The Badger 23/24: Issue 5

Students Threatened with Withdrawal from University Over Fee Payments Badger

• Around 900 students were blocked from University IT services after being told they had to pay outstanding fees or be withdrawn from the University.

• For international students, this also threatened their student visa status and right to remain in the UK.

Abigail Keyla and Ada Carpenter Staff Writer and Senior Editor

Students have been “threatened” with having their student status revoked due to finance system

Brighton Peace Camp Continues

Protest Against Weapons Factory

Near the Home Farm Road junction on Lewes Road, a large banner with the words ‘Peace Camp’ is visible. It the presence of the autonomous group ‘Brighton Peace Camp’ who declare they are occupying the space as a protest against the nearby L3Harris weapons factory in Moulsecoomb and the manufacturer’s role in the Israel-Palestine conflict.

The camp was initially assembled on 16 March, which marked 161 days since 7 October. Numerous workshops were held throughout the week and the camp was decorated, “creating a space the council would feel ashamed to destroy.” The public were invited to join them on Saturday 23

March for a performance by The Agitators Jazz Band, further induction, a discussion on antifascism in Brighton, and a stop L3Harris Campaign Teach Out with food. Joy is seen to be an important aspect of the protest, according to the organisers of the camp. Not only does it ensure the wellbeing of the individuals participating, but is a stark juxtaposition against the institutions which they challenge. It is deemed as “tactical frivolity.” The band was invited to take part for this reason. They had originally formed over three years ago as part of Extinction Rebellion (XR) and have been known to host mock funerals for extinct species. Their Facebook page states they also support related progressive causes, such as the plight of the Post Office workers and the Palestinian movement as a whole.

The induction served as a means to share how the camp is sustained and how they can be welcoming to all. While some participants may choose to stay the night, all are free to come and go as they please. However, there is a rota in place to ensure that a minimum amount of people remain

errors made by the University. According to the Students’ Union (SU), just under 900 students, including many international students, received emails from the University’s Finance Team informing them that they must pay their outstanding fees in their student account, and that failure to pay their fees within a 14 day period would result in their suspension from the University. During this time, the Finance Team remained unresponsive to students, causing panic and confusion for those affected.

For international students, the threat of withdrawal also implied that they would be removed from the UK, as the University would report their withdrawn status to the Home Office, resulting in the loss of student visas.

This issue affected both undergraduate and postgraduate taught and research students, with the same ‘reminder letter’ sent to everyone with debt in their student accounts, whether this was outstanding tuition fees or late rent payments.

During this time, the students were blocked without warning from the University’s IT and library services, including Canvas, Sussex Direct, and Outlook among other digital services.

Yesenia Mahe Darlington Staff Writer

Open Letter

The camp, located along Lewes Road, was set up on 16 March. Image: Brighton Peace Camp via X

Letter from the Chief Contents

News p1

• Students Threatened with Withdrawal from University Over Fee Payments

• Brighton Peace Camp Continues Protest Against Weapons Factory

• Northfield Residents Campaign Against Ongoing Internet Outages

• NUS Hustings Held at Sussex Ahead of Elections

• New Fast-track System for Financial Support Introduced

• Brighton and Hove To Launch New Landlord Licensing Scheme

• Fear of Mumps Outbreak on Campus

• 4/5 Sussex Students Take Drugs

• Interviews with Your Next SU Full Time Officers

• Free Period Products Available in New Scheme on Campus

• UK’s New Extremism Definition Raises Concerns Over Free Speech and Bias

Local Life p9

• Finding Where You Fit: Community Meetups

• The Views of Lewes

• Top 10: Animal Lover Hotspots

• The Campus Bubble vs The Outside World

• North Laine Retailers: Fast Fashion?

• The Hidden Reality of Housing Insecurity in Brighton

Dear Readers,

HELLOOOO. It’s me again. Hope you’re all doing well. I could be better - I’m currently inflicted with something serious and deadly - procrastination. At this point, I find myself forgetting that I’m at Sussex to actually do a degree, until I am very rudely brought back down to earth by a BeReal with someone completing a project I haven’t even started… but hopefully in the next (and final!) edition I’ll be able to talk about how much work I banged out. If your next Letter from the Chief is tear stained, don’t question it. BUT ANYWAYS. The Badger has been doing great! The weekend before this edition is released The Badger is heading to Bristol - where we will be (hopefully) bringing back some national awards! If we do, you’ll definitely see it all over

Features p12

• I Want To Use My Voice, But

I Don’t Know How To!

• An Open Letter to my Past Self: The Signs (That You Missed) of an Abusive Relationship

• The Ups and Downs of an Intern at Paris Fashion Week

• Consequences of Everest’s Human Traffic Jam

• Clubbing vs Sobriety: Can We Do Both?

• How Does Your Relationship with Your Parents Change at University?

Opinion p16

• The Big Collab: The Struggle is Real: Do Sussex Students Need a Reality Check?

• Third Places and Where to Find Them

• Royal Family in Ruins?

• No Students Left Behind: The Irony of Being #1 in Development Studies

• Student Spotlight: The Neurodivergent Experience

Arts p19

GAMES

• Is Bella Goth the New Barbie?

• Game Recommendations by Genre

FILM and TV

• Shakespeare in Love: How Classic Plays Inspire Rom Coms

• Why is Animation So Disregarded, Disrespected and Devalued?

• Dune 2, Barbie, and the Decline of Media Literacy

our Instagram (make sure to hit up @thebadgersussex to get more of your Badger fix and cheer us on). Taking a look at this edition we, as usual, continue to surpass our previous works in leaps and bounds. You’ll find a lot of exciting content in this edition - for one, we are test launching our Games page in Arts! This will be a page dedicated to discussing all things gamingwhether that be board games or video games. Our Senior Editor Francesca has written an article on the elusive Sims lore, so make sure to flick to page 19 to read! In News we also have exclusive coverage on the Student’s Union Officer elections, featuring interviews from the successful candidates.

In Opinion we have a biting article discussing the University of Sussex’s numerous shortfalls, and the irony of being ranked number one for development studies, and in our Science & Tech section our Head of Photography,

Working on the newspaper over the Easter break is a weird situation - it’s great, because we’re not busy with classes, but also feels incredibly more hectic. I kept putting off the work to instead eat chocolate, and waiting for important emails from people who are out of office is unbearable. Still - here we are! Looking through applications for next year’s committee makes me excited for them but wistful for myself. Let’s end on a high!

Ada Carpenter, Senior Editor

The Badger is back with its second to last issue (crying), covering important news stories on international students’ woes over fee errors and the issues faced by Northfield residents, (including myself). In Opinion, we have the much awaited article on #WhereIsKate. As an animal lover, I can’t wait for the Top 10 article in Local Life! It feels surreal that we only have one more issue left after this one and I already know I’m gonna scream, sob, and bawl my eyes out but that’s a problem for later. For now, enjoy this issue, we’ve put our everything into it like we do with every single one! Happy reading! <3

Akanksha Pandey, Senior Editor

• Oscars Fatigue: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Disregard the Academy

Will, discusses HyperLoop and its knock-on effects. I wish I could list every incredible article, but this letter would be a mile long.

I’m also very excited about the biggest media event of the year that’s right around the corner - the Media Ball! This is a collaborative event between The Badger, The Channel and URF to share a night of well deserved celebration. The Channel and URF do incredible work with the content they put out - I strongly encourage you to give their content a look/listen!

All in all - things are great. Prepare for our last edition on 13 May - this will be a celebration of all things Badger, as well as being filled with your usual high standard journalism.

Keep my grades in your prayers,

Semhar (Semi) Tesfazgy Editor in Tears

And just like that, the end is in sight. I’ll save my soppy ramblings for next issue, but this penultimate edition feels incredibly bittersweet. Of course, I have to stick to my brand and promote some Arts articles. Head to Film & TV if you’re in the mood for a rom com… and Shakespeare, apparently? Or mooch on over to Music for an exclusive interview with Declan McKenna by our Music Editor Harry Turnbull! We even have a brand-new Games section with an article on Bella Goth (aka mother) by yours truly.

Francesca Sylph, Senior Editor

Just a quick one from me - I want to thank everyone who follows our Instagram (@thebadgersussex) for supporting us and enjoying our content. I’m so grateful and honoured to have watched how far The Badger has come since September! As one of the original 4 students who adopted the newspaper I never expected us to grow so fast, especially our social media. Make sure to follow our new TikTok @thebadgersussex ahead of our journalistic pilgrimage to Bristol! And don’t forget to check out the Books section on pg 24!

Maisie Knights, Books Editor and Head of Social Media

THEATRE

• My Favourite Show...

• Fight or Flight Under the Spotlight

• What’s On in Brighton... MUSIC

• What Happened to the Beach? by Declan McKenna: Mature and Reflective

• The Rise, Fall and Resurgence of Latin Music

• Everything Music at the Oscars

• Grassroots Music Needs Help Now More Than Ever

Sci

• Clouded Choices: Navigating Nature’s Rights and Mining in Ecuador

• Wild Adaptations

• Worth the Hype(erloop)?

• AI’s Secret Strain on the Planet

& Tech p28 BOOKS

• Do Judge a Book by its Cover

• When the Book Was Better than the Movie

• Review: My Fourth Time, We Drowned by Sally Hayden

• The Psychological Benefits of Re-reading

• Sports at Sussex: How Breaking a Sweat Breaks the Bank

• Erling Haaland Isn’t That Good

• How the Sussex Tennis Society is Bringing Women Back Into Tennis Sport p30

Check out the rebrand on page 16

Withdrawal continued from page 1

This means that students were not able to access lecture recordings, readings, study notes, or their timetables, affecting both their learning and teaching. Some affected postgrad students could not effectively deliver seminars they needed to teach.

Affected students have worked with the SU to write an open letter to the University Executive Team detailing concerns about how the matter has been handled, including the “disrespectful, unkind and hostile” language used in the correspondence, the lack of ongoing communication, and the “unacceptably hostile” treatment of students who feel they have been treated as “merely financial assets.”

This is

“unacceptably hostile” treatment of students who feel they have been treated as “merely financial assets.”

The University has reinstated access to digital learning facilities for affected students, and has been picking up individual cases to come up with a personal payment plan for those with outstanding debt. However, there has been no acknowledgement of the impacts on teaching and learning or on the mental health of those affected.

A University spokesperson told The Badger, “The University has seen an unprecedented level of late or unpaid payment of tuition fees this year and have subsequently been in contact with a number of students about outstanding fees. Those impacted have been sent several letters, and we are communicating

a clear deadline for all outstanding fees to be paid. Our teams are being as flexible as they can to support, and jointly agree, the right course of action for students. We will continue to work with those affected on a case-by-case basis.”

However, the damage has already been done. An anonymous affected student told The Badger that by the time the Finance Team got back to students, they were already “late for everything” and “behind on all [their] modules.” At this point, the student was not allowed to submit their late assignments, leading them to have to resit their assessments in the summer.

“I now have to resit in August, and that brings a lot of different stuff into [consideration]. My tenancy is not going to [last until then,] so I have to pay a bunch of money to come here and resit, when it’s not even my fault,” the student says.

Many students affected said that they have tried reaching out to the Finance Team to pay their fees or to reinstate their access. However, the “understaffed” Finance Team proved unresponsive during the crucial 14 day payment period. The situation caused significant panic amongst the student community, especially for vulnerable groups, those from low-income backgrounds, and students of colour. For international students in particular, should the university withdraw their student status, they will lose their student visa, and will ultimately have to leave the UK.

The issue has also had a significant impact on student wellbeing. The anonymous student shared that they have a history of mental health issues, which the University is aware of, and that this problem has exacerbated their symptoms.

“Anxiety is very much taking an active place in how I am mentally. It’s just awful. The stress makes me experience symptoms of depression at times, as anyone with mental health [issues], stress is not a good factor playing into that… There are times that I cry because I’m behind everything, and it’s not my fault. And it’s second year, so it does count for my grades… but because I do [care, it means a lot],” the student recalls.

The open letter written to the University Executive Team makes immediate demands for public recognition of the mishandling of this issue as well as an apology to those affected, maintaining open communication, providing a channel for complaints and compensation, and beginnning an investigation into what went wrong. Longer term, it also suggests the revision of the wording of the ‘reminder letter’, properly resourcing and staffing the Finance Team, and enabling flexible payments without direct involvement from staff members. The deadline to sign this letter is 19 April.

The University should give public recognition of the mishandling of this issue as well as an apology to those affected.

The SU International Students’ Officer, Riko Kunisue, several other full-time officers and University staff have met up with University executives to discuss this issue. Overall, they report that the University has been very “defensive” about the issue, and has not admitted any wrongdoing. They claim that since students have not been paying, the University is taking a punitive approach.

“What the University should be doing

is apologising to students [as] it’s been impacting students mental health,” Riko commented. “It wasn’t the student’s fault, and they weren’t even able to reach out to the Finance Team during that time.”

The anonymous student argues that “the common element between all of these cases is [the] element of miscommunication.”

“[It would be better if] everyone could tell [the Finance Team] what the reason is behind non-payment, because some people were maybe late, or maybe their tuition loan didn’t kick in at the right time, maybe it wasn’t even their fault, like in my case. But it would be nice to have a conversation, rather than just [be] automatically blocked,” the anonymous student lamented.

The University spokesperson made it clear that “Students expecting to graduate in July 2024 or January 2025 will need to settle tuition fee debt before progressing to graduation. Other students will not be able to re-register with outstanding tuition fee debt.”

If you have been affected by this issue, please contact the University’s Finance Team at creditcontrol@sussex.ac.uk or at 01273 678076 on Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. and 2 - 4 p.m. if you have not yet done so. If you have already been in touch, you should expect to hear back soon as they work through the backlog of cases. You can also reach out to the Students’ Union advice team for further support.

If you have trouble with your living costs, you may be eligible for the University’s Hardship Fund. Applications are open all year long – check out the Student Hub for more information.

Northfield Residents Campaign Against Ongoing Internet Outages

Lottie Carter Staff Writer

Residents of Northfield Block 9 have faced continual WiFi outages totalling over 30 days without internet connection since September. The 54 students within the block have repeatedly expressed their frustration to the University of Sussex since the issue began, yet they are still faced with periodic outages. The source of the issue is unknown and why the problem continues is yet to be explained to the students, but it is understood to be unrelated to the West Slope development.

Students within Block 9 have expressed the impact of the WiFi issue, with many reporting that their inability to access educational content is affecting their online exams and essay submissions. Similarly, students have reported increasing feelings of isolation since the issue began as they are unable to contact family back home without interruptions.

Despite WiFi being a promised service by the University, not an agreed term within the housing contract, the so-called

“campus wide service” has failed to work, and thus Northfield students have been forced to purchase supplementary mobile data and invest in external WiFi providers in addition to paying their maintenance and tuition fees.

The University advised students to contact internet provider Wifinity directly.

Following the Block 9 students’ reporting of the WiFi issue to a plethora of University employees since September, the problem persists. In addition to receiving unsympathetic replies devoid of accountability, the University simultaneously advised students to contact internet provider company Wifinity directly, or to access WiFi in a different part of campus. The students recounted to The Badger their tireless efforts of reporting directly to Wifinity despite their contracts residing with the University, not the wifi service.

In light of the prevailing issue, four students have launched a campaign on behalf of all students living in Block 9 to

resolve this issue, and have been in direct communication with the University. The students addressed the problem directly in an open letter, signed by over forty students and staff, advising the University to solve the issue, and calling for a financial rebate for all students affected. The letter acknowledges the University’s “deflect[ion] from [their] responsibilities” and highlights the disabled students who felt unable to simply access WiFi from a different area on campus. The letter summarises the students’ experience by stating that the “University’s poor treatment and vehement lack of accountability’’ is the lasting stain upon their university experience. Moreover, students have expressed their disappointment of the University’s broken promise of equal access to education as well as the former’s handling of the ongoing issue. One of the four students leading the ‘Northfield Block 9 Campaign’ stated that they were “blatantly ignored” after contacting “informed members of the University” and expressed that the issue has severely “impacted us and the trust we have with the University and their handling of the issue.”

Nonetheless, the students have begun a campaign to bring the University’s failures to light. The campaign leaders have stated their main goals are to “achieve a peaceful resolution” with the University and for the latter to “acknowledge the unfulfillment” of a paid service in the shape of a “financial rebate for all students” impacted. The students have additionally highlighted that their “contract is with the University, not Wifinity”, both of which are fulfilling an unsatisfactory service.

The students of Block 9 continue to experience periodic WiFi outages.

Despite ongoing efforts, the students of Block 9 continue to experience periodic WiFi outages. When approached for comment upon this article, the University stated that they “are aware of some issues that have impacted residents of one block” and will “continue to engage with residents on the matter.” The students and University are currently working together to resolve the issue and are in negotiations regarding financial compensation.

NUS Hustings Held at Sussex Ahead of Elections

James Bishop News Sub Editor

On 18 March, hustings were held on campus for the National Union of Students’ Presidential Election, as a part of the wider election campaign. Around 400 Students’ Unions across the UK, including the University of Sussex, are associated with the National Union of Students. This number represents approximately seven million students.

Candidates joined the hustings, hosted in Jubilee 144, in person and via Zoom in an attempt to prove their electability to the students of Sussex where they outlined their previous experiences, with all candidates having worked in Students’ Union roles previously. Questions were posed to the attending candidates focusing on issues relating to the representation and engagement of NUS in smaller institutions, the intentions for their first 100 days as president and larger scale world events such as a discussion on the stance NUS should take on the current situation in Gaza.

The Badger had the chance to speak to Chloe Field, previous Vice President for Higher Education and the then presidential frontrunner, during her campaign. During the interview, we touched on topics ranging from the role and importance of NUS to all students, to Chloe’s aims and goals if she was successful in her bid for presidency. Field would go on to eventually drop out of the race on 8 April due to mental health reasons, stating that it “hasn’t been an easy decision” and giving her appreciation to voters: “lots of love to all those who were preparing to vote for me.”

Chloe spoke on the great work done in recent years by NUS, and the effects it has had on the life of the average student. She highlighted NUS’s campaign for immediate financial support for students during the cost of living crisis, which resulted in the

raising of “£15 million into hardship funds” in universities across the country.

Discussing her campaign policies, she told The Badger her principles of combatting the “marketisation of education,” emphasising the need to look at “radical change to the system” instead of focusing on quick fixes. Chloe further commented on her intention to create a more decentralised NUS in terms of decision making, moving the process away from just the executive. She gave the example of establishing NUS England and more “issue based campaign groups,” suggesting the wider goal of transitioning from a “top down” to a “bottom up” approach to campaigning.

Chloe expressed the need to remain focused on alleviating the symptoms of the poor system, but also to ascertain and tackle its causes. She identified mental health struggles as an example of this, with a failure on behalf of the system to distinguish the root causes of one of the core issues affecting the student experience. With the upcoming general election in mind, Chloe pointed out how “right now, students are not being advocated for by any major political party”. She highlighted the necessity of student engagement in politics, citing the need for increased voter registration and “making sure that students actually have something to vote for”. The take-away was that the new government must take education seriously as not just something that affects students now, but something that will affect the whole country in the future.

Each Students’ Union within NUS nominates a number of student representatives, in proportion to the size of their student base, to attend the National Conference as a delegation, who, in turn vote for the president in the weeks beforehand.

The seven candidates, who have been nominated by students and officers from

an array of different Students’ Unions across the country, each put forward their manifestos in an attempt to demonstrate that they are the best option to lead the NUS for the following two year term. Therefore, the importance of the Sussex delegation’s decision cannot be understated.

The voting period lasted from 8 April – 11 April and the winning candidate was announced on 12 April, a matter of days before the NUS National Conference in Blackpool later that month. The National Conference intends to shape the priorities of the union, making the election of a new president at this crucial time incredibly important for the Union’s goals.

... Peace Camp continued from page 1

on site at all times. Illegal substances are not allowed, making it a family friendly space. In solidarity with other religions, they aim to be vegan, with alcohol free areas and a prayer tent. Food has largely been acquired through donations from locals, including hot meals. Maintaining the integrity of the surrounding area is also a key tenet, so foraging for wood is banned and recycling is encouraged.

Anna Stavrianakis, a lecturer in International Relations at the University of Sussex, was present at the Peace Camp on 23 March. Her expertise is in the international arms trade and the UK’s arms export policy, making her the ideal facilitator for a discussion on L3Harris. The camp is part of a non-hierarchical collective named ‘Brighton Against the Arms Trade’ which is “committed to ending the murderous trade in weapons,” according to their blog. It has also been recognised that the camp needs to exist alongside other forms of protest such as marches and petitions to have a higher probability of achieving their mission.

While the land on which the tents are set up is council-owned, it is not illegal to reside there unless a court notice is issued otherwise. On 21 March, it was reported that the Brighton & Hove City Council had intentions to remove the camp, but by 23 March, no official correspondence was given. Additionally, to ensure the safety of all individuals, the organisers have set up a liaison with the police but will attempt to not otherwise engage with them.

There has been little to no backlash, which comes as a surprise to the organisers; the local community has embraced the camp. Pedestrians have been known to stop for short conversations while drivers beep their horn and shout words of encouragement as they pass by.

New Fast-track System for Financial Support Introduced

Aaron Galway Staff Writer

The University has introduced a new payment system called Sussex Aspire to revolutionise the way students receive any type of vital financial support via the Hardship Fund. The system, which was launched in March, responds to the frustrations voiced by students about the sluggishness of the pre-existing Hardship Fund system. Gone now are the times of enduring lengthy waits of up to ten days for responses - students can now expect swift assistance precisely when they need it most.

The Badger has learned that Hardship Fund applicants previously found themselves trapped in anxiety while waiting for financial support, uncertain of when they would receive the payment. The new Aspire system aims to streamline the process. Now, when a student submits their Hardship Fund application, the request will be fulfilled on the same day, and the applicant will receive the financial support they require in their nominated bank account. The funds for a successful applicant can now be transferred instantly or within two hours (depending on the applicant’s bank) after an application is made.

Sussex administration stated that the new system provides “additional benefits for the University, including cost savings which will mean more funds can be spent on students, a reduced administrative burden freeing up staff time to offer more support and increased insight into student use of their funds to help us better target future awards.”

Sussex Aspire shows the University’s clear commitment to student welfare, cutting through administrative red tape, and ensuring that no student is left in the dark when making an application for financial support.

In a time where financial strains are a

common concern among many students, the University of Sussex is seeking innovative solutions to streamline support and has done so by acknowledging the limitations of its old Hardship Fund system.

Chloe Field during the hustings at Sussex. Image: Ada Carpenter.

Brighton and Hove To Launch New Landlord Licensing Scheme

to apply for a licence.

Plans to introduce licences for all residential landlords in parts of Brighton and Hove are on course for launch this September. This comes after a four-year campaign by the grassroots and community organisation ACORN. The scheme would require that landlords apply for and adhere to the conditions of this licence. Failure to do so could incur financial ramifications totalling up to £30,000.

The licence is set to initially cost landlords £670 for five years. Costs are, however, increased should landlords fail

The scheme will first cover 2,100 properties in Kemptown, Moulsecoomb & Bevendean, Queen’s Park, and Whitehawk & Marina. This framework is set to run for six months from September and is awaiting approval from the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities to expand to 9,500 properties.

Councillor Gill Williams, chairperson for the housing & new homes committee, told the BBC that the aim of the proposed scheme was to deal with landlords who “fail to manage and maintain properties.”

The Brighton branch of ACORN, a national community and renters’ union, has campaigned for this scheme for the

Fear of Mumps Outbreak on Campus

Graziela Marianne Williams Staff Writer

Two decades after the MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) vaccine scare that deterred many parents from allowing their children to receive the vaccine, young adults at Sussex and nationwide are reckoning with the impact. Rumours of a mumps outbreak hit Falmer in mid-March, with the IDS emailing students with a request to stay home if feeling unwell on 18 March. The school of Mathematics and Physics also asked students to wear face masks in the same week, according to students. However, The Badger was unable to find a student experiencing symptoms of mumps to comment. The University Health Centre stated that they were “unable to comment as not all students are registered [at the centre].” Public Health England confirmed that measles is “currently circulating in [parts] of the country,” but stated that mumps was not a concern at this time. This will come as a relief to students worried about the spread of the latter illness, which often leads to uncomfortable and potentially damaging complications including meningitis, which the NHS reports “occurs in up to 1 in 4 cases of mumps,” where the percentage in measles cases is much lower. If it is in fact measles that students should be worried about, not mumps, what can be done to prevent the contraction and spread of the virus?

The combined MMR vaccine is unequivocally the most effective way to prevent the contraction of all three illnesses. In 1988, when the jab was introduced, 86,001 cases of measles were reported in England and Wales alone. That number decreased by over half the following year, and was as low as 698 in 2020, when the government last published numbers of measles notifications and deaths. However, many students will be

aware of the reason why those same case numbers rose and fell repeatedly from 1997 onwards. At that time, speculative ‘research’ by parties who had stock in selling separate vaccines - one for each condition, with three boosters before starting school - alleged firstly that the MMR vaccine caused a form of Crohn’s disease which could cause autism spectrum disorder, and secondly that the combined vaccine had not been tested extensively enough.

Both allegations are patently untrue: autism is not an illness like influenza that can be contracted and cured, and the combined vaccine remains the fastest and safest way to protect children from three potentially life-altering infections. However, in 1997, when the study which alleged the previously stated rumours was released, anxiety around the vaccine rose to a crescendo that resulted in the rate of UK children being vaccinated against the MMR dropping to its lowest level ever between 2002 and 2008, according the House of Commons library’s report on Childhood Immunisation Statistics. This bears particular relevance to the current Sussex cohort: most of our current undergraduates were born between 2000 and 2005. One student, who reported that they are unvaccinated due to the MMR vaccine scare, stated that they feel “a little vulnerable and scared to go onto campus… I know I’ll get more sick than other people if I get it.”

The good news for the student body is that - although it is classically administered at one year, and three years, four monthsthe MMR can be taken at any age, and the NHS states that protection begins “within two weeks” of the jab being administered. Material provided to The Badger by Public Health England encourages young adults to request their vaccine records from their GP, to ascertain whether they have had the MMR or require a booster of it.

past four years. Branch Organiser Toby Sedgwick told The Badger that “this scheme will give tenants the power to complain about poor conditions in confidence.” ACORN celebrated their victory by rallying outside of Hove Town Hall on the day of the councillor’s vote. ACORN also raised awareness of the scheme and organised collective responses to the council’s consultation in the months leading up to the vote.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, landlords appear not to share the Union’s enthusiastic opinions on these plans. A spokesperson for the National Residential Landlords Association told the BBC that such schemes “are not a targeted measure

of enforcement, they simply pass the costs of regulation onto landlords, and in turn those struggling to access housing.”

In response to an initial consultation on the project, two-thirds of landlords who responded opposed the plans and a previously similar scheme was prevented in 2018 following representations from landlord associations.

With warnings of higher rents from landlords and hopes of more accountability from renters, there appears to be some debate over the potential effectiveness of the proposed scheme. The results of such debate remain to be seen.

4 Out of 5 Sussex Students Take Drugs

Jack Timmins Staff Writer

An annual survey of over 6,000 students conducted by The Tab in February has revealed the drug and vaping habits of students from all over the UK. This survey found that over three-quarters of students have taken drugs while at university, including 82% of Sussex students. A further 35% admitted to being addicted to vaping.

While the University of Sussex was the lowest out of the universities surveyed for vaping, for drug use we are 7th place nationally - and the third highest in the South of England. The University of Manchester was top of the board with 90% of students stating that they had used drugs while at university, while the lowest was Imperial College London with 55%.

A report from 2023 noted a rise of 9% increased drug use for the North West, and a further rise of 28% for London. However, the South East has had a decrease of 9% in drug rates. Despite this, recorded crime in Brighton is rising, including drug offences which have risen by 3%. Brighton and Hove News reports that “Latest estimates based on modelling from 2019-20 show that, compared with the South East,

and with England, the proportion of the city’s resident population using opiates or crack cocaine remains significantly higher.”

Children, young people, and vulnerable adults are often used in the supply chain in Brighton, from drug running to “Cuckooing”, a term used to describe drug dealers taking over the home of a vulnerable adult. Dealers are believed to have taken over 11 properties in Brighton between 2023-2024.

While illegal substances are not tolerated by the University, for those that are part of the 82%, it’s important to follow harm reduction guidelines. These include:

• Use a small amount, like a quarter of a pill, and wait an hour to see how you feel.

• Don’t take drugs alone, and tell someone what you’re taking.

• Use clean needles and think about your surroundings; don’t take in an unsafe place.

The University also signposts students to national and local support services including Change Grow Live, Brighton Oasis Project, and FRANK. Please seek help if you ever feel unsafe, out of control, or unhappy about your drug usage.

Jude Budworth Staff Writer

Image: Will Gaffney.

Interviews: Your Next SU Full Time Officers

The Badger sat down with five of the newly elected Students’ Union full time officers for the 2024/25 academic year to hear more about their campaigns, manifestos, and plans for Sussex next year! Read the full interviews online.

Diversity, Access and Participation

Officer

Wellbeing Officer

Wellbeing Officer - Naina Bahl

Congratulations on your election! What do you think made you stand out from other candidates to win the most votes?

Thank you! It was a really close call for Wellbeing. Everyone had valuable insights and perspectives into how students at Sussex can be supported. I think I may have stood out as I spent the voting period engaging with lots of students around campus, speaking to them about the wellbeing issues on campus and how the Students’ Union can make change. Why did you decide to run for re-election? I still am committed to making student life better and having our campus be inclusive and student-focused. The induction for being an officer is complex and very timeconsuming - it takes up a large chunk of the beginning of the job. My manifesto in my first year included very ambitious goals and whilst I was able to lay the foundation for some of them, I realised soon that they weren’t realistically going to take effect in the first year - and this year came with more than its fair share of

Sports, Societies and Events Officer

additional challenges. So really I decided to run for re-election to continue making changes to enhance wellbeing support for our diverse student community.

What are you most proud of achieving in your role so far this year?

I’m really proud of the Wellbeing committee that I set up this year - it is going to be really key to my work over the next year. I’m also really proud to have run an incredible 16 Days of Activism event period this year with lots of student-led events.

What are you most looking forward to in your role? And what are you most worried about?

I’ve really enjoyed interacting with loads of students over the last year, particularly over liberation event periods. I’m keen to highlight our liberation event periods, involving many more students and hold more joyful and inclusive events. I’m a little worried about balancing the needs of different communities in a way that we are able to achieve the work that we want

Sports, Societies and Events Officer - Ardi Sefre

Congratulations on your election! What do you think made you stand out from other candidates?

I think it was my campaign with Elena. It was clear to students and voters that we have a great rapport. It widened up the voter pool and connected our voters. Running alongside her also allowed me not to become drained and gave me emotional strength.

What are you most looking forward to in your role?

I’m looking forward to serving students like myself who are passionate about gaining new experiences and I love the idea of being able to facilitate an amazing experience for the next generations. How do you plan to achieve your goals?

I want to (1) Unite societies and unite events – specifically hosting health focused events which are not limited to drinking culture. (2) Invest in the student

experience within our current structure. (3) I also think there is a lack of mental health support within societies. I want to conduct research with students to see how can we allow more time for mental health.

Your manifesto doesn’t really mention any plans for non-sports societies - how do you plan to support these groups?

I think they have an equally massive role at Sussex. I will essentially support them and their initiatives and goals and I will also make sure they are given a voice to reach their target demographic. For example, there are some cultural and religious societies at Sussex that are inspiring. I would like to help them by taking down misinformation about religion and treating them for what they are - a beautiful space for community.

What’s your opinion of the Spirit of Sussex Award as it is? How could it be

Student Living and Sustainability Officer International Students’ Officer

to do, and doesn’t cause anxiety, or require additional labour from marginalised students. It’s definitely possible and just needs open communication and a collective effort.

How do you plan to achieve your goals?

My main goal this year is to be in a place where marginalised students and international students feel safe being on campus and at University. The key manifesto points relating to this are: for academic and front-facing staff to be trained in supporting marginalised students, for increased funding into international student support and creating safe spaces for marginalised students on campus. To be able to achieve these goals, we need engaged student backing, and I plan to work on building a strong collective of students who want to see Sussex do better in supporting marginalised students.

What is your opinion of current wellbeing support at Sussex? What is the most important thing to improve?

In my four years at Sussex, I have seen Wellbeing services improve and support

improved?

It is not very accessible. The Spirit of Sussex Award is not well used and that’s because there is no direct correlation to what it does. However, investing in student life and making students excited to participate in Sussex culture and awarding them with a prize can make it more desired.

A big issue facing a lot of societies is a lack of funding for activities and new facilities. How will you approach this? Since it is frustrating that the SU has not been transparent in the past, I would like to approach students with transparency. And also create a rep structure for student societies that would be profit driven and individually led. I think it would really help societies level up. In combination with these elements, my true desire is to be upfront with the students, it can really make a difference.

Many sports societies seem to struggle with inclusivity, especially since many

Education and Employability Officer

students better. However, there is still a long way to go, particularly in supporting marginalised students and students during the cost of living crisis. Lots of us are not comfortable accessing support because of some of the experiences we have had and Sussex needs to work to repair their relationship with students so that we feel safer and more comfortable on campus. Students also need support during the cost of living crisis - there needs to be better support and flexibility, not just within the University as a whole, but within individual schools for all students who are struggling. What message do you have for Sussex students?

One of the things I always tell students, at open days or during freshers fair, is to get involved with their Students’ Union. Whether it’s through working in the bars, or joining a society, becoming a part-time officer or a student rep, the Union has something to offer for everyone - and in so many ways makes student life better.

sports are male dominated. How would you approach this issue?

We hear the word “inclusivity” thrown around a lot, but having a sense of belonging can be very healing. That is why I will work to coordinate accessibility for the entire demographic at Sussex. I will open up taster sessions and not keep them explicitly to freshers week. I would also like to help societies by offering adaptive sessions for people with disabilities. I might have an office hour in which students can come up to me and discuss issues they are having. As a representative, I want to be present and show up for students. What message do you have for Sussex students?

Get ready for things to change. I know that I, as well as the other elected officers, are quite excited to lead with a fresh student-led perspective. The SU really is your voice and although it may not feel like that now, your voice does matter.

Laura Mellena and Ada Carpenter Staff Writer and Senior Editor

Naina Bahl (they/them)

Ardi Sefre (he/him)

Jada Orlebar-Earle (she/her)

Elena Southard (she/her)

Esther Adeyamo (she/her)

Lewis Wilson (he/him)

Student Living and Sustainability Officer - Elena Southard

What do you think made you stand out from other candidates?

Since all the candidates were so good, we tried to take a very personal approach. We also just have very cool friends, they came to campus to support us. What does becoming a full-time officer mean to you?

It’s a massive responsibility, especially my role – currently there is a climate crisis and the cost of living crisis – I am very aware of this. I see it a big responsibility to support students the best way I can. What are you most looking forward to in your role? And what are you most worried about?

I am really looking forward to seeing how everything works on the inside. I am aware that we have these optimistic manifestos and I am concerned about how would they work out… but I’m sure it’s manageable. I am really excited to have a better platform to do the things I

am doing now.

How do you plan to achieve your goals?

One thing that I’ve always been saying is that students have the power to be seen. It’s a strength of having the voice of 15,000 students. Often the University doesn’t listen to us but now we have a chance to speak for ourselves. I want to emphasise student needs. Since the full time officers have similar aims, it makes our voice more powerful. I also want to find new approaches as much as possible. Reducing the cost of the bus passes, for example – I want to try to justify why it’s better for University and not just for the students.

You seem to have a lot of goals - which will you prioritise?

I will prioritise cheaper transport and subsidised bus passes – it would make a massive difference in our lives. I also want to let people know what is available on campus – the Roots society, South Downs

International Students’ Officer - Esther Adeyamo

Congratulations on your election. What do you think made you stand out from the other candidates?

One thing that stood out was that I engaged on social media a lot, as well as doing the groundwork. I would meet people and send them to my Instagram page so they wouldn’t forget me! What does becoming a full-time officer mean to you?

I have an overwhelming sense of responsibility. It’s a lot of work, and right now I’m just trying to take it all in. The handover starts properly in July, so I’m just trying to prepare myself. I don’t take it for granted, because people placed trust in me by voting. I know it’s going to require a lot of dedication but I will give it all it takes.

What are you most looking forward to?

And what are you most worried about? I’ve not officially started my role but I’m already getting a lot of comments from people about what they want. I know it will be challenging to satisfy everybody, and

I know I will also have some limitations within my role in the SU. But I’ve already spoken with Riko to get some ideas and get to know the system – with the proper planning I’m sure I will be able to do it. What’s most exciting is that I get to work with students! I love working with young people full of energy and ideas. Please give a short overview of your main manifesto points. How do you plan to achieve these goals?

I had three key points in my manifesto. The first was to harmonise the international students community in Sussex. We have several fragmented societies by nationality or region. We need to bring everyone together and have crossinteractions, encouraging people to go to events even if they’re not from that culture. The second is funding support, particularly for international students. My plan is to get the university to commit to funding more internal scholarships and to partner with more external organisations to provide more money for students.

Education and Employability Officer - Lewis Wilson

Congratulations on your election. What do you think made you stand out from the other candidates?

I think I was able to connect with a lot of students in a similar situation; being in third year, not really knowing what to do after graduation. Until the results of this election I also didn’t know what I was going to be doing next year. I think a lot of my manifesto points resonated with the wider university community, and my experience as a Students’ Union Trustee has given people some confidence in my ability to do the role. And – the pink hat! Everyone loved that hat and our shark costume. Double whammy there. What does becoming a full-time officer mean to you?

To me it means continuing the legacy of our current and previous SU team, maintaining the political activism that Sussex is renowned for, and making

near us, the Food Waste café. A big part of my work is about supporting student initiatives. I also want to focus on social and justice issues - the Union should be for the students so more of us can begin new things. Making things more smooth for students would allow them to do incredible things. Sussex prides itself on sustainability. How do you intend to hold the University accountable for maintaining this high standard?

A clear way to achieve this would be through the net zero target which resets in 2025. This goal needs to be very student led. The University also needs to be held more accountable. They love talking about Roots, but they make it really hard for it to exist.

How do you plan to advocate for lowering the rent price on campus? Do you think this is achievable considering that the University recently got rid of the

The third is for mental health, because every international student can relate to struggling with this. One of the things that motivated my candidacy was my colleague who passed on recently, and all of the things that happened in that period. The Union is already doing a lot of things that students are not even accessing, perhaps because they don’t know about it, or don’t see the point in it. I don’t believe in just creating more stuff for the sake of it when great things already exist – let’s make them more effective instead. How can international students be better integrated into the Sussex community?

I think one of the things we can do it boost cross-cultural activities. I think the divide is partly there because of how we communicate events – it seems like internationals are separated. One of the challenges is that international students feel that it’s unfair that they pay so much more than British students. But bringing people together and helping them to appreciate other cultures is the first step. While some issues are shared between all international groups, others may be

cheapest accommodation?

One thing I would be striving for is having the cost of housing reflected in the housing itself (the quality). They keep building these flashy spaces when in reality students just want something affordable and comfortable. Lowering the existing rent would be amazing but it would be easier to apply this to newly build accommodations.

Can you tell me more about your idea for an empathetic drugs policy?

The University currently has a zero tolerance policy for class A drugs. You would get immediately kicked out for one time use. And that needs to change. The empathetic drugs policy would mean that people could voice their concerns about themselves or their friends. They should be referred to mental health support rather than be considered as criminals. It would build more trust between students and the university which currently is a big issue.

specific to certain communities. How do you plan to engage with groups of which you are not personally a member?

That’s one of the advantages of having several national societies or cultural groups, because they can have those conversations that I might not be able to relate to personally amongst themselves. I plan to maintain a relationship with the heads of those groups so everyone can have a clear channel to get their messages to me. I would also like to attend some of the meetings when I can, so they know I’m not just an abstract office locked in the SU.

International students often face issues regarding their student visas and fees whilst at Sussex. Do you have any plans to provide better support?

Recently, the University increased scholarships for Nigerian students from £3000 to £4000. That’s great, and I want to put pressure on them to do that for more nationalities. I also want to work with Elena on student living to find the best ways to support international students in small but meaningful ways.

sure we are at the forefront of change nationally. On a personal level, I’m feeling exceptionally grateful. I can’t thank everyone who voted for me enough, and am also grateful to all the other candidates and my friends who helped me campaign. Please give a short overview of your main manifesto points. How do you plan to achieve these goals?

My main three manifesto points are to move lectures back from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m., to bring back the 25X and improve capacity at peak times, and pushing for more cheap meal options on campus. Students hold all the power at this University and at the Union. Engaging our student base and getting people worked up about what’s upsetting them is how we can make real change. When people are angry but also informed, that’s when real change happens.

I think the University wants a better

student experience on offer – they’ve had a lower uptake of students coming here this year, I think we’re a thousand students down. So it wouldn’t surprise me if the University is open to exploring new avenues to attract new students. While we can’t necessarily change fees (thanks Tories…), we can look at improving flexibility for working students. But Sussex does need to be worried. If they want to stay relevant, and keep all the new buildings going up in West Slope full, they need to offer an alternative and better experience. Moving lectures and seminars back is one way to do that. Your plan to push lecture start times later might be controversial if it means more evening classes instead. How do you plan to reflect the wishes of students in your capacity as FTO?

One of my slate manifesto pledges was to be accessible and to have an afternoon a week for drop-in sessions to listen to any issues and grievances students might be

facing. I still want to commit to that, even if not all of us will be able to do it regularly. The best way to represent people is by talking to them and making sure emails are answered. I don’t want anyone to get swept under the rug of bureaucracy. How has your experience as a Student Trustee of the SU informed your campaign and approach to this role?

The SU currently does a LOT for how much money we are given – the services provided considering how little money is given are incredible. If the SU was given more money we would be able to provide a 10x better service. On that front, my candidacy was born out of anger. But it is able to change. 90% of SUs around the country are better funded than us! What message do you have for Sussex students?

Keep engaged, and make sure you’re supporting the SU, because the SU is definitely supporting you. It’s more than just Falmer Bar.

Free Period Products Available in New Scheme on Campus

Jade Montana Staff Writer

As part of an initiative by the Period Dignity Project, working with Sussex Estates and Facilities (SEF), dispensers containing free Natracare pads and tampons have been installed across campus, replacing existing paid machines.

This initiative has expanded upon an initial trial of two dispensers situated in the School of Life Sciences, and the School of Media, Arts and Humanities (MAH). The project is monitored by volunteers and the SEF, with contact details provided alongside each dispenser for when they need to be restocked. The initiative hopes to raise awareness of issues such as the cost of menstruation and the cultural stigma around periods, aiming to improve understanding of periods.

The initiative launched in 2019 and was co-founded by Kristy Flowers, Senior Technical Manager (Teaching) in the School of Life Sciences. The Badger asked Kristy how Sussex students can further support their aim to reduce the stigma surrounding those who have periods. She responded by emphasising “open, frank, honest and inclusive discussion with eachother (all genders)”, as well as “educat[ing]

yourself and others about menstruation”. Furthermore, she signposted the orange boxes that can be found around campus, where students can fill in questions about menstruation that will be answered in talks run through Brighton and Sussex Medical School.

The initiative hopes to raise awareness of issues such as the cost of menstruation and the cultural stigma around periods.

Kristy sees the greatest achievement of the project so far as its growth across schools, and its collaborative work in multiple buildings across campus. She noted that the initiative hopes to expand campus wide and is currently working to put together a report with the central University Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Committee. She specified that the initiative “would love to roll out more dispensers across campus… however, everything depends on funding and where that money can be found”. In collaboration with MAH student, Georgie Cunningham Barrett, the project sent a letter to ViceChancellor Sasha Roseneil, asking for support for the project by “including free

period products across the whole campus in all toilets”. They are currently awaiting a response.

Kristy defined the project as “necessary, inclusive and collaborative”, highlighting the importance of this project for everyone. For more information, the project is on Instagram @perioddignityproject or can be emailed at period.dignity@sussex.ac.uk

If there’s an issue or event on campus that you think

The Badger should cover, send us an email or message with the info!

badger@sussexstudent.com

@thebadgersussex

UK’s New Extremism Definition Raises Concerns Over Free Speech and Bias

Amina Daniel News Sub Editor

Amidst widespread protests for Palestine, the Government has released a new definition for extremism that has sparked concerns about its potential impact on autonomy and free speech, particularly for certain groups.

The Government has asserted that their new definition is necessary to combat the rise of “extremist ideologies” after Hamas’ attack on Israel on 7 October, and the following intensification of Israel’s genocide of Palestinians. The definition is, supposedly, “narrower and sharper,” providing greater “specificity” through which to identify and label extremist groups. However, the definition itself comes across as strikingly vague:

“Extremism is the promotion or advancement of an ideology on violence, hatred or intolerance, that aims to: 1) negate or destroy the fundamental rights and freedoms of others; 2) undermine, overturn or replace the UK’s system of liberal parliamentary democracy and democratic rights; or 3) intentionally create a permissive environment for others to achieve the results in (1) or (2).”

This definition’s broad scope raises concerns that it could potentially be applied to any group with dissenting views from governmental policies, from religious associations to environmental justice organisations to student activism groups. Societies across the University of Sussex have expressed worry about future affects. The Badger spoke to a member of an activist society from the University of Sussex, who said: “State condemnation of groups protesting imperialism is nothing new, but the ability to freely apply labels such as extremism to those condemning state-sponspored genocide exposes more cracks in so-called Western democracy.’’

Alarmingly, the government possesses full discretion to apply this definition to whomever they deem fit – and already, a disproportionate focus on Muslim groups is visible.

During a House of Commons address, Secretary of State for Communities Michael Gove singled out the organisations Muslim Association of Britain (MAB), Cage, and Mend, as groups who “give rise to concern for their Islamist orientation and beliefs,” and are in line to be “assessed” against the new definition. He also named the British National Socialist Movement and Patriotic Alternative, who promote neo-Nazi

ideology. From Gove’s boldly direct callout, it is clear that the decision has already been made on the governmental opinion of these organisations as “extremist,” before official assessment.

State condemnation of [certain] groups is nothing new, but the ability to freely apply labels such as extremism to those condemning state-sponspored genocide exposes more cracks in so-called Western democracy.

MAB, Cage, and Mend are all described as grassroots organisations aimed at empowering communities. Roshan Salih, editor of 5Pillars News, told The Independent that “their only crime is calling out British foreign policy and structural Islamophobia. In other words, they are guilty of holding our rotten government to account.” In response to Gove’s announcement, MAB released a statement challenging Gove to repeat his words outside of parliamentary privilege, allowing the organisation to take legal action.

Gove’s disproportionate focus on Muslim groups reeks of bias – not only are

these labels wrongfully applied, but they successfully sidestep the extremist views in his own government. Frank Hester’s racist remarks continue to go unpunished, as the Tory party quietly accepts his donations, which total to £15 million over the course of a year. Meanwhile, social justice organisations are targeted and vilified. A group labelled as ‘extremist’ under this new definition will be significantly affected, as they will be blacklisted and barred from funding. There is also no appeal process; once a group has been labelled, the only way to dispute it will be through an expensive, lengthy process in court. This is something that many of the important groups fighting for social justice will not be able to afford.

The new definition’s emphasis on democracy is almost amusing in its irony, considering the distinctly undemocratic governance of the UK, led by unelected Prime Ministers since 2019. The political crackdowns on protesting have been intensifying, and this definition is yet another curb for freedom of speech and expression. At this point, the greatest threat to ‘our democracy’ and freedom is the Government themselves.

Image: Will Gaffney.

Local Life

Finding Where You Fit: Community Meetups

Anna Whelan Local Life Sub Editor

University can be an incredibly isolating and overwhelming place, particularly when you have to navigate it away from family and friends. The list of societies on campus is virtually endless; however, they still might not be what you are looking for. Although most people settle into campus-living during their first year here, the University site is also just a fraction of Brighton and what it has to offer. Being part of the campus community can be really positive and supportive; but, you don’t have to limit yourself. I encourage everyone to familiarise themselves with the app ‘Meetup’, which is filled with every kind of community you can think of: sports, literature, music and more. Whether joining a community sparks your interest or you want to start your own group, the opportunity is there.

In such a digitalised world, our lives have shifted online, reducing the number of connections we make each day. This can have a detrimental effect on our mental health, particularly during a time of great change and uncertainty. Joining a community can offer a sense of stability that may be missing from the university’s

often chaotic environment. The National Institutes of Health concluded in one study that people who expressed a stronger feeling of community in their area also reported less signs of depression, anxiety, and stress. ‘Terrible Football’ is a free community on Meetup that welcomes people from all backgrounds, ages, and skill levels. Through weekly matches, the group hopes to highlight the importance of physical health as well as mental health - as the two very much overlap. A regular Terrible Football attendee says he finds the social aspect has now taken over from merely exercise as pub get-togethers and gameday hangouts with other members are commonplace. Members are finding their home-awayfrom-home through connecting with people of similar backgrounds, which can certainly ease the process of moving. Numerous groups on Meetup focus on embracing diversity and inclusion through providing safe spaces for marginalised groups to get together. Brighton Queer

Book Club meets on the last Thursday of every month to discuss a preselected LGBT+ book of choice. This community highlights voices that have often been ignored, while shedding light on queer literary spaces which focus on celebrating those voices, such as The Feminist Bookshop and The Queery. Being part of a community can foster a sense of belonging through the exposure to diverse ideas and experiences, valuing individuals for who they are. Shared interests are where deep connections are created.

For those whose thirst for knowledge goes beyond their studies, communities such as BRIGHTHINK hold “entertaining, stimulating and challenging” talks around Brighton, covering topics in science, politics, medicine & health, religion and history. After paying £5 on the door, you can listen to invited speakers talk about their specific areas of interest whether it be Big Pharma, Mythbusting Charles Darwin’s work, or an ex-Scientologist

The Views of Lewes

sharing their life story. These places of discussion offer professional growth as well as personal growth by interacting with speakers in the allocated Q&A time, as well as with other attendees from all stages of life, expanding your network. Therefore, Meetup communities offer a chance to be part of something bigger than your studies and your university.

University is the time for trying new

“

I encourage everyone to familiarise themselves with the app ‘Meetup’.

things, meeting new people and learning more about yourself. Even though people from all stages of life take part in Meetup groups, the communities could not be more accessible for students as a result of there being little to no attendance fee. Through the absence of mandatory memberships, communities stress the importance of forming sincere connections. Instead of reducing our face-to-face interactions, we can utilise technology to increase genuine in-person relationships – something that the Meetup app is specifically designed to do!

Jodie Fullerton Staff Writer

After you go through the gates of Falmer station, do you walk over the bridge and head towards Platform 1 to travel straight into Brighton? Next time, consider staying on Platform 2. If you do, just a seven-minute train journey is what lies between you and the must-visit, historical market town of Lewes. Despite being a small town, Lewes is packed with personality; a place where your day can consist of peaceful woodland walks surrounded by the South Downs, castles and ruins, or browsing for trinkets, bargains, and unique bits-and-bobs. The versatile town accommodates it all.

A town dating back to the 6th century, Lewes holds rich historical value and beauty. If you are an avid historian, then this town will not disappoint. The main route into town passes over the 1726 River Ouse Bridge. Cottages framed in climbing ivy, a castle erected in the 11th century, traditional street names such as ‘Friars’ Walk’, and placards that detail the towns’ significant historical events are just a few of the sights that Lewes has to offer. The most unique historical location on offer is the viewing platform overlooking the site of the 1264 Battle of Lewes, where colourful maps and diagrams display the events of the two-hour-long battle. Even

if you have no interest in the historical details of this frozen-in-time town, the beauty of the landmarks are still worth a viewing.

With crisp air and inclined paths, the landscape is always idyllic; the perfect way to escape the hustle and bustle of our daily lives. The nature trails around Lewes are virtually endless. As a town surrounded by the South Downs National Park and just a few miles from the coastline, the scenery here is stunning, the perfect place for a (probably muddy) walk. Follow the riverbanks and weave into the woodlands that are busy with wildlife. The walks of Lewes can accommodate the most expert

of hikers, with a climb up to Black Cap trig point, as well as beginner walkers, with easy strolls along the river. So, turn left or right, and there will most likely be a pub either way!

Lewes is a bookworm’s heaven and home to two incredible bookshops! Boon Books is a shop where you can pick up hand-made bookmarks, find ‘blind date’ mystery books, and browse the 3 for £1 aisle. Just across the road is Bow Windows Bookshop, where old, original, and leather bound copies of your favourite novels reveal themselves on the shelves.

Though Brighton is known for its vintage and second-hand shops, the price

tag that accompanies that reputation is not always pretty; however, the little town of Lewes has charity shops, boutiques, jewellers, and produce stores that are budget-friendly and unique. The shops along the high-street contain a variety of handmade, locally sourced, vintage, and affordable items, with some shops even having ‘free to take’ baskets outside of their windows.

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Keep an eye out for the weekly riddle written on a shop window along Friars’ Walk.

Though modest in its outside appearance, one of the most spectacular places to visit is Lewes Flea Market, which boasts taxidermy to vintage boned-bustiers. Statues, sculptures and suits of armour, dolls, war postcards and more, this market commemorates the most significant moments of the past in all of its obscurities. See the WWII masks and fighter boots alongside the giant hanging moth! Hours can be spent browsing through these items that are unlike any other. No matter how long you spend searching, you probably won’t see everything!

So go and pottery paint, take your friends out for a pint, have a pastry in the local café, or pick out vintage trinkets at the flea market. Keep an eye out for the weekly riddle written on a shop window along Friars’ Walk. You won’t regret visiting.

Despite being a small town, Lewes is packed with personality.

Lewes Flea Market (L) and part of Lewes Castle (R) Images: Jodie Fullerton.

Anna Hills Local LIfe Editor

TOP 10: Animal Lover Hotspots

Raystede Centre for Animal Welfare

The Broyle, Lewes, BN8 5AJ

A short drive from Brighton, Raystede animal sanctuary has a variety of domestic animals to appreciate from dogs to donkeys and so many more. With a café, charity shop and pet supply store on site, Raystede has much to offer, all for free when you book online. If you’re lucky, you may even get a chorus of greetings from the array of exotic birds, so be sure to say hello!

Drusillas Park

Polegate, BN26 5QS

2 1

5

City Cat Shelter

Ingham Drive, BN1

9GL

If it’s a hands-on experience you’re after, feline fanatics will appreciate the voluntary opportunity Brighton’s City Cat Shelter has to offer. A home-run cat shelter dedicated to the rehoming of unwanted and stray cats, the shelter operates entirely on donations and volunteers like you.

Further afield, but worth the effort, is Drusillas Park; home to 196 different species, you’ll be sure to find some interesting characters. While being one of the more expensive attractions on this list, there are discounts available especially for groups; so, round up a group of friends and enjoy! There is also the opportunity to book VIP experiences with some animals.

4

Booth Museum of Natural History

194 Dyke Road, BN1 5AA

Perhaps an unusual attraction for animal and natural history lovers is Booth’s. With a focus on Victorian era taxidermy, explore this small hidden gem in the heart of Brighton to learn – and of course have a giggle at the comical facial expressions of the animals!

Stanmer Park Nature Reserve

Falmer, BN1 9RG

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Brighton Seafront

A well known and loved feature of Brighton is the starling population that frequent the seafront. Anyone who is lucky enough to have seen the murmurations of the starlings come evening time, will tell you what a spectacle it is. Perhaps grab some fish and chips and settle down on the beach around dusk to catch the show.

Take a stroll through Stanmer Park, only a few minutes from campus, to see dogs enjoying their walks and meet the cows grazing in the roadside field. If you keep going, you’ll stumble upon The Stanmer Tea Rooms; grab some lunch, a hot drink and meet the horses grazing next to the tables.

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Sealife Marine Parade, BN2 1TB

A famous feature of Brighton is the Sealife centre along the seafront. As the oldest operational aquarium in the UK, this attraction has much to offer and is a great day out.

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Creature Clothes 23 Bond Street, BN1 1NB

A hidden gem in the heart of Brighton, Creature Clothes offer an array of accessories for your furry friends. Come for the selection but stay for the two adorable mascots, Beetle and Buzz, who can usually be found snoozing at the window or enjoying head scratches from shoppers.

Maidenhead Aquatics

Brighton Marina, BN2 5WA

If it’s fish you’re after, look no further than Maidenhead Aquatics; a reputable chain of stores who take great care of the rare fish on offer, cultivating the spread of aquatic animal education. Wander round the brightly coloured shop to appreciate the fish close up, then head out to the marina to see some aquatic life in action!

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Pets at Home Brighton, BN1 8LW

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Another free option for appreciating some animals, on a smaller scale, is Pets at Home. Wander through and enjoy the antics of the hamsters, fish, guinea pigs and more. If you ask nicely you can even enjoy some cuddle time with the rabbits!

The Campus Bubble vs The Outside World

Amy Short Staff Writer

It is easy to get lost in the unreal seeming simulation that is a university campus.

An alternate universe where children don’t exist, sleep schedules are reversed, and construction work never ends. You could be sharing a living space with your best friends or complete strangers, and studying there too - whilst also socialising, shopping, and whatever else your heart desires. A place where personalities and lifestyles are destined to clash but also, somehow, harmonise.

Bearing all this in mind, the first-year me could not wait to move into my secondyear house; releasing my Northfield shackles and finally getting to live with my best friends. I created exciting propaganda

in my head, building up the moment I finally entered the “real world”. Real people on real streets. The luxury of a homely environment. The escape from constantly seeing the same ghosts on campus. Most importantly, a CLEAN kitchen. Actually, it didn’t even have to be clean; just a kitchen I’m not afraid to enter in fear of what pans of mine had been used or what the bins were looking like.

Sometimes the abrupt change in environment can feel overwhelmingly lonely. “

Despite all this enthusiasm, now as a second year in my six-bed house in Moulsecoomb, I find myself wanting to go back to my cosy little ensuite flat in Northfield - realising how I took the

campus ‘bubble’ for granted. Trying to get on a full bus is not a problem when you live close enough for your legs to take you to lectures. And I have seen more mould on just one wall of my current bedroom than I have in my entire life pre moving out.

The jump from campus to life in a Brighton house is huge. Socialisation is no longer localised and you’re adapting to a new area. Whilst you’re juggling everything else, your studies are also getting more serious, and you can find yourself a bit lost. Maybe you are finding it harder to make friends outside of campus or maybe you are having issues with a flatmate. Whatever you’re experiencing, it is okay to accept and recognise that sometimes the abrupt change in environment can feel overwhelmingly lonely. Through conversations with my peers, I realised I

was not alone in this feeling at all.

This being said, I don’t want to scare first years about to move out! There is so much excitement ahead. Enjoy every moment on campus and every moment after. I completely changed my mindset by looking at second year as an opportunity to explore Brighton further and get more involved in societies. To people moving into Brighton: explore more pubs (Martha Gunn being a popular choice among students), check out the quaint Elm Grove cafes, enjoy being a walkable distance to large food shops and maybe even the beach! Second and third year living is all about figuring out what you thought you already knew. This is because with the bars, shops, and restaurants all in one place, you would never ever have to leave campus… if you weren’t told to move out!

Image: Will Gaffney.

Image: BBC Countryfile.

Image: Creature Clothes.

Image: Will Gaffney.

North Laine Retailers: Fast Fashion?

Gina Brennan Staff Writer

The North Laine area in Brighton is renowned for being a quirky set of small businesses, where you can be sure what you’re buying is unique. When I moved to Brighton, it was the first place I visited and it helped me to fall in love with the city. It’s normally the top place on the list for anyone on the look-out for vintage finds; vibrant, busy, and a gold-mine for clothing with both personality and history. However, under closer inspection it appears some shops may not be as legitimate as they seem.

Tucked between shops that sell authentic vintage garments, other shops stock pieces that look hand-made or vintage, and certainly for price tags that are similar to the genuine articles. I recently visited a shop in the Laines and bought what I thought was a one-of-akind, vintage slip dress, but when I got home I found a modern plastic tag sewn in with the sizing on it. I went back to the shop later and discovered two other slip dresses, identical to mine, hanging in its place. After this experience, I started finding other signs that cast doubt over

some shops’ integrity. The cheap fabric, shoddy machine stitching, or plastic sewn-in tags hint that, rather than being painstakingly handmade or passed down through generations, garments may have been imported through “dropshipping”. This is a process wherein large amounts of cheap clothing are bought and then sold with an eye-watering markup. Dropshippers commonly purchase from the same manufacturers that companies like AliExpress, Temu, and Shein use.

The assumption when you shop in the Laines is that you are buying unique, sustainable pieces.

If this is the case, not only does this damage the perception of Brighton as a haven for independent and small businesses, it does the same to its reputation as one of the greenest cities in the UK. The impact of fast fashion on the environment, causing huge increases in plastic pollution, water consumption, and CO2 production, has recently been well documented. But it’s not just the environment at the forefront of the modern consumer’s mind; the exploitation of workers, with many in fast fashion working in poor conditions and

barely earning enough to live, also affects the choice of where to shop. This has led to an increase in customers “shopping small”, supporting independent businesses.

North Laine is the beating heart of Brighton’s independent shops, and the idea of it being invaded by clothing from manufacturers that create low quality garments with huge environmental and social impact leaves a bad taste in your mouth. If true, it is a highly unethical way of exploiting the “vibe” of the Laines and the customers’ care for the world around them. The assumption when you shop in the Laines is that you are buying unique, sustainable pieces; these shops

appear to capitalise on this assumption to sell drop-shipped items to people who are consciously trying to shop ethically. Customers with good intentions may unwittingly end up supporting the very manufacturers they are trying to avoid, and buying poorly made clothing to boot. When you next pop out for a vintage haul, double check your purchases - you can even reverse Google Image search your picks to see if they appear on any manufacturer’s websites. In the fight against fast fashion make sure that your money is going exactly where you want it to; the sustainable independent shops taking fast fashion giants on.

Understanding the Hidden Reality of Housing Insecurity in Brighton

Abbie Brown Staff Writer

One in 88 people are homeless in Brighton and Hove, according to Shelter, the housing and homelessness charity. This horrifying statistic brings the real extent of the situation into focus. At a stark contrast to the vibrant, eclectic charm of a seaside city are the lived experiences of housing insecurity that residents increasingly suffer from.

Rough sleeping is the most visible aspect of homelessness. A bleak picture is painted by the government’s Rough Sleeping Snapshot in England: Autumn 2023. The rate of people sleeping rough per 100,000 in Brighton is almost triple that of England as a whole, and represents a 27% increase from 2022. To lend perspective: London’s rough sleeping rate is much lower, at nearly double the England figure. However, rough sleeping doesn’t capture the entire picture. Housing insecurity describes lacking long-term, dependable housing. This includes temporary accommodation (e.g. hostels), threat of eviction or domestic violence, inadequate housing, and ‘hidden homelessness’ of sofa surfing. People may be homeless without recognising it.

Causes of housing insecurity are varied and connected. Simple answers of unemployment are inadequate: among homeless people supported by the city council last July-September, 26.7%

were in employment, according to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities. Insecure employment brings undependable income, and so insecure housing. A component of this, more specific to Brighton, is seasonal tourism industry employment, with off-season work scarce.

People with interrelated health and social care needs are particularly vulnerable to homelessness. Mental health and addiction issues often prevent people from working, affording accommodation, or being able to complete the necessary admin to either remain housed independently or access support.

The rate of people sleeping rough per 100,000 in Brighton is almost triple that of England as a whole.

Housing is increasingly unattainable, most acutely in the South-East. Chronic shortages of social housing are compounded by issues within the private rental sector. Census data reveals Brighton holds the largest proportion of privately rented homes outside London, and a majority of homes under-occupied - possibly as holiday lets. Resulting rental prices provide a great time to be a landlord.

Brighton and Hove’s Homelessness Strategy provides private rental help with council tax reductions and housing benefit applications, severe weather emergency shelters, supported and emergency

accommodation, and specialist outreach services.

Issues in this system exacerbate homelessness. A fixed address is needed to apply for benefits, jobs, and GP registration.

The 100 % increase in rough sleeping since 2010 may be tied to government policy choices of austerity, cutting funds for vital services. These services are crucial for the 78% of statutory homeless households registered with Brighton and Hove Council services who have support needs (mental and physical health, domestic abuse, offending, addiction). Waiting lists result, leaving individuals without adequate support to address their underlying issues.

Accommodation shortages create ‘out of area’ placements, away from familiar supports. Government drives to bring ‘Everyone In’ without sufficient long-term social housing trap unending, recordbreaking numbers of people in (often unsuitable) ‘temporary accommodation’ limbo.

Benefits system insufficiencies further embed housing insecurity. The current council strategy identifies that shortfalls between Local Housing Allowance and average rent rose to 253% in the five years to 2019, to £177 weekly. Universal Credit payment delays force recipients into late rent payments, leading to accommodation loss and difficulty finding a new place to live, with landlords seeing them as a ‘risk’.

A combination of factors mean the most vulnerable people fall through the cracks, unable to access help. The problem

is bigger than providing places to stay: there is a clear, pressing need for help for people to be able to remain in those places. Though the extent and gravity of this situation may seem overwhelming, there are ways you can help. For example, supporting charities working in aid of homeless people by donating or volunteering. Shelter stressed the upcoming general election’s importance in a February 2024 press release, “calling for all political parties to commit to ending the housing emergency” with social housing building programs. You can ask your elected representatives for change, and vote on it in local elections on Thursday 2 May, and later in the Parliamentary general election.

Vulnerable people fall through the cracks, unable to access help.

More immediately, if you see someone sleeping rough, reach out to Streetlink. org.uk to connect street outreach support. Contact 999 if someone is in immediate danger, requires immediate medical attention, or is under 18 sleeping rough.

If you are concerned about your living situation, you can contact the council’s Housing Advice team, or call Shelter’s free helpline on 0808 800 4444 for advice and support. Fortunately or unfortunately; you are not alone.

Image: Will Gaffney.

Molly Channell Staff Writer

FI Want To Use My Voice, But I Don’t Know How To!

eeling overwhelmed by the world’s crises? You are not alone. From economic turmoil to global conflicts, the world is full of hardships and injustices. This is why activism matters more than ever. But for many students it can feel daunting. How do you join the fight for change? How do you navigate the flood of information on social media? What platforms or organisations have the right intentions? To help bridge the gap for students wanting to use their voice more, I interviewed experienced student activists – Riko, Sofia, Aaron, Rose, Amelia, Milly, Elena and Phoebe – for guidance and tips on getting involved.

The Importance of Quiet and Loud Activism

Activism can feel daunting when we picture only the loud, frontline activists who tend to organise protests. However, it encompasses a spectrum of approaches, including quieter but equally impactful methods. Educating yourself on social issues, having conversations with others, and making ethical lifestyle choices all contribute to positive change. For instance, boycotting unethical brands such as McDonalds and Amazon, as Rose noted, “a minor task that en masse makes a big difference”.

Throughout all the interviews it was

Community and Networking

From all of the interviews, it was evident that “having a good community of people is so powerful”. Last year Elena’s struggle with eco-anxiety shifted when she found support among fellow activists, underscoring the importance of a strong network. In activism, community offers not only support, but also inspiration and shared purpose.

Rose also mentioned, “fostering a culture of care among your friends... [especially] if you’re someone that doesn’t fit the coloniser stereotype is a radical act and is an act of activism”. Additionally, networks of activists share the workload and accountability, ensuring that no one takes on too much.

It can be time-consuming to build networks so here are some recommendations from the students:

On campus:

• The Friends of Palestine Society holds protests in the library square, every Monday at noon during term time

• The Decolonise Sussex campaign meet on Mondays from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

• The Sussex Anti-Racist Action group

• The Sussex STAR (Student Action for Refugees) Society, part of a national

echoed that activism comes in different forms and needs to be aligned with individual strengths and comfort levels. For Riko, being an international student who is on a visa means the potential risks with loud activism are too high. But being an international officer allows her to be the platform for the voices of international students and fight for their rights at university. As Phoebe said, “our collective strength is magnified because we all have unique, varied strengths to offer”; every act adds to the broader movement for social change.

charity focused on creating a safer environment for refugees.

• Amnesty International Society

• Oxfam Society

• Check out initiative like the Food Waste Café and the Roots allotment, both addressing biodiversity and food waste.

• Climate Justice Week starts on 22 April.

Off campus:

• Stay updated with the Green Door Store for events and solidarity fundraisers

• Explore events at The Queery and the Ledward Centre in Brighton

• Join Unite Hospitality to support workers’ rights in the hospitality sector

• Volunteer with the Whitehawk Community Food Project

• Hummingbird Refugee Project

• Survivors’ Network

• Brighton and Hove Stop the War Coalition

• Extinction Rebellion Brighton

• Coldean Commons Restoration Community

• Brighton Cop Watch

• Leave No Trace Brighton

Below is a curated list of some reliable Instagram pages:

• For climate change: @climateincolour, @earthlyeducation and @climatereality

• For Palestine: @wizard_bisan1, @ motaz_azaiza, @saleh_alijfarawi, @ anat.international and @iampalipina @bdsnationalcommitee @brightonhoveactionforpalestine @palestine.solidarity

• For Sudan: @womenofsudan, @red_maat, @sudan.updates and @bsonblast

Navigating Social Media Activism

In an era dominated by social media, activism has found a new frontier online. Sofia harnesses the power of digital platforms to advocate for change. By sharing posts, “not only can you help educate others, and also learn more yourself, but interacting with the algorithm helps posts reach more people, fights censorship and exposes more people to the truth”.

However, caution needs to be taken in trusting social media sources. All the students advocate for verifying sources, cross-referencing, scrutinising the information and being sceptical of mainstream Western media coverage of global issues. When you are sharing posts prioritising personal connections and first-hand experiences, it is fundamental to ensure that the most reliable source of information is platformed. Amelia also emphasised that “you shouldn’t be politically engaged purely through media or social media”. Ground your activism in real-life experiences and authentic connections.

• For Congo: @freecongodrc, @congofriends and @foreverjuicebae

• LGBTQ+: @reclaimpridebrighton

• Feminism: @fatfabfeminist

• Good activist accounts: @decolonizd, @disorientalizing, @decolonising_ health, @humantiproject, @lovediarist, @mariamtheugandan, @wearthpeace, @thepeoplepsychology @democracynow, @novaramedia, @aljazeeraenglish, @amnesty, @impact @ukisnotinnocent

Specificity and Balance

All the student activists advocate for a targeted and focused approach and warn against vague activism and spreading yourself too thin by the overwhelming urge to tackle every problem. You cannot do everything. By concentrating your efforts on one or two issues is a more effective way of creating meaningful change. Rose shared the example of a volunteer running the weekly Free Wednesdays stall, a form of consistent engagement that provides a manageable yet impactful way to contribute regularly.

Finding balance is essential for sustainable activism and balance looks different for everyone. Setting boundaries and taking care of yourself is key; refrain from taking on too much, allocate specific time for activism, take “active and meaningful breaks” and remind yourself that no action is too small. It is also important to find a balance between addressing the negative aspects as well as the positive. Engaging with and celebrating the culture and community you are fighting for is equally vital.

Sussex students protest for ceasefire in Gaza. Image: Alvin Kwan.

Sussex STAR event during One World Week 2023. Image: Sussex Star Instagram.

An Open Letter to my Past Self: The Signs

(That You Missed) of an Abusive Relationship

Anonymous

Hey you, it’ll be confusing when it first happens.

Your new boyfriend will pull you out of a club (that you just paid an exorbitant amount for both you and him to get into) and he’ll tell you it’s because he didn’t trust the people you were with. You’ll be confused because they were his friends but you’ll go along with it and make your way home with him.

On the way back he’ll change the story and tell you it’s because you were being a ‘miserable c*nt’ the whole night. You scream at each other in the street in front of his parents house, in a city you’ve never been to before, and the night ends with him slamming the bedroom door to go have a cigarette and then returning with a sudden urge to be near you (to have sex with you) and then he passes out.

You will wake up confused as to what the fight was even about. How it started made so little sense, and the screaming seemed to come naturally to him whereas you’ve never yelled like that in your entire life. Whether you bring it up or not I can’t remember. But what I do know is that it won’t be the last time or the worst.

Fast forward a few months down the line, and you’ll get a letter taped to the front door of your flat complaining about noise through the night. You and him will laugh it off as stuffy neighbours with nothing better to do, but you have a sneaking suspicion it’s to do with nights like the one that happened a week prior. You lay in bed after a drunken night out,

Being Critical

Critical thinking is paramount in activism. Activism is not merely about rallying crowds or posting on social media — it is about engaging in meaningful conversations, challenging perspectives, and nurturing critical thinking. Amelia emphasised the importance of questioning your norms and remaining

another fight that started out of nowhere and him standing over you shouting that he was going home and that he hated to be around you. Then the loudest slam of a bedroom door you’ve ever heard. You beg him in your front doorway to stay because he’s inebriated and there’s no way he could walk home.

Notably, a few minutes later you’ll be in bed and you’ll tell him you don’t want to have sex. A hand will slip down your pants, you tell him to stop and get upset so he says “I stopped then though didn’t I”. You’ll have sex anyway and he passes out on top of you. Later you’ll sit in the bathroom and cry in the dark.

Soon he’ll stop having sex with you altogether. Weeks turn into months of trying to work out why and every time your told that you don’t understand despite trying so hard to. You’ll be screamed at that there’s no need to make him feel bad about the relationship’s lack of sex life “just because you’re self-conscious”. This makes you feel horribly guilty and wrong, something you carry with you for the rest of the relationship.

At this point you’re regularly lending him easily over £150 a month. He can’t seem to keep his money in the bank (even though he earns more than you), and eventually, you just start to send money in lump sums because it’s too stressful to try and keep track of all the things you buy him. He doesn’t care about keeping track of how much he owes you despite how many times you ask him to. I know that you’re told you can always say no to lending him money, but you don’t feel as

open to change, stating that “people should always be questioning why they believe [and] what they believe”. As students, we have the privilege of having access to a huge amount of scholarly resources. Amelia ensures that they get the most credible information by reading scholars who are Palestinian and/or Arab.

Amplifying Other Voices

Amplifying voices that are marginalised is another fundamental aspect of activism. Rose highlighted that it is imperative to know the difference between ‘I am not speaking for or over people, I am speaking with them‘. This is what Sofia’s activism encompasses: “Mostly, I stand in solidarity with people”. Phoebe reminded us that it is “crucial to consider your own positionality and privilege, particularly if you’re white, straight, cis, neurotypical, not disabled, wealthy, middle/upper class, of colonial heritage or any other privileged experience”. Elena recommended The Feminist Bookshop and Afrori, “a

though you can because of how often he retorts that the two of you are ‘a team’- a motto which was once a cute symbol of how the relationship was meant to work, but let me assure you the phrase is a weapon used against you.

There’s the time you don’t wanna pay for a taxi home from the club in the early hours of the morning. The only option is the bus in 35ish minutes and you say let’s just get that and that you’re sorry for not wanting to pay for the taxi. You feel the air change as you say it. The next 40 mins are some of the more scary and confronting minutes of your life.

He begins shouting that 30 minutes until the bus “may as well be 30 years.” You stand behind the bus shelter in the dark and barely say a word as he screams at you about something along the lines of how angry he is that he has to take the bus and how detestable you are for making him do it. A man in his forties stops as he’s walking past to ask if you specifically are okay. Your boyfriend goes quiet and stares at the ground while you tell the man thank you but you’re fine. He seems unwilling to walk away probably because of the tears in your eyes and the way your shoulders are hunched as you try to protect yourself from the cold, so you sternly say again (because your loyalty to your boyfriend won’t let you do otherwise) “everything’s fine, thank you.”

The man walks away and your boyfriend starts up again. You say someone “literally just stopped in the street to see if I was okay.” He replies “I don’t care you can f*cking go off with

Confidence

Having confidence in your ability to effect change is crucial, believe that you can do it, that you belong within the activism world. Elena did not even consider organising a protest as a possibility and now she has a multitude of events, protests and campaigns under her belt. Societies are open spaces, welcoming participation from all at

bookshop dedicated to celebrating black voices and stories”. Milly suggested Feminism Is For Everybody by bell hooks as an “accessible introduction to feminism”. Reading a book that shines a light on a new perspective is an easy way to diversify the voices within your space. However, Aaron highlighted the importance of being aware that amplifying voices that have been marginalised is too big of a problem to put into bullet points. White supremacy is “deeply embedded and normalised” within societal structures as well as campaigns and organisations. Although EDI (Equality, Diversity and Inclusion) approaches are used, “it only merely puts

him then.” You tell him he’s using you as a verbal punching bag and that you’re going to walk home to your house. He chases you across the street and grabs your scarf and it pulls tightly around your neck before unravelling off you completely, you turn to face him and push him away from you and then he starts punching himself in the head repeatedly.

After this night you stay together a few more months. Things stay as they are and you will gradually become more and more anxious and reclusive from the world. Attempts are made at breaking up. One time you say that you feel unsafe around him but that you don’t actually want to break up with him, he replies “just don’t then” and you stay.

Eventually he will cheat but it’s not that bit that’s abusive. It’s the hiding it, telling you you’re crazy, looking into your eyes and saying “I would never do that,” getting other people to lie for him and making up fake scenarios to cover for his actions. It will leave you questioning reality and you’ll spend sleepless nights wondering how you could be on FaceTime to him showing him a present you bought for him and ten minutes later he was in an Uber to f*ck someone else. And after all that for a little while after you will be still unable to leave, and even after all he’s done neither will he.

My past self I cannot save you, however, in retrospect you will look back and realise all these moments and so much more were not okay and that none of it was your fault.

any level of engagement. Embrace the courage to attend meetings and events, knowing that every act of involvement contributes to collective progress.

Lastly, Sofia reminded us not to lose hope. “It can be scary and daunting and demoralising when you look at the state of the world, but losing hope will never get us anywhere.” Hope is not merely a sentiment; it is a catalyst for change.

them in that space without redressing any of the underlying failings or oppressive structures of an institution”. It is only diminishing the scale of the problem and pretending everyone is included. Being aware of this is fundamental, Aaron recommended the following literature as a starting point: On Being Included by Sara Ahmed, Race to the Bottom: Reclaiming Antiracism by Azfar Shafi and Ilyas Nagdee and Radical Care edited by Hi’ilei Julia Hobart and Tamara Kneese. When discussing topics that do not personally affect you, you have to be “willing to sit and be uncomfortable”; “it is the first step to being anti-racist and anti-discriminatory”.

Image: Alamy.

Lola Carron News Sub Editor

FThe Ups and Downs of an Intern at Paris Fashion Week

ashion Week events in cosmopolitan cities like Paris and New York often exude an aura of exclusivity, reserved seemingly for designers, celebrities, and influencers. But behind the glamour is essential work behind-the-scenes, where interns play a pivotal role in upholding the spectacle.

During the recent Autumn/Winter Paris Fashion Week, I interned for Huishan Zhang, a luxury clothing brand that connects Eastern heritage with Western influences. After the success of their London Fashion Week show, Huishan Zhang’s exclusive showroom resided within the elegant confines of a top-floor apartment discreetly nestled behind the iconic Champs-Élysées. The showroom showcased the latest collection that exuded the narrative of a scandalous love affair woven through feminine details and directional designs.

I received confirmation of my internship only 48 hours before its commencement, which left me with little time for preparation. However, through my role as a showroom intern I gained invaluable hands-on experience across diverse tasks, from curating the showroom’s ambience to assisting buyers during appointments, and ensuring models were impeccably dressed. I was given the opportunity to develop my own skills, whether it was meticulously arranging garments to

showcase their allure, coordinating with buyers to understand market demands, or perfecting the art of dressing models in a way that captured each collection. Moreover, the internship served as a gateway to unparalleled networking opportunities, facilitating connections with seasoned professionals and fellow fashion enthusiasts. These interactions not only initiated potential collaborations with clients such as Selfridges, Liberty’s, and Harrods but also enriched my understanding of industry dynamics and emerging trends.

As I imagine with any internship there were challenges - as despite all the benefits, navigating the fast-paced realm of fashion tested my resilience and adaptability. The internship was unpaid (!) and had a demanding schedule that often led to working overtime without warning.

As an English Literature student at a non-

fashion university, I initially grappled with feeling inadequate compared to the other interns who studied at the prestigious Instituto Marangoni (a fashion design school). I feared I lacked the knowledge and experience expected in the industry. Interns and models shared a feeling that our contributions and efforts weren’t valued or respected, which is a common struggle for interns navigating hierarchical structures. However, as the internship continued, I made sure to rely on my experienced colleagues and ask them for wisdom and insights. The experience allowed me to immerse myself in the industry and bridge gaps in my knowledge, increasing my confidence and most importantly I learned to advocate for myself and actively seek out opportunities to showcase my capabilities.

To balance a demanding internship during term time as a third-year student was difficult. Flying to Paris resulted in

me missing multiple classes, and I was unable to engage with my university work as my time with Huishan Zhang often had me occupied from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. This is one of the unavoidable downsides of a highly sought-after (and therefore highexpectation) internship. I found it difficult to compensate for the week of university work that accumulated during my absence.

On reflection, the internship experience emphasised the paramount importance of time management and self-discipline when attempting to juggle commitments and passion. My internship experience has profoundly influenced my career aspirations, offering invaluable insights into the diverse pathways within the industry. I was immersed in the heart of fashion innovation in Paris, which has fuelled my ambition to pursue a career in fashion journalism. A career which intertwines creativity with strategic thinking. Armed with the skills and knowledge acquired during my internship, I am eager to list them in my CV and see what future endeavours they will lead to! With a newfound sense of direction and purpose, I am confident that my internship experience has laid a solid foundation for achieving my career goals in the dynamic world of fashion.

Flying to Paris resulted in me missing multiple classes, and I was unable to engage with my university work.

Consequences of Everest’s Human Traffic Jam

Before mountaineers Tenzing Norgay and Edmund Hillary climbed the highest peak, the former surveyor general of India - George Everest - was the first to record its height. In 1856, the British surveyor stated in the Great Trigonometrical Survey of the Indian subcontinent that Everest is the highest peak in the world - reaching almost 8,849 meters. Eventually, the peak was named after him by the then-British government. But Everest is also known as Sagarmatha to the people of Nepal, which means “the head of great blue sky”. Tibetans, on the other hand, call it Chomolungma, which means “Mother Goddess of the world”. Mount Everest stands solitarily, like a lone wolf amidst the vastness of the Himalayas.

The Earth’s highest peak is jointly shared by Nepal and Tibet (an autonomous region of China). Nepal’s government issues permits for climbing Mount Everest. Scaling mountains is a lifelong goal for many mountaineers, meaning that Everest’s climbing industry in Nepal earns millions of dollars of revenue from international

climbers. It also generates jobs during the peak season for the local people who own hotels, or work as porters and guides.

In 2023, 667 climbers scaled Mt. Everest. However, this steep number has become a highly controversial matter after the Nepal government gave the highest ever number of permissions to climbers last year. More people come with more pollution, and more unwanted items all over the mountain. Increasing instances of human traffic jams occuring at the Everest summit point cause chaos, and more deaths in the ‘death zone’ - which is at over 28,000 feet altitude. Many climbers have succumbed to death due to the extensive congestion along the trail. Climbers have to stand in the queues for hours in the freezing cold to reach the top, and low air pressure and oxygen levels mean climbers need extra oxygen canisters to avoid lifethreatening incidents. Many climbers said that they didn’t suffer a lot due to the cold or wind, but rather were exhausted by the snail’s pace over the Hillary Step. In 2019, 17 climbers died during their summit attempt - many of them whilst waiting in the queue. After the human traffic jam incident in 2019, the Nepal government received

sharp notes from environmentalists due to issuing too many climbing permits. They suggested the government should limit the numbers and come up with stricter rules.

Dead climbers are impossible to bring down from the mountain. For years, corpses remain scattered across the terrain.

The death zone is also quite literal: dead climbers are impossible to bring down from the mountain. For years, corpses remain scattered across the terrain, visible to climbers during ascent. Many climbers spend weeks at the mountain base camps before advancing to the summit. During that time, each person generates on average 18 pounds of trash, which they mostly leave on the mountain. Human feces is another major issue. In the base camp, there are tented toilets, but for the rest of the expedition climbers have to relieve themselves directly on the mountain terrain. This causes major environmental and health issues for the indigenous people who live in the valleys. Tents, empty

food cans, plastic bottles, empty oxygen canisters, tissue papers and many more things are left by the climbers.

Climate change also causes rapid snowmelt, exposing garbage hidden in the snow for years. According to the National Geographic Society, there are no waste management facilities at the Everest base camp. The mountain trash empties into the area near the village, which contaminates the local stream during the monsoon season. The Sagarmatha National Park watershed is an important water source for the local people who live in the mountain areas. This watershed becomes filled with contaminated water via rainfall and snowmelt. Water contaminated with fecal matter can spread diseases like cholera and hepatitis, which can be life threatening. Since Hillary and Norgay reached the summit in 1953, more than four thousand people have followed in their footsteps. NGOs and the Nepal government have taken some steps to control human pollution, but due to the lack of available monitoring facilities, every effort appears to be in vain.

The Huishan Zhang showroom during Paris Fashion Week. Image: Lola Carron.

Dipanjana Dasgupta Dey Staff Writer

Clubbing vs Sobriety: Can We Do Both?

Ciaran Barry Staff Writer

The thought of clubbing sober almost does not bear thinking about. The cramped, sweaty, dingy basement clubs with dance floors that are sticky with god-knows-what, the reek of chunder in the bathrooms, and the deep meaningful conversations of the smoking areas all seem incredibly daunting without being a couple of drinks deep. But then again, there’s arguably nothing like being on a night out with mates, dancing to all the songs that you dance around your kitchen to anyway, and then sitting in your best mates bed with a kebab. Why do so many of us reduce clubbing to an exclusively boozy affair?

There is no greater judge than hangxiety! “

Of course, there is the fact that nobody wants to subject themselves to Patterns or Chalk sober, but if drinking is the only way to avoid doing that weird shuffle that we all do when we’re too sober to dance like maniacs then of course we’re going to do it. But the one truth I’ve come to realise is that nobody actually cares;

those that are too sober to dance are too self-conscious to notice anybody else shuffling, and those that are trollied are having too good a time to care. As a matter of fact, if you think about it, most people probably assume that if you’re clubbing then you’re probably incoherent anyways, therefore it could be said that there is no judgement for your drunken actions?

Obviously there is some judgement, but there is no greater judge than hangxiety! That timeless punishment that lingers all of the next day, plaguing you with the questions of which of my coworkers did I kiss?

Which of

Do I need to apologise to Brighton and Hove buses for vomiting up cheesy chips? Er *cough cough* none of those last questions relate to me… Whilst clubbing sober might not be the best way in which to enjoy yourself, it enables you to dodge the grips of your hangxiety demons the next day, thus rendering this one of the best benefits from sober clubbing!

Then there is the part of me that has to play devil’s advocate and just say that alcohol is great! Whether it’s the first shot of tequila from the drag queen when you get into Revenge, or a bottle of pinot on the beach, there is of course hours before the inevitable chunder behind a

dustbin which is just pure bliss. There is nothing wrong with drinking at a club, and I don’t want to give that impression here either, but recently I’ve begun to think about moderation.

Perhaps I don’t need that extra double if I’m already feeling slightly tipsy, or maybe I won’t buy the three shot deal. As well as this, monitor what you’re drinking, never try “wine before beer”, never mix light and dark spirits (I found this out last Friday), and think about all the money you’d save on your next night out if you save the other half of the bottle for next time.

“

Alcohol is great only if you are not feeling absolutely rotten the next day.

In short, alcohol is great only if you are not feeling absolutely rotten the next day. We’re all young, and learning to handle our booze, and we’re all going to make countless mistakes, but maybe we just need to slow down a little. Try going to a club night where you wouldn’t mind being sober because you know all the words, but don’t beat yourself up over your mistakes, just learn from them and have a great night!

How Does Your Relationship with Your Parents Change at University?

Mia Sawyer Staff Writer

It’s commonly assumed that a strong relationship with parents is an essential part of growing up, but this is not the case for everyone. Every student at Sussex will have a different relationship with their parents, which will most likely be subject to significant change during their time at university. But is this relationship crucial? And, at some point, is it even beneficial?

Is this relationship crucial?

And, at some point, is it even beneficial?

After several conversations with Sussex students it became clear that a strong relationship with a parent is not essential, but it is generally a good thing. The support system provided by a parent or caregiver is not easily replaced by anything else, especially when one first begins university and needs advice on their first load of washing or a reassuring word about how to make friends. However, as you gain a greater sense of independence, this reliance starts to disappear - you start to grow up.

The Badger interviewed several students about what their relationship with their parents had been like since coming to Sussex - all responded that their relationships had actually gotten stronger.

One student, Oliwia, said “I make more of an effort to speak to them, as there is more to talk about and discuss because we both live our separate lives.”

Another student, Rachael, commented, “I feel like I’m less dependent on them, I can see a point of my life without them because of the independence that university has provided me.”

Moving out to university can strengthen relationships with parents, as you gain greater independence so you and your parents or caregiver can watch each other flourish from afar without friction. Another student, Dylan, mentioned the effects of physical distance between him and his parents when moving out, “When you don’t see someone for a while it makes you

realise how much you miss them.”

Moving away from home is daunting, and can create a sense of loneliness. Scheduling phone calls and regularly chatting to parents can limit this feeling, and create a stronger support system if needed. All the students we talked to said that they regularly text their parents every few days, with some students scheduling calls with their parents. Oliwia stated that “on average, we facetime every week, typically on a Sunday. I like to update them on my uni life.” However, not all students keep in regular contact, with one revealing “I don’t call my parents unless it’s urgent. We text occasionally, but I don’t need to keep them in the loop of my daily life.”

Whilst regular communication can limit

that sense of isolation for some students, it is not essential for others.

The students also had mixed responses about whether maintaining a good relationship with parents is actually needed. Oliwia stated that it is necessary because “we’re in a new environment which people aren’t familiar with, so a good relationship with a parent can provide support and comfort.”

When moving back home my Mum drives me up the wall, as I get so used to the space between us.

Dylan believes it’s not necessary but certainly beneficial as “many students experience university without parents, but [they can give] both emotional and financial support.” Both Rachael and Lynne declared that because you become your own person at university a sound relationship with your parents is not the be all and end all. Rachael considered her relationship with her parents “‘to provide no negative impact whatsoever, but when moving back home my Mum drives me up the wall, as I get so used to the space between us.” Other students also noted that their relationships with their parents provided more motivation and drive towards their studies, with one student saying “they seem proud of me, which motivates me to do well.”

Image: Nathan Hor.

Illustration by Thomas Tsoukaris

Opinion

• THE BIG COLLABORATION •

The Struggle is Real: Do Sussex Students Need a Reality Check?

Cosplaying Poverty: The Common People of Campus

Lucy Spencer Staff Writer

With social stratification comes a fascination with how the other half live, leading to both poverty porn (think any Channel 4 documentary) and, on the other end of the spectrum, jealousy-inducing programmes such as MTV’s Cribs. Channel 5 has even attempted to blend the two by airing Rich House Poor House, a poorly-named series providing a rich insight into the lives of families from different class backgrounds as they swap homes and paychecks for a week. Understandably, the common-or-garden Schmoe has long wished to emulate the rich and famous. From donning knockoff apparel to copying the iconic Rachel haircut in the nineties, boujee on a budget was the go-to aesthetic. A more puzzling phenomenon, however, is the upper echelon of society wanting to mimic the poor. And not for seven days, as in questionable British TV shows, but for the three years spent at university.

I first became aware of this desire as

Bec Nicol Features Editor

Ba teenager, when I attended a grammar school. Despite the absence of fees, many of my peers lived in affluent areas and had parents who’d paid for private tuition ahead of the 11+ exams. A new type of class emerged: period five Maths filled with insufferable snobs who ached for a Waterloo Road-esque education or Skins-style sixth form, without truly comprehending what that could entail. Barnabas would no longer be top dog at the local comp; one utterance of “rah, where’s my baccy?” would (understandably) result in his textbooks being flushed down the toilet.

“

A

more puzzling phenomenon is the upper echelon of society wanting to mimic the poor.

Fast forward a few years, and I naively believed university students would be more mature. How wrong I was. Campus increasingly resembles a live-action adaptation of Pulp’s Common People, only instead of coming from Greece with a thirst for knowledge, students come from Surrey

with a thirst for Blue Moon at Falmer Bar (a drink they will expect a working-class peer to buy for them because they’re ostensibly “broke”). While it’s likely true that there’s no money in their account – growing up rich means the upper-class have never had to worry about saving, and therefore are incapable of anything other than squandering – if they called their dad (on their iPhone 15 Pro Max), as Jarvis Cocker suggests, they would suddenly have a bank balance higher than my yearly salary. They can only escape this proclamation of poverty because their performances rival Barry Keoghan’s in Saltburn. By dropping their aitches rather than wads of cash, they will have you, alongside luxury overpriced lotion, in their hand.

But I urge you to look a little closer. Their shapeless garments are not cast-offs from your uncle’s wardrobe, but clothing from Carhartt or Dickies: brands initially designed for manual labourers, which now primarily serve as a costume for the wannabe working-class (who, ironically, don’t need a job). Cosplaying poverty at the University of Sussex is particularly insulting

considering Brighton and Hove has one of the highest rates of homelessness in the country. Yet it’s not entirely the fault of the Maximillian and Esmereldas out there; the prevalence of the “Uni Lifestyle” is somewhat to blame.

Yes, even the most well-meaning parents seem to believe life at university should encompass little more than consuming cold beans on toast and warm beer in a mouldy flat in the dodgy part of town. Because everyone wants to (or, more accurately, believes they have to) live like this, a run-of-the-mill activity is often conflated with the behaviour of a baroness. My partner, for example, who grew up on benefits and in social housing, is stared at with incredulity when suggesting taking a five-minute Uber rather than three buses. Of course, some people genuinely cannot afford even a short cab journey, but I would bet money that the students behaving as if only Prince William would forgo the joys of the N25 to take a taxi are not them. That is if I had any cash spare.

It Pays to Have Money: Fashion at Sussex

righton’s fashion culture is alive and flowing constantly. However you dress, you can bet someone else in Brighton is wearing it better. The streets are the city’s catwalk and every niche fashion style is expressed and experimented with. Walking down London Road, an area where many of us at Sussex live, I can see a guy with thick black eyeliner and mohawk wearing a casual suittype outfit finished off by a large tie that was knotted tightly around his neck. Next, I may walk past a girl whose seriously voluminous and bouncy brown curls were cut into a long shaggy mullet. She wears a long flowing maxi skirt and a short black denim jacket. Along with her Doc Martens, it mashes together the retro 70’s with the grunge 90’s - a vibe many of us are trying to capture lately. Later in Aldi, I marvel at all the cool different ‘pieces’ young people in this city seem to own. A chunky colourful knit, the most unique pair of dungarees you’ve ever seen or a pair of baby pink sambas over by the frozen section. I am in awe of the way these items of clothing are

just an element to a perfectly coordinated outfit that not only compliments itself but the body, face, tattoos, piercing and hairstyle of the person wearing it.

But let’s get back to reality. 99% of the time I am staring and thinking how the actual f*ck do these people afford and find all these things, and how on earth do I keep up with it so that I don’t feel inferior each time I leave the house?!?

I’ve deciphered the two things that give you an edge in this competition. First, you need to be vain, and second, you need to have a fair amount of disposable income. “

I know many of you, including the tens of people we see daily in really cool outfits, wonder the same. It questions whether a passion for fashion has anything to do with the excessively long coats and platform boots you see around campus and in the city. It can feel as though we’re all competing. But I’ve deciphered the two things that give you an edge in this competition. First, you need to be vain, and second, you need to have a fair amount of disposable income. Don’t be offended if you think I’m calling you vain. It goes hand in hand with the type of confidence that’s

needed to step out wearing one of those eyesore maxi cargo skirts and a pair of white chunky new balances. It’s the type of person who takes a selfie every time they get dressed or every time they walk past a mirror (myself included). Even if what they’re wearing isn’t to everyone’s taste, they will still turn heads when they strut past you, it just works when you think you’re “serving”.

To be able to constantly churn out new outfits matched with the most fitting accessories you can’t be tight for money. Which you would think the typical uni student is and many, probably the majority, are. I’m talking about the type of student who doesn’t have to worry too much about money, the upper-middleclass type that is prevalent at Sussex. Many use the privilege to feed their materialistic values and buy, buy, buy clothes from Depop, online, vintage stores or charity shops. They’re constantly consuming and producing fashion in an attempt to create specific looks for the everyday. If you’re reading this and find it a little too relatable then don’t tell me you don’t spend that much on your stuff, because you can’t convince me you got your fresh-looking pair

of jeans and Birkenstock clogs at a charity shop. If you’re going to partake in this hobby I think it’s best you don’t try and act like you’re scrimping when shopping and pulling your outfits together through sheer luck found in a charity bin. It’s nothing to be ashamed of. It just means that those who can’t afford to do the same or struggle to have the confidence too will never be able to gain recognition in the borderline toxic culture of fashion prevalent in Brighton. The world of fit checks, shopping hauls and OOTDs is not accessible to everyone, in particular the proper common people who are busy just trying to get through the day. I think many of us caught in the loop of constantly worrying about how we can dress better should try and be conscious of the real reasons behind why we do it. We need to ensure that we’re not using our privilege just to try and feel better or above others.

Third Places and Where to Find Them

Megan Delaney Staff Writer

Have you ever noticed how your favourite sitcom has a distinct location where all the characters hang out, without it being a workplace or someone’s home? From the coffee shop in Friends to the bar in How I Met Your Mother, the importance of a ‘third place’ can be found everywhere. The term ‘third place’, first used in the 20th century by sociologist Ray Oldenburg, refers to any space where individuals might voluntarily gather to make connections and exchange ideas.

These places have evolved over time, but are very much alive in vibrant cities such as Brighton. Home to a plethora of cafes, bars, libraries, clubs, parks, and pubs, there is an opportunity to walk through any of these doors and find a space to connect with like-minded others. The university experience is the perfect time to discover your version of a third place, not only with societies and clubs but also in a space where most of the people around you can relate to you. Universities make it easier to bridge the gap between people and allow us to connect, which is what I value most about my experience here.

But what happens once you leave university? Outside of the university

Maisie Knights Books Editor and Head of Social Media

Tbubble, it is much harder to find where you belong outside of work or your home. The lack of community is my main fear for when I graduate. When I speak to my older neighbours who have lived in my town their whole lives, they tell me stories of when they were my age and paint a picture of a vibrant scene away from work or home. In the place of boarded-up shops stood bustling social clubs, evening roller skating sessions or bars to dance in. So, where have they gone?

Austerity has also enabled a generation of lonely young people. A lack of funding for shared social spaces and the closure of everything from libraries to pubs have made it ever more difficult to seek

connection. A recent survey by Gallup found that 27% of people aged between 19 and 27 experience significant feelings of loneliness, and this is something I can relate to. For our generation, I feel that social media has compensated for the decline in the traditional third place. Screens have monopolised our leisure time, and scrolling is replacing the art of seeking a face-to-face connection. Social media exists as a tool to foster a sense of connection, but it may also make you feel more alone.

Many people look back on university as the best years of their lives, and I believe the ease of social connections and feeling like you’re a part of something

bigger is why. For me, this is the thing I’ll miss the most when I leave. Having a space for like-minded people, where there is socialisation and conversation instead of work and study, is so important. Human beings need to feel a sense of belonging, and having a third place allows people to flourish. In a world increasingly dominated by screens and solitude, the value of third places cannot be overstated.

In a world increasingly dominated by screens and solitude, the value of third places cannot be overstated.

Third places are essential, but where can they be found? While Ray Oldenburg outlines specific characteristics he deems essential, the crux lies in their voluntary nature - being somewhere you genuinely want to be. I think a third place should be somewhere you feel at ease in public, a somewhat personal sanctuary for everyone. It could be a sports club, a wild swimming group, a place of worship, or even a weekly pub quiz. Crucially, a third place instils a sense of belonging, with conversation at its core. As the saying goes, “It takes a village to raise a child,” and indeed, it takes a community to nurture an adult.

Royal Family in Ruins?

hese last few weeks, one burning question consumed the nation: Where was Kate Middleton? And now that we know the answer, how do we even begin to apologise to her?

Until an abrupt announcement of a cancer diagnosis on 22 March, the Duchess of Cambridge was unseen by the public and paparazzi for almost three months. During this time, Kate’s unusual disappearance from the public eye caused a stir online, sparking a global movement of conspiracy theorists. According to BrandMentions, the hashtags #whereiskate #katebodydouble and #katemiddleton were used on social media accounts and web pages, reaching over 400 million people within a week alone.

Everyone had their theories –was she dead? In a coma? Had she fled the country? Was she divorcing Prince William?

Everyone had their theories – was she dead? In a coma? Had she fled the country? Was she divorcing Prince William? Admittedly, until this all blew up online, I’d had very little interest in the royal family – even believing their ‘job’ a sham. But, like many across the globe, I was sucked into the cesspool vortex of #WhereIsKate

threads online. At the time, the iceberg of the Kate Middleton debacle was a worthy rabbit hole to fall into, and the theories only got wackier the more you dug.

Kate underwent abdominal surgery on 16 January, and later released a Mother’s Day post celebrating the holiday, posing with her children and smiling happily. However, the internet was quick to notice several errors within the photo, which appeared altered and manipulated. Kate made an announcement taking accountability for the Photoshop fails, without disclosing why she had touched the photo at all. This was like adding gasoline to sparking embers, and, of course, the conspiracies continued to grow.

Therefore, when the truth came out about her cancer diagnosis, many online felt nothing but shame and regret for their theories. Many lines were crossed and jokes made to the masses, but how were any of us to know the extent of the devastating reason Kate was MIA?

The attempted hush-up and subsequent mishandling of Kate’s illness (from Photoshop fails to the rumours of body doubles) has opened a can of worms for the royal family. It raises the question of how much they owe our country for their service. How much privacy do they deserve?

Many argue that the royal family ‘survive’ on our tax payments and therefore should be transparent about their lives, while many others believe they should be

able to live in peace like any other family. Except there is a big difference here: as much as they try and act like it, they aren’t just ‘any family’ – they’re part of the British monarchy, and we are their subjects.

As you can see, this is a generationlong debate that won’t be cleared up any time soon. However, the royal family needs a big refresh, revival, overhaul – or even abolishment. The system is outdated and serves little purpose to our current society other than tourist opportunities. As someone who comes from an underfunded public school in South London, in a city where crime and poverty run rampant, the portrayal of the picture-perfect royal family does nothing but stir up feelings of difference. They don’t represent the British people – not people like me or you who are reading this, for instance. What could we possibly have in common with people who have likely never used an oven, cleaned a toilet, or know the pain of waiting in the rain for a bus that doesn’t turn up?

As someone who comes from an underfunded public school in South London, the portrayal of the picture-perfect royal family does nothing but stir up feelings of difference.

Arguably, the royal family’s fanbase is made up of people our parents’ ages and above. They grew alongside the Queen,

watching her solidify her reign and image. While The Badger team all wish speedy recoveries for the King and the Duchess, it’s evident that the royal family, their reputation and their position in society are in ruins following the mishandling of Kate’s illness. Is their time as a collective up? I certainly think so, as it’s not a good look for their PR company to be outsmarted by teenagers and millennials on X for their Photoshop fails. In my opinion, it’s time to draw a line under this era of our country and close Buckingham Palace’s gates for good.

Image: BBC

Central Perk Cafe is the ‘third place’ in Friends. Image Alice Hall/NBC via Getty Images.

No Students Left Behind: The Irony of Being #1 in Development Studies

Mc Jazer Malonda Opinion Sub Editor

According to the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2024, the University of Sussex, in partnership with the Institute of Development Studies (IDS), has been named number one in development studies internationally. However, issues over official stances on global events and student welfare raise the question: is being the best just on paper?

While writing for the 26 February edition of The Badger, I noticed a familiar pattern in the University’s responses to criticisms and issues raised by students on campus. Recurring themes from Sussex are radio silence, stricter surveillance, a crackdown on student dissent, or a series of bureaucratic approaches.

A recent example is the lack of a principled stance on the war in Gaza. It has been more than six months since the bombing of Gaza started, and while there have been many student-led activities, the university remains indifferent toward the situation. On 5 March, the University of Sussex Students’ Union (SU) released a petition for the university to publish its stance on Palestine. As I write this article, it has been three weeks since the SU published their demands, and the University has yet to respond. Moreover, Sussex has not

given any necessary guidance on student protests on campus, such as how to keep the campus community safe. Alas, the student protests continue despite Sussex’s silence.

Students have also raised concerns about their student accommodationsuch as wifi accessibility, access to hot water, and a lack of on-campus healthcare. Northfield students have not had

consistent Wi-Fi since September 2023, and the university’s IT services have yet to help resolve the issue. Per their petition, the university has been sending generic emails as a response. Sussex students claim that “the lack of responsibility or sympathy towards our collective problem is, above all else, insulting and is evidence of [the university’s] failure to listen to your tenants and students.” In addition, students have also been having problems scheduling medical check-ups in the Health Centre, especially during winter, because of the influx of students getting sick. Stories of international students resorting to contacting physicians from their home countries have become difficult to ignore.

At the start of the spring term, there were also scheduling conflicts in the university lecture rooms. Different classes had double-booked rooms, and some had to share the rooms with different groups of students. On a personal note, my coursemates and I had concerns last term about the last-minute module announcements via Canvas and email, making it hard for students working parttime jobs.

In a panel during the October 2023 Democracy Fest, it was discussed that the crisis of high student fees, cost of living, and lack of disability access on campus defeats the point of the university as a place for

Student Spotlight: The Neurodivergent Experience

Upamanyu Dhar Staff Writer

Neurodivergence is a fairly new concept and an umbrella term for individuals whose brains process information atypically. This includes conditions like autism, dyslexia and ADHD among others. To commemorate Neurodiversity Celebration Week (18-24 March), I talked to Andrea Condé, a student from Mexico studying MA International Law at Sussex.

What was your life like before Sussex?

Andrea: I did my Bachelor’s at Universidad Iberoamericana in Mexico City. That’s where I discovered I have Asperger’s Syndrome. I was having problems in my studies so my mom decided I should take a test with a psychologist and psychiatrist. I shared my diagnosis with the university.

Did you get the support you needed?

Yes, I got a lot of support in my bachelor’s degree. I had fewer classes each semester so there wouldn’t be much pressure.

How has your experience been at Sussex?

It has been kind of the same. I have been receiving help from the university through Disability Support. I registered with them

because my course coordinator said I needed support and he recommended that office. So, I had an interview with Claire, the Disability Support coordinator, who identified my needs and the things I needed help with.

People have complained about me getting extra help and attention. “

Do you think the university provides adequate disability support?

I really think so. They offered me a programme to read the text on my computer and headphones that I can use to isolate one person’s voice and not get distracted by my environment. They also have tutors to help with assignments and mental wellbeing.

What are some challenges you’ve faced at Sussex?

My challenge is to finish my Masters’ degree. I find writing and reading challenging, along with being social. It’s difficult for me to socialise with people.

Can you tell me more about your experience as a neurodivergent student?

In middle school, I became part of a group that was isolated from the rest of

the class. I didn’t like that because when you isolate people who have Asperger’s or a learning disability, we feel excluded and stupid. You see “normal” people have fun and you feel... you don’t feel good. And those people complain about us getting extra help and attention. That starts to bother us more. Here, they don’t make you feel isolated.

Many people seem to misunderstand neurodivergence. What would you like to say to them?

It’s important for people to know about it because there are a lot of people like me who you don’t notice have a disease. You see us and think we’re normal and don’t have any problems. Once you start talking with us, you might think we’re shy but shyness is a sign that we have a problem socialising. People usually think we are weird because sometimes we are very blunt when talking, but you shouldn’t take it very seriously.

What are your goals after graduating?

I would like to work in an international organisation like NATO or the EU. My dream is to help draft treaties with different countries and aid in resolving conflicts.

Readers should note that English is Andrea’s second language and her usage

liberation. How the university addresses these concerns brings us to question whether the university has become a microcosm of the issues in development that we are discussing in our lectures. Is it not ironic that a university taking pride in being number one in development studies is not listening to its students and staff?

Recurring themes from Sussex are radio silence, stricter surveillance, and crackdown on student dissent.

But then, looking back at the history of student activism on the campus and how the university responds to it, there is nothing new about this conversation. In theory, the university provides statements that support students. In practice, there is much work to be done beyond these internal emails.

All we can do as students is to continue to protest in the democratic spaces within the campus. Student activism thrives, and past resistance shows that this perseverance results in changes that make university life better. We need to push back and stand up. As feminist poet Audre Lorde puts it, “If I cannot air this pain and alter it, I will surely die of it. That’s the beginning of social protest.”

of the word ‘disease’ is not intentional. The term Asperger’s originates from Hans Asperger, a Nazi collaborator who aided the Third Reich in the murder of children with disabilities. It is important to know that Autism Spectrum Disorder is inclusive of this syndrome as well. The language of mental health is evolutionary, and sometimes it may be worth accepting words that neurodivergent people use for themselves. Awareness around correct terminology is still low, but a collaborative effort to empathise with and understand their lived experiences helps build towards opportunities and inclusivity.

Andrea on campus. Image: Upamanyu Dhar.

Image: Will Gaffney.

Arts: Games

Is Bella Goth the New Barbie?

Francesca Sylph Senior Editor

It’s happening. The Sims is finally getting a big-screen adaptation, with even bigger names attached, including Margot Robbie of Barbie fame to produce. The Sims was released in February 2000 and has since become one of the bestselling video game franchises of all time, with four main games, a fifth on the way, countless expansion packs, and even an original language: Simlish. The concept is simple: a sandbox world where players create virtual characters (Sims) and control how their lives transpire. We currently have no plot details for the movie, but the possibilities are endless. It may take a meta, self-aware approach - perhaps a Truman Show spin much like Barbie exploring creation, control, and choosing your own destiny. However, there is one Sim’s story in particular

that I want to see on the big screen more than anything…

Bella Goth is, by far, the most beautiful, beloved and mysterious townie in The Sims Extended Universe. She is so famous that even non-Simmers are likely to recognise her name or her face. Bella appears in every main Sims game. She may be different in some way, but she is always recognisable because of her dark hair and iconic red dress. In The Sims, she is a pre-made, playable adult living with her husband Mortimer and daughter Cassandra. In The Sims 3, she is a child going by her maiden name Bachelor (and also a ghost… but we will get to that later). In The Sims 4, she is a young adult, reunited with her husband and (two, this time) children. The Sims 2, she is… missing?! Therein, dear Simmers, lies the mystery.

On the night of Bella’s disappearance, she was spotted at the home of one Don Lothario. As the name may suggest, Don is a wellknown womaniser; a true rake if I ever saw one. The pair were reportedly looking

through a telescope when Don decided to make a move. Bella rejected his advances and then was… abducted by aliens? While Don may have been the last Sim to see Bella alive, there are other suspects at large. Gold-digging twin sisters Nina and Dina Caliente are entangled with all the major players on the board. At least one of them was involved with Don Lothario (but then again, who wasn’t?) and Dina pursued Mortimer once Bella disappeared. Speaking of Mortimer Goth, he is next on the list of suspects. It’s always the husband… or is it? Perhaps he wanted Bella gone so he could hook up with Dina. Or perhaps he was just another pawn in the Caliente’s game of chess…

Bella Goth is, by far, the most beautiful, beloved and mysterious townie in The Sims.

Bella hasn’t disappeared from The Sims 2 entirely though. She can be found wandering around the spooky neighbourhood of Strangetown with no memories of her loved ones or past life. Are we to assume the alien experiments left her mind wiped? The lore doesn’t end there, however. The PSP version of The Sims 2 takes place exclusively in Strangetown. This Bella differs from her PC counterpart; she was still abducted by aliens, but

managed to escape and is currently hiding from her captors. She is described as “a slightly crazed woman you met on her way out of town”. PSP Strangetown Bella also managed to retain her memories somehow, revealing that she never loved Mortimer and only married for money.

“

I’d be happy to see any easter eggs, from a disappearing pool ladder to death by grilled cheese.

In The Sims 3, Bella’s grave can be found in Lunar Lakes cemetery while she is floating around as a ghost. It is worth mentioning that The Sims 3 takes place before the first two games (hence why Bella also exists as a child). Anything is possible in The Sims! Including time travel and aliens, apparently. Bella reappears in The Sims 4 although everything is back to normal since this takes place in an alternate timeline (with no alien abductions).

Needless to say, The Sims lore is extensive. I doubt the movie will explore Bella Goth’s disappearance in all its complexity (I barely scratched the surface) but I am hoping for at least a cameo. Honestly, I’d be happy to see any easter eggs, from a disappearing pool ladder to death by grilled cheese.

Game Recommendations by Genre

When a day jam-packed with work and assignments comes to a close, there’s nothing better than unwinding with a game to relax and unwind with. In comes Stardew Valley - a pixel farming simulator. Don’t let the graphics fool you however - this game is jampacked with hundreds of hours worth of content, where you can build a farm, befriend/romance the villagers, and face the mines/dungeons. This game is perfect for both short 30-minute spurts, or 7-hour grinds to get that last piece of iridium ore for your elaborate sprinkler network. This game shines in its versatility - play casually and build a picturesque farm, or become a min-maxing, dungeonclearing god - the choice is yours. You’re also welcome to grab a couple of friends and play a multiplayer farm - if you want to subject yourself to the hell that is trying to get everyone to go to sleep at the same time. The game also features a massive modding community that has developed every mod under the sun - from minor cosmetic or quality of life changes, to complete plot rewrites and entirely new areas for you to explore. The game is only £10, and regularly goes on sale - so make sure to give it a try!

There often comes a point in the evening - at least for me and my friends - where nobody quite has any gossip or conversation left, but also nobody is ready for the fun to end. This is the perfect moment to bring out the multiplayer party games on offer from Jackbox Games. The Jackbox Party Pack, which has 10 editions released annually since 2014, features exciting mini-games presented on your main screen that everyone participates in by joining on their own phones or laptops. From unique spins on trivia quizzes to ridiculous T-shirt designing, Jackbox offers something for everyone. With several games focusing on individual fun facts or guessing other people’s responses, this game is a great ice breaker to get to know people better - or a way to craft crazy new inside jokes about your besties. My personal faves are ‘Quiplash’where you have to come up with the funniest response to a prompt to be voted on by your friends - and ‘Monster Seeking Monster’a speed-dating game where each player has a hideous secret. For new players, the most quintessential pack is Jackbox Party Pack 3, but you’ll be finding you want to try them all soon enough!

Trying to identify the genre of Gone Home is surprisingly difficult. Technically, it is a mystery. You play as Katie Greenbriar, returning home after a year abroad to find an abandoned mansion and sinister letters from your older sister Sam. As you explore every nook and cranny of the creepy house, you’ll come across clues: telephone messages, handwritten notes, and diary entries. Slowly, the mystery starts to unravel, making way for an emotional finale in the attic. Initially, the game disguises itself as a horror: lights flicker, floorboards creak, and a fierce thunderstorm rages outside. You will soon find out, however, that there are no ghosts or monsters hidden in this house. At least, not literally. The only skeleton in the closet is the generational trauma which lingers in the corners of every room. Gone Home transcends genre because it is messy, complex and deeply human. It is the story of a queer teenager and the family that doesn’t understand her. It is the story of abuse and trauma passed from parent to child. Above all, it is about belonging. Where do we belong? Who do we belong to? And can we ever escape our first homes?

Semhar (Semi) Tesfazgy Editor in Chief

COSY: STARDREW VALLEY

MULTIPLAYER: JACKBOX PARTY PACK

Ada Carpenter Senior Editor

MYSTERY: GONE HOME

Francesca Sylph Senior Editor

Bella Goth in The Sims, slaying since day one. Image: Electronic Arts.

Arts: Film and TV

Shakespeare in Love: How Classic Plays Inspire Rom Coms

Shakespeare: inventor of popular phrases; the man responsible for my less-than-stellar A Level English grade; and, now, the inspiration behind some of the best-loved romantic comedies of a generation. When Anyone But You arrived in cinemas last December, Sydney Sweeney was its main selling point, enabling straight men across the globe to witness the revival of rom coms based on the works of the Bard. Yes, Anyone But You might initially seem like a typical will-theywon’t-they like-story set in America, but in actual fact, it’s a will-they-won’t-they like-story set in America based on Much Ado About Nothing! Unfortunately, while it is an entertaining enough movie, the Shakespearian element is so watered down that you’d be better off turning to Gnomeo and Juliet for authenticity.

10 Things I Hate About You, on the other hand, is a rom com that incorporates lines from the original play, The Taming of the Shrew, into its script. That is, of course, unless 16-year-old boys in the nineties typically wandered down school corridors spouting phrases such as “I burn,

I pine, I perish”. It would get their heads shoved down the toilet in any modern British secondary school, but because it’s Shakespeare even Heath Ledger’s bad boy character, Patrick, doesn’t make Joseph Gordon-Levitt a target. In true Shakespearean fashion, performances are still rated in terms of rotten tomatoes; in the Globe, they were thrown; in 2024, a website is listlessly browsed before making a decision on whether a film is worth watching. With a rating of 71%, 10 Things I Hate About You is certainly certified fresh, unlike She’s the Man

“ Unfortunately, while it is an entertaining enough movie, the Shakespearian element is so watered down that you’d be better off turning to Gnomeo and Juliet for authenticity.

If you can bear to look back at Amanda Bynes’s filmography without bothering your friends with constant exclamations of, “what happened?”, you’d have likely watched She’s the Man (based on Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night) a fair few times since its 2006 release. While Rotten

Tomatoes considers it a dud, I believe it to be pure entertainment, due in part to foetus Channing Tatum. Although it’s another Anyone But You-style film, in that it’s about as Shakespearean as Phil Mitchell, it reflects the ongoing discrimination in modern society. Personally, I fail to understand why anyone would want to join the army or even play football on a muddy field, but no activity should be reserved for just one gender. Ironically, if Amanda Bynes entered the industry as a guy, her mental health may not have suffered as greatly. The noughties was not a great time to be a young woman.

Despite there once being a time where you’d have been better off going to Cineworld than Southwark to experience the complete works of Shakespeare, adaptations of his plays dwindled after the mid-2000s. Perhaps we were too greedy; in addition to 10 Things I Hate About You and She’s the Man between 1999 and 2006, movie-goers got Get Over It – a teen rom com loosely based on A Midsummer Night’s Dream. As it came out in 2001, before most of The Badger’s readers were born, it’s unsurprising that Get Over It slipped through my radar. Yes, it stars Kirsten Dunst and Mila Kunis, but it also features Sisqó, a

man only famous for singing at women to take off their thongs. Shakespeare, he ain’t. It’s unsurprising that these teen flicks are all based on the playwright’s comedies, which lend themselves to lighthearted plots and arguable vapidity. It would have been interesting to see a noughties rom com based on Othello or Hamlet (yes, I know we got The Lion King, but Lindsay Lohan didn’t star in that, did she?). The closest we got to evil was Regina George, and she even got a villain-to-hero arc after getting hit by a bus. Poor Iago never stood a chance – the 25 to Old Steine didn’t exist in 1603, and getting run over by a horseand-cart doesn’t have the same impact. Literally.

It’s time for the resurgence of Shakespeare for the everyman at the Everyman.

Hopefully after Anyone But You, Shakespeare will once again make it out of the shackles of the classroom and into teenagers’ good books. In other words, it’s time for the resurgence of Shakespeare for the everyman at the Everyman.

Why is Animation so Disregarded, Disrespected and Devalued?

Ihave always had a deep love and respect for animation. It has provided me with heart-touching moments, awesome fight scenes and conveyed the power of the human voice. I’ve found myself heartbroken by the deaths and decisions of animated characters as if I was watching a real person, (flashback to Tadashi Hamada from Big Hero 6). And I am constantly wowed by the details and choreographies in fight scenes, such as in Kimetsu no Yaiba Animation conveys a range of emotions, heart-wrenching scenes and brutal fights better than many live-action shows or movies, so why is it so disregarded, disrespected and devalued? If everything was animated, imagine how little people would complain about bad CGI in superhero movies and shows (looking at you The Flash (2014-2023)). We wouldn’t have to suffer through bad CGI, and more characters would have more consistent power scales. Furthermore, animators put so much time and effort into creating these wonderful stories for us to view and enjoy so shouldn’t they be recognised?

One of the reasons animation isn’t taken seriously is due to the fact that many people see it as childish. However, this is just not the case. Whilst it’s true that there is a lot of animated media geared towards children there is also a lot of animated media geared towards adults. For instance, Rick and Morty, Bojack Horseman, and Invincible, all of which have proven time and again (with their inclusion of alcohol abuse and mature themes) that animation is not just for children. Although that is not to say that children’s animated shows are only for children, or that only children can find enjoyment in them. TV shows like Steven Universe, Adventure Time, and even Bluey are all shows that teens and adults can and have enjoyed. They’ve tackled themes like abandonment, awful parenting and death, in ways that are both educational and entertaining allowing both children and adults to enjoy it. My personal favourite is Steven Universe for its portrayal of deep topics such as abusive/parasitic relationships, self-acceptance and morality. However, I will say that in recent years animation has been gaining more love, praise and popularity due to successes like Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, Bojack Horseman, and Invincible. These forms of

media have exposed more people to the idea that animation is not solely for children, allowing more people to respect it as a medium. Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse is widely lauded as a movie with both an amazing storyline and ground-breaking graphics. Furthermore, series like Bojack Horseman prove that animation can delve into controversial topics such as mental health, and topical issues in a way that does not mock it.

Animators put so much time and effort into creating these wonderful stories for us to view and enjoy so shouldn’t they be recognised?

Whilst it’s true that animation has its own category at award shows, it is still and has been ridiculed at these events. For instance, at the Oscars in 2022 several jokes were made about how animated movies are for children and that adults have to “endure” them. This was a huge insult to the art form and the people who pour so much of their time and hard work into producing these movies. These comments were made the same year

that Encanto came out and became a viral sensation on TikTok where many people of all ages commented on how much they loved and enjoyed it. Furthermore, animated movies are rarely contenders for Best Picture. As of 2024, there have only been three animated films that have been nominated for Best Picture at the Oscars, Beauty and the Beast (1991), Up, and Toy Story 3. In addition, the Best Animated Feature award was only created in 2001, despite the first animated movie being created over 100 years ago. I wholeheartedly recommend that you start watching animated entertainment more if you don’t already. If you have no idea where to start, here is a list of recommendations. If you’re looking for action, I recommend Arcane and Invincible, which have blood, gore and violence that is almost on par with The Boys. If you’re more into romance, I recommend Your Name. And if fantasy-based entertainment is your thing, I recommend Hilda, Adventure Time, The Legend of Vox Machina and The Dragon Prince. Finally, if you want to watch something unsettling, but not too horrific, I recommend Over the Garden Wall

Jemimah Kayode Film and TV Editor

Lucy Spencer Staff Writer

Dune 2, Barbie and the Decline of Media Literacy

Ilana Munk-Upton Staff Writer CONTAINS SPOILERS FOR DUNE 2

Dune as a franchise is profoundly anti-colonial and anti-imperialist. Its storyline is about the dangers of idolatry, how religion can be used to control the masses in order to further ambitions that aren’t necessarily theirs. It discusses openly the dangers of the ‘white saviour’ trope in the form of Paul Atreides (Timothée Chalamet), who comes from outside their culture and weaponises it in order to start a galaxy-wide religious war.

Yet there is a boycott movement for it on social media, claiming it profits off of Middle Eastern culture, and features no Middle Eastern actors, it has also been labelled as insensitive due to the conflict in Israel and Gaza. Additionally, there are calls for Timothée Chalamet specifically to be cancelled for telling a distasteful joke, that he didn’t write, on (the joke being a wordplay on Hamas). Moreover, when I left the cinema after seeing the movie, I heard several people praise the movie

as being entertaining but calling it ‘dodgy’ because Chalamet leads a ‘bunch of brown people as a white guy’.

The main cast of characters are white because the main characters are privileged people coming to a land foreign from

mixed reception, especially considering it doesn’t pull its punches around the messages it’s portraying, whereas the Barbie movie has an overwhelmingly positive reception and no real backbone when it came to representing real, palpable feminist ideas. I’ll be the first to admit that I was excited for the Barbie movie, it had an incredible cast, good set design and Greta Gerwig at the wheel. However, I left the theatre feeling profoundly disappointed, as it turns out that the American multinational mega-corporation’s take on a feminist movie would actually be lacklustre at best.

There are several things about the Barbie movie that I don’t like, but to summarise… Capitalism and corporatism are directly opposed to the core principles of feminism (those being equality and institutional change for said equality). Most of the pro-woman sentiment was weak and poorly developed. Ken (not Barbie) was the focal point of the film and by far the most memorable. I feel those are pretty cardinal

sins for a ‘feminist’ movie. Yet it is hailed by the general public as being the pinnacle of modern female empowerment. Why?

My theory is that Barbie markets itself as what it wants to be, a feminist movie, whereas Dune 2’s marketing makes it seem more like a sci-fi or action film rather than the highly political movie it actually is. Therefore, people are more likely to not watch the movie at all or go into it with prior misconceptions about what the movie is aiming to achieve. However, the large disparity in reception cannot simply be down to marketing. Unlike Barbie, Dune and its ideas as a whole are implicit and complex, the audience isn’t told how to think or feel. They are presented with the situation and given the choice to decide how to feel about it and why. So, if people think that the white saviour trope is ‘dodgy’. They’re right, they just need to notice that may be the point.

Oscars Fatigue: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Disregard the Academy

Thomas Tsoukaris Staff Writer

Another year, another lengthy sigh upon opening my phone the morning after the Oscars. I didn’t watch the charade live; I haven’t for years. Unsurprisingly there was a boring monologue by one of the seven Jimmies of late-night television. He breezed lightly past historic industrial action taken by SAG-AFTRA and the Writer’s Guild, to save the responsible parties in the room from embarrassment, while stumbling through a tasteless and watery barrage of jokes. It was a thematic introduction if nothing else, as from that point onwards what followed was a watery barrage of predictable television. Oppenheimer swept. Cillian Murphy and Robert Downey Jr. went on to make acceptance speeches almost as pretentious as the biopic. Nolan predictably dedicated his thanks for the Best Director award to Universal Studios, the Academy (like everybody else) and capital ‘C’ cinema as a whole. I came away with two questions: why did I bother watching coverage of this at all, and what does the validation of the

Academy even mean?

The reality is, it doesn’t mean anything. The fact that the Oscars is for people in showbusiness doesn’t necessarily make it more significant than any other annual industry award show; we don’t celebrate the winners of the 2024 Motor Trading Industry Awards. But beyond that polemic, it is important to know the demographic composition of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. With over 10,000 globally registered members, the Academy is 81% white and 67% male (Statista, 2022). This gaggle of majority-white greybeards are positioned by the Oscars as the arbiters of taste and artistic value, the kindly cultural benefactors of the capitalist cishet patriarchy. It is my position that even debating what they deem to be significant is giving their opinions too much credence. But in the case of snubs, it’s no wonder that such wealthy, sycophantic dinosaurs would sing the endless praises of a bloated film about a murderous xenophobic scientist over the cinematic achievements of people of colour and LGBTQIA+ folks. This year, Lily Gladstone was robbed of the Best Actress win; next year, it will be somebody

else. That’s not even considering the hundreds of quality independent films starring and made by marginalised people which will be relegated to the recognition of smaller festivals; this for failing to meet the Academy’s arbitrary entry requirement of a theatrical run. What the Oscars really recognise and celebrate, rather than the best achievements in film in a given year, is a select few pictures and people that meet the sanitised criteria of what the bourgeois elite of the Academy deem acceptable. It is a pop culture bandwidth limiter. With this, we can also recognise how anybody who attempts to use the Oscars’ massive platform for calls to action about real issues is suppressed, both at the event and in the following publicity cycle. This year, Zone of Interest director Jonathan Glazer used the acceptance speech for his best international film win to raise awareness about the genocide of Palestinians in Gaza. It was met in the room with an icy confusion of cowardice and smothered applause. The audience was visibly panicked. He has been hounded in the media since with attacks from supporters of the Israeli government’s

colonial fascist regime. Let us not forget that Michael Moore was infamously met with open hostility in 2003 for decrying the Iraq war with his acceptance speech; the Academy serves the interests of American imperialism as much as Hollywood industry. Anything running counter to dominant narratives is choked, and attention is shifted back to empty platitudes about the importance of film and facile celebrity mishaps.

I don’t want to be the fun police here; my takeaway from years of watching this mulch is that if one must expose themselves to the Oscars, they must do so with a degree of removal. Much as I would love for things to be better than this, I simply can’t engage with it anymore. Obviously, the films you watched this last year that meant something to you are infinitely more important than whatever the Academy deems tasteful. My only hope is that eventually the Academy’s ratings tank and that my March will someday be untroubled by this nonsense. But that’s just me.

Images (L-R): Warner Bros. Pictures, Mattel.

Arts: Music

What Happened to the Beach? by Declan McKenna: Mature and Reflective

Harry Turnbull Music Editor

Declan McKenna, indie pop star and musical prodigy, released his third studio album What Happened To The Beach? in February 2024. This album is my personal favourite of his, having found a balance between the bouncy naivety of his instrumentation and the more reflective and humbled lyrics. In March, I had the opportunity to interview McKenna, where we took a deep dive into his thought process surrounding the album, uncovering the blanket of anxieties surrounding the responsibilities of being a musician.

Following the perspective of McKenna, this album addresses the complexities of being a prominent figure in the music industry and finds the joy in music as a singularity and reflection of oneself, rather than a plant of an institution. Ditching the drizzles of the gloomy UK, McKenna took to the skies in search of influence, constructing this album in LA, giving him the utmost separation from his English familiarities to truly unlock that reflective side of himself. With the help of Grammy-nominated producer Gianluca Buccellati, McKenna found trust and friendship through their collaboration. As a homage to this, Declan and Luca came up with ‘Elevator Hum’, the third single on this album. With a playfully

uplifting instrumentation, and a relatively transparent chorus hook, McKenna reflects on the collaboration between him and Buccellati in defining the meaning of the song: “It was just this nostalgic story of a friendship... It was just us kind of jamming and bouncing off each other in the studio. He would do one thing and I would follow. It’s like the lyrics and simplicity and the just sort of euphoric feeling… I think, for me, looking back, connects to the development of friendship over the course of making this album.”

With this collaboration, a diving point of the album, long conceptualised tracks finally came to fruition. One of these tracks was the first single of the project, ‘Sympathy’, a bubbly and summery track about lowering expectations of himself and making peace with the world around him: “Sympathy won’t come around, so make peace and discover.” In McKenna’s words, ‘Sympathy’ became “a bit of a benchmark for the album… it definitely felt very new and different. So that was kind of it, really. It was one of the first things that inspired and informed the actual album itself, so it being the first single just made a lot of sense and the intro is just a bit of a slap in the face.” With a playful yet orchestral opening and a disjointed melodic hook for the chorus, ‘Sympathy’ really sets the tone for the rest of the album.

The thematic consistencies of freedom

and peace are cast aside in the second single ‘Nothing Works’, my favourite track. It is rowdy, raucous and clever in combining the distinct naivety in the instrumentation with a profound maturity in his lyricism, actively calling out the music industry for its hold against younger artists; “I sing the song, and you didn’t like the words, I try to fix myself but nothing works.” This was a love/hate song for McKenna, as he tried to accept a life attached to an institution and be grateful for that, whilst fighting for the right to take his music in his own new direction. “The thing that’s damaging to music generally,” McKenna told me, “is that people are so scared to, like, actually do anything. It’s like, ‘Oh, we can just make the record that we made a few years ago that worked so well?’ And it’s just like, well, yeah, because that was the first time it happened. We need to move on now… If you play it safe, then it’s just not likely to have an impact. I think the music industry can’t work through fear.”

Of course, McKenna is known for not paling from difficult topics. Fan favourite ‘British Bombs’ is as political and poignant as a song can get, to the point he recounted reconsidering its release. “I almost didn’t release that song,” McKenna revealed. “I really loved it when I wrote it, and then, for whatever reason… I just start to feel like, Oh, is this really cool? Is this really going to work? Is it a bit much?” As we can see from

the song’s success, it speaks to a wider censorship of music, and how the industry needs to be hearing songs like these more than ever.

“ McKenna describes the album as “a broad look at change… it’s kind of looking at my life-changing, looking at the world changing...

When addressing the album as a whole, I wondered what did actually happen to the beach (metaphorically speaking, of course)? Through a web of themes and stories, the album’s centre is based around a change, both on a personal and external level. In his own words, McKenna describes the album as “a broad look at change… it’s kind of looking at my life-changing, looking at the world changing, the landscape changing, and kind of just posing this question, which leads to more questions, really.” At the core of this album, Declan McKenna has transcribed these anxieties around change into a joyous and refined album that excels in all that makes music special, individuality.

There is a lot more of this interview to cover. For the full, uncut interview, be sure to check out our official Badger YouTube channel.

The Rise, Fall and Resurgence of Latin Music

Esme Hickman Staff Writer

As an avid listener of old-school Latin music, I was interested in finding out why this eccentric genre is not generally pushed through mainstream music anymore. It has remained a strong force throughout the years, with 2023 being the biggest year for No. 1 Latin hits on Spotify, mainly generated by the Latino community itself. Back in the ‘70s, the likes of Jorge Ben Jor, Fania All Stars and Eddie Palmieri were hugely influential across Western media, in the way they mixed traditional sounds of salsa, samba rock and jazz to create unique fusions of Latin and American culture. Their presence within the music industry has brought together a diverse audience, ignoring cultural and linguistic barriers that have pervaded society for centuries. Even before then, in the 1950s, Afro-Cuban jazz and dance crazes, like the ‘mambo’, swept through American music, before being transformed into the salsa music that became the voice of Spanish Harlem.

So what happened? It seems today that music from Central and South America

has sunk further away from public view in recent years, with listeners such as myself having to look beyond radio and streaming to find traditional artists. An example of a longstanding genre that has been subjected to radical change is Reggaeton. It is a genre that has had to evolve a lot to stay relevant

to the times, even though it stands as an original essence of the Latino soul. This is apparent when comparing songs such as Tengo Calderon’s ‘Pa’Que Retozen’ to newer sounds, in which artists are starting to incorporate funk from Brazil and Argentina into its original beat. Brazilian artist Anitta, who has recently blown up in the Spanish-Latin market, is an example of an artist who fuses these different genres together, and one who has contributed to the rise of modern Latin music. Although it is understandable that the revolutionary sounds of the 20th century are being replaced by contemporary music, it is still puzzling that even upcoming Latin artists are not receiving the recognition that they have rightfully earned.

Take Kali Uchis, a Colombian-American singer-songwriter, known for her genredefying mix of Latin soul and R&B. I struggle to understand why artists such as Uchis are rarely broadcasted on mainstream services, with radio hosts commonly opting for the safe choice of Taylor Swift or Dua Lipa. Her play on words, often combining Spanish and English songwriting techniques, may have something to do with it, as Western music is dominated by English-speaking

artists.With that being said, the 21st century has arguably birthed some of the biggest and most popular Latin musicians we have ever seen, with contemporary artists such as Rosalia and Alicia te Quiero rising to fame over the last five years. Similarly, in 2022, Puerto Rican rapper Bad Bunny made it to No. 1 on the USA Billboard’s Top Artist chart of the year, with his hit album Un Verano Sin Ti also reaping success.

It proves that this vibrant, creative and soulful genre can one day lead the way in exploring and crossing musical boundaries, as it once did.

So, will Latin music ever come out on top? Whether this recent rise in popularity has been generated by Spanish listeners or a more broad fanbase, it proves that this vibrant, creative and soulful genre can one day lead the way in exploring and crossing musical boundaries, as it once did before its modern evolution.

Kali Uchis

Atreyo Palit Staff Writer

AEverything Music At the Oscars

t only twenty-two, Billie Eilish has won the affection of millions of fans, has earned critical acclaim for her music, and plenty of prestigious awards. She already has a staggering total of nine Grammy Awards, along with two Academy Awards for Best Original Song. She had already won the award alongside her brother Finneas O’Connell in 2022 for ‘No Time To Die’ featured in the James Bond film of the same name, and this year, they won for ‘What Was I Made For?’ featured in Barbie. This win came at the heels of a Golden Globe for Best Original Song in February, the second time the sibling duo won the award. The song beautifully captures the feeling of being lost in the pursuit of the meaning of life, which is one of the primary themes that Barbie follows, as the ‘doll’ played by Margot Robbie goes through a journey of discovering

her purpose. The film culminates with a beautiful montage celebrating womanhood in all its complexity while Billie’s song plays. But they weren’t the only ones to win a second Oscar for music this year as Ludwig Goransson took home the Academy Award for Best Original Score for Oppenheimer, which won seven Oscars, sweeping away the competition. His previous win was for the score of Black Panther, which remains the only film from the Marvel Cinematic Universe to win an Oscar. The score of Oppenheimer has become well recognised due to the success of the film, with the musical motif being used across social media platforms in memes, edits, and even motivational speeches, and it’s instantly recognisable.

Ludwig was competing for the win with none other than John Williams, who has an impressive fifty-four Academy Award nominations and five wins. He was nominated this year for the latest version of one of his most iconic compositions –

the Indiana Jones theme song, featured in The Dial of Destiny. The other nominees for Best Original Score were Laura Karpman for American Fiction, her first-ever Oscar nomination; Robbie Robertson for Killers of the Flower Moon, a frequent collaborator of Martin Scorsese from his Raging Bull days; and Jerskin Fendrix for Poor Things, another first-time nominee.

The Best Original Song category included a nomination for the 2022 Grammy Award for Album of the Year winner Jon Batiste, whose song ‘It Never Went Away’ from American Symphony was nominated. Scott George was nominated for ‘Wahzhazhe’, which translates to ‘A Song for My People’, an Osage language song, and the only non-English song in the category, which featured in Killers of the Flower Moon. Performed at the ceremony by Scott and the Osage Singers, all dressed in traditional Osage attire, the recognition of the song’s nomination for an Academy Award cannot be understated. From Flamin’ Hot, ‘The Fire Inside’ was nominated, sung

by Becky G, and written and composed by Diane Warren, a fifteen-time nominee. Rounding up the list of nominees for Best Original Song, Mark Ronson and Andrew Wyatt wrote and composed arguably the catchiest number across all musical nominations this year. It was one of the most popular songs to be released in 2023, so popular that SNL did a spoof of it featuring Pete Davidson. Yes, I’m talking about Ryan Gosling’s ‘I’m Just Ken’, which he performed with charming energy at the ceremony paying homage to Marilyn Monroe’s iconic dance from Gentlemen Prefer Blondes. To top it all off, Guns N’ Roses guitarist Slash made an appearance to play alongside Gosling’s vocals. Regardless of your opinion on the slightly cheesy antics that occur yearly at the Oscars, everyone can agree that Gosling’s performance will go down as one of the award show’s best highlights.

Grassroots Music Needs Help Now More than Ever

Adri Whittingham Staff Writer

Upon the release of the Glastonbury lineup in March, heads turned to the posters for over 100 of the biggest names in the current UK music scene were stacked atop one another for the much anticipated, sold-out summer festival. Heads then turned the other way as the Music Venue Trust put out a revised poster all over their social media, similar to the originals except erasing the names of performers that had their come up through grassroots music venues. Pop icons like Dua Lipa and Coldplay to indie rock legends like Bombay Bicycle Club were announced to grace the main stages - all of whom their careers would not have existed without grassroots music. Almost all names, bar eight, were missing. The MVT then posted a revised Reading and Leeds lineup, to a comparable result.

The posts were a statement, making clear the importance of these venues to the existence of bands and artists, especially in the UK. This spread of awareness comes during a strenuous point in the fight to maintain grassroots music venues across the country. With continuously rising costs and countless budget announcements pertaining to business reliefs post-COVID, grassroots venues are facing increasingly difficult times.

Grassroots music venues are the lifeblood of up-andcoming British musicians and always have been.

The Music Venue Trust, established in 2014, was created for the sole purpose of protecting and fighting for the existence of these music venues. According to the MVT’s 2023 annual report, 125 venues had

shut down with almost 40% of the entire sector reporting financial losses. These venues cite rising costs and reduced foot traffic as the two main reasons for closure.

Grassroots music venues are the lifeblood of up-and-coming British musicians and always have been. They nurture culture and provide a pipeline for performers. As a hub for creativity, they stand to gather a community to raise up the talent amongst them. As venues continue to pivot away from music to other forms of revenue making through quiz nights and comedy, the biggest impact is on these performers who lose a space to grow and lose a space to showcase their talent.

This fight is hugely important, especially in a place like Brighton where DIY music and up-and-coming performers are intertwined within the fabric and culture of the city. With multiple venues scattered across neighbourhoods under constant threat of being shut, it is more urgent than

ever to support our locals. What would we do without our beloved Hope and Ruin, Prince Albert and Paris House? All of which have been threatened with closure within the last year, the latter being the latest while the MVT provided aid in the public campaign against the dystopian building applications threatening Prince Albert’s position as a prime Brighton venue.

Festivals continue to dominate though, rising performers often use these platforms for the chance to propel their careers tenfold in a lottery-like system to make or break it from a single weekend. But as of today, festivals are silent to the struggles of smaller venues - as are the live music and record companies receiving record high revenues, whilst the venues that make young stars shine are left in the mud. It is uncertain how much longer venues will be placed in this situation however awareness is key in supporting our venues and keeping grassroots music alive.

Image: 20th Century Fox

Image: Esquire

Arts: Books

Do Judge a Book by its Cover

Francesca Sylph Senior Editor

Don’t judge a book by its cover, as the idiom goes. While I understand the sentiment, it’s actually terrible advice when taken literally. Metaphorically, sure! When it comes to people, judgements and assumptions based on appearances can be incredibly harmful. But when it comes to books, judging covers is just a part of the process. Whether you’re browsing Waterstones or scrolling through Goodreads, a book cover is the first thing you see. Your eyes may gloss over some, while others encourage a look at the blurb on the back or even a flip to the first page.

Covers can tell us a lot about a book. If there is a spooky silhouette, or an abandoned house, it’s probably a thriller or a mystery. If the silhouette is in a hooded cloak, or the house on a towering cliff overlooking stormy oceans, fantasy would be my best guess. Full page headshots usually translate to memoir (sepia tone if they’re dead, full colour if they’re still alive). I’ll spare you the pain of having to stare at Prince Harry’s face but I’m sure you can picture what I mean. If the headshot on the cover is of a sad child, however, it’s probably a melodrama targeted towards menopausal divorcees. It will also probably be the most depressing book you’ve ever read. There is a 50% chance that the child on the cover dies at the end, most likely of cancer. Sorry, I don’t make the rules. Blame Jodi Picoult.

Although some cover conventions may seem pretty set in stone, trends come and go. When it comes to literary fiction, the cover trends are as vague and nonsensical as the genre itself. Recent releases have featured big typography (sans serif, obviously) on busy backgrounds. Probably called The Curious Incident of the Little Fires at Whistle Stop Café, or something equally lengthy, pretentious and whimsical, it’s no wonder that the titles take up the whole

cover. When it comes to colour palette, make sure it’s as offensive to the eyes as possible. Finally, throw an abstract blend on there (bonus points if you can make out an ambiguous silhouette) and you’ve got yourself a New York Times Best Seller!

Covers that look like they were done in five minutes on the free version of Canva.

Romance is another genre that has had a facelift in the past few years. Long gone are the bodice ripper books of the ‘70s and ‘80s featuring long-haired shirtless men. The recent, mainstream popularity of the

genre (largely a result of Wattpad girlies growing up and graduating to BookTok) has led to more ‘discreet’ covers. Now, we have colourful vector illustrations instead of tattooed arms and glistening abs. As a general rule, the cuter the cartoon, the spicier the smut. Think Ali Hazelwood, Tessa Bailey, or Hannah Grace. Of course, there are still contemporary romance writers who insist on having covers that look like they were done in five minutes on the free version of Canva (looking at you CoHo). While a good cover doesn’t always translate to a good book, and vice versa, judging a book by its cover can narrow down your to-be-read list. There are so many books out there, and so little time to read them all. If you can find your next favourite book by deciphering cover clues, what’s wrong with that? Isn’t that like… the whole point of covers? To attract the right audiences? It’s also just fun, like swiping on Tinder but for nerds.

When the Book Was Better than the Movie

THE BALLAD OF SONGBIRDS AND SNAKES

While the newest Hunger Games addition to the franchise isn’t necessarily bad, it’s a far cry from the page-to-screen adaptation greatness of Catching Fire. The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes follows the childhood backstory and rise to power of the Capitol’s merciless leader, President Snow. It provides a deeper insight into the trauma he faced as a child during the Rebellion which is only ever hinted at in the original book trilogy. The novel is a 517-page rollercoaster of how hatred and prejudice can be harboured and groomed into pure and utter evil. Snow’s rise to power, and those he betrays in his journey, are all key components missed in the film. A key complaint when comparing the book and film is how they rushed through ‘Act 3: The Peacekeeper’, completely erasing a great chunk of Snow’s character development in the districts. Overall, the book is a slow-burn with an overriding villain arc which makes sense. And, if we’re being honest, the good looks of Snow’s onscreen actor Tom Blythe take away a lot of his bad qualities. Instead of giving us an internal monologue straight out of something from Joe Goldberg and You, we received an angsty, misunderstood blonde. But President Snow is much more than that.

INSURGENT

Akanksha Pandey Senior Editor

As a former bookworm who would consume books like air, my obsession with reading more or less ended when the dystopian genre started disappearing. The book that I think was done no justice, whatsoever, when it came to its film adaptation was Insurgent, which was the second book in Veronica Roth’s Divergent trilogy. In a dystopian world where society is split into 5 groups known as factions, Insurgent follows Tris continuing her efforts to stop Jeanine Matthews, the leader of Erudite from taking over. I found that the biggest weakness of the movie was how little the movie focused on Tris’s character development. This led to some of the characters having a lot of depth in the book, but were ultimately skimmed through in the movie. The books delved into Tris’s personal growth, focusing on her internal battles as a divergent and as someone whose life had been completely uprooted. Insurgent shows Tris’s fears, her struggles and her shortcomings. Yet in the movie, Tris was portrayed as a very strong character, and the movie failed to show the reality of her journey into becoming that strong character. After the death of her entire family, Tris’s journey of acceptance was a rather long and complicated one, which the movie completely ignored. The movie failed to get into the complexities of other characters such as Four, Tris’s partner and a fellow Divergent, who had so many layers to his character in the book. The movie missed out on some critical scenes and stories from the book that were essential in shaping Four and Tris into the people that they become in Insurgent. Overall, the movie seemed very rushed and the lack of focus on developing the characters resulted in a movie packed with action which failed to address character complexities.

Jack Mayfield Staff Writer

CALL ME BY YOUR NAME

When asked to imagine Call Me By Your Name, you undoubtedly think about Luca Guadagnino’s 2017 film starring Timothée Chalamet. However, this is an adapted screenplay of the novel released a decade prior by André Aciman. Call Me By Your Name is a romance set on the Italian Riviera, the focal point being Elio, the son of a professor, and Oliver, an older American student housed by Elio’s father. The story follows the brief summer the pair meet, and the events that unfold. Whilst it may seem pretentious or contrarian, I truly believe the original medium is superior. Firstly, viewing the world through the thoughts and feelings of Elio is impeccable storytelling and impossible on the screen. Furthermore, there is also a large section at the end of the novel which is entirely skipped from the film, the moments in Rome being some of the best of the whole story. Whilst the picture is a work of art in itself, I would highly recommend reading the original first as I did since there is nothing like imagining the paradise where this story takes place.

Maisie Knights Books Editor and Head of Social Media

Romance covers, from good to... genuinely the worst thing I’ve ever seen in my life. Images (L-R): Little Brown Books, Avon, Atria Books.

These spot the difference games are getting harder and harder. Images (L-R): Riverhead Books, Penguin Random House.

Image: Scholastic Press

Image: Picador

Review: My Fourth Time, We Drowned by Sally Hayden

Rachel Smith Staff Writer

In this unyielding exposé of the UN, EU, and the global multi-billion-dollar smuggling/human trafficking industry, Sally Hayden expertly interweaves her own experiences with those of the hundreds of refugees and asylum seekers who contacted her from within detention centres.

These centres appeared from 2011 as Libya’s popularity as an entry point into Europe continued to grow. The EU then began pouring millions of Euros into the Libyan Coast Guard to fund the detention centres. Intercepting boats before they reached European waters is a blatant, but legal, attempt at bypassing international law. In turn, refugees were held indefinitely while being subject to rape, starvation, and scarce medical care.

When Hayden first began receiving messages from these people, she described it as having “stumbled, inadvertently, on a human rights disaster of epic proportions”. This comes at the beginning of a perfectly managed balancing act between her own personal experiences. At one point, Hayden was even told by the CIA and MI5 that she would be in danger if she travelled to the detention centres.

Scattered throughout the book are quotes from the text messages Hayden received from refugees and asylum seekers throughout their journeys - from detention

centres to social housing in ‘safe’ European countries, or deportation to their country of origin.

These texts challenge the global assumptions about the experiences of seeking asylum and in doing so, give life to stories that have been simultaneously sanitised and sensationalised in the media.

In these messages, Hayden leaves the names of specific detention centres and

smugglers uncensored in an effort to acknowledge “the places where so many people suffered”. This is a transparency which continues throughout the pages of the book and is its biggest strength. Hayden does not hold back when recounting in order to make the book more agreeable to a wider audience. However, this does mean that many passages are emotionally difficult to read.

When Hayden has the opportunity to meet some of the people that she has been in contact with for years, their conversations engage the reader in a process of bearing witness - there is nothing anybody can do to change the past except ensure that it isn’t forgotten or repeated.

The writing style is exactly what you would expect from a highly decorated journalist; it portrays the facts and reflections on the seriousness of the topic, through a combination of cold, unadorned language and interspersing powerful, emotive prose. Both work together to reinforce the real lives behind the statistics.

Hayden tells stories that nobody should have to tell - but she does it with such command that you cannot help but turn the page.

In doing so, she sets the benchmark for reportage on events that are both factually complicated and emotionally fraught. This book should be essential reading for all journalists, politicians, and anybody working with refugees. It

confronts stereotypes, misinformation, and institutional failings while keeping the agency and individual experiences at the forefront of the conversation.

These texts challenge the global assumptions about the experiences of seeking asylum and in doing so, give life to stories that have been simultaneously sanitised and sensationalised in the media.

Despite the book recalling events that took place from 2018 to 2022, the message is unfortunately still relevant - particularly in relation to current events in Palestine. One of the most pressing issues facing the Gaza Strip is the problem of accessing humanitarian aid containing essential medical supplies as well as food and water. Hayden deconstructs the utility of international aid organisations, such as the UN, and the public image that they have constructed for themselves and does not exclude high profile humanitarians from her pledge of transparency.

My Fourth Time, We Drowned is an essential read for those wanting to cut through stereotypes and populism to understand the refugee crisis at its complicated and emotional core.

The Psychological Benefits of Re-Reading

Debates surrounding reading are familiar to any bibliophile - from the 21st century dispute of book vs. Kindle, to whether the author should ‘die’ after publication or continue to spout lore regarding the characters in the manner of J. K. Rowling. And, of course, there’s the age-old argument of what books are truly the ‘best’. At university, choosing a book at all is a luxury; come September each student is bestowed a list of their lecturers’ worst-sellers and told to venture to Amazon in order to make several regrettable purchases. Poring over How to Conduct Your Research Project in 125 Easy Steps after a full day of seminars understandably proves a struggle. So it comes as no surprise that many students prefer to re-read childhood favourites in their spare time, particularly as nostalgia enhances emotional wellbeing, according to a 2022 study.

While some books are socially acceptable to re-read, such as the Harry Potter series (albeit only plot-wise; I wouldn’t advise reaching for a copy in 2024 lest you want to be labelled a TERF), others – brightly-jacketed stories for the under-

12s – are unfairly met with stigma. But they shouldn’t be! I first re-read one such book at 18 while suffering from an acute case of pyelonephritis. Surreptitiously digging out Ruby the Red Fairy felt shameful, and so I made sure to tuck each of my A Level certificates between the pages of every chapter. But I was soon struck with an emotion stronger than embarrassment – happiness. I would recommend this alliterative collection of literal fairy tales in its entirety, but unfortunately the ghostwritten series has continued for so long that there might well be a Kitty the Kidney Infection Fairy – good for representation, but a poor distraction.

Surreptitiously digging out Ruby the Red Fairy felt shameful, and so I made sure to tuck each of my A Level certificates between the pages.

At 25, I’ve now been a proud re-reader for over seven years; there are some novels I’ve re-read so often that my party trick is reciting entire pages from memory. Unfortunately, I can never make it past a paragraph before being thrown out of

the party for killing the mood. Despite facing judgement from peers, re-readers like me can find solace in the fact that authors themselves seem to encourage revisiting childhood classics. Popular children’s author, Jacqueline Wilson, has penned sequels to several stories written decades ago, including The Story of Tracy Beaker and Sleepovers. On 21 March, she even announced an upcoming adult novel, entitled Think Again, which will serve as the fifth instalment of the popular Girls series, written between 1997 and 2002. Many grown-up fans flocked to social media in a flurry of excitement, announcing their desire to re-read the teen series ahead of September’s release. If you’re still not convinced, here are my top three reasons for re-reading…

Firstly, returning to books can offer a new perspective of the storyline. Take another Jacqueline Wilson classic, The Illustrated Mum, a novel which follows the lives of two young girls whose mother is suffering from Bipolar disorder. When I first read the book in my childhood, my empathy was reserved for the 10-year-old protagonist. However, upon revisiting the story in my twenties, I was able to better understand the character of the mother, primarily due

to my own diagnosis of BPD. Bence Nanay, a professor of philosophy at the University of Cambridge, supports this point, arguing that the mental imagery reading evokes can be different on each occasion.

Secondly, re-reading is easy! Just as you don’t want to go to the gym after running a marathon, so you don’t want to read Dickens after a particularly trying seminar. In the current era of doom-scrolling and over-working, it’s important to give your brain a break!

Finally, coming back to books is cheap –you already own them! Sure, they might be gathering dust in your parents’ loft, but at least you won’t have to fork out £12.99 on a new release, which may or may not be any good, during a cost of living crisis.

I hope you make the right decision and spend some time with the stripy big cat.

So next time you’re agonising over whether to pick Dostoyevsky or The Tiger Who Came to Tea, I hope you make the right decision and spend some time with the stripy big cat.

Lucy Spencer Staff Writer

Image: 4th Estate

Arts: Theatre

My Favourite Show...

Santiago Buitrago Staff Writer

We can’t talk about Lin-Manuel Miranda without discussing the international hit that was Hamilton, and how it established Miranda’s voice as a fresh and unique take on musicals in the mainstream. Miranda, though busy with a multitude of acting roles, continued his work on musicals after Hamilton, working on the Disney movie Encanto and having his directorial debut with the wonderful Tick, Tick… Boom! Still, not too many people have explored his first success with In The Heights, the fun, eclectic brainchild of Miranda and Quiara Alegría

JIN THE HEIGHTS

Hudes, set in the neighbourhood of Washington Heights in New York City. It is the greatest demonstration of Miranda’s storytelling ability. The show’s story highlights the struggle of Latin-American people living in New York, and the subculture born in places like it, where so many different countries mix. The music is the crux, and further builds upon this idea of platforming voices that otherwise have difficulty being heard. It mixies a multitude of Latin music genres to cement identity into this incredibly moving story about a ‘barrio’ that comes together in crisis.

igsaw is the second of a memorable two-part, live stand-up show by Scottish comedian Daniel Sloss which is also available on Netflix. The show is wonderfully dynamic, as Sloss uses comedy to tackle tough topics ranging from coming of age, dad jokes, drugs, and death. The slightly pessimistic, dark humour that guides the audience through the show takes you on a journey of emotions, from roaring laughter to almost feeling the grief or losses he has experienced in the past. The reason this show stands out to me is down to Sloss’s alternative take on relationships. He asks the big questions that people

tend to avoid in life, including who you’re meant to be with, when you’re meant to be with them, the sacrifices you make for them, and, most significantly, whether it is worth tackling that fear of loneliness that can drive us to settle for less. I think it’s this conversation that makes the standup show unmissable for anyone, as he addresses the blurring lines of what love can be versus what it should be. Although the show is doused in almost constant cynicism, Sloss’s insistent humour makes any topic at least border on hilarity and seem less daunting.

Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club is a musical currently being performed at the Playhouse Theatre in London’s West End. This show is a fantastic and immersive experience from the moment you enter the theatre. Phones and photos are restricted as you enter, so every detail remains a secret. Without ruining the surprise, you are encouraged to arrive early to experience incredible live performers, music, and drinks, which lead you to your seats. It is these details which award the show a top rating from me as I have not experienced anything simila prior to viewing Cabaret You are transported from the streets of London into 1930s Berlin. The show itself is set on a

smaller stage so allows the experience to be very intimate, and the show transcends the stage in terms of the physical performance and its visceral sense. It makes you feel so close to the actors, who bring the show to life so well that the stage is barely decorated. The cast is brilliant and has a rotating celebrity playing Sally Bowles. This is currently portrayed by Cara Delevigne but when I watched in June, Maude Apatow was the lead. As the record-breaking winner of seven Olivier Awards, there is no surprise that the show is one of my personal favourites.

We all know about 9/11 - the deadliest terrorist attack in history - but what we often don’t hear about are the uplifting acts of humanity that came in the immediate aftermath. One of the lesser known details of the attack is that as soon as the planes hit the World Trade Center, every other plane in the American airspace was ordered to land. For many, the only place they could land was Gander International Airport. Come From Away is a musical focusing on one huge, collective act of kindness from the people of Gander, Newfoundland, in the midst of the fallout of 9/11. This show is my favourite because I believe

ACOME FROM AWAY

that now, more than ever, we need to be reminded that humanity is strongest when it is kindest. The plot of the musical focuses on 38 planes that were ordered to land at Gander International Airport, resulting in around 7000 passengers on those planes being taken in by the locals of the town. The plot follows multiple stories: a couple breaking up, friendships being formed, and love being found, to name a few. But, the message of the story is clear: that humanity will prevail. The catchy songs are just a bonus to memorable and emotional moments, which really make the musical what it is. Come From Away is currently on tour across the UK.

welcome change from standard standup, Alex in Wonderland offers a novel fusion of song, mime, and personal tales. In his two-hour show, Alexander Babu combines humorous sketches, poignant glimpses into his personal journey, and music from Tamil films. Although Babu’s ‘message’ segments may seem simplistic to some, it’s easy to overlook because of his contagious energy and talent. His tribute to musical greats such as AR Rahman, MSV, and Ilaiyaraja is a heartfelt and humorous display of his extraordinary range as a performer. Even if you are not familiar with the language (he uses English liberally, and there are subtitles to help you along) and/or Tamil film music, give it a go! The show’s

Shirley Valentine - the onewoman play by Willy Russell, staged in Ankara, Turkey and featuring Bengisu Gürbüzer Doğru in the titular role - fascinated audiences with its touching portrayal of a woman’s journey to self-discovery and liberation. Shirley is a tired, middleaged Liverpool housewife who finds herself dissatisfied with the labour of her daily routine. When a friend invites her on a vacation to Greece, it flashes an awakening within Shirley that lets her rediscover her sense of self-worth and passion for life. Shirley was given life by Bengisu Gürbüzer Doğru’s portrayal, which precisely handled the character’s emotional complexities with authenticity. Gürbüzer Doğru skilfully captured Shirley’s inner struggle and

overall charm and entertainment value are undeniable, despite its slow start and heavy reliance on religious allusions. Even for those who are not familiar with Tamil cinema, Babu’s sincerity and deft storytelling make for an unforgettable viewing experience. While the show’s themes occasionally stray into the known, it is still worth watching again because of its enduring appeal. It’s clear from Babu’s thank-you gestures to his audience that Alex in Wonderland is a celebration of creativity, resiliency, and the joy of music, rather than merely a show.

SHIRLEY VALENTINE

resiliency, bringing the audience along on her path of transformation, from tender contemplation to sudden outbursts of liberation. The reason why this play was fascinating to me is because of its clever direction and vivid staging, which brought me into Shirley’s world and helped me empathise with her challenges and triumphs. The play effectively conveyed the spirit of Shirley’s oppressive home life, as well as the lively Greek island where she found freedom. For anyone feeling stuck in a rut like Shirley, this play was an encouraging reminder to break free and embrace all life has to offer.

Lily Gould Staff Writer

Lyla Amin Staff Writer JIGSAW

Akshayaa Suresh Staff Writer ALEX IN WONDERLAND

Katie Mahoney-Roberts Staff Writer

CABARET AT THE KIT KAT CLUB

Ceylan Akturk Staff Writer

Image: PBS Image: Playful UK

Image: Netflix

Image: Comedy Walls

Image: Marc Brenner

Fight or Flight Under the Spotlight?

Ever found yourself daydreaming about rocking out on stage, living the glamorous life, or being interviewed like a superstar? Have your nerves forced you to derail an otherwise promising career in the limelight to settle for a life as a fellow shower singer? If yes, then gather around for a saga of sweaty hands, trembling knees, and shaky voice, also known as stage fright. The all-consuming nauseous feeling one gets while standing in front of a crowd of expectant faces staring at them (gulp!) is what we call stage fright. In more formal

terms, it is the feeling of anxiety or fear that arises before or while facing an audience. From beginners to seasoned performers, stage fright does not discriminate.

“

Gather around for a saga of sweaty hands, trembling knees, and shaky voice, also known as stage fright.

So, what causes this anxiety? Does this arise from some childhood trauma where a parent or guardian chose rage instead of compassion? Well, sort of. Basically, the reason for performance anxiety could be traced back to one’s innate fear of judgment

or failure. While felt by almost everyone to a certain extent, some people beat all odds and practically drown in it. Whether triggered by a traumatic childhood experience or the pressures of society, it’s a real bummer. Often misinterpreted as a sign of weakness, performance anxiety is in fact a sign that the performer actually cares deeply about their art, and thus fears failure.

Although pretty commonly known, let’s talk about the signs of stage fright. Symptoms can show up in one of three ways - physically, mentally, or behaviourally - or in some bizarre lethal blend of all three. Physical symptoms are the easiest to identify (no sh*t, Sherlock!). Think nausea, upset stomachs, sweating like a marathon runner, heartbeat going wild - you get the drift. Mental symptoms include a constant feeling of confusion, and a fear that further leads to behavioural symptoms like trembling limbs, stuttering, blankness, and forgetfulness.

The key to slaying this slapstick comedy of quivering hands, stuttering, and drawing blanks? Practice, practice, practice! Rehearse those lines, dance moves, or guitar riffs until they’re as natural as breathing. And when you’re backstage, feet frozen like ice cubes, try some mindfulness tricks, like deep breathing exercises, to help ground yourself. It also helps to focus on the present moment instead of fretting about the uncertainties of the future. Throw some positive self-affirmations into the mix, and you’ve got a confident and steady self.

In addition to these tips and tricks, the understanding and embodiment of the truth - that judgment and failure are temporary - is essential. Instead of imagining them as deep ditches full of darkness, envision them as mere stepping stones that can help realise what went wrong and correct any misstep. Never be afraid or hesitant to ask for guidance, whether it’s from your colleagues, mentor, friends, family, or therapist.

Adele, Rihanna, Lorde, Emma Watson, Harry Styles, Emma Roberts (and many others), apart from a widespread fanbase and successful careers, have another thing in common: stage fright. Knowing that Rihanna often has to take a shot to calm her nerves before going onstage, makes me feel a lot better about my breakdown before my five-minute presentation in front of fifteen of my classmates.

Take the leap, embrace the unknown, and shine bright, because perfection is a myth.

So, my wobbly rockstars, here’s the deal: stage fright is just a pesky sidekick in the rough world of live performance. Embrace those nerves like a badge of honour because stage fright, that lurking monster under our beds, can be tamed. So, when the heart races and butterflies flutter, channel your unbridled talent and passion. Take the leap, embrace the unknown, and shine bright, because perfection is a myth. The spotlight’s waiting, and you were born to own it!

What’s On in Brighton...

Annie Mae Barker Staff Writer

Spring is here, and with May approaching, we have even more exciting theatre events ranging from comedy, clubs, music, talks, tributes, theatre productions, and performing arts. There is something for everyone, and Brighton truly has it all!

The month of May also brings us the brilliant and creative arts and culture festivals: Brighton Festival (4 May - 26 May) and Brighton Fringe Festival (3 May - 2 June). Events include theatre, comedy, art, and much more! These can be found in Brighton’s comedy and theatre spaces, which are listed below: Theatre Royal, Brighton Dome, Komedia, and the University of Sussex’s ACCA.

We have created a lively and diverse timetable with Brighton’s best entertainment and events. See below for information regarding what’s on and their locations, dates, and ticket prices!

Theatre Royal

An Officer and a Gentleman The Musical

23 April - 27 April | Tickets from £13

Killer Queen (tribute)

2 May | Tickets from £29.36

Ella Kent: Carmen (opera)

3 May | Tickets from £13

Ella Kent: Madama Butterfly (opera)

4 May |Tickets from £13

Night of Elvis: Lee ‘Memphis’ King (tribute)

27 May| Tickets from £26.50

All Killa No Filla (comedy)

28 May | Tickets from £24.10 | Ages 16+

Brighton Dome

Apollo’s Cabinet (classical music)

9 May | Tickets from £10

Love & Brotherhood in Black Gay Britain (talk)

10 May | Tickets from £10 | Ages 16+

A Spectacle of Herself (theatre)

13 May | Tickets from £15 | Ages 16+

Content warning: contains nudity, strong language and discussions of sex and the body

The Land Acknowledgement or As You Like It (theatre)

21 - 23 May | Tickets from £12.50 | Ages 14+

Content warning: contains strong language and examines mature themes

Live at Brighton Festival (comedy) 23 May | Tickets from £15

Sara Pascoe: Weirdo (talk) 24 May | Tickets from £12 | Ages 16+

Komedia

Funny Women: Brighton Nights (comedy)

27 April, 25 May | Tickets from £10 Ages 18+

Boogie Wonderland: 70s Disco

3 May | Tickets from £7 | Ages 18+

Swiftogeddon: The Taylor Swift Club Night

3 May | Tickets from £10 | Ages 18+

Brighton Fringe Comedy Showcase

24 May | Tickets from £8 | Ages 16 +

Record Fair

26 May | Free entry

Your Flaws: The Musical

31 May | Tickets from £7 | Ages 16+

Attenborough Centre for the Creative Arts (ACCA)

Symphony Orchestra (classical music)

4 May | Tickets from £4

Brighton Festival: Where the Veil Is Thin (contemporary music)

5 May | Tickets from £10

Brighton Festival: Birthmarked (performance)

9 May | Tickets from £10

Festival of Ideas: Remember When The Turner Prize Came To Sussex? (talk)

10 May | Tickets: £10

Recommended age 16+

Closer To My Dreams by Chad Taylor Dance Company (performance)

10 May - 11 May | Tickets: Free

Brighton Festival: Born and Bread by Brighton People’s Theatre (performance) 17 May -19 May

Tickets: Pay what you can (includes a bowl of soup and a bread roll)

Shambhavi Shukla Staff Writer

Image: Pexels/Monica Silvestre

Science & Tech

Clouded Choices Navigating Nature’s Rights & Mining in Ecuador

Let me transport you to the ChocoAndean region of South America, specifically to the protected forest of Los Cedros. The region is a haven for a plethora of species; it is a ‘biodiversity hotspot within a global biodiversity hotspot’ that supports various flora and fauna species found nowhere else on Earth. More recently, plans for large-scale copper and gold mines threatened the soundscape of the forest, risking the extinction of its diverse and rare inhabitants. However, a landmark ruling by Ecuador’s highest court in 2021 halted mining within the area, aiming to protect the natural symphony of the forest, where the calls of brownheaded spider monkeys and the trills of endangered frogs prevail. The Los Cedros case set a global precedent for the implementation of the ‘Rights of Nature’.

The ‘Rights of Nature’ refers to a legal framework prioritising the intrinsic rights of the natural world, and acknowledging the undeniable interconnection between it and the anthropogenic sphere. Similar to fundamental human rights, ‘Rights of Nature’ describes the inherent rights associated with ecosystems and their species, challenging the belief that nature

is a “resource” to be owned, used, or degraded for human benefit. Ecuador became the first nation to manifest the Rights of Nature within its constitution in 2008.

A new study led by Professor Mika Peck from the University of Sussex investigates the geographical scale of future Rights of Nature cases by assessing the risk of mining to various Ecuadorian ecosystems and territories, including protected forests, Indigenous territories, unprotected native ecosystems, biodiversity hotspots, and areas of water resource conflict.

Currently, mining concessions overlap with 1.6 million hectares (16,081km²) of protected forests, Indigenous lands, and native ecosystems within Ecuador, placing them at the forefront of risk for damage and degradation. The recent paper, published on the 20th of March, explores how vulnerable regions can leverage the precedent established by the Los Cedros case when confronting adversities arising from mining activities.

Navigating the intricate legal landscape necessitates comprehensive environmental and ecological research to construct robust legal arguments. Ecuador, in particular, lacks thorough research in this regard, underscoring the urgent requirement for detailed biological

data. The study advocates for investment in citizen science initiatives to gather essential ecological data to represent and protect these biodiverse ecosystems.

Already at the root of the cause fall the feet of Paraecologists, local “champions”, and environmental activists who are passionate about protecting local habitats and addressing the climate and biodiversity crises. Through training in research, biodiversity monitoring, and data collection, those at the grassroots make vital contributions to understanding ecosystems, thereby informing better environmental management and protection.

Operating under the umbrella of a new academic field coined “Ecological Forensics”, activists and biologists studying the region seek to integrate local environmental knowledge, law, and science to bolster legal systems in safeguarding Nature’s rights. They also propose a thorough review of all existing mining concessions, especially those in ecologically sensitive areas, where potential conflicts between mining activities and water usage may arise.

The journey through the ChocoAndean region of South America reveals not only the awe-inspiring beauty of its natural ecosystems, but also the urgent

Wild Adaptations

PLATYPUS

Pneed for concerted efforts to protect them. The groundbreaking Los Cedros case serves as a beacon of hope, demonstrating the power of legal action in safeguarding Nature’s rights. The study into the conflict between the Rights of Nature and mining in Ecuador signals a critical step towards addressing the complex challenges facing Ecuador’s biodiversity. By embracing citizen science initiatives and evaluating mining concessions, researchers continue to pave the way for a sustainable future where economic progress finds harmony with environmental preservation. More information can be found at https://ecoforensic.org/.

PEACOCK BUTTERFLY

FIREFLY SQUID

Alatypuses are one of nature’s most interesting creations. They are well-known for possessing unique features and abilities (one is NOT being a secret agent walking on its two feet, unlike Perry the Platypus from Phineas and Ferb ). There is one unexpected and somewhat unknown adaptation platypuses have: electroreception. This trait allows them to sense prey underwater by using electrical impulses to locate objects in the deepest and darkest waters. Hence, it is sometimes referred to as their “electrical sixth sense”. How do they hunt? A beak-like structure called a bill detects movements and subtle electric fields produced by its prey with three distinct receptor cells. By collecting and combining sensory information flows, specifically electrical signals, they can locate its direction and distance.

glais io, commonly known as the peacock butterfly, gets its name from its eye-catching wing patterns that resemble the feathers of a peacock. However, their stunning patterns are life-savers... literally. When threatened by predators, the peacock butterfly rapidly exposes their colourful wings and blue “eyespot” patterns to flash their predators, scaring them away. These eyespots are situated on the edge of their wings, confusing predators such as birds to attack the bright coloured ‘eyes’, and allowing the butterfly’s main body to remain unscathed while they escape. The underside of their wings also resemble leaf litter on the forest floor, allowing them to be camouflaged from predators when their wings are folded up. So next time you take a stroll in Stanmer park, watch your step, these hidden beauties might just be hiding among the leaves.

The Firefly Squid, scientifically known as Watasenia scintillans, possesses a mesmerising adaptation that sets it aglow in the depths of the ocean. This small cephalopod emits a blue-green bioluminescent light from thousands of tiny photophores covering its body, creating a stunning display reminiscent of a starry night. The purpose of this bioluminescence is multifaceted. This adaptation aids them in appearing larger than their actual size, which in turn assists in repelling potential predators. Additionally, this lighting up helps them communicate with potential mates, and decipher the colour patterns that distinguish their squid family. The Firefly Squid’s ability to produce bioluminescence in such a controlled and spectacular manner showcases the fascinating adaptations that marine organisms have developed to thrive in the dark, mysterious depths of the ocean.

When I was much younger, I owned a crested Gecko. I recall an incident where Jack, my lovely lizard, hopped out of his cage and scrambled straight up a plain white wall before reaching the ceiling. I assumed he would have to stop, but instead, he positioned his body upside down and continued his mad dash for freedom, running along my ceiling. Subsequent to this escape,with Jack safely back in his vivarium, 12-year-old me wasted no time working out how exactly Geckos can so easily traverse across ceilings and walls. The answer, it turns out, is that through the process of evolution, Gecko feet have developed to be made up of millions of hair-like structures known as ‘setae’. Despite not being charged themselves, the setae polarise when in contact with the molecules of the ceiling and using electrostatics, the Gecko can be supported even upside down- allowing them to easily evade predators in their natural habitats.

Sian Scott Science and Tech Editor

Image: Washu Project

Hoithem Lhungdim Staff Writer

Ivory Fong Staff Writer

Jenny Choi Science and Tech Sub Editor

GECKO

Theo Kelly Staff Writer

Will Gaffney Head of Photography

TWorth the Hype(erloop)?

he hyperloop concept proposes a revolutionary mode of transportation, which aims to mitigate the resistance that regular vehicles are (quite literally) held back by. For this to be possible, air friction will be eliminated, simply by removing the air, creating a vacuum- facilitating projected supersonic speeds. The surface friction that trains and cars have will be fought, and won by using a mighty magnet, allowing the hyperloop to take advantage of magnetic levitation.

Elon Musk first conceived the hyperloop concept in 2012, making the transport industry go wild with interest. Musk had always stated that the transport model would be an open source, that would be developed by collaborating creatives. The Boring Company (owned by Musk) also hosts a competition for students to create their own subscale prototype of a hyperloop being able to test it at the space X hyperloop test track.

Musk first proposed a hyperloop system to be built between Los Angeles and San Francisco, making the journey between the two cities only 30 minutes compared to the 4-hour train ride and 3-hour flight. However, in order to research and further develop the model, Hyperloop Transportation Technologies (HTT)

created a full-scale functioning hyperloop in Toulouse, France. This was used to help gain insight into other future projects as well as to demonstrate how powerful and effective this technology will be to the public. HTT have begun building a connection between one to connect Venice-Mestre and Padua, creating one of the first commercial prototypes.

To study the potential of a Great Lakes hyperloop corridor (to connect Chicago, Cleveland and Pittsburgh) HTT partnered with the Northeast Ohio Areawide Coordinating Agency. The 2019 study, conducted by Transportation Economics & Management Systems, Inc. (TEMS), highlighted the economic benefits of the project. The next steps, which started in 2023, included environmental impact reports and station studies to integrate with existing infrastructure; paving the way for final design, financing, construction, and commercial operations.

To advance the hyperloop concept, HTT is developing a HyperPort in Hamburg, Germany. The system aims to transport containers efficiently inland, designed to meet industry standards and guarantee reliability and safety. HyperPort capsules can carry two 20-foot containers at high speeds. Currently undergoing optimisation, the system plans to integrate ports into the broader hyperloop network for automated container handling.

The Las Vegas Convention Centre is a three-station transportation system constructed in approximately one year using the Godot tunnel boring machine. Costing around $47 million, the system includes twin tunnels, two surface stations, and one subsurface station. Tunnelling took place during conventions with zero disruptions or road closures. The Loop reduces a 45-minute journey to approximately two minutes. Operational since April 2021, it has transported over 1.5 million passengers, demonstrating a peak capacity of over 4,500 passengers per hour and over 32,000 passengers per day.

Hyperloop has the potential to change the world with its technology reaching all aspects of society.

Transportation will never be the same, possibly putting a lot of alternative ways to travel out of business (maybe, this pressure will help to motivate air travel companies to get their act together and implement changes to reduce disruptive waiting hours).

The economic impact of hyperloop technology is poised to revolutionise the distribution of wealth and job opportunities in unprecedented ways. For instance, individuals could secure highpaying jobs in cities like London while residing in more affordable regions, such as the North, enabled by hyperloop’s swift and efficient connectivity. This scenario

could lead to a significant redistribution of wealth, fostering more equitable economic development within nations and even across international borders.

With decreased travel times, hyperloop technology could also become a great power within the tourism industry. By significantly reducing the time required to travel between destinations, hyperloop systems could facilitate rapid movement of tourists, enticing them to explore further afield.Hyperloop will reshape how cities are built and change urbanisation patterns within them- by relieving congestion in city centres, and inducing an environment where walking is encouraged.

The hyperloop is more than just transportation, but a catalyst for transformative change on a global scale.

Not only encouraging the exploration of cities by foot, the hyperloop is environmentally friendly (well, more so than traditional modes of transport), in turn reducing greenhouse gas emissions, air pollution and traffic congestion- earning the position as one of the smallest carbon footprints in the transportation industry.

In essence, the hyperloop is more than just transportation, but a catalyst for transformative change on a global scale.

AI’s Secret Strain on the Planet

Finn Norris Staff Writer

AI’s speculated revolution is becoming actualised at a breakneck pace. Big tech companies and industry leaders consistently tout such benefits of AI integration; indeed, AI’s potential offerings have never been so boundless. However, this consensus is not without its complications: dystopian fears are rife, with automation threatening employment and moral questions of AI’s intelligence. As perturbing as the above is, concerns being exclusively ethical, and this digital-centric discourse detracts from the growing, physical issue of AI’s insatiable appetite for electricity – and what the environmental implications of this encompasses.

It all begins with data centres: the backbone of modern internet, and now the heart of AI computing. IEA statistics highlight data centres accounting for 1% of global electricity use and (energy-related) greenhouse gas emissions, respectively. This may seem a modest number, but as AI demands unprecedented change to the infrastructure of data centres and digital networks, these figures are on the path to skyrocket.

Most data centres’ server racks currently have an energy density of around 5-10kW. However, to handle AI, an average rack will need at least five times as much energy and, in some instances, upwards of 100 kW per rack. AI is also beginning

to be utilised in streamlining the running of, and even designing the data centres themselves, adding another level to energy requirements.

The generative AI algorithms featured in chatbots such as ChatGPT and Google’s Gemini currently bear the brunt of this power demand. A recent paper from researcher Sasha Luccioni and colleagues from Carnegie Mellon University suggests that the generation of a single image may use a staggering 2.907 kWh, drawing a stark comparison to the average 0.012 kWh used to charge a smartphone. With Open AI’s new video generative model Sora on the horizon, it appears the only way is up for chatbots’ power usage, and not in a good way.

Cryptocurrency also deserves a notable mention. The harmony of AI and blockchains has become a common occurrence to maximise mining efficiency. Initially, a lot of mining used smaller, unorthodox setups. But crypto’s rise – and that of CBDCs (governments’ central bankowned crypto rival) – is seeing data centres amalgamate cryptocurrency alongside other energy-sapping AI perpetrators. Subsequently, retrofitting existing data centres is, and has been well underway. However, such efforts are already somewhat redundant; the mass construction of larger, AI-specialised data centres will be vital in ensuring AI’s expansion. A recent report from data scientist and researcher Alex De Vries estimates the growth of AI’s energy

consumption will translate to the annual energy demand of the Netherlands by 2027.

For an industry already struggling to go green, this is bad news. Pledges have been made by leaders such as Microsoft and Google to achieve carbon neutrality by 2030. Still, they are undercut by Microsoft’s growing interest in nuclear energy and Amazon’s recent 650 million dollar investment into an entirely nuclearpowered data centre.

But we cannot risk complacency. Hope cannot lie solely within tech giants for smaller organisations will continue to rely on colocation centres that have far less pressure to adhere to sustainability.

Issues are not limited to emissions and finite resources either; areas with a high density of data centres will likely experience pressure on local resources and infrastructure. In 2022, 8,000 West London homes were stalled mid-development due to grid limitations. As of today, 3,900 of them still await connection. The 100 data centres across zones 1-9 are likely culpable. Meanwhile, Nigeria’s data centres are suspected to be worsening the pre-existing water crisis that has stricken Sub-Saharan Africa. Water is a necessity for cooling new AI supercomputers and data centres – air

cooling is simply not sufficient anymore. Microsoft does not operate within this specific region, but given their water usage surged 34% between 2021 and 2022, this hypothesis in Nigeria is rendered all the more plausible and perhaps forecasts similar complications creeping closely behind where new centres appear.

Fortunately, there is still hope to make the AI revolution a sustainable one. Investment and utilisation of HVO (hydrotreated vegetable oil) will aid renewable pledges, and government legislation on data centres will also help prevent cascading emissions. Germany has already intervened this year, whereby at least 50% of data centre energy must be from (unsubsidised) renewables, rising to 100% by 2027.

But we cannot risk complacency. Hope cannot lie solely within tech giants, for smaller organisations will continue to rely on colocation centres that have far less pressure to adhere to sustainability. Likewise, alongside Germany, the US, China and the UK (who together comprise the top 4 countries for data centres) must also act accordingly. Currently, this trio seem to have their heads buried in privacy concerns and discreetly scheme of ways to utilise AI with state functions. But if this data centre conundrum is not addressed, AI’s power-hungry tendencies will undermine any positive development it could bring to humankind.

Sport

Sports at Sussex: How Breaking a Sweat Breaks the Bank

Flashback to September, when you walked around the Freshers Fairthe sports hall was a room lively with opportunity, where society presidents and club captains spritely sold the dream, and bargained for your membership. You reflected on that sport you played two years ago and would love to pick back up, and grew excited over the chance to play it again at university. After all, the physical and mental benefits are indisputablebuilding endurance and stamina, feeling accomplished for picking up a new skill, putting your energy into something productive, making friends, and feeling like a part of a team. It all seemed practical and accessible; but they never mentioned the price tag.

‘There’s something for everyone’: the bold promise that The University of Sussex promotes on their website regarding the 40 sport society opportunities they have to offer. At the surface of their claim, the fact may seem true - their sporting clubs range from racket to bat, mountains to waves and slopes to land: the options for both sports and clubs seem endless. The Universities’ bold headline, ‘if you enjoy playing competitive sport, our student clubs will have something for you’ guarantees that all students will find a sport that they can play and enjoy, or that there is always the opportunity to start a new club currently not on offer. Upon closer inspection, however, it is not the selection of sports that limits some students, but rather that not ‘everyone’ has the financial capabilities to fund and participate in the weekly competitive or social sports. Instead, their statement should be ‘there’s something for everyone... as long as you can afford it’.

Upon questioning nine different sports societies and participants, their opinions on the pricing of their sport, and the support (or lack thereof) offered by the University are indisputable. In support of the claim that the opportunities at The University of Sussex provide are not for everyone, as

the expenses and financial requirements are extensive, it leads to question whether more responsibility should fall upon The University of Sussex to support and fund our teams?

With most sports clubs charging between £55 and £130 for their membership, joining a sports society does not seem like an option for some students. Whilst battling the pre-existing financial demands of student life, such as food shopping, travel, and managing a limited student loan, sports is often something that university students do not have a large budget for. Prices vary depending on the team that you play for within your sport, as societies such as Netball, Hockey, and Lacrosse, offer a £90-£95 membership fee for their first and second teams, and then a reduced rate for their ‘development teams’. For those lucky enough to make the first and second teams, their membership fee is put towards ‘travel, kits, insurance and coaching, the BUCS fees, hall and court hire’, as senior members of the Netball team confirmed. The development teams for both Lacrosse and Netball are much cheaper, as Lacrosse is free to socially pay, and Netball charges £65 – but what does this cost get you if you are not playing in matches? Members of the hockey third team confirmed that they paid £60 for their membership, but it has not been worth it as all resources and efforts are often put into the first team, ‘I pay £60 but get no coaches or games, we don’t get to play matches unless we organise our own friendly games’. So, when asked is it worth it, the answer was no! How are students expected to progress into a higher-ranking team when they don’t receive sufficient resources that they have rightfully paid for?

Some memberships range into the hundreds; the Sussex Saxons charge £112 membership and a £50 kit deposit for team members and the Rugby membership is £130. Despite paying the membership, this does not guarantee that you will play in the weekly games, as senior Sussex Saxon Lewis stated, those who do get the

chance are those who ‘prove to be the best in their position’. When paying the large membership fee does not guarantee match opportunities or professional coaching, the cost of membership may seem extortionate for basic recreational training. Is the membership fee acceptable, or should The University of Sussex be expected to do more to provide the 3rd and social teams with better coaching opportunities and funding?

Making the team is only the first step as you cannot play without the correct uniform and equipment, all of which comes with a price that isn’t always affordable. Lewis continued that if players wish to purchase their own ‘helmets, shoulder pads, lower pads, cleats and gloves’, this equipment could cost up to £1200, a price taken from his personal experience. Similarly, most clubs such as Hockey, Netball and Rugby, require members to purchase their own kit or uniform. A hockey stick is the most expensive ‘a decent but basic stick costs £100’, confirmed a member of the men’s Hockey third team.

The University of Sussex do contribute towards some basic equipment costs, such as the Sussex Saxons helmets as they ‘legally need to be replaced every 10 years’. Other than in matters of necessity, in which the University grant some of their funds to the sports, financial aid is very limited. Responsibility falls on the societies to raise money to go towards ‘funding kit the Student Union don’t give us or equipment they don’t see as necessary’, as the Hockey team stated.

Within their interviews, many members commented that in order to make the teams, previous skill and experience is required. A women’s Hockey 2nd team member stated that ‘the first team is usually county and regional players, people who have been playing competitively for years’, this level of experience and fitness also comes at a price, as previous years of training experience is very costly. Within some of the more expensive sports available, such as Cricket, BBC Sport suggest that the most successful athletes are ‘those who

went to an independent school’ with 43% of the men’s England Cricket team having been educated privately. At university, are you still limited by your financial status if joining a team requires years of expensive training schemes?

With a gym membership of £30 a month, the facilities available at The University of Sussex were, up until the recent renovations, not worth this price, as a second year student Thomas stated that, ‘it lacked some machinery especially for leg and arm workouts’. As a small gym in comparison to some major chains, Thomas continued that even now, ‘you have to wait to enter the gym or wait for/ share equipment’. How can the University expect students to afford nor want to use such limited facilities, when cheaper alternatives, such as PureGym, offer student memberships beginning at £14?

I feel excluded. I lost all excitement about societies when I realised, I couldn’t afford it

‘I feel excluded. I lost all excitement about societies when I realised, I couldn’t afford it’; one first year student explained how the cost of sporting damages individuals self-confidence and selfworth, making them feel less important and isolated. Without being a part of a team, individuals lose the opportunity to attend weekly socials, how is that fair? The University of Sussex needs to do more than just what is required of them, their inaction is uninspiring compared to The University of Sunderland who subsidised their BUCS membership and offer an Elite Athlete Scheme for students, to ‘support them with funding’.

Prideful about their sporting opportunities and teams, The University needs to play a more active role in ensuring that both the teams have the essentials that they need, and that sports are accessible for all. A money pot shared between the teams is not enough anymore!

Jodie Fullerton Staff Writer

Image: Joseph Foudy

Image: Joseph Foudy

Erling Haaland Isn’t That Good

Kian Shayegan Sport Sub Editor

It’s opinions like these that make my parents regret not putting me up for adoption. But listen, if you’ve made it to even just this sentence without spitting on this article or throwing it in the bin out of sheer disgust, then I’ll take that as a win.

To clarify,I’m aware that he is an absolute goal machine, and the numbers he’s put up in the Premier League are unlike anything we’ve seen before or will probably see again in our lifetimes. But the reality is, if you put him in the current Bournemouth side, he doesn’t score as many goals as Dominic Solanke, nor would he in the current Aston Villa side as Ollie Watkins; I’d even go as far to say he couldn’t score more goals for West Ham than Jarrod Bowen, and he plays on the bloody wing. I get these are all ifs and buts, but I have two main points as to why this is the case, and don’t worry I’ll make sure to acknowledge all the obvious rebuttals (I’m always two steps ahead of you simpletons).

First point: He never scores when it really matters. Take last year’s record breaking season: let me give you the list of all the top half teams he scored against when his team actually needed a goal i.e. when they’re a goal behind or the game was deadlocked: Brighton, Aston Villa. Yep, I’m done.

Ok now here comes the obvious rebuttal, ‘Oh but because he plays for the best team

in the world, they’re always winning games anyway so there’s rarely any opportunities for him to score a goal they desperately need’.

Well…no. I can give you three examples, just in the last two months of when Manchester City needed a goal in an important game and he failed to deliver. Chelsea at home - the Cityzens drew 1-1 and were 0-1 down for most of it and not only did he not do anything, but he missed one of the easiest chances he could have possibly been given. Manchester United at home - whilst City won 3-1, and Haaland did in fact score, his side were 0-1 down for most of the game, and once again, he didn’t do anything and missed one of the biggest sitters you will see all season (and his goal was scored when they were already 2-1 up with about 5 seconds left to play, wow amazing, what a cheat code clutch player). Liverpool away - the visitors drew 1-1 and once again, you guessed it, ghost mode activated. Speaking of missing big chances, it’s funny how people make fun of Darwin Nuñez for just not being very good at football. While he’s missed 20 big chances this season, Haaland the ‘cheat code’ himself has missed 26.

And yes, obviously I know he gets way more big chances so it’s unfair to use this statistic on its own, but another stat that doesn’t cover Haaland in too much glory is that none of the golden boot winners from the previous five seasons were ever first for big chances missed.

Just to clarify, this was what he was

specifically brought in to do - score big goals in big games. If they wanted to sign someone to score important goals against Luton and Sheffield United, Pep Guadiola may as well have bought Charlie Austin instead.

It was no different last season. The biggest games last season were Arsenal at home, the two Champions League semi-final legs against Real Madrid as well as the final against Inter, and the FA Cup final against Manchester United, and the only time he decided to show up and score was when his team were already 3-1 up against Arsenal, missing sitter after sitter when the game was actually tight.

Another common rebuttal people will say this time would be that, as he’s the best player, teams will come up with tactics solely based around doubling up and marking him out of the game. That’s a fair point, but you could say the same for the 2022 World Cup final,with both Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe being by far the standout players of their teams, but Messi still notched twice and Mbappe scored a hat trick. Cristiano Ronaldo has played in 6 Champions league finals, being the key player in every single one, and still managed to score 5 times. One of the greatest ever Premier League strikers Didier Drogba scored 9 goals in 9 finals for Chelsea. I could go on.

This leads me on to my second point: he can’t score a wide enough range of goals.I’m not saying he only scores tap-ins, but certain techniques required for certain goals from certain angles are simply beyond Haaland’s

capabilities. For example, do you remember any of Haaland’s goals having curl on them, or using the outside of his foot, or being scored on the volley using his laces? Or even a time when he skilfully wiggled his way round a group of defenders?

Of course, it doesn’t matter what type of goal you score, if you’ve scored 36 goals, you’ve scored 36 goals. However, with all of the great strikers we’ve seen in the Premier League, the likes of Shearer, Henry, Suarez, Aguero, Kane; the one thing they all had in common is that you couldn’t give them a sniff, no matter where they were on the pitch from practically 35 yards out inwards, due to them all being able to score all types of goals from all types of angles. This simply isn’t the same for Haaland. Hence, despite not putting up anywhere near the same numbers as him, a striker like Aleksander Isak at Newcastle will go on to have a more successful and prolific career.

I am of course aware of how young Haaland is, and at the age of 23 he has plenty of time to prove me wrong and level up even more on all aspects of his game. But right now, I just feel like the amount of praise and hype people have been giving him isn’t fully warranted, and until he has an Aguero vs QPR moment, or a Drogba vs Bayern Munich, or an Mbappe vs Argentina, my thoughts will remain this way.

How the Sussex Tennis Society is Bringing Women Back into Tennis

goes against all these stereotypes to create a friendly and encouraging group open to all.

With two undefeated players, zero losses, and the champion title of both the BUCS South Eastern League and Cup, it’s safe to say that the University of Sussex Women’s Tennis team have gone from strength to strength this year. The girls have no plans of slowing down any time soon, with their promotion into League One for the next academic year, alongside the new committee’s determined plans to encourage more women into Tennis. Throughout the year, the Tennis Society has been rapidly gaining popularity, growing to two men’s teams, one women’s team, with hundreds of members making up the beginner, intermediate, and advanced development squads - coached by committee members Robyn, Hannah, Will, and Laurence. The society boasts a close bond thanks to their weekly training, and lively Wednesday themed socials show a welcome warmness to newcomers, making exercise and socialising accessible. During my first year at university, I was hesitant to join a sports society given the horror stories rumoured about initiations, hierarchies, and the terrible treatment of freshers. However, as someone who joined one of their development squads this semester, it is clear that the Tennis Society

One of the key motivations of the current committee is the emphasis on increasing the funding available to the society in order to improve facilities in ways such as weatherproofing the courts. The more durable courts will minimize the currently high number of session cancellations due to unpredictable weather conditions and the hard to clear courts, which has undermined the society’s reputation. Additionally, they are hoping to create a larger space for spectators from both within, and outside of the society, to watch and support the at-home tennis fixtures.

The women’s team, made up of the Captain- Robyn, the President- Joni, Hannah, Steph, Maya, and Farida, have had an extraordinarily successful year. Each week, they compete in matches at both of the Falmer courts, and also travel to away games. They play four singles and two doubles games and have won all but one week so far (in which the teams drew). During the BUCs South Eastern Conference Cup final, the team headed to Surrey to compete in a nail bitingly close six matches, eventually drawing 3-3 and having to play an intense deciding shootout to secure the trophy.

Throughout this year and next, the committee are planning a range of incentives

to encourage more women to play tennis at every level. For the higher level players, there are plans to introduce a second women’s team, making the number equal for the men and women’s squads. This team will primarily be playing in the ‘Fast4’ division of BUCs which features shorter matches, allowing for a greater number of players to have the opportunity to compete. This introduction

will also create further chances for girls to progress from the development teams into the competition scene. A brand new ‘Girls Day’ will take place after the mid-semester Easter break where anyone interested is welcome to try out for the four available spaces for the first team, or the eight or more positions open for the new ‘Fast4’ team. Trials for the next academic year will be happening in September.

The development squads will continue to expand, with aims to bring in additional coaches which will allow for more of the high demand beginner and intermediate sessions. These sessions have been massively successful in talent spotting and training up new members. However, they require no prior experience, making them a perfect opportunity to get high standard coaching while trying out a new sport, socialising, and positively impacting your mental health.

Finally, the women’s team have left their mark on the Sussex community through their latest scheme alongside team coach Sam Mills, which aims to provide free coaching to young girls across the county. The end goal is to create accessibility to tennis and inspire a new generation of girls into the sport, coached by the brilliant members of the University women’s team.

Abi Summers News Editor

Across

2. What year was there no Sussex/ Brighton varsity? (6, 8)

7. Team sport involving flying disc, Sussex team nicknamed Hawks (8, 7)

11. The most popular Sussex sports facility (3)

12. You can now book classes and membership on the ___ app (6, 5)

Down

1. Sussex sports mascot, exotic fish (8)

3. Who won the Superbowl in 2024? (6)

4. ___ US: provides free gym and sports trials (6)

5. Name of University of Sussex’s cheer team (8)

6. What new water sport is debuting at the 2024 Olympics? (7)

8. Who has won varsity the last three years in a row? (6)

9. Name of University Sussex’s American football team (6)

10. Which country won the Men’s Six Nations this year? (7)

13. What is the location for the 2024 Olympics? (5)

EASY HARD

Horoscopes

Taurus (20 April to 20 May):

Aries (21 March to 19 April):

Be careful of unnecessary aggression and thoughtless communication until Mercury turns direct on 25 April. Don’t let your impulsive nature take over entirely, but take advantage of your spontaneity when Mars enters Aries on 30 April and put your energy into pursuing your goals with confidence.

Leo (23 July to 22 August):

As a fixed sign, you will feel the effects of the Scorpio full moon more intensely as the culmination of whatever was started during the 8 April new moon. When Venus enters Taurus 29 April, enjoy the community and relationships that you can rely on, but be careful not to demand too much of the people you care about.

Sagittarius (22 November to 21 December):

You may feel restless due to the energy brought about by the Sun and Venus joined in stable, dependable Taurus after 29 April. Don’t let your need for drama overshadow your need for friendship.

Taurus season begins 19 April and will bring some earthly stability back into your life. Watch out for the full moon in Scorpio on 23 April, as it will bring to light the tensions between your desire for security and structure (ruled by Taurus) and need for destruction, transformation, and rebirth (ruled by Scorpio). Venus in Taurus after 29 April emphasises the importance of holding onto people or things that we care about, but be careful of excessive possessiveness over others.

Virgo (23 August to 22 September):

Avoid making impulsive decisions with your heart with Mercury in retrograde and Mars in Aries, as you may find that it will backfire. You may feel an overwhelming need to prove yourself, but be sure your foundations are solid before taking that leap.

Capricorn (22 December to 19 January):

Your diligent nature is at home in Taurus season’s stability and love of the finer things in life. Avoid possessiveness but don’t disregard connections altogether when Venus enters Taurus 29 April. You may turn inwards and self-reflect when Pluto enters retrograde on 2 May.

Gemini (21 May to 20 June):

The more calm and restrictive energy of Taurus season may make you feel restless, but after Mercury goes direct and is joined by Mars in Aries on 30 April, your relationships will have less friction and you will find it easier to reflect on your past, potentially reviving old ideas and projects through a new outlook. Avoid impulsively cutting ties during Mercury retrograde, as you might regret it.

Libra (23 September to 22 October):

You may feel at odds with yourself through Aries and Taurus season, as you try to keep sight of yourself while experiencing a period of transformation. Pluto turning retrograde in Aquarius on 2 May may prompt you to reevaluate friendships or close social ties.

Aquarius (20 January to 18 February): Aquarius placements will feel the full effects of the moody, introspective full moon in Scorpio on 23 April, as well as the new moon in Taurus on 8 May. Commit to your personal goals and enjoy life’s simple pleasures.

Cancer (21 June to 22 July):

You might find yourself more easily affected by the words of others with Mercury in retrograde through 25 April, but try to avoid spiraling into worry and self-doubt. Your nurturing tendencies feel at home with the Sun and Venus joining in Taurus on 29 April, but be careful of smothering those that you care about.

Scorpio (23 October to 21 November): Scorpios will be at their most powerful around the full moon in Scorpio on 23 April, but should be careful not to fall into self-destructive behaviours when Pluto turns retrograde on 2 May. The new moon in Taurus on 8 May is the perfect time to commit to new personal goals.

Pisces (19 February to 20 March): Mercury in retrograde 1-25 April means you should make sure to double check any texts, contracts, bookings, or travel plans. When Pluto goes retrograde on 2 May, you may experience initial psychic confusion and heaviness. Avoid getting trapped inside your own head.

Answers! (Don’t look yet...)

All puzzles created by Andrew Malarkey

Lindsey Rippert Staff Writer

Crossword Easy Hard