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VOLUME X, ISSUE I • WEDNESDAY, 26 SEPTEMBER 2018 • Royal Holloway, University of London • Egham, Surrey, TW20 0EX
The Average Student Spends £364/Month. How Does Your University Compare? IFFAH AHMED NEWS EDITOR
Following the cost of rent, it has been identified that on average, students spend £364 per month on living costs, where most of the funds contribute towards socialising and food. It has been recognised that students across the nation, from Scotland to the Midlands are spending equal amounts to those located in London but are receiving less Student Finance to help manage their expenses. The National Student Money Survey 2018 disclosed the following significant information that it’s a student’s university which heavily affects spending and not just your location and background. The data gives evidence that even though students in London receive a higher maintenance loan, students studying in various parts of the UK also have similar costs.
Index
Money advice site, Save the Student conducted a survey which asked 3,617 students what their money goes on. Students were asked to answer how much they spend on essentials from bills to food, course materials, travel and clothing. The figure for UK student spending differs depending on the university they attend; however, the UK student average summarises at £364 a month. It is shown that food takes up nearly a third of the budget (coming in at £108 a month on average) after rent has been paid. Although, students at Cambridge, Aberdeen and UCL have been shown to pay at least £140 a month on food. Institutions at Robert Gordon, Sunderland and South Wales pay less than £74 a month, which equates to £18.50 a week on eating out, groceries and snacks. Despite university, 50% of students said they lack money which in turn
News..............................................................................1 Opinion And Debate......................................................6 Lifestyle.........................................................................10 Features........................................................................12 Arts: Arts And Culture..................................................14 Arts: Film......................................................................16 Arts: Music....................................................................18 Arts: Literary Reviews...................................................20 Sports...........................................................................22
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affects the diet they have. The average a student spends on socialising comes up to £62 a month however, students at Keele, Bournemouth and KCL spend at
least £80, whereas with stu- both Yorkshire Universities, dents at Goldsmiths and display that... Kingston, their socialising expenses round up to more Continued On than £100. Noticeably, Huddersfield and York St John, Page 3.
Brexit Dates p. 5
Mental Health p. 12 Gym Makeover, p. 21
2 NEWS
THE FOUNDER September 2018
Email the editor at news@thefounder.co.uk
Royal Holloway Led Bid
Secures Funding to Support the Creative Industries
The Founder Board 2018 - 2019 Editor in Chief Cassandra Lau Managing Editor Zahra Hussein Designer Helena Keeble Marketing Director Sally Gibbs Online Content Editor Tom Conlon
News Editor Iffah Ahmed Deputy News Editor Sindhooraa Satheesh
Photo via https://www.pexels.com/photo/red-human-face-monument-on-green-grassfield-189449/ SINDHOORAA SATHEESH DEPUTY NEWS EDITOR
A Royal Holloway consortium led by Professor James Bennett has won a bid to host a prestigious Research and Development (R&D) partnership in the creative industry. One of nine successful bids selected by the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC), this project aims to deepen ties between creative industries, technology companies, small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and UK universities. Funded by the Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund, the project is part of the AHRC Creative Industries Clusters Programme; and has been named StoryFutures.
StoryFutures aims to revolutionise storytelling for the next generation – Augmented, Virtual, Mixed and Cross Reality (AR, VR, MR, and XR) will be used in tandem with smart devices and artificial intelligence (AI) to create an entirely new method of engaging viewers. All successful bids were identified by key creative industries in their area; and are addressing a distinctly unique challenge to their region. This endeavour has the potential to exponentially grow the creative sector of the UK and better position the creative sector of the UK to face future challenges. This project will be based at Royal Holloways’s campus in Egham. Other partners in this endeavour are Brunel University, the University for the Creative Arts, the British
Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), Pinewood Studios, the National Film and Television School, Immerse UK, Resource Productions, the British Film Institute (BFI), ConnectTVT, Imaginarium Studios, the National Gallery, Sony Interactive Entertainment Europe, Creative Engine, ScreenSouth, the British Screen Advisory Council (BSAC), the Buckinghamshire Thames Valley Local Enterprise Partnership (BTVLEP), Richmondupon-Thames College, and nDreams. This project primarily focused on the area known as the Gateway Cluster – which includes part of Surrey, Hampshire, Buckinghamshire, and the Berkshires; and it aims to support the creation of many new jobs in the area.
Opinon and Debate Editor Nicholas Ross
Arts & Culture Editor Molly Williams Film Editor Graciela Mae Chico Music Editor Charlie Catmull
Lifestyle Editor Kyrie Roxby
Literary Review Editor Rachel Farguson
Arts Editor Mimi Markham
Sports Editor Frankie Christou Deputy Sports Editor Jack Wright
The Founder is the independent student newspaper of Royal Holloway, University of London. This means we are not affiliated to the student union or the college. We pride ourselves on our investigative journalism and aim to keep our readers up to date with news on and off campus. The views expressed in this publication are those of the author and not necessarily those of the Editor, particularly of opinion and debate pieces. Every effort has been made to contact the holders of copyright for any material used in this issue, and to ensure the accuracy of its stories. To book ad space in The Founder, contact our managing editor at managingeditor@thefounder.co.uk. THE FOUNDER is printed in Cambridge by Iliffe Print
NEWS 3
THE FOUNDER September 2018
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Professor Matthew Isaac Cohen Continued From Named 'Honourable Puppeteer of Front Page the World during Indonesian Tour ...students can spend just dent to try and hunt down £35 a month on socialising, paralleling to expenses of £8.75 a week. Ultimately two thirds of students acclaimed they do not have the funds to always go out either. Jake Butler, Save the Student’s money expert states that, “No matter where you go to university, it can be expensive, And the student loan most likely won’t cover your costs. I’d recommend any stu-
extra funding by contacting their university student services. It’s a harsh reality that a part time job is a key part of student life these days too.”. Full results from the National Student Money Survey 2018 can be viewed at https://www.savethestudent. org/money/student-moneysurvey-2018.html
RHUL Research Breakthough IFFAH AHMED NEWS EDITOR
Photo Credit: Kementerian Pendidikan dan Kebudayaan IFFAH AHMED NEWS EDITOR
Professor of International Theatre in the Department of Drama, Theatre and Dance, Matthew Isaac Cohen has been granted the royal name Ki Dalang Bawana (Honourable Puppeteer of the World), by Sultan Sepuh XIV of Keraton Kasepuhan. At the beginning of Professor Cohen’s wayang kulit tour in Java, he was bestowed with the award for his dedication in the preserving and advancing of Cirebon-style shadow puppet theatre. From the 27th of July to the 8th of August, the tour saw puppeteer Matthew with gamelan musicians from the UK and Cirebon (West Java), including Katie Bruce, Royal Holloway alumna who performed the traditional way-
ang kulit art form in ten various districts throughout the North Coast of the Indonesian island. The Indonesian Ministry of Education and Culture combined with the collaborations and partnerships from local governments and the Pepadi puppeteer union of Cirebon helped to sponsor the tour. Surrounding the tour, Professor Cohen said the following; “It was a remarkable process for us all – involving much learning and exploration together, meeting the public, travel and encountering diverse ways that wayang is consumed and experienced. “Each location was very distinct. We performed in small remote villages, in a grand palace, a public park
and a huge public square. And in each location, we also got a glimpse of local art forms presented as prewayang entertainment. “I felt hugely honoured to be at the centre of this whirlwind – supported by the massive efforts of employees of the directorate of culture in the Ministry of Education and Culture, local governments and cultural workers and above all my friend and colleague, Ki Dalang Purjadi, who heads Cirebon’s Pepadi chapter and is himself an amazing puppeteer.”.
At Royal Holloway, research has been conducted, suggesting a relation between patients with bipolar disorder and patients with epilepsy. This has been recognised through a medicine used to treat both of the disorders. 500,000 people in the UK have been diagnosed with epilepsy, whilst 2.4 million individuals have bipolar disorder. People who have been diagnosed with either bipolar disorder or epilepsy have been given valproic acid to help treat them, however there has never truly been a coherent comprehension of how the acid works for two distinct conditions. Head of the Centre for Biomedical Sciences in Royal Holloway’s School of Biological Sciences, Professor Robin Williams, along with his students have been looking at the mechanisms of how the drug functions by carrying out boundless research. Their work has been published in the journal Disease Models & Mechanisms. Professor Williams states that; “To enable us to understand how the drug works in both conditions, we carried out tests using a simple amoeba as a research model. Using this model to replace animals in research, we were able to identify
a single protein affected by valproic acid. This protein has previously been associated with both conditions, however, our research has been the first to suggest that it may be the key linking the treatment of both disorders”. “Now that we understand how valproic acid works, we have been able to design potential new drugs that would be effective in treating both conditions, without causing birth defects.” “Successfully developing these new drugs would be potentially life changing for women who want to have children but depend on valproic acid to manage their condition.”. The next progressive action step for Professor Williams and his colleagues is to search for a organisation they can partner with who will support the advancement of these new compounds. This development of these new drugs will result in more safe and effective treatments for patients with epilepsy and bipolar disorder. The full title of the paper is “Diacylglycerol kinase (DGKA) regulates the effect of the epilepsy and bipolar disorder treatment valproic acid in Dictyostelium discoideum.”
4 NEWS
THE FOUNDER September 2018
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TECHNE Doctoral Training Partnership Led by Royal Holloway Secures More Funding
Live like a Stoic for the Week IFFAH AHMED NEWS EDITOR
IFFAH AHMED NEWS EDITOR
A consortium has been led by Royal Holloway, University of London which has assured and secured support from the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) to fund the TECHNE Doctoral Training Partnership (DTP) for a further five years. In 2014, the TECHNE consortium was originally established to help provide accessible scholarships which fund research from a various range of humanities and art disciplines. The recent funding will help enable the continuation of this work. 57 studentships will be supported through this funding per cohort. TECHNE is one of 10 Doctoral Training Partnerships receiving funding for the AHRC as collaboration of their dedication and allegiance to postgraduate funding in the arts and humanities sector. Senior Vice-Principal (Academic) and TECHNE Director, Professor Katie Normington, at Royal Holloway said, “We are thrilled to receive this endorsement from the AHRC of TECHNE’s vision for its development over the next five years. We will build on the strengths of the original Doctoral Training Partnership, and our collec-
tive commitment to valuing interdisciplinary research, to deliver a rich, diverse and stimulating environment for doctoral students in the arts and humanities.” Professor Edward Harcourt, the AHRC’s Director of Research, said: “The AHRC is delighted to announce its renewed commitment to the Doctoral Training Partnerships model. Our support for the next generation of arts and humanities researchers is critical to securing the future of the UK arts and humanities sector, which accounts for nearly a third of all UK academic staff, is renowned the world over for its outstanding quality, and which plays a vital part in our higher education ecosystem as a whole. “We were extremely pleased with the response to our call, which saw highquality applications from across the UK from a variety of diverse and innovative consortia, each with a clear strategy and vision for the future support of their doctoral students.” TECHNE as the DTP is named in relation to the Greek term for craft and crafting. The programme will build on its reputation and long-standing track record of helping to sup-
port outstanding doctoral students for following their ‘craft’ of research through interdisciplinary and innovative perspectives whilst also emphasising on practice and creativity. Techne brings together nine higher education institutions in London and the south-east. Previous members include; Royal Holloway University of London, University of Brighton, Kingston University, University of Roehampton, University of Surrey and the University of the Arts, London, will be joined by Brunel University, London, Loughborough University, London and the University of Westminster. TECHNE places emphasis on the intertwining of critical thinking, making and reflexive action in the crafts of research. It has been identified that Non-University Partners are integral to this vision: TECHNE’s importance on postdoctoral careers beyond HEI’s will encourage and support exchanges made with staff through a diverse range of Partner organisations which range from Heathrow Airport to The National Archives. Furthermore 20% of TECHNE studentships will involve cooperation with and joint supervision by nonuniversity partners.
People across the globe are trying to find a way to minimise the time spent on their technological devices and in turn switch off from their chaotic technological lives. Royal Holloway is calling upon individuals and students to live like a stoic for a week. The notion behind this week is to enable and allow individuals insight and opportunity into Stoic philosophy to see whether it can help guide them towards a better lifestyle. Royal Holloway will be starting its annual Stoic Week from October 1st, 2018 and are calling upon people across the UK and beyond to join in the experience and search for their inner peace. A free online course is available for those who want to work towards a more peaceful lifestyle. The course includes step by step exercises and audio medications to help free the mind. Wellbeing questionnaires will be provided to the participants before and after the seven days in order for them to view the progression they have made over the week. Stoic week consists of seven chapters, one designated for every day of the week. Teachings of the three wellknown philosophers, Marcus Aurelius, Seneca and Epictetus will be seen and explored during the week. Below are five top tips which can be applied to being Stoic:
1. Understand that you cannot control most of what occurs in your life 2. View the idea that your emotions are the product of how you consider and contemplate about the world 3. Come to terms with the fact that negative instances happen to everyone else and are bound to happen to you too 4. See yourself as part of the larger and greater picture 5. Consider all your possessions to be not your own but on a loan A founding member of the Stoicism Today Project and lecturer at Royal Holloway, John Sellars stated that; "The Roman Stoics argue that much of our unhappiness is of our own making and the product of how we look at things, rather than the things themselves. "In particular, they suggest we need to understand what we can and cannot control, and become accepting of those things that just cannot be changed. The project which people can be part of in October will help them start to learn how to have Stoicism in their everyday lives and to start feeling happier about situations which may have historically held them back.". 7,000 people took part in the online course during Stoic week last year and a special event called the Stoicon will be taking place in London on the 29th of September where it will see attendees from around the world.
NEWS 5
THE FOUNDER September 2018
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Brexit: Crucial Dates and Information for Students
Photo via https://www.flickr.com/photos/jeffdjevdet/25112888022 CASSANDRA LAU EDITOR IN CHIEF
As we approach closer towards the end of the twoyear negotiating window for Brexit, little seems to have set in stone. Last Christmas, Michel Barnier, the European Commission’s chief Brexit negotiator, noted that “the period of actual negotiations will be shorter than two years,” setting end of divorce talks with the UK by 19th October 2018. With a lot to say from Theresa May but little officially confirmed, it is shocking how little time there is left. To put the urgency to reach a deal in perspective, here are some key dates: June 2016 On 23rd June, the heated debate on the UK’s continued membership with the European Union concluded with a marginal public vote in favour of ‘Leave’: 51.89%. February 2017
On 1st February, the vote in favour of the government’s Brexit bill won by a landslide in the House of Commons, prompting Prime Minister Theresa May to call forth Article 50 – a signed letter to the EU which officially opens the two-year negotiating window. April 2017 The government announced that EU students applying to commence studies for 2018/19 in UK universities would remain eligible to the same loans, grants and privileges as before. July 2018 This summer, on 4th July, Education Secretary Damian Hinds reaffirms that tuition fees and access to loans and grants for EU students would remain the same for the 2019/2020 academic year. EU stu-
dents can also be reassured that this privilege will last throughout the course of their degree. Hinds also confirmed that tuition fees in England would remain frozen at £9,250 during the period of transition. October 2018 Between the 18th and 19th, all Brexit negotiations will end at the EU summit. It will be the UK’s last chance to agree upon an agreement and their future relations. December 2018 A few days before Christmas break, the last European Council of 2018 will be held. It is also allegedly the “last practical date for an Article 50 divorce deal to be signed off by Britain and the EU,” according to James Blitz, Alex Barker and George Parker from the Financial Times. With only three months before take-off, the
13th and 14th December will be intense, and hopefully by then some clarity will shine upon us. January/ February 2019 It will be a tireless Christmas and New Years for those at Parliament, as the House of Commons must approve of Prime Minister May’s Brexit deal in Brussels. As the Financial Times accurately put it, “the moment of truth for Brexit”. As we unwrap presents at home, the House of Commons will be awaiting the official deal in similar anticipation. However, whether they like what they get or not, MPs must pass an Implementation and Withdrawal Bill that puts the exit treaty into law. According to the official government website, the policy paper is “the White Paper on Legislating for the Withdrawal Agreement between the United Kingdom and the European Union sets out how the Government will implement the final Withdrawal Agreement we reach with the EU in UK law.” March 2019 On 29th March, the UK will official depart from the European Union. From what we have seen so far, the procedure could either commence seamlessly, or it could result in a “cliff edge” Brexit if Parliament fails to yield any deal with the EU. Common concerns: Student Visas It is very likely that new immigration regulations will be introduced; however, as mentioned above, EU students commencing their students from 2018/19 and 2019/20 will not need a Tier 4 Student Visa or a Short-Term Study Visa to study in the United
Kingdom. Whilst international students’ visa procedures remain the same, there is a greater chance that EU students may have to apply for a student visa in the future. There is currently no official statement for students beyond the mentioned academic cycles. Home secretary Amber Rudd did mention the possibility of a two-tier system whereby “tougher rules” would apply to students enrolling in “lower quality courses” in order to reduce the overall immigration numbers. However, nothing official has been released on the matter, and it is unknown how such proposals will be carried out. What does it mean for UK students? According to student statistics, most UK students are concerned that Brexit would restrict their freedom to travel and work elsewhere in the EU, as well as limit their opportunities to study. The likelihood is that UK students will face higher tuition fees, and lower chances of working in many European countries. Will EU students remain eligible to work in the UK? Graduates will need to receive a formal job offer prior to applying for a Tier 2 (General) visa to work in the UK. However, as negotiations are still taking place, there is a chance that current EU students will be offered a grace period whereby graduates will have time to look for jobs within the UK. For undergraduates, it remains the same for all fulltime students: no student can work beyond 20 hours a week.
6 OPINION AND DEBATE
THE FOUNDER September 2018
Email the editor at opinion@thefounder.co.uk
Blurred Lines Campaign ALEXA TESCON STUDENT WRITER
In July, the Feminism Society at Royal Holloway launched a campaign to ban the song ‘Blurred Lines’ by Robin Thicke from being played in all university venues. It had already been banned in the Students’ Union due to concerns it encourages rape culture, violence against women and male dominance. The campaign was posted on Facebook and met mixed reactions. It would be unfair to say all against the ban are rape apologists, just as it would be unfair to suggest those advocating it are simply social justice warriors.
In response to opinions that hearing a song should not be damaging, there emerged an onslaught of brave confessions on the online post in which sexual assault survivors admitted the song triggers memories of their abuse. These confessions have resulted in a few naysayers changing their mind. Other sexual assault survivors have insisted the song has no effect on them, that its ban would not change their experiences, and that they need not be treated like fragile dolls. The different reactions to the song may be down to interpretation. Lyrics such as ‘do it like it hurt’ or ‘I know you want it’ are phrases survivors may have heard, insinuating
lack of consent, the song normalising rape culture. Yet the song may be considered empowering to women if one infers the ‘blurred lines’ as a representation of the distance between being a virginal good girl and a promiscuous bad girl. Thicke’s lyrics appear to encourage women to be sexually active if they choose, rejecting ideas of shame like ‘no sex until marriage’, a convenient interpretation for men. The debate around banning the song involves the question of freedom of expression: Can everything offensive and problematic be banned? The ban would justify banning songs about other themes such as sexual
liberation or religious freedom, anything with which some people may disagree. But Meg Ross, a Royal Holloway student, suggested that ‘Blurred Lines’ goes into hate speech territory as it promotes violence against women. The freedom of expression argument may be used as a smokescreen to hide misogynistic or rape apologist sentiments. The Feminist Society has been criticised for focusing on a song ban instead of pursuing more important ends like providing help for survivors of abuse. Sophie Bury, President of FemSoc and Women’s Representative for the SU, responded that the ban was one campaign, further action to be pursued in the course of the academic year.
Ultimately, the campaign for the ban was successful. Regardless of the outcome, the fact the campaign provided a platform for a debate and had students considering a variety of arguments was positive for student politics. People talked about their own experiences, minds were changed, and perspectives were introduced. The consensus between those for and against the ban was that the SU needs to improve the protection of its students. The level of response on Facebook showed that students are interested enough in important issues to be willing to help implement change.
THE FOUNDER September 2018
OPINION AND DEBATE 7
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[Editor's Opinion] Two Men Have a Boxing Match NICHOLAS ROSS OPINION & DEBATE EDITOR
For months newspapers have been plagued with articles about two “YouTubers” having a boxing match in late August, an event in which people should not have taken interest. One struggles to discern the talentless spectacle’s phantom of appeal. Having trained in boxing and mixed martial arts, seeing two white-collar fighters throw jabs at each other would be no novelty, yet I watched, as did millions of others. Earlier in the year a controversy involved one of the competitors, Logan Paul, who had filmed (vlogged…) himself laughing about having found the cadaver of a suicide victim in Japan. Given the poor defensive skills of beginner boxers and consequent likelihood of Paul being beaten up, it must have been the prospect of schadenfreude that attracted this sadistic Founder Editor. But the fight was hardly, if it may be said, striking. Although he was exhausted by the third round, Paul unfortunately survived and drew with his opponent (known as KSI, which stands for Knowledge, Strength, Integrity: a mantra of the kind
recited by satirized Buddhist goatherds in one’s imagination). Uncannily, the pointless voyeurism of viewers had been forewarned. In a 2001 Guardian article entitled ‘Reality TV: a death of talent and the death of morality’, Salman Rushdie predicted, ‘our voyeurism will become more demanding. It won't be enough to watch somebody being catty, or weeping […] What is gradually being reinvented is the gladiatorial combat […] how long […] before "real" lions, actual dangers, are introduced to […] feed our hunger for more action, more pain?’ Seventeen years later people are booing at the fact a beginner boxer was not knocked unconscious. The YouTube extension of reality television is more baffling a phenomenon than its precursor. In the same article Rushdie asked, ‘Who needs images of the world's rich otherness, when you can watch these half-familiar avatars of yourself - these half-attractive half-persons enacting ordinary life under weird conditions?’ However, YouTube does not necessarily involve weird conditions. For over a decade, tripods erected in bedrooms have
been attached to cameras recording artificial behaviour and uninteresting ruminations. KSI gained internet fame from people having been bored enough to watch him overreact to video games. From reality television and YouTube emerge celebrities worse at filmmaking than filmmakers, at boxing than boxers, at comedy than comedians. Logan Paul procured a fan base on the thankfully obsolete online platform Vine by uploading videos of six seconds or fewer. It is popularity alone that imputes an illusion of value to these so-called personalities. Unfortunately, YouTube fan bases are not a dying breed. Can these fans be more tragically passive, may they experience life more vicariously than by taking time out of their days to watch, and thereby glorify, insignificant people doing insignificant things? It is a case of money being made out of the idolatry of mind-numbed hordes whose souls shall atrophy to impressions of stale coffee lingering at the back of their throats when they realise they would have made something of themselves had they filmed themselves watching.
8 OPINION AND DEBATE
THE FOUNDER September 2018
Email the editor at opinion@thefounder.co.uk
Modern Social Tolerance: A Threat to Identity
Photo via https://pixabay.com/en/identity-self-self-image-image-792366/ MATT BROWN STUDENT WRITER
‘The term ‘gentrified’ is often used in the United States of America when discussing a neighborhood. To a local community, gentrification is seen as the invasion of a foreign culture. As a result of gentrification, renters can no longer afford rent because of house price increases. Locals can no longer visit their Walmart as Whole Foods Inc. makes residence dawning the age of Aloe-Vera leaves and kombucha. You will not hear this from gentrification naysayers though. They are more likely to say that their once quaint town or unique (classically impoverished) community has lost its identity. The
imperfect edges of society are sentimentally more recognizable and memorable than the new and intact. That particular je ne sais quoi has been replaced with boring and harmful standardisation. The result of gentrification is the loss of the allowance for deviation. Similarly, modern cultures of acceptance provide illusions of social progress. When it comes to LGBT+, armies of “sympathisers” inadvertently make it acceptable only for gay people to be recognisably dissimilar. When attending gay pride marches and donning pink feathered blouses, they succumb to the stereotyping they attack, establishing gay standardisation. Our increasingly accepting culture threat-
ens identity because it is rife with stereotypical representation. The phrase ‘each to their own’ comes to mind. Why is it that this expression sounds so implicitly condescending? Because it epitomizes the tendency of people to isolate and disassociate a group or individual acting outside of an observable norm. But everyone should be able to behave as individuals. Instead, individual identity is currently manipulated by the categories of imposed acceptance: As a supposed norm is increasingly accepted it becomes increasingly expected; society becomes ignorant of, and confused at, the existence of subtypes within a social group who do not naturally behave
in accordance with expectation, those bulky truck-driving builders out there with horrendous fashion senses… who happen to be gay. A recent study by the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory showed that college students are experiencing the highest levels of anxiety and depression in 80 years regardless of the progressive and accepting nature of society. Progress should be society’s goal. But hiding limited tolerance behind the happy face of forced acceptance does not resolve social stigmas. It urges people who are naturally different to want to express their differences in an exaggerated way, often obtrusive and antagonistic. By forcing society to accept categories
presented in particular ways, the aforementioned subtypes feel they must define how they are different when met by confusion. It may be inferred that this turmoil of differentiation and identity is a prominent cause of the above statistic. This situation has created a state of crisis in youth identity. The youth of today are an anxious and depressed generation spending their formative years identifying what makes themselves stand out when everything, within reason, is normal. Our gentrifying society is one that grimly smiles at social issues and covers them with Aloe-Vera leaves.
A big hi! from Danehurst. We’ve spent the last nine years developing purpose-built accommodation for students at RHUL, the very first in the area. Through our sites, The Pad and Podium on Egham Hill, we have provided a stress-free, fun and safe environment for hundreds of fellow students during their stay there. We are always learning from previous schemes, enhancing the environment around our sites and working with our designers to create stylish spaces. We want the residents living in the schemes we create to have the time of their life at Royal Holloway and become part of the community. Which is why we think it’s important for Danehurst to become a part of that community, backing initiatives within local schools and sports clubs. We are proud of what we have created so far and excited about what's to come. We are committed to providing unbeatable facilities and an unrivalled service... a true home away from home. Enjoy the coming term and a big hi! from everyone at Danehurst.
www.danehurst.com
10 LIFESTYLE
THE FOUNDER September 2018
Email the editor at lifestyle@thefounder.co.uk
Can Students Really Control Their Nutritional Well-being? EMILY WRIGHT STUDENT WRITER
For those of us who keep up to date with current affairs, be it through a newspaper or the ‘Daily Mail’ section of snapchat, it comes as no surprise that we as a nation are currently navigating an “obesity crisis”. What’s worse is that everything from NHS advice to junk food advertising has been blamed, leaving consumers wondering whether they will ever be safe from refined sugars and trans fats. At present the percentage of overweight people in the UK is 62% with a reported 27% of Britons clinically obese. Neglecting the time spent exercising and any genetic factors the average Briton may possess; we may naturally assume that diet is causing the issue. One thing is for certain:
good eating habits are a lot easier to get into if they are established early on. A study of 2,500 participants by the Minneapolis Heart Institute reported that those of us who eat seven to nine portions of fruit and vegetables a day where 25% less likely to have significant levels of coronary calcium than those to eat two to four portions. We all have our Dominoes days, but with conclusive research into the links between obesity in later life student diet it is something we cannot overlook. One common misconception about “healthy eating” is that it involves chia seeds and kale. As well as being reasonably expensive and extremely bland these two ingredients are not the first choice for our convenience loving generation. What’s more is that they aren’t necessary. Meals such
as: jacket potatoes, cheese and beans; the humble pasta in tomato sauce; chicken and rice and even fish finger sandwiches can all provide the necessary nutrients we need without piling on the fat. Jacket potatoes are an excellent source of Vitamin C, with the average potato giving you 48% of your Vitamin C for the day. Likewise, Cod fish fingers provide a cheap source of omega 3 and 17g of protein which is about 30% of a sedentary adults DRI (Dietary Reference Intake). To amp the nutritional values of these meals is also relatively easy and cost effective. By switching to reduced salt baked beans or using canned chopped tomatoes and basil as a pasta sauce you will not only save money but be making steps towards the right food choices for life. For a lot of students their
Photos via https://www.istockphoto.com/ae/photo/healthyfood-clean-eating-selection-gm854725402-142896241
nutritional well-being is often perceived to be ancillary in comparison to their studies and more often than not – the sesh. Even so, one thing that is especially important is the link between nutritional well-being and mental well-being. For a large proportion of us, mental wellbeing is linked to self-worth
and often physique. This is not something to be ashamed about admitting and if this article encourages anything it is hoped that it’s the important of solid meals. Eating three meals a day and limiting snacking is the first step to establishing a stable eating routine which in turn will keep us all out of the 27%.
Decorating Your University Room
Photos via https://intranet.royalholloway.ac.uk/students/ AMY BUTCHER STUDENT WRITER
Having a comfy, homey room at university helps make your experience more enjoyable. It will be the setting for those lazy mornings, catchups the night before classes, where you scramble to meet your deadlines and the perfect
place for a movie night. The start of term is the best time make your room the perfect insta-backdrop, on a student budget of course! Obviously, there are certain limits, as you can’t paint and if you’re in halls you are stuck with those curtains, but that doesn’t mean you can’t still have a Pinterestworthy room.
Photos are a great place to start when decorating because they will help with any potential bouts of homesickness and are a great talking point with all your new friends. In halls you have a large pin boards, so bulk printing off some of your favourite photos and memories before you leave is a great idea. You can plaster these all over and it makes your room feel so much cosier. If you don’t have the notice board then you can instead get some string and use little pegs to hang your photos around your room too. When getting your photos printed keep an eye out for discount code online to find yourself the best deal. From Fresher’s week and beyond, your bed will basically become your new BFF so it’s important to make the best of what you’ve got. Whether you are dealing with the halls duvets or not, getting a pretty
cover will change your whole room. You can go for a bold print or a simple colour and then accessorise from there. Layer your duvet with your favourite blankets and fluffy throws, not only will this help make it feel homelier, but it will keep you warm when those radiators inevitably break during winter… it happens! Cushions are also a great accessory especially when you’ve got your friends over, so they can get comfy too. Blankets, throws and cushions will inevitably make leaving your bed for those 9ams even more difficult, but so worth it! Obviously candles are a no-go if you’re in halls and for good reason. If you’re still looking to create that fresh, cosy smell then you could opt for a room diffuser. There are lots of different ones available, so whether you want fruity or sickly sweet you’ll definitely
find one you like on a budget. They take away the worry of burning the place down and can last up to a couple of months without any care or attention. Fairy lights are a perfect way to brighten your room and you can get them in a variety of colours. Placing them around your noticeboard or shelves is a nice way to make things even cosier. All these little bits will help make your room and halls feel more like ‘home’ and will allow it to become your little sanctuary! They are only small touches but they can go a long way in making your room a memorable place. Although you won’t be spending lots of time in your room at the beginning, spending a bit of time decorating and making it cosy will really help you throughout the year.
THE FOUNDER September 2018
Email the editor at lifestyle@thefounder.co.uk
MAINTAINING YOUR
HEALTH AT UNIVERSITY
Photos via https://www.istockphoto.com/ae/photo/hopefulteenage-girl-listens-to-physicians-migraine-treatment-plangm849468986-139553569 KYRIE ROXBY LIFESTYLE EDITOR
It can be incredibly thrilling to move away from home and explore your independence at Uni. You’re living (mainly) alone, in charge of everything you do and are the only one taking care of yourself. While it can be very appealing to give up any semblance of self-care and do whatever you’d like, it’s important to not let your health be affected and take the proper steps to look after yourself. Making your health a priority ensures you can continue doing everything you want to do and enjoying your time at university without illness or restraint. I was so adamant about being the exception to Freshers’ Flu before getting it anyway and being miserable and useless until I got better. Those packs of tissues are there when you move in for a reason. If you do get sick, here are a few tips to help that might come in handy. 1. Registering for a GP
In the first few weeks it’s important to start setting up everything you may need in the long run - including signing up for a GP. Nobody ever wants to go to the doctor, but if there’s a problem you don’t wait to register until you actually get ill. This can be at a GP practise outside the university, or simply at the health centre. You can still visit your local GP at home for two weeks of care or register as a temporary patient. With my heart condition I found it difficult to switch between using my GP at home and the Health Centre before I knew I could register as a temporary patient and still receive care. This made it difficult to obtain any prescriptions or medical care from either when I needed them. If you have a long-standing health concern, it’ll be easier to be a temporary patient at one. 2. Medical records GP’s won’t necessarily pass on your records to the health clinic, so make sure you request to have them shared with your new GP from your old one. Consider having a Summary Care Record written as it will
make it easier to register as a temporary patient. Ask your current GP if you have one and, if not, to maybe write one for you. Knowing your NHS number will also help with signing up for a GP. You can receive repeat prescriptions for medication (and contraception) at the Health Centre once you fill out a form. 3. Stock up It’s best to stock up at least a two month’s supply of any medication you need before you can reasonably try to get another prescription for more. Bringing a collection of over-the-counter drugs, along with a small first-aid kit will also prove useful if you suddenly need things for selftreatment. 4. Mental Health Stress and anxiety are extremely common at university while you adjust to the lifestyle, independence and workload. Make yourself aware of the systems and available counsellors in place that you can go to if you develop a mental health issue or need to talk to a professional. Refer to Hannah Elliot article ‘Let’s talk Mental Health’ for more information on who you can reach out to on campus. Your mental state can really affect your health, so it’s important to know about where to go for help. 5. Eating Remember to eat a good balanced diet, as tempting as it is to overdose on dominos and ramen. Head to the fruits and veg market at the SU on Tuesdays if you don’t feel like going into town. Hopefully knowledge of all the above will help you through your time at Royal Holloway to maintain your health and get well again if it wavers.
LIFESTYLE 11 5 Reasons to Visit Virginia Water
Photos via https://my.viewranger.com/route/details/ MTExMDQ2 PIPPA ROTH-BIESTER STUDENT WRITER
Before going to Royal Holloway, I’d never heard of Egham before, though I had heard of Virginia Water (but never been). After visiting one day of my first term last year, I recommend it highly. Why? 1) With a beautiful lake in Windsor Great Park, Virginia Water is an incredibly tranquil, relaxing getaway for anyone wanting a break from university life. A stroll around the lake itself reveals many wonderful features surrounding the landscape, including Grade I listed cottages, large forests, and a key feature of the Great Park, the waterfall. 2) Steeped in royal history (as it was originally built by the Duke of Cumberland in the early 1700s), Virginia Water Lake has many Roman structures that surround the lake. The remains of the Temple of Augustus are spread around the edge of the lake itself; originally brought to Virginia Water in the late 1700s from Libya. This external history factor may interest some, as the structures frame
a lot of the forests around the lake. 3) The lake is appropriate for any season. Whether it’s snow, brown and leafy, or hot and sunny, Virginia Water Lake is a beautiful landscape that fits every season in every type of weather. 4) Windsor Great Park is huge! With over 4800 acres of land, all the land is thriving with wildlife, including many types of birds and even deer. On top of this, there’s coffee shops and visitor centres that cater to those visiting. 5) Even if you’re not for any of that, Windsor Great Park is a fantastic place to go running, cycling, or even horse riding. Many areas of the park are often empty as there is so much space available, so this can easily be used for an exercise advantage. So, if you fancy a day out, or even just a stroll to clear your head, head over to Virginia Water for a calm atmosphere and beautiful landscapes. The easiest way to get to there is by Uber (only a fiveminute drive away), or the bus (No. 500 then walk the rest of the way; this takes about 20 minutes).
12 FEATURES
M E N T A L H E A L T H
THE FOUNDER September 2018
Email the editor at features@thefounder.co.uk
Let's Talk Mental Health HANNAH ELLIOTT STUDENT WRITER
Despite becoming legitimised by the World Health Organisation and efforts to extinguish the stigma surrounding it, mental health is still something that is frequently misconceived. If we were instructed to build a car engine with no previous knowledge, we would find ourselves completely stumped. This would not be because we are unintelligent, but because we have no real knowledge or experience in this field. Therefore, how would we be even begin to fathom the fundamental basics of understanding something so complex? As a Fresher, international or even perhaps a returning student, many of you will be able to encapsulate how daunting it can be entering an entirely different position socially, academically and geo-
graphically. For many Freshers, this may be your first time being away from home and your families. You are responsible for your own finances and studies, which initially can seem nerve-wracking. In the chaotic excitement of settling in, making new friends and finding it hilarious to steal traffic cones, we can sometimes forget to take care of our mental well-being. There are many things in life such as a bereavement or any kind of drastic life change that we may not understand the effects of until we are faced with such. We therefore would not automatically know how to recognize any effects which these may have. If we have no previous knowledge of how something can impact our well-being, how are we able to recognise that such things can have an adverse effect on us or those around us? Life throws unpredictable challenges at us, and added into the mix
of a completely new environment, these things can have a detrimental impact on how we function efficiently and can be debilitating at times. Every one of us feel’s blue from time to time, however, when this reaches a point where it impacts you socially and your academic performance, it is vital to seek help. If you find yourself losing all interest in activities you once loved, finding yourself entirely lacking in any motivation, isolating yourself from others or having suicidal or intrusive thoughts, Royal Holloway is an extremely supportive community that offers a range of help from the Hall Life Team, to Student Wellbeing. Royal Holloway also provide a counselling service. To register, visit Founders office West 171 which is open Monday to Friday, 9am-4pm. Finally, always communicate with your department. They won’t be able to help you
if they are unaware of your situation. If you are suffering, remind yourself of everything you have faced which you believed to be unbearable, yet here you stand today, undefeated. You worked hard to be where you are and deserve only the best quality of life, never be afraid to ask for help. Royal Holloway Counselling service 0178 444 3128 counselling@royalholloway.ac.uk Hall Life Team 01784 443 063 hall.life@royalholloway. ac.uk Student Wellbeing https://intranet.royalholloway.ac.uk/ecampus/welfare/ home.aspx Nightline: 020 76310101 listening@nightline.org.uk Samaritans Helpline: 116 123 jo@samaritans.org
Teachers To Trial New MindAid App Created To Support Pupils SINDHOORAA SATHEESH DEPY NEWS EDITOR
MindAid, an app created by Dr. Helen Pote of Royal Holloway’s Clinical Psychology department, is set to be trialled by more than 250 teachers at the beginning of the September term. The app aims to enable teachers to better recognise mental health issues in youth, and thus be able to support them more effectively. The overarching aims of the app are to enable teachers to better recognise mental health issues in their students, as well as to provide resourc-
es which would make it easier for them to help those in need. Using the ‘Me and My Feelings’ questionnaire from the Anna Freud Centre and MindEd training resources from the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, Dr. Pote further strengthens the information and guidance that the app provides to its users. She asserts that the app is meant to start conversations on mental health, a topic that has recently been receiving a lot of attention. The undue amount of stress placed on youth today comes from multi-
ple factors – friends, family, and even school performance, but Dr. Pote is confident that early intervention is critical in ensuring that mental health problems are nipped in the bud, and that students have the necessary support they need. MindAid is split into 3 sections - Before, During, and After. The ‘Before’ section guides educators on how to approach the topic of mental health via a listen or learn module. The ‘During’ section uses the Me and My Feelings questionnaire to understand and identify the issues that the student may face. Finally, the ‘After’ section has reference and learning sec-
FEATURES 13
THE FOUNDER September 2018
Email the editor at features@thefounder.co.uk
News On Mental Health IFFAH AHMED NEWS EDITOR
Due to work place stress consistently increasing and the lack of job security affecting and damaging the health of working adults, academics at Royal Holloway have taken the decision to trial a new wellbeing initiative. From Royal Holloway, Professor Andrew MacLeod and Dr Jeremy Oliver have trialled a short online training programme which helps working adults set and pursue their personal life goals they aspire to achieve. For five weeks, 30 minutes were set aside per week where individuals were asked to recognise and identify goals they had in relation to their distinctive values, so they could develop action steps in order to progress towards their selected goals. Following this they were questioned to locate themselves when tackling obstacles and how they would
maintain motivation. 330 employees across the UK, primarily from the civil service sector took part in the trial. Five weeks after starting the programme and three months later participants reported more positive emotions, a greater sense of purpose and improved wellbeing including a decrease in negative emotions, an increase in positive emotions and significant life satisfaction. The programme had several key design features including the following: - Vast accessibility due to the programme being an online resource which could be reached from home and work - Flexibility of the programme as it was designed to fit around life and work commitments. The training was created to fit into life commitments and significant workloads - The training programme flourished from a successful goal and action planning treatment programme which
was used in community settings and mental health services thus ensuring clinical expertise be brought into the working environment A clinical psychologist from Royal Holloway, Dr Jeremy Oliver stated; “I work with families in front-line NHS services in a busy clinic near the City of London. Every day, I see parents who are stressed and overwhelmed, juggling their work and family life. “It was great to be able to trial a successful well-being programme to help working adults focus their time and efforts on what is most important to them, to improve their well-being and engagement with life and hence being happier and healthier.”. Nancy Hey, Director of the What Works Centre for Wellbeing, responded to the publication by saying; “I love this example of taking a proven group mental health approach online and into the workplace. Only 1 in 5 HR practitioners
evaluate well-being interventions in their organisations. This is an example of how it can be done.”. Dr Oliver further added the following; “The next step would be trialling the programme within a range of workplace sectors, including the private sector. Any organisations interested in using our programme are welcome to contact us for further information.”. Furthermore, a working adult who partook in the study divulged in his unique experience; “I found the programme really easy to use and fit in around other commitments. It really helped me to focus on goals for myself after returning to work following maternity leave. The step by step process helped to maintain my momentum and contributed to a greater sense of achievement for me. I will definitely be returning to the programme materials at regular intervals when I need to refresh my life goals.".
Opinion & Debate On Mental Health HARVEY CARLIN STUDENT WRITER
The idea that mental health is as important a conversation as physical health is finally becoming less radical, but there is still far to go in promulgating facts about looking after yourself and others. Common misunderstandings still pervade our conversations on the issue. Terms like ‘depressed’, ‘anxious’, and ‘mood swings’ are recklessly employed in conversation in a way that is harmful to true sufferers. People are suffering at the hands of an NHS lacking the funding to
truly help them, though the Overton window has shifted, and conversations about mental health are becoming more ubiquitous. Public campaigns are running to promote awareness of illnesses like depression, some of which being as simple as telling men it is okay to cry, that it is important not to repress your emotions, which may help men come forward and talk. People are finally being encouraged to open up about mental health issues. However, one fears that once talking about mental health issues becomes commonplace, the campaigning will cease. Talking is imperative but it is only the first step. It is important
that people are opening up to more than a smile and some words of encouragement. This is not to take away from the work being done by mental health professionals every day. But more assistance is needed to allow them to help those who come forward and open up, to talk, and to keep talking. Once someone has made initial contact and revealed a sadness, a trauma, an insecurity, or a case of bullying or adversity that has the potential to spiral out of control, the required mechanisms of assistance need to be in place and prepared. Funding needs to exist to allow for continuous contact ses-
sions with qualified professionals. This will stop people from becoming overly reliant on help from friends who, in our current climates of stress, may be too busy or dealing with problems of their own. Appointments with NHS staff to grant access to prescription medication, as would occur somewhat more easily with physical ailments, should be widely available, without delays being caused by the healthcare system’s starvation of funding. Talking is far less productive if it is met by a response without zeal at the other end of a telephone call, or a response limited by a lack of funding, or time from professionals with too many pa-
tients to attend. Whose responsibility is it to ensure that people who come forward with mental health issues are supported in the required way? University health centers have a role to play, and could do with being less intrusive, more compassionate, and better organised. Everyone needs to try and improve their awareness, so they may recognise those among us who need help. We should educate ourselves on how to guide people to the services best suited for their mental health needs. Finally, and most importantly, the government must be committed to providing more funding to the country’s health budget.
14 ARTS & CULTURE
THE FOUNDER September 2018
Email the editor at arts@thefounder.co.uk
The P W L R Alex Edelman A O Messy but Poignant Y That Goes N G
[Reviews]
Credit: Sophie Whitlam MOLLY WILLIAMS ARTS & CULTURE EDITOR
Voted best reviewed show of the 2018 Edinburgh Fringe Festival, Alex Edelman took his stand-up set to the downstairs stage of London’s SOHO Theatre this month. Student tickets were only £13, so I thought why not. The triumphant reviews of his Fringe show made me feel as though I’d invested in an hour of guaranteed laughter. Edelman kicked off the set with an homage to Robin Williams, commenting on the late comedian’s friendship with Koko, the gorilla famed for her grasp of American Sign Language. The set was sprinkled with other pop-culture references, held in the frame of Edelman’s Jewish heritage. Performing in the cabaret room of the theatre, the show was delivered with the intimacy and attention to detail that the small space demanded. The personal vibe of the performance kept the audience hooked on every word – even when tangents
Photos courtesy of Hampstead Theatre.
were made, and the punchline lacked a punch. “It was messy but poignant”, says Sophie Whitlam, as we cross the bar of the theatre to chat to Edelman himself after the show. He’s handing an old boy in a suit a business card by the looks of things, as I tell him I liked his bit about the gorilla. For a moment he looks confused, as if he were merely the after-show double hired to interact with people after sets. Over our shoulders, he spots Romesh Ranganathan and tells us he’ll come back to us in a second. He never does. Alex Edelman’s Just for Us show is perfectly light-hearted, delivered with an energy like no other. Despite leaving us to speak with Ranganathan, Edelman seems a down-to-earth comic with a unique grasp of life. If you get the chance to see one of his shows, you should certainly take it. He does a really good bit about Koko the gorilla.
RACHEL FARGUSON LITERARY REVIEW EDITOR
Performed by Mischief Theatre, who the audience first encounter as the Cornley Polytechnic Drama Society, ‘The Play That Goes Wrong’ is a masterclass in metatheatre and layers of performance. A drastic venue mixup has placed the Society on stage at The Duchess Theatre, performing The Murder at Haversham Manor. In this production, sitting in the dress circle doesn’t mean you’re forgotten, as is so often the case. The audience participation begins as soon as the doors open, with the Director and Lighting & Sound Operator stepping out to ask if the audience has seen a dog. When no theatregoer can find the missing canine, the line of questioning shifts – now they’d like to know if anybody has ever played a dog before. Whether they have or haven’t, somebody in the audience is barking within three minutes.
It is truly no surprise that the Broadway production of ‘The Play That Goes Wrong’ picked up three awards for set design in 2017, including a Tony Award for Best Scenic Design of a Play. Hints towards the apparent shortcomings of the set are in place from the very beginning, with doors that refuse to close and mantlepieces that refuse to stay up. That said, nothing quite prepares you for the second story of the stage collapsing in the middle of the show, with cast members atop the wooden platform, clinging to the remaining furniture, half of which is on wheels! Alastair Kirton (playing Max Bennett, playing Cecil Haversham) and Patrick Warner (playing Chris Bean, playing Inspector Carter) deliver outstanding performances, stretching the fourth wall more often than breaking it. Kirton’s portrayal of Max Bennett is somewhat endearing, with Max breaking character as Cecil to grin
at the audience and play to the laughter he receives: we are laughing at Max but laughing with Kirton. Warner’s Chris Bean features as Inspector Carter in The Murder at Haversham Manor, but also occupies eleven (fictional) creative roles. The more things go wrong, the more exasperated Warner’s performance becomes, and yet it is certain that we do not meet Warner until the show’s end: it is Chris that becomes exasperated. ‘The Play That Goes Wrong’ leaves you in a state of bewilderment, only able to repeatedly ask ‘how?’. ‘How did he walk into that wooden pillar and go on performing?’ ‘How did she get thrown around for five minutes and not make a sound?’ Slapstick though it may be, this show knows its limits, and it navigates them masterfully.
THE FOUNDER September 2018
Email the editor at arts@thefounder.co.uk
ARTS & CULTURE 15
An Over-Analysis Of Raleigh Ritchie's 'Time in a Tree' Music Video
Still image taken from Raleigh Ritchie's Music Video, 'Time in a Tree' MEG ROSS STUDENT WRITER
Since most of our generation can remember, music videos have seemed an excuse for artists to wear expensive outfits, sit on car bonnets and walk around empty houses looking melancholy. Of course, there are exceptions - I’m not suggesting every mainstream music video is bad. Occasionally,
one stands out as something that’s been really thought about. Raleigh Ritchie’s music video for “Time in a Tree” struck me instantly as being carefully crafted to provoke a thought - one that the song itself may have stirred, but the visual aids agitate further. The self-directed video is simple. Ritchie stands in a lift as it escalates, whilst different people come and go. The song and music video have
clearly been very personal to the “Pop-R&B Crooner” (an apt description of Ritchie, given by columnist Joseph JP Patterson). The lift is not just a lift and the people in it are not just people. If you look closely, the number on the lift correlates with the age of the person joining Ritchie inside it. For example, when the lift is on the first floor, a woman (we assume to be his mother) enters carrying a sleeping toddler. She exits the lift as a hooded teenage Ritchie begins acting out, perhaps mirroring the artist’s own struggles growing up. One of my favourite parts is when the lift reaches the 20’s and an adult Ritchie (now being portrayed by himself) is surrounded by business people. They all wave papers in his face, and one man wears two large rings on his finger that seem to match the red marks on Ritchie’s face. He sings the lines:
it
I’m on it, I get it, I’ve got
I wanna be 10 again, just me and Sonic, and nobody telling me I Should be more than I am Back when I had a plan Ritchie lets out a silent scream as his older self continues to sing, dispelling the crowd around him. The urgency to know what you are doing with your life so soon is something almost every teenager and young adult has experienced. For me, the overall message of the song is incapsulated in the line “I just wanna be happy”. It cuts close to the bone. Adult Ritchie doesn’t interact with his younger selves until the end of the song. The lyrics in this section describe the overwhelming strain of adult life: “I can’t relax, I’m too distracted, I can’t hack it”. In the video, Ritchie comforts his younger self, rather than focusing on himself in the
present. Perhaps this shows the realisation that he needs to reconcile with his past to move on, or maybe he is trying to focus on the simple necessities of most human beings, giving to his younger self what he needed at the time but never got. A hug. Affection. The reconciliation occurs right at the end, when the lift loses control and Ritchie is left slumped against the back wall. His 7-year-old-self hands him an astronaut’s helmet. In accepting this and putting it on, Ritchie infers that we need to embrace the bad in our lives along with the good. He is reintroduced to a childlike view of the world, where one can put on a helmet and be transported to outer space – outside of the strain of responsibility and adulthood. The video sparks the question as to whether we must grow up at all, when all we really want is to spend some time in a tree.
An Honest Edinburgh Fringe Festival Experience JATHURSA UTHAYAKUMAR STUDENT WRITER
I really had no idea what to expect. All my knowledge of the fringe was pieced together from the whispers of what other comedians had to say. Some would say “It’s the highlight of my year!”, while a comic we went to watch said at his own show that “Edinburgh isn’t what it used to be.” Well we, Comedy Society, were to perform every day for two weeks at the Fringe. I didn’t know what to think, or how to even go about preparing myself for my two weeks at the fringe. So naturally, of course, I wanted to start my trip in style… by getting so drunk the night before my 10-hour coach trip up to Scotland that I was effec-
tively hungover for the entire first week up there. As soon as we arrived, the reality of performing each day manifested itself before us with boxes filled to the seams with flyers advertising our show. It was only later that I found out the society had ordered over a thousand and we were expected to get rid of every. Last. One. So, the eight of us were split into groups of two and sent all over the city to catch – I mean – encourage, tourists to come and watch our show. The first day was miserable, and as I was only one day into my week-long hangover, you can imagine that I really did not want to talk to anyone, let alone try and convince strangers that I was funny enough to watch. We tried to stand out from the other 100 people
flyering for their own shows. Some of us would change locations every half hour; others would advertise our shows in varying accents but no matter what gimmicks we tried to pull, we would only manage to get a few people to come along, and they were usually people who were already at the bar next to us, ordering drinks. It really was something to start your day having been rejected by 50+ strangers in the space of 30 minutes and then psych yourself up and keep it ‘fun’ and ‘light-hearted’ when you’re up on stage, trying to get a laugh. I stuck to The Wee Blue Book, a programme that compiles all the free shows at the fringe in one handy little book. We’d usually cheer ourselves up after performances
by flipping through that brochure, looking for that one show that would make it worth staying outside in the rain for a little longer: a big mistake to expect such a thing from a programme that advertised mostly university productions. Some of the shows I went to were… well, one can’t describe a show as disappointing if they had no expectations to begin with. Such a show that springs to mind was The Bristol Improv Show. All the performers wore black but had the quirky idea to incorporate a red accessory in their clothes. The fact that I can only remember that, and not much else, surely says enough about their show. Although to be fair, I didn't even watch most of their performance because I left
mid-way. For the first time, I was that guy. As I stumbled out, trying not to make any noise, I still managed to topple over a few chairs as I left the building. My two short weeks at the fringe taught me a few valuable lessons. One: sometimes standing in the rain risking pneumonia for the off chance that strangers may come to your show is not worth it. Two: Sometimes free doesn’t mean good. Three: Even if it seems like a good idea, don’t chase a night of endless rum and cokes with five shots of tequila. Especially, if it’s the night before a long journey. On a coach. That lasts for ten hours. When you already struggle with travel sickness.
16 ARTS: FILM 'The Miseducation of Cameron Post':
A Vital Heartbreaking, Yet Hopeful, Coming-of-Age
Photos via http://www.movies.ie/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/TheMiseducationofCameronPost.jpg GRACIELA MAE CHICO FILM EDITOR
‘Being a gay woman is hard’ Desiree Akhavan joked after problems with a microphone during an introduction to her second feature, 'The Miseducation of Cameron Post’. While she was joking about the technical difficulties, she also playfully hints at the film itself. The adaptation (co-written by Akhavan and Cecilia Frugiuele) of Emily M. Danforth’s 2012 novel won the Grand Jury Prize at Sundance and stars Chloë Grace Moretz, in a career-changing portrayal of the titular role. Set in 1993 Montana, 16-year-old Cameron is sent to gay conversion therapy centre ‘God’s Promise’, after getting caught with another girl on prom night. During her stay to pray away the SSA (samesex attraction), she meets Jane Fonda (Sasha Lane) and Adam Red Eagle (Forrest Goodluck). The trio finds a new family in each other as they gauge the system at God’s Promise. Mirroring the self-awareness of its leads, Akhavan creates a film that perfectly interweaves drama and comedy; refusing to dwell on a heartbreaking narrative. Cameron is welcomed to the facility by Rick (John Gallagher Jr.), a guitar-strumming ‘ex-gay’, who manages the facility alongside his forbidding sis-
ter, Dr Lydia Marsh (Jennifer Ehle). Marsh believes that it is through her methods, and rekindled faith, that Rick managed to overcome his SSA. Their ‘treatments’ include creating iceberg charts that infer same-sex attraction as a consequent of ‘fixable’ root causes. Unlike Cameron and her newfound friends, many of the ‘disciples’ have seemingly bought into the facility’s program. Cameron’s roommate, Erin (Emily Skeggs), confesses ‘gender confusion through sports’ as one of her reasons. Although she enthusiastically tells Cameron about her progress, there is an evident sense of the character’s suppression; confining herself into an outdated, heteronormative mould. While watching the institution get away with its abusive methods is exasperating, the film resists antagonising any of its characters directly. Instead, it highlights the dangers of misguided good intentions fuelled by indoctrinated beliefs. Some fans may be disappointed to see earlier parts of the novel jettisoned — the film scratches the surface of the scenes before Cameron was sent away. While this may cause an emotional detachment to some, it brings focus on Cameron’s ado-
lescence in the facility; playing more as a coming-of-age film than a melodrama. As Akhavan puts it, ‘Cameron Post’ is like a John Hughes film with flares of the New Queer Cinema classic, ‘Safe’. The film is powerful not because it shows endless tear-jerking scenes, but because it manages to have such harrowing scenes accompanying comedic instances with teenagers being…well, teenagers. The complexity of being a teenager who’s aware that the adults don’t really know what they’re doing. While they rebel and have fun - dancing on tables while singing 4NonBlondes’ ‘What’s Up?’ - often, they keep their head down and keep playing the game. As Sasha Lane’s character questions, ‘we didn’t have a choice, did you?’. The film knows this isn’t a sign of weakness or giving up, but mature self-awareness. In a culture that seems so terrified of showcasing female sexuality, the film’s unapologetic portrayal of lesbian sexuality is definitely worth noting. The sex scenes, told through a queer female lens, captures the lust and self-discovery of its characters without any hint of exploitation or objectification; capturing a realism that a majority of prior mainstream lesbian films have failed to do. It is distressing how this film is still contemporary — places like God’s Promise still exists. Even more undeniable is its timely release during Trump and Mike Pence’s America. While it evidently wants to help ban the horrific practice, the film - unlike the adults in the facility - does not sermonise you into hearing its message. And with Akhavan’s balance of dark comedy and compassionate storytelling, within the film’s tragedy is laughter and hope. While highlighting the horrors of conversion therapy, it also offers a place of solace for the LGBTQ+ community.
THE FOUNDER September 2018
Email the editor at film@thefounder.co.uk
Gender Bending: The Good, The Bad, And The Unexplored ERIN LEONARD STUDENT WRITER
Hitting the big screen back in June, ‘Oceans’ Eight’ has caused a big stir in the industry. Attempts to reboot fan-favourites in the past have caused controversy and this film was bound to do the same. Creator Gary Ross showed his determination to prove the potential of the gender-bend from day one. Ross established himself as a key figure in proving that the style was not yet a dead horse. From the offset, ‘Ocean’s Eight’ showed genuine promise with confirmation of Soderbergh – the original trilogy’s director – and big Hollywood names including Blanchett and Bullock. The film currently ranks as this year’s ninth highest grossing movie in the US and mentions of a sequel have already hit the rumour mill. ‘Ghostbusters’ is the film on everybody’s mind and sits at the other end of the spectrum. Paul Feig’s creation is a hotbed of disagreement with people completely divided; as creator, however, he may get the deciding vote and has been quoted as saying ‘No, no, no. No, I will not [be rebooting anymore Hollywood classics].’ This was certainly a win for millions of individuals who pushed the trailer to peak at number nine in the rankings of most disliked Youtube videos. Many sceptics have argued that the success of ‘Ocean’s Eight’ has been largely down to the film’s budget, ascribing to the money equals quality mentality. Ironically, the
‘Ghostbusters’ reboot budget more than doubled that of Ross’ project, and the two came from similarly sized original franchises. Those who have supported Feig’s creation argue that the film was doomed by the context of the ‘Ghostbusters’ fandom rather than its own content. Perhaps the staging of ‘Ocean’s Eight’ as a spinoff rather than a direct overhaul ensured its success – Soderbergh’s presence allowed the film to be set up as part of the franchise rather than trying to build an empire on top of a thirty-year-old foundation. The opportunity to see this branch out to more than these two films, directly compared and pitted against one another, offers to shed some light. With more directors and writers committing to creations in this format, a much broader portfolio must be properly considered before judge, jury, and executioner make the final call. The promise of a ‘What Women Want’ feminisation in the works at Paramount Pictures has set heads spinning with the hyper masculinity of the original film taken into consideration. With such a big studio behind it, the movie is guaranteed attention. So, what are the future prospects for this silver-screen niche? Will female actors be upgraded to characters written for them, or will men lose their monopoly on the greatest characters of all time? Interests have not yet piqued so critics seem intent on staying focused and primed to watch what may unravel as the gender-bend is tried and tested on a bigger stage.
ARTS: FILM 17
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WHAT TO EXPECT FROM THIS YEAR'S LONDON FILM FESTIVAL SAM MCLOUGHLIN STUDENT WRITER
This year will mark the BFI London Film Festival’s 62nd instalment and will take place between the 10th and 21st of October. The slate provides a whole lot for everyone to get excited over on the surface and in the depths of its collection of 225 feature films. With so much on offer, it is difficult to really pick apart every inch of one of the world’s biggest and best film festivals. However, we can take a look at what we can expect to be the event’s heavy hitters both among critics and at the box office. Bookending the LFF is the long-awaited directorial comeback of Steve McQueen with ‘Widows’, and Filth director Jon S Baird’s ‘Stan and Ollie’. ‘Widows’, the opener, is a feature film update of the 1983 mini-series of the same name. It is led by a powerhouse quartet of Viola Davis, Michelle Rodriguez, Elizabeth Debicki and Cynthia Erivo, who are supported by the seasoned talents of Robert Duvall, Liam Neeson and Colin Farrell. With a cast like that and the
previous critical success of McQueen’s '12 Years a Slave’, this headline act is surely, as the tagline says, ‘capable of anything’. ‘Stan and Ollie’, which occupies the festival’s closing night gala, follows the beloved comedy double-act Laurel and Hardy through the later years of their career. This true story reunites Steve Coogan with writer Jeff Pope who previously worked on ‘Philomena’ together. Coogan and John C. Reilley were reportedly Pope’s first choices for the roles of Laurel and Hardy respectively and will surely provide a mixture of rib tickles and heart pangs. Weaving together to form the Headline Galas are: 'The Favourite' Yorgos Lanthimos’ third English language escapade promises a wildly witty period piece as he explores what happens when the competition for social status descends into anarchy. 'Beautiful Boy' An adaption of the memoirs of father and son David and Nic Sheff, ‘Beautiful Boy’ explores a family’s strug-
gle when confronted with a son’s drug addiction. With Academy Award nominees Timothée Chalamet and Steve Carell, vivid performances and the full spectrum of the human emotion are promised. 'The Ballad of Buster Scruggs' The Cohen brother’s anthology western was originally envisioned as television series. However, it comes to life now as a feature film which plaits together six different storylines. 'Can You Ever Forgive Me?' Another feature adapted from memoirs, ‘Can You Ever Forgive Me?’ follows Lee Israel, a celebrity biographer who turns to literary forging when she falls on financial hardship. Often under-utilised talent Melissa McCarthy stars as the down on her luck writer and is directed by Marielle Heller. Although Heller is the only female director to be showcasing her film in the headline galas, female directors make up 38% of the 2018 festival’s overall selection. Though this is far from an equal gender balance, it is most definitely a
Dear Oscars, No Matter How Hard You Try, You Will Always Be An Inherently Flawed Pageant LUKE HETHERINGTON STUDENT WRITER
The Academy of Motion Picture arts recently toyed with a Popular Film category, because apparently the joint highest Oscar-winner ‘Titanic’ grossing over $2 billion and becoming a staple within the cultural zeitgeist makes it an obscure sleeper hit. Along with this announcement came the information that some categories won’t be televised, meaning those sound mixers and designers won’t have the spotlight they deserve for making sure films don’t sound as pleasing to the ears as a cat
being flayed to death with an out of tune violin. Clearly, they have had far too much fame and fortune for their work already, those damn noise wranglers. The third - admittedly positive - announcement of moving the ceremony date forward is good for fans of 'prestige films'; UK audiences probably won’t have to wait until late February for some releases due to eligibility. A film wanting an awards box office boost will have to come out earlier to match that new date. However, that’s the diamond amongst the rough. The Popular Film cat-
egory undermines the point of awards. Popularity is not tantamount to quality. ‘The Force Awakens’ went down a treat with most people, but in an artistic duel with, say, ‘Moonlight’ it would be a difficult fight to judge. One film can focus on entertainment whereas the other can tackle meatier subjects about human existence and that’s fine, but – without sounding elitist – some objectivity is needed if we’re going to entertain the notion of one film being superior to another in a subjective art form. The implication of the Academy’s ‘Best Picture’ chosen by them being superior
Photos via https://whatson.bfi.org.uk/ArticleMedia/Images/ lff18/branding/bfi-london-film-festival-2018-website-headercrop-830x467.jpg
step in the right direction. 'Outlaw King' David Mackenzie teams up once again with Chris Pine to tell the story of Medieval times’ favourite underdog Robert the Bruce. This true action adventure follows Robert as he battles through the Scottish landscape in an attempt to defeat the behemoth that is the English army. 'Suspiria' Luca Guadagnino renovates Dario Argento’s uneasily dark classic with Tilda Swinton and Dakota Johnson. After the immense critical success of last year’s ‘Call
Me by Your Name’, we cannot wait to see what Guadagnino does with this vintage story of hidden horrors. Among the other Headline Gala films are ‘Colette’, ‘The Front Runner’, ‘Life Itself ’, and ‘A Private War’. Other notable appearances include Barry Jenkins’ adaption of ‘If Beale Street Could Talk’, Terry Gilliam’s twenty years anticipated ‘The Man Who Killed Don Quixote’ and Tom Harper’s ‘Wild Rose’. Keep up with our coverage of this year’s London Film Festival on The Founder’s website and our next issue.
to the common man’s ‘Popular Picture’ certainly doesn’t help their image of elitism. The question remains, how would they measure popularity? Money made could mean the best marketing and distribution wins. An internal vote from the 6500 Academy members wouldn’t be reflective of the general public, and if the general public were given a vote it would be open to tampering, bias, trolling and all the other delightful factors that can be found on a website like IMDb. If that’s the case and the public were involved in any voting, it only further diminishes the achievement of winning an Oscar. Hopefully, they would go for the foolhardy approach of internal voting and tell us what we like. Ultimately, the lesson here though is “oh look a group of rich people on a different con-
tinent have alienated people again in their attempt to appease social trends”. It is an issue where everyone will have an opinion, but at the end of the day we all go home, watch what we want and move on. It’s hard to take this organisation seriously when the inaugural Best Actor Oscar in 1927 went to a man who went on to work with the Nazis. Initially, the award was to go to canine actor Rin Tin Tin, until the Academy changed the rules and demanded a second vote. The majority of voters that year chose a dog. Enjoy ‘Avengers: Infinity War’. Enjoy ‘Ladybird’. Decide that you prefer one over the other despite belonging to different genres. They can’t influence your opinion. Personally, I will defend ‘The Cat in the Hat’ to my dying breath.
18 ARTS: MUSIC [Album Reviews]
IDLES: 'Joy As An Act Of Resistance' CHARLIE CATMULL MUSIC EDITOR
Hello, welcome to the first issue of the founder for the 2018/19 academic year, there's really no better way to kick off this exciting new chapter than with a band and album which are probably the most exciting and promising thing to happen to UK music this year (aside from Shame). The band in question is IDLES and the album in question is there second fulllength LP 'Joy As An Act Of
Resistance'. IDLES are a hardhitting punk rock five-piece hailing from the artistic melting pot that is Bristol, a place that often forefronts the more rebellious side of British culture, with it being the home of the country's favourite left wing wall artist Banksy. It is no surprise then, that IDLES music should focus on anything other than resisting the constraints put upon you not just by the powers that be, but also by societies view of how people should act, and, what
SLAVES: Acts Of Fear And Love MOLLY DEVINE STUDENT WRITER
‘Acts of Fear and Love’ is Kentish punk duo Slaves’ best album yet. Releasing three albums within the past four years, Slaves could have run the risk of releasing another album in the same mould as their previous and getting stuck in a rut. This record, however, doesn’t make that mistake – moving towards a more anthemic and sometimes even melancholic form of song writing. Still holding onto their previous albums, songs like ‘Bugs’ are reminiscent of
older statement songs for the band such as ‘Hey’. With the heavy drumbeat being incredibly similar between the two, the band are evidently not letting go of their punk roots, and for good reason. The crunching guitar of songs like ‘Chokehold’ and ‘Artificial Intelligence’ are brilliant examples of what the band does best. With ‘Acts Of Fear and Love’ they have broken out of the one-note punk mould to fantastic results. Songs like ‘Daddy’ and ‘Photo Opportunity’ are far more melancholic, with singer Isaac Hol-
BLOOD ORANGE: 'Negro Swan' BEN JACQUIN STUDENT WRITER
London-born multi-instrumentalist Devonte Hynes discusses blackness, beauty, and identity with his patchwork collage of jazz, funk, soul, and indie from all eras to create a masterpiece in production and mood. ‘Negro Swan’ is the fourth output from the Blood Orange project that Hynes is currently spearheading. Previous projects of Hynes’ include Test Icicles and Lightspeed Champion, however, since 2008 the fruit of his labour has been Blood Orange. Through crooning soul
vocals and soft spoken-word rap, Hynes explores his struggle with conformity while living in an America that adheres so strictly to the status quo and the racial prejudices that still remain prevalent, leaving no comfortable room for black queer artists to express themselves. ‘Nobody wants to be that negro swan’ Hynes declares, clearly articulating his thoughts on blackness and the idea of black beauty, possibly drilled into him since his childhood, as he ponders on the track Orlando, ‘everything I know was taught to me young’. Hynes’ production on this
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the forced norms and values are that make British people just so uptight. So, uptight that we even find eye contact with a stranger a traumatic ordeal. Quite literally taking the difficult second album trope applied to modern bands and throwing it in the skip, IDLES have crafted a follow-up album that will put them on the map for good, fusing musical ability, driving rhythms and wise-crack lyricism to create the first true album of the Brexit Britain era. The key to what makes 'Joy As An Act Of Resistance' brilliant is how painfully honest frontman Joe Talbot is as he wears his views on his sleeve,
with his funny often tragic song writing on topics ranging from the pressures of masculinity and being a 'real man' on my personal favourite track 'Samaritans', to immigration in their catchiest chorus yet on 'Danny Nedelko', to the brainwashing effect of body image adverts and social media on 'Television' and the comical 'Never Fight A Man With A Perm'. The band have helped form what has been dubbed modern punks new furious yet compassionate rise, alongside bands such as Slaves, IDLES have brought new life to the genre in their shared views of making it okay to be vulnerable and flawed and in touch
with your feelings as well as carrying on the raging antiestablishment message of what 1970s punk started in a time which depressingly mirrors our own. It is clear this is a band who mean to start a vital conversation. IDLES have also strived to champion the DIY attitude of the 70s with their two albums to date being self-released and the band being nominated for hardest working band at the Independent music awards this year. If you like what you hear and want to catch them live, they're playing O2 Forum Kentish Town on 18th October, see you down the front.
man, changing from his usual raw screams to what some call "proper" singing. Both songs are sonically beautiful, with ‘Photo Opportunity’ showing off guitarist Laurie Vincent‘s skill, with fingerpicked verses, transforming into huge arena-filling choruses. The lyrical content of the album has also moved on considerably from previous albums. ‘The Lives They Wish They Had’ focuses on the artificial aspects of social media with lines such as “Poolsideposes, but don't fall in/You'll remove the glow from your otherwise pasty skin”. Not only is the lyrical work more refined, but it’s also funnier.
Whereas ‘Bugs’ focuses more on a youth disillusioned with their government, lyrics like ‘Another let down generation, fed inaccurate information’ show a more grown-up side to the band’s thinking and political outlook. The best work of the band yet though, lies within the title song ‘Acts of Fear and Love’. The stripped-down verses are at a juxtaposition to the more crashing, anthemic choruses. The crescendo of the song is just made to be heard in an arena – and proves Slaves’ rise to one of the most exciting bands on the scene today. For a far more "punk" band, they still get radio time with
some of the songs on the album appearing to have been made more palatable to a mainstream audience. The first single from the album, ‘Cut and Run’ has a far more "poppy" vibe to it, making it something more likely to be played on a primetime radio show. However, it doesn’t detract from the evident punk roots of the album. The strong, signature song writing and undeniable talent of the duo seems to cement their place as a band that are going to be successful for a very long time and one that has helped make punk and its attitude popular again.
album constitutes a concoction of R’n’B chords and tones with spacey jazz-funk fusion beats that transport you to the 80s and early 90s, while still keeping its contemporary feel. Hynes also expertly crafts a certain nostalgia in the production through gated reverb drums and synthesizer lines, that take us back to the golden age of 80s pop. There is both a closeness and intimacy created with Hynes dry, clean and tight snares contrasted with the space created by long reverbs on vocals and melodic lines. Such as the jazz-influenced saxophone improvisations that underscore certain tracks on the album, drenched in reverb to create a sensual
atmosphere in which the listener can dive in. The track ‘Charcoal Baby’ epitomises the musical goal and political message that Hynes intends to hammer home, with the anxiety, fear, and melancholy of being black and queer in America exemplified in the detuned, whimpering guitar, reminiscent of stoner rock. Despite his virtuosic talent in a wide variety of instruments, Hynes values the input and collaboration of top talent to drive home his sonic intention. He secured rapper Diddy on the track ‘Hope’, exhibiting a softer side to the formerly tough, outspoken Puff Daddy persona. He also brings the likes of A$AP Rocky and Steve
Lacy to the album, the former on the hip-hop influenced track ‘Chewing Gum’, the latter on the 80s tinged ‘Out of My League’. It is worth noting that Steve Lacy also identifies as queer, creating an affinity with Devonte Hynes on their mission to abolish all stigma around the black queer artist. Hynes follows in a recent line of black artists coming out as LGBTQ, such as Frank Ocean, Kevin Abstract of Brockhampton, Tyler, the Creator, and newcomer Tenny Rudolph. Hynes’ latest album can only do good for the black LGBTQ community, demolishing stigmas that have dominated the hip-hop and RnB community especially.
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ARTS: MUSIC 19
[Album Suggestion] [Festival
Choker: 'Honeybloom'
Reviews] Truck Festival JORDAN THORNE STUDENT WRITER
Album Cover Photo LUDOVIC GARDNER STUDENT WRITER
I’ve been looking for a fix of Frank Ocean-esque music this summer, something falling under the category of soft pop and R&B, and, in this newcomer, Choker, I have discovered an original and eloquent album worthy of recommendation. The 22-yearold Michigan-based artist Choker maintains a low profile enabling him to produce high caliber music, artistically managing an array of unusual sounds to create this playful and experimental yet emotional 46-minute album. Choker carefully uses a variety of vocal styles across ‘Honeybloom’, from the warped voice reminiscent of A$AP Rocky in ‘Juno’ to the spoken word of Jaden Smith in ‘Arboretum’ and the distorted megaphone sound of Kevin Abstract in ‘Starfruit NYC’, he tastefully experiments and produces in these styles without losing his own signature imprint, creating something new yet familiar. Despite a rather confused start on the opening song ‘Drift’, the album progresses into a statement of creative intent, showing the true ambition of Choker. ‘Starfruit LA’
sets the tone for Honeybloom, starting with dreamy synths it slowly builds in pace and invites you to see Choker’s skills, the (pleasant) scratchy background of the song alternating with the deep tones of Chokers voice, presenting the range he is capable of. ‘Starfruit NYC’ takes Choker in the opposite direction, being more hectic, and upbeat it simulates the feeling someone could experience when visiting the bustling metropolis of NYC for the first time. ‘Windbreaker’ is one of the standout songs, Choker explains the pain of an ending relationship, asking “are you trying to make me cry? / Cause it’s working”. These lyrics tied with delicately plucked guitar and tranquil synths creates a heart-wrenching listening experience. Another notable mention is the song ‘Baby Boy’, where Choker talks about his inability to conform to male stereotypes whilst dating and finding love, exposing how it is an issue many young men struggle with. At just 22, Choker has created a brave and explorative album, one which channels both emotion and fun into 14 tracks, making perfect listening for these colder, darker autumn months.
This summer I attended my first full music festival: TRUCK. It’s gained the reputation of the best small festival in the UK and I’ve got to say that’s pretty accurate. After pitching our tents, we headed off to the opening night of music featuring JAWS and Peace, with both classic indie bands performing amazing, crowd-storming sets. And I still have the (small) scar gained from the light-hearted mosh pitting to prove it. TRUCK lived up to its reputation of booking big names for a relatively small festival with the likes of George Ezra, Jake Bugg, Friendly Fires, and The Courteeners headlining the weekend. But the real beauty of this festival was the laid-back, friendly atmosphere; you could sunbathe whilst watching the headliners, and would often be able to spot the acts popping out to mingle and enjoy the music alongside the revellers. With six stages across the site, there was something for everyone; from brass sections to emo to drum and bass, all genres were on offer. My personal favourite was the Market Stage, with the stand out bands being alt-pop bands Fickle Friends, High Tyde, Stereo Honey and The Night Café. As well as all the music you could wish for, TRUCK was well-equipped with plenty of themed bars; random dance parties; a healthy dose of rain and grim toilets; making up all the ingredients for a good time in the British summer. I could not recommend it more.
CITADEL, Gunnersbury Park
All Points East
EMMA COLE STUDENT WRITER
FAITH MCCROW STUDENT WRITER
Citadel has always been a unique festival, from live music to vintage clothing markets, it could only get better by adding Tame Impala as headliners. They were absolutely electric, the crowd filling in for the lack of lyrics with human recreations of the trance-synth melodies. ‘Let it Happen’ was the song with the best vibe, this 8-minute tune could only just be heard over the roar of the crowd. Electro-pop support act CHVRCHES were humble and fantastic to liven up the crowd, ready for the headliners. Yet, after the festival, Citadel was hit by a lot of controversy over the organization of the transport home, most specifically, TFL. Due to the festival being on a Sunday, it was always going to be difficult to get home. However, the sheer size of the crowds leaving the festival at 10:20pm made for a slow exit to the nearest tube station, Acton Town. The last scheduled train was leaving at 11:52pm, but before the last commuters could get onto the train, the station closed, leaving many festival-goers stranded in West London. Citadel consequently released an apology for the issues caused, and that they were going to conduct a debrief with TFL to ensure it wouldn’t happen again. As for myself, due to the festival taking place on a Sunday, there was no congestion charge, so I parked all day for £9, and myself and my friends were tucked up in bed at university by 11:30pm. As for anyone wanting to attend this festival next year, it is absolutely incredible, but definitely worthwhile planning out a detailed contingency plan to get home. I would love to see more synth bands like Animal Collective and Glass Animals there so that Citadel could really be rebranded as an alt-synth festival, as at the moment, they are far and few between.
The first day of June this year I attended the very first, All Points East festival set in Victoria Park. This festival had probably the most unreal bill imaginable for an indie and alternative rock fan like myself. The line-up including the likes of The Hunna, Blossoms, Catfish and the Bottlemen, The Amazons, Frank Carter & The Rattlesnakes, this festival seemed to be made with me and my friends in mind. One act however made this day of All Points East almost dreamlike to see and be a part of, this particular act being a band that I never thought I would see live; The Neighbourhood. Though one song always came to my mind when thinking of the band, their catchy hit ‘Sweater Weather’, the band are definitely not just a onehit wonder. Their whole setlist being immediately added to my own playlist. They proved to be absolute showstoppers. The overall vibe and look of this festival was astounding, Victoria Park was heaving with people and the many different stages meant that there was always someone to see. But nothing could beat how the atmosphere of the park changed when the headline act came on, with frontman Van McCann declaring “Doesn’t get much better than 40,000 people outdoors screaming every word you’ve written back at you!”. Catfish and the Bottlemen saw their hits such as ‘Cocoon’ sang just as loud as ‘Come on Eileen’ would be heard on a classic night out on the town. The whole crowd was absolutely intoxicated by Van McCann and the band. Every time I have seen Catfish and the Bottlemen live they have never failed to get every person in the crowd singing along as if it were a gut reaction. This day proved to be no different from the front to the very back of the crowd no one was lost for words.
20 LITERARY REVIEW
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Fahrenheit Four-Fifty-Done
Photo courtesy of Tabitha Williams TABITHA WILLIAMS STUDENT WRITER
This is a love letter to every editor out there - Thank you! Without your skill and patience to clean up each of our mistakes, we’d all be left with something resembling Ray Bradbury’s ‘Fahrenheit 451’. Each September, you’ll hear the same advice over and over: never try and complete an essay in one night. Like most Freshers, Bradbury disregards this completely. The image of a young man, typing desperately away at a dimean-hour typewriter, is indisputably. Charm alone, however, doesn’t save this novel from messy prose and more confused themes than a high school prom. Reading ‘Fahrenheit’ feels akin to having a babysitter insist on holding your hand, almost as though Bradbury simply cannot trust the reader to conclude ‘dystopia = bad’ all on their own. Within the first handful of pages, a younger foil to his ‘dull’ wife, asks our protagonist, ‘are you happy?’ Tell us, how quickly can you undo your social conditioning because a young girl asks how you’re feeling? Oh, overnight? Great. On with the book! This girl, Clarisse, is the catalyst to the events of the novel. Or perhaps the attempted suicide of Mildred is the catalyst. Either way,
women must be seminal to Bradbury’s ideas and themes, right? Well, sort of, but not in the way you’d hope. Despite Clarisse being the one to open Montag’s mind, her rebellion against the state is not even her own. That credit is given to her unseen uncle. Mildred’s attempted suicide is brushed under the carpet and she becomes hysterical when read a single poem. Both these characters have the potential to harbour the same rebellion as Montag, but neither are given the credit. Only a few can comprehend rebellion: Montag, the ex-professor, and a group of survivors dedicated to memorising books. I’ll let you figure out what they all have in common. I was sold this book by being told ‘Fahrenheit is to the Nazis, what 1984 is to the USSR’. My hopes were set high with promises that the novel featured book burning, and a prominent suppression of art. Imagine my disappointment when it resembled nothing of the sort. For a few moments, it tried to be. ‘A book is a loaded gun’ is and will always be a powerful image. In reality, ‘Fahrenheit’ is a pearl-clutching scare story about how soap operas will force us all in to emotional exile. No, really.
'Herstory': Historic Stories Featuring Inspiring, Brave And Powerful Women
COLLETTE FIRESTONE STUDENT WRITER
In a day and age where nearly everything written down can be accessed in an instant, the choice between the millions and millions of stories we can rent, buy or illegally download can sometimes make choosing your next read difficult. I’ve compiled this list of stories, some fictional, some non-fictional, and some in between, for those of us who fancy being whisked into the past alongside some of the most interesting and awe-inspiring women of history. 1) ‘The Lion in Winter’, by James Goldman This play, written in 1966, details the political and personal conflicts of the English Royal family in the 12th century. Focusing on Henry II and his wife Eleanor of Aquitaine, the play presents the twisted and political world of the ruling classes. Goldman’s depiction of Eleanor as a hotheaded woman with a great deal of authority is refreshing, and the figures are far more three-dimensional than one might find in a history book. The play itself is witty and enjoyable to read – and if you can’t quite be bothered to read it you can watch it, as it was made into an award-winning film in 1968! 2) ‘Ride the Wind, Choose the Fire’: The story of Joan of Arc, by Veronica Schwarz
Joan of Arc is one of the most well-known historic female figures in the West, and her life and death feature in countless books, films, poems and even songs. As such, it was difficult to choose which work about her to include in this list. In the end, I opted for Schwarz’ book because I feel it is an entirely unique piece of work. The book presents Joan’s story through a series of ‘interviews’ with Joan, making the story not only even more fascinating, but incredibly accessible. Hugely enjoyable, particularly for those of us who don’t usually read histories. 3) ‘White Tigers’ in ‘The Woman Warrior: Memoirs of a Girlhood amongst Ghosts’, by Maxine Hong Kingston A book which combines folklore and autobiography, this collection of stories was named one of Time Magazine’s top non-fiction books of the 1970s – and with good reason! This book is both personal to the author herself and relatable for her readers. This particular story features on this list because it tells the story of Fa Mu Lan. The author’s own experience of racism in America is compared with Fa Mu Lan’s struggles to fight in a patriarchal world. A hugely unique form of a story that we’ve all grown to know and love, and certainly worth a read. 4) ‘Jackie, Janet and Lee: the secret lives of Janet Auchincloss and her daugh-
ters’, by J. Randy Taraborrelli A move away from the fictional and towards the political, this book documents the intriguing and less-publicised side of the lives of the superrich Janet Auchincloss and her daughters. Providing a fly on the wall kind of experience, this book provides details that will leave you feeling like you’re privy to gossip from the time itself. This story brings you into the world of the American socialites and shows the women behind the names. An informative and exciting read, you won’t be able to put this one down! 5) ‘The Radium Girls: The Dark Story of America’s Shining Women’, by Kate Moore A New York Times bestseller and rated 4.5/5 stars on Amazon, this book is clearly a raging success, and not without reason. Focused on America’s so-called “Shining Girls”, this book details the extraordinary history of the women who worked in the radium-dial factories following Marie Curie’s discovery of the “wonder” substance radium. The story tells us about the experiences of these girls, and their bravery, intelligence and determination to work in the face of mysterious illness and countless difficulties. Truly inspiring, it will leave you a little awestruck and, perhaps, a little haunted.
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LITERARY REVIEW 21
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Never Ending Stories: The
Refreshing Retellings of Classics CHLOE HOWARD STUDENT WRITER
In the last few years, the idea of retelling well-known stories seems to have taken off – perhaps due, in part, to the many remakes of popular tales by companies like Disney. These ‘revamps’ have divided opinion, with many viewing the approach as a bid to cash in on tried and tested fan favourites. As a result, the idea of retelling stories has become something looked down upon, a second-best idea only reserved when all new ideas have been exhausted. Upon closer examination, there are in fact several different types of these reconstructed narratives - the more dominant kind being that used by companies like Disney. These are the retellings of the traditional tales of princesses who live happily ever after but with a twist – whether that be the perspective from which the story is told, or it’s setting. It is this form of retelling that has become so looked down on but is not the only form. If you go back through history to some of humanity’s favourite stories (from the fables of the Brothers Grimm, to Arthur and his Knights of the
Round Table), you will most likely find that many of them had to be translated for us to enjoy them today. It is in these translations that the art of retelling stories is at its finest, as I believe is demonstrated in the case of one of the world’s oldest texts: Homer’s The Odyssey. In November 2017, classist Emily Watson became the first woman to translate Homer’s epic into English. To many, this might not seem like a huge deal, and perhaps on the surface it isn’t. However, as anyone working with translated texts will know (be that anything from French, German, Latin or Old English), different translators will bring a different variation of the narrative to the table. An example in the case of Ms Watson, is that she talks in depth about the subject of slavery within The Odyssey, and how many of the previous translations had sought to hide this by replacing ‘slave’ with ‘maid’. While these may only seem to be small word level changes, they are part of a wider change on tone within each different translation, demonstrating how even changing just a few pieces of the puzzle can alter the final image. It is
DON'T CALL US DEAD
SASHA SMITH STUDENT WRITER
Danez Smith creates the perfect blend of tragedy and beauty through the lyric voice in their (Smith goes by gender neutral pronouns) second poetry collection, ‘Don’t Call Us Dead’. Smith pushes us beyond our comfort zone, into a world outside the white, heterosexual norm that can so often smother out the voice of upcoming queer and POC poets. The first poem in the col-
lection ‘summer, somewhere’ explores a rebirth of all too many young black men that have been gunned down by American police. The poem perfectly navigates the limits of our comfort zone, feeling as natural to the reader as a racing heart. ‘please, don’t call us dead, call us alive someplace better.’ Smith creates a poem of hope that can only make us regret the past. but here, not earth not heaven, we can’t recall our white shirts
On Reader's Block and The Vegetarian by Han Kang
also important to remember that each translator brings their own history and opinion when working on a text, and these individualities again come together to create different generations of the same text. For example, even mentioning the work of Homer to some may incite visions of an almost Biblical text, while the translations provided by those like Richmond Lattimore and Emily Watson show that a two-thousand-year-old text can still be just as concise and easy to follow as any modern piece. In short, while the newest Disney film may seem a little tedious, it is worth remembering that retelling old stories is inevitable within both our history and culture. It has long been said that art imitates life, and in this case, narrative is no different – it is always evolving in the ways that life does, no matter the stretch of time. What makes these retellings so refreshing, however, are the different perspectives from which they are received and then retold, allowing each new generation of stories to evolve and change alongside our society and wider culture.
Earlier this year, having fallen out of love with reading, I purchased a novel from the Foyles bookshop along the Southbank. I had heard of Han Kang’s novel at least once before, either within a discussion on meat-free diets, or following the novel’s public and critical success, having been awarded the Man Booker International Prize in 2016. ‘The Vegetarian’ was published in South Korea in 2007 as a three-part novella. Kang’s writing was praised by critics and the central part of Kang’s novella was awarded the Yi Sang Literary Award. An English translation by Deborah Smith was published in January 2015 in the UK, and this was the edition that I had the pleasure of reading. I ploughed through Kang’s novel within two days, enthralled by her emotive writing. I was shocked and distressed by the content, yet compelled. ‘The Vegetarian’ is not only a novel about vegetarianism. Kang highlights a woman possessed by some unknown malady and explores the consequences of her distressed state. The less said the better, I simply cannot recommend the novel enough.
At some point in our lives, we all suffer from a sort of artistic block: the creativity dries up, the drive fades, to be replaced by a feeling of inactivity, a weighty hopelessness. While writer’s block is a well-known occurrence, I’d like to address the less acknowledged “reader’s block”. A half-page list of novels to be completed for a module, a steadily growing pile of books for pleasure, this season’s bestselling poetry collection sat upon the shelf; still, I cannot bring myself to sit down, focus, open a book and begin to read. A writer may require an alteration, perhaps a new outlook on life after a lengthy pilgrimage to foreign lands, having sampled new cultures and fresh faces. A reader requires the right book, at the right time. Just at that moment of guilty acceptance at one’s own avoidance of literature, that block is snapped. For me, on that blustery day at the beginning of August, ‘The Vegetarian’ was the right book at the right time. I felt myself snowballing, caught up in the story. That feeling: ‘I can’t stop, I have to finish this novel, I have to know what happens’; that feeling is immeasurable in both potency and persuasiveness. Kang’s novel helped me to fall in love with reading again.
turned ruby gowns. here, there’s no language for officer or law, no colour to call white. Smith’s provocative use of language creates a vivid insight into the lives of men who are black, gay and living in America. They address current concerns amongst these communities in the poem ‘a note on the app that tells me how far I am from other men’s mouths’. Smith points out what we already know, but don’t openly talk about; men are judged as being worthy of sex on apps like Grindr by
their physical attributes such as body size and skin colour, and how we let people do this because we are too scared of being alone. Although set in the present, Smith’s poetry also acknowledges the scars of the past. As someone who wasn’t alive during the AIDs crisis in the 80s, this poetry gave me a valuable insight into how the gay community was treated during that time, and how little some things have really changed. In their visual poem ‘litany with blood all over’, Smith brings back to life relics
of the AIDs crisis. Desire and death merge into one, physically overlapping each other. Smith litters the page with ‘my blood / his blood’, the phrases fighting each other for visual dominance of the page and obscuring the identities of those to whom the blood belongs. Smith’s powerful poetry reminds us how it feels to be truly alive and provides the poetic community with a voice that is desperately needed right now, in a time that constantly questions every aspect of our existence.
JACK WRIGHT DEPUTY SPORTS EDITOR
22 SPORTS
THE FOUNDER September 2018
Email the editor at sports@thefounder.co.uk
Joining a Sports Club Sport Event Of The Month
UFC 229: Nurmagomedov vs McGregor JACK WRIGHT DEPUTY SPORTS EDITOR
Photo courtesy of Royal Holloway Sport FRANKIE CHRISTOU SPORTS EDITOR
For many leaving Year 11 behind was a blessing as you no longer had to attend those compulsory unorganised PE lessons. In Sixth form, handing in your note of excuse or avoiding the sports hungry classmates in the changing rooms became distant memories. So why would any non-sporty fresher want to join a sports club at Royal Holloway? “It opens up so many avenues”, says Dan O’Connor, now a second-year student who has just been elected as captain of RHUL Mens Football 1st team. “When I joined Royal Holloway, I didn’t really know anyone so I needed to find friends with common interests, I started attending drop in sessions and I instantly was drawn to football.” “I was so nervous when I went to trails, but just on the day alone I already made friends who fortunately also got picked. Straight away I felt involved in something and rather than just coming for a degree I was now a part of a
club. “It opens up so many avenues, I found in my first couple weeks I was already going on nights out with my team mates as well as training and playing games with them “I have friends across all years because of football, people who don’t even play but are just friends of those who people who do play but are eager to be a part of the community. I would say joining a sports team in my first year hugely helped me settle in into university life a lot quicker than I thought, its brought me together with some great lads who I wouldn’t have met if I wasn’t that nervous first year who was eager to make friends.” However, student sport is not just restricted to your typical football, rugby and hockey teams. From Polo to Ultimate Frisbee Royal Holloway has 41 sports clubs that you can join and be a part of. All drop-in sessions and trail dates are advertised online and most clubs will be attending the fresher’s fair where you can meet the committees of your desired sports. At Royal Holloway, we have different clubs and teams that can suit your commitment
needs. Typically, traditional sports clubs such as football, basketball, rugby, hockey and netball usually have strict training schedules twice a week and then matches on a Wednesday and Saturday. For those who are naturally athletic and able this is great but not for those who squirm at the thought of physical activity. Sports such as ultimate frisbee, table tennis, golf, archery, trampolining and even chess however are growing in popularity and do not command such a commitment but still offer a competitive social activity. Whatever sport you decide on, by just attending the taster sessions you will reap the benefits. Playing sport instantly means an active lifestyle, a well-earned break from studying and the priceless act of making friends. Whether you’re a fresher or a current student who hasn’t got involved yet, joining a sports club transforms your whole university experience. Sport is more than just a game, it’s a social experience that allows you build friendships that will last a lifetime.
On the 3 August 2018, the Ultimate Fighting Championship held a press conference to mark the beginning of the 25th anniversary celebrations. One of the most hotly anticipated fights of all time was announced by UFC President Dana White. At UFC 229, the current lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov will defend his belt against one of the most renowned fighters in the game: ‘The Notorious’ Conor McGregor. McGregor is returning to fight after a considerable layoff from mixed martial arts, having ventured in the boxing world in order to challenge Floyd ‘The Money’ Mayweather in 2017. Despite being unsuccessful in his attempts to dethrone the undefeated Mayweather, McGregor reportedly made over $100 million from the fight and demonstrated his striking prowess, going ten rounds against one of the greatest boxers of all time. If McGregor is the moneyman, the show boater, the biggest name in the UFC today, the flashy striker and ‘the pride of Ireland’, then Nurmagomedov is his antithesis. The 29 year old wrestler was born in Dagestan and holds an undefeated record of 26 wins and 0 losses. With a fighting style that implements a wide variety of grappling martial arts, including sambo, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and freestyle wrestling, Nurmago-
medov poses the greatest threat to McGregor that the Irishman will have faced. Many analysts think similarly: if McGregor lands his iconic left hand, much in the same manner as he did against the former featherweight champion Jose Aldo, then the fight will be over. If McGregor is unable to find that punch and Nurmagomedov can close the distance, clinch with ‘The Notorious’ and take him to the ground, McGregor may struggle. Despite his noteworthy takedown defence, boasting an excellent 74% of takedowns avoided throughout his career, McGregor’s weak ground-game was exposed in his only defeat to Nate Diaz at UFC 196. Neither fighter will enter the cage expecting to lose, highlighting the main attraction of the UFC: anyone can lose, regardless of skill, practice or patience. All it takes is that one shot or one takedown, as McGregor proved with Aldo and Khabib proved against Michael Johnson. This fight is most anticipated bout the UFC have held, you would be a fool to miss it. Below the main event, the undercard hosts fights that will hold the audience’s interest. Fan favourite Tony Ferguson takes on Anthony Pettis, Derick Lewis will face Alexander Volkov in the heavyweight division and Michelle Waterson will attempt to shake up the women’s strawweight division with a fight against Felice Herrig.
THE FOUNDER September 2018
Email the editor at sports@thefounder.co.uk
SPORTS 23
RHUL Gym Gets A Makeover JACK WRIGHT DEPUTY SPORTS EDITOR
While you have all been relaxing over the summer, the gym at Royal Holloway has undergone a £450,000 makeover. Construction work has been underway for several weeks as the Sports Centre has been providing us with weekly updates on the refurbishment programme. ‘We’ve been knocking down a few more walls’ reads the latest update to the gym’s upgrade proceedings, as well as ‘ripping out the remaining old floor’. In wake of the changes to the Gym, Royal Holloway Fitness have announced in a statement that the University have partnered up with ‘Pulse Fitness’. A spokesperson from Royal Holloway Sport stated “We’re pleased to announce that we will be continuing our partnership with The Pulse Group. “At the beginning of June, we went out to the Fitness Market to ensure that we are getting the best value for money for your gym experience. “Following a tending process with multiple equipment suppliers it was agreed that Pulse Fitness are able to offer the best quality equipment for the needs of the College, as well as lots of other perks around the student experience.” The partnership means that that all existing equipment ‘from treadmills to cross trainers, to racks and free weights’ will be upgraded. As well as upgrading existing equipment, many new additions will be implemented into the gym. The initial 3D images released reveal a selection of machines, including member’s favourites, such as the shoulder press and chest press, while a new addition, the pec deck, has also been included.
One of the most exciting additions to the gym is a strip of artificial grass within the centre of the main room. This addition is perfect for dynamic exercises, such as lunges, farmer’s walks and sled pushes. The gym will also be receiving brand-new flooring with Olympic lifting in mind. The Olympic movement – the snatch and the clean and jerk – often require the lifter to drop the heavy weight from above their heads. The flooring is designed specifically to absorb the impact of the dropped weight and prevent any damages to the flooring underneath. Powerlifting movements, such as the deadlift, may also require this dropping motion. An area of the gym will be dedicated to stretching and core exercises, similar in function to the studio, a highly popular feature of the gym in recent years. Exercise classes, such as the studio spin classes, are often filled by members. The premium gold membership allows members to all fitness classes for free, as well as active sessions, free us of the squash and tennis courts and reduced fees when hiring sports facilities. Finally, a gold membership grants access to BUCS Universal gyms across the U.K. If you live close to another university when away from Royal Holloway, or are visiting a friend, your Royal Holloway membership may allow you access to their gym for free. The exciting changes made to the gym at Royal Holloway are bound to increase overall membership across the year and highlight the importance of staying fit and healthy at University. Chances are you’ll be seeing me in there.
Photos courtesy of Royal Holloway Sport (Sports Email)