TOGATUS
EDITION FOUR
@TOGATUS_
TAKE ME, I’M FREE!
Tog atus. Est. 1931
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MAID CAFES: KAWAII OR KA-REEPY
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POLICE BRUTALITY
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CATCHING UP WITH VERTICOLI
Published by the State Council on behalf of the Tasmania University Union Inc. (hf. “the publishers�) The opinions expressed herein are not those of the Togatus staff or the publishers. The copyright in each piece of work remains with the contributor; however, the publishers reserve the right to reproduce material on the Togatus website togatus.com.au Togatus staff: Editor-in-chief: Michelle Moran Print Editor: Meghan Scolyer Digital Editor: Jess Flint Assistant Editors: Nikita Riseley, Breanna Geer Design: Leanne Steer, Laura Wilkinson Administration Assistant: Alexandra Sykes Marketing and Distribution Officer: Courtney Gould Proofreaders: Alexandra Sykes, Carly Hickman, Charlotte Burgess, Daisy Baker, Judy Augustine, Kendall Boyd, Mateesha Howard, Mathew Sharp, Melissa Redman, Sarah Reynolds, Tahlia Higgins, Zoe Cooney, Contributors: Andrew Grey, Angela Koh, Carly Hickman Charlotte Burgess, Daisy Baker, Joey Crawford, Kendall Boyd Milly Yencken, Sarah Charlotte, Trent Breward Togatus welcomes all your contributions. Please email your work or ideas to contact@togatus.com.au It is understood that any contributions sent to Togatus may be used for publication in either the magazine or the website, and that the final decision on whether to publish resides with the editors. The editor reserves the right to make changes to submitted material as required. Contact Togatus: Twitter & Instagram: @togatus_ Facebook: facebook.com/TogatusOnline Website: www.togatus.com.au Post: PO Box 5055, UTas LPO, Sandy Bay 7005 Email: contact@togatus.com.au Advertising: advertising@togatus.com.au Togatus is printed by Monotone Art Printers. We support the locals. Front cover art and bear illustration by: Laura Wilkinson follow her on instagram: 7_willa
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TOGATUS IS NOW ONLINE ALL SUMMER!
Want to keep up with what’s going on around campus all year round? Togatus is now online during the summer holidays. It’s the perfect time to take your passion further and write about what you love while uni is on break. To get involved just email contact@togatus.com.au We can assign you a story or help you develop your own. What are you waiting for? Get in touch now.
Con tents
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PAGE NINE
PAGE EIGHT
PAGE TEN
The story of debt
UTas holds highest national attrition rates
Maid cafes: kawaii or ka-reepy?
PAGE TWELVE
PAGE FOURTEEN
PAGE SIXTEEN
The sanctity of life
Fairy tales: an angry feminist analysis
PAGE TWENTY
PAGE TWENTY-FOUR
Sweet tinder love
Bed bugs
Voices for the voiceless
PAGE TWENTY-SIX Catching up with Verticoli
Con tributors
ANDREW GREY
ANGELA KOH
CARLY HICKMAN
CHARLOTTE BURGESS
DAISY BAKER
JOEY CRAWFORD
KENDALL BOYD
SARAH CHARLOTTE
TRENT BREWARD
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Ed itors
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MICHELLE MORAN
MEGHAN SCOLYER
JESS FLINT
Editor-In-Chief
Print Editor
Digital Editor
BREANNA GEER
NIKITA RISELEY
COURTNEY GOULD
Assistant Editor
Assistant Editor
Marketing Distribution Officer
LAURA WILKINSON
LEANNE STEER
ALEXANDRA SYKES
Designer
Designer
Administration Officer
MICHELLE MORAN EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Here we are! The last regular edition of Togatus for 2015, and what a ripper of a year it has been.
us to meet our contributors and get to know everyone better.
Over the last few weeks we have rebuilt and revitalised our website from the ground up after an unfortunate technological glitch. If you haven’t checked it out yet, to quote Shia LaBeouf “JUST DO IT!!!” It looks amazing and a lot of hard work has gone into everything.
The Togatus office has become a bright and vibrant place where everyone comes together to share their ideas, and we are working to make it even better.
Our online presence has continued to grow under our new Digital Editor, Jess Flint. Togatus is now publishing new content online five times a week Make sure to check out the articles and our campus events coverage, including barrel photos - (don’t worry, we avoided all of the jiggly bits in the ScavHunt photos) Before I get any further I want to thank everyone who has contributed to Togatus this year. 2015 has seen a huge amount of change for Togatus; we have expanded our editorial team, which creates new opportunities for students to get involved and weekly contributor meetings which have allowed
The yearbook will soon be here, but have no fear, Togatus will continue to run online during the summer break. How exciting! When all of the assignments and exams are over, we will still be here waiting to help you publish something amazing. If there is anything you have ever had an interest in, from Yaoi to The Bachelor, and wanted to take it further, now is your chance to get in and write about it. It has been a real joy to edit Togatus this year, and I just need to thank all of my editors again, but especially Meghan Scolyer, Jess Flint, Nikita Riseley and Bree Geer, without whom this magazine would not be possible.
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TOGATUS
EDITION FOUR
WORDS: DAISY BAKER
#NEWS
UTas holds highest national attrition rates Australian university attrition rates are at an eight year high, with UTas taking the lead after data released by the Department of Education revealed 31.77 per cent of UTas students abandoned their studies in 2013. This is the highest attrition rate across the country, well above the national average of 14.84 per cent. Also among the top five most affected institutions are Swinburne University (28 per cent), Charles Darwin University (26 per cent), Central Queensland University (24.99 per cent) and University of Southern Queensland (24.73 per cent).
Professor Richard James of University of Melbourne also attributes this national rise to location and student base. “Higher attrition is not happening in traditionally high-status, urban universities,” he said in an interview with The Australian.
UTas Deputy Vice Chancellor, Professor David Sadler, said the reported UTas attrition rates were incorrect, and that a 24 per cent dropout rate was more realistic.
“It’s students who did not get into their university or course of first preference and who have gone in with marginal levels of commitment. And then the wildcard in all of this is online.”
In an interview with ABC Hobart, Professor Sadler said the UTas attrition rates must be considered in context. He said the UTas student base includes people from diverse backgrounds and a high percentage of mature aged students.
Increasing enrolment numbers and financial hardship have also been reported as contributing factors.
“It comes down to a very basic choice: do we, as we committed to, offer higher education to Tasmanians from a broad social canvas, or do we actually instead focus on a smaller number.” The Tasmanian education experience is different to that of metropolitan universities in other states where students are able to specialise in a more elite-based education.
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The University of Melbourne, for instance, is among the institutions with the lowest attrition rates (4 per cent). Students at this institution are able to study specialised degrees such as a Bachelor of Oral Health and an Associate Degree in Urban Horticulture, which are not offered UTas.
TOGATUS
EDITION FOUR
WORDS: JOEY CRAWFORD
#NEWS
The story of debt
The Greek debt crisis is absent from the minds of many Australians, and perhaps for good reason - a distance of more than thirteen thousand kilometres separates the two countries. However, we are in a situation where the debt woes of another country of half our population, and with a debt level smaller than ours, are playing a role in our financial markets. The Greek financial crisis is a perfect opportunity for Australians to learn how to avoid a similar, and equally detrimental, fate. Those who have ever had a loan from the bank can attest that every dollar borrowed ends up being more interest owed - this is simple mathematics. When the country coffers are in the red, interest accrues in a similar way. When the government owes debt, the money owed accumulates interest. In previous years, the government was borrowing a billion dollars a month to service their loan. That means borrowing more money to pay interest, adding to the several hundred billion dollar principle already owed. Financial modelling by PricewaterhouseCoopers suggests that if not reined in; Australian debt will be a trillion dollar crisis by 2037, a two trillion dollar crisis by 2042 and seven trillion by 2050. So why do we rest on our laurels, believing our country to be in a good place financially? Perhaps it is easier to think in a short-term fashion, or consider the idea that we should not pay for the crimes of a former government doing what they thought was right.
The politics of the Global Financial Crisis (GFC) aside, we are in a situation where Australia has to recover from a dire circumstance. Without some drastic measures, we could face the same issue as Greece. Not now, and not in the next ten years, but the decisions we make today will affect tomorrow’s generation. Standard & Poor’s threatened to strip Australia of their AAA credit rating if the government does not make a pledge to cut deficit. That was over two years ago, and at some point they may make good on their claim, unless Australia experiences a trajectory back to surplus. Goldman Sachs reiterated this in April of this year. A credit rating is an indicator of an economy’s ability to repay debt. If we lost our AAA rating, our government would experience an interest rate increase, making it even more difficult to repay the increasing debts. So, whilst many are desperate for increased expenditure in social justice – health, education and the likes – it is worth considering the alternative before judgment is cast. We may live good lives, unaffected by government debt, but it is not us we should think about. Our pensions, health care, zero dollar upfront degrees and many other luxuries we take for granted could be stripped away from our children and grandchildren if we fail to correct the debt crisis before it worsens. The wrong decisions now will affect future generations, and those people should not be expected to shoulder the woes from our financial mismanagement.
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TOGATUS
EDITION FOUR
WORDS:TRENT BREWARD
#TRAVEL
Maid Cafes: Kawaii or Ka-reepy? The closest I will ever get to having my own servant is to buy a Roomba, dress it up and call it Alfred. But it is possible to experience a weird variation of the concept in Japan. While walking down the streets of the geek hub of Japan, Akihabara, you will inevitably come across a young woman dressed in a french maid’s outfit keen to get your attention. If you are willing, this is your portal to the world of the maid cafe. One part overpriced eatery, two parts sunshine and lollipops with a dash of ‘is this sexual?’ The concept began around 2001 and has quickly become a staple of the modern Japan as viewed by the rest of the world. In the name of research, I dove head first into the concept during a fieldwork trip to Japan. The location, Maidreamin, is one of the big name maid cafes with seven different locations in Akihabara alone (because if it’s worth doing, it’s worth overdoing). We chose to go with the first one we saw, and soon found ourselves led to an elevator by a young lady. Upon arriving on the floor, any expectations we might have had were thrown out of their fake windows. This was no Gloria Jean’s. What we were treated to was more akin to a party, with music blaring and disco lights spinning about as one of the maids entertained everyone with a song. The small room was decked out in pink, with a fake sky roof and a 50s diner feel in places, and as the crowd wove glow sticks to the beat we were given some so we too could join in. After the performance we took note of the time, which is important since you pay a ‘sitting fee’ by the hour. We took our seats and some of our party were treated to fluffy animal ears to wear. I wasn’t honoured with the accessory, which I chose to take as their admission that I was perfect just the way I was. Our maid spoke some English, enough to get
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by with the basics and help us with the next stage. Once we received our cutesy animal themed parfait, we performed special moe maid magic on our desserts to bring out the extra flavour (which I have yet to see Jamie Oliver try). This involved shaping our hands into love hearts and repeating several phrases after her. She did her best not to cringe at our attempts at witchcraft (It’s Levi-o-sa, not Levio-sar!), instead she merely giggled and showed us what to do again until we eventually got it right. But our visit did not finish on a deceptively small dessert. Polaroids, which somehow were not co-opted by hipsters (I guess it’s hard to sepia tone instant photos) are still hot property here. Our parting gift took the form of a photo with our favourite maid, and after a slightly racist debate of ‘which one was our maid?’ we settled on the one who came over to us next. We posed as we were told to and each got our memento before they all waved goodbye to us. So the question is, was the cafe appealing to some sexual fetish or was it something more? While it is not hard to imagine some of the clientele enjoying it on that level, and I can not comment on the many other maid cafes out there, the Maidreamin experience never felt like it crept into that territory. There was a healthy mix of guys and girls at the tables, and the maid that was serving us never seemed to try and appeal to that potential side of us. It can get awkward, but only in the ‘what AM I doing with my life?’ existential crisis way as you basically play with your food. It is certainly an experience that feels at home in Japan, and while the food is far from worth the asking price, it is more about the overall package. And considering that, it is something you have to do if you are ever over there because if nothing else, it is fun.
Photographs: Craig Norris & Trent Breward
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Above the law: Police Brutality in the US
TOGATUS
EDITION FOUR
Law enforcement in the United States is in crisis. Police are using lethal force against multiple citizens every day, and the world has begun to take notice. The Guardian’s initiative The Counted records the death of every person killed by US police in 2015. At time of writing, the number is 700, and this number rises every day. The Guardian reports that Police in the US killed more people in the first 24 days of 2015 than British police have in 24 years. The US population is higher, but the relative statistics are frighteningly unbalanced. It is unlikely that many police officers in the US go to work expecting to kill someone that day, and thousands of daily interactions are resolved without injury. It also must be acknowledged that officers who have killed wrongfully face life-changing consequences including strain and difficulty in their personal lives. Many face formal punishment such as suspension, loss of their job, or imprisonment. But something must be changed to ensure police officers do indeed protect and serve. Instances of police misconduct and brutality towards the mentally unwell have been reported and academically discussed. But discussion by the public on police brutality is most passionate when it relates to people of colour. Last year, protests and public outcry followed the death of Tamir Rice, a 12 year old black boy, who was playing with a toy gun in a park when he was shot by police. This year, an Amnesty International report found African American men in particular are disproportionately impacted and human rights movement Black Lives Matter published the disturbing statistic that American law enforcement kills one black person every 28 hours. Nationwide protests, social media campaigns and movements such as Black Lives Matter demand change. But what sort of change could protect both police and the community? Disarming police, as Britain and New Zealand have, may be too extreme for the land of the sacred second amendment. One method, which has just begun receiving government funding, is fitting officers with body cameras. In April this year, unarmed black male Walter Scott ran from officer Michael Slager after being arrested for a problem with his car’s brake lights. Slager shot him eight times, killing him as he ran away.
WORDS: CARLY HICKMAN
#FEATURE
These events were filmed by a bystander and then broadcast around the world. Slager was fired and arrested for murder. If this bystander hadn’t thought to start filming, would there have been different consequences for the officer? It is possible it could have followed the example of a previous shooting last year, which resulted in the death of unarmed black teenager Michael Brown. In 2014, Brown was shot six times by Officer Darren Wilson. No footage of the shooting exists. Eyewitness accounts and Wilson’s account differ as to whether Brown had surrendered or was running towards Wilson when he died. Massive protests were held in his hometown of Ferguson, and as far afield as Los Angeles and London. Despite the widespread outrage, a grand jury decided not to indict Officer Wilson for murder or manslaughter. If footage had been captured of the shooting, as it was in the case previously mentioned, a clearer picture could have been presented to a court and to the people of Ferguson. One way this could have happened is if Wilson had been wearing a body camera. The wearing of body cameras by officers increases accountability. It also halves the likelihood of force being used during police interactions with the public, according to a 2014 Cambridge University study. The study found that being filmed makes people more self-aware. Barack Obama’s government has already partially distributed funding towards body cameras for police nationwide, and their effect on safety for police and the public will be studied. Almost all Australian jurisdictions have trialled body cameras, with New South Wales allocating funding to equip every front line officer in the next four years. Body cameras can still be misused. Writing for the ABC, barrister Greg Barnes said footage could be unfairly leaked or withheld when it suits the police. Cameras could also be turned off when convenient. But camera use could provide a clearer picture of evidence and reduce violence, improving safety for police and the public. The rollout in the US may yet save the lives of many, and reduce a terrifying trend the world has certainly taken notice of but refuses to accept. With thanks to Katrina Clifford.
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FAIRY TALES: AN ANGRY FEMINIST ANALYSIS
TOGATUS
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EDITION FOUR
WORDS: CHARLOTTE BURGESS
#OPINION
Fairy tales: they’re full of magic, wonder, love and beautiful madness. Unfortunately, many of them also hold blatant sexism and gender stereotypes. I began thinking about sexism in children’s stories after watching Disney’s adaption of The Little Mermaid with my eight-yearold niece. We’re all familiar with the classic story based on the Danish fairy tale by Hans Christian Anderson - mermaid sees human, becomes infatuated with human and trades her voice to the sea witch to become human. Before taking Ariel’s voice, Ursula essentially says that Ariel is so smoking hot that she will not need to use her voice when she is on land. According to this story, having a pretty face is more important than having a voice. It also suggests men are so vain they do not care about what women have to say, they only care about a woman’s appearance and whether or not she has mastered the art of flirtatious body language. Sexism can also be found in Cinderella the story about a girl who is saved from domestic slavery by her Prince Charming. It is true that some versions of Cinderella are an accurate representation of the sad position women occupied at the time it was written.The Brothers Grimm version, written in 1812, does not have a fairy god mother or a pumpkin coach, and involves the cutting off of toes to fit into a certain shoe. But the versions we know today are almost nothing like the versions that came before. One of the few things preserved in modern versions is the ideology that women are helpless, passive and rely on men to save them. God forbid Cinderella think of some way to save herself - no, that might encourage young girls to believe they can be free-thinking individuals. The same can be said for Snow White. The fact that she
needs a man to kiss her to wake her up suggests women can not save themselves without a man’s assistance. It is true that these fairy tales are just stories, but if my English minor has taught me anything, it is that stories can have enormous significance. Stories embody and reinforce the values of society, and assist in guiding the way we think about, and understand the world. Seemingly harmless and innocent children’s stories such as Cinderella and The Little Mermaid have the power to reinforce sexism and patriarchy on the youngest and most impressionable members of our society – and although it is probably not intentional, they seem to take full advantage of that power. The feminist movement proves that women are a powerful collective who have joined together in solidarity to overcome enormous barriers. Women have proved time and time again that they have worth beyond their appearance. They are capable of overcoming obstacles, capable of saving themselves. Yet we continue to feed our children stories that depict images of women that are the exact opposite of this. If we are trying to empower young women, then perhaps we should rethink exposing them to stories that reinforce dangerous gender stereotypes at such an impressionable age.
“GOD FORBID CINDERELLA THINK OF SOME WAY TO SAVE HERSELF - NO, THAT MIGHT ENCOURAGE YOUNG GIRLS TO BELIEVE THEY CAN BE FREE-THINKING INDIVIDUALS.” 15
VOICES FOR THE VOICELESS
TOGATUS
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EDITION FOUR
WORDS: MEGHAN SCOLYER
#OPINION
“COMPASSION IS ETHICAL INTELLIGENCE; IT IS THE CAPACITY TO MAKE CONNECTIONS AND THE CONSEQUENT URGE TO ACT TO RELIEVE THE SUFFERING OF OTHERS” – WILL TUTTLE Many Australians feel pride in belonging to a nation that appears to be a leader in animal welfare. We consider our pets part of the family, and maintain the highest percentage of domestic animal guardianship in the world, with over sixty per cent of Australians having at least one animal as part of their household. We fiercely oppose animal cruelty, and the conservation of our native wildlife is an issue close to many of our hearts. This is why it is so alarming that a country that claims to love and protect its animals also fails so many through legitimisation of heartless practises. Many Australians assume there are laws in place to protect animals from cruelty and mistreatment, but this is far from the truth. Millions of animals across Australia are exploited and abused, suffering at the hands of humans who deprive them of their basic needs. But most perpetrators of animal cruelty are not prosecuted like we would effect, because of a legal system that values some animals higher than others. Procedures that would be considered inexcusable if performed on a domestic animal are lawful when performed on an animal being raised for consumption or entertainment.
Under our legal system, animals are not recognised as the autonomous and sentient beings they are. Instead, the value of our animals is measured by their capacity to be of use to humans. Animal Welfare laws are governed at the state and territory level, and each jurisdiction has an animal welfare statute containing provisions that restrict the mistreatment of animals. However there are qualifications and exemptions to these laws, which ultimately enable cruelty. Farm animals, for example, are recognised under the law as ‘stock’. Their purpose is to generate profit, and as such, they are excluded from the welfare provisions designed to protect animals. The practises of intense factory farming are shrouded in secrecy, leaving many Australians oblivious to the abhorrent reality. In the food production industry, animals are seen as commodities. Cruel procedures cause the suffering of millions of animals, who are painfully confined to miniscule, filthy enclosures for the duration of their short lives, and deprived of their chance to experience life as nature intended. Many animals are mutilated without pain relief, or pumped with antibiotics, enduring this relentless torture until they are sent off for slaughter. These animals are capable of feeling emotion and pain, and would seek rich experiences for themselves given the opportunity, yet most never even get to feel the sun on their back. Farm animals are not the only ones suffering through legalised cruelty, with many animals exploited and abused for human entertainment through rodeos, circuses and zoos, and for scientific and educational purposes. There is no legislation to protect them, and so the immense pain and distress these animals endure goes unheeded.
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>> As an independent discipline, animal law has gained traction in recent times. Many universities are now offering specialised courses, and animal welfare organisations have made vast progress through exposing cruel practises. Voiceless is one such organisation making great strides as a non-profit Australian based organisation aiming to provide legal protection for all animals. The organisation is now a household name in the field of animal law, and has amassed a tremendous following of leading lawyers, politicians, celebrities and businesspeople aiming to influence policy and public opinion in regards to animal welfare.
Animal based agriculture is a fundamental economic sector in Australia, however it is possible to reform laws, policies and public opinion to instil practices that acknowledge the importance of animal welfare. Possible reform options include increasing the transparency of practises, enforcing minimum standards of conduct, and amending legislation to allow opportunities for enforcement. Further, the power of consumers should not be underestimated, as consumer apathy and demand enables cruel practices. Shoppers can take action by choosing cruelty-free products, or by writing to their local MP.
Voiceless hold an annual Animal Law Lecture Series, delivered at venues all around Australia. The keynote speaker at the 2015 Series, held at UTas in May, was Professor Steven M. Wise, President of the Nonhuman Rights Project (NhRP). The NhRP is a civil rights organisation based in the United States working towards achieving legal rights for species other than humans. In his address, Professor Wise described the NhRP’s current initiative: filing lawsuits on behalf of four chimpanzees held captive in America. He contended that the imprisonment of innocent autonomous beings should be illegitimate, especially because the conditions in which we detain our guiltless animals are often far worse than the facilities that house our worst criminals. This groundbreaking project has the potential to radically reform the way animals are recognised within the legal system.
We deem Australia a country where animals are loved and respected, when in reality the value of animals is assessed with regard to the value they have to humans. The most effective way to alleviate the suffering of animals is to reform the laws and policies that enable it. It is time for the people of Australia, and the powers that govern us, to recognise animals as not just another one of our copious commodities, but as the sentient beings they are. All animals prefer to live rich, happy lives, free from abuse and fear. These creatures deserve our protection, because their lives matter. They matter to them, and it is time they mattered to us.
Voiceless isn’t the only organisation making significant contributions to animal welfare. Animals Australia, The RSPCA, Freedom of Species, Lawyers for Animals and Aussie Farms are all Australian based organisations lending their voice to those who don’t have one. Many politicians and legal professionals are also getting behind animal welfare causes. Among them is our own independent MP Andrew Wilkie, who has called for a ban on live exports, as well as former President of the Australian Law Reform Commission Professor David Weisbrot, who predicted the issue will be “the next great social justice movement.”
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“WE DEEM AUSTRALIA A COUNTRY WHERE ANIMALS ARE LOVED AND RESPECTED, WHEN IN REALITY THE VALUE OF ANIMALS IS ASSESSED WITH REGARD TO THE VALUE THEY HAVE TO HUMANS”
CONTRIBUTE TO TOGATUS Be a part of history in the making, since 1931.
MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD. PUSH THE BOUNDARIES. Contributions are always welcome on student issues, politics, science, international affairs (student or otherwise), music, law, social issues, creative arts, environment, performing arts, creative writing, poetry, popular culture, film, TV, gaming… You name it. Volunteer experience is available in advertising, marketing, social media, digital content creation, blogging, web design, photography, fact checking and proofreading. Gain valuable work experience, polish your communication skills, connect with all manner of people and experience all range of events! A range of equipment, software and contacts are at your disposal.
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DEAR EDITOR OF TOGATUS, The last issue of Togatus enfuriated me deeply, not only was the contributors page asymetrical and the article ‘The forgotten campuses’ featured a photo with dead bodies which had a lack of female representation, but the front cover contained disturbing content which I feel compelled on behalf of all women to stand up against. Usually Togatus is a publication that I look forward to reading with my organic soy decaf latte with a shot of khalua and baileys in the morning, however the cover of the womens edition depicting breasts made me loose my appetite. You should be ashamed of yourselves, how can you justify having breasts that are all the same size? It doesn’t take a genius to know that breasts are not all the same, they come in different sizes, shades and not all tits are pink. This cover feeds into the apparent mysogyny and racism that is plaguing Togatus. So in my fury I’d just like to let to know, that what the student body wants is more diversity in the tits and boobs displayed in the student media.
YOURS DISGUSTEDLY, P.P. BUMBUM.
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TOGATUS
EDITION FOUR
WORDS: KENDALL BOYD
#FEATURE
SWEET TINDER LOVE Using a mobile phone to scroll through images of potential dates in the local area may seem like a senseless approach to romance, but dating apps where potential suitors are judged on appearance and proximity rather than personality are becoming increasingly popular. Tinder is one such dating app that has emerged in the last couple of years to revolutionise the world of online dating. Since its release in 2011, the app has had over 24 million users worldwide, and claims to have made over 1 billion matches.
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When Tinder was first launched, it was more of a casual sex app, due to the focus on the location of potential matches. However nowadays it seems nearly every Tom, Dick, and Harry appears to have a Tinder profile. Most singles out there have
probably tried it, and those who are happily in a relationship have probably assisted their single friends in swiping through the masses of desirable, as well as not so desirable, potential dates.
rejection. It also restricts the messaging feature to people that you have matched with, so unlike many dating sites where anyone can message you, Tinder restricts it to people of your choosing.
Tinder can seem shallow and judgemental to many people. If you swipe left, their picture gets a huge ‘nope’ stamp and sent into the abyss. However issues can also arise when matches are made. For instance how do you establish conversation with a complete stranger? Especially after indirectly suggesting that you would have sex with them.
However once matched a large amount of people will not start conversations, which can leave you with many matches but not much conversation. Tinder is also extremely addictive! The game style means it is easy to keep playing and forget about the cute guy or girl you matched with the night before. If you are serious about finding someone, you need to stay focused. As with anything, judging someone solely on appearance does not guarantee a nice person so be careful and get your friends involved with group dates so you are not alone.
To understand how Tinder has become such an enormous part of our social media lives, I asked a number of UTas students to share their reasons for signing up to the popular dating app. Many girls said that Tinder was an “ego boost”, more so than a place to meet guys. One further elaborated, saying, “it makes me feel good to know that guys think that we [girls] are attractive.” When I questioned them about the claim that Tinder is for casual sex, many of the girl’s answers were very similar in that they believed that Tinder’s “casual sex” members were a minority. “Many people are on there to just be able to make a connection and meet new people.” They also said when you meet those who are just after sex “you can easily just un-match and you never have to talk to them [again].” My personal experience has been, on the whole, good. I have met some really nice people that have become friends, but it has meant a lot of sorting through some atrociously crass lines such as “Nice rack! ;)” and “do you want to meet tonight for sex?” to find these good friends. No one said dating was easy but then again it can be a lot of fun. So what is the verdict? As with everything there are both pros and cons. Tinder is both quick and simple to use; you can be flicking through profiles in under a minute. It also allows you to judge potential dates in the same way you would in a social setting – on whether or not you find them attractive. There is less embarrassment involved, because if you swipe yes to someone they will never know unless they swipe right to you as well. The same applies when you swipe left, which eliminates awkward face to face
Tinder is a great way to meet people and have fun but just have your wits about you otherwise you might find yourself in for a very awkward night! So get out there and have some fun!
TIPS FOR USING TINDER: 1. Know what you want to get out of Tinder. Did you sign up to make friends? To find your soulmate? Or to meet someone for a night? 2. Have a variety of pictures. A couple of selfies is okay, but include a group picture and some from different aspects of your life to show a bit of personality. 3. Try and be creative in your conversation starters, not just a ‘Hey.’ There are many people that you are competing against! Make yourself stand out from the crowd! 4. A HUGE must is to look out for clues about height. On Tinder height can be pot luck. Additionally their photo could have been taken 5 years ago, showing them at their best and not how they are now with that beer belly or that the cute guy in the group photo might be the friend not the match! 5. As with anything on the internet, be safe! If you are going on a Tinder date, let someone know where and when you are going and always meet in a public space.
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TOGATUS
EDITION FOUR
WORDS:NIKITA RISELEY
#FEATURE
INTERNET CELEBRITIES: THE BEST OF BOTH WORLDS Not many people from Tasmania can say they have shared a conversation or a hug (or ten) with the likes of online celebrities, Toby ‘Tobuscus’ Turner, Jenna Marbles and ShayCarl – but the interesting thing is, not many people really know who these people are either. The term ‘celebrity’ is often associated with the glitz and glamour of red carpet events, Hollywood, big houses, fast cars and money; but a new breed of celebrities have arrived alongside the internet age. Ordinary people have been enjoying the same glamourous lifestyle, while maintaining a peaceful life away from the prying eyes of the paparazzi. Sounds a little like ‘Hannah Montana’ right? As you may be aware, YouTube has been at the forefront of the manufacturing of celebrity since its inception in 2005 - Justin Bieber is proof of that. However with the significant increase of teenagers and young adults drifting away from mainstream television and focusing more on online content, the popular video sharing social media platform is reshaping the entertainment industry. DIY celebrities are slowly becoming household names, with many being scouted by leading talent agencies such as Creative Artists Agency (CAA) and William Morris Endeavor (WME) as well as making cameo appearances in television and movies. While it is not common for internet personalities to discuss their income, it has been estimated that a lot of these ‘stars’ earn a comfortable six figure annual income through their social media presence and branding, with a small handful even reaching seven figures. But what is it that makes the lives of these ordinary, everyday people so appealing?
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Unlike mainstream celebrities, these people are easy to relate to. Video blogging, or more colloquially known as vlogging, gives off the impression of a personal conversation scenario, and seemingly comes from a place that is both honest and real. It is the sense of camaraderie behind each channel, it’s like having a friend, even though that person is on the other side of the world and you’ve never met before. This feeling of loyalty and trust is also reciprocated by many of the creators. If you are familiar with award winning author of ‘The Fault in our Stars’ and ‘Paper Towns’, John Green, you might also be familiar with the ‘VlogBrothers,’ A YouTube Channel hosted by John and his brother Hank Green. Together they have accumulated over 2.5 million subscribers and have achieved many great things, including being the founders of online charitable movement Project for Awesome (P4A) and online video convention, ‘VidCon,’ a popular three day annual event for creators and fans held in Anaheim, California. “People become invested in the content and the creator” Says Hank Green in the YouTube documentary ‘Vlogumentary’. “You can’t understand it [the community] from the outside. You have to get an account. You have to be part of it.” John reinforces. Another well known internet sensation who may relate to the thoughts of the ‘VlogBrothers’ is Justine Ezarik. With over 3.5 million loyal subscribers across all three channels, Ezarik launched her online career after live streaming her life across the internet non-stop for a period of six months. After contemplating the direction of her
life and career choices, Ezarik created a YouTube channel and the ever popular ‘iJustine’ was born. Today Justine has appeared in the popular CW series The Vampire Diaries as well as Law and Order: SVU and ‘The High fructose adventures of the Annoying Orange’. Most recently, she has followed in the footsteps of other YouTube personalities such as Felicia Day, Grace Helbig, Hannah Hart, Shane Dawson, etc. with the release of her new book I, Justine – An Analogue Memoir. “Becoming ‘internet famous’ was never my goal, but it also wasn’t something that happened to me […]” She states in the book. “My life online has been a crazy, strange, amazing, and unpredictable journey - I have no idea where it will lead next; I’m still figuring this whole thing out a day at a time.” From YouTube’s humble beginnings as a place that was once described as “where the misfits fit” on the internet; today it has been proven to be a career forger for comedians, actors, musicians even designers and cinematographers. Not only is the website a great way to be discovered by career scouts, it’s also a great way to build connections and meet new people that you otherwise would have never met before. What are you waiting for? Find out more: The ‘VlogBrothers’ YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/vlogbrothers ‘iJustine’s’ YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/iJustine ‘Vlogumentary’ Trailer: https://youtu.be/gVvCA-q64Oo
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TOGATUS
EDITION FOUR
WORDS: DAISY BAKER
#TRAVEL
Sleep Tight, Don’t let the bed bugs bite In a dark, Parisian street, my hotel sits framed by neon signs advertising sex. It is the ideal home for a large family of bedbugs. There are many travellers like myself who go to such places, oblivious to the hundreds of bugs jumping into their bags, lurking beneath the bedside tables, and in mattresses. Prior to travelling, a friend warned me of bedbugs and my skin itched at the mere thought. Nevertheless, I heedlessly dismissed the possibility. Here is some advice for you, my fellow travellers, that I wish I had taken on board. Do not, under any circumstance, put your bags on the floor. This was our first and biggest mistake. Put your bags in the bathroom until you have deemed the place uncontaminated. The cold environment is not enticing for breeding. Make like Sherlock Holmes and search the place with a magnifying glass. Take a close look at the blankets and around the seams of the mattress. You are looking for little blood spots, which are evidence of their presence. Should you find some, get out immediately! Race to reception to explain and obtain a refund. Learn as much of the local language as possible. When confronted with the issue of bed bugs and the need to resort to charades to explain myself, I realised I had been very wrong in thinking my basic French would suffice. “Bonjour,” the receptionist asked, “was your stay pleasant?” “THERE ARE BEDBUGS IN THAT ROOM!” we replied angrily.
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“Bed bugs?” the receptionist questioned with his head tilted to the side. This is when the game of charades began. I stood there walking my fingers up and down my arm, and then scratching. “Bed bugs! They bite and crawl…de marche…” I explained. All the while I wondered if this was the right phrase. This is funny on reflection, but was highly frustrating at the time. Spending that extra time learning French would have helped. Lastly, cultivate your body hair and your attitude. While it sounds bizarre, body hair can make a difference. For a bed bug, everything about you, including the scent of your breath, is enticing. The one thing they find repulsive is body hair, as it is difficult to crawl through. In terms of your attitude, make the most of your time away, regardless of the circumstances. Before leaving home, do your research and be prepared. Bed bugs are not a health risk – even though their bites are itchy and uncomfortable, they don’t transmit infections or diseases. They are however, excellent hitchhikers. If you do get them, be sure to wash all your clothes in hot water and rid yourself of any infested possessions to ensure you don’t take them home! Take precautions to prevent getting bed bugs but remember that it is not the end of the world if you do. If anything, getting bed bugs probably meant that we experienced travelling to a fuller extent and now have an enriched understanding of Paris-sites.
TOGATUS
EDITION FOUR
WORDS: ANGELA KOH
#LIFESTYLE
Death by vanity Be it to impress others, or to conform to society’s ideal standards of beauty, an increasing number of people are dying in vain. Plastic surgeries are being botched; toxic make-up is poisoning consumers; and selfies are taken in precarious places. Attempts by individuals to improve their appearance are going horribly awry, and in some instances, have resulted in tragic deaths. In 2009, 44 year old CEO of YTL Pacific Star Franklin Heng, was the first in the world to have died during a minimally invasive surgical procedure to remove his love handles. The Singaporean man died of suffocation from a sedative overdose, after doctors prescribed too much anesthesia. His death left two teenagers, 11 and 14, without a father. More recently, in April 2015 Australian woman Evita Sarmonikas died after undergoing cosmetic surgery in Mexico.The 29-year-old Gold Coast woman had travelled to the medical tourism hub for a Brazilian butt lift, but died after suffering a cardiac arrest during surgery. Vanity related deaths are not just a modern phenomenon. In the past, pale skin achieved by whitening compounds in make-up was all the rage, as it signified wealth and aristocratic class for those who could afford it. Eighteenth century society beauty Maria Gunning died of fatal blood poisoning at 27 after plastering her face with lead-based make-up daily to achieve pale skin. Similarly, Queen Elizabeth I is believed to have died of cosmetic-related blood poisoning, albeit a much slower one than Gunning. It has been reported that Queen Elizabeth’s daily application of ceruse, a poisonous mixture of white lead and vinegar, was the cause of her death at age 70. It poisons individuals who apply it topically, as its hydroxide and carbonate content form acids that, when combined with natural moisture in skin, slowly eat it away, Old society men were also victims to their appearance. As a popular nineteenth century trend,
the detachable stiff high collar, worn around the windpipe, strangled drunkards in their sleep when their heads fell forward. In more modern times, the selfie mishap has also claimed the lives of those who were just trying to capture an impressive photo. Russian man Oscar Otero Aguila was taking a selfie with one hand while posing with a 9mm handgun pointing to his temple when he accidentally pulled the trigger. The 21 year old shot himself in the head at close range, and died as a result. Similarly, a Polish couple on vacation in Portugal, fell to their deaths off a cliff edge after allegedly crossing a safety barrier to take a selfie. Other instances involve teenagers seeking to impress friends through daring stunts. Xenia Ignatyeva, 17, was taking a selfie from a bridge 28 feet off the ground when she accidentally fell on a cable, and was electrocuted by it. Romanian teenager Anna Ursu, 18, was climbing atop a stationary train for an ‘ultimate selfie’ when contact with a live wire made her burst into flames. She later died in the hospital, having received fatal burns to more than 50 per cent of her body. In another unusual and fatal case, Australian man Acton Beale, 20, plunged to his death following his attempt to “plank” on his seventh-storey balcony in Brisbane. “Planking”, thought of to be the most interesting activity one could engage in while being still, involves a person lying face-down in unusual or dangerous locations. Plankers often upload photographs of themselves “planking” to attract attention. Nowadays, going out of one’s way to impress or to entertain seems to come at an increasingly high price.Is tendency to want impress others on social media platforms driving us prematurely into our graves? In striving to acquire unattainable beauty, or to post impressive and quirky photographs of themselves, an increasing number of individuals are putting themselves and in mortal danger. While the saying goes ‘beauty is pain’, is beauty really worth dying for?
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TOGATUS
EDITION FOUR
WORDS: JESS FLINT
CATCHING UP WITH VERTICOLI
#MUSIC
Music fans of Hobart have been raving about local 4-piece band Verticoli for so long, it seems surprising that their debut album was only launched in July this year. Without launching an album, Verticoli secured a spot on the 2014 Falls Festival lineup, thanks to the Foster A Band initiative, and are a staple act on the local live scene.
I recently had a chat with Sam Hunn, founding member and frontman, about the challenges faced as a Hobart band, and the importance of creating good music. In the beginning, Verticoli were worried about how their music would be received: “when we started out, we were probably a bit afraid to take ourselves seriously… We thought that if we didn’t take ourselves too seriously then we couldn’t get too offended if people didn’t like it.” Their attitude towards writing music changed, and so did their success. Verticoli gained confidence along with experience, and they now take pride in playing music they are truly passionate about. “These days we are less self-conscious about what we do; we like it. … After a certain period of time you have to start taking the music a bit more seriously; if you play better then it’s more fun.” Verticoli were scheduled to release an EP last year, however decided against it. Sam attributes that decision to the songs that had been planned for release: “there were songs that we had written that we didn’t record at that time, that ultimately would work well in an LP but as far as an EP goes, we thought it was a bit too eclectic.” For Sam, an album is a showcase of a band’s style; saying “I don’t really think an EP gives someone that much opportunity to get to know a band.” “I’ve never really liked a band unless I’ve liked an album of theirs. It’s a big deal to me to have an album that people can enjoy.” As for their Hobart origins, Sam believes there are positives and negatives to starting out in Tasmania. “One advantage to being a Hobart band is that it’s a relatively small scene, so it’s probably more supportive here than in a bigger city like
Melbourne.” But for a band trying to establish itself in the music scene, Hobart also has its shortfalls: “you’ve got less of those larger acts coming through town, so you don’t get those support slots… that give you the opportunity to play to lots of people.” “Hobart’s advantage is that when you go to the Mainland, you’re a Tasmanian band and it’s kind of an excuse for why people haven’t heard of you.” They were recently approached by a booking agent, however the agent lost interest after learning they had no intentions of relocating to Melbourne yet. “One thing that I do identify as being a disadvantage to coming from Tassie, is there aren’t as many industry people down here. … If someone wants to make money off your band it means you’re going to get better opportunities.” Verticoli are currently on a national tour to promote their new album. With one band member currently living in Melbourne, Verticoli now have “more incentive to make sure their [Hobart] shows are good ones.” It also makes interstate shows more accessible. After spending the majority of this year working on their debut, Sam says Verticoli are eager to focus their energy on touring. “After spending a lot of time working on the album it will be exciting to go and play shows.” The end of their album tour certainly won’t see Verticoli slowing down anytime soon; while they still consider themselves to be a Hobart band, they will “keep going back and forth as much as [they] can.” Verticoli’s debut, Punching Bag was released in July and is a solid testament to the great Rock albums. You can read my review of the album on the Togatus website.
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TOGATUS
EDITION FOUR
WORDS: JESS FLINT
#MUSIC
IS ROCK DYING?
The music industry has undergone many facelifts in its time. Constantly evolving, music itself has seen many advances, but when headlines say “Rappers are the new rockstars, get over it”, it just doesn’t sit well with me. Music consumers no longer want to purchase a product; they want access to a service. It seems this shift in attitude arrived with the popularity of the .mp3, when music fans were provided with avenues through which they could access songs without *gasp* paying! Releasing singles is no new concept. Singles gained momentum as ‘youth’ became a marketable demographic, emerging in the 1950s, a beautiful decade filled with dance halls, jukeboxes, petticoats, and milkshakes (if Grease is to be believed). As musicians explored the artistic possibilities of song-writing, the album became an important, musical, storytelling, piece of art. Music left the airwaves to become a product – now the [digital] airwaves want it back. The problem with a service such as iTunes is that artists only see around 70 per cent of the dollars, even if selling their music independently. If you subscribe to an ad-free service, do you really believe that your $12 a month isn’t being spread pretty fucking thin between the thousands of songs you are able to access from your pocket? The claim made on the website of music publication FasterLouder that “Rappers are the new Rockstars” is, sadly, hard to dispute. I honestly can’t tell if people worship “stars” such as Kanye West ironically, or if they genuinely enjoy his .. urgh… music. I believe that the growing love for rap, hip-hop, dubstep, or whatever it is that gets onto the radio,
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is due to the instant-gratification-generation; it is becoming mainstream to enjoy music that is easy to access, and doesn’t require a particularly large amount of brain cells to enjoy. If rock music has traditionally been about fighting the establishment, where does that leave people when music has become the establishment?
“I BELIEVE THAT ROCK HAS NEVER BEEN ABOUT THE ANTICS. IT’S ABOUT MUSIC. IT’S ABOUT EXPRESSION” I hope that rock will endure, because with every generation comes a new wave of the disenfranchised. Young people will always want to make noise, I just hope that they continue to choose to pick up a guitar, or smash the shit out of some drums; that more people turn away from electronically generating music. It may be more instantly gratifying, but where’s the fun, where’s the passion? Sure, you don’t hear stories about musicians acting like proper “rockstars.” Stories of T.V’s being thrown out of windows are non-existent. Musicians selling their souls to the devil fail to make headlines. Nobody’s on stage pulling their penises out anymore. I believe that rock has never been about the antics. It’s about music. It’s about expression. It’s about the message. In the words of the wise Jack Black “You gotta break the rules. You gotta get mad at The Man.” What message do you want your music to send?
TOGATUS
EDITION FOUR
WORDS: SARAH CHARLOTTE
#CREATIVE
EMANCIPATION If we’re moving faces in the now, why do we cling to the past? If we’re raised on colourful fairytales, Why do the dreams never last? If there’s such a thing as confidence, why do we wallow in doubt? If we are told the Freedom of Speech, Why do they cover our mouths? If we proclaim in the name of justice, why do we twist the truth? If we enlighten the values of nurture, Why are we hurting our youth?
If they charge us with only a smile, why do we thieve and we take? If we are given the jam and cream, Why do we still want the cake? If we know of all the chances, why do we always refuse? If we know of all the answers, Why do we always confuse? If we imagined a world of peace, why do we still light the fuse? If we believed in equality, Why do they cry on the news?
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TOGATUS
EDITION FOUR
WORDS: ANDREW GREY
#CREATIVE CHRONICLE
Illustration: Milly Yencken
3: PSYCHOSIS “Isn’t it wonderful, the sound of your shoes clicking against the cobble street? Ha, just wonderful. Careful here, as you climb these steps, I don’t want you to be injured, I want you to see this, it’s my magnum opus,” Your mind palace is a wonderful place, each door hides the cold reality of the truths you try so desperately to hide, and yet as you stand there, in the Piazza del Duomo, the doors around you slowly opening. People walk out, slowly moving towards the steps of the Cattedrale di Santa Maria del Fiore, you follow. There are faces you recognise, parents not deceased, old friends that have become a memory, and those you know you’ve seen, yet cannot place. A voice comes from the inside the doors of the cattedrale, soft, psychotic, familiar… You enter. Walking to the altar, bodies are displayed, laid out like the most beautiful artwork, faces seen and unseen, people crying as they see their bodies upon the wall. You walk further, to the altar. It’s slow, the sounds of wailing echoing off the walls. The voice is speaking now, the body it comes from hidden by those crowding around the altar, muttering amongst
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themselves. A glimpse through the crowd, blood, a moan of pain. There is a faint hint of laughter coming from the dome, you push through the crowd, people looking, pointing, muttering at you. A quickened pace, the crowd separates, and there you see a body, a handless arm reaches out, falls down the side. There, from the side, comes the voice, the body it inhabits coming into view, a face you know so well. “… and this poor soul, the finale to my becoming. I have never seen anyone so pathetic, slipping into his own worthlessness with a bottle of expensive liquor and whatever drug was on sale that week…” A hand reaches out, the corpse mimics moving forward, you walk slowly, trying to see its face, the speaking body snide voice coming with a barrage of insults. The head drops before you catch a look, and your gaze returns to the voice, as the faint smell of smoke fills the cattedrale. “… all the cuts, the real self hidden behind the veil, waiting to break free of the carefully constructed façade, chained back, waiting to break free from the torment of unacted desire. Well, I escaped, acting upon every urge he had, fucking, butchering,
READ PARTS 1 AND 2 ONLINE NOW AT TOGATUS.COM.AU
creating the art that lines these wall, while he regressed further behind the façade of happiness!”
coming from the wall, orange, burning, handrails next to it.
The talking body slithers from one side of the corpse to the other, a hand reaches out, grabs the corpse by the hair, the neck tearing, the head detached, its body still mimicking a crawling movement. The talking body develops a mouth, the teeth rotten fangs, and the lips crimson red with cracks of black and a Glasgow smile. As the lips move next the head’s ear, the voice echoes the Cattedrale.
“You know what to do,” came a voice from the shadow, the sound of footsteps clicking against the stone. You turn, the voiceless body has come to join you.
“WHY WON’T YOU JUST DIE!” In the brief moment the head is held in claws of the voiceless body, you see it’s face, your face, staring at you, before it’s crushed to a bloody pulp. You resist the urge to scream, to shout, a baleful laugh comes from the crypt. Composing yourself, you walk through the crowd, down from the altar, down the left, where more pieces of artwork decorate the walls. You head to the crypt, which is blocked by a velvet rope of crimson, guarded by faceless figure. Without saying a word, the rope is removed; you walk down to a room filled with fire and shadow. There, at the end of the crypt is a spike
Turning, you face the voice and watch as the people file in. You grab the handrail, the voice smiling widely, holding on tightly to the cane in its hand. The spike pierces your back, burning as it enters your body, breaking your spine, coming through your stomach. The smell of cooked flesh runs through the room, the voice and crowd salivating. Your hand reaches down, pulls apart a piece of cooked flesh, brings it to your mouth, tastes it, devours it, wants more, tearing it away, pushing the body further back, the voice coming closer, a long, black tongue licks your face before whispering…
“But why?” you ask, softly as its hand comes to rest on your shoulder. “To be free of this torment, let go of the desire, the façade,”
“Do you see who you really are?”
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