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VOLUME VIII, ISSUE IV • TUESDAY, 31 JANUARY 2017 • Royal Holloway, University of London • Egham, Surrey, TW20 0EX
RHUL Finds Success In 2017
top female athlete and the top Paralympian at the 2016 Sports Personality of the Year As the New Year gets (p. 22), while MA Creative underway and RHUL welWriting and PhD graduate comes students back from Sarah Perry has been awardthe winter break, the unied Waterstone’s ‘Book of the versity leaves 2016 on a high Year’ for her novel The Essex and launches into the New Serpent (p. 2). Year with a serious of wins Success for Royal Holand success stories from staff, loway as a whole, and in line students and alumni. with the university’s hisFor Royal Holloway tory of women’s rights and students involved in the education, was achieved in Community Action vollate November when Royal unteering group, there was Holloway won the Outstandcause for celebration when ing Contribution to Leaderthey received recognition ship Development award at for their achievements and the prestigious Times Higher work with Challenges Abroad Education awards 2016. and were awarded a FutureThe award was given to Sense Partner Award, as well Royal Holloway in recognias being nominated for the tion of their diverse proQueen’s Award at the end of gramme and commitment to last year (full story p. 4). In closing the gender gap in the the staff department, Mark number of male versus female Bowden, Reader in Comprofessors. position in the Department In 2012, RHUL had a of Music also won a British fairly even split between male Composer Award for his and female lecturers, but work Five Memos (p. 2). In it was apparent that at the the world of RHUL alumni, professorial level men outmathematics graduate Sophie numbered women by four to Christiansen OBE was voted one, a statistic in line with the ROSA SMITH NEWS EDITOR
Students prepare for lectures in 2017 by catching up on reading. Photo by Amanda Hudson.
majority of other universities. This prompted Royal Holloway to launch an initiative in 2014 called ‘Enabling Women Academics through the Promotion Process’. The programme was based on a similar scheme run at the
University of Tromso in Norway and aimed to increase the proportion of female professors from 24.1 per cent to 35 per cent in five years. The programme offered flexible coaching, workshops, CV support and mock exter-
nal review for women academics, who were allowed to attend with young children or via Skype in order to fit in with their other commitments.
Sarah Perry, p. 2
Student Letters, p. 12 Eamonn Freyne, p. 23
Continued on page 3.
Index News..............................................................................1 Opinion And Debate......................................................6 Lifestyle...........................................................................9 Features........................................................................12 Arts...............................................................................14 Arts: Film......................................................................16 Arts: Music....................................................................19 Sports...........................................................................22
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2 NEWS
THE FOUNDER January 31, 2017
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RHUL Alumna Wins 'Book of the Year' ROSA SMITH NEWS EDITOR
Perry won the 'Book of the Year' award for her novel, The Essex Serpent. Photo by Jamie Drew.
Bowden Wins British Composer Award
RHUL Director of Composition wins in the Solo or Duo Category.
SUZANNAH BALL DEPUTY NEWS EDITOR
Mark Bowden, Royal Holloway University’s Director of Composition in the Department of Music, has been given a British Composer Award for his work Five Memos. Bowden won the Solo or Duo Category at the British Composer Awards in 2016. However, Bowden was not the only nomination for Royal Holloway as Sorana Santos, a student studying for a PhD in the Department of Music. Her recent composition, Our Lady of Stars Book of Hours, was nominated in the Contemporary
Jazz Composition category. The event was hosted by BBC Radio 3 presenters Sarah Walker and Andrew McGregor. Alongside working at Royal Holloway, Bowden is British composer of chamber, orchestral ad vocal music. He has been described as ‘an exceptional and absorbing pleasure’ by the Guardian. Before working at the University he was appointed Resident Composer with the BBC National Orchestra of Wales from 20112015. Bowden’s piece, commissioned by London Music Masters, is composed for violin and piano. Five Memos is inspired by the writing of the Italian
author and journalist, Italo Calvino. Bowden stated ‘I took Six Memos for the Next Millennium as a starting point to create a five-movement work for violin and piano. My ambition was to create musical responses to the artistic virtues Calvino held up as being of particular importance for writers, and artists, of the future.’ The British Composer Awards are presented by the British Academy of Songwriters, Composers and Authors and are sponsored by PRS for Music. Royal Holloway’s Music Department ranks 7th in the 2017 Complete University Guide.
Royal Holloway MA and PhD Creative Writing graduate, Sarah Perry, has won the Waterstone’s ‘Book of the Year’ award for her novel, The Essex Serpent. The historical fiction novel is set in Victorian London and Essex during the 1890’s, and follows the lives of a widow and her son on their quest to discover the mythical ‘Essex Serpent’ and the people the encounter along the way. The award is given to the book that Waterstones book sellers find outstanding and have felt the most pride in recommending and selling.
James Daunt, Waterstones Managing Director, said of the award, ‘The Essex Serpent blazed as the overwhelming choice by our booksellers to their Book of the Year. A novel of rare intelligence and utterly compelling to read, it takes complete possession of the reader. It is a treasure and we recommend this wonderful book to everyone.’ Author, Sarah Perry commented, ‘I am delighted beyond measure that The Essex Serpent is the Waterstones Book of the Year. From the moment The Essex Serpent was released, Waterstones' booksellers were true friends of the book. No author could hope for better champions.’
The Founder Board 2016/17 Co-Editors Daniel Brady & Lilia Vargas Costello News Editor Rosa Smith
Film Editor Ryan Nair
Deputy News Editor Suzannah Ball
Lifestyle Editor Emily May Webber
Opinon and Debate Editor Amanda Hudson
Sport Editor Elizabeth Silverberg
Features Editor Thomas Hawkins
Music Editor Sam Barker
Arts Editor Gemma Tadman
Designer Lilia Vargas Costello
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. THE FOUNDER is printed in Cambridge by Iliffe Print
THE FOUNDER January 31, 2017
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Continued from front page The scheme was extremely successful, with 16 of the 26 women who participated in the first two cohorts of the programme receiving promotions, three becoming heads of departments and seven becoming chairs in their subject areas. The proportion of female professors is now 26 percent, and a third cohort is underway. Times Higher Education Award’s judges were apparently ‘won over’ by the university’s dedication to the progression of female academics, stating, ‘It is astonishing that in 2016 this is still an issue across academia, but the actions that have followed Royal Holloway’s ambition have reaped rewards with an increase in the percentage of female professors.’ Professor Katie Normington, Vice Principal (Staff-
Photo courtesy of Royal Holloway University website.
ing) who helped pioneer the programme said, ‘Royal Holloway was among the first colleges in the UK to give women access to higher education. This pioneering spirit continues today in our aim to combat gender stereotypes and the under-representation
of women in certain fields and careers.’ Happy New Year to all students of Royal Holloway, remember to work hard, enjoy yourself and make the most of your time at an institution dedicated to progress and equality!
Average 2.3% price increase set for 2017.
It was announced at the beginning of January that rail fares were set to rise again for the New Year, an announcement that has caused dismay among many commuters in the wake of the disruptive winter rail strikes. The price is set to increase at an average of 2.3 percent, covering regulated fares, season tickets and unregulated, such as off-peak tickets. The announcement came on the third day of the RMT union’s 72-hour walk-out strike which began on New Year’s Eve, by conductors on Southern rail over disputes
Founders Building: Fire Update SUZANNAH BALL DEPUTY NEWS EDITOR
Train Fares Set To Rise ROSA SMITH NEWS EDITOR
NEWS 3
about the future of guards on new trains. Rises in fares are apparently due to what the government is claiming to be the biggest rail modernisation programme for more than a century. However, as many passenger’s experience more overcrowded trains, disruptions and cancellations than ever, people are concerned about what exactly it is that they are paying for. According to the Rail Delivery Group (RDG), which represents train operators, around 97p in every pound paid by passengers is invested back into running and improving services. RDG chief executive Paul Plummer said: ‘Nobody
wants to pay more to travel to work and at the moment in some places, people aren't getting the service they are paying for. ‘However, increases to season tickets are set by the government. Money from fares is helping to sustain investment in the longer, newer trains and more punctual journeys that passengers want.’ Since the 1990’s rail fares have risen by 25%, with some fares rising by up to 40%. Although not all fares will be affected by the new rise, it will have a knock-on effect on the future of rail travel, with unsatisfied customers having to pay more than ever.
Students were evacuated due to a fire in the historical Founders building on the 1st of December 2016. The Grade 1 listed accommodation is one of the most flammable buildings in Britain and students were evacuated immediately as smoke appeared. Fortunately, no one was injured. One bedroom is reported to have smoke damage while other bathrooms suffered only minor damage. There was no major structural damage to the building. Professor Paul Layzell, Principal of Royal Holloway, praised the ‘swift actions’ of the security team and emergency services. Police, alongside four fire engines, were seen on the site and a helicopter was reported to be circling above. It has been claimed that ambulances were only called as a precautionary measure. Hayley Cutmore, a resident of the famous building, said that although students initially treated the fire alarm as a practice drill they soon realised there was a real danger as they could see ‘really thick black smoke pouring out of the middle window on 5th floor.’ Students living in Founder’s accommodation were made to wait in the Windsor building until further notice. Hayley reported that they had to wait three hours for any action to be taken, many students left to
stay with friends while others took to sleeping in the building. ‘Finally at 10 they said we were all going to a hotel and the police had arrived. The hotel was chaos and no one had any information.’ Students were given temporary accommodation and transport as they were unable to return to their rooms as the building remained closed overnight. Members of the public expressed their concern online with many shared their fondness for the building. The fire itself is being treated as an act of arson. A 21-year-old, a previous student of the university, has since been arrested over suspected ‘arson with intent to endanger life’ and is now being treated in hospital. The suspect was detained nearby after a search involving police dogs and helicopters took place. Barney Nunn witnessed the arrest. He said ‘It was just outside Bedford [Library], I was coming from a SocSport event. I heard about everything that was happening one minute, then emergency vehicles were everywhere the next. They had already caught him at this point and brought him outside.’ Rumours suggest the suspect was under the influence of narcotics, however, there is yet to be a confirmation by the college. The student has been said to be detained under the Mental Health Act.
4 NEWS
THE FOUNDER January 31, 2017
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Community Library Named After Suffragette Alumna Action Wins For Charity
Photo courtesy of Royal Holloway University website. ROSA SMITH NEWS EDITOR
Staff, students and alumni voted for the new RHUL Library and Student Services Centre to be named after one of its most prominent and influential alumni, Emily Wilding Davison. The centre, that will open in the early autumn of this year, will be known as the Emily Wilding Davison Building in tribute to the once student of Royal Holloway, who began her studies in 1892. The
naming of the new building, that will provide cutting-edge research and study facilities, also honours the institution's past, being one of the first colleges to offer women access to higher education in the UK. Davison, who pursued change through the suffragette movement and, much to historical debate, sacrificed her life for the cause, encapsulates Royal Holloway’s ethos of empowering individuals to drive social and cultural change.
In a survey run by The Founder, 67 percent of students revealed that they were happy with the new name, despite only 33 percent having taken part in the Library naming vote. ‘Emily’s campaigning spirit, her commitment to equality, and her determination to bring about positive change can be seen in Royal Holloway’s values today,’ said Professor Paul Layzell, Principal of Royal Holloway. ‘I am proud to put Emily’s name to our new Library and Student Services Centre, knowing that she was one of the first women to be able to pursue a university education here at Royal Holloway, long before many other institutions opened their doors to women.’ Natasha Barrett, President of Royal Holloway Students’ Union shared her support for the naming, ‘It’s fantastic that we can name this building after Emily as she embodies a principle that our founders also stood for - equality. Their egalitarian spirit lives on in our community today where we believe in supporting every individual to ensure that they can succeed no matter gender or background.’ ‘We are a community that helps students to become independently minded, socially responsible leaders. The Emily Wilding Davison Building will provide space, resource and inspiration for our students, and the community beyond.’ The opening of the Emily Wilding Davison Building will be marked by a community celebration, details of which will be released later this spring.
Photo courtesy of Royal Holloway University website. SUZANNAH BALL DEPUTY NEWS EDITOR
Royal Holloway’s Community action volunteering group has won the FutureSense Partner Award due to their work for Challenges Abroad. The group has also been nominated for the Queen’s Award as a result of their volunteer efforts within the local community. Challenges Abroad organise volunteer trips for students. Those who get involved are able to take part in socially responsible and environmentally aware projects. Such projects have previously sent students to India, Romania and Thailand where sustainability has been the main concern in order to make a lasting impact. Each trip supports the company’s registered charity, The FutureSense Foundation. Sophie Clempson, a Geog-
raphy student at Royal Holloway, was a team leader on the trip to Romania during early 2016. Clempson commented that she ‘loved every minute of the experience, from fundraising for The FutureSense Foundation to forming amazing friendships with a group of fellow students from Royal Holloway.’ The Queen’s Award is given to a group of individuals for outstanding service toward their community. Any group of two or more people who have partaken in volunteer work can be nominated for the award. Phil Simcock, Community Action Manager, said, ‘This award is considered to be the MBE for voluntary groups, and so we are honoured to have even been put forward for something so prestigious.’ More than 3000 students at Royal Holloway are currently registered as Community Action Volunteers.
NEWS 5
THE FOUNDER January 31, 2017
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Shop Closures Anger Owners Many told they must vacate premesis by June 2017. ROSA SMITH NEWS EDITOR
Egham shop owners who spent hundreds of thousands of pounds on refurbishing their outlets are in uproar after being told at a meeting last month that they must leave their premises by June 2017. The announcement comes ahead of the planned town centre redevelopment program. Shops under threat include
Budgens, Oxfam charity shop and beauty salon Lumins. Shop owners on Station Road were told they would have to leave in six months as Runnymede Borough Council is reportedly in discussions with a developer to build a new theatre and four-storey block of flats in replacement of the current rank of shops. Business owners on the road signed new leases only nine months ago, apparently unaware that they would be Oxfam is one of the shops under threat from imposed closures. Photo by Amanda Hudson. asked to leave so soon.
Monkey's Forehead To Reopen As Packhorse ROSA SMITH NEWS EDITOR
Refurbishment is currently underway at the Monkey's Forehead. Photo by Amanda Hudson.
Fans of the affectionately nicknamed ‘Monkey’s’ on the A30 will pleased to hear it will be reopening later this year after its closure shortly before Christmas. After learning that the current owner wished to sell up and move six months ago, the college took the opportunity to purchase the lease of the popular pub, handing the venue over to the Student’s Union. Refurbishment work is currently underway, and so far the pub is set to open in March – April, either at the end of term two or beginning of term three. The pub will be renamed The Packhorse, reverting to its original name, something
which may be a little difficult to get used to for many current students, and will operate as a not-for-profit social enterprise. The venue will also remain open to the public, seven days a week, 52 weeks a year. The popular breakfast dish is being retained, and although there will be some changes to the general food and drinks menu, the SU claims it is dedicated to providing services at student prices, with the cost of some items even being reduced. Discussions are currently under way regarding how the currently unused rooms upstairs could be refurbished and utilised, to create more space for students. (Co-Ed, DB) - The Founder has requested information from Royal Holloway in regards to the purchase price of the lease, we will keep our readers updated upon the colleges reply.
6 OPINION AND DEBATE
THE FOUNDER January 31, 2017
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[Debate]
Point And
Counter-Point F
Weigh in on Twitter with the hashtag #euthanasiadebate. Find us at @rhulfounder
Euthanasia: Not For Your Entertainment AMANDA HUDSON OPINION AND DEBATE EDITOR
It’s difficult to find someone these days who hasn’t at least heard of Jojo Moyes’ book Me Before You. The tale of the sunny optimist, Lou, working as a caregiver for a quadriplegic man, Will, and finding herself falling in love, rose to popularity in early 2014. By June of 2016, a blockbuster film based off of the book had been released. Fast forward a few weeks and I’m sitting in a dark room listening to the sounds of Will telling Lou ‘something good’ before he gets euthanised, and even the burliest of men dissolving into puddles of tears. I’ll admit, it was one of only three films that have made me cry in the cinema. It was also one of the many books that have made me cry (though that’s a less impressive feat). There’s no denying, Me Before You does what it does well. It has an interesting plot, likeable characters, and something huge at stake: Will’s life. But perhaps what it fails to do is approach the subject of euthanasia with a delicate hand. After the release of the film, the disabled community vehemently fulminated against the central plot point of the film and
the ultimate decisions of most of the characters involved. The more I thought about it, the more I realised how offensive and harmful this story could be to the disabled community; because though it’s first and foremost a love story, Me Before You suggests that a life after becoming paralysed is not worth living at all. Euthanasia is a medical procedure that induces death humanely and is illegal in most countries. However, there are countries that have legalised the procedure under certain circumstances with strict guidelines. Essentially, these guidelines state that if a person is in irremediable pain, or will suffer immensely due to lack of proper funds for treatment, euthanasia is legal. The fact that Will was in a lot of pain and probably clinically depressed after his accident is digestible, but his dogged determination to die is not. His family had more than enough money to accommodate his treatment for the rest of his life—they could even afford to send him on extravagant holidays around the world that catered to his quadriplegia, and Lou worked tirelessly to convince Will that he could still live life to the fullest through these trips. After all of this, the main reason Will gives for going through with his euthanization? ‘I’m not me anymore’. What message does this send to recent victims of seri-
ous injury, or even to those who were born paralysed? That their lives will never be as full as an able-bodied people? That they will never be able to accomplish their goals and aspirations because of their disability, therefore their existence has no purpose? It is certainly an unpalatable message, one that is, unfortunately, inescapable for the Me Before You plot line. Of course, the guidelines for a highly onerous subject such as assisted suicide will always be ambiguous, and the freewill of the person involved should always be taken into consideration— but Will was one of the lucky ones. His family had the means to give him everything he would need to cope with his quadriplegia, and more. Yet, he didn’t want to live if he couldn’t live as an ablebodied person. This is where I take issue. I have no problem with the concept of euthanasia; I think it’s a necessary and viable option for certain situations. My problem lies with films and books like Me Before You that take on the subject with such insensitivity. It is for these reasons that I’ve decided that euthanasia, while acceptable and understandable in certain circumstances, should be treated as a highly delicate subject, and therefore, should not be left in the hands of Hollywood or the media.
Euthanasia: Complex Issues Need More than Two Sides LAWRENCE NEWPORT STUDENT WRITER
I recently came across the phrase ‘moral suasion’. I’m not sure of its original use but it has become a useful term in describing a phenomenon I’ve noticed in politically or morally difficult arguments. In theory, the term ‘moral suasion’ criticises arguments that simply characterise opponents as inherently evil. As a result of using moral suasion in a debate, everything becomes cartoonish; you’re either pro-choice or against women completely; pro-gay marriage or homophobic. An understanding of the complexity and nuance of opponents is lost amid war cries and moral shaming. ‘I don’t even want to understand their view, its evil’ is the kind of outcry you might hear. I can understand that in narrow cases (i.e. discussing the KKK or the Nazi Regime) moral suasion is acceptable. However, I’ve heard it used to justify something as trivial as not engaging with anyone who is a Conservative. Surprisingly, euthanasia is an area where this doesn’t seem to have happened. A reason for this could be that nobody wants to approach the issue. No one wants a protracted national debate on the issue because most people don’t know where they stand on it. Perhaps more importantly, they don’t know how everyone else stands on it. This means many people don’t have much information on whether or not their points of view are contentious or strange. Or, conceivably further, they aren’t sure if they’re on the ‘right side’ yet, because their friends and family haven’t declared where they sit either. Euthanasia thus becomes cast aside like numerous other moral issues that everyone collectively ignores. However, I can see – and have heard – moral suasion used
in euthanasia debates. This kind of condemning argument is unhelpful, to say the least. It implies that euthanasia, even if allowed only in the most terrible cases of fatal illness, would send a message that our society condones the killing of one citizen, by another citizen; and that banning it would mean that people will suffer and die painful deaths. Allowing it will probably lead to a couple of killings that were not justified – but it will also communicate that one citizen can assist in the killing of another if the circumstances match those written in an abstract law. A fair question to ask would be that if we allow euthanasia for painful diseases, why not allow it for less terrible painful (but still terrible) circumstances? My point? Euthanasia is a very complex and emotive issue. Brandishing the language of morality, or comparing it to Hitler, doesn’t get you any closer to a resolution to the argument. It doesn’t help you decide on any logical or empathetic level. It just makes you afraid, internalising a “good guy vs. bad guy” narrative. It doesn’t help you make up your mind as an informed individual. This is mostly because moral suasion informs you of nothing. It just bullies people into silence. On issues like euthanasia (and a whole host of others in our society), we can’t afford to run to easy “good” and “bad” sides. We have to understand the complexity of the moral world we live in. Without that, we’re putting our own desire to feel morally right above actually doing what is morally right.
THE FOUNDER January 31, 2017
OPINION AND DEBATE 7
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Only Guns To Blame?
The Contraceptive Burden MEGAN CARDY STUDENT WRITER
There is no denying guns have a detrimental effect on society. Photo by Amanda Hudson. AMAL ABDI STUDENT WRITER
One of the main arguments pro-gun Americans use in debates about implementing gun control laws is the second amendment. The second amendment clearly says, ‘the federal government shall not infringe on a citizen’s right to bears arms’. That’s pretty explicit; according to the constitution, every American can own a gun without the government getting involving, right? Not exactly. The language of the second amendment is not as transparent that. It actually says, ‘a wellregulated militia being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed’. The problem with using the second amendment to back the pro-gun argument is that its language is too ambiguous. We cannot know what the founding fathers actually meant when they wrote it. Many Americans see the constitution as the fundamentals of American society, and it’s this issue that has kept gun control laws in gridlock for such a long time. One cause for the lack of change in gun laws is the Na-
tional Rifle Association. The NRA has over four million members who are very determined to stop gun control from being implemented. The NRA pride themselves on believing guns are part of American tradition, and therefore, important to personal freedom. In fact, it was the NRA who refused to have identification checks after the shootings at Sandy Hook Elementary School, where 27 children and school staff were killed. Even after the Charleston church and Orlando nightclub shootings, the NRA still maintain that the statement of personal freedom around guns is more important than the hundreds of innocent lives being lost every year. There is no denying that guns have had a detrimental effect on American society. If you combine the populations of Germany, Japan, Switzerland, Denmark, Australian and the UK, you get a number roughly the size of the population of the United States. However, all of these countries combined had 193 gun homicides in 2012, compared to the US’s 16,688. Do
Americans have a special gene that makes them more homicidal by nature, or is it that other countries have gun control? With the number of gunrelated tragedies in America ever growing, it seems clear that the government should enforce some sort of gun control. At the very least, this would deter terrorists from buying guns. Yet, America clings to their past and that all-important second amendment. Perhaps more importantly, gun control opponents should be asking what the importance of the constitution truly is. Why should a document written before there was a police force or a national army play such a prominent role in today’s modern society? Now, in Trump’s America, gun laws will probably be changing for the worse. After all of the massacres, there’s little evidence that a good guy with a gun can stop a bad guy with a gun. I disagree that guns are a tradition or about personal freedom and public safety. The USA’s insistence on lingering on the distant past has only harmed it in recent years, and it seems little will change in the near future.
A day in the life for the majority of the female population who are sexually active includes acne, muscle pain, depression, loss of libido and mood swings. These complaints are not at all uncommon, and are seen as unavoidable side effects of female contraceptives. Yet, these were some of the exact reasons that an alleged 96 percent successful male contraceptive trial was halted according to a recent article published in The Independent. The development and availability of male contraceptives as an alternative to condoms is absolutely necessary. In long-term relationships, the almost completely one-sided obligation to protect couples from pregnancy falls onto the woman’s shoulders. Currently, male contraceptive methods focus purely around condoms which – although offered freely in sexual health clinics – can be unreliable, costly and easily misplaced. Not to mention rendered ineffective if stored incorrectly; either at high temperatures or in the pocket of a wallet. By all means, if the contraceptive injection trial was indeed causing ill effects across the sample, it should have been taken as a sign that more research was needed. However, in the sample of 320 men, a mere 20 reported one or more of these complaints. Taking into account that half of these very same side effects are listed on the NHS website as simply ‘disadvantages’ of the female contraceptive, using the side effects as a reason to halt the trial becomes harder to justify. Despite the promising nature of this study — out of 266 couples, only four reported pregnancies — it was still deemed
necessary to stop the trial. The side-effects suffered by these 20 men from the trial were no doubt uncomfortable. It’s not fair to suggest that these men behaved selfishly. For anyone who had not been conditioned to think of these ailments as day-to-day hassles, the presence of the side effects would surely be distressing. It’s the fact that these side effects can be forced onto women due to lack of male alternatives and thought of as acceptable that triggers the issue. Women’s discomfort and safety are simply not regarded with so much care. There is not a single form of female contraception available on the market today that does not carry the warning of developing a potentially dangerous condition. The female contraception injection carries the risk of thinning the bones. The combined pill can lead to thrombosis and has previously killed its users. The IUS can perforate the womb lining or lead to ectopic pregnancies—which, again, can prove life threatening. Not to mention that aside from the mini pill, each method involves mild to moderate pain at the initial placement. If having the IUS fitted, women are able to request local anaesthetic – however, even this is not routinely offered. All of this information is clearly displayed on the NHS website not as warnings against these types of contraception, but in order to help women ‘decide which method might work best’. It’s appalling that so little has been done to lift the disproportionate emphasis placed on female contraception methods and the resulting female burden. As this halted study into male alternatives illustrates, there is an unacceptable bias towards men’s convenience and safety when it comes to matters of family planning.
8 OPINION AND DEBATE
THE FOUNDER January 31, 2017
Email the editor at comment@thefounder.co.uk
[Editor's Opinion]
The Truth About Study Drugs A formal roast of The Tab. AMANDA HUDSON OPINION AND DEBATE EDITOR
I usually don't click on articles from The Tab UK when scrolling through my Facebook feed because I think they’re akin to The Mirror or The Daily Mail in that they’re all noxious, click-baiting money-grabbers whose only motive is to get more views by publishing articles they know will anger people. However, the Cardiff branch of The Tab published an article last year written by Lydia Baxter that was titled ‘Study drugs are for quitters and the weak’. Since I have ADHD and take prescribed medication for it, I thought I'd give it a read. I can't say I had much hope in the first place, but I thought she'd at least present a somewhat valid argument. I was wrong, to say the least. Not only was the writing style deplorable and demeaning, but the few "facts" Baxter did present were misinformed and problematic. First, the article fails to mention that many require ‘study drugs’ to study. Along with a deficit in attention span and focus, people with ADHD lack a sufficient supply of cortisol and dopamine (the chemicals in our brains that motivate us). Without some sort of synthetic assistance, even the simplest of tasks can be difficult for ADHD minds to complete, and are often times accompanied by feelings of dread. Of those who take ‘study drugs’ to revise, Baxter says,
‘you’re just crashed out and in need of the motivation to get up and open a book prior to the exam date like the rest of us. If you don’t learn to work hard and motivate yourself now, when are you going to?’. This is a pretty steep assumption to make since an estimated 6 percent of adults with ADHD are undiagnosed and remain unaware of their disorder. This means those undiagnosed adults would not have legal access to “study drugs”. What’s more, there are many other mental illnesses that cause low cortisol and dopamine levels (i.e. depression, adrenal fatigue syndrome, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, etc.). While the article doesn’t explicitly say it, by not mentioning an exception of an ADHD diagnosis to their incontrovertible dogma, Baxter condemns even those who are diagnosed and use medication to study to a categorisation of lazy, incompetent drug-addicts. It would be one thing if Baxter attempted to spread awareness about ADHD, and perhaps commented on how the use of medication by people with ‘typical’ minds further divides the playing field; instead, this article comes off as a whinging-fest about how bitterly unfair her life is for not having the means to take a medication that many can't afford not to take. Baxter warns her audience, ‘If you can’t use your degree to build a career because you were too high to actually process what you “remem-
"Make smart decisions and know your limits." Photo by Amanda Hudson.
bered” […] your employer will realise that you’re just a burn out with an over-reliance on study drugs and fire your arse’. This statement assimilates the effects of taking ‘study drugs’ to recreational drugs with memory loss side effects. The only ADHD medication that has ever worked for me is Adderall, so I can't speak knowledgeably about other existing brands. However, I can guarantee from personal experience that it’s not even remotely close to being ‘high’, as Baxter claims. ADHD medications are amphetamines, and amphetamines act as a stimulant in the brain (just like caffeine). By taking amphetamines, you get the same feeling you
would get if you downed four cups of coffee in one go, without the jittery side effects. To argue that users forget everything they learned whilst on the drug and wouldn’t be able to apply it to their profession afterwards is plainly a lack of understanding about how amphetamines work. Lastly, one of the many reasons this article is so problematic is that it sounds like the author is trying to fearmonger people into opting out of medication if they need it. Medication for mental illnesses and learning disabilities are already such taboo subjects. We don't need a misinformed, presumptuous writer adding to the already muddled confusion
surrounding medication. My suggestion? Let people do what they want. If it helps them motivate themselves and they're okay risking the consequences of taking it illegally, let them. NOTE: I'm making amphetamines sound really good. However, amphetamines can have harmful side effects if misused or abused, and they're illegal if you take them without a prescription. I'm in no way condoning taking amphetamines to further your studying capabilities if you're not diagnosed; but I'm also not condemning it. As with any other illegal substance: it's your choice, make smart decisions and know your limits.
LIFESTYLE 9
THE FOUNDER January 31, 2017
Email the editor at lifestyle@thefounder.co.uk EMILY MAY WEBBER LIFESTYLE EDITOR
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A Gingham Flute Sleeve Top £34 Top-
As we wipe away the January blues and step out of our cable knit jumpers and quilted coats, SS17 is fast upon us. However, as an attempt to save some money and be ahead of the trend, here are some of this year’s wardrobe staples that will work for both the rainy months and sunny afternoons.
shop B Office Finley Block Heel Sandals Nude Nubuck - £55 Office C High Heel Slingback Shoes - £29.99 Zara
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ITS A WRAP: Ballerina style wrap tops are everywhere this season. The soft cotton fabric can be layered under a cami top for extra warmth during the winter, whilst the lightweight fabric will work throughout the season, and into spring. Floral prints are key to this look, and are a great way to break up an outfit of black. These are a closet must have for 2017, and will work for both your night out and Sunday lunch date. RUFFLE MY FEATHERS: A good knit is the best way to embrace those frosty winter mornings, and has the ability to go with every pair of jeans you own. This season, ruffles are taking over. Stick to neutral colours and embrace the added detail of the shoulder ruffle instead of your chunky oversized sweater. This new trend is subtle enough to show effort but is delicate as to not appear like a fancy dress costume. Wear with jeans, above the knee skirts or layer under a pinafore.
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SIZE DOWN: This season, the handbag has taken a nod to miniature. Cross body, small handles and extra detailing are what you are looking for this year. Say goodbye to your Mary Poppins style tote and clutch onto the petite collection of the bag world. The quirkier the better as we approach this new era of handbag. Look out for random palm trees, key chains and pretty clasps.
Top - £34 Topshop E Shoulder Bag/Beige - £19.99 H&M F Crossbody Bag with Fastening Detail £29.99 Zara
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AROUND THE BLOCK: We are all aware of high heel pain, and so with this is mind, we tend to steer clear of anything with height. Fear not, the best friend of the shoe world has taken 2017 by storm. The block heel is back. Pair with opaque tights for a weekend outing or brave bare legs for a night out. Don’t worry, your feet will still be intact by the end of the night. BUTTON UP: High neck blouses and cotton shirts are set to be apart of your everyday look this season. Victorian style blouses with frills paired with skinny jeans and loafers are a sure way to guarantee style that even your Grandma would approve of. Take note of wide sleeves and open style back, which add a little something extra to your outfit. To save the pennies, double up with ones that you can wear to your lectures, work placement or evening out.
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10 LIFESTYLE
THE FOUNDER January 31, 2017
Email the editor at lifestyle@thefounder.co.uk
How To Make L o n g D i s t a n c e : A New Year's The Reality. Resolution TEGAN BAKER STUDENT WRITER
And keep it. JESSIE HAYES STUDENT WRITER
January arrives with such a cold shock that it’s difficult to stick to any goal that isn’t staying in a warm bed. Now that we’ve given 2017 a little time to settle in there is more chance of sticking to any resolutions made – and the ones that we’d suggest are as low maintenance as you can get. Waking up earlier The easiest way to get into this gradually is just to set your goal as to wake up when the sun rises. This sounds horrifically early but it’s the easiest to do at this time of year, sunrise is around 8am and then, as the year progresses, you’ll find the habit easier. Another tip is to tell yourself you don’t have to be out of bed at this time, just that you have to be awake. Starting your morning slowly with a cup of tea and a look at last night’s Snapchat stories gives you a bit of time to wake up before your housemates start arguing over whose pile of dishes is dirtiest. Less social media Now, calm down. The aim here isn’t to get rid of it outright, but to make sure that when you are using it, you’re using it actively - and not just aimlessly lurking. One way to reduce the amount of time you’re on social media sites without a specific need to be is to delete the apps on your phone. This sounds horrendous but if you keep the com-
munication ones like Messenger and WhatsApp, you can use your browser to access Facebook and Twitter if you really need to whilst out and about. Not having the apps simply makes it a little more difficult to find yourself accidentally scrolling for hours. Stay on top of your workload With a huge workload it can be easy to feel as though getting through it is going to be impossible, and to then end up leaving things until you really can’t put them off any longer ie. The Last Minute. To make the impossible seem doable, try shortening your goals and the timeframe you work in. Instead of seeing the month you have to write 5000 words, see the hour you have before Toast that night to write 250. If you’re awful at motivating yourself when a deadline seems far away, try setting an alarm for just 10 minutes and aiming for 100 words. It’ll feel like you’ve achieved more than if you focus on the overall goal of 5000, and it’ll make it easier to get motivated early on. So, if you do want to make resolutions this year, make them achievable and make them positive, rather than aiming to restrict yourself from something. 2016 was tough enough, and so praising yourself for trying to improve your everyday routine is a good way to gear up for an unpredictable 2017.
If you met your partner at university, it’s unlikely that you’re from the same place. However, my boyfriend and I also attend different universities. After enduring 4 hours of train travel between counties, and a substantial amount of money spent on train tickets and watered down coffee, a date is not something that can be taken for granted. For those of you in similar positions, or for those who are unsure whether your relationship can take the test of trains, here is a typical day in the life of a ‘long distance-e’.
Saturday 3rd December 2016 We both only have one day a week that is empty of commitments, work and lectures. This means travelling to Canterbury after work on a Saturday evening to spend Sunday together. Here is a typical Saturday when I’m heading down to see him. 9am - 4.30pm – Work I’m very lucky to have understanding and generous managers who will often allow me to leave 15 or 30 minutes early if they know I am going to Canterbury. 4.30 – 5.00pm – Departure At 4.30 I rush out of work, go home and grab my bags to catch the 5.17 train to London Waterloo. 5.17pm – 6.34pm – Train to London Waterloo The train was packed due a rugby match. I endured twenty minutes of a drunk rugby fan telling me (unprompted) about his dog. My train was delayed by said rugby match meaning that I missed my next train. After arriving late, I was stuck with a hen party and squashed by briefcases commut-
ing home. The next train was not stopping at Canterbury and so I had to recalculate my route.
6.50pm-8.32pm – Train to Ashford Int. This train was similarly packed, mostly with children, two of whom kicked my seat periodically. I tried to read but found my eyes drooping after a long day at work and several hours of tedious train travel. As I arrived, I had to sprint to the catch the closing doors of my connecting train. 8.32pm – 8.53pm – Train to Canterbury The chain reaction from my earlier trains means this one is late too. After having a dinner reservation that stopped taking orders at 9pm I sprint across Canterbury with barely a kiss to say hello. 9pm – 10.30pm – Dinner As we sit down in the restaurant, me still clutching my train tickets and scarf covering my face, we realise our relationship is not for the fainthearted. Advice 1. Communicate: The one great thing is that you are both in different places doing different things with a variety of people. Sending photos of where you are, whom you are with is a great way to keep up to date with each other. 2. Connect: With today’s technology, waiting at the letterbox for any sign of post is a thing of the past. Skype or FaceTime is like having someone in the house with you, so catch up over dinner or while watching TV. 3. Stress: Try not to let the stress of travelling and scheduling impact on the time you actually get to spend together. Appreciate your different lifestyles and enjoy the time apart.
THE FOUNDER January 31, 2017
Email the editor at lifestyle@thefounder.co.uk
LIFESTYLE 11
Are You Stressing About Stress? CHANTELLE FULLER STUDENT WRITER
Deadlines are looming and your inbox is brimming with a series of emails reminding you of all the things you should have already done. As of now, you are undecided between continuing with your Netflix binge, whilst also planning a Britney Spears style breakdown. University stress hap-
pens even to the best of us. It happens to the athletic sports team who are out every other night, the student who spends twelve hours in the library, and let’s not forget that friend who always appears ‘super chill’. But fear not, there is a way to combat the overwhelming tidal wave submerging you, when the deadlines are lapping at your feet. Photo courtesy of Chantelle Fuller.
1. A varied and healthy diet I am afraid this means a divorce of your 3-year relationship with Runnymede Chicken and Ribs. Juices filled with vitamin C, such as orange or grapefruit juice, are good for your immune system so can help with combat stress. Believe it or not, cooking can be a great source of therapy.
6. Try to see the positive side Before you ask, this is not sarcastic. If you missed a deadline, try to appreciate what you learned from this mistake. Now you know where you went wrong, the next essay will only be an improvement of your learning.
2. Exercise Taking some time away from the duvet can give your body the boost it needs. A walk with a friend or joining a sports club could help improve your wellbeing, along with the social aspect of meeting new people. For those not looking for a gruelling run in the rain, a great way to ease your way into exercising is Yoga. Check out @_yourga for more information.
5. Talk I am not saying open your deepest darkest soul, but confiding in a friend whether through humor, or an honest conversation. Chances are, they are feeling the same too! If you are already on a level four breakdown, then go and speak to your tutor, every problem has its solution.
3. Meditation It might sound simple, but sitting quietly for 10 minutes a day can really help with stress levels. Good breathing techniques can relax the mind, as it sends oxygen surging through your bloodstream, helping to calm you down and beat that coursework stress.
4. Sleep (and sign out of Facebook) It was Winston Churchill who first came up with the idea of the ‘power nap’. So if it made him achieve wartime success, it may just help with your essays. Small 20-minute power naps can help increase productivity. Just make sure to set an alarm!
7. Take breaks regularly Short breaks between working can help you switch off, but don’t forget longer breaks are important too. Schedule in one day or afternoon a week where you do something that you enjoy.
8. Laugh They say that laughter is the best medicine, and it's true. Laughing out loud increases oxygen and blood flow, which automatically reduces stress.
Student Sentiment "I mostly ignore all of my responsibilities in order to deal with stress. It works, up until the last minute. Then its an intense stress" - Anonymous, Third Year Student
12 FEATURES
S R E T T E L M O FR AD O R AB ce. Lumiere Lyon, Fran ity rs ve ni U , ar Ye d ir Hannah Willis, Th of ld be the best time h, ou w ad ro ab ar ye roug at my I was always told th st opportunities. I'm only half way th things e be es e th th honestly say that my life, filled with n ca I on Ly in d ha I've but from the time enfar. so ue tr oved, my compreh pr im s haven't been ha ge ua nt ng la at my is now at a confide ng ki ea The main plus Is th sp y m d an , so atter of weeks has been achieved ad ro ab ar sion soared in a m ye y m ic objective of level. So the academ ery fullest, embrace ev e th far. to e lif e liv to get me ation There's this expect urself to speak the language. Don't rce yo , my exams were in ch en Fr in e opportunity and fo er w es t part my lectur t the friends I wrong, for the mos ity of coursework was in French, bu ajor French, and the m flix English speaking. or h is gl En e spent watching Net er w as e w e mad tim y m of amount the picA disproportionate t no one tells you that - you just see heninbu #w , es (also guilty with French subtitl eck ins on Facebook re else, so that's what ch d an s m ra ag st somewhe turesque In time wishing I was y m t en sp I . s) ne Can you ything that makes an do t n' I did. do , ce vi piece of ad h this year, If I could give one to do to get throug aly in Febed ne u yo t ha w It ; do feel uncomfortable r binging a series. I'll be leaving for incam (I fo V y et ilt o, gu and don't feel ings. Veniam, Videb th r tte be r fo ng pi ruary and I'm ho e, I will conquer.) will come, I will se
THE FOUNDER January 31, 2017
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Maria Paolini-Covarrubia, Third Year, Aix-Marseille Université I can honestly say that my Erasmus experience so far has been the biggest emotional rollercoaster of my life, ranging from spending nights in hospitals to eating my body weight in croissants to having 5 day weekends. Nothing said at the meetings leading up to the year abroad could have remotely prepared me for life in France. I moved to the south of France mid-summer, so just imagine the heat and little me dragging around two suitcases trying to find where I was staying. Fast forward two weeks and I still don’t have a timetable for my classes or my Erasmus grant so I’m basically living off the French version of coco pops. I don’t know anyone who actually had an easy time settling in to their new life abroad but I think for the majority of us its really put us off having to do it all over again for our next semester and we regret not staying in the same place for the whole year, especially as I think that 5 months in one place isn’t enough time to fully experience the culture and language of a country. Language wise, I truly feel like my French has improved. Maybe not as much as expected, but I definitely have a lot more confidence in the language. I regret not immersing myself fully with French students but it was evident, especially in the town I was in, that very few people had the patience for people that didn’t speak French and those that did have patience would all want to practice their English skills, so would speak in English which was annoying.
Here at Royal Holloway, students are given the opportunity to take a year to study in an unfamiliar and exciting environment. To develop new linguistic skills, encounter new cultures, and make the most of their short time at university. I caught up with some students taking their year abroad to try and get a feel for what life is really like studying thousands of miles away from friends and family. THOMAS HAWKINS FEATURES EDITOR
FEATURES 13
THE FOUNDER January 31, 2017
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Kyle Hoekstra, Third Year, Concordia University, Canada. Until November I was spending a lot of time dwelling on the whatifs of quitting. Valuable time not occupied by uni work was becoming predictable and boring, and I remember reading a satirical blog “10 reasons you should NOT come to Montreal” and I agreed without humour to half of them. But while Montreal’s winter (and, by the way, the Metro etiquette) leave a lot to be desired, my real issue has been in making lasting companions. We all sort of think we have an innate way of making friends, maybe because we have in the past led fairly successful social lives, but this assumption makes the failure to make those connections almost crushing. I know that I haven't tried as hard as I could have: when it comes to it, I'm not assailed by panic when I'm staying in with flatmates, so I decide not to go to that Meet & Greet where the thought of mingling makes me slightly nauseous. The rhythm of life becomes a sad one of film consumption and whatever thin satisfaction is offered by the internet. Coming back in January, I look back at my Fall term partly with disappointment. While I’ve seen the city - and Burlington, and Boston too - I feel like I haven’t really engaged with it. But I’m not deterred. I’ve met some really interesting people already and there are loads of opportunities to meet more. A few times I’ve been charged with a childish thrill, grabbed my camera and vanished into quiet streets masked by untrodden snow. Other times I’ve cried with despair having lost feeling in my fingers and wished that I had gone to New Zealand so that I could go lie on a beach. The real lesson is learning not to give a s**t; shamelessly tagging along when necessary and rising to the gruelling challenge of participation. [Taken from Kyle’s full article, soon to be available on The Founder website] Natal ie Mc Aleer , Seco My fi nd Ye r ar, Un s t sem and c iversi e hallen ster o ty of A and it f stud ges. S lberta 4000 is, but the tudy abroa y abroad h , Can miles ada. a c d s h i b a s l e l o e e away, ften p from n an a nges a t h a r h r inte ome ray ew at t even more hings that is a lot diffhat make i d as the pe of adventu t r m r stress ed wh ake you a erent than so. I’ve lea fect experi es r e b e l n nce, i n e ttle ed ing It h you’re far aw stressed a a short p that being with t as been u tH la p ay fro when he usual H setting wa m ho olloway mne ride me. o ake yo But th I hadn’t m lloway stu tching my u a f ff e r d i n e frien ends like S I was I wou f U r d om ro s n handl ld never be ad trippin yet it felt li ights, espe first year g c e k ple an so much able to at H to the Ro e I was m ially at the carry on c a m one) a d friends a ore than olloway a kie Mount jorly miss beginning i n I n me. M nd way of d I get to thought I d learning ains, takin ng out. g l e c i y t x f class o h e p s uld at I tud eri for turou s and y abroad 8 months ence a cul . I have me can do an es ex tu worth d t th every perience h at was pre re (Canada amazing p e as bee vious little c d ly non efinitely on eye hallen h o -e as ge. penin g, exc xistent to iting, adven -
14 ARTS
THE FOUNDER January 31, 2017
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Art Highlights: Bristol Bristol ranks above London as inspirational city. GEMMA TADMAN ARTS EDITOR
Think about the most inspirational city that you have ever had the pleasure to visit, or, the city that you would most like to visit. What is it about that city that makes it so great? Consider its art scene— street art, schools and galleries; the historical monuments and museums; the availability of performing arts; music and production; and the inspired creativity and romance. I’ll bet you wouldn’t have guessed that Bristol ranked higher than London as one of the world’s most inspirational cities. In fact, Bristol was placed fourth in the 2016 Inspiring Cities Ranking, in a leading survey lead by travel company TravelBird, whilst London didn’t even make it into the top fifteen. Bristol may not be the most obvious of cities to offer such innovation, but it is certainly deserving of its ranking. No other than the famous street artist Banksy was born and bred in Bristol, and marks of his time there are spread across the city. Visitors can go on organised Banksy walking trails, but, you’re sure to come across his masterpieces when exploring the many streets of shops and restaurants. Banksy’s art took over Bristol museum back in 2009, to transform the exhibition space into an eclectic assortment of Unnatural History— his famous sculpture, an Angel Bust with a leaking paint pot atop its head, is still on display today. If street art interests you, take a walk down Nelson
Street. In 2011 the formerly run down area became the world’s largest outdoor art exhibition: See No Evil, including murals from El Mac and Tats Cru. If you want more art, take a trip to Bristol Museum and Art gallery, or, Arnolfini Gallery along the harbourside— where you can experience contemporary exhibitions of art, performance pieces, and even live music acts. If it’s architecture you’re after, walk down to Brandon Hill Nature park and climb the winding steps of Cabot Tower. Built in 1897 to commemorate John Cabot’s discovery of America, the tower is free to enter, and allows spectacular views of the sprawling city. If heights are your thing, make sure to walk along the Clifton Suspension Bridge and cross the Avon Gorge, 75 metres above sea level. I highly recommend sitting on the hill next to Clifton Observatory, where you can take in panoramic views of the bridge in its full enormity. I also recommend taking a trip to one of the local theatre houses. Currently showing at the Wardrobe Theatre is, ‘Rocky: A Horror Show’, a strange but entertaining combination of the 1976 hit film Rocky, and the 1975 musical comedy horror show, The Rocky Horror Picture Show. The performance hits very near the mark, in terms of its jokes and its believability, with transvestite-boxer-aliens from a faraway planet, but it
Bristol ranks as the world's fourth most inspirational city. Photos by Gemma Tadman.
is sure to have you in guffaws of laughter. For those visitors who prefer wide open spaces, just fifteen minutes from the hustle and bustle of the city
centre sits Vassals park. The park offers long walks by the riverside to Snuff Mills and is the great spot for avid fishers. With so much on offer, it is really no wonder that Bristol
welcomes more than 500,000 international tourists a year. Next time you’re thinking of a city visit, why not take a trip to the world’s fourth most inspirational city?
ARTS 15
THE FOUNDER January 31, 2017
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Wolf By Wolf Rewrites Thrilling History
LILIA VARGAS COSTELLO CO-EDITOR
Wolf by Wolf, by Ryan Graudin proves that even history can be rewritten to excite readers, holding them in the highest suspense. In the world Graudin in-
vents, the Nazis have won World War II. They rule their expanding empire alongside their Japanese allies, and have also found success in a medical experiment that allows human beings to change their appearance at will. One subject of this experiment, a Jewish girl called Yael, has escaped and joined the resistance dedicated to brining down the Third Reich. With her practiced ‘skinshifting’ abilities, she is the only one capable of carrying out the plan the resistance has formed to assassinate the Fuhrer. The plot follows the long game assassination attempt Yael is tasked with. To complete her task, Yael must face a grueling motorcycle race, kidnap, sabotage, and the consequences of living with a stolen identity. While these elements
may seem a jarring combination, the amount of research that has gone into the alternate history the book presents succeeds in carrying the initial absurdity. The novel remains clearly set in the 1940’s, and the details of Graudin’s world have been attended to accordingly. Removing the fantasy element apparent in the notion of ‘skinshifting’, the majority of that which takes place can be backed up as potential alternate history. Wolf by Wolf is classified as Young Adult Fiction, but this is as far as it can be placed into any one genre. It is at once Historical Fiction, Action-Adventure, Romance, Dystopia, and Spy Novel. While this eclectic mix, much like the plot, may seem initially off-putting, Graudin picks and chooses the best qualities
of each genre represented to create a complex and multilayered story. Graudin does not shy away from difficult questions and uncomfortable truths. What it means to have no identity, being forced to recognize the humanity of those who benefit from a system of oppression, and dealing with unimaginable loss are all hurdles Graudin’s main character must overcome. The novel also carries the clear markings of your standard page turner. The action is fast paced, the stakes are high, and plot twists appear without fail every few chapters, leading an invested reader into a potentially long night of promising ‘just one more page’. The low point of the novel comes in the final few pages, as after a novel’s worth of rising tension and increas-
ing investment in the main character, the ending is surrounded by a certain disappointment (this of course is not to say that Yael does or does not succeed in her initial goal). It remains that more questions are proposed than are answered, more conflicts set up than are resolved by the last page. This is remedied by the fact that Graudin has recently produced a sequel titled Blood for Blood, now available. As a novel, Wolf by Wolf stands as a strong example of quality Young Adult Fiction, a genre whose legitimacy is often called into question due to its targeted age range. However, as Wolf by Wolf proves, books written for young adults can hold as much depth and originality as any work of adult fiction.
of her drawers were like feathering of soft white down… But her long fair hair was girlish: and girlish, and touched with the wonder of mortal beauty, her face.’ This aesthetic driven, orgasmic epiphany emerges as A Portrait’s most powerful resolution, the protagonist’s flight from faith and his acceptance of creativity and sensuality unfolding at the beginning of the final stages of his spiritual journey. December 29th, 2016 marked the centenary of James Joyce's A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man – a novel often ranked amongst the greatest literary works of the 20th Century, however often overshadowed by Joyce’s landmark work Ulysses. Written in 1916, A Portrait is heavily autobiographical, depicting the childhood and adolescence of Stephen Dedalus and his growth into artistic self-consciousness. It traces
the religious and intellectual awakening of the protagonist and mirrors Joyce’s life - it sees Stephen question and turn against the Catholic Church and Irish Nationalism, culminating in his self-exile from Ireland to Europe. The timelessness of Joyce’s prose is perhaps what makes it so important, one instance being the political-religious debate that still grips Ireland and the solace many find in Joyce’s observations, of which are useful to understanding early Irish national consciousness. Whilst not for the fainthearted, A Portrait’s legacy is what helps to define it as such an important novel, and a must read. Speaking of the influence of A Portrait, Irish poet John Montague said: ‘No one could overestimate the effects of [the book] on later Irish writers … or on the national psyche: many young Irishmen came to painful
consciousness reading those corrosive pages.’ For me, the beauty of Joyce’s first novel comes not only from its powerful disentanglement from country and religion, but from his artistic ability. Joyce’s words mesmerise, drifting from the page and permeating the subconscious. They appear not as ink on a page, but as timeless figures themselves driving the plot. They feel alive, still palpitating and writhing against the weight of structure they urge us to disregard. Ultimately, Joyce was determined to free himself from the restraints of his nationality and language, once stating ‘I cannot express myself in English without enclosing myself in a tradition’. His unique vernacular assists him in these endeavours, and, whilst not as intricate as that developed in Ulysses, guides us from the wide-eyed innocence of tender youth to a Dantean vision
of the eternal and pestilent torments of Hell. Perhaps my love for this novel draws on its timeless boldness in the face of adversity, which resounds more than ever during our time. Joyce wrote: ‘I will not serve that in which I no longer believe, whether it call itself my home, my fatherland, or my church: and I will try to express myself in some mode of life or art as freely as I can and as wholly as I can, using for my defence the only arms I allow myself to use – silence, exile and cunning.’ Through his own journey, Joyce illuminates the necessity of tearing down the shroud which obscures vision. To truly achieve personal transcendence, we may find it necessary to tear away at our language, our ideals and our comforts. Whilst it may be in vain, we quickly learn that the journey to an ending unleashes aeons of beginnings.
James Joyce: One Hundred Years On DANIEL BRADY CO-EDITOR
A fond memory I seem to recall was, when discussing literature, someone telling me that ‘great literature starts with an ending and ends with a beginning’. Whilst I may not agree entirely, there should be no doubt that great literary articles should start with great literature; however, not the ending (fear not: spoilers are the least of your concerns with Joyce). ‘A girl stood before him in midstream, alone and still, gazing out to sea. She seemed like one whom magic had changed into the likeness of a strange and beautiful seabird. Her long slender bare legs were delicate as a cranes and pure, save where an emerald trail of seaweed had fashioned itself as a sign upon the flesh. Her thighs, fuller and soft hued as ivory, were bared almost to the hips, where the white fringes
16 ARTS: FILM [Review]
ROGUE ONE:
THE FOUNDER January 31, 2017
Email the editor at film@thefounder.co.uk
Rating:
Saving Private Erso
Photo via http://www.indiewire.com/wp-content//rogue-one-jyn-ersa-geared-up.
HARRISON MAJITHIA STUDENT WRITER
The arrival of Rogue One heralded the true beginning of Disney's Star Wars Empire. Ironic, considering the film is about rebellion. Yes, The Force Awakens was Disney's first Star Wars film, but Rogue One shows us what we can expect from Disney from now until...well, forever, according to company executives. Even once Episode IX is a distant memory, we'll still be getting spinoffs and - I dread to say it - prequels. But was Rogue One the spinoff/prequel it needed to be to justify an infinite number of other films set in a galaxy far, far away? Well, yes and no. The ‘Star Wars Effect’ - a term I just came up with - is evident in this film as it was in every Star Wars film since 1999. That is to say, we all expect it to totally blow us away that when we come out of the cinema, we think it's the greatest Star Wars we've ever seen. Nothing comes close. Look up audience reactions to The Phantom Menace after a preview screening: I apologise in advance for the pain. So, suffice to say that my immediate reaction was to say that Rogue One was the best film since Empire. With a little time and thought, however, I would be more inclined to say that Rogue One is a film that hits the right notes, but isn't as daring or special as it could have been. Set before A New Hope, Rogue One follows what can only be described as a team of misfits as they steal the Death Star plans for the Rebellion.
As far as story is concerned, there's not much suspense here. We know that they will be successful in their mission. We know that something will happen to all the characters introduced to explain their lack of involvement in the subsequent films, and we know that, whatever happens, the word 'hope' will be spoken at least thirty times. So, why even bother making it? Because, at its core, Rogue One is a war film. Gone are the typical elements of the Star Wars films, with lightsabers and the Skywalker family dramas taking a backseat to what arguably matters more - those actually fighting. Thanks to Gareth Edwards' predisposition towards handheld, we become very involved in the battles between the Rebellion and the Empire, with 'shaky-cam' surprisingly being used effectively to convey moments of desperation and urgency, while the camera is locked down in scenes which are predominantly Empire-oriented. Perhaps we were too harsh on Edwards for Godzilla, as it's clear that the focus of his films is first hand, that of the people. But that doesn't mean that there isn't room for a number of spectacular set-pieces. The final quarter, as expected, is packed with explosive moments and compelling action, though the frequent attempts to make it seem as if they might not get the plans fall flat for obvious reasons. Our band of Rebels is brilliantly
varied, with each member having a distinct identity - for the most part. Jyn, the leader of the Rogue One team, begins as a jaded scoundrel akin to Han Solo, but ends up ready to die for the Rebellion and bring 'hope'. In fact, most of her character in the latter half is based around 'hope.' This change in character is somewhat unprecedented, however, as she seems to almost immediately trust the Resistance and is all too ready to lead them when just fifteen minutes before she was proclaiming her desire to be totally uninvolved. The same issue arises with Cassian, who is initially prepared to do whatever it takes to take down the Empire, but by the end is all too willing to follow Jyn's plans to the letter. Obviously, there are cameos, but they are evenly spaced out and don't distract from the main action of the film. Except Peter Cushing's terrifying CGI flesh-puppet. Yes, they brought the late Peter Cushing back with CGI to reprise his role as Grand Moff Tarkin and it is unnerving. On the other hand, Darth Vader isn't overused and his last scene is definitely one of the coolest in Star Wars history. More of that please, Disney. With its immense set pieces, but relatively straightforward plot which sometimes lacks, Rogue One is a Summer Blockbuster wearing a heavy winter coat. A solid entry to the Star Wars franchise and a compelling enough popcornmuncher.
Film Heaven and Movie Hell: The Marriage JACOB JEWITT-JALLAND STUDENT WRITER
I am often called pretentious, perhaps because I tend to snigger a little derisively when somebody mispronounces ‘meatball marinara’ and places me in their mind in a deep trench in the Western Pacific. Mainly, however, it is because of my attitude to films; people usually incorporate into their slurs the fact that I have vowed never to watch The Shawshank Redemption, have never seen anything by John Woo, and I have made a point of ‘unfriending’ anyone who has seen a film adapted from a John Greene novel (and I don’t mean ‘unfriending’ on Facebook, I mean driving them out to a remote area of the woods and abandoning them for good). For a while this never bothered me, I had my high horse to ride around on and a cache of Terrence Malick films to keep me company. However, recently it has been distressing me. For one it has made my weekly walks in the woods incredibly awkward and perilous, but it has also made me think that my definition of good cinema is potentially skewed. Historically speaking, cinema has often been populist,
and its greatness is rooted in that inclusive experience of enjoying a piece of entertaining art in a theatre full of people. Recently, however, the modern blockbuster has become so populist that it has misplaced art in favour of Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson and this has, in my opinion, led to its sinking quality (pun very much intended here). The string of entertaining and well-made superhero films, while being far too formulaic in general, do prove that good popular cinema still exists. People will still gather together and watch blockbusters with the loud laughs and hushed screams that make the cinema such a special place, and the most important thing is that these films are definitively good. They have star power, they are wittily written, their special effects are excellent (if a little bombastic), and they are, at their heart, just good fun. In theory, a film does not need to be fun to be good, but it does need to be fun to be enjoyable. For example, I did not ‘enjoy’ Only God Forgives, but I still consider it one of the greatest pieces of cinema in modern history. Whereas, I did enjoy Piranha 3DD even though it is clearly one of the most shambolic pieces of film since I had to sit
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ARTS: FILM 17
[Review]
The Supremacy Of Silence
An analysis of Scorsese's latest masterpiece. JACK SALVADORI STUDENT WRITER
Sometimes, silence can be the most powerful scream. This is the case for Martin Scorsese’s latest motion picture, in which silence figuratively expresses the real essence of the film. Developing this project in his mind for over 25 years, the legendary director has recently released what I consider to be his most powerful, self-reflective, and personal masterpiece: Silence. Behind the extensively protracted production of this movie lies Scorsese’s reluctance in embracing such an influential story – an outright spiritual journey. Raised in a strictly catholic environment, the iconic American director always had a special reverence towards religion, humbly asserting it in the majority of his works, from Mean Streets (1977) to The Last Temptation of Christ (1988). However, in Silence, the director does not employ faith to enrich the allusions and implications of his films, but rather he openly questions it, in a way that could seem disrespectful and hypocritical towards his mystical belief. One of the main characteristics of the film is its lack of soundtrack, echoing the title’s significance. A cinematic silence that unequivocally joins and mirrors the main theme of the motion picture: the silence left by God. A silence that Father Rodrigues, a young 17th century Jesuit priest sent to Japan in search for his mentor, struggles with, and refuses to accept. Alternating astonishing exotic panoramas to harsh, violent
torture sequences, the movie indulges in deep philosophical reflections about the figure of God, his indifference towards human beings, and his diversity among other cultures¬; a God that assumes many shapes, that embodies the concepts of vanity, of redemption, of sacrifice and of salvation, while manifesting his omnipotence through the perpetuating silence. Father Rodrigues identifies himself with Jesus Christ because of the agony that they both had to suffer in their lives in order to spread the Christian faith, resulting in a form of narcissism. At the same time, the Japanese people that embrace the Catholicism brought by the missionaries, are actually gripping to their only glimpse of hope, merely conceiving God as a material advantage rather than a spiritual entity. Therefore, Silence, rather than being a film questioning religion, is more a reflection upon the human interpretations of it. It traces the steps of Apocalypse Now (1979), presenting a ‘soldier’ in a hostile Asiatic location in search of an obscure mentor who has abandoned his ideology, embracing the enemy’s, and constructing a mystical aura around his persona. The ‘colonel Kurtz’ of Silence is Father Ferreira, played by a charming Liam Neeson, a disenchanted priest that apostatised in favour of Buddhism. For Rodrigues, Ferreira used to be a pillar, the personification of faith, and his apostasy inevitably crumbles the young priest’s belief. Scorsese’s choice of casting Neeson is not casual, of course, because during his career, the
actor has already portrayed the figure of a strong, righteous priest, both in Scorsese’s Gangs of New York (2002) and in Mission (1986), as a missionary who prefers to die rather than renounce to God. Therefore, Scorsese was confident that Neeson would have been a familiar, ‘trusted’ priest for the majority of the viewers. Just as Sergio Leone did in Once Upon a Time in the West (1968) with actor Henry Fonda, Scorsese reversed the archetype, from positive to negative, from staunch to unfaithful, generating a sense of confusion in the audience, that parallels Father Rodrigues’ chaotic uncertainties. Another interesting characteristic to consider is that Silence follows what I like to call the ‘Scorsese pattern’: a very detailed, slow opening, that in its greatness does not necessarily drive the plot forward, focusing more on shaping the characters, and an extremely quick ending that summarizes lengthy periods of time, often several years, in a few minutes. Moreover, the protagonist starts from nothing, throughout the film he reaches his peak, and then he dramatically falls down, in an unsatisfying dissolution. This pattern can be seen in most of the director’s films, such as Goodfellas, Raging Bull, The Wolf of Wall Street and Casino. In the end, the disenchanted protagonists don’t necessarily lose everything, but they are far from the pedestal where they used to reside, now nostalgically conformed to normality. In my opinion, Silence deserves to be remembered among Scorsese’s greatest ac-
Photo via https://i0.wp.com/media2.slashfilm.com/Silence-poster.
complishments. In this occasion, he exploits cinema to explore his intimate inquietudes on religion, and if Scorsese
Rating:
considers cinema sacred, almost a religion itself, he definitively managed to became the patron saint of it.
18 ARTS: FILM
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Forrest Gump: A Timeless Film
from page 16
CASSANDRA LAU STUDENT WRITER
One of America’s greatest films was released when director Robert Zemeckis turned the then less popular novel, Forrest Gump (1986) written by Winston Groom, into a comedy-drama film starring Tom Hanks, Robin Wrights, Gary Sinise, and Sally Field. It is undoubtedly an incredibly bittersweet and heartgripping film, where one can at many times relate to Forrest, and sympathise with him. However, the Academy Award winning film is not only considered one of the greatest for the emotions evoked, but the emotion that is provoked by its truthful portrayal of society. Forrest Gump is a film that only becomes more and more significant, and tear-inducing, as you grow up. Just like the tragic death of Simba’s father in Disney’s film The Lion King (which was released the same year), Forrest becomes more than just the sweet and loveable, chocolate-offering storyteller that sits at a bus stop in Savannah, telling strangers about his life. Rather, Forrest becomes a symbol of all the principles that the founding fathers of America built their country upon, and to a certain extent, a reflection of ourselves. Forrest Gump is about the rediscovery of lost innocence in a politically-troubled America. Forrest is as honest as he is sincere, and his childlike naivety and virtue blur the violence and political disagreement among opposing social, racial, and gender groups. This notion is especially seen when he returns from Vietnam, receiving the medal of honour whilst completely oblivious to the ongoing anti-war protests. In the scene
Continued
Photo via https://501mustseemoviesproject.files.wordpress.com/2013/06/forrest_gump_w1.
where activist Abbie Hoffman invites Forrest to discuss the war in Vietnam amongst thousands of spectators, ‘there was only one thing [Forrest] could say about the war in Vietnam’ - ‘I lost my best good friend Bubba in Vietnam.’ Despite Forrest’s unprofessional and inconsequential answer, his truthfulness dismisses all political meaning, dissolving all the conflicting debates and unrest into something pure and innocent: love and friendship. Forrest Gump furthermore is about living the simple life. Forrest as a character does not ask for much, unlike Jenny who is constantly unsatisfied: ‘I want to be famous. I want to be a singer like Joan Baez.’ Forrest conversely gains both fortune and fame without setting out to, but out of his own integrity, (‘I made me a promise to Bubba in Vietnam’) and love. In fact, he is entirely oblivious of his achievements: ‘College ran by real fast ’cause I played so much football. They even put me on a thing called the all-America team where you get to meet the President
of the United States.’ In the scene meeting Kennedy, the only appealing thing to Forrest was ‘the food … they was free, I must have drank me about fifteen Dr. Peppers’, insofar the only thing he could utter to Kennedy was, ‘I gotta pee.’ For Forrest, the only reason he gets where he is by listening to his Mama, Jenny, Bubba, and Lieutenant Dan. His absolute honesty and disregard for success make him more loveable than frustrating, especially for a capitalist and materialist audience, suggesting perhaps there is more to life than the tactile possession of valueless ‘things’. Finally, Forrest Gump is about hope, the unrequited dream of being who you want to be through hard work. It is difficult not to admire Mrs. Gump and her unrelenting belief in her son: ‘What’s normal anyways?’ she questions, challenging the socially constructed definition of a ‘normal level of IQ’. She also teaches Forrest, ‘Don’t ever let anybody tell you they’re better than you, Forrest. If God intended everybody to be the same, he’d have
given us all braces on our legs.’ Besides her, every other character questions Forrest’s ability: ‘Are you stupid of something?’ asks a young Jenny, or, alternatively, Bubba’s mom asks, ‘Are you crazy or just playing stupid?’, to which he responds, ‘Stupid is as stupid does.’ Forrest shows us a person’s actions inform you more about them than appearance, as ‘[He] gave Bubba’s momma Bubba’s share’- enough to prove her wrong about Forrest. Ultimately, he surprises everyone and brings hope into other people’s lives, especially that of Lieutenant Dan’s. Forrest Gump as a masterpiece of cinema utilises emotion to convey problematic issues that are concealed and etched into society. In short, Forrest represents society stripped down to its very naked core where innocence and goodness flourishes, where materialism and egocentrism dissolve into the unreachable, where fortune and time are made insignificant, because, in hindsight, all are insubstantial in comparison to love, humanitarianism and friendship.
through my great-uncle’s video-tour of his trip to a Butlin’s in Minehead (he had filmed it on the smartphone we bought him for Christmas, but he had forgotten to flip the camera, meaning it was three hours of staring up his nose. Arguably, it was still better than The Fault In Our Stars, though). The joy we feel when we watch a film is key, I think, to its integral quality: the marriage of the enjoyment of the audience and the artistry from the film-makers is paramount. The films of Steven Spielberg often demonstrate this relationship perfectly: Jaws, Jurassic Park, and E.T. would be the three I would name as a cluster of the greatest pieces of cinema of all time, simply for their perfect balance of populism and artistry. This means the films can run the gamut of emotions for two hours and leave you with a big stupid grin on your face when the credits roll. Misjudge the marriage and leave out the populist element, however, and the few audience members that do attend will leave the cinema looking like the England football team after that Euros exit, with the overwhelming desire to lie down in a dark corner and cry. Evaluating this balance in my mind has made me more open in my opinions of films, but I am stubborn deep down - I will stick to my Shawshank fast and rather than going to the cinema full of thirteenyear-olds that intimidate me, I will strike the balance myself another way, by watching the Romanian abortion film 4 Months, 3 Weeks, 2 Days whilst listening to The Killers.
THE FOUNDER January 31, 2017
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[Column]
Party DJ THAT ONE DEAF MUSIC CRITIC
I’m terrible at parties. Well, rather, I’m terrible at parties when I’ve given a certain responsibility: the music. You would think, perhaps, that it would come easily to me. I’m a music kind of guy. I spend most of my time listening to music, and a fair portion of my time reading and writing about it as well. But put me on the spot at a party by giving me the aux cord of the Bluetooth-connected phone and I will inevitably manage to play ten songs in two minutes, annoy half the crowd, and then give up and either put on some 90’s sing-along YouTube playlist, or put on ‘Sexual’ by NEIKED and hand off the phone to someone else. This is not to say that I don’t know any party songs or listen to any party song, though the argument could be made that referring to them as ‘party’ song means I probably don’t, it’s just that when you’re put on the spot you forget everything. Comedian Billy Eichner has a show on website Funny or Die and TV channel TruTV, called Billy On the Street. In the show he shouts questions at random people in New York City; his over-enthusiastic, exasperatedly sarcastic tone at once upsetting and stunning the recipients of such simple questions and requests as ‘name a skin color’, ‘name three white people’, and ‘children’s TV show or musician?’ Eichner’s show functions at times as a vehicle of silliness, and at other times as an attempt to draw attention to racial issues in pop culture, and especially Hollywood, but
ARTS: MUSIC 19
The Year Ahead In Albums 2017 is the year of unknowns. 2017 is the year of the whispered about album releases with no names. 2017 is the year that doesn’t even have working titles for upcoming albums from some of the biggest stars in the music industry. 2017 kicked off with the release of The xx’s heavilyanticipated new album, ‘I See You’, but is a year that contains within it huge numbers of albums with anticipation that threatens to eclipse the albums themselves. It’s a year in which we’re no longer hoping and dreaming for the new Frank Ocean/Kanye West/Bon Iver/The 1975/Beyoncé/James Blake/Blink 182/Drake/Radiohead album to finally come out. It’s a year of new, and sometimes carried over, anticipations. Here are the albums, in polled order, that the writers of The Founder’s music section are most looking forward to, with what we know about them so far. Gorillaz – TBD We’ve been waiting for it since their last album, 2010’s ‘The Fall’ and, apparently, they’ve been recording this one since 2015. Damon Albarn has stated that it will be quite different to his solo album, ‘Everyday Robots’ with more energy and speed. In an interview with website Exclaim, he said ‘I will try to set myself the benchmark of 125 bpm and nothing underneath that.’
An avid fan of music, climbing, and editing Wikipedia articles about soy bean varieties, That One Deaf Music Critic, Sam to those who know him, can be reached for bookings at Samuel.Barker.2013@live. rhul.ac.uk always through the lens of inyour-face questioning. Eichner skillfully capitalizes on the fact that, in stressful situations, when asked to immediately come up with an answer to, or example of, something, our brains seem to freeze. Well put a phone or laptop in my hand and tell me to pick a song for the party and you might as well be Billy Eichner screaming ‘what? are you crazy?’ after every possible song choice that runs through my head. All that said, there’s something pretty brilliant about picking that one song that everyone vibes to, regardless of whether or not they know it, and locking right in to the mood of the party. Insert paraphrased ‘Rock DJ’ lyric here for cute, yet eyerolling, ending.
Kanye West – Turbo Grafx 16 West has, in his own words, been ‘on some super nerd vibes’ and this is apparent in the name of West’s next album – a turbo grafx 16 being a home video game console released in the late 1980’s as a competitor for the Sega Genesis and the SNES. Details are contradictory and sparse, but most seem to agree that each track will be influenced by, or sample, a different video game. MGMT – TBD Having teased the new album for a 2016 release, MGMT apparently had to push back the release date, and will instead ‘re-dominate your mind hole in *2017.’ Details are otherwise few and far between, with Mac DeMarco amongst the potential collaborators. The Shins – TBD Our trusted source says the following: ‘I think the Shins are doing a new album, and they’re kinda dope.’ – Ned Sanders, occasional contributor
Royal Blood – TBD Recorded, at least partially, in a makeshift studio in the back of their tour bus, Royal Blood released a trailer for the album in December.
Ed Sheeran - ÷ (out on March 3rd) The only album with a concrete release date already, Ed’s already released two singles, and at the time of writing this, they hold the top two positions on the chart. Justin Bieber’s ‘Love Yourself ’ was originally written for the album, but given away because it wouldn’t have made it on to the album (suggesting the other songs are better perhaps?). The Arctic Monkeys – TBD They’ve been spotted together in their hometown, striking up the rumour mill. Apparently, they’re just taking a break - but we can hope otherwise.
20 ARTS: MUSIC The Vinyl Resurgence CHARLIE CATMULL STUDENT WRITER
For the first time ever in the UK, on Monday 28th Nov. 2016, vinyl sales outsold digital music sales, and this got me thinking: is vinyl here to stay? Or is this simply a peak as it becomes a routine Christmas gift? (an alternative to the classic socks, or Lynx Africa gift set). For a long time, vinyl was pretty much a non-contender, with no new albums on vinyl and big entertainment retailers such as HMV not stocking it – in contrast to even Tesco (!) stocking it now. In the mid-noughties music downloads became the primary form of consumption, taking over from CD as consumers became realised how quickly, cheaply, and easily they could digest,
and excrete, their music of choice. Does the change of fate for vinyl in recent years, overcoming even the digital download, signify a shift in what the consumer wants and looks for when deciding how they own music? Instead of an exchange of bytes, people now seem to want the physical object to hold. Perhaps this newfound attraction to the old format can be attributed to the artwork on the LP cover, and the ability to display the objects. Perhaps it’s the simple nostalgia experienced by those who experienced vinyl's first dominance, and those enjoying the knowledge that they are experiencing music in its original sale format. These positives, however, don’t necessarily define vinyl as a format that is here to stay. I may own a few albums on vinyl myself, but the
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downfalls that will prevent it from reaching past popularity are clear: these include the cost, with newer LPs costing from £15 to £20, the equipment needed to play, such as the turntable, amp, pre-amp, speakers, and needles, all in addition to the lack of portability. Carrying around a 12" collection just isn’t possible, sadly enough for the vinyl start-up investing hipsters. Music downloads and, to some degree CD's, will continue to be most people's favourite format. Walking is always going to be better with that perfect soundtrack in your ears, impossible with vinyl. But for true vinyl enthusiasts, there is a lot of reward – the sound quality compared to the compression of mp3's is a huge improvement and about as close to the real thing as you can get, the sound
Photo via http://static6.uk.businessinsider.com/image/56072792d d089593038b4722-1333/vinyl-record-player.jpg
waves literally engraved into that sweet black plastic. I could go on, but The Founder is sadly not a novel. Vinyl will always be the go-to format for audiophiles looking for something more human and physical than the download. These people will always keep vinyl sales alive,
especially with a new generation introduced to them by the current buzz. And, of course, there will always be those who view vinyl as a novelty due to its downfalls in this modern age. But, really, the sheer availability and variability of music is a beautiful thing for all of us.
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ARTS: MUSIC 21
[Review]
[Review]
Molotov Jukebox: Live
NAO: LIVE Photo via http://saintheron.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/ nao_badblood_00-1.jpg
FRANCESCA MUDANNAYAKE STUDENT WRITER
Out of the nominees this year for the BRIT Award for Best British Female Solo Artist, two musicians stand out. NAO and Anohni both released albums that were not only critically acclaimed, but shook the very foundations of their genre. Anohni created the perfect protest record, one that encapsulated political and environmental issues. NAO (aka Neo Jessica Joshua) took an introspective route, preferring to examine her relationships with her own brand of ‘wonky funk’. The results are divine and were on display at her recent headline show in London. There’s not much you can do in terms of set design for the 02 Shepherd’s Bush stage, but that didn’t faze NAO, who held her own for the best part of 2 hours. With fluttery vocals that swoop up and down the scales, the angelic ‘Intro (Like Velvet)’ filtered into the 80s synth tune ‘Happy’. Harnessing the crowd’s appetite for RnB, NAO injected random covers into her songs like Justin Timberlake’s ‘Senorita’. The results made for an interesting contrast between the RnB of yesteryear and the genre’s current renaissance. NAO just happens to be one of the faces of this renaissance and her performance made it clear why she has been so suc-
cessful. Unlike BANKS or The Weeknd who manage to create spaces of isolation in their music that often seem uninviting, there is something about NAO’s production that asks you to take solace within it. For example, her most revealing tune ‘In The Morning’ catalogues her inability to break up with a lover. Shrouded in dark synths and harmonies, NAO draws people in with her soft voice. The tune plays out perfectly onstage but it is the huge climax (accompanied by a flash of blinding white light) that takes people by surprise. Her haunting vocals binds the performance together and one can’t help but be entranced and taken in by the song. The heavier moments of the show are balanced out with other upbeat tunes in her catalogue including the infectious ‘Fool to Love’ and ‘We Don’t Give A’. But what really connects this entire performance is NAO herself: confident, bold, but blessed with a humble attitude, as evidenced by her onstage banter between songs. The show finished off with her two biggest singles to date - ‘Firefly’ (her collaboration with Mura Musa), and ‘Bad Blood’ each delivered with a fire and passion that the audience could grab on to. It was an electrifying gig and there simply can be no way but up for NAO as a musician.
Photo via http://emergingindiebands.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/Molotov-Jukebox.jpg
PAIGE MCCULLOCH STUDENT WRITER
It’s hard to describe the energy of a Molotov Jukebox gig. I don’t even know if gig is the right way to describe it, as its quite unlike any I’ve been to. The band somehow transformed what was the upstairs portion of an, admittedly, hipster bar in Hackney into a nautical-themed house party. Each song from Molotov Jukebox’s latest album, Tropical Gypsy, invites you to dance. The combination of swing, Latin soul, and, of course, gypsy music ensured that it was not just the audience that were dancing, but also Natalia Tena, Sam Apley, and their flamboyant group, all of them enjoying the night just as much as we did. The evening started off with their phenomenally talented opening act, The
Beat-boxing Hobbit, until the band themselves came out on stage wearing some of the most ridiculous and fun costumes I’ve ever seen. Apley was wearing an enviable pair of gold-sequined dungarees, and Natalia wore a crown with orange and blue spirals bouncing everywhere as she juggled her roles as accordion player and band frontwoman. The band gave out prizes for the best costumes and one lucky woman, dressed as Ariel, won a signed inflatable flamingo. Probably the most memorable point, however, was when they threw out handfuls of travel-sized Vegemite™ and small containers of rum so that the audience could drink with the band – the rum, not the Vegemite™. It seemed as though everyone at the gig knew about the nautical dress theme apart
from me. From the looks of things everyone there was a die-hard fan of the band, going off their knowledge of the words to all the songs, and all the dance moves – apparently putting your hands on the floor and wiggling your arse in the air is something they do at every gig. I could only really join in with one song, the only song I had obsessively listened to on repeat before the gig, ‘Pineapple Girl’, but with this band I didn’t feel the need to know all of their music. They made us dance and laugh throughout the evening. They hid toy sharks in their underwear and threw out wigs to bald men. The energy and passion of these artists was obvious in the performance, just as it is in their music. Ultimately, it was more of a party than a gig. A party with a whole bunch of strangers.
22 SPORTS
THE FOUNDER January 31, 2017
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[Spotlight]
Meet The Captain: Royal Holloway Swimming
[Alumni Spotlight]
RHUL Alumnus Wins at BBC Sports Personality Awards ELIZABETH SILVERBERG SPORTS EDITOR SUZANNAH BALL DEPUTY NEWS EDITOR
Photo courtesy of Imogen Brown. ELIZABETH SILVERBERG SPORTS EDITOR
Name and Year: Imogen Brown, Third Year History Student. How was last year for your sport at Royal Holloway? Swimming had a fantastic year off the back of winning RHUL Club of the Year 2014/15. We continued to grow exponentially as a club, sent an envoy to climb Mount Kilimanjaro, completed many charitable projects raising over £8,000 for RAG and excelled in the pool too! What are you aiming for this year? This year as Women's captain I aim to increase opportunities both in the pool and out. I intend to make competing as inclusive as possible, encouraging swimmers who wouldn't usually compete to get involved by organising
ble club that offers something for all abilities of swimmer, whether that be competing at a national level, or learning to swim as a beginner. We also organise some great socials where we frequent the delights of Egham and beyond, whether that be a trip to Kaspas or a pub crawl followed by a night of dancing at the SU! We try and challenge ourselves to be bigger and better every year, so far we have sent a team to swim the channel and this year we What would you say is hope to top that! the best thing about sport at Royal Holloway? What is the best/funniThe best thing about sport at est thing that has hapRoyal Holloway is that it is so pened to you while playaccessible. Social leagues and ing at university? the Royal Holloway active Weekend trips to Sheffield programme make it easy to for the bi-annual BUCS comaccess a huge variety of dif- petitions definitely provide ferent sports! It gets better some of the best memories from swimming at Royal every year. Holloway. Some great moWhat do any new mem- ments include being a part of bers have to look for- the team that achieved a new ward to when they join? record for the girl’s medley New members can look for- relay team during my first ward to a friendly and socia- year at BUCS in Sheffield. friendly competitions with Surrey and Kingston universities. I also intend to ensure we maintain our place in the ULU division. I also want to arrange a 'Swimming the Solent' event where we would all swim across to the Isle of Wight. Lastly, I wish to continue the annual Pentathlon event with other clubs on campus: Archery, Riding, Fencing and Athletics, as the launch of this was a huge success last year.
Sophie Christiansen OBE, Paralympic Gold Medallist and Royal Holloway Alumni, was listed as the top female athlete and Paralympian at BBC Sports Personality of the Year – coming fifth overall. She has taken part in four Paralympic games, being only 16 during summer 2004, making her the youngest athlete taking part in the Paralympics. She has won eight gold medals and continues to hold the number one ranking for Paralympic equestrians. Christiansen attended Royal Holloway and graduated with a first-class Masters Degree in Mathematics in 2011. In 2016 she returned to the university to give a talk, which was organised by Royal Holloway’s Horse Riding society, to discuss her experience as a horse enthusiast and Paralympian. Esme Crang, Royal Holloway Riding’s President, commented on her involvement with the club: ‘Sophie was kind enough to come in and give us a talk about her Riding career which gave us a lot to think about in regard to how we could make the club more accessible. To then see Sophie nominated for Sports Personality of the Year was amazing as she is such an inspirational figure.’
The award celebrates her success as not only an athlete but also as a spokesperson for people with disabilities. Christiansen was born with quadriplegic cerebral palsy and is in the category for the most severely impaired in the Paralympic Dressage, Grade 1a. Her determination and ability to succeed inspire many. There was no surprise that British tennis superstar Andy Murray claimed Sports Personality of the Year, taking into account all his achievements in 2016. These include becoming second time Wimbledon champion in June, defending his Olympic title in Rio in August and then replacing Novak Djokovic as world number one. The ceremony also highlighted the varied success of other athletes. Young Sports Personality of the Year went the Paralympic swimmer Ellie Robinson, who at the age of 15 claimed gold in the S6 50m butterfly final, making a Games record in Rio. The Lifetime Achievement award went to the record-breaking American swimmer Michael Phelps, 31, who won his 23rd Olympic gold medal in his final Games in Rio in August. With Olympians dominating the winners and nominees for many of the categories during the 2016 competition, we cannot forget the success of the underdogs in the Premier League, Leicester City. Winning Team of the Year, Leicester City shocked everyone winning the Premier League last season, and so rightly deserved this win.
SPORTS 23
THE FOUNDER January 31, 2017
Email the editor at sports@thefounder.co.uk
[Spotlight]
Meet The Captain:
Mountaneering and Climbing
RHUL BUCS/LUSL Scores This month saw the start of BUCS for Royal Holloway. This season (2016-17) we have entered 66 teams into the BUCS league. In each monthly issue there will be an overview of the results for the Bears. Fencing Portsmouth Men’s 1 st 90 – 135 RHUL Men’s 2 nd Football St Mary’s (Men’s) 2 nd 3 – 3 RHUL Men’s 1 st Brunel Men’s 5 th 3 – 2 RHUL Men’s 3 rd Hockey Portsmouth Women’s 4 th 0 – 20 RHUL Women’s 2 nd Lacrosse
Photo courtesy of Eamonn Freyne. LILIA VARGAS COSTELLO CO-EDITOR
which has been a great thing to achieve.
Name and Year: Eamonn What would you say is Freyne, Third Year History the best thing about and International Relations sport at Royal Holloway? Student. That you always know you’re How was last year for guaranteed to get funding for your sport at Royal Hol vital equipment (equipment that is required to prevent the lowly? We went on three outdoor loss of life) from the SU, who trips which was really good. are really helpful! That was more than any previous year; normally we only What do any new memdo one or even two, so it was bers have to look forgreat to go out to North Wales ward to when they join? or different parts of the UK. First, weekend trips across Then at the annual summer all of the UK. We get to go to trip in June we had an amaz- places like North Wales, Yorking time in Kalymnos. We shire, and Kent to name a few, also competed in the four and we have hands down the indoor London based climb- best holiday of any club on ing competitions and did well campus. Its two weeks in the against very steep competi- Mediterranean, both a sport tion from the bigger London and sun holiday. You also get to join one of the most laidUniversities. back clubs on campus, no preWhat are you aiming for vious experience required. this year? To keep everybody alive! Oth- What is the best/funnierwise to go on another three est thing at that has hapoutdoor trips and go to a new pened to you while playdestination in the Mediter- ing at university? ranean for the summer trip. Deep water soloing in the Usually we go to Greece or Med., which is when you’re Sardinia, but this year we're climbing a cliff face from out looking at new destinations. of the water, so every time you We’ve got a lot more fresh- fall you just fall into the nice ers compared to previous warm sea. That, or making years, so the club is in a much our VP twerk on stage at the stronger position than before, SU in front of 500 people.
RHUL Women’s 1 st 7 – 9 Portsmouth Women’s 1 st Netball RHUL 3 rd (LUSL) 46 – 22 St Bart’s & Royal 3 rd (LUSL) Tennis RHUL Women’s 1 st 12 – 0 East London Women’s
RHUL Alumni Sports Day ELIZABETH SILVERBERG SPORTS EDITOR
Saturday the 14th of January saw students and alumni take part in the 10th Alumni Sports Day at Royal Holloway. We welcomed back over 200 alumni to participate in matches against current students in 16 sports, including badminton, football, hockey, lacrosse and rugby, with the ultimate goal being to win the Hancock Cup. The students retained the Hancock Cup, which was presented by alumnus and Honorary Fellow Dr Richard Hancock to Co-President, Sports and Development, Steff Milne. Royal Holloway students retained the cup after beating the alumni for
Photo courtesy of Royal Holloway Sport.
the second year in a row, 9-7. The students managed to be victorious in Basketball (Men’s and Women’s), Volleyball, Rugby (Men’s), Hockey, Swimming, Netball, Football (Men’s) and Lacrosse. Meanwhile, the Alumni won matches in Badminton, Rugby (Women’s), Fencing, Tennis, Football
(Women’s), American Football and Table Tennis. It’s not surprising that the result was so close due to the many talented sports stars who are included in Royal Holloway’s Alumni teams. Such stars include the Paralympian Sophie Christiansen and Olympian Jessica Eddie.
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