Issue 61 - April 2017

M AG DA L E N ISSUE 61 University Rebrand

April Fools

All Hail Russel D McLean

Millions of pounds for… a logo?

Get the lowdown on Fake News

Exclusive Interview with Dundee’s Own King of Crime Fiction

Free Student Magazine

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ISSUE 61 Editor’s Letter

Editors

I feel like I’m about to walk out onto a stage and fall down in front of everyone. It’s happened

Editor in Chief Rebecca Baird

before. Ok. Deep breaths. I can do this.

This is it - my very last issue as head of this wonderful magazine. And what better way to say goodbye than with an issue dedicated to the city I’ve learned to call ‘home’: Dundee.

This sunny little city, the university that brought me here, and above all, Magdalen Magazine,

Deputy Editors Heather Gordon Patrick O’Donnell David White

have all brought me so many amazing opportunities, and the best of friends. From the #magpres (thanks, Nicole) to almost cracking up in the run up to our launch party (sorry, David) to seeing this FANTASTIC wee mag coming out every month, it’s been wild.

To everyone involved: writers, editors, designers, photographers, publishers, and printers, I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart. A special shout out to my wonderful deputy editors: Heather, David, Patrick, I wouldn’t have made it without you guys. To Monica and

Art & Entertainment Editor Patrick O’Donnell Community Editors Alastair Letch Hannah Perrie

Abbie, Creative Director and Photography Manager: without the creative talent from you guys, nothing the rest of us do would have half as much impact. You lassies are constantly inspiring to me, and I know you’ll both smash it in whatever you end up doing. Andrew, my

Current Affairs Editor Calum Wilson

VPCC and boss – you give me great support and cause me great stress. Never change.

I want to take this (self-indulgent) opportunity to thank the people in my life who have

Design Editor Corrie Gorman

listened to me laugh, cry, freak out, moan and brag about this magazine, sometimes all in one day. My parents have been a constant source of support and are always there to remind me that everything will work out. Tom, my boyfriend, has been my own personal cheerleader,

Enterprise Editor David White

always telling me I’m doing a great job, even when I’m not. And my flatmate Jenny has listened patiently to me sit mumbling to myself about headlines and deadlines, and has more than once given me spare change to go get energy juice from the corner shop. She’s a babe.

But before I start bubbling, let’s get back to Dundee. Explore the city’s talent in our exclusive interview with Russell D McLean – Dundee’s own crime-fiction king! Or find out what the deal

Lifestyle Editor Toni McKinney Opinion Editor Nicole Harrison

really is with the University’s new logo in our Design section’s investigative spread. Whatever you read, or if you’re reading this, thank you. Without you, reader, there’d be no point.

Science Editor James Russell

Now picture a short, blonde chick trying to bow out gracefully, but tripping over her own feet and probably crying a bit.

Technology Editors

Peace out.

Mila Georgieva Hugh Stevenson

Rebecca Baird Editor-in-Chief

Copy Editors

“Smiling through it,

Catriona Leslie

She said she’d do it again.” – Mia, La La Land Published By

Printed By

Andrew Stewart, VPCC

The Magazine Printing Company

DUSA, Airlie Place, Dundee, DD1 4PH

www.magprint.co.uk

vpcc@dusa.co.uk

Ellie Biggs Shanley Mcconnell Stephanie Smith Zoe Cassells Fashion Editor Emily Fletcher

ISSUE 61 Creative Director’s Letter

Design Team Creative Director

Ooft! What a month has March been..!

Fabio Maragno

First of all, getting my first Magdalen issue published and printed was unreal.

Asst. Creative Director Sarah Duffy

Little time to celebrate and I received a message from Rebecca saying that for this month’s issue “we have more articles than we’ve ever had”.

Designers Bethany Dick

Being March the busiest time of the year for Graphic Designers, between hand-ins,

Erin Docherty

portfolio preparation, D&AD, ISTD and a few other weird acronyms, finding help to

Sarah Duffy

design this month’s seventy pages turned out to be a much harder task than expected.

Coral Gallagher Shannon Graham

Nevertheless, we made it, we designed it! And I have to credit the team of Designers

Rachael Hastie

that in their free time make this happen. Second-years helped enormously this month,

Ryan McKnight

designing multiple articles each at a very high level. My fellow third-year students,

Ellen McLean

despite being busy designing some fantastic beer brandings and packages, took on

Iona Sorbie

the rest of the workload and we even got the invaluable help of fourth years, despite

Claire Pollock

the projects deadlines and graduation show coming up.

Olivia Sharkey Jamie Stein

It’s a great opportunity being able to lead this bunch of talents and I am looking

Piyanut Daodueng

forward to each single issue in the next year, however challenging they might be!

Victoria Falco Alice Farquhar

For now, enjoy this Dundee edition of the Magdalen.

Roni Hamilton Patrick Hughes

Fabio Maragno Creative Director

Photography Manager Abbie Dobson Cover picture Dundee University Creative Services

Contributors List Gavin Aitken, Maddie Bayley, Ellie Biggs, Clara Dunn, Ali Elliott, Emily Fletcher, Nicole Gemine, Mila Georgieva, Murray Glen, Heather Gordon, Meritxell Grau, Alastair Letch, Dervla McCormick, R.A. Petrie, James Russell, Hugh Stevenson, Milly Stevenson, David White, Calum Wilson.

CONTENTS Creative Corner 04 - 07

Current Affairs The Vampyre

40 - 41

Journalistic Crisis: When ‘Fake News’ Becomes Real News

09

River Tay from the Eyes of a Rafting Man 42 - 43

Arts & Entertainment

Party Conference Season: What to Expect

10 - 12

Dundee’s Own: A King of Crime Fiction

Opinion

14 - 15

Is ‘daily vlogging’ Dangerous?

44 - 45

Westminister: A Cynic’s Report Meet the Entrepeneur

16 - 17

Degree Show Interview with Abbie Dobson

18

LIP Theatre Reviewed: ‘Desert Rats’

19

LIP Theatre Reviewed: ‘The Tempest’

47

Unnecessary Violence for Entertainment?

48 - 49

Stuck in the ‘50s: The Female Stereotypes Persisting Through

Fashion

Humour

21

You Like My Natural Hair Colour? I Don’t.

Enterprise

22 - 24

Is Fashion Week Even #Relatable?

51 - 53

An Entrepeneur of Any Other Name Would Smell as Sweet

Design 54 26 - 29

Dundee’s Social Enterprises

The University Rebrand

Science Lifestyle 56 - 59 30 - 31

Interview: Inke Näthke – Professor of Epithelial Biology

Cooking Corner: Homemade Raspberry Jam 61

32 - 33

Technology

Community 35 - 36

Turn Your Head Away from the Stars

5 Reasons Journalism is Good for You

Wevolution

62 - 63

Resisting Ad-Block for Moral Tranquility

37 - 38

Lemon for Yemen 64 - 65

Shh…The Internet is Listening

Creative Corner

the vampyre

by R. A. Petrie

Now allow me to start my thread.

A dinner party had been arranged at a

local estate, Black Pines, just on the northern

04

I have always thought that dreams were

outskirts of Dundee, Scotland. Dundee, being

mere nonsense created by such an addled

my hometown, I knew every nook and cranny,

brain by tiredness that I never truly

and being an amateur investigator for my

thought about premonition through the

novels, I understood much about the lore.

medium of the dream – or rather, in this

Vampires have been part of Dundee’s history

case, the nightmare – for nightmare it was.

for centuries, as have witches and werewolves,

It is difficult to record this narrative, short

and most recently, Spring-Heeled Jack. I shall

though it is; writing has been my profession

not go into detail about Spring-Heeled Jack,

for nearly two decades, and I have made

but he has often been thought to be the

a healthy sum, which helps my family and

Dundee incarnation of Jack the Ripper from

I get through life. I am not a bestselling

down in London. I pray to God that this is

novelist as Charles Dickens may be with his

not the case. This dinner party comprised of

great mania for long, complex narratives

the characters I have just written above, and

and hundreds of fantastic characters. But

they were all lovely people. My daughter was

this story features only a few. Allow me to

now in full bloom and ready to be taken to

introduce them and then I shall start my

such events. She was always calm and clean

tale. They are: Mrs. Shelley, a neighbour

and sweet. Her natural beauty and brightness

and old family friend; my daughter, Emily;

have shone through her entire life, and truly

a handsome young stranger, who is very

no father could ever be prouder.

much mixed in with this narrative; and the

After dinner it was time to take the

perpetrator of a great and terrible crime

coffee that is customary. I had a brandy in

against Nature.

my hand and was speaking to the stranger

Creative Corner

low smoky voice; I conceded that he must attract many young women with his good who had come that evening. I had not yet

looks. ‘That it may be so,’ he said, flicking

been introduced to him, since I had not had

a lock of hair out of his eyes as he spoke.

the chance (there were other people at

‘But it is not always just women that

this dinner party, but they don’t come into

swoon, so I have been told.’

this particular story); he was tall, dark and

Made rather uneasy by this comment,

handsome; no doubt the outline for many

I shifted a little and said that I was going to

a young predacious character in those

speak with Mrs. Shelley and my daughter. It

romantic novels today. (I could only imagine

was then I felt his hand clasp on my arm.

my daughter coveting the covers of such

He whispered something in my ear in a

stories late at night, once taken from their

foreign tongue that I did not understand;

hiding places where I could not see them; all

I wrenched free without anyone noticing

girls were doing it apparently.) His eyes were

what had happened. All I saw on the young

too dark; his smile a curve at the side of his

man was a grin; his locks now falling over

face and his canines, I noticed when he bared

his eyes. I could have sworn that there was a

them in a toothy grin, were longer than usual.

tinge of red to them.

I had no occasion to question it of him since it would have been most impolite.

We retired for the night. I kissed my daughter absently on the side of her nose

Mrs. Shelley was talking about the novel

and she went to her own room as I retreated

she had recently finished – a collection of

to mine. Once undressed and ready for bed,

stories, as I remember rather than a novel –

I made sure that there was no-one outside,

named In a Glass Darkly. One of the stories,

for I feared that that young man would come

she said, was one of a female vampyre that

after me like some infernal daemon. Deep in

terrified her so much that she had to stop

my heart, through a great well of shame, there

reading and her husband had to console her.

was a part of me that wanted him to come.

Mr. Shelley put in rather angrily that it was not

I wanted him to appear at my door. It was a

the sort of material that a woman should read

feeling I haven’t felt for years – not since I was

last thing at night before retiring to bed.

a boy in my adolescence.

‘Truly,’ she exclaimed loudly; ‘I have never read anything like it!’ After some talk with the others, I met with the dark, handsome young man, and he spoke in a

05

Creative Corner

06

I fell asleep, still uneasy, and dreamed.

felt itchy under those gentle, searching

Someone was standing in the corner of the

fingers. Arousal awakened within me but it

room, watching me. I had noticed it since

was a shameful desire I was feeling – but

the beginning, but feigned sleep so that

perhaps…? Not so shameful at all. His eyes

there would be no suspicion. The feeling of

now bright amber and I could sense the

my being watched grew more intense. I had

smirk of his victory on his face. Then I felt

never felt such a sensation before – even

strange kisses on my neck. I gasped and

my almost pathological fear of spiders felt

felt the hands move along my body and the

inadequate to what I was feeling at that

kisses grew more eager as they went around

moment.

my throat.

The sound of movement towards my

His caressing hands then stopped,

bed; the rustle of the bed sheets as they

rose up to my shoulders and brought the

were pulled back – I could hear excited,

other to my head. He moved my head to

hissing breathing at the bottom of the bed.

the side a little and I could feel the kisses

Then the smoky voice of the stranger whose

again – then the horror reared its head

name I did not know came to my ears.

like a serpent. I felt the fangs that I knew

‘Prey so easy to catch,’ it said. I felt strong

were too long sink deep into the flesh of

hands on my legs, which roved up them and

my neck. A snarl rumbled in his throat and

to my waist, up my sides and chest. Now

I cried aloud. But the cry was not of horror

they came to gently, teasingly caress the

or pain but that of pleasure and lust. The

skin of my throat The bristles of my beard

feeling was indescribable.

Creative Corner

The dream ended and I woke with a

‘Fear not,’ he whispered; ‘I will not

jolt and a roar of terror and I saw nothing in

hurt you. I merely wish to see whether you

the room about me. My neck ached in pain,

are worthy to feed from.’

throbbing for relief. I put my own hand to

He checked me over and licked the

where the creature in my dream had bitten

wound he had inflicted on me. Again the

me. It came away wet. Was I sweating?

feeling of pleasure, terrible and taboo, rose

There was a gas lamp beside me that still

within me. But then he stopped, chuckled

glowed. I turned the brightness full and saw

and said: ‘It will be no trouble to feed from

that my bedclothes were bloodied.

you, but it seems that I cannot for the

I was horrified. The dream was real!

There was a monster among us! I made my

present.’ He stepped off the bed, walked into the shadow and vanished.

way to stand and hurry out of bed to warn

I have not spoken to anyone of this. I

the other members of the house. I then

have had several visitations and he speaks

heard the low chuckle of my assailant, and

in sensual tones to me, as if he were

his voice was deep and attractive. I turned

enticing me, making me want what he shall

and saw him, crouching over the edge of

offer. I know this pleasure to be real, but I

the bed at the bottom. He was smirking

know, also, that it comes from the stuff of

again; a trickle of blood had slid down his

nightmares. God preserve me from the evil I

chin from the corner of his mouth. I felt

have let into my life…

my heart quicken, horror rise in my chest.

Quicker than any human could imagine, he was on me before I could move. His gentle caresses, though they meant death and pain, brought pleasure and seduction, as he had always intended.

07

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Creative Corner

FROM THE EYES OF A RAFTING MAN

I

t’s not even a memory; I still see the colours, the cold

the sensations that made my rafting adventure so

rushing down my spine, the fresh water splashing my

precious. I can’t believe it was a dream, because the

face - wild and rude on my skin. Noise of voices around

impossible truths that I live at night when my eyes are

me banish as I look up. The sky covered in clouds, hiding

shut are more vivid than adventures I come across in

the brightness of its blue colour. I stare at the houses

my real life. It’s scary, that I can’t take with me what

behind the tall trees that protect them from unwanted,

once was one of the most wonderful moments of

nosey visitors. They stand proud above the silvery Tay,

my life. The emptiness I feel terrifies me. How is it

crowning the water, fallen leaves floating down onto the

possible that what was real is no longer on my skin

surface. Surrounded with the prettiest of the views they

and the memory of it has turned into a sweet lie that

stand alone, without a single soul to keep them company

no one would ever question? Then I look around - I

next to the skirts of the river. I keep looking around,

see my hands, full of wrinkles and old worn out marks

breathing in every single gust of fresh air, taking in every

and scars. And I see all of these people sitting around

single detail of the unbelievable beauty of the landscape

me with smiles on their faces. It is then when I know

surrounding me. I merge with the forests, the bunk beds

I can’t tell them what the story is about, so I repeat

and mountains. I become part of the river as I float down

once more, with my old man’s voice, every single detail about that one time I went rafting on the Silvery Tay, excluding the painful truth that I’m fading away too,

The impossible truths that I live at night when my eyes are shut are more vivid than adventures I come across in my real life.

towards the sea I never reached that cold morning when I explored my fears on top of a boat, surrounded by people I didn’t know.

by Meritxell Grau Photography by: Abbie Dobson

the dark water - clear enough to see the rocks piled at the bottom, drawing paths no one will ever walk on and fish will only swim by. I look around and I thank myself for being brave enough to jump on that boat and I wonder why on Earth I can’t turn this moment into an eternal memory inside of me, so every time I talk or think about it, I can go back on a boat, slowly dragging itself along the Tay. Sadly, it doesn’t work that way. When I picture the scenery in my head, when I redraw the waves and replay the melody of the water in my head, I don’t feel

09

Arts and Entertainment

Dundee’s Own:

A King Of Crime Fiction 10

Arts and Entertainment

Dundee University’s very own Russel D McLean is

Do you have any words of wisdom for students here

the author of the critically acclaimed McNee series,

at Dundee, who would like to peruse a writing career?

of which all five exquisitely dark PI novels are set in

Write. Read. Write some more. Be honest. Develop a

Dundee. Now, with the pending launch of his seventh

thick skin. Be your own toughest critic.

novel Ed’s Dead, I catch up with him to chat about his

Everyone’s path to publication is absolutely unique.

time at Dundee University, Scotland as the perfect

Listen to advice, and learn from people where you can.

backdrop for crime fiction, and what to expect from

Reject what doesn’t work. Focus on what does. It’s like

his new book.

driving a car – you may have the potential to be the greatest driver in the world, but if you don’t put in the

You studied philosophy here at Dundee University.

time and effort to learn how to do it, you’ll never reach

Do you think your time spent studying in Dundee

that potential. So many would-be writers don’t put the

shaped your writing career?

work, the effort in. A good novel should be enjoyable

Absolutely – I mean, any and all experiences shape a

to write, but it should also really make you sweat.

writer, but my time at Dundee shaped me in a number of ways. The most obvious thing in hindsight was that

Scotland, and Dundee in particular, provides the

the experience here gave me more time to face the

perfect grim backdrop for your hardboiled McNee

world. I don’t think I would have coped going into the

series. How important was the setting in the novel?

job market at 18. I wasn’t quite formed as a person.

Do you think there’s something about Scotland which

I was a nervous introvert, which was probably what

gels so well with darker genres?

drew me to philosophy – analytical philosophy in

It’s the rain. It’s always the rain. In seriousness, I think

particular helped me to see how the world was shaped

what Scotland has that is unique is that peculiar

and how to approach it.

ability to be both screamingly funny and horrifically

My time at Dundee was good for shaping me, but also

downbeat. It’s something in our psyche, I think. In our

the courses I did gave me skills I never expected would

culture. We’ve always had this vein of dark humour in

come in useful. Socially, it was wonderful. I met so

our comedy, and a capacity for self-reflection in our

many wonderful people during my years there, both

serious moments. And it’s that darkness mixed with

staff and students.

humour that makes us, I think, quite unique.

11

Arts and Entertainment Your previous novels have followed the male

I do think that crime is often too reliant on series. The

protagonist J.McNee. In your new book ‘ Ed’s Dead ’,

idea that we know a character is definitely returning

you are exploring a strong female hero. Do you

doesn’t lead to much tension. But when you don’t

feel there’s a lack of ‘kick-ass’ females within crime

know for sure that a character will make it intact to the

fiction? And did you find it difficult to write the

end of a book? That’s real tension.

female perspective?

As to what you can expect from the new novel? Much

I don’t know that there’s a lack of “kick ass” women

more overt humour, I think. A corpse in the boot of

in crime fiction, but I think – particularly in novels

a mini (you’ll have to imagine how they get the body

by male crime writers - there’s a lack of women that

to fit in there). A very nasty dog. And a vicious thug

you might know in the real world. Too many women

named after a John Le Carre novel.

characters in too many books (but not all, obviously!) conform to “types” whether they’re implausibly

As well as the tantalizing plot, your work is

angelic victims or manic ass-kicking instruments of

psychologically gripping. Do you have an interest in

revenge. I love to read about women I think I would

Psychology? How do you get into the often-tortured

know in the real world. There are loads of writers who

mind-set of your characters?

do this well – Eva Dolan springs to mind, as do Zoe

I am fascinated by people in general. I love to watch

Sharp, Denise Mina, Val McDermid and many others

people’s reactions, to discover their motivations. I love

– but men in particular have a habit of writing these

the way that different personalities can pinball off each

slightly boxed-in women, and it was something I really

other in unexpected and unusual ways.

wanted to tackle this time around.

For me, it’s about observation and empathy. Cause

With Jen in Ed’s Dead, I wanted to try and write

and effect. How do certain people react to certain

about a woman I thought I might know. She’s got

situations, and what happens when you put this kind of

a messy kind of life, she’s not got any special skills

pressure on them as opposed to that kind of pressure?

and she just wants to be as normal as she can be.

Fiction is all about character. People ask about the

Of course, as it turns out, she’s also a murderer and

separation of plot and character, but to me, character

possibly something far worse besides, but that’s just

is plot and plot is character. One can’t exist without the

circumstance. Or at least that’s what she tells herself.

other. Plot is nothing more than the action that occurs

I think when it comes to writing women, I just think

from the interaction of competing characters.

about writing real characters. A lot of male writers make the mistake of writing about an “other” – the

And finally, I must ask. Your bio describes you as a

joke I’ve heard is that you always know it’s a male

general miscreant - what deems you fit to carry such a

writer when the protagonist mentions their period. But

mischievous title? There’s got to be a fun story there?

women are more complex than that. Of course they

I wish there was! It’s kind of lost in the mists of time,

are. They’re human beings!

really. I think it was an event I did where someone

What was interesting and important to me was writing

said they didn’t how to describe me – was I an editor,

how other characters reacted to her. Women are often

a reviewer, a bookseller, a chairperson, an author? –

– consciously or not – treated differently to men in

what was it that defined me in the publishing world?

certain situations, and that’s part of what helped me

Offhand, I said just to call me a miscreant, and it stuck.

shape Jen; people’s conceptions of who she was and

I’m happy to take it, though!

how she reacted to all of that.

Russel McLean’s latest novel Ed’s Dead is available to What else can we expect from your newest novel?

purchase in the UK from March 2017.

Should we all be excited for a new series here?

I don’t think there’s a series here. Jen may return one day (I’m not saying what happens to her at the end!) but I feel that I very much told her story here.

12

by Nicole Gemine

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Arts and Entertainment

MY PERFECT LIFE

is 'daily

vlogging' DANGEROUS ?

For those of you that aren’t familiar with this concept,

that, “everybody has problems, everybody has issues,

daily vlogging is the act of filming one’s every day life

but we choose not to put that in the videos usually.” Of

and posting it online for the world to see. YouTubers

course, we are all guilty of only discussing only the good

host vlog channels for a variety of different people:

things that happen to us and hiding our deep fears and

from individuals, to couples, to entire families. It gives

insecurities. Yet, when these perfect lives are posted

viewers at home the chance to watch something that’s

on our screens every day, comparison and negative

more intimate and real than any TV show or movie,

thoughts are bound to happen.

and therefore it can be become strangely addictive.

From these videos, you can get a sense of who these ‘vloggers’ are as you are shown the most interesting and exciting aspects of their lives. Many of these channels

In reality, of course, this is because vlogs are fake

on YouTube, such as Casey Neistat, FunforLouis, and the SacconeJolys have millions of followers.

However, it is not all bad. Watching these videos can inspire people and encourage them to live their lives

However, recently many of the biggest vloggers have

with a similar positive attitude. It is just a worry that from

quit the internet all together. It almost seems as if

watching these entertaining snapshots from a variety

there is something dangerous about letting millions

of different people, that we will forget to seek out real

of strangers watch their every day lives, for both the

relationships and friendships.

viewers and the creators. It is incredibly easy to edit out the unpleasant or boring parts when filming your

So, is daily vlogging something that we should stay

day to day routine. But, to the ordinary viewer, it may

away from? Will it make us jealous and resentful? Or is

be difficult to see this. Therefore, people at home are

it something that is truly authentic? Personally, I think it

comparing their lives to these perfectly edited versions

can be argued easily either way.

of other people’s.

by Milly Stevenson BFvsGf, a vlogging channel on YouTube with almost ten million subscribers, stated in their final video together

14

Arts and Entertainment

Photo by Ellie Biggs

Arts and Entertainment

Abbie Dobson: DEGREE SHOW Written by Ellie Biggs

Our very own photography manager here at Magdalen Magazine, Abbie Dobson, is in her fourth and final year of university and will be graduating this summer. But before she finishes, like everyone in the DJCAD school, she will partake in the degree show. I interviewed her recently so that Abbie herself could tell you, our Magdalen readers, a little more about her art and the upcoming show.

What made you decide to study photography in the first

me, to suddenly find out this secret that had been kept

place? Have you always had a passion for it?

under wraps, for the sake of protecting my sisters and I.

“Believe it or not, when I first came to University, I was

I knew that I wanted to use my Dad as the subject of my

a painter! I’d take photos for a portrait painting and was

degree show as it was so personal to me, and so close to

told that my photos were stronger than my painting, so

my heart. Over the next few years, He gradually became

I decided to run with it. I’d always messed about with

She, and now I feel so lucky to have a father who is so

photography, but I didn’t start taking myself seriously as

brave and who has put so much aside for the sake of

a photographer until that point.”

family. Although there have been ups and downs along the way, the experience has strengthened our bond, and

What is the biggest obstacle you faced in your first four

taught me that regardless of gender, my Dad will always

years of university, in terms of your course? How did

be my Dad, and I will always love her. Through the work,

you stay motivated?

I aspire to change people’s perceptions on what having

“When I hit third year, I’d really found my footing with

a transgender parent is like, incorporating audio from

portrait photography and was fully exercising my

conversations I’ve had with my family members whilst

creativity with my shoots, but I wasn’t getting the grades

combining old footage from my childhood and new

that I was really aspiring towards. I felt pretty knocked

footage I have gathered.”

back for a while, but ultimately it taught me to challenge myself more with my ideas and just work harder, adding

What’s been the hardest thing about working on it?

aspects to the photographs that I hadn’t done before. Art

“Probably going through the past and talking about old

is so subjective. It’s important to stay confident in your

memories that weren’t so good, and forcing myself to

own work, taking criticism and using it to get better.”

be honest with my old feelings about the whole process during my own interview session. I couldn’t just observe

Where did your degree show concept come from?

the project from the outside - I was as important a part

“In 2013, my Dad sat me down and told me that he was

of the puzzle as every other family member, and I had to

transgender — that inside, he was a woman, and that

remind myself that often.”

was how he’d felt all of his life. It was a huge blow to

16

Arts and Entertainment

May 20-28th, Monday-Friday 10am-8pm, and Saturday-Sunday 10am-4pm.

What’s been the best thing?

I’m finished with the degree show, but that’s an ideal

“The best part by far has been discovering 10 video tapes

situation. I’d love to do something that combines

my Dad had stashed and getting them all converted,

photography, design, and film that encourages creative

accumulating around twenty hours of footage! A massive

thinking and team working.”

thanks is needed for Adam Lockhart, an archivist at DJCAD who converted all of them for me. The tapes were

Check out Abbie’s work online!

of before and after I was born, and it was incredible to

Instagram - @abbiesarahhh

see what my parents were like when they were younger

Facebook - Abbie Dobson Photography

and how much they’ve changed. Another huge perk is that I’ve been able to spend a lot of time with my family

The degree show will be held at DJCAD from the 20th

as they are literally the subject of my project, so my work

- 28th of May, Monday-Friday 10am-8pm, and Saturday-

doesn’t feel like work most of the time!”

Sunday 10am-4pm.

What are your feelings towards the show?

“I’m a bit nervous about my family seeing the work and what they will think, it’s so personal to us and I’m broadcasting it for the world to see. I want to make them proud with the footage they’ve entrusted me with, so that’s really important! Otherwise it’ll be a massive relief, this work will have been nine months in the making so I’ll be ready to let it go by that point.”

What are your plans after the show?

“Right now I’m looking for internships that will allow me to learn more creative skills, as well as developing my existing ones, that I could jump straight into once

17

Arts and Entertainment

Desert Rats LIP Theatre’s rendition of “Desert Rats” turned an

initial interactions with kidnapper Jesse. She also did a

otherwise lackluster and uninteresting play into a

brilliant job in showing the gradual growth of confidence

captivating and thoroughly enjoyable piece of theatre.

as Amber realizes the simple mindedness of her captor.

Set in a desert city of Barstow, California, the play

In addition, she presented a subtle but clear display

follows Jesse and Frank, two brothers who kidnap a

of the character’s elite status through her inability to

young, rich Amber, and the eventual tragic events that

empathise with Jesse’s situation. However, in my

derived from this act. It reminded me of a subdued

opinion, the later portrayal of the character as a

version of John Steinbeck’s “Of Mice and Men”, come

seductress could have been alluded to more clearly

S. E. Hilton’s “The Outsiders” with a slightly wannabe

at an earlier stage and the character could have been

Tarantino aspect. Due to the marvelous acting and

portrayed to hold a certain prowess. Adding a greater

ingenious stage directions, LIP’s “Desert Rats” was a successful performance.

Placing the set directly in front of the audience instead of on the stage above immerses the viewers in the action. This technique was particularly effective as

. . .truly immersing, was perfectly suited to the staging and the audience it was being performed to

this play itself is entirely set within one motel room.

By placing the set in such proximity to the audience, it

element of manipulation to her manner may have also

felt as though we, the audience, were within that room,

led to a more interesting plot.

watching the series of events unfold.

Frank, played by Paul Andrew Flavell, was acted in a way that reminded me greatly of Leonardo DiCaprio’s style;

Coren Childs’ portrayal of Jesse created a character that

his occasional offside lines, his sudden flurries of rage,

was far more than the one dimensional cliché the script

his empathy and love towards his brother combined by

lends itself to. The strong but misguided perceptions of

a burning hatred and resentment of society. All of this

good and evil held by Jesse as well as the family traumas

was portrayed in the most subtly understated way which

that led to this were subtly, yet confidently displayed

might not have succeeded on a larger stage, but was

through the performance. Jesse, prone to anger in the

perfectly suited to the staging and audience to which

face of fright, is performed with perfected ease by

it was performed. Flavell possessed real authenticity

Childs through sudden changes in attitude and volatile

in his acting to such an extent that you, as the viewer,

behavior. The only critique I would add would be that

noted the humanized depth of Frank, differing from the

the actor was in danger of “over-acting.”

stylized character of Jesse.

by David White

Louise McCanrey, who enacted Amber, succeeded in

Director - David Llewellyn

presented the scared, privilege school girl during her

Producer - Kathleen Davie Stage Manager - Pia Bezzina Head of Tech - Francis Donald

18

Arts and Entertainment

The Tempest LIP Theatre took on an ambitious performance of

critique I would give would point out the King’s (Craig

Shakespeare’s “The Tempest.” Having seen several of

Watson) lack of action between lines and the sprites’

Shakespeare’s plays executed professionally by the Royal

ill rehearsed roles. However, a clearer issue was in the

Shakespeare Company and other production companies,

portrayal of Prospero, who, on the first night, was the

including “The Tempest” itself, I held high expectations.

ball and chain of the production due to opening night

These expectations were largely met and in many

nerves. Fortunately, revisiting on the closing night, I

respects, exceeded.

found his performance much improved.

LIP Theatre brought their usual sense of intimacy to their

To end on high praise, the comic relief within this play

performance, a challenge when performing Shakespeare.

was the best I had ever seen. The comedic characters,

This was done through excellent staging, making use of

drunk butler, Stephano, (Roisin McCallum) and court

audience level as well as the stage. This not only allowed

jester, Trinculo, (Calum Telfer) were performed with

them to use height to great effect, but also enabled

exceeding ease and entrancing wit. During their

them to split the stage. For example, during Prospero’s

scenes with Caliban, (Vachel Novesha) a deformed

(Gavin Gilfillin) narration and descent from power, a

island native, they created scenes that resonated

flashback scene was portrayed below the stage.

through the ages and somewhat reminded me of a Saturday night in Dundee.

Lip Theatre brought their usual sense of intimacy, the comic relief within this play was the best I have ever seen

Other notable mentions include Luke MacDonald, who portrayed Gonzalo, the King’s adviser; he grasped the character and maintained him throughout the entire performance, even during the non-speaking parts. The character of Ariel was also acted in an original and endearing fashion by Catrin Evans, bringing a sense of

In my opinion, there were a few issues with this

energy to the production despite accidentally kicking a

production. The scene between Antonia (Rachael

large prop covered in sea shells in the midst of action.

Simpson) and Sebastian (Erin Mckeown, characters

Without falter, she continued admirably. To summarise,

renamed and cast as a female in this production) faced

the cast was splendid, full of charm. Speaking on behalf

away from the audience and thus was difficult to hear.

of the entire audience, LIP Theatre succeeded in bringing

This was disappointing as the rest of the play kept our

“The Tempest” conspiracies to life.

intrigue and I didn’t want to miss a single line. A second

by David White

19

AD

Fashion

You Prefer My Natural Colour? I Don’t.

I should have seen my obsession with hair dyes coming

One of the amazing things about hair dye is that there’s

from a mile away. It started during my high school

a shade and a product for almost anybody. Whether

days, when I jazzed up an asymmetrical scene-kid

you’re looking for something bold or something subtle, -

hairstyle with purple streaks. When that wasn’t edgy

dyes don’t always have to be bright after all - something

enough, I had fun experimenting with hair chalks. I

long lasting or something that’ll wash out in a day,

had so much fun in fact, that in sixth year I became the

there’ll be something for you. And what better time to

weird girl who had a different colour in her hair every

do it than when you’re at university? If there’s any time

day. No shame.

to experiment with your look, try new things that may or may not work, and even end up with a few regrets, it’s

About a year ago, I took the plunge and dyed my entire head of hair for the first time. Overexposure to pinkhaired Instagram models had made me start to groan at the sight of my natural colour, and I needed a change.

A colourful new look makes you feel unstoppable

The quick fix for the state I was in? Colour my hair an obnoxious shade of orange of course.

now. Dye your hair red because you’ve always wanted to, and pretend you’re a rockstar. Attempt to go blue,

Unwilling to commit to a single colour for too long,

end up with green instead, and own your look anyway

I opted for a semi-permanent dye to begin with,

because you know you can pull it off. I may not be a

something fun that wouldn’t last. Armed and ready with

qualified hair and beauty guru who can talk confidently

a bottle ofBleach London’s ‘Washed Out Orange’ dye, I

about proper hair care; however, I can talk about how

I became the weird girl who had a different colour in her hair every day

hair dye changes your attitude. And I can safely say that a colourful new look makes you feel unstoppable. So that’s why, whenever somebody says to me, “I’ve been thinking of dyeing my hair [insert colour here],” I simply respond with two words: “Do it.”

locked myself in my flat’s shared bathroom and proceeded to give myself awful backache by washing

by Maddie Bayley

my hair over the bath in an attempt to reinvent my look.

It was all worth it when I saw my vibrant new hair in the mirror for the first time though, I was unrecognisable.

Having a full head of orange hair was an out-of-body experience; I felt bold and powerful, like I could do anything, and this was the beginning of a borderline addiction to unnatural colours.

21

Fashion

Is Fashion Week Even #Relatable?

At

the end of February, celebrities and bloggers

the back, or the not-so-glamorous notion of waiting in

alike rushed to London to witness the

queues for up to an hour to see a ten-minute show. The

spectacle that is London Fashion Week. As a fashion

negatives overpower the glitz and the glam, and sadly

and beauty blogger myself, I have been pondering

the social climbers now see Fashion Week as a publicity

whether Fashion Week was an experience I wanted

event in contrast to what I’m sure the designers want —

to take part in future years for some time. Instead of

for their work to be seen and appreciated.

finding myself giddy at the thought, I realised I truly didn’t care if I got that special invitation or not.

I also find the fashion itself hard to relate to. I’m all for trying out trends that shout out to me, but let’s be real,

The whole point of Fashion Week is to display the

much of the fashion that we see on the catwalk during

creations that top designers have conjured to the

these busy weeks is not something that the average

public (well, VIPs), and to show them the trends that

person would wear in their everyday life. As much as I

will hit production the following season. However, as

love some sparkle, I’m a casual girl at heart and so it’s

I’m in the ‘blogging world’, I’m instead hearing more

hard to imagine myself wearing a concoction of fabric

about publicity compared to fashion. Increasingly,

that resembles something which doesn’t even look like

I hear about the ‘real’ Fashion week; the crowds of

clothes. Without blowing my own trumpet, I’m often

people who hang in the courtyard in the hopes of

singled out as the person who knows about fashion

being photographed for a street style website despite

in my group of friends, and so I can only imagine that

not going to any events, the snobbishness of the

someone not interested in following trends or designers,

FROW-seated individuals towards those standing in

looks at Fashion Week in confusion.

22

Fashion Of course, these designs are not made to be worn by the general public. Popular characteristics from the designers across the board end up trickling down to the high street: we are all wearing things inspired by those top fashion designers, and for that I truly do appreciate what the fashion industry accomplishes during these special weeks. My issue is that the creation of fashion is cast to the side, and replaced with peacocking and social hierarchies. Instead of fashion, views are prized.

My views on the spectacle of Fashion Week are negative, but I do love seeing what the designers have created, so I’ve had a look at the most frequent trends found on the catwalks at LFW that should be making their way to shops in the upcoming months. While Fashion Week is thinking a season forward, a lot of these types of items are in shops now, and are wearable. Here is my edit of the pieces to consider giving a shot . . .

COLOUR BLOCKING

Bright primary colours will be a

huge focus of A/W 2017, but it is something that will look amazing in Spring and Summer too. Colour blocking essentially means that you pair pieces of coloured clothing (generally not patterned) together for a bold look. An easy way to pull this off is with blue jeans and a brightly coloured T-shirt or jumper.

SLOGANS

Slogan tees and jumpers are going to be

sticking around for a while. Some can be garish and in-your-face, but there are plenty on offer that feature smaller typography. A subtle way to embrace the trend is to go for tops that have a little embroidered or printed slogan on the pocket.

23

Fashion

DARK FLORALS

I don’t think florals will ever go out of fashion,

but the standout floral prints of LFW were those that had a black or dark coloured background. Dark florals are slightly edgier than the cutesy prints that often show up in shops around Springtime, so they can look more mature or even grungy when paired with the right items.

CHECK PRINTS

The other print featured heavily was check or

plaid. A simple way to incorporate this look is through check or plaid shirts, but you will soon be seeing the print pop up in every clothing piece imaginable. In the Summer the print will look casual and effortless with floaty items, while in Winter I can imagine it appearing in much more tailored pieces.

OVERSIZED KNITWEAR

I’m a fan of oversized jumpers and sweaters so

I’m pleased to see that the trend is sticking around, and it looks like ‘oversized’ is being taken to the next level. To pull off huge jumpers without looking like a sack of potatoes, pair them with skinny jeans, and consider wearing heeled boots to add a touch of sophistication.

by Emily Fletcher

24

AD

Design

The University $$ Rebrand $$ £70,000. My first thought when I heard how much was being spent on a new logo when budgets were being cut in every faculty of the university was how unnecessary it all seemed. “St Andrews have never changed their logo, why should we?” I thought to myself as I glanced at the

Dundee is proud to be Dundee not because of its age but because it is constantly expanding and improving

old blue, red and yellow logo that I had pinned to my wall.

This is because Dundee University is a university that My frustrations at this change were only fueled by my

celebrates change. Dundee is proud to be Dundee

tutorials, where anger seemed to manifest itself as

not because of its age but because it is constantly

rumours of the hidden costs behind the rebranding

expanding and improving. Take for instance, the old

swarmed around each classroom like a university-wide

logo whose five little bubbles that surround the rim

game of Chinese whispers.

of the shield represented the five departments of the university that existed in 2000. This is no longer a

Then I did some research.

relevant symbol as in the space of 17 years the university has nine departments in total, demonstrating the

My first point of interest was to find out when the old

constantly changing nature of the uni. All this change

logo was first introduced, expecting to find a long

has evidently paid off as currently Dundee is holding

historical background of the logo that stemmed back to

its two-year streak as UK University of the year, and is

the creation of the university. Instead, what I found was

placed in the world’s top 200 universities.

that the logo had gone through five regenerations since its creation in the 1960s.

To discuss the rebranding further, I sat down with Head of Corporate Communications, Roddy Isles and Rebecca

This surprised me, no one I had spoken to had

Trengove, Director of Marketing and Communications, who

mentioned there being other logos. It was then I realised

ensured me that not only was this rebranding important

that University history from the perspective of students

from a design perspective, but from a student perspective.

only covers a limited period. No one studying at Dundee remembers the brand controversy when it was changed

While for many not involved in student politics, the

in 2000 or 1994 or 1974.

rebranding decision seemed to come from nowhere, it

26

Design

had been in the works for months. Before rebranding,

the new logo can attract even two new international

Dundee lacked a brand specific to its image and was

students, the £70,000 will be accounted for and the

practically unrecognisable compared to shields from

logo will have done it’s job. In this case, I firmly believe

St Andrews, Glasgow and Edinburgh. With a more

that the end justifies the means.

distinctive brand, international students will be more likely to apply, diversifying the university.

Fundamentally, not everyone will enjoy the new logo, but everyone should. The logo is made to entrance new

One thing, that struck me during this conversation was

students, and most importantly, it’s so the university,

how much the decision to rebrand relied on student input.

staff and students alike can feel pride in an emblem that

This was not a decision made by faceless university staff,

is unique to them and significant to an ever-changing

this decision was first of all taken to DUSA and the SRC

and always welcoming university like Dundee.

so even though you might not know them personally, it was students who helped approve this brand.

So next time you see the new logo, remember where you are, remember that this is not just your university, this

Why? Because from a design point of view it’s a clearer

is the university of everyone who has studied here and

logo, but more importantly, it means something to the

everyone who will study here and take pride in knowing

University. The blue has been the primary colour for

that this change was made as a unifying force for every

Dundee for 40 years, and now it is the sole colour that

single one of them.

exists on our logo. Additionally, the font you see on the new logo is no ordinary font, it’s newly invented and

by Dervla McCormick

unique to the university, named after the university’s founder, Mary Anne Baxter.

Now possessing a staple brand with a “Baxter Sans” typeface that is unique to Dundee university, we have been given something that will draw new students in and create a shield that all employers will be able to recognise.

Now, I suppose £70,000 is still a lot of money but if

27

Design

Designing a Real Dundee A Graphic Designer’s Account

’This is an awfully expensive new email signature’ I

stars and flaws of Dundee uni before making any steps

heard someone remark in the queue in premier while

towards attempting to brand it. I believe the public often

they screwed up their face and zoomed in on the logo

find it easy to imagine designers as people who want

appearing at the bottom of a communication from the

to project a fashionable image on your product, service

University, nose almost on screen.

or institution, put it on Instagram, then move on. In fact, one of the most rewarding things about being a graphic

I hate to be the one to break the news that it’s not about

designer is that we can facilitate people communicating

you. Or the signatures on the bottom of your emails. This

what their product, service or institution is all about to an

rebrand will go much further and have an effect for far

audience. In essence, that’s what a brand does. If done

longer than your time at Dundee.

successfully, it can of course have a lasting legacy on the success, profitability and visibility of the client’s business

During a summer placement at Tangent Graphic in

or project but more importantly, excellent rebrands can

Glasgow, I was involved in the initial stages of the

give employees, customers and partners a real sense of

University of Dundee rebrand. Not the part of the

pride and joy in what they’re using or doing.

design process where typographers stress over width of individual letters and graphic designers are stuck to

At a time where the schools within University of Dundee

theirs screen to align objects perfectly, but part where

become ‘One Dundee’— a different debate entirely— it

a group of people are tasked with capturing what

goes without saying that, in terms of design, having

something as dynamic and massive as what a university

different logos, signage and marketing communications

is all about. Before meeting the designers at Tangent, I

doesn’t give each school individuality. It makes the entire

would have assumed this meant trendy people in turtle-

university appear dated, disorganised and disparate.

necks eating kale and brainstorming on digital white

People coming to visit Dundee or the university website

boards what the university should be. In contrast, there

for the first time shouldn’t be visually confronted with

was a team of really down-to-earth, talented people

the recent issues and restructuring within the University.

determined to get to know the students, staff, shining

It’s not a dirty secret that universities all over the world

28

Design

rely on income from international students — it has

but at the end of the day, we can’t expect all issues with

come to be what many of them rely on. We celebrate

the university to be fixed overnight with a magic wand.

the diversity of our student population here at Dundee, but have you ever wondered how on earth they became

We may be a bit of an underdog compared to more

aware of this little city perched on the east coast of

historical Scottish universities but I believe this

Scotland, and what convinced them it was the best place

progressive, interdisciplinary, diverse university deserves

to invest in their education?

to be presented as such. Think of everything Dundee has given you — opportunities, friends, education,

I hate to be the one to break the news that it’s not about you.

Or the signatures on the bottom of your emails. This rebrand will go much further and have an effect for far longer than your time at Dundee.

some of the best days of your life — would you want it to be misrepresented by something tired and dated?

I can’t speak for everyone but I think I can speak for many here in saying that there is an immense pride in and love for Dundee and our university which needed to be harnessed. I admit I’m biased but I think Tangent have done that and I get a real sense of joy every time an app or web page is updated with the new branding — it’s much more representative of the fresh, exciting opportunities here than what was there previously. Don’t expect to be surprised by an entire campus overhaul

When someone in a far-away land considers studying

one Monday morning with a price tag on every item so

in Scotland, they may have a visual of the highlands,

you can determine if the budget was well-spent — keep

the Hogwarts-like architecture at Glasgow, the golf

an eye on the University of Dundee in the coming one,

courses of St Andrews, the castle and Royal Mile of

five or ten years, and you may just find that the prestige

Edinburgh, but what about our beloved Dundee? You

of your degree increases with that of the institution you

may be able to picture Berlin, but how about Bonn?

attained it from.

We, as a small, post-industrial city, need to work twice as hard to give these prospective students a strong,

by Ali Elliott

lasting visual of Dundee. It takes a huge leap of faith to spend thousands on fees and four years of your life in a place you, nor your family have ever been. Being able to

Well, there you have it — from both designer and student

access a wealth of online and print content showcasing

perspective, the re-brand seems to be a hit! (As much

the University and city and getting an honest insight

as we wanted the cost to be a scandal!) What are your

in to life here is invaluable. No one believes cheesy

thoughts on the University’s new logo?

stock images of smiling students on campus green and quotations from keen freshers anymore — we need to go further to communicate our University. Attracting

Facebook (Magdalen Magazine) or

prospective students isn’t just about the prospectus —

Twitter (@dusa_magdalen).

it’s about appealing to current students, prospective undergrad students and their parents, researchers, prospective postgraduates, staff, investors and the people of Dundee to raise the entire profile of the city.

The truth is, you as a current student, won’t see a lot of the work done to rebrand the University. The money brought in by this investment will be seen in the future in student services, staffing, resources and reputation.

It’s hard to realise that it’s not us that will directly benefit

29

Lifestyle

Homemade Raspberry Jam MAKES APPROX 1.6KG • 35 MIN • EASY

COOKING

CORNER WITH

Gavin Aitken

A True Dundonian Classic As this issue is a celebration of Dundee, I thought it’d be only appropriate to make this month’s recipe one that is tied in with Dundee heritage. Those of you who are from Dundee will probably already know of the 3 J’s which Dundee is famous for, however for anyone who doesn’t they are: Jute, Jam, and Journalism.

Dundee once had a thriving Jam industry and so I though it only fitting to feature my own grandmothers jam recipe in this month’s column.

INGREDIENTS 1kg Sugar 1kg Raspberries 1 Tbsp Lemon Juice 25g Butter NOTE: You may require some gelatine powder; I would recommend Dr. Oetker Gelatine Sachet 3X12g

Equipment You will also need: 4 Regular sized jars, however it is always advisable to have a spare jar in-case less liquid boils off, large saucepan and a mixing spoon.

It’s best to read this recipe through thoroughly first before attempting as there are some steps that are not required if your jam sets quickly, and further ones if it does not.

30

Lifestyle

Instructions

1 2 3 4

In your large pan heat the raspberries on a low heat just slightly, for no more than 5 minutes.

Add the sugar into this pan, dissolve it in with the raspberries and bring the mixture to the boil on a high heat.

Once boiling, add in the lemon juice.

At this point, residue forms on the surface, which you need to get rid of. To skim it off the top, use a spoon to scoop it all out, trying to avoid taking out any of the actual jam beneath. Once you have ‘skimmed’, add in the butter.

5 6 7

Allow the mixture to boil for 15 minutes, stirring regularly and whist it’s boiling fill your jars with boiling water to sterilize them.

Once roughly 15 minutes has passed, remove some jam with a teaspoon put it on a plate, allow it to cool and see if it sets. If it does not set boil for a further 5 minutes.

Again, after the 5 minutes, test the jam on the plate, to again see if it sets. If it does not set this time, add a sachet of Gelatine and boil it for a further few minutes and test again, it may require two sachets of Gelatine. There is no fine science for getting Jam to set, it is all trial and error.

8 9

Once it sets on a plate, turn the heat off. Empty the water out your jars and dry them, and then ladle in the jam. Allow it to cool before putting the lids on.

ENJOY!

Raspberry Jam

Raspberry Jam April ‘17

Raspberry April 2017 Jam

31

Lifestyle

5 REASONS

Journalism IS GOOD FOR YOU WRITEN BY ELLIE BIGGS

1.

SOMETHING TO DO IN YOUR FREE TIME

I don’t know about you but I am terrible at having free time.

Don’t get me wrong—I am an avid Netflix

in between classes or spending an evening

watcher and I love spending days with my

writing up a three-page article about elephant

friends as much as the next person, but

endangerment because your favorite TV show

sometimes there are gaps in time where I

on Netflix has run out of episodes, writing

just need something new and different to

something creative fills the time without the

do. Usually, when I have too much time on

extra stress or effort. I find that it’s surprisingly

my hands, I become paranoid, forgetting

relaxing, and a perfect activity to keep your

important university studies. But here and

mind awake while taking a study break. In my

now, I tell you this, journalism fits those

opinion, there is nothing more satisfying than

‘gaps’ without fail. Whether it’s jotting down

seeing your ideas took form on a page.

a few sentence in the five minutes you have

EDUCATIONAL

2.

If you were writing a creative writing

down quick. It’s a good feeling to be

piece, or perhaps an opinion’s

so enthused about something that

article, you usually draw inspiration

all you want to do is venture out

from your own imagination.

into the world for more information.

However, if you writing a science

This sense of intrigue produces drive

article or perhaps, a business

and determination in your work. In

piece, you may be required to do

turn, this excitement can spill over

a little extra research to boost the

into the rest of your studies. Plus, it’s

knowledge you already have. When I

always great fun reciting off these

pick an article subject, is is because

fun facts you’ve learnt with anyone

I’m already passionate about it, and

willing to listen.

when I find out new facts about that topic, I grow so enthusiastic that it’s impossible to do anything but jot it

32

Lifestyle

3.

SKILL DEVELOPMENT I’m sure a lot of you think of the word

deadlines and produce good standards of

‘journalism’ and visualize someone writing

work. Because it builds upon qualities that

away, but that’s not everything it entails. One

most students learn at some point in their

of the things I absolutely love about writing

education, it’s an extremely useful extra-

articles, and which I think is beneficial to

curricular for anyone at university. At some

everyone, is that you learn every aspect of

point you, as a journalist, may need to

the craft. Before working on the Magdalen

interview someone for an article. Not only can

Magazine, I had never written articles for

you use this experience in the future, but it

publishing, and yet now, I really enjoy it.

will also give you a good awareness for future

Journalism requires imagination and story-

interviews where you will be responsible for

telling skills as well as being able to meet

answering with clarity and confidence.

4.

SOCIABILITY I can only speak from my own personal experience at the Magdalen Magazine, but I am sure the same applies to most journalistic related work when I say that it is a sure, social atmosphere. Here, at the Magdalen, we have meetings, workshops, and social events to interact with writers and editors. Whilst it may sound cliché, being introduced, involved, and interested in the same thing as other people is a wonderful thing. Walking through campus, saying hello, and having a wee chat is not only great, but it also means you are learning the skill of sociability required for all walks of

5.

life; from student, employee, parenthood, and so on.

Earlier I mentioned that journalism

the new publication. An aspect of

capture a couple of snapshots in

isn’t just about writing articles and

journalism is also photography and

your spare time and send them in

that’s something I’ve learnt in my

design. As you’re reading an article,

for publication. As the saying goes,

time at the magazine. As a copy

you might think of a great idea on

a picture is worth 1000 words, and

editor, I have learned thousands of

how to structure it by decorating

photography is an asset to a writer’s

different ways one can compose

the background and enhancing the

work. Why not spend a day, walking

an article, for example, sometimes

font. If the writer agrees with you, a

about, enjoying the weather, and

you just need to approach it from

month later you might see your idea

taking some beautiful photos whilst

a different angle. Over the year, my

printed and published, no less, on

you’re experimenting with this facet

love of reading has increased due to

that page. And that, my friends, is

of journalism.

a growing excitement to see what

truly rewarding. It may be that you

new articles has been written for

have an eye for photography. If so,

FULLY-ENGAGING

Without a doubt, I consider journalism one of the most enjoyable ways to pass time, and I encourage all to jump straight in. Why not give it a shot?

33

AD

Community

T

he concept of revolution is often

Impacted by their new Indian friends, the

attributed to violence. Think of

group from Glasgow returned with confidence,

The Bolshevik’s Red Massacre or

ready to initiate Self Reliant Groups across

Mao’s Great Leap. In contrast to militaristic

Scotland. They formed an SRG soon after their

revolutions, revolts initiated by local people

return home in 2011, offering a lunch club in

are not necessarily based on premises of

March 2012 which currently continues to run

violent outrage. It is for the people, by

weekly. On top of this, in 2013,‘Fluff & Fold,’ a

the people, to install a greater sense of

community launderette was started.

community through self-empowerment.

Yet, during this time of greater austerity,

What are Self-Reliant Groups? What

political division, and hardship, how do we

differentiates them from community groups or

stand together to make progressive

social enterprises? SRG’s are made up of 5-10

change happen?

members from the same neighbourhood and/ or of similar economic and social experience.

Enter WEvolution—a community-focused

These members save and meet regularly and

charity that is designed to bring folk together

are not dependent upon funding. They apply a

and create Self Reliant Groups (SRG’s).

system of collective and rotating leadership.

Starting from humble roots in Glasgow, a group of thirteen women ventured to Mumbai

By a fortunate set of circumstances (the

and Gujarat in India where they met with

SRG Coordinator for Dundee) and I met at

groups of women who had formed self-help

the Dundee Global Service Jam where we

groups. Despite the lack of a welfare system

discussed the importance of community

and immense poverty, the groups gathered to

groups. I was fortunate enough to ask

save funds, develop fundraising initiatives and

questions and receive answers about

inspire motivation.

WEvolution in person.

35

Community

So, how is WEvolution accessed by the wider community and how does WEvolution promote inclusiveness?

Here’s the answer: Development workers in Glasgow,

By coming alongside the SRGs, the organization’s intentions give power to the people.

Inverclyde, and Dundee are all partnered alongside Self-Reliant Groups with an ethos to empower

Is WEvolution relevant, especially to Dundee? What was

people, encouraging them to seek out solutions for

the motivation behind establishing SRG’s in Dundee?

problems within their community. The charity itself offers guidance, facilitation, and opportunities for

Dundee has a rich history of creativity and innovation.

growth. I have the privilege of leading SRG’s in Perth,

Things are looking bright for the future of this city due

and supporting my colleagues as they travel, offering

to its investment in the V&A. Yes, there are high levels

support to other areas around Scotland.

of unemployment and poverty prevalent in Dundee; however, the team at WEvolution believes in the

By working and saving together to reach goals, people can create an income that will improve the economic power within their own community.

resourcefulness of people and offers trust to anyone who wants to explore potential ways to promote positivity in their neighborhoods. SRGs offer the possibility for local people to dream big while becoming independent from government funding and support.

With the potential for groups taking on loans to fund We offer a ‘hub’ space on a Friday morning in Dundee,

their projects, SRGs enable individuals to create the

and similar gathering in both Glasgow and Inverclyde.

change they want to see in their community. WEvolution

Anyone who would like to find new ways to support their

has established ‘WeeChange,’ a micro-finance fund that

community is welcome. We try to offer a productive

tackles the financial barrier for SRGs, allowing income to

environment as well as initiate discussions around current

help generate and fulfill the plans of its members.

events; one example includes the new pilots on minimum income. SRG’s provide opportunities for training,

By coming alongside the SRGs, the organization’s

volunteering, and community engagement.

intentions give power to the people. WEvolution is there to create a truly bloodshed-free revolution for

Furthermore, WEvolution offers training to organizations

groups struggling to sustain and create changes in

who can then apply the Self-Reliant Group way of working

their communities.

within the context of their own internal community.

Mayberry Enterprise in Dundee a partner organization who have committed to this way of connecting.

What is the relevance of WEvolution and how will it make a difference?

WEvolution believes in the power of the collective. By working and saving together to reach goals, people can create an income that will improve the economic power within their own community. This leads to possibility for growth amongst individual groups. The generational impact of SRG’s is key as parents become self-reliant and consequently teach their children the benefits of working towards personal goals.

36

Words — Alastair Letch Photography — Abbie Sarah Dobson

Community

#Lemon4Yemen What comes to your mind when you think of the

we have ran a Vintage Fair, Christmas Jumper Day photo

word lemon? Sourness? A good flavour of sorbet? Keith?

booths and our very own themed date night to name but

Many good choices, yet Yemen is something that is

a few. So, it is no surprise that this innovative idea and

rarely associated. Despite the bizarreness though, the

concept has come about from our workshops.”

Save the Children Society have creatively made the connection which has sparked a new campaign to raise

Why is raising awareness of the social factors in

awareness around Yemen, when working with S1-S3’s.

another country relevant to Dundee? Is Yemen relevant

As the project is fresh and compelling, we fortunately

to Dundee?

got to ask the organisers some questions, to get to

“It relates to all. We all believe this is much bigger.

know the zest of things.

The founder of Save the Children, Eglantyme Jebb, stated that children should never suffer because of the

How does the lemon for Yemen campaign link to the

actions of adults, yet in war they are usually the ones

values of the society?

who suffer most. At the time of this workshop back in

“Our society’s main aims are the same of those of the

May 2016, Yemen was not in the news and journalists

global charity. We aim, throughout the year, to raise

were banned. These children did not have a voice, it is

awareness of global and UK issues and to support the

the people who acknowledge that this as wrong

campaigns and programs that Save the Children put

who strive for change.”

in place. Mainly we are a society that aims to fundraise and campaign for change through different activities

How have the S1-S3’s responded to the campaign?

and events. We are motivated with this campaign as it is

“At each workshop the children were asked, ‘do you

our own work which has developed through ‘Speaking

know Yemen? Who, What, When, Where, Why Yemen?’

Out’ (a branch of Save the Children that gives a voice to

Our responses were incredibly limited. In leading the

those who are unheard). Our society always aims to be

workshops, we learned from the pupils that it was a

different and try out new things, for example in the past

map on ‘Call of Duty’ and someone from ‘Fresh Prince

37

Community

of Bel Air’ went on holiday to Yemen. That was their

We hope the campaign can grow to the same viral status

knowledge of Yemen in a nutshell. The main aim of

of the Ice Bucket Challenge but at the same time raise

the workshops was to place the pupils in a Save the

awareness and teach people about Yemen through

Children’s worker shoes; in the Emergency Response

reproducing the workshop. We are really excited about

team and the Campaigns team. This has been a great

the momentum that this campaign has gained and we

launching point for the campaign idea as it has come

can’t wait to see what it can produce from fundraising.

from children for children. It is a simple idea that can

We hope you will join us and bite the lemon

easily spread across the pupils’ social media. What has

for #lemon4yemen.”

been a great influence on the campaign is the fact that in the workshop the groups were pretending to be in the

Starting from their humble routes in Inverkeithing,

campaigns team and across the year we have worked

the campaign has managed to create a greater

and communicated with the actual campaigns team to

awareness of global issues, rather than following the

formulate #lemon4yemen.”

usual approach of StC workshops. As the project intends to go viral and beyond, one can only help promote the

How have you guys felt about the campaign as

campaign by following these steps;

a whole? What do you guys want to achieve with the campaign?

1. Grab a Lemon

“#lemon4yemen has been in the works for the

2. Slice in Half and Bite into

past year. We have focused our energy on building

3. Record the Experience

a strong foundation for its launch, working with

4. Share on Social Media with #lemon4yemen

different communities and groups to create the best

5. Challenge 3 more and Donate by Texting

plan forward. As a society we didn’t want this to be

LMYM99 £3 to 70070

a passing trend that barely lasts a month. We hope the campaign can continue to grow throughout social media, but also in the classroom and community groups.

38

Alastair Letch

AD

Current Affairs

JOURNALISTIC CRISIS When F Fake News Becomes Real News

INAGURATION JAN 20TH 2009

INAGURATION JAN 20TH 2017

What should we believe? This was the prominent

an inauguration, period', despite overwhelming evidence

question raised throughout last year, in which the

to the contrary. The rise of fake news was further fuelled

plague of so-called ‘fake news’ took centre stage in the

when Kellyanne Conway, a senior White House aide,

US Presidential Election and beyond.

claimed Spicer’s comments to simply be ‘alternative facts’; a phrase that has now come to sum up the

Arguably beginning with Donald Trump’s repeated

epidemic of fake news and ‘zombie lies’ that continue

attacks on the mainstream media for perceived bias

to gain momentum despite overwhelming evidence that

against him, these accusations spread throughout the

they are untrue.

political landscape and saw stories with no legitimate evidence actively shaping the minds of US voters. His

Users of Facebook will have seen viral stories gaining

notable claims of the elections likely being rigged were

significant momentum and circulation despite having no

believed by numerous anti-establishment figures and

factual basis. Everyone from the general public to some

voters, despite having little to no basis in fact. This

of the biggest media outlets have fallen victim to these

lead to speculation as to whether Trump’s victory was

concocted rumours, ironically perpetuating their growth.

influenced by voter’s refusal to believe the mainstream

Prominent examples of this have included a popular

media’s reports on his actions.

meme circulated on Facebook in 2012, involving a women who was supposedly being sued by her husband

Another notable instance of fake news was when the

because she did not inform him that she had received

White House Press Secretary, Sean Spicer, blatantly

plastic surgery, something that he claimed was obvious

exaggerated the attendance numbers for the

due to their children looking nothing like her. This story

President’s inauguration. He falsely claimed that Trump

was discovered to be fake, but not before the model

inauguration was the 'largest audience ever to witness

involved in the real shoot claimed the global circulation

40

Current Affairs

of the fabricated meme had ruined

receiving misogynistic abuse from

‘misinformation’ very seriously and

her life. More recently, a video

the driver. While this video has not

that they have ‘been working on

circulated online showing a female

yet been proven fake, reports have

this problem for a long time and

cyclist getting revenge by ripping

surfaced claiming that a witness

take this responsibility seriously’.

the wing mirror off a van after

saw the actors making the video. As

He later went on to emphasize that they always want to give the

“

people a voice, but not if that voice

...a women who was supposedly being sued by her husband because she did not inform him that she had received plastic surgery, something that he claimed was obvious due to their children looking nothing like her. This story was discovered to be fake...

well this, questions have been raised

”

materialises at the expense of authenticity and accuracy.

Throughout the election, Hillary Clinton was a repeated victim of fake news, one of which had ‘real world consequences’. Commonly referred to as ‘Pizzagate’, a rumour circulated without any authenticity beginning on Reddit, claimed that prominent Democratic politicians,

towards the fortunate timing of the

including Clinton, were involved in

motorbike rider who filmed

a paedophile ring out of a

the incident, and the fact that the

DC pizzeria. The real world

video is now being sold

consequences occurred when a

to news organisations and social

man, who believed the rumours to

media channels for up to £400. This

be true, drove to the pizzeria and

leaves us to question whether it is

opened fire inside it. This lie was

simple capitalisation on the

amongst the fastest spreading on

video’s fame, or its intended

Twitter and had over,a million users

outcome from the beginning.

using the term ‘pizzeria’ in reference to the false accusations.

Fake news has become a massive

from Facebook, who have dedicated

problem on Facebook because of

considerable time and effort into

its extensive popularity and the

countering this pervasive problem

‘filter bubble’ it can create around

and restructuring the site to stop

users, only providing them with

the escalation of this growing

news stories they are interested in.

imposition. Mark Zuckerberg

Therefore, this is a problem that

recently addressed the issue,

has warranted significant attention

reiterating the point that they take

Oxford Dictionaries has named the word ‘Post-Truth’ as the word of the year and it is clear why. Only 32% of Americans now have faith in the mainstream media and as long as they do, fake news will continue to rise, making it clear that this is a trend that is going nowhere fast.

Post-Truth Adjective

By Calum Wilson

Relating to or denoting circumstances in which objective facts are less influential in shaping public opinion than appeals to emotion and personal belief.

41

Current Affairs

Party Conference Centre What to Expect this Conference Season

SNP

Spring is the most wonderful time of year for disciples

Unlike labour, the SNP really don’t have a lot of work

of Current Affairs as it means the dawn of Scottish party

to do in terms of unifying the party, as they are aware

conference season! For many, party conferences can

of the common enemy they have in Brexit. This allows

seem like a dull affair that is an utterly pointless exercise

real policy to be discussed and all eyes will be on First

in hand shaking and back-patting for people who don’t

Minister Sturgeon, who, at the Aberdeen conference, will

deserve it. However, read on and you will see that what

be talking an awful lot about the independent option

we expect to be said at party conferences can be a

of a post-Brexit Scotland. It is more than likely that a

valuable insight into the year’s policy.

declaration of official intention to pursue a referendum may be made as a shot across the Westminster bow,

Scottish Labour

with the genuine date of ‘Indyref2’ also being possible.

The Labour conference this year will go one of two ways,

Angus Robinson will also make an appearance to talk of

either sombre realisation with a hint of hope for the

how Westminster is not listening to Scotland and that

future, due to their surprise defeat at the 2015 general

the party must be more assertive in its intentions.

election in Scotland, or business as usual, even defiance.

There have been heavy rumours of Corbyn and Sadiq

Scottish Conservatives

Khan talking at this year’s conference in Perth, which will

The rule of the weekend will be behind the scenes

likely be an abundance of unity based soundbites from

awkwardness. The Scottish party is riding high after

the party’s Scottish leader, Kezia Dugdale, after huge

becoming the official opposition. However, do not take

rifts opened very publicly this year. In terms of actual

for granted the fact that the party is still very split

policy talk there will most likely be a lot of noise made

upon the direction of Brexit, let alone if it should have

about Dugdale and the leadership’s call for a new federal

happened at all. Ruth Davidson will be front of stage

constitution for the UK and their taxation subsidy policy

as the party’s saving grace in Scotland and the rhetoric

for out of work people.

will most certainly put Ruth in the lead, perhaps over

42

Current Affairs

Theresa May. In terms of policy, Taxation will be the rule

will talk of its deals with the SNP as a sign that they

of the day. Key phrase - “Scotland is the highest taxed

are ready for higher office. They may even set their

part of the UK”.

sights on Scottish Labour MSP seats, as they attempt to attract voters from bigger parties and become better

Scottish Liberal Democrats

established themselves.

The Liberal Democrats will come out fighting in Scotland. Willie Rennie has been rather vocal in the run

Conclusion

up to Brexit and is very keen to ditch his soft image.

This is only one objective set of predictions and analysis.

The confirmation that Nick Clegg will be speaking

It is important though to keep an open mind about

is evidence that the conference may not actually be

the conference season and the race towards 2020.

very policy focused at all, even by party conference

All parties in Scotland who have not already done so,

standards. Rather, it will most likely be soul searching

face the challenge of uniting their membership under

and at times a self-deprecating approach to convince

one aim. The SNP have Independence, the Tories have

the public at large that they stand united as a different

Unionism, and both rely heavily on the influence of

party after a period of decline. The possibility of a

Brexit. However, the Greens, Lib Dems and Labour will

post-Brexit referendum will also play a prominent role

have serious internal debates over the next few years,

in the party’s conference as just recently members have

and expect it all to start in Scotland.

lobbied the party to support another one, to definitively decide Scotland’s future in the EU and UK.

by Murray Glen

Scottish Greens Patrick Harvie will be going for the argument that Green politics is now more viable than ever and will refer to the party’s recent gains in the Scottish parliament elections as proof of this. On this point, it is likely that the party

43

Opinion

Westminster: A Cynic’s Report

D

uring the EU referendum we were told

say that the claim was false and more than

that the British people had enough

this, that it was nothing to do with them. The

experts. The polls, the banks, the European

only reason that this has not been investigated

commission; the British people were so sick of

further is that the Westminster mentality has

the whole damned lot of them. What we were

shifted from simply tempting people’s vote

craving, according to the leave campaign, was

with the promise of beneficial legislation for a

sovereignty, both parliamentary and of British

Party’s desired demographics, to completing

values. However, take one look at the “inside

political objectives by any means necessary.

Westminster” type columns of any publication

The referendum over Europe was treated by

and you will see that the UK parliament is

the main campaigns as a glorified student

as disjointed and detached from reality as a

union debate to the point where fiscal bodies

representative assembly can get.

like the Bank of England had to step in and attempt to clear the water muddied by deceit.

The tribalism of our parliament has been a

For this, the Governor Mark Carney was told it

major cause of concern for a fair few years.

was not his place and his expert opinion had

Not so long ago MPs were scalded for being

no place in the cherished severity of the British

too loud but that seems like so long ago when

referendum cycle.

we see the personal attacks coming from the

44

government benches towards the opposing.

Throughout all of this, the only party to

We have seen time and time again a mentality

objectively represent their mandate to

of politics over people coming from both

execute the will of the public majority was the

sides of the house and with ever election cycle

SNP. The majority of Scots voted to stay in

in this “Post-truth” world we see it getting

Europe, so that’s how they voted. Scots polls

worse. Take for example the claim by the leave

also suggest they want to scrap trident, so

campaign that £350m would be diverted to

that’s how they voted and like Mark Carney

the NHS from EU membership fees post-brexit.

they have been shot down for views which

We have had every big figure of that campaign

do not align with the British political way.

Opinion

The Nationalists are not innocent however in their treatment of the parliamentary system. Only recently they were chastised for whistling ode to joy (The anthem of the European Union) during a vote on Article 50 in a display so reminiscent of “edgy� student politics it may as well have taken place at the NUS.

With all of the news coming from across the Atlantic of despots and government gone mad, can we really look at our own parliament as the beacon of liberal democracy we think it is?

Therefore, with all of the news

are desperate for an alternative,

coming from across the Atlantic

and yet he is called unelectable by

of despots and government gone

his back-benchers. Why? Because

mad, can we really look at our own

he is no good at politics, he has

parliament as the beacon of liberal

the power of the people but not

democracy we think it is?

of the so-called representatives of those people, who have ambitions

From the previous example one can

and political opinions of their own,

surmise that they key issue here

which make objective representation

is representation versus the party

nearly impossible.

line. On this, it goes without saying that the party line, the roles of the

Another example on the flip side

government and opposition whips

of objective representation is the

and the parliamentary system over

recent outcry at the fact that John

direct democracy or anarchism are

Bercow both voted to remain and

fundamental. It is when political

called for Donald Trump not to be

shadow play and a thirst for power

allowed to visit Westminster. In

takes over that parliament seem

the former of these examples, a

childish. Take the labour leadership.

politician’s private opinion that did

The polls and two elections have

not affect his ruling of the house,

said the Labour membership want

or outcome of the election, had

Corbyn and that the British people

him branded a traitor by those who

disagreed and have a bias narrative to weave. In the latter, the perfect example of the power of British sovereignty, a concept championed by leave voters, the power to pick and choose our allies was shot down by the very people who brought it into the discussion.

With all of this in mind we must remember that these examples are not fake news, spin or bias, they are genuine examples of Westminster behaviour being objectively reported. What therefore has to be considered is this: can we really oppose overseas tyrants and champion democracy while our own assembly conducts itself like this?

Or do we have to make ourselves better first?

Murray Glen

45

AD 46

Opinion

UNNECESSARY VIOLENCE FOR ENTERTAINMENT? I just recently attended my first ever ice hockey

And I can also appreciate with such a full on

game, Dundee Stars vs Manchester Storm,

and intense sport that tensions are running

and I have been left with very mixed opinions

high and there is a lot of pent-up frustration,

on the sport. On one hand, it is absolutely

which means that sometimes there are a few

mesmerising. The speed at which the players

extra shoulder bumps and contact moments.

skate, the reflexes of the goalie every time the puck comes flying towards him, and the

The part that I didn’t understand, and personally

levels of bravery the players all show are

deemed unnecessary to the game, was when

phenomenal. But on the other hand I was put

actual fights broke out. I witnessed one player

off by what I deemed unnecessary violence.

of the team start punching a member of the other team and continue doing so until they were

Now I can totally understand some of the violence.

broken up. I was informed by an experienced

For example, it’s only natural that the players crash

spectator of ice hockey, that the fact there was

together at the sides, against the glass, because

only one fight meant this game was incredibly

they are moving so fast there is no way to stop

tame and some even considered it ‘boring’. In

but to crash, it’s inevitable. I also understand that

addition to the fight, something that really

sometimes, a player or two will get hit in the face

shocked me was that the fans were really into

with a stick. They are being swung about with such

it. They got up and supported their teams as if

strength and speed that it’s understandable the

this was part of the game – many tell me it is.

players can’t always control the stick’s stopping point and so people get hit.

In my opinion – and I know I will most likely be upsetting some die hard ice hockey fans at this – is that the fighting isn’t needed. The sport in itself is so fascinating and the people that play are some real hard-core athletes. Because of this I think the fighting actually takes away from the game and in a way even makes it less professional and immense.

Despite this I think I will most likely go back and watch a few more, and I’d like to consider myself a fan – the crowds are great, the music interludes get you pumped and the players are so impressive to watch – but whilst there’s still a culture of “hit hard”, I won’t be “die hard”.

by Ellie Biggs

47

Opinions

There’s a sign that hangs in the hallway of my family’s

All women like to shop.

humble abode and it reads as follows: All women like being treated by their man, A successful man is the one who earns more than his

Women expect their man to provide for them,

wife spends.

Women have no issue with being dependent on a partner or spouse.

A successful woman is the one who finds that man.

Initially I found this sign quite amusing, and then the other day, quite suddenly, I saw the sign in a new light. It might have been the music I had on at that particular moment, probably not. But all of a sudden I could only see in those

A successful man is the one who earns more than his wife spends. A successful woman is the one who finds that man.

words the hidden sociological message. In less than a

That list is just some of the stereotypes that spring to

minute my mind had jumped to the image of a 1950s

mind when I read the sign. So let’s address them.

housewife; one of the lucky few that managed to marry

All women like to shop. No. Not all girls and women

rich and who whiled away her days in a domestic routine

do, and the fact that this stereotype persists is, to me,

which called for her to make her husband breakfast and

frankly exasperating. I happen to know a rather large

dinner, clean every day and cater to his every whim.

group of girls which aren’t particularly fond of the binge-

It’s generally accepted as fact that we long ago shucked

shopping experiences all girls are portrayed as enjoying

that domestic ‘ideal’, but how far have we come really?

in films, and which magazines and lifestyle programmes

I look at the sign on our wall, and where the second

would try and have us to live out. I happen to fall into

portion of its message begins I feel a strong surge of

that group, which doesn’t particularly enjoy shopping, as

annoyance, simply because the message on the sign

for me it really depends on the day and where I am.

presumes all women are the same:

The tendency to shop and the enjoyment of the

48

Opinions

Girls nowadays should be shucking the message of the sign in my hallway

views and stereotypes (however humorous) that the sign in my hallway seems to reinforce. We need to be women and girls who realise there is more to life than material wealth and there are more ways to create a happy home than marrying rich.

experience differs from girl to girl (woman to woman), and it is therefore wrong for the assumption to be made

Clara Dunn

that the entirety of the female race can all enjoy one specific past time.

All women like to be treated by their man. Not wholly wrong, but still flawed. Sometimes, in relationships, it can be nice knowing that a guy is willing to spend a little bit of money on you. It’s almost expected that the guy offer to pay on the first date. But that doesn’t mean that women enjoy it for all the time they are dating someone. Girls and women now would probably class themselves as more independent beings – where I live girls have no issue with the idea of getting a job and treating themselves. In fact, I think I’d rather treat myself than have a partner treat me. I think, generally speaking, the idea of total dependence on a partner or spouse is not attractive in today’s society. The same view has been found by Christin Munsch at the University of Connecticut who says, “Neither men nor women like being financially dependent on a spouse”. An occasional treat or surprise is welcomed, but it can get too much.

I don’t think women expect to be provided for so much now, and realise that they must pay their own way in society and stand on their own two feet.

So-called modern girls should be capable of doing things on their own, at least basic things like putting up a picture frame, cooking or killing a spider. They should be able to provide for themselves and not have to be made dependent on another. And they should look for equals in partners, someone who encourages her and supports her, as opposed to dooming her dreams whilst she lives out a domestic existence to serve him. Girls nowadays should be shucking the message of the sign in my hallway and acting as ‘modern girls’ do, quietly working, as they work for themselves, to change the

49

AD 50

Enterprise

An Entrepreneur of Any Other Name Would Smell as Sweet Written by David White

Something struck me last month when I was interviewing

What about athletes? I thought I would dip into some

master watchmaker, Roger W Smith: we tend to have

interviews I conducted during the summer to see just

rather boxed-in concepts of what something is. He said:

what could be considered “entrepreneurial”.

“I think that we have rather uncreative definitions of

First up are extracts of my interview with American

what creativity is!”

fashion designer Zoe Hong: teacher, illustrator, YouTuber and former owner of ‘Zoë Hong’ (the fashion label) until

This got me thinking about enterprise as a concept.

she closed it down in 2014.

I have written about everything from chocolatiers to watchmakers and website designers. It would appear

Zoe Hong spent her childhood in Alaska, watching

the boundary of what defines an entrepreneur is a

Fashion File reruns and trying to avoid moose while

very fluid thing. To give us something solid to work

walking to school.

with, here’s “The Oxford Dictionary” definition of entrepreneur:

She earned a BFA in fashion design from Otis College of Art and Design in Los Angeles and worked as a

“A person who sets up a business or businesses, taking

designer in the industry for over a decade, before

on financial risks in the hope of profit.”

transitioning into teaching. Zoe now teaches fashion design, illustration, and colour theory both in university

Does this then mean that artists are entrepreneurs?

and online.

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Enterprise

What made you get into design?

Silvy Weatherall is a multi-media artist who has exhibited

“I don’t know exactly. I’ve been interested in fashion

in various group exhibitions and has had solo shows

forever. There’s a photo of me when I was about 6 or

in the Philippines, Hong Kong and Scotland. Silvy has

7 years old, playing outside with a friend, clutching

roots in painting that she developed before going on

my mom’s JCPenney’s catalogue. I’ve had photos

to create her renowned feather mandalas. Then she

ripped from fashion magazines stuck to the walls of

progressed onto using other parts of animals following

my bedroom for as long as I can remember. It might be

a taxidermy course with Scotland’s preeminent

in the blood. My mom owned a clothing store in Korea

taxidermist George Jamieson. She is also a keen cook

before moving to the US. She used to make clothes for

and singer. In December 2008 she co-produced a charity

me and my sister. She would buy fashion magazines and

CD, singing traditional jazz favourites with the pianist

doodle in them (before I started stealing them.) My dad

Derek Paravicini.

is a total clotheshorse.”

I had the pleasure of interviewing Silvy in her impressive Do you have any particular favourite fashion styles

country home and her studio in one of the outbuildings,

or eras?

which she described as “a bit like a kids play room

“The seventies. I love studying costume history and

except instead of Lego bricks I have bones and feathers

there are so many styles I adore but there’s something

and broken china and pieces of jewellery”. This may

about the seventies and its misleadingly prim and

give you a bit of a hint as to the style of art that Silvy

overeager daywear juxtaposed with the insouciant

produces. This sculpture, which Silvy described as “a

grooviness of the eveningwear that makes me nod my

self-portrait of my younger self”, may also give you an

head. It’s also when restrictions on gender codes of

insight into her quirky, fun and ingenious personality.

dress started getting a tiny little bit looser and I love playing with ideas of propriety in dress (and smashing said ideas into smithereens). And of course, punk began in the seventies.”

52

Enterprise

Silvy’s pieces are delicate, intricate and somewhat distanced from the animals they once were. She sprayed the claws of grouse silver and then applied silver leaf to them.

“I wanted to introduce that thin slither of detachment that takes you away from the claws. The claws are so visual in their shape and that’s really what I wanted you to look at them as, rather than as a claw.”

Silvy is influenced by the Arte Povera movement, in which artists explore unconventional techniques and non-conventional “everday” materials. For Silvy, being the wife of a game dealer means that she has access to the everyday by-products of the business - feet, feathers and bones. Naturally, it was these materials she chose to work with.

A key part of being a successful, commercially viable artist is exhibiting your work. I spoke to Silvy about her most recent collection, “Another Man’s Treasure”, which featured a heavy use of wordplay.

“I play with words. So when I am collecting spent bullets

So, with shell, I’ve worked with the bullets and made

from shooting rabbits or spent cartridges from shooting

them into an egg because they are shells, egg shells and

pheasants, I’ll look at the meaning or word.

bullet pullet - a pullet being an egg-laying chicken. When I play with words it is like when I am playing with things on the table, I am sort of laying the words out too and juggling them and making puns and so the words almost dictate what I am going to do as well. For example Screw You, I saw all of these screws and thought “what is the first thing that comes to mind?” I was like, well, Screw You. I don’t know, that’s kind of just how my brain works.”

Both of these people would conform to the dictionary definition of an entrepreneur. Both have set up businesses, ran them with the hope of profit, and taken on financial risks. However, ask anyone and the first thing that comes to mind when you say “entrepreneur” is not going to be an artist or designer. It will likely be a man in a suit who has just got an offer on Dragon’s Den. There are a lot more entrepreneurs out there than first meet the eye.

Photos by Zoe Hong and Silvy Weatherall

53

Enterprise

Dundee’s Social Enterprises

£

For those who aren’t sure what a social

Danni’s House aims to bring LGBT+ youth out

enterprise is, it is commonly defined as

of homelessness, risk of homelessness and/or

a cause-driven business whose investors

unsafe living conditions. Dannii’s House hopes

can recuperate their investment into the

to provide a safe space for LGBT+ youth to live

£ enterprise but cannot receive further

and find their footing. During Dundee’s week

dividends. To put this in simpler terms, it is

of entrepreneurship, they came joint first in the

a business set up to tackle an issue where

Venture Competition, receiving a prize of £1250.

the owners don’t make a personal profit. A

famous example of a social enterprise is The

However, not all social enterprises are targeted

Big Issue, who not only make a huge impact

at supporting those who are disadvantaged

within their cause but have also helped other

- some aim to promote. This is evident in

social enterprises get on their feet.

Creative Dundee. Creative Dundee’s objective is to allow creativity to thrive in Dundee

Having heard a bit about social enterprises

by supporting creative talent, encouraging

from participants in this year’s Enterprise

them to establish themselves in and around

Challenge within Dundee University’s week of

the city. Creative Dundee are renowned for

entrepreneurship, I thought I would explore

facilitating huge gatherings of artists to share

what Dundee has to offer in this sector. As it

in a vast range of activities from workshops to

turns out, Dundee offers a lot.

interviews and exhibitions. It also plays a role

Dundee has its own social enterprise network.

in the significant job of maintaining Dundee’s UNESCO City of Design status.

This includes 49 social enterprises that are full members, 31 aspiring members and 6

Social enterprises may come in all shapes and

corporate/associate members of the Dundee

sizes but in Dundee at least, they do all have

Social Enterprise Network trading in the city.

something in common. They all strive towards creating a safer, smarter and all-round greater

These organisations have aims ranging from

city for all of us and for that I take my hat off

helping those with sensory impairments,

to them (well, I would, if I were wearing a hat).

to getting people into sports, as well as

supporting the elderly. One of these social enterprises is one many in Dundee will have already heard of: Dannii’s House.

54

by David White

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Science

AN INTERVIEW WITH INKE NÄTHKE PROFESSOR OF EPITHELIAL BIOLOGY

By James Russell

56

Science

You have had a very interesting career, how did you

You are an epithelial biologist, what is epithelial

end up in Dundee?

biology?

“I grew up in Germany and wanted to leave. Through a

“Epithelia are the first tissues that come in contact

friend of my father’s I found a family in California that

with the environment. They form the lining of all the

used to have German babysitters and was happy to

cavities of the body: the lungs, the skin, the gut etc. All

have someone live with them. I loved living there and

epithelia have things in common but are adapted to the

discovered that their university system didn’t require

organ they reside in. In disease it is vitally important

choosing a narrow subject, unlike here where single

to understand epithelial function as most cancer arise

subjects are the norm. Instead, you spend your first two

from them. Bowel cancer is the second most common

years doing a lot of general studies and focus later. That

cause of cancer-related death in the developed world.

really appealed to me so I stayed in California to attend

In Europe approximately 25, and in the UK 2, people die

University. I then discovered a graduate programme in

every hour from this disease.”

pharmaceutical chemistry at the University of California, San Francisco where something that we now take for granted was going on - namely applying biochemical principles to clinical work. I applied to that and other programs; I could have gone to MIT or Brandeis University. Brandeis at that point was a heaven for biochemistry, but waiting at a bus stop near Brandeis made me realise that I really didn’t like the city it was

Brandeis at that point was a heaven for biochemistry, but waiting at a bus stop near Brandeis made me realise that I really didn’t like the city.

and in the end I decided to stay in California. Quite honestly, I also think I just wasn’t ready to leave.

What is your lab currently working on?

While at UCSF I discovered cell biology and did my

“In colon cancer a single gene is mutated in almost

PhD working with a woman, with whom I became good

all cancers. The protein product of this gene binds

friends later on. After my PhD I didn’t want to leave

to and affects many other proteins including its self,

the Bay Area and looked for a post-doctoral fellowship

cytoskeletal proteins and regulators. We are trying to

considering Stanford, Berkeley, and UCSF. All were

understand how the molecular and biochemical changes

good universities. I was advised to go somewhere new

that result from mutations in this gene affect cells and

and chose Stanford. Here I began studying epithelia

the tissues they form. More recently we have begun

more as a cell biologist. My PhD work had been more

to use Maths and Physics to understand the dynamic

biochemical. Eventually I was ready to go back to

behaviour of complex structures like tissues, by asking

Europe. I had heard about Dundee, which was just

how do cells move, how do they divide, how do they

beginning to develop. It was an exciting place because

adhere to each other? Can we learn the rules that govern

it was just starting up; there was clearly going to be a

these processes in whole tissue using tools from Maths

lot of growing and development. I also thought that it

and create a ‘language’ to describe the relationship

would be a good place for children to grow up. It felt

between them? That would allow us to do experiments

safe and I liked the environment and people in Dundee. I

in silico, which is much faster and cheaper. It also allows

had been held up at gunpoint in San Francisco and that

us to test hypotheses and generate predictions that we

is something I never wanted to experience again.”

can then test experimentally.”

57

Science

How important do you think it is for young scientist to learn skills like bioinformatics, even those who want to spend their life in the lab away from computers?

“I think having computational skills and being able to code and interface with that kind of activity is absolutely crucial and I encourage all of my students to acquire these skills. Some people are better suited for this activity than others. But as biologists we tended not to pay too much attention to Maths, but I am glad this is changing rapidly.”

It has had a positive effect on our culture; for instance we now have dependent care funding that can support someone going to a conference who has family or caring responsibilities and requires support for extra care while away.

You are involved with Athena Swan, what is it?

“It is a charter started by a group of eminent women academics who wanted to do something to help recruit and retain women working in STEM fields. They created awards at different levels that reflect how well an institution recruits, promotes, and retains females.

To receive these awards requires declaring and then analysing and acting on data about gender distribution in all staff categories. Having such data is the starting point for identifying the reason for gender imbalances.

The idea is that once we know the reasons for imbalances, we can do something about them.”

Do you think it has had a positive effect since its implementation in the university?

“Absolutely, yes. Frankly, I feel it is not so important whether we have a Gold, Silver or Bronze Athena SWAN award. I care about identifying what may be working and what is not and why. When people walk past a gallery of pictures showing honoured speakers, we want people to notice if they only show men. That is now starting to happen. It has been established that for a job advert that lists many criteria for eligibility, women tend to apply

58

Science

only if they fill most of these criteria, while men apply even when they only fill one or two. That means an easy thing we can do is to keep our job adverts more general, unless of course specific skills are absolutely required.

Athena SWAN also looks at pay gaps and what can be done about it. It has had a positive effect on our culture; for instance we now have dependent care funding that can support someone going to a conference who has family or caring responsibilities and requires support for extra care while away. For example if someone has been invited to give a paper that requires travel, but cannot go because unless they bring their partner or other help, we can help to pay for such help and in that way facilitate important networking and career development opportunities.�

You are also a mother, in addition to having this brilliant career. Do you think the two have complemented each other or have they taken away from each other? “Both, sometimes one and sometimes the other. It is hard, but I love being a mother and I love being a scientist. I think being a mother has benefitted me being a scientist and vice versa. For instance if something is not going well in the lab I cannot lose myself in it because I have to be there for something else, that helps to keep perspective. I think one valuable thing my choices have taught my children is that having a passion for something is a wonderful thing to do. I am glad that I chose to have children and I am glad that I chose to continue working full time, but there were moments when I had doubts. And there were times when I felt awful about not being there for my children or sometimes for my lab. Nonetheless, I feel that the choice I made is right for me, although I also know that it is not the right choice for everybody. Every situation is different and one size does not fit all. It is not a choice I would have wanted to be made for me. At this point, I have reason to think that my children did not feel neglected. They have become well-adjusted, young adults, of whom I am immensely fond and proud.�

59

AD 60

Science

Turn your head away from the stars.

2017

has seen one of the most incredible

discoveries of exoplanets in our

lifetime. Belgian scientists have spotted seven earth-like planets orbiting a star, all right within the Goldilocks zone. An area within which the planet is not too close

Hypotheses are tested, retested, published and replicated day in and day out. There is rigorous scrutinising of each new piece of information long before it is put into place as part of the puzzle that makes up our understanding of nature. This aspect of science is rarely emphasised enough. News outlets looking for a story broadcast headlines with outlandish claims over what will give you, or protect you from cancer. By cherry picking a study that seems to say what you want it to, this dilutes the weight of the scientific community’s opinion.

Why do so many people choose to overlook the major problems at home. When our planet is suffering?

nor too far to its sun so it has the rare potential for liquid water, and hence, life.

Climate change, increased rates of extinction, antibiotic resistance and famine are just some of the issues that

While watching the news or reading articles, we have

science has researched and attempted to communicate.

marvelled at the possibility of somewhere out in the

These are affecting our world. So why, when the

vast sea of stars and galaxies, there could one day be

scientific consensus is clear, is public opinion so divided?

something that resembles our own planet.

A world leader claiming them a hoax and promoting Which begs the question, why do so many people

‘alternative truths’ is certainly not helpful to the cause.

choose to overlook the major problems at home. When our planet is suffering?

Burning of fossil fuels is leading to the melting of land and sea ice within the Arctic will show symptoms around

We are currently earthbound, we will not see or

the world. If you abide by “I’ll believe it when I see it”,

experience any planet other than the one we stand

you’re going to be too late. An increase of just 2ft could

on. However global issues that are affecting us day

cause a trillion US dollars’ worth of damage. So many

by day, are forever contested by an alarming number

densely-populated cities are based on the coast of

of “non-believers”.

their respective countries. If you don’t care about the consequences for species other than our own then at least have the foresight to see the damaging effects sea levels rising will have on our economy, living conditions and scientists have been steadily collecting data year after year, and the evidence is clear, the climate is changing, and humans have played major role.

Science is not a belief system, nor is it a religion.

Welcome to the Anthropocene, I hope you can swim.

You don’t have to believe in the sun for it to rise every day. It rises because every time our planet rotates on its

Heather Gordon

axis our world experiences one day and one night. It’s science, it’s something which can be measured and tested.

61

Technology

Resisting Ad-Block for Moral Tranquility The old adage that only two things are certain in life – death and taxes – could really become a trio of terror if you include advertising. Short of a debilitating illness, a day will never go by in which you don’t see or hear advertising. Whether that be the obnoxious pop-ups when you enter a site, the passive sponsored posts on Facebook or a bland poster on the wall of a bus stop.

There’s no escape from it. Yet, there is a pretty effective way to mask the unrelenting use of ads online – that being Ad-Blocker. What used to be a niche and technical tool for the savvy few is now a mass product that has been monetized by multiple companies who offer a free – or premium – service to protect you from ads.

I myself used Ad-Block for a brief period of time and there’s no two ways about it; it works. The experience of exploring sites and watching videos is greatly enhanced by not facing intermittent interruption by something I’d viewed on Amazon, a car I can’t afford or a movie I have no interest in seeing. However, the hard work that goes into the creation of a video or an article made me feel very uneasy about ingesting content and giving nothing in return; knowing I was depriving the creator

So what’s the issue?

Not just for the little guys, for everyone. Big or small, it is a great feat that a person can launch a venture and

This hassle free enjoyment of the web is not without

make their living from a modest subscribership of say

moral quandary. Blocking ads, especially on sites like

50,000-100,000 viewers, readers, or listeners. Through

YouTube, robs the creator of their income. I know

something as simple as watching an ad every now and

we don’t feel guilty about denying Sky News or The

again you have a hand in shaping the future direction of

Guardian ad money - they’re massive corporations with

online media.

numerous streams of income supporting billionaire owners. Yet, for independent creators who run a blog or YouTube channel the removal of ad revenue disables them from continuing and growing the service they provide. No ads on Sky or the Guardian is a drop in the ocean; no ads on independent media is certain death.

62

of remuneration they rightly deserved. I turned it off.

Technology

Don’t suffer in silence: In the last week a study was published by the Internet Advertising Bureau (IAB) that showed only 22% of people are using Ad-Block. This is for one of three reasons: (1) websites denying access to users with AdBlock enabled, (2) people are too morally inclined to use it or (3) people are dumb and don’t know that Ad-Block exists. I feel that the true reason is a combination of (1) and (3) as opposed to the more hopeful prospect of (2). Nevertheless, it is unfair to say that those who use Ad-Block are solely at fault. The online advertising platform must improve; how many times have you bought a pair of shoes to then be followed around the internet seeing ads for them on numerous sites? Ads are dumb, if they want to work they must be smart.

Amazon ought to know that if you just spent £200 on a pair of headphones you’re not really inclined to react to an ad for headphones. The unintelligent nature of ads makes it easier for people to disregard the morality of the decision to use Ad-Block. I know ad placement is super technical and that sites and creators don’t always get to choose exactly who advertises over their content.

The Future:

Nevertheless, the easiest way to get people accepting ads is by making sure they are (hopefully) appealing and (at least) relevant.

Ad-Block is primed to spread like wild fire or be shot dead in the water by creators and conglomerates alike.

It may be something that almost everyone uses - like anti-virus software in the mid 2000’s - that became a necessity of the online experience. Forcing online platforms to go to the Netflix or ESPN model of content being behind a paywall. Conversely, they may take the softer approach of Wikipedia, appealing to people’s good side, by campaigning for donations. For many this may be a favorable alternative, what’s more capitalist than the transactional approach of service/good in return for money? Yet, you don’t need to be Gary Vaynerchuk to realise there are issues with charging for something that used to be free. Though the days of five-minutelong ad breaks on terrestrial TV may be subsiding, we’re still yet to reach the blissful balance between content and advertising. Ad-Block is an ill-fitting bandage over an issue that requires far more examination to reach an equitable outcome for both consumer and creator.

Hugh Stevenson

63

Technology

Do not fret: anything you say can’t and won’t be used

With all the information our phones have on us, they

against you… Except for advertising purposes, movie

could easily deliver the best April Fools’ Prank of all time

suggestions, fashion advice and food recommendations.

- engineered and tailored to each and every one of us,

Our phones are always on standby, listening out for

making it the most believable and large-scale prank ever.

those magic words, “ok Google”, or if you’re an iPhone user you need to call on Siri. But for them to hear those keywords, our devices need to sit like a fly on the wall and also monitor everything else we say. And it’s not just things you say, it’s things you search, and things other people say: your environment in the real world helps form your online habitat - populated with adverts which are drawn in from the conversations and interactions you have with people and places.

Have you ever talked about a friend’s holiday and

With all the information our phones have on us, they could easily deliver the best April Fools’ Prank of all time - engineered and tailored to each and every one of us, making it the most believable and large-scale prank ever.

started seeing more adverts related to activities and hotels at that destination? Or perhaps you visited a

April Fools’ always sees people pranking each other,

place, and started receiving recommendations for

playing cruel jokes on their unsuspecting friends and

days out at similar or nearby venues? Your phone was

family: so why wouldn’t a phone join in the fun? Phones

the quiet member of your group, tagging along and

know where we are, who we’re with, and what those

eavesdropping on all conversations, only to report

people look like, all thanks to album tagging with

back to advertising companies who spam us with more

contacts and location. Social media tagging also aids

targeted adverts in the hopes we’d buy into a similar

this: Facebook sees who else interacts with us, and

experience twice, or tempt us into going on holiday by

Google Now interacts with the places we go to.

saving us a bit of money.

64

Technology

...THE INTERNET IS LISTENING

So the prank is off to a good start: we have the people

Or your favourite restaurant stopped serving all day

and the places. So what’s next?

breakfast? Perhaps, however, it will spam your newsfeeds with articles about spiders.

For content, we have artificial intelligence in apps which create an ecosystem of content we like to see: whether

Or worst of all: it could alert you this is the last issue of

it be YouTube videos, shopping habits on Amazon, or

the Magdalen for this academic year*.

subscribed reads on Pocket, the apps come together to show us exactly what we like to see and when where

Happy April Fools’ everyone, stay wary of your

we like to see it. Every time you “like” something online,

mobile phone.

you’re telling the algorithm this is your preference of *...Wait. That one is sadly true.

content, and it will find more, similar to it. This creates a very tight-knit web of your favourite online content and it’ll only grow, not branch out; so your phone will know exactly what you like - and therefore what you don’t like, as it’ll be everything outside your comfort bubble.

Mila Georgieva

So what’s left?

The execution: your phone can’t do anything physical, of course, but an online prank can be just as effective.

What if it lead you astray on Google Maps (not in the Apple Maps sort of way), or ran you around in circles telling you your friends were nearby? What if, it told you your favourite shops were closing down?

65

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