Issue 64 - November 2017

MAGDALEN

FALL INTO FILM SHINY, HAPPY PEOPLE

NOVEMBER 2017

ISSUE 64

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Dundee University’s Free Student Magazine

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MAGDALEN ISSUE 64 NOVEMBER 2017

Welcome to the November issue of the Magdalen!

Being inspired by our neighbours across the pond, we dedicated this issue to the festival of Thanksgiving and celebrating the things we are grateful for: all the people who inspire us, all the people who help us, all the ways in which we can express our individuality, as well as being thankful for our “yesterday, today, and tomorrow,� as Alastair Letch and Murray Glen discussed in our feature piece which looks at homelessness in Dundee.

And in the spirit of giving thanks, I would also like to thank Lewis Kennedy, our Jam Radio Station Manager here at DUSA Media, for hosting the 55 Hour Radio Marathon on the long

weekend of the 13th-15th of October. Lewis, his team, the presenters, and helpers all volunteered their time during the Marathon to help raise money for Marrow Dundee / Anthony Nolan who help individuals who require stem-cell transplants to be able to have the surgery which will save their lives.

The charity has been running since 1974 and has saved thousands of people and impacted millions, growing more and more each year. With events like the Jam Marathon we can help raise awareness and expand the donor register to save even more people, worldwide.

Mila Georgieva Editor in Chief

I just wanted to thank the team that helped carry out the 55 Hour Marathon for your amazing work over the weekend, raising over £1900 (at the time of writing) for Marrow Dundee. It was no easy task, but you guys smashed it!

I woke up the morning of the last day of the marathon to the news that someone I went to school with had passed away from cancer. We only knew each other briefly, but I have nothing but positive memories of her. She was friendly, funny, and most importantly, she was kind. Her name was Leanne, she was twenty-one, and this time last year, she was in perfect health.

I’ve seen up-close the damage that cancer can do to people, having seen family fight the disease, and am currently watching my best friend lose that battle, so it was truly heartwarming to see these people give up their time for a worthy cause. I just thought they should know that the long hours they donated to help raise money means the world to the people that need it, and it’s difficult to put into words how proud they should be for the work they put in.

Well done, guys!

Scott Quinn Online Manager, Fibre

The link for the Jam 55 Hour Radio Marathon donations will remain up for the rest of the year, so you can contribute any time at https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/vice-president-fundraising.

dusamedia.com/fibre/

dusamedia.com/tayproductions/

dusamedia.com/jam/

EDITOR IN CHIEF

Mila Georgieva SENIOR DEPUTY EDITOR IN CHIEF

David White OPERATIONS MANAGER

Ellie Biggs DEPUTY EDITORS

Murray Glen James Russell ART & ENTERTAINMENT EDITORS

Liam Biddle Rebecca Reid COMMUNITY EDITORS

Alastair Letch Taylor Petrie CREATIVE WRITING EDITOR

Becca Wilson CURRENT AFFAIRS EDITOR

Calum Wilson FASHION EDITORS

Rachel Cairns Emily Fletcher INTERNATIONAL EDITOR

Shanley McConnell LIFESTYLE EDITOR

Malcolm Kyeyune MUSIC EDITOR

David White SCIENCE EDITOR

Alex McCraw TECH EDITOR

James Russell COPY EDITORS

Catriona Leslie Dervla McCormick Paula Lyttle Stephanie Smith

CREATIVE DIRECTOR

Fabio Maragno ASSISTANT CREATIVE DIRECTOR

Sarah Duffy DESIGNERS AND ILLUSTRATORS

Aaron Donald Claire Pollock Dรณri Szล ke Duncan Adams Eilidh Ferguson Fabio Maragno Fraser Robertson Iona Sorbie Justine Matthew Melissa Cocker Olivia Sharkey Patrick Hughes Piyanut Daodueng Rebecca Reid Ryan McKnight Sarah Duffy Shannon Graham Veronica Hamilton Zara Elmi PHOTOGRAPHY MANAGER

Nicole Cumming PHOTOGRAPHERS

Arjun Kalsi Holly Macphail Nicole Cumming Saoirse Anis Steve Gumaer COVER PICTURES

Saoirse Anis Arjun Kalsi & Holly Macphail

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Feature - Yesterday, Today, And Tomorrow

12 14

Strings Of Fate Gratitude

16 18

Thanksgiving At The Emmys Fall Into Film

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Bodily Autonomy

24 26 28

A War Of Words With Nuclear Tongues Rohingya Follow Up- An Update On A Desperate Situation Thanksgiving In The Era Of False Promises

32 35 37

Shiny, Happy People A Fashion Thanksgiving How Do They Do It?

38 40

How The French Revolution Triggered The Independence Of Latin America Make Cornbread Not War

42 44

You’re A Student The Things I’ll Always Be Thankful For

46 52

Ignite Showcase 5 minutes With Aylee

56 58

For Whom We Should All Be Thankful Thankful For Opinions Changed

62 64

Down The Rabbit Hole The Changing Face Of Emergency Care And Trauma Services In the UK

66 67

Better Dead Than OLED @Cafe

CREATIVE WRITING

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

COMMUNITY

FASHION

INTERNATIONAL

LIFESTYLE

MUSIC

OPINIONS

SCIENCE

TECH

PUBLISHED BY

Ana Ranceva VPCC DUSA Airlie Place Dundee, DD1 4PH vpcc@dusa.co.uk

PRINTED BY

The Magazine Printing Co. www.magprint.co.uk mpc@magprint.co.uk

CONTENTS

CURRENT AFFAIRS

YESTERDAY, TODAY, AND TOMORROW: A SNAPSHOT OF HOMELESSNESS

“

It is important to note that although there is a dire situation which needs to be tackled through a combination of governmental policy and volunteer action, this is not a guilt trip

” W

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hen confronted with the issue of homelessness, many people may have images of Dickensian workhouses, fog, and the very worst kinds of misery. The temptation for those of us privileged enough to have a roof over our heads and food in our bellies to see those who do not as figures of pity, is a difficult one to overcome. However, as The Magdalen has found out through extensive field work over the past few weeks, the system of support networks in place to help disadvantaged people is operating under the philosophy of helping people get back on their feet, not helping the ‘homeless’. After working in these networks, we have spoken to volunteers, the people who rely on them, and the various community figures to ascertain a snapshot of a section of society which all too often serves as a wake-up call to the privileged faction as to how lucky we are, and why we should help others.

Photography by Nicole Cumming

As it stands, homelessness is a problem. It is one which governments past and governments still to come, have, and should, endeavour to eradicate. The purpose of this article is not to portray homelessness as something trivial which various groups are taking care of, free of our sphere of concern. Far from it.

This article is intended to give the reader motivation to make a change, a positive one, and by doing so give yourself, those you help, and society as a whole something to be thankful for.

When looking at numbers alone, the situation is dire.

In the past year, there have been 35,000 applications for homeless status in the UK. This is all while the

FEATURE

Some of the organisations that connect to people who are enduring homelessness, are Making Dundee Home, Roseangle Community Café and St. Salvador’s Church; three organisations that allowed us to work alongside them, for us to gain an insight into the lives of the people affected by homelessness. Not just as student journalists, but as part of the community.

Of the organisations we visited, different bodies had different objectives. Making Dundee Home was a student-run society (now run by the former students who established it two years ago and who continue to volunteer there), which collaborates alongside the Roseangle Community Café to initially fundraise for the cause. Both Making Dundee Home and the Café work tirelessly to create a safe space for anyone who is looking for support: which extends to creating an art space, support with applying for

benefits, a cooked meal (made by an individual within the community) and most importantly, a warm environment where people can relax and socialise. This is an element to the caring of people in a homeless position which is worthy of more discussion. According to Crisis, eviction was the most common cause of homelessness. This being said, there is still a worrying number, 18%, of applications for homeless status which stem from domestic disputes. This means that through various social and economic incidents of isolation, this can leave those who are evicted feeling destitute and depressed leading to increased mental health issues and selfdestructive tendencies which are often left unaided due to being without sufficient medical cover as the NHS requires a proof of address when you register.

Giving these people a place to relax and socialise is crucial to bringing them back into what we deem as solvent society.

This is established by the entirety of the community, rather than just by the organisation. With universal credit switching entirely to online-based applications, the need to use the internet to obtain benefits is crucial; hence the focus on supporting applications.

Equally though, the use of computers extends to using social media and news sites, thus, it is not entirely for the sake of benefits that the computers are set up. It is crucial here to note another function of the organisations we spoke to: their ability to encourage individuals to take part in the community.

With the language at St. Salvadors revolving around the religious ideas of being loved and redeemed, there is a focus on a life after their situation.

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Evening Telegraph is telling us that homelessness is on the rise in Dundee which, according to Crisis Scotland, has the fourth highest level of homelessness in Scotland. There has also been an average year on year increase of 2% in homelessness rates since 2014. As well as this, 15 out of every 1000 under 25s applied for homeless status in 2016/17. All of this means that on the streets of our city, there is a measurable and sustained issue with homelessness and the lack of visible level of attention it is getting, leaving it up to the goodwill of the public and third sector organisations to pick up the slack. These statistics serve to prove the point that the issue is there, however as we found out, plenty of people are fighting to keep society inclusive and helpful to all.

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A criticism of organisations that work to tackle homelessness would be that they operate to meet the most basic of human needs, without encompassing more holistic needs (such as mental health or an individual’s spirituality). This in itself is very interesting as recent studies in the United States have shown that spirituality can be used as a clinical tool to aid in addiction recovery and mental health issues.

Roger Fallot PhD, wrote in an article on the spiritual dimension to recovery “our clients certainly have questions best thought of as spiritual or religious – about ultimate meaning or purpose, about values and the reality around suffering,” he says. “Mental illness is one of the experiences that gives rise to such questions. In the midst of overtly psychotic episodes, spiritual experience, like any other domain of experience, is likely to be disorganized. But in recovery, spirituality may be a neglected source of personal and social strength.”

Making Dundee Home, Roseangle and St. Salvador’s go beyond that: to encompass more than just food and starter packs (although that said, the food is amazing too). There is no hidden agenda to this work however, as to me - a new volunteer - it is genuine. When understanding the motivation for these organisations, I heard this from the volunteers: “To give back to the community as much as we can”. While it might sound simple or straightforward, it is refreshing and reassuring to hear this. The relationship built between the volunteers and people affected is the furthest thing from transactional, in that the trust built is mutual.

As said previously, this article is intended to provide a snapshot of the current climate and leave it to you, the student, to act. All of the organisations we spoke to said they would love to have more people on board, and there are plenty of opportunities to do so. All it takes is to read this and be pushed to make a difference. As always, the situation is ongoing, however this time, you can change it.

Murray Paul Glen and Alastair Edward Letch

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STRINGS OF

Y

ou were born without a string. Abandoned on church steps because your parents believed you were the devil. A soulless monster without a fate. You grew up hated and mocked by the local children whose strings were attached to them.

They knew their lives had purpose.

A soulmate.

You left town at 14.

‘Kids are taught from infancy not to pull on their string. Not to follow it.

Definitely not to use it to guide them to their fate.’

You didn’t know where to go. Few people do when they’re running from home. You tried a few towns but they were too quiet. You tried a city but it was too obnoxious and you couldn’t connect with anyone.

Everywhere was too big or too small and you were Goldilocks, who wanted to find something that was just right.

The thread is thinner than you’d imagined it. It is tight against your wrist and you tug slightly as if to pull it off. You’re no longer sure why everyone is so happy to have one when it feels more like a leash than destiny.

Sure, you know you have a fate, that you’re more than just skin and bone but now you’re tethered to someone. To something. Now you only have to find what that thing is.

You woke up at 2am one day.

No one ever told you the stories.

Kids are taught from infancy not to pull on their string.

Not to follow it. Definitely not to use it to guide them to their fate. Everything has a time to happen, they’re told. Don’t force it or it won’t be right. But no one thought to tell the kid who had no fate; when your string appears, you follow it. And follow it.

Not all endings are happy.

Maybe you don’t care.

It doesn’t kill you the first day. Or the second. It speaks a language you’ve never heard but you understand what it means. It understands what you mean. Within a month you worry that your destiny is as bland as anyone else’s. That you have somehow spoilt it. Then it, she, the creature, asks what you want for dinner.

You answer and pretend everything’s normal.

It’s not.

This happy life in the woods is cut short. She is hunted and you are too because what kind of freak is linked to a nymph? You marvel at a name for her even as you run from your destiny because the love you’ve started to feel isn’t strong enough to save someone from certain death. You aren’t in a fairytale and there’s no such thing as true love’s kiss.

But the thread never breaks.

You return to your old home and no one recognises you. You spent more time away than you thought.

You use a different name and they welcome you with open arms. It’s only when you’re in the supermarket that you hear your real name being used. A kid is being told if they’re naughty their string will fall off during the night. They say that’s what happened to you.

When you get home you cry and you’re glad no one remembers your face.

Then, she comes to you one night.

You can’t stop yourself from laughing and sobbing.

Absence must make the heart grow fonder because you realise you do love her. The thread had become tangled and knotted and you struggle to wrap arms around each other but that’s better than the tautness you’ve been experiencing for almost a year. You never mention her time away and you buy a house beside a forest so she has somewhere to go. People talk but you have learnt to ignore it.

Just like Goldilocks, everything became perfect.

Rhiannon Lyndsay-Andrews

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The creature at the end of your string looks as confused as you. It is more beautiful than any human but it isn’t human, it isn’t safe, you can tell by the hunger in its eyes that you are in mortal danger. Maybe this is your destiny, to be its lunch.

CREATIVE WRITING

‘The creature at the end of your string looks as confused as you. Within a month you worry that your destiny is as bland as anyone else’s. Not all endings are happy.’

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Gratitude CREATIVE WRITING

Kalina Marinova Photography by Arjun Kalsi

Standing on the edge…

But… Somewhere deep inside the damaged mechanism In between the displaced particles, In between the dusk of solitude and the dawn of existence.

In between now and then.

I unveiled the significance behind it all. … Indebtedness…Thankfulness…Gratitude…

For the hours that carried me all the way from then to now.

For the ability to decisively expose the deceit within the truth.

For the heart which desires to long and love once more, For the brain which grants it with the courage to do so.

For the practicality of the noon which invites laughter to fill in the room once again.

For the anxiety of the night which reveals how beautiful the moonlight spilled over a river can be.

For the hundred forgotten loving nights which welcome back self-love and care as guests of honour.

For the thousand revived wholehearted days.

For the idiomatic voiceprint which permits for those lines to be carved into words.

For the freshly uncovered stillness which instructs that patience is a virtue.

Nuts and bolts no longer spread all over the ground.

Picked up and put back to place by the countless watchmakers I refer to as friends.

And the clock began ticking once again.

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In between now and then.

In between the truth and the deceit.

In between what the heart desires and what the brain commands.

In between the practicality of the noon and the anxiety of the night.

In between the hundred forgotten loving nights and the thousand revived half-hearted days.

In between the long lost idiomatic voiceprint and the freshly uncovered overwhelming stillness.

Nuts and bolts spread all over the ground.

The beautiful product of a broken clockwork.

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Thanks giving at the Emmys

M

After this decision, co-creators Aziz Ansari and Alan Yang then asked Waithe to co-write the Thanksgiving episode, which quickly became one of the show’s most highly commended episodes.

Master of None writer and co-star Lena Waithe was the second black woman to be nominated in the comedy writing category and the first black woman to take home the Emmy. She won an award for her very topical “Thanksgiving” episode, based on her own coming out story.

Although this can be seen in Master of None, the Thanksgiving episode delves far deeper than mere familial trivialities; it explores deeply significant and socially relevant issues and the emotions which they invoke in both the viewer and the characters themselves.

Drawing from personal experience became a recurring pattern for this year’s Emmy nominees, with “Stranger Things” creators, The Duffer Brothers, taking a similar approach to Waithe, interwining much of their 80’s upbringing into their show’s storylines.

Interestingly, the character of Denise was originally written by the show’s co-creators as a straight childhood friend to Dev, but once Waithe was cast, they soon ditched the original character in favour of Waithe’s own personal experiences.

Moreover, The Master of None episode does not ignore or gloss over the family’s own Thanksgiving experience, instead it presents significantly interesting political subject matter as table conversation over the years, including the topic of disenfranchisement and the O.J. Simpson trial. We are painted a very specific picture of one family’s perspective of a national holiday and the historical events which are of such significant importance.

The episode also embodies this idea of inclusivity which was so prominent in this year’s Emmys.

The character of Dev is present for all the family’s Thanksgiving meals, although his own family doesn’t celebrate the holiday, and we see Denise and Dev bonding over shared cultural touchstones, which evokes a heart-warming and instantly believable backstory for the lasting friendship of these two characters. The heavier topics and more overbearing themes of the episode are tempered with these moments of joy and complex emotions which serve to elevate every scene.

Much like the holiday itself, the resounding message of the episode seems to be one of family, togetherness and giving thanks and The Emmys 2017 embodies this idea of inclusion, marking a crucial moment in television history which saw the recognition and honouring of diverse talent.

Rebecca Reid

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Lena Waithe’s Thanksgiving episode follows the character Denise’s journey through adolescence over a series of family Thanksgiving dinners. We see her gradually coming to grips with her identity as she confides in her best friend, the show’s main character Dev, and eventually comes out as gay to her family, with mixed consequences. Denise’s emotionally detached mother worries for the hardships she fears her daughter will face as a gay black woman, whilst Denise herself must navigate her own identity over the years. We see her maturing from a young girl to an awkward adolescent who is not quite sure of herself, and eventually becoming a more self-assured character by the episode’s conclusion. Although some Thanksgivings are harder for the family than others, the episode is ultimately a heart-warming affirmation of her family’s love and acceptance as Denise finally comes into her own.

The traditional Thanksgiving narrative on television typically revolves around family drama or unforeseen conflicts which threaten to ruin the holiday’s celebrations.

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

arking the beginning of the season’s holiday TV, this year’s 69th Annual Emmy Awards honoured the best talent in American primetime television and proved to be a cornerstone moment for celebrating diversity and first wins in Hollywood. Particularly in light of this year’s “Moonlight” win at the Oscars, could this indicate the continuation of a more progressive outlook from the Academy of Television Arts?

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The autumnal flicks to fend off that Christmas movie hype

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s the nights begin to creep into day, you find yourself more jacket-aware and as the leaves are rusting red it’s only natural that, as students especially, we sink into our cosy caves for post-class hibernation. With this cold-curbing isolation comes the oh-so-welcome friend that is film.

Now winter is the top dog when it comes to luring you into bed with a good movie but are we skimping on those autumnal flicks that are less seasonally specific as the snow-in classics?

‘What’s an autumn movie?’ It’s not as straight-forward a question as asking yourself what is a Christmas movie. With winter usually being an undeniable but also important theme in such Christmas films, autumn is more graceful, more subtle. Sure, it’s not a shine, shimmer and snowfall delicacy but it’s wistful, rustic, and warm and cold in that peculiar way; like finding a frosted red leaf falling at your feet, it makes you feel good despite Christmas still appearing out of reach.

An absolute beauty in terms of fall colours is Fantastic Mr. Fox, one I hadn’t delved into until very recently but my is it a lovely looking film that swallows you

into those autumn emotions of settling down. The intelligent humour and dry, whimsical tone is executed so well and the characters burst out – as you’d expect from Roald Dahl’s tales – with an outstanding voice cast including the likes of George Clooney, it’s like a family fox crossed with Batman, Bill Murray, Meryl Streep, Willem Dafoe and Wes Anderson.

Fantastic Mr. Fox is the absolute perfect starting point for autumnal film and if you take anything from this article, it’s avoid that Netflix search ‘n slide for “something, anything” and find Fantastic Mr. Fox (93% Rotten Tomatoes) and enjoy yourself – it’s even an inviting one hour twenty-seven minutes running time for that weekday night retreat.

Going with the theme of pretty animations that wrap you up in fall vibes, whether it be that damp humidity you feel through the screen that only makes your blanket burrito that much warmer or the sun striking through warm coloured leaves and across a pumpkin patch – Henry Selick’s Coraline, adapted from Neil Gaiman, is one to watch. This is one that comes in right around Halloween’s heels with quite abstract, unsettling tones and a plethora of funky yet freaky characters.

Henry Selick has another very familiar and somewhat infamously uncategorised animation which is The Nightmare Before Christmas. I’d be amiss not to include this classic - is it a Halloween film? Is it a Christmas film? We honestly will take the excuse to watch it across both holidays and what better time than slap bang in the middle in good ol’ November, y’know, that month before December that doesn’t really get much props. Tim Burton aids in this one and what a crime if you’ve yet to see it! Similar to

Coraline it gives you music, creepiness and a generally intelligent comedic factor all the way through.

If you’ve exhausted yourself animation-wise, for the seasonal snugglers, why not spiral down the romantic side? Things get more real, but with autumn comes this sort of bleak sense of desire and search for warmth – a perfect place to find these are in 500 Days of Summer. Of course, this film is over all four seasons but the all-important spark begins in autumn.

That dead zone between ‘yay pumpkin spice lattes!’ and ‘Christmas decorations already?’ This one really tugs at your heart; it’ll relinquish you of your festive feelings and make you fleeting and fuzzy, if you’re into that. Garden State however proves a good alternative if you don’t want to be bombarded with the love of others. More than many non-animation films, this truly harnesses those autumnal feelings in Zach Braff’s directorial debut.

Some honourable mentions to whisk in here are Dead Poets Society, having that back to school quality as well as an absolutely awe inspiring performance from the late Robin Williams. V for Vendetta and Donnie Darko come in as some very dark and brooding cinema but still right on time for October and November settings.

Slow West for those of you who have ever wondered what a romantic Scotsman in a Western looks like and how can I not include all the Harry Potter films to top this list off?

Liam Biddle Photography by Arjun Kalsi & Holly Macphail

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It’s an absolute gem that I always find myself going back to. If you think the little boy from IT has a nice yellow raincoat, then you’ll be glad to see Coraline working one too with the bonus of that beautiful animation. With a fiercely stubborn and independent female lead, the story keeps you on your toes and in support of Coraline, she even has a wonderfully sassy and slightly mysterious black cat companion reminiscent of Thackery Binx aka the Hocus Pocus cat.

The tone shifts between the occasional sing-song to wonderfully creepy visuals - if you haven’t seen this and like a little spooky with your autumn animation Coraline is a real trick and treat.

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

‘WHAT’S AN AUTUMN MOVIE?’ IT’S NOT AS STRAIGHT-FORWARD A QUESTION AS ASKING YOURSELF WHAT IS A CHRISTMAS MOVIE.

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FRIDAY 17 NOVEMBER LIVE IN DUNDEE

Fronted by UK hip-hop legend Dr Syntax and verbal acrobats Dubbul O & Ellis Meade, this 9–piece band’s horn heavy and funk driven live show combines original grooves with medleys of classic hip-hop, b-boy and funk breaks spiced with jaw-dropping lyrical acrobatics.

“A slick combination of quality samples and fiendish beats.

The smorgasbord of soul, jazz, funk and reggae influences… some of Britain’s most promising emcees” (UK Hip Hop)

DUNDEE JAZZ FESTIVAL

INFO AND TICKETS: www.jazzdundee.co.uk Groucho’s / Assai Records / DCBO / Dundee Rep

COMMUNITY SECTION

BODILY AUTONOMY A NEW TRANS GYM TO TACKLE GENDER DYSPHORIA HEAD ON!

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Say you wanted to work out at the local gym, but felt as though you could not. What reasons might you have that you couldn’t go to exercise? Could it be how much you detest physical exertion? Or perhaps it could be that you have nobody that supports you with your goals at the gym, nobody to push you to do that extra rep?

Now, if you were questioning your gender, how comfortable might you feel? Does the local gym have changing facilities where you would be both comfortable and complying with the law (as opposed to resorting to using the disabled facilities as a changing / showering unit)? Does the local gym foster a welcoming environment, where harassment or bullying is challenged? Even then, are there people you can be gym buddies with that recognise and accept your gender identity?

Enter the Trans Gym as a counter to these present issues, headed by Alex Muir - the Vice President of Representation at DUSA -whom I was lucky enough to be able to interview. As there is a concern regarding the lack of support that the trans community receives in Scotland (with the Scottish Trans Alliance recording that 35% of trans adolescents have attempted suicide in the UK), supportive projects like TSI (Trans Sports Initiative) act as a means of offering trans / gender nonconforming individuals access to sports facilities. To be able to generate a space that can be supportive for individuals going through transition. As private health care would be harshly expensive for students, the NHS fortunately provides this process for free. This however, works on the few specialists in Scotland, which makes waiting times from GP referral to specialist approximately 12 months, even longer before getting approved for HRT (hormone replacement therapy).

If you as the reader think that this is ok, as it is based on a personal choice, then I would ask you to consider this: one of the largest concerns for individuals in the trans community is Gender Dysphoria:

“GENDER DYSPHORIA IS A CONDITION WHERE A PERSON EXPERIENCES DISCOMFORT OR DISTRESS BECAUSE THERE’S A MISMATCH BETWEEN THEIR BIOLOGICAL SEX AND GENDER IDENTITY.

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It’s sometimes known as gender identity disorder (gid), gender incongruence or transgenderism.” NHS. This condition, while psychological, has a brutal effect as it is extremely hard to prevent, yet it can also be a factor leading to a person self-harming and having suicidal thoughts, as well as a high prevalence of anxiety, depression, or chronic low self-esteem.

What is the counter or combat to this condition?

As put by Alex Muir, one of the main triggers for dysphoria (for him anyway) was the loss of Bodily Autonomy. While the whole “trapped in another body” analogy isn’t quite accurate, the issue still stands that there would be many days that he would feel his body would not match who he really was. The stress caused by not being able to do anything about it would snowball into other mental health problems.

Through utilising a combination of positive social interactions and non-medical dependent coping mechanisms to gain a level of control back is where projects like TSI excel. To foster a progressive and preventative approach to LGBT+ based issues, through peer support and encouragement, is the objective of the Trans Gym project.

“In the gym, I can just shut off everyone else and focus on whatever I am doing. Regular exercise is good, not just for physical health, but also mental health. I started to get into a proper routine when I was told that it would help manage my ADHD. As I trained more, I realised that if I focused on certain workouts, I could change how my body looked. It sounds really obvious when I say it like that, but it’s more than just ‘if I work out I’ll get skinny’ it’s ‘if I do this and this, or focus on this, I can get a much more ‘stereotypically masculine’ body shape without having to wait the next 6 months for testosterone. Obviously I’m still starting HRT and looking into surgery, but I don’t have to just sit around for the next few months waiting and mentally deteriorating before I can start feeling like myself again.”

“TRANS PEOPLE EXIST” Currently, the staff at the ISE in Dundee have received trans awareness training from the STA (Scottish Trans Alliance), which helps staff to identify concerns and find solutions when working with trans students who want to use the facilities. This means that any harassment that people might receive when going to the gym will be challenged. Equally, this training extends to welcome and aid trans students with exercise methods that contribute to the form that a person intends on developing.

With the knowledge that a person can learn about developing an exercise regime that encourages development of a particular psychical form, in this case, from a trans-aware personal trainer at the ISE, can be the best way for a person to tackle any concerns about their appearance. Knowing what exercises to do and diet to have can give a person a lot of confidence over what route to take.

SECTION COMMUNITY

As a trans student at the University of Dundee, Abertay, or Dundee and Angus College, you have access to a four week trial membership with the project, as well as two free sessions with an aware personal trainer. You can also find a group of supportive friends from this project who will be there to give advice, guidance and even be a gym buddy. This program is not just for beginners or gym novices. An example would be Max’s story: a trans man who had their surgery coming up. To get the processional guidance from a PT, he was able to get in the best shape possible, meaning that his surgery had a much better chance of producing the aesthetic which he was looking for.

The next stage of the project is looking into expanding out and working with the sporting societies to make sure they are as supporting as possible to their trans players. Teams such as the Ultimate Frisbee Team and the Volleyball Team have both shown great support for the trans community, and a full list of the rules and regulations for each team will be published in time for refreshers.

If you want to try it out, get involved, or know someone who might be interested, then you can get in touch with TSI on their Facebook page or through Alex Muir at the Union.

Alastair Letch

TRANS SPORTS INITIATIVE UNIVERSITY OF DUNDEE ISE - INSTITUTE OF SPORT AND EXCERCISE alexanderjamesmuir@gmail.com ISE Lead: n.long@dundee.ac.uk FB:Transgym.TSI

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“Trans people exist, and the barriers to the gym are more than what people would think. Simple things like what to wear (binder or no binder), which changing rooms or bathrooms they can use, which showers, etc. Let alone the wonderful levels of systematic oppression that affects everything from their abilities to access healthcare or hold jobs. (No job = no money = no gym membership).”

W

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hat happens when two of the most infamously ‘brash’ and ‘reckless’ leaders in the world engage one another in a visceral display of mockery and threats at the backdrop of nuclear Armageddon?

The short answer: anything but global peace. Such is the dilemma facing the global community at a time of unprecedented verbal hostility between the US and North Korea, unwitnessed since the Korean War of 1950 in which 5 million people died and saw the division of the peninsula by strictly ideological lines. North Korea’s nuclear ambitions have been pursued vigorously under the despotic cult leadership of Kim Jong-un. The third leader of North Korea and nationally worshipped heir to the powerful Kim dynasty has made it a top priority to develop intimidating nuclear capabilities considered vital in protecting itself from the West.

“two of the most infamously ‘brash’ and ‘reckless’ leaders in the world” There has long been friction regarding the nuclear testing by the regime and in 1994 the father of Kim Jong-un, Kim Jong-il, signed an agreement limiting his country’s development of such weaponry in exchange for food aid. However this agreement did not last long and in 2006 state television reported upon the successful testing of a nuclear device. Yet it was not until the succession of his son that developments have truly threatened regional and international security. In September 2016 they tested their most powerful bomb yet, measured at 10 to 20 kilotons, ironically the same yield as ‘Fat Boy’ dropped on Nagasaki nearly 71 years prior. These tensions were added to again recently when North Korea fired a missile over Japan in hopes of potentially attaching a nuclear device to said missile, giving it intercontinental status and making it a direct and serious threat to the US mainland. Thus instigating the war of words we are currently witnessing, where advisors have repeatedly warned Trump not to antagonise the unpredictably dangerous state have gone unheeded.

Kim’s recent characterisation of Trump as a ‘dotard’, a 14th century insult suggesting imbecile or senile, followed Trump’s denunciation of Kim as ‘Rocket Man’, widely regarded as a reference to the 1972

Elton John song of the same name. Here’s hoping one of the two does not ‘blow a fuse’ and respond violently, as referenced by the aforementioned hit single. This noticeable disdain for diplomatic language as espoused by the pair is naturally worrying to many who see emption as playing too large a role in the dispute, evoking the eccentricity of a celebrity spat rather than the diffusal of a potentially cataclysmic scenario.

One which will almost definitely bring China into the fray and ignite a chain of alliances. As China is North Korea’s only major ally and this combined with China’s ambitions to become the preeminent power in the region and reticence to see any troops deployed so close to its borders would undoubtedly provoke a standoff between the US and the growing superpower.

North Korea’s antagonistic and often confrontational approach to foreign policy has often been a source of friction since its inception in the 1940’s. Under Obama the US pursued a vigorous policy of diplomacy, which has included sanctions, and envoys in an attempt to repair their fractious relationship. However under Trump, and much like his campaigning persona, the response has been essentially fight fire with fire.

So when North Korea vows to create a ‘Doomsday’, Trump’s rhetoric instantly jumps to ‘totally destroy’ the nation. A threat that has been regarded by North Korean officials as a ‘suicide mission’. And where Obama may not have risen to many of the insults, Trump certainly has. There has been a multitude of times when North Korea acted even more disparagingly and confrontationally to Obama, like when they racially mocked him or released a video showing the destruction of the US Capitol building.

All of which was not met with threats of destruction but rather calls for calm and increased dialogue.

Actions that did not see tensions rise as far as they have done recently.

Despite all the global tensions dominating international relations we must also remember that regardless of all the threats no country wants global war. And if you are indeed reading this, tensions have likely been diffused and the world has likely unified and moved onto more important things, like solving global hunger.

Calum Wilson

ROHINGYA FOLLOW UP

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An Update on a Desperate Situation

L

ast year, The Magdalen brought you a story of people fleeing their homes, being oppressed by a seemingly incapable government and having nowhere else to go but Bangladesh, due to its acceptance with the shared Muslim-ethnic genealogy the Myanmar government has failed to recognise. In this issue, we show how the situation has, predictably yet at a speed without precedent, deteriorated into an omnishambles of devastation the UN has called ‘A textbook example of ethnic cleansing’.

Such language from the UN comes in the wake of distressing evidence coming out of the region which was once Burma. According to the BBC, the number of Rohingya people displaced by the security services has tripled to 300,000 since we first wrote about the issue. As well as this, the intensity and frequency of violence accompanying the refugee crisis has sharpened too, bringing the country to a razor’s edge between refugee crisis and ethnic civil war as hardline Rohingya insurgents attacked a police checkpoint

near the border with Bangladesh in August. Since then, revenge attacks by security forces and guerrilla responses from insurgents have spiralled out of control.

‘ A textbook example of ethnic cleansing ’ The latest information available has provided evidence that security services are now employing ‘scorched earth’ tactics in the west of the country in areas known to be havens for refugees trying to escape. Satellite images of entire villages and vast swathes of countryside ablaze have been obtained and go part of the way to showing the damage this conflict has caused thus far.

Political fallout from the Rohingya crisis is also palpable. The once great hope of a liberal Burma, Aung San Suu Kyi, has been silent on the matter.

Presently, she does not have the power over, or trust

CURRENT AFFAIRS 27

of, the military which is now factually tied to these atrocities. Meaning, domestically, back channelling is needed to defuse the crisis. However, it is well known that Ms Suu Kyi has long held the hearts and minds of the western media, yet refuses to condemn the actions of her forces beyond ‘calling for peace’. As BBC Asia correspondent Fergal Keane says though, ‘We did not calculate that the stubbornness which refused to concede to the military might, if she came to power, prove equally forceful when confronted with foreign criticism’. He goes on to say that Myanmar’s diplomats are working with the Russian government at the security council level to stop or at least minimise any UN condemnation of the situation.

Murray Glen Photography by Steve Gumaer

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THANKSGIVING IN THE ERA OF FALSE PROMISES

A

s the arguably greatest American holiday approaches us, what better time to take a step back and evaluate the performance of the 45th President of the United States. To this point, during Trump’s time in office, it appears he’s faced an almost avalanche of failures and it is worth having a look at whether the promises which comprised the basis of his presidential campaign, have been at all fulfilled.

An obvious number one - repealing Obamacare; this has been continuously rebelled against by even his own party members. A promise to his supporters that should have been relatively easy to deliver – 50 votes in the 100-seat Senate for the bill labelled GCHJ Medicaid (as of 20 September) to pass, whilst Republicans control 52-48 seats - a requirement which was doomed by the time Senator John McCain proclaimed he could not vote for it “in good conscience” (BBC News). Another example could be the court challenges to Trump’s immigration ban. Despite parts of the temporary travel ban having been allowed to take effect, the new restrictions are assumed by LA Times to be “more vulnerable to legal challenge”, considering their permanency. And third time lucky, Mexico has not seen a wall on the borders, despite repeated rallying calls for the country itself to fund the megaproject (which is something even Trump himself has recently refrained from bringing up), quite just yet.

Altogether, we seem to notice a common trend amongst the above issues. Almost all cases of the undelivered promises and rejected bills have seen unprecedented backlash; from celebrities raising awareness across all social media, through campaigns such as #StopHateDumpTrump which over 86,000 people have signed; to leaders standing up to Trump on international issues, like we saw for instance during the 2017 G20 Summit on the Paris Agreement.

To this point, during Trump’s time in office, it appears he’s faced an almost avalanche of failures Politidact.com have published a so-called “Trump-OMeter” which suggests only a 7.9% of the president’s campaign promises have been kept to this point. All in all, therefore, the US public has hardly received what the president promised it would. And for that reason, this November 23rd, we should all be thankful, for having a voice. Both those who fight daily to avoid what they see as a plight on America’s democratic values, and those backing Trump, who are putting in an increasing effort upon realisation that even the president needs a strong support network behind him.

Barbara Mertlova

LIVE MUSIC FOR STUDENTS

£5 DUNDEE JAZZ FESTIVAL 2017

WWW.JAZZDUNDEE.CO.UK

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Dundee University Photography Society Monthly Competition winners Ophelia Oatridge Theme: Autumn

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The theme for the December issue will be ‘light and shadows’ Deadline for submission: 15th November Submissions to be sent to dups.dundee@gmail.com Max of 2 submissions per person

Shiny, Happy People

N

ovember has arrived, the sun has taken its hat off and developed a bit of a half-arsed attitude, much like the average student by this time in the semester. Now rarely even turning up for the few hours a day it’s supposed to. We are stuck in that horrible world of dark grey between the naïve excitement of the back to school season, and the glitter and festivity of Christmas.

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Happily though, as with all of the trials and tribulations of the 21st century, we can cure our sadness through the acquisition of material possessions! This Autumnal period, the most covetable fashion trends are frivolous, cheering and accessible ― you only need invest in a couple of playful accessories to tap into this season’s penchant for silliness. Here are three student-friendly ways.

Gaudy Jewellery As a person who wears the same necklace every day because it’s tied in a knot and I can’t be bothered to cut it off, my general attitude to jewellery doesn’t include the words ‘statement’, ‘eye-catching’, or ‘oversized’; but I have to admit, I’ve fallen for this season’s obsession with ornaments. Already I have been seduced by a pair of bright, fluffy, mustard yellow pom-pom earrings from Zara – which my parents derided and my sister told me looked like ‘the mutilated corpses of bees’. It is however, impossible to regret my purchase since my new earrings cheer me up at every turn (literally, I can see them bobbing about from the corner of my eye) and since gaudiness is officially fashionable this Autumn/Winter, it’s now ok for us to dispel the wintry gloom by quite literally adorning our bodies with shiny things.

To avoid tackiness and keep everything seeming deliberate, the trick is to wear just one piece of overthe-top jewellery with a minimal outfit and total enjoyment. If you’re going to be wearing the kind of baubles more usually associated with Christmas trees and medieval popes, it has to be because they make you happy; you’ll just look silly in something that eyecatching if you feel self-conscious about it.

Fancy Tights AW17 catwalks were filled with weird tights and given that our so-called summer disappeared sometime around mid-July this year, we have been in our black

opaques for long enough! Don’t get me wrong, black opaque tights are brilliant and necessary things, but noone could call them exciting. Fancy tights, on the other hand, always seem just a bit unnecessary; they offer something of an antidote to the relentless practicality of the ol’ 60 denier black, and I think it shows a certain amount of confidence to take an item designed to fade into the background and make it the statement piece of your outfit. This trend does have its practical advantages as well. A pair of fancy tights will allow you to carry culottes and summer midi-skirts through to winter with a bit more élan and optimism ― Cold?

What cold?! You’re just wearing tights because they improve your outfit.

Statement Shoes OK, so this is one that I’m finding it more difficult to get behind, but bedazzled, textured, glittery and patterned boots and shoes are everywhere at the moment. If you’re confident enough to wear some of the more outrageous pairs on offer, I salute you, and I’m certain they will inject much joy into your life and your wardrobe. But, as much as the nurseryschool-glitter-glue-rampage look seems fun, it’s not very translatable to everyday, and if you’re investing in a pair of shoes, you do want something wearable.

Personally, I prefer the more restrained versions of the style which plays with textures and patterns. A twotoned ankle boot with a bit of pattern/texture combines a little playfulness with practicality, while shoes in velvet or brocade are indulgent without being overly attention-seeking.

Pretty much all the high street chains have reasonably priced versions of these three trends at the moment.

H&M is carrying plenty of this kind of jewellery, while Zara seems to be championing the embellished shoe, and Marks and Spencer is a good bet for interesting tights; which are a bit dearer but won’t ladder immediately. On the other hand, charity and vintage shops are always filled with amazing kitsch brooches for literally pennies, which will look even more chic and bright pinned to chokers or hair bands, and could easily revitalise some old pumps or shoes.

Of course, this kind of kitsch, over-the-top accessorising isn’t for everyone. Though many people have probably been doing it for years. If you are feeling like you need a pick-me-up in these gloomy months, I would heartily recommend a bit of sartorial silliness: it’s difficult to be down with bright yellow pom-poms hanging from your head.

Rachel Cairns

FASHION 33

I think it shows a certain amount of confidence to take an item designed to fade into the background and make it the statement piece of your outfit.

34

Photography by Saoirse Anis

My style changes day-to-day but I’m finally in a place where I feel genuinely happy in the clothes I wear. It really does make me thankful that fashion gives me that happy boost to my confidence. We all have issues with our appearances. I could write a list of all the things I think are my flaws, but that’s not productive. Instead, I like to channel my energy into making myself feel good. For me that means dressing in something I want to wear - in something that makes me feel like I can accomplish anything.

Fashion is meant to be fun and it makes me a little sad when someone tells me; “I love that outfit but I could never wear something like that!”. We don’t all express ourselves in painted denim and pearl-embellished tops like I do, but why not try something new and see if it makes you feel like you? If you love what you’re wearing, then that’s all that matters.

Not only am I grateful that I am given the option to try out a bunch of styles, I’m thankful for fashion

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T

he fashion world has always been scrutinised.

Some believe that it is a purely materialistic and superficial thing to be interested in. But I, like so many others, know that fashion can be important for your self-esteem and self-expression.

FASHION

“I’m thankful for fashion giving me the opportunity to change my mood in an instant„ giving me the opportunity to change my mood in an instant. Think about it, we all have an outfit that we think of as our Good Outfit. The one we pull out for parties, or the one for days out, or the one for interviews. Some items just make us feel more confident. For me, it used to be red lipstick, but now that isn’t really my style so my confidence-giver is heeled boots. Maybe for you it’s a pair of jeans, a dress, or extravagant earrings. We all have something that is our current ‘thing’. Something we wear to take us from down to up, just like that.

Maybe saying that I’m thankful for fashion is a bit much for some people. But, I know there are people who agree with me. They are the people who roll out of bed in a bad mood and throw on their favourite yellow jumper to add some sunshine to their life. They are the people who have dragged themselves through a tough day and squeezed themselves into their new LBD to shimmy the night away. They are the people who place value on selecting an outfit to make them feel like they can conquer the world, even if all they need to accomplish is an essay. Without a doubt, fashion is something to be thankful for.

Emily Fletcher

I

following the same arches along the outside of the lips.

I followed this advice and proceeded to draw what looked like a cloud around my mouth. I then filled it in and stood back from the mirror… Only to realise I looked like a clown!

One of the newest emerging trends is to create “wavy” makeup looks.

How do other people do it? Following several (mostly failed) attempts, I began to see some success and even introduced some gradients to give the look more dimension, and stop myself looking like an extra for the movie, IT.

While I first assumed this was a Photoshop trick or curious new filter it actually turned out to be a steady-hand masterpiece.

I was intrigued by the idea and researched it further only to find people were incorporating this look for their eyebrows, blusher, and hair. With so many people doing it, I thought I’d give it a go.

Armed with my lipstick palette, lip liner, and lip brush, I was ready to start drawing. But where to begin? Most people seemed to start by lining the cupid’s bow and

However, getting a perfectly symmetrical look similar to that in the Instagram photos was still proving difficult and I was becoming increasingly impressed with the precision and thought that goes into all these looks. I definitely have more appreciation for Instagram makeup - even though some of the looks are absurd, they are carefully put together. The majority of the photos you see will be the product of a few hours of work, especially if done for the first time.

And being the first person to start a new makeup trend therefore puts you in a prestigious position: you’re the first person to not only be creative enough to think of the trend but also the first to execute it to excellence, thus setting a new standard for what is artistic and beautiful.

So here’s to the artists of Instagram - our faces are the perfect canvases.

Mila Georgieva

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nstagram brings us everything from the gorgeous to the downright ridiculous; from glitter contour and gradient lips, to feather brows and extreme highlighter. It’s a place to explore new looks and become inspired to create your own.

FASHION

How do they do it?

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How the French Revolution Triggered the Independence of Latin America

De cómo la Revolución Francesa inició la independencia de Latinoamérica

It is undeniable that France greatly influenced the historical development of the Americas in the late 17th and 18th centuries, specifically in regard to its active involvement in the American Revolutionary War (1775-1785), and its impact on the ‘Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen’ in Spanish colonies. Moreover, the coinage of the term ‘Latin America’ is credited to Michel Chevalier in 1860. It was meant to diminish the influence of Spain and justify the invasion of Mexico (1861-1867) during the empire of Napoleon III.

Es innegable que Francia ha tenido una gran influencia en el desarrollo de América a finales del siglo XVII y durante el siglo XVIII, especialmente debido a su participación activa durante la guerra de Independencia de los Estados Unidos (1775-1785) y su impacto en la “Declaración de los derechos del hombre y del ciudadano” en las colonias hispanoamericanas. Además, la creación del término Latinoamérica se le atribuye a Michel Chevalier en 1860, creado para disminuir la influencia de España y justificar la invasión de México (1861-1867) durante el imperio de Napoleón III.

Coming from the Hispanic Society, we want to draw your attention to the influence of the French Revolution, and point to it as the trigger for the independence wars in Hispanic America (1808-1833).

Desde la Sociedad Hispánica, queremos atraer su atención a la influencia de la Revolución Francesa y de cómo ésta desencadenó las guerras de independencia hispanoamericanas (1808-1833).

Mexican War of Independance (1810-21) Unknown The Execution of Maximilian (1867-8) Edouard Manet

After the French Revolution, France, with Napoleon leading the charge, attempted a conquest of Europe in a set of wars known as the Napoleonic Wars (1803-1815). Spain was conquered in 1808, and King Ferdinand VII was forced to abdicate for Napoleon’s brother, Joseph Bonaparte. This event lead to a period of political turbulence in Spain.

Tras la Revolución francesa, Francia, con Napoleón a su cabeza, intentó conquistar Europa, dando lugar a las Guerras Napoleónicas (1803-1815). España fue conquistada en 1808, cuando el rey Fernando VII tuvo que abdicar en favor del hermano de Napoleón, José Bonaparte. Este acontecimiento inició un periodo de turbulencia política en España.

INTERNATIONAL

Once the flames of revolution were sparked, the arson was inevitable. With the exception of Cuba, Puerto Rico, and the Philippines, the events relayed above triggered a set of wars that eventually lead to independence from the Spanish Empire in 1833.

Written by Lucas J. Morales and Cesar Romero on behalf of the Hispanic Society

Debido a la ausencia de un dirigente legítimo, las colonias hispanoamericanas –mediante diversos métodos-se estructuraron mediante la formación de juntas como una respuesta patriótica a la invasión francesa.

Estas entidades se organizarían como movimientos monárquicos, reconociendo únicamente a Fernando VII o a Carlos IV, su predecesor, como monarcas legítimos, ignorando al gobierno francés o al gobierno provisional en España. Con la posterior introducción de ideas republicanas, y en algunos casos como respuesta a los intentos de reconquista, la naturaleza de las juntas pasó a ser de un movimiento realista a uno independentista.

Una vez iniciadas las llamas de la revolución, el incendio era inextinguible. A excepción de Cuba, Puerto Rico y Filipinas, esta serie de sucesos dieron lugar a un conjunto de guerras que finalmente supondrían la independencia de las naciones hispanoamericanas del Imperio español en 1833.

Escrito por Lucas J. Morales and Cesar Romero en nombre de la Sociedad Hispánica

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In the absence of a legitimate ruler, the colonies in Spanish America — through different methods — created the juntasas a patriotic response to the French invasion.

The juntaswere an alternative tothe official administration.These organisations were movements supporting the monarchy, and they only recognized Ferdinand VII or Charles IV, his predecessor, as their legitimate monarch, setting aside the French regency, or the provisional government in Spain.With the further permeation of the republican ideals, and in somecases, as an answer to the Spanish American Reconquista, the juntas nature changed from a royalist movement to an independent one.

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MAKE CORNBREAD NOT WAR

Y

ou know you’re back in the South when the Toyota in front of you sports the bumper sticker: make cornbread, not war.

And you know you’re back in the South when you start repeatin’ everybody’s y’alls.

And you really know you’re back in the South when you’re in Northern Carolina and you start secondguessing if you’re really in the south at all. But you must be because it’s right above Florida, Georgia, and the Equator, and that’s about as south in the United States as you’re ever gonna get.

But I know all of us — southerners and northerners alike — slogan our way through the holidays with our own reminders to ‘keep calm and carry on making peace, not war.’

If I’m’a be honest with y’all, I don’t really want to keep on making and remaking peace. I’d rather just try keeping the peace that’s already right here.

And I think, in order to keep peace, you gotta’ keep on making the decision to keep it. Either way, there’s a keeping and a making involved.

It’s as I’m waiting to cross Customs — passport in one hand, visa in the other — that I close my eyes and picture the world in postcards. It’s peaceful.

Because postcards only paint the world in perfection.

The thing is: I know the world. And it isn’t perfect.

It’s chaotic and cruel and callous. I know the injustice.

I’ve seen it. I’ve lived it.

‘ It doesn’t matter where we live or what language we speak, I believe all of us carry the potential to be peace in a world at war. ’ But I know peace because I know pain. I know how to find peace—to search, smile, and photograph it.

From North to South, I’ve learned to make peace in the midst of strife and I’ve learned to keep it safe in the depths of my soul.

It doesn’t matter where we live or what language we speak, I believe all of us carry the potential to be peace in a world at war.

Shanley McConnell

SCHOOL OF HUMANITIES LANGUAGES

LANGUAGES CAFE A PEER SUPPORT GROUP FOR STUDENTS OF

11TH OCT - 15TH NOV 2017 WEDNESDAY 1.15 - 2.15 PM

SCHOOL OF THE ENVIRONMENT SOCIAL SPACE, TOWER BUILDING

FREE COFFEE & BISCUITS

You’re a student. You’re trying to be compassionate, trying to be an adult who cares about climate change, who’s grateful for your large family, who appreciates the roof over your head. And being a student throws all these run-of-the-mill gratefulness’ into a whole new light. The things which people at the end of sun-kissed movies sit, hand in hand around a loaded table to proclaim their gratitude for, take on a grim reality at university.

It’s Monday, you’re thankful you woke up on time, you’re thankful there was cereal left meaning that you sidestepped the embarrassing tummy rumble in the poignant silence proceeding a poetry reading in your creative writing tutorial. You’re thankful there were seats left in the back row when you slunk in late to your second lecture, you’re thankful your friend sent you a Snap this morning to assure you that the guy from the bar last night wasn’t an axe-murderer and is actually making her breakfast. You’re finding it hard to appreciate these things because it’s only Monday.

Monday

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You’re a Student Tuesday

On Tuesday, you’re trying to remember to be grateful to your mum who said she’d mail you your wool winter coat and instead sent the tartan dog rug. She tried. You’re trying to look on the bright side when your flatmate decides to balance a full cup of tea on the peak of their snapback, only to have it wobble, topple and dribble brown rivulets of tea which collect in the crevices of the cushions of the sofa, (the bright side being that your sofa is plasticised leather). It’s Tuesday already so you can be grateful that it is socially acceptable to black out tonight, to break up the monotony of the working week.

what you can do, don’t focus on what you can’t do’

Wednesday

‘Be thankful for

Be grateful on Wednesday that you’re no longer a first year, and that this is the last initiation night of the year.

Be relieved that you’re going to be one of the ones shouting, ‘Down it fresher!’ and not gutting a fish to stuff it with a Vodka bottle, or drinking a dirty pint served in a wetsuit boot, or even running backwards up three flights of stairs whilst drinking Vodka Coke with an egg in it. It’s Wednesday, you’re halfway through.

LIFESTYLE

Saturday

Saturday. Hell fucking yeah. Celebrate getting through the week with a Domino’s. Hard to celebrate though when your flatmate – who said they would listen out for the door buzzer – put headphones on and missed your Domino’s delivery whilst you were being the responsible flatmate and had nipped out to get milk from the corner shop.

Thursday

‘ You miss your dog like hell’

Sunday

It’s not so bad, you made it through until Sunday.

Just wake up tomorrow and start over. It’s easy to take things for granted; all the little things you didn’t know you wanted or needed or that they made you happy until you don’t have them, can’t have them or they start to get you down. Be thankful for what you can do, don’t focus on what you can’t do.

Thank your mind for motivating you to go further, push harder, grow stronger. You are extraordinary.

Thank everyone around you for encouraging you to go further, push harder, grow stronger. They are extraordinary and you wouldn’t be so without them.

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You thought you weren’t going to miss your family.

You don’t. You miss your dog like hell though.

But now it’s Thursday, three months in, and blurry Skype calls are getting old. Skyping to ask your dad how to cook steak because you told your date (who is arriving in 20 minutes) that you’re a pro, you’ll be eternally grateful to be wrapped up in the warmth of your family kitchen with the smells of spiced chicken engulfing you in a familial hug. 12 weeks of hearing your little sister chirping away about how Kevin dared her to eat a worm in the playground so she filled his shoes with sand over a crackling, long distance phone line. You realise how little you appreciated being able to pick her up, smell her kids shampoo and giggling perform your secret handshake, until now.

Start counting the Thursdays until you can go home.

‘ It is socially a c c e p ta b le to black out

to n i g ht ’

Friday

Friday comes around and you find yourself remembering when you were younger, how thankful you were to have a roof over your head. In your new student flat, you’re thankful for the lock on your door in case of wandering house party guests.

You’re grateful you have a window that opens all the way so that in the mornings, you have some way of pushing the boozy, sweaty smell of late night antics out of the window. And you give yourself a pat on the back every time the month ends with enough money for rent in your account. Fridaaaaaaay!

Rose Kendall

thanks

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THE THINGS I’LL ALWAYS BE THANKFUL FOR

I

’d like to start by giving a big shout out to one of the three MVPs that our cozy little earth has produced; coffee. Coffee has been with me since I was sixteen years old. It brightens my mood when I’m grumpy, keeps me company when I’m staying up late, and shares those happy moments when I’m enjoying the delicacies of confectionary and pastry. To you, coffee I say thank you.

On a more serious note, I am thankful to what I believe is the best thing our world has produced; it’s people. I’ve only been in Dundee for a few weeks, and it already feels like home. I’ve seen friendly faces everywhere I go - from complete strangers at the endless shops and restaurants which spam the city, to the more familiar faces at the university campus. I’ve been welcomed with warm smiles by classmates and professors, embraced by many other fun-loving people that I’ve met at various events, and senior students have been helpful and motivating.

My flat mates also play a big role in my feeling at home. While it’s true that some of them have odd habits, such as surviving on a potato-only diet, or always making morbid jokes about death, it feels like

I’ve made five good friends without even having to try.

All of these people and moments have had a great effect on me. I am someone who feels like he’s got people who care about him, someone who has been reassured many times that there will always be a person willing to help, and someone who matters. In a world as large as ours, that feeling is outstanding.

I’m a person with numerous blessings, and the people around me are the greatest of all. I’ve always had very good people in my life making it one very much worth living. A great loving family, old lifelong friends and everyone else in the past, present and future. Dearest humans, you are one thing I’ll always be thankful for.

IN A WORLD AS LARGE AS OURS, THAT FEELING IS OUTSTANDING Finally, leaving the best for last, I am thankful for ice-cream. Oh ice-cream, you are the world’s absolute beacon of happiness, and I will always be by your side until death do us part.

Akkad

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MUSIC

INDIGO VELVET | SKJØR | DANCING ON TABLES | AYLEE David White

On the day of the showcase two of the Magdalen photographers and myself travelled via a very interesting train journey which branded the two photographers Banksy and Steven King in drag, and myself the Scottish Judge Rinder: let’s just say we met some talkative men drinking cans of lager.

After some hilarity during the journey and a short taxi ride to the venue we were there at St Luke’s and the Winged Ox. From there we proceeded to the bar and eventually the gig itself.

First on the evening’s bill was Dancing On The Tables who eased the small, but growing crowd into the gig with a typical pop boyband style performance similar to McFly and Busted. This band although being very standard did have a secret weapon in the form of their astounding drummer who excelled the band’s performance to no end. Overall the band worked well as a warm up for the marvels that were to follow.

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Four of Scotland’s most exciting young performing artists banded together to create an energised and memorable Ignite showcase just over a month ago in Glasgow. This innovative project is funded by Help Musicians UK and PRS for Music Foundation and put together by The Scottish Music Centre and Hit The Road, through which young people are getting the chance to perform in live venues and get a kick start in their music career.

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The lead singer sung with the haunting echoes of Aurora and with the passion and vigour of a rock star.

Next up was probably my favourite act of the night, although it is a highly contentious position. Aylee, who describes her group as electric pop, put on a charts worthy performance. Her vocals were unique with a beautiful, soulful, almost psychedelic tone. The production on the songs was also of a highly professional level with a fantastic use of technology, not seen in the rest of the bands that evening. Aylee had a lively and stimulating stage presence, with her smashing of the single cymbal to her left and her animated and captivating expressions, not to mention the extremely proficient backing provided by the other musicians. If you want to hear a bit more about Aylee there is also an interview with her in this section.

By this stage in the gig I had had a few drinks and snuck back stage for a scout about, so I was more than ready for the act which I had been told to look out for

by a couple of my friends - Skjor. Skjor, to quote one of our photographers Holly “I like them”. Which I think pretty much sums it up. However, I don’t think I would be doing a particularly good review if that’s all I wrote.

The lead singer sung with the haunting echoes of Aurora and with the passion and vigour of a rock star. They created a comforting and almost ethereal environment with their performance. Although at times I doubted the construction of the actual lyrics of their music, the stunning range and quivering long notes made up for any doubts, cementing them in my mind as one of the greatest contemporary young Scottish talents.

Finally on the bill were Electric Velvet who I unfortunately was only able to see perform a couple of songs as my carriage awaited, or rather I had to catch the bus, from what I did hear of them though I got very much the vibes of a crowd pleasing band, one made to perform live. Their music was very happy; a very vague description I know and perhaps to better explain they had a kind of modern rock vibe with occasionally some slightly Caribbean influences. They were not entirely my type of band but it was clear from the rest of the crowd that they definitely have an audience.

After grabbing a quick interview from Aylee we headed for the bus station and from there back to our beloved Dundee and as I began constructing this review in my mind on the bus back, I felt a slight sense of bliss and contentment, most unusual for me. I opened my eyes from my half thinking half dreaming state to the sight of a rock couple laying silently asleep. Her head of black hair and eyes painted with black swirling eyeliner, resting upon his shoulder, and his bleach blond locks resting upon her as he nestled his head atop of hers.

What better a metaphor for the night’s performances than a loving embrace of rockers?

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PHOTOGRAPHY BY NICOLE CUMMING & HOLLY MACPHAIL

5 minutes with Aylee

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Photography by Holly Macphail

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Aylee is one of Scotland’s hottest new emerging talents. Her mainstream appeal and distinctive characteristics makes her one to watch in the music scene. I had the chance catch up with her at the Ignite showcase and here’s what she had to say.

be scared of the technological side of music. This is a recognised issue in the industry and there is actually an American not for profit based around providing training to women and girls in audio production called Women’s Audio Mission.

How did you start out in music?

I first started out playing the fiddle at about the age of 5 and from there I started picking up other instruments and then I got into production when I was 14 and just fell in love with it.

How would you describe your form of music?

Hmm I’m not sure; I used to be dark electronic pop with a hint of folk. I would probably just say electronic pop now, there is no shame in being pop because that’s what I listen to.

I went on to ask Aylee about the technological side of her music, which incorporates a certain amount of electronic production into its creation.

The thing that’s funny is that everyone at gigs and even at meetings and things, everyone assumes my drummer is the one in charge of the tech production side of the music and he’s looking and me like, “Aylee does that stuff”. Yes I’m the tech guy.

Who writes the music?

I write the music, lyrics, and I produce all the tracks.

When I’m producing a track the writing comes with it and it all just comes together.

What do you want to achieve through your music?

I feel quite strongly about the fact that the number of women in the production role is quite low. I’ve seen statistics that show that only about 5% of music producers are women. I felt for so many years I knew what I was doing but I was scared to say I produce my own music, I am the one behind it all. So for a while other people were getting credit where it was my work. I just feel in general that women don’t come forward with that. I am just like stand up and do it! I’ve done it and I’ve not had proper training.

I checked out the statistic given by Aylee and based on a couple of different sources it appears bang on. Only 5% of all music producers and engineers are women. Aylee is clearly one of the new wave of women who want to empower other women to not

Is music what you do full time?

So up until now my music has been mostly funded through part time jobs, so I work in a bar and a café.

Thankfully I also received some funding from creative Scotland to fund my EP which is coming out.

Is there any other musician you associate your type of music with?

I feel really bad but everyone says it, Ellie Goulding.

Her and Snow Patrol are the reason I picked up a guitar because I started out acoustic.

I want to give a big thank you to Aylee for allowing me to get this completely unscheduled interview with her and for her great responses.

David White

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For Whom We Should All Be Thankful

Erik Jeny Illustrations by Justine Matthew

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hilst Thanksgiving is an American holiday, I think we can all agree that it gives us a nice excuse to serve up a lovely roast dinner. Another thing I think we should borrow from our American friends is the namesake of Thanksgiving – the giving of thanks. We should thank our families and friends for being there for us in both good and bad times, but this year I think we should also thank several people without whom the world would be quite a different place.

Nikola Tesla (1856 - 1943) Whenever you plug in that kettle to boil, turn on the telly to watch British Bake Off, or charge your laptop, remember to give thanks to the man born in the small town of Smiljan, Croatia, that discovered alternating current - the stuff surging through your wall plugs.

And let’s not forget the car named in this man’s honour, Elon Musk’s ‘Tesla’ was named as such for good reason - Nikola invented the electric motor after all.

Stanislav Petrov (1939 – 2017) and Vasili Arkhipov (1926 – 1998)

Mahātmā Gandhi (1869 – 1948) Leading a country into independence is no easy feat, especially against an empire as vast as the British.

Doing so with non-violence seemed impossible, but this man did it. By doing so, he inspired, and continues to inspire, many freedom and liberty movements. Because of this, his birthday is celebrated as International Non-Violence day.

Our lives would be impossible to imagine these days without the internet. The man we thank for the invention of the World Wide Web is Sir TimBerners Lee (knighted in 2004) who devised and used the HTTP protocol for the first time ever in 1989, enabling communication between a client computer and a server.

OPINION

You might have never heard of these two brave Russian military men, but most of us owe them our lives. Both of them had the defiance and bravery to put aside protocols and the orders from their superiors for the good of mankind when faced with the choice of launching the ultimate weapon: a nuclear bomb. Thus preventing World War 3 from destroying civilisation as we know it.

Sir Tim-Berners Lee (1955 - Present)

Steve Jobs (1955 - 2011) Smartphones revolutionised our lives in 2007 and continue to be a major part of our lives today. From making calls and checking messages, to watching on-demand streaming, and using them to pay for our food with various wallet apps. Today, 10 years later, we await the $999 iPhone X, the legacy of a man with a dream and the ambition to fulfil it.

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And lastly I’d like to thank you, the readers, for picking up this issue of the Magdalen and reading the many articles within our pages, acknowledging the hard work we do to make this read possible.

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ast year in the Magdalen there was an article written by yours truly about the unnecessary violence involved in ice hockey. In it, I discussed how I had immense respect for the athletes who play the game.

Their ability to move so quickly, score into such a small goal whilst travelling at such speeds and the ability to get onto the ice each time knowing full well they would be knocked about and probably come off the ice black and blue, is astonishing. However, what I did summarise from watching my first ever ice hockey game was that there was unnecessary violence on the ice. I witnessed a full ‘fisticuff’ with helmets and blood flying, and I realise that it wasn’t the sport for me because I just didn’t see the point.

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I couldn’t have been more wrong!

Since then, I have been to numerous ‘Dundee Star’ ice hockey home games and I can conclude that ice hockey is most definitely the sport for me, so much so that I consider myself a great fan of it – especially for the Dundee Stars.

For this I am extremely thankful. After my first game, I saw all the fights that broke out on the ice as unnecessary – a show of male ego and the result of too much testosterone. Now, having been in the crowd for a nail bitingly tense game with the Stars only winning in penalties at the last minute, I can appreciate the tension that must come across in the players themselves during the sixty minutes of play time. Sometimes, when there is that much of a pressure build up there is nothing for it but to explode, and the way that that happens on the ice is through throwing a few punches with a member of the opposition team.

Having seen the head coach of the Stars actually getting annoyed at his team for being involved in a brawl on the ice, I can quite confidently say the violence isn’t a planned event, nor do I still believe it is a show of ego.

I am also thankful for my newly developed love of the sport. It has led to some great nights out at the ice rink – the latest at point of writing this (Dundee Stars vs Edinburgh Capitals on September 23rd) concluded in the ice bar with some of the players coming along after the game, taking pictures with fans, and even some getting up and doing karaoke.

MUSIC

Meeting these men and getting to speak to them a little bit makes it almost impossible not to love the sport more and gave me even more respect for the professional athletes which these men are – they definitely aren’t just street brawlers looking for a good fight.

This whole experience has really made me think about things. I find myself trying things more than once if perhaps I don’t like it first time round, I try not to judge a book by it’s cover, but maybe most importantly I’m learning to go with the flow a little bit more. It’s alright to be out of your comfort zone a little and to experience new things in the world.

And all of this just from some ice hockey games! For this, I am eternally grateful for my changed opinions.

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Dundee University Photography Society Monthly Competition winners Su Min Theme: Autumn

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The theme for the December issue will be ‘light and shadows’ Deadline for submission: 15th November Submissions to be sent to dups.dundee@gmail.com Max of 2 submissions per person

Down The Rabbit Hole Alex McCraw

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s our knowledge of genome sequencing and editing increases, we stand on the edge of a great unknown. But are we one step closer to greatness, or flying too close to the sun?

It was all over the news. Korean and American researchers collaborated to successfully remove incorrect DNA involved in development of a potentially fatal heart condition, from a human embryo. It was the first time such a thing had been performed and it was concrete proof that we could repair severe genetic disease permanently within a cell line. But it also raises serious discussion about the ethics of experimenting on, what to some, is a human life.

With estimates that up to 1 in 25 in the UK are affected by some form of genetic illness, it is easy to see the lure of genetic editing. With it, scientists can correct potentially lethal mutations that can have a huge impact on the lives of sufferers and their children, before they even have the chance to develop.

By editing and repairing genetic faults in an embryo prior to implantation, researchers will be able to completely eradicate that fault from what is known as the germline – the DNA that will be passed down from parent to child.

And this is only one side of the story.

Genetic editing is poised to have an impact in big name diseases such as cancer, where tumours can develop through multiple DNA faults. But as our knowledge and ability grows, so does the fear that this power will be abused, for example, ‘designer babies’.

If we can edit out mutations, then what’s to stop us deciding what colour of hair, eyes and kinds of features a baby should have? The more fantastical pieces of fiction even speculate about a world where genome editing allows to even determine a child’s intelligence.

“

There will always be ethical dilemmas as we progress further down the rabbit hole of modern medicine and science. It will always be asked, where should we draw the line?”

SCIENCE

There is also unease around the matter of health insurance. As genome services such as 23andme and AncestryDNA become cheaper and more widely available, a concern is DNA sequences could be used to hike up prices for customers deemed ‘at risk’ of genetic disease. Could people who have paid to have their genome sequenced out of interest or novelty end up suffering a few years down the line? Already, AncestryDNA has come under fire for a clause stating it will keep records of customer DNA unless otherwise requested – could it be that these records end up being passed to the highest bidder much like mailing lists?

It’s important to remember that at this moment in time, these scenarios are only speculative. It is impossible to predict the social implications of new developments in the science industry, and all too easy to get caught up in the rumour mill. Of more concern is the long-term effects of genetic editing on an embryo. Currently, no genetically edited embryo has been allowed to grow longer than a few days after editing – just long enough to show that the mutation has been removed permanently. Researchers appear to be in agreement that before human genome editing can be taken further, there needs to be wider discussion on the ethical and moral implications, not just within

the scientific community. We don’t yet know how these genetic changes will affect an embryo in later development – even the most reliable form of gene editing can go ‘off-target’ – edit the wrong genes, potentially inducing further mutations. And what about the implications of what is, at the end of the day, human experimentation? Currently, only donated eggs and sperm are used, sometimes inviable embryos leftover from IVF, but it is very much a grey issue, touching on matters of life, death, and choice.

However, it must be said that without further experimentation, there will not be further progress.

With very little of the human genome fully understood, genome editing is key to unlocking knowledge of the codes hidden within our cells – codes which tell our bodies how to grow and how to function, codes which can even dictate the pathways of disease. And genome editing offers hope as well – a chance for many living with genetic disorders to have children without fear; a chance to remove silent killers such as Huntington’s; perhaps even provide a therapy for cancer, now among the leading causes of premature death within the UK. There will always be ethical dilemmas as we progress further down the rabbit hole of modern medicine and science. Gene editing is just one of many. And it will always be asked, where should we draw the line?

When should we cross it?

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Could genome editing drive a further wedge between rich and poor; between those who can afford to edit the perfect child and those who can’t?

It’s easy to see why people are worried. The medical community is already rife with instances of capitalism above compassion. For instance, Martin Shkreli, the man who raised the price of pill used in AIDs and cancer treatments from $13.50 to $750. Could it end up being that gene editing becomes another tool of the privileged few, privatised and only available for vast sums of money?

The Changing Face of Emergency Care and Trauma Services in the UK James Dale

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Illustrations by Duncan Adams

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he face of emergency care is constantly changing with aims to bring better and more sophisticated care to patients with the greatest need quicker than ever before. With the planned introduction of four new major trauma centres across Scotland in 2020 it is prudent to look at how far emergency care and its delivery has come.

Only a hundred years ago, before the National Health Service and discovery of antibiotics, one in seven children died by the age of ten and life expectancy was just 45 years. The London Hospital (nÊe Royal London) was, and remains, the most advanced emergency hospital in Britain and deals with devastating poverty and disease in London’s East End. Major trauma refers to injury likely to result in death or long-term disability, and is the leading cause of death and disability in under 40s in Scotland. However, evidence suggests that major trauma patients have been steadily increasing in age in the last twenty years. The

average age of a UK major trauma patient was 36 years in 1990 increasing to 54 years in 2013. The biggest causes of major trauma are road traffic collisions and falls, with falls now overtaking traffic collisions as the leading cause of major trauma due to improvements in car design and speed regulation. The increase in falls is also consistent with Britain’s aging population which sees people living longer than ever before. Impairments in balance, eyesight and chronic health conditions such as low blood pressure and heart disease all increase the likelihood of trauma for the elderly.

Meanwhile, Road Traffic Collisions result in 5,400 deaths annually, whilst survivors of road accidents can be left with potentially life changing injuries.

The introduction and investment in major trauma centres housing speech and language therapists, physiotherapists and occupational therapists improves the likelihood of a successful rehabilitation.

The new Scottish Trauma Network aims to incorporate existing trauma facilities and the national

ambulance service to benefit over 6,000 seriously injured patients per year. It aims to ensure patients are assessed and treated without delays by specialist teams who have access to wide ranges of specialist facilities, diagnostic tools and treatments to save lives.

NHS Tayside’s running costs currently sit at around £2.5 million per day which is only set to rise in the future. The current outlook for the NHS is unclear with major budget cuts under the Conservative government and evidence of privatisation. With a stretched, understaffed, and underfunded health care system, Nicola Sturgeon’s recent announcement of an additional £5 million for Scotland’s major trauma network is a welcome investment.

Regardless of the current issues facing our treasured National Health Service, emergency care has come a long way in the last hundred years. A simple solution of sugar and salt can prevent death from diarrhoea and vomiting, something only realised in the 1960s.

The lack of major trauma centres across Scotland and Wales in comparison to England’s 27 is evident of an unequal distribution of emergency care across the UK. Northern Ireland only just this summer obtained its first air ambulance and even though a major trauma centre exists in Belfast, the trauma system is still in its infancy and in need of a serious overhaul.

The introduction of Scotland’s four major trauma centres will be another major step in equalising the current imbalance of Britain’s healthcare distribution and make significant improvement to patient outcome following a major trauma.

SCIENCE

Ambulance and helicopter medical crews will be able to assess patients and transfer those with the highest severity of injuries to major trauma centres for urgent emergency care. This will bypass local hospitals without appropriate facilities to ensure the patient receives specialist emergency care with access to CT scanners and state of the art lifesaving technology.

Better dead than oled.

‘With the trend of thinner portable technology, the qualities of OLED are ideal.’

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By James Russell

Organic Light Emitting Diode technology is beautiful and needlessly expensive. With the notso-well-kept revelation that the iPhone X will use OLED screens, and given Apple’s popularity, it is clear that this will become the new industry standard.

But with a £1000 price tag the latest handset from Apple has a lot to live up to. So, what is OLED? And what makes these phones so expensive?

Chances are the smartphone in your pocket will be using Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) technology for the screen. To form a picture, LCD requires a backlight that shines through electrically stimulated liquid crystals. The colours released through the pixels on your phone are made up of red, green, and blue filters that combine to make any colour.

OLED uses a similar principle of colour combination but with organic light emitting diodes that don’t require back-light. As a result, individual pixels can be turned off creating deep blacks and therefore, sharper contrast and higher quality images.

In addition to the superb image quality, the lack of a back-light saves a great deal of energy in the long run and allows for thinner displays with potential for bend-ability and transparency. With the trend of slimmer portable technology, the qualities of OLED are ideal.

But what is the big hurdle that Apple, and everyone else, is facing? Samsung. A company fraught with Telenovela-Scale drama – with everything from

exploding phones to executive staff convicted of embezzlement and bribery. But the company flourishes, nonetheless, in one area in particular: production of components for other companies especially memory chips and displays, including those being used in the new iPhones. Apple isn’t the only customers of Samsung, approximately 95% of the OLED displays bought commercially are manufactured by Samsung. They have a bonafide monopoly of the market. And with billions being invested in new production plants, it would appear that they would like for it to continue. Currently, they are the only company with the infrastructure to meet the massive demand Apple has for new phones.

This lack of choice means Samsung dictates the price and subsequently how much Apple has to pay, contributing to the huge price jump in the new iPhone. But this may not be the case forever, as both Apple and Google have invested billions of dollars in LG Display. LG uses a system in which white diodes are placed behind coloured filters replacing the back-light used in LCD, but keeping the picture quality of the Samsung OLED systems. If this investment proves successful, then Samsung will have competition, which will destabilise their monopoly, and drive down prices for OLED displays. But this is likely to be well into the future, with the first LG displays expected to join the Apple production line in 2019. For now, Samsung will own the OLED market and if you want that high-quality display in your new iPhone, you’re going to have to pay for it.

TECH

@Cafe ‘There is something emblematic in a bookshop being replaced by an internet café, years before the massive boom in internet usage.’

By James Russell

In the beginning, the place was popular with the type of people you’d expect ― artists, students and even hackers. Among the clientele, famed hacker Phiber Optik and the artist Marc Yankus, whose patronage created plenty of good publicity for them. The strange new idea of a business dedicated to short-term public internet access garnered a lot of attention from the media. There were countless articles, interviews and segments on evening news shows. The café became an overnight hit and remained successful until Big Business got involved. At that point, most companies didn’t even have a website, but online consumerism changed all that in a hurry. As @Cafe was the only place with the infrastructure for a website launch party, companies were vying for the opportunity to

utilise it. Including significant names like DKNY, Budweiser, IBM, MTV and even the Rolling Stones.

Upon entering the establishment, you would see tables equipped with top-of-the-range PC and Mac computers, and if you were to use these computers, you would find that internet was decidedly fast, for the time anyway. These things came at a cost. Particularly the internet line which was T1, the same type of line that would have been used by large corporations or universities. As a result, customers had some of the best internet access in the city for $10 an hour.

“We just created hell for ourselves,” says Glenn McGinnis one of the founders of the establishment.

It was a hard grind for the people running the café, and there was no way to cool the server room, so they resorted to sticking ice in a bucket and topping it up every two hours. The T1 connection made it almost impossible to make money, in fact, they never broke even ― regardless of all the big-name companies bringing in business. But it was the start of something new ― more people were interested in the internet and started using it at home. @Cafe was created as a physical space for the virtual world, and I think that it may have influenced some people to take a bit of that virtual world home them.

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12 St Marks Place in the East Village, New York City. This spot has a lot of history: once a GermanAmerican run shooting range, a homeless shelter run by the renowned Mr Zero, and in more recent history an upmarket bookshop. Presently, No. 12 is home to a yoga studio and Latin restaurant. But from 19941996 it was the site of the short-lived but influential @ Cafe, which may have been New York’s first-purpose built internet café. There is something emblematic in a bookshop being replaced by an internet café, years before the massive boom in internet usage.

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