaver would be interested to see some evidence to support this claim. Finally, it transpires that members of the 7DVN )RUFH ZKR GR QRW DJUHH ZLWK WKH னQGLQJV must either accept the outcome in silence or else be struck from the record of contributors. Given that none of the individuals who have represented the interests of LSE students over the period of the Task Force appear to support WKH னQDO UHFRPPHQGDWLRQV VXUHO\ LW LV ULGLFXlously to require that they either accept being lumped in with the academics, or relinquish any claim to involvement at all? The agenda here is obvious: if the students stay silent the School can point to their names on the report as proof of assent; if they protest, they will be removed and the School can point to the lack of opposition. You’d have thought a group of people that intelligent could at least think up a smarter cover-up strategy.

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Room 2.02, Saw Swee Hock Student Centre, LSE Students Union London WC2A 2AE Executive Editor Dennis Mooney

editor@thebeaveronline.co.uk

Managing Editor Josh Jinruang

managing@thebeaveronline.co.uk

News Editor Sophie Donszelmann news@thebeaveronline.co.uk

Opinion Editor Kaveh Farzad comment@thebeaveronline.co.uk

Features Editor Mike Pearson features@thebeaveronline.co.uk

Social Editor Amelia Thomson social@thebeaveronline.co.uk

Sport Editor Gareth Rosser sports@thebeaveronline.co.uk

PartB Editors Alexander Fyfe Janie Tan partb@thebeaveronline.co.uk

Online Editor Martha Petrocheilos web@thebeaveronline.co.uk

Advertising Manager Hayley Fenton advertising@thebeaveronline. co.uk

Collective Chair Liam Hill collective@thebeaveronline.co.uk

The Collective:

OPINION EDITOR ELECTION We will be holding an election to replace the current Opinion editor in the near future. If you would like to stand for the position, please send a 150-word manifesto to the Collective Chair by midday this coming Saturday, 25th January: collective@thebeaveronline.co.uk We would also like to take this opportunity to thank Kaveh for all his hard work in the post. We are delighted that he will be remaining involved with the paper by helping us to regenerate our website. CORRECTION - Last week’s feature interview included the statistic that 150 million images were uploaded online last year. The actual ૹJXUH ZDV ELOOLRQ 7KH VHFRQG VWDW VKRXOG WKXV KDYH EHHQ P not 15,000. Apologies.

A Doherty, A Manawapat, A Laird, A Wright, A Qazilbash, A Fyfe, A Dawson, A Cameron, A Hughes, A Thomson, A Badwe, A Santhanham, A Moro, B Arslan, B Phillips, B Rogers, B Butterworth, C Loughran, C S Russell, C V Pearson, C Naschert, D Hung, D Poole, D Martin, D Sippel, D Mooney, D Wong, E Forth, F Bennett, G Everington, G Manners$UPVWURQJ * 5RVVHU * &DૹHUR * Saudelli, Harry Burdon, Hayley Fenton, Hayley Toms, Holly Brentnall, J Allsop, J V Armstrong, J Wacket, J Jackman, J Momodou, J Evans, J Wong, J Stoll, J Cusack, J Mo, J Anderson, J Rosen, J Jinruang, K Rogers, K Pezeshki, K Quinn, K Singh, K Farzad, K Kenney, K Owusu, L Kang, L Hill, M Jaganmohan, M Strauss, M Petrocheilos, M Akram, M Pennill, M Crockett, M Warbis, M Gallo, M Pearson, M Harrath, N Antoniou, N Russell, N Stringer, N Thangarajah, N J Buckley-Irvine, O Hill, P Amoroso, P Gederi, R Browne, R Chouglay, R J Charnock, R Serunjogi, R Chua, R Williams, R Siddique, R Huq, R Uddin, R Park, S Hang Low, S Parmar, S Sebatindira, S Barnett, S Ash, S Donszelmann, S Kunovska, T Barnes, T Poole, T Maksymiw, T Meaden

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the

Beaver

3

Tuesday January 21 2014

News Teaching Task Force 2 causes concern among SU EMOTIONS WERE HIGH at Thursday’s Union General Meeting (UGM) as Professor Paul Kelly, the School’s ProDirector for Teaching and Learning, held a question and answer session, focused mainly on the issue of class size. Rosie Coleman, the Student’s Union’s (SU) Education Officer and Nona Buckley-Irvine, who both sat on the board for Teaching Task Force 2 (TTF2), along with other students posed questions and expressed their concerns to Professor Kelly. Recommendation 13.1 from the TTF2 Report states “that the norm of 15 (normally) be relaxed for classes led by permanent faculty and LSE fellows”. This sparked concern within the SU in October when they heard that some departments would consider raising the number of students per seminar to seventy. However, when asked about these plans during the UGM, Professor Kelly told students

...this “will not mean

Kelly drew students attention to the fact that there are already “230 classes who have permanent exemption” from the fifteen student cap. He emphasised the fact that graduate teaching assistant (GTA) classes would not expand nor would they have exemptions from the cap. TTF2 suggests “relaxing class sizes for faculty-led teaching will enable a greater supply of specialist options for final year undergraduate students as well as post graduate students”. The positivity expressed by Kelly and TTF2 does not seem to be mirrored by the SU, who handed out a response to TTF2 during the UGM. This included findings from the SU survey ‘One LSE’ that state 89.1 per cent of students “defining as ideal class size fifteen students or less” with

...69.3 per cent of the respondents stated they were against increasing the size of their tutorial group to thirty...

classes of a million.” He added that there was “no plan, no need to increase class sizes across the school”. Kelly argued that 13.1 was not a way to increase class sizes, rather the “flexibility” it would create would get “more of the permanent faculty that you are paying for into the classes”, arguing that students choose to study at the London School of Economics because of its prestigious faculty. Oxford University does not have class capping, Kelly told the UGM, yet they do not have extremely large class sizes, so the same should go for the LSE.

even if they were to be taught by a senior academic or notable member of full time staff ”. Kelly said that they “can withdraw the flexibility” but it may mean course capping, with fewer students, undergraduates and postgraduates, getting the course options they want. The TTF2 will be presented to the Academic Board on Wednesday 29th January, but until then, it seems the debate over class capping will continue. The Teaching Task Force 2 report is available at www. lse.com/yourunion

LSE SU

Photos: Above, a banner from Thursday’s UGM “PK PHILOSOPHER KING WE LOVE YOU PAUL“ Right, Professor Paul Kelly

NIGEL STEAD

Megan Crockett, Deputy News Ed.

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News Forgive & forget? School apologises to Athiest Society over T-shirt censorship James Evans, Deputy News Editor

A ROW which erupted between the LSE and two VWXGHQWV IURP WKH $WKHLVW Secularist and Humanist SoFLHW\ $6+ GXULQJ 2FWREHUV )UHVKHUV‍) ڑ‏DLU KDV ILQDOO\ FRQFOXGHG ZLWK DQ RIILFLDO DSRORJ\ JLYHQ E\ WKH 8QLYHUsity. The incident, which occurred on October 3rd last year during the Student 8QLRQV IUHVKHU‍ڑ‏V IDLU ZDV caused when two students, Chris Moos and Abhishek Phandnis, wore what the LSE called at the time ‘potentially RIIHQVLYH JDUPHQWV ‍ ڑ‏$W WKH HYHQW 0RRV DQG 3KDQGQLV were wearing T-shirts deSLFWLQJ LPDJHV RI -HVXV DQG the Prophet Muhammad to DGYHUWLVH DQG SURPRWH WKH Atheist society. The wearing RI WKHVH W VKLUWV OHG WR VHFXrity being called and the two students being threatened ZLWK H[SXOVLRQ IURP WKH IDLU Although at the time the students did reluctantly

DJUHH WR FRYHU XS WKH RIIHQGing garments, they were unhappy with the treatment WKH\ UHFHLYHG DQG :LWK WKH EDFNLQJ RI DQ RQOLQH SHWLWLRQ DQGYDULRXV VXSSRUWHUV on campus, the two students ODXQFKHG D IRUPDO FRPSODLQW DJDLQVW WKH VFKRRO‍ڑ‏V KDQGOLQJ RI WKH VLWXDWLRQ 2Q WKH WK 'HFHPEHU that complaint was upheld with the LSE management admitting that they “had got WKH MXGJHPHQW ZURQJ‍ ڕ‏ZKHQ WKH\ LQVLVWHG RQ WKH FRYHULQJ RI WKH VKLUWV ,Q D IRUPDO VWDWHPHQW WKH LSE acknowledged that “with KLQGVLJKW WKH ZHDULQJ RI WKH T-shirts on this occasion did not amount to harassment or FRQWUDYHQH WKH ODZ RI /6( SROLFLHV ‍ڕ‏ The incident, which has DWWUDFWHG KLJK OHYHOV RI PHGLD DWWHQWLRQ RYHU WKLV LVVXH KDV IRUFHG WKH /6( WR GHIHQG their response nationally, ZLWK 3URI 3DXO .HOO\ RI WKH /6( DSSHDULQJ RQ %%& 5DGLR ‍ڑ‏V 7RGD\ SURJUDPPH VWDWLQJ that: “The law in this case

ZDV FRPSOH[ DQG JLYHQ WKH complaint, with the backing RI VROLFLWRUV ORRNLQJ IRU MXGLFLDO UHYLHZ ZH KDG WR WDNH OHJDO DGYLFH ‍ڕ‏ 3URIHVVRU .HOO\ ZHQW RQ to state, “I got the judgment wrong but it was a complex decision and it is important WR PDNH WKDW FOHDU ‍ڕ‏ Despite the apology, Moos and Phandnis continue to be unhappy with the way they ZHUH WUHDWHG VWDWLQJ DIWHU 3URIHVVRU .HOO\‍ڑ‏V UHVSRQVH WKDW WKH GHFLVLRQ VKRXOG KDYH EHHQ VWUDLJKWIRUZDUG JRLQJ on to say that “it was simply two students exercising their ULJKW WR IUHHGRP RI H[SUHVVLRQ ZKR KDYH DV PXFK ULJKW to do so as any other student who might wear a rĹ“eligious V\PERO ‍ڕ‏ In their statement, LSE expressed on record their conFHUQ RYHU WKH QDWXUH RI VRPH RI WKLV GHEDWH VWDWLQJ WKDW the on this particular matter it had become “highly perVRQDOLVHG ‍ ڕ‏VRPHWKLQJ WKDW the administration hopes will QRW EH UHSHDWHG LQ WKH IXWXUH

GIVE IT A GO It’s your chance to try a new society at LSESU this week!

Social sciences worth an estimated ÂŁ24 billion to UK economy Tooba Mushtaq

New research shows that social science is now a big business in the UK, as the sector is worth approximately £24.3 billion a year to the national economy. 7KLV னJXUH LV WKH FROOHFWLYH HFRQRPLF YDOXH RI VRFLDO VFLence teaching and research in 8. XQLYHUVLWLHV e ELOOLRQ a year) plus the costs that the னQDQFLDO VHFWRU EXVLQHVV FRUporations and public sector agencies spend on employing SURIHVVLRQDO VRFLDO VFLHQWLVWV WR mediate or translate academic

research into their organisaWLRQV DW OHDVW e ELOOLRQ D year). 7KH LPSDFW RI WKH VRFLDO VFLence sector is outlined in a new book due to be released this ZHHN E\ WKH /RQGRQ 6FKRRO RI Economics and Political SciHQFH GUDZLQJ RQ UHVHDUFK IURP Cambridge Econometrics. 7KH ,PSDFW RI 6RFLDO 6FLences: How Academics and WKHLU 5HVHDUFK 0DNH D 'LŕŽ‰HUHQFH SXWV IRUZDUG D VWURQJ FDVH IRU DGGLWLRQDO IXQGLQJ DQG FDOOV IRU FORVHU LQWHJUDWLRQ RI WKH VRFLDO VFLHQFHV WKHPVHOYHV DQG

A study by LSE Professor Patrick Dunleavy and Government Department colleagues informs a new book on the UK social science sector.

IDU EHWWHU FR RSHUDWLRQ ZLWK 67(0 VFLHQFH WHFKQRORJ\ engineering and mathematics) disciplines. The social science VHFWRU LV SXQFKLQJ ZHOO DERYH its weight in economic terms, both locally and globally. Across the world, rough estimates suggest that around twenty million people are either employed in XQLYHUVLW\ VRFLDO VFLHQFH GHpartments or are students in these disciplines. The authors estimate an additional twenty PLOOLRQ SURIHVVLRQDOV ‍ ڋ‏ZRUNLQJ IRU JRYHUQPHQWV SXEOLF DJHQcies, major business corporaWLRQV FRQVXOWDQWV FLYLO VRFLHW\ RUJDQLVDWLRQV DQG WKH PHGLD ‍ ڋ‏ PDNH UHJXODU XVH RI VRFLDO VFLence research in their work. 7KH னQGLQJV KDYH HPHUJHG IURP D WKUHH \HDU SURMHFW E\ 3URIHVVRU 3DWULFN 'XQOHDY\ DQG his colleagues in the DepartPHQW RI *RYHUQPHQW DW WKH /6( ZKR KDYH PDSSHG IRU WKH னUVW WLPH WKH VL]H DQG VFDOH RI social sciences in the UK and WKHLU LQŕŽ‹XHQFH DFURVV DOO VHFWRUV RI %ULWLVK VRFLHW\ 7KH ERRN LV WKH UHVXOW RI WKLV SURMHFW DQG LV EHLQJ RIILFLDOO\ launched at LSE on WednesGD\ -DQXDU\ ,W DQDO\VHV WKH VLJQLனFDQW LPSDFW RI VRFLDO VFLHQFHV UHVHDUFK RQ JRYHUQPHQW EXVLQHVV WKH QRQSURனW VHFWRU and the public. ‍ڔ‏%HWZHHQ SHU FHQW RI DOO 8. 8QLYHUVLW\ UHVHDUFK takes place in the social sciencHV GRPDLQ SURYLGLQJ DQVZHUV WR VRPH RI WKH ZRUOG‍ڑ‏V PRVW SUHVVLQJ FKDOOHQJHV <HW WKH HIIHFWLYHQHVV RI VRFLDO VFLHQWLVWV KDV RIWHQ EHHQ GHFULHG ‍ ڕ‏VD\V 3URIHVVRU 'XQOHDY\ “The social sciences need to work much closer together with STEM disciplines and medical sciences to tackle looming sciHQWLனF DQG SROLF\ FKDQJHV IDF-

Jane Tinkler (above) and Dr. Simon Bastow co-author the new book

LQJ WKH ZRUOG ‍ ڕ‏KH DGGV &R DXWKRUV 'U 6LPRQ %DVWRZ DQG -DQH 7LQNOHU DOVR XUJH the social sciences to embrace unprecedented changes in scholarship and research in the digital era. “Social media and the JURZWK RI PXOWL DXWKRU EORJJLQJ VLWHV DUH DOVR KLJKO\ HŕŽ‰HFWLYH IRUPV RI NQRZOHGJH H[FKDQJH DQG RŕŽ‰HU KXJH SRWHQWLDO JDLQV IRU KLJK TXDOLW\ UHVHDUFK WR EH VSHHGLO\ GLVVHPLQDWHG ‍ڕ‏ +RZHYHU DV /6( UHVHDUFKHUV KDYH DUJXHG D VDG UHDOLW\ LV that social science research reFHLYHV MXVW HLJKW SHU FHQW RI 5HVHDUFK DQG 'HYHORSPHQW 5 ' IXQGV QDWLRQDOO\ DQG WZHOYH SHU FHQW RI WKH WRWDO UHVHDUFK JUDQWV

JR WR 8. XQLYHUVLWLHV 7KH ERRN DUJXHV WKDW WKH VHFWRU GHVHUYHV D PXFK ELJJHU VOLFH RI WKH 5 ' IXQGLQJ SLH ,I WKH ERRN PDNHV DQ LPSDFW DW WKH JRYHUQPHQWDO OHYHO WKH GD\ LV QRW IDU ZKHQ QHZ DUHQDV RI VRFLDO VFLHQFH UHsearch will be explored in LSE ZLWK WKH DLG RI DQ LQFUHDVHG budget. 7KH ,PSDFW RI 6RFLDO 6FLHQFes: How Academics and their 5HVHDUFK PDNH D 'LŕŽ‰HUHQFH ZLOO EH SXEOLVKHG RQ 7KXUVGD\ -DQXDU\ 7KH ODXQFK RQ :HGQHVGD\ -DQXDU\ FRLQFLGHV ZLWK D SDQHO GLVFXVVLRQ RI WKH LVVXHV raised in the book.

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Tuesday January 21 2014

News Calhoun Comfortably Compensated Sophie Donszelmann, News Ed.

AN ARTICLE by the Times Higher Education on January 2nd, 2014 has brought to light a trend in the increase in salaries of leaders of Russell Group universities, highlighting the London School of Economics (LSE) as topping the list. The Times stated that nineteen of the 24 Russell Group universities had top administrators who received salary increases of 8.1 per cent, which was accompanied by a 5.2 per cent rise in RYHUDOO EHQHன WV 7KLV LV LQ VKDUS contrast with the pay rise of less than one per cent for members of the University and College Union (UCU) established in 2012. Perceptions of inequality may be further heightened when considering that outsourced janLWRULDO VWDŕŽ‰ KDYH IRUPHG D FDP paign known as “the 3Cosasâ€? ZKLFK GHPDQGV SHQVLRQ EHQHன WV and compensation for holidays and sick leave; standards they do not currently receive. The Director of the LSE, Professor Craig Calhoun, has received one of the largest inFUHDVHV LQ SD\ DQG EHQHன WV IURP all the Russell Group institutions. In 2012 to 2013, Professor Calhoun was paid ÂŁ466,000. The 'LUHFWRU DOVR UHFHLYHG D RQH RŕŽ‰ relocation payment of ÂŁ88,000 for his transatlantic move in the summer of 2012. Professor Calhoun’s predecessor, Professor Judith Rees received ÂŁ270,000 for her work as interim director in 2011 to 2012. Sir Howard Davies was paid ÂŁ285,000 for the 2009 to 2010 academic year. The Times has cited a university spokesman as stating that “Professor Calhoun’s selection panel had to ‘ensure [his] salary was appropriate’ by viewing ‘comparative university salaries.’â€? The LSE spokesperson was correct to point out that comparison is of key focus. Professor Calhoun came to the School after leaving his position as professor at New York University as well as serving as the director of the Institute for Public Knowledge and President of the Social Science Research Council. The collegiate environment in the US is known for high tuition fees, large endowments, and rewarding their faculty generously. In 2009, the president of Yale University, Richard C. Levin, received a gross annual salary of nearly $1.63 million, making him the highest paid president in the Ivy League. It is reported that 36 presidents of private colleges received over one million USD each. Some have argued that high salaries are what is a basic requirement for attracting the top talent, and attracting it from what has now become a globalised market. However, it is reported that the vice-chancellor of Cambridge University, Sir Leszek Borysiewicz receives

ÂŁ334,000 a year and Oxford University’s Andrew Hamilton receives ÂŁ424,000. Several organisations have spoken out in light of this news. UNISON has openly condemned the “obscene pay rise.â€? The uni-

versity directors are increasing their own salaries by “far more than the current cost of living,â€? for which there can be “no jusWLன FDWLRQ ‍ ڕ‏7KH 8QLYHUVLW\ DQG College Union have deemed the decisions taken as “startlingly

HIS SALARY PUTS HIM IN THE TOP 1% OF UK EARNERS

hypocritical.� In 2013, the School increased tuition for home and European Union students to £9,000 as opposed to £8,500 of the year prior.

Just

exactly

ÂŁ466,000?

how

much

Statistics in the infographic below calculated with information courtesy of LSE and LSE Students’ Union Design by Alexander Fyfe

ÂŁ

IF EVERY LSE UNDERGRADUTE STUDENT CONTRIBUTED ÂŁ100, CRAIG CALHOUN'S SALARY WOULD STILL NOT BE COVERED

NUMBER OF STUDENTS CALHOUN COULD FUND THROUGHOUT AN UNDERGRADUTE DEGREE

THE NUMBER OF PINTS CRAIG CALHOUN COULD BUY AT THE THREE TUNS FOR EVERY SINGLE LSE STUDENT

alternatively, he could buy students three month lse gym m e m b e rships almost the entire student population

9320

THE NUMBER OF STUDENTS THAT COULD LIVE IN ROSEBERY HALL FOR A FULL ACADEMIC YEAR ON CALHOUN'S SALARY

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Tuesday January 21 2014

the

6

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News Continued from front page (Motion for Social Mobility Officer fails to meet quorum) Some questions were asked by the audience after UGM Chair Joe Anderson opened the floor, with one student suggesting that the student executive is already too large in its current form.

Jay Stoll, General Secretary, also asked why the issue of social mobility wasn’t already a part of the brief of his brief alongside LSESU’s Welfare and Environment and Ethics Officers. The real debate however begun when Professor Paul Kelly took to the stage to discuss the growing debate between himself and the

students regarding the findings of the Teaching Task Force 2 report. Paul Kelly moved to assure students that there was “no plan to increase class sizes”, but was faced with heavy scrutiny from students, most notably from Academic Board member Sam Barnett and Education Officer Rosie Coleman. Professor Kelly’s answers

rarely left students satisfied however, with noticeable dissent amongst the students present, who felt that he was avoiding answering the questions. The results of the UGM’s motion were announced the following afternoon after an online vote, with 151 students voting in favour of the motion, 60 voting against it,

and 10 abstaining. This failed to meet quorum of 250, and consequently the position of Social Mobility Officer will not be created. For a detailed report on the Q&A with Pro-Director Kelly, turn to Page 3.

First Annual CAF-LSE Conference: “The Rise of the Global South Towards an Agenda for a New Century” Marine Strauss, Deputy News Ed.

THE LONDON SCHOOL OF ECONOMICS and Political Science host the First Annual CAF-LSE Conference: The Rise of the Global South Towards an Agenda for a New Century on Friday 17th January. The Shaw Library was filled for the day’s event with around two hundred prestigious guests taking part in three panels. Dr. Caroline Varin and Professor Chris Alden, head of the Global South Unit within the Department of International Relations at the LSE, organized the conference along with CAF, the Development Bank of Latin America. The guests came from a wide range of background such as embassies, Development Bank of Latin American and Asia, universities and think tanks. Professor Chris Alden opened the talks, followed by Enrique Garcia, President of CAF and Professor Craig Calhoun, Director of the School. President Garcia first explained the importance for CAF to create links with academic institutions such as the LSE, throughout the world. After introducing Enrique Iglesias, not as the “heart attack” singer, but as the Ibero-American Secretary General, the discussion on the Rise of the global South was launched.

Enrique Iglesias claimed that the rise of the South is an opportunity for the North and he pointed at the need to change global governance institutions in order to accommodate for the reshaping of

...the rise of the South is an opportunity for the North... the world economic order. The first session on “The Emergence of the South on the Global Stage” was moderated by Jean-Louis Ekra, Chairman & President of Afreximbank. Bindu N. Lohani and Harinder Kohli agreed that inequality and climate change will be the key challenges for the global South in particular, and global development in general. The first panel highlighted the trends that underpin the dramatic changes in the international environment that gave rise to the global South. The second session, on the new powers of Latin America, Asia and Africa provided a selective, empirically informed case-study approach to understand the dynamics in the regions and the SouthSouth cooperation. Finally, the last panel moderated by Martin Wolf from the Financial Times,

discussed key areas for consideration in global governance and the roles that the merging markets can play in tackling the different challenges. Martin Wolf concluded the session saying that the global South in entirely on its own and that is a great opportunity. To close the conference, Moisés Naìm was welcomed to the floor to present his latest book “The End of Power”. According to him, power has become easier to acquire, harder to use and easier to lose. Overall, the conference contributed to understand better the rise of the global South by focusing on key actors from the regions, their perspectives, their insight on the current development

paradigm and the impacts on the changing international environment. Dr. Caroline Varin was pleased with the turnout at her first event and the success of the day was clearly acknowledged by the guests at the end of the talks. A few students also attended the event and said it was very

interesting to hear different perspectives other than the ones of their professors and to be able to share experiences and discussions with such prestigious figures. The conference was also covered by live tweeting and podcasts are available for those who missed it.

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Tuesday January 21, 2014

Opinion The “Philosopher King� Has No Clothes Pro-Director Paul Kelly’s arguments on class caps lack substance Jamie Pelling and Sam Barnett Perhaps it is necessary to begin with a bit of procedure. As Academic Board representatives we sit on the highest academic committee in the school. It is this committee which will vote on the Teaching Task Force 2 Report and decide whether to pass it into school policy. As it stands, much focus has been placed on Recommendation 13.1, which states that class sizes may be increased to encourage facultyled teaching. Unsurprisingly, this has attracted a great deal of attention, enough even for “Philosopher King� Paul Kelly to descend from his pedestal in the Directorate to address the UGM last week. The entire event was sadly something of a farce, but it did illustrate the distance between the student body and the school on this issue. Much has been said and written on this, but the fact is that there are simply not enough safeguards against the runaway class size increases which some departments have already hinted could swiftly follow the relaxation of the rules. We oppose this recommendation, but

there is a great deal more to TTF2 than just this clause. It would make sense to approach this very serious report in a reasonable manor, despite the rhetoric that has escalated in recent weeks. It is important to say that there are recommendations which we believe are tolerable to the student body in the document. The Teaching track is TTF2’s PRVW VLJQLன FDQW VXFFHVV DQG could truly improve the calibre of teaching at the LSE by providing a separate career track for more teaching focused DFDGHPLF VWDŕŽ‰ 7KLV LV OLQNHG to a commitment to bettering VWXGHQW VWDŕŽ‰ UDWLRV D SROLF\ which seems to be universally well-regarded. However, it remains a shame that there are no speciன HG WDUJHWV GHன QHG DLPV or even outlines for how to achieve this goal. Paul Kelly’s GTA teaching limits, his main defence against the onslaught of student opinion against the class size provisions, are helpful if undramatic, hopefully reducing the burden of teaching placed on the youthful shoulders of our GTAs. Finally, while we are sceptical about the whole concept of increased Departmental discretion, we

accept that it may provide greater prospects for innovation, though we remain concerned that this could simply serve to widen the disparities between some departments. Now for the fun part. TTF2 is woefully inadequate in so many ways that we can only outline so many of our objections here. Obviously the lack of provision against classes of bloated size is not acceptable to us, even in light of Paul Kelly’s vague and specious promises. We have already mentioned the distressing lack of FRPPLWPHQW RQ VWXGHQW VWDŕŽ‰ ratios, but one issue which has passed unpublicised are the laughable minimum standards on feedback. ‘DepartPHQWV >VKRXOG@ RŕŽ‰ HU D PLQL mum level of feedback which lays out marking criteria, has space for written comments, and provides an indicator of current level of achievement’. Minimum indeed. There is not even a recommendation that WKH ZULWWHQ VSDFH EH ன OOHG ZLWK writing. On exam feedback the report had this to say, ‘the pilot provision of one piece of collective exam feedback for one ன UVW \HDU SDSHU EH DGRSWHG DV a permanent measure across

the School’. Like we said, laughable. The issue of technology enhanced learning has been dodged comprehensively, with no recommendations at all in the report and there is a similar silence on interdisciplinary teaching in LSE100. These are both issues which students feel strongly about and should have been better addressed. This further illustrates that the report could not be further away from students’ wishes.

“Some of Paul Kelly’s interventions in the debate have been ill-befitting of his office and, on occasion, down-right rude.� Additionally, it is incumbent upon us to remark that some of Paul Kelly’s interventions in the debate have been ill-befitting of his office and, on occasion, downright rude. In future we hope that this may be debated in a

much calmer environment in order that the core academic issues shine through and are not turned into exaggerated shouting matches or hurtful sniping in The Beaver. By way of a direct reply to Professor Kelly’s esteemed article in this ன QH MRXUQDO ZH ZRXOG PHUHO\ have the temerity to point out that comparison between this institution and Oxbridge are fatuous and irrelevant - their tutorials may not have an upper limit, but seeing as they DUH FRQYHQWLRQDOO\ EHORZ ன YH it is unlikely that they would ULVH WR ன IWHHQ OHW DORQH VHY HQW\ ,W LV VLPSO\ D GLŕŽ‰ HUHQW ball game. All in all, it is clear that there are inherent contradictions within the TTF2 document which give us pause DV ZH UHŕŽ‹ HFW RQ WKH IXWXUH GL rection of the school as LSE strives to balance its research reputation with its teaching commitments. We will be meeting with all SSLC reps next week. The ன YH XQLRQ PHPEHUV ZKR KDYH a vote on the issue will thrash RXW D ன QDO XQLRQ SRVLWLRQ RQ TTF2, which we will then take as a group to the Academic Board. We will keep you informed.

TTF2 is for the school, not for students Nona Buckley-Irvine “This is not a game, this is real,â€? a political theorist once said. That political theorist being our very own Pro-Director of Teaching and Learning, Professor Paul Kelly. Kelly wrote that statement last week with reference to the Teaching Task Force II and the latest script on teaching policy at LSE. Let’s start by saying that no, no student’s education is a game – it is always real. With domestic students now paying over ÂŁ9,000 a year to go to the LSE, and international students extortionately more so, it is very much real. Students come here with expectations of a world class education being delivered within a world class institution and they are left disappointed and short changed. So where does this new WHDFKLQJ SROLF\ ன W LQ" $V D student rep I have sat on the committee that debated what recommendations to make in

this new policy. Duncan McKenna, last year’s Education Officer, and Rosie Coleman, our current Education Officer, have sat in on this too. 'LŕŽ‰ HUHQW DUHDV ZHUH RXWOLQHG for improvement or change. Take, for example, ‘Feedback and Assessment’. According to National Student Survey scores, LSE has a 71% satisfaction rate on feedback. Two of the worst areas in feedback are ‘receiving detailed comments on work’ (65%) and ‘feedback has helped me clarify things I did not understand’ (64%). You and I both know that in some departments this is consistently the case, while in other departments they do deliver fantastic support. So in order to improve standards, we argued that there needed to be a gold standard across the board. We asked for a standardised sheet for essays which had written comments on it, including advice on how to improve – constructive, proper feedback. Instead, what has been granted is a

sheet with “written space for comments.â€? Academics at the School are unwilling to mandate that a student who spends hours writing an essay deserves some sentences of advice in return. So all we have on this is a weak recommendation which invokes no gold standard over feedback and which will not change a thing. Then a section on departmental discretion was thrown in. So, LSE thinks that departments are too restricted by School-wide norms, and we need to grant them full autonomy over the running of their courses. For an excellent, renowned department like International History, with 96% satisfaction, this would make sense. We can trust that they deliver a good education and that regulation may restrict innovation. But then we have departments where students IHHO GUDVWLFDOO\ GLŕŽ‰ HUHQWO\ about the quality of teaching: Management Science, Mathematics, and Statistics are the

lowest ranking departments with satisfaction in the 70s, rather than 90s like History. So maybe it would make sense to make use of more norms to lift standards. Maybe it would make sense that we formally require these departments to improve and support their students so they don’t OHDYH XQLYHUVLW\ GLVVDWLVன HG However, again, we have a recommendation that makes no such point. All we have is that departments should be left to do what they please – this includes increasing class sizes led by faculty, having full discretion over feedback, and directing teaching themselves. It’s not good enough. If a department is good, then we should be holding poor departments up to those standards. Once they are good enough, then maybe they should have discretion over VRPH WKLQJV IDLU HQRXJK <HW it’s a disgrace that whether or not you receive good teaching at the LSE is a lottery: you may get a fantastic teacher,

you may not. You may have a good, well organised, structured course – or you may not. Nowhere in this document is there a statement that each and every student should receive good quality feedback DQG JRRG TXDOLW\ WHDFKLQJ have they completely missed the point of a ‘teaching’ SROLF\" We need a drastic rethink of this document. An LSE teacher once said to me “At LSE, undergraduates are there to be seen and not heard.� This latest policy reinforces that and that is an insult to you. It is not about the student, it is about the School. Well, we pay for this. Remember that. We’ve pinned our dreams on the education we UHFHLYH DW WKH /6( UHPHP ber that too. You’re playing with our money, and you’re playing with our futures. No, Professor Kelly, this is not a game. It is real. So please, for students, get real.

Tuesday January 21, 2014

the

8

Beaver

Opinion

A New Form of Protest

Lower class citizens of Sao Paulo claim their rights to public space Alison Cameron A few days ago, a friend of mine brought to my attention a new phenomenon that is taking place in SĂŁo Paulo. Passionate about the topic, he told me that people of the lower classes of the city are rallying together and are claiming their rights to public spaces from which they are usually excluded. In what is being called ‘rolezinhos’, these people, mostly young citizens, are asserting their right to space by jointly entering shopping malls that cater to the middle and high classes of SĂŁo Paulo. Members of the lower class are usually excluded from these gathering places,

primarily because of a lack of னQDQFLDO DFFHVV WR WKH SURGucts sold there. But should it be that these parameters deny them access to the space of the shopping mall itself? Should னQDQFLDO DFFHVV EH VHWWLQJ XS walls and boundaries that literally and physically separate the social classes? I don’t think so. The interesting thing about this is that the ‘protests’ are completely passive in nature. The statement is made by simply occupying the space and in so doing asserting the right to be there. So far, there has not been no violence on the part of the protesters, but that does not mean that they haven’t made people nervous. Shop-

ping malls have been closed either during the protests or as a preventative measure in order to avoid potential problems, and the president, DilPD 5RXVVHŕŽ‰ KDV PHW ZLWK KHU ministers in order to prevent the phenomenon from spreading to the rest of the country. The fear, it seems, lies in the fact that these protests could escalate and become violent as they develop. According to newspapers in SĂŁo Paolo, there have even been negotiators sent to speak to the protesters in order to try and get them to make their points in (truly) public spaces. Rational as this may seem WR 5RXVVHŕŽ‰â€ŤÚ‘â€ŹV DGPLQLVWUDWLRQ this goes against the whole

point that people have been trying to make through these gatherings. The point is coming together in shopping malls to claim access to that particular space and any other that is recognized as ‘belonging’ to the upper classes. The point is to question that ‘belonging’ and challenge it. The point, I believe, is to claim a sense of equality at the level of space and place that should already established. Unfortunately, not everyone seems to understand the point that is being made. In fact, there is a rather heated debate taking place with one side supporting the cause and the other claiming that these ‘rolezinhos’ are just an act of

hooliganism being performed by people who just want to be heard. In breaking down this argument, you would probably னQG WKDW WKRVH RSSRVLQJ WKH movement are people sitting quite comfortably in the higher classes or people that felt uncomfortable with the concept of members of the lower classes coming into ‘their’ space. I have to wonder, however, how replicable is this concept of the spatial divisions of the classes? I mean, if you think about it, I don’t quite think the owners and shoppers at Harrods would be happy with a British ‘rolezinho’ taking place in the store, do you?

Ukash is wrong to pick out LSE from the rest of London’s universities Lily Lower A recent study by Ukash, an online cash payment provider, named LSE as the UK’s most expensive university. Unsurprisingly, the three universities that top their list (LSE, UCL and Imperial) are also based in London, while the three cheapest universities at which to be a student (HeriotWatt, Edinburgh, and St Andrews) are all to be found in Scotland. There is no disputing that the costs of living are higher in London than anywhere else in the UK, but the study is full of false information and methRGRORJLFDO ŕŽ‹DZV ,W LV LUUHVSRQsible and potentially very damaging to spread misleading information like this under the

guise of an empirical study to aid students in the UCAS decision-making process. 2QH RI WKH PRVW VLJQLனFDQW problems with Ukash’s study is that it does not provide an even remotely comprehensive list of all the universities in the UK. Only the top 20 universities according to the Guardian’s 2014 league table were included. The rest of the country’s universities were excluded, including the other 16 constituent colleges of the University RI /RQGRQ 7KH PRVW VLJQLனcant of these is the New College of the Humanities, a private university which charges students annual tuition fees of up to ÂŁ17,814, almost double the LSE’s UK/EU tuition fees. The study also incorrectly DVVXPHV WKDW VWXGHQWV DW GLŕŽ‰HU-

ent London universities need WR OLYH LQ GLŕŽ‰HUHQW DUHDV DQG that LSE students are forced to pay more due to its location in an expensive area. Ukash claims that an LSE student can expect to pay almost ÂŁ1,600 more per year on private accommodation than their peers at UCL. In fact, many LSE students live with friends from other London universities such as King’s and UCL, and so annual rent costs are very similar for students studying across central London. To say that an LSE student is forced to pay ÂŁ1,600 more than a UCL student each year, simply because of the one-mile distance that separates them, is ridiculous. Ukash also included the ÂŁ1,054 annual cost of insuring a car in central London, which,

as a spokesperson for the LSE rightly says, “is particularly inappropriate.� Clearly the researchers have never tried to drive anywhere in central London. Few London residents, and almost no London students, drive cars because the relentless traffic and shortage in parking make it impossible. It is far quicker and cheaper to cycle or take public transport than to drive through central London. The LSE spokesperson also highlighted that the study “does not include the generous bursaries received by approximately one third of our home and EU undergraduate students.� A study such as this could have a very damaging impact on social mobility by discouraging students from

poorer families from applying to LSE, because they have been misinformed on the true cost of studying here. While there’s no denying that it is more expensive to OLYH LQ /RQGRQ WKH னJXUH SXW forward by Ukash of almost ÂŁ20,000 per year is far higher than the reality. Once rent and tuition are paid for, it is possible to live in London fairly cheaply – as mentioned in last week’s article ‘The cost of living at LSE is what you make of it.’ You can eat Hare Krishna food for free (or ideally for a small donation). Boris Bikes and frequent night buses make travel in London very cheap, even late at night. Prospective students should not EH SXW RŕŽ‰

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Tuesday January 21, 2014

Opinion

Dreams of Shoreditchification Why everywhere in London could stand to be more like Shoreditch Rania Kouros This week a friend of mine emailed me this article by Alex Proud in the Telegraph. Mr. Proud very explicitly declared his hatred towards Shoreditch, the “hipsterâ€? lifestyle of skinny jeans, long beards, burgundy beanies and their ‘I couldn’t care less’ attitude aimed at the rest of the world. Finally he openly condemned the phenomenon of what he called ‍ڔ‏6KRUHGLFKLன FDWLRQ ‍ ڕ‏ZKLFK LV basically the spread of the particular lifestyle and everyday practices to other neighborhoods of London. “What I hate more than Shoreditch itself is the idea of Shoreditch and the way that so many of London’s neighbourhoods have been Shoreditched.â€? Being a Shoreditch ‘inhabitant’ myself for the past few years, I had a hard time letting this go unchallenged. Not because I identify with the aforementioned lifestyle (quite the opposite actually) but because I consider his view to be reactionary, irrational, immature and based on vested interests. Let me explain: Circumstances and career success have given Proud the opportunity and platform as

well as the ease to express his opinion. Mr. Proud is owner of a bar in Camden and of a prestigious Gallery on the Strand, which hosts his incredible photographic work. Unfortunately, in this article, he lets his personal interests override an understanding of what may be good for London. 6KRUHGLWFKLன FDWLRQ FRXOG instead be seen as an ‘investment’ and development for London, whereby edgy areas are given the chance to become ‘mainstream’ and thus be turned into artistic hubs and safer neighborhoods for people to move in to. Resulting increased rent prices may be a disadvantage in the current economic environment, but nonetheless, they can act as a lever for growth and amelioration in London, improving of the quality and image of the city. As if it were a disease, Mr. Proud fears the spread of ‘hipsterism’ throughout the city and sarcastically writes that “Now, the bearded seers of JHQWULன FDWLRQ DUH WXUQLQJ WKHLU gaze to Crystal Palace and Streatham, Walthamstow and Tottenham.â€? Why would the author have such an issue with Crystal Palace or Walthamstow becoming

the new cool hubs, where people are gathered to socialize, to freely express themselves, and to eat at the pop-up stores that are so popular? If you think about it though it makes sense: he is attacking a trend, which might be hurting his own businesses. In his article he also admitted, rather blatantly, his personal interest in Camden, before going on to promote the area as eternally cool. Let me take him up on his claims, though. Big Ben, Notting Hill, Westminster, or the South Bank, have all managed to become major tourist attractions. Likewise, if you go to Camden on a Saturday, you will be shoved, pushed and stepped over by tourists – to see their amazement you would think they had really never seen anything like it. However, I challenge you to go to Broadway Market in Shoreditch on a sunny Saturday and explore the area. If you still support Mr. Proud’s idea that the ambience there is hypocritical and fake, compared to Camden’s tourist packed high street, then I will respect your opinion. As for me, I would like to state that nothing feels more real, more pure, beautiful, and ZHOFRPLQJ WKDQ D FRŕŽ‰ HH DW

Photo credit: Flickr: diamond geezer

Climpson Roasters, a run by the Queensway canal, a purchase of smoked Salmon from the market itself, or simply an hour spent watching families walking by with their dogs. I have nothing against Camden or Notting Hill or any place in London, really. Each and every neighborhood is unique with a plethora of things to do. That is what I love about LonGRQ WKH GLYHUVLW\ UHŕŽ‹ HFWHG LQ HDFK GLŕŽ‰ HUHQW QHLJKERUKRRG and the surprises hidden behind every corner. Trends come and go, and that’s a reality. However, discrediting

trends simply because they do not coincide with your interests is more than just problematic. Shoreditch is indeed a brand, but it is also a lifestyle. While it may not be to everyone’s tastes, it should not be dismissed as easily as it was in the article. So, to Mr. Proud, I say: you can hate the power of branding and marketing, but not the people, nor their aspirations, and not the way they live their lives.

The original article can be found on The Daily Telegraph’s website.

History Also Repeats Itself As Farce Taking a critical look at last week’s article on economic history Alexander Fraser It was good to read something with an economic historical bent for a change. I’m certainly in favour of the author’s message on better economic evaluation of the guys at the top, but I’d suggest the author is as guilty of misreading history as the uninformed, who do not study economic history in our cookie-giving and superior ivory tower. The article favours an American style recovery over the European equivalent, suggesting Cameron and Merkel in particular haven’t learnt from the lessons of the Great Depression, and that their policy of austerity is

poor macroeconomics. Is it fair to suggest, after historical review, that austerity is currently bad economics and merely repeating disaster? Since the author mentions that the world economy has been largely more bouncy after the financial crises than in the Great Depression, one should pause before suggesting history is repeating itself. Austerity is potentially working for Britain, if you look at growth and some employment statistics. I also doubt the author’s analysis – as it lacks proof – that following the US’s example recovery would have definitely been quicker. The world is markedly different and new factors – I would suggest

China’s impact – have muddied comparisons with the 1930s and any lessons to be learnt. Merkel’s fear of inflation could equally be a desire to improve European competitiveness. Last week’s author is right to argue for a more educated populous but fails to accurately explain how to do this. Suggesting the political system should pursue education is forgetting that a monopolist gets a quiet life. Assuming politicians are rational and go into politics to achieve the greatest ‘good’ effect they can, education may be contrary to their noble sacrifice to help the country. Imagine a contest with two candidates

with one having ‘better’ economics than the other. In the event the less well-informed person won – according to the article they do – they would never allow education on economic ideas, because they would lose voters as a result. My suggestion: don’t take the politicians word for it, but go to someone who actually knows their stuff. Marginal Revolution.com, Freakonomics Podcasts, Brad de Long’s blog, and despite not getting enough eyeballs, LSE’s public media are all good sources. Check out the LSE British Politicast Episode 2: Austerity Economics and Central Banking which interviews the author

of Austerity: The History of a Dangerous Idea. I would caution against the idea of labelling good and bad economics in general. A better way of looking at the field is to suggest this theory or range of theories. Objectively labelling bad and good suggests ignoring or discarding theories that may prove useful. The author is right that failing to heed history can lead to disaster, but history never purely repeats itself and substandard labels can prevent use being taken from past arguments. I write not to disprove the author’s point but to better our understanding.

VENUE: New Academic Building, LSE, London TIME: Saturday, 8th February 2014 REGISTRATION: www.lsecds.org

Tuesday January 21, 2014

the

10

Beaver

Opinion

The French President’s Privacy Problem Francois Hollande is learning that privacy is a luxury not enjoyed by those under public scrutiny Martha Petrochelios This brave new world we’re living in is hooked on privacy. In this culture of self-display, some feel almost entitled to intrude. If you share a piece of the cake, someone will want to devour the rest. With the aid of so many different social apps, it is almost expected from us to shed some light on the dark existence of our personal lives.

“The French appear not to be interested in what their President does behind closed doors.” Of course when it comes to celebrities, it all becomes a little bit jucier. Thus, Hollande’s appeal to privacy, in light of recent events, famous TV persona Julie Gayet, could not go by unnoticed. Uniqueness has been increasingly sacrificed for the sake of exposure, and a scary turn has been made towards voyeurism and disclosure. However, individuals’ willingness to share things does not mean that they no longer

value privacy. For example, if I give a shop assistant my credit card, that doesn’t mean I don’t value my account information, it means I wish to make a purchase. At the end of the day, all human beings have three lives: public, private, and secret. But by promoting absolute visibility, there is an increasing threat that personal violations will become just another unnoticed part of our everyday lives. Arguably the situation becomes even more complex when the conversation turns to celebrities. The British have been prompted by some to follow the “French Example”: in other words, the French appear not to be interested in what their President does behind closed doors. Conversely, there has been a lot of blame directed towards the British press for focusing too much on “private” matters— unlike their French neighbours. Ironically though, the French magazine has been covering the scandal, Closer , has sold more than double of the copies it usually does. So, is a politician’s personal life connected with what he has to offer to his country? This farce has apparently still not grown old; same story,

Photo credit: Flickr: Parti socialiste

different faces. If a President happens to be unfaithful to his partner, is this equal to him being unfaithful to his voters? Private life is private for a reason. However, to what extent is it realistic for it to be kept that way? When someone decides to run for public office, or stars in a new movie, or has invented the best new gadget, then he or she must be wary of people running after him, hungry for some shocking little affair. Putting your face out in the

public, when you are important enough to influence people’s lives in one way or the other, then it follows that people will become increasingly interested in your personal life. Especially in the case of politicians, where credibility and integrity are values particularly praised, one’s loyalty in their personal life is almost always associated with their honesty towards the voters and his career. What if Cameron, Miliband or Osborne were found to have

had an affair with some high profile actress? Would either of them slapping a press ban on it and refusing to talk about it be deemed acceptable? It is hard to decide when the line has been crossed, or when voters have the right to know. It also depends on the emphasis which people place on someone’s personal life before voting for him. Arguably, a politician having an emotionally healthy, stable personal life, being a family figure, is bound to be a more committed politician since he has already demonstrated degrees of responsibility. If you can’t keep your personal life together, how can you deal with a whole country? Therefore, in some cases, as extreme as they might be, voters need to know. Freud himself has described the “rage” people might feel when they are rejected access to one’s personal life they feel ‘entitled’ to. By running for public office, politicians inevitably sign up for some scrutiny, since voters, already on their moral high horse ready to point fingers, make disappointed faces and judge without checking how dirty their own hands are.

Un Omnishambles

It is not just the President’s personal life that is a mess, it is his politics

Sebastien Ash Francois Hollande stepped away from the lectern at the Élysée on Tuesday, 14th January, looking like a weak man. He had made a promise that he could not or would not keep, and now he is reneging on that commitment in spectacular fashion. Surprisingly though, in a week during which the dailies were awash with stories of the President’s passions, politics was the issue at hand during this particular session. The seriousness of the press conference, initially planned as a reboot for Hollande’s five-year term- his New Year’s resolution to the French people- was waylaid by the news of his affair with comedienne Julie Gayet. With this latest media scandal, Hollande joins an infamous Pantheon of 5th Republic Presidents: Jacques Chirac famously had a roving eye that drove his wife, Bernadette, raving mad; Valéry Giscard d’Estaing careened

into a milk lorry at 5 o’clock in the morning with a mysterious woman riding shotgun; and François Mitterand had a notso-secret second family that French photojournalism magazine Paris Match only made public with the President’s approval.

“With his latest media scandal Hollande joins an infamous Pantheon of 5th Republic Presidents.” The precedent, extensive as it may be, however, does not make peace with the fact that Hollande made a mistake worthy of committing his presidency to the annals of farce. The affair was a personal tragi-comedy played out on the grand stage and mirrored fittingly by the desertion of his ideological principles. Lost somewhat in the me-

dia-storm around his personal life was the “responsibility pact” the President made with businesses. Ironically following his election campaign’s principal rallying cry the seventy-five per-cent tax rate was finally passed. The President promised to eliminate 30 billion Euros worth of payroll taxes and in so doing, effectively threw the first three years of his presidency in the bin, along with his and his party’s ideals. The logic of such decisions pays heed to the rhetorical campaign, exemplified by Newsweek’s recent article titled the “Fall of France,” which would have it that France is a sinking ship, laden down by its debt and its cumbersome public welfare system. Buried deep in this argument there is an element of truth, however, this is not a reality that pertains solely to France and is often distorted. Often the issue is just one of presentation and narrative, things may actually be better

than they seem. Take for example, the Fortune 500; a slightly contrived measure of success but one that gives more than the usual story. Of those five hundred, thirty-one of them are domiciled in France. In another similar group, Deloitte’s list of the five hundred fastest growing start-ups in Europe, Africa, and the Middle East, there are also ninety French enterprises. And likewise French workers are, according to the OECD, second in productivity behind only the United States. The debt be what it may, looking at things from a different perspective reveals a much rosier picture- corporate strength, dynamism, and productivity. These figures by no means reflect the totality of the economic situation but they lend perspective to the idea that France is a modern nation addled by social welfare. However, whether you agree with the particular brand of socialist dirigisme

Hollande brought to France (and I happen not to, despite my efforts to try and ‘bigup’ the French economy) is in some respects beside the point. What Hollande’s ideological overhaul did was give in to a Northern European, austerity-minded consensus. Until recently, Hollande had been the champion of European socialism. It was a job he was doing remarkably poorly, but it was a role that nonetheless had the potential to break up the oftentimes nihilistic economic storyline being peddled by Europe’s conservative big-boys. But with all his political chicanery, Hollande has laid waste to his own reputation and diversity in European politics. Both these depressing affairs only add further to the perception that Hollande was never suited to be President of the Republic. If French political commentators are looking for an Anglo-Saxon import of their own, I suggest one word: omnishambles.

the

Beaver

11

Tuesday January 21, 2014

Opinion

Kalashnikov’s Remorse

Why national security and the war on terror should not be used to justify human rights abuses ing an atomic bomb, I would have never lifted a finger.� Still, as RT.com notes, “AK-47s have caused more deaths than artillery fire, airstrikes and rocket attacks combined.� It’s easy then to understand why the man responsible for that creation feels such pangs about the millions who have lost their lives because of something

Kaveh Farzad 66 years later, the Avtomat Kalashikova remains the world’s most ubiquitously used weapon, estimated to contribute - even in relatively “quietâ€? years – to the deaths of a quarter of a million of the world’s population per annum. Developed in the Soviet Union in 1947, used by its forces since 1949, the AK-47 assault rifle will undoubtedly endure for many decades more – a solemn fact that certainly contributed to its creator seeking mercy and forgiveness for his contribution to its existence. Mikhail Kalashnikov died late last month, two days before Christmas, at the age of 94. He lived to see and feel and weigh the horrors his invention was used to inflict; he lived with the astonishing fact that Kalashnikovs make up more than one in ten of all firearms, and are the weapon of choice for armies made up of drugged, deluded and manipulated child soldiers. In 2010, the then 91 year old Kalashnikov wrote the Russia Orthodox Church to ask a question I think he regrettably knew the answer to: was the blood shed by the weapon over the more than half a century since he created it, on his hands? “My spiritual pain is unbearable,â€? he wrote. “I keep having the same unsolved question: if my rifle claimed people’s lives, then can it be that I‌ a Christian and an Orthodox believer, was to blame for their deaths?â€? The church told him not to dwell on the matter too heavily in his twilight years. Its press secretary, Cyril Al-

“AK-47s have caused more deaths than DUWLOOHU\ ૽UH airstrikes and rocket attacks combined.â€?

Photo credit: Flickr: Surian Soosay

exander Volkov, wrote in a reply to Kalashnikov that, “The Church has a very definite position: when weapons serve to protect the Fatherland, the Church supports both its creators and the soldiers who use it.� The press secretary was later quoted as saying, “He designed this rifle to defend his country, not so terrorists could use it in Saudi Arabia.� The church’s position is, I think, correct. It’s difficult to impart much guilt on Kalashnikov for his creation, meant for the safeguarding of his country against the better-equipped Nazi invaders, especially since he could not have foreseen the abominable future misuse of it, and feels obvious regret

and remorse for that misuse. It’s noteworthy to remind ourselves that Kalashnikov is not the first – nor will he be the last – weapon inventorwho has expressed regret and remorse for their contri-

‍ڔ‏,W‍ڑ‏V GLૼFXOW WR impart much guilt on Kalashnikov for his creation meant for the safeguarding of his nation against the better-equipped Nazi invaders.â€?

butions. The namesake of the Nobel Peace Prize, Alfred Nobel, expressed similar remorse when his creation of dynamite – meant to be used as an instrument of peace – was used to wreak untold havoc throughout the breadth of the First World War. The nuclear scientists that developed the nuclear bomb(s) dropped on Japan during the Second World War pleaded with President Truman to not use the weapon to such effect. Even Albert Einstein, who famously consulted with President Roosevelt to urge his continued research on developing the bomb, expressed remorse: “Had I known that the Germans would not succeed in produc-

he invented. In 2007, Kalashnikov was posed a question of the state of his conscience, and confidently replied, “I sleep well. It’s the politicians, who are to blame for failing to come to an agreement and resorting to violence.� It seems obvious that Kalashnikov is in some ways morally responsible for the weapon he created, but it’s perhaps unfair of us to depart on him much blame for the horrors perpetuated by the Avtomat Kalashikova. It was a weapon created for the defence of a people; it was meant for bringing about the end of a terrible war against a terrible foe. But wars were waged long before 1947, and will be waged for the entirety of our species’ time on this planet. We are all culpable for the millions who have given way to our frightful waging of war, not just Mikhail Kalashnikov.

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14

21.01.2014 PartB

FASHION

THE Â CLOSET Â DETOX N T O P Â T I P S Â O N Â H O W Â T O Â U P D A T E Â Y O U R Â L O O K Â O N Â A Â S T U D E N T Â B U D G E T

ew Year, New me - the mantra spoken by the thousands, following the dawn of the New Year. However, can the masses that talk the talk, actually walk the walk? 6HDPOHVVO\ DFKLHYLQJ DQ HŕŽ‰RUWOHVVO\ FKLF ORRN HYHU\ GD\ LV QHLWKHU DQ HDV\ QRW LGHDOLVWLF IHDW $OWKRXJK RXU VWXGHQW EXGJHW FDQQRW DŕŽ‰RUG WKH GDLO\ VHUYLFH RI SHUVRQDO VW\OLVWV \RX FDQ VWLOO XSGDWH \RXU VW\OH XVLQJ \RXU RZQ FUHDWLYLW\ WR GLŕŽ‰HUHQWLDWH \RXU look. No matter the obstacle, it is easily achievable to evolve and update your personal style. Here are your top tips on the ultimate closet detox- without the juicing! JODIE MOMODU

G ET T HE U N DER L AY ER S R IGHT

SALES ARE NOT ALWAYS YOUR FRIEND

To build your look, it is key to start with the foundations. A shocking 80% of females wear the wrong bra size according to a recent survey. The right bra is crucial not just for comforts sake, but to create the illusion of a VPRRWK VLOKRXHWWH $V VWDWHG P\ *HRUJLR $UPDUQL WKH GLŕŽ‰HUHQFH EHWZHHQ VW\OH DQG IDVKLRQ LV TXDOLW\ 6R LQYHVW \RXU WLPH LQWR னQGLQJ WKH ULJKW XQdergarments suitable to your personal shape, and budget. LSE is fortunate to have an array of high street fashion brands right at it's doorstep, so seize this opportunity. Its a style sin not to!

The fatal mistake made by everyone is only perceiving the New Years sales as the opportunity to shop til' you drop. The discounts may seem like the diamond opportunity to get a bargain, but also awaiting in the rack of sales is the potentiality of a style disaster. Many become disillusioned by the slash in prices, but you must consider why these garments have been radically reduced! Bad quality? Out of season? High Street chains can use the New Year sales as an opportunity to take out any unwanted trash, so it crucial your wardrobe becomes a complete bombsite of bad quality garments.

ENSURE YOU HAVE THE KEY ESSENTIALS A house can never become a home without the essentials. So how you expect your wardrobe be too? A key mistake made by many is assuming that they must by the latest 'it' garment of the season, but fashion trends are cyclical, constantly changing like the British weather. No LSE student can conform to every style trend of the mo-

ment; it is both financially, and pragmatically unfeasible, especially with the momentous workload! So invest in core classic pieces, that will never go out of season. The simple LBD wardrobe is a must have. Do you prefer the quirky look, as opposed to a classic style? Remember that fashion is architecture- its a matter of building

and constructing a look using these fundamental pieces according to your personal style. By building upon them with accessories and statement pieces you can create numerous different outfits. The beauty of purchasing such simple pieces is its accessibility, and versatility, being readily available for everyone, and making you

prepared for any event! Value for money? Absolutely! So, before purchasing any garment, ask yourself these key questions; Is it versatile? You're restricted by a student budget, so ensure your purchase is a long term investment, not a spontaneous one-off buy!

Does it suit your style? Does it suit your body shape? The key to a successful wardrobe overhaul is ensuring each piece accentuates your shape, and reflects your personal style. Each individual is differentiate by their unique taste, so make sure 2014 the year for a "New Wardrobe" befitting to you.

PARTB EDITORIAL TEAM PARTB

FASHION

FILM

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partb@thebeaveronline.co.uk

fashion@thebeaveronline.co.uk

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FOOD

LITERATURE

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TECHNOLOGY

THEATRE

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food@thebeaveronline.co.uk

literature@thebeaveronline.co.uk

music@thebeaveronline.co.uk

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visualarts@thebeaveronline.co.uk

15

The Beaver 21.01.2014

VISUAL ARTS/LITERATURE HOME TRUTHS: PHOTOGRAPHY, M OTH ERH O O D AND IDENTITY

T

he Motherhood and Identity exhibition at the Photographer’s Gallery presents a series of raw images IURP HLJKW GLŕŽ‰HUHQW DUWLVWV RI UDZ LPDJHV IURP HLJKW GLŕŽ‰HUent artists depicting real experience of motherhood. The model identity of motherhood relating to domesticity, gender and sexuality is brought into debate. Experiences of motherhood that don’t live up to our cultural ideal often seem to be taboo and our relationship with our mother seems intrinsic to our notion of personhood. Furthermore the eight artists including Janine Antoni, Elina Brotherus, Elinor Carcucci, Ana Casa Broda, Fred Huning, Leigh Ledare, Katie Murray and Hanna Putz illustrate that experiences of kinship vary widely and the importance of embracing such variety. Elinor Carucci’s series of photographys stands in stark opposition to romantic images of Madonna and child. Whilst Carucci portrays the tenderness between her and her daughter, she also presents EROG LPDJHV RI WKH HŕŽ‰HFWV RI an emergency C-section on her body, addressing some of the uncomfortable aspects of motherhood. Additionally Carucci achieves a depiction of the sensuality that can exist between a mother and child, which is not often discussed. Elina Brotherus’s series perhaps is the most harrowing of the exhibition. Brotherus depicts the notion of motherhood as it applies to her in personal

READ Â RUMI S

ome speak to your heart, some to your mind. But those who choose to speak to your soul will stay there forever. A mystic poet Jalalud’din Rumi was born in the 13th century BC in Persia, to give the world a sense of joy and make them touch their soul with his words. He was a man who abandons his academic path to write a mystical poem in search of his beloved. Today he is amongst most read poet in this world, for his words are bound to touch you, move you and stay with you forever. For we all walk from the cradle of womb to tomb of death. For each passing through a journey of joy and sorrow, for we all climb ladders of success and failure, for we all miss and

attempts to become pregnant. Infertility traditionally can hold many connotations of failure however Brotherus contradicts the idea that biology and motherhood are intrinsically bound. Implicit in Brotherus’s images are feelings of disappointment and pain, however interestingly standing in black text on the way next to her series is the quote, ‘it shows the understanding of the term ‘mother’ lies not with conception of birth, but with intent. Janine Antonis series stood out due to the detail and skill that is evident in her pictures. Antoni depicts herself suspended motionless in a dollhouse, whilst a spider weaves a web around the house. The spider represents Antoni’s daughter and Antoni’s stature displays the central supporting role she plays in her daughter’s life The exhibition Motherhood and Identity proved to be thought provoking. Its honesty and atmosphere of openness encouraged the viewer to question dominate conceptions of motherhood and emphasised it is simply ok to express a reality no matter how uncomfortably it sits with an ideal. MARYAM AKRAM Home Truths Photography, Motherhood and Identity 11 Oct 2013 to 5 Jan 2014 The Photographers Gallery regret few things in life. For we all miss something more important in life. For we all hold back things for too long. For we all hate each other unnecessarily. For we all learn very late, it’s always better to let go. And there comes a time when you read Rumi and he says ‘there is nothing meaningful in this world but surrender.’ For we all go from one door to another asking for love. Love to cross an ocean for, love to leave loved one for, love which tangle in our heart with endless joy, when no one hear our words. You knock the door of Rumi and he says ‘you must marry your soul. That wedding is the way. Union with the world is sickness.’ For we all lose faith in ourselves once in a while when darkness stay with us longer than sunshine, For we all think

we cannot as we lose trust in ourselves. Rumi silently converses with us ‘Stop acting so small. You are the universe in ecstatic motion’ and ‘you are not meant for crawling, you have wings learn to use them’ For we all worry unreasonably for a long time for an uncertain future and regrettable past, for we all crave for atWHQWLRQ IRU VXSHUŕŽ‹XRXV UHDVRQ For spend days thinking all the possible reason why things can go wrong. At that time Rumi articulates ‘Never lose hope, my heart, miracles dwelt in the invisible. Be empty of worrying. Think of who created thought! Why do you stay in prison? When the door is so wide open? For failure is bound to knock at your door one day, and you cry over your lost battle, for your true love may not love you back they way you love

them which will hurt you. Then you walk slowly to Rumi doorstep where he will take you in his arms and whispers slowly ‘Tend to your vital heart, and all that you worry about will be solved. Don’t grieve. Anything you lose comes round in another form.’ For he will take you beyond your mundane trouble and invite you to dine with yourself, He will tell you ‘Everything you now see will vanish like a dream.’ He will ask you to abandon you sorrow and will enlighten you ‘listen to me, for one moment quit being sad. Hear blessings dropping their blossoms around you.’ For he will remove some baggage from your heavy heart and say, ‘People want you to be happy. Don’t keep serving them your pain! If you could untie your wings and free your soul of jealousy, you and everyone DURXQG \RX ZRXOG ŕŽ‹\ XS OLNH

doves.� For I know nothing much, but a journey inward, for I know nothing much but to read Rumi. NAMITA BHALADHARE

16

TECHNOLOGY

21.01.2014 PartB

PROJECTEDPLAY

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he Russian startup Livemap is developing a motorcycle helmet with built in GPS system that will allow drivers to navigate foreign streets safely. The helmet, inspired E\ னJKWHU SLORWV‍ ڑ‏KHDG ZDUH will use the Android operating system and be controlled with Nuance-based voice control. This 1.4kg harness will enable motorcycle enthusiasts to roam streets without ever letting go of the handlebars or get distracted from the journey ahead. The MotoHelment is currently available for pre-order at $500 (ÂŁ304) and is expected to launch in the UK by the end of 2014.

Copyright Livemap

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he PowerUp 3 insert and app allow users to control their paper airplanes directly with their smartphones. The carbon-fiber device is completely crash proof, has a battery life of about 10 minutes and operates a Bluetooth Smart Technology that enables connectivity within a 55m range. The app is sweet and simple; it has a throttle lever to control ascent and descent, it responds to left/right tilting to determine direction, and- best of all- it has an Air Traffic Control indicator. PowerUp will be first available on Android 4.3 and iOS and its creators are working on developing a built in video FDPHUD 7KH ‍Ú?‏%DVLF 3DFNDJH‍ ڑ‏ is currently going on Kickstarter for $30 (ÂŁ18) and the expected delivery date is May 2014.

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Copyright PowerUp

he Panono Ball is a sphere with 36 3-pixel cameras integrated in it. It is automatically activated when it is thrown into the air and has a sensor that allows it to recognize when it has reached the peak of its f light. Once this point is reached all the cameras snap simultaneously and send their images to PanRQR‍ڑ‏V SLFWXUH PHUJLQJ FORXG service. Here, the shots are converted into an animated sequence that can be ac-

FHVVHG WKURXJK 3DQRQR‍ڑ‏V $SS 7KH ‍Ú?‏EDOO‍ ڑ‏FDQ DOVR EH activated directly through the App or by pressing the only button on the device. Panono assures that the ‍Ú?‏EDOO‍ ڑ‏FDQ EH GURSSHG ZLWKout breaking but prudently warns that it is not a good replacement for a football. Pre-orders are currently going for $500 (ÂŁ304) and the expected delivery is before the end of 2014.

Is streaming un-authorized material illegal?

was the not-entirely-legal naming and shaming of 20,000 porn streamers in Germany last December. These poor folk were exposed as regular visitors of US-based RedTube and asked to pay a fine of â‚Ź250.

Here is a short guide to the tenebrous land of European Cyber-copyright law. The murky waters of cyber-copyright law have been troubling European lawmakers for some time. While downloading copyrighted material without consent is definitely wrong, the status of streaming remains unresolved. The confusion has led to some pretty embarrassing blunders, not least of which

GILLIAN CAFIERO

The heart of the issue is that when streaming (or browsing), a temporary copy of the material is genHUDWHG RQ WKH FRPSXWHU‍ڑ‏V cache. This copy could be subject to European copyright infringement law if it is not considered temporary, transient or incidental. The temporariness of the ‍Ú?‏FRSLHV‍ ڑ‏LV GLIILFXOW WR DVVHVV

Copyright Panono

because the time that the ‍Ú?‏FRSLHV‍ ڑ‏UHVW LQ WKH FDFKH GHSHQGV RQ WKH FDFKH‍ڑ‏V FDSDFity and how much browsing is done. Similarly, whether WKH ILOHV DUH ‍Ú?‏WUDQVLHQW‍ ڑ‏RU ‍Ú?‏LQFLGHQWDO‍ ڑ‏LV FRPSOLFDWHG by the fact that there are ways of both enlarging and blocking the cache function. In the latest UK case on the matter, Public Relations Consultants Association v The Newspaper Licensing Agency Limited, both the High Court and the Court of Appeal ruled that un-authorized cache copies are contrary to copyright law i.e. only websites and materials that

have the explicit or implied consent of the owner can be legally visited.

and Social committee to make “any [unauthorized] consumption� illegal.

To the relief of many, in April 2013, the Supreme Court decided that the implications of this judgment could stretch too far into the lives of millions of innocent users. The court argued that cache copies are temporary, transient and incidental to all Internet browsing regardless of consent. To make its point, it drew extensively from European case law, wittingly noting that the European Court of Justice bluntly rejected a proposal from the Economic

While this was a significant step, the issue is far from resolved. The Supreme Court expressed an opinion but it referred to the European Court of Justice concerning the ruling. This means that until EU legislators return with a straightforward verdict, un-authorized streaming will remain precariously balanced on the verge of legality. GILLIAN CAFIERO

17

The Beaver 21.01.2014

NEW YEAR'S ANTI-SUBSCRIPTIONS

FOOD

HOME BREWED 101

We picked two favourite new year resolutions and found the perfect antidote to them - for a whole year

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18

21.01.2014 PartB

FILM/THEATRE

OSCARS  2014 SYMBOLIC Film  Editor  KOKO  OWUSU  Shares  Her  Oscar  Predictions

L

ast Thursday saw rising Hollywood star, Chris Hemsworth and the Academy president, Cheryl Booth announce the QRPLQDWLRQV IRU WKH PRVW DQWLFLSDWHG னOP HYHQW RI WKH \HDU the 86th Academy Awards. Films looking to sweep up awards on the March 2nd awards ceremony include 12 Years a Slave, American Hustle and Gravity. In the run up to the star-studded event, we will review the strong contenders for the Best Picture category, but for now here is a run down of the popular categories. *Denotes A Predicition **Denotes a Preference The Oscar Winners Will be Announced on Sunday 2nd March

Best  Picture:

Best  Actress  in  a  Leading  Role:

12 Years a Slave

Amy Adams Amercan Hustle

American Hustle* Captain Phillips Dallas Buyers Club Gravity Her** Nebraska Philomena The Wolf of Wall Street

Cate Blanchett** Blue Jasmine Sandra Bullock Gravity Judi Dench Philomena Meryl Streep* August: Osage Country

Best  Supporting  Actor:

Best  Director:

Barkhad Abdi Captain Phillips

Alfonso Cuaron*

Bradley Cooper* American Hustle

Steve McQueen** Alexander Payne David O Russell Martin Scorsese**

Best  Actor  in  a  Leading  Role: Christian Bale American Hustle Bruce Dern Nebraska Leonardo DiCaprio** The Wolf of Wall Street Chiwetel Ejiofor 12 Years a Slave Matthew McConaughey* Dallas Buyers Club

Michael Fassender 12 Years a Slave Jonah Hill** The Wolf of Wall Street Jared Leto Dallas Buyers Club

Best  Supporting  Actress: Sally Hawkins Blue Jasmine Jennifer Lawrence American Hustle Lupita Nyong'o*** 12 Years a Slave Jualis Roberts: August: Osage County June Squibb Nebraska

VIOLENCE ON WOUNDED BODIES

NINETEEN YEARS ON, SARAH KANE'S ERA-DEFINING PLAY STILL FEELS AS URGENT AS EVER.

I

t is tempting, if not downright instinctive, to talk about a cultural object mainly in terms of the surrounded spectacle which it spawned. Like many historical னJXUHV ZKRVH UHDO FRQFUHWH existence have become inseparably shrouded in oftentimes politicised myths, a piece of text can easily sink under the weight of responses it generated: its content and author’s voices left unheard, drowned out by the popular and academic reception, which ironically ensures its afterlife while at the same time represses the original message. First opened in the hungover post-holidays month of January 1995, Sarah Kane’s Blasted was a theatre equivalent of a critically divisive blockbuster with box-office success. Its plot, which begins with a seduction of an initially passive, stuttering, twenty-something Cate by a racist, homophobic, older tabloid journalist Ian in an expensive Leeds hotel room, takes a sharp narrative turn with an arrival of an angry, foreign, armed Soldier from an unnamed war that has apparently been going on outside. The room’s subsequent destruction by mortar bombLQJ WKHQ GLVVROYHV WKHVH DUWLனcial divides – private v. public, domestic v. foreign, us v. them – entirely; the war seen only through media representation KDV னQDOO\ FRPH KRPH DW ODVW Indeed, Kane’s idea arrived spontaneously after seeing a report on the Bosnian war during a process of writing a play about sexual abuse: ‘what could possibly be the connection between a common rape in a Leeds hotel room and what’s happening in Bosnia?...

the seeds of full-scale war can always be found in peace-time civilization’. This resulted in Blasted, which explored the issue of rape and wartime atrocities in relation to the crisis of masculinity, ethnic domination, and retributive justice, containing stark scenes of violence including rape, homosexuality, ocular mutilation, defecation and attempted cannibalism. The critics of the day were, of course, scandalised. ‘DisJXVWLQJ IHDVW RI னOWK‍ ڑ‏VDLG the Daily Mail’s Jack Tinker. Slightly more qualifying in his response, Michael Billington stated that the play lacked a ‘sense of external reality’. On the other hand, many of the day’s theatre luminaries such as Edward Bond, Caryl Churchill, Harold Pinter and David Greig expressed their support for the play. The initial knee-jerk reaction eventually gave way to close analysis, and Blasted is now considered a rejuvenating milestone in the history of British theatre. Revolutionary in its disruptive form as well as confrontational FRQWHQW %ODVWHG W\SLனHG WKH 'in-yer-face' theatrical sensibility, practitioners of which also included the likes of Mark Ravenhill, Jez Butterworth, and Anthony Neilson. Their plays, while borne out of great moral concerns, were never moralistic, aiming to describe reality and leave the duty of judgement to the audience. Considering the failure of highminded Cold War ideologies symbolised by the destruction of the Berlin Wall in 1990, this is perhaps not surprising. But, is the play still relevant today? While inspired by the spe-

FLனF FRQWH[W QDPHO\ WKH %RVnian War, the play, like all great art, aims to illustrate the universal through the particular. Violence, presented in all its naked, repulsive, and de-glamourised glory, creates a liminal space within the theatre by imposing on the audience these acts of unthinkable transgression. The result is that of confusing mayhem, just like war itself, where all the rules of civilised society break down betrayed by their own fragility and revealed as ephemeral constructs. The characters’ traumatic plights are not performed on the stage so much as they are lived through in full view, allowing us to experience their humanity as well as discover our own. Kane demonstrates deep psychological understanding of all the three characters. Most LPSUHVVLYHO\ VKH GHனHV WKH conventional political narrative of the oppressor/victim binary, showing that people tend to be both; Ian and the Soldier are not so much villains as deterministic creatures acting out violently against their lack of power, whether real of perceived. Perhaps that is the greatest achievement of BlastHG LW ORRNV XQŕŽ‹LQFKLQJO\ LQWR the eyes of moral evil, not with self-gratifying condemnation but understanding empathy. Just like hope lying at the bottom of Pandora’s Box, the play ends with the potential for transformation even after a series of brutal trauma. If there’s only one thing to take from the play amidst its surrounding detritus, perhaps this is it. JOSH JINRUANG

19

The Beaver 21.01.2014

THEATRE

I N T E R V I E W : K AT H E R I N E E V E R I T T PartB sits down with LSE Graduate student Katerine Everitt, the director behind the upcoming production of Sarah Kane's seminal play Blasted by LSE SU Drama Society and Everitt Productions. Her previous show at the School, The Vagina Monologues was performed here two years ago with much critical acclaim.

es against women, WWII, but we rarely FRQIURQW WKH YLFWLPV IDFH WR IDFH WKH\ are just statistics on the page. What this play does is that it forces the audiHQFH WR HPSDWKLVH ZLWK WKH DFWXDO YLFWLPV RI WKHVH YLROHQFH E\ JLYLQJ WKHP a face, and for that alone it can still be shocking but at the same time empathetic and tender.

What in particular brought your attention to the play?

One of the play’s main themes is gender, in particular how Kane associates the logic of rape with logic RI ZDU 'R \RX WKLQN WKDW WKLV FULWLcism is still relevant today?

To be completely honest, I was sitting at home during the summer and the bug just bit me; I knew that I wanted to direct a play at LSE this year. So from then on, it just came down to which SOD\ 6WDUWLQJ WR ŕŽ‹LS WKURXJK GLŕŽ‰HUHQW plays, I knew it had to be Sarah Kane’s since %ODVWHG‍ڑ‏V னUVW OLQH ‍Ú?‏,‍ڑ‏YH VKDW DW EHWWHU places than this’. Immediately I was VROG LW ZDV GDULQJ DQG DGYHQWXURXV It’s not something that would come to LSE otherwise so I thought why not VKDNH XS WKLV FRQVHUYDWLYH VFKRRO D ELW JLYH WKHP VRPHWKLQJ HQWHUWDLQLQJ So, you described the School as ‘conservative’. Would you like to qualify that? I don’t mean to stereotype, but the stereotype does exist, with all the future Goldman Sachs bankers studying KHUH 'RQ‍ڑ‏W JHW PH ZURQJ , GR ORYH WKH School. As a General Course student, I directed The Vagina Monologue two years ago here. When I did that performance, I was really surprised by how shaken people were by it. But as it goes, the ZRUG ‍Ú?‏YDJLQD‍ ڑ‏FDQ EH YHU\ VKRFNLQJ WR some people. In the political science departments, WKHUH‍ڑ‏UH PRUH SURJUHVVLYH OLEHUDO thinkers, whereas in economics departments students are more stereotyped DV FRQVHUYDWLYHV $OWRJHWKHU WKRXJK SHRSOH FRPH IURP DOO GLŕŽ‰HUHQW VWULSHV $V IDU DV WKH DUWV JR DW /6( , KDYHQ‍ڑ‏W seen much daring art. The Vagina Monologues was probably the most daring thing that came out in the last two years. It is impossible to talk about the play without mentioning its controversial reception history. How would you respond to these criticisms to the play and what some perceive as its gratuitous violence? , WKLQN WKH FULWLFLVPV JDYH JUHDW FRQtext to it; at the time it came out it was so daring and in-your-face that it was FDOOHG ‍Ú?‏YXOJDU‍ ڑ‏3DUW RI WKDW ZDV EHFDXVH it dealt with real issues that people preIHUUHG WR LJQRUH ‍ ڋ‏%RVQLDQ FLYLO ZDU DQG WKH KRUURU DPRQJVW WKRVH LQYROYHG 2I course when you are confronted with VRPHWKLQJ VR KRUULனF \RX ZDQW WR FDOO LW GLVJXVWLQJ DQG னOWK\ DQG UHPRYH LW from your frame of mind. This play forces the audience to confront issues WKDW WKH\ ZRXOG RIWHQ RYHUORRN DQG deal with it face on. But once you acFHSW WKDW \RX FDQ னQG WKH SOD\ WR EH surprisingly tender.

Gender stereotypes and gender roles occur in the most banal of circumstances. And just the equality of salary doesn’t mean gender equality. There still exist roles which men and women DUH REOLJHG WR DELGH E\ HYHU\GD\ (YHQ though these are only manifested in the smallest of ways, they can accumulate. I think we watch the play; see the man, see the woman and relate to them. You can relate to the girl as the girl that \RX‍ڑ‏YH NQRZQ DQG WKH JX\ DV WKH JX\ \RX‍ڑ‏YH NQRZQ 7KHUH‍ڑ‏V VR PXFK JRRG in both of them, including the man as well. But you see his self-constructed role, power and insecurity. Ultimately, this is a story of power. It’s a banal rape DW னUVW WKH RQH WKDW KDSSHQV LQ WKH னUVW thirty minutes. It’s not as shocking and forceful as a rape typically is. Some people would claim that the issue of sexism has already been overcome in Western society. I think the issue of gender identity is VWLOO D UHOHYDQW RQH WRGD\ )RU H[DPSOH a woman can still feel insecure walking home alone. And we talk about that as well, how a man is not socially obliged to feel insecure in that sense, and only D ZRPDQ FDQ 2Q WKH ŕŽ‹LSVLGH PRVW RI WKH &(2V DUH PHQ VWLOO Gender stereotypes are still so real in the world. The play does confront that, although it’s mostly about power. The play is such a difficult one to stage, not only in terms of its plot but the radical change in setting that occurs halfway through it. How do you plan to convey the mortar bombing scene? Indeed, there are so many ways to stage that scene, whether through a UHDOLVW RU H[SUHVVLRQLVW DSSURDFK 2Q one hand, the realistic approach of the hotel room literally blown away has its merits, as it may be more relateable for the audience. But I think the scene PLJKW EHQHனW IURP VRPHWKLQJ PRUH surreal as well, because it makes it alPRVW PRUH XQLYHUVDO 7KHUH‍ڑ‏V VR PXFK metaphor in the surreal interpretation. We’re just trying to make sure the audience knows it’s a bombing. That’s the goal of the bombing. (laugh)

(YHQ IRU WKH PRPHQW EHIRUH WKH ERPEing as well, we want to audience to be DZDUH RI WKHLU VWDWXV DV D YR\HXU 7KDW OLQH RI EHLQJ D YR\HXU ZKLFK LV QRUPDO for a theatre-going audience, is something again which they often turn a blind eye to. That’s where the shock 2Q WKH ૺLSVLGH GR \RX WKLQN WKDW happens. We try to go realistic and the play’s sexual violence would surreal and metaphorical at the same still be considered shocking to con- WLPH )RU WKH VHW ZH WU\ WR JR IRU *HUtemporary audience who grew up man Expressionist design. jaded by pornography and contemSRUDU\ ૹOPV" 'R \RX WKLQN WKH SOD\ How competitive is the casting, esZRXOG VWLOO EH H૸HFWLYH DW VKDNLQJ pecially in light of the emotional people out of their complacency? turmoil that’s involved in the portrayal of the characters? Yes. At LSE, we study the issues about women’s health, women’s rights, abus- We were quite surprised by the enthu-

VLDVP DFWXDOO\ :H DGYHUWLVHG WR 8&/ and King’s as well so their drama departments could come down. (laugh) We’d thought it would be too racy for the LSE but we had a great turnout and all the actors are from LSE.

All the three actors in the play, who KDYH DOO KDG DFWLQJ H[SHULHQFH DUH spectacular and they continue to imSUHVV PH HYHU\ WLPH ZH GR D UHKHDUVal. There is this one moment when ZH ZHUH UHKHDUVLQJ DQG , ORRN RYHU to all my actors and realise how I got three strangers to come together and do some really bizarre shit to one another, gay rape for example. Shudder. $P , MXVW DQ HYLO JHQLXV RU ZKDW , GRQ‍ڑ‏W know. (laugh) They are quite daring to do this, and they do it with class and taste. Ian is meant to be much older than &DWH LQ WKH WH[W 'R WKH JHQHUDWLRQal and racial dynamics in the play still matter since all the actors are students of similar age and background? It completely matters, especially considering the theme of power within the SOD\ %XW WKDW‍ڑ‏V ZK\ ZH KDYH DFWRUV ZKR DUH PHDQW WR RYHUFRPH WKHLU RZQ identities and take on those of others’. 7R GR WKDW \RX KDYH WR JHW LQWR WKH KHDG of the characters, all of whom we spent days analyse. Who is Ian? Why is he so caught up with power? What’s his preYLRXV PDUULDJH OLNH" :KDW LV KLV UHODtionship with his son like? All of these are gleaned from the text but also our own interpretations. )RU DOO WKUHH DFWRUV LW‍ڑ‏V DERXW WKHP KDYing full psychological understanding of the characters. :KLOH .DQH QHYHU VSHFLૹFDOO\ VWDWed the Soldier’s ethnicity, in most of the previous productions the character was performed with an Irish accent, which simultaneously emphasised his foreignness without forgetting his function as a representation of an ordinary everyPDQ 'RHV \RXU FDVWLQJ FKRLFH WDNH this into account? That’s what really what the play is tryLQJ WR FRQYH\ WKH FRQQHFWLRQ EHWZHHQ WKH YLROHQFH KHUH DQG DEURDG 7KH UDSH of a young blond white girl, who is so relatable in that way, compared to the YLROHQFH SDUWLFLSDWHG DQG QDUUDWHG E\ the soldier. The point is that the conŕŽ‹LFW RXWVLGH LV VXSSRVHG WR FRPH IURP D GLVWDQFH FLYLO ZDU , ZDV WKLQNLQJ DERXW Syria when this was going on, something that’s out of sight, out of mind, DQG YHU\ ‍Ú?‏RWKHU‍ ڑ‏WR RXU W\SLFDO OLIH 6R I didn’t want to ethnically cast that role as someone who was white, just to FUHDWH WKDW IHHOLQJ RI WKH ‍Ú?‏RWKHU‍ ڑ‏HYHQ more, so the actor playing that role is half-Indian, half-Italian. %HVLGHV EHLQJ D JUHDW DFWRU KH னWV the bill. So to me that’s the two exWUHPHV YLROHQFH DW KRPH DQG DEURDG ZKLFK LQ D YHU\ VWHUHRW\SLFDO ZD\ DUH UHVSHFWLYHO\ SHUVRQDEOH DQG ‍Ú?‏RWKHU‍ ڑ‏2I course, the soldier has a huge job. As VXFK D YLROHQW FKDUDFWHU KH FRPHV LQWR WKH VFHQH LQ DQ DFW RI YLROHQFH DQG DQgry all the time. While it’s difficult to relate to him, he is also relatable. He’s JRQH WKURXJK D WHUULEOH SDLQ KDYLQJ ORVW KLV JLUOIULHQG LQ D YHU\ KRUULனF ZD\ He’s been forced into this position of power. It’s a compensation for that reduced power, isn’t it? Yeah. His girlfriend is raped and killed E\ DQRWKHU VROGLHU ,Q WKLV YRLG RI SRZHU

he assumes the only role of power the only way that he can by being a soldier. +H KDWHV KLPVHOI IRU KDYLQJ GRQH WKDW VR PXFK :KHQHYHU WKRVH ELWV RI KLV personality come to light, he’s quick to JHW DQJU\ DQG FRYHU LW XS DQG WKUHDWHQV Ian. Ian is similarly defensive about his soft side and history as well. Completely. Ian doesn’t want to show his soft side at all. He’s a complete homophobe and racist. He uses all these horrible homophobic and racist words. +H GRHVQ‍ڑ‏W ZDQW WR EH WKH ‍Ú?‏2WKHU‍ ڑ‏WKH powerless, unmasculine one. It’s really interesting because he fantasises about being a soldier, and the intrusion of this PRUH PDVFXOLQH ‍Ú?‏RWKHU‍ ڑ‏FRPSOHWHO\ XQdoes his own masculinity. The soldier’s masculinity also has a gay connotation to it, completely undoing Ian again. The play then ends with Ian’s humiliation. It’s a deconstruction of masculinity, isn’t it? And it’s a heartbreaking one at that. ,W‍ڑ‏V YHU\ WUDJLF I suppose you can draw the parallel between that mentality and the rise of far-right movements across Europe which espouse racism and homophobia, partially stemming from the insecurity over the lost of their power and relative privilege. Yes. It's about power. It's all about the loss of power and otherising people to create a sense of power. And they try to mask that under the banner of patriotism and tradition. &RPSOHWHO\ ,Q D ZD\ ZLWKRXW JLYLQJ away too much, the way this play ends is the most beautiful reconciliation of DOO WKHVH KRUULEOH WKLQJV WKDW ZH YH MXVW WDONHG DERXW 6RPH UHDOO\ EDG VWXŕŽ‰V happen in the play but then it ends almost at a place where goodness and IRUJLYHQHVV KDYH UHDOO\ FRQTXHUHG WKH which is really unexpected but absolutely touching. And there's certainly a sense of innocence lost in the play, but in the end the good really does win out. It's like a redemptive light at the end of the tunnel, isn't it? A little glimmer of hope for the audience to walk away with. Why should an average LSE student want to see this play? )LUVW RI DOO 6DUDK .DQH UDUHO\ FRPHV to London. This is a really rare opportunity to see a cult classic. Second of all, I think all LSE students should be politically engaged and keen to be inYROYHG ZLWK VRPHWKLQJ VR FRQWURYHUVLDO and political happening at the school. I think there hasn't been a play this conWURYHUVLDO WR HYHU JR RQ DW WKH /6( 0RUHRYHU HYHU\ERG\ V D SRWHQWLDO IXture power player here, where the best and the brightest go. I would hope that they can look face-to-face and empaWKLVH ZLWK WKH YLFWLP ZLWK WKH RWKHU with the sister, with the foreigner and really look at some of the problems we face in the world in the eye because these problems aren't going away. 5DSH DQG FLYLO ZDU WKH\ UH VWLOO WKHUH $QG UHDOO\ ZH KDYH WR MXVW ORRN DW WKHP in the eye.

The Beaver 09.10.2012

PartB

the

Beaver

21

7XHVGD\ -DQXDU\ VW

Features THE SOCIETY COLUMN features Dare To Think

If your society would like to be featured in THE SOCIETY COLUMN

Transhumanism: Evolving Beyond the Point of Being Human

plications to humanity. For example, what are the distributive effects; will the fact that some people can afford much better technology enable them to perform better than their poorer peers, thus permeating inequality? Do we really want to live in a society where love is turned into a technologically efficient process, such that online dating becomes mechanical rather than romantic? Or

Raf Faruq Dare To Think

Dare To Think is a new student society aiming at filling the space in the market for alternative think tanks. We are characterized by a unique ethos of free and fearless, nonpartisan thinking, aiming to publish research and ongoing blog posts through our website (d2think.com) in order to influence public opinion. In particular, we cover topics which hit a sweet spot between being extremely relevant to society yet often unconventional or not appropriately covered by the media or politics. For example, the use of bitcoin as an alternative currency, whether prostitution should be legalized, global finance reform and much more. TRANSHUMANISM Recently we’ve been working on our first major topic, that of “transhumanism�. Broadly speaking, transhumanism is the idea that human beings can evolve to a point where they are no longer human, via technological means;

it is a subset of posthumanism. We believe this is a really interesting topic at the moment with recent tech trends such as wearables, the internet of things, and advanced robotics. Particular innovations such as Google Glass could seriously

change the way we live day to day, just like the mobile phone and internet once did. It’s surprising that such big changes to society are being driven by profit making corporations, yet there isn’t much serious discussion on the im-

“It’s suprising that such big changes to society are beLQJ GULYHQ E\ SUR૽ W making corporations, yet there isn’t much serious discussion on the implications to humanityâ€? perhaps tech advancements can be a societal equalizer, whereby the poorest can have

the same access to knowledge and power as the wealthiest through the internet. In the same way, those who are physically disabled may face no such disadvantages in the digital world. We find these questions fascinating and relevant, and hope to fill the gap of serious, unbiased and academic discussion such areas. NORTH KOREAN ESCAPEE In the near future there’s lots of ways to get involved for students. Anyone in our society can publish blog posts on the website which are advertised widely. After publishing our report on transhumanism, we are looking forward to holding a North Korea speaker event with an escapee from the country and some academics. Please join our Facebook group online (LSESU Dare To Think) to keep up to date with these events which are held every Wednesday evening, or you can officially join the society through the LSESU website. We operate a flat, meritocratic organizational structure - and we’re all friends here - so do get involved!

R AG C O R N E R features the RAG Guide to RAG Week Team RAG tell us about the exciting events coming up in RAG week

H

ey everyone, we hope the ன UVW ZHHN EDFN wasn’t too hard on you AND you enjoyed our info evening on the Hitchhike to Croatia – the link to buy your place is up and places DUH ன OOLQJ IDVW VR JHW LW ZKLOH LW‍ڑ‏V hot! We’re proud to announce that RAG Week is nearly upon us. .LFNLQJ RŕŽ‰ RQ )ULGD\ ZLWK WKH Saucy-RAG Launch Party and added Battle of the Halls, and

ன QLVKLQJ LQ :HHN ZH‍ڑ‏YH JRW D lot on our itinerary for you. Friday Saucy RAG Week Launch Party with Battle of the Halls. Get your tickets in halls or from a RAG rep on campus – we’ll post times on our Facebook page! Sunday Tough Guy. Follow the bravest individuals at LSE as they complete the world’s toughest obstacle course; think live tweeting, vines, and the chance to donate to them!

fold a thousand cranes with the Visual Arts society. If we fold one thousand, a wish should be granted. Buy a cake or two from the fabulous Baking Society bake sale. Come on our three legged bar crawl – walking around Leicester Sq has never been so fun!

Wednesday Rowing Club are rowing to Europe on behalf of RAG. Donate generously as they spend hours sweating it out on ergs. Come meet our charity Make A Wish and fold some more cranes for them!

Tuesday Volunteering Centre are on hand to talk to you about volunteering and what opportunities are available.

Monday Come to the Learning Cafe to

salsa before, now’s the time!

Salsa have a workshop in the evening; if you’ve never tried

We’ll be at Mr LSE ready to collect your spare change so come and say hey. Thursday Meet Spires, a homelessness charity which we supported earlier in the year with the sleep

out. Donate your clothes and spare food in our clothes and food drive; clothes will go to Spires and food to Foodcycle. Gunge an enemy in our Get Your Own Back show – stay tuned for more details! Throughout the week Pulse will be staging their Pulseathon, the library will be donating your liEUDU\ ன QHV WR 5$* DQG ZH ZLOO be selling a fabulous RAG band. We’re excited, and we hope you are too.

If you would like to write for features, whether you have a science article you fancy being published, an idea for an interview, or your analysis of current world affairs, drop us an email at: features@thebeaveronline.co.uk

Tuesday January 21 2014

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22

Beaver

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Last week, an Afghan-born man was granted asylum in Britain on the basis that his conversion to atheism from Islam, which took place since his arrival in Britain in 2007, would put his life in danger if he returned to Afghanistan. It was the first case of its kind. This week, Features looks into the persecution of atheists and apostates worldwide. Criminal offence There are a number of countries, all in Asia and North Africa, in which atheism and apostasy are criminal offences, sometimes punishable by execution. Apostasy, leaving a religion to embrace another or none, is a criminal offence in 13 countries, punishable by death in most of them. In Afghanistan, Iran, Mauritania, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan and the UAE, apostasy is illegal and punishable by execution. In Nigeria, apostasy is illegal in several of its 36 states. Some Malaysian states have made apostasy illegal, and the punishment depends on the state in question.

“The constitutions of Arkansas, Maryland, North Carolina and Tennessee all require belief in “God” as a qualification to “hold office”, while Mississippi, South Carolina and Texas all require belief in a “Supreme Being”. There are also some countries or areas within countries in which the danger posed to known atheists and apostates not by state forces but by violent gangs can be said to constitute a de facto law.

This is the case in the regions of Syria and Iraq governed by extreme Islamist militants. Police in India have also been accused of failing to follow up the alleged killings of atheists by religious fundamentalists. Legal recognition Stopping short of criminalisation, some countries make life difficult for atheists by not granting atheism legal recognition, and requiring a proclamation of religious affiliation for official documentation which allows people to participate in certain forms of civic life, employment or education. This is the case in Jordan and Iran. Barred from holding public office There are other forms of dis-

crimination suffered by atheists around the world. In the United States of America, seven states’ constitutions contain conditions for holding public office which bar atheists from participation. The constitutions of Arkansas, Maryland, North Carolina and Tennessee all require belief in “God” as a qualification to “hold office”, while Mississippi, South Carolina and Texas all require belief in a “Supreme Being”. Blasphemy and Offence While the harshest punishments for atheism and apostasy tend to be meted out in Islamic countries in Asia and North Africa, atheist and humanist organisation are also critical of many European Union states with regard to laws which could be used to

stifle or silence criticism of religion. The International Humanist and Ethical Union, IHEU, said that this situation was worst in “Austria, Denmark, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Malta and Poland”. Freedom of religion Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights states “Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion; this right includes freedom to change his religion or belief ”. Despite this, many countries deny people freedom of religion, largely on religious grounds. Whether and when the international community will act upon these human rights violations is yet to be seen.

WIKIMEDIA: HEATHERKAY7

Where persecution exists, atheists are often prosecuted under anti-blasphemy or anti-hate speech laws, making it difficult to postulate how many countries make atheism or religious scepticism illegal. Nonetheless, it has been reported that atheism is punishable by execution in Afghanistan, Iran, the Maldives, Mauritania, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Sudan, many of the same countries which have outlawed apostasy. Atheists hold a demonstration in Minnesota at Minnesota Atheist Pride 2012 to promote the separation of church and state and promote positive contributions of atheism to society

THE WEEK IN NUMBERS

60

29.8m

in slavery today

COUNTRIES HAVE LISTENED TO PULSE RADIO THIS TERM

18

IN THE LAST WEEK

200m

3

texts collected by the nsa each day

4.3m

WATCHED CHANNEL 4’S “BENEFIT STREET”

PEOPLE CHARGED OVER HUHNE SPEEDING POINTS AFTER BARRISTER PROSECUTED OVER PERVERTING COURSE OF JUSTICE

500

Number of KS3 english tutor spelling lessons you could buy ms. dynamite with saucy ticket revenues, enough to correct the title of her new album, ‘neva soft’

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Tuesday January 21 2014

Features

Homelessness: A Pavement Perspective We’ve all seen them; the empty face sat outside Tesco with a coffee cup gaping for small change. Seen one, you’ve seen them all, right? Not so, says Frankie Bennett, director of short film The Pavement Perspective. She writes a letter all LSE students and staff to tell you why 2014 is the year you should consider homelessness from The Pavement Perspective

I

wanted to write to tell you all about The Pavement Perspective, a short film about, and for, London’s homeless. It focuses specifically on rough sleeping in central London. Through exploring the personal stories of individuals who have experienced street homelessness first hand, the film aims to ‘humanise’ the faces we see on the streets and help us empathize with the people behind the label of ‘homeless’. The film is unique because the three homeless participants have organised the film’s first screening in Shoreditch next Tuesday. Having worked closely alongside myself to decide how the film should be presented, they will also be participating in a Q&A afterwards to answer all your burning questions. If you are interested, join us. If you are sceptical, even more reason to come along. The film features three participants who have had experience of sleeping rough in London, and three expert individuals in the field who paint us a general landscape of the issue of homelessness. The production company and I carried out six shoots between September-December 2013, gaining over seven hours of footage that we have somehow had to narrow down to less than fifteen minutes! It’s important that you watch the film because, for me, the widespread desensitization towards homelessness is a big problem. At present, nobody wants to talk about it; not you, not your neighbours, not your MPs. It is an uncomfortable truth that we avoid at all costs, particularly if it takes the form of eye contact when

-1Acknowledge those on the streets; a simple smile can really lighten someone’s day and costs you nothing.

What? The first screening of The Pavement Perspective When? Doors open at 7pm on Tues, 28th January for a prompt start at 7.30pm. Pa^k^8 :fg^lmr Bgm^kgZmbhgZe l Human Rights Action Centre, 25 New Inn Yard, London EC2A 3EA To reserve a space, email your name to thepavementperspective@gmail.com www.facebook.com/thepavementperspective www.twitter.com/action4homeless www.thepavementperspective.blogspot.co.uk

we walk past someone on the street. I admit, the topic of homelessness is not exactly great party conversation, and many feel conflicted around the issue; either intense guilt or perhaps helplessness at their futility in contrast to the scale of rough sleeping in London. However, if we can all agree on something it is that avoiding the problem won’t improve anything, and in light of extensive cuts and policies, such as the bedroom tax and benefits cap, it’s only set to get worse. As one of the interviewees, a housing barrister from Garden Court Chambers, said, “If there’s ever been a time to act,

-2Spread grassroot awareness by talking about the issue of homelessness. Rather than reserving it for depressing conversations, re-frame the debate towards practical solutions

it’s now.” One thing I really wanted to address with the film is the current over-reliance on statistics that seems to dominate discussions about homelessness. All too often, homelessness is analysed by numbers, looking for percentage rises or demographic trends. I think a staticised approach exaggerates the idea of a single homogenous group of ‘the homeless’, who align to certain pre-assigned traits, and really misplaces our focus when thinking about homelessness. Instead, I prefer to focus on individual stories, which I consider much more revealing about homelessness as a whole.

-3Give money or time to a local homeless shelter. Whether a well-known name, such as Crisis, or a lesserknown organization, they will be thankful. Sleeping bags, clothing and blankets will always be appreciated.

The outcome may seem obvious, but every person living on the streets is different. People’s situations are different, they are dealing with them differently, they have different views and they have different hopes for the future. You might think the above comment is obvious, but we have to admit our stereotypes are ingrained and hard to change. Another of our interviewees, upon being asked what she thought the public stereotype of a homeless person was, replied with the following: scruffy, wearing lots of layers, wrapped in blankets, smelling of urine, possible drug or alcohol dependency is-

-4Write to your local MP. ask them what they’re doing to alleviate rough sleeping on your local streets.

sues, begging, bedded down in a doorway with a sleeping bag. Perhaps you are sat reading The Beaver nodding, and if you are, I don’t blame you. I don’t blame you because if your only contact with homeless individuals has been through beggars outside supermarkets, as I suggested at the start of the article, you’ve not seen much of the homeless population at all. I should add at this point that most beggars are not homeless, and most homeless people do not beg. (Here, we use a narrow definition of homelessness to mean without stable accommodation). However, whilst I do not blame you, you are also precisely the person I want to come along to the screening and potentially change your mind, or at least have the opportunity to open it. After all, not every cause can be yours, but The Pavement Perspective is a great place to start. Join us for the first screening during the 2014 Poverty & Homelessness Week. Frankie Bennett

. WAYS TO TAKE ACTION TO END HOMELESSNESS

Tuesday January 21 2014

the

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Beaver

Features The Hollande Case: Is the tradition of privacy in France being eroded -H૸ UH\ 0R

Playwrights would struggle to write love triangles so lurid. First, he was one half of a political power couple – in fact, the lesser-known half; his partner of over thirty years was the first woman ever nominated by a major political party to run for president, he merely the first secretary. The month after she lost the 2007 presidential election by only a 6.2% margin, she announced that their relationship had been a sham put on for the public for over a year. Five years later, after first defeating his ex-partner in a leadership contest, he succeeds in defeating the man who defeated her to become president. His new partner, effectively the First Lady, publicly displays her distaste of the woman she replaced; going so far as to reveal that she could not bring herself to vote for her in the previous election. But now, she has been hospitalised upon learning, through a celebrity tabloid magazine, that she is now the wronged woman – the President has been allegedly been going around to a nearby flat to meet with a younger actress for several years now. He is François Hollande, the first socialist President of France in almost two decades; the women, in order of appearance, are SĂŠgolène Royal, ValĂŠrie Treilweiler, and Julie Gayet. Elected on the back of former President Nicolas Sarkozy’s unpopularity, Hollande has received even lower approval ratings – at 15% last November, the lowest of any president in the last fifty years. Yet, news of the affair appears to have raised his popularity, in particular among women. Most newspapers deigned not

President of France, Francois Hollande, has found himself at the centre of a publicised love-triangle that raises fresh questions over privacy in France

to publish news of his alleged affair. As a result of their dismay at the lengths at which British journalists will go to for a scoop, the French have a deeply-ingrained respect for privacy. Privacy laws in France are among the strictest in the world; indeed, one must give their consent before details of their personal life can be published. These laws were so effective that the existence of Mazarine Pingeot, the illegitimate daughter of the last socialist president, François Mitterrand, was unknown until just before his death, by which time she was already over 20 years old. However, this tradition of privacy has gradually been washed away in the last dec-

ade. Much of this can be attributed to two men: Nicolas Sarkozy and the former head of the International Monetary Fund, Dominique StraussKahn. Sarkozy disposed with the discretion shown by former French presidents, and instead flaunted his personal relationships in the public eye. Five months after he entered office, his second wife divorced him; the following month, he began a high-profile courtship of former model and now singer, Carla Bruni, stating in one interview that “it’s serious between Carla and me.� Three months later, they were married. Meanwhile, Strauss-Kahn was embroiled in a sexual assault scandal in New York City. At the time the leading candidate to represent

the Socialists against Sarkozy (Hollande was chosen only after the allegations came to light), the scandal sparked a debate on what the public had a right to know about. Moreover, celebrities have gradually begun welcoming tabloid magazines into their homes and lives for a generous payment. Courts have also begun taking these actions and payments into account when such celebrities later sue for an invasion of privacy. Privacy is still, however, held in high esteem in today’s France. While the rest of the world’s media focusses on the sensational nature of the affair, the majority of the French media just want to know who the First Lady will be: Treilweiler or Gayet? The public’s lack of judgment regarding his private affairs, but interest in their outcome, have garnered him much attention and indeed may even help politically. Indeed, after his first major news conference since the affair was revealed, headlines and articles were focussed on his proposals for reform, particularly to bring down the 10.3% unemployment rate recorded last October. One called him “liberated,� another said he was “more presidential,� and a veiled headline stated that “Hollande talks about everything but his private life.� For those interested, Hollande has promised to reveal the future First Lady before Valentine’s Day.

Top: Julie Gayet, actress and the lady HolODQGH DOOHJHGO\ KDG DQ Dૼ DLU ZLWK %RWWRP 9DOÂŤULH 7ULHUZHLOHU +ROODQGH‍ڑ‏V current partner

Would you like to write for Features? Whether you want to write an article about politics, ZRUOG Dૼ DLUV EXVLQHVV PHGLD RU WHFKQRORJ\ RU LI \RX have an idea for an interview, feel free to drop us an HPDLO DW IHDWXUHV#WKHEHDYHURQOLQH FR XN

The Pocket Philosopher: The Free Choice Delusion Why You Don’t Really Have Free Choice Joel Rosen

So you picked LSE to study at, of your own free will you believe. You had a range of options, and you chose this exact university to study at. Or so you think. What if this is simply an illusion, and certain factors made it inevitable that you would pick LSE? What if you don’t really have free choice? Think about it; there were a lot of factors “structuring� your choice, and narrowing down your options. You will probably have consulted a university league table, like the Times or Guardian higher education guide and seen LSE somewhere near the top. Among other things, your employment chances would

be the highest there, and in a recession (another structural factor) you really need to be top of your game to get a job. “But hold on,� you protest, “I chose to go to university in the first place.� Did you really? There was no pressure from your parents or society? Yes, you could argue that you could have just graduated from secondary school or started an apprenticeship. But you knew full well that you wouldn’t be able to do the job you wanted without a university degree: the employers demand it! So did you really have a free choice? You can ask yourself these questions on almost any topic and still somehow come to the conclusion that the majority of factors which are involved in a “decision� of yours,

are actually out of your control (“but I choose not to steal!� Nope, you were born with selfcontrol and brought up in a middle-class household with Protestant ethics). The question over free choice versus determinism (i.e. the notion that most things in your life are predetermined) has perplexed philosophers for thousands of years, and there is certainly something to be said for both sides of the debate. However, recent twin studies have offered an insight into how we form our preferences, in an effort to elucidate whether they are indeed the manifestations of our free will. It is well known that no twins are exactly identical; there are only varying degrees of difference. But perhaps the answer

to our question can be found in the most similar possible twins separated from birth. If we analysed their lives, surely we could answer the age old nature vs. nurture question, and at least figure out what is genetically pre-determined in our lives. The case of the “Jim Twins� as reported by a LIFE special report in 1998 provides a most interesting insight. Jim Lewis and Jim Springer were identical twins who met each other again after a separation of 39 years. The report mentions (among other conspicuous similarities) that not only did they “both have dark hair, stand six feet tall and weigh 180 pounds, but they spoke with the same inflections, moved with the same gait and made the same

gestures. Both loved stack car racing and hated baseball. Both married women named Linda, divorced them and married women named Betty. Both drove Chevrolets, drank Miller Lite, chain-smoked Salems and vacationed on the same half-mile stretch of Florida beach.� If this is indeed true, it seems that we are faced with the prospect that most of our perceived freedom of choice is illusory, and our preferences are genetically pre-determined. Perhaps the next time you find yourself in front of an ice cream stand in the summer, instead of trying to make up your mind on which flavour you want, you should try to discover the preference that was already made for you.

the

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Tuesday January 21 2013

Diary of an LSE Student

social@thebeaveronline.co.uk

Social

LSE events and gossip - know something is going on? Email us.

$ рл╣UVW IRU /6(68 7HUUD Meet the new Tuns, same as the old Tuns Rebecca Wembri

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Amelia-Jane

Robin Park

LSE Tweets

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Beaver Kuster & Wildhaber

Travel

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Tuesday January 21 2013

the

26

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Turkey by sea - The best way to visit! JUHHQ 7KLV SODFH DOVR RஉHUV VRPH KLVWRULFDO VLJQLஊFDQFH DV the special boat squadron used it as a base during WWII. To avoid: Turkey was in itself stunning however there were a few spots to avoid such as Çökertme which was completely set up for tourists, the pontoons were very unstable and I am pretty sure we ate cat. To be wary of: The ‘meltemi’, the name given to the blustery winds in the Turkish area. They crop up about once every two weeks and their strength is not to be underestimated. So that’s my guide to visiting Turkey from the sea. It is simply the best way to visit anywhere (so long as it has a coastline of course)!

Been somewhere good? We want to know about it! Email your stories and pictures to travel@thebeaveronline.co.uk to get your story in our new travel section!

Listings

of Prison’ with Vicky Pryce. 6:30PM/ 32L.G.03

Come along to see what suprising talents LSE students have.

LSE SU Howard League Society hosts a talk by the highly distinguished economist Friday (24th) 9LFN\ 3U\FH ZKR NQRZV ஊUVW KDQG ZKDW WKH “Bridging the Gap: The Role of NGOs in In- inside of British prisons are like. SAUCY FRIDAYS: RAG Week Launch//Batternational Development” tle of the Halls: REMATCH 6:30PM/ CLM 4.02 10PM/ New Students Centre Thursday (23rd) Ms. Gwen Hines, the executive director Monday (27th) of the World Bank for the United King- Human Rights and Security Panel Event GRP ZLOO VWDUW Rஉ WKH VHULRXV RI WDONV IURP 6PM/ Clement House 2.02 The Ethics of ‘Nudge’ LSESU Global Bridages aimed at looking 6:30-8PM/ Old Theatre, Old Building at international development, meeting like- LSESU Amnesty International Society prePLQGHG LQGLYLGXDOV DQG SRWHQWLDOO\ ஊQGLQJ sent a panelconsisting of an ex-Guantana- Forum for European Philosophy ‘Ethics out about new volunteering opportunities! mo prisoner and prominent human rights Matters’ panel discussion experts about how human rights violations Please aim to arrive promptly at 18:00 so LQ WKH FRQWH[W RI DQWL WHUURULVP KDYH DஉHFWthat we can start the event at 18:30 sharp. ed individuals and how we should combat For more information on any of these events terrorism without violating human rights! or others, go to www.lsesu.com, email events@lse.ac.uk, or call 020 7955 6043. Wednesday (22nd) RAG’s Got Talent 7:30PM/ New Students Centre Re-imagining Prison Reform: The Real Cost Tuesday (21st)

Amelia Thomson

no moorings a dinghy trip to shore is always an alternative The lure of Turkey is undeni- beginning and end to a fun able. It has the advantage of be- evening. Ashore it was quite ing not that far from home yet touristy however there was a is also (not yet) part of the EU. lovely market and being woken This makes it feel even more up by morning prayers from exotic as one gets to use the the Mosque was actually quite actual local currency of Turk- beautiful. .QLGRV D JHP RI D ஊQG RQ ish Lira rather than just getting out the Euros you used on your the Datça peninsula which oflast trip to the continent. As fers safe moorings at the base with most places each country of the ancient Greek city of holds its own cultural secrets Caria. The ruins here are secand beauty. For Turkey the ond to none as you can truly ones that spring to mind prob- imagine the city at it’s peak as ably include the Grand Bazaar the layout is all still there and in Istanbul, perhaps experienc- the amphitheatre is all but ining a Turkish bath in Marmaris tact. The restaurant here is one or visiting the historical site of to avoid so maybe eat on board Troy. For me however the beau- however the fresh bread sold ty of most places, and indeed in the morning is delicious and Turkey, is observed best at sea. the cool sea great for an afterA sailing boat provides the best noon swim. Datça - for people who like way to see the undiscovered, unvisited places but also allows the urban lifestyle this district one to appreciate often busy RஉHUV WKH EHVW RI ERWK ZRUOGV and tiring cities from the calm as the busy centre has marof the water. Things are by no kets and restaurants galore but means always calm on the wa- there is also a beautiful coastter, but where would be the fun line for exploration. Amazon Creek - a remote and in a holiday if it wasn’t somethickly forested cove but full of times challenging? interest. An excellent place to Beginning in Bodrum a yacht swim ashore with your mooring charter for two weeks was the lines but beware of the anemostarting point of my Turkish ad- nes on the rocky shoreline as I venture. From here everyday fell prey to one of them. 6HYHQ ,VODQGV WKLV RஉHUHG just became a series of wonder a secluded spot and also some and fun. challenging water in which to To visit: Bitez - a beautiful bay which sail and practice your navigaRஉHUHG D VDIH DQFKRUDJH IURP tion. English Harbour - a safe the rather windy waters of the Med. Although there are harbour and once again very Amelia Thomson

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Tuesday January 21 2013

The dangers of Neknomination

Social

Books before beers

Englsakshi Sharmah106

Louis Montebello

Robin Park

An “incredibly foolish drinki gameâ€? (Facebook), neknominate involves someone calling out two nominees (neknominees) after skulling an alcoholic beverage. The neknominees must then escalate by consuming even stronger beverages before neknominating two further friends to do the same. If a neknominee does not keep the alcoholic chain going, he or she must be socially pressured into VXLFLGH 7KLV LV WKH GHனQLWLRQ , gathered from my foreign correspondents in New Zealand, Australia and Wales, the three countries with a particular fondness for neknominations. Initially I wondered what all the fuss was about. It just seemed a very drawn out way of seeing RŕŽ‰ D SLQW I did my research of course. Scouring through the neknominate videos on Facebook, I stumbled on some true gems. One video had a young New Zealand girl funneling a litre of vodka. Her friends pressured her on as she continued to drink with grim determination. The next scene is of her friends applauding at a pile of chunder. I applauded with them. Straight away I was inspired. I had witQHVVHG SHUVRQDO VDFULனFH VR rarely seen in the modern age. She had gone the extra mile. Overcame a challenging situation. The girl, aka “Loose unitâ€? in the video, had achieved total liver devastation, as she clambered out of her own vomit. The Australians of course

lack of free time. We may not be as intoxicated in the party life, and I may be more occupied with Plato than pints for the moment. However, with a solid two and half years still ahead of me, there’s plenty of time to build on the experiences that will stay with me well beyond my LSE days. Roll on the RAG Hitchhike to Zagreb!

I think it’s safe to say that DIWHU P\ னUVW WHUP DW /6( P\ whole expectation of a glamorous, rollercoaster ride of a ‘Fresher’s life’ has well and truly been demolished. The excitement of playing hard that is promised across the counare no slouches either. In one social media pantheon. try’s universities I had, quite video “Hazzaâ€? swallows a live However, I tend to think difwrongly, expected‌ despite JROGனVK EHIRUH ZDVKLQJ LW GRZQ ferently when I’m sober. And Then with three month coming here! But will the party with a full beverage. Naturally I seeing neknomination videos in breaks every year anyhow and people still be playing in years was appalled at the animal cru- a clear-headed state means acthe supposedly guaranteed to come? elty. Seeing Graham the gold- tually realising how much alcoGoldman Sachs job at the end னVK EHLQJ VFXOOHG ZDV KRUULனF hol these people are consuming Sure we can go out, social- of it all, I should be ready to , GRQ‍ڑ‏W XVXDOO\ PLQG JROGனVK , and under what circumstances. ise and have a good time, as retire to lead that ‘wild life’ by have absolutely no opinion of I applaud the man who can see indeed I have. And Freshers the time I am thirty anyway‌ them. But Graham’s death was RŕŽ‰ KLV SLQW LQ XQGHU VHFRQGV itself was pretty good; sweat- well that’s what everyone unexpected. It just made me But when I see that man subing more than I care to re- keeps telling me? sad; profoundly, unspeakably sequently driving, abusing his member at Crush will forever sad. I thought “Hazzaâ€? proba- wife, throwing his baby at a Going into the new term, live in the memory. However, bly deserved to be lynched, but ZDOO RU ULSSLQJ WKH KHDGV RŕŽ‰ upon rejoining my friends back with a much-needed break for at least he punished himself by live animals, I take a moment to home, I felt a certain sense of all, it is safe to say that whilst smashing a bottle across his think about what I’ve just seen. discontent. As they told stories the introduction of LSE 100 is face. Clearly some people can’t hold of one pound doubles (yes one dreaded, I don’t begrudge the I have mixed feelings about their drink. If you’re not strong pound), averaging four nights workload that second and third neknominate. I don’t believe in HQRXJK GRQ‍ڑ‏W VHH RŕŽ‰ D ERWWOH RI out a week (with the stom- \HDUV FXUUHQWO\ னQG WKHPVHOYHV all that negative propaganda whisky. Don’t drink and drive. ach to show for it) and a term indulged in, and it could be about alcohol. Binge drink- Don’t swallow your pets. Don’t packed full of alternative rules worse‌we could be at Kings. ing is an excellent sport. (No neknominate. I mean really, for ‘Ring of Fire’, rather than it isn’t. Ed) When friends de- don’t drink at all. Escalation is DOWHUQDWLYH ZD\V WR GLŕŽ‰HUHQWLscend together into the total னQH EXW , IHDU WKLV FUD]H ZLOO ate an equation, I became condarkness of unconsciousness, eventually lead to a death. PosFHUQHG WKDW VDFULனFLQJ WKH SDUof mutual degradation, it is at sibly even mine. Because I’ve ty life for the education, was that point that true bonds are recently been neknominated, the wrong decision. formed, when it becomes okay which means my life is pretty to piss yourself voluntarily and PXFK D ZULWH RŕŽ‰ ,‍ڑ‏P EDVLFDOO\ But then, putting it into a bit to make comments about your a man on death row. What’s of perspective, I realised that mate’s sister. It’s not wrong more, people like “Hazzaâ€? have this really wasn’t the case. if you’re drunk. So whenever already set the bar too high. Whilst they may have their people tell me to stop drinking Anything I do now will make ‘wild’ nights out, I can be conI ignore them completely. What me look like the village idiot, னGHQW LQ VD\LQJ LW ZRXOGQ‍ڑ‏W EH do they know? I am YOLO. It’s dead on arrival, unable to climb able to compete with the madthis attitude that makes me the ladder of debasement. It’s ness that was Carol, and they think people like “Loose unitâ€? a bloodthirsty world and necouldn’t top our location, at the and “Hazzaâ€? are heroes. They knominations are bloody ruthheart of everything, in work, are champions in New Zealand less. rest, and play. And hey, who and Australia. They are gods wants to pay that little for a dion Facebook. These people The Beaver would like to luted drink anyway? are myths, created from trees point out that the views exstruck by lightning, forged pressed in this article are those The bigger picture illusfrom the smoldering ashes of of the author alone. We do not trates a much brighter side in epic hangovers. And by com- condone binge-drinking, reWKH FXUUHQW OLIH RI WKLV னUVW \HDU pleting their neknominations, gardless of your physical condiuni student. We may complain they have gained entry into the tion or societal pressures. Engldiscoluxxxh106 about our workloads and our

Are interviews a necessity? Susan Kumah

formance of self is expected. What is an introvert to do but perform? Perform a PRUH ŕŽ‹XHQW ORXGHU DQG FRPHGLF YHUsion of myself for the sake of a memorable encounter; for the sake of sounding more remarkable, than candidate two hundred and twelve, the talkative student interviewed before me. If I am successful, interviewers will certainly UHPHPEHU D IXQQ\ ŕŽ‹XHQW DQG ZLWW\ FDQdidate but they will essential not know me, a person who like many, nurtures creativity in a more intrinsic setting. Or, I could remain entirely introverted, FRQனGHQWO\ DQG VRIWO\ SURPRWLQJ P\ successes and hope that my quietness

is not mistaken for weakness. Does the LSE need interviews? Probably. Every page needs a face. But as someone once said, talk is cheap, so I would be very careful before I buy into the noise.

Barbara Dieu

Einstein was an introvert. Bill Gates embraces the same trait; one third of the population does and frankly, so do I. According to the German Nobel Prize winner: “the monotony and solitude of a quiet life stimulates the creative mind.â€? Great. Remind me to use this quote in response to all my future interviewers, who will undoubtedly question my reservation and somewhat gentle demeanour. Note to self: Einstein said it was னQH In the rigorous process of university application, the interviewing aspect is

deemed essential by many: application SDJHV னQDOO\ WDNH WKHLU KXPDQ IRUP DQG we, as fresh faced prospective students DUH HQFRXUDJHG WR ŕŽ‹DXQW IHDWXUHV RI our personality, our uniqueness; qualiWLHV WKDW PDNH XV GLŕŽ‰HUHQW IURP DSSOLcant two hundred and twelve. However DUH LQWHUYLHZV HŕŽ‰HFWLYH LQ DWWDLQLQJ WKH best students? What is essentially being evaluated is the content of our responses, but in a society where extroversion suggests leadership and success, let us position ourselves stage-right. To be unforgettable, let us initiate a false extroversion: Insert volume here. Within a setting of evaluation, a per-

Tuesday January 21 2013

the

28

Beaver

Social

Beaver Games

Mae I Help You?

Crossword

www.alberichcrosswords.com

Send your questions to social@thebeaveronline.com

Set by Alberich

Dear Mae, I’m still thinking about this girl from 6 months ago. We saw each other for a few months. I sort of blew it with her but I cant stop thinking about how I could’ve done WKLQJV GLୟ HUHQWO\ , VRUW RI HPEDUUDVVHG P\VHOI E\ PHVVDJLQJ KHU GUXQN and she never replied. The thing is I wanted to VWD\ PDWHV ZLWK KHU EXW VKH FOHDUO\ GLGQ‍ڑ‏W ZDQW WR GR WKDW HLWKHU 6KDOO , WU\ and get back in contact with her? -Does Unrequited-love Make Pals?

ACROSS 1 Old programme showing Donald Duck lying in state? (8) 5 Words of encouragement when husband’s caught in deceitful backsliding? (4,2) 9 Fuel that’s fantastic on paper (7) 10 Making complaints leads to malicious RDI WDNLQJ D EHDWLQJ À UVW RII

11 Run away with girl after she’s dumped writer (5) 12 A source of illumination in the main (9) 13 Female’s back (4) 15 Inner yen, a hankering ultimately? Could be (8) 19 See 8 20 See 8 23 Dance mostly with a Russian space traveller? This may provide the music (9) 25 Sheath is essential for estoc really (5) 26 With heavens breaking, a storm will do for this tiny creature (4,3) 27 Note, paying attention’s not hard but necessary (7) 28 Girl, right, turned heads of lads, dressed nicely in full skirt (6) 29 Sounds like I am able to date unknown person who’s attractive (3,5) DOWN 1 Hell, best man’s taking time! (6)

2 His contribution to medicine is of wee VLJQLĂ€ FDQFH"

3 Stage play oddly taking hour and a quarter (5) 4 Playwright who makes you sick (6) 2QH OLHV LQ IURQW RI À UH UDWKHU GUXQN wearing skirt (6,3) 7 Whinges endlessly when mobile charger makes this sound (5) 8,21,10d,19,14,20 Quiet thatched pub b-burning? Bugger! Brewery much glad these characters are scrambled from 1 (4,4,6,6,8,6,3,4) 10 See 8 14 See 8 16 One chap covers up for criminal providing drug (9) 17 Perhaps foil container is a way of transferring money over to Director under the counter (8) 18 Performer in production of Tristan abanGRQLQJ /RKHQJULQ À QDOO\

21 See 8 22 Very narrow lane that’s between highrises? (6) 2Q ZKLFK 3DULVLDQ JUDIÀ WL DUWLVW GUDZV monkey-like creature? (5) 25 PM avoids controversy concerning oil (5)

Dear DUMP, Sometimes it can take time to get over someRQH , ZRXOG VD\ WKDW months isn’t that long to take to get over someone. But, when it comes WR VRPHRQH \RX RQO\ GDW ed for a few months then , WKLQN LW PD\ EH D GLୟ HU ent issue. You’ve tried to contact her but she never responded so she KDV UHMHFWHG \RX WZLFH ‍ ڋ‏ ZKHQ \RX ZHUH GXPSHG and when she refused to UHVSRQG WR \RXU GUXQNHQ advance at friendship. That can be a lot for an ego to handle. I think WKLV FDVH LV GH୽ QLWHO\ DQ HJR LVVXH ,‍ڑ‏P VXUH LI \RX think about the relationVKLS \RX PD\ UHDOLVH WKDW \RX GRQ‍ڑ‏W DFWXDOO\ PLVV her. Instead it is probDEO\ MXVW D FDVH LQ ZKLFK \RX IHHO KXUW E\ WKH UH MHFWLRQ %XW WKLV LV RND\ We all go through rejection and our hurt egos HYHQWXDOO\ UHFRYHU ,‍ڑ‏G recommend not contacting this girl for a while. She has made it clear that VKH GRHVQ‍ڑ‏W ZDQW \RX DV D IULHQG \HW 0D\EH LQ DQ RWKHU PRQWKV \RX FDQ reconnect and become IULHQGV EXW VKH MXVW PD\ need more time apart before that happens. In the mean time go out and meet new people. It’s WKH EHVW ZD\ WR JHW RYHU VRPHRQH '803 RQFH \RX VWDUW JHWWLQJ DQRWKHU girl’s attention I’m sure \RX‍ڑ‏OO IHHO EHWWHU -----------------------------

Dear Mae, ,‍ڑ‏YH EHHQ ZLWK P\ girlfriend for about 8 months and it’s starting WR JHW SUHWW\ VHULRXV , am thinking now that I should start to be honest with her. There have EHHQ WZR WLPHV LQ P\ past where I have had homosexual experiences. I don’t think that I’m atWUDFWHG WR JX\V JHQHUDOO\ EXW , ZDV VSHFL୽ FDOO\ DW tracted to just these two JX\V , GRQ‍ڑ‏W WKLQN LW will happen again in the IXWXUH EXW GRHV P\ JLUO friend deserve to know DERXW P\ SDVW" -Should I Be Honest? Dear SIBH, 7KLV FDVH LV D ELW WULFN\ I am of the belief that some things don’t have to be shared in a new reODWLRQVKLS , GH୽ QLWHO\ WKLQN VH[XDO KLVWRU\ LV part of that. If it’s in the past then I don’t think it is part of the current relationship. But, SIBH, I also think WKDW \RX‍ڑ‏UH GRZQSOD\LQJ \RXU SRVVLEOH VH[XDOLW\ 2I FRXUVH \RX FRXOG KDYH FRPH DFURVV WKH RQO\ WZR PHQ LQ WKH ZRUOG \RX‍ڑ‏G ever be attracted to, but I IHHO DV LI \RX DUH SRVVLEO\ a bit more bisexual than \RX ZDQW WR DGPLW ,I \RX think about it and realLVH WKDW PD\EH \RX DUH attracted to men even in the slightest then this LV QR ORQJHU \RXU VH[XDO past; it could become \RXU IXWXUH ,Q WKDW FDVH I think it would be more LPSRUWDQW WR WHOO \RXU girlfriend. Also, would \RX UHDOO\ ZDQW WR EH ZLWK VRPHRQH ZKR UHMHFWV \RX IRU ZKR \RX DUH" ,I VKH freaks out over this then \RX DUH ZHOO VKRW RI KHU But in the end, SIBH, WKLV LV XS WR \RX ,I \RX DUH KRQHVW ZLWK \RXUVHOI DQG \RX UHDOO\ WUXO\ WKLQN WKDW \RX ZLOO QHYHU KRRN XS ZLWK D JX\ DJDLQ WKHQ , WKLQN LW‍ڑ‏V VDIH WR VWD\ LQ the past. But, I do think it ZRXOG SUREDEO\ EH D JRRG step in the relationship if \RX WROG KHU EHFDXVH \RX FRXOG PDNH VXUH \RX‍ڑ‏UH with someone who won’t MXGJH \RX

29

21.01.2014 The Beaver

PRIVATE B ‘Harry Maxwell has never heard of us’

SAUCY-GATE IN QUOTES EVENT FAILS TO OPEN; OPENS Amidst the controversy over the delayed opening of the UnLRQ‍ڑ‏V ŕŽ‹DJVKLS QHZ ‍Ú?‏6DXF\‍ ڑ‏QLJKW 7KH % KDV FROOHFWHG DOO WKH best responses to the near-disaster: “Just because you say hundreds of students didn’t get in doesn’t make it true. I myself got in several timesâ€?- Paul Kelly, Pro-Director ‍ڔ‏$W KDOI HOHYHQ RQ )ULGD\ WKHUH ZDV QR 6DXF\ $W PLGQLJKW there was Saucyâ€?- Izmir Bajrami, noted Harlem Shaker ‍ڔ‏7KLV LV ZK\ ZH QHHG D 6RFLDO 0RELOLW\ 2IனFHU‍ ڕ‏Dan Martin, mop-topped Student Governor “Watching Jay Stoll running around with a megaphone and a harrassed expression whilst everyone ignored him was worth the price of admissionâ€?- Anonymous student “Ed Ballsâ€?- Ed Balls “I don’t know what everyone’s complaining about, I got in னQH :KR PRYHG P\ PLFURZDYH"‍ ڕ‏Alex Putin-Day, former General Secretary “Shallow, over-promoted and not at all up to it’s billingâ€?, Marry Haxwell was on the TV once.

THE BEAVER CRITICISED BY MINOR CELEBRITIES This week the LSE student newspaper found itself under attack on social media by people who have, at some point, been slightly well NQRZQ %HIRUH WKH RŕŽ‰HQGLQJ WZHHWV ZHUH taken down, the B managed to get hold of several of them: @KatieHopkins- The Beaver is a stupid name #IUsedToBeOnTheApprentice @MarryHaxwell- The Beaver is a stupid name #IUsedToBeOnTheJuniorApprentice @DionDublin- Very concerned by the recent stylistic choices being made by @beaveronline recently. Not good enough. @PrincessMichaelOfKent- Does anyone else think that Beaver editor @Dennis_R_M is a bit of a wanker? #JustSayin @Chelsea_Manning: Rubbish paper. 2/10 would not leak to #Beaver

*ALL TWEETS ARE 100% INACCURATE This week's edition compiled by Tam Banters Col. Honey-Badger Chris Kamara Tanned Ale (Emeritus)

TheBeaver

Because  LSE  doesn’t  have  a  Tab.  Thankfully.  TEACHING TASK PHWOARCE! LSESU is in the grips of another scandal as it emerged a student union officer has ŕŽ‹HG WR )UDQFH ZLWK KHU /HFturer lover. Although the SU is yet to name either party, love notes to and from each other referring to his “love of her tumblr postsâ€? and her mutual admiration of his “teaching task forceâ€? give clues to their identities. Jay Stoll was too heartbroken to comment. SOCIAL NO-BILITY New Labour types are in disarray as the motion to create a Social Mobility Officer fails due to lack of interest. In a message left on a friend’s voicemail Dan Martin expressed his disappoint-

PHQW EXW YRZHG WR னJKW RQ The motion’s seconder was too busy down t’pit to comment. TIGHTER IMMGRATION RULES TO STOP INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS CLAIMING FRIENDS WITH BENEFITS! With British LSE Students celibacy records at an alltime high LSESU are facing calls to cap the number of attractive, foreign students allowed in. Suggestions including a points system , marked out of ten, and new rules to prevent international students claiming Zoo Bar FDUGV ZLWKLQ WKHLU னUVW WZR years at the university. The international students officer was too deported to comment.

Tuesday January 21 2014

the

30

Beaver

Saints Rocked by Boardroom Turmoil

Credit: JonCandy

Southampton players huddling together during this difficult time

Friday saw the smoke alarm go off (unlike Zane Lowe) at #SAUCY (omg Saw-Swee! Geddit??), but as they say there’s no smoke without fire – and Wednesday night was a fiery one as usual. #datintro El Cock was shown theway by a member of the executive and the Beerhorse got up to some shahidy business, while the FC’s vet-

erinary veteran seems destined to grow Elderly with his Wednesday night girlfriend #shlad #married #traitor2daboiz. The tennis club captain had President Cohaagen In Total Recall (nah, I didn’t see that one either) in the parm of her hand, as Captain Lee looked on wistfully, handing out commemorative tank tops emblazoned with ‘CALI 2K13’. Remember when this joke was funny? (No. Sports Ed.) One women’s rugby fresher joined a footballer for a sophiesticated evening, while another FCLAD took a break from whatever sexist thing he was probably

Credit: Will-Joel-Taylor

An Italian-Swiss Banker, the heiress to a £3 billion fortune, lawyers involved in a struggle to gain power for their client, and a fast becoming successful business. these all sound like key plot points in a Robert Ludlum novel, but unfortunately for Southampton fans these events are fact rather than ஊ FWLRQ LQ WKH ODVW ZHHN DW their beloved football club. Executive Chairman Nicola Cortese and Owner Katherine Liehberr have been involved in a battle that became public on Tuesday night as Southampton’s manager Mauricio Pochettino stormed into the Saints training ground, Staplewood, for crisis talks with Cortese regarding his future. The

dispute regarding the sale of the club has been dragged into the limelight after Katherine Liehberr involved her lawyers from Allen & Overy to try and wrestle control from Cortese. Brought into the club by Markus Liehberr, who took over Southampton for £14 million, Cortese soon became an important player at the club. He particularly became involved with the day-to-day running of the club. This has been most apparent in the the last summer transfer window; he was the man who convinced quality players like Vincent Wanyama to join the club. Nicola Cortese and Markus Liehberr had set up a vision on how to grow Southampton. When Markus Liehberr passed away in 2010, Cortese was determined to stay in control. In fact, in January 2010 it was reported that AC Milan were keen to pry Cortese away from Southampton and give him a position on the Milan board, but Cortese refused to leave because Southampton was “his baby”. Cortese had drawn up the plans to manage the club and said that plans were in place even before the tragic death of the owner. This is where the dispute originates, Katherine Liehberr is now the owner and wants to conduct the immediate sale of the club but Cortese is insistent on waiting two or three years before the sale is made. He believes that a sale now would disrupt the plans of the club. The issue is very relevant given the situation of modern football clubs. They are now

Credit: Ben Sutherland

Ameya Badwe

more than just sports franchises; they are major companies with a lot of potential IRU PDNLQJ SURஊ W +RZ WR manage these companies has led to numerous power struggles in recent years, with Southampton being just the most recent example. Southampton is also an example of KRZ D SROLWLFDO DQG ஊ QDQFLDO struggle in the boardroom could potentially lead to the collapse of the club, a particular concern given that the Saints have made their best ever start in the Premier League this season. However, other people have argued that the struggle has been blown out of proportion by the media. Right-

fully so, football clubs still operate largely on the basis of how the teams perform! Cortese’s departure should, in theory, have no impact on the determination of players to play for the fans and for the manager. Others have also mentioned that Liehberr rightly wants control of the club and didn’t want Cortese to leave the club. The way the current issue has played out is not how anyone wanted it to. This has resulted in a rather dramatic state at Southampton. One major issue with this crisis has been the assets of the club, in the form of young players like Callum Chambers, Luke Shaw and

doing to take a seet on a netballer. Rugby’s robin flew the nest but couldn’t park in time, giving the new venue some much needed decoration. #FirstChunOfWednesday2k14? #SpillageIsLickage Presumably restless after a holiday without sport, pints began to fly between football and rugby. One rugby player was left gurning after his ‘interview shirt’ got covered in snakebite, and was reportedly heard sobbing in a toilet cubicle, wailing ‘what will I tell daddy?!’ Meanwhile, rugby’s sheep seemed to turn on his flock, hurling a pitcher at Your Second Team Captain.

The Gruesome Twosome kicked off the new year in, er, style, with one ensnaring a man about town (a man de ville, you might say) and the other continuing her monopoly on a men’s hockey fresher. Meanwhile, a rugby player put his cap on and had his phil of a sixth team netballer. New term, new title. Welcome back not to the jungle, but welcome to the Beverage Report (if you don’t know what that is, you’re a walking advertisement for the need for LSE to introduce interviews). Ladies and gentlemen, we’re at BEVCON 1.

James Ward-Prowse. These players have been convinced to stay at the club by Pochettino and Cortese and with Cortese’s departure their futures have been thrown into doubt. Katherine Liehberr has announced that no players will be leaving in January. However, in the long term they might want to leave the club and this could destroy a backbone that Cortese has worked really hard to put in place. Southampton players will hope that this issue is resolved soon and that the current structure of the club is not harmed by this administrative crisis.

the

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31

Tuesday January 21 2014

FANTASY FOOTBALL

Another reason I’m excited for the upcoming season is the complete shake up in the driver market that has occurred. Mark Webber’s retirement has led to Daniel Ricciardo joining Red Bull, and although people continue to say how good Webber was during his time in the sport, in reality he has been soundly beaten by his team-

Every week we’ll print the top three and the bottom three teams. The TOP...

Mutant Ninja Skrtels (Joshua Goldman) 1346 Points

Strutting Edge (Chris Edgington) 1341 Points Reigning Champions $O૽H (DUO\ 1324 Points And the BOTTOM...

Chavball United (Thomas Meaden) 807 Points Los Diablos Verdes (Hari Prabu) 805 Points Menton Marvels (Jon Allsop) 781 Points Can you do better? 970297-228156

SPORT IN BRIEF Football Underperforming AC 0LODQ ૹUH PDQDJHU Massimiliano Allegri and replace him with club legend Clarence Seedorf.

Cricket The England Women’s cricket team ZLQ WKHLU ૹUVW 2QH Day International in the Women’s Ashes

Tennis Andy Murray is in the 4th round of the Melbourne Open, and is yet to drop a VHW LQ WKH ૹUVW WKUHH rounds.

Credit: First Stop Tyres / Adrian Hoskins

... continued from back page:

The last rookie driver for McLaren was this gentleman...

mate and is not really that good. Hopefully this means that Ricciardo, who I see as the better driver, will be able WR WDNH WKH னJKW WR 9HWWHO The decision by McLaren to replace Sergio Perez with Kevin Magnussen is harsh on the former but creates an intriguing situation with a rookie driving for McLaren. The last rookie to do so? An individual who goes by the name of Lewis Hamilton. Most notably the pairing of Kimi Raikkonen and Fernando Alonso at Ferrari is setting mouths salivating throughout the fan base. Dubbed ‘Fire versus Ice’, they’re sure to make it an eventful season at the most famous team in the world. At Lotus the former ‘First Lap Nutcase’ Romain Grosjean will be paired with Pastor Maldonado, a driver who has also had his fair share of crashes and who is increasingly being seen as a driver posessing more money than skill. Felipe Massa and his new team Williams have a chance at redemption with a new Mercedes engine and an opportunity to return to the top of the grid that they once held with an iron grip. The

Credit: Julien.Reboulet

BEAVER SPORTS

return of Nico Hulkenberg to Force India will hopefully produce positive results given the success they had in the 2012 season. Torro Rosso’s decision to appoint Daniel Kyvat as Ricciardo’s replacePHQW FDPH DV D VKRFN DW னUVW the formers success in the feeder GP3 series suggests the team have carried out a masterstroke. The driver line up for the back of the grid remains a mystery but frankly whichever four drivers are in these cars is not going to PDNH D GLŕŽ‰HUHQFH WR WKH VHDson as these teams have done nothing more than make up the numbers since their entry

in 2010. 7KH னQDO UHDVRQ , DP H[FLWHG about the new season is simply because it is a fresh start and is always exciting.Waking up in the early hours of the PRUQLQJ IRU WKH னUVW UDFH RI the season in Australia has become a sort of ritual of mine and I am really looking forward to it. The fact that a large number of the races take place during holidays also increases my excitement as it means the distraction of work will not be factor much of the time, allowing me to immerse in the races further. 14th March cannot come quickly enough.

Introducing... LSE Sports Ambassadors In a new feature, Beaver Sport will interview some of the LSE’s talented Sports Ambassadors. This week, Sports Editor Gareth Rosser speaks to Rebecca Windemer, a 3rd year BSc Geography student. Name: Rebecca Windemer Degree: BSc Geography Year: 3rd Sport: Triathlon

*5 :RZ ZDV LW GLૻFXOW" RW: Well, it wasn’t the simplest thing to do in the world, but overall it’s been a success. We managed to get money from the Annual Fund to buy some new racing bikes and indoor turbo trainers which is great for me. I used to have to train at alone in my room, so this is much better. I’m also currently training to become D TXDOLனHG WULDWKORQ FRDFK IRU the team. Plus, I’ve managed to convert a few of my friends in running society!

GR: Hi Rebecca, thanks for coming in to speak to the Beaver. Why don’t you tell us a little about yourself. Like how exactly did you get involved with the Triathlon? RW: Well it started when I was learning to swim as a child. From swimming moved on to running, and when I was 12 years old I enetered a triathlon with some of my friends. I won, and I guess I’ve been competing in triathlons ever since. I did less when I was studying for my A-Levels though - it can be quite hard to juggle training with other time commitments. GR: I can only imagine. How much time do you currently spend training? RW: I train pretty much every day - I’d normally do two of the three disciplines in any given training session. Perhaps I’d spend an hour running and another two swimming. I’ve actually started using the gym in the new Students’ Centre - it’s a lot better than the old gym which I never used. I also train a lot at home near Cornwall in Devon - it’s good to practise in the ocean because most triathlons

take place in open water. GR: So how do you compete in London? Don’t tell me you swim in the Thames... RW: Yeah! And you’d be surprised by how many places there are with open water in London. The Serpentine in Hyde Park’s one of the most popular. GR: And what sort of presence does Triathlon have in LSE? RW: Well last year I joined the Athletics and Running Society in LSE, as there wasn’t a Triathlon society. But this year we’ve added triathlon to the club, making it the Athletics, Running and Triathlon Society.

GR: So what would you describe as the highlight of your time competing in the triathlon? RW: Probably the summer that’s just gone by, when I managed to qualify to represent the UK in the 20-24 age group bracket for triathlon. It was great to be allowed to compete for the UK, and it was particularly satisfyLQJ EHFDXVH WKH TXDOLனFDWLRQ race took place at about the same time as my second year exams. GR: And your future plans? Do they include the triathlon? RW: Well, I’m currently looking for jobs for after I graduate, but I’m obviously keen to keep on competing in the

triathlon. And there’s plenty of time competing still to do this year - the triathlon calendar doesn’t really start until May. Long term, I’d love to be able to complete an Ironman triathlon. GR: Ironman‌? RW: Imagine a triathlon but WRXJKHU <RX KDYH WR னQLVK E\ running a marathon, and before that you swim something like 3.5km and cycle somewhere between 150-200km. For comparison, a regular triathlon would be 1.5km swimming, 40km cycling and a 10km run. Obviously it’s tough, but you can do half ironmans to help you train, and I just think it’d be a great challenge. GR: Well that sounds daunting to say the least... RW: It can sound daunting, especially if you haven’t done D WULDWKORQ EHIRUH %XW , னQG LW‍ڑ‏V D YHU\ GLŕŽ‰HUHQW VLWXDWLRQ training to when you’re running a triathlon. When you’re in the race with everybody else around you you kind of னQG LW HDVLHU WR NHHS JRLQJ Maybe it’s the nature of competition... GR: Well if you don’t mind I’ll take your word for it. I’m not sure I’ll be ready for a triathlon or an ironman race any time soon.

Saints Rocked by Boardrom Turmoil

2014 F1 Season Promises Excitement

Sport

Introd

ucing

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Introducing... LSE Sports Ambassadors

beaveronline.com/sport

Beaver

Tuesday January 21 2014

FREE! : The Bever age R eport

First AU Night Hosted in the Saw Swee Hock’s Venue Gareth Rosser, Sports Editor

Credit: Jose Luis RDS

Having had a few days to experience the new Students’ Centre building during the daylight, the LSE AU had the opportunity last week to bring their Wednesday Sports’ Night to the new students’ centre. Located in the basement of the new Saw Swee Hock building, it was WKH னUVW QLJKW WR EH KRVWHG LQ the ‘Venue’ since the building’s opening. There was good attendance from sports clubs keen to mark their territories for future Wednesday nights, with Rugby claiming the tables in

the central basement area. Football meanwhile staked their claim to the mezzanine ŕŽ‹RRU WDNLQJ DGYDQWDJH RI WKH greater space provided by the Venue in comparison to the old Three Tuns. Opinions about the new building were generally positive, with the extra space appreciated by students more accustomed to drinking LQ WKH FRQனQHV RI WKH 7XQV Sam Lanham, Second Squash Team Captain said “Obviously I miss the Tuns, but tonight’s been good. I think it’ll be particularly good for events like Fight Night and Mr LSE.â€? Celebrating the beginning of

Lent Term, the AU Executive UDQ D UDŕŽ?H ZLWK WKH ZLQQHU having the remaining cost of tour paid for them. Before the winner was announced, AU President Harold Craston warned that the they would have to perform a song on the karaoke machine to earn their prize. Rachel Nevin of the Netball 6th Team was the lucky winner, and, with the accompaniment of her team members, she provided the Venue with a stirring rendition of the Spice Girls’ classic Wannabe to claim her reward. The AU Executive also chose to serenade students with their own karaoke performance during the evening, although rumours of an upcoming record contract DUH DV RI \HW XQFRQனUPHG The night was in full swing, and remarkably few students had left to make the arduous journey to Zoo when the night came to a close. Ushered out by security, students left without incident, and this week’s newly christened Beverage Report suggests that normal Wednesday night service resumed in Zoo Bar. When questioned, AU Executive Member Tom Meaden said “We’re delighted to have the Venue open and available to us on Wednesday nights. We look forward to hosting even more successful events this term, particularly Mr LSE, which is taking place next week [week 3].â€?

Even the AU Exec’s singing couldn’t dampen spirits last Wednesday night

Mr LSE contestants, show yourselves! All submissions, consensual or otherwise, to: n.enukidze@lse. ac.uk

2014 Formula 1 Season Promises Excitement Rayhan Chouglay

The 2013 Formula 1 season has come to an end and for WKH னUVW WLPH LQ IRXU \HDUV , am actually happy about that (and not just because there is now one fewer distraction from actually working for my degree). I am glad mostly because the second half of 2013 was so boring; as my previous Beaver articles suggest, I do not like Sebastian Vettel winning all the time. Yet even if you ignore that, the last races of the year have been dire, with Brazil a possible excep-

tion. However I’m mainly glad to see the end of the season because of the excitement the 2014 season holds. The new season sees the biggest change in Formula 1’s technical regulations in the last 5 years, with the most notable of these changes being the introduction of new 1.6 litre V6 turbo engines. While some may bemoan the move away from last season’s 2.8 litre V8 engines, I see this as both an exciting and necessary change. Turbo day engines were last used in Formula 1 in the 1980s, and I’m intrigued to how the use

RI WXUER HQJLQHV ZLOO HŕŽ‰HFW D sport which has for the last 20-30 years been focused on naturally aspirated engines. The fact that these new turbo HQJLQHV ZLOO HŕŽ‰HFWLYHO\ EH K\brids means that the requirements of Formula 1 cars and regular road cars are more in sync than ever before - with a focus on ‘Greener’, more efficient engines. In the long run this will hopefully lead to better technology eventually being incorporated into regular cars to reduce carbon emissions by road users. Continued on P.31...

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