Issue 79 - November

THE

MAGDALEN DUNDEE’S FREE STUDENT MAGAZINE / NOVEMBER 2019

50 YEARS ON How the Dundee University Students’ Association began to shape the highest ranking student experience.

SPARK UP The Magdalen Lifestyle Editor’s take on what lifestyle means, the challenges Dundee faces, and how labels affect us.

LIGHT UP

FIND US ONLINE

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@THEMAGDALENMAG

GET IN TOUCH AT EDITOR.IN.CHIEF@DUSAMEDIA.COM

MESSAGE FROM YOUR EDITOR IN CHIEF

MESSAGE FROM YOUR CREATIVE DIRECTORS

During our DUSA Media Week presentation, I was asked what in my mind is the main thing that makes the magazine so worth it. Without a doubt, it is the people. This year’s hands down brilliant Magdalen team, as well as our wider contributors. You, the readers, whom it’s beyond rewarding to see picking up copies fresh from the stands or flicking through the most recent issue when you unknowingly wait in front of us in the Liar coffee queue. But just as much, all the people behind each and every individual story. All articles we receive have a unique background and tell the stories of many different people, sometimes between the lines.

Welcome to the November issue of The Magdalen! This month we are beginning to get excited for all things autumn; crisp leaves, hot chocolate and cosy scarves are on the agenda.

This November, with our third issue, we hope to tell some of those stories. Creative Writing extended Section is one example of the storytelling nature within us, but you can find stories even in our fashion trends examination, consumerist production of technology in Science + Tech, as well as you’ll learn to understand the human nature behind rugby a little better this month. And with a bit of a hysterical laugh, we recall the tale of Brexit, at the time of writing these pieces yet wholly uncertain of all anticipated plot-twists.

Before I let you dive in, I would like to reiterate my sincere apology to the few affected by a mistake in crediting work in our last issue. Although corrections have been made, it was a very unfortunate fault on our side which we didn’t want to leave unacknowledged in print.

Now please, go ahead and enjoy this copy which yet again feels surreal that it has come together the way it has. Thank you to everyone involved and thank you to all of you reading this. I hope a cosy read with a cup of coffee keeps you warm this November!

Barbara Mertlova

Inside this month’s edition we have plenty of things to keep you occupied, whether it be trying out the sunset stir-fry on page 58 or having a read at our amazing Creative Writing section.

We enjoyed a trip to Glenrothes for a writing retreat with some of our creative writers last month which inspired us to experiment with our creativity in a different way. As December gets closer we are working hard to meet those deadlines with dissertations and other projects beginning to come together.

As Bonfire Night approaches, we are looking forward to the beautiful fireworks displays Dundee has to offer. Baxter Park and Lochee Park just to name a few places where you can get together with your friends for a night of fun.

Neil Connor Helena Lindsay

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS EDITOR IN CHIEF Barbara Mertlová

ARTS + ENTERTAINMENT Alexander Ferrier

SENIOR DEPUTY EDITOR Rebecca Carey

ON CAMPUS Rebecca Johnston

CREATIVE DIRECTORS Neil Connor Helena Lindsay DEPUTY EDITORS Mae Kinch Erin Mckeown SOCIAL MEDIA GRAPHIC DESIGNER Aylish Kelly EVENTS + PR MANAGERS Mariya Radeva Orla Barr PHOTOGRAPHY MANAGERS Domas Radzevičius Arjun Kalsi ILLUSTRATION MANAGER Nico McLaughlin SENIOR ILLUSTRATOR Leah Cameron PRINTED BY www.magprint.co.uk WITH THANKS TO VPCC, Hannah Skye Adams

CREATIVE WRITING Lizzie Husum INTERVIEW Mariya Radeva COMMUNITY Rose Bache CURRENT AFFAIRS Abbey McGrath FASHION Jennifer Gillespie INTERNATIONAL Daniel Pukkila LIFESTYLE Billianna Allen-Mandeville OPINIONS Rose Kendall SCIENCE + TECHNOLOGY James Dale COPY EDITORS Craig Robertson Erin Campbell Lauren White PUBLISHER Dundee University Students’ Association

CONTENTS FEATURE

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ARTS + ENTERTAINMENT

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ON CAMPUS

20

DESIGNERS’ CHOICE

24

CREATIVE WRITING

26

INTERVIEW

33

COMMUNITY

36

CURRENT AFFAIRS

42

COMICS

46

FASHION

48

INTERNATIONAL

50

LIFESTYLE

54

OPINIONS

60

SCIENCE + TECHNOLOGY

64

FEATURE

50

Yea rs

On

How t shap he Dunde e the e high Universi est ra ty nking Student s’ stud ent e Associat io xperi ence n began to The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2020 recently named the University of Dundee University of the Year for Student Experience.

It is not by coincidence that the Dundee University Students’ Association (DUSA) has been consistently ranking at the top positions in league tables, and won the Best Student Union in Scotland in WhatUni Student Choice Awards 2018. Celebrating its 50th anniversary this November, we look at the successes and failures, ongoing developments and transformation, and the genuine impact of The Union.

The Dundee University Students’ Association was established in 1969, only two years after the University of Dundee had gained its independent status in 1967. This followed from the expansion of what used to be a constituent college of the University of St Andrews, which had operated since

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1881. DUSA was created by the merger of what had been the Students’ Union, which would be responsible for the physical needs of the students - having run a bar, a shop and a launderette and the Students’ Representative Council which looked after student welfare, including its role as the key negotiator between the student body and the University’s authorities. The newly formed institution originally stayed situated in the Ellenbank building converted from an 18th century villa, which is now used as the School of Accountancy’s main building. Ellenbank used to be split into floors creating a gender division, which was emphasised by separate rear entrance for the women’s floor, allowing only men to use the main entrance hall. Shockingly, despite this segregation, The Union was already then considered progressive

Design by Neil Connor / Photography used with the permission of the University of Dundee Archives

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compared to its counterparts, as it is alleged to have been the first UK students’ union which allowed both genders to make use of the same building.

By 1969, the Union had expanded its remit enough to require larger premises, and began the construction of the new building as we now know it, which was completed in 1974. Apart from the site of DUSA, though, hardly anything else has stayed the same. The organisational structure, student involvement, as well as links with the University have been undergoing numerous or in some cases ongoing developments. As the University of Dundee’s Vice-Principal Professor Blair Grubb highlights, the University’s “priority is to offer [students] the best experience we can, to make them feel welcome, safe and enabled to realise their potential. We do that by working very closely with the Students’ Association and with the support of great staff across the University.”

Similarly, The Magdalen got hold of materials regarding the initiations of greater student integration into the running of The Union. The longest standing DUSA employee Trevor San, when interviewed by The Magdalen’s predecessor Annasach in January 1994 upon his appointment as the new Entertainments Officer, described the key purpose of his role to be “[raising] the profile of the Union events”, saying “I’d like to get a lot more students involved in the running of events and the Events crew in general.” Twenty-three years onwards, and we can safely say the student body is involved at the core of decision making across departments, helps facilitate the connections between DUSA and the University, and stands at the forefront of representation.

The partnership agreement between the University and DUSA is reviewed annually, strengthening student representation at every level. Quite uniquely to Dundee, this also implies that students

sit on panels for almost all senior management appointments. Beyond the structural involvement of students, active and balanced university experience is evidenced by wide participation in Clubs, Societies, and other extra-curricular activities.

That is again another aspect that DUSA has been continuously enhancing. In recent years, student engagement with opportunities offered by The Union has seen an unprecedented increase, with 142 active, and over 200 registered Societies on campus in 2019/20.

The Magdalen has written at length about the key role of the DUSA Executive team in such achievements. Reflecting on the developments over the past fifty years, however, it is astounding the changes that have been implemented to arrive at such a point. There are currently 17,000 students at the University of Dundee, from over 140 countries and 3,000 staff from 70+ countries. Such figures have demanded a particular effort to emphasise the thriving, international community Dundee boasts. While the multiculturalism at the heart of the City carries innately global attitude, students have highlighted an unmatched welcoming atmosphere on and off campus, with a wide variety of events and services accommodating to everyone’s needs.

“despite this segregation, The Union was already then considered progressive compared to its counterparts, as it is alleged to have been the first UK students’ union which allowed both genders to make use of the same building.”

In this aspect, too, has The Union taken the lead.

It facilitates at least six internationally-oriented large scale events in this academic year, which is yet again a step up from the already elevated experience put on by the last year’s Exec. DUSA has also pioneered an initiative ‘SoBaH’, under which a series of club nights fostering an alcohol-free environment are put on. Having launched during the often alcohol-oriented Freshers’ Week, the series is densely focussed throughout the month of October, to fall in line with the UK-wide movement Go Sober for October. Hence, championing diversity and inclusiveness, the President of the Association, Josh Connor, stresses the community aspect of our

Words by Barbara Mertlova

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University. “[We are] a family, and that is why our student experience is the best in the UK, because we look out for each other.” Expanding further on how important feedback and ongoing mutual communication is for a successful partnership with the wider University, he says, “I’m proud of the integral role that DUSA plays in enhancing the student experience. We are in constant communication with the University about what is going well for students, but also what isn’t going well.”

Even a highly successful event such as the MidAutumn Festival, in 2018 attended by over 400 students, is annually reviewed and improved with feedback from previous editions. Emphasising how understanding and accommodating for different cultures is considered the key priority in such cases, the Vice-President of Academia overseeing this year’s Mid-Autumn Festival, Stuart Murphy, shares; “At DUSA, we are proud to have hosted this event as it gives students an opportunity to celebrate, make new friends and to learn about new cultures from around the world. This is especially prominent as a lot of International Students are missing home and are still adjusting to life in Scotland.” “With this event we are uniting people from all over the world as we have partnered with seven different Societies.

We thank them for their work in this as we have created an experience which will create friendships and memories.” Agreeing with this, Hantao, the President of Dundee Chinese Students and Scholars Association, elaborates; “The University of Dundee is more like the second home for us, we are trying to make it warmer and find the same feeling as home regardless of where you come from or your religion. Meanwhile, this is also an opportunity to meet new friends and share the traditional Chinese culture.”

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“students have highlighted an unmatched welcoming atmosphere on and off campus, with a wide variety of events and services accommodating to everyone’s needs.”

We have repeatedly reported on the services, opportunities and extras DUSA enables. One thing that has remained unchanged since the origins of The Union is its status of a registered charity. What that means is that all the profit of the institution is reinvested back into its structure and services that students and staff get to benefit from. The Magdalen itself is an example of a beneficiary, with DUSA as our publisher. Controversy surrounding the on-campus magazine’s predecessor, Annasach (in Gaelic meaning Unusual), has contributed to the establishment of Media Guidance Board and other checks and balances in place, which ensure support and development opportunities. Annasach went into circulation from the onset of the University of Dundee as an independent institution, and published for nearly thirty years until it was succeeded by The Student Times, which survived until the establishment of The Magdalen in 2006.

While The Magdalen centres around student voices and prides itself in encouraging plurality of opinion, The Student Times was particularly critiqued for its inoffensive tone lacking enablement. That was in contrast to Annasach, which was at a time edited by former MI5 agent David Shayler, who utilised the publication to voice own controversial political stances.

It is important to recognise that the Dundee University Students’ Association contributes positively not only to the campus life of students and staff. It supports the development of a vibrant, progressive community of the city. Dundee

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alumni have been repeatedly quoted, highlighting how their university experience was elevated by partaking in matters related to DUSA. Alumni magazine The Bridge cites Michaela Smith, the 1988-1990 Catering Convenor, which then was one of the Executive positions, reflecting; “[i]t really helped develop many of the skills and personal attributes I have relied upon ever since.” “Getting involved in the Student Union and student politics also gave me some fantastic lifelong friends.”

The breadth of the Exec role experience should not be understated. Gaby Miller, 1996-98 Honorary Secretary, describes her team’s involvement in campaigning against Student Loans at Parliament.

Although unsuccessful in achieving the protests’ mission, the participating representatives made headlines, featured on the national news, as well as they were invited to Westminster to “discuss the matter”.

Perhaps most resonantly, majority of those who have held a position reflect on the impact they have been able to have on individual student lives. Ellen Brooks, first ever Vice-President of Academia in the year 2017-18, elected into the role renamed from Deputy President, details; “I was the lead contact for any academic issues and helped almost 200 students with mitigating circumstances, appeals and discipline cases.” “And

as if that wasn’t enough I was also the lead rep for internationalisation!” Similarly, Iain MacKinnon, 2013-2015 DUSA President, remembers; “It was a great experience, and it exposed me to parts of the University I had no idea existed. The best parts were when I had a real, tangible impact on the lives of students.” In discussion with last year’s Executives, they shared a thought-provoking opinion elaborating on this. “It is less relevant whether students know and understand the real depth of what we do”, they proposed, “most important is the fact that we are here making sure their experience runs smoothly, or they know they can reach out if it doesn’t.”

50 years on, it is safe to say the Students’ Union has undergone an ever-extensive transformation and continues to develop in all its sectors. Without a doubt, its ongoing impact on students’ lives, as well as the lives in wider Dundee, is well worth celebrating this November.

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ARTS + ENTS

REVIEW- Fear Inoculum

It’s been thirteen years since Tool’s last album, and Fear Inoculum has generated decidedly mixed opinions.

Right away, I will freely admit I have never been a Tool fan. Based on their premise – a highly successful progressive and alternative rock/metal band – they ought to be right up my alley, but there was something about their sound that just didn’t really stick the same way that their contemporaries did, such as Porcupine Tree or The Mars Volta. Basing songs around the Fibonacci sequence was perhaps a little on the pretentious side for me.

Despite this, rumours and news of their first album in 13 years did grab my interest. I was willing to give the band another listen and hoped that the new release might inspire a newfound interest in their previous works.

Again, not being much of a fan of their previous releases, I’m probably a bit biased against them, but I went into the new one trying to keep an open mind – I wanted to like it.

Unfortunately, Fear Inoculum has failed to convince me. Dull and meandering, this sounds like Tool going through the

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Design by Neil Connor

motions. Rather than sounding like a fully-fledged studio album, it seems more like a collection of miscellaneous jams thrown together without much thought put into structuring. Each track stumbles along for a needless and unjustified length of time (excluding the interludes, only one song is under ten minutes) and as each track builds up, the listener will come to expect a big payoff at the end that just doesn’t happen. They all seem to simply stop, as if they either got bored of the track or they couldn’t think of an interesting conclusion. To also touch on the interludes, they are utterly pointless and only add unneeded padding to the runtime.

With ten-minute tracks that spend so much time on buildup, using these interludes as transitions adds nothing; slowing down for a breather is completely unnecessary when 80% of the track runtime is resting points between the few points of tension. Serving as an example, the title track ends as though the next track ‘Pneuma’ will explode in, bursting with energy from the beginning, only for it to pull the listener back completely with more tepid buildup.

Not only is lead vocalist Maynard James Keenan missing for a good amount of the runtime; when he is present, he simply sounds bored. There is little of the passion in his voice that can be found on past works, as if the rest of the band finally tricked him into the studio and wouldn’t let him leave until he recorded his parts. Why should the listener care about what he has to say when the lyricist himself sounds uninterested?

ARTS + ENTS

Another irksome feature of Fear Inoculum is the guitarwork from both guitarist Adam Jones and bassist Justin Chancellor. For the most part Jones relies on generic, palm-muted drop D chugging which gets boring after one track, and Chancellor, while playing with some level of intricacy, somehow manages to make nearly every bassline sound the same. Neither of them contribute very notable parts, giving every track the same flavour and leaving nothing sounding unique or particularly memorable. I immediately forget what each track sounds like after they finish, even after five or six listens.

they couldn’t have p l a y e d i t a n y s a f e r. . .

For a band that have been touted as one of the most creative and experimental groups of the last few decades, they couldn’t have played it any safer here. Fear Inoculum’s songwriting just doesn’t seem finished and provides the bare minimum that you would expect from Tool (which for a band of their reputation, isn’t a good thing). I can’t deny the technical abilities of the band – drummer Danny Carey in particular has some bright spots – and it’s certainly not horrible, but this bloated and self-indulgent album absolutely does not sound like it was 13 years in the making. No doubt many will put this forward as a potential album of the year, or even the decade, but to me it isn’t even the best album of August 30th 2019 – not when Lana Del Rey’s Norman F*cking Rockwell released the same day.

(For this review, I listened to the digital version of Fear Inoculum, which contains some tracks not found on the CD version.)

Words by Calum Mackay

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ARTS + ENTS

AMAZING

FANTASY

AND GREAT RESPONSIBILITY

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Design by Neil Connor / Photography by Arjun Kalsi

ARTS + ENTS

One year after the deaths of Spider-Man creators Stan Lee & Steve Ditko, we look back at the original Amazing Spider-Man series.

Spider-Man as a character has had a significant influence on my life, and the recent corporate turbulence regarding the character’s fate in film all happened a year after the deaths of his creators Steve Ditko (1927-2018) and Stan Lee (1922-2018).

I looked back at the series that started it all, The Amazing Spider-Man, originally published by Marvel Comics in 1963, for a retrospective on this foundation to see how far the character has come in 56 years as a pop culture icon.

From the get-go the character of Peter Parker (aka Spider-Man) is presented differently from your typical protagonist of the period. At the time of his first appearance (aged 15 in Amazing Fantasy #15, 1962), the idea of a teenage superhero was reserved for sidekicks to an adult protagonist. He’s not a genius billionaire or invincible alien; he’s lonely with no friends and bullied for liking science. Steve Ditko’s iconic drawings make Peter lanky, with no musculature (even later as Spider-Man) which results in creepy, unheroic poses as he skulks on walls. Lee’s script creates an outcast, something that to a modern reader almost seems like an ‘incel’ in the making. He accidentally gets remarkable powers, the proportionate strength and speed of a spider, and immediately it goes to his head.

He becomes selfish, egotistical. Now he can get his bullies back, make them suffer as he has. He’s morally corrupted by his power, until his selfishness and attempts at fame as a show business performer result in the tragic death of his uncle. In most film and comic adaptations, this is a stark turning point guiding the character’s moral conscience from then on, but reading onward from The Amazing Spider-Man #1 (1963), the genius of Lee/Ditko as a partnership makes clear a single event can’t turn a superpowered teenager into an incorruptible force for good overnight.

Peter Parker never really thinks about trying to help others at first, even after catching his uncle’s killer. He wants fame, admiration and money. As he lives with his now-widowed aunt, Peter has real problems a young reader might have: getting pimples, failing a test, paying rent. It’s hard to

imagine Batman being handed an eviction notice - however, Lee makes a point to include grounding character development to supplement the genredefining action, creating a comic magazine that is essentially a soap-opera for teenage boys in the ‘60s. The balance creates an interesting sense of humour throughout these first stories, including a scene in Amazing #1 where, to protect his secret identity, Peter gets a paycheck written out to Spider-Man, later having to row with a bank teller for not cashing it. He even tries to join Marvel superteam The Fantastic Four as a potential fifth member, but leaves after discovering they don’t get paid to save lives and do it out of a sense of moral obligation.

After an early adventure and defeating his first real costumed villain, the Chameleon, in #1, you would think as in other superhero-genre stories this moment would be a triumphant one. A moment to solidify their foundation as a hero, coupled with public adoration. Instead, to end the first issue of his self-titled comic Spider-Man is branded a public menace by now-iconic magazine mogul and publisher J. Jonah Jameson, whose rants upon reading I can’t help but interpret in my mind to sound like J.K. Simmons, who portrays the character in Sam Raimi’s live-action SpiderMan films. Our hero runs home crying into his mask, wondering why he even bothers to try and help others in the first place if it will just blow up in his face. One issue and another supervillain battle later in #2, after defeating the Vulture (portrayed by Michael Keaton in 2017’s Spider-Man: Homecoming), our protagonist realises the money that could be made using his abilities: by taking photographs of his super-exploits to then sell in his civilian alter-ego to his biggest hater, the publisher Jameson. Lee creates this great ironic relationship that will continue through the series and even into other adaptations, where Jameson doesn’t realise the hero he slanders in his newspapers and his star photographer providing the materials that allow him to do so are one and the same. Ditko draws a very smug Peter Parker at the end of this story counting his pay; Jameson in the background is none the wiser.

In preparation for writing this retrospective, I read around 17 comic issues. Now I notice I’m only able to mention the first three of Spider-Man’s

Words by Craig Watson

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ARTS + ENTS

appearances in detail. For a comic of its period, it’s very dense with character-building. This is the modern kind of superhero, the kind Stan Lee and his collaborators would continue to develop and iterate, one not just a simple do-gooder with an uncompromising moral fibre. Lee later said that he attributes Spider-Man’s success to the full face-covering mask, where anyone can see themselves under it. A reader can put themselves in Peter Parker/Spider-Man’s shoes and relate to his problems, living vicariously through his adventures.

While the audience for the comic, especially during its publication, was young boys and teenagers, reading a comic that validated your perspective and intelligence must have been a welcome change from other magazines.

Although I praise the many groundbreaking elements of these stories, given their time period they are not without problems. Despite from his first appearance being consistently named Peter Parker, in Amazing #1 we see him referred to as Peter Palmer several times. Stan Lee is selfproclaimed as having an awful memory, using alliteration for the names of his characters to help remember them, but clearly in the early days it didn’t quite stick. Lee’s iconic hyperbole also gets

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old. Seeing the cover of each month’s issue stating that the new villain is ‘The most dangerous foe yet!’ can only be repeated so many times before it loses its oomph. Steve Ditko creates many beautiful images throughout worth being framed, but at times there is an occasional sloppy scene or drawing of Spider-Man I would attribute to his heavy workload and the speed required to get each story drawn in time for printing.

These stories represent a much simpler time in Spider-Man before film adaptations, corporate licensing wars and Spider-Verses involving many other spider-themed characters. I often hear fans argue about whether Tobey Maguire, Andrew Garfield or Tom Holland is the best Peter Parker - and I often think that Peter Parker is the best Peter Parker, and he was drawn by Steve Ditko and written by Stan Lee. For a modern reader, in The Amazing Spider-Man there’s everything from the novelty factor to interesting writing and art that makes the roots of Spider-Man a must-read for any new or lifetime fan. I hope I’ve convinced someone else to have a look at them for the first time. We have to do something until the next Spider-Man movie comes out, right?

ARTS + ENTS

Return of the Rings With Amazon’s Lord of the Rings series in development, we reconsider the most famous adaptation of Tolkien’s work.

Almost 20 years ago Peter Jackson’s Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring was released and expectations for fantasy films, adaptations and franchises would never quite be the same. With The Return of the King winning eleven Oscars, it’s undeniable that the trilogy was a success. And, as Amazon shapes up to create a TV series in the same universe - though not following the same events - it might be time to re-examine that original trilogy and how it holds up today.

The popularity of the source material no doubt helped boost the films’ audience and reputation, but if the adaptation had been examined by Tolkien’s die-hard fans and found wanting it probably wouldn’t have achieved the legendary status it has today. Without even getting into the films themselves, one key lesson we can take from Jackson in terms of adaptation is this: keep the fans happy. Yes, he may have done so by dangling an official Lord of the Rings fan club with monthly updates on the film’s progress and other perks in front of them, but it worked. Interest in the films was generated while fans felt included in with the adaption process of a series they loved - all in all laying a nice foundation for release.

Adapting Tolkien’s work-packed with intricate worldbuilding and a stack of ancient mythology to study - was never going to be easy. But the design of every costume, location and detail flourishes. Yes, at times places can be over the top-everywhere ‘evil’ is black and pointy (why did no-one notice Saruman was a villain? When he started showing a penchant for Gothic architecture, that should have been a clue). But that extravagance in the context of the films adds to the otherworldly feel, and we accept it and are transported. The triumph

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Design and Illustration by Cait Maxwell

is of course the New Zealand landscape - Scotland never stood a chance at hosting Amazon’s Lord of the Rings. With every aerial shot over dramatic snow-covered peaks the fantasy of Middle-Earth is brought to life, the epic proportions of the land creating the feeling of legend.

But does anyone want to admit there are things to be criticised in Lord of the Rings? With adoption there is the struggle over what should remain ‘true’ to the books, and what might need tweaking.

Arwen maintains the role of Aragorn’s love interest, which isn’t a problem in itself, but the way she’s filmed is cringe-inducing, with sparkly filters and slow-motion in a way that no male elf receives. Also kept is the eyebrow-raising idea that the humans who side with Sauron and all things Evil, Spiky and Very Bad are non-western. Of course everyone ‘good’ is white and speaks with a British accent.

This is perhaps an element Jackson could have considered updating. In contrast, Frodo’s character could have been closer to the books. Film Frodo can become a little too passive as a hero—add ‘Frodo falls down’ to your Lord of the Rings drinking game.

It’s far from a perfect series, and perhaps shouldn’t be considered as infallible as it sometimes is.

There is a great deal to be celebrated in Lord of the Rings. It’s a brilliant example of adaptation done well and sets a high standard for fantasy in general.

The casting is extremely strong, the special effects hold up, the soundtrack is stunning, and each instalment manages to feel like a well-made film in its own right as well as part of a cohesive trilogy. It has flaws which are perhaps too often overlooked, but overall stands as an incredible achievement for Peter Jackson. Amazon is going to have a hard time following it up.

ARTS + ENTS

Words by Mareth Burns

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Once Upon a Time in Hollywood: ARTS + ENTS

Quentin Tarantino’s Female Dichotomy Quentin Tarantino’s latest, Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, strikes a fine balance between the overt stylisation of Kill Bill and the genuine humanity of Jackie Brown, while also posing the question: Is Tarantino a traditionalist or a reactionary?

The film, starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Brad Pitt and Margot Robbie, is the closest Tarantino has come to Jackie Brown, his rightfully-acclaimed 1997 blaxploitation homage. We follow Rick Dalton an ageing TV cowboy, and his stalwart stuntman/ houseboy Cliff Booth as they meander through a delicately recreated 1969 Los Angeles, picking up work where they can on episodic television shows. Meanwhile, we hang out with Sharon Tate, not long after her marriage to Roman Polanski. It is here that one must confront the allegations of misogyny which have beset Tarantino since the film’s general release. It has been noted by many that Tate has far fewer lines than, for instance, the altogether less likeable Cliff Booth. Booth, accused by a typically spirited Zoe Bell of uxoricide, becomes less palatable with every viewing. Spending time with him is to indulge in thuggish behaviour, as he flirts with young women, gets into fights, and drives recklessly. Casual public endangerment has never looked so cool.

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Design and Illustration by Patrik Vojtas

Robbie’s Sharon Tate, on the other hand, is ceaselessly charming. Her most endearing moment comes midway through the film, when she watches herself in a screening of the Dean Martin spy flick The Wrecking Crew. In this sequence Tate exudes passion, enthusiasm, and humility, while connecting with the audience on a personal level.

Tarantino makes the interesting choice to include segments of The Wrecking Crew which feature the actual Sharon Tate, revealing to modern audiences her potential as an actress. Much like in Tarantino’s self-dubbed ‘hangout movie’ Jackie Brown, genuine consideration is shown for female characters throughout. When on the ‘Lancer’ set, Rick Dalton meets an actress known as Trudi, a consummate professional who only wants to be referred to by her character’s name. The conversational and intellectual prowess lies with the assertive eightyear-old, who doesn’t like patronising nicknames like ‘pumpkin puss’, and is infinitely more diligent than our hungover male lead.

ARTS + ENTS

In this way, Once Upon a Time in Hollywood is emblematic of female representation throughout Tarantino’s career. Characters like Trudi, Beatrix Kiddo, Shosanna, Jackie Brown and Daisy Domergue are given due respect, yet conversely, Tarantino is no stranger to casual objectification.

Hollywood is replete with lustful, often gratuitous shots of women, with specific body parts singled out for lascivious consideration. Particularly with younger actresses, shots like these act as little other than a reminder of an older man’s wandering eye. The finale has been a significant point of contention for critics, wherein three members of the Manson Family are brutally dispatched by Cliff and Rick. Narratively, this works wonders; the audience has after all been nervously awaiting Tate’s infamous demise since the film’s opening. This powerful sense of dread builds continuously, and having Tate’s would-be assassins defeated in so savage a fashion is both hilarious and entirely satisfying.

The humour in the climax comes largely from the ridiculously outrageous nature of the violence.

As usual, Tarantino evokes a uniquely disturbing reaction from the audience, making us laugh at morally repugnant and troubling action. However, when watching Cliff repeatedly smash a woman’s face into walls, telephones, and coffee tables, it’s not difficult to see why accusations of misogyny have spawned. In my opinion, Tarantino is no misogynist.

Nevertheless, it is easy to see how he would identify with Rick’s old-world outlook. Tarantino does not despise women, being simply a hardworn traditionalist, or a reactionary, depending on your outlook. His glamourised representation of the wholly troublesome Playboy Mansion is emblematic of these problems. Tarantino has never been a forward-thinking artist, and is, like his characters, stuck in a patriarchal past.

Words by Alexander Ferrier

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ON CAMPUS

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Illustration by Nico McLaughlin

ON CAMPUS

SWITCH on to Student Activities Once Gaudie family, Vice President of Student Activities Kellie Ioannou and Student Experience Coordinator Craig Reoch have teamed up again, to bring DUSA and the University together - all in the name of our student experience.

It’s been two months since we became the Sunday Times Good University Guide’s ‘University of the Year for Student Experience’. Does it feel real yet?!

Kellie (K): I wasn’t surprised at all! Obviously, it is an amazing title to have!

Craig (C): DUSA has always been ahead in terms of student experience but it is nice to see the University in line with them now. No matter where you come from, Dundee feels like home. We all know how great Dundee is, it’s time the rest of the world did too!

K: Even though we now have that recognition, it doesn’t mean we have an excuse to stop. We’re doing great but we can always do better.

As great as we’re doing, there have been some worrying statistics emerging. The National Union of Students published their annual survey which reported that 8/10 students have experienced mental health issues. Is this surprising?

K: I wish it was! My mental health suffered at uni simply because of the intense workload and expectations. They come hand in hand!

C: It seems like there are more reasons for it. There is so much uncertainty about the future and life after university. The important thing is to reach out. Don’t ever feel alone because you’re not!

Obviously, as the current and former VPSA, your life and jobs revolve around all things extracurricular. Were they always central to your university experience?

K: Definitely, it’s how I met Craig and most of my friends! I moved here from Cornwall, not knowing anyone. Being a part of societies was how I met people. The more you get involved, the more you get out of it!

C: I mean, I studied anatomy which is absolutely nothing to do with my job now. I’m in this job because I love what I do.

Despite their importance in maintaining our wellbeing and enhancing our university experience, do you think that extracurriculars get the recognition they deserve?

C: I actually think they do. We’re number one in the world for clubs and societies according to the International Student Barometer!

K: More and more, employers are looking beyond the degree you have. The are looking for the things that set you apart. Being involved in societies is just one way you can do that.

Words by Rebecca Carey

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ON CAMPUS

Why is VPSA such an important position on the DUSA Exec?

That’s great, how does this referral process work?

K: It’s a common misconception that it’s just about societies but I learnt very quickly that there is so much more to the role!

C: I’ve had students referred to me from first year to postgraduate study. They are referred by student-facing staff, including from counselling, Advisors of Studies, the Enquiry Centre and the Disability and Health services. These students might have expressed an interest in being more involved but don’t know where to start. That’s where I come in! We work together and explore their interests to find something that fits. You can chop and change whenever you like, it’s about finding what’s right for you.

C: Yeah, exactly. For instance facilities are a big part of it. They sit on different committees that make real change across the University, dictating everything from our resources to the buildings we study and socialise in.

You’ve been in your roles for a few months, how are you finding them?

K: It’s been manic but I can’t imagine loving another job more! There’s been a lot going on - the biggest Freshers’ fair to date and 242 affiliated societies to manage! Craig gave me great advice to channel Ron Swanson and not to take on too much!

C: You want to do the best job you can which you can’t do if you are spreading yourself too thin. I’m trying to take my own advice, but it’s going well! I spent the summer gathering contacts but the real work started in September.

Oh yes, Craig, what does your new position involve?

C: I have launched a new initiative called SWITCH (Student Wellbeing Initiative Targeting Community Health).

I meet with ‘disengaged’ students that are referred to me and I help them get involved in different activities. There are three strands I am focusing on: societies, sports’ clubs and volunteering.

Volunteering is more of an umbrella term that involves everything from charity work in the city to being a university class rep!

Obviously, Kellie, societies are one part of Craig’s solution. How are you planning on implementing this with societies?

K: I invited Craig along to the first societies council earlier this year. As part of the initiative, we are introducing a ‘welcomer’ role that will liaise with Craig.

Societies seem really excited, I think it’s going to work really well.

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Why is this initiative so needed?

C: It’s a proactive approach to balancing our mental health but in a fun and approachable way. It’s that helping hand that everyone needs from time to time. It’s supplementary to our support services and it’s a great way to meet people, try something new and be that much more employable.

I think we can all agree that we deserve our new title more and more as time goes on. With everything from immersive club nights and vital student support, to societies and sports clubs that cater to every interest and ability, I have no doubt that Dundee really is the best little city to live, discover and learn in. However, it’s not why we won this award. This award is a testament to people like Kellie and Craig, to a students’ union and university that is always in our corner and who won’t rest until we all feel the same way.

To get in contact: Kellie: vpsa@dusa.co.uk Craig: switch@dundee.ac.uk

ON CAMPUS

Eco-Anxiety Climate change is a topic on everyone’s mind at the moment, and young people are being looked to to lead the campaign for change. However, this increased pressure has led to a rise in what is being called “Eco-Anxiety”.

This is the term used to describe anxiety symptoms triggered by being environmentally aware, especially the feeling of being powerless. Last year, I was the Environment and Sustainability Rep on the SRC, and I have had many conversations with other students about climate change and what we can do to make a difference. It may seem that we can do very little but there are ways we can have a genuine impact.

One of the best ways to get involved as a student is to join a society that aims to tackle climate change.

On campus, we have the Low Impact Living Society which aims to tackle all aspects of climate change, organising events from Campus Clean-Ups, to trips to Zero-Waste shops. There is also the new Extinction Rebellion society on campus. By joining these, you can not only have a positive impact on the environment, but also find friends that care too: as the saying goes, “a problem shared, is a problem halved.”

Besides societies, there are lots of other opportunities to get involved on campus that you can keep a lookout for. These include, but are not limited to, campus litter picks, second-hand clothes drives, and Fairtrade Fortnight. The most important thing to remember is that this is your university and if you want something to happen you can make it happen.

Another way to ease the feeling of eco-anxiety is to make small changes to your everyday life. It’s not always possible to change every aspect of your lifestyle, but there are small things that are easy to change, like using a reusable water bottle and a plastic-free coffee cup, or bringing a packed lunch (which will also save you money). Knowing that you are doing what you can can really ease your anxiety.

The most important thing to remember is that climate change is not your sole responsibility; this is something we all have to work together to solve.

If you do feel that eco-anxiety is something that is significantly impacting your life, please seek help from student services.

If wanting to get involved, Low Impact Living Society can be found on Facebook @Low Impact Living -UoD Society, or get in touch with the VicePresident of Student Activities at vpsa@dusa.co.uk..

Design and Illustration by Cait Maxwell / Words by Lois Glithero

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DESIGNERS’ CHOICE

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Photography by Aryan Dariush

DESIGNERS’ CHOICE

Photography by Conchita Fraguas Bringas

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CREATIVE WRITING

Light It Up It was the first breeze of the night accompanied by the last ray of the day, the window was half open and the bricks on the wall that enclosed the small garden were turning grey. I was sitting on the sofa cuddling my little, yet majestic black-haired, cocker spaniel. He was giving me puppy eyes in the hope for a late run, just like we used to do in the long, hot months. It was the last day of summer and l had started feeling chills running down my arms; I was trying to stop them by sinking into the big fluffy pillows. My James, who had been doing all sort of things upstairs, finally came down and solemnly decided that since it was the 21st of September, we could officially start using the little square cast iron fireplace.

He started cleaning it, looking for all of his tools and gadgets and when everything was ready to be used, determined to make it work, he went outside to the metallic shed. With great care he started picking the perfect size and the driest logs he could find.

I barely moved from the sofa, except to look for old newspapers or letter envelopes that we did not use anymore. That was the job he had assigned me, a similar one to the ones mums give their children to keep them busy while they have chores to do.

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Everything was set up, we were only missing the most important thing; a spark. We started looking for a lighter or even a match, we opened one after the other; every drawer, every cupboard, until James, tired of the frenetic search, lit up a piece of a page of an already read magazine with the cooker and quickly carried the flame from the kitchen to the fireplace. It worked. The beauty of the fire took over the room, the tv passed in the background, my cheeks started to get rosy, even the dog seemed to approve.

The new-born flames kept regenerating, and the orange sparkles kept dancing and leaping in the squared window.

There it was, our very first fire of another season together.

Words by Anna Valori / Design by Leah Cameron

CREATIVE WRITING

l a n d i n g

“You took your time.”

“Eurgh, of course I did.” Ewan caught his breath. “Why meet on the hill?”

“Well, you know,” the flame of Michael’s lighter shone in his hazel eyes as he flashed it on and off. “Can’t help but hate your own room after seeing nothing else for a month.”

“Why not go to a café or something?”

“Ewan, I haven’t been waking up until 5pm.” He sighed as his friend slumped onto the wet grass beside him. “Besides, I wanted to be… Out in the open. I guess.”

“Not much of a view at half past 9 though.”

“There is up there.” Michael swung onto his back, jamming his thumb at the inky sky.

“Wow, looking for personal escape in the stars? You really are depressed.”

“Oh, shut up, it looks nice! Besides, stop with the depression jokes, I haven’t been diagnosed with anything.”

Ewan looked over at him, eyebrow raised. “And why would that be?”

Michael stared up in silence, avoiding eye contact. “Yeah. Yeah, ok, I know. I need to see a doctor.”

“Right. You’ve said that before.”

“Hm…” Ewan laid back, glancing over at Michael. He tried to read him, the motion of his thumb on the sparkwheel.

Why did he still own that thing? He found it about 3 years ago, but he doesn’t even smo“You heard of Laika?”

Ewan blinked back into focus. “What?”

“Laika. Space dog.”

“Uh-huh.”

“How did she do it? I mean, she went through training, but when you’re up there, floating through nothing, what can you feel? Scared? Amazed? Others knew they would return, get to see everyone again, but there?

No clue… I don’t think she landed.” He raised his right arm straight up, held a flame to the endless vault.

Ewan couldn’t think of a good response. “Poor dog.” Was all he could mumble.

“Yeah… Still, first earthling sent to space.”

“Huh, guess so.”

“Yup.” Michael smiled, sparking the fire again. “She won the space race, not the US.” “Alright, tankie.”

Michael snorted. “It’s true though! In any case, dogs can’t really be Soviet or American.”

“Right. Dogs are dogs.”

“Exactly. Kind of beautiful, really.”

Ewan switched on his phone’s torch and held it upwards beside Michael’s arm, smiling.

Michael smiled too.

Design by Neil Connor / Words by Liam Wright

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CREATIVE WRITING

Incandescence Nights draw close and the days darken; the air is sharp and the wind is icy. And yet something pierces the misty mornings, the gray days and the dim nights. A luminous flickering lights up the night; a fire is blazing that will never burn out. Though the days may be short -and the nights may be long -someone is singing a revolutionary song. Faith might be wavering and your bones may be weary but now is the time to stay strong and fight on. Stand for what you believe in (or against what you don’t) and tend the fires of change and of hope.

Fireworks light up the skies with their multicoloured plumes. Sparklers are twirled to create masterpieces in the air.

Bonfires burn -angry and hot -to remind us of gunpowder, treason and plot. His intentions were flawed but his spirit was triumphant...and his motives reflect those held by many today. I am not suggesting treason, really I’m not! However, something valuable could be learned from Guy Fawkes and his plot. We should not settle for less than we desire of society so, find a cause, ignite the fire and excite in its flames.

Now is the time to make our voices heard (or make the other guys run scared.) We are the future, they are the past and we know, from experience, that history cannot last. It is there to be learned from but not to be repeated and now is not the time to let our energy be depleted. The soul is a thing full of love and of fear. It should not be caged or forced to adhere.

Let the embers rekindle, light up the night and ensure that the fire within you will always burn bright.

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Words by Eilidh Henderson / Design by Leah Cameron / Photography by Domas Radzevicius

CREATIVE WRITING

The Man on the Moon My father is the man who cleans the Moon, and although he has some other better-paid jobs -such as pulling kites out of clouds or picking up from the floor letters of forgetful poems -that one has always been his favourite.

while he was still working. When he arrived there, he used his broom and swept where the Moon was dark; and even though he was fully aware he would have to repeat it next month, my dad did it without apathy.

He used to wake up very early -or very late -and, while the city was still asleep and flickering, my father used to shoulder his ladder and leave home.

There were some days when he was lucky and the Moon was placed above the earth. Then, the old lady from the attic from whose ledge I had flown away a couple of times, lent him her balcony so that he could unfold his ladder. Suddenly, with a loud thud, it touched a hard surface and then, he knew he had reached the Moon. He used to climb slowly and without looking behind, as if he was certain that the Sun would never come back up

Sometimes, he would whistle songs I was ‘too young to know’, or he would tell jokes to the stars, who would laugh until they’d light up -satellites had always been more difficult to entertain. Other times, he would dance to whatever song he’d imagined while he swept, turning the Moon bright again. There were some days when the Moon would be over the sea, so my dad would jump and I’d follow. I would count to ten while I was floating, weightless, and then the water would devour us.Amongst the bubbles, we’d fly so deep we’d go back to the sky.

Design and illustration by Gosia Kepka / Words by Ana Dieguez Algaba

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CREATIVE WRITING

Light the Way They say winter is the season of darkness; A time of bitter chills and inescapable loneliness, However, in reality, all is well and okay, You may only require something to light the way, Maybe it’s the glimmer of Christmas, only a month away, Perhaps it’s a friend or loved one who’d comfort you without delay, Or a dream or motivation that prevents you from wondering astray, Or maybe the classic bonfires of November that light the sky after day, The months before may very well have been cold and alone, Watching the happiness of others while you walk on your own, But there is hope yet, the last breath of autumn is yet blown, It’s only a matter of time until your unique talent and spirit is finally known, It could be our perspective that is the one which has grown so cold, Forcing winter and it’s magical atmosphere to fit such a dreary mold, On the contrary, look from your past to now, it’s a coming of time, From a dismal uncertainty onto the next step towards your prime, Illness, whether of the mind, body or emotions, Has kept many of us chained, restricting our motions, But use the spark of human courage within us all, To loosen and smash our burdens, and answer the call, Of present and future colleagues, friends and lovers, Who’ll be there to light the way.

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Design by Helena Lindsay / words by Luke Perry

CREATIVE WRITING

slow beginnings Stumbling through the dark, not knowing where you’ll go if you fall. Sleepless nights, your thoughts chasing their own tails, your weary eyes searching the blank ceiling for answers.

Hearing the faint voices in the room next door, or outside, like the buzzing of bees, swarming together in overwhelming flock sof black and yellow, a living warning sign.

Trying to weave your own rhythm into the complicated symphony of everyone else, then watching it all fall apart and unravel.

Falling, failing. Fearing that dark abyss swirling in your mind like an inevitable ocean threatening to crash and drown you.

Rising, realising that the ocean won’t drown you if you only learn to swim.

Finding the light, searching for that switch to flicker that lost hope to life and illuminate the heart within you, every new beat burning away the fear flame by flame.

Learning to fly, leaving your instincts behind and breaking down the walls brick by brick.

Uprooting the earth to stroke the sky, knowing that the sun can’t burn you.

Not there yet.

But getting there.

Your light is getting brighter.

Let it grow.

Words by Orla Davey / Design by Emma Biggins / Photography by Arjun Kalsi

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on the cusp of acceptance

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Design by Neil Connor / Words by Daniel Pukkila

INTERVIEW

CREATE A NEW SPACE TO

The Main Library and Learning Centre at the University of Dundee opens up a space dedicated to homing different creative equipment and tools available to all students during opening hours at no cost.

H

ave you ever wondered what it would be like to make time to be creative, innovative, entrepreneurial or crafty? What if you had a space with everything you needed to do just that, to develop your creativity, alongside your academic responsibilities? This has just become a reality. You can find CreateSpace in the main Ground Floor of the Library, in the Group Study area. Inside, there is a wide array of amazing tools and interesting equipment to encourage innovation, from sewing and textiles area to Lego bricks, 3D-printers, pin and badge making machines, iPads including augmented reality visualisation and much more! You will also find colouring books, endless pencils, painting materials, or Mac and Windows computers with up-to-date creative software.

Conchita (C): How did the idea of opening up this space develop?

I had the pleasure of meeting with some of those responsible for the initiative, Richard Parsons, the head of the Library and Learning Centre, and Claire Pollock, a recent Graphic Design graduate, who decided to base her dissertation on the idea of opening a creative space. What started off as a necessity due to tight time constraints in architecture students’ access to studios and resources at DJCAD, soon developed into a space to encourage creative development amongst all students.

Richard Parsons (RP): I think we were both following the same line of an idea; looking for a place available for students where they could create, or for any making type of facilities. DJCAD Library is open too, but not late in the evenings, whereas the Main Library is open to everyone and accessible until late, with longer opening hours. This is particularly good for people who maybe want to study later in the day, at weekends or when they have deadlines and exams.

Claire Pollock (CP): As part of my level 4 Graphic design course in DJCAD, I was working on my dissertation, which was a feasibility study on making a creative space in the Library. This was in a module called Design Enterprise, which is led by Peter Thomas.

I had identified a need for particularly architecture students to have a place to work when DJCAD is closed. I focused on the Main Campus to support that sort of learning and studying, and the Library seemed like the most appropriate venue for such a space, so I emailed Richard about it. He was very helpful when I was writing my report, but it was also a bit of a two-way street, as we helped each other.

Design by Carla Cassidy

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INTERVIEW

“

WHAT’S UNIQUE ABOUT OUR APPROACH IS THAT IT IS A LOT MORE OPEN, A LITTLE MORE CRAFTY, BUT ALSO HAS SOME OF THE MORE HIGH-END EQUIPMENT AS WELL.

“

C: That’s amazing. Is it true, Richard, that the space has been inspired by other worldwide creative spaces?

C: Richard, from the library staff's perspective, is creativity having an impact on the student’s learning experience?

RP: The library is in line with the nationwide thinking at developing these sorts of facilities, and at a world wide stage as well. In New Zealand where I’m from, Australia and parts of Asia, these spaces are common type approaches. I think what’s unique about our approach is that it is a lot more open, a little more crafty, but also has some of the more high-end equipment as well.

So, it’s a nice space that suits Dundee and suits the requirements of the students here.

RP: We are well aware of pedagogic examples of using creativity within the academic programmes. That is thanks to Claire’s research and the theories that underpin some of her ideas, but also just from general library and learning centre practice. I think, even more practically, students expect to have the facilities where they could do this. And indeed they do in DJCAD, they do in Engineering and they do in Computing, but putting it all together in one space is what we have achieved and we can offer much longer opening hours.

We’ve been having students from many disciplines coming in, such as dentists 3D-printing some of their tools and models.

C: What would you say is the main purpose of this new space?

CP: It started off with giving people access, and now it’s more about encouraging creativity in all students.

It’s motivating people to get hands-on and prototype things or think in an entrepreneurial way. Having access throughout the wide opening hours of the Main Library is really important. Moreover, there is an emphasis on mental health that’s associated with creativity and we encourage people to come in, take a break, engage with colouring books and materials available, not just to do academic-related work only.

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It’s also very interesting to watch the way different students learn. We’ve long known that everybody learns in a different way and it’s all personal to us. You notice it the most when you see people learning how to use different parts of equipment. The sewing machine encapsulates that. Some people think they know how to use a sewing machine because they know how to use, for instance, a phone. We’ve noticed that the phone is very good at ‘guiding’ us, but we’re seeing

Words and photography by Conchita Fraguas Bringas

INTERVIEW

some new students learning practical activities in ways that they’re not actually used to. That’s why they need to speak with someone who can support them, [when they’re faced with something new].

One thing the library can do is to provide more updated kit. We invest in books, computer software and facilities, to the cost of millions per year, however, this new space fits in quite cost-effectively within our library resource budget.

C: When should students come in to learn more about how to operate some of the equipment?

RP: We run different workshops and are committed on Wednesday afternoons, which is what we've identified as a good time. We offer students to learn how to use the equipment and benefit from their use, which isn’t at the reach of everyone to have at home, but it is now provided in this new space. We will have to accept a few breakages and set-backs, as these are an important part of any learning process. We do, however, extend the invitation for feedback regarding further equipment or facilities as students and staff propose, and we always welcome suggestions. There are some student guides on duty each evening and

on Saturday and Sunday afternoons. Folk should come along and meet them if they wish to get started on any particular element.

Upon finishing the interview, Claire and Richard kindly showed me around the space. It seemed like a blank canvas waiting to be coloured in. The space is open to Societies, aims to host creativity-based events and to attract a wide range of student groups who can benefit from it. Environmentally-friendly practices have, too, been at the forefront of this project. The CreateSpace serves as a storage for excess cardboard collected from DJCAD that students can reuse, and the 3D printer machinery uses sustainable corn-starch PLA. There are already examples of items being repaired with the sewing machine and 3D printers. I am so excited to see the space progress and for it to help kickstart projects.

What will you create?

Follow @createspace_llc on Instagram for more!

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COMMUNITY

Inclusive Rugby: Blood, Sweat and Beers

The word ‘inclusive’ is one at the forefront of everyone’s agenda, be it sports’ teams or employers. The concept of inclusion is a simple one; make everyone feel comfortable, welcome and promote equal opportunities.

Cue Inclusive Rugby to make the involvement of LGBT+ members in a masculine-dominated environment easier, safer and healthier. Within Inclusive Rugby, a public opinion poll discovered that the most common reason for LGBT+ members’ delayed entry into sport was as a direct result of negative experiences in school.

Inclusive Rugby could be described as a subdivision of the rugby community, initially aimed at providing a safe space for gay men to learn and play rugby in the 90’s. This began with the formation of the Kings Cross Steelers RFC IN 1995. From that point onwards, Inclusive Rugby grew along with the concept of inclusivity, until it became a rugbyplaying movement that tackled both sexuality and gender-based equality in sport. It was essential to break the barrier that existed between sexuality, gender and ability. Many Inclusive clubs now have established Women’s teams and Inclusive tournaments run Women’s divisions.

Inclusive Rugby is governed by International Gay Rugby (IGR). IGR is an organisation that strives to provide equality and opportunities to the LGBT+ community within rugby. With notable ambassadors including Gareth Thomas and Keegan Hirst, the cause is not without high profile support. Although predominantly comprised of LGBT+ members and centres around ‘gay culture’, many teams are fairly represented by heterosexual players.

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Illustration and design by Patrik Vojtas

There are currently around 85 Inclusive clubs worldwide, 17 of those based in the UK. Many of the clubs in the UK, despite the distance that separates them, maintain a good relationship and even competein domestic leagues. In regard to tournaments, Inclusive Rugby is not short of competition. Teams travel from all over the world in order to compete in Inclusive Rugby tournaments.

The Bingham Cup is the biennial crown jewel and the unofficial World Cup of Inclusive Rugby. Recent hosts of the tournament have included Nashville, Amsterdam and looking forward, Ottawa in 2020.

The Union Cup which fills the gap between each Bingham Cup, could be described as the European Championship. In recent years it has been held in Brussels, Madrid and Dublin.

The Caledonian Thebans were Scotland’s first Inclusive Rugby club, formed in 2002. The club began with a group of friends, meeting in Roseburn Park to throw a ball around twice a week. A poster was put up in one of Edinburgh’s most frequented gay bars at the time, The Laughing Duck and the rest is history. The club now boasts 50+ signed players, a list of silverware and status in the international Inclusive community. In recent years, The Alphas arose as Scotland’s second Inclusive club based in Glasgow which sparked an annual derby known as the Claymore Shield.

COMMUNITY

Israel Folau is possibly one of the most famous names in rugby for all the reasons. The Aussie-born athlete has boasted an extremely successful career in Australian Rules Football, Rugby League and Rugby Union. This year he became the highest try scorer in Super League History. However, although his athleticism, strength and power are considered elite... his reasoning, compassion and humanity were revealed to be entirely substandard.

In 2017, amid allegations of homophobia within his club at present, Folau stated that there was no room for homophobia within the sport. A statement that would later be revealed to be a bare faced lie as long as his presence lingeredin the sport. Folau would continue to tweet his way into a homophobic hole over the next 2 years. One of his more notable episodes stated: “Drunks, Homosexuals, Adulterers, Thieves, Atheists, Idolaters. HELL AWAITS YOU. REPENT! ONLY JESUS SAVES”. This was accompanied by an extract referenced as Galatians 5:19-21 which in context, frankly put, wasn’t very nice. Ironically he once fronted the cover for Star Observer magazine in a piece in which he supported the Bingham Cup.

In direct response to Folau and those that share his views, the All Blacks and the Black Ferns (New Zealand’s International Rugby Union and League teams) led a campaign titled ‘Diversity Is Strength’ in which both teams lined up bound by arms, to reveal a rainbow embedded in the material of their respective black jerseys when stretched. The message was clear and empowering and destroyed the stereotype that player’s like Folau attempted to create within the sport.

Ultimately Folau’s vocalisation of his beliefs would be the reason for the termination of his $4m contract with Rugby Australia (RA) in what was a unanimous decision by the board and an independent panel.

In some way it seemed as if rugby had been gearing up to this moment since 1995. The message of RA was clear in this instance.With the support of World Rugby and citizens of Earth, love would prevail over hate.

Words by Jack Hunter

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COMMUNITY

Dundee and Remembrance “At the going down of the sun, and in the morning we will remember them...”

But how and why do we remember ‘them’?

The Exhortation of Remembrance, as so intoned in the British memory through countless ceremonies in front of cenotaphs, memorials, in cemeteries and the numerous national war memorials, is finalised with the third and fourth stanzas of Laurence Binyon’s poem ‘For the Fallen’;

“They went with songs to the battle, they were young, Straight of limb, true of eye, steady and aglow. They were staunch to the end against odds uncounted; They fell with their faces to the foe.

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old: Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning We will remember them.”

These words in particular have often represented the commonly perceived view of remembrance across the United Kingdom and the nations of the Commonwealth. Dundee in itself has good reason to lead and partake in ceremonies of remembrance; during the First World War, Dundee contributed around 63% of its eligible manpower to the war

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effort (in tangible numbers that’s nearly 31,000).

Since the First World War, Dundee has maintained a strong link with the armed forces community.

The memorialisation of the contribution and great sacrifice of Dundee’s own is more than prevalent across the city, with memorials outside the Nethergate Kirk and the Overgate, and of course the Law Beacon. The beacon is lit on the evenings of Remembrance Sunday and Remembrance Day itself as well as notable anniversaries, such as the 25thof September, where over 60,000 British casualties were received; this resulted in the 4th (Dundee’s Own) Battalion of the 42ndRoyal Highland Regiment (The Black Watch) being amalgamated into the 9thbattalion due to heavy losses.

The link maintained through the University is also strong, with over 37 members of the institution, both students and staff, recorded as having been killed during the First World War. Yet, despite this connection alongside the wider city links to the sacrifice of war, the perception of this is somewhat muted. This could bet hrough the effect and context of recent conflicts, notably Afghanistan and Iraq, or through overall societal changes in perception and the slow erosion of the mentality of the ‘glory’ of war. It is due, in part thanks to this and also owing to my own background within the Army Reserve & familial links to the armed forces which has influenced and shaped my own perceptions of remembrance.

As such, I posed two questions to both my peers and several academics, in order to understand the varied experiences of remembrance; ‘What does remembrance mean to you?’ and ‘Why?’ Whilst I received several responses which fell in line with what I had experienced thus expected people to

Design by Helena Lindsay / Photography by Arjun Kalsi

COMMUNITY

hold, I received three responses which I wanted to highlight especially. The first came from a lecturer, whose views I was aware of to a degree, but which I had not explored further. When asked, he expressed that feelings of ‘mostly sadness, but also anger’. Delving further into ‘why?’, he explained:

“Sorrow and sadness that many people still believe that violence is an acceptable way to resolve their disputes. Anger at the deaths of so many powerless people (combatants and civilians on both sides) at the hands of the powerful who sent them to their deaths. I am profoundly uncomfortable with the way that remembrance as we know it appears to affirm the view that 'we' are always the good guys.

The rituals of remembrance were beautifully summed up by Allan Bennett in The History Boys: ‘It's not so much lest we forget, as lest we remember. Because you should realise the Cenotaph and the Last Post and all that stuff is concerned, there's no better way of forgetting something than by commemorating it.’”

I found that we both shared sorrow and sadness to an extent, and the seemingly requisite need for violence to resolve. The second response I wish to share comes from a student and friend, who chose to share a more philosophical outlook on remembrance and our attitudes, and treated my questions as a ‘thought experiment.’ Firstly: “The remembering imagination occupies a dense intersection of three mental struggles; The vast distance in time between myself and those that fought. How war is alien for me yet also alien for those that fought in it. That there are dichotomy worlds in war: commanding or fighting, one power or another, home and away.”

Secondly, “These three mental strifes play out for me; they incur a sincere yet distant empathy in space and time between myself and the other I remember.

That we ought to be grateful that we live in peacetime, yet not appropriate those that fought as people as exclusively soldiers in war that were alien to peace. The historical imperative in remembrance that war is complex and contradictory and any one world we remember in war contradicts another.”

I, personally, find an affinity with this perception, especially regarding the distance and alien nature of war. Lastly, I want to share a, perhaps not controversial, but rather understandable view; likening remembrance to a ‘misremembrance’

Words Words

by Meghan

by Iain Savage Smarts

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COMMUNITY

on the part of both the state and population. Going further into this, I was explained: “The memory of war once being a force used to restrain brutality and conflict seems now a force supporting it.

In a time when unwavering loyalty to “patriotic” abstraction is making an unwelcome resurgence, fuelled in part by a sick want of wartime spirit; the importance of scepticism and irreverence that once so characterised remembrance is greater than ever, yet is so lacking. Why does the remembrance of suffering in war stand out from any other suffering for a higher cause? Because it is the state that encourages it, with us dangerously deferring our emotion and thought to its dictations? Or, because war stands out as the greatest product of human stupidity?”

This view, whilst I disagree with it, is widely held amongst the learned, university age community.

Amongst people who have experienced the modern effects of conflict on society and the world and who have suffered in economic times and it will challenge perceptions. I am glad that this response came through, as it highlights to me perfectly the view held by many, that remembrance has become a symbol of glorification. When I went into this article, I had the intention of gaining quotes and very much making this a piece on what people felt. Yet from all the people I spoke to, the three quotes I included stood out to me because of their unique language and the manner in which whilst presenting a new perception, they fairly challenged the perceptions more commonly expressed, speaking of familial connections, and the deeper personal meanings, and the quoted defence of freedoms we can now express.

So, what does remembrance mean to you? That’s up to you in all honesty, but be very sure that like every facet of life and the light that you bring to any part of it, it’s uniquely yours.

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CURRENT AFFAIRS

Brexit: Trick or Treat?

As the countdown to Brexit grows smaller and smaller, student opinions in Dundee are well worth bringing to light.

The 31st of October. Halloween. Samhain. Scary stuff for everyone, right? However, this year Michael Myers masks and ghosts won’t be the only scary thing we see. The current Brexit date coincides with the 31st of October. People usually watching the Nightmare Before Christmas are switching to the news instead. Regardless of your personal views, the uncertainty of Brexit is worrying. Will it happen?

What sort of deal will we get? Will there be a deal?

What’s in store for the future? For this issue of The Magdalen, we wanted to hear the opinions of our students.

We asked the Presidents of the Scottish National Party (SNP) and the Conservative Party Societies their thoughts on the issue. To gain a better understanding of the views of each of the student

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Design by Renato Costa

parties, we asked them three questions; “What impact has / will Brexit have on the students in your opinion?”, “What has your Society done regarding Brexit?”, and “Why do you agree with your party’s stance on Brexit?”. Whilst the two parties have very different views on Brexit and its potential outcomes, it is encouraging to see each party and its members being so passionately involved. The outcome of Brexit is going to affect our generation the greatest as it is us who are going to have to deal with it. To see students so attentive and active gives hope for the future, no matter the outcome.

CURRENT AFFAIRS

Dundee University Scottish Nationalist Association (DUSNA): “Despite the UK government’s mantra that Brexit will open a width of opportunity for the country, it will in fact close the doors of opportunity for students, perhaps permanently. In 2016, over 600 Scottish university students went abroad on the EU Erasmus scheme, which allows students to spend a semester in countries across Europe. This opportunity offers students not only the chance to study abroad but also work, volunteer and teach.

Scotland welcomes around 1,825 EU students a year, who contribute hugely to our higher education. The EU has proposed to double the funding available to the Erasmus scheme to €30 billion, ensuring that future generations of students can experience this fantastic opportunity. And yet, with the Tory Government threatening, if not advocating, a No Deal Brexit, this opportunity could be taken away from Scottish students.

“The EU also provides over 10% of all funding to Scottish Universities, 20% of teaching and research staff in Scotland are EU nationals, and 7.9% of all undergraduate EU students have chosen to study with us in Scotland. These statistics are phenomenal, showing the real benefits Scotland receives from being a member of the EU – something Boris Johnson would negligently discard in order to appease his far right Brexiteer allies.

“DUSNA has, and will continue to campaign for Scotland to be an independent nation within the

EU. We view any form of Brexit as damaging and not respecting the result of the 2016 referendum – where Scotland voted by 62% to remain and where every constituency in Scotland voted to remain – yet despite this we are being dragged out of the EU against our will. On that note, I would like to personally reach out to our EU friends on campus and tell them this - We value your contribution, we value studying with you, we value your teaching and we want you to stay. As the EU motto states we are ‘United in diversity’; something we must all remember.

“As the First Minister said the day after the Brexit Referendum, Scotland “… voted to safeguard our freedom to travel, live, work and study in other European countries. And we voted to renew our reputation as an outward looking, open and inclusive country.” The SNP has every day since the EU referendum advocated continuing to have close links with our European neighbours, to continue being in the single market, protecting the jobs and investment that come with it and working on the international stage on world issues such as climate change. But no matter what the Scottish Government say, they are unceremoniously pushed to the side-lines by the Tory Government.

Despite this, the SNP will continue promoting its internationalist agenda, arguing for Scotland to be an independent country within Europe.”

Words by Abbey McGrath

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CURRENT AFFAIRS

Conservative & Unionist Society: “The 2016 referendum was the largest democratic exercise in our nation’s history and delivered a clear mandate from the British people in favour of leaving the European Union. The Conservative Party has a long and proud history of standing firmly for democracy and liberal values. Therefore, we believe that the will of the people should be respected and that attempts to overturn the referendum result are wholly unacceptable and will do lasting damage to our political system and people’s faith in the democratic process.

“The United Kingdom is the most successful political and economic union of all time, delivering innumerable benefits to everyone in Scotland, and as a unionist society we strongly oppose nationalist attempts to hijack the Brexit issue to force another divisive Scottish independence referendum. In 2014, we were promised that independence was a oncein-a-generation decision and the SNP and other nationalist groups only seek to cause more division and uncertainty and have no mandate for their obsession with breaking up the UK. “Dundee University Conservative and Unionist Association fully supports the British Government’s attempts to find a reasonable way forward on Brexit that respects the referendum result, protects jobs and allows us to regain control of our money, borders and laws through negotiating a deal with the European Union that both sides can accept and

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that helps us to become an independent trading nation once again. It is now almost three-and-ahalf years since the Brexit referendum and now is the time to come together and move on from constitutional wrangling so that we can focus on other, more important issues facing society, such as the NHS, education and crime. We should also look ahead to the benefits and opportunities that await us once we leave the EU, particularly for students and young people, once we can make our own trade deals and forge a new place for ourselves in the world.”

With so many questions up in the air, listening to the voices of students is important. The well informed answers that we received from these Societies gives us good hope for the future regardless of what happens. Hearing different perspectives on an issue that divides the country, almost in half,is intriguing. As students we have to think of the related issues that are not as important or relevant to the older generation, for example university funding and tuition. Being aware of how these issues that affect not only us but generations to come is a scary prospect, but as the future leaders of this country it is good to know that there are eager and knowledgeable people out there to help guide us through it.

CURRENT AFFAIRS

We’re Pure Buzzing Scotland’s renewable energy sector is creating a buzz with its current success and future ambitions.

Following a recent report from Scottish Renewables, Scotland looks set to have the majority of its electricity production be sourced from clean energy in the relatively near future.

The three main types of clean energy that have seen the most success are wind, solar and hydropower. Between the three of them, they currently provide over three-quarters of Scotland’s electricity. According to a recent report, Holyrood has a target of 2045 to have net-zero emissions. However, some worry that this is too little, too late.

The news that the current upcoming generation of adults is being increasingly active in climate extinction protests should come as a surprise to no one, hopefully, but it should be made clear that there is more to their protests than just loud voices. Recently released figures from the first study of its kind show that there are almost 13,000 students in further education in Scotland studying some sort of renewable energy or climate conservation programme. In a sector that already provides over 17,000 jobs, it is reassuring to know the next generation is eager and willing to join this particular workforce.

waste management and construction. The call for entries to the project will go public this month.

Regarding our very own city of Dundee, the government has recognised its geographical and industrial advantages when it comes to renewable energy production. The rail links to major cities enable easy transport of materials and the Port of Dundee has deep water berths which allow for transport by sea. Furthermore, the small airport is a good size for helicopter transport to east coast offshore wind farms.

Physical capital aside, the intellectual capital provided by the two universities and Dundee and Angus College means that there is a growing local workforce with relevant skills of high quality.

Scotland has been leading the charge, no pun intended, in renewable energy for many years. However, much like the energy it creates, the industry itself has to be sustainable. The workforce and government have to work together to ensure there are enough people and capital to keep the industry going from strength to strength. With the current climate crisis, finding a sustainable way to keep the lights on has never been more important.

This workforce could see an expansion in projects in the near future thanks to the Green Investment Portfolio launched by the Scottish Government in September. At a value of £3bn, the fund will encourage the development of projects with a focus on renewable energy,

Illustration by Nico McLaughlin / Words by Mae Kinch

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COMICS

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Comic 1 - Nico McLaughlln / Comic 2 - Ellen Forbes

COMICS

Comic 3 - Leah Cameron / Comic 4 - Harri Johnston

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FASHION

An End to Trends 48

Illustration by Iain Smith

FASHION

Fast fashion recycles trends from past decades in hope to make them seem like something new. Are we able to move towards a post trend era?

If we think of bold colours, shell suits and perms, we are probably thinking of 80’s fashion. When considering the fashion of decades prior, we are able to conjure an image of what someone might have worn.

The zeitgeist of the decade can be captured by looking at the trends and styles of the time. These styles and trends often reflected political, social and cultural changes that happened within the respective time periods.

This begs the question: what traits define the 2010’s, and what does style look like for this decade or the decades to follow? Without a doubt, there are trends present today, with blue ‘Mom’ Jeans and white ‘Dad’ trainers.

However, aside from some wardrobe staples, we seem to be reusing trends at a rapid pace and though many of us attempt to keep up with this fast turnover, our planet cannot.

The classic Spring/Summer and Autumn/ Winter seasons have duplicated, divided, multiplied and mutated into 52 micro-seasons.

It seems like we’re getting to a point where we’ve seen it all before: where the fast fashion monster is self-cannibalising and digging its own grave. The fashion produced now is a relentless succession of recycled, butchered and stitched together trends in a desperate attempt to pass them off as something new and beautiful. Instead, retailers have created a monster: ASOS, Zara and Topshop appear to be the top Frankenstein’s of fashion.

How do we slay this monster of our own creation? We are swamped by the relentless tide of fast fashion. How can we stay on-trend and most importantly, continue looking dropdead gorgeous? Luckily, I’ve got the answer: We end the trend because we can look stunning in anything!

We live in perhaps one of the most socially accepting times there has ever been. If we aren’t celebrating and championing diversity

and equality, we are fighting for it, discussing it and raising awareness of it. This spirit of individualism, acceptance, and tolerance should be expressed via our fashion, and has, arguably, already begun. We should no longer pay attention to trends, instead, we should dress like we want to dress. If we move towards expressing our individuality, we can escape the claws of the fast-fashion monsters – a post trend fashion world.

How can we do this? Champion the charity shop, the vintage fair, the clothes swaps and eBay! Yes, we can still buy new clothes too but not in the zombie-like manner we have been doing. We can purchase clothes with a clear head, mindfully buying what we like and more importantly: what we need. If we create a wardrobe tailored to ourselves, we can find better satisfaction in fashion. Her Majesty Anna Wintour also agrees, stating that “trend” is a dirty word and regarding wardrobe she says, “Let it be unique to yourself and yet identifiable to others.”.

Fashion designers can take a breath too! They can make clothes without the same pressure, deadlines and worry of mass appeal; in a post trend era, they can design without restrictions.

Borrowing from everything that has come before, and also moving forward to push fashion in new exciting directions. Perhaps the decades to follow will be defined by nothing being out of fashion, just everything being “in”.

“Champion the charity shop, the vintage fair, the clothes swaps and eBay!”

Words by Greg Sutherland

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INTERNATIONAL

Is Thanksgiving Just an Early Christmas?

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Design by Helena Lindsay

In my head, all the traditions around Thanksgiving sounded an awful lot like Christmas; you celebrate it with your family, you exchange (admittedly little) presents and you eat as much turkey and roasted potatoes as you can. Add in some of Wham!’s Last Christmas and maybe the Muppets Christmas movie and you’d have yourself a wonderful Christmas.

Now, this is not what I think anymore, but what my 10-year-old-self thought was that Thanksgiving equalled early Christmas. 10 years have passed since then and I have not only been educated on the tradition that is Thanksgiving, but I have also experienced it myself. On top of that, I’ve learned that the Germans celebrate a similar tradition, the Erntedankfest (literally translated: thankful-forthe-harvest-feast). The only difference is the time of celebration; whereas Germans are thankful at the end of September or the beginning of October, when the actual harvests happen, Americans honour the tradition at the end of November (when all the fields have long been harvested). I suppose that’s why it never used to make any sense to me.

The tradition was formed into what it is today

INTERNATIONAL

by the British Pilgrims that came to settle in the New World (the Americas) –and although the tradition had existed in Great Britain before, its significance rose exponentially with the arrival in America. The true origin can be traced to the English Reformation and Henry XIII –after the split from Popery in Rome and the Catholic Church, there were complaints about the lack of religious holidays in the Church of England. As a result, Thanksgiving was introduced as a religious day of celebration and then carried across the Atlantic in the seventeenth century. The tradition spread to Canada, Liberia and the Caribbean Islands and is to this day a cherished Holiday in these places.

From thanking God for the last harvest and a prayer for the next one, it evolved into a general celebration of being thankful. And apart from my confusion about the timing of the holiday, the message behind it still rings true to me. Often in this fast-evolving world, we only have eyes for the next thing we need to do, achieve or solve. Since smartphones can reach everyone anywhere at any time, people need the holidays and traditions more than ever before to remind ourselves of the other side of life; your partner, your family, your friends.

I was lucky to experience a traditional Thanksgiving

in an American family when I went on a student exchange to Maine, US. They organised an early Thanksgiving for us because we were missing the celebration by just a couple of days. The first thing that comes to my mind when thinking of that day is how I missed my family in Germany.

Our exchange students had their families around and I was celebrating and appreciating life and family, without having my loved ones around. when I finally came back home a few days later I had a newfound appreciation for my parents and siblings –of course not only because of having experienced a true Thanksgiving (mainly because I had been 3,776 miles away from them), but it did highlight my display of the love I feel for my family.

Maybe in the next few days after reading this article, you’ll have a couple of minutes to yourself -use that time, call your grandparents that haven’t heard from you in a while because you were too busy with university work. Send a text to that friend that has helped you a lot at university to let him or her know how much their support means to you. Thanksgiving is not about the day off you’ll get, the presents you receive, or the brilliant roasted potatoes your mother makes, but it’s about spending time with your loved ones and letting them know you appreciate them.

Thanksgiving has always eluded me. As a kid, I didn’t grow up with that tradition. All I knew about it came from movies and Netflix-shows – and that if you wanted to be politically correct, you’d have to call it Turkey Day.

Words by Marlena Mazura

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Design by Helena Lindsay

INTERNATIONAL

Words by Alexander Arnaudov

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LIFESTYLE

LIGHT(EN) UP “Hey, gimme a smile!”

“Cheer up love; it can’t be that bad” “C’mon, gie’s a grin- it’s not the end of the world!”

But...why?

We all lead busy lives full of endless responsibilities, meaning that we have little time to dwell on something as insignificant as someone telling us to smile. It’s happened too many times to count right?

At least it has for me.

it’s the “outgoing” ones that are often who we should really be worried about. The people that appear happy in public, often have a very different story behind closed doors unbeknownst to the outside world.

Despite writing this article, I am quite a smiley person but my face has an annoying tendency of showing the world what I am feeling at any given moment. It is true that I have never pretended to be anything other than the human equivalent of a children’s book: colourful and easily read. It’s not something I shy away from because it keeps me honest. However, it’s not always the best thing.

Last Christmas, I was diagnosed with anxiety and depression. It had been a difficult year for me, personally and professionally, following on from a traumatic break-up and a drastic change in career path. However, to anyone that didn’t really know that version of me behind the Instagram posts, I appeared to be #livingmybestlife; partying and drinking, surrounded by my friends and family all day long. Truthfully, it was just pretend.

Even the worst secret-keepers can hide their emotions if they have to. We can’t always assume that the emotions someone is displaying on their face directly reflects what someone is actually feeling just as we shouldn’t assume to know what someone is thinking. In other words, don’t judge a book by its cover. My face might appear as a children’s book, but my thoughts can be a Stephen King novel.

When I was first diagnosed, my Doctor looked me up and down and told me that I couldn’t be that depressed since I was still smiling. Not only was it quite shocking for me to have someone - a professional no less - so flippantly disregard my emotions, it also made me question whether my feelings were legitimate. Depression manifests in different ways. In my own personal experience,

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Design and Illustration by Anna Freeman

On the other hand, look at the classic phrase “resting b*tch face”. Such a person might look moody and unapproachable but don’t let their expressionless demeanour fool you. They are more often than not perfectly friendly until that is, you tell them to smile.

Just in case you were somehow unaware, don’t tell someone to smile or use any of the variations at the beginning of this piece. It’s not just a question of being sexist although this disproportionately affects women more than men (just ask Serena Williams, Kristen Stewart or Greta Thunberg). It is also a question of sensitivity, consideration of others and not making gross unfounded assumptions.

LIFESTYLE

‘My face might appear as a children’s book, but my thoughts can be a Stephen King novel.’

Even the good-intentioned amongst you, let me enlighten you about why, telling someone to “lighten up”, as a tactic, is flawed:

1) Telling someone to smile isn’t going to immediately make them happy.

2) You might actually make them more selfconscious and anxious.

3) No one has to be happy and smiley all the time.

There are multiple times I’ve heard someone say that a girl would be more attractive if they smiled more - women are not just there to smile and look pretty for you. Question yourself and whether you would ask a man the same thing and think before you speak.

4) You are invalidating their emotions and not accepting how they feel. Instead, why not recognise their emotions, ask them how they are rather than brushing them off, listen to them.

Let’s all try and be considerate of others and not make assumptions. Use this new-found time to focus, to lighten up and focus on our own smiles and happiness!

Words by Rebecca Carey

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LIFESTYLE

By this point, I am sure that the majority of you reading this article are aware that Dundee has recently been awarded the accolade of ‘Drug Death Capital of Europe’. The situation has worsened to such an extent that there has been a Dundee Drug Commission set up to address the emerging crisis and failings in the system.

Walking into the city you would be a fool not to notice the people sitting outside shops, coming up to you and asking for change, shouting at peers in the street, or the quick-handed exchanges of money. In some areas, there is an air of deprivation and despair. If you don’t leave the campus bubble you probably haven’t given it a second thought because it doesn’t necessarily impact your everyday movements or life. Now, you may be thinking, why is this article in the lifestyle section?

Recently, I delivered a presentation as part of DUSA Media Week talking about this Section, this experience and role as an Editor. In all honesty, it took me a while to decide on what to discuss or what I have learnt because I couldn’t decide as to what the term ‘lifestyle’ actually means.

I can recall several occasions as a young girl reading a selection of magazines and thinking maybe I should change the way I look, maybe I’m not good enough the way I am because society was overtly implying the particular way I should be.

SPARK UP

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Design by Neil Connor / Photography by Arjun Kalsi

LIFESTYLE

We are constantly faced with a barrage of negative imagery and media stating that we are not good not enough, we don’t look right, eat right or smell right. The list is endless as to how each and every one of us should be living.

My aim as the new Editor of Lifestyle is to break and challenge such assumptions and stereotypes.

Lifestyle is everything and anything. It is the world we live in and the world that we are surrounded by, the way that people live and are treated. As a magazine, we are run by students, for students and any issue that impacts you, matters to us.

On the surface, Dundee is the up and coming city in Scotland - one of culture, museums and thought-provoking architecture. However, to look at this and only this you ignore what issues are underlying within the city. Understandably, the city leaders’ actions are derived from a good place.

Bringing a hint of rejuvenation to a section of the city has imported money and attention for the future and reputation of Dundee to be bettered.

Dare I say it, it has given themselves an ego/morale boost. Yet, the idea that such actions will enact a ‘trickle-down’ effect which will positively rub off on those struggling is dubious as circumstances do not magically transform as smoothly as a concrete waterfront.

Whoever you may be, there are constant justifications for continuing these habits and cultural norms of blame and marginalisation. It is

almost instinctive to target outsiders or underdogs of society. Seeing people with issues other than what we have experienced results in labelling them as a worse or lesser being: ‘junkie’, ‘chav’, ‘pisshead’, ‘jakie’ or ‘alcie’. There is power behind nonchalant throw-away comments. Those people we refer to begin to believe that the labels are true, they look to substances that can give them a hint of feeling joy, a momentary lapse in their current situations where they can block out the names they’re called and the societal blame that is forced upon them.

Inevitably, a cycle begins to form.

On the other hand, there are the times we use self-justification to make ourselves feel better for actions, beliefs or feelings which may be deemed negative. Looking back on when I gave up smoking, I used to think to myself that if I’ve had a bad day, or I was awarded a good grade I deserved one; I had six jager bombs I can smoke ‘socially’ now; I woke up this morning, let’s have a packet. We as humans, even at our most complex, are so similar. Their lives are no lesser than yours and are worth every inch of compassion, support and money as anyone more privileged. The phrase “ignorance is bliss” comes to mind when in fact the opposite is true in this city.

Paving over problems is not confronting the lack of attention towards the norms and stereotypes that have formed within Dundee. Challenging each other and accepting the ways we live, our backgrounds and ills is only the first step away from more lives being lost. For when the world around you is saying you are different, the more you believe it to be true.

Words by Billianna Allen-Mandeville

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LIFESTYLE

Sunset Stir Fry I was a wee girl, not old enough to cook for myself and yet still big enough to want to help. The memories that pop into my mind often involve being in the kitchen.

A setting sun across the windows, slowly turned foggy from the steam of boiling pots and pans or from the open oven embracing me with smells of home baked bread and cookies. Then there was Dad’s Stir Fry. You see, Dad wasn’t much of a cook. To be frank, he wasn’t much of a cleaner or baker either. However, that didn’t matter. It is the little things, the moments that could easily pass us by or that we take for granted which can have the biggest impact on how we feel and grow as people. In those rare days when he would be alone in the house on a rainy Sunday evening with 3 hungry kids, he would display his excellent meal making skills.

When I think back to those days, I remember being worried about managing without Mum. Yet Dad would always be able to not only pull through but show us his care and affection through food: when we were all hungry for his attention; if one of us were sick; after a long day of tantrums and drama.

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Illustration by Nico McLaughlin

Crazy water fights starting with a few drops at dinner, ending in full blown buckets of water running around in the garden. Drinking hot chocolate in front of the fireplace. Listening to HC Andersen’s fairy tales until my eyelids would slowly drop and the tales would continue into my dreams. Stir Fry fizzing in the kitchen waiting with open arms. The memories of my past are driven by and connected to recipes and moments around the dinner table.

Dad was a do-it-all kind of man, aware of what each of us was going through. As a family, we weren’t rich and looking back I suppose he felt frustrated knowing that he couldn’t buy us everything we ever wanted, although he worked as hard as he could every single day. From changing our bicycle tires, helping with homework and playing the knight in shining armour, we knew we were beloved. A stir fry was the simplest dish we could possibly cook, but it’s the beginning of every memory starting with him.

LIFESTYLE

Stir-Fry: Serves 2-3 people Ingredients: Meat, tofu or another alternative 2 tbsp coconut oil ½ broccoli floret 1 diced onion 5 minced garlic cloves 1/2 yellow bell pepper 1/2 red bell pepper 2-3 sliced carrots 2 tsp minced ginger 1 handful of sugar snap peas 10 button mushrooms Recipe: 1. Add one tablespoon of coconut oil to a large pan or wok and heat over medium-high heat.

2. Add meat or alternative. Season with salt, pepper, and cayenne pepper. Cook for 3 to 5 minutes or until cooked through. Remove from pan.

3. Reduce heat to medium, and add remaining tablespoon of oil to the pan.

4. Add the sliced onions and cook for 2 minutes. Then, add ginger and cook for another 2 minutes before

adding carrots and broccoli. Cook for 5 minutes.

5. Add the rest of the vegetables just until crisp and tender. Stir occasionally.

6. Add meat or alternative back into the pan and stir to combine.

7. Whisk stir fry sauce and pour over meat and vegetables and stir gently to combine. Bring to a boil, stirring occasionally, for one minute.

8. Serve with rice or noodles.

Words by Lizzie Husum

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OPINIONS

The Importance of Role Models We all have people we look up to. We need role models to improve, learn and develop. We need something to strive for.

Everywhere we look, we are surrounded by people in our lives, whether it be a relative, a friend or a public figure, there is someone who shapes our behaviour, the way we think and our outlook at the world.

Throughout our lives, we learn by looking at others. Children learn by observing the behaviour of adults, usually by copying their parents. Grown-ups might look to people successful in their field, to friends or mentors. Our physical mannerisms, eating habits, the way we show affection, self-image and social cues are adapted from those we look up to. We’re continuously being influenced by others, whether

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we want to be or not. Those we admire cause our personalities and behaviour to shift, and the way we handle and do things is an imitation of what we see. Our beliefs and our outlook on the world are often absorbed, so it’s important for our growth and wellbeing to surround ourselves with positive role models.

If I look into the mirror, I don’t just see myself, but bits and pieces of the people throughout my life living in me. When I look at the way I act and think, I notice how much of it has actually been adapted from the people I respect and honour. My perspective would be completely different if I would have been raised by different parents, had other siblings, or spent my time with a different group of friends.

Instead of looking at life as a great playground with endless opportunities and countless potentials, I could have easily started looking at it as a path of

one obstacle after the other had my parents’ wisdom not shown me otherwise.

We have a huge responsibility in the way act and behave.

Especially people in high positions such as politicians, executives and celebrities who guide those that follow them, showing what one should look like, believe or do. We must look at how we affect others and how others affect us because society is created by individuals and each of us has a part in it.

The cynics amongst us would argue that everything we do is meaningless, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. Every action we take is viewed by many; we’re a part of a network that shifts and changes in accordance with other people’s actions, personalities and beliefs.

It takes only one person to make a change. Even though we might feel insignificant, a simple smile might just be what someone needs to remember that the world isn’t such a terrible place after all.

Design and illustration by Gosia Kepka / Words by Daniel Pukkila

OPINIONS

A GAME OF ICE AND FIRE SHOULD RUGBY BECOME A WINTER SPORT? Should Rugby Union become a winter sport?

Unlike its quicker, ruck deficient counterpart; League, Rugby Union is still considered a winter sport. With its season often running from September to June, Union players often joke that their rugby careers suffer from a severe Vitamin-D deficiency. League, however, made the switch to a season in which its body consists of summer months years ago. The argument: it makes it more enjoyable for everyone.

The new blood of Rugby Union could only dream of a summer centred season, whilst the old guard, the traditionalists (masochists) live for the frozen pitches, sideways rain and mud that masks any distinguishable features. Rugby is contained warfare and points are the prizes.

There’s something special, something pure about the rush you receive stepping out of the changing room after the final words of inspiration. You’ve come face to face with the battleground for the next 80 minutes. It’s engulfed by a dark sky. The ground beneath your studs crunches and slides simultaneously as you prepare to receive the first kick of the match. Blinded by the rain, you’re ready to give it all and anything less than that isn’t good enough.

It’s true; I believe that warmer weather makes it more enjoyable for the fans in particular. Nobody wants to be stood still for 80 minutes, battered by the wind and rain while they watch players fumble and stumble for possession of a slippery egg. There are some things that even a whole-hearted passion for the game can’t quite do like keep you dry.

Players on both sides of the divide support Union’s transition to the brighter months. Former Wasps captain and English national James Haskell has spoken openly that he believes it will improve as the overall quality of the game, particularly for the colder nations during such tournaments as the Rugby World Cup. Kevin Sinfield, once a Union player, now a League legend has sung the praises of League’s season previously stating that if Union were to switch to a summer sport, “it would allow players to really showcase their skills.”

As a long-term Union sufferer, I love the horrific weather and frozen fingers of an early kick-off in December. I have little tolerance for heat and would happily never see the summer months with my boots on other than during a drunken 7’s tournament in Cardiff. However, being the level headed diplomat that I am, I firmly believe that the quality of the Rugby that the home nations produce would improve exponentially given the chance to grow in the heat.

Design by Helena Lindsay Words / Words

by Marlena

by Jack Mazura Hunter

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OPINIONS

An experience of political shifts and popular protest at the centre of power.

For the past 10 years, The Guardian has run a series called “Anywhere but Westminster.” The philosophy of the documentaries is that reportage of UK politics is so saturated with coverage of parliamentary debates and cabinet meetings that it fails to escape the Westminster bubble, at the cost of elsewhere in the country, where the political mood and the impacts of government policy are ignored. Though as much as I admire this approach, given that Westminster was experiencing the most politically turbulent week since the EU referendum, I couldn’t resist wading in.

When I arrived, Boris Johnson had just lost his fourth vote in the Commons, in only his second appearance there as Prime Minister late the evening before, ushering in an earthquake of consequences. The House passes the Benn Bill instructing the PM to remove No Deal as an option, 21 Tory MPs get expelled from the party to achieve this, and with a general election suddenly on the table, for a brief moment, Jeremy Corbyn appeared in command of the Opposition. For Remainers everywhere, it looked as if the skies were clearing and for the first time since the conception of “Brexit means Brexit,” the chances of the whole thing being stopped completely seemed to be becoming a likelihood.

The atmosphere in Westminster certainly reflected this; walking past the hard-core Europhiles draped in blue and gold, there was a definite buoyancy to their screeching of “Stop Brexit” directed at the media tents, their hoping that this would be enough to disrupt the 6 o’clock news. Despite some of these characters arguably becoming minor celebrities in their own right - Dundee gets Fast Eddie, London gets “Stop Brexit Man” - as you can barely walk a few paces without seeing someone of actual note, there was no need to hang around them for an interview.

Being a liberal lefty in the loop, I’d noted Owen Jones sharing several events for emergency protests, and on that day the Home Office was

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the targeted location. Yet passing back through Parliament Square, a far more captivating demonstration had sprung up from the People’s Vote campaign; with progressive politicians flitting between Parliament and the stage to fire words of encouragement at the crowd. Jess Philips snubbed the idea a General Election would solve Brexit; Diane Abbott made some vowel-stretching tirade against Boris (the substance of which stuck in my mind as successfully as fluff covered Blu Tac to a wall), before Caroline Lucas came out to advocate for some sort of People’s Assembly to replace the House of Lords; a proposal few of the crowd seemed to be grasping. Indeed, the relationship between these speakers and the crowd was an interesting blend of rainbow coalition spirit forged in opposition to Boris, and on the other hand a mild confusion of motives. Was Diane Abbott now in favour of a People’s Vote instead of a General Election? How did Lord Hain feel about following the former Green leader’s call for abolishing the Upper Chamber? Was the man standing in front of me with a 4x6 Liberal Democrats flag going to cheer all these socialists? Yet, with all riding high on Johnson’s Commons defeat, the infectious optimism overrode all these concerns.

I decided to round off the day by seeing what had become of the Home Office demonstration.

It turned out to be a comparatively small affair, with your usual Socialist Worker branded signage and little real enthusiasm. However, as I left, I noticed Diane Abbott making her way between demonstrations. I decided to leap at her in a futile attempt to seek out something more memorable from the Labour frontbencher by asking whether she thought the tide was turning against Brexit.

“This is a very important week, and we’ll be doing everything we possibly can,” was her response, which, kind enough as she was to answer, was more than a little empty.

Reflecting on these events weeks later, those minor discords within the opposition have turned out to be serious enough to prevent a real attempt at removing the Johnson government from power, and it’s difficult to see an obvious path away from Brexit. Yet, the course of that week proved that

Design by Neil Connor / Words by Rory Bannerman

OPINIONS

some things are inconceivable right up to the point that they happen, and the fact that this period of political turbulence is not yet over means one thing; that dramatic change can never be ruled out, and that leaves great room for hope.

As this article was written in early October, I can’t

begin to guess whether we’ll have left the EU or caretaker PM Corbyn will be orchestrating a new referendum by the time this is published. I can only hope my optimism comes to fruition and doesn’t prove to be as hollow as a quote from the Shadow Home Secretary.

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SCIENCE + TECH

Planned Obsolescence: Dying Before Its Time

Exploring the covert practice of multi-billionpound companies deliberately limiting the life of their products to force consumers to buy the newest version.

A few months ago I had to replace my phone, something I only do when my current one is completely unusable. For the duration of its little life, my phone had been cocooned in its protective rubber case, sheltering under an extra glass screen protector, and I’d only dropped it down the toilet once! So, I was pretty annoyed when, suspiciously close to the two year mark since I’d bought the thing, it started giving up on its vital functions.

I soldiered on for another month or two as the phone’s headphone jack, speaker and microphone gave up, as it started freezing if I opened the camera, as it began restarting itself at random intervals.

It was then that I became aware of the concept of planned obsolescence, where companies manufacture products which are deliberately made to break, wear out or stop becoming useful after a predetermined period of time. Planned obsolescence sounds a little bit conspiracy theory-ish but it’s a generally accepted method of promoting consumerism within the manufacturing industries.

If you think about it, we have AIs which can recognise faces and beat world chess champions but its only 2.30pm and you’re on 14% battery life already. We have drones that can start wars from thousands of miles away but phone screens crack

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Design by Neil Connor

when we drop them from three feet up. Basically, many companies don’t build their products to last, and this is deliberate.

It all started with lightbulbs. In 1901, a California fire department installed a lightbulb in LivermorePleasanton Fire Station and they claim it has been switched on pretty much continuously ever since.

So why, when lightbulbs could last (at least) 118 years, do we find ourselves standing on a chair, new lightbulb in one hand, YouTube tutorial on ‘how to change a lightbulb’ in the other every few years? Well, at some point during the 1920s, representatives from all the major lightbulb manufacturers across the globe met secretly to plan and create lightbulbs with an artificially limited lifespan of 1000 hours. This was known as the ‘Phoebus cartel’ and the scam was uncovered decades later — but the short lifespan of lightbulbs seems to persist.

Since then, it can be argued that a whole plethora of products, from nylon stockings to new car models that are fractionally different to the ones before, are created with planned obsolescence.

One aspect of planned obsolescence is to make products irreparable or spare parts irreplaceable.

Car models are being updated so quickly that spare parts for older models quickly go out of production, therefore making older cars irreparable.

Remember when phones used to have removable batteries? If it was wearing out, you could replace it for a battery which held its charge longer. This is no longer the case and if your battery is dying you’re pretty much scuppered; at the very least

SCIENCE + TECH

you’ll have to pay more money to your phone company to repair and replace your current piece of digital technology. The logic behind this is that consumers don’t need a battery that lasts if they’re expecting to replace their handset with the newest model only a year or two later.

There are a few arguments as to how planned obsolescence may actually be a wonderful thing. It promotes innovation between competitors who are constantly trying to make their products incrementally better.

It’s an industry that maintains a huge workforce, especially in the manufacturing sector, thus providing jobs. And it contributes to economic growth, encouraging consumers to spend money.

France, however, can’t see a good side, and has outlawed planned obsolescence after filing a lawsuit in 2017 against Apple for deliberately slowing down its older phone models.

Apple admitted to a practice called ‘throttling’ whereby software updates on old iPhones gradually slow down the phones and begin to switch off key features, slowly but steadily rending the handsets unusable. I’m pretty sure most of you can relate to this. Planned obsolescence may contribute to the economy but ultimately it’s us, the consumer, who is out of pocket when we have to shell out for a new product before we’d like to.

With many people turning to a more minimalist rather than materialist way of living, and with the earth in its drastic state of dwindling resources and surging levels of greenhouse gases and toxic waste, how can companies still embrace this practice, and how do they think they’re still getting away with it?

Words by Rose Kendall

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SCIENCE + TECH

Can Science Play With Your

MIND? Playing video games can affect cognitive functions. The question is, whether it does so positively or negatively.

Have you ever experienced the following situation: going up the stairs and hearing loud sounds of shooting. Then, you open the door and realise that it’s your brother/boyfriend again, smashing other people’s brains, blood everywhere on-screen and screams echoing in the house? Honestly, the worst case scenario.

I have been against playing video games, especially violent ones, throughout my whole life. Instead of wasting hours in front of the screen, I used to play basketball with other children. To make things clearer — I am an introvert, who enjoys being alone.

Despite this, I could not spend more than 45 minutes playing with unrealistic characters in an illusory setting. I have always asked myself the question: how do people find this activity enjoyable? I used to believe that nothing useful can be drawn from it and it is just a waste of time.

However, my viewpoint was not backed up with scientific facts, so I ended up being slightly wrong.

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Design and Illustration by Aylish Kelly

Recently, I had my brother over for several days and I was amazed by his language skills. He was able to lead a proper conversation and even understand many of the accents in Dundee (bearing in mind he is ten years old and has just three hours English class per week as a second language). This made me reconsider my opinions, and as part of my Psychology degree I decided to investigate whether video games can have a positive side.

Play has always been a fundamental feature of human development. Different kinds of play such as pretend, social, body, cooperative and object improve individuals’ necessary social skills and emotional intensity and fantasy, as well as optimising the brain’s development to facilitate learning (Vygotsky, 1978).

Although I totally support this argument, I could not see video games as a useful part of the brain progress. The research I did consisted of interviewing different students who are exposed to games, including violent ones. I was able to observe and then compare their skills (attention, visual, hand-eye coordination and language) with mine.

There was, if not big, at least some difference.

SCIENCE + TECH

“ Playing video games changes the brain’s

physical structure in the same way as reading and playing musical instruments ”

In recent years, psychologists such as Green and Bavelier (2003) have investigated the thesis that playing video games can affect a range of individuals’ abilities. Through their experiments, they suggested that video games are excellent teachers for gaining abstract skills, such as pattern recognition and attentional capacity. Furthermore, it was found that gamers experience the ‘frequently attentional blink phenomenon’ — that is, when two targets appear close in time to each other and the second one cannot be detected or identified — less than non-gamers. The most interesting result, personally, was that playing video games changes the brain’s physical structure in the same way as reading and playing musical instruments (Green 2003).

These findings might have made me become more compassionate/softer in terms of opposing playing video games. However, I was certain that the rise of aggression in recent years is partially due to the violent movies and games we are exposed to each day. To see whether I am right, I paid even more attention to the behaviour of my friends who spend hours and hours playing violent video games (VVGs).

I realised that most of them, if not all, showed less aggressive actions and thoughts than other people around me. This interpretation can be subject to just individual differences, but after doing some research, I found that there is no evidence supporting the notion that VVGs lead to antisocial behaviour, such as aggression growth and empathy decline.

Anderson and Bushman have focused their research on human behaviour after playing VVGs. Their results suggested that there are short-term effects of VVGs in sense of declined empathy and growth of aggressiveness, however long-term negative impacts were not found. Thus, connections between VVGs and violent acts cannot be established. Like everything else, this research had its limitations and criticism, and still there isn’t yet an accepted answer to the debate which asserts a causal link between VVGs and violent behaviour. As a result, this question is frequently debated among psychologists.

This experience gave me some insight into a topic that seems to be bipolar. There is some strong evidence against, but still evidence for. I believe that the truth may perhaps be somewhere in between.

I am proud to say that I faced a situation which challenged my strong beliefs and made me think critically about it. My personal experience combined with scientific investigation helped me tackle some prejudices.

Even though there are psychologists who support playing video games, I have not spent even one hour in the unrealistic world they construct.

Despite this, I would say that the scientific evidence has influenced me to become more open and broad-minded. Therefore, I would make an effort to build my opinion on more facts from now on, and think critically before coming to conclusions.

Words by Maria Radeva

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NEXT MONTH’S THEME: BEING

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23 NOVEMBER SPA Regional Conference

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